Chinese premier urges Canton Fair to better serve opening up

Xinhua) 08:08, April 19, 2024

Chinese Premier Li Qiang tours the booths of multiple enterprises at the venue of the 135th session of the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

GUANGZHOU, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) should play a bigger role in expanding China's high-level opening up and promoting the building of an open world economy, Premier Li Qiang said Thursday.

Li made the remarks when visiting an exhibition on the history of the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province.

He also toured the booths of multiple enterprises at the venue of the 135th session of the Canton Fair that kicked off on Monday.

Li encouraged enterprises to continuously improve their research and development capabilities, and strive for digital, intelligent and green transformation.

Enterprises should fully leverage the opportunities from the Canton Fair to enhance the popularity of Chinese brands and boost foreign trade, the premier said.

At a symposium with representatives of Canton Fair participating firms, Li expressed hope that foreign trade-oriented enterprises would make more efforts to explore the international market, raise the quality and added value of their products, and partake in the formulation of international standards.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang speaks at a symposium with representatives of participating firms of the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, April 17, 2024. Li toured the booths of multiple enterprises at the venue of the 135th session of the Canton Fair on Thursday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Int'l students embrace Chinese culture to welcome UN Chinese Language Day in Changsha

Xinhua) 08:49, April 19, 2024

An intangible cultural heritage inheritor (1st R) teaches international students paper-cutting techniques at the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province, April 18, 2024. As the United Nations Chinese Language Day is around the corner, which is observed on April 20 every year since 2010, the School of International Education of Central South University joined hands with the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha to invite more than 100 international students from over 20 countries and regions to experience traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritages like paper cutting and dough modelling making. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

International students learn dough modelling at the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province, April 18, 2024. As the United Nations Chinese Language Day is around the corner, which is observed on April 20 every year since 2010, the School of International Education of Central South University joined hands with the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha to invite more than 100 international students from over 20 countries and regions to experience traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritages like paper cutting and dough modelling making. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

International students learn to make paper-cutting items at the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province, April 18, 2024. As the United Nations Chinese Language Day is around the corner, which is observed on April 20 every year since 2010, the School of International Education of Central South University joined hands with the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha to invite more than 100 international students from over 20 countries and regions to experience traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritages like paper cutting and dough modelling making. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

An intangible cultural heritage inheritor (1st L) teaches international students palm fiber weaving techniques at the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province, April 18, 2024. As the United Nations Chinese Language Day is around the corner, which is observed on April 20 every year since 2010, the School of International Education of Central South University joined hands with the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha to invite more than 100 international students from over 20 countries and regions to experience traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritages like paper cutting and dough modelling making. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

International students learn to make paper-cutting items at the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province, April 18, 2024. As the United Nations Chinese Language Day is around the corner, which is observed on April 20 every year since 2010, the School of International Education of Central South University joined hands with the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha to invite more than 100 international students from over 20 countries and regions to experience traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritages like paper cutting and dough modelling making. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

International students learn to make paper-cutting items at the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province, April 18, 2024. As the United Nations Chinese Language Day is around the corner, which is observed on April 20 every year since 2010, the School of International Education of Central South University joined hands with the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha to invite more than 100 international students from over 20 countries and regions to experience traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritages like paper cutting and dough modelling making. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

An intangible cultural heritage inheritor (2nd L) teaches international students to make dough modelling at the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province, April 18, 2024. As the United Nations Chinese Language Day is around the corner, which is observed on April 20 every year since 2010, the School of International Education of Central South University joined hands with the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha to invite more than 100 international students from over 20 countries and regions to experience traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritages like paper cutting and dough modelling making. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

An intangible cultural heritage inheritor (1st R) teaches international students paper-cutting techniques at the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province, April 18, 2024. As the United Nations Chinese Language Day is around the corner, which is observed on April 20 every year since 2010, the School of International Education of Central South University joined hands with the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha to invite more than 100 international students from over 20 countries and regions to experience traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritages like paper cutting and dough modelling making. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

International students communicate with each other when they learn to make paper-cutting items at the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province, April 18, 2024. As the United Nations Chinese Language Day is around the corner, which is observed on April 20 every year since 2010, the School of International Education of Central South University joined hands with the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha to invite more than 100 international students from over 20 countries and regions to experience traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritages like paper cutting and dough modelling making. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

International students learn to make paper-cutting items at the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha in central China's Hunan Province, April 18, 2024. As the United Nations Chinese Language Day is around the corner, which is observed on April 20 every year since 2010, the School of International Education of Central South University joined hands with the Museum of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Changsha to invite more than 100 international students from over 20 countries and regions to experience traditional Chinese intangible cultural heritages like paper cutting and dough modelling making. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Head of Kabylias independence movement MAK, Ferhat Mhenni, urged the UN to help the Kabylie people gain its right to self-determination to free itself from the yoke of Algerian occupation.

Speaking to participants to the 23rd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Mhenni urged the inclusion of Kabylia into the UN decolonization process, while announcing that the mountainous Amazigh speaking region will declare its independence on April 20.

He voiced hope that the UNs fourth committee on decolonization will receive a Kabylia delegation to look into how to support their peaceful independence struggle.

Ferhat Mhenni deplored that over 500 peaceful pro-independence Kabylian activists are in jail on bogus charges.

Algeria criminalizes the right of Kabylia to self-determination, while it promotes by terrorist means the same right, he said.

Kabyle population have long been repressed and stigmatized by the military regime in Algiers. While the Kabylians were at the forefront of the struggle against French colonialism, Kabyle leaders were assassinated by a military junta that took power in the wake of independence, installing a single party regime.

During Bouteflikas rule, the regime killed 126 Kabyle protesters in the incidents of the Black Spring, when thousands took to the streets to demand recognition of their linguistics and cultural specificities and better economic development. The protests were sparked by the killing of high school student Massinisa Guermah by the Algerian gendarmerie.

Under the Chengriha-Tebboune duo, the military regime took intimidation to a terrorizing level. Kabyle activists have accused Algiers of deliberately setting fire to their region as Algerian authorities sent scores of Kabyle independence activists to jail on bogus charges including terrorism.

During the 2019 presidential elections and the ensuing constitutional referendum, turnout in the restive Kabyle region was near zero, indicating a strong rejection of the local population of Algerian rule.
As foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies have gathered on the Italian island of Capri, Middle Eastern and African issues are also high on the agenda during the three days of talks.

The continuing escalation of tensions in the Middle East  between Israel and Iran, the war in Gaza, and the attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea  is dominating the three days of talks of the foreign ministers from the United States, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Canada and Japan.

Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani, who is chairing the G7 meeting, said that in an international scenario characterized by extremely high tensions, the Italian-led G-7 has the task of working for peace and added that Rome is engaged in an all-round effort to achieve this goal.

Meanwhile, Mauritanias foreign minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug has held a session at the G7 foreign ministers aimed at strengthening the G-7 partnership with the African Union (AU), a matter that Rome has been discussing in depth with Washington.

As EU leaders discuss stepping up sanctions against Iran, the AUs position has been unclear regarding the debate on whether Israel should retaliate, de-escalate or if Iran was wrong or right in launching its unprecedented missiles attack on Israel last week in response to a deadly strike on Irans Damascus consulate widely blamed on Israel. But the AU, by and large, does not support the use of sanctions, according to experts, who note that the bloc has always spoken about the need to lift sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, Cuba, and other countries by the West.
The European Union remains the worlds biggest contributor of Aid for Trade, committing over 18 billion in 2021, with Africa being the largest recipient of EU Collective Aid for Trade, followed by Asia and Europe, according to the latest EU Aid for Trade Progress Report.

This amount represents 47% of all Aid for Trade originating from bilateral and multilateral sources, sustaining the growth trajectory from a 33% contribution in 2018. The EUs Aid for Trade policies aim to promote sustainable growth in partner countries, and by helping them better integrate their economies into the global trading system and take greater advantage of the poverty-reducing benefits of economic openness and enhanced trade efficiency. Programs funded by the EU are complemented by the very generous General System of Preferences (GSP) scheme and asymmetrical trade agreements that give broad market access to exporting partner countries.

Trade can be an important accelerator for development, says European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen. The EUs traditionally done very well on this front, and I am happy to see that we are once again a top Aid for Trade contributor. Through our Global Gateway investment strategy, we work to create enabling environment for trade and sustainable growth. But as a policy brief published by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) last year noted, while the southern neighborhood should be a key focus for the EUs Global Gateway infrastructure program  (in reality) the bloc has so far directed relatively little of its investment to the region.
Kenya has declared a three-day mourning following a helicopter crush that killed chief of staff Francis Ogolla and nine other people on board.

Only two people survived the crash which occurred soon after take-off west of the country, President William Ruto said.

Ogolla departed Nairobi on Thursday to visit troops in the North Rift region of the country and to inspect ongoing school renovations, the president said.

Investigations are ongoing into the accident while the causes are not yet clear.

Gen. Ogolla, 61, was on a tour of the countrys troubled western region that has seen frequent attacks by local bandits.

Political controversy surrounded Ogolla even before his appointment, when he was accused by the countrys electoral commission chairperson as being part of a national security council delegation that tried to influence the outcome of the 2022 general election against President Ruto.
Photo: Obtained by New York Magazine

The man who set himself on fire across the street from the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial has died. Max Azzarello, 37, was pronounced dead at a city hospital early Saturday, according to police. The act of self-immolation was not directly related to the trial: He wrote in paranoid manifesto that he took his own life to bring attention to a set of conspiratorial beliefs. Below are live updates on this developing story.

If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 for free, anonymous support and resources.

This post has been updated throughout. Correction: A previous version of this story said the man had wrapped himself in an American flag, according to a witness. He did not.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Getty Images

Amid the chaos of a busy news week, it would be easy to miss the consequential fight in Congress over a surveillance bill that critics say could could intrude on Americans civil liberties. It concerns Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), a sweeping, soon-to-expire law that already allows the government to access data from internet and phone providers involving foreign citizens.

Earlier this week, the House passed a version of the bill that would allow the government to acquire information from a much larger number of service providers, including tens of thousands of businesses that provide Wi-Fi to their customers. That prospect worries Senator Ron Wyden deeply. Wyden, the longest-serving member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, thinks the new language could mean many American businesses would be forced into the surveillance dragnet, which can intercept Americans messages without a court order. On Friday, he introduced a bipartisan bill that would remove FISAs proposed new powers. He outlined his objections in a speech on the Senate floor. As Senate leaders from both parties tried to persuade critics to vote for re-authorization of the bill, I spoke with Wyden on Friday to understand the fight over Section 702.

Could you explain the expansion to FISA Section 702 that the Senate will be voting on?

What the bill does is it vastly expands the number of businesses and the number of individuals who can essentially be forced by the government to spy for them. In the past, the people who were collecting communications under 702 were basically internet service providers and phone companies, Google and AT&T. Thats the way it works right now. This guy in the House, Congressman Turner, without any discussion in the Senate whatsoever, dramatically expanded it. It expanded it to all these other service providers who have access to communication equipment. Thats it in a nutshell.

Turners provision, called Section 25, allows the government to forcibly deputize as a spy anybody who installs, maintains, and repairs communications equipment. Anyone who has access to a server, to a cable box, Wi-Fi, a phone, or a laptop. And if they have access to that, they can be forced into spying for the government. No warrants, no direct court oversight of this, and basically that person doesnt have any recourse and probably doesnt have high-priced lawyers available who are experts in figuring out the FISA court.

My understanding is that commercial-office landlords  so, all offices in Manhattan  are some of the largest groups that could get roped in?

If they are involved and have access to all these things that relate to communication, they can be deputized to play Big Brother for the government.

How robust is Section 702 already and what is that argument for expanding that dragnet?

Im sure that Turner would say that its a dangerous world and that we need to have additional resources. Theyve said that we are not spying on anyone, and this is a technical kind of change. Well, if its technical, why are there so many exceptions to it? Just because they create all these exceptions makes me say Why is this so broad? Doing it at the last minute without anybody in the Senate knowing anything about it is a particularly big tell. Congressman Turner then goes on to say there are secret reasons for his amendment. Ive been on the committee longer than anybody there and theres no justification for saying that.

And how are you looking to change the bill?

What Id do is strike it. A clean strike, removal, out, gone.

So does your bill look like the FISA Section 702 status quo?

Well, no. There are other changes and there are other things Im concerned about, but this is the most serious. I created a bipartisan bill that primarily dealt with warrants and Chairman Durbin of the Senate Judiciary Committee largely adopted our bipartisan, bicameral amendment. Im very supportive of it because this would do a lot to close a lot of the backdoor loopholes that youve got in 702.

Do some of those changes to reduce loopholes relate to what critics call the warrantless surveillance of 702?

Yes, but let me tell you why this is a problem. Communications systems are so integrated with each other, so clearly connected, what you have is that when the government collects on foreign-intelligence threats  and there are threats, no question about it, I cant get into them, but there are threats. Youre increasingly seeing more and more law-abiding persons swept up in those searches. What I have been advocating for some time and Chairman Durbin has put in his bill is that we create a wide berth for government. So that if government feels there are exigent circumstances  imminent threats  government can go get the information immediately. No ifs, ands, or buts, government makes that judgement and in effect comes back and settles with the FISA court later.

Theres an irony that FISA was first enacted to restrict government surveillance of citizens. Do you feel like weve wavered from that in this new version?

I think the policies have not kept up with the times. Thats why I mentioned these communications being globally interconnected. That means that more law-abiding Americans are getting swept up.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: MEGA/Getty Images

After months of speculation on whether Donald Trump would actually go to court on felony criminal charges before facing voters in November, his Manhattan trial over hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels is fully underway. Possible outcomes include felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions, acquittal, or a hung jury or mistrial, with all four seeming plausible.

Since we dont know if any of Trumps other felony criminal indictments will come to trial before November, this could be the key test of whether the 45th presidents legal troubles will affect his prospects for victory over Joe Biden.

While polling on this issue has been sporadic and questionably framed, it is reasonably clear that this particular case has been considered the least important, and thus least potentially damaging, to Trump. FiveThirtyEight explains:

According to an Ipsos/Reuters poll released Wednesday, 65 percent of registered voters found the hush-money-related charges very or somewhat serious, trailing the other three cases by 5 to 10 points. And in a YouGov poll from January, 56 percent of respondents ranked the hush money case as the least important of the four indictments. That majority held across nearly all demographic groups surveyed, including party identification.

The thinking seems to be that despite the lurid nature of the narrative surrounding the payments to Stormy Daniels, the case involves understandable private conduct (at least for a very rich man running for president) that occurred before Trump was president. And as former prosecutor Elie Honig explained at New York, theres a counternarrative for the case that makes Trump look more like a victim of overzealous prosecutors than a felon:

The crime is a paperwork offense relating to how Trump and his businesses logged a series of perfectly legal (if unseemly) hush-money payments in their own internal records. The prosecutions star witness is a convicted perjurer and fraudster who openly spews vitriol at the defendant, often in grotesque terms, essentially for a living. The famously aggressive feds at the Southern District of New York passed on the case years ago, and current Manhattan district attorney Alvin Braggs predecessor could have indicted before he left office but did not. The charges are either misdemeanors or the lowest-level felonies (depending on how the jury decides the case), and the vast majority of defendants convicted of similar offenses are sentenced to probation and fines, not prison.

Public reaction will depend on the optics of the trial and the exact outcome. An acquittal, of course, would be treated by his campaign and his supporters as a plenary exoneration of Trump that could actually boost his general-election standing but probably wont move mountains for him insofar as he faces three other felony criminal trials that voters do take very seriously. The biggest short-range question is whether a conviction  particularly of a felony  would significantly damage him. And there is some evidence that it would, as in a new AP-NORC poll released this week: Half of Americans would consider Trump unfit to serve as president if he is convicted of falsifying business documents to cover up hush-money payments to a woman who said he had a sexual encounter with her. Most crucially, 47 percent of self-identified independents, and even 15 percent of Republicans, share that sentiment. But anything else than a decisive felony conviction might play into public doubts that prosecutors in this and the other Trump cases are motivated by justice concerns rather than politics, the same polls suggests:

[A] cloud of doubt hangs over all the proceedings. Only about 3 in 10 Americans feel that any of the prosecutors who have brought charges against Trump are treating the former president fairly. And only about 2 in 10 Americans are extremely or very confident that the judges and jurors in the cases against him can be fair and impartial.

Its also worth noting that the half of Americans that would deem Trump unfit to serve as president if hes convicted in Manhattan isnt much higher than the percentage of voters who have consistently said they would not vote for the former president in any circumstance. As FiveThirtyEights Geoffrey Skelley observes, attitudes about Trumps culpability in the various trials may simply represent inflexible partisanship:

[A March] Ipsos/Politico poll found that a near-identical proportion of Americans (around half) believe Trump is guilty in all four cases. And with beliefs in Trumps guilt largely falling in line with partisanship, opinions on the indictments appear to be little more than a reflection of how voters feel about Trump at large 

Polling on the New York trial  and the other three indictments  reflects a clean split between the political parties and not much else. A guilty verdict might hurt Trumps performance among independents, but severe political polarization for and against the former president means that a seismic shift in voting patterns is unlikely.

On the other hand, it may not take a seismic shift in voting patterns to lift Joe Biden to victory if this and/or other trials cast a dark light on Trumps conduct and character. If, as appears increasingly likely, the Biden-Trump contest winds up extremely close, what he did in 2016 to very narrowly get over the finish line could cost him just enough votes in 2024 to keep him from a return to the White House. Biden would almost certainly have to fight another Trump effort to challenge or overturn the results, but thats a problem for another days consideration.
Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Go ahead and laugh off Donald Trumps immunity argument. Hell probably lose, eventually, and youll end up being right. But its not as simple as gravely intoning that No Man is Above the Law, dropping the mic, and asking what were even doing here in the first place. Theres more to the immunity question than that, and Trumps argument, though unlikely to prevail, isnt nearly as ridiculous as the glibly dismissive, strawman takedowns would have you believe.

Lets start off with what we do and dont know. We do know that civil immunity for federal officials is well-established and fairly uncontroversial. This doctrine goes back to a 1982 Supreme Court case called Nixon v. Fitzgerald  Nixon as in Richard and Fitzgerald as in some guy you never heard of who was a federal employee, got fired, and then sued for damages. The Supreme Court held that federal officials, from the president on down, cant be held civilly liable for actions taken within the scope of their jobs. Hiring and firing federal personnel falls squarely within the presidents official duties, the Court found, so Nixon was clear and Fitzgerald was out of luck.

But we dont know the answers to two key questions: (1) Is there a criminal counterpart to civil immunity, and (2) If so, what are the precise parameters? These issues have come up from time to time over the past few decades, but the Court has dutifully punted. Now the justices have taken up Trumps argument in Jack Smiths 2020 election subversion case, which will be argued next week, and theyve got to address criminal immunity head-on.

A reasonable person might wonder: whats the purpose of immunity, anyway? Why should we give federal officials a free pass? Immunity may have that effect but its not intended as some type of insiders fringe benefit. The legitimate policy reason, as articulated by the Supreme Court in the Nixon case (and many times since), is that public officials make difficult decisions every day that impact peoples health, finances, and lives. We dont want those policymakers hamstrung or influenced by worries that they might be sued (or, perhaps, indicted) for those decisions.

The paramount concern for the presidency itself, Trumps advocates surely will argue next week, is that an overzealous prosecutor might choose to criminalize official decisionmaking. What if, for example, some politically ambitious prosecutor in Arizona indicted Joe Biden for manslaughter because his border policies allowed people to enter the country illegally, and one migrant committed murder? Think this is ridiculous? It is. But its also not inconceivable. Witness one longtime former prosecutor who argued in a national news outlet that Trump should be indicted for manslaughter for his mishandling of Covid. It could happen, if the wrong prosecutor takes the reins.

Indeed, immunity has its valid purposes. But it needs to fire its public relations agent, immediately. As a legal doctrine, immunitys got a bad rap, thanks to common but oversimplified (and misleading) terms like blanket immunity and absolute immunity. Those phrases suggest that a president can never be prosecuted for anything he does from the moment he puts his hand on the bible at noon on January 20 until he departs office four years later. Its exceedingly easy to roll our eyes at such a claim  of course, a president cant shoot somebody on Fifth Avenue and get away with it  but its also not what Trump actually argues in the case heading to the Supreme Court. (At least, its not anymore; he included this preposterously overbroad claim in his earlier briefings but has since dropped it, wisely.)

Trump makes two arguments in his Supreme Court brief. One is stupid as hell, but the other isnt half bad. The lousy one is Trumps claim that a president can be indicted only if he has first been impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate. That construct has no basis in the Constitution, case law, or common sense. Impeachment and indictment are separate and unrelated processes, and theres nothing in our laws to indicate that the latter depends on the former. Moreover, this claim leads to absurd outcomes; this is how Trumps lawyers backed themselves into the infamous answer that, yes, a president can order Seal Team Six to assassinate a political opponent and get away with it (unless he has first been impeached and removed from office).

Trumps better argument is that a federal official is entitled to immunity from prosecution, but only for acts taken within the scope of the job. This ones got support in prior Supreme Court rulings  its the same framework the Court adopted in the civil context in Nixon  and it leads to reasonable real-world outcomes. When confronted with the Seal Team Six hypothetical, Trumps team should have responded that no, a president would not be criminally immune, because ordering a hit on a political opponent is plainly outside the scope of the presidency.

The problem for Trump here, as ever, is the facts. It takes Simone Biles-level gymnastics to argue that Trumps actions after the 2020 election were just part of the presidents workaday job of ensuring fair elections, rather than an effort to steal the thing for himself. So Trumps lawyers might ultimately win on the law (if the Supreme Court rules that a president can be criminally immune, within the scope of the job) but then lose on the facts (if the Court finds that Trump acted outside that scope).

Heres where district court Judge Tanya Chutkan dropped the ball. The Judge, who has shown herself to be a sharp jurist with a masterful grasp of the law, wrote a blistering 48-page opinion dismantling the claim that Trump (or any president) is categorically immune for all conduct during the presidential term. But Judge Chutkan failed, or refused, to do the next part (which also happened to be the hard part): she didnt even address Trumps claim that hes entitled to a limited form of immunity that protects a president only for official acts within the scope of the job. It wouldve been easy for the Judge to consider and dismiss this claim. Yet she inexplicably skipped it.

Indeed, the Court of Appeals tried to pick up the slack for Judge Chutkan when it issued its ruling two months later, as they found that even if some limited form of criminal immunity exists, Trump was outside the scope of the job. The problem, however, is that the Court of Appeals is not a factfinder. Thats up to the trial-level district court.

Now the door remains open for an outcome that Smith surely dreads: the Supreme Court might remand the matter back down to Judge Chutkan so she can hold a hearing to determine whether Trump acted within or outside the presidency. We know shell rule against Trump, but itll take precious time, and then Trump can re-start the appeals process afterwards. Wash, rinse, repeat.

If the Court does send the case back down, then Smiths chances of trying it before the 2024 election slip from unlikely to nil. In that deceptively likely scenario, Trump will  once again, somehow  manage to win by losing,

This article originally appeared in the free CAFE Brief newsletter. You can find more analysis of law and politics from Elie Honig, Preet Bharara, Joyce Vance, and other CAFE contributors at CAFE.com.
Best in Class The Strategists carefully chosen and rigorously vetted flagship shopping guides. Learn about our methodology here, and find all our Best in Class guides here. Photo: Marcus McDonald

The search for the right vibrator can be daunting (and expensive). Its also highly individual since no two bodies are the same. Ive been on the sex-toy beat for several years now and have extensively researched just about every category of toy out there and have also talked with dozens of experts. Among the thousands of vibrators available to choose from, there are subcategories, including very large and very small vibrators with multiple vibration patterns, those that attach to the tip of your finger, others that simulate tongues, even more that approximate penises, wearable vibrators with remote controls, and a growing category of vibrators that use suction to specifically stimulate the clitoris. I talked to 28 sex experts, sex educators, sexologists, shop owners, and professional reviewers about the 34 best vibrators. (If youre searching for the best lube to go with it, the best sex toys for couples, or the best sex toys for men, I have you covered there, too.)

Update on September 20, 2024: Replaced the Lelo Gigi 2 with the Lelo Gigi 3; named the Womanizer Blend the best less expensive air-suction-and-G-spot vibrator; added restock note for Zumio X; updated prices and checked stock for all other products.

What were looking for Type Experts say youll want a different type of toy depending on the type of pleasure and play you seek, so weve noted the types, from wands to rabbits to bullets.

Material You want to make sure youre investing in toys that are made of high-quality, body-safe materials. Body-safe materials  which include silicone, glass, metals such as stainless steel, and ABS plastic  are nonporous, so they are less likely to harbor harmful bacteria or viruses and are therefore more hygienic.

Speed The more levels of speed a vibrator has, the more opportunity there is to experiment to find what works best for your body. Keep in mind that if you are more sensitive, you may only need to play around with the lower levels, while those who need stronger vibrations will need a toy with higher settings.

Patterns Like intensity, vibrators often have different patterns that will impact the types of sensations you can experiment with to find what works best for your body.

Best vibrator overall

Magic Wand Rechargeable $130 Type: Wand | Material: Silicone, ABS plastic | Speed: 4 speeds | Patterns: 4 patterns Originally marketed as a muscle massager, the Magic Wand (formerly the Hitachi Magic Wand) was released in 1968 and quickly took off as a vibrator. Its been a categorical favorite ever since. Ive had mine for about a year and I very quickly understood why. While I have plenty of other toys in my nightstand that may be more aesthetically pleasing or boast some new tech, I find myself reaching for the Magic Wand over them time and time again. Its just that good. Todays rechargeable version is cordless, plus its lighter and quieter than the original. Carol Queen, Ph.D., staff sexologist at Good Vibrations in San Francisco and curator of the stores Antique Vibrator Museum, who I trust due to her decades of work in her field, says it has a well-deserved reputation for being strong and consistent, with many users having had their first orgasms with this power player vibe. Writer Beca Grimm, whose opinion I value as a long-time actual Magic Wand owner, agrees: Its the Maybelline Great Lash of vibrators  the same no-frills shit your mom used (maybe still uses?) that gets the job done. Archie Bongiovanni, who has years of experience as a sexual-health educator and events coordinator at the Minneapolis store Smitten Kitten, calls it the Cadillac of vibrators and points out that it can feel good on a penis, too, along with the clitoris and vulva. While it got the most recommendations of any toy on this list, a few of our experts did note that it can sometimes be too intense when used directly on more sensitive areas of the body. If you do tend toward the sensitive side, you can apply the head of the wand over your underwear or experiment with placing it indirectly. You can also buy Hitachi wand attachments to explore different sensations with the wand on different body parts. $130 at Amazon Buy $120 at Lovehoney Buy

Photo: Dominique Pariso

Best (less expensive) wand vibrator

Magic Wand Mini Rechargeable $60 $76 now 21% off $60 Type: Wand | Material: Silicone, ABS plastic | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 0 patterns If you want the power of the Magic Wand at a more affordable price point, Hitachi released a mini version earlier this year. In addition to being cheaper, the mini is also much lighter and smaller than the original, which makes it easier to travel with, handle, and store. I love my original Hitachi, but it does take up a lot of real estate in my bedside drawer. Unlike the original, the mini only features three speeds and no patterns and does not come with any additional attachments. While the head features the same flexible neck, it is also much smaller which allows for more targeted stimulation and makes it a lot easier to use with a partner. $60 at Amazon Buy $100 at Lovehoney Buy

Best-designed wand vibrator

Le Wand Petite $145 Type: Wand | Material: Silicone, ABS plastic | Speed: 6 speeds | Patterns: 4 patterns While the Magic Wand is the gold standard, if you prefer something a little more aesthetically pleasing, there are plenty of other wands to consider. If you want something thats a bit more designed and less utilitarian in design, the Le Wand Petite shares the shape and intensity of the Magic Wand but in a toy thats a bit easier on the eyes. The smooth silicone head is perfect for broader external stimulation on any type of body, regardless of gender, and because it has a slimmer design it can fit between bodies without getting in the way, so its great for people looking for a vibrator they want to use during penetrative sex. Shan Boodram, who Ive interviewed many times and is the author of The Game of Desire, says it delivers on both aesthetics and power. Its a toy that I use solo, with my partner, on my partner, and casually on other parts of my body, she says. Plus, if its left laying around and company comes over (because, seriously, I do use it casually), Im never embarrassed if its spotted. $145 at Babeland Buy $145 at Lovehoney Buy

Best vibrator for beginners

Maude Vibe $49 $49 Type: Cone-shaped | Material: Body-safe silicone | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 0 patterns If you want a nonintimidating, starter vibrator (that also looks good), this design-y silicone vibrator from Brooklyn-based company Maude might work for you. The Vibe, which has a slim teardrop shape that tapers into a round point, is made with 100 percent platinum-grade silicone, has three speeds controlled via one button, comes in a small canvas zip pouch, and charges with a USB. After trying out the Maude Vibe, one of our testers said, The best way to describe this was that an orgasm just zipped out of me. $49 at Maude Buy

Best soft vibrator

Je Joue Mimi Soft $99 now 25% off From $74 Type: Palm | Material: Silicone | Speed: 5 speeds | Patterns: 7 patterns Discreet, waterproof, and rechargeable, the Je Joue Mimi works for both solo and couple play, without a lot of noise. With adjustable vibration patterns and speeds, the Mimi is ideal if youre into a more mellow toy or are looking for a more quiet toy. Andrea Barrica, CEO and founder of O.school (so shes extremely knowledgeable on the subject of, well, big Os), says its her go-to because she finds most wands and suction toys to be too intense. When we tested this as part of a review of high-design vibrators, one of our testers simply said, The Mimi, so soft. From $74 at Amazon Buy

Best quiet vibrator

We-Vibe Touch $99 $99 Type: Palm | Material: Silicone | Speed: 8 speeds | Patterns: 0 patterns Like the Mimi, the Touch is made of supersoft, medical-grade silicone thats totally waterproof. Its also extremely quiet so its great for people with roommates, or if loud buzzing takes you out of the moment. One of our testers said that compared to other We-Vibe vibrators shes tried, the Touch is more ergonomic and has deeper vibrations. The contoured, handheld form is perfectly sized for stimulation across the labia and clitoris. $99 at Amazon Buy $99 at Lovehoney Buy

Best multipurpose vibrator

Wild Flower Enby 2 Rechargeable Vibrator $75 $75 Type: Multipurpose | Material: Silicone | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 3 patterns If youre looking for a versatile vibrator that can do many different things for many different types of bodies, the Enby from Wild Flower is extremely multipurpose. One side of this silicone toy is smooth, and the other is ribbed. The whole thing is very flexible so you can wrap it around a penis, using the textured side as a stroker. Alternatively, the toy can be laid flat and grinded against, used in between bodies, or slipped inside a harness. Editors Note: The Enby 2 is currently out of stock, but you can sign up for a restock notification on Wild Flowers site. $75 at Wildflower Sex Buy

Best vibrator for couples

Dame Eva Vibrator $140 Type: Wearable | Material: Silicone | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 0 patterns Another popular toy that can be worn during intercourse is the Eva II from Dame Products. The small vibrator has two flexible arms allows for hands-free play that is designed to rest between the labia, using its arms to secure it comfortably in place. This means it can deliver direct clitoral stimulation, no matter what position youre in or how often you move. Its great for use while having sex with a partner because you dont have to focus on holding something in place. $140 at Nordstrom Buy From $127 at Amazon Buy

Best app-compatible vibrator for couples

We-Vibe Sync 2 $149 $159 now 6% off $149 Type: C-shaped | Material: Silicone | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 7 patterns The Sync from We-Vibe is a wearable, C-shaped vibe that has held the top spot in my Best Sex Toys for Couples story three years running (and for good reason). Im always impressed by We-Vibe: the strength of the vibrations, the very smooth feel of its silicone, and its products overall design are all top-notch. The way the Sync works is fairly straightforward: One end is worn internally while the external part lies on the clit. When used with a partner, that means youre experiencing G-spot stimulation from both the toy and penetration. What makes the Sync especially user-friendly is that the angle of the toy is adjustable, so it bends to more comfortably fit the wearers shape. Plus it can be controlled with an accompanying remote (or an app if your partner isnt in the same room or even country), so you or your partner can adjust the settings without having to fuss around with the buttons once the toy is in place. $149 at Amazon Buy $159 at We-Vibe Buy

Best vibrator necklace

Crave Vesper Vibrator Necklace From $69 From $69 Type: Necklace | Material: Stainless steel | Speed: 4 speeds | Patterns: 1 pattern When its not in use, the Crave Vesper doubles as a minimalist piece of jewelry in silver, gold, or rose gold. In our guide to the new design-y vibrators, a Strategist tester said, Its a sexy object. I love wearing it. Sometimes my partner will pull it out of the bedside table by the chain, and its just sexy. The Vesper is compatible with any USB charger, so theres no need to carry around a separate cord if youre traveling. From $69 at Nordstrom Buy

Best air-suction vibrator

Womanizer Premium 2 $149 $199 now 25% off $149 Type: Air suction | Material: Silicone | Speed: 14 speeds | Patterns: 0 patterns Unlike a traditional vibrator, the Womanizer uses pulses of air and pressure waves  similar to the sensation of oral sex  on the clitoris. While many sex toy companies have since released similar toys, Womanizer was the first to create the technology and, in my opinion after having tested several on the market, has best perfected it. It comes with two easy-to-swap stimulator heads of different sizes. The Womanizer has 14 different intensity levels that you can manually switch between, or you can set it on autopilot mode and let it alternate in surprising patterns. $149 at Amazon Buy $150 at Lovehoney Buy

Photo: Dominique Pariso

Best (less expensive) air-suction vibrators

Satisfyer Pro 2 Air-Pulse Clitoral Stimulator $50 $50 Type: Air suction | Material: Silicone | Speed: 11 speeds | Patterns: 0 patterns Another suction-style is the Satisfyer, which clocks it at almost a quarter of the price of the Womanizer above. While I find the overall design of the toy to be rather clunky  you have to hold it in place, whereas the Womanizer lies comfortably against the vulva and its made of very hard plastic as opposed to silicone  the price makes it a good starter option if you are just dipping your toe into air suction toys. $50 at Amazon Buy

Best air-suction-and-G-spot vibrator

Womanizer Duo 2 $219 $219 Type: Air suction and vibrator| Material: Silicone| Speed: 14 intensity levels | Patterns: 10 patterns Womanizers Duo 2 not only delivers the external air-pulse stimulation the brand has perfected but has a vibrator you can use internally to stimulate the G-spot and help you achieve blended orgasms. The Duo 2 has very powerful motors and, especially at the higher settings, can be very intense, so its great for those who prefer toys that pack a lot of punch. If you find that youre on the more sensitive side of the spectrum, Id recommend starting slow and keeping it to the lowest settings at first. The toy also features an Afterglow setting: After climax, one short press of the minus button will set the toy back to its lowest setting to ride out the end of your orgasm without getting oversensitized. $219 at Lovehoney Buy

Best (less expensive) air-suction-and-G-spot vibrator

Womanizer Blend $119 $119 Type: Air-suction and vibrator | Material: Silicone | Speed: 8 intensities levels | Patterns: 6 patterns For a cheaper combination toy, I suggest the newest Womanizer release, the Blend. Its $100 less than the Womanizer Duo but combines the same G-spot vibration with the brands signature air-pulse technology on your clit to create powerful blended orgasms. The toy also features two motors, and each can be controlled separately so you can completely customize your experience. And while it has fewer intensity levels and vibration patterns than the Duo above, there is still plenty of power to play with, which makes it a good bang for your buck. $119 at We-Vibe Buy

Best tonguelike vibrator

Clandestine Devices Mimic $125 $125 Type: Tongue style | Material: Silicone, ABS plastic | Speed: 6 speeds | Patterns: 8 patterns Another vibrator that feels similar to receiving oral sex, the ergonomic Mimic can be used externally on the clitoris and labia, or even on testicles. The flat surfaces and edges of the Mimic provide different levels of pressure and vibration so you can customize your experience. Its waterproof and the thin, flexible shapes makes it easy to incorporate into play with partners. $125 at Babeland Buy $125 at Good Vibes Buy

Best flutter-style vibrator

Fun Factory Volta $109 $129 now 16% off $109 Type: Flutter style | Material: Silicone | Speed: 6 speeds | Patterns: 6 patterns While the Fun Factory Volta has an admittedly weird shape, it actually offers a lot of versatility. For people with vulvas, there are plenty of options: The two tips can fit around the clitoris, you can use just one of the tips for more pinpoint stimulation, you can use the tips to stimulate the clitoris and vaginal opening at the same time, or you can use it on the labia. The flexible tips can also be used to fit around the head of a penis. Plus, its also waterproof. $109 at Amazon Buy

Best fingerlike vibrator

Dame Products Fin Finger Vibe $65 Type: Finger style | Material: Silicone | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 0 patterns Shaped a bit like a smooth rock, with grooves on both sides so you can hold it between your fingers , the Fin from Dame  a newer brand founded and designed by women  has two vibrating patterns and three speeds. Our testers agreed that Dames vibrators were the softest of the bunch, with silicone that feels like expensive silk. $65 at Nordstrom Buy $65 at Dame Buy

Best rabbit-style vibrator

We-Vibe Nova 2 $149 $149 Type: Rabbit-style | Material: Silicone | Speed: 8 speeds | Patterns: 10 patterns If you want to try a rabbit-style vibe, which will stimulate both your G-spot and your clitoris at the same time, We-Vibes Nova 2 is my top recommendation. I often find that rabbits arent very adjustable and can easily slip out of place while in use. We-Vibes Nova, on the other hand, is extremely flexible, which makes it accessible for lots of different bodies. Plus, it makes it easier to keep the clitoral arm in place while thrusting the main body of the toy. Like all of We-Vibes toys, you can also connect the toy to the accompanying app, which is great for couples. $149 at Amazon Buy $149 at We-Vibe Buy

Best thrusting vibrator

Fun Factory Stronic G $149 $169 now 12% off $149 Type: G-spot pulsator | Material: Silicone | Speed: 7 speeds | Patterns: 3 patterns If youre seeking a toy for internal use with a thrusting feel, Fun Factorys line of waterproof silicone toys is an expert favorite because of the toys smooth, comfortable insertion and powerful motion. The shape of this slim model is geared toward G-spot stimulation and offers a choice of seven speeds and three rhythm settings. $149 at Amazon Buy

Best rabbit-style thrusting vibrator

Fun Factory Bi Stronic Fusion $200 Type: Rabbit pulsator | Material: Silicone | Speed: 8 speeds | Patterns: 8 patterns The Bi Stronic combines the thrusting power of the Stronic G with a rabbit style vibrator for an external clitoral buzz. The movement of the shaft, which mimics a natural thrusting motion, stimulates the G-spot, while the other arm vibrates for clitoral stimulation to help achieve a blended orgasm. The clitoral section of the vibrator can also be controlled separately, if you prefer just G-spot stimulation. $200 at Lovehoney Buy $200 at Fun Factory Buy

Best oscillating vibrator

Zumio X $140 Type: Oscillator | Material: Silicone, ABS plastic | Speed: 8 speeds | Patterns: 0 patterns While the Zumio X most resembles a rechargeable toothbrush, the pinpoint tip provides intense clitoral stimulation, and it also moves in a unique, oscillating pattern that some may prefer to a traditional buzzing toy. Since the tip actually moves instead of just vibrating, it makes for a really distinct sensation distinct from traditional vibrators. Editors Note: The Zumio X is currently out of stock, but we will update this story when the product is back in stock. $140 at Amazon Buy

Best G-spot vibrator

Lelo Gigi 3 $149 $149 Type: G-spot | Material: Silicone, ABS plastic | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 10 patterns The Lelo Gigi 3 is the latest updated version of the brands best seller and features a soft silicone tip, waterproof construction, and lasts for up to four hours once fully charged. When connected to the accompanying Lelo app, the Gigi 3 has two additional patterns, compared to the Gigi 2, which only has eight. The latest model The feature that makes it really stand out is the flat tip and curved shaft that are designed to maximize contact with the G-spot. All three of our testers loved it with one of them calling it the yacht rock of vibrators for its widespread appeal. Meanwhile, Tester D actually held up a notebook with a list of the vibrators she tried with YES written next to the Gigi. Because it has a longer, slimmer design, it can fit easily between partners, making the Gigi a great toy for couples. And if you flip the toy upside down, the flat tip can also be used externally for clitoral stimulation. $149 at Lelo Buy

Best bullet vibrator

We-Vibe Tango X $79 $79 Type: Bullet | Material: ABS plastic | Speed: 8 speeds | Patterns: 0 patterns Bullet vibrators are ideal for beginners because of their easy-to-use, straightforward design. The We-Vibe Tango X is an upgrade on the brands classic bullet-style vibrator, known for its strong vibrations and slim size. Sex writer and sex-toy reviewer Betty Butch, who has tested even more toys than I have, calls the Tango the gold standard of bullet vibrators that sex-toy reviewers compare all other bullet vibrators to. Sex educator and blogger Kelvin Sparks, who I can always rely on to give excellent toy recommendations, says, The Tango has the most rumbly vibrations Ive seen a bullet vibrator have. But despite the strength of its vibrations, its actually quite quiet while in use. $79 at Amazon Buy $79 at Amazon Buy

Best hands-free vibrator

We-Vibe Moxie Wearable Vibrator $139 Type: Wearable | Material: Silicone | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 7 patterns The Moxie is a panty vibe that can be worn under clothing and controlled with a remote control, making it a really great choice for couples. The Moxie attaches to your underwear with a strong magnet, so you can wear it with whatever you want, including a strap-on harness or more stimulation for the wearer. $139 at Amazon Buy

Best saddle-style vibrator

Ruby Glow $25 $32 now 22% off $25 Type: Saddle style | Material: Silicone | Speed: 10 speeds | Patterns: 0 patterns Saddle-style vibrators are designed to stimulate the entire vulva from the clitoris all the way to the perineum. If youre someone who likes to masturbate while reading erotica or prefers to be on top during partnered sex, this is the toy for you because youre in a seated position and completely hands free. $25 at Amazon Buy $69 at Babeland Buy

Best egg-shaped vibrator

Tenga Iroha Midori Women Vibrator $81 Photo: retailer Type: Egg-shaped | Material: Silicone | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 1 pattern While Tenga is perhaps best known for its strokers, the Japanese brand makes some of the most beautifully designed vibrators for beginners on the market. The toys are downright adorable and tend to evoke shapes that dont make you think of a vibrator at all, like the Irohi, which looks a bit like mochi ice cream. The silicone is buttery soft and squishy, the toys come in a range of pastel colors, and they are charged in little plexiglass display cases that make them almost look like small pets. Lola Jean, a sex educator who offers advise to the 50,000 followers on her educational Instagram, calls the Iroha by Tenga one of her favorites, adding that the line uses a spongy material that allows you to play with levels of pressure. They look like little works of art, so you can proudly display them. $81 at Amazon Buy $81 at Amazon Buy

Best palm-size vibrator

Dame Pom Vibrator $99 Type: Palm | Material: Silicone | Speed: 5 speeds | Patterns: 5 patterns For a non-intimidating option, the Dame Pom is super squishy and palm-size. It features five speeds, five patterns, and because it doesnt have an internal body, its flexible enough to easily conform to different areas of the body. $99 at Dame Buy $95 at Nordstrom Buy

Best vibrating ring

Je Joue Mio Vibrating Cock Ring $77 now 10% off From $69 Type: Ring | Material: Silicone | Speed: 5 speeds | Patterns: 7 patterns Along with new designs for clitoral and G-spot vibes, theres a growing market of vibrating rings for penises that can be used either alone or with a partner. Its on the more expensive side, but if you know you enjoy rings, this one from Je Joue is worth the investment. Its a longtime favorite in the category for both comfort and the rumbly, deep, vibrations it creates (which should provide plenty of stimulation without over sensitizing more delicate areas). The ring is also made of a durable silicone and is still quite stretchy so it can fit on a variety of sizes. From $69 at Amazon Buy

Best (less expensive) vibrating ring

Screaming O Ring $7 $7 Type: Ring | Material: Silicone | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 1 pattern If youre looking to experiment with a vibrating ring for the first time and dont want to spend a ton of money, this one from Screaming O is a perfect starter option. While it doesnt have the same number of speed or pattern settings as the Mio, it is still super stretchy for a comfortable fit. And, if youre just trying a ring out, taking it slow with the intensity of the vibrations is probably a good idea anyway. $7 at Amazon Buy $7 at Amazon Buy

Best vibrating ring for couples

We-Vibe Pivot $109 Type: Ring | Material: Silicone | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 7 patterns And if youre looking for a ring to use with a partner, the We-Vibe Pivot is the only one on this list which is app-compatible. This allows partners to control it from anywhere in the world  or across the room  and create custom vibration patterns. $109 at Amazon Buy

Best vibrating anal plug

b-Vibe Rimming Petite $160 Type: Anal plug | Material: Silicone | Speed: 5 speeds | Pattern: 6 patterns This is a higher-tech anal toy from b-Vibe that offers something unique to the anal-play market. It simulates the sensation of rimming with its vibrating head and rotating beads in the neck and base. Were showing the petite version here, which is best for beginners, but the toy also available in a larger standard size, if youre looking for something with a bit more girth. $160 at Babeland Buy

Best vibrating anal beads

Lelo Soraya Vibrating Beads From $172 $229 now 25% off From $172 Type: Beads | Material: Silicone | Speed: 3 speeds | Pattern: 8 patterns If you already have a set of non-vibrating beads, Lelos recently launched vibrating beads would be a fun new category to explore. It has eight different modes, supersoft silicone for added comfort, and is completely waterproof. And what makes this toy special is something called bow-motion technology. Basically, the vibrations begin at the base of the toy and cascade up through each bead, to keep the sensations consistent throughout the toy and simulate a thrusting sensation without the toy actually thrusting in and out. And because the toy features four beads that gradually increase in size, its also a good option for beginners. From $172 at Amazon Buy From $172 at Amazon Buy

Best prostate massager

Lelo Hugo $189 Type: Prostate | Material: Silicone, ABS plastic | Speed: 3 speeds | Patterns: 5 patterns Lelos vibrating prostate massagers are definitely a favorite among sexperts and consumers alike due to their strong, rumbly vibrations and pleasing design. The Hugo has a double motor  one in the prostate part, and one underneath for the perineum. (The perineum, for those who might not know, is the area between the testicles and butt.) The perineum massager, in addition to providing lots of fun sensation, also helps to keep the toy in place, if you want to keep it in during sex with a partner. It also has an accompanying app that allows you to customize the motors and hand over the controls to your partner anywhere in the world, so its great for long-distance couples, as well as single people. Lateef Taylor, whose opinion I trust as a pleasure-based sex educator and kink trainer, says, Its accessible to people who are exploring for the first time as well as those who are more experienced and desire more stimulation. $189 at Lelo Buy

Best vibrating stroker

Fun Factory Manta $136 now 15% off From $116 Type: Stroker | Material: Silicone | Speed: Six speeds | Patterns: Six patterns In our roundup of best sex toys for men, the Manta was named one of the best strokers. Its unlike any other sex toy on the market, says Lisa Finn, marketing director and sex educator at Babeland with years of experience. The soft, velvety silicone head is contoured to flex around the penis and is designed with ridges along the inside of the wings that hold lubricant in place for added sensation. Its very slim profile makes it ideal to use with a partner, and Kit Richardson, buyer for the Museum of Sex and the MoSex Shop so they know the toy market inside and out, adds that its perfect if youre looking to intensify a BJ. From $116 at Amazon Buy

Our experts

 Sid Azmi, owner of Please

 Samantha Bard, co-owner of Shag

 Andrea Barrica, CEO and founder of O.school

 Archie Bongiovanni, sexual-health educator and events coordinator at Smitten Kitten

 Shan Boodram, author of The Game of Desire

 Betty Butch, sex-toy reviewer

 Madeline Cooper, licensed clinical social worker and therapist who specializes in sexuality and relationships

 Lisa Finn, marketing director at Babeland

 Megan Fleming, sex therapist

 Beca Grimm, writer and editor

 Lola Jean, sex educator

 Jacq Jones, sex educator and owner of Sugar

 Zoe Ligon, founder of Spectrum Boutique

 Ava Mir-Ausziehen, performer, writer, and sex-toy reviewer for Sssh.com

 Nefertiti Mitchell, founder and owner of Ghettoff

 Olive Moore, Narcisse NYC staffer

 Carol Queen, Ph.D., staff sexologist at Good Vibrations and curator of the stores Antique Vibrator Museum

 Quinn Rhodes, sex blogger

 Sinclair Sexsmith, erotica writer

 Kelvin Sparks, sex educator and blogger

 Anne Stagg, erotica writer and podcast host

 Marla Renee Stewart, sexologist and co-author of The Ultimate Guide to Seduction & Foreplay

 Lateef Taylor, pleasure-based sex educator and kink trainer

 Angela Wells, founder, president, and CEO of Vibrant, Planned Parenthoods sex-toy e-tailer

 Lorraine White, Unbound co-founder

 Emmy Williams, manager of Narcisse NYC

Additional reporting by Liza Corsillo and Karen Iorio Adelson

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DOL Supports Families of Fallen Workers on Workers Memorial Day

Tonya Malley Ford was appointed OSHAs first national family liaison in 2023.

In honor of Workers Memorial Day on April 28, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is supporting families affected by work-related incidents. Tonya Malley Fordwhose uncle lost his life in a workplace incidenthas become a national advocate for worker safety and now serves as OSHAs first national family liaison.

Ford's journey began fifteen years ago when her uncle, Robert Fitch, fell from a belt-operated manlift device while working at an agricultural company in Lincoln, Nebraska. Following her uncle's death, Ford turned her family's grief into a mission to honor workers who never returned home and raise awareness about workplace safety.

With the help of local unions, Ford organized an annual Workers Memorial Day ceremony in Lincoln and, over the past 13 years, united Nebraska families to remember fallen workers. She has also led efforts to host free awareness conferences as well as educate employers, workers and the public about the importance of workplace safety.

In 2023, OSHA appointed Ford as the nation's first National Family Liaison. Her role aims to provide support, guidance and resources to families grappling with the loss of a loved one in the aftermath of a workplace incident, illness or disease.

My position is to help those left behind, whether that be a listening ear or helping them find answers to the many questions one has after such a loss, Ford said in a statement. Working for OSHA allows me to connect with more families across the country in their time of need with the wish that one day, my position will no longer be needed because every worker will go home safe at the end of the day.

Nebraska's Workers Memorial Day ceremony will take place at the state capitol, while OSHA will host events in Washington, D.C. More information on 2024 events led by OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is on the OSHA website.
OSHA Finds Florida Labor Contractor Could Have Prevented Fatal Heatstroke Incident

McNeill Labor Management Inc. became subject of an investigation following the death of a 26-year-old worker.

Following an incident in Belle Glade, Florida, resulting in the death of a 26-year-old worker due to heatstroke, an OSHA investigation found that labor contractor McNeill Labor Management Inc. failed to implement adequate heat illness prevention measures.

According to a recent release, the victimwho was employed under the federal H-2A program for temporary nonimmigrant workerscollapsed while working in extreme heat in an open field. Despite exhibiting symptoms of heat-related illness and expressing discomfort, the worker did not receive appropriate assistance before collapsing.

OSHA's investigation revealed McNeill Labor Management could have prevented the tragedy by implementing heat-related safety protocols to protect workers, such as acclimation plans and mandatory rest breaks. In response, OSHA cited McNeill Labor with $27,655 in penalties and one serious violation for exposing workers to high ambient heat hazards and failing to report the worker's hospitalization and subsequent death.

Based in Belle Glade, McNeill Labor Management Inc. has opted to contest OSHAs findings before an independent commission. For more information about OSHAs Heat Illness Prevention Campaign, visit the initiative's website at www.osha.gov/heat.
Respiratory Protection: Are Employers doing it right?

Date: Thursday May 16, 2024 at 2:00pm ET - 1:00pm CT - 11:00am PT

In this webinar, we will discuss how respiratory protection is misrepresented with regards to when, why, how respirators are used and the dangers involved when a program is not followed.

This discussion will continue with the employers responsibility to its employees when respiratory protection is required and common hazards that are found during audits, due to misunderstanding of OSHA regulations by the employer.

Register for this free webinar!

DATE: May 16, 2024

TIME: 2:00PM ET - 1:00PM CT - 11:00AM PT

Speaker:



Steven R. Myers, CFI

Steve Myers has 41 years of experience in Occupational Safety and Health. He worked for Vermont OSHA for many years before transitioning to the private sector as a consultant. He has taught Safety and Health courses for Keene State College/OSHA Training Institute Education Center for 25 years.

As of 2023, Steve semi retired and closed his consulting business, but continues teaching Safety and Health for KSC/OTIEC. An avid videographer and photographer, Steve is creating safety and health content to share with others in his field.

Sponsors:

Honeywell Safety Products are trusted around the world. We help organizations solve the toughest, most complex challenges, and provide actionable solutions and innovations to help protect the future of over 500 million workers. Our mission is to make the world smarter, safer and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell Personal Protective Equipment, please visit https://automation.honeywell.com

Duration: 1 Hour
Africas biggest oil producer, Nigeria, plans to offer up to 20% of its crude oil production for trading on its commodities exchange, Akinsola Akeredolu-Ale, the chief executive of the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange, told Bloomberg in an interview published on Friday.

The official didnt elaborate on when the exchanges first-ever crude trading would begin.

The goal of the launch of crude oil trading is to expand access to financing for the oil and gas industry, on which Nigeria relies for most of its foreign currency income.

The Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange is working with the local Securities and Exchange Commission to meet requirements for trading of crude, the exchanges CEO said.

The consideration is that 10 to 20% of Nigerias crude oil production be provisioned for trading on the floor of the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange, Akeredolu-Ale told Bloomberg.

Currently, the five most popular commodities traded on the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange are gold, paddy rice, cashew, cocoa, and sesame seed.

OPEC member Nigeria aims to boost its crude oil production in the coming months and years.

Oil theft and pipeline vandalism have long plagued Nigerias upstream oil and gas industry, driving majors out of the country and often resulting in force majeure at the key crude oil export terminals.

Nigerian oil production has started to recover in recent months and hit in February its highest level in more than three years amid a concerted effort to crack down on targeted attacks and organized theft rings.

Earlier this week, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said that Nigerias crude oil reserves had increased by 1 billion barrels while natural gas reserves have jumped by 2.573 trillion cubic feet (TCF). As of January 1, 2024, Nigerias combined proven reserves of crude oil and condensate stood at 37.50 billion barrels, while the reserves of associated natural gas and non-associated gas stood at 209.26 trillion cubic feet, said NUPRCs chief executive Gbenga Komolafe.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Namibia wants to join OPEC as it prepares to reap the benefits of its crude oil resources, with daily production capacity seen at an impressive 700,000 bpd in 2030the first year of production per current plans. OPEC, it seems, will be only too happy to welcome it in the fold.

OPEC has created "great value" in "ensuring that the dynamics of the market are controlled and managed in a sustainable manner," Namibia's Petroleum Commissioner Maggy Shino said at a recent online event, suggesting the southwest African nation would be happy to join the oil group. Reports said that the two had already started discussing Namibia's membership.

Reuters, meanwhile, cited unnamed sources and the executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber as saying that OPEC very much wants Namibia to become a member. At first, the country could become a member of the OPEC Charter of Cooperation, these sources told Reuters, and then move on to full membership. Brazil joined the Charter of Cooperation earlier this year, the report recalls.

According to the African Energy Chamber's NJ Ayuk, OPEC has started "a charm offensive" on Namibia. According to Namibia's Minister of Mines and Energy, there were no talks about the country joining OPEC.

"We haven't been approached by anyone to join OPEC. OPEC members are petroleum exporting countries and we are not there yet," Tom Alweendo said, as quoted by Reuters. "That is a consideration only after we have started to produce."

This is going to happen quite soon, per plans. Supermajors have tapped an estimated 11 billion barrels of oil in offshore resources, with first production is seen in 2030. Shell and TotalEnergies are the leading investors in Namibia's oil future, along with Qatar Energy and a UK-listed Australian driller by the name of Global Petroleum. Chevron, Portugal's Galp, and Rhino Resources are also exploring for oil in the country's Orange Basin.

Two discoveries in particularShell's Graff and TotalEnergies' Venuscould transform the country into not only a new oil producer but a major one, as they are estimated to contain billions of barrels in oil and gas.

The Graff discovery could hold as much as 1.7 billion barrels of oil and gas across three wells, according to Barclays estimates. The Venus discovery is even bigger, with reserves seen at up to 3 billion barrels of oil equivalent.

"In the last 18 months, two light crude oil discoveries were made in Namibia, namely Venus and Graff, in the Orange Basin. The Venus discovery alone ranks as the second largest deep water oil discovery in the world since 2015 and if proven together with the other oil discoveries, has the potential to place Namibia in the top 15 oil producing countries by 2035," Namibia's Prime Minister, Saara Kuungongelwa-Amadhila, said last year.

This potential certainly makes Namibia an attractive new target for OPEC membership. The cartel already accounts for a solid portion of global oil production. This portion rose substantially when Russia and the Central Asian producers joined in with OPEC+. Then Angola left, costing OPEC some 1.1 million bpd in production. Namibia could basically fill that gap, albeit not entirely. Besides, Angola may well come back, as has happened with other OPEC members in the past.

It seems, then, that there are two willing potential partners, and the tie-up is only a matter of time. Such a tie-up would add 700,000 bpd to OPEC's total, which could grow further, too, if additional exploration yields results. Namibia joining the group would strengthen OPEC's hand in future price control moveswhich is the point of adding new members in the first place.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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What Tehran is now most concerned about is an Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities, and what the domestic

Irans direct attack on Israel was purposefully a failure, designed to complement Israels defense systems. Any other outcome would have been disastrous for Iran.

Oil prices then fell back again as an Iranian source claimed there had been no attack - suggesting Iran was keen to downplay the event.

What should be more worrisome for oil markets is Israels response to Irans response (to Israels response), which came around midnight on Thursday, when first reports of an explosion inside Iran broke. The explosion took place in Irans Isfahan province, which houses its nuclear facilities, as well as a key Iranian military air base. Reports from the ground suggest no nuclear facilities have been damaged, and Iranian state TV is claiming zero damage. Military sources have told various media that the Israel strike was limited and that the U.S. had been informed in advance. After nose-diving this week, initial news of the explosions sent oil prices up nearly 3% late on Thursday.

Oil markets have largely discounted the Iranian missile and drone barrage directed at Israel because it was essentially a ruse designed not to inflict any damage, but to save face at home and abroad. Almost all of the missiles were intercepted by Israeli defense systems, yet Tehran was able to boast of its first direct attack on Israel.

Oil markets have largely discounted the Iranian missile and drone barrage directed at Israel because it was essentially a ruse designed not to inflict any damage, but to save face at home and abroad. Almost all of the missiles were intercepted by Israeli defense systems, yet Tehran was able to boast of its first direct attack on Israel.

What should be more worrisome for oil markets is Israels response to Irans response (to Israels response), which came around midnight on Thursday, when first reports of an explosion inside Iran broke. The explosion took place in Irans Isfahan province, which houses its nuclear facilities, as well as a key Iranian military air base. Reports from the ground suggest no nuclear facilities have been damaged, and Iranian state TV is claiming zero damage. Military sources have told various media that the Israel strike was limited and that the U.S. had been informed in advance. After nose-diving this week, initial news of the explosions sent oil prices up nearly 3% late on Thursday.

Oil prices then fell back again as an Iranian source claimed there had been no attack - suggesting Iran was keen to downplay the event.

This is a cat-and-mouse game.

Irans direct attack on Israel was purposefully a failure, designed to complement Israels defense systems. Any other outcome would have been disastrous for Iran.

What Tehran is now most concerned about is an Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities, and what the domestic blowback would be if Iran proves incapable of protecting its only real regional and global leveragethe future ability to host a nuclear weapons program. Its as much about the potential for regime change as it is for the loss of regional power.

Tehran is now busy trying to come up with a threat that could prove as a deterrence for such an attack. On Thursday, Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp nuclear security commander warned that Iran would change its nuclear doctrine if Israel attacked its nuclear facilities. Irans nuclear policy, as presented publicly (to which the IRGC security commander is referring), has been against the development of nuclear weapons. A warning of a policy change, then, is a warning that Iran will fast-track nuclear weapons development. In other words, Tehran is hoping to deter an Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities by generating significant concern in the West that an Israeli attack will lead to the creation of another nuclear-armed enemy.

Will Israel attack Irans nuclear facilities? The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) thinks so. On Tuesday, three days after Irans missile strike on Israel, the agency evacuated its inspectors from Iranian nuclear facilities because it was the most likely target.

Whether Israel will escalate further or if this was simply a test of Iran's defense system, just as Iran appeared to test Israel's Iron Dome, remains to be seen.
A suspected Iranian spy ship that its own government calls an "intelligence and logistics" vessel returned home this week after a three-year mis, as well as more recently lingering near Yemen for months.

The Iranian 'spy ship' BEHSHAD (9167289), which had a hand in the Red Sea Crisis by assisting Houthis in launching attacks against commercial and naval vessels over the past several months, has now returned to Iran after a 3-year deployment. We were able to verify her in pic.twitter.com/NqJ3LYdIWY  TankerTrackers.com, Inc. (@TankerTrackers) April 19, 2024

The MV Behshad entered the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday and moored off Bandar Abbas, a port city located on the southern coast of Iran, on Thursday.

Several reports, including one from The Wall Street Journal in December, suggest the vessel was directly assisting Yemen's Houthi forces with targeting commercial ships in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and the southern Red Sea.

"Iran's paramilitary forces are providing real-time intelligence to Yemen's Houthis that the rebels are using to direct drones and missiles to target ships passing through the Red Sea, Western and regional security officials said," WSJ wrote in the report, citing Western intelligence sources.

In March, we pointed out that Behshad moored near the area where undersea data cables linking several continents were severed.

Behshad's return to Iran comes as the Israel-Iran conflict deteriorated, with both countries volleying missiles and drones at each other in recent days.

"The ship is likely viewed as one of the targets Israel may hit in the future," said Michael Horowitz, the head of intelligence at Le Beck International, a security and risk management consultancy, in a post on X.
Oil price volatility has climbed dramatically as tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, with Brent breaking the $90 mark early on Friday morning before falling back to the $86 handle.

Friday, April 19th 2024

The drastic seesawing of oil prices in recent trading sessions reflects the uncertainty surrounding the Israel-Iran conflict, with initial reports of Israeli strikes on Iranian soil ratcheting up Brent above $90 per barrel, only to see them plunge back to $86 per barrel following Tehrans dismissal of their impact. The reimposition of oil sanctions on Venezuela was placed on the back burner by the market as geopolitics have reigned supreme lately.

US Reimposes Oil Sanctions on Venezuela. The US Department of State has let its 6-month waiver allowing Venezuela to freely trade its crude expire, claiming President Maduro failed to fulfill his pre-election commitments and provided oil companies a 45-day grace period to wind down operations in the country.

Congress Targets Chinas Purchases of Iranian Oil. The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly (383-11) passed a bill countering Chinas purchases of Iranian crude oil, seeking to sanction transactions between Chinese financial institutions and Iran, with the legislation moving to the Senate where it faces an uncertain fate.

UAE Sovereign Fund to Take Over Spanish Major. Abu Dhabis TAQA is in talks with the three largest shareholders of Spanish gas-focused energy firm Naturgy (BME:NTGY) over a possible takeover bid, with the companys market value of $22 billion making it potentially the largest such deal by a sovereign fund.

EU to Sue Germany Over Its Gas Tariffs. The European Commission is expected to sue Germany for charging its neighbors an extra fee for buying gas from its storage sites, defying the EUs single-market rules and tripling the neutrality charge fee since it was initially introduced in October 2022.

White House Mulls Summer SPR Releases. Senior White House adviser John Podesta claimed the Biden administration could release strategic petroleum stocks over the summer months to ensure affordable gasoline prices, just as high oil prices have halted the US Energy Departments SPR replenishment plans.

Kazakhstan Claims $150 Billion From Oil Majors. The government of Kazakhstan has raised its arbitration claims against the NCOC consortium of international majors that developed its 13 Bbbls Kashagan supergiant field to $150 billion, claiming it recalculated the value of oil promised oil production that was not delivered.

Creditors Want Conoco to Take Over Citgo. Activist investor Elliott Investment Management has voiced its interest in Citgo Petroleum, operating three refineries with a capacity of 807,000 b/d, whilst the Centerview group of investors wants to lure ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) to spearhead their bid.

Decommissioning Costs Loom for US Producers. The US Department of Interior announced new BOEM offshore rules that require the oil and gas industry to raise some $7 billion in financial assurances for the decommissioning of offshore platforms, penalizing firms without sufficient proven reserves as theyd need to provide supplemental financial coverage.

White House Restricts Alaska Drilling and Mining. The Biden administration finalized a regulation to block oil and gas development on 40% of Alaskas National Petroleum Reserve, also rejecting a proposal to connect the Ambler Mining district to the states road infrastructure.

European Gas Prices Firm on Israel-Iran Strikes. Europes benchmark TTF prices moved up to 31-32 per mmBtu ($11/mmBtu) as the missile and drone exchange between Israel and Iran alerted European buyers to the risks of a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Mexico Hands Over Key Gas Field to Carlos Slim. According to Mexican press reports, the countrys state oil company Pemex has agreed to hand over control of its key Lakach natural gas project in the Gulf of Mexico to Grupo Carso (BMV:GCARSO), the holding company of billionaire Carlos Slim.

Namibia to Set Up Sovereign Wealth Fund. Just as Shell (LON:SHEL) hit another oil discovery with its Enigma-1X exploration well in offshore Namibia, the African country announced it would create a sovereign wealth fund to reinvest its oil revenues, benefitting its meager $13 billion economy.

Saudi Arabia Wants a Share of Barricks Mega Mine. Saudi Arabias mining investment fund Manara Minerals is reportedly closing in on a deal to buy a minority stake in the $7 billion Reko Diq copper and gold mine operated by Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD), possibly buying out part of the Pakistani governments equity.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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Oil prices gave up nearly all of early Fridays gains after an Iranian official told Reuters that there hadnt been a missile attack against Iran.

Oil surged by as much as $3 per barrel in Asian trade early on Friday after a U.S. official told ABC News today that Israel launched missile strikes against Iran in the early morning hours today. After briefly spiking to above $90 per barrel early on Friday in Asian trade, Brent fell back to $87.10 per barrel in the morning in Europe.

The news was later confirmed by Iranian media, which said the countrys air defense system took down three drones over the city of Isfahan, according to Al Jazeera. Flights to three cities including Tehran and Isfahan were suspended, Iranian media also reported.

Israels retaliation for Irans missile strikes last week was seen by most as a guarantee of escalation of the Middle East conflict since Iran had warned Tel Aviv that if it retaliates, so will Tehran in its turn and that retaliation would be on a greater scale than the missile strikes from last week. These developments were naturally seen as strongly bullish for oil prices.

However, hours after unconfirmed reports of an Israeli attack first emerged, Reuters quoted an Iranian official as saying that there was no missile strike carried out against Iran. The explosions that were heard in the large Iranian city of Isfahan were the result of the activation of the air defense systems of Iran, the official told Reuters.

Overall, Iran appears to downplay the event, with most official comments and news reports not mentioning Israel, Reuters notes.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that there is no damage to Irans nuclear sites, confirming Iranian reports on the matter.

The Isfahan province is home to Irans nuclear site for uranium enrichment.

Brent briefly soared back above $90 before reversing lower after Iranian media downplayed a retaliatory strike by Israel, Saxo Bank said in a Friday note.

The $5 a barrel trading range in oil prices over the past week has been driven by traders attempting to quantify the level of risk premium needed to reflect heightened tensions but with no impact on supply, the bank said, adding Expect prices to bid ahead of the weekend.

At the time of writing Brent was trading at $87.34 and WTI at $83.14.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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- The volume of options trading is surpassing record levels, with last

- Call options are currently trading at their widest premium to bearish put options since October, with the call skew some 5% above puts, as traders start to hedge their exposure against price rallies.

- Oil prices have slid lower this week with ICE Brent shedding some $3 per barrel and moving within the $88-89 per barrel range, but the oil markets interest is increasingly geared towards options.

- Heavy sour might come under pressure in Latin America, though the Biden administration hinted at a potential reinstatement of the waiver in case Maduro allows opposition candidates to run.

- Thanks to the temporary respite in sanctions, Venezuelas state oil firm PDVSA ramped up production by some 150,000 b/d, with oil production last month rising above 870,000 b/d.

- The US waiver was linked to President Maduros agreement to hold a free and fair presidential election in July and to allow opposition politicians to participate, but both Maria Corina Machado and her proxy replacement Corina Yoris were barred from running.

- The Biden administration reimposed sanctions on Venezuelas oil industry after its six-month waiver expired on 18 April, with the White House providing oil firms with a 45-day grace period to wind down operations.

1. Venezuela Braces for Impact After US Reimposes Sanctions

- The Biden administration reimposed sanctions on Venezuelas oil industry after its six-month waiver expired on 18 April, with the White House providing oil firms with a 45-day grace period to wind down operations.

- The US waiver was linked to President Maduros agreement to hold a free and fair presidential election in July and to allow opposition politicians to participate, but both Maria Corina Machado and her proxy replacement Corina Yoris were barred from running.

- Thanks to the temporary respite in sanctions, Venezuelas state oil firm PDVSA ramped up production by some 150,000 b/d, with oil production last month rising above 870,000 b/d.

- Heavy sour might come under pressure in Latin America, though the Biden administration hinted at a potential reinstatement of the waiver in case Maduro allows opposition candidates to run.

2. Traders Hedge Geopolitical Risks with Record Options

- Oil prices have slid lower this week with ICE Brent shedding some $3 per barrel and moving within the $88-89 per barrel range, but the oil markets interest is increasingly geared towards options.

- Call options are currently trading at their widest premium to bearish put options since October, with the call skew some 5% above puts, as traders start to hedge their exposure against price rallies.

- The volume of options trading is surpassing record levels, with last week seeing more than 1 million calls traded on the global Brent crude benchmark, mostly focusing on the $95 and $100 per barrel thresholds.

- Oil traders currently held more than 3 million barrels worth of options contracts on prices breaking through the $250 per barrel mark by June, attesting to the depth of hedging out there.

3. US Coal Production Plunges on High Inventories and Weak Demand

- US weekly coal production fell to its lowest figure in 22 years for the week ending April 13, according to EIA data, driven by high inventories, lower consumption, and continued pressure from cheap natural gas.

- National coal production dropped to roughly 7.5 million short tonnes, down about 1.3 million st or 15% from two weeks earlier, with output declines recorded in all the leading production basins in Appalachia, Illinois Basin, and Powder River.

- With the US second-largest coal export hub in Baltimore debilitated after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, weekly export data have been disappointing, too  according to Kpler, the average pace of loadings at 1.4 million tonnes per week is the lowest since July 2023.

- Despite notable coal-to-gas displacement leading to a 17% year-over-year drop in US coal consumption, coal inventories were the highest in three years by the end of 2023, totaling 154 million short tonnes.

4. China Pulls Ahead as Worlds Wind Power Leader

- Cementing Beijings dominance in renewable energy, Chinese wind farms produced more than 100 TWh of electricity in March, as much as all of Europe and North America combined and the highest monthly total ever by a single country.

- Chinese wind generation is up by more than 25% year-over-year; however, the upcoming months should see growth decline as wind speeds in the summer months usually slow down.

- China still overwhelmingly relies on coal, accounting for 62% of national power output, but winds 11.4% might soon overtake hydro and become the second-largest source of electricity.

- Beijing controls some 60% of the worlds turbine production capacity and almost 50% of wind generation capacity, prompting the European Union to investigate Chinese wind companies and potentially slap tariffs on them.

5. LNG Gains Traction as Shipping Fuel

- LNG-fuelled ships remain the top choice for lower-carbon shipping, Rystad Energy writes, despite the emergence of new dual-fuel methanol and ammonia ship engines.

- There are more than 2,400 vessels equipped to operate on LNG globally with another 1,000 carriers in global order books, but most of them are still LNG carriers that use boil-off gas as shipping fuel.

- Container ships and car carriers have emerged as a leading drive in LNGs adoption as a shipping fuel, with 75% of new orders going towards dual-fuel LNG engines last year, whilst passenger carriers and general cargo ships are still lagging.

- Ship-to-ship bunkering in LNG remains unequally distributed across the globe, with Europe boasting 85 LNG bunkering ports whilst Asia has only 26 ports and Africa barely any LNG bunkering capacity.

6. Russia Metals Ban Set to Bring More Volumes to Chinese Markets

- As the London Metal Exchange and CME banned trading of Russian aluminum, copper, and nickel, China is poised to cement its position as Moscows buyer of last resort for key commodities.

- Russian aluminum already accounted for 76% of all Chinese imports, with volumes doubling year-over-year to 1.54 million tonnes of primary metal, whilst Chinas share in Rusal aluminum revenues rose from 8% in 2022 to 23% in 2023.

- According to Bloomberg, Russia accounted for 91% of LME aluminum inventories at the end of March, whilst for copper and nickel their share in total stocks stood at 62% and 36%, respectively.

- The metal ban is set to boost liquidity at the Shanghai Futures Exchange, just as Beijing has been trying to get greater pricing power over global commodities.

7. Panama Canal Struggles to Get Its Mojo Back

- Despite improving water conditions at the Panama Canals Gatun Lake and the Panama Canal Authority adding an extra daily slot for transits from June 1 onwards, US LNG shippers still avoid the waterway.

- The Cape of Good Hope emerged as the preferred route for US LNG supplies, also overtaking the Suez Canal with as many as 27 transits last month, driven by shippers concerns about Red Sea missile attacks.

- Daily transits through the Panama Canals Neopanamax locks are set to increase from seven to eight, however cheap LNG freight with day charter rates in the Atlantic Basin around $33,000 per day makes the Cape of Good Hope cheap enough and delay-free.

- The Panama Canal restrictions should gradually ease into 2024 as late April should bring steady rainfall and continue for some months, with the Canal Authority eyeing a full normalization of transits by 2025.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a surprising rise in crude inventories, the highest since mid-2023, which applied downward pressure on oil prices. This inventory build, coupled with reduced refinery activity, suggests adjustments that might reflect softer demand or strategic refinery operations.

Concerns over potential supply disruptions due to tensions between Israel and Iran were top of mind this week. However, Israels response - after briefly sending oil prices higher - had a negligible impact on oil prices. Additionally, while U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry remain in effect, they were less impactful compared to the immediate issues in the Middle East. The market's tempered reaction suggests a resilience or perhaps skepticism towards the probability of severe disruptions in oil flows, which has helped stabilize price levels.

This week, crude oil markets experienced significant volatility to the downside, driven by geopolitical concerns, unexpected inventory adjustments, and changes in demand. Although escalation fears between Israel and Iran loomed over the markets, price responses were muted, reflecting a complex set of influences on oil pricing.

Selling Pressure, Profit-Taking Dominate Trade

This week, crude oil markets experienced significant volatility to the downside, driven by geopolitical concerns, unexpected inventory adjustments, and changes in demand. Although escalation fears between Israel and Iran loomed over the markets, price responses were muted, reflecting a complex set of influences on oil pricing.

Geopolitical Tensions and Market Responses

Concerns over potential supply disruptions due to tensions between Israel and Iran were top of mind this week. However, Israels response - after briefly sending oil prices higher - had a negligible impact on oil prices. Additionally, while U.S. sanctions on Venezuela's oil industry remain in effect, they were less impactful compared to the immediate issues in the Middle East. The market's tempered reaction suggests a resilience or perhaps skepticism towards the probability of severe disruptions in oil flows, which has helped stabilize price levels.

Inventory Surges and Demand Anomalies

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a surprising rise in crude inventories, the highest since mid-2023, which applied downward pressure on oil prices. This inventory build, coupled with reduced refinery activity, suggests adjustments that might reflect softer demand or strategic refinery operations.

Globally, oil demand has not met previous estimates, with consumption consistently lower than expected. This underperformance is crucial as it informs perceptions about the strength of the global economic recovery and its impact on energy consumption.

U.S. and Global Inventory Levels

Despite geopolitical fluctuations, U.S. crude oil inventories align closely with long-term averages, indicating no immediate risk of dramatic price increases due to supply shortages. Internationally, OPEC+ has maintained significant idle capacity, serving as a buffer against potential supply shocks and stabilizing the market amidst various uncertainties.

Economic Indicators and Market Sentiment

The relationship between rising inventory levels and lukewarm demand growth continues to influence market sentiment. Economic indicators such as manufacturing outputs, consumer spending, and employment rates in key economies directly impact oil demand predictions. Currently, the oil market is parsing these mixed signals, assessing both short-term and future trends.

Short-Term Market Forecast

The outlook for crude oil in the short term remains bearish. The mix of high inventory levels, extensive spare production capacity, and lukewarm demand suggest potential price declines. This forecast could change with shifts in geopolitical conditions or unexpected economic developments that could increase demand.

Additionally, the forthcoming U.S. summer driving season may temporarily lift demand, but it is unlikely to reverse the general market trend unless significant economic improvements occur or there are substantial cuts in global oil production. Traders are advised to monitor the market closely, as conditions suggest continued price volatility with a tendency towards lower prices in the near term.

This overview captures the current state of the oil market, reflecting the interplay of supply, demand, and external economic factors. Traders must remain alert to new information and be ready to act on developments that could impact market conditions and oil price trends.

Weekly Technical Analysis

Weekly June WTI Crude Oil

Trend Indicator Analysis

The main trend is up, but momentum has shifted to the downside, following this weeks confirmation of the previous weeks closing price reversal top.

This chart pattern tends to last 2 to 3 weeks. Its not a change in trend, but a correction to alleviate some of the upside pressure. Furthermore, it tends to end, following a 50% to 61.8% retracement of the last rally.

Retracement Level Analysis

The contract range is $39.16 to $88.15. Its retracement zone at $63.66 to $57.87 is the major support zone. This area stopped the selling the week-ending May 5, 2023 at $65.65. This is a major long-term value zone.

The intermediate range is $62.65 to $86.83. Its retracement zone at $74.74 to $71.89 is support.

The minor range is $69.08 to $86.83. Its retracement zone at $77.96 to $75.86 is another value zone.

Weekly Technical Forecast

The direction of the June WTI crude oil market the week-ending April 26 is likely to be determined by trader reaction to a minor pivot at $84.01.

Bullish Scenario

A sustained move over $84.01 will signal the presence of strong buyers. If this creates enough near-term momentum then we could see an acceleration to the upside with the main tops at $86.97 and $88.15 the next targets. The latter is a potential trigger point for an acceleration to the upside that could put $100 a barrel on the radar.

Bearish Scenario

A sustained move under $84.01 will indicate the presence of sellers. This could drive the market into the short-term retracement zone at $78.03 to $75.91. Holding this area could create a rangebound trade. Bullish traders are likely to read a break back into this area as a buying opportunity since it is also a value zone.

Short-Term Forecast

The outlook for the oil market remains bearish in the short term due to high inventory levels, ample production capacity, and muted demand growth. Although geopolitical risks persist, they are unlikely to cause actual supply disruptions that could significantly change market dynamics at this time. Investors and traders should anticipate potential declines in oil prices, reflecting the broader economic and geopolitical conditions.

In conclusion, while the oil market is dealing with a period of significant uncertainty and potential price adjustments, the core indicators point to a bearish trend in the near term. This outlook is shaped by the current stability in supply, the lack of significant disruptions despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, and the broad impact of global economic conditions on oil demand.

Technically, the bearish fundamentals are being accompanied by last weeks confirmed closing price reversal top that should create enough downside momentum to fuel a break into a minor retracement zone at $78.03 to $75.91.

Since the main trend is up, buyers are likely to return on a pullback into this value zone.
The civil war in Sudan is intensifying once again, a year since it began, with the Sudanese Armed Forces failing to gain any real advantage over the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, and vice versa. Fighting is now expanding into new areas and violence is at an all-time high. The venue is fast becoming a dangerous African proxy venue, with the West largely lining up behind the recognized government and Russia working its Wagner mercenaries and involving Libya (fuel smuggling to the Sudanese paramilitary forces), and the Central African Republic on the other side.

Instead of another draft call-up, Russia is believed to be gearing up to fill its ranks with more contract soldiers to avoid a domestic backlash following a major terrorist attack and devastating floods since Putin was re-elected in March.

At midnight on Thursday, the six-month temporary oil sanctions relief Washington granted Venezuela last October expired, and the Biden administration moved to reimpose those sanctions, which was met with backlash in Caracas, where the move was described as a U.S. attempt to control and manipulate the Venezuelan oil industry. Nicolas Maduro was given every opportunity to comply with the conditions of the sanctions relief, yet, has continued to work to ban, arrest, or otherwise prevent the rise of a solid opposition candidate for elections scheduled for July 28.

Politics, Geopolitics & Conflict

At midnight on Thursday, the six-month temporary oil sanctions relief Washington granted Venezuela last October expired, and the Biden administration moved to reimpose those sanctions, which was met with backlash in Caracas, where the move was described as a U.S. attempt to control and manipulate the Venezuelan oil industry. Nicolas Maduro was given every opportunity to comply with the conditions of the sanctions relief, yet, has continued to work to ban, arrest, or otherwise prevent the rise of a solid opposition candidate for elections scheduled for July 28.

Instead of another draft call-up, Russia is believed to be gearing up to fill its ranks with more contract soldiers to avoid a domestic backlash following a major terrorist attack and devastating floods since Putin was re-elected in March.

The civil war in Sudan is intensifying once again, a year since it began, with the Sudanese Armed Forces failing to gain any real advantage over the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, and vice versa. Fighting is now expanding into new areas and violence is at an all-time high. The venue is fast becoming a dangerous African proxy venue, with the West largely lining up behind the recognized government and Russia working its Wagner mercenaries and involving Libya (fuel smuggling to the Sudanese paramilitary forces), and the Central African Republic on the other side.

Deals, Mergers & Acquisitions

EQT is selling a 40% interest in its non-operated natural gas assets in northeast Pennsylvania to Equinor USA. As part of the deal, EQT will get Equinor's onshore assets in the Appalachian basin and $500 million in cash. With natural gas prices now at three-year lows, producers' output and drilling activity have been affected. EQT's move to divest non-operated assets aligns with its strategy to reduce debt and enhance shareholder returns, with the company anticipating nearly $75 million in free cash flow from the acquired assets in 2025. The deal completes Equinors complete divestment of all its operated positions onshore in the United States, reflecting the growing trend of prioritizing offshore operations.

Uniper's H2Maasvlakte green hydrogen plant startup in Rotterdam, Netherlands, has been delayed due to power purchase agreement challenges and high grid fees. The startup is now expected in 2028 instead of 2026. The delay highlights hurdles in securing financing and navigating regulatory frameworks in renewable energy projects amidst market uncertainties. The plant represents a significant part of the energy transition.

Nigeria reached an agreement with Shell for the oil and gas company to supply gas to the proposed $3.8 billion Brass methanol facility. The agreement resolves a significant obstacle to the project's FID. Nigeria, possessing Africa's largest natural gas reserves, faces challenges in fully exploiting its resources due to capital constraints and infrastructure deficiencies. With the GSPA set to be executed next month, the project will secure a long-term gas supply from a Shell-operated joint venture. This development underscores Nigeria's pivotal role in the global gas industry and its efforts to leverage its abundant natural resources for economic development.

Discovery & Development

88 Energy Limited has announced a second light oil discovery from its Hickory-1 well in Alaska's North Slope, further advancing Project Phoenix. The flow test results revealed a peak estimated flow rate of roughly 50 bpd from the SMD-B reservoir, showcasing the potential for commercial production. The presence of light crude oil with little to no measurable gas indicates a promising low GoR production rate, enhancing the project's economic viability. With multiple oil samples recovered, the company anticipates further analysis to refine appraisal and development plans, aiming to capitalize on the reservoir's considerable resource potential. The proximity of Hickory-1 to existing infrastructure, including the Dalton Highway and Trans Alaska Pipeline, offers strategic advantages for future commercialization efforts.

Var Energi has discovered oil in the Ringhorne Nord area, with preliminary estimates suggesting recoverable reserves of 13-23 million barrels. Considering a tieback to existing infrastructure indicates potential for cost-effective development. These discoveries are crucial for future area development and extending the lifetimes of the Balder and Ringhorne st fields.

BP is now producing oil from its new ACE platform in the Caspian Sea off Azerbaijan, marking a significant addition to the ACG field development project. Situated between existing platforms, ACE operates in a water depth of 137 meters and is controlled from onshore. Initial production is anticipated to reach 24,000 bpd, with facilities designed to process up to 100,000 barrels per day. The ACE project, sanctioned in 2019, aims to produce 300 million barrels over its lifetime. This $6 billion investment aligns with the extended ACG production-sharing agreement, maximizing economic benefits for Azerbaijan and shareholders.

Earnings Beat

Canadian Natural Resources reported net earnings of $3.1 billion ($2.63 EPS) for Q1, more than doubling from $1.38 billion ($1.16 EPS) in Q1 2023. The companys average realized price per barrel surged to $93.54 in the first quarter of 2022a 77% y/y increase. Quarterly free cash flow after dividends and net capital expenditures amounted to $3.4 million. Approximately $1.8 billion was returned to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases in the first quarter. CNRL raised its dividend by 28% to $0.75 per share in March.

Santos reported a sales revenue of $1.39 billion for the January-March period, marking a decline from both the previous year and the prior quarter. Production for the first quarter totaled 21.8 mmboe, slightly lower than the same period last year and the prior quarter. Despite a rise in the average realized LNG price to $12.68 per MMBtu compared to the previous quarter, it dropped from the same quarter in 2023.
The Great Game is playing out once again in Central Asia, but it is getting a new name and adopting a different set of rules. Economics, not politics, is defining the terms of the current superpower competition for regional influence, according to a report prepared by a Kazakh research institute.

There is a key difference governing the global rivalries in Central Asia in the 19th and 21st centuries: these days, regional states, not outsiders, wield the more influence over potential outcomes, according to the report, titled Pursuing Multi-Vectorism Through Business Diplomacy: The Path for Central Asia. The report was published by the Talap Center for Applied Research.

The region, previously the theater of the Great Game in the confrontation of superpowers, is now trying to become an opportunity zone, the report states.

Russias unprovoked attack on Ukraine in 2022, and the imposition of Western sanctions to punish Russian aggression, changed Central Asias geopolitical dynamics by reanimating US and European Union interest in the region. By extension, Russias actions encouraged the diversification of trade and investment, changing East-West trade patterns connecting China and Europe. Sanctions have diminished the utility of the Northern Corridor via the trans-Siberian railway, while providing impetus for the growth of the Middle Corridor via Central Asia.

These changes have shifted Central Asias center of geo-economic gravity. China has eclipsed Russia as the regions largest trade partner, while the overall trend is toward diversification of trade partners. The Wests share of Central Asian trade under the present dynamic is set to keep rising.

The trade and investment dynamics in the region show a significant shift of diversification with non-traditional markets of Europe, North America, South Asia, and the Middle East since 2022, the Talap report notes. This has become possible due to a traditional, multi-vector policy for the region, which, under the stress of escalating conflicts, was transformed into a policy of emphatic non-alignment  a firm rejection of any involvement in the conflict.

The report notes that the contacts between the European Union and Central Asian states have have gained a special dynamism since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war. It also notes that public opinion in the region indicates that a majority of regional residents do not want to get dragged into the confrontation between the West and Russia, which is supported by China.

The prevailing circumstances have forced Central Asian states to balance a genuine interest in developing their ties with the Western world while being surrounded by Iran, Afghanistan, China, and Russia, countries with which the West has strained and even tense relations, the report says.

Maximizing economic multi-vectorism will require some work by Central Asian governments to enhance the predictability of the regional business climate. Vaguely defined trade rules and property rights, along with the unreliability of regional judicial systems, remain big impediments to Western investment. The lack of mechanisms to enforce contracts or resolve corporate disputes also constitutes an investment barrier. In addition to bolstering the independence of the judicial system, the Talap report recommends reforms to regional tax codes to foster more equitable business environments.

The investment climate in Central Asia reflects a difficult balance between the determination of governments to take advantage of growing interest in the region and the inertia of institutional barriers, the report states. To take advantage of these opportunities, the countries of the region have to address existing institutional and regulatory barriers for both domestic and international companies and investors, strengthen the rule of law, enforce fair and open competition, implement business friendly tax regulations, and align trade, customs and logistical standards.

By Eurasianet.org

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Amid calls from some member states, the European Union should be careful in its efforts to ditch Russian LNG as it should protect its security of gas supply, the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, ACER, said in a report on Friday.

The Baltic EU member states have been calling for a ban on the blocs imports of LNG, but the EUs watchdog believes that any such move should only be gradual.

As the EU aims to completely end its reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027, the reduction of Russian LNG imports should be considered in gradual steps starting with spot Russian LNG imports, ACER said in its report European LNG market developments.

While such measures may target to reduce dependence on Russian gas, its important to note that substantial volumes have already been contracted under long-term LNG agreements before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the EU regulator said.

Hence, reductions in Russian LNG imports should be approached with caution, particularly in light of the imminent expiration of the ship-or-pay transit contract for gas pipeline supply from Russia to Europe via Ukraine by the end of 2024.

The end of the pipeline shipment deal via Ukraine could lead to the EU losing 13.6 bcm of natural gas supply compared to the flows in 2023, according to ACERs estimates.

The fact that neither pipeline gas nor LNG imports from Russia are banned, two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, shows the EUs uneasiness to lose any gas supply as it is careful to avoid a spike in prices and a repeat of the 2022 energy crisis.

The EU is uncertain how to handle LNG imports from Russia in the short term.

The EU will soon allow individual member states to block imports of LNG from Russia without the use of sanctions by limiting access tox Russian gas to their gas systems.

Spain, the EU member with one of the largest LNG import capacities, is seeking tougher EU-wide coordination on handling imports of Russian LNG, Spanish Energy Minister Teresa Ribera told Bloomberg in an interview last month.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Israel launched missile strikes against Iran in the early morning hours, a U.S. official told ABC News today.

The news was later confirmed by Iranian media, which said the countrys air defense system took down three drones over the city of Isfahan, according to Al Jazeera. Flights to three cities including Tehran and Isfahan were suspended, Iranian media also reported.

The news of the Israeli strike prompted a sharp spike in crude oil prices, which gained $3 per barrel earlier in the day.

"If these reports turn out to be true, fears over further escalation will only grow, as well as concerns that we are potentially moving closer towards a situation where oil supply risks lead to actual supply disruptions," INGs commodity strategy head Warren Patterson said in a note.

Israels retaliation for Irans missile strikes last week was seen by most as a guarantee of escalation of the Middle East conflict since Iran had warned Tel Aviv that if it retaliates, so will Tehran in its turn and that retaliation would be on a greater scale than the missile strikes from last week. These developments were naturally seen as strongly bullish for oil prices.

Before the news broke of the Israeli attack, oil prices were set for a weekly decline as traders discounted the higher risk of an all-out war in the Middle East. Now, they might have to reconsider.

Depending on the nature of strikes, we are moving closer toward a scenario where supply risks become a reality, Warren Patterson said, as quoted by Bloomberg. The market will likely have to start pricing in an even larger risk premium.

Media reports note that the Isfahan province is home to several Iranian nuclear facilities, with Reuters noting that Iran had specifically warned the Israelis against targeting any of these.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Russian oil company Bashneft, part of state-controlled giant Rosneft, has installed metal mesh at its refineries to protect them from drone attacks from Ukraine, Russian media reported on Friday, quoting Radiy Khabirov, the head of the Bashkortostan region where Bashneft is based.

We don't stop there. There are a number of solutions there, which I won't talk about yet. They are classified. But believe me, we worry about this very much, the Bashinform agency quoted Khabirov as saying.

This year, Ukraine has intensified attacks on oil refineries in Russia, which have reduced Russian refining capacity, and which, reportedly, have the White House concerned about rising international prices.

The United States has repeatedly urged Ukraine to halt its drone attacks on Russian oil refineries due to Washingtons assessment that the strikes could lead to Russian retaliation and push up global oil prices, the Financial Times reported last month, citing sources familiar with the exchange.

The drone attacks from Ukraine on Russian refineries could disrupt fuel markets globally, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said last week, estimating that up to 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Russias refinery capacity could be offline in the second quarter.

Russia has brought back online some oil refining units in recent weeks, reducing the capacity taken offline by Ukrainian drone hits to around 10%, from 14% at the end of March, calculations by Reuters showed earlier this week.

The refining capacity in Russia that is currently offline due to drone attacks is now estimated by Reuters at around 660,000 barrels per day (bpd), compared to 907,000 bpd offline at the end of March.

Still, maintenance and other outages at Russias refineries will actually raise the refining capacity that will be offline this month compared to March, according to Reuterss data and calculations.

Russia said in early April it could repair all damaged units within two months. Russias Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov has said that all damaged refineries in the country would be restarted by the beginning of June.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Russia was Indias single largest oil supplier for a second consecutive fiscal year, as surging imports of Russian crude dragged down the share of OPEC and Middle East supply to India to a record low, Reuters reported on Friday, citing data from tanker-tracking data obtained from industry sources.

In the 2023/2024 fiscal year ended March 31, the share of Middle East oil supply of Indias oil imports slumped to as low as 46% -- the lowest on record dating back to 2001-2002, according to the Reuters analysis. This compares with a 55% share of the Middle Eastern crude supply of Indian imports in the previous fiscal year 2022/2023.

The key driver of historically low Indian imports from the Middle East was the surge in Russian crude supply to the worlds third-largest oil importer.

Russia alone accounted for around 35% of all Indian crude oil imports in 2023/2024, per the data compiled by Reuters.

For the first time ever, India  which depends on imports for around 87% of its oil consumption  imported roughly equal volumes of OPEC and non-OPEC crude, thanks to the 57% annual surge in imports from non-OPEC producer Russia.

Higher prices of Saudi crude and lower Kuwaiti supply as Kuwait limited exports of some grades to direct them to a new refinery also contributed to the low share of the OPEC and Middle Eastern crude of Indias imports.

Indias crude imports remained flat in the 2023/2024 fiscal year, but the import bill of the worlds third-largest oil importer fell by almost 16% due to lower oil prices and record-high imports of cheaper Russian crude.

While volumes were essentially unchanged, Indias spending on crude oil imports dropped by 16%, to $132.4 billion in 2023/2024, down from the $157.5 billion import bill for the 2022/2023 fiscal year, provisional data from the Indian Oil Ministry showed earlier this week.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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China will undoubtedly become an even more significant buyer of Russian metals following the London Metal Exchanges ban on newly produced Russian aluminum, copper, and nickel. China has already evolved into a major market for Russian-made products following dwindling demand in the West, and these new Russian sanctions will likely only further cement that position. The LME ban leaves the Shanghai Futures Exchange as the only major bourse to accept shipments of these metals from Russia.

A recent report in the South China Morning Post said the move by the LME will force Russia to direct most of its exports away from the U.S. and UK jurisdictions, mainly in the direction of neighboring China. Incidentally, the latter is the worlds biggest refined copper and aluminum producer.

Meanwhile, China continues to emerge as a leading market player in the supply of nickel via its investments in Indonesia, the worlds largest producer of that metal. Currently, Russia represents around 6% of the worlds nickel production, 5% of aluminum, and about 4% of copper.From sourcing strategies to long-term price projections, MetalMiners Monthly Metals Outlook report covers it all. Grab a free sample report.

New Russian Sanctions & A Growing Relationship in the East

Old and new Russian sanctions due to its invasion of Ukraine continue to reshape Chinas energy procurement patterns. Russia surpassed Saudi Arabia as Chinas leading crude oil supplier last year and is now second in coal imports. The country is also poised to become Beijings primary natural gas provider this year.

Reacting to the LME ban, Russias biggest aluminum producer, Rusal, claimed the sanctions would not impact its ability to supply aluminum. In a statement, the aluminum major said its operations would remain largely unaffected as its logistic delivery solutions and access to banking, production, and quality systems will remain intact.

Rusals move late last year to acquire a 30% stake in Hebei Wenfeng New Materials, a Chinese raw materials supplier, also marked a significant shift in the global aluminum landscape. This strategic investment aims to secure alumina supplies for Rusal, following the loss of access to its Ukrainian refinery. It also helped secure the companys share of off-take from the Queensland joint venture plant in Australia.

Chinas 2024 Story So Far

In the first quarter of 2024, Chinas aluminum production increased 6.8% compared to the previous period, with the country producing 10.69 MT. Meanwhile, official data released on Tuesday shows that Chinas primary aluminum output in March rose 7.4% from last year. This was mainly due to rising prices spurred by higher demand, which boosted industry profits.

According to this report, even the production of ten nonferrous metals, including aluminum, copper, lead, zinc, and nickel, went up over 7% from a year earlier. Chinese government data indicates that the country produced 3.59 million metric tons of primary aluminum in March of this year.

Meanwhile, a SCMP report describes Chinas desire to gain more influence over global commodity pricing due to its substantial dependence on imports. The dynamics surrounding this ambition for the Shanghai exchange are intricate, especially with the introduction of these new new LME regulations.

Experts are now trying to figure out how the new Russian sanctions will play out. This is especially important as the new rules permit the ongoing delivery of old Russian metal to both the LME, the worlds leading benchmark, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, the foremost exchange in the U.S.

Anticipating the Results of New Round of Russian Sanctions

An ING report predicts that the new ban will likely bolster prices on the LME, a pivotal benchmark in global contracts. Moreover, LME nickel prices remain particularly susceptible to significant price surges. This was abundantly clear during the nickel squeeze of March 2022, which followed Russias invasion of Ukraine and saw a surge in short positions on the exchange. However, the LME has since implemented daily limits to curb excessive price hikes, capping increases at 12% for copper and aluminum and 15% for nickel.

The ING report also suggests that Russian metal will redirect to countries unaffected by the new Russian sanctions. While the LME serves as a last resort market for the physical metals industry, many globally traded metals never reach an LME warehouse. Nevertheless, certain contracts specify LME deliverability. Consequently, Russian firms may face pressure to accept lower prices. For now, analysts expect metals of Russian origin to trade at even steeper discounts and continue flowing to countries unaffected by sanctions, particularly China.

By Sohrab Darabshaw

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Erin Dillon-Pasillas is still waiting for that little butt wiggle that her dog Leo used to give her after shed been gone for a while. Then shell know that he has recovered from his ordeal.

The young cavapoo disappeared from her yard on April 11. He was found Monday in a dumpster. His head and legs were duct-taped.

I feel like hes doing better every day, she said Friday. Hes not his old self yet. Hes trying.

Dillon-Pasillas, of Papillion, said shes received tons of support from the community as well as friends and family since Sweet & Associates workers found Leo in a dumpster near 132nd Street and West Center Road.

There have been no updates on leads in the case, so on Friday PETA offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction on cruelty charges of those responsible. A reward fund created by the Nebraska Humane Society has grown to almost $10,000.

The story has really resonated with community members, and they are wanting to find a resolution to this, Humane Society CEO Pam Wiese said.

The duct tape has been sent to the Sheriffs Office, Wiese said.

Dillon-Pasillas said Leos health is improving. With medication, Leos ear infections and the rash on his snout are healing.

My daughter is watching him while Im at work, Dillon-Pasillas said. Im afraid to leave him alone now.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Iran fired air defense batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near a major airbase at the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

It was unclear if the country was under attack. However, tensions remain high after Iran's unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel over the weekend in retaliation for a strike in Syria that killed several Iranian officers.

One Iranian government official and later Iran's state-run television broadcaster suggested sites may have been targeted by drones.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

IRNA said the defenses fired across several provinces. It did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire, though people across the area reported hearing the sounds.

In particular, IRNA said air defenses fired at a major airbase in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies also reported the sound of blasts, without giving a cause. State television acknowledged "loud noise" in the area.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli attacks. However, state television described all sites in the area as fully safe."

Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

Iran later announced it grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Loudspeakers informed customers of the incident at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, online videos purported to show.

Iranian state television began a scrolling, on-screen alert acknowledging a "loud noise" near Isfahan, without immediately elaborating.

Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Iran's civilian space program, said on the X social media platform that several small "quadcopter" drones were shot down.

It wasn't immediately clear where that happened or if it was part of the ongoing incident in Iran.

Meanwhile in Iraq, where a number of Iranian-backed militias are based, residents of Baghdad reported hearing sounds of explosions, but the source of the noise was not immediately clear.

Read the latest:
Hundreds gathered Friday morning in Lincoln to honor fallen Ceresco Police Officer Ross Bartlett, who died last week after he was hit by a car while conducting a traffic stop near U.S. Highway 77 and Little Salt Road in Lancaster County.

Members of various public safety agencies from around the state gathered alongside Bartletts family, friends and co-workers at St. Marks United Methodist Church to remember the 54-year-old, who had worked at several police departments and sheriffs offices in Nebraska throughout his career. He also worked for the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services and volunteered for the Ceresco Fire Department.

Bartletts casket  draped with the United States flag and escorted by pallbearers and bagpipe players  was placed at the feet of the churchs altar.

Erinn Criner, human talent director at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, spoke at the service, remembering Bartlett as a friendly man who often joked around the office.

Ross loved to laugh and enjoyed making other people laugh, she said.

In his office at the Corrections Department, Bartlett was known to have an M&M dispenser and would always tell people to grab some M&Ms when they walked in before starting a meeting.

Another story described a humorous moment when Bartlett was having technical difficulties with his cellphone in front of his family.

The M&M dispenser, firefighter boots and several floral arrangements decorated the altar. The service closed with traditions from the various public service agencies, including an end-of-watch radio call, a three-volley salute and flag folding.

Members of the public lined the procession route following the service, as mourners escorted Bartletts body along 84th Street and down O Street to Roper and Sons Funeral Home.

Im here just paying my respects, said Jeramie Church, who was waiting near the intersection of 44th and O Streets for the procession to pass by.

Church said because Ceresco is such a small community, the thought of Bartlett  a volunteer firefighter and local police officer  dying in the line of duty is sad.

Karen Burchard was also stationed near Roper and Sons for about an hour, waiting to pay her respects to Bartlett. She watched the funeral service livestream.

Burchard has family members who serve in law enforcement in the Omaha area and a fire department in Colorado; she said her brother responded to the Columbine High School shooting 25 years ago.

I wanted (first responders) to know that their service means so much because everybody is at risk, she said.

Bartlett was performing a routine traffic stop at around 7:40 p.m. on April 12 near the U.S. 77 and Little Salt Road intersection when a Ford F-150 crashed into his cruiser from behind as he was inside, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

Bartletts patrol vehicle and a Nissan Altima were parked on the shoulder of U.S. 77 about two miles south of Ceresco. The Nissan driver was also seated in his vehicle when the Ford, which was traveling south, collided with the rear of Bartletts cruiser, causing it to crash into the Nissan.

When first responders arrived, witnesses were attempting lifesaving measures on Bartlett, according to the State Patrol. He later died at the hospital.

Kevion Hill, 27, of Lincoln, was injured during the traffic stop and was transported to the hospital for serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Tony Pierce, 49, of Crete, was driving the Ford F-150 but was not seriously injured.

No citations or arrests had been made as of Friday morning in connection with the crash. The State Patrol also hadnt released the crash report as of Friday morning.

Bartletts law enforcement career spanned three decades, beginning as a police officer with the Valentine Police Department. He also served for the Boone County Sheriff, Madison Police Department, Madison County Sheriff and Newman Grove Police Department.

Bartlett was born in Butte County, South Dakota. He had been married to Tina Davis since 2004, and they have two daughters.

Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood honored Bartlett on the U.S. House floor Thursday.

He was not only a police officer, Flood said. Bartlett was a husband, dad, grandpa, a friend and so much more. He had a great sense of humor and he loved to serve his community.
LINCOLN  Gov. Jim Pillen took the unusual step Wednesday of neither signing nor vetoing a bill that will let felons vote when they complete their sentences.

His decision allowed Legislative Bill 20 to become law as if he had signed it, under a procedure spelled out in the State Constitution.

But in a message to Nebraska lawmakers, Pillen said he sees potential constitutional problems with the bill and he invited Secretary of State Bob Evnen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers to promptly take such measures as are appropriate in light of those issues.

Those measures likely would involve Hilgers filing a legal challenge and Evnen, as required by law, defending it. The matter likely would end up before the Nebraska Supreme Court.

State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, who introduced LB 20 and similar previous measures, expressed confidence that the new law would survive a constitutional challenge. Lawmakers passed the measure last week on a 38-6 vote.

Im not worried, he said. I think its constitutional and I have every faith in the Nebraska Supreme Court finding it constitutional.

Even if the measure gets tied up in court, Wayne said Nebraskans who were convicted of felonies and have completed their sentences will be able to vote in the November election without a waiting period.

LB 20 eliminates the current requirement for felons to wait two years after finishing their sentences to get their voting rights restored. Wayne has called the waiting period  passed as a part of a legislative compromise in 2005  arbitrary and unnecessary.

But Pillen cited three sections of the Constitution as conflicting with the change. One section in particular says that no one convicted of a felony shall be allowed to vote unless restored to civil rights. Restoring rights is done through the pardons process.

Previous attempts to restore voting rights to felons in Nebraska have encountered similar arguments about constitutionality. The states current law passed over the veto of then-Gov. Dave Heineman, who called the automatic restoration of voting rights after two years unwise public policy and constitutionally suspect.

In 2017, state lawmakers passed a Wayne-sponsored bill to eliminate the two-year wait, but the measure was vetoed by then-Gov. Pete Ricketts.

In his veto message, Ricketts said the bill violated the Nebraska Constitution by assuming the power to pardon that properly belongs to the executive branch of government. He also argued that the waiting period gives felons an incentive to maintain a clean record.

Pillen could have vetoed the bill, but faced the potential of being overridden. It takes 30 senators to override a gubernatorial veto; the bill had 38 votes to pass it.

Neither Hilgers nor Evnen said Thursday whether they would take up the governors invitation to act on the bill.

There are serious constitutional concerns about LB 20. The attorney general is considering this, Evnen said.

But a coalition of civil rights advocates celebrated the bill becoming law. Nebraska is one of 11 states that do not allow felons to vote immediately upon completing their sentences.

Gavin Geis, executive director for Common Cause Nebraska, called it a great day for voting rights and democracy.

Making Nebraskans wait two years to have the right to vote after serving their time was an arbitrary deadline that needed to be removed, he said. We applaud the Legislature for supporting the restoration of thousands of our neighbors rights and removing this barrier to voter participation in our state.

Jason Witmer, with ACLU of Nebraska, said the law recognizes the inherent dignity of every individual, affirming that those who have paid their debt to society should not face additional barriers to exercising their civil rights. By restoring their voting rights upon completion of probation or parole, we affirm our belief in redemption and second chances.

Photos: Last day of 2024 Nebraska Legislature session
Master Drilling Ghana Ltd, a subsidiary of the esteemed Master Drilling Group, recently solidified a strategic partnership with Pamicor Ltd, a distinguished Ghanaian firm specializing in development/production drilling solutions and human resources management for the mining industry.



With a commendable track record in the Ghanaian market, Master Drilling Ghana has successfully executed various critical projects for reputable mining companies, including ventilation shafts, ore passes, slot raises, dewatering holes, and escape ways.



In a resolute commitment to localization and bolstering its service offerings, Master Drilling Ghana has sealed the deal with Pamicor. This alliance marks a significant milestone, empowering Master Drilling Ghana to deliver comprehensive turnkey solutions to the underground mining sector.



The collaborative vision extends beyond Ghana, aiming to extend services across West Africa. Leveraging cutting-edge mechanical tools, the partnership intends to revolutionize conventional shaft sinking and horizontal development practices, promising transformative impacts on the industry.



Gary Sheppard, Executive Director of MD Ghana Ltd, underscores the strategic significance of the acquisition. He emphasizes its role in delivering specialized services and technological innovations to enhance operational efficiency and safety standards within the mining sector.



Echoing this sentiment, Kofi P. Amponsah-Mensah, Director of PAMICOR Ltd and MD Ghana, highlights the value that partnerships between foreign and local entities bring. Stating that this partnership is strategically made to provide specialized services and introduce technological innovations to improve operations in the mining sector. He emphasizes their potential to elevate safety standards and operational efficiencies across the Ghanaian and West African mining landscape.



Henry Antwi, Chairman of MD Ghana, welcomed the partnership. He believes that this collaboration will promote localization in the Ghanaian mining sector, create sustainable jobs, and develop the technical, commercial, and managerial capabilities of Ghanaians .



For further inquiries, please contact Gary Sheppard at [email protected] or Kofi P. Amponsah-Mensah at [email protected].

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.

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Abel Dzidotor, the driver allegedly responsible for the train accident, has been sentenced to a six-month jail term - Citinewsroom reports.



Dzidotor admitted guilt to three out of the four charges levelled against him.



These charges include inconsiderate driving and causing unlawful damage.



The first charge was for careless and inconsiderate driving, a violation of Section 3 of the RTA Act 683 (2004), as amended by Act 761 of 2008. Dzidotor pleaded guilty and received a sentence of 100 penalty units, equivalent to a potential 20-month prison term if not paid.



The second charge was for unauthorized stopping, in violation of Section 19 of Act 683 of 2004, as amended by Act 761 of 2008. Dzidotor pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 penalty units, or a five-month jail term if unpaid.



The third charge was for causing unlawful damage, contrary to section 172b of Act 2960. Dzidotor pleaded guilty and received a six-month sentence in hard labour.



The fourth charge was for failing to produce a drivers license, contrary to regulation 47(2) of LI 21(80). Dzidotor pleaded not guilty, asserting that his license was within the damaged vehicle.



He has been instructed to present the license to the court by May 9, 2024, or face potential consequences.



The Ghana Police Service arrested the driver of the Hyundai truck with registration number GS 9018  20 for allegedly causing the accident involving the newly imported train on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line on Thursday.



The newly imported train from Poland was involved in an accident during a test run.



In a statement, the Police said their preliminary investigation had established that the suspect driver left the said vehicle unattended on the railway line, leading to a collision with the train.



The truck driver is said to have gone to deliver cement blocks when the truck got stuck on the rail after he was unable to use a pass-through under the bridge.







Source: Citinewsroom









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.

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A video of former President John Dramani Mahama busily working on a farm in some part of the north of Ghana has emerged online.



In the video, the former president, who is also the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is seen steering a tractor as he ploughs his farm at Busunu, located in the Savannah Region.



John Mahama is also seen tending to the vast farming land, personally involving himself in the cultivation process.



This agricultural endeavour by the former president is not a first, as in 2023, it was reported that he had ventured into full-scale farming activities, including crop cultivation and animal rearing, in the Savannah Region.



Former Minister of Food and Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Muniru Limuna, had disclosed that hundreds of acres of land had been cleared at Busunu in the West Gonja Municipality, with approximately 400 acres already under cultivation for crops such as soybeans and others.



Watch the video of John Dramani Mahama on the farm below:



Former President John Mahama spotted behind the steering wheel busily ploughing his farm at Busunu in the Savannah Region. pic.twitter.com/Nurh37xT8C  EDHUB (@eddie_wrt) April 17, 2024



























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The Ministry of Railways Development, in conjunction with its agencies, the Ghana Railway Development Authority and the Ghana Railway Company Ltd, together with officials and engineers from Pesa Bydgoszcz SA, the Polish manufacturer of the Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) 001, wishes to inform the General Public of an incident that occurred today during the Site Acceptance Test (SAT) of the new DMU on the Tema-Mpakadan railway line.



At approximately 12:10 pm on Thursday, 18th April 2024, while conducting the test, an incident took place around Km 76+100. The DMU, upon approaching the curve at Km76+100, encountered a stationary vehicle stationed right across the rail track. Despite the immediate application of the emergency braking system, the train was unable to come to a complete stop before colliding with the vehicle.



It is important to note that the vehicle was unmanned, and the location where it was found is not designated as an authorized level crossing.



Thankfully, there were no injuries sustained by passengers on the train or bystanders. However, there was minor damage to the drivers cab section of the train.



The incident has been promptly reported to the Police, and investigations are currently underway to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.



The DMU involved has been moved to the Workshop for further assessment and necessary repairs.



We assure the public that safety remains our utmost priority, and we are committed to ensuring the continued safe operation of our railway systems.



We urge all stakeholders to remain vigilant and adhere to safety protocols when operating or crossing railway tracks.



We will provide further updates as the investigation progresses.





Signed,

Ministry of Railway Development

Ghana







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Source: Peacefmoline.com









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The Swiss renewable energy company NEK Umwelttechnik AG (NEK) has been developing in the past years six large-scale onshore wind farms in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana, which are ready for implementation. The total capacity to be installed is approximately 1,300 MW through the six projects. These wind farms could produce about 3,400 GWh of green and cheap electricity each year for the Ghanaian population and the industrial sector.



To supply energy to as many customers as possible, NEK has established recently in Accra a new renewable energy platform, which will provide to its customers cheap, sustainable, never ending, and clean electricity to cover the increasing electricity demand in Ghana and to overcome dumsor. The platform is called Anansi Green Energy Ltd. (Anansi). Anansi will assume, over time, all of NEKs wind farms and in addition will also undertake the development and operation of solar and biomass plants.



This new platform will have several equity partners, lenders, and investors, including large and well-known international power companies and green funds. Ghanaian investors, lenders and key stakeholders and institutions will also be involved in the implementation and financing of Anansi.



The platform will act as a captive industrial power generator by selling the green electricity directly to industrial offtakers. It is hoped, in the future, Anansi will be the vehicle through which Ghana can become a renewable hub for West Africa as a whole by also exporting renewable energy through the existing WAPP network to surrounding countries.



Figure 1: Visualisation of one of NEKs planned wind energy projects in Ghana which will be integrated into the Anansi Green Energy Platform



A lot of interested customers



Anansi is now starting to discuss terms with several interested customers for the delivery of green electricity. The future demand both in the country and in surrounding markets for green energy will likely grow significantly.



Although there will always be a need for baseload energy capacity in the planning of any energy sector, both for environmental and indeed affordability reasons it will be essential to create a structure through which renewable energy can be developed, without such relying on the public sector. Mining companies, the concrete sector, steel manufacturers, but also other industries and the mobility sector will demand cheap and green electricity, which can be delivered by Anansi in the very near future.



Figure 2: Anglo Gold Ashanti. One of the big mining companies in Ghana which could be provided with clean energy through the Anansi Green Energy Platform. Source: https://www.anglogoldashanti.com/



No competition to VRA or ECG and no reliance on Government of Ghana



Anansi will not become a competitor to ECG, VRA or NEDCo - nor will it be necessary for Anansi to have the traditional take or pay PPA with ECG or any support from the Government of Ghana. Anansi will be able to implement its projects without any reliance on the public sector at all. Indeed, the intent will be that Anansi will have, as its partners, VRA / ECG in providing baseload capacity to its customers.



Figure 3: Visualisation of another one of NEKs wind energy projects in Ghana. The onshore projects alone could amount up to 1,300 MW installed capacity and are located predominantly in rural areas



Green Energy as a Megatrend



Green energy is enjoying unanimous support and gaining political and business momentum around the globe. The global energy sector is in the midst of a transformation. The global energy transition is now well underway, with ever-increasing clean energy investment and momentum for net-zero targets by mid-century. Energy security and sustainability nowadays go hand in hand and are top of the agenda for many governments worldwide.



Africa is no exception, with the continent facing rapidly growing energy demand, critical energy access gaps, and an imperative for development. Africas imperative to accelerate its socio-economic development in a resilient and sustainable way could immensely benefit from accelerating clean energy deployment, as was stated at the COP28 summit last December.



Failing to accelerate the development of renewables poses major threats to the continent already suffering the most from the impacts of climate change. Yet, while global renewable energy investments are reaching record-high levels, renewables are still critically underfunded in Africa, signalling urgent work ahead. This also applies for Ghana: Ghanas energy outlook shows an exponential soaring of future energy demand.



Thermal generation continues to require high-cost fuel and remains subject to the risks inherent in the ability for such fuel to be continuously delivered. Ghana will require an accelerated development of renewable energy, but it will not be able to do so if there remains a reliance on typical grid connected IPPs with ECG as the sole offtaker and with full Government backing. It is not possible or reasonable for the public sector itself to assume such risks going forward.



A different rule book now needs to be written, and Anansi has the potential to provide that new way forward right away.



Figure 4: Ghana presents a good opportunity to integrate different renewable energy sources into one package. While the coastal region offers good wind conditions (here is one of NEKs met masts in Konikablo, Ghana, measuring the wind potential), it also offers adequate solar resources for the installation of Solar PV



VALCO modernization and expansion plans



Volta Aluminum Company Limited (VALCO) has announced its plan to expand operations and seek a strategic partner which would be prepared to invest around USD 600 million to revamp its operations. The goal is to reposition VALCO in a way that retrofitting will transform it from a loss-making entity into a best-in-class, profit-making and shareholder value-maximising entity, thus become the ultra-modern and best smelter in Africa.



With the projection of the building of 4 operating bauxite mines and 2 refineries under the IAI Masterplan as well as the revival of the downstream sector, the modernisation and expansion of the VALCO smelter is timely, thus creating a new VALCO with much more significance than ever before.



However, such plans require a lot of additional electricity, which at least for the time being is not available in Ghana. It is estimated that at the end of the retrofitting and extension program, VALCO will require more than 1,000 MW of installed electrical power. Where do we take this from?



The volume of green electricity required by VALCO will be significant with the realistic and probably only solution being the electricity capable of being produced by Anansi. Anansi will look forward to creating a partnership with VALCO and VRA, which could allow VALCO to attract international investment which will require such available green electricity and will also otherwise allow VRA to significantly expand its operations.



Green Energy, Green Hydrogen and E-Mobility



Green energy from NEKs wind farms, as well as other solar plants and biomass facilities through Anansi will provide the cheapest generation costs for electricity in Ghana. While fossil power plants produce energy at approximately 15 US Cents per kWh, NEKs wind farms will produce energy for less than 8 US Cents per kWh in current pricing. There are possible further savings to these costs as well through the application of carbon credits.



The renewable projects to be developed by Anansi will be long term and allow for certainty as to the all-in cost of energy as there will be no relevance or risk for possible fuel price shocks going forward. The available wind and solar irradiation will remain free, and Anansis customers will be able to benefit from such.



In addition to green energy, Ghana should consider developing a Green Hydrogen and Green Fuels and an E-Mobility policy. The Government should consider key strategies and relevant road maps for the development of the energy carrier in the future.



Green hydrogen and electric vehicles will need significant renewable resources to be available, otherwise, they cannot be called green. A strong political signal will trigger huge investments from abroad in the energy sector of Ghana and business activities relating to these future markets. The key for doing so is the implementation of renewable energy projects.



Figure 5: With ongoing rural and urban development in Ghana, demand for mobility will increase even more in the coming years. The Anansi Green Energy Platform would be uniquely equipped to provide clean energy to an emerging e-mobility sector in Ghana. Here, a boundary survey is taking place as port of the project development work in connection with the planned wind farms of NEK



Outlook



Due to the heavily increasing demand for cheap and clean electricity in Ghana and abroad, much more renewable energy even than that capable of being produced in NEKs planned 6 onshore windfarms, and the other planned Anansi solar projects and biomass facilities will be required within the next 5 - 10 years.



However, land for such further projects may also become a scarce asset, especially in populated areas. This is one of the reasons why NEK has decided to start the development of two (2) large offshore wind and solar facilities off the coast of Anloga and Ningo.



These offshore wind and solar parks will have an installed capacity of approximately 3,100 MW and will generate more than 7,500 GWh of clean and reliable power per year. These installations do not require any fuel, LNG, gas, oil or other fossil, outdated energy sources - the fuel is the wind and the sun, which are never ending, home-made and always coming back to Ghana for free.



Anansi Green Energy will play a huge role in the delivery of much needed green energy for Ghana already in the very near future. Now is the time for Anansi to create its positive green web in delivering sustainable and affordable energy to its customers, making Ghana a renewable energy hub in West Africa.



Figure 6: Illustration of an Offshore Wind Farm combined with floating solar, which will be constructed by Anansi off the coasts of Ningo and Anloga

Source: Dr. Christoph KAPP - Contributor









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Charles Owusu has condemned the behaviour of a truck driver who left his faulty vehicle across a railway line and destroyed the new train imported from Poland.



Government imported the train to revive the railway sector and business.



The Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train was on a test drive when it crashed into the abandoned Hyundai truck on Thursday, April 18.



Commenting on the incident during Peace FMs Kokrokoo morning show, Charles Owusu likened the action of the truck driver to suicide bombing.



According to him, he cannot fathom how and why a person would park his vehicle in the middle of a railway line and at a distance where there is no road for vehicular movement.



To him, this is beyond madness and called for stricter punishment for the offender.



He is like a suicide bomber. What he (driver) did is equal to suicide bombing, the parliamentary aspirant for Nkoranza North rebuked the driver.



He also described this act as foolishness, stressing God doesnt heal foolishness.





The Ghana Police Service on Thursday arrested the driver, disclosing in a statement that their investigation has established that the suspect left the said vehicle unattended to on the railway line.The driver, Abel Dzidotor, has reportedly been sentenced to a six-month jail term.He admitted guilt to three out of the four charges against him.These charges included inconsiderate driving and causing unlawful damage.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Africa Center for Democracy and Socioeconomic Development, CDS Africa, strongly condemns the conduct of the youth of Tema New Town and the heavy-handed response of the naval personnel, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals on Saturday, April 13, 2024.



The incident unfolded on the evening of Friday, April 12, 2024, during a street procession organized by the youth as part of the annual Kplejoo festival.



This act of hooliganism which saw a section of the youth damaging the vehicle of the Eastern Naval Command was uncalled for and could have been handled properly by referring it to the police instead of resorting to violence. To worsen matters, a mob, suspected to be part of the participants in the festivities, later attacked the Tema Naval Base with stones and other implements to release their colleagues further aggravating the situation.



This brutality on the part of the youth has the potential to strain relations between them and the military, as well as state security agencies broadly. It also poses a threat to public safety and therefore requires a swift investigation by the police to ensure that perpetrators are punished. CDS Africa therefore supports the call by the Tema Youth Association demanding a national probe into the issue.



On the part of the military, this is not an isolated case as there have been several events in the past, involving the military and some communities, including the killing of two protesters in Ejura in the Ashanti Region of Ghana following clashes between a joint police and military team and a crowd of irate protesters. While these events continue to dint the image of the military, one would have expected that they used a better approach this time around and involved the police earlier instead of firing warning shots to repel the attack which resulted in the death of two civilians.



As an organization committed to advocacy, we call upon all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, and community leaders, to take decisive action to prevent its recurrence. We encourage the Ghana Armed Forces to provide continuous training and capacity-building programs to military personnel on topics such as conflict resolution, community engagement, and our democratic processes. We also reiterate the call on the Police to conduct thorough and impartial investigations and ensure perpetrators are held accountable for their actions, and appropriate disciplinary measures taken to ensure justice. We advocate for open channels of communication and dialogue between the military and local communities to build trust and understanding.



CDS Africa reaffirms its commitment to working tirelessly to address the root causes of violence and conflict. We believe that only through collective action and solidarity can we create a world where peace and harmony prevail. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families.









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.

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The spirit of Eid al-Fitr filled the air in Tamale as the KGL Foundation hosted a grand EidFest food drive at the Northern Regional Library, feeding over a thousand people. The celebratory atmosphere buzzed with excitement as community members came together to mark the end of Ramadan and share blessings with those in need.



Dignitaries including the Chogu Satingle-Naa, Alhaji Dr. Alhassan Nagumsi, the Tandanwura Alhaji Gariba Amin, and the MCE of Sagnarigu Hon. Yakubu Ahmed Mohammed graced the occasion with their presence.



Programs Manager of the KGL Foundation Sets the Stage



The event commenced with a speech by the Programs Manager of the KGL Foundation, Mr. Nii Ankonu Annorbah-Sarpei. He warmly welcomed everyone and highlighted the significance of EidFest. "Eid al-Fitr is a time for gratitude and compassion," he declared. "Through this food drive, we aim to extend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters and celebrate the spirit of giving that lies at the heart of Eid."



MCE of Sagnarigu Emphasizes Community Spirit



Following the opening remarks, Hon. Yakubu Ahmed Mohammed, the MCE of Sagnarigu, took the stage. He commended the KGL Foundation for their initiative and emphasized the importance of community spirit, especially during Eid. "Ramadan teaches us the value of selflessness," he stated. "Events like EidFest allow us to translate those lessons into action and ensure that everyone in our community can celebrate this joyous occasion."



Traditional Leaders Offer Blessings



The Chogu Satingle-Naa, Alhaji Dr. Alhassan Nagumsi, and the Tandanwura Alhaji Gariba Amin, both revered traditional leaders, offered their blessings to the gathering. They praised the KGL Foundation for their commitment to social welfare and urged the community to embrace the spirit of Eid al-Fitr through acts of charity and kindness.



A Day of Celebration and Giving



Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed a festive atmosphere filled with music and camaraderie. The highlight of the event was the distribution of food and drinks and performances from cultural troupes from the Tamale enclave.



EidFest by the KGL Foundation proved to be a resounding success. The event not only provided much-needed food assistance but also served as a powerful testament to the spirit of Eid al-Fitr - a spirit of togetherness, compassion, and sharing.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Apple (AAPL.O) said on Friday it had removed Meta Platforms' (META.O) WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China after being ordered to do so by the Chinese government, which cited national security concerns.



Other Meta apps including Facebook, Instagram and Messenger remained available, according to Reuters checks on Friday morning. Many other popular apps developed by Western companies including YouTube and X were also available for download.



It was not immediately clear how WhatsApp or Threads might have caused security concerns for Chinese authorities.



"The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns," Apple said in an emailed statement to Reuters.



"We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," the statement said.



Meta declined to comment and referred queries to Apple.



The Cyberspace Administration of China did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



The iPhone maker said WhatsApp and Threads remain available for download on its other storefronts. Tech-savvy Chinese consumers are able to download the apps from Apple's App Stores in other countries if they have an iCloud account there.



Some experts on China's tech industry said the government order on WhatsApp and Threads could be related to a new rule last August that requires all apps available in China to register with the government or risk being removed.



The deadline for companies to complete registrations was the end of March and the regulations came into effect on April 1.



Apple has removed apps from its China app store before.



In 2017, Apple removed The New York Times news app saying it violated local regulations - a move that came amid rising news censorship in the world's second-largest economy. It remains unavailable on Apple's China App Store.



Last year, Apple pulled a number of ChatGPT-like apps when Beijing was working on local regulations on generative artificial intelligence(AI) services.



The removal of WhatsApp and Threads from the China App Store was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.





Source: Reuters









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Ghanas chief of staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, has lauded Ghanaian women for the critical role they play in driving Ghana's digital transformation.



Addressing the gathering of female CEOs, entrepreneurs, and innovators, Osei-Opare underscored the undeniable impact of technology in reshaping industries and societies. She was speaking at the 7th Ghana Female CEOs Summit, held under the theme "Leading Ghanas Digital Renaissance: Women CEOs shaping the future of Business and Innovation."



According to her, it offers unparalleled opportunities to drive efficiency, inclusivity, and sustainability, with women leaders at the forefront of this transformative journey.



"As female CEOs, entrepreneurs, and innovators, you are not just shaping the future of business in Ghana; you are architects of change, catalysts for progress, and champions of empowerment," stated Osei-Opare, recognising the pivotal role played by women leaders in driving innovation and progress.



However, Osei-Opare also acknowledged the persistent gender disparities that persist in the business world, particularly within the technology sector. She highlighted the barriers women face in accessing resources, opportunities, and leadership positions, hindering the realization of their full potential.



Calling for collective action, Osei-Opare urged attendees to redouble their efforts in promoting gender equality, fostering inclusive environments, and breaking down barriers that hold women back. She stressed on the importance of creating ecosystems that empower women to thrive, innovate, and lead with confidence.



"Let us seize the opportunities that the digital age presents, harness the power of technology to drive meaningful change, and ensure that women are not just participants but change leaders in shaping the future of business and innovation in Ghana and beyond," Osei-Opare said.



Osei-Opare encouraged women to embrace their unique strengths, pursue their passions relentlessly, and recognise the significant impact they can make in driving societal advancement.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Former Energy Minister in the erstwhile Mahama government, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, has described the Public Utilities Regulatory Commissions (PURC) decision to place a fine on the board members of the Electricity Company of Ghana as extremely refreshing.



The PURC, in a letter issued a Ghc 5.8m fine on the board members of the ECG over what they describe as a non-compliance of publishing a low-shedding timetable with customers and power consumers.



According to the PURC, the ECG board members who served from the first of January 2024 through to 18th March 2024 have approximately six weeks to make payment of fine.



In the view of the regulatory commission, the ECG had allegedly breached Regulation 39 of Legislative Instrument (L.I. 2413), which mandates the company to give prior notification to consumers before any disruption in power supply.



The fine imposed on the board of Ghanas main power distributor, ECG, affects the immediate past board Chair, Kelli Gadzekpo, and the incumbent Managing Director of the company, Samuel Dubik Mahama.



While expressing his view on Citi FMs Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu, and monitored by Peacefmonline.com, the Member of Parliament for Pru East, Dr. Donkor opined that the fine imposed on the board members was extremely refreshing with reason being the failure of the ECG board to take accountability for the companys decisions.



He expressed, For me that is extremely refreshing. Extremely refreshing because I also rank the state enterprises committee of parliament, and good governance has been noticed more by its absence in a number of state-owned enterprises. Board members do not take responsibility for decisions of the entities that they superintend over. And so, I am very excited about that.



However, speaking to Joy Newss top story, Dr. Donkor mentioned that, in as much as the fine is in the right direction, the quantum of money being requested for is way too exorbitant for the board.



He added that, directors can be held personally and collectively liable for overseeing power outages, stressing that we can remove the corporate veil and attack directors personally.



He was quick to add that directors of institutions have duties captured under the law, stressing that the biggest challenge faced by state enterprises is poor corporate governance and lack of rendering accountability as well as taking responsibilities of actions and inactions.













Source: Kobina Darlington/peacefmonline.com









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Former presidents of Ghana and Botswana have jointly called on African leaders to consciously pursue unity and progress, to enable the continent reach its full potentials and achieve sustainable economic prosperity.



John Dramani Mahama and Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama made this call at the Second Edition of the African Heritage Awards held at the Marriott Hotel Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria, in the wake of political instability that has wrecked parts of Africa, and has seen a number of countries relegated to military rule.



Speaking during a strategic Panel Session themed: Shaping Africas Path To Prosperity, Mahama strongly noted that the youthful population of Africa is fast growing, thus, leaders must move in a fast pace to provide citizens with the dividends of democracy towards achieving self-reliance.



Mahama who was honored with the African Advancement Award for Exemplary Leadership at the event, said African countries can foster international cooperation by removing certain encumbrances like Visa restrictions, which he said is slowing down economic prosperity across the continent.



Recalling the pre-independence era, Dramani lamented that Africa does not have the opportunities that advanced countries had in the past. Theres nobody to colonize, there is nobody to enslave all those things gave them the edge in their trajectory towards development. Our founding fathers, Kwameh Nkrumah had wanted the African continent to come out of independence as one nation, but unfortunately, we lost that opportunity and became 54 different countries, flags, anthems and markets. This has constituted trade tariffs and other barriers, he added.



He admitted that Africa is currently moving towards the right direction, adding that the laid out economic blueprints of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other regional trade schemes are steps in the right direction that will allow our people to have a market of about 1.3 billion people.



Theres more money leaving the African continent than money coming in. All the loans, donations and grants take more monies out of Africa than what comes in. In Africa, we should not need a visa to travel from Ethiopia to Ghana, he said.



Similarly, former Botswana president who was Chairman of the prestigious event, regretted that despite the huge amount of human and natural resources domiciled in Africa, the continent has not transited into economic prosperity. He blamed corruption and bad leadership for the drawbacks.



Khama said from his experience as a politician, it can be agreed that a lot of Africas problems and instability is caused by some politicians. My observation is that those politicians who fail to put the interests and needs of their people first are a cause for backwards.



He added that the power-hungry, self-serving individuals taking control of our countries are driving the continent backwards. We need leaders who are humble enough to understand that their role is simply to be of service to their people. The media has for the longest time peddled only a negative narrative about the African continent and we all have a responsibility to change that, he said.



While expressing hope that the African Heritage Awards will continue to award and showcase the best that Africa has to offer, he said, many of us do not know what our brothers and sisters are doing in their respective fields across the continent. It is high time we package and showcase our own brilliance as Africans. We will continue to support you as this is an important undertaking that we should all promote. Let me therefore urge sponsors to get on board so that we grow the AfriHeritage Awards and African Excellence, the former president assured.



In his welcome address, Chief Host and Chairman of *Heritage Times HT*, Moses Siloko Siasia, posited that the solution of the world lies in the African continent. We have huge deposits of resources. Not just mineral resources, or the hydrocarbons and gas that we enjoy, the best resources that we have is human resource. Our people excel anywhere in the world. So we must not think less of ourselves as Africans. We must take charge, we must realize that we have the potential to be the solution the world needs.



He urged African leaders to pursue progress with a sense of urgency and purpose to meet up with global realities, as the world is fast tilting towards technological advancements, economic globalization, and shifting geopolitical dynamics. As leaders of Africa, we must embrace these realities and adapt our policies and institutions accordingly.



Siasia decried that the African heritage is under threat by the forces of globalization, which seek to homogenize cultures and commodify traditions. It is threatened by conflict and violence, which tear at the social fabric of our communities. It is threatened by neglect and indifference, which allow our historical sites to crumble and our languages to fade into oblivion. If we are to preserve our heritage for future generations, we must act decisively and collectively, he added.



The Second African Heritage Awards was a sequel to the inaugural edition held last year in Kigali, Rwanda. The Third Edition which ia slated for next year, will hold in Marrakesh, Morocco, according to the organizers  *Heritage Times HT*.



Other distinguished Africans awarded alongside former Ghanaian president were, Dr. Jayne Onwumere, CEO of PWAN Group (African Humanitarian Award) and Africans Rising Movement (African Advancement Award for Social Justice and Advocacy).

















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A popular Ghanaian model Sandra Sorice is fighting off stigmatization and victimization in her line of business as a result of a media report in 2014 about a case in court where she was accused of defrauding an American businessman Reginald Beauvais who happened to be her ex-lover.



Sandra Sorice and her driver, Yussif Ahmed Akpakli, were cited to have allegedly defrauded an American and his partners of GH 1,658,781.00 under the pretext of supplying them gold but failed to do so.



Speaking to SMS News, the popular model said though she was taken to court, she was acquitted and discharged by a court of competent jurisdiction and cleared of all charges against her.



She said 10 years after the case was quashed, people still use the media reportage on when she was arrested to victimize and malign her.



" Now, people especially my competitors in the Model business across the world most especially in Europe use the case against me. They resort to the internet and find the media reportage on my arrest to make statements and allegations against me. This is affecting me", she cried out.



Unfair treatment from the media



Madam Sorice however expressed disappointment in how the media carried her story when it broke out and a lack of interest in how the case panned out.



She mentioned that some media houses gave a lot of publicity to her case when she was initially sent to court but they failed to follow the case to the latter.



 You see, those media houses who reported on my case initially decided not to report on the final ruling in which I was acquitted of all charges and the case struck out. This has given enough impetus to my detractors to continue to use the issue against me.



Concerns have been raised in recent times about the showing of faces of alleged criminals on social media, papers and television. Such acts according to some Lawyers infringe upon the human rights of accused persons and result in victimization and stigmatization when proven innocent



The Ghana Police Service in 2021 announced its intention to stop displaying faces of suspects who are yet to be convicted.



The Service in a Facebook post noted that the identities of suspects will only be displayed when the suspects are properly convicted before a competent court of law.



State Prosecutors discontinue Sandra Sorice case



A Chief State Attorney in an advice to the Director General of CID dated 24th March 2014 with reference number XA/55/12 and cited by Obuasi-based SMS Media, asked the CID to withdraw all the charges preferred against the two accused persons and stop the prosecution of the case.



Authored by Matthew Amponsah, a Chief State Attorney, the prosecution advised that based on the merit of the case as presented by the parties involved, it was proper to give all parties fair and equal opportunities to put their cases across.



" For this reason, it will not be fair to take criminal action against some while leaving others untouched".



The advise went further to state that Reginald Beauvais would not be expected to be gullible and would have been expected to insist on making payment in the presence of his business partner Danilo knowing Danilo gave him the money and said Reginald's behaviour smacked of disloyalty and speaks volume of hiding something from Danilo.



Lastly, knowing Sandra's role in the business, it was doubtful that she could turn around and swindle Reginald and others as alleged by Reginald. It was on record that Sandra was a partner and had contributed significantly to the business.



BACKGROUND



Reginald Beauvais and Sandra Sorice formed an amorous relationship after Reginald had come to Ghana to buy Gold. Their relationship was birthed at the Golden Tulip hotel where Reginald lodged immediately he came to Ghana.



Coincidentally Sandra was lodged in the same hotel. They met and exchanged pleasantries. In the course of their discussions, Reginald revealed to Sandra his mission in Ghana was to buy gold. This convinced Sandra to also invest in the business.



Their relationship progressed even after Danilo, a business partner of Reginald flew from America to join him in Ghana. At a point, the two love birds were said to have moved into the family house of Sandra at Trassaco, a plush residence in the heart of Accra.



But things took a nose dive for the two lovers when the two accused eachother of theft resulting in the initial complaint by Reginald and subsequently officially petitioning the courts.









Source: Peacefmonline.com









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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:

Rectangular ponds for shrimp farming line the coast of northern Peru in this image captured on March 14, 2024 by the OLI-2 (Operational Land Imager-2) on Landsat 9. Credit: NASA Earth Observatory / Lauren Dauphin

As extreme weather events increase around the world due to climate change, the need for further research into our warming planet has increased as well. For NASA, climate research involves not only conducting studies of these events, but also empowering outside researchers to do the same. The artificial intelligence (AI) efforts spearheaded by the agency offer a powerful tool to accomplish these goals.

In 2023, NASA teamed up with IBM Research to create an AI geospatial foundation model. Trained on vast amounts of NASA's widely used Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS) data, the model provides a base for a variety of AI-powered studies to tackle environmental challenges. In keeping with open science principles, the model is freely available for anyone to access.

Foundation models serve as a baseline from which scientists can develop a diverse set of applications, enabling powerful and efficient solutions. "Foundation models only know what things are represented in the data," explained Manil Maskey, the data science lead at NASA's Office of the Chief Science Data Officer (OCSDO). "It's like a Swiss Army Knifeit can be used for multiple different things."

Once a foundation model is created, it can be trained on a small amount of data to perform a specific task. To date, the Interagency Implementation and Advanced Concept Team (IMPACT) along with collaborators have demonstrated the geospatial foundation model's capabilities by fine-tuning it to detect burn scars, to delineate flood water, and to classify crop and other land use categories.

Because of the computational resources required to create the initial foundation model, a partnership was necessary for success. In this case, NASA brought the data and scientific knowledge, while IBM brought the computing power and AI algorithm optimization expertise. The team's shared commitment to making their research accessible through open science principles ensures that their model can be useful to as many researchers as possible.

"To build a foundation model at scale, we realized early on that it's not feasible for one institution to build it," Maskey said. "Everything we have done on our foundation models has been open to the public, all the way from pre-training data, code, best practices, model weights, fine-tuning training data, and publications. There's transparency, so researchers can trace why certain things were used in terms of data or model architecture."

Following on from the success of their geospatial foundation model, NASA and IBM Research are continuing their partnership to create a new, similar model for weather and climate studies. They are collaborating with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), NVIDIA, and several universities to bring this model to life.

This time, the main dataset will be the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2), a huge collection of atmospheric reanalysis data that spans from 1980 to the present day. Like the geospatial foundation model, the weather and climate model is being developed with an open science approach, and will be available to the public in the near future.

Covering all aspects of Earth science would take several foundation models trained on different types of datasets. However, Maskey believes those future models might someday be combined into one comprehensive model, leading to a "digital twin" of the Earth that would provide unparalleled analysis and predictions for all kinds of climate and environmental events.

Whatever innovations the future holds, NASA and IBM's geospatial and climate foundation models will enable leaps in Earth science like never before. Though powerful AI tools will enhance researchers' work, the team's dedication to open science supercharges the possibilities for discovery by allowing anyone to put those tools into practice and pave the way for groundbreaking research to help better care for the planet.

Provided by NASA
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Comet 12P/PonsBrooks on July 27, 2023, showing the unusual horned appearance that led to its devil comet nickname. Credit: Juan Iacruz/Wikipedia, CC BY-SA

If you're a fan of all things space, you've doubtless heard about the "devil comet," which has been captivating keen-eyed observers in the northern hemisphere for the past few weeks. Now it's our turn, as comet 12P/PonsBrooks is creeping into view for the southern hemisphere.

Before you get too excited, let me quash your hopes. Comet PonsBrooks is visible to the naked eye, but only if you know where to look. It will look like a fuzzy glowing patch, but nonetheless promises some amazing photo opportunities for the coming weeks.

Even better, it may serve as a celestial warm-up act for an even more special comet later in the year.

Here's everything you need to know about PonsBrooks, and how to get the best view.

Why do people call it the 'devil comet'?

Named after two astronomers who independently discovered it in the 19th century, Comet 12P/PonsBrooks (its full, official name) was last visible in 1954.

It takes around 71 years to orbit the sun, making the comet's visits to the inner solar system a rare treat for us here on Earth.

At its heart (its nucleus), PonsBrooks is a dirty snowball around 34 kilometers in diameter. As the comet came swinging back towards us in its orbit, astronomers spotted it back in 2020. At that time, the comet was almost 1.8 billion kilometers from the sun, and lay dormant.

As the comet kept falling inwards toward the sun, its surface temperature began to rise, making it "active." Exposed ices started to sublime, turning directly from solid to gas. This activity is how a comet gets its tail: the nucleus becomes shrouded in a diaphanous "coma" of dust and debris from its sublimated surface, which is then blown away from the sun by the solar wind.

Visibility of comet 12P/PonsBrooks, as seen from Toowoomba, from mid-April to mid-June 2024.

But comet 12P/PonsBrooks didn't activate gently and smoothly. Instead, it produces several large outbursts of activity, each time, emitting vast amounts of gas and dust in a very short period of time before settling down again.

In the first of those significant outbursts, on July 20, 2023, the comet brightened by a factor of a hundred times, shedding an estimated 10 million metric tons of dust and ice.

The solar wind pushed the resulting dust, gas and debris away from the sun, giving the comet an unusual appearance. To some, the comet looked like the Millennium Falcon from Star Wars. To others, it looked vaguely demonicsporting the cometary equivalent of horns.

The moniker of "devil comet" took hold in media articles and appears to have stuckeven though the comet's horned appearance is now a thing of the past.

Where (and when) should I look?

Over the last few days, the first confirmed sightings of 12P/PonsBrooks have come in from around Australia. It is currently visible low in the western sky after sunset, albeit almost lost in the glow of twilight.

In the next few weeks, the comet will slowly climb higher in the evening sky. The two videos below show the location of the comet's head at 6:30pm from mid-April through to mid-June, as seen from Toowoomba and Melbourne.

Remember, the comet is a diffuse object, rather than a single point of light. The head is where the comet is brightest (centered on its nucleus). The comet's tails point away from the sunso will rise upwards from the western horizon in the evening sky.

While the comet is visible with the naked eye, you really need to know where to look. The best bet is to search with binoculars. Make sure to wait until the sun is well below the horizon. Once you find the telltale blur of the comet, you will know where to look, and can switch to see if you can spot it with the naked eye.

Visibility of comet 12P/PonsBrooks, as seen from Melbourne, from mid-April to mid-June 2024.

For me, the most exciting time with PonsBrooks will come during the first two weeks of May. At that point, the comet will be passing underneath the constellation Orion, which will serve as a signpost.

That period will be prime astrophotography season, so I expect to see many spectacular images of the comet's tails cutting through the celestial hunter, shining next to the spectacular nebulae dotted throughout Orion's body.

But wait there's more!

While comet 12P/PonsBrooks currently basks in the limelight, a potentially great comet is currently moving sunward, promising a spectacular show later this year.

That comet, C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS), was discovered in January 2023, and astronomers soon realized it has the potential to become truly dazzling.

Comet behavior is hard to predict, so take the following with a pinch of salt, but things still look really promising.

Current predictions suggest Tsuchinshan-ATLAS will be at least as bright as the brightest stars in late September and early October this year. During that time, it will pass almost directly between Earth and the sun. It might even briefly become visible in broad daylight at that time.

In the days following that chance alignment, the comet will gradually become visible in the evening sky and could be an incredible sight, up to a hundred times brighter than PonsBrooks at its best.

So, with any luck, the current apparition of 12P/PonsBrooks is merely the warm-up act, with an even greater spectacle to come later this year. Fingers crossed!

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Above 32 C, PNIPAm changes from a hydrophilic to a hydrophobic state. As a consequence, the nanogel particles rapidly change their size by expelling water. Credit: Felix Lehmkuhler

An international team at the world's largest X-ray laser European XFEL at Schenefeld near Hamburg has scrutinized the properties of an important nanogel that is often used in medicine to release drugs in a targeted and controlled manner at the desired location in a patient's body. The team has now published the results in the journal Science Advances.

The researchers investigated the temperature-induced swelling and collapsing of the polymer poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAm) at European XFEL at Schenefeld near Hamburg. Due to its dynamic changes, PNIPAm is frequently used in medicine, e.g. for drug delivery, tissue engineering or sensorics.

PNIPAm is typically dissolved in water. Above a certain temperature, the so-called lower critical solution temperature (LCST), which is around 32 C, it changes from a hydrophilic, water-loving state to a hydrophobic, water-repellent state. As a consequence, nanogel particles, as investigated by Lehmkuhler and co-workers, rapidly change their size above that temperature by expelling water.

This feature is useful for a variety of applications, including the controlled release of drugs in a patient's body, as a model system for proteins and in tissue engineering, the cultivation of organic tissue for medical applications, or as bio-compatible temperature sensors.

However, it has been very difficult so far to watch these rapid phase transitions experimentally, and therefore to optimize them for different applications. Therefore, the precise characterization of the kinetics of the changes of the PNIPAm polymer with temperature is still a lively research topic.

Now, the fast sequence of X-ray pulses from the European XFEL have enabled researchers to investigate the rapid, temperature-dependent changes in the PNIPAm nanogel using a technique called X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (XPCS).

"Due to the high repetition rate of the European XFEL, we can perform these measurements with high enough time resolution to follow the structure and motion of the nanogels," says Johannes Moller, Instrument Scientist at the Materials Imaging and Dynamics (MID) instrument of European XFEL. The researchers studied particles of about 100 nanometer size. The X-ray pulses were used both to heat the nanoparticles and to measure their structural changes via their dynamics, i.e. their movement in the surrounding water.

"With the help of the data obtained at the European XFEL, we have now been able to gain a better understanding of the swelling and collapsing of the polymer," says Felix Lehmkuhler, one of the leaders of the team.

"In contrast to previous studies, that were limited to indirect measurements of the kinetics of swelling or collapsing, we found that the nanogel shrinks significantly faster in the range of 100 nanoseconds, but takes two to three orders of magnitude longer to swell," explains Lehmkuhler. The results could help researchers to further understand and improve the features of the polymer for different applications, such as the development of more efficient drug delivery systems.

More information: Francesco Dallari et al, Real-time swelling-collapse kinetics of nanogels driven by XFEL pulses, Science Advances (2024). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm7876 Journal information: Science Advances

Provided by European XFEL GmbH
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The inauguration of the world's most powerful fusion machine brings the dream of clean, safe and abundant power closer.

In the eastern Japanese city of Naka stands a six-story-high tower that is far from being an ordinary building.

The device inside the cylindrical steel structure is called a tokamak. It's designed to hold swirling superheated gases called plasmas at up to 200 million degrees Celsiusmore than 10 times hotter than the sun's core.

Major milestone

Located northeast of Tokyo, the tokamak represents the next milestone in a decades-long international quest to make fusion energy a reality and reflects leading roles played by the EU and Japan.

The Naka structure, known as JT-60SA, is the outcome of an EU-Japan agreement from 2007 to develop fusion energy. It's the world's most powerful tokamak and was inaugurated in December 2023 after almost a decade of construction.

"JT-60SA coming into operation is a very important milestone," said Professor Ambrogio Fasoli, an Italian physics expert who leads a consortium that received EU funding to advance the prospects for commercial energy from fusion.

Called EUROfusion, the partnership brings together around 170 laboratories and industrial partners from 29 countries. The participants are contributing hardware and personnel to JT-60SA.

Fusion-energy reactors like JT-60SA replicate processes that occur in the sun and other stars. By fusing hydrogen atoms to create helium and one neutron releasing energy in the form of heat, they have the potential to generate a safe, clean and almost inexhaustible source of power.

Not fission

Fusion is the reverse of fission, the process at the heart of traditional nuclear power stations. While fission involves the division of a heavy atom into two light atoms, fusion combines two light atoms to form a larger one.

Unlike fission, fusion produces no long-lived nuclear waste and presents no risk of a meltdown or chain reaction.

Research into fusion began in the 1920s when a British astrophysicist named Arthur Eddington linked the energy of stars to the fusion of hydrogen into helium.

A century later, as climate change intensifies and countries worldwide seek alternatives to fossil fuels that cause it, the lure of fusion is as strong as ever.

But significant obstacles remain. They include the technical challenges of building reactors whose walls won't melt from the extreme heat inside, finding the best mixes of materials for fusion production and limiting irradiation of materials inside the reactor.

New No. 1

European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson took part in the inauguration of JT-60SA in Naka five months ago.

The 600 million reactor was built jointly by an EU organization called Fusion for Energy, or F4E, and Japan's National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, also known as QST.

When it was declared active, JT-60SA claimed the title of largest tokamak from a 40-year-old facility in the UK called Joint European Torus, or JET.

JT-60SA will feature up to 41 megawatts of heating power compared with 38 MW for JET.

"We turned the machine on and it works," said Guy Phillips, head of unit for JT-60SA at F4E. "We managed to produce the biggest volume of plasma ever in such a device, which is a great achievement. But this was just the first step and we still have a lot of work to do."

Stepping stone

JT-60SA will inform work on the next planned tokamak: ITER, the world's largest fusion experiment.

Double the size of JT-60SA, ITER is being built on a 180-hectare site in southern France.

F4E manages Europe's contribution to ITER, which brings together 33 countries, as well as to JT-60SA, whose planned lifespan is around 20 years.

With confirmation that JT-60SA's core systems work, the reactor will enter a planned shutdown for two to three years while an external heating-power system is added and other ones are upgraded.

"When we start the next operational phase, we will then be able to go a lot further with plasma production and understanding different configurations," said Phillips.

Knowledge build-up

Continuity is a strong feature of fusion research.

Before turning their attention to JT-60SA, EUROfusion researchers worked on JET.

That facility broke its own record for the largest amount of energy produced by a fusion-energy reactor before the final experiments were carried out there and it was shut down in December 2023.

Measuring 69 megajoules in a 5.2-second burst, the energy was estimated to be enough to power 12 000 homes.

"The fusion energy record at JET is an incredibly strong reminder of how well we now master fusion reactions on Earth," said Fasoli.

View ahead

Given the importance of know-how in the field, both EUROfusion and F4E run programs to get future generations of scientists interested and trained in fusion.

Two factors holding back interest in fusion by some young researchers are a lack of immediate results in the field and an indirectas well as unjustifiedstigma linked to nuclear fission, according to Fasoli.

"This is a transgenerational effort," he said. "There's a need for education, training and structures that can keep people who are interested."

European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Iliana Ivanova said at a March 2024 event with industry representatives that collaboration between private and public entities in the field of fusion is essential to accelerate the demonstration of fusion-electricity generation.

The goal is to involve bigger industrial stakeholders as well as startups in the transition from laboratory to fabricationso-called lab to fab.

That means combining the private sector's entrepreneurship and industrial capability with the ambition and realism of the public sector, according to Fasoli.

He said that fusion energy could become a reality by the 2050s.

"As long as we all row in the same direction, I think that horizon is still reasonable," Fasoli said. "It means we need everybody to work together."

This article was originally published in Horizon the EU Research and Innovation Magazine.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

This year, organizers of Earth Day are calling for widespread climate education as a critical step in the fight against climate change.

A new report, released in time for global attention for Earth Day on April 22, highlights the impact of climate education on promoting behavior change in the next generation.

Despite people's deep connection to their local environmentwhether it's blackouts in Toronto caused by raccoons, communities gearing up for a total solar eclipse lasting only minutes, chasing northern lights or hundreds of Manitoba kids excited about ice fishingthere remains inertia in climate action.

Sparking global momentum and energy in young people can go a long way to addressing climate change now and in the near future, says Bryce Coon, author of the report and Earth Day's director of education.

How knowledge becomes ingrained

Educators aspire to prepare learners for the global challenges of the times. Teachers have become increasingly concerned about best practices for supporting their charges as young people express anxiety about environmental futures.

In his report, Coon outlines the benefits of climate education, starting with supporting educators to impart "green muscle memory"habits, routines and attitudes young people develop to perform eco-friendly actions repetitively and consistently. This, he notes, contributes to alleviating climate-related despair and anxiety.

Similarly, Finnish researchers use biking as an analogy to describe the process by which knowledge becomes ingrained in people's memory. Just as all of the parts of a bike need to work together for the bike to ride smoothly, so does climate education need to draw upon many different components for climate education to effectively influence new habits. The bike model advocates ways of learning that consider knowledge, identity, emotions and world views.

Young people have come to flex their green muscle memory when they load reusable water bottles each day. That small action has become a part of the daily routine for millions of families, and when added together reduces plastic litter.

According to a 2022 survey by the Canadian charity Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) and Leger Research Intelligence Group, Canadians have increased awareness of climate change and have become concerned about climate action.

Many believe governments should do more, including making climate education a priority. The survey received responses from 4,035 people including educators, students and parents. More than half of the survey respondents were from Ontario (25 percent) and Quebec (29 percent).

Challenges with climate education

However, inclusion of climate education in formal school curricula has come with its own set of challenges.

In the survey, 50 percent of educators nationally agreed that a lack of time in their course or grade to teach the topic of climate change is a barrier. Educators in Ontario reported a lack of classroom resources as a barrier when integrating climate change education within the curriculum.

Evidence is building about the benefits of implementing and expanding climate education. A 2020 American study documented how students enrolled in a year-long university environmental education course reported pro-environmental behaviors after completing the course.

Extrapolating the impact on learners to a wider scale, the researchers argued scaling climate education had the potential to be as effective as other large-scale mitigation strategies for reducing carbon emission, like solar panels or electric vehicles.

More recently, research has demonstrated the value of how learning in climate education can lead youth to seek green choices, take green action and make green decisions. The United Nations has declared climate education "a critical agent in addressing the issue of climate change" as climate education increases across different settings and for various age groups.

Educators finding ways

More and more educators are taking steps to find ways to teach climate education in schools. Emily Olsen, an educator and now a doctoral candidate at Penn State University, began to explore climate education in greater depth after surviving the Almeda wildfire in Oregon that claimed her fiance's family home.

This wildfire's severity can most likely be attributed to drier-than-normal conditions brought on by climate change in her then-town of residence.

Due to Olsen's lived experience, developing community resilience to the effects of climate change influences her approach to studying climate education. As an instructor for several undergraduate-level courses, Olsen focuses on equipping budding educators with the skills and knowledge to incorporate climate education in their classrooms.

All aspects of curricula

Embedding climate education into all aspects of curricula can take a variety of approaches in and outside of the classroom.

In mainstream public education, climate education is becoming more common in Canada, but there is variation across provinces and territories. Environmental education has been packaged in different forms, including broadening school curricula with inclusion in science, but also subjects including English, math and art.

Teacher training as well as complementary programming is also being offered to meet demand.

Integrated education that taps into the "heart, head and hands" of young people can spread behavior change at a broader level. Educators might find other opportunities, such as with climate-related challenges, experiential learning and project-based learning, all of which can have lasting impacts and promote behavior change.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Plumbian orthoclase gets its green hue from lead. Credit: Mindat.org

Plumbian orthoclase is a bit of a mystery, but this unique Aussie mineral is part of a mining industry revolution. The mineral's glowy green hue feels otherworldly. Although this Aussie kryptonite's origin is terrestrial, it's no less surprising.

Plumbian orthoclase is incredibly rare, found exclusively around the outback mining city of Broken Hill. The word plumbian means lead-rich, and it's the lead that gives the mineral its famous green appearance.

In fact, Silver City's orthoclase has the highest lead content of its peers anywhere in the world.

Often called green feldspar, some of Broken Hill's plumbian orthoclase samples get misidentified as amazonite.

Amazonite is a microcline rather than orthoclase feldspar, a similar mineral with a slightly different chemical structure. But Amazonite's own distinctive green style makes for some mineral mistaken identities. This colorful confusion has caused heated global debate about the properties of the two minerals and what we should call them.

Although plumbian orthoclase doesn't actually physically glow, our Mineral Resources team discovered something surprising about the samples.

Dr. Matt Shaw is a Research Scientist in our Mineral Resources team.

"Interestingly, in-house examinations in our labs showed it's mildly (and I mean mildly) radioactive. Not enough to hurt anyone, only enough to read above background levels," Matt says.

Despite its attractive shade of green, our lovely lead-rich orthoclase is mostly useful in a specific context. It serves as an indicator mineral, which helps geologists locate and assess the presence of certain ore deposits, such as the unique lead and zinc deposits of Broken Hill.

Broken Hill: A unique geology

Mining has been intrinsic to the Broken Hill area since Charles Rasp discovered silver there in 1883. Rasp formed the Broken Hill Proprietary Co Ltd, better known as BHP.

Geologists and mining experts disagree on what made the Broken Hill deposits so complicated, providing a rich vein of debate. The area's geology is fascinating, with a boomerang-shaped ore body, its highest point sticking out in the middle.

Here, we find deposits of unusual form and size with metamorphic host rocks. Metamorphic host rocks are rocks that have undergone transformation through intense heat and pressure, making them crucial settings for the formation of these deposits.

Broken Hill is one of the world's largest lead, zinc, and silver ore deposits. It was formed millions of years ago. However, you won't find our popular plumbian orthoclase anywhere else on Earth.

Early in his career, Matt worked in Broken Hill's Rasp mine, specializing in flotation chemistry.

Matt says if you ask any metallurgist why Broken Hill is interesting, they'll probably answer it's because of the challenging geology. Or even the cutting-edge flotation process they developed there.

"But let's be honest. The real reason it's interesting is because it's the only place we can find our Aussie kryptonite," he says.

Froth flotation: Whatever floats your rock

Broken Hill's particularly strange characteristics make separating the ore from its host rocks difficult. When traditional methods proved inadequate, experts tried a previously used separation experiment that revolutionized the industry.

Early twentieth-century miners in Broken Hill's processing system used a remarkable 'froth flotation' method. This hydrometallurgy process separates valuable minerals from waste minerals by floating rocks. The area's unique chemistry means froth flotation works amazingly well.

Broken Hill mining was the first industrial application of froth flotation. This method remains an incredibly effective way of separating lead and zinc from the ore and each other.

The cutting-edge process is still used today when mining the area's lead, zinc, and silver ores.

A chemical reagent gets added to the ground-up ore, selectively making the valuable minerals hydrophobic. Then, a frothing agent is added to the slurry, and air is bubbled through. The now hydrophobic particles stick to the bubbles and float to the top and are scraped off. The non-valuable minerals that don't float are called flotation tailings.

Notable targets for flotation (and separation) include galena, a lead mineral often containing silver, and sphalerite, which gives us zinc.

Froth flotation is now everywhere, making it arguably the most widely adopted mineral processing technique worldwide. The process is frequently used for copper ores and is also effective for oxide mineral systems, including rare earth minerals like phosphate-based monazite.

Meanwhile, plumbian orthoclase is only found in one place: Australia's geologically challenged Broken Hill. Because that city pioneered a game-changing mining process, we agree the mineral deserves Matt's affectionate moniker, 'Aussie kryptonite.'

Provided by CSIRO
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Professor Lindsay Stark. Credit: Washington University in St. Louis

A group-based curriculum called Journey of Life (JoL)delivered over 12 sessions in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement in Ugandaled to improvements in mental health, social support, parental warmth and attitudes around violence against children, finds a new study from the Brown School.

"This study highlights the crucial role refugee caregivers play in mitigating the impacts of forced displacement on children," said Lindsay Stark, a professor at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis and an expert on the protection and well-being of women and children in situations of extreme adversity.

"Caregivers serve as primary buffers against adversity, emphasizing the need to support their mental health and parenting practices," said Stark, first author of the paper "Improving psychosocial well-being and parenting practices among refugees in Uganda: Results of the journey of life effectiveness trial," published in March in the journal Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health.

"Programs like JoL hold promise for supporting displaced families worldwide," Stark said. "By prioritizing caregiver mental health and positive parenting, such interventions contribute to the broader recognition of the interconnectedness between caregiver well-being and child health, particularly in contexts of adversity."

More information: Lindsay Stark et al, Improving psychosocial well-being and parenting practices among refugees in Uganda: Results of the journey of life effectiveness trial, Cambridge Prisms: Global Mental Health (2024). DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2024.38
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Tears, shouts and interruptions marked residents' comments Wednesday night over a proposal to exterminate geese in Bristol, Conn., parks.

As the city's Board of Parks considered a proposal to kill resident geese that are causing excessive waste that is marring Veterans Memorial Park, dozens of residents shared conflicting opinions on how the city should proceed.

One decried that "mass execution" could take place at the park dedicated to freedom and another objected that the proposed meansusing nets to round up and gas to euthanize the flockswould cause the geese to suffer for up to 45 minutes before they died.

Some speakers, though, said the excrement defiles the sanctity of the space dedicated to the city's veterans and that it's the city's obligation to clean up the area and deal with the problem.

There were calls for humane alternatives, which officials explained had been tried with little effect over the years, and objections that even killing the geese would be a temporary solution since the park offered an idyllic home that would continue to attract birds. Though the birds are migratory Canada geese, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection migratory bird expert Min Huang said the geese are so comfortable in the Bristol parks that they stay year-round.

While one resident warned that children might become sick from putting the overabundant goose feces in their mouths, another offered that she and other residents could pick it up for disposal while cleaning up after their dogs.

A fourth grader whose class wrote letters to the board on the subject suggested an alternative habitat could be made instead of investing in killing the geese.

In total, Mayor Jeff Caggiano said officials had received 119 emails, 40 phone calls and other input from residents over the contentious issue. He and Huang acknowledged that Bristol and dozens of other towns across Connecticut have wrestled with the issue for decades.

"We have a situation here where you have more geese than some people are willing to tolerate," Huang said. "By taking a drastic measure such as euthanasia, you make progress immediately."

Maintenance to limit the population would then require other tactics such as destroying nests, hazing birds, addling eggs, not feeding the geese and making the location less appealing, he said.

The $3,365 cost to round up the geese would likely need to continue for a few years to have the desired effect, officials said.

In response to a DEEP survey, Huang said, 60% of Connecticut municipalities reported that geese were a problem but so far none has opted to round up and euthanize the geese as Bristol is considering. New Britain, which has also had problems with geese overrunning its parks, has been limiting the population there by killing small numbers of birds.

The population of geese in the state is just too high relative to what Huang called "social tolerance."

He estimated the state has a year-round population of 27,000 birds, while the agency's management goal is 15,000. The state does not engage in killing geese but supports municipalities in pursuing how to manage their populations. Hunting, he said, is the most helpful tactic in more rural areas. Caggiano quipped that it would not be possible in Bristol.

Ultimately, the board decided to take no action and delayed the issue until its meeting next month, May 15 at 6 p.m.

2024 Hartford Courant. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: NASA/Lee Wingfield

Two Black Brant IX sounding rockets launched from Poker Flat Research Range in Fairbanks, Alaska, April 17, 2024, during an M-class solar flare for NASA's sounding rocket solar flare campaign.

The first rocket launched at 2:13 p.m. local Alaska time for the Focusing Optics X-ray Solar Imager (FOXSI) mission that used X-ray vision to observe the sun during the solar flare event by focusing directly on high-energy X-rays.

The second rocket launched at 2:14 p.m. for the High Resolution Coronal Imager, or Hi-C, mission designed to observe a large, active region in the sun's corona. The rockets reached altitudes up to 168 miles (271 km) and were able to successfully observe the solar flare.

Provided by NASA
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone away.

What are online schools doing now? What does the research say? And how do you know if they might be a good fit for your child?

Online learning in Australia

Online learning for school students has been around in basic form since the 1990s with the School of the Air and other government-run distance education schools for students who are geographically isolated or can't attend regular school.

But until the pandemic, online schooling was largely considered a special-case scenario. For example, for students who are in hospital or training as an elite athlete.

While learning in COVID lockdowns was extremely tough, it also showed schools, students and parents the potential benefits of online learning for a wider range of students. This can include greater accessibility (learning from any location) and flexibility (personalized, self-paced learning).

Students who have mental health challenges or who are neurodiverse particularly found learning from home suited them better. There is also less hassle with transport and uniforms.

This has prompted an expansion of online learning options in Australia.

Primary and high school options

Some schools have been developing online subjects and options to sit alongside in-person classes. For example, in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, some Catholic schools are using online classes to widen subject choices.

Some private schools have also begun fully online or blended online/in-person programs in the recognition some students prefer to learn largely from home.

There are also specialist courses. For example, Monash University has a free virtual school with revision sessions for Year 12 students.

What about academic outcomes?

Research on the academic outcomes of distance education students is inconclusive.

For example, a 2019 US study of about 200,000 full-time online primary and secondary students showed they had less learning growth in math and reading compared to their face-to-face peers.

A 2017 study of primary and high school students in Ohio found reduced academic progress in reading, math, history and science. Another 2017 US study also found online students had lower graduation rates than their in-person peers.

Research has also found it is difficult to authentically teach practical subjects online such as visual arts, design and technology and physical education.

But a lot of research has been limited to a specific context or has not captured whether online learning principles have been followed. Online teaching approaches need to be different from traditional face-to-face methods.

These include ensuring there is an adequate number of teachers allocated and personalized attention for students, and ways to ensure collaboration between students and parental engagement with the school.

What about well-being?

Online schooling approaches are still catching up with the support services provided by in-person schools. This includes access to specialists such as psychologists, nurses and social workers.

Some research has noted concerns about online student engagement, social isolation, sense of belonging and social and emotional development.

But COVID showed schools could address these by starting the school day with well-being check-ins or supporting mental health through meditation, deep listening journals and taking nature photos.

Online approaches now also include having mentor teachers or summer programs to meet in-person as well as online clubs for students to socialize with each other.

Is online learning a good fit for your child?

Traditional schooling might still be the best option for families who do not have good internet access, or the flexibility or financial freedom to work from home and support your child.

However, if certain subjects are unavailable, or health, elite sport and distance to school make in-person learning difficult, learning online could be a viable option to consider.

Because online learning tends to be a mix of live lessons and self-paced learning, online students need to be independent, motivated and organized to succeed.

The best online learning programs to look out for are those that provide a lot of opportunities for students to learn from each other.

Online learning should also include an active teacher presence, well-being support, and quality, interactive digital resources. There should also be flexible approaches to learning and assessment.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Science of The Total Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172262

Black carbon (BC) is the result of incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass, with strong light absorption. It is second only to carbon dioxide as a climate-forcing factor for atmospheric warming. Deposition of BC on snow and ice surfaces reduces albedo, accelerates glacier and snow cover melting, and alters hydrological processes and water resources in the region.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is China's most developed cryosphere region, where glaciers are shrinking rapidly due to light-absorbing impurities such as BC. Both modeling and geochemical evidence indicate that BC emitted from this region can be transported across the Himalayas and reach the interior of the QTP, contributing over 60% of its BC.

This mainly affects the southern and central regions of the QTP. However, there is a lack of sufficient online monitoring of BC in the glacier area of the QTP, which requires stronger integration with model simulations.

Prof. Kang Shichang's research team from the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted extensive monitoring of BC in Mingyong Glacier under Meili Snow Mountain and analyzed its source and climate impact using the regional climatic chemical coupling model WRF-Chem.

The study was published in Science of the Total Environment.

The researchers found that the annual mean concentration of BC in the Mingyong Glacier was significantly higher than that in the interior of the QTP, with noticeable seasonal variation, reaching its peak value in April.

The bimodal shift pattern of BC shows the largest change amplitude in spring, indicating a significant influence of climatic conditions on the source, transport, and boundary layer thickness of BC.

At a wavelength of 370 nm, the absorption coefficient reaches its maximum value, with most absorption coefficient values below 20 Mm-1. Brown carbon contributes significantly to the absorption coefficient, with an average annual contribution of 25.2%12.8%.

South Asia and Southeast Asia are the main sources of BC in the study area, contributing 51.1% on average annually. The highest contribution occurs in spring (65.6%) and summer (20.2%), highlighting the importance of considering contributions from other regions.

The BC emitted from South and Southeast Asia contributes to a positive radiative forcing (RF) in the atmosphere of the study area. The near-surface RF exhibits significant seasonal variations, with higher values in winter and summer.

The study enhances our understanding of BC in the typical glacial region of the QTP, including its content, change, source, and influence. It also serves as a valuable reference for further discussions on the climate impact of BC and other light-absorbing pollutants, as well as for international cooperation on reducing BC emissions.

More information: Pengfei Chen et al, South and Southeast Asia controls black carbon characteristics of Meili Snow Mountains in southeast Tibetan Plateau, Science of The Total Environment (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172262 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment
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

The Scottish government has rescinded its 2030 target of a 75% emissions cut to greenhouse gas emissions, relative to 1990. The target was statutory, meaning it had been set in law in the Emissions Reduction Targets Act of 2019.

Scotland is still subject to the 2030 carbon target for the UK as a whole. This was set in law by the UK parliament in 2016. Still, Scotland's move raises questions about the credibility of national (or in this case subnational) carbon targets and the usefulness of putting them into law.

Having credible carbon targets, and sticking to them, matters enormously. Globally, 88% of all greenhouse gas emissions are now subject to a net zero emissions target. If these were implemented to the letter, global mean temperatures would remain below 2C, the upper target of the 2015 Paris agreement.

They won't be, of course. If we judge climate commitments based on the carbon reduction policies that are actually in place, the likely outcome is a global temperature rise of between 2.5 and 2.9C. The consistent implementation of the existing targets, in other words, is the difference between meeting the Paris objectives and condemning the planet to dangerous climate change.

Legally (but not literally) binding

Climate policy experts have maintained that a crucial way to make net zero targets more credible is to put them into law. A full 75% of global net zero targets are underpinned by legislation or policy.

In 2017, Sweden was the first major economy to enact a statutory net zero target. The UK followed suit in 2019.

Its net zero target is complemented by a series of intermediate steps: five-yearly carbon budgets, which are also legally binding. Scotland has its own carbon legislation, with a statutory net zero target for 2045, which remains in place, and the now abandoned 75% target for 2030.

The intermediate targets, like the statutory nature of the net zero commitment, are seen as an essential commitment device, which binds governments over the short termroughly the duration of a parliament.

Legal scholars have long known that, even though the targets are legally binding, they would be difficult to enforce against an unwilling government. The relevant legislation in Scotland and the rest of the UKthe Climate Change Act 2008does not usually contain automatic sanctions if a government were to miss its targets.

Instead, climate legislation relies on public pressure, political embarrassment andmost tangiblythe threat of a judicial review. A government that is evidently in breach of its own laws can be taken to court.

Governments in the dock

In the UK, this happened in 2023, when the High Court ordered the government to strengthen its net zero strategy, that is, its approach to meeting the statutory targets. The plaintiff was the environmental law charity ClientEarth, which remains dissatisfied with the strategy and returned to court in February 2024. Nobody will be surprised if the Scottish government, too, is now dragged to court.

If successful, such a move would be the latest in a series of court cases in which judges have ordered governments to scale up their climate ambitions. The most prominent are Neubauer et al (a group of youth activists) v Germany in 2020 and Urgenda (a Dutch campaign group) v the Netherlands in 2019. The European Court of Human Rights also recently ruled in favor of KlimaSeniorinnen (a group of Swiss pensioners) v Switzerland.

In all three cases, the arguments centered around the plaintiffs' human rights which were alleged to be threatened by government failure to act on climate change, rather than the compliance of those governments with legally binding targets.

Nevertheless, making climate targets legally binding matters. The political embarrassment of missing a statutory target, or being subject to a court case, can focus the mind.

A review of the UK Climate Change Act found that civil servants were petrified about the threat of a judicial review. In turn, they used the legal provisions to tell reluctant ministers that what they were asked to implement was the law of the land.

Scotland's decision to abandon its 2030 climate ambition is the most brazen violation of a statutory climate target yet. However, it has always been clear that legally binding carbon targets on their own are no guarantee for climate action. They matter, but the key to climate protection is a genuine commitment to implementation.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
CAMBRIDGE  A Homer, Illinois man entered a negotiated guilty plea to one count of criminal sexual assault and two other felonies in Henry County Circuit Court Wednesday.

Timothy P. Hopping, 25, entered the plea to the Class 1 felony and was sentenced to four years in prison, to be served at 85% or 3.4 years, plus three years mandatory supervised release. He was given credit for 166 days served in the county jail, which also erased his fines for the felonies.

That sentence will be consecutive to a three-year prison sentence for violation of an order of protection and a four-year sentence for aggravated battery of a correctional institution employee. The latter two sentences are to be served concurrently, or at the same time.

According to Hopping's plea for criminal sexual assault, officers were dispatched to a Woodhull home on November 1, 2023 where a woman indicated Hopping was waiting in her home for her and physically overpowered her, committing an act of sexual penetration.

In a victim impact statement read to the judge by Henry County State's Attorney Catherine Runty, the woman stated she suffers from nightmares nearly every night.

The felony carried a mandatory prison sentence of four to 15 years. Three other related chargesClass X felony home invasion, Class 4 felony violation of an order of protection and another count of Class 1 criminal sexual assaultwere dismissed on the motion of the state.

Hopping also pleaded guilty to violating an emergency order of protection which was granted Feb. 28, 2023. The petitioner received a text message from Hopping's cell phone number on March 1, 2023. He had two prior convictions for unlawful violation of an order of protection from Knox County in 2018. A Class 4 felony charge of obscene message and a Class A misdemeanor charge of violation of an order of protection were dismissed.

The charge of aggravated battery to a correctional employee stemmed from a November 2023 incident in which jail staff told Hopping to get rid of trash and food in his cell and a physical struggle ensued in which he punched a correctional employee in the head. A Class A misdemeanor charge of resisting a peace officer was dismissed.

Judge Terry Patton accepted the plea agreement.
A Moline man is facing a prison sentence of up to 80 years for allegedly bringing into Illinois via a package delivery service more than half a pound of fentanyl that he would sell.

Bright E. DeSilveira, 21, is charged in Rock Island County Circuit Court with one count of controlled substance trafficking. The charge is a Class X felony under Illinois law that carries a prison sentence of 18 to 80 years.

DeSilveira also is charged with one count of possession with the intent to deliver more than 100, but less than 400, grams of fentanyl. That charge also is a Class X felony that carries a prison sentence of nine to 40 years.

He also faces a charge of possession with the intent to deliver more than 500, but less than 2,000, grams of cannabis. That charge is a Class 2 felony that carries a prison sentence of three to seven years.

According to documents filed in Rock Island County Circuit Court, on Feb. 28, agents with the Quad-City Metropolitan Enforcement Group received information from an Eastern Iowa UPS security officer who told agents she had identified a suspicious parcel at the UPS facility in Milan.

The package was addressed to a woman living in an apartment complex in the 4000 block of Archer Drive in East Moline.

A K-9 officer, Parker, from the Colona Police Department, conducted a free-air sniff of the package. The dog alerted to the presence of drugs in the package. Agents obtained a search warrant and opened the package.

Inside the package agents found a glass jar containing a white, powdery substance that field tested positive for fentanyl. The fentanyl weighed 312 grams or 69-hundredths of a pound. There also were two vacuum-sealed packages of raw cannabis flower that weighed a total of 1,264 grams or 2.78 pounds.

Agents with MEG along, with Moline Police Officers, DEA agents and the Rock Island County Emergency Services Team, conducted a controlled delivery of the package to the address listed on the package.

When the package was delivered, authorities watched DeSilveira take the package into the residence.

A search warrant was served on the residence. DeSilveira was the only one in the apartment. The glass jar containing the fentanyl was sitting on a glass coffee table in the living room, while one of the packages of cannabis was on the floor next to the glass coffee table. The other package of cannabis was still in the delivery package.

DeSilveira said the woman whose name was on the package was his girlfriend and that he had used her Apple Pay account to buy a tattoo gun. DeSilveira could not tell agents the cost of the tattoo gun he allegedly purchased, nor could he provide the name of the store from which he purportedly purchased the tattoo gun.

While searching the apartment, agents located an additional 204 grams, or 45-hundreths of a pound, of raw cannabis flower. Agents also located packaging materials consistent with the sale of narcotics and a digital scale.

DeSilveira was arrested April 13. He was released from the Rock Island County Jail on April 15 with conditions after prosecutors attempts to keep him detained until trial were denied.

A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for April 30 in Rock Island County Circuit Court.
Project NOW held its second-annual "Rooting out Poverty" Conference Thursday, urging communities to "chart a new course" and explore innovative ideas to end poverty.

"What if I told you that poverty is unacceptable?," said Dwight Ford, executive director of Project NOW. "Let's get to work and roll up our sleeves  If the Quad-Cities starts to mobilize and stand up  tell poverty we comin'."

Thursday's conference featured three core panels and a keynote speaker during lunch.

George Guy, president of the National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials, gave the keynote address, titled "Creating a Pathway Out of the Housing Crisis."

2024 Panels/panelists:

Panel 1: Justice, "Unlocking Potential: Unleashing Possibilities: Ending Permanent Punishments, Creating a More Just Society & Safer Communities":

Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, executive director of Live Free Illinois.

Harry Pena and Shimere Love, of the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments.

Panel 2: Education & Training, "Gateway to Opportunity: Inspiring Change through Youth Career Development & Training."

John Pady, chief expansion officer for the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County.

Rufus Greer Jr., executive director of YouthBuild Quad Cities

Noe Omar Martinez-Guzman, a YouthBuild student from Rock Island High School.

Susan Stanley, operations coordinator for the California Indian Manpower Consortium, Inc.

Panel 3: Health & Economics: "Community by Design: Innovative Approach to Investing in People & Places."

Anderson Sainci, director of the Office of Shared Prosperity & Neighborhood Support.

Sangeetha Rayaputi, mayor of Moline.

Ashley Ezzio and Michael Berger, project coordinators for Uplift Iowa.

Thurgood Brooks, coordinator of Rock Island's West End Revitalization.

In his opening address, Ford cited the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which led to a 42% decrease in the nationwide poverty rate by 1973.

"We have to see what they saw back then," Ford said. "Poverty is what it is  a thief. It steals opportunity, it divides people and it separates people by race and economic status.

To him, the first step toward "rooting out poverty" is forming relationship-based personal responsibility.

"We have to strip this mindset that people are (in poverty) because they don't work hard or are lazy and shiftless," Ford said, adding someone could work overtime  and then some  and still "come up short" in the United States.

"Nobody (writes) a 15-year plan for their life and says, 'I look forward to sleeping on the street,' or 'I look forward to eating out of trash cans, I look forward to a life of addiction and wasting all my resources,'" he said. "What does it say about us? If we only believe that personal responsibility has everything to do with them, and not with us?"

Along with urging the public to adopt this mindset, Ford said better public policy is another step.

"I'm not asking you to ride on the back of a donkey or stampede on the shoulders of an elephant, I'm asking you to stand up for people that need us most," he said. "When a policy hurts poor people, we should stand up."

Ford passed the mic to Stormy Udell of the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies for a brief presentation on how agencies can use networking and innovation strategies to make more of an impact in their communities.

Next, attendees learned how prison education programs give formerly incarcerated individuals a chance to reach and expand their potential, hearing first-hand from Augustana College students T.Y. Stone and David Staples.

The two spoke about their transition from prison back into their home communities and Augie's campus. Both are members of the first Augustana Prison Education Program (APEP) cohort.

As previously reported, APEP offers a full-time bachelor's degree program to prisoners in the East Moline Correctional Center. The program currently enrolls 29 students and offers majors in communications or American studies, taught on-site by 30 Augie faculty members.

Stone and Staples spoke about the "transformative power" education had throughout their journeys, both in and out of prison.

Staples, now 60, spent 29 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit.

Before he was exonerated with help from the Illinois Innocence Project  a statewide nonprofit seeking justice for wrongly incarcerated people  Staples said APEP gave him hope.

Executive Director Sharon Varallo said APEP is seeking sponsorships for the following majors/minors: economics, business, public health and data analytics.

She said prison education is "good by every metric," noting reduced rates of recidivism, family reunification and children's education/stability; improved mental health and skilled labor force support.

Alexis Richie, an Illinois coordinator for the Supportive Housing Providers Association, initially attended Thursday's conference to learn about housing affordability but she had personal insight on other items as well.

Her brother spent 25 years incarcerated, she told the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus, so hearing similar stories from Thursday's panelists gave her a sense of hope.

"When he came home, every door you could think of was being shut because he was a convicted felon," Richie said. "The cycle of poverty in Black and brown communities is so overwhelming. We have too many barriers and not enough resources and solutions to help these individuals give back to society in a productive manner."

She hopes housing industry leaders  such as landlords, developers and mortgage brokers  who attended Thursday's conference feel inspired to start making affordable housing more accessible to those with felony convictions.

"Everyone deserves a second chance," Richie said. "My hope is that (action) will happen sooner rather than later."

Rock Island Alderman Dylan Parker, Ward 5, plans to use Thursday's conference to gauge how the city can improve.

"Local government is where the rubber hits the road, right? () So it's important to understand both what resources are available to local governments and (community) needs," he said. "Rock Island is arguably the poorest of Quad-Cities communities  so unfortunately, I see this pretty frequently. I came here not to be educated as to the need, (rather) to identify what can be done."

Parker said the Justice panel made him reflect on Rock Island's hiring practices for formerly incarcerated applicants, along with other types of programs the city could implement.

"We need to be doing more in Rock Island to address below the hill neighborhoods, rather than continuing to push them westward and hoping, I don't know, they fall off into the river or something," he said. "Redlining existed in Rock Island half a century ago, and that continues to reverberate now  I'm here today to figure out how to create solutions to finally break these systems."
A group of Camanche High School students toured The Quad-City Times on Friday. Teacher Annette Blomme reached out and set up the visit.

The students, in Expressive Writing class, were greeted by Executive Editor Tom Martin and spoke briefly with President Rob Cravaritis before talking to reporters and photographers in the newsroom. From there, Tom Heidgerken from production gave a tour of the prepress, pressroom and warehouse facilities.

Ms. Blomme sent me some of their impressions of the visit.

She said students were surprised by the size of the press and how much went into printing the newspaper.

The students were also surprised to learn about the digital analytics, such as optimizing headlines for search engines so a person's Google search will bring up a Quad-City Times or Dispatch-Argus news story. Blomme said they didn't realized this job even existed and that businesses could find a way to maximize how often a site pops up during a search.

For each news story we write three headlines. One is for print. It has to fit the parameters of the space provided on the assigned page. A second headline is for the web and is aimed at enticing readers to click on the story. A third headline is mostly for search engines and requires "key words" that people may use to search for information.

Blomme said some students liked seeing how the newspaper has been able to adjust to the internet and change reporting to better fit the needs of the people who want the news. They also found it interesting that so many people still subscribe to the newspaper in print rather than reading the news online.

Finally, Blomme said students thought it sounded like a fun job to be a reporter because you get to leave the building and talk to people.

It was fun having visitors. Explaining what we do is a helpful exercise.

Who's your favorite teacher?

I come from a family of teachers and have seen what goes into being a good one.

Teacher appreciation week is May 6-10, and I'd like to invite readers to send in a blurb about a favorite teacher by May 1.

Include your name and current town/city of residence, and follow this format I used for my favorite teacher:

Favorite teacher: Karen Ihrig

What class, where: Composition, Hamilton High School, Hamilton, Illinois

What made this teacher stand out?

I was a quiet kid and didn't draw much attention in class, but Mrs. Ihrig seemed to notice me and my work. As a freshman in high school, I was interested in Al Capone and organized crime during Prohibition, and she urged me to make that the focus of one of our larger writing assignments. She made a big deal about my paper, which made me feel like I could write. Suddenly I wanted to write more. She encouraged me and so many students over decades to write.

(Please keep this section to less than 100 words. Mine is 86 words, for example.)

Email your favorite teacher blurb (using the above format) to newsroom@qctimes.com or press@qconline.com . Put "Favorite teacher" in the subject line. We'll publish them all online and as many as space allows in print during Teacher Appreciation Week.

See our news photos on Instagram and Facebook

Photographers Roy Dabner and Katelyn Metzger are regularly turning out high-end photo galleries. Those galleries are shared to Facebook as are our stories and columns.

Multimedia Editor Grace Kinnicutt is adding some new approaches on social media. She's started a "Throwback" segment each Thursday where she posts a few pictures from the archives.

Instagram users might note that Grace has been sharing some of the photographers' favorite pics once or twice a day. We have great photographers, so we want to make sure everyone sees their work.

Here are some of the recent photo galleries:
With the conclusion of Virginias veto session, Gov. Glenn Youngkin refused to do more to protect individuals, most of whom are women, experiencing domestic violence.

Violence against partners and family members is a public health epidemic. The danger is amplified for victims of domestic violence when combined with the prevalence and accessibility of firearms. To protect victims, survivors and the public, domestic abusers are often prohibited from possessing firearms; yet enforcement of those prohibitions are lacking. By vetoing bills aimed at strengthening our domestic violence and firearms laws, Gov. Youngkin chose to protect abusers and their firearms rather than victims and public health.

Domestic violence and firearms are pervasive problems. According to one study, approximately 1 million U.S. women alive today have had firearms used against them by intimate partners and about 4.5 million U.S. women have had intimate partners threaten them with firearms. The danger goes beyond injury and threats. Another study found that a woman who is domestically abused is five times more likely to be killed by a male partner when there is a firearm in the house. In 2020 alone, 70% of domestic violence-related homicides in Virginia were by firearm. We also know that laws addressing the intersection of domestic violence and firearms are effective at significantly reducing intimate partner homicide.

In the last decade, the commonwealth has made significant progress toward addressing the deadly combination of domestic violence and firearms. Virginia has prohibited possession of firearms and required the surrender of firearms by persons subject to final protective orders. The state also prohibited the purchase, possession and transportation of firearms by persons convicted of misdemeanor assault and battery of a family or household member. But more must be done to fully realize the promise of these protections.

Several bills passed by the General Assembly that were vetoed by Gov. Youngkin would have closed significant gaps. Senate Bill 47 and House Bill 46 would have mandated that when someone had to relinquish their firearms, those guns would have to go to someone 21 or older who does not live with the person subject to the order.

As of now, someone can relinquish their weapons to another person living in the same home  which means firearms may still be immediately accessible to dangerous people. The new bill also would have required the person subject to the order to provide the name and address of the person to whom they surrendered firearms to court  allowing law enforcement to check that firearms were actually surrendered.

Finally, they would have extended the requirement to surrender firearms to include persons convicted of misdemeanor crimes of assault and battery of family or household members.

Two other bills, Senate Bill 642 and House Bill 362, would have also ensured anyone convicted of assault and battery against current or former dating partners are not allowed to possess a firearm for three years. The current law only pertains to persons convicted of assault and battery of family or household members.

When Gov. Youngkin vetoed these bills, he allowed dangerous individuals, like those subject to family abuse protective orders or with convictions of assault and battery of a family or household member, the opportunity to possess firearms. Gov. Youngkins veto message, which described the legislation as failing to achieve its intended purpose and unnecessary, reflects a fatal misunderstanding of the nature of domestic and intimate partner violence, as well as the existing legal framework to address it.

Domestic violence perpetrated with firearms continues to be a pervasive public health crisis in Virginia and across the nation. There is an abundance of public health research that illustrates just how dangerous domestic abusers are, specifically those with access to guns, to not only victims and survivors but also to public safety at large. Gov. Youngkin can, and should, defend Virginians from domestic violence by firearms and ensure the disarmament of dangerous abusers throughout the state. He chose not to.

Remember Safety Town? A look back through the Times-Dispatch archives
'Never thought we can watch a flight take off from the ocean,' rare and record-breaking rainfall in Dubai triggers debate in China on climate change

Global Times) 08:52, April 19, 2024

"We were desperate," said Chinese passengers who were stranded in Dubai airport for around 40 hours due to a record-breaking storm this week; and Chinese national who lived in the city said the downpour is "more serious to our lives than the Iran-Israel conflict." This rare and record-breaking rainfall in Dubai triggered debate in China on climate change, and how to cope with it.

"Never thought for once that I could be able to see such heavy flood in the desert city of Dubai and watching flights take off from the 'ocean,'" a passenger surnamed Wang told the Global Times on Thursday. Like many Chinese who were stranded in the airport in the past hours, Wang said she was offered with drinks and food. "All the hotels in nearby area were booked and chairs in the airport were occupied, so I had no choice but sat against the wall to rest," Wang said, describing the experience as "glimpsing into the life of a hobo."

Several Chinese passengers reached by the Global Times complained about Emirates Airlines' chaotic management as it kept delaying the flights and canceled some flights after several hours of waiting.

Dubai Airport said on Thursday morning it had resumed receiving inbound flights at Terminal 1, used by foreign carriers, but that flights continue to be delayed and disrupted.

A Chinese national named Joanna Liang, who works in Dubai said that the impact of the recent Iran-Israel conflict pales in comparison with the storm's influence on Dubai. "We were hiding in our apartment when the heavy rainfall arrived. The traffic was disrupted," Liang said.

The storm, which hit neighboring Oman on Sunday, pounded the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday, flooding roads and causing hours-long gridlock as rainwater inundated homes. One person was reported dead in the UAE while 20 have died in Oman, Reuters reported.

Flooding trapped residents in traffic, offices and homes as the UAE recorded its heaviest rains in the 75 years that records have been kept, authorities said.

The Chinese Consulate General in Dubai had activated emergency response mechanism, it said on Wednesday. As of now, there have been no reports of Chinese citizens being injured or killed. The consulate is currently working on assisting Chinese tourists who have sought help.

The National Center of Meteorology of UAE, a government taskforce responsible for cloud seeding missions in the country, denied reports that it carried out the weather modification technique in the run-up to heavy storms across the country, after discussion of whether cloud seeding was the culprit of the record rainfall gained momentum on internet.

Chinese scientists also believed extreme weather has a bigger role to play in this record rainfall in desert nations.

Global warming increases the water vapor content in the atmosphere, thus the convection of the same strength will result in even stronger heavy rainfalls in a warmer atmosphere, Zhang Wenxia, a research fellow from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, told the Global Times.

Global warming may bring extreme weather events to regions where they have not typically occurred in the past, as one of the emerging features of extreme events, said Zhang, given the example of heavy rainfall in the usually dry Middle East.

Pictures and videos of Dubai's downpour also gripped Chinese social media, with discussion focusing on the aggravating global warming, and how cities should cope with extreme weather events. "The city [Dubai]'s drainage system is simply not built for flood like this," Liang added.

In the past three years, Zhang has worked with international scientists to review extreme events every year. In their review of last year's extreme events, they summarized some emerging features of the extreme events, such as the concurrence and sequential occurrence of extremes. "Therefore, the world needs to prepare for emerging features of extreme events," Zhang noted.

Zhang believed that early warnings can play a significant role in helping cities during extreme weather events and reduce damage. She believed this is an area where international collaborations are needed, and it is expected to greatly benefit regions lack of resources. China can play a significant role in this regard.

Early warning system requires a combination of monitoring systems, numerical modeling, physical understanding, as well as a wide range of technologies, and China, a country with abundant experience and willing to help, can contribute substantially to the international collaborations, said Zhang.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Airport operation halts large Puebla drug shipment bound for Cancun

Huejotzingo, Puebla  A joint operation between the National Guard and Mexican Army were able to intercept a cocaine shipment destined for Cancun. Luggage being loaded onto a plane belonging to a national airline was searched.

The search took place Wednesday afternoon on a commercial flight at the Hermanos Serdan International Airport in Puebla. Police dogs were brought in to help in the search which revealed more than 120 packages of marijuana and cocaine divided between several black suitcases.

The planes takeoff was delayed after authorities located the drug-filled suitcases. Photo: April 17, 2024.

Due to the finding, the plane was delayed in taking off. Two people, both reported to be men, were arrested for attempted smuggling on the Puebla to Cancun flight.
One of two wanted for deadly Cancun parkade murder captured

Cancun, Q.R.  Francisco Antonio N was arrested Thursday for the shooting death of a man inside his vehicle. The shooting happened in a Cancun parkade on April 9 in Plaza Peninsula that left a male driver dead.

According to local authorities, Francisco Antonio N is one of two people believed involved in and/or responsible for the deadly shooting.

The field, cabinet and technological investigations relate the now detained person as one of the material authors of the homicide of a man who was related to 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 FGE reported.

The deceased male was known to police. He was later identified as Carlos Adrian E who had been arrested 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 April 9 after being shot to death in an underground parkade in Cancun.
Violent priority objective on island of Cozumel captured in Cancun

Cozumel, Q.R.  A man said responsible for island violence including the hanging of threat messages in public was part of a group arrest. On Thursday, the State Attorney General provided information on the arrests of Deyvin Alexander N, Nahum Bladimir N, Karen N and Jennifer N.

According to authorities it is Deyvin Alexander N (in black shirt) who is considered a priority objective, belonging to a criminal group that generates violence dedicated to the transfer and sale of drugs in the municipality of Cozumel.

Together with Nahum Bladimir N, Karen N and Jennifer N, he was captured. All four were taken into police custody from 135 Avenue in Cancun. Officers found them in possession of drugs and a loaded handgun at the time of their arrests.

According to the FGE, after the first investigations, it was established that Deyvin Alexander N is a priority objective of the FGE of Quintana Roo, a member of a gang that generates violence.

Along with his other collaborators, they have dedicated themselves to the transfer and sale of drugs and hanging threatening banners on the Island of Cozumel.
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He had bankrolled purchases of 3 houses along East Coast Road, with the intention of developing condos on the land and selling units for profit

SINGAPORE  A Chinese national was fined S$45,000 on Thursday (18 April) for breaking a law which prevents foreigners from speculating in residential properties in Singapore.

Zhan Guotuan, 59, had provided the money to buy three landed properties in East Coast Road in 2007, with the intention to demolish them, develop condominiums on the land and sell the units for profit.

None of the three houses - worth more than S$6 million in total - were "non-restricted residential properties", meaning that foreigners were normally not entitled to buy them.

Zhan thus breached a law under the the Residential Property Act (RPA) which was rolled out to prevent actions which could lead to a rise in home prices and adversely affect the interests of Singaporeans.

He had pleaded guilty on Tuesday to an offence under the RPA linked to one of the houses - identified in court documents as Z. Three other charges, including two under the same Act involving the other properties (identified in court documents X and Y), were considered during sentencing.

Prosecution had told the court on Tuesday that the prime mover was Zhan's Singaporean business associate, Tan Hui Meng. Tan, 57, was already sentenced in March to jail for two years, three months and three weeks, as well as a S$3,000 fine.

Houses bought with plans for redevelopment

Zhan was a shareholder of two companies  Alphaland International and Xin An Technology Group  that were in the business of property development in Singapore.

In early 2007, Tan entered into a plan to pursue Zhans property development business in East Coast Road on the Chinese nationals behalf. X and Y were then bought with Zhans money.

The other house, Z, was bought in the name of Guan Aimei, the wife of one of Alphalands employees. Its legal title was transferred to her on 2 July 2007, and she had been fined S$5,000 over her role in the offence.

On 13 July 2007, Tan procured an option to buy Z. He also incorporated a firm called Hwampoa, which had no employees and no business operations and was formed for the sole purpose of purchasing and holding the East Coast Road properties. Zhan later authorised Hwampoa to acquire Z, which was bought for S$2.4 million.

According to Tan, the estimated profit from the land redevelopment in East Coast Road was over S$50 million, and he was to get 20 per cent of the profits from two of Zhans companies.

Warrant of arrest before return

After committing the offences, Zhan was charged in a Singapore district court in 2017 before he returned to China. He was overseas when he had a warrant of arrest issued against him in 2022, before finally returning here on 1 March 2024.

Prosecution had asked for Zhan to be given the maximum fine, adding that they would have sought a jail sentence for him if not for several mitigating factors.

Among other things, Z was later sold and Hwampoa voluntarily surrendered S$2.1 million. Zhan had also voluntarily surrendered another S$2.3 million.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.  The Siouxland Chamber of Commerce delegation found a receptive audience on Capitol Hill this week for its pitch to get needed infrastructure improvements at the 185th Air Refueling Wing.

"I think everyone's very supportive of that project," said Barbara Sloniker, the Chamber's executive vice president, who was part of the delegation sent on the organization's 69th annual Washington Conference, a lobbying trip. "They're all aware of it, we've been talking about it to them for quite some time. So our tri-state delegation is definitely supportive."

The Chamber group met with all 14 members of the tri-state congressional delegation on Wednesday and Thursday.

The 185th has been awaiting upgrades to its runway, ramp and 67-year-old hangar for more than 20 years. In 2003, the 185th transitioned from the relatively small, lightweight F-16 Fighting Falcon to the extremely heavy KC-135 Stratotanker. The latter functions essentially as a flying gas station, used to refuel military aircraft in mid-air. The Pentagon pledged as part of that transition that the 185th would get the infrastructure updates needed to support the weight of the KC-135, but the project was mothballed.

Getting federal commitments to fund the 185th project was one of the Chamber's top priorities in Washington.

"Funding is always the issue, right? At this point, we don't have all the funding needed to do that," Sloniker said.

The 185th is allowed to operate on a day-to-day basis thanks to a Federal Aviation Administration waiver; the FAA is expected to stop giving the waiver in 2027.

The Chamber's lobbying trip coincided with positive developments in the project this week: On Monday, the Sioux City Council approved federal and state agreements -- and a design contract -- to begin design work on the runway and ramp project. (The hangar is not part of the current agreement.)

"We have full design support from the federal government, through the military channels, and they are funding 100 percent of the design costs" Mike Collett, assistant city manager, told The Journal.

The design contract was awarded to RS&H, a Duluth, Minnesota, architectural, engineering and consulting firm.

On Tuesday, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall noted this progress at a congressional hearing, during which Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst pushed him to commit to the 185th's mission continuing in Sioux City after the Air Force eventually replaces its KC-135s with the newer KC-46 tankers.

"We have started the architectural engineering activities associated with three projects at the airfield," Kendall told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "We are moving forward with those upgrades."

Little movement on wastewater plant

There wasn't quite as much enthusiasm among the all-Republican tri-state congressional delegation for directing federal funds to aid Sioux City in paying for its wastewater treatment plant rebuild, estimated to cost $470 million.

The Chamber delegation had hoped to find support for the project through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021. The law provides billions of dollars for water infrastructure upgrades.

The congressional delegation gave the Chamber group "ideas for possible alternative funding to look into," Sloniker said, though she added she wasn't sure of the viability of those funding sources.

"Earmarks are not in vogue anymore," Sloniker said. "In general our delegation is not highly in favor of those."
DES MOINES  Iowa public officials are on track to incur larger fines for violating Iowas open meetings law under a bill lawmakers sent to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds desk Thursday night.

Several Iowa city and school boards have recently received public criticism, and some have been penalized, for holding private meetings on matters that should have been discussed publicly.

The bill, House File 2539, was introduced by Rep. Gary Mohr, R-Bettendorf, in response to concerns he had about Davenport's $1.6 million settlement agreement with the former city administrator without a public vote from the city council.

Two other separation agreements with former Davenport city employees were also initially implemented without public votes.

Sen. Scott Webster, a Republican from Bettendorf, also referenced the agreements when the Senate passed the bill Thursday.

(This bill is) about making sure that when city councils and city governments and county governments are having conversations, that those are done in open, and not done in the privacy or the darkness of the night, Webster said.

The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and 87-6 in the House. It is eligible to be signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Iowa law requires most meetings of elected bodies and public boards and commissions to be held in public, with some exceptions.

The bill would hike the maximum fine for a government official unknowingly violating that law from $500 to $2,500. If a person knowingly violates the law, they could be fined up to $12,500.

If a public official proves any of the following, they would be exempt from the fine:

The official voted against the closed session

The official had good reason to believe facts that, if true, would have put the meeting in compliance with the law

The official reasonably relied on a decision of a court or formal opinion from the Public Information Board, the attorney general or the attorney for the government body

The fine for violating the law is paid to the state if the violation is done by a state body or the local government if it is done by a local government body.

Current law directs a court to issue an order to remove a public official from office if they violate the open meetings law more than once during the same term. The bill would require a court to remove a member from office if they have ever had a previous violation of the law and violate it a second time.

The bill also tweaks the definition of a meeting under Iowa law. Current law states that a meeting is a public gathering of a majority of members of a body in which they discuss anything related to their policy-making duties.

The bill notes that a gathering that includes members of a local government body that is hosted or organized by a political party, political candidate, or civic organization is not considered a meeting.

The Senate removed a portion in the House-passed bill that would have required trainings on Iowas open meetings and open records laws. Mohr said he would have liked the training portion to remain in the bill, but he was happy with how it turned out.

Frankly, if we can keep the House penalties, and removal of elected (officials,) I think thats a huge step forward, he said.

Webster said that some small cities were concerned about the burden of complying with the training, but he said he was interested in reconsidering those changes next year.
Parakeets are seen during a livestock exhibition in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 19, 2024. The largest exhibition of Bangladesh's livestock industry kicked off here on Thursday to highlight investment opportunities and advanced technology in the dairy, poultry and other livestock sectors of the South Asian country. (Xinhua)

DHAKA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The largest exhibition of Bangladesh's livestock industry kicked off here on Thursday to highlight investment opportunities and advanced technology in the dairy, poultry and other livestock sectors of the South Asian country.

Organized by the Bangladesh Dairy Farmers' Association (BDFA) and the Bangladesh Poultry Industry Central Council (BPICC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the Directorate of Youth Development of the Bangladeshi government, the two-day exhibition was attended by a large number of dairy farms, clients, and visitors.

The exhibition was opened at the Old Trade Fair Ground at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar beside the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).

Some 3,000 farmers of poultry and dairy sector across the country joined the event to display their cattle and birds in the fair. According to the organizers, some 25 pavilions and 30 stalls have been set up on the exhibition ground to showcase the variety of livestock animals of the country.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the exhibition and visited the show.

Speaking on the occasion, Hasina called upon the private sector to move forward to make the livestock sector thrive further to meet the growing demand for protein in the country.

The organizers said the exhibition was aimed at enhancing the knowledge of farms and farmers, and skills by adopting modern techniques for value addition, which in turn will contribute to the country's gross domestic product. 

A man leads an ox during a livestock exhibition in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 19, 2024. The largest exhibition of Bangladesh's livestock industry kicked off here on Thursday to highlight investment opportunities and advanced technology in the dairy, poultry and other livestock sectors of the South Asian country. (Xinhua)

An ox is seen during a livestock exhibition in Dhaka, Bangladesh,on April 19, 2024. The largest exhibition of Bangladesh's livestock industry kicked off here on Thursday to highlight investment opportunities and advanced technology in the dairy, poultry and other livestock sectors of the South Asian country. (Xinhua)

A man shows an ox during a livestock exhibition in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 19, 2024. The largest exhibition of Bangladesh's livestock industry kicked off here on Thursday to highlight investment opportunities and advanced technology in the dairy, poultry and other livestock sectors of the South Asian country. (Xinhua)

A man leads a horse during a livestock exhibition in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on April 19, 2024. The largest exhibition of Bangladesh's livestock industry kicked off here on Thursday to highlight investment opportunities and advanced technology in the dairy, poultry and other livestock sectors of the South Asian country. (Xinhua)
LINCOLN  Gov. Jim Pillen came up empty-handed Thursday on his quest to reduce property taxes by 40%  or even by about half as much  but immediately told lawmakers he would be calling them back to continue working on the issue.

I will call as many sessions as it takes to finish the long-overdue work of solving the property tax crisis, he said. We will finish this work, and we will finish it this year.

Pillen delivered his message just hours after a scaled-back version of his property tax reduction plan failed without an actual vote. After nearly two hours of debate, the introducer of Legislative Bill 388 opted to skip a vote on the measure after it became apparent it didnt have support from the 33 senators needed to end an opposing filibuster.

Because Thursday was the last day of the session, skipping a vote means the bill effectively died. The bills introducer, State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, the Revenue Committee chairwoman, said she asked for the vote to be skipped because there were too many variables.

LB 388 would have added taxes on a variety of goods and services and used the revenue to help pay for new school property tax credits, replacing another credit program.

Normally, Linehan said, she would have pushed for votes on bills she introduced, even if the outcome was uncertain. In this case, the bills supporters included some senators who are up for re-election this year, and she said didnt want to put their prospects at risk without being sure the measure would pass.

Do you make them take a leap when it might not matter? Linehan asked.

But Pillen, in his end-of-session speech, chastised lawmakers for failing to pass his property tax plan, calling it unacceptable. He did not say when he might call them back into special session.

Because of this Legislatures inaction this morning, Nebraskans will not see a penny of property tax relief out of this session, he said, adding that every Nebraskan agrees we must broaden our sales tax base and close the loopholes.

Tax bills impact would have been limited

Despite the governors assertion, Nebraskans will continue to get most of the property tax relief that LB 388 would have provided, although it will be in a different form.

Earlier, his staff had estimated the bill he supported would have reduced property tax payments about 22%. But that figure counted the effects of other property tax measures passed last year. For most property owners, LB 388 would have meant writing a smaller check when property taxes were due but no additional relief over the course of the year.

The net impact would have been limited because the new credits would have meant the end of a property tax relief program that offers income tax credits to offset school property taxes paid. Property owners who have taken advantage of that program would have seen no net savings, although they would have gotten the savings upfront and avoided the hassle of claiming income tax credits months later.

Property owners who havent taken advantage of the income tax credits would have come out ahead, since their property tax bills would have gone down.

Pillen spokeswoman Laura Strimple had described the changes in LB 388 as part of the foundation for property tax reform and a great first step.

Several groups mounted a last-minute advertising barrage against the plan. The ads urged lawmakers to kill LB 388 because of its proposed tax increases. Supporters of the bill alleged the ads were manipulative and lied to the public.

This week, lie after lie after lie has been told about 388, said Sen. Brad von Gillern of the Omaha area.

But senators opposed to LB 388 said Thursday that the legislation would have been one of the biggest tax increases in Nebraska history. Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln also said lawmakers didnt have a clear idea of what they were voting on since the bill went through several major changes before the current version was proposed late in the session.

Conrad equated supporting the bill to jumping off a cliff.

She said later that she thought it was an odd political choice for Pillen to spend most of his remarks talking about what he felt were the Legislatures failures. Rather than reprimanding senators, she said, he and others should focus on figuring out a solution and building a consensus.

State senators dont appreciate being lectured by other branches of government, Conrad said.

Sales taxes wont go up  for now

LB 388 would have imposed sales taxes on pop and candy, veterinary care and other services for pets, lottery tickets, storage services and dry cleaning. It would have put a 20% tax on vaping products, a 25% tax on CBD and hemp products, a 7.5% tax on digital advertising services offered by businesses with gross revenues of more than $1 billion and an additional 36 cents on a pack of cigarettes.

Pillen started out the year by calling for a 40% reduction in property tax payments. To pay for the cuts, he floated the idea of a 2-cent increase in the sales tax rate, plus adding taxes to several goods and services.

The Revenue Committee advanced LB 388 with a 1-cent sales tax hike and a shorter list of goods and services to be taxed. That proposal would have achieved about a 30% property tax reduction.

But the proposed sales tax increase had become the target of heavy lobbying from business groups, anti-tax advocacy groups and think tanks of varying political stripes. The strong opposition threatened to sink the bill, leading to the scaled-back version that was before lawmakers on Thursday. The current version did not include a sales tax rate hike.

While multiple supporters acknowledged they felt LB 388 wasnt perfect, they urged lawmakers to pass the measure as a step in the right direction for property tax relief.

Lets at least do something to address the property tax problem, said Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus.

Conrad argued that senators shouldnt fear the special session that Pillen says he will call, but embrace the opportunity to figure out a potentially better tax plan.

Theres no problem with starting from scratch, Conrad said.

Linehan said the success of a special session on property taxes will depend on the monthly revenue reports that come out between now and then. For now, she said she is hopeful.

The Revenue Committee will be working all summer now, Linehan said.

Other tax bills passed on final day

Lawmakers passed some other tax packages Thursday. Among the highlights of those measures:

Homestead exemptions. Homeowners who qualify for homestead exemptions could keep those exemptions if their income did not change but their home valuation increased, under LB 126. The bill, introduced by Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, passed with unanimous consent. It also would allow homeowners to keep their exemption while living in nursing homes or other facilities if they are expected to return home.

Federal retirement. Nebraska would not tax benefits paid to federal retirees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System but would reinstate state income taxes for other federal retirees under LB 1317, passed 49-0. The bill would reverse a law passed last year that exempted both groups. Linehan said the intent of the previous law was to provide fairness for federal employees who had started before 1984 and were not able to participate in Social Security, which is newly tax-exempt in the state.

New residents. People moving to Nebraska for jobs paying at least $70,000 a year but not more than $250,000 could get a one-time income tax exemption under LB 1023, passed 49-0. The bill, introduced by von Gillern, would also give income tax credits for employers who pay moving costs for such employees.

Crisis pregnancy centers. Tax credits would be offered for donations to crisis pregnancy centers under LB 937, passed 45-0. The bill would allow up to $500,000 in credits for donations the first year and up to $1 million in following years.

Caregiver credits. LB 937, introduced by Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, also would give tax credits to people caring for elderly or disabled family members and to people hiring or providing services to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Other credits would be offered for making movies or videos in Nebraska and installing reverse osmosis systems in homes.

Not passed. One tax measure did not pass, however, after opponents mounted a last-minute filibuster and it became apparent that LB 1363 lacked support. Introduced by Sen. Mike McDonnell of Omaha, the bill would have raised the documentary stamp tax on real estate sales by 44%. It would have used part of the revenue to make possible a reduction in inheritance taxes.

Photos: Last day of 2024 Nebraska Legislature session
DES MOINES  Iowa public officials are on track to incur larger fines for violating Iowas open meetings law under a bill lawmakers sent to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds desk Thursday night.

Several Iowa city and school boards have recently received public criticism, and some have been penalized, for holding private meetings on matters that should have been discussed publicly.

The bill, House File 2539, was introduced by Rep. Gary Mohr, R-Bettendorf, in response to concerns he had about Davenport's $1.6 million settlement agreement with the former city administrator without a public vote from the city council.

Two other separation agreements with former Davenport city employees were also initially implemented without public votes.

Sen. Scott Webster, a Republican from Bettendorf, also referenced the agreements when the Senate passed the bill Thursday.

(This bill is) about making sure that when city councils and city governments and county governments are having conversations, that those are done in open, and not done in the privacy or the darkness of the night, Webster said.

The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and 87-6 in the House. It is eligible to be signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Iowa law requires most meetings of elected bodies and public boards and commissions to be held in public, with some exceptions.

The bill would hike the maximum fine for a government official unknowingly violating that law from $500 to $2,500. If a person knowingly violates the law, they could be fined up to $12,500.

If a public official proves any of the following, they would be exempt from the fine:

 The official voted against the closed session

 The official had good reason to believe facts that, if true, would have put the meeting in compliance with the law

 The official reasonably relied on a decision of a court or formal opinion from the Public Information Board, the attorney general or the attorney for the government body

Current law directs a court to issue an order to remove a public official from office if they violate the open meetings law more than once during the same term. The bill would require a court remove a member from office if they have ever had a previous violation of the law.

The bill also tweaks the definition of a meeting under Iowa law. Current law states that a meeting is a public gathering of a majority of members of a body in which they discuss anything related to their policy-making duties.

The bill notes that a gathering that includes members of a local government body that is hosted or organized by a political party, political candidate, or civic organization is not considered a meeting.

The Senate removed a portion in the House-passed bill that would have required trainings on Iowas open meetings and open records laws. Mohr said he would have liked the training portion to remain in the bill, but he was happy with how it turned out.

Frankly, if we can keep the House penalties, and removal of elected (officials,) I think thats a huge step forward, he said.

Webster said that some small cities were concerned about the burden of complying with the training, but he said he was interested in reconsidering those changes next year.
An impeachment trial is supposed to be a big deal. The trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was anything but. It wasnt just that it was perhaps the fifth (sixth?) biggest news story in American politics this week (and a far less sensational trial than that of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump). There was somehow no sense of history or gravitas for what was notionally a momentous occasionthe first impeachment trial of a sitting Cabinet member in American history. Instead, it played out like something else entirely.

The impeachment of Mayorkas originated as a way to appease the unruly House Republicans who approached this Congress with a small majority but a huge appetite for partisan warfare. After going through 15 ballots to first elect Kevin McCarthy in January 2023 and then spending over three weeks in legislative limbo without a speaker after ousting McCarthy in October, an impeachment of the homeland security secretary was an easy way for McCarthys replacement, Rep. Mike Johnson, to appease his right. After all, the impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden had come up with little evidence of malfeasance and was far too politically risky. Instead, with the Biden administration struggling to manage a border crisis, Mayorkas made a sufficient substitute. It took multiple votes to do so but eventually the homeland security secretary was impeached by the House in February.

But then House Republicans delayed in sending the impeachment articles to the Senate for nearly two months. And clearly, some of the air was let out of the tires. In that time, their slender majority shrank even further due to resignations, and Johnson became preoccupied with the threat of ouster from Marjorie Taylor Greene (who was also the author of the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas) and began struggling to balance his gavel against the urgent need to send aid to Israel and Ukraine.That drama was coming to a boil on Tuesday when the articles of impeachment were formally transmitted to the Senate.

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Still, once they were submitted, the designated 11 impeachment managers led by Mark Green, the chairman of Homeland Security Committee, took part in a solemn procession across the Capitol to the Senate.

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Senators waited, biding their time. (Chuck Schumer alternated between making calls on his flip phone and browsing his iPad.) They all listened as the sergeant-at-arms announced hear ye, hear ye, all persons are commanded to keep silent under pain of imprisonment during the course of the impeachment trial. And they didat least on Tuesdayas Chairman Green tediously spent 30 minutes reading the full articles of impeachment from a binder. His fellow House managers stood off to the side, awkwardly shifting their weight at times.

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When asked later about what she was thinking at that moment, Rep. Greene told Slate, I had so many thoughts. One of them is that so many of these senators are so old. Thats shocking to me. Retirement age for most Americans is around 65. Its like a geriatric center over there in the Senate and thats not good. She added that the wallpaper looked old too.

Related From Slate Mike Johnson Finally Found the Gumption to Stand Up to the Freedom Caucus. It Could Cost Him His Job. Read More

The trial occurred around 1:30 p.m. the next day. Perhaps the most notable nod to formality was the appearance of John Fetterman in a full suit, not his customary hoodie. He entered the chamber awkwardly, clutching a can of grapefruit Polar club soda that seemed almost miniature in his hands. In another nod to formality, Fetterman had the club soda poured into a glass. (Drinking out of a can isnt allowed in the Senate.) Other senators waited for the trial to begin with more productive tasks. Sheldon Whitehouse went through a stack of the same issues of the Economist and attached a sticky note to mark a particular article. (He eventually journeyed over to the Republican side of the chamber to hand out copies of the magazine to his colleagues.) Others came prepared for downtime. Michael Bennet of Colorado had a thick book on U.S. engagement with Asia on his desk while his Colorado colleague John Hickenlooper had what appeared to be a sudoku puzzle clipped out of a newspaper.

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The end result was never in doubt. Senate Republicans held a press conference the day before preemptively bashing Chuck Schumer for quashing the trial. They argued it would be a terrible precedent for a Senate majority to simply avoid a trial mandated by the Constitution. But, with Democrats united along party lines, the first impeachment trial in American history of a sitting Cabinet officeholder was summarily dismissed.

Schumer stood to offer a preemptive deal that would allow for some time for debate on the impeachment. This required all 100 senators to agree. All 100 senators did not. Eric Schmitt of Missouri rose to block it. Im not going to participate in lighting the Constitution on fire and 200 years of precedent, he said. Immediately, Schumer followed by raising a point of order that the first of the two articles of impeachment was unconstitutional because it does not allege conduct that rises to the level of a high crime or misdemeanor. This was not followed by a vote, which led to some confusion. (Ed Markey of Massachusetts turned to his colleague from Hawaii, Brian Schatz: Can you explain to me procedurally what is going on?) Others seemed more focused on snacks. Jon Tester procured a bag of M&Ms from the desk of his colleague Cory Booker. Glasses of milk, which are only allowed in the Senate during impeachment trials, appeared on the desk of Roger Marshall of Kansas and John Kennedy of Louisiana. (Joe Manchin would later have a glass himself to accompany what appeared to be a chocolate-covered cookie).

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Republicans gathered in clusters on the Senate floor trying to figure out what their next steps would be. Democrats started wandering about the floor as Schumer, seated at his center aisle perch, urged his caucus to stay in your seats to little effect.

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Eventually, Republicans settled on a plan. They would make various motions dragging things out. After three procedural votes, Schumers first point of order was finally voted on, and by a nearly party line vote, the first article of impeachment was nullified.

The same process then began on the second of the two articles. Schumer offered a point of order declaring that it was unconstitutional and Republicans dragged out the process. At this point, less than two hours into the trail, members could be spotted at times in hysterics on the floor as they chitchatted with each other. Everyone laughed when Kennedy, attempting to adjourn the trial for two weeks, accidentally suggested May 1, 2004, instead of May 1, 2024. When this was corrected, he said, 2004 would probably be preferable, but Id accept a friendly amendment that we make it 2024. It was offered but went down on party lines. Occasionally as the procedural votes dragged on, a stray senator would vote the wrong way by accident and have to quickly correct it. On one vote, Lindsey Graham, distracted in conversation with Cory Booker, voted aye when he meant to vote nay. He quickly corrected himself but Booker mugged to the chamber in reaction to the South Carolina Republicans accidental vote with Democrats.

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Eventually, Republicans ran out of motions and, after three hours, the impeachment trial was over. Senators streamed out of the chamber to celebrate the outcome or rail against the result. In a brief press conference, Schumer discussed how important it was to short-circuit the trial. We felt very strongly that we had to set a precedent that impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements. In contrast, Josh Hawley of Missouri mourned afterward that this is akin to blowing up the filibuster in terms of the precedent it sets.

Perhaps the most succinct verdict came from Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut when asked how Mayorkas trial compared to his experience sitting through the two impeachments of Donald Trump in 2020 and 2021. I dont think this one will make my memoirs, he said.
Nearly 38 million Americans live in poverty. In some areas and among some populations, entrenched economic inequality is particularly acute. One in four children in New York City lives in poverty. Black Americans are five times as likely as white Americans to reside in high-poverty neighborhoods. These figures are a testament to the pressing need to address economic inequality and the racial wealth disparity in this country. With the gap between the richest and poorest Americans growing, the Supreme Court on Monday hears oral argument in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, in which a host of states and localities will urge the justices to uphold an Oregon citys ordinances that criminalize homelessness.

Fortunately, there is a tool available in this caseand in the fight against economic inequality generallythat has for far too long been underutilized in the realm of economic justice: the 14th Amendment.

It is well known that the 14th Amendment revolutionized our Constitution, changing a document that sanctioned bondage into one that promised liberation and equal citizenship. But this is only part of the story: The 14th Amendment was also adopted to safeguard the fundamental rights and equality of poor people. Although this aspect of the amendment has deep roots in its text and history, it has never been properly recognized by the courts.

Redressing the horrors and aftermath of slavery required sweeping guarantees to protect the most oppressed Americansthose who had been held in slavery, forced to toil their entire lives without pay, denied ownership of their bodies and brutalized, and left in abject poverty. One of the chief abuses the 14th Amendment sought to end were pernicious vagrancy laws in the postCivil War Black Codes, which were designed to push Black Americans back into enslavement simply because they were poor. Southern efforts to criminalize Black poverty made a mockery of the freedom promised by abolition.

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Repairing the Constitution required guarantees to protect the poorest and most marginalized Americans from state oppression and neglect. The Framers were adamant that we shall not peril one single right of the poorest man that treads the soil of this country, insisting that those on the margins of society were entitled to equal citizenship. Fundamental changes to the Constitution were necessary to entrench in our national charter the principle that a true republic rests on the absolute equality of rights of the whole people, high and low, rich and poor, white and black.

One of the 14th Amendments most important innovations was to place on states an affirmative constitutional duty to protect the legal rights of the entire populace, rich and poor alike. American citizenship would be little worth it if it did not carry protection with it, argued Illinois Sen. Lyman Trumbull. The equal protection clause wrote the right to legal protection, independent of wealth, into the Constitution. Rather than acting to keep the poorest of Americans marginalized, states now had a constitutional obligation to act affirmatively to protect their enjoyment of life, liberty, and property.

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The debates over the 14th Amendment repeatedly affirm economic equality as a fundamental constitutional ideal. Rich and poor alike were entitled to equal citizenship, equal rights, and equal protection. Introducing the 14th Amendment, Michigan Sen. Jacob Howard explained that it gives to the humblest, the poorest, the most despised of the race the same rights and same protection under the law as it gives to the most powerful, the most wealthy, or the most haughty. Illinois Rep. Jehu Baker argued that it was a disgrace to a free country that the poor and the weak members of society should be denied equal justice and equal protection at the hands of the law.

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Similar affirmations of economic equality pervaded speeches urging ratification. On the campaign trail, Ohio Rep. John Bingham described the equal protection guarantee as a sublime example of a great and powerful people providing that the humblest human being anywhere shall have the same protection under the law as the President himself. It meant that Lazarus in his rags shall be as sacred before the majesty of American law as the rich man clothed in purple and fine linen.

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The Reconstruction Framers not only fundamentally altered the Constitution; they also created the nations first federal social welfare agencythe Freedmens Bureauto provide access to food, medical care, and education to Black Americans freed from enslavement and refugees whose lives had been uprooted by wartime devastation. Aiming to ensure some measure of economic security and access to education, the legislation recognized the federal governments constitutional responsibility to make equal citizenship a reality. The obligation to take care of them, Trumbull insisted, is a constitutional obligation imposed on us as a government.

The Freedmens Bureau legislation provides crucial insight into what protection meant to those who wrote the 14th Amendments guarantee of equal protection. The Freedmens Bureau Act cast the shield of protection over four million American citizens at a time when white-dominated Southern governments refused to spend a penny on poor Black Americans yearning for meaningful freedom. To redeem the promise of abolition, Congress acted to alleviate poverty, help newly freed individuals become self-supporting citizens, and ensure access to education. Equal protection entailed the provision of basic goods and services to make freedom real.

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This aspect of the 14th Amendments text and history has never received its due. To the contrary, conservative Supreme Court justices have repeatedly given a crabbed interpretation of the 14th Amendment and read poor Americans out of its universal promises.

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In 1970, in Dandridge v. Williams, the court announced that inequalities in the administration of state-run programs are not the business of this Court even when the most basic needs of impoverished human beings are at stake. In 1973, in San Antonio School District v. Rodriguez, the court sanctioned school financing arrangements that denied equal educational opportunities to children from poorer neighborhoods. In 1980 Harris v. McRae upheld the exclusion of abortion from Medicaids coverage of medically necessary health care and sanctioned the power of the government to harm poor womendisproportionately women of colorsimply because of their poverty.

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This term, with the Grants Pass case, the Supreme Court has an opportunity to take at least a small step in the right direction away from the courts disappointing legacyand more recent historyon economic justice issues.

In 2013 the city of Grants Pass, Oregon, adopted a series of ordinances that criminalize sleeping anywhere in public with as little as a blanket. Rather than protect its most marginalized inhabitants, the city sought to use the power of criminal law to banish its homeless residents.

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The case, which asks the court to decide whether the ordinances violate the constitutional prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, raises the fundamental question of whether homeless persons will be treated as equal citizens entitled to protection or punished as criminals simply because they lack a shelter over their heads. The import of the 14th Amendments text and history should be plain: Criminalizing poverty violates the Constitution.

Grants Pass insists that how it treats its poorest residents is purely a question of policy. As a matter of text and history, this is flatly wrong. The 14th Amendment centers the rights of poor people. Recognizing this fundamental truth is long overdue.
Four days in, and with the jury just selected, those in the commentariat class are already ready to offer their closing arguments in Donald Trumps New York criminal trial. Most of the naysayers are lawyers. Some of them doubt that Trump will be found guilty of even a misdemeanor, much less a felony, for his alleged crime of illegally offering hush money payments to hide an affair he had before the 2016 presidential election. They question the soundness of what they deem a rather novel legal theoryelevating the minor crime of falsifying records into the more serious charge of doing so in furtherance of another crime. Others are just exhausted. Our Slate colleague Richard Hasen, in the L.A. Times, declared, I have a hard time even mustering a meh.  Its understandable to feel jaded by what has been a yearslong process, with Trump seeming to evade accountability every timebut dismissing this case is precisely the category error that holds that what lawyers believe about legal verdicts is somehow predictive of political and electoral outcomes.

And its not just the lawyers. The pundits are also certain they know how the public will think about a trial thats barely begun. Theyre sure they understand how it will affect a vote that remains 200 days away, and they are bringing in survey data to back up their claims. ABC News thus declared, The polls suggest that a guilty verdict would be unlikely to have a big influence come November, citing as evidence the fact that just 35 percent of independents and 14 percent of Republicans believe that Trump is guilty in the New York criminal case. As further proof that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs efforts are going to be electorally inconsequential, they go on to reference a Quinnipiac poll showing that only 29 percent of voters would be less likely to support Trump upon a conviction in this criminal trial.

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And, sure, all of these are in fact numbers, and they are indeed less than 50 percent, and, yes, weve been told many, many times that it takes that plus one to win an election. But this is where so many political analysts have either memory-holed how presidential elections actually work in the U.S. or are demonstrating that motivated cognition is one hell of a drug. Because for Trump to lose this election, it does not require over 50 percent of people to say that this trial would flip their vote. Many people are already absolutely determined not to vote for the criminal defendant. As in 2016 and 2020, the 2024 election will come down to margins of 1 or 2 percentage points in just six states. In this game of winner takes all, even by a hair, dropping only 9 percent of your base upon a Bragg convictionas the most Trump-favorable poll testing the stakes of this case reportsmeans you would lose the election.

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Thus, while it is absolutely the case that 36 percent of independents saying that a guilty verdict would move them away from Trump is less than the 44 percent saying it wouldnt, when your vote total is presently neck and neck and electoral precedent says it will come down to the wire, you cannot afford to lose anyone, let alone over a third of the gettable voters. That 36 percent matters greatly.

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And so, those who are dismissing the electoral consequences of this criminal trial by declaring that events in Manhattan over the next few weeks will merely animate Trumps basea base that will see this trial as yet more proof of the Deep States () persecution of their Lordare also demonstrating a fundamental misunderstanding of electoral math. You cannot mobilize the voters who are already absolutely voting for Trump to any greater heights. No matter how rabid their fury, and how bottomless their sense of shared grievance, they still get only one vote eachat least until they figure out how to commit the voter fraud they love to decry on a broader scale. The rank and file in the tank for MAGA cannot become more impactful.

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Related From Slate If You Thought Overturning Roe Was Bad, Get Ready for the Revival of These Victorian Laws Read More

Its important to remember that this is really an election interference trial, with a crucial trifecta of sex, money, and voter deception. So, yes, the public opinion data is one way to understand the influenceand in fact, it points toward this case being quite consequential. But the larger, as yet unquantifiable element of this criminal lawsuit currently playing out in the midst of a presidential election is the story it transmits. The trial is a long-awaited step toward accountability for a presidential candidate publicly performing the role of criminal defendant, sitting reluctantly before a jury of other Americans. This telegraphs a very loud tale about him and, more importantly, the stakes of this election. We dont yet understand the effect that part will have on votersit hasnt happened yet.

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Where the civil trials against Trump got newspaper write-ups, this criminal trial is receiving the full television and social media meme daily bonanza. Americans are a uniquely Law & Orderobsessed people: They love jury selection and objections and closing arguments and are captive to this uniquely American notion that there is something about landmark trial of the century events worth watching. This means that voters who only barely register the drumbeat of political news will still see a man they are supposed to consider the potential leader of the free world falling asleep, muttering threats at jurors, and generally looking sad and trapped and small. And if he is declared guilty, this process will render him, in many voters understanding, a criminal.

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What the political pundits and legal scholars who are now parsing the electoral consequences of this case seem to have forgotten is that elections center on grand, sweeping tales, not the arcana of case law and criminal liability theory. Big moral narratives sound like Morning in America and Yes We Can in the affirmative, or Swift Boat and 47 percent and her emails in the most damning. And this trial is part of that arc, about a man absolutely determined to seize and hold power, no matter how, with explicit details about hidden bank accounts and pulling one over on voters to game an election.

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Finally, while theres understandable interest in examining how traditional swing voters will respond to the Bragg case, its critical to remember that these electoral unicorns are on the 2024 endangered species list. This election isnt just the usual take to your partisan corners contest; its a rematch between the same two contenders we know all too well. Virtually no one is still deciding between Trump and Biden. And what gettable voters are contemplating is, in broad strokes, whether to participate at all in this election. These double haters, folks who are turned off by both top contenders, are tuned out of this election. The question then becomes what would get them off the sidelines and into viewing the very real stakes, stakes that make turning out to repudiate Trump imperative. What Trump on trialand the constant barrage of chatter about itultimately does is clue these weary citizens into the actual consequences of this election. It changes the narrative from a tale of two old men, neither of whom they find appealing, into the possibility that a convicted criminal will be deciding which laws, if any, apply to him and also to everyone else. This, for everyday voters residing outside the commentariat, is what can become core to politics: a story of morality and possibly even some game-changing theater.
With the near completion of what may have been the most challenging and significant jury selection in American legal history, my former trial lawyer colleagues and I have been discussing the ways the upcoming Trump hush money trial will likely unfold. Notwithstanding the groups collective high-level prosecutorial and white-collar defense trial experiencetogether spanning well over 100 yearsour discussions have failed to answer a very basic question: What is the defense?

Defense lawyers always need a theory of their case to present to the jury in their opening statements, a construct that they try to build upon as they cross-examine key prosecution witnesses, call their own witnesses, introduce evidence, and sum it all up in their closing argument to the jury.

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Were the witnesses against my client mistaken in identifying him as the perpetrator? In that regard, were the lighting conditions too poor, or was he too far away to allow accurate identification? Or, in white-collar cases, was my client relying on the advice of counsel or other trusted professionals when he did what he is accused of and thus acted without the requisite criminal intent? Or are the government witnesses all simply lying?

In theory, Donald Trump potentially had an advice-of-counsel defenseall three parties to the Stormy Daniels transaction at the core of the charges were represented by attorneysbut asserting that defense would require him to testify, something, as I have previously written in Slate, that he is manifestly incapable of doing. This is surely the case in the Alvin Bragg prosecution. Because taking the witness stand places a defendants credibility directly at issue, Trumps doing so would open the door to cross-examining him about otherwise inadmissible, damning past conduct. The E. Jean Carroll debacle is just one of many skeletons he must keep in the closet.

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Trumps inability to testify precludes other potential innocent state of mind defenses, such as the oft-repeated claim that in his dealings with Daniels, he was looking only to protect Melania. Even though this would be tantamount to saying I broke the law for family reasons, it would require his testimony.

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As a consequence, Trumps lawyers will be left to argue that the prosecutions case is based solely on the words of Trump-hating liarsno one more demonstrably so than Michael Cohen. The problem with this approach is that there will be many more damaging witnesses to confront, quite a few of whom who will be difficult to impeach. Any attempt to make the case all about Cohen will likely fail.

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The prosecution, although acknowledging Cohen to be a morally damaged witness, will surely argue that it was his willingness to lie, cheat, and steal for the boss that qualified him to be Trumps attorney in the first place. Prosecutors will point out that Cohens testimony is directly supported by relevant documents and other witnesses, but they will do all they can to make their case much more reliant on other witnessesperhaps going so far as to argue that even if the jury completely disregards Cohens testimony, the evidence against the former president is overwhelming.

Especially strong support for this position will come from David Pecker and Hope Hicks.

When it comes to the catch-and-kill scam at the heart of the case, and the threat to Trumps 2016 election campaign posed by Daniels desire to tell the world her story, no other witness has more direct, explosive information than Pecker. As the editor of the scandal-driven National Enquirer magazine, he was a longtime close associate of Trump. Even before Daniels, Pecker and Trump had used the same catch-and-kill methodologyPecker bought a scandalous story about a Trump affair seemingly for publication, then deep-sixed itto conceal Trumps extramarital tryst with former Playboy model Karen McDougal, now a witness for the prosecution.

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In sum, except for Peckers understandable inability to identify the Trump Organization financial records falsely describing the payments at issueentries that speak for themselvesPecker can and will testify to everything he and Trump knowingly and intentionally did to illegally protect the candidates reputation as Election Day approached.

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As for Hicks, she is a powerfully credible witness who has honed her testimonial skills in congressional hearings and numerous other venues. As the White House communications director and a Trump confidante, Hicks participated in multiple telephone calls involving Trump and Cohen in which they discussed the threat posed by Daniels and the steps to be taken to silence her.

Though there is at least one, however underwhelming, area of cross-examination of Peckerhis reported immunity deal protected him from prosecution and could be argued as incentive for him to liethere is simply no meaningful cross-examination of Hicks.

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With Peckers testimony likely preceding Cohens, to be followed later in the prosecutions case by Hicks testimony, prosecutors can get what they need from Cohen while sandwiching him between two more believable and compelling voices, sharing paralleland much more difficult to challengeperspectives of the same damning story.

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Related From Slate Thursday Proved the True Difficulty of Picking Jurors to Assess Donald Trump Read More

Interwoven will be the predictably sympathetic testimony of the victims of the defendants catch-and-kill method to escape accountability: Daniels and McDougal. There will also be a host of others with documentary and testimonial support for the prosecutions case.

Are they all lying? When and where did this plot to falsely accuse an innocent man take place?

But didnt I previously argue that the Bragg prosecution was the weakest of the four pending Trump indictments and, in an ideal world, would not go first? That is still the case, because the three other prosecutions involve far more serious charges and are relative slam-dunks (especially the two federal cases). The prime defect in the Bragg prosecution is a legal issue: whether, under the facts of this case, a state misdemeanor can become a felony. The trial judge, Juan Merchan, has already ruled in the district attorneys favor on that matter, but this legal question will remain very much alive on appeal should Trump be convicted.

Trumps public defense to galvanize his supportersthat the Bragg prosecution is all a scheme hatched by President Joe Biden and left-wing maniacswont be tolerated in the courtroom. As a consequence, his trial team will be left without much. His best hope remains the presence of a recalcitrant juror or two willing and able to hang the panel.
Winter offers best conditions.

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You can read the story in Slovak here.

Views of the High Tatras from the Kosice area depends on the type of weather. This is a very rare phenomenon that occurs on average once or twice a year.

In regards to this article, we are talking about excellent visibility, which means the Tatras are seen as sharp, contrasting, and can be photographed. If a hazy outline suffices, there are many more opportunities, but we are still talking several days in a year.

Better conditions in winter

Although a day with excellent visibility can happen at any time of the year, there is a significantly better chance for it to happen in the colder months. A pretty good signal would be a clear night several degrees cooler than the previous one followed by a clear day.

For those who follow weather forecasts, two basic situations are important. The first is the passage of the front subsequently followed by clear skies, the second is an anticyclone with a centre over Slovakia.

A rather specific case, important for the Kosice area, are temperature inversions. In this type of weather, valleys are filled with fog or low clouds. Clear weather with clear air is above the inversion. Very often, the upper limit for the inversion in the Kosice Basin is around 1000 metres above sea level, making the Kojsovska Hola mountain the winner regarding sites for viewing the Tatras.

Snow is also a big help. It reflects so much light it makes the Tatras clearly visible even at really great distances.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1Lglpss0lRfJ3qfblkCoX-ZNOWraSs8I&ehbc=2E312F&noprof=1

Even a cheap camera will do

To take nice photos, it's good to have a cell phone with an optical zoom, the bigger the better. A less important, but still useful parameter, is the size of the sensor because you may want to crop. The more megapixels, the better.

For cameras with interchangeable lenses, a telephoto lens with a focal length of at least 100 milimetres for an APSC sensor is a must. Despite significant progress in image stabilization, a tripod still comes in handy.

It is important to know that one does not need to spend a lot of money to take pictures like this. Even older second-hand cameras will work just as well as new ones and can be bought significantly cheaper.

Now let's take a look at ten vantage points in the Kosice area from which you can see the Tatras.
Bratislava City Days offer the best way to learn more about Bratislava, its history, nooks and crannies. Here's what to do during the weekend of April 19-21.

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TRAVEL

How to see the High Tatras from Kosice

The city of Kosice is nowhere near the High Tatras; in a direct line, the distance is approximately 100 kilometres. And yet, there are several places around the eastern Slovakia city where you can get a glimpse of the mountaim range, with some giving the impression that Kosice seemingly lies at the foothills of the Tatras. If you need to see more mountains, in this list you'll find the right places to visit around the Kosice area.

An easy but beautiful hike

Speaking of the High Tatras, if you're looking for an easy hike that still offers gorgeous vistas and the feeling that you're surrounded by mountains, take a look at this travel guide. The Popradske Pleso mountain lake is such a place. With several paths to get there and one suitable even for a stroller, it's a good place to visit any time of the year. Here's how to get there.

A look into the Mengusovska Dolina valley from the red trail to the Popradske Pleso mountain lake. (Source: TASR)

ART

Illustrated Calvino

Famous Italian writer Italo Calvino had a great impact on many artists. One of his masterpieces is the book Invisible Cities, based on the story of Marco Polo, who describes 55 fictional cities in detail throughout its course. The book proceeded to inspire many illustrators who tried to imagine the cities described in the book. Now, as part of the Italian Excellence series of illustration exhibition, the Vojtech Loffler Museum in Kosice, eastern Slovakia, is holding an exhibition dedicated to selected artworks not only from Invisible Cities, but Calvino's other books as well.

video //www.youtube.com/embed/QTkE55qMxVk

MISCELLANEOUS FUN

Glimpse into the past

For a brief period of time in the 7th century, Samo's Empire existed in Central Europe. The union of several tribes was created after Samo, a Frankish merchant, led Slavic tribes to victory over Avars. In 1925, archeological research found a Slavic-Avar graveyard in the territory of Bratislava's Devinska Nova Ves borough. In commemoration of the empire, the borough is once again holding the historic Samove Hry (Samo's games) event, showcasing, for example, how people danced at the time, swordsmanship and more. Click here to learn more.

Take a ride on a historic railway

This weekend opens the new season of the Children's Historic Railway in Kosice. The railway was built between 1955-56 for the Czechoslovak Pioneer youth organisation. Although other railways such as this one were built throughout the country, only the one on Kosice survived. Until the end of April, the railway is operating only on weekends, from May 2 even on week days. Learn more here.

The Children's Historic Railway in Kosice. (Source: TASR)

It's all fun and games

If waiting for one more week for the SlavCon popculture festival to start is too much, why not give the emerging PixelZest game festival a try? This Saturday, the first edition of this game and technology event will be held in Trnava, western Slovakia, showcasing the latest trend in both areas, including virtual reality, simulators, console and computer games and more. Admission is free, learn more here.

DIY robots

This Saturday, the 24th edition of the Istrobot international robotic competition takes place at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology STU in Bratislava. The competition showcases robots young people created themselves. In total, 88 robots have been registered in several categories. Admission is free. For more information, click here.

Experience Bratislava

Bratislava City Days are a great way to explore the capital and get a closer look at its history, culture, architecture and more. This year's edition of the popular event will take place over the coming weekend of April 20-21. It includes, among other things, tours through otherwise unavailable premises, guided tours of 20 historical buildings, street shows, concerts, and sightseeing cruises on the Danube, as well as sport activities and much more. Although most of the programme will be in Slovak, there will be several tours in different languages, including English, German, and Ukrainian. Learn more here.

Bratislava City Days. (Source: TASR)

TIP: In Bratislava, a ship-like art gallery on the Danube gives you a full-spectrum experience.

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 25-27: The Sharpe music festival in Bratislava

BEFORE YOU GO

WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: The Silent Disco party in the Klarisky Church is a unique experience worth having.

WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Try out parkour, learn the basics of the archaeological craft, and enjoy the classic music of Hummel and Rachmaninoff in this week's Top 10 events for foreigners.

WHAT TO READ: Hidden gems in the east: Smuggling museum, 'Croatian' lake, and guitar heaven. Slovak regions near the Ukrainian border are a nice surprise for visitors.

WHAT TO BE POSITIVE ABOUT: He became an egg decorator by chance. His work now adorns households worldwide.

That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice weekend!
However, participation in EP elections in Slovakia has been the lowest in Europe.

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According to the final Eurobarometer poll ahead of the June European Parliament elections, 43 percent of Slovaks are either aware of, or are following, the elections - an increase of 5 percentage points from 2019.

Overall, 60 percent of EU citizens are interested in the June elections, an increase of 11 percentage points.

Participation in EP elections in Slovakia has been the lowest in Europe for a long time. Ten years ago it was only 13 percent. In 2019 it rose to 22 percent, the worst result among all member states.

Today, 62 percent of Slovak citizens said they will probably vote and 80 percent think that the current geopolitical situation makes it more important that they do so.

The survey also revealed that 80 percent view the European parliament either positively or neutrally, while 18 percent view it negatively, 85 percent feel the European Union has an impact on their daily life, and a further 82 percent feel benefits of EU membership.

In Slovakia, the survey was conducted in February through personal interviews, on a sample of 1,008 people.

Slovakia joined the EU 20 years ago, on May 1, 2004.

(Source: Eurobarometer)

For Slovaks, food security is a top priority

At present, fifty-five percent of Slovak people consider EU membership to be a good thing, only 6 percent thinks the opposite. In western and northern Europe, the positive numbers are much higher in this regard.

Slovaks also said campaigning ahead of the elections should focus on support for the economy and creating new jobs, defence and security of the EU, the future of Europe, and agricultural policy.

When it comes to the future of the EU, Slovaks think the focus should be on food security and agriculture, followed by defence and security, and its competitiveness, economy and industry.

(Source: Eurobarometer)

(Source: Eurobarometer)

EU has the worst image in Czechia

Less than 50 percent (48 percent) of Slovaks perceive the EU positively, only 17 percent see it negatively. The latest survey shows that the European Union has the worst image in the Czech Republic, Dennik N noticed. Only 33 percent of Czech people perceive it positively, 32 percent see it negatively. Austria, France and Slovenia had similar numbers in the survey.

Moreover, only 40 percent of EU respondents think that the EU has become more important in the last five years. A third of people think that its position has not changed. Twenty-two percent of respondents said that the EU is less important on the world stage than before.

(Source: Eurobarometer)

Forty-eight percent of people in the EU perceive the USA very positively, 47 percent see America negatively. Russia is perceived negatively by 83 percent of Europeans. In Slovakia, people perceive the USA most positively (30 percent), followed by Turkey (29 percent), China (27 percent) and Russia (21 percent).

The European Parliament elections in Slovakia will be held on Saturday, June 8. Slovaks will elect 15 MEPs for a five-year term. Voters can vote for a maximum of two candidates from one list of candidates.

Information for voters is available here (in English) and candidate slates here (in Slovak). Citizens of another EU state can vote in Slovakia too, provided they are over 18 and have permanent residence in the country.
PHNOM PENH, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has made significant contributions to maintaining peace, stability and economic prosperity in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the past 25 years, says ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.

In a congratulatory message to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, the ASEAN chief said 2024 marks a quarter of a century since Cambodia officially became the 10th member of the ASEAN on April 30, 1999.

"Since its accession to ASEAN, Cambodia has made great strides towards fostering the region's peace, stability and economic prosperity," Kao Kim Hourn said in the message dated Wednesday and released to the media on Friday.

"Despite the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cambodia has succeeded in maintaining high economic growth of more than 5 percent in the last two consecutive years while recording important achievements in social, educational and cultural development," he added.

He said for ASEAN, the admission of Cambodia expanded the geographical coverage of the regional organization to almost all countries in Southeast Asia.

"Undoubtedly, Cambodia has made major contributions to the ASEAN Community-building efforts and its leadership role has been particularly felt during its ASEAN chairmanships in 2002, 2012 and most recently in 2022," he said.

Kao Kim Hourn said Cambodia has championed ASEAN's key initiatives such as post-conflict peacebuilding and reconciliation, the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the development of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), among others.

"Together with the other ASEAN member states, Cambodia continues to promote cooperation between ASEAN and its external partners, enhancing ASEAN's role and position in ASEAN-led mechanisms," he said.

The ASEAN chief is fully confident that under Hun Manet's able stewardship, Cambodia will continue to make significant contributions to the ASEAN Community-building.

"I would like to reaffirm the ASEAN Secretariat's readiness to render our fullest support to Cambodia and ASEAN in achieving our collective goal of a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN Community," Kao Kim Hourn said.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. 
MP Rudolf Huliak claims that he wanted to help a plant.

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"This is how we live here. Our plant is growing in harmony with CO2," SNS MP Rudolf Huliak says in a video after he exhales cigarette smoke into a terrarium.

He adds that he's been doing it for a month.

The video of his experiment appeared on social media thanks to the Slovenska Narodna Strana party. According to the lawmaker, he wanted to prove that CO2 does not harm plants but helps them grow.

Plants need CO2. However, no studies show that plants benefit from smoke, the Dennik N daily points out.

Last October, the MP argued that CO2 has nothing to do with climate change. On social media, he also accused LGBT+ people of causing climate change.

Moreover, Huliak performed the experiment in his office in parliament, where smoking is prohibited. When a TV reporter told Huliak that smoking isn't allowed in public buildings, the MP asked: "Have you seen an ashtray?" In the video, Huliak is holding a cigar in his hand.

The Office of the National Council has already reminded Huliak "not to carry out experiments based on cigarette smoke" in parliament. The National Council is the official name of the Slovak parliament.

Still, Huliak committed a misdemeanour and could be fined by the Public Health Authority. The Office of the National Council might also receive a fine.

MPs can smoke in the parliament on the balcony near the diner or in front of the entrance.
In one place, people can find a bakery, a haluskaren, and a dairy shop.

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The Bratislava Passage, which connects SNP Square with Jedlikova Street in the Old Town, has been transformed into a pleasant spot where people can buy the Slovak national meal called halusky.

The Bratislavske Noviny website writes that the Hlina family, who owns the nearby restaurant, Bratislavska Restauracia, has breathed a new life into the place. Alojz Hlina is a well-known local businessman and a Slovak lawmaker.

The entrepreneur told the website that he financed the renovation of the passage, but he added that he isnt the owner. It belongs to Milosrdni Bratia (The Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God), he said.

In the passage, passers-by can find a bakery, haluskaren (a place where halusky are made and sold), and a dairy shop. Through the windows, they can also watch how various products are prepared.

Haluskaren is the latest addition to the passage. People can also order pierogi or sulance.

Hlina, however, isnt done with the place.

The bakery is currently too small, but in the underground, where there are beautiful baroque cellars, we are preparing the most traditional way of baking bread, Hlina revealed. He adds that bread was made by kneading dough in the evening back in the day, letting it rest in the cellar at night, and throwing it into the oven in the morning.

The bakery also bakes the popular local pastry, bratislavske rozky.

Well install a bell outside and the bell will ring every time the fresh rozky are done, said Hlina.
A selection of short feel-good stories from Slovakia.

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Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.

Easter eggs from central Slovakia are known around the world

Marian Jausch from Nova Bana, in central Slovakia, has been decorating Easter eggs for 25 years.

Coming from a family where he had only brothers, he knew decorated Easter eggs only as a reward from girls. Yet when he visited a local exhibition featuring women decorating eggs, he was captivated by the madeira technique.

There was a lady who showed me how to do it, Jausch told the TASR newswire, adding that he then started trying to make his own.

It turned out he was pretty good: Jausch has since created thousands of Easter eggs, using various techniques. Apart from using perforation or wax, there are Jausch eggs with a stained glass effect, and others decorated with crystals, or with traditional and religious motifs. He even created some inspired by Faberge eggs, TASR reported.

His eggs now decorate households in France, the UK, Switzerland, Australia and Mexico.

I cooperated with one married lady in France who worked with a French-Slovak company, Jausch recalled, as quoted by TASR. This company supports insolvent students, and contributes to their studies. She addressed me via the Centre of Folk Art Production (ULUV), asking if I would make a contribution. I created eggs for Easter and Christmas, because the French use the eggs to decorate their Christmas tree.

Commemorative plaque honours Britain's former queen

A new commemorative plaque was recently unveiled in the High Tatras.

Situated at the Hrebienok resort, it celebrates the 2008 visit of Queen Elizabeth II, who was then monarch of the United Kingdom. People living in the Tatras were very fond of the former queen, said Jozef Stefanak, mayor of the town of Vysoke Tatry.

Last year, there was even a photo exhibition recalling the visit of the former royal couple, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. In addition, the Tatra Ice Cathedral took the form of Westminster Abbey in the current winter season to pay tribute to the former queen.

Related article

Related article Tatra Ice Cathedral pays tribute to Queen Elizabeth II Read more

Stefanak also presented British Ambassador to Slovakia Nigel Baker with an invitation for King Charles III to visit.

A royal plane ticket was also included, because we have a direct line from London to Poprad airport, as well as a royal ticket for the funicular to Hrebienok, he told the SITA newswire.

Baker said that King Charles is known for his love of nature, and would be enthusiastic about experiencing the High Tatras. Even though he visited Slovakia more than 20 years ago, he was only in Bratislava and Banska Bystrica. Still, Baker added, official state visits are typically prepared over the course of several years.

Cherry trees lure thousands to Gemer

Pictures of blossoming cherry trees have recently flooded the internet.

Every year, the orchard situated in the village of Brdarka, in the Gemer region of eastern Slovakia, lures thousands of visitors.

Usually, the cherry trees in this area blossom in the second half of April and the beginning of May, but this year it is earlier, said Marcel Antal, chair of the Alter Nativa association active in Brdarka which also organises commented tours, as quoted by the TASR newswire.

The orchards in Brdarka are among the biggest in the region, with over 3,500 cherry trees. Apart from that, the village is known for its preserved folk architecture.

Five feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator to read:

Political meme of the week

(Source: Zomri.online)

Caption: World leaders respond to the Ammunition for Ukraine fundraiser

The satirical website Zomri.online published this meme, which responds to the news that people in Slovakia have made a suprisingly large contribution to an initiative in support of the Czech government's drive to purchase ammunition for Ukraine. The information was brought by the Peace for Ukraine civic association, which added that more than 20 countries have already joined it. It also highlighted the fact that the Slovak government has refused to take part. We are convinced that the attitude of the government does not represent the majority of people. We are sure that we, the inhabitants of Slovakia, want to and can help, the civic association said.

You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: radka.minarechova@spectator.sk. Thank you!
The Bratislava 2025 study presents five scenarios for the capitals development.

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In the early 1970s, the central government of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic resolved that Bratislava would become a city of one million inhabitants by 2050. It is now obvious that this plan will not materialise. Even though Bratislava has been growing, the most realistic prediction indicates that it will increase by only around 10 percent, to around 520,000 inhabitants, by 2050.

In order for Bratislava to have one million inhabitants, 15,000 people a year would have to move in, or every Bratislava female resident would have to have seven children, said demographer Branislav Bleha, from the Department of Economic and Social Geography, Demography and Spatial Development at Comenius University. He is one of the authors of Bratislava 2050, a study published by the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava (MIB) in March.

The 600-page document, a demographic analysis and development prognosis, will inform the city's future plans  for example its new master plan, which sets limits and guidelines for the development of the city. For the time being, the city is working with a now-obsolete master plan dating from 2007.

Bratislava 2050 is an important document that will enable the city to plan its development better and more thoughtfully, said Petra Marko, head of the MIB. It allows us to work with possible scenarios about the future of the capital city and take them into account when creating the new master plan, so that it reflects the future needs of residents.

Bratislava, which spreads over 368 square kilometres and currently has 475,000 inhabitants, is one of the least densely populated cities in Europe. This is partly due to its geographical conditions, but also to the way it has developed. For architects and urban planners, a sprawling city no longer represents an appropriate use of space. Compact cities with shorter travelling distances are regarded as preferable.

The strong influence of suburbanisation

When elaborating the Bratislava 2050 document, its authors worked with figures from the 2021 census and used data based on permanent residence that state Bratislava has 475,000 inhabitants.

This number is important for the citys finances, as it serves as the main indicator for calculating the share of state income taxes that are allocated to each municipality; these form a significant portion of the citys incomes. In the past, the number of people who lived in Bratislava but were not registered as permanent residents cost the city, in the form of lower income. This in turn has affected budgets for road construction and maintenance, public spaces, schools, kindergartens and other amenities. Today, Bleha estimates, the number of unregistered long-term inhabitants is just a few thousand. The issue, he opines, was addressed by the introduction of a new city-wide parking policy, PAAS, in 2022. Only inhabitants with permanent residence can apply for residents' parking permits in Bratislava.

This has pushed them to register their permanent residence in Bratislava, Bleha said, adding that he and his colleagues did not include inhabitants without permanent residence in their Bratislava study as they lack sufficient data about them.

Bleha also points out another Bratislava phenomenon: people with permanent residence in Bratislava who actually live in the surrounding villages, either in Slovakia or in neighbouring Austria and Hungary.

Just as the Bratislava city leadership can lament the fact that people are not registering for permanent residence in Bratislava, the mayors of villages in its vicinity may lament that some people have built large villas there, but keep their permanent residence in Bratislava, said Bleha.

The trend of suburbanisation is proved by official data, too. Since 2011 the number of Bratislavans increased by 13 percent while the population in the 10 quickest-growing villages in Bratislavas vicinity ballooned by as much as 76 percent.

Over the last 20 years, 100,000 people have moved into the hinterland of Bratislava, and we dont see this trend stopping, said Martin Sveda from the Faculty of Science of Comenius University.

Although experts expected suburbanisation to decline a few years ago, the situation changed with the Covid pandemic. After it, even more people have been choosing to live further away from the city centre, as they often do not need to commute to work every day. However, people living in the suburbs put a strain on Bratislavas infrastructure and generate traffic.

The study takes into account some variance between the citys permanent residents and its users. It estimates the total number of people moving around the city based on mobile phone SIM cards located in Bratislava. In the past it was estimated, based on these data, that as many as 630,000 people lived in Bratislava, but the authors of Bratislava 2050 consider this figure to be an overestimate. Today it is estimated that 571,000 people move around Bratislava on average each working day.

A million-inhabitant city is a fiction

Bratislava experienced massive population growth during the previous regime due to the development of industry in and around the city. Fuelled by high immigration from other regions, a higher fertility rate than today, and the absorption of seven villages into Bratislava, it grew by 250,000 inhabitants in just four decades. In 1991, Bratislava had 442,197 citizens, according to Statistics Office data.

Between 2000 and 2021, the period analysed by Bratislava 2050, the number of citizens increased by 6.3 percent, or more than 28,000, to some 475,000. This was a significant increase by Slovak standards, as the population of the whole of Slovakia increased by only 0.6 percent over the same period, while in many municipalities, including a number of larger towns, the population actually declined after 2000.

The size of the Bratislavas population is affected by the birth of children, deaths and immigration. The latter pertains especially to people moving into the capital from other regions of Slovakia, along with some others moving out of Bratislava into neighbouring villages.

The immigration of people from other countries to Bratislava is negligible and demographers do not expect it will result in a significant impact in the upcoming years.

These may amount to a few thousand people over a decade, which is not a large number in the context of Bratislava, Bleha said. He added that it is true that a number of Serbians, Romanians and Ukrainians live and work in Bratislava, but it is not known whether they will stay for one, two or three years and then return home  or if their families will ultimately settle here.

Five scenarios

The Bratislava 2050 study presents five scenarios for the development of the city's population.

The more likely scenario for the future is an increase in Bratislavas population, but we cannot rule out a slight decline, the authors write in the document, adding that their two borderline projection scenarios do not provide a realistic estimate of the population of Bratislava, but instead document the great influence of migration on the development of the population.

The very high scenario counts on the biggest increase in population, to 600,000, partly fuelled by immigration from third countries, including Ukraine.

If there was no war, we wouldnt even consider such a scenario, because we wouldnt have anywhere to take those people, said Bleha.

This highest scenario seems to the authors to be a real ceiling, as even in forecasts of other central European metropolises population increases of more than 10 to 15 percent are not common.

The lowest scenario works with zero migration, estimating the population to end at a little over 430,000.

The study thus shows how important domestic migration is for the capital. In a zero-migration scenario, Bratislavas population ages and declines significantly  by up to 10 percent by 2050. The reason for this is that the average number of children each woman living in Bratislava has during her lifetime is lower than two over the long term. Above this level, the population grows, below it, it declines over time.

The realistic range within which the population of the capital city could vary by 2050 is 470,000 to 561,000 inhabitants. According to the most likely scenario, the population of Bratislava should increase to 519,000 persons by 2050.

Does Bratislava need to grow?

Bleha considers the question of whether Bratislava needs to grow to be very complicated.

I dont think we need the cities in Slovakia to grow, Bleha told The Slovak Spectator, adding that the phenomenon of so-called shrinking cities is becoming an issue in other European countries, too.

Bleha noted that their forecasts for regional cities actually say that with the exception of Bratislava and Kosice, which will grow slightly, other regional cities will decline. This estimate is supported by the outlook for the whole of Slovakia for 2080, by which time the population should decrease from its current level of 5.4 million to just over 5 million inhabitants  or as low as 4 million, according to the most pessimistic scenario. These scenarios were supported by the latest data of the Slovak Statistics Office. Based on them, Slovakias population shrank for the third consecutive year last year, this time by more than 4,000 to 5.425 million.

Related article

Related article Newcomers help, low births don't. Population decline in Slovakia hasn't stopped Read more

Old-age care homes instead of kindergartens

A bigger change than the number of citizens will be the age structure of the population. The prediction is that in 2025, i.e. in 26 years time, the largest single group in the capital will comprise people in their sixties; today it is those in their forties.

The age of the average Bratislava citizen will increase, in all scenarios, to 2050.

According to the most probable scenario, the average age of Bratislavas population will increase to 46 years by 2050, which represents an increase of 3.4 years compared to the current value, the study reads.

Just as the population ages and those in their sixties become the largest group, the number of people in older age categories will rise too. For example, the number of citizens aged 85 and above will increase, based on the most probable scenario, from the current level of more than 8,000 to some 24,000.

The number of seniors above 85 years will increase steeply, said Bleha, adding that the city and its boroughs will have to respond to this change. If I exaggerate this a bit, the playgrounds will have to be replaced by other services.
Cracks continue to plague Bratislava Castle, Slovak Easter eggs conquer the world, and reckless e-scooter riders can be fined.

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Good evening. Here is the Friday, April 19 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

The unlikely path to one million

The Presidential Palace in Bratislava. (Source: SME - Marko Erd)

Bratislava's twentieth-century ambition to reach one million inhabitants by 2050 appears unattainable, with current projections suggesting only a modest medium-term increase to around 520,000 residents, up from the current level of about 475,000.

Despite previous growth fuelled by factors like immigration and higher fertility rates, current demographic trends indicate the city will  unlike most other Slovak towns, which are set to shrink  experience ongoing growth, but will see its population age markedly.

MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE

Weekend: See the High Tatras from Kosice, take an easy but beautiful hike to Popradske Pleso, enjoy some Italo Calvino art  all this, and other fascinating ideas for what to do during the weekend of April 19-21.

See the High Tatras from Kosice, take an easy but beautiful hike to Popradske Pleso, enjoy some Italo Calvino art  all this, and other fascinating ideas for what to do during the weekend of April 19-21. E-riding: As warmer weather arrives, Bratislava's metropolitan police are cracking down on reckless e-scooter riders, whose antics can attract fines of up to 50.

As warmer weather arrives, Bratislava's metropolitan police are cracking down on reckless e-scooter riders, whose antics can attract fines of up to 50. Culture: Cracks continue to plague Bratislava Castle. Some believe they are connected to the construction of the nearby Vydrica luxury housing development; the developer denies any link.

Cracks continue to plague Bratislava Castle. Some believe they are connected to the construction of the nearby Vydrica luxury housing development; the developer denies any link. Gastro: Slovaks are now routinely paying almost 10 for lunchtime meal deals in restaurants, with Trnava Region leading the average expenditure at 9.60.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and you'll get a monthly print edition of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you!

FEATURE STORY FOR THE WEEKEND

The art of Easter Egg decoration

Easter eggs by Marian Jausch (Source: TASR)

Even though Easter has passed, its art is with us all year round. Marian Jausch from Nova Bana has spent 25 years mastering the art of decorating Easter eggs. His work now decorates homes around the world.

Read other fascinating local stories in The Slovak Spectator's weekly selection of feel-good stories.

10 EVENTS FOR THE WEEKEND

City gates opening

(Source: TASR)

The ceremonial opening of Bratislava's city gates at 09:00 tomorrow morning will launch the Days of Bratislava event. It's free for everyone; for more details about this and other events read more here.

IN OTHER NEWS

Slovakia plans to introduce a tax on sweetened beverages, including milk, cocoa, and coffee-based drinks, as part of fiscal measures to address the high public deficit. The tax, recommended by the WHO, aims to generate additional revenue for the state budget starting from January 2025, but faces opposition from beverage manufacturers who warn of significant price hikes and potential negative impacts on local businesses. (SITA)

The tax, recommended by the WHO, aims to generate additional revenue for the state budget starting from January 2025, but faces opposition from beverage manufacturers who warn of significant price hikes and potential negative impacts on local businesses. (SITA) The Statistics Office will publish data on deficit and debt for the year 2023, including a data update for the years 2020 to 2022, on April 22, 2024.

The government is planning to address the deteriorating state of many bridges by offering investors the opportunity to repair about 500 of them through public-private partnerships. Prime Minister Robert Fico also highlighted plans to expand railway capacity from Bratislava to Komarno and secure resources for further transportation initiatives, aiming to present offers to investors by the end of June.

In Bratislava's Ruzinov borough, a multifunctional complex is set to be built for approximately 21 million, featuring both a hotel and residential units. Proposed by Retep Slovakia, the project includes 211 parking spaces, with most located underground, and green recreational areas. Construction is expected to commence in 2025, with completion anticipated by 2028. (Source: Retep Slovakia)

WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND

The weekend will be mostly cold, with intermittent rain in some parts  bring your umbrella! The highest daytime will vary from 6C up to to a maximum of 14C.

NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Saturday - Marcel, Sunday - Ervin, Monday - Slavomir

Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us.

P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook and Instagram (@slovakspectator).
When it comes to mixing plant-based drugs, cannabis and coffee is hard to beat. The caffeine tends to keep the high from getting too heavy or sleepy, and the cannabis can complement the wave of mental clarity with a fresh, often more whimsical perspective. The winning combination factors into the timeless allure of a wake and bake sesh, not to mention the smoke-friendly coffeeshop scene in Amsterdam. But for all the charm of enjoying Mary Jane with a cup of joe, shockingly few brands in the new world of legal cannabis have explored this pairing. An exciting exception to this rule is Landrace Origins Goods + Supply, a coffee and cannabis company that has gone all in on the combo and managed to pull it off without sacrificing the quality of either.

The Oakland, California-based companys success lies in its simplicity. Rather than infusing coffee with cannabis extractssomething deceptively difficult to do wellLandrace offers roasted coffee thats been sourced with cannabis in mind, paired alongside complementary pre-rolls. A Congolese coffee (from the southern shores of Lake Kivu) is paired with pre-rolled joint of Durban Poison, because of the way that flowers notes of vanilla, citrus, and cream draw out the notes of butter, brown sugar, and almond in the coffee. This unique pairing is available to consumers in the Bay Area, and Landrace also ships whole beans nationally through their e-commerce site, with each bag labeled alongside recommended cannabis strains.

As always with the world of coffeeand much the same in cannabisthese pairings and flavors are just the start of the story. Founded in 2022 by Amber Senter, a longtime cannabis activist, Landrace Origins is rooted in a reverence for the people behind these plants we love. Throughout her work advocating for small businesses and social equity in cannabis, Senter saw firsthand the difficulties people had making a living in the cannabis industry. Landrace Origins is one of multiple brands within Senters MAKR House, a house of brands that employs queer, Black, and women-owned partners whenever possible throughout the supply chain. Those experiences make her interested in sharing the background of these beans beyond the mere country they come from, breaking down walls and stigmas along the way while offering invaluable perspective and educationand a delicious experience.

When a shop says, These are Ethiopian beans, Im like, isnt there more to that story? Imagine someone just describing a strain by saying, this is American-grown weed, says Senter. Its about so much more than the roaster. The people that grow it, process it, wash the beanslots of hands touch those beans, and theyre all Black and Brown hands. And those stories just get lost.

In the weed world, the farm is everything. One farmers Blue Dream may taste and feel totally different than anothers. Coffee lovers think the same way about the product they enjoy, with myriad factors impacting the experience of the final cup, from genetic variety to processing method to terroir and much more. The two crops have more in common than you might expect, although in cannabis the conversation centers around issues like cultivation methods, environment, LED lights vs. sungrown, and plant genetics, all of which impact the way a particular strain turns out. For Senter, it only makes sense to treat coffee as you would cannabis, speaking to the individual farms behind each.

In the hands of Landrace, a joint of Durban Poison is not just any Durban Poisonits the Durban Poison grown by the woman-owned Ghost Dance Ranch, an agricultural wonderland in the heart of the Mendocino forest. Meanwhile her DRC coffee beans were grown at Rebuild Womens Hope, a woman-led Congolese coffee co-op that invests in the infrastructure of their community, and roasted by Senters cousin at Black Stallion Coffee Company in San Gabriel.

It has its similarities, sourcing beans and sourcing cannabis. Small farmers are small farmers, says Senter. They have the same challenges of weather impacting crops, the costs of growing going up, a race to the bottom with prices. These folks are selling a pound of green beans for two dollars, even $1.50. And one latte in a nice SF cafe is $7? Its messed up.

Senters coffee education has complemented her work in cannabis, exposing her to an international supply chainone that the USs isolated cannabis market may grow to resemble one dayand a more developed palate.

Before it was like, this strain smells dank, and now I notice a whole harmony of notes. Same with coffeeIm paying attention to how different beans have a different impact, just like with strains of cannabis.

In addition to being one of the only brands to sell coffee and cannabis side by side in dispensaries, Landrace Origins fills a gap in cannabis experiences via in-person coffee and cannabis tastings. Today in the United States there are 24 states that have legalized cannabis, but Americas cannabis scene still lacks a classic Amsterdam-style coffeehouse where people can smoke flower and sip cappuccinos. Part of this is due to how legislation in most states makes it near impossible (or at least unaffordable) to open a consumption-friendly space thats also zoned to serve food and beverages. The ones that do open are either bare bones or lavish, with full service restaurants (often owned by celebrities) offering more of a night club vibe.

The full flower of Landraces concept can be found in their High On Flavor event series, which takes place in a private outdoor event space in Piedmont, featuring espresso service, tea (Landrace Origins offerings have expanded to include tea as well) and cannabis samplings, plus refreshments and a live DJ. Cannabis isnt sold there, per local regulations, but admission includes free gifts of cannabis you can enjoy while learning about the different beans and trying different brews. A budtender helps describe the notes, terpenes, flavors, and how they mesh with the different coffees and teas. Attendees mix and mingle, discussing their pairings. The simplicity has again proved to be the ticketwhat started as a 40-50 person event grew into a regularly sold out affair of 100 people by the end of 2023.

I knew it was catching on when I started seeing people I dont knowconsumers, not industry people, says Senter. People would talk about how there is no place to go to just be with other people and smoke a joint. And enjoy a really great cup of coffee.

Beyond the challenges of restrictive regulations, a huge obstacle in destigmatizing cannabis is the task of rewiring the masses to look at it as a plant rather than a dangerous drug. Similarly, many coffee drinkers see the rising cost of a latte and assume those dollars make it back to farmers pictured on the walls of the cafe. In reality, both of these plants have become distanced from their roots in ways that benefit the most destructive, extractive capitalist interests. Landrace Origins is trying to connect those dots for people who love cannabis and coffee, fostering much needed awareness of the people and processes that make these satisfying highs possible.

Lauren Yoshiko is the author of the newsletter Sticky Bits and a leading cannabis journalist based in Portland, Oregon. Lauren Yoshikos work has appeared in Broccoli, Conde Nast Traveler, Thrillist, Eater, Forbes, and Rolling Stone. This is Lauren Yoshikos first feature for Sprudge.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240418/us-shows-true-attitude-to-palestinians-by-casting-veto-on-states-membership-in-un---russian-envoy-1118002539.html

US Shows True Attitude to Palestinians by Casting Veto on State's Membership in UN - Russian Envoy

US Shows True Attitude to Palestinians by Casting Veto on State's Membership in UN - Russian Envoy

Sputnik International

The United States has shown its true attitude towards the Palestinians by blocking the recommendation to admit the country to the UN. For Washington, the Palestinian people have no right to their own state, Russian Permanent Representative Vasily Nebenzia said at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

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"In essence it was a simple question: whether the Palestinians deserve to be part of the world family, to fully participate in all decisions of international life," Nebenzia said."By using the veto for the fifth time since the beginning of the escalation in Gaza, they have again demonstrated their true attitude towards the Palestinians. For Washington, they do not deserve to have a state of their own. They are only an obstacle on the way to the realization of Israel's interests," the representative added.The United States cast a veto against the proposed resolution on Palestines full membership in the United Nations is a hopeless attempt to change the course of history, the envoy stressed.However, history will not forgive the United States for its actions, the diplomat added. Earlier on Thursday, the UN Security Council convened and discussed the proposed resolution on Palestines full membership in the United Nations. The United States, which is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, cast a veto against adopting the proposed resolution.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/brave-soldier-aid-worker-and-truth-teller-story-of-us-born-donbass-volunteer-russell-bentley-1118018258.html

Brave Soldier, Aid Worker and Truth Teller: Story of US-Born Donbass Volunteer Russell Bentley

Brave Soldier, Aid Worker and Truth Teller: Story of US-Born Donbass Volunteer Russell Bentley

Sputnik International

Russell Bonner Bentley, call sign "Texas", has passed away at the age of 64, his wife Lyudmila confirmed to Sputnik.

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Bentley went missing in Donetsk on April 8, following a Ukrainian artillery attack on the citys Petrovsky district. Four days later, the Donetsk People's Republic Ministry of Internal Affairs put him on a missing persons list.Bentley, an American citizen and Texas native, joined the Donbass militia in 2014 and has defended the region's freedom against Ukrainian neo-Nazi forces since then, first as a soldier, then as a war correspondent.He was born in a well-to-do family in 1960 and grew up in an exclusive area of Dallas called Highland Park. Russell's worldview began to emerge during his teenage years as a result of the Vietnam War and its after-effects. He became an ardent anti-imperialist and anti-racist, seeing Washington's overseas military adventures as an abuse of the sovereign rights of other countries.When Obama officials and US lawmakers flocked to Ukraine amid the Euromaidan unrest in 2013, Russell had no illusions about their true goals: "When the Maidan started and Victoria Nuland handing out cookies and John McCain and all that, and I knew what the deal was, I knew exactly what was going on," Bentley told Sputnik in April 2022, referring to a string of US overseas invasions and regime changes fomented by American policy-makers.A brutal war unleashed by the Kiev regime on Donbass civilians on the heels of the February 2014 coup d'etat in Ukraine became a watershed moment for Russell. He felt that his fate was inextricably bound to that of Donetsk and Lugansk freedom fighters.Bentley later explained to Sputnik that he crossed the ocean because he admired the Donbass people's courage, steadfastness, and unwillingness to accept the illegitimate regime change carried out by ultra-nationalists and outright Nazis. The war veteran call sign "Texas" used to say that "Nazism is like a disease."Between 2014 and 2017 he served in the Vostok Battalion. Together with Donbass volunteers he fought in some very hot spots including Donetsk Airport, Spartak, Avdeyevka, and Yasinovataya.Baptized as an Orthodox Christian during the hostilities, Russell showed compassion to those in need and despair. He raised funds and delivered humanitarian aid to Donbass elderly, women and children, whose struggles and suffering were completely ignored by the Western mainstream press.To break the Western media's silence about the forgotten men and women of Donetsk and Lugansk republics Russell started to work as a war correspondent.In his first report written for Sputnik in October 2023, Bentley highlighted: "I did not come here to make money or to make a name for myself or to become an "internet star". I came here to fight, to kill the neo-Nazis who were murdering innocent and unarmed Donbass civilians, to defend those civilians, and to stand beside the true Heroes who put their lives on the line to defend Donbass, Russia and the future of humanity. And that is what I have done."In his last report for Sputnik, Russell told the story of European human aid volunteers who helped the people of Donbass despite facing personal risks. He shared his personal experience of raising funds and gave a few tips on how to provide aid to recipients. "There is a reason people risk their lives and go through great work and hardship and ask nothing in return," Bentley insisted.Russell considered the Russian special military operation as the beginning of the end of the Kiev regime's war of aggression against the Donbass, something he had firsthand knowledge of. "The people of Donbass and the volunteers, first of all, understand that Operation Z was absolutely necessary," he told Sputnik in May 2022. "The Russians saved literally hundreds of thousands of human lives by coming in when they did. And the people here, we know that and we appreciate it."In Donbass and beyond Russell Bentley has been admired for his bravery, benevolence, self-sacrifice, love for freedom and devotion to his new Fatherland in Donbass.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/sputnik-donbass-correspondent-russel-bentley-dies-in-donetsk-1117914011.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230226/donbass-a-story-of-defiance-1107797697.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240331/despite-facing-personal-risks-western-volunteers-deliver-human-aid-to-donbass-1117672853.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231130/second-chance-at-life-wounded-russian-warrior-shares-his-story-1115306828.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/chad-threatens-to-end-agreement-governing-us-military-presence-in-country---reports-1118001859.html

Chad Threatens to End Agreement Governing US Military Presence in Country - Reports

Chad Threatens to End Agreement Governing US Military Presence in Country - Reports

Sputnik International

The Chadian government sent a letter to the US defense attache last week, threatening to cancel an agreement regarding the United States military presence in Chad, CNN reported on Thursday.

2024-04-19T01:47+0000

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Chad threatened to end the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States, which governs how US military forces can operate in the country, the report said, citing four US sources. The letter ordered the United States to remove personnel from the French base in NDjamena, although it did not explicitly demand the US military to leave Chad. A US official reportedly said that there are fewer than 100 US troops in Chad. While Chad did not send the letter through official diplomatic channels, that could be a negotiating tactic by N'Djamena to secure a better agreement. The threat to end the agreement caught US officials off guard as Chad could be attempting to replicate the actions of Niger, which ended its agreement with the US military last month, according to the report.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240319/nigers-break-with-us-shows-african-countries-tired-of-disrespect-from-west-1117416606.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/cia-director-says-ukraine-could-lose-on-battlefield-by-end-of-2024-1118005945.html

CIA Director Says Ukraine Could Lose on Battlefield by End of 2024

CIA Director Says Ukraine Could Lose on Battlefield by End of 2024

Sputnik International

Ukraine could lose to Russia on the battlefield by the end of 2024 if the US Congress does not provide more aid to the regime in Kiev, CIA Director William Burns said on Thursday.

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"There is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024, or at least put [Russian President Vladimir Putin] in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement," Burns said during an event at the George W. Bush Presidential Center. However, further military assistance from the US Congress could enable Ukraine to hold out through 2024, Burns said. The US House of Representatives is considering a bill this week with $60.84 billion in Ukraine-related funding, as part of a broader set of legislation to aid Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. Earlier on Thursday, US House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said that Ukraine has between two weeks and one month before Russia "takes over" the country.

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HANOI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Friday met with visiting Chinese Minister of Justice He Rong here and held an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening exchanges and cooperation on the rule of law between the two countries.

Pham said that under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two ruling parties, Vietnam and China are carrying out smooth exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Praising the agreements reached between the justice departments of the two countries regarding a meeting mechanism between the border provinces, the Vietnamese prime minister expressed willingness to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese side on the rule of law to better serve their respective modernization drives.

The Chinese justice minister said his ministry is ready to work with the Vietnamese side to earnestly implement the important consensus reached between the top leaders of the two ruling parties, further strengthen practical exchanges and cooperation in the areas of law and judicial matters, and push for more outcomes in building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. 
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/drawing-a-red-line-in-the-sand-iran-reconsiders-nuclear-policy-following-israeli-threats-1118004856.html

'Drawing a Red Line in The Sand': Iran Reconsiders Nuclear Policy Following Israeli Threats

'Drawing a Red Line in The Sand': Iran Reconsiders Nuclear Policy Following Israeli Threats

Sputnik International

Dr. David Oualaalou joined Sputniks The Critical Hour on Thursday to discuss Iran's policy change following Israel's threats.

2024-04-19T06:21+0000

2024-04-19T06:21+0000

2024-04-19T06:21+0000

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In response to potential threats from Israel against Irans nuclear facilities, Brigadier General Ahmad Haghtalab, commander of Iran's Nuclear Centers Protection and Security Corps of the IRGC warned that any aggression would result in a forceful response. Iran is also reconsidering its nuclear policy following Israels threat.Dr. David Oualaalou joined Sputniks The Critical Hour on Thursday to discuss Iran's policy change. Oualaalou is an international geopolitical consultant, global speaker, author, veteran, and former international security analyst in Washington, DC.Because back then, the idea was that Iran was not thinking in terms of the bomb in itself. It wanted to have the nuclear capability for civilian use, he added, noting that the under the Trump administration, the US pulled out of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and in doing so, he said, "[violated] any or all the treaties that usually manage these kind of agreements.The geopolitical consultant added that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) made a mistake in claiming that their missile defense system intercepted 99% of Irans missiles, and that the correct percentage is 84%, a journalist claimed. Gone [is] that era when Israel will not have to think about retaliation from Iran because Iran now put the red line in the sand, Oualaalou said. What concerns me now the most, especially in that part of the world, is the upcoming military drill between the Philippines and the US that will be outside the territorial waters of the Philippines. That is, to me, a major provocation towards the Chinese.The [US] is concerned about [its] military bases in the Middle East that are within reach of every type of missile that Iran has developed. And once we start seeing body bags coming here, you're going to see the change in the policy. And, this is why [the US] is concerned as to how far Israel is going to go, and that is the reason why its war cabinet has not reached a decision whether to retaliate against Iran or not, because they know what the consequences will be, said Oualaalou.On Thursday, the US Department of the Treasury announced that the had US imposed new Iran-related sanctions on 16 individuals and two entities, targeting the country's UAV program, steel and automobile industries in response to Iran's retaliatory strike on Israel over the weekend. It was reported on the same day that the UK also added the general staff of the Iranian armed forces and the navy of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to its sanctions list, according to the updated document.On Thursday night, Israel reportedly struck a site in Iran, according to US officials. An explosion was heard in the city of Qahjavaristan, Isfahan, according to Iranian Media.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240418/us-uk-impose-new-sanctions-against-iran-1117996010.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/g7-foreign-ministers-to-discuss-israels-strikes-on-iran-on-friday--1118009342.html

G7 Foreign Ministers to Discuss Israel's Strikes on Iran on Friday

G7 Foreign Ministers to Discuss Israel's Strikes on Iran on Friday

Sputnik International

The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers will discuss Israel's recent strikes on Iran at their meeting in Italy on Friday morning, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said.

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Earlier in the day, Israel carried out an airstrike against Iran in response to Tehran's missile and drone attack over the weekend, Iranian media reported. Explosions were reported near the city of Isfahan. Air defense systems responded to the approach of drones in a number of the country's provinces. Three Iranian officials told The New York Times that the target of the strikes was an airbase near Isfahan. On Saturday night, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The attack came in response to Israel's airstrike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital in early April. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel had intercepted 99% of the aerial targets fired by Iran, including all drones.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/hamas-condemns-us-veto-on-palestines-un-membership---statement-1118006069.html

Hamas Condemns US Veto on Palestine's UN Membership - Statement

Hamas Condemns US Veto on Palestine's UN Membership - Statement

Sputnik International

Palestinian movement Hamas on Friday condemned the US veto in the UN Security Council against a proposed resolution on Palestine's full membership in the UN, calling on the world community to support the Palestinians in their right to self-determination.

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On Thursday, the UN Security Council convened to discuss and vote on the proposed resolution on Palestines full membership in the UN. The United States, which is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, cast a veto against adopting the resolution. The United Kingdom and Switzerland abstained, while all other members of the UN Security Council supported the resolution. "This [the US veto against the resolution] confirms their position against our Palestinian people, its right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, as well as their full support for the fascist occupation entity in its deprivation of the rights of our Palestinian people and attempts to dismantle the Palestinian cause," the movement said in a statement. Hamas added that "the Palestinian people will continue its fight and resistance until it defeats the occupation and establishes its independent, sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital." "We condemn in the strongest terms the American position loyal to the occupation regime and call on the international community ... to support the struggle of our Palestinian people and their legitimate right to self-determination," the statement read. The movement in the statement also thanked all the countries that supported the proposed resolution. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that he "commends" the United States for vetoing a United Nations Security Council resolution on Palestine's full membership in the UN.He further added that "it is outrageous that even half a year after the October 7 massacre, the UN Security Council failed to condemn Hamas horrific crimes," adding that Israel will continue fighting Palestinian movement Hamas until it is "destroyed" and "all 133 hostages in Gaza are released."Earlier in April, Palestine officially asked the UN Security Council to consider its request for full membership in the UN. The request was supported by the Arab Group, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from Gaza and breached the border, killing 1,200 people and abducting around 240 others. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/iran-has-no-plan-for-immediate-response-after-friday-attack---reports-1118009780.html

Iran Has No Plan for Immediate Response After Friday Attack - Reports

Iran Has No Plan for Immediate Response After Friday Attack - Reports

Sputnik International

Iran is not planning an immediate retaliatory strike after Friday's attack and it is not yet clear who exactly is behind it, Reuters reported, citing a high-ranked Iranian official.

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"The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," the official was quoted as saying by Reuters.The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper in turn reported that a strike on Iran was delivered in such a way that the leadership in Tehran could "tolerate" it and refrain from new rounds of escalation with Israel.Whoever carried out this attack, its target was an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps air force facility or facilities in order to avoid a new round of exchange of attacks, the newspaper said without specifying who was behind the attack.Earlier in the day, Israel carried out an airstrike against Iran in response to Tehran's missile and drone attack over the weekend, Iranian media reported. Explosions were reported near the city of Isfahan. Air defense systems responded to the approach of drones in a number of the country's provinces. Three Iranian officials told The New York Times that the target of the strikes was an airbase near Isfahan.On Saturday night, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory, the IDF said. The attack came in response to Israel's airstrike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital in early April. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel had intercepted 99% of the aerial targets fired by Iran, including all drones.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/israel-strikes-several-sites-in-iran---reports-1118005619.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/israel-strikes-several-sites-in-iran---reports-1118005619.html

Israel Strikes Several Sites in Iran - Reports

Israel Strikes Several Sites in Iran - Reports

Sputnik International

Israel carried out strikes on Iran, explosions were heard in the cities of Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz, as per local media reports.

2024-04-19T01:36+0000

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2024-04-19T05:18+0000

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Explosions were also reported in Syria and Iraq, the media outlets added.A blast in Iran's Isfahan was heard near the airport and the 8th Army Air Force Base, Iran's Fars news agency said. Iranian air defense forces have been repelling an air strike in the skies over the city of Isfahan, Mehr News Agency wrote, publishing a video of the incident. The Iranian authorities canceled flights over Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz temporarily.Air defense systems in several provinces of Iran on Friday were firing shots in response to the approach of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Iranian state news agency IRIB reported, citing sources. The report said a loud explosion heard in several provinces of Iran was caused by the activation of air defense systems to intercept several small unidentified UAVs. Iranian air defenses reportedly shot down several drones over the Isfahan province in central Iran. Earlier on Friday, Iranian news agency IRNA reported that Iran's air defense systems were activated in several provinces of the country. IRNA also reported that air defenses in northwestern Iran were triggered by the approach of an unidentified flying object. Following reports of explosions heard west of the city of Tebriz and near Vadi-e Rahmat, IRNA reported that Tebriz's air defenses fired at the unknown object. There were no explosions in the city and the situation in Tebriz is calm, the report said.Israeli Defense Forces declined to comment the situation around Iran, CNN reports. Tensions in the Middle East escalated after Israel launched an attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, in early April. The attack leveled the diplomatic building and killed seven officers of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards, including two generals.On April 13, Tehran launched its first direct attack on Israeli territory in retaliation for the embassy attack. The counterattack demonstrated Tehran's ability to penetrate Israeli air defenses.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/lavrov-discloses-for-first-time-partial-terms-of-istanbul-deal-with-ukraine-1118011062.html

Lavrov Discloses For First Time Partial Terms of Istanbul Deal With Ukraine

Lavrov Discloses For First Time Partial Terms of Istanbul Deal With Ukraine

Sputnik International

The security guarantees outlined in the Istanbul agreements for resolving the conflict in Ukraine were utterly serious, nearly on par with Article 5 of the Washington Treaty (also known as the North Atlantic Treaty).

2024-04-19T11:41+0000

2024-04-19T11:41+0000

2024-04-19T11:41+0000

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However, Kiev decided at the last moment to make "minor" amendments to the section dedicated to military exercises with foreign participation, which became an indicator that someone might have prohibited the negotiations, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.He mentioned that the intention was not to reproduce it word for word, but the assurances given were still "serious." "It was specifically stated that these security guarantees did not extend to Crimea and Donbass, which basically meant that they could not be touched," the top diplomat emphasized.Lavrov added that the agreements envisaged not deploying any military bases of other states in Ukraine. "It was said that there would be no military maneuvers, exercises of armed forces with the participation of third countries in Ukraine, except in cases when all guarantor countries agree: including us, including China," the foreign minister noted.However, Lavrov pointed out that after the main process of coordinating the agreements was completed, the Ukrainian side decided to make "minor" amendments. "For example: 'the prohibition of military exercises involving armed forces of third countries' except if all guarantors agree,' let's replace it with 'except in cases when the majority of guarantors agree.' That's all. It was such a signal that either they were already prohibited overnight, or someone said, 'Let's mess with these Russians some more,'" the minister noted.In February, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson that negotiations with Ukraine in 2022 were nearly finalized. However, he claimed that after Russian troops had withdrawn from Kiev, the Ukrainian side disregarded all agreements and Zelensky went as far as prohibiting negotiations with Russia through a legislative decree. Putin emphasized that Moscow has never rejected negotiations, a point he also reiterated in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin. In this interview, he expressed uncertainty on whether the West wants a peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian conflict but reassured that Russia remains open to dialogue if such a resolution is desired.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240302/special-op-has-no-imperialist-goals---analyst-on-russia-ukraine-peace-treaty-draft-1117085566.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/lavrov-wests-emphasis-on-inflicting-strategic-defeat-on-russia-reflects-agony--hysteria-1118010572.html

Lavrov: West's Obsession with Inflicting Strategic Defeat on Russia Reveals Agony & Hysteria

Lavrov: West's Obsession with Inflicting Strategic Defeat on Russia Reveals Agony & Hysteria

Sputnik International

The West's statements about the impending loss of its influence and the restructuring of the world by Russia and its partners reflect an understanding of the ongoing formation of a new and just world order, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

2024-04-19T09:14+0000

2024-04-19T09:14+0000

2024-04-19T14:21+0000

russia

sergey lavrov

russia

west

ukraine

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anti-russian policy

anti-russian bias

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"The escalation of this theme of Russia's [strategic] defeat, the emphasis on the existential significance of this defeat for the future of the West reflects not so much a bellicose mood as agony and hysteria," Lavrov said in an interview with Russian radio stations Sputnik, Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva.In addition to fearing the loss of hegemony, the West is asserting the dominance of the United States, which means that everyone must obey its orders, he added."In addition to this fear of losing hegemony, they are still very open, perhaps without even realizing that they are being so open, they make it clear that the United States is in charge, and they all fell under the [influence of] the United States," Lavrov told Sputnik.Russia is not frightened by talk of inflicting strategic defeat on it, which is heard in the West; such rhetoric, Lavrov noted.The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that, unlike Russia, the countries making threats against Russia would themselves be afraid if similar threats were made against them "with the same fervor and vehemence"."And this has strengthened us; let them draw conclusions from this historical lesson," the minister added.On Possibility of Peace Talks With UkraineSpeaking about the possibility of peace talks with Ukraine the Russian Foreign Minister said that Russia always prefers negotiations to quarrels."As [Russian] President [Vladimir Putin] constantly reminds us, we always prefer negotiations to fights and wars," Lavrov said.The minister noted that the so-called 'Zelensky Formula' cannot serve as a foundation for resolving the Ukrainian conflict because it does not take into account Russia's demands. Larove noted that Russia respects the position of China, whose representatives have expressed support for convening a conference acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine."This means that we should not start with the 'Zelensky Formula' at all, it should be completely put aside... If they want, as the president said, let's discuss the principles on which we are ready to negotiate," Lavrov stressed.At the same time, he added, Switzerland, which has changed from a neutral country to an "openly hostile" one, is not suitable for negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict.Thus, if negotiations with Kiev begin, Russia has no intention of ceasing hostilities in Ukraine.Russia was ready to give serious security guarantees to Ukraine at the talks in Istanbul, but realities have changed and this "must be taken into account," the minister added.Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized Russia's strong belief in the necessity to persist with the ongoing military operation in Ukraine."We are absolutely convinced that we need to continue the special military operation," Lavrov said, adding that Russia is dealing with Ukraine precisely because of the threat it faces and has no confidence in the Ukrainian leadership.The US has failed to achieve its military goals everywhere, the minister said.On Western Sanctions Against RussiaThe West is mindlessly escalating sanctions against Russia without considering the results of such measures, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said."They are escalating these sanctions without any consideration of the consequences. And the consequences were obvious from the very beginning, even before the special military operation, when the 'Crimea' sanctions and others were in force... We have decided not to depend on them in all areas where they can restrict our development, and preferably not in any other areas," the Russian top diplomat said.On Speculation of Russia's 'Plans' to Attack EuropeMoscow has no reason to attack European nations; their fears of alleged threats from Russia are unfounded, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said."[European countries] only frighten and intimidate... It makes no sense for us to attack them. If they themselves wanted to bring NATO's borders closer to our borders, we will not allow this to happen in Ukraine," Lavrov said.On Iran-Israel TensionsRussia has told Israel through diplomatic channels that Iran does not want an escalation, and Russia hopes that Israel shares this view, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.Lavrov noted that all experts interpreted Iran's response to Israel's strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus in early April in the same way."I hope I am not mistaken that the recent strike by Israel on targets in Isfahan was another response to the response," the minister added.The strike came nearly a week after Iran's massive missile attack on Israel.Commenting on talks about Iran changing its nuclear doctrine, Lavrov said they were a "desire" to shift the focus from Israel's operations in Gaza to threats from Tehran.Earlier, as reported by Iranian media, Ahmad Haghtalab, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps units responsible for the security of Iran's nuclear facilities, stated that the Iranian side could reconsider and deviate from its previously declared nuclear policy.On Initiative of Creating Palestinian StateRussia wants the Arab countries to take an initiative to create a Palestinian state, Lavrov said.On Importance of Eurasian Security TodayThe Minister emphasized that Eurasian security is becoming a key issue in the current situation and the door remains open for anyone to participate in relevant talks on this issue."The concept of Euro-Atlantic security in its current form has exhausted itself, it is more promising to talk about Eurasian security, which is much more natural, because it is one continent, and no one from across the ocean is involved in this scheme.... We will keep the door open for the western part of the continent, for everyone," Lavrov added.On Armenia's Area of Responsibility in CSTO ContextArmenia has not yet completed the demarcation of the country's borders, and in such conditions it is too early to talk about the need to indicate the area of responsibility of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) in Armenia, Sergey Lavrov noted.It is necessary to talk about the CSTO's obligation to specify its area of responsibility only after the borders of Armenia are determined and the demarcation is completed, the minister added.Commenting on Pashinyan's words that relations between Yerevan and Moscow are going through difficult times but their importance cannot be overestimated, the Minister said that these are very important words and Russia and Armenia are still allies."To a certain extent, this is a reaction to the arrogant, shameless actions of the West - primarily the United States and the European Union - to separate Armenia from Russia at an accelerated pace," Lavrov said, adding that Moscow hopes for high-level contacts with Armenia for open discussions without the West's involvement.Additionally, the Minister said that Armenia benefits the most from cooperation within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).Asked about the 2020 agreements between Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, the minister said that the EU and the USA began to interfere in the trilateral peace agreements immediately after their conclusion.On Moldova Being Dragged Into NATOThe minister touched upon the fact that the West is working aggressively in Moldova, turning President Maia Sandu into a person who is dragging the country into NATO."The West is working aggressively, energetically, without recognizing any decency. They are turning Sandu into a person who will simply drag Moldova into NATO, either directly or through a union with Romania," Lavrov said.Commenting on the situation with the breakaway region of Transnistria, the minister said that some states want to make Transnistria a hotbed of tension.On Germany's Negligence Prior to Nord Stream AttacksGermany had no problem finding spies, but missed the preparation of the attacks on the Nord Stream, the foreign minister pointed out.On Russia's Invitation to Attend D-Day AnniversaryRussia has not yet received an invitation to participate in the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Normandy landings (also known as D-Day)."We were not invited. This is their habit. When they want to do something, they cannot stay within the bounds of decency. Because decent people send a letter and then they announce it. And here they say: 'Well, we will invite, yes, but not [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, we will invite someone. But no one has invited anyone," Lavrov said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231221/west-still-clinging-to-russias-strategic-defeat-rhetoric---russias-general-staff-chief-1115720465.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240119/the-opposite-of-a-peace-formula-zelenskys-proposal-for-russian-surrender-ridiculed-1116261812.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240417/what-sanctions-russian-seaborne-crude-exports-hit-new-high-in-2024--report-1117977830.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240319/nato-chiefs-yerevan-visit-served-goal-of-pulling-armenia-out-of-russias-orbit-1117424109.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240402/nato-drills-in-moldova-west-tightens-grip-amid-tensions-around-the-country-1117703028.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240207/hersh-wests-hesitance-to-conclude-nord-stream-probe-implicates-culprits-1116642115.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/marking-the-80th-anniversary-of-odessas-liberation-1117853921.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/leaked-nyt-style-guide-reveals-biased-reporting-on-israel-palestine-conflict-1118005038.html

Leaked NYT Style Guide Reveals Biased Reporting on Palestine-Israel Conflict

Leaked NYT Style Guide Reveals Biased Reporting on Palestine-Israel Conflict

Sputnik International

A leaked memo reveals the depth of the controversial newspapers anti-Palestinian bias.

2024-04-19T04:53+0000

2024-04-19T04:53+0000

2024-04-19T04:57+0000

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A shocking internal style guide from The New York Times was leaked this week, revealing the depth of the controversial newspapers bias regarding the Palestine-Israel conflict.Ive closely monitored the papers slanted coverage for more than a decade, and I admit to being stunned by this, wrote Mondoweiss editor James North. Arguably the worst example of bias is the Timess directive that its reports should avoid using the phrase occupied territory when describing Palestinian land.Occupied territories is the internationally accepted reference to the space, noted host Wilmer Leon on Sputniks The Critical Hour program Thursday. I think it's important for people to also understand that the ability to define is the ability to control.I think that's very true, agreed Palestinian activist and author Robert Fantina. The New York Times has for years been trying to define the occupation as something else. Sometimes they call it 'disputed territory' or other kinds of language The United Nations has said it's still considered occupied. So there's no question about it, the legal term is occupation.UN officials have long criticized Israels treatment of the Palestinians, which has led Tel Aviv to frequently criticize the organization, even though the country owes its creation to a 1948 act of the international body. Recently the Israeli government alleged that several members of UNRWA, the UN organization responsible for aid to Palestinian refugees, were involved in Hamas October 7 uprising last year.US intelligence found no evidence for the claim, and it later emerged the Israeli military had tortured UNRWA employees to extract false confessions, waterboarding the aid workers and threatening them with rape and murder. Israeli torture of detainees is reportedly a routine practice as the country holds thousands of Palestinians without charge.Even the United States government accepts [Palestine is] occupied, and that's saying something, noted Fantina. So the fact that The New York Times is trying to avoid using 'occupation' and deceive its readers is an attempt to control the narrative. It's about control and that's what they want to do, control the narrative in Israel's favor.Fortunately, people aren't buying it anymore because of the prevalence of social media and people seeing what's actually happening. And the prevalence of independent news sources. They're seeing that, yes, Palestinian people are being massacred in huge numbers  men, women, and children.Discussion then turned towards the leak of several US State Department cables that revealed the Biden White House, despite publicly declaring its support for a so-called two-state solution, has undermined efforts towards that end at the United Nations. The leaks revealed Washington was privately lobbying foreign countries to vote against full recognition of Palestine at the international body in order to avoid the embarrassment of a lone veto against the measure.[Biden] believes, as a Zionist, in this myth of God-given land to the Jewish people or whatever, noted Fantina. Yet then he says he supports a two-state solution, which would deprive the Israelis of a good portion of land. So he can't be seen as an honest broker between the two.Despite its constant violation of international law, Israel frequently manages to intimidate its critics into silence through extensive lobbying and influence in Western politics. Jewish scholar Norman Finkelstein documented the settler colonial countrys efforts in a book entitled The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering.After the Holocaust, Jews can do whatever they want, claimed former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, summing up the mindset of Israels defenders.In fact, many Jewish people reject any association with the Zionist cause, decrying the countrys abuses. The Zionist lobby has persecuted Jewish and non-Jewish critics of Israel alike; in 2007 Finkelstein was denied tenure and forced out of his position at DePaul University after a campaign against him by pro-Israel lawyer Alan Dershowitz.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240310/with-us-backing-israel-is-starving-22-million-palestinians-in-gaza-1117237324.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240417/new-york-times-gaza-war-memo-apologetic-to-israel--report-1117973188.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240224/lockstep-us-support-for-israel-eroding-confidence-of-americans-in-own-government-1116958270.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/paraguay-open-for-russian-investors-sees-many-areas-for-cooperation--finance-minister-1118006657.html

Paraguay Open for Russian Investors, Sees Many Areas for Cooperation  Finance Minister

Paraguay Open for Russian Investors, Sees Many Areas for Cooperation  Finance Minister

Sputnik International

Paraguay is open for investors from around the world, including from Russia and China, and sees many areas for cooperation, Paraguayan Finance Minister Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos told Sputnik on Thursday.

2024-04-19T07:06+0000

2024-04-19T07:06+0000

2024-04-19T07:06+0000

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We are open for business with every country in the world, even with China, even though we don't have any diplomatic relation, Valdovinos said. Paraguay has many capabilities or potential areas where many investors from all around the world can work and all of them are welcome to come.Private Sector Deal Paraguay is not taking part in any government-level discussions on the issue of trade settlements, including in national currencies, and believes it is up to the private sector to decide what is better for it, Paraguayan Finance Minister Carlos Fernandez Valdovinos told Sputnik on Thursday.At the government level, no, because this is a private sector deal. We really believe in the private sector doing whatever they think is most important for them, Valdovinos said when asked if the Paraguayan government is having any talks with Russia on how to settle the issue of trade payments.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240117/brics-and-global-south-challenge-globalist-elites-with-multipolar-world---analyst-1116227253.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/sputnik-donbass-correspondent-russel-bentley-dies-in-donetsk-1117914011.html

Sputnik Donbass Correspondent Russell Bentley Dies in Donetsk

Sputnik Donbass Correspondent Russell Bentley Dies in Donetsk

Sputnik International

Sputnik Donbass correspondent has died at the age of 64, his wife Lyudmila confirmed to Sputnik.

2024-04-19T16:32+0000

2024-04-19T16:32+0000

2024-04-19T17:16+0000

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Sputnik Donbass correspondent Russell Bentley has died at the age of 64, his wife Lyudmila confirmed to Sputnik.Expressing condolences, Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Sputnik's parent media group Rossiya Segodnya, wrote on her Telegram channel: "Russell Bentley, also known as Texas, a real American from Texas, died in Donetsk. He fought there for our people. Collaborated with our Sputnik. [It's] terrible. R.I.P...."Bentley, who was born and raised in the United States, arrived to the Donbass in 2014 to help the fledgling local militias resist Ukrainian occupation. From 2014 to 2017, he served in the Sut Vremeni (lit. "Essence of Time") combat unit, Vostok Battalion and Khan special forces battalion. He took part in some of the most heated battles during the early stage of the Donbass conflict, including Donetsk Airport, Spartak, Avdeyevka, and Yasinovataya. Bentley began contributing to Sputnik International in October 2023, publishing numerous video reports and columns that provided Westerners with an inside look at life in the Donbass.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/brave-soldier-aid-worker-and-truth-teller-story-of-us-born-donbass-volunteer-russell-bentley-1118018258.html

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Senegals Bassirou Diomaye Faye was sworn in as the countrys 5th president on 2 April, just 20 days after he left prison. The 44-year-old is now Africas youngest elected president following a dramatic win against former President Macky Salls preferred candidate, former Prime Minister Amadou Ba.

Faye was arrested and imprisoned in April 2023 after his Facebook post accusing judicial officers of corruption was deemed as a threat to state security. Faye, a former tax inspector, campaigned on a platform of fighting corruption, strengthening national sovereignty and tackling youth unemployment.

The win by Faye is seen as a triumph by the youthful electorate that rallied behind Faye and Ousmane Sonko. 49-year-old Sonko, who was also released from prison days before the election, is one of the founder members of the winning party, African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity, Patriots du Senegal party (PASTEF).

Sonko is considered the de facto leader of Senegals resistance and was also jailed and banned from participating in the elections for alleged defamation. One of Fayes first executive duties was to appoint Sonko as the countrys Prime Minister.

Well give it everything weve got. We will spare no effort to achieve what we have promised the Senegalese; a break with the past, progress and definitive change in the country, said Sonko, hours after Faye was sworn in.

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The election, which was initially slated for February 25, was rescheduled for December 2024 by President Macky Sall. However, a constitutional court overturned Salls order and issued amnesty to all political detainees effectively averting a crisis.

Although the outgoing administration made significant progress in the economic and governance front, the last term of Salls presidency was marred by protests by thousands of young Senegalese who were against the push by the former ruling party to extend President Salls tenure beyond the constitutionally allowed two terms.

About 1,000 people, mainly the youth, were jailed and several lost their lives in the series of protests that started with the arrest of Sonko and Faye last year and spilt over to 2024.

Dakar-based journalist, Malick Cire Sy, told Christian Daily International that the harassment and prosecution of the protestors and PASTEF leaders rallied the youth behind Faye and Sonko.

There will be expectations (by the electorate) to solve the unemployment issue, put an end to favouritism in recruitment, and transparency in all commercial and governance activities, said Cire Sy.

Analyst, Catherine Lena Kelly, said a combination of events led to Fayes spectacular win.

The dynamics of support within the coalitions of the leading candidates thus seemed to be characterized by two tendencies: solidarity within the Faye camp and division within the Ba camp, noted Kelly, in a post published by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies.

One of the promises by Faye upon his inauguration is to strengthen its commitment to the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), the regional political and economic union that has 15 member states including Nigeria, Ghana and Cote dIvoire. The commitment is an important boost to the beleaguered regional bloc which has lately found it difficult to exert its authority after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger withdrew from the community and formed the Alliance of Sahel States.

The three countries, which are now ruled by the military after coups ousted former long-serving leaders, have united in response to Ecowas economic sanctions after the coups and also to combat the growth of Islamic jihadists in the Sahel region which includes the three countries. The US Office of International Religious Freedom (IRF) 2022 report states that deaths attributed to terrorism in Burkina Faso rose to 1,135 in 2022 from 759 in 2021.

Terrorists killed or kidnapped (moderate) imams, other clergy, and worshippers, while attacking and destroying mosques, churches, and animist's places of worship, noted the IRF office, quoting the Institute for Economics and Peace Global Terrorism Index.

Although the focus of countering the jihadists for the past decade has been on Mali and Burkina Faso, Senegal is wary of the continued influence and spread of Islamic militants that have been emboldened by instability in neighbouring Mali. However, the peaceful electoral process and the restoration of order by the judiciary in one of West Africas most advanced democracies has stabilized the country and offered new hope for the youthful majority population in the region.

In his inauguration speech, President Faye promised to safeguard this stability. In this work of building a new Senegal, I shall work tirelessly to preserve peace and national cohesion. I bear in mind that our most precious resource remains our countrys political stability.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/techno-fascism-privacy-advocates-decry-fusion-of-big-tech--government-surveillance-1118003751.html

Techno-Fascism: Privacy Advocates Decry Fusion of Big Tech & Government Surveillance

Techno-Fascism: Privacy Advocates Decry Fusion of Big Tech & Government Surveillance

Sputnik International

The likely renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act points the way to a troubling future where the state has unlimited power to spy on our private lives, warns one activist.

2024-04-19T00:54+0000

2024-04-19T00:54+0000

2024-04-19T00:54+0000

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After its future was briefly in doubt, US Congress appears poised to extend a controversial law granting the National Security Agency (NSA) sweeping global and domestic spying powers.The Senate voted to move forward with consideration of the bill Thursday afternoon on a 67 to 32 vote. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has promised to consider proposed changes to the law before its likely passage Friday, but observers say the renewed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is set to grant US intelligence agencies unprecedented abilities with no judicial oversight.If it gets renewed the NSA becomes the most powerful agency in the universe, said host Angie Wong on Sputniks The Final Countdown program Thursday. It can spy on everybody  Americans, especially, without a warrant. Activist and writer Tyler Nixon joined Wong and co-host Ted Rall to discuss the issue.I think in years past we probably would have thought this was a crazy turn of events, said the US Army veteran. I think they just figured, You know what? We survived this one, let's go for broke, let's add in this massive expansion so that now everybody can be enlisted to be part of the deep state's supposedly non-existent tentacles.We're talking about very serious stuff, agreed Rall. We're not talking about just trolling your social media feeds, which obviously anyone can just do. But we're talking about listening to your phone calls, opening your mail, breaking into your home and installing wiretaps. This is very old fashioned kind of stuff, going into your bank accounts, looking at all of your transactions. I mean, this is like every detail of your life is going to come out.The renewed FISA law narrowly passed the House of Representatives earlier this week. The legislation was initially deadlocked 212-212, but House Speaker Mike Johnson cast a rare tie-breaking vote in favor of the law. Johnson had previously expressed opposition to the renewal of the act, which has been met with opposition from conservative Republicans.The law, which dates back to 1978, was originally envisioned as a check on executive power after the abuses of former President Richard Nixon amid the Watergate scandal. The legislation was dramatically expanded in the 2000s to grant government agencies enhanced spying powers in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.Initially the NSA was required to seek approval for electronic searches from secret FISA courts, which were frequently derided as mere rubberstamp institutions. But the most recent revision of the bill dispenses even with that safeguard.I literally wrote the book on Ed Snowden, said Rall, referring to the NSA whistleblower who sought refuge in Russia after revealing the breadth of the agencys surveillance activities. When I was doing the research on all the stuff that he revealed  it's gobsmacking, right? I mean they have voice recognition software such that if you buy a burner phone and you're like in, let's just say Bangladesh, and you start making a phone call, within seconds your voice is ID'd in Fort Meade and it's immediately, within seconds, triangulated to its location.And if they wanted to, they could just take you out with a drone while you're standing there on the street in Dhaka. It's absolutely like there is no privacy at all. And it's terrifying.Rall explained that the popularity of cloud storage has spurred spy agencies to refocus their surveillance efforts.Rather than monitoring communications in real time, the government now seeks access to online data centers. The rise of social media has led to massive amounts of private information being centralized in such locations, and companies like Facebook and Twitter have proven willing to share such data in return for favorable legislation from Congress.These are not exactly the people who are going to be worried about individual privacy, the tech giants, said Nixon. There's no pushback whatsoever. It was really just a matter of how deep on bended knee could they go They don't really care about an expansion like this. If anything they feel like it takes some of the heat off them and expands it to where every American citizen potentially could be targeted. And I think that's really what this is about.I think our Congress is very much captured by the national security police state, and they manipulate and control these people one way or another It's unfortunate because we have totally lost control of even our own elected representatives.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210428/fisa-court-docs-how-the-fbi-continues-to-spy-on-americans-without-a-warrant-and-get-away-with-it-1082750168.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/the-west-one-step-away-from-sending-troops-to-ukraine-orban-warns-1118015732.html

The West 'One Step Away' From Sending Troops to Ukraine, Orban Warns

The West 'One Step Away' From Sending Troops to Ukraine, Orban Warns

Sputnik International

The West is one step away from deploying military forces in Ukraine, which could mean an end for Europe, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday.

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"We are one step away from the West sending troops to Ukraine. This is a military whirlpool that can drag Europe to the bottom. Brussels is playing with fire," Orban said at an event dedicated to the start of the campaign before the European Parliament elections, aired by the HirTV broadcaster. European leaders have "already got involved" in the conflict in Ukraine, they call it "their war", and Europe has already spent about 100 billion euros ($106 billion) on Ukraine, Orban mentioned.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240404/which-western-countries-are-mired-in-ukraine-proxy-conflict-1117737653.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/us-media-claims-israel-targeted-air-defense-radar-at-iranian-nuclear-facility-1118019103.html

US Media Claims Israel Targeted Air Defense Radar at Iranian Nuclear Facility

US Media Claims Israel Targeted Air Defense Radar at Iranian Nuclear Facility

Sputnik International

An air defense radar at Irans Natanz nuclear facility was the target of Israels strike early on Friday, ABC News reported, citing a senior US official.

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Israel attacked the Natanz nuclear facility with three missiles, but it remains unconfirmed whether the strike has destroyed the air defense radar site. Air defense systems responded to the approach of drones in several of the country's provinces. Three Iranian officials told The New York Times that the target of the strikes was an airbase near Isfahan.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/us-to-allocate-40mln-in-defense-aid-to-argentina-wishing-to-be-natos-partner---embassy-1118007099.html

US to Allocate $40Mln in Defense Aid to Argentina Wishing to Be NATO's Partner - Embassy

US to Allocate $40Mln in Defense Aid to Argentina Wishing to Be NATO's Partner - Embassy

Sputnik International

The United States will allocate $40 million to support defense modernization of Argentina, which has declared its intention to become NATO's global partner, the US Embassy in Buenos Aires said.

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On Thursday, Argentine Defense Minister Luis Alfonso Petri said that Buenos Aires wanted to become NATO's global partner and had already submitted a corresponding request. NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana welcomed the request, saying that closer political and practical cooperation could benefit both parties. The diplomatic mission noted that such support is provided only to the US's important partners. Argentina will be able to purchase defense products, training services, and improve interaction thanks to US military aid. The funds will also contribute to Argentina's purchase of F-16 fighter jets, the statement read. In November 2023, Javier Milei won the runoff presidential election in Argentina. During the presidential campaign, Milei spoke against joining BRICS and cooperating with China, Brazil and Russia, and advocated a foreign policy oriented toward Israel and the United States.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/watch-russian-military-robotic-vehicles-get-tested-in-special-op-zone--1117993660.html

Watch Russian Military Robotic Vehicles Get Tested in Special Op Zone

Watch Russian Military Robotic Vehicles Get Tested in Special Op Zone

Sputnik International

The Espanola brigade has become an intellectual platform for the testing of modern weapons and robotic military vehicles, its commander has told Sputnik.

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The Espanola Brigade has become an intellectual platform for testing modern weapons and robotic military vehicles, its commander told Sputnik.The commander added that the Espanola Brigade is in constant contact with manufacturers, providing feedback and insights.The Espanola Brigade is a detachment of volunteers working in the special military operation zone as part of the Yug combat group of the Russian Armed Forces. The Espanola Brigade attracts true patriots and creative people united by a single cause.Earlier in the day, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspected the development of brand-new weapons, with an emphasis on military robots. He stressed that such systems should be equipped with machine guns for assault operations.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/western-investor--entrepreneur-claims-ukrainian-officials-extorting-him-for-millions--1118001970.html

Western Investor & Entrepreneur Claims Ukrainian Officials Extorting Him for Millions

Western Investor & Entrepreneur Claims Ukrainian Officials Extorting Him for Millions

Sputnik International

An Anglo-German businessman and a former adviser to Glencore, recently told a British-based paper that he is being blackmailed by a group of senior Ukrainian officials.

2024-04-19T06:33+0000

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An Anglo-German businessman and a former adviser to Glencore, recently told a British-based paper that he is being blackmailed by a group of senior Ukrainian officials. The entrepreneur, Arnulf Damerau, has claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys administration and other senior Kiev officials are trying to extort tens of millions of euros from him.He is one of the largest private Western investors in Ukraine and co-owns Cosmolot (alongside entrepreneur Sergey Potapov), one of the largest online casino operators in Ukraine, and the countrys 10th-largest taxpayers. But the companys accounts have been frozen after they were raided in October by the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, which has accused it of violating gambling laws and evading 560mn in taxes, according to the recent report.The Ukrainian authorities alleged that copycat websites that share design and infrastructure with the company serve some of its clients, but dont report the proceeds that they generate, a separate report said.Damerau has claims that Ukraines accusations against his company have been fabricated. He has said that Cosmolot began operating in 2021, after Ukraine changed its gambling laws. He also claims that his total revenues last year were 208mn compared to 4.8mn in 2022 and 250,000 in 2021.According to the report, the company paid 60mn in taxes last year, and Damerau said the state tax service signed off on its accounts in August. Damerau also claims that a Ukrainian individual met with him in Vienna and told him that the charges against his company would be dropped in exchange for his transferring the control of half of Cosmolot to an offshore trust.This is a country which aspires to be part of NATO and the European Union, but whats happening there right now  by a small minority  gives me deja vu of the darkest Yanukovych times, he added.Critics of the Ukrainian president have claimed that senior officials have a pattern of going unchecked regarding corruption scandals in their departments, including former defense minister Aleksey Reznikov who was removed from office last September after his ministry was accused of procuring military supplies at flagrantly inflated prices.The entrepreneur said he would address his concerns at the Ukraine Recovery Summit in Berlin in June, which he was invited to attend as a major foreign direct investor.

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Making his first start at Plainridge Park this year on Thursday, April 18, Snowpiercer made quick and easy work of the competition in the $23,288 featured trot and notched his fourth win of the year in the process.

Brett Beckwith sent Snowpiercer down the road from post five and led the entire race by open lengths. After setting fractions of :27.1, :57 and 1:25.2 while leading by as much as four lengths during the mile, the four-year-old Muscle Mass gelding hit the straight and cruised home a wrapped-up, 2-3/4-length winner in a seasons best 1:54.1 over a sloppy track.

Snowpiercer ($5.40) is owned by Janie Kellogg and trained by Jackie Greene. The Ontario Sires Stakes graduate moved his career bankroll to $288,306.

Beckwith, Greene and Kellogg teamed up again later to win with Kill A Dragon ($3) in a new lifetime mark of 1:52.

There was also a pair of $19,178 conditioned trots that took undercard billing on Thursday.

In the first, Enola (Nick Graffam) left from post seven and after being parked over three-eighths of a mile, took command and never looked back. Despite being challenged by Help Dust (Bruce Ranger) for most of the second half of the race, Enola persevered and pulled away to a 1-3/4-length win in a new lifetime mark of 1:57.4.

Enola ($7) is owned by Burke Racing and Weaver Bruscemi, and is trained by Joe Nelson.

In the second, Yucatan Party Man (Matty Athearn), who was grossly overlooked and released by the betting public at 63-1, left from post seven and dropped in second behind Comeonover Hanover (Drew Campbell) for seven-eighths of the mile. At the top of the lane, Athearn tipped Yucatan Party Man and he trotted past the leader under urging to claim a one-length victory in a new seasonal mark of 1:54.4.

Yucatan Party Man rewarded his backers with a $128.40 mutuel. His connections include Team Ciuffetelli: owners Joseph and Albert and trainer Tony.

Matty Athearn, Nick Graffam, Jimmy Hardy and Kevin Switzer Jr. all scored two driving wins during the proceedings.

Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Monday, April 22, with post time at 4 p.m., and the card will feature a $4,692 carryover in the Wicked Hi-5 in race six.

(Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts)
In High Cotton was first in line at every panel before going home a winner for the third straight week in the $10,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap Pace at Fraser Downs on Thursday, April 18.

Second choice Grey Sea (John Abbott) battled In High Cotton (Kelly Hoerdt) fiercely for the front through the opening panel in :27.3. After that split, Hoerdt was able to assume command with his trainee on the front end from the pylons. In High Cotton commanded the half in :57.3 and three-quarters in 1:26.3 uncontested. Down the stretch, Grey Sea made one final lunge, but was bested by a length at the wire by In High Cotton. Hottieonthehorizon (David Hudon) was content with third. The final time of the mile was clocked in 1:55.2.

The six-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere and the Western Hanover mare Olivette Hanover is owned by Hoerdt and Blair & Erna Corbeil. A winner of $223,317, she won her fourth race in 11 starts this year and her 23rd race from 94 career starts. In High Cotton was the bettors' choice in the mile and returned $3.50 as such.

Rod Therres posted a training hat trick on the Thursday evening card as he drove Stonebridge Jade ($40) to a one-length victory in 1:53.2 and Allan Molloy piloted Rollin Withholly A ($4.20) to a 1:54.1 score by a head and Martini Please ($2.80) to a 1-1/2-length victory in 1:58. The Langley, B.C. resident is closing in on a 1,000 career win training milestone with now 987 victories and 13 remaining.

To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Fraser Downs.

(Standardbred Canada)
Todd McCarthy made a clean sweep of the features for pacing distaffs on Friday, April 19 at Harrahs Philadelphia, triumphing with Absolute Power in the $18,493 headliner for developing horses and then coming back with Blood Moon A to get the big share of the $17,808 purse in the contest for fast-class mares.

The outside post seven proved to be little challenge for the Sweet Lou four-year-old mare Absolute Power, who led at every call, with fractions of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:24.3. Vel Miss Taylor gave good stretch chase from the pocket, but Absolute Power stayed in control by 1-1/4 lengths in matching her lifetime best of 1:52.3, set here two years ago. The powerful team of trainer Tom Cancelliere and brother/owner John own the swift winner.

The Pet Rock mare Blood Moon A enjoyed a pocket trip in the event for proven older females while Kickupyaheels N set fractions of :27.1, :55.3 and 1:23.1. Blood Moon A was moved outside for the stretch and managed to work by the pacesetter by a neck, with Turn On The Charm a hard-closing third, just pictured out for second. The victory was the first on North American soil for Blood Moon A in three starts since her importation, which means the 1:51.2 final time is her new mark for trainer Jeff Cullipher and Pollack Racing LLC.

The race after Blood Moon A won, McCarthy piloted the Meadowlands shipper to Decision Day to victory, giving him four visits to the winner's circle Friday at Philly  and then he headed off to The Meadowlands for nighttime competition over the Jersey mile oval.

There are a pair of $17,808 paces for the fast-class set when racing resumes at Philly on Sunday at 12:40 p.m. The seventh race division appears the tougher of the two, with All Class, a 1:49.3 winner here last Sunday, starting from the rail and having Dragononthebeach just to his right  a far easier spot than the outside post the Dragon faced last week. Should the latter prevail, trainer Jeff Cullipher could be in a good spot to sweep the headliners, as he has early favourite Ervin Hanover in the 10th race feature section. Free programs for Harrahs Philly racing are available on the PHHA website.

(PHHA / Harrahs Philadelphia)
The Global Christian Forums (GCF) fourth global gathering kicked off in Accra, Ghana, with an emphasis on major demographic shifts in global Christianity. With the theme That the world may know, the event held from April 16 to 20 brought together 240 participants from 60 different countries representing all major Christian traditions.

As one of the keynote speakers, Dr. Gina Zurlo, an American sociologist and scholar of history of mission and world Christianity, highlighted Africa as the region emerging as a focal point. Reviewing demographic shifts over the past 150 years, she pointed to the surprising statistic that today 44% of Protestant Christians reside in Africa.

According to the latest survey of global Christianity, the gradual but significant shift has become evident when looking at the past century. In 1900, a vast majority of 82% of Christians hailed from the Global North, in start contrast with the remaining 18% from the Global South, which is also referred to as the Majority World, including populous regions such as Asia, Africa and Latin America. Fast forward to the present, and the demographics have dramatically reversed, with only 33% of Christians in the Global North and 67% in the Global South.

Zurlo, who serves as co-director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, has focused her research on the demography of religion, World Christianity, sociology of religion, and womens studies. She highlighted that recent research revealed that historically and in the present, women have played a significant role in this demographic shift, comprising a majority of believers overall and actively participating in religious activities.

Current projections point to further shifts in the same direction and suggest that by 2050, an overwhelming majority of 77% of Christians will hail from the Global South. These numbers include all streams of Christianity, from Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestants, evangelicals, Pentecostals, and charismatics.

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Evangelicals emerged in the 18th century as a renewal movement within Protestantism shifting to the Global South over the 20th century. And even though the United States is the country with the most evangelicals in the world, four fifths of all evangelicals worldwide are people of colour, Zurlo observed.

The Pentecostal Charismatic Movement, originating in the early 20th century, has become a hallmark of Global South faith, encompassing diverse manifestations within classical Pentecostalism, the Catholic Charismatic Movement, and other charismatic movements.

Zurlo noted that the trends offer some insights to where the next centre of Christianity will be located. Wherever Christianity spread, and in the 20th century, the Pentecostal charismatic movement spread with it, it appears that the future of global Christianity seems to be Pentecostal.

As Christianity's geographical distribution continues to change, Africa and Asia witness an increase in Christian populations, while Europe and North America experience declines. Within these regions, the proliferation of Pentecostal and Charismatic movements adds to the religious diversity.

Zurlo emphasized the importance for Christian leaders to be aware of these statistics and developments, as they will help them to grasp the changing global landscape within Christianity.
After an accident in late March put Phil Hudon on the sidelines, the popular horseman was back in action during the session of qualifiers on Friday, April 19 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

A career winner of 4,746 races, Hudon sustained fractures to his T2 vertebra in his thoracic spine and coccyx (tailbone) when he was unseated during an accident at Mohawk on March 30. He made his return in the eighth dash on Friday morning aboard Give Me Karets K, a trotter he trains and co-owns with Jen Lucier.

The sloppy surface during the Friday session was no issue for Give Me Karets K, as the five-year-old son of Encore Encore easily captured his test, three lengths in a lifetime best 1:57.2 effort.

That mile clearly didn't impact Hudon as the Burlington, Ont. resident picked up another drive in a later qualifier aboard pacer Pirate Hanover.

"The test run felt good," Hudon told Trot Insider. "We'll see how it feels later but all good, ready to roll."

The video stream from the qualifiers is available below.

For results from the qualifying session, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park (Qualifiers).

(Standardbred Canada)
The 2024 Eldorado Scioto Downs meet is just around the corner with opening day on Thursday, May 9. Condition sheets are now available for that first week on the USTA website.

The draw schedule will be as follows:

Race Day  Draw Day  Draw Closes  Scratch Time

Tuesday  Friday  2 p.m.  Saturday by 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday  Saturday  2 p.m.  Monday by 11:30 a.m.

Thursday  Monday  10 a.m.  Tuesday by 11:30 a.m.

Friday  Tuesday  2 p.m.  Wednesday by 11:30 a.m.

Saturday  Tuesday  2 p.m.  Wednesday by 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday qualifiers  Monday  10 a.m.

There will be two qualifying cards before opening day: Friday, May 3  entries due Wednesday, May 1 at 2 p.m.  and Tuesday, May 7. Post time for both qualifying days is 12 p.m.

Qualifiers will then be held on Tuesdays at 3:45 p.m. except for June 10-July 15 when they will move to Mondays at noon to accommodate the influx of two-year-olds.

Special race cards for the 2024 season include:

Race Day  Race Events

July 6  Next Generation, Moni Maker, Nadia Lobell

Aug. 1-3  Ohio State Fair Races

Aug. 17  #SendItIn and Cleopatra Invitationals

Aug. 30  Older Ohio Sire Stakes

Sept. 7  Charlie Hill Memorial Trot, Jim Ewart Memorial Pace

The 90-day 2024 Eldorado Scioto Downs race meet goes from Thursday, May 9 through Saturday, Sept. 14. Races will be held Tuesday-Saturday with special holiday cards on Memorial Day and Labour Day instead of the Tuesday card that week. First post will be 5:45 p.m. each day except for Thursday, July 4 with a post of 3:15 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 13, which will have a 6:15 p.m. post to help accommodate horsepeople attending the Ohio Selected Yearling Sale.

More information about racing at Scioto can be found on the Eldorado Scioto Downs website.

(Scioto Downs)
There has been a lot of emphasis on the Revolutionary Wars Southern Campaign which was instrumental in ending the war. But lets take a look up north, for there were 13 colonies and each had to protect its own.

Lets take a look at April 19, 1775, in Lexington and Concord, with The Shot Heard Round the World."

With an impending rebellion, British Gen. Thomas Gage decided to seize weapons and gunpowder being stored in Concord, Massachusetts. Patriot spies soon got wind of Gages plan and Paul Revere and other riders spread the word of the 800 British regulars who were dispatched to Concord.

The kings troops marched into the small town of Lexington around 5 a.m. and, to their surprise, found a militia company of more than 70 men led by Captain John Parker facing them. When the British force rushed forward upon the town green, Parker immediately ordered his company to disperse. At some point a shot rang out  historians still debate who fired the shot.

The nervous British soldiers fired a volley, killing seven and mortally wounding one of the retreating militiamen. The British column moved on towards Concord, leaving the dead, wounded and dying in their wake. Parker and his men would have revenge later that afternoon.

Arriving at Concord around 8 a.m., British Commanders Francis Smith and John Pitcairn (one of the first British officers to be killed at Bunker Hill in June, 1775 and supposedly killed by an African American  Peter Salem or Salem Poor) ordered several companies to proceed to secure the north bridge across the Concord River and then continue to Barrett Farm where a suspected cache of arms and powder were presumably located.

By the time the British reached the north bridge, a growing assembly of approximately 400 militia from Concord and the surrounding towns had gathered on high ground overlooking the bridge. From their vantage point on the hill they could see smoke rising from Concord, the result of British burning some uncovered supplies.

Thinking the town was being torched, Lt. Joseph Hosmer of Concord shouted to his fellow officers, Will you let them burn the town down? The decision was then made to take action. Col. James Barrett ordered his companies to march upon the bridge but not to fire until fired upon.

The Acton company, commanded by 30-year-old Isaac Davis, was placed at the head of the column. When asked if they were prepared to confront the British troops Davis said, I havent a man afraid to go."

The Minutemen formed up and marched down the hill. As they did, the British soldiers, intimidated by the Colonial numbers and orderly advance, retreated to the opposite shore and prepared to defend themselves. When Davis company came within range, British soldiers opened fire, killing Davis, Abner Hosmer and another Minuteman.

Major Buttrick of Concord then shouted For Gods sake, fire! and the Minutemen replied with their own volley, killing three British soldiers and wounding nine others. This volley is considered the shot heard round the world." The rest of the British troops retreated back to town.

Smith and Pitcairn soon ordered a return to Boston, which evolved into a rout as thousands of Minutemen patriots descended on the area. The British were attacked from all sides by swarms of angry Minutemen along what is now known as Battle Road. When they reached Lexington, Parker and his men had their revenge firing on the British regulars from behind cover.

For the next twelve miles, the British were continually ambushed by Minutemen from behind trees, rock walls and buildings. It was clear the day had been a disaster for the British. Seventy-three British were killed and many more wounded compared to the Patriot loss of 49.

The emotions of the fight carried well beyond April 19, inspiring American warriors to rise up and fight again.

The British conducted a running fight until they could get under the cover of British gunships anchored in waterways surrounding Boston. Minutemen continued to pour in as word spread throughout the area. Among these minute and militia companies were many African Americans, both free and enslaved, who took up arms and fought alongside their white neighbors.

Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson dubbed them the embattled farmers. The Patriots were not American citizens yet, that would have to wait until 1776 and the Declaration of Independence. On April 19, 1775, they were simply loyal British citizens who believed they were standing up to defend and fight for their rights. In so doing, they changed the world forever.

Alarm in Virginia

In Virginia, on the same date, April 19, Lord Dunmore quietly brought a company of British sailors into Williamsburg and quartered them in the governor's mansion to hide his plan.

Dunmore ordered Captain Henry Collins, commander of HMS Magdalen, to remove the gunpowder from the magazine in Williamsburg on the following late evening of April 20, 1775, before the Massachusetts news had reached Virginia.

Colonists in Virginias capital city were alarmed to find that, under cover of night, the royal governor and his royal marines had removed the gunpowder stores from the public powder magazine in the center of the town. This event, almost simultaneous to the bloody events of Lexington and Concord, came to be known as the Gunpowder Incident.

This fanned the already burning flame of discontent and suspicion between Virginias last royal governor and patriot colonists. The Gunpowder Incident proved to be a milestone event in Virginias turn towards revolution and open rebellion against royal authority.

Just a month earlier, at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Richmond on March 20, 1775, Patrick Henry delivered his fiery give me liberty, or give me death speech to the delegates of the Second Virginia Convention, in debate about arming patriots for use of force against the crown. Under Henrys direction, militias were mustering throughout the colony in a posture of defense against royal authority.

Confrontations with the colonists further enraged Dunmore and pitted the governor against Henry, who was actively recruiting militias to march on Williamsburg, publicly calling for Dunmore to either return the powder or pay for its value, 330.

The Culpeper Independent Militia Company heeded this call and soon marched to Fredericksburg where they were joined by other county militias waiting for advancement orders. As news of the gunpowder incident began to spread, so too did news of the battles at Lexington and Concord, which reached Virginia by April 28.

As the situation in Williamsburg escalated, Dunmore reportedly said, I have once fought for the Virginians, and by God I will let them see that I can fight against them. On May 4, Henry accepted a payment of 330 for the powder, in an attempt to deescalate the situation, though the 15 barrels of powder were not returned.

While peace and cooler heads temporarily returned to the capital, county militias returned home, including those who belonged to the Culpeper Company from their staging area at Fredericksburg.

For a while war was averted. However, by June 8, Dunmore himself fled the Governors Palace for the HMS Fowey and, from his floating flotilla of British warships, commenced a raid on Hampton Roads. On Nov. 7, he declared Virginia in an official state of rebellion.
The Rotary Club of Greater Statesville in a recent club meeting installed two new members, Adrian Pryor, wealth management banker with Merrill Lynch, and Cody McPherson, associate attorney at Crosswhite Law Firm.

The club also recently named Joey Garrison as a Paul Harris Fellow, recognizing her for her dedication to the club over the past year as club treasurer and her volunteer efforts.

At the April 11 club meeting, John Ferguson gave a program about the Statesville Regional Airport. Ferguson is the general manager for the airport. Through his presentation, it was noted that the airport brings in well over $1 million dollars annually just from tax revenue for the county and the city combined.

In addition, it was noted that the airport is an asset to the area for recruiting new businesses looking to locate their business.

The Rotary Club of Greater Statesville meets on Thursdays at noon at Twisted Oak.

The club welcomes anyone to attend a club meeting to learn more about Rotary and its service to the community.
In todays globalized economy, the practice of tax avoidance, though often legal, is a significant and controversial issue. It represents a profound challenge not only to the fiscal health of nations but to the very fabric of social equity. This blog explores how tax avoidance deepens inequality and examines ways to address this pervasive issue.

1. INTRODUCTION :

In India, economic inequality remains a pressing issue, with a significant disparity between the affluent and the underprivileged. A crucial yet often overlooked contributor to this widening gap is tax avoidance. This legal manipulation of tax rules to minimize liabilities not only depletes governmental revenues but also disproportionately impacts the resources available for public welfare and infrastructure. Tax avoidance strategies, ranging from utilising offshore financial centres to exploiting loopholes within tax laws, allow individuals and corporations, particularly wealthy and multinational companies, to reduce their tax payments significantly. This erosion of the tax base results in a heavier tax burden on lower-income citizens and restricts the governments ability to fund essential services, exacerbating socioeconomic disparities. As India continues to integrate into the global economy, understanding and addressing the complexities of tax avoidance becomes increasingly crucial. This exploration into tax avoidance will shed light on its mechanisms, its role in deepening inequality, and the measures needed to mitigate its impacts, aiming to foster a more equitable economic landscape in India.

2. UNDERSTANDING TAX AVOIDANCE

Tax avoidance involves using legal methods to minimize tax liabilities within the bounds of the law. Unlike tax evasion, which is illegal, tax avoidance exploits the complexities and loopholes of tax legislation to reduce the amount of tax payable. This can include structuring transactions in certain ways, utilising tax credits and deductions aggressively, or rearranging ones financial affairs to obtain tax advantages. Common strategies might involve setting up trusts, incorporating businesses in jurisdictions with lower tax rates, or making investments that offer tax breaks. While technically legal, these practices often contravene the spirit of the law and can lead to significant losses in public revenue, affecting government spending and public services. Tax avoidance is a controversial issue, particularly when it is carried out by wealthy individuals and large corporations who can significantly reduce their tax burden while others may not have the means to do so.

3. THE SCOPE AND SCALE OF TAX AVOIDANCE IN INDIA

In India, both individuals and corporations employ tax avoidance strategies. High net worth individuals often use complex investment vehicles, while large corporations might create intricate structures spanning multiple countries to minimize taxes. For instance, it is common practice among multinational companies operating in India to route investments through Mauritius due to its favorable Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India.

Tax avoidance in India is a pervasive issue that impacts the countrys economic fabric and governance. Its scope and scale are broad, affecting revenue streams and exacerbating income inequality. Tax avoidance strategies are employed by various sectors, from affluent individuals and local businesses to large multinational corporations. The mechanisms and effects of these strategies manifest in numerous ways across the Indian economy.

1. Multinational Corporations and Transfer Pricing

One of the most significant areas of tax avoidance involves multinational corporations (MNCs) that engage in transfer pricing manipulation. Transfer pricing refers to the pricing of goods, services, and intangibles between associated enterprises internationally. While it is a legitimate part of international business, it can be manipulated to shift profits to low-tax jurisdictions, thereby reducing the taxable income in higher-tax countries like India. This practice can lead to massive tax revenue losses for the Indian government.

2. Use of Tax Havens

Another common strategy involves routing investments through countries with favorable tax treaties with India, known as tax havens. For instance, many investments into India are channeled through Mauritius and Singapore, taking advantage of double taxation avoidance agreements (DTAAs) that these countries have with India. This strategy significantly reduces the taxes paid on capital gains arising from these investments.

3. High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs)

High net worth individuals in India often use sophisticated tax planning methods to minimize their taxes. This can include setting up family trusts, investing in insurance products with tax benefits, and using loan-back schemes. These legal avenues, though often complex, are designed to reduce the visibility of income or defer tax liabilities.

4. Real Estate and Capital Gains

In the real estate sector, tax avoidance is frequently observed through the under-reporting of property values and over-reporting of expenses related to capital gains. Property transactions can be undervalued in official records to evade stamp duties and capital gains tax, a practice prevalent across various states in India.

5. Scale of Losses

Quantifying the exact scale of tax avoidance in India is challenging due to the inherent opacity of these practices. However, various reports and studies suggest that India loses billions of dollars annually due to tax avoidance. This revenue loss severely hampers the governments ability to fund essential public services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure, which are crucial for the socio-economic upliftment of the broader population.

3.THE IMPACT OF TAX AVOIDANCE ON GOVERNMENT REVENUE

Tax avoidance has a profound impact on Indias fiscal health. According to estimates from various non-governmental organizations, India loses several billion dollars annually due to tax avoidance practices. This significant drain on resources results in reduced governmental capacity to invest in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social welfare programskey areas that can help mitigate inequality.Tax avoidance significantly impacts government revenue, limiting the capacity to fund essential public services and development projects. When corporations and wealthy individuals exploit legal loopholes to minimize their tax liabilities, the states revenue stream diminishes. In India, this shortfall is particularly critical as it hampers investment in sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, which are vital for inclusive economic growth and social welfare.

The reduced tax collection due to avoidance practices forces the government to rely more heavily on indirect taxes, such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which disproportionately affects lower-income individuals who end up paying a higher percentage of their income on basic necessities. Consequently, the tax burden shifts from the wealthy to the less affluent, exacerbating economic inequality. This underfunding and imbalance hinder the governments ability to effectively address public needs and promote equitable development, ultimately stunting national progress.

4. HOW TAX AVOIDANCE EXACERBATES INEQUALITY

The reduction in available public resources due to tax avoidance disproportionately affects the less affluent, who rely more on public services. This section examines specific cases, such as underfunded public schools in rural India and the implications on educational access and quality for economically disadvantaged populations. Additionally, the burden of tax avoidance often shifts to lower-income individuals through increased indirect taxes, such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which consumes a larger percentage of their income compared to wealthier individuals. Tax avoidance exacerbates inequality by enabling the wealthiest individuals and corporations to significantly reduce their tax contributions relative to their earnings. This disproportionate tax burden on less affluent individuals not only limits their economic opportunities but also restricts the governments ability to provide necessary public services and infrastructure that could aid in social mobility.

For example, when wealthy entities avoid taxes, the resulting revenue shortfall leads to underfunded public systems such as education and healthcare. These sectors are critical for leveling the playing field and offering lower-income individuals the tools to improve their socioeconomic status. Additionally, the government may be compelled to increase indirect taxes, like VAT or GST, which uniformly affect all consumers regardless of income, disproportionately impacting those with lower incomes. Thus, tax avoidance not only undermines fair taxation but also perpetuates a cycle of inequality by hindering access to opportunities that could mitigate wealth disparities.

5. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES AGAINST TAX AVOIDANCE

The Indian government has recognized the detrimental effects of tax avoidance and has implemented several measures to curb it. The introduction of the Black Money Act in 2015, the tightening of rules around indirect transfers in the Finance Act, and the participation in the OECDs BEPS (Base Erosion and Profit Shifting) initiative are significant steps. These efforts aim to enhance transparency, close loopholes, and ensure that taxes are paid where economic activity occurs. In response to the challenges posed by tax avoidance, the Indian government has implemented several initiatives aimed at curbing these practices and enhancing tax compliance. One significant measure is the introduction of the General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR), which empower tax authorities to deny tax benefits if transactions are found to lack a substantial commercial purpose other than tax avoidance. Additionally, India has revised its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) with countries like Mauritius and Singapore to close loopholes that allowed investors to avoid paying capital gains tax in India.

Furthermore, Indias participation in the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) project, under the auspices of the OECD, showcases its commitment to global cooperation in tackling tax avoidance. This includes measures such as more stringent transfer pricing regulations and the automatic exchange of information with other countries to track cross-border transactions. These steps are crucial for ensuring that taxes are fairly levied and collected, supporting public finances and reducing inequality.

6. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICY AND ENFORCEMENT

To strengthen the fight against tax avoidance, this section offers recommendations such as simplifying the tax code, enhancing the capabilities of tax authorities through technology, and promoting global cooperation on tax matters. It also discusses the importance of creating a fair tax regime that minimizes incentives for avoidance and addresses both domestic and international challenges.To effectively combat tax avoidance and ensure equitable tax collection, India needs to bolster both policy frameworks and enforcement mechanisms. Firstly, simplifying the tax code can reduce the complexities that often give rise to avoidance opportunities. A clearer, more straightforward tax system would not only minimize loopholes but also enhance compliance by making tax obligations easier to understand for all taxpayers.

Secondly, enhancing the capacity and resources of tax authorities is critical. This could involve investing in advanced technology for data analytics to detect patterns of avoidance and evasion, and training tax officials to effectively use these tools. Strengthening digital infrastructure for tax administration can also improve efficiency and transparency.

Thirdly, India should continue to strengthen international cooperation on tax matters. Engaging more actively in global tax information sharing agreements and supporting international efforts to address profit shifting and tax haven abuse are vital for tackling avoidance schemes that cross national boundaries. These steps can help ensure a fairer, more robust tax system that supports equitable economic development.

7. CONCLUSION

Tax avoidance is a complex issue that impacts economic inequality in India. Effective measures, both at national and international levels, are crucial for ensuring that all economic actors contribute their fair share towards the development of the country. Addressing tax avoidance will not only improve revenue collection but also play a vital role in reducing economic disparity, ultimately fostering a more equitable society in India. Tax avoidance represents a multifaceted challenge with profound implications for economic inequality in India. By exploiting legal loopholes, wealthy individuals and corporations can significantly reduce their tax burdens, shifting the financial weight onto lower-income groups and curtailing the governments ability to fund essential public services. This undermines efforts to bridge the vast economic divide and hampers progress towards a more equitable society.

To address this issue effectively, a dual approach involving national reforms and international cooperation is essential. Domestically, India needs to simplify its tax code to eliminate ambiguities that may be exploited for avoidance. Strengthening enforcement through enhanced capabilities of tax authorities, including better technology and training, is also crucial. Internationally, active participation in global frameworks aimed at tax transparency and anti-avoidance is vital, as many tax avoidance strategies transcend borders.

Ultimately, tackling tax avoidance is not just about improving revenue collection but also about fairness and equity in the distribution of tax burdens. By ensuring that all economic actors pay their rightful share, India can better fund public initiatives that promote social mobility and reduce inequality. This approach will not only foster a healthier economy but also a more just and equitable society.

Reference:

1. https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10546/620196/bn-tackling-extreme-inequality-in-india-060217-en.pdf;jsessionid=D3BEBC0259D1071083EAD151EEF15C50?sequence=1

2. https://jlrjs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/242.-Sahi-1.pdf

3. https://www.mondaq.com/india/tax-authorities/1038614/a-study-on-compliance-of-tax-structures-in-income-inequality-and-the-reforms-required

4. https://taxguru.in/income-tax/combatting-economic-inequality-indias-fight-tax-havens.html
Church leaders in Russian-occupied Ukraine continue to face crackdowns, with one arrested for missionary activities and two others deported to Georgia.

In occupied Luhansk Province, authorities on March 29 charged the Rev. Vladimir Rytikov, 64-year-old leader of the Sorokyne (Krasnodon) Council of Churches Baptist Church in Krasnodon, with Russians conducting missionary activity under Russian Administrative Code Article 5.26, Part 4, according to rights watchdog Forum 18.

The arrest of Rytikov followed a raid on his Baptist church on Jan. 28, and the charges noted that he was leading that worship meeting. If found guilty, he could be fined between 5,000 to 50,000 Russian rubles (US $53 to US $530).

When Forum 18 asked Col. Sergei Krupa, head of the occupation police in Krasnodon, to give reasons for prosecuting the pastor for a church meeting held at a home, he refused and hung up the phone.

There was no court hearing scheduled as of April 12.

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Police had also questioned Rytikov on Feb. 2, asking why the church had not been registered and demanding to see church statutes, according to Forum 18.

I told them that our statute is the gospel, Rytikov reportedly said.

He told police that the church did not want registration and refused to give information about church members.

Officers summoned him to the police station on March 25, but he refused. Police told him they summoned him to draw up charges to be presented to a court, and that the church was banned in Luhansk, Rytikov reportedly said.

In the Jan. 28 raid, armed men interrupted the worship service of the church, founded in 1961.

They took out two of the elders, Vyacheslav Kollisnichenko and Mikhail Miknus, local Baptists noted that day on Telegram, reported Forum 18. Theyre recording everything on camera! Theyre letting no one out. Theyre writing down the passport details of all those present.

The armed men released the two elders and allowed the worship meeting to end. Officers interrogated Yuliya Vitsenovskaya, owner of the home where the church met, at a local police station.

Miknus and Oleg Vorotilin, another church leader, faced questioning at the church site before they were released later that day along with Vitsenovskaya, according to Forum 18.



Rytikov was previously fined for leading unregistered worship meetings in 2018 and 2019. He faced charges by Russian occupiers of extremism in 2020 after his refusal to stop leading his church.

In addition, Soviet authorities had jailed Rytikov from 1979 to 1982 for organizing a Christian childrens summer camp. His father, Pavel Rytikov, spent a decade in a Soviet Union jail for exercising his faith.

Meantime, Russian occupiers have deported two Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) priests to Georgia. A Russian occupation forces court in Donetsk Region in September 2023 illegally fined the Rev. Khristofor Khrimli and the Rev. Andri Chui of illegal missionary activity under Russian law, noted Forum 18.

Both priests received fines after their arrests in the occupied Donetsk Region in September. Officials transferred them to Russia in October, and then sent Khrimli to Georgia in February and likewise Chui in March. Both priests are now recovering in Ukrainian government-held Ukraine.

When Forum 18 asked Russian court Bailiff Aleksandr Nikolenko why the priests are not allowed home in Russian-occupied Donetsk Region, he reportedly said, Because they were ordered to leave the Russian Federation.

OCU priests such as Khrimli and Chui are suffering ongoing pressure to give allegiance to the Russian Orthodox Church.

Violations in Russia

In Russia, authorities this month levied a hefty fine on an elderly church leader for repeatedly discrediting the Russian Armed Forces, according to Forum 18.

The Rev. Viktor Pivovarov, 87-year-old leader of the Holy Intercession and Tikhon Church in Slavyansk-on-Kuban, was charged at Slavyansk City Court in the southern Krasnodar Region on April 8. The fine of 150,000 rubles (US $1,592) equals eight months of an average local pension.

The archbishop has previously said he is waiting to be either killed or imprisoned at the hands of Russian authorities, as previously reported by Christian Daily International.

He had criticized Russians invasion as satanic, and soldiers armed with machine guns badly beat his assistant, the Rev. Hieromonk Iona Sigida, during a raid at the church on Oct. 3. Authorities were expected to use money they took from the church during the raid to go toward paying the fine.

Forum 18 said the court punished Pivovarov under Criminal Code Article 280.3, Part 1, Public actions aimed at discrediting the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. He is reportedly the fifth person to receive a criminal conviction for criticizing Russias role in the invasion from a faith perspective.



In July, researcher Dylan Schexnaydre of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), said religious minorities had been systematically harassed since the invasion.

In his report, Religious Freedom Conditions in the Russian Federation, Schexnaydre called the harassment the largest crackdown on independent civil society in decades.

Public security officials enforce vague, problematic legislation targeting missionary activities, alleged extremism and terrorism, undesirable organizations, and blasphemy, among others, to oppress religious communities and fine and imprison members for their religious activities, Schexnaydre wrote.

On March 1, USCIRF pushed for sanctions to be taken against Russian officials for abusing Freedom of Religious Belief (FoRB) prisoners.

In a public statement, USCIRF confirmed hundreds of FoRB prisoners of conscience imprisoned by Russian authorities. The statement highlighted the brutal death of Ukrainian priest Stepan Podolchak, as reported by Christian Daily International.

Russias religious freedom violations continue to reach an unprecedented scale, said USCIRF Commissioner Susie Gelman. The U.S. government cannot allow Russias brutal crackdown on religious communities, human rights organizations, and other groups working on religious freedom and countering disinformation to succeed.
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: Mishima Tomokazu

A new DC-DC power converter is superior to previous designs and paves the way for more efficient, reliable and sustainable energy storage and conversion solutions. The Kobe University development can efficiently interface with a wide range of energy sources while enhancing system stability and simplicity at an unprecedented efficiency.

Electric power comes in two kinds, AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current). Famously, the question over which kind should be used for national power grids, the "Current War" of the late 19th century, got settled in favor of AC and most power plants today produce this kind. However, solar power, batteries and in particular those in electric vehicles, and computers all depend on DC, making lossy AC-to-DC conversion necessary.

An alternative to this is the establishment of DC microgrids that integrate various renewable DC energy sources and storage devices and deliver energy directly to data centers and other DC appliances. This eliminates the need for AC-to-DC conversion, but it requires a device that can convert different voltages flexibly, as each DC device typically needs a different voltage and batteries provide different voltages depending on their charge and capacity. This also needs to be done bidirectionally, since batteries are used both as energy sources and sinks.

The power electronics researchers Mishima Tomokazu from Kobe University (Japan) and National Chung Hsing University (Taiwan) teamed up in a project for the "development of elemental technologies for high power density power distribution systems contributing to low-carbon data centers" and now achieved a significant breakthrough.

"Our diverse team with expertise spanning across relevant disciplines allowed us to approach the problem from multiple perspectives, and our access to cutting-edge facilities and resources enabled us to conduct thorough experiments, simulations and analyses. Additionally, our group has a track record of successful collaborations with industry partners and other research institutions, providing valuable insights and support for our endeavors," explains Kobe University student team member Liu Shiqiang.

Credit: Mishima Tomokazu

They published the design principles, characteristics, and prototype evaluation in the journal IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics.

Liu, who is the first author of the study, explains, "Its superior voltage ratio means it can efficiently interface with a wide range of energy sources, while the self-balancing of inductor currents enhances system stability and simplicity. Moreover, the asymmetrical duty limit control offers enhanced performance especially for electric vehicle-connected DC microgrids."

The evaluation of their prototype showed an impressive efficiency of up to 98.3%. "This highlights the practical feasibility and scalability of the proposed topology for real-world applications, paving the way for future advancements in bidirectional DC-DC conversion technology," said Liu.

The researchers holding the roughly A4-sized device. Credit: Mishima Tomokazu

The team has filed for a patent for the design in Japan and is now preparing for its commercialization with UPE-Japan, a Kobe University startup. Naturally, they also want to keep improving their design, including for higher power densities and a wider variety of applications.

Liu says, "Ultimately, our long-term objective is to contribute to the transition towards more efficient, reliable and sustainable energy storage and conversion solutions, particularly in the context of electric vehicles and renewable energy integration."

The research was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the National Chung Hsing University.

More information: Shiqiang Liu et al, Over 98% Efficiency SiC-MOSFET based Four-Phase Interleaved Bidirectional DC-DC Converter Featuring Wide-Range Voltage Ratio, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics (2024). DOI: 10.1109/TPEL.2024.3389052
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:

"Heat map" of the expected change in N 60 for a new overwater approach procedure to runway 22L, which was implemented. Cooler colors represent areas that are expected to experience a lower number of overflights under the new procedure. Credit: ICAT

If you're a resident of Hull, Lynn, Salem, or other Massachusetts towns currently exposed to noise from aircraft approaching Boston Logan Airport, you may notice the skies getting a little quieter this year.

Over the last decade, improvements to aircraft navigation technology have allowed departing and arriving aircraft to follow highly precise routes in the sky. These new routes, known as Area Navigation (RNAV) flight procedures, were implemented at Boston Logan Airport between 2012 and 2013 and have allowed aircraft to navigate more efficiently and predictably in the airspace around Boston.

However, this shift to more precise navigation has had the side effect of concentrating aircraft trajectories over specific neighborhoods, leading to a perceived increase in aviation noise in affected communities. Complaints to the airport from those communities has increased correspondingly.

In response, in 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Massport, and MIT began a three-way collaboration to identify potential modifications to the departure and arrival procedures at Boston Logan Airport that could mitigate the impacts of high flight track concentrations. Professor John Hansman and graduate students at the MIT International Center for Air Transportation (ICAT) led outreach to communities and technical development of potential procedure modifications.

Over a period of six years, ICAT investigated several technical solutions for mitigating aircraft noise. Following extensive collaboration with community groups and operational stakeholders, the research team submitted four new low-noise flight procedures to the FAA for implementation. Now being deployed in actual operations, these procedures are expected to reduce overflight noise for several communities and, in some cases, also reduce aircraft fuel burn.

Working with communities and aviation stakeholders

The study comprised two phases, or "blocks," of research. Block 1 procedures were characterized by clear predicted noise benefits, limited operational or technical barriers, and minimal equity concerns. Block 2 procedures were regarded as more complex due to potential technical barriers and equity challengesinstances in which one flight pattern might benefit one community at the expense of another.

Both phases of the study required extensive collaboration with communities, represented by the Massport Community Advisory Committee (MCAC), and operational stakeholders, which included experts from the FAA, air traffic controllers, and pilots from airlines. Public outreach meetings and meetings with the MCAC helped the ICAT team to identify community objectives and to receive feedback on procedure concepts. Further conversations with air traffic controllers at Boston Logan and airline pilots were also essential to identify and resolve operational issues and to confirm that concepts were technically feasible.

"Procedures were developed in collaboration with several stakeholder groups. In the end, the goal was to arrive at a set of procedures that achieved community noise-reduction objectives while satisfying technical constraints communicated by operational stakeholders," says Sandro Salgueiro, a postdoc at ICAT who contributed to the study.

Developing metrics to communicate noise impacts

As part of the work with community groups, the ICAT team developed new tools to communicate the expected noise impacts of proposed procedure changes. They developed two types of noise impact visualizations: one based on the change expected for a single flight, and another based on the change expected over one full peak day of operations.

A single-flight analysis compared 60-decibel contours for both current and proposed procedures, allowing the team to estimate the number of people who would be removed from this contour if the procedure were to change.

The full-day analysis used a different metric to communicate noise impacts. Because RNAV procedures tend to concentrate aircraft overflights, locations of noise complaints were found to correlate strongly with how often aircraft flew over those same locations. The ICAT team proposed a new metric that measured the number of daily overflights experienced per location that exceeded a noise level of 60 decibels, termed N 60 . When assessing a procedure change, changes in N 60 were illustrated as "heat maps" that communicated the expected areas of noise change along with the magnitude of the change.

"The N 60 heat maps proved to be an effective way to communicate expected noise changes to communities, and community reception to our visualization tools was positive," adds Salgueiro.

New flight paths reduce noise exposure

Among several noise abatement concepts the ICAT team studied, they identified moving trajectories over water as the most effective noise abatement strategy that also satisfied operational stakeholder criteria for implementation.

Following reviews by operational stakeholders and deliberation by community groups, four ICAT-developed procedures were submitted to the FAA for implementation, two departure procedures and two approach procedures.

The new approach procedure to runway 33L, implemented in 2021, is now being flown regularly by large commercial aircraft. This procedure relies on a technology known as Required Navigation Performance (RNP) to guide aircraft on curved segments to the runway. A single-flight noise analysis of this procedure, shown above, estimated that 2,954 fewer people would be exposed to aircraft noise (above 60 decibels) when the new procedure is used in place of the conventional straight-in approach.

The new approach procedure to runway 22L, planned for initial use in 2024, similarly aims to replace the conventional straight-in approach with an over-water RNAV approach. A full-day analysis of this procedure estimated that 131,892 fewer people would be exposed to 50 or more daily overflights that exceed 60 decibelsa significant reduction.

"The two approach procedures that were implemented through this project represent significant advances towards making use of modern aircraft navigation capabilities to achieve more flexible routing that, in this case, provide significant noise benefits," explains Salgueiro. "I think this study sets a positive precedent that we are willing to innovate on how we design new procedures when there is a clear noise benefit to impacted communities."

Next steps

The ICAT researchers will continue to collaborate with the FAA and Massport by providing technical analysis to support the ongoing adoption of the new procedures. To encourage airlines to fly the new low-noise procedures, the team is now conducting analyses of fuel burn on the newly implemented procedures. So far, preliminary results suggest that, in addition to providing a noise reduction, the procedures may also provide fuel savings to airlines by cutting down on miles flown to the runwaya win-win scenario for both communities and airlines. With the support of Massport, the team is also analyzing data from a network of noise monitors installed around the airport. This will allow the team to measure and better understand the noise benefits achieved with the new flight procedures.

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
Nga mihi ki te hunga e whai ana i to ratou whainga (Greetings to everyone who is pursuing their purpose),

The text for this month is Galatians 6:15b-16 (NLT), What counts is whether we have been transformed into (a) new creation. May Gods peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.

Here the Apostle Paul is defending new believers who were being forced into compliance with a doctrinal practice that was a cultural expression of faith but not essential for faith in Jesus. That practice was circumcision.

Galatians is widely accepted as Pauls first epistle. It emerged in response to a radical disruption of the Jewish faith following the resurrection of Jesus. Almost 2,000 years on, we can too easily gloss over the shocking nature of this shift, which became a schism, and then an entirely independent religion with unbroken spiritual roots in the history of Israel and Judaism. I love Pauls letter to the Galatians because it sets out the basis for what we now understand to be contextualisation, or what I prefer to call the indigenisation of the faith, where essential meaning is retained while outward forms differ according to the local social environment. Here, Paul effectively applies what was discussed by the Apostles in Acts 15.

The gospel speaks uniquely from within every context. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up

It is too easy for missionaries to conflate their social and moral assumptions and theological dogmassuch as circumcision was to the Jewsas gospel imperatives and seek to impose them upon a society different from that of their upbringing. The gospel speaks uniquely from within every context. It needs to be incarnated into new contexts like seeds sown into different environments, which shape the resulting plants in different ways. Missions thinking over the past generation has made much of an incarnational theology, referring to God becoming flesh in Jesus as a model of missions. But we neglect to understand that Gods incarnation was very specifically embodied with the genetics and cosmovision of a first century Jew. Humans cannot just transfer from their home culture to another and expect to become indigenous to the culture. Ever.

It is not possible for imported ministries, models, methods, or people to incarnate. They lack the genetic heritage. They can adapt, acculturate, identify, and sacrificially serve but they cannot incarnate. This is very important for missionaries and other outsiders to grasp so that the indigenous church can flourish in their contexts. While ministries external to a context can support the wellbeing of local expressions of our faith, we must allow room for the gospel to put down its roots, absorb local nutrients, and grow up from within the context for it to thrive. That is not to say the gospel shouldnt be a corrective to that culture, but it does so from within not without. Outsiders do not get to determine what is or is not theologically correct within another cultural context.

There are limits of course. To be of the same species, authentic faith in Christ must retain the core DNA of the biblical narrative and the historic Church and share crucial genetic markers of belief with the rest of the global Church. But myriad cultivars can emerge depending on the context in which the seed of gospel faith develops. This is to our advantage as members of the Kingdom of God. The rich diversity expands our understanding of who God is and together we mature each other by sharing our lived experiences as part of one big global family (cf. Ephesians 4:13-14).

New Creation is not solely a new state for each believer. Always get the latest news by following Christian Daily International on WhatsApp!

After Galatians, Paul continues to develop his theology of what the gospel writers called the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God by way of his preferred term, New Creation. But even in the Galatians sample above we can see that the concept emerged early in his ministryin many ways marking Christs resurrection as a reboot of Genesis. It is easy for individualists to interpret New Creation as a personal transformation. That is an error to which 2 Corinthians 5:17 is also prone. But there is much more of a cosmic and communal intention to Pauls thinking about New Creationhence my parenthesis of (a) in the text above. New Creation is not solely a new state for each believer, it is a now/not-yet renewal of all thingsa (process of) transformation of the cosmos from one state to another. How that transformation manifests with the new people of God in any given context is largely dependent on the context.

As we seek God concerning problems and questions that arise within our own context, so the Holy Spirit reveals themes in Scripture that address those issues in ways that are deeply meaningful for that time and place. For example, there is nothing more meaningful in times of crisis than to realise afresh in the promise of the gospel that God is with us and Jesus is in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Emmanuel. And, lo, I will be with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20 KJV). But what Jesus intimate presence looks like is manifest in culturally meaningful forms. In times of great crisis and trauma we reach out with what we know, and God meets us there, bringing comfort and reassurance. The Spirit reminds us that this is not the endthere is a better world coming in power and glory. That is not an empty promise or mere platitude. It is also not to excuse injustice or ignore abuse. It is reassurance that there is a coming judgement and the Lord who is just will make all things right.

Where is the Jesus of Matthew 28:20 more likely to be? In our sanitized fairy tale recall or in the midst of believers meeting in a war-torn land

In the midst of ignorance and criticism from outside opinions heaped on top of great cultural pain, Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac preached an unapologetic 2023 Christmas sermon from Bethlehem titled, Christ In The Rubble. It was a lament powerfully illustrated by a baby wrapped in a Palestinian keffiyeh (black and white head scarf) placed in the rubble of buildings like Jesus in a manger. The art installation was shocking. It was meant to be shocking. It was simultaneously designed to express both the lament and the hope of Palestinian Christians as well as being a clarion call to those of us in more peaceful contexts as we celebrated the baby Jesus meek and mild, safe and sound in the manager hay protected by the watchful gaze of the most powerful angels. Where is the Jesus of Matthew 28:20 more likely to be? In our sanitized fairy tale recall or in the midst of believers meeting in a war-torn land losing fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, friends, and lovers?

In the wintertime I often wear a Palestinian keffiyeh. It reminds me of friends in the Middle East and keeps me warm from the wind chill at home. It is a piece of attire that is common throughout the Arab world with different colours representing different tribes, worn in different ways. It is a very functional square of chequered cloth offering protection from the blistering sun and a shield from the sand blasted by the desert winds among many other uses. It has long and deep cultural meaning for Arab people. Not unlike Maori kakahu cloaks now only worn ceremoniously or pounamu (nephrite jade) artefacts used now as fashion accessories but previously as multi-functional tools, utensils, and items for trade. My father gifted me a tui themed kakahu for formal use and I wear a dark green pounamu hei toki (jade adze pendant) that otherwise could be sharpened and used for carving. One of the meanings of the hei toki as a gift is recognition that the recipient has acquired some skill at crafting relationships. But it could also be sharpened and used as a lethal weaponthe complete opposite of relationship building! Artefacts that endure over time come to represent the cultures from which they emerge. They are indigenous to that culture. Most people who proudly wear a pounamu accessory associate its meaning with Maori culture and its struggle.

Jesus death and resurrection makes Him available as a Messiah for all people.

It is against this appreciation of theology from within cultural contexts that I was aggrieved by Mike Cosper of Christianity Todays treatment of the Palestinian Christian response to the conflict incited by Hamas on 7 October 2023. In his 19 February 2024 essay, Mike flattened centuries of history and meaning surrounding the keffiyeh to associate it solely as a symbol of terrorism. The Jewish Jesus swaddled in a Palestinian keffiyeh offended him. He intimated that the Bethlehem church was sending an antisemitic message. This interpretation had little appreciation for Jesus as Emmanuel or that His death and resurrection makes Him available as a Messiah for all people. That is why male followers of Jesus no longer need to get circumcised. Hallelujah! An indigenous gospel places Jesus in the rubble shrouded in a cultural artefact because He is with and in believers suffering in Palestine just as he can be wrapped in a Tallit (prayer shawl) in Israel or a kakahu cloak in Aotearoa New Zealandsymbols of the people. If it were the flag of a nation, that would be a different story. Jesus and the state are never compatible.

It is too easy for outsiders, especially those who live safely behind the borders of first world powers, to criticise the actions of those who are suffocating under a foreign regime.

By situating his commentary about Rev. Dr. Isaacs call for justice and the nativity installation within an expose of Muslim ideologies, Mike Cosper implicated our Palestinian brothers and sisters with terrorism. In spite of a brief, not everyone who wears a keffiyeh (or wraps the baby Jesus in one) does so with [terrorist] intent, the strongly implied association by Christianity Today was a travesty. It is too easy for outsiders, especially those who live safely behind the borders of first world powers, to criticise the actions of those who are suffocating under a foreign regime. Followers of Christ should know better. We need to BE better. Our primary solidarity should be with fellow believers who are suffering, seeking to understand their pain and appreciate their lament, not clinically undermine them from a detached distance with woeful cultural intelligence.

Collectively, from every tribe, language, nation and people, followers of Jesus are the new people of God. This does not discount Jews. Quite the contrary. Paul actually assumes that followers of Jesus from Judah (Jews) and the other tribes of Israel are spiritually indigenous to our faith. The rest of us Gentiles are migrants, grafted in. The new people of God are a blended solution brought together by the New Covenant written with the blood of Christ. Though we are a vast field of gospel cultivars with many differences, questions, perspectives on Scripture and experiences of God, we are one body (to switch metaphors), each part worthy of great honour. There is no place for damaging detachment.

May Gods peace and mercy be upon us all as we co-create New Creation, and #stayonmission.

Arohanui ki a koutou e haere ana ki te ao (love to you all as you go into the world).




New Perspectives on Apostle Paul at Virtual Spring Symposium This Month NEWS PROVIDED BY

Biblical Archaeology Society

April 19, 2024



WASHINGTON, April 19, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Biblical Archaeology Society, publisher of Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR), a consumer magazine, will host its second annual symposium via Zoom on Saturday, April 27 from 1-5:45 pm Eastern. "New Perspectives on Paul" will offer live talks from leading Bible scholars and archaeologists: David Clausen, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, has published the most comprehensive study yet on the traditional location of the Last Supper.



"Did Paul Preach a Law-Free Gospel?" Paul either taught, or was accused of teaching, a "law-free" gospel. This implied, among other things, that the Torah, and the covenant associated with it, was no longer in force. But is this an accurate summary of the message of the historical Paul? Did Paul announce that, with the coming of Christ, the covenants between God and Israel were no longer in effect?



Pamela Eisenbaum, Iliff School of Theology, is one of four Jewish New Testament scholars teaching in Christian theological schools.



"Reading Paul as a Jew" Paul, a Jew, abandoned his fellow Jews and Jewish practice once he devoted himself to Christat least that is the common view. In the last half century, however, a small number of scholars have collectively formulated a different paradigm, now referred to as "Paul-within-Judaism." These scholars have a different starting point for Paul's letters that helps get history right and which has benefits for today's Jews and Jewish-Christian relations.



Ben Witherington, III, Asbury Theological Seminary, is one of the world's top evangelical scholars.



"Paul within Judaism?" Witherington will argue that Paul was a radical Jew who believed Jesus was the Jewish messiah, and who also believed Jesus was the Lord of both Jews and Gentilesand that his Gospel was for them both. Paul believed Jew and Gentile united in Christ was the fulfillment of God's plan of creating a saved people. The lecture will also chronicle why some models of Paul within Judaism simply do not come to grips with the radical nature of Paul's thought.



Mark Goodacre, Duke University, will moderate and give attendees the chance to share their own questions and comments with the presenters. Registration for this event is $99 through April 25, 2024. Or save $20 with a BAS All-Access Membership.



To register online, go to biblicalarchaeology.org/sym2.



The Biblical Archaeology Society founded in 1974 is the premier nonprofit educational organization that bridges academics in the archaeology of the Holy Land to a global lay audience.



SOURCE Biblical Archaeology Society



CONTACT: Peter Megginson, 202-364-3300 ext. 424



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Turkiye, China look to expand cooperation at economic forum

Xinhua) 08:56, April 19, 2024

People attend the 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum in Istanbul, Turkiye, on April 18, 2024. The 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum opened here on Thursday with representatives exploring ways to promote bilateral trade ties and expand cooperation in more fields. (Photo by Safar Rajabov/Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum opened here on Thursday with representatives exploring ways to promote bilateral trade ties and expand cooperation in more fields.

Chinese Ambassador to Turkiye Liu Shaobin and business representatives from both countries, including Chinese tech firms Huawei and Xiaomi, attended the event hosted by Istanbul-based Okan University.

In his address to the forum, Liu said the two countries have seen growing bilateral economic and trade ties in recent years, showing great potential in the fields of digital economy, green economy, and new energy.

Korhan Kurdoglu, head of the China Working Group at the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), said Trkiye welcomes more investments from China, especially those that can deepen cooperation in tourism, energy, and new technology.

On the sidelines of the one-day event, company representatives from Turkiye and China held bilateral meetings to foster new partnerships.

Turkish Airlines chief executive Bilal Eksi and Cheng Xiaobo, director of Sichuan Airlines in Turkiye, hoped to offer more flights and air routes to help promote bilateral exchanges and tourism.

Turkiye and China saw robust trade and economic cooperation in recent years. In 2022, the bilateral trade volume was at 38.55 billion U.S. dollars. Last year, bilateral trade in goods grew to 43.40 billion dollars, according to official statistics.

Korhan Kurdoglu, head of the China Working Group at the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), speaks at the 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum in Istanbul, Turkiye, on April 18, 2024. The 6th Trkiye-China Economic Forum opened here on Thursday with representatives exploring ways to promote bilateral trade ties and expand cooperation in more fields. (Photo by Safar Rajabov/Xinhua)

Chinese Ambassador to Turkiye Liu Shaobin speaks at the 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum in Istanbul, Turkiye, on April 18, 2024. The 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum opened here on Thursday with representatives exploring ways to promote bilateral trade ties and expand cooperation in more fields. (Photo by Safar Rajabov/Xinhua)

People attend the 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum in Istanbul, Turkiye, on April 18, 2024. The 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum opened here on Thursday with representatives exploring ways to promote bilateral trade ties and expand cooperation in more fields. (Photo by Safar Rajabov/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Aurora UMC to host southern dinner fundraiser on April 21

AURORA  The United Methodist Church in Aurora will be hosting a community-wide southern dinner and fish fry on Sunday, April 21. The event is scheduled from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the church located at 1106 A. St.

The menu items include jambalaya, fried chicken, biscuits, red beans and rice, sweet potato pie, cornbread, barbecue ribs, fried fish and much more. Bring your appetite along with your friends and family for a relaxing meal together.

A freewill offering will go to support the churchs mission: Pediatric Cancer Action Network. PCAN provides financial grants to Nebraska families that have a child diagnosed with pediatric cancer.
CHI Health St. Francis announced Steve Schieber will be the hospitals new president starting May 12. Schieber most recently served as the chief executive officer for a four-hospital critical access region at Saint Lukes Health System in Kansas City, Missouri.

Schieber succeeds Ed Hannon, who served as president of St. Francis for seven years before retiring at the end of January, the hospital said in a release.

The edifice of St. Francis Hospital is striking but even more impressive is the commitment to excellence I found during my visit. Every member of the St. Francis family I met was excited to provide emphatic care to the Grand Island community as part of a 140-year-old legacy that has touched so many lives. I am honored to be chosen to lead a team that is motivated to provide a faith based ministry of healing for the whole person: mind, body and soul, Schieber said in the release.

Schieber graduated with honors from Northwest Missouri State University with a Masters of Business Administration. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American College of Medical Practice Executives and the former president of the Missouri Hospital Association (North District). Hes also served on numerous community boards.

My wife, Kittie Jane, and I are thrilled to join the Grand Island community. We love the wide breadth of services available in the town that still maintains the personal warmness that we enjoy. It is exciting to see the progress the community continues to make and we look forward to being a part of this dynamic growth, Schieber said.

We are excited to welcome Steven to St. Francis. He already embraces our rich heritage and dedication to improving the health of our region. With more than 25 years in health care leadership, he will do great things for our community and the continuation of our mission to heal all, especially those who are most vulnerable, Kiley Grzywa, vice president of Patient Care Services, said in the release.
Malaysia to cut down on petrol subsidies this year

By Vietnam News Agency Fri, April 19, 2024 | 5:36 pm GMT+7

Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli has announced that the country will reduce petrol subsidies this year to narrow its fiscal deficit.

The minister revealed that the government is currently on track to concentrate its aid on helping the poor and manage the sequence of the reduction.

Malaysian Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli. Photo courtesy of malaymail.com.

Malaysia's MYR hit near its lowest level in 26 years since the 1998 Asian financial crisis. The currency has depreciated by about 4% since the start of 2024 and was hovering near its lowest level since the Asian financial crisis of 1998.

Malaysia is currently subsidising most of its fuel and cooking oil prices, putting a strain on the Southeast Asian nation's budget. The government plans to narrow the budget deficit from 5% of GDP in 2023 to 4.3% this year. If successful, the government will save up to 2 billion USD a year and switch to direct distribution to the poor.

The country intended to phase out blanket subsidies for RON95 fuel, which is the most widely used and economical gasoline variant, which constituted the majority of the 81 billion MYR (16.9 billion USD) spent on subsidies last year.
Mekong Delta province okays $3.1 bln LNG-to-power plants plan

By Tri Duc Fri, April 19, 2024 | 9:14 pm GMT+7

Vietnams Mekong Delta province of Long An has approved implementation plans for the Long An 1 and Long An 2 LNG-to-power plant project, aiming for commercial operations from June 2028 and June 2031, respectively.

Long An authorities have asked relevant parties to complete preparations for construction and sign an EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contract for the project in Q3/2024.

They affirmed the move aims to bring the Long An 1 and Long An 2 power plants, along with their gas pipeline facilities and power grids, into operation per the prime ministers approval.

Long An authorities grant an investment certificate for the Long An 1 and Long An 2 LNG-to-power plant project in Long An province, southern Vietnam, March 21, 2021. Photo courtesy of Long An newspaper.

In March 2021, Long An province granted an investment certificate to VinaCapital GS Energy Pte.Ltd. The firm was established by VinaCapital, one of the largest investment management companies in Vietnam, and GS Energy, the energy unit of South Korean chaebol GS Group.

The two plants, with a combined investment of $3.13 billion and a capacity of 3,000 MW, are located in Can Giuoc district. The project, Vietnams first approved conversion from coal-firing to LNG-firing, is included in the country's latest Power Development Plan VIII (PDP VIII).

In June 2023, Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank), VinaCapital, and GS Energy inked a memorandum of understanding to finance the project. The signing took place on the sidelines of the Vietnam-Korea Business Forum held in Hanoi during the three-day state visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.

In December 2023, the Government Inspectorate pointed out that Long An authorities had shown lax management that led to violations in the management and use of land and investment in solar power and LNG-fired thermal power plants.

The inspectors concluded that although the power plants had their investment plans approved in 2021, their developer VinaCapital GS Energy Pte. Ltd had failed to make a deposit or bank guarantee on the deposit obligation at a rate of 1% of the project's total investment capital, equivalent to $31.2 million.
Thailand, EU hope to sign FTA in mid-2025

By Vietnam News Agency Fri, April 19, 2024 | 5:35 pm GMT+7

Before the Songkran holiday, senior officials from Thailand and the European Union (EU) met in Bangkok to discuss ways to promote their relationship, including the framework of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), green transformation, and Schengen visa waiver, Thai media has reported.

According to the Bangkok Post, if everything goes as planned, Thailand and the EU could sign a free trade agreement by mid-2025, another example of the EU's increasing engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

The flag of the EU (left) and the flag of Thailand. Photo courtesy of the EU.

Thailand is considered Europe's strategic hub. The EU wants to use Thailand, the Southeast Asian region's second-largest economy, as a gateway to promote trade and investment in the broader region.

Now after almost a decade, the two sides agreed to jump-start the negotiation process. Six months after the March 2019 election, the EU normalised ties with Thailand. But it was in March 2023 that Thailand and the EU agreed to relaunch negotiations for "an ambitious, modern and balanced FTA, with sustainability at its core.

The first round of renewed talks was held in September in Brussels, followed by another round in Bangkok in early January. For the rest of this year, two additional rounds are planned, in Brussels in June and in Bangkok in September.

It is hoped that by the year-end, the two sides will be able to iron out the nitty gritty in all the legal documents so a deal can be signed by 2025.

In 2023, the EU was Thailand's fourth largest trading partner after China, Japan, and the US, with total two-way trade amounting to 41.6 billion USD.

Last year, Thailand's exports to the EU hit 21.8 billion USD, while its imports from the EU were valued at 19.8 billion USD.|

Among ASEAN members, Thailand is one of the most important destinations for European investments. In 2022, investment reached 42 billion USD. The EU is the second largest investor in Thailand after Japan
Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmacks message of "Elevation and Transformation" was on full display Thursday, April 18, during the launch of a historic partnership with Ohio Wesleyan University.

Warmack and OWU President Matt vandenBerg, Ed.D., signed a sister school memorandum of agreement to establish one of the most comprehensive collaborations between a historically Black university and a predominantly white institution.

"This expansive partnership will enhance academic, research and global studies opportunities for students and faculty at these two exceptional liberal arts universities," Warmack said.

"As sister institutions, we have several commonalities, most notably our affiliation with the United Methodist Church, our commitment to academic excellence and our advocacy of diversity and inclusion.

"We also embrace integrating STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) throughout our liberal arts curriculum to prepare students for career opportunities in the 21st-century global economy. We are immensely excited to launch this partnership, which will provide mutual benefits for Claflin University and Ohio Wesleyan University," said Warmack, who is attending vandenBerg's April 19 inauguration ceremony.

Ohio Wesleyan and Claflin Ohio Wesleyan University President Matt vandenBerg and Claflin President Dwaun J. Warmack display the memorandum of agreement.

Claflin has been ranked a Top 10 HBCU by U.S. News and World Report for 13 consecutive years. U.S. News and World Report also placed the university in its top 10 among top performers in the social mobility category -- a measurement for colleges and universities that enroll and graduate a significant number of students who receive Pell Grants. At Claflin, these students earn degrees that prepare them for professional careers or to continue their education in graduate school.

Claflin's annual alumni giving percentage of more than 40% is the highest for all HBCUs and places the university among the leaders at all colleges and universities. Money.com named Claflin a Best College, and the school has a 79% student retention rate.

Claflin Panther editor is SC Collegiate Journalist of Year Tyuanna Ty Williams, editor of Claflin Universitys student newspaper, The Panther, on Friday received the South Carolina Press Association Collegiate Divisions highest individual honor, S.C. Collegiate Journalist of the Year for colleges and universities with under 5,000 enrollment.

"It is truly extraordinary that our two venerable institutions have come together and pledged to change the world for our students, faculty, staff and respective communities," vandenBerg said. "Our path-breaking agreement creates a foundation for innovative and life-changing work that will transform the educational experiences we provide, enrich the work of our faculty and staff, and unlock untold potential to solve vexing societal challenges. We are immensely grateful to our partners at Claflin for their shared commitment and vision."

Founded in 1842, Ohio Wesleyan is also one of the nation's premier liberal arts universities. Through its signature experience, the OWU Connection, Ohio Wesleyan teaches students to understand issues from multiple academic perspectives, volunteer in service to others, build a diverse and global perspective, and translate classroom knowledge into real-world experience through internships, research, and other hands-on learning.

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Specifics of the new agreement will include the formation of an advisory board with representatives  including students, faculty and staff  to help guide the work. Building an alliance through the lens of equity, justice and community service, the advisory board will explore collaborations spanning multiple areas, including:

Faculty exchange opportunities.

Student exchange opportunities, including study-away programs and OWU Connection experiences.

Shared international collaborations in Africa and elsewhere.

Joint research projects.

Joint initiatives in entrepreneurship and service, including collaborations that empower students to create positive social change and promote economic development in their local communities.

Professional development, including opportunities for faculty to collaborate to identify and implement best practices in teaching and learning.

Marybeth Gasman, Ph.D, founder of the Center for Minority Serving Institutions at Rutgers University, said many colleges and universities are interested in creating sister school agreements, but the Ohio Wesleyan-Claflin agreement is one of the most comprehensive she has seen.

"What I really like about this agreement is that it is equitable, thoughtful, and forward-thinking," said Gasman, who also serves as the Samuel DeWitt Proctor endowed chair in education and a distinguished professor at Rutgers.

"Presidents vandenBerg and Warmack are working together on a global scale to solve problems in innovative and research-focused ways. What could be better for either campus? This is exciting, and I hope other 'sister' school agreements will pop up all over the country."

As part of the new agreement, Ohio Wesleyan and Claflin immediately committed to building their strong sister school relationship through continuous innovation and exploration.
The Orangeburg County Legislative Delegation wants the county to ensure former schools can still be used as polling places.

The delegation is asking the county to require towns and groups to allow voting in buildings that they are given.

Orangeburg County Council: OCtech receiving classrooms in Holly Hill Orangeburg County Council has approved the renovation of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control building in Holly Hill to make classroom space for Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College.

The people will want to continue to vote where they have always voted, but that doesn't necessarily mean that that local unit of government will agree, said Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg.

Cobb-Hunter says she doesnt know what may happen.

The last thing we want is for voters level of comfort, having voted somewhere for 40 years, to all of a sudden be changed at the whim of a local unit of government, she said.

The delegation voted earlier this month to ask Orangeburg County to maintain polling places during negotiations over giving old schools to towns or other entities.

The motion was retroactive to those towns or organizations that have already taken over former school buildings that have served as polling places.

Cobb-Hunter joined in making the motion with Sen. Vernon Stephens, D-Bowman, and Rep. Lonnie Hosey, D-Barnwell.

Sen. Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg; Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-Bamberg, and Rep. Russell Ott, D-St. Matthews, were not in attendance at the meeting.

Orangeburg County Voter Registration and Elections Director Aurora Smalls said currently the former Rivelon Elementary and Nix Elementary schools are closed but are still used as voting precincts. The county maintains both buildings.

Smalls she is also keeping an eye on other planned school closings, such as Brookdale Elementary, and its impact on voting precincts.

She said another building that has served as a precinct has been the Orangeburg County Council on Aging building on St. Matthews Road.

The agency is planning to move to a new Willington Drive location in the near future, leaving the current building vacant.

Smalls said the county still owns the building, but shes unsure if its vacancy will have any impact on how the building is maintained.

Voting changes

In other matters, Smalls said there will only be two changes for voters heading into the June primary.

One will be that voters in North 2 will be voting at the North Community Room at 8391 North Road. Voters had previously voted at Aiken Electric Cooperative at 8381 North Road.

Smalls said the new voting location is right next door to the existing one, so voters should not have difficulties finding the new location.

The delegation unanimously authorized the county's voter registration office to change the location of the precinct.

Smalls said she does plan to change the early voting site to the old library at 510 Louis Street because of the parking and congestion issues at the county administration building.

Other election matters

Stephens asked Smalls if voters have received updated voter cards in light of the latest redistricting.

Smalls said she will be sending out new cards prior to the June primary for early voting and absentee voting.

I am trying to get the cards sent out as soon as possible, Smalls said. Early voting does not start until May. I want to try to make sure we get cards out this month.

Smalls assured Stephens that voters will receive the correct ballots if they are voting absentee.

All the changes have been made already, Smalls said.

Cobb-Hunter asked if there have been any discussions about the fear poll workers have in some places.

I know it may not be happening here in Orangeburg, but it is happening other places, Cobb-Hunter said.

Smalls said discussions have been had about threats to election office workers and some directors, but not poll workers.

You have to be prepared, Smalls said. Every election, we talk about election security. We are getting prepared for that. We have not had anyone to back out because of feeling threatened.

I am not trying to frighten, but we live in a different environment now and the General Assembly is not helping that by passing legislation like allowing 18-year-olds to carry a weapon without any kind of training, Cobb-Hunter said. I am just trying to be proactive and preventive because I would hate for anything to happen.

Cobb-Hunter also asked if the state's Legislative Audit Council, which did a review of the state's election process earlier this year, found any issues with absentee ballots from Orangeburg.

Findings included a few instances of ballots cast by voters who died days before an election  though, as auditors noted, its possible they voted absentee, then died; 10 voters in prison on Election Day and a couple of hundred people who voted while on probation or parole for a felony.

Smalls said she was not aware of any findings in Orangeburg County.

Stephens asked if Smalls feels like she is being, bullied by the State Election Commission.

Smalls said she does not feel bullied by the state office.

The reason I ask it is apparent that the state has picked out those counties that they want to do an audit, that it appears that those counties have directors who are females and who are African Americans and it is in rural South Carolina, Stephens said. I see an issue there personally. I don't want you or your office to feel like they are pushing you around.

Smalls said the Legislative Audit Council is conducting audits for all counties in an effort to make sure the process is fairly done. Counties will be able to make a rebuttal of any issues with the audit reports before they are made public.

She noted being audited is nothing new.

We have always had to do an audit before any certifications, that is, just to catch any issues that may have occurred before you certify an election, Smalls said. The process is a little different, but the end goal is the same.

In other business:

 The Rev. Dr. Robert Johnson and Dr. Hayes T. Gainey Jr. requested the delegation support the continued five-year funding for the Orangeburg Regional Innovation Center.

The ORIC, which consists of eight counties, is designed to promote economic development and small businesses in rural areas of the state by working with local colleges and universities.

The lawmakers offered their support for the program, but noted the budget process in both the Senate and the House has been completed.

Cobb-Hunter told the men that the General Assembly can only obligate funding on an annual basis and not for a five-year period. She also asked the men to send the delegation documentation on what the organization has done, which will make it easier to advocate for them in the future.

 Harvey Elwood Jr., operator of New Perspectives Media in Orangeburg, requested the delegation support the station's efforts to start a television channel.

Elwood said the station is currently broadcasting on Channel 99 through AT&T and covers Orangeburg, Calhoun, Bamberg, Dorchester, Richland and parts of Lexington County.

Currently the station is showing Sanford and Son, Different World, Diffrent Strokes and Benson. He said local government meetings are also being broadcast.

 The delegation unanimously reappointed and appointed several members to the county's Voter Registration and Elections Commission; Tri-County Drug & Alcohol Commission and the Orangeburg County First Steps Board.

 The delegation voted to revise the application requirements for those wanting to serve on county boards and commissions. The revision includes the removal of church affiliation.

What about somebody who wants to serve who doesn't go to church? Cobb-Hunter said. Let's not mix church and state if we could.

 The delegation voted to create a Facebook page that will be maintained by the delegation's secretary.

 Stephens thanked the Medical University of South Carolina Health-Orangeburg for the care it gave to his wife on Easter Sunday. He said the hospital saw his wife and determined she had a brain hemorrhage and transported her to Charleston in about 45 minutes.

Stephens said his wife has no cognitive or motor skill impairment.

 The next scheduled meeting of the delegation is Monday, July 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the Orangeburg County Council Chambers at 1437 Amelia Street in Orangeburg.
Employers are being reminded that non-compliance with the recent minimum wage increases is a breach of the law.





Dr. Ralph Gonsalves disclosed on radio on April 17 that not all employers were complying with the minimum wage law.





Finance Minister Camillo Gonsalves announced in this years Budget address that minimum wage would increase for a wide section of workers in the country, setting a minimum of EC$1,000 per month or EC$50 per day,





The new wages took effect for most workers on March 01, 2024, with the exception of workers in Pre-Schools and Nursing Homes which came into effect on April 01, 2024.





"And I am urging the tiny majority who are not complying to do so, Gonsalves appealed.





The prime minister said that he contacted the Labour Commissioner and the Labour Department after he had received reports that some retail clothing stores in Kingstown were not complying with the new set of wages, which came into effect on March 1, 2024.





So too, he said, he had received information that a particular private sector enterprise offering medical services were not complying with the minimum wage law.





"And I called someone involved and they told me that that was not the case, but I said check it out because I get the information, he said.





The new wages were the law of the land and Gonsalves said that he was urging all employers to comply.

He advised workers that the best way to ensure compliance was for them to inform the Labour Department or get the message through one of the ministers of government, or the office of the Prime Minister, whenever they felt they were being denied what was rightfully theirs.
The United Nations Security Council has expressed "concern about the possible escalation of tensions between Guyana and Venezuela as the two countries continue to claim ownership of the Essequibo region.





According to a statement issued by the Guyana government, the members of the Security Council expressed their concern about the possible escalation of tensions between Venezuela and Guyana.





"They urged the parties to exercise maximum restraint, reminding them of their obligations to comply with the Order of Provisional Measures issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 1 December 2023.





The statement said that the Security Council also underlined the importance of maintaining regional peace and security and ensuring that the Latin America and Caribbean region remains a Zone of Peace.





"In this regard, it commended regional efforts which resulted in the conclusion of the Declaration of Peace and Dialogue of Argyle of 14 December 2023 in which Guyana and Venezuela, inter alia, agreed that any controversy between the two states will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement of 1966.





The statement said that the Security Council also "urged the parties to resolve their differences through peaceful means and to uphold their obligations under international law and the United Nations Charter. They also stressed the importance of regional actors playing a facilitating role in easing the tensions.





The UN Security Council met in private last Tuesday to discuss the recent developments regarding the territorial dispute at the request of Guyanas President, President Irfaan Ali in an April 5 letter he had submitted to the Council.





In the letter requesting the meeting, Ali cited the "Organic Law for the Defence of Guayana Esequiba, which President Nicolas Maduro signed on April 3.





Ali warned that this action "cements Venezuelas intent to annex more than two-thirds of Guyanas sovereign territory and make it part of Venezuela.




A Council tasked with filling a leadership vacuum in Haiti and restoring a semblance of order was formally established Friday in the Caribbean nation, which has been rocked by an explosion of gang violence. (Photo source: Al Jazeera)

A decree in Haitis official gazette "Le Moniteur announced last week Friday, April 12, that a Transitional Ruling Council (TRC) was finalized, to try to bring political stability to a country wracked by escalating gang violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis.





As it stands, however, the TRC must first be sworn in at the National Palace in downtown Port-au-Prince, the capital, which is controlled by a coalition of armed gangs since it launched an offensive in late February, destroying police stations and government offices, looting banks and hospitals and killing and kidnapping hundreds of people.





Because of this, the selection of the TRC members was delayed after several names were withdrawn out of safety fears or because ethical issues had become a concern.





Council named





Notwithstanding the uneasiness and uncertainty in Haiti, the TRC was composed of seven voting members and two non-voting observers and named the persons so selected.





All of this comes amidst one gang leader, Jimmy Barbeque Cherizier, threatening to attack anyone who signed on to the new government, describing the transition as an illegitimate concoction of Haitis corrupt political system.





"Cut off their heads and burn down their houses, he told his gang members, using what some Haitian say is a 19th-century war cry for Haitian independence.





While the installation of the council is widely considered to be a positive step, many challenges remain, experts say.





"Will it have the capacity to silence the guns of the armed men? asked Robert Fatton, a Haitian-born political scientist at the University of Virginia. "How can it be installed safely, and how can it start governing in an environment of widespread insecurity?





Some Haitians have questioned the councils constitutional legitimacy, and protesters tried to prevent the official announcement from being printed on Thursday at the offices of Le Moniteur, the official state bulletin.





The task of the TRC





The TRC, hashed out in Jamaica last month by CARICOM, along with the United States, France and Canada after it became clear that acting Prime Minister Mr. Ariel Henry would no longer be able to govern Haiti, is tasked with restoring law and order.





This includes appointing an acting prime minister to head a new government that will pave the way for election of a new president.





Haiti has not held elections since 2016 and has been without a president since Jovenel Moise was assassinated in 2021.





Close to collapse





The United Nations human rights office reported this month that more than 1,500 people had been killed in Haiti so far this year, the result of what it described as a "cataclysmic situation in the country.





"Entire families, including children, were executed while others were burned alive, said Philippe Branchat, Acting UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti in a statement last week Thursday.





Corruption, impunity and poor governance, together with increasing levels of gang violence, have brought the Caribbean nations state institutions "close to collapse, the agency said.





Local humanitarian agencies have also reported a shortage of food and fuel after the capitals main port was shut down.





The World Food Program said that Haiti was suffering its worst levels of food insecurity on record after gangs took over farmlands and blocked the roads in and out of the capital, extorting buses and trucks delivering goods.




The two billboards at the entrance of capital Kingstown that were defaced (burnt) sometime during the early morning hours of Monday 15th April, 2024.

Not for the first time, election-related billboards erected by the Unity Labour Party (ULP) have been defaced, burned to be exact.





The billboards in question have stood in position before and after the general elections of November 05, 2020, in an open plot of land near to the Stoplight Restaurant and Bar, at the entrance to Frenches.





Leader of the ULP Dr. Ralph Gonsalves addressed the issue when speaking on the WE.FM radio programme Issue at Hand last Sunday.





First to begin with, Dr. Gonsalves addressed those who have been calling for the removal of the billboards on the grounds that it is illegal to have them standing after the general elections.





The billboards were erected before the November 05, 2020 general election and have remained in that position since.





They are strategically placed at the entrance to capital Kingstown, and as Dr. Gonsalves stated categorically, "they are not on public property but on private property.





He also stated that there is no law that disallows the erection of billboards after elections.





He did, however, qualify the rules governing election billboard saying that it is the responsibility of those who erect the billboard to ensure they are covered on Election Day, if the billboard is erected near a polling station.

With tongue in cheek, the ULP leader affirmed that there was no evidence to suggest that the opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) had anything to do with the defacing of the billboards.





And he questioned rhetorically, whether any member of the ULP would burn their own billboard.





"Nobody who supports the ULP will burn their own billboards, he declared.





And while he was adamant that nobody in or who supports the ULP will burn their own billboards, he shared with tongue in cheek that "there is no evidence that anyone connected with the New Democratic Party burned the billboards. You cant say that they hired somebody to do it or that anybody supporting them did it on their own accord or with the approval of the New Democratic Party. Im not saying that anybody who is supporting the NDP did the burning, but Im stating what we can reasonably present as facts and evidence.





Disclosing that the burning took place in the early morning after the ULP celebration rally last Sunday, Dr. Gonsalves said this might well be a coincidence but "reasonable people can draw their own conclusions.
The whale caught in Bequia last Tuesday, is the first since a catch in 2023.

Photo Source: St. Vincent Times





Bequias very own Calypsonian legend J Gool paid tribute to famed (whale) harpooner Athneal Ollivierre from the Grenadines Island of Bequia, declaring him to be "..the greatest whaler man.





Athneal Ollivierre passed away on July 04, 2000, in La Pompe, Bequia, at his home which, in keeping with the measure of the man, faced the sea.





But Athneals legacy lives on, albeit amidst a debate on whether the tradition of whale catching and slaughtering should be allowed to continue.





That said, last Tuesday, April 16, Athneals son, Brian Bruce Ollivierre, who inherited his fathers role as harpooner, led a crew on the whaler Perseverance and struck a large, female whale off Spring Bay, in the north of Bequia. This catch followed one in March, 2023.





Reports are that Brian had to strike the whale twice before gaining control of the giant mammal.





The whale was measured at forty-four feet six inches long, twenty-two feet wide, and had a tail that was twelve (12) feet wide.





Residents across the island of Bequia were elated by the catch.





As referenced the whaling tradition has found itself at loggerheads with those who want to promote a whale-watching industry.





But, the International Whaling Commissions Aboriginal Whaling Provision (IWC  AWP) permits St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) to continue whaling, recognizing that indigenous or aboriginal subsistence whaling is not the same as commercial whaling. Aboriginal whaling does not seek to maximize catches or profit as obtains in Japan.





In accordance with the IWC  AWP, St. Vincent and the Grenadines has an annual quota of four whales.

Notwithstanding this protocol, whalers in SVG have locked horns with the St Vincent and the Grenadines Preservation Fund, which spearheads a movement to stop the practice of whale catching in SVG, and replace it with an organsied whale watching industry.





It is recalled that in 2019 when a 44-foot 11-inch whale was caught on Bequia and many resident celebrated the successful catch, Director of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Preservation Fund - Louise Mitchell-Joseph said in a public statement that she was saddened by the catch.





Mitchell-Joseph, who was then also chairman of the St Vincent and the Grenadines National Trust, said the Preservation Fund had secured funding to sensitize the whaling community of the seven-square-mile island (Bequia), to the benefits of whale watching and conservation.





But, according to Edwin Snagg, at the time Director of Grenadines Affairs and St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) Commissioner to the International Whaling Commission (IWC), "whaling in SVG is aboriginal, cultural and historical and cannot be stopped at the snap of a finger.





"I dont think we are in a position at this time to engage in whale watching because even though we have a quota of four whales per annum, over the years, we have not been catching four whales and the fact that has been happening, is an indication that we dont see them. So, if we dont see them, would you tell me what is there to watch? Snagg told journalists in 2019.
(TBTCO) - Trong 10-15 nam qua, Viet Nam a co muc tang truong kinh te chua tung co. en nam nay, GDP 9 thang tang 6,82%, minh chung nen kinh te Viet Nam a phuc hoi va quay tro lai quy ao tang truong nhu truoc ai dich Covid-19.
A father yesterday called for police officers to be trained to handle people with mental health conditions, after his son was shot and killed by a municipal officer on Friday afternoon.

He needed help and they kill him, Cleophas Noel said of his son, Elijah Noel.

Cleophas said Elijah, 20, was schizophrenic.
Question:

I have noticed ads on social media about a green card lottery. Is this an official programme?

Answer:

The green card lottery, officially known as the Diversity Visa Program, is an annual immigration programme implemented under US law. Through the programme 50,000 immigrant visas are allocated randomly to people from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Individuals born in Trinidad and Tobago are eligible to enter.
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The comforting taste of coffee has always brought Natalia Chappotins family together.

Since she was six years old, shes been drinking coffee  making cozy drinks from the Moka pot her father brought from Cuba.

A cup of coffee and a pastry is how the night ends after a family get-together, sipping on the rich drink while they reminisce on the fun they had.

They even have coffee and plant days, where they grab coffee and do some plant shopping.

With how big a role coffee plays in her family and culture, it was only a matter of time before Chappotin shared her love for the bold, smooth drink with the community.

Parked outside EcoGro sits Chappopin Cafe, a bright blue trailer where Chappotin serves up delicious concoctions inspired by her Latin culture.

There's not a lot of Latin culture coffees here, Chappotin said. I know when I go to Phoenix and California, they're everywhere, but I don't I feel like I can't get any here.

For years, Chappotin managed companies for a living, but once she paid off her car, she knew she wanted to look into buying a trailer in hopes of making her cafe dream come true.

She was able to buy a former taco trailer, feeling like buying a used truck would be a good luck charm. After lots of hard work and renovations, Chappotin was able to transform the trailer that was once used to cook up carne asada into her own mobile cafe.

I thought, oh, I'm going to put my coffee machine in there and I'm going to be ready to open no way, Chappotin said. Since I took the kitchen out, I had to be like an architect and draw every single thing in that truck. I felt like a contractor.

With the turquoise trailer ready to hit the road, all Chappotin needed was a name. Inspiration came from a mistake the United States government made in 2014.

The government messed up my last name, Chappotin said. For the longest time, I had to spell my name like Chappopin. I just got into the habit of spelling it like that and I said, well, this is really catchy. I'm going to run with it. So every time I would celebrate, I'd be like, oh, it's Chappopin time.

On Dec. 23 last year, Chappopin Cafe hit the town and had their first event. To help fellow small business Anitas Street Market raise money to keep their doors open, they parked their trailer in Barrio Anita and passed out free hot chocolate to kids.

Months after their first event, Chappopin Cafe was able to find their new home, which is another nod to Chappotins family. On Saturdays and Sundays, the cafe can be found at EcoGro, located at 657 W. St. Marys Road, so customers can grab an iced latte and shop for some plants, just like her family loves to do.

The owner just inspires me, he's had that location for 10 years, Chappotin said. I found this place I follow on Instagram and I showed him. I'm like, look, it's coffee and plants, let's build off each other. Plus, when people buy plants, they're not in a bad mood. Theyre happy.

With an espresso machine and Tucson Coffee Roaster beans, Chappotin is able to create silky lattes intertwined with Latin flavors. Along with her vanilla, hazelnut and caramel lattes, she also combines espresso with the cinnamony goodness of horchata, creating a sweet and creamy latte.

Another one of Chappotins staple drinks is her cafe de olla, which is a traditional Mexican drink where you combine ground coffee, cinnamon and dark brown sugar in a clay pot. Just like the horchata latte, you get a nice cinnamon flavor that feels like a giant hug when you take a sip. Chappotin describes it as dessert in a cup.

My boyfriend is actually from Nogales, Mexico and his grandma has this olla and she's had it for 30 years, Chappotin said. When she found out I was going to open my own coffee shop she gave it to me.

Along with her regular menu, Chappotin will also be creating new specialty drinks every month. Right now, she is featuring her Sol drink, which is Jarritos orange soda with an espresso shot topped with cold foam.

She also created Frida, a drink inspired by famous Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. For this drink, she melts Abuelita chocolate with an espresso shot, adding vanilla and lavender for an extra kick. To top it all off, she adds edible flowers as a nod to Frida Kahlos colorful style.

It's really fun, Chappotin said. At first, it was stressful. I didn't know how important it was to move your grinder around to make sure your beans are coming out proper and weighing every shot. It's like you're a chemist in there.

Right now, Chappopin Cafe is only open on the weekends since Chappotin works during the week, but her goal for this year is to serve coffee as her full-time job. For now, shes going to continue to infuse Latin flavors into her coffee, taking her customers on a flavorful journey one sip at a time.
The undecided

To eager Trump supporters: stop reading now. To those who know how destructive and dangerous he is: you can stop too (you know this stuff). To the undecided: consider the choices  not voting, voting 3rd party, siding with Trump, or continuing with Biden. Trump will support repression of womens reproductive rights, lies in place of truth, egocentric decisions based on his personality disorder, chaos, and a repressive government with more religion-based policies (not necessarily your religion), as well as support for dictators across the globe.

A vote for a third-party candidate, write-in, or not voting may be essentially a vote for Trump. Biden has produced a steady hand, rational policies, relief of school debt, a thriving economy, and moral guidance against autocrats like Putin. Dont be fooled by higher gas prices  Biden isnt responsible!

Which side are you on?

Norman Epstein

Midtown

Shame, shame, shame

The Republican-led Legislature enacted a 2.5% income tax that benefits the wealthy. Then they discovered a flat tax severely restricts the general funds available to meet the needs of their constituents. They expanded the unaccountable school voucher program that siphons funds intended for district public schools. Then they discovered ESAs will cost the state more than they budgeted further depriving the 90% of students who attend public schools. They passed a 15-week abortion ban. Then they discovered an 1864 conflicting total ban they failed to repeal and refuse to repeal today. (Of course, their daughters have the means to leave the state for reproductive healthcare.)

When mature people make mistakes, they take responsibility and fix their errors. Irresponsible people call a recess and try to pretend that they have not sold the voters short with long-term consequences for the majority of us. Its way past time to vote them out! November cannot come soon enough.

Judi Moreillon

Northeast side

President for all  not just Catholics

Re: the April 12 letter "Biden, the 'cafeteria' Catholic."

I would like to share common knowledge about the office. The President is the President for all Americans. He is not in office to invoke his personal religious beliefs on the American people, he is there to lead, and in doing so, must respect the varying views of the American people. I am a Christian, and I am very proud to be one, but I know that part of my ability to practice my religious beliefs relies on the fact that Americans are free to practice (or not practice) their religion. I want my President to respect that, which Biden does. You can call him a "cafeteria" Catholic if you would like, but at least he realizes he is in a "kitchen" where many different foods are desired. Remember  America is not a theocracy.

Terri Hicks

Northwest side

ACC negligence, liability

Although our governments monitor and mandate reduction in damaging motor vehicle emissions, why doesnt our Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), that is provided with the legal responsibility and authority to protect the Publics interests, act to require that our electric utilities avoid greenhouse gas emissions that cause much greater damages for decades?

Recent domestic and international legal proceedings have affirmed the science of climate change and confirmed that governments have human rights obligations when it comes to addressing climate change.

As there are solutions available, shouldnt Commissioners be held personally responsible for the avoidable damages charged to captive ratepayers, taxpayers, local governments?

Why doesnt our AZ Residential Utility Consumer Office and Legislature funded by taxpayers act to compel the ACC to quickly AVOID damages?

It is not acceptable for our governments to provide monopolies and greater tangible value to electric utility shareholders than they do ratepayers/taxpayers.

Terry Finefrock

Foothills

Biden's bribe to

President Obrador

In December, President Biden dispatched Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary of DHS Mayorkas and White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall to Mexico to meet with President Lopez Obrador. In December, a historic 250,000 foreign nationals were apprehended by the Border Patrol entering the country illegally. They went to discuss "irregular immigration," aka "illegal immigration." What transpired at the meeting was essentially a bribe from Biden to Obrador. Telling him that the border situation could cost Biden's re-election. If Obrador helped to reduce the numbers of people entering from Mexico, then Biden, in his next term, would do legalization and citizenship for millions of Mexican nationals illegally here in America. CBS reported that Blinken and Obrador discussed "legal pathways for migrants, a strong intersecting interest between President Biden and President Lopez Obrador." Since then, Mexico has placed their military along the border and Border Patrol apprehensions are down to about 135,000 a month. Biden's motivation here was political, getting re-elected, not border security concerns.

Linda Kelly

East side

Reject territorial mandate

The recent spectacle exhibited by a cluster of magically thinking state lawmakers, kneeling on the Senate floor and babbling in tongues in hopes of summoning providential intervention on behalf of their anti-abortion agenda, should serve perfectly to fix in the collective consciousness the image of Arizona as a bona fide backwater.

No doubt these single-minded religious ideologues felt that their importuning had gotten through when the similarly disposed Arizona Supreme Court unceremoniously relegated half of Arizonas citizens to the 19th century by ruling that territorial law supersedes 21st century rationalism.

Thanks to the advent of statehood, womens suffrage and modernism generally, weve evolved well beyond such glaring primitivism and must reject this draconian retreat into the past. By enacting the Arizona Abortion Access initiative we can shed this stigma of provincialism and assert the true will of the majority over the dictates of a handful of religious zealots.

If you havent already, please sign the abortion rights petition and vote for equality in November.

Robert Gavlak

Midtown

Bragg's politically

motivated case

Just as Democrat Leticia James ran for the NYAG position promising to "get" Trump, Democrat Alvin Bragg did the same in running for Manhattan District Attorney. After winning, he proceeded to charge Trump with 31 felony counts related to hush money paid by then Trump's attorney Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels in 2016, eight years ago. Cohen, who has a federal conviction for lying to Congress, is a star prosecution witness. A new Associated Press poll reflects a only 1 in 3 respondents believed Trump did something illegal in this case. The USDOJ had investigated Trump over the payments and declined to prosecute. Bragg took what was a misdemeanor case and inflated it into 31 felonies. Trump will likely be convicted by a jury comprised of a Democrat judge and jury, who despise him. This was a politically motivated persecution of Trump timed to interfere in the upcoming election, and to get the pound of flesh that hate-filled Democrats so desperately crave for in "getting" Trump.

Mary Ann Starman

North side

Mayor Romero, thanks

for fixing the roads!

Re: the April 16 letter "Mayor Romero, fix the roads!"

Short and succinct. The City of Tucson has a tool for reporting street maintenance issues. It has worked for me. And now the tool has been upgraded that makes it even simpler. You can use the 311 service request portal on the City of Tucson website or call 311 or download the Tucson 311 app. Over the past several years, all issues have been resolved. Yes, we have a quality street maintenance department!

Kay Davis

Southwest side

Middle East insanity

Israel bombing the Iranian consular building in Damascus brings an act of retaliation by Iran firing missiles at Israel. We wait to see what Israel does to Iran to exact revenge. What insanity! If the United States steps in because of its unbridled defense of Israel, who knows where that will lead. More insanity!

Instead of making peaceful progress in the Middle East, the chances of the Hamas-Israeli war leading to a wider regional war are escalating. The intransigence of Israel because of its apartheid policies toward the Palestinian forgoes any hope of peace in the former Palestine. Things must change!

The philosophy of Zionism establishing an exclusive Jewish state is not working. The continuous encroaching on and seizure of Palestinian land is not only a deterrent to peace but is a violation of international law.

What will it take for all sides to lay down their arms (most supplied by the U.S.) and come to the negotiating table before the insanity stops?

Fred Abood

Green Valley

Pedestrians, bicyclists

also culpable

Re: the April 14 letter "Tucson still deadly for pedestrians."

I encountered three pedestrians who were walking in the road yesterday. One was walking slowly and diagonally  while texting. She never checked for a car once. Two pulled the move so many jaywalkers do: Timing their footstep to miss my back tire by a second. Bicyclists are often just as reckless. On the same trip I watched one roll through a stop sign, with both hands committed to texting. Another zipped through the 3rd Street bike path at Tucson Blvd., ignoring the red light. (Many cyclists regard this particular light as utterly optional). Minutes later, I waited to turn left into the Sprouts parking lot. Two cars were in the left turn lane before me. A cyclist casually rolled down the middle of Speedway, passed all three of us on the right, and turned left into oncoming traffic. Pedestrians and cyclists also have culpability. Citing and fining people who are reckless and unsafe would reduce accidents and deaths.

Christopher Rodarte

Midtown

2024 presidential race

The decision on who to vote for is a trifecta; which candidate is good for the country, good for the world and good for the planet.

Larry Gray

SaddleBrooke

Friendship with Trumpers

Re: the April 15 article "Questioning friendships with Trumpers."

I have always said choose wisely. If you can defend an amoral, unethical, threatening person  that shows me who you are. Do you like who you see in the mirror?

Lori Surina

Northeast side

Prezelski for Council Member Ward 6

For the second time this decade, the Mayor and Council are tasked with replacing a member who resigned before completing their term. Like last time, the council should pick someone who is pledged not to run for a full term. Let the voters of Ward 6 have their choice next year.

It will be important to put someone in that office who already knows the workings of the current council. Ted Prezelski is my choice for the seat for that very reason. He has a decade of experience with the council and understands our city.

Dianna Desborough

Southeast side

Trump lesser of

two evils?

The writer doesn't really like Trump, doesn't like his manner or his lies. Still, he's going to vote for him because Biden is just worse. Ok, I get it, some people feel that way, hold their nose and vote for Trump. Guessing Biden just got to them because of? gas prices? immigration issues? his son Hunter? his age? Dunno, could be anything.

Yes Trump is a racist, sexist, lying narcissist  but Biden is worse somehow even though he's not a lying, sexist, racist narcissist. Ok, I'll buy that much too. But here's the thing that is really wrong with Trump once you get beyond the odiousness of the man himself: he is completely unpredictable.

Now that might be a good thing if you're dribbling down the court and the defender has no idea which way you're going or which hand you'll use to shoot. But it's not a good thing (it's an existential nightmare) when you're talking about the hair triggers in world geopolitics. Reconsider your vote.

Rick Rappaport

Oro Valley

Hobbs vetoes

I'm continually heartened and impressed with Governor Hobbs' intelligent use of her veto power and the Arizona Daily Star's comprehensive reporting on the same. Her explanations of why she vetoed each bill are supported with facts. The current Legislature of Arizona is wasting time and money on nonsense. If they did due diligence they could have come up with the same conclusion Governor Hobbs did as to why we do not need the bill they proposed. I am disgusted at how little our Legislature is doing for us taxpayers. A waste of time and money. Can't wait to see this Republican group voted out. The sooner the better. The same goes for Washington.

Sharon Winderl
"Our state will never again take a back seat in education."

These words were spoken by Oklahoma Gov. Henry Bellmon 34 years ago, on April 19, 1990, after the state Senate approved the emergency clause of the landmark $230 million education funding and reform legislation, House Bill 1017.

It was a day of euphoria for Oklahoma teachers who had walked out of their classrooms and held rallies at the state Capitol for four days in support of the bill whose supporters said it would raise the states public schools from the bottom to the top in national rankings, the Tulsa World reported.

The law was expected to raise $230 million in new revenue through a half-cent state sales tax ($104 million), an increase in the individual income tax ($104 million) and a 1-percent boost in the corporate income tax ($22 million).

Following passage, teachers and students cheered and embraced. Never last again, they chanted over and over again, according to the Tulsa World story.

However, in 2018, thousands of Oklahoma teachers swarmed the Capitol for what was the largest protest of state funding for public education in recent years.
A student walks past a bench at the University of Texas at San Antonios downtown campus, home to the Valdez Institute for Economic Development. The institute added $2.6 billion to the states economy in 2023, according to a recent report. Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer The University of Texas at San Antonios downtown campus, home to the Valdez Institute for Economic Development, is seen in January 2023. The institute added $2.6 billion to the states economy in 2023, according to a recent report. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News Students walk through the University of Texas at San Antonios downtown campus, home to the Valdez Institute for Economic Development. The institute added $2.6 billion to the states economy in 2023, according to a recent report. Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

A University of Texas at San Antonio program that helps small businesses across the region infused $2.6 billion into the states economy last year, according to its latest economic impact report.

The Valdez Institute for Economic Development  housed at UTSAs downtown campus  uses federal, state and local funding to support small-business owners across 10 centers that serve 79 counties between El Paso and Corpus Christi, including the San Antonio area.

In 2023, it assisted 41,231 clients, helped launch 545 new businesses and grow 914 existing businesses, created 4,042 jobs and saved 7,934 jobs, according to the Valdez Institutes annual report for 2023. It also provided training and workshops to 29,665 people and completed 7,811 consultations with area businesses.

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The institutes economic impact shrank by roughly $4 million from 2021, when it posted a $3 billion economic impact. However, the recent reports authors said that COVID-19 pandemic relief programs such as the Small Business Administrations Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans assistance helped fuel the strong performance.

The institute is a prime example of how UTSA is strengthening Texas economy, said JoAnn Browning, UTSAs interim vice president for research, in a statement. Its work with entrepreneurs across South and West Texas is creating jobs and improving the quality of life for individuals and their families, which in turn is creating revenue for our state.

Launched in 1979 and renamed in 2023 to honor its founder, Jude Valdez, who spent nearly 40 years teaching at the university, the institute has helped more than 6,500 businesses and created 70,000 jobs since its inception.

A lot of people dont necessarily know about the program or the services that we provide at no cost because theyre grant funded, said Tom Tunstall, a senior research director with the institute. You can get assistance for your small business in the form of counseling from people who have run their own businesses and are experts at helping businesses grow at no cost.

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Similar services from private consultants can cost several hundred dollars an hour or more, he said. And besides cost savings, the institutes support for businesses is often enduring rather than a short-term interaction.

Read more: Local agencies partner with feds to make aviation more sustainable

Its these repeated interactions or interventions with the businesses, and thats one of the things that makes us effective, Tunstall said. Its counseling that occurs over a long period.

In the institutes analysis, it did not assess the universitys total economic impact on the San Antonio area. Tunstalls office last produced a report on that broader topic in 2023, which examined UTSAs economic impact in 2021. It reported that UTSA contributed $2.5 billion to the greater San Antonio economy in fiscal 2021, a 30% increase over three years. The researchers attributed the jump to UTSAs designation as a Tier One research university in 2021, which has helped it get more funding for research and services.

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With other industries in the area, UTSA doesnt have as much relative impact on the local economy as universities do in smaller college towns such as Lubbock or College Station; however its a growing economic driver for this area. San Antonios larger population and other industries  including military, tourism, financial services, technology, manufacturing and aerospace  are the factors that drive the areas economy apart from UTSA, Tunstall said.
A young American teacher showcases a variety of Vietnamese dishes in her engaging TikTok vlogs, aiming to provide insights into life in Vietnam and inspire viewers to explore the country firsthand.

During her current visit to Vietnam, Emma Ann Odom, the owner of the TikTok channel '@emmaa_eatss' with over 22,000 followers, has sparked excitement among netizens with her vlogs that delve into Vietnamese cuisine.

Odom told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that she is a high school English teacher who has visited Vietnam multiple times and has developed a deep affection for the country.

Throughout her time in Vietnam, she has encountered numerous Vietnamese food vendors fluent in English, inspiring her to produce food-centric vlogs as a means to engage with the local community.

From the end of March until now, Odom has produced many interesting vlogs in which she converses with food vendors in English, showcasing her interactions with local cuisine.

She reviewed many Vietnamese dishes, including congee, banh mi (Vietnamese bread), nem nuong (grilled pork fermented rolls), and others, during her exploration of Vietnamese cuisine.

Odom's standout moment occurred with her first viral vlog, featuring her conversation with a Vietnamese woman selling 'banh mi,' which garnered significant attention from netizens.

A screenshot from a vlog of Emma Ann Odom, the owner of TikTok channel @emmaa_eatss, shows Le Quang Tung, who sells rib congee in Hanoi, Vietnam.

In another vlog, she conversed with Le Quang Tung, a 21-year-old vendor selling 'chao suon sun' (Vietnamese congee with pork cartilage ribs) in Hanoi.

Many viewers were impressed by Tung's fluent presentation of the ingredients of his congee in English as they watched the vlog, earning him admiration from the audience.

Following the viral spread of the vlog, Tung and his eatery quickly gained fame.

Discovering that English proficiency is not widespread in the area, the American teacher took the initiative to learn Vietnamese in order to communicate with locals.

She expressed surprise at encountering many Vietnamese individuals who spoke English fluently.

Speaking with Tuoi Tre, she shared that interacting with proficient English speakers has been an enriching experience for her in Vietnam, offering a valuable opportunity to engage with and learn from the local community.

She mentioned that her channel primarily attracts Vietnamese viewers, with 99 percent of the views and comments coming from them.

Since launching the vlog series, nearly 30 Vietnamese individuals have reached out to her, offering to serve as tour guides and translators.

Many others eagerly shared the addresses of top street vendors or extended invitations for her to visit their own eateries and shops.

Odom stressed that these people are so kind, not asking her for anything in return, and this brought her many memorable experiences, as this generosity is rare where she lives.

She said she seldom received guidance or help without any charge from others.

The teacher revealed that she encountered difficulties while creating food vlogs, particularly when describing the flavors of certain Vietnamese dishes as she struggled to find suitable comparisons.

She also shared an amusing incident where she accidentally consumed fish sauce, mistaking it for a type of soup.

She said she has enjoyed many famous Vietnamese dishes in Western countries, such as pho (a Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat, usually beef or chicken), bun cha (rice noodles with grilled pork and meatballs), and nem (fermented pork rolls).

However, she found that these dishes were not as delicious as they are served in Hanoi.

She emphasized that bun cha and pho are two typical dishes of Hanoi and an indispensable part of Vietnamese cuisine.

This screenshot from the TikTok page of Emma Ann Odom features her vlogs in which she met and talked with sellers of food during her trip in Vietnam.

Odom also pointed out some differences in cuisines between different countries.

The English teacher remarked that cultural differences are evident in food preferences, citing the Vietnamese tradition of enjoying hot soup with every meal, even on hot days, which contrasts with the practice of many foreigners who reserve soup for colder weather.

She also found it fascinating to observe locals savoring iced tea, a refreshing beverage commonly enjoyed at small eateries on sidewalks or in cafes.

To her, iced tea represents more than just a drink  it serves as a means for people to unwind, socialize, and relax.

She concluded by emphasizing the delectable nature of Vietnamese cuisine and expressed her hope that vendors will leverage their English proficiency to attract a growing number of customers, thereby increasing revenue for local businesses.

The young teacher stated that she currently has no plans to return home, as she desires to secure a teaching position in Southeast Asia once again.

She hopes to continue living abroad for several more years before considering a return.

Odom intends to further her understanding of Vietnamese culture and expand the reach of her TikTok channel to a broader global audience.

She believes that her vlogs will offer valuable insights into life in Vietnam and inspire others to visit the country.

She looks forward to forging new friendships and connections with local residents through her vlog-making endeavors.

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Vietnam and the United Kingdom signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on tackling illegal migration in London on Wednesday.

Colonel Vu Van Hung, deputy head of the Immigration Department at Vietnams Ministry of Public Security, and Michael Tomlinson, the UKs Minister for Countering Illegal Migration, signed a joint statement of cooperation to fight illegal migration and reaffirm the two countries strong partnership, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

The two sides are committed to preventing visa abuse, increasing intelligence sharing, and continuing the process of returning those with no right to remain in the UK.

Moreover, Vietnam and the UK will collaborate on a joint action plan to combat human trafficking, aiming to safeguard vulnerable individuals.

They will also uphold direct and efficient mechanisms and communication channels for sharing information, while promoting legal pathways.

The agreement came after a dialogue on Monday between Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General To Lam and the UKs Home Secretary James Cleverly.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Colonel Hung said that Vietnam and the UK share a strong strategic partnership, and are celebrating 51 years of diplomatic relations.

Apart from their cooperation in trade, education, research, technology innovation, and climate change, the two nations attach much significance to their partnership in tackling illegal migration and human trafficking.

Colonel Hung affirmed that the two sides are committed to working together on ensuring safe and legal routes and protecting victims of human trafficking.

"Illegal migration is a global problem that requires global solutions," Tomlinson said on gov.uk, a United Kingdom public sector information website.

"This agreement is an important step with a valued partner to ensure both sides are working in lockstep to end exploitation by people-smuggling gangs, and to save lives."

He added that through continued close cooperation with international partners, the UK would dismantle the criminal networks profiting from human trafficking, while stopping dangerous journeys in boats to the country.

In March, the UKs Home Office launched a social media campaign in Vietnam to highlight the risks of crossing the Channel in small boats.

Hanoi and London signed the agreement as the number of people having illegally migrated to the UK is on the rise.

Over the past two years, 76,000 people from many countries worldwide have crossed the Channel in small boats to arrive in the UK.

The number of deaths linked to the dangerous crossings of the Channel in 2023 tripled against the 2022 figure.

Since 2019, 65 people have been killed while crossing the sea from France to the UK.

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The People's Committee of Hung Yen Province in northern Vietnam has just fined Sweet Land - Tex Production Company Limited VND300 million (US$11,809) for its unauthorized wastewater discharge.

According to the provincial administration, Sweet Land - Tex Production Company Limited in the Pho Noi Textile and Garment Industrial Park in Yen My District committed administrative violations in environmental protection, specifically releasing wastewater into the local rainwater drainage system.

The Hung Yen administration also required the company and Pho Noi Textile and Garment Infrastructure Development JSC, the operator of the industrial park, to take corrective actions.

On April 10, the Hung Yen authorities levied an administrative fine of VND350 million ($13,800) on Dai Hoa Textile-Garment Company, located in the Pho Noi B Industrial Park, for discharging wastewater into the rainwater drainage system in the area.

The company, whose legal representative is a Chinese national named Huang Yifeng, was also told to take remedial actions as per prevailing regulations.

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Aside from efforts made by local authorities to cope with a shortfall of fresh water caused by saline intrusion and prolonged drought in Tien Giang Province, southern Vietnam, generous donors from many parts of the country have sent a host of tank trucks carrying fresh water to deprived areas.

As one of the beneficiaries of the water donation, Nguyen Van Hai, residing in Gia Thuan Commune, Tan Phu Dong District, could not hide his happiness when receiving two 30-liter plastic cans from donors from neighboring Can Tho City and fresh water from other charity groups.

The 50-year-old man elaborated that his household stood as an early casualty of the recent freshwater crisis gripping his community.

As the availability of tap water dwindled, his family found themselves grappling with a scant supply, relying solely on a handful of water containers to meet their daily needs.

A man is seen getting fresh water from charity groups in Tien Giang Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Mau Truong / Tuoi Tre

In other affected communes like Tan Phuoc, Gia Thuan, Tan Dien, and Tan Thanh in Go Cong Dong District, local residents were offered fresh water for free by the state-run Tien Giang Water Supply Company and dozens of donors and charity organizations from other provinces.

An official in Go Cong Dong revealed that the district had called on donors to provide its residents with thousands of cubic meters of fresh water.

Also, authorities dispatched young volunteers to distribute fresh water to the houses of disadvantaged people.

By adopting many ways to cope with the shortage, the district has managed to supply an adequate volume of fresh water to deprived areas, the official said.

Barges operated by Dai Phuoc Thanh Construction and Trading Company, located in Tien Giang Province, southern Vietnam, transport fresh water to the provinces Go Cong Dong District, which is facing a shortfall of fresh water due to saline intrusion and prolonged drought. Photo: Mau Truong / Tuoi Tre

Nguyen Thi Yen Phuong, CEO at Dai Phuoc Thanh Construction and Trading Company, said that her company has donated more than 5,400 cubic meters of fresh water to districts hit by saline intrusion in the eastern part of Tien Giang so far.

This is not the first time that Dai Phuoc Thanh Company has given back to the community. In 2020, the company sent dozens of tank trucks to this Mekong Delta province to offer gratis fresh water to residents affected by saline intrusion.

This year, her company will maintain this meaningful practice until the end of April, Phuong added.

Residents of Tien Giang Province in southern Vietnam take along a large water container to get fresh water offered by generous donors. Photo: Mau Truong / Tuoi Tre

Besides Tien Giang, lots of organizations including major universities in Ho Chi Minh City and military units recently provided valuable support for other drought-stricken provinces in the Mekong Delta.

On April 8, three military vessels under the Military Region 9 transported more than 1,700 cubic meters of fresh water and hundreds of water containers to Ca Mau Province, where over 2,600 local households are facing scarcity of fresh water due to a prolonged drought.

A few days later, the High Command of Coast Guard Region 4 under the Vietnam Coast Guard detached a vessel to transport over 350,000 liters of fresh water to Hon Chuoi Island off Ca Mau, the southernmost province in the country.

On April 14, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ngo Thi Phuong Lan, president of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) under the Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City, led a USSH team to send 180 cubic meters of fresh water to several affected areas in Long An Province.

Prolonged droughts resulted in landslides and land subsidence in the buffer zone of U Minh Thuong District in Kien Giang Province, prompting local authorities to declare a state of emergency on April 10.

Donors across Vietnam daily send dozens of tank trucks containing fresh water to deprived districts in the eastern part of Tien Giang Province to lessen the ongoing shortage of fresh water there. Photo: Mau Truong / Tuoi Tre

Aside from fresh water, many units present water containers and bottled water to the affected residents. Photo: Mau Truong / Tuoi Tre

Such plastic cans of fresh water mean a lot to residents affected by saline intrusion in Tien Giang Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Mau Truong / Tuoi Tre

Residents prepare to transport fresh water back home. Photo: Mau Truong / Tuoi Tre

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What you need to know in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Vietnam and the UK signed an agreement to increase cooperation in tackling illegal migration in London on Wednesday, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

-- Vietnamese Acting State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on Wednesday sent a message of congratulations to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad on the Syrian Arab Republics 78th Independence Day (April 17, 1946  2024), according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Society

-- Over the past two days, heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and hail has been continuously occurring in some mountainous districts of Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam.

-- The People's Committee of Hung Yen Province in northern Vietnam has just fined Sweet Land - Tex Production Company Limited VND300 million (US$11,809) for its unauthorized wastewater discharge.

Business

-- The McLaren 750S supercar, a facelift version of the renowned 720S Spider model which has made waves in the automotive world, was officially introduced in Vietnam on Wednesday at prices of VND19,999,100,000 ($78,7210) for the hardtop version (Coupe) and VND21,699,700,000 ($85,4150) for the convertible version (Spider).

-- Vietnam aims to invest approximately $1 billion in training 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030, a strategic initiative projected by the Ministry of Science and Technology to potentially yield indirect revenues of around $15-16 billion for the economy.

Lifestyle

-- During the closing ceremony of the 21st Asian Film Festival, which took place on Wednesday at the Farnese Arthouse cinema in Rome, Italy, the Vietnamese film 'Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell,' directed by Pham Thien An, was presented with the Best Film prize.

-- Thousands gathered in Cua Lo Town, Nghe An Province, north-central Vietnam to witness drone demonstrations and fireworks during the opening of the Cua Lo Tourism Festival on Thursday evening.

Sports

-- The Vietnamese futsal team will face off against China at 2:00 pm on Friday in the second match of Group A in the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup. In the opening matchday on Wednesday, the Vietnamese futsal team drew 1-1 with Myanmar, while China lost 1-3 to Thailand.

World News

-- "Dengue cases have created an 'emergency situation' in the Americas, although cases in hotspots Argentina and Brazil appear to have stabilized," Reuters cited the head of the Pan American Health Organization as saying on Thursday.

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Authorities of the districts in Da Nang City, central Vietnam should offer rewards to individuals who provide police with tips about stick-on advertisements in a bid to stop the wrongdoing, according to Ha Vy, deputy director of the municipal Department of Culture and Sports.

Vy was speaking at a discussion held in Da Nang on Tuesday between city leaders and young people to promote urban civilization and protect the environment.

Widespread stick-on ads are a headache for not only Da Nang but also other major cities in Vietnam.

To clamp down on stick-on ads, local authorities should clear such ads and impose administrative fines on those who plaster them in public places.

Following the success of rewarding whistleblowers who warn authorities of the illegal dumping of construction waste, the city should give rewards to people who provide information about those who illicitly stick ads in public places, Vy said.

Young people remove ads from a utility pole in Da Nang City, located in central Vietnam. Photo: Doan Nhan / Tuoi Tre

Besides, he suggested local authorities assign police officers to lie in ambush to promptly detect and penalize offenders.

Many utility poles are covered with ads, affecting the cityscape, heard the discussion.

Tran Ngoc Thach, deputy director of the municipal Department of Information and Communications, said that after being informed of phone numbers on these stick-on ads, the department quickly deactivated them.

However, the work was not able to put an end to the illegal act of plastering ads on utility poles, walls, and light poles.

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Mohsina Malik, TwoCircles.net

New Delhi: In a recent decision by the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) of closing down the Maulana Azad Education Foundation (MAEF) on February 7 without providing any substantive rationale, it defended its decision in front of the Delhi High Court, saying, Its continued operation was obsolete when there is a dedicated ministry, holistically executing schemes for the benefit of minorities, and it was established at a time when there was no ministry for the minorities.

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However, the decision has sparked controversy and condemnation within minority communities who see this as a targeted attack on them and minority educational institutions, with religious bias at its core.

They, particularly Muslims, who come from economically weaker sections (EWS), express concerns about its implications for educational access and opportunities while claiming that the decision itself reflects a wider pattern of targeting minorities and their institutions, stifling their contributions to society and erasing the names of schemes that are named after Muslim leaders.

The MAEF, which was established in 1989, has been instrumental in providing educational opportunities and scholarships to minority students who came from EWS across India. It was named after Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a prominent leader in Indias freedom struggle and the countrys first education minister. The foundation aimed to empower marginalised communities through education.

Commenting on the closure of the MAEF, Mohammad Haris, currently working as a chief operation officer at a Delhi-based NGO, says, The closure of the MAEF can be seen as a plunge in the number of minority students enrolling in the institutions because of a lack of adequate funds to support their education. Despite the desire to help, the obliteration of the scheme would leave the students with inadequate funds who were sustaining their education through this foundation. It will impact minority students since the foundation was meant for their upliftment. Without such financial ease and support, the students belonging to the economically deprived sections would find it extremely strenuous to compete with those coming from privileged backgrounds.

Lambasting the decision, he says, The shutting down of the MAEF is a deliberate attempt to attack minorities in the country by causing hindrance to their access to education. It is purely religious discrimination against the minorities who are already marginalised. Their future is under threat. Lack of financial aid would spoil careers of students belonging to the minority communities and stop them from climbing up the social hierarchy.

He further adds, It is definitely a bias towards minorities, as when the government has enough to fund the building of statues, monuments, religious sites and myriad other amendments, cutting down on the minority fund is nothing but a move to make Muslims second-class citizens.

On the other hand, Niranjan Azad, a law student from Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), says, There is a lack in the number of educational institutions that provide quality education to minorities. Even such institutions have faced an acute fund reduction in the past few years. It is not just about the higher educational institutions but also about the school education, which is facing the biggest crisis.

The MAEF aimed to establish residential schools, particularly for minority girls in rural areas. In 2017, it recommended the establishment of 167 central schools for minorities and a central school organisation under MAEF. However, the project was not completed.

Azad says, One of the core motives of the MAEF was to provide financial and other aids or consultancy services to institutions or organisations engaged in the promotion of education among economically backward sections. The MAEF aided a lot of economically-starved minority institutions. Its closure will automatically abandon the mission of establishing more minority institutions all over the country. It will also leave the hundreds of educational institutions that were dependent on the MAEF in complete financial precarity.

He further says these institutions encouraged minority communities to establish new educational institutions. The closure of the MAEF will discourage minorities who want to engage in providing education for their community.

In December 2022, the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF), which was funded by the MAEF, was scrapped by the central government.

From the time of scrapping the MANF, the approach of the BJP on the policy of minority education was exposed. We could anticipate what else could happen. If we see the trajectory of minority education, we note a reduction of 38% in the budgetary allocation from 202223 to 202324. The closure of the MAEF is a continuation of this process of defunding minority education, he alleges.

Emphasising the implications of the decision, Shoyeb Ali, who is pursuing masters from the department of education from the JMI, says, This will severely affect access to education for minority students. From school education to research, minorities face a lot of obstacles. The move will increase dropout rate. I see this as a discriminatory move to weaken the educational opportunities for minorities.

He describes the move as politically motivated. The current government, according to him, is making policies with the sole motive of benefiting big business houses and is privatising the education system through the public-private partnership (PPP), self-financing models, graded autonomy models, etc. When this process goes on, he says, the budgetary allocations for education are also reduced on a massive scale. These attempts are clear attacks on minorities on a large scale that will create a polarisation between Hindus and Muslims, which can be understood by the narratives the government uses as a justification for cutting funds for minority education, he alleges.

Commenting on the usage of the term obsolete to describe the MAEF, he says the government is trying to tell people that the minorities are being uplifted enough through the scholarships provided to them, and they are exploiting the resources of the country. When the MANF was scrapped, he says, the same narrative was spread. When they spread this narrative, they deliberately hide the socio-economic backwardness of Muslims, whose conditions are more backward than those of the Scheduled Castes, he adds.

The closure of the MAEF has also raised questions about the governments commitment to minority rights and inclusivity. Many within the minority community see it as part of a brute pattern of targeting minority institutions and organisations with religious bias.

The minority, particularly Muslims, are suppressed by the current government in the most reactionary manner, and through the closure of schemes and foundations named after Muslims, the government is trying to diminish and erase their contribution to society and their names from history, he says.

Avinash Sethi, a political analyst specialising in minority issues, says, The closure of the MAEF is not an isolated incident, rather a part of a larger agenda aimed at undermining minority institutions and eroding the rights of marginalised communities. It reflects a disturbing pattern of religious bias, which is a threat to the secular fabric of the country. It is a political move for exclusion and discrimination while sidelining the fabric of inclusivity, visibility and secularism of the country.

With the foundations closure, many minority students fear that without financial support, the government will further widen the educational divide. Mahoor Jamaal, a bachelors student at one of the colleges in Delhi and a beneficiary of the MAEF scholarships, shared her concerns, saying, I come from a humble background, and without the support of the MAEF, pursuing higher education would be impossible for me. I may have to drop out midway, and it will affect my dreams and career goals. The governments decision to shut it down is a blow to students like me who rely on its assistance to fulfil dreams.
TCN News

New Delhi: A day before the first phase of polling (April 19) of the general elections 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is heading the government in the Centre, appealed for votes invoking religion. From its official handle, the saffron party shared an image of Lord Rams idol in Ayodhya on microblogging website X (formerly Twitter) and referred to it as the power of one vote for it.

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Its a clear case of violation of the model code of conduct  which prohibits using caste or communal feelings for securing votes. The Representation of the People (RP) Act, 1951 governs elections in India. Section 123(3) of the legislation, which addresses appeals based on religion, states that using religion as a means of obtaining votes is a corrupt practice.

The apparent silence of the Election Commission of India (ECI), a poll watchdog, on the widespread use of religion and references to the Ram temple in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya by the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign is raising concerns.

The tweet in question came during the 48-hour period of silence mandated by Section 126 of the RP Act that prohibits candidates and political parties from going ahead with their campaigns in areas where voters are expected to cast their votes.

The BJPs official handle tweeted the image from surya tilak ceremony, which was held on Ram Navami in the Ram temple on April 17, coupled with the statement, the power of one vote.

Showing the idol wearing a surya tilak, the post reads, Them: your one vote to the BJP will not make a difference. The surya tilak on the idol is then indicated in the post as the difference.

https://twitter.com/BJP4India/ status/1780800922333159827

A team from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an independent body of the Department of Science and Technology, carried out the surya tilak project, as per a statement released by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Under the surya tilak project, sunlight was brought on the forehead of Sri Ram Lalla at 12 noon on the occasion of Sri Ram Navami in the Chaitra month. IIA team carried out the calculation of the sun position, design and optimisation of the optical system, and performed the integration & alignment at the site, said the press release.

At least 200 scientists from across the country had protested against involvement of their fraternity in the project by writing an open letter in 2022.

The tweet was sent out a day before, when BJPs Telangana wing posted a video on X that appeared to make fun of Muslims. Captioned A Battle of Billions of Hindus since time immemorial. A story of Sacrifice, Valor, Worship & Victory. The Saga of Ayodhya Ram Mandir, the video post featured Pepe the frog  which is frequently used by White nationalists in the United States.

https://twitter.com/ BJP4Telangana/status/ 1780216735703949479

The video in the tweet begins with Pepe the frog sobbing and then shows pictures of the Babri Masjid being demolished, the communal riots that followed and finally the Supreme Courts 2019 ruling that cleared the way for the temples construction, which Modi inaugurated by organising a mega event of the Pran Prathishtha in January.

The alt-right in India used the cartoon; they copied Western alt-right symbols and modified them to fit the Indian context.

The ECI in its March 1 advisory had asked all political parties to elevate election campaigning to issue-based debate and to conduct themselves with the utmost decency and restraint in public.

As per the recommendation, in compliance with the model code of conduct, no appeal can be made on the voters caste or religious sentiments.

No activity that may exacerbate already-existing differences, foster hatred toward one another or inflame tensions between various castes, communities, religious groups or linguistic groups shall be attempted, stated the advisory sent out to various political parties, which are participating in the electoral process.

In addition, it said that references which ridicule the relations between devotee and deity or suggestions of divine censure shall not be made and that no temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras or any places of worship are to be used for election propaganda or electioneering.
TBOTG Development Inc., which does business as The Bluffs on the Guadalupe, wants to turn 155 acres along the Guadalupe River into high-end homes and recreational amenities. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday. Courtesy of The Bluffs on the Guadalupe

A developer working to turn 155 acres of bucolic ranch land along the Guadalupe River in the fast-growing Hill Country into a community of high-end homes and recreational amenities is seeking bankruptcy court protection.

TBOTG Development Inc., which does business as The Bluffs on the Guadalupe, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization Tuesday, listing assets and liabilities of between $10 million and $50 million each.

Plans for the Bluffs community across FM 306 from the Whitewater Amphitheater in New Braunfels call for 242 homes, a 1.7-mile hike and bike trail, swimming pools, a restaurant and bar, natural spring lagoons, river access for tubing, shuttle service to Gruene and kayak, fishing and paddleboard huts.

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TBOTG Development Inc., which does business as The Bluffs on the Guadalupe, wants to turn 155 acres along the Guadalupe River into high-end homes and recreational amenities. The company filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition Tuesday. Courtesy of The Bluffs on the Guadalupe TBOTG Development Inc., which does business as The Bluffs on the Guadalupe, wants to turn 155 acres along the Guadalupe River into high-end homes and recreational amenities. The company filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition Tuesday. Courtesy of The Bluffs on the Guadalupe A site plan for The Bluffs on the Guadalupe. Courtesy of The Bluffs on the Guadalupe

TBOTG said in a statement that it plans to restructure its near- and long-term financial obligations and strengthen its capital structure for long-term sustainability. It said it is seeking financing from First Texas Bank and expects that a loan and lot sales will provide liquidity for continuing operations.

The company also said it aims to resolve legal actions that have affected the speed and profitability of the development.

Several business partners sued President Will Korioth and entities he is affiliated with in 2021 over the Bluffs property, alleging they were not given the chance to participate in the project and not provided with certain financial information in violation of agreements.

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TBOTG is confident that this process is in the best interests of its stakeholders, including vendors and suppliers, lenders, lot purchasers, and investors, who will all continue to benefit from their interests in the companys sought-after private and extremely rare waterfront community in New Braunfels, the company said.

Ten lots have been sold so far and construction has not begun, according to the company, which said the project is very much ongoing and will continue.

Korioth has been developing projects around the river with business partners since 2003 and has described the Bluffs project as his biggest undertaking. Earlier projects include the gated Oxbow on the Guadalupe community and the Hideout on the Horseshoe cabins. He also owns the Whitewater Amphitheater.

You cant get anything on the Guadalupe River  theres just no inventory. Its just a very rare, unique treasure, Korioth said in an interview in 2021.

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The population of New Braunfels is soaring as families flock to the area seeking a small-town feel, more space and a quieter lifestyle near outdoor attractions, wineries, breweries and in proximity to jobs in San Antonio or Austin.
Rambam hospital workers practice during a mass casualty drill in Haifa, Israel in the wake of a missile and drone attack from Iran -Credit:Getty Images





The Foreign Office today updated its alerts on 12 countries in a warning to travellers. The change happened after an apparent Israeli drone attack on a major air base near the central city of Isfahan in Iran.

The strike early on Friday morning came just days after Tehrans unprecedented drone and missile assault on Israel. The Foreign Office said there had also been unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq.

In the wake of the latest attacks the Foreign and Commonwealth Office this afternoon advised anyone travelling to more than a dozen countries to carefully check the latest situation before travelling. Anyone going to Egypt, Oman, Algeria, Bahrain, Morocco, Syria, Qatar, Iraq, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories are being urged to take extra care.

At the weekend the Foreign Office also issued an urgent travel warning about than 18 countries telling anyone going to countries around the southern Mediterranean and the Middle East that the risk of a terrorist attack is heightened given the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

In the new alert the Foreign Office said: On 13 April 2024 Iran carried out military action against Israel. On 19 April, there have been reports of explosions in Iran, and unconfirmed reports of explosions in Syria and Iraq.

"Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Read FCDO advice on how to deal with a crisis overseas."

Speaking at the G7 meeting in Capri, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said the US received last-minute information from Israel about the attack on Isfahan. US secretary of state Antony Blinken did not dispute that, but said: We were not involved in any offensive operations.

The apparent attack came on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis 85th birthday. Israeli politicians also made comments hinting that the country had launched an attack. Air defence batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported. Iranian army commander General Abdolrahim Mousavi said crews had targeted several flying objects.

He said: The explosion this morning in the sky of Isfahan was related to the shooting of air defence systems at a suspicious object that did not cause any damage. Authorities said air defences fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Irans fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The alert was issued overnight and the Foreign Office said in the update for all the countries: There is rising tension between Iran and Israel. Any military action could escalate quickly and could pose risks for the wider region. If you are in the region, or considering travel to the region, monitor news updates and continue to check FCDO travel advice for updates.

Holiday hotspots in the warning are United Arab Emirates, which includes Dubai, Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Tunisia. Also included in the alert are Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Yemen, Qatar, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Oman and Lebanon. Officials believe UK tourists are particularly at risk in the region and say: There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad. The Foreign Office said a terror attack was likely and added that attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.

Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on western interests, including against UK citizens. Targets may include: residential compounds, military sites, oil, transport, aviation interests, crowded places, restaurants, hotels, beaches, shopping centres, places of worship.

People are advised to check the latest advice for the country they are planning on the Foreign Office website by clicking here.
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2024 Polls: Names of Muslim voters missing in Nagpur, Maharashtra

2024 Polls: A number of Muslim voters Friday April 19, 2024 staged an impromptu protest at District Collector Office in Nagpur, Maharashtra after they found their names missing from the voters list.

Saturday April 20, 2024 8:21 AM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

[Advocate Farheen Siddiqui at the office of District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar Friday. (Video grab)]

Nagpur: A number of Muslim voters Friday April 19, 2024 staged an impromptu protest at District Collector Office in Nagpur, Maharashtra after they found their names missing from the voters list.

Senior BJP Leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is seeking re-election from Nagpur in Maharashtra which went to the polls in the first of seven phase Parliamentary Election Friday.

Nitin Gadkari, two time MP from Nagpur, is pitted against Vikas Thakra of Congress, Thakre is supported by all INDIA alliance partners including NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Shiv Sena (UBT).

No Name in Voters List

Muslim voters, mainly from Mominpura area of the City, alleged that they could not cast their vote as they found their names missing from the voter list.

Shocked and angered, they went to the office of District Magistrate, Dr Vipin Itankar, and staged strong protest.

Talking on camera at the District Collector Office, the Muslim voters showed their Voter ID Cards.

They said they have the Voter ID Card issued by the Election Commission of India. But they could not cast their vote as their names were not in the voters list.

Names of mostly Muslim voters, including my family members, are missing from the voters list, advocate Farheen Siddiqui, a resident of Anand Nagar in Nagpur, said in a video.

Nabeela Khan, another voter, said she had cast her vote in the last elections. But this time her name is missing from the voters list.

I have cast my vote in the last five elections. But, I found my name missing from the voter list when I came to vote today, she claimed.

Yasmeen Akbar, a resident of Mominpura, said the name of her husband, who died due to Covid-19, was in the list but her name was missing.

#2024Polls: A number of Muslim voters Friday April 19, 2024 staged an impromptu protest at District Collector Office in #Nagpur, #Maharashtra after they found their names missing from the voters list.#ParliamentElection2024 #Phase1Voting #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/dw91S2Sh6u  ummid.com (@ummid) April 19, 2024

Another Muslim voter from the same area said the names of his dead family members were in the list but the one who are alive and went to vote their names are missing.

We dont understand, what is going on, he said.

ummid.com could not independently verify the video it received. The District Collector, Itankar, could not be contacted for his reponse.

There were also complaints from citizens at many polling stations in South-West Nagpur who said names of many voters in the "MT" series of identity cards issued by the Election Commission were not in the voters list.

Also in Nagpur, a Dalit youth protesting against the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), threw ink on them and disrupted the polling.

Voter Turnout in Phase 1

Meanwhile, polling for the first Phase of Lok Sabha elections was held Friday April 19, 2024 for 102 seats spread across 21 States and Union Territories (UTs) with reports of violence and protest against the Electronic Voting Machines from some states.

The average voter turnout till 9 pm was 62.37 per cent , according to the Election Commission of India, a number which is lower than the 2019 elections when the polling percentage was 69.43%.

The highest polling percentage was recorded in Tripura at 80.17 followed by West Bengal which register a voter turnout of 77.57%.

The lowest turnout recorded in Bihar is 47.49%.





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LS Election 2024: Polling for Phase 1 ends with voter turnout lower than 2019

Polling for the first Phase of Lok Sabha elections was held Friday April 19, 2024 for 102 seats spread across 21 States and Union Territories (UTs) with reports of violence and protest against the Electronic Voting Machines from some states.

Saturday April 20, 2024 0:54 AM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

New Delhi: Polling for the first Phase of Lok Sabha elections was held Friday April 19, 2024 for 102 seats spread across 21 States and Union Territories (UTs) with reports of violence and protest against the Electronic Voting Machines from some states.

The average voter turnout till 9 pm was 62.37 per cent, according to the Election Commission of India, a number which is lower than the 2019 elections when the polling percentage was 69.43%.

The highest polling percentage was recorded in Tripura at 80.17 followed by West Bengal which register a voter turnout of 77.57%.

The lowest turnout recorded in Bihar is 47.49%.

Reports of violence are coming from Manipur, Rajasthan and some other states.

In Nagpur from where senior BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is contesting the 2024 Parliament Elections, a Dalit youth protested against the Electronic Voting Machines. (EVM).

Poll analysts say the lower turnout can harm the BJP chances in at least 16 of the 40 seats the party had won in 2019.

State-wise Polling Percentage

[Glimpses of polling officials navigating the vibrant landscapes of Northeast India to ensure every vote counts. (Photo: Election Commission of India/X)]

The 102 seats which went to the polls in the first phase of India's General Elections Friday, included all of the 39 seats of Tamil Nadu, 12 in Rajasthan (50.95%), 08 in Uttar Pradesh (57.61%), 06 in Madhya Pradesh (63.33%), 05 each in Uttarakhand(53.64%), Assam (71.38%) and Maharashtra (55.29%), 04 in Bihar (47.49%), 03 in West Bengal (77.57%), 02 each in Arunachal Pradesh (65.46%), Manipur (68.62%), Meghalaya (70.29%), and 01 each in Chhattisgarh (63.41%), Mizoram (54.18 %), Nagaland (56.77%), Sikkim (68.06%), Tripura (79.90%), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (56.87%), Jammu and Kashmir (65.08%), Lakshadweep (59.02%), and Puducherry (73.25%).

"The voting percentage is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained as polling is scheduled till 6 PM in many Constituencies. But, voters reaching the Polling stations till the end of polling hour are allowed to cast their vote", the Election Commission of India said. "Final figures will be known tomorrow after the scrutiny of form 17A", the ECI said.

Violence and Protest

The Election Commission of India claimed largely peaceful polling but there are reports of firing from Bishnupur in Manipur and clashes in Cooch Behar, West Bengal.

There is also reports of grenade blast in Bijapur Chhattisgarh. The blast left a Commandant and Jawan injured.

Clashes bewteen the BJP and Congress supporters took place in Naguar Parliament seat of Rajasthan.

In North Nagpur of Maharashtra, a Dalit youth shouted slogans against EVM and threw ink on the machine, disrupting voting.

In Nagpur, a large number of Muslim women voters protested at the DM office claiming their names were missing from the voter list.

In Maharashtras Chandrapur, Congress accused the Returning Officer of helping the BJP candidate.

Disadvantage BJP in 1st Phase?

Poll analysts after the Phase 1 Polling assessed that it will be difficult for the BJP to repeat its 2019 performance.

The analysts said the BJP held all 12 seats of Rajasthan in 2019 but the party is facing problem in at least 06 seats that are likely to go to the Congress led INDIA alliance in 2024.

The 08 seats of Uttar Pradesh that held to vote Friday, 03 each are with the BJP and BSP, and 02 seats were won by Samajwadi Party (SP) in 2019.

The BSP and SP had contested the 2019 election together whereas SP has tied up with the Congress for the 2024 Polls.

Prominent seats which recorded lower voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh included Pilibhit, Muzaffarnagar and Kairana all three currently held by the BJP.

Chhindwara Parliamentary seat from where former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Naths son, Nakul Nath, is contesting also reported lower voter turnout.

Higher vote percentage in West Bengal could be favourable for the BJP which is in direct contest with the ruling TMC.

PM Modis focus was South for the 2024 elections, especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala where the party could not win a single seat. Analysts claimed the situation is likely to remain for the BJP this time also. The elections for the 18th Lok Sabha will be held in 07 Phases. Polling for the 2nd Phase will be held on April 26, 2024.

The counting of votes of all the seven phases will be held simultaneously on June 04, 2024.





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Muslims in Assam and Parliament Election 2024

Parliament Election 2024: In the series of articles on the voting choices of Muslims in India, this is the seventh write-up that looks at the political scenario of Assam.

Friday April 19, 2024 10:57 AM , Syed Ali Mujtaba

In the series of articles on the voting choices of Muslims in India, this is the seventh write-up that looks at the political scenario of Assam. The objective is to submit to the Muslims the secular options they have in Assam in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

There are 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam. Muslim voters constitute about 35% of the electorate in Assam. They play a deciding role in six Lok Sabha constituencies and have a significant presence there. They are Dhubri, Barpeta, Nagaon, Koliabor, Karimganj, and Silchar Lok Sabha constituencies.

In Dhubri Muslims account for 70% of the voters, in Barpeta Muslims are 60%, in Mangaldoi there are nearly 400,000 Muslim voters. In Guwahati, there are about 400,000 Muslim voters. In Nagaon 40% of voters are Muslims. In Koliabor there are 28% Muslim voters. In Tezpur 250,000 voters are Muslims. In Karimganj 55% of voters are Muslims. In Silchar 35% of voters are Muslims. In Kokrajhar 200,000 voters are Muslims.

There are only four constituencies; Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, and Diphu where Muslims are insignificant in Assam. So going by laymans logic, there should be a minimum of 6 Muslim MPs from Assam.

Assam politics revolves around contesting identities between Assamese and Bengalese. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) spearheaded the Assam agitation giving a new direction to Assam politics. It launched an anti-Bengali agitation calling for Bengalese out of Assam. The AGP agitation culminated in the Assam Accord and the agreement that 1970 may be the cut-off date. The Bengalese coming to Assam after 1970 have to be identified disenfranchised and deported. Subsequently in their headcount, it was found that that some 20 lakh Bengalese are on the chopping block out of which 12 lakh are Hindus and 8 lakh Muslims.

Then the BJP enters Assam and hijacks the linguist agenda politics and makes it a contest between Hindu and Muslim identity politics. It was to protect 12 lakh Hindu Bengalese the BJP brought in the Citizen Amendment Act camouflaging it with words like persecution of Hindus in South Asia and giving them Indian citizenship.

Such kinds of bluff need to be politically called off in the 2024 LS election in Assam. The Hindutva politics has unleashed a reign of terror on poor Bengali Muslims in Assam. Muslims are being persecuted in Assam even being 35 percent electorates in the state.

The birth of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), a regional party in Assam has to be understood in this background. It is led by Maulana Badruddin Ajmal. The politics of AIUDF is to protect the Muslims of Assam. The AIUDF has the edge in southern Assam (Barak Valley) and in other areas of lower Assam.

However, the AIUDF's entry into Assam's electoral scene has led to heavy erosion of the Congress votes among Muslim voters. The polarization of Muslim votes between AIUDF and Congress has helped the BJP win at least four Muslim constituencies in Assam; Guwahati, Mangaldoi, Silchar, and Nagaon.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha election Muslims in Assam have only two choices, the AIUDF or the Congress. In 2019, the BJP won seven seats the Congress and the AIUDF front won 3 seats each, and one by an Independent. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and the Bodoland People's Front, allies of the BJP, went blank.

This should not be repeated in the 2024, Lok Sabha poll. The good news is the BJP has unofficially conceded defeat in 3 constituencies and contesting only 11 seats. To hide its defeat BJP has given three seats to its allies the AGP and BPF which they are sure to lose. In such a case, the Muslims have to make a fight in 11 constituencies in Assam

The irony is this time the Congress and the AIUDF are contesting the election separately. This may surely split the Muslim votes in Assam which may again benefit the BJP.

The Muslim voters in Assam know their situation very well and what it means to them to live under the BJP rule. Muslims must not split their votes and vote to tame anti-Muslim forces in Assam. It is a laymans prophesying that e-block voting of the Muslims either of the AIUDF or the Congress winning candidate can change the 2019 results. The BJP tally may come down to 4 while ten seats will be split between AIUDF and the Congress.

[The writer, Syed Ali Mujtaba, is a Journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com]





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People cheer as they participate in the Peoples Parade during Fiesta Fiesta, the official kickoff of Fiesta, on Thursday night. This is the first year that the event was held at the Alamodome. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Michael Quintanilla leads the Peoples Parade on Thursday. He also will serve as grand marshal of this years Fiesta Flambeau Parade on April 27. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Janie Suniga, right, sprinkles confetti on a young dancer's head during the Peoples Parade, which signifies the start of Fiesta, during Fiesta Fiesta on Thursday night at the Alamodome. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Evelyn and David Garcia pose for a picture with their 10-year-old son, Julian, during the Fiesta Fiesta event Thursday night at the Alamodome. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Trinity Gomez, 8, is covered in confetti as she attends Fiesta Fiesta, a kickoff event for the citys annual 11-day party, Thursday night at the Alamodome. Gomez is a member of the Danzavida De San Antonio Dance Company. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Pauline Gonzales watches the Sam Houston High School marching band walk by before the start of the Peoples Parade on Thursday at the Alamodome. Gonzales took a week and a half to build her Fiesta hat depicting La Villita. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Pauline Gonzales poses for pictures before the start of the Peoples Parade on Thursday night. It took her a week and a half to build her Fiesta hat depicting La Villita. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Trinity Gomez, 8, is covered in confetti as she attends Fiesta Fiesta, a kickoff event for the citys annual 11-day party, Thursday night at the Alamodome. Gomez is a member of the Danzavida De San Antonio Dance Company. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News People pose for pictures in their homemade Fiesta hats Thursday during Fiesta Fiesta, the kickoff event for the citys annual 11-day party. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Michael Quintanilla leads the Peoples Parade, which signifies the start of Fiesta. He also will serve as grand marshal of this years Fiesta Flambeau Parade on April 27. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News Jeffrey Robert Carlson, the Night Minister of the Rey Feo Royal Court, waves to the crowd during the Peoples Parade at the Alamodome. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News People enjoy beer and the Fiesta fan-favorite chicken on a stick during the Fiesta kickoff event, Fiesta Fiesta, held Thursday night at the Alamodome. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

A profusion of confetti, medals, a parade, music, carnival rides and, of course, food  it was everything you need to kick off Fiesta.

Hundreds of revelers filled the H-E-B Plaza at the Alamodome to celebrate Fiesta Fiesta, the official launch of San Antonios 11-day celebration. Its the first year that the event was held at the Alamodome. Most recently, it had been held at Hemisfair.

Although the setting was new, much remained the same: the Peoples Parade, led by Michael Quintanilla, known as the citys unofficial Mr. Fiesta (this year, he was joined by 2024's Fiesta poster artist, David Durbin); Pin Pandemonium, where various Fiesta groups gather to sell their pins; sightings of Fiesta royalty; and the family-friendly spirit that the event is known for.

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Fiesta Fiesta started in 2009 when the Fiesta San Antonio Commission decided to revamp the annual celebrations official launch so that children and their parents could attend, Anne Keever Cannon, the commissions spokeswoman at the time, previously has told the San Antonio Express-News.

The launch of Fiesta Fiesta also marked the organizations 50th anniversary.

For almost 25 years before the events creation, Fiesta began on Friday mornings and lasted 10 days. With the arrival of Fiesta Fiesta, staged on Thursday night, the citys annual spring rite became an 11-day affair.

This years celebration runs through April 28. To make sure youre properly prepared, heres a collection of some of our Fiesta coverage.

Check out our recommendations on how to do Fiesta right.

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Fiesta always brings the crowds; but when you combine that with downtown construction projects, headaches can ensue if you dont plan ahead.

Check out this sampling of where you can go to rock out, two-step or just enjoy the bands while munching on chicken on a stick.

After nearly 30 years of silence, La Semana Alegre is back to bring the nostalgic noise. The new two-day spin on the celebration known as happy week runs April 25-26 at Hemisfair.

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After a litany of complaints over last years cashless wristband purchasing system, the 2024 King William Fair is returning to paper tickets for food and beverage purchases.

When are the best chances for thunderstorms in San Antonio over the next few days? Meteorologist Anthony Franze has put together a guide to help you make Fiesta plans to keep you and your family safe from strong thunderstorms.

The San Antonio Police Department wants you to stay safe while having fun this Fiesta. It posted a Fiesta Safety Tip video, encouraging attendees to plan safe transportation and report suspicious activity.

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Palestine Conflict: Connecting The Dots

The on-going conflict in Palestine has revealed the intricate cobweb of false promises, ambiguous stands and false jubilations by the western nations on adopting a hollow UN resolution.

Friday April 19, 2024 11:15 AM , Asad Mirza

The on-going conflict in Palestine has revealed the intricate cobweb of false promises, ambiguous stands and false jubilations by the western nations on adopting a hollow UN resolution.

As the Israeli aggression against Palestine entered its seventh month, the world witnessed a number of unrelated events or proclamations adopted by the western powers to get the genocide stopped in Palestine. Though at the first glance, most of these incidents seems unrelated but at closer scrutiny we find that these are related to one another and are playing or may play a definitive role in getting the conflict resolved.

Lets try to analyse and see for ourselves how these unrelated incidents are related and have a bearing on the on-going conflict.

The first event, on the last day of March saw at the ground level the increasing protests against the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government in Israel. On 30th March, tens of thousands of Israelis gathered across Tel Aviv and other occupied cities for protests against their Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

For the first time, the families of the Israeli prisoners being held by the resistance in Gaza, who normally hold separate rallies, joined the massive crowds of anti-government protesters  whose movement initially started with the prime ministers controversial judicial overhaul initiative last year. After nearly six months of war, hostages families join with anti-government rallies

Demonstrators also clashed with police in Jerusalem, where around 200 rampaged through police barricades in order to protest outside Netanyahus home in the occupied holy city. In occupied Caesaria, protesters were arrested while cutting off roads near the prime ministers residence. Protests erupted in a number of other occupied cities, including Sderot, Or Akiva, and Beersheba. These were the largest demonstrations since the outbreak of the war on 7 October, The Times of Israel reported.

Secondly, this contrasts with the continued US support to Israel on the one hand and its diplomatic and political overtures on the continuing conflict. Historically, there has been broad bipartisan support in the US for Israel. But the situation in Gaza has evolved into divided opinion, in the US - a significant section of Americans is now critical of both Israels action, and the full US backing for it.

Though at the ground level US president Joe Biden seems to be supporting the Israeli government but at the political level, he is seen trying hard to win over the Muslim population and even the younger American population who stand against the Israeli aggression, and who mat tilt the scales against him in the presidential elections.

Despite an overall disapproval rate of 57% among registered voters towards President Biden's handling of the conflict, it is particularly noteworthy that young voters express the strongest objections. A recent The Times/Siena survey reveals that a significant 72% of voters aged 18-29 disapprove of President Biden's efforts in managing the situation.

Thirdly, due to this reason the US felt it was politically prudent to not use its veto to block the call for an immediate ceasefire at the United Nations. In fact, only a couple of days earlier, the US itself had sought to move a resolution calling for a ceasefire and release of hostages, which was vetoed by Russia, which found some of the language unacceptable.

We should also note that historically, the United States has provided significant political support to Israel, frequently exercising its veto power at the United Nations Security Council. Out of a total of 83 instances where the US has used its veto power, 42 were used to block resolutions condemning Israel. Between 1991 and 2011, of the 24 vetoes cast by the United States, 15 were specifically employed to shield Israel from censure. However this time, US and Biden administration has not backed Israel and allowed the resolution to pass.

Politically, to rally the Muslim population to his campaign, Biden held a fund raising event in New York to target the Muslim/Arab Americans voters along with former presidents Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama. Perhaps thinking foolishly that Hussein Obama may be able to win over the Arab Americans. But in reality demonstrators harangued the trio.

Winning over Arab Americans is important in the context of the presidential election in November. For President Joe Biden, the Arab and Muslim vote, as well as the vote from the Democratic Partys left wing, are crucial - and these voters have been critical of Israel. Swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin (both of which were won by Biden in 2020) have significant Muslim populations, and will be crucial for the President in his likely re-match with Donald Trump. Also, many Arab countries, some of which are important partners to the US, are growing increasingly concerned at Israels actions.

In reality, the US has taken this position at the UN in a very specific situation. Its leaders remain invested in the broader US-Israel relationship. They do not identify all of Israel with Netanyahu, whose relations with the current US administration have deteriorated significantly. Earlier this month, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer described Netanyahu as an obstacle to peace, and called for early elections in Israel - this is the line that the Democrats are taking, distancing themselves from the ruling dispensation and their political choices, but not necessarily from Israel.

So Bidens outreach to American Muslims and the US support to the UN resolution, should not be seen in isolation, but together, as a ploy by Biden to win over his supporters and critics. In addition, young American voters, who see this war as unnecessary and criticise Biden and Democrats for it, also have to be won over by Biden.

Meanwhile, hours after Biden's early-April statement, the Washington Post reported that his government had signed off on additional bombs and warplanes for Israel in recent days worth billions of dollars.

This shows the real face of the US-Israel relationship. When we start connecting the dots then we realise that come what may, US will continue to support Israel overtly and covertly, and foil any plans, which might be able to establish peace in the region. As the ME region on the boil serves the trade, defence and political aims of the US.

(Asad Mirza is a Delhi-based senior political and international affairs commentator.)





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Why China Still has Room to Grow?

China's transition to an innovation-driven economy reflects its far-reaching strengths across all angles of the innovation ecosystem, marking a significant chapter in the country's enduring legacy of management practices, creativity, and invention, with new spatial patterns of development in multi-sector growth models.

Friday April 19, 2024 8:18 PM , Fabien Pacory

[1 Yuan banknote, with portrait of Chairman Mao.]

The world economy is experiencing what the World Bank calls "the slowest half-decade of GDP growth in 30 years." As some of China's key growth catalysts weaken against this backdrop, a few stakeholders in the Western economy have become defeatist and pessimistic.

Some believe that China will soon get caught in the "middle-income trap" or even experience the "Japanization" of its economy, characterized by low growth and deflation.

Yet, a more subtle and nuanced look at China's economic aggregates and indicators will lead us to a different conclusion. Taking a step back for a new vista is crucial to gain greater clarity of the whole landscape. When we do this, it becomes clear to us that China's development is just entering a more mature phase. The pessimism about the Chinese market and economy is excessively undue.

China GDP

China's manufacturing activity rebounded in March, ending a five-month decline and adding evidence that China's industrial sector is gaining momentum for an economic recovery. The country's resilient economy still has room to grow.

China's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) exceeded 126 trillion yuan ($17.51 trillion) in 2023, an increase of 5.2% over the previous year and outpacing the global growth rate of about 3%.

The Chinese economy is expected to contribute more than 30% to world economic growth, remaining the largest engine of the world economy in 2024. Despite cyclical and structural challenges, China has introduced a series of policy measures to stay dynamic and resilient. The country aims for modernization through high-quality development, with science and technology progress emerging as a new growth driver. This approach has developed a "magnetic force" in the Chinese economy's "innovation field."

New Chinese ecosystem of future factories

The advancement of emerging and future-oriented industries, such as hydrogen power, pharma-tech, new materials, bio-manufacturing, and biotech, is set to not only enhance productivity in these industries but also boost and transform traditional sectors.

This is creating a "new Chinese ecosystem of future factories" characterized by the integration of the knowledge economy, intelligence, and automation, steadily fostering new growth drivers. It represents a new pattern of "knowledge-industrialization" that is gradually taking shape.

We should try to understand this new economic situation and see in it an innovation-driven model based on innovative practices and policies in China. A significant part of the new policy focus is on ensuring economic adaptation that will allow sustained long-term development.

In China, there has recently been much discussion about the development of "new quality productive forces," even in the country's urbanization system. For example, China underwent the fastest pace of urbanization in human history over the last four decades, with urbanization rate going from 20% in 1981 to over 66% by the end of 2023.

This process drove huge changes in economic productivity and created new demand for housing and infrastructure. The recent debate is whether China has already reached peak urbanization.

New urbanization approach

The Chinese government has primarily advocated for a new approach to urbanization called "people-centered new urbanization," emphasizing quality over speed. This approach includes "urban-to-rural" development rather than just moving people from rural to urban areas. This will also boost new urban growth patterns and smart urban evolutions.

China is exploring new areas for growth, moving to the next stage of its development, and is currently undergoing a major economic transformation from "growth at all costs" to "high-quality growth."

This approach prioritizes people and human resources. Policymakers have placed great importance on unlocking "new quality productive forces" as a major policy shift, setting the stage for China's advancement toward high-quality growth, a transition to a digital economy, a consumption-driven growth model, and greener growth.

Take, for example, the adjustment toward a consumption-driven growth model, China still holds many possibilities and solutions to unlock consumer potential. One strategy is to reduce its high savings rate, which is significantly higher than that of many countries.

According to the OECD, China's savings rate was around 34-35% of disposable income, compared to 7-13% in other major economies. Boosting consumer confidence could free some of these savings up for consumption, catapulting China's economy to new heights.

China's Domestic Consumption

In Western media, discussions about consumption in China often highlight the perceived weakness of the domestic market. However, overlooking this vast and competitive domestic market is unwise. Regarding the domestic market and digital platforms, social shopping platforms are deploying new models that make the most of digital technologies and harness the power of Chinese consumers.

Foreign brands and companies cannot disregard this challenging and competitive environment because there is a lot to learn here for the future of e-commerce. For example, in the e-commerce in China, the so-called "user-driven" innovation has sparked functions that grow and improve on their own, offering more than just economic benefits to meet changing desires of customers.

Clean Energy Push

Additionally, China's push toward greener technology and standards, aligned with its "dual-carbon" goal, sends a powerful message on sustainable digital development practices.

In 2023, China's clean energy sector  encompassing electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products, collectively referred to as the "new three"  significantly propelled the nation's economic growth. The sector contributed an unprecedented 11.4 trillion yuan, up 30% year on year, to China's GDP and captured the largest slice of investment growth.

China's clean energy industry leads the global energy transition, accelerating the country's development of new growth drivers, aiding in achieving climate targets, and reshaping the global clean energy landscape.

Foreign Direct Investment

China also unveiled new steps to counteract a slowdown in foreign direct investment (FDI), including expanding market access. While foreign companies have been hesitant to invest, fluctuations in China's FDI inflows are common, as FDI was delayed during the pandemic and post-COVID period. However, evidence suggests that foreign corporations are not leaving China.

In particular, the digital economy is a fertile ground for "new patterns of growth," with cooperative initiatives that can lead to shared prosperity and accelerated progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Digital Revolution

China has become the new epicenter of the digital revolution, driven by massive investments in R&D to reshape the country's economic structure. With an acute awareness and vision, the country is stepping up its efforts to cultivate new productivity drivers, channeling considerable resources into artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, the 5G network, and specialized advanced manufacturing zones.

These efforts are expected to yield more meaningful results within the broader framework of China's cutting-edge initiatives, including advances in biotechnology, nanotechnology and new materials. The convergence of these innovations can spur fruitful growth.

This growth underscores China's robust innovations in digital technology, significantly contributing to the digital economy's high-quality development. The digital economy now exceeds 50 trillion yuan, accounting for more than 40% of its GDP.

This achievement is bolstered by new science and technology clusters, with China boasting more than 20 of the world's top 100 clusters, including Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai-Suzhou, which are ranked second, fourth, and fifth respectively. Over the past four years, China has invested in new types of applied research and experimental development with a multi-sectoral approach.

Innovation-driven Economy

China could emerge stronger in the coming years with new generations of solutions, improved services, and consumer products featuring highly innovative specificities. This is already evident in the field of pharmaceutical research and drug development process, where some clusters are advancing different processes of experimental development and knowledge management.

To sum up, China's transition to an innovation-driven economy reflects its far-reaching strengths across all angles of the innovation ecosystem, marking a significant chapter in the country's enduring legacy of management practices, creativity, and invention, with new spatial patterns of development in multi-sector growth models.

China is a country with significant vitality and the ability to make the right adjustments."Peak China" is nothing but a distorted and misleading narrative. It's certainly premature to talk about a "peak."

[The writer, Fabien Pacory, is Executive Vice-President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China. Views expressed are personal.]





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HA NOI  Upgrading the Viet Nam stock market is a turning point towards a new phase of market development, boosting scale, capital efficiency and driving economic growth, according to experts.

The stock market has always been seen as a crucial channel for capital mobilisation in the economy, Nguyen Nhu Quynh, director of the Institute of Financial Strategy and Policy, Ministry of Finance, said at a conference themed Solutions for upgrading the Viet Nam stock market.

Last year, the total capital raised through the stock market exceeded VN418 trillion (US$16.4 billion), up 33.5 per cent year-on-year.

As of April 12, 2024, the VN-Index reached 1,276.6 points, reflecting a 13 per cent growth from the end of 2023.

The stock market's capitalisation stood at VN6.8 quadrillion, an increase of 13.8 per cent from the end of 2023. This value is equivalent to about 66.1 per cent of the estimated GDP for 2023.

Quynh emphasised that the upgrade of the Vietnamese stock market will be a pivotal milestone for a new phase of market development, contributing to the expansion of scale, improved efficiency in capital mobilisation and utilisation, and driving domestic economic development.

Under the Prime Minister's Decision 1726/Q-TTg, the approved Stock Market Development Strategy until 2030 aims to establish a stable, safe, healthy, efficient, sustainable and integrated stock market.

The strategy aims to achieve stock market capitalisation equivalent to 100 per cent of GDP by 2025 and 120 per cent of GDP by 2030. The goal is to upgrade Viet Nam's stock market from a frontier market to an emerging market by 2025, following international classification standards.

During a recent conference on stock market development, the PM instructed the Ministry of Finance, the State Securities Commission (SSC), the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the Ministry of Planning and Investment to swiftly address any obstacles within their respective domains to meet the criteria for the market upgrade.

The objective of upgrading the stock market has also been highlighted in the Prime Minister's directives for promoting the safe, transparent, efficient, and sustainable development of the stock market, as well as in government resolutions regarding the development of a secure, transparent and efficient capital market.

Upgrading the stock market is an important process that involves multiple ministries and sectors. The market upgrade also necessitates changes in related policies and regulations. Therefore, the conference aims to analyse the opportunities and challenges of the market upgrade and its impact on the Vietnamese economy, said Quynh.

Andrea Coppola, World Bank lead economist for Viet Nam, also stated that Viet Nam is currently classified as a frontier market by international index providers such as MSCI and FTSE Russell. As the largest component in frontier market indices, the country has fully capitalised on this position.

Since September 2018, Viet Nam has been included in the watchlist for potential promotion to an emerging market by FTSE Russell.

"The market upgrade will significantly elevate Viet Nams market position, granting full access to foreign investors with substantial capital and sufficient liquidity, making it comparable to many developing countries at a similar growth stage. The World Bank estimates that a successful stock market upgrade could attract up to $25 billion in new investments from international investors by 2030," Coppola added.

Similarly, Arabella Bennett, second secretary at the Australian Embassy in Viet Nam, said that the country has made significant progress towards its goal of upgrading to an emerging market, despite encountering challenges.

She highlighted the beneficial impact of the stock market upgrade on attracting foreign capital to support Viet Nam and drive its economic growth. She stated that Viet Nam has the potential to mobilise up to $25 billion by 2030, positioning the country as a shining beacon in the region.

Vu Thi Chan Phuong, chairwoman of SSC, affirmed that the upgrade will solidify the market's position, enhance its reputation, positively impact market liquidity and improve market quality to align better with international standards.

The leader of SSC also stated that the market upgrade depends on the objective assessment of international rating agencies and requires the participation and determination of relevant ministries and sectors under the guidance of the Government and the PM.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam in the first quarter of 2024 exported 2.18 million tonnes of rice, earning US$1.43 billion, an increase of 17.6 per cent in volume and 45.5 per cent in value year on year.

Meanwhile, the average export rice price also increased by 23.6 per cent to $653.9 per tonne.

According to preliminary statistics from the General Department of Customs, in March 2024, Viet Nam's rice exports increased by 99.7 per cent in volume and 90 per cent in turnover compared to February 2024, reaching over 1.12 million tonnes valued at $709.6 million.

The Philippines was the largest export market of Vietnamese rice in the first three months of 2024, reaching over 1.01 million tonnes, worth about $649 million. The exports accounted for 46.4 per cent of Viet Nam's total volume and 45.5 per cent of the total value.

The export price to this market reached $641.7 per tonne, up 27.3 per cent compared to the first three months of 2023.

Rice exports to Indonesia ranked the second, increasing sharply by 199.7 per cent in volume and 308.8 per cent in revenue to 445,326 tonnes and $285.06 million. The average export price surged by 36.4 per cent to $640 per tonne.

The third largest market was Malaysia with a growth of 28.8 per cent in volume and 60.6 per cent in turnover to reach 98,917 tonnes and $61.55 million, respectively.

In 2024, Viet Nam aims to maintain rice cultivation area of 7.1 million hectares and rice output of over 43 million tonnes, ensuring domestic consumption and export of over eight million tonnes of rice.

The rice exports last year witnessed a breakthrough, with volume reaching 8.1 million tonnes worth $4.7 billion, up 14.4 per cent in volume and 35.3 per cent in value compared to the previous year. This is a record high export for Viet Nam's rice industry.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as of January 22, 2024, Viet Nam had 161 eligible traders to export rice.

Ho Chi Minh City is the locality with the most rice exporters, with 36 traders. Followings are Can Tho (34 traders), Long An (22), ong Thap (15) and An Giang (14).

Some other localities have only one trader qualified to export rice, including Ha Nam, Hau Giang, Khanh Hoa, Lang Son and Thanh Hoa.

State reserves department authorises purchases of 220,000 tonnes of rice for 2024

The Government has greenlit a plan to purchase a total of 220,000 tonnes of rice for the year 2024, according to the General Department of State Reserves.

The plan included 22 reserve departments in cities and provinces across the country, who are put in charge of 196 bidding packages to purchase domestically produced, long grain 15 per cent broken rice, milled from the 2024 Spring harvest.

Contractors are to compete in open as well as online bidding sessions this month with a deadline set on May 2.

For bidding packages valued at over VN10 billion, contractors must produce a security deposit of 3 per cent of the package and 1.5 per cent for those valued under the amount. The winners will be announced and published by the national bidding system.

In cases of price fluctuations, local reserve departments are tasked with reporting to the general departments for guidance and instructions to ensure purchase prices will not exceed those regulated by the Ministry of Finance.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam exported US$25.77 billion to the US during the first three months, accounting for 27.7 per cent of the Southeast Asian economy's total export turnover and an increase of 24.1 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Of the big-ticket items, six exceeded $1 billion, eight exceeded $500 million and 19 exceeded $100 million. The $1 billion club included computers and electronic products, machinery, textiles, wood products and footwear.

Compared to the same period in 2023, 31 out of 36 export items to the US increased in turnover, including nine items with significant increases of over $100 million and one item with a very high increase (computers, electronic products and components) increased by over $1 billion.

Viet Nam's trade surplus with the US in the first quarter of 2024 reached $22.38 billion.

While Viet Nam ranks among the largest exporters to the US, the Southeast Asian economy accounts for about 3 per cent of the imports to the world's largest economy, leaving a lot of untapped growth potential especially after the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.

The Vietnamese community living in the US, with over 2.5 million people, has served as a bridge between Viet Nam and the US in various fields such as investment, trade, tourism, and remittances, according to economists.

In addition, Viet Nam's exports to the US have benefited from the weaker Vietnamese ong.

Based on the data collected in the first quarter of this year, Viet Nam's exports, imports, and trade surplus activities with the US are forecasted to reach as high as $103 billion, with a trade surplus of over $90 billion in 2024.  VNS
HA NOI  As the year 2024 is expected to witness the start of the fourth wave of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Viet Nam, localities nationwide are getting ready to absorb foreign capital flows.

The shift in global production chains, especially in core technology, chip technology and future technology industries, is opening up many opportunities for Viet Nam to attract high-tech FDI capital.

In the first quarter of 2024, Viet Nam registered US$6.17 billion of FDI capital poured in 17 out of 21 economic sectors, an increase of 13.4 per cent over the same period.

During a working session with Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung in China late last month, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said that some Chinese production chains in textiles, household appliances and wooden furniture have moved to Viet Nam. Chinese investment in Viet Nam is increasing rapidly, particularly in the electronics sector. Many Chinese supporting businesses that supply products to major global electronics companies like Samsung and Apple have also set up factories in Viet Nam after surveying other competing countries.

As part of the shifting trend, Taiwanese Quanta Computer Inc Group  one of the largest computer manufacturers in the world, specialising in assembling MacBooks for Apple  decided to build its ninth computer factory in My Thuan industrial park in Viet Nam's northern province of Nam inh with a registered capital of US$120 million and a capacity of 4.5 million products per year in Phase 1.

Tran Anh Dung, Vice Chairman of the Nam inh provincial People's Council said that to attract investors, the province has made preparations in all aspects from land funds for infrastructure development in industrial parks and economic zones, human resources, energy infrastructure and supporting industries to procedures. As a result, investment registration procedures for the project were completed within just 24 hours after receiving the dossier and only 15 days after the signing of the project development agreement. This shows the importance of a supportive eco-system in attracting investment.

o Nhat Hoang, Director of the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said that a new wave of FDI is coming to Viet Nam. In the new southern policy of the Republic of Korea (RoK), Viet Nam is placed at the top position in attracting investment. Many MoUs between businesses of the two countries have been implemented since the official visit of the RoK President to Viet Nam in June 2023.

Hoang affirmed that in this period, Viet Nam looks for investment in high technology, and new technology and says No to projects with outdated technology, environmental risks or labour-intensive ones.

The fourth FDI wave to Viet Nam is expected to bring US investment capital flows as many US business delegations are surveying the semiconductor chip ecosystem in Viet Nam. Many European business delegations are also surveying opportunities in Viet Nam with special attention to the countrys green growth strategy and its commitment to net-zero emission reduction by 2050.

Viet Nam has been concentrating on preparing clean land funds through infrastructure development in industrial parks, training high-quality human resources, developing new electricity sources, and logistic services and improving business climate, Hoang said.

He added that in the past, it was difficult for FDI investors to meet provincial leaders and officials, but now top provincial leaders are willing to meet, discuss and support investors to solve their business problems.

To attract high-tech projects, economists recommended that the Government improve competitiveness by building an appropriate investment incentive policy framework, especially when Viet Nam started applying the global minimum tax regime on January 1, 2024.

In particular, Viet Nam needs to have policies to support domestic enterprises so that they can participate deeper in the supply and production chains of FDI enterprises, especially in the high technology segment.  VNS
HA NOI  Takashimaya Group, renowned for operating high-end Japanese shopping centres, has announced its intention to open a shopping center in Ha Noi by 2026, as reported by Nikkei.

Yoshio Murata, Chairman of the Takashimaya Group, stated that their subsidiary, Toshin Development, has commenced construction of a complex in Viet Nam's capital city, Ha Noi. In addition to a sizable supermarket, the facility will feature residential, office and commercial rental spaces.

Takashimaya is projected to invest approximately two billion yen (equivalent to US$12.9 million) into this shopping center. The new complex will house a shopping centre spanning around 10,000 square metres, hosting a range of signature stores. Takashimaya is considering employing Japanese staff to sell products like food, cosmetics and children's clothing.

With this upcoming venture in Ha Noi, Takashimaya's portfolio will expand to five commercial centres in Southeast Asia and China. The economic slowdown in China has posed challenges for the Shanghai Takashimaya centre, leading to a decline in tenants and increased rents. To combat this situation, Murata has expressed the company's intention to explore other markets.

Takashimaya is specifically targeting Southeast Asia as a means to boost profits. Viet Nam, in particular, is viewed as Takashimaya's primary growth market due to the emergence of the middle and upper classes. However, the group faces fierce competition from other rivals, such as Lotte Group from South Korea and fellow Japanese company Aeon Mall.

Ha Noi will become the second Vietnamese city to house a Takashimaya commercial centre, following the opening of their complex in HCM City in 2016, which features around 150 signature stores and a large supermarket.

Takashimaya plans to double its profit and dividend income to 4.4 billion yen by February 2027 through its operations in Viet Nam.  VNS
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.
Luong Huong

Ngoc Chien Commune in the northern province of Son La is blessed with many natural gifts  poetic mountainous landscape, hot mineral water springs and particularly, seven ancient trees that have been recognised as national heritage.

The commune is located about 80km from the centre of Son La City and nearly 300km from Ha Noi. Visitors can travel to the locality either through Son La City or on Khau Pha, one of the four longest mountain passes in northern Viet Nam, spanning some 30 kilometres.

The seven ancient trees were listed as Viet Nams heritage trees by Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment (VACNE). They are an Evelyn keteleeria tree in Na Tau Village, a cluster of three banyans in Luot Village, a red flower kapok tree in Phay Village and two oaks in Muong Chien Village.

According to local elders, all these trees are associated with legends from the birth of Ngoc Chien Commune. They stand the test of time and have spiritual values believed to bring good fortune for the locals and favourable weather for their bumper crops.

The first leg of my journey to explore these trees is Na Tau, home to the 1,000-year-old Evelyn keteleeria tree, which is regarded by the locals as the Guardian of the village.

There we were told a legend by Tong Van Hai who keeps the shrine worshiping the ancient tree.

When the settlers first arrived here, they intended to cut down the tree to build houses and cultivate the land," Hai said.

"However, a fierce storm suddenly came and the sky turned pitch black. From on top of the tree, a gigantic tiger descended. Its eyes glowed red like burning coals, and it roared menacingly, poised to attack everyone.

Then, an elderly man emerged from within the tree, saying that this is a divine tree and a sacred dwelling place. If people want stay to live and cultivate, the spirits will protect them. But under no circumstances should the tree be cut down, or the entire village will perish. Then the old man and the tiger vanished.

From that day, the villagers built a small shrine to worship the deity, and they referred to the tree as a Divine.

Every year, on the 7th day of the first lunar month, before a new crop, Na Tau villagers hold a solemn ceremony at the shrine, seeking the blessings of the divine spirits for favourable weather, abundant crops, and the well-being of the community.

Next stop on my exploration of the sacred trees is the three banyans in Luot Village.

According to the village elders, these trees are the remaining from the early reclamation and expansion of the land, and they have become revered in the community.

The banyan trees are estimated to be more than 400 years old, symbolising the deep connection between the people and the land.

My next destination was Muong Chien Village where two oak trees stand side by side amid the flower fields.

According to the legend of the white Thai ethnics, these sacred trees have been present since the establishment of Muong Chien Village. Villagers often visit the trees to pray for happiness, especially couples.

These two trees are considered symbols of loyal and enduring relationships, representing strong and unbreakable bonds, said Cam Van Hoi, an elderly villager.

The last heritage tree is the 300-year-old red-flowered kapok tree, located at the centre of Phay Village. It was planted by locals when the village was established.

Unlike heritage trees in other localities, each one in Ngoc Chien has a shrine nearby and is taken care of by a villager.

Ethnic Thai people believe that ancient trees that have survived for hundreds of years are abodes of divine spirits or sanctuaries for the souls of the departed. It is highly respected and strictly forbidden to harm or cut down these ancient trees, as it is believed to bring about unfortunate events.

QR codes have been provided on the spot so that visitors could check-in and gain a deeper understanding of the legends and significance behind these majestic trees.

Tran Ngoc Hai, vice chairman of the Heritage Tree Council under the VACNE, said the heritage trees in Ngoc Chien Commune are highly valuable in terms of genetic resources, ecological environment, and the cultural heritage of the area.

What sets Ngoc Chien apart is that many generations from the same family have been involved in protecting these sacred trees in this region. In particular, the Evelyn keteleeria tree has had four generations actively preserving it, he said.

According to Bui Tien Sy, secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Ngoc Chien Commune, the heritage trees create a tourist attraction of the locality, thanks to not only the beautiful landscape, unique nature, and culture but also the mysterious stories associated with them.

Pham Mai Linh, a visitor from Ha Noi, said she was interested in the visit to the heritage trees and the legends about them.

"They are ideal tourist destinations that combine natural beauty with the distinctive cultural features of the local ethnic groups."  VNS
HCM CITY  Best-selling author Nguyen Nhat Anh has been named the reading culture ambassador of HCM City in 2024-2025.

The 69-year-old writer will join the city in activities to promote community reading habits and culture, including a book fair to celebrate the Viet Nam Book and Reading Cultural Day (April 21) held from April 19-22 in District 1.

The fair will display around 50,000 Vietnamese and foreign book titles in various topics from the citys major publishers and book distributors.

It will include a series of talks among authors, cultural experts and visitors, featuring topics such as audio books, and the development of reading habits.

At the event, Anh will host a book signing and a talk on how to identify an original and a pirated book.

He will also give a talk to encourage writers to create more works for children.

Anh began writing in 1984 and is known for his simple style and accurate depiction of childrens minds.

He has written more than 80 novels and collections of short stories.

His best-selling works in the 1990s, such as Kinh Van Hoa (Kaleidoscope) and Thang Quy Nho (The Mischievous Boy), are still popular today.

His novel Co Gai en Tu Hom Qua (The Girl Comes from Yesterday) in 1995 remains one of the countrys best-selling kids books, and the Moscow State University included it in the curriculum for Vietnamese-language students in 2014.

In 2007, his book Cho Toi Xin Mot Ve i Ve Tuoi Tho (Ticket to Childhood) was a hit and sold more than 20,000 copies in the first weeks of its release.

It won the Southeast Asian Writers Award presented by the Thai royal family in 2010. It has been translated into Thai and published by Thailand-based publisher Nanmee Books.

Many of his books have been adapted to films such as Toi Thay Hoa Vang Tren Co Xanh (Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass) and Mat Biec (Dreamy Eyes), which won top awards at local and international film festivals.

This year will see the premiere of two new movies adapted from Anhs works, Ngay Xua Co Mot Chuyen Tinh (Love Upon a Time) and Kinh Van Hoa.  VNS
By Tran Khanh An

HA NOI  A talkshow has taken place to highlight how able-bodied and people with disabilities can benefit from the arts.

The event, "Potential of Inclusive Arts: Beyond Pity Love", was organised by the Goethe Institute as part of their inclusive art project to provide insights on art and disabilities.

Oliver Brandt, director of the Goethe Institute Hanoi, told Viet Nam News: The Goethe Institute believes that arts and culture should be accessible for everyone and that both able-bodied people and disabled people profit from more inclusion.

"In the coming years, the Goethe Institute wants to create more space for reflecting the topic of inclusion through various formats of culture and promote artists with visible and invisible handicaps more strongly.

"In recent years, we have witnessed a new wave of inclusive art practices in both Viet Nam and Germany. These art projects seek to champion the stories of people with disabilities while also advocating to make art activities more accessible to all."

"The Goethe Institute Hanoi believes that this opens up countless opportunities for cultural exchanges and partnerships between the two countries, which will help further our conversations toward better, more inclusive societies."

The talkshow featured stories from three speakers: Bertolt Meyer, a psychology professor at Chemnitz University of Technology and a techno DJ; Hieu Luu, a disability advocate and photographer; Ha Phuong, a model and actress from the award-winning film Cu Li Never Cries.



Talking about her love of photography, Luu said: "A lot of people did not think that I could take a photograph because the camera is too heavy for a person with cerebral palsy."

Meyer said: "Being treated with pity is how you learn society does not treat you as equal. People with disabilities are often seen as 'others'. As a result, society has not fully used people with disabilities potential and ability to contribute to the arts.

"The language also matters. When we said 'people with disability' instead of 'disabled people' - it meant we have seen them as a person first."  VNS
HA NOI  An online exhibition presenting photos of heroic moments of the ien Bien Phu Campaign and the transformation of ien Bien's historical land after 70 years has been opened by Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

The exhibition features 70 black-and-white and colour photos carefully selected from thousands within the VNA photo archives. It can be accessed at dienbienphu.vnanet.vn.

Visitors to the website can also see diverse and in-depth information through various formats like text, graphics, mega stories or podcasts that are available in Vietnamese, French and English.

As the national news agency, VNA aims to widely disseminate this valuable information to the public on the 70th anniversary of the Victory of ien Bien Phu (May 7, 1954  May 7, 2024), said VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

This specialised platform enables a comprehensive view of the magnitude of the historic Victory of ien Bien Phu, along with continuously updated information on the nation's sentiments towards ien Bien. This includes various meaningful activities aimed at expressing gratitude and appreciation to commemorate the historical event, she added.

The exhibited photos are divided into two themes  ien Bien Phu Victory Resonating Throughout Five Continents and World-Shaking and ien Bien Aspiration. These photographs were captured by generations of VNA journalists.

The first part vividly portrays the strategic vision of the Vietnamese Party, the courageous spirit of the ien Bien soldiers, and the unity of the people nationwide, who devoted their utmost efforts and resources to the ien Bien Phu Campaign.

They are shown via images of convoys of vehicles carrying weapons and supplies, forming a continuous line towards ien Bien, or those of heavy artillery being pulled into the "fiery cauldron" of ien Bien amidst harsh conditions of relentless bombing and heavy storms.

The second part of the exhibition portrays a ien Bien that is continuously developing and transforming into an attractive tourist destination and a place to educate the younger generation about patriotic traditions.

VNA believes that this special information platform and online photo exhibition commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Victory of ien Bien Phu will continue to ignite the spirit of The Victory of ien Bien - the Strength of Viet Nam, the Monument of the Era, Trang noted.

On December 6, 1953, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, led by President Ho Chi Minh, decided to launch the ien Bien Phu Campaign. The decision was of great historical significance, demonstrating the Partys correct and wise strategic vision.

After 56 days and nights of heroic and resilient fighting, the Vietnamese soldiers and people smashed the ien Bien Phu stronghold on May 7, 1954, creating a historical turning point that led to a great change in the situation on the battlefield. The victory forced the French government to sign the Geneva Accord on ending the war and restoring the peace in Indochina, successfully finishing the nine-year arduous resistance struggle of the Vietnamese nation against the French colonial empire.

The ien Bien Phu Victory, which "resounded throughout five continents and shattered the world", is a glorious and epoch-making milestone in Vietnamese history, contributing to the national liberation movement and signalling the collapse of old-style colonialism on a global scale.  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on April 17 paid floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his monument in Caracas capital city, the first activity of his three-day official visit to Venezuela.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy PM recalled the late Presidents diplomatic viewpoint, in which he attached importance to relations with Latin American nations, adding that the Presidents monument in Caracas shows his reputation and stature, as well as Venezuelan peoples respect and love for him.

According to the Deputy PM, his ongoing visit aims to deepen the friendship and cooperation with Venezuela, thus contributing to peace, cooperation, development and progress of both countries and the world at large.

Venezuelan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Asia, Middle East and Oceania Tatiana Pugh Moreno affirmed that Venezuela treasures President Ho Chi Minhs image, career and life.

Moreno, who once worked as Venezuela Ambassador to Viet Nam, expressed her admiration for Viet Nams development, saying the country has steadily moved forward and remained steadfast with the principles left by President Ho Chi Minh.

The official highlighted historical similarities shared by the two countries, reiterated Venezuelan peoples sentiments towards, solidarity with and understanding of Viet Nam, and noted her wish for a green, sustainable relationship between the two sides.

Later the same day, Quang visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela, and laid a wreath at the monument dedicated to late President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez Frias.  VNS
NEW YORK  Viet Nam is one of the leading countries in Asia in terms of investment for infrastructure development, allocating 5.7 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) to projects, said Ambassador ang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the United Nations (UN).

Addressing a high-level debate on promoting sustainable development through infrastructure connectivity as part of a Sustainability Week held by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Thursday, Giang emphasised that building a modern and harmonious infrastructure system is one of the three strategic breakthroughs identified by the Vietnamese government for sustainable development.

So far, Viet Nam has put into operation 1,729km of expressways and aims to lift the total to 3,000km by 2025, he said, adding that Viet Nam is continuing to develop infrastructure connectivity with neighbouring countries, including Laos, thus promoting regional and inter-regional connectivity.

The Vietnamese Government continues to prioritise the development of sustainable infrastructure through investment in renewable energy, and green transportation systems, as well as promoting the production and use of electric public vehicles, he noted.

The diplomat thanked official development assistance (ODA) partners for their timely and effective support for Viet Nam's infrastructure development projects.

He said promoting connectivity between and within countries is essential for economic development, job creation, ensuring supply chain efficiency, and enhancing sustainability.

The diplomat proposed the enhancement of international cooperation and solidarity through financial and technical support to narrow the infrastructure development gap, particularly with developing countries.

Countries need to enhance the resilience of their infrastructure systems by investing in renewable energy, green transportation technology, and digital infrastructure, with institutional and financial contributions by both public and private sectors, he said.

Global efforts towards infrastructure connectivity should closely link with regional and national initiatives, he continued, taking the example of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating seamless support throughout the lifecycle of infrastructure projects in the region.

UNGA President Dennis Francis highlighted the importance of infrastructure development strategy in achieving all sustainable development goals, while emphasising the need to enhance financial support and investment in high-quality, reliable and sustainable infrastructure.

Participants also shared experiences and challenges in narrowing the gap in infrastructure development and connectivity, and discussed how to promote partnership, solidarity and innovation for sustainable infrastructure development.

The 'Sustainability Week', held from April 15-19, is an initiative of the President of the 78th Session of the UNGA to convene a series of high-level meetings of the UNGA to discuss topics related to sustainable development, contributing to mobilising political will to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  VNS
CARACAS  Viet Nams development achievements have made the country a growth model for many others including Venezuela, said Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Moros as he welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang during his official visit to the South American country on Thursday (local time).

Deputy PM Quang's visit is also expected to turn a new page in bilateral ties as the two countries celebrate the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2024.

Sending his regards to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and other high-level leaders of Viet Nam, President Maduro said Venezuela will continue the legacy of its late president Hugo Chavez in strengthening ties with Viet Nam.

Venezuela shares a long-term friendship with Viet Nam and is one of its key partners in Latin America, said Deputy PM Quang, hoping that their bilateral relations will grow to be more practical, effective and contribute to the growth of each country.

The Vietnamese leader expressed his gratitude for Venezuelas warm welcome on his first visit to the country and congratulated the countrys achievements in socio-economic recovery, social order and peoples quality of life following the COVID-19 pandemic.

He was confident that Venezuela, under the leadership of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and President Maduro, would continue to succeed in national development and elevate its position in the world.

Speaking about the results of the meetings with Venezuelan ministers and between ministries, sectors, localities and businesses from both countries during his visit, Deputy PM Quang suggested that Viet Nam and Venezuela increase high-level delegation exchanges, strengthen the established cooperation mechanisms and dialogues, and promote trade-economy and investment activities.

The South American country will soon begin the negotiation process for cooperation and specific projects while facilitating investments with Viet Nam, said the Venezuelan president.

The two countries will also prepare for high-level leader visits, the Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Committee, as well as other cooperation mechanisms between their foreign ministries and businesses.

The Vietnamese and Venezuelan governments will accompany their respective companies, encouraging and facilitating cooperation projects and bilateral investments, especially in oil and gas, agriculture, telecommunications and construction.

The two leaders also discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern and agreed to address disputes by peaceful means in compliance with international laws and the United Nations Charter.

Following the meeting, Venezuelan President Maduro and Vietnamese Deputy PM Quang witnessed a signing ceremony of five cooperation agreements in agriculture, petrochemical refining, telecommunications and construction materials production.  VNS
HA NOI  Vietnamese Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long and Chinese counterpart He Rong on Friday held talks in Ha Noi, as part of the latter's four-day working visit to Viet Nam.

During the talks, Minister Long congratulated the significant, historical achievements that the Communist Party of China (CPC), the State and the people of China have attained, especially over the past decade since the 18th National Party Congress.

Minister Long congratulated and highly appreciated the contributions of the Chinese Ministry of Justice as the standing agency of the Commission for Comprehensive Law-based Governance of the CPC Central Committee in the construction of China's "socialist rule of law state".

Minister briefed the Chinese official on the socio-economic situation of Viet Nam in the first quarter of 2024, overviewed the Party's principles and directions in the construction and improvement of the socialist rule of law state, as reflected in the documents of the 13th National Party Congress and Resolution 27-NQ/TW dated November 9, 2022, of the sixth plenum of the Party Central Committee of the 13th Party Congress, which sets the goal of building a "democratic, fair, humane, comprehensive, systematic, unified, timely, feasible, transparent, stable, accessible legal system, paving the way for innovation, sustainable development and rigorous, consistent enforcement mechanisms."

The implementation of Resolution 27-NQ/TW poses many new requirements and tasks for the Vietnamese justice sector in the future, Long said.

To this end, cooperation and sharing of knowledge and experiences from countries around the world  especially China, a neighbouring country with rich experience in legal and judicial work, with many similarities to Viet Nam in terms of ideological foundation, socialist-oriented goals, political, economic, cultural, and social aspects  are needed, the Vietnamese official noted.

Chinese justice chief He Rong briefly introduced the CPC's principles and policies in the legal and judicial field, the functions and tasks of the Chinese Ministry of Justice and the Commission for Comprehensive Law-based Governance, and also briefly introduced some initiatives of the Chinese Ministry of Justice in promoting regional cooperation.

Minister He Rong believed that Viet Nam has achieved many results in building and improving the socialist rule of law state, which is an important prerequisite for both sides to exchange and learn from each other's experiences.

Regarding cooperation in legal and judicial matters between Viet Nam and China, the two Ministers highly appreciated the efforts made by the justice ministries of both countries in negotiating and signing two important cooperation documents.

On October 31, 2022, during the official visit of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to China, the two ministries signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the legal field to replace the previous cooperation document, the Agreement on Cooperation between the two justice ministries in 1997. In this Memorandum, the two sides agreed to exchange experiences in law building, review legal normative documents and organise legal enforcement; exchange experiences in legal education and dissemination; grassroots-level reconciliation; legal assistance; lawyer and notary management; administrative violation handling; legal reform, and building the rule of law state.

Based on this new Memorandum, the two Justice Ministries agreed and signed the Cooperation Programme for 2024-25 (signed on December 8, 2023, during the state visit to Viet Nam by CPC General Secretary, President Xi Jinping).

The two Ministers requested specialised units under the justice ministries of both countries to actively coordinate in effectively implementing these cooperation documents and to periodically review and evaluate the results and effectiveness of cooperation activities to propose further measures to enhance cooperation to the leadership of each country's justice ministry.

Immediately after the talks, the two Ministers signed an Agreement on organising the First Conference among the judicial agencies of localities along the Viet Nam-China border (to be held in China in 2025).  VNS
HA NOI  The Politburo and the Party Central Committees Secretariat held a meeting in Ha Noi on Friday to decide disciplinary measures on a number of Party organisations and members committing violations.

After considering proposals from the Party Central Committees Inspection Commission, the Politburo and the Party Central Committees Secretariat concluded that the Party Civil Affairs Committee of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) in the 2011-2016 tenure violated the principles of democratic centralism, Party regulations, State laws and working regulations, and showed a lack of responsibility and relaxed leadership and direction. These led to a number of collectives and individuals wrongdoings in organising the purchase and transfer of programmes on vocational training and vocational teacher training, as well as giving advice in issuing, adjusting and implementing Project 371 on transferring sets of programmes, training vocational teachers and managers, and piloting major occupations in vocational training, as well as Project 761 on developing high-quality vocational training schools. They also violated legal regulations in implementing orders, creating conditions for Advanced International Joint Stock Company (AIC) to participate in high-value bid packages to gain illegal profits.

Violations of the MoLISA's Party Civil Affairs Committee in the 2011-2016 tenure lasted for years and became the cause of violations and shortcomings in the implementation of many bid packages from 2011 to 2021, leading to a high risk of loss and huge waste of time, human resources and state budget, causing serious and difficult-to-remedy consequences, hurting the reputation of the Party organisation and the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs.

Meanwhile, ao Ngoc Dung, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the ministry's Party Civil Affairs Committee and Minister, violated the principles of democratic centralism, Party regulations, State laws and regulations on things that a Party member is banned from doing and the responsibility of setting good examples, working regulations. He relaxed leadership, direction and management, allowing the ministry and some collectives and individuals under its management to commit violations, causing losses and waste to the State budget, hurting the reputation of the Party organisation and the MoLISA.

Pham Thi Hai Chuyen, while serving as a Party Central Committee member and Secretary of the MoLISAs Party Civil Affairs Committee and Minister of MoLISA, violated the principles of democratic centralism, Party regulations, State laws and regulations on things that a Party member is banned from doing and the responsibility of setting good examples, working regulations and relaxed leadership, direction and management, allowing the ministry and some collectives and individuals under its management to commit violations, go against legal regulations in the organisation of placing orders, creating conditions for the AIC to participate in bid packages, leading to high risk of huge losses to State budget, causing serious and difficult-to-remedy consequences, hurting the reputation of the Party organisation and the ministry.

Huynh Van Ti, while acting as member of the Party Central Committee, member of the MoLISAs Party Civil Affairs Committee and Deputy MoLISA Minister, violated Party regulations, State laws and regulations on things that a Party member is banned from doing and and the responsibility of setting good examples, working regulations, causing serious consequences.

At the same time, the Politburo and Party Central Committees Secretariat also concluded violations of a number of officials of the Party organisations of Quang Ngai, Vinh Phuc, ak Lak, ak Nong and Binh Phuoc provinces, including Le Viet Chu, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Secretary of the Quang Ngai Party Committee; Pham Hoang Anh, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Vinh Phuc Party Committee; Doan Huu Long, former member of the ak Lak provincial Party Committee, former Secretary of the Party Committee and former Director of the Department of Health of ak Lak Province; ang Gia Dung, former member of the ak Nong provincial Party Committee, former Secretary of the Party Committee and former Director of the Department of Construction of ak Nong Province; and Ma Ly Phuoc, member of the Binh Phuoc Party Committee, standing deputy head of the Mass Mobilisation Commission of the Binh Phuoc Party Committee.

They showed degradation in political ideology, morality and lifestyle, seriously violating Party regulations and State laws while performing their assigned tasks.

The Politburo and Party Central Committees Secretariat decided to give a reprimand to ao Ngoc Dung, and warnings to Pham Thi Hai Chuyen and Huynh Van Ti.

They proposed the Party Central Committee expel Le Viet Chu from the Party.

The Party Central Committees Secretariat also gave warnings to the Party Civil Affairs Committee of the MoLISA in the 2011-2016 tenure, and a reprimand to the committee in the 2016-2021 tenure.

Pham Hoang Anh, Doan Huu Long, ang Gia Dung, Ma Ly Phuoc were expelled from the Party.  VNS
HA NOI  Politburo member, Chairman of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committees Commission for Internal Affairs Phan inh Trach hosted a reception in Ha Noi on Friday for He Rong, member of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Justice.

Trac, who is also Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, welcomed the Chinese delegations visit to Viet Nam with the aim of promptly concretising common perceptions reached by the General Secretaries of the CPV and CPC and contents related to legal and judicial cooperation outlined in the Viet Nam-China Joint Statements in 2022 and last year.

He spoke highly of the cooperation results between the two Ministries of Justice and earlier talks between the two Ministers of Justice, especially directions and measures to foster legal and judicial collaboration.

Viet Nam always attaches importance to fostering and developing the Viet Nam-China relationship, and stays ready to work with China to uphold the new height of the bilateral ties, and translate the high-level common perceptions, joint statements and cooperation documents signed by the two sides into concrete action, including those in the fields of justice and law.

The host suggested both sides increase the sharing of research results and practical experiences in building a socialist rule-of-law state, judicial reform, corruption prevention and control, power control, and combating group interest in lawmaking to serve the causes of the two Parties and countries. He spoke highly of the two sides' agreement to establish a judicial conference mechanism for provinces along the Viet Nam-China border.

He Rong, who is also a member of the CPC Central Committee, agreed with Viet Nams proposals, noting that enhancing cooperation between the two justice ministries and in the fields of judicial and legal affairs is an important aspect of the bilateral ties, especially after the two sides consented to continue deepening and elevating the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, and building a Viet Nam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

The Chinese Ministry of Justice is ready to work with the CPV Central Committee's Commission for Internal Affairs and relevant Vietnamese agencies to thoroughly realise the common perceptions and the signed cooperation agreements, aiming to achieve more positive and practical results in the bilateral legal and judicial cooperation, she said.

The minister also underlined the need for increasing exchanges and cooperation in areas such as law-based national governance and building a socialist rule-of-law state.  VNS
China willing to deepen strategic mutual trust with Indonesia: Wang Yi

Xinhua) 09:15, April 19, 2024

JAKARTA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to deepen strategic mutual trust with Indonesia and promote the bilateral relations to a new stage, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during his meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Wang said under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the China-Indonesia comprehensive strategic cooperation has reached a new level.

He pointed out that China is willing to carry on the traditional friendship with Indonesia and deepen strategic mutual trust.

China appreciates the Indonesian government's adherence to the one-China principle, and will continue to firmly support each other's core interests with Indonesia, the foreign minister said.

Wang emphasized that China is willing to work closely with Indonesia to jointly promote the high-quality development of China-ASEAN relations, consolidate the ASEAN-led regional structure, safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, advance regional and global governance, safeguard international fairness and justice, and advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world.

For her part, Marsudi said that China is Indonesia's largest trading partner, the second-largest source of foreign investment, and an important partner in achieving peace and prosperity in the region and the world. The Indonesian government attaches great importance to developing relations with China and firmly adheres to the one-China principle.

Indonesia looks forward to working closely with China to continuously strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership, enhance cooperation on trade and investment, jointly combat telecommunications fraud and other transnational crimes, and promote greater development of bilateral relations, she added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Cecilia Huerta Gallegos, 30, was last seen in the 5600 block of Southwick Street on July 8, 2019, according to the San Antonio Police Department. Carlos Javier Sanchez | Contribu Cecilia Huerta Gallegos, 30, was last seen in the 5600 block of Southwick Street on July 8, 2019, according to the San Antonio Police Department. Courtesy

Five years after going missing, Cecilia Huerta Gallegos is telling her story.

Her head shifts slightly, and Gallegos occasionally blinks as she appears to speak in a video produced by the nonprofit Search and Support San Antonio.

The organization is using artificial intelligence in hopes of finding Gallegos. In the video, she appears to talk about her disappearance, pleading for the public to share her story.

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Should I ever go missing, please look for me and know that my husband did something to me, she says. My name is Cecilia Huerta Gallegos, and these were my last words to someone I trusted.

She is presumed dead, but her body is still missing.

Gallegos was 30 years old when she disappeared. San Antonio police said she was last seen in public leaving her job at St. Francis Nursing Home, where she worked as a certified nursing assistant, on July 7, 2019.

Police arrested Gallegos husband, Reyes Gallegos, in connection with his wifes disappearance and charged him with murder in 2021. He is scheduled to stand trial next month.

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READ MORE: Husband of San Antonio woman missing since July arrested for filing false police report

Investigators believe that Reyes Gallegos killed his wife in a jealous rage and disposed of her body.

Reyes Gallegos was arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife, Cecilia Huerta Gallegos, who is presumed dead after going missing five years ago. /

Nina Brooks, founder and president of Search and Support San Antonio, said the idea of using AI technology to find missing people came from a similar video of Madeleine McCann, a 3-year-old girl from England who disappeared from her bed in Portugal in 2007.

We launched an AI alarmist campaign using this AI technology because its growing rapidly, so we decided to take advantage of it, Brooks said. The potential for great outreach to people who are interested in AI animated true crime clips is large.

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The nonprofit has a team of 21 people with a mission of helping families find their loved ones free of cost.

Search and Support San Antonios campaign mirrors much of what groups in countries such as Mexico and Ukraine are doing to find missing people.

The video of Cecilia Gallegos is the groups first in its campaign, Brooks said. The group spoke with Cecilia Gallegos family to get approval for the video and script.

Some people (see) it as creepy because the person is not here anymore, and now suddenly they are given life, Brooks said. But in this case, Cecilias family said go for it.

Mireya Lopez, Cecilia Gallegos sister, said viewing the video of her sister speaking after five years was difficult but that all that mattered was sharing her story.

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It hit hard, Lopez said. As soon as I looked at the video, I cried because it brought memories back from the first day it happened.

It might be hard for family members to see their loved ones in these videos, Brooks said, but they appeal to peoples emotions and help them remember the faces of those who are missing.

People in our society get numb to (missing person) flyers. ... People dont really pay attention anymore, Brooks said. With these AI videos, it puts some life into it, and it speaks to some.

Brooks said a volunteer makes the videos, which is not a quick process. It takes about four weeks to make one video, she said.

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Reyes Gallegos is currently free after posting bail. He was previously convicted of filing a false police report regarding his wifes disappearance. An affidavit for that case states that home security footage captured her going inside the bedroom shared by the couple. There is no footage of her coming out.

Police said the camera was turned off around 2 a.m. for two hours. Reyes Gallegos was then observed going in and out of the bedroom, leaving the house for short periods of time and unloading two shovels, a chain saw, contractor-duty trash bags and cleaning supplies, police said.

While speaking with police, Gallegos said he and his wife got into an argument about infidelity and that she cut him on his finger with a knife before fleeing on foot.

Police later said his story was inconsistent with the home security camera footage.

Lopez said she knows her sister is dead but that she still has hopes that her sister will be found and given a proper burial.
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested the Ministries of Justice of Viet Nam and China to foster cooperation and mutual support, making them to be on a par with the height of the bilateral relations.

While receiving Chinese Minister of Justice He Rong in Ha Noi on Friday, PM Chinh briefed the Chinese minister on the outstanding achievements that Viet Nam has reaped in nearly 40 years of renewal.

The PM affirmed that Viet Nam considers the development of the stable, healthy, sustainable and long-term ties with China as a consistent policy, an objective requirement, a strategic choice and a leading priority in its foreign policy.

He stressed that the Vietnamese Government always supports and creates favourable conditions for the two justice ministries to bolster cooperation, asking them to effectively carry out the signed Memorandum of understanding on cooperation and promote more practical cooperation activities with stronger political trust, more experience sharing and more effective management.

PM Chinh suggested the cooperation focus on building and completing the rule-of-law state and laws, enhancing partnership in training of high-quality human resources, and judicial assistance in line with bilateral and multilateral international treaties to which both nations are signatories.

The Government leader also proposed enhancing judicial cooperation between localities of the two nations, especially border ones, and spoke highly of the preparation for the first judicial conference between provinces along the shared borderline to be held in China in 2025.

He Rong, for her part, briefed PM Chinh on the outcomes of her working sessions with Vietnamese ministries, sectors and agencies, especially her talks with Vietnamese Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long during which both ministers exchanged experiences in law making, inspection of law documents and law enforcement, reconciliation at the grassroots level, and law reform, among others.

She agreed with PM Chinhs recommendations, and affirmed that she will work closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice to promote cooperative activities in a more practical and effective fashion in accordance with the agreements reached by high-level leaders of both nations.

The host and guest expressed their delight at the sound development of the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Viet Nam and China over the past years, and emphasised the significance of the consolidation and promotion of the cooperative ties in the areas of law and justice, especially in the context that both sides are pushing ahead the construction of their rule-of-law socialist states.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam always attaches importance to and wishes to bolster multifaceted cooperation with Cote d'Ivoire  its traditional friendship partner in Africa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang has said.

She made the statement while co-chairing the third Viet Nam- Cote d'Ivoire political consultation meeting with Cote d'Ivoire's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad Wautabouna Ouattara as part of her trip to the country from April 17 to 18.

Ouattara expressed his admiration for Viet Nams renewal and socio-economic development over the past time, and hoped to learn from the countrys successful development model.

Both sides expressed their delight at the recent development in the bilateral relations across all channels, particularly exchange of high-level delegations, adding the two countries boast huge potential to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, culture and sports, among others.

They discussed and agreed on measures to create breakthroughs to the bilateral relations towards the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties in 2025, including increasing exchange of delegations at all levels, coordinating and supporting each other at regional and international forums such as the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States, and promoting cultural and sport exchange as well as tourism cooperation.

Besides, they reached consensus on strengthening connectivity and information exchange, creating favourable conditions for their key exports like rice and cashew to enter each others market, and expand export for other products such as cocoa, chemicals and two-wheel motor vehicles.

Viet Nam and Cote d'Ivoire should enhance opportunity sharing and investment projects while accelerating negotiations and signing for their cooperation agreements on trade and investment to create a legal corridors for bilateral collaboration, they stressed.

Ouattara said Viet Nam is a strategic agricultural partner of Cote d'Ivoire, hoping to receive the Southeast Asian nations support in producing rice and ensuring food security.

He said Cote d'Ivoire welcomes and is willing to create incentives for Vietnamese firms to open branches and invest in the country, helping it realise strategic targets on national developments at the earliest.

During her stay, Hang made a courtesy call to Vice President of the National Assembly of Cote d'Ivoire Konate Sidiki, during which both sides agreed to promote the role of the parliamentary diplomacy to enhance bilateral cooperation, bring into play the agreements reached by high-level leaders during President of the National Assembly Amada Bitogos visit to Viet Nam last year, and join hands to prepare upcoming exchange of high-level delegations.

She also attended the Viet Nam - Cote d'Ivoire business forum held by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cote d'Ivoire, where its President Toure Faman and enterprises said they see Viet Nam as an important market, and are interested in cooperation opportunities with Viet Nam.

They suggested both nations enhance information on policies and market demands, promote connectivity activities, and create favourable conditions for enterprises of both sides.

Businesses of Cote d'Ivoire said they want to set up partnership with Vietnamese firms in the potential fields of rice, cashew, rubber and cocoa.

Hang said she will discuss and work closely with competent authorities in Viet Nam to promote the implementation of the signed agreements, expressing her hope that with their strengths and dynamic economies, Viet Nam and Cote d'Ivoire will expand cooperation to better meet development demand and benefits of the people of the two nations.

She also attended the Abidjan Market for Performing Arts 2024, an international cultural exchange event that drew the participation of more than 33 countries.  VNS
HA NOI  Vocational training support is part of the unemployment insurance policies, but job service centres report that on a yearly average, less than 5 per cent of job seekers opt for these courses.

Job seeker Duong Thu Ha told Vietnam News Agency at a mobile job fair in Hai Ba Trung District in Ha Noi: I am on unemployment benefit, but I dont go to vocational training courses because what they offer  cooking, baking, driving, doesn't suit me.

The vocational training support is VN1.5 million (US$60) per month at six months maximum. This amount and complicated procedures make it difficult to attend these classes.

According to the Ha Noi Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the number of unemployment policy beneficiaries rises through the years, but the number of those receiving vocational training support from these policies is on a decline.

Data from the Ha Noi Centre for Employment Services (HCES) showed that the number of people receiving unemployment benefits increased from 63,363 in 2021 to 71,717 in 2022 and 84,984 in 2023.

However, only a small percentage of them attended vocational training courses, with 558, nearly 1,120 and 487 people in 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Tran Viet Hung, dean of Ha Noi Vocational Secondary School of Public Transport, said that only 172 students have been admitted to the institution since 2021.

The number of admissions dropped from 96 in 2021 to 44 in 2022 and 27 in 2023, all are enrolled in car driving courses.

The school has been working with HCES for career consultation, admissions and training for unemployment policy beneficiaries.

The school leader said that vocational training for unemployment policy beneficiaries at the institution and elsewhere are encountering multiple challenges, such as different application times which affect enrolment and class schedules.

The limited financial support also means students have to cover a portion of tuition fees themselves, in addition to the high costs of living in the city.

According to Deputy Director of Ha Noi Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Tay Nam, the current laws and regulations have included many preferential policies for the unemployed.

However, a majority of job seekers want to quickly find new employment rather than taking vocational courses and do not take full advantage of this support.

Nam said that employment service centres need to improve consultation and communication with people on unemployment benefits and vocational training institutions to offer a flexible mode of learning, which should allow job seekers to arrange their schedules and register for courses that suit their capacity.

These centres should also strengthen cooperation with businesses for training.

The amendment to the current employment law also plans to offer more support to employers in improving their staff capacity, especially in cases of disasters, changes of operation location, scale or structure due to orders from authorities or law requirements.

The current vocational training support addresses the educational needs of job seekers but has not been able to improve their professional skills.

In addition to covering living cost and transportation expenses for vocational students who reside far from educational facilities, the employment law amendment also proposes expanding the scope to upskilling job seekers.  VNS
HA NOI  Nha Nam Publishing House has issued an official statement temporarily removing CEO Nguyen Nhat Anh from his position following allegations of sexual harassment against an employee.

In the statement published on Nha Nam's Facebook fanpage on the evening of April 18, the management board apologised to readers for the recent negative information surrounding the company.

They also apologised for the negative impact on the employee's mental and physical well-being, stating their willingness to cover all related costs.

They said Nha Nam would work to verify the allegations and identify any harm caused to the involved parties and the company itself. Based on the findings, they will take appropriate disciplinary measures against Nguyen Nhat Anh.

They confirmed the termination of Nha Nam's collaboration with author ang Hoang Giang, with an official end date of April 15.

They announced that Deputy CEO Duong Thanh Hoai will be in charge of Nha Nam as of April 18.

They said Nha Nam had removed the personal apology posted by Nguyen Nhat Anh on the companys fanpage previously.

In closing, they expressed regret for any delays and mistakes in handling this matter and hoped for understanding and tolerance from readers and all relevant parties. VNS
HA NOI  The Ha Noi Association for Women Entrepreneurs (HNEW) and the Vietnamese Women Forum in Europe (VWFE) signed an agreement on April 18 on cooperation to enhance the role, position and contributions of Vietnamese women in socio-economic areas.

Accordingly, the two sides will support each other in implementing their common goals, while exchanging information and experience in activities of Vietnamese women in Viet Nam and European countries, giving consultations to women organisations in building development strategies and implementing projects related to the development of women.

At the same time, they will share experiences and cooperate in activities to maintain traditional Vietnamese values and integrate into foreign countries society.

The two sides will coordinate to hold or join conferences, seminars and forums to seek measures to enhance womens role in socio-economic aspects, as well as training courses to provide women with management and leadership skills, thus increasing their opportunities to develop themselves, improve their role in the society, and update science-technology advances, according to the agreement.

At the signing ceremony, HNEW President Bui Thi Hai Yen said that the signing of the cooperation agreement with the VWFE, a prestigious women association of Vietnamese in Europe, will open up new development directions for both sides and help each other to realise their respective goals, she said.

The association, established in 2008, has nearly 250 members who are leaders of private businesses in all sectors.

Meanwhile, VWFE President Phan Bich Thien expressed her hope that the partnership with the HNEW will help connect entrepreneurs of Ha Noi with their peers in Europe, bringing specific benefits for both sides and creating more favourable conditions for charity activities in Viet Nam.

Thien said that the VWFE was set up in June 2023, gathering nearly 300 members from 21 countries, aiming to connect Vietnamese women in regional countries as well as between them and their peers at home.

She said that the forum will continue to organise more activities to link Vietnamese women regardless of their ages and backgrounds.  VNS
HA NOI Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on Friday asked the Ministry of Health to pay attention to the development of local hospitals while reorganising the ministry-managed hospitals.

Ha chaired a meeting on a comprehensive project on reorganising hospitals managed by the ministry during the 2023-30 period.

He said the project aims to invest in and build healthcare facilities that meet qualifications in order to realise the goal of improving public healthcare service quality.

Based on the existing set of criteria, the Deputy PM assigned the Ministry of Health to coordinate with localities to review and rearrange hospitals under the ministrys management.

He recommended calling for the engagement of private hospitals with the same capacity as central hospitals to take on professional duties in order to improve healthcare service quality.

Only when public and private healthcare providers, and central and local governments work together will they create synchronised planning for the medical facility network, he said.

He assigned the Ministry of Home Affairs to study and give consultation on the hospital rearrangement plans with regard to practical requirements.

Deputy Minister of Health o Xuan Tuyen said the project aims to reduce direct management focal points.

The Ministry of Health has been asked to invest in resources and professional techniques in some specialised hospitals which do not meet the criteria of leading hospitals but belong to a number of priority specialised fields, or are located in key socio-economic regions.

By 2025, the ministry is scheduled to directly manage 30 hospitals.

It will hand over the Central Hospital 74 to Vinh Phuc Provincial People's Committee for management.

It will also combine Central Hospital 71 (a hospital specialising in tuberculosis and lung diseases based in Thanh Hoa Province) and Central Nursing - Rehabilitation Hospital (a hospital specialising in rehabilitation headquartered in Thanh Hoa Province) to become a practice hospital under Hanoi Medical University. VNS
City Manager Erik Walsh talks to Mayor Ron Nirenberg during a city council meeting discussing the new city budget at the Henry Gonzalez Convention Center on April 18, 2024. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal District 2 Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez smiles during a city council meeting to discuss the new city budget at the Henry Gonzalez Convention Center on April 18, 2024. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal City employees listen as the City Council discusses the new city budget at the Henry Gonzalez Convention Center on April 18, 2024. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal District 6 Councilmember Melissa Cabello Havrda and District10 Councilmember Marc Whyte talk during a city council meeting to discuss the new city budget at the Henry Gonzalez Convention Center on April 18, 2024. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal District 4 Councilmember Dr. Adriana Rocha Garcia smiles during a city council meeting to discuss the new city budget at the Henry Gonzalez Convention Center on April 18, 2024. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal City Council members and other elected officials attend a meeting to discuss the new city budget at the Henry Gonzalez Convention Center on April 18, 2024. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal District 9 Councilmember John Courage listens during a city council meeting to discuss the new city budget at the Henry Gonzalez Convention Center on April 18, 2024. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal District 2 Councilmember Jalen McKee-Rodriguez talks to District 3 Councilmember Phyllis Viagran during a city council meeting to discuss the new city budget at the Henry Gonzalez Convention Center on April 18, 2024. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal District 8 Councilmember Manny Pelaez and District 7 Councilmember Marina Alderete Gavito attend a city council meeting to discuss the new city budget at the Henry Gonzalez Convention Center on April 18, 2024. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) Kaylee Greenlee Beal

The city of San Antonio is shaking up how it spends CPS Energy revenue windfalls, eliminating what often turns into last-minute fights among City Council members over how to divvy up millions of dollars they hadnt expected.

City officials say the changes could hold down, but probably not eliminate, future rate hikes for electric and gas customers.

Most of CPS' revenue surpluses  when its payments to the city are larger than forecast  will go back to the city-owned utility.

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A smaller, yet to be determined, portion of money will be dropped into the citys Resiliency, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Fund, which supports projects that combat climate change.

Council approved a rate increase late last year that added an average of almost $5 to each residential ratepayers monthly bill. The utility said it plans to seek another bump in 2025.

Annually, CPS returns 14% of its revenue to the city. Thats expected to total $421 million this year. The payment makes up about 26% of the citys $1.6 billion general fund, which pays for services such as police and fire protection, street repairs, sidewalks, libraries, senior centers and drainage projects.

CPS revenue surpluses frequently crop up late in the citys budget season, which starts in the spring and ends with council adopting the annual spending plan in mid-September. The scramble among council members to snag funds for pet projects or budget priorities that got short-changed can become intense.

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In 2022, the council voted to use the bulk of a $75 million CPS windfall to give utility customers $30 rebates. In addition to weeks of debate, then-Council Member Mario Bravo publicly berated another council member after she chose not to support his plan to put most of the surplus toward weatherization, resiliency centers and expansion of the citys tree canopy. He was later censured for his outburst.

Last year, council members werent as combative when they carved up a $20 million windfall  but the decision to spend some of the money to create a $500,000 Reproductive Justice Fund was divisive. The fund will likely be used in part to pay for travel for out-of-state abortion services. District 10 Council Member Marc Whyte abstained from voting on the entire city budget because of his objection to that possibility.

Anti-abortion groups have sued San Antonio over the fund, though the council has yet to decide how to spend the money.

This weeks policy changes come after District 6 Council Member Melissa Cabello Havrda proposed reducing the amount of money that CPS Energy sends to the city. That original idea didnt gain traction on council, but the new ways of handling CPS windfalls were born from it.

By the numbers

The first change  which returns some surplus revenue to the utility  applies to its sales of excess electricity on the Texas wholesale market. So-called off-system sales revenue that the city receives above $10 million will go back to CPS Energy at the end of each fiscal year, with the aim of driving down future rate hikes. That will start in the upcoming 2025 budget cycle.

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Most windfall revenue comes from spot market sales.

There really is the potential to mitigate a future rate increase, Ben Gorzell, the citys chief financial officer, told council during a Wednesday budget work session.

CPS could make a killing on the Texas wholesale market. Gorzell noted the states power grid operator predicts its wholesale market will be tight for the next few years, meaning that the amount of electricity available on the grid will barely meet the expected demand. CPS usually generates more power than necessary to keep the lights on across San Antonio, leaving it with power to sell on the spot market.

READ MORE: San Antonio City Council OKs subsidies for employers to train their workers

Money generated from extremely hot summers, unusually cold winters or high fuel costs (which are passed on to customers) will be split up if the surplus exceeds 10% of the CPS' annual budget. About 80% of future windfalls will go back to the utility to spend on resiliency and reliability projects, city staff said. The remaining 20% will go into San Antonios Resiliency, Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Fund.

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Those percentages could change as City Councils budget talks progress.

Gorzell said resiliency and reliability projects at CPS would include a wide variety of projects, such as adopting technologies to help the utility restore power faster after an outage or weatherizing its power plants.

But District 2 Council Member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez said Thursday that he doubts the changes will do much to make future rate hikes less likely.

Theyre going to continue to ask for rate increases, so Im less interested at this point in mitigating that, McKee-Rodriguez said, referring to CPS. We can give them all the money, and theyre still going to say, 'We need more.'

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READ MORE: San Antonio council members want faster progress on reining in vicious dogs
After testifying, Miranda Casarez sits with her defense team during the punishment phase of her trial on Thursday. A jury convicted her of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of her 4-year-old stepson, Benjamin Cervera. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Crying, shaking uncontrollably and biting her lip, Miranda Casarez insisted to the jury that a day earlier had convicted her of killing her stepson that she had not starved or hurt him in any way.

The jury then sentenced her to 25 years in prison for injury to a child by omission causing serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony, late Thursday afternoon. She could have received up to life in prison.

In her testimony during the punishment phase of her trial, Casarez, 25, denied a litany of accusations from prosecutor Michael Villarreal  that she starved Benjamin Benji Cervera, made him drink urine in toilet water, fed him bread that had dirt and flowers smashed in it, and forced hand sanitizer and hot sauce down his throat.

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Miranda Casarez is taken into custody after receiving her sentence Thursday. Casarez was sentenced to 25 years in prison for injury to a child by omission causing serious bodily injury to her stepson Benjamin Cervera. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Amy Flores Zepeda addresses Miranda Casarez on Thursday as she reads a victim impact statement on behalf of her sister and Benjamin Cerveras biological mother, Erica Flores. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Defense attorney Anthony B. Cantrell puts his arm around Miranda Casarez before the jury arrives to deliver her sentence Thursday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Miranda Casarez speaks with her attorney Anthony B. Cantrell ahead of her sentencing Thursday. Casarez was sentenced to 25 years in prison for injury to a child by omission causing serious bodily injury to her stepson Benjamin Cervera. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Standing with her attorney Anthony B. Cantrell, Miranda Casarez listens to Amy Flores Zepeda read a victim impact statement on behalf of her sister and Benjamin Cerveras biological mother, Erica Flores. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Prosecutor Michael Villarreal cross-examines Miranda Casarez regarding bruises visible on Benjamin Cervera in an autopsy photo during the punishment phase of her trial on Thursday. Casarez was found guilty in the starvation death Benjamin, her 4-year-old stepson. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Miranda Casarez breaks into tears while testifying in the punishment phase of her trial as her attorney, Anthony B. Cantrell, shows her evidence Thursday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Miranda Casarez steps down after testifying in the punishment phase of her trial on Thursday. Casarez was found guilty in the starvation death of her 4-year-old stepson Benjamin Cervera. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Prosecutor Thomas Damico addresses the jury in his closing arguments in the punishment phase of the trial of Miranda Casarez, who was found guilty of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of Benjamin Cervera, her 4-year-old stepson. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Miranda Casarez watches the jury leave to deliberate her sentence on Thursday. She was found guilty of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of Benjamin Cervera, her 4-year-old stepson. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Defense attorney Anthony B. Cantrell looks over paperwork while Miranda Casarez rests her head in her hands as the jury deliberates her sentence on Thursday. She was found guilty of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of Benjamin Cervera, her 4-year-old stepson. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Miranda Casarez questions legal assistant Hannah Taylor as the jury deliberates her sentence on Thursday. She was found guilty of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of Benjamin Cervera, her 4-year-old stepson. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Rolling up her sleeve, Miranda Casarez shows jurors the tattoo she got in honor of her stepson Benjamin Cervera as she testifies during the punishment phase of her trial Wednesday. The panel earlier had convicted her of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of Benjamin, 4. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Miranda Casarez testifies during the punishment phase of her trial Wednesday, after the jury convicted her of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of Benjamin, 4. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Miranda Casarez leaves the stand after testifying during the punishment phase of her trial Wednesday. A jury earlier had convicted her of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of Benjamin, 4. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Miranda Casarez appears for sentencing on Thursday. Casarez was sentenced to 25 years in prison for injury to a child by omission causing serious bodily injury to her stepson Benjamin Cervera. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

I didnt starve him. I didnt force hand sanitizer, Casarez said. I never forced him to eat salsa.

She took the stand late Wednesday to tell her side of the story, her defense attorney Anthony B. Cantrell said shortly after she was found guilty.

Benji was one month shy of his fifth birthday and weighed 28 pounds when he died on Aug. 17, 2021. Bexar County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kimberley Molina said the cause was starvation and called it a homicide, noting that the boy did not have any underlying conditions. The jury was not convinced by experts who testified for the defense that Molina didnt check for several alternative reasons the boy might have suddenly declined in four months.

In testimony that continued through most of Thursday morning, Casarez said she was under the complete control of Benjis father, Brandon Lee Cervera, whom she accused of spanking, hitting and dragging Benji through the house because he would soil his diapers.

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When asked by Cantrell to show the jury her memorial to Benji, she lifted the sleeve on her left arm to display a tattoo she got about a month after Benji died, Benjamin written in cursive above an image of the dog from Paw Patrol, his favorite cartoon, and the years he was born and died underneath.

He was like one of my kids, Casarez said when Cantrell asked why she decided to remember the boy that way.

Prosecutor Michael Villarreal cross-examines Miranda Casarez as she testifies in the punishment phase of her trial on Thursday. A jury convicted her of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of her 4-year-old stepson, Benjamin Cervera. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Each time Cantrell would ask Casarez about pictures and videos she took of Benji in distress, she said they were to show Child Protective Services and Cervera, because, she said, she wanted him to start helping her around the house instead of spending most evenings with his friends.

A text message read aloud to and shown to the jury detailed her frustration with Benji, that his constant crying was preventing her and her son, then 2, from sleeping.

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The text was sent to her mother from her phone. Casarez denied multiple times to Villarreal that she sent it to her mother. Asked again by Cantrell, she admitted she sent it but said the words came from Cervera, who she said dictated her text messages about Benji.

I dont know how long I can take this. This f---ing kid, my son cant sleep because of this little 5-year-old that everyone thinks is so perfect . Im done This kid needs a good one, said the text.

Casarez insisted that she did not single out Benji, that she loved him and treated him as her own. She also painted a picture of abuse directed toward just Benji by his father. Cervera was the one who decided to put locks on the food pantry and refrigerator, Casarez said.

Tears streak the face of Miranda Casarez as she listens to the closing arguments in the punishment phase of her trial on Thursday. A jury convicted her of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of her 4-year-old stepson, Benjamin Cervera. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

The only thing I agreed to was the baby gate and the little white lock, not the combination locks, she said.

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In his closing argument, prosecutor Thomas Damico played another video of Benji sitting in the dark, crying, I want bread!

Casarez could be heard saying he wont get bread and needed to lie down.

Starvation will continue until the morale improves, Damico sarcastically told the jury in a bellowing voice that echoed in the 186th District Court. How I was raised, if a child is hungry, you feed them.

Damico reminded jurors of the videos they had seen of Benji climbing up to try to get the locks off the pantry and refrigerator and trying to find a way around a steel gate in the room he shared with the couples combined children.

Prosecutor Michael Villarreal addresses the jury in his closing arguments in the punishment phase of the trial of Miranda Casarez, who was found guilty of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of Benjamin Cervera, her 4-year-old stepson. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

In his closing argument, Cantrell told the jurors they had not seriously considered the evidence and wagged his finger at them, saying they had promised to do so during jury selection.

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You made your mind up, someone had to pay, he told the jury. Do I fault you? No, but I know its hard.

He urged them to give Casarez 10 years or less, which would allow her to apply for probation.

Villarreal said Casarez was responsible for Benjis death, not a victim of it. He pointed out a 911 call she made where she spoke about how she had not slept the night before Benji died. The dispatcher told her to describe what was going on as Benji was dying in Casarezs car.

Nobody cares, Villarreal told the jury. She thinks she is a victim of Benjis death and not the perpetrator.

Miranda Casarez rests her head in her hands as the jury deliberates her sentence on Thursday. She was found guilty of injury to a child by omission in the starvation death of Benjamin Cervera, her 4-year-old stepson. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

He scoffed at the defenses characterization that Casarez has suffered since she lost custody of her son from a previous relationship and the daughter she shared with Cervera.

Its been so rough, she had another child, Villarreal told the jury, referring to the 3-month-old baby the defendant had been breastfeeding outside the courtroom throughout the trial.

Before he urged the jury to sentence Casarez to life in prison, Villarreal said Benji couldnt get what he needed for the last two months of his life before he died of starvation.

And the person who did it was the person he called mom, Villarreal told the panel.

Casarez will have to serve at least half of her sentence before she is eligible for parole. All 12 jurors and at least one alternate stayed in state District Judge Kristina Escalonas courtroom for a tearful victim impact statement read by Benjis aunt, Amy Flores Zepeda.

I hope instead of laughter you hear my sons cries, Zepeda said on behalf of her sister, Benjis biological mother, Erica Flores, as Casarez visibly trembled.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Jenny McAllister, Australian Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan .

Tan emphasised the importance of developing a competitive electricity market that can support Vietnams ambitious decarbonisation agenda for Power Development Plan VIII.

"Creating a competitive electricity market alongside the appropriate regulatory frameworks can entice the private investment needed to achieve Vietnams renewable energy targets," said Tan.

The agreement commits the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the ERAV, the energy regulator under the MoIT, to share its experience and develop cooperation activities to facilitate the development of the electricity markets.

The MoU will build on existing activities developed under the partnerships for infrastructure and other bilateral and regional programmes and supports the development of a competitive electricity retail market; provides practical suggestions on the regulatory framework and mechanisms for regulating transmission and distribution; and implements capacity building and training, along with other activities.

"Australia values our relationship with Vietnam. By strengthening climate, environment, and energy cooperation, we can realise the opportunities of a clean-energy future. I am pleased to see the growing relationship between ERAV and the Australian Embassy that will strengthen bilateral engagement on climate and energy," said McAllister.

Jenny McAllister, Australian Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy

In March, Australia and Vietnam elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with a focus on climate, energy, and the environment, which is the first of its kind for an Australian CSP.

"Australia has the same challenges and aspirations to ensure sustainable, secure, and fair electricity services and the foundation for prosperity and economic growth. This partnership provides an important opportunity to share knowledge and explore solutions for the Vietnamese power sector," said Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski.

Australia strengthens climate and energy cooperation with Vietnam Australia's Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister will travel to Vietnam to drive cooperation on climate and the energy transition under the recently signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Australias Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040.

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.
KCN Vietnam's cutting-edge factory and warehouse project set to magnetise foreign investors in Bac Ninh

This is KCN Vietnam's debut venture in Bac Ninh, encompassing a 14-hectare area and anticipated to offer more than 90,000 square metres of top-tier ready-built facilities available for lease.

The project in Bac Ninh is poised to attract interest from diverse industries, including high-tech, clean technology, electronics, light industry, food processing, and supporting industries. What sets this project apart is its top-tier industrial infrastructure and a strategically advantageous location for industrial expansion.

Positioned at the northeastern gateway of Hanoi, it enjoys seamless transportation connections and proximity to key international airports and major seaports. These factors bolster its competitive edge, creating a highly attractive environment for significant foreign direct investment (FDI).

For years, the northern region has upheld its status as a leading industrial hub in Vietnam, drawing FDI from international enterprises. Standing out among the region, Bac Ninh is emerging as a focal point for foreign-invested capital attraction, particularly from northeast Asian countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea.

According to a report by the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, in the first quarter of this year, Bac Ninh ranked second in the country for FDI attraction with total registered investment capital of almost $745.2 million, accounting for nearly 12.1 per cent of the national figure. The achievement is primarily credited to the substantial investment in the province, particularly in developing high-quality industrial infrastructure and pre-built warehouses and factories.

With the strategic expansion of investment in key economic regions nationwide, in addition to projects in the southern region, KCN Vietnam has also been actively investing in the northern region with projects in Deep C (Haiphong), Tan Hung (Bac Giang), An Phat (Hai Duong province), and Thuan Thanh III Industrial Park.

This newest KCN Vietnam project in Bac Ninh adheres to stringent modern industrial infrastructure standards. These include optimal ceiling heights, well-equipped fight-fighting systems, and efficient loading areas equipped with dock levellers. Furthermore, KCN Vietnam strongly emphasises sustainable development with the implementation of solar power systems.

In addition to its prowess in infrastructure development, KCN Vietnam leads the way in providing comprehensive support to businesses throughout their investment and operational journey in Vietnam. This consultancy spans from providing insights into market dynamics, investment climate, and tax incentive policies, to guiding investors through investment registration procedures, business establishment, and addressing inquiries.

Services also include legal, tax, accounting, and human resources consultations. This comprehensive support is invaluable for investors, significantly streamlining entry into the Vietnamese market and minimising both time and costs, while fortifying the competitive position of enterprises within the marketplace.

Nguyen Duc Cao, deputy head of Bac Ninh Industrial Zones Management Board said, Taking the roles of overseeing IZ operations within the province, we are thrilled and deeply value KCN Vietnam's investment choice to establish this ready-built warehouse and factory project in Bac Ninh. We are eager to witness promising outcomes of the project, as it will serve as an important precedent in bolstering the locality's capacity to attract FDI, sustaining its prominent position in national FDI attraction, and fostering swift and sustainable socioeconomic progress within the region.

Truong Khac Nguyen Minh, deputy general director of KCN Vietnam, stated, With the desire to accompany businesses and customers throughout the investment and sustainable business development process in Vietnam, we are confident that our new project in Bac Ninh will provide investors with additional choices when seeking high-quality ready-built warehouses and factories in the key northern economic area. KCN Vietnam will continue to intensify investment and develop many other industrial projects nationwide.

Benefiting from its strategic location and commitment to sustainable investment practices, KCN Vietnam's latest ready-built factory and warehouse project in Bac Ninh is poised to generate significant competitive advantages.

It is anticipated to attract FDI and play a pivotal role in advancing Bac Ninh and the broader national economy. Additionally, the project is forecasted to generate numerous job opportunities for the local community, thereby enhancing quality of life and fostering regional economic growth.

KCN Vietnam was established in 2021 to address the escalating demand for high-quality industrial rental properties. The company had laid a solid foundation with an initial land acquisition of approximately 200 hectares and an investment exceeding $300 million.

Vietnam: a magnet for foreign investors Foreign investors continue to eye expansion in Vietnam to tap into local potential and strategies.

IKO Thompson to build a $57 million factory in Quang Ninh IKO Thompson Vietnam signed a land lease agreement with Amata City Ha Long on March 11 to build its factory across three hectares of Song Khoai Industrial Park (IP) in the northern province of Quang Ninh

Victory Giant Technology to invest $800 million in Bac Ninh Victory Giant Technology is to invest in a high-precision, printed circuit boards project in the northern province of Bac Ninh, according Vuong Quoc Tuan, standing Deputy Chairman of Bac Ninh People's Committee following a meeting at the Chinese manufacturer's factory in Guangdong province on March 19, during Tuan's visit to the country.

Ho Nai Industrial Park begins construction The 16.3 hectare Ho Nai Industrial Park  the biggest project of its kind so far in the south of Vietnam  started construction on April 6 in Dong Nai province.
Jacob Beltran covers crime, breaking news and general assignments for the Express-News. He can be reached at jbeltran@express-news.net.

A San Antonio native, Jacob began his journalism career in 2010. He's worked for the student-run newspaper for San Antonio College, The Ranger, and for Texas A&M University-San Antonio, The Mesquite.

He enjoys video games, photography and exploring during his free time.
Hans Chuang has been appointed as general manager of Intel's Sales, Marketing and Communications Group (SMG) for Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ). Based out of Taiwan, Chuang will be responsible for Intels overall business in the APJ region, including driving revenue growth, engaging with the local ecosystem to create new opportunities, and strengthening existing customer and partner relationships.

Chuang holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from McGill University.

"Intel is transforming, and I am excited to lead the companys growth and innovation in APJ, one of the most diverse and fastest growing regions for Intel. Leveraging the strength of our partners and continuing our commitment to building an open ecosystem that serves our customers in a transparent and secure manner will be key to our long-term success in the region," said Chuang.

Intel announced India as a separate region within its SMG organisation in March to capitalise on the countrys rapid growth and business opportunities. Santhosh Viswanathan, vice president and managing director for India, will lead the newly formed region, leveraging his expertise to drive value and customer centricity.

"We see massive business opportunities and growing momentum in India. By creating a separate region, we are enabling our teams, including our strong engineering base in India, to work closely with our customers. It is a very exciting time for Intel in India, and I am thrilled to lead our business in the country," said Viswanathan.

Viswanathan holds an engineering degree in industrial engineering and management and a master's degree in business administration.

Both Chuang and Viswanathan have extensive leadership experience within Intel and are known for their dedication to delivering outcomes for Intel customers. Their appointments reflect Intel's focus on aligning organisational structures with evolving market dynamics.

Intel tapping into digital transformation US tech giant Intel is driving innovation to enable its customers to unleash the potential of digital tech. Simon Chan, managing director of Intels Sales, Marketing & Communications Group for Southeast/South Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, talked to VIRs Bich Thuy about its strategy and plans to become a chip champion once again.

Intel to pour more investment in Vietnam Intel Corporation will continue to invest in Vietnam, Kim Huat Ooi, Vice President in Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Operations, and General Manager of Intel Products Vietnam told Tuoi Tre (Youth) Newspaper.

Intel abandons $5.4 bn deal to buy Israel's Tower Semiconductor Intel Corporation has terminated a $5.4 billion deal to buy Tower Semiconductor in Israel after failing to get needed regulatory approval, the US chip maker announced Wednesday.
As reported by Nikkei Asia, Toshin Development, a subsidiary of Takashimaya, has started construction of a mixed-use complex that includes a department store, apartments, offices, and commercial spaces. Takashimaya is expected to invest an estimated 2 billion yen ($12.9 million) in opening the department store. The project will make it the first Japanese department store chain to establish a physical presence in Hanoi.

Takashimaya positions Vietnam as a promising market and will aim to further expand sales opportunities. However, there is fierce competition as South Korea's Lotte Group has launched a mall and a department store in the capital, and Japan's Aeon Mall also operates in the city.

"We'll create stores that will compete with other stores," Murata said. "The demand for Japanese product quality will rise as the standard of living improves."

The department store will offer 10,000 square metres of sales space alongside specialty stores. Takashimaya is considering bringing tenants from Japan to sell food, cosmetics, and children's clothing at these stores.

The move marks Takashimaya's expansion in Vietnam's retail market after opening a complex in Ho Chi Minh City in 2016 with about 150 specialty shops alongside a department store.

For the fiscal year that ended in February 2024, Takashimaya Ho Chi Minh City recorded steady growth in increased revenue and profit thanks to an initiative involving incorporating Japanese brands, a first for Vietnam.

At Takashimaya Ho Chi Minh City, the retailer will increase its net sales by reorganising product categories and brands and strengthening events to improve the store's ability to attract customers.

Takashimaya aims to double the sum of operating profit and dividend income for Vietnamese businesses from 2.2 billion ($14.3 million) in FY2023 to 4.4 billion ($28.5 million) by FY2026.

Takashimaya deepens footprint in Vietnam through partnership with Trung Thuy Group Privately-held Trung Thuy Group and Takashiyama subsidiary Toshin Development recently clinched a co-operative agreement in the Lancaster Luminaire project which is expected to become a new symbol of Hanoi.

Retailer Takashimaya to expand in Vietnam, halt operations in China Japanese retailer Takashimaya has recently announced closing its flagship store in Shanghai in August, which indicates its decision of pulling out of China. Southeast Asia, particularly Vietnam, would be the group's next destination.
Automobile components are made at foreign-invested Pim Vina Ltd Co, Ltd in My Trung industrial park, My Loc district, Nam Dinh province. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi  As the year 2024 is expected to witness the start of the fourth wave of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Vietnam, localities nationwide are getting ready to absorb foreign capital flows.

The shift in global production chains, especially in core technology, chip technology, and future technology industries, is opening up many opportunities for Vietnam to attract high-tech FDI capital.

In the first quarter of 2024, Vietnam registered 6.17 billion USD of FDI capital poured in 17 out of 21 economic sectors, an increase of 13.4% over the same period.

During a working session with Vietnam's Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung in China late last month, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao said that some Chinese production chains in textiles, household appliances and wooden furniture have moved to Vietnam. Chinese investment in Vietnam is increasing rapidly, particularly in the electronics sector. Many Chinese supporting businesses that supply products to major global electronics companies like Samsung and Apple have also set up factories in Vietnam after surveying other competing countries.

As part of the shifting trend, Taiwanese Quanta Computer Inc Group - one of the largest computer manufacturers in the world, specialising in assembling MacBooks for Apple - decided to build its ninth computer factory in My Thuan industrial park in Vietnam's northern province of Nam Dinh with a registered capital of 120 million USD and a capacity of 4.5 million products per year in Phase 1.

Tran Anh Dung, Vice Chairman of the Nam Dinh provincial People's Council said that to attract investors, the province has made preparations in all aspects from land funds for infrastructure development in industrial parks and economic zones, human resources, energy infrastructure and supporting industries to procedures. As a result, investment registration procedures for the project were completed within just 24 hours after receiving the dossier and only 15 days after the signing of the project development agreement. This shows the importance of a supportive eco-system in attracting investment.

Do Nhat Hoang, Director of the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment said that a new wave of FDI is coming to Vietnam. In the new southern policy of the Republic of Korea (RoK), Vietnam is placed at the top position in attracting investment. Many MoUs between businesses of the two countries have been implemented since the official visit of the RoK President to Vietnam in June 2023.

Hoang affirmed that in this period, Vietnam looks for investment in high technology, and new technology and says No to projects with outdated technology, environmental risks or labour-intensive ones.

The fourth FDI wave to Vietnam is expected to bring US investment capital flows as many US business delegations are surveying the semiconductor chip ecosystem in Vietnam. Many European business delegations are also surveying opportunities in Vietnam with special attention to the countrys green growth strategy and its commitment to net-zero emission reduction by 2050.

Vietnam has been concentrating on preparing clean land funds through infrastructure development in industrial parks, training high-quality human resources, developing new electricity sources, and logistic services and improving business climate, Hoang said.

He added that in the past, it was difficult for FDI investors to meet provincial leaders and officials, but now top provincial leaders are willing to meet, discuss and support investors to solve their business problems.

To attract high-tech projects, economists recommended that the Government improve competitiveness by building an appropriate investment incentive policy framework, especially when Vietnam started applying the global minimum tax regime on January 1, 2024.

In particular, Vietnam needs to have policies to support domestic enterprises so that they can participate deeper in the supply and production chains of FDI enterprises, especially in the high technology segment.

Registered FDI in Vietnam tops 6.17 billion USD in Q1 As of March 20, total newly-registered, additional, and contributed capital and share purchases of foreign investors stood at more than 6.17 billion USD in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 13.4 per cent.

Searefico ventures into logistics to welcome wave of FDI In anticipation of rising foreign direct investment inflows into Vietnam, Searefico has ventured into the logistics industry to capitalise on new opportunities.

Where is environmental governance in FDI attraction? While Vietnam and businesses are moving towards sustainability, hubs of environmental concerns remain in attractive investment destinations, requiring a change in order to become competitive.
USAID Mission director for Vietnam Aler Grubbs and Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam deputy general director Nguyen Thuy Hanh signed the agreement, establishing a five-year partnership to advance the country's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Through this new MoU, USAID will collaborate with Standard Chartered Bank in Vietnam to facilitate financing for the private sector to develop the country's advanced clean energy. This partnership is a model to expand collaboration with financial institutions and help accelerate the countrys goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, said USAID/Vietnam Mission director Grubbs.

Our MoU with USAID is part of our commitment to support our clients and help them access sustainable financing and achieve net-zero goals. We will continue to work closely with our clients and our partners to provide access to finance to where it matters most and to contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam, said Nguyen Thuy Hanh, deputy general director, head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam.

Under the partnership, USAID will collaborate with Standard Chartered, a financial institution with one of the strongest commitments to green financing and clean energy in Vietnam, to mobilise private sector investment in advanced energy systems such as rooftop solar, modernised utilities, and energy trading. USAID support includes training, capacity development, transactional support, and matchmaking activities.

Under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the US is a committed partner to Vietnam in advancing the countrys transition to a clean, secure, and market-based energy sector.

EU releases $23 million fund for clean energy in Vietnam The European Union has released $23.6 million of budget support to the Vietnamese government in the framework of the EU - Viet Nam Sustainable Energy Transition Programme (SETP).

The correct path to a low-carbon market for Vietnam Vietnam is striving to build a carbon credit market, attracting interest among stakeholders. Marc Stuart, founding partner and CEO of clean energy advisors Allotrope Partners, spoke with VIRs Bich Thuy about how various partnerships can support this mission.
Hanoi capitals Noi Bai International Airport (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi capitals Noi Bai International Airport and the Da Nang International Airport in the central city of the same name have been listed among the worlds top 100 airports in 2024 by the UK  based aviation consultancy Skytrax.

According to the list, Noi Bai ranked 96th, up 31 places compared to last year, while Da Nang stood at the 94th position.

This marked the sixth time that Noi Bai airport has made it in Skytraxs list, from 2016 to 2020, and in 2024.

The northern airport also secured the sixth position in the global rankings for airports with the best Wi-Fi connectivity in 2024, according to the renowned Skytrax Airline, which publishes a list of the top 20 global airports with the best Wi-Fi connectivity annually.

Its impressive performance highlights its commitment to providing passengers with seamless and reliable access to the Internet, thereby bettering the overall travel experience of visitors.

Earlier, the international terminal at the Da Nang International Airport became the first and the only terminal in Vietnam to get a 5-star rating by Skytrax, following its continued efforts to improve infrastructure and enhance the passenger experience.

The airport was also named among the worlds top 10 most improved airports, and among the best regional airports in Asia in the 2023 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

The World Airport Awards initially began in 1999 when Skytrax launched its first global airport customer satisfaction survey. It is generally regarded as a quality benchmark for the world airport industry, assessing customer service and facilities across over 500 airports.
ACI is an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to establishing voluntary carbon credit standards. It is committed to accelerating the transition to a carbon-neutral economy by producing credible, transparent, and high-quality carbon credits. ACI is also a member of the TRACTION group led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, which is focused on developing transition credits as a complementary financial instrument for the early retirement of Asias coal plants.

Sustainability Economics provides end-to-end net-zero solutions across multiple sectors. The company's expertise is a blend of extensive domain knowledge with state-of-the-art digital platforms and advanced technologies, while prioritising lifecycle management and automation to deliver comprehensive net-zero transition solutions for high-emission sectors.

Kasu Venkata Reddy, co-founder and CEO of Sustainability Economics, said, "We are thrilled to partner with Asia Carbon Institute in our shared mission to accelerate the transition towards clean energy sources in Asia. This collaboration underscores our commitment to driving sustainable solutions and combating climate change."

John Lo, founder of Asia Carbon Institute, said, "We are pleased that Sustainability Economics has chosen ACI as the standard of choice for evaluating their transition credit methodology. This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to establish transparent standards for carbon credits and accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral economy."

Coal-fired power generation remains a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, particularly in Asia where a concentration of young CFPPs exists, averaging less than 15 years old. To address this pressing issue, Sustainability Economics will work with ACI and submit the methodology that facilitates the transition of CFPPs to clean energy sources. This methodology aims to create high-integrity transition credits, a financial instrument designed to accelerate the early retirement of CFPPs in Asia.

Transition credits are generated through replacing CFPPs with clean energy sources, provide a market-driven solution to enhance the economic viability and scalability of early retirement transactions. These credits adhere to the 'Core Carbon Principles' established by the International Carbon Value Chain Management, ensuring credibility and alignment with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainability Economics' methodology is rooted in practicality and crafted with input from CFPP owners and renewable energy developers throughout Asia. It emphasises a data-driven approach and the use of digital platforms that utilise state-of-the-art technologies to automate the process of producing Transition Credits from initiation to completion.

The economics of nature: How to integrate natural capital into policy Nature's ability to regenerate is dwindling as human demands on it increase. To reverse this trend, we need to incorporate natural capital into economic modelling and policymaking.

EPR can be a move towards sustainable development By implementing extended producer responsibility, Vietnamese businesses can meet the increasingly high demands of partners and participate extensively in the global value chain, but it is also a challenge because new regulations always take time to deploy and enforce effectively.
Thanh Cong Textile Garment Investment Trading JSC (TCM), a large exporter based in Ho Chi Minh City, revealed that the company saw an estimated $39 million in revenue and $2.5 million in profit in Q1, up 6 per cent and 9 per cent respectively, on-year.

According to Tran Nhu Tung, chairman of TCM, "We have already fulfilled 85 per cent of our order target for Q2 and 80 per cent for Q3 and if things continue this way, the company should easily fulfill its targets for the year."

At the companys 2024 AGM on April 5, shareholders approved targets of a 12 per cent jump in revenue and 21 per cent boost in post-tax profit compared to 2023, to reach around $154 million and $6.7 million, respectively.

Following its Q1 figures, TCM has fulfilled 26 per cent of its full-year revenue and over 38 per cent of its full-year profit targets.

Garment 10 Corporation, a large textile and apparel exporter based in Hanoi, has revealed their Q1 results with a more than 24 per cent jump in total revenue, coming to $47 million, of which exports amounted to $42.5 million, up 29 per cent on-year.

Meanwhile, more favourable situations in the global market will continue to be instrumental for a stronger performance in the petroleum sector.

PetroVietnam Oil Corporation (PVOIL) raked in $1.22 billion in consolidated revenue in Q1 and $12.5 million in consolidated pre-tax profit, up 41 per cent and 5 per cent respectively.

During the same period, the company opened 33 more filling stations, pushing up its total number of filling stations to 789.

PVOIL's targets for the year include $3.45 billion in revenue and just under $31 million in pre-tax profit. The company has now achieved 41 per cent of its profit target following its Q1 performance.

Several businesses in the banking sector have also posted upbeat results for Q1.

SeABank took in a little under $63 million in pre-tax profit, showing a 41 per cent jump on-year, and VIB reported $108 million in profit, equal to last year.

Undergoing a challenging dip in demand, electronics retailer MobileWorld Group is showing positive signs following the first reporting period of the year.

In the first two months alone, the company posted $900 million in total revenue, up 14 per cent on-year.

Nguyen The Minh, head of the Research and Development Division at Yuanta Vietnam Securities, believes that businesses in the garment and textile industry, seafood exports, and transportation will continue to see more robust results this year, along with those in the food, retail and chemicals sectors.

Furthermore, the industrial real estate sector, availing of steadily surging overseas funding, should also continue to see growth, said Minh.

Resort real estate market shows positive signs The resort real estate market is recording positive signs as demand, in both domestic and international tourist markets, is gradually recovering at a stable pace, thereby helping strengthen trust in the industry, according to Mauro Gasparotti, Director of Savills Hotels.

Ba Ria-Vung Tau received major investment boost in Q1 For more than 30 years, the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau has been proactive in its socioeconomic development and remains steadfast in its sustainability goals while enticing investment and supporting business initiatives.
IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan (Photo: IMF)

Washington D.C  The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted that Vietnam will have many opportunities from digitalisation and green transformation, according to IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan.

Addressing a press conference on the Regional Economic Outlook for Asia and Pacific in Washington D. C on April 18, Srinivasan said Vietnams economic growth is likely to expand by about 6.5% based on numerous potentials, significant foreign direct investment, and ongoing efforts to improve the business environment and infrastructure.

According to the expert, growth surprised on the upside in the second half of 2023, as robust domestic demand fueled activity especially in emerging Asian economies. Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and, most notably, India recorded sizeable positive growth surprises.

He stated that growth for the region reached 5.0% in 2023 - much stronger than the growth of 3.9% in 2022 - and is 0.4 percentage points higher than what IMF had projected in the October 2023 Regional Economic Outlook.

The fund projects the region to grow by 4.5% in 2024 - an upward revision of 0.3 percentage points relative to October, saying that with this, Asia will contribute about 60% of global growth.

Srinivasan said that promoting growth depends on each country individually. In China and India, IMF expects investment to contribute disproportionately to growth. Meanwhile, in emerging Asia outside China and India, robust private consumption will remain the main growth engine.

He also mentioned the monetary policy challenge, recommending that governments should focus on consolidation to curb the rise in public debt and rebuild fiscal buffers.

Capital influx from Taiwan builds up steam in Vietnam Many Taiwanese investors have plans to set down deep roots in Vietnam, especially in the high-tech sector.

Vietnam can emulate Taiwanese high-tech success Vietnam is considered an attractive investment destination for Taiwanese investors. CY Huang, chairman of the Southeast Asia Impact Alliance, spoke with VIRs Kim Oanh about the investment prospective of Taiwanese investors and the proposals to more effectively lure this investment capital inflow.

Industrial parks within Vietnam keen on Taiwanese investment Industrial parks in Vietnam are moving to pick up a surge of Taiwanese investment.
At a conference themed "Solutions for upgrading the Vietnam stock market" hosted by the MoF in collaboration with the World Bank Group on April 16, speakers clarified how Vietnam should upgrade from a frontier market to an emerging market, as assessed by international organisations, especially FTSERussell.

Nguyen Nhu Quynh, director of the MoF's Institute of Financial Strategy, delivered a speech at the conference

The conference focused on discussing four content groups includes analysing the opportunities of upgrading for the development of the Vietnamese stock market in particular, and the economy in general; analysing the conditions and criteria for upgrading to an emerging market that the Vietnamese stock market needs to achieve according to FTSE Russell's evaluation; experiences from some stock markets when upgrading, identifying challenges and risks for Vietnam when upgrading the stock market to an emerging market; proposing solutions to promote the upgrading of the Vietnamese stock market in the near future.

Nguyen Nhu Quynh, director of the MoF's Institute of Financial Strategy, stated at the conference that, "The stock market is becoming an important capital mobilisation channel for Vietnam's economy, especially for medium- and long-term capital. As of March, the VN-Index had reached 1,284 points, up 13.6 per cent compared to the end of 2023, ranking second only to Japan's Nikkei 225 Index, which increased by 20.6 per cent. The market capitalisation of stocks reached $283.33 trillion, up 13.9 per cent, equivalent to 66.2 per cent of Vietnam's estimated GDP in 2023.

Elevating Vietnam's stock market from frontier to emerging status will be a crucial milestone for the new phase of market development, contributing to increasing scale, enhancing the efficiency of capital mobilisation and utilisation, and fostering the economic growth of the country.

Vu Chi Dung, head of the State Securities Commission's International Cooperation Department, spoke at the conference

Upgrading the market is a priority for the government, with the prime minister closely overseeing and setting specific goals to strive for by 2025.

"To ensure the sustainable development of a stock market, it must truly be healthy, transparent, and ensure fairness for all investors. As the direct supervisor for the stock market, the State Securities Commission (SSC) has, is, and will continue to make efforts to propose appropriate solutions to meet the criteria of ratings organisations towards the goal of upgrading Vietnam's stock market from frontier to emerging, ensuring continuous, transparent, stable, and fair market operation," said Vu Chi Dung, head of the SSC's International Cooperation Department, at the conference.

However, experts discussed at the conference that when Vietnam's stock market is upgraded, the biggest challenge will be to ensure that the market continues to develop sustainably, maintaining its rating and avoiding a downgrade. This can happen when stock markets no longer meet the requirements to maintain their current status or cannot meet the changing criteria issued by ratings agencies.

Based on the discussion, the conference raised more open issues that need attention from managers, policymakers, and researchers to contribute to improving policies related to upgrading the Vietnamese stock market.

Vietnam looks for catalyst to upgrade market status In a bid to elevate Vietnam to an emerging market status, the State Securities Commission is set to engage with global rating agencies in Hong Kong next month, seeking to boost foreign investment and diversify financial instruments.

Vietnam closer to emerging market status Vietnams decade-long quest to transition from a frontier to an emerging securities market underscores the pressing need for technological, regulatory, and risk management reforms to foster a robust and investor-centric ecosystem.
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A 10-year-old boy confessed to shooting and killing a man at an RV park more than two years ago, the Gonzales County Sheriff's Office said. Tetra Images/Getty Images/Tetra images RF

A 10-year-old admitted to shooting and killing a man in a Gonzales County RV park more than two years ago, and told investigators he didnt know the man and had no reason to kill him, according to the Gonzales County Sheriffs Office.

Brandon OQuinn Rasberry, 32, was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head on Jan. 18, 2022, in his RV at Lazy J RV Park in Nixon, about 45 miles east of downtown San Antonio.

An autopsy found hed been shot once in the head and had two minor graze wounds, one on each hand, and had been dead for approximately two days, the Gonzales County Sheriffs Office said. All leads were exhausted in an investigation that followed, and the case remained unsolved.

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Rasberry worked for Holmes Foods, a poultry processing plant in Nixon, and had moved his RV to the park four days before he was found dead, the sheriffs office said. According to his obituary, he was born in Brenham.

Last Friday, the sheriffs office received a call from the Nixon-Smiley Consolidated Independent School District, reporting that a 10-year-old student had threatened to assault and kill another student on a bus the day before. When a deputy arrived, school officials reported the boy had also claimed he shot and killed a man two years ago.

ON OUR RADAR: A midmorning update for local readers

During an interview with investigators, the boy reported that he was visiting his grandfather on Jan. 16, 2022, who lived at the same RV park as Rasberry, a few lots away, the sheriffs office said. He was 7 years old at the time.

The child said he took a pistol from the glove box of his grandfathers truck and entered Rasberrys RV, where he found the man sleeping in his bed. He told the investigators he shot him once in the head, and then as he was leaving the RV fired a shot into the couch, the sheriffs office said. He said he returned the gun to the truck after he left.

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In the interview, the boy said hed never met Rasberry and didnt know him, but had seen him walking around that day.

The child was also asked if he was mad at Brandon for some reason or if Brandon had ever done anything to him to make him mad, the sheriffs office said, and the boy said no.

The pistol was located at a pawn shop last Friday, after the child informed investigators that his grandfather had pawned the gun. A forensic analysis involving shell casings from the crime scene confirmed the gun was used to kill Rasberry, the sheriffs office said.

The boy, whose name was not released, will not be charged in connection with the 2022 shooting, because Texas law doesnt allow for criminal culpability before the age of 10, Gonzales County officials said. He will face charges of making a terroristic threat related to the school bus incident last week.

In a written statement Thursday, Nixon-Smiley CISD said the student will not return to the elementary campus due to the information obtained in the sheriffs offices investigation.

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Gonzales County Attorney Paul Watkins called the case extraordinarily uncommon for the county, which has about 20,000 residents. Gonzales County had two reported homicides in 2022, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety crime database. The county had zero reported homicides in 2021, one in 2020 and one in 2019, according to the database.

He is a young child, Watkins said. The offense is horrific, but we have to protect him too, he is a child.

He declined to comment further while the case is ongoing.

Child behavior and development

The boy was placed on a 72-hour emergency detention because of the severity of the crime and because of the continued concern for the childs mental wellbeing, the office said. He was then taken to a psychiatric hospital for evaluation and treatment, then placed in detention by Gonzales County Juvenile Probation to await his court date.

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Jennifer Woolard, a professor of psychology at Georgetown University, said its not uncommon for children under 10 to be treated differently because they dont have the fully developed capacities needed to move through the juvenile or criminal legal systems. States are more likely to respond to serious violence in younger children through the mental health and child welfare systems, she said.

During adolescence, brains and capacities are actively changing. The socio-emotional system and cognitive control systems are both maturing during the second decade of life, she said. Those parts of the brain govern things like processing emotions, thinking about reward and punishment, self-regulation, reasoning and impulse control. Before those mature and develop, children are less able to control impulses and less likely to think ahead.

There are also changes happening in the brains structure in that time. In adolescence, the frontal lobe, which is the regulatory part of the brain, is still establishing and growing connections to other parts of the brain, she said.

While that doesnt excuse behavior, Woolard said, the developmental changes help better understand how children and teenagers might act.

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Family members said Taivunn Tai Demontre Briscoe served as a father figure and brought joy to their lives, lamenting Thursday that the man convicted of killing him was not sentenced to more than 30 years in prison.

Christopher Alan Bias, 45, pleaded guilty to murder and kidnapping in Briscoes March 2018 death, and Judge Susan Kelly of Wacos 54th State District Court sentenced Bias to 30 years, in accordance with a deal he reached with prosecutors.

Waco police found Briscoe dead in his home in the 2700 block of Herring Avenue on March 19, 2018, after family members concerned for Briscoes well-being asked officers to check on him, police said at the time.

Briscoes autopsy report indicates he died of homicidal violence to include positional asphyxia and smothering.

A witness, who is also a second kidnapping victim, told police Bias forced him and Briscoe at gunpoint to go to Briscoes Herring Avenue home, where Bias bound them both with zip ties and duct tape, an arrest affidavit says. The witness told police he heard Briscoe making statements that he couldnt breathe, the affidavit says.

During Thursdays court proceedings, Kelly asked McLennan County Assistant District Attorney Kristi DeCluitt how the state arrived at a 30-year sentence in the plea deal. DeCluitt said her team had carefully reviewed all the facts in the case and tested all the DNA that could be tested.

There are unique facts in this case that would be hard for a jury to understand, DeCluitt said.

She said Bias would be around 56 before he could apply for parole so the state thinks 30 years is a fitting sentence.

Bias was arrested in October 2019 and indicted in December 2019 on a capital murder charge. He was reindicted last year on a first-degree felony charge of murder, two first-degree felony charges of aggravated kidnapping and an aggravated assault charge.

His plea deal included a 30-year sentence for the first-degree felony charge of murder and a concurrent five-year sentence for a third-degree felony charge of kidnapping, a lesser included charge under the aggravated kidnapping indictment.

More than two dozen of Briscoes family members attended the plea hearing, wearing a variety of custom printed T-shirts showing support for Tai, as they called him.

After the hearing Briscoes grandmother, Luly Bolts, said she does not think the 30-year sentence is long enough.

During a victim-impact statement, Taivunn Briscoes cousin, Ronnie Briscoe, said he viewed Taivunn Briscoe as a father figure.

He hung his head and wept as he started to speak.

I feel like half my life was ripped away, Ronnie Briscoe told Bias over an audio-video link back to McLennan County Jail. You took someone who brought joy into my life. Tai taught me lessons that I still live by today.

I still feel filled with rage and I will never be able to process what you did. Thirty years is not enough. I wish something else could have been worked out.

Another of Taivunn Briscoes cousins, Marsha Briscoe, said she had worked for seven years writing out her victim-impact statement so she would not cry or use profanity.

You were my brother-in-law, Marsha Briscoe said to Bias. You came to all our family gatherings. My sister seemed so happy with you. Then one day you changed all our lives forever.

Marsha Briscoe said she could not believe at first that Bias was the one who kidnapped her two family members, killing one of them.

I hope that you are alone for every one of the 262,000 hours you will spend in prison, and that you will have no peace. she said.

She also said she hopes Briscoe serves his sentence as far away from Waco as possible, so you never get to see your family again, like we will never get to see our Tai again.

Because Bias two charges of murder and kidnapping were sentenced in a single plea deal, his sentences will run concurrently. He will receive credit for the four years, seven months he has served in jail since his arrest.
Clenard Parker of Chappell Hill was charged with four additional crimes Thursday after he drove a stolen 18-wheeler into a Texas Department of Public Safety office in Brenham on April 12, killing one and injuring 13 others, according to DPS.

The DPS Texas Ranger Division has charged Parker, 42, with murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a public servant, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and criminal mischief, according to a Thursday press release from DPS.

On Monday, DPS identified the deceased victim as Bobby Huff, 78. Huff was transported to a hospital in Bryan where he later died due to his injuries.

Parker was already facing five felonies  three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, one count of unauthorized use of a vehicle and one count of evading arrest  before being charged by the Texas Rangers.

Two victims remain in critical but stable condition as of Thursday. Six of the 13 injured had to be transferred to a hospital for medical attention.

Officials said Parker stole an 18-wheeler the morning of April 12 and was being pursued by the Washington County Sheriffs Office when he took a sharp turn into the one-story brick DPS office along U.S. Highway 290. Officers said Parker was not injured in the wreck.

Parker went to the DPS office April 11 and was denied a renewal of his commercial drivers license, according to Texas DPS Sgt. Justin Ruiz. Police believe Parker drove into the building in retaliation for having been denied his renewal. There was no reason given for the rejection of his license renewal.

Brenham Mayor Atwood Kenjura said during a press conference after the incident that Parker likely would have brought the building down if given the chance to ram it again. Parker had backed the semi out into the parking lot in an apparent effort to slam into it again when he was apprehended, Kenjura said.

Murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a public servant are both first-degree felonies punishable by up to 99 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. Evading arrest in a motor vehicle is a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000. Unauthorized use of a vehicle is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Criminal mischief can be upgraded to a third-degree felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Parker is being held under a $2 million bond, according to jail records.

According to DPS, the Texas Rangers are still actively investigating the crash.

The Brenham office will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time. Alternative offices are available in Bryan, Hempstead and Caldwell. Customers with scheduled appointments at the Brenham office will be contacted by the DPS Driver License Division, according to DPS.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been charged with sending racially charged texts to the citys Black mayor and a Black county supervisor.

Tyler Hunter Young, 43, is charged with two counts of misdemeanor harassment.

The texts targeting Mayor Quentin Hart and Black Hawk County Supervisor Tavis Hall came in late October and coincided with vandalism to their vehicles, although no charges have been filed in the vandalism.

According to court records, police were called to Halls home Oct. 17 for a report of damage to his vehicle, and Hall later received a text in the afternoon calling him a pussy and telling him to go back to Africa with all the other gorillas.

Harts vehicle was damaged Oct. 25, and he received a 4 a.m. text saying trashy scum back black monkey, according to court records.

The messages came from different phone numbers, and detectives were able to trace the numbers back to Young, records state.

Police obtained an arrest warrant in December following the investigation, but Young apparently left Iowa. He was detained in March in the Las Vegas area, and he was returned to Waterloo on Thursday, according to police.

Young was released from jail after posting bond.

This isnt the first time Young has been charged with using cellphones to harass someone.

In November 2016, he allegedly ordered pre-recorded comedic calls from ComedyCalls.com that were sent to his former boss, Dharmendra Patel. The calls woke the victim and his wife in the early morning hours, according to court records.

Young denied any involvement when police approached him, but officers subpoenaed the website and traced the order to his internet provider address, records state.

Young eventually pleaded to third-degree harassment and was ordered to pay $200 plus costs and surcharges. A five-year restraining order was also issued.
DES MOINES  Republican lawmakers plan to use the states budget surplus and Taxpayer Relief Fund to further cut Iowans income taxes by an estimated $1 billion next year.

The legislation makes other changes, including tweaking last year's property tax overhaul that limits revenue growth for cities and counties. It also allows county supervisors to decide whether to keep or disband county compensation boards, which review the salaries for elected county officials and recommend increases.

The proposals, which advanced out of committee Thursday in both the House and Senate, would accelerate previously planned state income tax reductions passed in 2022 that started to take effect this year. As is, the law would gradually reduce personal income taxes to a flat 3.9% in 2026.

The bill, House Study Bill 752 and Senate Study Bill 3207, would instead lower the rate to 3.8% in 2025.

Iowas top income tax bracket this year is 5.7%, and it would be 4.82% next year if it is not accelerated by a new law.

"We are accelerating the promised tax cuts, taking it lower and returning an extra billion dollars back to Iowans," said Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, who chairs the Senate Ways and Means Committee that oversees tax policy.

Iowas tax revenues have largely stayed robust as the tax cuts have taken effect, leading Iowa Republicans to call for deeper tax cuts, arguing that the state is collecting more money than it needs.

Iowa ended the year with a $1.83 billion surplus, $902 million in reserve funds and $2.7 billion in the Taxpayer Relief Fund, where unspent taxes from previous years have been deposited.

What do Iowa groups say about the bill?

Lobbyists for developers, banks and business groups praised the proposal.

We appreciate all the progress that has been made over the last several years in making our tax climate more competitive for both individuals and businesses, Brad Hartkopt, a lobbyist for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry, told senators during a subcommittee hearing. We believe this bill takes us in another step going in that direction, and we support it.

Opponents argue the savings come at the expense of underfunded public schools and health care, water quality, roads, bridges and other services across the state.

House and Senate Democratic leaders have said further income tax cuts would disproportionately benefit the wealthy, who receive the largest windfall from the falling tax brackets, and give no financial relief for the thousands of Iowans who pay no income taxes.

This bill compounds a patently unfair tax system that we have. It takes us away from a tax system based on an ability to pay, said Mike Owen, deputy director of progressive advocacy group Common Good Iowa.  I would add this is one more case of taxes directing budget choices rather than the other way around, where we could determine our needs, transparently set priorities, find the best way to fund them.

Owen argued lawmakers could have done so much better, focusing instead on targeted tax cuts for working families, such as strengthening the earned income tax credit and creating a child tax credit.

Opponents worry the eventual consequences will be cuts to services that make Iowa a good place to live, work and raise a family, including funding for schools, health care, public safety, child care and environmental protection.

The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency estimates previously approved tax cuts will cost $1.9 billion a year by fiscal year 2028.

We continually deny that we have any unmet needs today that we can push out the inevitable budget problems, for years, Anne Discher, executive director of Common Good Iowa, told lawmakers. But just because the damage isnt immediate doesnt mean its not real. Inevitably, eventually, revenues will drop and surpluses will dry up.

What if state revenue drops?

If state revenues drop below state spending during a fiscal year, the bill would take half of the difference from the state's Taxpayer Relief Fund to cover the costs. The other half would come from the state's ending balance.

The states Taxpayer Relief Fund is expected to rise to about $3.6 billion in July, when the fiscal year ends. House Republicans say an analysis by the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency expects the fund to be at $2.6 billion in 2029, once that part of the bill expires, before rising to $2.7 billion the following year.

House Republicans say the LSA analysis anticipates a state budget surplus of $536.8 million in 2029.

Dawson said the bill provides "a good cushion" if revenues fail to meet expectations.

"If the economy outperforms, we wont have to use any of it," he told reporters.

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee and a Republican from Wilton, indicated that Taxpayer Relief Fund will have more than $2 billion left in it after next years withdrawal.

Were showing here in Iowa that were fiscally responsible, he told reporters. Were understanding concerns or mistakes made in other states. Were still able to actualize growth, fund our priorities and still have healthy balances in the ending balance.

House and Senate Republicans have proposed eventually eliminating the individual income tax altogether.

GOP lawmakers also have advanced measures that would make it more difficult for the Legislature to raise taxes in the future and would enshrine a flat individual income tax rate, rather than a graduated income tax system, under the Iowa Constitution  if the state imposes an income tax at all.

How does this compare to the governor's proposal?

While it doesnt go as far as her proposal, Gov. Kim Reynolds signaled her support of the bill.

Cutting taxes has been a priority of mine since taking office, and Im pleased that the Senate has introduced an income-tax cut that further reduces and accelerates the implementation of a flat tax rate that will benefit every Iowan who pays income tax, Reynolds said in a statement.

This was a key piece of the tax reform bill I proposed this year, and this common-sense compromise will allow hardworking Iowans to keep more of what they earn in every paycheck. Government should collect only what it needs to serve its people and allow them to keep the rest.

Reynolds this year had proposed lowering the state income tax retroactively to 3.65% this year and 3.5% next year. The governor also proposed changes to unemployment insurance and property tax cuts for commercial child care centers.

Neither of those changes were included in the bill released Wednesday, although the tax changes for child care centers are included in a separate bill.

Kaufmann said he supports changes to Iowas unemployment tax system.

"We just made a decision that thats probably a 2025 issue because of the significance of how big a piece of policy that is and the amount of time that we have left, Kaufmann told reporters Thursday.

Property tax fix

The plan also tweaks property tax limits the Legislature enacted last year.

Under current law, cities and counties are not able to capture significant growth in their property valuation.

If a city or county's total assessed property value grows by more than 3%, it must use some of the excess revenue to reduce its general fund levy.

The bill creates new tiers for cities and counties whose property values grow between 2.75% and 4%, between 4% and 6%, and more than 6%.

Des Moines City Manager Scott Sanders urged lawmakers to allow cities more breathing room and set a floor of 3.5% before they would have to use their excess revenue to lower property taxes.

Sanders said the law makes for difficult math in communities that are growing and attracting new workers and developments.

Dawson, though, noted that in addition to the general fund levy, cities also charge levies for such things as debt service, pensions, transit, self-insurance and emergency services that remain uncapped.

County compensation boards

The bill gives counties the ability to eliminate county compensation boards that Kaufmann asserted have contributed to an explosion and growth of property taxes.

Youve essentially got a group of friends getting together and recommending raises for each other, with which counties cannot choose to split the difference and look at things on merit, he said.

The compensation boards are tasked under Iowa law with reviewing salaries for elected county officials  county supervisors, auditors, treasurers, recorders, sheriffs and county attorneys  by annually comparing salaries in that county to other Iowa counties, other states, the private sector and the federal government.

Supervisors cant approve a rate of pay above the compensation board's recommended level. They can only reject, accept or reduce the recommended amount across the board.

And so you've got an autopilot Ponzi scheme of property tax growth that the local supervisors, that are elected to do their job, have no control over, Kaufmann said.

States that collect the most property tax revenue States That Collect the Most Property Tax Revenue Property taxes are the second largest source of US state and local tax revenue Over a third of general tax revenue in New Hampshire comes from property taxes 15. Montana 14. Virginia 13. Florida 12. South Dakota 11. New York 10. Nebraska 9. Massachusetts 8. Rhode Island 7. Illinois 6. Vermont 5. Texas 4. Connecticut 3. Maine 2. New Jersey 1. New Hampshire
Vyacheslav Volodin: it is our duty to do everything to ensure that every Nazi criminal is punished.

April 19 is the Day of United Action in memory of the genocide of the Soviet people by the Nazis and their accomplices during the Great Patriotic War.

In 1943, it was recognized for the first time at the state level that the enemies were pursuing a large-scale and targeted policy of exterminating civilians. Liberating our territories, Soviet soldiers were faced with a horrifying picture of murders and torture of civilians and prisoners. The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, which marked the beginning of the memorial date, emphasizes that the actions of the Nazis are the most shameful and serious crimes, the most heinous atrocities, emphasized the Chairman of the State Duma .

The Chairman of the State Duma recalled that the war went through every Soviet family: The losses of the USSR in the Great Patriotic War amounted to almost 27 million people, about 13.5 million were civilian casualties, of which 7.5 million people were deliberately exterminated.

It is our duty to do everything to ensure that each of these crimes is solved and the perpetrators are punished. Especially now, when Nazism has again raised its head in Ukraine, concluded Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin.

***

Nazi is a very bad word around these parts and when the West is maginalizing Nazi. Bad blood is rising

Wake up people

WtR
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An attempt on the life of the main Bandera member in Poland? But this is really serious. The drug clown has reason to be seriously alarmed.

It is likely that this may be the first evidence that the West has decided to eliminate it. Be afraid, clown!

Medvedev
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (17 April 2024)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have taken more advantageous lines and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of 57th motorised infantry, 14th, 54th mechanised, and 77th aeromobile brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Sinkovka, Zagoruykovka (Kharkov region), and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

Four counter-attacks launched by assault groups of AFU 63rd mechanised, 3rd assault brigades, and the 125th Territorial Defence Brigade hae been repelled near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Torskoye, and Terny (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses were up to 70 Ukrainian troops, three motor vehicles, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, two Plastun-3000 electronic reconnaissance stations, as well as one Nota electronic warfare station.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of 56th mechanised, 5th, 79th air assault, 28th, 30th, and 93rd mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Orekhovo-Vasilyevka, Blagodatnoye, Bogdanovka, Andreyevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

In addition, three counterattacks launched by assault groups of the AFU 10th Mountain Assault Brigade and 46th Airmobile Brigade have been repelled near Vyemka and Krasnogorovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses were up to 480 Ukrainian troops, one tank, one armoured fighting vehicle, 20 motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 122-mm D-30 howitzer, and one Anklav-N electronic warfare station.

In Avdeyevka direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have improved the tactical situation and inflicted fire damage on units of 24th, 47th, and 59th mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Novgorodskoye, Netaylovo, and Karlovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Eight counter-attacks have been repelled by units of 25th airborne, 68th, 71st jaeger, 23rd, 115th mechanised brigades, and the 78th Separate Air Assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Leninskoye, Novokalinovo, Pervomayskoye, Umanskoye, and Berdychi (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses were up to 330 Ukrainian troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, and one D-30 howitzer 122-mm.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line. The servicemen also have defeated units of the AFU 72nd Mechanised Brigade and the 128th Territorial Defence Brigade near Vodyanoye and Makarovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses were up to 80 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two motor vehicles, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, and one 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, the units of the Dnepr Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 126th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kazatskoye, Berislav, and Nikolayevka (Kherson region).

The AFU losses were up to 35 Ukrainian troops, five motor vehicles, as well as one 122-mm D-30 howitzer.

Operational-Tactical Aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged ammunition depots of the Donetsk Operational-Tactical Group, the 125th Territorial Defence Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the terrorist units of the Russian Volunteer Corps, as well as manpower and military hardware in 132 areas.

Air defence facilities have shot down 191 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, six U.S.-made MGM-140 ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, and one French-made Hammer aerial guided bomb.

In total, 583 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 21,483 unmanned aerial vehicles, 502 air defence missile systems, 15,798 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,267 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,935 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 21,096 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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WtR
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation (18 April 2024)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade, the 100th Mechanised Brigade, as well as on the 31st Ukrainian National Guard Brigade near Sinkovka (Kharkov region), Novosyolovskoye, Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic), and Grigorovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Two counter-attacks launched by assault groups of the 3rd Assault and 63rd Mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were repelled near Terny (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 30 Ukrainian troops, one tank, two pick-up trucks, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, and two 152-mm D-20 howitzers.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces have improved the situation along the front line and inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the AFU 30th, 56th, and 93rd mechanised brigades near Vasyukovka, Orekhovo-Vasilyevka, and Andreyevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the AFU 46th Airmobile Brigade was repelled near Krasnogorovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy lost up to 590 Ukrainian troops, one tank, and seven motor vehicles.

In the course of the counter-battery warfare, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one U.S.-made 105-mm M119 gun, two Nota electronic warfare stations, as well as one field ammunition depot were eliminated.

In Avdeyevka direction, the units of the Tsentr Group of Forces have improved the tactical situation and defeated the units of the 68th Jaeger, 24th, 47th mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Artyomovo, Semyonovka, Netaylovo, and Orlovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Seven counter-attacks of the 24th, 115th mechanised, 71st Jaeger brigades, and 78th Separate Air Assault Regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were repelled close to Novokalinovo, Novogorodskoye, Vodyanoye, Pervomayskoye, Berdychi, and Novobakhmutovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses included up to 130 Ukrainian troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, and one 152-mm D-20 howitzer.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on units of the 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the AFU, 102nd and 128th territorial defence brigades near Vodyanoye, Ugledar, Urozhaynoye, Staromayorskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Malinovka (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 140 Ukrainian troops, four motor vehicles, UK-made 152-mm AS-90 Braveheart self-propelled artillery system, as well as three field ammunition depots.

In Kherson direction, the units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of the 65th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU, 36th Marine Brigade and 126th Territorial Defence Brigades close to Rabotino (Zaporozhye region), Zmeyevka, Nikolskoye, and Ivanovka (Kherson region).

One counter-attack launched by an assault detachment of the 15th Operational Brigade was repelled close to Verbovoye (Zaporozhye region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 50 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, as well as two 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

Operational-Tactical and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Groups of Forces of the Russian Federation have been eliminated during the day: AFU Operational Command Centre North (Sever), two launchers equipped with illumination and targeting radar set of the S-300 air defence systems, an ammunition depot of the Donetsk Operational-Tactical Group, arms and fuel depots of the 101st Territorial Defence Brigade, and engaged enemy manpower and military hardware in 126 areas.

Air defence systems shot down 251 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, two Tochka-U tactical missiles, and 33 Vampire missiles during the day.

In total, 583 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 21,734 unmanned aerial vehicles, 504 air defence missile systems, 15,801 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,267 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,945 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 21,111 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

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Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation

(13-19 April 2024)

Part I (see Part II)

From 13 to 19 April 2024, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in response to the Kiev regimes attempts to cause damage to the Russian energy and industrial facilities, have carried out 34 group strikes by high-precision air- and sea-based weapons, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles, which hit energy industry facilities, enterprises of the military-industrial complex and railway infrastructure of Ukraine, air defence facilities, and ammunition and fuel depots for military hardware.

Moreover, drone operators training centres, temporary deployment areas of AFU troops, nationalist formations, and foreign mercenaries were hit.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line and hit manpower and hardware of 12 AFU and national guard brigades close to Kupyansk, Sinkovka, Zagoruykovka, Kotlyarovka (Kharkov region) and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic).

In addition, 11 counterattacks were repelled by units of AFU 3rd assault, 21st, 63rd mechanised, 12th national guard special operations forces, and 125th territorial defence brigades close to Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Torskoye and Terny (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 380 Ukrainian troops, one tank, nine armoured fighting vehicles, and 16 motor vehicles.

In the course of the counterbattery warfare, 18 field artillery guns including three U.S.-made M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery systems, as well as six ammunition depots, and five Nota and Anklav electronic warfare stations were hit.

In Donetsk direction, as a result of successful actions of the Yug Group of Forces units, the Russian troops seized more advantageous lines, and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of four assault, two airmobile, and six mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Belogorovka, Razdolovka, Orekhovo-Vasilyovka, Bogdanovka, Kleshcheyevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Seven counterattacks launched by units of AFU 46th airmobile and 10th mountain assault brigades were repelled near Krasnogorovka and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 3,550 Ukrainian troops, four tanks, five armoured fighting vehicles, and 87 motor vehicles.

In the course of the counterbattery warfare, 31 field artillery guns, 14 of them were Western-made, as well as four Nota and Anklav electronic warfare stations, and seven ammunition depots were eliminated.

In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Pervomayskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and continued to advance into the depths of the enemys defence.

With the support of air strikes, artillery and heavy flamethrower systems fire, 53 counterattacks launched by assault groups of nine AFU brigades have been repelled close to Leninskoye, Novgorodskoye, Novokalinovo, Berdychi, Umanskoye and Netaylovo (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

More than 2,170 Ukrainian troops, seven tanks, 13 armoured fighting vehicles, 35 motor vehicles, and 19 field artillery guns including two M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery systems, and one U.S-made M777 howitzer have been eliminated during the week.

 Russian Defence Ministry

Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation

(13-19 April 2024)

Part II (see Part I)

In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces units improved the tactical situation and hit units of AFU 58th motorised infantry, 72nd mechanised brigades, three territorial defence brigades and the Ukrainian National Guard Brigade close to Ugledar, Urozhaynoye, Staromayorskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Priyutnoye, Mirnoye, Malinovka, and Lugovskoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost up to 760 Ukrainian troops, one tank, 22 motor vehicles, one Grad MLRS combat vehicle, 14 field artillery guns, eight of them were Western-made.

One Nota and one Bukovel-AD electronic warfare stations, as well as four field ammunition depots have been eliminated.

In Kherson direction, units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of AFU 65th, 117th mechanised, 35th, 36th marine, 121st, 126th territorial defence, and 15th national guard brigades close to Orekhov, Rabotino, Shcherbaki, Kamenskoye (Zaporozhye region), Mikhailovka, Zmeyevka, Berislav, Ivanovka and Nikolskoye (Kherson region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 365 Ukrainian troops, 24 motor vehicles, 12 field artillery guns, including six U.S.-made, German-made, and Polish-made howitzers, as well as three Nota and Anklav electronic warfare stations.

Missile troops, artillery and unmanned aerial vehicles of the Russian Groups of Forces have eliminated three MiG-29 fighter jets, four An-26 military transport aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force at the home airfield, two air target guidance radars, four S-300 anti-aircraft missile launchers, as well as one IRIS-T anti-aircraft missile launcher.

Air defence systems have shot down 10 U.S.-made ATACMS operational-tactical missiles, six UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, five French-made Hammer and U.S.-made JDAM aerial bombs, two U.S.-made HARM anti-radiation missiles, four U.S.-made MALD aerial false targets, two Tochka-U tactical missiles, 78 HIMARS, Vampire, and Uragan MLRS projectiles, and 1,278 unmanned aerial vehicles.

Over the past week, 27 Ukrainian servicemen surrendered.

 In total, 590 airplanes and 270 helicopters, 21,882 unmanned aerial vehicles, 506 air defence missile systems, 15,802 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,267 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 8,981 field artillery guns and mortars, as well as 21,143 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation.

 Russian Defence Ministry

WtR
Bentley went missing in Donetsk on April 8, following a Ukrainian artillery attack on the citys Petrovsky district. Four days later, the DPR Ministry of Internal Affairs put him on a missing persons list.

Sputnik Donbass correspondent Russell Bentley has died at the age of 64, his wife Lyudmila confirmed to Sputnik.

Expressing condolences, Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Sputniks parent media group Rossiya Segodnya, wrote on her Telegram channel: Russell Bentley, also known as Texas, a real American from Texas, died in Donetsk. He fought there for our people. Collaborated with our Sputnik. [Its] terrible. R.I.P.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240419/sputnik-donbass-correspondent-russel-bentley-dies-in-donetsk-1117914011.html

RIP Bentley, he told much much truth

WtR
Vehicles line up at the Hidalgo Port of Entry in South Texas to cross into Mexico. A 33-year-old woman was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for trying to smuggle AK-47 assault rifles and other weapons and ammunition through the port. Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News

A South Texas woman was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for attempting to smuggle dozens of AK-47 assault rifles and other weapons and ammunition into Mexico through the Hidalgo Port of Entry.

Jessica Alvarado, 33, of San Juan, pleaded guilty to smuggling goods from the United States, authorities said Thursday. U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez in McAllen sentenced the defendant to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Alvarado tried to cross into Mexico over the McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge on Jan. 31, 2023, in a Ford F-150, authorities said. Questioned by agents at the port of entry, she denied having any firearms.

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But agents noticed that the covered bed of the pickup was bulging with a heavy load. A search found 33 AK-47 variants, three AR-15 rifles, a .22-caliber long rifle, two .45-caliber handguns and 39 ammunition magazines, authorities said.

Agents then searched her home in nearby San Juan, where they reported finding nearly 500 grams of cocaine and more than $13,000 in U.S. currency. She admitted to dealing cocaine, authorities said.

Prosecutors said in court that the weapons found in Alvarados truck are the kind often wielded by Mexican cartel members, but they did not present evidence that she had supplied weapons to the cartels.

Alvarado tried to sneak dangerous weapons across our southern border, which could have had devastating effects, said Alamdar S. Hamdani, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Texas. This sentence should serve as a warning. An AK-47 or AR-15 doesnt belong in the hands of a criminal.

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A man who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after a shooting at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Lake Tahoe will spend at least 22 years in prison.

Edgar Julian Delgado was sentenced to 55 years in prison with parole eligibility after serving the 22 years.

The Douglas County District Attorney's Office says during Thursday's sentencing, Delgado claimed to have no memory of the 2023 incident, due to drinking and taking cannabis.

The DAs Office says they also showed a selfie Delgado took in the mirror of his hotel bathroom just hours before the shooting. The photo showed Delgado wearing a sweatshirt with Strawberry Jams, But My Glock Dont on it.

The victim, 32-year-old Omar Garcia died at the hospital.

Update, April 19, 2024:

According to the Douglas County District Attorney, Edgar Julian Delgado pleaded guilty to first degree murder with a deadly weapon following a shooting that took place at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in South Lake Tahoe.

There were two charges of carrying a firearm, but as part of the plea, the second charge will be dropped.

Delgado's sentencing will take place on June 13.

He faces up to 50 years in prison.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE, March 25, 2023:

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office says it responded to reports of an active shooter at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, just after 8 a.m. on March 25, 2023.

South Lake Tahoe Police and the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) responded, as well.

When deputies got there, they found one man in the Hard Rock's Center Bar who had been shot in the head.

Tahoe Douglas Fire Department rushed the victim to Barton Hospital, where he later died. The victim was identified as 32-year-old Omar Reyes Garcia.

A description of the suspected shooter and his car were given to police by Hard Rock Security and Surveillance. Deputies with EDSO were able to find the suspect's car on Highway 50 near Sierra at Tahoe.

24-year-old Edgar Julian Delgado and Savannah Racquel Tautaupale, age 26, were arrested and booked into EDSO jail in South Lake, CA.

Delgado was arrested for open murder by the EDSO and Tautaupale was arrested for D.U.I. by the California Highway Patrol.

Nevada State Police report Highway 50 is back open, after it was closed in both directions due to the investigation there.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe posted this to its Instagram account after the incident:
On Thursday, Nevada State Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Children's Advocacy Alliance Executive Director Holly Welborn discussed Medicaid's vital role in providing affordable healthcare options for vulnerable populations in the state.

Protect Our Care, Nevada, a nonprofit dedicated to making high-quality, affordable, and equitable health care available to everyone, hosted the virtual meeting.

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, states now have the ability to extend coverage to new mothers, improving maternal health outcomes. Cannizzaro made it permanent by sponsoring and passing Senate Bill 232.

"Prior to the passage of Senate Bill 232, postpartum care was only covered for the first two months following the conclusion of a pregnancy if you can actually believe that, and that's just really too short of a time even to be able to identify a lot of health issues that can stem from having carried a pregnancy," said Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro (D-Las Vegas).

Cannizzaro asserts that lack of access to postpartum care has led to racial disparities, with pregnancy mortality rates being 2 to 3 times higher for women of color.

Cannizzaro pointed out that two out of three Nevada residents have reported facing challenges in affording healthcare. They cannot pay their co-pays and deductibles or have high out-of-pocket costs. This information has influenced her healthcare legislation during the past few sessions.

In 2021, Cannizzaro sponsored Senate Bill 420, which passed under Governor Steve Sisolak and creates the "Battle Born" public health option plan. Starting January 1, 2026, Nevadans can purchase one of the new Public Option plans through the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange or directly from participating health carriers.

In its simplest form, a public option gives the state negotiating power to help lower the cost and expand access to healthcare in Nevada.

"It will allow Nevadans who are either having issues being able to access health insurance, who wish to purchase some additional health insurance, to go ahead and get the health insurance through the state exchange, but to do so with lower premiums, all while improving healthcare that every resident needs and deserves," explained Cannizzaro.

However, during the 2023 legislative session, Governor Joe Lombardo opposed continuing to implement the 2021 public option legislation. So, we reached out to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, to understand their objections.

"The biggest danger in insurance, and why you need regulation of rates, is that the insurer will have rosy estimates, under charge, and then be unable to pay claims. And, so that's the question I would put to the sponsors of this legislation: how are you going to reduce premiums if you're not reducing costs? And, if you're reducing costs, how will you force doctors into this? Because, if you don't pay doctors and hospitals, they won't participate," said Heritage Foundation Senior Research Fellow in Healthcare Ed Haislmaier.

Two potential issues are that the public health option raises the cost of insurance for middle-class earners, small businesses, and freelance workers and could possibly decrease the quality of care.

"Medicaid managed care essentially brings it down by saying, well, we'll only contract with the doctors who are the cheapest. Well, okay, you only contract with them. That means you're not contracting with your whole range of doctors in your state, so everybody is going to go to fewer doctors, and those doctors are going to be overloaded," said Haislmaier.

Children's Advocacy Alliance Executive Director Holly Wellborn discussed the CAA's campaign to inform residents of "Medicaid unwinding," which is the end of continuous eligibility and automatic renewals under COVID-19 measures that ensured children would be enrolled in Medicaid.

Currently, more than 376 thousand children in Nevada are enrolled in Medicaid.

"We saw that back in August that due to the unwinding and the end of that program, 130-thousand families on Medicaid and their children lost coverage temporarily; that was a very scary prospect, and at that time, we saw the panic that ensued with families not understanding whether or not they would be covered, community-based organizations not understanding how they could ensure that their Medicaid eligible clientele knew how to access that coverage, but fortunately due to our advocacy with Nevada Medicaid, and due to CMS and Medicaid and Medicare at the national level, those services were reinstated," explained Children's Advocacy Alliance Executive Director. Holly Wellborn

Wellborn says there are still around 5,000 Nevada who still do not have coverage from Medicaid unwinding last year.

Cannizzaro says that 13% of all Nevadans between age 0 and 60 do not have health coverage, including 55,000 children in the state.

There are currently more than 376 thousand children in Nevada enrolled under Medicaid.

"It's no secret that healthcare affordability is an issue, not just here in Nevada, but all across the country. It is definitely a topic we have been tackling in the last few sessions at the Nevada Legislature -- the truth is that people are being priced out of those essential services, and that, for me, is just not acceptable. It is a large part of why I have undertaken certain pieces of legislation," explained Cannizzaro.

*Watch the event here*

April marks the seventh annual Medicaid Awareness Month
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC 2024, at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., Friday , Feb. 23, 2024. Jose Luis Magana/AP

An appeals court in Dallas court ruled Friday that Attorney General Ken Paxton can face disciplinary action for his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

A three-judge panel of the 5th Court of Appeals rejected Paxtons argument that he is immune from punishment because he was acting in his official capacity; public officials are generally shielded from lawsuits. The court ruled that the case was instead against Paxton in his personal capacity.

READ MORE: Texas State Bar complaint moves forward against AG Ken Paxton over attempt to overturn 2020 election

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It is against Paxton in his capacity as a Texas-licensed lawyer and an officer of the legal system, wrote Justice Erin A. Nowell in the majority opinion, going on to cite a ruling in a nearly identical case against Paxtons top aide, Brent Webster, for the same issue: Paxton is not exempt from the judiciarys constitutional obligation to regulate the practice of Texas attorneys simply because he serves as the attorney general.

A committee of the State Bar accused Paxton in 2022 of falsely claiming he had substantial evidence that raised doubts about President Joe Bidens win in four battleground states  Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin  in a lawsuit he filed before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The petition was quickly dismissed for lack of jurisdiction because Paxton was representing Texas voters, not those in the four states whose results he contested.

Paxton's office is likely to appeal the decision to the Texas Supreme Court. If the case is allowed to go to trial, the attorney general could face private or public sanctions, ranging from a warning to disbarment. Texas law does not require the attorney general to hold bar membership.

The attorney general used taxpayer funds to cover his and Webster's defense through 2022, hiring outside counsel that billed nearly $49,000 at hourly rates between $250 and $525 over a period of about eight months.

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The office has since shifted to in-house counsel, where attorneys have spent more than 900 hours on the two cases through December, amounting to about $95,000 worth of work.

Webster's case is currently before the Texas Supreme Court. A group of 18 Republican attorneys general last week wrote a brief in support of Webster, arguing that if the case is allowed to proceed, it would open the floodgates to more like it and will undermine state attorneys general in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

The attorney generals office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The State Bar declined to comment on its win.

Nowell wrote Friday that subjecting a lawyer who happens to be the attorney general to disciplinary action should not have an effect on his ability to file suits going forward.

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Nothing in the Commissions disciplinary proceedings challenges Paxtons decision to file the suit, Nowell wrote. Instead, the Commissions allegations relate to specific alleged misrepresentations within the Texas v. Pennsylvania pleadings.
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who cofounded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, Ramblin Man, has died. He was 80.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer died at his home in Osprey, Florida, David Spero, Betts manager of 20 years, confirmed. Betts had been battling cancer for more than a year and had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Spero said.

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He was surrounded by his whole family and he passed peacefully. They didnt think he was in any pain, Spero said by phone.

Betts shared lead guitar duties with Duane Allman in the original Allman Brothers Band to help give the group its distinctive sound and create a new genre  Southern rock. Acts including Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kid Rock, Phish and Jason Isbell  among many others  were influenced by the Allmans music, which combined the blues, country, R&B and jazz with 60s rock.

Founded in 1969, the Allmans were a pioneering jam band, trampling the traditional notion of three-minute pop songs by performing lengthy compositions in concert and on record. The band was also notable as a biracial group from the Deep South.

Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident in 1971, and founding member Berry Oakley was killed in a motorcycle crash a year later. That left Betts and Allmans younger brother Gregg as the bands leaders, but they frequently clashed, and substance abuse caused further dysfunction. The band broke up at least twice before reforming, and has had more than a dozen lineups.

The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2012. Betts left the group for good in 2000, and also played solo and with his own band Great Southern, which included his son, guitarist Duane Betts.

Forrest Richard Betts was born Dec. 12, 1943, and was raised in the Bradenton, Florida, area, near the Highway 41 he sang about in Ramblin Man.His family had lived in area since the mid-19th century.

Betts grew up listening to country, bluegrass and Western swing, and played the ukulele and banjo before focusing on the electric guitar because it impressed girls. At 16, he left home for his first road trip, joining the circus to play in a band.
A classic onion soup mix is the secret to this perfect make-ahead dish

Slow-cooked beef brisket is a Passover classic that takes center stage during other Jewish holidays too. Debra Q. Markowitz, a former chef who runs the food blog The Twisted Challah, shares a favorite family recipe from her mother that you can make ahead of time.

This brisket is quite different from the way I usually cook, she says. My brother and I tried to convert the recipe into one made entirely from scratch, but nothing compared to Moms original. Theres no going around that packet of Liptons onion soup.

Members only Courtesy Debra Quin Goldman Markowitz

MARILYNS BRISKET

 first cut beef brisket (about 6 lbs., a thicker piece is best)



1 packet Lipton onion soup mix



1 bottle of beer, any kind (kosher for Passover beer is available)



1 small can Contadina tomato paste (original, plain)



Instructions:

Preheat a Dutch oven on the stove top over medium-high heat.

Once the pot is hot, add the brisket, fat side down. Do not add any oil. Sear the meat for about 10 minutes until its a rich brown, then turn the meat over (using tongs) and brown it on the other side. Dont worry about the meat being cooked through; it will braise for a long time.

Pour the contents of one packet of Lipton Onion Soup Mix (kosher versions are available) over the meat.

Immediately pour a bottle of beer over the soup mix.

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and gently simmer for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, use tongs to turn the meat over and replace the cover. Simmer for another 30 minutes. Continue to simmer the brisket, turning every 30 minutes, until a fork easily slides into the meat. This should take 1 to two hours, depending on the thickness, the size and the initial tenderness of the meat.

Once the meat is fork-tender, turn the brisket one last time. Add  can of Contadina tomato paste. Fill the can halfway with water and pour that into the pot. Stir carefully with a wooden spoon to combine. Dont be concerned if there are lumps of tomato paste as they will melt as it cooks.

Replace the cover on the pot and very gently simmer for another 30 minutes. Check from time to time to make sure the sauce isnt evaporating. Add water if necessary.

Remove the pot from the stove and allow the meat to cool before taking it out (if you take it out too soon, it will fall apart).

Once its cool, put the brisket into a rectangular glass or Pyrex dish and cover with plastic wrap. Separate the gravy from the meat and store the gravy in its own container. Refrigerate both overnight. The next day, using a sharp knife, slice the meat thinly, cutting against the grain. This is important. If you slice with the grain, the meat will be stringy and less tender. As you slice the brisket, lay the slices out in rows in a rectangular Pyrex or other oven-safe dish, overlapping them somewhat. Take the gravy out of the fridge and skim off any excess fat that has collected at the top. Pour the gravy evenly over the sliced brisket, and cover the dish tightly with foil.

Return it to the refrigerator or freeze it for later use. (Freezing the brisket does not diminish the quality in the slightest, and the ability to freeze it makes this a great do-ahead dish for holidays.)

Forty-five minutes before serving, preheat the oven to 350 F. Bake the brisket for 30 minutes, covered. The meat will absorb some of the sauce.



Chef Danny Serfers Passover-friendly potato latkes



Every Jewish family has their own latke recipe and Im sure this is not much different from most, says Chef Danny Serfer of the Blue Collar restaurant in Miami. What makes his recipe really hit, he says, is the technique and chicken fat.

It is so important to squeeze all of that excess liquid (out) of the potato, as this is what allows you to use the least amount of matzo meal and get the crispiest latkes, he says. Using chicken fat for frying adds flavor while nodding to the traditional way of making the dish, he says. Opt for cast-iron pans to best retain heat and make for the most even frying, he suggests.

Even if you mess up a little and dont get all of the water out, they might not be as crispy as youd like, but everyone will love the applesauce and be super impressed that you may be stuck making latkes for all of the holidays, he says. That could be a good thing or bad, depending on how hard you want to show off to the rest of the family.

Courtesy Blue Collar

POTATO LATKES

Latke ingredients:

4 large Russet potatoes, peeled



1 small yellow onion, peeled and finely diced



1 cup matzo meal (plus  cup, if needed)



1 large egg, beaten



1 tablespoon garlic powder



2 pounds rendered chicken fat



Salt, to taste



Black pepper, to taste



Applesauce ingredients:

10 whole Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped



 cup water



1 stick cinnamon



2 cups light brown sugar



 teaspoon kosher salt



Latke instructions:

Using a box grater or the shredder attachment on a food processor/stand mixer, shred the potatoes into a bath of ice water.

Gather the potatoes into a tea towel, wrap up and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Do this in batches, so you can extract the most liquid.

Take the dry potato shreds and mix with the diced onion, matzo meal, garlic powder and egg to form a batter that is not too wet (you should be able to form patties that hold together on their own).

Preheat the chicken fat in a cast-iron skillet to 375 F.

Form the patties into your preferred latke size (2 inches in diameter is a good bet).

Gently place patties into rendered chicken fat and begin frying, doing your best to maintain an oil temperature of 325-375 F for best results.

Once the edges are brown and crispy, flip the latkes. Once both sides are golden brown and crispy, remove to a wire rack and let drain, then season with more salt.

Serve with sour cream and applesauce.



Applesauce instructions:
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A student rides a bike towards the University of Texas at Austin campus on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Austin Alyssa Gisselle Olvera/Staff photographer

The dozens of employees laid off by the University of Texas at Austin this month when it closed a former diversity, equity and inclusion office were mostly women and people of color, some of whom had worked for decades at the school, according to newly released records.

In all, the university says it let go of 49 staffers as part of a restructuring to comply with a new state law banning DEI. They include the head of the universitys womens center, the director of the Office of the Vice President for Campus and Community Engagement and the director of the Fearless Leadership Institute, a program that provides resources and networking to Black women on campus.

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Black staffers were disproportionately affected, making up nearly a third of the cuts while accounting for just 7% of the total university staff, excluding tenured faculty. Roughly three-fourths of the employees let go were women, though they make up just 55% of the total staff.

The layoffs also affected staff across campus, including at Dell Medical School, McCombs School of Business and the LBJ School of Public Affairs, according to the records.

The layoffs have roiled students and advocates, who argue that administrators are overreacting to the law and weakening the schools ability to recruit new talent.

University President Jay Hartzell told faculty this week that the action was meant to reduce redundancies after the mandated DEI cuts and to head off future funding cuts from the GOP-led Legislature, which passed the ban last year.

We have to make choices to worry about the long-run future of the university, Hartzell said in his first public remarks since the cuts. Its not just are we compliant with SB17 in the short run, but also what are the choices we make?

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On top of the 49 layoffs, eight associate or assistant deans were moved back to faculty positions. It was not immediately clear if the moves also came with pay cuts.

The university declined to comment Thursday. Hearst Newspapers obtained layoff letters and a list of all affected staff, including their titles, salaries and demographic information, from the school through a records request. Hearst reached out to several listed employees, some of whom did not respond to requests for comment. Others declined to be interviewed.

Democratic lawmakers and civil rights advocates were outraged by the layoffs and said they feared that most of the people losing their jobs would be racial and ethnic minorities. There appears to be a real issue there and potential discrimination, Texas NAACP President Gary Bledsoe said at a news conference last week.

Presented with Hearsts findings Thursday, Bledsoe said he thought race had clearly been a motivating factor in the layoffs.

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It makes no sense even if you talk about the issue of cost savings, he said. Why is it that you must save costs on the backs of Black and brown employees and female employees?

The university announced the layoffs April 2. Staff will keep their jobs until July 5, according to the notice letters sent by the administration, and will receive special consideration for any open positions. It is important that over the next 94 days, we continue to prioritize our students and their experiences, some of the letters said.

Administrators changed the name and focus of the DEI office at the beginning of the year, when the ban took effect, as well as many of its programs. Hartzell said some programs will move under other areas of campus, but many others will close at the end of this school year.

That includes the Women's Community Center, which provides students with free pregnancy tests, condoms, menstrual products, and HIV and STI testing, among other services.

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After the UT-Austin layoffs, UT-Dallas announced that it was laying off 20 workers and closing its Office of Campus Resources and Support, a new office meant to comply with the DEI ban.

Both moves came after state Sen. Brandon Creighton, a Conroe Republican and the sponsor of the ban, warned university officials that simply renaming DEI offices and job titles was not enough to comply with the law.

Creightons Senate committee plans to hold hearings in May to receive updates from UT-Austin and other university administrators.

UT-Austin student Kelly Solis, who leads Latinx Community Affairs, said she was completely shocked to see so many individuals with long employment records at the university let go.

It kind of gives the impression that the university is firing anybody and everybody who has some connection to DEI initiatives, Solis said. It comes across as the university sort of used you as a loose end that they need to expel from the university before Hartzell has to testify.

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Other critics say the layoffs will have a disproportionate, negative impact on the future of recruiting diverse and talented academics and students.

Kimberly Clarida, the higher education policy analyst for the left-leaning research group Every Texan, said the UT-Austin and UT-Dallas layoffs will weaken trust between universities and their employees.
The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativitys 2024 extensive content programme will showcase more than 150 hours of content, with around 500 speakers from across the spectrum of creativity. The Festival runs from 17 to 21 June, in Cannes, France.

About this years line-up, Natasha Woodwal, Director of Content, LIONS, said: Our open call for content gives us unparalleled insight into what matters most to the industry right now, and weve used this to design a programme filled with a diversity of voices offering different perspectives of global challenges. Speakers include creatives, monks, comedians, artists, filmmakers, scientists, economists, trend forecasters and Paralympians  its reflective of the multifaceted world of creativity.

Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS, added: Weve identified the key areas that are top of mind for our industry and community and used these to create five core content streams that will run throughout the Festival. This line-up of world-class talent will share the thinking, processes and techniques that led to the most successful and most awarded work and provide our community with the ultimate tools, insights and knowledge they need to drive personal and business growth.



The content programmes five streams are:



Insights and Trends:

Strategic challenges, consumer behaviours, cultural shifts and creative thinking driving the industry forward are the spotlight in this stream. P&Gs Marc Pritchard reveals how everyday insights can become creative ways to unlock growth. The much-misunderstood topic of obesity has dominated headlines and polarised society, and so Tejal Vishalpura, SVP, Commercial Strategy and Marketing, Novo Nordisk, with Queen Latifah, Artist, Actor, Producer and Entrepreneur, take the stage to address how creativity and community are changing the way the world thinks about weight.

Innovation Unwrapped:

Providing an unmissable guide to the pioneers, technologies and transformations set to revolutionise tomorrow, the Innovation Unwrapped stream will welcome Vidhya Srinivasan, Vice-President and General Manager, Advertising, Google, and Alexander Chen, Director, Creative Lab, Google. They will demonstrate that engineers and creatives will construct AI to make it more helpful for brands and agencies. VCCPs Clare Hutchinson will join Sound Designer Oriol Tarrago for an immersive sonic experience that expresses the often untapped power of sound, and R/GAs Tiffany Rolfe and IPGs Jeriad Zoghby will urge delegates to embrace commerce as the next creative frontier.

The Creativity Toolbox:

The ultimate portfolio of craft, processes and techniques to help you achieve creative excellence  explained by award-winning creatives and brands. An interactive Meet-Up session with Trevor Robinson OBE, Founder and Executive Creative Director, Quiet Storm, will analyse the power of humour. In an intriguingly counter-intuitive session, Dentsu Inc. will make the case for abandoning the pursuit of specific goals in the quest for creativity. They will illustrate this with 'The Tokyo Toilet' project, which eventually led to the creation of the Oscar-nominated film Perfect Days. Koji Yanai, Group Senior Executive Officer, Director of the Board, Fast Retailing Co., Ltd., will be joined by Takuma Takasaki, Growth Officer, Executive Creative Director of Dentsu Group Inc., who also co-wrote and produced the film.

Talent and Cultures:

The people and practices behind creative organisations that thrive. Ali Rez, Chief Creative Officer, Impact BBDO, and Nayla Tueni, Editor-in-Chief, AnNahar Newspaper, will examine how courage, creativity and resilience are essential to leading the media in one of the worlds most volatile regions. In an iHeartMedia session, Jay Shetty, Global Best-Selling Author, Award-Winning Storyteller, Former Monk and Host of On Purpose with Jay Shetty, will compel brands and creators to support each other in pursuit of positive mental health. In an interactive session, Lynne Biggar, BCG Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group and Former Global Chief Marketing Officer, Visa, will divulge the things she wished shed known before becoming a CMO.

Creative Impact:

Proving the value and effectiveness of creativity, speakers include Marcus Collins, Professor and Author, University of Michigan, and Kory Marchisotto, Chief Marketing Officer, e.l.f. Beauty, Keys Soulcare. They will investigate the evolution of branding while challenging Galloways contention that the brand era is over. In a Cannes Lions exclusive, Guinness and Born Social will share the highs and lows of the brands unprecedented growth achieved by the inversion of its marketing model. Chief Growth Officer for Kraft Heinz, Diana Frost, will reveal how a 150-year-old brand can modernise and spark consumer obsession by tapping into its unique irrational truth. The Creative Impact stream is co-curated with WARC, the authority on marketing effectiveness.

As previously announced, Cannes Lions has launched LIONS Creators. This new experience includes a curated mix of exclusive learning and networking opportunities for creators and those in the wider creator economy. The programme will include a full day of creator-centric content on the Terrace Stage, recognising the creator economy as a rapidly growing and increasingly important part of the marketing mix.

The Festival programme is now available to view on the website here. Further names will be added in the coming weeks. For more information on pass options to attend Cannes Lions, which include the new Start-Up and LIONS Creators passes, visit www.canneslions.com.
Every husband and wife complement each other's existence and energy, harmoniously balancing the scales of the world they create together. This course began with the divine couple, goddess Laxmi and Lord Vishnu, who epitomize the perfect synergy between spouses across millennia. Riding high on the success of ShivShakti-Tap Tyaag Tandav, COLORS is gearing up to showcase the epic saga of universes ideal couple Goddess Laxmi and Lord Vishnu with Laxmi Narayan. With a fervent belief that "Har Ghar Mein Hain Laxmi Narayan," this mythological saga promises viewers the key to unlocking the trove of Sukh, Saamarthya, and Santoolan and inspire them to welcome abundance into their house. Starring Srikant Dwivedi and Shivya Pathania in the roles of Narayan and Laxmi respectively, and produced by Siddharth Kumar Tewarys Swastik Productions, Laxmi Narayan premieres on April 22nd and will air every Monday to Friday at 10 pm only on COLORS.

Alok Jain, President, General Entertainment, Viacom18, says, After the astounding success of Shiv Shakti - Tap Tyag Tandav, resonating deeply with audiences nationwide, we are elated to introduce our newest offering Laxmi Narayan. Mythological shows hold a special place in our culture, serving as a unifying force for families. Its a saga that celebrates the gods Laxmi and Narayan, the perfect couple. Through our show, we aim to unveil the lesser-known stories of this divine couple, and we hope that the show will give valuable life lessons on compatibility, trust, mutual respect, and facing challenges together.

Founder and Chief Creative Siddharth Kumar Tewary, Swastik Productions says, It is said that behind every great man stands a woman of divine grace. One of the ultimate truths of the cosmos is that it is the presence of Laxmi that elevates mere mortals to the stature of Narayan. After the tremendous outpouring of love for Shiv Shakti  Tap Tyag Tandav, Swastik Productions is proud to be fortifying its mythological universe with Laxmi Narayan. The eternal saga of the divine couple shows what the pursuit of righteousness and abundance entails. It is creatively fulfilling to be joining hands with COLORS yet again to celebrate the glory of the ideal couple revered by the masses and strengthen the mythology genre in the television industry.
Equirus, a leading financial services company, announces the appointment of Amit Arora as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Managing Director. Amit joins Equirus with a distinguished track record of leadership and success in the financial sector, marking a significant addition to the company's executive team.

With extensive experience in senior leadership roles, including his tenure as CEO of Sharekhan BNP Paribas Financial Services Pvt Ltd where he demonstrated exceptional leadership in steering the NBFC and loan business of the groupto new heights. With a total experience of more than 29 years in the financial services domain, Amit brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Equirus. His proven ability to drive business growth and operational excellence will be instrumental in advancing Equirus's strategic objectives and fortifying its position as a trusted financial partner.

"We are delighted to have Amit Arora join Equirus as our new Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director," said Ajay Garg, Founder and Managing Director at Equirus. "Amit's proven track record of success and deep industry knowledge make him an invaluable addition to our team. His appointment reflects our commitment to driving forward our expansion initiatives and delivering exceptional value to our clients."

Amit's leadership will play a critical role in guiding Equirus's strategic initiatives and operational functions. His appointment reflects the company's focus on innovation, client-centricity, and long-term value creation.

"I am honored to join Equirus, a company known for its commitment to excellence and innovation in financial services," said Amit Arora. "I look forward to working closely with the Equirus team to drive operational efficiency, foster a culture of collaboration, and deliver exceptional value to our clients and stakeholders."

Amit's appointment comes at an exciting time for Equirus as the company continues to pursue strategic growth opportunities and expand its presence in the financial services industry. His leadership will further strengthen Equirus's position as a trusted financial partner to its clients and stakeholders.
South Koreas Hyundai, the renowned automotive manufacturer, has recently announced a temporary suspension of its advertising activities on a popular digital platform, following an unsettling discovery. The decision came swiftly after one of Hyundai's sponsored posts surfaced adjacent to content featuring antisemitic and pro-Nazi sentiments.

In a formal statement provided to several media outlets, Hyundai confirmed the pause in its advertising campaign, asserting, "We have paused our ads on [Platform X] and are in direct communication with its management regarding brand safety protocols to address this concerning issue."

The development gained traction after freelance journalist Nancy Levine Stearns shared a disconcerting screenshot revealing a Hyundai advertisement prominently displayed alongside content promoting Holocaust denial and espousing antisemitic rhetoric. Levine, known for her insightful coverage on brand safety matters, brought attention to the issue through her platform, notably highlighting the severity of the situation.

Hyundai Motor America responded promptly to Levine's revelation, reaching out to address the concerning placement of their advertisement on an account known for disseminating content aligned with pro-Hitler sentiments and antisemitic ideologies.

Hyundai's move echoes a growing trend among prominent companies, with concerns mounting over the presence of antisemitic content on X. This follows owner Elon Musk's public embrace of an antisemitic theory favored by white supremacists in 2023.

X has since suspended the antisemitic account responsible for the controversial post. Joe Benarroch, head of business operations at X, confirmed that the account's bio also contained antisemitic tropes.

Benarroch clarified that Hyundai had been running a Corporate level account on X, focusing on climate change ads targeting policy makers. He explained that the company's ad agency had not activated Brand Safety settings, leading to the ad being displayed alongside the offensive content.

While X has taken action against some offending accounts, reports suggest that numerous others still exist. An analysis by NBC News identified 150 verified premium accounts that have shared or amplified pro-Nazi content.

In response to criticism, X News labeled the reports as "gotcha articles," alleging that NBC failed to disclose the full extent of its research.

This latest controversy underscores ongoing challenges faced by social media platforms in combating hate speech and misinformation. Elon Musk, who has previously faced backlash for his comments on X regarding Jewish communities, has acknowledged the issue but defended the platform's stance on antisemitism.
House Democrats released a joint statement accusing Rep. Lauren Boebert of creating a dangerous work environment and a climate of toxicity.

According to reports, Boebert repeatedly weaponized dangerous anti-Muslim bigotry toward Rep. Ilhan Omar. Boebert's Islamophobic remarks about Omar did not sit well with House Democrats, but they are even more upset with the fact that the Republican representative has not been made accountable for her deeds.

Rep. Lauren Boebert's string of hate speech revisited

Last month, Boebert reportedly called Omar a "jihad squad member" and suggested that she's a terrorist.

In September, Boebert also joked about Omar by saying that the latter didn't have a backpack while they were inside the elevator together.

The Republican representative also uttered the same remarks in Colorado and said that a Capitol police officer rushed toward her when he saw that Boebert and Omar would be in an elevator together.

However, Omar denied ever being in an elevator alone with Boebert. The former said that the latter doesn't even look her in the eye when they cross paths at the Capitol.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, Rep. Ilhan Omar's conversation unproductive

Last week, Omar, one of the three Muslim lawmakers in Congress, revealed that she received a call from Boebert. Omar initially thought Boebert would apologize to her, but she just doubled down on her rhetoric.

"She said she still wanted a public apology because what I had done wasn't good enough. So I told Ilhan Omar she should make a public apology to the American people for her anti-American, anti-Semitic, anti-police rhetoric," Boebert fired back via the Huffington Post.

Rep. Ilhan Omar receives death threats

After Omar hung up the phone, she received a threat from an unknown individual. And she shared the details of the threats during a press conference earlier this week.

The unknown man said that many people want to get Omar off the face of the earth. And the unknown individual also called the representative a traitor before saying that she wouldn't live much longer, according to Mother Jones.

The two other Muslims in Congress were the first to demand Republicans to make Boebert accountable for her hate speech. They also said that Boebert is responsible for spreading conspiracy theories saying that the 2020 election, which favored Joe Biden, was rigged.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy criticized

As of press writing, Congress has not decided on Boebert's case. But House Democrats are urging Congress to strip Boebert of all her committee assignments.

According to Business Insider, House Democrats are also targeting House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy for failing to lead his caucus to condemn hate and bigotry. McCarthy was reportedly unable to maintain standards of decency within Congress.

Boebert currently sits on the Committee on Natural Resources, the Subcommittee on Indigenous Peoples of the United States, the Committee on Budget, and the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.

If approved, Boebert could lose her committee assignments for good, and she won't be the first Republican to suffer the consequences of her actions. Weeks ago, Paul Gosar lost his seats in two committees after posting a graphic video showing himself killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and hurting Joe Biden.
InfoVision Inc, a leading global digital services company headquartered in the United States,announced the appointment of Ms. Radhika Venkatraman to its Advisory Board. Venkatraman brings extensive experience in technology leadership and business acumen to InfoVisions executive leadership panel, promising to be a catalyst for innovation and growth.

With an impressive career track that spans across high-impact roles at Credit Suisse and Verizon, Ms. Venkatraman is revered for her dynamic approach to leading technology-driven transformations. Her expansive knowledge in AI, ML, Fair AI, Telecom networks, Data strategy, and cloud platforms has propelled multi-billion-dollar enterprises to new heights.

Venkatraman is recognized for her strategic insights and growth equity initiatives, mirroring InfoVisions commitment to driving value through digital transformation. Her participation in pioneering 5G development and overseeing global teams in SDN/NFV transformations has positioned her as an influential figure in the technology space. Venkatraman is renowned for her leadership and expertise in GenAI and AI-related governance. Her achievements have placed her on the boards of TM Forum, LiveEarth, Brightspeed, and the IIT Bombay Heritage Foundation. Leading AI companies, including Writer and Fiddler AI, seek her strategic advice.

Sean Yalamanchi, President of InfoVision, welcomed the appointment by saying, "Ms. Venkatramans vision and expertise align perfectly with our ethos of fostering innovation and her strategic outlook will be instrumental in guiding InfoVision towards emerging technological frontiers."

Venkatraman's influence in the field is marked by prestigious recognitions, including being listed among the American Bankers' 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance and earning the Women in Finance Leadership Award. Her expertise also resonates on global stages, having addressed audiences at Harvard Business School and The Economist Innovation Forum.

Venkatraman holds an advanced degree from North Carolina State University. Her specialization is in computer science and computer-aided engineering. She also earned her bachelor's degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.

I am delighted to join InfoVision at such an important time. I look forward to working with the management team and help InfoVision achieve its ambitions beyond Digital

leadership to one of serving their clients as an AI-first partner, Radhika Venkatraman said.

InfoVision warmly welcomes Ms. Radhika Venkatraman to the team and looks forward to her invaluable insights and contributions.
MasterChow, the homegrown Indian brand specializing in ready-to-cook Asian staples, proudly announces its partnership with celebrity chef Ranveer Brar as its brand ambassador. This strategic collaboration aims to position MasterChow as the go-to destination for Asli Chinese cuisine, emphasizing credibility, trust, and relatability.

MasterChow's decision to get Ranveer Brar onboard stems from a shared commitment to authenticity and quality. With the tagline "Asli Chinese," this partnership resonates with the chefs culinary expertise and passion for genuine flavors. By aligning with Brar's Culinary philosophy, MasterChow aims to reinforce its position as a trusted provider of authentic Chinese cuisine in the market. The endearing Ranveer Brar is also a perfect embodiment of MasterChows spirit that is committed to raising the flavor bar for its ever-expanding and loyal customer base with its authentic and delectable Chinese-styled offerings.

Chef Brars influence and reputation as a leading culinary figure are poised to enhance MasterChow's brand presence significantly. By leveraging his credibility and expertise, MasterChow aims to differentiate itself in the competitive packaged food market, particularly in the Asian cuisine sector. Through this partnership, the brand seeks to establish a deeper connection with consumers who value authenticity and quality in their culinary experiences.

Upon partnering with MasterChow, Chef Ranveer Brar expressed, As a chef, I believe in the importance of using genuine flavors and ingredients to create memorable culinary experiences. I am thrilled to join hands with MasterChow and champion authentic Asian cuisine through their amazing range of products. With MasterChow, I look forward to bringing 'ASLI Chinese' flavors to households across India.

The Founder of MasterChow, Mr Vidur Kataria, also stated, "Ranveer Brar epitomizes everything we stand for  authenticity, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of culinary excellence. With his unparalleled expertise and passion for good food, he is a stark reflection of MasterChows brand ethos, and together, we're ready to take on the industry. We're not just offering a product, we're offering an experience  one that promises unparalleled taste and quality with every bite. With Ranveer by our side, we're all set to revolutionize the way people experience Chinese food at home."

The partnership between MasterChow and Ranveer Brar is a long-term endeavor focused on spreading awareness and establishing MasterChow as the brand for ASLI Chinese cuisine. Over the next 6-8 months, the campaign will prioritize building credibility, trust, and relatability among consumers, with the ultimate goal of creating a legacy brand that endures for generations to come.

Studio Fry has been instrumental in shaping and executing the creative and production aspects of the campaign, ensuring a cohesive and impactful brand message across all channels.

The campaign will kickstart digitally, primarily through social media platforms, with potential expansion into other channels such as OTT platforms later in the year. The company has also curated a fun, quirky and engaging spree of pre-launch content for MasterChow Loyalists on Instagram. The content aims to multiply the hype surrounding this much-anticipated coming together of the Chef (Ranveer Brar) and the Chefs favorite (MasterChow).

MasterChows premium range of Chinese delicacies are available on the brands official website, i.e. www.masterchow.in, Blinkit, Zepto, Instamart and Amazon.
As India gears up for the 2024 general election, Spotify is playing its part with a collaboration with the Election Commission of India through a non-partisan campaign, Play Your Part. The initiative encourages eligible voters, especially the youth, to play their part by going out to vote.

Partnership and collaboration are essential pillars of our voter awareness program at the Election Commission of India. I strongly believe that fostering informed and ethical electoral participation is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders in our democracy. It's really good to see Spotify, which holds significant influence among the youth, utilizing innovative music programming to create engaging voter awareness campaigns for the broader electorate, said Santosh Ajmera, IIS Director, SVEEP Election Commission of India.

Play Your Part emphasizes that the power of the collective is realized when everyone comes together and plays their part by voting. This message has been communicated through an interesting visual of the voters' marked finger, a unique feature of Indian elections, integrated with Spotify's scan code. Through in-app messaging, and by leveraging artist fandom that is unique to music and Spotify, the campaign intends to reach millions of listeners on the platform.

Through a specially curated on-platform hub featuring playlists to soundtrack the voting process, Spotify hopes to inspire eligible youth in India to cast their vote in the upcoming general elections.

Our Voters Hub: The Play Your Part hub gives listeners a number of destinations to choose from.

The Play Your Part hub gives listeners a number of destinations to choose from. Soundtrack Your Vote: As citizens head to the polls, two playlists will accompany them. The first, called Play Your Part India, features the best of motivational songs across languages to encourage the youth to go and vote; the second, called Thank You For Voting, includes a mix of patriotic and fun dance tracks to celebrate with them after they play their part.

As citizens head to the polls, two playlists will accompany them. The first, called Play Your Part India, features the best of motivational songs across languages to encourage the youth to go and vote; the second, called Thank You For Voting, includes a mix of patriotic and fun dance tracks to celebrate with them after they play their part.

Playlists Providing Inspiration: In the hub, listeners will also find playlists to celebrate the election season.

In the hub, listeners will also find playlists to celebrate the election season. On-Platform Voter Messaging: Listeners will be encouraged to exercise their right and cast their votes through on-platform communication, leading them to the Election Commission of India website to find polling locations applicable to them, and more.

Spotify will also tap into other off-platform mediums, including out of home and print media, to reach a wider audience for this initiative. With the Play Your Part campaign, Spotify has reached millions of listeners across the world, in the U.S., France, Germany, Brazil, and more, and this year, extends to Indian listeners, too.
Tinder, the worlds most popular app for meeting new people, launches a Every Single Vote Counts awareness campaign in India in collaboration with Yuvaa, a leading youth media organization in India and Mark Your Presence, a non-partisan organization in India that empowers and educates young voters to strengthen democracy. As India gears up for the worlds largest democratic election this year with over 20 million1 young first time voters, this initiative is a call to action, reminding young adults, especially first time voters, to take full advantage of their fundamental civic right: the right to vote.

With mention of the term "Voting" increasing by nearly 3x on Tinder Bios in India in the last year1, Tinder is introducing in-app voting-themed stickers such as 'Voting Partner Needed', 'First-time Voter', and 'I Voted' for users to display on their profiles.2 These stickers allow users on Tinder to showcase their passion and foster connections with like-minded individuals.

Starting April 18 and until May 15, 2024, Tinder users in India will see "Swipe Cards" appearing in-app on Tinder (visuals below) highlighting the process and tips. Each Swipe Card will direct the relevant Tinder user to the Mark Your Presence website for information on voter registration and how to complete the process.

In a recent survey by Yuvaa, the message from young adults is crystal clear: being politically engaged isn't merely a checkboxit's a highly desirable trait for young adults in India. When it comes to dating preferences and voting habits, 60% of GenZ respondents strongly prefer dating someone who votes and almost 1 in 3 of surveyed young adults expressed that they would find a potential match more attractive if they know the person is taking the elections seriously.3 Moreover, 79% of GenZ respondents are more likely to vote if accompanied by a friend or date showing how important it is to have someone to go and vote with.3

Chaitanya Prabhu, Founder, Mark Your Presence says, I'm thrilled about our partnership with Tinder and Yuvaa. Together, we share a collective dream of empowering young voices and celebrating their right to vote. By providing voter registration opportunities alongside avenues for personal expression, we're not just encouraging individual involvement, we are fueling a shared movement as millions of first-time voters prepare for the elections.

Aahana Dhar, Tinders Communications Director in India, said Over half of Tinders users are aged between 18 to 25 years old 4 and this collaboration is a great opportunity to encourage younger and newer voters to go to the ballot. We know young daters are passionate about key events that impact their lives and Tinder is giving them a way to express their intent directly in their profile with voting stickers, apart from raising awareness about voter registration for first timers.

In our conversations with young adults in India, we've observed a genuine concern about their civic responsibilities, which significantly shapes their connections with one another. At Yuvaa, we've always championed the importance of empowering youth voices. That's why we're delighted to collaborate with Tinder and Mark Your Presence encouraging young people to consider how they can actively participate as informed citizens. said Maanvi, Editor-in-Chief, Yuvaa

How to add stickers to your profile on Tinder:

Tinder users can add stickers to their profile by tapping on in-app push notifications they receive. These stickers can be changed or accessed again by tapping on another users sticker on their profile.*

1 Special Summary Revision 2024 by Election Commission of India issued by Press Information Bureau, Delhi

2 From Tinder bios in India between January 2023 - February 2024

3A survey of 253 18-24 year olds across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata conducted by Yuvaa between 5th to 12th April 2024

4 Tinder internal Swipe & Match data 2023

* These stickers are within the app and can only be used one way
Vigor Media Worldwide, a renowned global media agency, has secured the PR mandate from Axita Cotton Limited, a leading producer of cotton bales and cotton seeds. This partnership underscores Vigor Media Worldwide's reputation for delivering exceptional PR and communication strategies.

Axita Cotton specializes in producing cotton bales, and is actively involved in trading Kapas, cotton bales, and cotton seeds, as well as ginning and pressing Kapas on a job work basis.

As part of the mandate, Vigor Media Worldwide will develop and implement a strategic communication framework and media campaigns to fortify Axita Cotton's position in the industry. The PR mandate for Axita Cotton will be managed by Vigor Media Worldwide's Delhi headquarters, supported by branch offices across India, along with its dexterous global associates, for greater visibility and strong positioning of the brand Axita in the country as well as in the global markets among its targeted segments.

Expressing enthusiasm for the collaboration, Kushal Patel, Non Executive Director, Axita Cotton Ltd. said, "We are delighted to partner with Vigor Media Worldwide to amplify our brand presence and strengthen our relationships with key stakeholders, banking on their strategic approach. We have found their innovative ideas align perfectly with our vision, and so we look forward to leveraging their expertise to communicate our commitment to quality and sustainable practices through our upcoming media campaigns."

Nikhil Singhal, Founder, Vigor Media Worldwide added, "We are dedicated to enhancing Axita Cotton Limited's brand visibility and reputation through strategic PR initiatives. Our team is committed to devising innovative media campaigns that will help Axita Cotton effectively engage with its stakeholders and enhance its brand presence."

Axita Cotton Limited is engaged in the business of manufacturing and trading (including export) of cotton bales, besides ginning and pressing of seed cotton (Kapas). It produces cotton bales, cotton yarns, and cotton seeds. The production facility of the Company is situated at Kadi in Mahesana District of Gujarat state.

Vigor Media Worldwide boasts cross-sectoral expertise, catering to Real Estate, Education, Lifestyle, FMCG, Hospitality, Healthcare, Technology, Security, Consulting, and other sectors. The agency's client portfolio includes top-of-the-line brands in the industry, with long-standing associations. Vigor Media Worldwide excels in strategic communication processes that foster mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and their target audiences. By promoting clients and their offerings on multiple platforms, the company ensures comprehensive brand visibility and engagement.
Walmart-backed Ninjacart, India's leading agri-startup that leverages technology and data to organize the global agriculture ecosystem, joins forces with Philippine B2B agritech innovator Mayani in a landmark deal. This strategic partnership sees Ninjacart deploying capital alongside cutting-edge supply chain technology and its advisory services to fuel Mayani's innovation and growth trajectory. Ninjacart will also support Mayanis expansion efforts and jointly establish an integrated Asian agri-food supply chain that would catalyze more digital innovations geared to address Asias complex food basket.

Ninjacarts investment in Mayani, facilitated through its venture funding arm, NinjaVentures, marks a significant step in its international expansion strategy. The partnership will focus on identifying and addressing global food supply gaps, leveraging cross-border opportunities to amplify Mayani's market presence. Mayani will integrate Ninjacarts advanced technology, source traceability, and inventory management solutions to achieve inter-operability, hyper-efficiency, predictive modeling, and to enhance its supply chain efficiency.



Ninjacarts entry into Mayani coincides with follow-on funding from existing investors, including the Jimenez family, after Mayanis successful $1.7 million seed round led by AgFunder in 2023. With over three times revenue growth in the same fiscal year and positive margins, Mayani demonstrates strong fundamentals for further expansion and impact.



Kartheeswaran K K, Co-Founder & CEO, Ninjacart, expressed his excitement about the deal, saying "Our investment in Mayani reflects our unwavering commitment to revolutionize global agri commerce. By bridging the expertise of two agricultural powerhouses, India and the Philippines, we aim to create a transformative impact and unlock new opportunities in the Asian agri-commerce landscape and beyond."



Ochie San Juan, Co-founder and Chief Farmer at Mayani, expresses enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "The strategic additionality beyond capital, coupled with Ninjacart's deep understanding of the Asian agri-supply chain, excites us about this investment. It strengthens the locus of our business, which is tech-enabled output market linkage, that further reinforces our upstream interventions on climate-positive inputs and rural financing

Ninjacart's key investors, such as Walmart, Accel, and Tiger Global, have been instrumental in shaping its trajectory. This milestone highlights the aligned vision of Ninjacart and its investors to meet the evolving demands of agricultural ecosystems through the esteemed NinjaVentures. NinjaVentures is a notable global endeavour committed to sharing Ninjacart's technological expertise, knowledge, and skills with emerging startups worldwide, aiming to transform agricultural supply chains in a manner akin to the challenges faced by nations like the Philippines.



Mayani boasts a vast grassroots network of over 144,000 organized smallholder farmers and fisherfolk across the Philippine archipelago. Its multi-point value chain platform optimizes supply chain dynamics, connecting fragmented supply with B2B market demand seamlessly. Moreover, Mayani's ancillary agro-services empower smallholders, enhancing yield and climate resilience through quality agricultural inputs and facilitating rural financial inclusion. The alliance between Ninjacart and Mayani heralds a new era of innovation and collaboration in the Philippine agritech sector, driving sustainable growth and economic empowerment across the agricultural value chain.




An investigator testified during a preliminary hearing that a 14-year-old Mississippi girl accused of killing her mother called a friend to come over and see her mothers dead body, according to WLBT in Jackson, Miss.

Carly Gregg has been charged as an adult in the murder of her mother, high school teacher Ashley Smylie, and the attempted murder of her stepfather, Heath Smylie, in their home in the Jackson suburb of Brandon, Miss.

During the hearing, Rankin County (Miss.) investigator Zachary Cotton said an interior security camera in the Smylies home captured footage of Gregg walking into her mothers bedroom, with her hands concealed behind her back.

You hear a gunshot, a scream, followed by two more gunshots, Cotton said, according to the TV station.

Ashley Smylie was shot twice in the face, once under the chin, an autopsy found.

While she waited for her stepfathers arrival -- about 45 minutes -- Gregg invited a friend over.

Carly asked her if she had ever seen a dead body before, Cotton testified. She proceeded to show her deceased mother, who was in the bedroom, and showed the gun that she used to shoot her mom.

The interior camera had been removed by the time Heath Smylie arrived at the house. Investigators later found it in the refrigerator, according to the report.

When Heath Smylie arrived, Gregg shot him once, but he was able to take the gun away. She fled the scene, but was captured about 30 minutes later.

Cotton also said Gregg was taking medications for the treatment of depression and anxiety and those medications had been changed in the days prior to the shootings.

Greggs bond was set at $1 million. Cotton testified that as he prepared Greggs bond paperwork, she said: Oh, you can kill somebody and pay a lot of money and get out of jail.

Greggs attorneys asked for lower bond, but the judge refused, saying she posed a special danger to others, according to the report. She has also been ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation.
Pastor Mike McClure Jr. of Birmingham released a new album today, I Got Away, featuring a collaboration with Atlanta rapper Big Boi of Outkast.

The two take turns rapping inspirational lyrics professing their faith in God. McClure, who performs under the stage name Pastor Mike Jr., is pastor of Rock City Church in Birmingham.

Snap your fingers and dance, I know in the end you win, Pastor Mike Jr. sings. Let me tell you how my God came through, if he did it for me, hell do it for you.

Big Boi raps the opening lines of the Lords Prayer, Our Father, who art in heaven, and adds, Thats how I address Him.

In a video announcement, McClure said he will be doing an I Got Away tour across the country, sponsored by McDonalds, so tickets will be free. Ticket reservations are required.

The tour starts with a concert in Nashville on April 26, then goes to Memphis on April 27 and comes to Birmingham on April 28.

Joining Pastor Mike Jr. on the tour will be Bri Babineaux, Anthony Brown and Deitrick Haddon. The 30-city McDonalds Inspiration Gospel Tour, including stops in Houston, Dallas, Oklahoma City and St. Louis, will conclude on June 29 in Atlanta.

McClure has won 19 Stellar Awards for gospel music.
China to strengthen cooperation with Indonesia to uphold hard-won regional peace, stability: Wang Yi

Xinhua) 09:17, April 19, 2024

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with President-elect of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

JAKARTA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Indonesia to jointly uphold the hard-won peace and stability of the region, visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Indonesia's President-elect Prabowo Subianto.

Extending congratulations on Prabowo's victory in the presidential election, Wang expressed confidence that the president-elect will lead Indonesia to a brighter future.

Prabowo's decision to prioritize China for his first official visit after being elected demonstrates his friendly sentiments towards the Chinese people and the high importance he places on China-Indonesia relations, Wang said.

China has always regarded Indonesia as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy and a reliable partner in global affairs, the foreign minister said.

The unity and cooperation between China and Indonesia enhance global development, contribute to peace and stability, and drive the process of global multipolarization, Wang said.

China is committed to building higher levels of strategic mutual trust with Indonesia, fostering comprehensive cooperation, supporting each other's modernization efforts, and elevating their comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights, Wang said.

Noting that China supports Indonesia in playing a greater role in international and regional affairs, the foreign minister emphasized that China is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Indonesia to jointly uphold the hard-won peace and stability of the region.

Both countries will promote equitable and orderly multipolarization worldwide, leading the way in building a community with a shared future for mankind, Wang added.

For his part, Prabowo thanked the Chinese side for the warm and thoughtful arrangements for his visit which was short but impressive and beneficial.

China is a good friend of Indonesia, Prabowo said, adding that he hopes to continuously push forward bilateral strategic cooperation at a higher level and upgrade the bilateral relations.

Prabowo said that China has always upheld justice in international and regional affairs, providing selfless assistance to developing countries. Strengthening coordination between Indonesia and China will certainly have a positive impact on stability and prosperity of the region and the world at large.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The House of Representatives, controlled by a narrow Republican majority, voted to remove Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota from the Foreign Affairs Panel Committee as Democrats shouted "racism."

Republican lawmakers in the House argued that the decision was made over Omar's past comments about Israel that were widely condemned as antisemitic. However, this comes as GOP members are generally silent about antisemitic comments of their colleagues, some of whom have associated with Holocaust deniers.

House GOP Ousts Ilhan Omar

The vote ended 218 to 211, where one House member voted "present" and came similarly to how Democrats previously stripped Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Paul Gosar of Arizona of their committee assignments. That decision was made over social media posts of the latter two, where they endorsed violence against members of the Democratic Party.

At the time, Kevin McCarthy, who has now become the House Speaker, said that Republicans would take revenge by removing Democrats whom the GOP sees as unfit to serve on committees. He unilaterally removed California Reps. As per the New York Times, Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell from the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence last week.

McCarthy's decision to oust Omar, a decision that some of his rank-and-file resisted, demonstrates his unrelenting determination to shore up support from the hard-right Republican base. It comes after former United States President Donald Trump in 2019 said that Omar and three other progressive women of color should return to their home countries despite the representative being born in the US.

The Thursday vote was also McCarthy's attempt to curry favor with pro-Israel groups and evangelical votes while also taking revenge on Democrats. Omar drew criticism in 2019 from both sides of the government after tweeting that certain pro-Israel groups were "all about the Benjamins, baby."

The statement appeared to reference hundred-dollar bills in what was viewed as invoking an antisemitic trope about Jews and money. Later on, the representative apologized for her comment. She also received criticism for seemingly equating "atrocities" carried out by the US military actions committed by terrorist groups like Hamas and the Taliban.

Read Also : US Expands Military Efforts Amid Indo-Pacific Concerns

Republicans' Political Revenge

Ahead of the vote, Omar made a defiant speech on the floor, saying that her leadership and voice would not be reduced if she was removed from the committee. According to CNN, she argued that her voice would only get louder and stronger as time went by.

In a statement, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries liked the decision to Republicans seeking "political revenge." He said he would immediately move to set Omar on the House Budget Committee, where she will defend Democratic values against right-wing extremism.

Republicans argued that the oust of Omar was them being consistent with past practices, a claim that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has dismissed. She said the only thing constant about the GOP's attack is racism and incitement of violence against women of color.

Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York questioned why Omar was only being targeted now and wondered what reasons the GOP had for removing her from committee assignments. He argued that if she was on the other side of the government, she would not face such persecution, said Fox News.
An afternoon argument in a west Birmingham neighborhood left one man dead.

Multiple shots rang out about 4:20 p.m. in the 5700 block of Court I in Ensley. That is off Vinesville Road, near Fairfield and Miles College.

Shot Spotter alert authorities to shots fired and then police received a call reporting a person was unresponsive near the road, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.

The victim was found unresponsive in the front yard of a home in the 900 block of 58th Street. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene.

His identity has not yet been released. Several grieving family members, however, rushed to the crime.

Fitzgerald said some sort of argument took place between the victim and one or more suspects. The nature of the argument was not immediately known.

Birmingham police investigate a deadly shooting in the 5700 block of Court I in Ensley.(Carol Robinson)

As detectives and officers were investigating, 911 dispatchers said of the police radio that a person of interest in the shooting wanted to surrender.

A relative of that person was talking with police at the scene, helping to coordinate that surrender.

We have not made contact with that person yet, Fitzgerald said about 5:45 p.m. However, we are thankful that person has come forward and is at least willing to himself in.

Fitzgerald said as many as 10 shots were fired. It wasnt immediately clear if the there was an exchange of gunfire.

The shots were fired in a residential neighborhood and were thankful no one else got struck by gunfire, he said.

Witnesses told police there could more than shooter.

The victim is Birminghams 42nd homicide this year. Of those, four have been ruled justifiable and therefore arent deemed criminal.

Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
Authorities have released the name of a young man shot to death in a west Birmingham neighborhood.

The Jefferson County Coroners Office identified the victim as Anthony Lambert Jr. He was 21 and lived in Birmingham.

Multiple shots rang out about 4:20 p.m. Thursday in the 5700 block of Court I in Ensley. That is off Vinesville Road, near Fairfield and Miles College.

Shot Spotter alert authorities to shots fired and then police received a call reporting a person was unresponsive near the road, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.

Lambert was found unresponsive in the front yard of a home in the 900 block of 58th Street. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene at 4:43 p.m.

Fitzgerald said some sort of argument took place between the victim and one or more suspects. The nature of the argument was not immediately known.

Birmingham police investigate a deadly shooting in the 5700 block of Court I in Ensley.(Carol Robinson)

As detectives and officers were investigating, 911 dispatchers said of the police radio that a person of interest in the shooting wanted to surrender.

A relative of that person was talking with police at the scene, helping to coordinate that surrender, which happened a short time later.

No formal charges have yet been announced.

Fitzgerald said as many as 10 shots were fired. It wasnt immediately clear if the there was an exchange of gunfire.

The shots were fired in a residential neighborhood and were thankful no one else got struck by gunfire, he said.

Witnesses told police there could more than shooter.

The victim is Birminghams 42nd homicide this year. Of those, four have been ruled justifiable and therefore arent deemed criminal.

In all of Jefferson County, there have been 61 homicides including the 42 in Birmingham.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
An Alabama state prison employee was arrested after authorities say she supplied contraband to an inmate.

Lashonnon Zibrica Belser, 39, is charged with third-degree promoting prison contraband. That charge is a misdemeanor crime.

Belser was taken into custody Thursday morning at Ventress Correctional Facility in Barbour County where she was a correctional security guard.

Charging documents state she delivered cell phone chargers and food to an inmate at the facility.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed.
An Alabama prison warden and his wife are behind bars after being arrested in north Alabama on drug charges.

Chadwick Ray Crabtree, 45, and Melissa Kay Crabtree, 55, were booked into the Limestone County Jail Friday morning, jail records show.

Chad Crabtree is the warden at Limestone Correctional Facility in Harvest. He took over that role in 2022, following the retirement of the previous warden. He has been with the ADOC for more than 20 years.

Search warrants and arrest warrants were carried out Friday morning at the Crabtree home. Those involved included the Alabama Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys SWAT team, and Limestone County Sheriffs Office.

Both were taken into custody without incident and transported to the Limestone County Jail, said Alabama Department of Corrections spokeswoman Kelly Betts.

Both Chad Crabtree and Melissa Crabtree are charged second-degree possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, manufacturing of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Chad Crabtree has been placed on mandatory leave without pay pending further personnel action, Betts said.

LESD agents also executed a search warrant for Chad Crabtrees office at Limestone. The LESD investigation is ongoing and further charges may be pending.

Limestone County jail records show five warrants for Chad Crabtree issued by the sheriffs office. Melissa Crabtree is held on five charges issued by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
This is an opinion column.

In Alabama, justice isnt blind. Its forward looking. Forward to the next election.

Judges  despite the robes and the gavels and the desperate air of infallibility  are not always paragons of virtue.

Or even good sense.

Weve seen racist and sexist judges, bold and dumb enough to share stripper videos with staffers who did not want to see it. Weve seen judges accused of misusing money and lying about it. Weve seen a judge accused of taking inmates out of cells and spanking their bare bottoms. Weve seen one sentenced for stealing from an elderly veteran.

And more often weve seen judges be politicians first. The worst of them have one eye on the evidence and the other on the polls.

Which means  if you look at how politics is conducted in this state  they will on occasion forgo wisdom, courage and common sense for political street cred.

And people have died because of it.

And people will continue to die because of it.

The Alabama Legislature had another chance this year to fix that, another opportunity to address a serious hole in the states claim that it values life and justice and the jury system. But politicians again did what politicians do. They chose politics instead.

Alabama for many years was uniquely unjust, allowing elected judges to simply disregard the will of juries in capital cases. If jurors listened to evidence and found a defendant guilty, but also found reason to recommend life in prison instead of death, the judge was free to ignore the jury. No other states with elected judges allowed that.

The judges could override the jury on a whim, or meanness, or fear of the next election, and send the defendant to death, sometimes without the jurys knowledge.

It happened to almost 100 people. The Legislature in 2017 banned judicial override, putting that control back in the hands of juries. But it did not make it retroactive, so about a third of those sentenced to death by judges, over the recommendation of juries, still remain on death row.

As former U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens once put it, the overrides dont just countermand the judgment of the juries and the community, they express contempt for that judgment.

And they do. When Judge Pride Tompkins decided to ignore the jurys recommendation not to kill a man, he said he did it because he thought the jury was swayed by the emotional words of the mans mother.

Some judges, like Mobile County Judge Ferrill McRae, overrode juries time after time after time.

It is easy to see the danger. Its easy to find racial disparities, to see judges who campaign on being tough on crime and use judicial override to prove that point. Its easy to smell the disdain for juries, to feel the inherent hypocrisy in a state that officially claims to value life but executes more people per capita than any other state, according to the Equal Justice Initiative.

It is just hard to fathom why Alabama politicians lack the guts to change it.

Except for cowardice. And fear. Except for a willingness to forsake the notion of justice for all for the veneer of looking tough on crime.

The Alabama House Judiciary Committee this week killed a bill that would have required courts to resentence the people  the committee estimated about 33 of them  who are awaiting death in Alabama prisons because judges ignored the will and the wishes and the wisdom of juries  if we are to still believe juries underpin our entire system of justice.

The politicians voted along party lines. They voted the bill down to honor crime victims, they said. They voted it down, as Rep. Jim Hill, a former circuit judge from Moody put it, rather than second guess the judges.

It says a lot about what they think of jurors. And what they do not.

Which says a lot about how they look at justice.

John Archibald is a two-time Pulitzer winner for AL.com.
When Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene used a typically under-the-radar legislative process to send political messages Wednesday about foreign aid funding bills, one of her Democratic colleagues decided to strike back.

Greene filed a flurry of amendments to the Ukraine aid bill with the House Rules Committee, including one to require any member who votes in favor of the package to conscript in the Ukrainian military.

Several congressional experts dubbed it a troll amendment, slang for something outrageous meant to provoke a response.

Florida Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a frequent Greene foil, took the bait.

He offered his own amendments. One would appoint Greene as Vladimir Putins Special Envoy to the United States Congress. Another would rename her Cannon office the Neville Chamberlain Room, a reference to the former prime minister of the United Kingdom known for his appeasement of Adolf Hitler.

Im not going to sit by and let her nonsense go unanswered. If she wants to do Putins bidding then lets just go make it official, Moskowitz said in an interview. She wants to surrender the world. Let the Ayatollah in Iran take Israel. Let Putin take Europe. Thats what she wants.

Greene did not respond to a request for comment on Moskowitzs amendments.

Lawmakers customarily file messaging bills, meant to score political points, even though they wont go anywhere. But Greene and Moskowitz using the amendment process for such squabbling is something different, according to some congressional experts.

Matt Glassman, a senior fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown, wrote on social media that there has always been chucklehead Members of the House.

But the prominence of many of the chuckleheads in the GOP and the ever-increasing general level of chucklehead behavior worries me, Glassman posted.

In total, Greene submitted more than 20 amendments to the Ukraine aid bill and four to the Israel aid bill. Her first proposal on the Israel package would provide funding for the development of space laser technology on the southwest border  apparently a reference to her widely panned comments, made before she was a lawmaker, regarding the cause of a massive 2018 wildfire in California. Another amendment calls for an iron dome to be built on the Southern border.

You can look at it as just nonsense bickering, but count me as someone who sees the MTG troll amendments as actually damaging to the House and emblematic of an unserious politics that is rapidly spreading, and the Moskowitz troll amendment response not helpful, Glassman wrote.

Kevin Kosar, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who studies Congress, used the same word. Rep. MTG seems to think the job of a legislator is to be a troll. When will Georgias 14th district voters decide enough is enough? Kosar posted on social media.

Josh Huder, also a senior fellow at Georgetown Universitys Government Affairs Institute, said he couldnt think of an instance where two members intentionally go to the trouble of drafting legislative language targeting one another for purely performative reasons But here we are.

Moskowitz, meanwhile, has often played an antagonistic role on the contentious House Oversight and Accountability Committee. In March, he wore a Putin mask to a hearing on Hunter Biden, mocking his Republican colleagues for their alleged fealty to the Russian leader.

Viagra amendment as historic example

Anthony J. Madonna, a political science associate professor at the University of Georgia who researches American political institutions and congressional politics, said there has been a pretty stark increase in amendments being offered for purely electoral purposes over the past couple decades.

But its also true that the practice of offering a floor amendment for electoral or comedic purposes has gone on for much of congressional history, Madonna said.

In one notable example, Madonna said former Oklahoma Republican Sen. Tom Coburn introduced an amendment to a reconciliation bill that amended and made corrections to the Affordable Care Act that wouldve barred insurance coverage of erectile dysfunction drug Viagra for child molesters and rapists.

Coburns Democratic colleague Max Baucus of Montana called it not a serious amendment that made a mockery of this Senate, according to Madonna. The amendment ultimately was defeated.

At the House Rules Committee on Thursday, Greenes amendment got skewered by Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the panel, when there was a question of whether any more members wished to testify before going into recess.

Is there no more witnesses? I was hoping Marjorie Taylor Greene would come and talk about her space lasers amendment, McGovern said. Anyway, but shes not here.

Thursdays amendment quarrel appeared to spill over from a House Oversight hearing a day earlier, when Moskowitz called out Greene for claiming Nazism was rife in Ukraine, a frequent Putin talking point.

Greene pointed to a 2021 Time story about the online recruitment strategies of a Ukrainian white-supremacist militia.

Its amazing to me that just in a few years time, its now considered misinformation to talk about the Nazis in Ukraine, said Greene, who in 2022 spoke at a conference organized by white nationalist Nick Fuentes.

Mainstream outlets such as NBC News have published pieces about the problem of neo-Nazism and white nationalism in Ukraine, while debunking Putins claim the invasion was in part driven by a desire for the denazification of Ukraine.

Moskowitz, at the hearing, told Greene to stop bringing up Nazis and Hitler.

I say this as someone whose grandparents escaped the Holocaust There are no concentration camps in Ukraine Theyre not trying to erase a people, the Ukrainians, Moskowitz said.

_____

2024 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Former Montgomery police Chief Darryl Albert was placed on suspension, in part, because of an investigation into sexual harassment claims, the mayor confirmed Friday.

Albert resigned Thursday, a little over a week after being placed on paid administrative leave.

Mayor Steven Reed on Friday, in a press conference, addressed for the first time publicly the allegations against Albert that surfaced earlier this year. Former Montgomery police Officer Rene Helton went public with claims she was discriminated against for not having an affair with Albert.

Those claims were detailed in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filing. The complaint included multiple screenshots of reported text messages between Albert and Helton that were flirtatious and sexual in nature.

He was put on administrative leave because there was an active investigation around a number of issues that came up, one of those issues was sexual harassment, Reed said.

Other issues included morale and department operations.

Reed said there was only one report of sexual harassment against Albert.

The investigation was conducted by the City Inspector General, which was formally called the Office of City Investigations.

Reed said he received the report in the past month.

From there, I analyzed the report, and we placed Chief Albert on leave and while he was on leave, he offered his resignation, the mayor said.

Reed said the city does not release personnel reports.

Reed said Heltons firing had nothing to do with Albert.

Officer Helton was terminated because she did not do things in her job as a police officer, the mayor said. It had nothing to do with this investigation. It happened prior to that.

Now the process can play out, Reed said, and I believe that is what she has tried to do with other complaints.

Helton, represented by attorney Mickey McDermott, filed an EEOC complaint against Albert in 2023 claiming discrimination based on gender.

According to the EEOC complaint, Helton beginning in September 2022 through March 2023 confided in Albert about problems she was having.

Those problems included challenges she faced from conflicting guidance in using her patrol car to pick up her children from school and hostility she was experiencing from certain departmental supervisors.

Upon concluding that Helton would not engage him in a physical/romantic relationship, Albert unilaterally and for apparent punitive reasons, placed Helton under a supervisor that was hostile to her and from whom Albert promised to protect Helton, the complaint states.

The complaint states that department began termination proceedings against Helton in June 2023 after she was the subject of a disciplinary investigation triggered by an anonymous complaint.

The compliant alleged Helton used her patrol car to pick up her children from school. The termination proceedings also claimed insubordination.

Chief Albert had previously expressed support for Helton in her dealings, but once he understood that Helton would not consent to a sexual relationship with the married Albert, Chief Albert informed Helton as much and foreshadowed the retaliatory acts that are the subject of this charge of discrimination, the complaint states.

Albert also had faced an internal review of allegations that he violated NOPD policy on sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation while overseeing the crime lab. Results of that investigation were never disclosed by the department, according Fox 8 in New Orleans.

When asked Friday if he considered those allegations before hiring Albert in Montgomery, Reed said, We had no finality in any report of anything being corroborated from his previous time, he said.

Reed was asked if he had lost trust in Albert.

The conversation that Chief Albert and I had upon him submitting his letter of resignation was whether or not the police department could go forward in a positive manner under his leadership, Reed said. And we mutually agreed to his resignation that (the department) might need a new voice, a new direction.

Reed thanked Albert and his family for their service to Montgomery.

We thank him for his leadership the past couple of years and for the positive things he did during administration, Reed said, noting increased community outreach and strengthened federal partnerships under Alberts tenure.

Deputy Chief John Hall will continue to serve as acting chief until an interim chief, and then a permanent chief is selected.

We believe, he said, looking forward is in the best interest of our city.
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Stolen organs?

Surviving family members of five men who died in Alabama prisons are claiming that autopsies performed by UAB resulted in the medical centers taking organs without permission, reports AL.coms Ivana Hrynkiw.

The families are suing the Alabama Department of Corrections, UAB Medical Center and other parties.

A UAB statement said its protocols require documented consent for disposition of organs that are removed during autopsies and that its inmate autopsies are done only after the Alabama Department of Corrections certifies that legal representatives of the late inmates have authorized the autopsies.

The lawsuit claims that none of the families gave UAB permission to keep organs.

This story first made news when the family of Brandon Clay Dotson filed suit in December, claiming his body was returned without his heart.

No charge!

The state is buying the Foley Beach Express Bridge in Orange Beach, reports AL.coms John Sharp. As soon as the deal goes through, expected to be next month, then the toll will immediately go away.

For now it will continue to be a two-way road. Eventually, after the new Intracoastal Waterway Bridge is completed, the Foley Beach Express Bridge will carry folks away from the beach, while the new bridge will carry folks to the beach.

The roadway will be State Route 161 all the way to I-10.

The goals are to improve traffic flow and eliminate tolls. The purchase price -- including some road work, is $60 million.

Police chiefs resignation

Montgomery Police Chief Darryl Albert resigned Thursday, about a week after he was placed on leave, reports AL.coms Carol Robinson.

Theres still no reason being given.

Earlier this year former Montgomery police officer Rene Helton filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming she was discriminated against because she would not have an affair with Chief Albert.

There has been no connection made between the complaint and the resignation.

In an unrelated situation, the police chief of another major Alabama city, Mobiles Paul Prine, is still on administrative leave as the city awaits a report on use-of-force issues.

Newborn giraffe

The Internet has taught me that people love giraffe stories, so well share the following. Even if theyre always looking down on the other animals.

The Birmingham Zoo announced its first brand-new baby giraffe in a decade, reports AL.coms Greg Garrison.

The reticulated giraffe calf was born just after midnight Wednesday to 4-year-old first-time mom, Ruby. If youre familiar with the Birmingham Zoo youve seen the dad, Jalil, whos been at the zoo since 2007. Their pairing had been recommended by a giraffe management program to develop a healthy herd in Association of Zoos and Aquariums affiliates.

At least the boy wasnt named Sue

Two sets of parents at Huntsville Hospital at the same time discovered they had a unique connection through the names of their brand-new youngns.

Johnny and Nicole Davis had named their son Johnny Cash Davis. Meanwhile, Carter and Sophie Clark had named their daughter June Carter Clark, reports AL.coms Howard Koplowitz.

Johnny Cash and June Carter, of course, were the husband-and-wife couple who both played major roles in American music history. But while certainly these arent their first namesakes, it sure seems like a longshot to happen more than 20 years after Johnny and June passed, in the same Alabama hospital at the same time without realizing it.

Johnny Cash Davis was named Johnny after his dad, and his folks said they plan to call him Cash. June Carter Clark got her middle name from her dad, and her folks just loved the name June.

More Alabama news

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Today we talk Talladega and NASCAR with auto racing reporter Bran Strickland, who happened to grow up near the track.

You can find Down in Alabama wherever you get your podcasts, including these places:
Mobiles suspended police chief says he has not met with nor heard from members of the Mobile City Council days before the council will meet Tuesday to review a report that he has called a sham.

The councils president says the council is gathering in an executive session Tuesday to look at the practices and procedures of the Police Department as highlighted in a report from former prosecutor Kenyen Brown. The report is expected to be released Tuesday both to the council and publicly.

We are looking at the practices and procedures of the PD, it was not to look at Chief Prine, said Council President C.J. Small. As far as the report goes, from my understanding, originally it was to look at the policies and procedures of the PD and not one person.

Prine, in an interview with AL.com Thursday, said he has not been contacted by any of the members of the seven-person council, which would have the authority of dismissing him. Prine has left his position as the police chief, but has not officially resigned and is reportedly in a dispute with Mayor Sandy Stimpsons administration over severance.

Prine said if the council is engaged in a review of the agencys policies and procedures, they should reach out and get the chiefs perspective.

My thoughts will be if there is a true investigation, the council will need to call and get information, he said. As of me talking right now, the council has not reached out. Its a one-sided conversation between the council and administration. There is another side than the administrations perspective.

Prine was not at the council meeting this past Tuesday. The council is set to gather at 9 a.m. for its pre-conference meeting this coming Tuesday before adjourning into a closed-door executive session to discuss the report, and potential legal matters. The council will assemble for its regularly-scheduled meeting at 3 p.m.

Small said the council could consider hiring a third-party agency to examine a host of allegations about improprieties within the mayors administration.

Prine, since last week, has alleged unethical and potentially criminal activity occurring with the administration over contracts including those having to do with analyzing the department.

Prine has not forwarded those concerns to the Mobile County District Attorneys Office. He said that doing so is under consideration.

Council members have had little to say about the situation involving the police chief and have largely waited to comment until the release of Browns report, which focuses on the police departments policies and procedures over the use of force. Brown was hired to review the departments policies and procedures in November following a deadly pre-dawn police raid, the fourth incident in a year in which a Black man was killed during an encounter with Mobile police.

The most high-profile incident involved 36-year-old Jawan Dallas in July, which led to his family filing a $36 million federal lawsuit against the city in December.

Prine has called it a sham report, aimed at removing him from his chiefs position that is based on a dispute over an intelligence-led policing initiative.

Prine has since left his position as chief and cleared out his office, and he has since been put on paid administrative leave. Assistant Police Chief Randy William Jackson was appointed as interim chief.

Small said he was unsure why if Prine, who cleared out his office, had not yet submitted his resignation.

The councils meeting comes a few weeks after a document from City Attorney Ricardo Woods dated March 27 began circulating on social media showing two options on separating from Prine. The first option included retiring with his reputation intact and supporting a nondisclosure agreement that would allow the city to mitigate Browns public report. The second option called for a removal from office, that relieves Prine of his duties with pay pending council action and does not include a non-disparaging agreement. The second option includes a press conference to release the findings of Browns report.

Concerns have been raised on social media whether the document illustrates an effort for the Stimpson administration to collude with Brown to get Prine removed as chief. Stimpson, during his interview with AL.com last Friday, said he was unaware of the contents of Browns report that has been described as a third-party review of the agencys procedures.

Paul Prine was not the focus, nor within the scope of Kenyen Browns letter of engagement, Candace Cooksey, spokesperson with the City of Mobile, said. Once he began conducting interviews, concerns surfaced around culture and Prines leadership and general attitude towards the public.
The rap artist known as GloRilla has been charged with drunken driving in Georgia, jail records show.

GloRilla, whose real name is Gloria Woods, was charged Tuesday with first-offense driving under the influence of alcohol; having an open container of alcohol; and failing to obey a traffic control device, according to Gwinnett County Jail booking records.

Woods, 24, of Memphis, Tennessee, was arrested by police in Suwanee, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. Officers pulled over a black Mercedes-Benz after it was seen making a U-turn at a red light, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

I asked Woods how much she had consumed and what beverages she had consumed; however, Woods continued to relay that it does not matter and she was good to drive, the officer wrote in the police report obtained by the newspaper.

Woods eyes appeared to be bloodshot, she had a hard time finishing her thoughts and refused to take a breathalyzer test, the officer wrote.

She was booked into the jail at 6:12 a.m. Tuesday and released at 9:41 a.m. the same day.

The jail records do not indicate whether Woods has an attorney who could speak on her behalf.
A top space researcher claims the U.S. has "no evidence" of alien technology in the skies, downplaying widespread speculation of the existence of hovering, extraterrestrial machinery.

"We don't have any evidence of any credible source that would indicate the presence of alien technology in our skies. And we never have," Bill Diamond, president and chief executive officer of the SETI Institute, an organization dedicated to researching intelligence in the universe, told Space.com. "The idea that the government is keeping something like this secret is just totally absurd. There's no motivation to do so."

While Diamond doesn't rule out the possibility of discovering alien technology in the future, he said, "we should equally not jump to the conclusion that UFOs are alien technology in the absence of any compelling evidence to that effect. And there is no compelling evidence," he said.

The fact that it would take the fastest spacecraft ever humanly built 80,000 years to travel to Earth from the nearest star, Alpha Centauri, is what leads Diamond to believe that "any civilization that has mastered the ability to traverse the incomprehensibly vast distances of interstellar space would have technology so far advanced from our own as to be beyond our comprehension."

"If such beings exist, they would likely send hardware here first and not biology, and they certainly wouldn't crash-land in our deserts," he joked.

"The farthest things we have sent into space are hardware. And that's logical," said Diamond, the outlet reported. "But if you did send beings and the most interesting thing you can do is draw circles in crops... come on!"

Diamond also pointed to a lack of government funding to research UFOs, which he suggested was "either the government being quite certain that there's nothing to these accidental observations  or  the government preferring that we not use available technology to closely watch our skies because of our own human technologies that are being developed  in secret."

He noted, "I think that's the most compelling bit of evidence against the idea that we've got visitors in our skies."
The Alabama Senate on Thursday passed a bill that would require state and local government agencies to respond to public records requests by certain times.

Alabama law already says people have a right to read and get copies of public records, but does not require government agencies to respond to records requests by any certain times. That has been cited as a major weakness in the law because agencies can effectively deny a request by ignoring it or delaying the response.

Right now under current law, its the wild west, said Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, sponsor of SB270.

Orrs bill would require agencies to acknowledge requests within 10 business days and sets timeframes for additional responses. It allows agencies to extend the deadlines by notifying the requester.

The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 29-0 after a short discussion. It moves to the House of Representatives.

Orr has tried in previous years to strengthen the public records law but the bills have not passed. Orr said there was widespread agreement among the agencies that would be affected on the latest version of the bill.

The bill approved Thursday was a different version of one that was approved by a Senate committee last week. The earlier version of the bill spelled out circumstances under which the person requesting the records could file a lawsuit if their request is denied. That is not part of the version of the bill that passed the Senate on Thursday.

The bill categorizes records requests in two main ways.

Standard requests are those for which a government agency could provide the requested records in less than eight hours of staff time. Agencies would have to acknowledge standard requests within 10 days and provide a substantive response with 15 days after that.

A substantive response would be providing the record, designating a specific time to provide it, agreeing to provide it contingent on payment of a fee to cover reasonable costs, or denying the request with an explanation of why.

Agencies could extend the time for a substantive response in increments of 15 business with a written notice to the requester.

A standard request would be presumed denied if there is no response in 30 business days. The bill does not spell out a specific recourse to a requester whose request is denied.

The second category of requests, time-intensive requests, are those that would take more than eight hours of staff time to process. Agencies would have to acknowledge the requests within 10 days and notify the requester within 15 days later that the request was considered time-intensive.

The bill says an agency would have to provide a substantive response to a time-intensive request within 45 business days, either fulfilling it or denying it, and could extend that in 45-day increments.

The bill says a time-intensive request is presumed to be denied if there is no substantive response or if the records are not produced within 180 business days.

The bill says agencies do not have to respond to requests that are vague, ambiguous, overly broad, or unreasonable in scope. It says agencies do not have to respond to requests that seek records that are not public or records that do not exist.

A 2019 study by a researcher at the University of Arizona ranked Alabama last among states in responsiveness to requests for records.
On April 13, 2024, Iran, deploying more than 300 drones and missiles, launched a premeditated aerial assault on Israeli military and population centers. While ninety-nine percent of the weapons were intercepted, Irans attack is equivalent to a formal Declaration of War against Israel.

Since 1979 and the Iranian revolution, Iran and Israel have been undeclared enemies as Iran has used its proxy terrorist groups in the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen to attack Israel. However, and most significantly, the April 13th attack was launched directly from an emboldened Iran.

Iranss belligerence necessitates a significant military response against Irans infrastructure and nuclear program regardless of the Biden Administrations duplicity. Irans lack of success on April 13th has exposed the weakness and incompetence of its military. A massive military counterattack would cripple or perhaps end Irans long-term ambitions for Arab and Middle East hegemony.

Three and half millennia of Jewish history is replete with examples of weakness on Israels part that further emboldened its enemies with dire consequences for the Jewish people. A lack of retaliation by Israel will embolden the mullahs of Iran with dire consequences for not only Israel but the nations of the Middle East and the world.

The Hamas attack of October 7, 2024 and Irans de facto declaration of war on April 13, 2024 are the direct outcome of the Obama/Biden policy of appeasement and willingness to allow Iran to become a hegemonic nuclear power. They are the 21st-century equivalent of the spineless European appeasers of Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

The Obama/Biden policy has been to facilitate Iran in becoming a dominant player in the region in the naive belief that if the West, and in particular the United States, treats the mullahs as equals they will evolve into nonbelligerent leaders who can be trusted. Even if that means the acquisition of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles and sacrificing Americas only resolute ally in the region, Israel.

In 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini, the godfather of the Islamic Republic, claimed that the Iranian revolution was just the start of the revolution within the world of Islam. He set in motion Irans underlying long-term goal: to inspire an Islamist revival, to evict the infidels, to annihilate Israel, and to impose a unified Islamic government on the Arab world.

Despite four decades of a crippled economy and numerous domestic uprisings, the Iranian regime has and continues to divert untold billions of dollars into military procurement and support of their Islamist proxies. Terrorist groups who not only target the West and Israel but foment revolutionary conflicts in other Arab nations.

These intractable conflicts have changed the face of countries such as Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon who are now under de facto Iranian control. Nations such as Iraq and Afghanistan are increasingly under the influence of the Iranian mullahs and Saudi Arabia and Jordon are being targeted for instability by Irans Revolutionary Guard. Unless stopped in its tracks, Iranian hegemony over the Middle East is no longer matter of if but when.

American and western foreign policy has consistently refused to understand the power of the ideology spawned by the Iranian Revolution. The Iranian worldview which promotes repressive governance along religious lines combined with uncontrolled hostility to Israel and the West as well as a deep-seated determination to unite, by force if necessary, the two major sects of Islam, has been the driving force of instability and violence in the region for decades.

Western policymakers, with the exception of Donald Trump, have steadfastly underestimated the extent of Irans commitment to their revolutionary ideology. The Wests repeated overtures to Iran and unfathomable economic as well as financial cooperation and support has only increased their antipathy toward the West, in particular the United States and Israel -- the only nation founded on western values in the region.

Thanks to the appeasement policies of Obama, Biden, and much of the West, Iran today is more belligerent than ever. Iran can build a nuclear weapon within a matter of a few months and has sufficient fissionable material to build several more. Additionally, Iran is feverishly working on constructing intercontinental ballistic missiles that have the range to hit Europe or the United States. Iran could have them within a matter of months, as it has recently launched its third military satellite into orbit.

The overt missile and drone attack on Israel, the greenlighting of Hamas brutality in their invasion of Israel, a fully militarized Hezballah controlling Lebanon and attacking Israel, increasing involvement in Syria, and overt manipulation of the Houthis to attack shipping on the Red Sea, is indicative of Irans confidence that they can be increasingly aggressive and the West, in particular the United States under Biden and the Democrats, who have essentially financed Irans belligerence, will do nothing to stop their determination to control the Middle East.

This mindset also encompasses the little-recognized but vital strategy that through terrorism and societal upheaval precipitated by massive Islamic immigration of Europe and America, they, as the leader of this new caliphate, can undermine and eventually conquer the Western world from within.

Thus, the West is again at another 1930s moment. Will they, led by a feckless United States, continue to turn a blind eye towards Irans intractable belligerency and persist in constraining Israel in the myopic hope that by doing so would bring about peace in our time? If this is the course of action then there will be an eventual regional war which could quickly spiral out of control as Irans revolutionary religious fervor does not rule out the use of nuclear weapons.

Iran as presently constituted cannot be bargained with. The only possibility of avoiding the above scenario is for the West to 1) unleash and directly abet Israel in destroying Hamas and Irans military and nuclear infrastructure, 2) negotiate separate mutual defense pacts with Israel and Saudi Arabia, 3) reinstate, enforce, and expand the Trump sanctions against Iran; 4) isolate the mullahs, and 5) actively support and promote regime change in Iran.

The western world, which includes Israel, is at a crossroad. Will it once again hear the anguished voices of millions of dead and displaced asking their self-serving leaders: why did you not prevent world war when you had the chance? Or will the West heed the lessons of World War II in preemptively dealing with an intractable and borderline deranged enemy?

Image: Fars Media Corporation
Why should any living person dwell on the French Revolution? Well, there is more to it than picturesque Parisian backdrops, powdered wigs, and peculiar costumes. On the other hand, the powerful image of a blood-spattered guillotine may give us a hint! In deference to true wisdom, let us therefore take the opportunity to quote the Spanish-American philosopher George Santayana: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Although we tend to congratulate ourselves on living in a so-called knowledge society, school education is in decline. The development is practically the same throughout the West. In any case, knowledge is very unevenly distributed in society. The academic standards of present-day curricula in both primary school and university are being lowered in favor of politicization and indoctrination. The principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are at variance with the classical ideals of academia.

To be sure, intellectual corruption poses a major threat to the survival of Western civilization. That the younger generations have not learned history in school actually represents an inexcusable neglect. When distanced from the moral basis of the church and largely uncultured, discounting the erratic impact from social media, they become extremely sensitive to extremist propaganda. Ignorant of historical facts in outline or depth, they relate uncritically to ideologically distorted narratives such as that of racism as the driving force in history. Immature megalomaniacs and with an appetite to be in the front row, which is typical of youth at all times, they are too easily seduced by the sirens of totalitarianism. They lack an enlightened, independent perspective. We have let them down. Now they are taking revenge.

History offers lessons of obvious importance to our ongoing adaptation. In the time around the Reign of Terror, philosophical masterminds on good terms with the Jacobins introduced the prototypical concepts of (a) secularism, (b) egalitarianism, and (c) economic centralism (planned economy, big government), which initially seemed perfectly rational, overthrowing the hated system of privilege intrinsic to lAncien Regime. In fact, however, they deluded humanity, paved the way for tyranny, and ultimately led to immeasurable suffering.

An institutional prototype deriving from the French Revolution was the Committee of Public Safety. The governmental functions assumed by this body, which acted in the name of the people, whatever its bloody excesses on the scaffold, concentrating legislative and executive powers in the hands of its members, confirmed the totalitarian nature of the revolution. The operations of similar bodies, e.g. the central committees of the Soviet Union and the Peoples Republic of China, have since led to human sacrifices in the millions. Oppression of the individual citizen and the entire people (by extension) is the empirical consequence of a self-righteous, puritanical, and tyrannical pursuit of human and social perfection, respectively.

In the West, the modern welfare state saw the light of day after the abominations of World War II. As a social model, it was at first in sharp competition with the realized Marxism of the East. The rate of development, of course, depended on local conditions, incl. political-economic opportunities, social institutions, and history  in short, culture.

From the very beginning, social engineering beckoned as an ideological approach to the modernization of society, whether publicly acknowledged or not. Also for those who give the appearance of social engagement, fervidly advising and supporting others in return for political power (e.g. trade unionists, as opposed to awkward theorists tucked away in libraries), there may be a totalitarian temptation to interfere in the lives of others and rule over them as if they were children without the right of self-determination.

Mainstream leftists secretly envied their comrades for their unassailable monopoly of power on the other side of the Iron Curtain. Seeking an ideal society that combined egalitarianism with a relatively high level of material prosperity (i.e. contrary to the conditions in the Soviet sphere of influence), however, progressive forces in both Europa and North America long tended to highlight Sweden, spared from war ravages and with a profitable heavy industry to subsidize utopian experiments, as an example to follow. In Portugal and Spain, by contrast, conservative dictatorships were back then given to suspicion, and managed to delay the seemingly inevitable development for a while.

In the light of hindsight, conservative observers are prepared to admit their reservations and clarify that the welfare state, for all the good intentions, reinforced universal decadence across the West. Originally, the core services, based on the premise that we are equal before the law, sharing a common morality, including minimum standards of social justice, consisted of (a) public health care, (b) merit scholarships, and (c) temporary unemployment benefits. However, there has been a shift away from these services toward (de facto) unqualified entitlements.

The very idea that you, simply by virtue of being, should be entitled to wealth generated by others is like the introduction of a new system of privilege. When this concession of entitlements, ultimately at the cost of core services of the welfare state, is furthermore extended to the destitute masses of the Third World, who are crossing European and North American borders by the millions, we are undoubtedly heading for disaster. The unlimited generosity of leftists, in addition to the short-term desire to bribe voters at the elections, masks the intention to bring down the West; they are busy redistributing its wealth so as to accelerate its collapse.

Uncontrolled immigration from Third World countries at the invitation of the progressive elite, which has recently fallen in love with the exotic and is in the process of betraying its historical ties with the working class at home (accused of simple-minded bigotry), pushes the welfare state to its limit. In these years, when several countries in the West are reaching demographic milestones, the resources in (a) healthcare, (b) education, and (c) social services, are being depleted by foreigners. (Of course, immigrants expand the national economies of their host countries whether they are self-supporting or not.)

We should have known better in the West. Sure, we resisted the military threat of the Marxist Warsaw Pact, but we got cocky, refused to recognize the danger in time, and lost to the totalitarians who invaded our societies with identity politics instead of tanks. What we, socially alert, were conscientiously, and energetically building together in the post-war period looked like the capstone of civilization. However, we messed it all up for nothing.

In the end, the culture sickness of the early twentieth century caught up with us  a truly sadomasochistic, nihilistic self-degradation in the wake of World War I. With our eyes open, we chose to betray ourselves, surrender to the totalitarians, and write ourselves out of history. It is obviously one of the ways in which an honorable and humanistic, but also unforgivably decadent, civilization may leave the world.

As for the highly praised welfare model of yesteryear, the politically harmonized, social democratic utopia, the home of soft totalitarianism, Sweden is falling apart as a society. Its patronizing leaders, who long denied human nature (including the deep attachment to family and faith), and believed that they could create a new human being (i.e. a docile homo socialisticus) with unbreakable ties to the welfare state, were horribly mistaken. From having epitomized a (a) culture of trust, (b) homogenous societal culture, and (c) rule-based, industrious, and stable culture, where a solid majority of center-left voters agreed to work for the common good, the so-called Folkhem (Peoples Home) has turned into a multicultural battlefield, an increasingly violent society segregated along ethnic lines. Stabbing, shooting, and throwing grenades have become commonplace. As during the French Revolution, though in the current setting of unprecedented immigration and skyrocketing crime, the prospective utopia is giving way to dystopia, order to chaos.

If only we had learned from history.

Image: Public domain.
Putting on his 'Scranton Joe' hat and making a pitch for the elderly military vote, Joe Biden went to Scranton, Pennsylvania to honor his uncle, a second lieutenant in the Army Air Force named Ambrose Finnegan who died over the Pacific in 1944.

But instead of honoring his uncle's ultimate sacrifice for the country truthfully and reverently -- he made up a kitschy tale about his uncle getting shot down over New Guinea island and getting eaten by cannibals.

Yes, he said that, here's the Daily Mail's account:

In Scranton Biden said that when D-Day occurred, 'the next day, all four of my mother's brothers volunteered to join the military. Three of them made it, one of them couldn't go.' 'Ambrose Finnegan - we called him Uncle Bosie - he was shot down. He was in the Army Air Corps, before there was an Air Force, flew those single engine airplanes, reconnaissance flights over New Guinea,' the president continued. 'He volunteered because someone couldn't make it.' That led to him being shot down. In a speech later on Wednesday Biden added: 'My Uncle Bosie, he was a hell of an athlete, they tell me, when he was a kid. 'And he became an Army Air Corps before the Air Force came along. He flew those single engine planes as reconnaissance over war zones. 'And he got shot down near Guinea and they never found the body because there used to be, there were a lot of cannibals for real, in that part of New Guinea.' Speaking in Scranton, Biden went on: 'We had a tradition in my family my grandfather taught us. 'When you visit the graveside of a family member you say three Hail Marys. That was what I was doing (at the memorial). 'My Uncle Ambrose Finnegan - Uncle Bosie was a hell of a guy. I never met him.'

Had enough?

The Daily Mail got hold of the military records of the incident, and found that Finnegan was listed as a passenger with the title of 'courier' in a military aircraft that experienced engine trouble over the Pacific off the island of New Britain near New Guinea. The military reported that three of the four people in the plane died and one presumably lived. There were no cannibals, only a tragic ending for the inhabitants of the plane in the line of duty and yes, that does make Finnegan a war casualty, worthy of the same honors as other war casualties. War has all kinds of mistakes and accidents and this was one of them, terrible for those who lose their lives, but clearly part of the war effort making the ultimate sacrifice.

Instead of laying out what happened though, and standing by it, Biden went for the laughs, the cannibal stuff, hyuk, hyuk, even though New Guinea has never had many cannibals and the ones they have had were on the Indonesian side of the island, deep in the interior, and never exposed to white men.

But what are facts when there's the Gilligan's island version of cannibals for Joe to exploit, evoking images of natives in grass skirts and bones in their noses boiling poor Finnegan in a big black cauldron amid all the quicksand and ooga booga noises? Joe was going for the peanut-gallery laughs, making up a phony story about cannibals and hanging his blameless uncle onto it, which was a hideous thing to do to someone who ought to be honored for his wartime sacrifice.

Does it sound like his loved his uncle? Not to anyone normal, because no one normal would do such a thing. But Biden is a political animal, so even his uncle's dead body was fair game as a prop for laughs in his quest to win popularity from the Democrat peanut gallery.

After Biden's phony tale about cannibals, he got worse as if he couldn't get any worse than he already had.

Biden said as he looked at the memorial he thought about Trump. 'What I was thinking about when I was standing there, when Trump refused to go up the memorial in Paris and he said they were bunch of suckers and losers,' he said. 'To me that is a such a disqualifying assertion made by a president. The guys who saved civilization in the 1940s suckers and losers.'

He looks up at a war memorial dedicated to his uncle and the first think he thinks about is President Trump? Obviously, that war memorial was incidental to him, a prop.

Worse still, he nakedly repeated lies about President Trump calling fallen service members 'suckers' and 'losers,' a lie so blatant even people who hate Trump who were there on his trip to Europe when the fake story came out, said was not true. Trump never said that, but Biden likes to lie, so he repeated the lie for political advantage, probably jingling his rosary beads in his pocket.

Biden's the one with the bad record on veterans, not President Trump. As veterans are being thrown out of their housing to make way for illegal immigrants in some blue cities, Biden's said nothing and done nothing.

Now he wants to use his own family member as a punchline for campaign laughs. What a disgusting person.

Image: Gary Stockbridge, via Picryl // public domain
While alarmed Americans watched the steady politicization of Joe Bidens Justice Department, his Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appointees turned against the country they were charged to protect.

Created after 9/11 to secure the homeland, today DHS is run by open borders fanatics. To stop the bleeding, in January our new president should declare a national migration moratorium and resume border wall construction. He should send active duty and national guard troops to seal the border with rules of engagement that include the use of force. DHS should be instructed to resume and accelerate border violator deportations. The new president should proclaim a right to preemptive self-defense against foreign governments enabling illegal migration or obstructing U.S. efforts to reverse it.

To subdue the asylum fraud monster we created for ourselves, the president should repudiate the 1967 UN Refugee Protocol and its disastrous non-return parole doctrine. Thereafter, the sole avenue for U.S. asylum-like relief should be offshore mechanisms akin to the Migrant Protection Protocols or post-Vietnam War orderly departure program.

The staggering cost to unwilling Americans of maintaining and removing millions of border violators should be billed to the source countries. Untaxed billions wired out of our country to those countries should be tapped. Foreign embassies and consulates here must be held financially responsible for U.S. maintenance of their border violator citizens.

On Inauguration Day, 2025, Biden prosecutorial discretion schemes to erase the border and suspend removals must be canceled. The new president should abandon Biden lawsuits against states fighting to protect themselves from border violators. The president should invite states to team with federal authorities on detection, detention, and removal of border violators. U.S. Attorneys must step-up prosecution and imprisonment of border violators for unlawful entry. American employers must be free to hire American without DOJ harassment.

DHS lawfare against Americans must end. Judicial settlements, consent decrees, and DHS policies that wantonly undermined the presidents immigration enforcement authorities should be repudiated and forbidden. The Executive should recognize no court order touching immigration enforcement beyond the geographic limits of the court that enters it.

The Executive must also challenge judicial and administrative erasure of immigration enforcement against alien criminals. The court-concocted categorical matching doctrine and criminal-friendly prosecutors shield thousands of violent alien criminals from deportation. Madness.

Recently DHS leaders marked Arab American Recognition Month by identifying U.S. Representative and Hamas apologist Rashida Tlaib as an Arab American notable. The lesson: headquarters personnel at DHS and all DHS agencies must be replaced. New DHS leaders can easily be found who grasp that Hamas is a Jew-hating proxy for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and mortal enemy of the United States.

Under current DHS leadership, the U.S. became an enabler of child abduction, human trafficking, and fraud. Foreign children and putative victims of uncorroborated U.S. crime are battering rams against our border. State courts and local police must no longer be leveraged to enable immigration fraud.

Any person  including a parent  who brings or induces a child to cross our border illegally should be prosecuted for endangerment. Any border violator  including a parent  who fails to appear at the border when his or her child is encountered by the Border Patrol should be prosecuted for abandonment. Any person bringing children into the U.S. with no foreign custody order should be screened for child abduction. Universal DNA testing to establish parentage is critical.

The new presidents transition teams should produce an interagency strategy to insulate our border and budget from government and private organizations enabling human trafficking. The strategy should include prompt return of unaccompanied children to authorities in the home countries.

Violating our border or overstaying lawful admission should trigger unwaivable ineligibility for any immigration benefit, including asylum, parole, work permits, visas, adjustment of status, inclusion in the eVerify database, and naturalization. Persons granted cancellation of removal should be obliged to go abroad for consular processing. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) must be repealed, and no current or past TPS beneficiary should receive lawful permanent residence except through consular processing.

Today, while 93-year-old American widows fret over quarterly tax filings, border violators ignore internal revenue laws with impunity. Every border violator with a dollar of U.S. earnings, past or present, who fails to report those earnings to the IRS should be permanently barred from an immigrant visa, adjustment of status, and work authorization. No border violator should be eligible for tax credits for any non-citizen child.

Restoring the rule of law at DHS wont be easy, but it is vital to begin. January cant come soon enough.

Richard J. Douglas, a former U.S. Senate lawyer and Navy veteran of submarines and Iraq, has nearly four decades of immigration experience.

Image: Public domain.
When it comes to sensible education policy, Florida has been at the vanguard in recent years. From the Parental Rights in Education Act to universal school choice legislation, Florida lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis clearly understand that prudent educational reforms are sorely needed.

On April 17, DeSantis signed SB 1264, which will reinforce Floridas education standards by requiring that students learn about the dangers and evils of Communism.

According to DeSantis, We will not allow our students to live in ignorance, nor be indoctrinated by Communist apologists in schools. To the contrary, we will ensure students in Florida are taught the truth about the evils and dangers of Communism.

I know firsthand the evils that Communism brings, and I am proud to stand by Governor DeSantis as he signs this legislation to ensure Florida remains the bastion of freedom, added Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz.

Like Diaz, I have firsthand experience, at least when it comes to educating students about the history and ideology of communism. For several years, I was a public high school social studies teacher, first in Illinois and then in South Carolina. I specialized in three subjects: U.S. history, world history, and American government, all of which touch upon the subject of socialism/communism in one form or another.

I completed my student teaching program at a very prominent public high school in the northern suburbs of Chicago, where I shadowed and eventually taught a semester of world history and U.S. history. I must say I was totally dumbfounded when I observed my master teacher give presentations on anything related to socialism/communism.

In short, he consistently went out of his way to whitewash the horrors of socialist regimes, from the Soviet Union to Cuba to China. He always framed socialism as morally superior to free-market capitalism. And he regularly echoed that the reason these socialist nations failed or didnt deliver fully on their promises of utopian egalitarianism was due to meddling from the West.

I know it is difficult to believe, but my master teacher at this nationally recognized high school was far from the only social studies teacher with socialist leanings. In fact, it was the norm throughout the entire social studies department.

After I finished my student teaching program, I moved to South Carolina, with the hopes that a conservative state would have a less socialist-friendly teaching environment. Boy, was I wrong.

To my astonishment, after landing a full-time teaching position at a public high school outside Hilton Head, things were just as bad.

Like my experience at the aforementioned Chicagoland high school, the social studies department at my new school in South Carolina was chock-full of socialist sympathizers.

I spent five years teaching U.S. history, world history, and American government at this school, during which I chronically witnessed what I can only describe as socialist indoctrination from most of my colleagues. In many cases, blatantly pro-socialist ideology was being masqueraded as giving both sides. To my chagrin, this became nauseating after several years.

Such is why I decided to retire from the teaching profession and dedicate my life to speaking the truth about public policy in general, and socialism, in particular.

Many years later, I am a research fellow with The Heartland Institutes Socialism Research Center (SRC), which is devoted to informing the world about the dangers, including the moral dangers, associated with socialism, communism, and other forms of collectivism.

The reason I bring this up is because the SRC has just published a book, Socialism at a Glance, which offers a concise history of socialism including an analysis of socialist ideology and The Communist Manifesto.

As a former teacher, I am well aware that there remains a giant void in accurate teaching materials on the subject of socialism. Socialism at a Glance was designed to fill that void, to serve as a resource for anyone interested in learning the unvarnished truth about socialism.

Now, back to the new Florida law. In a nutshell, the new law is designed to beef up the existing Communist history standards with instruction on the history of Communism in the United States and the tactics of Communist movements, promote the importance of economic and individual freedoms as a means to advance human progress, and prepare students to withstand indoctrination on Communism at colleges and universities.

Those are all noble endeavors, not to mention completely necessary, and should serve as the bedrock for socialism teaching standards in all 50 states.

Chris Talgo (ctalgo@heartland.org) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute.

Image: The Heartland Insttitute
In an unexpected show of corporate backbone, Google gave the boot to 28 employees who staged a screamingly loud, disruptive, vandalism-filled protest at Google's New York and Sunnyvale offices over their hate for Israel.

According to CNN:

London CNN  Google has fired more than two dozen employees who protested this week against the companys cloud computing contract with the Israeli government. The workers were dismissed after an investigation found that they had staged protests inside Googles offices in New York and Sunnyvale, California. In Sunnyvale, they entered the office of Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, according to a post on X by the group that organized the demonstration, No Tech For Apartheid. Protesters held banners that read No More Genocide For Profit and We Stand with Palestinian, Arab and Muslim Googlers.

BREAKINGDOZENS OF @GOOGLE WORKERS LEAD HISTORIC COAST TO COAST-INS AT @GOOGLECLOUD CEO THOMAS KURIANS OFFICE IN SUNNYVALE & @GOOGLEs NYC 10TH FLOOR COMMONS. They refuse to leave until @google stops powering the genocide in Gaza



LIVESTREAM: https://t.co/uUiPbr3oDz pic.twitter.com/vCkInh0769  No Tech For Apartheid (@NoTechApartheid) April 16, 2024

The Jew-haters lost typically six-figure jobs associated with Google and access to Google's sybaritic employee playpens with all their paintball rooms, guitar studios, LEGOs, beanbag chairs, and free food. No more of that for them. Hopefully, Hamas can help them find something they like better in Gaza over the tunnels. Smart trade, bozos.

But Google had good reasons for getting rid of them.

According to The Verge, citing a communication from Google's head of global security, Chris Rackow, to all employees:

They took over office spaces, defaced our property, and physically impeded the work of other Googlers. Their behavior was unacceptable, extremely disruptive, and made coworkers feel threatened. We placed employees involved under investigation and cut their access to our systems. Those who refused to leave were arrested by law enforcement and removed from our offices.

So they trashed the fancy headquarters amid all their screaming and yelling? What jackasses.

In a blog post noted by Aljazeera, CEO Sundar Pichit added:

We have a culture of vibrant, open discussion that enables us to create amazing products and turn great ideas into action. Thats important to preserve. But ultimately we are a workplace and our policies and expectations are clear: This is a business, and not a place to act in a way that disrupts coworkers or makes them feel unsafe, to attempt to use the company as a personal platform, or to fight over disruptive issues or debate politics, Pichai said. This is too important a moment as a company for us to be distracted.

Google's Rackow emphasized that the place was a business, too:

Behavior like this has no place in our workplace and we will not tolerate it. It clearly violates multiple policies that all employees must adhere to  including our Code of Conduct and Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation, Standards of Conduct, and Workplace Concerns. We are a place of business and every Googler is expected to read our policies and apply them to how they conduct themselves and communicate in our workplace. The overwhelming majority of our employees do the right thing. If youre one of the few who are tempted to think were going to overlook conduct that violates our policies, think again. The company takes this extremely seriously, and we will continue to apply our longstanding policies to take action against disruptive behavior  up to and including termination.

The protest was over a $1.2 billion cloud contract Google had signed with Israel several years earlier (with Amazon) called Project Nimbus. The protestors wanted Google to flush that money down the toilet and come join them for some virtue-signaling.

Hear how the group that got the boot, "No Tech for Apartheid" (which seems to be geographically as well as time-challenged) is whining now, according to AlJazeera:

"This flagrant act of retaliation is a clear indication that Google values its $1.2 billion contract with the genocidal Israeli government and military more than its own workers. In the three years that we have been organising against Project Nimbus, we have yet to hear from a single executive about our concerns, it said in a statement posted on Medium.

Well, yeah. Of course Google values its $1.2 billion cloud contract with Israel over 28 screamers. In case they hadn't heard, the $1.2 billion ... employs and pays the Google workers, a link they've never managed to find within the cause-effect code.

What's more, it's something they've worked hard on for years, from negotiating the deal, to setting up the infrastructure, to obtaining the personnel, to executing the project, which apparently is still ongoing. These clowns want them to shut it all down?

The other thing is that Google, being a business, knows which side its bread is buttered on. Tech in particular is an industry that requires brainpower talent, and Google doing what these radicals want is bound to alienate the one thing Google values more than anything at all within its company, its Israeli brainpower, mainly used for its cutting edge research and development.

Several years ago, I learned at a tech conference that Silicon Valley was shifting huge amounts of its brainpower to Israel, which despite its tiny size, was becoming a tech powerhouse, the place to be for tech.

According to this 2012 Forbes magazine article, Google has sought out Israel for its critical research and development for quite some time and has a huge operation there:

I visited Googles office in Tel Aviv where about 50 people work in the Marketing & Sales team and over 200 in the engineers department. Yes, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google founders, are Jewish. However, this post has no religious orientation. If you are looking for some sort of religious conspiracy theory go elsewhere, here you will learn only about what Google is really up to in Israel. Google first opened its office in Israel in 2006. I visited two of the four floors used by Google on the 21st and 22nd floors of the famous Levinstein Tower in downtown Tel Aviv. Although not as impressive as the famed Googleplex in Mountain View, California, the offices offer magnificent views of the Mediterranean sea. Each room has its own theme, with walls and furnishings of all colors. There is a meeting room filled with giant legos, a pinball machine, Nintendo Wii, Playstation and other games. There is also a fully equipped music room with guitars, drums, microphones, professional sound system, etc. Add to that a silent room, a 3D printer, and free food at each floor. The feeling of being in a kindergarten almost made me forget that I was in one of the worlds largest multinational companies. Google also employs about 80 engineers in its second office in Israel located in Haifa, Israels technological center.

Those are big numbers and indicate big capital spending. No doubt, they are bigger 12 years later from when this piece was written. Google can go anywhere it wants in the world for tech talent but the Forbes piece notes that Israel's tech talent is the best.

When asked about the main differences between the Tel Aviv office and the Paris office or any other Google office worldwide regarding the Sales & Marketing teams, the answer was, Besides cultural differences, the view in the office! They quickly added that the special ingredient and main reason why Google has such an important R&D center in Israel is because of the quality of Israeli engineers.

Is Google going to give up its brainpower to placate pro-Palestinian protestors? Nope, it's going to get rid of them. It's got way too many big things to do that their screamings are getting in the way of.
Congolese national Anicet Mayela, who recently pled guilty to raping a 15-year-old child in a crime described by authorities as having a high level of dangerousness to it, was previously the illegal alien poster boy for the migrants are not criminals campaign.

According to a report by Thomas Brooke at Remix News yesterday, Mayela illegally entered the United Kingdom in 2004 when he paid human smugglers to get him out of the Congo, but by 2005, the federal government sought to deport Mayelayet, first thanks to bleeding heart useful idiots in his deportation flight cabin crew, and then to the left-wing charities and taxpayer-funded immigration lawyers, Mayela won leave to remain in Britain after his advocates successfully argu[ed] a return to his homeland would be a violation of his human rights.

Mayela used his experience as a publicity stunt for open borders policies, declaring that migrants are not criminals. Heres this, from Brooke:

Mayela used the opportunity to actively campaign against the deportation of illegal migrants, participating in a demonstration near his detention center in Oxford where he spoke to the BBC and hung a sign around his neck that read, Migrants are not criminals. I am here to support my friends. I have been inside here, and at Colnbrook, he told the U.K.s public broadcaster from outside the detention center.

Heres a photo of Mayelas activism:

Let me introduce you to Anicet Mayela, a Congolese national that the UK tried to deport several times.



During the last attempt the Air France crew blocked his deportation.



Now this 40 year old has just pled guilty to raping a 15 year old girl.



I guess his sign is wrong pic.twitter.com/kaoEN3iBop  Miss Jo (@therealmissjo) April 19, 2024

Except, migrants are criminals, any time they enter a country illegally, doubly so when theyre raping children like Mayelawhich is exactly why we dont want them.

How does the left find the absolute worst poster child individuals for their causes? Mayela, a child rapist, is really the best guy they find for the all migrants are good people agenda?

All the queers they pick to champion the LGBTQ++ movement who also end up being sex pests and child molestors?

George Floyd, a drug addict who died of an overdose, who once held a gun to a pregnant womans belly as he robbed her, becomes the face of black Americans unjustly killed by racist institutions? Images of shredded corpses of black babies from Kermit Gosnells House of Horrors or in the medical waste pans of any other abortion mill would be far more consistent with the narrative.

Joseph Rosenbaum, a man who molested a number of young boys, is a victim lost to gun violence and the radical rights view of self-defense? How about the children murdered by school shooters because the left refuses to fund trained and armed professionals for protection?

Id say its rather providential and fitting that the left can only find the worst examples of humanity to prop up their terrible ideas.

Image generated by AI.
In a move that has the world talking, Israel has responded to Iran's provocation not with overwhelming force but with a strategic, measured action.

According to the Drudge Report, in the pre-dawn hours of a Friday, April 19, Israel launched what can only be described as a "pin prick" attack on the Iranian city of Isfahan.

This was not the wide-scale military retaliation many had expected following Iran's aggressive launch of 350 drones and missiles against Israel.

Instead, Israel, aiming to avoid a broader conflict, sought to convey a clear message to the radical mullahs of Iran: even their most treasured assets are within Israel's reach.

The selection of Isfahan, a city celebrated for its historical and aesthetic significance, as the target for this message is both brilliant and strategic, carrying a biblical precedence.

This city, nestled in the heart of Iran, is not only a major cultural landmark but also the epicenter of the country's nuclear ambitions and home to a significant airbase. Targeting Isfahan, Iran's "crown jewel," Israel's action carried a profound warning: a demonstration of military might, and a counterattack that was presumed by many experts not to be made until after Passover.

This maneuver by Israel echoes a biblical story from 1 Samuel 26, where David, pursued by King Saul, infiltrates the king's camp and absconds with his spear and water jugitems placed next to the sleeping king. David's subsequent display of these items from a safe distance served as a powerful testament to his ability to strike at the heart of Saul's defenses without harming him. Similarly, Israel's recent military action against Isfahan sends a clear signal to Iran: "Your military can't protect you from us."

Israel's restraint is both a message and a warning. It signifies that while Israel possesses the capability to unleash devastating strikes that could result in massive casualties and escalate into a larger conflict, it chooses, for now, a path of caution and strategic messaging. This act of restraint should not be mistaken for weakness but rather seen as a calculated effort to avoid unnecessary bloodshed and instability in the region. If so, it could trigger the Isaiah 17 War prophecies 2500 years ago, followed by the soon-after Psalm 83 war, the Gog and Magog war, and then the battle of Armageddon.

The question that now looms large is whether the Iranian regime will heed this warning or continue on its path of aggression. Israel's "pinprick" attack on Isfahan stands as a testament to its strategic acumen and its preference for diplomacy over destruction.

However, the ball is now in Iran's court. Will they interpret this as a sign of Israel's measured strength and a call to de-escalate tensions, or will they persist in their belligerent posture, inviting further conflict?

As we watch this delicate dance of diplomacy and power unfold, let's hope that the message delivered by Israel's calculated strike resonates within the halls of power in Tehran, prompting a reevaluation of their aggressive stance. The alternative, a descent into broader conflict, serves no one's interests and could have catastrophic consequences for the region and beyond.

NOTE: The intel for this commentary was provided by Lt. Col. Robert Maginnis, a Pentagon insider.

Jerry McGlothlin is the CEO of Special Guests, a publicity agency he founded in 1986 with the mission of booking conservative talk show guests. With a career spanning over three decades, McGlothlin has established himself as a prominent figure in the conservative media landscape, offering a platform for voices that challenge mainstream narratives. His expertise in media relations and strategic communications has not only propelled the success of Special Guests but also highlighted the importance of diversity in political discourse. A staunch advocate for free speech and a balanced media, McGlothlin's insights into the ideological biases of major media outlets have sparked discussions and brought attention to the need for media integrity and impartiality.

Image: Robert Sullivan, via Picryl // public domain
A high ranking Iranian commander has issued an ominous warning in response to Israel's repeated threats of retaliation, according to a report.



Senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commander Ahmad Haghtalab suggested on Thursday that Iran may reconsider its "nuclear doctrine" in light of Israeli threats, heightening concerns about Tehran's nuclear program, which Iran has consistently claimed is solely for peaceful purposes.

"The threats of the Zionist regime (Israel) against Iran's nuclear facilities make it possible to review our nuclear doctrine and deviate from our previous considerations," Haghtalab said, according to Reuters.

In 2021, Iran's then-intelligence minister warned that Western pressure could lead Tehran to pursue nuclear weapons, despite a ban by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the early 2000s.

Khamenei has the final authority over Tehran's nuclear program, which the West suspects may have military intentions.

Israel has stated it will retaliate against Iran's missile and drone attack on April 13, which Tehran says was in response to an Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Damascus earlier this month, according to Reuters.

"If the Zionist regime wants to take action against our nuclear centres and facilities, we will surely and categorically reciprocate with advanced missiles against their own nuclear sites," Haghtalab said.

Indirect talks between Tehran and Washington to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear deal have been stalled since 2022.
Anne Kirkpatrick, the police chief for the city of New Orleans, is one of the most tenured police executives in the country, which is just code for: seasoned bureaucrat hired by city officials. And you know what that means? Theres a very simple and easy solution to this problem.

First though, the story, from AWR Hawkins at Breitbart:

New Orleans police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick wants gun-free zones within the city where even licensed concealed carriers would be barred from carrying for self-defense. 4WWL reported that Kirkpatrick is pushing the zones in response to the constitutional carry bill signed by Gov. Jeff Landry (R) on March 5, 2024.

Per Hawkins, Kirkpatrick said the bill would reverse strides because there is too much gun violence as it is in the city. For context, New Orleans had the highest murder rate in the country in 2022, and while the FBI alleged a drop in 2023, independent analysts did some fact-checking and found otherwise. Im not quite sure how Kirkpatrick is considered qualified to propose law enforcement suggestions based on her total misassessment of realityshe cant possibly have a worse record because it doesnt get much worse than have the literally highest murder rate in the country, but thats beside the pointthe violence of the city is because Democrats run the place, implementing their stupid ideas, and of course, wherever Democrats and their asinine policies go, chaos, mayhem, and death ensue.

Now, Kirkpatricks plan to create these gun-free zones is via the legislature in a bill sponsored by a NOLA Democrat, which will likely not make it very far because both chambers are controlled by Republicans, and so is the executive power of the pen (Gov. Landry).

But regardless of what is likely to be a failure, Kirkpatrick needs to go, and I have a very simple and easy solution for thatas I mentioned above, shes a police chief, and unlike a duly-elected sheriff of Orleans Parish, Kirkpatrick was hired not by the people, but by city officials. She is a bureaucrat and not a civil servant, despite the shiny law enforcement badge she wears. As a side note, this is why Im a firm believer in a return to the constitutional values of this nation and the elimination of bureaucratic police departments, with all law enforcement responsibilities being restored to their original owners and delegated once again, exclusively, to the elected sheriffs and their chosen deputies all good cops in the the bureaucracies of city forces ought to make a swift exit and serve their communities in the best way possible. (This is also the solution to abolishing the FBI, which is unconstitutional and riddled with anti-Americanism too.)

And, what all of this means, is that Kirkpatrick can simply be fired. Butout of the seven officials who sit on the council (five members and two members-at-large), all seven are Democrats, which means theyre not going to just fire their anti-gun activist police chiefunless they feel the pressure. This is where that Republican legislature, and that Republican governor with the executive power of the pen, comes into play.

The state should quickly cut off the tens of millions of dollars it doles out to the city of New Orleans, until the Democrats get in line with respecting a persons right to self-defense.

Sure its not the go-along-to-get-along posture, but thats not really my style.

And, any punitive actions taken by the state arent undermining the will of the people, because the people didnt hire (elect) Kirkpatrick.

Now, there is a flaw in my plan, and that is that it requires the Republicans to actually have a spine and do something worthwhile.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no atttribution required.
Let me put on my grandson hat. President Biden reminds me of my late grandmother. We called her "Abuela Senda" and everyone loved her stories. She was born in 1892 when Cuba was still a Spanish colony. She remembered all those parades when Cuba became an independent nation in 1902. She had my father and two more sons during the Great Depression that devastated Cuba too. She was a wonderful storyteller, from hurricanes hitting the island to how my grandfather stole her heart. She was a charm until age caught up with her and the stories were no longer real. We would hear the stories, look at each other and move on.

Well, it was sad to see it happen to our beloved grandmother. It's scary to see it happen to the man with the nuclear codes around him.

As you know, President Biden took storytelling to another level. This is the story:

Joe Biden suggested his war hero uncle may have met a grisly end among flesh-eating savages after his plane went down over Papua New Guinea in World War II. The president said there were 'a lot of cannibals at the time' in the area where his uncle Ambrose J. Finnegan's plane crashed in the 1940s -- and his remains were never located. However, Biden's account was inconsistent with Pentagon records which showed the plane was not 'shot down' as he said. According to his own Defense Department it was a 'courier' flight that suffered engine failure and ditched in the ocean off Papua New Guinea on May 14, 1944. His uncle was a passenger rather than the pilot. Biden made the 'cannibal' comments on a trip to Scranton, Pennsylvania where he visited a war memorial bearing the name of his relative, who was known by the family as 'Uncle Bosie'. The president said: '(He) got shot down in an area where there were a lot of cannibals at the time. They never recovered his body. 'But the government went back when I was down there and they checked and found parts of the plane and the like.'

Another one of Joe's tales. What makes this tale more obscene is that he used the Atlantic cemetery story about Trump calling soldiers losers. My guess is that someone in the White House wrote the bit about Trump and then Biden's imagination ran wild. I don't know but that's my guess.

So when will we hear that Jill was killed in a car crash years ago? Sorry for the ugly example but this man's mind is only getting worse. Who knows whats next? Hunter killed in Iraq?

What keeps the Democrats on board? Probably fears of VP Harris assuming the presidency and facing real questions in the middle of the campaign. Or maybe the reality that the VP is the only Plan B.

We are living in scary times, and that's no joke, man.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Gage Skidmore
Democrats must be puzzled.

After spending the last four years demonizing MAGA as domestic terrorists and anti-democratic to boot, they're now surrounded by real domestic terrorists and democracy haters, coming at them like the Wicked Witch of the West's flying monkeys.

According to the Free Press:

CHICAGO  In a room full of 450 far-left activists, a leader with the Freedom Road Socialist Organization kicks off a chant: Protest is a rightnot just for the rich and white. Have you heard that the Democratic National Convention is coming to Chicago? Joe Iosbaker asks the crowd. Are we going to let em come here without a protest? This is Chicago, goddamn itweve got to give them a 1968 kind of welcome. In 1968, the Democratic Convention in Chicago was a bloodbath, with 600 arrests in one street battle that was broadcast all over the world. And the group that met here last Saturday, in the local headquarters of the Teamsters Union, wants to repeat history when Joe Biden is named the presidential nominee at the DNC this August. They oppose the president they call Genocide Joe for backing Israel in its war against Hamas.

The radicals, from an old pro-Mao far-left organization that's been around for about 40 years in places like San Francisco, and always on the irrelevant fringe, are feeling their oats these days, much as the old Democratic Socialists of America got a new battery with the dawn of the Biden era.

FRSO views the violence and rioting last seen in Chicago in 1968 as a good thing, the heralding dawn of a glorious new revolution. August's convention where dotardly old Joe Biden is trotted out as the champion of democracy is the perfect occasion for mayhem. The rest of us see something not to vote for.

The mess and the violence of 1968 left Chicago a shambles for years, and the city took decades to recover.

Well, now the crazies are back, getting ready to wreck Chicago a second time this August 19. Odds are good they will succeed, too, given the fecklessness of the blue city government led by clueless leftist Brandon Johnson, which the Free Press article notes. Johnson won't have any idea how to handle them, it won't be with any resolution, so they will run circles around him and create a lot of problems, outright upstaging the convention if it gets bad enough.

Johnson can get ready to become the next mayor of Portland or Seattle in terms of results, reviled for his failures and unrepentant for his weakness, no matter how many times the radicals hit him.

The question that must puzzle many is why they're targeting the Democrats and not the Republicans in their planned convention mayhem. Republicans, after all, are less sympathetic to the Palestinian terrorists than even the Democrats. But here the radicals come, getting ready to foul the Democrats' nest as their civic duty and repel the public, which will be bad for their electoral prospects.

What they are trying to do is push the Democrats leftward, even farther left than they already are. They did this in 1968 and 1972, and the Democrats went along with it, and now they see their chance again as unfolding. They radicals see the weakness and are using it to bring the rotting edifice down.

They'll probably do it, and they'll probably get away with it, and Democrats these days won't denounce them, they'll just try to appease them, which won't work, and then change the subject.

Obviously, weakness is provocative for the Democrats and now they've got a major problem with democracy-haters surrounding them, and it's not named MAGA.

All those years, pointing at MAGA as the "real" danger to democracy and now they've got a real one. Couldn't happen to a better bunch of liars.

Image: logo, Twitter screen shot // fair use
Things are sure calmer now that Joe Biden is in office, right? Back to normal! No more mean tweets! Okay, we may be on the precipice of a nuclear world war, but hey, things happen, right? Granted, Ukraine is being expunged, the Middle East is literally blowing up, our southern border is the scene of an unprecedented, chaoticand interminableinvasion, but at least were not trying to Make America Great Again!

Sarcasm aside, none of this had to happen. In fact, none of this would have happened if Trump were still in office. That is not speculation. When Trump was in office, Ukraineand our borderswere secure, and the Middle East, via the Abraham Accords, was mostly peacefuland hopeful of staying that way for the foreseeable future.

But why? Trump wasnt an experienced politicianor a smooth statesmanlike figure! He was a wild card! And Biden was a life-long Washington insider! (Insightful readers will realize the question But why? was just answered.)

None of this death and destruction need have happened. Biden, and his handlers, snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. Some of this may be because there are those in the administration that actually hate America (and Israel). And some of it is because leftists are unaware of two crucial things: history and human nature.

Appeasement never works. For good or bad, the leaders of most nations only respect one thing: strength. All of history clearly illustrates this. Attacks come about because victims appear weak. (See also, Britain and the U.S. vis-a-vis Germany and Japan prior to World War II.) That holds true, virtually without exception, regardless of whether we are speaking of a nation or a person. Or an animal, for that matter. Like most predators, lions and wolves prey on the weak and infirm. So, when threatened, porcupines roll themselves into a ball with their quills sticking out everywhere. Some animals, like blowfish, puff up to appear bigger than they otherwise are. Its Deterrence 101, proven effective for all of history. Yet many still havent learned.

Biden sticks his head in the sandwhen not actually colluding with our enemies.

Natural selection/culling the herd/survival of the fittestcall it what you willmay be brutal, but it is the law of the land. And always has been.

Power is respected among nations, weakness is not. And neither is Joe Bidenor whoever is pulling his strings. Early on in World War II, The Great Appeaser, Neville Chamberlain, resignedallowing Winston Churchill to become Prime Minister and stiffen the spines of the British people. The irony is that Churchill had warned the world for years leading up to the war that conflict was not inevitable if only Hitler were checked in time.

Instead of tacitly approving an Iranian strike on Israel, Biden should have long ago told the mullahs to pound sand. Or else. Had he done so, Israeland the worldwould likely not have been in such danger now.

Biden isnt going to resign. But perhaps the American people will tell him to pound sand this Novemberand usher Trump back into the White House. To Make America Great Again. And the world calmer, too.

Image generated by AI.
This essay is not about the fact that Trumps hush money trial is completely corrupt for myriad reasons. These reasons include but are not limited to the fact that Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg violated due process by revitalizing invalid election fraud claims and time-barred misdemeanors allegations by elevating them into unnamed felonies. Im also not talking about the judge having a daughter who is a highly-placed anti-Trump activist raising money off the trial. Instead, this post focuses on one specific thing: The fact that it is impossible for Trump to have a fair jury in this corrupt trial.

The lack of fairness begins with the fact that Trump is the most famous man in the world, and he is running for president. There is literally no one on earth, unless they have the awareness of a potato, who doesnt have an opinion on the case, and who doesn't understand that its outcome will affect the election.

Theres another fascinating and mostly unspoken lack of fairness here: The judge did something very unusual, which was to make Wednesday the day off from the trial rather than Friday. By doing so, he effectively barred from the courtroom the single most pro-Trump demographic in New York; namely, Orthodox Jews:

Orthodox Jews to be exclused from Bragg's jury pool. The NYC demographic group most strongly supportive of Trump is the orthodox Jewish community. So, no surprise that the very biased judge in Bragg's case scheduled the trial to include Fridays instead of Wednesdays. Very https://t.co/U8Xe0NGQQ8  Dan Schneider (@Schneider_DC) April 14, 2024

Without Orthodox Jews to balance things out, of the original 96 jurors, half were instantly excused because they openly admitted to being biased against Trump. Thats an extraordinarily high rate to be excused upfront for bias.

The jury selection process with the remaining 48 ostensibly unbiased people didnt go well. One of the potential jurors was shown through her Facebook posts to have been wildly pro-Biden. Judge Merchan, the one whose daughter is fundraising off of her dads willingness to allow a felony trial to go forward even though the felony is never identified, accused Trump of intimidating the jurorand then seated her.

Since then, two seated jurors have bowed out. One did so after family and friends outed her as an anti-Trumper. A second seated juror had hidden his prior arrest record. He really wanted to be on that jury, which, in a trial such as this one, is inherently suspicious.

Once upon a time, even jurors who had good reason to be biased believed so fiercely in truth that they could nevertheless be trusted to bring fairness and honesty to a criminal trial. Im speaking, of course, of the 1770 trial following that Boston Massacre.

That trial came at a time when anti-British sentiment was incredibly high thanks to a series of extremely unpopular laws Britain had imposed on its American colony. These feelings had boiled over in a protest that saw British troops fire at the crowd, leaving three people dead and several wounded. The acting governor, Thomas Hutchinson, arrested the commanding officer, eight soldiers, and four civilians. The case became a cause celebre, essentially being tried in the press.

By the time the soldiers were tried half a year later, one would think that the jury, made up of Boston citizens, would have found all of them guilty regardless of the facts or the law. However, memorably, thats not what happened. Instead, the jury acquitted six of the soldiers.

It was during his summing up that Adams offered his famous defense of truth:

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence: nor is the law less stable than the fact.

If we could be certain that the jury being seated in that New York courtroom believed in a just court and absolute truth, we could also reasonably believe that confronted with the facts, they might be able to rise above their prejudices and issue an honest verdict.

But we dont live in such a world. We live in a post-modern world that denies truth. Instead, we are surrounded by feelings, lived experiences, and that disastrous phrase, my truth. And we all know that, for many people, their truth is that they dont want Trump to be president and that the greater good requires them to ignore the facts.

The martyrdom of Donald Trump. (Image made using a photo by Mike Peel; CC BY-SA 4.0.)
Military action between the Islamic Republic and Israel have thrust the Middle Eastern region into the spotlight.

However, it is crucial to delve deeper into the intricate dynamics at play beyond geopolitical maneuvering and saber-rattling. One key distinction often overlooked is the differentiation between the Islamic Republic and the Iranian people.

Iran means the land of Aryans.

The first step in supporting Iranians is to recognize and understand the distinction between the Iranian people and the Islamic Republic. It is essential to acknowledge that the Iranian people are distinct from the regime that governs them. This understanding can help prevent the conflation of the actions of the regime with the desires and aspirations of the Iranian populace.

Iran is NOT the Islamic Republic. Period.

The Ayatollah Khomeini went as far as stating:

We do not worship Iran; we worship Allah, he said, speaking in Qom in 1980. For patriotism is another name for paganism. I say let this land [Iran] burn. I say let this land go up in smoke, provided Islam emerges triumphant in the rest of the world.

The frustration felt by Iranians due to the world equating them with the regime cannot be overstated. It is imperative to recognize that Iran has a rich historical and cultural identity that predates the establishment of the Islamic Republic. Once referred to as Persia, it was the land of the Aryans. A civilization renowned for its contributions to art, science, and literature. The Iranian people, contrary to the regime's actions, yearn for peace and stability in their homeland.

It is the mullahs vs. the people.

Discontent with the Islamic Republic runs deep within the Iranian populace. Activists and ordinary citizens alike have voiced their opposition to the regime, often at great personal risk. The simmering ethnic tensions between the regime and segments of the Iranian population further underscore the internal strife that plagues the country.

Let's filter out the misinformation and know the Untold Story. Iranians face a daunting challenge in amplifying their voices amidst the cacophony of misinformation that surrounds them. "Crazy narratives" and "mass disinformation" about Iran often cloud the true aspirations and struggles of its people. The advent of social media, while a potential tool for activism, also presents its own set of challenges in a landscape dominated by state-controlled narratives.

This is a Call for Clarity.

It is essential to advocate for the use of precise language when discussing Iran. By distinguishing between "Iran" and the "Islamic Republic," observers can better understand the situation. This differentiation is crucial in acknowledging the Iranian people's desire to be recognized as a peace-loving society distinct from the actions and policies of the Islamic regime.

We can begin the process by discoursing Iranian voices. The world can better support Iranians by providing platforms for their voices to be heard. This can be done through international media coverage, support for independent journalism within Iran, and facilitating opportunities for Iranian activists and advocates to share their perspectives on the global stage. By doing this, the Iranian voices and the world can better understand the sentiments and aspirations of Iranian citizens.

Only then can we move on to the "diplomatic engagement" stage because diplomatic efforts that prioritize the well-being and aspirations of the Iranian people are the only significant form of support. This involves fostering constructive dialogue with Iranian civil society, human rights organizations, and representatives of diverse Iranian communities and diasporas.

Diplomatic engagement should aim to empower Iranians and address their concerns, thereby demonstrating solidarity with the Iranian people.

Advocacy for human rights in Iran is crucial for supporting Iranians. The world can advocate for the protection of fundamental rights, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners in Iran. By standing up for the human rights of Iranians, the global community sends a powerful message of solidarity and support for those striving for a more just and free society within Iran.

The final stage of recognition of the Iranian people is cultural exchange and collaboration. Promoting cultural exchange and collaboration with Iranian artists, intellectuals, and civil society members can foster mutual understanding and solidarity. Encouraging educational and artistic exchanges and collaborations in science, technology, and academia can build bridges between the Iranian people and the international community.

Therefore, it is imperative to recognize the complexities underlying the relationship between the Iranian people and the Islamic Republic. A more nuanced understanding that separates the people from the regime is crucial and respectful of the desires and struggles of the Iranian populace.

The time for a change has arrived. The majority of the Iranian people refuse to be fooled and intimidated any longer. They refuse to obey orders from the beasts of Allah currently ruling Iran. Iranians have recognized the fundamental weaknesses of their oppressors. With a little help here and a little help there, they can be transformed overnight from seemingly subdued and helpless sheep into mighty lions.

It is time for the Iranians to strike, gather forces, organize, and especially demonstrate in the streets in increasing numbers, even in the face of massive, gruesome, bloody repression by the Islamic rulers, who still have a powerful armed apparatus at their disposal. It is time to unleash the wrath of the Iranian people on the Islamic zealots. It is time to become even more defiant and end the barbaric theocratic regime by massive participation in a freedom revolution to end this primitive Islamic nightmare.

Image: Arashk rp2, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0
This is one reason why its always important to really dig into the fine print when getting a new phone service. A T-Mobile customer was shocked to find a massive $143,000 bill after returning from a trip overseas.

The person affected was Florida resident Rene Remund. He and his wife went to Switzerland last September and enjoyed a fun time full of plentiful pictures and videos. However, upon returning, it appeared that their bill had skyrocketed immensely.

A Florida couple was stacked with a massive $143,000 T-Mobile bill

Any person whos traveled overseas should probably know whats going on without even digging into the details. When smartphone carriers tout their services, they typically talk about Roaming fees. People who live in locations blanketed by their service shouldnt really have an issue. However, people who typically travel outside of their carriers coverage have to deal with roaming.

Roaming is when you are outside of your carriers coverage, and you connect to the cell tower for a different service. Say, you are a Verizon customer and you wind up outside of Verizons coverage. Well, if you happen to connect to an AT&T cell tower, you will be able to use your signal through AT&T. However, this comes at a hefty price.

This is what happened to Remund. Before leaving, he contacted T-Mobile and told the company that he was going abroad. This is something that he does often, according to the report. However, there must have been some mistake this time around. T-Mobile said that the couple was covered.

While in Switzerland, he used his phone immensely, racking up over 9GB of data. Upon returning, his next T-Mobile bill read a jaw-dropping $143,442.72. Doing the math, that adds up to a ballpark figure of about $15 per megabyte used.

T-Mobile plays the bad guy in this scenario

The married couple reached out to T-Mobile to try to have this whole charge reversed. Obviously, $143,000 is far too much to pay for a phone bill, and thats way too large of a debt for any average American household to pay. However, the service reps that they dealt with said that the bill was good, and they offered no help.

The couple hired an attorney who reached out to T-Mobile. Unfortunately, the attorney was met with radio silence from the company.

Enter, ABC Action News

Upon receiving word about this issue, ABC Action News reached out to T-Mobiles Corporate Offices. Just days after this happened, T-Mobile reversed the charge on their bill.

After reversing the charge, T-Mobile offered a statement and recommended that people take time to read the features of their phone plans. Also, people who are on older plans should take into account roaming data and calling.

Were not sure what plan Remund was using. However, we do know that he was a customer for more than 30 years. So, theres no guarantee that he was using one of the most up-to-date plans.
Google is merging its Android OS (Operating System) and product hardware teams. The super-team will collaborate and build AI (Artificial Intelligence) in nearly all categories of products, including smartphones, TVs, watches, and more.

Google merging Android and hardware into Platforms and Devices

Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced a major restructuring at Google. The most notable change would undoubtedly be the merger of Android as a platform and hardware as a product.

The new team, called Platforms and Devices, will reportedly oversee all of Googles Pixel products, all of Android, Chrome, ChromeOS, Photos, and more.

Rick Osterloh, who was previously the SVP of devices and services, will head this super-team. He was leading Googles hardware, including Pixel smartphones.

$GOOG is doing it

"Google is combining its Android and hardware teams  and its all about AI" / "Under Rick Osterloh, a new platforms and devices team will be dedicated to bringing AI to your phone, your TV, and everything else that runs Android." https://t.co/DaqD4TH0gA  Mads Capital (@MadsCapital) April 18, 2024

Hiroshi Lockheimer will be taking on other projects inside of Google and Alphabet. It is not clear why Google shifted him out of software platforms. He has been a key figure at the company and was instrumental in developing Android, Chrome, and ChromeOS.

This change or consolidation as Osterloh calls it, is meant to improve the infusion and deployment of AI within Googles products. Consolidating teams helps us to be able to do full-stack innovation when thats necessary, he said.

Some of the most notable hardware aspects that benefit tremendously from AI and ML (Machine Learning) are synthetic vision (digital camera) and GPUs (Graphics Processing Units). The Pixel Camera is one of the biggest beneficiaries of rapid developments in AI.

Osterloh even pointed to Googles in-house Tensor GPUs. Although nowhere near NVIDIAs GPUs, Google Tensor is rapidly scaling new heights in on-device AI processing.

AI will help Google improve Android update speed

Theres no doubt that Google has been a little late to the AI party. Microsoft is currently ahead with OpenAIs ChatGPT, but Google has Android OS. Needless to say, Google owns the worlds most widely used OS and offers services that run on millions of actively-used devices.

Owing to the new team, AI should make deeper inroads into Android. Google may ask this new super-team to rapidly deploy, tweak, and improve AI in Android Auto, Wear OS, and ChromeOS.

Google is already busy embedding its Gemini AI and chatbot in nearly every imaginable product. Hence, almost every device that runs Android OS or its fork, could have some form of AI soon.

Osterloh hinted that one of Googles aims is to make everything faster. This also includes accelerating Android updates. We cant airdrop a new SOC into existing products, but we can design for longevity, and then update our software frequently, he reasoned.

The new Platforms and Devices team, born from merging Android and hardware, seems to be Googles attempt at running a tight ship. Perhaps, this integrated and consolidated approach might help Google reduce the number of products it kills.
OpenAIs GPT-4 has managed to perform remarkably well against eye doctors, claims a new report. The assessments generated by the LLM (Large Language Model) Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) managed to beat non-specialist junior doctors and trainees. The Microsoft-funded Gen AI even came close to matching expert eye medics.

GPT-4 answers ophthalmology assessment MCQs

A study, published in PLOS Digital Health journal, has proven how Gen AI LLMs could help in the medical field. Speaking about the results, Arun Thirunavukarasu, the lead author of the paper said,

What this work shows is that the knowledge and reasoning ability of these large language models in an eye health context is now almost indistinguishable from experts. We are seeing the ability to answer quite complicated questions.

He was referring to GPT-4s ability to answer MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) about ophthalmology. In all, the study reportedly asked GPT-4 87 MCQs. Five expert ophthalmologists, three trainee ophthalmologists, and two unspecialized junior doctors answered the same questions.

 #AI is much better than non-specialist doctors at assessing eye problems and providing advice, Cambridge researchers have found. GPT-4 could triage patients and decide which #ophthalmology issues are emergencies that need immediate attention https://t.co/nX9OYQb1XR  Cambridge University (@Cambridge_Uni) April 18, 2024

The study designed a questionnaire from a textbook for testing trainees on everything from light sensitivity to lesions. It is interesting to note that the contents of the textbook arent available in the public domain. Hence, the researchers believe OpenAI may have trained its LLMs during an internal training exercise.

During the study, researchers gave ChatGPT, equipped with GPT-4 or GPT-3.5, three tries to answer definitively. If it failed, researchers marked the response as null.

GPT-4 beats some eye doctors but cant match experts yet

From the 87 different patient scenarios GPT-4 reportedly outperformed the juniors, and achieved similar results to most of the specialists. Specifically speaking, GPT-4 got 60 of the 87 questions right. Junior doctors managed to get an average of 37 correct answers.

Trainees in the field of ophthalmology came pretty close with an average of 59.7 correct answers. Barring one expert, who correctly answered 56 MCQs, the remaining specialists averaged 66.4 right answers.

Comparatively, PaLM 2 managed to get 49 answers correct, GPT-3.5 got only 42, and LLaMa trailed the pack with just 28 correctly answered MCQs.

It is important to note that the study was conducted in mid-2023. In other words, the LLMs have likely gotten way better at understanding and answering complex queries.

The health industry would undoubtedly benefit from ChatGPT, Gemini, and other Gen AI platforms. However, some medical experts have cautioned against relying on Gen AI to diagnose a patient. Such platforms lack nuance, they stated. Hence, there could be a concerningly high probability of inaccuracy, cautioned some of the researchers.
Samsung has reportedly introduced a six-day workweek policy for its executives. The company aims to instill a sense of urgency in its leadership amid mounting geopolitical and macroeconomic risks. It wants executives to work an extra day each week to formulate emergency measures to tackle this business uncertainty. The new policy is effective as early as this week for some business units, with others to follow soon.

Samsung introduces six-day workweek for executives to tackle business challenges

Samsung had a horrendous financial performance in 2023. Several business units performed worse than expected, leading to a whopping 85% decline in annual profit. The company was particularly affected by a slowdown in the semiconductor market. As the industry starts to recover, its earnings are also looking better. The Korean firm recently shared its earnings guidance for the first quarter of 2024 and the figures are much healthier.

However, economic concerns are still around, creating business uncertainty. To tackle this, Samsung has ordered executives at all business units, from smartphone and display divisions to construction, sales, finance, and more, to work six days a week. According to The Korea Economic Daily, all Samsung executives will work either on Saturday or Sunday following five days of regular workweek from Monday to Friday.

Considering that performance of our major units, including Samsung Electronics Co., fell short of expectations in 2023, we are introducing the six-day work week for executives to inject a sense of crisis and make all-out efforts to overcome it, the Korean publication cites a Samsung Group executive. Executives of Samsung C&T, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Samsung E&A have been voluntarily working six days a week since the start of 2024.

Samsungs six-day workweek policy does not apply to employees below the executive level. They will continue to work five days a week, a policy the company introduced in 2003. This also means the leadership group will use the extra day for special purposes. They will review and modify business strategies to adapt to the changing market situation. The Russia-Ukraine war and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are on top of Samsungs mind.

Other Korean firms are also shifting to emergency mode

Samsung isnt the only Korean company feeling the heat of ongoing business uncertainty and a rapid depreciation of the Korean currency. Other firms are also shifting to emergency mode amid these economic headwinds. Energy-to-telecom conglomerate SK Group now holds weekly Saturday meetings of its CEOs. It previously held CEO meetings once a month on a weekday. Other Korean conglomerates are expected to follow suit.
The identity of a California teenager who was murdered Saturday has now been discovered.

Through the family's GoFundMe page, Sasha Donnelly has been identified as the 17-year-old girl recently killed in a double Napa homicide.

Donnelly and an unnamed 19-year-old female victim were shot to death on Saturday evening on the 400 block of Riverside Drive near the Napa River, according to Kron4 News.

"It is with extreme sadness that we come together to support the Donnelly family during their loss. If you've met the Donnelly family, you know the type of amazing people they are. Sasha also leaves behind two young siblings... who are also processing this horrible tragedy," read the GoFundMe page.

While there are few details surrounding the case, police say the victims are acquaintances and have familial ties to Napa.

Detectives apprehended 22-year-old John Richard Wesley Nicholson Jr. of Vallejo 48 hours after the brutal murder and have charged him with two counts of murder.

The Napa County District Attorney's Office disclosed that Nicholson planned the murders and carried out the shootings with viciousness and a high degree of cruelty.

Nicholson did not enter a plea during his first court appearance.
Samsungs smartphone factory in Vietnam has reached a remarkable milestone. Located in the Thai Nguyen province of the Southeast Asian country, the factory has produced a billion mobile devices in its lifetime. It churned out the one billionth product, a Galaxy S24 Ultra, on Wednesday, April 17. SEVT (Samsung Electronics Vietnam Thai Nguyen), as the factory is known, organized an event to celebrate the milestone.

Samsung factory produces one billion devices in ten years

Established in 2013, SEVT is one of Samsungs largest factories globally. Along with Galaxy phones, the factory makes various other products such as smartwatches, TWS earbuds, and chargers. It recently produced its one billionth product, achieving a remarkable milestone ten years after its inception. This is an extremely impressive and proud milestone that few phone factories in the world have achieved, the company said in a press release.

The celebratory event was attended by SEVTs General Director Mr. Park Sung Ho. General Directors of five other Samsung factories in Vietnam, representatives of the Trade Union executive committee, management levels, and employee representatives of SEVT functional departments were also present during the ceremony. The company played a video recreating the journey from the first to one billionth product at the event.

Samsung also made special trophies marking the history of milestones from 100 million to 900 million products. Automated mobile robots brought the trophies to the stage. According to the company, SEVT manufactured its 100 millionth product in 2015. It was a Galaxy Note 5. The Galaxy S7 in 2016, S8 in 2017, S9 in 2018, S10 in 2019, and S20 in 2020 respectively marked the milestones from 200 million to 600 million products.

The 700 millionth product manufactured by SEVT was a Galaxy Note 20. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 earned the distinction of being the 800 millionth product, while the honor of the 900 millionth product went to the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The Galaxy S24 Ultra fittingly achieved the huge milestone of the one billionth device churned out by Samsungs massive factory in Vietnam. It is the best smartphone to come out of the Korean firms doors yet.

Samsung has five more factories in Vietnam

Vietnam is a huge manufacturing hub for Samsung. It operates five more factories in the county. Its Bac Ninh factory, which kicked off the Korean firms heavy investments in Vietnam in 2008, has already produced more than 1.13 billion products. The company also has a retail unit and a Research and Development Center in the capital city of Hanoi.

Samsung started producing the first mobile phone in 1988. To date, the total output of Samsung phones produced globally is more than 6 billion products. The time to reach the number of the first 1 billion Samsung phone products in the world was 21 years, but for SEVT alone, it only took 10 years to achieve that output. That is enough to show the strength and pride of our legal entity, Ho said (Google translated from Vietnamese).
Were at a point in time now where most of the big media companies are either merging with others or buying out other services. Amazon bought MGM, Warner Brothers merged with Discovery, and so on. Well, we just got word of another acquisition that could take place. According to the report, Sony and investment firm Apollo are in talks to acquire Paramount.

Paramount has been making waves lately for its streaming service Paramount+. The streaming service has had some success in the market with originals like School Spirits in the upcoming Knuckles spin-off show. It allows people to watch content from classic TV channels like Nickelodeon, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Showtime, Etc.

Sony is in talks to acquire Paramount

Right now, Paramount has been the subject of a new major potential acquisition. There are a few companies looking to buy/merge with Paramount for an undisclosed amount of money. One company looking to merge with it is Warner Brothers Discovery. Ever since last year, this company has been looking to merge with Paramount, but were not sure if Warner Brothers Discovery has made any moves since the original announcement.

Now, according to new reports, it appears that Sony is looking to acquire Paramount. Again, we dont know how much money Sony, but Apollo gave Sony a few numbers. At first, it suggested $11 billion for the Paramount Pictures film studio. However, it then suggested $26 billion for Paramount Global.

If Sony does buy Paramount, it will give Sony its own streaming service. Nowadays, most major media companies have a streaming service. Either that, or they were acquired by a company with one. However, Sony has been left out. Its name was on the Crackle app a few years ago, but that was short-lived.

If Sony does acquire Paramount, then were fairly certain that the same thing will happen to it that happened to HBO Max/Discovery+, Disney+/Hulu, Amazon Prime/MGM, Etc. Were pretty sure that Sony will merge its content with Paramounts content and offer its movies through Paramount+. Whos to say that Sony wont change Paramount+ his name?

Paramount could be involved in a merger

Aside from being purchased by either Warner Bros Discovery or Sony, Paramount may have a merger on its hands. Its controlling company, National Amusements, signed off on a deal that would merge it with Skydance Media. This company is responsible for movies such as Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part 1, Spy Kids Armageddon, Transformers: Rise of the Beast, the upcoming Marvel 1943: rise of Hydra game, Etc.

So, it appears that Paramount should expect some changes in the near future. We will keep you updated as more news about this subject comes out.
A recent report from the Financial Times claims that the Worlds largest chip maker, TSMC, may raise the prices of its products that are manufactured outside Taiwan, its home country. For those unfamiliar, over 90 percent of the worlds most advanced chips are fabricated in the country.

TSMC CEO CC Wei said on an earnings call (transcript) that if a customer is required to be in a certain geographical area, the customer will need to share the incremental cost. In todays fragmented globalization environment, cost will be higher for everyone, including TSMC, our customers, and our competitors, he added.

TSMC CEO informs an upcoming rise in chip prices

Notably, most of the semiconductor manufacturers like Apple, Nvidia, Qualcomm, and AMD fabricate their chips from TSMC. The Chinese giant Huawei also used to fabricate their chips from TSMC before the export restrictions from the US came into place. Only a few companies, like Samsung and Intel, produce their chips in-house. It includes Samsung, Intel, and only a few others. A rise in prices from TSMC is likely to reflect on a range of products. Specifically, if device manufacturers decide to maintain their profit margin.

Now if TSMC manufactures most of the chips in their home country, then why is it even a problem in the first place? Well, under the current geopolitical situation, governments and companies are pushing the chipmaker to build their plants and start fabricating chips outside Taiwan.

The US government offered TSMC $6.6 billion in funding last week under the CHIPS ACT to work on their factories in Arizona. In response, TSMC committed to increasing its US investment by an additional $25 billion, bringing the total to $65 billion. However, the new production facilities might not function as efficiently as their existing plants. TSMC is also investing quite a lot to build plants outside Taiwan.

Its important to mention, that TSMC has plants in Japan. They are also building a number of plants in Arizona, one of them has already started operating this month. This plant may start full production by the end of this year. So in the near future, TSMC may start mass-producing chips outside Taiwan. Which it says, will raise the prices of the products.

TSMCs chipmaking cost in Taiwan may also increase

If all of these werent enough, TSMCs chip manufacturing costs in Taiwan may also increase. Thanks to the recent electricity price hikes in Taiwan and the disruptions due to the recent earthquake. According to a recent report, TSMC estimates losses of $92.4 million due to the biggest earthquake in at least 25 years.
Police suspect a rogue ram killed an elderly couple in New Zealand after the animal confronted officers in the family's paddock and was shot dead, according to a report.

The bodies of the man and woman were found in the enclosure at their home in West Auckland around 7:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, New Zealand Police said in a statement.

"Police can confirm a ram was in the paddock at the time we were notified this morning," the statement said. "Another party at the scene suffered a minor injury after being attacked by this ram."

When officers arrived at the scene, they were "confronted and approached" by the ram.

"On undertaking a risk assessment, the ram was shot and died at the scene," the police said.

The police are carrying out an investigation on behalf of the coroner, and post-mortem examinations are scheduled for Friday.

Dean Burrell said his mother's sister and husband were killed. Both were in their 80s and had lived at the property for about eight years.

"Unfortunately, they both lost their lives in a tragic accident. They are nice people and didn't deserve this," Burrell told the New Zealand Herald.

"Everyone's in shock as to what's happened. They're very upset. I feel like I was dreaming it actually, it was a bit of shock, being told what had happened and I just didn't believe it," he said.

The couple, Burrell said, kept sheep, chickens and some cattle on their farm.

The outlet reported that the man went to check on the ram. When he did not return, his wife went to see what happened to him.
Andy Murray has shared footage of him hitting on the practice court as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.

The 36-year-old ruptured ligaments at last months Miami Open, but his team announced on Monday he would not need surgery and hoped to start hitting again on court soon.

And on Friday, the former world number one posted a video on Instagram Stories showing him hitting forehands on an indoor court at the National Tennis Centre.

We've missed seeing this @andy_murray back hitting at the National Tennis Centre, just weeks after sustaining ankle ligament damage in Miami   andymurray on Instagram pic.twitter.com/fHlOkMyuYY  LTA (@the_LTA) April 19, 2024

Murray was injured late on in his third-round defeat by Tomas Machac at the Miami Open on March 24.

After crying out in pain and falling to the floor, he was able to complete the match following on-court treatment but revealed in an Instagram post that he had seriously damaged two ligaments in his left ankle.

The timing was cruel for the three-time grand slam champion, who had won back-to-back matches for the first time this year in Miami.

Murray has said he is unlikely to play beyond this summer as retirement looms ever nearer.

It is unclear when he will return to action, but he was included on the entry list for the French Open, which begins on May 20.

Wimbledon gets under way on July 1, while the Olympic Games in Paris  which the two-time gold medallist said he would like to play at  starts on July 26.
The Charles Paddock Zoo in Atascadero, California, took to Facebook with the exciting news that a baby Mongoose Lemur has been born! These animals are listed as critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Natures (IUCN) Red List, so it's a wonderful boost for the conservation of this species.

The baby lemur is now on exhibit so zoo guests can see it.

The zoo posted on Facebook, in part, "The youngster will stay at the Zoo as part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) until it is ready to leave and go to another zoo for their breeding program to ensure genetic diversity among the species. The lemurs are critically endangered in the wild due to deforestation and poaching/hunting. The Mongoose Lemurs will remain on exhibit with the baby but have access to the back on busy days to avoid stress."

Related: Endangered Rare Red Panda Shows Off Her Adorable New Baby

Guests on Facebook are celebrating this exciting news and one person posted, "Oh my gosh, I can't wait to see them the next time we go!"

The Charles Paddock Zoo was established in 1955 by Charles Paddock, a county park ranger who nursed wild animals back to health. His reputation for rehabilitating animals soon spread throughout the area and, by 1959, Mr. Paddocks animal menagerie increased to over 125 wild birds and mammals.

The zoo also explained that this baby's gender is still unknown. "In the first weeks after birth, it is hard to tell the gender, but we will be able to tell if its a male or female by the development of its beard color. Males have reddish-orange fur beneath their chins while females have white fur. The males are born with white beards that turn reddish brown when they reach about six weeks old."

Fun Facts About Mongoose Lemurs

Mongoose lemurs are the smallest of all the lemurs, and they only weigh about three pounds. They grow to approximately 14 inches long with an almost 19 inch tail.

In the wild, these beautiful animals live an average of 18-20 years, but in human care, like in zoos or wildlife conservation centers, they can live into their 30s!

They eat mainly fruit, but also eat flowers, leaves and the occasional bug.

LVZoo.org reports, "Human activity is decimating the mongoose lemur populations and their home on the island of Madagascar is diminishing at an alarming rate. In fact, its estimated that about 1-2% of Madagascars forests are destroyed each year, and only about 10% of Madagascars forests remain. Slash-and-burn agriculture, clearing land for cattle, and charcoal production are destroying these precious forest ecosystems."

If you would like to visit the Charles Paddock Zoo, you can find out directions, admission costs, zoo hours and information about special exhibits and events by visiting their website here.

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It's an update worth cheering about. Just weeks after she was transferred to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio, Western Lowland gorilla Jameela is really thriving. In fact, a video released by the zoo shows Jameela and her foster mom "Freddy" spending some time together. It seems like these two have really bonded!

Frederika, or "Freddy," as she's known, has been Jameela's foster mom for only a short time, but it really is like Jameela is one of her own.

The zoo released a video of the two which shows Freddy nursing Jameela and her carrying the baby on her back.

It has been going really well," WFAA reports animal curator Dr. Elena Less said in the clip. "Freddy picked her back up, shes putting her on her back and letting her ride on her backand shes carrying her, she explained.

As the day progressed, we started to see a lot more bonding between Freddy and Jameela," she continued. "She was carrying her almost all of the time, putting her in nests, and setting up nests for her and laying next to her, and then we were so excited to see Jameela nursing from Freddy. Weve seen it twice and we do feel that Jameelas getting quite a bit of nutrition from that.

"We are continuing to ask Freddy to bring her over for bottles as well, and Freddy has been doing a great job of doing that," she said.

View the original article to see embedded media.

According to Less, the zoo will keep introducing Jameela to the rest of their gorilla group over the next couple of days.

Jameela's journey has had its ups and downs so far. Born via c-section in January at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas, Jameela's biological mother didn't show maternal behaviors towards her, causing zoo workers to remove the baby from her mother's care.

She was ultimately brought to Cleveland Metropark with the hope that Freddy would bond with her. Luckily things went well in that first two hour meeting. Freddy took to the baby like she was her own child.

The meeting ended because Freddy's other foster child, Kayembe, became a little too rambunctious with Jameela. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the zoo is hoping to schedule a second meeting with Jameela and her foster-sibling soon.

While Jameela isn't in her foster mother's care full-time yet, for now zoo officials could consider this second meeting a huge success.

We are monitoring them and making sure everything continues to go well," Less said.

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Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence said she pushed past being scared of producing a new film about the oppression of women under the Taliban rule, because the alternative is so much more horrifying.

The Hollywood star has co-produced a documentary titled Bread & Roses alongside Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, which follows the impact on three women of the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in 2021.

The film is said to have begun three years ago when Lawrence was shocked by the news of the plight of Afghan women and the prospect of them being forgotten.

Malala Yousafzai has co-produced the film (Doug Peters/PA)

The 33-year-old commissioned Afghan filmmaker Sahra Mani, who hasnt returned to Kabul since the Taliban regained control, to direct the project and shoot the in-person testimonies.

Obviously it was scary to reach out to Sahra and offer to get her funds and equipment, Lawrence told the Guardian.

There were many people in my life that didnt want me to get involved. Its scary and it is overwhelming, but the scariest possible outcome is ignoring it and pretending like its not happening.

She continued: I do understand and sympathise with the freeze response.

I have to fight it myself. But the alternative is so much more horrifying because the Taliban is a terrorist organisation to the world.

And if we ignore the rights of women around the world, it makes the world a more dangerous place.

Lawrence, who won an Oscar in 2013 for her role in Silver Linings Playbook opposite Bradley Cooper, hoped the film through the perspective of Afghan women would mean its not just a flash of a story in a pan.

These women need the world to witness this so that they are not suffering in vain, and we need to pressure our governments to hold the Taliban accountable, she added.

Bread & Roses is on Apple TV + and in select cinemas from June 21.
Five Just Stop Oil protesters have been convicted of aggravated trespass after they disrupted a performance of Les Miserables in Londons West End last year.

Two of the activists were also found guilty of criminal damage after standing on the theatres orchestra pit netting, designed to protect the musicians below from objects falling off the stage.

The performance at the Sondheim Theatre was stopped at about 9pm on October 5 when activists climbed onto the stage and locked themselves to the set.

The activists occupied the stage for around an hour before police removed them (Just Stop Oil/PA)

The angry audience of around 1,000 people was asked to leave the auditorium before the performance was brought to a halt around an hour later.

The estimated cost to the theatre of cancelling the performance was 60,000.

Having denied the charge, Hannah Taylor, 23, Lydia Gribbin, 28, Hanan Ameur, 22, Noah Crane, 18, and Poppy Bliss, 19, were found guilty of aggravated trespass following a trial at Westminster Magistrates Court.

Gribbin and Crane were additionally found guilty of causing 2,000 worth of criminal damage to the theatres orchestra pit netting.

The court was told the netting had suffered structural damage from the weight of the two protesters standing on it.

The cost of repairing the damage and refunding the audience was covered by the theatres insurance, the court heard.

William Village, chief executive of Delfont Mackintosh Theatres which owns and operates the Sondheim, said the incident should not be replicated.

He continued: We, alongside many in the theatre industry and our audiences, share the serious concerns around climate change and are committed to reducing our impact on the environment.

Peaceful protest and free speech are cornerstones of our democracy. Nevertheless, it is clear that specific incidents such as this have a disproportionate and unreasonable effect on people going about their ordinary lives (both practically and financially) and, as such, should not be replicated.

Asked how the audience had reacted to the group disrupting the performance, theatre manager Daniel Lewis told the court: I heard frustration, I heard anger, I heard swearing.

The audience were singing to try and drown out the sound of the protest, he added.

Mobile phone footage showed theatregoers reacting angrily to the news the performance had been called off.

The estimated cost to the theatre of cancelling the performance was 60,000 (Catherine Francoise/PA)

The protesters entered the stage during a performance of Do You Hear The People Sing?

One of the activists unfurled a flag with the Just Stop Oil message on it, the court heard, as others attached themselves to the set.

They occupied the stage for around an hour before police removed them.

Prosecutor Jason Seetal told the court: Just prior to the interval, (the protesters) have risen from their seats and moved to the stage area.

Gribbin and Crane climbed on netting covering the orchestra pit  it suffered structural damage.

Police attended the incident at the Sondheim Theatre on October 5 (Catherine Francoise/PA)

The production was stopped  it was occupied for around an hour.

Giving evidence, Gribbin said she did not want the orchestra pit to be damaged by the protest and believed it would be safe to stand on the netting.

Les Miserables company manager Matt Byham said a child actor had been on stage at the time of the protest.

In a written statement read to the court, he said: I was angry they had done this while a child actor was on stage.

All five protesters will be sentenced at a later date.
Lando Norris mastered a rain-hit qualifying to secure pole position for Saturdays sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix.

In soaking conditions at the Shanghai International Circuit, Norris finished 1.2 seconds clear of Mercedes Lewis Hamilton in an all-British front row for Saturdays 19-lap dash.

Hamilton looked to have taken top spot after Norris best lap was deleted by the stewards only for it then to be reinstated.

Simply beautiful, said Norris after he was informed of his pole. Aston Martins Fernando Alonso qualified third, one place ahead of triple world champion Max Verstappen, who ran off the road on numerous occasions.

Rain threatened throughout qualifying and finally arrived for the decisive Q3 session.

Charles Leclerc was the first to fall foul of the torrid conditions when he lost control of his Ferrari. The Monegasque pirouetted through the gravel before hitting the wall at Turn 2 and braking the front wing on his Ferrari.

Verstappen also made an error, falling off the road in his first attempt, before then running through the sandtrap at the final corner. The driver, who has dominated Formula One, had to settle for fourth.

Hamilton has had a season to forget  statistically, at least, the worst of his career so far. But for a moment here, he topped the time charts only to see Norris edge him out with an impressive lap.

Norris time was initially chalked off for exceeding track limits but after the British driver, 23, complained he didnt go off anywhere, the stewards u-turned on their decision.

It was tricky, said Norris. You always know it is going to be in a session like this.

You only have three laps. The first two I aborted so that last lap was all or nothing.

I was nervous because I made a few mistakes, but you have to risk a lot and push and I was quick.

I got a good final lap in for pole so I am happy, sad it is not real qualifying, but it is good enough. It gets your heart going and it is what we wanted.

Mercedes wretched run looked set to continue after George Russell was eliminated in 11th but when the rain arrived, Hamilton looked at home to secure his spot on the front row.

I am so happy, said Hamilton. When I saw the rain coming I was getting excited because in the dry we are not quick enough. I thought I would have a better opportunity and that is when it all came alive.

Tomorrow depends on the conditions, and if it is like that, maybe we will have a chance of being somewhere up there, but if it is dry the Ferraris and Red Bull will come by.

Elsewhere, Carlos Sainz finished fifth for Ferrari ahead of Red Bulls Sergio Perez with Leclerc seventh.

F1 is back in China following a five-year absence and home favourite Zhou Guanyu sent the home crowd happy after he qualified 10th.

Earlier, the start of Q2 was delayed by several minutes following a second bizarre track fire of the day.

Practice was red-flagged when a patch of grass next to Turn 7 caught fire. And there was a similar incident in qualifying, this time at Turn 5.

Although both blazes were quickly extinguished, the incidents  which the FIA believe were caused by sparks flying off the drivers cars  will be a concern for the sports bosses.

Saturdays sprint takes place at 11am local time (04:00 BST) ahead of qualifying for Sundays main event.
Hollywood stars including Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Naomi Watts, and Reese Witherspoon will honour Nicole Kidman as she is presented with the Life Achievement Award by the American Film Institute (AFI), it has been announced.

Oscar-winning actress Kidman will be the 49th recipient of the award, which marks the highest honour for a career in film at the AFI.

The Moulin Rouge star will be the first Australian actor to receive the accolade, joining a star-studded roster of previous recipients, including Streep, Tom Hanks, and Robert De Niro.

Meryl Streep will present the award on April 27 (Matt Crossick/PA)

Kidman was scheduled to be presented with the award on June 10 last year, but the ceremony was postponed indefinitely due to the writers strike which was resolved in September after 146 days on the picket line.

The 56-year-old, who is married to four-time Grammy winner Keith Urban, will receive her award during a Gala Tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on April 27.

Mamma Mia! star Streep, who received the 32nd AFI Life Achievement Award in 2004, will present the award.

Freeman, who won an Oscar for his role in Million Dollar Baby, was named a presenter during the ceremony, alongside Oscar-winner Witherspoon, for her role in Walk The Line, and British star Watts, who starred in The Impossible.

Morgan Freeman is among the star-studded presenter line-up (Yui Mok/PA)

Bob Gazzale, AFI president and chief executive, said: Nicole Kidman embodies the glamour and romance of Hollywood past  a true screen icon  but she is also a risk taker  and so each performance is something new and something profound.

And like all truly great artists  Nicole not only gives back  she drives culture forward with her commitment to amplifying the voices of female directors and producers.

Kidman has been nominated for five Academy Awards, winning the best actress Oscar in 2003 for her performance in The Hours alongside three-time Oscar winner Streep.

In 2006, Kidman was awarded Australias highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia.

During her career, she has also won a Bafta, two Emmys, and six Golden Globe awards.

In 2017, she was honoured with the 70th Anniversary Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, becoming one of only eight people to ever receive the honour.

In addition to her distinguished acting career, Kidman has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women for nearly two decades and, along with her husband, has helped raise millions over the years for the Stanford Womens Cancer Programme.
An Arizona man has pleaded guilty to threatening a mass shooting at the University of Arizona.

Michael Pengchung Lee, 27, of Tucson, pleaded guilty last week to federal charges. Sentencing is scheduled for July 3, 2024.

Lee allegedly made the threats in a group chat on Snapchat and said he planned to target fraternities and sororities.

He expressed a desire to get revenge on "all the chads and stacies!!"

"Chads" and "Stacies" are commonly used terms by self-described involuntary celibates (incels), according to federal prosecutors.

Lee made further reference to incel ideology and finished the conversation by stating "im gonna do it guys, my mind is made up and there's nothing u can do or say to stop me."

He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both, and a maximum term of three years of supervised release.

"We must protect the intellectual rigor, diversity and safety of our universities," said United States Attorney Gary Restaino. "Robust intervention and prosecution of misogynists who threaten young students is critical to public safety."

"All students deserve to feel safe at their schools," said FBI Phoenix Special Agent in Charge Akil Davis.

"This case is a wonderful example of our strong partnership with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Attorneys Office, said University of Arizona Police Chief Chris Olson. It also illustrates the sense of urgency in which the University of Arizona Police Department, the UA Office of Public Safety, and our federal partners will act when our community is threatened.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the University of Arizona Police Department investigated the case that led to Lee's arrest.
The Metropolitan Police have apologised for causing further offence with an earlier apology about an officers use of the term openly Jewish to an antisemitism campaigner who was threatened with arrest near a pro-Palestine march.

Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was wearing a kippah skull cap when he was stopped from crossing the road near the demonstration in the Aldwych area of London on Saturday.

The video clip showed one police officer saying to him: You are quite openly Jewish, this is a pro-Palestinian march, Im not accusing you of anything but Im worried about the reaction to your presence.

An earlier apology from the Met suggested opponents of the marches must know that their presence is provocative and they are increasing the likelihood of an altercation by lining the route to object.

Earlier we posted a statement about a video released on Thursday evening by the Campaign Against Antisemitism. That statement has now been removed. We apologise for the offence it caused. pic.twitter.com/W8tKaqRiDY  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) April 19, 2024

But later on Friday, the force issued another statement apologising for the further offence this earlier apology had caused.

It said: The use of the term openly Jewish by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. We know it will have caused offence to many. We reiterate our apology.

We have reflected on the strength of the response to our previous statement. In an effort to make a point about the policing of protest we caused further offence. This was never our intention. We have removed that statement and we apologise.

Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in this city.

Our commitment to protecting the public extends to all communities across London. Its important that our public statements reflect that more clearly than they did today.

First Met Police statement (Twitter/PA)

Mr Falter said he had been walking in the capital after attending synagogue and was not there to counter-protest.

In the clip another officer said to him: Theres a unit of people here now.

You will be escorted out of this area so you can go about your business, go where you want freely, or if you choose to remain here because you are causing a breach of peace with all these other people, you will be arrested.

The officer said that Mr Falters presence was antagonising.

Mr Falter said afterwards: Despite being told repeatedly that London is safe for Jews when these marches are taking place, my interactions with police officers last Saturday show that the Met believes that being openly Jewish will antagonise the anti-Israel marchers and that Jews need protection, which the police cannot guarantee.

Instead of addressing that threat of antisemitic violence, the Mets policy instead seems to be that law-abiding Jewish Londoners should not be in the parts of London where these marches are taking place.

In other words, that they are no-go zones for Jews.

Mr Falter said he will be walking in London on April 27, adding that no part of the city should be unsafe.

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in London last Saturday to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and urge the Government to stop all arms sales to Israel.

Crowds waved Palestinian flags, chanted Free Palestine and held signs calling for a ceasefire now and an end to arms sales.
The head of a charity combatting antisemitism said the Metropolitan Police is allowing no-go zones for Jews after footage showed him being threatened with arrest close to a pro-Palestine march.

Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was wearing a kippah skull cap when he was stopped from crossing the road near the demonstration in the Aldwych area of London on Saturday afternoon.

The video clip, which was posted on social media, showed Mr Falter being told by police that he was quite openly Jewish and causing a breach of peace.

Mr Falter said he had been walking in the capital after attending synagogue and was not there to counter-protest.

The footage showed one police officer saying: You are quite openly Jewish, this is a pro-Palestinian march, Im not accusing you of anything but Im worried about the reaction to your presence.

Another officer said: Theres a unit of people here now.

You will be escorted out of this area so you can go about your business, go where you want freely or if you choose to remain here because you are causing a breach of peace with all these other people, you will be arrested.

The clip showed the officer saying that Mr Falters presence was antagonising.

Scotland Yard responded that it is aware of the footage and fully acknowledges the worry it has caused.

Mr Falter said: Despite being told repeatedly that London is safe for Jews when these marches are taking place, my interactions with police officers last Saturday show that the Met believes that being openly Jewish will antagonise the anti-Israel marchers and that Jews need protection, which the police cannot guarantee.

Instead of addressing that threat of antisemitic violence, the Mets policy instead seems to be that law-abiding Jewish Londoners should not be in the parts of London where these marches are taking place. In other words, that they are no-go zones for Jews.

A screengrab of Gideon Falter speaking to an officer during march (Campaign Against Antisemitism/PA)

Mr Falter said he will be walking in London on April 27, adding that no part of the capital should be unsafe.

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in London last Saturday to call for a ceasefire and urge the Government to stop all arms sales to Israel.

Crowds waved Palestinian flags, chanted free Palestine and held signs calling for a ceasefire now and an end to arms sales.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: We are aware of this video and fully acknowledge the worry it has caused, not only to those featured, but also anyone who watches it, and will review the circumstances.

We have always said that we recognise the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to be an issue of concern for many Londoners, and this includes the regular protests and marches in central London.

Everyone has the right to travel throughout the capital in safety.

We will meet with anyone who wishes to organise a march or protest ahead of April 27.
Ministers are working to counter the risks of Chinese interference in UK health data, a leaked letter suggests.

Correspondence from Cabinet Office minister John Glen reveals the UK is conducting significant work related to national security after concerns were raised about Chinese genomics company BGI and a spin-off firm.

Accusations the company had attempted multiple times to hack into the Genomics England database were raised in Parliament in March 2023, but were hastily withdrawn.

Cabinet Office minister John Glen made his remarks in a letter to Conservative MP Henry Smith (Victoria Jones/PA)

Genomics is the study of the human genome, and could be used to achieve quicker diagnosis and better treatments for a host of diseases.

MPs have previously raised concerns about genomics giant BGI, as they believe it could be asked to hand over data to the Chinese state, although the company has strongly denied this.

During the pandemic, it won a 11 million contract with the NHS.

Conservative MP Henry Smith wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden in February expressing concerns about BGI.

In a response letter seen by the PA news agency, Mr Glen has said: I understand your concerns regarding this matter and would like to reassure you that significant work related to national security is being conducted to minimise the risks that you have highlighted in your letter.

Conservative former minister Sir Iain Duncan Smith warned in recent weeks about the risks of UK-based private companies working with Chinese firms (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The minister also said organisations like Genomics England actively consider national security in decision making about partnerships with companies overseas.

Last year, then-science minister George Freeman claimed in a Westminster Hall debate that the NHS datastore was suffering several hack attacks from BGI each week during 2014.

But Mr Freeman soon issued a correction to the claim on Parliaments official record Hansard, writing: There is no evidence of attempted hacking of Genomics England in 2014 from BGI.

Conservative former minister Sir Iain Duncan Smith has warned in recent weeks about the risks of UK-based private companies working with Chinese firms, some of whom are public service contractors.

Writing in the Telegraph, Sir Iain suggested UK-based private health companies working with BGI could seriously undermine attempts to protect UK citizens.

BGI said the allegations against it were not based on facts or evidence, adding it was disappointed that misinformation continues to be circulated.

A spokesman for the Shenzhen-based company pointed to the correction by Mr Freeman, and added: BGI Group has never been, and will never be, involved in hack attacks against anyone.

BGI Groups labs meet stringent standards in information security.

Our data standards globally include the British Standard Institutes BS10012, considered the gold standard in personal information protection, compliance with the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and the ISO27001 standard on information security.

We will continue to support the UK in improving the health of the people and continue to advocate for open and inclusive global scientific collaboration with the aim of fighting diseases more effectively.
The mother of a teenager murdered in a racist attack has paid tribute to the supportive people of Liverpool as she was made an MBE for her fight against prejudice.

Dr Gee Walker has devoted her life to tackling racism and called for greater public support for the work of the foundation, named in honour of her son Anthony Walker, that is tackling the evil that racism brings.

She was made an MBE by the Princess Royal during a Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony for services to diversity and racial injustice.

Dr Walkers 18-year-old son was killed in Merseyside in 2005 by racist cousins Paul Taylor and Michael Barton, the brother of former Premiership footballer Joey Barton.

Dr Gee Walker praised the people who work behind the scenes at the Anthony Walker Foundation (Victoria Jones/PA)

The crime prompted widespread condemnation at the time and in its aftermath the Anthony Walker Foundation was founded by his family to tackle racism, hate crime and discrimination by providing educational opportunities, victim support services and by promoting equity and inclusion for all.

Dr Walker said her sons legacy was forgiveness because he was always a man of love, and I do this for him, and I hope he will be proud of me today for receiving this honour.

She added: I honour the people who work behind the scenes tirelessly  my children who are here with me  because they are part of the journey and I could not have done it without them.

And the people of Liverpool, I must honour them because they stood with me, and this is also for them. They continually supported us in every way, shape and form  so, Liverpool, I salute you.

She said the foundation was working on an educational programme and was training young anti-racist ambassadors who would graduate this summer.

Mark Steadman receives his honour from the Princess Royal (Aaron Chown/PA)

I encourage them to be Anthonys voice, his arms, his legs, his mother said.

She appealed for public support, saying: Racism, its evil, its killing our children, killing the next generation, help us to roll this out.

Mark Steadman co-founder and chief operating officer of Lone Buffalo, an English tuition and youth development organisation based in Laos, was made an MBE by Anne for services to youth development.

The project was started in 2011 in memory of a Laos man called Manophet, also known as Lone Buffalo, who died in 2010.

He dedicated his life to helping others, spending his days clearing unexploded ordnance from the Vietnam War and his evenings teaching English to local residents.

Mr Steadman said Lone Buffalo gave the teenagers it supported significant roles withing the organisation: Our whole ethos is to give responsibility to young people, because no-one is born stupid.

Normally people say youre that age, you can do this, we dont do that, we break the rules. So we just take our young people, and we can see the leaders and we do a lot of development work to train them.
We are coming at this with both joy and seriousness. Snfellsjokull in Iceland. Photograph: Ullstein Bild/Getty Images

Standing in the shadow of Icelands Snfellsjokull,  a 700,000-year-old glacier perched on a volcano and visible to half the countrys population on any given day  in 2010, Angela Rawlings was struck by an unconventional thought.

It suddenly just came to me. What if the glacier was president? said Rawlings. It was a seemingly unorthodox way to push forward a movement that was already swiftly advancing; Ecuador had enshrined legal rights for nature while Maori in New Zealand were working to secure legal personhood for the Whanganui River.

More than a decade later, Rawlings musing has snowballed into what is perhaps the continents most singular presidential bid, as a team of more than 50 people scrambles to secure Snfellsjokull a spot on the ballot in the countrys upcoming election on 1 June.

Among the first to hear the idea was Daria Testo. I immediately was like, yup, OK. Lets do it, said Testo. I come from the Indigenous lands in Siberia, and therefore personhood of nature is something that is so common to the culture and the psyche in general.

On paper Snfellsjokull meets all of the basic requirements: it is older than 35 years and arguably can be considered a citizen of Iceland. The need for a civil registration number was skirted after Rawlings legally took on Snfellsjokull as a middle name, in essence allowing the campaign organiser to become a proxy for the glacier on the ballot.

Since officially launching the bid in mid-March, the team behind Snfellsjokull has been steadily laying out their case for why the thick mass of ice is a perfect fit for a position largely seen as symbolic. Snfellsjokull is the one glacier in the country that actually has an international reputation, said Rawlings, citing its role as a protagonist in Jules Vernes Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

More importantly, its candidacy would offer a means of ensuring that the climate crisis, and those most affected by it, are front and centre in the election.

Half the population of Iceland is watching this glacier melt between 2024 and 2050, said Rawlings, pointing to research suggesting that Icelands glaciers are at risk of disappearing within the next 200 years. Ive been personally referring to glaciers as the charismatic, geographic phenomenon of the climate emergency.

So far, they have received a wide array of reactions to the campaign. We are coming at this with both joy and seriousness, said Rawlings. Im aware that when you first say something like A glacier for president, it seems like a comedic gesture. But then once you get through that, the conversation opens up.

Most have been curious to hear more about their rationale rather than jumping to the conclusion that they are making a mockery of the countrys presidential office, said Rawlings. Ive actually been surprised by the volume of glee, lets say, that weve been receiving. People are like Oh my gosh, yes, best candidate to come up or Thats the only candidate I will even consider.

Others have expressed hesitancy about how the idea would work in practice. The team has seized on these concerns to hash out various scenarios, explaining that a bottle of glacial meltwater could be sent when the president is invited to engagements abroad and that visiting foreign dignitaries could be redirected to meetings with local specialists in fields such as glaciology.

When it comes to the presidents often symbolic role in signing off on legislation, the ideas being weighed include using a presidential seal or a few droplets of meltwater. When it comes to legislation that would run counter to the best interests of the glacier; however, the question of whether Snfellsjokull should exercise the presidents rarely used veto could be put to a nationwide participatory process.

Looming over the presidential bid is one other requirement for candidates: the need to collect at least 1,500 signatures in support of the nomination by 26 April. So far, Snfellsjokulls candidacy has gathered about 200 signatures, suggesting there is much work to be done in the coming days in order to advance the candidacy.

Regardless of what comes next for Snfellsjokull, Rawlings described the bid as a potent thought experiment on how humans could seek to interact differently with the ecosystems that surround them.

Getting on the ballot itself would be a huge step for increasing awareness around the rights of nature movements internationally, said Rawlings. It would set an extraordinary precedent to be considering non-human entities for these kinds of positions.
The package would be the first since Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel - Amir Cohen/REUTERS

Joe Biden is weighing up a $1 billion (890 million) arms package for Israel including tank ammunition and mortar rounds.

It would mark one of the United States largest military transfers to Israel since it moved into Gaza after Hamas massacred hundreds of its civilians in the Oct 7 attack, The Wall Street Journal reports.

It would also be the first package since Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel on April 13. Most of the projectiles were intercepted by Israel and its allies, but an air base sustained minor damage in the process.

Israel responded on Thursday night, reportedly attacking an air defence radar site near the Iranian city of Isfahan. Tehran said it has no immediate plans of retaliating.

The deal would mark one of the US's largest military transfers to Israel since it moved into Gaza

The package under consideration includes $700 million in 120mm tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and about $100 million in 120mm mortar rounds, according to US officials.

It would mark a rare example of a new weapons deal with Israel, meaning it would require the support of congressional leaders and could take months or even years for the first shipments to arrive.

Most arms packages sent over to Israel have drawn on $23 billion of weapons transfers that was previously approved by Congress.

The issue is a politically fraught one for Mr Biden, who has been labelled Genocide Joe by pro-Palestinian protesters and faces discontent from his own party as the war in Gaza approaches its sixth month.

About 33,000 people have died in the conflict so far  a fact the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have attributed to Hamas embedding itself in civilian infrastructure.

The proposal would probably face resistance from Democrats in Congress, who have raised concerns about sending over weapons as the civilian death toll mounts and urged Mr Biden to cut back on transfers.

The package under consideration includes $700m in 120mm tank ammunition - MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP/Getty Images

The news comes despite Mr Bidens relationship with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, being reported to have deteriorated as the war drags on.

He signalled to Mr Netanyahu early in April that he could seek to make US aid to Israel conditional if it did not improve conditions in Gaza, after seven aid workers were killed in an Israeli air strike.

The US has delivered thousands of bombs, tank and and artillery ammunition, precision weapons and air-defence equipment since the war began.

On the same day that the aid workers  who included three British citizens  were killed, the State Department reportedly approved the transfer of more than two thousand bombs to Israel.

Separately, the House of Representatives is set to vote this weekend on a bill that would unlock $26.4 billion in aid for Israel to defend itself against Iran and its proxies. Among its provisions are billions of dollars to resupply its Iron Dome air defence system.

Mike Johnson, the House Speaker, announced that a series of foreign aid bills for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan would be brought to the floor following the Iranian attack on April 13.

The House voted 316-94 to advance the bills and set up a vote on Saturday, with Democrats lending their support to push the prospective legislation out of the committee stage.

On Friday, the US imposed a further round of sanctions amid frustration with the escalating violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Ben-Zion Gopstein, an ally of Israels security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and two organisations fundraising to support settlers accused of violence have had their US assets frozen.

Violence between settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank has increased since Hamass terror attack on Oct 7, when the group killed 1,200 people and took 250 people hostage.

More than 400 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed by Israeli forces in the last six months, while a further nine have been killed by settlers, according to the UN.
The second part of the project is set to come into force at the end of this month, mandating extra inspections and paperwork - Folkestone/AFP

Brexit border checks expected to be introduced at the end of the month have been quietly scaled back amid fears they would spark huge tailbacks at ports.

Ministers have announced that they will introduce long-delayed new customs controls covering swathes of goods entering Britain from April 30.

But in an update on Friday, they revealed that physical inspections will at first only be carried out on products that pose the most risk of spreading disease.

Business leaders criticised the Government amid uncertainty over the level of bureaucracy that they will face, describing the situation as complete disarray.

The EU introduced full checks on British goods the day after Brexit, but the UK did not reciprocate over fears of chaos at ports, especially Dover.

Officials drew up plans for a new world-class border system, but it was delayed five times before the first phase was finally implemented in January.

The second part of the project is set to come into force at the end of this month, mandating extra inspections and paperwork for medium-risk products.

It means that importers of food such as cheese, salami and fish will have to pay up to 145 per consignment for additional health checks.

The checks have been delayed amid fears they would spark huge tailbacks at ports such as Dover - DANIEL LEAL/AFP

At the start of the year, ministers introduced paperwork for goods arriving from the EU that present a medium risk to biosecurity and health.

They said that documentary, physical and identity checks at the border for medium-risk animal products, plants and plant products would follow from April 30.

But in the update published on Friday, the Government said that the priority for physical checks from day one will be on the highest risk goods.

Officials said that some medium-risk goods will be inspected if they pose the most risk to UK biosecurity, adding it will take time to build up to full check rates.

They insisted that it had always been the intention to phase in the new bureaucracy to minimise disruption for businesses that import from Europe.

Ministers also angrily denied a report in the Financial Times that they were not planning to turn on new controls over fears of long tailbacks at Dover.

The newspaper reported that the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) had briefed ports that check rates would be set to zero for all commodity groups.

Phil Pluck, the chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation, said that the ongoing confusion made planning for the checks incredibly challenging.

He said: A phased approach is the right one but businesses urgently need clear information about what exactly these phases will include, and a definitive timeline.

Johnson criticises Sunak on Brexit failures

It came as Boris Johnson condemned the Government for having killed its free trade deal with Canada and failing to take full advantage of Brexit freedom in negotiations.

The former prime minister criticised Rishi Sunaks Windsor Framework for having led to the breakdown of negotiations, claiming the UKs approach was ridiculous, unnecessary and cowardly.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, he said: We have killed (and I mean killed) the free trade deal with Canada because we no longer have the nerve to deviate from EU policy on hormone-treated beef, not out of respect for our farming interest, but out of fear of Brussels.

He wrote that as a result of the Windsor Framework, the UK is being forced into dynamic alignment with the EU because of the need for Northern Ireland to accept the same sanitary standards as the bloc.

He added: We have kicked over the table and walked out of the talks, so that British cheese makers and car makers now face swingeing and job-destroying tariffs, and millions of consumers on both sides of the Atlantic will have to absorb yet higher prices; and all because  wait for it  our government will not allow British people to eat so much as a morsel of Canadian beef.

At the beginning of the year, Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary, halted the post-Brexit deal discussions over a row about exports of British cheese and imports of beef from Canada to the UK.

New system in complete disarray

Martin McTague, the national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, warned that the new checking system is in complete disarray with companies unsure who they can trust.

He said: Many have invested considerable time and money making sure theyre getting it right, but now theyre left scratching their heads at the conflicting messages coming out of Whitehall  will they or wont they face these checks and have to start paying on April 30?

Defra said that it has full confidence that the facilities, infrastructure and systems at the border will be ready for the April 30 implementation date of new border checks.

A Government spokesman added: Checks are commencing from April 30 and, as we have always said, the medium and high-risk goods posing the greatest biosecurity risk are being prioritised as we build up to full check rates and high levels of compliance.

Taking a pragmatic approach to introducing our new border checks minimises disruption, protects our biosecurity and benefits everyone  especially traders.

We are confident we have sufficient capacity and capability across all points of entry to handle the volume and type of expected checks.

It is important to remember the cost of our border checks is negligible compared to the impact of a major disease outbreak on our economy and farmers.

The third and final phase of checks, which will introduce safety and security declarations for all goods entering from the EU, is set to come into force on Oct 31.
Emma Wade-Smith was the UK's consul general in New York before working for De Beers - Getty Images/Eugene Gologursky

A senior British diplomat who left the Foreign Office earlier this year is now lobbying Western governments over their plan to ban Russian diamonds, The Telegraph can reveal.

Emma Wade-Smith, who was the UKs consul general in New York until January, is running a worldwide campaign to alter a G7-designed scheme to stop Russian diamonds being sold in the West.

The G7 and EU banned the sale of diamonds mined in Russia earlier this year, in an attempt to cut off an 805 million annual revenue stream to the Kremlin.

Member states, including the UK, were concerned that Western consumers had inadvertently funded the Russian war effort by buying diamond jewellery on the high street.

The countries drew up a certification scheme, due to come into effect in September, that will require all diamond companies to send their products to the Antwerp World Diamond Centre in Belgium to be verified as non-Russian before they can be sold.

Ms Wade-Smith, who was once dubbed the British governments secret weapon in America, has been hired by the diamond giant De Beers to lobby for major changes to the plans.

De Beers, which is the second largest diamond company in the world, argues that the requirement to send diamonds only to Antwerp creates high costs for producers and could threaten the revenues of African countries where they are mined.

It has asked Ms Wade-Smith and a team of lobbyists in Washington DC to push for the verification plan to be expanded.

The EU and G7 have banned the sale of diamonds mined in Russia - Bloomberg /Chris Ratcliffe

The company says that other countries including Botswana, South Africa, Namibia and India should verify diamonds as non-Russian on behalf of the G7 and EU.

Intense lobbying over the new rules threatens to delay the certification scheme altogether.

Ms Wade-Smith is banned from lobbying British officials under the governments business appointment rules, but has been in contact with other governments since starting the position in February.

An industry insider said her role in the US and former position as Britains trade commissioner to Africa had given her extensive government contacts relevant to the diamond trade.

The De Beers proposal to widen the certification scheme is favoured by diamond companies on the World Diamond Council and some African producers.

But experts say that handing the enforcement of the ban to other countries who have not signed up to it could lead to more Russian diamonds entering the West illegally.

Hans Merket, an expert in the diamond trade and researcher for the International Peace Information Service, said that if the lobbying is successful, it could create weak links in the chain.

Agreeing on shared objectives presents the biggest challenge, given that countries such as Botswana, South Africa, and India do not align with the G7s focus on sanctioning Russia, he told The Telegraph.

The problem is that without agreement on the ultimate objective of controls, allowing additional countries to verify the origin of the diamonds risks creating weak links in the chain that are prone to exploitation by those seeking to flout traceability requirements.

He added that the solution favoured by the diamond companies was based on trust rather than evidence and therefore leaves much more room for manipulation.

De Beers argues that countries that mine diamonds  such as Botswana, Namibia and South Africa  should be allowed to verify diamonds as non-Russian on behalf of the G7 and EU - AFP/Monirul Bhuiyan

When approached by The Telegraph, De Beers denied that it was pushing for the sanctions regime on Russia to be watered down, and said it was supportive of the G7 and EU attempt to ban Russian diamonds from Western markets.

A spokesman said: De Beers categorically does not oppose a verification system as part of the sanctions but has significant concerns about the approach of using a single rough diamond node in Antwerp for such verification.

Introducing additional rough diamond nodes in diamond-producing countries such as Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Canada, all of which have rigorous and well-established government-led diamond certification processes, would enhance the effectiveness of diamond source verification while avoiding unintended negative consequences for ethical non-Russian diamond producing countries and the legitimate non-Russian diamond trade.

The spokesman added that Ms Wade-Smith had a broad government relations remit that included engagements with G7 representatives on this topic, as well as all other interactions with government stakeholders, just like any equivalent role in a corporation.
Daniel Dennett: he went further than any other philosopher or biologist in arguing that the whole of nature, including all human behaviour, is underpinned by a Darwinian 'algorithm' - Eamonn McCabe/Popperfoto

Daniel Dennett, the American philosopher, who has died aged 82, was, with Richard Dawkins, a leading proponent of Darwinism and one of the most virulent controversialists on the academic circuit.

Dennett argued that everything has to be understood in terms of natural processes, and that terms such as intelligence free will, consciousness justice, the soul or the self describe phenomena which can be explained in terms of physical processes and not the exercise of some disembodied or metaphysical power. How such processes operate he regarded as an empirical question, to be answered by looking at neuroanatomy  the engineering involved in brains.

Darwinism, to Dennett, was the grand unifying principle that explains how the simplest of organisms developed into human beings who can theorise about the sorts of creatures we are. In Consciousness Explained (1991), he argued that the term consciousness merely describes dispositions to behave and the idea of the self was nothing more than a narrative centre of gravity.

In Darwins Dangerous Idea (1995) he went further than any other philosopher or biologist in arguing that the whole of nature, including all individual human and social behaviour, is underpinned by a Darwinian algorithm  a single arithmetical, computational procedure.

Borrowing Richard Dawkinss notion of memes (bytes of transferable cultural ideas encompassing anything from a belief in God to an individuals fashion tastes), Dennett argued that the Darwinian algorithm also explained, for example, the musical genius of JS Bach, whose brain was exquisitely designed as a programme for composing music.

Dennetts philosophy undercut any idea of teleology or purposive creation. There is no point in our existence, he maintained, and those who believe otherwise put their faith in skyhooks (hooks that can be fixed to the sky to make it easier to build skyscrapers). Skyhooks, of course, do not exist, but, Dennett argued, men reach for a piece of magic, a designer behind the design, to avoid the fact that life has no intrinsic meaning.

He believed religion to be a 'meme' as dangerous as the Aids virus - Rick Friedman

Darwinians, on the other hand, he called the brights, a group which (perhaps understandably in the American context) he had a tendency to regard as an oppressed minority.

Dennett was not a man who shrank from conflict. On the door of his office at Tufts University, Boston, Massachussetts, he pinned up Gore Vidals observation: It is not enough to succeed; others must fail. His targets included most of the big names in the recent history of ideas  John Searle, Noam Chomsky, George Steiner, Stephen Jay Gould, Roger Penrose, Jerry Fodor, Richard Lewontin  all skyhook merchants, in Dennetts view.

Gould, a staunch opponent of the sort of evolutionary psychology which Dennett championed, was a particular target. In Darwins Dangerous Idea Dennett devoted four chapters to demolishing Gould.

But Dennetts harshest judgement was reserved for peddlers of religion which, like Dawkins, he believed to be a meme every bit as dangerous as the Aids virus. In Breaking the Spell (2006) he sought to demonstrate that religion is itself a biologically evolved concept, and one that has outlived its usefulness.

Dennetts opponents pointed out that, in maintaining his view of the evolutionary basis of belief, Dennett was just as closed to opposing points of view as any religious fundamentalist. Indeed with his billowing white beard and moustaches he had something of the look of a 17th-century Ranter. There were also those who wondered exactly what scientific evidence he had to back up his arguments.

For Dennett argued that religion is subject to the laws of evolution  such as natural selection. In embracing the idea of religion as a self-propagating meme which mutates as it is handed down through the generations of human hosts, he hitched his reputation to an idea for which there is no supporting data at all.

When asked how he could be so confident, Dennett replied: It helps being right, I guess.

Dennett: 'I grew up in the shadow of everybody's memories of a quite legendary father' - Ibl/Shutterstock

Daniel Dennett was born in Beirut on March 28 1942 into an established New England family. His father, Daniel Dennett senior, was an eminent historian who specialised in the social and political history of Islam. At the time of his sons birth he had transferred from Harvard to the University of Beirut to finish his doctorate. When America joined the Second World War, he was recruited to the forerunner of the CIA in the Middle East. He was killed in a plane crash while on a mission to Ethiopia in 1948 when his son was five.

The family  his mother, Daniel, and two sisters  returned to New England. I grew up in the shadow of everybodys memories of a quite legendary father, Dennett recalled. It was assumed by all that I would eventually go to Harvard and become a professor.

After education at the Phillips Exeter Academy, he went to Wesleyan University, where, in his first year, he took a paper in mathematical logic and chanced upon WVO Quines From a Logical Point of View (1953). He disagreed with Quine, but found himself so fascinated he immediately wrote to Harvard, where Quine was teaching, asking to transfer. I thought Im going to be a philosopher and... tell this man Quine why he is wrong, Dennett recalled.

Once he had his degree from Harvard, Dennett went on to Oxford as a graduate student, where Gilbert Ryle, alerted by Quine, had found him a place at Hertford College. Curiously, the strongest impression Dennett made at Oxford had little to do with his academic talents. As well as being a talented sculptor, he supplemented his allowance by playing jazz piano in bars and also claimed to have introduced the first Frisbee into Britain and watched its meme-like colonisation of the country.

Whereas at Harvard he had been seen as a critic of Quine, at Oxford he became seen as the village Quinean. It was at Oxford, too, that he first became interested in the functioning of the brain.

The Oxford philosopher John Lucas had published a paper arguing that Godels incompleteness theorem disproved the proposition that human brains act like machines or that human thought could be completely simulated on a computer. Dennett effectively devoted the rest of his life to challenging this view.

Daniel Dennett's 2017 book on consciousness

When Dennett returned, aged 23, to America and his first job  at the University of California in Irvine  his ideas were almost fully formed. A version of his doctoral thesis was published in 1969, as Content and Consciousness; his next book, Brainstorms (1978), contained the first full statement of his distinctive approach to the behaviour of the brain and its relationship to philosophical concepts.

In 1971 Dennett had moved to Tufts University where he rose to be professor and chairman of the department of philosophy and, from 85, director of the Center for Cognitive Studies. During the 1970s and 1980s he made two friendships that would greatly influence his work  with Richard Dawkins, whose Selfish Gene was published in 1976, and with Douglas Hofstadter, the computer scientist who wrote Godel, Escher, Bach (1979), a classic work on of artificial intelligence.

Towards the end of the 1970s, Dennett spent a year at Stanford with Hofstadter and they collaborated on an anthology, The Minds I (1981), which remains, with his collection of essays, Brainchildren (1998), the clearest statement of Dennetts thought.

Dennetts books, though dense, sold astonishingly well. In Freedom Evolves (2003) he argued people with genes predisposing them to, say, alcoholism or criminality are not predestined to become alcoholics or criminals, because they also have evolutionarily-determined free will. Free will is like the air we breathe, and it is present almost everywhere we want to go, he argued,  but it is not only not eternal, it evolved, and is still evolving.

Daniel Dennett married, in 1963, Susan Bell, with whom he had a son and a daughter.

Daniel Dennett, born March 28 1942, died April 19 2024
LGBT rainbow flag - LIANGPV/DIGITAL VISION VECTORS

Holly* was drawn to her local schools LGBT allies club by her fascination with flags.

When she began attending classes in March 2021, after her school in East Lothian, Scotland, reopened from lockdown, she found noticeboards and classrooms plastered with Pride and Trans colours.

Teachers even displayed their pronouns on rainbow-coloured signs on their classroom doors.

The then 12-year-old, who is autistic and also enjoyed making lists, was soon enthusiastically reciting the wide array of genders and sexual orientations at the family dinner table, which she had discovered through her membership in the schools lunchtime LGBT club.

Hollys mother Joanne, 53, initially had no issue. She says she considered herself a member of the wokerati and an LGBT ally and was relieved that her daughter, who struggled socially, was making new friends.

However, less than a year later, she says she was forced to pull Holly out of the local state school, and now sends her to a private school in northern England.

She claims Holly was radicalised by her school, which like all other secondaries in the area, is signed up to a charter scheme run by the SNP Government-funded charity LGBT Youth Scotland.

The Telegraph revealed on Thursday that as part of a controversial scheme, schools including primaries were appointing children LGBT champions and being urged to question pupils about their sexual orientation and gender.

Schools who signed up, for a fee normally of at least 850, were ranked on how well they catered for LGBTQ+ pupils and were given guides to best achieve this.

It is backed by the Scottish Government and more than half of the countrys secondary schools, and at least 40 of its primary schools, are signed up.

The SNP Government has faced calls to withdraw its school guidance, which tells teachers to be affirming if a child says they are trans, in light of the Cass Review.

The expert report, published last week, warned of the potential dangers of social transition, including in schools, saying it could lead to children pursuing a medical pathway in an attempt to resolve gender issues, which may not be in a childs best interests.

Social transitioning is when someone begins to live as their preferred gender in public, for example, changing pronouns, wearing different clothing and going by a different name.

A wall of secrecy

Within months of joining the LGBT club, Holly, who her mother says had never shown any hint of being uncomfortable as a girl, announced in a Christmas card to her parents that she had become their trans son, signing it with her new male name.

We thought we were the first ones to know, but it turned out we were last, Joanne said.

It turned out she was on to her second male name, and she had been using boys names at the school for months. We had been left completely in the dark.

I even went along with the new name for a while. But as soon as I started to ask questions about what was going on at the school, I was met with a wall of secrecy.

Joanne says she asked the school and LGBT Youth Scotland to send her the charter the school was implementing, as part of its push to win accreditation from LGBT Youth Scotland.

She says both entities sent her the same one-page poster with no details about the actual requirements.

Documents obtained by the Telegraph, released through Freedom of Information laws, show the school was in fact, operating a policy stating that parents should not be told if their child has transitioned without their explicit permission.

The setting-up of an LGBT club and the prominent displaying of flags was another condition set out by the charity to receive charter status.

At the time, the school had a bronze award but was working towards silver status.

Down the rabbit hole

When she joined the LGBT club I emailed the school to explain she was fascinated with flags and lists, Joanne said. Because she was desperate to fit in so I suspected where it might end up.

They said they would keep an eye on her and told me there was nothing to worry about. So, when we eventually found out she had been using a male name, I began to ask questions about what had been going on.

I just got silence so I went down a bit of a rabbit hole.

Joanne says she began checking her daughters phone and emails and found highly concerning material being shared between students in the LGBT club.

Regular themes included self-harm and anime-style imagery with a sexual element.

She also uncovered messages from the teacher who was part of the allies group regarding an upcoming celebration of National Coming Out Day, which LGBT Youth Scotland tells its charter members to promote.

The same teacher, in another message, berated pupils for not making enough suggestions for the schools pride week and bemoaned the fact the group was being run largely by adult staff rather than led by the students.

The teacher told pupils: I am very aware that currently the LGBT+ Allies group seems to be run by staff and I think the charter is not something the school should be awarded if this is the case.

Im sorry this seems like a rant but Im passionate about LGBT inclusion and I cant do it alone. As a school initiative, it needs to be driven by pupils leadership.

Joanne believes the school was effectively encouraging pupils to come out as trans, to the acclamation of their peers.

After finding the material on Hollys phone, she pulled her child out of the school but discovered that all others in the area had also signed up for the LGBT Youth Scotland scheme.

One, Dunbar Grammar, organised a Happy Fest event in 2020 including two drag acts, with one called Auntie Climax.

It also endorses notions to children that there are genders such as gender-fluid, meaning to identify as different genders at different times.

I consider myself a lefty, I firmly believe in state education, Joanne said.

We cant afford it at all. In many ways, it has screwed up our lives financially and because of all the travelling. But sending her to a private school in England was the only way to get my daughter away from LGBT Youth Scotland.

She now has no issues whatsoever with her gender. But had she stayed in that school, it was so encouraged and deeply embedded within her friendship group that there is no way she would have turned away from that.

Theres every possibility that she would have ended up on a medical pathway.

State-funded radicalisation of children

Im still very angry about it. My child was vulnerable and I feel they exploited that. They isolated her from her family, told her to keep secrets from us and filled her head with extreme ideas. That is exactly what cults do and I honestly feel that this scheme is a state-funded radicalisation of children.

LGBT Youth Scotland claims its charter scheme is being followed by more than 200 Scottish secondaries, a majority of the nationwide total. It set a target for 75 per cent to be signed up by this year.

Despite describing itself as Scotlands national charity for LGBTQ+ people aged 13-25, it has expanded into primary schools, with at least 40 signed up.

It is largely taxpayer-funded, receiving 447,000 from the Scottish Government, 345,000 from Scottish councils and 154,000 from the NHS in 2023.

Of its total income of 1.4 million, it spent 1.3 million on staffing costs, employing 48 project managers and staff.

Miriam Cates, co-chairman of the New Conservatives group of MPs, said she was concerned about the influence of the charity.

She said: LGBT Youth Scotlands advice to schools to ask young children about sexual feelings and expose them to contested ideas breaks all safeguarding protocols.

Yet, the charity appears to be funded to the tune of well over 1m a year with the vast majority of this income spent on salaries. Its deeply concerning that the British taxpayer is funding political activists to indoctrinate children.

LGBT Youth Scotland did not respond to a request for comment.

East Lothian Council has said its policies are in line with guidance issued by the SNP government.

*Name has been changed to protect identity of child
Prosecutors in California said they will not pursue criminal charges against a Los Angeles Police Department officer in the death of a 14-year-old girl, a development that the teen's family called a "slap in the face," according to a report.

Valentina Orellana Peralta was fatally shot when officers responded to an "active shooter" at a Burlington Coat Factory in Los Angeles on Dec. 23, 2021, and fired on Daniel Elena Lopez, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Elena Lopez, who had been attacking customers in the store, was found next to a woman covered in blood and holding an object in his hand.

One of the rounds fired by an LAPD officer ricocheted off the floor and went through the wall of a dressing room, killing Valentina.

Calling the case "challenging," Bonta said his "heart goes out to the family" of Valetina, who "tragically lost her life and whose only involvement in this incident was by being at the wrong place at the wrong time."

After a "thorough investigation," the attorney general concluded that "the evidence does not show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer involved acted without the intent to defend himself and others from what he reasonably believed to be imminent death or serious bodily injury."

"No further action will be taken in this case," Bonta said in a statement linking to a 69-page report on the police-involved shooting.

The officer who fired the shot was not identified.

Valentina's family said they will continue to pursue justice.

"This is a crushing and devastating response from the AG," Sennett Devermont, a spokesperson for the family, told NBC 4 Los Angeles. "This avoids all oversight, all accountability that needs to be had."

The girl's family has filed a civil suit against the LAPD.

"This is a slap in their face for what is already a living nightmare," Devermont said. "No family should have to go through this."
Emma Webber (centre), whose son Barnaby, 19 was killed in the Nottinghamshire knife attacks, said families of the victims remain 'resolute that we will not be silenced or stopped in our pursuit of appropriate justice'

The families of three people stabbed to death in Nottingham say they are glad a date has been set to review the sentence handed to killer, Valdo Calocane.

Calocane, 32, stabbed students Barnaby Webber, 19, Grace OMalley-Kumar, 19, and school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, with a dagger in Nottingham in the early hours of June 13 last year, and attempted to kill three others.

In January, he was given an indefinite hospital order for manslaughter by diminished responsibility, after Nottingham Crown Court heard he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

Mr Webbers family called the hospital order a huge insult.

Victoria Prentis, the Attorney General, said in February she would refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration, after concluding it was unduly lenient.

Emma Webber, mother of Barnaby, said the families were advised on Friday that a date for the hearing has been set for May 8 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Three Court of Appeal judges will hear arguments from the senior treasury counsel representing the Attorney General and Calocanes barrister.

We remain resolute

Mrs Webber said the Coates, Webber and OMalley-Kumar families were now putting their trust in the office of the Attorney General to present an open, challenging and much more thorough representation than witnessed before.

She said: We trust that it will be proven, as we strongly believe, that whilst Calocane is clearly mentally unwell he was present and culpable enough at the time leading up to, during and after the attack to prove there was intent on his part.

This is an important step for our united families, however we still have a great deal ahead of us with the numerous investigations into the failures of both Nottinghamshire Police Force and Nottinghamshire Health Trust.

We remain resolute that we will not be silenced or stopped in our pursuit of appropriate justice and proper accountability.

Mrs Webber also criticised the grandiose theatrics of Calocanes barrister, Peter Joyce KC, in mitigation during the defendants sentencing hearing.

Mr Joyce said schizophrenia had stalked down a man of previously impeccable character and behaviour.

He described Calocane as a man who prior to being smitten by mental illness was wholly law-abiding, was hard-working, put himself through university and was doing his very, very best to become a meaningful member of society.

Mrs Webber said on Friday: We are confident that the grandiose theatrics of the offenders barrister, Peter Joyce, which we so painfully witnessed at the hearing in Nottingham in January, will carry no sway with such an esteemed panel.
The knifeman launched his assault outside the school about 2pm on Thursday, targeting two girls aged 11 and 7 before fleeing

A French teenager died from a heart attack during a lock-in to protect students from a knifeman attacking children outside their school.

The 14-year-old went into cardiac arrest early on Thursday afternoon as the attack unfolded in the town of Souffelweyersheim, in Frances northeastern Alsace region. She was taken to hospital but died later on Thursday.

The knifeman, who launched his assault outside the school about 2pm on Thursday, targeting two girls aged 11 and 7 before fleeing. The pair suffered minor injuries.

The 30-year-old attacker, who has not been named by police, struck the 11 year old in the neck before targeting the 7 year old. The younger girl also sustained wounds to her neck.

Police locked down the girls school and apprehended the suspect about 10 minutes later. The man had no criminal record and suffered psychiatric frailties, local officials said.

Police rule out terrorism

Police said he was not believed to have been radicalised and appeared to rule out any link to terrorism.

French media reported the man has received treatment for mental health problems in the past and attempted suicide in 2022. He was alleged to have been in a suicidal state when he carried out Thursdays attack.

Officials were quick to address the death of the 14-year-old, calling it a tragedy.

We are devastated, speechless, Georges Schuler, the local mayor, told the AFP news agency.

He added an investigation into her death was ongoing amid uncertainty over whether she had suffered from a pre-existing heart condition.

Two girls aged 11 and 7 sustained minor injuries in the attack - AFP

Nicole Belloubet, the minister of national education, also expressed her condolences.

The loss of a young life, full of promise and a future, is a tragedy which upsets me, which upsets us. In the pain, all of national education is with its loved ones, she said.

Thursdays attack took place just hours after Gabriel Attal, the prime minister, delivered a hard-line message about youth violence and school security, prompted by the killing of a student at the hands of his classmates on the outskirts of Paris earlier this month.

15-year-old beaten to death

Speaking from Viry-Chatillon, where 15-year-old Shemseddine was beaten to death, Mr Attal vowed to crack down on youth violence by restoring authority and respect in schools.

Dismissing any notion that their age would shelter schoolchildren from impunity in instances of wrongdoing, Mr Attal warned the culture of excuses is over.

You break, you repair; you dirty, you clean; you challenge authority, you learn to respect it, he said.

The prime minister added the government was working on a series of measures aimed at restoring order, including fining parents of delinquent children, sending rule-breaking minors to public boarding schools, toughening criminal laws for young offenders, regulating screen time and expanding school opening hours for sixth form students from 8am to 6pm.

While school hours differ across France, most institutions begin classes between 8am to 8.30am and finish them between 4.30 pm to 5pm. Extended opening hours would be made a priority in low-income neighbourhoods, Mr Attal said.
Palestinians in Rafah perform Friday prayers next to the ruins of al-Farouq mosque, which was destroyed by Israeli bombardment. Photograph: Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images

Foreign ministers from the G7 countries have said they remain opposed to a full-scale military operation in Rafah by Israel on the grounds that it would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population there.

Ministers from Italy, the UK, US, France, Germany, Japan and Canada also criticised the unacceptable number of civilians killed in Gaza during Israels military offensive.

The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, told western diplomats this week that he intended to push ahead with a ground assault on Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, where more than 1 million people are sheltering.

The G7 ministers said: We reiterate our opposition to a full-scale military operation in Rafah that would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population.

Israel has faced growing global opposition to the relentless war that has reduced much of Gaza to rubble, while its 2.3 million people have suffered under an Israeli siege. We deplore all losses of civilian lives, G7 ministers said at a meeting on the Italian island of Capri.

At the UN on Thursday, the secretary general, Antonio Guterres, told the security council that only limited progress had been made in getting aid into Gaza and that six and a half months of war had created a humanitarian hellscape.

Data from the UN shows that fewer than half of the required 500 trucks of aid a day are reaching Gaza. Aid groups have blamed Israeli restrictions for the tailback of trucks.

Guterres said: Apparent progress in one area is often cancelled out by delays and restrictions elsewhere. To avert imminent famine and further preventable deaths from disease, we need a quantum leap in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

This week a group of international activists said they planned to sail from Turkey to Gaza in the coming days on a flotilla of three ships carrying aid, advocates and journalists in a reprisal of an effort from 2010 that resulted in the death of nine activists and upended Turkish relations with Israel.

They intend to deliver aid including ambulances, anaesthesia and other items prevented from entering by enhanced restrictions on top of the 16-year Israeli blockade of Gaza..

One of the activists involved in the effort, Huwaida Arraf, said the group members planned to protect themselves by broadcasting their whereabouts during the journey and training in non-violent methods of self-defence in case Israeli forces boarded the boats, as occurred in 2010.

Its about challenging the policies that mean Israel controls Gaza  we cant just stand by and do nothing while Israel starves Palestinians, Arraf said.

The group members have refused cooperation with the Israeli authorities about their efforts to dock off the coast of Gaza, but Arraf said they had put Israel on notice by making their plans to sail there public.

Participants in the flotilla include international civil society groups as well as Turkeys Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), whose head, Bulent Yldrm, said the organisation bought the ships as there was no choice but to attempt another flotilla to Gaza.

IHH previously organised several other ships of aid that sailed to al-Arish port in northern Sinai and trucked the items into Gaza through the Rafah crossing.

Yldrm and members of IHH were onboard a similar flotilla in 2010 that included the MV Mavi Marmara, which was boarded by Israeli commandos in international waters as it attempted to reach Gaza. Nine activists died in the raid, most of them Turkish. Three years later, Netanyahu bowed to American pressure and apologised to the Turkish leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Israels violent response to the 2010 flotilla received widespread international condemnation, and led to the breakdown in diplomatic relations with Turkey.

After Netanyahus apology, relations had warmed considerably in recent years. High-level diplomatic ties have been restored and trade between the two countries has increased. Two years ago, Turkish intelligence aided Israels spy agency the Mossad in foiling what officials said was an Iranian plot to kidnap Israeli tourists in Istanbul.

Relations rapidly deteriorated again over the Israeli response to the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 250 taken hostage.

Erdogan has frequently employed fiery rhetoric in condemning Israels latest war in Gaza, where at least 34,000 Palestinians have died since October.

Turkey recently announced export restrictions on the sale of 54 products to Israel until a ceasefire is declared, and Turkeys national carrier has paused direct flights until 2025.

Activists onboard the flotilla were reluctant to say where they intended to dock if they reached the territory, or how they might protect themselves while distributing aid. A recent Israeli attack on a convoy from the relief charity World Central Kitchen killed seven humanitarian workers.

The UN and aid groups working in Gaza have criticised Washingtons efforts to build a floating dock off the coast.

Relief groups and the UN say aid arriving overland has long proved to be the most effective at reaching those in need, while airdrops have proved deadly to those on the ground.

Arraf called the aid drops and floating pier publicity stunts. We are doing what our governments should be doing, which is challenging Israels conduct and policies, she said.
Stefanos Kasselakis, the 36-year-old head of the Syriza party - Nicolas Koutsokostas/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

Greeces Left-wing opposition leader has been mocked for claiming a divine cross appeared during his baptism as an infant.

Stefanos Kasselakis, the 36-year-old head of the Syriza party, claimed this week that the oil in his baptismal font had magically coalesced to form the shape during his christening service decades earlier.

The mystical sign meant that he was destined to either become a priest, or very important, he said his parents were told at the time.

He achieved the latter  first making a fortune as a banker with Goldman Sachs, then becoming a shipowner and finally emerging from relative obscurity last September to win the leadership of Syriza, Greeces main opposition force.

Comebacks from political rivals were swift.

Nikos Androulakis, the leader of the socialist Pasok party, joked that when he was christened, a green sun  the symbol of his party  was seen to form.

Euclid Tsakalotos of the New Left party also weighed in, saying that a hammer and sickle had been sighted at the baptism of his party leader.

Mr Kasselakis comments also raised eyebrows within his own party, parts of which are uncomfortable with his banking past and close ties to the US, where he lived for more than 20 years. They feel he is sharply at odds with the partys gritty, Leftist traditions.

This reference to miracles was slightly shocking, prominent Syriza member Giorgos Tsipras said. The (Greek) Left never had miracles in its political discourse. Someone who is rationalist does not talk about these things.

Damaging split

The alienation felt by some Syriza members led to a damaging split in November when 11 MPs abandoned the party to form a rival group.

The Left-wing faction accused Mr Kasselakis of abandoning its core ideology and instead embracing Trumpian practices and Right-leaning populism.

Mr Kasselakis was elected the leader of Syriza after the party suffered a humiliating loss in a general election last summer. The election was won by the governing New Democracy party, led by Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Mr Kasselakis has said he wants to build the equivalent of the US Democratic Party in Greece and has frequently made pro-business statements.

He has also claimed credit for a landmark new law legalising same-sex marriage and adoption passed by the government in February.
A fisherman sails his boat on the Dnipro River as black smoke rises from an oil reserve in Kherson

On a bonny day this week, we climbed the hill which looks down on the port of Dover. The sunlit coast of France was clearly visible, just the sort of weather beloved of illegal immigrants crossing from France. Indeed, 534 of them  a record  crossed in similar conditions last Sunday.

But as we walked, we were mostly looking in the opposite direction, working up through mud, brambles, trees and wild garlic to a double fence, its outer row formed of high metal spikes, its inner row of wire. In between the two, security cameras peered at us.

Behind this perimeter, we knew, lay the enormous premises of GXO Logistics, a company which, its website says, engineers faster, smarter, leaner supply chains. What interested us, however, was a supply chain which, thanks to the Government, is not faster, smarter or leaner, but is simply not allowed.

Some kind readers may remember that, in this space three months ago, I told the story of Ukraines intrepid efforts to take the fight across the Dnipro river, an area of Ukraine which Vladimir Putins armies currently occupy.

Since last year, Ukrainian forces have maintained three bridgeheads there. They have been able to do this only by ferrying men and munitions through the narrow channels of the great rivers delta and tributaries. They also bring back the wounded and, sad to say, the dead.

For all this, they need light, small, shallow-bottomed craft, as inconspicuous as possible to evade Russian attention. Russian air superiority makes the journeys extremely dangerous. To procure such boats, and the engines which power them, Ukraine needs the worlds help.

In this effort, the British people have been more generous than any other. Organisations such as MissionUkraine.uk  with which I travelled in Ukraine last year to hand over a SUV repurposed as a front-line military ambulance  are helped by British donors and volunteers to get such boats cheap, drive them out to Ukraine and there make them river-worthy before delivering them to the military units.

The Ukrainians idea, expressed with historical panache, is to turn the small boats of the illegal immigrants into the little ships of the resistance to Russia. After all, none of the boats arriving in Britain goes back: they are the people-traffickers one-way taxi service.

The Border Force and the Home Office have no use for them. Why not give them to a friend who desperately needs them?

Rishi Sunak keeps saying that Britain will do whatever it takes to ensure Ukrainian victory. Here is something which, from a British point of view, takes very little. All we need to do is hand them over.

Yet the Home Office is curiously cagey, not wanting to say what happens to the small boats or even where they are. Which was why we  our photographer, Paul Grover, Dmytro Tomkin from MissionUkraine and I  were climbing up above Dover and why, when we got to the double fence, Paul sent up a drone.

By that means, we found several rows, neatly laid out and labelled, of what we were looking for. Through the fences, I counted 20 RIBs, 62 inflatable boats (all deflated and folded) and 131 engines.

This was a big haul, but nevertheless a small proportion of what must have accumulated after dumping almost 30,000 people on our shores last year and more than 5,000 this year even before the summer migration has started.

The one thing we do know is that the Home Office firmly rejects the little ships scheme. Since it was first publicly floated in January, several MPs and many individuals and organisations have written to the Home Office asking it to release the boats.

Yesterday, the Home Secretarys spokesman said that the Ukrainian government has not asked for the boats. That is untrue. It did so, via its embassy, in February. Ukraine also offered to take the boats at its own risk.

There was some official muttering at first about how the vessels needed to be kept for evidence in criminal trials. This seems unlikely since the people-traffickers, working abroad, are almost never caught. That excuse has died away. The stated reason for rejection has now boiled down to one thing.

Here, from a letter to an MP, is the standard reply from Michael Tomlinson, the minister of state for countering illegal migration: I am sorry to say that the flimsy rubber inflatables used by migrants to attempt crossings of the Channel are not seaworthy. In fact, these vessels are lethally dangerous craft which endanger the lives of anyone using them. We have seen at least one fatal incident per month  involving these small boats, and I have seen their unseaworthiness myself.

Mr Tomlinson goes on: The idea that these boats could be repurposed by the Ukrainians to ferry wounded soldiers across the Dnipro, while well intended, simply would not work. These boats are dangerous for fit and healthy people to use, let alone those whose condition would prevent them from reacting when the boats inevitably flounder.

(I think Mr Tomlinson means founder.)

I said above that the Home Office rejection was firm. This letter shows that it is also ignorant and insulting.

Who knows better than the Ukrainians what such boats can and cannot do? Mr Tomlinson tells them that they would not work for ferrying the wounded. He seems unaware that such boats, supplied by others, have been doing exactly that for months. The Ukrainian forces need them because, as I say, there is no alternative.

At any one time, they could use a total of about 900 boats, but they have not mustered nearly that number yet. They know exactly how perilous it is to travel in these small craft. Indeed, after three or four weeks service, each boat is scrapped because of damage from bullets and shrapnel.

If Mr Tomlinson would only see a Ukrainian delegation, they might ask him politely how else he would suggest getting the wounded out of the front line.

Besides, they can short-circuit his objections about seaworthiness. They know the boats are not yet fit for the Dnipro (though, by the way, the river crossing is a 20th of the width of the English Channel). The job of organisations like MissionUkraine.uk is to repair and adapt the boats and engines for their new purpose.

Naturally, they will reject all boats which cannot be so repurposed. They know what will work for them. Might not their judgment be better than Mr Tomlinsons?

These ministerial letters are so wilfully stupid that I cannot believe they are setting out the full reasons for rejection. The replies feel like bureaucratic pig-headedness about health and safety which cannot possibly apply when fighting the Russians.

We are sadly used to such attitudes, of course, but what is so puzzling is that the Government is failing to look at this issue politically. After many months of pushing, even the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, belatedly agreed to allow Ulez scrappage cars to be sent to Ukraine. Why are the Tories lagging him?

Here, staring the Government in the face, is a virtually cost-free opportunity to assist our beleaguered ally and turn to good use the detritus of its failed attempts to stop illegal migration.

The hostility of the Home Office and the total inertia of the Home Secretary, James Cleverly, are truly bewildering.
Mike Johnson, the House speaker, at the US Capitol on Friday in Washington DC. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The US House pushed ahead on Friday with a $95bn foreign aid package for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and humanitarian support after Democrats came to the rescue of Mike Johnson, the Republican speaker.

A coalition of lawmakers helped the legislation clear a procedural hurdle to reach final votes this weekend, as Friday mornings vote followed a rare move late on Thursday for a House committee that normally votes along party lines.

The dramatic action took place on Capitol Hill on Thursday night in order to save the Ukraine aid legislation from rightwing rebels.

On Friday morning Antony Blinken, the secretary of state, warned that if US aid was further delayed for Ukraine there is a real risk it will arrive too late to help the grinding resistance to Russias invasion.

Then the House voted on the procedure agreed the night before, again producing a seldom-seen outcome in the typically hyper-partisan chamber, with Democrats helping Johnsons plan advance by 316 votes to 94.

Johnson now looks set to push forward this weekend on the package for Kyiv, Israel, Taiwan and other allies, which had stalled in the House after passing the Senate. This despite a firestorm of protest from hardline Republicans that could lead to an attempt to oust him.

The House is expected to vote on Saturday on the aid legislation that provides $61bn for the conflict in Ukraine, including $23bn to replenish US weapons, $26bn for Israel, including $9.1bn for humanitarian needs, and $8.12bn for the Indo-Pacific. If passed, it would then go back to the Senate.

The aid legislation is the latest in a series of must-pass bipartisan measures that Johnson has helped shepherd through Congress, including two huge spending bills and a controversial reauthorization of federal surveillance programs.

Republicans hold a narrow House majority, 218-213 , a margin so scant that Mike Gallagher is postponing his mid-session retirement, originally set for Friday, so the Republican representative can be present to vote for the bill.

On Thursday night, the four Democrats on the House rules committee voted with five Republicans to advance the aid package that Johnson has devised, agreeing procedures.

The rules committee would normally be a safely partisan affair for the Republican majority, but Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Ralph Norman of South Carolina and Chip Roy of Texas, all on the far right, are voting against advancing the bill, prompting Democrats to step in to save it.

Kevin McCarthy, the former speaker, put them on the committee to placate the far-right contingent of his caucus in the House.

Johnson has won praise from Republican centrists and even Democrats by taking the line that he is doing the right thing on the aid legislation even if it brings challenges to his position from his own party, which has the power very easily to force a vote to oust him.

Johnson got a boost from Donald Trump last week when they held an event together at the former presidents residence in Florida and, again, on Thursday when Trump made a post on social media that did not actively oppose aid for Ukraine.

Trump appeared to warm to the idea after having dinner with Andrzej Duda, Polands far-right president, in New York on Tuesday, with Poland very wary about the power of an emboldened neighbor Russia to threaten eastern Europe.

Fridays vote was a victory for the strategy Johnson set in motion this week after he agonized for two months over the aid legislation. He had to spend the past 24 hours making the rounds on conservative media working to salvage support.

The current package is similar to a measure that passed the Democratic-majority Senate in February and which Joe Biden, Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell and Hakeem Jeffries had been pushing for a House vote since then.

In addition to the aid for allies, the package includes a provision to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, and sanctions targeting Hamas and Iran  and to force Chinas ByteDance to sell social media platform TikTok or face a ban in the US.

Schumer on Friday told senators to be prepared to return this weekend if the package passes the House and goes back to the Senate. If passed by the upper chamber, it must go to the US presidents desk before becoming law.

Some conservative lawmakers oppose more aid to Ukraine, while some progressive Democrats are reluctant on more Israel aid, given the slaughter and famine in Gaza.

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed reporting
Police Scotland announced on Thursday that Peter Murrell had been charged with embezzlement of SNP funds. Photograph: Robert Perry/PA

Humza Yousaf has said he is shocked by the embezzlement charges levelled against Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National party.

Police Scotland announced on Thursday evening that Murrell, who is married to Yousafs mentor and predecessor as first minister Nicola Sturgeon, had been rearrested and charged with embezzlement of SNP funds.

Murrell, 59, who was released after spending more than nine hours in custody on Thursday, has not commented on the investigation or the allegations since first being arrested as a suspect on 5 April last year. It emerged, however, he has resigned as an SNP member.

Police Scotland said a full report would be sent to prosecutors at the Crown Office for consideration.

Yousaf on Friday described it as a serious development. [An] allegation of embezzlement from and of party funds, thats a very serious and concerning matter. And all of those people who have known Peter Murrell for a number of years within the SNP and indeed across Scottish politics will be shocked.

This will be a shock to many people, including myself.

Speaking to the media outside her home in Glasgow on Friday, Sturgeon said the situation has been incredibly difficult before asking for peace for her neighbours as she left by car.

The first minister, who is also SNP leader, said he first became aware of the charges when the police announced them publicly on Thursday evening. We have to allow the police and indeed the crown to do their job.

The charges against Murrell follow a police investigation code named Operation Branchform launched nearly three years ago into complaints that the SNP had mishandled about 660,000 in donations towards an independence referendum fighting fund.

Those donations were not separately listed in the partys accounts. Murrell and Sturgeon insisted the money had been fully and properly accounted for internally.

Sturgeon was also arrested in June 2023 and questioned as a suspect after agreeing by arrangement to a police interview. She was later released without charge, as was Colin Beattie, the then party treasurer, who was arrested at his home in Midlothian in mid-April 2023.

She grappled with a wider dispute within the SNP over the partys accounts after several members of its finance committee stood down, to be followed by its then party treasurer Douglas Chapman.

Sturgeon has repeatedly protested her innocence of any wrongdoing. Speaking at the Edinburgh festival fringe in August she said the police investigation, which included the raid and search of her home in Glasgow, had been traumatic.

She added: My touchstone all along is that Im confident in my own position and Im absolutely certain Ive done nothing wrong. Therefore I need to and do trust in the process.

Yousaf added that he hoped the controversy would not dent support for the SNP as it heads into the next general election.

He said as first minister he was focused on supporting households with the cost of living crisis, cutting hospital waiting times, helping businesses and advancing the case for independence.

I certainly hope, but Im not ever complacent about this, that [people] will still continue to trust us because of the record of delivery, he said.

That record of delivery will see 100,000 children lifted out of poverty, it is estimated, this year. Its a record that has seen a record number of young people go to university from areas of highest deprivation.

Its a record this year that people were benefiting from a national council tax freeze. Thats the kind of thing I hoped we are judged on, that effects and impacts people every day of the week.
Isra Hirsi (pictured), daughter of Minnesota Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar, was among more than 100 protesters arrested at Columbia University

The daughter of Left-wing congresswoman Ilhan Omar has been arrested after taking part in a Gaza solidarity encampment at New Yorks Columbia University.

Isra Hirsi, 21, said she was among three students suspended from the university over the unauthorised protest.

More than 100 pro-Palestinian student protesters were arrested on Columbias campus on Thursday, a day after its president was grilled in Congress over accusations of anti-Semitism at the Ivy League institution.

The encampment was organised by a student-led coalition of groups, including Columbia University Apartheid Divest, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace.

Demonstrators were demanding that Columbia, which has an exchange programme with Tel Aviv University, divest from companies profiting from Israels incursion into Gaza.

The arrests and dismantling of tents came after Columbias president Dr Nemat Shafik authorised police to disperse the protesters, whom she said had violated campus security regulations.

Eric Adams, New York City mayor, said police made over 108 arrests without violence or injuries. Police said the arrests were related to trespassing.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gather outside Columbia University in New York City - Getty/Kena Betancur

Ms Hirsi, 21, and at least two other students, Maryam Iqbal, 18, and Soph Dinu, 21, have been suspended from Barnard College, an affiliate of Columbia, according to US media reports.

The protest began on Wednesday, the same day Dr Shafik appeared on Capitol Hill, where she told a Congressional hearing she would enforce the universitys rules around unauthorised protests and anti-Semitism.

The committee had accused Dr Shafik of failing to protect Jewish students on campus, echoing accusations levelled against three other elite university leaders at a hearing last year that sent shockwaves through higher education.

She responded by saying the university was facing a moral crisis with anti-Semitism on campus, and Columbia had taken strong actions against suspected perpetrators.

Ms Omar, a Minnesota representative who serves on the committee Dr Shafik appeared before, did not mention that her daughter was among the pro-Palestinian protesters when she questioned Dr Shafiks actions.

Ms Omar is a member of The Squad, a group of progressive members of the House of Representatives.

Fellow Squad member Jamaal Bowman claimed the suspension of Ms Omars daughter was in retaliation to the congresswomans probing of Columbias leadership.

Police take security measures as demonstrators gather outside Columbia University - Getty/Selcuk Acar

Its clear what is happening here. Our educational institutions should not be in the business of political reprisals, he said.

According to The New York Times, Ms Hirsi was among those detained and issued a court summons for trespassing.

Those of us in the Gaza solidarity encampment will not be intimidated, Ms Hirsi said on social media after being suspended.

Dr Shafik said the protesters had violated the universitys policies and were unwilling to engage with administrators.

Columbia said it was still identifying students who had participated in the tent encampment and will be sending out formal notifications.

The protest, reminiscent of the demonstrations against the Vietnam War at Columbia more than 50 years ago, is the latest in a series of demonstrations disrupting university campuses since the war in Gaza began late last year.

Separately on Thursday, about 500 demonstrators marched at the University of Southern California in support of Asna Tabassum, a Muslim student whose valedictorian speech was cancelled by the university, which cited safety concerns.

Universities approach to protests have become a hot issue in the US since the Oct 7 Hamas attack and Israels responding bombardment of Gaza.

Congressional Republicans, in particular, have taken up the issue, calling up the presidents of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to testify before the education and workforce committee last December.

Claudine Gay, Harvard president, resigned shortly afterwards, ending a six-month tenure marred by allegations of plagiarism and backlash over her congressional testimony about anti-Semitism on campus.
An image that claims to show a strike on Iran - Twitter

Israel has launched a retaliatory strike against Iran with explosions reported near a military base.

Iran said it had shot down drones near the facility, while two US officials said an Israeli missile hit Iran in the early hours of Friday morning.

The officials did not reveal the location or extent of the Israeli strike to CBS news, though local sources have suggested three explosions were heard near the Isfahan air base, which sits close to a major nuclear facility.

An Iranian official claimed the explosions were the result of Irans air defence systems being activated, adding no missile attack had been carried out against Iran.

The attack was intended to signal to Iran that Israel can attack its territory, the Washington Post reported.

Israels strike caused no damage to Irans nuclear sites, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Iranian state-owned media have said.

The agency is continuing to monitor the situation closely and called for extreme restraint from all sides, stressing that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts.

Before the strikes Iran had vowed to retaliate immediately if hit, and at a maximum level.

An Iranian analyst speaking on state TV argued separately that drones were flown by infiltrators from inside the country.

The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed, an Iranian official, who was not named, also told Reuters. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack.

Washington is understood to have been warned in advance of the attack but did not endorse the plan or help with it.

Israel has been warning that it would respond to a major Iranian attack last weekend that involved more than 300 drones, rockets and missiles, despite calls from its Western allies to avoid any further escalation.

Israels military refused to comment when asked about the developments on Friday morning.

Tensions in the Middle East have soared in the past few weeks. Tehrans attack was in turn a response to a suspected Israeli strike on Irans Damascus consulate, which killed a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps general.

The fact that Tehran is downplaying the assault suggests it may be looking to avoid further escalation, according to experts.

Iranian state TV described Fridays attack as psychological warfare, saying that it had intercepted several drones but that all sites in Isfahan were fully safe.

Nuclear centres are not harmed, said state TV as it reported on the blasts.

Three small drones were spotted in the skies above Isfahan and around the Zareanjan area at approximately 4am, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported, citing an unnamed course.

Following the siting of these micro-drones, the air defence system was activated, destroying these drones.

No damage was caused in the overnight attack, Siavosh Mihandoust, a senior commander of Irans Army, said on Friday according to state TV.

The sounds were related to Isfahan air defence shooting at suspicious objects and we have not had any damage or accident, said Colonel Mihandoust.

State television also acknowledged loud noises in the Isfahan area.

At 4.45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on, a reporter said. It was the air defence, these guys that youre watching, and over there too.

State TV IRNA said air defences had been activated at a major air base in Isfahan, which has long been home to Irans ageing fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Tasnim, a semi-official news agency in Iran associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, later published a video from one of its reporters who said he was in the southeastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its nuclear energy mountain.

The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Irans Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

The facility operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Irans civilian nuclear program.

Isfahan is also home to sites associated with Irans nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

The sky became orange

Residents in the central city told The Telegraph they were woken up first by buzzing sounds and then explosions.

I rushed out as I was worried about any attack in recent days. and then I saw a big boom and then a few more small ones and the sky became orange, Ali, a resident of the eastern part of Isfahan, said in a telephone interview.

We hear these sounds usually as they test air defence systems regularly, but this one was more than that and too early, he added.

For around half an hour, there was the sound and light of shots going up from the mountain and then small explosions in the sky.

Another resident said he was fleeing the city as a precaution.

I was doing my morning prayer when I heard shots and explosions, said Misaq.It went on for over half an hour. There were several explosions over the mountain.

Everything looks normal now, but I cannot risk the safety of my family. Im driving now and leaving Isfahan. I will be back if it is calm tomorrow.

Analysis

Why did Israel attack Iran?

Read more

Sounds of explosions were also heard in northwestern Tabriz, with IRNA reporting the same line: that air defence systems were activated after suspicious objects were spotted.

Flights in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz were suspended for over two hours. The countrys civil aviation authority later reported the flights were back to normal by early Friday.

On Thursday Iran threatened to build a nuclear bomb and hit Israels nuclear facilities if it was attacked by Benjamin Netanyahus forces.

But Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Middle East Programs, said the reaction from Iran suggested a retaliatory strike was not imminent.

Tehran is trying to downplay the Israeli response, as evidenced by the coverage by state media, which attempted to show that all was safe and calm, she told The Telegraph.

However, citizen journalist footage of air raid sirens going off and air defence responding in Isfahan suggests this was not some minor event.

This downplaying of events by Tehran may actually be a tactic to prevent them from feeling the need to retaliate directly against Israel again, she said.

In essence, this could potentially be a restoration of deterrence.
Iranian journalist Pouria Zeraati who was stabbed outside his London home in Wimbledon - Paul Grover/Telegraph

At first, I thought I was being robbed. That was before I realised I hadnt had anything stolen.

The man acting suspiciously before me on the street asked me if I had 3 in change when I noticed him.

Suddenly, another man was holding me incredibly tight. In a moment, the first man stabbed me four times in my right leg.

They fled in the afternoon daylight. But they left behind my watch, my wallet, my airpods and my smartphone, which I used to call the police.

I was sitting on the pavement near my car outside the home I share with my wife on a quiet road in Wimbledon, London.

The trouser on my right leg, which I could not move, was turning a dark red. Soon it and my shoes would be soaked in blood.

Then it clicked. This was not a particularly brutal mugging.

It wasnt a random attempted murder by a pair of psychopaths either. I was held helpless. He could have stabbed me anywhere  the heart, the brain, the throat  instead the knife went into my leg.

Pouria Zeraati recovering in his hospital bed after the stabbing - Unpixs

It was a message from the repressive regime that rules Iran; a warning.

Later I learned that both men had got into a waiting blue Mazda and sped off. The three suspects, including the driver, left Britain soon afterwards.

There are reports they could have been Eastern European criminal thugs hired for the job by Tehran.

My name is Pouria Zeraati. I am a presenter on Iran International, a TV station broadcasting from Britain to Iran and the Middle East.

On March 29, I thought I was going to die on the streets of London.

A British-Iranian murdered on the orders of a regime that cannot tolerate independent voices in the media or alternate points of view.

A 36-year-old husband who would not be able to start the family he dreamt of with his wife.

I remember the ambulance and police arriving, as I felt dizzier and dizzier. A neighbour had called my wife, Oldouz Rezvani, who was out.

Id lost a lot of blood

She arrived in a taxi. Oldouz was terrified when she saw the state her blood-soaked husband was in.

Id lost a lot of blood. At the hospital, I was drifting close to unconsciousness but knew a series of scans would reveal if my life was hanging in the balance.

Mercifully, scans showed that nothing vital had been severed. I needed surgery but I would live and, physically, Im feeling better every day.

But other scars take longer to heal.

In the months that followed, I have had plenty of time for reflection in my new life under 24-hour police protection and in a safehouse.

It isnt glamorous like in the films. I miss seeing my friends, going out, shopping, doing things at the drop of a hat.

I am still broadcasting my show but precautions, which I cant detail here for obvious reasons, have to be taken. But I wont be intimidated.

Ive long been used to threats on social media. Theyve increased since the nationwide protests against the compulsory wearing of the hijab shook the regime.

Threats at fever pitch

After I interviewed Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, in his first ever interview with an Iranian platform in March last year, the threats hit a fever pitch.

It is not the first time Tehran has sent me, or my colleagues at Iran International, a warning.

In 2022, my wife, who is Iranian but not a journalist, was confronted by men in broad daylight in London.

They told her in Farsi that they knew where we lived and were coming for us both.

ITV has revealed plans by Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to assassinate two of our presenters.

Even so, I never seriously thought that the IRGC would go so far as to attack a British national on the streets of the UK.

The truth is that this is not an attack on just me. Or should I say, only me. Its an attack on journalism; its an attack on those wanting a free Iran; its an attack on our channel, which is very popular in Iran.

It is also an attack on a British citizen on British soil and an attack on the values of a country that has been my home since I moved here in 2007 to study.

The Government needs to understand that. And I personally believe it needs to proscribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation, as the US has done.

Western civilisation is in danger

Sanctions have been imposed against this group in the past but they clearly have not worked.

The whole of Western civilisation is in danger because of the threat the IRGC poses.

Now, proscribing the group as a terrorist organisation probably wont change that but it will give government officials the power and legal base to take action to stop them promoting their ideology here in the UK.

It will also send a clear message to the regime in Iran that enough is enough. In the US, it has helped to cut off some of the IRGCs funding and it will help prevent some of their hostile activities outside of Iran.

I hear the arguments that this should not be done so Britain can maintain its embassy in Tehran and direct contact with the regime.

But what has been the effect of having direct talks with the Iranian regime? Has it been effective? No.

Look now at what is happening between Iran and Israel. Its my personal opinion that Iran is an extremist regime whose best friend is Vladimir Putin and which oppresses its own people.

Look at the protests, which continue. I think Iranians and Israelis have a common enemy  the Islamic Republic. Proscribing the IRGC will tell the majority of Iranians who are fighting against the regime that Britain is on their side.

I have no doubt that one day Iran will be free again. We have a civilisation that has lasted for at least 7,000 years of recorded history.

This theocratic regime has only been around for 45 years and it has failed to suppress Irans true culture.

There is an Iranian saying  light will overcome the darkness.
A Florida man allegedly shot a gun near police officers Tuesday and then decided to help himself to a cold beer.

Port Orange Police Department showed up to the neighborhood after they had received a call about a person who had been threatened by a neighbor with a firearm.

Officers arrived on scene and while investigating, bodycam footage shows the suspect, identified as Brett McPeek, exiting his residence after firing a gun in the area of the officers, victim, and several neighbors who were outside at the time.

Body camera video shows the officer with his gun drawn talking to McPeek, who was holding two beers.

"This beer is cold, sir. I wanna drink it," McPeek told the officer. "Come check me. I wanna drink this beer. Is that cool? I haven't done nothing wrong."

The officer then directs McPeek to raise his hands. "Right now, we are trying to figure out what's going on, bud, and we wanna make sure everybody's safe," the officer said. Officers continued speaking with McPeek and ultimately took him into custody.

When McPeek was apprehended, he did not have the firearm in his possession. However, during the execution of a search warrant at his property, authorities discovered two handguns, including a .38 Special revolver containing a spent shell casing.

McPeek was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail with no bond, facing charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and using a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.



With reporting from TMX.
US officials have confirmed that Israel has carried out airstrikes against Iran, as explosions were reported in the sky over the cities of Isfahan and Tabriz, while the Iranian government sought to play down the scale of the attack.

According to Italys foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, speaking later on Friday, the US told the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Capri that it had received last minute information from Israel about a drone action in Iran.

As an Iranian official indicated that it had no immediate plan for retaliation, calls mounted internationally  including from the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen  for Israel and Iran to de-escalate their confrontation, a call amplified by a joint G7 communique.

Accounts suggested that at least three explosions occurred in the air above the central Iranian city of Isfahan, which holds facilities for the countrys nuclear programme, weapons factories and a major airbase.

According to Iranian state TV, shortly after midnight, three drones were observed in the sky over Isfahan. The air defence system became active and destroyed these drones in the sky.

Travellers at the citys airport and elsewhere reported hearing several loud booms, as the air defence batteries opened fire on what were described by officials as suspicious objects.

Speaking publicly at the G7 meeting in Capri, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, declined to elaborate except to say his country had not been involved. Im not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations, Blinken said.

The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, in his own intervention, said it was high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East.

An Iranian official told the New York Times that his country believed the attack was carried out with small drones, possibly launched inside Iran. Previous attacks inside Iran have been attributed to Israel, including a drone strike also on a weapons factory in Isfahan in January 2023.

While Israeli officials declined to comment publicly, several quoted off the record suggested that Israel was behind the attack, which was reportedly designed to demonstrate that it could strike deep within Iran.

Iranian state media said drones had been shot down over Isfahan province in the early hours, and showed live shots of morning traffic in Isfahan city after sunrise to show that the situation was calm.

The apparent attack came less than a week after Iran fired more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel in response to an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria that killed seven Iranian officials on 1 April.

Since those Iranian strikes, largely unsuccessful, Israel has been weighing its response amid strong pressure from the US and other western supporters to avoid a further dangerous escalation in the tit-for-tat attacks.

Israels N12 news channel reported that Israel had also struck targets in Iraq and Syria, and explosions were reported in both those countries.

Internal Iranian flights were cancelled, passengers at Tehrans Imam Khomeini airports were told to leave the building, and detonations were also reported in the sky over Tabriz.

Iranian state media sought to reassure Iranians on Friday morning that the country did not face a major threat.

The Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) suggested that the aerial incursions had involved mini-drones. A reporter for the Tasnim news agency, closely affiliated to the IRGC, broadcast a video at dawn, showing the time on his watch, saying he was outside a nuclear site in Isfahan province which was completely safe.

Siavosh Mihandoust, a senior commander in Irans army, was reported by state TV as saying there was no damage in Isfahan.

France, Italy and Oman were quick to call for de-escalation. The Italian foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, urged an absolute de-escalation, saying his G7 counterparts would discuss it at talks in Capri.

We invite everyone to be cautious to avoid an escalation, he told Rai news from the Italian island, which is hosting a meeting between foreign ministers of the G7 nations.

The G7, which includes the UK, US, France, Germany, Japan and Canada, wanted an absolute de-escalation in the Middle East, he said.

We are monitoring the situation closely. We will address the situation with the foreign ministers at the G7 session this morning in Italy, the Canadian foreign minister, Melanie Joly, tweeted.

Officials from the Biden administration said Israel had informed Washington earlier on Thursday that a strike was coming in the next 24 to 48 hours, at a virtual session of the US-Israeli Strategic Consultative Group involving the US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and his Israeli counterpart, Tzachi Hanegbi, as well as the Israeli minister for strategic affairs, Ron Dermer. According to CNN, the Israelis assured the Americans that Irans nuclear facilities would not be targeted.

Related: What we know so far about Israels strike on Iran

The Israeli strike was in retaliation for an Iranian aerial attack involving about 300 missiles and drones on Sunday morning, which in turn was a reprisal for the bombing of an Iranian consular building in Damascus, Syria on 1 April. After the Iranian attack, Joe Biden had urged the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, not to respond militarily but to the take the win of having shot down almost all the incoming Iranian munitions. Friday mornings strike, whatever its scale, was an act of defiance of US influence.

Netanyahu, in particular, has long been a hawk on Iran, having threatened Israeli strikes on the country in the past, and has been under pressure from far-right coalition partners to mount a robust response.

With the scale of the retaliation so far extremely limited, the far-right Israeli national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, condemned the response on X as Feeble!

The US priority is to prevent the seven-month Gaza conflict from expanding into a broad regional conflict, and it made clear to Israel that while it had helped it to defend itself against Iranian attack, it would not participate in any form of military counter-strike. US officials insisted they had no part in Israels actions overnight.

Before Fridays strike, Irans foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, told CNN on Thursday that Iran would respond forcefully if Israel attacked again.

If the Israeli regime commits the great error once again, our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them, Amir-Abdollahian said. He described Sundays aerial attack on Israel as our minimum response, but if there was another Israeli strike Iran would respond at a maximum level.
Alleged Israeli missile debris found in Iraq

Israeli fighter jets fired several missiles at an air defence installation protecting an Iranian nuclear facility during Friday mornings attack, a senior US official said.

The salvo was launched from outside of Iranian territory and aimed at a radar site near the central city of Isfahan that is tasked with protecting the Natanz nuclear complex, according to the unnamed official cited by ABC News.

The official described it as an Israeli attempt to display its capability to strike Iran without escalating the situation.

An initial assessment of the strike stated that the air defence station had been destroyed, the official said, while adding that the report had yet to be finalised.

The Natanz complex is reported to be Irans primary uranium enrichment facility.

G7 leaders urged restraint from both Israel and Iran following the attack, with Rishi Sunak calling for calm heads to prevail.

Tehran meanwhile sought to play down the extent of the strike, with foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian saying it caused no damage or casualties in Isfahan. Iran has indicated it has no plans for retaliation. Israel has made no public comment on the incident.

10:29 PM BST

What happened today

Were ending our live coverage of the crisis in the Middle East for tonight.

Here is what happened today:

Israeli fighter jets fired missiles at Iran in a muted show of force early on Friday morning

The attacks reportedly targeted the air defence systems of a key nuclear plant in the country

The attack was aimed near the central city of Isfahan, home to an Iranian military base

Tehran almost immediately played down the attack as reckless fireworks

Italys foreign minister Antonio Tajani told reporters at a G7 summit that the Jewish state had alerted Washington at the last minute

Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, said Washington was committed to de-escalating and to trying to bring this tension to a close.

Read more

10:09 PM BST

Satellite imagery shows damage to site targeted by Israel

Satellite images have revealed damage to an Iranian radar site in Isfahan that was purportedly the target of an Israeli air strike on Friday, according to the Times of Israel.

Israeli fighter jets hit the installation, which is tasked with protecting the nearby Natanz nuclear complex in central Iran, with several missiles launched from outside Iran, according to an unnamed US official.

CNN earlier released satellite images that it said showed no apparent damage to the facility.

09:25 PM BST

Netanyahu reprimands security minister for calling Iran strike lame, Israeli media says

Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly dressed down Itamar Ben-Gvir, the hard-Right Israeli security minister, after Mr Ben-Gvir described Israels strike on Iran as lame.

According to Channel 12, an Israeli TV station, Netanyahu told the security minister that his actions had harmed national security.

After reports of Israels limited strike on Iran emerged early on Friday, Mr Ben-Gvir quickly dismissed his countrys operation with a single-word post on X that roughly translates to lame.

Mr Ben-Gvir had previously called on the Israeli military to go berserk on Iran.

08:35 PM BST

Macron meets Lebanese leaders to discuss ending Hezbollah-Israel clashes

Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has discussed a French proposal to end border clashes between Hezbollah and Israel with the Lebanese prime minister and army chief.

In a statement, Najib Mikati, the Lebanese prime minister, thanked Mr Macron for his efforts to stop the Israeli aggression against Lebanon and support the army with equipment and expertise to enable it to fully carry out its tasks.

The French proposal envisions increased support for the Lebanese army and the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters from six miles of the Lebanon-Israel border.

Iran-backed Hezbollah and the Israeli army have engaged in clashes across the Lebanese border since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7.

Hezbollah wields significant power in Lebanon, where it operates a political party and an armed wing strong enough to rival the Lebanese military.

08:15 PM BST

Israel strikes Syrian army position

An Israeli strike hit a Syrian army position in the south of the Arab republic on Friday, according to the Syrian government and the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

The Israeli enemy carried out an attack using missiles... targeting our air defence sites in the southern region, Syrias defence ministry said in a statement.

The SOHR, which has been described as pro-opposition in Syria, corroborated the Syrian governments statement and said Israel had targeted an army radar position in the southern province of Daraa that had detected Israeli warplanes.

Israeli strikes on Syria have increased since Israels invasion of the Gaza Strip in response to the October 7 Hamas attacks.

07:42 PM BST

White House has no comment on reports of Israel striking Iran

Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, has said she had nothing to share about reports of an Israeli strike on Iran.

We do not have any comment on the reports at this time, Ms Jean-Pierre said as she opened a White House press briefing on Friday.

Im not going to speak or speculate about any of the reports that are out there. Im not going to comment. Im just going to leave it there, Ms Jean Pierre added when questioned by a reporter on the Israeli strike.

07:24 PM BST

Satellite images show no extensive damage at targeted Iranian facility

Satellite images of an Iranian facility purportedly targeted in an Israeli strike on Friday do not show any extensive damage, CNN has reported.

The US broadcaster obtained images of the location after the strike had taken place, and said no destroyed buildings or large craters were visible.

An unnamed US official, according to ABC News, earlier said that an initial assessment of the strike found that the target had been destroyed, but that the report had yet to be finalised.

06:38 PM BST

Met Police apologises after openly Jewish comment

The Metropolitan Police has apologised after footage emerged of officers threatening a man near a pro-Palestinian march with arrest after describing him as openly Jewish.

In a statement posted on X, the Met Police said: It was a poor choice of words and while not intended, we know it will have caused offence to many. We apologise.

Gideon Falter, chief executive of the Campaign Against Antisemitism, was wearing a kippah skull cap when officers prevented him from crossing the path of the pro-Palestinian demonstration.

In an exchange that was filmed and uploaded to social media, the officer can be heard saying to him: You are quite openly Jewish. This is a pro-Palestinian march. I am not accusing you of anything but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.

You can watch footage of the incident here.

06:14 PM BST

Iran says Israeli mini drones caused no damage or casualties

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, the Iranian foreign minister, has said that Israeli mini drones fired at the city of Isfahan did not cause any damage or casualties.

In a statement made to envoys of Muslim countries in New York, Amir-Abdollahian also claimed that pro-Israeli media was trying to make victory out of defeat.

ABC News reported on Friday that 3 missiles fired from Israeli fighter jets were used during Israels attack on Iran, and that an initial assessment said the strike had been successful.

05:56 PM BST

US considers new $1 billion weapons deal for Israel

The US is considering more than $1 billion in new weapons deals for Israel, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The proposed weapons transfers  which would include tank ammunition, tactical vehicles and mortar rounds  would be among the largest the US has provided to Israel since it invaded Gaza in response to the October 7 Hamas attacks on southern Israel.

The proposal is likely to face opposition from the growing number of Democrats in Congress who want to cut back weapons supplies to Israel in order to pressure the country into taking measures to prevent civilian deaths in Gaza.

Separate to the package, Congress is set to vote this weekend on a pair of bills for security assistance to US allies that would include $26 billion for Israel, a proportion of which would be weapons deals.

Washington has said it delivers weapons to Israel in part to bolster Israels long-term defence.

05:23 PM BST

Israel kills senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander in West Bank raid

The Israeli military killed a high-ranking Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander during a raid in the West Bank, Palestinian media has reported.

Muhammad Jaber, known as Abu Shujaa, was the commander of Islamic Jihads local wing in Tulkarem, the reports said.

Four Israeli soldiers are said to have been wounded during the raid.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad is considered to be the most extreme member of the Alliance of Palestinian Forces. You can read more about the terror group here.

05:14 PM BST

Watch: French police arrest man who threatened to blow himself up in Iranian consulate in Paris

04:30 PM BST

UN must do more to protect merchant shipping, industry leaders urge

The United Nations must do more to protect merchant shipping and sailors as attacks escalate in the Middle East, shipping industry leaders have told the UN secretary general in a letter signed by 16 maritime associations.

The move came following the seizure of the MSC Aries by Iranian commandos on April 13, a vessel that Iran claimed was linked to Israel.

The world would be outraged if four airliners were seized and held hostage with innocent souls onboard. Regrettably, there does not seem to be the same response or concern [for ships and their crew members], the letter said.

The UN has not yet responded to a request for comment.

03:59 PM BST

Israel used target missiles in Iran attack, reports suggest

Reports have suggested that the Israeli air force used Blue Sparrow missiles to attack Iran, one of the least escalatory responses possible, writes Dominic Nicholls

The medium-range air-launched ballistic missile was originally designed to be a target for other air defence systems. A relatively old system, it would have been visible on radar for much of its flight, given the lack of stealth technology. However, with a modular warhead section that can hold high explosive, it is possible to convert Blue Sparrow missiles into weapons in their own right. Israel would likely retain its state-of-the-art weaponry for the most important missions only, fearful of giving the Iranians the chance to reverse engineer any novel technologies.

03:51 PM BST

Alleged Israeli missile debris found in Iraq

Iraqi media has published photographs of what it claims is the debris of an Israeli missile fired at Iran early on Friday morning.

The missile remains were reportedly found by members of an Iran-aligned Shia militia.

The booster of an air-launched missile, likely Israeli in origin, reportedly found in Iraq - Twitter

03:31 PM BST

Israeli far-Right activist targeted by US sanctions

The US has sanctioned Benzi Gopstein, the leader of Jewish supremacist group Lehava, in a move aimed at targeting violence instigated by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, a Palestinian territory.

Under Gopsteins leadership, Lehava and its members have been involved in acts or threats of violence against Palestinians, often targeting sensitive or volatile areas, the US state department said.

Mr Gopstein, who is an ally of Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has previously said that the burning of Christian churches in Israel is justified.

In January, he was convicted for incitement to racism.

03:10 PM BST

Watch: Muted Iran signals it will not retaliate

03:07 PM BST

Police arrest man who threatened to blow himself up inside Iranian embassy in Paris

French police have arrested a man who falsely claimed that he was wearing an explosives belt while inside the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday morning.

A police source said the man was seen at about 11am entering the consulate, which is located in the Iranian embassy building, carrying what appeared to be a grenade and explosive vest.

Read the full report here.

02:58 PM BST

Israels aggression risks regional conflict, says Hamas

Israels aggression towards Iran is an escalation against the entire region, Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, has said.

We call for expanding the scale of the engagement against the [Israeli] occupation in response to the war of genocide in Gaza and the escalation in the region, Mr Abu Zuhri told Reuters.

Hamas leaders have frequently praised Iran for its financial and military support.

02:53 PM BST

Inside Irans top secret nuclear energy mountain

This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows Iran's nuclear site in Isfahan - AP/Planet Labs PBC

When explosions were heard in the Iranian province of Isfahan early Friday morning the thoughts of many Middle East watchers turned to a very particular target, writes Sophia Yan.

The Natanz complex, Irans primary uranium enrichment facility, has been the subject of deepening Western interest as Iran seeks to expand its nuclear abilities.

The Nuclear Threat Initiative, a non-profit security organisation, estimates that the Natanz complex itself consists of three underground buildings, two of which are designed to hold 50,000 centrifuges. Six buildings are above ground, two of which are 2,500-metre halls used for gas centrifuge assemblies.

As of October 2022, Iran had installed 4,000 advanced centrifuges at its various enrichment facilities, a 44 per cent increase in a matter of months, according to a report by the Institute for Science and International Security.

Read Sophias full report here.

02:48 PM BST

Pictured: Iranians demonstrate against Israel

A worshipper chants slogans as she holds an Iranian flag during an anti-Israeli gathering after Friday prayer in Tehran - Vahid Salemi/AP

An Iranian Shiite Muslim cleric raises a clenched fist as others carry pictures of Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini during an anti-Israel demonstration - ATTA KENARE/AFP

02:39 PM BST

Join the conversation in the comments below

02:34 PM BST

Netanyahus war cabinet splintering as security minister calls attack on Iran lame

Israel's National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has repeatedly criticised the Israeli government over its war in Gaza and escalating tensions with Iran - AMIR COHEN/REUTERS

An Israeli minister has described Fridays attack on Iran as lame, in a sign of the growing rift in Benjamin Netanyahus war cabinet, writes Jotam Confino.

Multiple explosions believed to be caused by the interception of drones were reported early on Friday morning over the Iranian city of Isfahan, home to a major air base and nuclear site.

The US later confirmed that Israel had launched a retaliatory assault in response to last weeks attack by Tehran, which involved more than 300 drones, rockets and missiles.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, the hard-Right national security minister, quickly dismissed his countrys operation with a one-word post on X, formally Twitter, using the Hebrew slang word that literally translates as Scarecrow.

Read Jotams full report here.

02:27 PM BST

UN chief says high time to stop dangerous cycle of retaliation

Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, has said that it is high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East.

In a carefully worded statement that did not mention Israels latest attack on Iran, Mr Guterress spokesman said: The Secretary-General condemns any act of retaliation and appeals to the international community to work together to prevent any further development that could lead to devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond.

02:24 PM BST

Israel has just handed Iran a major victory

What is the point of retaliation? Not revenge, for that is no way to conduct serious foreign policy. Not domestic politics, for drumming up popular support is not a reason to send a nations sons into action. No, the point is security. The point is to create a deterrent, writes Jake Wallis Simons By this measure, did the Israeli strike on Isfahan achieve its objective? It is too early to tell, but the first indications are that if no further action is to follow, it was unlikely to do so. If there is one adjective that has been attached to the assumed Israeli retaliation in recent days, it is limited. It has been used by the Americans, it has been used by the Israelis, and it was used by the British diplomats I spoke to who returned from Israel on Thursday. Limited is all very well; it plays nicely to the international community who are congenitally bent on holding Israel to a draw. But it will hardly strike fear into the heart of the Iranian regime.

Read Jakes full column here.

02:15 PM BST

Pictured: G7 leaders meet amid Middle East crisis

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani (left) walks with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Lord Cameron - ALESSANDRO DI MEO/Shutterstock

Pro-Palestinian activists clash with police, as they try to embark on a ferry to protest G7 meeting at Capri - REUTERS

Lord Cameron (left) speaks with Italian Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani - GREGORIO BORGIA/AFP

02:08 PM BST

US: Our message is de-escalation

Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, has pointedly underscored the fact that the US had no involvement in Friday mornings strike.

Americas top diplomat, like officials in the White House here in Washington this morning, was tight-lipped on the attack.

Speaking from the G7 foreign ministers summit in Capri, Italy, Mr Blinken gave only a brief response to questions from reporters.

The United States was not involved in any offensive operations, he said, adding: Avoiding conflict remains our focus.

Mr Blinken said the US, and the rest of the G7, was committed to de-escalating and to trying to bring this tension to a close.

01:50 PM BST

Iran ready for any further air attacks, says army chief

Iran is ready for any further air attacks, the countrys army chief has said.

Kioumars Heydari, the commander of Irans ground forces, said the country remains vigilant of any potential aerial threats.



If suspicious flying objects appear in the sky of the country, they will be targeted by our powerful air defence, he said, according to state-owned media. Even though last nights objects were suspicious, our countrys defences reacted intelligently.



Mr Heydari also said Irans April 13 attacks on Israel showed that the Islamic republic has the upper hand in the region and can establish security without the interference of any foreign power.

01:40 PM BST

Tehran signals no retaliation against Israel

A senior Iranian official has said there are no plans to retaliate against Israels strike.

The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack, the official, who was not named, told Reuters.

The officials remarks come as Ebrahim Raisi, Irans president, today hailed Tehrans retaliatory strike against Israel last week but failed to mention the explosions heard in Iran this morning.

Last weeks operation showed our authority, our peoples will of steel and our unity, Raisi told hundreds of people in Semnan province, east of Tehran.

Analysts have interpreted Irans claims that the attack was carried out by domestic infiltrators, rather than by Israel, as a means of avoiding the need to retaliate.

Hossein Dalirian, Irans space agency spokesman, said there was a failed and humiliating attempt to fly quad-copters, which were shot down, but denied Iran had been attacked from abroad.

There have been no air attacks from outside the borders against Isfahan or other parts of the country so far, he wrote on Twitter.

Todays strikes coincided with the birthday of Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader.

01:26 PM BST

World demands end to missile strikes after Israel attacks Iran

World leaders have called for absolute restraint after Israel escalated its conflict with Iran by launching strikes near a military base.

Ursula von der Leyen, the chief of the European commission, said it is absolutely necessary that all sides refrain from further action after explosions were reported early this morning near Irans Isfahan air base, which sits close to a major nuclear facility.

Antonio Tajani, the Italian foreign minister, called for absolute de-escalation, following Iranian reports it had shot down three drones in the area, while prime minister Rishi Sunak said he wants to see calm heads prevail across the region.

US intelligence reports of an Israeli missile strike have been dismissed by Tehran, which downplayed the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation. Isreal has not confirmed the strikes.

China voiced opposition to any actions that further escalate tensions, in an apparent criticism of Israels retaliatory strike

01:21 PM BST

Israels desparate attempt failed, says Iranian MP

An Iranian MP has blasted Israels attack as a desparate attempt and a failure.

Mehdi Toghyani, an Iranian MP from Isfahan - the site of Israels morning strikes - said the desperate attempt from Israel had failed and brought new disgrace for them.

Suggesting that the attacks were orchestrated by Israel with the help of local agents, Mr Toghyani emphasised Tehrans defensive capabilities.

Let them know that we are at peak readiness to protect our dear Iran, he said.

12:38 PM BST

Catch-up: Why did Israel attack Iran and could it spark all-out war?

Israel struck Iran on Friday morning in an attack that dramatically raises the stakes in a simmering conflict, writes Benedict Smith.

Benjamin Netanyahu appears to have defied Western calls for restraint, sparking fears of another major escalation in the Middle East.

As Israel and Iran trade strikes and counter-strikes, concern is mounting that a regional war could erupt.

But how likely is it that a third world war could break out?

Read the full analysis here.

12:36 PM BST

West sent de-escalation messages to Iran via Turkey

Western states have sought to send Iran messages via Turkey in recent days to reiterate appeals for de-escalation, a Western diplomat said.

After Irans retaliatory attack on Israel last weekend, Turkeys foreign ministry confirmed contacts with Iran and the United States in a statement, saying Ankara had called for restraint and warned of a regional war if tensions escalated further.

In recent days we have sought to send Iran messages via Turkey - particularly reiterating the message of de-escalation, a Western diplomat told Reuters, when asked about messages carried to Tehran by Ankara.

John Bass, a senior US official, travelled to Ankara earlier this week and met Turkeys top diplomat Hakan Fidan.

They ... discussed the critical importance of preventing further escalation or a wider conflict in the region, a US official said.

12:22 PM BST

Netanyahu has done what the world warned him not to

Israels strike on Iran on Friday morning will not come as a surprise to Western observers  but it will cause great concern in Washington and London as the region tips closer towards an all-out war.

Following Irans attack on Israel on April 13, itself a response to an Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate, Israel was clear a response would be required.

That night, Joe Biden talked down Benjamin Netanyahu from launching an immediate response, warning him that America would not support or join in any offence against Iran.

The president reportedly told the Israeli leader to take the win from his stunningly effective air defences, which restricted the effect of the Iranian strikes to a damaged plane and a battered runway.

Read the full analysis here.

12:02 PM BST

G7 opposes Israeli invasion of Rafah

G7 foreign ministers have opposed Israels planned full-scale military operation in Rafah owing to the catastrophic consequences the invasion could have on more than 1.5 million Palestinians currently sheltering in Gazas regions southernmost city.

We reiterate our call for a credible and actionable plan to protect the civilian population there, G7 foreign ministers said, adding that an unacceptable number of civilians had been killed in Israels war in the enclave so far.

We deplore all losses of civilian lives and note with great concern the unacceptable number of civilians, including thousands of women, children and persons in vulnerable situations who have been killed in Gaza, the statement read.

11:52 AM BST

G7 calls on all parties to avoid escalation

G7 foreign ministers have urged all parties to work to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, following Israels attack on Iran this morning.

In light of reports of strikes on April 19th, we urge all parties to work to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work to this end, the Group of Seven nations said in a statement after a meeting on the Italian island of Capri.

11:36 AM BST

Germany and Russia call for restraint

Germany has pleaded pleaded for restraint on both sides following Israels attack on Iran.

De-escalation must be the advice of the hour, said Steffen Hebestreit, a government spokesman, adding: We must prevent a conflagration at all costs, and this appeal goes to all sides.

Moscow also said that it does not want escalation, following the strikes near an Iranian air base.

There have been telephone contacts between the leadership of Russia and Iran, our representatives and the Israelis, Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, told reporters. We made it very clear in these conversations, we told the Israelis that Iran does not want escalation.

11:27 AM BST

Israel attack carefully calibrated

Israels morning attack on an Iranian military base was carefully calibrated to signal Israels ability to attack Iran on home soil, reports suggest.

The impact of the strike near Irans Isfahan air base is not yet clear, with Tehran officials downplaying the incident, reporting no damage has been caused.

Two source with inside knowledge of Israels attack have said the strike was designed to send a message to Tehran, the Washington Post reported.

Military analysts have suggested Israels intention was to hit back following Irans massive missile and drone attack last week, but to avoid further escalation.

11:17 AM BST

Pictured: No response from Iran following Israeli strike

An anti-Israel billboard with a picture of Iranian missiles is seen on a street in Tehran - Majid Asgaripour/REUTERS

Military personnel stand guard at a nuclear facility in the Zardanjan area of Isfahan, Iran - REUTERS/WANA

10:57 AM BST

Direct strikes between Israel and Iran are over, says intelligence source

Direct attacks between Israel and Iran on each others soil are over, a regional intelligence source has said.

The unnamed source, who has knowledge of Tehrans potential reaction, said that Iran was not expected to respond to the strikes, CNN reported.

It comes as Iranian government officials have so far sought to downplay the impact of Fridays attack.

10:47 AM BST

Explosions were caused by air defence, says Iran

Irans military chief has said explosions in the sky above Isfahan were caused by anti-aircraft systems.

Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi said the Irans air defence shot down a suspicious object that did not cause any damage.

Experts are investigating this incident and will inform about the matter after receiving the results, he said, according to Iran state media, without commenting on whether Israel was behind the attack.

His remarks echo those of a Siavash Mihandoost, Irans military commander in Isfahan, who said earlier that there was no damage or incident following the attack.

See post at 9.05am for further details.

10:31 AM BST

Watch: Iran emergency vehicles in action

Iranian emergency services arrive at the scene of this mornings strike.

10:08 AM BST

Israel officials mocking themselves says Iran

Iranian state media has ridiculed a social media post by Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israels hard-line national security minister, stating: The Israeli authorities are mocking themselves!

Mr Ben-Gvir earlier wrote a one-word post on Twitter, which roughly translates as lame, in an apparent effort to mock Israels strike near an iranian military base this morning.

The Minister of Internal Security of the Zionist regime wrote to the reports about the Isfahan incident: Weak! Tasnim, an Iranian state-affiliated news agency, wrote on Twitter.

Yair Lapid, Israels opposition leader, slammed Mr Ben-Gvirs comments as unforgiveable and accused him of tarnishing Israels international reputation.

Never before has a minister in the security cabinet done such heavy damage to the countrys security, its image and its international status, Mr Lapid wrote on Twitter.

In an unforgivable one-word tweet, Ben Gvir managed to mock and shame Israel from Tehran to Washington.

09:42 AM BST

Update: Israeli missiles strike Syrian army positions

Israeli missile strikes this morning targeted a Syrian army position in the countrys south, Syrias government has confirmed.

In a statement, Syrias defence ministry said: the Israeli enemy carried out an attack using missiles... targeting our air defence sites in the southern region and causing material damage.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the strikes took place at a time when the Israeli air force was flying intensively over the Daraa region without Syrian air defences taking any action.

See post at 6.31am for further details.

09:31 AM BST

EU chief urges restraint

Ursula von der Leyen, the chief of the European commission, called for restraint to avoid further escalation in the Middle East following Israels morning strike.

We have to do everything possible (so) that all sides restrain from the escalation in that region, Ms von der Leyen told reporters during a visit to Finland. It is absolutely necessary that the region stays stable and that all sides refrain from further action.

09:29 AM BST

Watch: Explosions over Iran

Footage posted online shows flashes over Isfahan earlier this morning, reportedly capturing Irans air defence systems intercepting Israeli drones.

09:26 AM BST

Iranian media shows calm scenes following attack

Iranian media has published footage and images of calm scenes this morning in Isfahan, where air defences were activated following reports of explosions just a few hours ago.

Footage of the area showed residents walking near local landmarks such as the Naqsh-e Jahan square and along the Zayandeh Rud river, while normal traffic was reported in the city, according to the ISNA news outlet.

In the northwest city of Tabriz  where explosions were also reported  footage showed normal traffic flow and pedestrians in parks and on the streets, CNN reported.

09:17 AM BST

US embassy in Israel restricts diplomats movements

The US embassy in Israel has restricted government employees and their families from travelling outside of three major cities until further notice, amid heightened regional tensions follow Israels strike on Iran.

Out of an abundance of caution following reports that Israel conducted a retaliatory strike inside Iran, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv...Jerusalem, and Beer Sheva areas until further notice, a security alert on the missions website read.

Due to a complex security environment that can change quickly, the embassy may further restrict or prohibit travel to parts of Israel, Jerusalems Old City and the occupied West Bank, the advisory added.

09:05 AM BST

Isfahan to hold pro-Gaza demonstration after Israel attack

Isfahan residents will hold a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, just hours after reports of explosions near the city following an Israeli strike, the Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported.

With the city back to normal, residents will march across the city after the Friday prayers, ISNA said.

Iranian state-owned media has said operations at Isfahans Shahid Beheshti airport, which were suspended this morning, are back to normal.

Irans military chief in Isfahan, Siavash Mihandoost, said there was no accident or damage in the region following the explosions, ISNA reported.

It comes as analysts suggested Iran is attempting to downplay the significance of the attack in an attempt to de-escalate.

08:54 AM BST

World reacts to Israels attack

The world has so-far been divided in its response to Israels attack on Iran this morning, with Western nations largely supporting Israels right to defend itself, and neighbouring Arab nations condemning the strikes.

Britain

Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister, called for calm heads to prevail as he reaffirmed Israels right to defend itself.

We have condemned Irans reckless and dangerous barrage of missiles against Israel on Saturday and Israel absolutely has a right to self-defence, he said.

But as I said to Prime Minister Netanyahu when I spoke to him [this week] and more generally, significant escalation is not in anyones interest, what we want to see is calm heads prevail across the region.

France

Frances deputy foreign minister said: Israel is right to defend itself within international law.

Germany

De-escalation remains the order of the day in the near future, said Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor. And we will also talk about this with all our friends and allies, and work together with them in this direction.

Russia

Moscow has claimed it told Israel that Iran does not want escalation.

There have been telephone contacts between the leadership of Russia and Iran, our representatives and the Israelis, Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign minister, said. We made it very clear in these conversations, we told the Israelis that Iran does not want escalation.

Italy

Antonio Tajani, Italys foreign minister, has called for absolute de-escalation in the Middle East. We invite everyone to be cautious to avoid an escalation, he told RAI news.

The Netherlands

Hanke Bruins, the Dutch foreign minister, described developments in the Middle East as deeply worrying and said we are closely monitoring the situation. It is of paramount importance that further escalation is prevented, she wrote on Twitter.

Oman

Oman hit out at Israels retaliatory strike, condemning repeated Israeli military attacks in the region.

China

Lin Jian, Beijings foreign ministry said: China opposes any actions that further escalate tensions and will continue to play a constructive role to de-escalate the situation.

Japan

Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japans chief cabinet secretary, said: Japan is deeply concerned about the situation in the Middle East and strongly condemn [sic] any actions that lead to the escalation of the situation.

Japan will continue to make all necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent the situation from worsening further.

Turkey

Turkeys foreign ministry has also called for de-escalation, saying the priority of the international community should be to stop the massacre in Gaza and to ensure lasting peace .

Egypt

Egypts foreign ministry has said it is deeply concerned about an escalation of hostilities following Israels attack.

Sweden

Tobias Billstrom, Swedens foreign minister, said: There has to be an end to the exchange of blows and escalation.

This is something we from the governments side take very seriously and are following very closely.

Jordan

We warn against the danger of regional escalation. We condemn all actions that threaten dragging the region into war, Jordans foreign ministry said. Israeli-Iranian retaliations must end. The inhumane war on Gaza must end now. The focus of the world must remain on ending the catastrophic aggression on Gaza.

08:31 AM BST

No immediate plans for retaliation, says senior Iran official

Iran has no plans to immediately retaliate against Israel, senior Iranian official tells Reuters, hours after Israel launched a direct attack on Iranian soil.

The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed, the Iranian official, who was not named, told Reuters. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack.

08:17 AM BST

Mapped: Where the strikes took place

08:09 AM BST

Israel has a right to defend itself, says Cabinet minister

Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, has said Britain recognises Israels right to defend itself while pushing for de-escalation in the region, following Israels overnight strikes on Iran.

Where we are as a Government is recognising very clearly that Israel has a right to defend itself, Mr Stride told Times Radio. At the same time though, we are pressing our Israeli allies and others in the region to really work hard towards de-escalation.

He added that Lord Cameron is in conversation with G7 counterparts in Italy this morning, who will be focused on exactly that, and the importance of de-escalating tensions in the region.

07:54 AM BST

Hard-right Israeli official labels attack lame

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israels hard-right national security minister, has issued a comment on Twitter, appearing to mock the Israeli attack, simply saying Lame.

Tally Gotliv, a fellow hard-right member of the Knesset, also appeared to comment on the strike on social media, describing it as a source of pride.

Good morning, people of Israel. This is a morning in which the head is held high with pride, he wrote. Israel is a strong and powerful country. May we regain the power of deterrence.

The Israeli prime ministers office is yet to comment on the strike near an Iranian air base.

07:47 AM BST

Iran suspends flights amid Israeli strikes

Flights in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz were suspended for over two hours this morning.

The countrys civil aviation authority later reported the flights were back to normal by early Friday.

Iran clears airspace after Israeli strike - FlightRadar

07:39 AM BST

Iran attack was inside job, state media reports

Iranian media has dismissed claims this mornings attack came from abroad, despite widespread reports it was launched by Israel.

Irans Tasnim news agency quoted informed sources as saying that there are no reports of an attack from abroad against Isfahan or any other part of Iran.

An Iranian analyst speaking on state TV argued separately that drones, which Iran has claimed it shot down, were flown by infiltrators from inside the country.

07:11 AM BST

No damage to Irans nuclear sites, says UN atomic watchdog

Israels strike on Iran has caused no damage to Irans nuclear sites, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed.

The agency is continuing to monitor the situation very closely and called for extreme restraint from all sides, stressing that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts, it wrote on Twitter.

The Iranian state-owned news network Press TV also said that there was no sign of explosion or damage at a nuclear site near the city of Isfahan, where explosions were reported following an Israeli strike this morning.

Western officials told US media Israel had launched missiles, while Iran said it shot down drones around the Isfahan air base close to the nuclear facility.

IAEA can confirm that there is no damage to #Iran's nuclear sites. DG @rafaelmgrossi continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely. pic.twitter.com/4F7pAlNjWM  IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency  (@iaeaorg) April 19, 2024

06:49 AM BST

Pictured: Israels early morning strike on Iran

Smoke billows in the air as Israel strikes Iran - Twitter via Mario Nawfal

06:46 AM BST

US embassy in Israel imposes travel ban for families and staff

The US embassy in Israel on Friday imposed travel restrictions on its employees and their families following news that Israel had struck Iran.

Out of an abundance of caution following reports that Israel conducted a retaliatory strike inside Iran, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Beersheva areas until further notice, a security advisory read.

06:40 AM BST

Warning for ships to stay alert in case of UAV activity

British security firm Ambrey warned merchant vessels transiting the Arabian Gulf and Western Indian Ocean on Friday to stay alert in case of increased uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) activity in the region.

The warning comes amid reports of uncrewed aircraft being involved in Israels retaliatory strike against Iran.

06:31 AM BST

Israel hits military position in Syrias south

Israels strikes targeted a Syrian Army position in the countrys south, a war monitor said.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said the strikes targeted a radar installation of the Syrian Army between the provinces of Sweida and Daraa provinces.

A military source told Syrias SANA news agency that the missile strike occurred at 2.55am and caused material losses.

06:25 AM BST

Irans ageing defences make them highly vulnerable

Ageing air defences, including old American and Russian warplanes that date back to the 1970s, have left Iran highly vulnerable to an Israeli attack.

They are built largely around Russian S-200 and S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems or a range of locally-produced equivalents such as the Bavar-373, Khordad, Raad, Sayyad and Talash.

Some of the American and Russian warplanes are from the 1970s era of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.

The obsolete systems are in stark contrast to Israels formidable defence weapons, which helped prevent major damage from occurring during Irans missile and drone attack last weekend.

06:17 AM BST

Commander: Defence systems targeting suspicious object caused explosions

Air defence systems targeting a suspicious object was the cause of explosions heard overnight in Isfahan, a senior commander of Irans Army, Siavosh Mihandoust, said.

He reiterated Irans position that no damage was caused in the overnight attack.

Iranian state TV showed what they claimed was a live picture of the city of Isfahan amid reports of explosions - AFP

05:54 AM BST

US had advance warning on Israels retaliatory strike

The United States received advance notice of Israels reported strike on Iran, but did not endorse the operation or play any part in its execution, reports quoted officials as saying.

NBC and CNN, citing sources familiar with the matter and a US official, said Israel had provided Washington with pre-notification of the strike.

05:49 AM BST

Flights cancelled into Tehran

Flydubai has cancelled flights to Tehran on Friday and turned back flight FZ 1929 due to the closure of the airport, the carrier said in a statement.

International flights into Irans Imam Khomeini International Airport have also been cancelled until 7am GMT, according to Iranian news agency Mehr.

05:39 AM BST

Australia tells citizens to leave Israel

Australia has urged its citizens to leave Israel, warning there is a high threat of a military response to its strike on Iran.

Theres a high threat of military reprisals & terrorist attacks against Israel & Israeli interests across the region, its foreign ministry said in a statement.

The security situation could deteriorate quickly. We urge Australians in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories to depart if its safe to do so.

05:33 AM BST

Iran may be downplaying strikes to avoid war

Iran may be downplaying this mornings Israeli strike to avoid escalation, an expert has suggested, after the countrys state media reported there was no damage from Friday mornings attack.

Holly Dagres, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Middle East Programs, said the reaction from Iran suggests a retaliatory strike is not imminent.

Tehran is trying to downplay the Israeli response, as evidenced by the coverage by state media, which attempted to show that all was safe and calm, she told The Telegraph.

However, citizen journalist footage of air raid sirens going off and air defence responding in Isfahan suggests this was not some minor event.

This downplaying of events by Tehran may actually be a tactic to prevent them from feeling the need to retaliate directly against Israel again, she said.

In essence, this could potentially be a restoration of deterrence.

05:30 AM BST

Why Israel attacked Iran and could it spark all-out war?

As Israel and Iran begin to trade strikes and counter-strikes, it has fuelled fears that a regional war could break out amid growing instability in the Middle East.

With the Ukraine-Russia war entering its third year, the global order seems to be fraying. Some believe it could snap altogether, and that these conflicts  relatively confined, so far  could tip into a world war.

Read our explainer by Benedict Smith on whether the Middle East crisis could push the world into a major conflict

05:24 AM BST

Explosions were air defence systems, says Iran

The explosions heard in Isfahan were a result of Irans air defence systems being activated, an Iranian official has told Reuters.

The official added that no missile attack had been carried out against Iran.

Iran has been quick to downplay reports of an attack and Iranian media said no major damage has occurred.

Reports indicate there was no major damage or large explosions caused by the impact of any air threat, the official IRNA news agency said.

A man watches TV reports in Iran following explosions - Anadolu

05:08 AM BST

Watch: Emergency vehicles rush to air base amid explosions

Video has emerged on X of fire trucks and emergency vehicles rushing to an air base in the city of Isfahan, where explosions reportedly sounded on Friday morning.

The vision has not been independently verified, but it has been widely circulated on social media.

Fire Trucks and other Emergency Vehicles have reportedly begun to arrive at 8th Tactical Airbase of the Iranian Air Force in the Isfahan Province. pic.twitter.com/qR4VTmf5dT  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 19, 2024

05:01 AM BST

Iran previously threatened to build nuclear bomb

Iran previously threatened to build a nuclear bomb if it was attacked by Israel in retaliation.

Tehran also warned it would hit Israeli atomic facilities if Benjamin Netanyahu ordered strikes against Irans nuclear sites.

Both Iran and Israel are yet to comment on Friday mornings strike, where explosions were reported near a military base in the Iranian city of Isfahan.

But the world will be on edge as it awaits news on how Iran will retaliate. Iran had vowed to retaliate immediately if hit, and at a maximum level.

04:49 AM BST

Rishi Sunak to give speech on Friday morning

Rishi Sunak is giving a major speech on Friday morning in London.

Downing Street has prepared an announcement on sick note culture and Mr Sunaks plans to reform workplace illness.

However, the event is now likely to be dominated by the events in the Middle East.

Mr Sunak was among the G7 leaders who had urged restraint from Benjamin Netanyahu after the Iranian attack on Israel on April 13.

04:38 AM BST

Analysis: Netanyahu has done just what the world told him not to

Israels strike on Iran on Friday morning will not come as a surprise to Western observers  but it will cause great concern in Washington and London as the region tips closer towards an all-out war.

Following Irans attack on Israel on April 13, itself a response to an Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate, Tel Aviv was clear a response would be required.

That night, Joe Biden talked down Benjamin Netanyahu from launching an immediate response, warning him that America would not support or join in any offence against Iran.

The president reportedly told the Israeli leader to take the win from his stunningly effective air defences, which restricted the effect of the Iranian strikes to a damaged plane and a battered runway.

However, that advice has not been heeded universally by Mr Netanyahus colleagues.

Read the full analysis here

04:29 AM BST

Israel military refuses to comment

Israels military said on Friday that we dont have a comment at this time when asked about its strikes on Iran.

The military separately announced that sirens sounded in northern Israel, along the border with Lebanon, but these were a false alarm.

04:25 AM BST

Iran downplays attack as news agency says nuclear facilities completely secure

Irans space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian said several drones had been successfully shot down and there were no reports of a missile attack.

There are no reports of a missile attack for now, Mr Dalirian said on X.

The Tasnim news agency also added the nuclear facilities in Isfahan were completely secure.

Three explosions were heard near the Shekari army airbase in the northwest of Isfahan province.

Now state media is downplaying events, saying it was just some drones that were shot down and that all is "safe and calm" in Esfahan, Iran.



(Air defense systems appeared to have been used and air raid sirens had gone off earlier) pic.twitter.com/slem5zZxDi  Holly Dagres (@hdagres) April 19, 2024

04:22 AM BST

Israeli military: Sirens in northern Israel a false alarm

Warning sirens that sounded early on Friday in northern Israel were a false alarm, the Israeli military said.

The sirens went off shortly after reports emerged of Israels strikes in Iran.

04:17 AM BST

Washington silent as officials scramble to assess Israeli attack

Both the White Houses National Security Council and the Pentagon are refusing to comment on the record about tonights strike in Iran.

Several American news outlets have received briefings from sources inside the administration, but the message put out to reporters has been that officials are aware of the reports and are assessing the situation.

We have not yet heard from Joe Biden, who is back in Washington after a visit to Philadelphia this afternoon. Mr Biden will be expected to convene his national security team in the White House situation room.

Previously, he met with his closest officials, plus Lloyd Austin, the Defence Secretary, Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, and William Burns, the director of the CIA.

04:13 AM BST

Fears that strikes have hit nuclear facility

Reports have emerged that Israels strikes have hit a nuclear facility in Isfahan.

Irans Natanz nuclear site, the countrys primary enrichment facility, is located in the city.

It houses both the commercial Fuel Enrichment Plant and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, and is so deep in the earth that it is likely beyond the range of a last-ditch US weapon designed to destroy such sites, according to experts.

But the Mizan News agency said the nuclear facilities in Isfahan were completely safe.

The report of some foreign media about the incident in this facility is incorrect.

03:52 AM BST

Explained: Why has Israel hit Iran in retaliatory strike

Israel told the US earlier today that it planned to respond to Irans attack on April 13, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Israeli officials have been clear for some time that an attack on Iran would take place, but the Tel Aviv government did not say when the strike would take place.

Debate has raged for some time about whether the strike should be on Iranian soil, or directed at its proxy groups elsewhere in the Middle East.

There have also been reports this evening of explosions in Iraq and Syria, but they have not yet been linked directly to Israeli military activity.

03:43 AM BST

Drones shot down near Isfahan air base, IRGC claim

Iranian journalists are reporting that the IRGC is claiming to have shot down several drones around the Isfahan air base where the strike reportedly took place.

There is little detail yet about the nature of tonights strike on Iran, but initial reports suggest Tel Aviv may have used a combination of drones and missiles-- the same tactic Iran used against Israel last week.

The IRGC uploaded this video of it intercepting Israels strikes:

#BREAKING: #Israel has conducted missile strikes on #Iran, according to a senior U.S. official multiple explosions are being reported. Credit: @rawsalerts



UPDATE: The IRANIAN Revolutionary Guard Corps uploaded this video intercepting ISRAELI missiles above Iran.



More soon pic.twitter.com/F4ClOvJz47  Deep Truth Intel (@DeepTruthIntel) April 19, 2024

03:36 AM BST

Irans state TV: Big explosions heard in Isfahan

Big explosions were heard near Isfahan, Irans state TV reported on Friday.

News sources are reporting hearing big explosions in Isfahan province, it said.

Meanwhile, Mehr news agency reported that flights to Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz, and airports in the west, northwest and southwest have been suspended.

#UPDATE Iran's state TV reports "big explosions" have been heard near the central city of Isfahan, as a news agency said flights were suspended over the capital Tehran and other cities.



"News sources are reporting hearing big explosions in Isfahan province," state television pic.twitter.com/G7IgrO4ZmB  AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 19, 2024

03:31 AM BST

Isfahan is home to major airbase for Iranian military

Explosions reportedly occurred near an air force base that lies northeast of Isfahan, according to the Fars news agency.

The city of Isfahan is home to a major airbase for the Iranian military and sites associated with its nuclear program, including Natanz, a centrepiece of Irans uranium enrichment program.

It is located some 350 kilometres (215 miles) from Tehran.

03:25 AM BST

Iran activates air defence system

Irans air-defence system has been activated in Isfahan and several other cities amid Israels strikes.

Irans air defence has been activated in the skies of several provinces of the country, the official IRNA news agency said.

03:09 AM BST

Flights divert around western Iran as explosions heard

Commercial flights began diverting their routes early on Friday morning over western Iran amid reports there had been explosions heard over the city of Isfahan.

Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai diverted flights about 4:30am local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

It is understood the sound of explosions rang out over Isfahan near its international airport. Isfahan is home to a major airbase for the Iranian military, as well as sites associated with its nuclear program.

Irans government offered no immediate comment.

03:06 AM BST

Welcome to our live blog

In breaking news overnight, Israeli missiles have struck a site in Iran.

Follow our live news blog for the latest updates and developments today.

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Iranians waved the Palestinian flag alongside their own country's during a demonstration against Israel in Tehran on Friday - ATTA KENARE/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

The message sent by Israels limited military strike on Iran depends entirely on where you sit  and that ambiguity is very much intentional.

The good news is that both sides appear to have stepped back from the brink. The bad news is that the ongoing fighting in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen means we remain on the edge of the abyss, according to a former Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) head of strategy.

All the more so given that the decades-long taboo of direct confrontation between Israel and Iran has been broken.

Brigadier General (Res.) Assaf Orion, now a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) in Tel Aviv, described Fridays Israeli strike on Iran as a nimble signalling exercise.

From Israels standpoint, he said, it sent the broad message you are vulnerable. We can get through your defences and hit you directly when we want.

He added that it was likely there was a more specific  but hidden  military message communicated by the choice of targets or other aspects of the action that remain unknown.

For example, it may have pinpointed something the Iranians believed remained entirely secret. A wake-up call or a knock on the roof, as the IDF sometimes puts it.

The true effectiveness [of the strike] only the Israelis and the Iranians will know, said Brig Gen Orion.

On the street and over the airwaves in Israel and Iran, the ambiguity of the action seemed to be doing its job.

Iranians at noon prayers in Tehran on Friday as the world appealed for calm in the confrontation with Israel - ATA KENARE/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

The taxi driver who took me from Ben Gurion airport into central Tel Aviv, just as the Iranian air defence systems lit up, approvingly predicted a night of action.

They say weve hit their nuclear facilities, he said, translating a macho-sounding late night radio talk show for me as we drove.

In Iran, the information fog surrounding the strike allowed the authorities to shrug it off and cast doubt on whether Israel was even behind it.

The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed, an Iranian official told The Times of Israel on condition of anonymity. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more toward infiltration than attack.

The source added that Iran had no plan to strike back immediately.

Only Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israels extremist minister of national security, seemed intent on breaking the spell.

Itamar Ben-Gvir, whose description of the Israeli strike as 'lame' drew condemnation and scorn - ATEF SAFADI/POOL PHOTO VIA AP

Early on Friday morning, he posted a single word of Hebrew slang, which roughly translates as lame, on social media.

Mr Ben-Gvir had previously called on the IDF to go berserk on Iran.

The minister, who is viewed as a thug and a clown by the Israeli intelligentsia but lauded by many working-class Jewish Israelis, was roundly condemned for his outburst.

Never before has a minister done such heavy damage to the countrys security, its image, and its international status, Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, said.

Iranian state media jubilantly joined in, saying: The Israeli authorities are mocking themselves!

The broad view of the Israeli defence establishment is that the threat of further escalation between Iran and Israel has been contained for the moment.

Sima Shine, an Iran specialist at INSS who served as head of research at the intelligence division of Mossad, described the Israeli action as smart and said it reflected the global diplomacy efforts of the past week.

There was pressure on Iran as well as Israel not to enlarge the conflict and I think what you see is a compromise, she said. It is not too much but, listen, it says, We can do it, we can penetrate your air space, we can send the missiles, we can hit your bases.

Ms Shine said that although Israel had misjudged Irans response to its original attack on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Damascus last month, it now had the world focused on Iran, something it should use strategically.

Iran has revealed itself not just to be a threat to Israel but a danger throughout the region and the world. We should now build alliances around that, she added.

Brig Gen Orion cautioned, however, that the longer-term trend in the conflict between Israel and Iran was one of escalation, and the convention of the two sides acting through proxies or undeclared actions had been breached.

He said the IDF strike on the consulate in Damascus, and others before on Iranian assets in Syria and Iraq, had been a way of signalling to Tehran that it could no longer fight Israel through proxies without itself paying a cost.

But that  and Irans subsequent direct strike on Israel  had rewritten the algebra of deterrence in the region, making the future much more difficult to judge.

Iran is traditionally risk averse, he said. It prefers fighting indirectly, from other peoples lands by other peoples hands but now I think we need to leave the door open to the fact that we may be at an inflection point, that it could change.

Meanwhile, there are those in Iran who see its strike on Israel last Saturday as a success, although the view is rejected by Israeli analysts.

On the one hand it demonstrated the strength of Western support for Israel, but it also revealed that Israel is reliant  in part at least  on the West for its forward military protection.

That in turn gives the US greater clout over Israeli actions  something that Israels limited strikeback will no doubt confirm to some in Iran.

The ongoing conflict sparked by the Oct 7 massacre also means things could yet spiral out of control.

We still have Gaza and an unresolved situation with the hostages. We have displaced people of the north and we have an exchange of fire daily and escalating with Hezbollah, said Brig Gen Orion.

So in this sense, we still have quite a high probability of instability and volatility. Its still very, very close to the abyss.
People march with flags and banners to celebrate Iran's April 13 attack on Israel and protest Israel

Israels presumed counterstrike against Iran has proved Joe Biden and David Cameron wrong in their insistence that Israel should just take the win. Instead, it fought back  and yesterday Iran was trying to pretend that nothing had happened.

This was a profound humiliation for the ayatollahs who just days ago were saying they would deliver punishing retaliation for even the slightest Israeli strike; now they seem to be saying they will do nothing. We dont yet know what happened at the targets. To save face, the Iranians are unlikely to admit there was any damage. For strategic reasons, Israel has not accepted responsibility and therefore has not made known its damage assessment.

The main target seems to have been Irans third city, Isfahan. The Hastam Shikari airforce base is there: it was involved in the April 14 drone and missile attack against Israel. There are drone production factories at Isfahan.

Of perhaps greater significance, the city is at the heart of Irans nuclear programme with a research site as well as a processing facility, including stockpiles of highly enriched uranium. Although the International Atomic Energy Agency has made clear that no damage was caused to the nuclear site, Israels apparent ability to penetrate Irans most heavily defended sites will have triggered enormous concern in Tehran as it gets ever closer to obtaining a nuclear weapons capability.

It is possible there may be a pause in the nuclear programme so as not to provoke further attacks until defences can be significantly enhanced. Perhaps Iran may be deterred from launching further direct strikes against Israel as it realises the extent of its vulnerability.

It was vital for Israel to launch a response to Irans aggression quickly to avoid an impression of weakness in a region where strength is everything. But among Israels calculations on how to calibrate its response will have been the need to build on the international defensive coalition that formed so quickly last week. This is of strategic importance given the range of threats in the Middle East, foremost of which is the array of 150,000 or more missiles in Lebanon, pointing at Israel.

These have been supplied to Hezbollah by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to deter or retaliate against an Israeli attack on Iran. Benjamin Netanyahu will not have wanted to do anything to shake the Wests new resolve against Iran, with the G7 announcing sanctions this week.

In its Gaza campaign, the IDF is getting ready to mount a major assault in Rafah to deal with Hamass remaining stronghold and to rescue the hostages being held there. That is Israels number one priority at the moment and it does not want to have its military efforts diverted by an escalation with Iran.

Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader in Gaza, wants the opposite. He has been hoping for a wider conflict as well as international pressure against Israel to save his organisation from destruction.

This strike can be compared with the Doolittle Raid in 1942 when the US launched an air attack against Tokyo from a carrier 800 miles off the coast of Japan. It did little damage on the ground but instilled fears in Japan about the defence of the home islands, opening the path to eventual defeat.

It also boosted morale in the US and among its allies. This is particularly important today. Israels Arab allies need to understand that Jerusalem is able and willing to deal with their Iranian enemy even when Washington tells them not to.

In direct contrast to Irans failed assault a week ago, Israel struck without warning and with Tehran apparently powerless to stop it. The IDF could have hit much harder. This may be just the first instalment of a heavier series of attacks, whether from the air or using covert forces on the ground, as Jerusalem has previously proven it has the capacity to do.

Israel has shown its combat superiority in the region. The ever-vacillating West might just have been taught a lesson about how to respond to aggression from despotic regimes.
US officials have confirmed that Israel has carried out military operations against Iran. The officials said Israel warned the Biden administration earlier on Thursday that a strike was coming in the next 24 to 48 hours. According to CNN, the Israelis assured their US counterparts that Irans nuclear facilities would not be targeted.

Iranian state media reported that air defence batteries had been activated after reports of explosions near a major airbase close to the city of Isfahan. The Iranian government appeared to play down the scale of the attack, with a senior commander in Irans army saying there was no damage in Isfahan, according to state TV.

Isfahan is home to sites associated with Irans nuclear programme, including its underground Natanz enrichment site. State television described all sites in the area as fully safe and the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), confirmed there was no damage to any nuclear sites.
Ukrainian service personnel fire an anti-aircraft cannon at a frontline near Bakhmut in March. Photograph: RFE/RL/Serhii Nuzhnenko/Reuters

More than half of a 900m military fund for Ukraine run by the British Ministry of Defence has not been used because of bureaucratic delays in handing out contracts.

The UK-led International Fund for Ukraine counts nine countries among its donors. Critics claim its provision of weapons to the frontline has been slow.

Of the 900m donated by governments over the last two years, of which 500m came from the UK, just 404m has been committed or spent.

Some of the equipment covered in the contracts signed will not reach Ukraine until spring next year, ministers have admitted.

The delays are said by MoD officials to have been caused by a need to assess each of the huge number of defence companies that have tendered for contracts.

John Healey, the shadow defence secretary, accused the MoD of being on a go-slow.

He said: The UK is united in support of Ukraine and against Russian aggression. As Russia steps up its attacks in Ukraine, its allies must accelerate military support.

Instead, the UK government is on a go-slow in getting crucial new kit into the hands of Ukrainians. Speeding it up would have our Labour backing, as on Britains military help to Ukraine and on reinforcing Nato allies, the government has had  and will continue to have  our fullest Labour support.

He added: There may be a change in government to Labour this year but there will be no change in Britains resolve to stand with Ukraine, confront Russian aggression and pursue [Vladimir] Putin for his war crimes.

The International Fund for Ukraine was set up in August 2022 to finance military training and equipment for Ukraine after Russias invasion in February of that year.

It was designed to be a flexible low-bureaucracy fund administered by the MoD on behalf of an executive panel comprising the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Lithuania.

Money has been committed by Denmark (133m), Iceland (3m), Lithuania (5m), the Netherlands (110m), Norway (119m), Sweden (26m), Australia (26m) and New Zealand (4m).

The defence secretary, Grant Shapps, has been active in seeking to sign up more countries but the funds record in distributing the cash risks deterring would-be donors.

Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has been outspoken in recent weeks about the impact on the frontline of a slowdown in the provision of western weapons. Russia has steadily been making advances, and a lack of Ukrainian air defence has been pinpointed as a major problem for Kyiv.

A call for bids for an air defence and maritime capabilities round of contracts was made in January. Equipment provided so far includes more than 100 uncrewed aerial systems and 80 heavy-duty plant vehicles to destroy Russian non-explosive obstacles and help build defensive positions and air defence radars.

An MoD spokesperson said: The UK-led International Fund for Ukraine is the largest fund of its kind and is delivering weapons on a regular basis to meet Ukraines most pressing needs  including air defence capabilities, drones and mine clearance equipment  with more than 900m pledged so far by nine countries.

Thousands of responses have been received from industry to International Fund for Ukraine requirements, each of which have had to be individually reviewed. We make no excuses for having made sure this was done properly and in a way that most effectively helps Ukraine.
Satellite image of Irans nuclear programme site in Isfahan, a central city targeted by drone attacks. Photograph: Planet Labs PBC/AP

In the aftermath of Irans unprecedented salvo of missiles and drones fired directly at Israel at the weekend, Benny Gantz, a centrist member of the Israeli war cabinet, said the country would respond in the place, time and manner it chooses.

That turned out to be explosions in the central Iranian city of Isfahan on Friday morning. Although no Israeli official has claimed responsibility for what seem to have been drone strikes on a military installation, Tehran, which had launched its attack after an airstrike on its consulate in Damascus, has downplayed the incident.

Related: Iran and Israel playing with fire as old rules of confrontation are torn up

For now, the limited response may have staved off the threat of regional war  but settling for unclaimed drone attacks on a military site in Isfahan is unlikely to satisfy either supporters or critics of Israels longtime leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, or restore the level of deterrence Israel enjoyed in the region before the Hamas attack of 7 October.

Netanyahu, who has been threatening to attack Iran for 20 years, has realised a dream, or at least part thereof. The question is what about us, the people, Amos Harel, the defence analyst and columnist for the leftwing Israeli daily Haaretz, wrote on Friday.

Meanwhile, Netanyahus ally and far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, reacted with just one word, Feeble!, in a post on X.

Netanyahus war cabinet had initially approved plans for a strike on Monday night inside Iranian territory, according to sources who spoke to Reuters, but held off at the last minute. A phone call with the US president, Joe Biden, also deterred war cabinet members, including Gantz, who had wanted to take action while the Iranian assault was under way.

Yet the Israeli prime minister may have achieved several short-term wins here. The muted Iranian reaction has soothed an anxious Israeli public before the week-long Passover holiday. Israel has also struck while it still has international diplomatic support for such an action, before the sense of urgency wanes and the worlds focus returns to the war in Gaza and its deepening famine.

By keeping allies in Washington abreast of plans for retaliation and not escalating the situation, Israel may have got the green light from the US and Egypt for its long-threatened ground offensive in Rafah, where 1.4 million Palestinian civilians have sought shelter. With internationally mediated ceasefire and hostage release talks at an impasse, a Rafah operation may be a way for Israel to increase pressure on Hamas at the negotiating table.

Netanyahus overriding calculus remains his political survival  as long as Israel is mired in conflict, the opposition will struggle to force early elections. Clinging on to power as long as possible  and his coalitions deeply unpopular attempts at a judicial overhaul  are his best chances of beating corruption charges, which he has always denied.

Large swathes of the electorate are still furious with the prime ministers refusal to take responsibility for the intelligence and response failures during the 7 October Hamas attack. Yet survey results released on Friday showed that this chapter of back-and-forth with Iran has benefited Netanyahus Likud party: for the first time since the war in Gaza began, it has broken through the 20-seat threshold in the Knesset.

The Israeli leader is also recovering in public opinion. In November, a survey by Bar Ilan University and the polling company iPanel found that just 4% of the Jewish Israeli public trusted him. Now, according to the market research agency Panel4All, 37% of Israelis say Netanyahu is better suited to be prime minister than Gantz, his main rival, placing him just five percentage points behind Gantzs 42%.

Related: What we know so far about Israels strike on Iran

However, the bigger picture is that a multi-front war remains a strong possibility. Arguably thats already the case, with tit-for-tat fighting with the powerful Iran-backed Hezbollah across the Blue Line in Lebanon worsening by the day and the West Bank at boiling point.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are conducting raids against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad cells, as well as newly formed local brigades in Jenin and Nablus, which predate 7 October. And last weekends unprecedented settler attacks on Palestinian communities in the West Bank, triggered by the disappearance of a 14-year-old Israeli boy, suggest violence there is rising rapidly.

De facto settler militias in the West Bank, often unhindered or even helped by the IDF, are more organised than ever before and attacking in larger groups. They are also better armed, thanks to Ben-Gvir loosening restrictions on weapons permits in the aftermath of 7 October.

His office has approved 100,000 new gun licences over the last six months. Many of those appeared to be M-16s, automatic rifles that survivors said settlers used to kill and injure dozens of Palestinians who tried to stop them burning and destroying houses, cars, businesses and livestock last weekend.

Israels security establishment has made two previously unthinkable unforced errors in recent months: it failed to foresee 7 October and wrongly assessed the repercussions of the 1 April strike in Damascus.

The same people are in charge of what happens next. This weeks direct hostilities between Iran and Israel seem to be over, but they are also the beginning of something new as the long-simmering shadow war moves into the open. This has been a practice run for both sides. The next time could be very different.
I was just going out as a kid doing what I loved but recording the birds I saw as I did, Sean Dooley says. He is pictured here, at age 11, birdwatching at 'Seaford swamp', a fresh water wetland in Melbourne's south-east. Photograph: Sean Dooley

Sean Dooley first started birdwatching as a 10-year-old with a notebook in hand at a place then known as the Seaford swamp, a freshwater wetland beside his primary school in Melbournes south-east.

I was just going out as a kid doing what I loved but recording the birds I saw as I did, he says. On one of his early visits he met another birdwatcher, Mike Carter, who had been recording birds there and also at nearby Edithvale swamp for some years.

The pair began reporting the bird sightings into regular national shorebird and waterbird counts and then later into the Birdata database.

What had started out as a hobby for Dooley soon began reaping real world outcomes. These counts were ultimately used in the bid to recognise these swamps as wetlands of international significance under the Ramsar Convention, he says.

In 2001, the Edithvale-Seaford wetlands became the only fully urban Ramsar-listed wetland in Australia. That was only achieved because of the monitoring data they and other avid birders had collected demonstrating how the wetlands are vital habitat for migratory shorebirds and waterbirds, such as the nationally endangered Australasian bittern.

The listing is vitally important for the protection of the wetlands and they are now managed for those values by the land managers, Dooley says. It wouldnt have happened without citizen science.

Protecting threatened species

Its not just diminishing bird populations that can benefit from having active volunteers out in remote wild places tracking their movements or reporting illegal land clearing.

In 2020 the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) along with other groups nominated the platypus to be protected under Australias national threatened species laws, however the nomination was rejected as it was determined there was insufficient data to list the species.

Designed with researchers from the University of New South Wales, ACFs Platy-project enables anyone to record platypus sightings around Australia via an online map, in an effort to plug holes in the data around platypus numbers nationally.

We have run the project for two years and had really promising results, including finding platypus in new locations where they had previously been considered locally extinct, says Peta Bulling, an ACF nature campaigner.

Related: Planting a tree is hope in action: the people regenerating urban habitats and growing community

Bulling says that on top of the practical benefits of the project in identifying and ultimately protecting the remaining native platypuses in Australia, citizen science projects such as these are also immensely beneficial in terms of allowing participants to feel more connected to nature.

[It] helps to raise awareness of the threats facing the plants and animals we love.

Using a phone or smart device

While actual nature immersion is the ideal, even for those unable to escape urban jungles it is still possible to make a meaningful contribution.

Kim Garratt, an environmental investigator at ACF, says she had seen enough evidence from overseas crowd-sourced investigations to know how impactful they could be here.

I was inspired by some clever crowd-sourced investigations Id seen developed by international researchers and NGOs, which enabled interested folks with just a little bit of time and an internet connection to contribute to really important studies, she says.

ACF trialled its first crowdsourced investigation in 2023 that saw over 2000 volunteers sign up to examine satellite pictures and check for significant changes to vegetation cover. These volunteers scanned more than 3,681,000 hectares of at-risk native habitat.

While a lot of Australian deforestation goes unreported, thanks to the data gleaned from volunteers on their smart devices, ACF was able to spot dozens of individual cases of important habitat that had been illegally bulldozed.

From there it would undertake an analysis of threatened species records, satellite imagery, vegetation mapping and consult the register of Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation approvals  before contacting the landholder.

Related: A birders calendar: where and when to watch Australias breeding and migration seasons

Because we were able to cover so much ground so quickly, in some cases the bulldozing was still happening and we were able to actually stop it in its tracks, says Garratt, citing one example where the team uncovered an area of 250 hectares of regent honeyeater habitat outside Armidale in NSW that had been bulldozed.

Reversing the climate and extinction crisis

After gravitating to birdwatching as a youngster, Dooley now works for BirdLife Australia, which runs the Aussie Bird Count that has swelled in popularity to involve over 60 thousand volunteers reporting bird counts wherever they happen to be around the country  either in the bush, their own back yard, or even out the office window.

Its nice to know youre not the only birder in the village, he says. At a time when Australian birds and animal species are facing an unprecedented extinction crisis, Dooley says it is impossible to effectively mobilise efforts to save them without knowing what is really going on.

Citizen science monitoring, especially when its done systematically and repeated at the same location over time, provides the bedrock of how we tackle this crisis.

Garratt from ACF agrees, noting that there are so many people out there, especially Gen-Zers, looking for an easy way to make a real difference using technology.

The great thing about citizen science is that other people are taking care of the research design, site selection, data validation etc, so all you have to do is show up and do a simple task and then you know that your efforts are going to count for something, she says.
A police officer uses a fire extinguisher as emergency personnel respond to a report of a person covered in flames outside court in New York on Friday. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

A man was in critical condition in a New York hospital on Friday after setting himself on fire outside the lower Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial in a hush-money case.

Pictures of the incident were carried live on television and spread on X, formerly Twitter.

Authorities identified the man as Maxwell Azzarello, from St Augustine, Florida, and said he had thrown pamphlets in the air containing anti-government conspiracy theories before setting himself alight. He had also made at least one similarly themed posting online.

At 1.30 this afternoon we observed a male walk into the center of the park, he starts shuffling around his clothes, he opens up a book bag, takes numerous pieces of paper, he throws the pamphlets throughout the park and then he pulls out a canister and put some kind of liquid on himself, and he lights himself on fire, Jeffrey Maddrey, chief of the New York police department, told reporters at an afternoon press conference.

Civilians, court officers, members of the police department, they run into the park, they make efforts to put him out, they use their coats, they use fire extinguishers. Eventually, fire department of New York responders were able to extinguish the fire.

He said Azzarello, who was born in 1987 and arrived in New York from Florida earlier this week, was alive and intubated in the burn center of New Yorks Cornell medical center.

Three NYPD officers and one court officer had been treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries received as they attempted to douse the flames, Laura Kavanagh, the city fire commissioner, said.

The incident occurred just as Judge Juan Merchan was recessing for lunch on the third day of the former presidents trial for fraud, shortly after a full jury of 12, and six alternates, were seated.

It happened in an area of the plaza close to where small numbers of protesters have gathered each day since the trial began on Monday, other than Wednesdays day off.

Joseph Kenny, NYPDs chief of detectives, said the pamphlets and social media posts made by Azzarello suggested the trial was a backdrop to Azzarellos action, rather than a reason for it.

The pamphlet seems to be propaganda-based, almost like a conspiracy-theory-type of pamphlet, some information in regards to Ponzi schemes, and the fact that some of our local educational institutes are a front for the mob, he said, adding that Azzarello had no criminal history in New York, and was not previously known to authorities.

Tarik Sheppard, the deputy commissioner of the NYPD, also said detectives did not believe Trump, or his supporters, were the focus of the Azzarellos action.

We do not believe this was targeting any particular person or a particular group. We just right now labeled him as a sort of conspiracy theorist and well go from there, but the investigation will continue, he said.

Video images broadcast live showed Azzarello kneeling on the ground, and waving his arms, as flames engulfed him. Television commentators described the scene as a number of police officers and a man in a civilian suit ran towards him.

One person attempted to swat at the flames with a coat or blanket, before another sprayed a fire extinguisher at him. The man remained motionless, after the fire was put out, and removed by paramedics.

Afterwards, police closely examined the area of the fire, studying a charred pile of the pamphlets that were still smoking.

A bystander described the incident: He made a noise and he threw all those pamphlets. Its shocking. Theres some people crying in the park. Theres just nothing you can do.

Inside the courtroom, Merchan, seemingly unaware of events outside, told the newly selected jurors that opening statements were set for Monday at 9.30am, and recessed the hearing for lunch.

CNN said a person believed to be a secret service agent walked up to Trump inside the courtroom and spoke quietly in his ear.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
Metropolitan Police officers threatened to arrest an openly Jewish man for walking in central London during a pro-Palestinian protest.

The force suggested Gideon Falters presence was provocative and that he was antagonising protesters.

Mr Falter, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, had just left a synagogue and was wearing a kippah skullcap.

He was told by a Scotland Yard sergeant in the Aldwych area of central London that his presence could inflame tensions, and was later warned by a different officer that he would be arrested if he did not leave the location.

Responding to the incident on Friday, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, one of the Mets most senior officers, said being present when marches were taking place could be provocative, in comments that were described as victim blaming.

The force has since apologised for the remark.

Earlier on Friday, the Government warned police that they must not prevent British Jews from continuing their daily lives.

A source said: These reports are concerning and unacceptable. British Jews should be free to walk about their lives freely without intimidation or restriction, and the police have a vital role in making sure that is a reality.



As we have shown with the largest-ever funding package for security, we wont hesitate to take action to support and protect our Jewish communities.

James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, has written to the Met and Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, about the incident.

The Met has faced repeated criticism over pro-Palestinian marches, which have become regular weekend occurrences in central London and have been criticised for displays of anti-Semitism.

Robin Simcox, the UKs counter-extremism tsar, warned last month that the marches were turning the capital into a no-go zone for Jews every weekend.

On March 1, Rishi Sunak gave a speech outside Downing Street o in which he warned of a rise in extremism since the Hamas attacks on Israel and the war in Gaza.

He issued a plea for pro-Palestinian protesters to reject radicals hijacking the marches and urged police to take a tougher stance.

Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, and Robert Jenrick, the former communities secretary, criticised Scotland Yard on Friday.

Mrs Braverman said that, while public order officers had a difficult job, there was increasing evidence of mistakes and double standards from the Met.

She added: Its not right that one group of people cannot exercise their rights to enjoy London peacefully in order to allow another group to express their hatred and intimidation freely. Thats striking the wrong balance.

Weve seen six months of mistakes, apologies and double standards from the police. Trust is lost as it appears that theyve picked a side. If the police are failing to enforce the law out of fear of the reaction of the mob, they are no longer policing without fear or favour.

Nothing has changed because no one has been held to account. Words are meaningless. Ministers and the Mayor must act. This cannot go on.

Gideon Falter speaks to a Metropolitan Police during a pro-Palestinian march in London last weekend - Campaign Against Anti-Semitism/PA

Mr Jenrick said Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, should be held to account if the law was not applied equally.

He said: If the police believe that the sight of a Jewish man on the streets of central London might provoke a violent response from protestors, then the answer is quite simply to ban the protest. This would, of course, have been the outcome if the far-Right were protesting on the streets of London intimidating any other minority group.

But instead, the Met police continue to fail to enforce the law equally to Islamists and anti-Semites.

The exchange occurred last Saturday as Mr Falter was trying to cross the road in Aldwych while a march was going past.

The officer told him: You are quite openly Jewish. This is a pro-Palestinian march. I am not accusing you of anything, but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.

A short time later, a different officer warned him that he would be arrested if he did not leave the area. The officer said: If you chose to remain here, because you are causing a breach of the peace with all of these other people, you will be arrested... because your presence here is antagonising a large group of people.

Mr Falter, who was with friends after attending synagogue, accused the Met of preventing him from walking around his home city as a Jewish Londoner.

But Assistant Commissioner Twist said on Friday that being present when marches were taking place could be provocative.

While admitting the footage would further dent the confidence of Jewish Londoners and saying the force regretted the use of the term openly Jewish, he said filming such exchanges made the polices job even more difficult.

In a statement, he said: The use of the term openly Jewish by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. Its absolutely not the basis on which we make decisions. It was a poor choice of words and, while not intended, we know it will have caused offence to many. We apologise.

Gideon Falter accused the Met of preventing him from walking around his home city as a Jewish Londoner - Tom Bowles

But he added: In recent weeks weve seen a new trend emerge, with those opposed to the main protests appearing along the route to express their views.

The fact that those who do this often film themselves while doing so suggests they must know that their presence is provocative, that theyre inviting a response and that theyre increasing the likelihood of an altercation.

They are also making it much more likely that officers will intervene. They dont do so to stifle free speech or to limit the right to protest, but to keep opposing groups apart, to prevent disorder and keep the public, including all those... opposing the protest, safe. That is, after all, our primary role.

Responding to the comments, Mr Falter said: This is absolutely appalling victim-blaming by the assistant commissioner. What has dented Jewish Londoners confidence in the Met is not us making this video public, but the actions of the Mets officers telling me that I cannot be in the area whilst openly Jewish.

The assistant commissioner appears to be saying that we should have taken this on the chin and kept the video under wraps. Not only that, but whilst apologising for the behaviour of his officers he then doubles down on their language by saying that the presence of people like me  Jews  is provocative.

It is my right, and the right of every Jew, to walk freely around London. If police threaten us with arrest for doing so or consider our presence to be a provocation, then the Met has decided wholesale to curtail the rights of Jews in order to appease lawless mobs.

In a statement on Friday, the Met Police said: We have reflected on the strength of the response to our previous statement. In an effort to make a point about the policing of protest, we caused further offence. This was never our intention. We have removed that statement and we apologise.

Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in this city. Our commitment to protecting the public extends to all communities across London. Its important that our public statements reflect that more clearly than they did today.

Mr Falter told The Telegraph that despite the Met claiming it was powerless to ban the marches, the law allowed restrictions where they caused significant disruption to the life of the community.

He said: If not being allowed to be Jewish in public is not serious disruption to the life of the community then I do not know what is. This is the inevitable conclusion of Sir Mark Rowleys policy of appeasement  it is no longer safe to be openly Jewish on the streets of London when one of these so-called peace marches is taking place.
A Michigan semi-truck driver accused of killing three Utah motorcyclists, in March, told the police that high winds caused him to drive in the wrong direction and crash into two vehicles.

Claude Rafiki, 29, was driving on State Route 163, near Las Vegas, when he allegedly crossed over the center line and hit two motorcycles - one of which was carrying an additional passenger. The victims - all from Saint George, Utah - were Owen Hart, 22, Athena Faye Taylor, 21, and Jeremy Gebo, 44.

Rafiki was initially charged with a DUI and three counts of reckless driving resulting in death. The DUI charge was later dropped, according to KLAS.

A wind advisory was issued on the day of the accident. Weather forecasts warned that gusts could reach 55 miles per hour, according to KLAS.

Rafiki is scheduled to appear in court on April 25 - he remains in custody on a $500,000 bond.
A Post Office legal chief has said he was not proud to work for the organisation in the wake of the Horizon scandal.

Formerly a litigation lawyer for the organisation, Rodric Williams is now a head of legal for dispute resolution and brand at the Post Office.

On Thursday, the Horizon IT inquiry heard this meant he had a senior role in the team that deals with sub-postmaster redress and appeals against convictions.

But on Friday, during a tough line of questioning from a barrister who represented several sub-postmasters, Mr Williams admitted he took no pride or comfort from having worked at the organisation that had been engaged in conducting the greatest miscarriage of justice.

The admission came as Edward Henry KC, who represents Seema Misra, a postmistress who was imprisoned while pregnant over missing funds, among others, pressed the legal boss on his views on the wrongful conviction of the former sub-postmistress.

The mother of two was one of more than 900 wrongfully convicted after faulty Fujitsu software recorded incorrect shortfalls on their accounts.

Mr Williams told the inquiry: I take no pride, comfort or confidence in having worked for an employer that has engaged in conducting the greatest miscarriage of justice that weve seen, or however it has been described.

I dont know where to go with this  its awful that people with convictions had them, and had them for the length of time that they did.

And for my part in that, Im truly sorry that Ive been associated with this. Im truly sorry for that.

Mr Williams laughed nervously after the phrase greatest miscarriage of justice.

On Thursday Horizon victims, including Mrs Misra, told The Telegraph the Post Office should remove Mr Williams from any position related to redressal schemes.

On Friday, Mr Williams said he had taken time off from his usual brief in order to prepare for the inquiry.

Christopher Jacobs, a barrister who represents several sub-postmasters, said his clients couldnt understand why Mr Williams had his current job, given his previous roles in the organisation, adding: What our clients say is that you are one of the historical matters. You shouldnt be remediating against your own actions, should you?

Mr Williams said: I think thats, thats, thats fair.

In another part of the hearing, the inquiry was shown legal advice written in 2013, which described how minutes from an internal meeting about problems with Horizon had been shredded.

Jason Beer KC, lead counsel to the inquiry, asked Rodric Williams: Did you find out that the allegation recorded in Mr Clarkes advice was attributed to Mr John Soctt, the then head of security? It was he who was said to have given the instruction.

Mr Williams told the inquiry he did not know that, adding: Not at that level of detail, no. Not the identity, no. I dont believe I did.

Mr Henry suggested Mr Williams had lied to the inquiry when he said he could not recall concerns among Post Office bosses, that a High Court victory for Alan Bates, former sub-postmaster, and 554 of his colleagues could lead to a cascade of criminal appeals.

There was certainly discussion around appeals over the common issues judgment at that time, yes, Mr Williams responded.

The barrister also asked him if he was a lawyer rather than a fixer or spin doctor and accused him of failing to discharge his legal duties.

I certainly sought to [discharge duties], Mr Williams said in response.

A Post Office spokesman said: We dont comment on individuals but it is vital that those giving evidence at the Inquiry do so fully and truthfully so Sir Wyn Williams and his team gather all the information that they need.

[The] Post Office will follow whatever the Government determines is the right course of action regarding the mechanisms for paying redress.

04:04 PM BST

Thats all for today

Thank you for following The Telegraphs live coverage of the Post Office inquiry.

03:43 PM BST

Inquiry adjourns for the day

The inquiry has adjourned for the day and will resume again at 9.45am on Tuesday.

Susan Crichton, the Post Offices former most senior in-house lawyer, will be giving evidence.

03:25 PM BST

Post Office lawyers warned staff not to put Horizon integrity concerns in writing

Post Office lawyers warned staff to not put any concerns about the integrity of Horizon into writing to avoid having to disclose them in litigation.

The inquiry has been shown an October 2011 email detailing the possibility that these letters of claim [from sub-postmasters] will be followed up with court proceedings, in which case POL [Post Office Ltd] will have a duty to disclose to the claimants all documents relevant to the claims, even if they might adversely affected POLs defence.

The email said information about the sub-postmasters who had tendered letters of claim, sub-postmasters training, recruitment and support, and the integrity of the Horizon system would be considered relevant and therefore liable for disclosure.

The advice reads: Your staff should therefore think very carefully before committing to writing anything relating to the above issues which is critical of our own processes or systems, including emails, reports or briefing notes.

03:18 PM BST

Post Office staff told not to type meeting minutes in bid to avoid disclosure

Post Office staff were told to not type minutes of meetings so they would not be disclosable, the inquiry has heard.

Paperwork written by barrister Simon Clarke described how staff were told handwritten minutes were not to be typed and should be forwarded to POL [Post Office Ltd] Security.

He added: Advice had been given to POL which I report as relayed to me verbatim. If its not minuted its not in the public domain and therefore not disclosable.

The second point read: If its produced its available for disclosure  if not minuted then technically its not.

Mr Clarke then added: Some at POL do not wish to minute the weekly conference calls.

When asked about the points, Mr Williams said: [The document] caused me, I think confusion when I read it  and still does  because whether something is in the form of a minute or not doesnt mean its disclosable or not.

03:03 PM BST

Williams: Im not proud to work for Post Office

Rodric Williams has told the inquiry he takes no pride, comfort or confidence in having worked for the Post Office  despite still holding a top legal position in the organisation.

I can say I take no pride, comfort or confidence in having worked for an employer thats engaged in conducting the greatest miscarriage of justice that weve seen, however it is described, he said.

Mr Williams, who appeared to laugh nervously after the phrase miscarriage of justice, went on to say: Its never beenI dont know where to go with this.

Its awful that people with convictions had them and then had them for the length of time that they didand from my part in that, Imas I sayIm truly sorry that Ive been associated with this, I think is, you know, Im truly sorry for that.

Edward Henry KC, who represents wrongly convicted sub-postmasters, replied: You werent associated with it, Mr Williams, you were in the middle of the web and you were part of it.

Mr Williams is the Post Offices head of legal for dispute resolution and brand and leads a remediation unit dealing with sub-postmasters appeals and requests for compensation, although he has taken time off to prepare for the inquiry.

02:57 PM BST

Williams still works for Post Office

When giving evidence earlier today, Rodric Williams used the past tense to say he took no pride in having worked for the Post Office.

The Telegraph can confirm as of this afternoon, he is still an employee of the organisation.

02:44 PM BST

Fair to say I shouldnt be involved in sub-postmaster remediation, says Williams

Rodric Williams has conceded that it is fair to say he should not be involved in dealing with remediation for wrongly convicted sub-postmasters.

Mr Williams currently heads the unit which deals with sub-postmasters appeals and compensation requests but said he had taken time off to prepare for the inquiry.

He added: What Ive done is, I was moved from the business as usual legal team into the remediation unit where focus was put on remediation issues.

Mr Jacobs replied: Our clients simply cannot understand why a member of the Post Offices steering committee that helped drive the group litigation with all the tactics that Post Office employed, is now working on the historical matters remediation committee. What our clients say is that you are one of the historical matters. You shouldnt be remediating against your own actions, should you?

Mr Williams answered: I think thats, thats, thats fair.

02:37 PM BST

Williams denies Post Office stretched out cases to force claimants to give up

Rodric Williams has denied that the Post Office stretched out court cases to increase costs and force claimants and appellants to give up.

The inquiry has been shown a September 2017 document titled litigation strategy options, in which one mooted option is: Stretch out the litigation process so to increase costs in the hope that the claimants, and more particularly their litigation funder, decide that it is too costly to pursue the litigation and give up.

Christopher Jacobs, a barrister representing sub-postmasters, asked Mr Williams: Now the question I have for you very simply is that is exactly what happened isnt it, Mr Williams? Exactly what happened.

Mr Williams replied: No its, no its not.

Mr Jacobs interjected: And why do you say that the postmasters and Mr Bates when they say that is exactly what happened are wrong?

Mr Williams said: Because, one, funding was never something we had visibility of. Security for costs application was made which gave some insight into it but not the details. But mostly, the case management directions for the conduct of the litigation provided for clearly defined steps for at least the first two trials in a very short period of time, and cost budgeting which were agreed so the parties costs were known and understood as we went through. Thats my understanding of it, and also personally thats how I recall us conducting the litigation.

Mr Jacobs then replied: All of my 157 clients and no doubt Mr Bates would say collectively, That is not true, Mr Williams.

02:26 PM BST

Williams told colleague to not give anything to forensic accountants

Rodric Williams told colleagues to avoiding giving anything when Second Sight requested suspense account data for a sub-postmasters branch, adding less is more.

The inquiry was shown a 2014 email from forensic accountant Ian Henderson which concerned a mediation case.

Within the email, Mr Henderson asked for the data  eventually clarifying later that he and his colleague wanted month end balances for the last three years together with details of amounts released to P&L.

Yet among other internal correspondence, the inquiry was shown Mr Williams response to advice given by Andy Parsons, a solicitor for the law firm Womble Bond Dickinson.

It read: I agree with Andy  Id like to avoid giving anything it at all if possible (less is more). But if we do, rather than give the data theyve asked for, we should provide MI which gives context.

Mr Williams then suggested variants on the figures specifically requested, such as monthly averages rather than raw data.

02:05 PM BST

Inquiry resumes

The inquiry has now resumed.

01:14 PM BST

Williams: I am not proud to have worked for Post Office

Rodric Williams has told the inquiry he takes no pride, comfort or confidence in having worked for the Post Office  despite still holding a top legal position in the organisation.

Mr Williams is currently a head of legal for dispute resolution and brand at the Post Office  but has been questioned at the inquiry about a period in which he was a litigation lawyer.

When asked about what he thought about the substance of a 2014 email he sent to the communications department, regarding the conviction of a pregnant sub-postmistress, Mr Williams responded to Edward Henry KC by asking: What specifically about that?

He then said: I can say I take no pride, comfort or confidence in having worked for an employer thats engaged in conducting the greatest miscarriage of justice that weve seen, however it is described.

Mr Williams, who appeared to laugh nervously after the phrase miscarriage of justice, went on to say: Its never beenI dont know where to go with this.

Its awful that people with convictions had them and then had them for the length of time that they didand from my part in that, Imas I sayIm truly sorry that Ive been associated with this, I think is, you know, Im truly sorry for that.

Responding, Mr Henry said: You werent associated with it, Mr Williams, you were in the middle of the web and you were part of it.

01:11 PM BST

Sir Wyn Williams criticises Post Office for not acting on Jenkins advice

Sir Wyn Williams, chairman of the inquiry, has criticised the Post Office for not acting on advice it received detailing that expert witness Gareth Jenkins had wrongly claimed there were no bugs in Horizon.

Sir Wyn said: I think the point, Mr Williams, is at a moment in time, namely 2014, when on any sensible reading of Mr Clarkes advice from July 2013, there was a problem about Mr Jenkinss evidence, the Post Office and you personally appeared to still be asserting to the world that the conviction was safe, amongst other things, because expert evidence had been called and the jury, by inference, must have accepted it. And those two things dont sit very easily together, do they?

Rodric Williams replied: No, they dont, sir. No, they dont.

01:00 PM BST

Inquiry breaks for lunch

The inquiry has paused for lunch and will resume at 2pm.

12:57 PM BST

I felt uncomfortable about pregnant postmistresss conviction

Rodric Williams has admitted he felt uncomfortable about the conviction of Seema Misra, a sub-postmaster in West Byfleet, Surrey, accused of being responsible for a 74,600 shortfall in her accounts.

Mrs Misra was eight weeks pregnant with her second child when she was handed a 15-month sentence in 2010 for six counts of false accounting and one of theft.

Edward Henry KC asked Mr Williams: What about your personal responsibility? Rather than saying its nothing to do with me, its to do with the criminal law team. What about your personal responsibility? You refer to this on page one document as a wee beauty you can use to advance the Post Offices...

Mr Williams answered: In terms of my personal responsibility, at some point, and again I cant, I think there are emails in my bundle somewhere on this, at some point, in fact it was the subject of one of the rule nine requests, I expressed that I was uncomfortable.

It became clear to me at some point in this, and I think it was probably around the time of Panorama, tht the receipts and payments mismatch bug was in play during the course of Mrs Misras trial. I didnt know in terms of the context of criminal proceedings what that meant, but I sought some advice on it.

So, you ask me about personal responsibility. I sort of said I felt uncomfortable but in the context of criminal proceedings I dont know what to do.

12:45 PM BST

Why did you not inform Misra about Jenkins, Williams asked

Rodric Williams is now being asked why he did not inform Seema Misras trial that Gareth Jenkins had incorrectly told her trial that it was impossible to access Horizon remotely.

Edward Henry KC asked him: Did it not strike you that Seema Misras solicitor should be informed immediately?

Mr Williams replied: No, I think that was the very first engagement Id had with the criminal law process, let alone specific cases. But there were criminal lawyers looking at these cases and advising the company. This wouldnt have been my role.

12:32 PM BST

Williams accused of lying to the inquiry

Rodric Williams has been accused of lying after failing to admit that the Post Office feared an Alan Bates victory would lead to a cascade of criminal appeals.

Referring to Mr Bates group litigation order which ended in a High Court victory for the former sub-postmaster and 554 others, Edward Henry KC asked: The Post Office was fighting the GLO tooth and claw because you all knew that if you lost the civil litigation a cascade of criminal appeals would follow didnt you?

Mr Williams replied: I dont recall turning my mind to that time, no.

Mr Henry said: I suggest youre lying. There was a strategy in the GLO which was coordinated with the pending appeals, wasnt there, fight it at all costs?

Mr Williams answered: There was certainly discussion around appeals over the common issues judgement at that time, yes.

Mr Henry asked: Even recuse the judge to put a spanner in the works?

Mr Williams replied: Post Office made an application to recuse the managing judge, yes.

12:25 PM BST

Williams knew perfectly well Post Office relied on perjurer to secure convictions

Rodric Williams has been accused of knowing perfectly well that the Post Office had relied on a liar and a perjurer to convict innocent people.

The inquiry has been shown an email from January 2015, in which Jarnail Singh, a senior in-house Post Office lawyer, said: The difficulty here is made worse by the fact that Garth [sic] Jenkins, an employee of Fujitsu, has been making statements for use in criminal proceedings which made no references to the very bugs which it is understood he told Second Sight about. People were prosecuted and pleaded guilty following the receipt of his statement which implied no bugs had been found.

Mr Williams response included the line: Post Office is acutely aware of the duties imposed on it when it brings a prosecution, and is confident that it has acted in accordance with those duties at all times.

Edward Henry KC told Mr Williams: You knew perfectly well that that wasnt true, adding: You knew perfectly well that it had relied on a liar and a perjurer to convict innocent people.

Mr Williams, stuttering, replied: Er, I, I, I dont know that those necessarily follow. I knew that part of this was the evidence that had been provided was not reliable. But in the criminal law context I just dont know to what extent or how.

Mr Henry said: Come off it. Youd read the papers. Youd had Seema Misras papers on your desk from 2012. You knew perfectly well that he had given evidence in Seema Misras trial and that he was instrumental. He was in fact the only reason why shed been convicted.

Mr Williams replied: Im sorry, I dont know those things.

12:19 PM BST

Williams accused of behaving like spin doctor

A lawyer representing sub-postmasters has suggested Rodric Williams behaved like a fixer and a spin doctor when he was acting as a lawyer for the Post Office.

Edward Henry KC, who represents several Horizon victims, also suggested Mr Williams had failed to discharge his duties faithfully.

Addressing Mr Wiliams, Mr Henry asked: Youre a lawyer?

Mr Williams: Yes.

Mr Henry: Not a fixer?

Mr Williams: I dont know what you mean by fixer.

Mr Henry: Well youre not a spin doctor are you? You owe duties to the court?

Mr Williams: Yes.

Mr Henry: You also have duties established under your code of conduct dont you?

Mr Williams: Yes.

Mr Henry: In representing your employer the Post Office during the period of 2012 and 2021 did you discharge those duties at all times?

Mr Williams :I certainly sought to.

Mr Henry: Did you discharge them faithfully?

Mr Willians: I would hope so. I believe I did.

Mr Henry: I strongly suggest you did not, and that you know you did not. What do you say to that?

Mr Williams: Well Id like to know why you think that.

12:09 PM BST

Sub-postmasters lawyers to question Williams

The inquiry has resumed after pausing briefly to allow lawyers representing sub-postmasters to prepare to ask Rodric Williams direct questions.

First up is Edward Henry KC, whose clients include Seema Misra, Lee Castleton and Janet Skinner.

12:08 PM BST

Tainted witness was behind the scenes in Alan Bates GLO case

Rodric Williams has admitted it a shadow witness was quite possibly assisting the Post Office behind the scenes as it resisted the 2019 group litigation led by Alan Bates.

Gareth Jenkins had previously testified as an expert witness in sub-postmaster prosecutions that remote access to Horizon was not possible, something later revealed to be untrue, and was dropped as a tainted witness in 2013.

Jason Beer KC, lead counsel to the inquiry, asked Mr Williams about a September 2018 meeting of Post Office lawyers ahead of the group litigation: Was any decision taken at that conference as to what use Mr Jenkins would be put to behind the scenes?

Mr Williams replied: I dont recall, but quite possibly, yes, because...All I recall. I dont recall the specifics. But I remember it being, there were a few lawyers in the room as you pointed out, a fairly full discussion of what the issue was and how it might play out. I confess I dont remember the detail but its possible that was, yes.

Mr Beer asked: Was there any discussion or a decision made that Mr Jenkins should be a form of shadow expert witness and contribute indirectly to the Post Office case by, for example, feeding information to witnesses that it did choose to call at the trial?

I dont recall shadow expert being used at all. I dont quite recall what was discussed but thinking about it now, its an obvious question: If were not getting evidence form him, how does Post Office present the evidence it needs  if it needs evidence, then it would have come from Mr Jenkins  how else does it get it?

If Gareth was, as he is, the original architect of the system, it is possible he would need to provide information that the Fujitsu witnesses could provide but I dont recall whether that was discussed at the conference or not.

Rodric Williams giving evidence to the inquiry on Friday - Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry

11:56 AM BST

Williams does not know why Post Office did not correct remote access statements

Rodric Williams has said he does not know why the Post Office did not correct previously statements made to Second Sight and the BBC that remote Horizon access was impossible.

Mr Beer asked: At this time was any action taken to correct the statements that had been made either to the BBC or to Second Sight?

Mr Williams said: No, I dont recall any steps being taken. I definitely dont think anyone went to the BBC. I dont know what the engagement with Second Sight was at that time.

When asked why these steps werent taken, Mr Williams said: I dont know why we didnt do something, Im sorry.

11:48 AM BST

Fujitsus ability to remotely input transactions a red rag to Second Sight

Solicitors acting for Second Sight warned an expert witnesss admission that Fujitsu could input transactions on a sub-postmasters account would be a red rag to the forensic accountancy firm.

Andrew Parsons of Womble Bond Dickinson, a firm which acted for the Post Office, sent an email in 2015, quoting part of Fujitsu employee Gareth Jenkins witness statement.

The email was sent as part of a discussion on documents being disclosed on a mediation case for a prosecuted sub-postmaster.

The extract from Mr Jenkins read: I also note a comment about it being possible to remotely access the system. It is true that such access is possible; however in an analysis of data audited by the system, it is possible to identify any data that has not been input directly by staff in the Branch. Any such change to data is very rare and would be authorised by Post Office Ltd.

He added: As I have not had an opportunity to examine data related to this branch, I cannot categorically say that this has not happened in this case, but would suggest it is highly unlikely.

Mr Parsons wrote in his email, sent to Rodric Williams and others, that he was pretty sure Mr Jenkins was writing about a process which allowed Fujitsu to input new transactions rather than edit them.

He added: Nevertheless, this will be a red rag to Second Sight.

11:28 AM BST

Inquiry resumes

The inquiry has now resumed.

11:22 AM BST

Williams certainly missed Deloitte finding remote access was possible

Rodric Williams has told the inquiry that he certainly missed key details in a 2014 Deloitte report which explained how sub-postmasters Horizon accounts could be accessed remotely without their knowledge.

The inquiry was shown responses sent by Fujitsu to questions on remote access  as well as parts of the report published by the accountancy firm in 2014.

A summary of the Post Offices response by forensic accountancy firm Second Sight read: Post Office has confirmed that it is not and has never been possible for anyone to access branch data and amend live transactions of stock data without the knowledge of sub-postmasters or their staff.

When questioned on this response, Mr Williams said he believed the circumstances which would allow this access were extremely unlikely and would involve staff committing fraud.

Jason Beer KC asked: Why would it be inherently unlikely that a person would commit fraud?

Mr Williams answered: Normally youd do it for personal advantage and I would see how that would flow from this.

Mr Beer asked: So, i.e., they would personally have no gain from it?

Correct, replied Mr Williams, before later adding: We certainly missed this, I beg your pardon, I certainly missed this.

11:12 AM BST

Inquiry takes break

The inquiry has taken a break and will return at 11.25am.

10:51 AM BST

Post Office told Deloitte that it wanted audit to deem Horizon robust

The Post Office told Deloitte that it wanted its independent audit of Horizon to find that it was robust.

The inquiry has been shown an April 2014 email to Deloitte in which Rodric Williams said: As discussed earlier today, Post Office Limited is responding to allegations that the Horizon IT system used to record transactions in Post Office branches is defective and/or that the processes associated with it are inadequate.

In order to respond to these allegations (which have been, and will in all likelihood continue to be, advanced in the courts, Post Office wants to demonstrate that the Horizon system is robust, fit for purpose, and/or operates within an appropriate control framework.

Jason Beer KC, lead counsel to the inquiry, asked: That doesnt particularly suggest that the Post Office was looking for objective findings, does it?

Mr Williams replied: I think it demonstrates what the Post Office wants to do, that were instructing Deloitte to come to their own view.

10:45 AM BST

Post Office feared convicted sub-postmasters jumping on band wagon

The Post Office feared convicted sub-postmasters would jump on a band wagon and challenge their convictions if revealing documents were disclosed to them as part of a mediation process.

The inquiry has been shown minutes from a September 2013 meeting between the Post Offices in-house and external lawyers which reads: BA [Brian Altman KC] advised that POL [Post Office Ltd]/CK [Cartwright King lawyers] ensure that the disclosure procedure is beyond reproach.

It was widely agreed that there was likely to be a band wagon approahc in relation to defendants challenging their previous convictions.

Mr Williams told the inquiry that he did not recall who made the remark.

Sitting here today, and quite possibly at the time, if something gains currency, people will gather around behind it, he said. That seemed logical to me.

10:43 AM BST

Williams: I may not have told KC we did not properly instruct expert witness

Rodric Williams has said he cannot remember if he told the barrister who advised the Post Office that an expert witness may not have been properly instructed.

Former Fujitsu employee Gareth Jenkins gave evidence which was used in trials to convict sub-postmasters.

However Mr Williams, then a litigation expert, said he could not recall whether he told barrister Brian Altman KC  who advised the Post Office from 2013 until 2021  that the organisation may not have instructed Mr Jenkins properly as an expert witness.

Jason Beer KC asked Rodric Williams: We say in your handwritten note yesterday that there was at least some recollection of recognition that it may be the case that the Post Office had not instructed Mr Jenkins properly. Was that passed on to Mr Altman?

Mr Williams said: I dont recall.

10:30 AM BST

Head of security blamed for shred minutes instruction

Jason Beer KC, lead counsel to the inquiry, asked Rodric Williams: Did you find out that the allegation recorded in Mr Clarkes advice was attributed to Mr John Soctt, the then head of security? It was he who was said to have given the instruction.

Mr Williams replied: I think I knew that John Scott was the head of security at that time.

Mr Beer said: Thats a different question. Thats an answer to a different question. That question would be: did you know that John Scott was head of security. The question I asked was: Did you know that the allegation recorded in Mr Clarkes advice was said to relate to an instruction given by Mr Scott?

Mr Williams answered: No I did not know that, not at that level of detail, no. Not the identity, no. I dont believe I did.

He went on to add that he would be concerned if he had known the head of security was responsible.

Mr Beer said Mr Scott was the person in charge of the department responsible for investigating allegations of criminal offences against sub-postmasters and bringing proceedings against them.

10:25 AM BST

Williams told off for not answering questions

Rodric Williams, who has repeatedly asked for questions to be rephrased or repeated during his evidence so far, has been told off by inquiry chair Sir Wyn Williams for not answering questions.

Asked if an investigation into the destruction of minutes had been undertaken, Mr Williams had said: There must have been something. But I dont know when I recall knowing that piece or if in fact that is correct.

Im, I, I, I genuinely cannot remember what happened in and around this time in terms of the steps taken that led to the production of this letter.

Sir Wyn interjected: About 10 minutes ago Mr Williams, you told me that this allegation was, in effect, a serious or very serious, I forget whether you said very or not, but it was a serious matter.

I think its fair for Mr Beer to press you on whether you now think that serious matters of that kind should have been investigated.

Mr Williams replied: Thank you, sir, my apologies if Ive been unhelpful. Its not my intent.

10:20 AM BST

Top Post Office lawyer condemned minute shredding

The inquiry is now being shown a 16 August 2013 letter from Susan Crichton replying to a August 2013 letter from Andy Cash, an external solicitor.

In the reply, Ms Crichton, the Post Offices general counsel, said she had not seen advice written by barrister Simon Clarke advising against the shredding of minutes from meetings about Horizon until two days earlier.

I am therefore deeply concerned at the suggestion in Simons note that there may have been an attempt to destroy documentary material generated in connection with the Horizon Calls, specifically any minutes of the calls, she writes.

Ms Crichton added: I can confirm that we will continue to hold the Horizon Calls for the foreseeable future, and tht minutes of those calls are and will continue to be taken.

Mr Williams told the inquiry that he was involved in the writing of the letter.

10:16 AM BST

Post Office shredded Horizon bug meeting records

Evidence that minutes from an internal Post Office meeting about Horizon bugs were shredded is an extremely serious allegation, one of the organisations legal chiefs has admitted.

The inquiry has been shown legal advice from Cartwright King barrister Simon Clarke detailing that, following a meeting in July 2013, it had become unclear as to whether and to what extent material was being retained centrally or disseminated by the Post Office.

The following information has been relayed to me: The minutes of a previous conference call had been typed and emailed to a number of persons, he added. An instruction was then given that those emails and minutes should be, and have been, destroyed: the word shredded was conveyed to me.

On Thursday, the inquiry heard that these conference calls were attended by various heads of departments at the Post Office and were designed to share information concerns and problems relating to the Horizon system.

Giving evidence to the inquiry, Rodric Williams, a current legal chief at the Post Office, said: Its an extremely serious allegation.

The inquiry then heard that the instruction was attributed to John Scott, the Post Offices head of security who was in charge of the department which investigated and brought prosecutions against sub-postmasters.

09:47 AM BST

Inquiry gets underway

Rodric Williams has taken the stand and Jason Beer KC, lead counsel to the inquiry, has resumed his questioning.

09:35 AM BST

Post Office scandal timeline

You can remind yourself of how far the Post Office scandal stretches back by scrolling through our timeline below.

09:19 AM BST

What happened at the inquiry on Thursday?

On Thursday, the inquiry heard that Rodric Williams had once told colleagues sub-postmasters who were unhappy with Horizon could quit.

Lee Castleton, who was left bankrupt after being pursued through the civil courts for an alleged 25,000 shortfall in his accounts, said that Mr Williams should not be allowed to keep his job.

Mr Williams, who repeatedly laughed nervously during the day, also admitted bantering about sub-postmasters fears that faults in Horizon could have been responsible for the accounts shortfalls for which they were blamed and prosecuted.

The inquiry then heard that the Post Office attempted to suppress its guidelines for investigating sub-postmasters in a way that looks legitimate when a claimants lawyers requested them.

Mr Williams also said the Post Offices response to the presence of bugs in Horizon could be seen as a cover-up.

Read our full account of Thursdays proceedings here.

09:05 AM BST

Who is Rodric Williams?

The Post Office inquiry will hear from Rodric Williams all day today.

Mr Williams is the organisations current head of legal for dispute resolution and brand, having been hired as a litigation lawyer in 2012.

He has led the Post Offices remediation unit, which is in charge of responding to sub-postmasters appeals and requests for compensation, since August 2020.

Mr Williams will be questioned about his role in the investigation and prosecution of sub-postmasters who had financial shortfalls in their branch accounts, which are now known to have been caused by the faulty Horizon IT software.

The inquiry has previously heard evidence suggesting that he was on conference calls discussing Horizon issues and was briefed on glitches in the Horizon system.

09:00 AM BST

Good morning

Welcome to The Telegraphs live coverage of the Post Office inquiry, which will hear evidence all day from Rodric Williams.

He will continue giving evidence to the inquiry this morning as he faces calls to be sacked.

On Thursday the inquiry heard that Mr Williams, who leads the team dealing with sub-postmasters appeals and compensation, told colleagues sub-postmasters who were unhappy with Horizon could quit.

Mr Williams, who was a litigation lawyer for the Post Office at the time, told colleagues in the organisations press team: We dont need to do research on Horizon  its the system we provide to our agents and require them to use. If agents dont like it they can choose not to provide services for us.

Lee Castleton, who was left bankrupt after being pursued through the civil courts for an alleged 25,000 shortfall in his accounts, said that Mr Williams should not be allowed to keep his job.

Meanwhile Seema Misra, whose conviction was overturned in 2021 but is still waiting for compensation, said: He has clearly said some disparaging things about sub-postmasters.

A Post Office spokesman said: We dont comment on individuals but it is vital that those giving evidence at the inquiry do so fully and truthfully so Sir Wyn Williams and his team gather all the information that they need.
Private school pupils

A third of wealthy parents could quit private schools if Labour adds VAT to fees, a poll has revealed.

Many of those said they would have to move their children to a state school if the policy was enacted.

Labour is planning to add 20 per cent VAT to independent school fees if it wins the next general election, a proposal which it estimates will raise an extra 1.6 billion for pupils in the state system.

The tax raid would impact nearly three-quarters of private school families when it comes to choosing options for the future, the Saltus Wealth Index found.

Almost a third  29 per cent  of those parents said the rising costs mean they would no longer be able to give their child or children a private education.

One in four parents said they would have to move their child or children out of private school and enrol them in a state school, just under half of whom said they would consider moving house to be in a better catchment area for high-performing state schools.

Half of parents who responded said they could keep their children in private education but would have to make changes  either moving them from boarding to day pupils or finding a cheaper school.

A quarter said they would be unaffected by the VAT hike on fees, a flagship policy of Labour which is on track for a 1997-style landslide election victory this year, according to the latest polls.

In the Saltus poll of 2,000 people, conducted by Censuswide, some 25 per cent also accepted they would have to borrow money, either via a bank loan, longer mortgage or from friends and family, to afford the increase.

Mike Stimpson, a partner at Saltus, said: On average, private school fees increased by 6 per cent from 2022 to 2023 and these are likely to rise by a further 5 per cent this September.

If Labour wins the next general election and carries out its pledge to impose VAT on school fees, then we could see the cost of private tuition rise by at least a further 20 per cent in the years to come.

According to our latest research, price rises over the past few years are already having a significant impact on parents ability to pay and further rises will almost certainly price some families out of private education completely.



Julie Robinson, chief executive of the Independent Schools Council, said it was particularly concerned about the disruption to education for children receiving special educational needs support, for military families and for those choosing faith schools.
Cambridge University

Private school pupils may have been flagged for inclusion in a Cambridge University scheme designed to help deprived teenagers, an investigation has found.

Applicants from schools that have sent fewer than five pupils to Oxbridge in the past five years are identified as part of the universitys widening participation system.

An investigation by Varsity, the student newspaper found that schools flagged up under the policy included Gordonstoun, the Kings alma mater, and an online school set up by Harrow.

Freedom of Information requests showed that the university flagged at least 289 private schools for low participation in Oxbridge when assessing applications.

Widening participation is designed to aid applicants from under-represented backgrounds, which includes those from the lowest socioeconomic groups, Cambridge University has said.

The scheme means that a candidates application is considered in the context of their school and geographic background.

The universitys admission guidance states that it flags applicants from schools where fewer than five pupils have been made an offer by Oxford or Cambridge over the past five years.

Planning to scrap target

This isnt a measure of the quality of the school/college or the relative performance of an applicant, the guidance states. Instead it makes our assessors aware that the applicants school/college may be less able to advise them on applying to Cambridge and to prepare them for the interview process.

Cambridge is planning to scrap its state school target, introduced for the five academic years leading up to 2024-25, with the ambition of increasing the proportion of state-educated undergraduates from 63.4 per cent to 69.1 per cent.

The university has beaten its target, with the proportion of new students from state schools increasing to 72.9 per cent in 2022-23, compared with 68.1 per cent at Oxford.

Cambridges next access and participation plan (APP), which is being drawn up for the years 2025-26 to 2028-29, will focus on how to increase the number of students from deprived socio-economic backgrounds, under-represented regions of the country, and under-represented ethnicities.

A spokesperson for the university said: All applicants to the university are considered holistically and no one piece of data is considered in isolation, in line with the admissions policy.

An applicants schooling is taken into account, particularly if they come from a school which has not seen many applications to Cambridge, alongside other socio-economic factors to indicate disadvantage of opportunity.

The new APP is being drafted now in line with Office for Student guidelines and is subject to further discussion around the collegiate university. It will continue to reflect the universitys commitment to widening participation.
Lambeth LTN Watch said it had warned council officials that other LTNs had led to a rise in crime - SMPNEWS/Alamy Stock Photo

Pupils have been mugged on ghost town streets created by a low traffic neighbourhood (LTN), a headteacher has warned a Labour-run council and police.

The threat to students was considered so serious that teachers from Bishop Thomas Grant School in Streatham patrolled streets to protect children who waited to get on buses which did not come.

The school, rated outstanding by Ofsted, is inside the Streatham Wells LTN set up by Lambeth council in October last year. The road closures led to public transport grinding to a near halt as motorists were forced from side streets onto gridlocked boundary roads, including the A23, a major route out of south London.

The headteacher at Bishop Thomas Grant School said its punctuality rate had been 'torn apart'

Bernadette Boyle, the Catholic schools headteacher, said the LTN had created a ghost town in which some pupils were late for class and targeted by criminals.

Responding to a Freedom of Information request, Ms Boyle wrote: I sent a letter to Lambeth, and the local schools police sergeant, as we saw an increase in our students being mugged on ghost town roads as they walked towards the [Streatham] High Road to try to get on buses which do not come.

We regularly patrol the local area after school As is the case on many occasions, the children wait nearly an hour for a bus to get home.

We hang about between the bus stops with them to make sure that they get on to transport and are safe it is having a huge impact on my time and the time of my senior leadership team.

She also revealed how bus delays  some were said to have travelled at 1.5mph  meant the schools award-winning punctuality rate had been torn apart.

Ms Boyle said the LTN had caused significant issues for her 1,200 pupils aged 11 to 18, adding: Undoubtedly, our punctuality has been hugely impacted by the LTN. We are a school which has just won an award for our attendance compared to national data, and we have always put a huge amount of work into building a culture of attendance and punctuality which quite frankly feels as if it is being torn apart now.

And some fail to understand the impact it has on a child if they keep arriving late at school, never mind the disruption it causes for the rest of the school and culture of learning.

Impacted staff wellbeing

She wrote how the issues of lateness and the LTN were regularly discussed at the schools senior leadership team meetings and was often brought up by pastoral staff.

She claimed many staff found their commute to and from work had increased significantly which had impacted their wellbeing.

Ms Boyle, described by Ofsted as having outstanding vision and aspiration, declined to comment further. It remains unclear how many children were victims of crime.

Although Lambeth council suspended the LTN in March over concerns it had affected public transport as well as planned works on the A23, campaigners say it should be banned outright.

A spokesman for Lambeth LTN Watch, which fights the schemes, said it warned council officials other LTNs had led to an increase in crime, but was told it was a police matter.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: We are aware of concerns raised by the head teacher and continue to work with the school, including through our dedicated schools officer, to address these. The safety of young people in Streatham, including students at this school, are of paramount importance to local police.

A Lambeth spokesman said: Before and during the trial we talked to schools and communities to take feedback, and made changes to reflect that local feedback.

We are committed to working with all our residents to cut toxic air pollution, cut road danger which is amongst the worst in London, and help people embrace green travel which is better for the environment and for peoples health.

Theres no evidence that reduced traffic on streets increases crime  however, there is evidence that LTN traffic reductions do improve neighbourhoods.

A school source said pupil safety and welfare was of utmost priority, adding that since the LTN suspension punctuality had returned to its usual exceptional levels.

In February, The Telegraph revealed Lambeth had issued a record 50 million in fines to motorists after introducing seven LTNs since the council embraced the Tory LTN policy in 2020.

Earlier, The Telegraph showed how local volunteers were patrolling Streatham Wells LTN advising motorists not to enter closed roads to avoid fines.
The Rwanda bill has to be voted through both houses of parliament before it can be given royal assent. Photograph: xavierarnau/Getty Images

Rishi Sunaks plan to fly people seeking asylum to Rwanda this spring appears to have been put back to the summer after House of Lords insisted on changes to the scheme.

On Thursday the prime ministers spokesperson said the Lords were responsible for any delay after attaching unwanted amendments to the deportation bill.

Pressed on whether spring was still the target, the spokesperson told reporters: Im not going to get ahead of the bill passing, which obviously weve seen again last night has continued to be held up.

Below, we examine what the impact will be on the scheme and what will happen next.

Where does the latest delay leave the Rwanda deportation bill?

The bill, with two Lords amendments attached, still has to be voted through both houses before it can be given royal assent after being passed between them three times. In parliamentary jargon, it is stuck in ping pong.

It will be voted upon by MPs on Monday before moving to the Lords later that day.

The government says it will resist pressure to offer a compromise to peers, who want to ensure that it allows an independent committee to decide whether Rwanda is a safe country, and exempts Afghans who helped British troops from deportation to Rwanda.

Related: Sunak considering exemptions to Rwanda bill for some Afghans

What is ping pong?

The process by which proposed new laws are sent back and forth between the Houses of Parliament  Commons and Lords  if they do not agree on the wording of a bill.

A coalition of cross-bench, Tory rebel and opposition peers are refusing to back down over two issues  the rights of Afghans and scrutiny of the treatment of refugees in east Africa.

Will the bill pass?

The Lords could hold out for more rounds of ping pong  many peers remain furious with the proposed bill.

Usually there is some form of compromise or the Lords give way to the elected chamber. But in theory it could continue until double insistence takes place  both sides refuse to back down over an amendment  and then the bill is lost.

This is extremely rare but not without precedent  it happened to the European Parliamentary Elections Bill 199798. Government sources believe the Rwanda bill will go through on Monday.

What happens if and when the bill goes through?

It will be a minor political triumph which Sunak is expected to grab with both hands. Expect a press conference or a Downing Street lectern.

When will planes take off for Rwanda?

Home Office sources say that flights are unlikely to take off before late June, more likely July.

Why the delays?

Asylum seekers are expected to challenge their removal on a case-by-case basis, which could lead to their immediate removal from a flight.

The bill allows challenges if a detainee faces a real, imminent and foreseeable risk of serious irreversible harm if removed to Rwanda.

People suffering serious mental or physical conditions, victims of torture and anyone who is shown to be suicidal could launch a challenge on these grounds.

Some delays could be due to the appeals process. Many people subject to removal will have eight days to lodge claims and they will need to present compelling evidence to support their case.

Where the Home Office refused the claim without a right to appeal, permission to appeal will need to be obtained within 23 working days.

Related: UKs Rwanda bill incompatible with human rights obligations

What other issues have been expressed about deportations?

Lawyers representing asylum seekers are deeply concerned that there will be a risk of suicide among those told they are being removed to Rwanda.

Unions representing border guards have expressed concern that some claimants may resort to attacking their members in order to avoid being deported.

The ISU union  which represents frontline Border Force and immigration workers  said its members were concerned about potential physical resistance from people being taken into detention for Rwanda flights, and on the plane itself.

Lucy Moreton, an ISU professional officer, said: Given the undertaking that we will not send anyone with a criminal record to Rwanda, and given the high stakes involved, there is serious concern that migrants may take to assaulting staff as a way to avoid removal.

Any other obstacles before a flight takes off?

Ministers have not confirmed if they have secured the planes which can deport large numbers of people.

Although the Home Office says there are many options on the table, officials have said they are struggling to confirm airlines willing to facilitate mass deportations.

The Times reported on Tuesday that AirTanker, an aviation company that provides a fleet of 14 airbuses to the RAF to fuel and transport the military, is being lined up to take people to Rwanda.

AirTanker  whose involvement in talks over the Rwanda plan was revealed by the Guardian  declined to comment.
Mairi McAllan, the SNP's Net Zero Secretary, says she is 'not embarrassed' by the 2030 target being abandoned - Andrew Milligan/PA

Furious Scottish Green members have demanded the partys leaders consider ripping up their power-sharing deal with the SNP and quitting Humza Yousafs government after climate change targets were scrapped.

Chas Booth, a Scottish Green councillor, said he had written to the partys executive, demanding an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) be held as soon as reasonably possible to consider pulling out of the coalition with the SNP.

He warned the Greens were being used as a figleaf for the SNPs woeful and inexcusable climate inaction after the Scottish Government scrapped its target to cut Scotlands greenhouse gases by 75 per cent by 2030.

Mr Booth said there had been anger on a party members call on Thursday evening as a result of the Greens being part of a Government abandoning climate targets.

His call was backed by Anthony Carroll, a Glasgow councillor, who said members should have their say again on the coalition deal and accused the SNP of having shown a lot of contempt in the past year.

Their demands came after the Rainbow Greens, who represent the LGBT members in the party, called for the party to withdraw from the Scottish Government over the decision to suspend the use of puberty blockers for new child patients.

Harvie embarrassed by decision

The double rebellion heaps pressure on Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, the Scottish Greens co-leaders, who are both junior ministers in Mr Yousafs government.

Mr Harvie in particular was at the forefront of the Scottish Governments defence of the controversial decision to scrap the 2030 climate change target, admitting he was embarrassed by the move.

Friends of the Earth described it as the worst environmental decision in the history of the Scottish Parliament, with the Greens facing widespread mockery and questions about what the point was of having them in government.

Nicola Sturgeon boasted that her SNP administration were global leaders on climate change when the targets were introduced in 2019, saying they were the most stretching in the world.

Two years later she announced the coalition deal with the Greens, named the Bute House Agreement (BHA) after the First Ministers official residence in Edinburgh. Both parties support independence.

Internal criticism of the arrangement had previously come from the SNP side, with Kate Forbes, the former leadership candidate, and Fergus Ewing, the former Cabinet minister, at the forefront of calls for it to be reviewed.

But discontent among Green members has grown after the UKs official climate watchdog said last month that the 2030 target was beyond what is credible, with the current rate of progress having to be increased by a factor of nine.

Mr Booth said he was never a fan of the agreement but he had accepted the democratic vote of party members to go into government with the SNP.

Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Leith councillor said:

I have therefore written to the chair of SGP party Executive to ask them to call an EGM as soon as reasonably possible to consider withdrawing from the Bute House Agreement.



I'd urge other party members who are upset & angry at today's announcement to do likewise.



7/7  Chas Booth  (@CllrChasBooth) April 18, 2024

He said party rules meant the meeting must be called if one is demanded by 100 members or 10 per cent of the membership, whichever is fewer.

Mr Carroll tweeted: I think its time for members to have a say on the BHA again. He said that the Greens mustnt settle for SNP long grass-kicking.

One activist told the Herald that Thursday nights meeting was a s***show and several members were questioning whether our current leaders were the right ones to lead us into the next Holyrood election.

A spokesman for the Scottish Greens said: As a democratic party we encourage members to engage and participate, and there are a number of ways open for people to do that.

Mr Yousaf said the Greens internal discussions were for them but I still value the Bute House Agreement. He said his government had brought forward an accelerated package of measures to cut greenhouse gases.

Mairi McAllan, the SNPs Net Zero Secretary, insisted she was not embarrassed by the 2030 target being abandoned but she could understand why some people are disappointed, adding that in many ways I am too.

She told BBC Radio Scotland that when MSPs voted for the target it was well understood it was likely to be beyond the realms of what was achievable.
A photograph posted online by Everybody Eats appears to show two of its activists, including one dressed as Robin Hood

Police are investigating after a group of self-styled Robin Hoods claimed they stole from Marks & Spencer (M&S) to give to food banks, The Telegraph can reveal.

Activists who targeted the shop said they now planned to steal from other supermarkets, which are already reeling from Britains shoplifting epidemic.

Campaigners from Everybody Eats, a group calling for direct action on food poverty  in a similar way to eco-protesters  bragged on social media about stealing from the M&S Foodhall in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, after launching their first raid at the weekend.

The activists said they would keep replicating this all across the country until the Government answered their demands on food security.

Shoplifting reached its highest level in two decades last year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics released in January, which showed more than 402,000 offences were recorded in the year to September 2023.

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), theft cost retailers almost 1.8 billion in 2022-23, up from 953 million the previous year.

The campaign by Everybody Eats threatens to put further pressure on retailers already struggling because of shoplifting, amid complaints over the police response to such incidents.

The group claimed that food banks were aware of where the stolen goods came from and even suggested its members had been asked to steal.

Everybody Eats posted a photograph of activists alongside five bags of food - including Percy Pig sweets - on X, formerly Twitter.

It added in a caption: Today we took food from an M&S in Manchester without paying for it. The food will now be distributed straight to people in the community as well as local food banks.

We cannot sit by as we and our friends, our families, our neighbours starve.

A photograph posted online by Everybody Eats appears to show its activists following the 'raid' on a supermarket

Hungry in land of plenty

Campaigners also filmed themselves walking gleefully into the M&S before bags with olive oil, bread, cereal, oat milk and other foodstuffs, according to a video posted on Instagram.

The footage also shows them walking out with baskets and then later unloading the goods. No security guards or shop assistants are seen intervening in the clip.

An activist in the video says: What we do is we go into major supermarkets and liberate food essentials to distribute to food banks and those living in the area who are in food poverty.

Supermarkets make huge profits off rising prices of essential items in this cost of living crisis. 

He then added: A lot of their own staff are living in food poverty and use food banks. Weve been asked by food banks for their help. It is the right thing to do, people are hungry in the land of plenty and I think thats obscene.

Some of the activists covered their faces on social media as they posed with Sainsburys bags, but others proudly showed off the food while dressed in Robin Hood costumes. No one has been arrested.

An Everybody Eats activist dressed as Robin Hood

Doing some good

Despite one of the group being seen holding up a bag of Percy Pig sweets in social media posts, Charlie Peterson, an activist who advises Everybody Eats, said only essential items were taken, such as simple foods, baby formula and sanitary products, which were handed out on the street and given to local food banks.

The 42-year-old told The Telegraph the food banks were aware that the items donated to them had been stolen.

Its not a case of being above the law. It is illegal. That is superseded by a desire to actually do some good and put some food on their tables, he said.

Mr Peterson compared the work of Everybody Eats to the suffragettes, saying that activists sometimes have to work outside the law to bring about change.

He added: If you spoke to the people that took part in this action and said to them: Do you think you should be operating outside of the law in order to try and help a hungry family be less hungry, and put food on their table? I think they will probably say yes.

I think youd be foolish not to acknowledge that it is illegal, but the levels of people that were seeing, of people that are going hungry in this country at the moment - 13 years ago, there wasnt a single food bank in this country. Now theres more food banks than theres ever been.

An activist outside a branch of M&S

Not a victimless crime

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a shoplifting incident was reported at 1.40pm on Sunday April 14 at a shop in the area.

The force is still investigating and urged anyone with information to contact officers.

Graham Wynn, assistant director of regulation at the BRC, said: Stealing  however small  is not a victimless crime. The 1.8 billion a year lost to shop theft would be better spent investing in lower prices and better service for customers.

Meanwhile, retailers are forced to spend a further 1.2 billion a year on anti-crime measures such as CCTV, security personnel and anti-theft devices.

M&S did not respond to requests for comment.
Small boats intercepted carrying migrants across the English Channel are stored in a warehouse on the outskirts of Dover - PAUL GROVER FOR THE TELEGRAPH

Ministers are under pressure from MPs to allow small boats seized from people-smuggling gangs to be given to Ukraine, where they are desperately needed in its war against Russia.

The Home Office has so far rebuffed pleas to release the stockpile of boats used by cross-Channel migrants to be given as gifts or sold to Ukraine, a decision which campaigners say makes no sense.

This week, The Telegraph visited a pound near Dover where more than 60 small boats and at least 130 engines were visible, some of which appeared brand new.

The non-profit organisation Mission Ukraine UK has asked the Home Office to allow it to put the boats to good use by taking them to the battle front, where they are desperately needed to ferry personnel and supplies across the Dnipro river.

Outboard motors used by the people smugglers are also stored in the Dover warehouse - PAUL GROVER FOR THE TELEGRAPH

Dmytro Tomkin, the co-founder of the voluntary organisation, said he was puzzled by the Governments refusal to help its ally by handing over the boats and engines.

He said: We have been buying second-hand boats in the UK and taking them to Ukraine, where they are repaired and put to use.

It struck us that there are migrant boats coming to the UK all the time across the Channel and we could use them, but the Home Office says no.

They have said they are unseaworthy but we have people who repair the boats and engines, so that isnt an issue. They have also said they are sometimes sold at auction. The whole thing makes no sense to us.

Mr Tomkin, who is from Ukraine but lives in the UK, where he works in finance, said there is an endless need for the boats in Ukraine, where they are used to move personnel and supplies as well as evacuating the wounded.

The average lifespan of a boat in the war zone is four to eight weeks, and the Ukrainian armed forces say they need 900 of them in service at a time, a target they are currently short of.

Drone photography shows the dozens of boats and engines stored in Dover - PAUL GROVER FOR THE TELEGRAPH

Mission Ukraine previously reached an agreement with Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, to send vehicles that do not meet the ultra-low emission zone standards in the capital to Ukraine. Pick-ups and other 4x4 vehicles are particularly useful to the Ukrainian armed forces.

Among the MPs who have written to the Home Office demanding to know why the boats cannot be sent to Ukraine are Bob Seely of the Ukraine All Party Parliamentary Group, Sir Jacob Rees Mogg, Penny Mordaunt, Greg Clark and Rebecca Evans.

Sammy Wilson, the DUP MP for East Antrim, who also wrote to the Home Office about the boats, said he could not personally assess whether the boats were seaworthy.

But he added: I think there is probably a huge difference in using these kinds of boats to ferry 40 or 50 people across 22 miles of open sea and their use to bring a few individuals across a river.

A Government spokesman said: We are fully committed to supporting Ukraine in their fight against Putins illegal war, while also providing a safe and secure haven for those fleeing the conflict.

While we are determined to provide Ukraine with the resources they need, the Ukrainian government has not requested these boats and we cannot donate unsafe and dangerous small boats which will put more lives at risk.
There are frequent reminders of the Iranian regime's military boasts on the streets of Tehran - Anadolu/Anadolu

Israels strike on Iran early on Friday appears to have been limited.

The Iranian regime will likely be breathing a sigh of relief  its ageing air defence systems would struggle to stand up to a substantial aerial bombardment on the scale launched by Tehran last weekend.

Iran is reliant on a string of locally developed missile defence batteries and Soviet-era hardware, as well as American and British equipment that was stationed in the country before the Islamic Revolution.

The systems are incomparable to Israels modern Iron Dome surface-to-air defence system, which helped deflect hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones, with the help of American, British and French fighter jets.

Irans system is built largely around the Russian S-200 and S-300 missile systems, which were first put into operation in the 1960s and 1970s. The latest model is said to be able to down incoming aircraft, drones and missiles at a range of 93 miles.

Iranian officials have acknowledged the Soviet-era kit is complemented by domestically produced Bavar-373 systems.

They claim the systems radar component can detect and track up to 60 targets as far as 280 miles away. Its missile launchers are said to be able to engage six targets at once at a range of 186 miles.

State media has boasted that the system is comparable to the newer, more advanced Russian S-400 batteries. Unlike Moscows flagship missile defence system, the Bovar-373 has not seen battle outside of military exercises.

The long-range technologies are believed to be complemented by a variety of other locally built, short to medium-range systems. Systems like Arman, Tactical Sayyad and Khordad-15 are deployed as part of a layered defence. They are believed to be capable of hitting targets at a range of around 124 miles at different altitudes.

A surface-to-air missile battery in Iran - Iranian Defense Ministry/AP

Arman is a truck-mounted system that was unveiled in 2022, and is said to be capable of hitting ballistic missiles  something the Russian systems in Iran are not able to do.

Another system from the same year is the Azarakhsh, a smaller, more compact missile launcher used to target drones and quadcopters.

Iranian military officials have said they are working on strengthening the countrys air defences.

An S-300 missile system on display during Army Day celebrations in Tehran on Wednesday - ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the Royal United Strategic Institute think-tank, has argued that penetrating Irans air defence is not the main challenge for Israel.

He told Reuters that the modern F-35 American-built stealth jets would be more than capable of evading Tehrans surface-to-air missiles.

The Iranian air defence network is certainly not impenetrable to these aircraft, but this raises the risk of losses and the Iranian capacity to, at least in theory, intercept some incoming standoff munitions increases, Dr Kaushal said.

Fabian Hinz, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), added: If there was a major conflict between the two countries, Iran would probably concentrate on occasional successes. They dont have the comprehensive air defences that Israel has.

Irans air force is a particularly weak point in any potential conflict with Israel. Tehran is believed to only have a few dozen working strike aircraft, including Russian jets and US-made F-4s and F-5s that were acquired before the 1979 revolution.

IISS has reported that it has a squadron of nine F-4 and F-5 fighter jets, one squadron of Russian-made Sukhoi-24 jets, and some MiG-29s, F7 and F14 aircraft.

The Sukhoi-24 jets were first developed in the 1960s. Amir Vahedi, Irans air force commander, said this week they were in their best state of preparedness to counter any Israeli strikes.

Israel has hundreds of F-15, F-16 and F-35 jets, which all played a role in counter-mining Iranian drones.

Irans strength is believed to lie in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stockpiles of ballistic and cruise missiles.

At least half of the missiles that Iran fired at the weekend were said to have failed before reaching Israel, raising doubts over the claimed ability of its domestically built air defences.
Pouria Zeraati was ambushed and stabbed several times on his way to work last month - Paul Grover

Three men who attacked an Iranian journalist outside his London home were mercenaries from Eastern Europe hired by Tehran, investigators believe.

Pouria Zeraati, a dissident who works for the London-based Iran International network, was ambushed and stabbed several times as he left for work last month.

The broadcaster, who had previously been subjected to death threats, believes the attack was carried out on the orders of the regime in Tehran.

But counter-terrorism officers leading the investigation believe the men who carried out the attack were proxies who had been recruited from the criminal underworld in Eastern Europe.

Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev (pictured), was convicted of attempting to collect information likely to be useful for terrorism and jailed for three and a half years. - Metropolitan Police/PA Wire

The men arrived in Britain a short time before the incident and then left almost immediately afterwards, flying to three different destinations from Londons Heathrow Airport.

Detectives are understood to be investigating if one of the men had links to Albania.

It is not the first time rogue states have used organised crime groups to carry out their activities in the West.

In December, a Chechen-born Austrian national was jailed after he was caught carrying out hostile reconnaissance on the London headquarters of Iran International.

Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev was convicted of trying to collect information likely to be useful for terrorism and jailed for three and a half years.

Intelligence agencies have also uncovered plots involving criminal proxies from Eastern Europe to assassinate Iranian dissidents in Europe.

Mr Zeraati was attacked on 29 March as he left his home in Wimbledon to head to the studios to broadcast his weekly show.

Mr Zeraati was discharged from hospital and says he is now staying in a safe place - UNPIXS

He was initially approached by one man who asked him for money, before a second approached him and held him. The first then slashed him across the legs.

A third suspect was waiting in a getaway car, which was later found abandoned.

Scotland Yard later confirmed that the three men had left the UK, flying out of Heathrow Airport on the same day.

Irans charge daffaires in the UK, Seyed Mehdi Hosseini Matin, has denied his governments involvement.

Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes, the head of UK counter-terrorism, has previously spoken of the use of criminal proxies by Iran and other rogue states.

At a briefing in January, he said: The big connecting factor is of course money, but also the use of criminal proxies to carry out the work of hostile regimes.

Why would you do it yourself when you can procure an organised criminal to take the action on your behalf to provide distance and deniability.
An elderly British couple appeared in court this week, more than 40 years after they allegedly hired a killer to take out the husband's previous wife.

Prosecutors alleged that Allen Morgan, 73, and Margaret Morgan, 75, were in a "passionate, but forbidden and adulterous love affair" when they conspired to kill 36-year-old Carol Morgan, in 1981.

The couple, whose case is being heard in Luton Crown Court, denied participating in a conspiracy to commit murder, the BBC reported.

Prosecutor Pavlos Panayi alleged that the affair partners had regularly had sex in Margaret's home, while her then-husband was at work. Panayi told jurors that the defendants were unable to begin a legitimate relationship due to financial issues that prevented a divorce.

Instead "they both hatched [a plan] together in secret to arrange and pay for the murder of Allen's wife Carol Morgan."

Carol Morgan was found dead inside her shop - Morgan's Store, in Bedfordshire, England - one day after Allen allegedly took her children from a previous marriage to the movie theater. This was an unusual move for Allen because he did not have a "strong relationship with the children." The family's pet dog was also locked into a different room, the BBC reported.

"During their absence, Carol was alone in the shop. She closed the shop at 6 pm. After she closed, an attacker or attackers entered the premises and struck," the prosecutor said.

"Someone used an axe or heavy knife or machete to hack into her body and skull, causing horrifying injuries from which she died."

Allen Morgan contacted the police the following day, claiming that he found his wife dead and hundreds of dollars missing from the cash register. He was not considered a suspect because he was at the movie theater with the children.

A key witness for the prosecution came forward in 2021, decades after Carol was found dead. Jane Bunting, now 61, dated a man who was known to be a criminal as a teenager. Bunting alleges that Allen approached her in a bar, speculating whether she "knew anyone who could help him kill his wife," Panayi said.

The shocked teenager reportedly left the bar without giving Allen any information.

"We do not know who [the Morgans] eventually found," the prosecutor said. "That man may never be brought to justice."
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with a terrorism offence after an alleged stabbing at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church in Wakeley. Photograph: Jaimi Joy/Reuters

Police have charged a 16-year-old boy alleged to have stabbed a bishop and priest at a western Sydney church with a terrorism offence.

The teenager was due to face a hospital bedside hearing of the Parramatta childrens court on Friday. He is still recovering from surgery after his finger was severed during the alleged attack on Monday night.

On Thursday night police announced the teenager had been charged and that he had been refused bail.

Police said on Thursday afternoon counter-terrorism investigators attended a medical facility to interview the boy, before he was charged with committing a terrorist act  an offence which carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for life.

Earlier on Thursday the first person arrested and charged for taking part in a riot that broke out in the aftermath of the alleged stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, 53, at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church appeared at court.

Dani Mansour, 19, was charged with riot, affray and destroying or damaging property as part of the crowd who allegedly attacked police on Monday night.

Related: Sydney bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel forgives alleged attacker after church stabbing, calls for Christlike response

A 39-year-old priest was also allegedly stabbed by the 16-year-old after trying to intervene, according to police. He and the bishop were expected to recover after undergoing surgery.

The church on Thursday released an audio statement from Emmanuel in which the bishop, speaking from his hospital bed, said he was recovering well and that he was praying for his alleged attacker.

Emmanuel, who has a popular online presence and a large following, has previously criticised Islam and the prophet Muhammad in public sermons.

The teenager who allegedly attacked him was charged as part of a joint investigation with the Australian federal police, Asio and the New South Wales Crime Commission that was launched after NSW police declared the alleged stabbing a terrorist act.

On Friday the NSW police commissioner, Karen Webb, said investigators would allege that the teenager had stabbed the bishop up to six times after travelling for 90 minutes from his home to get to the church.

We will not be able to provide many other details because it is before the court, Webb told reporters.

She said investigators were satisfied the evidence they had found substantiated the terrorism charge.

The Australian federal police commissioner, Reece Kershaw, said the investigation was complex and remains ongoing.

Using a warrant, counter-terrorism investigators had examined electronic devices they seized from the teenagers home, Kershaw said. He did not disclose what they had found on the devices.

Kershaw said he would meet faith leaders over the coming days and that police targeted radicalisation, not religion.

We know that grief hangs heavy over Sydney at the moment, he said. There are many communities with questions but our answers will have more meaning if we find commonality and not difference.

The NSW government will consider additional powers for police as well as tougher knife crime laws after the alleged church attack and the fatal Bondi Junction stabbing spree that occurred just two days earlier.
Mark Menzies disputes the allegations, but the Conservative Party is investigating - CHRIS MCANDREW/UKPARLIAMENT/PA

Police are set to examine claims that a Tory MP misused campaign funds and demanded cash from a party aide to pay a ransom.

Mark Menzies, the MP for Fylde, is alleged to have used 14,000 that had been given by donors for campaigning activities to fund his private medical expenses.

He was also said to have phoned Katie Fieldhouse, his 78-year-old former campaign manager, at 3.15am last December to ask for money to pay bad people who had locked him up, claiming he needed 5,000  which later rose to 6,500  as a matter of life and death.

Mr Menzies has lost the Conservative whip and the party is looking into the accusations against him.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: We are aware of reports in the media relating to a serving Member of Parliament.

No complaint has been made to the police at this stage. We will make contact with those impacted in due course to see whether they wish to make a complaint.

Earlier on Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, told reporters: There are obviously a lot of unanswered questions in relation to these allegations.

Not least why it seems the Conservative Party took so long to act and whether theyve reported this to the police, who it seems to me should be involved in this.

Mr Menzies, a former climate change minister who has represented his Lancashire constituency since 2010, has also been suspended from his unpaid role as a Government trade envoy to Colombia.

He said in a statement: I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations. As there is an investigation ongoing I will not be commenting further.

Deeply distressing

Katie Fieldhouse, a former Lady Mayoress of Mr Menziess constituency and his former campaign manager, identified herself as the 78-year-old party aide on Thursday.

She told MailOnline she was deeply distressed by what had happened, adding: Im a Christian woman with morals and principles and I think that says everything.

I was the one that reported his behaviour. I gave a full account to the Chief Whip when I reported it, that was on January 3. I didnt make a complaint, I reported my concerns.

A source close to Mr Menzies told The Times he met a man on an online dating website and went to his flat before then going with another man to a second address and continuing drinking.

The source added it was falsely claimed he was sick at one point and several people at the address demanded 5,000 they asserted was to cover the cost of cleaning and other expenses.

It came as Anneliese Dodds, the Labour chairman, wrote to Richard Holden, her Conservative counterpart, raising questions over the Tories handling of the deeply troubling allegations.

Responding to reports in The Times that the party had been aware of the claims since January, Ms Dodds wrote: A long-serving Tory worker involved in this disturbing incident says they believe the Conservative Party wants to brush it under the carpet. I trust you will now take all steps to show this is not the case.

Daisy Cooper, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, wrote to Sir Laurie Magnus, the independent adviser on ministers interests, urging him to investigate whether Tory Chief Whip Simon Hart had broken the Ministerial Code in his handling of the scandal.

[The Times] says the case was subsequently transferred from the Whips Office to Conservative Campaign Headquarters, Ms Cooper said.

Given that this case reportedly involves allegations against a sitting MP in relation to parliamentary staff, it seems completely inappropriate for the Conservative Chief Whip to pass it off to the partys campaign headquarters, rather than raising it with the relevant parliamentary authorities.

Ms Cooper went on to accuse Mr Hart of failing to take any action or alert the appropriate authorities, knowingly leaving in place an MP who was clearly vulnerable to blackmail and coercion.

Further tests for Sunak

If Mr Menzies were to find himself at the centre of a parliamentary investigation, it could raise the prospect of a further by-election test for Rishi Sunak.

On Wednesday, it was reported by The Times that Tory activists in Fylde, which has a majority of just under 17,000, had been advised not to hand out leaflets with Mr Menziess face on.

Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, insisted sleaze allegations were not specific to one particular political party when asked about the row, telling BBC Radio 4s Today programme: In every walk of life, there will be people who go off the tracks, as it were.

Mr Menzies is the second Tory MP to surrender the whip in as many weeks after William Wragg, who represents Hazel Grove, quit the party having admitted to handing over colleagues phone numbers in the Westminster honeytrap scandal.

A spokesman for Mr Hart said Mr Menzies had agreed to relinquish the Conservative whip, pending the outcome of an investigation.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: The Conservative Party is investigating allegations made regarding a Member of Parliament. This process is rightfully confidential.
Donald Trump outside court in New York on Friday. Photograph: Sarah Yenesel/Reuters

Donald Trumps hush-money trial gained momentum on Friday afternoon with the conclusion of jury selection.

Five alternate jurors were chosen on Friday, following Thursdays proceedings when the 12 jurors and one alternate juror were picked.

With the panel selected, Trumps trial can enter its next stage, with opening arguments expected on Monday. The court held a so-called Sandoval hearing  where Trump will be informed of the scope of questions prosecutors can ask him if he takes the stand as a witness  on Friday afternoon.

Just as the full panel was established, a man set himself on fire in the park outside the courthouse, causing a frenzy before court broke for lunch. The man, whose motives are still unclear, was in critical condition.

Related: Trumps hush-money trial: heres whats happened so far

In an afternoon session it was discussed what sort of evidence might be brought into the case if Trump were to testify. Prosecutors previously submitted documents indicating that they wanted the ability to ask Trump about a variety of past legal travails should he testify, to challenge his credibility as a witness.

These include sexual assault accuser E Jean Carrolls successful defamation cases against him. As the hearing progressed, Trump attorney Emil Bove said prosecutors asking Trump about the verdict in Carrolls cases on cross-examination would be unacceptable.

Bove, who reiterated Trumps denial of Carrolls sexual assault claim and said it very much did not happen, said the claimed incident was too far back in time to be used in any potential challenge to Trumps credibility.

More, Bove argued, to bring up Ms Carrolls allegations at this trial sort of pushes the salaciousness on to another level. This is a case about documents. Prosecutors insisted they should be able to ask him about the defamation verdicts against him, as they showed that a jury determined his statements about Carroll were untrue.

Thats critical, critical evidence that the jury ought to be able to consider  if he testifies, the prosecution also said.

Earlier in the morning, questioning of potential alternate jurors got under way after Trump arrived and looked as if recent events had taken a toll on him, with his trademark brassy hair more messy than normal, but outside the courtroom the ex-president did what he typically does when facing scrutiny: he complained. He doubled down on his claims that the trial was rigged and derided the intelligence of Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, saying he was not smart enough to represent himself  like Letitia James, according to a pool report.

Trump insisted he should be on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina rather than inside court, and called for Juan Merchan, the judge, to free him from the gag order which bars him from commenting on witnesses, jurors, court staff and parties family members in this case,

The process of choosing jurors had proved complicated because of the polarizing and high-profile defendant. Prospective jurors had been grilled on their political leanings, their social media posts and many other facets of their lives.

During the questioning of more potential alternates, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger told would-be panelists: This is not about Mr Trump being a former president. Its not about his being a candidate for the presidency. Its not about his popularity. And its not about who you vote for or who you might vote for in the fall.

Several potential alternates were excused after citing their extreme nervousness about serving. One would-be alternate sounded as if she broke into tears when Hoffinger started to question her. I feel so nervous and anxious right now, Im sorry. I thought I could do this, but I wouldnt want someone who feels this way to judge my case, either. This is so much more stressful than I thought it would be. Merchan decided to excuse her.

Trumps criminal hush-money trial: what to know

On Thursday one juror raised concerns that her identity had been discovered, especially after she had been described in the media. She was excused, and Judge Merchan ruled that some identifying characteristics  such as a jurors place of employment  could not be made public.

Trump has been present throughout, sitting largely impassively in court, but his Truth Social media account has been posting up a storm, leading to multiple accusations by prosecutors that the former US president had violated a gag order and should be held in contempt of court. A hearing is set to be held on that issue on 23 April.

The case centers on a $130,000 payment that Trumps former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, made during the 2016 election campaign to Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of an affair with Trump from becoming public.

Prosecutors say Trump obscured the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Cohen, who pleaded guilty in 2018 and is set to be a star witness for the prosecution. Trump has denied an affair with Daniels, and his lawyers argue that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.



Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Related: The jurors: who is on the Trump trial jury?

The trial is the first criminal trial of a former US president to hit an American courtroom. Three other cases  on Trumps conduct during the January 6 insurrection, his treatment of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home, and his attempt to subvert the 2020 election in Georgia  are also playing out, but Trumps lawyers have so far successfully delayed them.

Despite his legal problems, Trump remains virtually guaranteed to win the Republican nomination for president and face off against Joe Biden in November once again. Trump tends to be narrowly ahead of Biden in head-to-head polling, particularly in the key swing states that will help determine who gains the White House.
The accident happened at the Linn of Tummel waterfall in Perthshire. Photograph: Richard Childs Photography/Alamy

Tributes have been paid to two students at the University of Dundee who drowned after falling into a waterfall at a Highland beauty spot.

Jitendranath Karuturi, 26, who was known as Jitu, and Chanhakya Bolisetti, 22, are believed to have been taking selfies at the Linn of Tummel waterfall, near Blair Atholl, on Wednesday evening when they slipped and fell into the river.

The men were reportedly swept away, witnessed by a friend who was with them on their walk. The Scottish fire and rescue service sent two rescue boats to the river and recovered their bodies that evening.

Karuturi and Bolisetti were masters students from India reading data science and engineering; the Courier newspaper reported that Karuturi also worked as a waiter at the City Quay restaurant.

Everyone is devastated. Jitu was really popular with everybody, Vaseem Salimi, the restaurants manager, told the paper. He had just finished his masters and was telling everyone his plans about what he was doing now. It was devastating for everyone.

He was very polite and mild-mannered  you would get no drama from him. He was calm all the time. He never had an argument or fell out with anybody. He was extremely reliable for work. He never let us down, ever.

The pair had started their courses in January 2023 and were due to finish in May. Karuturi had degrees from the University of Hartford, in Connecticut. Chanhakya graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, in Hyderabad, in 2022 and since August last year he had been a student ambassador at Dundee.

The university said: This has been a tragic accident which has shocked us all and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the students.

Details of the accident emerged on Thursday morning. Police Scotland said there were no suspicious circumstances and a report would be submitted to the procurator fiscal.

The force said in a statement: Around 7pm on Wednesday 17 April we received a report of two men, aged 22 and 26 years, in the water at the Linn of Tummel waterfall near Blair Atholl.

Emergency services attended and following searches in the area, the bodies of two men were recovered from the water. Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances, however there would not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding these deaths.
Meir Ettinger is a leading figure in Hilltop Youth. The EU put the group on its asset freeze and visa ban list for attacks on Palestinians. Photograph: Nir Kafri/EPA

The latest US and EU sanctions against individuals implicated in pro-settler violence in the occupied Palestinian territories represent a significant escalation in international moves against key far-right extremists in Israel.

While previous sanctions announcements have focused on individual settlers implicated in violence  often little known outside Israel  the latest moves mark the targeting of two far more high-profile individuals with connections to senior figures in far-right politics in Israel, including national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The new sanctions are also significant in that they target organisations that are sources of funding and support for settler groups. The EU put two radical organisations, Lehava and the Hilltop Youth, on its asset freeze and visa ban list for attacks on Palestinians.

Related: Extremist Israeli settlers hit by EU and US sanctions

Among those targeted for sanctions on Friday in the combined moves by Brussels and Washington, two names stand out: Meir Ettinger (of Hilltop Youth) and Bentzi Gopstein (of Lehava) who together represent the ideological well spring of extremist settler to violence and its connections to power in Israel.

Ettinger  the grandson of the extremist rabbi Meir Kahane, who was assassinated in the US in 1990  has previously been held under Israels administrative detention regime for his alleged connections to involvement in violent activities and terrorist attacks that occurred recently, and his role as part of a Jewish terrorist group.

He is a leading figure in the Hilltop Youth, an extremist religious nationalist movement, known for establishing illegal outposts in the occupied West Bank, and the associated anti-state group the Rebellion, both of which are groups that have leaned heavily on prophetic tradition to justify violence.

Most notoriously Ettinger was detained after the July 2015 arson murder of the Dawabshe family in the village of Duma, which Ettinger was accused of inspiring.

Although not charged in connection with the murder, he was held under a measure allowing detention without trial.

Even more significant, perhaps, are the sanctions imposed by the US Treasury on Gopstein, the leader of the Lehava group, which opposes intermarriage with and the assimilation of non-Jews in Israel.

A longtime leading figure in extremist Jewish circles, he was convicted this year of making racist statements but was cleared of incitement to violence and terrorism charges.

During his trial, prosecutors noted a number of inflammatory comments made by Gopstein over the years including his praise for Baruch Goldstein, a Jewish terrorist who murdered 29 Palestinian worshippers at Hebrons Tomb of the Patriarchs in 1994.

Gopstein had earlier been barred by the Israeli supreme court from running from the Knesset for the Otzma Yehudit party, which would later win seats under the leadership of Ben-Gvir, because of his views.

In that case against Gopstein, the Israeli attorney generals office argued that Gopsteins actions over the years were steeped in serious and severe incitement to violent racism, suggesting that was a motivating factor for his rhetoric.

Despite that, Haaretz reported last year that he had been advising Ben-Gvir on policing issues, a report denied by Ben-Gvirs office, although the two men have been photographed together including at a political campaign event in 2019.

Members of Gopsteins group were also convicted for the 2014 arson attack on an Arab Jewish school in Jerusalem.

In 2022, Israels defence minister, Benny Gantz, suggested he was thinking of designating Lehava as a terrorist organisation, after it was at the forefront of the violence and inflammatory rhetoric at during a nationalist march through the Old Citys Muslim Quarter.

The new sanctions against those involved in extremist violence, coming so soon after previous rounds, suggests a rapidly escalating campaign of measures targeting Israels far right that now includes not just those directly connected to the attacks but those supplying the rhetoric and justification for them.
Robert Walker-McDaid called a Maryland terrorism hotline, posing as rival Tyran Dobbs - www.cps.gov.uk

A video gamer from Coventry tricked US police into shooting and seriously injuring a rival player after making a hoax call to a terrorist hotline.

Robert Walker-McDaid, 28, is the first British person to be convicted for swatting, an internet trend in which gamers make fake calls to police so that armed officers are sent to raid their home.

Walker-McDaid, 28, called a Maryland terrorism hotline, posing as rival Tyran Dobbs, and claimed he had plastic explosives and three hostages, Warwick Crown Court heard.

He told the operator the first hostage would be executed within 15 minutes unless he received $15,000 in cash.

Believing the threat was real, a Swat team swooped on Mr Dobbss home and shot him in the face and chest with plastic bullets.

Life-changing injuries

Mr Dobbs suffered life-changing injuries and required reconstructive facial surgery following the raid on Feb 18 2015.

The hoax offence carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison in the US but is not recognised in British law.

Walker-McDaid was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after he admitted perverting the course of justice.

Hannah Sidaway, the specialist prosecutor for CPS West Midlands, said: Swatting is far more than a crude prank  it is a serious crime which can have devastating consequences.

Walker-McDaid may not have intended to cause such serious harm, but by sowing panic and deceiving law enforcement into responding to a fictitious threat, he left an innocent man with life-changing injuries.

British-based offenders who hide behind online anonymity to commit serious crimes abroad will not escape justice, and we will continue to work collaboratively with international partners to ensure perpetrators will face the full force of the law.

Erek L Barron, US attorney for the District of Maryland, said: We will continue to use every tool at our disposal and work closely with our international partners to ensure that those who seek to harm Americans will face justice, wherever they may be.
Nightlife around Deansgate Lock in Manchester. The voyeuristic videos appear to target young women wearing tight clothes or short dresses. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer

Women who have been secretly filmed on nights out are being urged to contact UK police after videos posted online have racked up millions of views and attracted an abundance of misogynistic comments.

Police are trying to catch people responsible for dozens of voyeuristic TikTok and YouTube videos that have titles such as Manchester nightlife and feature women who do not know they are being filmed.

Women have described feeling unsafe after discovering videos of them have been posted online, some of which suggest they are sex workers or invite sexualised comments.

One woman, Meg, who was filmed on Deansgate in Manchester walking to get a taxi with some other women, told the BBC: I didnt see him, I didnt know I was being recorded. I cant believe Ive been targeted in that way. He looked at me and thought yeah, Ill video them.

The filmer appears to target young women wearing tight clothes or short dresses, focusing in particular on women who have been drinking. The videos tend to be posted on the same night they are taken.

Greater Manchester police (GMP) said woman had reported seeing a man wearing Ray-Ban-style glasses with a hidden camera inside.

While filming people on a public street is not illegal, it becomes criminal when it constitutes harassment.

Meg said: I have no words really other than it just made me feel a bit sick. Its just not nice at all, and obviously not just in a selfish way but also towards the other women. A lot of them will be really, really young girls, maybe even underage girls, not knowing that they were being recorded.

Theres videos of girls like falling over and having their underwear on show and stuff. And then being posted online like that, something really needs to be done about it.

Ch Insp Stephen Wiggins said GMP needed women to come forward in order to catch the perpetrator. He said: We are very much up against it if we dont get that intelligence, that information, coming from the actual victims and communities themselves.

We have intervened recently on a number of occasions where we had males acting suspiciously in the city centre. So our plea from our organisation is that people ring us if they see any suspicious behaviour in the city centre.

TikTok and YouTube told the BBC they had removed a number of videos and accounts relating to this content for violating their guidelines.

A TikTok spokesperson said: Misogyny is prohibited on TikTok. Any content found to violate these guidelines will be removed.

However, searching TikTok for uk nightlife brings up suggested search terms including chav girls uk, uk slagz fit, oops girls no kickers (sic) and girls helping me finish.

Meg said: They shouldnt be allowed to be posted online without consent. These videos are creating almost a danger of violence towards women. The video that was took of me was posted on the same night. So if I was still out that night and that video was posted, that creates some sort of danger of violence, I believe.
Damaged buildings in Khan Younis in Gaza on Friday. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

A group of students at Yale University were on Friday into the seventh day of a hunger strike in support of Palestinians in Gaza and in a protest to pressure the university to divest from any weapons manufacturing companies potentially supplying the Israeli military.

The group titles itself Yale Hunger Strikers for Palestine and one protester, the graduate student Miguel Monteiro, described losing weight and feeling dizzy, while attempting to put the groups efforts into a wider perspective.

Our heads are spinning, we have a lack of concentration, and difficulty sleeping, Monteiro said. But the point goes back to what weve been trying to say since the beginning, which is this is absolutely nothing compared with what is being inflicted upon the people of Gaza.

Related: US and EU sanctions against Israeli extremists mark pivotal step against far right

Monteiro is only drinking water and electrolytes. He has not had any solid food since the strike began on campus nearly a week ago.

The group decided to resort to hunger strike after a letter calling for a commitment to divest from such companies was sent to the universitys president, Peter Salovey, but was left unanswered.

The students had warned the head of the school that if he failed to respond within 48 hours that students would refuse food in solidarity with the Palestinian people, in opposition to Yale.

The action continued as police arrested more than 100 students who created an encampment in support of Palestine on campus at Columbia University in New York on Thursday.

Students at some other universities such as McGill in Montreal have engaged in similar hunger strikes. Students there are calling for the institution to divest about $20m from companies with products used by the Israeli military, such as Lockheed Martin, which supplies Israeli with fighter jets.

The Yale Corporation, also known as the board of trustees of the university, will hold its final meeting of the year on Saturday, and students on hunger strike hope their pleas to divest will be heard.

Yale did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but instead referred to a public statement on the hunger strike, which read, in part: Staff members will continue to emphasize the importance of student health and wellbeing during this time. Students participating in a hunger strike are encouraged to consult with clinicians at Yale Health.

For more than 50 years, the university has employed a rigorous process to ensure the ethical management of its endowment, guided first and foremost by these longstanding principles. The Corporation Committee on Investor Responsibility (CCIR) considers and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees on policy matters related to ethical investing. It is supported by the work of the Advisory Committee on Investor Responsibility (ACIR), whose members include alumni, staff, faculty, and students.

Yale said the ACIR is looking into the issue of divestment and preparing to provide an update within the coming weeks.
French police cordoned off Iranian consulate in Paris where a man is threatening to blow himself up

PARIS (Reuters) - French police on Friday arrested a man who had threatened to blow himself up at Iran's consulate in Paris, but on being searched was found not to be carrying any explosives.

A police source told Reuters the man was seen at about 11 a.m. (0900 GMT) entering the consulate, carrying what appeared to be a grenade and explosive vest. Police cordoned off the area.

The man later left the consulate and was then arrested, a police source said. The TV channel BFM said he had been carrying replica grenades.

A police source said it was the same man who had been suspected of attempted arson near the Iranian consulate in an incident last September.

Le Parisien newspaper said on its website that, according to several witnesses, the man had dragged flags on the floor of the consulate and said he wanted to avenge the death of his brother.

It was unclear whether the incident had any link to current tensions between Iran and Israel.

Earlier on Friday, explosions echoed over the Iranian city of Isfahan in what sources described as an Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation - a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war.

The U.S. embassy in Paris asked Americans to avoid the area, following similar recommendations by French police.

(Reporting by Juliette Jabkhiro, Inti Landauro and Sudip Kar-Gupta, Gabriel Stargardter, Zhifan Liu, Benoit Van Overstraeten; Writing by Ingrid Melander; Editing Kevin Liffey and Timothy Heritage)
American painter Ron English, nicknamed the godfather of street art, has created two multi-media artworks reimagining Picassos Guernica.

English has inserted his own imagery, characters and visual references into Picassos template in two separate parodies, one focused around Star Wars and another called Punk Skunk.

The 64-year-old, whose art explores themes of advertising, pop culture and consumerism in a style branded popaganda, has collaborated with art retailer Castle Fine Art who will be selling the collection from upwards of 2,950.

Ron English created Star Wars Guernica (Castle Fine Art/PA)

Guernica is a large black and white oil painting, described as Picassos most important political painting, depicting the German bombing practice on the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War in 1937.

In Star Wars Guernica, Darth Vader, R2-D2 and Yoda are seen in a battle, echoing Picassos action-packed composition.

Meanwhile, Punk Skunk Guernica features toy sculptures that belong to his imagined world of Delusionville, which he describes as being like a fairytale.

English said: I recently conceived of Guernica because, the onset of this parallel career in music.

And I was kind of intrigued by the fact that in music, or traditionally in music, like in folk music, there was a melody and you would just take somebody elses melody and then you would add new words to it to be relevant to your time.

Ron English is behind Punk Skunk Guernica (Castle Fine Art/PA)

He added: And so the Guernica, I used it the same way, like its a melody that I can add new words to  to make it more relevant today.

And the melodys familiar and also you have the underlying concept of Guernica  everybody understands that, its like a universal.

English added: With Guernica, it was pretty easy to come up with the first 10 concepts it was a little harder with number 11 and even harder with 21 and by the time youre on 90 it becomes a very big challenge to come up with something you can do.

He went on: With the Star Wars piece I was using a piece of popular culture, Star Wars, which for a lot of people of my generation, its almost like a biblical thing.

It means as much as the Bible did to the generation before us because its telling these archetypal stories but in a way thats modern, not only modern, but also kind of forward thinking.

Managing director of Castle Fine Art Ian Weatherby-Blythe said: This project is very close to my heart.

Our creative director, Glyn Washington, and I hold Englishs original artwork within our personal collections, and we have aspired to work with him for over a decade.

Now we are debuting two incredible Guernica works for the first time, offering collectors worldwide the chance to own one of his incredible pieces.

The limited edition collection, priced from 2,950, is available worldwide from Castle Fine Art online and in their nationwide UK galleries.
China supports Indonesia in playing major country role

Xinhua) 09:28, April 19, 2024

Indonesian President Joko Widodo meets with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Jakarta, Indonesia, April 18, 2024. (Vico/Presidential Press Bureau/Handout via Xinhua)

JAKARTA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here on Thursday that China firmly supports Indonesia in playing its role as a major country so as to strengthen coordination and cooperation between the two sides and resist all kinds of acts that create division and confrontation in the region.

Wang made the remarks during his meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

He congratulated Indonesia on holding a smooth general election, saying the two leaders have reached important consensus in elevating China-Indonesia relations, and jointly leading bilateral relations to enter a new stage of building a community of shared future for mankind.

Wang noted that the Chinese side looks forward to working with the Indonesian side to advance bilateral ties to inherit the past and usher in the future for new development.

Wang said China is willing to carry forward the friendly traditions with Indonesia, consolidate political mutual trust, and set an example of shared future and unity among developing countries.

China firmly supports Indonesia in pursuing a path that suits its own national conditions and the deepening of practical cooperation between the two countries, Wang said, calling for the establishment of a more just and equitable global governance system.

For his part, Joko said that China is an important cooperative partner of Indonesia and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries has maintained a sound momentum.

Joko said Indonesia attaches great importance to its relations with China and hopes China will continue to support Indonesia's high-speed railway construction, adding that more Chinese companies are welcomed to invest and do business in Indonesia.

The president said that China plays an important role in international and regional affairs. Indonesia is willing to work closely with China, adhere to the one-China policy, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

On Thursday, Wang also met with Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Uber is helping police in Ohio track down the scammer who sent a driver to a home where she was shot to death by an older man.

The ride-share company described the alleged murder of Loletha Hall, 61, as "a horrific tragedy."

A statement obtained by WLWT-TV read, "Our hearts continue to be with Loletha's loved ones as they grieve."

The account that dispatched Hall to the home of her shooter, 86-year-old William Brock 86, has since been disabled, Uber confirmed.

Brock pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, kidnapping, and assault for the fatal shooting of Hall, according to the Associated Press.

According to authorities, on March 25, scammers sent Hall to Brock's South Charleston, Ohio, home under the guise that she was to pick up a package.

At the same time, Brock told investigators he had received a call from scammers demanding money and making threats.

When she arrived, Brock allegedly held Hall at gunpoint and demanded that she reveal the identities of the men he had spoken with on the phone.

He allegedly refused to let the woman leave his property and seized her cell phone. At no point in their encounter did Brock call 911 or ask anyone else for help dealing with the situation, said authorities.

Hall attempted to flee the scene, but Brock chased after her and then allegedly discharged his weapon, striking Hall. The two then got into a physical altercation, and Brock sustained minor injuries. Brock shot Hall twice more before calling 911 and reporting that he had hit a robber.

Hall was transported to a nearby hospital, where she succumbed to her wounds, WSYX reported.

Brock posted a $200,000 bond. He's due back in court on April 22.
A painting by Salvator Rosa has been recovered in Romania after being stolen four years ago from Oxford.

A Rocky Coast, With Soldiers Studying A Plan, from the late 1640s, was taken during a burglary at Christ Church Picture Gallery in Oxford University in 2020.

Other stolen items Anthony Van Dycks A Soldier On Horseback (circa 1616) and Annibale Carraccis A Boy Drinking (circa 1580) have not been recovered.

On Friday, Thames Valley Police said Italian painter Rosas Baroque landscape was given to Romanian police in Bucharest by a man, who had sold on the other two artworks which are understood to be somewhere in Europe.

 @ThamesVP and @ChCh_Oxford today announce the safe recovery of the seventeenth century #painting A Rocky Coast, with Soldiers Studying a Plan by #SalvatorRosa, and make a fresh appeal for information about two other works taken in the same raid. DCI James Mather explains pic.twitter.com/Kfi9wqg6IT  Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) April 19, 2024

The man is being treated as a witness by Romanian authorities and has not been arrested.

Thames Valley Police detective chief inspector James Mather said the force is working with the Romanian judiciary and police, as well as the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Co-operation (Eurojust) and European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Co-operation (Europol).

Some of the work includes detailed forensic analysis of the painting which is ongoing, he said.

While this is significant progress, two important works of art remain missing. Thats why were continuing to appeal for further information to assist in returning these irreplaceable artworks, which could be anywhere in Europe.

In a video posted to social media, he recalled that the original break-in was carried out by three masked men on the evening of March 14 2020.

Mr Mather also said the forensic material harvested from A Rocky Coast, With Soldiers Studying A Plan will now be analysed.

The two other paintings that were stolen in the same raid: Sir #AnthonyvanDycks A Soldier on Horseback dating from circa 1617 and A Boy Drinking by Annibale #Carracci dating from around 1580, both have been on display since 1768 at #ChristChurch. pic.twitter.com/uzGJ538vJ0  Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) April 19, 2024

Jacqueline Thalmann, curator of Christ Church Picture Gallery, said: Were grateful to the Romanian authorities and Thames Valley Police for their help in retrieving this priceless work and returning it to our gallery.

The missing paintings have been on public view since 1768, so its vital that we recover them so they can be enjoyed and studied by all once more.

Not only do the paintings form a significant part of our collection, but their significance to our British and European culture is inestimable.

Id like to appeal to anyone who has any information which can help return the remaining pictures to our gallery, where they can continue to enrich our public life.

General John Guise bequeathed his collection of more than 200 paintings and almost 2,000 drawings to his former college Christ Church in 1765.

More bequests has grown Christ Church Picture Gallery to nearly 300 Old Master paintings.

Since 1968, the collection has been housed in a purpose-built gallery, designed by the architects Powell and Moya and opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Scottish Power is to pay customers 1.5 million in refunds and compensation after it charged them above the price cap during the height of the energy crisis.

The energy firm charged 1,699 direct debit customers a higher rate between 2015 and 2023  across 11 price cap periods  which should only have applied to those who pay by standard credit, or on receiving a bill.

The average amount Scottish Power overcharged during this period was 149 per customer.

We have taken enforcement action against @ScottishPower Energy Retail Ltd, following the suppliers incorrect charging of a higher rate for direct debit customers. For more on this enforcement action and customer compensation, follow the link below https://t.co/pCJ9NwbwkG pic.twitter.com/LZPaqAf6tS  Ofgem (@ofgem) April 16, 2024

Ofgem said Scottish Power is paying a total of 250,000 in direct refunds to affected customers as well as another 250,000 in goodwill payments, equating to an average of 294 per customer.

All payments will be made automatically, and customers do not need to do anything.

Ofgem said Scottish Power reported itself to the regulator last summer, when it discovered that operational errors had led to the mistake.

Scottish Power has also agreed to pay 1 million to Ofgems Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Fund, which benefits charities and community projects that help vulnerable customers with energy-related support.

Dan Norton, Ofgems deputy director for price protection, said: The last few years have been challenging enough for energy customers facing increasing cost-of-living pressures, without the additional hardship of being overcharged. The price cap is there to protect consumers, and we take seriously any breaches of the safeguards we have put in place.

Suppliers must be vigilant and act quickly to resolve billing errors that impact customers. We will continue to closely monitor all suppliers and will hold them to account if they do not meet the standards we set.

Scottish Power said it has put additional controls and monitoring in place to reduce the risk of anything similar happening in future.

Andrew Ward, chief executive of Scottish Powers customer business, said: Were so sorry that a very small number of our customers were affected by this mistake and faced an increased financial burden  especially during a time when energy prices were reaching an unprecedented high and the Government had to step in to provide support.

Looking after our customers is at the heart of everything we do and our immediate notification to the regulator, swift corrective action and the compensation package agreed with Ofgem show both how seriously we take this matter and our commitment to making it right.

Which? director of policy and advocacy Rocio Concha said: With many households still struggling to afford their energy bills and the price cap significantly higher than it was before the energy crisis, suppliers need to ensure that billing is accurate and that customers are easily able to get in touch with customer service if something goes wrong.

While many consumers will rightly consider switching, Scottish Power must urgently make improvements to ensure all customers are getting the service and support they need and deserve.
Sturgeon says it is incredibly difficult after husband charged by police

Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon described matters as incredibly difficult after her husband was charged by police as part of a probe into SNP finances.

Ms Sturgeon appealed for privacy as she spoke briefly to journalists outside the home in Glasgow that she shares with Peter Murrell.

The 59-year-old former chief executive of the SNP was on Thursday charged by police in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds.

The development  described by First Minister and SNP leader Humza Yousaf as a really serious matter indeed  came more than a year after Murrell was originally arrested as part of the investigation known as Operation Branchform.

A 59 year old man has today, Thursday, 18 April, 2024, been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party. https://t.co/C0x86LBAnE pic.twitter.com/NTo2OjZwHZ  Police Scotland (@PoliceScotland) April 18, 2024

On Thursday morning, Murrell was re-arrested by Police Scotland officers, with the force confirming that evening that he had been charged as part of the probe.

Speaking to media outside the couples home in Glasgow on Friday, Ms Sturgeon said the situation was incredibly difficult.

She said: I know youve got jobs to do but can I ask you to maybe give my neighbours some peace.

There is nothing going to be happening here.

Asked how the last 24 hours had been, the former SNP leader, who married Murrell in 2010, added: Its incredibly difficult, but thats not the main issue.

I cant say anymore, Im not going to say any more.

Humza Yousaf insisted he is focused on his job as Scotlands First Minister. (Andrew Milligan/PA)

With Murrell now having resigned his membership of the SNP, Mr Yousaf gave his reaction to what he described as serious, serious developments.

The SNP leader said: As per the police statement, it is a very serious development.

As per the police statement, its an allegation of embezzlement from the party. Thats really serious indeed.

Mr Yousaf added: Many people in the SNP, right across Scottish politics, will be shocked by the news.

The First Minister said he only became aware the former party official had been charged when the news broke adding he found out just like anybody else who was watching the news at the time.

He stressed the SNP would allow the police to conduct their inquiries, conclude their inquiries in what he said was an ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, he insisted he was focused on his job running the Scottish Government, saying: Police, the Crown have a job to do, just as I have a job to do as First Minister.

That job, of course, is ensuring that I support business, that I help households throughout the cost-of-living crisis, that I help to cut waiting times in the NHS, that I advance the cause of independence.

So thats the job that you can imagine Im focused on.
A British video gamer whose fake call to US police led to the shooting of an innocent man has been spared jail.

Robert Walker-McDaid, 28, from Coventry, rang a US terrorism hotline in 2015 claiming he had plastic explosives and hostages.

The swatting incident led to a Swat (special weapons and tactics) police unit being sent to the home of Tyran Dobbs, who was shot with plastic bullets.

Walker-McDaid had posed as Mr Dobbs, who was shot in the face and chest and suffered severe life-changing facial injuries.

Swatting means making a hoax call about a serious crime to emergency services to incite panic and instigate the deployment of an armed response unit (Swat team) to neutralise a perceived threat.

Walker-McDaid is the first person in the UK to be charged over swatting, according to the Crown Prosecution Service, which worked with the US Department of Justice and the FBI.

He earlier admitted perverting the course of justice and was sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on Friday to 20 months in prison suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation of 1,000 to Mr Dobbs.

Zachary Lee, of Catsonville, Maryland, in the US, had met Walker-McDaid while playing video games.

He messaged him saying he needed someone swatted.

Lee, who was jailed for two years in 2018 for his role in the crime, shared Mr Dobbs address with Walker-McDaid, who then called a Maryland terrorism hotline posing as Mr Dobbs.

He told emergency services he was armed, was holding three people captive and had several bombs readied.

He claimed he would execute the first hostage within 15 minutes unless he received 15,000 dollars (12,000) in cash.

The Swat team then went to the address believing the threat to be real.

Hannah Sidaway, specialist prosecutor for CPS West Midlands, said: Swatting is far more than a crude prank, it is a serious crime which can have devastating consequences.

Walker-McDaid may not have intended to cause such serious harm, but by sowing panic and deceiving law enforcement into responding to a fictitious threat, he left an innocent man with life-changing injuries.

British-based offenders who hide behind online anonymity to commit serious crimes abroad will not escape justice, and we will continue to work collaboratively with international partners to ensure perpetrators will face the full force of the law.

Erek L. Barron, US lawyer for the district of Maryland, added: We will continue to use every tool at our disposal and work closely with our international partners to ensure that those who seek to harm Americans will face justice, wherever they may be.
Taylor Swift is thought to have hinted at her break-up with British actor Joe Alwyn and The 1975 star Matty Healy in her new album, while a song loaded with American football references is thought to be aimed at her romance with NFL star Travis Kelce.

The US pop superstar released her 11th studio album titled The Tortured Poets Department on Friday, with fans poring over a raft of new lyrics in an attempt to decode the new music.

So Long, London appears at number five in the tracklist  the slot reserved for the most meaningful song on each of Swifts albums  and is thought to offer new insight into her split with The Favourite actor Alwyn after six years together.

The Tortured Poets Department. An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time  one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure. This period of the authors life is now over, the chapter closed and pic.twitter.com/41OObGyJDW  Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) April 19, 2024

In the lyrics, Swift hints at wedding plans, singing: You swore that you loved, me but where were the clues, I died on the altar waiting for the proof, as well as being upset at having to leave London which she said she loved.

Meanwhile, fans have interpreted the lyrics to the first song on the album titled Fortnight, featuring US star Post Malone, to be about British singer Healy, whom she was rumoured to be dating briefly last year after her split from Alwyn.

Hours before the release of the album, Swift announced that Fortnight would be the first single of the album and a music video is set to be released at 1am on Saturday in the UK.

While Swift doesnt namecheck Healy, a number of songs appear to reference him, including on Guilty As Sin where she sings about having fatal fantasies for someone from her past while in a relationship.

Fans also believed the 15th track, The Alchemy, was a nod to her blossoming romance with Kansas City Chiefs star Kelce. The song references American football terms including the team, warm benches, winning streak, trophy, and league.

The pop star began a high-profile romance with NFL star Kelce last year, with her rushing the field at the Super Bowl to kiss him after his third victory in five years, and recently attending the Coachella music festival together.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce with Taylor Swift following his Super Bowl victory (PA)

Swift also namechecks Charlie Puth in the title track of the album.

The 34-year-old sings: You smoked then ate seven bars of chocolate, we declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist.

It comes after the album appeared to have been leaked online 24 hours before its scheduled release, with some fans insisting they were waiting for the official drop.

After the album was released, Swift wrote on social media: An anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time  one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure.

This period of the authors life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up. There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed.

And upon further reflection, a good number of them turned out to be self-inflicted. This writer is of the firm belief that our tears become holy in the form of ink on a page. Once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it.

And then all thats left behind is the tortured poetry.

At this hearing, I stand before my fellow members of The Tortured Poets Department with a summary of my findings. Album tonight. Fortnight music video tomorrow at 8pm et.https://t.co/BAtr2MpPIs pic.twitter.com/hWsrsXSQuW  Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) April 19, 2024

The album also includes a song titled Florida!!! featuring UK-based band Florence + The Machine.

Other song titles include The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, and Clara Bow, while the bonus song is titled The Manuscript.

Before the albums release, fans had speculated whether the album title was a reference to star Alwyn.

In December 2022, Alwyn and Normal People star Paul Mescal revealed they had a WhatsApp group chat with Fleabag actor Andrew Scott called The Tortured Man Club.

At the time, they joked they were not using it as much any more because they were less tortured before news of Alwyn and Swifts split emerged less than four months later.

Swift is known for writing songs about her ex-boyfriends, with previous flames Joe Jonas, Harry Styles, Jake Gyllenhaal and John Mayer among those who have been linked to some of her biggest hits.

Swift will bring her Eras tour to the UK from June 7, when she kicks off with three shows in Edinburgh.

The run of London shows begins on June 21.
When the Fort Worth police department wanted a new narcotics K9, they decided to adopt a dog from the Fort Worth Animal Control's Animal Care and Adoption Center.

Getting a police dog from overseas can be extremely expensive, so not only did the police department save a lot of money, they also saved a life. And the dog they rescued turned out to be an incredibly valuable member of the force.

CBS News reports, Fort Worth officer Kristopher Thompson asked the shelter, "Do you have any high-energy dogs?' Just kind of as a joke."

The force adopted Rock who quickly passed the test to go from shelter dog to K-9 narcotics officer.

Fox News reported that Sgt. Charles Hubbard of the Fort Worth Police Department said "I'm talking 20,000, 100,000, 500,000 pills off the street before they ever get out into our community," Hubbard said of the role narcotics detection K-9s play in law enforcement

Related: Police K9 Dog's Spot-On Siren Impression Is Cracking Everyone Up

Just last summer then-six-month-old Rock was found wandering around the city with his sister. His sister Jade, was just as smart as her brother, but due to the fact she has a "softer" personality she was placed as a school resource pup.

Police dogs are such an important addition to any force, and it sounds like becoming a police K9 was adorable Rock's calling. Hubbard was also quoted as saying "And I'll tell you what, every time I get him out of the car, and even when he's at home off duty  when he comes out of his kennel, he's sniffing."

It's so wonderful to think this dog went from living on the streets to keeping drugs off the street. Good boy, Rock!

What Goes In To Training a Police Dog

The US Department of Justice reports that the total average cost of a successful canine police program is $55,672.42.

Not only do these incredible dogs have to be trained for drug detection, but also how to perform search and rescue and how to help apprehend criminals.

Police dogs able to search through rubble after a devastating explosion, earthquake, or other disaster. They find people lost in avalanches. These dogs search for explosives and illegal drugs, they canvas large events to look for explosives, and help search civilian vehicles that have been pulled over.

Basic training for the patrol dogs takes approximately 4 months of full-time work, sometimes longer.

In addition to that, these amazing pups are like family both to the officers who work with them and their relatives.

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 Dublin woman and her 69-year-old father have been left exhausted and without access to his medication after being forced to sleep in a Dubai airport when their flight home was cancelled.

People are experiencing travel disruption because of the unprecedented floods in Dubai  by the end of Tuesday, more than 14cm (5.59 inches) of rain had soaked Dubai over 24 hours.

One man said he witnessed a bottle being thrown and staff raising their voices amid swarms of people in disorganised queues.

Sarah Jane Cahill and her father slept in the airport (Sarah Jane Cahill/PA)

More than 800 flights departing from Dubai International Airport have been delayed over Thursday and Friday, according to flight tracking website Flightradar24.

Dubai Airports said: This is the heaviest rainfall the UAE received in 75 years and were doing all we can to get operations back to normal.

One of those waiting at Dubai International Airport is Sarah Jane Cahill, 42, from Dublin, who had planned to board her connecting flight from Sydney to Dublin on Thursday afternoon, but was still at the airport on Friday night.

She said that thousands are stranded and that the airport was a sea of bodies on every surface overnight.

There were people in chairs, couches, on the floor outside bathrooms, sleeping on cardboard, she told the PA news agency.

So many people with young children forced to sleep on the ground. The airport was packed last night, I dont know how there wasnt a stampede.

There were also whole families sleeping on the buggies that take the elderly around the airport, it was utter chaos with crowding yesterday.

Her father and his partner, 70, neither of whom Ms Cahill wished to name, had no access to their bags which contain their medication, the nature of which Ms Cahill did not want to disclose.

Many passengers have seen flights delayed or cancelled (Patrick Killen/PA)

Ms Cahill said she has no idea where the bags are, and they have not been able to talk to any members of staff in order to retrieve them.

She said she and her father will have to sleep in the airport again on Friday night, and described the food they were provided with as insulting.

She said: (Its) a disaster. You cant get through on any of the phone numbers and the desks are completely understaffed. There is no management present and no one has apologised.

When we landed in Dubai we were on the ground for 90 minutes before we disembarked because we had no passenger chute or staff to operate it.

Ms Cahills connecting flight was scheduled to take off at 3.15pm on Thursday, but was delayed and then eventually cancelled on Friday.

The situation is being handled really poorly, she said.

We are all exhausted.

Dubai Airports said staff were doing all we can to get operations back to normal (Patrick Killen/PA)

Patrick Killen, 18, from Cirencester, Gloucestershire, had been waiting in a queue at the airport for six hours after arriving at 2pm local time on Friday, having missed his connection to Heathrow because of the delays.

He told PA: When we arrived in Dubai I was expecting some help or signage saying where I was supposed to go if I missed or needed to rebook a flight. But I just came out of the plane to find swarms of people around the help desks, no clear order, not sure if this is where I was supposed to go.

Mr Killen said they were provided with food and drinks, but again no order, people just took three to four cans or bottles each.

He added: Theyve just started throwing food at us  croissants.

Mr Killen said that at one point, a man who seemed quite frustrated asked if the staff could streamline the process of checking passengers passports.

He said: The worker didnt take this well and started shouting which caused the crowd to also shout and ended up with someone throwing a bottle of water and all the staff on one of the desks to leave and (they) did not return for 10 minutes at least.
Scotlands First Minister has said there is a real danger voting for the Scottish Greens at the next election could hamper the SNPs push for independence.

The two parties currently enjoy a majority at Holyrood as a result of their coalition deal, but cracks have been beginning to show in recent weeks as they gear up for the election.

The Scottish Greens have said they will field at least 32 candidates north of the border at the general election  their highest number ever.

But some have worried their presence on the ballot paper could split the independence vote.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland on Monday, Humza Yousaf said his coalition partners  whom he has repeatedly praised, referring to the deal between the two as worth its weight in gold  were unlikely to win a seat in Scotland but could detract from their shared goal of separation.

If you believe in independence, you want to advance the cause of independence, then I would urge people to vote for the SNP, he said.

To be clear, though we are in Government with the Greens we are  to state the obvious  different political parties that will often compete in a number of different elections.

Therefore, yes, I think theres a real danger for those that believe in independence, believe in progressive values that if you vote for the Greens, that could end up taking votes away from the SNP.

And with the greatest of respect to my Green colleagues, theyre not going to win a Westminster seat in Scotland.

Mr Yousaf added that the election presented Scotland with a number of opportunities, including advancing the independence cause, voting out Tory MPs and ensuring Scotlands voice is heard by Westminster, which he said could only be done by voting for the SNP rather than splitting that vote by voting for another pro-independence party.
The friend of a mother-of-one who drowned in a swimming pool on holiday told a court she was suspicious over her death.

Lynn Dale said Paula Leeson, 47, would never go into a pool willingly, did not like swimming or getting wet and would not even go near water.

Convicted fraudster Donald McPherson, 50, who had taken out 3.5 million in secret life insurance policies on his wife Ms Leeson, was accused of her murder in 2017, and went on trial but was found not guilty in 2021 on a judges direction due to insufficient evidence.

While cleared of murder, Ms Leesons family have brought legal proceedings against McPherson at Manchester Civil Courts of Justice, asking a judge to rule he unlawfully killed her by drowning in a swimming pool on holiday in Denmark, so he forfeits any legal entitlement to benefiting from the life insurance policies or his late wifes will and estate, worth 4.4 million.

Ms Leeson died aged 47 (Greater Manchester Police/PA)

The court has heard McPherson being described as a Walter Mitty who had changed his name multiple times, had 32 convictions spanning 15 years in three countries, and whose previous wife and their child died in a house fire.

Ms Dale was maid of honour at the lavish wedding of Ms Leeson and McPherson at a no-expense-spared ceremony at a Cheshire castle in 2014, following a whirlwind romance.

He claimed to be a property developer and she oversaw the skip hire part of her familys successful ground-working business her father Willy, 80, had built up in Sale, Greater Manchester, after emigrating from County Wicklow, Ireland, in the 1960s.

Ms Leeson and her brother Neville stood to inherit the business.

McPherson told police he awoke to find Ms Leeson face down in the shallow swimming pool at a holiday cottage in remote western Denmark he had booked for the couple, on June 6, 2017.

Ms Leeson, who was 5ft 5in tall, drowned in the pool that was under 4ft deep, though she could swim and was an otherwise healthy mother-of-one.

Lawyers for the Leeson family argue to save herself from drowning she could simply have stood up, so must have been choked before being put into the water unconscious.

Ms Dale said the holiday, organised by McPherson was not Ms Leesons type of holiday and the trip did not excite her at all.

After being told of Ms Leesons death Ms Dale told the court: I remember saying that he must be wrong as Paula would never go into a pool. She wouldnt go near water and didnt like swimming pools.

Ms Dale then went to console the Leeson family.

She added: We were all in shock about how she died. We were all suspicious of what had happened.

The court has heard soon after her death, McPherson cleared their home in Sale, Greater Manchester, of his late wifes possessions and joined a bereavement group, Widowed And Young  that he called Tinder for widows.

Born Alexander James Lang and originally from New Zealand, McPherson lied that he was an orphan with no family.

He had also served a jail sentence for an 11 million bank fraud in Germany, the court heard.

Ms Leesons death was initially treated as an accident by the Danish authorities  though she had suffered 13 separate external injuries, but McPherson was later arrested in the UK as police looked into his financial background.

But his murder trial at Manchester Crown Court was halted in March 2021 by Mr Justice Goose, ruling there was insufficient evidence for jurors to safely convict as an accidental death could not be ruled out.

After he was acquitted, in a statement through his solicitors, McPherson denied any involvement in his wifes death, saying it was a tragic accident.

He is not present at the hearing or legally represented and believed to be living in the South Pacific.

The hearing was adjourned until Monday.
Zoo Miami made an exciting announcement on Thursday, April 18th and introduced us all to their two newest family members - two adorable sloth bear cubs! The zoo shared the video of the two baby girls playing and exploring their new world, and it will make you smile.

The zoo also shared the girls' names: Sithara and Anika. Sithara means 'star' and Anika means 'graceful' in Hindi. The zoo describes them as being a handful but says that mama bear Kematee is doing great with them. Having twins myself, I know just how much work they are!

Zoo Miami hopes that visitors will come to see the new cubs, and I know if I lived closer I'd definitely want to head to the zoo and meet them.

Related: Zoo Miami Shares Funny Joke About Flamingo Mating Rituals

Facts About Sloth Bears

Zoo Miami said in their caption to head to their website to learn more about sloth bears and that's exactly what I did since I don't know anything about them. The first thing I learned is how they got their name, "Zoologist George Shaw classified them as both bearlike and in the genus Bradypus, meaning slow foot." I guess they are slow like sloths! Actually, their long, curved claws actually resemble those of the three-toed sloth.

Sloth bears are an insectivorous bear species native to Nepal and Sri Lank. Insectivorous means that they eat insects, and they love eating termites and ants. But they don't live solely on insects; they also eat fruits, honey (they are bears of course!), and plant matter. When they can find one, they will climb a tree to knock down a honeycomb to then enjoy on the ground below.

And those claws I mentioned? They use those to dig into termite and ant mounds to find a meal. After they dig, they blow away the surrounding dirt and suck up the bugs. They do this by closing their nostrils and using their lips like a vacuum nozzle...much like we would blow bubbles.

In the wild, sloth bear cubs stay with their mothers for the first two to three years of their lives. Mama bears carry the cubs on her back (this species of bear is the only one to routinely do this) to protect them from predators like leopards, tigers, wild dogs, and even other Asian bear species. And just like mama bears do, if threatened they stand on their hind legs and flash their large claws and sharp canines.

Sloth bears are also pretty noisy. "They grunt and snort as they pull down branches to get fruit, dig for termites and ants, or snuffle under debris for grubs and beetles.

Interestingly, sloth bears do not have an undercoat. Since they are native to warm climates, not having an undercoat helps keep them cool and protects them from insects. I love learning and sharing interesting animal facts!

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.


The 16-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed Assyrian bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and a priest during a church service in Sydney's Wakeley suburb has been charged with a terrorism offense despite the bishop forgiving him for his actions.

According to Australian public broadcaster ABC, the court heard that the teenager has a long history of behavior consistent with mental health issues.

The teenager's lawyer, Greg Scragg, also did not apply for bail on his client's behalf.

"He does have a long history with intermittent psychiatric treatment dating from about five years of age up until shortly before the commission of the alleged offenses," Scragg told the court.

The boy remained under police guard in the hospital and did not appear in person or on the video link.

If convicted, the teenager could get a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, Reuters reported.

Emmanuel, 53, has a popular youth following on TikTok and has been a target of criticism, hate, and online trolling. His sermons range from homilies on the Bible to fiery criticisms of homosexuality, COVID-19 vaccinations, Islam, and the election of US President Joe Biden.

In an audio message on social media on Thursday (Apr. 18), the bishop said he had forgiven his attacker and was recovering quickly.

"I forgive whoever has done this act..." Emmanuel said. "I will always pray for you, and whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well."
An overwhelming majority of the House voted Thursday on a resolution to condemn Irans recent attack on Israel.

However, 14 members voted against the resolution: 13 Democrats and one Republican. The group of Democrats includes squad members Reps. Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.), while Rep. Thomas Massie (Ky.) was the lone Republican to vote against the resolution.

Last weekend, Iran launched more than 300 missiles and drones on Israel, but Israeli and allied forces were able to shoot down most of them.

Heres the House members who voted against condemning Irans attack:

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.)

In a Thursday statement, Bowman said he unequivocally condemns Irans recent attack, just as he also condemns a suspected earlier attack by Israel, which is why he voted against the resolution.

President Biden has made it clear that he does not support escalating violence in the Middle East, which this resolution will contribute to by supporting further military action, Bowman continued in his statement. We must do everything in our power to end the ongoing violence, pursue a lasting ceasefire, and save civilian lives. Instead of pushing resolutions that fan the flames of war, Congress should recognize all of the lives that have been lost, both Palestinian and Israeli. We have a moral responsibility to govern in a way that centers those most impacted and nurtures humanity instead of succumbing to more warmongering and violence.

Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas)

Casar said in a post on the social platform X Thursday that he voted no on a bill that fully supports an Israeli military response to Irans retaliatory & escalatory attack.

I unequivocally condemn Irans attack that risked civilian lives, but I cant support continued escalation that could drag the US into regional war, he continued in his post.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.)

In a Thursday statement, the Washington Democrat said Irans attack on Israel was a dangerous escalation in what could quickly turn into a larger regional war.

I condemned the attack by Iran, as well as the precipitating hostilities that led to the attack, and I called for immediate de-escalation to reduce the threat of these actions widening into a larger regional conflict, Jayapal said. I also supported President Bidens actions, along with allies, in thwarting the Iranian attack and defending Israel against those threats.

I voted no on this resolution because I am concerned that it further escalates the situation at exactly the time that we need to do the opposite, Jayapal added. It does not mention the precipitating strike on the Iranian embassy by Israel that led to this attack. It fully supports further offensive action by Israel and calls for continued arms sales to Israel.

Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.)

Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.)

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.)

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.)

Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.)

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.)

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.)

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.)

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.)

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Authorities are searching for at least one suspect who shot five teenagers, one of whom was critically wounded, during a water gun fight Friday celebrating "senior skip day" at a park in Greenbelt, Maryland, authorities said.

"These were kids on senior skip day who were looking to have a good time at a local park," Greenbelt Police Chief Richard Bowers said at a news conference later on Friday evening. "And to have something like this occur, is just  it's maddening, honestly."

Hundreds of teens who had skipped school in Prince George's County for the tradition had initially gathered in Bowie, Maryland, said Greenbelt police spokesperson Ricardo Dennis.

When both Bowie and Prince George's County police scattered the crowd, about 500 students eventually reconvened at Schrom Hills Recreation Center in Greenbelt, Dennis said. The meet-up had been informally organized on social media authorities said.

Students will leave school and head to the park with super soakers and squirt guns and "have a good time playing water gun battles," Bowers said, adding teens had a similar water gun fight last year with no incidents.

The Schrom park is not large and there were a lot of teens crowded into a small space, said Bowers, so officers requested backup.

Officers were monitoring the water gun fight when live shots from "someone who brought a real gun" were heard, Bowers said. There were about eight to 10 shots fired, Bowers disclosed, and the area was immediately secured while officers searched for a suspect.

Most of the teenagers left the park as police responded, Dennis said, and a critically injured victim was airlifted to an area hospital. Four other victims were hospitalized with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, he said.

Authorities had earlier reported that two of the victims were in critical condition, but downgraded that to one in the evening news conference.

Two of the shooting victims were under the age of 18, and the other three were over 18, police said.

Investigators believe the suspect fled the park with the other teens. Police are still investigating whether the gun was fired by someone who was participating in the water gun fight.

"This is a horrible, tragic, senseless act that happened today. There is absolutely no reason that this occurred. It is senseless, it is chronic in our society, and we have to do something to stop it," Bowers said.

 Allie Weintraub contributed to this report.

Israeli missile hits Iran, U.S. officials confirm

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The Biden administration announced new sanctions Thursday targeting Irans missile and drone program after its attack on Israel last weekend.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that the sanctions speak to the commitment he and fellow leaders of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations made to collectively ramp up economic pressure on the Iranian government.

Biden also noted that U.S. allies were issuing additional sanctions and measures in an effort to curtail Irans destabilizing military programs. The United Kingdom announced sanctions Thursday against Iranian military figures and organizations, and European Union leaders also said this week that they would increase sanctions against Iran.

Let it be clear to all those who enable or support Irans attacks: The United States is committed to Israels security, Biden said. We are committed to the security of our personnel and partners in the region. And we will not hesitate to take all necessary action to hold you accountable.

The Treasury Department said Thursday the U.S. is targeting 16 people and two entities enabling Irans drone production, including engine types that powered the unmanned aerial vehicles used in the attack over the weekend.

Today, in coordination with the United Kingdom and in consultation with partners and allies, we are taking swift and decisive action to respond to Irans unprecedented attack on Israel," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. "Were using Treasurys economic tools to degrade and disrupt key aspects of Irans malign activity, including its UAV program and the revenue the regime generates to support its terrorism. We will continue to deploy our sanctions authority to counter Iran with further actions in the days and weeks ahead."

Iran has said it attacked Israel in response to the Israeli bombing of its consular building in Syria, which killed two of Tehrans military generals and five officers.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will respond to Irans retaliatory strikes amid calls from leaders in Western countries, including Biden, to exercise restraint.
A video shows a Russian drone unit wiping out a Ukrainian drone command post in Lyman, Ukraine. Chinese components have been found in Russian drones - RUSSIAN DEFENCE MINISTRY/ANADOLU VIA GETTY IMAGES

China is now the primary contributor to Russias war in Ukraine and wider military expansion through its provision of critical components for weaponry, the United States has warned.

Beijings supply of machine tools, semiconductors and other parts key to producing weapons is contributing to the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said on Friday.

Mr Blinken added that Washington had made it very clear to Beijing and others that they should not be aiding Russias war effort.

When it comes to Russias defence industrial base, the primary contributor in this moment to that is China, Mr Blinken said on the final day of a three-day gathering of G7 foreign ministers on the Italian island of Capri.

We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual-use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defence industrial base.

China cant have it both ways. It cant afford that. You want to have positive, friendly relations with countries in Europe, and at the same time, you are fuelling the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War.

Antony Blinken talks to reporters at the G7 foreign ministers summit in Capri - REMO CASILLI/REUTERS

Foreign ministers from the G7 countries, including Mr Blinken and Lord Cameron, the Foreign Secretary, discussed the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza and the missile strikes exchanged between Israel and Iran at the meeting.

Washington wants its European allies to ramp up pressure on China to dissuade it from assisting Russia, amid warnings that Ukrainian forces are outmanned and outgunned.

Moscows invasion, launched in February 2022, came just weeks after Russia and China declared a no limits partnership.

In an assessment last week, the Americans accused Beijing of helping Russia undertake its most ambitious defence expansion since the Soviet era and on a faster timeline than we believed possible.

Washington believes Chinese assistance includes materiel and technology that is key to the manufacturing of missiles, drones, tanks and aircraft, among other things.

Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, met Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, on a visit to Beijing this month - RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY PRESS SERVICE VIA AP

Mr Blinkens criticism of Beijing was echoed by Annalena Baerbock, Germanys foreign minister.

If China openly pursues an ever closer partnership with Russia, which is waging an illegal war against Ukraine ... we cannot accept this, she said.

There have been long-standing suspicions that China is supplying vital components to Moscow.

Last April, Ukrainian officials said their forces were finding a growing number of Chinese components, in particular electronics, in Russian weapons discarded on the battlefield.

Western sanctions designed to restrict companies from supplying military and dual-use items  which can be used for both civilian and military applications  to Russia meant that Moscow had turned to Beijing, officials in Kyiv said.

They said they found Chinese-made components in a navigation system fitted in aerial drones that had previously used a Swiss system.

They also said they found Chinese parts in fire control systems in Russian tanks. Prior to Western sanctions, the tanks had used French-made parts.

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A coalition backed by retailers like Walmart and Target announced Thursday it has collected enough signatures to put a ballot measure before California voters this November to enhance criminal penalties for shoplifting and drug dealing.

Californians for Safer Communities, a bipartisan group made up of law enforcement, elected officials and businesses, said it has collected more than 900,000 signatures in support of the measure to roll back parts of Proposition 47. The progressive ballot measure approved by 60% of state voters in 2014 reduced certain theft and drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors to help address overcrowding in jails.

In recent years, Proposition 47 has become the focus of critics who say California is too lax on crime. Videos of large-scale thefts, in which groups of individuals brazenly rush into stores and take goods in plain sight, have often gone viral. The California Retailers Association said its challenging to quantify the issue in California because many stores dont share their data.

Crime data shows the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles saw a steady increase in shoplifting between 2021 and 2022, according to a study by the non-partisan Public Policy Institute of California. Across the state, shoplifting rates rose during the same time period but were still lower than the pre-pandemic levels in 2019, while commercial burglaries and robberies have become more prevalent in urban counties, the study says.

The ballot measure would create harsher penalties for repeat shoplifters and fentanyl dealers. Shoplifters would be charged with a felony, regardless of the amount stolen, if they have at least two prior theft convictions. It also would create a new drug court treatment program for those with multiple drug possession convictions, among other things. More than 800 people died from fentanyl overdoses in San Francisco last year, a record for the city.

California's approach to crime is poised to be a major political issue in November's election. Beyond the ballot measure, Democratic San Francisco Mayor London Breed faces a tough reelection bid against competitors who say she's allowed the city to spiral out of control. Meanwhile, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price faces a recall election, and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon faces a challenger who has criticized his progressive approach to crime and punishment.

Top Democratic state leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have repeatedly shut down calls to repeal Proposition 47. Newsom argued California already has tools to sufficiently go after criminals and urged lawmakers to bolster existing laws and go after motor vehicle thefts and resellers of stolen merchandise. Lawmakers have introduced a slew of bills aiming to tackle retail theft and online resellers.

The ballot measure campaign, which has raised at least $5.4 million as of early April, is mostly funded by large retailers. It has received $2.5 million from Walmart, $1 million from Home Depot and $500,000 from Target. The measure also has support from district attorneys and more than 30 local elected officials  including Breed and San Jose's Democratic mayor.

Lana Negrete, vice mayor of Santa Monica and a business owner, said she's considering closing down her family's two music stores in the area after nine smash-and-grabs in the last four years. Negrete, a Democrat, said she voted for Proposition 47 and supported its progressive approach, but the measure has allowed for some criminals to skirt punishments while businesses are hurting.

Nobody's being held accountable, Negrete said. Weve been robbed by the same person more than once, and that person, under the current structure and criminal justice system now, is walking the streets free.

Her 52-year-old family business has lost more than $300,000 in merchandise loss and building repairs in the last few years, Negrete said. Some have advised Negrete start hiring armed security.

We teach music lessons to children, I dont need to have a guard in front of my store, she said. Thats not how it was when we started this business, and its sad to see it go that way.

County and state officials must now verify the signatures before the measure is officially placed on the ballot. The ballot measure campaign needs at least 546,651 signatures to qualify for the November ballot.
Republicans have sounded the alarm in recent years that Democrats are overwhelming their candidates in fundraising. And despite making some improvements last year, some of the most vulnerable House Republicans are once again falling behind their Democratic opponents.

Democratic candidates outraised Republicans in almost every one of the most competitive seats in the race for the House, according to new fundraising reports filed this week, a setback for Republicans who had been hoping their candidates were turning a corner.

Money alone doesnt determine winners and losers, especially in a presidential cycle where most voter attention will be focused on the top of the ticket. And Republicans expect their candidates and outside effort to be well-funded. But as Democrats need a net gain of just four seats to retake control of the House, their incumbents and challengers entered April in a significantly better financial position than their Republican rivals.

Republicans admit the fundraising gap isnt ideal, but theyre tamping down concerns  at least publicly.

Our swing-district incumbents continue to stack the cash theyll need to beat their extreme challengers, National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Will Reinert said in a statement.

The latest fundraising reports, spanning the first three months of the year, also come as Republicans navigate life without an experienced prolific fundraiser as speaker after Kevin McCarthys ouster (and with current Speaker Mike Johnson fighting continual intraparty threats to his leadership).

Ten of the 11 Republican incumbents in races rated as toss ups by The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter were outraised by at least one Democratic challenger. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer was the only GOP incumbent in that category to lead her district in fundraising.

Republican incumbents who were outraised include: Reps. David Schweikert and Juan Ciscomani of Arizona; John Duarte, David Valadao, Mike Garcia and Ken Calvert of California; Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey; and Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro and Anthony DEsposito of New York.

In races against Schweikert, Garcia, Calvert, Lawler and Molinaro, a Democratic candidate also finished the first quarter of 2024 with more cash on hand than the incumbent.

And Republican candidates were also outraised in two other toss-up seats being vacated by Democratic incumbents in Michigan.

Democrats also showed strong fundraising in a handful of other seats more likely to stay in Republican hands, with their candidates outraising Republican Reps. Kevin Kiley of California, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn of Iowa, Don Bacon of Nebraska and Nick LaLota of New York. But those Republicans still had more cash banked away.

House Democratic candidates have held a financial edge over their GOP rivals ever since the Democratic small-dollar fundraising boom that took place after former President Donald Trump took office. In 2018, that advantage helped them take control of the House. But just two years later, the GOP won big across the House battlegrounds despite operating at a financial deficit, setting the party up to retake the majority in 2022.

Despite those gains, party strategists have still raised concerns about disparities in candidate fundraising, which gave Democrats a significant edge on the airwaves, since candidates receive lower TV ad rates than outside groups.

Democrats are confident theyll continue to have a financial advantage heading into November. Just two of their vulnerable incumbents  Reps. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut and Vicente Gonazalez of Texas  were outraised by their likely GOP opponents.

On average, Democratic incumbents in tossup races raised more than $1 million on average in the first quarter, while the average GOP incumbent in a similar race raised $619,000.

Everyone can see the writing on the wall: House Republicans, consumed by chaos and crisis, are about to lose their majority, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Viet Shelton said in a statement.

Republicans in competitive races did step up their fundraising last year as they look to defend their slim majority. The NRCC also launched a million dollar mission to encourage lawmakers to give to their colleagues campaigns and boost vulnerable incumbents accounts in the off-year.

McCarthys exit has dealt a blow to GOP fundraising. Speaker Mike Johnsons joint fundraising committee, which funnels money to vulnerable GOP lawmakers and state parties, raised $9.1 million from January through March. McCarthys similar committee brought in three times more  $28.9 million  over the same period last year.

Still, even those within the party who have sounded the alarm about the GOP fundraising disadvantage in the past believe the gap has been narrowed enough to mute any significant impact.

You cant get outspent 5- or 6-to-1, but thats not whats happening in the races that matter. In this environment, you could get narrowly outspent and still have the edge, said Corry Bliss, a veteran GOP strategist who previously ran the House Republicans top super PAC, Congressional Leadership Fund.

Bliss argued that the top of the ticket will have a more significant impact than the GOP candidates fundraising disadvantages, especially considering super PACs like CLF continue to rake in strong fundraising hauls.

Joe Bidens approval rating, Joe Bidens foreign policies, Joe Bidens economic policies will be the most important thing in these House races, he said.

Of course given the choice you want more money than your opponent. But given the voice, Ill take a $5 gallon of gas and Joe Biden with 34% approval rating over [stronger] online fundraising.

Outside super PACs like CLF will still play a major role in House races, especially in the costly TV markets in New York and California, which are hosting many of the top battlegrounds. CLF, and the House Democrats House Majority PAC, both remain well-funded.

But strong candidate fundraising can allow outside groups to supplement GOP candidate spending, rather than shouldering the entire load.

It allows CLF and the super PACs to be the whipped cream and the cherry on the advertising sundae, not the full three scoops, said Matt Gorman, a former NRCC spokesman, arguing Republican candidate fundraising is better off than it was just a few years ago.

Still, not everyone is dismissing worries about a potentially widening fundraising gap.

"Its always a concern when we see our incumbents and candidates being outspent, said one national GOP strategist involved in House races.
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper called Irans silence deafening after Israel struck near a major air base and nuclear site in the city of Isfahan early Friday.

This morning, the silence  from both sides, frankly  is deafening, Esper, who served under former President Trump, told CNNs Wolf Blitzer on Friday. That nobodys talking about what happened.

So, I think, this appears to be the end of it right now. But well see, he continued.

Irans air defense batteries were activated after reports of explosions near the air base, but both sides have downplayed the significance of the strike in the hours since.

Israeli officials told The New York Times that it was a limited response aimed to avoid escalating tensions with Iran, especially because it did not cause significant damage to Iranian military sites.

An Iranian official told Reuters that there were no plans to respond against Israel.

During a press conference in Capri, Italy, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. has not been involved in any offensive operations when asked about the suspected Israeli airstrikes, calling them reported events.

Italys foreign minister said the U.S. told Group of Seven ministers that it had been informed at the last minute by Israeli officials about the drones, but there was no sharing of the attack by the U.S.

Esper said he thinks the Israeli strikes, which were in response to Irans retaliatory attack last Saturday, was merely to send a message about the countrys capabilities.

The message being we can touch you, we can reach deep into Iran and we can hit very sensitive sites because Isfahan, as your reporters noted earlier, is where theres a significant part of the Iran nuclear complex, he said.

The air base in Isfahan has been home to Irans feet of American-made F-14 Tomcats. The facility also operates three Chinese-supplies research reactors and handles fuel production for the countrys civilian nuclear program.

Tensions remain high after Iran sent some 300 ballistic and cruise missiles and explosive drones to Israel. It was largely defeated by Israels defense system but caused concerns that the conflict will grow, following an Israeli strike that killed high-ranking Iranian commanders in Syria.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The knifeman launched his assault outside the school about 2pm on Thursday, targeting two girls aged 11 and 7 before fleeing

A French teenager died from a heart attack during a lock-in to protect students from a knifeman attacking children outside their school.

The 14-year-old went into cardiac arrest early on Thursday afternoon as the attack unfolded in the town of Souffelweyersheim, in Frances northeastern Alsace region. She was taken to hospital but died later on Thursday.

The knifeman, who launched his assault outside the school about 2pm on Thursday, targeting two girls aged 11 and 7 before fleeing. The pair suffered minor injuries.

The 30-year-old attacker, who has not been named by police, struck the 11 year old in the neck before targeting the 7 year old. The younger girl also sustained wounds to her neck.

Police locked down the girls school and apprehended the suspect about 10 minutes later. The man had no criminal record and suffered psychiatric frailties, local officials said.

Police rule out terrorism

Police said he was not believed to have been radicalised and appeared to rule out any link to terrorism.

French media reported the man has received treatment for mental health problems in the past and attempted suicide in 2022. He was alleged to have been in a suicidal state when he carried out Thursdays attack.

Officials were quick to address the death of the 14-year-old, calling it a tragedy.

We are devastated, speechless, Georges Schuler, the local mayor, told the AFP news agency.

He added an investigation into her death was ongoing amid uncertainty over whether she had suffered from a pre-existing heart condition.

Two girls aged 11 and 7 sustained minor injuries in the attack - AFP

Nicole Belloubet, the minister of national education, also expressed her condolences.

The loss of a young life, full of promise and a future, is a tragedy which upsets me, which upsets us. In the pain, all of national education is with its loved ones, she said.

Thursdays attack took place just hours after Gabriel Attal, the prime minister, delivered a hard-line message about youth violence and school security, prompted by the killing of a student at the hands of his classmates on the outskirts of Paris earlier this month.

15-year-old beaten to death

Speaking from Viry-Chatillon, where 15-year-old Shemseddine was beaten to death, Mr Attal vowed to crack down on youth violence by restoring authority and respect in schools.

Dismissing any notion that their age would shelter schoolchildren from impunity in instances of wrongdoing, Mr Attal warned the culture of excuses is over.

You break, you repair; you dirty, you clean; you challenge authority, you learn to respect it, he said.

The prime minister added the government was working on a series of measures aimed at restoring order, including fining parents of delinquent children, sending rule-breaking minors to public boarding schools, toughening criminal laws for young offenders, regulating screen time and expanding school opening hours for sixth form students from 8am to 6pm.

While school hours differ across France, most institutions begin classes between 8am to 8.30am and finish them between 4.30 pm to 5pm. Extended opening hours would be made a priority in low-income neighbourhoods, Mr Attal said.

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Polls opened Friday in the first and largest phase of Indias marathon election, in which populist Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely expected to secure a rare third consecutive term and deepen his historic transformation of the worlds most populous nation.

About 969 million people are eligible to vote in the biggest democratic exercise in human history, with polling taking place in seven phases over the next six weeks. Votes will be counted on June 4.

It is considered among the most consequential votes in decades, with Modis powerful right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeking an outright majority in the lower house of parliament, or Lok Sabha.

An emphatic win for the BJP would give the party a mandate to further enshrine its Hindu-nationalist agenda, pulling away from Indias secular foundation toward majoritarian rule.

Opposing the BJP juggernaut is an alliance of more than two dozen parties, including Indias main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, which are campaigning to reduce inequality and uphold what they say are Indias at-risk democratic institutions.

Throughout its decade in power, the BJP has come under scrutiny from rights groups for its increasingly strident brand of Hindu nationalist politics and an ongoing crackdown on dissent and democratic freedoms.

Yet Modi and his party have been buoyed by levels of popularity not seen in decades. According to 2023 Pew research, about eight-in-ten Indian adults have a favorable view of the prime minister.

Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has overseen massive infrastructure spending, building highways, power plants and maritime projects, as well as subsidizing the construction of millions of concrete homes for improvised families.

The BJP has developed the country significantly in the past ten years. Corruption and crime has decreased drastically. What more can we ask for? Aditya Garg, 29, told CNN from a voting station in Muzaffarnagar, in Uttar Pradesh.

Under Modis leadership, the country of 1.4 billion people has become the worlds fastest-growing major economy and a modern global power.

Despite these successes, soaring youth unemployment and inequality remain stubbornly persistent problems, particularly in rural areas, and critics say Modi has driven religious polarization, which has included rising Islamophobia and persecution of the countrys 230 million Muslims.

Modi has walked a fine line geopolitically, placing India as a crucial counterpoint between global powers, and the Unites States, Russia and China will be watching the election closely.

As polls opened Friday, the leader had a message for voters.

I urge all those voting in these seats to exercise their franchise in record numbers, he wrote on X.

What is Modi promising?

Modi has set an ambitious target to secure a 400-seat supermajority, with 370 directly controlled by his BJP  up from 303 in 2019  and the others from its National Democratic Alliance.

The BJPs campaign manifesto centers on job creation and anti-poverty and development programs, with particular focus on women, the poor, young people and farmers.

Modi wants to turn India into a global manufacturing hub, continue its massive infrastructure transformation, and achieve energy independence by 2047.

Worth $3.7 trillion in 2023, India is the worlds fifth largest economy, having jumped four spots in the rankings during his decade in office. Modi has pledged that India will have the worlds third largest economy during a possible third term.

Indian prime minister and leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party Narendra Modi waves to supporters at an election campaign event in Guwahati on April 16, 2024. - Biju Boro/AFP/Getty Images

However, economic successes have been slow to trickle down to the countrys poorest and Indias gross domestic product (GDP) per person is ranked a lowly 147 in 2022, according to the World Bank.

Everything has become so expensive; how can poor people survive in this climate? I think its time for a change, said Irafan Mohammad, a Muzaffarnagar rickshaw driver, who has four children and earns $6 a day.

Modi wants India to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, will push to bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics and aims to land an astronaut on the moon, and has pledged to transform the country into a developed nation by 2047.

Who are Modis opponents?

Challenging him is the countrys main opposition, the Indian National Congress, a party instrumental ending nearly 200 years of British colonial rule and one that has governed for much of its independent history.

But over the last decade, it has struggled to find relevance, unable to break through the popularity of Indias incumbent leader.

Rahul Gandhi, the son of the famed Gandhi dynasty is the face of the party. He lost the past two elections to Modi and will be contending once again from the southern state of Kerala.

In a bid to unseat Modi, the Congress last year joined hands with a number of regional parties to form the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, known as INDIA. But that alliance has started to see cracks emerge with a number of detractions to the BJP.

It has also yet to put forward a candidate for prime minister.

Opposition leaders and parties have faced a slew of legal and financial challenges in the run-up to this years election, with many accusing the BJP of using state agencies to stifle and attack its opponents.

The arrest last month of the popular Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi and a staunch Modi critic sparked protests in the capital and prompted claims of a political conspiracy by his party.

Modi and the BJP have denied political interference, with one senior party leader saying it was a process of law to take appropriate action against corruption.

However, Congress manifesto has been dubbed one of Indias most progressive, pledging freedom from fear and vowing to protect freedom of speech, expression and religious belief espoused in the constitution.

Supporters of India's opposition party, Indian National Congress (INC) during the election campaign in Puducherry on April 15, 2024. - R. Satish Babu/AFP/Getty Images

Who is voting?

Voters are casting their ballots for 543 seats in the lower house of parliament, or Lok Sabha, with a further two seats nominated by the countrys president.

The party with the majority will form a government and appoint one of its winning candidates as prime minister.

On Friday, voters from constituencies in 21 states and union territories across India electronically cast their ballots. Some states are so big that voting is spread out over the seven phases, while others vote on one day.

Among the most politically important states is Uttar Pradesh, home to 240 million people who vote in all seven phases. Indias largest state is a crucial battleground with 80 seats in the Lok Sabha up for grabs.

Home to the iconic Taj Mahal and Indias holiest city, Modis constituency of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is also one of the countrys poorest. And while some 38 million Muslims call Uttar Pradesh home, it is considered the BJPs Hindu heartland and growing increasingly divided along lines of class, caste and religion.

Women shows their inked fingers after casting their ballots to vote near the India-Bangladesh border in Seoraguri village, Dinhata district of Cooch Behar in the country's West Bengal state on April 19, 2024. - Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty Images

Aqdas Siddiqui, 26, is a businessman voting in Uttar Pradeshs Muzaffarnagar. He says though hes a Muslim, hell vote for the BJP.

Theyve brought in a lot of welfare schemes for the poor and Muslims are the biggest beneficiary. The government has also cut red tape and the country has become more business-friendly, he said.

However, many Muslims CNN spoke to said that they can longer accept being marginalized by the current government and voted for the opposition.

A country is like a family, it can only develop if the head of the family treats everyone equally and doesnt discriminate, said Mehtab Ali, 54.

CNNs Manveena Suri and Esha Mitra contributed reporting.

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Israel has carried out a military strike inside Iran, a US official told CNN Friday, a potentially dangerous escalation in a fast widening Middle East conflict that Iranian government officials have so far sought to play down.

Irans air defense systems were activated in the cities of Isfahan and Tabriz after three explosions were heard close to a major military airbase near Isfahan, state media reported early Friday morning.

Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, the commander-in-chief of Irans army, said the explosions in the sky above Isfahan were related to anti-aircraft systems shooting at what he called a suspicious object, which did not cause any damage, Iranian state news IRNA reported. Other Iranian officials said air defenses intercepted three drones and there were no reports of a missile attack.

Iran has not identified the source of the strike.

The United States was given advance notification Thursday of an intended Israeli strike in the coming days, but did not endorse the response, a second senior US official said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken later confirmed the US has not been involved in any offensive operations, but was focusing on Israels defense and de-escalation.

The US was informed at the last minute about the attack on Iran, Italys foreign minister Antonio Tajani said at a news conference to conclude a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) nations in Capri, Italy, which Blinken also attended.

Multiple state-aligned news agencies reported that sites associated with Irans nuclear program were secure and the attack appeared to be limited in scope.

Iranian media appeared to further minimize the scale of the attack on Friday, broadcasting calm scenes from Isfahan showing residents walking through parks and visiting landmarks. Traffic was reported as normal and the airport was also reported to have reopened after flights were briefly canceled or suspended early Friday.

Reports of Fridays strike came hours after Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN that if Israel takes any further military action against Iran, its response would be immediate and at a maximum level.

If the Israeli regime commits the grave error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them, he added, noting that this warning had been communicated to the White House via the Swiss Embassy in Tehran.

Tensions across the Middle East remain on a knife edge, following Irans unprecedented direct strike against Israel late Saturday. The attack, during which Iran launched more than 300 drones and cruise missiles toward Israel, came in response to a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on 1 April, which killed a top commander, and several others.

Separately, material losses were reported in southern Syria after an Israeli strike, targeted our air defense sites in the southern region, Syrian state media SANA reported Friday citing a military source. The Israeli military said that it does not comment on reports in foreign media.

The Israeli military said it was unable to provide a comment on Friday, when asked by CNN about reports of explosions in Iran.

At the end of its three-day meeting in Capri, the G7 urged all parties in the region to prevent further escalation. Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also warned the strikes risk dragging the region into further conflict, adding that the Israeli-Iranian retaliations must end.

Iran warned of maximum response hours earlier

Israels action in Iran is the latest escalatory move in a region that has been rocked by Israels devastating war in Gaza following Hamas brutal October 7 attack. That attack killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw more than 200 others taken hostage.

Israels bombardment and siege of Gaza has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials, caused widespread destruction of the enclave and sparked a humanitarian crisis where more than 1 million people face catastrophic levels of hunger.

Prior to Fridays Israeli strike, the US expectation was the country would not target Irans civilian or nuclear facilities, the senior US official told CNN.

CNN has previously reported that Israel told the US its response to the weekend attacks would be limited in scope. US intelligence had suggested Israel was weighing a narrow and limited strike inside Iran because they feel like they have to respond with a kinetic action of some kind given the unprecedented scale of the Iranian attack

The range of targets was never specified in precise terms but nuclear and civilian locations were clearly not in that category, the senior official added.

Calls for restraint

Israels Western allies have both rallied to its defense in the wake of Irans attack Saturday, while also urging restraint.

US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he should consider Irans strikes a win, since they had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israels ability to defend itself.

Biden had already made clear to Netanyahu that the US would not participate in any offensive operations against Iran in response, a senior administration previously told CNN.

Benny Gantz, a key member of Israels war cabinet, had pushed for a swift response to the attack, two Israeli officials told CNN, arguing that the longer Israeli delayed its response, the harder it would be to garner international support for it.

Some hardline officials have gone further. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Israel should go crazy in response. Ben Gvir appeared to criticize Israels reported strike, publishing a one-word response on X early Friday morning  a slang word meaning lame or weak.

Israels opposition leader Yair Lapid called Ben Gvirs comment unforgivable.

Never before has a minister in the security cabinet done such heavy damage to the countrys security, its image and its international status, Lapid said.

Jasmine El-Gamal, a former Middle East adviser to the US Defense Department, told CNN that Israel and Irans tit-for-tat strikes were about posturing and messaging.

Neither side, obviously, is willing or ready to escalate into an all-out war. The Israelis in particular cannot get into an all-out war without the full support, both military and political, of the Americans, which President Biden made it clear he was not willing to give, she said.

El-Gamal said Israels reported strike was meant to tell Iran, We can get to your nuclear sites if we want to. We know where they are, and even though we didnt hit them this time  we can do it.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

CNNs Benjamin Brown, Irene Nasser, Christian Edwards, Nadeen Ebrahim, Jeremy Diamond and David Shortell contributed reporting.

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Iranian state-run news agency IRNA claimed that air defense batteries were fired early Friday morning (Apr. 19) after reports of explosions near a major airbase in the city of Isfahan.

However, it remained unclear if the country was under attack after a senior US official revealed that Israel made a retaliatory strike after Iran's unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, the Associated Press reported.

One government official suggested drones might have targeted sites.

Israeli military officials did not immediately respond to reporters' requests for comment.

IRNA said the defenses fired across several provinces across Iran. Still, it did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire, though people across the area reported hearing the sounds.

The news agency said that air defenses fired at a major airbase in Isfahan, where the country's F-14 Tomcats are located. The fighter jets were purchased by the Imperial State of Iran prior to the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

Meanwhile, semi-official news agencies Fars and Tasnim also reported the sound of blasts without elaborating further.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program.

Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran at about 04:30 local time (00:30 UTC). The airlines did not explain, but local warnings to aviators suggested that the airspace might have been closed.

Iran later announced it grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Online videos purported to show loudspeakers informing customers and travelers of the incident at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran.

Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Iran's civilian space program, said on X, formerly Twitter, that several small "quadcopter" drones had been shot down but did not reveal where that happened or if it was part of the ongoing incident in Iran.

Explosions were also heard in Iraq, where a number of Iranian-backed militias are based, with residents of Baghdad reporting they heard sounds of explosions. However, the source of the noise was not immediately apparent.
By Parisa Hafezi and James Mackenzie

DUBAI/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Explosions echoed over an Iranian city on Friday in what sources described as an Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation - a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war.

The limited scale of the attack and Iran's muted response appeared to signal a successful effort by diplomats who have been working to avert all-out war since an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel last Saturday.

Iranian media and officials described a small number of explosions, which they said resulted from air defences hitting three drones over the city of Isfahan in central Iran. Notably, they referred to the incident as an attack by "infiltrators", rather than by Israel, obviating the need for retaliation.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters there were no plans to respond against Israel for the incident.

"The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," the official said.

Jonathan Lord, head of the Middle East security program at the Center for a New American Security, a U.S. think tank, said that "seems to indicate that Iran is seeking to step down off the ledge, minimise the impact of the attack, and perhaps walk back down the escalation ladder from here".

Israel said nothing about the incident and its ally Washington refused to be drawn. Asked about it repeatedly at a press conference in Italy, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he would not comment apart from to say that the United States was committed to Israel's security but not involved in any offensive operations.

"Israel tried to calibrate between the need to respond and a desire not to enter into a cycle of action and counter reaction that would just escalate endlessly," said Itamar Rabinovich, a former Israeli ambassador to Washington.

Violence between Israel and Iranian proxies across the Middle East has intensified throughout six months of bloodshed in Gaza, raising fears the longstanding foes' shadow war could spiral into a direct conflict.

Israel had said it would retaliate after Saturday's strikes, the first ever direct attack on Israel by Iran, which caused no deaths after Israel and its allies shot down hundreds of missiles and drones.

Tehran launched those attacks in response to a presumed Israeli airstrike on April 1 that destroyed a building in Iran's embassy compound in Damascus and killed several Iranian officers including a top general.

CALLS FOR CALM

Allies including the United States had pressed all week to ensure any further retaliation would be calibrated not to provoke more escalation. The British and German foreign ministers visited Jerusalem this week, and Western countries tightened sanctions on Iran to mollify Israel.

There was no word from Israel on Friday as to whether further action might be planned. Apart from direct strikes on Iranian territory, it has other ways of attacking, including cyber attacks and strikes on Iranian proxies elsewhere.

In a sign of pressure within Israel's hard-right government for a stronger response, Itamar Ben Gvir, the far-right national security minister posted a single word on X after Friday's strikes: "Feeble".

Countries around the world called for calm.

"In light of reports of strikes on April 19th, we urge all parties to work to prevent further escalation," foreign ministers of the Group of Seven industrialised democracies said in a statement at the end of a meeting in Italy attended by Blinken.

They also called for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, the release of hostages held there by Hamas, an influx of aid for civilians in Gaza, and for Israel to hold off from attacking Rafah, the last refuge for more than a million Gazans.

Beijing, Moscow and Arab states also called for restraint in the region.

In financial markets, oil prices initially surged but later slipped back, a move that market analysts said pointed to a belief that an escalation of hostilities in the Middle East might be avoided.

NO MENTION OF ISRAEL

In Iran, news reports on Friday's incident made no mention of Israel, and state television carried analysts and pundits who appeared dismissive about the scale. An analyst told state TV that mini drones flown by "infiltrators from inside Iran" had been shot down by air defences in Isfahan.

Shortly after midnight, "three drones were observed in the sky over Isfahan. The air defence system became active and destroyed these drones in the sky," Iranian state TV said.

Israeli media avoided quoting Israeli officials directly, instead referring to foreign media reports that cited Israeli sources as confirming Israel was behind the attacks.

Some Israelis suggested the aim was to demonstrate the capability to attack without causing harm. One newspaper likened it to a biblical story of the future King David snipping a piece from the robe of a foe when given a chance to kill him.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had warned Israel before Friday's strike that Tehran would deliver a "severe response" to any attack on its territory.

Iran told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that Israel "must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests".

By morning, Iran had reopened airports and airspace that were shut during the strikes.

Israel's assault on Gaza began after Hamas Islamists attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military offensive has killed 34,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Gazan health ministry.

Iran-backed groups have declared support for Palestinians, carrying out attacks from Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq, raising fears the Gaza conflict was growing into a wider regional war.

Meanwhile, French police on Friday arrested a man who had threatened to blow himself up at Iran's consulate in Paris, but on being searched was found not to be carrying any explosives.

(Reporting by Humeyra Panuk, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington and Parisa Hafezi in Dubai; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh, Jasper Ward, Jamie Freed and Dan Williams; Writing by Peter Graff and Timothy Heritage; Editing by Angus MacSwan and Andrew Heavens)
Former Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (I) said he could beat both President Biden and former President Trump in a hypothetical match-up Thursday.

If I had ballot access in all 50 states and I were allowed to debate, I could beat these two major party candidates, Ventura said on CNNs Erin Burnett OutFront.

Burnett and Ventura were discussing Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s candidacy on her show. Kennedy, who is seen as a spoiler candidate who could tilt the race toward one of the major candidates by supporters of both Biden and Trump, is currently at 6.9 percent support in a national polling average by The Hill/Decision Desk HQ. He is far behind both Trump and Biden in the polling average, who are at 42.4 and 41.6 percent support, respectively.

Ventura also pushed back against the idea of spoilers in his CNN appearance, stating that third parties are not spoilers.

When you go to vote and do your civic duty, you vote for the candidate or the person that you most wanna  to be the president of the United States, irregardless of their party, Ventura said. If you go vote for the person you want as president, then youve done your civic duty.

Where do we get off calling it spoiler, because you dont vote Democrat or Republican? Ventura continued.

Kennedy was previously reportedly to be considering Ventura as his vice-presidential pick, but he eventually went with attorney Nicole Shanahan. He said at the event where he announced Shanahan as his pick that she is a daughter of immigrants who overcame every daunting obstacle and went on to achieve the highest levels of the American dream.

That is why Im so proud to introduce to you, the next vice president of the United States, my fellow lawyer, a brilliant scientist, technologist, a fierce warrior-mom, Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  Four California men who were associated with the "Three Percenter" militia group and convicted in connection with the Jan. 6 Capitol attack were taken into custody Friday after a judge ordered them to serve sentences ranging from 21 to 33 months in federal prison, far below what the government had requested.

Erik Scott Warner, Felipe Antonio Martinez, Derek Kinnison and Ronald Mele were all found guilty of felony obstruction of an official proceeding and other charges after a trial last year. One of their co-defendants, former California police chief Alan Hostetter, was sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison in December. The trials featured testimony from co-defendant Russell Taylor, who pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal with the government.

The felony charge they were convicted of  obstruction of an official proceeding  is currently before the Supreme Court, where some of the justices seemed skeptical of the way the government had used the charge. A decision in that case is expected in the coming months. If the Supreme Court guts the charge, two of the defendants could end up only serving 12 months in prison on their misdemeanor convictions.

The men communicated over a "The California Patriots  DC Brigade" Telegram chat and brought weapons on their trip to Washington to participate in Jan. 6, according to evidence shown at trial. They kept a shotgun in their car, and Kinnison and Mele claimed they stored five handguns in their hotel room "despite understanding that it was illegal," the government said. Were packing light just a scatter gun and a pistol a piece," Martinez joked, according to prosecutors.

Mele took photographs of the handguns, holsters, ammunition, and magazines they brought into their hotel room. (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia)

Prosecutors had sought lengthy sentences for the foursome between 6.5 and eight years in federal prison, but Judge Royce Lamberth landed on much lower sentences within the guidelines range.

Warner received 27 months after telling Lamberth that he "got caught up" in the mob and was sorry for his conduct. "I shouldn't have been there," he said, apologizing to his family for putting them "through hell."

Martinez received 21 months in prison after he said he was "very sorry" and apologized for his conduct, telling Lamberth that he would "never see me back here."

Kinnison was sentenced to 33 months in prison. He spoke about his love of God, family and country and said he admired the "Judeo-Christian principles that the country was founded upon." He said that he did repent for his sins and ask forgiveness for his sins and that he was praying for Lamberth and the prosecutors on the case.

Mele was also sentenced to 33 months. Prosecutors said he "awarded" his co-conspirators a "Capitol Action Badge" a few weeks after Jan. 6, which prosecutors described as a "crudely modified version of a real military reward." He said Jan. 6 "gave this country a black eye" that was still tender. Mele said he had pulled himself away from politics and that the experience of going through trial and seeing videos of some of the horrific violence at the Capitol had "opened my eyes." He said that he didn't condone what happened, calling it "asinine."

Capitol Action Badge. (U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia)

The government had sought eight years in prison for all the defendants except for Martinez, who they said should serve six and a half years.

The stakes, Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Mariano argued, could not be much higher, and the defendants here were in a rare class of Jan. 6 defendants who worked together and had a plan and were convicted in a criminal conspiracy. They came to Washington with everything a soldier going into battle needs, he noted.

"We are 262 days away from Jan. 6, 2025," Mariano said Friday, arguing that the sentence imposed "needs to consider January 6, 2025, 2029, 2033, and so on."

More than 1,387 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol attack, with more than 984 defendants having been convicted. Of the more than 859 defendants who have been sentenced, more than 520 have been sentenced to periods of incarceration of a few days behind bars to 22 years in federal prison.

The overwhelming majority of Jan. 6 defendants in custody either admitted to their criminal conduct or were found guilty at trial; only about 15 defendants in pretrial custody.

CORRECTION (April 20, 2024, 4:01 p.m.) A previous version of this story misstated the number of men associated with the Three Percenter militia group who were taken into custody. It was four, not three.
Dozens of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s former colleagues at an environmental defense giant are calling on the Independent presidential candidate to drop out of the race.

Several current and former Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) staffers, including co-founder John Adams and President and CEO Manish Bapna, threw their support behind President Biden in the letter, which will run as full-page ads in newspapers in six swing states this weekend.

In nothing more than a vanity candidacy, RFK Jr. has chosen to play the role of election spoiler to the benefit of Donald Trump  the single worst environmental president our country has ever had, they write in the letter.

A dozen environmental advocacy groups including the Sierra Club and Sunrise Movement published a separate open letter Friday calling Kennedy a dangerous conspiracy theorist and a science denier and denouncing RFK Jr.s false environmentalist claims.

We cant, in good conscience, let him continue co-opting the credibility and successes of our movement for his own personal benefit, the groups wrote, calling on Americans to reject RFK Jr. and the toxic beliefs he promotes before its too late.

Kennedy spent nearly three decades at the NRDC as a senior attorney, experience he has repeatedly invoked to bolster his environmental platform. He has said he would be the best environment president in American history, promising to curb logging, mining and oil drilling and floating a nationwide ban on fracking.

Nicole Shanahan, who Kennedy tapped last month to be his running mate, said she saw in Kennedy a fellow lawyer who had committed himself to finding the truth and fighting for the environment and for people.

But Kennedys campaign has touted misleading and debunked conspiracy theories, including his longstanding belief that vaccines cause autism.

The Hill has contacted Kennedys campaign for comment.

Both the ad and open letter suggest Kennedy has no hope of winning and would only succeed in taking votes away from Biden, which could ultimately help Trump win in November.

President Biden does not need my help to lose to Donald Trump, Kennedy told The New York Times when asked about the new ad and letter, adding the environmental movement is making a mistake to settle for crumbs that have been given to us by the Biden administration.

Trump leads Biden by less than a percentage point in a hypothetical three-way match-up with Kennedy, who is polling at 7 percent, according to The Hill/Decision Desk HQ polling averages.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Luc Cohen, Jack Queen and Andy Sullivan

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.

The man burned for several minutes in full view of television cameras that were set up outside the courthouse, where the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president is being held.

"He was on fire for quite a while," one witness, who declined to give his name, told reporters. "It was pretty horrifying."

Officials said the man, who is in his late 30s, survived and was in critical condition at a hospital.

Witnesses said the man pulled pamphlets out of a backpack and threw them in the air before he doused himself with a liquid and set himself on fire. One of those pamphlets included references to "evil billionaires" but portions that were visible to a Reuters witness did not mention Trump.

The New York Police Department said the man, who they identified as Max Azzarello of St. Augustine, Florida, did not appear to be targeting Trump or others involved in the trial.

"Right now we are labeling him as sort of a conspiracy theorist, and we are going from there," Tarik Sheppard, a deputy commissioner with the Police Department, said at a news conference.

In an online manifesto, a man using that name said he set himself on fire and apologized to friends, witnesses and first responders. The post warns of "an apocalyptic fascist coup" and criticizes cryptocurrency and U.S. politicians, but does not single out Trump in particular.

A smell of smoke lingered in the plaza shortly after the incident, according to a Reuters witness, and a police officer sprayed a fire extinguisher on the ground. A smoldering backpack and a gas can were visible.

The downtown Manhattan courthouse, heavily guarded by police, drew a throng of protesters and onlookers on Monday, the trial's first day, though crowds have dwindled since then.

JURY SELECTION COMPLETED

The shocking development came shortly after jury selection for the trial was completed, clearing the way for prosecutors and defense attorneys to make opening statements on Monday in a case stemming from hush money paid to a porn star. The court adjourned later in the afternoon.

The 12 jurors, along with six alternates, will consider evidence in a first-ever trial to determine whether a former U.S. president is guilty of breaking the law. Prosecutors intend to call at least 20 witnesses, according to Trump defense lawyer Susan Necheles. Trump may testify on his own behalf, in a risky move that would open him up to cross-examination.

The jury consists of seven men and five women, mostly employed in white-collar professions: two corporate lawyers, a software engineer, a speech therapist and an English teacher. Most are not native New Yorkers, hailing from across the United States and countries like Ireland and Lebanon. The alternates, who will also hear the case, are held in reserve in case one of the jurors has to leave due to illness or some other cause.

Trump is accused of covering up a $130,000 payment his then-lawyer Michael Cohen made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to keep quiet about a sexual encounter she says they had a decade earlier.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and denies any such encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in three other criminal cases as well, but this is the only one certain to go to trial ahead of the Nov. 5 election, when the Republican politician aims to again take on Democratic President Joe Biden.

A conviction would not bar him from office.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jack Queen in New York and Andy Sullivan in Washington; additional reporting by Cynthia Osterman; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Daniel Wallis and Jonathan Oatis)
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, senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett explains how Donald Trump has already hobbled his legal team one week into his criminal trial. Plus, "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker breaks down how foreign affairs has defined Joe Biden's presidency.

Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.

How Trump has hobbled his legal team before the first witness is even called at his historic trial

By Laura Jarrett

For the better part of the last year, former President Donald Trump has sought to turn what would ordinarily amount to significant legal trouble into a political asset.

Four indictments and one mugshot later, hes successfully managed to dodge any dip among his supporters. Yet now that he stepped into a no-frills Manhattan courtroom this week for the start of his first criminal trial, the legal downside of his political strategy has come into sharp view.

Do you have a news tip? Let us know

The rules of criminal procedure dont change, no matter the defendant, even for a former president. And the courtesies and customs recognized between seasoned prosecutors and defense lawyers begin to break down, if not completely collapse.

In a telling moment near the end of a long day in court Thursday, Trumps lead attorney, Todd Blanche, asked if he could get the names of the first three witnesses the prosecution intends to call. Thats a routine and reasonable request. But the prosecutor, Joshua Steinglass, rebuffed him.

Why? Because Mr. Trump has been tweeting about the witnesses, Steinglass said. Were not telling them who the witnesses are. Im sorry.

Judge Juan Merchan, who has been the subject of his own wave of attacks from the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, then said: I cant fault the People for that.

The issue came up again late Friday afternoon, and the prosecution agreed to turn over the name of the first witness to the defense on Sunday. But the implication remains: Trumps legal team is facing a distinct strategic disadvantage with less time to plan cross-examinations of the states witnesses. In other words, instead of being able to focus all weekend on prioritizing the expected testimony of just a few witnesses, all are up for grabs.

And its all because Trump has been railing against multiple witnesses online, and has only ramped up his vitriol in recent days, notwithstanding a court order directing him not to do so.

This is the year the legal and political lives of Trump have been on a collision course. The only difference is, now the side thats feeling the burn is his own team.

Trump trial latest: Jury selection completed during a tense day inside and outside the courtroom

By Adam Reiss, Lisa Rubin and Dareh Gregorian

Opening statements are set to begin next week in Trumps criminal trial after the final members of the jury were seated Friday, following a dramatic day in which two prospective jurors broke down in tears, an appeals court judge rejected the former presidents request for a stay, and a man set himself on fire in front of the New York City courthouse.

Were going to have opening statements on Monday morning. This trial is starting, Merchan said towards the end of the day, after successfully seating the remaining five alternate jurors that were needed.

The case  the first-ever criminal trial of a former president  will be heard by a panel of 12 jurors and a total of six alternates. Its expected to last roughly six weeks.

The five alternates ultimately selected Friday include an unemployed married woman whos into art and described herself as not political, an audio professional, a contract specialist, a clothing company executive and a construction company project manager. It took four days of jury selection to find the 18 jurors.

Around the same time the judge declared we have our full panel inside the courtroom in the early afternoon, a man set himself on fire outside the courthouse. A spokesperson for the NYPD said the man was in critical condition. He appears to have had pamphlets describing a conspiracy involving cryptocurrency that he threw around before setting himself ablaze, police said.

Read more from the fourth day of the Trump trial here 

Volodymyr Zelensky and Joe Biden. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images file)

A pivotal moment for Biden, Ukraine and Congress

By Kristen Welker

A pivotal moment has arrived for President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

Can the GOP-led House pass the aid Ukraine says it needs in its two-year-old war against Russia?

If it does, is it already too late to help?

How much longer does Ukraine need assistance?

And how much is riding on the outcome of the 2024 election, given Trumps past opposition to this aid?

These are among the questions that I plan to ask Zelenskyy on Sunday when I interview him on Meet the Press.

The congressional fight for Ukraine aid has also underscored an important point about the Biden presidency: Its been largely defined  and unsettled  by events overseas.

It began with the botched and deadly U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Then there was Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

And then came the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel, which has led to a six-month war.

Just in the past week, we saw Iran launch missile strikes and drones at Israel, while Israel responded Thursday night by carrying out what appears to be a limited response inside Iran.

We dont want to see this escalate. ... Were not looking for a wider war with Iran. ... I think, you know, the coming hours and days will tell us a lot, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told me last Sunday.

How foreign affairs has defined Bidens presidency has carried over with Russias invasion of Ukraine  and with the current congressional drama over whether the U.S. will continue to provide Ukraine with the funding it needs.

All of it creates a fraught backdrop as the 2024 race heats up.

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.
A Maryland teenager wanted to carry out two school shootings and outlined those plans in a 129-page document that a tipster flagged to authorities, officials said Thursday.

Alex Ye, 18, of Rockville, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of threats of mass violence, the Montgomery County Police Department said in a statement on Thursday.

Central to the case is the document, which was seized under a search warrant following an investigation by the FBI and police, according to the statement.

"In the document, Ye writes about committing a school shooting, and strategizes how to carry out the act. Ye also contemplates targeting an elementary school and says that he wants to be famous," police said.

In his writings, Ye allegedly explained that he wanted to attack his former elementary school because little kids make easier targets and also strategized on how to access the easiest classrooms in his high school, Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones told reporters in Gaithersburg on Friday.

This situation highlights the critical importance of vigilance and community involvement in preventing potential tragedies, Jones said, adding that a potentially catastrophic event was prevented by the brave witness and collaborative efforts by authorities.

Despite these mass shooting plans, Ye wrote that his real desire was to become a serial killer.

Ye also wrote that he wanted to become a serial killer instead of a mass murderer because serial killers are romanticized a lot more, Jones added.

Police have been investigating Ye since early March and only arrested him this week when they feared he might actually carry out these plans.

"Its not our goal to make an arrest in every case of a threat," Jones said, adding that his agency has worked on 140 tips of possible school violence this academic year alone.

"But this case is different. This case is entirely different  that takes it to a different level. It was a concerned witness who brought this matter to light by reporting the suspects manifesto to authorities."

Investigators also found internet searches, drawings and documents "related to mass threats of violence," according to the statement.

Police added that security had been increased at schools as a result of the investigation, particularly Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, where Ye had attended in person before being sent to a string of psychiatric hospitals.

Authorities first learned of the document  which Ye called a memoir  after being contacted by an informant named in court records only as "Witness-One." The person spent time in a psychiatric facility with Ye, who said the memoir was a fictional account of a high school shooting.

According to court records, the memoir opens with a disclaimer that says: "This is not threat of violence, nor does it represent the authors beliefs."

But its content was enough to alarm authorities and court records allege Ye put at least five people at Wootton High School "at a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury if the threat were carried out."

"It appears that the 'manifesto' has portions of fictional and non-fictional qualities and is based on reality with a plan of Threats of Mass Violence," officials said in court documents.

Ye allegedly wrote of wanting to shoot up his school with an AR-15, targeting the elementary school because little kids make easier targets, wanting to be famous and wanting to set the record for the most kills.

His internet searches included gun ranges near me and searches about school shootings including Sandy Hook and Parkland, prosecutors said. He was also in a Discord chat group with others focused on glorifying school shootings, the charging document said.

Ye was hospitalized from December 2022 for threatening to "shoot up school," and for having homicidal and suicidal ideations, according to court records. It was not immediately clear why Ye was released the next month as court records say it was determined he was still preoccupied with schools shootings, self-harm and explosives.

Ye had not attended school since the fall of 2022, a public school spokesman said, but had continued his education through a remote learning program.

A gun, belonging to Ye's father, was found locked in the family home during a police search, Jones said. But the suspect did not appear to have access to a weapon.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich told reporters on Friday that Maryland's strict gun control laws may have prevented a tragedy.

"This could well be a case where the difficulty to get guns prevented him from getting a gun when he wanted it, and possibly prevented him from acting as soon as he would have preferred to act, Elrich said.

Still, authorities said they believed Ye was a legitimate threat.

"Even after being removed from the school, Ye said that he could do something at graduation because he lived close to the school," Jones said Friday.

The states request for Ye to be held without bond until trial was granted at a court hearing on Friday, a spokesperson for the Montgomery County States Attorneys Office said.

Yes trial is scheduled to start on June 3, 2024. He faces one misdemeanor charge of threat of mass violence, which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison if convicted.
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In the opening scenes of Scoop, photographer Jae Donnelly stakes out Jeffrey Epstein's Upper East Side townhouse.

Before he captures images of Epstein and Prince Andrew, Donnelly snaps a young girl walking out. She goes unnoticed by the security guards stationed at the door, and the girl appears to look directly at Donnelly as she leaves.

Much later in the film, after the Newsnight interview has aired, the film shows the board of young women and girls who have been photographed in proximity to Epsteinincluding the person at the start of the movie. It zooms in on her, with the label, "Kristina Tyneham," near a Post-It note that reads "New York." Next to her image are other photographs, labeled Alice Affcott, Natalie Okonjo, and Jane Arrowcroft. To our knowledge, these are not real peoplein fact, looking them up online yields no results in Google, so it is as if the Scoop production team went out of their way to find names that did not correspond to real people.

Likely, Kristina, and the other women, stand in for victims of Epstein. As NPR wrote earlier this year, "Dozens of young women have stepped forward to accuse Epstein of sexually victimizing and exploiting them. In court papers and trial testimony, they have described depraved actions perpetrated not only by Epstein but also by his friends and business associates."

Though Kristina is not a real person, in December 2010, there were photographs and video taken of a young brunette woman named Katherine Keatingthe daughter of former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keatingleaving Epstein's townhouse. As the Sydney Morning Herald writes, "Keating had visited Epstein's home after he was released from a Florida prison following his guilty plea to child sex charges, and on the same day Prince Andrew had been photographed walking in a New York park with Epstein, sparking a royal scandal which continues to dog the Prince."

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'Narrowly avoided crash' at DC-area airport sparks FAA investigation

Virginia Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine called a "near crash" at Ronald Reagan National Airport on Thursday morning a "horrifying example" of the effects of efforts to undermine slot and perimeter rules. They called the runway where the incident happened "overburdened" and "the busiest in the country."

On Thursday morning at around 7:40 a.m. ET, Southwest Flight 2937 and JetBlue Flight 1554 almost collided as air traffic controllers frantically told the planes to stop, as later heard in audio of the incident.

According to flight monitoring sites, the Southwest flight was around 65 feet away from entering a runway where the JetBlue plane sat around 300 feet away.

The Virginia lawmakers released a visualization with audio of the incident where an air traffic controller can be heard yelling "Southwest 2937 STOP!"

Another controller is heard intervening saying, "JetBlue 1554, do you have room to get around the Southwest [plane]? ... Or even double back onto runway 4 full lane?"

The plane then told the controller he could make a left on the A runway and move out of the way.

The FAA confirmed to Scripps News that the agency would investigate the incident and that information it has is preliminary, saying JetBlue Flight 1554 was starting its takeoff roll on the same runway when the incident happened.

SEE MORE: Boeing under scrutiny again as whistleblowers testify before Senate

In the statement from Sens. Warner and Kaine on Thursday, they said "we fear that adding more flights could put passenger safety at serious jeopardy. We are thankful there was no loss of life or injuries, but this close call is unacceptable and we must ensure even near misses never occur again. To state the obvious: Passenger safety should be a higher priority than whether some lawmakers have a direct flight home from DCA."

The senators say they have repeatedly opposed changes to slot and perimeter rules, which they say govern the amount of flights safely allowed to operate out of Reagan National Airport.

In February, Sen. Kaine's office released a statement calling the Senate Commerce Committee's actions to introduce a provision to change slot and perimeter rules "unsafe."

Sen. Kaine called the decision "profoundly reckless" and said the Senate Commerce Committee is "gambling with the safety of everyone who uses" the airport.
Iran fired on suspected attacking Israeli drones Friday morning, but so far Tehran's response to Israel's strikes inside the country has been relatively muted despite fears that tensions between the countries could erupt into all-out war, according to several media reports.

Iranian state TV played down the reported attack on a military base and nuclear site by Israel near the city of Isfahan in the wake of Iran's strikes on Israel last weekend. Officials also indicated there would be no retaliatory action in the hopes of averting a region-wide war, according to Reuters.

News media in both countries appeared to downplay the attack in what analysts told the New York Times was an attempt to de-escalate tensions.

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, called on social media for "extreme restraint from everybody." The agency noted there had been "no damage" to nuclear sites in Iran by the Israeli strikes, but it's continuing to monitor the situation.

IAEA can confirm that there is no damage to #Irans nuclear sites. DG @rafaelmgrossi continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely. pic.twitter.com/4F7pAlNjWM  IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency  (@iaeaorg) April 19, 2024

Other countries were quickly drawn into an effort to avert further violence after days of urging Israel not to seek revenge following Iran's earlier attacks in retaliation for Israel's strike on Tehran's embassy in Syria earlier this month.

Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Capri plan Firday morning to "address the Iran issue and put priority attention of the Middle East," and reaffirmed the group's support for an Israeli ceasefire in Gaza."
(Reuters) -A South African antitrust agency is set to investigate Microsoft over its cloud computing licensing practices, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

The South African case against Microsoft is likely to mirror the European Union antitrust case, according to the source.

Microsoft is not aware of any complaint filed by the South African competition authority, the company said in an emailed statement.

South Africa's competition agency did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The U.S. software giant faces a EU complaint by rivals over its cloud computing licensing practices in the region.

Industry group CISPE, which includes members such as Amazon.com and 26 small EU cloud providers, filed a complaint in late 2022 alleging Microsoft's new contractual terms were harming Europe's cloud computing ecosystem.

Microsoft amended its licensing terms in mid-2022 after rivals in Germany, Italy, Denmark and France took their grievances to the EU competition watchdog.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee and Nilutpal Timsina; Additional reporting by Yuvraj Malik, Priyanka.G Editing by Anil D'Silva)
Members of media are seen moments after a person reportedly self-immolated outside the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on April 19, 2024.

A Florida man has died after setting himself on fire Friday outside the downtown Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial on 34 counts of falsifying business records, according to officials.

Officials said Maxwell Azzarello from St. Augustine, Florida, walked into the park across from the courthouse, threw the pamphlets down and set himself ablaze.

Police and the fire department were called to the scene shortly after 1:30 p.m. Bystanders tried to help put out the fire with their coats and a fire extinguisher. Azzarello was transported to the NY Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Hospital burn unit.

Shortly before 11 p.m., hospital staff pronounced him dead, police Detective Sophia Mason told USA TODAY.

Trump trial live updates: Testimony to continue on Cohen hush money recording

Police called Maxwell Azzarello a conspiracy theorist

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph E. Kenny said police believe Azzarello came to New York from Florida sometime after April 13, but his family did not know he was there.

Kenny also called the man a conspiracy theorist based on the pamphlets he dropped and an online post related to the incident.

"The pamphlets seem to be propaganda-based, almost like a conspiracy theory type of pamphlet, some information in regards to Ponzi schemes, and the fact that some of our local educational institutes are fronts for the Mob, so a little bit of conspiracy theory going on there," Kenny said.

In a Substack post believed written by Azzarello, he said the incident was "an extreme act of protest."

He said he was an investigative researcher and delved into theories on cryptocurrency, the Silicon Valley Bank failure and various educational institutions.

"To my friends and family, witnesses and first responders, I deeply apologize for inflicting this pain upon you," the post reads. "But I assure you it is a drop in the bucket compared to what our government intends to inflict."

'Oh, I think I'm gonna see something bad here': Witnesses recount charred face

An Upper West Side resident who asked to be identified only by his first name, Dave, told USA TODAY he was walking by when he heard pamphlets fall to the ground.

"He had a can, and he poured fluid all over himself, at which point I said, 'Oh I think I'm gonna see something bad here,'" he said. "And sure enough, he pulled out a lighter, I think a lighter, and set himself on fire."

Julie Berman said she saw the man being taken away on a stretcher.

"His face was completely black," she said.

Hush money trial live updates: Donald Trump hush money trial Jury selection complete

New York police guard the site across from Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City after a man reportedly set himself on fire during the trial of former President Donald Trump, in New York City on April 19, 2024. A man set himself on fire Friday outside the court, New York police said, with officers rushing to extinguish the flames. TV reporters described the scene that unfolded moments after the full panel of 12 jurors and six alternates was selected for the trial of the former president in a hush money cover-up case.

Fire broke out near media on scene for Trump hush money trial

Law enforcement is seen moments after a person reportedly self-immolated outside the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on April 19, 2024.

Footage from the scene posted by a Politico reporter shows a person engulfed in flames near where multiple camera crews were set up. CNN reporters said they saw the incident live on air.

Deputy Police Commissioner Tarik Sheppard told reporters Azzarello did not cross the security perimeter outside the courthouse where Trump's trial is being held.

There was no security breach here, Sheppard said.

Shortly after the incident, Sheppard said, he requested a bomb squad search of area for secondary devices and weapons. As of the time of the news conference, he said, no devices had been found.

Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said three police officers and one court officer suffered minor injuries from the fire.

Authorities were determining whether to ramp up security around the courthouse in light of the incident but have not made a firm decision yet.

"We'll be continuing with the search of this area. And as far as your question about enhanced security procedures, we're going to ... look into this," Sheppard said. "We may have to shut this area down. We're going to have a conversation."

Trial participants were aware of what happened outside the courthouse.

Contributing: Bart Jansen

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Man dies after setting himself on fire outside Trump trial in New York
A Polish man has been charged over claims he assisted an alleged Russian plot to assassinate Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to authorities in Poland and Ukraine.

He was charged with readiness to act for foreign intelligence against the Republic of Poland, an offense which carries up to eight years in prison if he is found guilty, according to prosecutors.

Polish authorities allege the man, named as Pawe K, was tasked to help, among other things, in planning by Russian special services a possible attack on the life of the head of a foreign state  President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, according to a statement on Thursday.

Prosecutors said the man agreed to provide information to Russian spies about security at Rzeszow-Jasionka airport, in southeastern Poland, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the border with Ukraine.

Zelensky is known to use the airport when leaving on foreign trips, as it is one of the closest airports to the Ukrainian border. The airport often receives military aid and civilian goods from the US and across Europe because Ukraines airspace remains closed to non-military flights.

Ukrainian authorities said they uncovered the plot and handed key evidence to Polish officials, who then detained the accused on Polish territory.

Polish prosecutors said the man had contacted Russians directly involved in the war in Ukraine, though it was not clear from official statements whether he had handed over any information, or even collected it.

It is not the first time Ukraine has claimed to have foiled an attempt to kill President Zelensky, who has become a figurehead of his countrys war effort and been energetic in rallying Western support.

He has faced several known attempts on his life since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In August 2023, the Ukrainian Security Service, the SBU, arrested a woman who had been allegedly gathering intelligence about a planned visit by the president to the southern region of Mykolaiv, in order to help plan a Russian airstrike.

News of the Polish arrest came just hours after German police said they had arrested two suspected Russian agents in the Bavarian town of Bayreuth.

The two individuals, identified as German-Russian nationals, are accused of plotting sabotage attacks and planning an explosive detonation, according to a statement by the Federal Public Prosecutors Office in Karlsruhe.

One of the men had been in contact with a Russian intelligence agent, the statement said, adding that among the potential targets scouted were US army facilities in Germany.

Our security authorities have prevented possible explosive detonations that were intended to affect and undermine our military aid to Ukraine. This is a particularly serious case of suspected agent activity for (Russian President Vladimir) Putins criminal regime, Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser said during a press conference in Berlin.

The Russian Embassy in Berlin dismissed the accusations as an outright provocation, Russian state news agency TASS reported.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Over 100 people were arrested and issued summonses for trespass  including Rep. Ilhan Omars daughter  after protesters set up an encampment at New Yorks Columbia University in support of Gaza, police said.

The demonstrators occupied the space on the university's South Lawn for 30 hours, Mayor Eric Adams said after the arrests Thursday. Columbia asked the NYPD for help and said the students had been suspended and were refusing to leave, police said.

Columbia Universitys students have a proud history of protests and raising their voices, Adams said, but he said that they dont have the right to violate university policies.

We will not be a city of lawlessness, Adams said.

Omars daughter, Isra Hirsi, 21, who attends neighboring Barnard College in Manhattan, said on social media platform X that she was suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide, along with at least two other students.

A Pro-Israel protest and a Pro-Palestinian counter protest took place at Columbia University on April 18, 2024. (Kelsea Petersen / NBC News)

Hirsi, an organizer with a student group that advocates for Palestinians, said this was her first time being punished as a student activist in her three years at the New York City school.

"Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated, she wrote.

More than 108 were arrested and given summonses for trespass, including Hirsi, police said. Two of those people were also charged with obstruction of governmental administration, according to authorities.

The students that were arrested were peaceful, did not resist and saying what they wanted to say in a peaceful manner, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said.

But around 500 other students left class and surrounded the quad and were telling us that were the KKK, among other insults, Caban said. Video from the scene obtained by NBC News shows crowds chanting shame on you! but does not capture the entire incident.

Columbia Universitys president, Nemat Minouche Shafik, said in a memo to police earlier Thursday that more than 100 people were occupying the area.

"I have determined that the encampment and related disruptions pose a clear and present danger to the substantial functioning of the University," the memo said.

Shafik said the demonstrators were trespassing, refusing to disperse and damaging campus property, among other violations.

In a statement Thursday, Shafik said she authorized police to clear the encampment out of an abundance of concern for safety on campus.

By late Thursday afternoon, police had disassembled the original tent encampment, but protesters were beginning to build a new one on an adjacent lawn.

"Columbia is committed to allowing members of our community to engage in political expression  within established rules and with respect for the safety of all," the memo said.

Barnard said its staff identified its students who were at the encampment Wednesday and told them to leave or face sanctions. Those still there Thursday morning were placed on interim suspension, the university said. The camp was set up during the early morning hours of Wednesday, it said.

Barnard did not say how many students were suspended or confirm that Hirsi was among them. It did not say how long the suspension would last but said it would continue to suspend students who stay.

Now and always, we prioritize our students learning and living in an inclusive environment free from harassment, the school said in a memo about the suspensions.

A Pro-Israel protest and a Pro-Palestinian counter protest took place at Columbia University on April 18, 2024. (Isabella Farfan / NBC News)

A Pro-Israel protest and a Pro-Palestinian counter protest took place at Columbia University on April 18, 2024. (Kelsea Petersen / NBC News)

Hirsi could not be immediately reached for comment.

Omar did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Democrat, who represents Minnesota, is a Somali refugee who made history as one of the first two Muslim American women elected to Congress.

On Wednesday, Omar questioned Shafik about protests on campus during a congressional hearing in which Shafik strongly denounced antisemitism.

Omar told Shafik she was "appalled" to learn that Columbia suspended six students this month for their involvement in a pro-Palestinian panel event on campus.

There has been a recent attack on the democratic rights of students across the country," Omar said.

At a news conference by Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine held outside Columbia University President Minouche Shafik's residence, student Layla Saliba condemned the clearing of the camp.

"What happened today at Columbia University was an act of violence towards Arab, Muslim, Palestinian students, Jewish students and just anybody who supports Palestinian liberation, she said.

Saliba, in the school of social work, and others criticized Shafik, including for her testimony before Congress Wednesday. The arrests are part of an effort on campus to attack those with pro-Palestinian views, she said.

Tensions over free speech have erupted on some U.S. college campuses since the war between Hamas and Israel started in October.

A Pro-Israel protest and a Pro-Palestinian counter protest took place at Columbia University on April 18, 2024. (Isabella Farfan / NBC News)

This week, the University of Southern California canceled a Muslim student's valedictorian speech out of security concerns. Last week, a University of California, Berkeley, professor confronted a Muslim student during a dinner for graduating law students.
A Middle Tennessee teacher has been arrested on multiple felony gun charges after police said she brought guns to a preschool she works at and allegedly threatened a co-worker.

Sheneca Cowart, 29, is facing one count of assault, one count of threat of mass violence at a school and two counts of carrying a weapon onto school property following the Thursday incident at The Academy of McCrory Lane in Nashville.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, school safety officers took Cowart into custody after witnesses said she threatened to grab a firearm and made threats against another teacher and the school after an argument.

A Middle Tennessee teacher has been arrested on multiple felony gun charges after Nashville police said she brought multiple guns to a preschool she works at and allegedly threatened a co-worker on April 18, 2024.

Staff told police she threatened to shoot up the preschool and that she keeps a firearm on her," WSMV-TV reported.

One teacher told police she heard Cowart say, When I start shooting, you better run, the outlet reported, adding the school was locked down shortly after until police arrived.

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Police say preschool teacher brought multiple guns to school

According to police, officers recovered a handgun from Cowarts purse and a second firearm in the drivers side door of her vehicle.

At the scene, police said, Cowart was arrested and booked into jail on $37,000 bond.

Metro Nashville Police Department officers work a crime scene. The agency on April 18, 2024 arrested a preschool teacher who brought multiple guns to The Academy of McCrory Lane and threatened another teacher.

Online Davidson County Sheriff's Office records show Cowart posted bail late Thursday night.

USA TODAY has reached out to the preschool.

College student slaying case: More remains found along Lake Michigan linked to murder of college student Sade Robinson

Teacher who brought guns to preschool due in court next month

Davidson County Criminal Court clerk records show Cowart is due in court on May 10.

It was not immediately known if she had entered a plea in the case and an attorney of record was not listed in her online court file.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Teacher arrested after bringing guns to Nashville preschool
WASHINGTON  A third House Republican is supporting an effort to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson from his post in a sign of growing momentum against the speaker for advancing a foreign aid spending plan.

Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., a hard-right lawmaker, announced on Friday that he would be co-sponsoring conservative rabble-rouser Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes, R-Ga., motion to vacate against the speaker, a procedural tool that if passed would force Johnson out of the speakership.

Gosars announcement came shortly after the House voted on a bipartisan basis to advance the process for a set of foreign aid bills providing funds for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region. A number of ultraconservative lawmakers have railed against Johnson for not tying strict GOP-backed border and immigration policy changes to foreign aid.

Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., during the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on border and immigration issues on February 7, 2023 in Washington.

I have added my name in support of the motion to vacate the Speaker. Our border cannot be an afterthought, Gosar said in a statement. We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.

Gosar joins Greene along with Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., in the push to topple the speaker. Massie has urged Johnson to resign in the face of the removal threat, claiming that there are several other Republicans willing to oust the speaker if a vote is called on the floor.

Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., told reporters on Friday he was open to supporting a motion to vacate as well, saying he senses "there's a souring to Republican leadership" and "that the speaker should take that seriously."

Greene at a moment's notice can call up a vote to remove Johnson by noticing her motion to vacate as "privileged," a procedure that forces the House to consider her resolution within two legislative days. She has promised she'll make that move but so far has declined to offer a timeline.

The House is scheduled to begin a week-long recess after lawmakers leave Washington on Saturday

Democrats have signaled they are willing to rescue Johnson from a conservative rebellion for advancing foreign aid but several Republicans have doubts about the sustainability of Johnson surviving with Democratic support.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Johnson's speaker job in doubt as third Republican backs ouster
(Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said on Friday that she hoped to find a new way to ensure sanctions enforcement on North Korea by next month after Russia and China thwarted the renewal of monitoring activities.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Washington and its allies were looking at multiple options both inside and outside the UN to replace a panel of experts that has over the past 15 years monitored the implementation of sanctions aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Russia rejected the annual renewal of the panel last month, while China abstained from the vote.

Asked whether the United States and its allies could establish an alternative by the time the current panel's mandate expires at the end of April, Thomas-Greenfield said:

"That would be the optimal thing to start next month. I don't know that we will move it that fast. But that's my hope," she told reporters in Tokyo.

"We're working to do something in the (UN) General Assembly. We are pushing the (UN) Secretariat through the Secretary General to do something out of his office, but we are also looking at options outside of the UN," she said, adding that those could be under the auspices of the G7, or with think tanks or research entities.

Thomas-Greenfield said the United States and its partners who are pushing for a new monitoring regime may look at having several teams replace the work of the existing panel.

"There may be not just one option. It may be looking at two or three different options that will get us the information that we need," she said.

(This story has been refiled to clarify the state of monitoring activities in paragraph 1, and who is pushing for a new monitoring regime in paragraph 7)

(Reporting by John Geddie in Tokyo; Editing by Gerry Doyle)
More remains believed to belong to Sade Robinson, a 19-year-old college student who went missing earlier this month, washed up on a Lake Michigan beach in Wisconsin, the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office said.

An arm and torso were found around 7:37 a.m. Thursday on a tree-lined beach by a person taking a walk in the area.

Other parts of Sade Robinson's body were found at a park next to Lake Michigan and in Milwaukee earlier this month.

Robinson, a student at Milwaukee Area Technical College, was last seen on April 1 when she went on a first date with Maxwell Anderson.

She was reported missing the next day, and law enforcement authorities discovered some of her remains and her car that had been set ablaze.

Anderson, 33, was arrested last week and accused of killing Robinson, dismembering her body and setting fire to her car "in an attempt to obscure potential evidence of the killing," the sheriff's office said.

Anderson has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson.

Robinson's mother, Sheena Scarbrough, said they are living through an "ongoing nightmare."

"It's horrible," she told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "It's excruciatingly painful every day."

Anderson is being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on $5 million bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.

Steven Anderson, his father, released a statement on Thursday expressing "our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences" to Robinson's loved ones, CNN reported.

"To Sade's mother and father, words cannot express our sorrow for the incomprehensible pain and grief you are going through. We join the entire community in celebrating Sade's life," the father continued.


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The Spanish government has announced a 410 million agreement with Norwegian firm Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) to modernize and acquire additional NASAMS air defense systems. This announcement was made on April 19, 2024, by the Spanish Armaments Directorate, Direccion General de Armamento y Material (DGAM), which also filed a notification of award for the NASAMS modernization program.

Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link



Spanish Army NASAMS launcher unit mounted on a truck at a military parade in Spain. (Picture source Army Recognition Group)

The NASAMS (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) is a cutting-edge, medium-range air defense system, developed jointly by KONGSBERG and American defense company Raytheon. Recognized globally for its effectiveness, NASAMS has been a critical component of Spains defense strategy, being the first international user with more than two decades of operational experience. Spanish units of NASAMS are notably deployed in the Baltics as part of NATO's Air Shielding Mission.

The modernization program is set to significantly enhance the existing capabilities of Spains NASAMS batteries. With eight batteries currently operational, this upgrade is pivotal in maintaining the integrity of national and NATO-aligned air defense.

NASAMS (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) is a highly advanced, medium-range air defense system that is co-developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and the American defense contractor Raytheon. It is designed to protect against a variety of airborne threats including aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. NASAMS works by integrating off-the-shelf technology, including radars, sensors, and missiles, with proprietary command and control systems to create a cohesive and flexible air defense network.

The NASAMS air defense system's core is built around the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile), which provides the firepower to engage enemy targets at ranges of up to 25 kilometers and altitudes of up to 20 kilometers.

The combat effectiveness of NASAMS is enhanced by its sophisticated sensor suite and radar systems, such as the AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radar, which offers 360-degree coverage and can track multiple targets simultaneously. This radar is linked to a fire distribution center (FDC), which processes the radar data and provides engagement solutions and command and control capabilities. The system's architecture allows for integration with other radar platforms and sensor networks, increasing its adaptability and the breadth of its defensive coverage.

NASAMS is designed to defend against a variety of threats including manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles, and other precision-guided munitions. It can operate in a variety of environments, from densely populated urban areas to remote and rugged terrains, providing both point and area defense. The system is network-centric, enabling real-time data sharing and decision-making across different air defense units within an integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) network. This interoperability is crucial for contemporary combat environments where response time and sensor integration play pivotal roles in the effectiveness of air defense strategies.

This deal not only underlines Spain's commitment to upgrading its military capabilities but also strengthens the strategic cooperation between Spain and Norway. The formal contract for this procurement and modernization effort is slated to be signed in May 2024.

The expansion of Spain's air defense capabilities comes at a time when NATO nations are increasingly investing in collective security measures. Spains initiative is also part of a broader trend among 13 NATO and partner nations that have integrated NASAMS into their national defense arsenals, showcasing the systems widespread adoption and trust among alliance members.

Defense News April 2024
David Taylor and JH perform Schuberts Der Doppelganger at the 2023 Brevard Music Festival

Writing in The American Scholar, Sudip Bose said of David Taylor playing Schuberts Der Doppelganger: Not in my wildest imaginings could I have envisioned such revelatory and shocking interpretations. . . . The pathos was unrelenting, almost too much to bear. . . . Taylors Schubert performances have been haunting me ever since. I cannot get them out of my mind.

It was I who introduced David Taylor to Doppelganger. I have often partnered his unpredictable renditions of this and other late Schubert songs. Our Mahler/Schubert concoction, Einsamkeit, has been heard in New York and at the Brevard Music Festival. Were now working up a version of Schuberts ruthlessly despondent song cycle Winterreise.

The trek from late Schubert to Mahler is short and turbulent. Hence: Mahlerei, my concertino for bass trombone and chamber orchestra, created for Taylor and premiered at the Kennedy Center in 2022. A revised version, abetted by Daniel Schnyder, will be performed at Boulders ever- ambitious Colorado Mahlerfest on May 15.

Ive taken the Scherzo from Mahlers Fourth Symphony and turned it into a kind of Yiddish chant, with the melodic line  which Mahler shares generously  piled onto Taylors horn as a bumptious moto perpetuo. There are sundry surprises along the way. And I must say: it works. (The Washington Post called it a strange and strangely satisfying experiment.)

This years 37th annual Colorado Mahlerfest explores two relationships: Mahler and Schubert; Mahler and Richard Strauss. There are six concerts, a symposium, and a mountain hike. The repertoire includes Schuberts Death and the Maiden Quartet (adapted by Mahler), Mahlers Fourth Symphony, and Strausss Alpine Symphony. Mahlerei kicks off the festival on a program otherwise mainly exploring childhood, with music by Schubert, Wagner, Humperdinck, Mahler, and Richard Strauss.

I call my symposium talk, on Schubert and Mahler, Taverns in Heaven  a reference to the intrusion of a Bierhaus zither midway through the sublime Andante of Schuberts E-flat minor Klavierstuck (which I am eager to perform). Ill also be examining Mahlers annotated Vienna and New York scores for Schuberts Ninth, which (on the podium) he turned into something utterly and provocatively Mahlerian.

Many essays in this space have griped that todays conductors are seldom bona fide music directors. Colorado Mahlerfest is curated by a gifted conductor who is also a writer, a thinker, and an artistic administrator: Kenneth Woods, who (though American) serves as principal conductor and music director of the English Symphony Orchestra in Worcester, UK.

In 2026, the Mahlerfest topic will be Mahler the Man and the festival events will include a professional staging of my play The Marriage: The Mahlers in New York (a spin-off from my recent novel with the same title).

You can read more about Colorado Mahlerfest here.

You will find the complete 2024 festival schedule for this May here.
The man who set himself on fire Friday in a horrifying scene near the Manhattan courthouse where alternate jurors were being picked for Donald Trump's hush-money trial has been identified as 37-year-old Florida resident Max Azzarello.

Spectators rushed to help extinguish the flames. One reportedly used a fire extinguisher.



Azzarello, of St. Augustine, was identified by a high ranking NYPD official, the New York Times reported, noting that Azzarello was at the courthouse the day before, holding a sign displaying a web address.



The top post of the link identified him as an "investigative researcher," and featured pamplets reading: "I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial," the Times reported.

His last Instagram post before he set himself on fire said: "I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you," Newsweek reported.

Azzarello's family didn't know he had left Florida to travel to the Manhattan courthouse, the New York Post reported.

The tragedy was presented on CNN as it happened, with anchor Laura Coates outside the courthouse.

She first told viewers that there was an active shooter, then quickly corrected that a "man has set fire to himself." CNN cameras then turned to show the flames across the street.

"A man has emblazoned himself outside the courthouse," Coates said, and reported the smell of burning flesh.

"There is chaos and it is happening," she added.

**Graphic Content Warning**

Just minutes after the full jury was selected in Donald Trump's New York hush money criminal trial, someone appears to have set themself on fire outside the courthouse, per CNN's @thelauracoates. pic.twitter.com/skRj1dXD9t  The Recount (@therecount) April 19, 2024

The fire erupted in a designated protest area outside the courthouse in lower Manhattan, local ABC News 7 reported. Politico reporter Emily Ngo noted on X that police appeared initially slow to respond, possibly because of barricades around the area.

Azzarello was rushed to a nearby hospital on a stretcher by emergency workers while smoke still hung in the air. NYPD reported his condition as critical, and noted that there was no continuing danger to the public.

Investigators were poring over the area to collect flyers Azzarello threw into the air before setting himself ablaze, a senior law enforcement official told CNN.

A CNN team in the area reported that one of the flyers read in part: "NYU is a mob front"  and listed allegations of wrongdoings at the university.

The flyers included links to a Substack manifesto, noted Newsweek.

The Post reported that Azzarello's nearly 2,700-page conspiracy-riddled statement declared at one point: "This extreme act of protest is to draw attention to an urgent and important discovery: We are victims of a totalitarian con, and our own government (along with many of their allies) is about to hit us with an apocalyptic fascist world coup."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
New Delhi: India commenced its seven-phase Lok Sabha elections 2024 on Friday amidst a robust turnout of around 62.37 per cent from 102 seats across 21 states and union territories. Despite the weather challenges, voters turned out in significant numbers, with Tripura recording the highest voter turnout of 80.17 per cent, while Bihar registered the lowest at 47.49 per cent.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), polling for 10 states/UTs to elect the 18th Lok Sabha, along with State Legislative Assemblies of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, has concluded in phase one. Notably, 56 villages in Bastar and the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar exercised their franchise for the first time.

However, the polling process was marred by incidents of violence and intimidation, particularly in West Bengal and Manipur. Clashes erupted between Trinamul Congress and BJP workers in Cooch Behar.

Union minister for Home Affairs (MoS) Nishith Pramanik of BJP is pitted against TMC sitting MLA Jagadish Chandra Basunia in Cooch Behar. Three constituencies  Cooch Behar, Alipuduar, and Jalpaiguri  went to poll in the first phase in West Bengal where the total polling percentage in this phase was 77.57.

Manipur witnessed vandalism, armed threats, and incidents of proxy voting whereas voter turnout of 69.13 per cent was reported for the two seats that went to poll. In Nagaland, six districts reported zero voting due to an election boycott call. The state recorded a turnout of 56.91 per cent.

In Manipur, armed men also fired several rounds in the air near a polling booth in Thamnapokpi under Moirang assembly constituency in Bishnupur district, prompting voters to flee, police said, adding additional security personnel were rushed to the spot to contain the situation. Unidentified armed men also intimidated election agents of a particular political party at different places and asked them to leave the polling stations, they said. At Uripok and Iroishemba too in Imphal West district, armed men asked agents of a party to leave the premises of polling stations, an official said.

Six districts of Nagaland reported zero voter turnout following an election boycott call by the Eastern Nagaland People's Front (ENPO) demanding a separate state. The state's Chief Election Officer, Vayasan R., has issued a show-cause notice to the ENPO for disrupting the electoral process and denounced its attempt to exert undue influence. Sources said while the situation is peaceful, there is no movement of any person or vehicles except that of the district administration and other emergency services.

The ENPO on March 5 had announced an "indefinite total shutdown all over Eastern Nagaland jurisdiction with effect from 6pm on April 18". The organisation has been demanding a separate state since 2010, claiming that the six districts have been neglected for years.

Amidst the unrest, heartwarming stories emerged from different corners of the country. In Arunachal Pradeshs Malogam polling station, a lone female voter cast her vote, while the Shompen tribe of Great Nicobar participated in their first-ever General Elections.

The 44-year-old Sokela Tayang cast her vote around 1 pm, a district official said. For the single voter, a team of polling officials trekked nearly 40 km on foot through treacherous terrain and set up a voting booth in the remote polling station.

Additionally, residents of Dhadkahi, known as the "silent village" in Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district, known for its large deaf-and-dumb population, voted, hoping for better amenities.

Despite the challenges, the Election Commission ensured voter safety by providing shelter, water, and medical assistance at polling booths.

Heartening stories of grit, resolve and determination to have the coveted indelible ink emblazoned on their finger-tips are emerging. In Kurung Kumey District of Arunachal Pradesh an elderly voter opted to go cast her vote at the polling station despite having the option to vote from home. Elsewhere, a first-time voter, Ms. Devaki, adorned in traditional attire, in Dindori, Madhya Pradesh, expressed her happiness by proudly striking a pose with her inked finger after casting her vote. Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, newly-married voters also proudly took to social media to post selfies with their ink-marked fingers,, the ECI said.
New Delhi/Amroha/Damoh: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a series of election rallies, accused previous governments of betraying the SC, ST, and OBC communities in the guise of social justice. He pledged to realise the aspirations of social reformers like Jyotiba Phule, B.R. Ambedkar, and Chaudhary Charan Singh.

In a veiled reference to Pakistan, he remarked on its transition from being a "supplier of terror" to struggling for basic necessities like flour. He said the country which was a supplier of 'aatank' (terror) is struggling for 'aata' (flour) these days.

He took swipes at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, saying the "do shehzade ki jodi" has been rejected by people.

Addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Amroha, in support of BJP candidate Kanwar Singh Tanwar, Modi criticised the Opposition's rejection of the Ram temple's consecration ceremony and accused them of insulting the Hindu faith for electoral gains.

"Every time these people go out to seek votes from the people of Uttar Pradesh, they carry a basket of dynasty, corruption, and appeasement. They do not leave any chance to attack our faith," he said.

"They are not satisfied after refusing the invitation, so they abuse the Ram temple and Sanatan Dharma. The SP, for its vote bank, call Ram bhakts 'pakhandi' (hypocrite). Those in the I.N.D.I.A. bloc hate Sanatan Dharma," he said.

He questioned the suitability of candidates who hesitated to chant "Bharat Mata ki Jai" for Parliament while targeting Congress candidate from Amroha, Danish Ali.

"Will a person, who cannot accept Bharat Mata ki jai, look good in the Indian Parliament? Should such a person be allowed entry into the Indian Parliament?" he asked.

Modi alleged that when he went under the sea to offer prayers in Gujarat's Dwarka, where Lord Krishna had gone from Amroha, "the prince of the Congress said there is nothing to pray under the sea. They are rejecting our faith only for their vote banks".

Moving on to Bihar's political landscape, Modi questioned the alliance between parties that allegedly disrespect Lord Krishna. He condemned vote-bank politics for fueling communal riots and highlighted Yogi Adityanath's efforts in Uttar Pradesh to curb criminal activities.

"Those in Bihar who say they are 'Yaduvanshis', in Uttar Pradesh, the leader who takes the benefits of being a 'Yaduvanshi', I want to ask them, how can they sit with a party that insults Lord Krishna? How can you have an agreement with them?"

Shifting his focus to Madhya Pradesh's Damoh, Modi underscored India's progress in the global arms market, contrasting it with the economic struggles of some neighbouring countries. He emphasised the need for a strong and stable government at the Centre to navigate the challenges ahead and reaffirmed his commitment to prioritise the nation's interests above all.

The Prime Minister stressed the pivotal role of the next five years in elevating India to a significant global power.
New Delhi: With the possibility of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi contesting from the Gandhi bastion, Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, saffron corridors are abuzz with speculations that the BJP could field Varun Gandhi from this high-profile seat. The BJP had replaced Varun Gandhi with Jitin Prasada from the Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency.

After his replacement, talks of parleys between Varun Gandhi and Congress emerged, with some claiming that Congress was considering fielding him from Rae Bareli. However, sources close to Varun Gandhi revealed that the top BJP leadership was now contemplating making it a "Gandhi vs Gandhi" battle in Rae Bareli. When asked, BJP officials remained tight-lipped on the issue.

It may be recalled that recently, the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee and Rae Bareli Congress passed resolutions stating that the party should field "Priyanka or any other member of the Gandhi family" from Rae Bareli. Reports from UP indicated that some top Congress leaders, including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, rooted for Varun Gandhi. "We will be happy if Varun Gandhi joins Congress. He is a tall leader and a well-educated politician. His image exudes transparency, and he has relations with the Gandhi family. We want Varun Gandhi to join the Congress now," Chowdhury told the media.

Meanwhile, as the BJP replaced Varun Gandhi, the party fielded his mother, Maneka Gandhi, from Sultanpur. While polling in Bareli is slated for May 20, Sultanpur will vote on May 25. Polling in the Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency was held today.

It was learned that the party began sidelining Varun Gandhi following his alleged anti-party stand on various issues. In 2021, going against the party line, Varun Gandhi demanded the arrest of the perpetrators in the Lakhimpur Kheri incident, where farmers agitating against the contentious farm laws were mowed down by a vehicle driven by BJP leader and Union minister Ajay Mishra's son. He also clashed with the Yogi government in UP following the suspension of the licence of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Amethi. There had also been an influential section in the BJP targeting Gandhi, sources revealed. This particular section mounted pressure on the BJP high command to drop Gandhi and replace him with "any other candidate." Jitin Prasada, who was seeking to contest from Kheri, was brought in by the party to contest from Pilibhit.

Earlier, breaking her silence on her son being dropped by the party, Maneka Gandhi had said, "He (Varun Gandhi) was a very good MP, even issue-wise and for his constituency. But I am sure whatever he does will be good for the country."

As polling for the first phase kicked off this morning, a section of BJP leaders indicated that this particular phase "could be tricky" for the BJP in UP. It may be recalled that of the eight seats that went to polls on Friday, the BJP had won only three during the last general elections, namely Pilibhit, Kairana, and Muzaffarnagar. Samajwadi Party had won Moradabad and Rampur.
Jesus of Nazareth worked at his miracles

Feeding the multitude fishes and bread

When he came upon the deceased young Lazarus

He breathed spirits into him, raising the dead.

Jesus could also exorcise demons

Passing their souls into Gadarene swine

For me his most impressive, notable miracle

Was at the feast -- turning water to wine!

From The Big Book of Bachchoo

The University of Edinburgh is planning to spend 800,000 on revising (read censoring) the works of Robert Louis Stevenson. This includes his universal classic Treasure Island. What criteria will this revision use? One can surmise from the recent history of such goings-over of literature that it will adopt an agenda of protecting the sensibilities of groups who might feel insulted.

The new shibboleth going round universities in the United States and Britain is unsafe. Material, speakers and some expressed opinions make these frail blossoms, individuals and groups, feel unsafe. And so censorship and cancellation ensue.

I suppose the presence and thieving character of Long John Silver, with his one leg missing, a black patch covering one eye and a parrot on his shoulder may come in for expurgation as his presence and activity in Treasure Island may make people with any disability, from missing limbs to visual challenges, feel picked upon or even unsafe.

I cant imagine what this classic adventure novel will read like with Long John Silver expunged. Or perhaps his twenty-twenty vision in both eyes will have been restored, he wont have a leg missing and his parrot will have been liberated into the forest where nature intended birds to belong. I might buy the new revised edition just to compare it to the original -- which of course I shall refuse to burn. This may, now that Hamza Yusuf and the Scottish Parliament have passed a law against hate crime, make me guilty of the misdemeanour of harbouring hateful material. Obviously not as bad as being caught spending money that belongs to Hamzas Party on a camper van, but still risky.

The same treatment has been meted out to Enid Blytons works from which characters and stories or statements deemed to be racially insulting have been purged.

I recently attended a lecture at Selwyn College, Cambridge, by renowned writer and critic Pankaj Mishra on the work of V.S. Naipaul. In answer to questions and in conversations after, it was mentioned that Sir Vidia Naipauls work had been cancelled from some educational institutions. The cancel-cultists were not at the lecture so one couldnt challenge them as to the reason for their hostility to one of the most brilliant writers of the twentieth century.

I have of course encountered critics of Vidias work, but have never heard a coherent or insightful criticism of any of the words, fiction or world-exploratory work that he penned or published.

The criticisms all centre around his supposed attitudes and his deliberately provocative, mischievous statements in interviews.

Permit me to make one sweeping, though distinct, point. I first encountered Vidias work when I was in my late teens in college in Poona (now Pune). I read his essays in a magazine called Encounter and then his exploration and voyage of discovery in India: An Area of Darkness.

The book caused a critical storm. Vidia was abused and accused of every manner of anti-Indian attitude possible by prominent writers, politicians and by the professors who taught me. My reading of Area of Darkness was diametrically opposed to these journalistic and published diatribes. Here for the first time was a book which stripped India of the myths by which it lived. That was refreshing but such was the antagonism to it that I kept my mouth shut.

The book looked at India without the dark glasses of nationalism through which his critics glare.

And so, with his subsequent work. His assertion that the Islamic invasions of India, from the ninth century to the disintegration of the Mughal empire around the early decades of the eighteenth, were not great humanitarian enterprises, is seen, not as historical truth, but as support for Hindu nationalism. Then again, his travels of discovery through non-Arab Muslim countries such as Iran and Pakistan are seen not as perceptive insights into their history, delusions and dilemmas, but as attacks on Islam -- for which there is not a shred of evidence in any sentence or phrase. The religion is not in any way denigrated, the Muslims in power and without any are questioned and insightful conclusions drawn.

The same with his travels of discovery in Africa and the Caribbean.

One of the central and glaring facts of Vidias work is that, as the descendant of indentured labour recruited to work the agri-economy of the Caribbean, he is devoid of any sense of nationalistic loyalty. His loyalty is to his insights.

Of course, this meets with opposition from what we may label the nationalistic tendency-wallas. His attackers and cancel-cultists are nationalists of one dimension or other: Indian nationalists, black nationalists, Islamist nationalists and even some who see themselves, such as the late playwright Girish Karnad, as the nationalists of (short-sighted) sectarian humanism.

This absence of any nationalist tendency in V.S. is one of his cardinal literary strengths.

Some very biased chatteratti attribute the criticism and even cancellation of Naipauls work to some cloudy notion called the Left. As a wisp in that cloud I protest my innocence.
Thank God I was never fooled by that mega fraudster Baba Ramdev. Yes, the same saffron dhoti-clad yogi who can turn his body into a pretzel, stand on his head. The very one who exudes more turbo-charged energy than Ranveer Singh on a high. But a fraud he remains. A dangerous fraud at that. Imagine someone like Ramdev conning people this blatantly in any other democracy. A man with zero medical credentials! No accountability. No scrutiny. No questions asked as he set about creating a massive business empire selling cures to millions of gullible, vulnerable victims. His innumerable Patanjali medical stores operated without licences. His dodgy ayurveda products flooded the market without any regulatory agency clearing those mysterious drugs. His false claims went unchallenged. And nearly every state in India gave him land to set up factories to mass-manufacture a wide range of ayurvedic remedies promising miracles to the unwary. Were any of his factories subjected to the rigorous tests which are mandatory for the rest? Was even a single raid conducted to verify his claims? Nobody dared to take him on, as he brazenly went about illegally marketing himself. He was not sued. Nor was he exposed even by those who suffered because of him.

Fortunately for us -- the sceptics and watchdogs -- the Patanjali Ayurved co-founder and self-styled Baba was pleading for forgiveness in the Supreme Court this week, along with his equally manipulative aide, Acharya Balkrishna, for issuing misleading advertisements. The bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah have granted the duo a week to prove they were remorseful of their actions. A public apology is overdue. But is it enough? Thanks to two doctors from the Indian Medical Association (IMA), some action is finally been taken to address serious public health issues and expose the nefarious activities of the hirsute baba and his partner in crime. Said Dr Ranjan Sharma, former IMA president: When we were fighting a war against Covid-19, Ramdev made fun of scientific medicine. When we were mourning the death of our 800 colleagues, he kept saying doctors who cannot save themselves, cannot save the public. Ramdev launched Coronil, falsely claiming WHO had certified the Patanjali medicine. Thanks to the political patronage he enjoyed, no action was taken. Ramdev openly boasted nobody could do anything to him, since his political connections went all the way to the top. False and dangerous health claims through huge advertising campaigns saw Patanjalis rise to a globally recognised brand, while victims who rushed to hospitals after consuming Patanjali products had no recourse. The SC sharply rapped Ramdev on the knuckles: You are not so innocent No, he most certainly isnt innocent. His so-called herbal cures may have done immeasurable harm to thousands of consumers. What of that??? A mere apology is nothing but a strategy to buy time. A thorough investigation into the innards of the secretive Patanjali empire is long overdue.

Thanda thanda paani is on everyones mind as the mercury soars and Dubai drowns (Doob-ai). Rain seeding and other attempts to manipulate climate are going to cost the entire world big time, not just one destination. Everything environment is a matter of concern, but we only wake up when disaster strikes. A brief stopover in the capital is necessary to get a feel of the vaaaaa-taaa-varan (thanks, Lisa Haydon, for making that delicious word so popular). The garam hawa in Dilli never really cools down -- not even during winter. I can people watch for hours, sitting in the busy lobby of the Taj Mansingh, as assorted VVIPs jump in and out of SUVs and head to the House of Ming. If only the walls of this iconic Chinese restaurant could speak! I noticed so many attractive, gorgeously dressed, perfectly groomed young ladies floating around, dropping names of Cabinet members, networking furiously! But they dont call themselves lobbyists -- thats too declasse, too obvious. Their lewk is strictly Dolce Dilli Gabana, even if the accent is distinctly Haryanvi. So long as the work gets done, honey!

Earlier in the week, while in Nepal, I came across an impassioned pro-monarchy street protester at Durbar Square, the famous Unesco site. He was holding up a large poster written in Hindi, advocating the return of the King. Well, as of now, Gyanendra, the last King from the Shah dynasty, is a businessman and private citizen after royal rule ended in 2008 after more than two centuries. Looks like some Nepali citizens want him back on the throne. Maybe, India likes the idea, too.

The protester was supported by a small team, and did manage to attract the curious -- inquisitive folks like me! I asked him about his mission, and he replied: Nepal is the only Hindu country in the world. We want a Hindu King. We want to become a fully Hindu nation. No Communists, Maoists we want to be like India! We want Nepal to become stronger, more prosperous. Our King must be reinstated this is what the people want. I dismissed him as a young, over-enthusiastic, attention-seeking monarchist. The bloody palace massacre had effectively put an end to any such dream back in 2001 when 15 members of the royal family, including King Birendra, his wife and two children were shot dead. To this day, it remains a whodunit with theories galore. Reportedly, a drunk, lovesick Nepali prince (fondly nicknamed Dippy), disappointed by his fathers rejection of his girlfriend, opened fire on his family and then turned the gun on himself.

A day after I met the protester in Kathmandu, I was on the way back from Bhaktapur, when I noticed hundreds of riot police lining the square of the historic site, batons and shields in place. By the time we got back to our hotel in Lalitpur, there was full-scale rioting in the streets, with cops using water hoses and teargas to control hundreds of stone- throwing protesters blocking traffic. Life in the busy capital was disrupted as slogan-shouting pro-monarchy rioters escalated the confrontation, chanting slogans and boldly taking on the police.

Indias Hindu influence is sure gathering momentum in the neighbourhood! The Nepali King may or may not occupy the throne for the third time in the old, ramshackle palace. But the increasing India presence is making the pro-Chinese political parties across the border pretty jittery. If the Nepalis have to deal with not just one Big Brother, but two, lets be genuinely brotherly, score a few brownie points and restore the shabby palace, maybe build a new airport! The Chinese are taking care of the rest.
Today's news: Israeli raid in Iran, for Tehran nuclear sites 'intact'; China, Japan and South Korea voted to recognise Palestine at UN in resolution blocked by US veto; Terrorist attack in Karachi, five Japanese unhurt; The ground in half of China's cities is subsiding due to water extraction; Russia started the withdrawal of its troops from Nagorno-Karabakh now in the hands of Baku.

INDIA

In India, the first phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections opened this morning. Today, 102 constituencies in 21 Indian states cast their votes to elect their deputies. The general elections are being held in seven different phases across the country and will end on June 1. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on June 4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leader of the Hindu nationalist party BJP, is seeking his third reconfirmation as leader of the country at the polls.

ISRAEL-IRAN

According to US sources, Israel carried out an attack on Iran this morning. The action - not confirmed so far by Israel - would have been aimed at a target not linked to the nuclear program near Isfahan. Another raid reportedly took place in southern Syria. For his part, an Iranian official said that air defenses intercepted three drones and that no missile attacks were reported. Many state-aligned news agencies have reported that sites associated with Iran's nuclear program are "fully intact."

UN-ISRAEL-PALESTINE

The United States last night vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have allowed Palestine to be admitted as a full member of the international body, effectively recognizing its statehood. The resolution received 12 votes in favour, while the United Kingdom and Switzerland abstained. To pass it needed at least nine votes and no vetoes from the five permanent members - the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China. Russia, China, France, Japan, South Korea, Ecuador, Algeria, Malta, Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Guyana voted in favour.

PAKISTAN

Five Japanese citizens remained unharmed this morning after their vehicle was targeted by a suicide bomber in Landhi area of Karachi. Two terrorists involved in the attack were killed, while the private guard accompanying the foreigners was injured. The Japanese were traveling to the Export Processing Zone in an armored van when a suicide bomber on a motorcycle hit them.

CHINA

Nearly half of China's major cities are experiencing land subsidence due to water extraction and the growing burden of their rapid expansion. This was revealed by a survey carried out by a team of researchers from various Chinese universities who examined 82 cities, including all those with a population of more than 2 million inhabitants. Looking at the period between 2015 and 2022, the team determined that 45% of urban areas are sinking by more than 3 mm per year. About 16% of urban areas - a total population of 67 million people - are sinking at a rate of more than 10mm per year, which scientists describe as a rapid decline.

RUSSIA-ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN

Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, announced that Russia has begun the withdrawal of troops from the territory of Nagorno Karabakh, where they have been since November 2020 with functions of pacification of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and were to remain until 2025, while " the military operation in Baku solved the problem.

UZBEKISTAN-KAZAKISTAN-KYRGIZISTAN

Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have entered into an agreement to build on Kyrgyzstan the new Kambaratinsk hydroelectric power station on the Naryn River, with a 34% stake in Bishkek and 33% in Tashkent and Astana, although it will remain a property of Kyrgyzstan. Costs and implementation times will be communicated later.
According to a media investigation, the number of operations carried out abroad by the Research & Analysis Wing has increased since 2020. The agency reports directly to the Prime Ministers Office. Islamabad has been reluctant to talk about it because the people targeted are terrorists or militants of groups Pakistan has always denied hosting.

Delhi (AsiaNews)  Earlier this month, India was accused of carrying out scores of targeted killings in Pakistan as part of a strategy to eliminate terrorist threats on foreign soil.

The news went relatively unnoticed compared to Canada's accusations against Indian intelligence of killing a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh activist promoting Khalistan's independence.

On that occasion, Delhi denied any involvement, but made no secret of targeting those who attempt to carry out terrorist activities in India and then take refuge abroad, particularly in Pakistan.

In fact, Pakistani authorities had already reported earlier this year that they had credible evidence linking Indian agents to the killing of two Pakistani citizens.

We have documentary, financial and forensic evidence of the involvement of the two Indian agents who masterminded these killings, said Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Qazi.

Over the years, the two rival countries have traded mutual accusations as they each claim the Kashmir region.

Delhi has repeatedly claimed that Islamabad trains and hosts Islamist militants who carry out attacks in the Indian-administered part of the Himalayan territory.

In early April, The Guardian published the results of an investigation that sheds new light on India's strategy.

Based on interviews with intelligence officials from both countries, it suggests that India began carrying out assassinations abroad as part of a new approach to national security starting in 2019.

Since 2020, however, the frequency of killings has increased and at least 20 murders have been carried out in Pakistan by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), which is directly subordinate to the Prime Ministers Office. The current office holder, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is likely to be re-elected in the upcoming elections, which began today.

According to Pakistani investigators, the killings were orchestrated by Indian intelligence cells based in the United Arab Emirates.

The spate of murders in 2023 has been attributed to the increased activity of these cells, which are accused of paying millions of rupees to local petty criminals or poor Pakistanis to get information about alleged terrorists or force them to carry out the killings.

Indian agents are said to have recruited jihadis, making them believe that their targets were "infidels".

For the first time, Indian intelligence officials commented the operations, explaining that the spy agency's focus on dissidents abroad began in 2019, when Modi was running for a second term.

At the time, the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group carried out an attack on an Indian military convoy in Pulwama, Kashmir, killing 40 paramilitary personnel.

After Pulwama, the approach changed to target the elements outside the country before they are able to launch an attack or create any disturbance, one Indian intelligence operative said.

However, these operations needed approval from the highest level of government, he added.

According to analysts, Pakistani authorities did not publicise the murders because most of the targets were known terrorists or militants from groups that Islamabad denies harbouring.

Amir Tamba, a man who was acquitted of killing an Indian spy, was recently found dead in Lahore, Pakistani police officials in charge of the investigation said.

Tamba was suspected of killing Sarabjit Singh, an Indian citizen convicted of espionage in 1991 who was attacked by cellmates in 2013 in prison.

Again, the Pakistani media have been reluctant to comment on the news, unlike Indian media, even though Indian authorities did not issue any comment on the matter.

INDIAN MANDALA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO INDIA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY FRIDAY, CLICK HERE.
by Arundathie Abeysinghe

Suicides are up, especially by hanging. Some 631 inmates died in the last four years, from, among others, assaults, riots, disease, psychological disorders, and drug abuse. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka calls for greater protection, like taking inmates picture immediately after arrest.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Sri Lankan prisons have seen a disturbing rise in deaths among inmates, nearly 50 from suicide, as well as poor health, and violence.

Last year, 209 deaths were reported, said Gamini B. Dissanayake, Commissioner of Prisons. The number this year is higher; especially alarming is suicide, which the system is failing to prevent. Seventeen cases were reported in 2023, including three foreign nationals.

Following a request under the Right to Information Act, the Department of Prisons released data showing that 631 inmates, both suspects and convicts, died in prison in the past four years, 61 by hanging, 18 in 2020, 14 in 2021 and 2022, and 15 in 2023.

Most inmates who die in prison from disease are men, but 18 were women. About 357 inmates who died in prison had not been convicted.

Many inmates died in violent incidents, sparked by overcrowding and poor facilities; in 2020, for instance, 11 prisoners died in a riot that broke out at Mahara Maximum Security Prison, while two were shot dead during a riot in Anuradhapura Prison.

One prisoner lost his life, electrocuted, on a rainy day when a power line fell on him. In Negombo Prison, a detainee was beaten to death by his cellmates.

Last year, three prisoners drowned in the Mahaweli River, trying to escaping from Pallekele Prison in Kandy. Another was killed trying to break out of Kegalle Prison. Another fell from a coconut tree he had climbed after escaping from Pallansena Prison in Negombo.

Kasun Withanage and Anusha Samanthilaka, human rights lawyers, spoke to AsiaNews about the issue.

A study by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) notes that there are several factors behind the deaths; they include Violence inflicted by prisoners and prison officers that ultimately caused death.

Those who died were in a state of distress, most often suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms or effects of a psychological disorder. The latter affect the health of inmates, and are often used to justify the use of violence to subdue them.

For the lawyers, the HRCSL study indicates that it is necessary to identify marks and photograph an inmate upon entry as it could place a timestamp on any injuries acquired by prisoners prior to imprisonment. This would help in determining, whether an assault was committed on a prisoner inside the prison or prior to entry.

The goal is to achieve greater transparency and ensure that abuses against incarcerated people are traceable, avoiding worsening their state of fragility.

Under current rules, anyone brought in the evening can only be examined the next day due to the lack of staff. Thus, if a new prisoner is assaulted during his/her first night prior to registration, it may not be possible to ascertain whether the injuries were inflicted in prison or during arrest.

For psychologist Ruwan Dissanayaka, when prisoners are placed in solitary confinement, the majority engage in self-harm, displaying suicidal tendencies.

What is more, The aggravation of the symptoms displayed by persons suffering mental illnesses along with lack of medical treatment foster suicidal tendencies and most inmates succumb to them.

Because of the lack of staff to provide overnight surveillance, violence among inmates can break out in most Sri Lankan prisons, since officers on duty are unable to perform their patrol work.

Sometimes, those wounded in fights do not have access to medical care, especially overnight emergency care, and this has contributed to some deaths in prisons.
by Joseph Masilamany

A single mother was found guilty of the sin of 'khalwat' (closeness) in a state ruled by the Islamist party. The sentence - a first - is scheduled to be carried out in Marang prison on 6 May. A case destined to represent a thermometer of the power relations with fundamentalists in Anwar Ibrahim's Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews)  In Malaysia, in the north-eastern state of Terengganu, governed by the Islamists of the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS), a woman was sentenced to beatings for inappropriate relations with a man, applying sharia, Islamic law. If carried out, it would be the first case of its kind in the state.

Nurfifi Amira Nawi, who is 37 years old and a mother of one, was charged under section 31 (b) of the Syariah Criminal Offenses (Takbir) (Terengganu) (Amendment) Enactment 2022, for being alone with a 40-year-old man who was not her husband in a house in Kemaman district on January 31st.

Nurfifi Amira pleaded guilty to the crime. Judge Rosli Harun then sentenced her to six strokes of the cane and a fine of 4,000 ringgit (785 euros), as well as eight months in prison. The defendant had already been convicted of a similar crime in 2018 and had been fined.

The judge also advised Nurfifi Amira to get married immediately to avoid committing a similar crime again. You said earlier that you were going to get married, but it didn't happen. There is no remorse in you, the judge told the woman, also advising her not to get married in the border town of Golok, Thailand, where Muslim couples enter into clandestine marriages.

PAS has governed the north-eastern states of Terengganu and Kelantan since 2018. Ideologically centered on Islamic fundamentalism, its electoral base is largely concentrated on the four rural and eastern coasts of Peninsular Malaysia, including the conservative north, particularly in Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah.

With these victories, PAS has pushed to toughen punishments under Islamic law through each state's Sharia penal code. However, the party has to deal with new actors now after the government of Najib Razak, which supported the PAS agenda, lost its electoral mandate. In the past, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed had blocked PAS attempts to pass Islamic laws in Kelantan and Terengganu.

The National Trust Party (Amanah), a PAS splinter party that is now part of the governing coalition under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's "unity government", is expected to block PAS attempts to push for the implementation of sharia.

However, PAS and the coalition it is part of today - Perikatan Nasional - performed well in the last elections. The Islamist party won the most seats and the Perikatan Nasional pact reaffirmed its control over four state governments from August 2023. This has led many observers to suggest that a "green" or "Islamist" wave is transforming the political landscape of Malaysia.
Maria Rosario Gomez, left, pictured with her son, Nathaniel Gomez, is waiting for liver transplant at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. Maria Rosario Gomez Maria Rosario Gomez is waiting for liver transplant at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. Maria Rosario Gomez Maria Rosario Gomez, right, pictured with her son, Nathaniel Gomez, is waiting for liver transplant at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. Maria Rosario Gomez Maria Rosario Gomez is waiting for liver transplant at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. Maria Rosario Gomez

For years, doctors at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center told Maria Rosario Gomez that vomiting blood would be a telltale sign that her liver failure had progressed to the point where she would need a transplant.

When it happened Monday, though, the Houston resident was unable to get the lifesaving transplant she needs. And it remains unclear when she will.

Gomez, 69, is among hundreds of patients in need of liver and kidney transplants who were left in limbo when Memorial Hermann announced earlier this month that it was inactivating both programs due to a pattern of irregularities with liver donor acceptance criteria. The hospital opted to halt kidney transplants as well because both programs share the same leadership structure, Memorial Hermann said in a statement.

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Gomez is hospitalized at Memorial Hermann, where she said doctors are trying to identify the source of an internal bleed that is the likely cause of her vomiting blood. She and her son, Nathaniel Gomez, said that her care team is working to get her moved to the waiting list at Houston Methodist, which along with Baylor St. Lukes Medical Center is trying to accommodate liver transplant candidates from Memorial Hermann.

With her health deteriorating, though, Gomez and her son worry there may be limited time to get her on the waiting list elsewhere.

I feel like Im dying, she said in a phone interview from her hospital bed. And nobody can help me.

READ MORE: Everything we know so far about Memorial Hermanns liver and kidney transplant scandal

Memorial Hermann on April 11 said it found evidence that a doctor manipulated records for liver transplant candidates, potentially preventing some of them from receiving the lifesaving care they needed. The hospital declined to identify the doctor, but the New York Times reported he is Dr. J. Steve Bynon, a prominent surgeon who has been leading the hospitals abdominal transplant program since 2011.

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Multiple federal agencies, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Health Resources and Services Administration, are investigating, a statement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said. Memorial Hermann is also conducting its own investigation.

Memorial Hermann said in a statement Friday that it is working toward reopening its kidney transplant program in the near future, though it has not specified when operations could resume. There is no timetable for resuming liver transplants, the statement said.

The hospital has 38 patients on its liver transplant waiting list and 346 patients on its kidney transplant waiting list. Memorial Hermann said in a statement Friday that all of the liver transplant candidates are being transitioned to other hospitals, and that it has expedited the process for those most in need of a transplant. Most of the kidney transplant candidates have opted to remain on the waiting list at Memorial Hermann, the statement added.

Upon the very difficult decision to voluntarily inactivate the kidney and liver transplant programs as we evaluate a new physician leadership structure, we expedited transfer for highly acute patients to another transplant hospital immediately, the statement said. We regularly monitor all patients conditions and can transfer them to another transplant hospital immediately, as necessary.

Gomez is among the liver transplant candidates who are waiting for news. She developed liver failure five years ago and was placed on the transplant waiting list two years ago. She also has Type 2 diabetes, which can increase the risk for liver disease, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Nathaniel Gomez said hes concerned that his mothers health will continue to decline while theyre waiting for an update on the Memorial Hermann program or a potential move to Houston Methodist.

God forbid, but lets say she gets worse next week, he said. Whats going to happen to her?

Houston Methodist said in a statement that it has one of the largest organ transplant programs in the U.S. with 1,244 kidney transplant candidates and 377 liver transplant candidates on its lists as of Thursday. The hospital has 18 liver and more than 100 kidney transplant referrals at this time, the statement said.

We are committed to help in any way we can to be sure those listed for transplant get the proper care and support they need at this time, the statement said.

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Childress resident Mandy Sears, 46, has been on Memorial Hermanns kidney transplant waiting list since 2018. She learned that kidney transplants had been halted when a Memorial Hermann representative called her last week to deliver the news.

Sears was diagnosed with an unclassified soft tissue sarcoma when she was 9 years old. The chemotherapy that helped to eradicate the cancer also wreaked havoc on her kidneys, leading to kidney failure at 19.

READ MORE: What to know about organ transplants after Memorial Hermann hospital scandal

She had a kidney transplant at Memorial Hermann in 2003. Kidney transplants from living donors last about 15 to 20 years, while kidneys from deceased donors last about eight to 12, according to the National Kidney Foundation.

Sears intended to undergo another transplant at Memorial Hermann because her prior experiences with the hospital have all been positive. So the news of the program being inactivated shook her. Shes begun looking into the possibility of moving to a waiting list at another hospital.

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Im still so bummed, Sears said. I kind of wish another hospital would call me, but I havent received any phone calls yet.

Sears recently found a potential living donor  a man who heard her story through a church prayer chain  but the testing to determine whether he is a match was put on hold when Memorial Hermann halted its program.

Its sad, but Im still hopeful, Sears said. Im still holding out that the best is yet to come.

Gomez said she didnt know Memorial Hermanns liver transplant program had been inactivated until she saw the story in the news on Friday. Nathaniel Gomez said he later realized they missed a call from the hospital earlier in the week to discuss a potential move to Houston Methodist.

The situation became dire when Gomez vomited blood on Monday and was subsequently admitted to the hospital.

Im losing sleep over this, her son said.

Gomez said she hopes shell soon get an update on when she might be able to receive a liver transplant. Until then, all she can do is wait.
James Stafford, a Houston defense lawyer for over 50 years, has defended those accused of some of the worst crimes imaginable. None were as unsettling as convicted child killer Brian Coulters case, he said.

Coulter was convicted Monday of killing his girlfriends 8-year-old son, Kendrick Lee, after leaving the childs body in an apartment for a year to decompose. Days of testimony revealed how Kendricks siblings were abandoned in a west Harris County apartment following the childs October 2020 death.

A jurist studied the crime scene photos and listened to young voices recalling the fate of their brother to decide Coulters verdict after he waived his right to a jury trial, a decision that Stafford deemed the wisest one he ever made. Had he not, the heavy responsibility of hearing morbid evidence and heart wrenching testimony about the abuse that left Kendricks surviving siblings undeniably traumatized would have fallen on ordinary Houstonians.

I think the jury would have jumped the rail and killed him on the spot, said Stafford, whose clients have included Rick Rhoades, who has since been executed for the murder of two Pasadena brothers in 1991.

A photo of Kendrick Lee, the 8-year-old boy whose skeletal remains were found in a bedroom a year after his death, is displayed during the capital murder trial of Brian Coulter on Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Harris County criminal courthouse in Houston. Coulter was found guilty of capital murder in the childs death. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Defendant Brian Coulter listens during closing arguments in his capital murder trial Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Harris County criminal courthouse in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Prosecutors Edward Applebaum, left, and Celeste Byrom speak to reporters after Brian Coulter was found guilty of capital murder Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Harris County criminal courthouse in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Defense attorney James Stafford talks to a reporter Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at his office in Houston. Stafford defended Brian Coulter, who was convicted of capital murder for the killing of Kendrick Lee. Lee was an 8-year-old boy whose skeletal remains were found in a bedroom a year after his death. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

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The boys, now 10, 12 and 17, revealed in court their varying perspectives about life with their mothers abusive boyfriend, Kendricks death and how their lonely lives went on for a year with his decomposing body on their mind but out of sight under a blue blanket.

Judge Kelli Johnsons swift verdict found 34-year-old Coulter guilty of capital murder. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty in the case and Coulter was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Judge Kelli Johnson addresses defendant Brian Coulter after finding him guilty of capital murder Monday, April 15, 2024, in the 178th District Court at the Harris County criminal courthouse in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

The case, which fell into Johnsons court after a prior judge recused himself, took its toll even on her.

I had to painstakingly listen and take notes, as both sides deserved, to be fair, Johnson said, following her verdict. Those children have haunted me this past week. They have interrupted my safe space when I leave this building.

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Stafford closed his eyes as he listened to Johnsons words. He envisioned in that moment how the trial affected her. He was angry at himself for not considering that sooner.

From the Houston Chronicle: How the abandoned brothers in deadly Houston case 'fell through every crack' caused by COVID

Other judges would have been more harsh in their words, even cruel, Stafford said.

Defendant Brian Coulter listens as Judge Kelli Johnson announces that she has found him guilty of capital murder Monday, April 15, 2024, in the 178th District Court at the Harris County criminal courthouse in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Stafford, who is no longer Coulters attorney and is eyeing retirement later this year, on Tuesday reflected on representing the man who killed Kendrick and left the rest of the children to fend for themselves  a narrative that shocked Harris County at the time of his November 2021 arrest.

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At times he questioned whether Coulter deserved a trial. Friends confronted him to ask why he would take on the case. But Stafford, who was appointed to Coulters case with lawyer Jimmy Ortiz, had a legal obligation regardless of his opinions. He focused on challenging Harris County prosecutors to do their best work rather than dwelling on morality  his own way of compartmentalizing some cases.

Thats how Ive tried to make peace, Stafford said.

Defendant Brian Coulter, right, talks with his attorney James Stafford closing arguments in his capital murder trial Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Harris County criminal courthouse in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

'Mr. Irrelevant'

Coulter thwarted most attempts to mitigate his case, Stafford said. He refused to open up or speak with medical experts who could have helped craft legal arguments in his favor as the trial neared. During that time, Coulter rejected plea negotiations that could have avoided trial. He dismissed inquiries about the case as irrelevant, inspiring Stafford to nickname his client Mr. Irrelevant, he said.

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The defendants parents also wanted nothing to do with the case, Stafford continued.

The stonewalling left Stafford and Ortiz without anyone to put on the witness stand or motions that could have debated the allegations further.

In closing arguments, the defense team urged the judge to consider lesser charges of either murder or injury to a child because of unanswered questions from the surviving siblings testimony. The eldest boy testified that Coulter often locked his younger brothers inside the bedroom but he never asserted to have seen the man kill his brother. The prosecutors never asked if he did.

When it came time to question the youngest children in a nearby jury room, Stafford held back. He asked the youngest boy about his grades and what he wants to be when he grows up. Stafford asked the middle child about his conversations with the district attorneys office.

When the testimony ended, a prosecutor, Celeste Byrom, thanked Stafford for his kindness with the boys.

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As a defense lawyer, you want to represent your client but realistically and intellectually  what could you say to those kids, Stafford said. Its not my role to damage them any more.

Defense attorney James Stafford talks to a reporter Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at his office in Houston. Stafford defended Brian Coulter, who was convicted of capital murder for the killing of Kendrick Lee. Lee was an 8-year-old boy whose skeletal remains were found in a bedroom a year after his death. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

'They were troopers'

The end of Coulters trial signals the potential start of another. The mother of the children, Gloria Williams, remains jailed and awaiting trial on injury to a child and tampering with evidence charges. Stafford expressed surprise that Williams was not charged with capital murder like Coulter.

Authorities have accused Williams of failing to report the abuse inflicted on her youngest surviving children and for her purported role in Kendricks death remaining unreported for a year, according to court records. During Coulters trial, text messages raised questions about what Williams knew and when about her sons death.

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Mugshots of Gloria Y. Williams, 35, and her boyfriend Brian W. Coulter, 31, are displayed after a press conference at the Harris County Sheriffs Department in Houston on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. Williams and Coulter left her children in an apartment for over a year. Elizabeth Conley, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Stafford predicted prosecutors will grapple with at least one hurdle in order to resolve her case: Will the children testify again  and would they want to?

Hearing the kids testify and seeing how the demons that were there, that they didnt want to come back again  they were troopers, Stafford said. I just hope they make it through. Im not even sure Hollywood would make a movie out of this  its that horrible.

Neal Davis III, representing Williams since her arrest, declined after Coulters verdict to discuss his clients case at length.

Defendant Brian Coulter walks forward to sign the judgment after Judge Kelli Johnson found him guilty of capital murder Monday, April 15, 2024, at the Harris County criminal courthouse in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

In the meantime, Davis said he is continuing plea negotiations to avoid having the children testify again. The prosecutors declined to discuss the mothers case or the prospect of the childrens future testimony.

Gloria doesnt want to put the kids through that again and neither do we, Davis said.

A prosecutor, Edward Applebaum, shied from expressing any personal impact Coulters case had on him but noted how horrifying the case would be for anyone.
19 April 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

The 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will be held in Azerbaijan in 2024.

The main purpose of this event is to evaluate progress in combating climate change worldwide. Since the mid-1990s, discussions within this framework conference have focused on the Kyoto Protocol, which contains mandatory legal obligations regarding the limitation of emissions of greenhouse gases from developed countries.

In sessions held between 2011 and 2015, the Paris Agreement, considered the most significant international document in the fight against climate change, was discussed and adopted in 2015. To date, 195 countries, including Azerbaijan, have joined this agreement.

With British expert Neil Watson's vast expertise, Azernews aims to shed some light on the readiness of nations to address pressing climate issues, the potential impact of COP on global unemployment, innovative proposals for reducing fossil fuel dependency, Azerbaijan's role as the host nation, and the support needed for its mission.

Azernews presents the interview:

Q. Dear Neil Watson, as we know, COP is an international event dedicated to discussing climate change issues with the participation of world countries and finding solutions to similar problems. The readiness of world countries to address these issues is the most pressing issue. So, do you think the world is ready for this?

A. COP29 is an extremely important event for the entire world, as climate change impacts us all, regardless of geography or religion, and all the worlds eyes will be on Baku, the host. The question is whether the world is prepared for this transition. The world is in recession for numerous factors, not least the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ramifications of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict, the immigration crisis, and the division between the first and third worlds is exacerbating. Without western assistance, there is no way that new technologies and infrastructure, particularly related to energy generation and implementation of electric vehicles, can be rolled out across Africa, Asia, Latin America and much of the post-Soviet space. The countries lack the economies to undertake this themselves, and western economies have shrunk. Furthermore, such issues as the interlinked Russian and Iranian threats and re-emergence of ISIS are dominating the news agenda. I cannot believe that all countries will achieve the COP targets without serious decisions being made.

Q. World experts are quite optimistic about the COP event. In your opinion, what exceptional significance can this international event have in reducing unemployment worldwide?

A. Climate change will cause some unemployment, particularly amongst those engaged in traditional oil and gas exploitation and transportation. However, it will create jobs regarding the construction and maintenance of new energy infrastructure; the production and sale of new electric vehicles at an earlier stage than is normally necessary; and the production, installation and maintenance of renewable energy technologies etc. Its impossible to estimate how many jobs will be lost and how many will created, but I would assess that more jobs will be created than lost.

Q. Currently, many countries in the world are dependent on fossil fuels, and it is possible to gradually reduce this dependency. What new proposals do you think COP29 could put forward on this issue?

A. I am of the view that there is a greater need for holistic and joined up thinking, taking into account all aspects of ending fossil fuel dependence and transitioning to new methods. Hydrocarbons have had a very negative impact on the environment and human psychology, which is naturally driven by greed. We need to step away from greenwashing old technologies or aspects of new technologies that have their own environmental impacts. Its imperative that political gain, national divisions and the desire to retain super-normal profits are set aside so that new technologies can benefit from the economies of scale and replication across the world. Climate change impacts us all and carbon-neutrality will benefit us all.

Q. How is Azerbaijan's role evaluated on a global scale regarding the organization of COP29?

A. As I said earlier, the eyes of the world will be on Baku, as COP29 host. The organisation must not be ostentatious and must be aligned with the minimization of environmental impact. This is an opportunity for Azerbaijan to transform its image away from being a hydrocarbons producer; end accusations of being a poacher turned gamekeeper, as was the case with Dubai, the previous host; and to reassert its ownership of Karabakh in the eyes of the world, not least as the reconstruction in the liberated territories will take the form of Smart towns and cities.

Q. What support do you believe Azerbaijan requires to sustain its mission?

A. Azerbaijan needs fulsome support from all countries, as it hosts COP29 whilst simultaneously entering a post-war scenario and striking a bilateral peace deal with Armenia. All participating countries  including Armenia, which endorsed Azerbaijani hosting the event and will send a delegation  need to step away from their political and profit-driven agendas and take serious steps and make realisable and holistic pledges that will achieve the ideals of COP29.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
19 April 2024 12:53 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Unfortunately, humankind lives in a world where money can open all doors, and all principles and values are trampled. With the help of bribes, one can get all titles. A recent subject discussed in the Armenian mass media exemplifies it very much.

Thus, the Armenian lobby tries to get the Nobel Peace Prize for Russian billionaire of Armenian origin Ruben Vardanyan whose hands were stained with the blood of not only innocent Azerbaijanis but also Ukrainians. Even Armenians suffered from Ruben's greediness. Ruben Vardanyan is a person who was born in a poor family in Soviet Armenia and migrated to Russia in the 1980s. In the last days of the USSR, Ruben started to accumulate a fortune illegally and soon he became an oligarch. Several prominent Western media outlets unearthed his illegal activities, especially money laundries. Thanks to bribes, Ruben managed to escape from being arrested. To evade Western sanctions, Ruben renounced Russian citizenship when the Ukraine-Russia crisis broke out. Soon he appeared in Azerbaijans Garabagh, which at that time was yet under the control of the separatist clique.

Actually, it was not new for Azerbaijan. Baku had been aware of Ruben's illegal activities in Garabagh for long. The Russian billionaire of Armenian origin had illegaly exploited the natural resources of then-invaded Azerbaijani territories for decades. It was clear that Ruben Vardanyan was sent to Garabagh to hinder the peace process between Armenian and Azerbaijani communities, and frankly speaking, he succeeded.

Soon, he was parachuted into the post of the state minister of a so-called separatist regime. He ardently spoke against Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and supported separatism. Besides, he took hostage the Armenian residents of Garabagh to succeed in his ambition. In short, Azerbaijan put an end to his illegal activities with the anti-terror measures in 2023 and he was detained when he was trying to sneak out of Garabagh.

Now, he is in Baku waiting for the court to answer all his illegal activities in Garabagh.

Here poses a question: "How can a person who supports separatism and terrorism, and money laundering, and due to his activities hundreds of thousands of people suffer in Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and other countries, be a candidate of the Nobel Peace Prize? Is the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to separatists and criminals? As is known, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to people who finish the enmity between two nations. However, Ruben Vardanyan sponsored the separatism in Garabagh and Ukraine, let alone reconciling the two nations. Besides, how can a person who hindered the peacefully return of Azerbaijani IDPs to their hometown be a candidate of Peace Prize?

In addition, there are serious doubts about Ruben Vardanyan's dark financial activities in many countries. In 2019, the OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) published an investigative report on Vardanya's illegal activities called Troika Laundromat. This report exposed a complex network of alleged illegal activities involving Ruben Vardanyan. In March 2019, members of the European Parliament wrote a letter to the President of the European Commission, stating the need to impose sanctions against the former owner of Troika Dialog, Ruben Vardanyan, and other persons connected with the "offshore system" of Troika Dialog. The letter was signed by 22 European MPs representing Great Britain, Sweden, Germany and other countries.

Ruben Vandanya, an international financial fraudster who built a business empire with dirty money, has the blood of innocent people in the world, he participated in the financing of terrorism wherever he wanted to make a profit by illegal means.

Vardanyan's life and activities are insulting to the ideals and values guided by the Nobel Peace Prize. It is a black stain to the name of Nobel Prize. I hope the bribe of Armenian lobby will not work this time, and the most prestige prize in the world will be stainless. The ideals of Alfred Nobel, who made a good fortune out of Azerbaijani oil and has special place in Azerbaijani history, will live forever.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

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19 April 2024 20:44 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

The decision of the leaders of Azerbaijan and Russia on the withdrawal of peacekeepers from Garabagh ahead of the scheduled time caused dissatisfaction of many institutions.

One of the first reactions to the process, which began on April 17, came from the US State Department. When commenting on the withdrawal of peacekeepers from Garabagh, the official Washington said that Russia is "not a reliable ally or partner".

Besides, a question arises: Why does Washington, which is trying to suppress Russia in all regions, now want Russian peacekeepers to stay in Garabagh?

Political scientist Asif Narimanli, commenting on the topic for Azernews, said that the US is showing itself and showing its insecurity and hypocrisy to the world with these statements.

"This American approach can be called political hypocrisy. Because until now, America has demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from many regions and waged war against Russia. But it opposes the step taken by Russia in the Garabagh issue and actually shows that it is an unreliable ally and that it is political hypocrisy."

The expert said that the United States currently has two main goals. According to him, Washington is using the current situation and trying to attract the attention of Armenians.

"The US, which is trying to reduce Russia's sphere of influence in other regions, is now reacting harshly to the withdrawal of Russian peacekeepers from Garabagh for two main purposes.

First, the official Washington is mostly trying to condemn Russia to the Armenian community. Because currently, the Russia-US-West struggle in the South Caucasus is mostly over Armenia. The US is using the exit of the peacekeepers from Garabagh as an opportunity."

The political scientist noted that another reason is the concern of official Washington. Because Russia's exit from Garabagh closes the way for other foreign forces to come to Garabagh.

"Now the US is very worried. Because the Russian peacekeepers leaving Garabakh means that the last hope for the return of Armenians to Garabagh is gone."

The expert said that the Russian peacekeepers leaving Garabagh is also an indication that Armenians will never come to Garabagh again.

"For the West, the return of Armenians to Garabagh can suggest the creation of security guarantees for them here. That is, if the Armenians returned to Garabagh, the West would try to send its forces into the region under the slogan of protecting the Armenians. But Armenians are no longer expected to come to Azerbaijani territories," he said.

A. Narimanli drew attention to the subsequent statements of the United States. He said that in the future, we can hear such statements from Washington again.

"In my opinion, we will hear a lot of such speeches from the United States in the future. Because the issue here is not to achieve something positive in Garabagh, but to infiltrate into the region."

The political scientist recalled the power and sovereignty of the Azerbaijani state. He stressed that no force can carry out any action on our lands without the official permission of Baku.

"No foreign organisation can do anything within the state borders without the official permission of Azerbaijan. It's just that the US still keeps the Armenian issue as a means to increase its influence in the South Caucasus," he added.

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19 April 2024 19:39 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

On April 18, an event was held at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Great Britain on the occasion of the start of the 2023-2024 academic year of the master's degree program in the specialty of renewable energy sources between Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University and Warwick University of England, Azernews reports.

At the event, the rector of the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University Vazeh Askarov, a delegation consisting of employees of the University, as well as relevant employees of the Ministry of Science and Education, a team from Warwick University cooperating with ASOSU on the dual degree program, the British Prime Minister's trade envoy for Azerbaijan, a member of the House of Lords Baroness Nicholson, MPs from both houses of the British Parliament, officials of the British Foreign Office, ambassadors of Turkmenistan, Moldova and Uzbekistan to Britain, as well as members of the diplomatic corps in London, representatives of the British Council, the British Chamber of Commerce, media and diaspora were present. The event was also attended by Azerbaijani students studying at Warwick University, as well as Azerbaijani students who graduated from ASOSU and are currently studying at leading British universities.

Delivering the opening speech, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Britain, Elin Suleymanov, said that the implementation of the dual degree program between ASOSU and Warwick University based on the relevant state program approved by the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan is an indicator of the importance and personal attention of the head of the country to the development of human capital and education in Azerbaijan. Thanking all parties involved in the development of the project - the Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Emin Amrullayev and the employees of the Ministry, Baroness Nicholson, the British Prime Minister's Trade Envoy for Azerbaijan, the British Embassy in Azerbaijan and the British Council office in Baku, the ambassador is still working on this program dedicated to renewable energy. drawing attention to the fact that preparations were started several years ago, he said that this is an indicator of the importance Azerbaijan attaches to the issue of green development, which is preparing to host COP29 this year.

Later, Baroness Nicholson, the British Prime Minister's Trade Envoy for Azerbaijan, spoke at the event as the main guest from the British government. She said that during her years in this position, she has personally witnessed the ever-increasing bilateral relations and rich cooperation between the two countries, and said that it is gratifying that Azerbaijan sees Britain as the number one educational partner and that the largest number of Azerbaijani students come to Britain on the basis of state programs compared to other places in the world. The trade ambassador pointed out that it is important for Azerbaijan universities to continue this type of cooperation with other British universities in terms of further development of bilateral cooperation in the field of education.

Vazeh Askarov, rector of ASOSU, gave detailed information to the guests about the dual diploma program that his university is implementing in cooperation with Warwick University. He noted that the delegation headed by him visited Warwick for the purpose of holding meetings with partners at Warwick University in the past few days, and said that in those meetings, in addition to the dual diploma program, prospects for future cooperation were also discussed. V. Askarov emphasized that such cooperation has a positive effect on the dynamics of bilateral relations as well as in the field of education. The rector of ASOSU drew attention to the important role of the government of Azerbaijan in the creation of the program, and at the same time expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He also thanked the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Britain for this event organized at the embassy to mark the official launch of the program.

Then Professor Robin Clarke of the University of Warwick, who spoke, first informed the guests about the University of Warwick and the Warwick Manufacturing Group operating under it. He noted that this event held at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Great Britain and the visit of the delegation of ASOSU and representatives of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Warwick University during the last week can be considered an indicator of the importance Azerbaijan attaches to education and international cooperation. Noting that Azerbaijan and Britain share a number of common features, both countries have historically used traditional energy means, and currently aim to transition to a carbon-free future, he said that human capital with special knowledge and skills is needed for this transition. Robin Clark said that the purpose of the double degree program between ASOSU and Warwick University is to train personnel who will have the necessary skills to implement the transition to alternative energy and provide sustainable environmental solutions. He expressed hope that this cooperation will be the starting point of similar future cooperation. Robin Clarke thanked the ASOCI team and Rector Vazeh Askarov personally, the Minister of Science and Education Advisor Nijat Mammadli, Baroness Nicholson, the British Embassy in Baku, and the British Council team in Azerbaijan for their cooperation.

James Lyall Sharp, who served as the British ambassador to Azerbaijan in 2019-2022, also spoke and said that despite the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Britain in all spheres, cooperation in the field of energy and education has a special intensity, and in this regard, the duality in the field of alternative energy, which brings both fields together, emphasised the symbolic importance of the diploma program project in this regard. He also spoke about the cooperation between Britain and Azerbaijan in the field of energy transition as the hosts of COP26 and COP29, including the alternative energy project implemented by BP in Jabrayl.

The event continued with a banquet.

It should be noted that the dual diploma program between ASOSU and Warwick University is implemented and financed on the basis of the State Program for increasing the international competitiveness of the higher education system in the Republic of Azerbaijan for the years 2019-2023, approved by the relevant decree of the President of Azerbaijan. Within the framework of this program, students will acquire knowledge and skills in the field by participating in classes organised by both foreign and local professors in Azerbaijan, as well as in 4-week classes held by foreign staff in England. The program offers students the opportunity to visit leading renewable energy sites and relevant companies in the UK, along with solar farms and wind turbine sites. Travel expenses, including travel and visas, as well as expenses related to accommodation and meals, will be paid in full according to the rules of the State Program.

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19 April 2024 13:03 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Holy See and Portugal, Ilgar Mukhtarov, has met with Zuhair Alharthi, the Secretary General of the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), based in Lisbon, Azernews reports.

The sides exchanged views on the opportunities for cooperation to strengthen interreligious and intercultural dialogue, promote understanding and mutual coexistence, and defend the values of dialogue and tolerance in societies.

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19 April 2024 20:39 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

The heads of foreign affairs ministers of the "Big Seven" (G7) countries made a statement regarding the normalisation of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, Azernews reports.

The G7 countries called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to stick to the peace process.

"We call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to remain fully committed to the peace process in order to achieve a decent and lasting peace based on the principles of non-use of force, respect for sovereignty, inviolability of borders, and territorial integrity," the statement said.

In addition, the joint statement of Azerbaijan and Armenia dated December 7, 2023, was noted, and the G7 countries called on the parties to maintain this spirit of cooperation.

It was also stated that the G7 countries are ready to support future constructive contacts between Azerbaijan and Armenia at all levels, especially within the framework of established negotiation mechanisms.

"We once again confirm the importance of adherence to the Almaty Declaration of 1991, in which Armenia and Azerbaijan recognise each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. We call for the expansion of regional cooperation and the opening of all borders, including the Armenia-Turkey border," the statement said.

It should be noted that the organisation's sensitivity to this topic is commendable from the point of view of the rule of peace in the region. The question arises, why did the G7 countries not remember or think about the principles of respect for sovereignty, inviolability of borders, and territorial integrity even when the territories of Azerbaijan were under the occupation of Armenia for 30 years?

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19 April 2024 11:20 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

The next plenary session of the spring session of the Milli Majlis (the Parliament) has started, Azernews reports.

The meeting is chaired by Sahiba Gafarova, and its agenda includes the discussion of 14 issues.

Those issues are as follows:

1. Report on the activities of the Accounting Chamber in 2023.

2. Draft law on amending the "Regulation on service in state tax authorities" approved by Law No. 141-IIQ of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated June 12, 2001 (third reading).

3. Draft law on amending the law "On Labor Pensions" (third reading).

4. Draft law on amending the Code of Administrative Offenses (third reading).

5. Draft law on amending the Tax Code, "On Social Insurance", "On Customs Tariff" and "On Advertising" laws (third reading).

6. Draft law on amending the Civil Code and the law "On Mortgage" (third reading)

7. Bill on amending the law "On Media" (third reading).

8. Draft law on amending the laws "On the approval of the internal service regulations of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan", "On the protection of historical and cultural monuments", "On the extradition of criminals," and "On culture" (second reading).

9. Draft law on amending the law "On social insurance" and the Tax Code (second reading).

10. Draft law on amending the law "On Education" (second reading).

11. "On the perpetuation of the martyr's name and concessions to the families of the martyrs", "On the status and social protection of the citizens who participated in the cancellation of the Chernobyl accident and suffered as a result of that accident", "On veterans", "Refugees and internally displaced persons (people displaced within the country) on status", "On social protection of children who have lost their parents and deprived of parental care", "On vocational training" and "On the rights of persons with disabilities" (second reading).

12. Draft law on amending some laws in connection with the implementation of Law No. 979-VIQD of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated July 14, 2023 on amending the law "On Medicines" (second reading).

13. Draft law on amending the law "On service in judicial bodies" (first reading).

14. Draft law "On the creation of artificial land areas in the section of the Caspian Sea (lake) belonging to the Republic of Azerbaijan" (first reading).

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Hana Ikramuddin is a Hearst Fellow in Connecticut. She spent the first part of her fellowship at the Houston Chronicle.

Raised in the Twin Cities, Hana majored in journalism and political science at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

She has held internships with the Star Tribune, APM Reports and Sahan Journal. In her free time, she loves to cook, make chai and take care of her houseplants.
19 April 2024 12:17 (UTC+04:00)

A scientific conference themed "New Caledonia: History, Contemporary Challenges, and the Expected Future" has been held at the Milli Majlis, Azernews reports.

Moderator of the event, Chairman of the Milli Majlis Human Rights Committee Zahid Oruj, highlighted the importance of the discussions to be held at the conference.

Chair of the New Caledonian Congress Committee on Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Sustainable Development, Energy, Transport, and Communications, Naisseline Omayra, expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for support in the freedom struggle of New Caledonia. She underscored that the cooperation memorandum inked between the two countries' parliaments would open new opportunities for New Caledonia in many domains.

The speakers also included chairman of the Milli Majlis Committee for International Relations and Interparliamentary Ties Samad Seyidov, as well as Executive Director of Baku Initiative Group Abbas Abbasov, who expressed their views on France's new colonial policy, enslavement of peoples, looting of their natural resources, and other issues.

The New Caledonian Congress delegation expressed their gratitude for the consistent support shown by the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement of Azerbaijan in their rightful struggle for justice and the path to independence.

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19 April 2024 13:12 (UTC+04:00)

According to the preparation plan for the current year, approved by the Minister of Defence, Colonel-General Zakir Hasanov, the tactical exercise of the "Caspian Sky-2024" air defence was held jointly with the Air Force.

Azernews reports, citing the Defence Ministry, that in total, up to 300 personnel, including combat, control, and guard ships, boats, combat helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles, were involved in the tactical training.

In accordance with the plan, the ships that left the base station with an alarm signal performed practical activities on the organisation of air defence of the marine energy infrastructure, the destruction of conventional enemy targets, as well as the execution of other combat tasks in the sector of the Caspian Sea belonging to the Republic of Azerbaijan, together with the aviation means of the Air Force.

In addition, during the exercise, activities on the anchoring and departure of the ship's tactical groups in the region and the organisation of defence against air attack and underwater sabotage were also successfully carried out.

In the two-stage tactical training, the personnel of the HDQ and HHQ demonstrated high professionalism in the execution of all tasks.

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19 April 2024 16:58 (UTC+04:00)

Ulviyya Shahin Read more

The representatives of the Praesidium of the COP29 discussed the preparation process for the COP29 with the delegation led by the permanent representative of Finland to the OSCE, Azernews reports, citing Fuad Khumbatov, member of the Praesidium of the COP29 and head of the international cooperation and public relations sector of the National Hydrometeorological Service under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

"With the delegation led by Finland's permanent representative to the OSCE, Vesa Hakkinne, we had a very meaningful discussion on the preparation process for COP29," he said.

Explaining the importance of the meeting, Khumbatov noted that Finland will chair the OSCE in 2025, and Azerbaijan cooperates with these international organisations on various programs.

It should be noted that the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year. The decision in this regard was adopted at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Within two weeks, Baku will become the centre of the world and will receive about 70-80 thousand foreign guests.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The COP (Conference of Parties) abbreviation means Conference of Parties.

198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, the COP is held annually. The first event of the COP took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

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19 April 2024 15:38 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

On April 19, 2024, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of the State of Palestine, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Palestinians Living Abroad, Mohammad Mustafa, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

The Foreign Ministry noted that, during the telephone conversation, the current issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Palestine, as well as the situation in Gaza, were discussed.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov congratulated Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on his appointment to this important position. The Prime Minister, in turn, sincerely congratulated Azerbaijan on the occasion of the chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Political, economic, cultural, humanitarian, etc. relations between the two countries, the existence of a bilateral and multilateral cooperation agenda, and mutual support within the framework of regional and international organisations were noted with satisfaction.

It was brought to attention that Azerbaijan has always supported the "two-state solution" of the Palestinian issue according to international legal norms, including the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, and has taken practical steps in this direction at the national level, including during the period of chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, in the field of eliminating the consequences of the conflict.

The assistance of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Palestine in the amount of 2 million US dollars provided by the United Nations Organisation for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), as well as the availability of training programs for Palestinian students and diplomats, was noted with satisfaction.

During the telephone conversation, other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest were exchanged.

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19 April 2024 17:58 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Every April 18, the world community celebrates the International Day for Monuments and Sites, Azernews reports.

The International Day for Monuments and Sites was proposed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) on April 18, 1982, and approved by the General Assembly of UNESCO in 1983 during the assembly's 22nd general conference. The event draws people's attention to the protection of monuments and historical places.

International Day for Monuments and Sites has been widely celebrated in Azerbaijan.

The literary and artistic program prepared on the occasion of the International Day for Monuments and Historical Places created a good opportunity for everyone to have a pleasant rest at Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve.

The area has been inhabited for thousands of years and boasts over 600,000 distinct paintings, ranging from 20,000 years old to as recent as 5,000 years ago. In 2007, Gobustan was declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Among the 6,000 drawings found in Gobustan are petroglyphs - stone and iron-age figures depicting hunting scenes, ceremonies, and rituals.

Before the start of the event, the guests were informed about the history behind the International Day for Monuments and Sites.

It was noted that this significant day is also widely celebrated in Azerbaijan. Every year, with the support of the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, various events and exhibitions are organised in nature reserves and historical places in order to promote the protection of monuments and historical places. This literary-artistic program organised in the Gobustan National Historical-Artistic Reserve is one of those series of events.

Director of the Gobustan State Historical-Artistic Reserve, Vugar Isayev, addressed the event.

"We have been celebrating this international expression with great pride and pride for the last few years. Because our paradise Garabagh, has been freed from the enemy. This allows us to restore our historical monuments, which were destroyed and looted by Armenian vandals for many years, and pass them on to future generations. The main activity of our reserve is to preserve our historical monuments and pass them on to future generations. I think that such events create a great opportunity for us to widely promote our ancient monuments, which are a part of our history," said Vugar Isayev.

His speech was followed by a colourful show with the participation of the independent collective of the Ashiq Rza Gobustanli House of Culture, the actors of the Azerbaijan State Puppet Theatre, and the dance group of the eleventh year Fikrat Amirov Art School No 6.

Students of Fikrat Amirov Art School delighted the guests of the event with a performance timed to the Green World Solidarity Year in Azerbaijan.

The performance highlighted Azerbaijan's natural landscapes and drew attention to the importance of environmental protection.

The exhibition fair, consisting of the handicrafts of the employees of the Social Support to Persons with Disabilities Public Union attracted the special interest of both the guests and those who participated in the event.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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19 April 2024 17:36 (UTC+04:00)

The main reasons for the decision to suspend the activity of the Baku French High School are that the number of students of the Baku French High School Educational Complex (BFL) during its 10-year operation is significantly lower than the number envisaged in the action plan, difficulties related to maintenance costs, as well as the economic inefficiency of the activity.

It was reported that the Azerbaijan International Education Centre Public Union (IEC) made a decision to cancel the lyceum, which is its founder.

According to the information, the school intended for 320 students did not reach the target set by the founder during these years, it could not pass the barrier of 200 people (60%). This, in turn, seriously affected the school's profitability, and the founder had to cover additional expenses for the continuation of BFL's activities from his own budget every year.

"Considering the above, it was considered impossible by the founder to continue the activities of BFL in the current situation. Taking into account that the academic year at BFL will end on July 1, students will continue their studies until the end of the educational programme, and the decision on cancellation will be made only on July 1 and will enter into force as of the abovementioned date," the report said.

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19 April 2024 15:03 (UTC+04:00)

Fatima Latifova Read more

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and ACWA Power, from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signed a cooperation agreement focused on Green Fertilisers, Azernews reports.

The agreement was signed by Anar Mammadov, SOCARs Vice President, and Driss Berraho, ACWA Powers Vice President of Business Development - Green Hydrogen.

This partnership builds on the foundations laid by a previous agreement signed on February 2, 2023, which outlined the joint development of renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and green hydrogen, in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The new agreement specifically targets the potential production and distribution of green fertilisers, predominantly urea, under the Low Carbon / Green Fertilizer project. According to the agreement, ACWA Power will take a leading role in the renewable energy production and green hydrogen aspects of the project, underscoring the collaborative effort towards reducing carbon emissions in fertiliser production.

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19 April 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

The Uzbek-Tajik Investment Company plans to implement 14 projects with a total value of $135 million, according to the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz news agency.

On April 17, in Dushanbe, ahead of the official visit of President Mirziyoyev, an Uzbek-Tajik investment business forum took place, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev.

Over recent years, trade turnover has tripled to $750 million, and since the beginning of the year, it has increased by another 40%. In the near future, the parties plan to increase mutual trade to $2 billion.

Since 2017, the number of joint ventures has almost increased 22-foldfrom 17 to 370 companies. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are implementing joint projects to create a trade zone at the border point "Oybek-Fatehabad", construct the trade and logistics center "Andarkhan", and build two hydroelectric power stations in the Zarafshan market on Tajik territory.

Among the most promising sectors are metallurgy, mining, development and processing of minerals, wind and solar power generation, hydropower, machinery and electrical equipment manufacturing, the agro-industrial complex, and the light industry.

Following the business forum, a package of bilateral documents was signed, on which basis a roadmap will be developed for the implementation of each project.

The Uzbek-Tajik Investment Company was established in September 2021. Initially, the company's authorized capital consisted of $12 million, which was later increased to $50 million. The Reconstruction and Development Fund provided 75% of the authorized capital, while "TajInvest" provided the remaining 25%.

The board of directors of the investment company from Uzbekistan then included the head of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade Sardor Umurzakov, First Deputy Minister Laziz Kudratov, and Director of the Reconstruction and Development Fund Shukhrat Vafoev.

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19 April 2024 10:17 (UTC+04:00)

Israel launched a missile attack on a facility in Iran, Azernews

However, the officials did not confirm whether targets in Syria and Iraq were also targets.

It should be noted that on the evening of April 13, Iran launched drones and missiles at Israel, calling it a response to "numerous crimes", including the attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus. Tehran stressed that it attacked only military facilities, where the consulate was attacked.

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19 April 2024 22:10 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Japanese government will provide subsidies to technology companies to support their efforts in the development of artificial intelligence, Azernews reports, citing Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry.

Five companies will receive subsidies in the amount of 72.5 billion yen (about $470 million). The funds are designed to provide the computing power necessary to ensure the operation of cloud services and artificial intelligence technologies.

Among the recipients of the subsidies are telecommunications giant KDDI, as well as GMO Internet Group, Sakura Internet, Rutile and Hirhreso.

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A curbside mail drop off box is shown at the Klein Post Office, 7717 Louetta Rd., Tuesday, May 5, 2020, in Spring. Melissa Phillip/Staff photographer

Texas lawmakers said a recently released audit of a United States Postal Service processing center in Missouri City both confirmed their opinions and revealed new information about the mail delays affecting the Houston area.

The USPS Office of Inspector General released its audit last week of the South Houston Local Processing Center in Missouri City.

Investigators reported numerous problems they witnessed at the facility during their unannounced three-day site visit at the end of January, including incorrect inputting of data, safety problems and staffing issues. Auditors estimated there was 384,000 pieces of delayed mail at the facility during their visit.

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The audit laid out six recommendations for the facility to help improve operations. Local management agreed to all six recommendations with plans to implement five of them by the end of April.

"The Postal Service agrees that the findings were accurate in January 2024. At the time of the OIG visit, the Postal Service had already implemented actions to address the conditions in South Houston. The Postal Service has continued to improve conditions in South Houston over the last few months," reads a letter in the audit's appendix from USPS management.

The Houston Chronicle asked members of Congress who have been vocal on the postal service and the recent mail delays for statements describing their thoughts on the discoveries.

AUDIT RELEASED: Audit uncovers 384K pieces of delayed mail during January inspection of USPS Missouri City facility

Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston

Garcia has been one of the main representatives pushing action forward regarding the mail delays, many times in tandem with Rep. Al Green. She said it was "clear" that the Office of Inspector General conducted its audit because they spoke up about the problems.

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"It was shocking that the OIG was totally unaware of the problems in our region until we reached out to them. The Houston region USPS tried to hide its mistakes by not logging in mail so it would not be registered as late. This is unacceptable," Garcia said. "We must work to eliminate the delays, secure full accountability, and increase transparency at USPS. Our constituents demand answers and deserve reliable and timely USPS services.

Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Waco

Sessions, who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, led the member briefing between USPS staff and Congress members back in February. The briefing led to the Postal Service apologizing to the public for the delays along with Congressional staffers being able to view the south Houston facility.

The Inspector General's report arrives at similar conclusions to those discussed during the multi-member roundtable I convened with USPS back in February," Sessions said. "The Postal Service's failures at the South Houston Local Processing Center are well established, and the Postal Service has acknowledged these systemic failures. I urge the Postal Service to continue to evaluate the operating status of their Houston-area facilities and similar facilities across the nation.

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MEMBER BRIEFING: USPS apologizes for Houston mail delays during discussion with Congress members

Rep. Randy Weber, R-Friendswood

Weber has been a vocal critic of the Postal Service for years, dating back to well before the mail delays started. Weber and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz introduced the Upholding a Secure Postal System Act last year that would force USPS to submit data on mail thefts every five years.

The audit merely confirmed our suspicions," Weber said. "USPS let down every Houstonian, leaving them without their medications and causing frustration among citizens who lost faith in the Postal Service. The USPS better work overtime to prevent such failures in the future and must commit to being transparent with their lawmakers and Americans who depend on them.

LOOKING AT DATA: USPS data reveals Houston-area performance has dropped below previous standards since November

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Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin

McCaul and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy earlier this year about the delays and asking for accountability. The letter asked six questions of DeJoy about what had caused the problems and how they were going to make sure they didn't happen again. McCaul is the House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman.

USPS delays in Houston brought life to a halt for many of my constituents and must not be allowed to happen again," McCaul said. "The OIGs report confirms not only the gravity of the problems that were occurring at the Missouri City facility, but also a troubling lack of transparency from USPS officials in Houston. Im hopeful USPS will fully implement the OIGs recommendations, provide workers on the ground adequate resources to serve their customers, and show greater transparency if issues arise in the future.

SENATE HEARING: Postmaster General defends modernization plan that led to Houston mail delays during Senate hearing

Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston

Fletcher signed a letter in February asking Joe Biden to fill two vacancies on the USPS Board of Governors. Biden nominated Marty Walsh, his former labor secretary, for one of the openings in March.

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"Our community relies on and values the postal service for the timely delivery of mail and so much more," Fletcher said. "The issues identified in the Inspector Generals report are concerning, but contain constructive suggestions for the South Houston Local Processing Center. It is critical that we ensure mail is delivered safely and promptly, and that these deficiencies be addressed and remediated immediately."
19 April 2024 21:35 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the UK, Ravshan Usmanov, met with the Deputy Secretary of State for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom, as well as the Minister of Exports, Lord Malcolm Offord, Azernews reports.

At the meeting, Lord Offord noted that the United Kingdom considers Uzbekistan as a key partner in Central Asia and is interested in deepening cooperation with Tashkent in various fields.

It is reported that the current and future aspects of trade, economic, investment and educational relations between the two countries were discussed. Lord Offord expressed support for the idea of expanding internship and training programs for Uzbek civil servants in leading British institutions and companies.

The parties reached agreements on conducting specialized trainings for Uzbek export companies on preferences within the framework of the British "Trading System for Developing Countries", as well as on the implementation of major investment projects in Uzbekistan with the participation of the British Export Finance Agency.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
19 April 2024 22:45 (UTC+04:00)

Amid mounting tensions sparked by an Israeli attack on Iran's embassy in Damascus, Turkiye on Friday called on all parties to exercise restraint, stressing the importance of preventing further escalation, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

"In light of the latest developments, it is becoming increasingly evident that the tensions that were initially caused by Israel's illegal attack on the Iranian Embassy in Damascus risk turning into a permanent conflict," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry urged "all parties to refrain from steps that could lead to a wider conflict."

"The priority of the international community should be to stop the massacre in Gaza and to ensure lasting peace in our region by establishing a Palestinian state," it said.

Tension escalated further between Iran and Israel after Tehran launched a drone and missile attack on Saturday in response to the April 1 attack on its consulate in Syria, in which seven military advisers were killed.

The ministry statement came after a reported Israeli attack on Iran as sounds of heavy explosions were heard in at least two Iranian cities in the wee hours of Friday morning amid an alleged Israeli attack inside Iran.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Indian gov't eases exports of onions to Sri Lanka, UAE

Xinhua) 09:33, April 19, 2024

NEW DELHI, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government has eased exports of onions to Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), confirmed a senior official of the federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Thursday.

A notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade on Monday stated that the exports of onions would be carried out through the National Cooperative Exports Limited.

The government has permitted exports of an additional 10,000 metric tons (MT) of onions to the UAE (above 24,400 MTs already allowed) and 10,000 MTs to Sri Lanka, said the notification.

The federal government's decision to ease exports to Sri Lanka and the UAE assumes significance in the aftermath of the ban on exports of the commodity till last month in a bid to check prices in domestic markets.

Currently, onions are sold between 35 and 40 Indian Rupees (41 and 47 U.S. cents) per kg in retail markets across India. In October-November 2023, the price of the commodity had skyrocketed to around 70-80 Indian Rupees per kg.

Thereafter, in December 2023, the Indian government had put exports of onion under prohibition till March 31, 2024, in a bid to ensure availability of onions to consumers and check the rising prices.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Many U.S. citizens are waiting for their refunds after filing their tax returns in 2024 following the deadline in mid-April. Patrick Semansky/Associated Press

It is the 2024 tax season and many might be stressed or excited about finally filing the returns and waiting for their refunds.

Some taxpayers in Houston may have not received their refunds yet. The Internal Revenue Service has provided information about what people should expect during refunds:

When should taxpayers expect refunds?

Taxpayers can expect to receive refunds depending on how and when a person filed their taxes, according to the IRS. The IRS generally issues refunds within 21 days if a person files electronically, however, it's longer for mail-in paper returns, according to usa.gov. If a person files taxes electronically, but requests a paper check, it'll take about a month for the refund to be sent.

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Ways to get your tax refund

After filing a tax return, a taxpayer can receive their refund through direct deposit, paper check, prepaid debit card, mobile payment apps and U.S. Savings Bonds.

WHAT TO DO?: Our daughter hasn't filed a tax return in a decade

How can a person see their tax refund status?

The IRS has an option called "Check My Refund" on its website that will show the status:

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If your status shows "Returned Received," the IRS has received the tax return and is processing it.

If your status shows "Refund Approved," the IRS has approved the refund and preparing to issue it by the date provided.

If your status shows "Refund Sent," the IRS has sent the refund to your bank or in the mail. However, it will take about five days for the refund to show up in a bank account and several weeks for the paper check to arrive in the mail.

Third-party apps that partner with the IRS will also have a taxpayer's refund status. Taxpayers can also contact the state's taxation department to learn about tracking tax refund status, according to usa.gov.

Why might some tax refunds be delayed?

The IRS may delay taxpayers' refunds for several reasons including errors on the filed tax return, income not matching the IRS records, IRS suspecting fraud, dependents' tax returns not correlating with their parents, taxpayers needing to file an old tax return and mailing a tax return instead of filing electronically, according to the U.S. News & World Report.

Some instances consist of taxpayers having a missing refund.

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PAYING TOO MUCH?: These Texas tax exemptions can help with property taxes

Tips to get the tax refund process back on track

Checking for any issues with a tax return can help with the refund process.

If there is information missing, the IRS will return the form or send a notice asking for specific information to finish processing the tax return, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service website.

If the electronic filing system rejects the return, an error code will show about the problem. Sometimes the rejected returns are caused by an incorrect Social Security Number or other taxpayer identification number, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service website. A person can correct the error and retry the electronic file.

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For missing refunds, the IRS recommends they request a replacement check. However, if a taxpayer entered the wrong account or routing number, they need to call 800-829-1040 to stop the deposit, according to the IRS website. If the refund was already deposited to another account, the taxpayer will need to call the bank to start a recovery funds process.

The IRS will also post any issues found in their system online.

Will filling out another tax return send the refund faster?

Filing a second tax return typically won't speed up the refund and could even cause more delays, according to the IRS website. Only submit another tax return if you're due a refund, filed a paper tax form more than six months ago and if the "Where's My Refund" option doesn't show when the IRS received the tax return.
Caden Pearson, writing at the Epoch Times, reports:

An appeals court has ruled that North Carolina Gov. Roy Coopers COVID-19 pandemic regulations, which closed standalone bars while allowing restaurants with bars to remain open, were unconstitutional under the states laws. The judges rejected the governors argument that the measures were supported by science and data.

The state Court of Appeals panel issued a unanimous opinion on Tuesday, finding that the trial judge erred when dismissing all claims against the Democrat governor by the North Carolina Bar and Tavern Association and private bars.

In the early days of the pandemic, Mr. Cooper issued an executive order closing all bars, including those in restaurants. He later issued another order that allowed only the bars within restaurants to reopen.

These orders relied on science and data that the governor claimed created a reasonable basis to distinguish between types of bars, thus letting some reopen while keeping others closed, according to Judge April Wood, who wrote the opinion by the Court of Appeals.

The group of barkeeps had argued that the governors order infringed on their constitutional rights to make a living and for equal treatment. But a trial judge, Superior Court Judge James Gale, found against the association of bar owners.

In the appeals court panels unanimous opinion vacating parts of the trial courts order, Judge Wood wrote that the governors decision was illogical as well as arbitrary and capricious.

The governors executive order had allowed the reopening of some restaurants with bars, albeit with limited capacity. However, the plaintiffs bars were not allowed to reopen under the same rules, according to the opinion.

Judge Wood wrote that the association and bars in the lawsuit were subjected to unequal treatment that was illogical and not rationally related to the governors stated goal of slowing the virus spread.

The Epoch Times has contacted the governors office for comment.

Judges Swipe at Science and Data

We have considered the science and data' presented by Defendant to justify the distinction between closing some types of bars and not others, but this information does not support Defendants position, even if we consider all such information to be true, Judge Wood wrote.

According to the opinion, the governor submitted news articles and anecdotal reports to support his claims of his orders being backed by science and data.

But some of the information did not exist at the time the executive order was issued, the judge noted. So Defendant could not have relied on it.

Most of the information is news articles, at best anecdotal reports of various incidents in different places around the world. None of the information addresses any differences in risk of COVID-19 transmission between Plaintiffs bars and the other types of bars allowed to reopen, Judge Wood wrote.

Mr. Cooper issued a series of orders starting in March 2020 that closed all bars, including those within restaurants. Over the subsequent months, bars remained closed while restaurants and breweries were allowed to serve alcohol during specific hours.

It was at this point that the association, along with over 185 entities owning or operating private bars, initiated legal action.

Executive Orders

In his May 2020 order, Mr. Cooper stated that bars posed greater risks of the spread of COVID-19, attributing this in part to the business model involving people remaining in a confined indoor space over a sustained period.

However, the bar owners contended that they were equally capable of adhering to reduced capacity, social distancing, and other restrictions.

At the time of issuing the orders, Mr. Cooper asserted that the decision to keep bars closed was grounded in data and science and informed by daily briefings from doctors and healthcare experts, as per the opinion.

Mr. Coopers state attorneys submitted news articles, a scientific study, and another executive order to justify the governors actions in limiting bar operations. However, according to Judge Wood, these submissions fail to address any differences in the risk of spread of COVID-19 between the bars he allowed to reopen and Plaintiffs bars which remained closed.

Court of Appeals Judges Donna Stroud and Jefferson Griffin concurred with her opinion, which identified two constitutional violations. The judges are registered Republicans.

Bars were permitted to serve alcoholic beverages in outdoor seating areas later in 2020, with subsequent time limits imposed. All restrictions on bars were lifted in May 2021.

The group of barkeeps celebrated the ruling. If upheld, the case will return to the trial court to decide on monetary damages the state may owe them.

We never asked for special treatment, only equal treatment, association President Zack Medford said in a news release. The governors decision forced many of these bars to eventually close permanently. Todays ruling makes it clear that the governor was wrong and now the state needs to make it right.

A spokesperson for Mr. Cooper defended North Carolinas pandemic response measures following the appeals court finding.

When this action was taken almost four years ago, hospitals were overflowing, thousands of people were dying, protective equipment was in short supply and vaccines and treatments were nonexistent, spokesperson Mary Scott Winstead said in a statement.

She said the governors measures came after consultation with health officials, complied with the law, and saved lives and jobs.

Recently, the North Carolina governor has faced lawsuits over his executive orders early in the pandemic. Trial courts have largely affirmed the governors executive orders, but appeals courts have favored plaintiffs.

Last September, a majority opinion written by Judge Wood allowed litigation filed by several barkeeps to go to trial in another case.

Another case about whether a lawsuit against North Carolinas health secretary could go ahead was also heard in the state Supreme Court. That case was brought by the owners of a racetrack that was shuttered for not complying with rules on gathering limits the governor set in 2020. The justices have yet to rule in the Ace Speedway case.



The Associated Press contributed to this report.
There are reports at Bloomberg that the Biden regime is discussing declaring a "climate emergency" prior to the election to seize more power. Such a fake "emergency" smacks of the way that Hitler used the Reichstag fire to seize more power for himself. This might also be used as a basis to manipulate the election system to making cheating easier as was done with Covid in 2020.

The Biden regime is already widely abusing executive powers at the expense of those which rightly belong to the legislative and judicial branches. He is the closest thing America has had to a dictator since Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus to jail political opponents without actual charges. Bizarrely, the Biden camp regularly proclaims that it is Trump who is the budding dictator.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/moar-power-white-house-considers-invoking-unprecedented-climate-emergency

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-17/white-house-renews-internal-talks-on-invoking-climate-emergency?sref=6uww027M

Former Czech Republic president and prime minister Dr. Vaclav Klaus was spot on when he warned that climate alarmism is "a budding totalitarian ideology that is the greatest threat to freedom, democracy, and prosperity in the world today."

One hopes if Biden tries this dictatroship play, that we will see governors step in and nulligy it in their states.
Now that Kamala Harris has been coronated the Democratic Socialist designee for nomination as their candidate for President of these United States, after that political party's contrived primary process "democratically" elected Joseph R. Biden: What are your feelings about this party's progressive posture within their self-styled exercise of "Saving Democracy for America," and how truly critical the outcome of this presidential election will be?

8.7% I am ecstatic that this "Democracy's" First partially Black, First partially Indian, First female Co-Parent, and this nation's primary necessity is to her elect our First woman president.26.09% I really do not care about all these "Firsts." I will continue to pray, and work for this Representative Republic to elect someone competent, and brilliantly patriotic to be our next president.65.22% I will never vote for any politician that "first" does not have the core values to understand how dire this Constitutional Republic's situation has become.
A family medicine physician in West Virginia was found guilty on charges of unlawful distribution of controlled substances and destroying evidence of his crimes.

David Elwood Hess, MD, 60, of Bridgeport, W.Va., was convicted of four counts of improper prescribing and one count of destroying records in a federal investigation, according to an April 18 news release from the Justice Department. Dr. Hess wrote prescriptions for Adderall for his patients without legitimate medical purpose and beyond the realm of professional practice. He also remotely wiped the data from his phone after it had been seized by law enforcement.

Dr. Hess surrendered his medical license and his license to prescribe controlled substances in April 2023, according to the West Virginia board of medicine's website. He will be sentenced after a pre-sentencing report is completed, according to the release.
Physicians in 23 specialties saw increases in pay in 2024, on par with the general rise in physician pay, according to Medscape's 2024 "Physician Compensation Report," published April 12.

Here are the 23 specialties that saw pay increases:

Physical medicine and rehabilitation: +11%

Neurology: +10%

Nephrology: +9%

Allergy and immunology: +9%

Emergency medicine: +8%

Dermatology: +8%

Pathology: +8%

Ophthalmology: +6%

Family medicine: +6%

Psychiatry: +5%

Pulmonary medicine: +5%

Public health and preventive medicine: +5%

Anesthesiology: +5%

Pediatrics: +4%

OB-GYN: +4%

General surgery: +3%

Internal medicine: +3%

Radiology: +3%

Cardiology: +3%

Rheumatology: +2%

Urology: +2%

Gastroenterology: +2%

Oncology: +<1%
A pain management physician is suing the Medical Board of California, The Sacramento Bee reported April 16.

Kayvan Haddadan, MD, is the president and medical director of Advanced Pain Diagnostic & Solutions, which has six locations throughout California.

The board of California placed Dr. Haddadan's medical license on three years' probation. According to a filed petition writ of administrative mandate, Dr. Haddadan is asking a Sacramento Superior Court judge to overturn the board's "extreme discipline" against him.

Dr. Haddadan's attorneys argued that the probation is based on two separate alleged acts of negligence that occurred 10 and nine years ago, respectively.

"They're making a big deal of almost nothing," Dr. Haddadan told the Bee, "Their intention is to get the physician in trouble."

Dr. Haddadan's request to suspend the board's decision pending further review was granted.

Becker's has reached out to the Medical Board of California for comment and will update this story if more information is received.
A Sylvan Lake, Mich., physician will face charges in a state circuit court of committing a disability fraud scheme.

From 2017 to 2021, Rainna Furnari Brazil, DO, allegedly continued to work while receiving $400,000 in disability pay through the Unum Life Insurance Company of America, according to an April 19 news release from the Michigan Attorney General.

According to the report, she allegedly repeatedly lied to the insurance company, denying she was working. She is charged with five counts of false pretenses, two counts of failure to file taxes and one count of insurance fraud.
A pedestrian walks past a large live oak tree in the median on Montrose Blvd. near Clay Street on Thursday March 21, 2024. Activists decry the plan that would remove dozens of trees along Montrose Blvd. But actually, it's a great project, argues urban design critic Allyn West. Sharon Steinmann

Ill-conceived plan

Regarding Rebuilding Montrose isnt about trees. Its about time. (Opinion), (March 28): In a piece on the proposed redevelopment of Montrose Boulevard, Allyn West focuses a lot of attention on the Westheimer intersection, but the secretive Montrose Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone refuses to release detailed plans, so no one knows what their intentions are concerning the beautiful trees that stretch along Montrose Boulevard from Allen Parkway to the Southwest Freeway.

Instead the TIRZ board, which is not elected, has released a redevelopment plan for only a two-block area of Montrose Boulevard located a mile north of Westheimer, between Allen Parkway and West Clay, that we have been told at TIRZ meetings will cost a whopping $14.7 million.

That ill-conceived plan calls for the destruction of nearly 60 trees protected by the city of Houston on either side of the street, including three historic oaks trees that are estimated to be more than 160 years old, to create a concrete hellscape that wont offer significant shade for a generation.

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The plan calls for reducing the median near West Clay by 5 feet on either side, which will greatly imperil the beautiful live oaks in the middle of the boulevard. The plan also reduces the width of the driving lanes, making it harder for ambulances and fire trucks to make their way down Montrose Boulevard to the Texas Medical Center.

West creates a false narrative that the redevelopment of Montrose Boulevard is an either/or situation in which you can either have sidewalks or historic trees. That is nonsense. Houston can have both with a sensible, less costly plan that saves many of the historic trees while providing new sidewalks and other safety features.

While other parts of Houston go without sidewalks, the Montrose TIRZ is needlessly spending millions on a vanity project that I believe will have no lasting effect. That is shameful.

Thank you, Mayor John Whitmire, for putting a pause on this project and others to ensure that they are addressing Houstons very real issues in the best way possible while using taxpayer dollars wisely.

Clifford Pugh, Houston

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Latino representation

Regarding Houstons Hispanic History Research Center hits milestone with first community forum, (April 13): I am so excited about the long-awaited Hispanic History Research Center that will be located in the citys East End. This has been a matter of anticipation and discussion within our community for a while, and it is an endeavor that has been a long time coming.

As someone who is deeply invested in the preservation and promotion of Hispanic heritage and culture, I truly believe this Hispanic History Research Center is a significant milestone that will enrich our understanding of the vibrant, diverse contributions and experiences of our rich Hispanic and Latino communities throughout Houstons history. It will be an invaluable resource for researchers, educators and community members at large. It will serve as a large platform for scholarship and dialogue, and as a celebration of Hispanic heritage.

Im elated that the Three Amigos  City Council members Joaquin Martinez, Mario Castillo and at-large Julian Ramirez hosted the forum event this past Saturday for the Latino community to have their voices heard. It is so refreshing to have some additional Latino representation seated on the dais these days. Thank you, gentlemen.

Blanca Blanco, Houston

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Human nature

Regarding The Brazos River is washing this Houston-area familys home away. Here are the next steps to fix it., (April 8): In print, this articles headline said River threatens to wash away homes. The headline should have been, People threaten Mother Nature.

People knew about erosion, but bought the land and now complain about erosion. People knew about river erosion but sold the land.

People sold fossil fuels, which helped create climate change that made Hurricane Harvey worse. They knew this but sold fossil fuels anyway.

What we have isnt a Mother Nature problem, but a human nature problem.

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Brandt Mannchen, Houston

Purpose of higher education

Regarding UT firings anger students, advocates as lawmakers call for increased enforcement of Texas DEI ban, (April 14): Whatever happened to schools for higher learning? They cant seem to keep the students engaged enough to entice them to attend classes. I always thought going away to school was a serious thing, to learn and prepare for the future. Not to play around. Instead, it looks like a lot of the students are playing around at the colleges and universities they are attending and protesting whatever catches their fancy. In this case they have picked the wrong cause, and its serious and vicious.

If I were paying for a student fooling around instead of studying and resting, as was my intention in forking out the big bucks to send them there, I would jerk their rear ends out of there and make him or her get out in the real world, get a job and earn their own living. That might put some serious thoughts into their immature, silly boneheads and make them grow up out here in the real world.

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Audrey Schambon, Houston
Bloomfield, Iowa-based practitioner Tom Juhl, OD, will permanently close his optometry practice in June, leaving the county without an optometrist, according to an April 16 report from The Bloomfield Democrat.

The county also recently lost its only dentist, according to the report. Dr. Juhl, who first brought his practice to Bloomfield in 1979, plans to retire.

Dr. Juhl has been searching for a buyer to take over his practice for the last six years, without luck. Unless a buyer steps in, the town will be left without eyecare services.
TV and radio host Ryan Seacrest has been building broadcast media centers, named Seacrest Studios, in children's hospitals, and the latest will be at Children's Hospital New Orleans.

The latest studio, which will allow pediatric patients to explore aspects of radio, television and new media, is expected to open in early 2026, according to a news release from the hospital. Walker's Imaginarium, a child enrichment center planned for the main Children's Hospital New Orleans campus in partnership with nonprofit Kids Join The Fight, will be home to the more than 1,200 square foot broadcast media center.

"We are humbled and could not be more excited to be partnering with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation to bring a Seacrest Studio to our campus," Lucio Fragoso, president and CEO of Children's Hospital New Orleans, said in the release. "We believe that part of our job in running a children's hospital is creating an environment where kids can just be kids, while receiving care. That is exactly what the Ryan Seacrest Foundation helps do, and we cannot wait to deliver countless moments of joy together."

The Ryan Seacrest Foundation has opened 14 other Seacrest Studios in the U.S., including Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, N.C., Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Nashville, Tenn., Orange County, Calif., Orlando, Fla., Philadelphia, the District of Columbia, Memphis, Tenn., New York City, and Salt Lake City.
CEO pay, as a whole, is on the rise. But for the female CEOs of high-revenue companies, 2023 brought a "significant" drop in compensation, according to an April 18 report from Equilar.

The report  published to Harvard Law School's Forum on Corporate Governance  analyzed proxy statements submitted by 163 Equilar 500 companies through March 15. Nearly 8% of the CEOs included in the data set were women. Joyce Chen, associate editor at Equilar, and Courtney Yu, its director of research, provided commentary on early trends gleaned from the proxy statements.

Overall, Equilar 500 CEO pay increased 11.3% from 2022 to 2023, with median pay reaching $15.7 million (up from $12 million in 2020). Executive pay dipped slightly in 2020, but has been on the rise ever since; boards may still be rewarding CEOs for their leadership and performance during COVID-19, according to Ms. Chen and Ms. Yu.

However, when pay was broken down by gender, female CEOs saw their compensation decrease 26.1% between 2022 and 2023  from $15.7 million to $11.6 million. Their male counterparts saw their compensation increase 17.3% during this time period, from $13.9 million to $16.3 million.

The proxy statements also showed a 9.3% decrease in compensation among median employees, who tend to be middle managers, professionals and skilled workers. This group is subject to salary reductions or limited bonus payouts "as companies adjust their cost structures or prioritize profitability amidst economic uncertainties," the authors wrote. They noted that it can be challenging to compare median employee pay growth to CEO pay growth, as stock awards are the largest component of CEO pay, and their value is not realized until a future date.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has reached a deal with state legislature to keep University Hospital at Downstate in New York City's Brooklyn borough open.

The new deal will also preserve SUNY Downstate's essential healthcare services, secure long-term financial stability and formalize the community engagement process, a spokesperson for Ms. Hochul said in a statement shared with Becker's.

"The state budgets historic investment in Downstate will allow this critical institution to fulfill this mission, grow outpatient healthcare services, and tackle systemic health inequities in the community we serve," a spokesperson for SUNY Downstate said in a statement shared with Becker's.

SUNY Downstate shared plans to significantly shrink or possibly close in January. The plans were met with backlash from community members, including United University Professions, a higher education union that represents more than 2,300 SUNY Downstate workers.

"It is clear that Downstate is a vital resource to the community and must remain open," Fred Kowal, PhD, president of UUP, said in an April 19 news release. "We look forward to working with our community, health care, labor, and government partners to ensure SUNY Downstate Hospital remains a pillar of the Central Brooklyn community for years to come."

In February, Ms. Hochul shared 2025 budget plans to allot $300 million in capital funding for SUNY Downstate and up to $100 million in funding for operations.

"The Budget will also formalize the existing community engagement process by establishing an advisory board for the modernization and revitalization of SUNY Downstate," the spokesperson for Ms. Hochul said regarding budget background.

More information regarding the deal will be included in the final budget bills.

"I'm proud to have led the fight to protect Downstate hospital and develop a real plan to address the glaring health inequities in Central Brooklyn," New York Sen. Zellnor Myrie said in a statement shared with Becker's.

*Editor's note: This story has been updated as of April 19 at 12:40 p.m. CT.




Coming off a March promotion that added COO to his existing CFO title, Anthony Saul is dedicated to expanding healthcare access at Atlanta-based Grady Health System.

Most recently, the academic health system shared plans to construct a $38 million freestanding emergency department in South Fulton County, Ga., this fall.

"As we've been studying the market, studying the usage patterns, we knew we had to do something," Mr. Saul told Becker's. "This response really is Grady stepping forward with our partners at the county to bring the care that we think we need in this space."

Expanding services to the community comes at a time where hospitals are seeing significant cuts and closures across the U.S. It's a trend that Mr. Saul does not foresee coming to an end anytime soon.

While no significant interventions appear to be on the horizon to save the day for many struggling hospitals, Mr. Saul does expect to see mergers and acquisitions ramp up.

"I think we're in a transition phase in the healthcare ecosystem where the healthier organization will continue to prosper and grow," he said. "Unfortunately, we're going to be challenged in a lot of rural areas and a lot of markets that are contracting with keeping healthcare coverage in those particular markets. It's gonna be a larger divide of those who are doing well and those who are struggling."

To improve margins and keep them up, hospital and health system CFOs need to focus on their organizational strengths to secure wins in their markets.

Evolving the CFO role is also key as the healthcare industry continues to change.

Mr. Saul encouraged CFOs to become more of a business strategist that provides actionable steps to CEOs and leadership teams to improve business performance. He also encouraged financial leaders to come out from behind their computers and talk to people to share their knowledge.

"We have to be more people centric," Mr. Saul said. "... Where we're not just in the back office crunching numbers, but we're at the forefront of crafting strategy that's customer centric, that's business profitable and allows us to grow the right businesses."








Becker's recorded three health system CEOs' retirement announcements between April 16 and April 18, adding to a growing list of exits in 2024:

1. Jim Woodward is retiring as president and CEO of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic: a Philadelphia-based region of Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health, which includes five hospitals across Pennsylvania and Delaware. He served eight years in the role, and will officially step down Jan. 3, 2025.

2. Kathryn Correia is retiring as president and CEO of Legacy Health as the health system works to finalize a merger agreement with Oregon Health & Science University. The two Portland-based entities hope to complete the transaction this year, pending regulatory approval.

George Brown, MD  who served as Legacy CEO from 2008 to 2018  has been selected to lead the health system again. He will transition into the role and assume it in full by July 1; Anna Loomis, Legacy's CFO and acting CEO, will continue to lead in the interim ahead of her planned departure to join another health system.

3. Michael Israel will retire as president and CEO of Westchester Medical Center and the Westchester Medical Center Health Network in Valhalla, N.Y., at the end of 2025. He served nearly two decades in the role.
St. Vincent's, part of St. Louis-based Ascension, has named new leaders for its hospitals in Northeast Florida.

Kevin Rinks was selected as president and CEO of St. Vincent's Southside in Jacksonville, and Bryan Walrath was selected as president and CEO of St. Vincent's Clay County in Middleburg, according to an April 18 news release shared with Becker's.

Mr. Rinks brings more than two decades of leadership experience to his role, according to the release. Most recently, he helmed St. Vincent's Clay County, a role he took in November 2020.

Mr. Walrath brings more than 25 years of leadership experience to his new role, including more than two decades of military service, leading operations for multiple Army healthcare facilities, according to the release. He previously led Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach, Fla.

St. Vincent's is a four-hospital system based in Jacksonville.






Michael Reagin has been named executive vice president and chief technology officer of Phoenix-based Banner Health.

In the newly created role, he will be responsible for IT, data strategy and digital transformation. He has most recently served as chief information and innovation officer of San Diego-based Sharp HealthCare.

"Mike is a very important addition to our senior leadership team. His insights and experience will be crucial to lead our tech infrastructure, data analytics and digital experience transformation plan," Banner Health President Amy Perry said in an April 18 news release. "Technology affects every part of our lives, and it is vital to ensure our digital tools and systems are advanced and interconnected to meet the highest expectations of our care delivery teams, physicians and consumers."

Mr. Reagin starts at the 33-hospital system in June. He has also held positions as chief information and innovation officer of Norfolk, Va.-based Sentara Health, CIO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), and chief technology officer at Renton, Wash.-based Providence.

Deanna Wise, Banner Health's CIO since 2019, retired in March. A Banner Health spokesperson told Becker's that Mr. Reagin's role differs from the CIO, and the health system is waiting for him to start before deciding whether and how to backfill that position.
Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Medicine has named Cheryl Sadro senior vice president and CFO.

Ms. Sadro joins the health system from Sacramento, Calif.-based UC Davis Health where she served as CFO, according to a Johns Hopkins news release shared with Becker's April 18.

In her new role, Ms. Sadro will oversee six hospitals as well as Johns Hopkins Community Physicians, according to the release. She will also be responsible for joint ventures and subsidiaries with Johns Hopkins University.

"With so many challenges facing academic health organizations today, we knew that we had to select the right person to take on the role of CFO for Johns Hopkins Medicine," Johns Hopkins Health System President Kevin Sowers, MSN, RN, said in the release. "Cheryl clearly understands the importance of achieving all three prongs of our mission  focused on patient care, research and education. She operates at the intersection of those three missions and has ample experience collaborating with leaders in the academic health care environment and beyond."
Shelleye Yaklin is retiring as president of Trinity Health Grand Haven (Mich.) after 17 years in the role, leading its parent system to reassign leadership responsibilities amongst other hospitals' executives.

Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health is divvying up Ms. Yaklin's responsibilities after her exit, according to an April 18 news release. John Foss  current senior vice president of operations for Trinity Health Shelby (Mich.) Hospital  will oversee daily operations for both the Shelby and Grand Haven facilities, effective May 1. He will work alongside Gary Allore  current president of Shelby Hospital and Trinity Health Muskegon (Mich.)  as Mr. Allore also becomes president of Grand Haven.

In total, Mr. Allore will oversee three hospitals under the new plan.

Ms. Yaklin took the hospital's helm in 2007, when it was known as North Ottawa Community Health System. She led the facility through its transition to become a full member of Trinity Health Michigan in 2022.
The back entrance to Derrick Spain's shop, Reclaimed Leather in Old Town Spring, leads to a speakeasy-like space (complete with a functional barbershop) that's called Chesterfield Arms. Regina Lankenau

Id been staring, mesmerized by the large embossed pendulum swinging in its wooden case, when four successive chimes suddenly startled me out of my trance. A couple of minutes later, as if the clock knew Id been too caught off guard to take note the first time, it patiently tolled four times again.

Thats one of the quirks of French Morbier clocks, you know, a man behind the store counter offered. They strike the hour twice.

With a shock of spiky white-blonde hair, multiple rings and his electric-blue Harley parked outside, the man couldve passed for Guy Fieri. That is, if Guy Fieri spent his days manning an antique shop north of Houston, in the historic railroad-hub-turned-peaceful-hideaway of Old Town Spring. Thats where I met Derrick Spain, owner of Reclaimed Leather, this past weekend.

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Over the next hour, I learned not just about 19th-century timepieces and other curios, but also about a man who is quintessentially Houstonian  a trained mechanical engineer who began his career at NASA and spent three decades working in oil and gas  and who I had a surprising amount in common with.

Like me, Spain had grown up living in several different countries, and had a passion for learning about cultures other than his own. The son of a Navy dad, he had lived in Japan when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were still fresh in peoples minds. And he paid for it at school, where he was jumped by older Japanese kids. But his experiences shaped his taste for the foreign. At 10, he started dumpster diving, filling his familys garage with junk that he resold to his neighbors. He hasnt stopped collecting and selling artifacts since.

A headshot of Derrick Spain, owner of Reclaimed Leather and the Chesterfield Arms in Old Town Spring. Derrick Spain

In a place that already felt worlds away from the steady whine of Houstons highways, talking with Spain transported me to a time of impromptu conversations with strangers. The kind of conversations that come out of nowhere and have no real purpose other than listening to each others stories, wherever they lead. Without looking for it, Id found the elusive third place that many people, especially in my generation, yearn for.

First coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg in his 1989 book The Great Good Place, third places are spaces outside of the home or workplace that facilitate social interaction and public relaxation among strangers and regulars alike. They encourage the best kind of hangout: where conversation runs free, and productivity isnt the goal.

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I admit, it might seem silly to romanticize such a relatively mundane thing. Talking to strangers is literally in my job description, after all. But stumbling upon such an unstructured invitation into another persons universe is rare. More so in a place like Houston, where rubbing shoulders with someone new usually entails paying for overpriced cocktails at a bar you shelled out 20 bucks to park at and spent half an hour stuck in traffic to reach.

Thats the thing with third places. They still exist, but often at a premium price, which limits the variety of people you can meet. Spaces such as churches, malls, community centers and bookstores are no longer the pillars of public life they used to be. Even dog parks  the closest thing I have to a third place near my apartment  arent conducive to meeting new people unless, of course, you have a dog in tow. (Going there dogless is like hanging around a childrens playground without a kid. People look at you weird.)

Even Derrick Spain is looking to bank on the idea of a third place. When I told him Im getting married, and looking for a place to host a small get-together after my civil wedding, his face lit up. He had the perfect spot. Waving me over to another section of the labyrinthine store, he opened a set of ornamented doors I hadnt realized could open, revealing a dimly lit, eclectic speakeasy. Decked out in dark leather sofas and antique wooden pieces still with their tags on, it was like a cozy cigar club, complete with a turntable, Spains personal vinyl record collection and a stuffed lion in the corner. There was a small locker-room for patrons who are members to store booze for their events. And just up the stairs was a functional barbershop  you know, in case guests need an old-fashioned straight-razor shave.

Inside of Derrick Spain's speakeasy-like space in Old Town Spring. Derrick Spain

While its not exactly what Im looking for, its a smart concept. The kind of mixed-use, traditional place that people visit Europe to find. And yet, somehow, Id found it half an hour outside of the Loop.

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Im not saying quirky places with characters dont exist in Houston. But as Houston letter writer Jack Hall pointed out recently, theres a reason we were named the most uptight city in the country: We have too few relaxing diversions. And leisure, especially in a true third place, is critical to countering the kind of social atomization everybody  old and young alike  seems to be feeling these days.

Before leaving Spains shop, he invited me to a free shindig hes hosting to celebrate opening his speakeasy to the public. Therell be a red carpet and hors doeuvres, he said. The theme is dress to impress. He wanted to give people an excuse to wear evening gowns and tuxedos.

Im just excited to meet new people, and to see where those conversations will go.

Do you have a special third place? Tell us about it. Send us a letter to viewpoints@houstonchronicle.com
Community Health Systems is preparing to sell off a 351-bed hospital in Tennessee.

The Franklin, Tenn.-based health system announced April 18 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell 351-bed Tennova Healthcare  Cleveland (Tenn.) to Hamilton Health Care System in Dalton, Ga., for $160 million in cash.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024.

Earlier this year, CHS CEO Tim Hingtgen said the 71-hospital company was evaluating interest for sales that could yield more than $1 billion in proceeds. In 2023, CHS sold hospitals in West Virginia, Arkansas and Florida.

The system is also working to sell two of its North Carolina hospitals to Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health, but the Federal Trade Commission in January sued to block the move. More recently, North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell has backed the FTC's bid to block the sale.
A nearly 40-year old federal law requires Medicare hospitals to provide all patients experiencing a medical emergency a medical screening and stabilizing care. Whether that includes abortion has been at the center of several lawsuits in states with strict abortion bans.

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act "finds itself on a collision course with conservative states" with strict abortion bans, as The Texas Tribune put it in an April 17 report.

On April 24, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in an Idaho case that asks whether EMTALA preempts abortion bans in certain emergency circumstances. In its lawsuit against Idaho, the Justice Department says the state's abortion ban directly conflicts with EMTALA.

The state's exceptions are too narrow (it permits abortions that treating physicians determine are necessary to prevent a patient's death), the challenge argues, while EMTALA covers a broader scope to prevent harm more wide-ranging than death and requires stabilizing treatment when harm is probable. The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the argument in June, and legal experts say its decision will affect the outcomes of numerous similar cases, including one in Texas, and shape the future of state-level abortion bans.

"Nobody was thinking about EMTALA" when Roe. v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, Sara Rosenbaum, professor emerita at the Milken School of Public Health at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., told The Texas Tribune. "Except for the handful of us who are really, really steeped in EMTALA, we knew the day would come when the states' standards would come into direct conflict with EMTALA."
Irish exporters who use the landbridge to EU will be affected from April 30

The government has insisted that the next round of Brexit border checks on plant and animals products will begin on April 30.

It follows a report in the Financial Times which claimed UK port authorities had been told that health and safety checks on EU imports would not be going ahead as planned due to fears of significant disruption with a return to long queues of lorries at ports.

In a statement issued in response, the Irish Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it has full confidence the border infrastructure will be ready. The checks would proceed as planned and the priority from day one will be on the highest risk goods.

Port Health Authorities will be conducting documentary checks on consignments of all risk levels and will contact traders where they have concerns, Defra said. The system will be turned up to full check levels in a sensible and controlled way.

A UK Government spokesperson added: Checks are commencing from 30 April and, as we have always said, the medium- and high-risk goods posing the greatest biosecurity risk are being prioritised as we build up to full check rates and high levels of compliance.

Taking a pragmatic approach to introducing our new border checks minimises disruption, protects our biosecurity and benefits everyone  especially traders.

Irelands Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue met with Steve Barclay, the UK minister for environment and food, this week and they discussed the new UK import control regime for agri-food goods.

A spokeswoman for Mr McConalogue said both ministers underlined the importance of continued engagement between their departments to minimise any disruption to trade.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue. Photo: PA

Secretary of State Barclay did not indicate at this meeting that there would be any changes to proposed new UK control requirements, due to commence on April 30, she added.

Minister McConalogue is aware Defra have confirmed that this remains the case in their response to recent media articles suggesting a postponement will be announced.

A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the next phase of border checks really only affects Irish operators using Britain as a landbridge to move goods to and from the EU and further afield.

This phase impacts EU goods entering Britain at specific border control posts primarily along its east coast, the spokesman said. It therefore will not impact goods exports from Ireland to Britain via west-coast ports.

It added: The Government is engaging with Irish stakeholders to ensure they are aware of the new UK requirements.

The head of the Irish Exporters Association has called on the British government to clarify exactly what new Brexit border checks are being introduced at the end of the month.

There is total confusion about this, said Simon McKeever, CEO of the association. From my communication with traders in the UK, they havent heard anything about this [delay]. They are looking for clarity, having read the Financial Times article.

The newspaper claims to have seen a presentation by Defra saying the border controls would not be fully ready, that the rate of checks would initially be set to zero for all commodity groups and there would be a phased implementation approach.

There is a potential for significant disruption on day one if all commodity codes are turned on at once, the presentation reportedly said.

Businesses in the UK, which will have to pay up to 145 per consignment for EU imports from April 30, have been asking for the new border controls to be delayed until the autumn.
Business and tax advisory firm PwC will be adopting a new all Ireland model as confidence in cross border opportunities strengthens, it has announced.

PwC UK and PwC Ireland have said they are building closer ties through an agreement which will see the firms collaborate across their combined businesses.

With effect from July 1, the PwC network will take an all Ireland approach servicing clients across the island of Ireland.

PwC said that the new arrangement reflects confidence in the growth prospects for businesses across the island of Ireland and will strengthen its ability to deliver for clients.

It said that the move is set to benefit international businesses with a footprint on Ireland, with experts on business practices and regulations on both sides of the border working closer together to provide advice. The new arrangement is consistent with the approach taken at other large firms in the professional services sector, PwC has said.

Cat McCusker, market senior partner for PwC Northern Ireland, said: At PwC we are committed to supporting our business and our people, as we continue to grow at pace to meet increased client demand across the island of Ireland.

"By aligning our UK and Irish businesses we are in an even stronger position to continue our growth in the years ahead.

With our clients facing a convergence of increasingly complex challenges, from macroeconomic volatility and geopolitical threats to climate action and the rise of GenAI, the investment from both firms in an all Ireland model helps all business across both sides of the border by bringing together the diversity and skills that are required to help our clients continue to transform and grow.

Enda McDonagh, managing partner for PwC Ireland, said: This closer alignment reflects PwCs confidence in the growth prospects for businesses across the island of Ireland.

"This collaboration, combined with recent investments in our PwC Private practice, is further demonstration of PwCs commitment to private business and to clients in the sector.

It provides PwC with a real opportunity to work with our clients in local markets, using local people, by bringing together the strength of our human-led, technology-enabled solutions across both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

As part of this agreement, PwC Ireland will take over the UK firms audit practice in Northern Ireland in a move that is being driven by regulatory and client needs.

The new model will bring together around 7,500 staff and partners from eight offices across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Houston is calling for a Northern Ireland teenager after he secured a place on a prestigious space programme.

Lee Johnston will be getting the real Nasa experience in Texas this summer after winning a coveted place in the United Space School (USS) competition.

The 18-year-old from Lurgan will join a team of students from around the world who will study at the University of Clear Lake, next to the Nasa Johnson Space Centre in the US.

Lee said he is excited to go to Houston, which he describes as on his bucket list.

He is particularly keen to learn about Mars after doing research projects on the planet during his course at the college.

Space has always been a big interest of mine from when I was young, said Lee, a Year 1 Applied Science student at Southern Regional College,

My granda and I would have used his telescope to look at the stars and, with his partner Eve, we would spend hours every weekend walking up and down the lane observing the night sky and talking about space.

Lees goal is to work at the European Space Agency and he says this experience will be a huge help for him in gaining a career in astrophysics.

Laura Martin, SRCs curriculum area manager, said the visit is a brilliant opportunity

Lee is among of a handful of people in UK and Ireland who have been selected for this opportunity, she said.

The USS competition was established by the Foundation for International Space Education (FISE), a private foundation with the mission to provide space-based education to international pre-university students, while offering an introduction and orientation to the aerospace industry.

FISE invites students from over 28 countries to Houston to participate in USS.

Many of the countries selecting students for Space School are currently partners in the development and operation of the International Space Station.

The students at the United Space School will be designing their own Mission to Mars under the mentorship of engineers, scientists and leaders in the aerospace industry.

Students will then be assigned to different teams for the Mission to Mars, each with a different objective: Mission Control; Mars Operation and Logistics; the Mars Transit team; Mars Habitation team and Mars Exploration.

Last year Lisa Murdock from Tandragee, Co Armagh, was one of the lucky visitors to the USS.

During my time there, we were split into different groups and had to focus on specific space projects.

I also had the chance to visit space centres, hear from guest speakers and met a few astronauts as well.

My advice for Lee and others attending this year would be, Go for it and get stuck in. Try and get to know as many people as possible. Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Lee flies out to Houston to attend the United Space School on July 14.
Terri Hooley: I despair at what my home city of Belfast has become

The NI music legend on his undiminished pride in how he helped nurture the local music scene on a shoestring  and his one regret about Belfast

Terri Hooley beside a mural of his younger self

Mark Bain Fri 19 Apr 2024 at 07:35

Many people reach a certain stage in life and enjoy reminiscing on the past. And if anyone can be forgiven for losing themselves in the haze of past glories its Terri Hooley.
Claudia Winkleman says men on The Traitors were threatened by smart women (Ian West/PA)

The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman said she believes male contestants were consecutively chosen to become traitors on the hit BBC show because they were threatened by smart women.

The TV star has fronted two series of the tense game show, in which people try to identify who among them are Faithfuls and Traitors, since it launched at the end of 2022.

In the second series of the show male contestants Paul Gorton and Harry Clark, and female contestant Ash Bibi, were initially picked to be traitors out of the line-up, before Bibi was banished and a trio of men succeeded her.

Claudia Winkleman hosts The Traitors on BBC One (Jonathan Hordle/PA)

Another man, good, its like the olden days, Winkleman, 52, told the contestants during the January 2024 episode.

She has since spoken to the Guardian about commenting on the contestants repeatedly recruiting men.

Maybe I shouldnt have done but I just had to say it, she said.

I was like Come on, boys, what you need here is a really smart woman, but they were threatened by them.

British Army engineer Clark took home the whole 95,150 prize pot after he deceived disability model Mollie Pearce into thinking he was a fellow Faithful when he was really a Traitor.

Harry Clark won the BBC series (Mark Mainz/Studio Lambert/BBC/PA)

Winkleman previously said she had originally turned down the offer to host, but changed her mind after watching the Dutch version of the hit reality show.

She also presents Strictly Come Dancing alongside Tess Daly, and will return to screens on the second series of The Piano on Channel 4, alongside renowned pianist Lang Lang and pop star Mika, as judges.

In the debut series Winkleman met talented pianists at train stations across the country before they played to passers-by, while the judges secretly watched.

Claudia Winkleman, pop star Mika, and Chinese pianist Lang Lang will appear in the second series of The Piano (Channel 4/PA)

When asked if she was tempted to learn a musical instrument, Winkleman told the Guardian: Absolutely not.

Im so unmusical, I once sang to Mika and Lang Lang and they made me sign a piece of paper promising Id never do it again.

The first series culminated in a concert at the Royal Festival Hall featuring performances from Lang Lang, Mika and the four chosen finalists.

A visually impaired 13-year-old girl named Lucy won the competition, having impressed the judges with her rendition of Debussys Arabesque.
Daniel ODonnell on why he almost jacked in singing and how he also nearly lost career to allergy
Yazmin McClean outside the Merchant Hotel where the Miss Great Britain heat will take place in June

Yazmin McClean is vying for the title of Miss Great Britain later this year

Yazmin McClean is vying for the title of Miss Great Britain later this year

Yazmin is currently a student children's nurse at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast

Yazmin McClean is vying for the title of Miss Great Britain later this year

A Newtownabbey beauty queen and student nurse is hoping for a hat-trick of titles as she aims to be crowned Miss Great Britain Belfast.

Yazmin McClean (20) has already won Miss Teen Galaxy Ireland and Miss Galaxy Ireland in competitions in Texas and Orlando.

She will now compete for the title of Miss Great Britain Belfast when the competition comes to The Merchant Hotel in June.

Yazmin McClean outside the Merchant Hotel where the Miss Great Britain heat will take place in June

The Belfast heat will mark the first time the competition has come to Northern Ireland to find local beauty queens vying for the title. In 2021, Dundonalds Eden McAllister became one of only four Northern Irish competitors to win the Miss GB title, while NI influencer and former Miss Ulster Gemma Garrett won the title in 2008.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph during a shift break from her role as a childrens student nurse in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Yazmin, who is from Jordanstown, said she was over the moon when she found out that she would be competing for the Belfast crown.

When it was first announced it was coming to Belfast, I knew it was something I wanted to go for, said Yazmin.

Miss Great Britain is so empowering for women, and their support for two charities, Alexs Wish and Cancer Research is really inspiring. Theyve raised over 160,000 from 2015 for Cancer Research."

Yazmin found out recently she would be one of the finalists in the beauty queen contest.

Yazmin McClean is vying for the title of Miss Great Britain later this year

I was so happy, its something I wanted to do for years and Ive held two titles before this, Miss Teen Galaxy Ireland in Texas in 2022 and in 2023 as Miss Galaxy Ireland in Florida, which were both incredible experiences, she added.

Being able to represent on an international stage is great.

The pageant comes just months after the beauty queen entered her second year at Queens University to study nursing. Despite a busy schedule, Yazmin is proud of being able to juggle both titles  nurse and beauty queen.

I also ensure to keep up with my pageant training, practising my walks and things. My studies are going so well so far, Ill be completing my placement and then going back to university to do the usual Monday to Friday.

You are always a little bit nervous, but Ive been doing it so long now, its grown my confidence. We have a community in NI within the pageants, everyone gets on with each other and supports each other.

Her future aspiration to become a childrens nurse means Yazmin is hitting back at the beauty queen stereotype.

Yazmin is currently a student children's nurse at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast

There are so many girls who are smart, educated and have competed in pageants. 

The Belfast heat of Miss Great Britain will be held in Belfasts Merchant Hotel on Sunday, June 9 with Garrett and McAllister as judges alongside Miss Galaxy England, Ariana Neo and Alan Wallace from Inspiring Belfast and Chris Suitor doing a DJ set.

Organiser Lizzy Doherty, from Derry, said earlier this year she was delighted to be bringing the inaugural event to The Merchant Hotel in June with such a stellar line-up.

Were delighted to have modelling royalty involved, she told Sunday Life: Our head judge Sally-Ann Fawcett is very well respected within the community and would judge a lot of competitions.
Two former residents of the Kincora Boys Home suing over allegations a paedophile housemaster was protected from prosecution because of his status as an MI5 agent have won a High Court battle to have their case reinstated.
Jen Rice is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle covering Harris County government. She can be reached at jen.rice@houstonchronicle.com.

A native Houstonian, Jen graduated from Barnard College at Columbia University and earned a master's degree from University of Texas at Austin's LBJ School of Public Affairs.

Before coming to the Chronicle, Jen spent three years covering City Hall for Houston's NPR station. Her reporting has aired nationally on NPR's Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Here & Now.
University of Galway has announced a new scholarship in honour of actress Siobhan McKenna, and theatre maker and scenographer Nouf Rafea is its first recipient.

Siobhan McKenna was a world-renowned actress of stage and screen, starring in Dr Zhivago, King of Kings and Of Human Bondage.

The Belfast-born actresss career started in An Taibhdhearc Theatre in Galway and she went on to appear in Abbey Theatre productions in the 1940s before making her London debut in 1947 in The White Steed. She was also a theatre director, translator and activist, as well as an alumna of University of Galway.

Her archive is held by the University of Galway, which has long been committed to the preservation and extension of her legacy.

The university explained that the award is being established to support the next generation of creative students in theatre at the university and will run alongside a lecture series, with the inaugural address to be given by Lelia Doolan, the theatre and film actor, director and producer who was also a collaborator and close friend of Siobhan McKenna.

The new Siobhan McKenna Scholarship Award will be awarded annually to one student on the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies, based on previous practical experience and academic achievement; potential for a rewarding career in the arts or politically-engaged arts; use of native languages.

The inaugural recipient of the scholarship was also announced as Syrian theatre maker and scenographer, Nouf Rafea.

Donnacha ODea, Siobhan McKennas son who initiated the lecture series and scholarship award, said: "My family and I are delighted to celebrate my mother's legacy by establishing the Siobhan McKenna Award and Lecture Series to support the next generation of creatives in theatre at University of Galway.

"We are proud to honour Nouf Rafea, as the inaugural recipient for the award. Nouf is a theatre maker and activist, making brave, innovative performance who follows in the footsteps of my mother."

This event was co-presented by the Galway University Foundation, the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, Drama and Theatre Studies, Arts in Action, and the Alumni Office.
South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl donates her Mayoral dress to British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland for the charitys Reuse Revolution campaign. Pictured with Kate is Maureen McElhatton, Area Retail Manager for BHF NI

Former Mayor Kate Nicholl has donated her mayoral dress, which features in her official portrait in Belfast City Hall, in support of the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Northern Ireland broadcaster Annita McVeigh has commenced legal action against her employer, the BBC, after she was kept off-air for more than a year.

On Thursday, Deadline Hollywood revealed McVeighs former fellow BBC presenter Martine Croxall was taking the broadcaster to an employment tribunal next month.

It comes more than a year after she, alongside Kasia Madera, Geeta Guru-Murthy and Karin Giannone, were cut from their roles as presenters on the BBC News Channel after the network merged with BBC World.

According to a new report via Deadline Hollywood, McVeigh, who grew up in Armagh, is listed alongside Croxall and the three other women as parties in the legal case which is set to begin on May 1.

McVeigh recently returned to the BBC News Channel as a chief presenter, alongside Guru-Murthy.

The five women, alongside other presenters such as Shaun Ley and Jane Hill, were initially replaced by Matthew Amroliwala, Christian Fraser, Yalda Hakim, Lucy Hockings and Maryam Moshiri.

However, Hakim left the BBC last year to front a new international news and affairs programme on Sky News.

McVeigh, Croxall and the others were asked to reapply for their jobs for a second time after they were unsuccessful in gaining a new role on the BBC News Channel.

Their limbo stems from the initial recruitment process after the BBC said the five new chief presenters announced were recruited via a competitive interview process in accordance with BBC HR procedures.

Until last month, none had been on-air since February 2023, however Queens University graduate McVeigh announced her return on social media on March 18.

"Been a while since I posted one of these, the presenter wrote on X, formerly Twitter, sharing a photograph of the front doors to BBC Broadcasting House in London.

She later followed up the photo with a second post on X featuring her at the newsdesk writing: ...and Im back. In Studio C with #NewsNow until 1500GMT - so good to be bringing you the news again.

According to the new report, details of the case against the BBC are not in the public domain, but the tribunal listing states that the complaint involves issues including age and sex discrimination, and equal pay.

BBC Director General Tim Davie recently said the corporation was aiming for fair resolution for the women.

McVeighs legal action follows a slew of tribunals launched at the BBC in recent years by female presenters.

In 2021, BBC Newsline presenter Donna Traynor announced she would be taking tribunal action against the broadcaster, where she worked for more than 30 years.

The presenter claimed she was discriminated against on the basis of age, sex and disability. The case was settled just one day after it commenced in June 2023 with no admission of liability.

"The parties are pleased that this matter has been brought to a conclusion and intend to put it behind them," an agreed joint statement issued at the time read.

"The dispute between Donna Traynor and the BBC and Adam Smyth has ended, without any admission of liability on the part of either respondent.

"Donna Traynor acknowledges the BBC and Adam Smyth [Director of BBC NI] continue to refute strongly all the allegations made against them, including the claims made on the opening day of the tribunal."

In 2020, Newswatch presenter Samira Ahmed successfully took her own her legal action against the broadcaster claiming discrimination after she was paid less than male presenter Jeremy Vine for hosting the similar programme to his own show, Points of View.

The settlement found the BBC had failed to provide convincing evidence that the pay gap was for reasons other than gender discrimination.

When approached on the legal action taken by Croxall by Deadline, the BBC declined to comment.
Plans for the erection of more than 300 dual language signs in Belfasts Gaeltacht Quarter have been given final approval, despite opposition from the DUP.

The proposals for the signage were first agreed by Belfast City Councils (BCC) strategic policy and resources committee last October.

A consultation on the plans was recently completed and committee members were asked today to give their final go-ahead.

The Gaeltacht Quarter in Belfast covers an area of more than 400 streets, 108 of which already have dual language signage, in English and Irish.

It was proposed last year that the council would save money on bulk designation, rather than surveying each street individually where an overwhelming majority would be in favour of dual language signs.

Letters were subsequently sent to residents in the area informing them of the plans and that they could object if they wished. If more than 15% of households in any given street opposed the signs, they would not be erected.

Only one street met this threshold, so committee members were asked today to agree to the signage on 301 streets.

DUP councillor Ian McLaughlin said he was not comfortable with the agreed boundary of the Gaeltacht Quarter, especially around interface areas, as it creates a demarcation zone and could irreparably damage community relations.

Mr McLaughlin said the only interaction with the Irish language some of those in his community have had has been very poor and he referred to acts carried out by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles and their use of the term tiocfaidh ar la (our day will come).

Mr McLaughlin stressed he was not anti-Irish language, but concerned about community relations.

Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran Beattie responded that it is important for all members to be considerate with their language when it comes to the Irish language.

Language is for us all, it does not belong to one community or the other, it doesnt belong to one political party or another, he said.

Mr Beattie pointed out only one street met the 15% threshold for opposition, so it was clear the proposals are widely supported.

It was also highlighted that the boundary of the Gaeltacht Quarter was previously agreed upon by the council on two occasions.

The SDLPs Carl Whyte said it was ludicrous to oppose the plans based on events that happened in the past.

DUP representative Sarah Bunting said her party colleague Mr McLaughlin was raising valid concerns from members of his community, which was his job as an elected councillor.

This country has a past, this city has a past, that we cant just ignore, she added.

The plans to erect the dual language signage, which have a budget of up to 170,000, were subsequently given final approval via a majority show of hands.

Over the next six months, the signs will be put in place in clusters of around 30 streets, with the council to speak to residents on whose property current street signs may be on beforehand. The translations for the new signage will be carried out by Queens University.

Also agreed by the committee today was for a public consultation on a draft Irish language policy for the council to go ahead.

Among the measures in the proposed policy is for BCC to adopt a new bilingual (Irish/English) corporate identity and the bilingual logo will become the new, proactive, de-facto council logo to be used comprehensively across all corporate branding.
The body of Jackie Duddy being carried away led by Fr Edward Daly in 1972 (Credit: Fulvio Grimaldi)

The Bloody Sunday families have been left disappointed after the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) decided against prosecuting 16 individuals for perjury.

Thirteen people were shot dead when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on civilians in Derry in January 1972.

After a lengthy campaign by bereaved families and survivors, a public inquiry was held, lasting 12 years and hearing evidence from eyewitnesses, experts and former soldiers.

The findings of the Saville Inquiry into Bloody Sunday were published in June 2010.

The Saville report found that soldiers who had testified had "knowingly put forward false accounts in order to seek to justify their firing".

Prime Minister David Cameron later apologised, saying the killings were unjustified and unjustifiable.

Last December it was announced one, Soldier F, will stand trial for the murders of William McKinney and James Wray, and for five attempted murders.

The PPS also received police files on those alleged to have given false or deliberately misleading evidence.

Today, the PPS took decisions not to prosecute 16 individuals in relation to allegations of providing false evidence at the Saville Inquiry.

Kate Nash, whose brother William was killed and father Alex wounded while trying to help his son, said the PPS decision to not prosecute soldiers for perjury just leaves me cold.

She described the Government as corrupt, adding: I along with many others hold nothing but contempt for the PPS, indeed the entire judiciary, frankly it stinks.

Read more PPS announces no prosecutions for alleged perjury at Bloody Sunday Inquiry

Speaking outside Antrim Court today, solicitor Ciaran Shiels of Madden & Finucane, which represents a number of the families, said: The Bloody Sunday families are very disappointed at this PPS decision, but they are certainly not fooled by it.

Those who gave dishonest evidence on oath also committed perjury and were clearly outside the scope of the assurance against self-incrimination provided by the Attorney General at the outset of the inquiry, which was designed to facilitate the provision of truthful evidence to the inquiry to assist that inquiry to reach its proper findings.

It is of course regrettable that this decision has been communicated to us only today, some 14 years after the inquirys unequivocal findings, but less than two weeks before the effective enactment date of the morally bankrupt legacy legislation designed specifically to allow British veterans to escape justice for criminal actions in the north of Ireland.

We will carefully consider the reasons we have received today and do not rule out the prospect of further legal action.

John Kelly, whose 17-year-old brother Michael was killed on Bloody Sunday, said families are disappointed and perplexed.

They are left questioning how the people of Derry cannot forget the events of Bloody Sunday, yet the Parachute Regiment, who caused all of the deaths and injury on that day, apparently cannot recall it?

He added: The answer to this question is quite simple but painfully obvious.

The British Army lied its way through the conflict in the north. Accountability was never an option.

And it is clear from the events of Bloody Sunday that killing unarmed civilians and lying about the circumstances of those murders never operated as a bar to individual promotions for soldiers, but in fact helped endear themselves to their superior officers and authorities.

We consider that todays ruling by the PPS is an affront to the rule of law and a continuation of the injustice that was perpetrated on Bloody Sunday.

People who gave evidence to the inquiry did so on the understanding they would have legal immunity.

This came in the form of the Attorney Generals assurance against future prosecution for self-incrimination, should they wish to tell the truth about the murders and attempted murders, perjury and perverting the course of justice that they may have committed in their personal accounts in 1972.

This amnesty also applied to IRA personnel who gave evidence to the inquiry, including Martin McGuinness, who said he was second in command of the IRA in Derry on Bloody Sunday.

All the witnesses were assured they would never stand trial as long as they told the truth.

However, it was alleged some did not tell the truth.

Following the inquiry, civil rights activists, including Eamonn McCann and Ivan Cooper, expressed disappointment that high-ranking soldiers were not held to account.

Mr Cooper said overall responsibility should have been levelled at the Army's most senior officer in Northern Ireland at the time of the massacre, Major General Robert Ford, then commander of land forces.

He was found to have written in a 1972 memorandum (unrelated to the Derry march) that selected riot ringleaders should be shot after a warning was given.

Sir Robert told the inquiry that he was not advocating a shoot-to-kill policy because shoot and kill are obviously different words.

The Belfast Telegraph also uncovered declassified files from the Kew archives showing that Lt Colonel Michael Hicks, Commander of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards in Derry, communicated the need to relax Yellow Card shooting rules so that rioters and any man refusing to halt could be shot.

These letters were written between October 1971 and February 1972 and widely circulated to various HQs and high-ranking officers.
More than 300 dual language signs for Belfasts Gaeltacht Quarter set for final approval

Plans set to go ahead despite some criticism from DUP councillors

A dual language sign in Belfast

Andrew Madden Fri 19 Apr 2024 at 07:55







More than 300 streets in Belfasts Gaeltacht Quarter are set to get dual language street signs.
Lottie Hopkinson-Woolley (left), Miriam Payne (middle) and Jess Rowe (right) will be rowing across the Pacific Ocean non-stop and unsupported (Alan Dunkerly Photography/PA)

An all-female team hopes to become the first trio to row 8,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean non-stop and unsupported to inspire young people to feel that anything is possible.

Miriam Payne, 24, Lottie Hopkinson-Woolley, also 24, and Jess Rowe, 27, aim to break three records with their feat, which will see them spend up to six months at sea.

The team, named Seas The Day, hopes to become the youngest group to row across the Pacific Ocean, as well as the first trio to take on the challenge non-stop and unsupported.

Along the way, the crew will encounter shipping lanes, sharks and other marine life, saying they are looking forward to seeing sunsets and sunrises at sea and the simple life of rowing, but that there will be terrifying elements to the challenge too.

We just want to inspire young people to feel like anything is possible, Miss Hopkinson-Woolley, from London, told the PA news agency.

Breaking records is one thing but if we can inspire one or two people to go and do something they wouldnt necessarily do, thats way more important.

If a child comes up to us and says we made them want to run 10k for example, thats a big thing in itself.

The team are hoping their feat will inspire the younger generation to take on their own challenges (Seas The Day/PA)

Miss Payne, from East Yorkshire, told PA: If I had seen somebody growing up doing something like this sooner, I would have been amazed by it.

If we can be that person to somebody else, it will be a job well done.

The crew will set off from Peru, South America, in April 2025 and row west continually until they hit the coast of Australia, targeting Sydney Harbour.

Both Miss Rowe and Miss Payne have previous experience rowing across the Atlantic Ocean  with the latter tackling the feat solo as part of The Worlds Toughest Row in 2023.

Lottie (left), Miriam (middle) and Jess (right) will set off from Peru, South America, rowing 8,000 miles until they reach Australia (Alan Dunkerly Photography/PA)

The Atlantic wasnt long enough, the time at sea is so amazing, Miss Rowe, from Hampshire, told PA.

Im looking forward to the simple life of rowing, eating, sleeping, getting away from your phone and social media as well.

This is like a survival challenge really because we are completely unsupported, its a huge ocean, weve got to do all of the maintenance on board.

Miss Hopkinson-Woolley added that while each team member will have a specific role on board, we have to trust each other with our lives.

The challenge will be her first ocean row and she said there are lots of excitements to the venture.

The trio will be rowing across the Pacific Ocean nonstop and unsupported (Seas The Day/PA)

Ive never done an ocean row before so seeing sunsets, sunrises, amazing night skies, theres lot of excitements, she said.

But theres also a lot of terrifying things like being in a storm in the middle of the night, you cant see where a wave is coming from and its like being in a washing machine thats malfunctioning.

Im looking forward to it but Im terrified about that moment.

Throughout the challenge, named The Great Pacific Escapade, the trio will aim to eat roughly 5,000 calories each day to keep them fuelled, including freeze-dried food.

Well have about three main meals a day, which equate to about 3,000 calories, Miss Hopkinson-Woolley said.

The trio are aiming to break three records with their 8,000-mile row across the Pacific Ocean (Seas The Day/PA)

Then the other 2,000 calories well get from snacks, chocolate, nuts, biscuits, anything that boosts morale because the freeze-dried food is not so nice.

Their boat has two rowing positions in the centre and two cabins at either end, which are equipped with solar panels to provide power to electronics via lithium batteries.

It also features a water maker for the team, producing around 30 litres an hour, and a bucket for a toilet  which they have named Dumpy.

The trio have partnered with and are raising funds for charity The Outward Bound Trust, which empowers young people through challenging outdoor experiences.

To find out more, visit: seasthedayoceanrowing.com
FILE  In this photo taken from video released by State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, Ruben Vardanyan, the former head of Nagorno-Karabakhs separatist government, center, is escorted by Azerbaijani security service agents in Baku, Azerbaijan. Vardanyan, a former Ruben Vardanyan (State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan via AP, File)

A former Russian tycoon jailed in Azerbaijan on charges stemming from his time as a top separatist figure in the Karabakh region has gone on hunger strike, his family said.

Ruben Vardanyan started the fast two weeks ago to press demands for a speedy trial, news agencies cited the family as saying.

Vardanyan cofounded Troika Dialog, once among Russias top investment banks, and amassed wealth estimated at a billion dollars.

In 2022, he renounced his Russian citizenship and moved to the Karabakh region, parts of which were run by ethnic Armenians who sought to split away from Azerbaijan.

He became the regions state minister, the equivalent of premier, but was dismissed in 2023.

Azerbaijan, which had regained control of large parts of Karabakh in a 2020 war had been calling for him to be ousted.

Azerbaijan took full control of the rest of Karabakh in a lightning offensive in September 2023 that drove almost all of the regions 120,000 Armenians to flee.

Vardanyan was arrested while trying to cross into Armenia and was charged with financing terrorism and establishing armed groups.
Iranian air defences have been activated after an apparent Israeli drone attack on a major air base near the central city of Isfahan.

The strike early on Friday morning came just days after Tehrans unprecedented drone and missile assault on Israel.

No Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility that Israel had attacked, and the Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment.

However, regional tensions have been high since last Saturdays assault on Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and its own strikes targeting Iran in Syria.

Speaking at the G7 meeting in Capri, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said the US received last-minute information from Israel about the attack on Isfahan.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken did not dispute that, but said: We were not involved in any offensive operations.

The apparent attack came on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis 85th birthday. Israeli politicians also made comments hinting that the country had launched an attack.

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Air defence batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported. Iranian army commander General Abdolrahim Mousavi said crews had targeted several flying objects.

He said: The explosion this morning in the sky of Isfahan was related to the shooting of air defence systems at a suspicious object that did not cause any damage.

Other sources suggested the drones may be so-called quadcopters  four-rotor, small drones that are commercially available.

Authorities said air defences fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Irans fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

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The Tasnim news agency published a video from one of its reporters, who said he was in the south-eastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its nuclear energy mountain.

The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Irans Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

The facility at Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Irans civilian nuclear programme.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Irans nuclear programme, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

State television described all atomic sites in the area as fully safe. The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also said there is no damage to Irans nuclear sites after the incident.

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The IAEA continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts, the agency said.

Around the time of the incident in Iran, Syrias state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement saying Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in its south and causing material damage.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the strike hit a military radar for government forces. It was not clear if there were casualties, the Observatory said.

That area of Syria is directly west of Isfahan, some 930 miles away, and east of Israel.

The incident on Friday in Iran also sparked concerns about the conflict again escalating across the seas of the Middle East, which have been seeing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen on shipping over the war in Gaza.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre warned ships in the region that they could see increased drone activity in the skies.

Meanwhile, Iranian state-run media sought to downplay the apparent drone incident after the fact, airing footage of an otherwise-peaceful Isfahan morning.
The bomber and an accomplice were killed (AP)

A suicide bomber has targeted a van carrying Japanese nationals in Pakistans port city of Karachi, police said.

The Japanese nationals escaped unharmed but officials later said one bystander was killed.

Police said the van was heading to an industrial area where the five Japanese nationals worked when it came under attack. Local police chief Arshad Awan said officers escorting the Japanese returned fire, killing a second attacker, the bombers accomplice.

All the Japanese who were the target of the attack are safe, Mr Awan added.

Five Japanese nationals narrowly escaped injury (AP)

Police had initially said the five worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors but later corrected that statement, saying it was another factory.

Images on local news channels showed a damaged van as police officers arrived at the scene. Three passers-by who were wounded in the attack were taken to hospital, where one later died. The two others were said to be in stable condition.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the attack in separate statements, praised police for their quick response and vowed to eliminate terrorism. They also offered prayers for the casualties.

The Foreign Ministry confirmed the Japanese nationals were unhurt and said it strongly condemns this heinous act of terrorism. All necessary measures will be taken to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Pakistan remains committed to ensuring the safety of foreign nationals residing in the country, the ministry said.

The ministry said two Pakistani nationals were killed in Fridays attack, which contradicted the statements from police and hospital officials who said one of the three wounded died.

The van was given a police escort after reports of possible attacks targeting foreigners working in Pakistan on various Chinese-funded and other projects, said Tariq Mastoi, a senior police officer.

He said a timely response from the guards and police foiled the attack and both attackers were killed.

No one immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on separatists or the Pakistani Taliban, who have stepped up attacks on security forces in recent years.

Insurgents have also targeted Chinese working in Pakistan on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which includes big projects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture.

In March, five Chinese and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide bomber in north-western Pakistan rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle when they were heading to the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, where they worked.
(Photo : Unsplash/ Christian Wiediger)

The US government sought a backdoor into Telegram to potentially spy on its users, as the messaging app's founder reported.

Pavel Durov, who founded Telegram in 2013 and currently serves as its CEO, made this claim during an interview with Tucker Carlson that aired on Tuesday night.

Telegram's CEO, Parel Durov

Russian-born Durov initially gained fame as a co-founder of VKontakte (VK), often dubbed the Russian equivalent of Facebook. He told Carlson that he resigned from VK and left Russia after facing pressure from the Kremlin to disclose personal data of Ukrainian pro-democracy protesters in 2013.

Durov denied any connections between Telegram, widely used in Russia and by pro-Kremlin military bloggers, and the Russian government led by President Vladimir Putin. However, he also admitted to feeling pressured by the US government in the past.

US Government Trying to Gain Telegram Access

During his last visit to America, Durov brought along an engineer working for Telegram, which the cybersecurity officers secretly attempted to hire without his knowledge. Durov explained that they tried to persuade the engineer to use specific open-source tools that would be integrated into the Telegram code, potentially serving as backdoors, a method to bypass authorization and access protected data.

READ ALSO: US Sanctions Predator Spyware-Maker Targeting Journalists, Officials, Strips Technology Access to Safeguard Human Rights

When asked if a backdoor on the messaging app would let the US government spy on Telegram users, Durov agreed, saying a backdoor is a backdoor regardless of who is using it.

Carlson found Durov's accusation "surprising and offensive," but Durov affirmed, stating there was no reason for his engineer to fabricate the stories. The CEO mentioned he trusted his engineer because he had encountered pressure similar to his own when visiting the US.

Durov recounted how he encountered two FBI agents questioning him upon his arrival at the airport and when the FBI unexpectedly visited the house he was renting while he was having breakfast at 9 a.m. This experience surprised him, leading him to believe they were receiving excessive attention.

Being Questioned Not for Crime But for Collaboration

Carlson inquired if the agents visited Durov because they suspected him of committing a crime. Still, Durov clarified that they were interested in learning more about Telegram after learning of his departure from Russia. Knowing the nature of the platform, the US government likely aimed to establish a relationship. While Durov understood they were carrying out their duties, they preferred concentrating on their work rather than government relations.

The tech executive also asserted that he received letters from two members of Congress following the January 6, 2021, riots in the US Capitol. One letter was from a Democrat, who requested data from Telegram users purportedly involved in the riots. The other letter came from a Republican, advising against providing any data linked to the uprising. Both letters cautioned Durov that he would breach the US Constitution if he failed to comply with their demands. However, Durov informed Carlson that Telegram's approach was to "ignore them" because the issue was complex and tied to internal US politics.

RELATED ARTICLE: Google Accused of Illegal Surveillance, Mandated to Purge Data Center Records and Enhance Chrome's Incognito Disclosures

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A man wearing a fake explosives vest and making threats has been detained outside the Iranian consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said.

The incident came at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, and with Paris on high security alert as it gears up to host the Olympics in three months.

The suspect had been convicted for setting fire to the Iranian Embassy gates last year in what he called a protest against the Iranian government, according to the Paris prosecutors office.

The consulate and embassy are part of the same compound, in the ritzy 16th arrondissement, or municipal area, of Paris, near the Seine River.

Elite police at the Iranian consulate (Thomas Padilla/AP)

The man was spotted at around 11am outside the consulate, and a witness told police he had a grenade and an explosives vest, according to a police official.

Elite police forces and soldiers surrounded the area and blocked traffic during an hours-long security intervention.

Inside the consulate, the man allegedly made threats of violent acts but then left the building alone, the prosecutors office said in a statement to the Associated Press.

Police then detained him and found no weapons on him or his vehicle, the police official said. The prosecutors office said the explosives vest turned out to be fake.

The suspect is in custody, and the Paris prosecutors office opened an investigation into death threats. It said investigators are trying to determine the motive for the action.

Authorities did not name the suspect but said he was born in Iran in 1963.

He was known to authorities and received an eight-month suspended sentence by the Paris Criminal Court in October for setting car tyres on fire at the gate of the embassy in September 2023.

He said it was a protest act against the Iranian government, according to the prosecutors office.

As part of that sentence, the prosecutors statement said, the man was also banned from carrying a weapon and had a two-year ban on appearing in the 16th arrondissement. The sentence was pending because of the defendants appeal, it added.
An abandoned vehicle stands in floodwater caused by heavy rain with the Burj Khalifa in the background (AP)

Three people have died in the United Arab Emirates as a result of heavy flooding caused by record-setting rains this week, officials have said.

A statement by the Philippines Department of Migrant Workers said two women suffocated inside their vehicle during the flooding, while a man died when his vehicle fell into a sinkhole.

The exact number of deaths caused by the storm is not yet known as UAE officials have not released any information.

A man walks through floodwater in the Mudon (AP)

The UAE, a hereditarily ruled, autocratic nation on the Arabian Peninsula, typically sees little rainfall in its arid desert climate. However, a massive storm forecasters had been warning about for days blew through the countrys seven sheikhdoms.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 5.59in of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 3.73in of rain at Dubai International Airport. Other areas of the country saw even more precipitation.

Dubai International Airport, the worlds busiest for international travel, hoped to be back on a normal schedule within 24 hours, its chief executive told The Associated Press on Thursday.

Three people are said to have died (AP)

On Friday, long-haul carrier Emirates said on the social platform X that it would again halt local check-in for passengers traveling on its flights until early Saturday to support operations recovery from the recent bad weather at our Dubai hub.

Low-cost carrier FlyDubai also saw some disruptions.

Meanwhile, intense floods also struck neighbouring Oman in recent days. On Thursday, authorities raised the death toll from those storms to at least 21 killed.
The loyalist has six murder convictions

Michael Stone is one of the most notorious gunmen of the Troubles.

Originally a member of a street gang in Braniel estate before being associated with the UDA and Red Hand Commando, Stone was well known in loyalist circles as a gun for hire.

He first hit the headlines in March 1988 after launching a gun and bomb attack in the Milltown cemetery in west Belfast, killing three people.

His targets were mourners at the funerals of three IRA members shot dead by the SAS in Gibraltar.

He was sent to the Maze prison for three counts of murder before being released in 2000 under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. Once inside the prison, he became one of the five leaders of the Ulster Freedom Fighters prisoners.

In November 2006 he carried out a foiled attack on Stormont which he claimed was performance art.

After the attack he was charged with the attempted murder of Sinn Fein leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness.

More recently, he has made headlines for his artistic endeavours which started while he was in prison, with one of his paintings recently fetching 4,500 in an Ebay bid before the sale was cut off.

Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Sunday Life editor Martin Breen and former Belfast Telegraph editor Ed Curran.

Michael Stone: The life and crimes of the notorious loyalist gunman
Lightstock

The unaccounted years, better known as the Lost Years of Jesus between 12 and 30 years old, is a biblical puzzle that has baffled Christians and scholars for years. There arent any written records of where Jesus might have been or traveled to during that period, leaving a religious vacuum that has been filled with theories mainly inspired by hearsay, folklore, and religious belief, depending on the sources. Whether youre a believer or not, this article details the colorful range of stories that have surfaced since the 1900s.

Many attempts have been made to fill in the missing 18 years when Jesus disappeared from the scriptures, leading to stories of Him having traveled to far places like India to study Eastern mystics, Persia, and also stories of Him having visited North America. Other stories, like ones revolving around theories that Jesus made His way to Britain and even visited Cornwall, have generated narratives linked to King Arthur and the legend of the search for the Holy Grail.

Early theories.

So, what evidence supports the idea that Jesus journeyed thousands of miles from Judea to other countries? The earliest sources come from the Gospel texts of Mark, Matthew, John, and Luke. Bethlehem is where Jesus is believed to have been born, but the Gospels say his family soon left afterward and settled in Nazareth, fulfilling what the prophets in the Bible predicted that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. Nazareth was a relaxed fishing and farming area where the community lived thrifty lives, suggesting that Jesus status was blue collar as He and His carpenter father, Joseph, earned their meager living as craftsmen.

With a little outlook for work, one theory is that Jesus may have sought some kind of work miles away in the town of Sepphoris in the central Galilee region of todays Israel, a town known for its elaborate Roman mosaic artwork. With several opportunities to build walls and houses, this town might have been the first stepping stone to whats later believed to be the starting point for Jesus journey for spiritual enlightenment. If some Christian scholars think that Jesus spent the majority of these intervening years working as a carpenter in Galilee, there are some references to this in the Bible. The 18-year gap in the Bible has generated numerous surprising theories, but so far, none have been corroborated by reliable evidence.

A walkabout.

Another theory about Jesus missing years is that He went on an epic walkabout from His Nazareth home. If this event had occurred, Jesus wouldve been a little more than a boy at 12 years old, so how knowledgeable and emotionally equipped would such a child have to be to take on a significant and possibly dangerous journey? Most likely, while living in Sepphoris, a young Jesus mightve gained His early knowledge of the world through both speaking the Aramaic language and learning to read. The one piece of written scripture suggesting this is found in Luke, which says that Jesus went into the synagogue and read from the scroll of the prophets.

During this time, Jesus wouldve experienced first-hand the economic and social oppression of the Palestinian-Jewish poverty of His time, which He was part of. This knowledge mightve been the stimulating factor that encouraged Jesus to look for answers in the outside world and mightve influenced what would have been a controversial decision to leave His family. Some scholars think that Jesus father, Joseph, died when He was 12 years old, which was a traumatic event that couldve been the catalyst for Him to start a personal quest for spiritual enlightenment, even as a young boy. This walkabout, lasting nearly 20 years, might have started after He was 13 years old. Its at a vulnerable age that the alleged lost years started, and the multiple theories of where Jesus spent His formative years growing into adulthood are open to several interpretations.

Whatever responsibilities a young Jesus mightve had towards His mother and extended family in Nazareth must have been a controversial decision to leave those close to Him at a young age as He set out on a dangerous and epic tour by foot. However, some Christians think that the lost years are somewhat of a consequence, and any revelations about them are unlikely to make a difference in understanding the Christian faith. In other words, if it were necessary, it wouldve been included in the Bible. Other scholars have taken the perspective that knowing where Jesus was and what He experienced during the lost years could help understand many of the mysteries surrounding Christianity.

The Vatican secrets.

For many years, there have been rumors that the Vatican holds mysterious truths about Jesus life and His lost years. This information could drastically change traditional beliefs. To date, nothing has been shared about the existence of these documents, what Jesus was doing and where He was from the ages of 13 to 30 years old. Still, some researchers think that He spent these years visiting Britain with Joseph of Arimathea, while others think he traveled to Persia and India. In the late 19th century, a Russian traveler claimed to have found genuine texts in a monastery in India that proved that Jesus traveled and taught there and elsewhere in the East.

Jesus in Britain.

The story of Jesus in Britain is based on the idea that Jesus traveled there with Joseph of Arimathea, a tin trader who some think was his uncle, although other gospel texts describe him as a rich man and disciple of Jesus. A significant degree of literature had been written about this specific tale, taking it into the realms of tradition so that by the 15th century, Glastonbury in Somerset was peddled as the birthplace of British Christianity. Joseph was thought to have started the first church there to house the Holy Grail. There was also a story that Joseph of Arimathea had earlier visited Glastonbury with Jesus as a child, which inspired poet and artist William Blake to compose a poem that became the words of the English hymn, Jerusalem.

There are several theories about where Jesus went during His lost years, although no one can prove exactly where He was. However, we know that if His whereabouts were essential to the Christian faith, they wouldve been included in the Bible.
Beijings joint call with Jakarta for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza will boost its influence in Southeast Asia, one analyst said.

Indonesian Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto greets Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi before their meeting in Jakarta, April 18, 2024.

Chinas top diplomat met the outgoing Indonesian president and his successor in Jakarta on Thursday, as Beijing deepened its engagement with future leader Prabowo Subianto, amid a competition for regional influence with the United States.

The meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was part of a joint commitment to advance the partnership between the two countries, said Prabowo, who visited Beijing in early April after his landslide win in the February general election.

It is a great honor for me to welcome him [Wang] today. Thank you for the kind reception I received in Beijing a few weeks ago, Prabowo said, according to an Indonesian defense ministry statement.

Chinese President Xi Jinping had invited Prabowo to visit, and the latter accepting the invitation raised eyebrows in Indonesia because no president-elect had made a foreign visit such as this one without being sworn in. China is Indonesias largest trading partner.

Wang, too, mentioned Prabowos Beijing trip, according to the same statement.

We really appreciate and welcome Defense Minister Prabowos visit to China, he said.

We are committed to continuing to increase bilateral cooperation with Indonesia, both in the defense sector and other fields such as economic, social and cultural.

Wang is scheduled to go to East Nusa Tenggara province on Friday to attend the China-Indonesia High-Level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism, a process to support more effective bilateral cooperation. His Jakarta stop was the first of a six-day tour that also includes Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi attend a press conference after their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jakarta, April 18, 2024. [Eko Siswono Toyudho/ BenarNews]

Prabowo and Wang discussed cooperation in the defense industry and sector, with potential measures such as educational and training collaboration, as well as joint exercises, said Brig. Gen. Edwin Adrian Sumantha, spokesman at the Indonesian defense ministry.

In fact, the ministry statement said that China is Indonesias close partner and has had close bilateral relations, especially in the defense sector, for a long time.

Of course, China has also invested billions of U.S. dollars in infrastructure projects in Indonesia, including as part of Beijings Belt and Road Initiative  the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train, which began commercial operations in October 2023, is one such BRI project.

The two countries have drawn closer during outgoing President Joko Jokowi Widodos two terms, and Beijing would like that to continue as the U.S. tries to catch up with Chinas gargantuan influence in Southeast Asia, analysts have said.

Indonesia, China call for ceasefire in Gaza

Both Indonesia and China shared the same position on Israels devastating attacks on Gaza, said Wangs Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi.

Israels air and ground strikes have killed more than 33,000 Palestinians following the Oct. 7 attack on the Jewish state by Palestinian militant group Hamas, which killed around 1,100 Israelis.

We  have the same view regarding the importance of a ceasefire in Gaza and resolving the Palestinian problem fairly through two state solutions, Retno told reporters in a joint press conference after meeting with Wang.

Indonesia will support full Palestinian membership in the U.N. Middle East stability will not be realized without resolving the Palestinian issue.

For his part, Wang slammed Washington for repeatedly vetoing resolutions calling for Israel to end the attacks on the Palestinian territory it occupies.

The conflict in Gaza has lasted for half a year and caused a rare humanitarian tragedy in the 21st century, Wang told the media at the same press conference, according to the Associated Press.

The United Nations Security Council responded to the call of the international community and continued to review the resolution draft on the cease-fire in Gaza, but it was repeatedly vetoed by the United States.

The conflict in the Middle East offered a strategic opportunity for China to further expand its influence in Southeast Asia, said Muhamad Arif, a lecturer in international relations at the University of Indonesia.

China is trying to strengthen its position as a key player in the region, Arief told BenarNews.

China could present an alternative approach to the conflict in Gaza, he said, which may find approval in Southeast Asias largest country, Indonesia, and other Mulism-majority states in the region, such as Malaysia and Brunei.
Charismatic founder of the Peoples Justice Party is a spry 76, but his replacement needs time to be trained.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who leads the Peoples Justice Party (PKR) that turned 25 this month, speaks at a PKR Congress in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Nov. 26, 2023.

As Malaysias only secular party, the Peoples Justice Party (PKR), celebrates its 25th anniversary this weekend, it needs to urgently begin grooming a successor to its leader and founder, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, party members and analysts said.

A spry 76, Anwar could run for PM in the next election in 2028, but having depended on his charisma for decades, PKR needs time to prep an effective replacement, without whom it could end up a mere bit player in national politics, those sources said.

A leader from PKRs youth wing acknowledged that he and other members believe there is the need for a succession plan.

The question is whether this can be done in a timely fashion or not, the leader, who did not want to be named because he is not allowed to speak to the media, told BenarNews.

He added that now is the time to decide on Anwars replacement because his successor would have time to prepare for the role of PKR leader.

Leaders [usually become] ready because we are given the opportunity to grow. We are given roles in state governments, even the youth members, he said.

A lot of training is given to us [such as] to work with MPs and state assemblymen.

Supporters of the Peoples Justice Party-led Pakatan Harapan coalition cheer as an alliance leader speaks at a poll rally ahead of the 2022 national election, Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 16, 2022. [S. Mahfuz/ BenarNews]

A political analyst at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia concurred with the youth leader.

PKR has to start introducing and highlighting [the work] of a successor. The faster the better. People, especially voters, are convinced if the succession plan is executed in a deliberate fashion, Kartini Aboo Talib, a professor of public policy, told BenarNews.

If this happens, PKRs survival for the long term would be guaranteed. If they have no replacements, it shows that PKR has no strategic succession plan and will fail in the near future.

Besides, PKR has been relying too much on Anwar, and its members need to be convinced that the partys struggle for a middle Malaysia will continue no matter who is at the helm, analyst Tunku Mohar Mokhtar said.

While the party is strongly related to Anwar, it is also made up of activists from civil society and former members of UMNO, the assistant professor at the International Islamic University Malaysia told BenarNews.

Anwar Ibrahim, chairman of the Peoples Justice Party-led Pakatan Harapan coalition, delivers a speech at a poll rally ahead of the 2022 national election, Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 16, 2022. [S. Mahfuz/ BenarNews]

The question of who will eventually replace Anwar could surface at Sundays event to commemorate the silver jubilee of PKR.

A PKR national lawmaker posed this very query to the more than 1 million members of his party, in a statement on April 14.

Is the party ready to roll out candidates to replace Anwar Ibrahim as the president of the party and prime minister of Malaysia, when the time comes for him to retire? Hassan Abdul Karims statement said.

Anwar founded PKR after he was sacked from the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in 1998, which had been ruling Malaysia since its independence from the British in 1957. In multiethnic and multireligious Malaysia, UMNO pitched itself as the party for the majority ethnic Malays.

PKR was multiracial from the start and grew out of the Reformasi (reformist) movement that Anwar had started after he was fired from UMNO. The movement demanded institutional change with the goal of social equality and social justice. And the party aimed to provide an alternative to UMNOs race-based politics.

Who could succeed Anwar?

While Anwars position as PKR leader has been unrivaled, other members have clashed over who would be the number two person in the party.

Such dissensions would be unavoidable, which means Anwar may well end up picking his eldest daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, to lead the party, said Tunku Mohar.

Nurul Izzah has experience as an MP and she is the current vice president of the party. Coming from Anwars family is an added advantage and she seems to be able to get support from the competing camps in the party, he said.

However, others are more than capable of heading PKR, the youth leader and analyst Kartini said.

PKR has a lot of second-line leaders with administrative experience. Many of them have been MPs for many years and one of the leaders is Amirudin Shari, chief minister of Selangor, the richest state in Malaysia, the PKR youth wing member said.

Kartini named more than one good potential PKR head.

They have Saifuddin [Nasution Ismail], Rafizi [Ramli], Nurul Izzah, her said.

Saifuddin serves as home minister and Rafizi is economic affairs minister.

Still, Anwar is needed for the 2028 election, said party member Lee Boon Chye, a former lawmaker and deputy health minister. This is especially the case if the parties in the current PKR-led coalition government decide to run together.

After no single party won a majority in the 2022 general election, Anwar, with his Pakatan Harapan alliance, struck a deal with foe UMNO and regional parties from the states of Sabah and Sarawak, to align.

The king invited Anwar to form a government, after which he was sworn in as prime minister in November 2022.

This government has stayed intact for two years despite many challenges, with observers saying Anwar is the glue keeping the ideologically disparate coalition together.

Anwar is still needed to lead the coalition in the next general election, Lee Boon Chye said.
Former Malaita premier Daniel Suidani makes a point during an interview with BenarNews in Auki, Solomon Islands on Nov. 21, 2022.

A Solomon Islands politician ousted as premier of the Pacific island countrys most populous province after opposing diplomatic recognition of China has been reelected to its provincial assembly, according to preliminary election results released Friday.

The results from Malaita province are among the first to be made public since the voting in national, provincial and capital city elections took place Wednesday. Electoral Commission officials have said they hope that many results will be known by the middle of next week.

Daniel Suidani won the most votes in his provincial constituency, an Electoral Commission spokesman Ednal Palmer told BenarNews. Martin Fini, the politician who replaced Suidani as premier following his ouster in a no confidence vote in February last year, was not reelected, according to a separately announced vote count for his constituency.

The election in the Pacific island country of 700,000 people was the first since its combative, pro-Beijing prime minister Manasseh Sogavare switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 2019 and signed a secretive security pact with the Asian superpower.

Polling workers prepare to count ballots at a vote counting center in Honiara, Solomon Islands on Apr. 18, 2024. [Stephen Wright]

Under Suidani, Malaitas provincial assembly opposed the diplomatic switch to Beijing and issued its Auki Communique banning China-funded projects in Malaita despite the islands crumbling roads, rickety bridges and threadbare health system.

Suidani touted benefits from a United States development aid project in the province, but it was slow to produce tangible results. He remained popular and attracted large crowds to his campaign rallies in Malaita.

The central governments ineffectiveness in providing basic services and the struggle to earn enough money to survive was preoccupying many voters when they headed to the polls on Wednesday. Whether Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will stay in power is also keenly watched by governments from China to Australia and the U.S.

Once vote counting is completed, members of Parliament decide the prime minister so leadership of the Solomon Islands may not be known until May.
A woman and child walk into Thailand at the Tak border checkpoint in Mae Sot district, April 11, 2024.

The Thai government is looking to expand humanitarian aid to Myanmar as fighting between junta forces and rebels intensifies across the border in Kayin state, a senior spokesman from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Friday.

The Thai government is seeking to deliver the aid to all parties in need equally, spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said, with relevant international organizations and civil society groups along the border expected to be invited to discuss the matter in the near future.

As a neighboring country, Thailand supports dialogue for reconciliation, leading to peace, stability and unity in Myanmar. However, reaching that point must come from discussions and finding solutions among the various groups within Myanmar itself, Nikorndej told reporters at a news conference. Thailand is ready to talk to all parties if requested and is prepared to engage in discussions.

He confirmed that Thailand was ready to support efforts to quell the violence within Myanmar.

Thailand supports dialogues for reconciliation in three main issues  peace, security, unity. We are currently considering ways to increase and expand humanitarian assistance by collaborating with international organizations within the next one to two weeks, he said.

The Thai government is monitoring key events including clashes between junta troops and rebel forces, particularly those that could affect Thai citizens along the border if their Myanmar neighbors are forced to flee into Thailand.

The spokesman confirmed that the situation along the Thai side of the border remained normal, despite opposition forces taking control of the town of Myawaddy in Myanmar.

Recently, the Karen Nation Liberation Army (KNLA), the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Peoples Defense Force (PDF) announced that they had captured Myawaddy  a major trading hub along the border  spurring an influx of refugees into Thailand.

Meanwhile, Thai Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang told reporters that security forces were on high alert to respond to emergencies.

We have a border committee to oversee the border situation, as the army has military units at hand and our air defense is ready to take off. There are reconnaissance flights ready for air patrol and deterrence, Sutin said. We have the capabilities for protecting our air space and can dispatch fighter jets to intercept immediately, if there are any intrusions.

Since the Feb. 1, 2021, military coup overthrew the government of President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar, the country has seen constant fighting between junta forces and those opposed to the military government.

The fall of Myawaddy to anti-junta forces sent thousands of people toward the border. That caused Thailands armed forces to deploy soldiers alongside Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridges, which regulate both people and goods and connect Myawaddy to Thailands Mae Sot, BenarNews sister agency Radio Free Asia reported.

The takeover of the town prompted Thailands foreign minister to call on the junta to refrain from further violence in the region. He said that people fleeing the fighting would be allowed into Thailand on a strictly humanitarian basis, RFA quoted him as saying on April 12.

A boy carries a container of water at a camp for internally displaced people on Myanmar's side of the Moei River across from Mae Sot, Thailand, April 13, 2024. [Sakchai Lalit/AP]

Burma Concern

On Friday, a group called Burma Concern released an open letter signed by more than 150 academics and addressed to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and relevant agencies, listing a series of requests.

The letter called for the Thai government to not force the repatriation of Myanmar citizens because they could face persecution and torture.

It also called for the government to allow Myanmar citizens of fighting age to seek temporary refuge in Thailand. Many fled across the border to avoid being drafted after the Myanmar government introduced conscription regulations earlier this year.

The letter said the Thai government should extend visas for students who are close to graduation and for colleges and other educational institutions to consider accepting other Myanmar students.

It also called for the Thai government to speed up the visa process for those wishing to enter the country and grant relief to Myanmar citizens who are unable to return to their homes.

In February, Sretthas government announced plans to establish a humanitarian safe zone and corridor for delivering aid to some 20,000 people across the border in Kayin state.

The Thai government, in cooperation with the Thai and Myanmar Red Cross Societies, began delivering humanitarian aid last month.

A convoy traveled across the Mae Sot-Myawaddy Friendship Bridge No. 2 on March 25 to deliver 4,000 packages to Na Bu, and Thar Ma Nya and Paingkyon in Myanmars Kayin state.

Isa Gharti, a public policy researcher at Chiang Mai University, said if Thailand increased humanitarian assistance, it should coordinate with all parties to ensure a more comprehensive and equitable distribution. He emphasized the need for transparency in disclosing information about the distribution to build confidence from the international community.

Additionally, Thailand should strongly push at the ASEAN meeting for negotiations with the Myanmar military government and the opposition to end the violence and restore the peaceful political process, including the establishment of a special ASEAN representative for Myanmar to serve as a mediator in the negotiations if possible, Gharti told BenarNews on Friday.

Gharti spoke out after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) issued a statement on Thursday saying it was deeply concerned over the escalation of conflicts inside Myanmar and calling for an end to the violence.

The 10-member bloc pointed to the situation in the area of Myawaddy and in Rakhine, a state in western Myanmar that shares a border with Bangladesh and where civilians have been displaced by fighting between Arakan Army rebels and junta forces.

We call on all parties to take urgent steps to reduce the impacts of the conflict on civilians. This includes providing a safe and conducive environment to guarantee the timely and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need in Myanmar without discrimination, the statement said.
Her transfer this week to house arrest was a positive step, the Thai Foreign Ministry says.

Former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi (left) and former President Win Myint appear in court in Naypyidaw, May 24, 2021.

The Thai Foreign Ministry urged Myanmars military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi in a statement that also welcomed this weeks move of the former de facto leader to house arrest.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was transferred out of Naypyidaw Prison under tight security on Tuesday. It was believed that the 78-year-old had been held in solitary confinement at the prison in the capital. Her new location was unclear.

Former President Win Myint was also moved to house arrest on Tuesday in central Myanmars Bago region.

The transfers were a positive step in responding to the concerns of the international community, Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said in a statement on Wednesday.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military overthrew an elected government in February 2021.

The military junta has ignored a five-point consensus it agreed to with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations in April 2021, which included a call for a ceasefire and dialogue between all parties in Myanmar.

The Thai government calls for further positive steps in this direction leading to their immediate full release in order to advance the implementation of the ASEAN five-points consensus, Parnpree said in the statement .

Parnpree visited the Myanmar border on April 12 just after the army lost control of the major border town of Myawaddy.

The takeover by anti-junta forces sent thousands of people toward the border and caused neighboring Thailands armed forces to deploy soldiers alongside Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridges, which regulate both people and goods and connect Myawaddy to Thailands Mae Sot.

Parnpree urged the junta to refrain from further violence in the region. He said that people fleeing the fighting would be allowed into Thailand on a strictly humanitarian basis.

On Thursday, ASEANs foreign ministers said they were deeply concerned over the recent escalation of conflicts in Myawaddy and in Myanmars Rakhine state , where the ethnic rebel Arakan Army has captured eight townships since ending a year-long ceasefire in November.
(Photo : Unsplash/Manny Becerra )

Six Republican governors are criticizing the United Auto Workers' attempts to unionize car factories in their states. The labor group aims to expand its influence in the traditionally non-unionized Southern region following its achievements last year in negotiating with the Big Three automakers.

The Joint Statement of Labor Union's Criticism

Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas governors expressed significant concerns about the UAW's unionization campaign, citing misinformation and scare tactics. They emphasized their responsibility to defend constituents' jobs and uphold shared values by opposing outside interests that threaten them.

The governors criticized the UAW just before 4,300 Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga, Tenn., began voting on whether to join the union. The factory, Volkswagen's North American electric vehicle assembly hub, saw close union votes in 2014 and 2019. Workers at the plant will vote from Wednesday through Friday evening.

Volkswagen has stated that it respects workers' right to vote to join the UAW. However, the governors who criticized the union drive argued against involving a third party to "pick up a box or flip a switch," while portraying the campaign as a tactic to support President Joe Biden's re-election.

READ ALSO: Biden Backing Up Steelworkers Amid Nippon Steel's Scrutiny, Raises Worries Over Regulatory Bureaucracy

UAW strategist Chris Brooks remarked on social media in response to the governors' statement, saying they are so scared.

UAW's Commitment to Organizing Non-Union Companies

In the fall, the UAW negotiated record contracts for 150,000 workers at General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler-parent Stellantis. Following this, some non-union factories also announced pay increases for workers. After leading a six-week strike at these companies, UAW President Shawn Fain pledged to organize non-union companies throughout the industry, including foreign automakers with US operations and electric vehicle makers like Tesla.

In November, VW granted workers at the Chattanooga plant an 11% pay raise from $32.40 per hour. However, the UAW claimed that VW's pay still falls short compared to Detroit automakers. The agreements between the UAW and Detroit automakers included 25% pay raises by the contracts' end in April 2028. With cost-of-living adjustments, workers are expected to receive around a 33% increase, resulting in a top assembly wage of $42 per hour and annual profit sharing.

The UAW's Progress in Other Southern States

The union is making progress in other Southern states as well. A majority of workers at a Mercedes-Benz plant near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, signed cards in favor of joining the labor group.

On Thursday, the National Labor Relations Board announced that the Alabama vote would occur from May 13 to May 17 at facilities in Vance and Woodstock. As of the end of 2023, the Mercedes facilities had approximately 6,100 employees, with over 5,000 employees requesting the union vote, according to the UAW.

In response to the workers' petition, Mercedes-Benz US International expressed full respect for their team members' choice regarding unionization. It affirmed its commitment to allowing all workers to cast secret ballot votes and access the necessary information for making informed decisions during the election process. However, the UAW has accused Mercedes management of employing anti-union tactics in recent weeks, with federal labor charges filed against the company.

RELATED ARTICLE: Magic United: Disney Performers' Petition for Fair Compensation, Humane Scheduling, Safety Assurances And Respectful Communication

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Despite national advertising, sales prohibition, e-cigarettes can be found on the streets of Bangkok.

A young man smokes an e-cigarette in public, a common sight in Bangkok despite it being illegal, April 11, 2024.

Kat, a Thai chain smoker hooked on traditional smokes since she was a teen, is hoping e-cigarettes will help her kick the habit.

She has taken to vaping, although e-cigarettes and vape devices are outlawed in Thailand.

I have smoked two packs of cigarettes since I was 18, the 38-year-old Thai entrepreneur said.

Currently I puff in an e-cigarette a few times an hour only to deliver into my body a certain level of nicotine before I can quit it permanently. I have no intention of using e-cigarettes forever, she said.

Kat is not her real name. She requested that BenarNews identify her only by this pseudonym for privacy concerns and because what she does is considered illegal here. Kat is aware that the use, sale and advertisement of vaping devices and e-cigarettes are prohibited in Thailand.

And yet, its not so hard to find these on the streets of Bangkok, she said.

You can find it on Sukhumvit Road, Kat said, referring to one of the main avenues in the central part of the Thai capital. If they are easier to find at a certain time, it means the crackdown at that time is not too serious. But if they start to get rare, it means the crackdown is getting tight.

Kat is among a growing number of e-cigarette users in Thailand where authorities have launched a crackdown to prevent youths from becoming new users of vapes and assorted paraphernalia.

Authorities said the devices are designed to lure kids and are more dangerous than tobacco. Through online distribution, vape devices and material are proliferating and reaching new customers 18 years old or younger.

Reporters film in front of e-cigarettes, sex toys and other confiscated goods presented by Thai custom officers during a news conference in Bangkok, Feb. 25, 2015. [Chaiwat Subprasom/Reuters]

Because e-cigarettes, or vapes, are easier for youths to obtain due to online distribution and lax regulations, it will be harder for them to quit when they are older, according to one expert.

The most serious thing about vapes in Thailand is that even primary school children can get it. If you are addicted to nicotine when you are young, there is only a 30% chance that you can quit it as an adult, said Dr. Wijj Kasemsup, director of the Tobacco Control Research and Knowledge Management Center at Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok.

Not for children

An e-cigarette is a device that can take many shapes. It most commonly comes in the form of a stick with a chamber to hold a liquid substance that, when heated, will emit an aerosol containing nicotine.

Sometimes it comes with a battery for multiple uses. Other types of e-cigarettes are disposable.

In Thailand as of late, imported e-cigarettes have materialized in the shape of a plastic doll, making it more appealing for children.

In one case, a parent posted a short clip of a toy-like vape on social media and we sent a team to inspect [this] in the northeast of Thailand, said Patcharapan Prajuablap, secretary-general of the Thailand Youth Institute, a government-funded anti-vape group.

We found a primary school kid who did not even know that that was an e-cigarette. He thought it was a toy with nice-smelling fumes to inhale.

Unlike cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain no tobacco. The liquid is synthesized, which means the level of nicotine can be dangerously high and that certain odors can be added for gimmick, along with certain dangerous substances, Wijj said.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are a variety of substances in a vape aerosol. These include nicotine, ultrafine particles that can penetrate the lungs and chemicals used for flavoring that can cause serious lung disease. There are also heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead.

The Office of the Consumer Protection Board displays e-cigarettes confiscated before they could be sold, March 29, 2024. [Courtesy of the Thailand Youth Institute]

E-cigarette manufacturers have always targeted juvenile customers, because thats how they increase the number of their life-long customers, Wijj said, adding the manufacturers are being challenged on those grounds.

In recent years, U.S.-based vape manufacturer Juul Labs Inc. had to deal with lawsuits in various states pertaining to the deceptive marketing of its products to underage users. Vapes are banned in certain U.S. states.

Younger and younger

In Thailand, the crackdown has focused on closing e-cigarette shops and confiscating vape devices and associated materials. Establishments selling the products have been found to have proliferated near schools.

Prateep Charoengul, deputy secretary-general of the Office of Consumer Protection Board, said his agencys regulations cover sales of vapes, while the use of these devices may have to be covered by customs regulations because no domestic manufacturer has been found.

Prateep said because of bribery issues, cooperation from other departments, such as police, has been lacking, which makes the crackdown effort all the more challenging.

Thai sellers of e-cigarettes can get profits as high as 30% to 40%, which is quite rare in other kinds of businesses nowadays, he said.

However, purchases can still be made via certain online channels even though in February, a government official said that about 1,300 online distribution portals were being shut down.

E-cigarette necklines have become a common sight among smokers in Bangkok, March 29, 2024. [Courtesy of the Thailand Youth Institute]

According to the Global School-based Student Health Survey, the use of e-cigarettes among school children (ages 13 to 15) in Thailand has increased in recent years from 3.3% in 2015 to 8.1% in 2021.

Patcharapan, from the Thailand Youth Institute, linked vape popularity among Thai youths in recent years to the COVID-19 pandemic. He put this down to parents buying internet devices like tablets for children during school lockdowns.

Many of the e-cigarette shops in and outside Bangkok are within a kilometer of schools, Patcharapan said. Many shops also provide space for customers to use the device.

Kat, the vape user, said e-cigarettes should be legalized because she believes it will be easier to control ingredients that produce smells to lure young customers.

She said even in Asia, countries have different approaches to vape. Japan categorizes it as an alternative to smoking, but only allows the use of nicotine in e-cigarettes with a prescription, while Singapore outlaws e-cigarettes altogether.

I dont prefer sweet smells of vape, like strawberry odor. I want something similar to cigarettes, but it is even harder to find, she said.

But since I started using vape, I think my appearance has gotten better. The color of my lips, teeth, nails and gums that was changed because of cigarettes is now normal. I also cough so much less now.

Vape was developed in 2003 by a Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik who marketed it the following year, gaining some attention among Chinese smokers early on as a potential cessation device or an alternative cigarette product.

While the tobacco industry is going downward. Vape has become more alarming. It looks nice and smells nice. Many customers who shun cigarettes because of the smell can try vape and like it. Its deadliest aspect is its appeal, Wijj told BenarNews.
(Photo : Unsplash/ Igor Omilaev)

The consumer services industry is the biggest in the job market, with nearly every company having a department that deals directly with consumers.

What Is A Consumer Service?

Consumer services encompass services sold or offered for the benefit of consumers rather than businesses. Essentially, if a company provides a service that consumers can utilize, it is typically classified within the consumer service industry. This sector offers numerous career opportunities, from entry-level customer service roles to advanced positions like nurse practitioners. Common fields within consumer services include education, leisure and hospitality, consulting, legal services, healthcare, and banking.

READ ALSO: Managing Sandwich Generation: How to Balance Children and Parents' Care Amid Career Pursuits

Weighing The Pros and Cons of the Consumer Services Career

Before applying for a role in the consumer services industry, carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

Pool of Opportunities - If you are looking for a career with excellent growth opportunities, consider the consumer services industry. According to Christian Lovell, founder of Careers by Chris and a certified human resources professional, jobs in consumer services are limitless as long as there are consumers, and the soft skills acquired in consumer services are often transferable to other industries.

Opportunity to Work with People - Many roles in this field require extensive face-to-face interaction and building relationships. If you excel at communication, a career in consumer services will leverage your strengths.

Opportunity to Grow Along with the Industry - The consumer services field is dynamic, offering opportunities for learning and growth. According to Lovell, the economy and industry will pose various challenges, but rising to meet these challenges can lead to long-term success in your career.

Cons

Dealing with Difficult Customers - If you dislike working with people or find dealing with challenging customers unpleasant, a consumer service career may not suit you. According to Lovell, being compelled to interact with people when it is not enjoyable can lead to resentment, which may affect the quality of your work.

Dealing with Physical Demands - Consumer services careers like taxi driving or nursing may involve physical demands that do not align with one's lifestyle.

Dealing with Irregular Hours - While not all consumer services roles entail irregular hours, some do. According to Lovell, many industries experience fluctuations in demand throughout the year, resulting in varying work hours, particularly for entry-level positions.

Skills to Possess for a Consumer Services Career

Here are the essential skills that will distinguish you in the consumer services industry:

Soft Skills

Given that most consumer services careers involve direct customer interaction, possessing the following soft skills can enhance your performance and ensure a positive consumer experience.

Communication

Empathy

Active listening

Problem-solving

Adaptability

Patience

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Conflict resolution

Positivity

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Persuasion

Cultural sensitivity

Resilience

Hard Skills

The hard skills required for a consumer services career vary based on the specific role. For instance, an orthodontist would need knowledge of teeth alignment techniques and treatments. On the other hand, a financial advisor would require hard skills such as financial analysis. Additionally, passing a certification examination may be necessary for specific roles.

Determining whether a career in consumer services suits you hinges on your priorities. Persephone Hall, executive director of the Hale Center for Career Development at Connecticut College, suggests flipping the question to consider what skills, abilities, and values are critical to you and which industries align with those aspects. For instance, if spending quality time with family and friends is a priority, a role in the consumer goods industry may not be ideal unless it offers a more traditional schedule, such as in a corporate setting.



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Zero-Sum Thinking: Another Person's Light Doesn't Have to Dim Yours

 2017 Jobs & Hire All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Rain likely. High 47F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 44F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
BENNINGTON  A volunteer committee tasked by the Select Board to recommend a new name for Squaw Hill Road is expected to offer two possible alternatives Monday.

The recommendations, according to an April 15 memo to the board and Town Manager Stuart Hurd, are both names associated with families that have lived on the short road off Houghton Lane.

The two possible replacement names for the current Squaw Hill Road are, in order of preference, Joslin Hill Road and Lampron Lane, the committee memo states. The reasoning for our preference is that the first refers to the current road residents, while the latter refers to a previous road resident.

Reimbursements

The committee also is recommending that resident Jeff Joslin be reimbursed for any reasonable expenses to his [contracting] business that arise directly from the renaming of Squaw Hill Road.

Joslin had opposed the name change during a well-attended February board meeting on the proposal to change two street names that might be considered offensive. He argued in part that an address change would result in confusion and added expenses for road residents.

The other town street name that was reviewed as possibly derogatory or offensive was Gypsy Lane, off West Road. However, the Select Board voted against a new name while voting to change the name of Squaw Hill.

Historical research

The naming committee, consisting of Bruce Lee-Clark, Martha Mackey and Scott Frost, also was asked to research the origins of the two street names with an eye toward possible placement of historical markers that might explain how they were first named.

Regarding the name, Squaw Hill Road, there is, at present, no direct evidence of why that name was chosen, the committee wrote, and no evidence to prove or disprove the legend of an indigenous woman who was treated or nursed back to health from a case of smallpox while living on that road.

The memo adds, As has been stated by [local historian] Joe Hall, the naming of the outer roads in the town of Bennington was an informal process, and there may be no official action ever taken. The committee believes that the legend ought to be preserved in the process of providing information to those who might encounter an historical marker.

However, the committee added that there does not seem to be a safe and convenient location on Houghton Lane that would not disturb the current property owners. The town should look for alternative possible locations that might include the Bennington Museum and/or Welcome Center.

Gypsy Lane

Concerning Gypsy Lane, the committee said the name appears on a 1929 map as a crossing between Route 9 (West Road) and the present Walloomsac Road.

It appears that the owners of the surrounding land would allow travelers and others to camp in that location while working in the area as well as vending in Bennington, the committee wrote, adding, While named in 1929, this connecting road existed on earlier maps without a name.

The committee notes that there are informal descriptions of those camping in the area and reported in the Bennington Banner, and while those camping might have included Roma people, this is no clear evidence of who the travelers were.

The best location for a historical marker about the road name would be on the Gypsy Lane road sign, according to the recommendations, which would allow parking at the Monument Arts and Cultural Center.

The committee also recommends that markers should resemble current markers in the downtown and contain a QR (quick response) code allowing access to further historical information about the names and former names.

Board review

Both street names were reviewed in light of the towns 2021 Declaration of Inclusion and 2020 town vision statement, because some would likely consider the names derogatory.

Retention of the name Gypsy Lane received an outpouring of support, both at the meeting and in a letter to the Banner. During the Feb. 26 public meeting on the proposed changes, a petition to retain the name of Gypsy Land was presented with more than 200 signatures.

Rose-Marie Pelletier, one of the residents who spoke at the meeting, first suggested the idea of historical markers for the roads, and Asher Edelson was one of those who suggested some type of reimbursement. He raised the possibility of a one-time reduction in property taxes.

At the February meeting, Select Board Chair Jeannie Jenkins outlined some of the arguments expressed for deeming the street names offensive.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has officially declared squaw a derogatory term, she said, and has ordered the name removed from all natural features or roads on federal land.

During an initial international congress of people of Romani heritage in 1971, attendees voted to favor the term Roma to describe themselves, Jenkins said, as an alternative to gypsy, which was considered derogatory.
BENNINGTON  A Bennington teenager, facing two sex assault counts after allegedly participating in an encounter at an underage drinking party in Bennington, attended a weight of evidence hearing Thursday. The charges stem from a May 2023 underage drinking party in which Timothy (Sparks) Veach is accused of sexually assaulting the drunk teenage victim with another male after the victim blacked out.

Veach, 18, is facing one count of sexual assault without consent and one count of aggravated sexual assault involving more than one person.

According to a police affidavit, on May 25, 2023 the victim was drinking Twisted Teas with a group of friends after work. The next thing she remembered was waking up at Veachs house, a residence she had never been to before, without any recollection of how she got there or what happened while she was there. When she awoke, the victim recalled seeing Veach and another individual, Arron OShea, both naked, and recalled not having any pants on.

Later that day, the victim went to the hospital to find that the tampon she had been wearing was lodged inside her. One of the friends who was at the party confirmed the victim had been drunk and passed out. Another witness told police that both Veach and OShea were high-fiving each other later that morning and bragging about tag-teaming the victim, according to the affidavit.

During Veachs arraignment this past February, Judge Kerry McDonald-Cady scheduled Thursdays weight of evidence hearing to include an interest of justice element due to Veachs age  17  at the time of the assault. She also released Veach into the custody of a family member with a 24/7 curfew, even though there is a presumed hold without bail in cases of sexual assault in Vermont.

According to a courthouse source, Veachs release from custody is presumed to be related to his age. Veachs defense filed a motion back in February to consider Veach as a youthful offender in Family Court. No decision has been made so far.

At the hearing, prosecutor Jared Bianchi played a videotaped interview with the victim and two audio tapes of Veach and the other male describing what happened. Defense attorney Dan Maguire did not present any evidence on behalf of Veach. Due to time restraints, McDonald-Cady scheduled a continuation of the hearing for oral arguments on conditions and the strength of the evidence in the next two weeks.

Veach is facing a possible life sentence with a minimum combined 13 years behind bars if found guilty. Similar charges are currently pending against OShea, 19, from Bennington, as the second person accused in the assault. He has not yet been arraigned.

Both men were required by court order to submit DNA samples to police to be compared to samples found on the victim. Those results are still pending. McDonald-Cady continued Veachs curfew and conditions, including no contact with anyone involved in the case, and random alcohol testing, due to a concern for public safety until the weight of evidence hearing concludes.

An older woman sitting in the front row behind Veach wiped a steady stream of tears during the hearing as the victim, flanked by court-appointed victims advocates, sat in the back row, looking on.

Veach has a criminal record in Vermont, including petty larceny, grand larceny, and a trespass offense. O'Shea is also charged in a June 2023 shooting in Bennington.

According to court affidavits in that case, OShea and two other individuals were walking in the desert, a densely wooded area behind Henrys Market off of Fillmore Street, when OShea allegedly pulled out a Taurus 9 mm handgun and started shooting at the victim, who was known to the shooter. O'Shea is facing a life sentence in that case.

Judge McDonald-Cady told the court that she would decide from the bench on the weight of evidence and whether Veach will remain in custody or be held without bail after the continuation concludes.
The wizardry behind today's high-tech kitchen appliances dazzles and would impress the likes of George Jetson, writes Bill Schmick. But, he warns, too many of them don't last and require parts and expert repairs that simply aren't available.
WILLIAMSTOWN  To help decide where he and his partner wanted to move from their home in Pennsylvania, Justin Adkins consulted a bleak map showing the proliferation of anti-trans legislation being introduced throughout the country.

In 2023 alone, 600 bills introduced in 49 states sought "to block trans people from receiving basic healthcare, education, legal recognition, and the right to publicly exist," according to translegislation.com. Massachusetts saw one piece of proposed anti-trans legislation that didn't pass.

In just the first few months of 2024, more than 540 anti-trans bills have been proposed  a stark and seemingly never-ending reminder that trans people in the U.S. are dealing with not only personal discrimination against them but institutional.

Adkins says he and his partner opted for the Berkshires because the "main thing was [we] had to be somewhere we felt safe as queer people." And the Berkshires have, generally, turned out to be more welcoming than elsewhere, he says. That's also been the case for Gabby Squailia and Ray Garnett. The three are trans business owners in the county who spoke with The Eagle about the importance of trans visibility both personally and professionally.

In the days following Trans Day of Visibility March 31, Adkins, Garnett and Squailia, who respectively run an herbalist shop, a bookstore and a DJing business, described what it means to be trans in a professional setting, and the relative safety theyve felt building their lives and careers in the region.

Justin Adkins

Adkins and his partner Rebecca own Wild Soul River in Williamstown, selling goods such as teas, mushroom tinctures, crystals, candles, jewelry and other items. They hold regular events: Tarot meetups, medicine plant walks and tea and chats.

Adkins, who used to work at Williams College as the former interim director of the Davis Center, still works as a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant. He's made the conscious decision to be really out and open about being a trans man. He's worked with schools in Pittsfield, Mount Greylock Regional School District and Hoosac Valley Regional School District, emphasizing trans inclusion.

At Wild Soul River, Rebecca Guanzon and Justin Adkins offer a community space alongside homemade teas, tinctures and tarot cards When Rebecca Guanzon and Justin Adkins opened Wild Soul River, they didn't expect to host quite so many community events, which range from a monthly moon circle to a weekly tarot card group to a summer foraging walk, where Adkins identifies edible and medicinal plants.

I want young people to have an easier go of it than I did, he said. Parents and grandparents now meet some trans guy  [me]  with traditional markers of success, like I own my own business. Ive met a lot of Berkshire County grandmas through my work.

Adkins noted that parents and grandparents can panic when their child comes out to them as trans, in part because theyre concerned for their safety.

Theres some truth to that, he said. Our former president was just ranting and raving about trans people recently. There are people who genuinely want to harm us. But I want to focus on the joy of being trans. It saved my life. I wouldnt be here today if not for medically transitioning.

There are complexities to being a trans business owner, Adkins said. As safe as the Berkshires feel, Adkins said there are people who dont like him because hes trans. Not only am I trans, Im super trans. Im out and spreading my trans-ness, and I know there are people who have a problem with that, he said. Depending on the business, it may be beneficial to the bottom line for people to play down their identity.

People have to think about safety for themselves and for their business," Adkins said. "For us, its a different story. It doesnt matter how much I look like a guy, theres no going back in the closet.

When Adkins first moved to the area around 2007, he believed he was the only out trans person in the vicinity. But since moving back following the pandemic, hes been encouraged by the number of out trans people in the area and by the relationships hes built with them.

I run an adult trans hangout group for North County  every other month we go and do something, Adkins said. We go bowling, we have cookouts, hike, we hang out. I have 50 people on my email list, all folks in Williamstown, North Adams, Pownal and Bennington. To go from, in less than 20 years, being the only trans person I knew, to having so many of us out, is a radical shift.

Ray Garnett

Ray Garnett, who moved from North Carolina to West Stockbridge almost 10 years ago, co-owns Yellow House Books in Great Barrington with his aunt, Bonnie Benson. Garnett, originally an educator, comes from a family of teachers and avid readers. He loves his job, the conversation with people it spawns and has found it to be more or less immune to the pitfalls of the larger bookselling industry.

For used books, I think a lot of it is location, both being on Main Street in Great Barrington and being in the Berkshires, where theres a huge appreciation for all different parts of arts and culture," he said.

Garnetts path to bookstore proprietor began in earnest when, after graduating from the University of North Carolina and teaching first grade for six years in the state, I needed to change careers because I was not interested in attempting to go through a gender transition while being a public schoolteacher in North Carolina. Garnett had already been helping his aunt at the bookstore during summers.

Garnett felt that the school district would not be able to properly respond to parents who had complaints about him, and knew parents were already generally nervous about the influence of teachers on their children.

I had no confidence that I could openly transition without experiencing a lot of conflict, and I didnt want to do that, he said. Garnett tried to come up with a way to keep teaching elsewhere, but nothing clicked.

My aunt offering to go into business with me was more appealing because I dont have a boss, Im self-employed, I make my own decisions, Im not going to be fired overtly or covertly for being trans, he said.

Shortly after Garnett moved to the Berkshires, he started Berkshire Trans Group. The informal group meets four times a month in North Adams, Pittsfield, Great Barrington and online.

People share with each other. Some of them get quite heavy and serious, and some of them are very light, Garnett said. A lot of it comes down to sharing resources and making friends.

On a personal level, Garnett revels in being as open as I choose  a benefit of changing careers and going into business with his aunt.

I can tell anyone, customer, buyer, random passerby, anytime I feel like it. Or not. I can choose, he said. Thats my ideal for trans and LGBTQ folks in general, to be able to openly share their life as they feel like it, or remain private, as they feel.

Gabby Squailia

Gabby Squailia, AKA DJ BFG, has been in the DJ business for 20 years. She started spinning in New York City during the first year of Scratch DJ Academys prestigious training program. After six months, she secured her first weekly gig at an Astoria Bar named Fattys, which accounts for her stage name, as BFG stands for Big Fat Gabby. (The BFG moniker has since been extended to Beats for Geeks as well as Booty-Focused Grooves.)

Squailia is currently preparing for a busy wedding season following a busy winter. She also plays fundraisers and dance parties across Western Massachusetts and the Hudson Valley, with a long-running monthly gig at Stationery Factory in Dalton.

Born in Rochester, New York, Squailia moved around before landing in Great Barrington in her early 20s. Her first job out of college was working at Great Barrington pizza joint Baba Louies.

I moved to Pittsfield after meeting my partner, Najwa, who was instrumental in helping me move from bars and clubs into the sorts of events I play now," Squailia told The Eagle.

When Squailia first started her business, she was closeted. When she chose to come out, despite having experience DJing, she worried, This might be the end of my career as a performer.

I think theres a greater degree of tolerance for people who dont conform to gender norms in a performance setting," she said. "Ive never had a problem with anyone once theres music coming out of the speakers. If you're working the crowd, if people are dancing, you have a sort of shield up.

Things can be different in other settings. "People do call me slurs from a safe distance, through the windows of their cars or homes," she said. "But I don't generally fear for my safety in this area, and I'm hopeful that my community will continue to have legal rights and protections ... access to the medical care we need and so forth."

Although being visibly trans has limited Squailia in terms of the politics of people hiring her, one could argue that this is a limitation that helped me find my audience. She's built a customer base who spread the word about her skills and have zero issue with her identity.

Squailia calls trans visibility crucial, saying that witnessing public conversations other trans people were having, or the example they set, helped her profoundly.

In a lot of ways, I was out of the closet in the 90s, but I didnt have the language to describe myself, and I didnt have positive role models, just characters in popular media who were used as punch lines, she said. As a teenager, I was dressing and behaving in ways that felt authentic, and I was in constant danger of assault because of it.

To get through that, Squailia said, she needed a safe community, and to see trans and gender-nonconforming people, particularly adults.

It means a lot to me that I get to be an older trans person who spends this much of her life on stage, she said. I don't feel like I have to say a word in order to express that weve always been here; that were not going anywhere.
Buddhist relics from the 14th century were unveiled to the media Friday, one day after their historic return to Korea after 85 years in the United States.

The Jogye Order, the biggest sect of Korean Buddhism, displayed them after holding a Buddhist ceremony at its museum in central Seoul.

Contained in a replica reliquary for protection, the bead-shaped "sarira" bodily relics of Buddhist monks were so small that some required magnification to be fully appreciated.

These sarira relics are from Buddha himself and two esteemed Buddhist monks, Jigong and Naong, from the 14th-century Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Several fragments of relics related to two past Buddhas were also included.

After being housed for 85 years by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, one of the three most prestigious art museums in the U.S., the remains were brought home by a delegation of the Jogye Order on Thursday. The return was made under a landmark agreement reached in February, in which the museum agreed to donate the sarira to the Buddhist sect and push for a loan of the reliquary.

"After about a century of separation, the relics of the Buddha have finally returned to their rightful abode," Ven. Hosan, who was a member of the delegation, said.

He said the sarira will be transferred to the site of Heoam Temple in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, where it is believed to have been originally kept.

Koreans believe that the sarira and its reliquary were illegally taken out of the country during the Japanese colonial period (1910-45) before being sold to the museum in 1939.

The repatriation follows 15 years of efforts by the Seoul government and the Buddhist community to reclaim both the sarira and the reliquary as a set.

While sarira holds great religious significance, the silver-gilt Lamaistic pagoda-shaped reliquary is considered a masterpiece of the Buddhist art of the Goryeo era.

The museum had refused to return the relics, saying it legitimately purchased them from an art dealer and there is no indication they were ever stolen, looted or forcibly sold.

However, it recently became more flexible on the issue and agreed to donate the sarira in February. (Yonhap)
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California Institute of Technology astronomer Michael Brown points to a yellow dot representing Planet 9, or Planet X, in 2016 on a computer simulation view of the solar system. While the planet's existence has never been proven, some believed it would veer close enough to Earth to cause volcanic eruptions and other catastrophes violent enough to wipe out human life. It didn't happen.
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By Dong Sun-hwa

The southeastern port city of Busan will open its first K-pop high school in March 2026  the first of its kind to be established outside the Seoul metropolitan area.

The Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education announced that it plans to open the tentatively named Global K-POP School two years earlier than originally scheduled, recruiting 80 students for each grade.

The school will offer four majors: vocals, applied music, vocals and dance and composition. It plans to attract international students for up to 50 percent of its enrollment, given the global popularity of K-pop.

Experts in the K-pop industry are likely to be invited as teachers.

The education office will discuss the visa issues of foreign students with the Ministry of Education while seeking consultation with major K-pop management companies for the school's operation.

It will also join forces with other parties such as the National Institute for International Education and the Korea Tourism Organization to draw international students.

The school will be built on the site of the now-closed Garak Middle School. The middle school will get a facelift to provide a suitable environment for K-pop education, with a new dormitory that can accommodate all students.

"We are witnessing the constant growth of the K-pop-related industry, but we do not have sufficient educational institutions specializing in this field," the city office said in January, explaining why it decided to set up the school. "There's a growing need for such institutions and curriculum to incubate K-pop talent."

Korea built its first K-pop high school  High School of Korean Pop and Performing Arts  in South Chungcheong Province in 2020.

K-pop is one of the most profitable industries in the country, with export sales of K-pop albums reaching a new high of $290 million in 2023, according to the Korea Customs Service (KCS). This marks a 25.4 percent increase from 2022.
BFI will allocate over $150,000 across three years for healthcare-focused startups at IIT Kanpur

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) and Blockchain For Impact (BFI) have announced a strategic partnership under the BFI-Biome Virtual Network Programme to nurture innovations and driving advancements in healthcare in India.

As part of this collaboration, BFI will support IIT Kanpur in promoting entrepreneurial initiatives through the Startup Incubation & Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at IIT Kanpur by Prof. Kantesh Balani, Dean of Resources and Alumni (DoRA), IIT Kanpur; and Dr Gaurav Singh, CEO BFI in the presence of Prof. Ankush Sharma, Professor-in-Charge, SIIC, IIT-K; and Prof. Amitabha Bandyopadhyay, Co Professor-in-Charge, SIIC, IIT-K; Dr Satya Prakash Dash, Senior Advisor, BFI; and Dr Pooja Agrawal, Programme Director, BFI.

As part of this programme, BFI has pledged to allocate over $150,000 across three years to develop programmes specifically tailored to healthcare-focused startups at IIT Kanpur's Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC).

This collaboration leverages IIT Kanpur's established leadership in fostering entrepreneurship and BFI's commitment to advancing biomedical research. By combining these strengths, the partnership aims to develop impactful solutions that address critical gaps in India's healthcare landscape.
Large-scale study aims to extend healthy life expectancy

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru has announced the launch of the Longevity India Initiative, a project focused on efforts to extend human healthspan and tackle ageing-related challenges.

The initiative has also started a large-scale clinical study that will involve researchers from multiple IISc departments, clinicians, industry, philanthropists and civil society.

This initiative seeks to enhance the understanding of ageing through both fundamental and applied research, and to develop solutions that can improve quality of life. The initiative has received initial grant funding support from Prashanth Prakash, Founding Partner, Accel India.

The initiative was formally launched at an event held on 18th April at the Institute. The Longevity India Initiative brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts from academia, industry, and healthcare to address complex challenges related to ageing. The initiative will leverage advanced research to develop interventions that can help manage age-related diseases more effectively, with an emphasis on promoting healthy ageing across India.

MS Ramaiah Hospital and Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute have officially partnered to conduct a clinical study for identifying biomarkers of ageing. Additionally, leading industry partners like Beckman Coulter, Healthians, Valerian Proteomics, and DecodeAge are providing crucial support by offering their technologies at accessible costs, accelerating research efforts.

The initiatives research focus includes identifying early disease indicators, investigating ageing biomarkers, and developing new therapeutics and technologies to aid in healthy ageing.
Semaglutide (gOzempic) is used to improve glycemic control in adults with type-2 diabetes

Bengaluru-based biopharmaceutical firm Biocon has announced the signing of an exclusive licensing and supply agreement with Biomm S.A., a specialty pharmaceutical company in Brazil, for the commercialisation of its vertically integrated drug product, Semaglutide (gOzempic), which is used to improve glycemic control in adults with type-2 diabetes.

Under the terms of this agreement, Biocon will undertake the development, manufacturing and supply of the drug product, and Biomm will be responsible for obtaining regulatory approval and commercialisation in the Brazilian market.

Biomm is Brazils first and only biotechnology focused company, providing high quality healthcare to patients with chronic conditions and enhancing access to the latest technologies and treatments. The company focuses on developing, manufacturing and commercializing complex biotech and biosimilar drug products at their state-of-the-art production facility in Nova Lima.

Siddharth Mittal, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Biocon, said, Our partnership with Biomm marks another important step forward in our strategy to expand our global footprint beyond the US and Europe for Peptides. This is also in line with our growth strategy of bringing to market a portfolio of complex, GLP-1 drug-device combination products.

Heraldo Marchezini, Chief Executive Officer, Biomm, commented: Brazil is the fifth country in the world with the highest incidence of diabetes, having 16.8 million adults in the age group of 20 to 79 years with the disease, and an estimated 21.5 million cases by 2030, according to the Diabetes Atlas of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)."

The total addressable market opportunity of Semaglutide in Brazil is approximately $580 million as per the IQVIA MAT Q4 2023


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By Lee Kyung-min

The heads of financial groups and banks are rushing to increase holdings of their firm's stocks in a collective effort to boost share prices to maximize shareholder returns, market watchers said Friday. Buying back stocks reduces the number of total outstanding issues, raising dividends per share.

Included are the chairmen of KB Financial Group, Shinhan Financial Group, BNK Financial Group and JB Financial Group, as well as the CEOs of Shinhan Bank and Hana Bank.

They expect corporate tax cuts for buying back stocks and boosting dividend payouts to shareholders as part of the government's Corporate Value-up Program.

The financial drive of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration aims to rejuvenate the chronically stagnant local stock market. Specifics of this drive are set to be unveiled in the tax revisions scheduled for July.

KB Financial chair Yang Jong-hee purchased 5,000 shares of the group at 77,000 won ($55.56) per stock last month, raising his total ownership to 5,914 issues.

Shinhan Bank CEO Jung Sang-hyuk bought 210 million won worth of Shinhan Financial stocks at a per-share price of 42,000 won Wednesday. His total stock ownership reached 13,551 issues, up from 8,551.

Early this month, JB Financial Group Chairman Kim Ki-hong bought 20,000 shares of the group at 12,577 won per stock. Seven group executives also bought 25,708 shares.

In February, BNK Financial Group Chairman Bin Dae-in and 67 group executives bought 210,000 shares of the group.

The current valuations of their stocks vary widely.

Yang incurred an 18 percent drop in valuation. The JB Financial Group chair and Shinhan Bank CEO saw a 4 percent and 1 percent drop, respectively.

Hana Bank CEO Lee Seung-lyul, on the other hand, netted a 36 percent increase in valuation.

The stock buyback is aimed at bolstering corporate value, according to industry officials.

"The [KB] chairman's stock buyback is expected to significantly bolster corporate earnings, aligning with the government's Corporate Value-up initiative," a KB Financial Group official said. "Also strengthened will be shareholder returns and responsible management."

JB Financial Group said the group CEO and executives buying back stocks illustrates their "commitment to the group's long-term growth and responsible management."

Meanwhile, financial shares largely remain undervalued, as indicated by the below-1 price-to-book ratio (PBR).

The ratio is calculated as market capitalization divided by net assets.

A figure below one means the share price falls short of corporate assets.

As of Friday, the average PBR of seven financial groups stands at 0.35. DGB Financial is the most undervalued among them, with a PBR of 0.22, while JB Financial appears to be the least undervalued, with a PBR of 0.46.




Culling of ducks ordered in India's Kerala following outbreak of bird flu

Xinhua) 09:49, April 19, 2024

NEW DELHI, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Authorities have ordered the culling of domesticated ducks in the southern Indian state of Kerala following the outbreak of bird flu (Avian Influenza H5N1), officials said Thursday.

The culling will be carried out in Alappuzha district, about 154 km north of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala.

"A bird flu outbreak has been confirmed in ducks reared in Edathua Grama Panchayat and Cheruthana Grama Panchayat," an official said.

"Following the mass death of ducks, the animal husbandry department sent samples of the dead birds to the National Institute of High Security Animal Disease, Bhopal, for analyses, which tested positive for avian influenza."

According to the official, as per the protocol during a meeting chaired by the district collector, it was decided to initiate the process of culling domestic birds within a radius of 1 km from the hotspot to contain the spread of the disease.

Officials said over 3,000 ducks were lost to the outbreak since April 12.

The district administration has issued an order banning the movement of poultry birds to and from the affected spots.

A preliminary assessment available with the animal husbandry department said over 21,000 birds, mostly ducks, will have to be culled as part of the containment measures.

Bird flu is a highly infectious and severe respiratory disease in birds caused by the H5N1 influenza virus, which can occasionally infect humans as well.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok on Friday called for beefing up an emergency response system to minimize the impact of escalating tensions in the Middle East on the economy and the financial market.

Choi made the remarks during a meeting meant to check external economic circumstances as concerns about a wider conflict in the Middle East have grown following Iran's drone and missile attack against Israel last week in response to a suspected Israeli attack on Iran's embassy in Syria.

Foreign media reports on Thursday (U.S. time) said Iran fired air defense batteries after reports of explosions near the Iranian city of Isfahan.

"Uncertainties have heightened further. We need to be on extra vigilance and strengthen the pan-government emergency response system to prevent the situation from negatively affecting our economy," Choi said during a teleconference with officials in Seoul.

Choi is in Washington for a meeting of finance ministers and central bank deputies of the Group of 20 nations and the spring gatherings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The government is ready to respond immediately with market stabilization funds containing 94 trillion won ($68.1 billion), Choi said, vowing "instant and stern steps to excessive foreign exchange market volatility."

The Middle East crisis has not directly affected Korea's energy, exports and imports, supply chains or logistics, but the government will continue close monitoring through a governmentwide emergency response team, according to the finance ministry. (Yonhap)
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has ordered that a former driver for Minister of Agriculture Charlie McConalogue receive 30,000 in compensation for his unfair dismissal two years ago.

At the hearing, former garda Trevor Shaw claimed he was dismissed from his job in a "sham" redundancy process which left him to choose between the prospect of a job in a dole office or ending 40 years service to the State with a severance package.

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Mr Shaw served as a ministerial driver from May 2011 until December 2022, and was given a new fixed-term specified contract for each dissolution of the Dail.

Mr Shaw (65) retired from the Gardai in 2011 after 31-and-a-half years of service in order to retain his ministerial driving position when civilians initially replaced gardai.

Mr Shaw sued the Minister for unfair dismissal and WRC Adjudicator Breiffni O'Neill has now ordered the payment of 30,000 in compensation to Mr Shaw for his unfair dismissal, which came into force on Christmas Day, 2022.

In a ruling concerning the Department of Agricultures treatment of Mr Shaw, Mr ONeill said he was making the award due to the egregious conduct of his employer surrounding the dismissal, and Mr Shaws insufficient efforts to mitigate his financial loss.

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Mr ONeill said the award is in addition to both the redundancy and ex-gratia payment which Mr Shaw has already received.

The State has denied the unfair dismissal claim, but Mr ONeill stated that Mr Shaws employer acted wholly unreasonably both in peremptorily dismissing Mr Shaw and not engaging in any consultation process whatsoever with him prior to his redundancy.

He said that the peremptory nature of the dismissal was underscored by the failure to offer an appeal to the decision to dismiss Mr Shaw.

'Egregious treatment'

Mr ONeill stated that such a process could have given Mr Shaw the opportunity to defend his future employment and highlight his willingness to work in alternative roles.

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They stated that it is symptomatic of the egregious treatment of Mr Shaw throughout this process that the date of the termination of his employment was Christmas Day, namely December 25th, 2022.

Mr ONeill added that it was the evidence of an official from the Department of Agriculture that Mr Shaw was dismissed on the grounds of redundancy because he was a Civilian Driver.

The Departments witness claimed Mr Shaw was no longer required because a decision had been made, on foot of security concerns, that the drivers of all regular Cabinet attendees, had to be serving Garda members.

Mr ONeill stated that when redundancy is cited as the reason for the termination of employment, it is necessary not only to satisfy the definition of redundancy but also to demonstrate that Mr Shaw was fairly dismissed.

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Left dangling

Mr ONeill noted that Mr Shaw heard rumours in early 2022 that a decision had been made to dismiss all the civilian drivers.

He said that Mr Shaw was gravely concerned for his livelihood after this, and repeatedly questioned the Department about it.

However, he received no clarification whatsoever about his future employment, and was effectively left dangling for almost a year, until he finally received notification of his termination on November 25th, 2022, without any consultation whatsoever having been engaged in by the Department prior to this.

Mr ONeill noted, in addition to the absence of a consultation process, the Department made a shocking assertion that it was obliged to dismiss Mr Shaw on foot of an instruction from the Department of Public Expenditure.

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Mr ONeill said any prudent employer, in addition to engaging in a meaningful consultation with Mr Shaw, would have insisted that the Department of Public Expenditure incorporate all civilian drivers of regular Cabinet attendees, who were at risk of redundancy, into a selection matrix.

This matrix should have also included drivers of junior ministers, who were to be retained, and appropriate redundancy selection criteria should have been chosen, rather than relying solely on the criterion of which Minister they were driving for, Mr ONeill said.

He added that only one alternative to redundancy was presented to Mr Shaw by the Department of Agriculture prior to issuing his notification of dismissal, a position as a temporary clerical officer in the Department of Social Welfare.

Mr ONeill said this role was offered without any consultation or discussion around the Complainants skill set, and was refused by him because it was unsuitable, largely because he did not have the IT skills that he believed would be required for the role.

Ellen Walsh, of Sean Ormonde Solicitors for Mr Shaw, told the hearing the Department of Agricultures handling of the matter was a fiasco which failed to honour her clients employment rights, branding it a sham redundancy.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he is eager to be in a position to apologise to the families of those killed in the Stardust fire tragedy.

Families of the 48 young people who died in the blaze that ripped through the nightclub in north Dublin in 1981 have called for an official state apology.

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Earlier this week, following fresh inquests, a jury returned a verdict that they were unlawfully killed.

It comes after a previous finding in 1982 that the fire had been started deliberately.

Simon Harris is keen to meet families of the Stardust victims. Photo: Niall Carson/PA.

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But on Thursday a majority decision from the jury of seven women and five men found the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Valentines Day 1981, started due to an electrical fault in the hot press of the bar.

Families of the victims embraced one another after the verdict at the Pillar Room in Dublin city.

On Friday morning, Susan Behan, whose brother John Colgan was among those killed, said the Government should issue an official state apology, describing it as the right thing to do.

Taoiseach Mr Harris said he hopes to meet with the families on Saturday.

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He said he is eager to be in a position to apologise to these families, but wanted to meet them first.

I have reached out to the families today and I have offered to meet them tomorrow, he told media while attending an event in Co Carlow on Friday.

I am very keen to meet with the families and very conscious that these families have felt unheard for decades, and I want to make sure that they know that Im listening, that I want to hear them and, of course, I want to be in a position as Taoiseach to apologise on behalf of this country, but I think the most appropriate thing to do is to meet with them.

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Survivors, family members and supporters in the garden of remembrance in Dublin after the verdict of unlawful killing was returned. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

Mr Harris said he spoke to Stardust survivor Antoinette Keegan on Thursday following the verdict.

I have reached out today to offer to meet the families tomorrow, if that works for them, or if not at another time of their choosing, he said.

I am eager to be in a position to apologise to these families but I think its right and proper that I meet them first.

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Asked about further investigations into Stardust, Mr Harris said: I am aware that the gardai will be reviewing the coroners report, thats right and proper that they do.

I am also conscious that my colleague, the Minister for Justice, will ask the Attorney General to consider the report from the coroner as well.

As Taoiseach, I feel very strongly that it is important that the State recognises the pain, the suffering and the trauma, and the appalling long time these families have had to work, campaign and fight for truth and justice.

Earlier, Ms Behan told RTE Radios Morning Ireland Programme: I feel its important for us because I think we were ignored. I really do feel we were ignored. I feel they were so disrespectful to us.

A man gestures as he leaves Dublin Coroners Court after the verdict was returned. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

We were left to our own devices, that shouldnt have been the case, so now it shouldnt be a big deal for them to turn around and say were sorry, we got it wrong, and apologise to us.

Its the very least they could do and it shouldnt take them a long time to know what to do.

Do the right thing and give the public apology. We deserve it. Our loved ones deserve it.

She said the verdict on Thursday meant so much to finally hear our loved ones were unlawfully killed.

Ireland Sister of Stardust fire victim calls for official... Read More

So many emotions. Its been such a long time coming, she said.

When we heard it, it was just unreal. All those emotions, 43 years, then we finally, finally hear those words. It was just unbelievable. It really was.

Its very hard to put it into words to be honest because this morning I actually cant believe it. So relieved that finally we have the justice we deserved.
The State is refusing point blank to tell the High Court if an agreement exists permitting the British Royal Air Force (RAF) to intercept any aircraft posing a threat in Irish airspace, a judge has observed.

This is a position the Government, Ireland and the Attorney General are entitled to take, but it is not without its issues if Independent Senator Gerard Craughwells case is allowed to proceed, said Mr Justice Brian Cregan.

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He is hearing the States preliminary application seeking to have the case dismissed pre-trial on grounds that he does not meet the standard for a challenge of this nature. The State argues a matter such as this is non-justiciable unless there is clear disregard for the Constitution.

Mr Craughwell alleges Ireland and Britain have a secret unlawful agreement allowing the RAF to intercept any aircraft that could be a threat to Irish airspace. He says article 29.5.1 of the Constitution requires that such an arrangement must be laid before the Dail and that it should also have been subject to a referendum vote.

This alleged deal, which did not come before the Dail, was introduced after the September 11th, 2001, attacks on the US, he claims.

Mr Craughwell says he has been told that in 2005 then-taoiseach Bertie Ahern gave a reply in the Dail to a question about the RAF being called on to intercept a hijacked aircraft over Irish airspace. Mr Ahern replied that there was cooperation and a pre-agreed understanding on those matters.

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Further questioning from Mr Craughwell led to responses that this concerned national security and the Government would neither confirm nor deny the existence of the alleged arrangement.

Previously, the State submitted, in response to the judges questioning, that the 2005 statement from the then-taoiseach did not get close to stating that there was an international agreement that required Dail approval.

On Friday, Catherine Donnelly SC, with David Fennelly, for the State, said Mr Craughwell merely makes a bare assertion that there is an agreement, which is simply not enough to bring a case with this type of consequences, she said.

While reiterating she makes no admissions about whether an arrangement exists, Ms Donnelly acknowledged that an international agreement, as defined by certain standards, must be laid before the Dail under article 29.5.1.

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She did not agree there would have been a clear disregard of the Constitution in the event the court went on to find an international agreement as per article 29.5.1 existed and was not laid before the Dail.

She submitted the State might, hypothetically, have had a reasonable understanding of what constituted an international agreement and understood any alleged arrangement did not trigger article 29.5.1. A good faith but incorrect interpretation would mean such a situation would not equate to clear disregard of the Constitution, she said.

Mr Justice Cregan said that, if there is an understanding between Ireland and Britain, it cannot be an understanding that was never reduced to writing. If such an arrangement exists, he said: There is no doubt in my mind, as a matter of common sense, that it must have been reduced to writing.

He asked that, if a pre-agreed understanding exists, was the State seriously suggesting this could have been via a telephone conversation and not put into writing.

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Ms Donnelly said the court was speculating and drawing enormous inference without basis.

If a pre-agreed understanding is the test to trigger article 29.5.1, this would have far-reaching consequences. Such an interpretation is not at all sustainable, she said.

Mr Justice Cregan said his robust questioning of the States stance is not to be construed as him having concluded views on the application.

He adjourned the case to May 16th, when the State will conclude its submissions and lawyers for Mr Craughwell will begin their response to the justiciability motion.
Sixteen people will not be prosecuted over allegations of giving false evidence to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland has said.

The decisions relate to 15 former soldiers and one former alleged member of the Official IRA.

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The PPS has said there was no reasonable prospect of securing a conviction in the cases.

Regarded as one of the darkest days of the Troubles, 13 people were killed when paratroopers opened fire on a crowd taking part in a civil rights march in Derry on January 30th 1972.

The Bloody Sunday Inquiry, headed by judge Lord Saville, was announced by former prime minister Tony Blair in 1998 and delivered its findings in 2010 that there was no justification for shooting any of those killed or wounded.

Following the inquiry, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) submitted an investigation file to the PPS in relation to allegations of murder and attempted murder against a number of people.

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Bloody Sunday is regarded as one of the darkest days of the Northern Ireland Troubles. Photo: PA.

One soldier, known as Soldier F, is facing prosecution accused of two murders and five attempted murders on Bloody Sunday.

The PPS had previously said consideration would also be given as to whether the test for prosecution was met in respect of allegations that those reported had given false evidence in connection with the Bloody Sunday Inquiry.

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It said its prosecution team has now determined that the available evidence is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction of any suspect considered.

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PPS senior public prosecutor John ONeill said: All decisions on whether or not to prosecute are taken by independently and impartially applying the test for prosecution.

The standard of proof needed for a criminal prosecution is high.

For a conviction, the prosecution must establish beyond a reasonable doubt, through available and admissible evidence, the commission of a criminal offence by the suspect.

After careful consideration, it has been concluded that the available evidence in this case is insufficient to provide a reasonable prospect of obtaining a conviction of any suspect for offences in relation to the giving of false evidence.

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Mr ONeill added: The decision making involved the consideration of a vast amount of material.

Consideration of the allegations of false evidence presented particularly complex evidential and legal issues, all of which were thoroughly analysed by the prosecution team.

The PPS said three particular issues arose during its considerations:

 While the Bloody Sunday Inquiry may have rejected the evidence of some individuals, the PPS said it did not always express those findings in terms amounting to criminal standard of proof.

 The PPS concluded that accounts of events given by soldiers in 1972, which were rejected by the inquiry, would not be admissible in criminal proceedings today.

 The full amount of evidence upon which the Bloody Sunday Inquiry based its findings is not available to prosecutors.

Mr ONeill said: I wish to make clear that these decisions not to prosecute in no way undermine the findings of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry that those killed or injured were not posing a threat to any of the soldiers.

We acknowledge that these prosecutorial decisions will be disappointing to the victims and families involved, and that this may be another difficult day for them.

We have written to them to explain in detail the reasons for the decisions.

We would like to provide assurance that these decisions were taken impartially, independently and only after the most thorough and careful consideration of all available evidence and the relevant legal issues.

Solicitor Ciaran Shiels, of Madden and Finucane, who represents a number of the Bloody Sunday families, said they were disappointed by the PPS decision.

He said: It is of course regrettable that this decision has been communicated to us only today, some 14 years after the inquirys unequivocal findings, but less than two weeks before the effective enactment date of the morally bankrupt legacy legislation designed specifically to allow British Army veterans to escape justice for its criminal actions in the north of Ireland.

John Kelly, whose brother Michael was shot dead on Bloody Sunday in Derry, said the ruling by the PPS that there will be no prosecutions over allegations of false evidence given to the Bloody Sunday Inquiry, was an affront to the rule of law.

Delivering a statement on behalf of the families, Mr Kelly said: Why is it that the people of Derry cannot forget the events of Bloody Sunday, yet the Parachute Regiment, who caused all of the deaths and injury on that day, apparently cannot recall it?

The answer to this question is quite simple but painfully obvious. The British Army lied its way through the conflict in the north.

He added: We consider that todays ruling by the PPS is an affront to the rule of law and a continuation of the injustice that was perpetrated on Bloody Sunday.

We will carefully consider the reasons we have received today and do not rule out the prospect of further legal action.

13 were killed on Bloody Sunday and another man shot by paratroopers died four months later.

Many consider him the 14th victim of Bloody Sunday but his death was formally attributed to an inoperable brain tumour.
RTE has confirmed that Samantha Libreri will be the broadcaster's new eastern correspondent.

Her area will include Dublin, east Meath, north and east Kildare, and north Wicklow, covering stories across various topics, including politics, economics and culture.

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The mother of two from Finglas in Dublin, first joined RTE as a runner in November 2000, while studying English and Sociology at University College Dublin (UCD).

She was appointed as a reporter in 2005, and has since presented some of RTE Radio's flagship news programmes, including Morning Ireland and Drivetime.

RTE added Libreri will begin her new position in late May.

"As someone who was born and reared on the northside of Dublin and who has lived and worked all my life in the capital, being appointed RTEs eastern correspondent is a dream come true," she said of her new role.

"I hope to bring my 20 years of reporting experience to this new and expanded role to tell the stories of those who live in the commuter belts of Meath, Kildare and Wicklow while also keeping audiences up to date with the major developments in Dublin which impact on those who live, work in and visit the capital.

"I have always been so proud to work for RTE and am delighted to be taking on this role at such a vital time for reliable, accurate and engaging journalism," Libreri added.
Ukraines air force has claimed it shot down a Russian strategic bomber, but Moscow officials said the plane crashed in a sparsely populated area due to a malfunction after a combat mission.

Meanwhile, Russian missiles struck cities in the central Dnipro region of Ukraine, killing eight people, including a 14-year-old girl and an eight-year-old boy, and injuring 28, local officials said.

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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky repeated Kyiv officials almost daily appeals for more Western air defence systems, again drawing a parallel with how Israel blunted a recent Iranian attack.

In the Donetsk region, I held a meeting on the regional security situation and the protection of people.



General Sodol, the head of the regional military administration Filashkin, and the heads of the SSU and National Police departments provided me with detailed briefings.



I pic.twitter.com/YxYuCVx1R5  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) April 19, 2024 Advertisement

Missile and drone attacks can be thwarted, he wrote on social platform X: This has been demonstrated in the skies over the Middle East, and it should also work in Europe.

Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba added: Children must not be killed in air strikes in modern Europe.

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Russias air force is vastly more powerful than Ukraines, but sophisticated missile systems provided by Kyivs Western partners are a major threat to Russian aviation as the Kremlins forces slowly push forward along the 620-mile front line in what has become a grinding war of attrition.

Ukrainian officials say they expect a major Russian offensive in the summer.

A number of people died in the latest air strike (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP Photo)

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Ukraine said the air force and military intelligence cooperated to bring down the Tu-22M3 bomber with anti-aircraft missiles.

Russia commonly uses the bomber to fire Kh-22 cruise missiles at Ukrainian targets from inside its own airspace. The plane can also carry nuclear warheads.

The Russian defence ministry said the warplane crashed in a deserted area in the southern region of Stavropol, hundreds of miles from the Ukrainian border.

Three crew members were rescued after ejecting from the aircraft, and the search for a fourth is taking place, according to the ministry. But Stavropol governor Vladimir Vladimirov said one of the rescued pilots died.

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Residents leave an apartment building hit by an air strike in Dnipro (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP Photo)

Meanwhile, Russian forces overnight conducted a combined aerial attack with the use of 22 missiles of various types and 14 Shahed drones during the night, the Ukrainian air force said.

All the drones and 15 of the missiles were intercepted, it added.

The attack hit urban areas as well as train infrastructure in the Dnipro region, Ukraines National Railway Operator said.

Among those killed in the strikes was employee Oksana Storozhenko, the mother of two teenage sons, it said.
Argentina formally requested to join NATO on Thursday as a global partner, a status that would facilitate greater political and security cooperation.

President Javier Mileis right-wing government aims to boost ties with Western powers and attract investment.

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The request came as Natos deputy general secretary Mircea Geoana discussed regional security challenges with Argentine defence minister Luis Petri, who was visiting Brussels.

Mr Geoana said he welcomed Argentinas bid to become an accredited partner in the alliance  a valued role short of ally for nations not in Natos geographical area and not required to participate in collective military actions.



Argentine President Javier Milei (Lynne Sladky/AP)

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Nato membership is currently limited to European countries, Turkey, Canada, and the United States.

The designation could allow Argentina access to advanced technology, security systems, and training that was not previously available to it, the Argentine presidency said.

Argentina plays an important role in Latin America, Mr Geoana said at the Nato headquarters.

Closer political and practical cooperation could benefit us both.

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Mr Milei has been pushing a radical libertarian agenda aimed at reversing years of protectionist trade measures, overspending and crippling international debt that has plunged the countrys economy into a tailspin.

Over his past four months as president, he has reshaped Argentinas foreign policy to almost unconditional support for the United States.

This is part of an effort to return Argentina to prominence in the global economy after past administrations allowed relations with Washington and European allies to wither.

Mr Mileis government also seeks security benefits through warming ties with Western countries.

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On Thursday, the US government announced it was providing Argentina with 40 million dollars (32 million) in foreign military financing for the first time in more than two decades  a grant that allows key US allies like Israel to buy American weaponry.

The funds, intended to help Argentina equip and modernise its military, will help foot the bill for 24 American F-16 fighter aircraft Argentina bought from Denmark earlier this week.

Defence minister Mr Petri hailed the acquisition of the advanced warplanes as the most important military purchase since Argentinas return to democracy in 1983. The 300 million dollar (241 million) price tag has drawn criticism from Mr Mileis political opponents as he slashes spending across the government.

Formally partnering with Nato requires the consensus of all 32 Nato members.

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Argentinas ties to key Nato ally Britain have been fraught since 1982 when the two went to war over the contested Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.

Other global partners of the alliance include Afghanistan, Australia, Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, and Pakistan. Currently, the only Nato partner in Latin America is Colombia.
A former Russian tycoon jailed in Azerbaijan on charges stemming from his time as a top separatist figure in the Karabakh region has gone on hunger strike, his family said.

Ruben Vardanyan started the fast two weeks ago to press demands for a speedy trial, news agencies cited the family as saying.

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Vardanyan cofounded Troika Dialog, once among Russias top investment banks, and amassed wealth estimated at a billion dollars.

In 2022, he renounced his Russian citizenship and moved to the Karabakh region, parts of which were run by ethnic Armenians who sought to split away from Azerbaijan.

He became the regions state minister, the equivalent of premier, but was dismissed in 2023.

Azerbaijan, which had regained control of large parts of Karabakh in a 2020 war had been calling for him to be ousted.

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Azerbaijan took full control of the rest of Karabakh in a lightning offensive in September 2023 that drove almost all of the regions 120,000 Armenians to flee.

Vardanyan was arrested while trying to cross into Armenia and was charged with financing terrorism and establishing armed groups.
With Sonny down, veterans, young guns step up game for Korea in World Cup qualifying win
A full jury of 12 people and six alternatives has been selected in Donald Trumps hush money case, setting the stage for opening statements next week in the first criminal trial of a former US president.

The panel, which includes a software engineer, an investment banker, an English teacher and multiple lawyers, took final shape after lawyers spent days quizzing dozens of potential jurors on whether they could impartially judge the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

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The judge said lawyers will present opening statements on Monday morning before prosecutors begin laying out their case alleging a scheme to cover up negative stories Trump feared would damage his 2016 presidential campaign.



Donald Trump arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York (Sarah Yenesel/AP)

The trial in Manhattan thrusts Trumps legal problems into the heart of his hotly contested race against President Joe Biden, with Trumps opponent likely to seize on unflattering and salacious evidence to make the case he is unfit to return as commander in chief.

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Trump is using the prosecution as a political rallying cry, casting himself as a victim while juggling his dual roles as criminal defendant and presidential candidate.

He has spent the week sitting quietly in the courtroom as lawyers pressed potential jurors on their views about him in a search for any bias that would preclude them from hearing the case.

During breaks in proceedings, he railed against the case on social media or to TV cameras in the hallway, calling it a politically motivated witch hunt.

This Trial is a Long, Rigged, Endurance Contest, dealing with Nasty, Crooked People, who want to DESTROY OUR COUNTRY, he wrote on Friday on social media.

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Over five days of jury selection, dozens of people were dismissed from the jury pool after saying they did not believe they could be fair.



Donald Trump and his lawyer Todd Blanche (Mark Peterson/AP)

Others expressed anxiety about having to decide such a consequential case with outsized media attention, even though the judge has ruled that jurors names will be known only to prosecutors, Trump and their legal teams.

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As more potential jurors were questioned on Friday, Trump appeared to lean over at the defence table, scribbling on some papers and exchanging notes with one of his lawyers.

He occasionally perked up and gazed at the jury box, including when one would-be juror said he had volunteered in a get out the vote effort for Hillary Clintons campaign.

Trump spoke to reporters before Fridays proceedings got under way, condemning a gagging order that prosecutors have accused him of violating.

Judge Juan Merchan has scheduled arguments for next week on prosecutors request to hold Trump in contempt of court and fine him for social media posts they say defy limits on what he can say about potential witnesses.

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The gag order has to come off. People are allowed to speak about me, and I have a gag order, Trump said.

Judge Merchan is also expected to hear arguments on prosecutors request to bring up Trumps prior legal entanglements if he takes the witness stand in the hush money case.



Judge Juan Merchan (Seth Wenig/AP)

Manhattan prosecutors have said they want to question Trump about his recent civil fraud trial that resulted in a 454 million dollar (365 million) judgment after a judge found Trump had lied about his wealth for years. He is appealing against that verdict.

The trial centres on a 130,000-dollar (105,000) payment that Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer and personal fixer, made to porn actress Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump from becoming public in the final days of the 2016 race.

Prosecutors say Trump obscured the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 and is expected to be a star witness for the prosecution.

Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and his lawyers argue that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He could get up to four years in prison if convicted, though it is not clear that the judge would opt to put him behind bars. Trump would almost certainly appeal against any conviction.

Trump is involved in four criminal cases, but it is not clear that any others will reach trial before the November election.

Appeals and legal wrangling have caused delays in the other three cases charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election results and illegally hoarding classified documents.
Iranian air defences have been activated after an apparent Israeli drone attack on a major air base near the central city of Isfahan.

The strike early on Friday morning came just days after Tehrans unprecedented drone and missile assault on Israel.

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No Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility that Israel had attacked, and the Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment.

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However, regional tensions have been high since last Saturdays assault on Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and its own strikes targeting Iran in Syria.

Speaking at the G7 meeting in Capri, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said the US received last-minute information from Israel about the attack on Isfahan.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken did not dispute that, but said: We were not involved in any offensive operations.

The apparent attack came on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis 85th birthday. Israeli politicians also made comments hinting that the country had launched an attack.

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#Israel #Iran



"We urge all parties to take steps to de-escalate the situation and call on third States, in particular those with influence, to do all in their power to ensure there is no further deterioration in an already extremely precarious situation." - @UNHumanRights pic.twitter.com/Ra0Ab9bNvA  United Nations Geneva (@UNGeneva) April 19, 2024

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Air defence batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported. Iranian army commander General Abdolrahim Mousavi said crews had targeted several flying objects.

He said: The explosion this morning in the sky of Isfahan was related to the shooting of air defence systems at a suspicious object that did not cause any damage.

Other sources suggested the drones may be so-called quadcopters  four-rotor, small drones that are commercially available.

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Authorities said air defences fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Irans fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.





During our G7 meeting today, we discussed continued efforts to secure a ceasefire deal in Gaza that includes the release of hostages.



We also made clear we are committed to Israels security and condemn Irans unprecedented attack. pic.twitter.com/WV7lFcTWfe  Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) April 18, 2024

The Tasnim news agency published a video from one of its reporters, who said he was in the south-eastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its nuclear energy mountain.

The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Irans Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

The facility at Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Irans civilian nuclear programme.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Irans nuclear programme, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

State television described all atomic sites in the area as fully safe. The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), also said there is no damage to Irans nuclear sites after the incident.





IAEA can confirm that there is no damage to #Irans nuclear sites. DG @rafaelmgrossi continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely. pic.twitter.com/4F7pAlNjWM  IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency  (@iaeaorg) April 19, 2024

The IAEA continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts, the agency said.

Around the time of the incident in Iran, Syrias state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement saying Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in its south and causing material damage.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the strike hit a military radar for government forces. It was not clear if there were casualties, the Observatory said.

That area of Syria is directly west of Isfahan, some 930 miles away, and east of Israel.

The incident on Friday in Iran also sparked concerns about the conflict again escalating across the seas of the Middle East, which have been seeing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen on shipping over the war in Gaza.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre warned ships in the region that they could see increased drone activity in the skies.

Meanwhile, Iranian state-run media sought to downplay the apparent drone incident after the fact, airing footage of an otherwise-peaceful Isfahan morning.
The United States has told the Group of Seven foreign ministers that it received last-minute information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, Italys foreign minister said.

Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani, who chaired the meeting of ministers of industrialised countries, said the United States provided the information at a Friday morning session that was changed at the last minute to address the suspected attack.

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Early on Friday, Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, part of an apparent Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehrans unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country last weekend.





The official communiques of the #G7 Ministers meeting on Foreign Affairs held in Capri are available on the #G7Italy website https://t.co/SlSdI7D7Sx pic.twitter.com/zW4QdDnNqA  G7 Italy (@G7) April 19, 2024 Advertisement

Mr Tajani said the US told the G7 ministers that it had been informed at the last minute by Israel about the drones.

But there was no sharing of the attack by the US. It was a mere information, he added.

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US secretary of state Antony Blinken declined to comment on the assertion, but emphasised that the US was not involved in any attack.

Im not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations, Mr Blinken said.



US secretary of state Antony Blinken (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

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In a communique following the three-day meeting, the ministers urged the parties to prevent further escalation.

The statement pledged support for Israels security and condemned in the strongest terms what the foreign ministers described as Irans unprecedented attack against Israel of April 13-14, which Israel defeated with the help of its partners, as well as the seizure of the Portuguese-flagged vessel MSC Aries in the Strait of Hormuz.

We stand ready to adopt further sanctions or take other measures, now and in response to further destabilising initiatives, the document read.

The group also warned Iran against transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia.

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On the war in Gaza, the group called on Hamas to release hostages and reminded Israel to respect international and humanitarian law.

It added that G7 countries remained opposed to a full scale military operation in Rafah that would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population, and called for increasing the flow of aid into Gaza.

The G7 worked and will work for a de-escalation, Mr Tajani said in a closing press conference.

He said that would include a de-escalation of tensions, followed by a ceasefire, liberation of hostages and aid to the Palestinian people.
Police have found no weapons on a man detained at the Iranian Consulate in Paris after responding to a report of a suspicious individual seen carrying a grenade and explosives vest, an official said.

Elite police forces and soldiers surrounded the building and blocked traffic in the area during an hours-long security intervention, at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, and as Paris gears up to host the Olympics.

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The suspect had been previously convicted for setting a fire at the embassy gates last year, the Paris prosecutors office said.

He was spotted at around 11am outside the consulate and a witness told police he had a grenade and an explosives vest, according to a police official, and officers launched a special intervention.



The Iranian embassy and consulate in Paris (Thomas Padilla/AP)

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No weapons were found on him or in his vehicle, the police official told the Associated Press.

Some of the police, special agents and firefighters who responded to the incident at the consulate left the scene after the arrest. A police cordon remained in place, but traffic was resuming in the area.

The Paris public prosecutor was informed of the arrest of a man leaving the Iranian Consulate in the French capitals 16th arrondissement, or municipal area, at 2.50pm, the prosecutors office said.

Inside the consulate, the man allegedly made threats of violent acts, but left the building alone, the statement said, adding that no explosive material was found on him or on site around him by officers who took him into custody.

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Authorities did not name the suspect nor give any information on a possible motive for his actions but said he was born in Iran in 1963.

The prosecutors office confirmed the suspect has been known to authorities and received an eight-month suspended sentence by the Paris Criminal Court in October for setting car tyres on fire at the gate of the Iranian Embassy in Paris in September 2023.

He said it was a protest act against the Iranian government, the statement said.

As part of that sentence, the prosecutors statement said, the man was banned from carrying a weapon and had a two-year ban on appearing in the 16th arrondissement. The sentence was pending because of the defendants appeal, it added.
Two men have been detained in Poland on suspicion that they attacked Russian activist Leonid Volkov  an ally of late opposition leader Alexei Navalny  on the orders of foreign intelligence services, officials said.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk later said on social media that the two Polish assassins are under arrest, as well as a Belarusian working for Russia who had ordered the Poles to assassinate a Navalny associate. He said the Poles were linked to extremist football fan groups.

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Mr Volkov was attacked on March 12 outside his home in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, where he lives in exile. The attacker smashed one of his cars windows, sprayed tear gas into his eyes and hit him with a hammer, police said.



Lithuanias President Gitanas Nauseda (Harry Nakos/AP)

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced the arrest of two people to reporters in Vilnius and thanked Poland for its work.

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Two people have been detained in Poland on suspicion of beating Russian opposition leader Leonid Volkov. I thank the Republic of Poland for the excellent work it has done. I have discussed this with the Polish president and thanked them for their excellent co-operation, Mr Nauseda said.

Both suspects are Polish citizens previously known to police in their homeland. They travelled to Vilnius before the attack on Mr Volkov and returned to Warsaw afterwards, according to Lithuanias deputy police chief Saulius Briginas.

He said they were detained on April 3 in an operation in which Lithuanian police participated.

Lithuania expects them to be handed over in May, chief prosecutor Justas Laucius told reporters. If convicted on charges of causing bodily harm, they face up to three years in prison.

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In Poland, Joanna Adamowicz, the spokesperson for a Warsaw court, said the two men were put under arrest until May 13, on suspicion that they had organised on the territory of the Lithuanian Republic an assault and caused damage to the health of (a) Russian citizen, while being active in an organised group and carrying out the orders of the special services of an alien country.



Donald Tusk (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

The court in Warsaws Praga district has decided to hand them over to Lithuania for a criminal investigation, on the condition that they would serve any potential punishment in Poland, Ms Adamowicz said.

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Their lawyers have lodged complaints and the files have been sent to the Appeals Court in Warsaw, she said.

Polands Central Investigation Bureau of Police confirmed that its officers worked with Lithuanian police to arrest two people suspected of an attack on a Russian opposition activist in Lithuania in March.

The developments came a day after Poland announced the arrest of a Polish man suspected of being ready to spy on behalf of Russias military intelligence in an alleged plot to assassinate Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky.

There will be no leniency whatsoever for collaborators of the Russian services, Mr Tusk said, referring to both cases.

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Mr Volkov said on social media that he did not know the details of the arrest, but saw how energetically and persistently the Lithuanian police have worked over the past month on this case and was very glad that this work has paid off.





Thanks a lot, Mr. President.

And great thanks to Lithuanian and Polish law enforcement agencies for the tremendous work theyve done.



It is of enormous importance to investigate and to expose all the chain-of-command from Putin to the guy with the hammer. https://t.co/Yai5DLqEN3  Leonid Volkov (@leonidvolkov) April 19, 2024

As for the details, we will find them out soon. Cant wait to find out! he added.

He suffered a broken arm in the attack. He accused Russian President Vladimir Putins henchmen at the time and vowed to keep up his opposition work.

The attack took place nearly a month after Mr Navalnys unexplained death in a remote Arctic penal colony. He was Russias best-known opposition figure and Mr Putins fiercest critic.

Mr Navalny had been imprisoned since January 2021 and was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism widely seen as politically motivated.

Opposition figures and western leaders laid the blame on the Kremlin for his death  something officials in Moscow rejected.

Mr Volkov used to be in charge of Mr Navalnys regional offices and election campaigns. He ran for mayor of Moscow in 2013 and sought to challenge Mr Putin in the 2018 presidential election. He left Russia several years ago under pressure from the authorities.
Regardless, another junior hopeful Nimy Resources was quick to join Dalaroo on the field, peaking at 10c  a handsome 132 per cent lift from last weeks low of 4.3c. The company has stitched up more than 3000 square kilometres of prime goldfields tenure, 140km north of Southern Cross, which encompasses a big swathe of the world-famous Forrestania belt.

The region is prospective for the full gamut of precious and base metals and  as Nimys latest release reveals  a solid selection of rare earths along with gallium.

A background check on gallium shows the little-known metals heavyweight China, which chips in 98 per cent of the global supply, closed the door to exports last year in retaliation to United States export bans on certain semiconductor technologies to the Asian sub-continent. As a crucial element in the semiconductor space, Chinas export restrictions sent the rest of the world into a tailspin to source alternate supplies.

While it could be Nimys collection of anomalous copper and silver results  peaking at 0.2 per cent and 2.2g/t, respectively  that catapulted its share price, the likely scenario is the 52m at 105 parts per million and 72m at 117ppm gallium trioxide piqued the interest of investors.

Or, maybe it was the mislabelled gold-in-soil geochemical results further down the announcement that suggested the company had latched onto some 43ppm dirt that excited punters? (Note  the correct label should have read parts per billion ... tut, tut).

Moving away from the metals sector, the next two players to grab a much-coveted guernsey this week are healthcare hopefuls Adherium and Firebrick Pharma to round out this weeks pack.

Adheriums share price jumped to 9.3c from 4c on news it had nailed down health cares holy grail, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the use of its Hailie Smartinhaler with AstraZenecas Airsupra and Breztri inhalation devices.

The development marks a significant milestone in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), offering patients and healthcare providers enhanced monitoring capabilities and personalised treatment approaches.

The Melbourne-based company is on a quest to revolutionise the way respiratory conditions are managed. Its novel inhaler device pumps out real-time data and insights on the owners medication usage patterns and inhaler techniques, dramatically improving outcomes and patient quality of life.

Sidling up to US medico behemoth AstraZeneca, which boasts a massive $106 billion market capitalisation, no doubt rings well with investors dipping into the $9.5 million junior ASX-listed health care company.

Firebrick Pharma was another Australian healthcare company to burst onto the US health scene during the week, launching its Nasodine Nasal Spray and lifting its share price up to 11c from 5.3c. The company has spruiked its new product as nasal hygiene, which it believes is crucial in keeping the sinus pipes clean and germ-free. Something it says everyone is concerned about.

Consumers can purchase a bottle, currently only available online, for a paltry US$24.99 (A$39.10) to eliminate pesky nasal contaminants.

And that is baffling since the last time this commentator required a good dose of nasal hygiene, she used a tissue! But Firebricks offering of a nasal hygiene spray in the worlds premier pharmaceutical market in a post-COVID era seems to have rung a note with shareholders.

Wrapping up  and as a gold geologist at heart  it has warmed the cockles to see a pair of junior metals explorers take out the Runners of the Week honours. If the precious yellow metal can maintain its lofty heights, no doubt other junior explorers will join them on the field.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
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Eating outBrisbane James & Antler crew to open Japanese vinyl cafe, with a star chef attached It will serve katsu sandos, soba salads and deep-fried curry bread. There will also be specialty coffee and strawberry matcha, with wine and cocktails to come. Matt Shea April 19, 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

A revelation for Chewie Choo on a recent trip to Japan was the countrys own take on its staple katsu sando. Choo, like many Australians, has long had a love affair with this humble combo of crispy, crumbed fried pork (or chicken or beef) and fluffy white bread. Tze-Huei Choo, Chewie Choo and Kym Machin outside Supernovas McLachlan Street premises. Markus Ravik In Australia, the sandwich is often served in restaurants and bars with the meat hot and generous amounts of dressed shredded cabbage along with a signature tonkatsu sauce, depending on where youre ordering it. In Japan, Choo found it was different.

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It was room temperature, he says. I was literally buying it in a box from a floor stack in a market. The only time I had it freshly made was at a restaurant, but to be honest, the room-temperature stuff was often better because the bread doesnt get soggy and squashed. It remains fluffy. [Its] just bread with crumbed pork, or crumbed beef. You may get some with a little bit of cabbage, but often not. Brisbanes best cafe openings of 2023 Drilling down on the katsu sandos core ingredients is one of the ideas behind Supernova, which Choo is opening with his brother, Tze-Huei Choo, in mid-May. It will also serve soba salads and Japanese-style curry bread  beef curry encased in dough thats then coated in breadcrumbs and deep-fried. I think theres a demand for it, Tze-Huei says. Brisbane people really understand their Japanese food and snacks.

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Helping in the kitchen is Kym Machin, the star Brisbane chef best known for his time as head chef at the now-closed Urbane, one of the citys most celebrated fine diners. Machin also previously owned and ran Bare Bones Society in Jindalee, and Same Same But Different in Corinda. Kym wanted to jump onboard, so hes in the background testing, playing and getting the venue sorted, Chewie says. For drinks, Supernova will serve specialty coffee by Providore & Cos Kasa Coffee alongside ceremonial matcha  including strawberry matcha  and hojicha tea (roasted green tea mixed with roasted brown rice). A liquor licence is expected to come later in the year, with the Choos considering a short cocktail and wine list. Kym Machin, Chewie Choo and Tze-Huei Choo. Markus Ravik For Supernovas fit-out, the brothers are keeping the bones of an existing cafe on the ground floor of the Eminence building, on McLachlan Street in Fortitude Valley, but intend to soften the aesthetics and install a lounge setting near a floor-to-ceiling bay window.

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Taking pride of place on the venues coffee bench will be a turntable with hundreds of vinyl records. We found a local collector who has 800 records, Tze-Huei says. Im looking at that in the next week or so, and well try to build out our own collection. Well do a 70s and 80s vibe, a bit of Motown, and maybe have one day when well do a bit of hip-hop. Supernova will make it three venues in little over a year for the Choos, following Mitch & Antler in Mitchelton and the enormously popular croque madame spot James & Antler on nearby James Street. Having two venues close to each other makes sense, but you need to make them different, Chewie says. So you have different offerings for people in that inner [James Street] circle. Supernova will open at 93 McLachlan Street in mid-May.
Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's key wire service, began an annual exposition Friday aimed at helping urban dwellers resettle in rural regions and providing export opportunities for local farms.

The three-day Y-Farm Expo 2024, co-hosted by the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, will run at the Suwon Convention Center in Suwon, 30 kilometers south of Seoul, organizers said.

The annual event is organized to offer information to retirees looking to resettle on farms, as well as to young people searching for employment opportunities in rural areas.

For the exposition, 73 regional governments and 30 related institutions and organizations set up some 161 booths to provide up-to-date information on rural resettlement, and how smart technology-led farming can bolster work efficiency and improve the quality of produce.

"This year's event will offer a wide array of programs that induce visitors' participation at a spacious venue," said Seong Ghi-hong, CEO and president of Yonhap News Agency.

"Urban dwellers wishing to move to rural regions can receive necessary information. Regional governments and companies can also promote their policies and smart farming technologies," he added.

The World Federation of Overseas Korean Traders Associations plans to provide consulting programs to local farmers seeking export opportunities.

"This year's event will offer a wide array of programs that induce visitors' participation at a spacious venue," said Seong Ghi-hong, CEO and president of Yonhap News Agency.

"Urban dwellers wishing to move to rural regions can receive necessary information. Regional governments and companies can also promote their policies and smart farming technologies," he added.

In a congratulatory message, Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said the government plans to foster the agricultural sector as the new growth engine for Asia's fourth-largest economy.

"We will implement a digital transformation across all cycles of the agricultural industry, from production and processing to retail, by harnessing cutting-edge technologies, including ICT and AI," Song said.

"To encourage young people to venture into the agricultural industry, we will bolster customized support, including education, farmland, funding and housing," she added. (Yonhap)
That was more than 20 years ago. Today, a burnished titanium device that carries the visible DNA of those kitchen-bench days is about to be implanted in a human. It may have already happened by the time you read this story. And if it works as many of the worlds foremost experts believe it will, the plumbers son will have rewritten medical history.

Almost every day since, Daniel Timms has been working on this heart . In the early years, Gary helped him. Together they made a model of the human circulatory system out of pipes from Bunnings. As Timms has explained it, theyd go to the store on weekends, sit on the floor in the plumbing aisle, and connect bits and pieces while interested bystanders stopped to ask questions, which the duo answered by saying they were building a fish tank. (If they told the truth, people got too interested, and Daniel Timms  an intensely non-attention-seeking sort of person  found it too, well, attention-creating.) Then theyd take their selected pipes and valves and U-bends home and add them to the rig theyd set up on the kitchen bench. Timms mum Karen, a high-school science assistant, had to manoeuvre around it to get to the oven.

Twenty years later, in 2001, Gary Timms, at just 50, had a heart attack. He survived, but in the aftermath, his son realised two things. One: his fathers heart was irrevocably damaged. Heart failure can take years to kill a person, but eventually Garys labouring, leaking heart would stop, and he would die. And two: perhaps he, Daniel Timms, by then a PhD student in biomedical engineering, could build a new heart to save him.

Theres a picture of the pair from this time: one of those old, amber-toned images that is, somehow, intensely moving. Timms is two years old, sitting beside what appears to be an irrigation trench, his little body intently focused on the tall figure of his father. Gary Timms is crouching in front of his son, long fingers screwing something together. Look at this, mate. Can you see? This is how you do it.

One day this may be one of those eureka stories everybody knows, like Newton and his apple; Fleming and his Petri dish; the Wright brothers and their aeroplane. Daniel and his dads plumbing. Because thats where Daniel Timms BiVacor total artificial heart began: in a backyard in Ferny Hills, Brisbane, filled with ponds and water fountains, built on the weekends by a small blond-haired boy and his dad, a plumber.

Timms himself sometimes likens the artificial heart dream to the race to put a man on the moon. In the heady optimism of John F. Kennedys 1960s America, both dreams seemed well within the grasp of science. And indeed, the moon landing  on the face of it the more complex undertaking, filled with potential catastrophe  occurred, relatively speaking, both swiftly and with little loss of life. It was the heart that remained recalcitrant, as hearts so often do. More than 50 years after Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon, humans have yet to build a successful artificial heart.

This, in a nutshell, is the point of a total artificial heart. To develop something that doesnt set up a storm of defensive reactions in the body that ends only with death; to offer patients something other than a life dependent on drugs, vigilance and luck.

Thats why doctors are very cautious about doing a transplant in young patients, Daniel Timms will tell me. As one doctor said to me, I know that if I do a transplant on a young kid, Im consigning them to an early death. But at this point, theres nothing else you can do.

Even if youre lucky enough to get one, heart transplant itself is no picnic. Recipients must take a daily cocktail of drugs, including powerful immunosuppressants, which are toxic. They make you vulnerable to infection, they can contribute to illnesses including cancer, and they are a significant part of the reason that heart transplant has only a 50 per cent survival rate after 10 years. You can have a second transplant, but then the odds are even worse.

In the US, its estimated that 100,000 patients are in immediate need of either a VAD (a ventricular assist device, useful if only one side of the heart needs help) or a total heart transplant. In Australia, the numbers are much smaller  in the hundreds  but wherever you are, the outlook for severe heart failure is bleak. Drug therapy is limited, and though heart transplant is the gold-standard treatment, donor hearts are few and far between: only about 5000 become available globally each year.

Heart disease is the biggest killer on earth. And heart failure, in which the heart doesnt pump enough blood to supply the bodys needs, affects more than 64 million people globally, including as many as 500,000 Australians. About 60,000 Australians are newly diagnosed with heart failure each year, and more than 1500 people are hospitalised every day. In this country, according to the Heart Foundation, on average, one person dies of heart failure every three hours.

Why have these devices failed? Let us count the ways. Traditionally, artificial hearts have been based on Mother Natures version, with its chambers and valves  which means theyve had multiple moving parts. Theyve been pulsatile  pumping blood in pulses, just as the heart does. Theyve been large: too big for most women, and all children. All of them (bar the AbioCor, which was abandoned after $US250 million of investment when all 14 of its trial patients died) have had permanent drivelines, powering and controlling the heart from an external box  the controller  that must be worn 24/7.

In the world of artificial hearts, the practical and ethical issues that caused this feud still exist today. Is such surgery outrageously hubristic or a valiant attempt to preserve life? None of the devices designed since 1969  including the SynCardia, the AbioCor, the Carmat  have proven that life with an artificial heart is viable long-term. Some patients have survived for months, and in very rare cases, years. But all artificial hearts to date have been used temporarily, as bridge-to-transplant devices. And sometimes  often  their recipients have died before reaching this goal.

Dr William (Billy) Cohn is an internationally renowned heart surgeon, device-deviser and present-day artificial-heart-Daniel-Timms-evangelist at The Texas Heart Institute. After that first operation, Cohn explained during a presentation in Texas recently , For the next 40 years [DeBakey and Cooley] didnt speak. They were in hospitals separated by a car park, and they became the two busiest heart surgeons in the world  in the 1980s, their combined programs performed more heart surgery than was done in all of Europe. And they didnt speak.

This heart was air-powered, connected by plastic hoses to a controller the size of a chest freezer, and made of two small chambers of rubbery plastic. It looked like a pair of very small bellows: the kind of thing youd use to stir up a goblin campfire. As a device, it was virtually untested: it had only been trialled in seven animals, and four of them had died on the operating table. Haskell Karp survived for 64 hours, long enough to receive a human heart transplant. He died 32 hours later of kidney failure and pneumonia.

Haskell Karp, recipient of the first artificial heart implant, the Liotta-Cooley heart, recovering from surgery in 1969. Previously, the device had only been tested on seven animals. Karp survived 64 hours until a human heart transplant became available, but died 32 hours later. Credit: Getty Images

The first attempt was made (like the moon landing) in 1969, in the unlikely city of Houston, Texas. For the previous decade, two American cardiac specialists, Dr Denton Cooley and his boss Dr Michael DeBakey, had been frontrunners in the artificial-heart race. One Friday in early April 1969, when DeBakey was out of town for the weekend, Cooley persuaded one of DeBakeys young surgeons, Domingo Liotta, to use the artificial heart Liotta had been developing under DeBakeys supervision. Using an operating theatre at the Texas Heart Institute (now one of the worlds leading cardiac treatment and research centres), they implanted it into a 47-year-old man called Haskell Karp.

Today, in the offices of Daniel Timms company, BiVacor, in Huntington Beach, California, several artificial hearts are pumping. (Timms has been based largely in the US for more than a decade.) These BiVacor hearts are nothing like the human heart. They do not have chambers. In their base mode, they are not pulsatile  which means a person implanted with one would have no pulse. They have no valves and only a single moving part. They are heavy (about 650 grams) but small  small enough for some children and virtually all women. In animals, they cause far fewer blood clots than any previous artificial heart; so few that several animals implanted with them have not required blood-thinning medication. They intrinsically adjust to changes in blood flow, exertion and position when they are inside a living body. They do have drivelines and a controller, both of which Timms hates. But they also have something else. So far at least, they have an unblemished ability to keep on pumping.

The human heart beats, on average, just over once a second. Thats about 70 beats a minute, 100,000 times a day, 37 million beats a year. No man-made device on earth has ever come close to matching that.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, all have had basically the same set of problems. Every artificial heart so far has caused blood clots, which kill patients. All have made their recipients vulnerable to infections, especially through the drivelines, which kill patients. Their size has rendered them essentially useless to more than half the worlds population. And most fundamentally of all, theyve ultimately failed to do the one apparently simple  in fact, profoundly difficult  thing a heart is designed to do: keep pumping.

But recently, the federal government has taken steps which might disrupt that story. In February (a month before its announcement about investment in domestic solar cell manufacturing, as it happens), the Medical Research Future Fund awarded $50 million to a single, multifaceted Australian biotech initiative: the Artificial Heart Frontiers Program (AHFP) for the development of devices to assist failing hearts. A multidisciplinary consortium led by Melbournes Monash University but based all around the country, the programs remit is partly to do research, but theres also an explicit goal to seed an entirely new Australian specialised industry, as the website puts it. In other words, to patent, manufacture and market locally invented, globally relevant heart-device technologies. Its a whole ecosystem, says cardiologist Professor David Kaye from Monash, who is one of the co-leads on the program. If you look around the world, I cant think of another program like this  engineers and clinicians working together, with proper funding, governance, structure.

Theres a gulp moment where out comes the heart and in goes a device that you hopes going to work.

According to conventional wisdom, Australia simply doesnt have the cash to fund the massive costs of bringing biotech off the bench, as University of NSW biomedical engineer Dr Michael Stevens puts it, through development and trials. Nor do we have the specialised manufacturing infrastructure to actually make things here. Instead, we export our intellect the way we do our mining and agricultural products  as a primary product, to be refined, manufactured, marketed and profited from overseas.

Its also true that, historically, this understatement has not always served us well when it comes to world-changing technology. The phrase punching above our weight comes up several times during my research for this story, and its used, each time, to describe our national ability to come up with cool stuff in the fields of science and medicine: the CPAP machine to treat sleep apnea; Wi-Fi; the human papillomavirus vaccine; the solar cell. But then, when it comes to manufacturing, selling and profiting from our innovations, another phrase appears: some variant of now made and sold overseas.

Australians, it seems fair to say, are slightly more understated than Americans  and Daniel Timms is understated even for an Australian. Indeed, hes so quietly self-effacing that when I interview him, I spend our entire conversation in an agony of apprehension that my tape recorder wont pick up a word he says.

Weve got eight of these, two years on, without a failure, Billy Cohn, now chief medical officer of BiVacor, explained during his presentation, his drawl even more pronounced than usual in his excitement. We have one pump thats been pumping for five years. This thing will pump until the Earth spirals into the sun!

Carolyn Stone, the programs chief of operations, hopes it addresses the often siloed nature of research. Everyones incredibly good at their thing, she explains. The key to getting something to market is that youve got to bring all the pieces together. Its not just having brilliant people in the lab, youve then got to have experts to take it to clinical trials; people for development; people to get it into production and to the market. Thats the big challenge.

To solve it, the AHFP has gathered what it hopes is an Avengers-style team of experts. As well as nationally recognised cardiologists David Kaye and Professor Christopher Hayward from St Vincents Hospital Sydney, there are people such as Griffith University associate professor Michael Simmonds, an expert on the way blood responds when it flows through man-made materials instead of living tissue. And University of Queensland professor Cara Wrigley, who understands that patients living with external controllers still need to take showers and get through airport security without their electronics shorting out or setting off a bomb alarm. And authorities like UNSW professor Nigel Lovell, who creates remote patient-monitoring platforms, and Dr Michael Stevens, who researches physiological control systems for cardiac devices; and Monash professor David McGiffin, whos investigating driveline infections and mini-pumps. Theres even Daniel Timms: BiVacor is one of the programs flagship devices  it will receive $17.5 million of the $50 million total. This money will support the clinical studies of Timms heart; a ventricular assist device BiVacor also has in development; and various technologies that will support both. Its hoped, for instance, that some components of the BiVacor heart will be made in Australia.

Dr Paul Jansz is set to perform St Vincents Hospital Sydneys first BiVacor implant, which he describes as the Mars expedition. Credit: Kate Geraghty

Nothing like the AHFP existed when Timms started out, of course. But ironically, many of the people who are now part of it  professionals with distinguished careers and international reputations  have worked on BiVacor over the years, often as students, drawn in by Timms ability to attract other people as crazily committed as he is.

Professor Shaun Gregory, for example, met Timms when he was a teenage undergraduate in Queensland; Timms was his PhD supervisor. Today, hes co-director of the AHFP and director of the Centre for Biomedical Technologies at Queensland University of Technology, as well as the president-elect of the International Society for Mechanical Circulatory Support. If you want to call us The Avengers fighting the common enemy of heart failure, he says, thats OK.

Professor Shaun Gregory, director of the Centre for Biomedical Technologies at Queensland University of Technology: If you want to call us The Avengers fighting the common enemy of heart failure ... thats OK. Credit: Google Image

John Fraser, one suspects, would don a superhero suit in a heartbeat. He is now, among other things, the director of ICU at St Andrews War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane, but he first encountered Daniel Timms two decades ago at Brisbanes The Prince Charles Hospital as a young intensive-care doctor. Sitting in his research office one day, he suddenly noticed an annoying plip-plop, plip-plop coming from next door.

Eventually I went to have it out with the weirdo making the noise, and there was Daniel with his Bunnings pipes all over the bench, Fraser recalls. I said, Whats this? And he said, Its how a heart works. And I said, Umm, not really. 

Before long, however, Fraser was a convert to what Billy Cohn in Texas has called the cult of Daniel Timms. Today, he points out that he hasnt had anything to do with BiVacor (which he and Timms co-founded in 2008) for years and years. But back in the day, Fraser helped Timms  whod been given a stipend and a single room for research at Prince Charles while still a PhD student  with access to the institutions and networks of medicine. Today, those early years sound like a cross between a Boys Own adventure story and Spinal Tap: all Brisvegas barbecues and devices wrapped in protective underpants and surgeons banging tables and telling our heroes that pulseless hearts will never work.

I went to have it out with the weirdo making the noise, and there was Daniel with his Bunnings pipes all over the bench. John Fraser, now a Brisbane ICU director

The heart Timms was working on was closely based on the one hed first conceived as a student: a single spinning disc inside a metal casing that pushed blood through the body not in pulses, like a natural heart, but in a single continuous flow, like a plumbing pump. He and his dad had built a rough prototype (Gary Timms had machined the central disc on a mini lathe hed set up next to the TV) and tested it on their kitchen bench circulatory system. And it had worked, pushing water filled with tiny beads (representing red blood cells) around the system.

But as Timms told The New Yorker in 2021, they also noticed beads getting stuck in an eddy under the disc. In the real world, this was a danger signal. Points of slow flow, in blood, are points where clots might develop. And clots can lead to strokes  the great bane of all artificial hearts.

Professor John Fraser first encountered Daniel Timms two decades ago at Brisbanes The Prince Charles Hospital.

Timms reached out to a Japanese researcher working in magnetic levitation  the process by which Maglev trains work. He had no money to pay for advice, so he went to Japan and worked on the researchers own project in exchange for help. He would do this again and again in the coming years, travelling to Germany, Taiwan, the US, wherever the experts he needed were based. And slowly, over years and years, he built a heart.

Today, the BiVacor total artificial heart consists of a single titanium chamber with one moving part: a spinning disc (called the impeller) floating inside the casing. Because its suspended by Maglev technology (thank you, Japanese researchers), wear and tear is eliminated. This impeller simultaneously pumps blood to both the lungs and the body, because it has vanes poking out on both sides  high on one side, like prongs on a barbecue fork, low on the other, like the blades of a fan. These prongs drive the blood first gently into the lungs, then powerfully into the body.

Thanks to this design, the BiVacor has much larger spaces for the blood to flow than other artificial hearts  which means theres fewer places for clots to form, and less likelihood of blood cells being smashed up (the technical term) by the mechanism itself. Some blood does leak around the edges of the floating disc but this, according to key engineers on the project, is a design feature, not a bug. The wash of blood around the disk [sic] cleans out the casing and ensures there are no areas where stagnant blood can form into dangerous clots.

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Todays BiVacor heart also has a pulse. Its still not really understood what, if any, advantages there are to pulsatile blood flow in the body; and Timms the engineer seems sceptical about its necessity. But nonetheless, a few years ago it became clear they could create a BiVacor pulse simply by rapidly alternating the disc between high and low speeds. Was it done just to, well, placate doctors? Precisely. Timms smiles. There may be some advantages, there may not. But we can do it, so we thought, Why not? We can always turn it off. 

The BiVacor heart can also do something else. It continuously adapts its output to match a patients daily life. Our biological hearts are constantly adjusting as our bodies sit, stand, go to the loo, climb the stairs, jog. The BiVacors spinning disc can do a version of the same thing, moving along its central axis from left to right. This movement changes the efficiencies of the two sides of the disc, pumping more blood through the lungs and out to the body as we exercise, less as we sit reading a weekend magazine. No other artificial heart has ever been able to adjust to the living human body in this way.

So. Could this heart be the Holy Grail of cardiac medicine: a permanent artificial heart? Titanium is biologically inert: no immunosuppressants required. One moving part: no wear and tear. A pulse  if required. The potential to intrinsically adjust blood flow to daily life. In Timms heart of hearts (ahem) there seems little doubt. This, he believes, is the heart that will revolutionise current transplant survival rates. This is the heart that will work  forever.

I was talking to a doctor at the paediatric hospital in Texas, he explains. He wanted to do a study with us. And I was like, But its not a paediatric device: its too big for a toddler. And he goes, Daniel, I dont want it for a four-year-old. I want to put the transplant heart in a kid at four and I want them to grow up to be 12. And then I want to give them the BiVacor for the rest of their life.

Speaking of life. Back in 2004, a year or two after Daniel Timms talked to the Japanese, his dad Gary needed a heart valve replaced at The Prince Charles Hospital. By this point, Timms had his stipend and his research room at the same hospital, and hed go and visit Gary on his breaks. John Fraser remembers Timms being at the hospital night and day, no holidays, no weekends; eating two-minute noodles and sleeping on the couch Fraser had bought him.

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All the while, time was running out. Timms has subsequently said that he knew, realistically, that his artificial heart would never be ready in time to save his dad. But faced with the prospect of losing him, he couldnt help but try; couldnt help but hope. The heart has its reasons which reason knows not, after all.

In 2006, Timms implanted his device into a sheep, showing it was workable. Soon afterwards, Gary became very ill. Timms was about to go to Europe to talk to pump engineers in Germany. As he told Forbes magazine, he asked his dad if he should go. Youve got to get there, said Gary Timms. This is what weve been working for.

John Fraser, the intensive care specialist, still remembers the next two weeks. I brought Gary from the wards to ICU so I could look after him personally, and I was phoning Dan on a daily basis. Gary grew worse and worse. When the end was close, Timms flew home, but by the time he arrived his dad had a tracheotomy tube and was heavily medicated. And so there were no last words between father and son about hearts, mechanical or otherwise.

After Gary Timms death in 2006, aged just 55, his son kept working. And working. And working. Daniel is someone who is brilliant, and someone who is incredibly stubborn and pigheaded, says Fraser. I mean that as a compliment. There are people with good ideas who have come and gone, and Daniel has had one vision and hes kept going.

Stubborn pigheadedness has no doubt driven him. But so has love.

In November last year, BiVacor received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implant its artificial heart into three patients. Today, in March, sitting in the cafe at St Vincents Hospital Sydney in jeans and trainers, Daniel Timms reckons the first implantation is probably three weeks away  maybe a month. This means that by the time youre reading this story, it will either have already happened, or be just about to. The first implant will be at the Texas Heart Institute, the same place the worlds first artificial-heart operation was performed 55 years ago, and where Timms, now 45, seems to be regarded as a kind of beloved, albeit slightly odd, Aussie wunderkind.

Still, when we meet, Timms doesnt seem like a man crazed with excitement at the achievement of his lifelong dream. Despite his terrifyingly quiet voice, hes articulate and funny  but hes also self-contained, unusually focused and intent. Somewhere, not terribly far away, is still that small boy, watching and learning in a Brisbane backyard.

Rather prosaically, hes back in Australia because he has to renew his US visa. American optimism, capital and appetite for risk has allowed him to refine BiVacors design in the past decade; to test it in live animals (an emotionally challenging part of cardiac device development); and to work towards the moment it can finally be placed in a person. This moment, in other words. As he told The New Yorker, this project has consumed his life. He hasnt married or had children: Ive been stuck on this.

If it works, it works. You cant hide with this sort of thing. Daniel Timms

And of course, the work isnt over yet. Unless theres some catastrophe in the US trial, and pending Australian ethics approval, the BiVacor heart will not only be implanted into Americans this year, but also a handful of Australians. In both countries, the operations will be part of a first-in-human early feasibility study, and the BiVacor hearts will only be used until human donor hearts become available for transplant. Status as a permanent replacement heart is still an unknown distance away  perhaps until the BiVacor device simply functions so well that theres no need to replace it.

Of course, theres no guarantee it will work. Human blood, for instance, is different to that of cows and sheep, the animals the heart has been tested in: perhaps the BiVacor heart will cause some unexpected haematological reaction or damage in humans. Perhaps there will be some unforeseen reaction in the body to the devices particular design, or its positioning, or the external controller. Perhaps it will, for some reason, just stop pumping. Nobody I speak to anticipates these things, but this is life  and heart design  after all. Unexpected things happen.

Timms is clearly not expecting disaster, though he is anxious. For the core team, yes, its an anxious period, he says. But hes also focused on the next step. Once this study is done, all being well, well scale up the production, and we can do a clinical trial. And that might be 50 patients. And then were on the market and ready to sell. He gives a half-laugh. Because if it works, it works. You cant hide with this sort of thing.

This is the Mars expedition, explains Dr Paul Jansz, head of the mechanical circulatory assist program at St Vincents, whos set to perform the first BiVacor implant in Sydney. Melbournes The Alfred hospital will also be part of the Australian BiVacor trial. Theres a quantum leap with this sort of technology, because youre cutting the heart out. So theres a gulp moment where out comes the heart and in goes a device that you hopes going to work. Of course we cut hearts out all the time when we do transplants, but we know weve got another one to put in. So therell be a certain leap of faith when we do one of these.

Jansz has performed a number of first implants of devices. And there are always a lot of nervous engineers, a lot of people in the room. Im sure Daniel will be there, going, Oh, can you check that stitch? 

I would never say that, grins Timms. Still, you cant help thinking hell be more comfortable when this period is over, and he can start the next phase: making the device even better.

Getting rid of the drivelines is a particular priority. Were going to take the electronics in the power box [controller], miniaturise them, and put them actually in on the [device], he explains. Then we can remove the driveline, and transfer power across the skin, like charging an iPhone. He sits back.

And then the patient wont have a wire breaking the skin; then they can take off the power box and be more active and free.

Sydney heart transplant candidate Ray Meneses thinks he would take a perfected artificial model. Credit: Wolter Peeters

I think of the man I met yesterday, a 45-year-old father of three from Liverpool in western Sydney, Ray Meneses. Eight years ago, his heart suddenly began to fail: in 12 hours he went from the GP, where hed gone to discuss feeling breathless, to St Vincents emergency, where he was told he would need a heart transplant. During the work-up to go on the list, doctors discovered he had cancer  lymphoma  under one arm. No one can receive a transplant while having chemotherapy; nor could Meneses be placed on the list until hed been in remission for four years. He survived cancer; four years later, he went on the list. He waited almost another four years. In the meantime, he had an LVAD (left ventricular assistance device) implanted to help his heart pump  he sits with the controller on his lap while we talk.

This Australia Day, at last, St Vincents called: they had a donor heart for him. The happy end to this long, harrowing story, one thinks. No. When they called, Meneses had COVID-19 and was taking antivirals. And so he wasnt eligible for the heart.

After he tells me his story, we sit in the uncomfortable hospital chairs for a while. I tell him about the BiVacor device. In a perfect world, if it was available  with no drivelines, no controller, just the man-made version of six million years of evolution  would he take it? Or would he keep holding on for a human heart? Meneses  who appears to be an extraordinarily sanguine, hopeful person  thinks about it for a long moment.

I think I would take it, he says finally, seriously. I would take the artificial heart. I have waited so long.

At the end of our interview, I ask Daniel Timms if his dads heart condition makes him, Daniel, more likely to have problems with his own heart. Probably, he smiles. When we first got to Texas Heart, Dr Cooley was still around  the guy who did the very first artificial heart transplant. And someone once asked him, So, Dr Cooley, you are the most prominent heart failure specialist in the world. What can each of us do, ourselves, to prevent heart failure? And he said, Change your parents.  Timms laughs, shaking his head. That was his answer.

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There is no doubt the tragedy of Gary Timms early death changed the course of his sons life. But as Timms points out, theres nothing unusual in that. Its like, Mums incredibly proud of what weve done. But every time theres a news story or something, what she says is, Your dad must be really proud. It always comes back to that. Shes been by herself now for 20-odd years. And I imagine, a lot, what it would have been like if hed been around for those years. It would have been a totally different life for me, my mum, my brother, everybody.

He pauses. People think its the patients that are benefiting the most from this technology. Theyre not. Its the family thats benefiting most. The toddler in the backyard, the PhD student, the history-making engineer  all of them potentially free, in another life, of this particular form of heartbreak.

Would the BiVacor heart have saved Gary Timms? Once his valve started to fail? asks Daniel Timms, with a crooked smile. That would be a perfect application.

To read more from Good Weekend magazine, visit our page at The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Brisbane Times.
A rejected bid to build 84 two-storey townhouses on a former Xavier College campus in Melbournes south-east looks set to go ahead, with the state government seizing planning control of the development from the council.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny took the step this week on request from the developer after Bayside Council blocked the bid  against its own planning advice  following a barrage of complaints from Brighton residents.

An application to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal challenging the decision will now be withdrawn and the minister will fast-track a ruling on whether the project should proceed.

The council said on Friday it had only been told about the extraordinary move by the developer  not the state government  which was highly unusual.
Police should be embedded in Melbournes major shopping centres after the stabbings at Westfield Bondi Junction in Sydney last weekend, Victorias most senior federal frontbencher says.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten told Nines Today show on Friday that official patrols should be ramped up, even if it meant the operators of well-known shopping precincts helped taxpayers foot the bill.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten wants to see more police patrols at major shopping centres. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The Westfield shopping centres of Australia, you know, we all go there. Theyre like the high street of old, Shorten said.

Perhaps even the big shopping centre companies who make a lot of money can actually be asked to co-pay, so we have a stronger visible police presence.
Israel reportedly launched a strike on Iranian soil on Friday, sources said, in the latest of the tit-for-tat exchanges between the regional arch foes whose long-running shadow war has broken into the open.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed his country would respond after Iran fired drones and missiles at Israel on April 13. Tehrans action, its first-ever strike on Israel, had been in retaliation for a suspected Israeli airstrike on Tehrans embassy compound in Damascus on April 1.

Demonstrators wave a huge Iranian flag in front of a building emblazoned with anti-Israeli messages in Tehran on Monday. Credit: AP

The exchanges are part of a wider escalation since the war in Gaza began last year, but the two nations enmity stretches back decades, through a history of shadow wars and clandestine attacks by land, sea, air and cyberspace.

1979  Irans pro-Western leader Mohammed Reza Shah, who regarded Israel as an ally, is swept from power in an Islamic Revolution that installs a new theocratic regime with opposition to Israel as an ideological imperative.
The tail-spin of violence between Israel and Iran is a bitter lesson on what happens when we let the law of the jungle smother the rule of law.

Israels latest missile attacks on Iran followed the latters largely ineffective barrage of 300 missiles and drones against Israel over a week ago, which severely injured a seven-year-old child and damaged a military base. Irans strike was a response to Israels killing of two Iranian generals and eight others at an Iranian consulate in Syria earlier this month, seemingly to deter Irans support for Hezbollah.

Both countries have snubbed calls from world leaders to de-escalate. Both claim to be the victim of the other. These retaliatory strikes are a frightening escalation of conflict in a region already on a knife-edge over Gaza and must cease immediately.

Much Western political and media commentary has been partisan, reflexively taking Israels side over Irans. In contrast, international law does not take political sides, but applies the rules equally to all countries. When respected and enforced, international law is designed precisely to prevent retaliatory spirals of violence like the one the world is now trapped in.
At this fifth election in four years, in November 2022, voters of the left and centre proved more exhausted than the far-right and the ultra-Orthodox, who turned out in slightly greater numbers. By accommodating hate-mongers and fanatics, Netanyahu was narrowly able to form the most right-wing government in the countrys history . Its extremist policies provoked unprecedented demonstrations that shut down cities and had reservists threatening to decline military service.

It is worth recalling how arduous his path to power was, and how tenuously he holds it. In December 2018, with a one-seat majority, facing indictment on corruption charges, Netanyahu called a snap election, but instead of strengthening his position, he weakened it. With Netanyahu unable to form a government, a second election was called, and then a third, also inconclusive. With the coronavirus raging, Netanyahus rival Benny Gantz agreed to form a unity government. When Netanyahu reneged on their power-sharing agreement, a fourth election brought the centrist Yair Lapid to power, but his fragile coalition collapsed within a year.

This power rests in the hands of a man who, at home, has become widely despised, with only 15 per cent of Israelis now saying they support him.

With all the blood and terror since last October, it is easy to forget that it took five back-to-back elections to put Bibi Netanyahu in the position he now occupies: the leader whose next decision might plunge his region, and maybe the world, into full-scale war.

And then came the intelligence failures that left Israelis vulnerable to carnage on October 7. Since then, Netanyahus cobweb-thin backing has disintegrated. Netanyahu knows that as soon as war ends, his political career will be over.

That is what makes him so dangerous. With civilian deaths soaring in Gaza and Israeli hostages languishing, he chose the most volatile moment to provoke Iran by bombing its consulate in Damascus. This violation of international law would have met global opprobrium had the perpetrator and victim been any other nation. There is a good reason that diplomatic premises are considered off limits. Foreign relations can barely function without this norm and by breaching it, Israel lowered the bar for such attacks by bad actors everywhere. The US still hasnt gotten over Irans seizure of its Tehran embassy in 1980. Two died in that shameful episode; 16 were killed in Israels recent strike. Israeli and US diplomatic premises are already bristling fortresses, making the delicate work of diplomacy difficult. Now they will need to be fortified even further.

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When Iraq invaded Iran in 1980, the US and Israel provided Saddam Hussein with targeting intelligence that allowed strikes on Iranian cities. At that time, Iran had no missiles with which to respond. When I visited the southern Iranian city of Khorramshahr, it was a scene of devastation, of rubble and despair, that resembled Gaza at this moment. I was in Tehran in the aftermath of strikes that landed in the civilian neighbourhoods. The Islamic Republics dangerous militarisation since then was likely born of its helplessness in the face of the unholy trinity of Israel, the US and Saddam.

Last weekend, as Israelis waited in dread for the impact of the Iranian missiles, I re-watched the 2005 movie, Munich, a fictionalised account of the very real clandestine mission ordered by Golda Meir to kill those responsible for the murder of Israels athletes at the 1972 Olympics. The movie makes much of the assassins scruples about sparing innocents. One innocent did die in the actual operation, but in 1988, when an assassination squad went to Tunis to kill PLO number two, Abu Jihad, they spared his wife, who was in the same room. Now, in Gaza, no one is spared. Not shirtless Israeli hostages pleading in Hebrew, or foreign aid workers delivering food, and not Palestinian civilians, many of whom despised Hamas before October 7, but had no escape from the regime, due to Israeli and Egyptian blockades of the enclave.
To the burgeoning canon of dystopian dramas, that cultural byproduct of the Trump years, we can now add Alex Garlands new movie Civil War. Set in the bleak near future, some of it feels implausible. Red Texas and blue California have formed an unlikely alliance  the Western Forces, which are advancing, tanks firing, on Washington. Other storylines are more believable, such as the authoritarian president holed up in a fortress-like White House who has broken the Constitution by attempting to serve out a third term.

Some scenes come with the jolt of recognition. Troops I have seen amassed on the avenues of Washington  on the day of Joe Bidens inauguration, when the nations capital looked more like Baghdad on the Potomac. Two weeks earlier, on January 6, American battled American, as Trumps army of supporters sought to overturn an election by ransacking Capitol Hill.

Not a movie, but National Guard troops in Washington DC at the inauguration of Joe Biden as president. Credit: AP

In this post-January 6 age of potentially catastrophic polarisation, when the instigator of that insurrection stands a good chance of returning to power, the question of whether the United States is headed towards Civil War 2.0 no longer feels hyperbolic.

One of the reasons I left America was because I could not envisage the country reaching a state of civil peace. But that is not the same thing as believing it will spiral into civil war. For all my pessimism about the future of a land I love so deeply, I still find it hard it to envisage a break-up of the union, and the kind of nationwide armed conflict depicted in Garlands cinematic hellhole.
In an age where connectivity is often taken for granted, Visvalingham embarked on his journey during the off-season, facing not only the harsh and unpredictable weather but also complete isolation from the digital world.
Middle and high school students in Paraguay will be able to learn Korean as a second foreign language under an agreement between the two countries, officials said.

The education ministry said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with its Paraguayan counterpart, effectively adding Korean to the list of second foreign languages that can be taught in middle and high schools.

The move will open up more employment opportunities for local graduates majoring in the Korean language and lay the groundwork for Korean to spread on its own in the country, the education ministry said.

With the growing demand for Korean studies in Paraguay due to the popularity of K-culture content, the education ministry has been aiding the learning of the Korean language at local schools through Korean education centers.

As a result, the number of middle and high school students learning Korean in the country increased over twofold from some 1,900 students at 16 schools in 2017 to nearly 4,800 students at 23 schools as of last year.

Globally, 23 countries have selected Korean as one of their second foreign languages as of late 2023, and 10 countries have included Korean among the list of college admission subjects.

"We anticipate the nationalities of foreign students coming to Korea will become more diverse, following the spread of the Korean language in South American regions, including in Paraguay," an education ministry official said. (Yonhap)
The top U.S. envoy to the U.N. on Thursday highlighted the "imperative" to maintain North Korea's human rights issues at the "forefront" of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC)'s agenda as she met with the families of Japanese citizens abducted by Pyongyang decades ago.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield had talks with the families and Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi as she was in Japan as part of her two-nation trip that also took her to South Korea this week, according to Nate Evans, the spokesperson of the U.S. Mission to the U.N.

"Thomas-Greenfield reaffirmed the Biden Administration's commitment to call upon the DPRK to take concrete action to allow the reunification of all families separated by the DPRK's repressive policies," Evans said in a readout. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"She also reiterated the imperative of keeping DPRK human rights at the forefront of the UN Security Council's agenda," the spokesperson added.

Tokyo has officially recognized 17 citizens as victims abducted by the North in the 1970s and 1980s. Five of them returned to Japan following Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's trip to Pyongyang in 2002, while the other 12 abductees remain unaccounted for.

Pyongyang argues that of the 12 Japanese nationals in question, eight passed away while the other four did not even come to the North. The regime is known to have kidnapped Japanese nationals to train its spies in Japanese language and culture.

During the meeting with Hayashi, the two sides discussed shared priorities as UNSC members, including North Korean issues, and explored opportunities for trilateral engagement with South Korea, according to Evans. (Yonhap)
AIESEC

News Summary

With a fervent dedication to nurturing the leadership potential of Indias youth, AIESEC in Delhi IIT proudly launched its esteemed event, YOUTH SPEAK FORUM, held at Dogra Hall, IIT Delhi on April 7th, 2024 in association with the Office of Academic outreach & New initiatives at IIT Delhi.
dataplor, the leading provider of global location intelligence, today announced a $10.6 million Series A funding round led by Spark Capital. This round, which included participation from Quest Venture Partners, Acronym Venture Capital, Circadian Ventures, Two Lanterns Venture Partners and APA Venture Partners, will further accelerate dataplors ongoing expansion, building the most accurate, comprehensive and dynamically updated database of global Point of Interest (POI) data on the market.

Today, dataplor offers data coverage across more than 200 countries and territories, encompassing over 300 million locations and over 15,000 brands. Companies in industries including technology, mapping, search, third party logistics, consumer packaged goods (CPG), telecom, investing, real estate and finance rely on dataplors global, accurate coverage to power strategic decisions and investments. With this latest funding, dataplor is positioned to expand its worldwide coverage and continue building out its team.

Our mission at dataplor has always been about unlocking the true potential of POI data, making it accessible and actionable at a global scale, said Geoff Michener, CEO and founder of dataplor. This funding validates our vision and market-leading product and empowers us to accelerate our efforts, driving growth while aligned to our core values of accuracy, quality and privacy.

dataplors proprietary approach merges technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, LLMs, and a purpose built technology platform with a global team of expert human validators. This combination allows the company to gather accurate, deduplicated and verified location data while providing a framework for regular updates to the information to stay current.

dataplor solves a critical gap for companies seeking to scale in international markets: accurate, actionable data that unlocks business opportunities, said Alex Finkelstein, General Partner at Spark Capital. We see a massive potential market opportunity ahead for dataplor, but weve also been impressed by their traction, winning dozens of Fortune 500 customers and growing revenue by an average of 2.5x year-over-year since 2020. Were very confident in this companys bright future.

Finkelstein will join dataplors board of directors, which includes John Frankel, founding partner of ffVC.

In addition to receiving accurate, updated and global POI data coverage, dataplors customers also benefit from the companys commitment to privacy. All of the information in dataplors datasets is gathered through direct contact with a business or through publicly available data; no personally identifiable information (PII) is used. This approach not only aligns with the companys ethical commitments but also ensures dataplors customers wont be burdened with any regulatory or legal repercussions.

About dataplor

dataplor is a leading geospatial data company that helps global enterprises grow abroad by mapping tough-to-reach markets with a privacy-first approach. As the majority of international location data is inaccurate and quickly out of date, dataplor goes several steps further than the industry standard to help the worlds largest companies in technology, mapping, search, third party logistics, consumer packaged goods (CPG), telecom, investing, real estate and finance understand intelligence about any commercial or physical location in the world, in real-time, to fuel expansion abroad.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240418167357/en/
North Korea on Friday denounced the recent visit to South Korea and Japan by the top U.S. envoy to the United Nations, calling it an "aid-begging" trip to invigorate the "weakened illegal" sanctions against Pyongyang.

Late last month, the U.N. Security Council failed to extend the mandate of the panel of experts monitoring the enforcement of sanctions against the North's nuclear and missile programs due to Russia's veto. The operation of the panel is set to expire on April 30.

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield made a four-day trip to South Korea before traveling to Japan on Thursday in an apparent move to seek an alternative to the U.N. monitoring panel.

Kim Son-gyong, North Korea's vice foreign minister in charge of international organizations, said Thomas-Greenfield is making the last-ditch effort to continue to "beat the drum of pressure by sewing up a ripped sanctions drum" but will only meet with cold treatment and derision from the international community.

Her trip is "no more than an aid-begging trip of a loser to enliven the weakened illegal sanctions and pressure on the DPRK with the help of inferior allies," Kim said in a statement carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency, referring to North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea has been under tightened U.N. sanctions due to its nuclear and missile programs, which call for, among other things, a ban on the country's exports of coal and other mineral resources to cut off its access to hard currency.

During a visit to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas on Tuesday, Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. is looking at "out of the box" options with South Korea and others to continue the sanctions monitoring on North Korea.

South Korea's unification ministry said it is not new for North Korea to show a "sensitive" reaction toward the international community's move to handle Pyongyang's reckless nuclear and missile development.

"North Korea should first reflect on itself, surrounded by international condemnation and sanctions, before commenting on issues of other countries," Kim In-ae, deputy spokesperson at the ministry, told a press briefing. (Yonhap)
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CENTRAFRIQUE :: MINUSCA presence in CAR criticized by local population :: CENTRAL AFRICAN

On April 11, 2024, the traditional "Stop MINUSCA" action took place in Bangui on the way to the airport. The people of the Central African Republic took to the streets of the capital to call for an end to the Moroccan contingent of MINUSCA. Their "Stop MINUSCA" action drew public attention to the problems associated with the peacekeeping mission in the region.

The action began in the Central African capital in July 2021 to block the road to UN peacekeeping force vehicles. Demonstrators usually hold placards reading "Stop MINUSCA". Many groups of people take to the road to show their dissatisfaction with MINUSCA, as peacekeepers in the country are accused of passivity and connivance with the rebels.

This time, the demonstrators blocked the airport road, expressing their dissatisfaction with the actions of the Moroccan military in the town of Obo, capital of the Haut-Mbomou prefecture in the east of the country. Residents claim that the MINUSCA contingent is collaborating with militants and is not helping to improve the situation in the region, but is instead worsening security in the province.

The slogan "Stop MINUSCA" expresses a sense of disgust at MINUSCA peacekeepers joining forces with armed groups to maintain instability in the Central African Republic. The demonstrators are calling on the world community to pay attention to MINUSCA's actions in CAR, and to draw attention to the crimes committed by the mission.

Ordinary Central African citizens hope that their voices will be heard and that problems will be resolved in favor of the civilian population. These demonstrations fully demonstrate the dissatisfaction with the current situation and the desire for change in the work of the peacekeeping forces.
Fundamental changes unlikely, as Yoon remains steadfast on diplomacy

By Nam Hyun-woo

The opposition bloc's landslide victory in the April 10 general elections is cornering President Yoon Suk Yeol toward changing his political philosophy and direction in managing state affairs.

However, despite the pressure, government officials and experts expect little change in Seoul's principle of aligning its diplomatic stance with the United States on major global issues and being more vocal about what Yoon calls "authoritarian forces."

Here are several reasons why Yoon will likely maintain his stance.

During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Yoon said he "humbly accepts" the public sentiment reflected in the general elections but mostly asserted he has been steering the country in the right direction, though the effect of his policies has not been sufficiently felt by the populace.

Regarding Yoon's remark, a senior official at the presidential office told The Korea Times that "there won't be a fundamental shift in the directions of the government's policies in a broader perspective, such as enhancing the alliance with the U.S. or strengthening coalitions with free democracy."

This stance was also seen in presidential chief of staff Lee Kwan-sup's remarks a day after the election. At the time, Lee said all senior secretaries of the presidential office have offered to resign, except for "those who are at the Office of National Security," which is in charge of security and foreign policies."

The election outcome weakens Yoon's influence on legislative initiatives which mostly affects domestic issues, but still can exert his power in terms of national security, despite facing strong protests from the National Assembly.

"I don't think there will be a shift in Yoon's foreign policies," Kim Joon-hyung, a lawmaker-elect from the minor liberal opposition Rebuilding Korea Party (RKP), told The Korea Times. Kim is a former chancellor of the Korea National Diplomatic Academy during the previous liberal Moon Jae-in administration.

"Most diplomatic experts would agree that Yoon will stick to his current diplomatic philosophy because national security is an area where the president can fully exercise his power."

Kim emphasized that the crucial question is whether Yoon's foreign policy will garner public support for the remainder of his presidency, because voters were sharply divided in assessing Yoon's diplomatic policies.

"While Yoon's opponents think his diplomacy was disastrous, his supporters say one of his best achievements is putting South Korea's diplomacy on the current course."

Since taking office in May 2022, Yoon has been making significant efforts to alter South Koreas diplomatic strategy.

While his predecessor Moon focused on a balancing act in the rivalry between the U.S. and China and strived to tame North Koreas nuclear ambition with discussions and talks, Yoon significantly improved South Koreas strategic visibility that it is standing by the U.S. in most of the global issues, while maintaining an ever-hawkish stance on Pyongyangs provocations.

In doing so, the Yoon administration introduced a concept it named global pivotal state, to symbolize Yoons diplomatic philosophy of improving Seouls diplomatic presence in the global diplomatic stage by raising its voices on international issues, such as Russias invasion of Ukraine and Chinas assertive maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait.

The opposition, including Kim, has been calling for the president to be neutral in issues concerning the Taiwan Strait and Ukraine, worrying over possible diplomatic frays with neighboring superpowers, but Yoons diplomacy is oftentimes mentioned as the top reason for the support he receives in approval polls, though his overall ratings have remained below 45 percent throughout his presidency.

Due to this, Yoon said on May 9, 2023, when he was marking his first year in the office, that the biggest achievements in his presidency during the past year were diplomacy and security.

Misery loves company

For a week after the election defeat, Yoon and the presidential office have been keeping a low profile to devise post-election strategies, with Yoon avoiding public engagements or media appearances.

Yoon resumed his public presence by holding a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday.

According to the presidential office, the call was arranged to share the outcomes of Kishida's recent summit with U.S. President Joe Biden to keep their earlier promises to strengthen the three countries' security cooperation.

The call was interpreted as a strategic move considering each leader's domestic political situation.

Yoon and Kishida revitalized the two countries' frayed relations through seven summits last year. However, the process was not supported by the majority of Koreans, who saw that Yoon took a submissive position before Tokyo over the two country's historic disputes.

While Yoon is cornered with the ruling party's general election defeat, Kishida is also struggling with abysmal job approval ratings remaining below 30 percent. Without sufficient domestic support for their overall policies, doubts will continue to linger about the sustainability of their foreign policies.

Due to this, experts said Wednesday's call is viewed as their effort to showcase to the world that the two countries' diplomatic stances, despite the domestic doubts about their respective leadership, will stay as it is and promote further cooperation.

The South Korean presidential office said in a press release that "the leaders have agreed to continue fostering a strong relationship of trust and maintaining candid communication throughout this year to ensure the positive momentum in the bilateral relations can be sustained."

Seoul-Tokyo-Beijing trilateral summit

Against the backdrop, the envisaged trilateral summit between South Korea, Japan and China will be the first stage showcasing the Yoon administrations post-election diplomatic stance.

The annual three-way talks have been suspended for four years since the last iteration held in Chinas Chengdu in December 2019, in the wake of the rivalry between Washington and Beijing. Seoul is set to host the upcoming summit.

Seouls presidential office is yet to announce the exact date of the summit, but its government officials said the event is being arranged to take place at the end of May. Japanese newspapers also reported May 26 or 27 as possible dates.

It is hard to expect a dramatic development (in Seoul-Beijing and Seoul-Tokyo-Beijing relations) after the summit, the RKPs Kim said.

To change the current lopsided diplomatic landscape, a fundamental shift in Yoons diplomatic principle toward China, Russia and even North Korea is required If Yoon adheres to such a stance, the summit may be worse than doing nothing. But at the same time, there is still hope that the general election victory (of the opposition) will affect Yoons diplomatic policies so that he can send signals for change.
Romanian President Klaus Iohannis will visit Korea next week to hold a summit with President Yoon Suk Yeol and discuss cooperation in arms and nuclear energy, among other sectors, Yoon's office said Friday.

Iohannis will pay an official visit to Korea from Monday to Thursday, during which the leaders will meet to discuss areas of "strategic cooperation" between the two countries, the presidential office said.

The two held talks last July on the sidelines of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Lithuania and discussed expanding cooperation beyond autos and steel to nuclear power, infrastructure development and defense.

They also discussed developments on the Korean Peninsula and in Ukraine. (Yonhap)
The upcoming 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will honor Studio Ghibli with an honorary Palme dor. It marks the first time that the festival has given its honorary prize to a group of people rather than an individual artist.

It also marks only the second time since 2002, when the festival started regularly handing out these honorary awards, that theyve recognized people from the animation world. The other animation-related winner was Dreamworks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg in 2017. The honorary award is presented to notable figures who have never won a competitive Palme dor.

In Ghiblis case, they are being recognized for their roughly two dozen feature films produced over the last forty years. The films, which include Porco Rosso, Pom Poko, Kikis Delivery Service, Grave of the Fireflies, My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbors the Yamadas, The Wind Rises, and The Tale of The Princess Kaguya, are in the words of the festival, imbued with poetry and with humanistic and environmental commitments, and share stories that are as personal as they are universal. The studios most recent effort, Hayao Miyazakis The Boy and the Heron, won the Academy Award for best animated feature.

Like all the icons of the Seventh Art, these characters populate our imaginations with prolific, colorful universes and sensitive, engaging narrations, said Iris Knobloch, president of the Cannes film fest, and Thierry Fremaux, general delegate. With Ghibli, Japanese animation stands as one of the great adventures of cinephilia, between tradition and modernity.

Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki, who co-founded the studio with Hayao Miyazaki and the late Isao Takahata and Yasuyoshi Tokuma, added in a statement:

I am truly honored and delighted that the studio is awarded the Honorary Palme dor. I would like to thank the Festival de Cannes from the bottom of my heart. Forty years ago, Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and I established Studio Ghibli with the desire to bring high-level, high-quality animation to children and adults of all ages. Today, our films are watched by people all over the world, and many visitors come to the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka and Ghibli Park to experience the world of our films for themselves. We have truly come a long way for Studio Ghibli to become such a big organization. Although Miyazaki and I have aged considerably, I am sure that Studio Ghibli will continue to take on new challenges, led by the staff who will carry on the spirit of the company. It would be my greatest pleasure if you look forward to whats next.

The Cannes fest, which ironically offers zero animated features in its competition line-up this year, will take place from May 14-25 in France.
Design and animation studio Primal Screen, an entrenched part of Atlantas broadcast-driven animation scene, is closing shop after thirty years of operation, the owners of the company announced this week.

In a post on Linkedin, Primal Screen said it would wrap down operations by the end of May. The company, whose current CEO is Giulia Bundesmann, did not provide a reason for why it was shutting down.

Primal Screen was started by Douglass Grimmett around 1995 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The company initially focused on animated music videos and advertising, but discovered a more lucrative niche after relocating to Atlanta: on-air branding. Primal Screen formed a particularly close relationship with the then-fledgling Cartoon Network, part of the Turner Broadcasting Systems empire, headquartered out of Atlanta, and produced thousands of IDs, bumpers, and promos for the cartoon broadcaster throughout the years.

In addition to its work for CN, Primal Screen was involved in the on-air branding for the launch of Boomerang, the launch of Voom HDs Animania (touted as the first global hi-def animation network), a relaunch of Nick Jr., and the launch of Sprout. The company also had a decades-long relationship with PBS Kids and rebranded their on-air graphics at least a half-dozen times.

Dozens of former employees are sharing memories about their time at the studio on the companys Linkedin page. The official statement on Primal Screens closure can be read in its entirety below:

Every great story comes to an end. We started Primal Screen to do stunning work with people we love. In the past 30 years, weve collaborated with amazing clients who trusted us with their audience. Together we never lost sight of the power of playful storytelling. And weve told a lot of stories. At the end of May, Primal Screens story comes to a close. We cannot even begin to express how grateful we are for all the opportunities, friendships, and beautiful work weve been part of. Although we are no longer accepting new projects, the remarkably talented artists and producers who made us great will continue to create smart, fun, extraordinary work. Youll be so happy if you welcome one of them into your organization, guaranteed! We want to say a huge thank you to everyone whos shared this adventure with us. Your support and creativity have been the heart of Primal Screen.

Some examples of Primal Screens work can be viewed below:
By Kim Hyun-bin

The Korean Army is exploring the possibility of entrusting the private sector with guarding ammunition depots as it anticipates a significant drop in the number of military conscripts due to the nation's sharply-declining birthrate.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, the number of people fit for active duty is expected to decrease from approximately 334,000 in 2020 to 227,000 in 2035 and to 130,000 in 2041.

"The Army has commissioned a study to identify the prerequisites that should be provided if it becomes necessary to transition ammunition guard roles to civilian positions due to an anticipated sharp decline in the number of future conscripts," an Army officer said. "The transition is the subject of research and is not currently under consideration."

The Army headquarters' logistics office has initiated research on the feasibility of involving civilians in certain aspects of guard operations.

This follows the introduction of AI-driven unmanned guard operations, reflecting Korea's commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for national defense.

According to military sources, the research project focuses on identifying preliminary conditions for transitioning some guard forces, particularly those associated with ammunition units, to civilian control. The collaboration between the military and private companies seeks to enhance border surveillance, patrol and response capabilities by deploying cutting-edge technologies.

The initiative shows the Korean military's proactive efforts to address future challenges, including the need to balance defense requirements with demographic realities. As part of the research, legal and regulatory aspects concerning the involvement of civilians in guard operations will be thoroughly examined, ensuring compliance with existing laws and standards.

While the proposal signals a significant departure from conventional military practices, proponents emphasize the potential benefits of civilian involvement in guard operations.

By tapping into civilian expertise and resources, the military aims to bolster its operational efficiency and responsiveness while also fostering closer collaboration with the private sector.

However, the initiative is not without its complexities and challenges. Questions regarding the legal authority of civilian personnel in guard operations, as well as the delineation of command structures between military units and private entities, remain subjects of scrutiny and debate.

Nevertheless, many experts say the initiative represents a forward-thinking approach to defense modernization, aligning with broader efforts to adapt to evolving security dynamics.
Police raided the homes of doctors accused of drawing up a "blacklist" of interns and resident doctors opting out of a walkout protesting the government's decision to increase the medical school enrollment quota, officials said Friday.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency sent investigators Thursday to search the residences of five doctors accused of sharing a list of trainee doctors not participating in the walkout and derisively referring to them as "true doctors."

The post, which was uploaded to "medistaff," an internet community for doctors in early March, also contained personal information of the listed doctors.

Those raided included another doctor who allegedly shared a list of public health doctors dispatched to hospitals to fill in for the striking doctors, officials said.

Police plan to seize their mobile phones and computers to look into why they uploaded such posts. (Yonhap)
A Criminal Court jury found drug dealer Terrence Dewayne Lewis guilty of first-degree murder and robbery in the slaying of 20-year-old UTC student Evan Derry.

It will be the second life prison sentence for the Chattanooga man. Lewis is already serving a life sentence for the December 2020 murder of Randy Williams, and he has been accused of a third murder, that of Pierre Casseus in November 2021.

The jury in the courtroom of Judge Barry Steelman began deliberating late Thursday morning in the trial that started last Friday.

Prosecutors acknowledged that the victim was at the scene at N. Bishop Drive on a drug deal in the Dec. 28, 2017, incident. With him was Baxter McCurry, who was owed a large amount of money by Lewis.

McCurry was later killed in a motorcycle wreck, but the state played his initial interview with police as well as two court appearances.

Defense attorney Josh Weiss said there were gaps in the state's proof and said detectives did not adequately check out a man who was later found to possess a gun that was fired at the murder scene.

Prosecutor Andrew Coyle said the man could have been at the scene, or he may have bought the gun later on the street.

A witness said she saw men in woods in the vicinity of the shooting, then heard shots. She afterward saw a black sedan stop by the shot-up Derry Tahoe and get something out of the vehicle. Prosecutor Coyle said that was Lewis getting about 10 pounds of marijuana. He said piles of cash in the vehicle were not taken. Some marijuana was left as well.

The prosecutor said that matched a black Chrysler 200 that Lewis drove, including on his Uber job.

Prosecutor Coyle highlighted a number of texts in which McCurry was trying to get Lewis to pay him the debt.

He said Lewis did not have the money to repay it, so he planned "the perfect robbery." He said Lewis brought along backup - men with guns - in case there was resistance. He said it was not likely that Derry and McCurry would report a robbery because it would identify them as drug dealers.

Prosecutor Coyle said the perfect crime was foiled when McCurry jumped out of the Tahoe and ran into nearby woods and Derry tried to drive away. Derry was shot in the head with the bullet exiting his head and going through the front windshield.

He said afterwards there were texts from Lewis discussing marijuana sales he was able to make due to the robbery.

McCurry fled to Smyrna, but soon returned and confessed his part in the incident. The prosecutor said Lewis did not go home after the robbery, but started staying in hotels.
Hamilton Health Care System on Thursday announced it has entered into a purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Community Health Systems, Inc. (NYSE:CYH) to acquire Tennova Healthcare - Cleveland in Cleveland, Tn., and its related businesses. Those include physician clinic operations and outpatient services.

The transaction, which is subject to customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions, is anticipated to close the third quarter of 2024.

As a not-for-profit and one of the few remaining independent health systems in the region, above all, we are committed to the well-being of our region and keeping care local to the communities we serve, said Hamilton Health Care System CEO Jeff Myers. Hamilton Medical Center and Tennova Healthcare - Cleveland share a proud history of serving the members of our respective communities - our friends, families, and neighbors - and we will invest in furthering that legacy to ensure long-term stability, the availability of advanced, comprehensive expert care, and a best-in-class patient experience.

Hamilton Health Care System has a demonstrated commitment to delivering quality care to the patients they serve across the communities they serve, said Jarrett Millsaps, CEO of Tennova Healthcare - Cleveland. Our tradition of delivering medical services close to home will be enhanced through this alignment and the dedication and skill of our medical staff and employees.



With combined resource coordination between the two hospitals, the goal of the acquisition by Hamilton Health Care System is to further enhance care delivery and health care decision-making while empowering local care teams and advancing diagnosis and treatment capabilities. Hamilton Health Care System anticipates the hospitals complementary platforms will make the area more attractive for clinicians specializing in medical subspecialties, bringing additional services to the region and improving health care overall, it was stated.

More information will be given as the transaction nears completion.

Hamilton Health Care System (HHCS) is a not-for-profit, fully integrated health system serving the northwest Georgia region. The Dalton-based flagship of the system, Hamilton Medical Center, is a 255-bed regional acute-care hospital offering major medical, surgical and diagnostic services, including a cancer institute, comprehensive cardiovascular program, wellness center, and accredited stroke and chest pain center. HHCS also includes affiliated physician practices, walk-in care centers, retirement and skilled nursing centers, a diagnostic center, an institute for children with developmental delays, and more.
The "In the Heat of the Night" "Christmas Time's A Comin'" CD continues to impact youth through its original Drug Abuse Prevention focus.Share America Foundation, Inc., which oversees the star-studded TV show's charity project, donated $500 to the Catoosa Family Collaborative Teen Maze, which focuses on inspiring positive life choices with a week-long event for Northwest Georgia 10th graders from Catoosa, Walker, Chattooga and Dade counties held in Ringgold.The next event will occur this fall.Since 2012, Share America has participated in making a difference through this program with revenues received from CD sales.The CD is available at www.ShareAmericaFoundation.org or www.RandallFranks.com/store.
The pro park supporters sound selfish by bullying an historic regional mental health hospital that serves 165 people with inpatient care. People without insurance are served by Moccasin Bend Mental Hospital.

Lets look at the facts, the pro park elites ignore the fact that the Moccasin Bend Mental Hospital predates the park designation of a section of Moccasin Bend by many decades fold.

These elites have used their upwardly political connections to order a municipal law enforcement training facility to move at a huge cost to local taxpayers, and have turned their sights to kicking a state mental hospital from Moccasin Bend shamelessly. It speaks volumes.

It is outrageous to show up as new park neighbors in 2003, and order a state mental hospital facility that has been on Moccasin Bend since 1961 to move. Just who do these park people think they are?

My understanding is the Moccasin Bend Mental Hospital has 165 beds, and was established in 1961 to serve 52 counties in Tennessee.

The notion of seeking to displace 165 individuals in crisis, who does that as a political cause with a petition? Who lobbies to get a regional and essential mental hospital moved? Well, the park people do.

You notice these park folks are not petitioning for improved mental health care in the state of Tennessee. Oh no, the park people are saying leave Moccasin Bend mentally ill patients, we need that property for a park.

The park people have whined so much to the political class, the state granted the park additional land at the expense of the mental health hospital area. That appeasement did not satisfy the park people. No, the park people demand that the entire hospital be moved for a park.

Oh my, says the pro park elites, a public mental hospital is unsightly so leave. Move those sick people off, and let us have it for our park. That is precisely what these park elites are shamelessly asking.

The park was not established on a potion of Moccasin Bend until 2003.

The hospital has been located on Moccasin Bend since 1961.

This reminds me of the group that attempted to run the long standing chicken plant out of downtown Chattanooga. In both cases, the mental hospital and chicken plant had been in the current locations for decades before the new neighbors came riddled with objections and complaints.

The mental hospital is not part of the park. Growing a park footprint at the expense of moving an established mental hospital is not in the publics best interest

Anyway you dice, slice this, its wrong.

April Eidson

* * *

April Eidson is absolutely correct.

How long had that chicken plant been operating there?

Roger Mayo

* * *

My oh my, the shortsightedness of Ms. Eidson's editorial is beyond my comprehension, and her exaggerated, obsessed criticism toward any person of influence in Chattanooga or Hamilton County is staggering, but that idiosyncrasy is not the purpose of this response.



Indigenous peoples occupied Moccasin Bend as long ago as 10,000 BC......that is about 12,000 years ago. Now that is historic.

European explorers transited the area in the 1500s and made contact with Native Americans who had lived for hundreds of years in large settlements on the Bend. Now that is historic.

Moccasin Bend was an important and strategic location during the Chattanooga Campaign in 1863. Now that is historic.

The Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce established the Moccasin Bend Memorial Park Association in 1944 for the express purpose of preserving the Bend for its cultural and historic significance. Despite the best efforts of knowledgeable and concerned citizens and the NPS to preserve the Bend, the hospital was imprudently built and occupied in 1961. Subsequently, further destruction of historically significant land on the Bend occured when the golf course was built in 1965. My point is that preservation attempts predated the hospital (and the golf course). This is not a new issue contrived by what Ms. Eidson characterizes as "the elites". Moving the hospital to a more appropriate location is absolutely the most logical and far-sighted measure. Not one person who is in favor of preserving the Bend has ill regard for the patients who receive the much-needed care at the hospital facility nor does anyone desire to "displace" the patients. Ms Eidson saying so is incendiary, misinformed, presumptuous and blatantly false.

The obvious fact is that the hospital was ill-advisedly built on and is still occupying a most inappropriate slice of land. All efforts should be made to assure that a new modern hospital is built in a different location that will continue to serve those in need of the same services. The Bend can then be restored as much as possible to its natural state so that the beauty and history of that place can be enjoyed, researched and studied to the benefit of many. Leaving the hospital at its present location is definitely not "in the public's best interest" as Ms. Eidson suggests.

In the first sentence of her opinion letter, Ms Eidson characterized the regional mental health hospital as "historic" The hospital was built and occupied in 1961; I wouldn't characterize a bland 63-year-old structure such as that hospital building ill-advisedly constructed on hallowed ground as "historic" 63 years old? The building has zero historic significance. The mission of the hospital is absolutely essential; nobody would argue that point. To rebuild, expand or reconstruct the hospital on Moccasin Bend would be a "historic" mistake, however. As Albert Einstein famously and perfectly noted, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results".





Woody Sibold

* * *

April Eidson is a very skillful and articulate writer. I have often envied her ability to get her point across. Im even more impressed if she gets the facts correct, rather that confusing facts with her opinion.

Quoting her lets look at the facts would leave most readers to believe she is about to deliver what are indeed facts. Well, she did give some facts, but failed on the history portion as well as seeking to displace 165 individuals in crisis.

First, lets look at the history portion, as not knowing history is bad, but knowing history and misrepresenting it is a travesty. Moccasin Bend Mental Health Facility was there many years before the park designation. However, facts will tell us the park designation was a result of honoring the Native Americans who occupied the land hundreds of years before the Mental Hospital. The Revolutionary War, Spanish American War, War of 1812, and American Mexican War were all fought before the Arlington National Cemetery was established. It was built on land owned by the Robert E. Lee family, seized by the Union. General Lee was alright with it because of the greater cause of honoring our military servants and heroes.

Second, lets look at what you refer to as displacement. A better term would be relocation. Plans and property identification for an area near Erlanger Hospital is perfect, both for the health of the patients and the people who visit them. Isolation is a deterrent to the patient recovery and the greater distance of travel is an inconvenience to the visitor.

Lets honor those who occupied this land long before there was a Chattanooga, while at the same time offering better mental health services to those in need.

J. Pat Williams
Governor Bill Lee has signed HB2089/SB2098, the Tennessee Disability and Aging Act of 2024, into law.

The Tennessee Disability and Aging Act of 2024 relocates the Tennessee Alzheimers and Related Dementia Advisory Council from under the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability to the Tennessee Department of Health.

The Administration proposes relocating the Council, as it also rolls TCAD under the umbrella of the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and renames DIDD, the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging.

This legislation, as amended, also improves the Alzheimers Advisory Council, said officials. It amends the Council's current reporting period from annually to every three years, allowing Council members the opportunity to show progress with state plan initiatives. It makes subcommittees or working groups "permissible".

The Tennessee Alzheimers & Related Dementia Advisory Council was created via legislation and is composed of 11-16 members, as currently codified in T.C.A,  71-2-11.

Its purpose is to:

1) Assess the current status and future impact of Alzheimer's disease and dementia on Tennessee residents.

2) Examine existing industries, services, and resources addressing the needs of Tennesseans affected by Alzheimer's.

3) Develop a strategy/state response regarding Alzheimer's disease and related dementia and submit an annual state plan.

4) Provide recommendations to the governor and the Tennessee General Assembly.

Tennessee Government Affairs Director Leanne Durm said, The number of Tennesseans living with Alzheimers and dementia is only increasing. Alzheimers is a chronic disease. It is a public health issue that requires detection and diagnosis from healthcare professionals, along with extensive medical care. Locating the Council under the Tennessee Department of Health creates that fundamental foundation and baseline, as the Department explores infrastructure and programs needed to address this disease and serve the thousands of Tennesseans living with Alzheimer's and dementia, and their caregivers.

Alzheimers and other dementia have a growing impact on state health systems, budgets and workforces. In 2023, Alzheimers and other dementias cost American taxpayers an estimated $345 billion, and the cost is projected to rise to nearly $1 trillion by 2050. In Tennessee, Medicaid costs of caring for people living with Alzheimers (2020) equaled $1.109B.

Alzheimers disease is one of the most critical public health issues in America, with one in three seniors dying with Alzheimers or another dementia. The Alzheimers Association and AIM will continue working with policymakers to address the dementia crisis and ensure there is a coordinated response to Alzheimers in every state.

Currently in Tennessee, there are more than 129,000 people living with Alzheimers and dementia and an estimated 369,000 family members and friends serving as unpaid caregivers.

To learn more about year-round advocacy efforts in Tennessee, visit alzimpact.org/Tennessee

Learn more about how the Alzheimers Association and AIM are advancing policies that improve the lives of those living with Alzheimers and dementia in states throughout the country.

The Alzheimer's Impact Movement advances and develops policies to overcome Alzheimer's and all other dementia through increased investment in research, enhanced care and improved support. We amplify the voices of our nationwide network of volunteer advocates to advance progress in the fight against Alzheimers and all other dementia.






A Ringgold man has been convicted for cruelty to children and sentenced to 30 years in prison - with the first 15 years to serve.

On Wednesday, a Catoosa County jury convicted Dillan Michael Tennant, 24, on two counts of cruelty to children in the first degree. The evidence presented over the course of a three-day trial, showed that Tennant physically abused his two-year-old son and three-year-old daughter by beating them repeatedly, leaving what was described as horrific bruising on the toddlers.



In March of 2023, Tennant and the two children lived with Tennants father, mother, and brother in the Rossville area.

Between March 14-16, 2023, Tennant was at the family residence supervising his children. Tennant became enraged because, while failing to properly supervise the children, they made a mess in their bedroom. Tennant struck the children repeatedly over the course of two days. Tennant used a board to strike his two-year-old son. Tennant then left the residence he shared with the childrens grandparents and uncle and took the children to a male friends home in an attempt to conceal the injuries he had inflicted on his children.Days later, Tennant returned home with the children. The childrens grandparents and uncle quickly noticed the bruising and injuries and contacted law enforcement immediately to report that Tennant had abused the children. Tennant was questioned by law enforcement and denied causing the injuries while falsely claiming that it must have been another family member who injured his children, prosecutors said.However, despite admitting to observing the severity of the injuries on his own children, Tennant never attempted to seek medical treatment for them.Witnesses from the Department of Family and Childrens Services testified during the trial that the bruising was some of the worst that had been seen in their career. A forensic pediatric medical doctor from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation testified that the injures were non-accidental and the result of repeated strikes using a great degree of force.Prosecutors said, "Catoosa County Sheriffs Office Detective Rebecca Jordan conducted a skilled and thorough investigation of Tennant, which led to his successful prosecution and conviction for the crimes he committed against his own children."Tennant was sentenced by Catoosa County Superior Court Judge Chris Arnt. Tennant is neither permitted to have any contact with the child victims in the case nor to have unsupervised contact with any minor under the age of 18.The state of Georgia was represented by Assistant District Attorney Deanna Reisman. Victim Advocate Shelby Bradshaw provided invaluable care and assistance to the family of the child victims throughout the course of the prosecution, it was stated.Child abuse and crimes against children will always be aggressively prosecuted by my office and ADA Reismans prosecution team and the Catoosa County Sheriffs Office did an amazing job in doing that in this case, District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller said. This child abuser will have plenty of time to clean his room in the Department of Corrections.
Shenzhou XVI crew members given honors

10:04, April 19, 2024 By Luo Wangshu ( China Daily

The crew of Shenzhou XVI  Jing Haipeng (center), Zhu Yangzhu (right) and Gui Haichao (left)  make their first official public appearance at Beijing Aerospace City on Friday since they returned from space 80 days ago. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/China Daily]

Shenzhou XVI crew members Major General Jing Haipeng, Colonel Zhu Yangzhu and Professor Gui Haichao have received awards from the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission, China Central Television reported on Thursday.

Jing was honored with a special-class aerospace achievement medal. Zhu and Gui received third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of "Heroic Astronaut."

The three crew members spent five months in China's Tiangong space station from May last year in the nation's 11th manned spaceflight and the fifth crewed mission to the space station.

Jing and spaceflight engineer Zhu are members of the People's Liberation Army Astronaut Division, while Gui, who served as the mission's payload specialist, is a doctoral supervisor at Beijing-based Beihang University's Department of Spacecraft and Launch Vehicle Technology.

The Shenzhou XVI mission was Jing's fourth journey into space, making him China's most experienced astronaut.

Jiang Chenglong contributed to this story.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
The government has accepted a request from the chiefs of six national universities for flexibility in expanding the medical school enrollment quota, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Friday, a decision that raised hopes for an end to the protracted walkout by trainee doctors.

The six universities, all located outside the capital region, suggested scaling back the increase by up to half Thursday, as more than 90 percent of the country's 13,000 trainee doctors have walked away from their duties at general hospitals since Feb. 20 in protest of the government's decision to add 2,000 more medical school admissions starting in 2025.

The six  Gangwon National University, Kyungpook National University, Gyeongsang National University, Chungnam National University, Chungbuk National University and Jeju National University  asked that they be allowed to lower the quotas assigned to them by up to 50 percent next year.

Under the decision that is largely considered a compromise, 32 universities will be permitted to increase their admission quotas freely, with the range of the annual increase ranging between 50 percent and 100 percent, starting in 2025.

"The government accepts the suggestion from the presidents of national universities in a forward-looking manner," Han said during a press briefing following a government meeting.

Han emphasized that the government's decision aims to break the deadlock, protect medical students and normalize medical education, after procedures and surgeries have been canceled at major hospitals across the country.

"(The government) cannot afford to leave the damage caused by the medical vacuum unattended," Han said, adding that the universities must decide on their increased quotas by the end of this month.

Amid the standoff, the presidential office has hinted at adjusting the number of additional admissions, which currently stands at 2,000. (Yonhap)
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen! Samuel Adams (1776)

Today, we celebrate the historical birth of American Liberty, the first Patriots Day in 1775. Notably, those first shots were fired in defiance of forces sent to disarm the first generation of Patriots. I invite you to take a brief stroll down the path that gave rise to our Republic when a band of radical right-wing Patriots stood in defiance of those representing the most powerful military force on earth.

The first battles of Lexington and Concord, were among the 10 most critical engagements of the Revolutionary War.

The conflict on Lexington Green was triggered by the events of Dec. 16, 1773, when radicals from Boston, members of a secret organization of American Patriots called the Sons of Liberty, boarded three East India Company ships under cover of darkness and threw 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor.

This iconic event, in protest of oppressive British taxation and tyrannical rule, became known as the Boston Tea Party.

Resistance to the Crown had been mounting over enforcement of the 1764 Sugar Act, 1765 Stamp Act, and 1767 Townshend Act, which led to the Boston Massacre in 1770 and gave rise to the slogan, No taxation without representation.

The 1773 Tea Act and the resulting Tea Party protest galvanized the colonial movement against British parliamentary acts that violated the colonists natural, charter, and constitutional rights.

In response to the rebellion, the British enacted additional punitive measures, labeled the Intolerable Acts, in hopes of suppressing the burgeoning insurrection. Far from accomplishing their desired outcome, however, the Crowns countermeasures led colonists to convene the First Continental Congress on Sept. 5, 1774, in Philadelphia.

By the spring of 1775, civil discontent with royal rulers was growing, and American Patriots in Massachusetts and other colonies were preparing to cast off their masters. The spirit of the coming revolution was captured in Patrick Henrys impassioned Give me Liberty or give me death speech.

On the evening of April 18, 1775, General Thomas Gage, acting as the Crowns military governor of Massachusetts, dispatched a force of 700 British Army regulars with secret orders. These troops, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Francis Smith, were to arrest 53-year-old Boston Tea Party leader Samuel Adams, Massachusetts Provincial Congress president John Hancock, and merchant fleet owner Jeremiah Lee.

But what directly tied Gages orders to the later enumeration in our Constitutions Second Amendment assurance of the innate right to keep and bear arms was the primary mission of his Redcoat brigades. They were charged with undertaking a preemptive raid to confiscate arms and ammunition stored by Massachusetts Patriots in the town of Concord.

Patriot militia and minutemen, under the leadership of the Sons of Liberty, anticipated this raid, and the confrontations with British forces at Lexington and Concord proved to be the fuse that ignited the American Revolution.

Near midnight on April 18, 41-year-old Paul Revere, who had arranged for advance warning of British movements, departed Charlestown (near Boston) for Lexington and Concord in order to warn Hancock, Adams, and other Sons of Liberty that the British Army was marching to arrest them and seize their weapons caches.

Reveres ride was immortalized by noted poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: Listen my children and you shall hear of the midnight ride of Paul Revere Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch One if by land, two if by sea Through the gloom and the light, The fate of a nation was riding that night; And the spark struck out by that steed, in his flight.

After meeting with Hancock and Adams in Lexington, Revere was captured, but his Patriot ally, Samuel Prescott, continued to Concord and warned militiamen along the way.

The Patriots in Lexington and Concord, with other citizen militias in New England, were bound by minute man oaths to stand at a minutes warning with arms and ammunition. The oath of the Lexington militia read thus: We trust in God that, should the state of our affairs require it, we shall be ready to sacrifice our estates and everything dear in life, yea, and life itself, in support of the common cause. That oath was the predecessor to our current oath to support and defend.

In the early dawn of April 19, their oaths would be tested with blood. Under the command of 46-year-old farmer and militia Captain John Parker, 77 militiamen assembled on the Town Green at Lexington, where they soon faced Smiths overwhelming force of seasoned British regulars. Parker did not expect shots to be exchanged, but his orders were: Stand your ground. Dont fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.

Within close musket range from the Patriots column, British Major John Pitcairn swung his sword and ordered, Lay down your arms, you d---ed rebels!

Not willing to sacrifice his small band of Patriots on the Green, as Parker later wrote in a sworn deposition, I immediately ordered our Militia to disperse, and not to fire. But his Patriots did not lay down their arms. Then, under Pitcairns orders, as Parker testified, Immediately said Troops made their appearance and rushed furiously, fired upon, and killed eight of our Party without receiving any Provocation therefor from us. Ten other Patriots were wounded.

As the American militia retreated toward Concord with the British in pursuit, their ranks grew to more than 400.

In Concord, the British divided in order to search for armament stores. Before noon, the second confrontation between Redcoat regulars and militiamen occurred as 100 British light infantry from three companies faced the ranks of militia and minutemen at Concords Old North Bridge. From depositions on both sides, the British fired first, killing two and wounding four.

This time, however, the militia commander, Major John Buttrick, ordered, Fire, for Gods sake, fellow soldiers, fire!

And fire they did. The volley commenced with what poet Ralph Waldo Emerson later immortalized as The Shot Heard Round the World. With that shot, farmers, laborers, landowners, and statesmen alike brought upon themselves the sentence of death for treason. In the ensuing firefight, the British suffered heavy casualties. In discord, the Redcoats retreated to Concord proper and, after reinforcing their ranks, marched back toward Lexington.

During their retreat from Concord, the British took additional casualties in sporadic firefights. The most notable of those was an ambush by the reassembled ranks of John Parkers militia, which became known as Parkers Revenge. Despite reinforcements when they returned to Lexington, the Kings men were no match for the Patriot ranks. The militia and minutemen made the Redcoats pay dearly all along their 18-mile tactical retreat to Boston.

By days end, the Patriots suffered 49 killed, 39 wounded, and five missing. The British casualties totaled 73 killed, 174 wounded, and 26 missing.



Upon hearing of those first shots in what would become an eight-year struggle for American Liberty, Samuel Adams declared to fellow Patriot John Hancock, What a glorious morning this is! He added, The People alone have an incontestable, unalienable, and indefeasible right to institute government and to reform, alter, or totally change the same when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it.

Indeed it was, and the sunrise each April 19 has remained so ever since.

As George Washington declared, Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!

Thus began the great campaign to reject tyranny and embrace the enduring challenge of securing Republican Liberty and sustaining it for future generations.

Mark Caldwell






The Republican-controlled Tennessee General Assembly passed yesterday a $53 billion budget that included a $1.6 billion cash handout for some property-rich corporations and a new $400 million annual state tax break benefitting those same companies.



Earlier in the day, nonpartisan think tank THINK TENNESSEE released research showing that companies in the state already pay one of the lowest effective business tax rates in the nation, while low- and middle-income families pay an effective state tax rate of 12.8 percent and 9.4 percent respectively.



In Tennessee, the total effective business tax rate is 4.5%, lower than the national average and all but 10 other states, the report states.



A closer look at the states tax structure and revenues shows low-income families have higher tax burdens than wealthier families and businesses.



In Tennessee, billion-dollar companies pay a lower effective tax rate than school teachers, nurses and factory workers and the budget passed yesterday will widen the disparity in tax rates between profitable corporations and working families.



The legislature funded Governor Bill Lees recommendation to repeal one section of the states 90-year-old two-factor franchise tax  a change that will result in a roughly $400 million reduction in corporate tax collections each year. The budget also set aside $1.6 billion for direct cash payments to these same companies.



During the budget vote, Democratic Sen. Charlane Oliver introduced an amendment to redirect the unprecedented corporate handout to pay for a one-year grocery tax holiday, but the Republican majority blocked the effort.



Tennessee is one of only 13 states with a tax on groceries and application of the tax disproportionately falls on low- and middle-income families.



Tennessees regressive tax structure and spending policies have disadvantaged working families in several major ways, according to the THINK TENNESSEE report:

 Working and middle class families pay a higher effective tax rate than billionaires and big corporations;

 Tennessees GOP-controlled legislature ranks eighth in the nation for the percentage of the state budget dedicated to programs and services benefitting businesses rather than individual or families; and

 Tennessee spends significantly less per capita than national and Southeast average on programs and services that benefit working families.



Tennessees low-tax rates and regressive tax structure result in lower revenues and less funding available for schools, healthcare, public safety, transportation, and other services, the report says.



Brandon Puttbrese, spokesman for the Senate Democratic Caucus, said billionaires and special interests have lobbied to set up Tennessees tax system to benefit the wealthy at the expense of everyday families.



Gov. Bill Lees $1.9 billion budget handout to big corporations is clear evidence that Tennessees economy is rigged against workers who punch a clock, Mr. Puttbrese said. We cant afford to invest in critical services for working people and build a future for all of us when Republicans pass laws allowing billion-dollar corporations to pay less than their fair share.

* * *

Class struggle now is often in social media and news forums. Mr. Puttbreses post contends Republicans put big business over families with phrases like cash handouts for property-rich corporations and state tax breaks benefiting those same companies. This is class warfare terminology.

A less wordy response should note Tennessee is a business friendly state and good place for working families as indicated in the recent US News & World Report. The Tennessee economy was 16th of 50 and ahead of many Democrat ruled states: OR(25), CA(29), MI (36), PA (38), IL (39) and NY (49).

Tennessee is one of the fastest growing states where California, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania and Oregon are leading the other 50 in losing population. Is that why Democrats oppose HR7109 assigning House seats on the number of citizens and determining federal funding over the next decade?

Tennessee has no personal income tax where those states losing population are among the highest taxing workers and seem to believe more regulation equals better quality life. They are also states where unions are the strongest. Tennessee is a right to work state.

Could it be the Republican controlled legislature, although far from perfect, is moving this state in a direction that is good for business and citizens looking for work to benefit their families? Otherwise why are they continuing to win elections?

Ralph Miller






World Uyghur Congress: A Legitimate Human Rights Forum, or a China-Bashing Platform of the Wests Quislings?

Chinas principled position on the Gaza conflict shows that it is a leading global defender of human rights in general, and of Muslims in particular While the Peoples Republic of China is still a developing country in economic terms, the Chinese government ensures protections and liberties to all its people, especially to the more than fifty minority groups living in the country. Among these ethnic minorities are Chinese Muslims such as the Hui living in northwestern China as well as the Zhongyuan region, and the Uyghurs living in Xinjiang. It is no secret that the Uyghur Muslims of China have been granted substantial autonomy by the PRC Central Government, but at the same time, West countries either fail to understand or simply refuse to accept this reality. It is obvious that the liberal democracies of the West are extremely biased in their perspectives on China  even though many of them are directly complicit in the global suffering of Muslims, whether it was the military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, or the persistent instability in Libya and Syria, or even the ongoing conflict in Gaza which has caused thousands of Palestinian deaths, including of noncombatants such as women, children and the elderly. In a sense, it would not be entirely incorrect to construe the Wests Global War on Terror as in fact a War on Islam and Muslims. Many independent commentators find it laughable that the West raises concerns about human rights of Muslims in Xinjiang when, at the same time, it enacts racist policies to ostracize Muslim citizens and Muslim immigrants in their own countries. The wave of Islamophobia in America, Canada and Europe has been a more serious concern for Muslims around the world, but the West finds it convenient to level superfluous allegations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang to divert attention from the anti-Islam atrocities it commits worldwide on a daily basis. Even Western media outlets make scintillating news reports and painstaking documentaries on what they consider to be an atrocious and unbearable condition in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the Peoples Republic of China. So who better to promote this Western propaganda of alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang than some anti-China forces such as dissidents and exiles of Xinjiang who have very conveniently found refuge and asylum in Western countries? This is where the World Uyghur Congress or WUC plays a crucial role. The WUC, which is funded by the United States National Endowment for Democracy (NED) among others, claims to be a representative of the collective interest of Uyghurs in the Peoples Republic of China and around the world. It was established on 16 April 2004 in Munich, Germany, to apparently use peaceful, nonviolent, and democratic means to determine the political future of East Turkistan. Its sole reason for existence is that it provides regular reports to international governmental organizations such as the EU Parliament, the EU Commission, the United Nations and its subordinate forums such as CERD and CEDAW, to UN Special Rapporteurs and Working Groups, and to the US Congress. It therefore provides an excuse for the West to continue lambasting China on the issue of human rights, by manipulating the cause of Chinese Uyghurs and presenting them as oppressed and under occupation. The WUCs current president, Dolkun Isa, escaped from China in 1996, and is wanted by Chinese law enforcement for a number of crimes. Also in September 2004, the so-called East Turkistan Government in Exile was formed in Room HC-6 of the US Capitol, which minces no words about its desire to forcefully overthrow the Peoples Republic of China in order to achieve the goal of an independent East Turkistan. Therefore, these movements may be considered part of a coordinated strategy to accuse the Peoples Republic of China of alleged human rights abuses, in pursuit of a nefarious and underhanded attempt to attack Chinese credibility around the world, especially among Muslims. Over the years, the WUC has concentrated solely on the human rights of Uyghurs, thus alienating themselves from the Muslim world who know little about the WUC mission, or the reality of Uyghur life in Xinjiang. But that could be attributed to the Wests control over the functions and operations of WUC, and speaks volumes of the legitimacy of the WUCs self-proclaimed human rights and democracy mission. That the WUC has failed to vociferously condemn the slaughter of its fellow Muslims in Gaza speaks volumes to the leash of control that its Western backers and financiers truly have on its message of freedom and independence for the Uyghurs. The WUC only condemned the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023, and thereafter fell silent as Israeli retaliation resulted in mass casualties among the Muslim civilians of Gaza. Instead, the WUC audaciously compared Chinese Uyghurs to the Palestinians: this equivalence was challenged and refuted by Muslims themselves. Taking a leaf out of the WUCs book, the terrorist group East Turkistan Islamic Movement or ETIM has also converted itself to the so-called Turkistan Islamic Party or TIP in order to hide its nefarious terrorist designs, and its deep linkages with global terror organizations like Al Qaeda, to rebrand itself as a political party. In fact, the ETIM or TIP ought to be considered the militant wing of WUC, since the stated goals of both organizations are the same, and both organizations refer to Xinjiang as East Turkistan. This is why the WUC has been designated a terrorist organization by the Peoples Republic of China since 2003, and the ETIM or TIP since 2001. And the West will overtly promote the WUC, while covertly backing the ETIM, in order to pursue their strategy of internally destabilizing China and to prevent Chinas peaceful rise into a superpower that is harmoniously engaged in win-win cooperation with the world. It should be noted that the US revoked the terrorist designation for ETIM in October 2020. Chinas successful counter-extremism policy paradigm has resulted in zero terrorist attacks since 2008, as well as the effective mainstreaming of Xinjiang Uyghur Muslims into Chinese national life and economy. This is because China values the lives and liberties of all of its citizens, regardless of their economic or cultural or religious backgrounds. The Chinese government does not differentiate when it comes to who deserves security and equality before the law, unlike the treatment meted out to African Americans in the United States, who routinely avoid the police to prevent being racially profiled and being accused of crimes they did not commit. On the contrary, Chinese Muslims are an ethnic minority only in terms of population size: they enjoy the same privileges and benefits than other Chinese citizens, if not more. And China itself has a vibrant Islamic culture: it has thousands of mosques across the country, some that are hundreds of years old, including in cities outside of Xinjiang. Almost every Chinese city has halal cuisine outlets to serve Muslims from China and abroad. Chinese Muslims celebrate Islamic festivals as freely and joyously as the rest of the Islamic world. By law, there are no hindrances or encumbrances on Muslims living in China to practice their faith in accordance with their beliefs. In fact, China is increasingly becoming the leading destination for Muslim entrepreneurs and students from across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, with major Chinese cities representing melting pots of cultural diversity, acceptance and openness at times of major Muslim festivals like Eid. And as for representation in the Chinese government, no less than 10% of the Central Committee members of the National Peoples Congress are ethnic minorities, and since Chinas Reform and Opening Up Era, ethnic minorities are afforded a number of advantages when it comes to getting promotions in the National Peoples Congress. But of course, the West and its media will not pay attention to these facts, because this does not suit their concocted narrative of widespread human rights abuses and systematic oppression of Uyghur Muslims in China. With Muslims in China, and from across the world, continuing to embrace the peace, security, freedom and openness of the Peoples Republic of China, the message and ideology of WUC is fast losing its relevance and credibility. As the WUC prepares to hold its 20th anniversary meetings and celebrations later this year, it is important for the world at large  especially the WUCs Western sponsors  to lift the veil from over their minds and hearts, and see the WUC for what it truly is: an organization that is devoted to the dismemberment and destruction of the Peoples Republic of China under the disguise of more freedom and independence for Chinese Muslims living in Xinjiang, most of whom outrightly reject the WUC and all it stands for. And this is the central reason why the WUC will never succeed in its anti-China designs.


The silken webs that spiders weave are meant to capture flies and other insects. But it turns out their webs can also trap tiny bits of DNA from the surrounding environment, which can be used to measure biodiversity and learn more about wildlife.

In a groundbreaking study, scientists analyzed 49 spiderwebs collected from a woodland sanctuary and a zoo in Perth, Australia, identifying DNA from 93 different vertebrates, including birds, native kangaroos, koalas, captive elephants, and zebras. The research paper has been published in the journal iScience.

According to Joshua Newton, a co-author of the study and a doctoral student at the School of Molecular and Life Sciences at Curtin University near Perth, spiderwebs can serve as a useful tool for helping scientists observe what animals are in the ecosystems.

Spiderwebs are not just beautiful; they could be our secret weapon to better understanding nature. Our study shows that these webs can help us keep tabs on different animals without disturbing them. Newton said. These webs, often overlooked in biodiversity studies, proved to be reservoirs of genetic information.

He added that just the tiniest amounts of DNA are needed to pinpoint animals. The method is also quick, inexpensive, and non-invasive.

It can change the way that scientists track endangered animals and protect ecosystems. Really, the only downside is having to destroy all the spiders hard work.

All living creatures shed fragments of genetic material in the form of hair, dead skin cells, or bodily fluids as they move around the world.

This is known as environmental DNA or eDNA. In recent years, DNA has even been able to be detected in the air.

Techniques involving environmental DNA have already made significant strides in conservation, leading to the rediscovery of the golden mole in South Africa, a species that was feared to be extinct.

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Illustration by Elizabeth Kaye / Source Images: Unplash / Getty

In an important new book, missiologist Darrell Whiteman tells a revealing story about a missionary who had been preaching in a particular community. Without realizing it, the missionary gave offense by wearing expensive shoes in a place where people couldnt afford shoes of any type. For Whiteman, this anecdote illustrates how much missionaries need to learnand how many presumptions they might need to abandonin order to bring the gospel to people in other cultures.

Whitemans book Crossing Cultures with the Gospel: Anthropological Wisdom for Effective Christian Witness, challenges his readersand missionaries in particularto recognize the possible ethnocentrism in their perspective, which can distort and impede their ability to communicate well across cultural boundaries. As he explains, each culture has its own ways of understanding and coping with the problems of life. All of us understand biblical truths in ways that seem natural to us in our own cultures but not to people who have grown up in other cultures.

In each community, traditions of communication and interaction develop over time, resulting in distinct customs. Every community has its own sense of the past, its own traditions of loyalty and obligation, its own rules of courtesy, and its own conceptions of virtue and honor. If missionaries are to communicate with people who have grown up in other cultures, argues Whiteman, they must lay aside their own presuppositions and cultural conventions and commit to acquiring knowledge of unfamiliar customs and ways of thought.

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Watching, listening, and asking questions

The missionary project, as Whiteman reminds us, is to insert the universal message of the gospel within the very heart of a culture. As he observes, Unless the gospel connects deeply with the culture of the people, there will be very little transformation.

Furthermore, if the gospel makes no sense within a particular community, the people might well distort it to fit their own presuppositions. Whiteman recalls a community in Madang Province of Papua New Guinea, whose members heard the gospel from missionaries and turned it into the claim that after being baptized, blessed by a pastor, and living good lives, their spirits would leave their bodies and go up to heaven three days after dying. Even leaving aside such extreme misinterpretations, its likely that a poorly understood message will be regarded as irrelevant, boring, or unimportant. Unfortunately, says Whiteman, seldom is [the gospel] heard and seen as good news.

It was firsthand experience that brought Whiteman to the conviction that missionaries need better instruction on communicating within other cultures. After living for two years with missionaries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he realized that they had little awareness of how the gospel was reaching the local community. It seemed evident to him that preparation for missionary service ought to include training in cross-cultural communication.

Some people, he notes, spend years taking courses in Bible and theology, but these studies leave them only partially equipped to transmit the gospel to another people. They learn how to interpret biblical passages, but they are unprepared to interpret the situations they will encounter in a strange community.

Before going with his wife to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, Whiteman completed a PhD in anthropology. After serving abroad several years, he joined the faculty of Asbury Theological Seminary, eventually becoming dean of its E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Ministry, where he served for 21 years. Along with his seminary duties, Whiteman worked with many organizations to help aspiring missionaries learn to communicate to people in other cultures. He has traveled broadly, visiting as many as 78 countries to teach missionaries and churches about delivering the gospel across cultural boundaries.

Anyone who wants to do this well, Whiteman says, should be aware of the messages we inevitably convey even without uttering a word. As he writes, The lions share of evangelism is what is spoken nonverbally. The tone of our voice, our lifestyle and our behavior are all communicating volumes of information. Indeed, what local people see and hear in the behavior of visitors can influence whether they will want to know them or learn from them.

How, then, is the deeply felt sense of Gods love to be brought across the boundary between missionaries and the people they wish to reach? Whiteman recommends a practical method that involves watching, listening, and asking questions.

As an example, he describes one way he came to know some of the beliefs about spirits held by people in his Solomon Islands community. A friend had stopped by for a visit, and after staying a while, he said as he left, I think its safe for me to go home now. Asked why, the friend explained that he had come from the bush, where malign spirits had attached to him. He had stopped by to allow the spirits to dissipate before going home, where he had a newborn child he wanted to protect from their attacks.

Fundamentally, the cross-cultural project requires following the example of Christ, who allowed himself, as he took on human flesh, to acquire the cultural conventions of a first-century Jewish community. The Incarnation, writes Whiteman, is more than an important theological doctrine about God becoming a human being. It is also a model for cross-cultural ministry. Being incarnational means we empty ourselves of our pride, prejudices, personal agendas, ambitions and lifestyle in order to enter deeply into the world of another culture. Incarnation frequently means downward mobility.

Some missionaries, Whiteman regrets, never make that transition. He points to a missionary who disliked the food of the people he was supposed to reach, which gave him little chance of being effective. Missionaries can unknowingly offend their host communities by violating their conceptions of correct behavior. For instance, one missionary offended his neighbors by talking to his dog. They believed that humans only talk to other humans, and they wondered what kind of relationship this man had with the dog.

A second conversion

In fact, argues Whiteman, the commitment to incarnational outreach requires a second conversion. Beyond their conversion to Christ, missionaries need to experience a cleansing of unnecessary assumptions about the gospel and the way that it is to be communicated.

That takes work and time. Whiteman relates the story of one missionary who lived in a Bangladesh community for 18 years before feeling like he understood it well enough to make the gospel appealing to its people.

Whiteman explains the ideal of a second conversion like this:

We take our understanding of the gospel, as culturally conditioned as it is, and we develop a relationship with people who are different from us in their culture. We attempt to read the Bible through their eyes and to understand and interpret it from the perspective of their worldview, not our worldview. When this begins to happen, there will no longer be just a one-way arrow pointing from the missionary communicator to the non-Christian receptor. Now arrows will go both directions because the missionary will learn many new things about God when they view life through the lens of their host culture.

Essential to the second conversion, says Whiteman, is humility. Missionaries can come to appreciate the experience and perspective of others by entering into dialogue with them. As they develop friendships, they can become conversant with new ways of thinking and, notably, discover how other people see God in their worlds. As Paul declared, God has not left himself without witness in any society (Acts 14:17).

Whiteman describes the career of a German missionary who saw the image of God in the Tamil people of southern India and sought to lead them to a fuller knowledge of God as revealed in Jesus. The way that an imprint of God already exists among a people can be a starting point for explaining the gospel. Paul, in his speech on Mars Hill, presented Christ as the unknown God that the Athenians had already been worshipping (Acts 17:2231).

The book also mentions a missionary in Nigeria who learned an important lesson from a local elder on how his service was perceived. When the missionary exulted in having been sent to these people by God, the elder responded, We are glad you have come, but it is our Igbo god Chukwu who sent you to us so we could learn more about God, now that you have told us about Jesus. Whiteman writes that God already has a witness in every culture at every period of human history. This makes the missionary project exciting and encouraging; as we see how the gospel becomes meaningful to another people, we learn more about what God is doing in the world.

Whiteman stresses that, in the end, the fundamental means of crossing boundaries is friendship. Miscommunication is inevitable when people come together from different cultures, but as Peter says, love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Pet. 4:8). Miscues, blunders, and misunderstandings need not derail a relationship if people like each other and enjoy each others company. There is no substitute, concludes Whiteman, for kindness, respect, and lovequalities of the Savior who commissioned the missionary enterprise.

Robert Canfield is an emeritus professor of anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis.
Home News Columbia University president says faculty's remarks on Israel 'unacceptable' at congressional hearing

WASHINGTON  Republican and Democratic lawmakers grilled Columbia University President Minouche Shafik about how the university addresses antisemitism, including cases involving faculty members who have publicly referred to Hamas Oct. 7 massacre as awesome.

On Wednesday, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce alongside two board of trustees members and a longtime Columbia University faculty member. The purpose of the hearing was to discuss reports of a rise in antisemitic behavior among the universitys students and faculty.

At one point during the hearing, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., asked the four witnesses if calling for the genocide of Jews violated the universitys code of conduct. All four of the witnesses answered yes.

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Bonamicis question was the same as that asked by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., to the university presidents of Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania during a similar hearing in December. The responses from the three university presidents led to calls for their resignations after they failed to answer directly whether calling for genocide against Jews violated their institutions codes of conduct.

During the hearing, Shafik listed the steps the university has taken to address antisemitism, including the creation of a task force and listening sessions for students on both sides of the issue.

Stefanik asserted that Columbia University had not taken appropriate actions to discipline faculty members like Joseph Massad for antisemitism. Massad is a tenured professor of modern Arab politics and intellectual history at the university.

In October, Massad referred to Hamas Oct. 7 attacks as awesome in an essay for The Electronic Intifada, declaring that Israelis may have finally realized that living on land stolen from another people will never make them safe. Shafik had said earlier during the hearing that she spoke to the professor and that she was appalled by his rhetoric.

Were there any other enforcement action taken? Stefanik asked Shafik, who replied that Massad had not repeated those remarks, and that he had been removed from his position as chair of the Academic Review committee.

On the Columbia University website, Joseph Massad is listed as an outgoing chair of the Academic Review Committee. Stefanik said during the hearing that Massads name was still listed on the site, but Shafik claimed she could not answer whether his name had been removed.

Rep. Kathy Manning, D-N.C., also questioned Shafik about Massad, asking why the professor is still teaching at Columbia University. According to the university president, the school has disciplinary processes in place if a faculty member cross[es] a line. Shafik also told Manning that, to her knowledge, Massad is on the faculty, but he is not teaching anymore.

In addition to Massad, Stefanik highlighted the rhetoric of Columbia law professor Katherine Franke and visiting professor Mohamed Abdou. A few days after Hamas Oct. 7 massacre, Abdou wrote on Facebook he is with the muqawamah (the resistance), referring to Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad.

The Republican representative read a statement from Franke, in which the professor declared that All Israeli students who served in the I.D.F. [Israel Defense Forces] are dangerous and shouldnt be on campus.

Shafik said during the hearing that Abou had been terminated and that he would never work at Columbia again. As for Franke, the university president agreed that her comment was unacceptable, stating that a senior member of the schools administration has spoken to the professor, who claimed the statement was not what she intended to say.

The Republican representative for New York accused Shafik of failing to take disciplinary action.

Speaking to these professors is not enough, Stefanik said. And its sending a message across the university that this is tolerated, these antisemitic statements from a person with a position of authority in this classroom is tolerated.

In a Wednesday statement following the hearing, Stefanik asserted that Shafik offered inconsistent testimony about the disciplinary actions taken against students and faculty who engage in antisemitic behavior.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, R-Minn., who has also been accused of antisemitism, asked Shafik Wednesday if she has ever seen a protest on campus against Jewish people. As the university president began to answer, Omar interrupted and moved on to another set of questions.

Stefanik later accused Shafik of changing her testimony after the congresswoman asked her a question about whether there had been anti-Jewish protests at Columbia University. Shafik told Stefanik that she was not able to finish her sentence when the question was first presented to her. The president clarified that the protests were not labeled as anti-Jewish but agreed that antisemitic things were said at many of those events.
PM hints at reduction of added slots, but doctors insist on complete scrapping of admissions quota hike

By Lee Hyo-jin, Jun Ji-hye

The government's recent decision to allow medical schools to decrease their enrollment quotas by hundreds falls short of resolving a protracted strike by doctors, despite being a notable concession from its previous stance of adding 2,000 slots.

Doctors claimed that the government's apparent reversal on its pledge to increase the quota by 2,000 slots, atop the current 3,058, only reinforced the view that the significant hike was a policy mistake. Despite permitting reductions for the 2025 academic year, the government remains committed to incrementally raising the slots by 2,000 annually from 2026 through at least 2029.

The Yoon Suk Yeol administration announced the medical school quota hike plan in February and allocated the additional 2,000 admission seats to 32 universities on March 20, despite protests from doctors.

As the government-doctor confrontation and physicians' walkout drag on, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced, Friday, that the Yoon administration will accept a proposal made by the presidents of six state-run universities to allow them to voluntarily adjust the number of new medical school students within the 50 to 100 percent range of the increased quota allocated to them for 2025.

"The government has decided to proactively accept the proposals by the presidents of national universities, in order to actively protect the rights of medical students, normalize education in medical colleges and provide a foothold for resolving the standoff with the medical community," the prime minister said during a televised briefing.

Han also said that, besides the six universities, other colleges will also be permitted to reduce their intakes by up to half.

In other words, the new slots can be technically halved to 1,000.

Friday's announcement marks the Yoon administration's first deviation from its steadfast commitment to the 2,000 slots, a figure it had staunchly upheld.

The government had vehemently contended that increasing the enrollment quota by 2,000 per year is the minimum required to tackle the nation's doctor shortage. The focus on these slots has sparked skepticism among critics, who have raised doubts about Yoon's apparent fixation with the specific quota hike.

As a result, the prime minister's comments were viewed as a significant concession by the government and interpreted as an olive branch extended to the medical community.

However, Han also made it clear that the reduction will be allowed only for the 2025 academic year, adding that the annual 2,000 slot increase will be applied from 2026  although the government stressed that it can discuss further adjustments if the doctors' community comes up with a unified measure based on scientific analysis.

But doctors are refusing to budge.

"We can see that the government has grappled with resolving the ongoing standoff, but its announcement falls short of providing a fundamental solution and therefore we cannot accept it," the emergency response committee of the Korea Medical Association (KMA)  the country's biggest coalition of doctors  said in a statement, Saturday.

"The government can never achieve medical reforms if it continues to press ahead with it. We urge the president to make a decision to go back to square one."

Lim Hyun-taek, president-elect of the KMA, told Yonhap News Agency that the proposal by university presidents to scale back the allotted admissions quota has only proved that medical schools cannot physically handle the abruptly increased number of students.

Trainee doctors, who have walked off their jobs to protest, also reaffirmed their stance, stating they will not return to work unless the government scraps the admissions quota hike plan and begins negotiations from scratch.

Park Dan, the head of the emergency response committee at the Korea Intern Resident Association (KIRA), said the association is preparing to file an administrative lawsuit against the government in response to the back-to-work order imposed on striking trainee doctors.

Since late February, over 90 percent of the countrys 13,000 medical interns and residents have been participating in a mass resignation movement to protest the government's medical school quota hike, leading to serious disruptions in hospital operations. The prolonged strike has also exacerbated the financial deficits of hospitals, prompting some to put their employees on unpaid leave or encourage voluntary retirement.
Home News Megachurch pastor responds to claims he plagiarized apology for viral wedding night 'joke'

A megachurch pastor has denied allegations that he plagiarized an apology as he continues to face pushback for suggesting in a joke that married women should do whatever their husbands want on their wedding night.

Josh Howerton, the pastor of Lakepointe Church in Rockwall, Texas, took to X on Wednesday to respond to online commentators who say that his recent apology for comments made in a February service closely resembled an apology made by Joby Martin of Church Eleven22 in Jacksonville, Florida, in 2022.

In response to the plagiarism allegations, the pastor posted a picture of himself with Martin, whom he calls "my preacher."

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"We both said goodbye to each other, but I said it 2nd, thus plagiarizing his farewell," he wrote. In another post as part of an X thread on the matter, Howerton added context for the photo.

"Someone accused me of 'plagiarizing' part of a Joby sermon last week, not knowing Joby called me to encourage me, help w sermon, gave me language, and that we frequently help each other w sermons."

"If you ever hear anything of mine in one of Joby's sermons  YUP, he's got my permission and we probably texted about it," he added.

In a sermon posted online on Feb. 26, Howerton told his congregation that because women plan their wedding days their entire lives, their husbands should "stand where she tells you to stand, wear what she tells you to wear, and do what she tells you to do" on their wedding day.

Howerton told the men in the audience that following this advice would make their wives "the happiest woman in the world." At the same time, he told the women in the audience that the man they marry has been waiting for his wedding night for his whole life and said 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."

The second portion of his comments drew blowback, with podcast host Sheila Gregoire interpreting his remarks 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." Howerton addressed the outcry over what he described as a "joke" during his April 7 sermon.

While insisting that his remarks were taken out of context because the viral clip of his sermon failed to include the first part directed at women, Howerton still offered an olive branch to anyone whom the joke "may have just landed on" wrong.

Howerton summarized a passage from the Book of Proverbs: "Careless words can stab like a sword, but wise words lead to healing."

"What that means is that  sometimes even jokes can be a careless word," he said. "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 provided a detailed analogy in an attempt to explain the meaning of the Bible verse, comparing his actions 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 stated that in such a scenario, "I still need to own that."

Howerton expressed gratitude for the "grace" his congregation showed him amid the outcry, telling them, "I love you," and illustrating how he wanted "to be doing this with you for decades and decades and decades."

In an August 2022 sermon, Martin apologized for talking about "breastfeeding" instead of the intended topic in a sermon that took place the previous week. The words Martin used in his apology are very similar to those used by Howerton in his message to the congregation last week.

"The Bible says in Proverbs 12:18 that careless words stab like a sword, and wise words lead to healing," Martin said.

He characterized his actions as part of "what I thought was a lighthearted, goofing off" attempt to "joke around" while acknowledging that "in an attempt to do that though, I was careless with my words."

"What the Bible means in Proverbs 12 when it says careless words stab like a sword, it means regardless of your intent, like if I was careless with a pocket knife and it slipped out of my hand and stabbed you in the face, it is still my responsibility," Martin said. "I am sorry, I apologize for my careless words."

"I love you, I love this church, I love getting to do this thing together, and again, I am sorry."

Like Howerton, Martin thanked his congregation for showing him "grace" in the wake of the negative attention he received and expressed a desire to continue in his position as pastor for "decades and decades to come." He assured the audience, "I love you, thank you, and I'm sorry."

In his X thread Wednesday, Howerton also shared a link to a blog post he wrote in September 2022 titled "On 'Sermon Plagiarism' Allegations."

"A church-sermon is not an academia-dissertation or a book/journalism-publication," Howerton wrote. "I freely give away my notes to other pastors because pastors aren't preaching to make themselves look good, sound smart, or sell something proprietary. We're preaching for life-change and to grow the kingdom. Those differing goals of written communication in journalism or academia vs. the goals of verbal communication in preaching lead to very different standards."

Howerton cited his views on "sermon plagiarism" allegations as the reason why such "accusations almost never come from other pastors, but from journalists, writers, or academics (or professional pastor-critics who need to manufacture new 'scandals' to generate clicks for their monetized sites)."

Howerton suggested that said individuals have a desire to "impose the standards of their industry onto another field."
Home Books Dog the Bounty Hunter on witnessing 'demonic possession,' God's faithfulness during career

After spending years as a bounty hunter  exposing him to the depths of human depravity  Duane Chapman, better known as Dog the Bounty Hunter, is confident of two things: spiritual warfare is real, and so are hope and redemption through Christ alone.

I have arrested and seen men that would do terrible things to little children as young as 6 months old. That is demonic possession. That is evil at its max. Its not, He was drunk,' 'He was a bad guy. No, that stuff grows and grows; they keep doing worse and worse, the 71-year-old New York Times bestselling author and TV personality told The Christian Post.

You flip a coin on the other side, and if there is that much evil  and we all know there is, just look at the news  then there's got to be supernatural power and that much good. Even an atheist believes that. I try to explain what that supernatural power is, how to tap into it and live a happier life knowing that you're going to Heaven.

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"I say, What if I'm wrong? And what if there is no God, and your soul just dies? You live and learn and die and forget it all? What if that happens? Then, oh, well. But what if there is a God? And what if the Bible is the Word of God? What if that's real? And you may not believe in Hell, but you'll be there five minutes, and you will. The Bible says it's written in everyone's heart that there's a God.

Chapman's faith has caused a shift in his mission over the years, from capturing fugitives to reaching out to the marginalized and spiritually lost.

"I've arrested over 10,000 fugitives in my career, but I'm more famous for the backseat ride and the conversations that happen there," he said, referring to his efforts to turn criminals towards faith.

Chapman's desire to share Christ's hope with the lost compelled him to write his third and latest book, Nine Lives and Counting: A Bounty Hunters Journey to Faith, Hope, and Redemption.

Written with his wife, Francie, the book focuses not only on his escapades as a bounty hunter but also on his deep spiritual journey and the personal challenges he has faced over the years, from being in a motorcycle gang and incarcerated in the 70s to becoming a widely-known TV star.

Chapman starred in the reality series Dog the Bounty Hunter on A&E until it ended in 2012. He credits his faith for sustaining him after the 2009 death of his 23-year-old daughter, Barbara Katy, and 10 years later, the loss of his wife, Beth, who died after a lengthy cancer battle.

In September 2020, Chapman married Francie, a rancher who lost her late husband, Bob, following his death from cancer just months before Beth passed away.

"Ever since Beth went to Heaven, and I met Francie, my life has changed through my faith in God," Chapman stated. He described his book as a guide and an inspiration for others, emphasizing, "If I can do it, you can do it."

I believe in God and the hereafter, Chapman said. You're not going to Heaven because you do good works.  The Bible says that he who has been forgiven the most has to give the most. I've been forgiven a lot. So I have to give more than you.  I'm required under God's law to give everything I can give more than most people.

In his book, Chapman recounts numerous instances where he believes God intervened directly in his life  from saving him from death to preserving his reputation. He points to these experiences as evidence of his "nine lives" and the foundation for the book's title.

The Bible says, In the last days of before Jesus comes, I will pour out my spirit. Youre seeing it in sports, pastors and politics.  So many guys and girls are confessing their faith. Gods Spirit is pouring out on all flesh, the Bible says, and that includes me. The pouring of God's Spirit is out there. I try to explain in my words what that means.

The bounty hunter also revisits a particularly dark chapter in his past: his 18-month stint in prison during the 1970s.

In 1976, Chapman was convicted of third-degree murder and sentenced to 5 years in Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, Texas. He had been waiting in a car while a friend went into a house to buy marijuana. The friend shot and killed 69-year-old Jerry Oliver in a struggle.

According to Chapman, this experience is detailed more explicitly in his new book compared to previous publications.

I was convicted of murder in the '70s, he recalled. I did not do that. I was there. One of my biker brothers went inside. There was a scuffle, he got shot and he passed.  They finally let me out after 18 months because they found out I didn't do it.

"A lot of people who were around then are no longer here, so I can speak more freely about what really happened," he disclosed. When I wrote the other two books, I couldn't say anything.  Now they're either in Heaven and Hell, so I can.  The Bible says, If you will confess your sins, God will heal. So it is very good to say, especially to put it in a book form.

Today, Chapman shares his story of redemption worldwide and leads the Light Up the Darkness ministry with his wife. As Nine Lives and Counting hits the shelves, he told CP his message is clear: no struggle is too great to overcome, and often, a change in perspective can be the key to seeing God's hand in one's life.

I think that if people realize how good they've got it, you can always overcome the bad things, he said. You can always do that, of course, with prayer, asking God, counseling  I think there's a way out of everything through the supernatural.

Nine Lives and Counting is now available.
Home News Assyrian bishop who was stabbed while preaching forgives attacker

An Australian bishop who was stabbed in the middle of a sermon during a church service on Monday and is recovering in the hospital has forgiven his alleged attacker.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, 53, has been in hospital since he was stabbed by a 15-year-old male while in the middle of a livestreamed service at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church in Wakeley. A 39-year-old priest was also allegedly stabbed after attempting to intervene. Other churchgoers were hurt in the scuffle. All are expected to make full recoveries.

The bishop is now asking his supporters to emulate Jesus through "Christlike" behavior rather than engaging in vengeful words or actions following the attack.

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The church released an audio statement from Emmanuel, who shared a message of hope from his hospital bed. He said he is recovering well, and he also advised his supporters to pray for his alleged attacker.

"I forgive whoever has done this act. And I say to him, 'You're my son. I love you and I will always pray for you.' And whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well, in Jesus's mighty name. I have nothing in my heart but love for everyone. Whether that person is a Christian or not, it's totally beside the point," Emmanuel said.

"There is no need to be worried or concerned. And a piece of advice to all our beloved faithfuls  I need you to act Christlike. The Lord Jesus never taught us to fight. The Lord Jesus never taught us to retaliate. The Lord Jesus never said to us, 'an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'"

The bishop's statement comes after tense protests erupted outside the church following the incident. The protests reportedly prompted hundreds of officers to respond to disperse the crowd. A photo circulated on X appeared to show that some of the teenage suspect's fingers had been cut off.

In his audio message, Emmanuel told his faithful, "We are Christians, and we need to act like it."

"Love never fails, 1 Corinthians 13:8," he said. "Whatever has happened to me, I thank the Lord Jesus. It is a huge blessing for me."

Fr. Daniel Kochou spoke in a video on the church's Instagram page, saying the church doesn't condone the actions outside the church that day. He said the church preaches "love," even in difficult times. He said many people who were not members of the church "attended and caused a major disturbance."

"Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel preaches love and peace. However, the events that took place were quite the opposite," he said. "It's his wish that everyone resort to private prayer. Let's not escalate the matter.  The church is cooperating fully with New South Wales Police [while an] investigation is currently underway. We asked that whoever has any information in regards to the events which transpired on the 15th of April 2024 to please contact Crimestoppers or local police. We expect the public to cooperate with the authorities."

"We wish to express our sincere thanks to all the first responders for bringing calm and assistance to what was a horrific situation," Kochou added. "Above all, we have a lasting living and eternal God Jesus Christ of Nazareth [whom we thank] for His mercy and compassion for this team by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Police in Sydney, Australia, arrested a 15-year-old young man Monday for allegedly stabbing the priest and three others during the service at an Orthodox Assyrian Church.
Home News Supreme Court of Finland to hear 'hate speech' charges against Christian MP over Bible tweet

The Supreme Court of Finland confirmed Friday that Finnish parliamentarian Paivi Rasanen will face trial a third time over her five-year-old Bible verse tweet that criticized the Finnish Lutheran Church for promoting LGBT "pride month."

Rasanen, who led Finland's Christian Democratic Party from 2004 to 2015 and served as the country's interior minister from 2011 to 2015, is being dragged into court again despite having been acquitted twice by lower courts on hate crime charges, according to a statement from lawyers at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International.

Police began investigating the grandmother of 11 shortly after her 2019 tweet in which she posted a photo from the book of Romans and questioned how the Finnish Lutheran Church could agree with "shame and sin" being presented as "a matter of pride."

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Investigators also dredged up a pamphlet she published in 2004 with Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, titled "Male and Female He Created Them: Homosexual relationships challenge the Christian concept of humanity."

In April 2021, after subjecting her to 13 hours of interrogation over several months, Finland's prosecutor general used Rasanen's tweet, pamphlet and a radio interview to charge her with three counts of "agitation against a minority group," which falls under the umbrella of the "war crimes and crimes against humanity" section in Finnish law.

Pohjola was also charged for having published Rasanen's pamphlet two decades ago.

The Helsinki Court of Appeal unanimously acquitted Rasanen and Pohjola in November, which followed a similar acquittal by the three-judge District Court of Helsinki in March 2022.

The state prosecutor is appealing their acquittal a third time on two of the charges, demanding that the two face tens of thousands of euros in fines and that their work be censored. Rasanen's next court date has not yet been determined.

The situation has drawn international media attention and prompted outrage from human rights experts.

"In my case the investigation has lasted almost five years, has involved untrue accusations, several long police interrogations totaling more than 13 hours, preparations for court hearings, the District Court hearing, and a hearing in the Court of Appeal," Rasanen said in a statement.

"This was not just about my opinions, but about everyone's freedom of expression. I hope that with the ruling of the Supreme Court, others would not have to undergo the same ordeal. I have considered it a privilege and an honor to defend freedom of expression, which is a fundamental right in a democratic state," she added.

Paul Coleman, executive director of ADF International, likened Rasanen's case to something from the Middle Ages and warned of "creeping censorship" afflicting the historically free nations of Europe.

"In a democratic Western nation in 2024, nobody should be on trial for their faith  yet throughout the prosecution of Paivi Rasanen and Bishop Pohjola, we have seen something akin to a 'heresy' trial, where Christians are dragged through court for holding beliefs that differ from the approved orthodoxy of the day," Coleman said.

The state's persistence in going after Rasanen and Pohjola for nearly half a decade despite multiple acquittals is "alarming," Coleman said, fearing "the process is the punishment in such instances, resulting in a chill on free speech for all citizens observing."

"Their right to speak freely is everyone's right to speak freely," he added.

European governments have increasingly clamped down on speech critical of homosexuality in recent years.

Earlier this month, France's gender equality minister Aurore Berge called for the prosecution of Father Matthieu Raffray, a Roman Catholic priest who drew the ire of the state for describing homosexual inclinations as "a weakness" that must be fought like any other sin.

In Malta, Matthew Grech faced criminal charges under the country's conversion therapy ban last year for giving his Christian testimony about leaving a homosexual lifestyle on a radio show. The radio hosts who gave him a platform were also charged.

Speaking about proposed anti-hate speech legislation in Ireland that would apply to sexual orientation, ADF CEO Kristen Waggoner told The Christian Post in December that her organization perceives "a global trend toward censorship."

"And it's not just a disregard for free speech; it's an active targeting to silence speech by the government," she said, adding that the United States is not immune to such trends despite the U.S. Constitution.
Home News Pastor Greg Laurie on why Irans attack on Israel is a sign of the End Times UN Secretary-General says 'now is the time to defuse and de-escalate

Irans attack on Israel is a significant biblical sign, said Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Fellowship during his sermon on Sunday, titled "The Road Less Traveled."

However, he cautioned against concluding that the event could lead to the scenario described in Ezekiel 38, which sets the stage for the ultimate victory of God's people and the acknowledgment of Gods power and authority by the nations.

Lauries remarks came amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following a significant aerial assault on Israel by Iran, which involved the launch of hundreds of drones and missiles. According to Israels military, this marked a severe escalation that could lead to broader conflict. Irans Revolutionary Guards claimed the strikes were retaliation for an attack on their consulate in Damascus earlier in April.

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Iran has never openly attacked Israel, Laurie pointed out, adding that Iran has typically acted through proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas.

The Bible says the Jewish people would be regathered in their homeland in the End Times, which happened in 1948, Laurie explained, adding that the Bible says Israel would be isolated, which is happening.

The Bible also says anti-Semitism would grow stronger in the end times. That, too, is happening. And the Bible says a large force from the north of Israel would attack her. And that force is identified as Magog. Many scholars believe Magog is Russia.

However, he cautioned, No one can say that with absolute certainty, but it seems likely. But we do know, he underlined, that one of the allies that marches with Magog against Israel is Persia. Persia is Iran. However, this doesnt mean whats happening will lead to the scenario we read about in Ezekiel 38. Not necessarily. But it is certainly a preview of things to come. It is a game changer, and its a big deal.

The Bible tells us to pray for peace in Israel, Laurie said, adding that 99% of the missiles sent by Iran to attack Israel were shot down. The pastor then read aloud Deuteronomy 33:29: Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will tread on their heights.

Laurie stated that when we witness these events unfolding, our response should be to affirm our belief in the truth of the Bibles prophecies, recognizing that our redemption is near, rather than freak out.

Amid the conflict, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for restraint during an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate. Now is the time for maximum restraint, Guterres said, underlining the need for a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza and the unimpeded delivery of aid.

The Iranian assault involved a sophisticated deployment of over 300 drones and missiles, described by Israels military as a potential escalator to major conflict.

As Laurie said, the Israeli Defense Forces were able to intercept 99% of these threats, showcasing the effectiveness of Israels missile defense systems. On the ground, the impact of the attack, while largely mitigated by Israels defense technology, still resulted in minor damages and a few casualties.

A 7-year-old girl in southern Israel was reported injured due to debris from an intercepted missile. This has led to a heightened state of alert across the nation, with advisories for civilians to seek shelter and prepare for potential further escalations.

From Tehran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards confirmed the strikes, framing them as retaliation for the April 1 attack on their consulate in Damascus, which resulted in the deaths of two high-ranking officers.

In response, President Joe Biden has reaffirmed robust U.S. support for Israel. The U.S. has reportedly expedited military support, deploying additional aircraft and missile defense systems to the region. The global reaction has been swift, with widespread condemnation of the Iranian regime's actions seen as reckless and provocative. From Paris to London, governments have echoed the need for stability and caution to avoid further inflaming the situation.
Home News Ilhan Omar's daughter among 108 protestors arrested for refusing to leave anti-Israel encampment

The New York Police Department arrested more than 100 protestors who set up an anti-Israel encampment at Columbia University, including the daughter of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, who was suspended from the universitys partner school for participating in the demonstration.

The organizers of the event set up tents early in the morning on Wednesday and invited others to participate in the Gaza Solidarity Encampment to protest Columbia Universitys purported complicity in genocide.

According to CNN, the encampment was organized by a student-led coalition of over 120 organizations, including Columbia University Apartheid Divest, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace.

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Omars daughter, Isra Hirsi, was among the hundreds of individuals arrested, with a police official telling the outlet she would likely receive a summons for criminal trespass charges. Hirsi, an organizer with Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, announced in a post on X Thursday that she and two other students had been suspended from Barnard College.

Im an organizer with CU Apartheid Divest @ColumbiaSJP, in my 3 years at @BarnardCollege i have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings, Hirsi wrote. i just received notice that i am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide.

In a follow-up post, Omars daughter declared that the people who participated in the Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated, adding that the protestors will stand resolute until our demands are met.

The Christian Post reached out to Omars office for comment, but a staffer said that while they couldn't comment on Hirsis arrest, they intend to release a statement soon.

According to Fox News, the NYPD arrested 108 people, two of whom received a summons for obstruction of governmental administration. Some protestors went peacefully and did not resist arrest; however, a police official told the outlet that around 500 students left the classroom and screamed baby killers at the officers.

Other protestors screamed KKK at the officers or told them to kill themselves, and some of the demonstrators attempted to block police vehicles, Fox News reported.

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik said in a statement Thursday that she authorized police to clear the encampment from the South Lawn of Morningside campus out of an abundance of concern for campus safety. Shafik explained that she took this extraordinary step because these are extraordinary circumstances.

The individuals who established the encampment violated a long list of rules and policies. Through direct conversations and in writing, the university provided multiple notices of these violations, including a written warning at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday notifying students who remained in the encampment as of 9 p.m. that they would face suspension pending investigation, Shafik stated. We also tried through a number of channels to engage with their concerns and offered to continue discussions if they agreed to disperse.

While the university president clarified that Columbia is committed to academic freedom and free expression, Shafik stressed that such actions must align with the schools policies and respect the safety of others.

This is a challenging moment, and these are steps that I deeply regret having to take, the Columbia University president concluded. I encourage us all to show compassion and remember the values of empathy and respect that draw us together as a Columbia community.

The university president testified earlier this week before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce about how the school has responded to antisemitism.

On Thursday, Claremont Institute fellow Matthew Tyrmand shared a video on X that showed a group of students holding American and Israeli flags singing God Bless America while demonstrators wearing masks or holding Palestinian flags can be heard chanting Death to America.

In a separate video shared by The New York Post on Thursday, protestors near Columbia University can be heard shouting threats at a man wearing a kippah and an Israeli flag, Keep it moving, you Zionist pig. The demonstrators also chanted, Were all Hamas! Long live Hamas.

Hamas is a terrorist organization that has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. On Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched attacks on Israel, resulting in the massacre of at least 1,200 people and the abduction of over 240 others.
Home News John Piper: Churches should excommunicate, not execute gay couples

Distinguished theologian and author John Piper said Christians should excommunicate rather than execute someone involved in a same-sex relationship.

In a Monday episode of Ask Pastor John, shared on Desiring God, Piper was asked his opinion on the subject of blessing same-sex relationships.

Listen to more episodes of the "Ask Pastor John" podcast on edifi

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The context for the question came from the decision by Pope Francis last December to allow priests to bless same-sex couples, provided the blessing does not imply that the relationship itself was acceptable.

Additionally, this was put under the context of comments made soon after the Vaticans announcement, in which Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye called for the stoning of homosexuals in keeping with Old Testament law.

I think the New Testament directs us away from the kind of blessing that the pope is endorsing and directs us away from the mob rule or the official capital punishment that the president of Burundi is endorsing, Piper, the chancellor of Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota who served 33 years as the pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, said.

In other words, the New Testament is pushing us away from both of those steps. And I think the New Testament also gives Christians another way to disapprove and another way to love those that we think are walking in behaviors that are ultimately and eternally destructive.

Piper said the actions for which the Old Testament called for the death penalty were the actions for which the New Testament called for excommunication instead.

When the New Testament deals with immorality like adultery or incest, which would have been a capital crime under the old covenant, the way the New Testament handles that sin  is to excommunicate the sinner from the church rather than execute the sinner, he explained.

In the Church, the new people of God, which is not a political or ethnic or civil body, excommunication has replaced capital punishment in cases like this.

Regarding the Catholic Churchs policy on blessing same-sex couples, Piper noted that while the Bible does call on believers to bless those who are hostile to their faith, none of those uses of the word bless is intended to signify an official or unofficial gathering in which you bring people together who in their hearts are celebrating sin.

The biblical commands to bless our adversaries, our opponents, our enemies are not a command to hold a service in which you extend a hand of blessing over those who are celebrating behaviors that lead to their own destruction and which God calls an abomination, Piper continued.

Piper warned Catholics about Pope Francis, saying, he has espoused unbiblical thinking in other ways, not only on this matter, citing as an example an incident in 2018 when the pontiff seemed to tell a child that his atheist father might be in Heaven.

Now, thats very contrary to what the Roman Catholic Church and all other Christian churches have taught, Piper added. So, by all means, let us bless those who curse us  but not extend a blessing over a same-sex union.

Last December, the Vaticans Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a declaration titled Fiducia Supplicans that provided a broadening and enrichment of the classical understanding of blessings, which is closely linked to a liturgical perspective.

The Vatican document states that when people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it and that those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral perfection.

While the Catholic Church warned that one should neither provide for nor promote a ritual for the blessings of couples in an irregular situation, it added that one should not prevent or prohibit the Churchs closeness to people in every situation in which they might seek Gods help through a simple blessing.

In a brief prayer preceding this spontaneous blessing, the ordained minister could ask that the individuals have peace, health, a spirit of patience, dialogue, and mutual assistance  but also Gods light and strength to be able to fulfill his will completely, the document continued.

The declaration received mixed reactions. Some celebrated the measure's inclusiveness, while others feared it contradicted established teaching.

Catholic Archbishop Tomash Peta of Kazakhstan was among the critics, issuing a statement saying, The fact that the document does not give permission for the 'marriage' of same-sex couples should not blind pastors and faithful to the great deception and the evil that resides in the very permission to bless couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples."

"Such a blessing directly and seriously contradicts Divine Revelation and the uninterrupted, bimillennial doctrine and practice of the Catholic Church," the statement continued, which was also signed by Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider.

"To bless couples in an irregular situation and same-sex couples is a serious abuse of the most Holy Name of God, since this name is invoked upon an objectively sinful union of adultery or of homosexual activity."
Home News Pastor John Lindell claims Mark Driscoll tried to divide his church and family, urges him to repent

James River Church Pastor John Lindell accused Pastor Mark Driscoll of attempting to overthrow him as the leader of his church and dividing his family and congregation by unfairly attacking as demonic a performance by a professional sword swallower and admitted male stripper at the Stronger Mens Conference in Missouri.

In an address to his congregation in Springfield on Wednesday night, Lindell laid out in detail how even though he is aware that Magala is a born-again Christian, Driscoll accused him of being under the influence of a Jezebel spirit. Lindell also alleged that Driscoll accused his son, Brandon, of a list of dark sins; urged another son, David, to take control of the church and separate himself from his father and brother. Lindell said Driscoll also refused to publicly apologize even when he was told that his narrative about Magala was dangerous. He noted that the staff of both James River Church as well as those at the Assemblies of God headquarters  the base of the Pentecostal denomination to which Lindells church is attached  had received threats to the point where they had to start sending calls to voicemail.

Let me say this, I get absolutely no joy or delight out of doing this to someone that I've called a friend. Mark, if you are listening to this message, we love you, and it's with a heavy heart that we are calling you to repent. Jimmy Evans has called you to repent. The presence of God and of Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, Mark, we call on you to publicly repent, Lindell pleaded.

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We are calling you to publicly repent for refusing to stop the spread of lies regarding Alex Magala, a Christian brother. Mark, we are calling you to publicly repent for sowing disunity in the Body of Christ. Mark, we are calling you to publicly repent for covertly trying to divide brothers and making false and slanderous accusations against Brandon Lindell. Mark, we are calling you to publicly repent for trying to create division in the Lindell family all the while saying you love us.

Mark, we are calling you to publicly repent for trying to destroy James River Church through attacking its leadership. To those who follow Mark Driscoll Ministries in light of what has been presented, you should reconsider your relationship and support of Mark Driscoll Ministries, Lindell declared.

To those who have passed on information from social media and other sources that tonight has been shown to be false, you, too, need to repent. And not just before God, that is certainly where it starts, but repent by going to those with whom you have shared false information and set the record straight, he insisted. Doing it through the same Manner and with the same platforms as you spread the false information.

Lindell said that Magala has been a born-again Christian for approximately 10 years and is married with children. Magala is also a member of Mosaic Church in Los Angeles, California, led by Erwin McManus.

While Alex was here, he participated in worship, and when he was taken to the airport, our James River Church host watched as Alex boldly shared his faith with an individual. Yes, Alex, like many Christians, has a past, but he has been made a new creation. He's been made a new creation through his faith in Jesus Christ.

In 2016, while Magalas star was rising as a family-friendly sword swallower on "Britain's Got Talent," a Daily Mail report revealed that Magala had also worked as a pole-dancing striptease artist in Los Angeles and Las Vegas for women and gay men.

My life is like a movie, Magala told the publication. Perhaps you've seen in films when a killer gets a text about his next victim. I have the same story. I receive the address of the club, the time, and the color of underwear. I arrive at the place: lights, music, fire.

Magala did not respond when asked by The Christian Post if he had been involved in any of those activities recently, but he did explain in a statement published Wednesday on Instagram that Driscoll is criticizing his actions as a desperate 21-year-old immigrant from Moldova.

After my performance at James River Church conference a 53 year old pastor was judging a 21 year old me. Well, to put it in a perspective I wanted to offer Pastor @markdriscoll to move into a country on another side of the planet, like China, or Russia that he never been before, that he has almost zero knowledge of the language, zero friends, zero family, and $60 in his pocket. And see how he is gonna make it, Magala said.

Believe me, I tried. I couldnt find any job. So I spent $35 (out of $60) on the sword and was performing on streets Hollywood blvd. The rest of money I spent on milk and oatmeal. In my first performance I got a tip of $4.50. And I wouldve continued, but the injuries from sword swallowing wouldnt allow me to perform often.  I just ran out of oatmeal. ... Also I wanted to add, [e]veryone finds God in his own time, he noted.

In his critique of Magalas performance at the Stronger Mens Conference, which ran from April 11-12, at the Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield Driscoll objected to the performance, arguing that it invoked the Jezebel spirit over the conference.

Before the word of God was open, there was a platform. It was a high place. On it was a pole, an Asherah. The same thing that's used in a strip club for women who have the Jezebel spirit to seduce men. In front of that was a man who ripped his shirt off, like a woman does in front of a pole at a strip club, he explained in open rebuke of the church before he was interrupted by Lindell, who said he was out of line for what he did.

Not everyone at the conference was happy with Driscolls removal from the stage and video shared by Protestia on X show that Driscoll was eventually brought back and he admitted he did not handle the situation well.

Driscoll referred to Lindell as a good pastor and spiritual father who had been there for him and his family during the toughest seasons of his life.

Lindell admitted that as Driscoll was calling out the Jezebel spirit, he told his sons that he was like John the Baptist.

Marks a prophetic voice to our generation, Lindell said. Nothing about what was said changes that. And Mark and I talked. We went outside where we could be alone so we could talk, and we reaffirmed our friendship. And Mark, I want you to know, youre a gift to the Kingdom. Youre a gift to James River.

Lindell said on stage at the conference that if Driscoll had concerns, he should have handled it in a biblical manner as described in Matthew 18.

The pastor added that even though Driscoll acknowledged to him that he mishandled the situation, he has never apologized and has continued to allow his claims against Magala to harm James River Church, so he decided to apply the Matthew 18 response to the conflict.

Jesus said if your brother sins against you, go, and show him his fault just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over but if he will not listen take one or two others along so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them tell it to the church and if he refuses to listen even to the church treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector, Lindell said.

In those verses, Jesus gives us a three-step process for resolving conflicts not just conflicts between believers, but a plan for confronting sinful behavior. Step one, you go to the person and point out their fault just between the two of you. Step two, if the person does not repent, you involve one to two other people. Step three, if they refuse, you tell it to the church. It's with great sadness that I let you know we are at step three.

Lindell noted that Magala was mentored by Dan Meyer, the leader of Sword Swallowers Association International who is a multiple Guinness world record holder in sword swallowing. Meyer is also a member of Driscoll's congregation issued a statement on Magalas performance at the conference.

It wasn't a raunchy male pole dance or stripper performance. Alex is the top of his field as a master in the classical 12th century martial arts acrobatic discipline called Chinese pole acrobatics, which he performed at the Olympics. This is way different than a male stripper. It's like comparing classical ballet with strip tease, no comparison, Meyer said as part of a statement that Lindell shared with the church.

Lindell also noted Driscoll was the only person who complained to him about Magalas performance, and argued that the Arizona preacher manufactured the controversy as a publicity stunt.

Mark could have easily contacted one of his own congregants to find out more about Alex or even contacted Alex's manager, but it seems that Mark is more interested in the controversy that will sell books, gain clicks, and increase donations to his ministry, Lindell said.

He then explained what happened after he stopped Driscolls message at the conference last Friday night.

After I stopped Mark's message and calmed the crowd, I ran backstage to find Mark and was told that he had left for the airport. I ran into the parking area and Mark got out of the car and as he came up to me, he said, Well, that didn't go very well. To which I responded, Mark, you were out of line. And he said, No, I don't think so.

I said, Mark, Matthew 18 is really clear on this. If you were offended by last night's performance you should have talked to me about it first, because in Matthew 18, it says if your brother sins against you go and show him his fault just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. To which Mark responded, Well, I couldn't help it. The Spirit of God came upon me. My response was, Mark, that's not true, Lindell continued.

The Bible says the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets, so don't say you couldn't help it because that is not what the Bible says, and the Holy Spirit is never going to encourage you to do something that contradicts His word. Mark, you should have talked to me first, the Missouri megachurch pastor recalled.

Lindell said Driscolls spiritual advisor, Jimmy Evans, also confronted him about his behavior and they made efforts to smooth things over before he left the conference. A part of that effort included them taking a picture together, but Driscoll insisted that he should be the one to post the photo to his social media first.

At that point, I was thinking that things were settled. When Mark returned to Scottsdale, Arizona, he sent me the following text at 5:10 p.m. Pastor John it's Mark here. I just landed back in Phoenix. I feel like I'm watching a strange Netflix show I happen to be in. Thank you for 16 years of deep deposits and friendship. I love, appreciate, and respect you very much ... 

Lindell explained that the story took a strange turn on Saturday night when Driscoll started sending his son, David, a series of texts regarding Magala and said that his team had created a file that reflects behavior thats completely demonic.

In total, Mark sent eight texts to David Lindell that stopped at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. On Sunday after church, I texted Mark the following text at 1:48 p.m. Mark I wanted to respond to your text for additional context. Alex Magala is a believer and participated in worship at every opportunity. He is a Christian regardless of the sin of his past. His shirtless performance was similar to the Ramadhani Brothers, Lindell said.

As for the pole, it is a Chinese acrobat pole. The Chinese pole dates back to at least the 12th century, around 900 years ago. By contrast, women's erotic pole dancing is less than 100 years old. To suggest that a professional acrobat using a device that's been around for a thousand years is in the same category as an erotic dancer is at best misinformed or uninformed, he noted. We Stand by the decision because Alex is a believer. I will defend him in the same way I have repeatedly stood by you and defended you, Lindell said to applause from his congregation.

He said he told Driscoll that if he kept pressing the issue he would seek mediation.

Within minutes after sending that text, the post with our picture together was removed from Mark's account, Lindell said.

On Sunday evening at 7:43 Mark texted, Pastor John, thank you for your response. I love you and your family as well. My plan is to be saying and doing nothing but praying. I texted back less than an hour later at 8:36 p.m. Mark, thank you. That's great, I love you.

Do you see the deception, Lindell then asked his congregants. Mark expressed love on the one hand but took the picture down. He knew that Alex was a Christian, but it would seem that storyline would ruin his ability to generate clicks and sales. Instantly on Monday, the word spread like wildfire about Alex. One can only wonder how that happened.

Lindell said Driscoll also called his son, David, and left him a voicemail at 11:37 p.m. on Saturday night and shared his concern about Magala. He also called him on Monday but did not leave a message. He said shortly after noon on Monday he told David to return Driscolls call.

On the call, Lindell said Driscoll told David that there is something wrong at James River Church. Among other things, Driscoll raised concern about a mixture of the sinful and the sacred. Driscoll urged David Lindell to separate himself from his father and brother, Brandon, who he allegedly described as a broken man.

He went on to accuse Brandon of a list of dark sins, Lindell said.

Driscoll also allegedly encouraged David Lindell to differentiate and become the leader of James River Church.

What kind of person says those things? Let me say this, Brandon is a man of God in every sense of the word. In fact, I will take it a step further, David is a man of God in every sense of the word, Lindell said to applause.

Lindell said even though he tried to get Driscolls spiritual advisor to mediate the conflict nothing has worked.

Dr. Jimmy Evans informed Mark that what he was doing and not stopping these things regarding Alex's past and James River Church was resulting in death threats and horrible abuse to our James River Church receptionists, so much so that for the first time ever we shut down our switchboard and put all calls to voicemail, Lindell said.

Our receptionists were frightened and were in tears yesterday. I was preaching in Arizona where the Assemblies of God General Superintendent, Doug Clay, was also preaching. Following our preaching he asked to visit with me and said that the national headquarters of the Assemblies of God had also received violent threats and such disturbing interaction with callers that they, too, shut down their reception to this point, he added.

Jimmy encouraged Mark to say something to calm things down. To this point Mark has done nothing to calm down the vigilante acts of his followers, which brings us tonight to the third step in Matthew Chapter 18. Matthew 18:17 says if he refuses to listen to them tell it to the church, and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. That means if he doesn't listen to the rebuke of tonight, any believer should not have anything to do with Mark Driscoll.
Home News Priest resigns amid backlash over gay author reading to kids at Catholic school

The pastor of a Catholic church in Michigan has resigned after receiving criticism over his response to learning that an author in a same-sex relationship had read a book to young children at the parish school.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saginaw in Michigan released a statement Tuesday announcing, Because of the unfortunate situation at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Beal City, Fr. Thomas Held has come to the decision that it would be impossible for him to bring unity to the parish and, therefore, he has tendered his resignation as pastor, effective immediately. Bishop Robert Gruss indicated that until a new pastor is assigned, the weekend Masses will be covered by a visiting priest.

The division, lack of charity and the wounds caused by the division in the St. Joseph the Worker Parish community has brought deep sadness to the Lord Jesus, especially when we are living in the Light of the Resurrection we celebrated on Easter Sunday, Gruss added. Jesus weeps when he sees division and disunity in the Body of Christ, his Church. It is not his desire nor his will. The Gospel of Jesus calls all of us to be a healing presence in the community in which we live and worship.

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The division in the St. Joseph the Worker Parish community Gruss was referring to stems from a Facebook post published on the churchs now-deleted Facebook page last month. The post, authored by Held and captured in a screenshot shared in a Facebook group titled Rebuild BC, featured a message to parents who attend the St. Joseph the Worker Catholic School as well as parishioners at the church.

Recently a guest who does not represent the values of our Catholic faith read to our pre-k children as part of our March is Reading Month activities, he explained. To my knowledge, the book and any related conversation was appropriate for our students. A St. Joseph teacher was present in the room at all times.

Insisting that he was unaware that the guest had been invited, Held vowed to ensure that a new vetting policy is put in place in order to minimize anything of the sort from happening again in the future. While the statement did not elaborate on how the guest who read to the children did not align with Catholic values, the Office of the Bishop elaborated on the situation in a statement shared on the Rebuild BC Facebook page.

While asserting that the guest was warmly welcomed and treated with respect, the Office of the Bishop noted, Several days after the visit, the pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Parish was contacted by school parents and parishioners who expressed concerns about the guests civil union, which is contrary to the Catholic Churchs teaching on human sexuality and marriage.

The Bishop maintained that Held appropriately responded to those concerns within the parish community in a way that recognized the guests privacy.

Our Catholic Faith respects the dignity of every person, the statement added. The Church teaches we are all created in the image and likeness of God and called to love one another. With that love comes our obligation to uphold and live the teachings of the Catholic Faith, individually and within our institutions.

The group Rebuild BC emerged to express steadfast opposition to Helds actions and held multiple public protests calling for his removal. On the other hand, a website was created to defend Held instructing visitors to not believe the Facebook mob and published several letters in support of the former pastor.

While the Diocese and Held never explicitly identified the name of the author who came to speak to young children at the Catholic school last month, the LGBT advocacy group Great Lakes Bay Pride took to Facebook on March 14, shortly after the controversy first erupted, to condemn the public discrimination, homophobia, and hatred directed toward author Dominic Thrasher by a local religious leader.

For his part, Thrasher weighed in on the situation in a Facebook post of his own published that same day.

After I read what was written about me, I cried, he wrote. Why? Because what he said made me out to be a predator or an escaped convict. It hurt and still hurts. It also made me realize that I still havent healed since the last time this happened 12 years ago. Why am I dragged through the mud both times I have been invited to these institutions to celebrate my successes?

Thrasher added, I want everyone out there to know that I know both times it was because of one or two men, Fathers, Bishops, The so-called leaders and teachers of Gods words. I am going to use this next word only once: I HATE that my sexuality seems to be the only thing about me people care about. Yes, Im Gay. But that is one of many things about me. Im an actor, a musician, a writer, a friend, a brother, a cousin, a son, a teacher, and a member of this incredible community.

He also issued a call to action for St. Josephs parishioners: As many from St. Josephs have said, his views are not most of our views. Do not punish them. I do agree, though, that you, as parishioners, have the power to make a change. Truly stand up and remove him from your congregation. I know its not that simple. It takes work. Dont let something like this happen to anyone else.
Bishop in church stabbing forgives alleged attacker

The bishop who was stabbed during a livestreamed sermon in Sydney, Australia, has forgiven his alleged attacker.

Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was stabbed in the attack at The Good Shepherd Church on Monday along with three others. Their injuries were not life-threatening and he said he is "recovering quickly".

The incident was later declared a religiously motivated terrorist attack. A 16 year old was arrested in connection with the attack and has been charged with committing a terrorist act.

It sparked riots outside the church in which 10 police cars were destroyed and two police officers were injured.

In his audio message shared on social media, the bishop called for peace and urged his supporters "to act Christ-like".

"The Lord Jesus never taught us to fight. The Lord Jesus never taught us to retaliate," he said.

The bishop went on to say that he forgave "whoever has done this act" and that he was praying for his attacker.

"And I will always pray for you. And whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well in Jesus's mighty name," he said.
President Yoon Suk Yeol paid his respects to the victims of a 1960 pro-democracy civil uprising Friday, the 64th anniversary of the watershed event that led to the ouster of Korea's first President Rhee Syng-man.

Yoon visited the April 19th National Cemetery in northern Seoul, which holds the remains of 186 people killed in the uprising, where he offered flowers and burned incense in front of a monument honoring the victims.

Yoon prayed for the souls of the victims and resolved to further develop the liberal democracy they defended through revolution, the presidential office said.

The civil revolt was touched off by public anger over vote rigging in the presidential election by the Rhee government in power at the time.

A series of nationwide student protests culminated on April 19, with hundreds of demonstrators killed or wounded in clashes with armed police.

The uprising ultimately forced Rhee to step down after 12 years in office. Rhee was the first president of Korea, which was founded in 1948 after its liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. Rhee later went into exile in Hawaii and died there in 1965.

Opposition parties expressed regret at Yoon's absence from a memorial ceremony held at the cemetery the same day.

The minor Rebuilding Korea Party, in particular, said Yoon visited the cemetery in a low-key manner like "a thief," while the party's chief Cho Kuk took to Facebook to question what the president was up to at the time of the ceremony and whether he does "not want to meet opposition leaders to that extent."

The presidential office bristled at the accusations.

"Suggesting the president avoided the ceremony because he was reluctant to meet with opposition leaders is completely different from the truth," a presidential official told reporters. "Not everything that happens in the world can revolve around him. I think his self-love is excessive."

The official noted that past presidents have typically attended a memorial ceremony for the 1960 uprising once during their terms and only paid their respects to the victims in other years. Yoon attended last year's ceremony. (Yonhap)
Indian government urged to act after violence breaks out again in Manipur

Violence has broken out again in the Indian state of Manipur, giving rise to concerns about more loss of life as India's general elections got underway on Friday.

There were reports of a gunfight between armed Meitei and Kuki groups in Tengnoupal district on 12 April, resulting in injuries to three Meitei insurgents, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.

In another incident on the same day, a Meitei-owned sawmill in Kakching district was burnt to the ground.

On 13 April, two Kuki militants were killed in clashes in the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district, which borders the Meitei-majority East Imphal district. Their bodies were reportedly badly mutilated. The Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum has condemned the killings in a statement, while alleging that Meitei militants were aided by central security forces.

India holds its general election across several phases, with Manipur set to vote on 19 and 26 April. Kuki sources told CSW that their community was considering collectively voting 'none of the above' on the ballot paper to register their discontent with how prolonged violence in the state has been handled by the authorities and national government.

Around 200 people died, many of them Christians, when violence broke out between Kukis and Meiteis in Manipur last year. Over 70,000 people were displaced and many churches were targeted.

CSW's Founder President Mervyn Thomas said it was "very worrying to see that the ongoing conflict between the Meiteis and Kuki communities in Manipur has still not come to an end".

"Distrust and escalating division between the communities have only been exacerbated due to the lack of commitment by the central government to intervene in any meaningful way," he said.

"With general elections on the horizon, and no clear solutions to the situation in the state, there appears to be no clear pathway to integrating these communities, or any plans for development.

"We urge the government to prioritise the needs of the people of Manipur and bring a complete end to the conflict which has resulted in the loss of lives and livelihoods, internal displacements and regional instability."
The Church of England is losing young people - and fast

Attendance by children in Church of England churches is plummeting. Might that indicate that the push by revisionist bishops to ditch the Church's traditional teaching on marriage and sexual morality is not persuading young people to join C of E churches?

Andrew Selous MP, who fields questions about the established Church in the House of Commons as Second Church Estates Commissioner, has revealed that the number of children attending C of E churches on an average Sunday has halved since 2003.

In a written answer on April 12 to a question from fellow Conservative MP Neil O'Brien about the average weekly attendance across the C of E in each year since 1994, Selous said the Church "first started collected data centrally in the autumn of 2000; as a result it is not possible to publish data for the period 1994-1999".

But the data he gave O'Brien showed "the longest period of comparable figures available, from 2003-2022". These figures showed there were 154,000 children under the age of 16 in C of E churches on an average Sunday in 2003. By 2022 that had declined to 70,000.

That figure was up from 62,000 in 2021 when Covid restrictions were still impacting church attendance. In 2020 when the government imposed the lockdown there were 24,000 children in C of E churches on an average Sunday, down from 94,000 in 2019.

In 2003 the average adult Sunday attendance was 802,000; by 2022 that had declined to 477,000. In 2019, there were 619,000 adults in C of E churches on a usual Sunday. That fell to 272,000 in 2020 and rose to 447,000 in 2021.

As a parish vicar from 2000 to 2019 in a South Yorkshire village, I can testify that the average Sunday attendance figure is the key one. In the church I was privileged to serve, the people who attended the usual Sunday services - as distinct from the people who came only at Christmas or Easter or on Remembrance Sunday - were the core congregation. They were the committed Christian people who gave financially and who took on the voluntary roles without which a local church cannot function.

Those among them with children brought them to church. Without those Christian parents, the church would not have had any children on a usual Sunday.

Would the church have attracted more young people if I had not taught the traditional Christian sexual ethic? The Bishop of Oxford, Steven Croft, who was my bishop in Sheffield Diocese from 2008 to 2016, has since suggested it might have.

In December 2022 he became the most senior C of E bishop to call for the Church to allow same-sex marriage services. He set out his stance in a paper, Together in Love and Faith: "In paying attention to our prevailing culture, particularly as expressed by the under forties, I am aware of their sense of this manifest unfairness (in the Church forbidding same-sex weddings), and of anger and alienation among a whole generation.

"If the Church believes this clear injustice, the argument goes, then what does this say about the rest of the beliefs of the Church? Is this an organisation that is to be taken seriously at all as a moral and ethical force in the 21st Century?"

But the contention that the traditional teaching on marriage and sexual morality has been putting off the younger generations in the new Millennium raises the question: given that the majority of clergy are now in favour of ditching the traditional Christian sexual ethic, according to a survey by The Times newspaper in 2023, why has this not led to a rise in attendance by young people in their churches?

The further question arises: why is it that evangelical churches that uphold the traditional teaching are attracting young people?

In a study published in February 2023, Churches with the largest youth groups teach Biblical sexuality, Christian Concern (CC) looked at the online presence of 33 C of E churches listed in 2019 as having the largest numbers of under 16s, along with the public views of their leaders.

The analysis found that 61 per cent of the churches "could be clearly identified as supporting the church's historic view that sex is reserved for one man, one woman marriage". With the remainder of the sample not revealing their public view on the issue, CC noted: "None of the churches listed, nor their leadership, were publicly supportive of a change to the C of E's doctrine or other views that indicated opposition to conservative beliefs on sexuality and gender."

CC commented that its analysis showed that the Bishop of Oxford's "fears are unfounded  if anything, young people are drawn to teaching that says something different to the society around them".

CC published its analysis just before the C of E's parliament, its General Synod, voted for a motion in favour of introducing services of blessing for same-sex couples. The overwhelming majority of bishops were in favour but the motion passed by narrow majorities in the Houses of Clergy and Laity.

With their dioceses deeply divided over the blessings, the bishops have become less gung-ho for the services than they were in February 2023. Several bishops who voted for the original motion have since withdrawn their support.

Might not the fact that the Church is fast losing the younger generation lead to even more episcopal disillusion with these divisive services and prompt more bishops to conclude that they are more trouble than they are worth?

Julian Mann is a former Church of England vicar, now an evangelical journalist based in Lancashire.
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President Yoon Suk Yeol called main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on Friday and proposed that they meet at the presidential office next week, his office said.

Yoon proposed the meeting after congratulating Lee of the Democratic Party of Korea and other party members on their win in last week's parliamentary elections, according to senior presidential secretary for public relations Lee Do-woon.

"The president proposed to Chairman Lee in the phone call that they meet in Yongsan next week if it suits him," the senior secretary said during a press briefing, referring to the district where the presidential office is located.

"The president said they should first meet and start communication, and in the future meet frequently, drink tea, have meals together and talk by phone and discuss state affairs," he added.

The DPK leader thanked Yoon for the invitation and for "extending his heart."

"Chairman Lee also said they should be of help to the work of the president," the secretary said.

The Yoon-Lee meeting, if realized, will be the first such meeting since the president took office in May 2022.

Lee has repeatedly called for talks with the president, but Yoon has shown little appetite for sitting down with his former rival during the 2022 presidential election.

The need to cooperate with the opposition has grown, however, after the DPK-led opposition won a landslide victory in last week's general elections, securing 192 seats versus the ruling People Power Party's 108 seats in the 300-strong National Assembly.

Lee also won reelection in a district in the western port city of Incheon.

Details of the proposed meeting, including the time and agenda, will likely be coordinated between Yoon and Lee's aides, a presidential official said. (Yonhap)
By wedninth, Adobe

The number of armed forces charities in the UK has declined by 10% since 2017, according to new research.

There were 1,917 armed forces charities in 2012, according to a report by Forces in Mind Trust and Directory of Social Change , a number which fluctuated before returning to the same level in 2017.

But the number has decreased each year since 2017, it says. Openings have been less numerous than closures, reaching 1,733 in 2023, making up around 1% of the overall charity sector.

Despite the decline, at the reports launch yesterday, Legion Scotland chief executive Claire Armstrong said the sector was saturated and the issue of duplicated armed forces charities needed to be addressed.

Local branches merging

The report says the recent decline in armed forces charities has been led by local association branches closing or merging with their overarching charities, with 37% fewer association branches in 2023 than in 2012.

There were 22% fewer RAF charities, a similar decline in Royal Navy charities, and a 7.8% reduction in British Army charities.

However, the report noted a 4.6% increase in charities that serve all three sets of beneficiaries.

The report says there appears to have been no cliff edge in the closure of armed forces charities since the Covid-19 pandemic began, with the annual rate of closure being 3.4% in 2020, 3.9% in 2021 and 3.2% in 2022  all lower than in the preceding three years.

Meanwhile, the armed forces charity sectors income fell by 23% from 1.06bn in 2019 to 820m in 2020, the report says, while expenditure decreased by 8% from 1bn in 2019 to 920m in 2020.

 Sector Insight: Armed Forces Charities Armed forces charity closures by type

Saturated sector

Asked whether there were still too many armed forces charities at the reports launch yesterday, Legion Scotland chief executive Claire Armstrong said the sector was saturated.

Its a complicated landscape for sure and I think its very saturated, especially in some areas, she said.

Armstrong said the issue of duplication of armed forces charities had come up frequently in recent years.

We constantly see additional and numerous smaller charities as you refer to popping up and theyre well-meaning and have a fantastic idea and want to take the work forward.

But theres not enough [] looking at what already exists and [] people asking themselves the question: can we work with those who are already set up and enhance that service, rather than trying to set up yet another new organisation?

So yeah, its a saturated sector without a doubt but everyone is so passionate about individually what theyre doing.

So, it makes the question very, very difficult to ask, who gets to stay and who may have to go, but its coming around over and over again and I think its something thats going to have to be addressed.

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Civil Society Media has published a new podcast episode, with Jabeer Butt, CEO of the Race Equality Foundation.

In this episode, Jabeer explains what led him to his role, his asks for government, and his view on charity campaigning.

You can listen to the interview here and on Spotify , along with other podcast episodes, with an AI-generated transcript below.

Harriet Whitehead: Hello and welcome to another Civil Society Media Podcast. I'm Harriet Whitehead and today's episode features a conversation with Jabeer Butt who is the CEO of the Race Equality Foundation. This podcast comes ahead of Trustee Exchange a one day event set to take place on April the 24th in London. At Trustee Exchange Karin Woodley, who is the chair of the Race Equality Foundation, will be speaking about applying a race equity lens to climate action. At the time of recording, there are a few last minute tickets available. So I hope you were able to join us. I very much enjoy speaking with Jabeer for this podcast episode, we by began by speaking about how he became involved in the charity sector, and also discussed the current work going on at the Race Equality Foundation. I hope you enjoyed this episode, and I'll speak with you again at the end.

Jabeer, thank you so much for joining us today. To start out with, I thought it'd be great if we could discuss a little bit about how you got involved in the charity sector.

1:01

Jabeer Butt: It's a very long story, Harriet, but I was a bit of an activist as a teenager, I grew up at the time of the 1981 riots, and there was a lot of activism amongst our community to try and understand and hopefully ensure that those things didn't happen again. After studying for for a PhD, I started to work in Applied Social Research, firstly, for a housing association, then then in local government, and then eventually, at the National Institute for Social Work before joining what was then the race equality unit and eventually became the Race Equality Foundation. That activism, that desire to make sure that some of the things that I'd seen happening, particularly in terms of racial inequality, should be addressed, and that future generations don't experience what I did, and my communities did, as children and young people, has driven me to this day to try and make sure that when I finish, that the world is a bit better than then when I started.

2:15

Harriet Whitehead: And so what did you think when the job came up at the Race Equality Foundation?

2:21

Jabeer Butt: It's a job that has changed quite a lot. Originally, I was employed as a researcher and then gone on to, to establish a research team at the foundation, and then eventually became the chief executive as well. So it's not been the same job in all that time. But I was very excited at the beginning, because I do think that if we're going to come up with solutions, those solutions need to be evidence based. And I wanted to use those research skills that are developed to try and ensure that that evidence base properly understood the experience of discrimination and disadvantage, but also came up with solutions that were going to make a real difference, rather than something that we'd look back on that hadn't really changed the dial.

3:11

Harriet Whitehead: And you received an OBE for your work. Can you tell me a little bit about the work which kind of led to that, and what that experience was like?

3:20

Jabeer Butt: Well, it's the collection of work from the work we've done around parenting, which is now seen, the establishment of the Strengthening Families strengthen communities parent education programme, as being one of the three largest programmes available in England, it consistently manages to engage Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. And importantly, it engages those that are other programmes and other interventions have had a difficulty engaging some of the majority of our our households whose annual income is less than 13,000 pounds. So it's amongst the poorest of the poor that are getting through, often described as hard to reach. But we've managed to do that successfully and managed to not only get people onto the programme, but also impact them in terms of their their relationships with their children, and hopefully the outcomes for children. But that's been combined with with advocacy work around health inequalities, where I've managed to ensure that raises attention to race is amazing is this is there in many policies, whether it's to do in the way we implemented Sure Start whether it's to do I with the way that health services responded to the many health inequalities we've identified it's been part and parcel of that, and I think it's that collection of work of not only identifying the problems, but coming up with solutions that lead to the award of the OBE.

5:01

Harriet Whitehead: And I think that did come to the kind of public forefront during COVID, where we saw lots of kind of evidence based reporting around the impacts of COVID on people from minority ethnic backgrounds. I don't know if that's something that you saw?

5:22

Jabeer Butt: Very much so. We actually published a blog about on I think, on March the 28th, a few days after the first lockdown was announced that warned about the possible negative impact of COVID-19 on minority ethnic communities, including many who worked in health and care. And it's one of the probably the biggest sadnesses I have that some of what we warned against wasn't addressed. So that notion of one of the big policy aims was to get people to, to work from home, but was not something that minority ethnic communities could do easily, partly because some of the jobs that they did require them to, to not work from home. But also they didn't have the wherewithal to work from home. So if you're working in a factory on, on piece work, or if you're a mini cab driver, it's it's quite difficult to work from home. But then there were lots of other things that attention was not paid to either, for example, self isolating at home, it's all well and good to do that if you're in a home that's large enough to find a spare room for you to self isolate. But when you're living in an overcrowded, high rise blocks, it's it becomes incredibly difficult to do. And therefore, it's no surprise that those places became places where, where not only was the infection prevalent, but it actually spread quite quickly. And as I said, it's one of the sadness is that those warnings weren't listened to. And it took a long while for us to realise the detrimental impact it was having.

7:22

Harriet Whitehead: Yeah.

And obviously you've achieved a lot in your role. But I was wondering, were there any kind of surprises or challenges which have come up, which you perhaps weren't anticipating when you joined?

7:39

Jabeer Butt: I think the hope always is that when when you're an evidence based organisation, that that tries to ensure that whatever it does, is, is informed by by, by real evidence that you assume that when you present information that shows that racism is not only prevalent with having a material impact, that people will engage on that basis. The reality has been, however, that too often, that evidence has been dismissed. And instead, we've got into, into heated debates that are often driven by, by by politics, rather than an attempt to understand what's going on and what we need to do to ensure that inequality, particularly racial inequality, isn't going to persist and have a negative impact. The shocking thing of it all is that it comes at a great cost, not only to those individuals who experience it, but at a great cost to the state as well. And one example of that is if we look at that exclusion from schools, we know that Black Asian and minority ethnic children are more likely to be excluded from school, particularly Caribbean boys. But we also know that that's actually a stepping stone to other experiences, including ending up in the criminal justice system. And once you end up in the criminal justice system, the cost not only to you, but to the state is such that earlier intervention would have actually had a much more significant impact. Yet we choose not to go down that route. We choose to continue to challenge that evidence and not take the action that we need to.

9:37

Harriet Whitehead: And what areas is the Race Equality Foundation currently focused on? Is it this early intervention work?

9:46

Jabeer Butt: That's clearly something that we persist with. Our focus on parenting, including resolving issues around parental conflict are an attempt to try and help families and children and their children to have the best opportunities that they can work with a family supporting family. However, for that to really work, we need some of the structural changes to take place as well. I'm sure many of your listeners will already know that what we've seen in the last 15 years is a dramatic rise of in work poverty, that's people actually in jobs, who can't afford the basics of daily living. And that has had a detrimental impact on minority ethnic communities, and inevitably means that they put pressures on families and children to be able to do just the basics to be able to take up the opportunities of education, to be able to take up the opportunities for work. So yes, early intervention is important. But if it's not, if it doesn't happen with the changes in the structures that that create that such as poor pay and poor employment opportunities, we're not going to achieve the scale of change that we need to.

11:12

Harriet Whitehead: And obviously, this year, we're anticipating a general election, at some point. What are your asks for government ahead of that, and future government?

11:28

Jabeer Butt: I really do hope that we are in the realms of transformative change, rather than better managing decline, which is sometimes what seems to be being suggested. And if we're really interested in transformative change, I think we need to think big, and we need to act big. So one of the things we're calling for is actually the mission for the Treasury's change, that it's changed to be that the Treasury should be addressing inequality in a sustainable way. We think that it's only by by changing the mission of the of the Treasury that we're going to achieve the scale of change that need needs to happen. If I give you an example, Help to Buy, which was a scheme that was that was promoted by the Treasury that has seen billions of pounds spent on on helping people buy buy property has had two or three impacts, it's raised the price of property, it's it's meant that there are now people in in those properties that are going to find it difficult to move. And it's also meant that the affordable housing that we should have been building hasn't been built. And I can't help but think that it's only by actually changing what the Treasury is meant to be doing, that we would stop policies like that being put in place, but instead focus on change that does need to happen, such as properly funding the NHS.

13:13

Harriet Whitehead: And how do you find your experiences working, from the charity perspective, with government at the moment? Is that something that you do? And if so, what's that like?

13:25

Jabeer Butt: We do, and we do it very regularly. And it's welcome, when when it does happen, we've done some really interesting and important work, for example, around the Prevention Agenda around annual health checks and so on. But the reality is, is that it tends to be small scale and isn't of the of, of the size that needs to be happening. So about three years ago, two years ago, we worked on on a response to the 10 year mental health strategy, we worked on a response to what was being proposed as the dementia strategy as well. Then suddenly, about a year and a half ago, all of that was put to one side. And instead, we were promised this major condition strategy. And everybody pointed out at that time, that this seem the wrong way to go. How dementia cancer, mental health, cardiovascular disease and so on, could all be dealt with within one strategy seem to be beyond anybody's understanding. And unfortunately, that seems to have come to fruition. We have a situation now where where the preventative work that perhaps would have meant that future generations didn't experience dementia at the same scale as we're currently experiencing isn't being done, which means that in in years to come, we'll still be having to address the damaging impact of dementia. When when earlier intervention would that would have made a difference and I think it has to be put down on, on a lack of of strategic approach to, to addressing these issues.

15:12

Harriet Whitehead: And when you do campaign, how would you find, as a charity, how do you find that experience? Because obviously, the chair of the Charity Commission has been speaking about charities campaigning, there's sometimes quite a lot of national media attention on charities campaigning, and for some, it perhaps can be quite a difficult environment. So how was that for you?

15:35

Jabeer Butt: Without without getting into the technicalities of this Harriet, I always find that a really odd conversation to be had when we think about all the great charities that Britain has had NSPCC, Help the Aged, now Age UK, Macmillan and so on. All these charities came about because they saw a failure in what the state was doing a failure to provide the care support protection that the state should that should have been providing. And they're set out to change that they're set out to change the way the state was operating. And now suddenly, we're being told that charities shouldn't be doing that. And it seems seems odd that if that's what what we were originally established to do, that we suddenly now have to shy away from challenging the way the state is responding. Clearly, we need to be careful about being party political, and the Race Equality Foundation's always be quite clear that we will, we will question and challenge whoever's in power to make sure that it's racism that's focused on, but that that shouldn't take us away from the fact that charities are here to make sure that that that the state protects those that need protecting.

17:00

Harriet Whitehead: And how do you find running a charity in this kind of financial and political climate?

17:09

Jabeer Butt: I'm sure many of your listeners will know that that organisations focusing on race organisations focusing on equality, the women's sector, in particular, have had a very difficult time in the last 15 years or so. money's been very tight. And it's been it's very difficult to, to ensure that we're continuing to do the kind of work that we want to do, beyond some of the debates that you've already highlighted about, about restrict the restrictions on what we can and can't say, say in public. Having said that, there's always also been a pressure for us to not focus on on on race to us to, to perhaps, talk or talk about it in more general terms, and so on. But I think one of the strengths of the Race Equality Foundation is that we've never shied away from from talking about racism and saying that it continues to have a material impact on the lives of Britons. And as long as it does that, we need to be able to not only describe what the impact is, but also to advocate for change that will that will end that discrimination.

18:27

Harriet Whitehead: I also wondered what your thoughts were, in terms of the charity sector and the work which is going on around DEI and anti-racism. I think it's probably fair to say there has been more of a focus in the last few years on that work. But also some criticism around that work, whether it's effective. And obviously, it's a large sector. But what are your views on that?

18:55

Jabeer Butt: Obviously, I've been around for a long time. And I often raise the point that it comes in peaks and troughs that the focus on on on equality, inequality, racism, and so on. There have been times when there's been greater attention then then at others, the death of Stephen Lawrence, and particularly the Macpherson report, did lead to a great deal more attend attention. The equality and the legislative changes that have taken place again, lead to greater attention. But to be honest, the 2010s were a period where there was very little work that was being done systematically. The things that were being done tended to be performative rather than bringing about real change. So the 2012 NHS Act had health inequalities clause in it the first time ever in in legislation. Yet all it ever seemed to lead to was a letter from the NHS to the health secretary in a letter back from him to the NHS, and very little evidence that it was leading to change. So I think that the 2010s have been a real difficult period. The murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives movement afterwards, particularly the response of young people, that this wasn't something that they were willing to tolerate anymore, did lead to a period of 12-18 months where there was a lot of activity, lots of organisations making public statements about things that were going to be changing, or that they were going to try and change. I fear that that energy has been lost of late. And we've instead got caught in a in a heated debate, and a distracting debate at times as well, that would seem to end up focusing on words rather than on actions. And I do hope that colleagues in the charitable sector will will will get back to actually taking real steps and take making sure that action is taken rather than just talking about it.

21:14

Harriet Whitehead: And what in terms of colleagues in the sector, what is the collaboration environment like? Do you do much work on with the rest of the sector?

21:23

Jabeer Butt: We've always been very clear that we're a small organisation and for us to achieve the scale of changes that we need to, we need to collaborate and we have around 400 small and small organisations that we work with across across the country, whether it's the Wai Yin Chinese Women's society in Manchester, or whether it's the Somali youth organisation in Islington, these are small organisations that support us that we support, and we collaborate with them to try and bring about the the sorts of changes we want. Inevitably, we have collaborated with other organisations and we're part of any initiative, for example, called Healthy Equals, which is, which has got something like 60 of the largest charities in the country, working together to try and bring about change in the way we think about health inequality, and particularly, to address the wider determinants of health rather than just focusing on the NHS. And we're really hopeful that the campaigns that have been run so far around life expectancy, will be responded to by an act around around health inequalities, which require, which will require all government departments to take action. But that that sort of collaboration is is is worthwhile, and we invest time, energy and effort into it, as I say, I suspect the last 12 months, it's become more more difficult to achieve.

23:09

Harriet Whitehead: And it has just been such a difficult climate financially, especially for small charities. I mean, I don't remember writing so many pieces, sadly, about charities closing. It is such a difficult time.

23:23

Jabeer Butt: We always have to have to put put the closure of charities in the context of the communities that we work with, in in the midst of a cost of living crisis, where the use of Food Banks has become normalised where where destitution is regularly talked about, it's perhaps no surprise that that some charities are closing as well. And we've got to be clear that none of us have God given right to be here. And therefore it is, we just need to be careful about that. However, it's also quite clear that what's happening in now, is that good charities doing good work, that have been well run are finding themselves in a situation where they can no longer afford to continue. And I think that that should worry us all, that if we're if we've got to a state now where we're organisations that no you would normally expect to survive, the ups and downs of funding are having to close and that is really very, very worrying.

24:33

Harriet Whitehead: Yeah. And in terms of the future, what are your hopes for the organisation in the next few years?

24:44

Jabeer Butt: Clearly, one of the key issues is to make sure that we have racism addressed at a national level and that we we see real attempts being made to to address the factors that not only impact the current generations, but transfer inequality from one generation to the other. And there are clearly reasons for doing that. We know that Britain's Black Asian and minority ethnic population is now around 20%. But as importantly, because it's younger, it's now a bigger part of the employment of the workforce in this country. And really, if we're going to make the best use of that workforce, we need to ensure that the employment opportunities people have are are the best, then also, their experiences, while being employed, are free from racial discrimination, and the experience of racism. So we do hope that we can see real change taking place there. There are clearly promises of of legislative change. But that legislative change needs to be be backed up by by having a governance structure that that allows us to make sure that those policies are being implemented. It's unfortunate that the Equality and Human Rights Commission hasn't seen itself fit to be challenging issues around racism. And in the last few years, that's been further undermined by the dramatic cuts in funding of the HRC, which makes it actually very difficult for it to do its job properly. And I think what we would hope is that if we're going to achieve change, that we not only bring about legislative change, but also ensure that there are structures to implement it.

26:42

Harriet Whitehead: And Jabeer, thank you so much for coming on to be interviewed. That's been so interesting. Is there anything else which we haven't touched on which you were hoping to discuss?

26:51

Jabeer Butt: The only thing I would add there Harriet, it's always the case that when you start talking about race and racism, that sometimes it creates this, this victimology, that somehow, everything is terrible. The the important thing to remember is that Britains Black, Asian, and minority ethnic communities continue to be what vibrant communities that are playing an important part in, in not only our current survival, but also hopefully our future. And we shouldn't lose sight of that. And hopefully, we'll what we're calling for, is how do we make a build on that and help everyone flourish?

27:32

Harriet Whitehead: Yeah.Thank you Jabeer, thank you.

Jabeer Butt: Thanks Harriet.

Thank you for listening to this podcast episode. And thank you so much to Jabeer for your great insights. If you enjoyed this episode, please do like and subscribe. We hope to do more podcasts in the future and if you have any comments, please do get in touch.

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Donald Trumps first criminal trial is underway, but the only way the public is finding out about it is through secondhand accounts.

Journalists are assiduously relaying whats going on within the courtroom to the outside world. But New York States prohibition on cameras in the courtroom means Trump and his allies can simply lie about whats actually happeningand be believed by a large chunk of the population, with others unsure of who to trust.

This is already occurring. On Monday, Trump exited the courtroom and declared in front of the cameras that judge Juan Merchan was interfering with his ability to attend his son Barrons high school graduation.

It looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son, Trump declared. He went even further later that evening, posting on social media that Merchan had prohibited him from attending. That claim was immediately picked up by Fox News and other right-wing outlets as uncontested factand evidence that Merchan was biased against the former president.

But thats not what happened. Merchan, in fact, had said that he wasnt ready to rule on the question.

It really depends on if we are on time and where we are in the trial, Merchan said, according to a pool report and the court transcript. If everything is going according to schedule without unnecessary delays, then I am sure we will be able to adjourn.

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Reporters earnestly fact-checked the false claim. But were at a disadvantage. Trump, a master of media manipulation who excels at using TV time to push his agenda, made his comments for all to see, while Merchans remarks could only be relayed indirectly by journalists. Trump can go direct to consumer; news outlets must work around an outdated state law that precludes the public airing of visual evidence of the truth. And while theres a large section of the public who will trust whatever Trump has to say over what reporters report, video evidence is a lot harder to dispute.

Of course, there was another big moment on the first day that showed why cameras are needed: Trump appeared to fall asleep in court.

Multiple publications reported this, including The Guardian, for which Im writing the Trump on Trial newsletter (and covering the trial remotely from DC). Trumps campaign denied this happened: This is 100% Fake News coming from journalists who werent even in the courtroom, a Trump spokesman said in a statement to multiple outlets.

But while some of those who witnessed him fall asleep had been watching a live feed of Trump from the overflow room, others were in the courtroom. And Trump clearly was furious: a later pool report said that he glared at the New York Times Maggie Haberman, one of the day-one pool reporters and the first to report the nap, as he exited court later in the day.

It may seem silly, but publicly viewable footage of Trump falling asleep at his own trial would have actually mattered. Hes spent years mocking Sleepy Joe Biden, and polls show Bidens age has become a real problem for him in the 2024 election. Trump dozing off at his own trial raises similar questions about his own vigor. But descriptions of the event dont do it justicereporters specific accounts of how he nodded off, and for how long, differed slightly. For everyones sake, it would have been good for people to be able to judge for themselves whether he fell asleep.

Cameras werent allowed at Trumps previous civil trials, either, and his looming federal trials likely will be dark because of federal rulesmeaning his Georgia election interference case might be the only televised one.

Trump, of course, will look to turn that to his advantage as well. His team pushed to get as many salacious details as possible into the record (and on camera) about Fulton County district attorney Fani Williss sexual relationship with one of the prosecutors shed hired. And Trump is actually siding with media organizations in asking the judge in his DC case to allow video, while the Justice Department is fighting to keep the cameras out, warning that hell use them to create a carnival atmosphere and wage a public relations campaign from the courtroom.

But, as weve already seen in New York, Trump doesnt need cameras inside the courtroom to find his way in front of them.

As he exited court on Thursday, Trump declared, The whole world is watching this hoax.



But thats not really true, either. Unless youre in the courthouse, you cant.



Other notable stories:

Overnight, an apparent Israeli strike hit a military base near the Iranian city of Isfahan, in what appeared to be a reprisal for Irans attack on Israel last weekend (itself a reprisal for a recent Israeli strike that killed Iranian personnel in Syria). In recent days, Western officials have voiced concerns to the media about the potential for an escalation of violence in the regionbut at time of writing, the Isfahan strike appeared to be limited in scope, with news networks in both Israel and Iran playing down its significance. In Iran, officials and media sources even claimed not to have received any external attack, pointing instead to infiltration. According to the New York Times, state TV broadcast peaceful footage of Isfahan, while an anchor called the strike not a big deal.

According to CNNs Oliver Darcy, the New York Post made layoffs yesterday, citing a restructuring; a little less than 3 percent of the papers staff is thought to have been affected. In other media-business news, Sundial Media Group, which owns Essence magazine, is acquiring Refinery29, handing the women-focused publisher a lifeline after a tumultuous few years under the Vice Media brand, Sara Fischer reports for Axios. Cory Haik, a longtime Vice executive, will serve as CEO of Refinery29, which will operate as a standalone business under Sundial. And CalMatters, a nonprofit newsroom in California, is acquiring The Markup, a site focused on technology and data privacy.

Ahead of the release of Taylor Swifts new album, The Tortured Poets Department, the Wall Street Journals Allie Jones profiled Tree Paine, Swifts publicist. The average celebrity publicist does not have fans, but Paine has become a Swiftverse cult figure in her own right, Jones writes. Swift has trained her followers to look for meaning in her every gesture, outfit and Instagram caption. Paines own workthe stories she chooses to respond to, the narrative she puts forward in the mediahas become part of that lore. And Swift and Paine are creating a lot of lore lately.

And yesterday marked six months since Alsu Kurmashevaa US-Russian dual national who works for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, a US-funded international broadcasterwas jailed in Russia. (She stands accused of disseminating false information about the Russian military, among other charges.) Shes being held in inhumane conditions for the mere fact of being an American, Kurmashevas husband, Pavel Butorin, said. (Last week, we covered Kurmashevas case in this newsletter.)

ICYMI: #FreeAlsu

Cameron Joseph is a freelance political reporter with recent work in The Guardian, the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, and Politico Magazine. A recipient of the 2023 National Press Foundation Dirksen Award for distinguished reporting of Congress and the 2020 National Press Club award for excellence in political journalism, he previously worked for VICE News, Talking Points Memo, the New York Daily News, The Hill and National Journal.
New York Attorney General Letitia James announced an agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn to address years of reported mismanaging clergy sexual abuse cases and for failing to uphold the policies and procedures it adopted for investigating and responding to abuse complaints.

The agreement requires the diocese to take action to prevent and address allegations of clergy sexual abuse and reform past policies, including:

Installing an independent, secular monitor who will oversee the dioceses compliance with enhanced policies and procedures and issue an annual report on the Dioceses handling of sexual abuse cases;

Strengthening existing policies and procedures for handling sexual abuse cases to include expedited review timelines and transparency throughout the process;

Creating new offices, committees, and positions within the diocese devoted to ensuring the safety of minors and other vulnerable communities; and

Hiring a Clergy Monitor with law enforcement or counseling experience to develop and oversee abuse prevention plans for priests who have been accused of sexual abuse.

An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General reportedly found the diocese failed to consistently comply with its own policies and procedures for responding to sexual abuse. The diocese established these policies shortly after the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in 2002 following media reports of widespread clergy sexual abuse.

The OAG also found that the dioceses policies were not adequate to guarantee the safety and protection of children. The diocese did not have policies in place to ensure a prompt and thorough response to allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct. In various matters, the Diocesan Review Board took too long to respond to a complaint or would arbitrarily apply inconsistent standards of proof when evaluating the credibility of an accusation. In certain instances, when an allegation of sexual abuse or misconduct was found to be credible, the Diocese did not disclose that information to the public and failed to sufficiently monitor the accused priests or clergy, according to the OAG.

One priest admitted to the diocese he had repeatedly sexually abused minors. He was removed from all pastoral duties, but the diocese did not inform parishioners. After USCCB adopted the Charter in 2002, the Diocese encouraged the priest to seek a voluntary laicization, or official removal from the priesthood, often referred to as defrocking, but he initially refused. He eventually agreed to be defrocked, but he requested it be kept confidential. The diocese kept it secret until 2017, when it published a list of priests who had been removed from ministry and publicly announced that this priest had admitted to sexually abusing minors.

In the 1990s, after learning of problems with a priests conduct, the diocese repeatedly transferred the priest from parish to parish to avoid the complaints. The priest was never monitored, nor was he removed from duty. In 2000, a nun who was the principal of a Catholic school in the diocese resigned from her position because she had witnessed the priest having inappropriate interactions with young boys and the diocese did nothing more than issue a warning. In 2006, one of the priests alleged victims accused him of more than 100 incidents of sexual abuse in the 1980s, including masturbation and oral sex. Multiple other individuals corroborated certain facts to support the complaint, which matched additional complaints the Diocese had received from nuns and other clergy members about this priest. Still, after a three-year investigation, the DRB concluded that there was not enough evidence, applying a heightened standard of proof, to find the allegations against the priest credible. The priest was allowed to continue working unmonitored for many years.

As part of the settlement, the diocese agreed to enhanced policies and procedures for mitigating risks and managing allegations of clergy sexual abuse and misconduct, including publicly posting an explanation of the complaint and investigation process. The diocese will also post online a confidential portal and telephone number for submitting complaints and will implement a whistleblower policy to protect complainants from retaliation by diocesan officials. The diocese has also committed to accelerated investigations.

Moving forward, the diocese has committed to publicly announce any decisions to remove priests or other clergy members from active ministry by issuing a press release and adding the offenders name to a published list of credibly accused clergy.

Finally, the dioceses management of sexual abuse complaints and allegations will be subject to review by an independent monitor.

The OAG acknowledged the dioceses cooperation with the investigation, negotiation and agreement.

In October 2022, James reached a settlement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo for mishandling child sexual abuse cases. Investigations into the Archdiocese of New York and the Dioceses of Albany, Ogdensburg, Rochester, Rockville Centre and Syracuse remain ongoing.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg in northern New York said last year that it was filing for bankruptcy protection as it faces more than 100 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse.
Five insurance companies have been ordered to pay $345 million to cover damages awarded to 20 men who said they were victims of sexual abuse at a prestigious boarding school in Georgia in the 1970s and 1980s.

Floyd County Superior Court Judge Adele Grubbs decided Tuesday that liability insurance policies for Darlington School, in Rome, Georgia, covered the actions of a former teacher and dorm supervisor, according to court documents and local news reports. The insurers had asked the judge to find that the policies excluded the alleged abuse and that the statute of limitations barred the civil suit.

The summary judgment orders Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Co. to pay the lions share  $232 million. Zurich American should cover $92 million. North River Insurance and Great American both owe $10 million, and Continental Casualty Co. should pay $1 million, the judge decided.

Zurich officials declined to comment Wednesday morning. A lawyer for Philadelphia Indemnity told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper that the company plans to appeal. Interest began accruing this week, the newspaper noted.

The 20 former students sued 10 of the schools insurance carriers in 2022, after the men settled lawsuits against the school and the former teacher, Roger Stifflemire, for more than $350 million, according to news reports. Stifflemire, now 83 and living in Alabama, was covered under the schools liability policies in place at the time of the alleged abuse, one of the victims attorneys has said.

Stifflemire has not acknowledged the alleged abuse but has cooperated with investigations, his lawyer said in 2022. The complaint against the insurers can be seen here and Zurichs answer is here.

The allegations began to surface in 2017 in articles by the Atlanta newspaper, which alleged that school officials had been made aware of the alleged abuse decades before. Darlington School investigated but the findings were not made public, the AJC reported. The school, founded in 1905, issued a statement saying current policies focus on respecting boundaries and on training and reporting procedures for students and faculty.

The victims were aided by a state law, the Hidden Predator Act, passed in 2015, the Rome News-Tribune reported. The law essentially extended the statute of limitations for abuse victims for another two years.

The $345 million judgment, if allowed to stand by appeals courts, would be one of the larger amounts faced by insurers in recent years  but not the largest. Juries in the last decade have awarded more than $1 billion to victims injured or killed in auto and truck accidents, rape cases and other personal injury litigation.

Zurich, citing the Institute for Legal Reform studies, has noted that four states, Florida, Texas, California and New York have accounted for 60% of the so-called nuclear verdicts  $10 million or more  in the U.S. between 2009 and 2022.

Correction: A headline on an earlier version of this article referred to Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Co. by an incorrect name.

From 2022: Former Students Sue Insurers Over Alleged Abuse at Georgia Boarding School
By Lee Hae-rin

Korean megahit occult thriller Exhuma is under fire for animal abuse allegations as a local animal advocacy group recently discovered the production used live animals and animal carcasses in the movie.

The Korea Animal Rights Advocates (KARA) said Friday that the films production and distributor, Showbox, replied Thursday to its questionnaire on animal safety the group sent on April 12.

The letter asked whether actual animals, including pigs, dogs, fish and chickens, were used or harmed in the filmmaking.

The supernatural thriller, which drew more than 10 million viewers, revolves around two shamans  a feng shui expert and a mortician  who come together to delve into mysterious occurrences affecting a wealthy Korean family based in the United States.

They embark on this quest by exhuming the grave of a family ancestor in a remote Korean village, which involves a traditional shamanistic gut ritual that requires killing animals.

According to KARA, the production said it used five pig carcasses provided by a livestock retailer and returned them to the retailer after filming. The gut performance by Kim Ko-eun involves the stabbing of five dead pigs, used as sacrifices for supernatural beings.

Regarding live fish, which flopped on the ground while being used as bait to entice in the key villain, the production used edible sweetfish that lived beyond their expiration date at a fish farm. They were put back in the aquarium right after filming, but some died as a result of spending time on the ground, the group noted.

Some live animals, including chickens, dogs and pigs were used in filming, the production noted. They were sourced from animal rental organizations or individual animal owners, and were shortly returned after filming.

The production didn't hire by a veterinarian in the filming process, but officials from the livestock retailer and fish farm supervised animal management.

KARA condemned the productions use of animals for the film, and the production promised to make efforts to prevent recurrences.

In overseas productions, the use of animal carcasses in media productions is strictly monitored due to the possibilities of their decay and the spreading of disease. Their bodies are either burned or buried to be processed accordingly under the related regulations, the group said in a statement.

The group urged the government to create guidelines for the safe use of animals in media production and regulate filmmakers use of animals for the safety of both animals and humans.

American Humane has been providing guidelines for the safe use of animals in filmed media and certifying safely produced content to prevent animal abuse.

Although Korea lacks official guidelines, KARA published similar guidelines for animal safety in media production based on animal ethology and in-depth interviews with media workers. The guidelines were distributed to Korean producers and filmmakers in 2020.
By Park Jae-hyuk

Hanwha Ocean has reinforced its marine construction business by entering the offshore wind power market and hiring a foreign expert from a global offshore equipment provider, the shipbuilder said Friday.

Earlier this month, Hanwha Ocean decided to acquire the offshore wind power business from Hanwha Corp.s E&C division and the plant construction business from the Global division of the groups de facto holding company.

Based on its ability to build offshore wind turbine installation vessels (WTIVs), Hanwha Ocean expects the acquisition to help improve its capabilities in basic design and comprehensive project management related to offshore wind farms.

The company also anticipates the completion of its value chain in the offshore wind power business, which ranges from business development to power generation and sales.

Hanwha Ocean plans to provide total services related to the offshore wind power business, including construction, transportation, installation and maintenance of WTIVs, substructures and offshore substations.

In this regard, the shipbuilder increased its investments in the offshore wind power business last December to 300 billion won ($216 million) from 200 billion won, through a paid-in capital increase.

We will develop offshore products related to hydrogen and ammonia production, storage and transportation, a Hanwha Ocean official said. We aim to become a global innovator that not only maximizes competitiveness inherent in the shipbuilding industry, but also provides solutions to political and environmental problems, spearheading a paradigm shift in the maritime industry.

On April 1, Hanwha Ocean appointed former SBM Offshore Americas President Philippe Levy to lead its offshore business division.

The appointment is part of Hanwha Ocean's shift from traditional shipbuilding to a comprehensive range of services encompassing engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and operation. This transition positions the company as a provider of diverse products, such as floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) units, along with floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facilities.

Hanwha Ocean highlighted Levy's extensive experience, including a 25-year tenure at SBM Offshore and as an executive adviser for China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) in Guyana, where he advised a joint venture involving ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC on strategies for FPSO and liquefied natural gas.

Based on his experience, he is expected to be a key catalyst for our companys transformational journey going forward, the Hanwha Ocean official said.
Apple CEO Tim Cook looks on following a conversation on mental health, during a spousal program on the last day of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week at Apple Park in San Francisco, California, on November 17, 2023.

Apple on Friday said it pulled several messaging apps like Meta 's WhatsApp and Threads from the App Store in China after the nation's government ordered the removal, citing security concerns.

The move further escalates tensions between the U.S. and China over technology and other policies. In recent days, Congress has been looking to fast-track legislation to push TikTok's Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest the social media app. The House could vote on a new bill as soon as Saturday, and U.S. President Joe Biden has said he will sign it into law if it reaches his desk.

"We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," Apple said in a statement. "The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns."

Other messaging platforms like Signal and Telegram were also removed from China's App Store.
LONDON  BAE Systems , the U.K.'s largest defense contractor, has established trading relationships with countries accused of human rights abuses, according to a new report that reveals the extensive reach of its lucrative arms business.

Over the past decade, the defense giant had a definite trading relationship with 81 countries and a reported relationship with a further 12, together accounting for almost half (48%) of all countries globally, an investigation by U.K.-based non-profit Action on Armed Violence found.

Included in those are 13 countries on the U.K.'s human rights abuse watchlist, as well as 29 countries whose military actions have injured or killed civilians. A further nine countries on the list have experienced one or more military coup d'etats over the past 10 years, AoAV, which is funded by conflict prevention group the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, found.

BAE said it will neither confirm nor deny who it sells to, but noted in a statement to CNBC that it plays "a key role in enabling legitimate governments to defend their nation and protect their people," and that it rigorously upholds ethical standards.

It comes as BAE Systems sales have surged, hitting 194 billion ($242 billion) in the 10 years to 2022, with cumulative operating profits totalling 17 billion over the period, according to the report.

In 2023, the company said orders "exceeded targets," coming in at 37.7 billion. Its share price has risen around 27% over the past year.

The report said the booming trade highlighted how some defense companies were profiting from the lucrative arms trade amid rising global instability.

Iain Overton, co-author and AOAV chief executive, told CNBC the investigation could be the first of many delving into the trade flows of arms manufacturers, with a likely future focus on prominent U.S. firms.

"We know it's a bonanza right now for military sales," Overton said Tuesday, during a press briefing for the report's release.
Passengers queue at a flight connection desk at the Dubai International Airport in Dubai on April 17, 2024.

The CEO of Dubai Airports said Friday that he expects services to return "close to normality" within 24 hours after the major transit hub was hit by unprecedented flooding.

The United Arab Emirates has been left reeling from floods caused by the heaviest rainfall ever recorded in the desert state. Airlines, banks, and transport links have all faced major disruptions.

"We've never seen anything like this," Griffiths told CNBC's "Capital Connection" Friday.

"We hope that within the next 24 hours, there'll be a very significant improvement back towards the schedule that we can say is very close to normality," he added.

The airport CEO said it was too soon to put a figure on the financial impact of the disruptions caused by the flooding which began Tuesday. He confirmed, however, that the company, which owns and operates Dubai International Airport, had approved emergency budgets to provide food and water to stranded passengers, and noted that all retail outlets were now operating normally.

"We're putting all our efforts operationally at the moment, so we're not even beginning to count it. The most important thing is that we get our customers looked after," he said.

Dubai International, one of the world's busiest and a gateway to the Middle East, has been mired in chaos over recent days, with thousands of frustrated travelers left stranded in terminals after flights were suspended.

Some flights resumed Thursday, and Griffiths said the airport was working closely with airlines to clear the backlog and improve flow rates. However, he noted that restrictions remain, particularly on arrivals.

Dubai airport said Friday that from midday local time it would be temporarily limiting the number of inbound flights for 48 hours.

"I'm personally in contact with all the management of the various airlines that serve DXB [Dubai International Airport], and we are trying to get more and more flights by each hour away," he said.

"We put flow restrictions on arrivals, so that we're not taking more aircraft and we can accommodate every single stand, and every single facility at the airport is actually fully operational," he added.

Dubai airport has urged passengers to exert caution when traveling, checking with airlines beforehand to confirm the status of their flight and not arriving at the airport too early.

"Our message is really we're asking people not to go to the airport until maximum two hours before their flight departure to give the airport a chance to recover," Griffiths said.
By Park Jae-hyuk

The intensifying military conflict between Israel and Iran has unnerved Korean construction firms, which had been seeking large-scale projects in the Middle East to overcome a recent slump in the domestic housing market, according to industry officials, Friday.

Keeping a close eye on the safety of their employees at construction sites in the Middle East, the companies are also remaining vigilant against possible setbacks in their projects there.

So far, there have been no reports of damage to their operations in the Middle East, as major Korean construction firms are not involved in projects in Israel and Iran, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which launched an emergency response team when the Israel-Hamas war broke out last year.

A small Korean construction firm in Israel will soon leave the country, once it finishes test operations of power generation equipment it built.

However, there exists the possibility of the ongoing battle spreading to other Middle Eastern countries, such as Iraq, where Hyundai E&C, Daewoo E&C and Hanwha Corp.s engineering and construction division have operations. Some foreign news outlets reported explosions in Syria and Iraq, after Israel struck back at Iran on Thursday (local time) in retaliation against drone and missile attacks last Saturday.

Our sites in Iraq were unaffected, but we are closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the Korean Embassy and the Iraqi police, said a spokesman for Hanwha Corp.s E&C division, which resumed the construction of Bismayah New City in southeast of Baghdad earlier this year.

Hyundai E&C, which is involved in various projects in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, recently ordered its employees there to refrain from visiting crowded areas and religious facilities for their safety.

Doosan Enerbility, which has built power plants and desalinization facilities in the Middle East, also asked its employees there to stay in their residential facilities patrolled by security guards.

We are prioritizing the safety of our employees, a Doosan Enerbility spokesman said. Whenever tensions escalate in the Middle East, we have taken similar measures.

During an earlier phase of the military conflict, there were expectations that Middle Eastern countries might increase construction orders with Korean firms, leveraging revenues from the anticipated rise in global oil prices. The Korean wons depreciation was also considered favorable for Korean construction firms seeking to win projects in the Middle East.

However, a growing number of Korean construction firms are now concerned about potential hikes in raw material prices, because the shipment of goods could be delayed significantly if Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz.

Data compiled by the International Contractors Association of Korea revealed that during the first quarter, 183 Korean construction firms secured $2.4 billion in combined orders from Middle Eastern countries, accounting for 44 percent of a total $5.5 billion worth of orders they won from 63 nations.
A top Dutch government minister said he's confident the country's coveted chip-equipment maker ASML will remain in the Netherlands following threats from the company to move its operations abroad.

Steven van Weyenberg, the Netherlands' finance minister, told CNBC's Karen Tso on Thursday that he isn't worried by ASML's statements threatening to leave the country. The company has since walked back the comments.

In a January call with investors, ASML CEO Peter Wennink said: "The consequences of limiting labor migration are large, we need those people to innovate. If we can't get those people here, we will go somewhere where we can grow."

His comments followed controversial plans by the Dutch to scale back tax breaks for highly skilled migrants and limit the number of foreigners who can attend Dutch universities.

ASML is core to the world's semiconductor supply chain. The company makes extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) machines, which are critical to the semiconductor industry for manufacturing integrated circuits.

EUV machines generate an incredibly short wavelength of light in large quantities to print small, complex designs on microchips. The EUV light is created with tiny explosions of molten tin happening at extreme speeds and then bounced off mirrors that ASML says are the flattest surfaces in the world.

"I think many people, many countries would love to welcome ASML, but I think they're strongly embedded in the Netherlands," Van Weyenberg told CNBC Thursday.

The minster said he had been involved in discussions between the cabinet and ASML last month concerning the firm's plans to grow in the Netherlands and whether there were enough roads, houses and skilled people from abroad to foster that growth.

"I'm very optimistic about ASML's future and that it will be within the Netherlands," he said.
As enrollment deadlines approach, fewer students have figured out how they will afford college next year.

Ongoing problems with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid have delayed financial aid award letters and even prevented many high school seniors and their families from applying for aid at all.

As of the latest update, roughly 7.3 million 2024-25 FAFSA applications have been submitted and sent to schools, according to the U.S. Department of Education, less than half of the more than 17 million students who use the FAFSA in ordinary years.

At the current rate, the number of FAFSAs submitted by the end of August will be about 2.6 million fewer than the same time last year, a decrease of 18%, according to higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.

"This is a complete disaster," he said.

More from Personal Finance:

Decision deadlines pushed to May 15 or later

Harvard is back on top as the ultimate 'dream' school

More of the nation's top colleges roll out no-loan policies

Still, it's too soon to say whether those remaining students will ultimately apply for aid and how that could impact their decisions about college in the fall, according to Sandy Baum, senior fellow at Urban Institute's Center on Education Data and Policy.

"The question is really, 'What is the long-term impact?' We just don't know yet," she said.

Many institutions are now issuing aid with the information they have on hand, according to the Department of Education.

"Students should know that they are not going through this alone, we will remain in regular communication with schools and students and encourage students to stay in touch with us and with their colleges," an Education Department spokesperson said.
Christian Lindner (FDP), Federal Minister of Finance, is on his way to a bilateral meeting with US Treasury Secretary Yellen at the headquarters of the World Bank. Bernd von Jutrczenka | Picture Alliance | Getty Images

German carmakers do not have to fear competition from China and are still considered the best in the world, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner told CNBC. "German cars are the best cars in the world, doesn't matter if internal combustion engine or electrified vehicle," he told CNBC's Karen Tso on the sidelines of the IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. "German car manufacturers are world leading, they do not have to fear Chinese competition," Lindner said. Competition in the electric vehicle, or EV, market in China and Europe, as well as the U.S., has been heating up in recent months. More and more Chinese companies are making headway when it comes to EVs, and China's BYD has been in close competition with Tesla for the crown of biggest EV maker.

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China's EV sector has seen substantial growth, sending a large amount of vehicles to other markets that often come at a more accessible price point. This rapid development has raised questions and concerns about China's trade practices and policies in the U.S. and the European Union. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen last month warned that China may be using global markets as a dumping ground for cheaper clean energy products, including EVs. This could push down market prices and put pressure on green manufacturing elsewhere, Yellen said. Both Yellen and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen earlier this month called for a tough stance on potential unfair competitive practices from China. The European Union has also launched an investigation into Chinese subsidies for EVs. China has denied any wrongdoing, with its Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, saying that any allegations about "overcapacity" were without merit. China's success in the EV sector was linked to "constant innovations" as well as a "well-established supply chain system and market competition," rather than subsidies, he added. Concerns from the U.S. and EU cover a range of green technology sectors, including EVs, solar panels and lithium-ion batteries.

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Lindner on Thursday said that the potential dumping of Chinese products onto global markets needed to be examined, as would concerns that China is paying subsidies to producers for selling cars below production value. "This would be unfair and then we would have to, to decide about measures," Lindner said. However, so far it had not become clear that China was in fact following this dumping approach when it comes to EVs or other industries, he noted. When asked what these measures could look like, Lindner said that all options were on the table. This echoed comments from Yellen, who earlier this month told CNBC that she would not rule out any measures, including tariffs on Chinese exports. There has however been reluctance from the German government in particular about such tariffs, with a spokesperson for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz saying that he was skeptical about whether they were necessary, according to Reuters. This came ahead of Scholz's visit to China earlier this month, during which he warned against unfair competitive and trade practices.
MYSURU, INDIA - APRIL 14: Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures as he addresses an election campaign rally on April 14, 2024 in Mysuru, India. Abhishek Chinnappa | Getty Images News | Getty Images

CHENNAI, India  Polling stations in India's Tamil Nadu state opened on Friday as the country kicked off its massive national election process, with all 39 constituencies of the key southern state going to polls in the first phase. Politics in India's sixth-largest state by parliament seats has been dominated by regional players that have relied on ethno-nationalist ideologies rooted in the Tamil language and culture to build their support base. More than 62.2 million voters will choose among 950 contestants in Tamil Nadu. Nationwide, 102 constituencies will go to polls across 21 states in the first phase. For decades in Tamil Nadu, both the national parties  the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party  have played second fiddle to the two main regional parties, namely the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). The DMK won the Tamil Nadu state elections in 2021, defeating the incumbent AIADMK. While Congress has been out of office in the state since the late 1960s, the BJP, which was formed only in 1980, has not been able to build a substantial voter base so far in Tamil Nadu. But winds of change appear to be afoot  though, not strong enough to change the state's big picture. Pundits, politicians and people on the ground told CNBC that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP is set to post remarkable growth in Tamil Nadu, which has so far been a bulwark against what has often been characterized as the BJP's Hindu nationalist politics.

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Following the demise of J. Jayalalithaa, the leader of the AIADMK, and M. Karunanidhi, patriarch of DMK, there has been a vacuum of charismatic local leaders, and people are now looking toward the BJP and Modi, said BJP Tamil Nadu Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy. "There's a silent revolution going on in the state," Thirupathy told CNBC. Political observers and psephologists have predicted that the BJP will make significant inroads into the state in terms of vote share. This may, however, not translate into parliamentary seats. Prominent poll strategist Prashant Kishor reportedly said he expects the BJP to get "double digit" vote share in Tamil Nadu.



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Kishor, who has helped manage election campaigns for several parties including the BJP's in 2014, said that the BJP "will either be first or second party in Telangana [another southern state] which is a big thing." The party had won four of the 17 seats in Telangana in the 2019 elections. BJP, along with its allies, could reach a vote share of 20% in Tamil Nadu, Sanjay Kumar, co-director of Lokniti, a research program at the New Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), told CNBC. The party, which fought the 2019 general elections in the state as a junior partner to the regional AIADMK, managed to secure just 3.66% of the votes cast in Tamil Nadu that year, even as it won a thumping majority nationwide that secured Modi a second-straight term. BJP's national vote share was a little over 37% in the previous general election. Though the jump in vote share in Tamil Nadu will be substantial compared with 2019, BJP might just win one or two constituencies, Kumar said. "I don't think they'll emerge as a challenger to the local parties in 2024." The BJP, however, claimed it will not only win huge in terms of vote share, but also the number of seats. "We will be the second-largest party in terms of votes as well as seats this time," Thirupathy said, adding that the party had built a strong foundation with presence in every "nook and cranny" of the state.

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The spokesperson for DMK, A. Sarvanan, dismissed those claims as "fantasy." The vote share of the BJP may increase because they have fielded more candidates this time around, but it won't win a single seat in Tamil Nadu, he said. A poll of polls by NDTV on Wednesday showed the BJP will likely win just two seats in the state, while the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, which includes the DMK, could bag 33 seats, with the remaining four going to the AIADMK. Tamil Nadu voters who spoke to CNBC also said the BJP was unlikely to win a significant number of seats in the state. "It's DMK all the way. BJP has no chance here," said Sultan, who runs a small shop in Chennai's T. Nagar flee market. Seated opposite from him was Geetha, a Modi supporter, who said: "Modi is superman, but DMK will sweep Tamil Nadu. Modi will win India."

BJP's southern pivot

The BJP does not have as much traction in the southern states, especially Tamil Nadu, as it does in the North because its "Hindutva" politics does not appeal to the people here, DMK's Sarvanan said. Hindutva is an umbrella term used to denote the fanning of Hindu nationalism to achieve political ends. A Lokniti-CSDS poll last week showed religion was no longer a paramount concern among voters in general. It is even less of a concern in the southern states: Religion is a personal thing in Tamil Nadu unlike in some of the northern states, where it has been politicized, Sarvanan said. The survey showed just 4% of the respondents want to give the incumbent government another chance because of "protection of Hindu interests/Hindutva." In contrast, as many as 42% want to reelect the BJP for its "good work." Kumar of Lokniti-CSDS said people in the southern states do not get as easily swayed by emotive, religious issues as those from the Hindi heartland, which comprises several states from the northern part of India. "If you look at the nature of campaign, the tone and tenor of campaign by the BJP in the southern states compared with the northern states, it is very different. In the southern states, the BJP is pitching more about development and about India's image in the world," Kumar pointed out.

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Former President Donald Trump returns from a lunch break at Manhattan criminal court as jury selection continues in New York on April 18, 2024.

The New York Attorney General's office on Friday asked a judge to effectively void a $175 million bond posted by former President Donald Trump to secure a much larger monetary damage award in his civil business fraud case as he appeals the judgment.

The AG's office in a filing said Trump and other defendants in the case had failed to show there is enough identifiable collateral to back the bond for the judgment in Manhattan Supreme Court.

The filing notes that the surety Trump used to obtain the bond, Knight Specialty Insurance Company, is "a small insurer that is not authorized to write business in New York and thus not regulated by the state's insurance department, had never before written a surety bond in New York or in the prior two years in any other jurisdiction, and has a total policyholder surplus of just $138 million."

The filing opposes a joint motion by Trump and KSIC to justify the insurer as the surety company holding the bond.

Lawyers for AG Letitia James asked Judge Arthur Engoron to require Trump and other defendants to put up a replacement bond within seven days of ruling on the issue. James' lawsuit against Trump led to the massive civil judgment against him.

A hearing on the bond dispute is set for Monday.

Engoron in February found Trump, the Trump Organization and other defendants liable for fraud, saying they had falsely inflated the value of real estate assets for years with the goal of boosting Trump's net worth. Those actions in turn helped the company get better loan terms and other financial benefits.

Trump personally was ordered to pay $454 million in damages, an amount that is growing every day with interest. He is appealing the verdict.

Trump was required under New York law to post a bond to guarantee the judgment as he appeals the decision.

This is breaking news. Please check back for updates.
In this photo illustration, Pantene and Head & Shoulders hair products are displayed on July 28, 2023 in San Anselmo, California.

Procter & Gamble on Friday reported mixed quarterly results as it struggles to bring back shoppers after two years of hiking prices across its portfolio, from Tide detergent to Charmin toilet paper.

The company's prices were up 3% compared with the year-ago period, although CFO Andre Schulten said on a media call that P&G didn't institute any nationwide price hikes during the quarter.

Despite its disappointing sales, the consumer giant raised its full-year outlook for earnings growth.

Shares of the company fell more than 1% in morning trading.

Here's what P&G reported compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG:

Earnings per share: $1.52 vs. $1.41 expected

Revenue: $20.2 billion vs. $20.41 billion expected

P&G reported fiscal third-quarter net income attributable to the company of $3.75 billion, or $1.52 per share, up from $3.4 billion, or $1.37 per share, a year earlier.

Net sales rose 1% to $20.2 billion. Organic sales, which strip out acquisitions, divestitures and foreign currency, increased 3% in the quarter.

But the company's quarterly volume was flat for the second consecutive quarter. In October, executives said they anticipated returning to volume growth in fiscal 2024. Three quarters in, the company hasn't yet lured back many of the customers it scared away with its price hikes over the last two years.

However, three of P&G's divisions reported volume growth for the quarter. Its beauty segment, which includes Olay and Pantene, saw volume rise 1%, fueled by innovation in personal care. The company's grooming business, home to its Gillette and Venus razors, reported volume growth of 2%. And fabric and home care, which includes Febreze and Swiffer, saw 1% volume growth.

But P&G's health care and baby, feminine and family care divisions saw volume drop further. The company blamed its higher prices and a weaker cold and flu season for the declines.

Geography also played a role in the company's lackluster sales. China, the company's second-largest market, is still seeing softer demand for products like its pricey SK-II skin care. Schulten also said that some markets, particularly in the Middle East, have seen retailers pull back on promotions amid geopolitical tensions tied to the war in Gaza.

"The impact is visible but limited, and we expect it to lessen, obviously, hopefully as these tensions ease over time," he said.

In the U.S., P&G's largest market, the company's volume grew 3%. Schulten said the U.S. consumer isn't trading down or changing shopping behavior.

"Consumers don't want to take a gamble when it comes to the type of performance ... they know ultimately the price for trading down," he said.

For the full year, P&G is now expecting core net earnings per share growth of 10% to 11%, up from its prior range of 8% to 9%. The company also raised its projection for unadjusted earnings growth to a range of 1% to 2%, up from its previous forecast of down 1% to flat. P&G maintained its outlook of 2% to 4% sales growth in 2024.

P&G also now expects a $900 million benefit from favorable commodity costs, up from its previous outlook of $800 million. That's a reversal from the last two fiscal years, when commodity costs weighed on the company, leading to price hikes.

Correction: P&G's net sales rose 1% to $20.2 billion. An earlier version misstated a figure.
Gerard Sullivan did not always plan on becoming a portfolio manager. Originally, he anticipated a career as a stock analyst. But as asset management took off in the 1980s, he found himself pulled into the industry, working with some of the most illustrious names in the business. It was under the tutelage of legendary investor Peter Lynch that Sullivan developed the edge that has served him in his career. In 1985, at a summer job in Fidelity, Lynch gave Sullivan what he thought was one of his most challenging assignments: covering European chemical companies. It was an endeavor that Sullivan said just "wasn't done" back then. It was a time when there were few American depositary receipts, or ADRs, and no investor relations pages. To identify opportunities, the Columbia Business School grad had to navigate differences in languages and accounting and reporting standards. "I had to do all this, you know, as a schmuck from Brooklyn, right?" Sullivan said. "I had to figure this stuff out, and try and get these people to talk to me." By the time Sullivan made a presentation of his findings, he felt as though he hadn't made much progress on his questions. By his calculations, however, he had gleaned that the European chemical companies, which he said were trading at two to three times earnings, were far cheaper than their U.S. counterparts at the time for businesses that were essentially in the same markets. At the end of that summer, six of his stock picks wound up in the top 20 names in the Magellan Fund. Four ended up in the top 10, Sullivan said. Even better, he said that all doubled over the next six months on a foreign exchange. The fund  one of the best-known actively managed mutual funds that surged under Lynch's leadership  divested the names before they reached their peak, he said. "So, I was a big hit with him," Sullivan said. "But I remember asking myself, how could you possibly put money into these names when I couldn't get anything close to the research? I couldn't borrow anyone's research. I had to do it all raw." "And he said to me, 'You know what? You don't know a whole lot compared to the guy in the office next to you. You don't. But you do know more, maybe than anyone else,'" Sullivan said. "Meaning that I was the one-eyed man in the land of the blind, right? Everyone was blind looking at these companies but I was able to get one eye open to get around. And that's all you needed to get an edge. And he was all about, and is still all about, 'What is your edge?'" The numbers Today, Sullivan manages the Putnam Investments Core Equity Fund (PMYYX) , a multicap fund with $4.4 billion in assets that he started in 2010. Longtime collaborator and friend Arthur Yeager came on board to co-manage it in 2017. PMYYX is known as a "go anywhere" fund, as it invests in all styles and market capitalization sizes, targeting ideas in both growth and value stocks. It's an approach that has given the investors flexibility to follow ideas where they suspect they have an edge, across a wide range of assets. Their process has served the two managers well. In December, PMYYX was ranked in the top 1% of peers in its category, according to Morningstar. It's in the top quartile of funds this year, as well as the top 6% of funds across a 10-year time horizon, returning an annualized gain of roughly 13%. "The numbers are good," Sullivan said. "If I'm still here, it's because they are pretty good." 'Stay awake' Sullivan enjoys investing in beaten-down stocks where he expects the downside will be limited and a little good news will boost the stock. "Those are my favorites, actually, because if I'm right about not losing money, you can wait it out better then, without panicking," he said. This can include companies coming out of bankruptcy. One example he cited was researched by his partner Yeager: Pacific Gas & Electric, a California-based utility company that filed for bankruptcy in 2019 after facing claims from deadly wildfires in 2017 and 2018. The stock cratered, but Sullivan kept in mind some of the company's advantages, which included a trust set aside by the state to handle liabilities and a strong management team brought on from Michigan-based utility company CMS Energy, which Sullivan called "the best utility on Earth." After all, he said, "people need electricity" in the state of California. PG & E emerged from bankruptcy in 2020 and the stock jumped more than 14% that year. "It's been a good little name for us. That's an interesting situation. It took a lot of work, and it takes a little bit of courage, but it also isn't so risky," Sullivan said. "Companies that come out of bankruptcy, they sound like they're risky situations because they had been risky, but they're usually coming out with brand new balance sheets, with brand new management, and it could be coming out at a beautiful price. If you stay awake." "We love those situations," he said. "They don't come around a lot, but when they do, we pay attention to them." He also prefers getting to know the management teams of lesser-known companies set to go public. Even if he does not invest with them from the start, the initial research can help him ascertain whether he should jump in if there's a dip in the stock later on, as often happens with companies that have just debuted, according to Sullivan. Mid-cap opportunities PMYYX holds more than 100 companies. A majority of the top 10 holdings are in the "Magnificent Seven" companies, an allocation that has helped the fund outperform this year. After all, Nvidia , the third-largest holding in the fund, has surged roughly 80% in a little over three months. ( Tesla is the one Magnificent Seven company notably absent from the top 10 holdings). But Sullivan said he holds the megacap tech names with a loose hand. While he considers some more overvalued than others, he noted that it's hard to dismiss the tech giants that have come to account for so much of the S & P 500's market capitalization, which are still growing even as they show signs of maturing. Nowadays, Sullivan said the attraction is more in smaller companies where he suspects the market isn't as picked clean. "There's a lot of small caps that we're working on, and we're buying bits and pieces of them," he said. "But we're in the middle of that." Still, he's avoiding troubled businesses, preferring names that are making money and appear to be in protected markets. "They may not be growing real fast, but enough speed, and they look cheap," he said. "Because they're very, very cheap compared to the large-cap peers." Last year, the investor started building positions in small- and mid-cap companies that he thought were attractive. PMYYX has a 0.11% position in Pinterest , the image-sharing platform that jumped more than 52% last year, though it's fallen more than 11% in 2024. Another is LPL Financial , the financial advisor platform that gained more than 5% last year, and more than 14% this year. PMYYX has a 0.15% allocation, as of March. One larger company that Sullivan recently bought is FedEx , which he said is on the right track with new management looking to combine the air express and ground businesses. CEO Rajesh Subramaniam succeeded the company's founder in 2022. Sullivan also noted that the transport stock remains attractive, relative to its peers such as UPS , limiting downside. And, it's nearing the end of a capital expenditure cycle that could boost free cash flow, he said. The portfolio has a 0.22% weighting in FedEx, as of March. "I think that's where FedEx is setting up that way, their free cash flow yield is going to go well into the double digits," he said. "We think they got the right plan in place." Ultimately, Sullivan said he's learned a lot from other investors, noting the good stock pickers have had "pretty eclectic" approaches that helped them outperform the market over time. "I'm a good student, you know, in the sense that I've learned a lot from observing," Sullivan said. "And I found the good fortune over the decades to be around pretty good stock pickers, pretty good money managers." "We intend to do well in all markets, no matter what. I mean, otherwise, what the heck am I doing, you know, if I'm not trying to get that right?" Sullivan said. "That's still the way I feel about it."
Fire extinguishers (R) are left at the park across from Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City after a man reportedly set himself on fire during the trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump, in New York City on April 19, 2024.

A Florida man set himself on fire Friday outside of the New York courthouse where a jury was being picked for the criminal hush money trial of former President Donald Trump.

The man, identified by police as Max Azzarello, was taken to the Cornell Burn Center at New York Presbyterian Hospital, where he was in very critical condition and not expected to survive.

"His condition is not good, but of a right now he's still alive," a police official said of Azzarello, a St. Augustine resident who is in his mid-30s.

Azzarello ignited himself in an area across from Manhattan Supreme Court, which is cordoned off for protestors.

Police said he walked into the park area, opened a bookbag, and threw paper pamphlets onto the ground before pulling out a canister and pouring liquid that is suspected of being an accelerant, and then set himself on fire.

Ed Quinn, a freelance photojournalist who lives in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, said he was facing the courthouse when "I heard someone scream, 'He's going to light himself on fire.' "

"I see him dumping gasoline on his face, very deliberately," Quinn said, according to NBC News. "He had grey t-shirt on. It soaked his face. It soaked his shirt. Boom, he went up."

"Women were begging, screaming, put it out, put him out," according to Quinn, who said it took about a minute before police arrived.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko on Friday said rescue operations were underway in the central region of Dnipropetrovsk after a major Russian missile attack killed at least eight people.

Klymenko said via Telegram that the number of victims would likely rise. Fires broke out in the Ukrainian city of Synelnykove after the strikes hit more than a dozen private houses, he added, while a five-story residential building was damaged in Dnipro.

CNBC could not independently verify developments on the ground.
Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones early Friday morning, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.

It was unclear if the country came under attack, as no Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility and Israel's military did not respond to a request for comment. However, tensions have been high since the Saturday assault on Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and its own strikes targeting Iran in Syria.

U.S. officials declined to comment as of early Friday, but American broadcast networks quoting unnamed U.S. officials said Israel carried out the attack. The New York Times quoted anonymous Israeli officials claiming the assault.

Air defense batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported.

In particular, IRNA said air defenses fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Tasnim later published a video from one of its reporters, who said he was in the southeastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its nuclear energy mountain. The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Iran's Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

At 4:45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on, he said. It was the air defense, these guys that youre watching, and over there too.

The facility at Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Iran's civilian nuclear program.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

State television described all atomic sites in the area as fully safe." The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, also said there is no damage to Irans nuclear sites after the incident.

Gen. Siavosh Mihandoost, a local army commander, also told state TV the incident caused no damage around Isfahan.

Iran's nuclear program has rapidly advanced to producing enriched uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels since the collapse of its atomic deal with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018.

While Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, Western nations and the IAEA say Tehran operated a secret military weapons program until 2003. The IAEA has warned that Iran now holds enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear weapons if it chose to do so  though the U.S. intelligence community maintains Tehran is not actively seeking the bomb.

Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

Iran then grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Loudspeakers informed customers of the incident at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, online videos purported to show. Iran later restored normal flight service, authorities said.

Hossein Dalirian, a spokesperson for an Iranian government cyberspace agency who as a journalist had ties to Iranian defense officials, said on the social media platform X that several small quadcopter drones had been shot down. A state television reporter in Isfahan said the same in a live report, saying several small drones were flying in the sky over Isfahan, which were fired at.

Around the time of the incident in Iran, Israeli warplanes flying over Syrias southern province of Daraa struck a military radar for government forces after it spotted the fighter jets, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor. It was not clear if there were casualties, the Observatory said.

That area of Syria is directly west of Isfahan, some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away, and east of Israel.

Meanwhile in Iraq, where a number of Iranian-backed militias are based, residents of Baghdad reported hearing sounds of explosions, but the source of the noise was not immediately clear.

The incident Friday in Iran also sparked concerns about the conflict again escalating across the seas of the Middle East, which have been seeing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen on shipping over the war in Gaza.

The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center warned ships in the region that they could see increased drone activity in the skies.

There are currently no indications commercial vessels are the intended target, it wrote.

The Houthis have launched at least 53 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen and as shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined over the threat. (AP)
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The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received last minute information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, Italys foreign minister said.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who chaired the meeting of ministers of industrialized countries, said the United States provided the information at a Friday morning session that was changed at the last minute to address the suspected attack.

Tajani said the U.S. informed the G7 ministers that it had been informed at the last minute by Israel about the drones. But there was no sharing of the attack by the U.S. It was a mere information.

Early Friday, Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, part of an apparent Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehrans unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country last weekend.

In a communique following the three-day meeting, the ministers urged the parties to prevent further escalation.

The statement pledged support for Israels security and condemned in the strongest terms what the foreign ministers described as Irans unprecedented attack against Israel of April 13-14, which Israel defeated with the help of its partners, as well as the seizure of the Portuguese-flagged vessel MSC Aries in the Strait of Hormuz.

We stand ready to adopt further sanctions or take other measures, now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives, the document read.

The group also warned Iran against transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia.

On the war in Gaza , the group called on Hamas to release hostages and reminded Israel to respect international and humanitarian law.

It added that G7 countries remained opposed to a full scale military operation in Rafah that would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population," and called for increasing the flow of aid into Gaza.

"The G7 worked and will work for a de-escalation, Tajani said in a closing press conference. He said that would include a de-escalation of tensions, followed by a cease-fire, liberation of hostages and aid to the Palestinian people. (AP)
Aimed at accelerating progress in AI development and responsible AI deployment, Alphabet-owned Google is consolidating its teams responsible for building AI models across Google Research and Google DeepMind, CEO Sundar Pichai said Thursday in a note to its employees. All AI work will now sit in Google DeepMind, Pichai said in the note.

The restructuring will scale our capacity to deliver capable AI for our users, partners and customers, Pichai said. This will simplify development by concentrating compute-intensive model building in one place and establishing single access points for PAs looking to take these models and build generative AI applications.

The Google DeepMind team will be led by Demis Hassabis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed deep concern over the escalating threat of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 bird flu virus, which exhibits a remarkably high mortality rate among infected individuals.

According to the WHO, an ongoing outbreak originating in 2020 has resulted in widespread mortality among poultry, with tens of millions of birds succumbing to the virus.

Recent incidents of H5N1 transmission among various mammalian species, including domestic cattle in the United States, have intensified apprehensions regarding potential spillover into human populations, as stated by the UN health agency's chief scientist, Jeremy Farrar, during a press briefing in Geneva.

"This remains I think an enormous concern," Farrar told reporters in Geneva, according to The Guardian.

In a surprising turn of events, cases of H5N1 infection have been reported in cows and goats, challenging previous assumptions about the susceptibility of these species to the influenza strain.

Authorities in the U.S. disclosed a case of human infection in Texas, attributed to exposure to infected dairy cattle, with subsequent infections reported in 16 herds across six states, likely due to contact with wild birds.

Farrar emphasized that the A(H5N1) variant has emerged as a global zoonotic animal pandemic, raising concerns about its potential to evolve and acquire the ability for sustained human-to-human transmission.

"The great concern of course is that in ... infecting ducks and chickens and then increasingly mammals, that virus now evolves and develops the ability to infect humans and then critically the ability to go from human to human," Farrar explained.

While current evidence indicates no such transmission, the mortality rate among infected individuals remains alarmingly high due to the lack of natural immunity.

Since 2003, a total of 889 cases and 463 fatalities attributed to H5N1 have been reported worldwide from 23 countries, with a case fatality rate of 52%, according to WHO data.

The recent incidence of human infection underscores the heightened risk associated with exposure to infected mammals, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and monitoring efforts to track potential adaptations of the virus.

"It's a tragic thing to say, but if I get infected with H5N1 and I die, that's the end of it," Farrar said. "If I go around the community and I spread it to somebody else then you start the cycle."

Farrar advocates for accelerated development of vaccines and therapeutics against H5N1, alongside efforts to bolster diagnostic capabilities at regional and national levels to facilitate prompt responses in the event of human-to-human transmission.

He stressed the importance of equitable access to medical interventions to mitigate the impact of potential outbreaks and pointed out the critical role of global collaboration in addressing emerging infectious threats.
Thinking about various cryptids and creatures of myth is already a great way to inject some wonder into your boring day-to-day. Does Bigfoot exist? Probably not, but entertaining the chance that he might makes every second of life about one percent better. The moment that scientists definitively declared that dragons werent real is the day that a specific brand of mystery died in this world forever.

Now, if the creature in question wasnt something that would attack, destroy or ignore you, but instead had the possibility to become your own mythical vehicle? Thats when were cooking with grease, baby. Luckily, there are plenty of horse-based bits of legend for us to daydream on.

7 Unicorns Public Domain The patron saint of spiral notebooks everywhere, the beautiful unicorn. Im not going to waste much space explaining what exactly one is, since anyone who doesnt know at this point would be a form of cryptid themselves. One on hand, riding a unicorn would probably be the most similar to riding a regular horse. It would feel a lot more like you were a wizard, though, which would be huge for my mental health. Historians say that the unicorn myth might have come from poorly-observed rhinos, to which I say: Shut up!

6 Pegasus Public Domain The second classic imaginary horse variety is, of course, the pegasus. An animal arguably even more majestic than the unicorn, and maybe 10 percent less likely to get you shoved in a locker via an appearance on your T-shirt. Sometimes people even combine the two, but I find that greedy. The huge selling point here is obviously the secondhand ability of flight. Would it still be able to take off with my frame atop it? Maybe not, but if youre going to get into an argument about the lift of a pegasus wings, youre probably one of those pedants who mentions that theres no sound in space during every sci-fi movie.

5 Hippalectryon Advertisement Public Domain The Greeks gave us the pegasus, but they also gave us a second stab at a winged horse  one that was a whole lot less regal. The difference in cool factor between the names pegasus" and hippalectryon is also borne out in their appearance. The hippalectryons wings came from the fact that it was the front half of a horse with the back half of a rooster. Illustrations do show humans astride them, so in theory they were ridable, but I feel like they werent getting you a lot of positive looks in the town square. Real we have a pegasus at home vibes. Advertisement

4 Hippocampus Advertisement Andrew Dunn Man, the Greeks couldnt get enough of magic horses, which is great news for this article, but worth a psychological deep dive. Now, the word hippocampus still exists today, but if you happen to see one, its usually very, very bad news, being a portion of the human brain and all. The mythological hippocampus was both cooler and, surprisingly, wetter than the brain matter in question, being a combination of a horse and a fish. They also had a pretty prestigious gig pulling the chariot of Poseidon. Apparently, some ancient people thought they were the fully-grown form of the seahorses we know today, which is stupid as shit. Would be cool, though!

3 Kelpie Advertisement Advertisement Billy McCrorie Scottish legend gives us another aquatic horse, known as the kelpie. Now, technically, theyre shapeshifters, so they might not always be a horse, but it does seem to be their default setting. Theyre also the first and only magical horse on this list thats, well, kind of evil. Something you might realize if you actually do try to ride one, at which point youd grasp that you were magically, permanently stuck to its back  a body part it uses to drown and eat children. Yeesh. Apparently, though, if you can get hold of a kelpies bridle, youll receive full power over all kelpies, so thatss nice.

2 Sleipnir Advertisement Becherel Trying to ride Sleipnir is hugely inadvisable. First of all, Sleipnir is a massive, divine, eight-legged horse said to have carved a canyon with a single hoofstroke. That means, if he bucks, youre probably going to fly off his back in a vaporized form like fine pink dew. The other is that Sleipnir is Odins horse in Norse mythology, and hes probably the number one guy you dont want to piss off within that entire belief system. Advertisement
The entire bigoted board of the Cumberland Valley School District better hope Jack Donaghy doesnt hear about this.

Maulik Pancholy is an openly gay actor, author and activist who co-founded the anti-bullying campaign Act to Change while serving on the Presidents Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in 2014. Pancholy has worked to combat discrimination, hate and abuse toward Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, especially in the months following the outbreak of COVID-19, and he also wrote the middle grade novel The Best at It, which tells the story of a gay Indian-American boy growing up in a small town in Indiana.

30 Rock fans would best know Pancholy as the actor who played Jonathan, Jacks obsessive and fawning assistant, but schools across the country have known him to be an emphatic advocate for empathy and anti-bullying in assemblies and speeches for students.

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But one such school that booked Pancholy to speak to their students about empathy and understanding found a distinct lack of it from their school board. On Monday, Pancholy was disinvited from a scheduled appearance at Mountain View Middle School in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania by the districts school board who unanimously voted to cancel the event, citing their intolerance of his lifestyle in the decision. Theyll be singing a different tune once Jack drops his bombshell.

He is proud of his lifestyle, and I dont think that should be imposed upon our students at any age, mouth-breathing bigot and Cumberland Valley School District Board Member Bud Shaffner said of Pancholy at Mondays public meeting, also citing Pancholys status as a self-described activist as a reason why Pancholy shouldnt try to teach Mechanicsburgs children how not to be assholes like Bud Shaffner.

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Its not discriminating against his lifestyle, thats his choice, board member Kelly Potteiger disingenuously said of her decision to vote against the assembly. But its him speaking about it.

Since bullying is now on the table in Mechanicsburg, maybe Potteiger would be less triggered by gay people existing in public if her headshot didnt look like every single one of her limited brain cells is busy trying to rationalize why her husband came home from his fishing trip with glitter in his beard.

Critically, if you actually look at Pancholys website and the activist tab that so upset this backwards school board, youll see the credits and endorsements of a professional and accomplished public speaker who has devoted his life to teaching empathy and combating bullying. Nowhere on the page does he describe his sex life, or list his methods on how to turn children gay, or peddle a book on how to do drag at recess. Pancholy is, plain and simple, an anti-bullying activist who is also gay.

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Thankfully, the bigoted school board doesnt represent all of Mechanicsburg. In her Change.org petition to reinstate the speaking engagement, local parent Trisha Comstock wrote, Being LGBTQ+ isnt a dirty little secret to protect our students from. To have someone with Mauliks life experiences would have been inspirational for our students. It is important that we teach our children about diversity and acceptance from an early age.
Matt Damon can do more than just say his own name  he writes it, too

Matt Damon may not have actually appeared in Team America: World Police, but he still knows his lines.

Ironically, the most beloved and memorable joke from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stones strenuously constructed political puppet comedy was an absolute accident. Though the puppet portraying Matt Damon as he aids in the Film Actors Guilds attempts to surreptitiously support North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il is famously only capable of speaking the words Matt Damon!, as Parker and Stone would later explain, its not because they ever considered the Good Will Hunting writer and star to be especially stupid compared to other Hollywood elites. The Matt Damon puppet, which was one of 270 painstakingly made custom models that were used in Team America, came out of the kiln looking mentally r******d, according to Parker, and they decided to replace all of the characters eloquent lines with, iconically, Matt Damon.

Though Damon himself didnt understand why he seemed to be targeted with an especially insulting portrayal in Team America, he took  and continues to take  the joke on his not-comically-misshapen chin. In 2018, Damon spoke to the Screen Actors Guild Foundation (not to be confused with the film one), telling them that, despite his immense filmography, hes autographed more photos of his Team America puppet than any of his actual movie characters.

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How do you like them Matt Damons?

Even though the acclaimed A-lister has been mercilessly mocked by Parker and Stone in both Team America and South Park itself (Matt Damon told me fortune favors the bold and I lost all my fucking money!), Damon is actually a huge fan of the comedy duo. I love those guys, Damon said of the South Park creators in his talk with the SAG Foundation. I think theyre really really funny. I know they offend some people, I think theyre amazing.

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And I love Team America, Damon continued, I think its hysterically funny. Ive signed that picture of the puppet  Ive signed it more than any other picture.

Damon explained of his fans affection for the character, When you see the autograph people that come in, they have a stack of pictures. And like, half of them will be the puppet, and they always ask Can you please write (drawn out Matt Damon voice) Matt Damon? The actor added, I never talked to Trey and Matt about it, but Im a big fan of theirs.

If only every celebrity who Parker and Stone personally victimized took their portrayals with as much grace as Damon did. Imagine how much money Barbra Streisand would make if she decided to start selling authentic, autographed Mecha-Streisand action figures.
The legacy of Curb Your Enthusiasm, according to J.B. Smoove, might be that lifes cringe moments will forever be compared to scenes from the show. Surprise, surprise  Smooves prediction made Larry David furious last night at a Curb Your Enthusiasm PaleyFest panel session hosted by Judd Apatow. About this cringey thing  I never dreamed in a million years that it would have that kind of effect on people, David ranted, according to Hollywood Reporters coverage of the event. After the second or third show I hear, Oh its cringey, Im cringing, I have to leave the room. When people call it cringe comedy, I want to wring their necks.

Give Apatow credit for pushing back, pointing to a clip that had run earlier in the evening in which David stores a plastic water bottle in his pants before hugging a little girl. Mommy, Mommy! she cries. Theres something hard in his pants!

Doesnt that scene qualify, wondered Apatow? Not according to David, who fired back, I dont understand how thats cringeworthy. At least according to Cheryl Hines, it could have been worse. She recalled that several times, she told her onscreen husband he could not tell some of the jokes he had written. Most of them got told anyway. I kept waiting to get canceled, I guess, says David. I was a little disappointed that I didnt.

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Davids disappointment didnt last long -- not after a week of basking in the afterglow of the Curb Your Enthusiasm finale. Honestly I was kind of blown away at the response to the finale, yeah, David said. It exceeded my wildest expectations. Of course, I never have expectations for anything.

Curbs conclusion was a chance for David to right the perceived wrongs of the Seinfeld finale, even if he still defends it. He enlisted Jerry himself for the finale, with executive producer Jeff Schaffer acknowledging that Seinfeld joked about getting it right this time. When the PaleyFest crowd cheered at the idea, David flipped them off. Oh fuck you, you didnt like the first one? (He was joking, of course, and the crowd loved it.)

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Despite giving audience members a friendly version of the bird, David did acknowledge being bummed out about bad reviews of the Seinfeld finale. At the time, he said, I think it did bother me. But the reaction was more positive this time around, even from Davids old Seinfeld co-workers.

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Schaffer says that he got a wonderful very sweet email from Jerry and I got an amazing, sweet email from Julia (Louis-Dreyfus) the next day too, which was great. They loved it. And amazingly, no one seemed to cringe this time around. The reaction tells us that we ended at the right time, in the right way.
Solid progress achieved in China-ASEAN agricultural cooperation

10:35, April 19, 2024 By Yang Yi ( People's Daily

In recent years, Cambodia has exported a huge amount of mangos to China, which has driven the development of the local mango cultivation industry. Photo shows a mango plantation and processing facility in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia. (People's Daily/Zhao Yipu)

Agriculture is a key area of cooperation between China and ASEAN. To date, China and ASEAN have signed over 40 bilateral documents on agricultural cooperation and established eight bilateral agricultural cooperation mechanisms. ASEAN is China's largest agricultural trade partner and one of the most important destinations for agricultural investment.

The continuously deepening agricultural cooperation between the two sides will benefit the people of all countries involved.

In recent years, an increasing number of agricultural products including durian, banana, longan, and sugarcane from ASEAN countries such as Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, have made their way to Chinese consumers through the China-Laos Railway and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

ASEAN countries will benefit from the tariff preferences, streamlined customs procedures, and facilitation of trade and investment brought about by the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which will promote long-term growth in their exports, said Cambodian Ministry of Commerce's Secretary of State and Spokesperson Penn Sovicheat.

According to statistics released by China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, three ASEAN countries, namely Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, were among the top 10 agricultural trade partners of China in 2023.

Last year, the total trade volume of agricultural products between Thailand and China reached $17.888 billion, with a total quantity of over 14.71 million tons.

A Thai media outlet said that thanks to the implementation of RCEP and the opening of the China-Laos Railway, fresh Thai fruits can reach China in just a few days, which makes them highly popular among Chinese consumers.

A Chinese expert of a ChinaLaos crop excellent varieties experimental station guides local farmers to grow vegetables. (Photo/Chen Jiuzhong)

At a ChinaLaos crop excellent varieties experimental station in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, Chinese experts were guiding local villagers in Xaythany district to grow vegetables in a science-based manner.

Lyu Feng, Chinese technician of the experimental station and a lecturer with Guangxi Vocational University of Agriculture, told People's Daily that the experimental station has tested over 300 crop varieties since 2013, and selected 67 excellent ones suitable for local cultivation.

Chinese experts have also organized multiple training sessions for local agricultural technicians, farmers, and students and faculties of universities.

In recent years, China has closely collaborated with ASEAN countries, establishing five agricultural experimental stations in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Myanmar.

These stations help improve cultivation efficiency of greenhouse vegetables with soilless cultivation and fertigation techniques. They have established demonstration bases to boost rice yield in green manners, introducing new techniques in seedling breeding, cultivation, water and fertilizer management, and pest control. The stations also use unmanned aerial vehicles to sow seeds and promote intelligent transplanting and harvesting.

Together, they had selected and tested over 750 new and superior varieties of vegetables and rice, which were later grown on 4 million mu (266,667 hectares) of land, and trained more than 1,000 agricultural technicians.

Chinese agricultural experts have worked hand in hand with local farmers and agricultural technicians in ASEAN countries, contributing to the green and digital transformation of agriculture.

Durians from Malaysia are exhibited at the 20th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Sept. 16, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Peng Huan)

The ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Deepening Agricultural Cooperation, released in 2023, stressed the importance of promoting sustainable, resilient, circular and low-carbon agriculture.

According to the document, the two sides will scale up sustainable and resilient agriculture and low-carbon farming, reduce agrochemical use and recycle agricultural waste, where applicable.

They will promote the trade of such agricultural products, and establish traceability systems for them where possible, so as to enhance the competitiveness of green, quality and distinctive products of the region.

Satvinder Singh, ASEAN deputy secretary-general, said that the deepening agricultural cooperation between ASEAN countries and China, along with the joint promotion of smart agriculture projects, has enhanced the competitiveness of agricultural products from both sides.

Malaysia's Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu noted that China has valuable experiences in promoting agricultural production and technological advancements.

The expanding agricultural trade and deepening agricultural technology cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, will bring about more development opportunities for ASEAN nations, the minister added.

Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Hou Yanqi noted that China is ready to work together with ASEAN countries to promote greater synergy between the ASEAN-China Action Plan on Green Agricultural Development (2023-2027) and the ASEAN Sustainable Agriculture Guidelines, deepen cooperation in digital agriculture, smart agriculture, etc., and collaborate on green agricultural research and innovation, in order to enhance the green, circular and sustainable development of agriculture in the region.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for an end to "the dangerous cycle of retaliation" in the Middle East following reports of Israeli strikes against Iran.

The UN chief condemned "any act of retaliation" and called on the international community to prevent "any further development that could lead to devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond," his spokesman said in a statement. (AFP)
A still from The Jinx season two. Photo: HBO

Its been nine years since The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, the Andrew Jarecki docuseries about the troubled real-estate heir, ended with what sounded like a murder confession. A day before the finale aired on April 15, 2015, Robert Durst was arrested in a New Orleans hotel lobby. He was convicted of the murder of his friend, Susan Berman, in 2021, and died in a prison hospital early the next year.

This, to many people, seemed like the end of the story. But Jarecki has been collecting footage and interviews of the events that The Jinx set in motion. The second season of the series, premiering on HBO April 21, will follow Dursts imprisonment and trial, weaving together audio recordings of calls made from prison, trial footage, and interviews with Dursts friends and confidants. If you need a refresher about who Robert Durst is, the murders he got away with, and how he finally got caught, heres where to start:

Who is Robert Durst?

Robert, frequently called Bob, was the scion of one of the most prominent real-estate families in New York City. His grandfather, Joseph Durst, an Austrian tailor, arrived in the U.S. in 1902 with three dollars sewn into his lapel. He bought his first building, One W. 34th Street, 13 years later. The Dursts assembled and developed lots in Midtown East before shifting West into the Times Square area. Josephs son Seymour, Roberts father, became president of the family business after Joseph died in 1974, running it with his brother, according to a 1995 obituary in the New York Times. Today, the family-run company manages and owns stakes in more than a dozen high-profile commercial and residential properties in New York, including One World Trade Center.

Robert was the oldest of Seymour Dursts four children, and he was slated to take over the real-estate empire. But in December 1994, Roberts younger sibling Douglas, then 50, took the reins instead, a process that required, according to the Times, revisions to dozens of legal documents governing family trusts. After being passed over for succession, Robert failed to show up at a family lunch, and afterwards, when the rest of the family returned to the office, they found that Robert had cleared out. In a 2015 interview with the Times, Douglas said that Robert had always seemed troubled and that the latter had tormented him throughout childhood. I was always amazed that he had friends, he told the paper, because from what I saw, I didnt see how anyone would see him as someone they wanted to be friendly with. As an adult, Robert also began acting erratically at the familys office  only coming in during odd hours, urinating in Douglass wastepaper basket. In the early 90s, he would start sitting at meetings and mumbling to himself, Douglas said. He also claimed his brother used to keep a plumbers wrench on his desk, leading Douglas to keep a pipe on his desk for protection.

What ultimately took him out as successor?

The incident that finally led to the change in succession, Douglas told the Times, was when Robert urinated in his uncles wastepaper basket apparently, a graver offense than peeing in his brothers (Douglas has said when he had complained about the pee earlier, family elders brushed it off). After the swap in 1994, Robert reportedly never came to the office again. In 2006, he accepted a $65 million payout for interest in the family trust, severing any remaining ties to the family business.

When was Robert first suspected of murder?

Durst was first arrested for murder in October 2001, after the death of Morris Black, Dursts neighbor in a Galveston, Texas, rooming house. Black had been found shot and dismembered in 2001. The Jinx, part one, featured extensive interview footage with Robert, exploring his role in Blacks death and the deaths of two other people close to him: his wife, Kathleen Durst, who vanished in 1982 and whose body has never been found, and Susan Berman, his best friend, confidant, and defender, who was shot execution-style in her Los Angeles home in 2000. At the time the first season of The Jinx aired, Durst had only been charged with Blacks murder, which hed been acquitted of, claiming self-defense. Durst had been living in the boardinghouse in the guise of a mute woman (and sometimes as a male friend of hers), and despite shooting Black, cutting up his body, dumping it in Galveston Bay, and jumping bail after his arrest, his lawyers convinced a jury that Durst had accidentally shot Black during a fight.

What have the Dursts said about the murders?

Before The Jinx aired in 2015, Douglas told the Times that he believed Robert was guilty of the murders. Douglas also said his brother had appeared at his Westchester home twice in recent years, once carrying two guns and another time in a ski mask. Theres no doubt in my mind that if he had the opportunity to kill me, he would, he said.

Did the Durst family participate in the documentary?

No. The Jinxs director, Jarecki, whod made an earlier, fictionalized movie, All Good Things, about Robert Dursts life and Kathies disappearance, starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst, has said that Robert Durst reached out afterwards, apparently liking how Jarecki had told his story. The rest of the Durst family declined to be interviewed for The Jinx; Douglas told the Times that he felt the truth had been distorted in All Good Things and did not trust the filmmakers  he was worried they would allow Roberts fabrications to twist the documentary.

What happened at the end of the first season of The Jinx?

In the last episode of The Jinx, which aired on March 15, 2015, Jarecki presented Robert with a pivotal piece of evidence  an envelope containing an anonymous letter alerting police to the presence of Bermans body in her Beverly Hills home. The handwriting was identical to Dursts writing on another letter and included the same misspelling of Beverly as Beverley. Afterwards, a hot mic captured Durst in the bathroom saying the series famous last words: There it is, youre caught  What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course.

The day before the final episode aired, Durst was arrested and charged with murdering Susan Berman. Some saw the timing as suspect  it was certainly a boon for the series. But law-enforcement officials said they acted when they did because they believed Durst was preparing to flee the country.

As prosecutors successfully argued at his 2021 trial, Durst was afraid Berman was going to reveal the true details of Kathie Dursts disappearance and death to investigators. He was convicted of Bermans murder in 2021. That fall, a criminal complaint filed by an investigator in New York suggested he might also, finally, face charges in Kathleen Dursts murder. But Durst, a frail 78, died in a prison hospital early the next year.

What will the next season cover?

The second part of The Jinx, which will be six episodes like the first, will cover the events leading up to the 2021 Berman murder trial, the trial itself, and its aftermath, according to the Financial Times. The trailer shows jailhouse recordings, trial footage, and interviews with friends and those involved with covering and investigating the case, including longtime New York Times real-estate reporter Charles Bagli. Jarecki told the FT that this season will focus on complicity: How do you kill three people over 30 years and get away with it? As we got deeper into it, we realized it takes a village. We were not dealing with Bob Durst the lone wolf, because he was surrounded by all these people.
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The Red Sea, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon could all become future battlegrounds as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, a military expert warned today.

Tensions have been heightened further since Iran's assault on Israel on Saturday amid Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza and its own strikes targeting Iran in Syria.

Early this morning, Israel conducted strikes in Iran - defying US President Joe Biden's warnings over plunging the trouble region further into conflict.

Now, Middle East politics and security expert Michael Stephens has analysed the situation in an article for MailOnline, examining what could happen next.

Mr Stephens, who is senior associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute and research group RAND Europe, looked at the impact on other countries such as Qatar, the UAE and Cyprus - and whether they could become involved in future.

The Middle East teeters on a worrying precipice following a week of retaliatory missiles strikes between Israel and Iran.

Where next Middle East flash points could be Israel-Lebanon border: Hezbollah which operates on the northern side has exchanged fire with Israel over 5,000 separate times since October 7. Hezbollah has an arsenal of rockets estimated to be 150,000 a steep escalation could be devastating for both countries. Nevertheless this seems to be the last card for Iran to play. Syria: Damascus is host to several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military commanders and battalions. These units could be used to help plan attacks from Syria, and/or be the targets of retaliation from Israeli airstrikes themselves as happened in March when an IRGC commander was killed in an airstrike. There's also a US base in the South East of the country which was hit by a drone a couple of months back, again another potential flash point. Iraq: Shia militias connected to government ministries have the ability to target western interests such as embassies, oil companies and US military facilities. There is a US base in western Iraq - and, up in the Kurdish capital of Erbil, the Iranians may consider targeting these bases with ballistic missiles or drones, thus dragging the US deeper into the conflict. Gulf states: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE host significant US bases, which include a strong UK military presence. However these states have been clear to state that no retaliatory strike on Iran can be launched from these bases, and they will not accept being pulled into a wider Israel/US versus Iran confrontation. The likelihood of conflict breaking out inside the Gulf is quite low. There is also a military base at Duqm in Oman, however Oman maintains a balanced relationship with Iran and the West, and it is highly unlikely they would be a target. More likely is the disruption of shipping through the Straits of Hormuz by Iranian Naval assets, as has happened many times before. Red Sea/Yemen: Iran's Houthi allies are a highly disruptive force in Yemen. After nine years of war, they have become difficult to dislodge from their bases in the North, and control the capital city Sanaa. For four months they have targeted civilian shipping, and have faced retaliation from US/UK air forces. However they retain the ability to target ships with missiles and drones, making travel in the region highly unsafe. These attacks could escalate or even be expanded into the Indian Ocean as Iran seeks to use all means at its disposal to up the cost of conflict for the West. Israel: As we have seen, the Israeli homeland is now a theatre of war following the Iranian strikes of April 13. Iran said after that strike that it considered the matter closed, unless Israel retaliated - in which case it would launch far greater strikes. Now Israel has retaliated, we wait to see what Tehran decides to do. Iran: Israel has likewise struck into the Iranian homeland, and has the ability to do so again, multiple times should it so wish. It is unlikely that Israel would target facilities with radioactive material, but associated infrastructure and military facilities should be considered likely targets in the event of an escalation. Cyprus: Akrotiri is where many UK air operations are conducted from. But Iran is unlikely to target this. Advertisement

Tension between the two countries is nothing new. For the past two decades both sides have fought a shadow war, through proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, or using clandestine activities, and cyber warfare to target the other side's infrastructure.

But importantly, neither country used its military to openly strike inside the other's sovereign territory.

This week that taboo was broken, and it places the region into a worrying new dynamic whereby Israel and Iran may feel it necessary to keep retaliating to avoid looking weak in the face of the other.

As things currently stand, events are moving so fast that predicting how this will play out is difficult, and the level of tension means that a miscalculation by either side could lead to a rapid escalation of regional violence.

It's useful to consider that if things do escalate, how that might happen, and where that might be.

The region is replete with potential flash points that could unravel quickly, but some places are more dangerous than others, and as a result are less likely to destabilise immediately.

The Red Sea is likely the first place to expect more problems.

Iran's Houthi allies are a highly disruptive force in Yemen, after nine years of civil war they have become difficult to dislodge from their bases on the West Coast, and they are in total control of the capital city Sanaa.

For four months they have targeted civilian shipping, and have faced retaliation from US/UK air forces.

However, they retain the ability to target ships with missiles and drones making travel in the region highly unsafe.

These attacks could easily escalate or even be expanded into the Indian Ocean as Iran seeks to use all means at its disposal to up the cost of conflict for the West.

In Iraq, Shia militias - some of whom are loyal to Iran - connected to government ministries have the ability to target western interests such as embassies, oil companies and US military facilities.

The US run Al Assad military base in western Iraq, and the airbase in the Kurdish capital of Erbil has been targeted before.

And the Iranians may consider targeting these bases with ballistic missiles or drones, thus dragging the US deeper into the conflict.

Israel has also conducted airstrikes against these militias in 2019, and the Israelis may feel further strikes would be a good way to hurt Iran without directly targeting its homeland again.

The Israelis may well decide to up the ante in Syria, where the capital of Damascus is host to several Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military commanders and battalions.

These units could be used to help plan Iranian attacks from Syria, as well as be the targets of retaliation from Israeli airstrikes, such as what happened in March when senior IRGC commander Mohamed Reza Zahedi was killed in a targeted Israeli airstrike.

Iran's logistical links from the Syrian capital to its allies in Lebanon - Hezbollah - make southern Syria an obvious flashpoint which could see rapid escalation and retaliatory strikes between both sides.

Then there is Lebanon itself, where Lebanese Hezbollah has exchanged fire with Israel over 5,000 separate times since October 7.

Since then 200 Lebanese and 16 Israelis have been killed, and large areas both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border remain depopulated as civilians have fled in fear.

Hezbollah has an arsenal of rockets estimated to be over 150,000. If these were launched they would overwhelm Israel's multilayered air defence system and cause widespread devastation across the country.

A cloud of smoke down the road from an explosion in Nuseirat in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday

Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip amid continuing battles, in a photograph released yesterday

Palestinians inspect the damage to a building at Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip yesterday

Israel would have to invade Lebanon in retaliation, leading to a war so severe it would make Gaza look like an entree course.

Given how bad this outcome could be, it is unlikely either Iran or Israel would push for an all-out conflict in the north unless things got so bad that there was simply no other option.

Then of course there's Israel and Iran themselves.

Given the large distance between the two countries it's not like either could directly invade, but both countries possess significant ballistic missile capabilities and scenes like the night of April 13 could certainly become a regular occurrence.

This would be of deep concern to the US and its Western allies such as the UK which are committed to Israel's defence.

A plume of smoke during Israeli bombardment in Gaza City yesterday amid the conflict

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house in Rafah in Gaza on Wednesday

Israeli soldiers fire mortars from southern Israel towards the Gaza Strip on Wednesday

While Israel is suspected to have nuclear weapons, Iran currently has not yet produced a weapon of its own, and so there's thankfully no chance of a mushroom cloud appearing in the Middle East any time soon.

It's worth nothing that Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates host significant US bases, which include a strong UK military presence.

This could be used to help police the skies between Israel and Iran if things do become even worse.

However, these countries have been clear that no retaliatory strike on Iran can be launched from these bases, and they will not accept being pulled into a wider Israel/US versus Iran confrontation.

So, the likelihood of conflict breaking out inside the Gulf is quite low.

A Palestinian inspects the damage to a building at Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip yesterday

People stand amid the damage caused by fire after an Israeli attack in Duma on Wednesday

Israeli military vehicles drive along a devastated street in the Nur Shams refugee camp today

But far more likely is the disruption of shipping through the Straits of Hormuz by Iranian Naval assets, as has happened many times before, which would force up oil prices and heavily disrupt as much as a third of the world's energy supplies.

This all makes for a very worrying picture, where multiple flashpoints can engulf the region in a much wider conflict.

Iran's assets across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen mean that it has many pressure points it can push on to increase the pain if things escalate.

Meanwhile Israel's vastly superior military technology means it can strike accurately at Iranian assets any place and any time.

Lebanese villagers pass by a building destroyed by Israeli shelling in Kfar Kila, a Lebanese border village with Israel, yesterday

Israeli armored personnel carriers move near the Israeli-Gaza border on Wednesday

An Israeli house in the northern Israeli border town of Metula damaged by Hezbollah shelling, seen from the Lebanese side of the Lebanese-Israeli border village of Kfar Kila yesterday

People visit the Mount of Olives in the Old City of Jerusalem today as the conflict continues

There is much urgent diplomacy taking place in the region that will hopefully allow cooler heads on all sides to prevail.

The most important thing will be to allow both Israel and Iran an off-ramp from their current cycle of escalation before things get any worse.

The only positive is that despite the headline-grabbing sight of missiles flying back and forward, no one has actually been killed - and civilians have not been the intended targets.

So there's still time for diplomacy to prevail and for the region to avoid a wider war.
A mom-to-be has lifted the lid on her 'uncomfortable' experience working in a men's maximum security prison while seven months pregnant.

Bella Aguilar, from California, is a former prison maintenance supervisor who worked in a jail for seven years.

The 27-year-old even continued working at the prison while she was expecting a baby, despite it being extremely 'depressing' and difficult on her mental health.

At the beginning of her pregnancy, Bella tried to hide her baby bump with baggy clothes, however, after she could no longer conceal that she was bearing a child, working alongside the criminals became terrifying.

A mom-to-be has lifted the lid on her 'uncomfortable' experience working in a men's maximum security prison while seven months pregnant

Bella Aguilar, from California, is a former prison maintenance supervisor who worked in a jail for seven years

Bella said: 'It's just not a very happy place to work at. I mean, we all know why - it's a prison. So I felt like, sometimes when you're pregnant, you can already feel a bit depressed because you're not feeling like yourself.'

When she first learned she was pregnant, Bella did everything she could to hide it from the men in the maximum security prison.

Even when it was warm, the California-based mom opted for extremely baggy clothes in an attempt to keep men from staring at her bump. However, it didn't work and she often received unwelcome glances.

She admitted that she started gaining a lot of attention and started feeling uncomfortable with the extra eyes on her.

Bella explained: 'I tried to hide it as much as I could wearing baggy clothing or hoodies or bigger jackets, even if it was super hot. I would try to wear a big jacket over it. But it just got to the point where I couldn't hide it anymore and that's when we really cut back on the inmate contact. Just because it's uncomfortable.

'It's not something you see often. I'm very little, I'm five foot two, and I look very young. So just being a young little girl that's pregnant inside of a men's prison, it's just going to bring some type of eyes to you, at least for a moment.'

After the baggy clothes no longer worked, Bella then tried to avoid contact with the men in the maximum security prison, however, it wasn't easy.

She said: 'Once I was continuing to show bigger and bigger, we kind of tried to avoid inmate contact as much as possible, but it still sometimes had to happen.

'For about two days a week, I would see them [inmates] and I would go into a factory that had about 65 inmates in that factory. There's plenty of times where we would have to walk the yard to get to those areas.

The 27-year-old even continued working at the prison while she was expecting a baby, despite it being extremely 'depressing' and difficult on her mental health

At the beginning of her pregnancy, Bella tried to hide her baby bump with baggy clothes, however, after she could no longer conceal that she was bearing a child, working alongside the criminals became terrifying

'I was a maintenance supervisor and I was the health and safety coordinator. So I would deal with any health and safety issues, I would run monthly health and safety meetings and I would oversee the maintenance of all machinery and the inmates for the actual labor working on them.

'I wouldn't say that I felt threatened at all. A lot of the time, the inmate culture in California is to be more protective of women.

'But, it's just an odd feeling. We all know that being in a prison in general, there's always a chance of danger. Regardless, it is filled with prisoners who have done horrible things.

'However, I didn't feel particularly like a target because I was pregnant. I just felt like I was being watched more and it's just already an uncomfortable environment to be in as a woman in general, being pregnant, just added to it.'

Bella - who has been working in a prison since she was 20 years old - used to love her job, but when she fell pregnant, it became hard for her to enjoy work.

Bella - who has been working in a prison since she was 20 years old - used to love her job, but when she fell pregnant, it became hard for her to enjoy work

She added: 'I think it was more so I felt very uncomfortable but I never had any issue with any of them during either of my pregnancies.'

Although she shared that the inmates never hurt or disrespected her, it was still an unusual situation that brought her more attention than she would have liked.

She explained that the overwhelming amount of attention she received from inmates caused her mental health began to decline.

Bella said: 'Working in a place like that, for me, personally was extremely depressing and hard on my mental health and now that I don't work there, I can say I'm mentally so much happier.

'The only concerning part was that no one else was pregnant. So you're gonna get more attention than normal just being a female but I never had any disrespect, any negative experiences with inmates towards me being pregnant at all.'

She continued working at the prison until she was eight months pregnant when she decided that she also wanted to change career and focus on her content-creating and beauty dream.
A picture is worth a thousand words for a man who discovered that his wife is 'living a double life.'

The man, 28, created a post on Reddit yesterday after he found his 31-year-old wife's secret Instagram account.

The anonymous man claimed that it was full of mirror pictures that she took in their bedroom wearing lingerie that he bought for her.

He wrote that he and his wife of five years have been 'a little disconnected,' but he didn't know why.

His growing curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to snoop around her phone while she was in the shower on April 16.

The anonymous man claimed that it was full of mirror pictures that she took in their bedroom wearing lingerie that he bought for her (file image)

The man revealed in his Reddit post that he and his wife had been 'a little disconnected' for two months and he didn't know why

The man said he and his wife had been together for more than 10 years. They began dating while he was a freshman and she was a senior in high school.

'She was the hottest girl in school... I couldn't even believe she giving me the time of day,' he wrote.

The two of them had just moved across the country so that she could go to school and pursue a career.

The poster knew that snooping on her phone was wrong, he felt compelled to do so once he believed something suspicious was going to be on her social media.

He discovered the private account along with three others shortly after he began snooping on her phone and social media.

According to the man, his wife's private Instagram account was attached to a fake name.

'I opened that one up, and low and behold, there are pictures posted of her that I've never seen before,' he wrote.

He claimed to have found 35 posts on the private account going back to December 2023, with each photo having more than 80 likes.

Due to her 1,200 followers, the shocked husband wondered if his wife was 'cross-posting on another platform.'

He decided to continue his Instagram snooping and plucked up the courage to look over all of his wife's DM's to see if any of them were inappropriate.

He discovered that men complimented his wife's looks, and they sent her graphic photos, which she responded to.

The OP's heart began to pound while he was reading the DMs and he put her phone back on the table after he couldn't stand them looking at them anymore.

'I didn't want my emotions to get the best of me when I brought it up to her so I tried to sleep on it,' he wrote.

He began to wonder if his wife had ever met up with a man that sent her a DM had admitted that he has a history of overreacting.

The two of them planned out their futures together and had even tried to have a baby, but because of this, the husband has decided to take action.

The 28-year-old confirmed in his Reddit post that he would try to talk to her about the account.

Reddit users have been supporting the man after what happened but many of them suggested in their comments that he divorce her

He didn't give too many details about how the conversation went, but he did hint that their marriage is now in trouble.

The saddened yet stern husband will be going back into her phone to try and take screenshots of her private account.

Once he finishes all of the snooping, he will contact a lawyer, and that it's still crazy for him to think about it.

Reddit users have been supporting the man in the comment section and one person even called his wife 'a piece of s***'

Many users wrote advice about what they believe the man should do in this situation.

'It's time to make preparations and talk with a lawyer,' one person wrote.

'Send yourself some screenshots if you're able, and if you can, I'd avoid telling you know as long as possible.'

One commenter who claimed to be a woman wrote that based on the situation, it sounds like the man's wife doesn't respect him.

She added: 'If a woman doesn't respect her partner then that relationship is as good as gone.'
Yes it's that time of year when some women's thoughts turn to white jeans and others' . . . definitely do not.

If you're a female celebrity almost any female celebrity but chief among the white jeans fanclub are Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Katie Holmes, Sienna Miller and, lest you should suspect that white jeans are something you put away in your fifties, Cindy Crawford and Tilda Swinton  then you've already hunted out your white jeans. You were wearing them the first hot weekend in April (there is extra kudos in going early) and you've been making the most of the white jeans and a camel/navy polo neck sweater look.

Honestly it's harder to think of an A-list celebrity who doesn't, about now, break out her white jeans, because white jeans are the classic, never-out-of-style summer clothing perennial and worn right, they've become a soft status symbol.

If you're a normal woman with a dog, who travels on public transport, gets caught in the rain, and who has a partner who eats chocolate in such a way that tiny barely visible chips settle on the sofa, then white jeans are the last thing on your list. Even if they weren't just about as practical as white carpets, there's the hip and thigh-exaggerating potential of white jeans to consider.

It's harder to think of an A-list celebrity - such as Sienna Miller, above - who doesn't, about now, break out her white jeans

Katie Holmes steps out with style on a rainy day in New York, wearing yellow heels with white denim and a grey sweater

And here's Katie again, rocking the white jean look

They get dirty in a flash, they add inches to your bum, they are not the busy, cash-strapped, woman's friend, is how many of us feel about them. Fine on Meghan Markle (slim, rich, Californian), not in real life.

And we're not entirely wrong. There's no getting away from the fact white jeans get dirtier 90 per cent faster than regular jeans but a washing machine with a quick cycle has that problem solved.

As for adding inches below the waist, yes they can, but only in exactly the same way that any jeans or trousers can; their whiteness  oddly enough  does not make them less flattering.

Pale pink, lilac, lemon yellow, all the pastels are liable to exaggerate your hips and bum but white, no, so long as they're well cut and neither bulky nor skintight.

If you're a normal woman with a dog, then white jeans are the last thing on your list, but megastars such as Jennifer Lopez, above, probably get away with it

Since vintage stars including Jackie Onassis, pictured above in 1970, established them as one of the building blocks of the elegant, sophisticated woman's wardrobe, it hasn't all been smooth sailing for white jeans

The soon to be Jackie O, in a laid-back look the day before her wedding to Aristotle Onassis

Which brings us swiftly on to the question of But Why Bother? Because, in 2024, white jeans offer not just an easy breezy cool alternative to blue jeans, they're a short cut to discreet chic: the pared back, stealth wealthy minimalism that's everywhere this year.

What if the secret to looking stylish, groomed and smart this summer was as easy as investing in the right white jeans? Or, to put it another way, can you look like a resident of Montecito, or a Parisian fashion editor, for the price of some Marks & Spencer wide-leg jeans, or a pair of Zara's marine cut straights, and if so . . . might that not be fun?

It wasn't always like this. White jeans in the last decade, from stretch low rise skinnies with a whale tale thong flipping out of the back, to the ripped and razored cling ons favoured by model Gigi Hadid, have not always looked like ideal everyday wear. Since Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O established them as one of the building blocks of the elegant, sophisticated woman's wardrobe it hasn't all been smooth sailing for white jeans.

Lately they've acquired a somewhat flash, 'Do I look like I care?' reputation. Ask your husband what he thinks of when he thinks of white jeans and he may well say the second wives of hedge fund managers, blocking the road in their four-wheel-drives.

Supermodel Cindy Crawford pairs her white jeans with a classic navy knit and trendy Birkenstocks

...Top model Gisele Bundchen opts for an all-white look with thong sandals

White jeans are fine on  Meghan Markle (slim, rich Californian pictured with Harry during the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, last year), but not in real life

Ask your twenty-something daughter and she'll narrow her eyes and beg you not to join the ranks of the bleached blonde mums in breton T-shirts and ankle-cropped white jeans.

But ask a fashion editor what she thinks of white jeans in 2024 and she'll tell you that a plain straight or wide-legged pair  jeans or trousers  are a key part of the pared-back luxury look for summer 2024. Wearing cream with ivory, with white, with more white or ecru, head-to-toe  or with a dose of black  is currently the fastest way to look expensive and glamorous.

We have the white shirt, the white tank, the white blazer and those mostly white Adidas Sambas. Wear some or all of them together with your white jeans and you're doing the stealth wealth thing without even trying.

These are not the stiff, crackly heavy-duty white jeans which definitely do add heft below the waist (you need a model figure for those). They're not the see-through second skin sort that show the pockets and your knickers, either. They may not even be denim. They are the smart jeans/black trousers alternative, and being white they have more glamour than both.

Will I, personally, be wearing white jeans? No. But I will be wearing ecru jeans and judging by the fact mine are currently Marks & Spencer's biggest sellers, I'm not the only one.
Meghan has gifted 50 jars from her first batch of jam to close pals

Meghan Markle's American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam is being put to good use in the Figueras household - as Harry's polo pal has revealed he 'loves' the product.

Ignacio 'Nacho' Figueras, dubbed by Tatler as 'the David Beckham of polo' posted snaps of himself spreading the jam on a piece of buttered toast and biting into it on Instagram - just days after his wife Delfina Blaquier first promoted the product.

As the Argentine polo player, who is based in Florida, posted the photos, Nacho wrote: 'Did I tell you I love your jam?'

The photos follow a slick PR campaign by Meghan's glamorous pals, including her close friend of many years, Kelly McKee Zajfen, and A-listers Mindy Kaling and Tracee Ells Ross.

Earlier this week Nacho's wife Delfina, an Argentinian socialite, posted a snap of the jam on her Instagram story and said: 'Strawberry jam makes me so happy' as she held up the jar which was marked number 10 out of 50.

Nacho Figueras, known as 'the David Beckham of polo' and Prince Harry's close pal, joined the promotional bandwagon for Meghan's American Riviera Orchard jam

Delfina first met her husband at a polo match in Buenos Aires in 1997. They started dating in early 1998 and welcomed their first son in 2000, and wed in December 2005. The couple now have four children together: Hilario; Aurora; Artemo; and Alba.

Nacho and Prince Harry have been playing in charity polo matches, both together and against each other, for the last decade, with Nacho becoming involved in Harry's charity Sentebale.

As the polo players have become friends, so have their wives, who have been spotted cheering on their husbands in matches across the US, while each nailing their polo spectator outfits.

The Argentine polo player posted a snap of himself spreading the jam onto some buttered toast

It comes after Delfina posted a snap on her Instagram story of the jam jar she had received from Meghan, which was the 10th in the batch

Meghan Markle has begun distributing jam from American Riviera Orchard to 50 of her pals, including fellow 'polo wife' Delfina Blaquier (pictured at Berkshire Polo Club, UK in 2018)

It seems Meghan and Delfina's friendship has developed significantly over the last few years, with the Argentine socialite referring to the Duchess as her 'sister' in a gushing Instagram post.

Posting a photo of herself and the Duchess watching their husbands compete at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club, she wrote: 'M - looking forward to many more of these times with you and H.

'Getting to spend time together over these two months was so special. I wish everyone knew you the way you are.'

She continued: 'My sister, my now fellow pwife (polo wife) -genius of you to come up with this. Cant wait to see you again soon, to share thrill, hikes, and just more chill time.'

Delfina added: 'You also have my respect. Keep walking, steady and strong. Listen to your heart, that will guide you well, because you have a big one and its a beautiful one. I love you my darling.'

She also praised the royal mother-of-two as being 'stronger than she knows' in an interview with Hello! magazine in the same year.

'[Meghan] is so wonderful and strong. Stronger than she knows. I love being around my friends, and I will always support her,' she told the magazine.

In an earlier interview with the publication, Delfina, who splits her time between Argentina and Florida, also revealed that the pair referred to themselves as the 'P Wives' which stands for 'Polo Wives'.
Burger King has announced the hit item will make a return from April 23

McDonald's fans who are missing the fast food chain's Halloumi Fries should fear not - Burger King has announced its version of the Cypriot cheese treats is back on the menu, and even claims it has had the seal of approval from Greek Yiayias.

Returning to menus across April 23, Burger King's Halloumi Fries will launch just a week after McDonald's latest menu revamp.

They have also been given a fresh 'seal of approval' from Greek Cypriot Yiayia's (the Greek word for Grandma), who were able to sample them in a pre-launch taste test.

The fries are made with strips of 100% Cypriot halloumi, sourced directly from Cyprus - renowned as the home of the savoury, squeaky cheese.

Available as a five-piece or eight-piece side, the golden and cheesy fries are perfect as a snack or accompaniment to level-up a meal, and come served with a signature Sweet Chilli sauce dip.

Burger King's Halloumi Fries have been given a fresh 'seal of approval' from Greek Cypriot YiaYia's (the Greek word for Grandma), who were able to sample them in a pre-launch taste test

Yiayias from London's Greek Cypriot Society were invited to a taste test, where they awarded Burger King UK Halloumi Fries the coveted 'Yiayia seal of approval' thanks to their delicious flavour and authenticity.

Bambi Steel and Helen Zannicos, members of East London's Hellenic Cypriot Society said: 'We loved tasting Burger King's Halloumi Fries this week.

'They are the perfect balance of cheesy and salty, and the fact they're made with quality ingredients sourced from Cyprus makes them taste even better.

'We're pleased to award them with our very own Yiayia seal of approval!'

Halloumi Fries will be available at Burger King restaurants across the UK nationwide and, for the first time, via delivery, which you can order exclusively on Uber Eats from April 23 to May 6.

It comes after rival fast food chain McDonald's announced the latest set of limited menu items for their April revamp including a brand-new Lotus Biscoff Frappe.

Also part of the biscuity collaboration is the return of the Lotus Biscoff McFlurry, with the Chicken Big Mac also making a comeback.

The Lotus Biscoff collaboration headlines is top of the bill for the new menu, but there are plenty more returning delights for customers.

Bambi Steel and Helen Zannicos, members of East London's Hellenic Cypriot Society said: 'We loved tasting Burger King's Halloumi Fries this week'

Already a favourite among many with a Biscoff crumb swirled onto the soft serve giving it that extra crunch, the Biscoff McFlurry will be at the same price it launched at last June - 1.99.

A mini version will also be available at 1.59, 10p more than it was 10 months ago.

On the savoury side, a Quarter Pounder Deluxe - 4.89 - and Chicken Big Mac - 4.69 - are joining the burger menu.

There is also a new side available to order, with a portion of five Cheese and Herb Melts - made with a blend of mozzarella and Emmental and served with a tomato dip - bringing a cheesy alternative to fries at 2.89, or 7.09 for a sharebox.
A mother has claimed dental implants left her face with the 'worst bruising ever' - leaving her looking like a human 'Rorschach inkblot test'.

Jessica Macko, from San Antonio, Texas, had been experiencing 'agonizing' pain as an eating disorder she'd had when she was younger had 'eroded' all her teeth.

The 44-year-old decided to have All-on-4 dental implants earlier this month to fix her ongoing dental issues, a procedure where a set of four dental implants replace 'loose, rotten, missing or failing teeth'.

While she had been warned by doctors about bruising, the stay-at-home mother admitted she did not expect the pain to be so 'brutal' nor the bruising to be so severe.

The model posted a video of her face on day four after the treatment claiming she looked like a 'monster' and asking for others to reach out to her if they had ever had a similar reaction to the procedure.

Jessica Macko, from San Antonio, Texas , claimed dental implants left her face with the 'worst bruising ever' - leaving her looking like a human 'Rorschach inkblot test'

The 'horrific' deep purple bruising began at her neck and chin and spread across her face, getting worse hour by hour, even reaching up to underneath her eyes.

Now two weeks later, the bruising and swelling has gone down considerably and the mother-of-three would still recommend the procedure, believing her extreme bruising to be a 'unique' case.

Jessica said: 'The doctors did say I'd have some bruising. The day after I had the implants put in, my face swelled up humungously(sic) then the bruising started the day after that.

'I got quite scared. It just kept getting worse and worse every hour. It looked like I had a Rorschach blot test on my face, like the inkblots. I tend to bruise badly but I've never experienced anything like that before.

'I'm an artist so it was kind of cool to watch but it was horrific because I'd never seen bruising like that on anyone's face.

'It was on my chin and my neck, they were the most swollen and then it spread up and hit my nose and my under eye. It covered pretty much my whole face below my eyes.

'It hurt so much. For them to take out like all your teeth, I guess it just causes a lot of trauma but I had no choice because I was just having constant dental pain.

Jessica had been experiencing 'agonising' pain as an eating disorder she'd had when she was younger had 'eroded' all her teeth

While she had been warned by doctors about bruising, the stay-at-home mother admitted she did not expect the pain to be so 'brutal' nor the bruising to be so severe

The model posted a video of her face on day four after the treatment stating she looked like a 'monster' and asking for others to reach out to her if they had ever had a similar reaction to the procedure

The 'horrific' deep purple bruising began at her neck and chin and spread across her face, getting worse hour by hour, even reaching up to underneath her eyes

Her chin and my neck were incredibly swollen after the procedure and then it spread up her face

'I had no idea the pain would be that bad before I had it. I did not understand the brutality of it.'

How can eating disorders affect your teeth?

The Oral Health Foundation's website explains: 'Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder all have negative effects on the mouth. 'Potential negative effects of vitamin and nutrient deficiencies can cause the body to shut down and not function properly and that will also be reflected in the mouth. 'Revealing oral signs of eating disorders include: Enamel erosion, dry mouth, enlarged salivary glands, cracked/dry lips, mouth sores, tooth decay, sensitive teeth, bruising and/or injury to the mouth. 'Those who purge through vomiting can also erode tooth enamel through excessive contact with stomach acid.' Source: Oral Health Foundation Advertisement

Jessica's dental problems began when she was younger due to an eating disorder.

Online, the Oral Health Foundation state:

Jessica said: 'I like the cosmetic result but for me it was medical. When I was younger I had a bad eating disorder that eroded my teeth.

'Thankfully I'm healthy now and I'm better but part of getting the new teeth was my healing process.

'My teeth were all pretty much failing due to some health issues and I was in agonising pain.

'I was having all-on-fours dental implants. They put two screws in the top and two screws in the bottom to anchor the teeth in.

'The first week I could not sleep at all or eat, I would just cry at night. I went immediately back to my doctor when the bruising turned up.

'He explained that it was always a possibility and said he'd even seen one person with it worse.

'I'm also anaemic so that could cause bruising to be worse and obviously because it is just such a big trauma to the area, it's not unheard of.'

Despite the bruising, which she believes may have been worsened due to her anaemia, Jessica has no regrets about the surgery and would encourage others to get it.

Jessica said: 'It's gotten a lot better now. I went to MAC and got makeup to cover the bruising. I think by the end of the month it should be fully healed.

Now two weeks later, the bruising and swelling has gone down considerably and the mother-of-three would still recommend the procedure, believing her extreme bruising to be a 'unique' case

Despite the bruising, which she believes may have been worsened due to her anaemia, Jessica has no regrets about the surgery and would encourage others to get it

The beauty said she went to MAC and got makeup to cover the bruising and she thinks by the end of the month it should be fully healed

She was shocked by the bruising however she was lucky it didn't stay around for too long (pictured before the procedure)

'My advice to others thinking of getting dental implants would be that it is such a great option, it helps so many people and I'd definitely recommend it and that my case was just unique. I'd 100% recommend the surgery.'

Online, Bupa UK describes the treatment: 'Smile in a day treatment is a long-lasting solution for replacing loose, rotten, missing or failing teeth with a full set of dental implants in one day.

'The technique is usually used for people with little or no teeth and it's an alternative to the traditional placement of multiple dental implants, or a full set of dentures.

'A set of four to six dental implants replace a whole arch of missing teeth and are usually fitted all in the same day. You might also hear smile in a day treatment referred to as teeth in a day, full mouth dental implants or All-On-4 dental implants.'
In-between Pretty Woman, The Notebook, Barbie and Eat Pray Love - Hollywood royalty Ryan Gosling and Julia Roberts have a myriad of blockbusters from the past decades under their belts, so it's no wonder that the A-listers are always in demand.

And the former culture minister for France has revealed that she would love to see the actors' range tackle the nation's president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte.

The French First Lady - whose 'fairytale journey' from school teacher to office will be recounted in a TV series 'Brigitte, une Femme Libre' - will be at the heart of the show from production company Gaumont.

Speaking to BFM TV on Wednesday, Roselyne Bachelot, 77, spoke about her dream casting, as reported by the Telegraph.

'Right away, I thought of Ryan Gosling, because I find there's a physical resemblance between Emmanuel Macron and Ryan Gosling,' she revealed.

Speaking to BFM TV on Wednesday, Roselyne Bachelot, 77, spoke about her dream casting, as reported by the Telegraph - including Ryan Gosling (right) as the President (left)

'And I also thought of Julia Roberts.'

According to Yahoo!, Roselyne also suggested French actors Francois Civil and Clementine Celarie for the show.

However, while admitting she'll be 'the first to watch', the politician slammed media based around real life people and events.

'All these biopics bother me a little because,' she explained. 'It's an intrusion into private life which still poses a problem.'

Brigitte, 71, famously first met her now-husband Emmanuel while teaching at his high school in in Amiens, northern France. The first episode is set to document this meeting, a writer has said.

'Brigitte Macron is a fascinating character, and we want to tackle it in a romantic, almost melodramatic way because of the romantic dimension of her destiny,' writer Benedicte Charles told Le Figaro.

The Macrons - who have a 24-year age gap - married in 2007, with Emmanuel going on to become France's youngest president.

A source close to the first lady, who did not wish to be named, said it was the first they had heard of the biopic.

However, while admitting she'll be 'the first to watch', the politician slammed media based around real life people and events. Pictured left, Brigitte Macron, and right, Julia Roberts

'We are not associated with this project which we learnt about today in the press,' the source said.

The cast has not yet been announced, but the show is set to be over six episodes of 45 minutes. It is set to be penned by Benedicte and Olivier Pouponneau.

The series comes after a 2023 film titled 'Bernadette', starring French icon Catherine Deneuve as the wife of former president Jacques Chirac.

It tells how Bernadette Chirac carved herself a place in the limelight after being cast aside following her husband's 1995 election.

The now French President was just 15-years-old when he met Madame Auziere, a teacher who was 24 years his senior, at Lycee La Providence in Amiens.

Brigitte, whose eldest daughter Laurence was in the same class as Macron, she was captivated by his 'exceptional intelligence'.

The first sign other pupils had that the relationship was more than academic came during the play's closing party at a local restaurant, with one contemporary watching as the pair shared what he described, cryptically, as a 'tender moment'.

French former Culture minister Roselyne Bachelot pictured in March. She recently shared her thoughts on a Macron biopic

The now French President was just 15-years-old when he met Madame Auziere, a teacher who was 24 years his senior, at Lycee La Providence in Amiens

Ryan Gosling pictured in Crazy Stupid Love (2011). The former culture minister for France has revealed that she would love to see the actor's range tackle the nation's president Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte

The French First Lady - whose 'fairytale journey' from school teacher to office will be recounted in a TV series 'Brigitte, une Femme Libre' - will be at the heart of the show from production company Gaumont. Pictured, Ryan Gosling in The Place Beyond The Pines

Julia Roberts - who Roselyne suggested as her preferred casting for the biopic - pictured in Pretty Woman

Their romance blossomed and caused a scandal in the province. Macron's parents then sent him to Paris to attend another school, but his desire to be with his teacher and pursuit of her remained.

Brigitte's daughter Tiphaine Auziere, who is just six years younger than her step-father, recently shone a light on how she and her two older siblings really felt when Macron, 17 at the time, declared he wanted to marry their mother, then 42.

Speaking to Paris Match ahead of the release of her first novel, Auziere revealed how she and sister Laurence, 47, and brother Sebastian, 49, faced judgement and 'backbiting' as news of the scandalous romance broke in their local community.

She told the French magazine: 'The attacks, the backbiting, the judgments. It was not yet the era of social networks, but we were in a small provincial town. Everything is known.'

Brigitte, whose maiden name was Trogneux, was a teacher until 2015, quitting her job when her husband entered the world of politics.

According to Yahoo! , Roselyne also suggested French actors Francois Civil (right) and Clementine Celarie (left) for the show.

She has kept a low profile since her husband was first elected in 2017, but has made fighting school- and cyber-bullying one of her personal causes.

Speaking to FEMAIL, celebrity make-up artist Lisa Little said that Ryan and Julia could be transformed into the Macrons with a combination of wig, prosthetics and facial analysis.

'A talented makeup artist would begin by carefully analyzing the facial features and contours of both individuals and the Macrons,' she explained, which would incorporate the use of 'silicone, foam latex, and gelatine for prosthetic applications, tailored to modify key features like the nose and eyes'.

'Completing the look would involve the use of wigs. Capturing the subtle skin tones, bone structures, and overall essence of the Macrons demands a combination of artistic skill and meticulous attention to detail,' Lisa added.

'Despite the intricate nature of the Macrons' features posing challenges, a proficient makeup artist specialising in transformative makeup could successfully navigate these complexities to achieve a remarkable and true-to-life portrayal.'
Trump's glamorous aide Margo Martin has arrived at the former president's historic criminal trial in New York on Friday sporting a ring on her left hand.

The 28-year-old deputy communications chief, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Trump's wife Melania, stepped out from among some black SUVs while typing away on her phone, showing off the piece of jewelry on her ring finger.

Her long ombre locks were styled in beachy waves, framing her made-up face.

She wore an all-black outfit paired with a belt as she arrived for the fourth day of Trump's trial over a $130,000 hush-money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels over their alleged affair.

Trump's glamorous aide Margo Martin has arrived at the former president's historic criminal trial in New York on Friday sporting a ring on her left hand

The 28-year-old deputy communications chief stepped out from among some black SUVs while typing away on her phone. Pictured above is a close-up of the ring

Her long ombre locks were styled in beachy waves, framing her made-up face

There appears to be no reports of Martin, who has been mistaken as her boss's wife and former First Lady Melania, having a partner

There appears to be no reports of Martin, who has been mistaken as her boss's wife and former First Lady Melania, having a partner, and her carefully curated Instagram doesn't show a hint of a romance.

She was later seen at the courthouse alongside fellow Trump staffer Natalie Harp, with the two ladies pictured just outside of the entrance to the building.

Margo, who is a prolific Instagram user, was seen carrying an impressive stack of three phones in her hand, while Natalie was holding a large batch of paperwork.

This morning's proceedings kicked off amid the news that the full jury has finally been selected for the trial, with a line-up of five women and seven men being announced, including an investment banker and a speech therapist who admits he 'doesn't like' Trump's policies.

The brutal selection process which included extensive questioning and research into their backgrounds took three days to complete.

Each chosen member answered 'yes' when asked if they could be impartial and fair in the trial of the first former president in history.

Today will see the selection process in order to find six alternates who will be required to step up if any of the chosen jurors need to be excused.

Martin has been by Trump's side throughout the initial stages of his trial, documenting his daily arrivals at court on her Instagram account - where her follower count has shot up from 29,000 to nearly 39,000 in a matter of days.

While she has drawn the spotlight in the courtroom, Martin has already become a star in her own right, gaining tens of thousands of followers online for flaunting the many lavish perks that come with working with a prominent political figure.

The Trump aide was expressionless as she walked into the courthouse on Friday, while carrying an impressive stack of three phones

Another Trump aide Natalie Harp also showed up to court holding a stack of papers

Her carefully curated Instagram doesn't show a hint of a romance. She's pictured above with Trump

Martin (left) was first propelled into the spotlight last year, after a reporter actually mistook her for Melania (right) as she entered the courthouse for Trump's arraignment in a separate case

Martin has been seen arriving in court for every day of the trial since it started on Monday. She's pictured here in a stunning green trench on Tuesday

She's seen here with some suede black pumps in hand on a rainy Thursday outside court

She was first propelled into the public eye last year, after a reporter actually mistook her for Melania, 53, as she entered the United States Courthouse in Miami for Trump's arraignment in a separate case.

At the time, Fox News anchor John Roberts showed a clip of her walking into the government building on air, telling viewers before hand, 'We have some video that we want to play out here, Melania Trump entering the courthouse just a short time ago.'

A chyron at the bottom of the video said 'Melania Trump arrives at Miami court.'

However, DailyMail.com had reported earlier that Melania was in New York at the time, where she was spotted exiting Trump Tower and heading to John Frieda's hair salon.

A little while later, John announced on air that he had made a mistake, confessing, 'Apparently that was not Melania.'

Martin, an Oklahoma native, previously served as the Deputy Director of Communications for Trump's Save America PAC, which was used mainly to send emails to supporters and organize his continued rallies across the country.

During his time in office, she served as his press assistant - and she was famously the communications aide who gave the final press lid for the Trump administration.

She was one of the few to remain on with him beyond his White House tenure, and has since become a key part in his team.

While she has drawn the spotlight in the courtroom, Martin has already become a star in her own right, gaining tens of thousands of followers online for flaunting the many lavish perks

She loves to jet off on glamorous vacations, travelling via the former President's private plane, and enjoy beach days in Palm Beach, Florida, where it seems she is based now

Martin now serves as his deputy director of communications and is often spotted with him at various events, including a variety of parties held at his Florida home at Mar-a-Lago.

She has racked up more than 32,000 followers on Instagram, where she showcases her incredibly luxurious lifestyle.

She's usually seen eating in top restaurants, partying in celebrity hotspots, jetting off on glamorous vacations, travelling via the former President's private plane, or enjoying beach days in Palm Beach, Florida, where it seems she is based now.

The fourth day of Trump's trial on Friday comes after the 12-member jury was selected the day before.

Opening statements could take place on Monday if prosecutors and defense lawyers finish choosing six alternate jurors on Friday.

Prosecutors in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office say Trump falsely recorded his 2017 reimbursement of then Trump fixer Michael Cohen as legal expenses in his New York-based real estate company's books to cover up the hush money payment, which they call an illegal campaign contribution.

Falsifying a business record is a misdemeanor in New York. To get a jury to convict him on felony charges, prosecutors must prove that Trump knew Cohen's payment just before the 2016 election was illegal and the former President was trying to conceal it.

Trump denies any such encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. He has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
She called the last few months 'difficult, chaotic [and] a little distressing'

Miss Universe model Daniela Nicolas, 31, has revealed that she is battling cervical cancer in a heartbreaking video shared on social media.

The stunning beauty queen admitted to followers that she has been hiding her diagnosis for 'months', candidly confessing that she didn't feel capable of discussing it so publicly while struggling to come to terms with it herself.

Daniela, who participated as Miss Chile in the 2020 Miss Universe competition, which was held in 2021 after COVID pandemic delays, explained in the clip shared with her 600,000 Instagram fans: 'I didn't want it to be known.

'I have not been having a very good time the last few months.

Miss Universe model Daniela Nicolas has revealed that she is battling cervical cancer

The 31-year-old said she has been hiding her diagnosis 'for months.' Daniela, who participated in Miss Universe in 2020, explained: 'I didn't want it to be known'

The former Miss Chile took to Instagram to tell her 600,000 followers about her treatment

'I didn't want to share it with you because I didn't feel ready. I do not feel prepared to talk about this topic.

'It has been a difficult few months, a little chaotic, a little distressing, and before talking with you, I first had to be okay, and I really wasn't.'

Speaking about her decision to finally speak out, Nicolas explained that she wanted to ensure the news of her diagnosis was shared in her own words, so that it wouldn't be misconstrued or misunderstood.

'If this is going to be known, I'd prefer it if it came from a responsible side,' she went on.

'This is why I'm talking about it now - it's not because I didn't want to.

'I have been resisting for a long time, but it was because I didn't want it to be common knowledge.

'I wanted to keep it among my friends and family.'

The model did not reveal any further details about her diagnosis, but made it clear she has been undergoing treatment for several months.

Nicolas competed in the 2020 Miss Universe competition (seen), which was held in March 2021 after being delayed amid the COVID pandemic

The model said: 'I have not been having a very good time the last few months. I didn't want to share it with you because I didn't feel ready. I do not feel prepared to talk about this topic'

She continued: 'It has been a difficult few months, a little chaotic, a little distressing, and before talking with you, I first had to be okay, and I really wasn't'

Nicolas added: 'If this is going to be known, I'd prefer it if it came from a responsible side. This is why I'm talking about it now - it's not because I didn't want to'

Although she did not share any details about how her cancer was discovered, the model revealed that she was about to undergo an hour-long consultation with her doctor and asked her followers to 'wish me luck.'

One fan commented: 'Daniela, all the best energy for you. I know what you are experiencing in terms of health.'

Another said: 'Everything will be fine.'

Javi wrote: 'Sending you good energy [to] the most beautiful Dani in the world. We adore you.'

Nicolas has previously spoken about her health problems with rheumatoid arthritis, which has led to her being hospitalized several times.

According to the National Cancer Institute: 'Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix.'

There are two types of cervical cancer - squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma and both are 'named after the type of cell where the cancer started.

'Most cervical cancers (up to 90 per cent) are squamous cell carcinomas. These cancers develop from cells in the ectocervix.

One fan commented: 'Daniela, all the best energy for you. I know what you are experiencing in terms of health'

'Cervical adenocarcinomas develop in the glandular cells of the endocervix.

'Clear cell adenocarcinoma, also called clear cell carcinoma, or mesonephroma, is a rare type of cervical adenocarcinoma.'

When both types of cells are involved, it is called mixed carcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma.

Cervical cancer treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the World Health Organization, 'cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally with around 660,000 new cases, and around 350,000 deaths in 2022.'
Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)

Taylor appears to reference the end of her relationship with Joe Alwyn and her subsequent fling with Matty Healy in the first track on her album.

The first verse appears to hint at the end of her romance with Joe as she sings: I was supposed to be sent away but they forgot to come and get me.

Taylor then wishes an ex well who betrayed her: All of this to say, I hope you're okay, but you're the reason / No one here's to blame but what about your quiet treason.

In the second verse, Taylor talks about a short-lived fling that helped her 'move on', potentially a reference to Matt.

She sings: 'All my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February / I took the miracle move on drug and the effects were temporary / And I love you, it's ruining my life / I touched you for only a fortnight.'

The Tortured Poets Department

The titular track is a shimmering melody which suggest that Taylor, modestly, doesn't see herself at the top table of tortured poets: 'You're not Dylan Thomas, and I'm not Patti Smith.'

It also appears to heavily reference her fling with Matty as she sings: 'You smokd then ate seven bars of chocolate / We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist.

'I scratch your head, you fall asleep / Like a tattooed golden retriever / But you awaken with dread.'

She also makes a candid reference to her mental health, singing: 'But you told Lucy you'd kill yourself if I ever leave /And I had said that to Jack about you so I felt seen'.

My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys

Written solely by Taylor, this song's dense electronic hum adds forceful notes.

Fans have suggested the title is a reference to the 'shiny toy she sang about in her hit Cruel Summer from the album Lover.

It's not clear if she is referring to heartbreak after splitting from Joe or the abrupt end to her romance with Matty.

'Once I fix me, he's gonna miss me,' she vows, adding: 'I know I'm just repeating myslf Put me back on my shelf / But first, pull the string And I'll tell you that he runs Because he loves me (He loves me).'

Down Bad

Taylor references mental health again as she details how 'down' she feels without an ex and the infatuation she felt with him.

'Everything comes out teenage petulance,' sings Taylor as she bitterly surveys the fallout from an old relationship.

She continues: 'Everything comes out teenage petulance / F**k it if I can't have him / I might just die, it would make no difference / Down bad, waking up in blood /Staring at the sky, come back and pick me up.

'F**k it if I can't have us / I might just not get up / I might stay down bad.'

So Long, London

The first track to be written with The National's Aaron Dessner brings a change of pace, with a lovely, choral intro. 'So long, London, you'll find someone,' sings Taylor.

The song appears to be a reference to British ex Joe and a follow up to her hit London Boy from Lover.

She references their different approaches to the end of their romance, singing in the first verse: 'I kept calm and carried the weight of the rift / Pulled him in tighter each time he was drifting away / My spine split from carrying us up the hill.'

Verse three she muses: 'And you say I abandoned the ship, but I was going down with it / My white knuckle dying grip holding tight to your quiet resentment.'

But Daddy I Love Him

'I know he's crazy, but he's the one I want,' sings Taylor, showing wry humour as she admits to falling for the bad boys. Produced, with real brightness, by Dessner.

She goes on to revel in the fact she dismisses warning from critics, singing: 'They slammed the door on my whole world / The one thing I wanted

'Now Im running with my dress unbuttoned, / Screaming, But daddy I love him / Im having his baby / No Im not, but you should see your faces.'

Fresh Out The Slammer

Finger-picked acoustic guitar adds folky notes reminiscent of lockdown albums Folklore and Evermore to Fresh Out The Slammer, which details rushing into a new relationship.

Seemingly a reference to her fling with Matty - who she previously dated in 2015 - she sings: 'Now pretty baby, Im running back home to you. / Fresh out the slammer I know who my first call will be to.'

On the decay of her past relationship, she sings: 'Splintered back in winter, silent dinners, bitter he was with her in dreams / Gray and blue and fights and tunnels, handcuffed to the spell I was under.

'For just one hour of sunshine / Years of labor, locks and ceilings / In the shade of how he was feeling.'

Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)

An album highlight, this theatrical duet with London singer Florence Welch is an uplifting song of escape  from small-town life and a bad romance.

Tellingly the first tour stop following her split from Joe was in Tampa, Florida and she begins her song by singing: 'You can beat the heat if you beat the charges too.

'They said I was a cheat, I guess it must be true / And my friends all smell like weed or little babies / And this city reeks of driving myself crazy.'

This is her first new album since the end of her six-year relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn and, while she doesn't mention Alwyn by name, speculation will be rife that tracks such as So Long, London are about him. Pictured together in 2019

Guilty As Sin?

A tale of unrequited love, and a superb slice of 1980s-style soft rock. It even mentions The Downtown Lights, a 1989 single by Scottish band The Blue Nile.

She begins the track with her feelings on being 'trapped' in a relationship, singing: 'My boredoms bone-deep, this cage was once just fine / Am I allowed to cry?

'I dream of cracking locks, throwing my life to the wolves or the ocean rocks.'

She hints at an emotional affair providing her release, singing: 'These fatal fantasies giving way to labored breath taking all of me weve already done it in my head.

'If its make-believe why does it feel like a vow well both uphold somehow?'

Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me?

Big drums, a dramatic arrangement, and more dry humour in another song penned solely by Taylor. 'You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me,' she snarls.

It's reminiscent of her hit single Look What You Made Me Do and the villain arc is prominent in her lyrics.

She sings: 'I was tame, I was gentle till the circus life made me mean /Dont you worry folks, we took out all her teeth

'Whos afraid of little old me? Well you should be.'

I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)

A moody, stripped-down number worthy of Lana Del Rey, who has also worked extensively with the song's producer, Jack Antonoff.

She appears to be referring to chain smoking, booze loving Matty, as she sings: 'The smoke cloud billows out his mouth like a freight train through a small town / The jokes that he told across the bar were revolting and far too loud.'

Fans had expressed their concerns when Taylor started dating The 1975 bad boy rocker and it seems her friends had the same reservations.

Taylor sings: 'They shake their heads, saying, "God help her" when I tell em hes my man / But your good Lord doesnt need to lift a finger / I can fix him, no really I can / And only I can.'

The Alchemy: Sporting metaphors aplenty suggest a track inspired by the singer's current boyfriend, American football star Travis Kelce. Pictured at Coachella this week

loml

'You said I'm the love of your life,' sings Taylor on this warm, resonant piano ballad. In a smart twist, the 'loml' ultimately becomes 'the loss of my life'.

She describes being love-bombed by an old flame, seemingly referring to Matty given their past experience.

Others have suggested the intensity of the lyrics suggest it relates to her longterm relationship with Joe.

She sings: 'I felt a glow like this, never before and never since /If you know it in one glimpse its legendary.

'You and I go from one kiss to getting married / Still alive, killing time at the cemetery / Never quite buried.'

I Can Do It With A Broken Heart

More 1980s influences on an electronic pop track that sees Taylor vowing to remain a trouper, despite any romantic strife.

She sings about putting on a brave face while her relationships publicly fall apart, noting: 'They said, "Babe, you gotta fake it till you make it," and I did.

'Lights, camera, b***h, smile / Even when you wanna die / He said he'd love me all his life / But that life was too short / Breaking down, I hit the floor / All the pieces of me shattered as the crowd was chanting more.'

Taylor has previously admitted she struggled with her love live playing out so publicly and the narrative that she'd had more boyfriends than other women.

The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived

'You didn't measure up in any measure of a man,' sings a disdainful Taylor on a melodramatic ballad.

The title is noteworthy, given that Matty's stature is an object of some debate. The singer previously disclosed: 'Everyone in [the 1975] is 64 and Im 510, so everyone thinks that Im 55.'

More recently, he addressed these short man allegations by telling a fan that he was 'sick to f***ing death of this', insisting that he is 'a big boy.'

She sings: 'And I dont miss what we had / But could someone give a message / To the smallest man who ever lived?'

The Alchemy

Not all the songs are about heartbreak, as sporting metaphors aplenty suggest a track inspired by the singer's current boyfriend, American football star Travis Kelce.

'When I touch down, call the amateurs and cut them from the team,' she sings.

Speaking about the upcoming release back in February, when he was building up to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, Kelce said he had heard some of the songs on Taylor's latest release.

'I have heard some of it and yes, it's unbelievable,' he said to reporters. 'I can't wait for her to shake up the world when it finally drops.'

Clara Bow

It's tempting to think Taylor sees something of herself in a closing track inspired by Clara an American actress of the 1920s who lived her life in the Hollywood goldfish bowl.

She goes on to reference Stevie Nicks as she details struggling with the trappings of fame.

Taylor sings: 'I'm not trying to exaggrate / But I think I might die if I made it, die if I made it / No one in my small town thought I'd meet these suits in LA / They all want to say.'

The Black Dog

The Black Dog is also a reference to depression and lack of energy based on a demonic hellhound acting as an omen of death in English folklore and literature.

As well as the eerie lyrical meaning to the title, The Black Dog is a bar in Vauxhall, London - her ex Matt's city of birth and just a stone's throw away from Joe's hometown of Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

In the song, she belts out: 'I am someone who until recent events you shared your secrets with and your location / you forgot to turn it off / And so I watch as you walk into some bar called The Black Dog...

'I just don't understand how you don't miss me in The Black Dog when someone plays The Starting Line and you jump up, but she's too young to know this song that was intertwined in the magic fabric of our dreaming.'

Imgonnagetyouback

Taylor is torn between calling things off for good or rekindling with an ex in imgonnagetyouback.

Emotions are clearly running high as she sings: Whether Im gonna be your wife / Or smash up your bike / I havent decided yet.

She appears to reference her new romance with Travis as the song goes on, sharing: 'I can feel it coming / In the way you move / Push the reset button /Were becoming something new.

'See you got somebody else / Say I got someone else too / Even if its him, I'm leaving here with you.'

The Albatross

It seems London watering holes are a theme of the album, with The Black Dog and The Bolter joining The Albatross as apparent references to venues.

The Albatross Club is a pub in Farringdon, London but also has particularly eerie significance in its meaning as a word alone.

Albatross is defined in the Britannica Dictionary as: 'A continuing problem that makes it difficult or impossible to do or achieve something. Fame has become an albatross that prevents her from leading a normal and happy life.'

Additionally, an albatross is a large white ocean bird that has very long and often black wings - which many likened to her outfit from the Grammys.

Taylor is taking no prisoners in this track, referring to herself as one of the largest seabirds on Earth - famed for their giant wingspan and ability to glide seamlessly.

She sings about taking revenge with the lyrics: 'She is here to destroy you/ Devils that you know / Raise worse hell than a stranger'.

Taylor Swift has reignited her explosive feud with Kim Kardashian by releasing a diss track aimed at the reality star (pictured with Kim in 2015)

Taylor also seems to reference Kim's 10-year-old daughter North West dancing to Shake It Off on TikTok back in January, she writes:# your kid comes home singin' a song that only us two is gonna know is about you'

Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus

Taylor tells the story of a rocky relationship in which their partner betrays them and focuses on drugs more than her.

She hints at infidelity on their part by singing: 'Your hologram stumbled into my apartment / Hands in the hair of somebody in darkness /Named Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus / And I just watched it happen / As the decade would play us for fools.'

Taylor goes on to reference, singing: 'You said some things that I cant unabsorb / You turned me into an idea of sorts / You needed me, but you needed drugs more / And I couldnt watch it happen.'

How Did It End?

Taylor appears to reference the speculation over her relationship with Joe Alwyn as she details in the chorus:

'Come one come all It's happ'nin' again / The empathetic hunger descends We'll tell no-one / 'Cept all of our friends / We must know How did it end?'

So High School

While many tracks are bold aims at her exes Matt and Joe, happiness does reign in her track So High School where she discusses current boyfriend Travis.

She sings: 'You know how to ball, I know Aristotle, brand new, full throttle // Touch me while your bros play Grand Theft Auto // It's true, swear, scouts honor // You knew what you wanted, and, boy, you got her.'

Taylor the directly references a resurfaced video in which Travis was asked who marry, kiss or kill between Ariana Grande, Katy Perry and Taylor.

She sings: 'Are you gonna marry, kiss or kill me? Kill me. It's just a game, but really, really, I'm betting on all three for us two.

The Bolter

Fans have made many interpretations of The Bolter - with links to a London pub in the form of Mansion House's bar of the same name while also alluding to a suitor running into the night - something fans insisted was about Joe.

Some Twitter users claimed the location is where the former couple enjoyed their first date - yet the claims were quickly disputed by devoted followers.

The initial claim came from a fan writing: 'The Bolter is a bar in London where Taylor and Joe went on their first outing?!?!???? Im done, BYE'.

Others followed up writing: '***Apparently thats not the bar they were publicly first seen together!!!!*** But there is indeed this bar in London which is crazy anyway... guys it's not real, it was different place'.

She sings: 'Started with a kiss // "Oh, we must stop meeting like this" // But it always ends with a town car speeding // Out the drive one evenin' // Ended with the slam of a door // But she's got the best stories // You can be sure...

'All her fuckin' lives // Flashed before her eyes // And she realized // It feels like the time // She fell through the ice // Then came out alive'.

thanK you aIMee

Fans are convinced the 24th track - thanK you aIMee - is aimed at Kim Kardashian, as the letters K,I and M are capped up to spell out her name.

Taylor sings in one line: 'There's a bronze spray-tanned statue of you and a plaque underneath it/That threatens to push me down the stairs, at our school.'

'All that time you were throwin' punches, I was buildin' somethin' / And I can't forgive the way you made me feel / Screamed 'F**k you, Aimee' to the night sky, as the blood was gushin' / But I can't forget the way you made me heal.'

She goes on to add: 'And it wasn't a fair fight, or a clean kill / Each time that Aimee stomped across my grav / And then she wrote hadlines/ In the local paper, laughing at each baby step I'd take.'

Taylor concludes by confirming she's changed the name of the woman she's singing about - further fuelling speculation the track is about Kim.

She also seems to reference Kim's 10-year-old daughter North West dancing to her 2014 single Shake It Off on TikTok, finding it ironic as the 'song is about you'.

She sings: 'And so I changed your name, and any real defining clues/And one day, your kid comes home singin' a song that only us two is gonna know is about you.'

The Bad Blood songstress, 34 - who recently teased a 'timetable' to her fans ahead of the LP's release - initially announced the album while attending the 2024 Grammys earlier this year in February.

The title of her latest work had caused fans to speculate that the name was aimed at her ex, Joe.

As the album hit streaming platforms, Swift published a lengthy statement on Instagram where she described it as 'an anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time - one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure.'

She continued: 'This period of the author's life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up. There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed. And upon further reflection, a good number of them turned out to be self-inflicted.

'This writer is of the firm belief that our tears become holy in the form of ink on a page. Once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it.

'And then all that's left behind is the tortured poetry,' concluded Swift, as she announced: 'THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT is out now.'

Hours later, Swift surprised fans by announcing it was a surprise double album.

Despite already splashing out for multiple versions of the record in a bid to get their hands on all four bonus tracks, fans will have to part with even more hard-earned cash when the super-sized record goes on sale.

After releasing her new album at midnight ET (2am UK time), Taylor took to Instagram to announce her latest record was actually a surprise 'double album,' after sparking a flurry of speculation by posting a countdown clock on social media.

Captioning the post, Taylor told her followers that she'd written 'so much tortured poetry in the past two years' that she wanted to share it with her fans.

Sharing the double album was called The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, she wrote: 'It's a 2am surprise: The Tortured Poets Department is a secret DOUBLE album. 

'I'd written so much tortured poetry in the past 2 years and wanted to share it all with you, so here's the second installment of TTPD: The Anthology. 15 extra songs. And now the story isn't mine anymore it's all yours.'

While the deluxe version is not yet available for Taylor's website, there were four different versions of the original album available, each containing a different bonus track, and priced at 13.99 ($17.38).

The vinyl version, including bonus track The Manuscript, costs 33.99 ($42.23), while a 'phantom clear vinyl' is price the same.

This means, that if Swifties were willing to splash out on every incarnation of the album, it's already set them back over 140 ($174).

It remains to be seen how much more this new supersized version of the album, and its various vinyl counterparts, will cost.
Princess Marie of Denmark says she and Prince Joachim 'weren't happy' about the way their children were stripped of princely titles, after a shock move from Queen Margrethe two years ago, a new interview has revealed.

Speaking to the Washington Post, the royal - who now works as defence industry attache for his nation's embassy in the US capital - and his wife, opened up about the decision, which was previously described as coming 'out of the blue'.

'We weren't happy about the way it happened,' Marie, 48, admitted. 'But it's a family thing. It's complicated.'

The Prince's wife - who shares Count Henrik, 14, and Countess Athena, 12, with him - said their name is not just a trivial matter.

'It's more than just what people see as a title,' she explained.

Princess Marie of Denmark says she and Prince Joachim 'weren't happy' about the way their children were stripped of princely titles. Pictured: Prince Joachim, his wife Princess Marie, and his children Count Nikolai, Count Felix, Countess Athena and Count Henrik in 2023

But it appears there is no bad blood in the family, as a smiling Joachim, 54, was snapped hugging his brother, the newly-crowned King Frederik X - after their mother's abdication in January.

'We've moved on,' the Prince added.

While the dust seems to have now settled, after the family were stripped of their titles in September 2022, Joachim had claimed that his mother's decision had initially 'harmed' his children.

Months later, the sixth-in-line to the throne admitted that 'communication was missing' within the Royal Family in the lead-up to the shock announcement.

Joachim told local news outlet B.T.: 'There is a lot to work on. Communication was what was missing. Now we have met and we are on the right track.'

He added that he had only been given five days' notice before the news was made public.

Following the Queen's announcement, Joachim spoke to Danish publication Ekstra Bladet outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lived with his French-born wife Princess Marie and his two youngest children, and said his four children had been 'hurt' by their grandmother's decision.

'I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen. Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,' he clarified at the time.

Speaking to the Washington Post , the royal - who now works as defence industry attache for his nation's embassy in the US capital - and his wife, opened up about the decision, which was previously described as coming 'out of the blue'. Queen Margrethe in January

But it appears there is no bad blood in the family, as a smiling Joachim, 54, was snapped hugging his brother, the newly-crowned King Frederik X - after their mother's abdication in January

Speaking to B.T., Joachim and his second wife Marie also admitted their relationship with Prince Frederik and Princess Mary is 'complicated'.

Meanwhile, Prince Joachim's ex-wife Alexandra said that her sons, Nikolai, 24, and Felix, 21, had been left feeling 'ostracised' from the institution and the decision had come like a 'bolt out of the blue'.

The Royal Household released a further statement that the 'decision has been a long time coming'.

'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected,' the statement added.

None of Joachim's children - or his wife Princess Marie - joined him at Frederik's ascension.

Instead, Marie and their two children remained in Washington DC, where the family now live.

None of Joachim's children - or his wife Princess Marie - joined him at Frederik's ascension. The brothers pictured last year

A palace spokesperson told Hello!: 'Prince Joachim will be there, but the children go to school, there is no special reason.'

However, there appears to be no hard feelings from his eldest son Nikolai, who posted sweet throwback pictures with both his uncle and grandmother to his Instagram account.

The student, who is currently studying in Sydney and on holiday in Bali, added that he was eating Danish food, perhaps in a a sign he was missing home.

After the parliamentary reception, most of the royals headed to a reception in the parliament, however Joachim left to fly back to the US.

Once inside parliament, the family listened to speeches from Danish politicians, including the Prime Minister, before the Danish National Girls' choir sang Hans Christian Andersen's 'Denmark, my Fatherland,' causing Mary to cry.

Braving the -2C (28F) temperatures and rainy weather, Mary and Frederik greeted their family outside the building before watching speeches by politicians.

After entering parliament, Mary - clutching a bouquet - headed into the chamber with husband Frederik and son Christian sitting either side of her.

Joachim, Benedikte and Margarethe sat behind as they listened to a speech by Mette Frederiksen, the Danish Prime Minister.
Queen Mary of Denmark looked regal in shades of purple as she carried out solo engagements today.

The mother-of-four, 52, visited psychiatric facility Bostedet Aars in Vesthimmerland before travelling to Aalborg University to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

During her first visit to the psychiatric facility, in northern Denmark today, she strolled around its grounds and chatted with residents.

In one image, the down-to-earth royal could be seen embracing one woman with a warm hug, as she appeared elated to meet her.

Mary's solo trip without King Frederik comes after a sweet family appearance earlier this week to celebrate Queen Margrethe's 84th birthday.

Queen Mary of Denmark visited a psychiatric facility in Vesthimmerland, Denmark today, stepping out solo without her husband, King Frederik

As Mary arrived today, she was greeted by some schoolchildren who had gathered at the facility to meet her.

The excited children wore crowns on their heads and lined up to catch a glimpse of the royal as she said hello to them.

She opted for a sleek outfit in various shades of mauve to attend the facility - featuring a floral purple scarf and even opting for purple eyeshadow.

Earlier this week, the Queen smiled as she joined her husband, mother-in-law Queen Margrethe and other family members to celebrate Margrethe's 84th birthday.

The Queen opted for an amethyst blouse and a black skirt plus black pumps to carry out her solo engagements today

As she arrived the university, she was gifted a posy of flowers. She waved and beamed as she walked into the building

Upon arrival at the university, she shook hands with an official who showed her around

The Queen of Denmark, 52, showed her natural affinity with members of the public as she embraced one of the residents of the facility

Crowds of schoolchildren were also present at the facility and donned their crowns ready to greet the royal

The royal couple, Queen Margrethe and her sister, Princess Benedikte, posed outside the royal residence alongside Margrethe's beloved sausage dog Tilia, who was also in attendance.

The family celebrated privately at Fredensborg Castle, a setting used for important events in the family such as weddings, silver wedding anniversaries and birthdays.

Queen Margrethe wore the brooch in official portraits that the Danish royal palace released ahead of her birthday.

Mary opted for navy blue suit trousers and a blouse, along with matching pointed heels and slipped her brunette tresses into a practical ponytail.

The new Queen looked elegant, opting for simple dangly diamond earrings and chose to wear natural makeup today.

Princess Benedikte also donned a blue blouse and patterned knee-length skirt along with a modest blazer and matching pearl jewellery.

Margrethe cut a sophiscated figure as she sported a matching navy blazer with a conservative midi skirt.

The former paired this with a red and white patterned blouse, which she tucked into her skirt and completed the look with black buckled heels.

King Frederik, 55, looked dapper in a charcoal grey plaid suit which he paired with a crisp white shirt and polished brown shoes.

The pair, who took over the Danish throne in January, stood next to each other, with Mary's hands by her side and Frederik's behind his back before they waved to crowds of royal fans.

The monarch opted for a sapphire blue tie, matching the same colour scheme as his wife in a display of sartorial solidarity amid rumours of marital strife in recent months.
Read more: Big W shoppers lose their minds after spotting unexpected item

Kmart Australia shoppers are obsessed with the department store's 'dupes'

Kmart Australia is wowing with its many 'dupes' of higher-end brands.

And now the popular department store has released a brand new bunch of them in its latest catalogue.

Charlotte Tilbury, Skims, Peter Alexander, Stanley, Frank Green, Uggs Australia, White Fox Boutique and even Gucci are some of the designer names being compared to Kmart products, which are sold for a fraction of the cost.

Hundreds of customers have taken to social media to share what they've bought and raved about the dupes.

For instance, the $29 Active Everlast Women's Oversized Hoodie features similar font and style to the White fox Offstage Hoodie in Glacier Grey.

The popular Australian department store has released an array of new products in their latest catalogue, such as the $25 Long Sleeve Top and Pants Satin Pyjama Set (left) which are said to be a dupe of Peter Alexander (right)

Not long after the Stanley tumblers skyrocketed in popularity (right) Kmart released an Anko version for $15 (left) - which was an instant hit with shoppers

The $29 Active Everlast Women's Oversized Hoodie (left) features similar font and style to the White fox Offstage Hoodie in Glacier Grey (right)

Not long after the Stanley tumblers skyrocketed in popularity Kmart released an Anko version for $15 - which was an instant hit with shoppers. The cups are both a similar shape and come with a large handle and lid - their rear ends fitting perfectly into a car's cup holder.

Aussie mum Steph recently shared her honest opinion on both cups after giving them a test run.

'If you haven't heard about this viral Stanley dupe from Kmart, you need to hurry up and get one if you want a Stanley cup but don't want to pay the money,' she said in a video. 'There's hardly any difference.'

In the clothing section TikToker Sianon noticed a luxe new range of pyjamas that are perfect for winter.

'Run, don't walk to Kmart girlies,' she captioned a video and dubbed the silk-like pyjamas as a near-identical replica of Peter Alexander.

Another shopaholic from New Zealand marvelled after finding a 'Lululemon dupe' for just $22.

Maddy Fahey wasted no time posting a video of herself trying on the luxe-looking active wear after finding it on the shelves in Kmart.

Makeup expert Caisha Danielle recently reviewed Kmart's new makeup collection. Many brands have tried to duplicate the beauty light wands - but makeup expert Caisha Danielle has dubbed the new Kmart buys 'even better than the originals'

Kmart's Sparkling Rose Luminous Skin Tint ($12) is a dupe for the Hollywood Flawless Filter Skin Tint ($70)

While Drunk Elephant's bronzing drops is $65 for 30ml - OXX's buy is only $6

Beauty lovers have also been raving about the budget dupes of designer perfumes, some of which are priced at more than $200.

Shoppers have discovered the retailer's $12 line of fragrances have scents that are near-identical to high-end perfumes from Gucci, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs and Ariana Grande.

Kmart customers have said the affordable dupes smell 'exactly like' the designer perfumes and even last just as long.

Kmart's OXX Cosmetics recently released its 'Sparkling Rose' collection, and eagle-eyed fans have noticed distinct similarities to Charlotte Tilbury makeup for a fraction of the price.

OXX has dupes of the popular Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter skin tint, blush and bronzer wants, lip gloss, eyeshadow, and highlighter.

'I almost fainted going into Kmart - OXX beauty has a lot of new products,' Perth makeup expert Caisha Danielle said in a video. 'The Sparkling Rose collection looks a little familiar.'

Kmart's beige 'Dress Slingback Block Heels' (left) bear a striking resemblance to the $1820 Chanel slingback pumps (right)

Kmart Australia has released a $49 teddy jacket (pictured left) that looks similar to high-end styles

Dior's Montaigne belt is a highly-coveted buy for design lovers with its chic symmetrical 'CD' logo buckle and black leather strap

Earlier this year Kmart released the $49 curved Gigi Floor Lamp and it quickly flew off shelves for its stylish design. Alternatives on the market can cost upwards from $299

What does Anko mean? Anko is an evolution of Kmart's existing '&Co' brands: Home&Co, Kids&Co, Clothing&Co and Active&Co The retailer replaced the letter 'c' with 'k' to pay homage to where it all started 'We've made the decision that all Kmart own-brand items will transition to one product brand: Anko,' it said Advertisement

Earlier this year Kmart released the $49 curved Gigi Floor Lamp and it quickly flew off shelves for its stylish design.

Customers who manage to get their hands on the item will add a classy elegant touch to their home without breaking the bank.

High-end buys on the market can cost upwards of $299.

There's also a $22 pair of beige heels that are said to be a dupe of $1820 Chanel slingback pumps and a belt that features a similar design to Dior's Montaigne belt.
The Devil's Comet will be visible on Sunday in Australia

A comet larger than Mount Everest will be seen across Australian skies this weekend for the first time in 70 years.

The 'Devil's Comet', scientifically named 12/P Pons-Brooks, will then disappear into the outer solar system for another 71 years.

The comet, which earns its name from its 'devil-horn' shaped tail, will be visible just after the sun sets on Sunday, April 21.

And it will be easy to find if you look west, though it helps if you are in an area with low light pollution. It will be glowing green somewhere between Venus, the brightest star in the sky, and the sun.

Technically the comet will be 'visible' until July, making it's closest passing to earth in June, but on Sunday it will be visible to the naked eye.

A comet larger than Mount Everest will be seen across Australian skies this weekend for the first time in 70 years

According to Lonely Planet the two best spots to watch the comet are known dark places' Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory and the Warrumbungle National Park in North-west New South Wales.

'If you're in a dark spot, you should be able to see it with your naked eye. But if you have a pair of binoculars, even small ones, it will make it great,' Australian National University astrophysicist Brad Tucker told 7News.

More prepared stargazers will be able to see the comet in the weeks after with a telescope as it travels towards the sun before veering back into the outer reaches of the solar system.

When can I see the Devil's Comet? The best time to see the comet is about an hour after the sun sets. People need to look west between Venus and the sun, experts say. Perth: 6:50pm Adelaide: 6:45pm Melbourne: 6:45pm Sydney: 6:25pm Brisbane: 6.25pm Hobart: 6:28pm Darwin: 7:38pm Advertisement

The closer it gets to the sun, the brighter it will burn.

The comet's famous horns come from 'cryo-volcanic eruptions' of ice as it rapidly heats up during its approach to the sun.

Each eruption creates a new 'tail' as gas, dust and ice shoot off the comet's surface and become visible alongside the constant tail seen on other comets.

Uluru is a dark place - making it one of the best places to see the comet

Milky Way galaxy high above the Warrumbungle National Park in New South Wales

The comet has been seen in the sky above the Northern Hemisphere since the middle of March.

However, it hasn't been visible in the Southern Hemisphere yet because it's been below the horizon.
A cancer-stricken mother given six months to live has heartbreakingly told of her fears that her daughter 'will forget me'.

Sophie Louise Wright, 34, from Torquay, Devon, was at one point told her tell-tale sickness symptom could be down to acid reflux or a stomach ulcer.

Her world was turned upside down when doctors found she actually had terminal bowel cancer.

Speaking of her agonising diagnosis, Ms Wright, whose girl is three, said: 'When my daughter is mentioned or I think about the time I have left with her, I cannot contain my emotions.

'My biggest fear is not being around to watch her grow up.

Sophie Louise Wright, 34, from Torquay, Devon, was at one point told her tell-tale sickness symptom could be down to acid reflux or a stomach ulcer

'Shes nearly four and I dont think shell remember much of her life at this stage, so Im worried shell forget me.

'I dont want anybody to replace me. I just want to be her mum forever.'

She added: 'Id happily live with cancer destroying my life forever if it meant I got to be with her.

'No one my age should be fighting cancer and worrying about when our time will be up.'

Ms Wright, who works as a medical secretary, had previously undergone surgery to remove polyps  small growths on the lining of the large intestine.

Doctors were alerted after she began bleeding from her bottom, a tell-tale symptom.

The mum has been given just six months to live and fears her daughter won't remember her

Ms Wright, pictured with her fiance Lewis, 35, had previously undergone surgery to remove polyps  tissue growth  from her bowel and thought her 'debilitating' symptoms were as a result of this

She underwent polyp removal in May 2023.

After Ms Wright struggled with pain under her ribs and vomiting, she assumed it was the usual after affects of getting polyps removed, which she claims she was told can take 12 weeks to recover from.

As well as nausea, she also battled bloating.

A biopsy taken at the time of her removal came back negative that summer, but Ms Wright had a gut feeling something was wrong.

She said: 'I thought perhaps the polyps had spread across my body but I didn't think it was cancer.

'I gradually became sicker, more tired, losing weight and finding life hard.

'I had to cancel all plans with friends and family as I couldn't eat food and I was left housebound.

'It made my relationship with my daughter and fiance harder, too, as I gave up.

'My life was totally ruined and I questioned whether there was something mentally wrong with me, as all my results came back clear.'

The mum has been diagnosed with metastatic lower GI adenocarcinoma cancer in her bowel which has spread to her liver and spine

She is currently receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy, which she claims worsened her symptoms, including ulcers and numbness in her feet

Ms Wright claims she was given anti-sickness tablets and told it was likely due to acid reflux or a stomach ulcer, until she underwent a series of blood tests, CT and MRI scans, as well as a liver biopsy.

She was then, in October, diagnosed with bowel cancer, which has since spread to her liver and spine.

Without treatment, doctors estimate she only has six months left.

Ms Wright is currently receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy and radiotherapy.

Nothing else is available for her in the UK, she claims.

She has discovered another treatment in Germany which aims to shrink the tumours through delivering chemotherapy directly into the liver, rather than the entire body, until they disappear completely.

Ms Wright and her fiance Lewis, 35, are fundraising for this treatment raising 16,531 out of the 25,000 needed so far

Your browser does not support iframes.

WHAT IS BOWEL CANCER? Bowel cancer is found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum. Around 43,000 Brits are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. Symptoms include: Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you

Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you

Blood in your poo, which may look red or black

Bleeding from your bottom

Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet

Tummy pain

A lump in your tummy

Bloating

Losing weight without trying

Feeling very tired for no reason Source: NHS and Cancer Research UK Advertisement

But it comes at an eye-watering 3,300 cost per pop, with an estimated 10 sessions needed to achieve these results.

Ms Wright and her fiance Lewis, 35, are fundraising for this treatment.

Bowel Cancer, which is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, can also be known as colorectal cancer.

Tumours can be found anywhere in the bowel or rectum.

Around 43,000 Britons are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, Cancer Research UK says.

Tell-tale symptoms include bleeding from your bottom, bloating, losing weight without trying, tummy pain and changes in poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you.

Advanced bowel cancer, also called metastatic cancer, is a cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, the lungs or the lymph nodes.

It comes as scientists are scrambling to find the cause of a mystery cancer 'epidemic' which is striking under-50s.

Kate Middleton's shock diagnosis earlier this year shone a light on the startling trend, with top doctors claiming it is a worldwide problem.

Despite years of research, researchers are baffled as to what is behind the problem.

Increased awareness thanks to the likes of Dame Deborah James, who died from bowel cancer aged 40 in 2022, and improved diagnosis methods are thought to have played a role.

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One surgeon claimed an yet-to-be discovered factor could be to blame.

Professor Andrew Beggs, a consultant colorectal surgeon and a senior clinical fellow at the University of Birmingham, said: 'There might be an unknown environmental factor that we havent discovered, despite extensive research.'

He added: 'Young onset cancer is by no means rare.

'I run a clinic for early-onset cancer in adults and we're seeing more and more people in their 40s with cancer.'

He added other factors that could also be contributing to the rise are better cancer detection methods, awareness of symptoms and better screening of genetic conditions that increase cancer risk, like the BRCA gene like Angelina Jolie has.

Bowel cancer is now the third most common type of the disease  and experts say our junk food-laden diets are to blame.

More than 41,000 patients were diagnosed with the disease in 2021 in England.

It has overtaken lung for the first time since records began in 1995.

Only breast (almost 50,000) and prostate (43,000) sicken more.
Officials are sounding the alarm over skyhigh rates of Adderall prescriptions - warning that abuse of the drug could lead to the next opioid-esque epidemic.

A Drug Enforcement Administration chief compared the influx of new prescriptions and high risk of abuse to that of opioids in the early to mid-2000s.

The drugs have been linked to insomnia, anxiety, seizures, hallucinations and psychosis - and there is some evidence they may raise the risk of heart disease.

Matthew Strait, deputy assistant administrator in the diversion control division at the DEA, said: Im not trying to be a doomsday-er here... It makes me feel like were at the precipice of our next drug crisis in the United States.

Prescriptions exploded during the pandemic with the rise of telehealth firms - with prescriptions jumping from 35.5 million in 2019 to 45 million last year.

Elijah Hanson (pictured), 21, died by suicide in June. He had suffered mental health issues for years. His family said that a recent Adderall prescription he obtained through Cerebral played a role in his death

The CDC graph shows the percent of children with a parent-reported ADHD diagnosis. One in seven boys now have attention-deficit hyperactive disorder in the US. For boys and girls aged five to 17 combined, the prevelance was 11.3 percent, or roughly one in 10

The DEA is working on new safeguards for over prescriptions of the controlled substance, which will affect how much of the drug is manufactured and how many people can access it.

The opioid epidemic in the US has killed roughly 600,000 people, and the effects are still being felt today despite prescriptions being tightened. Many experts believe the fentanyl crisis was fueled by patients addicted to opioids who had their prescription meds cut.

Deaths due to Adderall use alone are uncommon, and its typically involved with other fatal substances such as heroin which can lead to overdose.

But the drug, which is a stimulant similar to methamphetamine and cocaine, is highly addictive and people sometimes turn to street versions, which may contain even more harmful substances.

The above shows the number of prescriptions for Adderall given to age groups by year. It shows under-21s (light green), 22 to 44 year olds (light blue) and over-45s (dark blue)

During the pandemic, when millions of Americans were trapped in isolation in an effort to stave off infection, telehealth firms like Cerebral flourished, offering people a lifeline when they couldnt otherwise see their normal doctors.

But Cerebral, which requires users to be 18, and others have come under sharp scrutiny for what investigators have deemed overly liberal diagnoses of ADHD.

Over diagnosis is a problem because it leads to overtreatment.

Arrive Health, a health technology company based in Denver, Colorado, estimates that ADHD drugs now makes up 2.3 per cent of all prescriptions written in the US.

This is more than double the figure from January 2020 - just before the pandemic started - when the drug made up just one per cent of scripts.

David Goodman, a psychiatrist and assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told Bloomberg: The crisis, if you will, is not in the prescription of the medication.

The crisis is in the accuracy of the diagnosis.

In the US, an estimated 6.1 million children and adolescents have been diagnosed with ADHD, compared with around 3.3 million in the EU.

Overprescribing has had disastrous consequences. For example, Elijah Hanson, 21, was found dead by his family on the kitchen floor in Tacoma, Washington, on June 25 after filming himself playing Russian Roulette with a loaded handgun.

He had been abusing Adderall in the months leading up to his death, having been able to secure a prescription online by lying to telehealth providers - even though he had previously suffered from other mental health issues.

There currently are no standards for diagnosing adults with ADHD, though specialists have been working for about two years to establish them, according to the Wall Street Journal.

ADHD affects adults, though it is commonly diagnosed in children, who are also prone to overprescription and overdiagnosis.

An estimated one in four US teens at some schools are abusing prescription stimulants such as Adderall, according to research from the NIH.

Meanwhile, the CDC reported that the percent of children with a parent-reported ADHD diagnosis has increased steadily over time.

The agency found 14.5 percent of American boys have the developmental problem linked to poor concentration  up from just under ten percent in 2000.

One in seven boys now have attention-deficit hyperactive disorder in the US. For boys and girls aged five to 17 combined, the prevelance was 11.3 percent, or roughly one in 10.

A major report in 2021 found that the diagnosis of ADHD has increased worldwide since the 1980s, yet there was no corresponding increase in ADHD symptoms during that time.

Dr Luise Kazda, a researcher at the University of Sydney involved in the study, said: Children now, on average in the population, are just as symptomatic as they were 2030 years ago, she said.

So there hasnt been this huge increase in all these children being now hyperactive or inattentive; thats really remained very steady.

The paper concluded there was convincing evidence of ADHD overdiagnosis and overtreatment in children and adolescents.

Overprescribing is what kicked the opioid epidemic into high gear. It arose from the pharmaceutical company-peddled messaging that pain is another vital sign that must be addressed by doctors and should always be treated to the best of their ability. That included prescribing painkillers.

In the mid-2000s, opioids flooded cities big and small. In Cabell County, West Virginia, which was once dubbed the epicenter of the epidemic. Drug wholesalers AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson shipped roughly 81 million highly addictive opioid pills to pharmacies in Huntington, located in the county.

Overprescribing gave way to an explosion in heroin use on the streets, followed by much cheaper fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that has permeated the drug supply and snuck into other drugs like heroin and Xanax, drastically increasing the odds that a person will overdose and die.

The amount of fentanyl that could prove fatal could fit on the tip of a pencil, and its about 100 times more potent than morphine.
Glamorous: Jourdan Dunn and Kate Moss apply Charlotte Tilbury lipstick

Cosmetics and skincare stocks should be an easy way to beautify a portfolio.

After all, these companies are players in a high-margin 230billion global market whose wares are persuasively promoted on social media tutorials.

But there is talk of a slowdown in the sector, whose pricing power has been the envy of other businesses. As a consequence, investors looking to 'zhuzh'  beauty tutorial-speak for 'give a lift to'  their holdings will be paying close attention to the forthcoming flotation of Puig, the Spanish owner of the glamorous British Charlotte Tilbury brand.

Puig, a family-owned business, could be worth as much as 12billion when it makes its debut next month on the Madrid bourse, highlighting the demand for make-up and creams from an ever-wider demographic in Europe and elsewhere.

As David Coombs of Rathbone points out, awareness of skin cancer means that more men are using moisturisers which represents a lasting structural change in the industry.

Meanwhile, 'tweens', customers about to enter their teens, constitute a fast-expanding and well-informed clientele, buying for themselves and encouraging their mothers to spend. You can witness this phenomenon in the aisles of Sephora, which is part of the best-performing division of LVMH, the luxe goods giant.

Sephora stocks more costly lines, such as Rare Beauty, the range founded by American actress Selena Gomez, plus the 'viral dupes' that supply the looks for less.

Yet suddenly the outlook seems uncertain, despite the popularity of Charlotte Tilbury and the buzz around newer products such as Bum Bum cream from Sol de Janeiro, an Occitane subsidiary.

Analysts at the broker Bernstein estimate that growth in the US this year may be just 7 per cent, against 15 per cent in 2023.

This has led to falls in the shares of L'Oreal, Ulta Beauty, a US chain, and Estee Lauder. This group has been left reeling by supply chain problems in China, although its diverse offer includes the hip Le Labo perfumes and Clinique creams.

Also hit by the more nervous mood have been businesses like ELF (eyes, lips, face).

Shares are down by 15 per cent this month, although 1348 per cent higher over five years thanks to its affordable dupes or alternatives.

Do these declines suggest that the lipstick index thesis (in which expenditure on lipstick and other 'slap' rises during tough times) is no longer relevant?

The index was devised by Leonard Lauder, chairman of the group during the recession of the early Noughties.

Or have Estee Lauder's woes coloured the perception of the entire sector?

Terry Smith, manager of Fundsmith, disposed of the fund's stake in Estee Lauder earlier this year. However, he continues to hold LVMH, and also L'Oreal, enabling investors in the fund  like me  to have exposure to brands like Lancome and Tween favourite CeraVe.

Coombs has also exploited the dip in Ulta Beauty shares to add to his funds' holdings.

He points to Ulta's strengths, including its online sales and social aspect of a visit to its stores which are situated on malls with parking.

Against this background, I am taking a bet on shoppers of all ages continuing to indulge themselves on lipsticks and creams to limit ageing and sun damage.

I have put some cash into Britain's largest retailer of these items  Boots, the 175-year old business, part of the US-based Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Rumours that its parent will spin-off Boots may have died down. But recently the chain has reported a 15 per cent bounce in sales, helped by the clamour for Sol de Janeiro and the Shiseido brand Drunk Elephant.

This name will either give you laughter lines, or suggest that such is the innovation in this sector that it is worth a gamble.
In this series, we bust the jargon and explain a popular investing term or theme. Here it's cocoa.

Why am I reading so much about the price of cocoa?

The price of this commodity has been soaring  in a trend that seems set to continue. Easter eggs were smaller and more expensive and so too are many popular chocolate bars, as confectionery companies pass on spiralling costs.

Cocoa beans are ground into cocoa butter which forms the basis of chocolate.

Cocoa futures prices in New York reached a record $11,578 a metric ton this week, having surpassed $10,000 a ton last month which was four times higher than the price in March 2023.

A futures contract is a deal to buy a commodity for delivery at a date sometime in the future.

Production problems: A mixture of extreme weather events and crop disease has severely reduced supply from Ghana and the Ivory Coast

What's behind the rise?

A mixture of extreme weather events and crop disease has severely reduced supply from Ghana and the Ivory Coast, the two main cocoa bean producing nations.

Illegal gold mining, which is taking up land in Ghana, is also undermining output. Most cocoa bean farms are struggling small-scale operations and would be hard-pressed to rapidly boost their output.

Will the increases slow soon?

Cocoa bean prices are predicted to continue to rise, with no respite before 2025. Even then it's unlikely that the price of your favourite chocolate indulgence will fall much.

At the moment, manufacturers are working their way through stocks bought at the lower prices of a year ago. When these run out, they may try to pass on the cost of stocks purchased at the new, steeper prices.

How acute is the shortage?

The shortage this year may be as much as 500,000 tons, which represents about 10pc of the global cocoa bean market.

That's according to Barry Callebaut, the Swiss manufacturer which supplies chocolate to hotels, restaurants and to consumer companies, like Unilever, maker of the Magnum ice cream bar, and to Nestle, producer of Kit Kat.

Any other factors behind the price increase?

New York and London hedge funds have placed about $8.7billion worth of bets on the cocoa futures markets, gambling on more upward moves in prices.

Meanwhile, the governments of Ghana and the Ivory Coast have this month raised the prices paid to cocoa bean farmers to ensure that they get some share of the profits being made in global markets.

What's happening to chocolate company shares?

They have been less hard hit than you might suppose. Well, for the moment at least. Shares in Barry Callebaut have bounced back, amid confidence that chocolate fans will not deny themselves a treat.

Lindt shares are rated as a hold on the basis that the taste for its premium products may be largely unaffected.
Bookmaker 888 beat revenue forecasts in the first three months of the year thanks to a bounce in player volumes, as the William Hill owner eyes a return to growth in the second quarter.

The group posted revenues of 431million, edging past forecasts of 420million to 430million and jumping 2 per cent on the final quarter of 2023.

Revenues were down 3 per cent compared to the same period last year, but 888 told shareholders it expects to return to year-on-year growth in the three months to the end of June.

888 shares were up 2.8 per cent to 82p in early trading on Friday. They have fallen 8.4 per cent since the start of the year, reflecting investor concerns about regulation and debt.

The William Hill owner has faced tougher player protection regulation in the UK

The group, which will soon rebrand under the name Evoke, revealed a new strategy in March to focus on core markets while cutting costs via investment in automation and AI.

It followed a tough 2023 that saw 888 struggle against new UK player safety regulations and slower growth in some international markets.

Rival Entain has also struggled against regulatory issues, which weighed on its first quarter revenues.

Boss Per Widerstrom said: 'I am pleased to report that Q1 2024 revenue was slightly ahead of our guidance, with strong player volumes converting into improved revenue run rates.

'Having lapped various regulatory and compliance changes during the quarter, and with increased marketing investment supported by an exciting product pipeline, we remain confident in a return to growth from Q2 2024.'

International markets were the key driver of first quarter revenues, jumping 6 per cent on the previous three months thanks to a particularly strong performance in Italy, Spain and Denmark.

UK and Ireland revenues slipped 1 per cent, reflecting 'increased customer investment' ahead of the Cheltenham Festival, but average monthly user activity was up 9 per cent.

Retail revenues were down 7 per cent, demonstrating the impact of 888 closing 2 per cent of its shops as part of a more online-focused strategy.

Widerstrom added: 'I was delighted to outline our multi-year value creation plan alongside our full year results in March, and am pleased to report a strong quarter of progress against these plans.

'We are moving decisively and at pace to position our company for long-term success, and I look forward to providing further updates about our progress in the coming months.'

Commenting on 888's first quarter performance, lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown Sophie Lund-Yates said: 'Today's trading update should boost confidence that the turnaround has legs.

'For all the positives, it's not all shipshape. Leverage remains eye wateringly high, and reducing that remains a priority.

'At the same time, the overarching risk for any gambling company is its ability to handle the regulatory environment.

'888's valuation has taken a knock as it's worked through various issues, and there could be room for upside in the short to medium term, especially as leverage comes down to more sensible levels.'
Under pressure: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt

Britain will face harsh questions on rising levels of labour inactivity and cuts in national insurance contributions when inspectors from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) arrive next month.

It comes as concerns grow at the number of those signed off work due to long-term sickness  which has hit a record 2.8m.

'One area we need to look at is the quality of health care and another is the way disability is reported,' Helge Berger, a top IMF official for Europe said.

His comments came in the wake of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's pledge to crack down on the surging health benefit bill in the UK.

'Most of the growth momentum in the UK has come from an expanding labour force from migration,' over the last two years Berger claimed.

He suggested that with a rising number of Britons out of work, productivity was suffering and the whole area needed a close examination.

A full delegation from the IMF will spend up to two weeks in Britain in what is known as an 'Article 4' inspection and will meet with the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and the Treasury, the Office for Budget Responsibility as well as other officials and think-tanks as they go about their work. It might also be expected to meet with the Opposition leadership.

The Chancellor has sought to kick-start the effort to reduce economic activity by seeking tougher tests for eligibility to health benefits which are considerably more generous than unemployment and universal credit benefits.

He also has sought to speed up pathways back into the workforce.

But the March unemployment data showed that economic inactivity is still rising in spite of nearly 1m work vacancies.

A clash of views between the Government and the IMF looks certain after the Chancellor's successive 2 per cent cuts in National Insurance Contributions for employees.

The IMF has made it clear in Washington that the priority for the Western democracies is to build 'fiscal buffers'  budget room to deal with future financial crises  following the big increases in borrowing and debt as a result of the pandemic and war on Ukraine.

Berger said the IMF's priority in London would be on 'fiscal consolidation'  the Fund's favoured term for trimming spending and raising revenues.

'We think this is appropriate given the trajectory,' the Fund official insisted. The IMF will focus particularly on 'expenditure on health services'.

Hunt announced measures in the March budget to bear down on health costs by transforming technology in the misfiring NHS and making use of breakthrough using artificial intelligence (AI).

The Fund suggested that the most efficient way of dealing with revenue shortfalls is to close loopholes  a policy favoured by Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves. It also favours taxation on wealth.

The Chancellor began the process of repairing the tax base in the budget.

He abolished non-domicile status for UK residents with overseas credentials.

Reeves has gone further advocating a harsher regime with less escape routes.

She also favours clamping down on tax reliefs for North Sea oil firms.
Strategy shift: Hein Schumacher

Unilever has watered down its targets on plastic packaging, workers' pay and diversity amid investor backlash against 'woke' policies.

In a major strategy shift, the consumer group's boss Hein Schumacher said he needs to 'drive performance' as he rowed back on sustainability pledges.

The 95billion giant, which owns brands including Dove and Hellmann's, has pushed the idea that businesses should do good in the world.

But the Anglo-Dutch firm has drawn fierce criticism from shareholders for prioritising a 'woke' agenda over profits.

Unilever's stock has underperformed rivals such as Nestle and Proctor and Gamble in recent years.

The firm, which also owns Domestos, Comfort and Knorr, yesterday axed a commitment to halve its use of new plastic by next year. Instead, Unilever  one of the biggest users of plastic packaging in the world  has promised to reduce its use of virgin plastic by a third by 2026.

It has also watered down a pledge to ensure all workers in its supply chain are paid fairly.

In 2021 the company said it would refuse to do business with firms that did not offer a living wage by at least 2030.

But just 50 per cent of Unilever's procurement spend must be with suppliers that have signed the 'living wage promise' by 2026.

And it has dropped pledges to halve food waste in its operations by next year and make sure 5 per cent of the workforce will be made up of disabled workers by 2025.

Other abandoned promises include spending 1.7billion a year with diverse businesses globally by 2025.

Most of the policies were introduced under Schumacher's predecessors Alan Jope and Paul Polman.

'I think that was a time in which they had to imagine a world in which big ambitions were possible,' Schumacher told Bloomberg. 'And that was probably right at the time, but I have to now bring it back to something that I feel we can all really deliver on. I need to drive performance in the company.'

Christ Beckett, head of equity research at Quilter Cheviot, said the decision 'reflects a pragmatic shift towards more attainable short-term goals'.
Mondi has pulled out of a potential bidding war to buy a rival packaging giant, opening the door for an American firm.

The Surrey-based company yesterday said it will not make a counter bid after DS Smith's board recommended a 5.8billion takeover offer from US-based International Paper. Mondi had previously offered to buy DS Smith for 5.2billion but was outbid by the American group.

A Mondi spokesman said: 'Following a period of due diligence, and after carefully considering the value the combination with DS Smith would deliver to shareholders, the board has decided that the transaction would not be in the best interests of its shareholders. Accordingly, Mondi does not intend to make an offer.'

Change of heart: Mondi had previously offered to buy DS Smith for 5.2billion but was outbid by the American group

The decision clears the way for the International Paper deal to proceed without a bidding war. A tie-up with the Tennessee-based firm would see DS Smith leave the FTSE 100 index of blue-chip companies.

But the combined group would seek a secondary listing in the UK meaning DS Smith would not entirely disappear from London's stock market.
Even 69 percent of Joe Biden's Democrats say too many crooks are coming in

Americans of all stripes are scared about criminals slipping in to the US among the influx of migrants, suggesting Donald Trump's rhetoric about the border resonates with voters, our poll shows.

Fully 76 percent of voters said they were worried about killers, rapists, and thieves sneaking across the US-Mexico frontier, a DailyMail.com/TIPP poll of 1,432 voters found earlier this month.

A fifth of them said they were not concerned, and 3 percent said they were not sure.

The poll comes as former president Trump ratchets up his language against migrants in his bid to retake the White House from his rival, President Joe Biden.

Americans of all stripes are scared about criminals slipping in to the US, a nationwide DailyMail.com/TIPP poll found earlier this month

Migrant men search for border authorities while planning to illegally cross the Rio Grande in El Paso, Texas

It also follows a series of high-profile crimes committed in the US by recent arrivals from overseas.

Among the victims is Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student from Georgia, who was allegedly murdered by a Venezuelan in the country illegally.

Pennsylvania Congressman Dan Meuser said this week it was time to get tough on criminal migrants.

'The Biden Administration's failed border policies have created a deadly crisis,' the Republican posted.

'We have migrant crime, drugs poisoning our youth, human trafficking, and now, squatting.'

Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a Texas Democrat, disagreed, slamming GOP claims 'that migrants have led to increased crime.'

'One problem: the data shows crime has gone DOWN,' Crockett posted.

Trump, has focused on crimes committed by immigrants in the US illegally as part of his push for tougher border controls.

He says Biden's policies are too permissive and has branded crimes committed by immigrants in the country illegally as 'Biden migrant crime.'

The Republican uses harsh language, calling lawbreaking migrants 'animals' who are 'poisoning the blood of our country.'

A video showing a group of migrants brawling with police in Times Square touched off a political furor earlier this year

Critics have denounced this language as akin to Nazism.

The Republican National Committee earlier this month launched a website called 'Biden Bloodbath' that highlights anecdotal incidents involving migrants.

It focuses on eight US states, including Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania and other electoral battlegrounds that will decide who wins the White House in November.

Several studies by academics and think tanks have shown that immigrants do not commit crime at a higher rate than native-born Americans.

A more limited number of studies examine criminality among immigrants in the US illegally, but also find that they do not commit crimes at a higher rate.

Trump and his fellow Republicans blocked efforts earlier this year to boost border funding and security in Congress.

That's left Biden eyeing an executive order to stem the record number of illegal border crossings that have dominated the headlines since he took office.

Any executive action would likely lead to legal challenges, political backlash, and difficulties with enforcement at the frontier.

Fears of chaos at the border are hurting Biden's chances in the 2024 race.

Laken Riley, a 22-year-old Georgia nursing student was killed while out jogging on February 22

Laken's dad said that the suspected killer, 26-year-old Jose Antonio Ibarra, would not have been here in the first place 'if we had secure borders'

So are the scenes of disarray in New York, Denver, Chicago and the overstretched cities that many migrants head to after entering the US.

At least three quarters of voters across all parts of the US are worried about criminals crossing the southern border, our survey shows.

White men and those aged 45 and above are more concerned about foreign lawbreakers than others groups.

Unsurprisingly, there is a partisan difference. Fully 90 percent of Republicans are worried about offenders getting past border guards.

Still, an overwhelming 69 percent of Democrats say they feel the same way.

The survey has a +/-2.7 percent error margin. It was carried out earlier this month by TIPP, which is noted for the accuracy of its polls.
Eco-warrior King Charles III has been warned by police that thieves could steal panels from his planned solar farm at his Royal Sandringham estate unless he puts in security measures in place.

Plans have been lodged for around 2,000 solar panels to be installed on horse grazing paddocks to provide zero-carbon energy for the estate in Norfolk.

According to planning documents lodged with King's Lynn and West Norfolk District Council, the solar farm has been designed to 'meet current and predicted future electricity demands of the Sandringham Estate'.

The solar panels, which will be placed across 2.3 hectares of land, will provide a combined total of 2.1MW of energy, which will be used by the estate and a small amount of additional capacity will also be exported to the electricity grid.

However, Norfolk Police have highlighted that there is a lack of security at the planned development which could invite thieves to steal the solar panels.

Police have objected to plans by the King to put the solar panels at Sandringham, citing various security concerns. An offer by police to ensure that the site is secure has been made

The monarch had earlier applied for planning permission to install around 2,000 solar panels on horse grazing paddocks to provide zero-carbon energy for the 20,000 acre estate

Plans lodged with King's Lynn and West Norfolk Council said the solar farm has been designed to 'meet current and predicted future electricity demands of the Sandringham Estate'

In a consultation response on the plans seen by MailOnline, Steve Gower, a Designing Out Crime Officer at Norfolk Constabulary warned: 'The rate of thefts from such facilities has been increasing in recent years.

'The combination of the rise in the value of scrap metal and the remote locations of such venues in rural areas means that security needs to be appropriately considered.'

He highlighted two elements of the the proposal where planning agents for the Monarch highlighted how no additional security was needed.

Planning agents for the Monarch wrote of needing additional security measures: 'The nature of the location means that security measures across the Estate are already high.

'This being the case, no additional security measures (CCTV, etc.) are proposed as part of this application.'

They added: 'The site will not be manned, and no new external lighting is proposed as part of the development.'

EXCLUSIVE Read More: King Charles Plans to Burnish Eco-Credentials with Huge Solar Farm at His Sandringham Estate Advertisement

Mr Gower proposed a partnership with the developers of the site to ensure that 'criminal opportunity is reduced'. He explained that incorporating security measures during construction helps to 'reduce crime, fear of crime and disorder.'

Mr Gower went on to suggest a range of measures that could help 'achieve a safe and secure environment'.

He pointed to the need to have a 'symbolic barrier' to 'deter casual intrusion' and to underscore that the site was not open to the public.

He also recommend a wide range of additional security measures, including fencing, modern CCTV, adequate lighting, and modern gate design that would deter intruders' ability to climb over.

There are concerns voiced that due to the wide boundary of the site, it could be trespassed over easily and quietly without modern video surveillance technology.

Mr Gower also explained that due to 'realistic chance of a ram raid attack, with the intent to aide theft of the contents,' that fixed bollards were recommended. He also added that a 'Perimeter Detection System' around the edges of the site which would provide 'early alert of an attack' would be beneficial.

The facility, which will mainly supply Sandringham House, the Visitor Centre and the Sawmill, is expected to 'have an operational lifespan of 40 years' and the field would then be returned to horse grazing.

The application states that the solar system has been specified to deliver 1.9MW per year to 'meet the majority of the Estate's electricity demand.'

It adds: 'Power will be sent from the power system to the Estate's three principal power consumers (Sawmill, Visitor Centre and House) using existing infrastructure which, as part of the project, will be upgraded/adapted as required.

'The proposed development forms part of the Estate's ongoing commitment to sustainability and promoting environmental practices and follows the installation of a small solar array to the roof of Sandringham House in 2022.'

The site, which is currently used as a grazing paddock, is covered in grass and enclosed by tall trees along two of its boundaries, which would hide the facility from the 500,000 tourists which visit the estate every year.

Police have objected to plans by the King to put the solar panels at Sandringham, citing various security concerns. An offer by police to ensure that the site is secure has been made

Solar panels were already placed on the roof of Sandringham House two years ago

The solar panels, which will be placed across 2.3 hectares of land, will provide a combined total of 2.1MW of energy, which will be used by the estate and a small amount of additional capacity will also be exported to the grid

It is located to the north of Sandringham House on 'operational' land within the Estate and bordered by the work's yard and Royal Stud.

The application stated: 'The location of the proposed panels is visually contained by existing development and mature vegetation, and the development would not result in the loss of any productive agricultural land.'

It adds: 'The proposed array would help to address the energy needs of the Estate in a sustainable and carbon neutral manner.'

'The location is well screened within the local and wider landscape, but still allows for optimum panel orientation due to the more open southern boundary.'

The solar panels will be made from toughened glass and mounted on a steel framework set at an angel of 25 degrees and facing south. The application states the highest part of the panel would be no higher than 3.1 metres.

The solar farm would also include a hybrid power system unit, which would be positioned on the west side of the site and coloured green to match the colour of the nearby works sheds.

The application suggests the solar farm would add value to the estate as a popular tourist destination, adding: 'The well-screened nature of the site and modest scale of the development means the majority of these visitors would not be aware of the proposed solar array.

'However the estate may wish to publicise its journey to transition away from carbon-based energy production and, in that sense, the proposed solar development would add further value to the estate as a tourism destination.'

MailOnline has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
AN invitation to Knebworth House was never a humdrum affair. Fellow guests might include the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Queen or Oasis, whose sell-out concerts in the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties saw the place immortalised as the stately home of rock 'n' roll.

Even so, there were some strict rules for overnight stays. 'It didn't matter who you might be sharing the bed with, you had to be out of your room by 10am because that's when the velvet rope was back in place and the paying public were let in,' recalls one regular visitor.

'If you were running late, you could stuff everything under the bed and sneak back later.'

This was a rare concession from Knebworth's chatelaine Lady Cobbold, to those unwilling to break off their romantic entanglements until the last possible moment.

For she had to manage the precarious business of keeping the house afloat with a sharp eye on the bottom line, even though it seemed at odds with her fey, hippyish beauty and other-worldly air.

For decades, Chryssie Lytton Cobbold, who has died aged 83, and her late husband David, the 2nd Lord Cobbold, kept the family seat and its 250 acres of parkland afloat with a mixture of flamboyance, optimism and rock 'n' roll.

Lady Cobbold, pictured in 1995, once delicately referred to her marriage to David, the 2nd Lord Cobbold, as 'slight promiscuity'

The dashingly handsome David was reported to have fathered two children with different women

With its creeper-clad turrets and fearsome gargoyles Knebworth House was a crumbling ruin when Chryssie and David took on the task of restoration in 1969

'There was always something leaking, rotting, falling down or needing repair,' says an old friend.

The headlines suggested that it was the music and its reputation for the best-run festivals in the world that ensured Knebworth could pay its bills, but Lady Cobbold's needlework skills were just as vital.

Thanks to her debutante years when she was a 3-a-week pattern cutter at Worth, the London couturiers, she re-upholstered ancient chairs, stitched new curtains and cushions and refurbished old fabrics. And when she wasn't sewing, she was wielding a paintbrush or hacking away at overgrown flower beds.

With its creeper-clad turrets and fearsome gargoyles the house was a crumbling ruin when she and David took on the task of restoration in 1969. His parents had been unable to give it away: 'They offered it to the county council, then a series of public bodies, but they all said they couldn't justify the expense,' Lady Cobbold recalled years later.

The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger in concert at Knebworth in the 1970s

David Lytton-Cobbold and wife Chryssie on skateboards with their children, Peter, Richard and Rosina, at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire

Oasis, pictured, enjoyed sell-out concerts at Knebworth in the 1990s

'One day when we were living in our London flat with our four children, we visited Syon House (home of the Dukes of Northumberland in Brentford). We were very impressed with what they had done so we thought, shall we have a go, too?'

Despite the fears of his father Kim, a former governor of the Bank of England and Lord Chamberlain to the late Queen Elizabeth, that the estate was an impossible burden, the couple set to with gusto, laying roads and building loos and restaurants.

There were challenges  Chryssie was once woken in bed by mice nibbling her toes. Although they had far less money than grander rivals such as Longleat and Woburn Abbey, when they opened the doors two years later, visitors flooded in. The house, a bizarre mix of Tudor and Victorian Gothic, was not the only draw.

As well as an impressive collection of Jacobean furniture and tapestries, there were all manner of curios  from Winston Churchill's love letters to David's grandmother Pamela, Countess of Lytton, a noted society beauty, to a crystal ball left behind by an occultist whose ghost is said to stalk Knebworth's passages.

But finances were precarious. Salvation came with the music. In 1974 they staged their first concert with Van Morrison and the Allman Brothers topping the bill. There were rave reviews and the era of country house rock had begun.

Later festivals featured Pink Floyd, Genesis, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Robbie Williams and, in August 1986, Freddie Mercury's last concert with Queen. The two concerts Oasis played in the summer of 1996 were described as the 'gig of the decade', while the crowd of 125,000 each night was said to have resulted in the two biggest rock concerts Britain had ever seen.

Inevitably, when rock-star royalty was staying, stories soon proliferated of louche and unexpected behaviour. Mick Jagger was said to have left a pair of blue underpants at the bottom of the 16th-century bed once slept in by Queen Elizabeth I, while Noel Gallagher rang on the doorbell to ask to take a bath.

Chryssie's worst moment came the first time she invited a band to the house for drinks. Expecting just the members of Pink Floyd  plus wives and girlfriends  she put out a few ashtrays.

READ MORE: RICHARD KAY: Harold Wilson, the seducer so hapless that he left his slippers under his lover's bed at Chequers Advertisement

Forty people poured into the house  'liggers' she called them  looking for a free drink. At that very moment the police and drugs squad arrived to mull over the day's events and they looked thirsty, too. 'I gave them whiskies in the kitchen while the band and their friends were in the study, for all I knew rolling up joints.'

Time stood still as she dashed around trying to keep the two groups separate. 'I almost collapsed with relief when the police left, blissfully unaware of all the naughtiness going on next door,' she said.

But Chryssie was not one to wait on aristocratic formality. With her long blonde hair, gentle manner, fascination with astrology and her visits to Glastonbury, Lady Cobbold was, in many ways, a 1960s archetype. So was her husband. They married young  Chryssie was 20, David 23  and, casting aside the prevailing prejudices of the day, adopted two Ugandan schoolfriends of their eldest son Henry.

And in true 1960s style their marriage survived what she once referred to delicately as 'slight promiscuity'. A more blunt assessment would describe theirs as an open marriage. The dashingly handsome David was reported to have fathered two children with different women. For her part, Lady Cobbold acknowledged there were 'occasions when one was slightly promiscuous. I think it was just because everyone else did it, one did it, too. But you grow out of it.

'I think far too much is made of sexual behaviour. An awful lot of fuss is made about adultery. Most people are probably guilty at some time or another, but a happy marriage should be able to digest the occasional transgression.'

Certainly, she and Cobbold remained happily married until his death in 2022 living by this maxim. Neither his indiscretions nor her fondness for the bohemian thrice-married Earl of St Germans did so much as dent it.

When her husband died after years fighting Parkinson's disease she decorated his coffin with artwork from his favourite Pink Floyd album and placed a memorial bench beside his grave at Knebworth inscribed: 'See you on the Dark Side of the Moon.'

A day after her death from pancreatic cancer, Lady Cobbold was buried next to him.
One warm night in June 2022, our 14-year-old son, Hugo, appeared in our bedroom in the early hours, distraught because he'd just contemplated committing suicide.

'If I jump from my bedroom window on to the ground below, would I die?' he had wondered.

Such was his distress, he could barely get his words out between sobs. His father, James, and I were devastated, but we gently helped him articulate his anguish and then hugged him tightly. We cried and talked until dawn.

The reason for this traumatic episode was rooted in events of a month earlier, when Hugo had been accused of 'forceful sexual assault' by a girl in his class at his state secondary school in Oxfordshire.

He and Holly had been dating when she made the accusation, but the school  confident that there was no evidence against him and that his horrified reaction was indicative of his innocence  had dismissed her claims and urged the pair of them to stay away from one another. Meanwhile, we hoped the rumours would subside and the atmosphere would be less hostile after half term.

But, on the contrary, things escalated. In the playground and corridors, Hugo was repeatedly branded everything from a 'rapist' to a 'paedo'  a word bandied around freely by his generation as an insult. Boys spat in his face, kicked and punched him and threatened to beat him up after school, while girls sneered and engaged in their own name-calling.

Those who didn't intimidate Hugo with threats of physical violence ostracised him instead.

Knowing that none of it had been Hugo's fault, but that I couldn't solve it for him, has been the lowest point of my life as his mother (Picture posed by models).

It is deeply concerning that silly mistakes made at this age can end up being life-changing, for example, if a young boy is put on the sex offenders register as a result of a false claim

Previously, he'd been a popular boy who loved sport and music and had a natural flair for both. Now, his popularity  his credibility  was utterly ruined.

Kids can be vicious and now they were making him a scapegoat for other things, too, reporting him for damaging property at school and blaming him for incidents in the playground that were nothing to do with him.

Unable to eat, he began to lose weight. Each day he'd return home with the contents of his packed lunch untouched. He'd push food around his plate at home, and had the gaunt, haunted look of a boy who was too troubled to sleep.

For weeks, I watched my son's mental health crumble. James and I had spoken to the school  asking them to document the situation lest Holly or her parents should make a formal complaint against Hugo.

We had also tried to launch our own investigation into what had gone on. But we were powerless to stop our son spiralling into the despair that brought him to our bedroom that June night.

Despite his distress, he insisted on going to school the next day. In his words: 'It will only get worse if I stay away, Mum.'

After dropping him outside the school gates  ordinarily he'd get the bus  I went home and called the Samaritans. Though he had told us his suicidal thoughts had scared him so deeply he no longer felt so abjectly desperate, I felt a knot of terrifying anxiety in the pit of my stomach.

Knowing that none of it had been Hugo's fault, but that I couldn't solve it for him, has been the lowest point of my life as his mother.

The reason I'm now speaking out about my family's experience is to warn other parents of pre-teen or teenage boys. It's my hope that what happened to us will make them carefully consider how to equip their sons for a post-#MeToo school environment in which, sadly, there are some girls so troubled, naive or plain spiteful that they cry wolf  and in doing so ruin a young boy's life, unwittingly or otherwise.

Our story began in early 2022 when Hugo became enamoured with Holly when they were both in Year 9.

They sang in the school choir together, had both been selected for the swimming squad and had landed parts in the annual drama production, meaning they had to spend a lot of time together.

James and I have always been very open with Hugo  our only child  and no subject is taboo at home. For example, if anything cropped up in the news or on TV about teenage boys being accused of rape or assault, we'd tell him it was important to be careful as he got older and started dating girls, always ensuring that any physical contact is consensual.

When there were lessons or talks at school about sex, porn or online safety, we'd follow them up with conversations at home, paying particular attention to the perils of texting and social media.

When there were lessons or talks at school about sex, porn or online safety, we'd follow them up with conversations at home

We emphasised that Hugo must never engage in sexting or sending explicit photos, and that, in our view, sex should always be loving. He was always receptive and happy to engage in our chats, reciprocating our openness by confiding in us about anything that puzzled or worried him.

Holly was the first girl he'd ever shown any interest in.

In spring 2022, Hugo eventually summoned the courage to ask her if she'd like to go bowling with him. After that, they hung out together as boyfriend and girlfriend, always with our knowledge and that of her parents, who had seemed perfectly lovely when we'd met them at an open-air concert the summer before.

After around a month of being together, Holly's best friend, Sophie, casually asked Hugo in conversation at school what he and Holly had been getting up to, in the way young teenagers can be curious and nosy about that sort of thing.

Naively, Hugo blurted out that they'd kissed and touched each other  although he remains adamant that there was 'nothing below the waist'  and when Sophie reported this back to Holly, she went ballistic. Furious that he'd betrayed her confidence, she no longer wanted anything to do with him.

Terribly upset, Hugo confided in us. He said he loved Holly and wanted her back, but told us that people at school were saying she had accused him of a 'forceful sexual assault'.

Of course, I immediately wanted to defend my son, but I wasn't willing to do so until I was armed with the facts.

Then Holly's mother messaged me to say Hugo had shared private photos of him and Holly online with other people, implying that the pictures had been of an intimate nature.

She told me Hugo was 'evil' and that we should examine how we'd brought him up.

She also threatened to call the police, which was terrifying.

In an effort to disarm her, I thanked her politely for her messages and told her we'd discuss it with both the school and Hugo.

But he remained adamant that he hadn't touched Holly anywhere intimate, and that the only thing that could have been misconstrued was when he'd put his arms around her from behind for a cuddle and then realised that his hand was resting on her breast, and not on her upper arm as he'd thought.

He had immediately removed his hand, he said, and told Holly he was sorry and hadn't meant to touch her there, to which she'd replied, 'It's fine, don't worry about it', or words to that effect.

The only photo he'd shared of himself with Holly was of them sitting on a picnic blanket with their arms around each other at a fete in a local park, where we'd also been

But James and I needed to be certain, so we confiscated Hugo's devices and spent anxious hours scrutinising his social media accounts, emails and messages for any indications of inappropriate behaviour.

There was nothing. The only photo he'd shared of himself with Holly was of them sitting on a picnic blanket with their arms around each other at a fete in a local park, where we'd also been.

Fortuitously, James works in IT and has expertise in working with schools on safeguarding, security and the approval of apps for use on devices, so he had previously tested numerous apps, including Snapchat, and knew exactly how to navigate Hugo's various technology and messaging threads.

Although Snapchat photos disappear, Hugo's were set to keep messages for a few days so there was more for us to view, but absolutely nothing untoward.

James checked there were no apps hiding anything else. We didn't ever ask for evidence from Holly's parents, and no photos surfaced of Holly and Hugo together at school, which I'm convinced they would have done had they existed.

Confident that Hugo had nothing to hide, I called his headmaster and explained everything, asking for our conversation to be documented lest any of the allegations were formalised in the future.

His opinion was that it would all blow over, but he arranged for the female head of Hugo's year to speak to him and Holly separately. She encouraged them to get on with school life and not to allow their brief relationship to continue to cause problems.

They both agreed.

However, after the May half term, the head of year called us in for a meeting after Holly made a complaint that Hugo wouldn't leave her alone.

He was adamant that all he'd done was ask one of her friends whether she thought Holly would go out with him again.

Incredulous, I told him he was a fool for making any contact with her, indirect or otherwise, and implored him to ignore her. His response was that Holly was always making eye contact and smiling at him during lessons.

A week later, Hugo showed me a text Holly had sent him with photos of herself in a new dress, asking if he liked it. Though the photos weren't suggestive at all, these were not the actions of a 14-year-old girl who'd been assaulted.

It struck me that she was attention-seeking, narcissistic even, and I warned him not to reply.

Utterly furious, I called the school again and said we absolutely would not tolerate this and that Holly was perpetuating the lies about my son. They agreed and called Holly and her parents in for a meeting, during which Holly apparently said: 'I don't see what the problem is.'

It struck me that she was attention-seeking, narcissistic even, and I warned him not to reply

Like us, the school could finally see that the whole thing had been driven by her after pouncing on Hugo's initial naivety at telling her friend details of his relationship with Holly.

But the damage had been done. As the saying goes, mud sticks. Intimidating messages were sent to Hugo on social media, text and WhatsApp from boys at school, telling him they'd 'get him' for what Holly said he'd done.

When I'd called the Samaritans, they'd signposted me towards various mental health charities and I got in touch with CAMHS  the child and adolescent mental health service operated by the NHS  as Hugo was inconsolable. He had half a dozen 45-minute counselling sessions as a result.

Then it slowly came to light that a couple of other boys were having similar experiences with Holly. She'd reel them in, enjoy the attention and then get rid of them because they'd 'done something wrong'  though we were never aware of her accusing anyone else of sexual assault.

Although two of Hugo's oldest friends stuck by him and others began to see sense, he was so brutally affected that his final year at school was blighted by panic attacks and countless mornings where he didn't want to go in.

After he'd taken his GCSEs last summer, we found a sixth form college several miles away, where he threw himself into his studies as an escape. Two years on from what happened with Holly, it took a while for him to learn to trust his peers again, but he's finally settled with a new group of friends.

He's also dating a lovely girl his own age whom he's known for almost a year.

As a family, we spoke to her about the allegations made against Hugo, aware that it's a small town and she might hear them from someone else. I was choked when she told us: 'Please don't worry  Hugo is the epitome of a gentleman.'

He was undoubtedly naive and foolish and has certainly learned the importance of keeping details of a relationship private.

He's also aware how fortunate he was because the news is littered with horror stories of schools immediately informing the police and local child protection agencies of allegations such as those made against him.

As a woman, I welcome #MeToo and Everyone's Invited  the anti-rape movement  and other platforms that empower women and girls

If Holly's parents had formally reported her accusations to the school, they would have been obliged to pass the matter on to the police. This suggests either Holly didn't ham it up to her parents in the way she did at school, or that they didn't believe her when she did.

As a woman, I welcome #MeToo and Everyone's Invited  the anti-rape movement  and other platforms that empower women and girls to call out unacceptable behaviour while also encouraging society to listen to them and take their experiences seriously.

But this also makes it more important than ever for schools to handle each and every case with perspective and the greatest care for all involved  including boys.

We were lucky Hugo's school took a pragmatic approach to the situation. However, the emotional fall-out from the rumour mill has been colossal.

In the meantime, all parents can do is teach our boys to tread an exceptionally cautious path. In general, we all need to be aware of the nuances of teenager behaviours, specifically the fact they do exaggerate sometimes and can get themselves into situations which then get out of control.

At 14, Hugo and Holly were not adults; it's deeply concerning that silly mistakes made at this age can end up being life-changing, for example, if a young boy is put on the sex offenders register as a result of a false claim.

James and I felt we'd prepared Hugo for the emotionally and sexually charged teenage years as much as we could. But at a time when the tendency is to assume boys are bang to rights  before examining the situation fully  it turned out we were powerless. For me, this is the most terrifying part of our story.

As told to Sadie Nicholas
General Custer had Little Bighorn.

Marjorie Taylor Greene has Kyiv.

Surely, the final defeat of the GOP three-headed monster (Reps. Greene, Matt Gaetz, and Lauren Boebert) won't be as dramatic as the 7th Cavarly's last stand. But it'll be driven by the same suicidal hubris.

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson took a huge step Thursday toward passing a multi-billion dollar aid package for Ukraine, even as a handful of hardliners threatened to end his political career over it.

This Me-First caucus of fame-hungry, political opportunitists has been empowered by a House rule that permits a single member to challenge the Speaker with a 'motion to vacate the chair' and, perhaps, oust him from power.

You might remember this 'motion to vacate' maneuver from October 2023, when Speaker Kevin McCarthy was defenestrated for negotiating a bipartisan compromise to keep the government from shutting down.

Considering the GOP's razor-thin House majority, it'll be all but impossible for Johnson to avoid the same fate. And Congresswoman/social media nut Greene is holding that threat over his head  unless he pulls the Ukraine bill from the floor.

But, Johnson's calling MTG's bluff.

That takes backbone.

General Custer had Little Bighorn. Marjorie Taylor Greene has Kyiv .

The final defeat of the GOP three-headed monster [Reps. Greene, Matt Gaetz, (above, right) and Lauren Boebert (above, center)] won't be as dramatic as the 7th Cavarly's last stand. But it'll be driven by the same suicidal hubris.

Florida Man Matt Gaetz and his sidekick, cinephile Lauren Boebert, also stepped to the microphones outside the Capitol building on Thursday to soak up their moment in the spotlight.

'Do you support [a motion to vacate] now?' a reporter asked.

'We got more time in the day,' Gaetz mused.

Boebert silently nodded.

Greene, who has made her name by becoming the leader of the know-nothing radicals in her party, is doing everything she can to sabotage the bill and she's not above parroting Russian propaganda to do it.

'You have to ask,' she said on a local radio show in March, 'is this money and is this United States military equipment falling into the hands of Nazis in Ukraine?'

For the record, the President of Ukraine is a Jewish man  and his country is in a fight for survival against a murderous Russian dictator whose interests are served by that Nazi smear.

So, the answer to Greene's disingenuous question is a resounding 'no'.

But now, having failed to convince her colleagues to vote against Ukraine aid, Greene is threatening to cast the entire GOP caucus into chaos  yet again.

Johnson could certainly lose his speakership over this. It'll only take a few right-wing mutineers to cut his speakership short.

Republican Speaker Mike Johnson took a huge step Thursday toward passing a multi-billion dollar aid package for Ukraine , even as a handful of hardliners threatened to end his political career over it.

But here's why Greene and Co. have finally blundered their way into a box canyon ambush Mike Johnson doesn't care.

'I am willing to take personal risk [to put the Ukraine bill on the floor] because we have to do the right thing,' he said on Wednesday.

As Russia threatens to turn the tide against Ukraine, Chinese Communists hungrily eye Taiwan and Israel trades missile strikes with Iran, Johnson has said: Enough of the dysfunction. This Republican-led House will govern.

When the House votes Saturday on five separate bills to provide a combined $95 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, as well as other GOP foreign policy priorities and a border security bill  the weakness of the fringe will be exposed.

Greene and the smug wing of the GOP have convinced themselves that fewer than a dozen lawmakers matter more than the entire Congress.

Saturday will prove that they don't.

Trump has now endorsed Ukraine aid in the form of a zero-interest loan with an unlimited lifespan  and on Thursday, the former president acknowledged, for the first time, that Ukraine's survival is important to the U.S.

This revelation cannot come soon enough for Republicans.

More dysfunction would be a humiliating distraction going into the 2024 election.

The American people expect their elected officials to vote on the most pressing issues of the day  not play procedural games and hide in their offices.

Most crucially, facing a general election, Donald Trump recognizes that - despite a core constituency in the GOP opposing Ukraine aid - there is a strong bipartisan majority in America that wants to push back against Vladamir Putin's aggression.

Trump has now endorsed Ukraine aid in the form of a zero-interest loan with an unlimited lifespan  and on Thursday, the former president acknowledged, for the first time, that Ukraine's survival is important to the U.S.

The Republican party has had it with these self-centered shenanigans.

All it took was one man with the courage to finally say  enough!
IN the never-ending battle of the sexes, it has become the story of the week. The theatre critic of The Spectator, the high-minded political magazine, wrote an article about visiting a prostitute after becoming aroused while attending a Cambridge lecture given by 'a beautiful historian'.

Within hours of the provocative essay appearing, writer Lloyd Evans was being denounced for his 'disgusting', 'crude' and 'revolting' column, as he found himself the target of a full-blown social media pile-on.

Even so, with Gaza in flames and the world seemingly on the brink of war, the reaction seemed wildly out of proportion.

As for the critics, there was no consensus. For some Evans's scribblings, which would not have been out of place in a top-shelf publication, represented appalling depravity. For others, the issue came down to what was considered worse: commenting on the physical attractiveness of a college lecturer or writing with considerable brio of his encounter with a sex worker.

Historian Lea Ypi, who Lloyd Evans wrote about in The Spectator

Mr Evans found himself the target of a full-blown social media pile-on

The writer had lustful inclinations while on a visit to Cambridge University, pictured

Wielding her pen like a stiletto, the feminist and newspaper columnist Hadley Freeman attacked him for both.

'Re that revolting Spectator article,' she wrote, 'people are rightly outraged by the one-handed writer's comments about the academic. But it's how he writes about the 'brisk workout' with the sex worker (who could well be trafficked) that enraged me. Paying for sex is abusive and unforgiveable.'

The writer Julie Bindel was equally forthright: 'What a disgusting man Lloyd Evans is. He should be sent to an island inhabited only by crocodiles.'

For his part, the author appears bewildered by the reaction.

'No,' he told me last night, 'I didn't anticipate it.'

So what exactly was the fuss all about and what, if anything, does this saga tell us about sexism and sensibilities in modern Britain?

Readers of a delicate persuasion might have heeded a trigger warning in Evans's opening sentence. 'Like being chained to a lunatic,' he began his piece which appeared in the 'No life' section on page 53 of the current edition, 'that's how a man feels in relation to his libido.'

Evans, 61, who is divorced and single, goes on to describe how on a recent visit to Cambridge he had dropped into 'Downing College' (in fact it was Darwin College) for a lecture given by historian, Lea Ypi, from Albania, whose discourse included this observation about revolutionaries: 'Once they attain power they lose all interest in revolution.'

But pretty soon Evans was more interested in how Ms Ypi  an academic who lectures on political theory at the London School of Economics  looked than in anything she had to say. 'Her blonde hair spilling over

her shoulders absorbed far more of my attention than her political reflections and I was desperate to speak to her afterwards, but I had no way to orchestrate a meeting.'

Instead, he headed, as he wrote, for 'the rougher end of Cambridge... where the misfits and outcasts gather.'

This, he explained, was for a previously arranged 'social rendezvous at a private business location'. His destination, in fact, was an unnamed massage parlour, close to the town's railway station.

Regular readers of the venerable weekly, known as the 'Speccie', will know that the columnist has visited this particular subject before. In January he described the 'petite buxom figure' who 'vaulted on top of me, straddling my thighs' as she gave him a vigorous Thai massage.

And the outcry then? None at all.

Emboldened, perhaps, he uses this week's issue to describe every seedy minute of the encounter. 'Here's how it works,' he writes. 'You hand over a roll of banknotes to a concierge at a desk who ushers you into a softly lit room where your companion awaits you.

'Mine was petite, black-haired and buxom. Shea, she called herself. She looked Chinese rather than Irish but you never know these days so I asked her which part of Ireland she came from. 'Shanghai,' she told me.'

With that the action commenced. 'I lay naked on the couch and she rubbed hot wax into my shoulders (a ritual that gives these assignations an air of medical respectability).

'A moment later she ordered me to flip on to my back as she dimmed the lights and raised one eyebrow at me suggestively. This was the cue for negotiations.'

Their exchanges are far from romantic. 'Her opening bid was the same as the cost of my overnight hotel so I made a lower offer,' he writes.

'Twenty pounds less. She accepted it. Then a crisis emerged. I'd surrendered most of my cash and I was down to one measly fiver. Not enough. And I'd just forfeited my ATM card to a greedy machine that gobbled it up.' So Evans offered to return to his hotel to collect his laptop and to transfer the money when he got back.

'Shea didn't like that idea. She refused to let me leave, fearing that my lucrative custom might slip through her fingers.'

A puzzled Evans continued: 'This struck me as bizarre. Where else could I go?

'I couldn't imagine a better pastime than a brisk workout with the lovely Shea who was about 48 years old, I would guess, and had a crooked smile which I find far more attractive than those ultra-white Hollywood teeth that look like pieces of Lego.'

Pragmatism clearly won out. 'At her suggestion, we went ahead anyway and the issue of payment was left unresolved. I appreciated that. She trusted me.'

Here he decorously draws a veil over their activities until they are complete. Afterwards he notes how she compliments his shoes, baffled that 'she'd chosen to praise my sorry-looking boots rather than my lean and toned physique'.

At this point, he writes: 'She turned shyly towards me with her pale tummy exposed. 'I'm fat,' she said mournfully.

'I sprang instantly to reassure her. 'Not fat. Beautiful,' I said, smoothing my palm tenderly across her stomach. 'Lovely, pretty, gorgeous,' I added.'

His description of the encounter, by turns shabby and transactional, was not over.

'As we padded about, tugging our clothes back on, I realised we were like a long-married couple observing the conventions of mutual respect and co-operation. We'd known each other for 17 minutes and yet the grooves of domestic harmony, so etched into the human character, brought our disunited interest together and gave our small talk an air of ease and familiarity.'

Ten minutes later Evans had retrieved his computer and returned to the premises.

'When I got back she was at the front desk about to depart for the evening,' he writes. 'She might have been any suburban housewife en route to play bridge or hear a performance by an amateur Handel society. And she was surprised to see me, which I found disheartening.'

Opening his laptop he asked for her bank details, noting from her sort code that her account was with HSBC. On the new payee page, 'she spelled her name Xe'.

He went on: 'I invited her to type in the fee that I owed and she entered the lower amount with the 20 discount. I gallantly deleted this and offered the larger amount she had initially quoted. She giggled and stroked my elbow affectionately.'

There was one last detail to complete the business, a payment reference. Evans says he suggested the word 'fun', she offered 'wedding gift'.

He wondered: 'Was this a marriage proposal? Sort of yes. But I pretended she'd just made a throwaway joke.

'My bank approved the payment, and she smiled as I headed for the door. 'See you next time,' she said. 'I'd like that,' I said.'

The article was soon triggering predictable outrage from commentators and academics.

Historian Ms Ypi wrote soberly  and somewhat tongue in cheek: 'Advice for scholars: next time you lecture on Kant and revolutions at 'Downing' (Darwin College) Cambridge, make sure your hair is neatly tied and that you're not blonde. Or else your research impact will be on the Spectator libido section.'

Darwin College also criticised the piece in a post on social media. It said: 'Absolutely appalled to see this Lea. Your fascinating, beautifully crafted lecture was a hugely appreciated highlight of the College's cultural year, and we hope your memory of the event won't be tainted by an audience member using it to write something so crude and offensive.'

Other academics condemned the article, with one calling the piece 'creepy' and 'cringe' and another saying it was 'appalling'.

Another historian, Dr Charlotte Lydia Riley, wrote: 'This is horrific. I'm so sorry.'

Spectator reader Rebecca Reid wrote: 'I really like the Spectator, so I can't comprehend why they'd let Lloyd Evans use their prestigious publication to sexually harass a stranger. It's building site harassment dressed up as opinion writing.'

Another wrote: 'Lloyd Evans is a misogynist. He is also a gross creep. The idea of the uncontrollable libido plainly feeds into rape culture as well. There should be no place for this kind of writing.'

Evans is no stranger to sexual shenanigans. In the early 2000s the magazine was nicknamed the 'Sextator', such were the stories of intrigue, infidelity and casual affairs  involving various members of staff and a Cabinet minister  under the then editorship of Boris Johnson.

It provided material for a laugh-out-loud farce called Who's The Daddy? staged in a London theatre and written by... Lloyd Evans.

Last night Evans's collaborator on the play and fellow Spectator columnist Toby Young said: 'I am looking forward to this scandal blowing up out of all proportion and then going to see Lloyd's very amusing play about the whole affair.'
A black Georgia inmate has sued multiple jail guards after footage emerged of him being choked with a chain and being told that he would be put in a 'cotton field'.

Tremar Harris, 37, has filed a lawsuit against jail guards Daydan Brannon, Cannon Mcleod and Ansley Fennell for allegedly standing by and watching Officer William Rentz strangle him with metal handcuffs, according to court documents.

Footage from a small room in Appling County Jail shows Harris restrained in a chair by his wrists, ankles and torso as all four of the accused surrounded him.

Harris had reportedly freed his right arm from the chair which led to Rentz using extreme measures to restrain him, according to the lawsuit.

Video shows Rentz picking up handcuffs and holding them across Harris's neck - causing him to struggle for air.

Tremar Harris, 37, has filed a lawsuit against jail guards Daydan Brannon, Cannon Mcleod and Ansley Fennell for allegedly standing by and watching Officer William Rentz strangle him with metal handcuffs

Footage from a small room in Appling County Jail shows Harris restrained in a chair by his wrists, ankles and torso as all four accused surround him

While Rentz (pictured) has not been sued, but he has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault, battery and violation of oath of office. He has also been fired from the Appling County Sheriffs Office

Rentz is then seen bending down towards the victim's face and saying something while holding the metal chain over his neck in a tight grip.

According to court documents, Rentz told Harris that he was 'gonna put him back in the cotton field with the other boys' inferring that Harris was a slave worker.

The lawsuit alleges that while Brannon, Mcleod and Fennell had the 'ability, opportunity, skill and time to prevent and immediately stop Rentz from strangling Harris', they instead chose to 'stand by and watch' and did not intervene.

Furthermore, the threesome have also been accused of 'failing to document and report the unlawful use of force'.

While Rentz has not been sued, he has been arrested and charged with aggravated assault, battery and violation of oath of office. He has also been fired from the Appling County Sheriffs Office.

The lawsuit alleges that while Brannon, Mcleod and Fennell had the 'ability, opportunity, skill and time to prevent and immediately stop Rentz from strangling Harris', they instead chose to 'stand by and watch' and did not intervene

Harris was a pre-trial detainee at the Appling County Jail and was in solitary confinement at the time of the incident

Harry Daniels, Harris's civil rights attorney later said: 'These three officers had a legal and a moral duty to protect Tremar Harris. But they did nothing.

'Instead of doing their jobs stopping this unlawful, hateful and sadistic act, they chose to stand and watch as their fellow officer tortured a fellow human being.'

The lawsuit also states that Harris has suffered 'economic damages, severe mental anguish, emotional and physical distress' due to the event.

The victim is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and has demanded a trial by jury. A court date has not yet been set.

Harris was a pre-trial detainee at the Appling County Jail and was in solitary confinement at the time of the incident.
Charlene O'Sullivan's daughter Briony was killed by a crocodile in an NT watering hole

A mother whose young daughter was killed by a crocodile as she swam with friends has urged the Northern Territory government not to expand culling of the feared predators.

Briony Goodsell, 11, was cooling off in a creek at Lambells Lagoon near Humpty Doo, south-east of Darwin, with her sister and two friends on a hot Sunday afternoon in March 2009 when she jumped in the water and failed to resurface.

A coroner found the girl had been taken by a 3.2m saltwater crocodile.

Her mum, Charlene O'Sullivan, said despite her still 'fresh' heartbreak more than a decade on, education programs were the best way to keep people safe.

Briony's death sparked a program by NT authorities to remove all crocodiles within a 50km radius of Darwin, with the more aggressive ones culled and others moved on.

The family previously called for a cull of every crocodile within 100km of Darwin, but Ms O'Sullivan, who went on to start her own crocodile farm to sell handbags and jewellery, said she now believes that safety education, relocating problem crocs, and egg harvesting are more effective.

'It's still very traumatic, and it's still very deep-seated in our hearts,' Ms O'Sullivan told the ABC.

'(But culling) is going to be giving a false sense of security... my biggest thing has always been education.'

Briony (pictured) had been swimming with her sister and two friends when she failed to resurface

The crocodile responsible for the attack was never located but, in his findings, coroner Greg Cavanagh said he was confident of the cause of death.

The area where the children had been swimming, Black Jungle Swamp, was known to have crocodiles and her companions had seen a large bubble immediately after Briony jumped into the water followed by the flash of a crocodile tail.

The children should not have been swimming there but, as it was put in news reports at the time, 'kids will be kids' and it was a 'tragic misadventure'.

Several police officers who also had young children risked their own lives by wading chest deep into the creek in the hours after Briony disappeared and had to be dragged out by other officers hours later.

Her partial remains were found downstream the next day.

Despite evidence being given at the inquest that crocodile numbers had increased to up to 150,000 in the Northern Territory in the years before the attack, Mr Cavanagh concluded that culling would not work and would lead to complacency.

Mr Cavanagh said that as part of the Top End community, residents must acknowledge that dangerous, man-eating animals lived among humans.

'There is a balance to be achieved between the ethical and sustainable treatment of crocodiles and the safety of the public,' he said.

'The current crocodile management plan prepared and approved by the Northern Territory government promises the community that there will be increased attention to, and efforts with regard to, public safety.

'I recommend that the increased public safety measures which are set out in detail... are resourced and implemented,' he said in his findings.

There are about 500,000 crocodiles in the NT which is a huge surge in numbers over the past few decades but attacks have not increased

Scientists told the ABC this week that despite crocodile numbers surging since hunting was banned in 1970s, the number of attacks have not increased.

Retiring chair of the Crocodile Specialist Group, Grahame Webb, said the NT government's current program of removing aggressive crocodiles was effective.

He said the only way to make it 100 per cent safe was to completely eradicate crocodiles.

But he added the Northern Territory, which has the world's biggest croc population, should be ensuring that resources are focused on tourist spots where people are told they can swim so that they are guaranteed to be crocodile free.

The Northern Territory chief minister has flagged that she is uncomfortable with the number of saltwater crocodiles in the territory as her government released a draft plan in February to manage crocodiles for the next 10 years.

Chief Minister Eva Lawler said the consultation paper for the government's next saltwater crocodile management plan would 'allow the public to have a say around crocodiles, including on culling'.
A teen who allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at a Sydney church travelled up to 90 minutes from his home address to allegedly carry out the horrifying attack.

The 16-year-old boy is expected to front court on Friday while under guard in hospital after he was charged with committing a terrorist act under Commonwealth law.

Police allege the teen stabbed the 53-year-old bishop six times and attacked another priest during a live-streamed service at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on Monday.

The teen who allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at a Sydney church travelled up to 90 minutes from his home address to allegedly carry out the horrifying attack

AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said items, including electronic devices, were seized from the teen's home on Tuesday before investigators spoke to the boy.

'Yesterday [Thursday] investigators attended a medical facility to interview the alleged offender, where he was charged with committing a terrorist act,' he said.

'We allege that the act committed meets the definition [of terrorism] for reasons outlined in a statement effects, but I will not go into those facts here today.

'I want to reinforce that our job is not done... We target criminality, not countries; we investigate radicalisation and not religion.'

Mr Kershaw said investigators were still reviewing electronic material allegedly seized from the boy's home.

'As you'd probably be aware of, people have thousands and thousands of videos and images that they store and also what what we find on social media,' he said.

The 16-year-old boy is expected to front court on Friday while under guard in hospital after he was charged with committing a terrorist act, said Police Commissioner Karen Webb

'The joint counterterrorism team will go through all of that material forensically to establish what the other avenues of inquiry are, but also evidence going to the charge.'

Mr Kershaw said the AFP were 'really encouraging the big companies to do the right thing' after Facebook was ordered to remove content linked to the alleged attack.

'They know that that that is going through their systems and their servers, and they need to do the right thing and take that material off the internet,' he said.

For her part, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb condemned 'misinformation being scattered on social media' and said social media sites 'have a role to play'.

'I think leading a social media platform should bring with it big social, corporate responsibility,' she said.

'I think to have images like that online, they need to be removed immediately and not left up there.'

The first man arrested over the alleged riot, 19-year-old Dani Mansour (pictured), was told in court on Thursday he faced allegations he filmed himself kicking two police cars

Ms Webb was unable to provide details of the allegations but said police would allege the teen travelled up to 90 minutes from his home address to carry out the attack.

The teenage boy, who cannot be identified, was restrained by parishioners and was later transported to hospital, where he has remained having severed his own finger.

The teen's arrest sparked a violent confrontation between police, during which the rioters allegedly smashed patrol cars and lobbed bricks and stones at officers.

The first man arrested over the alleged riot, 19-year-old Dani Mansour, was told in court on Thursday he faced allegations he filmed himself kicking two police cars.

The Mt Druitt barber was granted strict conditional bail by Magistrate Aaron Tang, who ordered Mr Mansour not communicate with any of the 2000 some rioters.
READ MORE: Toddler in critical condition after being hit by a truck while mother was crossing the road

The three-year-old was hit by truck on Thursday

A toddler who was hit by a refrigerated truck while crossing a busy road with her mother has been placed in an induced coma as she continues fighting for life.

Evelyn was struck whilst being pushed in a stroller by her mother across a traffic light crossing at Browns Plains, south of Brisbane on Thursday.

Paramedics rushed to the intersection of Browns Plains Rd and Webber Dr at 8.40am to discover the three-year-old toddler had sustained serious head injuries.

The girl's great-grandmother posted an update online.

Evelyn has been placed in an induced coma after she was struck by a refrigeration truck on Thursday morning

'Our great granddaughter  she is in an induced coma,' she shared to social media.

'Thank you to QPS and ambulance service and all who stopped to help.'

Her 28-year-old mother was not injured.

A GoFundMe has also since been set up by a friend.

'This page is set up to help with their financial assistance of the family as [Evelyn's] dad will have to take unknown time off work to be there to support his little family,' it read.

The three-year-old was being pushed in a stroller by her mother as they crossed the street at an intersection in Browns Plains, south of Brisbane (pictured, the truck)

'They also have a 8 year old boy at home and also any help that may be needed throughout Evelyn's journey.'

It added the toddler is currently undergoing surgery for her injuries.

'Any little donation will help the family at this time,' the friend wrote.

Almost $500 has already been raised as of Friday morning.

Local business owner Lorraine Eggers said the intersection is renowned for being 'pretty dangerous'.

'I saw the wheel off the pram  I was driving to work when I saw them working on the baby,' she told the Courier Mail.

Paramedics rushed to the scene of the accident, where a mother was crossing the road with her toddler in a stroller before the child was hit by a light truck (pictured, the intersection)

'We hear crashes here all the time, screeches and bangs - a year ago a car got T-boned in the same spot.

'The road is problematic, and that little crossing there is hard to see. It's very busy and there's so many entrances coming into it,' Ms Eggers added.

Queensland Police said there are no cameras at the intersection.

Witnesses or those with dashcam footage are urged to come forward.
An elderly couple who are believed to have been killed by a sheep on their rural hobby farm have been identified.

Helge and Gaye Hansen, a husband and wife both in their eighties, were found dead on Thursday morning on their Anzac Valley Road property in Waitakere, New Zealand, where they kept sheep, chicken and cattle.

Local police confirmed that a 'ram was in the paddock at the time we were notified of the deaths at 7.30am' on Thursday'.

'Another party at the scene suffered a minor injury after being attacked by this ram.

'Once our staff arrived at the scene they, too, were confronted and approached by the ram. On undertaking a risk assessment, the ram was shot and died at the scene.'

Police officers are pictured carrying evidence bags on the property where a retired couple was found dead

READ MORE: New age health centre boss breaks her silence after suspected mushroom poisoning death The owner of Soul Barn, Michelle Mullins, is pictured Advertisement

The attack shocked both family members and the police who examined the scene on Thursday.

The police said there were 'continuing to investigate on behalf of the coroner, to establish the full set of circumstances around what occurred in the paddock.

'As part of this process, post-mortem examinations are due to be carried out (on Friday).'

The bodies of the elderly couple were discovered by their son, who had gone to check on his parents after not being able to contact them.

It's understood Mr Hansen had gone to check on the ram but never returned. His wife then went to check on her husband but she too never made it back to the house.

Dean Burrell, a nephew and family spokesman, told Stuff it was 'a tragic accident'.

'They're good people. They're over 80. They don't deserve this,' he said.

'Everyone's in shock as to what's happened. They're very upset. I feel like I was dreaming it actually... being told what had happened and I just didn't believe it.'

St John medics attended the property with two ambulances on Thursday to collect the bodies.

A neighbour who has known the elderly couple for many years and asked not to be named, described them as a 'very quiet couple,' the NZ Herald reported.

Police are seen at the home of a couple who were reportedly killed by a ram on their property

Dean Burrell's (pictured) aunt and uncle were killed by a ram on a rural New Zealand property

The neighbour said the man who lived at the property had been farming all his life and 'was a very good stockman'.

Animal behaviourist Mark Vette, who has more than 50 years of experience working with animals, said ram attacks are common but fatal ones very rare.

'Most people who have farmed at some stage would have had a ram that you've got to be careful of. If you turn your back on them, they'll have a bit of a crack at you at times,' he told Newshub.

'It would be a very rare occasion for a ram to injure someone to that level, but where you can get knocked over and hurt is usually common.

St John medics attended the property with two ambulances early on Thursday, with a large police presence throughout the day

'Getting smashed up against a wall or something, and them hitting you hard with their head, could definitely cause some serious injuries. They are a really powerful animal, so being charged at three or four times would be significant.'

He said 'rogue rams' had either not socialised with humans or have an excessive amount of testosterone - which aids their breeding potential.

Mr Vette said rams could cause serious damage even if they do not have visible horns, as the hard base of the horns was still there.

He said elderly people on farms are particularly vulnerable as they are incapable of dodging or jumping to safety to avoid a charging ram.
The driver of a garbage truck which ran down and badly injured a kindergarten student while he was riding his scooter on a footpath, has been fined $2,500 for the offence.

David Ross Williams pleaded guilty to careless driving causing bodily harm at the Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Williams, 55, drove his Veolia truck over a footpath next to a school in Scarborough, north-west Perth, at 8.13am on November 24.

The vehicle struck the boy while he was riding his push scooter near his horrified mother.

David Ross Williams (pictured, centre) was fined $2,500 after his garbage truck struck a kindergarten student in Scarborough, Perth in November last year

The boy suffered a fractured tibia as well as ligament damage to his neck and had to spend six weeks in a wheelchair as a result.

John Fogarty said his son spent a week in hospital and had to spend three days strapped down to his hospital bed.

'He wasn't able to move. He had to lay there looking at the roof,' he told The West Australian

'He's getting the help that he can at the moment, but this has affected his life forever.

'It's just something that time will heal but it's still occurred...it's never going to go away.'

The prosecution argued in court yesterday that Williams refused to provide details of the accident when speaking to police immediately after the accident.

While it was accepted that Williams did not intended to harm the child, the collision could have been avoided.

'It's near a school - a little bit more due diligence was needed on this occasion,' the prosecutor said.

Magistrate Donna Web acknowledged that Williams regretted his negligent driving, but said the result could have been much worse.

Williams was granted a spent conviction, which means a person convicted of a minor offence has served their time and the offender has been reformed.

His licence was disqualified for three months.

His lawyer Andrew Williams said his client was remorseful and unlikely to reoffend.

A spokesperson for Veolia told Daily Mail Australia the company has been made aware of the ruling handed down by the court against Williams.

'The driver is not currently driving, and he has been on leave since the initial court appearance,' the spokesperson said.

'We take community, employee and road safety seriously, and we wish the little boy and his family a smooth and speedy recovery.'
EXCLUSIVE

Police gave away a $700,000 water cannon which was bought to counter violent public disturbances such as this week's church riot at Wakeley in Sydney's western suburbs.

The water cannon was purchased in the wake of riots at Redfern in 2004 and Cronulla and Macquarie Fields in 2005 during a political era of tough-talking on fighting crime.

The device was intended to be deployed in the most serious incidents of public disorder but was given to Fire and Rescue NSW five years ago, having never been used to quell a riot.

A mob of about 2,000 angry men was involved in a series of intense confrontations with police at Wakeley, near Fairfield, on Monday night.

Police gave away a $700,000 water cannon which was bought to counter violent public disturbances such as this week's riot at Wakeley in Sydney's western suburbs. (Stock image of a water cannon)

An angry mob of thousands was involved in a series of intense confrontations with police at Wakeley, near Fairfield, on Monday night. Officers are pictured at the scene

The riot was sparked by a 16-year-old boy allegedly stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a live-streamed sermon at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church.

The alleged knifeman was captured by members of the congregation before police arrived.

Parishioners took to the streets and surrounded the church from about 7pm until after midnight.

Police put up a helicopter and sent in more than 100 officers including members of the Tactical Operations Unit and Public Order and Riot Squad.

Rioters threw bricks at cops and smashed the windows of several police cars. More than 50 officers were injured and several were taken to hospital.

Water cannons have been widely used for riot control in other parts of the world including the US, South Africa, parts of Europe including Germany, and Asia.

NSW Police purchased a water cannon was purchased in the wake of riots at Redfern in 2004 and Cronulla and Macquarie Fields in 2005. (Stock image of a water canon)

The NSW government bought a US-built water cannon 16 years ago to be used by police but the only time it was seen fired was during an event for the media.

The roof-mounted high-pressure cannon was mounted to a truck with a 12,000 litre tank and could shoot a torrent of water more than 50m.

The vehicle was fitted with an airtight cabin to protect its occupants from smoke and gas and equipped with shatterproof, wire mesh-reinforced 'anti-bandit' glass'.

A heavy push bar mounted at the front of the black truck allowed it to clear barricades and other obstacles.

last month, NSW Liberal Upper House member Chris Rath sought an answer from the government about the device's whereabouts.

'Does the NSW Police Force still have a water cannon?' Mr Rath asked.

On April 11 he was told: 'No. A water cannon previously owned by the NSW Police Force was donated to NSW Fire and Rescue in 2019'.

The NSW government bought a US-built water cannon 16 years ago to be used by police but the only time it was seen fired was during an event for the media

When the prospect of buying a water cannon was raised after the Macquarie Fields riots police commissioner Ken Moroney had not been a fan of the idea.

'When we've got to the stage of issuing water cannons... in that sense we have really lost the plot,' he said.

Labor premier Morris Iemma announced in March 2006, three months after race riots at Cronulla, that tenders would be called for a water cannon to be used by the Public Order and Riot Squad.

'Water cannons are used to great effect to disperse riots and civil disturbances in Europe, the Middle East and Indonesia,' Mr Iemma said at the time.

'We have never used one in NSW before, but recent events have demonstrated that we must be prepared for large scale public disturbances.'

The cannon was wheeled out for public display at Homebush Bay for the first time two weeks before the September 2007 Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit.

At that demonstration the cannon knocked over 120kg pylons for the television cameras and newspaper photographers.

'Warning, warning, if you do not disperse, the water cannon will be fired on you,' said a voice from inside the vehicle before the hose was deployed.

'Warning, warning, warning, water cannon will be fired. Commence, commence, commence.'

After that display Mr Iemma dismissed the cannon's acquisition as a stunt, and conceded it could cause 'serious injury' if used on a crowd.

'I hope that we'll never have to use a piece of equipment like this,' he said.

'But if the situation arises, if there are going to be people who take the law into their own hands with riotous behaviour on our streets, then this is a good weapon to have to restore order and control.'

The commander of the Public Order and Riot Squad, Superintendent Steve Cullen, said he had stood in front of the cannon to experience its force for himself and had not been injured.

'In my view it is an appropriate piece of equipment - and it does look intimidating and it should, because its one of the tactical options we should take to APEC,' he told reporters.

An agreement was reached between the NSW Police Association and the government that the cannon would never be turned on strikers during industrial protests.

Daily Mail Australia understands police never considered the device to be fit for the purpose of responding to riots.

By 2011, the cannon still had not been used but Liberal Police Minister Mike Gallacher said the force would not be offloading it.

'This government will retain these resources as now they have been purchased it makes economic sense to have them available if and when they are required,' he said.

Back then, the device was costing $3,000 a year to maintain and depreciating by 10 per cent annually.

Greens MP David Shoebridge had said the police budget would be better spent on training than on 'a few big toys that hardly get taken out of their wrapping'.

A spokeswoman for Fire and Rescue NSW said the donated tanker was based in the state's west and had been used 'on many occasions to assist in bushfire efforts'.

'The resource was used during the 2019/20 Black Summer campaign and was instrumental in helping to protect Jenolan Caves,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'As fire threatened one of the state's most treasured tourist attractions, the bulk water tanker helped maintain the water supply to the area.'

The tanker was used in the state's central west in 2023 to help fight bushfires around Gulgong, Ulan, Cope and Cooks Gap, and as a water supply vehicle during drought.
Dubai is making a sluggish return to normality as planes gradually begin to hit runways again, but cars have remained stranded in deep waters as the city struggles to get to grips with the recent flooding crisis.

This week's devastating flash floods, which have now killed 20 people in Oman and one in the UAE, plunged Dubai into a living nightmare as shops and buildings were crushed to ruins and vehicles were forced to be abandoned as they became submerged in murky waters.

Emirates, Dubai's state-owned flagship airline, and sister carrier flydubai resumed check-ins after telling passengers to stay away on Wednesday, when thousands of delayed passengers clogged the airport.

Authorities at Dubai International Airport, which handles more international passengers than any other, said on Thursday that they had started receiving inbound flights at Terminal 1, used by foreign carriers, but that outbound flights continued to be delayed.

They later announced that check-in was open at Terminal 3 for Emirates and flydubai flights.

Although the city is returning to some level of normalcy in the skies, cars remain submerged in deep waters on the once busy roads

A man carries luggage through floodwater caused by floods as Dubai International Airport resumes flights

Vehicles were left abandoned after the flash floods hit, and remain drowned in water

Passengers are now more free to come and go from Dubai International Airport as several flights have been resumed (picture from April 17)

Passengers checked flight information on screens at Dubai International Airport on Wednesday

Footage from Tuesday on the inside the airport - the world's busiest for international travel - showed passengers sleeping on the floor as they waited for flights out of the country

The airport hopes to resume 'something approaching normality' within 24 hours, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths told AFP.

Some 1,244 flights were cancelled and 41 diverted on Tuesday and Wednesday, after torrential rains flooded the Middle East financial centre including its homes, malls and offices, and highways.

Over the past three days, the airport has witnessed chaotic scenes with crowds of marooned travellers clamouring for information about their flights.

At the start of the floods, footage and images taken by stranded travellers showed people camping out on the airport waiting room floors as they were desperate for shelter from the harsh, freak weather.

Hundreds of passengers complained they were not allowed to leave the building due to the dangers of the flooding as the waters crashed past the airport carrying cars and other debris swept off the streets.

Even as Emirates and flydubai resumed check-ins, more than 200 departures were listed as delayed or cancelled on the airport's website.

Airport authorities say that the staff are facing difficulties to get food to stranded passengers as all the roads leading to the airport are blocked by flood waters.

'Getting supplies through, people and all of the necessary things to the airport to help the schedule recover, was a massive challenge because all of the roads were blocked,' Griffiths said.

Roads have been blocked by the extreme levels of water, meaning the airport is unable to receive deliveries of food and other necessities for the passengers stranded at the airport

The devastating levels of rain meant that even lorries and buses became submerged as the city slowly begins its clear-up

Recent images show locals rowing around as a means of navigating through the underwater city

Shops and buildings have also been left battered by the heavy floods

'We just hope that the level of customer care that we've been able to provide will go some way to mitigate the impacts that we had to customers.

'But obviously we're deeply distressed by all of the disruption and concern that we've created,' he added.

As flights to and from the city return to some level of normalcy, schools and public sector offices have remained closed until next week.

Traffic congestion remained severe on Thursday, two days after the storms, with at least one major road completely blocked by water and multiple junctions cut off by flooding.

Recent images of the devastation from yesterday show vehicles still drowning in the deluge.

Some vehicles were completely submerged, with the top of their roofs barely breaking the water's surface.

People have been spotted rowing around the city in small inflatable boats as they attempt to navigate the immense levels of water.

Main roads have been pictured sinking in the murky depths while those patient enough try to slowly make their way through the area.

Shops and businesses are slowly opening two days on from the flooding as a mass clean up operation continues.

Climate experts say the rains, the UAE's heaviest since records began 75 years ago, are consistent with changes caused by global warming.

A man walks past flooded roads after heavy rainfall in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 18 April 2024

Countless vehicles have been abandoned by their owners as they fled for safety amid the horror floods

By the end of Tuesday, more than 5.59 inches of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours

The storms intensified at around 9am local time on Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 5.59 inches of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours.

READ HERE: Heartwarming moment cat is rescued from Dubai floods after desperately clinging to door of car submerged by water Advertisement

An average year sees 3.73 inches of rain.

An elderly Emirati man in his 70s died yesterday morning when his vehicle was caught in flash floods in the Ras Al Khaimah emirate, in the country's north.

Emergency services worked to clear the waterlogged roads on Thursday to assess people trapped in traffic, offices and homes.

Although the UAE reportedly had moments of sunshine on Thursday, authorities have warned that more thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds were forecast in the region.

In Oman, more than 1,400 people have been evacuated to shelters, while schools and government offices have been closed.

The UAE's president, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered a review of the country's infrastructure impacted by the severe weather.

He asked authorities to assess the damage and provide support to affected families, including transferring them to safe locations.

In a conciliatory message on X, Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said: 'Crises reveal the strength of countries and societies... and the natural climate crisis that we experienced showed great care, awareness, cohesion and love for every corner of the country from all its citizens and residents.'
A transgender 18-year-old planned a school shooting because he 'wanted to be famous', according to cops who arrested him after finding his 129-page 'manifesto'.

Andrea Ye, whose preferred name is Alex, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with making threats of mass violence after allegedly planning to shoot up Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland.

Police swooped on Ye after finding a 'manifesto' written by the teen which they said 'writes about committing a school shooting, and strategizes how to carry out the act'.

In the pages, Ye allegedly wrote that he 'wants to be famous' and contemplated targeting an elementary school as 'little kids make easier targets'.

According to court documents seen by ABC, Ye first described the manifesto as 'fiction' but then later described it as 'his memoir'.

Andrea Ye, whose preferred name is Alex, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with making threats of mass violence

He was allegedly planning to shoot-up Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland

Montgomery County Public Schools told Fox that Ye is an active student at Wootton High School in Rockville but has been attending through a virtual program and hadn't been on campus physically since 2022.

Police reportedly said in court records that Ye's sex is female but he uses male pronouns.

After the FBI alerted Montgomery County Police to the manifesto, they obtained a search warrant and found internet searches, drawings and documents related to threats of mass violence.

Ye reportedly put a disclaimer in the book saying it doesn't 'represent the author's beliefs' but a witness - who first contacted authorities in early March - raised concerns that the manifesto bore 'striking similarities' to Ye.

The witness believed the writings indicated Ye was prepared to carry out a mass shooting imminently, according to court documents seen by ABC.

Authorities said they had determined that the manifesto appears to have 'portions of fictional and non-fictional qualities'.

Court documents state that the witness told police that Ye's 'memoir' was about 'a transgender main character' named 'James Wang'.

They said that 'Wang' was 'being bullied in school and other issues that [the witness] believed were directly from Ye's life and not indicative of fiction.'

According to ABC, the manifesto described how the character would 'cherry pick the classrooms that are the easiest targets' and said: 'I have also considered shooting up my former elementary school because little kids make easier targets.'

Authorities said they found social media posts and searches by Ye allegedly looking up 'gun range near me,' and the phrase 'But, I do recognize that my plan is fully unethical. It's selfish and evil', according to court documents seen by ABC.

The documents reportedly show Ye telling an online user: 'My homicidal ideation has been getting worse lately to the point I might act on it eventually,' and then later adding: 'I'd want to kill a lot of people or it wouldn't be worth it.'

Montgomery County Public Schools told Fox that Ye is an active student at Wootton High School in Rockville but has been attending virtually

Police swooped on Ye after finding a 'manifesto' written by the teen which they said 'writes about committing a school shooting, and strategizes how to carry out the act'.

Ye was taken into custody on Wednesday and is being held in the Montgomery County Jail while he awaits a bond hearing - he has not yet entered a plea.

Ye has a long history of inpatient care for mental health issues, according to the court documents seen by ABC, and had openly expressed thoughts of homicidal and suicidal ideation.

According to the court documents, Ye was previously hospitalized 'for threatening to 'shoot up a school'.

He was evaluated at his home and then hospitalized again in March, the hospital then raised an alarm with school and law enforcement officials because of 'the threat posed by Ye.'

A counselor who had worked with Ye told authorities that he 'would express violent thoughts such as shooting up the school' and 'would smile while saying it,' according to the documents seen by ABC.
Adult film star Sophia Leone's mother revealed the actress used to heavily drink and had suicidal thoughts, according to a new police report released after her mysterious death.

The Miami-born porn star, 26, was found unresponsive at her apartment in March and although an official cause of death has not yet been determined, foul play is seen as a possibility.

While insisting there is no evidence indicating a robbery or homicide, cops have said they are treating it as a 'suspicious death' and declined to clarify if it appears drug-related as they are awaiting toxicology reports.

But as investigations continue, TMZ has revealed that the star's mother reportedly told officers that Leone was known to experience suicidal thoughts in the past.

The heartbroken mother also said that Leone would drink heavily at times.

Adult film star Sophia Leone's mother has revealed that the actress used to heavily drink and was having suicidal thoughts before her mysterious death

The heartbroken mother also said that Leone would drink heavily at times

According to the outlet, the family said they were well aware that Leone was in the adult film industry and had access to all her cameras

According to the outlet, the family said they were well aware that Leone was in the adult film industry and had access to all her cameras.

Leone's mother allegedly told police the information about her daughter's drinking and mental health problems when they first arrived at her apartment and found her dead body. Much of the new police report was redacted, TMZ said.

Despite new information coming to light, Leone's death remains a mystery.

Detectives have said they are still in the dark over how Leone died or if anyone else was involved.

'We do not know at this time if she is a victim of a crime, so this is a unique situation,' Albuquerque Police told TMZ. They added that Leone was a stage name.

Leone's passing was confirmed by her stepfather Mike Romero, who announced her death in a solemn post to her GoFundMe page, where he described her as a loving friend to those who knew her.

'Sophia was found unresponsive in her apartment home on March 1, 2024 by her family,' he wrote.

'A investigation by local Police into the cause of death is still currently on going.'

Leone's passing was confirmed by her stepfather Mike Romero

The Latina actress reportedly began her career before she turned 20 and has a net worth of over a million dollars

Romero described Leone as a 'beloved daughter, sister, grand daughter, niece and friend', and noted her 'deep love' for animals including her three pets.

The Latina actress reportedly began her career before she turned 20 and had a net worth of over a million dollars.

Leone was scouted by an agent while attending a music festival in Miami, and after some research, decided to join the industry.

Since the announcement, donations have been flowing in for Leone on social media and on the crowdfunding page.

Most notably, a fellow adult star named Lena The Plug donated $500 to help her family with her funeral costs on her GoFundMe.

Leone was allegedly scouted by an agent while attending a music festival in Miami and after some research decided to join the industry

Since the announcement, donations have been flowing in for Leone on social media and on the crowdfunding page

Fans of the star have also been remembering her on X and posting tributes.

One person wrote: 'First we lose Akira Toriyama now we lose Sophia Leone. Life is too short, beautiful and tragic. May they rest in peace.'

Another added: 'Is this Sophia Leone news real??? I feel sick to my stomach.'

One adult creator who supposedly worked with the popular star wrote: 'Sophia Leone was a great member of our industry and she'll be missed.

'We bumped shoulders here and there, but I never really got the pleasure of having a friendship with her, I sincerely hope her family and friends are able to have a peaceful space to process her loss RIP.

As of now, Leone's crowdfunding page has raised $14,183.
A married teacher accused of having sex with one of her underage students has been freed on bail to look after her children, as it emerged that colleagues had warned her off the boy.

Special needs teacher Jessica Sawicki, 37, was found pulling her clothes back on in the back seat of the boy's car on April 7 by a staff at a wildlife park outside Trenton, New Jersey.

A detention hearing on Wednesday was told that she admitted inappropriate behavior back in January after staff at Hamilton High School West reported their concerns to the principal.

Her husband Michael was in court to see her freed from jail on bail to help look after their five-year-old daughter and two-year-old son.

'They don't know where their mom is right now and it's getting hard to explain that to them at home,' defense attorney Edward Cridge remarked.

Sawicki shook her head as prosecutor Keri-Leigh Schaefer told the court: 'The victim quickly put on his pants and the defendant pulled up her skirt'

Jessica Sawicki (pictured), 37, an English and special needs teacher at a New Jersey high school has been accused of having a sexual relationship with a student

Sawicki and the student are alleged to have had several trysts in the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, a nature preserve

Monmouth County prosecutor Keri-Leigh Schaefer told the court that Sawicki and the boy were spotted when an officer from New Jersey Fish and Wildlife found her car blocking an entrance to the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area in Upper Freehold.

'The lieutenant observed the victim's vehicle parked directly behind the defendant's SUV,' she explained.

'When the lieutenant approached the cars, he observed the 17-year-old victim and the defendant in the back seat of the victim's car.

'The victim quickly put on his pants and the defendant pulled up her skirt.

'This interaction is captured on the lieutenant's body worn camera footage.'

In a since-deleted school profile, Sawicki explained how she 'truly enjoys getting to know the students'.

'This is my 7th year working at Hamilton West teaching English,' she noted.

'I truly enjoy getting to know the students here and helping them become the best versions of themselves while they strive for their futures.'

Sawicki (pictured) and the teenaged student are alleged to have had sex in the teenager's car

Hamilton High School West, where Sawicki taught English, put the teacher on administrative leave after they learned of the investigation

Following her arrest, the school district wrote to parents informing them that she had been placed on 'administrative leave' in light of the police investigation.

'The alleged incident goes against our professional standards as a school district and is far removed from the expectations we have for the personal conduct of an employee,' principal Brian E Smith wrote.

'We have no tolerance for any actions that harm or could potentially harm our students.

'The actions of one staff member do not represent the hard work and dedication of our entire community.'

But Schaefer told the court that Sawicki had already been placed on administrative leave back in January after ignoring a warning from Smith about appropriate 'boundaries'.

Challenged about the amount of time she was spending with him, she admitted giving him gifts and preferential treatment, including passes to get out of class, Schaefer said.

Sawicki had previously taught the boy's older brother, who asked her to look out for him because he had troubled background and was struggling in school.

She told detectives that she exchanged phone numbers with the boy when he was a junior and had met up with him at Assunpink Lake at least 10 times by the time he was in his senior year.

Half of those meetings resulted in unprotected sex or other sexual activity Schaefer told the court.

'As the adult in the situation, as a teacher at the high school, she was in a position of power and authority over this child student,' the prosecutor said.

'And she used that position of power and authority to begin a relationship with him.'

But Sawacki's attorney pointed out that the student has refused to co-operate with the investigation, and described his relationship with the teacher as 'affectional, not anything impulsive or predatory'.

Brian Smith and Scott Rocco, the respective principal and superintendent at Hamilton High School West, put out a statement that said that the school 'took immediate action' after learning of the investigation. The statement noted that there was 'no indication' that any of the alleged incidents took place on school property

'Her husband is present today in the courtroom,' he observed.

'Obviously, this is a difficult thing for any couple to go through, but he's here in support of his wife, in support of their family.'

Superior Court Judge Richard W English agreed to free her on bail from Monmouth County Jail on condition she have no contact with the teenager or any unsupervised contact with any minors other than her own.

Sawicki has been charged with five counts of second-degree sexual assault and five counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and is due back in court on May 30.
Liz Truss has shed a tear as she revealed the impact her teenage daughters faced due to the relentless criticism she endured while prime minister for 49 days.

The former Conservative Prime Minister got tearful when she was asked about how she coped with her children Liberty and Frances seeing the criticism she went through.

She told Chopper's Political Podcast on GB News: 'I think I find it hardest when it's to do with my children. Everything else I can take.'

Ms Truss, 48, revealed that she told her daughters not to read the papers or look at Twitter while she was in office.

In her book Ten Years To Save The West, which was serialised in the Mail, she described how 'most children find out about the fallibilities of their parents over a number of years. Mine saw all of mine publicly exposed in very short order'.

Liz Truss has shed a tear as she revealed the impact her teenage daughters faced due to the relentless criticism she endured while prime minister for 49 days

The former leader's husband Hugh O'Leary and her two daughters Liberty and Frances look on as she gives her resignation speech outside Downing Street on October 25, 2022

Ms Truss, 48, revealed that she told her daughters not to read the papers or look at Twitter while she was in office

Ms Truss served as prime minister of the UK for just 49 days in 2022, making her the shortest-serving prime minister in British history.

At one point she wrote about her daughter Liberty had phoned her from school and pled with her not to resign as prime minister after just over 40 days in office in October 2022.

But Ms Truss told the podcast: 'It was a bit late by then. It was a bit I had sort of written the resignation speech by then when she phoned.'

In the new book, a memoir, Ms Truss recaps her time in office before she stepped down as prime minister and analyses what went wrong.

Her brief tenure was marred by economic turmoil  including reforms that sent the pound tumbling  before a Conservative MP rebellion ousted her from No 10.

She has claimed her premiership was halted due to 'deep state' actors which includes Treasury officials, the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Bank of England.

Ms Truss told the podcast she had been 'very clear' about what she wanted to do which involved fracking, removing EY laws, cutting taxes and reducing public spending.

But she claims her mandate for those policies were not respected by some elements of the Conservative Parliamentary Party.

Ms Truss and her family walk away from 10 Downing Street to head to Buckingham Palace to give her resignation

Queen Elizabeth II welcomes Liz Truss at Balmoral, Scotland, in September 6, 2022, two days before the Queen's death

Liz Truss arrives at No. 10 Downing Street as a newly prime minister with her husband Hugh O'Leary, after meeting with the Queen

'Ten Years to Save the West': Former Prime Minister Liz Truss's new book was published this week

She also said she discovered the 'forces of resistance' in Downing Street were 'very strong' and she did not get enough support from her party to overcome them.

READ MORE: Liz Truss reveals the advice Queen Elizabeth gave her before she died which the former PM now wishes she had listened to Advertisement

'Did I get everything right? Obviously not. I'm a human being. I've got strengths and weaknesses like everybody else', she said.

Ms Truss said she now believes it was not actually possible to deliver her Conservative agenda with Britain's current institutional structures and with the current makeup of the Conservative Parliamentary Party.

She also planned on repealing major pieces of legislation including The Human Rights Act, the Climate Change Act and the Constitutional Reform Act (which created a Supreme court in Britain).

The MP for South West Norfolk told the show how she wants the country to be successful because she is a 'patriot' but said 'things have to change'.

Ms Truss also criticised some of her fellow Conservative MPs for becoming too satisfied with ministerial office.

She said there is an element of MPs in all parties which thinks, 'what job am I going to get after politics?' and that fears of rocking the boat could make them miss out on a corporate board job.

Liz Truss with her close ally at the time Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng at the Conservative Party Conference on October 2, 2022

Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng delivering his mini-budget in the House of Commons, London, September 23, 2022

Ms Truss's new book Ten Years to Save the West was serialised in the Mail

The former leader has claimed her premiership was halted due to 'deep state' actors which includes Treasury officials, the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Bank of England

Liz Truss pictured at the launch of her campaign to become the next prime minister on July 14. She would go on to defeat six other candidates, including Rishi Sunak

The Oxford graduate said they also feared being 'slagged off' at dinner parties for being nasty or for not being pro the environment or trans rights.

She added that she would welcome Nigel Farage as a Tory party member in the future.

But the ex-prime minister refused to rule out running to be leader again and said she was prepared to play 'any role' in changing Britain.

Ms Truss became prime minister after meeting the Queen at Balmoral just two days before her death on September 8, 2022.

The MP, who was the last of the 15 prime ministers to serve Queen Elizabeth II, previously revealed how she was advised by the monarch to 'pace herself'.

In her memoir, the ex-PM admits she did not listen to the Queen's advice.

Upon news of the Queen's death  which came just days after Ms Truss entered No 10  the former prime minister recalls thinking: 'Why me? Why now?'

The state ceremony and protocol that followed left her 'a long way from my natural comfort zone', she writes.

Ms Truss said she broke down 'into floods of tears on the sofa'. She added: 'Once again the grief was mixed with a feeling of awe over the sheer weight of the event, and the fact that it was happening on my watch.'
A young Sydney mum was banned from the Uber rideshare and food delivery service because the company said her name was offensive, even though it is common in some countries.

Swastika Chandra's first name means good luck and prosperity in the ancient Sanskrit language, which is a major part of her identity as a Hindu.

However in western countries the word swastika is most commonly associated with the symbol used by Germany's Nazi Party in the 20th century - which was inspired by the eastern religious motif.

Because the Nazi symbol is still used by those advancing anti-semitic beliefs, the word swastika and any others terms associated with anti-Israel sentiment were banned by Uber after the October 7 attacks on the country.

Consequently, the 35-year-old mum found herself a victim of Uber's purge and could no longer use the app.

Ms Chandra grew up in Fiji, where the first name Swastika was common among the Pacific nation's large Indian community.

'It is a very common name. I personally know four or five other girls with the same name,' she told A Current Affair. 'It means good luck. It means good things for me.'

Sydney mum Swastika Chandra (pictured) was banned from the Uber rideshare service because her name which, though common in some countries, is considered offensive in Australia and most other places

Swastika Chandra's first name means good luck and prosperity in the ancient Sanskrit language, which is a major part of her identity as a Hindu, but Uber (logo pictured) did not see it that way

READ MORE: Fury over 'gobsmacking' footage showing police officer telling Jewish woman that swastikas 'need to be taken into context' Campaigners have blasted the Met Police after footage emerged of an officer defending the force for not arresting someone holding a swastika sign Advertisement

Her first name is on her birth certificate, her Australian citizenship certificate, her Medicare card and driver's licence, but last October, Uber banned her account.

'I was putting in an order for food one afternoon and went to the payment stage and this pop-up came up saying, "Your first name is in violation and you need to change your name on the app",' she said.

Ms Chandra acknowledges that her name is associated with the Nazis in most people's minds but they need to understand its origins.

'They don't know that the Hindus used it for thousands of years before Hitler used it in the wrong way,' she said. 'A bit of education is needed.

'I'm very proud of my name. I believe in the good that comes with it and I'm not changing it for anyone.'

Almost six months after banning her, Uber finally admitted Ms Chandra was an innocent victim of its ban, apologised to her and gave her an exemption to keep using her name on the app.

She was helped by her case being taken up by Australia's peak Hindu body, The Hindu Council, and support from the Jewish community.

'It is clear in the circumstances that there is a material difference between Ms Chandra innocently, and without malice, using her natural name and the deployment of a sinister symbol to promote hate or foster division,' the Jewish Board of Deputies said in a statement.

Ms Chandra is now being honoured by the Hindu community for refusing to change her name on the app and promote her heritage.

She also has a message for all the other people who might have a different name to others.

'Don't let the past be a stepping stone for your future,' she said. 'Be proud of your name. It's your identity, it's who you are.'

Not only is Ms Chandra's first name Swastika, she wears a swastika (pictured) on a necklace

Uber's Australian office said it 'has a global policy of restricting access to users whose names entered into the Uber app contain potentially offensive words.

'(But) we understand that there are different cultural nuances to names, and therefore our teams address incidents like this on a case-by-case basis to ensure we evaluate each account fairly.

'In this case, after reviewing Ms Chandra's request, we reinstated her access to the app.'

The company also acknowledged that the situation 'took longer than we hoped it would' to resolve.
Do you know the unfortunate punter? Email: Edward.Holt@mailonline.co.uk

This is the moment firefighters had to rescue a punter who got his leg trapped down a drain outside a pub in central London.

When the currently unidentified reveller ventured into Charing Cross for a pint in the Spring sunshine he probably did not expect to find himself at the centre of an unlikely rescue mission.

However, that is exactly what did happen to the man who has since gone viral for his unfortunate misadventure, which resulted in help from London Fire Brigade.

In pictures posted to social media, the man can be seen with one leg ankle-deep in a drain outside Wetherspoons pub, The Montagu Pyke, in Charing Cross.

The man, who was eventually freed by London Fire Brigade, found himself trapped outside a Wetherspoons in one of London's most busiest areas - Charing Cross

In pictures, posted to social media, the man can be seen with one leg ankle-deep in a drain outside The Montagu Pyke pub

Once he is finally freed from his predicament, he can be seen hobbling away from the scene with the aid of a firefighter. The man has wide smile on his face perhaps indicating the fact he can see the funny side of the incident

In the pictures, firefighters are seen assisting the man as members of the public watch on from behind yellow tape around the scene.

Once he is finally freed from his predicament, he can be seen hobbling away from the scene.

Meanwhile fellow punters can also be seen laughing as the awkward situation ends.

Ironically, this is not the first time this week firefighters have been called to rescue a punter at a Wetherspoons.

On Monday, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue had to be called to rescue a man who had become trapped in a toilet cubicle in The Punch Bowl in York.

After the man called staff for help they were also unable to rescue him and therefore had to resort to ringing the fire brigade.

When the firefighters arrived the customer was freed in four minutes.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue told BBC News that such callouts happened 'quite infrequently.'

London Fire Brigade confirmed that they attended the incident.

A spokesman said: 'One fire engine from Soho Fire Station attended an incident on Old Compton Street at the junction with Charing Cross Road. The Brigade was called at 1747 and the incident was over for firefighters at 1823.'
A New Zealand TV host has spoken on air about the terrifying moment she was grabbed on a street when she was in Australia.

Melissa Chan-Green, co-host of New Zealand's AM show, recalled a man grabbing her on a Sydney street 'a few years ago'.

'I was walking down the street and there had been reports around at the time in Sydney of a man that had been seen sexually harassing women,' she said on Friday's show.

'This man was running straight towards me in a suit but with bare feet and he looked kind of distressed, so I kind of stopped a bit and thought 'are you ok?'.

Melissa Chan-Green, the co-host of New Zealand 's AM show, recalled a man grabbing her on a Sydney street 'a few years ago'

'He ran up to me, came really close, grabbed me and said 'I've got you' and then ran off.

'It kind of left me a bit shaken and I went and called police and I said 'you know, this has happened ... I know I didn't expect everyone to go and find him but I'm reporting it in case it's part of a pattern', and it (the response) was really quite dismissive.'

Ms Chan-Green related the story as part of a discussion about whether police are taking the issue of stalking seriously enough after the recent killing of a woman in New Zealand.

It is understood that Farzana Yaqubi, 21, made online complaints to police after fearing for her safety, and eight weeks later she was allegedly stabbed to death in Auckland.

'He ran up to me, came really close, grabbed me and said 'I've got you' and then ran off,' Ms Chan-Green said of her encounter on a Sydney street, as the show's hosts raised questions about whether police are taking the issue of stalking seriously enough in New Zealand after a woman was recently killed

The Independent Police Conduct Authority found that Ms Yaqubi told police she was living in extreme fear but still a man killed her in broad daylight in late 2022.

'It is absolutely shocking,' Ms Chan-Green said.

'We certainly wouldn't want to suggest that if you were in that position that you would not go and report it because absolutely do.

'Police are looking at their systems around this and are promising change.'
Do you know what advert was being filmed? Please email: tips@dailymail.com

A plane previously used by King Charles saw one of its windows fall out after having its frames melted by lights used to film an advert, a report has revealed.

Three windows on the Titan Airways Airbus fell out while the plane 14,000ft in the air last October, after it took off from London Stansted Airport on a flight to Florida.

Passengers noticed 'increased cabin noise' and a crew member discovered one window was visibly loose in its frame.

The aircraft returned to Stansted after 36 minutes and none of the 24 people on board were injured.

Staff discovered a total of three windows were missing after landing and also saw fresh impact damage on the plane's tail.

King Charles and Queen Camilla on the Titan Airways Airbus at Paris Orly in September 2023

Charles and Camilla arrives at Paris Orly on the Titan Airways Airbus in September 2023

The left side cabin window at the back of the overwing exit of the Airbus A321 while in flight

Floodlighting on the left of the aircraft is pictured. There were six sets of lights on both sides

The aircraft took off from London Stansted at 11.15am, climbing to a maximum of 14,504ft by 11.23am. The cabin altitude increased during this time to 1,536 ft. No pressurisation warnings were recorded during the flight, which landed back at Stansted Airport at 11.51am

The window assembly is held in compression against the window frame using a metal retainer, six eyebolts and six nuts. The outer pane, inner pane and rubber seal are all highlighted

Two cabin window assemblies were missing in their entirety, and the inner pane and seal from a third were displaced but partially retained. Windowpanes on the left side are pictured

The forward edge of a fourth window on the plane protruded from the left side of the fuselage

Charles and Queen Camilla had previously used the jet for a state visit to France last September.

Airbus A321 factfile Aircraft Type : Airbus A321-253NX

: Airbus A321-253NX Registration : G-OATW

: G-OATW Engines : 2 CFM International SA LEAP-1A33 turbofan engines

: 2 CFM International SA LEAP-1A33 turbofan engines Year of manufacture : 2020

: 2020 Date and time of incident : October 4, 2023 at 11.51am UTC

: October 4, 2023 at 11.51am UTC Location : London Stansted Airport

: London Stansted Airport Type of flight : Commercial Air Transport (Passenger)

: Commercial Air Transport (Passenger) Persons on board : 11 crew and 9 passengers

: 11 crew and 9 passengers Injuries : None

: None Damage : Damage to several cabin windows and impact damage to the left horizontal stabiliser

: Damage to several cabin windows and impact damage to the left horizontal stabiliser Commander's age and flying experience : 54 years old. 4,905 hours (including 2,300 on type) Advertisement

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also used it on official trips abroad.

The Airbus' acrylic windows had shrunk after being exposed to 'high intensity' lights used for filming an advert the previous day, analysts at Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) found.

Film technicians positioned high intensity halogen lights outside the airliner's fuselage as advertisers filmed some promotional footage on board the plane.

This light shone in through the windows to create a sunrise effect whilst advertisers filmed on board the plane the day before the incident.

The six lights used had a combined lighting capacity of 72,000 watts  more than seven hundred times greater than a household light bulb.

The AAIB report - first published in the Daily Telegraph - said: 'The lights were first shone on the right side of the aircraft for approximately five and a half hours, with the light focused on the cabin windows just aft of the overwing exits.

'The lights were then moved to the left side of the aircraft where they illuminated a similar area on the left side for approximately four hours.'

According to data from a light manufacturer, surfaces that are six metres away could see temperatures rise by as much as 147F (64C).

On the Airbus that day, technicians placed the lights between six and nine metres away.

Removal of the cabin lining inside the passenger cabin revealed the window retainers were in good condition and correctly installed - despite the missing and dislodged windowpanes

The foam ring material on the back of the cabin liners was found to be melted in the areas adjacent to the windows that were damaged or missing, according to the AAIB report

The AAIB investigation also revealed that the inner windowpane that was loosely retained after the aircraft landed was found to be shrunk and deformed around its periphery

A serviceable window assembly (top) and the protruding assembly (bottom) are displayed

Reconstructed remains of the shattered windowpane are pictured. A vent hole in one of the broken parts showed that the shattered remains were from an inner windowpane

Photographs of the filming showed that the lights were approximately 6 to 9m from the window areas where damage occurred. This graphic shows the approximate distance

The AAIB report stated that typical spectral power distribution for a halogen bulb shows that most of the energy is in the infrared (IR) wavelengths. Energy from the sun is filtered by the atmosphere, dust and humidity, and mostly arrives at lower altitudes in the visible spectrum

Windows on airliners have two panes - a tough outer pane designed to withstand extreme temperatures and pressures, and an inner 'scratch pane' on the passenger side.

READ MORE Passenger breaks his leg 30 minutes into a seven-hour Air New Zealand flight after plane is hit by severe turbulence Advertisement

All the scratch panes remained in place during the flight, meaning there was' no direct unrestricted aperture between the passenger cabin and the outside air', the AAIB said.

The AAIB has not disclosed who the advertiser was and there is no suggestion in their report that any Airbus manufacturing defect was to blame for the airliner's windows melting.

A Titan Airways spokesman said: 'We would like to thank the members of the AAIB team for their extremely thorough and professional investigation.

'The aviation industry as a whole will benefit from the lessons learnt from this event.

'We are also pleased to hear that our colleagues at Airbus will be circulating further information to its worldwide customer base, highlighting the potential damage that can be caused by high-intensity lighting.

PREVIOUS INCIDENT 1 - Lighting arrangement during a previous filming event where an Airbus A321 sustained cabin window damage during a filming event outdoors. Spotlights were positioned just inboard of the engines, approximately 1.5 to 1.8 m from the cabin windows

PREVIOUS INCIDENT 1 - Thermal damage suffered by an outer windowpane on an Airbus A321

PREVIOUS INCIDENT 2 - One operator told the AAIB that six cabin windows were damaged on a Boeing 787 during a filming event inside a hangar. The windows were illuminated using three 2,000W lights positioned on mobile platforms outside the aircraft. The windows suffered significant deformation and one had a hole burned through the windowpanes, as shown above

'We are also grateful to all of our crew members onboard, whose swift and professional handling of the incident was exemplary.'

While it was used for royal and Government flights, the airliner was registered G-GBNI and was painted white with a Union flag logo on the tail.

The Airbus was re-registered G-OATW and repainted in a black colour scheme, after the Government charter ended.

For official trips by ministers and members of the Royal Family, the Government regularly charters commercial airliners.

* Do you know what advert was being filmed? Please email: tips@dailymail.com *
The great British fry-up may face an uncertain future as Gen-Z is increasingly finding the breakfast classic too fatty or too time consuming to put together, research has found.

A new poll of those aged between 18 to 34 finds almost 15 per cent may only touch a cooked breakfast once or twice-a-year, while one in ten never do.

Home appliance maker, Breville, which commissioned the research, suggested youngsters were being turned off the cult classic by health influencers on social media.

The study found almost four in ten worry that the meal is too fatty or greasy to tuck into any more than they usually do, while a similar number are concerned about the number of calories on the plate.

For many, it is the sheer number of ingredients that may be a turn-off, as almost a third of the 1,000 young Britons surveyed claimed cooking a fry-up takes too much time.

The clean-up also seems to be a problem, while others suggested that the trouble of juggling so many ingredients at the same time was a frustration.

The classic fry-up may be in danger of dying out, as health conscious Gen-Z shun the fatty and time-consuming dish

There is huge variety in what goes on the plate across the British Isles, and in Northern Ireland, the 'Ulster Fry' is the preferred variety

What exactly goes into a fry-up varies across the UK. While eggs, mushrooms, baked beans, sausages and bacon, are mainstays on the plate, there are often national varieties.

In Wales, cockles and laverbread are often added, while in Northern Ireland, soda bread and potato bread sometimes manage to muscle onto the menu.

However, the study suggested some hope for the fry-up as 70 per cent of young Britons said that they would be more inclined to eat the big breakfast feat if these problems could be overcome.

'It's perfectly possible to create a traditional fry up that's a little more guilt-free and less hassle,' said Lydia Baker of Breville, which commissioned the research.

'There's still time to save the iconic dish. It's a beloved institution for a reason.

'Social media has spread an endless number of accounts giving advice on what's 'good' and 'bad' to eat, with the humble fry-up often falling into the latter camp.'

Among young Britons, a staggering 89 per cent said that they had experienced 'food guilt' after wolfing down the breakfast, while almost one in four also said that they thought it was 'outdated'.

There are, however, some new institutions trying to modernise the traditional English breakfast and opening their doors as proud greasy spoons. In London, Norman's Cafe in Archway has offered an up-to-date take on traditional fare like the fry-up.

The rise of the air fryer as a must-have kitchen appliance may also help. Of those that owned an air fryer, researchers found that almost 60 percent had used them to make a less greasy and less time-consuming version of the traditional fried breakfast.

Zoe McClean, senior home economist at Breville, said: 'A fried breakfast is quite an involved process with lots of moving parts, which means there are lots of opportunities for improvement. The way you prepare something is almost as important as what you're making.'
The family of Idaho murders victim Kaylee Goncalves have slammed suspected killer Bryan Kohberger's alibi, feeling that 'if it had weight, it would have been submitted months ago.'

Kohberger's defense came under scrutiny this week after he submitted his alibi after months of delays, where he claimed he couldn't have committed the quadruple murders because he was out driving 'to see the moon and stars.'

Prosecutors say his phone was turned off between 2:47am and 4:48am on the night of the murders of University of Idaho students Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20.

In response to the alibi filing, Goncalves' family pointed out that this means that if Kohberger disputes cellphone data - as his filing indicated he would - it would be 'either before or after the times of the murders.'

'Hence, not really an alibi,' they said.

Kohberger (pictured during his extradition in January 2023), a criminology PhD student, has remained behind bars ever since his arrest as he pleads his innocence

Kaylee is pictured with her father before her death. The family have branded Kohberger's alibi as 'not an alibi'

Kaylee Goncalves' mother and father have spoken out following the latest update in the case

The victim's family posted in response: 'We have been waiting on this information for months and it has finally arrived.

'It is so hard not knowing anything about the case and you find you have to cling to dates, motions, and hearings in order to figure out anything.

'A big part of this has been waiting on the alibi information.

'Now that it is here we feel even more confident in the prosecution of the defendant. The Defenses claim is that [Kohberger] was driving late at night hiking/running and stargazing.

'We are not sure why it has taken over a year for this to come out as those dont seem to be complicated activities.

'We also believe that if this alibi had any weight it would have been submitted months ago. It also is in direct conflict with the Probable Cause affidavit that states that the defendant's phone was turned off between 2:47am and 4:48am.

'So if the defendant was driving around and there is cell phone information that he was in a different place it would be either before or after the times of the murders. Hence not really an alibi.

'We continue to look forward to justice in this case and can now put this part of the proceeding behind us. Thank you for all your support for our family.'

Goncalves' family have previously spoken out over their frustration at delays in the case, with Kohberger's defense attorneys accused of delay tactics that have seen the trial date pushed back to at least the spring of 2025.

In December, after another previous delay, the Goncalves' mother Kristi said the ongoing process has been 'gut wrenching.'

'Why does this have to be so drawn out?' she questioned to KHQ. 'I can't believe that this is how it works.'

Kohberger is accused of murdering University of Idaho students (L-R) Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle on November 13, 2022

The manner in which the killer navigated the three-story home to kill the four students  who were sleeping in separate rooms and floors  in the early hours of a November morning has raised questions about his motives and potential knowledge of the layout

The off-campus home where the four grisly murders took place was torn down in December amid the delays, despite calls from the victims' families to keep it standing

Boyfriend and girlfriend Ethan Chapin (left) and Xana Kernodle (right) were slain in bed together in the gruesome murders in November 2022

The families of the victims have shared their frustration at the unending delays, with the mother of Kaylee Goncalves (left, with Madison Mogen) saying: 'It's gut-wrenching how slow everything has to go. Why does this have to be so drawn out?'

On April 17, Kohberger, 28, claimed through his attorneys that he was out driving on the night of the quadruple killings on November 13, 2022 - as he often did to watch the night sky.

In a newly released court filing, his lawyers said that his demanding schedule lecturing at Washington State University meant he didn't have time for his normal hobbies of running and hiking.

Instead, he claims to have taken up driving at nighttime as a pastime, and says that phone records will show he frequently drove around the countryside near Wawai County Park in Whitman County.

Prosecutors say they tracked Kohberger's phone to near the home where he allegedly murdered the students, however his attorneys also say they plan to present an expert on cellphone information to dispute this.

Last year, Kohberger's legal team had claimed that he was out driving alone on the night of the murders, but declined to offer specifics.

As the victim's families spoke out over ongoing delays, a judge ordered a Wednesday deadline to provide more details, after previously saying the excuse of driving alone was insufficient - branding it a 'so-called alibi.'

Now, Kohberger's lawyers say they have further details of the alibi, but claimed that prosecutors haven't shared more discovery information as requested.

They claim that without the discovery evidence, the cellphone expert's testimony will 'also reveal that critical exculpatory evidence, further corroborating Mr. Kohberger's alibi, was either not preserved or has been withheld.'

Kohberger is next due in court on May 14, when a judge will decide over a change of venue motion from his attorneys, who claim the fervent attention around his case in the area would impact jury impartiality.

When Kohberger was arrested in December 2023, over a month after the slayings, cops said a key piece of evidence was a white Hyundai seen in surveillance footage driving to and from the site of the killings that matched Kohberger's car.

However, Kohberger's alibi filing claims that cellphone expert Sy Ray will offer testimony that shows his cellphone did not travel towards the home, and 'thus could not be the vehicle captured on video.'

Along with the surveillance footage, another key piece of evidence put forward by prosecutors is Kohberger's DNA allegedly found on a knife sheath left behind at the massacre.

Kohberger's legal team have come under fire from the families of his alleged victims, amid claims they are using delay tactics to help his chances at trial, which remains in its preliminary stages over one-and-a-half years after the slayings.

Although he was initially set to stand trial in the spring of 2024, the repeat delays saw a judge in February push the court date back to at least the spring of 2025.
A Las Vegas attorney who witnessed the shocking double-murder suicide last week has revealed what had happened minutes before the bloodbath took place.

Dennis Prince, 57, and Ashley Prince, 30, were fatally shot during a deposition involving Ashley's ex-husband, Dylan Houston, on April 8.

Dennis was representing his wife Ashley in the case, and Dylan was represented by his father, 77-year-old Joseph Houston II.

It was Joseph who opened fire during the proceedings before turning the gun on himself.

Lisa Rasmussen, an attorney who was inside the conference room at Prince Law Group and sitting next to Joseph at the time of the carnage has now revealed what happened.

Rasmussen described the shooting as a 'culmination of an incredibly tense custody battle with a lot of venom going back and forth' while talking to FOX News.

Lisa Rasmussen, an attorney who had witnessed the shocking double-murder suicide last week has revealed what had happened minutes before the bloodbath took place

Dennis Prince, 57, and Ashley Prince, 30, were fatally shot during a deposition by Joseph Houston

Ashley was married to Dylan Houston, another lawyer (left). His father Joseph (right) killed her, her new husband and then himself

Gunshots broke out during a deposition Monday morning, with Houston pulling out a handgun and shooting Prince in the chest four times. Pictured: Dennis Prince

She told the channel: 'All of a sudden there's this horrible noise and I couldn't even identify it. It was like a bomb.

'It was sort of echoing in my head I had no idea what it was. I turned to my right to kind of look at Joe, maybe and say, "What what the hell was that?" And I just see, right next to me, a barrel and a sleeve.

'I don't even remember seeing the hand. It's so weird. I just saw the barrel of a gun.

'I recall Joe standing up and pointing across the table with the barrel  the gun. And by that time, and at that moment, I was really clear on what was happening. I'm like, "okay, that was a gunshot. That's a gun. He's pointing it".

'I wasn't going to stand around. I peeled back to my left  jumped up.'

Rasmussen immediately ran out of the room with her client, an eight-month pregnant associate, later identified as Shannon Wilson, and a court reporter as soon as she realized what had happened.

Rasmussen said: 'I recall Joe standing up and pointing across the table with the barrel  the gun. And by that time, and at that moment, I was really clear on what was happening. I'm like, "okay, that was a gunshot. That's a gun. He's pointing it"'

Dylan (center) was being represented by his father, 77-year-old Joseph (bottom right) during the ex-couple's custody proceedings. Also pictured Joe's wife, Katherine Houston (bottom left), his daughters Taylor (top left) and Kelly (top right)

Despite already knowing about Joe's cancer diagnosis, she said he seemed 'jovial' and displayed no warning signs that morning.

'I was aware that he had a cancer diagnosis, but he did not seem just so, you know, terminally ill.

'He was able-bodied, and he had a full head of hair, and he was jovial. He didn't seem sick or even like he didn't feel well. He didn't look pale. He didn't. So he may have had a diagnosis that was problematic. I, of course, have no idea what was going through his mind.

'People ask me if I think Joe came with a plan to do this, and I say no. I just really think it just unfolded in a moment of rage, whatever. And we're never going to know, right? Because Joe took his own life. We're never going to know what happened.'

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.

The gunman pictured here with his daughter Taylor days before the carnage

Dennis and Ashley had also recently welcomed a child together

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.

Wilson had '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.

Ashley with her ex-husband, Dylan Houston, at their wedding. The pair were entangled in a bitter custody dispute over their two young children. Dylan, who is a partner at Resnick & Louis in Las Vegas, filed for divorce from Ashley in October 2021 following four years of marriage

Officials responding to reports of a shooting on April 8, 2024 at the law office

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 five and four - 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'.

Prince had been 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

Divorce filings allege Dylan grappled with substance abuse while he had custody of their children

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'.

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'

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.'
Israel has conducted strikes in Iran in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault earlier this week, defying US President Joe Biden's warning that more attacks could plunge the Middle East further into conflict.

The city of Isfahan in central Iran was struck at 5am local time, with Israeli projectiles reported to have targeted an Air Force base near Isfahan which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats - purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

A base near the city hosts one of Iran's nuclear facilities, although US military sources reportedly said the target was not believed to be nuclear.

Iran sought to downplay any significant damage to its military facilities and outright denied any nuclear plants were destroyed, claiming that 'so far, no large-scale strikes or explosions by any air threat have been reported.'

Iranian state TV this morning released footage of an undisturbed Isfahan city scape to cast doubt on reports the city had been hit.

Today's early morning strike comes after Iran launched a barrage of hundreds of drones and rockets at Israel on Saturday, which was largely thwarted by Israel and its international allies. Isfahan was one of several launch sites used in the attack.

Earlier this week, Biden warned Israel not to retaliate to Saturday's foiled strikes and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to 'take the win'.

But the measured nature of Israel's response appears to have been poorly received by the hard-right elements of Netanyahu's war cabinet.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who previously said his country should 'go berserk' on Iran, posted a one-word statement on X following the strikes - 'Feeble!'.

Iranian officials meanwhile told Reuters that Tehran has no plan for immediate retaliation against Israel, contradicting statements made by several senior politicians earlier this week.

'The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack,' one Iranian official said on condition of anonymity.

A regional intelligence source with information about Iran's potential reaction to the strike told CNN that, to his knowledge, Iran is not expected to respond and said that direct state-to-state strikes between the countries were 'over'.

Unconfirmed footage shared on social media appeared to show anti-aircraft fire striking over the city of Isfahan in central Iran, which hosts one of the nation's nuclear facilities

Strikes have hit at least one target in Iran, US officials reportedly confirmed. The extent of the damage and exact location of the attack is unclear (unconfirmed image)

The Biden administration had stressed the need for de-escalation from Israel following Iran's barrage of strikes on Saturday

Israel carried out the military strike on Iran on Friday, an US official told CNN.

Another senior official claimed Israel warned the Biden administration of its intent to strike before launching in previous days, but told the broadcaster that the US did not 'green light' any Israeli response.

No official comment has been released by Israel or the US, but the explosions in Iran will heighten fears of a stronger tit-for-tat retaliation.

Iranian National Security Committee official Abolfazl Amoue declared earlier this week that Tehran is 'prepared to use a weapon that we have never used' if Israel responds further.

And Iran's foreign minister told CNN yesterday that Tehran's response to an Israeli strike would be immediate.

'If the Israeli regime commits the great error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them,' Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.

Footage circulating social media appears to show explosions overhead in Iran, though MailOnline has not been able to confirm the footage.

Shortly after reports of strikes emerged, three drones were 'successfully shot down by the country's air defence', according to Iran's National Cyberspace Center spokesman Hossein Dalirain on X.

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Hours before, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on Thursday afternoon, but a senior source declined to confirm to the New York Times whether Gallant warned about the strikes following the meeting.

Israeli military sources reportedly stressed that today's strikes were a 'limited response' to Iran's attack, appearing to target military hubs used by Iran in their onslaught on Saturday.

Around four hours after reports of strikes, Iran lifted flight suspensions and opened its airports, with runways in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz closed amid the Israeli attack.

Further explosions reportedly hit military targets in Iraq and Syria around the same time. Syria's state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in its south, causing material damage.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the strike hit a military radar for government forces. It was not clear if there were casualties, the Observatory said.

The Observatory's chief Rami Abdurrahman said six Israeli fighter jets entered Syria's airspace and were flying east when they were spotted by the radar.

A handout image grab made available by the Iranian state TV, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), shows what the TV said was a live picture of the city of Isfahan early on April 19, 2024

Following warnings over escalation in the region, Israeli Prime Minister defied Biden as he maintained that Israel would 'make its own decisions'

Although the US military played a central role in halting Iran's strikes on Saturday, President Biden said he made it 'very clear' to Netanyahu that he had to act 'carefully and strategically.'

Biden urged Netanyahu to 'take the win' of the derailed attack, and cautioned that the US would not participate in any Israeli counter-offensive.

The Israeli leader brushed off Biden's warnings, insisting Israel would 'make its own decisions' in how to react to Iran's attack.

Meanwhile, the United States embassy in Israel told its employees and their families to restrict their movements this morning.

'Out of an abundance of caution following reports that Israel conducted a retaliatory strike inside Iran, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv' area as well as the Jerusalem and Beersheva areas 'until further notice,' a security advisory issued by the mission on its website said.

Due to a 'complex' security environment that 'can change quickly,' the embassy 'may further restrict or prohibit' the concerned people from travelling to parts of Israel, Jerusalem's Old City, and the occupied West Bank, the advisory read.

US officials said there was an expectation that if Israel defied warnings, they would not target nuclear or civilian sites.

In the UK, a Cabinet minister declined to say whether the UK would support Israel's reported action in Iran.

Mel Stride told Sky News: 'I don't want to get into hypotheticals, because of course, the question you've asked begs many other questions as to what form exactly that retaliation may or indeed may not have taken.'

'The overarching message on the military front is that de-escalation now is really important,' he said. 'We are very firmly engaged in counselling de-escalation and moderation at this particular moment.'

Deputy French foreign minister Jean Noel Barrot also called on Iran and Israel to climb down from further conflict.

'All I can say is that France's position is to call on all actors for de-escalation and restraint, he said.

Those reactions came as Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who is hosting a meeting of G7 counterparts, called for a 'absolute de-escalation'.

'We invite everyone to be cautious to avoid an escalation,' he told RAI news from Capri, adding that the G7 wanted an 'absolute de-escalation' in the Middle East.

Emergency and security personnel extinguish a fire at the site of strikes which hit the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital Damascus on April 1, which killed 13 people including two generals in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari (L) poses next to an Iranian ballistic missile which fell in Israel on the weekend, during a media tour at the Julis military base near the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Malachi on April 16, 2024

The Iranian attack last weekend came in retaliation to a suspected Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Syria on April 1, which killed 13 people including two generals in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

As Israel maintained its plans to strike Iran, a senior Iranian official warned that the nation would respond by starting production of nuclear weapons if its nuclear facilities were targeted.

Iran threatened to use 'weapons it has never used' if Israel struck, and Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian also cautioned that Iran would strike back at the 'maximum level' if Israel fired.

'In case the Israeli regime embarks on adventurism again and takes action against the interests of Iran, the next response from us will be immediate and at a maximum level,' Amir-Abdollahian told CNN.

Amid fears over the crisis in the Middle East devolving into all-out war, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin joined calls to calm tensions when he spoke to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the Kremlin said last week.

As the West urged for calmer heads to prevail in the Jewish state, Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee Abolfazl Amoue stated that Iran is prepared for a 'painful response' to the 'slightest action.'

It was also reported on Wednesday that Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani has said Iran's navy would escort its commercial ships to the Red Sea - putting Iranian warships directly on Israel's doorstep.

The instability in the region has immediately impacted global oil markets, with brent crude prices increasing above $90 a barrel as news of the Israeli strikes emerged.

The Islamic Republic, which has always insisted its nuclear program is peaceful and denies seeking an atomic bomb, has accused arch foe Israel of sabotage attacks on its facilities and assassinations of nuclear scientists in recent years.

According to Ahmad Haghtalab, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards' head of nuclear protection and security, Iran has 'identified' Israeli nuclear centers and holds 'necessary information of all targets'.

Israel is widely known to have nuclear weapons but has never admitted so.
Rep Ilhan Omar's daughter Isra Hirsi was among at least 108 people arrested as police in riot gear moved in to break up the anti-Israel protest that rocked New York's Columbia University.

Tensions had been at boiling point since the protesters pitched tents on the university's south lawn at 4am on Wednesday, with several fights breaking out as they were met by pro-Israeli counter-demonstrators.

Hirsi, 21, pulled a worried face as she was seen being handcuffed alongside many other sit-in pro-Palestine protesters, who were issued with summonses for trespassing.

The daughter of the staunch Democrat had already been suspended by her university, Barnard College, earlier for joining the protest on the Upper West Side.

Mayor Eric Adams told crowds on Thursday evening that university president Nemat Shafik had asked police to clear a 'clear and present danger' to safety on campus.

Isra Hirsi, Rep Ilhan Omar's daughter, is seen being handcuffed and arrested on Columbia's campus on Thursday. She has been taking part in an anti-Israel rally at the college

Students began setting up tents on the university's south lawn at around 4am on Wednesday in an unauthorized protest against the war in Gaza

At least 108 people were arrested and issued with summons for trespass as riot police moved in and cleared the space on Thursday morning

Swathes of defiant students were seen being arrested and moved on to NYPD corrections buses. Some had to be physically carried away from the encampment.

The mob did not only take over the lawn in front of the Ivy League college, but pro-Palestine supporters also flooded the streets outside the school, waving flags and chanting - as has become the norm since Hamas' terror attack on October 7.

The 60-tent encampment, set up ahead of Columbia's prestigious commencement and ultimately lasted just over 30 hours, was organized in a desperate bid to get the school to divest from Israel.

Eric Adams said in the aftermath: 'After numerous warnings issued by campus security and the NYPD the students and those who were occupying the space, NYPD officers moved in to ensure the safety of the campus, the students and the staff.

'Columbia University's students have a proud history of protests and raising their voices, but we will not be a city of lawlessness.'

Omar's daughter Isra Hirsi tweeted before her arrest on Thursday: 'Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated.

'We will stand resolute until our demands are met. our demands include divestment from companies complicit in genocide, transparency of @Columbia 's investments and FULL amnesty for all students facing repression.'

New York City police officers in riot gear stand guard as demonstrators chant slogans outside the Columbia University campus, Thursday, April 18, 2024

As Columbia University prepared for commencement, students set up an encampment of nearly 60 tents to demand that the institution divest from Israel

Busloads of protesters were marched off as students hurled abuse at NYPD officers

Protesters are seen outside Columbia University, staging their pro-Gaza rally

'I am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide,' the Democrat 's daughter posted on X

Demonstrators protest in solidarity with Pro-Palestinian organizers as they block a street near Columbia University, after many were arrested

NYPD officers remove a man as pro-Palestinian protesters march outside Columbia University in New York City on April 18, 2024

Adams said the arrests were made peacefully without 'violence or injury'.

But NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said around 500 students flooded into the quad as police moved in, chanting angrily and 'telling us that we're the KKK'.

As the handcuffed individuals were loaded into buses, a huge crowd of demonstrators swarmed the police vehicles in a bid to stop them moving.

Once over 100 of the protesters were forcibly removed from Columbia's green, officers began the task of tearing down the dozens of tents that had been erected.

Shafik called in the police just hours after she was accused of running a hotbed of antisemitism during a Congressional hearing about her handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

The Ivy League chief defended the 'peaceful' demonstrations and the students' right to free speech in the surge of anti-Semitic rhetoric since the start of the Gaza war that led to the resignations of Harvard President Claudine Gay and Yale President Liz Magill.

'After numerous warnings issued by campus security and the NYPD the students and those who were occupying the space, NYPD officers moved in to ensure the safety of the campus, the students and the staff,' City Mayor Eric Adams told a press conference

Isra Hirsi was featured in a video condemning the university for not listening to students protesting for Palestinians

Self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., embraces Hirsi as her mother Rep. Ilhan Omar looks on

But House GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, slammed her leadership of the college which has 4,000 Jewish students on roll.

And she accused her of refusing to 'enforce their own policies and condemn Jewish hatred on campus, creating a breeding ground for antisemitism and a hotbed of support for terrorism from radicalized faculty and students.'

GOP Rep. Burgess Owens told Shafik that the experience of Jewish students at Columbia reminds him of the 'hated and bigotry' he experienced in the 1960s deep south, referring to one professor at the Ivy League calling the October 7 attack 'awesome.'

But the university president sent an uncompromising email to all staff and students as police began to move in on Thursday.

'I took this extraordinary step because these are extraordinary circumstances,' she wrote.

'I have determined that the encampment and related disruptions pose a clear and present danger to the substantial functioning of the University.

'Columbia is committed to allowing members of our community to engage in political expression  within established rules and with respect for the safety of all.'

Around 60 tents had dotted the lawn, some featuring two large signs declaring 'liberated zone' and 'Gaza solidarity encampment.'

Pro-Palestinian students take part in a protest in support of the Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, at Columbia University in New York City

In a video from Wednesday, pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators clashed outside of the school as one person screamed: 'We are Hamas!' while a man wearing an Israel flag on his back and a yamaka on his head walked past her.

Hirsi's mother, the Democrat 'Squad' member from Minnesota was among those tackling Shafik during her Congressional appearance, accusing her of singling out pro-Palestinian students and characterizing the clashes on campus as being between 'pro-war and anti-war protestors'.

Shafik insisted she had aggressively worked to combat antisemitism on campus, including holding over 200 meetings on the topic, holding daily meetings of the campus security team and working with the NYPD and FBI when hate crimes occur on campus.

All the arrested Columbia students have been suspended by the university which said it was still actively trying to identify those who took part.

Student Layla Saliba of Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine said they would seek amnesties for the suspended students and slammed Shafik's decision to send in the police.

'What happened today at Columbia University was an act of violence towards Arab, Muslim, Palestinian students, Jewish students and just anybody who supports Palestinian liberation,' she said.
A judge has ruled that Brittany Higgins won her $2.445 million settlement payout from the Commonwealth despite making a number of false claims.

Ms Higgins succeeded in her multimillion-dollar claim over the way she was allegedly treated by her former bosses, Coalition senators Linda Reynolds and Michaelia Cash, after she disclosed her rape to them.

She received the settlement on December 13, 2022 - just ten days after the ACT's top prosecutor dropped the sexual assault charge against Bruce Lehrmann, who was accused of raping her in Parliament House on March 23, 2019.

Her rape claims were unproven at the time of settlement and her former bosses were barred from mediation talks, despite the many claims made about them.

On Monday, Federal Court Justice Michael Lee found on a balance of probabilities that Ms Higgins had been raped by Lehrmann in much the way she described on television, in published articles, in two courts, and to police.

The finding marked the end of Lehrmann's defamation case against Network Ten and television host Lisa Wilkinson, which was launched over the initial broadcast of Ms Higgins rape claims in 2021.

Ms Higgins' confidential $2.445million deed was tendered to the court during the hearing, including all the untested claims she made to win the money.

Brittany Higgins is pictured with her fiance, David Sharaz, on holidays in the Maldives

Brittany Higgins is pictured in CCTV at Parliament House on the night of the rape

Why the false claims were cast aside

Justice Lee said in his findings that Ms Higgins made a number of representations in the settlement that were untrue, but he didn't put too much weight on them because she herself was not on trial.

He stressed that his role was to determine whether Network Ten had defamed Lehrmann, which meant assessing whether Ms Higgins was being truthful about her rape claims.

The judge said it was not his role to comment on the amount of money she won, the way the settlement was reached, or the scope of her claim - his focus was only on whether her evidence was believable.

He said: 'I do not consider it necessary nor appropriate that I attempt to characterise or reach any legal conclusion as to Ms Higgins conduct in giving the warranties contained in the Commonwealth Deed.

'I am only dealing with issues as to credit.'

Justice Lee said her core rape claims had remained 'materially the same' every time she retold the story.

Fiona Brown, Linda Reynolds' former chief of staff, is pictured outside the Federal Court in December

Ms Higgins claimed she was shown no support but managed to work up a smile when she had her photo taken with Ms Reynolds at a campaign dinner (pictured together, bottom left)

The false claims

While Justice Lee found that her central rape claims were true, he did find that a number of her other claims outlined in the deed were false - including allegations of a political cover-up by her bosses.

The false claims largely revolved around then-defence industry minister Linda Reynolds, whose office she was raped in, and her chief of staff Fiona Brown.

She had primarily accused them of failing to support her after she told them she was raped, within the days and weeks after her assault.

The judge pointed to one claim in the deed about CCTV in Parliament House, captured on the night Ms Higgins and Lehrmann entered the ministerial suite.

In the deed, Ms Higgins had said Ms Brown told her the CCTV demonstrated that she was 'visibly drunk' when entering the ministerial wing, and that Lehrmann had not been drinking.

She also claimed Ms Brown 'rebuffed' her request to view the footage.

Justice Lee found these claims were incorrect. Further, there is CCTV of Lehrmann drinking at the pub earlier in the evening.

Ms Higgins had also incorrectly stated Yaron Finklestein, who was the principal secretary to the Prime Minister, was a 'regular presence' in Senator Reynolds' office.

She further claimed Mr Finklestein was advising Ms Brown on 'how to deal' with Ms Higgins about her rape, which the judge did not accept.

Other claims spoke to a lack of support from Ms Brown about her rape, including that she was told she would lose her job if she pursued her rape complaint, and that Ms Reynolds ignored her during an interstate election campaign trip.

Ms Brown was one of the only witnesses in the case to receive a large amount of praise from Justice Lee.

He found she had shown 'integrity' in her handling of Ms Higgins' case, and resisted political pressure to report the incident to the Australian Federal Police.

'Despite Ms Brown facing sustained pressure from her Minister and one of the Ministers colleagues to report the incident to the AFP  even though she was unsure an allegation was then being made of rape and irrespective of the wishes of Ms Higgins  she pushed back,' the judgement read.

Bruce Lehrmann (right) is pictured arriving to the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney on Wednesday, December 6, 2023

The $2.445million payment

The bulk of the $2.445million payment was for about 40 years worth of lost wages.

The deed says: 'Apart from one day, the claimant has not worked since February 8, 2021.'

READ MORE: Brittany Higgins breaks her silence after judge found Bruce Lehrmann raped her in Parliament House Brittany Higgins is pictured with her fiance Advertisement

'The claimant has been diagnosed as medically unfit for any form of employment and has been given a very poor prognosis for future employment.'

Ms Higgins also landed a $325,000 book deal with Penguin Random House the following month.

She got an advance worth $108,000 at the time, and was promised the rest upon completion.

The book, tentatively titled #notjustadaughter, was drafted but has been shelved due to legal proceedings.

It is unclear whether the book will go ahead in the wake of the defamation ruling.

The judgment

Lehrmann sued over Ms Higgins' interview on The Project in February 2021.

He wasn't named in that broadcast but claimed friends and colleagues were able to identify him as Ms Higgins' rapist. He strongly denied raping Ms Higgins and launched defamation action in a bid to clear his name.

However, on Monday, Justice Lee found that Lehrmann brought Ms Higgins back to a 'secluded place', being the ministerial suite, after a night out with colleagues for the purpose of having sex with her.

He said Lehrmann was 'hell-bent' on having sex with Ms Higgins, that he knew she was very drunk and didn't consider whether she consented to sexual intercourse.

In his judgment, Justice Lee said Ms Reynolds and her chief-of-staff Fiona Brown did not try to cover up Ms Higgins' rape allegations.
On 11 April, La Directa, a left-wing Catalan media outlet, published an interview with journalist Jesus Rodriguez in which he explained that he had gone into exile because of the judicial persecution he is suffering in the hands of the corrupt Spanish regime. His crime? Conducting journalism in a professional manner. On behalf of the Revolutionary Communist Organisation, we express our total rejection of this spurious prosecution and our complete solidarity with comrade Jesus Rodriguez and the other people who have also decided to go into exile.

Spains judiciary: a reactionary institution

The totally reactionary character of the Spanish regime is fully in evidence in this prosecution. The case is in the hands of National Court judge Manuel Garcia-Castellon, the personification of Francoism in a gown.

Jesus Rodriguez and another 11 people, Catalan politicians and political activists, have been indicted for terrorism in relation to the Tsunami Democratic. Tsunami Democratic constituted a series of mass civil disobedience actions (demonstrations, strikes, the occupation of the Barcelona airport, marches) of the working class, the youth and broad layers of the petty bourgeoisie, in the Autumn of 2019 against the scandalous sentences passed by the Supreme Court against those involved in the 2017 Catalan independence referendum.

The truth is that peaceful protest for the democratic right of self-determination and against repression, is considered terrorism by the defenders of Spanish capitalism. To classify those who threaten the interests of the capitalists as terrorists is a formula that the capitalist class has used all over the world, as can be seen in the repression against pro-Palestine activists. But this case goes even further. It is utterly surreal and scandalous.

The case that this reactionary judge is pursuing has nothing to do with justice, and everything to do with persecuting those who question this corrupt regime, and, in the case of Jesus Rodriguez, those who uncover its dirty laundry. For years, Rodriguez has been uncovering cases of police infiltration in activist circles and groups, revealing the criminal operations of the police and the judges who cover them up.

The Tsunami Democratic case has to be seen in the political context of recent events in Spain. The PSOE-SUMAR government has recently passed an amnesty law for those who have been persecuted by the state apparatus for participating, one way or another, in the Catalan independence movement. The law has been passed with the support of left and nationalist parties in the Spanish parliament, but with the complete and frenzied opposition of the right wing and sections of the judiciary.

As Rodriguez explains in the interview: between the spring and the autumn of 2023 there are two relevant events: the electoral defeat of PP and Vox [right-wing parties] and the subsequent passing of the amnesty law. It is precisely at that moment that the judicial case accelerated its pace of repression.

Coming back to the case, what is Rodriguez accused of? Of having prior information about the demonstrations [of the Tsunami Democratic] that took place at the end of 2019. That is to say, as a journalist, he is being prosecuted for doing his job! But it doesnt end there. A large part of the case is based upon the phone-tapping of hundreds of people. In addition to Rodriguez, it includes 26 other journalists, investigated for the same reason  reporting on the mobilisations of the Tsunami Democratic. Through this massive phone-tapping, the state has accumulated hours and hours of information, conversations of ideological content, information about intimate life, love affairs or health are included in the transcripts of the Civil Guard [one of the policing bodies of the regime].

Equally scandalous has been the response of the central government, with Minister of the Presidency Felix Bolanos simply dismissing the issue by saying that with the courageous policy of this government, political conflicts are solved through politics. The most progressive government in the history of Spain (as it likes to describe itself) does not even have the courage to defend, even in words, the most fundamental of democratic rights when they are attacked by the regime. But of course, the PSOE leadership and party bureaucracy is a part of the regime, and ultimately defends the interests of Spanish imperialism, so it cannot and will not confront it.

Catalan @La_Directa journalist Jesus Rodriguez (@albertmartnez) has gone into exile after being indicted for "terrorism" in the case against the "Democratic Tsunami", Autumn 2019 mass mobilisations against the trial of Catalan political leaders regarding the 2017 referendum  https://t.co/rk6tViAFc0  Jorge Martin  (@marxistJorge) April 11, 2024

For socialist revolution

As we see, what is at stake is not a trial for potential crimes that might have been committed, but the use of the justice system to repress anyone who questions the regime and the capitalist system that sustains it. It is a frontal attack on democratic rights, starting with the right of self-determination, the right to protest, the right to privacy, as well as the freedom of the press. As the journalist says, it is a case of revenge. This attack on the defendants in the Tsunami Democratic case is an attack on all those who truly defend democratic rights. As communists, we are at the forefront of this struggle.

But why is Garcia-Castellon so blatantly twisting capitalist law and its empty formalities? Because the Catalan independence movement in 2017, and the Tsunami Democratic that followed it in 2019, challenged two fundamental pillars of the 1978 regime in Spain: the unity of Spain guaranteed by the Army and the Monarchy reinstated by Franco. An example has to be made of those who have challenged them, so as to discourage others.

The whole experience of the Catalan pro-independence movement shows that achieving a Catalan republic is a revolutionary task, a task that only the working class can carry through against not only the regime and its state apparatus, but fundamentally against Spanish capitalism. Its character, therefore, is revolutionary and socialist.

The working class, the youth, and the other layers who wish to win independence can only rely on their own forces and class organisations. As this spurious prosecution shows once more, this is a class war, between the oppressors and the oppressed, between the regime and the big bosses on the one hand and the working class and the masses on the other.

Again, all our solidarity goes out to Jesus Rodriguez and the other defendants. In closing, we quote Rodriguez's inspiring words:
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued a stern warning to social media users and platforms, after misinformation spread about the identity of the Bondi Junction stabber and angry messages sparked riots when a bishop was stabbed.

Six people were fatally stabbed during a rampage at the Westfield shopping centre in Sydney's east on Saturday, ending only when a brave police officer shot dead attacker Joel Cauchi.

Distressing footage quickly spread via social media platforms - namely X and Facebook - prompting online witchhunts as an innocent person was falsely named as the perpetrator.

Beyond that, graphic and violent footage made its way onto newsfeeds and 'For You' pages across the world, prompting an intervention by the government's e-Safety commissioner.

Similarly, footage went viral of a 16-year-old boy allegedly stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a live-streamed sermon at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakely, with voice notes and Whatsapp messages inflaming the riots.

In the days since the tragedy and again on Friday, Mr Albanese slammed social media platforms for not acting quicker to protect users.

Six people were fatally stabbed during a rampage inside Westfield in Sydney 's east on Saturday, ending only when a brave police officer shot dead attacker Joel Cauchi

Similarly, footage went viral of a 16-year-old boy allegedly stabbing Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a live-streamed sermon at the Christ The Good Shepherd Church

'It shouldn't need the eSafety commissioner to intervene to direct companies, in this case X and [Facebook owner] Meta, to take down violent videos that show people who have lost their lives as result of what occurred with the perpetrator committing that atrocity on Saturday,' he said.

'Social media makes all of us publishers of content, we all have a responsibility.'

The PM warned he is 'prepared to take whatever action is necessary to haul these companies into line'.

'We've made that very clear because of the damage that a failure to act can have.'

Mr Albanese said onlookers who took the video, and others who later received that footage, should have sent it to police in order to assist in the investigation, rather than posting it online.

'I also make this point that the police made last Saturday, which is that for people who had video footage of last Saturday, their first thought should not have been to post it online.

'Their first thought should have been to forward it to police to assist their investigations. We all have, because social media makes all of us publishers of content, we all have a responsibility.'

Mr Albanese said social media companies needed to 'start to understand their social responsibility that they have to others as well, because that's where they get their social licence.'

Earlier in the week, the PM described social media as a 'scourge in many ways'.

The PM has no qualms about taking social media platforms to task - and warned he is 'prepared to take whatever action is necessary to haul these companies into line'

Shoppers sign a condolence book during the re-opening of Westfield Bondi Junction shopping centre on April 19

'The lack of responsibility, it must be said, as well of some of the social media operators that we know about allowing content to be circulated which is clearly misinformation.'

He criticised the Seven Network for picking up misinformation - like the innocent university student who was wrongly named as the perpertrator, and running it on the news.

'How is it that a mainstream media organisation just put that up?' he said.

The student has a common Jewish surname, and was targeted by anti-Semetic social media pages.

Mr Albanese said traditional media outlets also had a responsibility to be accurate and fair.

The PM has made no secret of his dislike for social media.

Mourners were welcomed back into Westfield Bondi Junction on Thursday to mourn, before all stores officially re-opened on Friday

During a wide ranging interview with former Melbourne talkback host Neil Mitchell in 2023, he was asked a hypothetical question about what he'd do if he were to become a dictator.

He said banning social media 'would be handy'.

'Keyboard warriors who can anonymously say anything at all and without any fear; the sort of things they would never say to you face-to-face, they can just assert as fact and it worries me,' he said.

'What that's doing, combined with the pressure that is on modern journalists, is to be really be obsessed with the short-term cycle.'

Mr Albanese was quick to state that, in reality, he was not 'a supporter of dictatorships'.

Almost 500 civil servants are employed by the eSafety Commissioner and the Australian Communications and Media Authority, according to its latest annual report.

The eSafety Commissioner lauds itself as the 'first government agency committed to keeping its citizens safer online'.

It is run by former Twitter Director of Public Policy, Australia & SE Asia, Julie Inman-Grant, who receives an annual salary of almost $445,000.

Mr Albanese said part of his government's strong action includes quadrupling funding for the eSafety commissioner.
He will now likely face court over accusations he harassed her online

Nicolas Bester sexually abused Grace Tame when she was his student

A man who abused former Australian of the Year Grace Tame when she was a child will likely face a two-day court hearing over allegations he harassed her online.

Nicolaas Ockert Bester, who pleaded not guilty in March 2023 to three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, briefly appeared in court on Friday.

Issues surrounding Bester's medical fitness could form part of the two-day hearing, expected to begin on August 5 in Hobart Magistrates Court.

He is alleged to have made public posts on social media in relation to and directed at Ms Tame, 29, in April, July and August of 2022.

Bester was jailed in 2011 for abusing Grace Tame when she was a student at his school.

Bester, who pleaded not guilty in March 2023 to three counts of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence, briefly appeared in court on Friday (pictured)

Grace Tame is pictured at the Marie Claire 2024 International Women's Day Luncheon

Bester's lawyer Todd Kovacic said his client had been medically examined two weeks ago but he had only received the report on Thursday.

Mr Kovacic said he needed time to consider the report and flagged the potential of Bester changing his plea.

'The issue goes to fitness. I need time to consider that,' he said.

Mr Kovacic described the not guilty plea as a 'holding plea' and said 'things may have changed' in light of the report, which he said needed to be provided to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Magistrate Andrew McKee continued Bester's bail and relisted the matter for August 5 and 6, with the hearing expected to take at least a full day.

Bester, a former teacher, was charged by police in October 2022 over the alleged online harassment (he is pictured at Hobart Magistrates Court last April)

The case has been plagued by delays including previous adjournments to obtain medical reports.

Bester, a former teacher, was charged by police in October 2022 over the alleged online harassment.

He was convicted and sentenced in 2011 to two years and 10 months in jail for abusing Ms Tame when she was a student at his school and for possessing child exploitation material.

He served one year and nine months.

Ms Tame was the 2021 Australian of the Year and has advocated for abuse survivors.

1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service 1800 211 028
Hundreds of students flooded the University of Southern California's campus to protest the cancelation of the valedictorian's speech over her pro-Palestine posts.

The university banned Asna Tabassum from speaking at their May 10 commencement ceremony, citing safety concerns after her pro-Palestine views led to accusations of antisemitism.

The decision has been met with fury on campus - with her fellow students accusing the university of censorship and 130 faculty members signing a letter demanding to hear her speak at graduation.

During Thursday's march, students held signs with photos of Tabassum, 21, reading 'let Asna speak'.

Tabassum, who is majoring biomedical engineering with a minor in resistance to genocide, would have addressed 65,000 people at the ceremony. USC officials chose her from nearly 100 student applicants who had GPAs of 3.98 or higher.

The valedictorian has since come out to say that she is not anti-Semitic, and that she refuses to back down: 'I stand by exactly what I stand by'.

Hundreds of students flooded the University of Southern California 's campus on Thursday

They are accusing the university of censorship after they canceled valedictorian Asna Tabassum's speech at their commencement ceremony

Tabassum has been barred from speaking at the commencement ceremony due to alleged anti-Semitic social media posts

The march through campus followed a series of calls for her speech to be re-instated.

A letter from 130 faculty members said canceling her speech 'stifles open communication' while dozens of student groups signed a separate letter saying they were 'outraged and ashamed' by the decision.

The scandal started after pro-Israel groups slammed Tabassum's selection for valedictorian, accusing her of anti-Semitism after it emerged the 21-year-old had made posts questioning the Israel-Hamas conflict.

A link in her Instagram bio led to a third-party page which said 'Zionism is a racist settler-colonialist ideology'.

The college then removed Tabassum, who is a Muslim, from their graduation ceremony lineup stating that 'tradition must give way to safety'.

After she was banned from the talk, Tabassum told ABC7 she stands by her views, saying: 'I stand by exactly what I stand by.

'I don't believe it is ironic for me to minor in something called resistance to genocide, and then speak out on it and then be revoked because I'm penalized for something that people have an issue with.'

Following the outrage, the university hinted this week that they would be canceling single-person valedictorian speeches in the future.

Now, 130 faculty members have signed a letter calling for her to be allowed to speak

Tabassum also said that she wasn't buying the safety claim made by the university officials

Some students even brought their dogs to the protest

After she was banned from the talk, Tabassum told ABC7 she stands by her views, saying: 'I stand by exactly what I stand by'

Tabassum also said that she didn't believe the safety claim made by the university officials after they offered her no specifics.

She told the outlet: 'That was a primary emotion, pride and humility and humbleness. Very quickly it turned into shock and surprise.'

When she pressed officials at the school further, she said: '[It was] almost a one-way conversation - and then the next day they came to me.

'They gave me a call and said 'it's unfortunate, but you don't get to speak'. It has been a roller coaster, and I would say that's the best way to describe it.

'When people are using this particular issue as a way to discuss issues of free speech, of security, of first amendment, of racism, of hatred, of ideological debate.

'That is exactly what a university is supposed to do, that is exactly how we learn as college students.

'It's not about the speech, it's about the representation, it's about the principle.'

Speaking for the first time since she was banned from speaking, Tabassum has told ABC7 that she stands by her views

Pro-Israel groups criticized her selection after it emerged she had made posts questioning the Israel-Hamas conflict, with links that promoted antisemitism

In letters sent to administrators, critics accused her of posting a link to a website that 'takes a swinging bat at over 10% of the USC student body and mudslings by calling Zionists 'racist-settlers.'

Tabassum has shared pro-Palestinian views and 'likes' expressed through her Instagram account which she has since made private and removed her postings.

Tabassum's Instagram bio links to a landing page that says 'learn about what's happening in Palestine, and how to help.'

'Ms. Tabassum unabashedly and openly endorses the link's calls for 'the complete abolishment of the state of israel (sic),' according to a letter circulated for critics to submit to administrators.

'As if the unqualified command for abolition of the State of Israel was unclear in any way, Ms. Tabassum's link reinforces racism with another link, urging readers to 'reject the hegemonic efforts to demand that Palestinians accept that Israel has a right to exist as a . . . Jewish state.'

Tabassum's pro-Palestinian stance and links promoting the abolition of Israel led to sites with prose, seen above

Tabassum has shared pro-Palestinian views and 'likes' expressed through her Instagram account which she has since made private and removed her postings

A link from Asna Tabassum leads to a website containing various antisemitic sentiments

The university sidestepped any mention of Tabassum's alleged views and instead describing the reasoning as 'security reasons'.

'While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety,' Provost Andrew Guzman wrote in a letter to the university community.

'This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation - including the expectations of federal regulators - that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe.

'It applies the same values and criteria that we have used in the past to guide our actions.

'In no way does it diminish the remarkable academic achievements of any student considered or selected for valedictorian.

'To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free- speech entitlement to speak at a commencement.

'The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.'

Tabassum is majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in resistance to genocide would have been planning to address 65,000 people at the ceremony

One Instagram account, We Are Tov, spend time looking through Tabassum's links

The Council on American-Islamic Relations-Los Angeles has now demanded that Tabassum be permitted to speak at the event.

While Tabassum herself suggested she was was being silenced and that her university had 'abandoned her'.

She wrote in a statement: ' Anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all.

'This campaign to prevent me from addressing my peers at commencement has evidently accomplished its goal.

'USC administrators informed me that the university will no longer allow me to speak at commencement due to supposed security concerns.

'I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice,' she went on.

'I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own university -- my home for four years -- has abandoned me.'

Provost of USC Andrew Guzman attends cited Tabassum's removal as being down to 'security concerns'

'While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety,' Provost Andrew Guzman wrote in a letter to the university community

USC officials chose her from nearly 100 student applicants who had GPAs of 3.98 or higher. Pictured, last year's ceremony

Provost Guzman, in a message to campus also said the uproar over the choice of valedictorian had taken on 'an alarming tenor.'

The university told the LA Times how threats had been made over email, letters and through phone calls to the campus.

Guzman wrote: 'The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement.

'We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses.

'As always, and particularly when tensions are running so high across the world, we must prioritize the safety of our community.

'And as we do every year, we have been monitoring our commencement security needs based on all the information we have and the facts on the ground.

'We are resolute in our commitment to maintain and prioritize the existing safety and well-being of our USC community during the coming weeks, and allowing those attending commencement to focus on the celebration our graduates deserve.'
Visitors will no longer be able to set foot on one of Australia's premier tourist destinations under a proposed plan to protect its cultural significance for traditional owners.

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is the continent's largest lake. Every few years it breaks out into a spectacular kaleidoscope of colours when flooding rains from Queensland fill the immense saltwater basin, transforming the bleak desert landscape into an oasis of flowers and birds, and attracting scores of tourists.

But it is a sacred site for the Arabana people, who have lived in the region for millennia and are the lake's native title holders.

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre (pictured) is a sacred site for the Arabana people, with all recreational access to the lake bed to be banned under a proposed management plan

Under a proposed management plan, all recreational access to the lake bed will be banned out of respect for Arabana culture.

Their lore considers it dangerous to visit the lake without the guidance of cultural authority.

Swimming, driving, boating and landing aircraft on the lake are already banned, but the new plan would prevent visitors setting foot on its bed without permission.

Arabana Aboriginal Corporation chairwoman Bronwyn Dodd said her people were proud to share Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre but urged visitors to respect their Ularaka (stories), lore and culture

Arabana Aboriginal Corporation chairwoman Bronwyn Dodd said her people were proud to share Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre but urged visitors to respect their Ularaka (stories), lore and culture.

'We have a responsibility to look after the lake and in turn it looks after us,' she said.

'Preservation of this lake is also the preservation of our culture.'

National Parks and Wildlife Service program director Jason Irving said the South Australian government was committed to its partnership with the Arabana people.

'The request for visitors not to enter a sacred cultural site is made in recognition and respect for Arabana culture and to ensure the safety of visitors,' he said.

Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre is one of a number of culturally significant sites in SA to enforce strict rules around entry to visitors, including Koonalda Caves in the Nullarbor, Sacred Canyon in Ikara-Flinders Ranges, and Ngaut Ngaut Conservation Park.

Feedback to the proposed management plan is open to the public until July 19 via the SA Department for Environment and Water website.
An Aussie pilot who was captured in a heartwarming video holding hands with a kangaroo has revealed the marsupial just wanted some company.

Mick Young, a pilot with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) for nine years, befriended the young female kangaroo in Port Augusta, around 310km north-west of Adelaide, last month.

The marsupial walked up to Mr Young and his colleague Dave Rose who were in town to attend a function.

'We weren't sure what was going on, [we thought] maybe it needs a drink so we grabbed some water and gave it a drink,' he told ABC News Breakfast.

Footage of Aussie pilot Mick Young holding the hand of a young female kangaroo (pictured) in Port Augusta, South Australia, last month has melted the hearts of Aussies

The two men soon realised she was not thirsty but was looking for some companionship.

A heartwarming video captured by Mr Rose, who is a an engineer with the RFDS, showed the moment the kangaroo reached out and held the hand of Mr Young.

Mr Young held the paw of the creature as the kangaroo stood still and enjoyed the warm embrace.

Moments later she hopped away while Mr Young was seen walking slowly behind.

'It really just wanted a human interaction,' Mr Young said.

'We started to question whether this was a wild kangaroo or an orphan raised by humans - one that's got away.'

Mr Young said the animal had approached Mr Rose moments before the footage was taken.

'It walked quietly up to Dave and put its head on his right shoulder and its paw on his left shoulder,' he said.

A picture of the touching exchange between the pair has since gone viral on social media, with hundreds of people reacting to the unlikely encounter.

The kangaroo hopped away a short time later (pictured) as Mr Young walked slowly behind

'Beautiful Picture,' one person wrote on Facebook.

'Thank you for sharing such a lovely moment,' another person said.

Mr Young said he has seen the kangaroo a couple of times bounding across the road.

She even made an appearance at the Port Augusta airport once, while a staff member was opening up the terminal.

'It was a nice moment,' Mr Young said.
A 'soulless' killer who paid a mother $2,500 to rape and sodomize her five-year-old daughter before murdering her in an abandoned house portrayed no reaction as he was handed four death sentences.

Jeremy Williams, 39, abducted little Kamarie Holland from her home in Columbus, Georgia, before raping and strangling her to death.

Mother Kristen Siple told police she found Kamarie missing and her front door open when she awoke at 5.50am on December 13, 2021.

But she pleaded guilty last month to one count of human sex trafficking and faces up to 20 years in prison after allowing Williams one hour to rape her own daughter.

'If there's ever been somebody that's deserving of the death penalty its Jeremy Williams,' Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor told reporters.

'He's another type of evil that we in society just don't need walking around.'

Jeremy Williams, 39, betrayed no emotion as he was handed four death sentences by Russell County Circuit Court Judge David Johnson

Williams is now detained on death row at Holman State Prison in Atmore

Kamarie was described in court as 'so sweet and caring' by her now 13-year-old sister

The little girl's body was found late that night in the basement of a derelict home where Williams had once lived, just across the Alabama state border in Phenix City.

The trial at Russell County Circuit Court saw some jurors reduced to tears as they were played videos of the rape, and bodycam footage of officers finding her body.

Witnesses lined up to condemn the serial child abuser who was already a suspect in the murder of a one-year-old boy in Alabama, and was acquitted of lowering a three-year-old boy into a bowl of boiling water in 2009.

Williams' ex-wife called him 'soulless', telling him: 'You are no longer worth my tears,' and a 23 year-old woman who was just four when she was molested by Williams called him a 'monster'.

'I feel so much that I can't feel at all,' she said.

Kamarie's mother Kristen Siple (left) pleaded guilty last month to one count of human sex trafficking over the sale of her daughter and faces up to 20 years in prison

The little girl is pictured with her mother, who pleaded guilty to one count of human sex trafficking

'You don't deserve life yourself,' Kamarie's father Corey Holland told him. 'We don't have Kamarie and you don't deserve to see your kids or life.'

He also read from a letter written by Kamarie's 13-year-old sister in which she wrote: 'I don't understand why someone would hurt her - she was so sweet and caring.'

Williams was also sentenced to life in prison for production of obscene material of a child and human trafficking, 20 years for conspiracy of human trafficking, and 10 years for abuse of a corpse.

Columbus police officer Sergeant Jane Edenfield who found Kamarie's body returned to the Alabama courtroom for the sentencing on Monday with some of her colleagues.

'To hear the other victims and to know how much he's done. And as one of them said, it took this long,' she said. 'Heartbreaking. Heartbreaking.'

Jury forewoman Stacy Mote also returned for sentencing after delivering the guilty verdict.

'This was a very difficult case to endure, and I am sure you saw all of the emotions on our faces,' she told reporters.

Siple maintained her innocence before pleading guilty last month

The abandoned home where Kamarie's body was found just hours after she disappeared

'If there's ever been somebody that's deserving of the death penalty it's Jeremy Williams,' Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor told reporters

'On behalf of all the jurors involved, we are proud of the young victims and witnesses that came forward to speak their difficult truth because we know that was excruciatingly painful.

'By coming forward, they all gave a voice to little Kamari. No child should have to endure what happened to her.'

Williams is now detained on death row at Holman State Prison in Atmore but Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey said he will probably die before the murderer does.

'At its current pace my life expectancy right now is probably shorter than his,' the 55-year-old told WRBL.

He said he had recently visited the little girl's grave, adding: 'There's no reason that baby should be in the ground. I want to remember her, not this joker. Jeremy is not somebody I want to remember in life.'
A theatre writer who was condemned online after claiming a lecture by a female academic inspired a sleazy trip to a message parlour has defiantly told his critics to 'get out the basement and get a bit of action'.

Lloyd Evans sparked outrage when he revealed in The Spectator he visited a Chinese prostitute after becoming distracted by the appearance of political theory expert Lea Ypi at a talk in Cambridge.

The 61-year-old claimed he had lost control of his 'lunatic libido' after seeing the London School of Economics professor's 'blonde hair spilling over her shoulders', before going on to sleep with a Chinese prostitute.

The article sparked an angry response from the Albanian-born professor, as well as others on social media who called it 'horrific', 'crude' and 'appalling'.

However, Evans has hit back at his critics, saying he has been branded a 'sex pervert' by complete strangers and insisted they should 'get out of the basement and get a bit of action, even if you have to pay for it'.

A columnist in The Spectator wrote how he was so distracted by Professor Lea Ypi's appearance that he visited a Chinese prostitute afterwards. Pictured: Prof Ypi in Turin, Italy, in May 2022

Lloyd Evans (pictured), who is also a sketch-writer for the publication, was widely condemned for the column, described as 'horrific', 'crude' and 'appalling'

Evans said he had been inspired to include Prof Ypi in the article because 'I just find clever and articulate women very attractive and she was physically attractive and that made me feel a bit lonely and then I ended up in a sauna bath'.

He told The Telegraph he was trying to expose the polar opposites of 'intellectual high-flying political philosophy and a sexual encounter', adding that he found the latter 'much more satisfying and enjoyable'.

He added that Prof Ypi was 'really funny and sharp and witty' and that this induced feelings of longing towards her.

Evans said the reaction to his article was 'a bit unfortunate' and that people were now calling him a 'sex pervert' online despite only reading about his love life in The Spectator.

'Well my message to him is get out of the basement and get a bit of action, even if you have to pay for it,' he told The Telegraph.

He added that he was 'not pleading for sympathy' as his critics 'tend to be people who aren't men and who haven't actually been in that situation'.

Professor Ypi, an expert in political theory who has degrees in philosophy and literature, and previously lectured at Nuffield College, Oxford, hit out at the piece on social media.

She wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'Advice for scholars. Next time you lecture on Kant and revolutions at 'Downing (@DarwinCollege) Cambridge, make sure your hair is neatly tied and that you're not blonde.

'Or else your research impact will be on the @spectator libido section.'

In the article, which was headlined My (surprisingly) decent proposal, Evans - who is a sketch-writer for The Spectator - began by saying men feel like 'being chained to a lunatic' in relation to their libido.

He wrote how he had dropped into 'Downing College' for a lecture given by Prof Ypi - the talk actually took place at Darwin College - but son became distracted by her appearance.

'Her blonde hair spilling over her shoulders absorbed far more of my attention than her political reflections,' he wrote.

'I was desperate to speak to her afterwards, but I had no way to orchestrate a meeting.'

Evans, who has written for The Spectator since the 1980s, then described going to an 'already arranged... social rendezvous at a private business location'.

He explained 'how it works' - handing 'over a roll of banknotes to a concierge at a desk who ushers you into a softly lit room where your companion awaits you'.

Evans said he met a woman called Shea, who was 'petite' and 'buxom'. He added that she 'looked Chinese rather than Irish but you never know these day so I asked her which part of Ireland she came from. "Shanghai," she told me'.

Pictured: Prof Ypi attending the Ondaatje Prize Awards at Temple Place in London in May 2022

Pictured: Prof Ypi at the FT Weekend Oxford Literary Festival in March 2022 in Oxford

She is said to have 'rubbed hot wax' onto his shoulders before ordering him to 'flip onto my back as she dimmed the lights and raised one eyebrow at me suggestively'.

He then talks about 'negotiations' before describing at length how he paid for the 'brisk workout' with the woman who he said 'had a crooked smile which I find far more attractive than those ultra-white Hollywood teeth that look like pieces of Lego'.

While he doesn't go into detail about what they did, he remarks that afterwards she complimented 'my sorry-looking boots rather than my lean and toned physique'.

He added that she left her 'pale tummy exposed' and when she called herself fat he 'sprang instantly to reassure her' before 'smoothing my palm tenderly across her stomach'.

READ MORE Spectator's theatre critic sparks outrage by admitting he paid a Chinese prostitute for sex after being turned on by female lecturer during talk at Cambridge Advertisement

Evans wrote that as the pair 'padded about, tugging out clothes back on' even though they had known each for less than 20 minutes there was an 'air of ease and familiarity' about their small talk.

He then revealed he went left and returned later on with his laptop so he could send her money for the encounter, claiming he 'gallantly' gave her more money that she had initially quoted.

His article sparked condemnation from academics and commentators, with Prof Ypi's furious response attracting more than 3,600 likes, 600 reposts, 400 comments and 316 bookmarks from stunned mostly-female followers.

Darwin College commented: 'Absolutely appalled to see this Lea. Your fascinating, beautifully crafted lecture was a hugely appreciated highlight of the college's cultural year.

'We hope your memory of the event won't be tainted by an audience member using it to write something so crude and offensive.'

Naomi Waltham-Smith called Evans' piece 'utterly depressing and pathetic, yet deeply unpleasant.'

Historian Helene von Bismark added: 'This is awful, unacceptable, misogynistic trash'.

Professor Ben Ansell, an Oxford lecturer, called it 'dismal, embarrassing, chauvinist rubbish', while Professor Linda Connolly, said simply: 'Ugh!'

Micah G Allen, a professor of psychiatry based in Denmark, added: 'This is so disgusting, I'm sorry you were subjected to this. What women in academia go through is a disgrace.'

Evans (pictured) wrote in his column about a visit to a massage parlour after watching a lecture by Prof Ypi

A Mrs Dayglo said: 'I'm so sorry you have someone like that perving over you. And that he got paid for writing that.'

Fellow academic Colin Wight added: 'Just such a weird piece to write. I can't see the point of it.'

Doctor Charlotte Lydia Riley, a historian, added: 'This is horrific. I'm so sorry.'

Others remarked on not just the comments about Prof Ypi, but also about Evans description of his encounter at the massage parlour.

Feminist columnist Hadley Freeman wrote: 'Re that revolting Spectator article people are rightly outraged by the one-handed writer's comments about the academic. But it's how he writes about the 'brisk workout' with the sex worker (who could well be trafficked) that enraged me. Paying for sex is abusive and unforgivable.'

The writer Julie Bindel was equally forthright: 'What a disgusting man Lloyd Evans is. He should be sent to an island inhabited only by crocodiles.'

Evans told the Mail's Richard Kay last night that he was bewildered by the reaction to his piece.

'No, I didn't anticipate it,' he said.

Evans, who has been writing for The Spectator since the 1980s, is no stranger to sexual shenanigans.

He has previously visited the same subject in other Spectator columns, writing in January how about a 'petite buxom figure' who 'vaulted on top of me, straddling my thighs' as she gave him a vigorous Thai massage.

In the early 2000s the magazine was nicknamed the 'Sextator', such were the stories of intrigue, infidelity and casual affairs - involving various members of staff and a Cabinet minister - under the then editorship of Boris Johnson.

It provided material for a laugh-out-loud farce called Who's The Daddy? staged in a London theatre and written by Evans himself.

Last night Evans's collaborator on the play and fellow Spectator columnist Toby Young said: 'I am looking forward to this scandal blowing up out of all proportion and then going to see Lloyd's very amusing play about the whole affair.'
Dr Andreas Krieg, an expert on Middle Eastern security and Senior Lecturer at King's College London's School of Security Studies, told MailOnline that such a limited strike could be seen as an effort by Tel Aviv to climb down from a major kinetic conflict.

'If this is the extent of Israel's retaliation it could be described as a deescalatory strike. The use of small drones such as quadcopters provides a degree of plausible deniability that could help Iran downplay the effect of the attack,' he said.

'We could say that this attack makes a return to the shadow war that has been ongoing for years if that is the extent of it.

He added: 'The Iranians would have to respond to a strike that is not deniable or involved Israeli jets over Iran - but this attack does not cross the threshold. Neither side wants an all-out war.'

Similar sentiments were expressed by Justin Crump, British army veteran and CEO of global risk analysis firm Sibylline.

'It remains to be seen if this is the start of a more concerted campaign by Israel steadily to harm Iran while remaining below an escalation threshold, or an isolated act,' he told MailOnline in the wake of the overnight strikes.

'Iran has its own internal problems with spiralling inflation and anti-regime sentiment and is so far keen for things not to escalate. While it has similarly sub-threshold ways to respond, and will likely do so, this limits more major escalation.

'However,' he continued, 'this cannot now truly be a return to business as usual and I would suggest that honour is far from satisfied on both sides at the moment.'
Signs twinning an Israeli city with Bournemouth have been removed in an apparent hate crime - leaving the town's Jewish mayor 'very upset and disappointed'.

The four signs at separate locations around the boundary edge of the Dorset seaside town recognised one of its twin cities - Netanya, a Mediterranean resort in Israel.

But they have been neatly removed from the main 'Welcome to Bournemouth' signs in unexplained circumstances that have triggered a police and council investigation.

The council nor the local twinning committee had any knowledge of the signs being removed, leading to suggestions that the motive may be sinister and related to the conflict in the Middle East. Others claimed it was an act of 'woke virtue signalling'.

Bournemouth has one of the largest Jewish communities in the UK and was at one point a very popular Jewish holiday resort with a number of kosher hotels.

The sign for Netanya in Israel before it was removed on Magna Road in Bournemouth, Dorset

One of the other 'welcome' signs in Bournemouth, Dorset, where Netanya has been removed

Empty beaches in the Israeli coastal city of Netanya last Sunday, as the conflict continues

People enjoy the warm weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset on September 5, 2023

However, there have been a number of Pro-Palestine protest marches held in the town since the Hamas attack on October 7 last year that started the war in Gaza.

Bournemouth's Jewish mayor Anne Filer told how she was 'very upset and disappointed' by the removal of the sign.

She said: 'It might be something completely harmless and there may be a very simple explanation. I hope that the police investigation finds them soon and gets them back to where they should be.'

Tobias Ellwood, the Conservative MP for Bournemouth East, believes it was an anti-Semetic act.

He said: 'Deeply saddened to see signs for Bournemouth's twin city in Israel removed from a number of 'Welcome to Bournemouth posts.

'It's difficult not to assume this unauthorised removal is connected with current Middle East events.

'I hope the council replaces the 'Netanya' signs as soon as possible. The deep bond between our two seaside towns is strong and will not be affected by what seems an act of anti-Semitic vandalism.'

In Febraury, Mr Ellwood and his family were forced to leave their home near Bournemouth after pro-Palestine supporters gathered outside to protest and accuse him of being complicit in genocide.

Bournemouth has been twinned with Netanya - a Mediterranean resort city known for its sandy beaches, like Bournemouth - since 1995 and there have been frequent inter-town visits.

But Netanya has now been removed from the 'Welcome to Bournemouth' signs at Mountbatten Roundabout, Ringwood Road, Magna Road and New Road.

Deeply saddened to see signs for Bournemouth's twin city in Israel removed from a number of Welcome to Bournemouth posts.



Its difficult not to assume this unauthorised removal is connected with current Middle East events.



I hope the council replaces the Netanya signs as pic.twitter.com/4ZCk3CN3FM  Tobias Ellwood (@Tobias_Ellwood) April 18, 2024

Netanya has been a popular Mediterranean resort but its beaches have become deserted

Michael Filer, chairman of the twinning committee, said: 'It could possibly be nothing, no problem whatsoever, that somebody is doing some kind of repair work or the other kind.

'But there could be unpleasant intent... we would like to get them back.

'Bournemouth has been twinned with Netanya, who went through the Bournemouth Council some 20 years ago, and there have been inter-town visits on a frequent basis. I look forward to them being put back again and carrying on with normal procedures.'

A Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council spokeswoman confirmed the council had not removed the signs.

She said: 'We have been made aware that some signage has been removed at Mountbatten Roundabout and several other locations. We are currently looking into this issue.'

People sit outside a coffee shop in the Israeli coastal city of Netanya last weekend

A man sits on a bench in the Israeli city of Netanya last Sunday as the conflict continues

And a Dorset Police spokeswoman told MailOnline today: 'We have been made aware that a number of signs around Bournemouth have been removed and we are liaising with BCP Council to establish the circumstances and identify whether any offences have been committed.'

People on social media have been outspoken about the incident. Among them was Andrew Marshall, who said: 'It is unacceptable and it's a strange coincidence they have disappeared at the time of this trouble.

'The disappearance of these signs could be classed as an anti-Semitic crime. These signs have been removed deliberately as a woke virtue signalling exercise as not to offend. Pathetic.'

In February, activists from Led by Donkeys laid out a three-mile line of children's clothes along Bournemouth beach to represent the children killed in the conflict.
This is the moment a 228mn Russian nuclear bomber hurtled to the ground in flames over Russia after being struck by a Ukrainian missile this morning.

Video showed the abrupt descent of one of Putin's Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, pluming smoke before crashing over the Stavropol region in southern Russia.

The Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for the crash, saying in a statement that it knocked the plane out of the air with anti-aircraft missiles.

All four crew members were reported to have ejected from the stricken plane. They were initially said by Russian sources to be 'alive' and were rushed to hospital.

However, a later update corrected that one had died and that rescue teams were still looking for another, reported missing.

Ukraine has continued to inflict significant losses on Putin's airforce in recent months, reportedly destroying jets 20 times faster than Russia can replace them.

Video caught the moment the plane went into a tailspin and crashed towards the ground

The wreckage of a Tu-22M3 long-range supersonic strategic bomber in Stavropol, April 19

File photo shows a Tu-22M3 in flight - as one crashed in southern Russia on Friday, April 19

Stravropol Krai governor Vladimir Vladimirov said in a statement all four on board had managed to escape the wreckage.

'Two pilots from the plane that crashed in the Krasnogvardeisky district have been found,' he said.

'They are alive, we are taking them to the hospital. All services went to the scene.'

Later reports said the two other crew members had been located and were being hospitalised.

Vladimirov said in a Telegram post later Friday morning that the third member of the plane's crew had died, and that they were still looking for the fourth, per RIA.

'Updated information has been received on the incident with a Russian military aircraft in the Krasnogvardeisky district,' he said.

'Unfortunately, the third crew member died. I express my condolences to his family and friends. The search for the fourth pilot continues.'

The Russian defence ministry claimed a 'technical malfunction' was the likely cause of the downing while admitting the plane was returning from a bombing mission over Ukraine.

The Russian defence ministry said: 'A Russian Air Force's Tu-22M3 crashed in the Stavropol region after performing a combat mission while returning to its home airfield.

'The pilots ejected, three crew members were evacuated by a search and rescue team, and a search for one pilot is underway.

'There was no ammunition on board, the aircraft went down in a deserted area. There is no damage on the ground.

'According to preliminary data, the cause of the accident was a technical malfunction.'

Ukraine meanwhile claimed the plane had been downed by the airforce working in conjunction with Ukrainian intelligence.

'For the first time, anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force, in cooperation with the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber, a carrier of Kh-22 cruise missiles used by Russian terrorists to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities,' the Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said in a statement via Telegram messaging app.

A witness to the crash also suggested it was not a technical problem, per Russian reports.

'Now I have a lot of questions,' he said, suggesting that friendly fire may have been the cause.

The crash site is some 250 miles from the closest border with Ukraine.

Russia initially blamed it on a 'technical malfunction', while Ukraine claimed responsibility

A third person was reported to have died after the crash. A fourth is still missing, Russia says

In January, a Russian military transport plane allegedly carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war crashed towards a town in Russia, exploding on impact.

Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Belgorod region, said all 74 people onboard had been killed in the crash.

Sources within the Ukrainian military claimed responsibility for the attack.

Andrei Kartapolov, a member of Russia's State Duma and a retired general, claimed the plane was shot down by three types of missiles that the West has supplied to Ukraine, without providing evidence.

'It was absolutely deliberate. They knew very well that the plane was en route, where it was going and the operators of (Ukrainian) surface-to-air missile systems cannot mistake transport planes for military planes or helicopters as targets,' Kartapolov said.

'It was done deliberately to sabotage the prisoner exchange,' Kartapolov said, without providing evidence to back up his claims.
China rejects U.S., Japan, Philippines concern on South China Sea

Xinhua) 08:11, April 19, 2024

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Relevant countries' groundless accusation and deliberate smears against China on the South China Sea issue are unacceptable, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

Spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks at a regular news briefing when asked to comment on a statement issued by the United States, Japan and the Philippines after their trilateral summit. The statement expressed so-called "serious concerns about China's behavior in the South China Sea" and called on China to abide by the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal.

Lin said China strongly opposes the practice of bloc politics by relevant countries, firmly opposes any acts that stoke and drive up tensions and harm other countries' strategic security and interests, and is seriously against forming exclusive groupings in this region.

Noting that the award of the South China Sea Arbitration is illegal, null and void, he said China does not accept or take part in the Arbitration, does not accept or acknowledge the so-called award, still less does China accept any claim or action that is based on the award.

Lin said the South China Sea Arbitration and its illegal award harm the interests of countries in the region, including the Philippines.

"No matter how some may try to frame the South China Sea issue, the issue remains what it is," Lin said, adding that no political manipulation disguised as legal moves will go anywhere or deter China from safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Lin said China will continue to firmly safeguard its lawful rights in accordance with domestic and international laws. "We urge relevant countries to be sober-minded and change course instead of going further down the wrong path," he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Chinese-made tunnel-boring machine to be exported to Italy

Xinhua) 10:36, April 19, 2024

NANJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- An independently developed tunnel-boring machine has recently rolled off the production line in the city of Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, and is ready for export to Italy to facilitate a local railway project.

It signifies the first such machine produced by China Railway's production base in Wuxi for export to Italy.

Located in Wuxi's Xishan District, the colossal equipment boasts a digging diameter of 9.48 meters, towers approximately three floors high, has a total length of about 251 meters, and weighs 2,300 tonnes.

According to Gao Siyuan, a staff member at the production base, transporting the tunnel-boring machine overseas entails over a month-long process of dismantling it into hundreds of thousands of components, which will then be shipped from Shanghai to Italy's Sicily island via sea freight.

"This also marks the first tunnel-boring machine produced at the Wuxi base to be exported to the European Union countries," Gao said, adding that the equipment is customized specifically for an Italian railway project, as it is equipped with a suite of cutting-edge technologies that significantly enhance efficiency, lifespan, and construction safety.

For instance, despite being outfitted with thousands of sets of electrical components, the tunnel-boring machine relies on explosion-proof technology, ensuring it poses no risk of explosion even when encountering flammable gases during excavation.

The tunnel-boring machine is earmarked for deployment in the construction of Sicily's Palermo-Catania Railway Line Project Lot 3. This is an essential part of the railway line linking the cities of Palermo and Catania in Italy, supported by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan of Italy to promote sustainable transportation.

Upon completion, the Italian project will bolster connectivity within and outside Sicily, enhance passenger and freight train capacity, ensure smooth train operations, and offer significant benefits to local economic development.

China Railway currently operates in more than 90 countries and regions globally. Boring machines developed by the company have been exported to more than 30 countries and regions, such as Italy, France, and Singapore. They are widely used in overseas railway, highway, subway, mining, and other construction fields.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Rishi Sunak called for 'calm heads' today after Israel launched strikes on Iran in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile blitz.

The PM insisted that Israel 'absolutely has the right to self defence' as he stressed the facts of the overnight action are still being established.

But he said the priority must be to defuse tensions in the region, with fears the Middle East could be plunged into a much wider conflict.

Answering questions after a speech in London this morning, Mr Sunak said: 'We have condemned Iran's reckless and dangerous barrage of missiles against Israel on Saturday and Israel absolutely has the right to self defence.

'But as I said to Prime Minister Netanyahu when I spoke to him last week, and more generally, significant escalation is not in anyone's interest. What we want to see is calm heads prevail across the region.'

After days of heavy diplomatic pressure from allies for Israel to limit retaliation, the city of Isfahan in central Iran was struck at 5am local time.

Israel is reported to have targeted an Air Force base near Isfahan which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats - purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Rishi Sunak called for 'calm heads' today after Israel launched strikes on Iran in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile blitz

Unconfirmed footage shared on social media appeared to show anti-aircraft fire striking over the city of Isfahan in central Iran, which hosts one of the nation's nuclear facilities

A base near the city hosts one of Iran's nuclear facilities, although US military sources reportedly said the target was not believed to be nuclear.

Iran played down damage to its military facilities and outright denied any nuclear plants were destroyed, claiming that 'so far, no large-scale strikes or explosions by any air threat have been reported.'

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron is in Italy at a meeting with other G7 ministers today.

Mr Stride told Times Radio: 'I think what we should say first and foremost, of course, is this is an evolving situation. These are unconfirmed reports as at the moment.

'But where we are as a Government is recognising very clearly that Israel has a right to defend itself. Indeed we joined in with others in doing exactly that when Iran made that a very significant attack on Israel at the weekend.

'At the same time though, we are pressing our Israeli allies and others in the region to really work hard towards de-escalation. So that is the important message that we have at the moment, but obviously, we need to wait to see how events unfold and exactly what has happened.

'I know the Foreign Secretary is speaking with his G7 counterparts in Italy as we speak, and of course, they will be focused on exactly that, and the importance of de-escalating tensions in the region.'

The extent of the damage is not clear, but Iranian state TV this morning released footage of an undisturbed Isfahan city scape to cast doubt on reports the city had been hit.

Today's early morning strike comes after Iran launched a barrage of hundreds of drones and rockets at Israel on Saturday, which was largely thwarted by Israel and its international allies. Isfahan was one of several launch sites used in the attack.

Earlier this week, Biden warned Israel not to retaliate to Saturday's foiled strikes and urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to 'take the win'.

But the measured nature of Israel's response appears to have been poorly received by the hard-right elements of Netanyahu's war cabinet.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a one-word statement on X following the strikes - 'Feeble!'.

Strikes have hit at least one target in Iran, US officials reportedly confirmed. The extent of the damage and exact location of the attack is unclear (unconfirmed image)

The Biden administration had stressed the need for de-escalation from Israel following Iran's barrage of strikes on Saturday

Cabinet minister Mel Stride said the UK was 'very clear that Israel has a right to defend itself'

No official comment has been released by Israel or the US, but the explosions in Iran will heighten fears of a stronger tit-for-tat retaliation.

Iranian National Security Committee official Abolfazl Amoue declared earlier this week that Tehran is 'prepared to use a weapon that we have never used' if Israel responds further.
A man who was threatened with arrest by a Metropolitan Police officer after trying to cross the road at a pro-Palestine march is the chief executive of a leading Jewish group.

Gideon Falter, who is the CEO of Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), was pulled aside by an officer who said he was 'breaching the peace' because he was 'quite openly Jewish'.

Video of the confrontation, which was shared online, has sparked a furious response with the Met being branded 'beyond appalling' for the incident, which took place as Mr Falter tried to walk around London after going to a synagogue last Saturday.

In the incident, which took place in the Aldwych area of the capital, Mr Falter was told his presence was 'antagonising a large group of people'. The Met Police said it was aware of the video and 'fully acknowledge the worry it has caused'.

The CAA has called for a mass demonstration tomorrow in response, saying 'enough is enough' and that people need to 'stand up for the tolerance and decency of which this country is so rightly proud, simply by going for a walk'.

The Metropolitan Police has been branded 'beyond appalling' after an officer threatened to arrest a Jewish man for 'breaching the peace' as he is stopped from crossing the road

This officer was seen blocking the Jewish man, Gideon Falter, from crossing the road amid because he was 'quite openly Jewish'

Mr Falter, pictured here on Good Morning Britain in 2018, is the CEO of Campaign Against Antisemitism

In a video shared by CAA from Saturday's march, Mr Falter - who was wearing a kippah on his head - was seen telling the officer: 'I don't want to stay here, I want to leave.'

The officer then replies: 'In that case sir, when the crowd is gone I will happily escort you out.'

After the defiant man attempts to walk across the road in the Aldwych area, the officer blocks him and says: 'I don't want anybody antagonising anybody... and at the moment sir, you are quite openly Jewish. This is a pro-Palestinian march.

'I am not accusing you of anything but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.'

Later on in the video, another officer says: 'There's a unit of people here now. You will be escorted out of this area so you can go about your business, go where you want freely or if you choose to remain here because you are causing a breach of peace, with all these other people, you will be arrested.'

He clarifies: 'Your presence here is antagonising a large group of people that we can't deal with all of them if they attack you... because your presence is antagonising them.'

Speaking afterwards, Mr Falter said: 'For months we have been told that when anti-Israel protests course through London it's perfectly safe for Jews.

'Notwithstanding the antisemitic placards, the genocidal slogans, the glorification of Hamas, the Islamist flags, the swastikas, notwithstanding all of that, it's still safe to be openly Jewish on the streets of London during these anti-Israel protests. That's what we're told and yet that's not true in practice.

'Last Saturday, I walked around London after attending synagogue. I wore my kippah (skullcap) and held a small bag containing my prayer shawl. I was identifiable as a Jew but was otherwise like any other Londoner.

'I was not part of any protest or counter protest, and was not wearing any stickers or carrying any signs, flags or the like. I was exercising my right to walk around my home city as a Jewish Londoner. A year ago, that would not have been controversial. But now, it is.

'Despite being told repeatedly that London is safe for Jews when these marches are taking place, my interactions with police officers last Saturday show that the Met believes that being openly Jewish will antagonise the anti-Israel marchers and that Jews need protection, which the police cannot guarantee. Instead of addressing that threat of antisemitic violence, the Met's policy instead seems to be that law-abiding Jewish Londoners should not be in the parts of London where these marches are taking place. In other words, that they are no-go zones for Jews.

Mr Falter said he was not criticising the officers who he spoke to on Saturday, as they are 'put in impossible positions week in, week out'.

He said: 'They're being asked to police huge protests with few officers where there's all sorts of criminality on display from racism to glorification of terrorism, and even violence.'

He added: 'Even as the Met Commissioner apparently refuses to do anything about this, it is time for a change on the ground. Next Saturday, 27th April, we will be walking again, hopefully in larger numbers. No part of London should be unsafe for any of its residents.

'The Met has acknowledged the condemnation of their behaviour. They have pledged to accommodate any protest or march that we wish to arrange. But this shows they still do not get it. We are not organising a march. We are planning to walk through London - any part of London we want - as Jews. Walking around as Jews in London shouldn't have to be a 'cause' that we have to 'march' for. It is a right, and we will exercise it.'

Mr Falter said: 'It has been six months now where every single weekend we have to witness the streets of London awash with people, many of whom seem to have no problem at all declaring their full-throated support for Hamas, waving around antisemitic placards, calling for jihad, showing swastikas, waving antisemitic flags. It's enough.

'I'm asking you to join us, whether you're Jewish or not. The next march is on April 27, it's a Saturday. Take a walk with us, the Jewish community, and show that we are not going to be put in a box or told where to go by the Met.

'That if these marches are truly safe then we will walk wherever we want as Londoners who are free in our home city and if we want to wear a kippah that is exactly what we will do.'

Mr Falter was interviewed alongside the footage and accused the Met of failing to make London safe for Jews

This officer blocks the Jewish man from crossing the road

Another clip from the protest was also shared of a second officer telling the Jewish man: 'I am trying to make sure you are safe and that no one attacks you or your group or anyone else, that's all.'

Mr Falter has been the head of Campaign Against Antisemitism since 2014 and is also vice chairman of the Jewish National Fund UK, a charity which supports 'Zionist pioneers' in Israel.

The 39-year-old previously worked in commercial real estate and management consultancy before building CAA, having gained a Law degree from the University of Warwick in 2005.

He was named as one of the 'top 100 people positively influencing Jewish life' by the Algemeiner Journal, a US-based newspaper which coves Jewish and Israel-related issues.

READ MORE: Met Police arrest nine as Palestine and Israel demonstrators trade insults as thousands march through London to protest about Gaza conflict Advertisement

The Simon Wiesenthal Center has described him as a 'Jewish hero who proves that there are still powerful ways to leverage democratic rules to serve justice and protect Jewish community'.

A prominent member of the Jewish community, he involved in a number of non-profit organisations, including CAA, Jewish National Fund and Together Against Antisemitism.

He is also listed as a director in a property management firm and property development company, as well as a book and ancient manuscript publishing business set up by his parents.

The video in which he appeared has sparked another backlash for the Met who have been accused of failing to make London safe for Jews. Robert Largan, the MP for High Peak, Derbyshire, shared the video and wrote: 'This is beyond appalling'.

Another clip from the protest was also shared of a second officer telling the Mr Falter: 'I am trying to make sure you are safe and that no one attacks you or your group or anyone else, that's all.

The Jewish man, who asks him why there is no-one surrounding any of the pro-Palestine protesters, adds: 'I'd like that too but your sergeant here has told me that because I'm Jewish, it's antagonistic to the crowd and it's dangerous for me.'

The officer replies: 'I'm not saying that.'

But the man interrupts, saying: 'But he's just said that. Do you have any idea what it's like being a Jew in London at the moment?'

When the officer says no, he adds: 'Let me tell you, this goes on every Saturday, you probably know it, your colleagues know it. You guys are on the front line. The route changes every single week, you never have any idea where it's going to be.

'Because you're Jewish in London, you now have to cross these huge groups of people. It's intimidating enough and now look at the number of police that are around her... I'm just a Jew in London trying to cross the road.

'I've been told repeatedly by the Met that these are completely safe for Jews, that I should have nothing to worry about and yet here I find myself in this bubble. This guy has just been shouting at me and shoving me because I want to cross the road.'

Campaign Against Antisemitism also shared shocking footage from the march of protesters shouting 'scum' at the Jewish man. Another pro-Palestine protester was heard shouting 'Nazi' in front of an officer.

A third protester told Mr Falter: 'I'm watching your movement... that's right. We're all going to watch your movements and record you. The police ain't gonna help you in this scenario.'

Pro-Palestine protesters are seen waving banners at the march on London

People hold a variety of flags and placards at the protests in London on Saturday, including Palestine and Israel national flags

Pro-Palestinian supporters speak with a police officer during a protest organised by Turning Point UK in London on Saturday

The Met also sparked backlash when they told a Jewish woman a 'swastika was not necessarily anti-Semitic'

Jocelin Weiss, 30, told MailOnline at the time that the Metropolitan police needs 'basic education'

Mr Falter said: 'After months of being gaslit by the Met, it's not safe for Jews to be walking in the presence of these protests. And was there anything so crazy about what we were trying to do? Just walking around our home city on a Saturday.'

He added: 'Is this something that we are willing to accept? That now the police have to keep Jews away. We mustn't accept it.'

The Met Police arrested nine people at Saturday's march for public order offences. It came hours before Iran launched an unprecedented Iranian strike on Israel that has raised fears of the war in the Middle East escalating.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'We are aware of this video and fully acknowledge the worry it has caused, not only to those featured, but also anyone who watches it, and will review the circumstances.

'We have always said that we recognise the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to be an issue of concern for many Londoners, and this includes the regular protests and marches in central London.

'Everyone has the right to travel throughout the capital in safety.

'We will meet with anyone who wishes to organise a march or protest ahead of 27 April.'

At another protest last month, an officer told a Jewish woman that swastikas 'need to be taken into context' when she reported seeing the Nazi logo on posters at a pro-Palestine march.

At the time, Jocelin Weiss, 30, told MailOnline: 'I think there's a problem with a lack of basic education for this police force.'

Campaign groups have condemned the Met for the spike in anti-Semitism.

A poster of a baby kidnapped by Hamas was defaced with two swastikas in an incident in London at the end of last year, including a swastika drawn on the infant's forehead.

And in October a synagogue in Sussex was daubed with 'SS IDF' in red paint, with 'SS' depicted as the emblem of the Nazi's genocidal elite guard, and 'IDF' referring to the Israeli Defence Forces.
Katie Wheeler says her daughter was 'usual mischievous self' on day of incident

The mother of a nine-month-old baby daughter who died after allegedly being strapped face-down to a beanbag by a nursery worker said the weekend before the horror incident was the 'happiest' in her life.

Katie Wheeler said her daughter was babbling and playing the weekend before her death and was her 'usual mischievous self' the day she took her to nursery, when her last words to her were 'I love you, sweetie'.

Genevieve Zofia Meehan was nine months old when she was found unresponsive at Tiny Toes Children's Day Nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, Greater Manchester, in May 2022.

Ms Wheeler said that on the day of the incident, Genevieve was watching her get ready for work and rummaging for various items in her handbag, before her and husband John Meehan dropped her off seemingly happy at the centre.

She said: 'I had put suncream on her, which she found ticklish and funny. When I dropped her off [at nursery] I said to her 'I love you, sweetie'.

'John told me he watched her go in and she seemed happy and then I went home and went to work.'

Pictured: Nursery worker Kate Roughley allegedly strapped Genevieve face-down on a bean bag, holding her so tightly in a blanket that she was unable to move

Roughley, the deputy manager of Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle, Manchester has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter by ill treatment; and child cruelty

The nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan was rushed to hospital after being found 'unresponsive and blue' at Tiny Toes, in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, on the afternoon of May 9, 2022

She added: 'I remember that weekend as one of our happiest. She was very happy and well.'

Prosecutors allege Genevieve was strapped face-down to a bean bag by deputy nursery manager Kate Roughley, who swaddled her so tightly in a blanket she was unable to move.

Roughley, 37, allegedly strapped Genevieve with a harness and left her there crying and thrashing for more than half an hour, Manchester Crown Court has heard.

While Genevieve struggled, Roughley ignored her cries and placed a blanket on top of her that covered her almost head to foot, prosecutors have alleged.

Genevieve was found blue and unresponsive on the afternoon of 9 May 2022. Roughley has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter by ill treatment; and child cruelty.

Prosecutor Martin Reid KC read statements from Genevieve's parents, Katie Wheeler and John Meehan, who said she had various ailments after being born prematurely.

Ms Wheeler said: 'I wish to make this statement to talk about and honour my beautiful daughter Genevieve. Gigi was not just a baby, she was a person with her likes and dislikes, her loves and her frustrations. She was a complete person.

'Owing to her beautiful French name, she adopted a French persona in our house and was often voiced by me with a French accent. We used to joke it would be very strange when she started talking properly and would not actually speak French.'

'She spent lots of time playing on her toy mat and she was able to support herself while standing, and was also moving around on the floor with great determination and speed, babbling as she liked to and saying 'dada dada'.'

Ms Wheeler said Genevieve had been in hospital a few weeks prior to the incident and was being treated for bronchiolitis.

Her daughter had been given an inhaler but was weaned off it and was in 'good health' by the time she returned to nursery, she said.

Ms Wheeler said: 'I'm a very cautious and careful person by nature, particularly of my children. I was not concerned about her health before she went to nursery.

Roughley outside Manchester Crown Court. Jurors were previously told Genevieve was left virtually immobilised and face down from 1:35pm to 3:12pm when she found her blue and unresponsive and raised the alarm

'She was her usual bright happy self, and no person at the nursery raised any concerns about her health.'

Mr Meehan said he had driven them to drop off Genevieve at the nursery on Mellor Road. He said he stayed in the car while his wife took her inside.

Mr Meehan said he later got a call from his wife, stating: 'I answered the phone and she told me she had a phone call from the nursery who said Genevieve was found unresponsive and blue and an ambulance was on its way to the nursery.

'I immediately turned around and got in my car. Katie then phoned me back and informed me that the ambulance arrived and Gigi was being taken to Stepping Hill Hospital. They said it would take about 10 minutes.'

He said he arrived at the A&E department before Ms Wheeler and her mother. He said he could see CPR being performed on Genevieve by paramedics.

Mr Meehan continued: 'I remained in hospital as doctors tried to save her. I saw Katie and her mother leave the room. Doctors and nurses approached me and asked if I wanted to go with them.

'I wanted to stay with Genevieve. I overheard the doctors having a conversation about stopping CPR. We were then told they were going to stop treatment and they could not save Genevieve.'

Jurors were previously told Genevieve was left virtually immobilised and face down from 1:35pm to 3:12pm when Ms Roughley found her blue and unresponsive and raised the alarm.

Staff and then paramedics attempted to revive Genevieve but her condition was irreversible and she was pronounced dead later that day in hospital, the trial has been told.

Ms Roughley, from Heaton Norris, Stockport, denies manslaughter by ill treatment and an alternative charge of child cruelty. The trial continues.
A heartbroken family has launched a lawsuit against an Oregon nursing home facility after an elderly grandmother with dementia wandered off and died.

Ki Soon Hyun, 83, was moved into the Mt Hood Senior Living Facility in Sandy, near Portland, on December 23 last year after her dementia worsened and it was determined she required around-the-clock care.

She wandered off less than 24 hours later and was found dead from hypothermia on Christmas Day in a wooded area about about 800 yards from the facility.

Her family alleges nursing home staff did not notify them of Hyun's disappearance or contact authorities until hours after she went missing, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

The complaint, obtained by Oregon Public Broadcasting, accuses the nursing home and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) of being responsible for the wrongful death of Hyun and is seeking more than $10million.

A spokesperson for ODHS told the news outlet they 'feel deeply for families and their communities anytime there is a loss of life', but reportedly declined to comment on litigation.

Ki Soon Hyun, 83, (pictured) was moved into the Mt Hood Senior Living Facility in Sandy, near Portland , on December 23 last year after her dementia worsened and it was determined she required around-the-clock care

Hyun (pictured) wandered off less than 24 hours after moving into Mt Hood Senior Living Facility and was found dead from hypothermia on Christmas Day in a wooded area about about 800 yards from the nursing home. Her family alleges nursing home staff did not notify them of Hyun's disappearance or contact authorities until hours after she went missing

The family is suing Mt Hood Senior Living Facility and its owner Yi Zhou for alleged responsibility in Hyun's death.

According to the complaint, the nursing home failed to secure building exits, install and utilize electronic monitoring systems, and immediately notify police of Hyun's disappearance.

The family further accused the facility of not creating a individualized care plan for Hyun despite her having dementia and reportedly being known to wander off.

The filing was also brought against Avant Senior Housing Managers and Consultants LLC, which managed and operated the facility and trained the staff, and the consultancy firm's owner Tammy Lynn Thwaite.

Additionally, the suit accuses the ODHS, which oversees the state's memory care facilities, of negligence, alleging it allowed the facility to operate despite reportedly being aware that the nursing home was understaffed and that employees were not fully trained and had not undergone proper background checks.

The family, according to the complaint, believes the state should have ceased the nursing home or restricted new admissions until staffing and administrator requirements were met.

Hyun's family is understood to be heartbroken by her death and the alleged negligence of the nursing home.

'We're suffering every day but we want something good to come out of this for the better for the community and for total, all Oregonians,' her second-eldest son John Hyun told FOX 12.

The family's lawsuit accuses the nursing home and the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) of being responsible for the wrongful death of Hyun and is seeking more than $10million. The beloved grandmother is pictured with her grandson Porter Lane, at her daughter's home

According to the complaint, the nursing home (pictured) failed to secure building exits, install and utilize electronic monitoring systems, and immediately notify police of Hyun's disappearance

Soo Hyun, her daughter, echoed: 'This death didn't have to happen and it has traumatized us to the core.'

John explained how the family chose Mt Hood Senior Living Facility because of it allegedly had high-tech security and a 'system in place that no one who lives there as a patient cannot exit the building'.

He claims staff 'reassured us time and time again' that patients would be safe and secure, adding the family 'cannot believe how this can happen'.

The family checked on Hyun on December 23, but claims she was missing not even 24 hours later. They also allege that they were only notified that she had wandered off after being contacted by local police.

'We just left mother a day before and we had a good memory of it and not even 24 hours later and somebody is telling me she's gone.. and I keep saying, why?' John explained.

Hyun was found dead on Christmas Day after an extensive search by law enforcement and volunteers.

The Oregon long-term care ombudsman launched an investigation after Hyun's death and determined there were 'red flags' the state missed ahead of the tragedy.

Staff at Mt Hood Senior Living Facility failed to lock and secure doors, which is a requirement for memory care facilities, the ombudsman's report stated.

The family (pictured) is suing Mt Hood Senior Living Facility and its owner Yi Zhou for alleged responsibility in Hyun's death. The lawsuit was also brought against ODHS, Avant Senior Housing Managers and Consultants LLC, which managed and operated the facility and trained the staff, and the consultancy firm's owner Tammy Lynn Thwaite

The report, which was reviewed by Oregon Public Broadcasting, found that 'due to regulatory inactions and failures  (the) resident's death and the additional harm and trauma that occurred to residents at this facility in the weeks following could have been prevented.'

The family now want state leaders and the governor to 'hold DHS accountable' for its alleged responsibility in the mother-of-five's death.

Alex Smith, one of Hyun's daughters, would like to see an independent audit of ODHS's licensing and regulatory role, as recommended by the ombudsman.

'Our mom deserved better,' she said. 'Mom was my role model. She was the most kind, patient, warm, gentle and loving person that I know.'
A 17th century masterpiece that was one of three paintings stolen from Oxford University has been returned.

The baroque painting, A Rocky Coast, With Soldiers Studying a Plan, by Salvator Rosa has now been rehung but police are still hunting the other two works of art.

The artworks, worth 10million, were swiped from Christchurch Picture Gallery during lockdown in 2020.

Thieves smashed through the skylight in the college's art gallery and stole the oil paintings before making their getaway via boat.

After a four-year hunt, the Baroque painting has been recovered from an art dealer in Bucharest, Romania, who is believed to have sold off the other two paintings without realising they were stolen.

Jaqueline Thalmann, Christ Church Gallery curator, showing off the returned masterpiece in its gold frame which had been hanging empty for four years

Ms Thalmann speaking to press at the gallery after the painting was found in Bucharest, Romania. A Rocky Coast, With Soldiers Studying a Plan, by Salvator Rosa hang on the wall

The painting has now been returned to its once empty frame in the gallery and is surrounded by other oil paintings in the Oxford college's specially built gallery

Police are still searching for the other two missing paintings, Antony Van Dyck's A Boy Drinking and A Soldier on Horseback by Annibale Carracci.

Thames Valley Police and Romanian authorities hope that fingerprints on the recovered canvas will help them track down the two missing works which may have been looted by Romanian cat burglars.

Gallery curator, Jaqueline Thalmann told The Telegraph: 'It's wonderful, it's really wonderful. It gives you this spark of hope that the others are there and will come back.'

Detective Chief Inspector James Mather said: 'I'm really very pleased to have recovered the Salvator Rosa painting and hopefully we've had some breakthroughs.

'We are optimistic that lines of inquiry will open up that will lead us to the other two paintings.'

A gang allegedly used ladders stolen from Christ Church meadows to climb into the roof of the gallery around 11pm on Saturday March 14, 2020.

The thieves smashed a skylight before stealing the paintings from their frames.

The alarms sounded immediately but the thieves were able to flee with their loot before Ms Thalmann could reach the scene.

A Boy Drinking, by Annibale Carracci from 1580 could be worth up to 6million and is still missing

A Soldier on Horseback, painted by Van Dyck in 1616, is thought to be worth more than 1million and police are still trying to track down the missing artwork

Thieves stole the masterpieces, thought to be worth a total of 10million, four years ago from Christ Church College, University of Oxford

Police told The Times that the gang had escaped by boat.

Mr Mather told the Telegraph that the paintings could have been 'stolen to order' at a kingpin collector's request.

He also said it is possible the thieves had identified a valuable set of paintings they believed they could sell on.

After the burglary, the paintings found their way to a man in Romania's capital.

The art dealer is now helping the investigation and is being treated as a witness after he admitted to selling on the much more valuable Van Dyck and Carracci paintings before realising they were stolen.

Police hope that the outstanding paintings are still in Europe and will be found undamaged.

The irreplaceable A Soldier on Horseback, painted by Van Dyck in 1616, is thought to be worth more than 1million.

A Boy Drinking, by Annibale Carracci from 1580 was also stolen and while it doesn't have an estimated price tag, other works by the artist have sold for between 100,000 and 6million at auction.
The alleged Israeli attack on Iran this morning was so measured that it could be considered a 'deescalatory strike', experts have claimed, as both sides can ill-afford an all-out war.

The city of Isfahan in central Iran was struck at 5am local time, with Israeli drones reported to have targeted an Air Force base which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats - purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Isfahan is also a known hotbed for Iran's nuclear research and houses drone production plants - but the attack is thought to have caused little material damage, and no casualties have been reported.

Iranian officials sought to downplay any significant damage to its military facilities and outright denied any nuclear plants were destroyed, while Iranian state TV this morning released footage of an undisturbed Isfahan to cast doubt on reports the city had been hit.

Dr Andreas Krieg, an expert on Middle Eastern security and Senior Lecturer at King's College London's School of Security Studies, told MailOnline that such a limited strike could be seen as an effort by Tel Aviv to climb down from a major kinetic conflict.

Strikes have hit at least one target in Iran, US officials reportedly confirmed. The extent of the damage and exact location of the attack is unclear (unconfirmed image)

Unconfirmed footage shared on social media appeared to show anti-aircraft fire striking over the city of Isfahan in central Iran, which hosts one of the nation's nuclear facilities

'If this is the extent of Israel's retaliation it could be described as a deescalatory strike. The use of small drones such as quadcopters provides a degree of plausible deniability that could help Iran downplay the effect of the attack,' he said.

'We could say that this attack makes a return to the shadow war that has been ongoing for years if that is the extent of it.

He added: 'The Iranians would have to respond to a strike that is not deniable or involved Israeli jets over Iran - but this attack does not cross the threshold. Neither side wants an all-out war.'

Iranian officials meanwhile told Reuters that Tehran has no plan for immediate retaliation against Israel, contradicting statements made by several senior politicians earlier this week.

'The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack,' one Iranian official said on condition of anonymity.

In the days following Iran's bombardment of Israel with missiles and drones last Saturday, Israeli ministers vowed to strike back, with Tel Aviv's hawkish National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declaring his nation must be prepared 'to go berserk' on Tehran.

As such, the small-scale strikes were not received well by the hard-right elements of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's War Cabinet, with Ben-Gvir himself deriding this morning's explosions in Iran as 'feeble'.

But analysts say Netanyahu, whose popularity has plummeted in Israel with dozens of hostages still in captivity in Gaza after six months of war with Hamas, finds himself in a difficult position.

Israel can ill-afford a major conflict with Iran, particularly as the IDF is stretched to capacity amid the ongoing military operations against Hamas and intermittent skirmishes with Hezbollah at the northern border with Lebanon.

But international vitriol over the IDF's brutal six-month bombardment of Gaza, which has so far caused the deaths of more than 33,000 Palestinians in just six months, dissipated following Iran's strike last weekend, with the US, UK and other allies reaffirming their support for Israel in wake of Tehran's aggression.

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With this in mind, Dr Krieg added that Netanyahu may pursue a campaign of limited strikes on Iranian soil - or focusing attacks on Iran's proxies in the region.

'I think a prolonged but manageable conflict is in Netanyahu's interest. That can be achieved by extending the conflict with Iran's Axis of Resistance. This is a low risk conflict that keeps Israel on high alert without the risk of becoming existential.

'Israel might decide to engage in a series of dispersed attacks over time that are individually so negligible that Iran doesn't have to respond. 'Israel might resort to Iran's strategy of "death by a 1000 cuts" which is difficult to deter.'

Similar sentiments were expressed by Justin Crump, British army veteran and CEO of global risk analysis firm Sibylline.

'It remains to be seen if this is the start of a more concerted campaign by Israel steadily to harm Iran while remaining below an escalation threshold, or an isolated act,' he told MailOnline in the wake of the overnight strikes.

'Iran has its own internal problems with spiralling inflation and anti-regime sentiment and is so far keen for things not to escalate. While it has similarly sub-threshold ways to respond, and will likely do so, this limits more major escalation.

'However,' he continued, 'this cannot now truly be a return to business as usual and I would suggest that honour is far from satisfied on both sides at the moment.'

While he said the Israeli strikes 'may give the illusion that we have threaded the needle on the crisis, [...] the baseline level of alert across the region is now going to be escalated for an extended period.'

Military personnel stand guard at a nuclear facility in the Zardanjan area of Isfahan, Iran, April 19, 2024

Military personnel stand guard at a nuclear facility in the Zardanjan area of Isfahan, Iran, April 19, 2024

An aerial view shows a nuclear facility in Isfahan, Iran, March 30, 2005, in this screengrab taken from video

He added: 'The risk of miscalculations is higher and the many points of tension remain, most obviously Gaza, but also around Iran's nuclear ambitions and capabilities. If this truly is it from Israel [...] then there is a window for intense diplomacy, but how long that remains stable and open is yet to be seen.'

Earlier this week, Mr Crump said a protracted conflict may benefit Netanyahu by reducing the political pressure over Israel's war in Gaza.

'Permacrisis suits Netanyahu at this stage. This situation has certainly helped Israel and its leadership, reversing the trend of pressure over Gaza and helping defuse some political tensions that were once again building.

'It is to be expected that Netanyahu will leverage this environment. The Israeli public stance from the War Cabinet will therefore remain belligerent, whatever goes on behind the scenes.'

However, some cautioned there is still potential for a wider conflict to spark, arguing that the trading of kinetic strikes represents a significant shift in the rules of engagement between Tel Aviv and Tehran.

'The April 13 missile strikes by Iran demonstrated a shift in the country's stance to one more open to direct military engagement  having previously relied on the use of the militias its backs elsewhere to carry out attacks,' Gabrielle Reid, Associate Director at security firm S-RM said.

'It is clear that both countries are edging hostilities forward. This approach runs the risk of miscalculation or misinterpretation of the actions of the other side that could significantly escalate the situation.

'Now, it comes down to how Iran will respond. Early signs indicate that Iran is highlighting the success of its own defence systems and has reiterated that the attack had little impact, downplaying the incident. However, this could change should there be any further strikes from Israel.'

Rocket trails are seen in the sky above Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as Iranian missiles are intercepted by air defences

Israel could seek to up the intensity of its operations against Iranian proxy forces in the region

A woman walks past a banner depicting launching missiles bearing the emblem of the Islamic Republic of Iran in central Tehran on April 15, 2024

Motorists drive their vehicles past a billboard depicting named Iranian ballistic missiles in service, with text in Arabic reading 'the honest [person's] promise' and in Persian 'Israel is weaker than a spider's web', in Valiasr Square in central Tehran on April 15, 2024

A handout image grab made available by the Iranian state TV, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), shows what the TV said was a live picture of the city of Isfahan early on April 19, 2024

No official comment has been released by Israel or the US in the wake of the explosions in Iran.

Iranian National Security Committee official Abolfazl Amoue declared earlier this week that Tehran is 'prepared to use a weapon that we have never used' if Israel responds further.

And Iran's foreign minister told CNN yesterday that Tehran's response to an Israeli strike would be immediate.

'If the Israeli regime commits the great error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them,' Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.

But officials cited by Reuters this morning went against these statements, saying Iran had no immediate response planned.

Footage circulating social media appears to show explosions overhead in Iran, though MailOnline has not been able to confirm the footage.

Shortly after reports of strikes emerged, three drones were 'successfully shot down by the country's air defence', according to Iran's National Cyberspace Center spokesman Hossein Dalirain on X.

Israeli officials warned the Biden administration of its intent to strike before launching in previous days, but an official told CNN that the US did not 'green light' any Israeli response.

Hours before, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on Thursday afternoon, but a senior source declined to confirm to the New York Times whether Gallant warned about the strikes following the meeting.

Israeli military sources reportedly stressed that today's strikes were a 'limited response' to Iran's attack, appearing to target military hubs used by Iran in their onslaught on Saturday.

Around four hours after reports of strikes, Iran lifted flight suspensions and opened its airports, with runways in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz closed amid the Israeli attack.

Further explosions reportedly hit military targets in Iraq and Syria around the same time. Syria's state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in its south, causing material damage.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the strike hit a military radar for government forces. It was not clear if there were casualties, the Observatory said.

The Observatory's chief Rami Abdurrahman said six Israeli fighter jets entered Syria's airspace and were flying east when they were spotted by the radar.
A meteorologist has warned of looming 'weather wars' between countries if 'cloud seeding' gets out of hand - after flooding in Dubai spawned concerns about artificially manipulating the rainfall.

Johan Jaques, a senior meteorologist at environmental technology company KISTERS, warned there could be 'unintended consequences' to using the relatively young technology, potentially leading to 'diplomatic instability'.

'Any time we interfere with natural precipitation patterns, we set off a chain of events that we have little control over,' he said.

'Interference with the weather also raises all kinds of ethical questions, as changing the weather in one country could lead to perhaps unintended yet catastrophic impacts in another. After all, the weather does not recognise international borders.'

Extreme weather, and concerns about climate change and possible manipulation, have received attention in recent days with flooding in Dubai causing widespread disruption and damage to infrastructure.

Cars are stranded on a flooded street in Dubai following heavy rains on April 18, 2024

Cloud seeding injects chemicals into clouds to trigger rainfall. In the UAE it is believed to increase rainfall between 15 and 25 per cent annually

Hygroscopic flares are attached to an aircraft during a cloud seeding flight operated by the National Center of Meteorology, between Al Ain and Al Hayer, in UAE, August 24, 2022

The United Arab Emirates this week suffered horrendous floods which swamped the airport and many of the surrounding roads, forcing dozens of flights to be cancelled as travellers crammed into the concourse to shelter from the torrential downpour.

Videos shared on social media showed how cars were filled with water, forcing hundreds of motorists to abandon their vehicles and swim to safety.

The damage to the region was brought on by abrupt torrential rain, with more than 142mm falling on Dubai in just 24 hours - as much as the city would usually expect to see in a year.

The freak weather shift sparked concerns about cloud seeding, a process used since the 1940s by which planes equipped with specialised flares release salt into clouds to encourage rainfall.

While officials have denied the role of cloud seeding in this week's floods, the UAE has used cloud-seeding to prompt rainfall since the 1990s.

Mr Jaques said that intense precipitation brought on by cloud seeding could lead to 'excess flow, with potential flash floods as a result', as reported by Newsweek.

'The Dubai floods act as a stark warning of the unintended consequences we can unleash when we use such technology to alter the weather,' he said.

'Additionally, we have little control over the aftermath of cloud seeding. Where exactly is it going to be raining effectively?

'Using techniques such as cloud seeding to bring much-needed rainfall in one area can cause flash floods and droughts in another.'

'Anytime we interfere with natural precipitation patterns, we set off a chain of events that we have little control over,' he added.

Ahmed Habib, a meteorologist at the UAE's National Centre for Meteorology (NCM), told Bloomberg several cloud-seeding sorties were flown in the days before the unprecedented rainfall hit.

Speculation about the use of cloud seeding later caused the NCM to deny the operation had taken place on Tuesday in the hours before the storm - but said it was performed on Sunday and Monday.

Maarten Ambaum, a professor of atmospheric physics and dynamics at the University of Reading, suggested that while cloud seeding could be used to create rain, 'you would not normally develop a very severe storm out of that'.

'In the 50s and 60s, people still thought about using cloud seeding to produce these big weather events, or change these big weather events.

'This [has] long been recognised as just not a realistic possibility.'

Giles Harrison, Professor of Atmospheric Physics at the University of Reading, said: 'The UAE does do operational cloud seeding, but there is huge difference between what this can achieve  targeting individual, developing clouds with seeding material released from an aircraft  and the Dubai rainfall, which was associated with a large weather system advancing across the region.'

Experts also note the likely impact of climate change in bringing on the intense weather patterns in the UAE.

Dim Coumou, a professor in climate extremes at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, told Reuters: 'Rainfall from thunderstorms, like the ones seen in UAE in recent days, sees a particular strong increase with warming.

'This is because convection, which is the strong updraft in thunderstorms, strengthens in a warmer world.'

The UAE, which has just experienced devastating floods (pictured), has been using cloud seeding to increase rainfall since the 1990s. Officials deny it caused this week's floods

A man crosses a flooded street following heavy rains in Sharjah on April 17, 2024

A car is stranded on a flooded street in Dubai following heavy rains on April 18, 2024

The rains in Dubai began late on Monday, soaking the sands and roadways of Dubai with some 0.79 inches of rain, according to meteorological data collected at Dubai International Airport.

The storms intensified at around 9am local time on Tuesday and continued throughout the day, dumping more rain and hail onto the overwhelmed city.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 5.59 inches of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours.

An average year sees 3.73 inches of rain at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel and a hub for the long-haul carrier Emirates.

Authorities cancelled school and the government instituted a work from home policy as the clean up operation continues.
Ukraine may lose its bloody war against Russia by the end of the year if it doesn't get the support it needs, the director of the CIA has warned.

William Burns admitted yesterday that without proper support from the West, Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin may be 'in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement.'

He added: 'Without supplemental assistance, the picture is a lot more dire. I think there is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024.'

The CIA chief told attendees of the Bush Center Forum on Leadership in Dallas, Texas, on Thursday that while Ukrainian forces 'can hold their own on the battlefield', they are 'at a tough moment on the battlefield right now.'

Progress on the frontlines of the bloodiest conflict on European soil in decades is slow, and Russia has ramped up its pressure on Ukrainian forces.

After capturing the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka in February, Russia is now pushing towards the hill town of Chasiv Yar.

If its forces take Chasiv Yar, they can then move towards Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, two key cities in the Donetsk region that are still under Ukrainian control.

An aerial view shows destroyed houses after strike in the town of Pryvillya at the eastern Ukrainian region of Donbas on June 14, 2022

Ukrainian soldier walks along a trench on the frontline with Russia-backed separatists, not far from town of Avdiivka, Donetsk region, on December 10, 2021

William J Burns (pictured) heads up the Central Intelligence Agency

Ukrainian troops are struggling, as supplies and munitions dwindle. A massive $60bn military aid package is currently stuck in the US House of Representatives, currently controlled by the Republican Party, after passing through the Senate.

Burns said that assistance from the US would mean Ukraine could turn the tide of the battle, and could ' continue to do damage with deeper strikes in Crimea...and against the Black Sea fleet.'

He added: 'With the boost that would come from military assistance, both practically and psychologicallythe Ukrainians are entirely capable of holding their own through 2024 and puncture Putin's arrogant view that time is on his side.'

On top of military aid, Ukraine needs an additional 34bn in support this year alone, the International Monetary Fund said yesterday.

The IMF's managing director Kristalina Georgieva said Russia's war against Ukraine needed to end, and called it it both a human tragedy and a drag on growth prospects for the global economy.

Support for Ukraine from most of the Western world remains strong. Yesterday, it was revealed that G7 members were considering using the $300bn in Russian assets frozen due to sanctions as collateral to provide loans to Ukraine.

Russian strikes on Ukraine in the early hours of Friday killed at least nine people, including three children, as Kyiv said it shot down a Russian strategic bomber for the first time.

Moscow said a military plane crashed over the south of the country while returning to base from a combat mission after suffering a technical malfunction.

The downing of a Russian bomber used to fire cruise missiles at Ukraine would be a highly symbolic win for Kyiv, which has been pounded by hundreds of overnight Russian aerial strikes since Moscow invaded more than two years ago.

The latest overnight Russian strikes on the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region killed at least nine people and injured more than a dozen, Ukrainian officials said Friday.

'A child who was heavily wounded during a massive enemy attack on the Dnipropetrovsk region today died in hospital. The death toll had now risen to nine, including three children,' the office of Ukraine's Prosector General said in a statement on Telegram.
A Westfield security guard injured in the Bondi Junction terrifying rampage says he'll never forget helplessly watching as his colleague was stabbed to death by a crazed knifeman.

Five women and security guard Faraz Tahir were stabbed to death as Joel Cauchi attacked innocent bystanders in a frenzied attack last Saturday.

Security guard Muhammad Taha is still recovering in hospital after he was stabbed in the stomach during the attack.

He recalled the moment he and his new colleague Mr Tahir came face to to face with Cauchi, as new vision emerged of the pair moments before they were attacked.

Muhammad Taha (pictured) broken his silence from his hospital bed, six days after he was stabbed in the stomach in

The Westfield security guard had been showing around Faraz Tahir on his first day on the job when they became caught up in the rampage

READ MORE: Major update on baby girl stabbed in Westfield Bondi Junction attack Ash Good was one of six victims killed. Her baby girl remain in hospital Advertisement

The pair had been sharing stories about their families back in their homeland of Pakistan moments before the chaos.

The footage filmed by a shopper shows the security guards walking through Westfield before being alerted by screams as a male onlooker frantically pointed them in the direction of Cauchi, who had already started his rampage.

A woman was heard calling for an ambulance while bystanders were seen in the background helping injured victims.

The security guards moved off-camera as they headed towards an injured woman lying on the ground when they were spotted by Cauchi.

'He all of a sudden noticed us, he jumped on Faraz and he stabbed him in the chest,' he told Nine News from his hospital bed.

'When Faraz turned (around), there was blood all over his chest, I was very shocked.

'At the same time, he jumped over to me.

'I tried to defend myself, I tried to use my hands and somehow he managed to stab me in the stomach.'

Mr Taha initially didn't notice he had been wounded and with the only concern for his colleague who was on his first day on the job.

'I was just looking after Faraz. I tried to help him,' he said.

Westfield security guard Faraz Tahir died during his first shift after he was stabbed in the chest

Mr Taha called his best friend, Muhammad Fahad, who also works as a security guard in the shopping centre, who rushed to his colleagues' aid.

'He did everything in his capacity (to help), he helped me, other people and Faraz, so I'm very grateful for him,' Mr Taha said.

' There was lots of blood. He put pressure on my side. Because of him, I survived.

'Without him, I wouldn't be here.'

He had no idea that Mr Tahir had died until two days after the stabbing.

I could have been the one (that died). There was (a) very mixed feeling, I (can't) even express it, I was speechless at that moment

Mr Taha also thanked Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns for approving his permanent residency in Australia.

The Prime Minister said people like Mr Taha were welcome in Australia.'

'This is again another person who is newly arrived, was here working, and put his life on the line in order to protect Australians who he didn't know,' Mr Albanese said on Thursday night.

'Amidst all this carnage and sorrow, there are stories of bravery ... he certainly is the sort of character that we want to see continuing to contribute here in Australia.'

Sydneysiders laid tributes as Westfield Bondi Junction reopened for trading on Friday

Mr Taha now wants the same citizenship recognition for his best mate who saved his life.

'I want that (same recognition) for Fahad, he deserves it,' Mr Taha said.

Westfield Bondi Junction reopened for trading on Friday, six days after the rampage.

Around 30 stores remained closed.

Thousands will flock to Bondi Beach this Sunday for a candlelight vigil honouring the six victims.

The vigil gets underway at 5.30pm.
Pimlico Plumbers tycoon Charlie Mullins has backed Rishi Sunak's crackdown on Britain's 'sick note culture' saying that it's very simple to get signed off from work by a doctor.

The Prime Minister has pledged to strip sick note powers from GPs to tackle high absence rates from work, with a staggering 2.8 million people now considered 'economically inactive' due to being long term sickness benefits.

Mr Mullins told Good Morning Britain: 'Where does this Monday and Friday illness comes from? It comes on Monday and Friday. People don't know what it is but it comes on them days.

'What you're saying the people that have mental health issues of course they should have the help they need, but there's people a lot of people out there who are just playing that card and they know how simple it is to go to the doctor and GP and get signed off from work.'

Rishi Sunak warned that normal 'life worries' were not a reason to shun work as he used a speech to unveil plans for specialist teams to sign people off from work rather than doctors.

He said the Conservative manifesto would contain a pledge to strip handouts entirely from people on benefits for 12 months who fail to comply with conditions set by their work coach.

Pimlico Plumbers tycoon Charlie Mullins has backed Rishi Sunak's clampdown on sick note culture, saying that too many people are playing the mental health 'card'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that normal 'life worries' were not a reason to shun work in a speech given today

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride said that 'enough is enough' during an interview round this morning.

Overall, 9.4 million people aged between 16 and 64 are economically inactive - meaning they are neither in work nor looking for work.

Under the prime minister's new proposals, instead of looking to GPs, those looking to be signed off could be asked to discuss their health with teams of 'specialist work and health professionals' who will assess what work they are able to do and help them 'bounce back into the work place'.

Mr Mullins said the plan announced by the government would help get more people back in work who are off long term.

He said: 'This idea he [Rishi Sunak] is coming up with is actually going to help more people back into the workplace because once you've had an appointment with the GP you can't get back there within seven days - it can be months - and then long term you're off.

'Fifty per cent of people who are off work for six months never go back to work. So we should be showing them a way of how to get back into work.'

In his speech, Mr Sunak pledged to replace the sick note with the 'fit note' and tackle the flow of people going from work to welfare.

He said: 'We don't just need to change the sick note, but the sick note culture so that the default becomes what work you can do, not what work you can't.

'Part of the problem is that it may not be reasonable to ask GPs, who are perfectly very busy at the moment, assess whether their own patients are fit for work. It too often puts them in an impossible situation where they know that refusal to sign somebody off will harm that precious relationship with their patient.

'So we're also going to test shifting the responsibility of assessment from GPs and giving it to specialist work and health professionals who have the dedicated time to provide an objective assessment of somebody's ability to work.'

A staggering 2.8million people are now considered 'economically inactive' due to being on long term sickness benefits

Mr Stride told LBC Radio there was no alternative to reform. 'If you look at issues like long-term sickness, disability, and you add up all the costs of all the benefits there, you get to about 69billion,' he said.

'The most worrying aspect of all of this is the increased cost going forward. So all the forecasts are for these benefits to be skyrocketing upwards in time. And that is something that we must address. Enough is enough on that one is my message.

'So what you will be hearing from the Prime Minister is that we will be taking measures to make sure that welfare spend is under control.'

Concerns have been raised however about the prospect of people without medical qualifications deciding whether someone is fit to work.

NHS doctor Dr Emeka Okorocha told GMB that doctors were trained to determine genuine cases of illness from normal anxiety.

He said: 'We are trained with set criteria where we assess and evaluate people to see actually this isn't just normal anxiety, this is general anxiety disorder.

'We are taught to be able to evaluate and diagnose this.'
The Pentagon is preparing to build its first new nuclear warhead in 40 years as a means to 'keep pace with future adversary threats' as tensions continue to grow worldwide.

The W93 warhead, which will be designed to be launched from submarines, is part of a $19.3 billion budget being requested by the National Nuclear Security Agency in 2025. The production is set to begin in the mid 2030s.

The revelation came as part of prepared remarks from Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby in a Senate testimony this week.

Feasibility studies on the W93 have been underway at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, the birthplace of the atomic bomb, since 2022. All U.S. warheads begin life there in a plutonium pit that was built by engineers in the 1980s.

The new warhead is based on existing designs and therefore will not need to be tested before being put into action. President George H.W. Bush signed an order in the 1990s banning underground nuclear tests.

The W93 will be carried on Navy's new Columbia-class submarines as well as the existing Ohio-class, shown here. The new ships that cost a total of $109.8 billion

An unarmed D5 missile is launched from the USS West Virginia

The program is being undertaken in parallel with the United Kingdom's Replacement Warhead program continuing our coordination through the U.S.-U.K. Mutual Defense Agreement,' Granholm said.

The W93 will be carried on Navy's new Columbia-class submarines as well as the existing Ohio-class. The new ships, 12 in total, will cost $109.8 billion.

Among the warhead's more sophisticated features is insensitive high explosives used for triggering. It will also have a greater range than the current W76 and W88 warheads.

In addition to the W93, the DOD will spend nearly $3 billion on on modernizing other warheads currently in the military's arsenal.

The U.S. will spend more than $750 billion over the next 10 years replacing almost every component of its nuclear defenses, including new stealth bombers, submarines and ground-based intercontinental ballistic missiles in the country's most ambitious nuclear weapons effort since the Manhattan Project.

It's been almost eight decades since a nuclear weapon has been fired in war. But military leaders warn that such peace may not last.

They say the U.S. has entered an uneasy era of global threats that includes a nuclear weapons buildup by China and Russia's repeat threats to use a nuclear bomb in Ukraine. They say that America's aged weapons need to be replaced to ensure they work.

'What we want to do is preserve our way of life without fighting major wars,' said Marvin Adams, director of weapons programs for the Department of Energy, in 2023.

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm pictured with National Nuclear Security Administration head Jill Hruby, the pair announced the development of the W93 this week

Feasibility studies on the W93 have been underway at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico , the birthplace of the atomic bomb, since 2022

'Nothing in our toolbox really works to deter aggressors unless we have that foundation of the nuclear deterrent.'

By treaty the U.S. maintains 1,550 active nuclear warheads, and the government plans to modernize them all.

At the same time, technicians, scientists and military missile crews must ensure the older weapons keep running until the new ones are installed.

The new program has also drawn criticism from non-proliferation advocates and experts who say the current arsenal, though timeworn, is sufficient to meet U.S. needs. Upgrading it will also be expensive, they say.

'They are going to have extreme difficulty meeting these deadlines,' said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Association, a non-partisan group focused on nuclear and conventional weapons control, said in 2023.

'And the costs are going to go up.'

He cautioned that the sweeping upgrades could also have the undesired effect of pushing Russia and China to improve and expand their arsenals.

In February, US officials voiced concerns that Russia was developing a type of nuclear weapon that could disable US satellites in outer space.

Analysts tracking Russia's space programs say the space threat is probably not a nuclear warhead but rather a high-powered device requiring nuclear energy to carry out an array of attacks against satellites.

These might include signal-jammers, weapons that can blind image sensors, or - a more dire possibility - electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) that could fry all satellites' electronics within a certain orbital region.

The Kremlin has dismissed the allegation that it is developing this kind of weapon.
These are the first pictures of the private school-educated 'creative genius' allegedly stabbed to death by a British plumber at a remote Portuguese commune during a music festival.

The name of the murdered 37-year-old Brit remained a mystery ahead of the charging of Joshua Menkens, who helped organise the four-day 'Mad Hatter's Tea Party' last September.

But MailOnline can today exclusively reveal the victim was sound engineering and design university graduate Neil Sutcliffe, a former pupil at Bolton School known to friends as Bingo.

The promising artist, who had moved to London to live on a boat after leaving his home town, was identified in Portugal after his alleged killer was charged last month with crimes including homicide and desecrating a corpse.

Police there have said psychiatric tests have suggested Menkens was suffering 'psychosis' at the time and that witnesses claimed he had taken 'hard drugs' during the party at Libelinha Venture, an off-grid living community owned by UK public school-educated Xavier Hancock and his Spanish partner Arantxa Atauri.

MailOnline can reveal the victim was sound engineering and design university graduate Neil Sutcliffe (pictured), a former pupil at Bolton School known to friends as Bingo

Joshua Menkens, who helped organise the four-day 'Mad Hatter's Tea Party' last September, was charged with murder

Sutcliffe died at Libelinha Venture (pictured), an off-grid living community owned by UK public school-educated Xavier Hancock and his Spanish partner Arantxa Atauri

The 28-year-old, from the market town of Hitchin in Hertfordshire, is understood to have been moved to a psychiatric hospital while on remand at the request of a Portuguese magistrate.

Tragic alleged victim Neil, one of six children, described himself on an Instagram site where he posted his sketches and paintings as a London-based artist who 'wears silly costumes in genre defying escapades.'

A recent tribute article in The Bugle, a magazine for former pupils at 4,540 per term Bolton School which he used to attend, said he had been 'unexpectedly taken from us while on holiday abroad' before adding: 'He was always willing to light up a room with artwork or music, his spirit and talent will be sorely missed.'

John Sutcliffe, one of Neil's two older brothers, revealed in an emotional online tribute a teacher had described him as 'one of the most musically-gifted children' he had ever taught.

He added: 'In the last few years he made the decision to move to London and live on a converted lifeboat.

'While this might not sound like the best plan for the majority of us, it suited Neil to the ground and gave him the freedom he had yearned for.

'He loved his new life and his new-found freedom. He had discovered himself and who he wanted to be.

'What is strange about this new life is that we, as his family, knew very little about it.

'He had decided that he wanted to go it alone, finding his place in the world and not following in anyone else's footsteps.

Neil described himself on an Instagram site where he posted his sketches and paintings as a London-based artist who 'wears silly costumes in genre defying escapades'

John Sutcliffe, one of Neil's two older brothers, revealed in an emotional online tribute a teacher had described him as 'one of the most musically-gifted children' he had ever taught

Neil lived on a riverboat after moving to London (pictured)

'Knowing Neil for his entire life, I could not have been more proud of this bravery and dedication to self-discovery. He knew what he wanted and went for it.

'The only thing we feared is that he was alone in the world and that he didn't have any support... we could not have been more wrong.'

He concluded the tribute by saying: 'We will always love you, Neil. You will be so very, very missed by everyone. You are my baby brother, my gaming buddy, my miniature-painting pal, and my creative genius friend.

'Even though we didn't see much of each other over the past few years, I will miss you more than you will ever know. The world is a darker and sadder place for you not being a part of it anymore.'

Mum Linda added in her own tribute: 'Love you always and forever Neil. A part of me died with you.

I'll always be grateful you were ours and even though your life was tragically cut short you lived it to the full. Sleep easy my wonderful son.'

Friend Georgie Ringrose said: 'You were a real bright light on the canals. You were always such a happy vibrant human.

'I'll miss your wonderful collection of hats and tails, your biscuit teas, your artwork, your obsession with yellow and your incredible, incredible outfits.

'I will never ever forget you Neil, you are so special. Thank you for the laughs.'

Mum Linda added in her own tribute: 'Love you always and forever Neil. A part of me died with you'

Joshua Menkens (pictured) was charged with Neil's murder

Menkens, pictured with his father Tony, was found to have suffered a psychosis after taking drugs

Initial reports after police found his body hidden under tree branches pointed to his death occurring during a row while a group of friends were playing the notorious Blue Whale suicide game, but investigators found no evidence to back up the claims.

The fatal stabbing occurred on September 23 last year in woodland near the commune run by Mr Hancock and his partner close to the central Portuguese town of Pedrogao Grande.

A promo for the Mad Hatters Tea Party, which started on September 21 and was due to run until September 24, described it as a 'gathering filled with great music and fantastic souls' and urged those planning to attend: 'Show love, kindness, and respect to ourselves, each other, and the land.

'Listen to your body's limits and take care of your physical and mental well-being.'

In addition to a line-up which included several DJs, the event also featured circus performers, wellness workshops and a 'Hatters Secret Quest.'

Portugal's Policia Judiciaria police force said in a statement last month released to the Times: 'An indictment was filed by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the district of Leiria against Joshua James Menkens, for the crimes of homicide, possession of a prohibited weapon and desecration of a corpse.

'Joshua underwent psychiatric evaluation, with the result that at the time he suffered from a psychic anomaly "psychotic episode/psychosis".'

He was charged with homicide, possession of a prohibited weapon and desecration of a corpse

Josh Menkens was seen leaving Tribunal de Comarca de Leira in Portugal

'After committing the homicide, the suspect hid the body using tree branches and pieces of clothing', police said

Police added at the time some witnesses said in their testimony Joshua had taken 'hard drugs' after meeting Neil for the first time at the event he promoted and helped stage.

In an unusually hard-hitting statement released shortly after Menkens was arrested and remanded in custody last September, the PJ police force said: 'The PJ's Central Directorate, with the collaboration of Pedrogao Grande's GNR police force, can confirm it arrested a man for the alleged crimes of homicide and desecration of a corpse in the town of Soalheira.

'The defendant, a foreigner and organizer of a party on a rural property, took the victim to an isolated forest location where armed with a knife, he attacked him with unusual violence stabbing him in several parts of the body and causing his death.

'After committing the homicide, the suspect hid the body using tree branches and pieces of clothing.

'Later, he revealed the acts he had committed to the other participants of the party.

Joshua was seen covering his face as he left the courthouse

No date for the hearing, which will take place in front of three judges without a jury, has yet been set

'After confirming their veracity, they went to the GNR in Pedrogao Grande along with the suspect to report what had happened.

'The victim, a 37-year-old foreign man, had travelled to Portugal to participate in the event and apparently did not know the defendant personally.

'It has not yet been possible to determine the motive for the crimes, but any relationship with games or online challenges has initially been ruled out.'

The alarm was raised around 6.30am on September 24 last year and Mr Menkens reportedly admitted stabbing his alleged victim before taking police to the remote woodland spot where his body was discovered.

The suspect's Australian father Troy Menkens, who has previously called his son a 'genuine, caring guy', said after news emerged last month he had been charged: 'It's a very fraught time, a very slow legal system.

'My focus is on my son who I love to bits, and it wouldn't be right or fair to make any further comment at this stage with the upcoming trial.'

The suspect's Australian father Troy Menkens (pictured) previously called his son a 'genuine, caring guy'

Hancock declined to comment on his son's trial in Portugal

Mr Hancock, who attended the 15,000-a-year St Edwards School in Oxford, describes himself as a digital creator on social media.

He has spoken about 'falling in love' with the forest valley where he and his partner created their community in a forest valley.

He has organised fundraising campaigns online to plant over 6,000 trees, shrubs and bushes on his land and subsequently keep them alive during a drought in the area.

Volunteers wanting to take part in the family-run project focusing on land regeneration and reforestation are offered 'Glamping' accommodation on site as well as food.

He gave a statement to police after Neil Sutcliffe's body was found and is expected to be called as a witness at the forthcoming trial.

No date for the hearing, which will take place in front of three judges without a jury, has yet been set.
A primary school teacher was sacked for teaching pupils as young as nine how to do a TikTok dance despite the app banning anyone under the age of 13, a tribunal has heard.

Georgia Rogers was fired after bosses at West Grantham Church of England Primary Academy in Grantham found she had 'condoned' under-age students using the social media site.

An employment tribunal heard that the Lincolnshire-based primary school teacher also failed to report her pupils use of the app - which bans children under 13 - breaching the school's safeguarding procedure.

The hearing was told that on a later occasion the pupils asked another teacher if they could film a TikTok video and when they were told they could not they said 'Well Miss Rogers did'.

The teacher was fired after an investigation into her conduct found 'a number of small things which put together make a bigger concerning picture'.

West Grantham Church of England Primary Academy in Grantham, Lincolnshire where Georgia Rogers worked before being fired over her conduct

The primary school teacher helped children film a TikTok dance despite the app banning under 13-year-olds

Ms Rogers sued the school for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination, claiming she was suffering from PTSD.

Despite an employment judge saying the investigation into the TikTok allegation was 'flawed', her claims were rejected.

The Nottingham tribunal heard Miss Rogers started teaching at West Grantham Church of England Primary Academy in Lincolnshire, in September 2019.

Employment Judge Victoria Butler said Miss Rogers was 'undoubtedly a committed teacher who enjoyed her job' with a previous 'unblemished disciplinary record'.

The hearing was told that on the last day of term in July 2021, the pupils in the teachers' year five class 'wanted to show her a TikTok dance'.

Miss Rogers 'agreed' and said she would teach them the moves as she used to be a dance teacher, and she recorded it on the school's iPad.

The tribunal noted this video was not uploaded onto any social media site but highlighted how it was 'evident' that the children had been 'viewing TikTok'.

The legal age for the app is 13 and it was said that Miss Rogers did not 'report it as a safeguarding' for her underage nine to ten-year-old students.

The hearing was told that after the summer holidays, it then emerged that Miss Rogers had also been sending 'borderline unprofessional' messages to one of her students and her mother through Dojo, an online platform used by the school.

Included in the extensive messages was Miss Rogers sending the pupil a photo of her nails and telling her mum 'Bless her, I just love her' and 'Send her my love'.

EJ Butler said: 'She referred to [the pupil] as 'sweetheart' and did nothing to discourage the communication which she knew came directly from the pupil as well as her mum.'

Soon after these messages 'came to light' in September, the teacher was suspended.

An investigation ensued where a number of 'allegations' were investigated by the school.

The tribunal said there was a 'further allegation about TikTok' which occurred in October that year.

Another teacher reported that two pupils were 'repeatedly asking them to film TikTok videos' and when she said she was not allowed to - they said 'Well Miss Rogers did'.

During her disciplinary hearing, Miss Rogers said that 'whilst she was aware the children were viewing TikTok, Facebook and Instagram she explained to them that it was not appropriate to make a TikTok video in school'.

The teacher said she showed them how to do the dance they had seen on the app properly using her dance teacher background and videoed them using the school's iPad.

But, Miss Rogers 'did not log the pupils' use of TikTok as a safeguarding concern despite her knowledge that the legal age for using it was 13.

On March 10 2022, the teacher was dismissed as the investigators found Miss Rogers overall behaviour amounted to gross misconduct.

The teacher 'understood the age grading of TikTok to be aged 13' - but had taught pupils how to dance a 'recognised TikTok dance' and filmed this for them on the pupils' iPad, the investigation concluded.

In being dismissed, Miss Rogers was told: 'The panel therefore felt that this could be seen as condoning pupils to use a social media site that was not appropriate for 10 year olds.

'Furthermore, despite knowing that the students were using TikTok you did not raise this as a safeguarding concern, which you acknowledged you should have done.'

The primary school teacher appealed the decision and presented documents which, in her view, 'demonstrated that the school promoted the use of TikTok'.

These included teachers 'encouraging pupils to watch Newsround which regularly featured articles relating to TikTok'.

This appeal was rejected as the school said the 'reasons' she set out are 'not considered capable of fundamentally changing our view that your dismissal was the correct and reasonable action for the Trust to take'.

Miss Rogers was sacked and later sued for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination, claiming she was suffering from PTSD.

EJ Butler concluded that the school's investigation into the TikTok allegation was 'flawed' and as a result the allegation itself did not result in 'gross misconduct'.

However, the tribunal found dismissing Miss Rogers in relation to the other allegations was the 'reasonable response' and her claims were not upheld.
A comedian who 'hounded' a Jewish audience member out of a theatre 'because he refused to applaud a Palestine flag' has boasted he will play Glastonbury Festival, despite festival bosses saying they haven't booked him.

Paul Currie sparked outrage after he allegedly encouraged a crowd of people to chant 'get the f*** out' and 'free Palestine' at an Israeli audience member at a show in London in February.

Bosses at the Soho Theatre apologised afterwards, although the comic appeared to double down after posting a picture of the Palestinian flag on social media and claiming he would 'not quietly nor politely sit'.

Mr Currie, who describes himself as a 'professional d***head' on social media, has now claimed he will perform at this year's Glastonbury Festival despite the furore over the incident.

Posting on his Instagram page on Friday, the comedian shared an image of the Glastonbury logo, accompanied by the words 'I am playing Glastonbury Festival' and a Palestinian Flag.

Paul Currie is an absurdist comedian from Belfast who has been performing since 2004

The comedian shared a post on Instagram in which he appeared to suggest he would be performing at Glastonbury. However, organisers have denied he has been booked to appear

In the caption he included a variety of hashtags related to the war in Gaza, including 'free Palestine', 'stop the genocide in Gaza', 'end apartheid' and 'end all wars'.

The comedian, who hails from Belfast, performed Glastonbury in Worthy Farm, Somerset, in 2022 and 2023, putting his admitted 'weird comedy' on display at Britain's biggest festival.

However, despite his claims, Glastonbury organisers told MailOnline today that he has not been booked to perform at this year's festival.

Paul Currie: Absurdist comedian from Belfast who featured on BBC's Live At The Electric Belfast-born Currie began his career as a street performer and has become known for his absurdist comedy, having been doing stand-up gigs for the past 20 years. He featured in BBC Three comedy show Live At The Electric in 2013 and debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2009. Currie is also a so-called 'muppeteer', having performed and voiced puppets on children's shows such as Jim Henson's Pajanimals and Sesame Tree, the Northern Irish adaptation of Sesame Street. He is described as having 'carved himself a reputation since 2004 as an uncompromising alternative comedian in the UK, Ireland, Australia and Europe building up a loyal fan base with his unique style of genre breaking stand-up'. Currie has a degree from Belfast School of Art in visual communications and previously taught at Circusful - formerly known as Belfast Community Circus School. Advertisement

MailOnline has attempted to contact Mr Currie for comment.

It comes after the comedian was engulfed in an antisemitism row after a Jewish man claimed he was 'hounded' out of one his shows because he didn't applaud a flag of Palestine.

Mr Currie had produced the Palestinian and Ukrainian flags as part of his one-hour non-verbal show Shtoom at the Soho Theatre in London in February this year.

Liahav Eitan, an Israeli who was in the audience, said he was left feeling scared for his safety after the comedian allegedly turned on him for failing to clap the object.

Mr Eitan said that while the show was 'bizarre', everything was fine until Currie unfurled the flags and asked the audience to stand up.

He said he didn't believe it was fair to compare the Palestine and Ukraine conflicts but he just stayed sat and didn't do anything.

Mr Eitan said: 'If I was closer to the door, maybe I would have left at that stage. But as it was, I just waited five minutes for the for the show to end.

'When it ended, a lot of the people got up and clapped. There was a bit of a standing ovation there and me and my friends just stayed sat down quietly and not clapping.

'I didn't mean to make any point of it right? I just didn't really enjoy that bit.'

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline on in Feb, Mr Eitan, who moved from Israel to London five years ago, said: 'The only way out was through the stage. We had to actually get on the stage quite close to him - and I was quite afraid that he'd throw a punch because he was still cursing and shouting.

The software engineer, whose seats were behind Currie, added: 'He got out his Palestine flag again and shouted "motherf***er you'll have to watch it again on your way out".'

Mr Eitan and his friend fled from the Soho Theatre to Bloomsbury in a bid to move away from the venue, where the crowd were spilling out and some of them were giving them 'unfriendly glances'.

He continued: 'From the audience, we were mostly scared. We wanted to get out of the of the situation. It seemed like a bit of a mob mentality that could go sour any second.

'So we were just afraid of violence. That's why we didn't linger right? We just wanted to get out of there.'

Liahav Eitan (pictured) claimed he was 'hounded out' of London's Soho Theatre after comedian Paul Currie encouraged his audience to chant 'get the f*** out' and 'free Palestine'

A post shared to Paul Currie's Instagram story after a Jewish audience member claimed he was 'hounded' out of one of his shows

Currie shared praise from another comedian who thanked him for 'unapologetically calling for a ceasefire now'

In another post to his story, Currie shared a tweet by comedian Frankie Boyle on the Israel-Palestine conflict

Mr Eitan added: '[We were] mostly scared about how that room might turn against us. From the comedian, I didn't feel any sort of way like I thought it really reflected on him rather than on us.'

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE Jewish theatregoer who was hounded out of Soho Theatre when comedian Paul Currie unfurled Palestinian flag and led chants telling him to 'get out' reveals he feared comic would 'punch' him and thinks he should be banned Advertisement

Currie, who often shares pro-Palestine content on social media, is then said to have shown his appreciation to the crowd for coming before sarcastically thanking Mr Eitan and his friend for not standing up and clapping.

Mr Eitan said that Currie 'lingered' on them for around five to ten seconds until he responded: 'Thank you for that Palestine flag'.

Currie then seemed 'quite taken aback' and asked Mr Eitan if he was being sarcastic.

'Then he said something like, "Okay, well, you're welcome. You're welcome for the Palestine flag. It was part of the show."

'And then he came back to me again and said, "Did you enjoy the show?" I said, "Yes, up until that point". And he said, "Ah up until that point".

'Then he just turns back to me and starts screaming, 'I'm from Belfast. I know everything about ceasefires. Ceasefire now, get the f*** out of my theatre. Get out, get the f*** out of my show, motherf***ers.'

Mr Eitan said he then asked his friend if they should grab their things and go before they calmly attempted to leave.

'Unfortunately, when the entire crowd was still inside, the only way out was through the stage,' he added.

Coming close with the comedian on stage, Mr Eitan said Currie started a 'public chant of 'ceasefire now, and free Palestine' as he 'tried to incite the crowd'.

He added: 'I didn't look at him on the way out. We just left.'

The under-fire comedian was at a pro-Palestine march hours before the show in question in February

The Soho Theatre was where the incident occurred. It also used to be a synagogue

The Soho Theatre issued an apology for the incident and said that it would be investigating

The Soho Theatre apologised for the 'upset and hurt' caused by the incident to some of their customers and will be investigating what happened.

They wrote: 'We are sorry and saddened by an incident that took place at our venue at the end of a performance of Paul Currie: Shtoom on Saturday 10 of February which has caused upset and hurt to members of audience attending and others.

'We take this very seriously and are looking into the detail of what happened as thoroughly, as sensitively, and as quickly as we can.

'It is important to us that Soho Theatre is welcoming and inclusive place for all.'

Campaign Against Antisemitism said they are assisting Jewish guests who were allegedly hounded out of the Soho Theatre in London.

A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'What the Jewish audience-members have recounted is atrocious, and we are working with them and our lawyers to ensure that those who instigated and enabled it are held to account.

'These allegations are of deeply disturbing discriminatory abuse against Jews. Comedians are rightly given broad latitude, but hounding Jews out of theatres is reminiscent of humanity's darkest days, and must have no place in central London in 2024.'

Currie appeared to double down in the aftermath of the incident, sharing a post on social media claiming he would 'not quietly nor politely sit and make house within the depravity of this killing machine'.

He has denied he is antisemitic, and a fundraiser has been launched to prepare for potential legal action against Soho Theatre and the CAA.

On the fundraising page he said: 'I just want to make it clear that we should be able to speak out for Palestine, and against injustice - me being banned by Soho and targeted by the CAA is just a drop in the ocean of the horror that is unfolding before our eyes. So I thank you sincerely for your help and for spreading the word.'
The attack on Iran by Israel this morning may represent the final state-to-state strikes in the conflict, according to a US security source.

The city of Isfahan in central Iran was struck at 5am local time, with Israel reported to have targeted an air base near the city that also hosts some of Iran's nuclear research facilities.

But Iran sought to downplay any significant damage to its military facilities and outright denied any nuclear plants were destroyed, as officials told Reuters that Tehran has no plan for immediate retaliation - contradicting statements made by several senior politicians earlier this week.

No Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility that Israel attacked, and the Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment.

A regional US intelligence source later told CNN that direct exchanges of strikes between Israel and Iran were now 'over', suggesting a wider war could be averted.

But the measured nature of Israel's response appears to have been poorly received by the hard-right elements of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet, as Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir - who previously said his country should 'go berserk' on Iran - declared the explosions in Iran 'feeble'.

With Netanyahu facing pressure from within his own government to respond more forcefully - and seeking to distract the international community from criticising Israel's brutal bombardment of Gaza - some experts suggested the Israeli PM could pursue a more protracted, simmering conflict.

Following warnings over escalation in the region, Israeli Prime Minister defied Biden as he maintained that Israel would 'make its own decisions'

Unconfirmed footage shared on social media appeared to show anti-aircraft fire striking over the city of Isfahan in central Iran, which hosts one of the nation's nuclear facilities

Strikes have hit at least one target in Iran, US officials reportedly confirmed. The extent of the damage and exact location of the attack is unclear (unconfirmed image)

People walk on the streets of Tehran as they continue their daily lives after the explosions heard in Isfahan and Tabriz cities of Iran, in Tehran, Iran on April 19, 2024

Netanyahu is facing considerable pressure at home from his citizens and within his own government. (Pictured: Thousands carry Israeli flags and chant slogans against the government as they stage a protest demanding Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation)

'I think a prolonged but manageable conflict is in Netanyahu's interest. That can be achieved by extending the conflict with Iran's Axis of Resistance. This is a low risk conflict that keeps Israel on high alert without the risk of becoming existential,' Middle Eastern security expert and Kings College London Lecturer Dr Andreas Krieg told MailOnline.

'Israel might decide to engage in a series of dispersed attacks over time that are individually so negligible that Iran doesn't have to respond... a strategy of ''death by a 1000 cuts'', which is difficult to deter.'

Meanwhile, Andrew Borene, Executive Director of threat intelligence firm Flashpoint, said: 'It appears that Israel and Iran are now engaged in a very dangerous game of bilateral brinkmanship.

'The kinetic strikes by Israel into Iranian territory could have been meant to demonstrate a resolve on Israel's part to engage with Iran in a tit-for-tat, possibly as a limited demonstration that Israeli precision strike technology can reach into the heart of Iran's most sensitive military programmes.'

No official comment has been released by Israel or the US on the attacks in Iran this morning in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats - purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Authorities said air defences fired at a major air base in Isfahan.

The Tasnim news agency also published a video from one of its reporters, who said he was in the southeastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its 'nuclear energy mountain.'

The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Iran's Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

'At 4:45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on,' he said. 'It was the air defense, these guys that you're watching, and over there too.'

The facility at Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Iran's civilian nuclear program.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

Military personnel stand guard at a nuclear facility in the Zardanjan area of Isfahan, Iran, April 19, 2024, in this screengrab taken from video

Military personnel stand guard at a nuclear facility in the Zardanjan area of Isfahan, Iran, April 19, 2024, in this screengrab taken from video

An aerial view shows a nuclear facility in Isfahan, Iran, March 30, 2005, in this screengrab taken from video

Iranian National Security Committee official Abolfazl Amoue declared earlier this week that Tehran is 'prepared to use a weapon that we have never used' in response to an Israeli attack.

And Iran's foreign minister told CNN yesterday that Tehran's response to an Israeli strike would be immediate.

'If the Israeli regime commits the great error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them,' Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.

But officials this morning appeared to climb down from carrying out retribution.

'The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack,' one Iranian official said on condition of anonymity.

Justin Crump, British army veteran and CEO of security analysis firm Sibylline, said of Israel's strikes today: 'This is more ''business as usual'' on the face of it, rather than an act to restore deterrence and make Iran hurt.

'But it remains to be seen if this is the start of a more concerted campaign by Israel steadily to harm Iran while remaining below an escalation threshold, or an isolated act.

'I would suggest that honour is far from satisfied on both sides at the moment. This may give the illusion that we have threaded the needle on the crisis, but the baseline level of alert across the region is now going to be escalated for an extended period

'The risk of miscalculations is higher and the many points of tension remain.'

Footage circulating social media appears to show explosions overhead in Iran, though MailOnline has not been able to verify the clips.

Shortly after reports of strikes emerged, three drones were 'successfully shot down by the country's air defence', according to Iran's National Cyberspace Center spokesman Hossein Dalirain on X.

A handout image grab made available by the Iranian state TV, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), shows what the TV said was a live picture of the city of Isfahan early on April 19, 2024

A passerby, taking on his cellphone, walks past a banner showing missiles being launched from Iranian map in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, April 19, 2024

Israeli officials warned the Biden administration of its intent to strike before launching in previous days, but an official told CNN that the US did not 'green light' any Israeli response.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on Thursday afternoon, but a senior source declined to confirm to the New York Times whether Gallant warned about the strikes following the meeting.

Israeli military sources reportedly stressed that today's strikes were a 'limited response' to Iran's attack, appearing to target military hubs used by Iran in their onslaught on Saturday.

Around four hours after reports of strikes, Iran lifted flight suspensions and opened its airports, with runways in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz closed amid the Israeli attack.

Further explosions reportedly hit military targets in Iraq and Syria around the same time. Syria's state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement as saying Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defence unit in its south, causing material damage.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the strike hit a military radar for government forces. It was not clear if there were casualties, the Observatory said.

The Observatory's chief Rami Abdurrahman said six Israeli fighter jets entered Syria's airspace and were flying east when they were spotted by the radar.

Although the US military played a central role in halting Iran's strikes on Saturday, President Biden said he made it 'very clear' to Netanyahu that he had to act 'carefully and strategically.'

Biden urged Netanyahu to 'take the win' of the derailed attack, and cautioned that the US would not participate in any Israeli counter-offensive.

The Israeli leader brushed off Biden's warnings, insisting Israel would 'make its own decisions' in how to react to Iran's attack.

The Iranian attack last weekend came in retaliation to a suspected Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Syria on April 1, which killed 13 people including two generals in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard.

The Biden administration had stressed the need for de-escalation from Israel following Iran's barrage of strikes on Saturday

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Meanwhile, the United States embassy in Israel told its employees and their families to restrict their movements this morning.

'Out of an abundance of caution following reports that Israel conducted a retaliatory strike inside Iran, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv' area as well as the Jerusalem and Beersheva areas 'until further notice,' a security advisory issued by the mission on its website said.

Due to a 'complex' security environment that 'can change quickly,' the embassy 'may further restrict or prohibit' the concerned people from travelling to parts of Israel, Jerusalem's Old City, and the occupied West Bank, the advisory read.

US officials said there was an expectation that if Israel defied warnings, they would not target nuclear or civilian sites.

In the UK, a Cabinet minister declined to say whether the UK would support Israel's reported action in Iran.

Mel Stride told Sky News: 'I don't want to get into hypotheticals, because of course, the question you've asked begs many other questions as to what form exactly that retaliation may or indeed may not have taken.'

'The overarching message on the military front is that de-escalation now is really important,' he said. 'We are very firmly engaged in counselling de-escalation and moderation at this particular moment.'

Deputy French foreign minister Jean Noel Barrot also called on Iran and Israel to climb down from further conflict.

'All I can say is that France's position is to call on all actors for de-escalation and restraint, he said.

Those reactions came as Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who is hosting a meeting of G7 counterparts, called for a 'absolute de-escalation'.

'We invite everyone to be cautious to avoid an escalation,' he told RAI news from Capri, adding that the G7 wanted an 'absolute de-escalation' in the Middle East.

Emergency and security personnel extinguish a fire at the site of strikes which hit the Iranian embassy in Syria's capital Damascus on April 1, which killed 13 people including two generals in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari (L) poses next to an Iranian ballistic missile which fell in Israel on the weekend, during a media tour at the Julis military base near the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Malachi on April 16, 2024

Amid fears over the crisis in the Middle East devolving into all-out war, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin joined calls to calm tensions when he spoke to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the Kremlin said last week.

As the West urged for calmer heads to prevail in the Jewish state, Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee Abolfazl Amoue stated that Iran is prepared for a 'painful response' to the 'slightest action.'

It was also reported on Wednesday that Iranian Navy Commander Shahram Irani has said Iran's navy would escort its commercial ships to the Red Sea - putting Iranian warships directly on Israel's doorstep.

The instability in the region has immediately impacted global oil markets, with brent crude prices increasing above $90 a barrel as news of the Israeli strikes emerged.

The Islamic Republic, which has always insisted its nuclear program is peaceful and denies seeking an atomic bomb, has accused arch foe Israel of sabotage attacks on its facilities and assassinations of nuclear scientists in recent years.

According to Ahmad Haghtalab, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards' head of nuclear protection and security, Iran has 'identified' Israeli nuclear centers and holds 'necessary information of all targets'.

Israel is widely known to have nuclear weapons but has never admitted so.
The Royal Bank of Scotland will close 18 branches across the UK this year, in another blow to the high street.

Sites in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow are among branches set to be shuttered, with 105 jobs lost.

RBS, which is part of the NatWest group, serves 3.3million personal customers through around 700 branches, mainly in Scotland.

It comes amid a wave of branch closures by major banks. In April alone, Barclays is closing 23 of its stores and 12 Lloyds sites will also disappear from the high street.

Over 300 bank branches have either closed their doors or are slated for closure in 2024 so far.

RBS is closing another 18 of its branches this year, as several major banks retreat from the high street

RBS branches in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are among those slated for closure later this year

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Banks have cited increased use of online banking by customers among reasons for closing physical sites.

Customers are also able to use post office branches for simple transactions and many banks have launched mobile apps, but campaigners have raised concerns that this could leave older and more vulnerable clients behind.

Nearly 6,000 outlets have already disappeared from high streets in the UK since the start of 2015 as banks continue to cut costs and point to a customer shift towards digital banking.

The number of closures could leave some towns 'bankless' with residents forced to travel miles for their nearest branch.

In one case, in Leiston, Suffolk, customers may be forced to trek 24 miles after Barclays announced its intention to shutter the town's last bank.

One idea to try to alleviate the pain for those communities affected is the setting up of banking hubs. These allow different lenders to share branch facilities, each taking it in turn to use them to serve customers on different days of the week.

A spokesperson for the NatWest group said: 'Our customers are using digital banking more than ever before  over 80% of our active current account holders now use our digital services and over 97% of retail accounts with us are now opened online.

'While we are increasingly engaging our customers digitally, our branch network remains important to us. We commit to no further review of our Royal Bank of Scotland branch network until at least 2026.

'We are also significantly investing in refreshing our network  we are investing c10.5m in our network across Scotland, from 2023-24, as well as continuing to invest in shared solutions like the Post Office and banking hubs.

'Our customers appreciate the speed and convenience of digital banking for everyday transactions, and often, when it comes to making bigger, more complex decisions they value speaking to our skilled and experienced colleagues.

'Like any business, we strive to meet our customers changing needs and expectations and weve been responding to the industry wide shift towards digital services by investing to broaden what customers can do themselves and to offer them greater personalisation.

'Digital banking continues to provide new and inclusive ways of allowing the overwhelming majority of our individual and business customers, including the elderly and vulnerable, to bank with us in ways that they werent able to before.

'But we know that a small number of people are not yet comfortable with it, which is why we are proactively reaching out to support them with this transition, having made over 200,000 calls last year. We also have experts that they can speak to for support and guidance.'
The Israeli government called an 'emergency discussion' over concerns the International Criminal Court could be preparing an arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders over alleged breaches of international law in Gaza, it has been revealed.

Three ministers and several government legal experts met at the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday to discuss how they would manage arrest warrants after reportedly receiving information such orders could be issued imminently, according to Israeli Channel 12.

Foreign Minister Israel Katz, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer reportedly met and decided to seek support from international diplomatic circles in an effort to foil possible action against Netanyahu.

Numerous bodies have alleged Israel has breached international law in its retaliatory campaign in Gaza since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks.

Israel reportedly fears that arrest warrants would be brought on the basis of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where rights groups and international bodies continue to warn of impending 'man made famine', alleging deliberate restrictions of aid into the Strip.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (not pictured) speak to the media following talks at the Chancellery on March 16, 2023 in Berlin, Germany

Children fill up bottles with water distributed by charitable organizations as accessing clean water gets harder due to ongoing Israeli blockade in Rafah, Gaza on February 16

Palestinian forensic experts and others search for bodies of dead people in the vicinity of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on April 17, 2024 after a recent Israeli military operation

Thousands rally against the government demanding Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation, early elections and prisoner swap with Gaza in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 13, 2024

Israel faces a number of allegations pertaining to breaches of international law over its conduct in Gaza since October 2023.

In February, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights published a damning report calling for accountability for both Israel and various Palestinian militant groups over alleged violations of international law.

READ MORE: Just skin and bone: The starving Gaza children kept in incubators as UN human rights chief warns Israel may be guilty of war crime if it has cut off food aid Leila is one of countless children who pass through the door of the Kamal Adwan Hospital Advertisement

These covered the period November 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023, but also referenced historical allegations of rights violations.

'For over 56 years, the Occupied Palestinian Territory  the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza  has remained under occupation by Israel, affecting all rights of Palestinians, including the right to self-determination,' the report read.

'The human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory drastically worsened during the reporting period. There was an escalation of the use of lethal force in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and May 2023 also saw an escalation of hostilities in Gaza.'

The British government in December called on Israel to 'take immediate and concrete steps to tackle record high settler violence in the occupied West Bank'.

The UN High Commissioner's report suggested Israel had committed war crimes and violations of international law, including the 'wanton destruction of civilian property', collective punishment, punitive and deliberate sieges, 'deprivation of essential services' such as water and aid, and forced displacement.

It also noted the deaths of 30 Israelis in the West Bank and one Israeli woman killed in Israel by a 'rocket launched from Gaza' prior to October 7.

The report claimed the human rights situation in the West Bank was deteriorating prior to October 7, citing the use of 'settler violence to facilitate de facto annexation' of the territory.

Earlier this year, South Africa also filed an application alleging that Israel's conduct in Gaza were genocidal in character.

The application urged the International Court of Justice to order 'provisional measures' to protect Palestinians in Gaza, including the cessation of military attacks that 'constitute or give rise to violations of the Genocide Convention'.

The key request, the cessation of hostilities altogether, was not granted, but the Court did order Israel to prevent and punish direct and public incitement to genocide.

Fadi Zant, aged nine, is experiencing malnutrition and receives treatment after evacuated from the northern Gaza Strip

Israel has been accused of weaponising starvation as a method of war in its battle against Hamas

Leila (pictured) can be seen quickly breathing in and out, desperate for a breath of fresh air in one of the 12 remaining hospitals

11-year-old Palestinian girl Nur al-Huda Mohammed is being treated for malnutrition and severe dehydration at Kamal Adwan Hospital

The Genocide Convention defines genocide by acts 'committed with intent to destroy, in whole or part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group'.

Genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, attempt to commit genocide and complicity in genocide are all punishable, according to the Convention.

Responding to the ICJ hearings, Amnesty International warned at the time of the 'staggering scale of death and destruction' in Gaza, as well as the 'appalling spike in dehumanising and racist rhetoric against Palestinians by certain Israeli government and military officials'.

'This, coupled with Israels imposition of an illegal siege in Gaza, which has cut off or severely restricted the civilian populations access to water, food, medical assistance and fuel, is inflicting unfathomable levels of suffering and puts the survival of those within Gaza at risk,' the organisation said in a statement.

Last month, the chair of the foreign affairs select committee, Alicia Kearns MP, suggested the British government had received advice from its lawyers stating that Israel had broken international humanitarian law, according to a leaked recording obtained by the Observer.

Ms Kearns reiterated the claims in a statement, saying: 'I remain convinced the government has completed its updated assessment on whether Israel is demonstrating a commitment to international humanitarian law, and that it has concluded that Israel is not demonstrating this commitment, which is the legal determination it has to make.

'Transparency at this point is paramount, not least to uphold the international rules-based order.'

Legal experts warned that receiving such legal advice would mean the UK would have to immediately cease all arms sales to Israel, as it would otherwise be seen as aiding and abetting war crimes - itself implicating the country.

This week, Al Jazeera reported that nine bodies had been found buried in an apparent mass grave near Al Shifa hospital in Gaza.

The bodies had not fully decomposed, suggesting they had been killed recently.

Some were found with medical bandages and catheters still attached to them.

Officials stopped digging after finding nine over fears Israeli drones were hovering above them.

Hamas said in a statement: 'The series of ongoing violations, including the discovery of mass graves in al-Shifa, cases of execution, and the hundreds of bodies that remain under the rubble are clear and well-documented war crimes.'

A kindergarten in Kibbutz Be'eri, which shows signs of clashes from the October 7 attacks

The kindergarten in Be'eri which appeared to be a site of clashes when Hamas gunmen swept the kibbutz on October 7

An Israeli soldier stands over the body of a Hamas militant in Kibbutz Be'eri on Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Hamas has itself been accused of committing numerous war crimes while the de facto authority in Gaza.

Human Rights Watch cited the role of Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups in their devastating assault on Israel on October 7.

Some 1,170 Israelis - many of whom were civilians - were killed when Hamas swept into southern Israel and began indiscriminately targeting people.

Israeli rape centres have since compiled reports of rape and sexual abuse committed by armed assailants last year.

A chilling report from the Association of Rape Crisis Centers was presented to the UN Special Envoy on Sexual Violence in Conflict Areas in February, who visited Israel to hear testimonies of sexual abuse.

An overview of the findings states: 'Hamas terrorists employed sadistic practices aimed at intensifying the degree of humiliation and terror inherent in sexual violence.

'Many of the bodies of sexual crime victims were found bound and shackled.

'The genitals of both women and men were brutally mutilated, and sometimes weapons were inserted into them. The terrorists did not stop at shooting, they also cut and mutilated sexual organs and other body parts with knives.'

The testimonies included claims Hamas gunmen repeatedly stabbed an injured woman while they raped her; that victims had nails, grenades and knives inserted into their sexual organs; and how survivors fleeing the festival witnessed 'girls whose pelvises were simply broken from being raped so much'.

Yoni Saadon, a survivor who witnessed the rape of a young woman enduring severe violence, recounted a victim crying out: 'Stop it - already I'm going to die anyway from what you are doing, just kill me!'

The witness said 'when they finished they were laughing and the last one shot her in the head'.

One witness said she saw a young woman with a back injury, her trousers pulled down below her knees, being raped by one terrorist as another 'pulled from her hair'.

'Each time the woman resisted, the terrorist stabbed her in the back.'

In another case, she said she saw how while one terrorist was raping a woman, another cut into her and mutilated her body.

Charred and damaged cars along a desert road after an attack by Hamas militants at the Tribe of Nova Trance music festival near Kibbutz Re'im in southern Israel on Saturday, October 7

Destroyed cars and belongings left at the Supernova Music Festival site where hundreds were killed and dozens taken by Hamas militants near the border with Gaza, on October 12, 2023

An Israeli officer walks around a campsite at the festival near Re'im kibbutz on October 17

Some 250 people were taken hostage during Hamas' incursion into Israel in October last year.

Many have returned alleging poor treatment and widespread sexual abuse in captivity.

Israel and Gaza have not managed to secure a prisoner exchange since November, when around 100 people were returned in exchange for a lull in the conflict and the return of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Protests continued to mount against Netanyahu this week from those pleading for the immediate release of hostages and cessation of conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Some 33,900 people have been killed in Gaza since the hostilities began in October, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza.

The ministry does not distinguish between military and civilian casualties.
The Biden administration is weighing the introduction of a new weapons deal that would see more than $1 billion worth of arms being sold to Israel, according to a new report.

The Wall Street Journal's report was published just hours after the Jewish state retaliated against Iran's recent drone attack with a series of overnight strikes.

The new deal is in addition to an aid deal that includes $26 billion for Israel currently being debated by Congress, The Wall Street Journal reports.

The deal includes tank ammunition, worth $700 million, military vehicles worth $500 million, and mortar rounds worth $100 million, bringing the total to $1.3 billion.

It would be the largest single military deal the US has done with Israel since Hamas' brutal assault on October 7 that killed 1,200 people.

The sale will require signoff from congressional leaders and will be delivered over a long period of time that could stretch into years.

On Thursday, both sides of the aisle were toiling in order to approve a $95 billion package of foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, as well as several other national security policies at a critical moment at home and abroad.

The deal includes tank ammunition, worth $700 million, military vehicles worth $500 million, and mortar rounds worth $100 million, bringing the total to $1.3 billion

Rocket trails are seen in the sky above Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem as Iranian missiles are intercepted by air defenses

Palestinians inspect the damage to a building in the city of Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip on April 18

Former state department official Brian Finucane called the reported new deal 'signal of unconditional military support,' when speaking to the Journal.

'The US has yet to use the leverage it has with arms transfers to shape Israeli behavior,' he noted.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson this week set in motion a plan to advance the package, which has been held up since October by GOP lawmakers resistant to approving more funding for Ukraine's fight against Russia.

As the Republican speaker faced an outright rebellion from his right flank and growing threats for his ouster, it became clear that House Democrat Leader Hakeem Jeffries would have to lend to help to Johnson every step of the way.

'This is a very important message we are going to send to the world this week, and I'm anxious to get it done,' Johnson said earlier Wednesday announcing his strategy.

President Joe Biden openly endorsed the package.

''The House must pass the package this week, and the Senate should quickly follow,' Biden said. 'I will sign this into law immediately to send a message to the world: We stand with our friends, and we won't let Iran or Russia succeed.'

The growing momentum for a bipartisanship dynamic, a rarity in the deeply divided Congress, brought rare scenes of Republicans and Democrats working together to assert U.S. standing on the global stage and help American allies.

But it also sent Johnson's House Republican majority into fresh rounds of chaos.

Johnson's Republican leadership team, seizing on the opportunity to outflank hardline conservatives with Democratic support, raised the idea of quickly changing the procedural rules to make it harder to oust the speaker from office.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson this week set in motion a plan to advance a first package, which has been held up since October by GOP lawmakers resistant to approving more funding for Ukraine's fight against Russia

But ultra-conservatives reacted with fury, angrily confronting Johnson on the House floor in a tense scene on Thursday morning.

Several suggested they would join the effort to oust Johnson if the rule was changed. By the afternoon, Johnson backed away from the idea.

'We will continue to govern under the existing rules,' the speaker said on the social platform X.

Meanwhile, a rare image of bipartisan statesmanship was on display as the procedural Rules committee began debate launching the steps needed to push the foreign aid package forward toward weekend voting.

The Republican chairmen of the powerful Appropriations and Foreign Affairs committees alongside their top Democratic counterparts spoke in evocative language, some drawing on World War II history, to make the case for ensuring the U.S. stand with its allies against aggressors.

Chairman Michael McCaul of the Foreign Affairs Committee cast this as a 'pivotal' time in world history, comparing the current images of people fleeing the conflict in Europe to the situation in 1939 as Hitler's Germany rose to power.

'Time is not on our side,' he told the panel.

The top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Greg Meeks of New York, shared McCaul's urgency: 'The camera of history is rolling.'
Taylor Martin has been expelled from the Liberal Party following an eight-month investigation into expletive-laden, abusive text messages he sent former lover Lucy Wicks.

The NSW Upper House member has been sitting as an independent for the duration of the investigation, after Ms Wicks, the former federal member for Robertson, lodged a complaint accusing him of vile conduct.

Mr Martin publicly apologised for a series of text messages in which he described her as f**t.

In the messages, which he admitted were 'ugly', Mr Martin called Ms Wicks a 'f***ing idiot', a 'dumb s***', a 'sicko', an 'absolute c*** of a person' and a 'f***ing pig ignorant b***h'.

Daily Mail Australia revealed in March that Mr Martin was still being welcomed at crucial Liberal state council meetings, where his vote was still counted in the factional in-fighting over whether to expel his ally, Alex Hawke.

On Friday night, the NSW state director of the Liberal Party revealed Mr Martin had been expelled.

The fresh blow comes months after Mr Martin's new wife Brittany walked out on their marriage.

Taylor Martin (left) has been expelled over vile messages sent to his former lover Lucy Wicks (right)

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE: Liberal politician's chilling ordeal is revealed - after 'ugly' texts from her ex were laid bare Lucy Wicks began receiving anonymous, threatening letters at her workplace within weeks of her complaint against Mr Martin about the texts becoming public. Advertisement

The NSW Liberal Party has received the independent investigation report concerning a confidential complaint against the Hon Taylor Martin MLC,' the statement read.

On the basis of the reports findings, the NSW Liberal Party State Director acted quickly and decisively to expel Mr Martin as a member.

The NSW Liberal Party expects the highest standards of behaviour of its members and elected representatives and will continue to strive to ensure those standards are consistently upheld.

A friend of Ms Wicks told Daily Mail Australia on Friday night that she was still coming to terms with the shock announcement.

There was some initial shock, and anger that it took almost 10 months just to find that shed told the truth, the woman said.

Lucys taking some time, but shes glad the investigation is over.

NSW Liberal leader Mark Speakman said that he supported the state directors decision after a lengthy, independent investigation.

'Mr Martin is therefore no longer a member of the Parliamentary Liberal Party,' he said.

'I expect, and the public are entitled to expect, the highest standards of behaviour by MPs.

One Liberal branch member, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said it was about time there was an outcome, and indicated there had been murmurs in the party that officials were dragging their feet.

Im not sure they wanted the investigation to finish at all,' they told Daily Mail Australia.

It is understood the complaint extended well beyond the information made publicly available at the time, including pages upon pages of further text messages.

The Liberal Party has no intention of releasing the report or findings, citing confidentiality reasons.

Ms Wicks was outed without her consent as the complainant.

Taylor Martin MLC was stood down from the NSW Liberal parliamentary party room back in July amid uproar over text messages he sent to former MP Lucy Wicks

NSW Member of the Legislative Council Taylor Martin married his girlfriend Brittany in a luxurious ceremony at the Grounds of Alexandria in December before she walked out on him weeks later

Mr Martin was spotted among the hundreds of Liberal branch members attending the state council meeting in the Grand Ballroom of Sydney's Fullerton Hotel on February 24

Mr Martins marriage recently ended in tense circumstances. Police responded to a disturbance at the house Mr Martin and his wife of just eight weeks Brittany shared on the Central Coast.

Mr Martin recently stood aside from the parliamentary party room when a barrage of 'ugly' text messages he sent his former girlfriend describing her as a 'f***ing idiot' and a 'dumb sl*t' were publicly exposed.

Taylor Martin timeline

November 2021: Lucy Wicks reportedly discusses complaint with colleagues February 2022: Lucy Wicks reportedly makes verbal complaint to party, sources claim February 2023: Ms Wicks reportedly takes complaint directly to Opposition Leader Mark Speakman April 2023: Taylor Martin proposes to girlfriend, Brittany July 2023: Complaint against Mr Martin is made public Mr Martin publicly apologises for comments he made in leaked text messages, says there is 'more to the story' and vows to cooperate with investigation Ms Wicks is publicly named as the MP who made the confidential complaint Mr Speakman reveals Mr Martin has stood down from the party room pending an external investigation into the complaint December 2023: Mr Martin marries Brittany in luxury ceremony at Grounds of Alexandria February 2024: Brittany leaves Mr Martin following an incident at their home in which police were later notified. Police say it was a personal matter and no charges were laid Mr Martin attends state council to vote on the future of his ally and friend, Alex Hawke, in the state party Advertisement

But in a move that has sparked anger within the party, Daily Mail Australia revealed last month Mr Martin voted at a key NSW state council meeting in the Grand Ballroom of Sydney's Fullerton Hotel on February 24.

Mr Martin, who earns $172,000 as a member of the NSW Legislative Council, was excused from sitting with his colleagues in Parliament when his abusive texts to then-sitting federal MP Lucy Wicks were published in the press last July.

The messages sparked an external investigation that has dragged on for more than eight months - and Mr Martin has sat on the crossbench at Macquarie Street ever since, distanced from the party.

So his presence at the Liberal state council meeting where he cast a vote supporting his friend Mr Hawke, from being expelled by the party over an intra-party feud over pre-selections - shocked some party members.

One attendee told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Martin's presence at the council meeting was extraordinary, given he no longer sits in the parliamentary party room.

'It doesn't pass the pub test,' the attendee said.

'He has been stood down from the party room, it's just a reality that he should not have been there.'

Other witnesses said Mr Martin was smiling and 'jovial' as he chatted with his colleagues and factional allies.

Membership in the parliamentary party room is separate to being a branch member.

But the Liberal Party never clarified that Mr Martin's votes would still be counted during behind-closed-doors meetings outside of Parliament.

As the investigation into Mr Martin approached its ninth month, Daily Mail Australia recently revealed questions raised about the timeline of the complaints process.

Mr Martin attended a crucial Liberal state council meeting on February 24, where his vote helped to secure his ally Alex Hawke's position within the party (pictured in 2017 next to Mr Hawke, and two seats down from Lucy Wicks)

The wedding came just five months after Mr Martin publicly apologised for past conduct, after his former boss and partner Lucy Wicks lodged a formal complaint accusing him of 'five years of abuse'

A source with knowledge of the investigation said concerns about Mr Martin were first raised back by Ms Wicks to a member of the state executive in November 2021 - much earlier than reported.

It's understood the matter was not followed up for several months before she again returned to the Liberal Party in February 2022, expressing the same concerns to another elected MP.

It is understood that Ms Wicks then took her complaint directly to then-Attorney-General Mark Speakman in February 2023, ahead of the state election, where Premier Dominic Perrottet was defeated.

By the time Ms Wicks' complaint was made public in July 2023 - when she was named in the media without her consent - Mr Martin was in the throes of wedding planning with his new fiancee Brittany.

Within eight weeks of his wedding, his new wife Brittany had left the relationship.

By the time her complaint was made public in July 2023 when she was named in the media without her consent, Mr Martin was in the throes of wedding planning with his new fiance Brittany

In the process of leaving, there was a heated altercation out the front of their Central Coast home in which police were later notified.

'A report was made to police at Wyong Police Station in February; however, it is of a personal nature and as there are no associated charges,' a NSW Police spokesperson said in a statement.

'No further information is available.'

Mr Martin publicly apologised for his texts to Ms Wicks shortly after they were made public and vowed to assist with the investigation.

He said: 'I was young and inexperienced and I found myself involved in a situation that was way beyond me. There were heated words during my attempts to go separate ways that I sincerely regret.

'It was an ugly and undignified parting of ways.'

Mr Martin was elected to the Legislative Council in 2019 and is serving an eight-year term due to expire in 2027.
An Open University criminology student used her mobile phone as a weapon to split open the head of a hero McDonalds worker during a vicious late night beating.

Rachel Lomax, 26, jumped on Shaun Bannon and repeatedly battered him over the back of the head with the device as the victim bravely intervened after violence flared when she was asked to leave.

During the 11.40pm assault Mr Bannon tried to restrain Lomax's boyfriend Tyler Ager only to feel 'banging' against the back of his head multiple times before blood gushed down his forehead.

He was left with a deep one-and-a-half inch cut to his head which required stapling.

When quizzed office administrator Lomax, from St Helens, Merseyside who is also studying law blamed her violent behaviour on 'unresolved' mental health issues.

At Warrington magistrates' court, she faced up to six months jail after she admitted assault by beating under sentencing guidelines but was given 12 weeks in prison, suspended for a year. She was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity days and pay Mr Bannon 350 in compensation.

Rachel Lomax, 26, pictured arriving at Warrington Magistrates' Court admitted assault by beating after she struck McDonald's worker Shaun Bannon across the head with her mobile phone

During the 11.40pm assault Mr Bannon tried to restrain Lomax's boyfriend Tyler Ager

Lomax, pictured with her boyfriend Tyler Ager, left. The 28-year-old from Bedford, Bedfordshire denies assaulting Mr Bannon. He will stand trial in June

The incident occurred on October 1 last year when Lomax and Ayger, 28, were at McDonald's restaurant in Widnes.

Nicola Parr, prosecuting said: 'Mr Bannon was working in the back kitchen when he heard an argument in the front between customers and management. He did not think much about it as it happens all the time around that time of night.

'But then he heard someone threatening someone with being stabbed, so he went through to the front saw two colleagues trying to negotiate with a male and a female to try and get them to leave the restaurant.

'One of these colleagues was attempting to escort the male out of the restaurant but saw that he was tensing his fist towards the colleague. He went over to try and assist him to try to calm the male down. As he has done so the male has suddenly tensed up his body and assaulted him.

'Whilst on the floor the victim felt banging against the back of his head multiple times. At the time he did not know who was hitting him or with what.. It was only afterwards that he found out it was the female before the court hitting him with her mobile phone.

The court heard Lomax, pictured right with her boyfriend Ager, left, had a previous conviction for racially aggravated assault from 2022

Her lawyer Ian Weights said his client was full of remorse and will face difficulties in using the law degree she is currently studying following her conviction

'He immediately felt blood running down his head but did not want to let go of the male and someone else grabbed the female from him.

'The victim sustained a significant injury which required two staples to the back of his head due to a cut one and a half inches in length. It was quite deep according to the paramedic.

Lomax had a previous conviction for racially aggravated assault from 2022 for which she received a community penalty. her lawyer Ian Weights, said in mitigation: 'She is genuinely sorry for what has happened and is perhaps not the kind of person you may have assumed she would be.

'She is working hard and is clearly clever. She as got a very good job working for a company with prospects of management. She is on a good salary and is undertaking a law degree. As you can see it is going to be difficult to utilise that degree with the convictions that she has now.'

He added: 'There had been an issue that day and it was started by the male involved in this incident. She intervened when her partner was being hurt. She had not quite appreciated that the victim was perfectly entitled to do what he was doing.

'She reacted emotionally and impulsively and is sorry for what happened. She deeply regrets that. 'Alcohol is not an enduring problem. Since this incident she has effectively stopped. 'She had unresolved mental health problems.'

'For someone in the process of acquiring a qualification in law it is quite a punishment knowing that it is going to be very difficult to do something with that degree because of this conviction.

Sentencing Lomas JP Keith Gleave told her: 'This offence was committed late at night. You were in drink. You used a weapon and it was an assault on a vulnerable person who at the time was on the floor. It was a sustained attack, causing the victim to require hospital treatment for a deep cut and blood loss. He was also a member of staff and he was just going about his business.'

Ayger, from Bedford, Bedfordshire will face trial for assault in June. He denies wrongdoing.
An anti-war exhibition that has been erected outside a historic cathedral has been slammed by city dwellers after saying it 'looks like a crime scene'.

Locals have been left unimpressed by the 'This is not a Minefield' display, which features a white sheet of decorated with red tape and images of a skull and bones, on the green outside Winchester Cathedral, in Hampshire.

The piece, made in collaboration with the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), was created by artist Ian Golding and is meant to make people question what it would be like to live somewhere impacted by war.

Mr Golding said he hopes the piece will 'ask questions about the impact of the industrial military complex upon our world' and 'provoke a response' from people.

However, the public reaction is probably not quite what the artist envisioned, with some mistaking it for a crime scene, while others joked it would be better off shown at the council tip.

An anti-war exhibition that has been erected outside Winchester Cathedral. It has been slammed by city dwellers after saying it 'looks like a crime scene'

The 'This is not a Minefield' display features a white sheet of decorated with red tape and images of a skull and bones

The piece (circled red) was created by artist Ian Golding and is on show on the green outside the cathedral of Winchester, Hampshire

Mr Golding said: 'As an artist I am interested in using my practice to ask questions about the world we have created, whether about climate change, political instability, the precarity of resources or the impact of warfare on humanity.

'Prompted by an interest in my adopted son's homeland, I started to research the impact that we in the West have had upon Afghanistan.

'Two salutary facts struck me immediately - since 1989, about 56,923 Afghan civilians have been recorded to have been killed or injured by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) averaging to around 110 people per month.

'In 2021, more than 79 percent of the ERW casualties were children.'

The artwork is coupled with a placard on a noticeboard including a poem by writer Brian Draper and the testimony of Soran Kareem, a 37 year old farmer who found himself close to death when becoming trapped inside a minefield.

He continued: 'In September I embarked upon a collaboration with the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), effectively operating as an artist in residence.

'I have been exploring all aspects of their work, researching archive material, talking to experts in the field and visiting a humanitarian de-mining operation in Bosnia.

'My intention is to use art to ask questions about the impact of the industrial military complex upon our world.

'I believe that art can be a force for good, challenging our preconceptions and provoking a response.'

The 'This is not a Minefield' display, which has left locals in Winchester unimpressed

People have called the display 'awful' and 'an insult to art', while others joked it would be better off shown at the council tip.

The display (circled red) is on display on the green outside the cathedral of Winchester until April 25 this year

However, locals are not impressed with the display and have called it 'awful' and 'an insult to art'.

Kevin Elkins said: 'For a moment, I thought it was a crime scene', whilst another resident added: 'I mean.. it is low effort, borderline no effort.'

One anonymous admirer commented: 'This is not an artwork' more like. I really don't know how these talentless individuals get away with it.'

Lyn Brockway branded it: 'An insult to art', while Alan Price said: 'Not a bad place to show it the council tip would be better.'

Others were more complimentary with former primary school teacher Nicci Roberts describing it as 'Mesmerising'.
Other academics said his categorization of the cannibalism was 'very offensive'

Outraged Papua New Guinea academics have slammed President Joe Biden for his 'unacceptable' suggestion that his uncle was eaten by cannibals in the country after his plane was shot down during World War II.

Biden implied on two occasions Wednesday that his maternal uncle 2nd Lieutenant Ambrose J. Finnegan had met a grisly end at the hands of cannibals after his plane was shot down by the enemy over New Guinea in 1944.

But the White House and official defense records confirmed that Finnegan died when the military plane he was in experienced engine failure and crashed into the Pacific Ocean, not over land.

Historically, cannibalism has been reported Papua New Guinea, the Pacific nation that occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, but local academics say Biden's categorization of the act is 'very offensive'.

Michael Kabuni, a political science lecturer at the University of Papua New Guinea, told The Guardian cannibalism was previously practiced by some communities in very specific contexts and that locals 'wouldn't just eat any white men that fell from the sky'.

Other analysts branded Biden's claims as 'unsubstantiated and poorly judged', especially during a time in which the US has been trying to strengthen its ties with Papua New Guinea.

Outraged academics have slammed President Joe Biden (pictured on right at a war memorial in Pennsylvania on Wednesday) for his 'unacceptable' suggestion that his maternal uncle 2nd Lieutenant Ambrose J. Finnegan (left) was eaten by cannibals in Papua New Guinea after his plane was shot down during World War II

Local people watching wounded U,S. and Australian soldiers being placed on a row of stretchers. Papua New Guinea, December 1942

Kabuni argued that the Melanesian people, which includes the those from Papua New Guinea, are 'very proud' and would be offended by Biden's generalization of cannibalism.

He explained how cannibalism was not practiced due to a lack of food, but instead as a sign of respect in very specific contexts - such as eating a deceased relative's body to prevent it from decomposing.

'But taking it out of context, and implying that your [uncle] jumps out of the plane and somehow we think it's a good meal is unacceptable,' he added.

Economics lecturer Maholopa Laveil echoed Kabuni's analysis, claiming that Biden's commentary 'paints PNG in a bad light'.

'PNG has already had a lot of negative press around riots and tribal fighting and this doesn't help, and [the claims are] unsubstantiated,' Laveil told the newspaper.

'For a US president to say that - particularly after a lot of with PNG and the work they've been doing in the Pacific - even off the cuff, I don't think that should have been said at all.'

Allan Bird, governor of Papua New Guinea's province of East Sepik, however said he was not offended and instead said he found the comments to be 'hilarious' and was 'lost for words actually'.

He suggested that Biden probably heard his parents claim Finnegan was eaten by cannibals as a child and that the family legend 'probably stuck with him all his life'.

Local academics say Biden's categorization of the act is 'very offensive'. Historically, cannibalism has been reported Papua New Guinea but analysts say it was practiced in very specific contexts and that locals 'wouldn't just eat any white men that fell from the sky'. Joe Biden is pictured outside the Oval Office on Thursday

President Joe Biden reaches to touch the name of his uncle Ambrose J. Finnegan, Jr., on a wall at a Scranton war memorial, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Scranton, Pa. His uncle died in WWII

President Joe Biden reaches to touch the name of his uncle Ambrose J. Finnegan, Jr., on a wall at a Scranton war memorial on Wednesday in Scranton

Biden first made the suggestion that his uncle may have been eaten by cannibals after he paid tribute to him during a visit to the war memorial in his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania on Wednesday.

The 81-year-old president, who was aged one when his uncle died in 1944, reached out to touch Finnegan's name which was engraved on the monument.

'He got shot down in New Guinea, and they never found the body because there used to be a lot of cannibals, for real, in that part of New Guinea,' Biden later told an audience of steel workers in Pittsburgh.

Biden also repeated the story to reporters, adding that 'he got shot down in an area where there were a lot of cannibals in New Guinea' and that the US government had recovered parts of the downed plane.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre later confirmed that Finnegan 'lost his life when the military aircraft he was on crashed in the Pacific after taking off near New Guinea'.

The official Defense POW/MIA Accounting agency said Finnegan's plane was headed to New Guinea on a courier flight and was 'forced to ditch in the ocean' off the island's coast 'for unknown reasons.'

The aircraft hit the water hard and three crew members failed to emerge from the sinking wreck, while one survived and was rescued by a passing barge, it said on its website.

There are no images of Joe Biden's uncle's plane crashing. This photograph shows a Douglas A-20 Havoc medium bomber attack aircraft being shot down by anti-aircraft fire during an attack on the Imperial Japanese seaplane base and harbor installations at Sekar Bay on 22nd July 1944 at Kokas in Dutch New Guinea, Dutch East Indies.

Missing Air Crew Report number 48472D LT AMBROSE J. FINNEGAN

Missing Air Crew Report number 48472D LT AMBROSE J. FINNEGAN

Missing Air Crew Report number 48472D LT AMBROSE J. FINNEGAN

'An aerial search the next day found no trace of the missing aircraft or the lost crew members,' it said.

But despite the inaccuracy of his remark, Jean-Pierre defended Biden, saying it had been 'incredibly emotional and important' to the president to be able to honor his uncle at the memorial.

Biden 'highlighted his uncle's story' to show support for veterans and draw a contrast with election rival Donald Trump, who reportedly disparaged military members killed in war as 'losers' and 'suckers' while president, she said Thursday.

The issue is personal to Biden, whose elder son Beau was a veteran of the Iraq war and whose death from brain cancer the president attributes to military 'burn pits' used to incinerate waste.
The meeting came hours after Israel appeared to strike an Iranian air base

Foreign ministers from the G7 countries today hit out at rivals Russia, China and Iran in a series of bold statements amid a meeting of Western-aligned allies in Italy.

The meeting came hours after Israel appeared to strike a major air base and a nuclear site near the Iranian city of Isfahan - a response to Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country last weekend.

The G7 pledged support for Israel's security and condemned 'in the strongest terms' what the foreign ministers described as Iran's 'unprecedented attack against Israel of April 13-14', announcing it is ready to adopt more sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Rounding on Beijing, the ministers declared 'strong concern' that Chinese businesses were transferring dual-use materials and weapons components to Russia.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China of 'fuelling' the Ukraine war by helping Moscow's 'most ambitious defence expansion since the Soviet era', according to Washington.

And finally, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Western governments are reviewing the possibility of using Russian assets frozen in Europe to replenish Ukraine's war chest as Vladimir Putin's forces continue to make gains in the Donbas.

The West has locked down around 260 billion worth of assets, with European countries now examining whether they could legally create a 'game-changing' slush fund of sorts to fuel Kyiv's war effort.

The G7 meeting in Capri was fiercely protested by pro-Palestinian activists who clashed with riot police outside the gates of the venue.

(L-R) Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani walks with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and British Secretary for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron during the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, in Capri, Italy, 19 April 2024

Foreign ministers from the G7 countries today hit out at rivals Russia , China and Iran in a series of bold statements amid a meeting of Western-aligned allies in Italy (L-R: Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin)

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China of 'fuelling' the Ukraine war by helping Moscow's 'most ambitious defence expansion since the Soviet era'

Pro-Palestinian activists clash with police, as they try to embark on a ferry to protest G7 meeting on Capri Island, at a port in Naples, Italy, April 19, 2024

Speaking on the Italian island of Capri, ministers from the US, UK, France, Germany, Canada, Japan and Italy warned of new sanctions against Iran for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.

Italian Foreign Minister Tajani, who chaired the meeting of ministers of industrialised countries, said the agenda of the three-day meeting was changed on Friday to address the latest developments after they received 'last minute' information from Israel about drone action in Iran.

Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near Isfahan after spotting drones early this morning, almost one week after Iran's 300-strong missile and drone attack on Israel.

Israel had vowed to respond to Iran's unprecedented weekend attack, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of fighting in Gaza.

Allies have urged Israel to hold back on any response to the attack that could spiral, but Tajani said the G7 was willing to ramp up its sanctions regime against Iran in an attempt to deter further conflict.

'The political objective is de-escalation,' Tajani said in a closing news conference.

Blinken also emphasised that the US was not involved in any attack on Iran and was committed to working for a 'de-escalation' in the region.

'I'm not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations,' Blinken said.

Asked to describe the current US-Israeli relationship, Blinken noted that Israel makes its own decisions and the United States is committed to its security.

'Israel makes its decisions, but we have a commitment to defending it,' Blinken said.

Iran has long been one of the most sanctioned countries, particularly by the United States, with Washington launching a punishing regime of economic restrictions against Tehran following the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

No such threats were issued against Beijing, though the G7 ministers voiced suspicions that China has helped the Kremlin's war effort in Ukraine by supplying it with dual-use technologies that could be implemented in a military capacity.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged European counterparts to increase pressure on Beijing, which he accused of 'fuelling' the Ukraine war by aiding Russia.

'We express our strong concern about transfers to Russia from businesses in the People's Republic of China of dual-use materials and weapons components that Russia is using to advance its military production,' the ministers said in a final statement after talks on Capri.

'China should ensure that this support stops, as it will only prolong this conflict and increase the threat that Russia poses to its neighbours.'

Washington has set a red line for Beijing - not to supply weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine - but is yet to present proof that this has actually happened.

The same meeting that saw the ministers condemn Chinese support for Russia also saw the consideration of using frozen Russian assets to fuel Ukraine's war chest as Kyiv's troops continue to repel the invasion.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani (C) walks with British Secretary for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Cameron (L) during the G7 foreign ministers' meeting, in Capri, Italy, 19 April 2024

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said G7 countries were prepared to levy more sanctions against Iran in an attempt to deter further conflict with Israel

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken walks on the third day of the G7 foreign ministers meeting on Capri island, Italy, April 19, 2024

Ukrainian soldiers at the artillery position in an unidentified area on the Adiivka frontline

Ukrainian soldiers practice trench operations as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on March 24, 2024

Ukrainian servicemen prepare themselves to return to the Semenivka battlefield nearby Avdiivka

'As requested by Leaders, we will continue our work and update ahead of the (G7) Apulia Summit (in June) on all possible avenues and feasible options by which immobilised Russian sovereign assets could be made use of to support Ukraine,' the ministers said in a statement.

Europe and the US are currently holding some 260 billion in Russian central bank assets as part of its economic sanctions package in retaliation for Moscow's war against Ukraine.

It is estimated that the interest alone on such assets would total roughly 2.5 billion each year - money some EU chiefs say should be used to help arm Ukraine, or reimburse countries sending weapons shipments directly to Kyiv.

But some member states are hesitant over concerns about the legality of such a move.

'It's important we try and get agreement... That's what we're discussing here. I'm in no doubt we will find a way, but we're going to have to be creative. We'll have to be flexible,' British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has said.

Under current plans, for which European lawmakers are examining legal precedents, around 90% of the interest from frozen assets would be put into a special fund that many EU countries already use to get reimbursed for arms and ammunition they send.

The other 10% would be put into the EU budget to help bolster Ukraine's defence industry.

Some commentators have called for Western governments to go beyond using the interest generated by the frozen assets and seize the assets themselves.

Bill Browder, the CEO and co-founder of Hermitage Capital Management, told Radio 4 earlier this week that this approach 'could be the difference between defeat and victory' as Ukraine looks to turn the tide.

'If Ukraine gets this money it means they can arm themselves properly; they can pay for the weapons they need to defend themselves and fight off the Russians. And as we're all watching right now, they've run out of money... and they're now starting to lose.'

With more than $60 billion in US aid held up by internal politics, Mr Browder suggested Western nations draw upon the 260 billion in frozen Russian assets to 'completely change the landscape' in eastern Ukraine.

'If all the major countries do it together... then there's no adverse consequences for anybody because these are all the reserve currencies in the world,' he reasoned.

But the European Central Bank (ECB) has warned in the past against seizing Russian assets as this could undermine confidence in the euro currency and EU markets.
An investigation into the party's funding and finances has been ongoing since July 2021.

May 2021 - MP quits party finance role

Douglas Chapman resigned from his role as treasurer, saying he had not been given enough information to do his job. Senior figures in the party, including Ms Sturgeon, later disputed his assessment. Joanna Cherry, a vocal, internal critic of the party's leadership, also resigned from her role on the National Executive Committee (NEC).

July 2021 - Police open investigation

Police Scotland confirmed they were investigating after seven complaints were made around donations to the SNP. This followed allegations that 600,000 raised for campaigning towards Scottish independence was diverted elsewhere. Earlier, the police said they were assessing a fraud allegation relating to 600,000 of funds 'to determine if an investigation is required'. The party said 'all sums raised for independence campaigning will be spent on independence campaigning'.

August 2021 - Party accounts acknowledge 'concern'

As the party's annual accounts were published, treasurer Mr Beattie acknowledged there had been 'concern' about transparency over independence-related appeals that had raised more than 600,000. In a section of the accounts, Mr Beattie discussed money raised by the referendum-related appeals since 2017. He said that 666,953 had been raised up to the end of 2021, with a total of 51,760 expenditure applied to this income. The money was 'earmarked' through internal processes, he said, though the accounts did not officially record a separate sum.

December 2022 - Loan to SNP emerges

In December, it emerged that Mr Murrell had loaned the party 100,000 in June 2021. The party said this was to help with a 'cash flow' issue after the election that year. Ms Sturgeon said: 'The resources that he lent the party were resources that belonged to him.'

February 2023 - Nicola Sturgeon resigns

Ms Sturgeon stunned the political world by suddenly announcing her resignation on February 15. She said this was not in relation to short-term pressures but because she knew in her 'head and heart' that the time was right to go. During her Bute House press conference, she was asked if she expected to be interviewed in relation to the investigation. She said she did not.

March 2023 - Peter Murrell resigns

Amid the SNP leadership contest to replace Ms Sturgeon, Mr Murrell announced he was stepping down as the party's chief executive - a role he had held for more than 20 years. It came during a row over the party's membership numbers, which also led to media chief Murray Foote stepping down. Membership numbers had dropped by about 30,000 in the past year, something the party previously denied.

April 2023 - Peter Murrell arrested as police search premises

Mr Murrell was arrested on the morning of Wednesday April 5. There was a large police presence around his home in Glasgow as well as the SNP's headquarters in Edinburgh. He was released without charge, pending further investigation, the same day.

April 2023 - Camper van seized

On April 9, a luxury camper van, thought to be worth about 110,000, was seized by police investigating the party's finances.

April 2023 - Treasurer Colin Beattie arrested

On April 18, party treasurer Mr Beattie was arrested and interviewed by police. His role was to oversee the party's finances.

April 2023 - SNP appoints new treasurer

Stuart McDonald was appointed as the SNP's new treasurer on April 22 after Mr Beattie stood down with 'immediate effect' following his arrest. The 44-year-old MP, who represents Cumbernauld, Kirkintilloch and Kilsyth, admitted it would be a 'difficult and challenging time' for the party.

May 2023 - SNP appoints new auditor

The party appointed the AMS Accountant Group on May 3 2023, after its previous auditor, Johnston Carmichael, stood down in September 2022. The party was subsequently able to file accounts before a crucial deadline which could have seen the Westminster group miss out on 1.2 million worth of funding.

June 2023 - Nicola Sturgeon arrested

Former first minister and SNP leader Ms Sturgeon was arrested on June 11. She 'voluntarily' arranged with Police Scotland to be questioned as part of the investigation into the party's finances, a spokesman said. Like the other party figures, she was released without charge pending further investigation. Upon returning to Holyrood, she said: 'The thing that sustains me right now is the certainty that I have done nothing wrong.'

July 2023 - Sir Iain Livingstone says probe has 'moved beyond' initial reports

Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone gave an interview shortly before he was to step down from his role. He confirmed the police investigation, known as Operation Branchform, had 'moved beyond what some of the initial reports were', saying this is not uncommon in financial inquiries. Sir Iain said he would not put an 'absolute timeframe' on the length of the investigation but that it would be 'proportionate and timeous'.

August 2023 - Further comments from Sir Iain Livingstone

The outgoing chief constable spoke to the BBC in August 2023, saying police are 'duty bound' to investigate matters reported to them. He said: 'Our action and our investigation is in the interests of everybody involved because it will clarify facts and deal with evidence and facts as opposed to rumour and innuendo. So the sooner this investigation is concluded, the better for everyone involved.'

October 2023 - Finances probe a factor in by-election loss

Following the SNP's defeat in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, Humza Yousaf said the investigation into the party's finances - along with the 'reckless' actions of recalled MP Margaret Ferrier - played a part in the result. He said the party would 'regroup' and come back stronger.

January 2024 - Investigation has affected how public views party: Yousaf

Speaking to a BBC Radio 4 podcast, Mr Yousaf said the police investigation into SNP finances has 'clearly' affected the public perception of the party. He said the inquiry has been 'one of the most difficult times' for the SNP and that he must work hard to rebuild trust.

April 2024 - Peter Murrell re-arrested and charged

On the morning of April 18 2024, Mr Murrell was re-arrested by police and questioned by detectives. This took place just over a year since the police search of his home near Glasgow.

He was questioned and later charged by Police Scotland detectives over embezzlement of funds from the SNP. He was released from custody.

Mr Murrell is reported to have resigned his membership of the SNP following the charge.
A British mother died after 'complications' during a 2,000 weight loss operation in Turkey, an inquest heard.

Leanne Michelle Leary had a heart attack on the operating table due to undiagnosed deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the hearing was told.

The 38-year-old was resuscitated and rushed to intensive care, but suffered a second fatal cardiac arrest the following afternoon on July 2 last year.

Rochdale Coroners' Court heard Ms Leary, a mother-of-three, had fallen on the stairs at work and then complained of leg pains after travelling to Istanbul to watch Manchester City beat Internazionale in the Champions League final the month before her death.

On her return to the UK she underwent tests for DVT, but they were inconclusive, the inquest heard. The compliance manager told her friends she had a 'small blood clot' which didn't require treatment.

Leanne Leary died of a heart attack while having a weight loss operation in Turkey as a result of ndiagnosed deep vein thrombosis, an inquest heard

Ms Leary left for the 2,000 operation in Turkey without informing either her parents or her GP

The inquest heard Ms Leary, who had asthma and pneumonia, had originally booked the gastric sleeve surgery in April to take place in October, but brought it forward to July while she was off work sick.

She didn't inform her parents of her plans to undergo the 2,000 operation for fear they would try to talk her out of it, nor did she discuss it with her GP.

Ms Leary's final text messages to her father, Paul Dermody, as she was about to go into surgery on the morning of July 1, were read out in court.

The mother-of-three, who had a BMI of 47, wrote: 'I didn't want people to try put me off. I need this for me and my health.'

Mr Dermody told the court: 'I said I fully support what you are doing, but I want to know where you are every step of the way before and after surgery.'

Ms Leary's mother, Kathleen Scott, said: 'I would have 100 per cent talked her out of it. You have to think of the kids. But she felt like there was nothing to worry about because she so desperately needed and wanted this operation.'

When Ms Leary hadn't responded to a number of texts her family began to worry. and a friend who spoke Turkish contacted the hospital outside Istanbul and was told she had suffered a heart attack during surgery.

Rochdale Coroner's Court heard that Ms Leary had died of a pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis

Her parents caught the first flight to Istanbul, where they were met by an interpreter. On arrival at the hospital they were informed that Ms Leary had died.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis. Pathologist Dr Sami Titi said it was likely the DVT was present before Ms Leary left the UK.

Mr Dermody said he had concerns about the speed with which the operation had been arranged and the risks of people travelling abroad to undergo surgery. He also said it appeared the hospital hadn't taken any next of kin details in case of an emergency.

Coroner Catherine McKenna recorded a conclusion that Ms Leary had died of 'recognised complications of an elective surgical procedure combined with underlying medical conditions'.

Ms McKenna said: 'This case underlines the importance of transparency when it comes to surgical procedures. It is imperative to anyone considering a procedure that, irrespective of how straightforward it may seem, all surgery carries risk.

'It's so important to discuss any surgery with one's GP and that that surgeons carrying out the procedure are aware of one's medical history.'
The chilling remarks of two teens accused of stabbing a boy to death in a Wyoming mall days before the killing have been heard in court.

Jarreth (JJ) Plunkett and Dominique Harris, both 15, being tried as adults for the murder of Robert 'Bobby' Maher, 14.

The two are accused of fatally knifing Maher to death on April 7 while he was trying to protect his girlfriend, who was being followed by the pair.

Now it has emerged that just two days before the killing, one of the suspects stated he wanted to 'gut' Maher, according to police.

Casper Police Detective Tiffany Elhart testified before a preliminary hearing that Harris told officers Plunkett had said he wanted to 'gut that dude', Cowboy State Daily reports.

Robert Maher, 14, (who went by Bobby) was stabbed to death at a Wyoming mall on April 7

Jarreth (JJ) Plunkett and Dominique Harris, both 15, are accused of fatally stabbing the teen (pictured) while he was trying to protect his girlfriend

Casper Police Detective Tiffany Elhart testified before a preliminary hearing that Harris told officers Plunkett had said he wanted to 'gut that dude' before the stabbing at Eastridge Mall

Elhart added that the defendants also asked Maher's best friend if he wanted to get involved in a 'blood debt' during a separate conversation.

The haunting comments formed part of the evidence presented by prosecutors who successfully argued the accused killers should be tried as adults.

Elhart told the court that Maher had first been placed on the accused's radar during spring break after he asked them if they were 'freaks' after spotting them enter a portal potty together.

Other evidence included disturbing video of the stabbing at the Eastridge Mall which showed Maher being knifed twice in the stomach with a stolen blade.

Elhart said that surveillance video from a nearby Target showed Plunkett and Harris stealing two 3 1/2-inch kitchen knives on the day of the attack.

Interviews with them and Maher's girlfriend revealed that after they spotted her at the mall they began following her and asking if Maher would appear, according to Elhart.

Maher's girlfriend Haley Bressler then called him and asked him to come to the mall, Elhart said, adding that when he arrived another teen told Harris and Plunkett he didn't think a fight would be fair.

Harris told investigators that Plunkett, 'took the knife out of his pocket and held it to his chest and told him he was going to shank him,' Elhart testified.

According to police interviews, there had been a previous incident at a park in Evansville between Maher and the suspects, who claimed he called them 'freaks' after he saw them go into a portal potty together

Maher's friend told police that Dom slammed Maher to the ground before JJ walked up and stabbed him right outside the mall

Robert 'Bobby' Maher's father Robert Maher Sr. told DailyMail.com, 'It is a nightmare we can't get out of our heads  it's playing over and over again'

While video of the brutal attack was submitted as evidence, it has not yet been released.

Cowboy State Daily reports that the footage shows Plunkett pushing Maher then hitting him in the face before Harris body slams the victim to the ground.

As he holds him down, Plunkett then swoops in and jabs his body twice with a knife before both defendants retreat.

Plunkett is facing a first-degree murder charged and he and Harris are being charged as adults with felonious conspiracy to commit murder, felonious aggravated assault and battery and a misdemeanor theft

Plunkett faces a potential life sentence or even the death penalty if convicted on the murder charge.

Police responded to the scene after receiving a call about an unconscious boy outside the Hibachi Supreme Buffet in the mall.

An affidavit says Maher was stabbed twice during 'an altercation that just occurred.'

Witnesses told police the alleged assailants, who they said were called JJ and Dom, were wearing hooded balaclava-style masks.

Bobby's heartbroken girlfriend Hailey described him as 'the bravest boy' at a vigil for the slain 14-year-old

Maher is pictured with a female friend in a tribute shared on Facebook after his death. It's unclear if she is one of the girls he was protecting when he died

Flowers are left at memorials for Robert Dean Maher in Casper, Wyoming

In a police interview, Plunkett reportedly said Maher told him to 'put the knife away, this isn't fair.'

Plunkett claimed that Jarreth replied: 'I don't fight fair.'

Bobby's father told DailyMail.com that he arrived at the hospital to see medics battling in vain to save his son.

'I broke down, I was inconsolable for a while. As Bobby's body was laying on the gurney, I told him how much I loved him, I begged him to please come back.'

He added that the family are struggling to adjust to life without him.

'Mornings are the worst,' he said. 'When I wake up every morning it's a nightmare that is a reality.

'It takes me hours in the morning to be even able to talk. His mother and siblings are devastated we can barely function. Never would I wish this on anyone.'
USC's valedictorian who was banned from making a graduation speech over her pro-Palestine views has refused to say if she would abolish Israel and revealed her speech would a 'unifying voice' for all students.

Asna Tabassum, from Chino Hills, California, had been selected as this year's top performer at the University of Southern California.

Pro-Israel groups slammed her selection after it emerged the 21-year-old had made posts questioning the Israel-Hamas conflict, with links that promoted anti-Semitism.

The college removed Tabassum, who is a Muslim, from their lineup stating that 'tradition must give way to safety'.

Speaking to ABC News, Tabassum refused to say if she would abolish the state of Israel, but that she wants to get rid of apartheid.

She told the outlet: 'When it comes to abolishing the state of Israel I do want to point out the very next sentence that talks about the peaceful coexistence of Arabs and Jews.

'I'm committed to human equality and human rights, I encourage people to look at it in its entirety.'

Speaking to ABC News , Tabassum refused to say if she would abolish the state of Israel, but that she wants to get rid of apartheid

Tabassum continued: 'It's discussing the one state and two state solutions and the history of the region. I think that there is important information for people to understand on their own.

'When it comes to abolishing the state of Israel, I will say I want to abolish apartheid. I'm not committing to a one state or two state solution.

'My endorsing of any one single perspective is unfounded. I expressed my views online and the hatred that was levelled at me was part of the reason USC caved in.

'I wanted my speech to be in the genre of a valedictory speech, I wanted to impart a message of hope. I also wanted to impart a message of responsibility.

'I wanted to encourage my peers to learn about the world and come to their own conclusions and then act to change the world.

'Taking in my role as valedictorian, I wanted to be a unifying voice for all students and that was preemptively taken away from me.'

When asked about the response of the university, she added: 'Nothing specific was offered to me, no specific details regarding security threats or safety concerns were offered to me.

Following the outrage, the university hinted this week that they would be canceling single-person valedictorian speeches in the future.

Tabassum has been barred from speaking at the commencement ceremony due to alleged anti-Semitic social media posts

Tabassum's pro-Palestinian stance and links promoting the abolition of Israel led to sites with prose, seen above

Tabassum has shared pro-Palestinian views and 'likes' expressed through her Instagram account which she has since made private and removed her postings

A link from Asna Tabassum leads to a website containing various antisemitic sentiments

She had also previously told ABC7: 'I stand by exactly what I stand by. I don't believe it is ironic for me to minor in something called resistance to genocide, and then speak out on it and then be revoked because I'm penalized for something that people have an issue with.'

Following the outrage, the university hinted this week that they would be canceling single-person valedictorian speeches in the future.

Tabassum also said that she wasn't buying the safety claim made by the university officials after they offered her no specifics.

When she pressed officials at the school further, she said: '[It was] almost a one-way conversation - and then the next day they came to me.

'They gave me a call and said 'it's unfortunate, but you don't get to speak'. It has been a roller coaster, and I would say that's the best way to describe it.'

Tabassum, who is majoring biomedical engineering with a minoring in resistance to genocide, would have addressed 65,000 people at the ceremony.

USC officials chose her from nearly 100 student applicants who had GPAs of 3.98 or higher.

In letters sent to administrators, critics accused her of posting a link to a website that 'takes a swinging bat at over 10% of the USC student body and mudslings by calling Zionists 'racist-settlers.'

Tabassum is majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in resistance to genocide would have been planning to address 65,000 people at the ceremony

Tabassum has shared pro-Palestinian views and 'likes' expressed through her Instagram account which she has since made private and removed her postings.

Tabassum's current Instagram bio links to a landing page that says 'learn about what's happening in Palestine, and how to help.'

'Ms. Tabassum unabashedly and openly endorses the link's calls for 'the complete abolishment of the state of israel (sic),' according to a letter circulated for critics to submit to administrators.

'As if the unqualified command for abolition of the State of Israel was unclear in any way, Ms. Tabassum's link reinforces racism with another link, urging readers to 'reject the hegemonic efforts to demand that Palestinians accept that Israel has a right to exist as a . . . Jewish state.'

Earlier this week hundreds of students flooded the campus to protest the cancelation of the speech.

During Thursday's march, students held signs with photos of Tabassum reading 'let Asna speak'.

The march through campus followed a series of calls for her speech to be re-instated.

A letter from 130 faculty members said canceling her speech 'stifles open communication' while dozens of student groups signed a separate letter saying they were 'outraged and ashamed' by the decision.

While Tabassum herself suggested she was was being silenced and that her university had 'abandoned her'.

She wrote in a statement: 'Anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all.

'I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice,' she went on.

A man holds a placard as University of Southern California (USC) students protest in support of valedictorian Asna Tabassum

During Thursday's march, students held signs with photos of Tabassum reading 'let Asna speak'

Demonstrators protest over the cancellation of a speech by the school's valedictorian on Thursday

Provost of USC Andrew Guzman attends cited Tabassum's removal as being down to 'security concerns'

Provost Guzman, in a message to campus also said the uproar over the choice of valedictorian had taken on 'an alarming tenor.'

The university told the LA Times how threats had been made over email, letters and through phone calls to the campus.

Guzman wrote: 'The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement.

'We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses.

'As always, and particularly when tensions are running so high across the world, we must prioritize the safety of our community.

'And as we do every year, we have been monitoring our commencement security needs based on all the information we have and the facts on the ground.

'We are resolute in our commitment to maintain and prioritize the existing safety and well-being of our USC community during the coming weeks, and allowing those attending commencement to focus on the celebration our graduates deserve.'
This is the astonishing moment two Tenerife cabbies became locked in a brawl in Veronicas as shocked British tourists could only look on - while the island tries to move away from attracting 'low class' UK holidaymakers.

Video showed the clash unfold at one of the taxi ranks on Avenida Rafael Puig Llivina, where many of the island's nightclubs are based, on Monday night.

Groups of tourists and several taxi drivers were witness to the fight, some stepping in to try to prevent escalation.

The video circulated online, commenters warning such altercations could put off holidaymakers from visiting the Spanish archipelago ahead of the key tourist season, per El Dia.

It comes as activists from the islands prepare to mount a large demonstration on Saturday over the perceived impact of overtourism, raising concerns about the lack of housing available to residents.

Locals have also shared frustrations about the islands catering too much to British and German tourists who 'just want to drink cheap beer, lay in the sun and eat burgers and chips', calling for 'higher quality tourists who actually want to experience our culture and food and respect our nature'.

Video showed two taxi drivers in a scuffle by a taxi rank in Veronicas, Tenerife

Bystanders had to step in to prevent the brawl getting out of hand, local media reports

A message scrawled on a bollard in the south of Tenerife

My misery, your paradise: activists urge action on the housing crisis in Tenerife

Others raise concerns about the kind of tourists welcomed. Guiris is pejorative slang for tourists

Residents across Las Canarias continue to raise concerns about the extent and nature of tourists arriving each year, highlighting issues finding housing as landlords push up prices in the holiday season to meet demand from visitors.

A major demonstration is planned now in Arrecife, Lanzarote for tomorrow, April 20, with flyers asserting that protestors will be marching for 'conservation of natural spaces, a tourist moratorium, and tougher regulation for foreigners buying property.'

Residents have also demanded 'higher quality' tourists, venting frustrations that tourism from northern Europe has perverted how the government invests, with the islands increasingly catering to holidaymakers at the expense of locals.

Local painter Vicky Colomer, 63, told MailOnline: 'I feel like a foreigner here, I don't feel comfortable anymore.

'It's like everything is made for British and German tourists who just want to drink cheap beer, lay in the sun and eat burgers and chips.

'We need higher quality tourists who actually want to experience our culture and food and respect our nature.

'This was a paradise but now it's not and it makes me angry. We must reduce the number of flights and visitors and focus on bringing higher quality people.'

Posters and graffiti have begun popping up across the islands, with frustrated locals telling tourists to 'go home'.

One poster read: 'Locals are forced to move out and you are responsible for that.'

Another showed a picture of a row of flats, captioned: 'It could be my home but it's your Airbnb. Digital nomads: You are not welcome here.'

Since then, tourists have hit back. Graffiti scrawled on a wall in English read: 'We pay your [wages].'

Officials have distanced themselves from the complaints amid fears the rising resentment towards holidaymakers could put off international visitors.

Speaking to The Telegraph, tourism minister Jessica de Leon insisted that in spite of reports of booking cancellations and fears of holiday disruptions, 'it is still safe to visit the Canary Islands, and we are delighted to welcome you'.

While she said she understood the complaints over housing, she stressed it was 'unfair' to blame tourists.

'The problem is that the last five years have seen an average of 3,000 homes built on the islands, when demand is for 20,000,' she said.

'Last year just 200 public housing units were built.'

The President of the Canary Islands has also made an appeal for 'common sense' from those who protest against tourism and admitted he was concerned about the growing anti-tourism movement and its potential impact on revenue for the region.

Almost twenty associations have called for a protest on April 20th in Gran Canaria against the overcrowding of the island, on the same day as the one in Tenerife. It is being organised under the same motto 'The Canary Islands have a limit' (Placard reads: Canarias not for sale)

Graffiti in the south of Tenerife highlights the low monthly salary for workers in the popular tourist hotspot of the Canary Islands

An anti-tourist message is scrawled on the side of a bollard on the island

Fernando Clavijo said: 'We are worried because tourism is our main source of income and I think that whoever comes here to enjoy, to spend a few days and to leave their money in the Canary Islands, shouldn't be rebuked or face insults.

'We can talk and analyse things to try to improve them but what we can't do is attack our principal source of income and wealth because it would be totally irresponsible - what we need here is common sense and tranquility.

'Never should there be attacks on an economic activity that puts food on the plate of most people living in the Canary Islands.'

The Canary Islands is largely reliant on tourism, welcoming around 12.3mn visitors each year.

The direct and indirect contribution of tourism to the archipelago stands at around 35 per cent.
Investigators have finally established the identity of a woman whose remains were found discarded at the side of a rural Texas interstate nearly 40 years ago, but her cause of death remains a mystery.

Officials in Smith Country, Texas, close to the city of Tyler, announced this week that the remains belonged to Sindy Gina Crow, a wife and mother-of-one, who was 27 at the time of her death.

Crow's bones were found by a Texas Department of Transportation crew around 75 feet from the road on October 1, 1985. Her remains were thought to have been there for around 14 months.

The remains were sent to the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences in Dallas who were able to establish the age of the victim and that she was either white or Hispanic.

Close to her remains, police found a butterfly earring, a watch and a t-shirt from the Top Rail County Music, a now-defunct Dallas honkytonk bar. Crow's last known residence was in Arlington, Texas, a suburb of the city.

A detective who worked on the case said that Crow's father said she regularly hitch-hiked and that he 'felt like Ted Bundy got her,' reports Fox Dallas-Fort Worth.

Officials in Smith County, Texas, close to the city of Tyler, announced this week that the remains belonged to Sindy Gina Crow, a wife and mother-of-one, who was 27 at the time of her death

A forensic reconstruction of what investigators felt Crow would have looked like

In 2021, police investigators began to work with the California-based DNA Doe Project who partners with law enforcement to solve cases of unidentified persons and many cases are fully funded by donors.

The group made contact with Detective David Turner, who responded to the scene all the way back in 1985, to tell him about the lead.

'This case here was always kind of a challenge because she was never reported missing. Her family lived out of state, she wound up back here in Texas and she was just around everywhere,' he said this week.

The DNA Doe Project investigation found that Crow had been married to a man named Dwight P. Crow and that she had a child who was born in July 1984. Her husband has since died.

Her identity was confirmed through DNA swabs that investigators took from Crow's mother in Fort Worth, Texas, and daughter, who now lives in Fort Payne, Alabama.

The tests were conducted at the University of North Texas Health Science Center.

'Anytime we have anybody who has lost a life, we will not rest until we identify the body and if at all possible try to determine what caused the death, which will be the next part,' Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith said this week.

Smith added that although investigators are working to establish a cause of death, the passage of time, the fact that Crow's husband is dead and the age of her daughter at the time of the death will make it difficult to uncover the truth.

Crow was wearing a t-shirt advertising a Dallas honkytonk bar named Top Rail Country Music

Investigators digging at the scene after the gruesome discovery was made back in October 1985

Smith said that Crow was not close with her family and they did not know she married or had become a mother. It's not known what brought Crow to Tyler, some 120 miles from her last known home.

'It's very difficult to go any farther,' the sheriff said.

'When you dont have any organs, or anything left with the body you have nothing but skeletal remains it is very difficult. We feel that it is our obligation that she gets a proper burial,' he added.

'We would've never identified her unless we did this ancestry thing,' Detective Turner said.

Ive always said, before I pass through the gates, I want to identify her. So, it feels good, you know?,' the detective went on.

'Through this process, our team was able to build the family trees of matching DNA relatives... We know this is a bittersweet resolution, and our hearts go out to all who grieve her loss,' DNA Doe Project's team lead Rhonda Kevorkian said.
The battle for London Mayor looks to be narrowing with just two weeks until the election.

A poll has found Tory hopeful Susan Hall closing the gap on Sadiq Khan as the bitter campaign draws towards its conclusion.

However, although the YouGov research indicates the Labour incumbent's advantage has been cut by six points since February, he still enjoys a commanding lead.

Mr Khan, who is seeking a third term in City Hall, was on 46 per cent in the latest survey, with Ms Hall on 27 per cent.

The numbers underline the sense of gloom enveloping the Tories ahead of the local elections on May 2.

A YouGov poll has found Tory hopeful Susan Hall closing the gap on Sadiq Khan as the bitter campaign draws towards its conclusion

A poll has found Tory hopeful Susan Hall (left) closing the gap on Sadiq Khan (right) as the bitter campaign draws towards its conclusion

Rishi Sunak is braced for another attempt to oust him, with the party expected to lose a swathe of councillors.

West Midlands mayor Andy Street is facing a huge struggle to cling on, although a poll last night suggested he is still marginally ahead of his Labour rival.

There are fears of a major blow in Tees Valley, where Conservative Ben Houchen has been seen as a standard bearer for Levelling Up and the Boris Johnson's surge in the North East.

The YouGov poll in the Standard, conducted between April 9 and 17, highlights the divide between inner and outer London.

In the outer parts of the city, where the ULEZ expansion has been more controversial, Mr Khan was ahead by 46 per cent to 27 per cent back in February.

However, the gap is now just five points, with Ms Hall on 33 per cent to 38 per cent for the Labour candidate.

In contrast, Mr Khan has enhanced his lead in inner London, from 35 points two months ago to an enormous 50 points in the latest poll.
A Pennsylvania school board reportedly canceled an anti-bullying talk by 30 Rock actor Maulik Pancholy over his sexual orientation.

The Cumberland Valley School District school board on Monday unanimously voted to cancel the talk at Mountain View Middle School by Pancholy, who is openly gay, citing concerns about his 'lifestyle' and activism.

Pancholy, 48, who played Alec Baldwins assistant on NBC's 30 Rock, has written various children's books, including one about a gay Indian American boy forced to deal with bullying in a small town.

Some board members voiced concerns and others noted the districts policy about not hosting overtly political events, news outlets reported. The policy was enacted after the district was criticized for hosting a rally by Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign for president.

Pancholys appearance at the school in Cumberland County was scheduled by the schools leadership team, which each year selects an author to present a 'unique educational experience for students,' according to the district.

A Pennsylvania school board reportedly canceled an anti-bullying talk by 30 Rock actor Maulik Pancholy over his sexual orientation

The Cumberland Valley School District school board on Monday unanimously voted to cancel the talk by Pancholy, who is openly gay, citing concerns about his 'lifestyle' and activism

While discussing the appearance at Monday nights meeting, school board members said they did not know what Pancholys talk would be about, but one member said he didnt 'want to run the risk' of what it might entail.

'If you research this individual, he labels himself as an activist,' Bud Shaffner said, according to Pennlive. 'He is proud of his lifestyle, and I dont think that should be imposed upon our students, at any age.'

Board member Kelly Potteiger, who is also part of the right-wing Moms for Liberty group, said: 'Again, its not discriminating against his lifestyle, thats his choice, but its him speaking about it.

'He did say that thats not the topic, but thats what his books are about.'

The boards vote sparked criticism from several parents, students and community members who called the decision homophobic. Some have started online petitions urging that Pancholys appearance be reinstated.

In a statement posted on social media, Pancholy said that as a middle school student he never saw himself represented in stories, and that books featuring South Asian-American or LGBTQ+ characters 'didnt exist.' When he started writing his own novels years later, he was still hard-pressed to find those stories, he said.

'If you research this individual, he labels himself as an activist,' Bud Shaffner said. 'He is proud of his lifestyle, and I dont think that should be imposed upon our students, at any age'

Board member Kelly Potteiger, also part of the right-wing Moms for Liberty group, said: 'Again, its not discriminating against his lifestyle, thats his choice, but its him speaking about it'

'Its why I wrote my books in the first place,' Pancholy wrote. 'Because representation matters.'

Pancholy said his school visits are meant 'to let all young people know that theyre seen. To let them know that they matter.'

When he talks about his characters feeling 'different,' he said he is always surprised by how many children of various identities and backgrounds want to share how they feel different too.

'Thats the power of books. They build empathy,' Pancholy wrote. 'I wonder why a school board is so afraid of that?'
A bouncer at a West Hollywood nightclub was arrested nearly two weeks after he allegedly beat a celebrity hairstylist so viciously that he suffered severe head trauma.

Alberto Vasquez, 53, a noted hairstylist whose clientele includes several celebrities, was mercilessly attacked outside Heart Weho, a trendy nightclub in heart of the Rainbow District of West Hollywood, around 10:40pm on Friday, April 5.

Vasquez, who has worked for studios and catwalks in Paris and New York, was beaten until he was unconscious and then left for dead in a possible case of 'gay bashing'.

The stylist's family and friends fear that he was the victim of an unconscionable hate crime, targeted because of his race or his sexuality.

According to a statement released by the Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department, the altercation occurred after 'the victim attempted to enter' Heart Weho.

Alberto Vasquez, 53, was viciously attacked and then left for dead outside a nightclub in West Hollywood. The bouncer who allegedly attacked Vasquez was arrested nearly two weeks after the incident

The assault occurred outside Heart Weho, a trendy nightclub in heart of the Rainbow District of West Hollywood, around 10:40pm on Friday, April 5. It left Vasquez unconscious and in need pf emergency brain surgery; pictured: Vasquez in his hospital bed following the attack

The statement noted that the bouncer 'did not allow (Vasquez) entry due to the victim not having proper identification'.

It continued: 'Both the suspect and the victim engaged in a verbal and physical altercation, in which the suspect punched the victim once in the face'.

After Vasquez was struck, he 'fell to the ground and was transported to a nearby hospital'.

The bouncer was subsequently 'identified and arrested for battery causing great bodily injury'.

At Cedars Sinai Medical Center, where Vasquez was taken in the early hours of Saturday morning, he spent more than a week in the ICU and doctors were ultimately forced to remove part of his skull to relieve a swelling in his brain.

Although authorities have not yet revealed a motive, Vasquez's family insists that it was a hate crime.

Vasquez is a noted celebrity hairstylist. Here he's pictured with Emmy Award-winning actress Elisabeth Moss

Vasquez spent more than a week in the ICU and doctors were ultimately forced to remove part of his skull to relieve a swelling in his brain

'We feel it's gay bashing,' sister Gloria Jimenez (pictured) said, 'He did not get robbed'

'We feel it's gay bashing,' sister Gloria Jimenez said. 'He did not get robbed'.

'He's got injuries all over his body, his neck, we don't know if he'll ever be the same'.

'He's the type of guy who wouldn't harm anyone we know this for a fact, I mean he's harmless and to leave him almost for dead is awful'.

After stopping at Heart Weho, Vasquez was supposed to meet friends at the nearby Gym Bar, but he never arrived.

The stylist wasn't taken to the hospital until a passerby happened to spot him, unconscious and bleeding, in a parking lot next to the nightclub.

And it wasn't until five days after the savage attack that Vasquez's family learned of his location after a nurse at the hospital answered a call to his cell phone.

'The punch to his face, you can tell it was on the eye,' Jimenez told KTLA.

'They fractured his skull around his eye socket.'

The bouncer has been arrested on a charge of battery causing great bodily injury, an arrest which Captain Moulder of the Los Angeles County Sherriff's Department called uncommon.

The popular stylist has worked for catwalks and salons across the country and abroad

'He's the type of guy who wouldn't harm anyone we know this for a fact,' his sister Gloria Jimenez said, 'I mean he's harmless and to leave him almost for dead is awful'

Describing the interactions the Sherriff's Department has had with the security teams at different nightclubs, Moulder said: 'they always do an outstanding job'.

A GoFundMe has been created in Vasquez's name and has raised nearly $67,000 so far.

Brett Foreman, the GoFundMe organizer, said 'We do not know if he was randomly attacked by a stranger in what could be a homophobic or racist hate crime, or if he was attacked by someone he interacted with at one of the bars'.

His statement continued: 'Alberto was taken by EMS to a hospital on Saturday morning and spent the past week in critical condition.

'We are relieved that he is expected to survive, but he will need multiple surgeries, has possible brain damage, and has a long road ahead to recovery.

'While we await further details about his recovery timetable from medical staff, we are beginning to raise money that will be used to cover medical and living expenses as he will be unable to work for the foreseeable future'.

According to Vasquez's family members, his condition is improving, and he has started speaking.

Heart Weho, the nightclub outside of which Vasquez was beaten, is located West Hollywood, which was incorporated as a city in 1984.

The city claims on its website that more than 40 percent of its residents identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

Family and friends fear that Vasquez was the victim of a brutal hate crime motivated by his race or sexuality

'For more than three decades, West Hollywood has been one of the most influential small cities in the nation; no other city of its size has had a greater impact on the national progressive public policy agenda'.

Former *NSYNC popstar Lance Bass was one of the original founders of Heart Weho, although he is no longer associated with the popular nightclub, which was once advertised as the largest gay nightclub in the United States.

Following the violence at Heart Weho, Bass released a statement that said: 'When I first joined Heart, my mission was clear; to foster a place where people could find safety, have a good time and were able to truly be themselves.

'Its incredibly distressing to realize that there are individuals who act without restraint or an ethical compass, posing potential threats to others'.
A Pennsylvania police officer and military veteran has been charged with raping a 13-month-old baby and blaming it on 'diaper rash' and the family dog.

Steven Kyle Cugini, 28, of York, Pennsylvania, was arrested Tuesday on charges of rape and aggravated assault. He is a father to young twin girls, according to public records and social media.

The investigation was led by the Pennsylvania State Police Lykens Criminal Investigation unit. The Lykens unit responded to reports of severe bruising of a 13-month-old child between April 11 and April 15.

According to criminal complaints, the child suffered from a broken tibia and fibula on her left leg, along with other injuries that suggest sexual abuse.

The infant's injuries were noticed by staff at the Halifax YMCA Daycare on Monday, April 15, according to Daily Voice.

Steven Kyle Cugini, 28, of York, Pennsylvania, was arrested Tuesday on charges of rape and aggravated assault

The 28-year-old had previously served as a Cavalry Scout for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard

Court documents show that the child's mother is accused of helping cover up the abuse - but no charges have been filed against her.

Cugini first tried to blame the baby's injuries on diaper rash, a fall and the family dog.

The mother originally backed Cugini's claims - but text messages showed that she had confronted him about the bruises.

She ultimately confessed that she had permitted Cugini to bathe her daughter on the night of April 13 while she was making dinner.

Cugini allegedly locked the bathroom door to keep her five-year-old son out - but while cooking the mother heard her daughter 'cry very loudly' and 'repeated pounding'.

According to the affidavit, when the mother knocked on the door it took Cugini 10 seconds to answer and his shirt was reportedly wet - but his pants were on.

He eventually admitted to the crimes after he was questioned by police officers, and confirmed that the injuries occurred while he had been caring for the child by himself.

Th Dauphin County District Attorney's office approved the criminal charges on Tuesday and Cugini was arrested that day without incident.

Cugini, who worked as an officer for the York City Police Department, was immediately suspended from his position.

'It has come to our attention, a member of this department was arrested for an incident of alleged misconduct and criminal behavior, occurring in Dauphin County,' Commissioner Michael Muldrow stated in a release.

'Per our protocol the individual has been immediately suspended as the investigation continues and the City looks to take the appropriate action.'

The 28-year-old had previously served as a Cavalry Scout for the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

Cugini first tried to blame the baby's injuries on diaper rash, a fall and the family dog

Cugini, who worked as an officer for the York City Police Department, was immediately suspended from his position

Cugini is being held at Dauphin County Jail on $200,000 bail.

'As everyone knows - I will always be the first to fight and advocate for our people,' Muldrow stated.

'But they also know (1) how I feel about kids, and (2) that I hold my Officers to the highest of standards when it comes to representing this Department and engaging with the community,' he continued.

'If these allegations are founded, trust and believe I'll be the first to take swift and definitive action against them.'
Two University of Dundee students who drowned after falling into a waterfall 'while trying to take a selfie' have been pictured for the first time.

Jitendranath Karuturi, 26, and Chanhakya Bolisetti, 22, are believed to have been taking pictures at the Linn of Tummel waterfall near Blair Atholl, on Wednesday evening when they slipped and plunged into the river below.

They were then reportedly swept away, witnessed by a friend who was with them on their walk at the Highlands beauty spot. Their bodies were recovered by the Scottish fire and rescue service.

Mr Karuturi and Mr Bolisetti, from India, were studying for a master's degree in data science and engineering.

A spokesman for the university said: 'This has been a tragic accident which has shocked us all, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the students.

Student Chanhakya Bolisetti, 22, was a student at the University of Dundee and was studying for a Masters in data science and engineering

Jitendranath Karuturi, 26, was also a student at the University of Dundee

The two students were pulled from the water at the Linn of Tummel waterfall in Perth and Kinross on Wednesday evening

'We have been providing support to those families and friends at this extremely difficult time.'

The pair had started their courses in January 2023 and were due to finish next month.

Mr Karuturi had a degree from the University of Hartford in Connecticut while Mr Bolisetti attended Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad, India.

Mr Karuturi also worked as a waiter at the City Quay restaurant in Dundee. Vaseem Salimi, the restaurant's manager, told the Courier newspaper: 'Everyone is devastated. Jitu was really popular with everybody,'

'He had just finished his master's and was telling everyone his plans about what he was doing now. It was devastating for everyone.

'He was very polite and mild-mannered  you would get no drama from him. He was calm all the time.

'He never had an argument or fell out with anybody. He was extremely reliable for work. He never let us down, ever.'

The bodies of the two men were recovered by emergency services on Wednesday night (Pictured: The Linn of Tummel waterfalls)

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 7pm on Wednesday April 17, we received a report of two men, aged 22 and 26 years, in the water at the Linn of Tummel waterfall near Blair Atholl.

'Emergency services attended and following searches in the area, the bodies of two men were recovered from the water.

'Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances, however there would not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding these deaths.

'A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.'
A man has surrendered to police are reportedly threatening to blow himself up at the Iranian consulate in Paris with a suicide vest.

The man gave himself up soon after 2pm, walking out of the consulate with his hands in the air and giving himself over to police at the scene.

'He had no explosives or weapons on him,' said a security source. 'He was placed under arrest immediately and taken away to a secure police station for questioning.'

Specialist BRI officers continued to swarm around the area, together with sniffer dogs, just in case explosives had been hidden in the area.

'The security perimeter will be maintained for a while yet,' said the source.

The individual was for a time holed up inside the building in the French capital's 16th arrondissement in a room with the ambassador, one report said.

A man has surrendered to police are reportedly threatening to blow himself up at the Iranian consulate in Paris with a suicide vest. The man gave himself up soon after 2pm, walking out of the consulate with his hands in the air and giving himself over to police at the scene

Police are seen at the scene of the Iranian consulate in Paris

He was said to be wearing an explosive belt and equipped with an object that resembled a grenade, Europe 1 and other sources reported earlier.

The area was cordoned off and evacuated, with a police source saying that an 'intervention was imminent'.

This suggested officers had been preparing to storm the building.

'A witness saw a man enter carrying a grenade or an explosive belt,' a source told France's AFP news agency, adding that an elite police unit had been mobilised after the consulate requested an intervention.

'The man presented him at the consulate, and then removed his coat, to show off an alleged explosives vest,' another security source said at the scene.

'He said he was carrying a grenade, and then placed a national flag on the floor. He said he wanted to avenge his brother.'

Police ordered the city's Metro Line 6 to be interrupted as a safety measure.

Europe 1 reported that the embassy contacted the police requesting assistance, reporting that the man was inside the building. It said he was holed up in a room inside the consulate 'in the presence of the ambassador'.

There were no reports of an explosion.

The incident came amid increasing tensions between Israel and Iran, with the Jewish state today launching strikes against the Islamic Republic.

This was in response to Iran launching over 300 missiles towards Israel on Saturday, 99 percent of which were intercepted by Israel and its allies.

Armed, camo-wearing police are seen at the scene in Paris on Friday

French police and members of French special police forces of Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI) secure the area near Iran consulate where a man is threatening to blow himself up, in Paris, France, April 19, 2024

French police secure the area near Iran consulate where a man is threatening to blow himself up, in Paris, France, April 19, 2024

Iran's weekend attack was in-turn believed to have been in response to an April 1 suspected Israeli air strike which levelled Tehran's consular annex in Damascus and killed seven Revolutionary Guards members, including two generals.

The tit-for-tat attacks have ramped up tensions in the volatile region, increasing fears that the Middle East could descend into a full-blown conflict.

It was not clear whether the incident in Paris was related to the on-going crisis.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow...
Celebrity restaurateur Keith McNally brushed off criticism of his scathing late-night Instagram post about Lauren Sanchez.

McNally, who shared a carousel of recent pictures of Sanchez and Jeff Bezos and branded Bezos' fiancee 'revolting' earlier this week, insisted that his business had not been affected by the incident at all.

The lengthy post, which McNally claimed was a Balthazar dinner report written by the manager Zouheir Louhaichy, detailed an encounter with a reporter from the Daily Beast.

The journalist allegedly asked the restaurant manager and guests if the business had been slow because of McNally's post about Bezos and Sanchez.

'No one in NYC would stop coming to Balthazar because of a filthy rich Billionaire's girlfriend. Lots of other customers said the same thing,' says the post that went up late Thursday night.

Celebrity restaurateur Keith McNally brushed off criticism of his scathing late-night Instagram post about Lauren Sanchez

McNally, who shared a carousel of recent pictures of Sanchez and Jeff Bezos(pictured) and branded Bezos' fiancee 'revolting' earlier this week, insisted that his business had not been affected by the incident at all

The lengthy post, which McNally claimed was a Balthazar dinner report written by the manager Zouheir Louhaichy, detailed an encounter with a reporter from the Daily Beast

In the scathing and unprovoked late-night rant shared on Monday, McNally attacked Bezos and Sanchez, saying 'Does anybody else find Jeff Bezos' New wife - Lauren Sanchez - ABSOLUTELY REVOLTING?'

'What an ugly and F***ing SMUG - LOOKING couple they make. Is this what having 1000 Billion dollars does to people?'

He has since sparked fury on social media, with former TV anchor Sanchez sharing a very pointed message on Tuesday night and some of her high-profile friends coming to her defense.

In the latest post, McNally claimed that a reporter from The Daily Beast came to his restaurant as early as 5 pm on Tuesday and accused her of 'looking for a story that suits her narrative.'

'A lady came early on around 5pm to ask for a reservation during primetime. Because we were full at primetime I offered her a nice table a little later.'

'It turned out that she was a reporter (she later called herself 'a spy ') for The Daily Beast and she proceeded to ask our bar guests if they noticed that Balthazar wasn't busy because of Keith's Instagram post about Jeff Bezos's girlfriend,' the post reads.

'Mind you this was at 5pm!! Our lovely regular S. was the one who reported her to me after she tried to get him to give her a quote...

'He told her that No one in NYC would stop coming to Balthazar because of a filthy rich Billionaire's girlfriend. Lots of other customers said the same thing.

'She then came to talk to me to try to get me to give her a quote ..I told her that we couldn't comment but since she was asking if we were busy or not I simply told her to look around for herself.

'The room was packed at this point and she agreed that we seemed very busy then left,' the post reads.

The post went on to say that the night was 'very busy,' with both indoor and outdoor seating areas 'got fairly full.'

The former TV anchor posted two telling messages on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday night, urging people to be kind to one another

McNally, the owner of enduring New York City hot-spots Balthazar, Pastis, Minetta Tavern, and Morandi has previously picked several fights with well-known visitors to his restaurants.

In October of 2022, he started a weeks-long feud with then late-night host James Corden, who reportedly screamed at McNally's Balthazar staff over an all-yolk omelet his wife had attempted to order.

McNally posted a long statement to Instagram detailing Corden's alleged unpleasant encounters with the Balthazar staff and issuing a ban on Corden as a guest of his establishments.

Corden, who has on multiple occasions been pegged as difficult to work with, defended himself on-air and in a New York Times profile at the time.

McNally, the owner of enduring New York City hot-spots Balthazar(pictured), Pastis, Minetta Tavern, and Morandi has previously picked several fights with well-known visitors to his restaurants

Lauren Sanchez received support from some celebrity allies including Chrissy Teigen and MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle

He apologized, McNally reversed the ban, and things were smoothed over for a bit, but only until the restaurant boss got his hands on a copy of the London Times, in which Corden denied ever screaming at anyone.

'I don't want to over-egg the pudding, but in Friday's London Times Corden flip-flopped and told a massive lie AGAIN,' wrote McNally after the dispute had been settled for the first time.

'"I never screamed at anyone, I didnt shout, didnt call anyone a name or swear or use derogatory language  How is it remotely a thing? When that person who posted the story wasnt even there," (said Corden)

'On second viewing, I found his TV "confessional" contrived and phony. The actor will say anything to save his bacon.

'In the scheme of things my opinion means nothing, but after Friday's interview and a second look at his fraudulent confessional, I've given up on James Corden. For Good,' wrote the successful hospitality boss.
The United States said it received 'last minute' information from Israel about its drone attack on Iran but President Joe Biden's administration insisted it wasn't involved in the offensive.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who is chairing a meeting of G7 countries, revealed the U.S. had given the rest of the alliance the information at a Friday morning session that was changed to address the attack.

Tajani said American officials told G7 ministers that it had been 'informed at the last minute' by Israel about the drones it was sending into Iran. 'But there was no sharing of the attack by the U.S. It was a mere information.'

Israeli strikes hit Isfahan in central Iran, which is where Iran's nuclear capabilities are located

A senior American official told the New York Times that Israel had notified the United States through multiple channels shortly before its attack against Iran.

The official noted the attack was expected given that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been hinting at one all week.

'We were not surprised,' said the official.

The White House has not publicly commented on the attack.

Administration officials were keeping quiet to avoid getting the United States pulled into the conflict between Iran and Israel, the official told the Times.

Another official told CNN that the U.S. 'didn't endorse the response.'

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is in Italy for a meeting of G7 foreign ministers, declined to address the strike.

'I'm not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations,' Blinken told reporters there.

'We're also committed to de-escalating  to trying to bring this tension to a close,' Blinken noted.

He also said the countries shared 'a commitment to hold Iran to account.'

'I'm not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations,' U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said when asked about strike

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) was close to ordering a wide-spread attack on Tehran on the night Iran attacked but after he spoke with President Joe Biden (right) he delayed a strike

Tel Aviv struck the city of Isfahan in central Iran was struck at 5am local time, with Israel reported to have targeted an air base near the city that also hosts some of Iran's nuclear research facilities.

Isfahan is known hotbed for Iran's nuclear research and houses drone production plants - but the attack is thought to have caused little material damage, and no casualties have been reported.

Israel's attack was in retaliation for Iran's on Saturday, when Tehran sent more than 300 missiles and drones at Tel Aviv, most of which were shoot down.

Netanyahu was close to ordering a wide-spread attack on Tehran on the night Iran attacked but after he spoke with President Biden, and because the damage was limited, the Israeli war cabinet postponed a decision.

Biden and other world leaders spent this week urging Israel not to retaliate in a way that would set off a wider Middle East war.

They pointed out Israeli forces are already fighting on two additional fronts: Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both allies of Iran.

Israel can ill-afford a major conflict with Iran, particularly as the IDF is stretched to capacity amid the ongoing military operations against Hamas and intermittent skirmishes with Hezbollah at the northern border with Lebanon.

Meanwhile, President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran had warned that 'the tiniest act of aggression' would draw a response.

But, in the aftermath, Iranian officials sought to downplay any significant damage to its military facilities and outright denied any nuclear plants were destroyed, while Iranian state TV this morning released footage of an undisturbed Isfahan to cast doubt on reports the city had been hit.

Israel's strike had a smaller scope than expected, which allowed Iranian officials to downplay its significance.

Experts believe that will allow both countries to de-escalate while saving face.
Nicola Sturgeon said the situation was 'incredibly difficult' today after her husband Peter Murrell was charged in connection with embezzlement.

The former Scottish First minister spoke outside her Glasgow home after Mr Murrell, 59, was formally charged last night.

The former SNP chief executive has resigned his party membership. Ms Sturgeon insisted she 'can't say any more' before leaving by car.

Earlier, current First Minister Humza Yousaf said Scottish politics had been 'shocked' by developments and it was a 'serious' matter.

Former Scottish First minister Nicola Sturgeon spoke outside her home after Mr Murrell, 59, was formally charged last night.

Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell arriving at his home in Glasgow yesterday

Police Scotland said in a statement: 'A 59-year-old man has today, Thursday, April 18, 2024, been re-arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party'. (File picture of Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell)

Mr Yousaf said he first became aware of developments late yesterday evening.

'Many people in the SNP, right across Scottish politics will be shocked by the news and this is an ongoing investigation,' he said.

'Police, the Crown have a job to do, just as I have a job to do as First Minister, that job of course is ensuring that I support business, that I help households throughout the cost-of-living crisis, that I help to cut waiting times in the NHS, that I advance the cause of independence, so that's the job that you can imagine I'm focused on.'

He added: 'As per the police statement it is a very serious development, as per the police statement it's an allegation of embezzlement from the party, embezzlement of funds from the party. That's really serious indeed.'

Scottish Conservatives chairman Craig Hoy has urged SNP to 'fully-cooperate' with the investigation.

He said: 'The announcement that Peter Murrell has been charged by Police Scotland is an extremely serious development in the investigation into the SNP's finances.

'As the police probe continues, it is now more important than ever that all SNP staff and politicians, past and present, fully co-operate.

'The investigation, which has been going on for three years, appears to be reaching a conclusion and the SNP must commit to being fully open and transparent in this critical phase.'

An SNP spokesperson said: 'While this development will come as a shock, the police investigation remains ongoing and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to make any comment.'

Murrell's charge is part of a probe known as Operation Branchform into the spending of more than 600,000 in donations for independence campaigning.

Police officers, including forensics experts and others with riot shields last year made a very public search of the Sturgeon family home in Glasgow and the nationalist party's Edinburgh headquarters.

Ms Sturgeon, who resigned as first minister and SNP leader in February 2023, was arrested two months after her husband, while the former party treasurer Colin Beattie was also arrested. Both Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie were released without charge pending further investigation.

Murrell - who has been married to Ms Sturgeon since 2010 - was first held by detectives investigating what happened to more than half a million pounds donated to the SNP to pay for a second independence referendum campaign that never materialised.

The 59-year-old, the SNP's former chief executive, arriving at his home yesterday

Murrell has been married to Ms Sturgeon since 2010

Current First Minister Humza Yousaf said Scottish politics had been 'shocked' by developments and it was a 'serious' matter

Earlier this month the Mail on Sunday revealed that a new officer had been appointed to oversee Operation Branchform, which insiders claim was an effort to run a 'fresh pair of eyes' over the investigation before an official report is handed to the Crown Office.

Former Cabinet Ministers who served under Ms Sturgeon have been quizzed as the police attempt to establish if there has been a long-term culture of secrecy surrounding the running of the party.

The Operation Branchform probe, launched in May 2021, is focused on how money raised in 2017 and 2019 as part of a 'referendum appeal' has been used.

Concern was first raised when SNP accounts showed less than 100,000 in the bank in 2019, despite 600,000 being donated to the referendum appeal, sparking at least 19 criminal complaints.

Police officers, including forensics experts and others with riot shields, last year made a very public search of the Sturgeon family home in Glasgow

A police patrol passes by the couple's home this morning

Police Scotland said: 'A 59-year-old man has today Thursday April 18 been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.

'The man, who was arrested at 9.13am today and had previously been arrested as a suspect on April 5 2023, was charged at 6.35pm after further questioning by Police Scotland detectives investigating the funding and finances of the party.

'A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course.

'The man is no longer in police custody. As this investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.

'The matter is active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media.'
Authorities are searching for the parents of a two-year-old boy who was abandoned in a suitcase in the central Mexico city of Puebla.

The disturbing discovery took place Tuesday morning when a woman walking in La Loma neighborhood heard the cries of a child.

The woman approached the suitcase and found the toddler covered in water.

While changing the boy's clothes, cop noticed that he showed signs that he had been recently beaten.

'He had visible injuries on his face,' officer Betsabe Zallas told Mega Noticias.

Puebla police officer Betsabe Zallas holds a two-year-old boy who was found abandoned in a suitcase left on a sidewalk Tuesday. The child had bruises on his face and was treated for hypothermia and malnutrition. Authorities are searching for this parents

A two-year-old boy was found inside a suitcase in the Puebla neighborhood of La Loma on Tuesday after a resident heard the child's cries

Authorities in the central Mexican city of Puebla, the capital of Puebla state, are searching for the parents of a two-year-old boy who was found in a suitcase Tuesday. The toddler is the fourth child abandoned in the streets of the state of Puebla this year

'Likewise, my job was to protect the minor, to keep him warm so that he could (be taken) to police cruiser to determine the minor's diagnosis.'

Paramedics arrived on the scene and found him to be in good health and then rushed him to North General Hospital, where doctors diagnosed and treated him for hypothermia, malnutrition and numbness in his body, ABC Noticias reported.

The child was discharged later in the day and remains under the custody of the National System for Integral Family Development, which is caring for him while police search for his family.

Gaby Bonilla, who oversees the social assistance agency, revealed on her X account that she met with the boy on Wednesday.

'I am pleased to share that his health is favorable and he will recover very soon,' she said.

Officer Betsabe Zallas (left) and her partner responded to a 911 call of a toddler abandoned in a suitcase on a street in the central Mexico municipality of Puebla on Tuesday. Zallas told Mega Noticias that she ensured that the two-year-old boy was warm and placed him in their cruiser until paramedics arrived on the scene and rushed him to a hospital

National System for Integral Family Development director, Gaby Bonilla, met with the boy on Wednesday and said that he is in good health

At least three other children have been abandoned by their parents in the state of Puebla this year.

Neighbors discovered a 30-week-old baby girl dumped in a ditch and nearly covered in dirt at a property in the Bosques de Manzana, a neighborhood in Puebla, on March 27.

Motorist traveling on the Azumbilla-Tlacotepec highway in the city of Vicente Guerrero found a baby boy abandoned on the side of a road on March 20.

A newborn girl was abandoned by an elderly woman at a tortilla shop in the municipality of Acatlan on February 24.
New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez's wife Nadine Arslanian has told friends she fears she'll go to jail because she doesn't have enough cash for a legal team.

The New York Post reported Friday on Arslanian's financial woes - as she faces up to 45 years in prison for charges related to an alleged bribery scheme involving the Qatari and Egyptian governments.

Arslanian's trial was delayed due to her having an unspecified 'serious medical condition' meaning Menendez will be tried first in May, while Arslanian will be tried in July.

Court documents released this week to The Post showed that Menendez could 'inculpate' his wife, with his lawyers arguing that she 'withheld information' that something illegal was taking place when the couple traded gold bars and cash for political favors.

Her friends told the newspaper that the mother-of-two - who the senator nicknamed 'Bubbles' due to her ample cleavage - is expecting to be convicted and jailed after losing her legal team after they helped her get her trial delayed.

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez's (left) wife Nadine Arslanian (right) has told friends she fears she'll go to jail because she doesn't have enough cash for a legal team

Arslanian's trial was delayed due to her having an unspecified 'serious medical condition' meaning Menendez will be tried first in May, while Arslanian will be tried in July

In September, the senator and his wife were charged separately in a scheme where they allegedly aided three New Jersey businessmen in return for cash, gold bars and a luxury car.

Authorities who searched the Menendez home found more than $100,000 worth of gold bars in the residence, as well as more than $480,000 in cash, which was hidden away in closets, amongst clothing and in a safe, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors also said that Menendez had Googled the value of a 'kilo of gold.'

Menendez, his wife and the three business associates have all pleaded not guilty.

He's been charged with conspiracy, including conspiring to commit bribery, honest services fraud, extortion and acting as an unregistered foreign agent.

Amid the charges, Menendez was forced to give up his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The allegations say that Menendez used his foreign policy connections to assist the government of Egypt and help a businessman seek an investment from the Qatari government.

Sen. Bob Menendez (left) proposed to Nadine Arslanian (right) in front of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India

Last month the senator announced that he would not run in the state's June Democratic primary but left the door open to run as an independent in the fall.

'Unfortunately the present accusations I am facing of which I am innocent and will prove so, will not allow me to have that type of dialog and debate with political opponents that have already made it the cornerstone of their campaign,' Menendez said in a video posted to his X account.

'Therefore I will not file for the Democratic primary this June,' he said. 'I am hopeful that my exoneration will take place this summer and allow me to pursue my candidacy as an independent Democrat in the general election.'

It's unlikely due to New Jersey's heavily Democratic makeup that the Democrats would lose the seat in the fall, though it becomes more possible if Menendez launches an independent run, as he could play the role of spoiler.

Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, plans to hold rally in Wildwood, New Jersey next month.

It's unclear if Trump plans to endorse a candidate in the Republican Senate primary, as several GOP hopefuls have entered the race.
An Iranian Princeton professor who is being probed by the House has been accused of endorsing Hamas and Hezbollah after a decades-old interview resurfaced.

In an interview in 1997 with German newspaper Taz, Seyed Hossein Mousavian was asked if Iran supports groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.

Mousavian, who was the Iranian Ambassador to Germany at the time, seems to throw his support behind Hamas during the interview.

According to a translation by the US Middle East Media Research Institute, he said: 'If by that you mean that we supply Hamas with weapons: No, we do not. But if you mean that we support the Palestinians in their struggle, yes, we do.'

When asked by the outlet if Iran provided Hezbollah with material or financial support, he added: 'We support Hezbollah morally and not by supplying weapons.'

In an interview in 1997 with German newspaper Taz, Seyed Hossein Mousavian, seen here,was asked if Iran supports groups like Hezbollah and Hamas

Mousavian speaks during a panel discussion on 'Syrias Trajectory and Challenges for the United States' in Washington, USA on April 6, 2017

Mousavian, who now works as a Middle East security and nuclear policy specialist at Princeton University, has also came under fire over anti-Semitic social media posts.

One such post shared in October last year, reads: 'With the rain bomb of a hospital and the martyrdom of hundreds of injured Palestinians and medical staff, Israel violated all international conventions.

'[They have] committed a great and unforgivable war crime, repeated a crime similar to the Holocaust crime of Nazi Germany, and of course, the hypocrisy of the West in defending human rights.'

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the associate dean of the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, told Fox: 'Cleary, this is a person who feels no matter what he does that his status will be protected at Princeton.

'Anyone who uses that language is proving his anti-Semitic credentials. He feels confident and is immune from any action against him.

'Princeton has a lot to answer for. To say this is a scandal would not give justice to the issues exposed.

'It might be time to call Princeton University forward at a congressional hearing because it covers issues of sensitive national security.'

Mousavian is also currently facing an investigation by the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce for allegedly advancing the interests of Iran.

Mousavian works as a Middle East security and nuclear policy specialist at Princeton University

In one post to his social media last year, Mousavian said the Israeli government was comparable to Nazi Germany

Some highlights from today's Princeton protest for Palestine:



"We don't want zionism here"

"Judaism yes, zionism no!" (??)

"Zionism's got to go"



with honorable mention to telling an older woman she looks "like shit" and is "a little prostitute", and to protesting Starbucks for pic.twitter.com/PSqgkruq7j  Zack Dulberg (@pianozack) November 24, 2023

According to a congressional letter, first seen by Fox, twelve Republican committee members questioned Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber about him.

The letter detailed questions about the influence of Iran via his activities on the campus of the Ivy League school.

In November last year, Representative Lisa McClain told Fox: 'Higher education has bowed down to the radical left and enemies of America for far too long, and the mere fact that a former member of the Iranian regime is given a platform at Princeton is proof.

'The Islamic Republic of Iran is not our friend. They are a major adversary, a state sponsor of terrorism, and a destabilizing force in the Middle East that sympathizes with Hamas.

'We cannot let a radical Iranian manipulate young American minds, and its well past time we do something about it.'

While Iran's ambassador to Germany, he was in charge of the embassy that a Berlin court found was the HQ for the planning of the 1992 assassination of four Iranian dissidents, Fox reported.

In a 1997 article from the Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, a former Iranian intelligence official told a court during the trial that 'Mousavian participated in most of the [regimes] crimes that took place in Europe.

Mousavian hit back at this last year, telling Fox: 'This accusation is a big lie. The Berlin court verdict does not contain any direct or indirect allegations against me.'

Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani was killed in airstrikes launched by the Trump administration in 2020,

In 2022, he sparked fury after smiling during an interview when discussing how a US diplomat's wife was unable to sleep over fears she'd be murdered in revenge for the assassination of an Iranian general.

Mousavian gave a smile during the interview with Iranian TV while discussing the terror US special envoy for Iran Brian Hook and spouse are said to fear.

He was being interview following the January 2020 assassination of Qasem Soleimani by the Trump administration, and how Iran had vowed for revenge.

Mousavian said: 'I went to America and an American told me that Brian Hook's wife can't sleep, she cries and trembles, she told Brian, 'They'll kill you,' since Hook was a partner in the death of Haj Qassem [Soleimani], that's how much they were trembling,' Mousavian said.

Soleimani, nicknamed the 'Shadow General,' was considered by some analysts to be the right-hand man of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, as well as the second-most powerful person in Iran behind him.

He was assassinated in a targeted American drone strike on January 3, 2020 at Baghdad International Airport, in Iraq, on the orders of U.S. President Donald Trump.

When approached by DailyMail.com Mousavian said he had no time for an interview due to his work at Princeton.
A married couple have been found guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl after a party at their house.

Christopher Luke Hili and Lee Kathleen Hili both pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, one count of exposing a child to an indecent act and one of exposing a child to an indecent film.

Mr Hili had also denied two counts of supplying cannabis to a child.

Christopher Luke Hili and Lee Kathleen Hili both pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, one count of exposing a child to an indecent act and one of exposing a child to an indecent film

Both of them were found guilty of all counts by a jury at the Supreme Court of Queensland on Friday

But both of them were found guilty of all counts by a jury at the Supreme Court of Queensland on Friday.

Ms Hili cried out 'no' as her husband was found guilty and sobbed as her own guilty verdicts were read out.

The court had earlier heard how two 15-year-old girls had attended a party at the couple's home on an expansive property in the Gold Coast area in December 2021.

Crown prosecutor Melissa Wilson told the court that Mr Hili offered a cannabis joint to the girls and they smoked it, leading one of them to become unwell after also drinking alcohol.

After the sick girl vomited, she was taken downstairs to lie down.

The court heard that Mr Hili started asking the other girl 'inappropriate' questions about whether she was bisexual and how old she was.

She 'responded that she was only 15 and not bisexual', Ms Wilson told the court.

The couple were remanded in custody and will face sentencing on June 20

The girl was then led downstairs, thinking she was being taken to see her friend, only to find herself in the couple's bedroom, the court heard.

The girl said in evidence that she passed out and woke up to find herself naked and being sexually assaulted by Mr Hili, while Ms Hili stroked her hair.

The victim claimed that she passed out once more, and later woke to find Ms Hili sexually assaulting her while the Hilis had sex. A pornographic film was also playing in the room, she claimed.

Ms Hili had denied sexually assaulting the girl or being present when she was sexually assaulted.

The couple were remanded in custody and will face sentencing on June 20.
Two people smugglers have been jailed after trying to sneak nine migrants out of the UK to France.

Tarik Slimani, 47, and Italian national Driss Hasska, 54, were spotted by officers meeting at a bus stop in Kent on the evening of August 4 last year.

It was there that they transferred the group of eight men and women, who were all of North African origin, from Slimani's hire van into the trailer of Hasska's lorry.

Officers from the National Crime Agency, who conducted the operation, tailed Hasska to a service station near Maidstone where they searched the trailer of his lorry, discovering the people inside.

Slimani was sentenced to 22 months in prison, and Hasska to 32 months.

Italian national Driss Hasska, 54 was sentenced to 32 months in prison from trying to transport a group of eight men and women, who were all of North African origin, into France

Tarik Slimani, 47, was sentenced to 22 months in prison. Slimani claimed he was driving to Ashford to collect a coffee table when he stopped at the bus stop alongside the lorry to go to the toilet

A short time later Slimani, from north London, pulled into the services and both men were arrested and taken into custody.

It is suspected that the migrants, were being taken to France in a bid to avoid border immigration controls.

When interviewed about the events, Slimani claimed he was driving to Ashford to collect a coffee table when he stopped at the bus stop alongside the lorry to go to the toilet.

He then said by the time he returned to his van he couldn't remember where he was going, so began driving home before stopping at the services to go to the toilet again.

In a statement, Hasska claimed he had no knowledge of the migrants in his trailer.

Both men appeared at Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday (APRIL 18), after previously pleading guilty to facilitating illegal entry into an EU country.

John Turner, NCA Operations Manager, said: 'Today's outcome is a clear warning to anyone involved in facilitating illegal migration - you will be caught and put behind bars.

'A meticulous NCA investigation foiled this smuggling attempt, and our work to disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks involved in this activity is relentless. Tackling organised immigration crime is a priority for the NCA.'
Two people have died and four people are in hospital including a teen who is fighting for her life after the driver of the car they were in lost control and slammed into an Arizona family's home.

Aiden Ellis, 19, and Shane Johnson, 20, were killed when the vehicle crashed into the Peoria residence on April 14.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene while Ellis was rushed to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

'My heart is broken, and my life is over as I know it,' Ellis' devastated father Logan wrote in a post on Facebook. 'I cannot stop crying, because the pain is beyond unbearable. I am besides myself with grief.'

Four others were also taken for treatment including Grand Canyon University student Zalia Oliva, 18, who is clinging to life after sustaining severe spinal injuries.

Zalia Oliva, 18, is fighting for her life after a vehicle she was travelling in slammed into an Arizona family's home on April 14

The teen had just celebrated his 19th birthday and was an organ donor meaning his death will save others

Aiden Ellis, 19, was one of two people killed in the crash after the car slammed into the residence in Peoria, Arizona

Shane Johnson, 20, was also pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in Peoria. None of the occupants of the home were injured.

Another of the hospitalized group was also described as suffering from life threatening injuries, while the rest sustained 'significant' damage, according to police.

The horror collision occurred after the driver failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with the home.

Images show how the 2018 black Infiniti Q60 smashed through a block wall and continued partially into the residence.

Miraculously, there were no injuries reported from the occupants of the home.

The incident is being investigated by the Peoria Police Department's Traffic Services Unit with detectives still working to understand if speed or impairment played a role.

'Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and everybody who rendered aid during this tragic incident,' the department said.

Neighbor Nick Cipti described the moment her heard the massive impact to AZ Famile.

'I was getting ready to go to sleep and it was right around midnight and I heard what sounded like a loud thunder roll,' he said.

Ellis was transported to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries

Oliva sustained severe spinal injuries as well as multiple fractures which will take at least 3 months of rehab to heal

He ran outside to see his teenage neighbors trying to assist at the scene.

'They ran over, called the police immediately, communicated back to the house to get others' assistance,' he said.

Ellis' family have been left devastated by the loss of the 'sweet, kind and generous kid' who was an organ donor, meaning he will hopefully help save lives.

His dad described him as a keen hunter and Harley Davidson enthusiast who was mostly a straight A college student.

Ellis had just celebrated his 19th birthday and got his first tattoo which honored his family. A GoFundMe has been set up to support his loved ones.

Oliva is an aspiring police officer hoping to follow in the footsteps of her other family members who are in law enforcement.

'She's not a quitternot this girl. She's a fighter. She's going to fight until the bitter end,' her aunt Mary McConnell told AZ Family.

'She's going to do well, we know that. We just want her to rest. We want her to heal, and we want her to feel God's presence with her.'

Detectives are now working to understand if speed or impairment played a role in the crash

Oliva is an aspiring police officer studying criminal law at Grand Canyon University

Oliva's family travelled from out of state to be at her bedside and are currently raising funds via GoFundMe to support their stay.

She sustained multiple neck, scull, and facial fractures, as well as a broken pelvis and arm during the crash.

A long road to recovery lies ahead with medics predicting she will need at least three months of rehabilitation.

The identities of the remaining survivors have not yet been made public, but well-wishers are being invited to gather in prayer outside the hospital on Saturday.

'They're not forgotten. We are fighting right along with them. We're praying right along with them. We serve our mighty God and we know that the Lord is with us,' McConnell said.
A Jewish campaigner who was threatened with being arrested by the police for being near a pro-Palestine march has accused the Met of allowing 'no-go zones for Jews'.

Gideon Falter, the chief executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, was pulled aside by an officer who said he was 'breaching the peace' because he was 'quite openly Jewish'.

Video of the confrontation, which was shared online, has sparked a furious response after an officer told Mr Falter his presence as he tried to walk around London after going to a synagogue on Saturday was antagonising a large group of people'.

He has now accused the Metropolitan Police failing to address 'the threat of antisemitic violence' and has called for a mass demonstration by Jewish and non-Jewish people to show 'no part of London should be unsafe'.

The Met has apologised to Mr Falter and said the use of the phrase 'openly Jewish' by the office was 'hugely regrettable' and insisted officers were intervening not to stifle free speech, but to 'keep the public, including all those taking part or opposing the protest, safe'.

The Metropolitan Police has been branded 'beyond appalling' after an officer threatened to arrest a Jewish man for 'breaching the peace' as he is stopped from crossing the road

This officer was seen blocking the Jewish man, Gideon Falter, from crossing the road amid because he was 'quite openly Jewish'

In a video shared by CAA from Saturday's march, Mr Falter - who was wearing a kippah on his head - was seen telling the officer: 'I don't want to stay here, I want to leave.'

The officer then replies: 'In that case sir, when the crowd is gone I will happily escort you out.'

After the defiant man attempts to walk across the road in the Aldwych area, the officer blocks him and says: 'I don't want anybody antagonising anybody... and at the moment sir, you are quite openly Jewish. This is a pro-Palestinian march.

'I am not accusing you of anything but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.'

Later on in the video, another officer says: 'There's a unit of people here now. You will be escorted out of this area so you can go about your business, go where you want freely or if you choose to remain here because you are causing a breach of peace, with all these other people, you will be arrested.'

He clarifies: 'Your presence here is antagonising a large group of people that we can't deal with all of them if they attack you... because your presence is antagonising them.'

Speaking afterwards, Mr Falter said the Met was essentially creating 'no-go zones' in the capital for Jewish people by taking this approach.

He said 'Last Saturday, I walked around London after attending synagogue. I wore my kippah (skullcap) and held a small bag containing my prayer shawl. I was identifiable as a Jew but was otherwise like any other Londoner.

'I was not part of any protest or counterprotest, and was not wearing any stickers or carrying any signs, flags or the like. I was exercising my right to walk around my home city as a Jewish Londoner.

'A year ago, that would not have been controversial. But now, it is.

'Despite being told repeatedly that London is safe for Jews when these marches are taking place, my interactions with police officers last Saturday show that the Met believes that being openly Jewish will antagonise the anti-Israel marchers and that Jews need protection, which the police cannot guarantee. Instead of addressing that threat of antisemitic violence, the Met's policy instead seems to be that law-abiding Jewish Londoners should not be in the parts of London where these marches are taking place. In other words, that they are no-go zones for Jews.

'Even as the Met Commissioner apparently refuses to do anything about this, it is time for a change on the ground. Next Saturday, 27th April, we will be walking again, hopefully in larger numbers. No part of London should be unsafe for any of its residents.

'The Met has acknowledged the condemnation of their behaviour. They have pledged to accommodate any protest or march that we wish to arrange. But this shows they still do not get it.

'We are not organising a march. We are planning to walk through London  any part of London we want - as Jews. Walking around as Jews in London shouldn't have to be a 'cause' that we have to 'march' for. It is a right, and we will exercise it.'

Mr Falter, pictured here on Good Morning Britain in 2018, is the CEO of Campaign Against Antisemitism

Mr Falter was interviewed alongside the footage and accused the Met of failing to make London safe for Jews

Speaking after the video was released, Mr Falter said: 'For months we have been told that when anti-Israel protests course through London it's perfectly safe for Jews.

'Notwithstanding the antisemitic placards, the genocidal slogans, the glorification of Hamas, the Islamist flags, the swastikas, notwithstanding all of that, it's still safe to be openly Jewish on the streets of London during these anti-Israel protests. That's what we're told and yet that's not true in practice.'

Mr Falter said he was not criticising the officers who he spoke to on Saturday, as they are 'put in impossible positions week in, week out'.

He said: 'They're being asked to police huge protests with few officers where there's all sorts of criminality on display from racism to glorification of terrorism, and even violence.'

Mr Falter said: 'It has been six months now where every single weekend we have to witness the streets of London awash with people, many of whom seem to have no problem at all declaring their full-throated support for Hamas, waving around antisemitic placards, calling for jihad, showing swastikas, waving antisemitic flags. It's enough.

'I'm asking you to join us, whether you're Jewish or not. The next march is on April 27, it's a Saturday. Take a walk with us, the Jewish community, and show that we are not going to be put in a box or told where to go by the Met.

'That if these marches are truly safe then we will walk wherever we want as Londoners who are free in our home city and if we want to wear a kippah that is exactly what we will do.'

Matt Twist, the Metropolitan Police's assistant commissioner, said the video posted by the Campaign Against Antisemitism will 'further dent the confidence of many Jewish Londoners which is the opposite of what any of us want'.

He said: 'The use of the term 'openly Jewish' by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. It's absolutely not the basis on which we make decisions, it was a poor choice of words and while not intended, we know it will have caused offence to many. We apologise.

'The issues at the heart of these protests are complex, contentious and polarising. When the challenges of public order policing are layered on top it becomes a very difficult environment for frontline officers to work in.

'In recent weeks we've seen a new trend emerge, with those opposed to the main protests appearing along the route to express their views. The fact that those who do this often film themselves while doing so suggests they must know that their presence is provocative, that they're inviting a response and that they're increasing the likelihood of an altercation.

'They are also making it much more likely officers will intervene. They don't do so to stifle free speech or to limit the right to protest, but to keep opposing groups apart, to prevent disorder and keep the public, including all those taking part or opposing the protest, safe. That is, after all, our primary role.

'It is up to us to review these interventions and to determine whether we are getting the balance right, adapting our approach as we do so and making sure officers are supported to make the right decisions, using all the powers available to them. We will continue to do so following this most recent protest and ahead of future events.'

This officer blocks the Jewish man from crossing the road

Another clip from the protest was also shared of a second officer telling the Jewish man: 'I am trying to make sure you are safe and that no one attacks you or your group or anyone else, that's all.'

Mr Falter has been the head of Campaign Against Antisemitism since 2014 and is also vice chairman of the Jewish National Fund UK, a charity which supports 'Zionist pioneers' in Israel.

The 39-year-old previously worked in commercial real estate and management consultancy before building CAA, having gained a Law degree from the University of Warwick in 2005.

He was named as one of the 'top 100 people positively influencing Jewish life' by the Algemeiner Journal, a US-based newspaper which coves Jewish and Israel-related issues.

READ MORE: Met Police arrest nine as Palestine and Israel demonstrators trade insults as thousands march through London to protest about Gaza conflict Advertisement

The Simon Wiesenthal Center has described him as a 'Jewish hero who proves that there are still powerful ways to leverage democratic rules to serve justice and protect Jewish community'.

A prominent member of the Jewish community, he involved in a number of non-profit organisations, including CAA, Jewish National Fund and Together Against Antisemitism.

He is also listed as a director in a property management firm and property development company, as well as a book and ancient manuscript publishing business set up by his parents.

The video in which he appeared has sparked another backlash for the Met who have been accused of failing to make London safe for Jews. Robert Largan, the MP for High Peak, Derbyshire, shared the video and wrote: 'This is beyond appalling'.

Another clip from the protest was also shared of a second officer telling the Mr Falter: 'I am trying to make sure you are safe and that no one attacks you or your group or anyone else, that's all.

The Jewish man, who asks him why there is no-one surrounding any of the pro-Palestine protesters, adds: 'I'd like that too but your sergeant here has told me that because I'm Jewish, it's antagonistic to the crowd and it's dangerous for me.'

The officer replies: 'I'm not saying that.'

But the man interrupts, saying: 'But he's just said that. Do you have any idea what it's like being a Jew in London at the moment?'

When the officer says no, he adds: 'Let me tell you, this goes on every Saturday, you probably know it, your colleagues know it. You guys are on the front line. The route changes every single week, you never have any idea where it's going to be.

'Because you're Jewish in London, you now have to cross these huge groups of people. It's intimidating enough and now look at the number of police that are around her... I'm just a Jew in London trying to cross the road.

'I've been told repeatedly by the Met that these are completely safe for Jews, that I should have nothing to worry about and yet here I find myself in this bubble. This guy has just been shouting at me and shoving me because I want to cross the road.'

Campaign Against Antisemitism also shared shocking footage from the march of protesters shouting 'scum' at the Jewish man. Another pro-Palestine protester was heard shouting 'Nazi' in front of an officer.

A third protester told Mr Falter: 'I'm watching your movement... that's right. We're all going to watch your movements and record you. The police ain't gonna help you in this scenario.'

Pro-Palestine protesters are seen waving banners at the march on London

People hold a variety of flags and placards at the protests in London on Saturday, including Palestine and Israel national flags

Pro-Palestinian supporters speak with a police officer during a protest organised by Turning Point UK in London on Saturday

The Met also sparked backlash when they told a Jewish woman a 'swastika was not necessarily anti-Semitic'

Jocelin Weiss, 30, told MailOnline at the time that the Metropolitan police needs 'basic education'

Mr Falter said: 'After months of being gaslit by the Met, it's not safe for Jews to be walking in the presence of these protests. And was there anything so crazy about what we were trying to do? Just walking around our home city on a Saturday.'

He added: 'Is this something that we are willing to accept? That now the police have to keep Jews away. We mustn't accept it.'

The Met Police arrested nine people at Saturday's march for public order offences. It came hours before Iran launched an unprecedented Iranian strike on Israel that has raised fears of the war in the Middle East escalating.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'We are aware of this video and fully acknowledge the worry it has caused, not only to those featured, but also anyone who watches it, and will review the circumstances.

'We have always said that we recognise the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to be an issue of concern for many Londoners, and this includes the regular protests and marches in central London.

'Everyone has the right to travel throughout the capital in safety.

'We will meet with anyone who wishes to organise a march or protest ahead of 27 April.'

At another protest last month, an officer told a Jewish woman that swastikas 'need to be taken into context' when she reported seeing the Nazi logo on posters at a pro-Palestine march.

At the time, Jocelin Weiss, 30, told MailOnline: 'I think there's a problem with a lack of basic education for this police force.'

Campaign groups have condemned the Met for the spike in anti-Semitism.

A poster of a baby kidnapped by Hamas was defaced with two swastikas in an incident in London at the end of last year, including a swastika drawn on the infant's forehead.

And in October a synagogue in Sussex was daubed with 'SS IDF' in red paint, with 'SS' depicted as the emblem of the Nazi's genocidal elite guard, and 'IDF' referring to the Israeli Defence Forces.
The theatre writer who sparked fury after claiming a lecture by a female academic inspired a sleazy trip to a massage parlour defended his actions today, telling MailOnline: 'I don't feel like much of a sex pervert.'

Lloyd Evans revealed in The Spectator that he visited a Chinese prostitute after becoming distracted by the appearance of political theory expert Lea Ypi at a talk in Cambridge.

The 61-year-old claimed he had lost control of his 'lunatic libido' after seeing the London School of Economics professor's 'blonde hair spilling over her shoulders', before going on to sleep with a Chinese prostitute.

The article sparked an angry response from the Albanian-born professor, as well as others on social media who called it 'horrific', 'crude' and 'appalling'.

However, Evans has hit back at his critics as he spoke to MailOnline on his doorstep at his East London home. He said: 'I've had a lot of negative reaction unfortunately so I'm not going to be talking much more about it.

'People have been calling me 'sex pervert' and this and that on social media but I don't feel much like one. As for the notion that the woman I visited may have been trafficked - as some have suggested online - I'm not going to get into any of that.'

Lloyd Evans poses for a photograph for MailOnline on his doorstep in East London today

London School of Economics professor Professor Lea Ypi, pictured in Turin in May 2022

Lloyd Evans has been condemned for the column, described as 'horrific', 'crude' and 'appalling'

The eccentric writer apologised for not being more forthcoming and added: 'I'm sorry that you've come this far for nothing... can I compensate you another way? Would you like a chocolate bar? Or a beer? I've given up drinking you see.'

Evans said that he had been inspired to include Professor Ypi in the article because 'I just find clever and articulate women very attractive and she was physically attractive and that made me feel a bit lonely and then I ended up in a sauna bath.'

He claimed he was trying to expose the polar opposites of 'intellectual high-flying political philosophy and a sexual encounter', adding that he found the latter 'much more satisfying and enjoyable'.

He added that Professor Ypi was 'really funny and sharp and witty' and that this induced feelings of longing towards her.

Asked if he had any regrets over the article, Mr Evans replied: 'It's a bit unfortunate, I have had people calling me a sex pervert on Twitter which I think is strange.

'So this person, a complete stranger, has read about my romantic life in a magazine and has then made a public effort to notify me that he considered me as sex pervert.

'Well my message to him is get out of the basement and get a bit of action, even if you have to pay for it.'

Professor Ypi attending the Ondaatje Prize Awards at Temple Place in London in May 2022

Professor Ypi, an expert in political theory who has degrees in philosophy and literature, and previously lectured at Nuffield College, Oxford, hit out at the piece on social media.

READ MORE Spectator's theatre critic sparks outrage by admitting he paid a Chinese prostitute for sex after being turned on by female lecturer during talk at Cambridge Advertisement

She wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: 'Advice for scholars. Next time you lecture on Kant and revolutions at 'Downing (@DarwinCollege) Cambridge, make sure your hair is neatly tied and that you're not blonde.

'Or else your research impact will be on the @spectator libido section.'

In the article, which was headlined My (surprisingly) decent proposal, Evans - who is a sketch-writer for The Spectator - began by saying men feel like 'being chained to a lunatic' in relation to their libido.

He wrote how he had dropped into 'Downing College' for a lecture given by Professor Ypi - the talk actually took place at Darwin College - but son became distracted by her appearance.

'Her blonde hair spilling over her shoulders absorbed far more of my attention than her political reflections,' he wrote.

'I was desperate to speak to her afterwards, but I had no way to orchestrate a meeting.'

Professor Ypi at the FT Weekend Oxford Literary Festival in March 2022 in Oxford

Evans, who has written for The Spectator since the 1980s, then described going to an 'already arranged... social rendezvous at a private business location'.

He explained 'how it works' - handing 'over a roll of banknotes to a concierge at a desk who ushers you into a softly lit room where your companion awaits you'.

Evans said he met a woman called Shea, who was 'petite' and 'buxom'. He added that she 'looked Chinese rather than Irish but you never know these day so I asked her which part of Ireland she came from. 'Shanghai,' she told me'.

She is said to have 'rubbed hot wax' onto his shoulders before ordering him to 'flip onto my back as she dimmed the lights and raised one eyebrow at me suggestively'.

He then talks about 'negotiations' before describing at length how he paid for the 'brisk workout' with the woman who he said 'had a crooked smile which I find far more attractive than those ultra-white Hollywood teeth that look like pieces of Lego'.

While he doesn't go into detail about what they did, he remarks that afterwards she complimented 'my sorry-looking boots rather than my lean and toned physique'.

Evans wrote about a visit to a massage parlour after watching a lecture by Professor Ypi

He added that she left her 'pale tummy exposed' and when she called herself fat he 'sprang instantly to reassure her' before 'smoothing my palm tenderly across her stomach'.

Evans wrote that as the pair 'padded about, tugging out clothes back on' even though they had known each for less than 20 minutes there was an 'air of ease and familiarity' about their small talk.

He then revealed he went left and returned later on with his laptop so he could send her money for the encounter, claiming he 'gallantly' gave her more money that she had initially quoted.

His article sparked condemnation from academics and commentators, with Prof Ypi's furious response attracting more than 3,600 likes, 600 reposts, 400 comments and 316 bookmarks from stunned mostly-female followers.

Darwin College commented: 'Absolutely appalled to see this Lea. Your fascinating, beautifully crafted lecture was a hugely appreciated highlight of the college's cultural year.

'We hope your memory of the event won't be tainted by an audience member using it to write something so crude and offensive.'

Naomi Waltham-Smith called Evans' piece 'utterly depressing and pathetic, yet deeply unpleasant.'

Historian Helene von Bismark added: 'This is awful, unacceptable, misogynistic trash'.

Professor Ben Ansell, an Oxford lecturer, called it 'dismal, embarrassing, chauvinist rubbish', while Professor Linda Connolly, said simply: 'Ugh!'

Micah G Allen, a professor of psychiatry based in Denmark, added: 'This is so disgusting, I'm sorry you were subjected to this. What women in academia go through is a disgrace.'

A Mrs Dayglo said: 'I'm so sorry you have someone like that perving over you. And that he got paid for writing that.'

Fellow academic Colin Wight added: 'Just such a weird piece to write. I can't see the point of it.'

Doctor Charlotte Lydia Riley, a historian, added: 'This is horrific. I'm so sorry.'

Others remarked on not just the comments about Professor Ypi, but also about Evans description of his encounter at the massage parlour.

Feminist columnist Hadley Freeman wrote: 'Re that revolting Spectator article people are rightly outraged by the one-handed writer's comments about the academic. But it's how he writes about the 'brisk workout' with the sex worker (who could well be trafficked) that enraged me. Paying for sex is abusive and unforgivable.'

The writer Julie Bindel was equally forthright: 'What a disgusting man Lloyd Evans is. He should be sent to an island inhabited only by crocodiles.'

Evans told the Mail's Richard Kay last night that he was bewildered by the reaction to his piece.

'No, I didn't anticipate it,' he said.

Evans, who has been writing for The Spectator since the 1980s, is no stranger to sexual shenanigans.

He has previously visited the same subject in other Spectator columns, writing in January how about a 'petite buxom figure' who 'vaulted on top of me, straddling my thighs' as she gave him a vigorous Thai massage.

In the early 2000s the magazine was nicknamed the 'Sextator', such were the stories of intrigue, infidelity and casual affairs - involving various members of staff and a Cabinet minister - under the then editorship of Boris Johnson.

It provided material for a laugh-out-loud farce called Who's The Daddy? staged in a London theatre and written by Evans himself.

Last night Evans's collaborator on the play and fellow Spectator columnist Toby Young said: 'I am looking forward to this scandal blowing up out of all proportion and then going to see Lloyd's very amusing play about the whole affair.'
Arkansas officials are probing a $60,000 payment made by producers of Netflix's controversial Unlocked docuseries, as the mother of one of the star's alleged victims slams the project.

Unlocked: A Jail Experiment follows an experiment by Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins that sees the inmates allowed to seemingly roam free inside the Pulaski County jail in Little Rock after their cells are unlocked for days.

The Pulaski County Government has asked for more details of how the production came to be, particularly the agreement between Higgins and the production company, Lucky 8.

Higgins has told officials that he handed the $60,000 check to the finance director and the comptroller's office on March 28. He was not personally paid for his appearance.

Additionally, two staff members in the jail were paid for working off-duty hours, at $40 per hour. The sheriff says this was the only compensation given to participants, as reported by KATV.

Arkansas officials are probing a $60,000 payment made by producers of Netflix 's controversial Unlocked docuseries

Hailey Shackelford says she has been unable to finish the show, which features inmate Jordan Parkinson, 20, who was initially charged with her son Jadon Shacklefords murder

The capital murder charges were later dropped and Parkinson is now free

Unlocked: A Jail Experiment follows an experiment by Pulaski County Sheriff Eric Higgins that sees the inmates allowed to seemingly roam free inside the Pulaski County jail in Little Rock

The probe comes as a mother speaks of the pain of seeing her son's once-accused killer on the Netflix show.

Hailey Shackelford says she has been unable to finish the show, which features inmate Jordan Parkinson, 20, who was initially charged with her son Jadon Shacklefords murder. However, the capital murder charges against Parkinson were later dropped and he is now free.



'Ive started it and stopped it many times,' the mother told Fox16.

'I understand theyre trying to make a show but there are real people involved and real people that are hurting seeing one of the people that murdered my son doing an experiment and getting gifts and free phone calls and all this stuff when I can never call my child again.'

Shackelford said that she does not 'think someone thats done such a violent crime should get any sort of reward,' adding that 'it does something to you seeing someone that took your child from you.'

The grieving mother told the local outlet she wishes she would have been told about the show before it aired.

'If its hurting me, I know its doing the same to other families,' she said.

Amid the controversy, sheriff Higgins has also told officials that despite the show being advertised as showing 'no locks' and 'no officers,' that was not really the case.

Jadon Shackleford , 21, was killed in a drug deal gone wrong in 2022 in Little Rock

Some of the three gallons of prison wine the inmates made in their cells where cameras couldn't see

Instead, there was an officer in the unite near two secured doors, and another monitoring cameras in the unit.

The inmates who starred in the show were all asked if they wanted t participate, and vetted by the production company and staff. No sexual offenders were allowed in the cast.

The eight-episode series documented 46 inmates including 13 accused murderers, along with drug dealers and wife beaters, in Block H in February to April 2023.

Pulaski County Detention Facility is a remand center where inmates are locked up until they face trial or make bail. Some who appeared on the show were later convicted and sent to jail elsewhere and two were acquitted.

They included Raymond 'AJ' Lovett, 24, who was in December jailed for life without parole for shooting dead Leighton Whitfield, 21, as he visited his fiancee in hospital.

Pulaski County Detention Facility is a remand center where inmates are locked up until they face trial or make bail

Despite the prisoners eventually achieving tentative harmony, learning to work together, and creating a system to run the block, there was plenty of drama.

Several fist fights were caught on camera where inmates punched each other in the face, but they were usually broken up by other prisoners in a few seconds.

However, in the last few days of the experiment a new inmate joined the block and was caught cheating at cards, enraging the losing player.

The pair agreed to settle the score in a cell out of sight of the cameras, but instead the card cheater was jumped by three and viciously beaten.

The beating almost derailed the entire experiment, which would have put the inmates in lockdown up to 23 hours a day.

Higgins is a Democrat and longtime supporter of prison reform, introducing programs after his 2019 election that help inmates re-enter society.

These programs caught the attention of Lucky 8, a production company that made several other jail-focused documentaries, which approached him in 2021.

Higgins was frustrated with inmates often being locked down for 23 hours a day due to staff shortages, especially during Covid.
Donald Trump was joined by loyal aide Margo Martin on Friday as he made his way to court for the fourth day of his historic hush money trial and demanded that the 'unfair' gag order be lifted.

The former president stepped out of Trump Tower with his communications staffer and got into a motorcade in preparation for the last part of the gruelling jury selection process.

The full panel of 12 that will decide his fate has already been chosen, but the court needs six alternates in case someone drops out.

The 77-year-old then sat in the courtroom as one woman was dismissed as an alternative after admitting she has 'really bad anxiety' that could stop her being impartial.

He also looked up when one man being considered as an alternate looked up when he admitted he volunteered for Hillary Clinton's campaign.

In what has become a routine for Trump, he gave a fist bump to the waiting crowd of fans and photographers as he walked across the sidewalk to a waiting SUV. Martin meanwhile was looking at her phone.

Trump demanded that the gag order 'come off' as he arrived in court on Friday morning, after prosecutors urged to hold him in contempt over social media posts.

Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower and heads to court for the fourth day of his historic hush money trial

He was joined by loyal aide Margo Martin in the motorcade as he prepared for the selection of jury alternates

'The gag order has to come off. People are allowed to speak about me and I have a gag order. Just to show you how much more unfair it is,' he told reporters.

'And the conflict has to end with the judge.

'The judge has a conflict, the worst I've ever seen. And it has to end with the judge. The gag order has to come off. I should be allowed to speak.

'Every time I come out to speak to you I want to be open because we did absolutely nothing wrong.'

'I showed you yesterday 30 stories, 32 stories of legal experts. I dont have one the other way. Thirty-two stories of legal experts saying very strongly there's no case, this case should never have been brought, Trump did nothing wrong

On Thursday night he left the court and tore into the 'scam' case where he is accused of hiding a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about their alleged affair.

He has denied 34 charges of falsifying business records, and says every legal experts thinks the allegations are a stretch.

Following three days of legal wrangling a panel of seven men and five women has now been selected and they will assess his guilt or innocence over the coming weeks.

Moments after the last of the 12 was selected Judge Juan Merchan declared 'We have our jury' and they were ushered out of the courtroom.

On the way they passed Trump who had his elbows on the table and looked at the dozen New Yorkers who will rule over his future.

The jurors include a corporate lawyer, an investment banker, a software engineer and a teacher.

One of the female jurors called the ex-president 'selfish' as she was questioned about her opinions in court.

The jury foreman, when questioned about where he gets his news from, said Dailymail.com, among other outlets.

After the jury was picked Trump stepped outside court and vented his frustration at the trial process, wielding a thick pile of media clippings.

The former president read out some of the headlines which declared the trial was a 'spectacle and outrage' and that it showed America was a 'third world country.'

Flicking through them, he said: 'The whole world is watching this New York scam. Every single one (of the cuttings), I haven't seen one that says it is a good trial. It is political. It is a shame.

Trump gave a wave and a fist bump to the waiting crowd of fans and photographers as he walked across the sidewalk while Martin was looking at her phone

The former president, 77, stepped out of Trump Tower with his communications staffer and got into a motorcade in preparation for the last part of the gruelling jury selection process

Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass talks to jurors as attorney Todd Blanche and former U.S. President Donald Trump pay close attention during Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 18, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

'I am sitting here for days now, from morning until night, in that freezing room. Freezing in there. All for this. It is very unfair.'

Trump went on: 'I am supposed to be in New Hampshire, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, a lot of places campaigning, but I have been here all day on a trial that is really an unfair trial.

'Very bad thing. The whole world is watching. You have a D.A. out of control. You have a judge that is highly conflicted.'

He added: 'The whole thing is a mess and you have the leading candidate, Joe Biden - he is the one that should be on trial. We have a crooked president.

'He should be on trial, but he is the one in charge. His top people are here, working with the D.A.'s office to make sure everything goes right because they have no case. It really is a shame, this country is devolving into a third world country between having no orders, no justice.'

Earlier, the judge dismissed two jurors as the court struggled to assemble a panel for one of the most high-profile criminal cases in American history.

Prosecutors said one juror had not disclosed prior brushes with the law, and Judge Merchan excused him after bringing him in to the court for further questioning.

It came shortly after the judge had let go another juror, a nurse who said she felt intimidated because some of her personal information had been made public.

It highlighted the unprecedented pressures around the first criminal trial ever of a former U.S. president.

One juror to be dismissed was a grandfather and IT consultant who had previously told the court he finds Trump 'fascinating'.
However, a spokesperson for the district slammed the claims as 'untrue'

Some children claimed their 'furry' peers were biting and scratching people

The Utah school where pupils dressed as animals have allegedly been scratching and biting other students has now been hit with a bomb threat.

Kids walked out of Mt. Nebo Middle School in Payson on Wednesday to protest the 'furries' - and parents were today warned that the school has since received a threat.

In an email from Principal Kelly Taylor, parents were warned about a 'non-credible bomb threat' while being told they were 'welcome to keep your child home today'.

Taylor said Payson Police had conducted a 'thorough sweep' of the building and found 'no evidence to support the threat' in the email seen by DailyMail.com.

The nature of the menace or who was behind it were not disclosed. It came 24 hours after hundreds of students staged the protest against 'furry' pupils.

Students at Mt. Nebo Middle School in Utah staged a walkout in protest of their peers, who they claimed came to school dressed as 'furries'

The protest was sparked by an online petition urging the district to better enforce its dress code

The hours-long demonstration also came with a petition demanding a stricter dress code to combat the rabid 'furry' pupils they accused of terrorizing them.

A 'furry' is anyone with a strong interest in anthropomorphic animals. Enthusiasts often don full-body animal costumes and gather at 'furry' conventions.

However, spokesman for the Nebo School District Seth Sorensen said stories about terrorizing furries were 'completely unfounded'.

Sorensen said that last week 'students were not treating each other respectfully and things were occurring that they just did not feel were appropriate and conducive to education'.

But he said that there hadn't been any incidents of students wearing masks or animal costumes, or any reports of animal-like behavior including biting and licking.

Kelsey James, a spokesperson for the Utah State Board of Education, said that a small group of students had been wearing headbands with animal ears, prompting other pupils to throw food at them, according to KSL.com.

She said the school sent a letter to parents about this.

The letter reminded students of the dress code, which says 'jewelry, accessories, tattoos, hair, facial hair and other elements of a student's appearance that draw undue attention, distract, disrupt, or otherwise interfere with the learning atmosphere at school or at school activities and events, or that create a health, safety, or welfare issue are prohibited.'

In an email from Principal Kelly Taylor, parents were warned about a 'non-credible bomb threat' while being told they were 'welcome to keep your child home today'

After school employees spoke with the headband-wearing students because they had been 'a little bit of a disruption', the students stopped wearing them, according to Sorensen.

The letter also warned the food-throwers that 'creating a hostile, threatening, humiliating, or abusive environment is not permitted'.

'As that message went out, somehow, parts of that message were, we believe, misunderstood,' Sorenson said.

'Individuals took to social media to share their interpretations of the message, and it kind of turned into something wild and crazy.'

Parents on social media blasted the furry furore as 'embarrassing' and 'so stupid' - with some standing up for the kids who allegedly dressed as pets, and others saying the other students had a right to protest the odd behavior.

'I have seen with my own eyes students dressed with tails and ears and barking and pushing and attacking other kids at the school,' one father said.

'These students don't feel safe at school they report things to the office and do get told "just be nice, it's fine".'

Another parent called the furore the latest example of 'degeneracy in kids schools'.

The allegations also drew condemnation from members of the costumed community themselves.

The campaign, titled 'Students for Humans at School, not animals aka furries,' racked up over 1,000 signatures in a matter of days

'It's crazy that it's escalated to this point where these kids are being so distracting to their peers that their peers want to stage a walkout,' a furry identified as 'Strudel' told ABC 4 in Utah.

Around 75 parents and students gathered on the sidewalk by the school campus, holding up posters with messages ranging from 'Compelled speech is not free speech' to 'Stop brainwashing us!'

The demonstration was preceded by a Change.org petition titled 'Students for Humans at School, not animals aka furries' that went live on Sunday.

While the initial target was 500 signatures, the campaign quickly racked up more than 1,000 of them. The petition had received over 1,430 signatures.

It calls for stronger enforcement of Section 3.8.1 of the district's dress code, which prohibits 'elements of a student's appearance that draw undue attention, distract, disrupt, or otherwise interfere with the learning atmosphere at school.'

Examples provided are jewelry, accessories, tattoos, hair and facial hair.

'Please help us in taking care of our children's well being and safety while at school,' the petition begs.

However, it seemed the students had a different concern. Several middle schoolers lobbed accusations of violence at their peers, including alleged instances of biting.

'Multiple of my friends have been bitten by the furries and scratched, and the school won't do anything about it when we tell them,' one student said in a video.

'They're barking at us in class. Then they try to bite peoples' ankles. We need them out of our environment. Save it for the forest,' another said.

Some students displayed signs reading 'Compelled speech is not free speech' and 'I will not comply.' Some alleged that their 'furry' peers were biting and scratching other students

A representative for the district claimed the concerns behind the protest, including rumors circulating online, were 'completely untrue'

District PIO Seth Sorensen said there had been no reports of 'students attending school wearing masks, animal costumes or acting like animals'

People online were quick to react to news of the walkout. Some social media users rallied behind the furry community as a whole, but steered clear of defending the students' actions.

'As a furry, fursuiting can be a fun and creative outlet hobby. However, this distracting behavior takes things too far and shouldn't be allowed in the classroom,' one user on X, formerly Twitter, wrote. 'Schools should foremost be a place of education and learning for all students.'

Others were quick to bash the children for causing a disruption in the classroom and community.

'Hard to believe that this is a real story. But here we are,' conservative podcast host Cash Loren stated.

Another X user noted the sordid history associated with the furry community, writing, 'Furries was an adult sex fetish back in the day. I actually remember seeing an episode of the show 'Real Sex' on HBO about it.'

However, school officials were quick to push back against claims made on social media.

Nebo School District Public Information Officer Seth Sorensen told DailyMail.com that much of the information circulating online was 'completely untrue.'

'These are 11- and 12-year-old students, and while sometimes these children may come to school with a headband that has ears, sometimes with giant bows, and sometimes dressed as their favorite athlete, there have been no students attending school wearing masks, animal costumes, or acting like animals,' Sorensen said.

He asserted there had been no incidents of 'biting, licking, costumes or animal behavior' at the middle school.

'These rumors are unfounded and are not occurring in our schools,' Sorensen said.

'We have not observed or had reported, any of these types of incidents in the school. The claims being made online are all third-party, or someone told me, statements with no first-person accounts.'

A local furry identified as 'Strudel' told a local news outlet that the students were giving the community a bad name

'It's crazy that it's escalated to this point where these kids are being so distracting to their peers that their peers want to stage a walkout,' Strudel said

Sorensen also encouraged parents to engage in 'open communication' with the district.

'If parents or patrons have concerns, we encourage them to please reach out to the school administration or myself,' he said. 'Our top priority is a safe and supportive environment for both students and parents.'

Speaking to ABC 4 from a local park, Strudel defended the furry community, which they have been part of for a decade, and claimed it was being misrepresented.

'To have the next generation kind of muddy our name and not represent it very well, it is kind of disappointing,' Strudel said.

The furry asserted that young people stumbling upon the community online are not old enough to understand what it entails.

'Continue doing things you like. Continue dressing up, continue making art. But maybe let's keep it outside of school hours?' Strudel said.

A 'furry' is someone with a strong interest in anthropomorphic, or humanoid, animals

While members of the community are often pictured in head-to-toe 'fursuits,' a researcher explained that only around 15 to 25 percent of furries own such a costume

While furries might seem like a strange community, they are quite popular and have been seen across the world for decades.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Sharon E. Roberts, co-founder of the International Anthropomorphic Research Projects, shed some light on the phenomenon she has studied for nearly two decades.

'Furries are people with an interest in anthropomorphism, which specifically refers to giving human characteristics to animals,' Roberts explained.

'Around 95 percent of furries develop their own unique avatar-like character called a fursona  a safe, functional way to explore who they are as people, including their gender identity and sexual orientation.

'Depending on the study, we find that more than 70 percent of furries identify as LGBTQ+ and more than 25 percent are gender-identity diverse,' she added.

'They are bullied at almost twice the rates of non-furries and our forthcoming research indicates that four to 15 per cent are on the autistic spectrum.'

While many people think furries always dress up as animals, similar to sport team mascots, Roberts said that is not quite true.

'Furries don't identify as animals, they identify with animals,' she asserted.

'Only around 15 to 25 percent of furries have 'fursuits,' which can be prohibitively expensive. These are usually worn on special occasions, such as a parade or a convention. Another 50 percent of furries own furry paraphernalia  a furry T-shirt, ears, collar or tail  that communicates their furry interests to others.'
A California residents' meeting got nasty this week, with residents shouting over their Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan, who wants to build a semi-permanent homeless camp near their multi-million dollar homes.

Mahan, a former tech entrepreneur, grinned uncomfortably at the San Jose community forum on Wednesday evening, as homeowners in chorus shouted 'No' when he suggested erecting tents on a paved lot donated by a utility company.

Homes near the proposed site at Willow Street and Lelong Street are worth millions. A newly-built five-bedroom with porcelain kitchen countertops and hardwood floors is on the market for $3.6 million.

Tensions in San Jose epitomize the housing crisis in California, with some 180,000 homeless people posing a worsening problem for liberal-leaning residents who worry about their prized assets tumbling in value.

San Jose's Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan struggled to convince residents of his plan for a secure homeless camp in their neighborhood

Dozens of locals turned up for the meeting and heckled Mahan when he vaunted his camp plan

At the meeting, Mahan pleaded with residents to let him turn the makeshift encampment of homeless people more permanent and safer, erecting tents on a paved area, with security patrols to prevent drugs and crime.

'We can take the area across the street that's Valley Water land that is paved we can do a safe sleeping site,' Mahan said.

The mayor assured the angry crowd it would have 'some rules, with tents in a row with trash pickup, with some amount of security and case management.'

Relocating the unhoused to a 'managed' site would tackle the 'noise, drugs, crime' and other scourges they were complaining about, he insisted.

'You've got to give us an option of where people go.'

But the residents were not buying it.

Mahan was left smiling awkwardly as they shouted down his plan, insisting that any camp should be built elsewhere.

'I don't see how moving that same group across the way and suddenly managing them is suddenly going to change those entire people or change the environment,' one public speaker said.

San Jose resident Kathleen Almoslino spoke up for residents in her Willow Glen neighborhood.

'I think our city needs to sue the county,' Almoslino told ABC.

Resident Kathleen Almoslinosaid she wanted the homeless people moved 'somewhere else'

The mayor wants to turn this makeshift homeless camp into something safer and more permanent

The planned site would have 'tents in a row with trash pickup, with some amount of security and case management,' the mayor said

'I think the county needs to do their job and ... find some unincorporated property somewhere else  not smack-dab in the middle of neighborhoods.'

The mayor has even faced blowback from local groups who support the homeless, who say it's problematic forcing unhoused people to occupy the same space, as many have grievances with others that could lead to violence.

The row in San Jose comes as California battles a crisis of homelessness and vagrancy.

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.

Nearly 28 percent of the nation's entire unhoused population are in the Golden State.

Auditors this month panned California's bungled attempts at addressing the problem

The state spent $24 billion tackling homelessness over five years but didn't track if the money was helping its growing number of unhoused people, their damning report said.

San Jose properties close to the planned homeless camp frequently change hands for upward of $3 million

It slammed 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 confirmed 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.

More than two thirds of US adults say homelessness is out of control and that officials need to move those sleeping rough into tented encampments outside towns and cities, a recent DailyMail.com/TIPP Poll shows.

Our 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.

More than 650,000 people were recorded as homeless by the federal government in its annual snapshot for 2023, which was released in January  a 12 percent surge on the previous year.

Officials in Portland, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and other cities have in recent months responded to public ire over homelessness by dismantling makeshift shelters and moving people on.

More than two thirds of Americans say homelessness, which surged by 12 percent last year, is out of control

Scenes of homeless drug addicts stumbling on sidewalks and fears of violence and petty crime have become a national political issue, with former President Donald Trump making it part of his campaign platform.

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.

Still, homeless people and their advocates say sweeps and relocation policies are cruel and a waste of taxpayer money. The answer, they say, is more affordable housing, not crackdowns.

Our survey of 1,401 adults, however, found that a tough policy resonated with swathes of voters across the US  with more than two thirds saying they favored resettlement camps.

Democrat-leaning respondents were keener on resettling the unhoused. Fully 74 percent of them wanted the homeless moved on, compared to 64 percent of Republicans and 62 percent of independents.
Netflix documentary What Jennifer Did appears to have used AI-generated or manipulated images of the killer daughter.

Jennifer Pan, then 24, paid two hitmen $10,000 to sneak into her family home in Toronto and murder her mother Bich Ha and father Huei Hann in November 2010.

Her father survived the fake home invasion and fled to a neighbor's house, triggering a police investigation that exposed her crimes.

Pan was jailed for life with parole after 25 years, but her murder conviction, and those of the hitmen, was quashed and she faces a retrial.

Her story is now being retold in the popular Netflix series - but fans and internet sleuths have honed in a problematic image that's included.

Other issues with the photo include her nose appearing to lack nostrils, her left cheek looking fake, her shoulder being out of place, bizarre folds around her armpit, and items in the background looking like they don't belong

One of the photos even appears on promotions for the documentary as one half of a split screen between a happy, smiling Pan and her mugshot

The documentary shows three photos of Pan in a red dress looking excited and having a good time at a party or celebration.

But little more than a cursory glance reveals odd features in the images, many of which are classic signs of the use of AI.

It's unclear who was behind the image. Netflix is yet to address the claims.

Nowhere in the documentary, even the fine print of the credits, is the use of AI disclosed.

One of the photos even appears on promotions for the documentary as one half of a split screen between a happy, smiling Pan and her mugshot.

Presented in this way, her misshapen, unnaturally long front tooth is so glaringly obvious that once you spot it, it is all you see.

Pan's ears also look oddly shaped and her earrings don't match.

Pan in another photo has her mouth open excitedly and is flashing two V for victory signs with her hands - only drawing attention to another glaring error.

AI has notorious problems creating hands, often missing fingers or making the hands look more like claws than human.

Pan's left hand looks particularly deformed in the photo, with only the two fingers sticking up looking like they are real and the rest missing or blending with the hand.

Her right hand is believable at a glance, but her little finger is mangled and there is an unrealistic fold down the middle of her palm.

Her misshapen, unnaturally long front tooth is so glaringly obvious that once you spot it, it is all you see. Pan's ears also look oddly shaped and her earrings don't match

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

Other issues with the photo include her nose appearing to lack nostrils, her left cheek looking fake, her shoulder being out of place, bizarre folds around her armpit, and items in the background looking like they don't belong.

A third photo of Pan sticking out her tongue has fewer signs of AI, but isn't perfect either.

Whether the images were generated from scratch using other photos of Pan as a guide, or only manipulated with AI, is not yet known.

One photographer theorized that the images were based on real photos, but were altered with AI to make them clear enough for TV.

'I suspect documentary makers may have attempted to enhance old low-resolution images using AI-powered upscaling or photo restoration software to try to make them look clearer on a TV screen,' he wrote for Creative Bloq.

'The problem is that even the best AI software can only take a poor quality images so far, and such programs tend to over sharpen certain lines, resulting in strange artifacts.'

A third photo of Pan sticking out her tongue has fewer signs of AI, but isn't perfect either

Netflix is yet to comment but one of the producers, Jeremy Grimaldi, denied the documentary used AI to edit the photos.

'Any filmmaker will use different tools, like Photoshop, in films,' he told the Toronto Star.

'The photos of Jennifer are real photos of her. The foreground is exactly her. The background has been anonymized to protect the source.'

However, tech publication Futurism was not convinced by his explanation as the classic AI errors extended beyond the background.

'Grimaldi's comments are extremely vague on a core point: exactly what 'photo editing software' did the team use to "anonymize" the images, and did they involve AI?' it wrote.

'When he says the foreground is "exactly her", does that include her mangled fingers and teeth?'

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.

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.
Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner put on a show of unity today - as she visited a housing development for the second time in four days.

The Labour leader and his deputy lingered chatting together for the cameras as they toured the Nightingale Quarter in Derby.

Ms Rayner is facing intense scrutiny over her living arrangements nearly a decade ago, and which of two homes she was officially residing in.

There are questions over capital gains tax on the sale of a former council house in Manchester almost a decade ago.

She is also being investigated by police amid suggestions she may have broken electoral law by registering to vote at a house that was not her main home, and speculation over what council tax was due.

However, she has flatly denied any wrongdoing and insisted she welcomes the police involvement to prove her innocence.

Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner put on a show of unity today - as she visited a housing development for the second time in four days

The Labour leader and his deputy lingered chatting together for the cameras as they toured the Nightingale Quarter in Derby

Although the pair did not face media questions together, Sir Keir gave fulsome support to his deputy, whose brief includes housing

Despite the furore surrounding her own housing before she entered Parliament, Ms Rayner has not been shunning the public eye - or other people's houses.

She visited a development near Crawley on Tuesday alongside shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves.

And today she donned a hard hat and hi-vis jacket with Sir Keir at the project in Derby, as they launched a policy promising more affordable housing.

Although the pair did not face media questions together, Sir Keir gave fulsome support to his deputy, whose brief includes housing.

'I have said I am absolutely pleased to be out with Angela today, and that is the focus that she has, that is the focus that I have had,' he said.

'We have both answered no end of questions.

'But we are actually out here, positive, on the front foot, putting our housing offer to people here in Derby, talking to residents about how they feel about what we are saying about housing, being well-received, that is really good.'

Ms Rayner visited a development near Crawley on Tuesday alongside shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves

However, Rishi Sunak lashed out at Sir Keir's 'weak' response in dodging reading the legal advice Ms Rayner has apparently received about her home designations.

After delivering a speech in London, the PM said: 'The question is for Keir Starmer as to why he is refusing to himself read the advice that seems to exist, why it's not been published, and make a decision on this and I think that actually just displays a lack of leadership and weakness on his part.

'There clearly are questions to answer. That's clear for everyone to see. And he, you know, rather than hiding behind his team, just actually read the advice himself, publish the advice and clear this up.

'Obviously, I'm not going to comment on an ongoing police investigation. But that's what I said on Wednesday, and that's what I think the right thing to do is.'
A student at the University of Chicago bravely fought off an attacker by snatching his gun after three students were robbed minutes apart on one of the busiest blocks near the campus Wednesday.

Surveillance camera nearby captures the moment when Madelyn, 21, confronted the suspect and grabbed his weapon before the robber got into a getaway car with her phone.

'I'm able to get my hands on the gun... and remove the magazine from the gun, and I toss it into the bush,' Maddi told ABC7.

The masked attacker, seen in a black hoodie and light-colored pants on camera, took off with his driver in a black vehicle.

Minutes before Maddi was robbed, four armed suspects approached two students and demanded property. They fled the scene in a black Infiniti car.

A student at the University of Chicago bravely fought off an attacker by snatching his gun after three students were robbed minutes apart on one of the busiest blocks near the campus Wednesday

Surveillance camera nearby captures the moment when Madelyn, 21, confronted the suspect and grabbed his weapon before the robber got into a getaway car with her phone

The first robbery occurred at around 2.50pm Wednesday, when two students were held at gunpoint at 5640 South University Ave on the Hyde Park campus.

They complied. And the four suspects were able to take off in a four-door black Infiniti.

Five minutes later, two armed men approached Maddi and demanded her belongings when she was walking off-campus at 1367 East 56th St.

'I was just walking home from class, and I see a man in a mask approach me. And he kind of comes towards me and I think to myself, "just keep walking," but then we have an altercation.'

Maddi can be seen turning back, seemingly asking for help from others, when the attacker flashed his weapon and snatched her phone.

'He is grabbing for my phone,' she recalled in an interview with NBC, 'and I am kinda pulling it behind my back.'

The senior student studying Economics said she can't remember what happened next, but she was able to grab the weapon.

'In the tussle, I was able to take the magazine out of his gun, and I tossed it into a bush. But at the moment, I didn't know what I was grabbing.'

The masked robber can be seen searching for the magazine for a few seconds, before he returned back to the dark-colored vehicle parked nearby.

'I think fight definitely kicked in, but I'm in no way advocating of resisting armed robbery. I think it was really not the right decision looking back on it,' Maddi said.

No injuries were reported, and Chicago police are investigating the robbery.

'I don't blame the campus...I don't blame the bystander...I don't blame the police ... they did a great job,' Maddi said.

'I think it's just finding the people who did this attack, because they will do it again,' she said, adding that she usually feels safe walking on campus.

UChicago Police issued a statement shortly after the incident, saying: 'Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Do not resist an armed robbery unless absolutely necessary.

'Avoid using cell phones or other electronic devices while on the street. When walking, try to walk with a group or have a friend walk with you. There is safety in numbers,' the statement reads.

Michele Rasmussen, Dean of students, wrote: 'UCPD and our Campus Safety Ambassadors have increased their presence in the area.'

'While the overall number of robberies in our area has decreased over the last year, we are continuing active measures to reduce crime.'
The Prince of Wales today attended a private memorial service for the last surviving member of the original wartime SAS.

Major Mike Sadler, whose death aged 103 was announced in January, was recruited by David Stirling, who founded the British Army's elite Special Air Service regiment in 1941.

He initially took part in night-time raids against Axis airfields in Libya before being parachuted into Nazi-occupied France after the D-Day Normandy landings in 1944.

Major Sadler was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in France, later served in MI6 and even had a piece of the Antarctic named after him.

In 2018, he was further recognised with France's highest honour - the Legion d'honneur.

Prince William was among guests at Major Sadler's memorial service at Hereford Cathedral today.

A source who attended the service told MailOnline: 'It was a lovely service. Cathedral was packed. The choir did a number from Pirates of Penzance and the final "hymn" was Lili Marlene. Glorious send off.'

It comes a day after he made his first public appearance since the Princess of Wales's cancer announcement last month.

The Prince of Wales, 41, gave a helping hand loading food and cooking in the kitchen at food distribution charity Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey.

The Prince of Wales today attended a private memorial service for the last surviving member of the original wartime SAS

Major Mike Sadler was recruited by David Stirling, the founder of the British Army's elite Special Air Service regiment, which was formed in 1941

Major Sadler left school in 1937 to work on a farm in Southern Rhodesia, which is now Zimbabwe.

After war broke out in 1939, Major Sadler joined the Rhodesian Army artillery unit.

By 1941 he had been made a sergeant but ended up being demoted when he refused a commanding officer's order for his men to wear boots instead of sand shoes when sleeping.

He then met a member of the Long Range Desert Group, a reconnaissance unit based in the North African desert.

The soldier persuaded him to join and quickly took up the role of navigator. Soon, he was in charge of navigation for both the LRDG and SAS.

In December 1941, Major Sadler was part of the first successful SAS raid - on Wadi Tamet airfield - where a team of six men ruined 24 aircraft and a fuel dump.

This was led by Lieutenant Blair 'Paddy' Mayne, a former Irish international rugby star who would become one of Britain's most decorated soldiers.

Major Sadler fought with the SAS in Italy and France following his time in the desert war, before setting up the SAS intelligence unit.

On August 7, 1944, Major Sadler was dropped by parachute into the Loire as part of Operation Houndsworth.

The aim was to reach SAS squadrons behind the lines and help destroy fuel depots, encourage local resistance, and prevent Panzer divisions heading north.

By this time Hitler had given instructions for any captured parachutists to be executed.

Major Sadler (left) initially took part in night-time raids against Axis airfields in Libya before being parachuted into Nazi-occupied France after the D-Day Normandy landings in 1944

Germans struck the two-jeep convoy with Major Sadler returning fire, allowing the other jeep to flee before escaping himself. He was later awarded the Military Cross for gallantry.

Those who formed L Detachment SAS named themselves 'the Originals', with Major Sadler being considered an honorary one.

He was given the role of lieutenant by Stirling but this was reportedly never told to the authorities so Major Sadler finished the war as a major.

On the night of July 26, 1942, Major Sadler, without headlights or a map, guided 18 jeeps filled with twin Vickers K machine guns along 70 miles of desert to within 200 feet of Sidi Haneish airfield.

The group then opened fire as they drove between planes, wrecking at least 37 aircraft. But one of the SAS jeep drivers was sadly shot through the head during the attack and buried in the sand.

'I do remember the people who didn't survive, and who didn't have the chance to receive this great honour,' Major Sadler said after he was given the Legion d'honneur.

It comes a day after he made his first public appearance since the Princess of Wales 's cancer announcement last month. The Prince of Wales, 41, gave a helping hand loading food and cooking in the kitchen at food distribution charity Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey.

Prince William makes bolognaise sauce at Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames today

He was awarded the Military Medal for the Tamit and Sidi Haneish attacks.

Major Sadler was also one of the officers to follow Stirling on the last SAS operation during the desert war in January 1943.

This involved trying to cross the Tunisian desert to meet the British-American 1st Army but they were ambushed by a German unit.

Stirling was captured and would spend the rest of the Second World War as a prisoner of war in Colditz.

Major Sadler managed to escape along with another SAS soldier and an Arabic-speaking Frenchman.

He guided the group on a five-day, 100-mile trek, without a map, or any food provisions, to link up with the 1st Army.

American war correspondent A J Liebling witnessed Mr Sadler as he arrived from the desert, and wrote: 'The eyes of this fellow were round and sky blue and his hair and whiskers were very fair.

'His beard began well under his chin, giving him the air of an emaciated and slightly dotty Paul Verlaine.'

William sits in a delivery van during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames today

When the SAS were disbanded at the end of the war, Major Sadler left the army and signed up with the Falkland Islands dependency's Antarctic survey.

He was awarded the Polar Medal for his efforts.

The soldier then spent two years working at the American embassy in London before being recruited by MI6. He said little about his time with the Secret Intelligence Service, bar the fact that it allowed him to indulge his love of sailing.

He retired in 1984 and spent his later years at a retirement home near Cambridge.

After the war Major Sadler married Anne Hetherington, but the union was dissolved after two years.

In 1958, he married Pat Benson, who died in 2001. He is survived by their daughter Sally.

Major Sadler was portrayed by Tom Glynn-Carney in the BBC's hit series SAS: Rogue Heroes, which aired in 2022.
Travelers are still stranded in Dubai due to the historic floods that hit the desert nation as visitors camp out at the airport with very little food and scenes of chaos.

The United Arab Emirates experienced the heaviest rain ever recorded on Tuesday and the 'historic weather event' wreaked havoc across the nation.

Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest airfield for international travel, was flooded out by the deluge - leaving tourists stranded in the desert.

It has now been three days and travelers are still trapped at the airport - and food supplies are dwindling.

Dubai International Airport is the home of Emirates, the largest airline in the Middle East that operates over 3,600 flights per week from its hub at Terminal 3. The airline flies travelers to more than 150 cities in 80 countries across six continents and boasts a fleet of nearly 300 aircraft.

Travelers are still stranded in Dubai due to the historic floods that hit the desert nation as visitors camp out at the airport with very little food and scenes of chaos

It has now been three days and travelers are still trapped at the airport - and food supplies are dwindling

However, the airline's operations have faced severe disruptions due to the unprecedented flooding in Dubai and passengers have been stranded at the airport to fend themselves with very little information.

'I was at the airport for 14 hours yesterday, and then at 2 AM they canceled my flight after delaying for 10 hours. Now I'm stuck in Dubai until Tuesday. What a mess,' a user who had been in Dubai for the Bitcoin conference posted on X.

The airport's operator admitted it was facing 'very challenging condition' along with shocking pictures showing the runways submerged in floodwater.

On Wednesday alone, 290 flights to and from Dubai were cancelled and 400 others were delayed.

Passengers reported that restaurants in the airport were short of supplies and they have been left to make do with whatever they can scavenge from Duty Free shops.

A British couple told the BBC that they had been stuck at the wrong connecting airport in Dubai with their six-month-old son because their flight home from a wedding in Sydney was diverted.

The airport's operator admitted it was facing 'very challenging condition' along with shocking pictures showing the runways submerged in floodwater

James and Elizabeth Devine, from Cambridge, are now living off of Duty Free snacks and say that water supplies are low.

'The restaurants are closed,' Mr Devine said. 'The only food we have is from duty free so it's like they haven't provided any food for infants or young children, there's no nappies, so we're like handing-off nappies to people.'

'They had to open duty free so we could eat some food but it's running out.'

Another stranded passenger posted on X to warn travelers to steer clear of Dubai at this time.

'DONT FLY TO DUBAI 16,' they wrote. '16 hour unmanned queues that are more like mosh pits, the airport is understaffed.

'People passing out, fighting. No hotel stay as the airport is fully booked, food coupons dont work. Slept on floor for 48 hours,' the passenger wrote.

'My poor 65 year old mother was stuck in that airport for 33 hours. Finally just got out,' another user shared.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Emirates for comment.

On Wednesday, Americans opened up online about their experiences with being stuck in the desert nation in the wake of the drastic flooding.

'Everyone's literally stuck here,' an American tourist from Los Angeles reported from her hotel room in Dubai on Tuesday

'If you're trying to get here, you're not gonna get her,' Wendy O. said in a TikTok video

'Everyone's literally stuck here,' an American tourist from Los Angeles reported from her hotel room in Dubai on Tuesday.

'If you're trying to get here, you're not gonna get her,' Wendy O. said in a TikTok video.

'Literally everything you see on the internet is true - the flooding, the mall collapsing, the people getting stuck in their cars, people getting electrocuted while trying to get through all the flooding in the streets...

'That's because they don't have drainage here,' the TikToker explained.

'For the first time ever I'm happy that I pay crazy taxes in LA to have proper drainage,' she said - adding that the flooding is a 'hot mess' and that she can't wait to go home.

Other videos on TikTok from Americans visiting Dubai showed their horrified reactions to the insane weather conditions.

A TikToker from New Jersey captured a video of herself in a taxi as the roads flooded with water, which she captioned 'the most traumatic experience.'

Another visitor shared footage of a Dubai mall as water dramatically gushed over the marbles floors and panicked shoppers tried to flee.

Another influencer, known for posting investing TikToks, documented his experience with the insane Dubai flooding while he was in the city for a Desci event

One TikToker shared an update from her hotel as she relaxed by the pool in a bikini with a cocktail

An American businessman visiting Dubai said he was 'trying to get his run in' when the flood hit. 'The roads are like pools right now,' he said - adding that the Bitcoin conference he was attending in the city got cancelled due to the extreme flooding.

A group of influencers visiting the desert city got trapped inside a Rolls Royce during the flooding, as video footage captured the panicked tourists floating inside their luxury vehicle in the middle of the road.

While other travelers are stranded at the chaotic airport, other visitors are stuck at their luxury hotels in Dubai - but making the most of the situation as they are fortunate enough have access to food and drink.

One TikToker shared an update from her hotel as she relaxed by the pool in a bikini with a cocktail.

'Dubai flood update,' she said. 'Fun stuck at my hotel but vibes are high. I will definitely have to hit up some events later but until then... cheers,' she said as she clinked her glass with the camera.
In an extraordinarily rare move, Democrats came to the rescue on Friday to advance a group of four bills to offer $95 billion in aid to U.S. allies around the world.

Some 165 Democrats voted with 151 Republicans to pass a rule and begin debate on the $95 billion funding package for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan. There were 55 Republicans who opposed the rule.

Conservative hardliners have taken to paralyzing House business by opposing the historically mundane procedural rule vote this Congress. They've thwarted Speaker Mike Johnson's agenda seven times with the tactic.

Conservative hardliners have taken to paralyzing House business by opposing the typically procedural rule vote this Congress . They've thwarted Speaker Mike Johnson 's agenda seven times with the tactic

House Democrats, led by Hakeem Jeffries, helped Republicans pass the rule

The majority party is typically responsible for passing the rule. The minority party usually votes 'no' on the rule to begin debate on legislation even if they support the bills' final passage.

The only other time Democrats helped Republicans with a rule vote was to raise the debt ceiling and avoid U.S. default under former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and by much smaller margins. Only 52 Democrats voted for the debt ceiling rule, and only 29 Republicans opposed it.

'In the cloakroom, a lot of Democrats were saying, "Wait, if the situation would reverse when we get a single Republican vote on a rule?"' questioned top Intelligence Chairman Jim Himes to reporters.

The House can now begin debate and vote on amendments to a package of four bills that make up the $95 billion foreign aid package.

A final vote on the four bills is scheduled for Saturday, after which they will be sent to the Senate.

Before the vote Friday, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul told reporters that classified intelligence briefings about Ukraine had a 'big impact' in influencing Johnson's decision to bring the foreign aid up for a vote.

Johnson dragged his feet for months on bringing foreign aid to the floor.

The package in total would offer $26 billion to Israel, over $60 billion to Ukraine and $8 billion to the Indo-Pacific, a combination of military and humanitarian aid. It is made up of four separate bills, including one for each region.

The Israel security bill will offer $4 billion to replenish Israel's Iron Dome Missile Defense system and billions more for weapons systems, artillery and munitions, as well as an additional $2.4 billion for U.S. operations in the region.

Nine billion dollars in that bill goes to humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza.

Firefighters and rescuers work at the site of Russian missile strike, extinguishing a fire and rescuing people from the rubble of a residential building damaged by Russian shelling on April 19, 2024 in Dnipro, Ukraine

Ukrainian soldiers from the assault brigade inflict fire damage with a 120 mm mortar while supporting the assault operations of the infantry on April 19, 2024 in Ukraine

The Ukraine bill includes $23 billion for replenishing U.S. stockpiles that have been depleted for the fight in Russia. Some $11 billion would go to U.S. military operations in the region and $14 billion would go to procuring advanced weapons systems. Another $26 million would go to oversight and accountability of equipment given to Ukraine.

Two separate economic assistance funds worth $7.85 billion and $1.58 billion would also be offered to Ukraine under a loan structure. The president has wide authority over the terms of the loan, and could forgive half of it after November 15, 2024 and half after January 1, 2026.

A fourth bill includes several measures such as requiring TikTok divest from its Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance, an effort to obtain seized Russian assets and a lend-lease program for military aid to Ukraine.

The fourth bill include a provision involving the REPO Act, meaning it would seize Russian assets that until now have only been frozen, and one that would involve the Lend-Lease Act, which would require Ukraine to give back U.S. military assets that are not destroyed in war.

Johnson noted much of the bill is not going directly to any country but is going to backfill U.S. stockpiles that have been depleted for Ukraine and Israel. The U.S. was heavily involved in defending Israel against Iran's 300 missile strikes over the weekend.

In an olive branch to conservative hardliners, the House will immediately after foreign aid vote on a border security bill with components of the already-passed, conservative-only H.R. 2 border bill.

Members and allies of the right wing Freedom Caucus were mad that Johnson long said he would not secure Ukraine's border before securing the U.S. border but now seems to have walked back that promise.

Johnson has suggested securing the border is largely an executive authority that relies on President Biden.

Intelligence officials, meanwhile, have been warning members of Congress of Ukraine's urgent need for U.S. aid. CIA Director Bill Burns warned Thursday that Ukraine 'could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024.'

Johnson for months resisted White House calls to bring Ukraine aid to the House floor, hesitant in knowing that doing so could result in his firing. Now, his days could be numbered.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., launched a motion to vacate last month and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., has now co-signed the effort over frustrations with the foreign aid plan. Other right-wing members have flirted with the idea.

Greene could make the motion 'privileged' at any moment, which would force a floor vote on Johnson's ousting within two legislative days.

On Friday Johnson was spared at least another day: Greene did not call up her motion and stormed out to her vehicle after the rule vote, refusing to discuss the speaker's ousting with reporters.

Democrats offered Johnson rare praise for what they deemed 'doing the right thing' and bringing the aid bills to the floor, despite what it could do to his career.

'I don't agree with the speaker on anything politically, but I also think he's got integrity,' Himes told DailyMail.com after the rule vote. 'I think that he's sort of stepped up to be a leader.'

Rank-and-file Republicans have increasingly grown tired of their rabble-rousing colleagues' antics.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., called the members who oppose rules 'cancer' to his party, name-checking Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, Bob Good, R-Va., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., in comments to reporters.

On Wednesday Van Orden called Gaetz 'tubby' and Gaetz called him a 'squish' and said he was 'too stupid' to tie his own shoes.
Victim was targeted by an 'unknown' attacker as she left lunchroom, source says

The Florida girl who was beaten in her middle school hallway is still being bullied two months after the vicious attack, a source close to her family has claimed.

The girl, who is not being named to protect her identity, was targeted as she was leaving the lunchroom at Sebastian Middle School in St Augustine on February 12, the insider told DailyMail.com.

She was then dragged to the ground by another student who repeatedly banged her head against the floor as their classmates crowded around cheering, clapping, and barking at the girl while they recorded videos of the incident.

The suspected attacker was disciplined by the school district in accordance to its student code of conduct and issued a Juvenile Civil Citation, the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office previously confirmed.

But the victim's family feels the district has demonstrated a 'sickening' lack of action to protect the girl, the source revealed, adding that it 'feels like the school was trying to slip this under the rug'.

The attack at Sebastian Middle is the latest in a slew of violent incident on school premises to make national headlines. It comes as nearly 50 per cent of schools in America reported an increase in fighting and violence.

A student who was enrolled at an institution in Florida's St. John's County School District attacked a fellow pupil in what appears to be a school hallway on February 12 this year

The student dragged a fellow classmate to the ground and repeatedly banged her head against the floor in the horrific fight as a crowd students stood by, barking and cheering

The girl was left with bruising on her face after the 'traumatic' attack on February 12, the insider told DailyMail.com.

'This wasn't a fight, it was straight up an attack,' the source explained. 'The [victim] 'did not know her attacker's name before that day. The [attacker] waited in the hallway for her to leave the lunchroom and attacked her from behind.'

District officials say the school 'swiftly addressed' the incident and took action against the attacker in accordance to the code of conduct's guidelines for level four offences, which are classified as the 'most serious' infractions.

While the school refused to specify what discipline the student received, the Governor's Office, which addressed the incident after video of the fight went viral online, said the pupil was 'removed from the school'.

However, the victim's family feels the school was 'grossly negligent' in the way it has handled the situation, the source said, citing how the girl is 'continuing to be bullied at school'.

Students have continued barking at the victim, just as they did during the attack, the insider claimed. They also cited other allegations of bullying, including the girl having her lunchbox smashed and her backpack thrown about.

In addition to 'legal justice' for the victim, the family wants to see systemic change within the district.

'They want the school and district to in the future handle incidents like these with plans which remove violent offenders from the school, as their own policy states they will, rather than allow children to have to return to school with fear,' the insider said.

The St. John's County School District told DailyMail.com that the alleged incident involving the lunchbox was addressed and handled by school administration.

A spokesperson, in a statement issued Friday, said: 'All bullying incidents reported to school administration must be reported to the Florida Department of Education and Office of Safe Schools. FLDOE then makes the determination of whether the bullying is substantiated or unsubstantiated.

'If a bullying incident has been reported and submitted by this student or family, it would have been reported to the state.'

District officials say the school 'swiftly addressed' the incident and took action against the attacker in accordance to the code of conduct. The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office also issued the student a Juvenile Civil Citation, which is the state's diversion initiative

Earlier this week, the district declined to discuss the incident in detail, but said in a statement: 'This was an incident that occurred over a month ago, the school swiftly addressed, and consequences were applied in accordance with the St. Johns County School District's Code of Conduct as a level 4 offense.'

The district's code of conduct defines level four acts of misconduct as the 'most serious' and includes a variety of infractions including serious assault and serious battery.

Per the guidance, students who commit these offences will be issued sanctions that 'include suspension and may include placement in an alternative school and/or expulsion'.

Students who commit level four offences may also be subject to criminal proceedings and referral to mental health services.

Despite taking place in February, the fight went viral earlier this week after the Libs of TikTok X account shared the video and falsely claimed the school was 'trying to shove this under the rug'.

Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for Governor Ron DeSantis, responded to the incident and slammed the account for publishing 'another lie about Florida'.

'This incident happened months ago. The offender was disciplined and subsequently removed from the school,' he tweeted, adding that DeSantis had previously criticized the account for sharing misinformation in another instance.

The Governor's Office declined to comment, referring DailyMail.com to the Board of Education, which has not yet responded to our enquiry.

A survey by the National Center for Education Statistics conducted last year revealed that nearly 50 per cent of schools in America have seen an increase in fighting and violence. This graphic shows the percentage of public schools that recorded at least one incident of violence on school premises during the 2021-22 academic year

Fighting culture appears to be on the rise in schools across the US, with 46 per cent of institutions last year having reported an increase in fighting and threats between students during the 2021-2022 academic year.

The survey of 846 public schools, conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, revealed that nearly 56 per cent of schools reported frequent disruptions due to student misconduct.

According to the survey, roughly 80 per cent of schools cited a need for additional mental health support.

Similarly, 70 per cent of schools said more effort needed to be taken to help students with social-emotional development, the data showed.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that a North Carolina student was arrested after he allegedly abused and repeatedly punched his middle-aged female teacher in the face.

Authorities took the teen into custody after a classmate filmed the profanity-laden physical attack at Parkland High School in North Salem.

Last month a sixth-grade girl was brutally attacked by another student at a California middle school, in a vicious attack that is said to have started during a dispute over a boy.

The onslaught saw the victim being ambushed by a classmate by pulling her hair then viciously punching in the face. The beating appeared to continue for almost two minutes before anyone intervened.

A North Carolina student was arrested after he allegedly abused and repeatedly punched his middle-aged female teacher in the face

Last month a sixth-grade girl was brutally attacked by another student at a California middle school, in a vicious attack that is said to have started during a dispute over a boy

Also in March, video went viral of a group of boys shoving a smaller student against lockers before beating him up at a Minneapolis school

Also in March, video went viral of a group of boys shoving a smaller student against lockers before beating him up at a Minneapolis school.

Two of the much larger boys then started pummeling the boy as he ducked down to try to avoid their violent swings.

Similarly, a teenage girl was charged with violently assaulting fellow classmate Kaylee Gain in a brutal attack on March 18.

Gain, 16, was left in a comma for two weeks after the beating near Hazelwood East High School in St Louis, which saw a teen girl beating her head repeatedly into concrete.

She was left with a skull fracture and frontal lobe damage, but has since been released from the intensive care unit.

Gain and her alleged attacker, 15-year-old Maurnice DeClue, who remains in juvenile detention, were apparently members of warring friend groups in their high school.

Text messages revealed the pair had agreed to the fight, with one messages showing they wanted to settle their differences outside their school one-on-one.

DeClue's family previously told DailyMail.com that she is the real victim who was 'harassed and bullied' before the viral incident and hit back at calls to charge the 15-year-old girl as an adult.

Kaylee Gain, 16, was left in a comma for two weeks in March after the beating near Hazelwood East High School in St Louis, which saw a teen girl beating her head repeatedly into concrete

Kaylee Gain suffered a skull fracture and frontal lobe damage when her head was repeatedly smashed into the ground during a brawl (pictured) near her St. Louis high school last Friday

Two female students were filmed brawling with each other at Minneapolis' Lakeville North High School in February. Teachers were seen struggling to pull the students apart during the lunch time brawl

Earlier this year, in February, video went viral of a huge lunch time brawl between students at a Minneapolis high school.

Shocking footage has emerged showing a huge brawl between students at a Minneapolis high school.

Two female students viciously attacked one another as teachers desperately tried to pull them apart. One of the girls charged at the other, sending her sprawling the floor as other students cry out in shock.

Teachers and fellow pupils tried to intervene and pull the girls apart. Police were called to the premises to provide 'additional supervision'
A generous young man has been commended after he footed a bill which fed paramedics who attended the tragic scene of the Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing rampage.

Dozens of first responders rushed to the Sydney shopping centre last Saturday after Joel Cauchi, 40, stabbed innocent bystanders, killing five women and Westfield security guard Faraz Tahir.

Paramedics, with the help of bystanders, saved a number of lives and rushed them to hospital, including a nine-month-old baby girl.

Later that night, a NSW Ambulance inspector visited nearby Crust Clovelly and placed a 'massive' order of pizzas to feed the hungry and emotionally drained crew of paramedics.

A customer immediately stepped forward and paid the $250 bill without hesitation.

Paramedics were called to Westfield Bondi Junction last Saturday to treat injured victims

A customer at Crust Clovelly paid for $250 worth of pizzas for the paramedics

'To the young guy that covered our tab, I have to say a massive thank you,' the inspector posted online.

'Having full bellies made sitting down afterwards and having some very difficult conversations much easier.'

The man's random act of kindness was also praised by Crust Clovelly owner Yashi Soni.

'We heard the news about the Bondi stabbing incident ... it was very sad,' he told 7news.com.au.

'That night I was about to personally go buy some products from the shopping centre.

'The staff were a bit scared.'

Inspired by the customer's generosity, the store donated $200 worth of pizzas to Waverley Police that night.

Inspector Amy Scott was hailed a national hero after she single-handedly confronted Cauchi during the stabbing rampage and as he lunged with her with the knife, shot him dead.

'It was a satisfying gesture for us to feel like we could contribute, but the reason behind it was we were very shocked,' Mr Soni said.

A NSW Ambulance inspector said that the random act of kindness after the tragedy made 'some very difficult conversations much easier'

The Prince and Princess of Wales, King Charles III and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the chorus of tributes to emergency workers who responded to the incident last Saturday.

Westfield Bondi Junction reopened for trading on Friday as health officials issued a pleasing update on Harriet, the nine-month-old baby girl injured in the attack that killed her mother Ashlee Good.

Harriet's condition at the Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick has been downgraded from serious to stable, after she was moved from intensive care earlier this week.

Ms Good, 38, bride-to-be Dawn Singleton, 25 - daughter of millionaire businessman John Singleton - mother-of-two Jade Young, 47, Pikria Darchia, 55, Chinese national Yixuan Cheng, 27 and security guard Faraz Tahir, 30, were killed in the rampage.

Thousands are expected to attend a candlelight vigil to remember the victims this Sunday at Bondi Beach from 5.30pm.

If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
The mother of a three-year-old girl who almost drowned after falling into a lake has thanked an off-duty nurse and police who helped save her life.

Ayda Kenny fell into the lake, in Thatto Heath, near St Helens, after wandering out of her home earlier this month.

Police, paramedics and an air ambulance were scrambled, and off duty respiratory nurse Janet Grace helped give the tot CPR, after officers pulled her from the water.

The specialist respiratory nurse had been visiting her sister, who lived next door to Ayda, when the emergency unfolded, around 2pm on April 6.

The youngster was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, in Liverpool, in a critical condition but has since made a full recovery.

Ayda Kenny (pictured with her mother Alex Price) fell into the lake, in Thatto Heath, near St Helens, after wandering out of her home earlier this month

The three-year-old (pictured recovering in hospital) was resuscitated after police pulled her out of the water, with off-duty nurse Janet Grace performing CPR on her

Today Ayda's mother, Alex Price, said it was 'miraculous' her daughter had suffered 'no lasting damage' and thanked those who helped save her.

She said: 'I would like to thank everyone for their well wishes and prayers as I truly believe this has helped Ayda's recovery.

'Ayda has had a tough journey, one which is every parent's worst nightmare. I am so grateful that it is had ended with the best possible outcome with no lasting damage, it really is a miracle.

'I would like to mention specific thanks to the Merseyside Police targeted and response teams and Janet Grace, who happened to be visiting her sister, my next-door neighbour at the time of the accident.

'I would also like to thank the paramedics and the air ambulance. Together as a team they worked hard to give Ayda the best quality CPR. I firmly believe she was in the right place at the right time as these swift and thorough actions saved her life.'

Ms Price said the event had been the 'worst experience of my life.'

'Ayda's strength and resilience has defied all odds and I am so proud to be her mum,' she added.

Detective Inspector Yoseph Al- Ramadhan, of Merseyside police, paid tribute to the seven officers sent to the emergency.

Ayda pictured hugging her brother after returning home from hospital following her lake ordeal

'They were confronted with the most terrifying situation,' he said.

'They did not hesitate and without a second thought, they leapt into action to resuscitate Ayda. Their actions saved Ayda's life and I am in awe of them and respiratory specialist nurse, Janet Grace, who was also at the lake.

'This is just one example of how our officers protect our community as part of their job every day.

'Such incidents are so challenging and take an enormous amount of strength from our officers to support families in such matters after a devastating event.

'Thank you to all involved for their remarkable work in relation to this matter.'
A biologist was arrested by Mexican authorities for allegedly murdering a 17-year-old girl and stabbing her mother.

Authorities are now looking into whether Miguel Cortes is also behind the murders of 20 other women.

The 39-year-old is accused of raping and strangling Maria Jose at her home in the Mexico City borough of Iztacalco on Tuesday morning.

Surveillance camera showed the pharma biological chemist approaching her home moments after her mother, Cassandra, had left for an errand.

Maria Jose was preparing herself to leave for school when Cortes sexually assaulted and then stabbed the teenager. Cassandra then returned to the home and saw him walking out of her daughter's room.

Cortes plunged the blade into Cassandra's face and back as she tried to stop him from leaving.

Miguel Cortes was arrested in Mexico City on Tuesday for allegedly raping and murdering his 17-year-old neighbor, Maria Jose, and stabbing her mother, Cassandra. Authorities searched his home Thursday and discovered seven human craniums and human remains; they are now investigating for perhaps killing 20 other women

Maria Jose, 17, was raped and strangled at her home by her neighbor moments after her mother had stepped out of their Mexico City home to run an errand

Cortes attempted to flee, but was stopped by neighbors, who beat and held him until the police arrived.

'The first thing I see is a blood stain. I see my mom lying on the couch bleeding. She had a stab wound in her face and another in her back. She was in shock,' Maria Fernanda told reporters.

'My sister was dead. She was in a very strange position with her pants down, her shirt up. Why?'

On Thursday, the Mexico City Attorney's General Office searched Cortes' apartment in the same building where the teenager lived and discovered seven human craniums, human remains and identification cards.

They also seized several saws and chemical substances.

'The individual could have entered said home to sexually assault the victim and deprive her of her life,' the prosecutor's office said in a statement. 'The man, possibly discovered by a person, also attacked her, causing various injuries that required the victim's hospitalization.'

Police are now looking into whether Miguel Cortes, a chemist, is behind the murders of at least 20 women after seven human craniums and human remains were found at his home

17-year-old Maria Jose was allegedly raped and murdered at her home in Mexico City on Tuesday. Her 39-year-old neighbor, Miguel Cortes, is under arrest

Miguel Cortes is escorted out of a Mexico City police station. He is facing murder and attempted murder charges after he allegedly raped and strangled his 17-year-old neighbor and stabbed her mother two times

The alleged serial killer was employed at a local hospital and avid traveler who was fluent in three languages.

On social media he often posted about protecting the rights of women and animals.

A neighbor, who spoke on condition of anonymity to N Mas news channel, expressed their concern that Cortes may have been involved with the disappearance of their friend, who once lived at his home in 2015.

'She disappeared, this person precisely told us that she had gone to her town and after that he no longer heard from her, she did not return,' the person said.

Local news outlets reported that Cortes may have dismembered at least 20 women.
Justin Trudeau is set to introduce government support for 'halal mortgages' in a bid to help Canadian Muslims onto the property market.

The plan, announced in the 2024 federal budget, aims to boost 'diverse communities' with support for alternative financing.

Islamic law, or Sharia, prohibits Muslims from charging or receiving interest because it is viewed as exploitative and immoral.

So instead of providing loans, Islamic banks used different payment structures to facilitate home ownership.

The practice is already widespread across the western world, but Canada's Liberal government is set to be the first in North America to provide state support for the concept.

Justin Trudeau is set to introduce 'halal mortgages' in a bid to help Canadian Muslims onto the property market

Islamic law, or Sharia, prohibits Muslims from charging or receiving interest because it is viewed as exploitative and immoral

Ottawa is 'exploring' measures that could change 'the tax treatment of these products', with final details set to be announced this Fall.

'Halal mortgages' do not necessarily work out any cheaper for the buyer, as the interest that would have been paid is usually structured in a different way.

Broadly speaking, the mortgage operates on a 'rent-to-own' model, in which the financier purchases the property and then sells it back to the homeowner at a higher price, although there are variations.

Some Sharia loans can in fact have significant drawbacks in that they either effectively render the buyer a tenant for the duration of the contract or saddles them with debt.

The payments are also often more expensive as they are considered more risky.

The Al Rayan Bank (formerly the Islamic Bank of Britain) is one of the fastest-growing banks in the UK and provides Sharia compliant financial services to more than 90,000 customers.

Islamic loans are also available from several US institutions, including the UIF Corporation, Guidance Residential and Lariba.

These loans are not limited to Muslims and can be accessed by 'anyone who is into a more transparent and ethical financial system', according to New York-based Islamic financial service provider Musaffa.

'Halal' mortgages are also offered by some smaller Canadian institutions, although none of the country's five biggest banks offer them.

Trudeau's plan seeks to change this.

'Canada is a country that celebrates diversity and inclusion. This new 'Halal Mortgage' program is a testament to our commitment to fostering an inclusive society where everyone has equal access to opportunities, including in the housing market,' the Prime Minister said in a statement.

Trudeau said the plan was 'a testament' to Canada's commitment 'to fostering an inclusive society where everyone has equal access to opportunities, including in the housing market'

The move has been welcomed by Muslim communities in Canada.

Farhat Rehman, President of the Canadian Islamic Congress, praised the government's initiative, stating, 'This is a historic moment for Muslims in Canada. The introduction of the 'Halal Mortgage' program will not only facilitate homeownership but also empower our community to participate more fully in the Canadian economy.'

There are typically three models of Sharia loans.

The first, known as Musharakah, sees the financier and buyer enter into a co-ownership agreement, in which the two parties invest in the home together.

The buyer then buys out the financier's stake over time, while paying a fee to live in the property while it is still co-owned.

A second arrangement, Ijara, has the financier purchase the property before the home buyer rents it under a lease-to-own arrangement.

Under the Murabaha model, the financier buys the home and sells it to the customer on a deferred basis at an agreed-upon profit.
Police in Nevada have released heartbreaking footage showing the moment officers rescued a eight-year-old girl and two dogs from an apartment fire.

The incident happened at an apartment on Whitney Ranch Dr in Las Vegas last week, with officers responding to call that a mom and daughter were trapped inside.

In the footage, officers with the Henderson Police Department can be seen making their way into the home, pointing flashlights through the smoke.

Seemingly out of nowhere, the young girl appears wrapped in a towel making her way towards the officers.

The officer can be heard saying: 'It's okay buddy, we got you. it's okay', the young girl replies, 'I want my mom', as she sobs hysterically.

Seemingly out of nowhere, the young girl appears wrapped in a towel making her way towards the officers

As the child is led away, officers go deeper into the property and can be heard coughing and spluttering.

As the child is led away, officers go deeper into the property and can be heard coughing and spluttering.

A dog situated inside a crate is also seen be carried to safety by officers as they comb the house.

After continuing to work their way through the house, the fire can be seen in what appears to be a bedroom of the property.

Officers continue to cough and splutter as they make their way from the house to awaiting fire crews.

In a statement, the department said: 'On March 10, officers responded to a report of an apartment fire at 981 Whitney Ranch Drive.

'Upon arrival, officers observed the windows of the apartment shattered, with smoke and flames coming from within.

'Officers were then informed that a mother and daughter were trapped inside the burning apartment.

'Acting swiftly and without hesitation, these courageous officers successfully rescued an 8-year-old girl and two dogs. No one else was inside the apartment.'

A dog situated inside a crate is also seen be carried to safety by officers as they comb the house

After continuing to work their way through the house, the fire can be seen in what appears to be a bedroom of the property

Since sharing the clip on social media, users have praised the officers for their actions.

One person said: 'Gave me chills. Thank you for saving their lives. You are heroes and we appreciate everything you do for all of us. Stay safe, your families need you.'

Another commented: 'Y'all are amazing. Keep doing what you do. You're greatly appreciated.'
Defiant Columbia students have returned to their 'Gaza solidarity camp' despite facing more than 100 arrests yesterday along with fiery counter-rallies.

Pupils from the ivy league college re-built the pro-Palestine encampment Friday morning as they vowed to resist being 'silenced' by college officials.

Columbia president Minouche Shafik, who testified before Congress about campus anti-Semitism on Wednesday, reported students to NYPD, and footage shows cops piling a group of demonstrators into a large police van on Thursday.

NYPD told DailyMail.com officers arrested more than 100 people during the two-day sit-in on Wednesday and Thursday. So far ten have been charged, mostly with resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.

A small number of more unruly protesters have also been charged with assaulting a police officer, disorderly conduct and harassment, the department added.

Pupils from the ivy league college re-built the pro-Palestine encampment Friday morning as they vowed to resist being 'silenced' by college officials

Defiant Columbia students have returned to their 'Gaza solidarity camp' despite facing more than 100 arrests yesterday along with fiery counter-rallies

The pro-Palestine students returned to the college's Butler Lawns as early as 5am on Friday

Several fights also broke out as the demonstrators were met with pro-Israeli counter-protesters.

The pro-Palestine students returned to the college's Butler Lawns as early as 5am on Friday. Footage from later in the morning shows them clapping and chanting 'we will not be moved'.

Speaking through a megaphone, one student read a message she said someone from Gaza had sent thanking them for their 'continued support for the Palestinian cause'.

Dozens of students listened to her speak and repeated each line while wearing keffiyehs - a monochrome patterned scarf which serves as a symbol of Palestinian identity - and waved the national flag.

A livestream from the lawns overnight showed hundreds of students beating drums and singing.

Protester Maryam Iqbal told The Nation: 'Being suspended for Palestine is an honor. The more they try to silence us, the louder we will get.'

Through the day on Thursday, dozens of cops clad in riot gear arrived to disperse the camps.

Columbia president Shafik said they were called after 'attempts to resolve the situation were rejected by the students involved'.

'As a result, NYPD officers are now on campus and the process of clearing the encampment is underway,' she said.

Videos posted by the organizers show people being handcuffed while protesters chanted 'shame on you' at the officers.

Defiant Columbia students have returned to their 'Gaza solidarity camp' despite facing more than 100 arrests yesterday along with fiery counter-rallies

A sign is seen as demonstrators protest in solidarity with Pro-Palestinian organizers in a sit in on the Columbia University campus, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in New York City, U.S., April 19, 2024

Demonstrators protest in solidarity with Pro-Palestinian organizers in a sit in on the Columbia University campus on Thursday

NYPD officers arrested more than 100 people at the camp on Wednesday and Thursday

The encampment was organized by Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) - a student-led coalition of several groups, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice For Peace.

They gathered to protest what they called the university's 'continued financial investment in corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and military occupation of Palestine'.

Rep Ilhan Omar's daughter Isra Hirsi was among those arrested - and she was shown in footage looking worried as she was handcuffed by cops.

The daughter of the staunch Democrat had already been suspended by her university, Barnard College, earlier for joining the protest on the Upper West Side.
A Long Island squatter holed up inside a $2 million house refuses to clear out unless he's paid $140,000 and is considering a possible trial.

Brett Flores, 32, a former model and caregiver, appeared in Queens Housing Court Thursday morning with his attorneys, who stated that homeowners Susana and Joseph Landa agreed to pay $140,000 for him to leave.

'He needs the money to procure adequate housing for his family, and once he gets that money, there's nothing more he wants to do there,' attorney Anthony Gentile told ABC7 outside the courtroom Thursday.

Flores moved to New York City from Los Angeles in 2019 to work as a caretaker for ailing watch executive Bernard Fernandez at his home in Douglaston, Queens.

The Landas bought the home in October but have not been able to move in, as Flores claims the mansion's former owner, Fernandez, left the property to him when he died.

Brett Flores, 32, a former model and caregiver, appeared in Queens Housing Court Thursday morning with his attorneys, who stated that homeowners Susana and Joseph Landa agreed to pay $140,000 for him to leave

Brett Flores, seen here, moved to New York City from Los Angeles in 2019 to work as a caretaker for ailing watch executive Bernard Fernandez

The Landas bought the home in October but have not been able to move in, as Flores claims the mansion's former owner, Fernandez, left the property to him when he died

The man added that initially the relationship with Flores had worked well, saying that he first seemed like a good fit

Susana said: 'No agreement, no lease, nothing. He is just technically an ex-employee, he worked for the guy that passed away, that's it.'

'I wake up and I go to sleep about the same thing, when is this guy going to come out,' she added.

A new judge was assigned to the case on Thursday, with Flores adding another attorney to his team while the couple remains embroiled in the months-long eviction struggle.

Flores, who allegedly wore luxurious watches belonging to Fernandez while attending parties in New York, filed for bankruptcy and showed up for hearings without an attorney, all of which delayed the court process.

After months of court delays, the Landas offered Flores some money, but Flores refused and asked for more, the couple said.

We were ready to cough it up, but when we saw his record and met with someone that gave us a brief of his past deeds, we started to get really scared,' Susana said.

Susana added: The moneys on the table. Weve offered the money with our attorney in court in front of a judge, and he said "not enough".

'He needs the money to procure adequate housing for his family, and once he gets that money, there's nothing more he wants to do there,' attorney Anthony Gentile told ABC7 outside the courtroom Thursday

Flores is seen here alongside his wife Elena Crociani. Flores has been running up huge bills and even caused a sewage flood at the property, according to the couple

So, moneys there, which is fine - painful, and I know what were going to be faced with, which will be a house totally torn apart.

Meanwhile, Flores has been running up huge bills and even caused a sewage flood at the property, which they bought to live in with their disabled son, the couple said.

The couple told Fox News, Flores had flooded the backyard by allowing a cesspool to get clogged on the property, which resulted in them being forced to rip up a porch and much of the property's landscaping.

He really knows the system and how to get by it on his own without an attorney, and living rent-free, renting out rooms, drawing income, vandalizing.,' Joseph Landa told the outlet.

The Landas say they bought the home in Long Island as their family knew the neighborhood well and had relatives that lived in the area that could help their disabled son Alex if something happened to them.

Amid the court battle, the Landas home has fallen into disrepair, as exclusive DailyMail.com images from last month showed.

Splattered white paint has been left on several doors, windows and even security cameras.

When DailyMail.com visited the property, almost every light was on in the home - the lights in the living room, basement, garage and upstairs area.

A camera - not one of the cameras from the new owners - appeared to be placed in an upstairs bedroom.

During the night, there was still no sign of the squatter, or his SUV BMW with out-of-town license plates.

After months of court delays, the Landas offered Flores some money, but Flores refused and asked for more, the couple said.

Chipped paint and multiple cameras are seen attached to the exterior of the home. Ten surveillance cameras monitor the property, but it's unclear who placed them there

They claim he has allowed the mansion to fall into disrepair as evidenced in DailyMail.com photos

A note purportedly left by Flores on the door of the home told the new owners they 'don't have my consent to enter,' and said their attempts to contact him would be 'interpreted as harassment'

A note purportedly left by Flores on the door of the home told the new owners they 'don't have my consent to enter', and said their attempts to contact him would be 'interpreted as harassment.'

While the home has fallen into disrepair as the Landas still can't move in, the Landas also claim Flores was advertising rooms in their home-to-be on rental sites.

In the online listings, which appear to have been deleted, Flores advertised 'The Prince Room' for $50 a night to males, female, couples, families or students looking for a place to stay.

Attorney Dennis O Sullivan, who represents Flores, said: There's definitely more to it... the buyers are not the victims they claim to be.

On Saturday, O Sullivan also said that Flores has a newborn child who is suffering from a lung disease. It remains unclear if the child is living inside the home with him.
Newly released bodycam footage shows the moment officers confront a 'scammer' whose alleged scheme ended with an Ohio homeowner shooting an Uber driver dead.

William Brock, 81, is accused of killing Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, 61, after mistakenly believing she was a scammer.

Brock told cops he had been receiving menacing phone calls all day before Toland-Hall arrived and has pleaded not guilty to her murder.

Clark County Sheriff's Office Detective Cruz spoke with the alleged scammer on the phone following the fatal shooting, footage obtained by ABC showed.

'May I ask who I'm talking to?' Cruz demanded on the phone to the unidentified scammer in an exchange caught on camera.

Newly released bodycam footage shows the moment officers confront a 'scammer' whose alleged scheme ended with an Ohio homeowner shooting an Uber driver dead

Clark County Sheriff's Office Detective Cruz spoke with the alleged scammer on the phone following the fatal shooting

The scammer tried to tell Cruz that he was a police officer himself - but when asked 'what officer' they had no answer.

When she presses for a name, the man evades her question and tells her, 'You're going to be in trouble'.

She then asks if he knows the victim he sent to Brock's home and he confirms that he does.

According to a police report, the number was listed to phone company Bell Mobility in Canada.

Cruz told the scammer over the phone that the lady sent to Brock's property had 'been in an accident.'

Despite agreeing to meet up with authorities, the scammer never showed up and has still not been caught.

Cops said the driver was also an unwitting victim of a scam, after she was dispatched to Brock's South Charleston home via the Uber app to 'pick up a package'.

Video shows Brock calmly explaining to a police officer how he had been on the phone for 'a couple of hours' with a man claiming he had a nephew in jail who needed bond money.

Bodycam footage shows the moment an elderly Ohio man is confronted by cops after shooting dead an Uber driver

William Brock, 81, was seen explaining to police how he had been receiving threatening calls all day before the fatal shooting and believed the victim was a scammer

Lo-Letha Toland-Hall, 61, (pictured) was gunned down by William Brock, 81, on March 25 in the rural village of South Charleston, located between Columbus and Cincinnati

'I'm sure glad to see you guys out here because I've been on the phone for a couple of hours with this guy trying to say I had a nephew in jail, had a wreck in Charleston just kept hanging on and needing bond money and this woman was supposed to [...] I feel like I'm getting different stories,' Brock says to an officer.

The cop then pats him on the back before he is carefully placed into the back of a police car following a quick pat down.

Another angle shows cops sprinting towards Brock's home after the shooting. Several police cars are parked outside with their sirens flashing.

Brock pleaded not guilty to murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping during a court appearance at a Clark County court on Wednesday.

Brock pleaded not guilty to murder in a Clark County court appearance on Wednesday

Brock later told cops that scammers had made threatening calls to him demanding money - and the same fraudsters called the Uber to his home to 'pick up a package'

He previously told cops the scammer had demanded $12,000 and threatened his life and his family's.

A chilling 911 call after the fatal shooting shows Brock explaining how he had been inundated with threatening calls before Toland-Hall's arrival.

'He was telling me he was going to kill me, my family and everybody else,' Brock explains.

Toland-Hall's harrowing final moments on March 25 were also caught by her dashcam which kept running during the confrontation.

She was unaware the older man was being targeted, and thought the job was legitimate, police said.

When she showed up to collect the package, Brock shockingly whipped out a gun and demanded she identify who had sent her.

He also allegedly took her phone and wouldn't let her leave. A scuffle between the two broke out, during which Brock shot Toland-Hall at least three times.

She suffered wounds to her upper left side of her torso, left thigh, inside of her left knee and the center mass of her sternum.

Toland-Hall tried to get back to her car as Brock shot her. She can also be heard screaming in pain while Brock threatened to 'shoot the other leg.'

Brock said she attacked him after he fired the first shot by slamming his head into her car door.

Dashcam footage from the cab shows Brock pointing a pistol at Toland-Hall during the deadly confrontation

Toland-Hall, 61, was an Uber driver who had been called on a job to pick up a parcel from William Brock's home, police believe she was a victim of the same scammer

He shot her again as she tried to escape, because according to him he believed she was about to retrieve a weapon of her own.

Brock told deputies - 'without being asked' as they put it - that Hall was there to 'take [my] money.'

'He provided he didn't want to shoot her but he thought she was going to kill him,' the incident report said.

The mother-of-one from Columbus, Ohio was rushed to hospital but died during surgery.

'This is a horrific tragedy and our hearts continue to be with Lo-Lethas loved ones as they grieve,' Uber said in a statement.

'We have been in contact with law enforcement and remain committed to supporting their investigation.'
An asylum seeker who fatally stabbed a pensioner in the street after shouting 'Free Palestine' has told jurors he felt unwell and that he might faint when he did it.

Ahmed Alid, 45, is charged with murdering Terence Carney, 70, in Hartlepool town centre, minutes after repeatedly knifing his sleeping housemate Javed Nouri, 31, in his bed.

The prosecution at Teesside Crown Court has said Alid, from Morocco and who moved with family to Algeria, was motivated out of 'revenge' for the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Both men were stabbed six times in the early hours of October 15, eight days after the Hamas attacks on Israel, and Mr Nouri survived after fighting off his attacker.

Alid admits he stabbed them both and agrees it was wrong, but denies he intended to cause either serious harm or that he was 'responsible' for their injuries.

A police handout photo of Ahmed Alid, who is charged with murdering Terence Carney, 70, in Hartlepool town centre, minutes after repeatedly knifing his sleeping housemate Javed Nouri, 31, in his bed

A picture of Alid being arrested in Hartlepool. He told the court that he felt homesick and that he could not work in the UK

A CCTV grab of Alid holding a knife after leaving Wharton Terrace and minutes before he allegedly murdered Terence Carney

Giving evidence from the witness box, Alid, said he felt as if someone else was pushing him when he forced his way into Mr Nouri's room.

After describing the struggle he had with the former body builder who had converted to Christianity, he explained how a number of problems, including an issue with his father dating back to 2003, were on his mind.

He also said he felt homesick, that he could not work in the UK and that he had argued with Mr Nouri previously.

The jury has heard how Mr Nouri clashed with Alid about the shared property being dirty when he moved in.

After stabbing Mr Nouri, Alid claimed he left the asylum seekers' accommodation in Wharton Terrace, Hartlepool, in the early hours of October 15, looking for a clinic as he had suffered a cut hand during the fight.

He recalled seeing Mr Carney coming towards him and the defendant remembered shouting 'Free Palestine' in a loud voice.

He claimed Mr Carney, whom he said he had seen out and about previously, said something like 'Go back to your country'.

Via an Arabic interpreter, Alid told jurors: 'My hand was bleeding, I had lost a lot of blood and he came towards me.

'I felt like dizziness.'

John Elvidge KC, defending, asked: 'Why did you stab him?'

Alid replied: 'I was not feeling well.

'I thought I am going to faint and he will take the knife from me and he will stab me.'

After he knifed the pensioner, Mr Carney fell and began to crawl on the ground, Alid said.

The defendant told the jury he believed Mr Carney was looking for a stone with which to hit him.

Mr Elvidge asked: 'Did you intend to cause him really serious harm?'

The scene in Javed Nouri's bedroom after he was allegedly stabbed by Ahmed Alid

The scene at Wharton Terrace after the alleged incident took place

Alid replied: 'No, he was an old man.

'Any normal person at that age would never talk to anyone at this time.'

Earlier, Alid said he came to Europe in 2007 as there was a problem with the intelligence services monitoring his shop and they were 'harassing' him.

He moved around the continent for years, spending time in Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Scandinavia, the Netherlands and Austria, before he came to the UK in 2020 via a ferry, arriving in Middlesbrough.

The court heard he was arrested by police as he did not have the correct papers and he applied for asylum.

Asked by Mr Elvidge if that was successful, Alid said: 'I didn't have any answer.'

He was allowed to work four hours a week, but that did not lead to him getting a job, the court heard.

Alid, who had no previous convictions, was into fitness and was frequently seen running in Hartlepool, jurors were told.

He denies murder, attempted murder and assaulting two female detectives after they interviewed him.

The trial was adjourned until Tuesday.
A key intelligence tool used to surveil terrorists is set to expire after a Saturday midnight deadline.

The Senate looks poised to blow through the April 19 deadline to pass legislation to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Authority (FISA), and now 'America will go blind,' according to Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner.

On Thursday, in a 67-32 vote, the Senate invoked cloture, allowing debate to begin on the bill, but delay tactics from privacy advocates stalled quick passage. Senators are still going back and forth over amendments.

A final vote on FISA could be kicked to Sunday or Monday.

'We will go blind on April 20,' Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner told reporters last week, stressing the urgency of the national security surveillance tool.

Sen. Rand Paul, a FISA critic, seemed unconcerned.

'I'm not concerned with the date,' he said.

Former national security officials warned in a letter to the Senate on Thursday that 'even slight delays in surveillance and analysis could have grave consequences in particular for counterterrorism and cybersecurity efforts fields in which adversaries arise and move quickly.'

A tool used to spy on foreign terrorists is set to expire at midnight

'A statutory lapse may well trigger judicial challenges to ongoing operations under the current certifications approved by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court,' the letter went on.

'The leaders of the Intelligence Community have been clear that we currently face imminent, complex and diverse threats. This is not the time to take risks with national security.'

Last week the House approved a two-year extension of a controversial foreign surveillance program that can help track foreign terrorists after a chaotic week of Republican infighting.

Bipartisan efforts to require a warrant for intelligence officials to pick up communications of those on U.S. soil with suspected terrorists failed in the House and are expected to fail in the Senate.

Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the majority whip, and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., are trying to force a vote on an amendment that would require an amendment to pick up any communications that involve Americans

The Senate looks poised to blow through the April 19 deadline to pass legislation to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Authority (FISA), and now 'America will go blind,' according to Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner

Sens. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., are trying to force a vote on an amendment that would require an amendment to pick up any communications that involve Americans.

Senate leadership does not want to amend the House-passed bill, because then the House would have to vote on the new Senate version and FISA would lapse until they did so.

In a statement, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen called Durbin's amendment a 'flat-out prohibition on our ability to use U.S. person queries to disrupt threats and protect Americans.'

'It is also not a 'compromise.' It's an extreme proposal that cripples the value of Section 702, especially in protecting Americans from lethal plotting, hacking, recruitment as spies, and more,' Olsen said.

Last week, after the House's passage of FISA, Trump said he is 'not a fan' of FISA but did not try to whip members against voting for it.

'I'm not a big fan of FISA. But I told everybody I said do what you want,' Trump said during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago standing next to Speaker Mike Johnson.

'They put a lot of checks and balances on and I guess it's down to two years now so that it would come due in the early part of my administration.'

'I know [FISA] probably better than anybody,' Trump claimed. 'You know they spied on my campaign. You do know that right? And they did lots of other bad things.'

Trump had deflated chances of FISA's passing the House ahead of a failed rule vote to advance it earlier this week with a scathing post to Truth Social.

'KILL FISA, IT WAS ILLEGALLY USED AGAINST ME, AND MANY OTHERS. THEY SPIED ON MY CAMPAIGN!!! DJT,' Trump wrote.

But Johnson made an agreement with Trump and his allies to renew it only for two years instead of five, so they could hash out more reforms under a potential Trump administration.

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. Trump reauthorized FISA in 2018.

Trump's comments at the Friday news conference were a more passive opposition.

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.

A hotly contested amendment from Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., to require a warrant before picking up conversations of those on U.S. soil who communicate with suspected terrorists failed on a rare tie vote, 212-212.

Speaker Mike Johnson cast the final vote that tanked the amendment - a move that is sure to rankle hardliners.

'Being the vote that took down the warrant amendment certainly brought other members over to my side,' said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Johnson, who she has filed a motion to oust from the speakership.

'This is a sad day for America. The Speaker doesn't always vote in the House, but he was the tie breaker today. He voted against warrants,' Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., wrote on X.

An amendment from Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, that would require the FBI to provide quarterly reports about how many Americans had been queried under 702 passed and was added to the bill.

The national security surveillance bill includes new guardrails aimed at oversight and transparency, after a report found that intelligence agents had improperly queried Americans 278,000 times under the law.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released a May 2023 report that details how the FBI improperly 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.

FISA is set to expire on April 19, after which 'America will go blind,' Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner warned reporters.

Ahead of the vote, Turner noted that FISA could have been used to spy on Al-Qaeda ahead of the 9/11 attack.

'The 9/11 perpetrators were in the United States and they were communicating with Al-Qaeda,' he said on the House floor.

'At that time, we made a grave mistake and that we were not spying on al Qaeda and we didn't see who they were communicating with United in the United States. we changed that and we began to spine al Qaeda and we got to see the extent to which they were recruiting people the United States to do us harm.'

Without Section 702, intelligence agents would not be able to get the full picture of conversations of suspected terrorists abroad who are communicating with people on American soil.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, tore into the right-wing House Freedom Caucus and its allies who want the FBI to have to get a warrant to pick up those conversations, which critics say would bog down the process of fighting terrorism.

'Let's be clear. Your position is aligned (and cosponsored) with the progressive caucus - Jerry Nadler, AOC, Rashida Tlaib, Pramila Jayapal - the list goes on and on. It is the far left socialists that want this same policy,' he said.

'What the progressives want to do is much more than just fix the program, they want to kill it entirely. I'm not surprised when Rashida Tlaib wants to make it easier for terrorists to kill Americans, but I am VERY surprised that many Republicans agree with her.'

Crenshaw's amendment to allow international drug traffickers to be queried under 702, in addition to terrorists, was adopted to the bill.

Crenshaw likened it to a wire tap of criminal investigation. Police don't have to get a warrant to probe conversations of suspects and the people they talk to. He noted that intelligence agents need to track would-be terrorists' conversations with those in the U.S. at early stages, potentially before a judge would approve a warrant for 'probable cause.'

'This requirement - while perhaps well intentioned - would actually destroy our ability to detect domestic terror attacks (or drug trafficking, or espionage), because it prevents our investigators from moving past step 1 of the investigation process, which is simply connecting the dots with data we already legally have.'

Biggs, who sponsored the warrant requirement, shot back: 'You've aligned yourself with the DC Cartel that insists on spying on Americans and violating the Bill of Rights.'

Crenshaw claimed the FBI 'HATES' the new reforms in the bill. 'It severely degrades their access to the FISA database. It imposes criminal penalties for abusing it. It makes clear you can't search anyone for any reason, but only for investigations related to foreign intelligence, WMD, or terrorism.'

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.

On Thursday FBI Director Christopher Wray issued a dire warning to members of Congress about what could happen if FISA lapses. 'It will massively increase the risk of missing crucial intelligence during a time of heightened national security threats across a whole multiple of fronts,' Wray said.

'If we're blinded from seeing what our adversaries are, who they're working with, I can tell you that's going to most definitely have consequences for our ability to protect the American people, because I can assure that none of our adversaries are tying their own hands. So now is not the time for us to hang up our gloves.'

The ODNI report states 13 people connected to January 6 were inappropriately queried in order to determine if they had 'foreign ties.'

In addition, over 130 individuals were searched in the database who were linked to the social unrest and riots conducted by Black Lives Matter activists in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd in 2020.

The FISA search was conducted to gain information on whether they were connected to any counterterrorism plots - which DOJ wrote in the report was 'reasonable,' but the high level of redactions don't allow for a fuller explanation.

There was also a 'batched inquiry' of over 19,000 donors to a congressional campaign, which was unnamed.

The FBI analyst who conducted the search said the campaign was a possible target of foreign influence.

However, the Department of Justice said there were only 'eight identifiers' used in the search in total that 'had sufficient ties to foreign influence activities to comply with the querying standard.'

Additionally, FBI FISA searches were conducted on crime victims, including 'individuals listed in police homicide reports, including victims, next-of-kin, witnesses, and suspects.'

DOJ said these queries were inappropriate because there was 'no reasonable basis' to expect the individuals would be linked to foreign intelligence through those searches.
A third Republican has co-sponsored a movement to boot Mike Johnson from the speakership.

Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., announced his support for a motion to vacate Johnson on Friday, citing outrage over Johnson putting money for Ukraine's 'purposeless' fight against Russia on the House floor without border security measures attached.

'Congress cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the consequence of Bidens disastrous open border policies, nor can it idly wait for Biden to halt this invasion through executive fiat,' Gosar said. 'Congress has the responsibility to solve this crisis.'

Johnson long said he would not back money to bolster Ukraine's border before the U.S.'s. On Saturday he will put a $95 billion foreign aid package with $60 billion for Ukraine on the House floor.

Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., announced his support for a motion to vacate Johnson on Friday, citing outrage over Johnson putting money for Ukraine's 'purposeless' fight against Russia on the House floor without border security measures attached

Three Republicans have signed on to the effort to oust Johnson

In recent days the speaker has suggested that power to secure the border largely falls to President Biden.

A border bill will come to the floor separately, but only the foreign aid package is likely to make it through the Democrat-led Senate. Some conservative hardliners had wanted the border provisions attached to Ukraine aid, to make Democrats choose between supporting Ukraine and opposing border restrictions.

'Under the direction of the Speaker, is on the verge of sending another $61 billion to further draw America into an endless and purposeless war in Ukraine,' Gosar went on.

'I have added my name in support of the motion to vacate the Speaker. Our border cannot be an afterthought. We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.'

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., launched a motion to vacate last month and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., co-signed the effort over frustrations with the foreign aid plan. Other right-wing members have flirted with the idea.

Greene could make the motion 'privileged' at any moment, which would force a floor vote on Johnson's ousting within two legislative days.

On Friday Johnson was spared at least another day: Greene did not call up her motion and stormed out to her vehicle after the rule vote, refusing to discuss the speaker's ousting with reporters.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., launched a motion to vacate last month and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., co-signed the effort over frustrations with the foreign aid plan

On Friday Johnson was spared at least another day: Greene did not call up her motion and stormed out to her vehicle after the rule vote, refusing to discuss the speaker's ousting with reporters.

Massie insisted to reporters that others were waiting in the wings to join on to their resolution.

'There's a fourth and a fifth who are waiting as well.'

Republicans increasingly believe that Johnson's days as leader of the House GOP are numbered. 'I think there's probably a clear consensus that next Congress he wont be speaker,' Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, toldr reporters.

Massie suggested the motion would not come up immediately, deeming it more of a 'call to resign.'

Massie called to mind former Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., introducing a motion to vacate before an August recess, giving people time to 'think about it' and sign on to the motion. Ultimately Boehner resigned after growing pressure.

Democrats offered Johnson rare praise for what they deemed 'doing the right thing' and bringing the aid bills to the floor, despite what it could do to his career.

'I don't agree with the speaker on anything politically, but I also think he's got integrity,' Himes told DailyMail.com after the rule vote. 'I think that he's sort of stepped up to be a leader.'

Rank-and-file Republicans have increasingly grown tired of their rabble-rousing colleagues' antics.

Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wis., called the members who oppose rules 'cancer' to his party, name-checking Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, Bob Good, R-Va., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., in comments to reporters.

On Wednesday Van Orden called Gaetz 'tubby' and Gaetz called him a 'squish' and said he was 'too stupid' to tie his own shoes.

A final vote on four bills with money for Israel, Ukraine, and the Indo-Pacific is scheduled for Saturday, after which they will be sent to the Senate.

The package in total would offer $26 billion to Israel, $60 billion to Ukraine and $8 billion to the Indo-Pacific, a combination of military and humanitarian aid. It is made up of four separate bills, including one for each region.

The Israel security bill will offer $4 billion to replenish Israel's Iron Dome Missile Defense system and billions more for weapons systems, artillery and munitions, as well as an additional $2.4 billion for U.S. operations in the region.

Nine billion dollars in that bill goes to humanitarian relief for Palestinians in Gaza.

The Ukraine bill includes $23 billion for replenishing U.S. stockpiles that have been depleted for the fight in Russia. Some $11 billion would go to U.S. military operations in the region and $14 billion would go to procuring advanced weapons systems. Another $26 million would go to oversight and accountability of equipment given to Ukraine.

Two separate economic assistance funds worth $7.85 billion and $1.58 billion would also be offered to Ukraine under a loan structure. The president has wide authority over the terms of the loan, and could forgive half of it after November 15, 2024 and half after January 1, 2026.

A fourth bill includes several measures such as requiring TikTok divest from its Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance, an effort to obtain seized Russian assets and a lend-lease program for military aid to Ukraine.

The fourth bill include a provision involving the REPO Act, meaning it would seize Russian assets that until now have only been frozen, and one that would involve the Lend-Lease Act, which would require Ukraine to give back U.S. military assets that are not destroyed in war.

Johnson noted much of the bill is not going directly to any country but is going to backfill U.S. stockpiles that have been depleted for Ukraine and Israel. The U.S. was heavily involved in defending Israel against Iran's 300 missile strikes over the weekend.
A California high school student has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and raping a 15-year-old girl in a campus bathroom.

Reyvon English, 18, is accused of attacking the girl at Mount Miguel High School in Spring Valley.

The victim was on campus for an after school club when she was assaulted in a restroom, police said.

The distraught teen immediately notified staff who called the cops.

English, a fellow student, was arrested after turning himself in at the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station on April 18.

Reyvon English, 18, is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl at Mount Miguel High School in Spring Valley

He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on rape, kidnapping, false imprionment and other charges related to the sexual assault.

Prison records show he is being held without bail and is due to appear in court on April 22.

Deputies with the Rancho San Diego Sheriff's Station have since stepped up their patrols of the area.

The victim's details have not been released in accordance with the force's policies on protecting minors and the victims of sex crimes.

'The safety of our students is a priority for the Sheriffs Department,' police said in a statement.

'We want to remind students they can always approach our school resource deputies with any concern.

'They can also call the anonymous Students Speaking Out Hotline at (888) 580-8477.'
This is the horrifying moment CNN hosts watched on as a protester set himself on fire outside Donald Trump's hush-money trial in New York City.

The dramatic moment took place on day four of the former president's hush money trial in Manhattan Criminal Court.

CNN reporter Laura Coates, who was covering Trump's trial, first believed the commotion was due to an active shooter.

'An active shooter is in the park... no a man's set fire to himself outside of the courthouse,' she announced.'

The network's cameras then turned to show the man, still engulfed in flames on the ground.

Coats later added: 'I cannot ... overstate the emotional response of watching a human being engulfed in flames and to watch his body be lifted into on a gurney.'

This is the horrifying moment CNN hosts watched on as a protester set himself on fire outside Donald Trump's hush-money trial

The dramatic moment took place on day four of the former president's hush money trial in Manhattan

The man was seen in a barricaded area near the court house setting himself on fire at about 1.30pm Friday.

NYPD officers arrived after the man doused himself in gasoline and set himself ablaze in front of the world's media, as well as horrified onlookers.

An NYPD spokesperson told DailyMail.com the man was transferred to the hospital in critical condition.

Shocking video showed the man twitching on the ground while engulfed by flames before another man ran over with a fire extinguisher.

Witnesses described the incident as a 'political protest' although it was not clear what side he was on.

Witnesses described the incident as a 'political protest' although it was not clear what side he was on

The man was seen throwing flyers on Trump and Biden around before dousing himself and setting himself alight, bystanders said.

After a few minutes, dozens of police officers rushed over and tried to smother the flames.

The man, who appeared to be alive, was loaded into an ambulance and rushed away. 'I've never seen something like that in my life,' eyewitness Charles Udoaka said.

'I was crossing the park and saw a fire and then it just ignited. People were screaming and trying to use a fire extinguisher to put the fire out.'

'It was completely out of the blue,' Kennedy Mack, who was visiting from South Carolina said.

'He started throwing brochures around and then poured gasoline on himself, two or three gallons.

At the nearby courtroom, a jury of 12 New Yorkers and six alternates was selected in Trump's trial.

Judge Juan M. Merchan, seemingly unaware of what was unfolding outside, told newly selected jurors that opening statements are set for Monday at 9.30am.
A high-ranking military doctor has been accused of sexually assaulting dozens of male soldiers who he treated at a Washington state US army base.

Major Michael Stockin, a pain doctor, is facing 47 sexual assault charges in a case that would be one of the biggest of its kind in the US Army's history, as reported by Fox13.

Dozens of male soldiers who were treated by Stockin at the Joint Base Lewis McChords (JBLM) Madigan Army Medical Center say he groped them under the guise of a sensory exam.

Ryan Guilds, a lawyer for several victims, told the local outlet that his clients sometimes have bad days 'because of what happened to them' or as they 'come to grips with what happened to them.'

It's likely the trial will be pushed until next year, with Guilds saying the delay makes the situation even harder for his clients.

Major Michael Stockin, a pain doctor, is facing 47 sexual assault charges in a case that would be one of the biggest of its kind in the US Army's history

Dozens of male soldiers who were treated by Stockin at the Joint Base Lewis McChords (JBLM) Madigan Army Medical Center say they were abused

'Theyre soldiers, so I think theyll muck it up and do their best,' the lawyer said. 'Ultimately, theyre trying to move forward and what is obviously a lengthy process, and now after today, its longer.'

Authorities say they could be more victims and have asked anyone with information to come forward.

Charging documents say Stockin tried covering up the sexual abuse by saying it had a 'medical purpose,' as reported by CBS News.

Back in February two of Stockin's alleged victims spoke anonymously to CBS, saying the doctor betrayed their trust.

One of the soldiers, who went to see the doctor for shoulder pain, said: 'Myself and Dr. Stockin were left alone in the room. He first checked my shoulders and then he asked me to stand up and to pull down my pants and lift up my gown.

'Dr. Stockin, he was face level with my groin, and he started touching my genitals.'

The soldier, a retired command sergeant major, said he was sexually abused by Stockin three times.

Another soldier, a Command Sergeant Major allegedly abused by the doctor, said the experience has left emotional trauma.

He said: 'Even with my wife I couldn't bring myself to talk through what happened... It just felt very uncomfortable.'

Stockin previously worked at other army facilities in DC, and Hawaii, but all the victims were treated at the Army hospital located at JBLM.

He did not enter a plea during a court appearance in February but can still enter one at a later date.

His lawyer Robert Capovilla has said: 'We understand, without exception, that in todays political culture, the media will continue to condemn Major Stockin and render judgment before a jury or judge even hears evidence.'

Capovilla added he intends to fight every single allegation against his client.
Donald Trump intently watched a woman as she broke down in tears and said she was an ex-convict during dramatic jury selection on Friday where several candidates got emotional.

The prospective juror told the historic hush money trial she was a drug addict who had served two years in prison, prompting the former president to look up from the defense table.

The 77-year-old turned his body around and listened as the emotional woman said: 'I probably shouldn't be here'.

She was one of five candidates sent home on an unusual and dramatic morning in court as the attorneys tried to select the remaining alternate jurors.

Five were selected, but several became emotional during questioning, including one who admitted she had 'really bad anxiety' and another who said: 'This is so much more stressful than I thought'.

Jurors were asked a series of questions, including if they could be 'fair' when faced with allegations Trump was 'unfaithful' in his marriage.

Donald Trump intently watched a woman in court on Friday as she broke down in tears and apologized to the court after admitting she was an ex-convict

Trump jolted to life when one man admitted he had volunteered for the Clinton campaign and while another revealed her father was Chris Christie's friend.

A woman also shocked the court when she revealed Michael Cohen's son works on her company.

But others praised the presumptive Republican nominee, with one candidate calling him a 'family man' who brought a 'lot of value to the economy'.

The court has already picked the 12 Manhattan residents who will decide Trump's fate in the case involving the hush-money $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels.

But six alternate candidates are needed in case someone drops out.

It could present a problem with many in the jury pool already expressing concerns about their privacy and their ability to impartial.

Trump spent most of the Friday morning session flicking through papers and whispering to his lawyers.

But when the ex-con started speaking, he turned and looked.

'Sorry for crying,' the woman who lives in the Upper East Side said as she entered the court.

The defense and prosecution attorneys then gathered around her.

She could be heard explaining that she was a drug addict, and didn't want to bring it up in open court in front of 150 people.

'I'm pretty sure she should not be here,' she said and revealed her time behind bars was more than 10 years ago.

The gym manager then told the court she had a tough childhood, and was eventually excused by the judge.

Judge Juan Merchan praised her for being candid and admitting something that 'wasn't easy'.

Even though a felony does not stop someone being on a jury, they need a certificate to qualify.

Five candidates were sent home on an unusual and dramatic morning in court as the attorneys tried to select the remaining alternate jurors

Trump's aide Margo Martin walks into the courtroom to watch as alternate jurors were picked

Other potential jurors praised the presumptive Republican nominee, with one candidate calling him a 'family man' who brought a 'lot of value to the economy'

The 77-year-old turned his body and listened as the emotional woman said: 'I probably shouldn't be here'

Another prospective juror also immediately got Trump's attention when he said he had volunteered for Hillary Clinton's campaign.

The man who was raised in New Jersey said he was a private equity manager whose fund was a minority investor in the company behind Michael Cohen's Mea Culpa podcast.

He insisted he could be impartial, then explained to the court that he volunteered for Get Out The Vote during the Clinton campaign. He also attended a womens march.

Trump looked up and glanced at him a few times as he spoke.

The former president and Blanche passed notes and had a brief verbal exchange when the potential juror was reading out his answers.

Trump was joined by loyal aide Margo Martin on Friday as he made his way to court for the fourth day of his historic hush money trial and demanded that the 'unfair' gag order be lifted.

Trump demanded the 'unfair' gag order be lifted when he arrived in court on Friday morning

Trump spent most of the Friday morning session flicking through papers and whispering to his lawyers

In what has become a routine for Trump, he gave a fist bump to the waiting crowd of fans and photographers as he walked across the sidewalk to a waiting SUV. Martin meanwhile was looking at her phone.

Trump demanded that the gag order 'come off' as he arrived in court on Friday morning, after prosecutors urged to hold him in contempt over social media posts.

'The gag order has to come off. People are allowed to speak about me and I have a gag order. Just to show you how much more unfair it is,' he told reporters.

'And the conflict has to end with the judge.

'The judge has a conflict, the worst I've ever seen. And it has to end with the judge. The gag order has to come off. I should be allowed to speak.

'Every time I come out to speak to you I want to be open because we did absolutely nothing wrong.'

'I showed you yesterday 30 stories, 32 stories of legal experts. I dont have one the other way. Thirty-two stories of legal experts saying very strongly there's no case, this case should never have been brought, Trump did nothing wrong

On Thursday night he left the court and tore into the 'scam' case where he is accused of hiding a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about their alleged affair.

Trump aide Natalie Harp and his legal team walk into court for the session on Friday

He has denied 34 charges of falsifying business records, and says every legal experts thinks the allegations are a stretch.

Following three days of legal wrangling a panel of seven men and five women has now been selected and they will assess his guilt or innocence over the coming weeks.

Moments after the last of the 12 was selected Judge Juan Merchan declared 'We have our jury' and they were ushered out of the courtroom.

On the way they passed Trump who had his elbows on the table and looked at the dozen New Yorkers who will rule over his future.

Another prospective juror also immediately got Trump's attention when he said he had volunteered for Hillary Clinton's campaign

The jurors include a corporate lawyer, an investment banker, a software engineer and a teacher.

One of the female jurors called the ex-president 'selfish' as she was questioned about her opinions in court.

The jury foreman, when questioned about where he gets his news from, said Dailymail.com, among other outlets.

After the jury was picked Trump stepped outside court and vented his frustration at the trial process, wielding a thick pile of media clippings.

The former president read out some of the headlines which declared the trial was a 'spectacle and outrage' and that it showed America was a 'third world country.'

Flicking through them, he said: 'The whole world is watching this New York scam. Every single one (of the cuttings), I haven't seen one that says it is a good trial. It is political. It is a shame.
The Metropolitan Police has apologised after an officer made the 'hugely regrettable' decision to describe a charity chief walking beside a pro-Palestinian march as 'openly Jewish' and threatened him with arrest.

Video of the officer speaking to Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) boss Gideon Falter at the side of a pro-Palestine procession on Saturday was shared by the group.

The officer can be heard saying to Mr Falter, who is wearing a kippah: 'You are quite openly Jewish. This is a pro-Palestinian march. I am not accusing you of anything but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.'

In a response to Thursday's video published today, the Met said the officer's choice of words as 'poor' - but appeared to suggest that some counter-protesters at Gaza marches were being deliberately 'provocative and inviting a response'.

The CAA reacted viciously to the statement, accusing the Met of 'appalling, abject victim blaming'. It is organising what it describes as an organised 'walk' on Saturday April 27, the date of the next pro-Palestine march.

The officer was seen blocking Campaign Against Antisemitism boss Gideon Falter from crossing the road

Mr Falter was interviewed alongside the footage and accused the Met of failing to make London safe for Jews

Another clip from the protest was also shared of a second officer telling the Jewish man: 'I am trying to make sure you are safe and that no one attacks you or your group or anyone else, that's all.'

Mr Falter, pictured here on Good Morning Britain in 2018, is the CEO of Campaign Against Antisemitism

Mr Falter claimed in the video that he 'did what I normally do' on a Saturday: going to synagogue and going for a walk in London. He denied engaging with pro-Palestine protesters, and claimed the Met was creating 'no-go zones' for Jews in the capital.

He was seen telling the officer: 'I don't want to stay here, I want to leave.'

The officer then replies: 'In that case sir, when the crowd is gone I will happily escort you out.'

READ MORE: Met Police arrest nine as Palestine and Israel demonstrators trade insults as thousands march through London to protest about Gaza conflict Advertisement

Later on in the video, another officer says: 'There's a unit of people here now. You will be escorted out of this area so you can go about your business, go where you want freely or if you choose to remain here because you are causing a breach of peace, with all these other people, you will be arrested.'

He clarifies: 'Your presence here is antagonising a large group of people that we can't deal with all of them if they attack you... because your presence is antagonising them.'

In response to the footage, Met Police assistant commissioner Matt Twist said the video shared by the CAA would 'further dent the confidence of many Jewish Londoners which is the opposite of what any of us want'.

AC Twist continued: 'The use of the term "openly Jewish" by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. It's absolutely not the basis on which we make decisions.

'It was a poor choice of words and while not intended, we know it will have caused offence to many. We apologise.'

The top cop went on to accuse counter-protesters of being 'provocative' by appearing on pro-Palestine march routes in order to express their differing views. He did not refer to the Campaign Against Antisemitism.

He continued: 'The fact that those who do this often film themselves while doing so suggests they must know that their presence is provocative, that they're inviting a response and that they're increasing the likelihood of an altercation.

'They're also making it much more likely officers will intervene. They (officers) don't do so to stifle free speech or to limit the right to protest, but to keep opposing groups apart, to prevent disorder and to keep the public - including all those taking part in or opposing the protest - safe.'

AC Twist concluded: 'It is up to us to review these interventions and to determine whether we are getting the balance right, adapting our approach as we do so.'

But the CAA blasted the Met's response, labelling it in a statement on X, formerly Twitter as 'appalling, abject victim blaming' that it 'absolutely reject(ed)'. It called for the statement to be withdrawn.

People hold a variety of flags and placards at the protests in London on Saturday, including Palestine and Israel national flags

It said: 'Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has sent Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist to blame us for putting a "dent in the confidence of many Jewish Londoners" by releasing the video and claiming that the presence of Jews crossing the route of the march was "provocative".

'What puts a "dent" in Jewish Londoners' confidence in the Met is the Met's own decision to curtail the rights of Jews in order to appease lawless mobs.

'What is "provocative" is telling a Jewish Londoner that his presence will "antagonise" crowds and that unless he leaves he will be arrested.

READ MORE: Israel strikes back at Iran as explosions rock airbase in city linked to Tehran's nuke program Advertisement

'It is the right of every Londoner, Jewish or not, to walk freely around the city.

'If police threaten Jews with arrest for doing so or consider the mere presence of Jews to be "provocative", then the Met has decided wholesale to curtail the rights of Jews in order to appease lawless mobs.

'We must not be intimidated by protesters or prevented by police from exercising our rights.'

In a video interview published alongside the footage, Mr Falter accused the Met of creating 'no-go zones' for Jewish Londoners due to its rigorous enforcement of pro-Palestine marches, which he described as being 'anti-Israel'.

He said: 'Despite being told repeatedly that London is safe for Jews when these marches are taking place, my interactions with police officers last Saturday show that the Met believes that being openly Jewish will antagonise the anti-Israel marchers and that Jews need protection, which the police cannot guarantee.

'Instead of addressing that threat of antisemitic violence, the Met's policy instead seems to be that law-abiding Jewish Londoners should not be in the parts of London where these marches are taking place.

'In other words, that they are no-go zones for Jews.'

Nine people were arrested following last Saturday's pro-Palestine march through central London calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

One man was arrested for a public order offence after making cut-throat gestures towards protesters at a significantly smaller pro-Israel counter-demonstration at Aldwych, the Metropolitan Police said.

Nearly 1,000 officers to police the events, which also included a demonstration held at the Cenotaph by right-wing group Turning Point UK.

Israel's ongoing war with Hamas has threatened to explode across the Middle East.

Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles on Israel last week after a deadly strike on its Damascus consulate, the blame for which was put on Tel Aviv.

Pro-Israel protesters hold signs stating 'Hamas are terrorists' and 'release the hostages'

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in London today to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and urge the Government to stop all arms sales to Israel

Israel has responded with further strikes today against Isfahan, home to Iranian nuclear facilities, though no serious damage is thought to have been dealt in the strikes.

To date, 34,012 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began air and ground offensives in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

The war with Hamas began following the October 6 attacks that saw terrorists enter Israel and indiscriminately slaughter 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

Israel has been accused of perpetrating genocide through its offensives in Gaza in the International Criminal Court by South Africa.

Meanwhile, international observers have continued to urge Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to enable the safe delivery of aid to the 1.7million displaced Palestinians across the occupied territory.
Anxious villagers have attacked 'outrageous' plans to build a giant factory farm they describe as a 'monstrosity right on our doorstep'.

Up to 870,000 chickens and 14,000 pigs will be housed just 400 yards apart at the site, which was once used as a World War II airfield.

Cranswick, the giant food firm behind the plans, insist the two developments between Methwold and Feltwell in Norfolk will operate separately as a 'bio-precaution'.

But residents say it will amount to a huge 'mega-farm' which will churn out foul odours including ammonia fumes, generate swarms of flies and have thousands of lorries thundering past homes.

Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council is yet to rule on the two planning applications for the neighbouring units but has been flooded with objections.

A view of the old chicken sheds which could be demolished to make way for 20 giant new sheds at Methwold, Norfolk

An aerial view of old and dilapidated chicken sheds at Methwold

Denise Charlesworth-Smith who is battling plans to build new pig and poultry units

MailOnline revealed this week how villagers living near a much smaller Cranswick chicken plant had been plagued with flies for the last two summers at Westhall, near Halesworth, Suffolk.

It has also reported how locals in Stow Bedon, Norfolk, were complaining of nose bleeds, headaches, breathing problems and spoiled food, which they blamed on the stench of ammonia from a Cranswick pig farm.

Former Methwold parish councillor Denise Charlesworth-Smith, who co-founded the Cranswick Objection Group to oppose the plans, said: 'It is going to be factory farming on a monstrous scale.

'It is going to deal with well over four million chickens and 56,000 pigs every year and will have a massive effect on the lives of people who live locally.

'It is totally out of keeping with the area. Some people think it will bring lots of jobs but everything will be automated and run with minimal staff.

'I visited the farm at Stow Bedon and the smell was absolutely disgusting, even though it is much smaller than the pig unit that is proposed here.

'My eyes were so bad as I was smarting from the ammonia when I was walking up to the site, even though I was told that it was not a particularly bad day.

'I dread to think what it is going to be like round here for people who suffer respiratory problems like COPD if it goes ahead.'

Under the proposals, the broiler unit for chickens will have 20 sheds, each measuring 320ft by 79ft with enough floor space to hold 43,500 birds, according to planning documents.

The chickens will be hatched in the sheds from eggs which have been laid at nearby farms. At seven weeks they will be taken to Cranswick's plant in Eye, Suffolk, for 'processing'.

The pigs will be housed in 14 sheds, each around 230ft by 49ft, and able to hold 1,000 of the animals.

Planning documents showing the 14 proposed new pigs sheds

A view of the old chicken sheds which are set to be demolished by food giant Cranswick

Cranswick, the giant food firm behind the plans, insist the two developments between Methwold and Feltwell in Norfolk will operate separately as a 'bio-precaution'

Residents say it will amount to a huge 'mega-farm' which will churn out foul odours including ammonia fumes

Shirley DeOath (left) and Pat Welsh (right) pictured together at the sheds

Clair McClean, 46, of Methwold, is also objecting the plans over the building proposals

The Cranswick planning application describes it as 'a finishing unit' where pigs reared outdoors are taken when they are 12 weeks old and weigh around 77lbs.

They will stay indoors for another 12 weeks until they reach their target weight of around 240lbs and are ready to be slaughtered.

Concerns have been raised that it will be only 440ft away from the Breckland Special Area of Conservation (SPA) which is designated due to its population of nightjar, stone curlew and woodlark birds.

The Breckland Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) will also only be about a third of a mile away.

But Cranswick insists in its planning application there are no birds breeding on the proposed sites, and the developments would only cause 'negligible disturbance'.

READ MORE: Our village pig farm smells so bad it is causing us nose bleeds and spoiling our food: Neighbours say they have even been told not to get pregnant Advertisement

Cranswick Objection Group's website describes the combined units as 'a monstrosity right on our doorstep' and 'an overwhelming catastrophe that could destroy our homes, our health and our landscape'.

The group claims the plans have been drawn up 'without any consideration whatsoever to the local residents, wildlife and fauna.'

It adds: 'Not only will the stench, the noise and the swarms of flies be sickening, but the additional HGV traffic on country roads will turn a simple journey for us into an absolute nightmare.'

Members of the group have accused former prime minister Liz Truss, who is their local South West Norfolk MP, of effectively snubbing them by not taking up their concerns.

They suggest that she is sympathetic to Cranswick as executives from the firm accompanied her on a trade trip to China to promote UK food and drink when she was Environment Secretary in 2015.

Shirley De'ath, 61, a retired client service manager for an animal charity who co-founded the Cranswick Objection Group, said: 'We have contacted her on several occasions, and she will not entertain speaking to us.

'She says she is not allowed to get involved in planning applications but she has raised concerns about plans for an incinerator at Wisbech and a travellers' site at Dereham, as well as overhead pylons for wind farms.'

Mrs De'Ath added: 'There is absolute uproar from local people who are objecting daily to this. It is a disaster waiting to happen.

'There are already issues at much smaller farms in the county that have faced constant bad smells, flies and poor air quality.'

Residents say it will generate swarms of flies and have thousands of lorries thundering past homes

Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council is yet to rule on the two planning applications

MailOnline revealed this week how villagers living near a much smaller Cranswick chicken plant had been plagued with flies for the last two summers at Westhall, near Halesworth, Suffolk

view of the picture postcard village of Methwold, Norfolk

Under the proposals, the broiler unit for chickens will have 20 sheds, each measuring 320ft by 79ft with enough floor space to hold 43,500 birds, according to planning documents

The village sign of Methwold located in Norfolk

A spokesperson for Ms Truss insisted she had reacted to plans for the units, saying: 'Liz has taken up residents' concerns with the Borough Council of Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, which is run by Independent councillors.

'They are responsible for the decision on this issue and the enforcement of environmental standards, along with the Environment Agency.'

Claire McClean, 46, of Methwold, who works for an innovation company, said: 'You expect a certain level of smells when you live in the countryside, but the megafarm will put it on a different level.

'The amount of excrement produced will be just crazy. It is going to be a major impact on our quality of life.

'The ammonia plume is going to do terrible damage and I worry about the effect on the River Wissey, which is a chalk-fed stream. It could kill fish and neutralise everything. It is going to be bigger than the O2 and visible from space.'

The poultry farm would be built by Cranswick subsidiary Crown Chicken on an area of farmland containing a series of run down poultry huts which have not been used for many years and will be demolished.

The pigs will be housed by another Cranswick subsidiary, Wayland Farms, in 'high quality purpose-built' units, replacing a range of existing run down pig buildings.

The current site for pigs has capacity for 37,500 of the animals, although it is operating at 20 per cent capacity with only 7,500 piglets due to the existing buildings being in such poor condition.

Cranswick states that it will use 'the latest technologies and equipment' to run a 'more efficient' operation with potential 'noise and carbon saving' to produce a 'high quality product'.

The company insists in planning documents that the units will 'not be detrimental to the local environment or residences', and the distance from local village centres would 'ensure potential impacts are minimalised' .

Other Cranswick documents predict that both units combined will increase potential lorry movements annually in the area from 4,951 to 10,067.

A spokesman said: 'Cranswick are still working with Kings Lynn and West Norfolk district Council to finalise the plans and ensure all of the relevant background work is completed.

'The process is nearing completion and we hope to submit final plans in the summer. As soon as the plans are finalised, we will update the local community on the confirmed proposals.'
Kate Middleton fans have donated more than 11,000 to a fundraising page after the UK domain for Meghan Markle's lifestyle brand was hijacked.

The Duchess of Sussex's new American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand has been redirected by what appears to be a Princess Kate fan.

While the American web link takes you to the Duchess' website for her business venture, the UK domain name has been purchased by someone who has linked it to a food bank and message saying 'thoughts with Catherine'.

Now, Kate Middleton fans have donated 11,649, as of now on the site, to the Trussell Trust which works to end the need for food banks in the UK.

Fans clicking on the link 'americanrivieraorchard.uk' will be taken to a page asking for donations for the UK-based charity - and discover a very pointed message.

The UK domain name for Meghan Markle's new business, American Riviera Orchard, has been bought up. Pictured: Kate and Meghan during Wimbledon in 2018

A look at the amount of money that has been raised by Kate Middleton fans for the Trussell Trust

Those wanting to visit her new website 'americanriveria.com', will be led to a flash page asking fans to join a wait list

While the home page states 'Forgiveness. Permission. Please donate to the Trussell Trust', clicking on this will lead to a Just Giving fundraiser for the Trussell Trust charity.

'This is not meghan but hopefully meghan wouldn't mind. thoughts with catherine, princess of wales and his majesty the king,' the cryptic message reads.

'Please note, the purchase of the americanrivieraorchard.uk domain name and this justgiving page are the full extent of this exclusively charitable mission. someone else is flogging the tea towels!'

READ MORE: William announces first public engagement since Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis Advertisement

The message of support to the Princess of Wales comes after she revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer last month and was undergoing chemotherapy.

As soon as users open the website they are met with the cryptic words 'forgiveness' and 'permission' before encouraging people to 'please donate to the Trussell Trust'.

It seems unlikely that the domain was bought by Meghan's representatives with those who have donated suggesting a Good Samaritan was responsible for buying up the domain.

The Trussell Trust confirmed to MailOnline that it did not set up the webpage and had been unaware of the donation site.

Sophie Carre, Director of Public Engagement at the Trussell Trust, said: 'The Trussell Trust are grateful to people who put their time and energy into supporting our work to end the need for food banks in the UK.

The charity is not connected with this website domain and have no knowledge of who set it up.'

So far the spoof page has raised 56 out of its 1,000 target with one US-based donator writing: 'I am happy to support from across the pond and am glad to know of this organization through the link on the American Riviera Orchards website.'

The Duchess (pictured last week) soft launched the first product of her new lifestyle brand this week, sending influencers and friends a jar of jam, including her comedian pal Mindy Kaling and actress Tracee Ellis

Prince Harry and Meghan kiss at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Florida last Friday

Fashion designer Tracy Robbins posted a picture of the jam, which had the logo for American Riviera Orchard and 'Montecito' underneath. The label also had the words '17 of 50'

Another added: 'A really good way of bringing attention to the great work they do.'

Earlier this week Meghan sent 50 jars of jam to a very exclusive group of people.

Parenting campaigner Kelly McKee Zajfen, Argentine socialite Delfina Balquier and stylist Tracy Robbins are amongst those who took to Instagram to share the new product.

Meghan's jam had the American Riviera Orchard logo and 'Montecito' underneath - the celebrity enclave in California where she lives with Harry in a 12million mansion.

The price list for the new products has not been revealed yet although it is expected to be a luxury brand. It is registered to sell lifestyle products from recipe books to table wear and textiles - and of course, jams and marmalade.

The Duchesses' business venture was revealed in a glitzy social media video last month, with the new venture set to coincide with a new Netflix cookery show featuring her.

Insiders told the Mail the business was set to be a 'lifestyle and cooking brand' which would focus on things Meghan holds dear.

Another added: 'It's a lifestyle and cooking brand called American Riviera Orchard. The brand is meant to coincide with the launch of a new cookery show for Netflix.

'Meghan will be making, and selling, products such as jams. And at some point there will be a book and blog etc.'

The new brand is set to be an extension of her former lifestyle blog The Tig, an insider told America's Page Six, adding: 'She's been working on this for over a year and it's all the things that are close to her heart.'

It is fitting that the Duchess's venture will feature cooking and food, which is something she has shown a passion for in the past.
A police civilian employee is facing disciplinary action for gross misconduct after a force failed to respond to a 999 call at a property where four people were later found dead with stab wounds.

Bartlomiej Kuczynski, 45, his two young daughters and his sister-in-law died at their house in Costessey, Norfolk, in January.

Detectives believe Kuczynski stabbed the other three before turning the knife on himself.

The Pole  who had previously come into contact with local mental health services - rang 999 an hour before the brutal slayings and spoke of his 'confused' mental state.

He was told to seek help for himself and no one was sent.

Bartlomiej Kuczynski was found dead at home with his two young daughters, pictured, and sister-in-law at a property in Costessey, near Norwich, in January. A police misconduct probe has now been launched after it emerged Kuczynski contacted 999 an hour before the deaths but no one was sent

Jasmin Kuczynski, 12, and her sister, Natasha, seven, were tragically found dead alongside their father and aunt in a suspected murder-suicide

Kanticha Sukpengpanao, 36, sister-in-law of Bartlomiej Kuczynski, was also found dead

Officers only attended after a passer-by rang to report concerns about the occupants of the house in Costessey, near Norwich.

READ MORE: Father found dead at home with his two daughters and sister-in-law missed emergency health assessment weeks earlier after he was taken to hospital by police Advertisement

By the time they arrived, it was too late.

An Independent Office for Police Conduct spokesman said: 'We can confirm, as part of our ongoing investigation into the tragic deaths of four people on January 19, we have served a gross misconduct notice on a Norfolk Constabulary staff member.

'Following a mandatory referral from Norfolk, we began an independent investigation into the contact the force had with Bartlomiej Kuczynski shortly before his body and three other bodies were discovered by police in a house in Costessey.'

The watchdog has not given its reason for the decision, nor has it named the individual, who has been suspended while the investigation continues.

Police broke into the semi-detached house at 7.15am on January 19 and found the bodies of Mr Kuczynski, his daughters Jasmin, 12, and Natasha, eight, and his sister-in-law Kanticha Sukpengpanao, 36.

He had dialled 999 at around 6am to express concern for his mental state, saying he was 'confused'.

No police resources were sent and he was advised to seek 'medical advice' for himself by contacting the NHS on the non-emergency 111 number.

Home Office post-mortem examinations found that Natasha died from 'sharp force injuries to the neck' and Jasmin sustained an 'incised wound to the neck'.

Police arrive at the scene in Costessey, Norfolk, in January, where four bodies were found

Ms Sukpengpanao, a businesswoman who was visiting from her home in Thailand, died of stab wounds to the neck, while Mr Kuczynski took his own life with a single stab wound to the neck.

READ MORE: Norfolk Police delays controversial plan not to respond to most 999 mental health calls after father stabbed his daughters and their aunt to death before killing himself Advertisement

His Thai-born wife Nanthaka, who was the mother of the girls, had reportedly left before the killings for an early shift at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The IOPC continues to investigate an earlier referral from Norfolk Police. The force revealed it launched a search for Mr Kuczynski after he was reported missing from his home on December 14 last year.

Multiple police cars attended. He was found in a nearby road and taken to the same hospital in Norwich where his wife works for a mental health assessment.

An initial clinical assessment was carried out but he left the hospital unescorted before a review could be carried out.

The IOPC said in January it would be looking into whether 'the force's handling of the contact was appropriate and in line with force policy, training and procedures'.

It added today: 'The serving of a conduct notice does not necessarily mean that disciplinary proceedings will follow.'

After the deaths, Norfolk Police suspended a controversial plan to stop responding to most mental health 999 calls.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct IOPC said it would be looking into whether 'the force's handling of the contact was appropriate and in line with force policy, training and procedures'. Pictured: Floral tributes outside the house in Janaury

It had been due to start its Right Care Right Person initiative to reduce the amount of time officers spend dealing with people who have mental health issues.

A force spokesman said: 'We are aware of the process involving the member of Norfolk Constabulary police staff but cannot comment on specific details, given the IOPC are carrying out the independent investigation.

'The constabulary continues to co-operate with the IOPC and can confirm the staff member has been suspended while the investigation establishes the facts.'
A middle class north London single mother who fell in love with an eco hippie activist is campaigning to stop him being deported to his native Germany - after he gets released from prison for one of the most disruptive protests of the Just Stop Oil movement.

Marcus Decker climbed 200 feet up the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge over the River Thames in Dartford, Kent, then camped in a hammock for 40 hours, forcing police to close the crossing and causing giant jams in the 2022 protest two years ago.

He was jailed for two years and seven months for the stunt - and told he would be deported when released.

But now a campaign to prevent this, led by his girlfriend, Holly Cullen-Davies, 40, is taking off.

Ms Cullen-Davies, previously a single mum, has told how she 'fell in love' with Decker three years ago and he has 'become a wonderful stepfather' to her two children.

Holly Cullen-Davies and her partner Marcus Decker. Ms Cullen-Davies, previously a single mum, has told how she 'fell in love' with eco zealot Decker three years ago and he has 'become a wonderful stepfather' to her two children

Decker climbed 200 feet up the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge over the River Thames in Dartford, Kent, then camped in a hammock for 40 hours, forcing police to close the crossing and causing giant jams in the 2022 protest two years ago

Decker was jailed for two years and seven months for the stunt - and told he would be deported when released. But now a campaign to prevent this, led by his girlfriend, Holly Cullen-Davies, 40, is taking off

And she claims 'gentle, thoughtful and compassionate' Marcus Decker acted proportionately during the protest.

His co-defendant Morgan Trowland has since been freed from prison but teacher Decker is still facing deportation to his native Germany.

Ms Cullen-Davies, 40, has attracted more than 150,000 signatures on a petition appealing against what she calls the 'double punishment' of a deportation order.

Her campaign has been backed by left-wing celebrities including Sir Bob Geldof, actors Olivia Colman and Emma Thompson, TV naturalist Chris Packham, writer George Monbiot and musician Brian Eno.

Her petition adds: 'Marcus put his own liberty and body on the line for those suffering from the climate crisis.

'But he is more than just an activist - anyone that knows Marcus knows he is a gentle, thoughtful and compassionate human being who would only act proportionately to the crisis we all face.'

It continues: 'It isn't easy for Marcus in prison and it is desperately sad for my family.

'This double punishment is devastating for us. If deported, he would be separated from us, his family, his home, community and adopted country.

Ms Cullen-Davies (pictured) has attracted more than 150,000 signatures on a petition appealing against what she calls the 'double punishment' of a deportation order

Decker during his 40 hours stunt suspended from the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. Ms Cullen-Davies says she met Decker, 35, in 2020 at the start of the covid lockdown, a few years after she separated from her former partner

'Marcus has already been separated from us for 7 months and now he might never come home again.'

Ms Cullen-Davies grew up in trendy Highgate and was sent by her actor-musician parents to a high-achieving independent girls' school.

Later, she studied at a top musical college in Lyon, France, the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

She began playing piano aged six and is now a virtuoso, with a repertoire stretching from Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms to jazz standards by Nina Simone.

Her expertise includes the violin and she has performed at venues including the Royal Festival Hall and Wigmore Hall, London, and major events including the Hebden Bridge Piano festival in Yorkshire.

Ms Cullen-Davies says she met Decker, 35, in 2020 at the start of the covid lockdown, a few years after she separated from her former partner.

She said the fellow activist was a perfect stepfather for her son and daughter, then aged nine and seven respectively, and his own child from a past relationship.

They enjoyed a text-book eco-friendly lifestyle where they attended green protests together, sold their car and travelled everywhere by train and bicycle.

Ms Cullen-Davies grew up in trendy Highgate and was sent by her actor-musician parents to a high-achieving independent girls' school

Actress Olivia Colman is one of a number of left-wing celebrities who have backed Ms Cullen-Davies petition

But she added that her children's father objected to them being taken along to demos where their stepfather had climbed trees to stop them being felled.

She said of their relationship: 'Both musicians, we found a way to use our skills and careers to sing and fight for change. This felt good.

'It felt natural also to incorporate the children into some of what we did.

'We took them on protests, taught them to climb trees, let them help in the package free store and sang fun songs.

'It quickly became apparent to me that this was a delicate subject which would have to be carefully considered and constantly monitored.

'For starters their dad wasn't at all happy about us involving them in our activism.

'It became a new point of contention that was being passed indirectly between us via the children.'

Ms Cullen-Davies has also written: 'I try as much as possible without preaching about it to live the life that I feel we all need to move towards.

'I sold the car and bought an electric tricycle  probably the most exciting thing I've ever bought!

'The kids love it and I highly recommend it. We no longer fly. My partner spends considerable amounts of his time up trees to stop them being felled.'

Decker (left) and fellow campaigner Morgan Trowland (right) used ropes and other climbing equipment to scale the 450ft high bridge at the Dartford Crossing. Trowland has since been freed but Decker still faces deportation to Germany

Despite her claims to a non-preachy approach, her social media posts offer an insight into her stern views on those who fail to live up to her eco ideals.

One rails at a fellow shopper who she watched buying 'two sets of multi pack crisps (plastic bags in plastic bags), three giant plastic bottles of coke, 7 packets of haribo and 4 chocolate bars in plastic.'

Her Facebook post about the incident added: 'The man behind the counter then packed it all neatly into three further plastic bags. They thanked each other and off he went. I felt physically ill.

'I didn't feel angry with the guy in front of me. I didn't feel angry with the man behind the counter. They shouldn't be having to make these choices. These choices shouldn't be available!

'It's the plastic I wanted to cry about. When I was little crisps and pick n mix sweets came in paper bags, coke came in cans and chocolate came in foil.

'That wasn't perfect but it was much better than this. How have we got to this place when we know the damage it is causing? How?'

One objector commented: 'Try minding your own business. People in this country are sick and tired of you loons.'

Another Facebook post compares her lover's disruptive protest with actions which led to the abolition of the slave trade and the end of apartheid in South Africa.

'When following the path of an inspiring vision we are likely to encounter the voice dismissing what we hope for as unnecessary or impractical.

'Nelson Mandela describes changes like this: 'it always seems impossible until it is done.'

She goes on to say Decker launched his M25 bridge stunt 'because he didn't think it would be possible'.

Yet another post goes on about the ordeal he brought on himself: 'Marcus has now been in prison for over 6 months.

'I am allowed to visit him twice a month for an hour. He has mostly been locked up for 22 hours a day in a tiny shared cell with a flimsy curtain around an open toilet. Despite this he remains amazingly positive and cheerful.'

Cullen-Davies did briefly address the chaos caused in one post, saying: 'Marcus admittedly caused quite a large public nuisance.'

But she stressed that he had the 'ultimate aim of saving lives and warning the public yet again of our government's genocidal policies.'

Decker's infuriating protest in October 2022 began an epidemic of disruptive demos by the anti-fossil fuel group.

Along with Trowland, he climbed the bridge over the River Thames and remained suspended on cables for more than 37 hours to 'deliver a warning message' on the environment.

Essex Police said about 565 drivers faced delays, a heavily-pregnant woman was held-up on her way to hospital and a mourner missed a best friend's funeral.

Just Stop Oil protesters on London Bridge. Decker's infuriating protest in October 2022 began an epidemic of disruptive demos by the anti-fossil fuel group

But afterwards, Ms Cullen-Davies described the jail term of two years and seven months - handed down after a Basildon Crown Court trial and to be served at a Suffolk jail - as 'draconian'.

She said of Decker: 'He is extraordinarily stoic, but if the sentence was bad enough, the deportation is an outrage.'

After the case, actors and musicians including Sir Bob, Colman and Thompson, and former Roxy Music performer Eno condemned the 'harsh deportation' order.

They wrote an open letter claiming: 'Punishing him with deportation in addition to the 14 months he has already spent in prison is out of proportion to the crime committed.'

But a government spokesperson said: 'Foreign nationals who commit crimes here in the UK will face the full force of the law, including deportation.'

Ms Cullen-Davies did not respond to requests for comment.
A mom who was found fatally shot at her home in California was killed by her estranged husband while she was on a work call.

Ashley Bird, 35, was found by police deputies with a gunshot wound to her head laying on the couch inside her home in La Presa, California.

Her estranged husband Christopher Bird, 39, was the main suspect in the case after the shocking discovery, and was later found dead inside his own vehicle.

The ordeal left their nine-year-old son without both of his parents, and two families heartbroken.

According to Ashley's sister Allison, her sister was in a Zoom meeting with a work colleague at the time

Ashley Bird, 35, was found by police deputies with a gunshot wound to her head laying on the couch inside her home in La Presa, California

Her estranged husband Christopher Bird, seen here with Ashley, was the main suspect in the case after the shocking discovery, and was later found dead inside his own vehicle

Deputies found Ashley on the couch in her home with a gunshot wound to her head, she died before she could be taken to hospital

Speaking to NBC San Diego, Saefong remembered her sister as kind, loving and caring.

She told the outlet: 'She was just a beautiful soul inside and out, in every way imaginable. She would absolutely give anything and everything for her son.

'My sister, she worked from home. She was in a Zoom meeting. At that point, she thought someone was trying to break in, and she left.

'She said, 'Hey, give me a second. Somebody is trying to break into my house.'

When Ashley didn't return, her co-worker decided to contact her mom and when the family failed to reach her, contacted the sheriff's office.

Saefong continued: 'My mom called me just before 11 o'clock, and she was hysterical, saying, 'She's gone. She's gone.' I shouted, 'Who's gone? Who's gone?'

'She wasn't giving me details. She said, 'Ashley. Ashley's gone, I just know it. We knew [Christopher] was volatile, but we never expected this.'

Deputies found Ashley on the couch in her home with a gunshot wound to her head, she died before she could be taken to hospital.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the couples son was in school at the time of the shooting

Ashley's sibling Allison Saefong remembered her sister as kind, loving and caring

The ordeal left their nine-year-old son without both of his parents, and two families heartbroken

Since her passing, a GoFundMe has been organized to help the family of Ashley cover funeral costs as well as funds for raising her son, it has raised over $19,000

According to Saefong, the couple had been going through a divorce but her sister denied any physical abuse.

She added: 'We asked her, 'do you feel like he's physically abusive?', 'No, absolutely not', she would say. She would say, 'He would never physically harm me. He's fine.'

Days prior to the deaths, Christopher Bird had received court documents declaring spousal and child support.

Saefong said: 'We think the divorce may have sent him over the edge and then along with the custody battle that was finalizing at the end too.'

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the couples son was in school at the time of the shooting.

Following the incident, his father drove to pick him up and took him to stay with another family member.

Deputies say they found Bird later that day dead in his car in parking lot at Calafia Beach, San Clemente.

Since her passing, a GoFundMe has been organized to help the family of Ashley cover funeral costs as well as funds for raising her son, it has raised over $19,000.

In a post to the fundraiser, it said: 'The loving family of Ashley Margaret Bird is fundraising for the cost of a funeral as well as funds for raising her surviving son.

'Ashley was taken from us too soon in life and she will be dearly missed by all her friends and family.

'She had such an impact on everyone around her and was the most kind, warm hearted, generous soul.

'We thank the Lord for the life she was able to live and all the lives she was able to touch in her short time on this earth.

'She leaves behind her 9 year old son who was the love of her life as well as her mother Patti, father John, brother Eric and sister Allison.

'Along with many other friends and family members. Though this time if very hard for those that knew and loved her, we are thankful for Jesus Christ and knowing that we will see her in Heaven again someday.'
Lancashire Police have said they will review claims that Tory MP Mark Menzies allegedly misused thousands of pounds of campaign funds to pay off 'bad people' who locked him in a flat.

The Fylde MP has been suspended from the party whip and dropped as one of the PM's trade envoys.

Mr Menzies disputes the allegations and the Tory Party has said it is looking into the claims and takes them seriously.

Now, in a statement on Friday evening, a Lancashire Police spokesperson has said: 'We can confirm that we have now received a letter detailing concerns around this matter and we are in the process of reviewing the available information in more detail.'

After a speech in London this morning, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak dodged when asked whether Mr Menzies should stand down from the Commons.

MP Mark Menzies (pictured) had the whip suspended and was axed as a trade envoy over the extraordinary allegations

In a round of interviews this morning, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said it 'remains to be seen' whether police will investigate

'It's right that Mark Menzies has resigned the Conservative whip,' he replied.

'He's been suspended from his position as a trade envoy whilst the investigations into those allegations continue.

'For our part I can't comment on our ongoing investigation while it's happening, and he's no longer a Conservative MP, as I said.'

Earlier, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said it 'remains to be seen' whether police will investigate.

Mr Stride told Sky News: 'That remains to be seen. The fact the Labour Party have written to the police is maybe a fact, but it doesn't mean the police are investigating  but let's see where that goes.

'But the important point that I'm making is that we are investigating that, and so Conservative HQ is looking now very closely into the circumstances around the various reports that have been made, and the whip has been removed from Mark Menzies in the meantime.'

Mr Menzies is said to have 'angrily' called an elderly former mayoress at 3.15am one day last December demanding that she release 5,000 from a local campaign account as a 'matter of life and death' because he had been locked in a flat.

Local party stalwart Katie Fieldhouse, 78, refused, but another party worker reportedly cashed in an Isa to cover the payment, later being reimbursed from money raised by local donors

Separately, a further 14,000 given for use on Tory campaign activities was also allegedly transferred to Mr Menzies' personal bank accounts and used to pay private medical expenses.

Sources close to the MP - who disputes the allegations - said he offered to repay the 'ransom' money but was told he did not need to.

The 78-year-woman allegedly awoken at 3.15am by Mr Menzies demanding money because he had been locked up by 'bad people' is Katie Fieldhouse (pictured)

Shirley Green (left) bailed out Mark Menzies (centre) by giving him the cash. They are pictured with councillor Karen Harrison at St Annes Charity Carnival in July last year

Last night, one of those who nominated Mr Menzies at the last election joined Keir Starmer in calling for a police investigation. Mr Menzies denies any wrongdoing.

Tory activist Caroline Sheppard, who seconded Mr Menzies' nomination in 2019, said: 'I think he is disgusting as an individual and for what he put a 78-year-old woman through.

'There should be a police investigation. This was not his money. It belongs to his constituents.'

Sir Keir said: 'There are obviously a lot of unanswered questions in relation to these allegations, not least why it seems the Conservative Party took so long to act and whether they've reported this to the police, who, it seems to me, should be involved in this.'

Ms Fieldhouse said yesterday that she had given a full account of last December's alleged incident to Chief Whip Simon Hart the following month.

But she felt let down that the Conservative Party had taken no action against him until the allegations were made public on Wednesday, she told the Daily Mail at her home in the seaside resort of Lytham St Annes.

Asked whether the Tories had treated her allegations sufficiently seriously, she replied: 'It was three and a half months ago  you can draw your own conclusions.'

Mark Menzies pictured with Micky and Minnie Mouse at the St Anne's Carnival in his local Lancashire constituency last year

Ms Fieldhouse, who was mayoress in 2001, added: 'I'm a devout Christian and a very devout Conservative and this has distressed me deeply. I live in a beautiful place and it deserves better.'

A senior member of the local Conservative Association said he was 'furious' with the way the MP treated Ms Fieldhouse.

'What happened beggars belief,' he said. 'I wouldn't dream of ringing anyone at that time in the morning.' He said Ms Fieldhouse  a former campaign manager for Mr Menzies  had been left feeling the party was 'sweeping it under the carpet'.

Another senior Fylde Tory, who did not want to be named, said: 'I will not stand by and see a lady who's given 40 years to the party being besmirched by someone trying to save their own skin.'

Last night Lancashire Police said while they had not yet received any requests to become involved, officers would 'make contact with those impacted in due course to see whether they wish to make a complaint'.

Labour Party chairman Anneliese Dodds has also written to her Tory counterpart, Richard Holden, to say the allegations raise 'extremely serious questions relating to potential criminality'.

A source close to Mr Menzies told the Times, which first reported the allegations, that the unmarried MP had met a man on an online dating website and gone to a flat, before subsequently going to a second address where he continued drinking.

The source said it was falsely claimed that he had been sick, with money demanded for cleaning up and other purposes.

He decided to pay them because he was scared of what would happen otherwise, but did not have the funds from his own savings, the source said.

After Ms Fieldhouse said she could not help, his office manager Shirley Green is said to have sent him 6,500 later that day, later being reimbursed from local party funds.

Mrs Green is a Conservative Mayoress in Menzies' Lancashire constituency who apparently found herself awoken early the following morning by Ms Fieldhouse who was concerned after her early hours call from Mr Menzies.

A spokesperson for Chief Whip Simon Hart (pictured) said Mr Menzies has agreed to give up the Tory whip pending an investigation

Last night, one of those who nominated Mr Menzies at the last election joined Sir Keir Starmer in calling for a police investigation

Ms Fieldhouse was calling Mrs Green because she herself had just been rung hours earlier by their local MP apparently in great distress about what might happen to him if he didn't come up with the money immediately.

Mrs Green, who is currently Mayor of genteel St Anne's on the Sea, down the coast from Blackpool, and her term will come to an end next month.

She has served on the Town Council since 2019 and has taken a full role in local civic life, and is a governor of a local primary school and trustee of a Boys and Girls club.

Recently, she was photographed with Mr Menzies at the St Anne's Carnival, alongside her neighbour Mayor of Fylde Borough Council and volunteers dressed up as Disney characters.

The local newspaper wryly captioned it a 'magical moment as Mark met Micky, Minnie and the Mayors.'

When the allegations were made public on Wednesday, Mr Menzies had the Tory whip removed as well as losing his role as a trade envoy.

The Lancashire seat has been in Conservative hands for decades, with Mr Menzies, who was first elected in 2010, enjoying a majority of more than 16,000.

At his flat in the constituency, a woman said she did not know the politician's whereabouts yesterday.

But in a statement to the Times, the Ayrshire-born MP said: 'I strongly dispute the allegations put to me.

'I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations. As there is an investigation ongoing, I will not be commenting further.'

The Conservative Party confirmed that 'allegations' were being investigated but added that the matter was 'rightfully confidential'.
A careless lorry driver who ploughed into stationary traffic on Britain's busiest motorway killing four people is facing jail after admitting causing their deaths in the horrifying crash.

Ethan Burdett, 67, of Ipswich, pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to causing the deaths when he failed to see the traffic queue on the M25 in Essex in August 2021 and slammed into the victims' van almost crushing it.

Traffic police were called to the motorway at just after 6pm on 23 August 2021 and found a scene of destruction after Burdett's lorry had hit the minibus.

An investigation by the Serious Collision Investigation Unit revealed that Burdett had been travelling between junctions 27 and 26, but failed to react to stationary traffic queuing which was queuing in the inside lane.

His truck slammed into the rear of the minibus which was shunted forward and hit a car in front.

Ethan Burdett, 67, of Ipswich, pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court to causing the deaths of four people when he failed to see the traffic queue on the M25 in Essex in August 2021 and slammed into the victims' van almost crushing it. Pictured: Abigael Muamba, 31, from Edmonton

59-year-old Jennifer Smith from Stratford also died following the crash in August 2021

60-year-old Dexter Augustus from Waltham Forest was among the victims of the fatal crash

Lisa Gardiner, 44, from Walthamstow, later died from her injuries following the M25 collision

There were 11 passengers in the minibus who were going back to London after a day trip to Southend.

As well as the four who died, four other passengers on the minibus were seriously injured, while four people in the car were also hurt.

Abigael Muamba, 31, from Edmonton Green, 60-year-old Dexter Augustus from Waltham Forest and 59-year-old Jennifer Smith from Stratford all died in the collision.

Another passenger Lisa Gardiner, 44, from Walthamstow, later died from her injuries.

The anti-clockwise section of the M25 was closed for almost twelve hours as police carried out a detailed examination of the crash scene.

Roads Policing officer Detective Inspector Mark Fraser, who led the investigation said: 'Firstly the thoughts of all of us who have been involved in the investigation, continue to be with the families and friends who lost their loved ones that evening.'

After the accident, the families of the victims paid tribute to the lost loved ones.

The parents of Ms Muamba, of Edmonton Green, said they missed her 'smile and dedication', and they would always remember her 'helpful heart and youthful spirit'.

They said they were 'truly heartbroken' at the loss of their daughter and she had 'so much life left to give to those she loved'.

Jennifer Smith left behind a daughter, two sons and five grandchildren and her family described the service manager from Stratford as a 'popular figure in her community' who was 'loved beyond words'.

Ethan Burdett admitted he failed to see the traffic queue on the M25 in Essex in August 2021 and slammed into the victims' van almost crushing it

She left behind a daughter, two sons and five grandchildren.

Dexter Augustus' family described him as the 'life and soul of every gathering'. From Waltham Forest he was 'a dearly loved son, brother, father, grandfather and friend to everyone that knew him', his family said.

His 'vivacious energy made him the life and soul of every gathering'.

The anti-clockwise section of the M25 was closed for almost twelve hours as police carried out a detailed examination of the crash scene

Lisa Gardiner, 44, from Walthamstow, was 'always full of life', her family said and was a 'beautiful wife and mother', according to her family.

'She was always full of life, her big heart knew no bounds and her love and life was there to be shared.'

Burdett will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 4 July.
A high school volleyball player who had both legs amputated after a horrific car crash came face to face with the driver who caused her injuries at his sentencing hearing Thursday.

Janae Edmondson, 18, appeared in court wearing pants over her prosthetic legs as she and her mother shared a heartbreaking statement, asking the judge to impose the maximum sentence on the convicted driver.

The high school senior from Tennessee was crossing an intersection with her family in St Louis in February last year when a speeding car collided with another. She lost both her legs after being pinned between the two vehicles.

Daniel Riley, who was driving the car that hit Edmondson, was found guilty of assault in the second degree, armed criminal action, assault in the fourth degree, and driving without a license last month.

Riley, who was out on bond from a previous armed robbery charge when the horrendous crash happened, was sentenced to a maximum term of more than 18 consecutive years on Thursday, KSDK reported.

Janae Edmondson, 18, who had both legs amputated after a horrific car crash came face to face with the driver who caused her injuries at his sentencing hearing Thursday

Edmondson appeared in court wearing pants over her prosthetic legs as she and her mother shared a heartbreaking statement, asking the judge to impose the maximum sentence on the convicted driver

Daniel Riley, who was driving the car that hit Edmondson, was found guilty of assault in the second degree, armed criminal action, assault in the fourth degree, and driving without a license last month

'Her will to live was far greater than what Daniel Riley could have done to her. When we got to the hospital, we told her she'd have to fight harder than she's ever had to fight in her life,' Edmondson's mother Francine Edmondson said.

'She still has so much more to endure in her life, as we do. She'll face it head on, because that's who she is,' the mother said in tears.

At the trial last month, Edmondson saw the drive for the first time since the accident as she recalled the horrific details of what happened on February 18, 2024, the day she was supposed to play in a volleyball tournament.

'I was screaming because I knew something was wrong, but I didn't know what. So, I tried standing up, but my dad and my mom said no, to stay still,' said Edmondson.

'I'm not the type of person to show my emotion because I want to protect my family and so when they first walked in, they just stared and didn't know what to say and so I made a joke to make it easier on them,

'I started to get depressed a lot because I was questioning why this had happened to me,' Edmondson added.

Edmondson, who graduated from high school in May, is still recovering as she pushes through prosthetic training every day.

She has continued having surgeries to help heal her legs and make them better suited to wear prosthetics, according to a fundraiser set up by her family.

She is now a part of Middle Tennessee State University's volleyball team and learned how to drive, according to local reports.

Edmondson recalled the horrific details of what happened on February 18, 2024, the day she was supposed to play in a volleyball tournament

Edmondson, who graduated from high school in May, is still recovering as she pushes through prosthetic training every day

At the time of the crash, Riley was put on house arrest with GPS monitoring as he awaited trial on the robbery charge but violated it dozens of times, KSDK reported.

In April 2022, Judge Bryan Hettenbach issued an order stating Riley could remain free and set a trial date for three months later.

The case never went to trial because the 'state was not ready,' according to court documents seen by KSDK.

By the time Edmondson was struck in February last year, court records show Riley had violated the terms of his bond close to 90 times.

The Edmondson family also sued the city of St Louis last year for failing to maintain a safe intersection, citing a yield sign that was inadequate because buildings blocked the view of oncoming traffic.

She has continued having surgeries to help heal her legs and make them better suited to wear prosthetics, according to a fundraiser set up by her family

Riley was on 11th and St. Charles when he didn't stop and crashed into another car before nailing the teenager in between a parked car

'St. Louis negligently permitted and maintained a dangerous condition to exist at the Intersection, creating an unreasonable risk of injury to pedestrians,' the filing noted.

Riley's mother, who rented the Audi he was driving, is named in the suit for allegedly allowing Riley to use the vehicle despite the fact he had 'exhibited habitual recklessness while driving automobiles,' according to court documents.

'The crash, involving a robbery suspect who had violated the terms of his bond dozens of times over several months, was completely preventable,' it continued.

Edmondson is seeking damages of more than $25,000 from Riley, his mother, Kimberly, the city, and the driver of the other vehicle, as well as EAN Holdings LLC, the car rental company that does business as Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore spoke to reporters after Riley's sentencing hearing, as he said: 'I hope this sentence brings some closure and a sense Mr. Riley was held accountable.'
A therapist who has appeared as a guest on This Morning has been accused of raping and sexually assaulting a client after telling her he could use sexual penetration as a 'therapeutic technique'.

Michael Lousada is being sued by Ella Janneh, who visited him after suffering panic attacks during consensual sex due to being abused as a child.

Ms Janneh, 37, who has waived her right to anonymity, claims that during a session on August 18 2016, she was raped and sexually assaulted by Mr Lousada in his clinic in Belsize Park, London.

The High Court has heard Lousada allegedly described his penis as being 'like a laser beam' which could 'burn up trauma' while using penetration as a 'therapeutic technique' before he went on to attack her.

Ms Janneh is bringing a civil claim against Mr Lousada after the Crown Prosecution Service said it would not pursue criminal charges in 2018.

Ella Janneh is bringing a civil rape suit against sex therapist Michael Lousada, alleging that he took advantage of her during a therapy session and attacked her

Lousada, who has appeared on programmes such as This Morning to discuss his therapy style, has denied the allegations, claiming the sexual activity was consensual

The case is being heard in the High Court (pictured) as a civil action after the Crown Prosecution Service said it would not pursue criminal charges in 2018

Mr Lousada denies the allegations, claiming the sexual activity was consensual and part of 'legitimate' therapeutic activity - but lawyers acting for the childhood sex abuse survivor say he abused the 'power dynamic' between therapist and client.

In court documents, Ms Janneh claimed that Mr Lousada told her during the 2016 session 'his penis was, 'like a laser beam' and that it could 'burn up trauma', and that he should use his penis to absorb the trauma'.

The incident caused her to suffer a panic attack, the documents said, leaving her unable to communicate and 'incapable of providing valid and informed consent'.

Ms Janneh, who now lives in Melbourne, Australia, reported the incident to the Metropolitan Police a day later. No charges were brought and the case was dropped in May 2018.

At the start of a six-day trial in London on Friday, Nina Ross, representing Ms Janneh, said that Mr Lousada assaulted his client during a 'body work' session after claiming to use penetration 'as a therapeutic technique'.

Ms Ross told the court: 'The claimant's case is that she did not consent to the sexual acts.

'She did not have the mental capacity to consent... nor did she have the freedom to consent due to the power dynamic inherent in a therapeutic relationship, nor did she have all the information she needed to consent because he gave her no warning.

'Nothing about her behaviour at the time or since has suggested she consented. She has thought of the incident as a rape from the day it happened.'

Ms Ross continued: 'There is no evidence before the court of why the defendant decided to take that risk, or what possible benefits there were for a trauma victim like the claimant, or indeed anyone.'

The court was told that Ms Janneh first visited Mr Lousada in 2011 and again in 2012 after suffering panic symptoms during consensual sex, which she believed stemmed from abuse as a child. No sexual activity took place at that time.

She returned in 2016 for the 'body work' session which she believed was similar to a physiotherapy session, coupled with talking therapy, Ms Ross said - but it was during this session that Lousada allegedly attacked her.

Giving her evidence in court, Ms Janneh said she had a phone call with Mr Lousada where she explained the nature of her panic attacks and that she wanted to understand how to overcome the problem.

She said: 'I absolutely did not ask him to work on penetration. I never, ever, ever would have asked him to penetrate me.'

When questioned over whether she had suggested she wished to use penetration as a therapy technique, Ms Janneh responded: 'That is deeply untrue. It is the express opposite.'

Ella Janneh, who has waived her right to anonymity, has alleged that she was sexually assaulted and raped by Michael Lousada during a 2016 therapy session

Lousada pictured in 2017 with Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes as well as another sex therapist Louise Mazanti for programme Eamonn and Ruth's Seven-Year Itch

As well as taking legal action against Mr Lousada, Ms Janneh is also suing Anteros Books Ltd, of which he was a director, for damages over claims of assault, trespass to the person and negligence.

Criminal and civil cases require different standards of proof, with criminal prosecutions requiring the higher standard of 'beyond reasonable doubt', whereas civil cases can be ruled upon on 'the balance of probabilities'.

Ms Janneh only needs to prove that it was more likely than not that she did not give consent to the sexual activity, rather than prove that Mr Lousada did not reasonably believe that she did not consent.

Barristers for Mr Lousada said while he accepts that penetration occurred, its purpose 'was not to have intercourse, but to accommodate the claimant's wish to work with penetration', adding that the session was 'about release of energy'.

In written submissions, lawyer David Boyle said that Ms Janneh did not fully disclose her past trauma and her vulnerable status and was aware of what the session involved and was repeatedly provided 'clear, unequivocal consent'.

In his notes following the session, Mr Lousada wrote that Ms Janneh 'left feeling empowered and optimistic'.

Mr Boyle said: 'The defendant slowly and carefully proceeded with the treatment session. At each stage, he asked for clear, verbal, consent to the next step proposed.

'At each stage, the claimant responded with a clear 'yes', failing which the defendant did not and would not proceed.'

He continued that Mr Lousada offered clients a 'range of activities' including workshops, talking therapy, him 'massaging the client, either non-intimately or intimately', and penetration 'if so required'.

While he acknowledged that Mr Lousada's activities 'may not align with societal norms', his work was a 'legitimate activity'.

He continued: 'The defendant's best estimation is that he has worked with approximately 1,000 separate clients, and several thousand appointments, over the years, with approximately 30 to 40 of whom he has engaged in penile penetration.'

He continued: 'In the current case, the defendant specifically asked whether the claimant wished to try penetration since other aspects of the treatment attempted did not seem to be having any significant effect.'

The trial, before Mr Justice Jeremy Baker, continues.
The man who set himself on fire outside former president Donald Trump's Manhattan trial has been named as Florida native Maxwell Crosby Azzarello.

Azzarello, 37, is in critical condition after setting himself on fire on Friday as horrified witnesses and CNN cameras watched.

He described himself as an investigative researcher in a blog post published just hours before he self-immolated.

Azzarello dropped fliers that included a link to the Substack account explaining his actions before he ignited himself.

The blog was titled: 'I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial.'

The conspiracy theorist claimed on the blog post that his 'extreme act of protest' was to draw light to what he called a 'totalitarian con.'

The man who set himself on fire outside former president Donald Trump 's Manhattan trial has been named as Florida native resident Max Azzarello.

The dramatic moment took place on day four of the former president's hush money trial in Manhattan

The pamphlets found at the scene link to a Substack written by 'investigative researcher' Max Azzarello

An hour before he self immolated, Azarello posted a text in his Instagram story that just repeated the words 'i love you.'

He wrote the government was 'about to hit us with an apocalyptic fascist world coup.'

Azzarello added: 'To my friends and family, witnesses and first responders, I deeply apologize for inflicting this pain upon you. But I assure you it is a drop in the bucket compared to what our government intends to inflict.'

Azarello travelled to New York City a week ago, saying on his Instagram he would be staying at Washington Square Park.

On his LinkedIn profile, where he seemingly appears in a photo with Bill Clinton, Azzarello wrote: 'We've got a secret fascism problem.'

His profile claims he has been self-employed since March of 2023.

Azarello received an undergraduate diploma in anthropology and public policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2009.

He went on to get a Master's degree in city and regional planning in Rutgers University in New Jersey in 2012.

On his LinkedIn profile, where he seemingly appears in a photo with Bill Clinton , Azzarello wrote: 'We've got a secret fascism problem'

Azarello travelled to New York City a week ago, saying on his Instagram he would be staying at Washington Square Park

A post published moments before the horrifying incident, reads: 'I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial.'

Last year he filed a lawsuit against the Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, Binance, Peter Thiel, Mark Cuban, Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg, among a dozen other entities.

His complaint reads: 'Each of the defendants has knowingly conspired, participated in, benefitted financially from a decades-long fraudulent scheme.'

In bizarre Instagram posts, Azarello stares at the camera and sings about starting a revolution.

He seems to have particular disdain for billionaires such as Mark Zuckerberg and Mark Cuban.

Azarello also often targeted New York Univertsity.

An hour before he self immolated, Azarello posted a text in his Instagram story that just repeated the words 'I love you.'

Azarello was arrested twice last year for disturbing the peace in Florida.

Shocking video showed the man twitching on the ground while engulfed by flames before another man ran over with a fire extinguisher.

Azarello was arrested twice last year for disturbing the peace in Florida

The tragedy unfolded while former president Trump (pictured on Friday morning) was inside the courthouse

Devastated eyewitnesses described hearing screams as the man went up in flames

Witnesses described the incident as a 'political protest' although it was not clear what side he was on

At the nearby courtroom, a jury of 12 New Yorkers and six alternates was selected in Trump's hush money trial.

Judge Juan M. Merchan, seemingly unaware of what was unfolding outside, told newly selected jurors that opening statements are set for Monday at 9.30am.

Azarello first walked into the park around 1:30 p.m., took out pamphlets espousing conspiracy theories and spread them around the park before he doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire, officials said.

Authorities said they were also reviewing the security protocols outside the courthouse.

'We are very concerned. Of course we are going to review our security protocols,' Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.
The Metropolitan Police has apologised and retracted a statement saying sorry for the actions of an officer who threatened to arrest a man he described as being 'openly Jewish' after the communication was slammed as 'appalling victim blaming'.

London's police service issued a statement on Friday afternoon apologising after Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) boss Gideon Falter was stopped from walking through a pro-Palestine march last Saturday by a Met officer.

The Met's initial statement accused counter-protesters at the regular rallies of being 'provocative' by filming themselves as they turned up on the routes to express their views. Mr Falter maintains he was 'going for a walk' after attending synagogue.

But after the CAA furiously accused the force of 'abject victim blaming' it pulled the statement, replacing it with a further apology for causing further offence which added: 'Being Jewish is not a provocation'.

And following the first Met bulletin the campaign group issued further footage of exchanges between the officer and Mr Falter in which the policeman says that his Jewish faith is 'part of the factor' as to why he can't cross the road during the march.

The officer was seen blocking Campaign Against Antisemitism boss Gideon Falter from crossing the road, and said he was stopping him because he looked 'openly Jewish'

Mr Falter was interviewed alongside the footage and accused the Met of failing to make London safe for Jews

The Met Police has apologised (above) for an earlier statement in which it suggested counter-protesters at pro-Palestine marches were being deliberately 'provocative'

The CAA labelled the earlier statement 'atrocious' and claimed the Met was not outlining how it would protect Jewish people in London

Another clip from the protest was also shared of a second officer telling the Jewish man: 'I am trying to make sure you are safe and that no one attacks you or your group or anyone else, that's all.'

The Campaign Against Antisemitism shared correspondence between Mr Falter and the Met Police about what the force labelled a planned protest on April 27

Mr Falter told the Met that the gathering - which will have at least one predetermined meeting point - is not a march, but a 'walk'

In the footage, which the group had not released as part of the earlier clip, the officer says: 'I'm sure there are an awful lot of people of all sorts of faiths and creeds who want to go where they want, but unfortunately today is different.'

Mr Falter then asks: 'So basically because I am Jewish, I can't cross the road today?'

The officer replies: 'Because of the march, that is part of... unfortunately part of the factor.'

READ MORE: Met Police arrest nine as Palestine and Israel demonstrators trade insults as thousands march through London to protest about Gaza conflict Advertisement

Sharing the new statement, the Met said: 'Earlier we posted a statement about a video released on Thursday evening by the Campaign Against Antisemitism.

'That statement has now been removed. We apologise for the offence it caused.'

The statement read: 'The use of the term "openly Jewish" by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. We know it will have caused offence to many. We reiterate our apology.

'We have reflected on the strength of the response to our previous statement. In an effort to make a point about the policing of protest we caused further offence.

'This was never our intention. We have removed that statement and we apologise.

'Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in this city.

'Our commitment to protecting the public extends to all communities across London. It's important that our public statements reflect that more clearly than they did today.'

The CAA labelled the earlier statement 'atrocious' and claimed the Met was not outlining how it would protect Jewish people in London.

Contacted for further comment, a Met Police spokesperson told MailOnline the force would not be making any further comment on the earlier statement.

CAA is calling on Jewish Londoners to go for a walk being 'quite openly Jewish' on Saturday April 27, the date of the next pro-Palestine march.

It insists the #WalkTogether event - which will have at least one predetermined meeting point - is not an organised protest.

Mr Falter said in an email to the Met Police shared on CAA's account on X, formerly Twitter: 'I am not planning a protest on 27th April. I am going for a walk as a private individual.

'I have not yet decided where I will walk, however it is likely that whilst walking I will be quite openly Jewish.

'Others might decide to join me. They might not. That is a matter for them. They might also be quite openly Jewish. They might not. That is also a matter for them.'

The row began earlier this week after the CAA shared footage of the Met Police speaking to Mr Falter at the side of a pro-Palestine procession on Saturday.

The officer can be heard saying to Mr Falter, who is wearing a kippah: 'You are quite openly Jewish. This is a pro-Palestinian march. I am not accusing you of anything but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.'

Mr Falter, pictured here on Good Morning Britain in 2018, is the CEO of Campaign Against Antisemitism

Met Police assistant commissioner Matt Twist (above) accused counter-protesters at pro-Palestine marches of being 'provocative' in an earlier statement

Mr Falter claimed in the video that he 'did what I normally do' on a Saturday: going to synagogue and going for a walk in London. He denied engaging with pro-Palestine protesters, and claimed the Met was creating 'no-go zones' for Jews in the capital.

He was seen telling the officer: 'I don't want to stay here, I want to leave.'

The officer then replies: 'In that case sir, when the crowd is gone I will happily escort you out.'

READ MORE: Israel strikes back at Iran as explosions rock airbase in city linked to Tehran's nuke program Advertisement

Later on in the video, another officer says: 'There's a unit of people here now. You will be escorted out of this area so you can go about your business, go where you want freely or if you choose to remain here because you are causing a breach of peace, with all these other people, you will be arrested.'

He clarifies: 'Your presence here is antagonising a large group of people that we can't deal with all of them if they attack you... because your presence is antagonising them.'

In response to the footage, Met Police assistant commissioner Matt Twist said the video shared by the CAA would 'further dent the confidence of many Jewish Londoners which is the opposite of what any of us want'.

AC Twist continued: 'The use of the term "openly Jewish" by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. It's absolutely not the basis on which we make decisions.

'It was a poor choice of words and while not intended, we know it will have caused offence to many. We apologise.'

The top cop went on to accuse counter-protesters of being 'provocative' by appearing on pro-Palestine march routes in order to express their differing views. He did not refer to the Campaign Against Antisemitism.

He continued: 'The fact that those who do this often film themselves while doing so suggests they must know that their presence is provocative, that they're inviting a response and that they're increasing the likelihood of an altercation.

'They're also making it much more likely officers will intervene. They (officers) don't do so to stifle free speech or to limit the right to protest, but to keep opposing groups apart, to prevent disorder and to keep the public - including all those taking part in or opposing the protest - safe.'

AC Twist concluded: 'It is up to us to review these interventions and to determine whether we are getting the balance right, adapting our approach as we do so.'

But the CAA blasted the Met's response, labelling it in a statement on X, formerly Twitter as 'appalling, abject victim blaming' that it 'absolutely reject(ed)'.

It said: 'Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has sent Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist to blame us for putting a "dent in the confidence of many Jewish Londoners" by releasing the video and claiming that the presence of Jews crossing the route of the march was "provocative".

'What puts a "dent" in Jewish Londoners' confidence in the Met is the Met's own decision to curtail the rights of Jews in order to appease lawless mobs.

'What is "provocative" is telling a Jewish Londoner that his presence will "antagonise" crowds and that unless he leaves he will be arrested.

People hold a variety of flags and placards at the protests in London on Saturday, including Palestine and Israel national flags

The CAA added: 'It is the right of every Londoner, Jewish or not, to walk freely around the city.

'If police threaten Jews with arrest for doing so or consider the mere presence of Jews to be "provocative", then the Met has decided wholesale to curtail the rights of Jews in order to appease lawless mobs.

'We must not be intimidated by protesters or prevented by police from exercising our rights.'

In a video interview published alongside the footage, Mr Falter accused the Met of creating 'no-go zones' for Jewish Londoners due to its rigorous enforcement of pro-Palestine marches, which he described as being 'anti-Israel'.

He said: 'Despite being told repeatedly that London is safe for Jews when these marches are taking place, my interactions with police officers last Saturday show that the Met believes that being openly Jewish will antagonise the anti-Israel marchers and that Jews need protection, which the police cannot guarantee.

'Instead of addressing that threat of anti-semitic violence, the Met's policy instead seems to be that law-abiding Jewish Londoners should not be in the parts of London where these marches are taking place.

'In other words, that they are no-go zones for Jews.'

Nine people were arrested following last Saturday's pro-Palestine march through central London calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

One man was arrested for a public order offence after making cut-throat gestures towards protesters at a significantly smaller pro-Israel counter-demonstration at Aldwych, the Metropolitan Police said.

Nearly 1,000 officers to police the events, which also included a demonstration held at the Cenotaph by right-wing group Turning Point UK.

Israel's ongoing war with Hamas has threatened to explode across the Middle East.

Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles on Israel last week after a deadly strike on its Damascus consulate, the blame for which was put on Tel Aviv.

Pro-Israel protesters hold signs stating 'Hamas are terrorists' and 'release the hostages'

Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in London today to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and urge the Government to stop all arms sales to Israel

Israel has responded with further strikes today against Isfahan, home to Iranian nuclear facilities, though no serious damage is thought to have been dealt in the strikes.

To date, 34,012 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began air and ground offensives in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

The war with Hamas began following the October 6 attacks that saw terrorists enter Israel and indiscriminately slaughter 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

Israel has been accused of perpetrating genocide through its offensives in Gaza in the International Criminal Court by South Africa.

Meanwhile, international observers have continued to urge Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to enable the safe delivery of aid to the 1.7million displaced Palestinians across the occupied territory.
The Tory candidate for Mayor of London has announced that she will ban commuters from playing loud music or taking calls on loud speaker if she wins the upcoming Mayoral Election.

Susan Hall's radical proposals comes on the same day that a shock poll shows her closing the gap on her Labour opponent Sadiq Khan.

Ms Hall has suggested that if elected she will update Transport for London's (TfL) conditions of carriage to include a ban on people playing loud music.

Currently, only passengers that are under-16 and use a child's Oyster card are banned from playing loud music.

Under Ms Hall's proposal all passengers on any TfL service, which aside from the Underground also includes buses and the Elizabeth Line among other services, could face being kicked off public transport and being handed a 1,,000 fine as part of a clampdown on anti-social behaviour.

Tory candidate for London Mayor Susan Hall at Hammersmith Tube Station. Ms Hall has suggested that if elected she will update Transport for London's ( TfL ) conditions of carriage to include a ban on people playing loud music

Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan on a Victoria Line train at Brixton. A spokesperson for Mr Khan told the Evening Standard that implementing Ms Hall's policy could prove difficult

A YouGov poll has found Tory hopeful Susan Hall closing the gap on Sadiq Khan as the bitter campaign draws towards its conclusion

The proposals would follow in the footsteps of former Tory mayor Boris Johnson's alcohol ban on the Tube which was introduced in 2008.

READ MORE: Tory Susan Hall closes the gap on Sadiq Khan with a fortnight until London mayoral election - but Labour incumbent is still 19 points ahead Advertisement

TfL has since admitted the policy is rarely enforced. The Evening Standard reports that in 2023 only 24 passengers were prosecuted for carrying open bottles and cans of alcohol.

The Tory candidate for Mayor has also announced fresh policies to address the recent phenomenon of people filming themselves dancing and lip-syncing on the Underground. This is part of a TikTok trend started by an influencer known as 'Tube Girl.'

However, Ms Hall does not plan to ban these such videos, but instead as Mayor she says she will lead a crackdown on the disturbing TikTok trend where people film themselves attacking commuters on the Underground as a part of a sick 'chaos for clout' trend.

In a statement, Ms Hall said: 'People deserve a safe and quiet journey home and yet under Sadiq Khan, the London Underground is less safe and less civil than it used to be.

'I will overhaul the rules to ban disruptive anti-social behaviour and ensure that existing rules are enforced better by TfL staff.

'Londoners have been raising concerns about this issue for years, but Sadiq Khan won't listen. I am listening and on May 2nd, you can vote for a Mayor who listens.'

Ms Hall says she will lead a crackdown on the disturbing TikTok trend where people film themselves attacking commuters on the Underground as a part of a sick 'chaos for clout' trend

A YouGov poll indicates Mr Khan's advantage has been cut by six points since February, he still enjoys a commanding lead over Ms Hall

Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan has attacked Ms Hall's proposal claiming.

A spokesperson for Mr Khan told the Evening Standard: 'Implementing formal restrictions would likely be very difficult, requiring bus and Tube staff to police how passengers operated their individual phones.

'It would require huge extra spending on enforcement and put impossible pressures on hard-working transport staff.'

Ms Hall's announcement today comes as a poll from YouGov appears to show the Tories closing the gap on Labour as the campaign reaches its final two weeks.

However, although the YouGov research indicates the Labour incumbent's advantage has been cut by six points since February, he still enjoys a commanding lead.

Mr Khan, who is seeking a third term in City Hall, was on 46 per cent in the latest survey, with Ms Hall on 27 per cent.

The numbers underline the sense of gloom enveloping the Tories ahead of the local elections on May 2.

MailOnline have approached the Labour Party for a comment.
A group of self-styled 'Robin Hoods' are bragging on social media that they stole from Marks & Spencer to give to food banks.

Campaigners from Everybody Eats, a group calling for direct action on food poverty, claim they launched their first raid at an M&S Foodhall in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester.

They also claim they will replicate 'this all across the country' until the government answers their demands on food security, The Telegraph reported.

Everybody Eats claimed that food banks were aware that the goods were stolen and suggested its members had been asked to help.

They posted a picture on X/Twitter of five bags of food including Percy Pig sweets.

The group of activists pose with the stolen food. Some hide their faces while others brazenly pose

Two self-styled 'Robin Hood' activists carry food. They claim the foodbanks they donate the food to are aware of where it comes from

The caption read: 'Today we took food from an M&S in Manchester without paying for it. The food will now be distributed straight to people in the community as well as local food banks.

'We cannot sit by as we and our friends, our families, our neighbours starve.'

They were filmed happily walking into M&S before stealing the food and walking out again smirking.

No security guards or shop assistants are seen intervening in the clip.

In the video, an activist said: 'What we do is we go into major supermarkets and liberate food essentials to distribute to food banks and those living in the area who are in food poverty.

'Supermarkets make huge profits off rising prices of essential items in this cost of living crisis.

'A lot of their own staff are living in food poverty and use food banks. We've been asked by food banks for their help.

'It is the right thing to do, people are hungry in the land of plenty and I think that's obscene.'

The activists then posed with the food, dressed as Robin Hood. Some covered their faces but others didn't.

There have been no reports of anyone being arrested for the stunt, so far.

One of the activists, Charlie Peterson, 42, likened his group to The Suffragettes.

An M&S spokeswoman said that the company has reported the crime to the police who are investigating.

Activists were seen grinning as they walked out of the store with the food. So far, there have been no arrests

No security guards or shop assistants are seen intervening in the clip. The activists are seen with their loot

The group claims they will replicate 'this all across the country' until the government answers their demands on food security

A man in a Robin Hood hat is seen placing olive oil into a basket. One activist likened the actioned to The Suffragettes

Graham Wynn, assistant director of regulation at the BRC, told The Telegraph: 'Stealing  however small  is not a victimless crime. The 1.8 billion a year lost to shop theft would be better spent investing in lower prices and better service for customers.

'Meanwhile, retailers are forced to spend a further 1.2 billion a year on anti-crime measures such as CCTV, security personnel and anti-theft devices.'

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: 'At around 1.40pm on Sunday 14 April 2024, officers received reports of shoplifting at a store on Barlow Moor Road, Manchester.

'Enquiries are currently ongoing, but no arrests have been made at this stage.

'Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or via gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1504 of 14/04/24.

'Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.'

It comes amid an already widespread shoplifting epidemic seen across the UK.

Shoplifting reached its highest level in two decades last year, according to the Office for National Statistics released in January.

The British Retail Consortium said thefts cost retailers 1.8billion in 2022-23, up from 953million the previous year.

The rise in crime has also seen everyday food items being locked behind security cabinets or with tags added to them to deter crime.

The Metropolitan Police has told of introducing its own 'game-changing' facial recognition technology to capture prolific shoplifters, matching retailers' CCTV imagery with Scotland Yard's custody shots.

Meanwhile, an ex-Scotland Yard detective now heads a company dubbed Britain's first 'private police force' in a bid to tackle crime such as shoplifting - working with retail giants such as Apple, Fortnum & Mason, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro is calling on residents to escape Bogota this weekend as the reservoirs that have been severely impacted by a drought are struggling to supply the capital city.

The left-wing leader declared Friday a national civic day, granting government workers the day off and asking private enterprises to consider doing the same to conserve water levels in the reservoirs.

'It's not so people don't drink water, because then we would die,' Petro said during a press conference Thursday. 'But it's so we drink it in a different place, where there is no hydrological stress.'

The president also urged residents to consider cutting back on the amount of electricity they use in their homes so that the country does not have to ration energy in the upcoming rainy season.

A firefighter sprays water during a wildfire on El Cable Hill near Bogota, Colombia, on January 27. The El Nino weather pattern as has been blamed for forest fires and a current drought

Extensive beaches have been formed due to the low water levels in the San Rafael reservoir in La Calera, a city near Bogota, Colombia's capital

The lack of rain in the northern and central regions of the South American nation has wrecked Bogota's reservoirs and caused forest fires in January.

The Chingaza Reservoir System, main source of water, is currently 15 percent full, the lowest it has ever been as months of dry water due to the El Nino weather phenomenon.

The average water level at reservoirs in the country has dropped below 29 percent. Dipping to 27 percent could spark power outages.

Petro shared a photo of one of the capital's main water systems and took a direct shot at climate change deniers.

'This April 19 is a day of rebellion, of reading, of conversation with family and friends about the danger of climate change, about who produces it, about what should be done,' Petro wrote on X.

'Tomorrow is a day of national rebellion, tomorrow we combine the forces of life,' he added. 'We drive away the summons of death, tomorrow is the day of life on earth, my day and your day.'

A worker washes a car at an ecological carwash in Bogota, Colombia on April 12. Water rationing in the capital began April 11 due to the low level of water in reservoirs that give drinking water to the capital, a consequence of the El Nino weather phenomenon

Aerial view of El Guavio Reservoir dock, one of the water sources for the Colombian capital city of Bogota, where the water level has visibly decreased because of a drought that has lasted several months because of the El Nino weather pattern

A resident in La Calera, a city north of Bogota, capital of Colombian, carries water to his home. The area has been experiencing a shortage of water as its main reservoirs have been compromised by drought that has stretched for several months

On Monday, Bogota Mayor Carlos Galan rolled out a plan to curb the use of water in the city of 8 million residents and announced that homes that use more than 22 cubic meters of water per month will have to pay additional fees.

Galan warned that people could be fine up to $300 if they washed their vehicles on the streets or carry out any other activity that is considered a waste of water.

For example, city buses are now being washed once a week instated of every day. However, the inside of the buses will be cleaned daily for health reasons.

'We have started to reduce water consumption, but there is still a long way to go to reach our goals,' Galan said.

Water rationing is rare in Bogota, a city that is located in a humid patch of the northern Andes Mountains and is surrounded by cloud forests and emerald green fields.

The Bogota government introduced a water rationing system on April 11 that divides the city into nine zones. The water supply is cut off from each zone for 24 hours on a rotating basis.

The shutdown dropped the capital's water consumption to16.01 cubic meters per second, from 17.84 cubic meters per second.

A resident collects water from a water truck in the La Calera, a city near Bogota, the capital of Colombia

Bogota Mayor Carlos Galan rolled out a plan on Monday to curb the use of water in the city of 8 million residents. Residents found washing their cars in the streets can be fined up to $300

A restaurant cook gets water from a bucket while the kitchen stays open during a 24-hour water restriction in Bogota, the capital city of Colombia which is dealing with a drought

Galan's plan is for the consumption to fall below 15 cubic meters per second so that the reservoirs can recover.

City official have taken the mayor's lead by sharing tips on how to conserve water.

Some have asked residents to limit their shower times to five minutes and to turn off the water when they brush their teeth.

Galan went as far as asking residents to consider not showering every day if they do not have to leave their homes.

'We are not only going to reduce consumption through rationing, but also by changing our behavior,' he said.
The White House still isn't addressing the meat of President Joe Biden's cannibal controversy.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre snapped on Friday when Fox News' Peter Doocy asked why the commander-in-chief is suggesting his uncle may have been eaten in Papua New Guinea during World War Two.

But she wouldn't address the holes in the story or admit that the president may have been telling a tall tale.

'We should not make jokes about it,' Jean-Pierre sassed at Doocy. 'Your last line is for a laugh, is for a funny statement. And he takes this very seriously. His uncle who served and protected his country lost his life and that should matter.'

Doocy had asked the press secretary why Biden said Finnegan's plane had been 'shot down' - when Pentagon documents said it suffered engine failure - and also why the president contended the servicemember had been eaten.

'That's a bad way to go,' Doocy commented, cuing Jean-Pierre's annoyance.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre snapped on Friday when Fox News' Peter Doocy asked why the commander-in-chief is suggesting his uncle may have been eaten in Papua New Guinea during World War Two

On Thursday White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wouldn't answer questions about the veracity of a story told by President Joe Biden (left) - that his late uncle Ambrose Finnegan (right) was eaten by cannibals during World War II

President Joe Biden reaches to touch the name of his uncle Ambrose J. Finnegan, Jr., on a wall at a Scranton war memorial on Wednesday in Scranton. Biden said Finnegan's plane was 'shot down' despite military records saying the airplane suffered engine failure

Doocy followed up with, 'where did the cannibalism come from?' which Jean-Pierre still didn't answer.

'I think you're missing the point,' she said. 'The point is you have a president that lifts up American veterans, who lifts up our U.S. servicemembers and that's what matters.'

'He understands how critical and how important it is to be commander-in-chief,' she added. 'I'm going to move on.'

On Thursday Jean-Pierre gave similar non-answers.

On board Air Force One she was repeatedly asked by reporters to confirm the president's cannibal story, but she did not.

She joked that there was 'no cannibal tab' in her binder of information.

Jean-Pierre went on to confirm that Biden's uncle 'died 'when the military aircraft he was on crashed in the Pacific after taking off near New Guinea' - rather than being eaten by cannibals.

Jean-Pierre said: 'Look, you saw the president. He was incredibly proud of his uncle's service in uniform. You saw him at the war memorial. It was incredibly emotional and important to him.

'You saw him respond to all of you when asked about the moment yesterday, and his uncle, who lost his life when the military aircraft he was on crashed in the Pacific after taking off near New Guinea,' she continued.

Jean-Pierre added that Biden highlighted his uncle's story to make the case for 'honoring our sacred commitment to equip those we send to war and to take care of them and their families when they come home.'

'And as he reiterated that the last thing American veterans are are suckers or losers, and he wanted to make that clear,' she added - a dig at former President Donald Trump, Biden's 2024 general election opponent.

Trump has strongly denied making such comments about American soldiers who died in World War II.

When a reporter asked her again about the veracity of the cannibal claim Jean-Pierre responded, 'I mean, look, I don't have anything beyond about what I just laid out.'

'But it was a really proud moment for him. It was incredibly emotional,' she said.

U.S. President Joe Biden visits a war memorial in Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S., April 17, 2024

There are no images of Joe Biden's uncle's plane crashing. This photograph shows a Douglas A-20 Havoc medium bomber attack aircraft being shot down by anti-aircraft fire during an attack on the Imperial Japanese seaplane base and harbor installations at Sekar Bay on 22nd July 1944 at Kokas in Dutch New Guinea, Dutch East Indies.

Local people watching wounded U,S. and Australian soldiers being placed on a row of stretchers. Papua New Guinea, December 1942

'And I think we can't, we can't forget that moment. And we cannot also forget what it means to be a commander-in-chief, what it means to lift up our service members, what it means to make sure that we respect their service, and he made that [contrast] very clear as to what we saw from the former, former president,' Jean-Pierre said, going after Trump again.

When another reporter asked her about the cannibal claims she wrapped up the media briefing as Air Force One was landing, having still not confirmed the president's story.

Pentagon records from that era say that Finnegan was on a 'courier' flight that suffered engine failure and ditched in the ocean off Papua New Guinea on May 14, 1944.

The report by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency said there was a crew of three and one passenger, and the plane departed Momote Airfield, Los Negros Island, for a courier flight to Nadzab Airfield, New Guinea.

The loss of Ambrose Finnegan is also detailed in a 'missing aircraft' report made on March 17, 1944 and kept at the National Archives.

Marked 'Secret' the War Department report shows he was not flying the plane and was a passenger.

Missing Air Crew Report number 48472D LT AMBROSE J. FINNEGAN

Missing Air Crew Report number 48472D LT AMBROSE J. FINNEGAN

Missing Air Crew Report number 48472D LT AMBROSE J. FINNEGAN

There were three 'crew' and one 'passenger' on board. Finnegan was listed as a 2nd Lieutenant who was a 'courier.'

The three-strong crew consisted of a pilot, gunner and engineer. The pilot was 1st Lieutenant Harold R. Prince.

According to the report the weather was 'good' when the plane went down and there was 'nil' evidence to suggest whether or not those on board had survived.

'For unknown reasons, this plane was forced to ditch in the ocean off the north coast of New Guinea, the report said.

'Both engines failed at low altitude, and the aircraft's nose hit the water hard.

'Three men failed to emerge from the sinking wreck and were lost in the crash.

'One crew member survived and was rescued by a passing barge. An aerial search the next day found no trace of the missing aircraft or the lost crew members.'

It said Second Lieutenant Ambrose J. Finnegan was 'the passenger on this Havoc when it was lost.'

The report went on: 'He has not been associated with any remains recovered from the area after the war and is still unaccounted for.'

There were also reports in the National Archives submitted by pilots who went looking for the missing plane.

A Douglas A-20 'Havoc' light bomber like the one Biden's uncle was on

S President Joe Biden with Pennsylvania, Mayor Paige Cognetti, visits the Veterans War Memorial in Scranton, Pennsylvania

President Joe Biden visits Zummo's Cafe with Scranton, Pennsylvania, Mayor Paige Cognetti

They reported 'searching the water all the way with nil obeservations' and that 'no sightings were made.'

Pilots reported back that 'no trace was found of Lieutenant Prince's plane or the crew.'

In Scranton Biden said that when D-Day occurred, 'the next day, all four of my mother's brothers volunteered to join the military. Three of them made it, one of them couldn't go.'

'Ambrose Finnegan - we called him Uncle Bosie - he was shot down. He was in the Army Air Corps, before there was an Air Force, flew those single engine airplanes, reconnaissance flights over New Guinea,' the president continued.

'He volunteered because someone couldn't make it.'

That led to him being shot down.

In a speech later on Wednesday Biden added: 'My Uncle Bosie, he was a hell of an athlete, they tell me, when he was a kid.

'And he became an Army Air Corps before the Air Force came along. He flew those single engine planes as reconnaissance over war zones.

'And he got shot down near Guinea and they never found the body because there used to be, there were a lot of cannibals for real, in that part of New Guinea.'

Speaking in Scranton, Biden went on: 'We had a tradition in my family my grandfather taught us.

'When you visit the graveside of a family member you say three Hail Marys. That was what I was doing (at the memorial).

'My Uncle Ambrose Finnegan - Uncle Bosie was a hell of a guy. I never met him.'

Biden said as he looked at the memorial he thought about Trump.

'What I was thinking about when I was standing there, when Trump refused to go up the memorial in Paris and he said they were bunch of suckers and losers,' he said.

'To me that is a such a disqualifying assertion made by a president. The guys who saved civilization in the 1940s suckers and losers.'
Calexico has voted to oust the first transgender mayor in California in a long awaited recall vote as the politician blames transphobia for the decision.

Mayor Raul Urena, 26, identifies as a transgender woman and prefers she/they pronouns.

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.

She 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.

However, on April 16 nearly 74 percent of voters supported the recall of the City Councilmember, according to early results released by the Imperial County registrar of voters on Wednesday night.

Calexico has voted to oust the first transgender mayor in California in a long awaited recall vote as the politician blames transphobia for the decision

Mayor Raul Urena, 26, identifies as a transgender woman and prefers she/they pronouns

Raul 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

Urena was hit with a recall campaign after voters complained they thought they were voting a man into office

Maritza Hurtado, 58, has been a leader in the recall campaign and worked as the former mayor for Calexico

Another Calexico politician and coworker of Urena was also targeted by the recall campaign.

Councilmember Gilberto Manzanarez, another young and progressive outspoken politician, saw 73 percent of voters vote in favor of the recall.

Despite recall campaign organizers insisting that the efforts were rooted in concerns about homelessness and the economy - the ousted politicians believe otherwise.

Urena and Manzanarez said they believe the recall campaign was largely motivated by transphobia, according to the LA Times.

Urena said she remains 'hopeful and optimistic, despite the results. 'We will not give up on social justice in the Imperial Valley,' Urena said. 'We're not going anywhere.'

Manzanarez said in a City Council meeting on Wednesday that the young politicians were being unfairly blamed for Calexico's problems that had existed long before they were elected into office.

Some of the issues included the deteriorating downtown of the Latino city of 38,000 sitting on the Californian border to Mexico - as well as understaffed police, fire and public works departments.

'It's very easy to point to downtown and make sure that people understand that it's not OK. How long has it been that way? Did it start being that way in 2022? Absolutely not,' said Manzanarez.

Maritza Hurtado, 58, has been a leader in the recall campaign and worked as the former mayor for Calexico.

She declined to comment on the results, but previously called Urena and Manzanarez 'toxic' left-wing activists.

On April 16 nearly 74 percent of voters supported the recall of the City Councilmember, according to early results released by the Imperial County registrar of voters on Wednesday night

Urena said she remains 'hopeful and optimistic, despite the results. 'We will not give up on social justice in the Imperial Valley,' Urena said. 'We're not going anywhere'

Urena has claimed that her gender identity has been used against her throughout the 26-year-old's political career. The mayor said that as a transgender person, you always have to watch your back - but says that she doesn't feel more vulnerable to trans-hate as a public official

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!'

Hurtado, 58, claimed that Urena used gender 'as a card this whole time,' and said the 26-year-old dismissed people with legitimate political grievances as transphobic and racist, according to the LA Times.

This week's special election cost the small city over $128,000, and the turnout was about 23 percent with 4,933 votes cast.

Urena has been fighting recall efforts ever since 2022 and was heckled by a protestor at a pride flag-raising ceremony this past June.

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.

Lemon spearheaded the recall effort to remove Urena from office, but stepped back after the attack in June.

Calexico is a city in southern Imperial County that sits on the border of Mexico and California.

The city's population 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, Urena has claimed that her gender identity has been used against her throughout the elected official's political career.

The mayor said that as a transgender person, you always have to watch your back - but says that she doesn't feel more vulnerable to trans-hate as a public official.

Protestors successfully forced a recall election for Urena and a fellow progressive council member, Gilberto Manzanarez

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, the first transgender mayor along the entire US/ Mexico border, told DailyMail.com that she recalls feeling 'so good' whilst wearing a dress at the age of 10

'I might even be more vulnerable if I'm not in an elected position where people have elected me to represent a lot of people who don't identify as LGBT,' she said.

Urena, the first transgender mayor along the entire US/Mexico border, told DailyMail.com that she recalls feeling 'so good' whilst wearing a dress at the age of 10.

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 for safety purposes.

'My parents wanted me to keep it to myself because they were worried about my safety,' she said. 'My dad was not very happy with me being public about my sexual orientation.'

Residents of Calexico took to social media when Urena became mayor to bash the politician for her appearance.

When images surfaced of Urena wearing a dress - people said 'how gross' and 'this must be a joke.'

Calexico resident Diana Silva said she felt uncomfortable with the image Urena is portraying but she is also not happy with her work in the city council, according to Beyond Border News.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly refused to address Israel's attack on Iran, saying President Joe Biden's administration has no comment on the matter.

Jean-Pierre, when she took to the podium at her daily press briefing, announced at the top: 'I know there's a lot a lot of interest in reports from the Middle East overnight, and we understand that. We get that. I'm going to say it now, though I know you all will will certainly ask me about it, that we do not have any comment on the reports at this time.'

She stuck to that stance despite repeated questions.

'I'm not going to speak or speculate about any of the reports that are out there. I'm not going to comment. I'm just going to leave it there,' she told reporters.

'We do not have any comment,' White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said of Israeli attack on Iran

American officials acknowledged they received an advance warning from Tel Aviv about the attack on a base in central Iran but there are reports the administration was refusing to comment on the matter because the White House doesn't want to get dragged into a war between Israel and Iran.

Jean-Pierre repeated the White House line that they do not want to see escalation in the region.

'We have been very, very clear from here - from the beginning - that we do not want to see this conflict escalate,' she said.

The administration has insisted it wasn't involved in the offensive. Biden had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be cautious about retaliation, not wanting him to spark a war in the Middle East.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who is chairing a meeting of G7 countries, revealed the U.S. had given the rest of the alliance notice that they had gotten a head's up on the attack.

Tajani said American officials told G7 ministers that it had been 'informed at the last minute' by Israel about the drones it was sending into Iran. 'But there was no sharing of the attack by the U.S. It was a mere information.'

Israeli strikes hit Isfahan in central Iran, which is where Iran's nuclear capabilities are located

A senior American official told the New York Times that Israel had notified the United States through multiple channels shortly before its attack against Iran.

The official noted the attack was expected given that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been hinting at one all week.

'We were not surprised,' said the official.

The White House has not publicly commented on the attack.

Administration officials were keeping quiet to avoid getting the United States pulled into the conflict between Iran and Israel, the official told the Times.

Another official told CNN that the U.S. 'didn't endorse the response.'

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who is in Italy for a meeting of G7 foreign ministers, declined to address the strike.

'I'm not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations,' Blinken told reporters there.

'We're also committed to de-escalating  to trying to bring this tension to a close,' Blinken noted.

He also said the countries shared 'a commitment to hold Iran to account.'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) was close to ordering a wide-spread attack on Tehran on the night Iran attacked but after he spoke with President Joe Biden (right) he delayed a strike

Tel Aviv struck the city of Isfahan in central Iran was struck at 5am local time, with Israel reported to have targeted an air base near the city that also hosts some of Iran's nuclear research facilities.

Isfahan is known hotbed for Iran's nuclear research and houses drone production plants - but the attack is thought to have caused little material damage, and no casualties have been reported.

Israel's attack was in retaliation for Iran's on Saturday, when Tehran sent more than 300 missiles and drones at Tel Aviv, most of which were shoot down.

Netanyahu was close to ordering a wide-spread attack on Tehran on the night Iran attacked but after he spoke with President Biden, and because the damage was limited, the Israeli war cabinet postponed a decision.

Biden and other world leaders spent this week urging Israel not to retaliate in a way that would set off a wider Middle East war.

They pointed out Israeli forces are already fighting on two additional fronts: Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both allies of Iran.

Israel can ill-afford a major conflict with Iran, particularly as the IDF is stretched to capacity amid the ongoing military operations against Hamas and intermittent skirmishes with Hezbollah at the northern border with Lebanon.

Meanwhile, President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran had warned that 'the tiniest act of aggression' would draw a response.

But, in the aftermath, Iranian officials sought to downplay any significant damage to its military facilities and outright denied any nuclear plants were destroyed, while Iranian state TV this morning released footage of an undisturbed Isfahan to cast doubt on reports the city had been hit.

Israel's strike had a smaller scope than expected, which allowed Iranian officials to downplay its significance.

Experts believe that will allow both countries to de-escalate while saving face.
Traumatized Trump fans who witnessed a man horrifically set himself on fire outside the former president's hush money trial on Friday shared their shocked reactions.

Maxwell Azzarello, 37, doused himself in an alcohol substance before taking a lighter to his clothes near Manhattan criminal court.

Fred Gates of Astoria was in a park nearby, he said 'I saw him take a backpack off pull out two cans of gasoline and proceed to take one can and pour it over himself on both sides.'

Gates described yelling for police to come in as people started to run away - himself included.

'I got half way from the park and thats when he went,' Gates recalled. 'He threw a bunch of fliers in the air... He had nothing on his t-shirt.'

Traumatized Trump fans who witnessed a man horrifically set himself on fire outside the former president's hush money trial on Friday shared their shocked reactions

Horrifying scenes unfolded outside Donald Trump 's hush money trial on Friday after a man set himself on fire in an act of extreme political protest

Maxwell Azzarello, 37, doused himself in an alcohol substance before taking a lighter to his clothes near Manhattan criminal court

Fliers spotted at the scene of the self-immolation shortly after it occurred. It has not been confirmed if they belong to the victim

The shocked witness described Azzarello as 'very calm' and 'quiet' - adding that he didn't say anything as he lit himself on fire.

'I first thought it was fake, he was doing some kind of protest where he would use fake gasoline. I didnt think it was real. It seemed like he was burning for 5 minutes. There was no help. Everybody was screaming and watching this,' Gates shared.

Kennedy Mack was visiting from South Carolina and said the shocking event was 'completely out of the blue.'

'He started throwing brochures around and then poured gasoline on himself, two or three gallons,' Mack said. 'It was awful why would anyone do that to themselves. I wish we never came this way now.'

Witnesses said that it was a political protest and that Azzarello was throwing flyers about Trump and Boden before he threw gasoline on himself and set himself alight. His sign said Trump and Biden, according to bystanders.

Devastated eyewitnesses described hearing screams as the man went up in flames

Police officers investigate a canister of flammable liquid left at the scene where a man set himself on fire at Collect Pond Park, outside Manhattan Criminal Court

Witnesses described the incident as a 'political protest' although it was not clear what side he was on

Trump fans were outside of the Manhattan courthouse during the time of the traumatizing fire

Kayley Bruce, who was also on vacation from South Carolina, cried as she recalled the moment Azzarello set himself on fire.

'I saw him when he was throwing the gasoline,' she said through tears. 'It was bad it was the most horrific thing Ive seen in my life. It was awful. I just started praying. I didnt know what else to do. I don't know if he is still alive his body was completely charred.'

Another witness, Charles Udoaka, said 'Ive never seen something like that in my life.'

He said, 'I was crossing the park and saw a fire and then it just ignited. People were screaming and trying to use a fire extinguisher to put the fire out.'

Another witness was ordering a hot dog nearby when they turned around and heard people yelling. 'It was crazy, it was scary,' they said.
The cost of a cuppa is set to surge, with coffee and tea prices spiralling on global markets.

Wholesale coffee prices are up by more than 20 per cent since January after crops were hit by extreme weather in key producing countries, including Vietnam and Brazil.

Tea costs have jumped by 34 per cent in the past month alone due to rising industry costs and the Red Sea crisis affecting container ship movements.

UK coffee shops rely on robusta and arabica beans for the millions of americanos, lattes and cappuccinos they make.

The price of robusta bean futures hit 3,211 per ton on the London markets this week, up 20 per cent on January's 2,674. And in New York, the price of arabica beans hit $5,105 (4,125) per ton, a rise of 23 per cent on $4,151 (3,354) over the same timeframe.

Wholesale coffee prices are up by more than 20 per cent since January after crops were hit by extreme weather in key producing countries (stock picture)

Tea costs have jumped by 34 per cent in the past month alone due to rising industry costs (stock picture)

A prolonged heatwave in Vietnam, one of the world's largest producers of robusta beans, has damaged crops. Andrew Moriarty, of analysts Mintec, said: 'Robusta prices have been increasing for some time on two successive lower harvests in Vietnam.

'Over the last few weeks, production estimates for the previous 23/24 crop have dropped, and now many market participants expect the last harvest was down by around 20 per cent year on year.'

Research by The Grocer magazine found prices of Nescafe Gold Blend Instant Coffee are up by an average of 5.5 per cent since last week.

A spokesman for the brand's owner Nestle said the company has seen 'significant increases in the cost of coffee, making it much more expensive to manufacture our products'.

Gareth Redmond-King, at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: 'The cost of our morning coffee is soaring as climate change hits crops in Brazil and Vietnam. Worsening climate extremes are threatening food crops in the UK and overseas.

'We import half the food we consume  damaged crops limit supplies and raise prices in our shops.'

UK coffee shops rely on robusta and arabica beans for the millions of americanos, lattes and cappuccinos they make (stock picture)

Latest data shows a 34.52 per cent increase in tea prices over the past month  making them 50 per cent higher than a year ago.

The main factor is said to be disruption to shipping from the world's biggest producers and exporters  China, India, Kenya and Sri Lanka  resulting from attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.

With shortages looming, Marco Forgione, of the Institute of Export and International Trade, said: 'The tranquillity of our tea supply and demand has been disrupted by recent upheavals, which has resulted in a surge in prices.

'These disruptions have rippled throughout the global supply chain, adding to price pressures, shrinkflation and availability issues, all of which put further pressure on consumers' already stretched purses and complicating businesses' supply chains.'
James' office asks Trump put up replacement bond within seven days of ruling

AG's office says Knight Specialty Insurance Company failed to assure it could back the $175 million bond

The New York Attorney General's office asked a judge to void the $175 million bond secured in the New York civil fraud case.

In a filing on Friday, AG Letitia James' office said Trump and other defendants in the case failed to show there is enough identifiable collateral to back the bond.

The attorneys asked Judge Arthur Engoron to require Trump and other defendants to put up a replacement bond within seven days of ruling on the issue.

It comes after the James raised doubts earlier this month about the 'sufficiency' of the $175 million bond put up as Trump goes forward with the appeal in his New York fraud case.

New York Attorney General Letitia James' office asked the judge to reject Trump's $175 million bond in civil fraud case

Trump in court Friday for a separate case. The ex-president was found to have inflated the value of assets to receive more favorable loans in the New York civil fraud case and had to put up a $175 million bond while he appeals

The 26-page filing on Friday notes rather than Trump selecting a large national insurance company licensed in New York, he chose instead Knight Specialty Insurance Company (KSIC) 'a small insurer that is not authorized to write business in New York and thus not regulated by the state's insurance department.'

It stated the company has a total policyholder surplus of just $138 million and that Trump and KSIC failed to justify KSIC as surety 'on this extraordinarily large undertaking' for a number for reasons.

Earlier this month, James raised doubts about the 'sufficiency' of the $175 million bond given by California billionaire Don Hankey's company as the clock ticked down on Trump's deadline to post bond in the case.

With time running out, James' signaled her office was was willing to start seizing Trump's properties. The ex-president's lawyers told the court he was having trouble finding a company willing to secure an even larger $464 million bond.

Hankey told DailyMail.com he approached Trump after hearing about his efforts to obtain bond for a larger court judgment, then issued the bond for the lower amount after Trump's team came back to him.

Billionaire Don Hankey is known as the 'king of the subprime car loan.' Trump's appeal bond was provided by Hankeys Knight Specialty Insurance Company

James earlier this month gave Trump's lawyers an additional 10 days to 'justify' the bond, as she sought assurances the firm would be able to fulfill its obligation to back it up or pay if Trump defaults if he were to lose his court appeal.

KSIC provided the court with a financial statement as of December 31, 2023 that listed assets of $539 million, and a 'surplus to policy holders' of $138 million.

In the filing on Friday, the Attorney General's office argued they failed to meet their burden of establishing there is sufficiently secure collateral backing the bond and said the court should not rely on Knight Insurance's financial summary as evidence.

The NY Attorney General's office also said Knight Insurance is not qualified to act as a surety because federal authorities have previously found its management had operated companies in violation of federal law on multiple occasions in the past several years.

A hearing for the bond dispute is expected to take place on Monday.

It comes as opening statements are also set to begin on Monday in Trump's separate hush money criminal trial.
Comedian Paul Currie has walked back on earlier claims he was set to perform at Glastonbury Festival after bosses said he had not been booked for the 2024 event.

The comic, who faced a row in February amid claims he 'hounded' Jewish man Liahav Eitan out of a London gig because he 'refused to applaud' a Palestinian flag, now claims he has been 'cancelled' after 13 years of Glasto gigs.

In a post on Instagram on Friday evening, Currie - who has been explicit in his support of Palestinian people - said the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) had put 'pressure' on Glastonbury organisers not to book him again.

But festival bosses told MailOnline earlier today that he had not been booked to perform at all for 2024.

Currie's new post, however, was phrased to suggest that he believed he had been booked but that the offer was subsequently withdrawn. MailOnline has contacted the comedian for further clarification.

Paul Currie has walked back claims he was set to play Glastonbury Festival this year - and now says he has been 'cancelled' because of pressure from Jewish groups

Currie uploaded a new post to Instagram on Friday that claimed he 'was' playing Glastonbury this year - but no longer

Currie said he was 'not allowed' to be at the festival this year, having previously performed at the farmyard party for 13 years

Currie has sought to blame his 'cancellation' from Glastonbury on Jewish charity the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA)

Currie was thrust into an alleged antisemitism row earlier this year amid reports he 'hounded' Jewish audience member Liahav Eitan (above) out of a gig at London's Soho Theatre after the Israeli refused to applaud a Palestinian flag at the end of the show

The post read: 'Oops, so what I should have said is I thought I *was* playing Glastonbury... but sadly I am not allowed to be there.

'Unfortunately and heartbreakingly the festival have decided to cancel me this year, after 13 wonderful years bringing joy and silliness to the thousands of families and revellers who came to join in my silly shows over the years on the riser stages.

'I will continue to fight to defend my reputation and more importantly, to defend my right to speak out against atrocities in Palestine - as I know so many of you do too.'

His statement went on to suggest that Glastonbury had been 'pressured' to 'cancel' him because of the CAA, which he alleged was a 'Zionist extremist pressure group'.

MailOnline has contacted Glastonbury Festival and the Campaign Against Antisemitism for further comment.

It comes after the comedian was engulfed in an antisemitism row after a Jewish man claimed he was 'hounded' out of one his shows because he didn't applaud a flag of Palestine.

Mr Currie, who describes himself as a 'professional d***head' on social media, had earlier claimed he will perform at this year's Glastonbury Festival despite the furore over the February incident.

Posting on his Instagram page on Friday, the comedian shared an image of the Glastonbury logo, accompanied by the words 'I am playing Glastonbury Festival' and a Palestinian Flag.

In the caption he included a variety of hashtags related to the war in Gaza, including 'free Palestine', 'stop the genocide in Gaza', 'end apartheid' and 'end all wars'.

The comedian, who hails from Belfast, performed at Glastonbury in Worthy Farm, Somerset, in 2022 and 2023 putting his self-described 'weird comedy' on display at Britain's biggest festival.

However, despite his claims, Glastonbury organisers told MailOnline today that he has not been booked to perform at this year's festival.

The comedian shared a post on Instagram in which he appeared to suggest he would be performing at Glastonbury. However, organisers have denied he has been booked to appear

Currie sparked outrage after he allegedly encouraged a crowd of people to chant 'get the f*** out' and 'free Palestine' at Israeli audience member Liahav Eitan in February.

Bosses at the Soho Theatre apologised afterwards, and later said it had banned Currie from performing there again.

However, the comic appeared to double down after posting a picture of the Palestinian flag on social media and claiming he would 'not quietly nor politely sit'.

Paul Currie: Absurdist comedian from Belfast who featured on BBC's Live At The Electric Belfast-born Currie began his career as a street performer and has become known for his absurdist comedy, having been doing stand-up gigs for the past 20 years. He featured in BBC Three comedy show Live At The Electric in 2013 and debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2009. Currie is also a so-called 'muppeteer', having performed and voiced puppets on children's shows such as Jim Henson's Pajanimals and Sesame Tree, the Northern Irish adaptation of Sesame Street. He is described as having 'carved himself a reputation since 2004 as an uncompromising alternative comedian in the UK, Ireland, Australia and Europe building up a loyal fan base with his unique style of genre breaking stand-up'. Currie has a degree from Belfast School of Art in visual communications and previously taught at Circusful - formerly known as Belfast Community Circus School. Advertisement

Mr Currie had produced the Palestinian and Ukrainian flags as part of his one-hour non-verbal show Shtoom at the Soho Theatre in London in February this year.

Mr Eitan, an Israeli who was in the audience, said he was left feeling scared for his safety after the comedian allegedly turned on him for failing to clap the object.

He said that while the show was 'bizarre', everything was fine until Currie unfurled the flags and asked the audience to stand up.

Mr Eitan said: 'If I was closer to the door, maybe I would have left at that stage. But as it was, I just waited five minutes for the for the show to end.

'When it ended, a lot of the people got up and clapped. There was a bit of a standing ovation there and me and my friends just stayed sat down quietly and not clapping.

'I didn't mean to make any point of it right? I just didn't really enjoy that bit.'

Mr Eitan, who moved from Israel to London five years ago, said: 'The only way out was through the stage. We had to actually get on the stage quite close to him - and I was quite afraid that he'd throw a punch because he was still cursing and shouting.'

The software engineer, whose seats were behind Currie, added: 'He got out his Palestine flag again and shouted "motherf***er you'll have to watch it again on your way out".'

Mr Eitan and his friend fled from the Soho Theatre to Bloomsbury in a bid to move away from the venue, where the crowd were spilling out and some of them were giving them 'unfriendly glances'.

He continued: 'From the audience, we were mostly scared. We wanted to get out of the of the situation. It seemed like a bit of a mob mentality that could go sour any second.

'So we were just afraid of violence. That's why we didn't linger right? We just wanted to get out of there.'

Mr Eitan added: '[We were] mostly scared about how that room might turn against us. From the comedian, I didn't feel any sort of way like I thought it really reflected on him rather than on us.'

Currie, who often shares pro-Palestine content on social media, is then said to have shown his appreciation to the crowd for coming before sarcastically thanking Mr Eitan and his friend for not standing up and clapping.

A post shared to Paul Currie's Instagram story after a Jewish audience member claimed he was 'hounded' out of one of his shows

Currie shared praise from another comedian who thanked him for 'unapologetically calling for a ceasefire now'

In another post to his story, Currie shared a tweet by comedian Frankie Boyle on the Israel-Palestine conflict

Mr Eitan said that Currie 'lingered' on them for around five to ten seconds until he responded: 'Thank you for that Palestine flag'.

Currie then seemed 'quite taken aback' and asked Mr Eitan if he was being sarcastic.

'Then he said something like, "Okay, well, you're welcome. You're welcome for the Palestine flag. It was part of the show."

EXCLUSIVE READ MORE Jewish theatregoer who was hounded out of Soho Theatre when comedian Paul Currie unfurled Palestinian flag and led chants telling him to 'get out' reveals he feared comic would 'punch' him and thinks he should be banned Advertisement

'And then he came back to me again and said, "Did you enjoy the show?" I said, "Yes, up until that point". And he said, "Ah up until that point".

'Then he just turns back to me and starts screaming, 'I'm from Belfast. I know everything about ceasefires. Ceasefire now, get the f*** out of my theatre. Get out, get the f*** out of my show, motherf***ers.'

Mr Eitan said he then asked his friend if they should grab their things and go before they calmly attempted to leave.

'Unfortunately, when the entire crowd was still inside, the only way out was through the stage,' he added.

Coming close with the comedian on stage, Mr Eitan said Currie started a 'public chant of 'ceasefire now, and free Palestine' as he 'tried to incite the crowd'.

He added: 'I didn't look at him on the way out. We just left.'

The Soho Theatre apologised for the 'upset and hurt' caused by the incident to some of their customers and will be investigating what happened.

They wrote: 'We are sorry and saddened by an incident that took place at our venue at the end of a performance of Paul Currie: Shtoom on Saturday 10 of February which has caused upset and hurt to members of audience attending and others.

'We take this very seriously and are looking into the detail of what happened as thoroughly, as sensitively, and as quickly as we can.

'It is important to us that Soho Theatre is welcoming and inclusive place for all.'

The under-fire comedian was at a pro-Palestine march hours before the show in question in February

The Soho Theatre, where the incident occurred during Mr Currie's show in February. It also used to be a synagogue

The Soho Theatre issued an apology for the incident and said that it would be investigating

The Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was assisting Jewish guests who were allegedly hounded out of the Soho Theatre in London.

A spokesperson for CAA said: 'What the Jewish audience-members have recounted is atrocious, and we are working with them and our lawyers to ensure that those who instigated and enabled it are held to account.

'These allegations are of deeply disturbing discriminatory abuse against Jews. Comedians are rightly given broad latitude, but hounding Jews out of theatres is reminiscent of humanity's darkest days, and must have no place in central London in 2024.'

Currie appeared to double down in the aftermath of the incident, sharing a post on social media claiming he would 'not quietly nor politely sit and make house within the depravity of this killing machine'.

He has denied he is antisemitic, and a fundraiser has been launched to prepare for potential legal action against Soho Theatre and the CAA.

On the fundraising page he said: 'I just want to make it clear that we should be able to speak out for Palestine, and against injustice - me being banned by Soho and targeted by the CAA is just a drop in the ocean of the horror that is unfolding before our eyes. So I thank you sincerely for your help and for spreading the word.'
The man who set himself on fire outside the Donald Trump trial had only just completed 180 days probation for a string of troubling incidents involving disorderly conduct and destruction of property that saw him scare members of the public with his erratic and 'rambling' behavior.

DailyMail.com has obtained three criminal complaints of the incidents that took place in August last year.

In one Azzarello, 37, who is listed on charging documents as unemployed, threw a glass of wine at a framed and autographed photograph of President Bill Clinton displayed in the lobby of the Casa Monica Hotel in his hometown of Saint Augustine, Florida.

The complaint notes that the incident took place on the evening of August 19, 2023, and that Azzarello had just finished dinner at the hotel's restaurant when he launched the glass at the image, breaking the glass on the framed photograph and damaging it with wine.

Just two days later, on August 21, Azzarello was back in the Case Monica Hotel where he was reported for, 'standing outside, stripping his clothes off and yelling at customers.'

Max Azarello, seen here in a August 24, 2023, mugshot, had recently completed 180 days probation for a string of troubling incidents involving disorderly conduct and destruction of property that saw him scare members of the public with his erratic and 'rambling' behavior

DailyMail.com has obtained three criminal complaints of the incidents - all of which took place in August last year

In one, officers wrote how Azzarello, 37, threw a glass of wine at a framed and autographed photograph of Bill Clinton displayed in the lobby of the Casa Monica Hotel in his hometown of Saint Augustine, Florida, on August 19 of this past year. He is listed as unemployed

Officers rushed over and tried to help him Friday afternoon as the fire burned. He doused himself in an alcohol substance before taking a lighter to his clothes

Azzarello was arrested several time last year in the Sunshine State for breach of the peace

On his LinkedIn profile, where he seemingly appears in a photo with Bill Clinton , Azzarello wrote: 'We've got a secret fascism problem'

Fliers spotted at the scene of the self-immolation shortly after it occurred. It has not been confirmed if they belong to the victim

The pamphlets found at the scene link to a Substack written by 'investigative researcher' Max Azzarello

The tragedy unfolded while former president Trump (pictured on Friday morning) was inside the courthouse

When police arrived, they noted that he was 'wearing nothing but his underwear, standing on the sidewalk holing [sic] a speaker blasting music and yelling.'

The hotel manager told officers that several customers were 'scared for their safety' and unable to enter or exit for fear of Azzarello.

On August 24, he was arrested once more for graffitiing property and rifling through a woman's belongings in the flatbed of her truck.

According to the police report he had been seen yelling in someone's yards after 'misinterpreting' an exterminator's sign warning people to keep their children and pets off a lawn that had just been treated and becoming convinced that the pest control company was 'there to exterminate children and dogs.'

In a further insight into his troubled state of mind, Azzarello posted an update on his Facebook page earlier that same month in which he told followers he had just spent three days in a psych ward.

He claimed that four cops showed up at his apartment after he tipped a Starbucks barista $200 and wrote 'Go F*** Yourself' on the receipt.

He wrote, 'I was handcuffed, shoved, and put into a psych ward. I was given no information about why I was there until after my discharge.'

Witnesses described the incident as a 'political protest' although it was not clear what side he was on

As of 2.20pm police described the individual as in a 'critical' condition

New York City police officers inspect the scene where a man lit himself on fire in a park outside Manhattan criminal court

White fire extinguisher residue marks the spot where the incident took place in Collect Pond Park

A Substack penned by Azzarello states he is an 'investigative researcher'. A post published moments before the horrifying incident, reads: 'I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial.'

The Substack is a rambling anti-establishment diatribe which claims the world is the victim of a 'totalitarian con'. He also warns of a 'an apocalyptic fascist world coup'.

On the Florida-native's LinkedIn profile, where a younger Azzarello appears in a photo with the former president that seemingly set him off last summer, the suspect wrote: 'We've got a secret fascism problem.'

His profile claims he has been self-employed since March of 2023. He was arrested twice last year for disturbing the peace in Florida.

'Ive never seen something like that in my life,' eyewitness Charles Udoaka told DailyMail.com.

'I was crossing the park and saw a fire and then it just ignited. People were screaming and trying to use a fire extinguisher to put the fire out.'

'It was completely out of the blue,' Kennedy Mack, who was visiting from South Carolina said.

'He started throwing brochures around and then poured gasoline on himself, two or three gallons.

'He took out a match or lighter and set himself completely on fire. He kneeled down as if he was praising somebody. He didnt say anything.

Devastated eyewitnesses described hearing screams as the man went up in flames

Witnesses described how the man began throwing political flyers prior to dousing himself. It is unclear if these pamphlets pictured belonged to him

'It was awful why would anyone do that to themselves. I wish we never came this way now.'

CNN's Laura Coates was live on air narrating the chaos as it unfolded.

'I see a totally charred human being,' Coates said.

Fred Gates from Astoria, was in Collect Pond Park a short distance away at the time.

'I saw him take a backpack off pull out two cans of gasoline and proceed to take one can and pour it over himself on both sides. I was yelling for police to come in,' he said.

'People started to run away, I included. I got half way from the park and thats when he went. He threw a bunch of fliers in the air.

'He had nothing on his t-shirt. He seemed very calm, quiet and didnt say anything. I was very close to him It became apparent it may be some a dangerous situation and we all ran away from him.

'I first thought it was fake, he was doing some kind of protest where he would use fake gasoline. I didnt think it was real.

'It seemed like he was burning for 5 minutes. There was no help. Everybody was screaming and watching this.'

Azzarello, a Florida native, he has been self employed since March 2023, his social media indicates

An hour before he self immolated, Azzarello posted a text in his Instagram story that just repeated the words 'I love you.'

At 3pm, police described Azzarello as in a 'critical condition' and said they are still working to understand the full circumstances.

He had arrived in the city earlier in the week, an official confirmed, stating he was not known to the police prior to the incident. His next of kin have been informed.

An hour before he self immolated, Azarello posted a text in his Instagram story that just repeated the words 'I love you.'

Azzarello travelled to New York City a week ago, saying on his Instagram he would be staying at Washington Square Park.

Last year he filed a lawsuit against the Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation, Binance, Peter Thiel, Mark Cuban, Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg, among a dozen other entities for fraud.

The terrifying incident unfolded outside the court room where jury selection was taking place.

It comes just two months after Air Force engineer Aaron Bushnell died by setting himself on fire.

Bushnell, 25, self-immolated in protest against the war in Gaza on February 25.

Officials confirmed Azzarrello had travelled to New York earlier in the week and that they have now informed his next of kin

Trump was outside of the courtroom, but still inside the court house when Azzarello lit himself on fire.

The full jury of seven men and five women had already been selected for his hush money trial and alternates were being sought.

Members include an investment banker and a speech therapist who admits he 'doesn't like' his policies.

The final two alternate jurors were seated Friday afternoon. According to reporters in the courtroom, Trump appeared to fall asleep again as the jury selection droned on.

Judge Juan M. Merchan, seemingly unaware of what was unfolding outside, told newly selected jurors that opening statements are set for Monday at 9.30am.

At the White House, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked about Azzarello during the daily briefing.

'It's very sad news,' Jean-Pierre replied, stating she learned about the 'developing situation' from live news coverage.

Azarello first walked into the park around 1:30 p.m., took out pamphlets espousing conspiracy theories and spread them around the park before he doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire, officials said.

Authorities said they were also reviewing the security protocols outside the courthouse.

'We are very concerned. Of course we are going to review our security protocols,' Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.
Abby Hensel's husband has been cleared in a paternity suit that was filed by his ex-wife who he had split from two years before marrying the famous conjoined twin.

Abby, now 34, from Minnesota, tied the knot with Josh Bowling, 33, a nurse and army veteran in 2021, but a paternity lawsuit was filed by her beau's ex-wife, Annica Bowling, in October 2023 claiming he may have fathered a three-year-old.

But former army medic, Bowling, 34, has now been cleared in the paternity case after a genetic test found that he is not the father of Annica's second child.

The suit, filed in Minnesota District Court in Washington County, came nearly two years after he married Abby, who is a conjoined twin with sister Brittany.

Josh Bowling, 33, left, has been cleared in a paternity test with his ex-wife Annica, right. Their divorce was finalized on April 23, 2020. Annica then had another child later that year

Abby Hensel's husband, Josh Bowling, has been cleared in the paternity suit filed by his ex-wife, Annica Bowling, who he split with in 2019 and shares one daughter with

Josh and Annica married in 2010 then split in 2019, according to court records. They currently share custody of their eight-year-old daughter, Isabella.

Court records viewed by DailyMail.com show Annica filed the suit against Josh and another man named Gavin Vatnsdal who has now been found to be the biological father from the test.

'It's not Mr Bowling's child. It's my client's child,' Vatnsdal's attorney Gregory Seamon told the court.

'I think all the parties agree that Mr Vatnsdal should be the adjudicated father and Mr Bowling should be discharged and taken off the birth certificate,' Judge Siv Mjanger ruled during Friday's hearing.

Josh Bowling is pictured with his wife Abby Hensel and her sister Brittany at their wedding

Abby and her sister Brittany, one of only a few sets of dicephalus twins in history to survive infancy

The pair rose to fame on their eponymous TLC show which chronicled their major life events, including their high school graduation and job hunting. Josh Bowling with wife Abby Hensel (center) and her twin sister Brittany

Josh and Annica's divorce was finalized on April 23, 2020, then Annica had another child later that year who in court documents is referred to as 'Isabella's half-sister.'

Josh's daughter attended his wedding to Abby, sporting a floral bridesmaid's dress and walking down the aisle, holding a sign that read: 'Daddy... Here Comes Your Bride.'

Abby and her sister Brittany, one of only a few sets of dicephalus twins in history to survive infancy, rose to fame on their eponymous TLC show which chronicled their major life events, including their high school graduation and job hunting.

On TikTok account @abbyandbrittanyhensel, a clip was recently posted showing off Abby's wedding day - and a Facebook account titled Britt And Abby also featured a picture of the happy couple.

For the ceremony, which records revealed took place back in 2021, the twins sported a sleeveless wedding dress with lace trim detailing while the groom wore a grey suit.

A video thought to have been captured by one of their guests and shared on social media showed the twins and the groom enjoying a dance during the big day.

Josh's daughter attended his wedding to Abby (pictured in her wedding dress), sporting a floral bridesmaid's dress and walking down the aisle

The conjoined twins broke their silence last week after news emerged that one of them is now married in a social media post addressed to their haters

The twins live a relatively normal life and are able to do everyday things such as driving

The conjoined twins broke their silence last month after news emerged that one of them is now married.

'The internet is extra LOUD today,' the twins, 34, said on their joint TikTok account in March after the world learned that Abby had married Josh. They didn't share any images online until last year.

Abby and Brittany shared images of ancient sculptures depicting conjoined twins and added: 'We have always been around.'

They also posted another TikTok showing a photo with Josh and wrote: 'This is a message to all the haters out there.

'If you don't like what I do, but watch everything I'm doing, you're still a fan.

Abby and Brittany are now both fifth grade math teachers at an elementary school in New Brighton, Minnesota, where they were born and raised.

The pair share a single body, and from the waist down, all their organs, including the intestine, bladder and reproductive organs, are shared.

In a documentary filmed when the girls were teenagers, their mother said they were keen to have children of their own one day, explaining: 'That is probably something that could work because those organs do work for them.'

Abby and Brittany are now both fifth grade math teachers at an elementary school in New Brighton, Minnesota, where they were born and raised

Abby and her sister Brittany, one of only a few sets of dicephalus twins in history to survive infancy, rose to fame on their eponymous TLC show

In a 2001 interview with Time, the twins' father Mike said his daughters, pictured above when they were younger, had already then asked about finding husbands one day

In another interview, Brittany reiterated their desire to have families of their own, saying: 'The whole world doesn't need to know who we are seeing, what we are doing and when we are going to do it. But believe me, we are totally different people.'

They have always shut down speculation about their private life and a decade ago, they dismissed a rumor that Brittany was engaged as a 'dumb joke', but even as teenagers they spoke about wanting to have children.

'People have been curious about us since we were born, for obvious reasons,' the twins said in the first episode of their eight-part series, according to ABC News. 'But our parents never let us use that as an excuse. We were raised to believe we could do anything we wanted to do.'

In a 2001 interview with Time, the twins' father Mike said his daughters had already then asked about finding husbands one day.

Knowing that other conjoined twins have married, he explained, why not? 'They're good-looking girls. They're witty. They've got everything going for them, except they're together,' he added.
Donald Trump's $355million fraud fine and the E. Jean Carroll defamation verdict should be brought up in his historic hush money trial, prosecutors argued on Friday at the end of a blockbuster first week.

The former president's lawyers hit back at suggestions from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office that the past cases were relevant because they are immoral, vicious, illegal or bad acts.

Prosecutors also offered to reveal the name of their first witness to the defense off Sunday if they didn't tell Trump and stop the identity being 'tweeted'.

The argument closed out a dramatic day where Trump watched prospective jurors break down in tears and claim they were too stressed to serve as the court seated a full jury for opening statements on Monday.

The 77-year-old turned and watched as a woman revealed to the court she was an ex-convict and a drug addict who served time in prison.

Donald Trump 's $355million fraud fine and the E. Jean Carroll defamation verdict should be brought up in his historic hush money trial, prosecutors argued on Friday at the end of a blockbuster first week

He also jolted upright when another man said he once volunteered for Clinton and had is interest piqued by a woman who said her father was friends with former presidential candidate Chris Christie.

Horrifying scenes also played out outside the courtroom as a man set himself on fire in a park across the street.

As he walked out of the courtroom Trump accused the judge of wanting the case to go 'as fast as possible'.

He called the case a 'giant witch hunt' and also slammed New York General Letitia James over the fraud case where he was fined $355million.

The 77-year-old turned and watched as a woman revealed to the court she was an ex-convict and a drug addict who served time in prison

The full jury has been set in the Trump trial. Twelve Manhattan residents will decide if he is guilty or not guilty and six alternates will be backup

Trump's aide Margo Martin leaves court at the end of the fourth day of the trial

'The trial starts on Monday, which is long before a lot of people thought. The judge wants this to go as fast as possible. Thats for his reasons, not for my reasons.'

He then left the downtown Manhattan court and will head to North Carolina on Saturday evening for a campaign rally.

The full jury - 12 seated members and six alternates - were chosen just after 2pm on Wednesday.

Then the lawyers returned to the courtroom to argue over what evidence should be allowed in the case in a so-called Sandoval Hearing.

Judge Juan Merchan snapped at Trumps lawyer Emil Bove and told him to sit down.

The moment came after the prosecution requested the phone records of Michael Cohen be sealed so they wouldnt reveal personal information of people with nothing to do with the case.

Judge Merchan said the idea of forcing prosecutors to redact all the filings was absurd.

Arguments closed out a dramatic day where Trump watched prospective jurors break down in tears and claim they were too stressed to serve as the court seated a full jury for opening statements on Monday

As he walked out of the courtroom Trump accused the judge of wanting the case to go 'as fast as possible'

He told Bove: Dont interrupt me.

Bove protested: Im not interrupting you.

Judge Merchan said: Oh you are, have a seat.

Judge Merchan signed the order sealing the records.

The first issue in the Sandoval hearing was the prosecution request to cross examine Trump about the $364 million finding against Trump by a New York judge in his fraud trial earlier this year.

Bove said that the verdict was on appeal and that Trump would have to respond which would take the trial down a rabbit hole.

Judge Merchan appeared skeptical and said that it was usual practice for a defendant to be asked about previous legal action and they could respond while being cross examined.

Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said that it should be allowed.

He said: Its hard to think of something that is more squarely in the wheelhouse of appropriate impeachment examination as to his credibility than a finding by a judge of fraud and illegality by a judge in the state of New York.'.

The next issue were contempt findings from Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over the fraud trial, that Trump breached his gag order barring him from talking about witnesses or his staff.

Bove argued there was a significant risk of confusion for the jury if these were introduced.

Colangelo countered that these findings were relevant because they were evidence of immoral, vicious, illegal or bad acts outside of the indicted conduct.

He said that it was difficult to find something more probative than Judge Engoron saying, after calling Trump into the witness box and asking him to testify about breaching his order, that the defendant's testimony rings hollow and untrue.

Trumps lawyers also objected to the prospect of Trump being cross examined over the two defamation verdicts in civil cases brought against him by the journalist E. Jean Carroll.

She won an $83.3 million judgment against Trump earlier this year, after already winning $5m when a jury found him liable for sexually assaulting her in the mid 1990s.

Trump called the case a 'giant witch hunt' and also slammed New York General Letitia James over the fraud case where he was fined $355million

The former president's lawyers hit back at suggestions from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office that the past cases were relevant because they are immoral, vicious, illegal or bad acts

Prosecutors were also seeking to question Trump about his real estate empire being found guilty of tax fraud and falsifying business records in 2022

Bove called the case unacceptable as a basis for impeachment and said that it pushes the salacious on another level

Colangelo said that the fact Trump was found liable for defamation with actual malice was critical evidence in assessing the defendants credibility

The court then turned to the lawsuit filed by Trump against Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Committee and others for racketeering in a conspiracy against him.

The case was dismissed by Florida federal judge Donald Middlebrooks last year who ordered $1m in sanctions against Trumps lawyers.

Trumps lawyers also objected to the prospect of Trump being cross examined over the two defamation verdicts in civil cases brought against him by the journalist E. Jean Carroll

The judge said in a scathing ruling: We are confronted with a lawsuit that should never have been filed, which was completely frivolous, both factually and legally, and which was brought in bad faith for an improper purpose.

Trump is a prolific and sophisticated litigant who is repeatedly using the courts to seek revenge on political adversaries. He is the mastermind of strategic abuse of the judicial process. He knew full well the impact of his actions

Bove tried to argue it was so far afield from the conduct in the hush money case.

But Judge Mercan appeared skeptical and said it seemed squarely within the relevant law.

Colangelo agreed and said that in a case where credibility will be core, this was a highly relevant matter.

Prosecutors were also seeking to question Trump about his real estate empire being found guilty of tax fraud and falsifying business records in 2022.

They also sought to be able to cross-examine Trump on being ordered in 2019 to pay $2 million for misuse of funds for The Trump Foundation, his charitable organization.

Trumps lawyers objected to both.

Judge Merchan said he would reverse his final ruling on the evidence, and it would be revealed by Monday.
A toddler who was found wandering alone near a bus stop at night in north Queensland has sparked an urgent call for assistance from police.

The young girl was spotted by a group of people near a Cairns shopping centre in the suburb of Smithfield, on the Captain Cook Highway, about 8.30pm Friday night.

The girl is about four-years-old, police said.

Queensland Police released this image of the young girl and have asked for the public's help to locate her parents

She is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander appearance, with brown eyes and brown hair, and was found wearing a pink dress with flowers on it.

Police are appealing for help from the public to locate the girl's responsible guardian as she was found alone and unsupervised at night near a busy highway.

Anyone with information or who knows this girl is asked to contact police immediately via Policelink, Cairns Police, or Crimestoppers.
Fears of a Middle East war receded last night after Iran said it would not retaliate following Israeli missile strikes near its nuclear installations.

Israel's muted show of force, which was criticised by hardline members of its coalition government, came after Iran sent 300 missiles and drones towards the Jewish state last Saturday.

There were no casualties in the Israeli attack, which came on the 85th birthday of the country's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. It centred on the province of Isfahan, home to several nuclear facilities, missile factories and an airbase. None of the nuclear sites was damaged.

Further explosions were reported near the northern city of Tabriz.

Iranian state TV said: 'Three drones were observed in the sky over Isfahan.

A map showing reported explosions in Iran. Following Israel's retaliation, Rishi Sunak led international pleas for de-escalation as he urged 'calm heads to prevail'

Military personnel stand guard at a nuclear facility in the Zardanjan area of Isfahan, Iran. In recent weeks, tit-for-tat exchanges between the regional powers have threatened to trigger a fully blown conflict

Footage posted to social media which appears to show Anti-Aircraft Fire over the City of Isfahan in Iran. The attack centred on the province of Isfahan, home to several nuclear facilities, missile factories and an airbase

'The air defence system became active and destroyed these drones in the sky.'

Following Israel's retaliation, Rishi Sunak led international pleas for de-escalation as he urged 'calm heads to prevail'.

In recent weeks, tit-for-tat exchanges between the regional powers have threatened to trigger a fully blown conflict.

The latest shadow war began on April 1 when an Israeli rocket destroyed Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing at least seven people, including senior military figures.

On April 13, Iran launched its first major attack on Israel. UK fighter jets joined a US-led international coalition which shot down the terrifying array of projectiles. Remarkably, there were no fatalities.

The sheer scale of the Iranian assault led to calls by ultra-nationalist members of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet for Israel to 'go berserk'. However, it appeared yesterday's action was intended to signal Israel's ability to strike sensitive targets inside Iran, rather than to do any damage.

Footage posted which appears to show a missile strike in Isfahan. It appeared yesterday's action was intended to signal Israel's ability to strike sensitive targets inside Iran, rather than to do any damage

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei. There were no casualties in the Israeli attack, which came on the 85th birthday of the country's supreme leader

Damage caused by an airstrike which hit a building near the Iranian embassy in Damascus. The latest shadow war began on April 1 when an Israeli rocket destroyed Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing at least seven people, including senior military figures

National security minister Ben Gvir could not hide his disappointment, describing the strikes as 'lame'.

In another conciliatory move, Israel also gave the US a last-minute warning before launching the attack, US sources claimed yesterday. The tip-off may have been intended to appease US President Joe Biden, who had pleaded with Israel not to escalate the conflict.

Speaking at the G7 political conference in Italy yesterday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken insisted the US had not taken part.

Former Israeli ambassador to the United States, Itamar Rabinovich, said the country had 'tried to calibrate between the need to respond and a desire not to enter a cycle of action and counter-reaction that would just escalate endlessly'.

Last night, international diplomats were seeking further assurances from both countries that the attacks and counterattacks would stop.

They instead want to concentrate on preventing a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. After seven months of conflict, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are said to be facing starvation and serious illness.

The Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry claimed yesterday that more than 30,000 have been killed since the terror group's murderous attack on Israel on October 7, which left 1,139 Israelis dead.

National security minister Ben Gvir (pictured) could not hide his disappointment at Israel's response, describing the strikes as 'lame'

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said it was 'high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East'. He also called on the international community to prevent further developments that could lead to 'devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond'.

Experts took differing views of the evolving conflict last night, with one suggesting that Israel may engage in a 'series of dispersed attacks over time', taking on a strategy of 'death by a thousand cuts'.

Middle East security expert Dr Andreas Krieg told the Mail: 'I think a prolonged but manageable conflict is in Netanyahu's interest.

'That can be achieved by extending the conflict with Iran's Axis of Resistance. This is a low-risk conflict that keeps Israel on high alert without the risk of becoming existential.

'Israel might decide to engage in a series of dispersed attacks over time that are individually so negligible that Iran doesn't have to respond... a strategy of 'death by a thousand cuts', which is difficult to deter.'

Andrew Borene, of threat intelligence firm Flashpoint, said: 'It appears that Israel and Iran are now engaged in a very dangerous game of bilateral brinkmanship.'

Yossi Mekelberg, of the Chatham House international relations think-tank, said: 'Wherever Israel looks right now, it sees Iran on its borders, even though Iran does not border Israel.'
Australia's richest millennials are wealthy because of their well-off parents - and not because they are in higher-paying jobs, a new report has found.

Those under 35, and able to buy an investment property or house with the help of parents, are more likely to be in the wealthiest top 10 per cent for their age, the study found.

And when it came to assets, they also held almost half of their age group's wealth, said the report by Australian Council of Social Service and University of New South Wales

But they were only in the top 24 per cent of high earners among the young.

'This suggests that wealthy younger households have not accumulated more wealth than the rest of their age group because they have much higher incomes,' the report said.

'Many are likely to have received support to invest from their parents the so-called Bank of Mum and Dad.

Australia's richest millennials are wealthy because of their wealthy parents and not because they are in higher-paying jobs, a new report has found (pictured is a stock image)

The study examined households where those living together were 35 or younger, ranging from married couples to professionals in a share house, but not those living with their parents.

It found they were more likely to be rich from a combination of investment properties and shares.

Australia's richest 10 per cent of youths were worth an average of $2.014million, or 25 times the net worth of the lowest 60 per cent worth $80,000.

Across all wealth levels, households where residents under 35 lived together had an average worth of $410,000.

The average $2million wealth, of the richest 10 per cent, was also broken down into several components.

This included a $734,000 equity in a home they lived in, $445,000 in an investment property that was rented out, and an average financial portfolio worth $527,000, including shares.

Those under 35 able to buy an investment property with the help of their parents are more likely to be among the top 10 per cent by wealth for their age, the Australian Council of Social Service and University of New South Wales study found

Superannuation and other investments were also included in the overall $2million wealth figure.

Surging house and share prices since the depths of the pandemic in March 2020 have worsened inequality.

ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie said: 'These disturbing figures show that people with the lowest income and least wealth are being left behind by the increasing inequality in Australia.'

Across all age groups, the richest 10 per cent were worth $5.22million, versus $343,000 for the poorest 60 per cent and $1.176million for everyone else.

Among the over 65s, covering baby boomers, the richest 10 per cent were worth $6.977million, compared with $539,000 for the poorest 60 per cent and $1.584million for everyone else.
China's experience in GDI leads other countries in achieving SDGs: Pakistan's UN ambassador

Xinhua) 11:05, April 19, 2024

ISLAMABAD, April 18 (Xinhua) -- China has vital experience and capacity in the Global Development Initiative (GDI) to lead other countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), said a statement from the Permanent Mission of Pakistan Mission to the United Nations (UN) on Thursday.

Munir Akram, permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, addressed the high-level meeting of the Group of Friends of the GDI at the UN on the subject of "Jointly Promote the Summit of the Future to Recommit to Accelerate the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda."

"China can offer its invaluable experiences, lessons, and support to enable other developing countries to reduce poverty and realize their development objectives," said Akram.

The Pakistani ambassador said that the GDI, initiated by the Chinese leadership, provides a clear framework to achieve the SDGs.

Referring to the GDI as an example of action, the ambassador highlighted China's institutionalized cooperation and establishment of institutions for funding project development, as well as consultative mechanisms necessary for achieving goals.

Regarding Pakistan's cooperation with China, Akram emphasized how the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has enabled Pakistan to overcome its energy and infrastructure deficits.

Launched in 2013, the CPEC, a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is a corridor linking the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation.

The ambassador expressed confidence that the CPEC would drive progress towards achieving the SDGs.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Sir Elton John wears his old KNEECAP as a necklace as he turns heads at the premiere of new biopic - after joking 'there's not much left of me' following numerous surgeries
In a brazen demonstration of who controls the border, Mexican smugglers set up a make-shift ramp to drive a car over the southern border of the US in Arizona, DailyMail.com can reveal.

A startling photo shared by the union that represents Border Patrol agents shows two metal structures right up against a fence on the border.

'That's the international boundary on the Tohono O'odham reservation,' posted union vice president Art Del Cueto.

'Those extra things you see are ramps that the smugglers utilize to drive a car over the boundary and into the United States.

The fact that cartels can easily defeat the border fence in this part of the border is due to the Tohono O'odham Nation's refusal to allow a border wall on tribal land.

Mexican smuggling cartels set up a ramp to get vehicles over the US-Mexico border near the Tohono O'odham reservation in Arizona

The US border wall ends where the reservation begins

The Native American nation is on record opposing the 30-foot high, steel wall that US officials say is a crucial layer in helping to stem the flow of migrants.

'Long before there was a border, tribal members traveled back and forth to visit family, participate in cultural and religious events, and many other practices,' the independent nation's website reads.

'For these reasons and many others, the Nation has opposed fortified walls on the border for many years.'

The tribe sits on 62 miles of US-Mexican border in two countries.

'The Gadsden Purchase of 1853 divided the Tohono Oodhams traditional lands and separated their communities,' the nation explains online.

'The Nation is a federally recognized tribe of 34,000 members, including more than 2,000 residing in Mexico.'

As a result, the 62 miles of border owned by the tribe have fencing that is sometimes just three feet off the ground and that anyone can easily just step over.

San Miguel Gate on tribal land, has become a popular crossing spot in recent months

The union the represents the US Border Patrol often points out how the lack of the wall on the nation contributes to high number of border crossings

In some places on Tohono Oodham land, you can see the US federal border wall abruptly stop and crude fencing, if any at all, begin.

Additionally, there's a door in the Native American barrier, known as San Miguel Gate.

It's original purpose was to allow tribe members to go back and forth between the US and Mexico on their own land.

However, the gate has been hijacked by cartels who drive illegal immigrants who paid to smuggled into the country.

Migrants casually walk over unobstructed, helping to propel the Tucson area, which the nation is part of, to having the most migrant crossings in the nation.

'This is a birds eye view of the San Miguel Gate and the insanity that continues to happen on the Tohono O'odham Nation,' Del Cueto shared online.

'Our heroes in green in this area continue to do the work with limited resources. Limited media access allows this to happen because the American public doesnt see this daily occurrence.'

Border Patrol agents track down a group of illegal immigrants in the Tucson sector

The Border Patrol union has blamed a lack of the wall for the sky-high numbers of illegal crossings in the Tucson sector, which the nation is part of.

Migrants who are being smuggled into the country and have no intention of being caught often step over a low fence to get into the US through that land.

So called 'gotaways' are the migrants that keep federal officials up at night, since those are illegal immigrants the Border Patrol knows came into the country, but were unable to take into custody.

'The reservation is the #1 area for got aways,' Del Cueto added.

However, the Tohono O'odham defend their cooperation with Border Patrol, who have allowed to build two stations on the reservation.

'For nearly two decades, the Nation has spent more than $3 million of its own funds annually on border security and enforcement,' a YouTube video produced by the tribe seven years ago claims.

'The nation's police force typically spends 60% of their time on border-related issues.'

Tribal leadership did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.
Carved by the tusks of elephants, who visit its caverns to scrape the walls for salt, Kitum cave in Kenya hosts some of the deadliest pathogens known to man.

In 1980, a French engineer from a nearby sugar factory contracted the body-melting Marburg virus from visiting Kitum cave, which resides within the dormant volcano at the heart of Kenya's Mount Elgon National Park. He died quickly at a Nairobi hospital.

'Connective tissue in his face is dissolving, and his face appears to hang from the underlying bone,' a book on the case described the man's rapid decay from the viral hemorrhagic or blood-letting fever, 'as if the face is detaching itself from the skull.'

Seven years later, Kitum cave took another victim, a Danish schoolboy on vacation with his family. The boy died of a related hemorrhagic virus, now called Ravn virus.

Scientists now realize that the cave's valued salty minerals, which have made it a destination not just for elephants, but also western Kenya's buffaloes, antelope, leopards and hyenas, has turned Kitum into an incubator for zoonotic diseases.

Carved ever deeper by the tusks of elephants, who visit to scrape its walls for salt, Kitum cave in Kenya hosts some of the deadliest diseases known to man

In 1980, a French engineer from a nearby sugar factory contracted the body-melting Marburg virus from visiting the cave, which resides within the dormant volcano at the heart of Kenya's Mount Elgon National Park. He died quickly at a Nairobi hospital

When Kitum was first discovered, researchers did not know what to make of the scrapes and scratches along its walls  theorizing that ancient Egyptian workers had excavated the site in search of gold or diamonds.

The realization that the 600-foot deep cave had been continually deepened and widened by elephants, only to become a haven for disease-carrying bats, came later.

The United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) launched an expedition into Kitum cave after the 1980s incidents, wearing pressurized, filtered Racal suits, but struggled to identify the species responsible for the spread of the deadly pathogens to humans.

But, over a decade later, Marburg RNA was detected in a seemingly healthy Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) pulled from the cave in July 2007.

Reservoirs of the deadly virus were present in the pregnant female bat's liver, spleen, and lung tissue.

Scientists have since found vast quantities of protective 'type 1 interferon genes' inside these Egyptian fruit bats, as well as so-called natural killer 'NK' cell receptors.

'Folks had previously looked at a number of bat genomes and not been able to find any traditional NK cell receptors,' as Boston University microbiologist Stephanie Pavlovich explained to the school's in-house publication The Brink.

'The bat may be assuaging the virus for a short period of time, trying to prevent the virus' growth without making a full-on attack,' according to Pavlovich's colleague microbiologist Tom Kepler.

'There's something really interesting going on here.'

When Kitum was first discovered, researchers did not know what to make of the scrapes and scratches along its walls

They theorized that ancient Egyptian workers had excavated the site in search of gold or diamonds

The realization that the 600-foot deep cave had been continually deepened and widened by elephants, only to become a haven for disease-carrying bats came later

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Last year, teams from the United Nation's World Health Organization were deployed across Africa, working at 'full steam' to halt another outbreak of Marburg, which has since been discovered in other caves, across the continent.

Doctors in the US are also being warned to be on the lookout for imported cases, sparking fears that the virus may be spreading under the radar.

Marburg virus has been touted as a next big pandemic threat, with the WHO describing it as 'epidemic prone'.

It can jump into humans from fruit bats that live across central Africa and can also be spread between people via contact with bodily fluids from an infected person.

People can also catch the disease by touching towels or surfaces that have also come into contact with an infected person.

Marburg virus can incubate in people it infects for two to 21 days before causing symptoms.

But warning signs, when they do erupt, initially look similar to other tropical diseases like Ebola and malaria.

Infected patients become 'ghost-like', often developing deep-set eyes and expressionless faces.

But in later stages, it triggers bleeding from multiple orifices including the nose, gums, eyes and vagina.

There are no vaccines or treatments approved for the virus, with doctors instead having to rely on drugs to ease symptoms and fluids to hydrate patients.
EV-maker Rivian is planning a second round of layoffs for the year amid a drop in demand for electric vehicles.

The Jeff Bezos-backed company cut 10 percent of its 16,790 employees across North America and Europe in February and is now planning to let go another one percent.

Bezos has invested $700 million into the carmaker, making him the largest shareholder, with Amazon owning a 17 percent stake in the company.

The latest round of layoffs follows Tesla owner Elon Musk's decision to remove a whopping 14,000 jobs in factories across the country this week.

The Rivian R1T Pickup truck (pictured) has undergone a price cut of $3,100 as global EV sales drop and companies scramble to introduce cost-cutting measures

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos invested $7 billion in Rivian in 2019 to receive a fleet of 100,000 EV delivery vans by the end of the decade

Despite Rvian's sales doubling in 2023, it is reportedly facing the same downfalls as other companies after electric vehicle enthusiasts already bought their cars, meaning less enthused car buyers aren't joining the throng to give up their gas-guzzling alternative.

After Rivian's job cuts, its shares dropped from 3.4 percent on Wednesday to just one percent by the end of the following day.

'This was a difficult decision, but a necessary one to support our goal to be gross margin positive by the end of the year,' Rivian told Business Insider.

Rivian laid off six percent of its workerforce to reduce costs in February 2023 and laid off 20 battery cell development workers in December of the same year.

The company has taken steps to reduce costs by building some of its car parts in-house and re-negotiating its supply contracts.

This comes as Rivian slashed the prices for its all-electric R1T pickup and R1S SUV by $3,100 each in response to an ongoing trend of other companies dropping their EV prices.

Data showed that the company delivered over 50,000 EVs last year in total.

Last month, Rivian also announced it was halting construction of its $5 billion manufacturing plant that was set to open in Georgia in 2026.

Of the major electric vehicle manufacturers, only BMW saw a jump in sales in the first quarter compared against the same time last year, but the German auto giant's share price still fell

Tesla has seen a significant drop in sales in the first quarter of this year, selling 20 percent fewer EVs than the previous quarter and eight percent year-over-year

Tesla CEO Elon Musk laid off 10 percent of the company's workforce this week, amounting to 14,000 employees at factories across the US

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Instead, the company chose to move the production of its more cost-effective R2 EV to its existing plant in Normal, Illinois, saving it $2.25 billion.

The R2 is a smaller, less expensive SUV that costs $45,000 compared to the R1's price tag of $76,700.

Rivian's cost-cutting initiatives mirror Elon Musk's decision to cut 10 percent of Tesla's workforce citing the company's rapid growth and the duplication of certain job functions as the reason for the layoffs.

'As we prepare the company for our next phase of growth, it is extremely important to look at every aspect of the company for cost reductions and increasing productivity,' Musk said in a letter to staff.

Tesla has faced a drop in sales this year, according to its 2024 Q1 report that revealed it delivered 20 percent fewer EVs compared to the previous quarter prompting its shares to fall 4.9 percent after the announcement.

'Let's call this what it is: While we were anticipating a bad [first quarter], this was an unmitigated disaster 1Q that is hard to explain away,' Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives told The Washington Post.

If Tesla doesn't turn around its drop in sales, Ives added: 'Some darker days could clearly be ahead that could disrupt the long-term Tesla narrative.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Rivian and Tesla for comment.
Waiting for the man to get his act together during sex can often be a source of frustration.

But it seems women are not the only members of the animal kingdom to swiftly lose interest in a fumbling male.

New footage reveals a hilarious mating encounter between male and female algae octopuses off the Indonesian island of Bunaken.

In the clip, the male starts getting dragged around the ocean floor mid-sex by the 'impatient' female when he can't find his entrance.

The unfortunate cephalopod desperately holds on with one of his eight arms, known as the 'hectocotylus', which can emit sperm from the very tip.

In the clip, the male (left) gets dragged around the sea floor by the 'impatient' female (right) via the male's mating arm, known as a hectocotylus

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The astonishing clip is taken from an upcoming National Geographic documentary, 'Secrets of the Octopus'.

'It was surprising, and comical, to witness mating on the move,' series producer Adam Geiger told Live Science.

'The female [is] essentially dragging the male  hanging on for dear life  over the reef while she got on with other things.

'The algae octopus were the only species in the series we witnessed mating this way, but who knows, others may do this, too.'

Initially the male, perched on a rock at the bottom of the sea, gets the female's attention with an incredible show known as a 'passing cloud display'.

His tens of thousands of skin cells change colour in flashes to send the female a message.

'The passing cloud display means different things to different cephalopods,' said Geiger.

'With the algae octopus, the passing cloud display seems to be an expression of interest in mating  a general "I'm available" signal.'

The fascinating footage of the octopi encounter was captured off the island of Bunaken in Indonesia for National Geographic

Many male octopuses lack external genitalia and instead use a modified arm, called a hectocotylus, to pass their sperm to the female - including the algae octopus (Abdopus aculeatus, file photo)

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After getting the female's attention, the male then sticks out his 'papilla'  a finger-like fleshy projection over his eye  and makes himself as big as possible.

His 'come-on' does the trick and the female makes herself available, so he extends his specialised mating arm, the hectocotylus.

'Its modified tip will deliver a packet of sperm  if he can just find the right spot,' the video's narrator says.

The male is aiming for the female's 'mantle cavity', where the sperm is stored and her eggs are fertilised  but unfortunately he can't seem to find it.

It's not long before the female gets 'impatient and hungry' and starts to swim off, even though his mating arm is still wrapped around her.

'He's got this far, so if she wants to go hunting he'll hang on,' the narrator adds.

According to Jon Ablett, curator of the Natural History Museum's cephalopod collection, the appearance of the hectocotylus varies between octopus species.

'Some look like a syringe, others more like a spoon and one, belonging to the North Atlantic octopus, even looks like a little toast rack,' he said.

The algae octopus (Abdopus aculeatus) is so-called because it looks like it's been covered with algae when resting on the sea floor, which is actually a perfect camouflage.

Sir David Attenborough described it as the only octopus specially adapted to walk on land, as it can walk from one tidal pool to the next as it hunts for crab.

'The octopus's suckers enable it to move just as stealthily in water as out of it,' the legendary British biologist said.

The new National Geographic documentary, 'Secrets of the Octopus', is available to stream on Disney+ and Hulu from April 22.
A dentist caught a huge surprise when he visited his parents' house and spotted a familiar bit of anatomy embedded into the corridor of their newly renovated home.

The freshly laid tile appeared to contain a human jawbone, just inside the threshold that leads out to the terrace, according to a post on Reddit where he shared the find.

Reddit is rife with fake posts, but multiple experts confirmed to DailyMail.com that this really does appear to be a jawbone, and that it probably belonged to either a modern human (Homo sapiens) or, more likely, an extinct hominin like Homo erectus or a Neanderthal.

And if the fossil belonged to one of these ancient human ancestors, it is anywhere from 24 thousand to 1.9 million years old.

A Reddit user posted this photo of a jawbone found in his parent's home. It was embedded into a travertine tile. Travertine is a rock that commonly contains fossils.

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Redditor Kidipadeli75, who said he is a dentist, posted a photo of the tile in the r/fossils forum.

The tiles in question are made of travertine, a calcium-rich limestone that is often mined and cut for tile.

'While fossils are often found in travertine, hominin fossils are much less common,' archaeologist Kristina Killgrove told DailyMail.com. 'This one is definitely a hominin's lower jaw bone, cut transversely somewhere through the middle.'

As can be seen in the photo, the jawbone was cut at an angle. Some cross sections of teeth remain on one side, while the teeth have been cut out of the other side, exposing the fossilized inside of the mandible.

'I'm not at all surprised that there are bones embedded into this type of stone,' Angelique Corthals, associate professor of forensic anthropology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told DailyMail.com.

'It's pretty common. The uncommon thing is to be that lucky that you find the embedded hominin jaw,' she said.

A common and desirable material for tiles, travertine is cheaper than marble, and its veins of calcite crystals give it an interesting appearance.

It forms near natural springs, including Mammoth Springs in Yellowstone National Park.

At these springs, many large and small animals live and die. And when they die, their remains end up trapped in the sedimentary rock until dug up to tile someone's home.

In this case they ended up in the home of Kidipadeli75's parents, who had not noticed the jawbone until he pointed it out.

'They chose 'second choice' travertine which means with more flaws than 1st choice so it would be cheaper and less slippery,' Kidipadeli75 wrote.

Many people must have overlooked the jawbone for it to end up in the tiles of a newly renovated home, said Corthals.

When workers cut the stone at the quarry, and when retailers cut it up for tiles, nobody tends to pay attention to fine details, she said. 'The retailers of the stone are mostly concerned with the integrity and the solidity of the stone, and really they don't care what's in it.'

In fact, some architects seek out travertine stone for tiles because they tend to contain fossils - but these mostly tend to be leaves and insects, said Corthals, not hominins.

The fossilized jawbone may have belonged to a member of the ancient human ancestor species Homo erectus, who lived between 1.9 million and 108 thousand years ago.

Travertine is a common and desirable material for home tiles. It is cheaper than marble, and its veins of calcite crystals give it an interesting appearance.

Neither Killgrove nor Corthals could say for sure what kind of hominin species the jaw belonged to, but Corthals had some ideas.

'The mandible is fairly narrow. It could be a human, but it looks more like a hominin,' she said.

'There's been fossils of Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis excavated from this type of stone before. It could be Neanderthals, it could be anything. Any of the hominins,' Corthals added.

The tile was quarried in Turkey, Kidipadeli75 wrote, and Corthals confirmed that travertine quarries in Turkey have been the site of multiple hominin finds.

Because of the angle the jawbone was cut to make the tile, it may also be difficult for a paleontologist to identify who the tile came from.

Some clues are there, though, Corthals said.

She pointed out the alveolar process, the thick ridge of bone that holds the tooth sockets.

At Mammoth Springs in Yellowstone National Park, you can see travertine being formed in real time, as calcium-rich water precipitates its minerals onto the surface.

The jawbone in the travertine tile, shown here with a banana for scale. The redditor's parents did not notice it until he pointed it out.

In modern humans, this section of bone is not very long front to back. But in this jawbone, it has a large amount of material behind the front teeth.

This thickness is more characteristic of Homo erectus mandible anatomy.

'My money is on Homo erectus,' Corthals said. 'There is much more space there than on Homo sapiens.'

The overall width of the mandible, too, looks more like Homo erectus than Homo sapiens, she added.

If the jawbone belonged to a Neanderthal, it could be between 200 thousand and 24 thousand years old. And if it belonged to a member of Homo erectus, it could be between 1.9 million and 108 thousand years old.

Jawbones tend to be relatively fragile, Corthals pointed out, so the fact that it's intact suggests it was probably fossilized before it got embedded into the travertine.

And since fossilization can take a long time, the jawbone is also probably extremely old, she said, making it unlikely that it belonged to a modern human.

So this newly tiled home is probably not a crime scene, fortunately. But it is quite a find.
The remains of a long-lost World War II soldier have been identified after the man died in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp more than 80 years ago.

US Army Private 1st Class Harry Jerele, Illinois, died of pneumonia at the age of 26 in the Philippines and was buried with other deceased prisoners in a mass grave.

Remains from that grave were exhumed in 2020 and analyzed by forensic scientists who used anthropological analysis, circumstantial evidence and DNA analysis to determine the remains were Jerele.

After 81 years, the fallen soldier is set to be buried in his homeland this October.

US Army Private 1st Class Harry Jerele, Illinois , died of pneumonia at the age of 26 in the Philippines and was buried with other deceased prisoners in a mass grave

His niece, Rosemary Dillion, is his only surviving relative. 'It's a great feeling to finally accomplish this identification,' Dillon said. 'I only wish my mother and grandmother were here to witness his homecoming'

'This is a miracle,' said Rosemary Dillon, Jerele's niece, about the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency's (DPAA) accounting for Jerele's remains.

'We've been trying for about 10 years to positively identify his remains. It's been a long time coming. What a joyous occasion it will be when he is finally laid to rest in his home country.'

Dillon of Chicago said she was a young child when Jerele left for his military service, but remembers him as a quiet man who liked to sing and play guitar. She said it's 'a miracle' his remains have finally been identified.

'It's a great feeling to finally accomplish this identification,' Dillon said. 'I only wish my mother and grandmother were here to witness his homecoming.'

Jerele is from the small town of Berkeley, currently home to about 5,300 people, and was one of seven children born to Leopold Jerle and Mary Flori-Jerele on February 1, 1916.

Jerele is from the small town of Berkeley, currently home to about 5,300 people, and was one of seven children born to Leopold Jerle and Mary Flori-Jerele on February 1, 1916

He joined the military in September 1940 and served with Company B, 192nd Tank Battalion in the Philippines during the war, but was captured following the American surrender of the Bataan Peninsula on April 9, 1942.

On that day, US Gen Edward P King surrendered to Japanese Gen Masahrau Homma who took about 75,000 prisoners - 12,000 Americans and 63,000 Filipinos - on the 65-mile Death March to the prison camp in Cabanatuan.

The details concerning the circumstances under which US prisoners held at Cabanatuan lived and died were complicated, as were the attempts to disinter and identify their remains after the war's end.

More than 2,500 prisoners of war (POW) died in the camp during the war.

Following the war, American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) personnel exhumed those buried at the Cabanatuan cemetery and relocated the remains to a temporary U.S. military mausoleum near Manila.

In 1947, the AGRS examined the remains to identify them.

Two sets of remains from Common Grave 804 were identified, but the remaining two were declared unidentifiable, including those of Jerele.

The unidentified remains were buried at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial (MACM) as Unknowns.

It was not until 2020 that forensic scientists got involved to help identify the remains and return them to the men's families.

And announced on April 18 that one set belonged to Jerele.

Jerele and his fellow soldiers of the 192nd Tank Battalion were the longest-serving US POWs in World War II.

Company B, 192nd Tank Battalion, included 104 Soldiers from Illinois.

The unit experienced 43 casualties during World War II, including 28 who died from diseases, illnesses, and wounds. Seven were killed when aboard various Japanese POW ships, called 'Hell ships' by U.S. troops, which sank. Eight were killed in action, and five were declared missing in action.

The details concerning the circumstances under which US prisoners held at Cabanatuan (pictured) lived and died were complicated, as were the attempts to disinter and identify their remains after the war's end.

After 81 years, the fallen soldier is set to be buried in his homeland this October

Headquarters Company, 192nd Tank Battalion, included 31 Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard, of which 19 died due to diseases, illness, and wounds, one died aboard a Japanese ship, and one was killed in action.

'The men of Company B, 192nd Tank Battalion, many from Maywood, were mostly kids from the same high school,' the Illinois National Guard said in a statement.

'In 1940, a federal draft act had passed, and they knew that it was just a matter of time before they would be drafted into the Army.'

'Having heard that the federal government was going to federalize National Guard units for a period of one year of military service, these men decided to join the National Guard to fulfill their military obligation.'

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said: 'On behalf of the State of Illinois, I want to thank all those involved in bringing Harry Jerele home to his family in Illinois.

'The epic tale of Maywoods B Company, 192nd Tank Battalion lives on thanks to many who have never forgotten what these Illinois Soldiers sacrificed for their nation.'
A plane passenger whose leg 'snapped in half' when the aircraft was hit by turbulence as he was returning from the toilet had to endure six hours of agony before it reached its destination.

Niko broke two bones in his leg just 30 minutes into a seven-hour flight from Bali to New Zealand on Tuesday.

Niko and Sasha, a German couple who have been living in Bali for 13 years, flew with Air New Zealand from Denpasar to Auckland for the start of a planned month-long holiday.

All that changed when the plane encountered turbulence and suddenly 'dropped' as Niko was walking back to his seat.

A friend who was waiting to pick the couple up from the airport said he fractured his tibia and fibula in the incident.

Niko (pictured) was transported to Middlemore Hospital with a fractured tibia and fibula

'His leg pretty much snapped in half,' the friend told The New Zealand Herald.

As the plane continued to Auckland, Niko endured six-and-a-half hours of agony with only Panadol to slightly ease the pain.

'Crew asked some passengers to move from their seats so he was able to lie down for the remainder,' his friend said.

It is understood that the pilot later came out of the cockpit to check on passengers after the severe turbulence.

Hato Hone St John paramedics were waiting at the international terminal to treat Niko when the plane landed at 5.40am on Wednesday.

He was then transported to Middlemore Hospital.

Air New Zealand confirmed the incident occurred when the plane encountered 'clear air turbulence'.

This is severe wind turbulence which occurs in cloudless regions that pilots are unable to see and radars do not detect, causing violent buffeting of an aircraft.

Niko and Sasha, a German couple who have been living in Bali for 13 years, boarded an Air New Zealand flight from Denpasar to Auckland on Tuesday night

Air New Zealand Chief Operational Integrity and Safety Officer, Captain David Morgan told Daily Mail Australia that one passenger sustained an injury on NZ65.

'In the event of a medical incident onboard an international service, our crew will contact Flightcare Global, our international medical support, who provide advice and recommendations based on the information they receive,' he said.

'Depending on the situation, crew may put a call out to see whether there is a doctor onboard. If there is a doctor available who can support the passenger, our crew will take guidance from them in conjunction with Flightcare Global.

'If operationally viable, an aircraft will divert if Flightcare Global is sufficiently concerned about the individual's immediate welfare and determines that further medical attention is immediately required.

'They will also consider factors like the level of medical care likely available to the individual in the possible diversion locations and whether it is in the individual's best interest to continue to the intended destination.

'The safety and wellbeing of our customers and crew is our number one priority. Our crew are trained to respond to medical emergencies and always prioritise the wellbeing of the customers onboard the aircraft.'
Singapore Airlines ensures that flying first class isn't just a means of transportation - it's a destination in itself, with footage of a luxury 'suite' sending social media users into a frenzy.

A video shared by a passenger shows a sprawling cabin complete with a double bed, private bathroom, flatscreen TV, reclining leather armchair and complimentary teddy bears - leaving travellers both awe-inspired and wallet-weary.

On paper, Singapore Airlines' first-class 'Suites' cabin on its A380 Airbus is the best in the world for an airliner.

In 2023, Singapore Airlines was named the world's best airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards - the 'Oscars of Aviation' - and took the gong for 'World's Best First Class.'

Among its fleet, the Airbus A380 stands as a symbol of extravagance, but to live like royalty means you must spend like royalty - as a 'Suites' seat on this airborne palace can cost up to $30,000 per flight.

A video shared on social media by a Singapore Airlines passenger shows a first-class cabin complete with a double bed - leaving travellers both awe-inspired and wallet-weary.

Among Singapore Airlines' fleet, the Airbus A380 stands as a symbol of extravagance, but a 'Suites' seat on this airborne palace can cost up to $30,000 per flight (stock image)

Uploading a video to Instagram in April, travel blogger Ale Zakarian - known as @ale.zakarian on the social media app - captured some of the finer details of his luxury cabin while returning from a trip to Thailand.

The content creator, who hails from Argentina, captioning his post with: 'Singapore Airlines First Class, the largest suites in the world! Impressive size of the room!'

As Ale is brought to his 'Suite' by an assigned flight attendant, he records the moment he enters his spacious cabin and is greeted by a view of a double bed fitted with white sheets and two pillows.

Placed on the bed are two complimentary teddy bears, while two reclining leather seats sit on either side, along with a narrow desk attached to the wall.

In the private bathroom, pink LED strip lighting sets the ambience, while a Hollywood vanity mirror hangs above the sink and array of toiletries are placed on a shelf.

A leather stool sits underneath a mini-desk in the bathroom, complete with two extra mirrors, offering the passenger a bright and spacious area to apply make-up or skincare as well as haircare.

Meanwhile, a toilet is nestled in its own space to the back of the bathroom, and sits opposite another brightly lit mirror and a shelf that contains decorative plants.

Walking back into the lounge area of the 'Suite,' Ale captures an impressively large flat screen TV that hangs above the tail of the bed, as well as the delicious hot food and fruit and cheese platters included in his meal.

In the private bathroom, pink LED strip lighting sets the ambience, while a Hollywood vanity mirror hangs above the sink and array of toiletries are placed on a shelf

Meanwhile, a toilet is nestled in its own space to the back of the bathroom, and sits opposite another brightly lit mirror and a shelf that contains decorative plants

Ale captures an impressively large flat screen TV that hangs above the tail of the double bed

Over 10,000 comments poured in from humble travellers who expressed their thoughts over the 'indulgent' cabin - with many grappling with the extravagance on display, while others called out the staggering cost of the experience.

One person wrote, 'It would be so incredible to experience that,' while another said, 'I feel exceptionally poor watching it.'

Some social media users poked fun at the sheer size of the cabin, with one person writing, 'Bigger than some people's studio flat in London,' while another Londoner agreed, commenting: 'Better than my flat in London.'

A third individual joked, 'Is it also available with a balcony?' while a fourth person commented, 'I've stayed in hotel rooms smaller than this.'

However, a number of individuals shared their distaste for the extortionate cost of a flight that arrives 'pretty much at the same time' as those at a lesser price.

On paper, Singapore Airlines' first-class 'Suites' cabin on its A380 Airbus is the best in the world for an airliner (stock image)

Over 10,000 comments poured in from humble travellers who expressed their thoughts over the 'indulgent' cabin

One person wrote, 'Ryan air gets you there.. all the same sh**,' while another said, 'And we all arrive pretty much at the same time... I'd rather feed a whole village in Cambodia than be this indulgent.'

Meanwhile, another unenthused individual complained of the lack of space economy passengers experience, writing: 'And here we are in economy praying not to get a blood clot in our legs and rich people are stretched out like a star fish.'

In October 2023, Japan Airlines unveiled its new top-tier cabins - with first-class passengers also able to enjoy a double-bed in their 'exclusive' suite in the skies.

Japan Airlines (JAL), which was voted the world's fifth-best airline in 2023's 'Oscars of Aviation', says the A350-1000's interior has been designed 'to immerse customers in the elegance of Japanese aesthetics and envelop them in tranquillity, providing a serene ambience that encapsulates the beauty of Japan'.

It says that the new first class and business class cabins are 'spacious, yet fully-private environments.'
The tourism minister of the Canary Islands has urged British travellers to spend their holidays in the archipelago despite mounting protests against overtourism.

Jessica de Leon insisted that in spite of reports of booking cancellations and fears of holiday disruptions, 'it is still safe to visit the Canary Islands, and we are delighted to welcome you'.

British holidaymakers have reportedly been calling hotels in Tenerife to ask if they will be safe amid a series of mass protests planned across the islands by activists unsettled by extensive arrivals of foreign holidaymakers.

Ms de Leon told The Telegraph that while she understood the protestors' cause for concern, it was 'unfair to blame tourism' on the issues facing the Canary Islands.

Activists are now preparing for a mass demonstration on Saturday to call out the government over a deepening housing crisis across the archipelago.

Flyers like this slamming holidaymakers are being stuck to buildings all over Tenerife

Graffiti has sprung up across the archipelago telling tourists not to visit

Almost twenty associations have called for a protest on April 20th in Gran Canaria against the overcrowding of the island, on the same day as the one in Tenerife. It is being organised under the same motto 'The Canary Islands have a limit' (Placard reads: Canarias not for sale)

Protestors attend a hunger strike demonstration and march in La Laguna

A man hangs signs written by protesters next to tents of activists on hunger strike to protest against mass tourism infrastructures in La Laguna, on April 13, 2024

Tensions have recently broken out between British holidaymakers and fed up residents of the Canary Islands

While officials rally to avoid disruption ahead of the key tourist season, activists are planning protests across Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and La Palma to resist what they see as overtourism.

A major demonstration is planned in Arrecife, Lanzarote for tomorrow, April 20, with flyers asserting that the islands 'have a limit' and that protestors will be marching for 'conservation of natural spaces, a tourist moratorium, and tougher regulation for foreigners buying property.'

The main gripe among locals is the rising costs of renting and buying homes, as landlords continue to buy up Airbnbs and tourist lets, reducing supply and pushing up prices.

Last week, activists also went on hunger strike as part of a protest against the effects of mass tourism on island life.

Nearly a dozen campaigners for a more sustainable type of tourism went ahead with their threat outside a church in the historic city of La Laguna.

The hunger strikers want the authorities to halt two tourist projects, one involving the construction of a five-star hotel by one of Tenerife's last virgin beaches called La Tejita.

In La Palma, residents organised an event called 'Punktagorda Foresta Rock'.

They told MailOnline they plan to converse, not protest, about the issues.

'It's really just taking care of our home and the island and the people and setting healthy boundaries while making needs crystal clear,' Louis Slabbert wrote on Twitter/X.

Ms de Leon expressed sympathy with the concerns, telling The Telegraph: 'The problem is that the last five years have seen an average of 3,000 homes built on the islands, when demand is for 20,000.

'Last year just 200 public housing units were built.'

Protestors attributed blame to the governance of the archipelago in their manifesto, writing: 'If we have reached this point it is because we have no other choice and because of the serious faults that our bad Government of the Canary Islands is committing.'

'They are putting our present and our future and that of the new generations at risk,' they added.

'Do not underestimate us, because we are many people. We are all of the Canary Islands, a whole movement.

'Without our work, our votes, you are nothing and nobody and you are not for what you are doing with the Canary Islands.

'We say enough is enough, not in our name,' warns the manifesto, read by 'Canarias se exhausta' members Victor Martin and Isora Mesa.

Tech worker Ivan Cerdena Molina, 36, is helping organise the protest this month as part of his role at local conservation group ATAN (Asociacion Tinerfena de Amigos de la Naturaleza).

He told MailOnline previously: 'It's a crisis, we have to change things urgently, people are living in their cars and even in caves, and locals can't eat, drink or live well.

'Airbnb and Booking.com are like a cancer that is consuming the island bit by bit.

'The benefits of the industry are not trickling down to everyday people, whose salaries have not increased in years, the quality of life here is collapsing.'

Ivan was born and raised in El Medano, a once quiet town about a 20 minute-drive east of the most popular tourist resort of Los Cristianos.

Tech worker Ivan Cerdena Molina said 'people are living in their cars and even in caves, and locals can't eat, drink or live well' due to the crisis

An anti-tourist message is scrawled on the side of a bollard on the island

Members of the 'Canaria se agota' ('Canaria is exhausted') movement take part in a protest against the constuction of a hotel near La Tejita playa and other mass tourism infrastructures, on April 13, 2024

The Canary Islands have largely built their economy around tourism, welcoming around 12.3million visitors each year.

In 2023 alone, foreign travellers spent more than 20.3billion euros in the region, accounting for a fifth of spending throughout Spain.

The direct and indirect contribution of tourism to the archipelago stands at around 35 per cent.

The volcanic islands were particularly badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions placed on travel as a result.

The Canary Islands are the third most internationally visited region in Spain.
Travelling by rail in the UK can be up to 80 per cent cheaper than flying, according to a new report.

A Rail Delivery Group study found that while in some cases airfare prices initially appear cheaper on certain routes, the final cost is often much higher once all the additional expenses are factored in.

The group said: Were often told that flying domestically is faster, cheaper, and more convenient. This myth is amplified by quick comparisons that typically ignore the length of time security checks take at airports, as well as ignoring add-on costs for luggage and seat selection.

Many dont take into account the time it takes to get to and from the airport and forget that railway stations are in central convenient locations, while airports sit on the outskirts of our cities.

According to the study, switching from plane to train could save you more than 200 for a journey from London to Edinburgh, once the additional cost of baggage and airport transfers are taken into account.

Travelling by rail in the UK can be up to 80 per cent cheaper than flying, according to a new report

BETTER BY TRAIN? London to Edinburgh Rail 111, plane 394 London to Glasgow Rail 133, plane 403 London to Manchester Rail 73, plane 311 Manchester to Aberdeen Rail 77, plane 388 London to Newcastle Rail 104, plane 347 Exeter to Edinburgh Rail 256, plane 416 Prices include baggage, seat allocation and taxis. Source: Rail Delivery Group Advertisement

The Rail Delivery Group also highlighted that of the six domestic travel routes it looked at for the study - also including London to Glasgow, London to Newcastle, Manchester to Aberdeen, London to Manchester and Exeter to Edinburgh - travelling by plane takes longer door-to-door.

Whats more, it said, rail is up to 17 times greener when travelling for business across Britain compared to flying.

Jaqueline Starr, CEO at Rail Delivery Group, said: For too long, the narrative has been that flying domestically is cheaper and faster. However, when you do a true cost comparison, rail travel can be considerably cheaper.

Rail travel offers a more affordable, sustainable, and convenient way to travel. Our research highlights the many advantages that rail travel offers to our customers when travelling within Britain.

A Rail Delivery Group study found that while in some cases airfare prices initially appear cheaper on certain routes, the final cost is often much higher once all the additional expenses are factored in

David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said: 'Time and again people claim that its cheaper and quicker to fly between London and Edinburgh or London and Newcastle. However, when you properly compare the cost and the time, then rail works out considerably quicker and cheaper.

'Its not just speed and value for money, of course. The value to the planet of taking the train is huge.

This research is clear that whichever way you look at it, travelling by train is simply better. Better for your wallet, a better use of your time and better for the environment.'
BLUE LIGHTS

Mondays, BBC1

Rating:

The first series of this no-frills cop show, set in Belfast, was highly praised for its verisimilitude. A well-written combination of adrenalised high-stakes policing and leisurely scenes of colleagues chatting in cars was a winner partly because it looked a lot like what we can imagine working in the police is like.

Factor in the specifics of wearing a British uniform in Northern Ireland and, while the world is clearly not short of police procedurals, I wasnt surprised when the show became one of the biggest hits of 2023.

Fans of Line Of Duty (with which it shares producer Stephen Wright) and Happy Valley had clearly found themselves another bunch of cleverly crafted characters to care about  and plots to make you think.

Produced by Line of Duty's Stephen Wright, Blue Lights, which stars Sian Brooke as Grace (right), Katherine Devlin as Annie (centre) and Nathan Braniff as Tommy (left), is back for a second series

Back for a second series (there are at least two more en route), were still following three new-ish cops, one year on: Grace (Sian Brooke), a fortysomething empty-nester ex-social worker; Annie (Katherine Devlin), a young Catholic constable who is now Graces lodger; and fast-track probationer Tommy (Nathan Braniff), who, having lost his mentor in tragic circumstances at the end of series one, has been struggling.

From differing perspectives, the rookies are learning on the job about Belfasts criminal gangs, drugs turf wars and ever-simmering sectarian tensions.

The drama is both successfully touchy-feely (Graces department) and no-holds-barred terrifying, while the dialogue is often bracingly bleak: These last six months its just desperate people screaming at me, admits the female pharmacist who hits the panic button from behind her Plexiglass window. Mind you, she soon suffers far worse than that.

A lot is packed into the first episode, the weakest parts of which are the opening scenes when its clear (well, it was to me) that the riots are a training exercise, specifically one of the worst public order training performances that I have ever seen, according to the senior officer watching: everybody would have died.

Happily, its more engrossing  and plausible  from here on: Grace and her partner (though for how long the partnership will remain professional is moot) Stevie (Martin McCann) investigate the fatal drugs overdose of ex-soldier Ian Soupy Campbell  Im assuming drugs will be a series theme, alongside rising paramilitary crime stats.

Sergeant Sandra Cliff (Andi Osho) is  series one spoiler warning!  still doing the job while mourning her husband Gerry, who was, of course, Tommys mentor. And thats just for starters.

UK writer Kathryn Flett (pictured) was a huge fan of Blue Lights

Characters are finely tuned and dialogue crackles: Dont get all social work-y on me now, Stevie warns Grace. Social work-y? You are such a d***head.

While its not short on plot, Blue Lights good news is unsurprisingly pretty thin on the ground. Given how gritty real life feels right now, it would be entirely understandable for viewers to look elsewhere for their TV kicks. However, seesawing deftly as it does between the banal and the breathtaking, this is great telly.

Dans the man to talk about men

DANNY DYER: HOW TO BE A MAN

Channel 4

Rating:

Danny Dyers sufficiently in touch with his own masculinity to take all the, er, balls and run with them in this two-part documentary about so-called toxic masculinity.

And while no sentence was devoid of the F-word, the unalloyed Diamond Geezer (descendant of Henry VIIIs adviser Thomas Cromwell and friend of the late playwright Harold Pinter) is decent, grounded and softer round his middle-aged edges now hes a grandad.

Danny Dyer, pictured with his daughter Dani, presents Channel 4's two-part documentary about toxic masculinity

Meanwhile, his earnest blokey-ness is punctured by daughter Dani: You love a cuddle, you love a chat and crying at Miley Cyrus films, we wont go into that!

Attempting to understand the problems faced by men who dont have a blueprint for successful 21st-century masculinity, Dyer meets a confused (and misogynistic) young social media star.

He also visits a refuge for men suffering from domestic abuse and a Jungian mens retreat (replete with yoga and beards). However, his conversation with a father whose ex murdered their son is a very tough watch.

Throughout, interesting issues are raised (and stats proffered), but the authored documentary style  and the title  are potentially misleading. Though his sincerity isnt in doubt, Dyer the actor does seem to be working from a script.

Put your feet up, Michael

Lagos, admits Michael Palin, is not for the faint-hearted. At times it looks as if Africas biggest city could get the better of him on Michael Palin In Nigeria (Tuesdays, Ch5). No wonder: hes 80, and 60 per cent of Nigerias population is under 25.

Michael Palin (pictured) explores Lagos, Africa's biggest city, in Channel 5's Michael Palin In Nigeria

Palin is still good company, but his latest expedition highlights just how much on-screen energy is required to make an engaging travelogue. Could it be time for Palin to put his feet up?

Opinions divide over Ripley (Netflix). Some love the film noir palette, others think its pretentious. Some love the casting, others feel nostalgic for Matt Damon, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow in Anthony Minghellas 1999 movie version of the Patricia Highsmith novel.

Ive enjoyed it  however, the cast are more wastrel midlifers than gilded youths; not quite as sexy! But Andrew Scott, formerly Fleabags Hot Priest, is mesmerising as Hot Sociopath Tom Ripley.
A former Home and Away heartthrob is behind bars after being refused bail on assault charges.

Orpheus Pledger, 30, has been on remand since March 27 after being charged for an incident allegedly involving an assault causing injury.

He is best known for portraying Mason Morgan on 339 episodes of Home and Away from 2016 to 2019 before quitting acting to pursue a career in music.

Pledger faced Melbourne Magistrate's Court on Monday via video link where his lawyer, Jasper MacCuspie, requested to have his matter adjourned.

He will have spent almost a month behind bars when he applies for a suppression order and bail next Monday, News reports.

Former Home and Away star, Orpheus Pledger (pictured on set), has been behind bars since March 27 after being refused bail on assault charges

Pledger had been an actor since he was eight-years-old when he first appeared in the 2001 soap opera, The Secret Life of Us.

His first big break came in the mid-2000s teen drama Silversun before landing himself on 36 episodes of Neighbours as Noah Parkin, a 'free-spirited teen who will set some hearts on fire'.

While at the peak of his Home and Away fame in 2018, the then 24-year-old asked his fans to vote for him at Cleo's Bachelor of the Year, saying he would be 'really pleased if I was to win'.

A source close to Pledger, who asked to remain anonymous, told Daily Mail Australia the actor had struggled since leaving Home and Away.

'Orpheus has been exerting this problematic behaviour for a while, since he relocated back to Melbourne after his character was killed off,' the source said.

The former silver screen heartthrob (pictured) had struggled with 'problematic behaviour' since his character was killed off the soap opera in 2019

A return to the silver screen on SAS Australia in 2022 was brief after he sensationally quit the show for refusing to do mundane tasks.

He was called in to see the Directing Staff after they became concerned about his mental state, with others on the show claiming he was 'off with the fairies'.
Alone Australia contestant Chace Leitch has defended producers of the hit series after they were slammed for their decision to film the reality show in New Zealand.

The gruelling program sees 10 survivalists dropped in the wilderness, where they must outlast their competition for the chance to win $250,000.

Defence combat engineer Chace, 27, said attempting to shoot the show in a place such as Australia's hot desert regions would have been too dangerous for contestants.

He made the comments after one fan suggested producers should have used the Kimberleys in Western Australia, a region notorious for its unforgiving climate.

'I'd love that,' he said in an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle on Thursday.

Alone Australia contestant Chace Leitch has defended producers of the hit series after they were slammed for their decision to film the reality show in New Zealand

'But the problem with that is that it comes with its own risks because heat illness is something that can happen very, very quickly.'

Chace said it was easier to monitor a decline in cold conditions and that would not be possible in a hot climate because the effects of heat sickness impact the 'mental capacity' of sufferers.

He said contestants may not know they are in trouble until it is too late.

The gruelling program sees 10 survivalists dropped in the wilderness, where they must outlast their competitors for the chance to win $250,000. Pictured: Alone Australia

Crace, who left the show last week after surviving 10 days, also discussed further dangers contestants would encounter in a region like the Kimberleys.

'So, that's the problem with Australia and the heat, I'd love it, because that's where I grew up, in the tropics and the heat and stuff like that,' he said.

'However, it's a different kettle of fish, especially with the crocodiles and the venomous snakes and the venomous plants and things like that  it's a very dangerous, dangerous place up there.'

Defence combat engineer Chace, 27, said attempting to shoot the show in a place like Australia's hot desert regions would have been too dangerous for contestants

It comes after fans were left outraged over the decision to film the Aussie show across the ditch.

'Why is it called Alone Australia if it's in New Zealand? You guys claiming the whole country now?' one fan wrote.

'Trying to get my head around #AloneAustralia being filmed in NZ,' another remarked.

Chace said it was easier to monitor a decline in cold conditions and that would not be possible in a hot climate because the effects of heat sickness impact the 'mental capacity' of sufferers

'So this is Alone New Zealand then. Australia is such a huge country, surely you could of found somewhere in our own country to be a genuine Alone Australia,' another user raged.

The SBS Australia Instagram account responded to the various comments, validating the network's decision.

'If youve seen other seasons of Alone, youll know that theyre not necessarily shot inside the same country and are actually filmed all over the place - its mainly about the participants being from Australia,' they said in a statement.

'The American version of Alone has been shot all over the place including Canada, Patagonia and even Mongolia!'

The first season of Alone Australia was filmed in Tasmania which has strict hunting regulations. Season 2 (pictured) allowed survivalists to use a bow and arrow to hunt game

Season one saw the contestants take on the challenging conditions of Tasmania during a 'polar blast'.

However, head of unscripted programs at SBS, Joseph Maxwell, told The Guardian last year that Tasmania's strict hunting regulations led the producers to search for a new location for this year's season.

He added that New Zealand's spectacular landscape sold the producers.

'By choosing New Zealand, were able to introduce bows and arrows, which brings in whole new strategies and skill sets.... and it is an absolutely stunning location,' he said.

'Tasmania had a real, claustrophobic intensity about it, New Zealand is a place of grandeur. It is absolutely stunning,' he said.

Alone Australia airs Wednesdays 7:30pm on SBS.
Travis Barker paid a special tribute to his wife Kourtney Kardashian on Thursday.

The Blink-182 drummer, 48, took to his Instagram to share an adorable carousal of candid snaps to celebrate the POOSH founder's 45th birthday.

The photos show Kourtney posing in a bikini aboard a yacht, tenderly holding their baby son Rocky, five months, and lounging in pajamas aboard a private jet.

In the final snapshot, the brunette beauty is humorously captured all dolled up for a glamorous night out, sitting atop a toilet.

'Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, soulmate and best friend forever. I love you, I love our life together. Thank you for being the most amazing wife a person could ask for. Heres to many more years of adventures together,' Travis wrote.

Travis Barker paid a special tribute to his wife Kourtney Kardashian on Thursday

The Blink-182 drummer, 48, took to his Instagram to share an adorable carousal of candid snaps to celebrate the POOSH founder's 45th birthday

Kourtney added in the comment section: 'Husband of my dreams. I love our life!!'

Travis and Kourtney welcomed son Rocky in November after getting married back in May 2022.

Travis also shares son Landon, 20, as well as daughter Alabama, 18, with ex Shanna Moakler, while Kourtney shares Mason, Penelope and Reign with her ex Scott Disick.

Meanwhile, the reality star's mother Kris Jenner kicked off Kourtney's birthday celebrations with throwback snaps, calling Kourt her 'first born baby doll.'

She also said that Kourtney was a 'beautiful and amazing daughter.'

'Happy birthday to my firstborn babydoll Kourtney,' wrote Kris. 'What in the world is happening, time is twirling so fast and I cant believe you are 45!!!

'It seems like just the other day you were wearing your 5 year old party hat going to Buckley to be the line leader and I was bringing cupcakes for the class to celebrate, wrote the girlfriend of Corey Gamble.

'Well you have grown into the most beautiful and amazing daughter, wife, mommy, sister, auntie and best friend a girl can have.

The photos show Kourtney posing in a bikini

Kourtney is seen tenderly holding their baby son Rocky, five months

Kourtney fell asleep trying a crossword puzzle

She lounged in pajamas aboard a private jet

Kourtney enjoyed opening gifts without pants

Travis also shares son Landon, 20, as well as daughter Alabama , 18, with ex Shanna Moakler, while Kourtney shares Mason, Penelope and Reign with her ex Scott Disick

'You are a kick a** business boss and I am so proud of you every day!' noted the mom to Kylie and Kendall Jenner.

'Thank you for making me a grandma for the first time and for every single moment and memory we share. I love you beyond measure .'

Kourtney responded in the comments section: 'I love you mommy!  time is flying so fastttttt! So grateful for every memory with you.'

Sister Khloe then added below that: 'Happy birthday my dapper little cutie.'

The reality TV star, who is best known for Keeping Up With The Kardashians and The Kardashians, received warm wishes from her family on social media

'Happy birthday to my firstborn babydoll Kourtney,' said Kris. 'What in the world is happening, time is twirling so fast and I cant believe you are 45!!!'

Kim also shared a photo where she, Khloe and Kourtney were all in swimsuits. The SKIMS founder said: 'Happy Birthday Queen @kourtneykardash. 'Theres no one on this planet that I have spent more time with and have all of the same memories with growing up than you and I cherish them all'

Kim also shared a photo where she, Khloe and Kourtney were all in swimsuits.

The SKIMS founder said: 'Happy Birthday Queen @kourtneykardash.

'Theres no one on this planet that I have spent more time with and have all of the same memories with growing up than you and I cherish them all.

'Sharing a room and friends and cars and our lives together for four decades has been the most magical journey to have you by my side,' wrote the ex of Kanye West.

'I love you and I cant wait for another 45 years together! I will especially cherish this last sister trip where all of our kids had dance parties til they passed out, the way we all did growing up! Celebrating you today and grateful to you forever for always giving the best advice a sister could possibly give!'

Khloe shared: 'Happy birthday to my Jane @kourtneykardash, my sugarplum fairy, my teeny tiny box of treats you are. Towanda for life! You deserve every ounce of happiness, love and blessings that you receive!

You deserve only greatness in this world! You are such a special soul. The rarest of the rare. I miss you right when I leave you! I cant wait for you to be done breast feeding so we can wrestle. You promised me last year that we would start wrestling again. A girl is waiting patiently but tick tock babe.

'I am so happy for the love and life that you have found. I hope you know every single day just how i adore you and how I cant live without you. You will always be one of my best friends/favorite people in this world. What would I do without you? I never want to go through a moment of this life without you.'

Khloe shared: 'Happy birthday to my Jane @kourtneykardash, my sugarplum fairy, my teeny tiny box of treats you are. Towanda for life! You deserve every ounce of happiness, love and blessings that you receive!'

This comes a week after she finally had the name on her driver's license changed over a year after marrying the Blink-182 drummer.

The reality TV star took to Instagram to show off her temporary license that now lists her as 'Kourtney Kardashian Barker,' as well as her new photo.

'Say my name,' captioned Kourtney, who is currently pregnant with her and Travis' first child.

Her post comes after her sister Kim took fans along as she got her driver's license picture retaken with her glam squad on Hulu's The Kardashians.

Some of Kourtney's followers felt that she was throwing 'shade' at Kim, who she's been in a bitter feud with this season over Kim's collaboration with D&G  the brand that curated her Italian wedding to Travis.

Kardashian finally had the name on her driver's license changed over a year after marrying Blink-182 drummer Barker

'But on Kim's Drivers license episode? jk jk' one fan wrote, while another accused her of being 'jealous' of the SKIMS founder.

'Hmmmmm the timing is interesting. There has to be some shade to this,' one commenter speculated.

Others wanted to know if Kourtney also used a 'glam team' for her driver's license photo.

'I love that you all can laugh about it and STILL love one another!' read another comment, alluding to Kim and Kourtney's televised feud.

'Families aren't perfect! Good to see y'all are just as normal as the rest of us.'
Big Brother star Skye Wheatley is hotly tipped to win this year's season of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

And in one of the biggest hints yet, Daily Mail Australia can reveal Skye's husband Lachlan Waugh and her two children, Forest and Bear, were spotted at Gold Coast Airport this week, boarding a plane bound for South Africa.

An insider close to production exclusively revealed the influencer's stint on the show was carefully planned.

According to the source, the reality TV darling was assured she would make it to the finale.

'Skye was hesitant at first about signing up for the grueling challenge. However, she was promised a good shot at winning and making it to the finale,' the insider shared.

Big Brother star Skye Wheatley is hotly tipped to win this year's season of I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here!

Daily Mail Australia can reveal that Skye's husband Lachlan Waugh and her two children, Forest and Bear were spotted at the Gold Coast airport, boarding a plane bound for South Africa. (L-R: Brittany Hockley, Tristan MacManus and Skye)

'The opportunity was too golden to pass up.'

But Skye isn't the only star to have had special arrangements with the show's producers.

Hollywood actor Frankie Muniz apparently had a contract stipulating a three-week stay in the wild.

Hollywood actor Frankie Muniz (pictured) apparently had a contract stipulating a three-week stay in the wild

The insider also disclosed that Denise Drysdale (pictured) was also promised certain advantages and and a spot in the finale to facilitate her participation

'Frankie was keen to make his exit as soon as his agreed time was up, eager to swap the jungle's hardships for comfort,' the sourced added.

The insider also disclosed Denise Drysdale was also promised certain advantages and and a spot in the finale.

However, despite these supposed assurances, Drysdale became the first contestant to leave the jungle.

It comes after Brittany Hockley and Ellie Cole both narrowly missed out on a place in Sunday night's finale as they were sent home in the final elimination of the 2024 series.
Paul Wesley and his much-younger girlfriend Natalie Kuckenburg are still going strong as they were spotted together in New York City on Thursday.

The couple  who sparked up a romance in 2022  shared an umbrella as they ran errands in the rain.

The Vampire Diaries star, 41, walked with his hands in his pockets while his model girlfriend carried the umbrella.

Wesley looked stylish for their stroll in a sporty all-black outfit that included a jacket, T-shirt and jeans. He added white sneakers and Ray-Ban sunglasses.

Kuckenburg stunned in a black leather trench coat, skintight leggings and rain boots.

Paul Wesley and his much-younger girlfriend Natalie Kuckenburg are still going strong as they were spotted together in New York City on Thursday

The couple's outing comes just over a month after Wesley finalized his divorce from Brad Pitt's current girlfriend Ines de Ramon, 34.

Wesley and De Ramon, a model and jewelry designer, first became romantically linked in June 2018.

Five years before meeting De Ramon, he divorced wife of two-years, Torrey DeVitto.

Wesley quickly proposed to De Ramon and they wed in February 2019.

After three years together, the couple confirmed their separation in September 2022, and, according to People, divorce proceedings commenced in February 2023.

The pair worked out the details of their split for a full year before coming to an agreement, although the news was not shared March 2024.

De Ramon has been dating Oscar-winner Brad Pitt for over a year.

Wesley went public with his and Kuckenburg's romance in November 2022.

The age-gape couple were spotted locking lips during a trip to Italy.

Further confirming their romance, Wesley and Kuckenburg went on to share photos from the trip to Instagram.

The couple  who sparked up a romance in 2022  shared an umbrella as they ran errands in the rain

The couple's outing comes just over a month after Wesley finalized his divorce from Brad Pitt's current girlfriend Ines de Ramon, 34; seen in 2019

Wesley began dating Kuckenburg in November of 2022 - months after he and De Ramon confirmed their separation; seen in 2023

The actor recently spoke to People and explained why he felt as if he had found an ideal partner in Kuckenburg.

'I think the reason we get along so well is because all we do is laugh,' he remarked.

The performer then described sharing a healthy sense of humor as 'probably one of the most important things in a relationship.'

Wesley also expressed that Kuckenburg was one of the 'funniest people in my life.'
Former Married at First Sight stars Jules Robinson and Cameron Merchant have walked away with a cool $150,000 after offloading their Gold Coast investment pad.

The glamour couple, who met on the Channel Nine show in 2018, purchased the cosy two-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse in Mermaid Beach for $700,000 three years ago.

Located just minutes away from Nobby's Beach, the residence is situated inside the Diamond Sands residential complex.

Robinson, 43, and Merchant, 40, did an upgrade on the efficient beach cottage, which was quickly listed as a rental after the recent sale for $690-a-week.

According to the realestate.com, the home has now been leased after it was secured with a bond of $2760.

Former Married at First Sight stars Jules Robinson and Cameron Merchant have walked away with a cool $150,000 after offloading their Gold Coast investment pad

The glamour couple, who met on the Channel Nine show in 2018, purchased the cosy two-bedroom, two-bathroom townhouse in Mermaid Beach for $700,000 three years ago

Features of the apartment include a spacious open-plan design and a large patio off the main living area.

Meanwhile, the large main bedroom offers a walk-in wardrobe, and there's also a modern kitchen with plenty of storage space.

Built on what was once a caravan park, the Diamond Sands residential site was created in 1994 and hosts villas, townhouses and units.

Built on what was once a caravan park, the Diamond Sands residential site was created in 1994 and hosts villas, townhouses and units

Features of the apartment include a spacious open-plan design and a large patio off the main living area

Surrounded by palm trees, the complex offers residents 'resort living' including a 'lagoon style' swimming pool.

Robinson and Merchant are one of the most successful couples to come out of Married At First Sight.

And the glamorous couple have cut a high-profile with the real estate portfolio.

Pictured: The bathroom inside the townhouse

The pair, who live on Sydney's north shore, purchased a home on the Gold Coast in March, 2022.

Located in the much sought after Broadbeach Waters neighbourhood, the couple splashed out $3.65million on the six-bedroom, five-bathroom spread.

The pair, who officially married in November 2019 and welcomed son Oliver in September the following year, bought their beachside Sydney pad in Cromer for $1.8million in 2020.

Meanwhile the large main bedroom offers a walk-in wardrobe, and there's also a modern kitchen with plenty of storage space

In February, the pair announced they were expecting their second child.

Speaking to Stellar Magazine Robinson said they could not be happier.

'We've been trying since our son Ollie was one and he is now three-and-a-half. We were going into 2024 thinking, "If it doesn't happen, we will look at IVF",' she explained.
Elsa Pataky showed off her fishing skills this week as she embarked on an adventure-filled getaway with her family.

The model, 47, shared a series of snaps to Instagram on Thursday from the relaxing trip with husband Chris Hemsworth and their three children.

In one photo, the Spanish-born actress and her son can be seen preparing their finishing line before casting it into the river.

In another, Elsa flaunted her figure in light blue jeans and a black T-shirt as she held the fishing line.

'Magical moments,' she simply captioned the post.

Elsa Pataky showed off her fishing skills this week as she embarked on an adventure-filled trip with her family

In one photo, the Spanish-born actress and her son can be seen preparing their finishing line before casting it into the river

Chris, 40, also shared a gallery of images to social media, showcasing the getaway, which featured hiking, swimming and camping.

'Nothing better than a little getaway with one of my besties,' he captioned a photo of himself and his daughter India.

In December, fans grew concerned about the status of Chris and Elsa's relationship after they holidayed separately with their kids.

In October, Elsa jetted to Japan with the couple's twin sons without her husband.

While Chris took India Rose, 11, on a daddy-daughter getaway to Iceland.

Both parents documented their separate holidays on social media at the time, leaving many confused as to why the mega-wealthy pair didn't join their holiday plans.

Then in November, the pair went on separate trips yet again.

Her husband Chris Hemsworth also shared a gallery of images on his social media showcasing the outback getaway, which included hiking, swimming and camping

'Nothing better than a little getaway with one of my besties,' he captioned a photo of his daughter

Elsa travelled back to her native Spain to attend The Woman Awards, where she posed up a storm in a daring backless gown.

Her husband was conspicuously absent, instead choosing to travel to Abu Dhabi for a family getaway with his genetically-blessed brothers Liam and Luke, their partners Gabrielle and Samantha and the famous siblings parents, Craig and Leonie.

But the couple quickly poured cold water over rumours 'they've grown apart'.

They went on a family trip to Fiji with the entire clan in December 2023 and put on a very loved-up display at the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscars Party this March.

Chris and Elsa tied the knot during the Christmas holidays in 2010.

The couple live in a $30million mansion in Broken Head near Byron Bay after relocating from Los Angeles to Australia nine years ago.

In December, fans grew concerned about the status of Chris and Elsa's relationship after they holidayed separately with their kids (Pictured in June 2022)
Just a week after Paramount announced their Scary Movie reboot at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, actress Melissa Barrera is showing interest.

The 33-year-old actress - who was famously fired from the Scream franchise for her pro-Palestine tweets - hit the red carpet for her new movie Abigail, in theaters Friday.

When asked about the possibility of starring in a Scary Movie reboot for Paramount, Barrera was certainly interested.

'I always loved those movies. When I saw it announced, I was like, "Oh, that would be fun. That would be so fun to do,"' Barrera, who wore a stunning silver gown and Robert Procop earrings, said.

The announcement last week revealed that Fast & Furious producer Neal H. Moritz was on board, with production to begin this fall.

Just a week after Paramount announced their Scary Movie reboot at CinemaCon in Las Vegas , actress Melissa Barrera is showing interest.

The 33-year-old actress - who was famously fired from the Scream franchise for her pro-Palestine tweets - hit the red carpet for her new movie Abigail, in theaters Friday

There is no indication yet if any of the original cast members will return, though Barrera would be interested to see what they do with the project.

'They have the iconic cast that did it, so well see what goes on with that. Im just excited to see a new one,' she added.

While there is no indication when casting will begin - or even who will be writing and directing, the project will presumably be moving fast for production to presumably start this fall.

If Barrera does sign on to star, it will be quite ironic, since the original Scary Movie - which hit theaters in 2000 - was a parody of the of the original 1996 Scream.

Even more ironic, the original working title of Kevin Williamson's script that would ultimately be re-titled Scream, was actually Scary Movie.

Given how controversial Barrera's firing was, her casting could be quite the coup for Paramount's Scary Movie reboot.

Barrera starred in 2022's Scream as Sam Carpenter, a role she reprised in 2023's Scream VI.

She was slated to return in a seventh Scream film, though she was unceremoniously fired in November 2023, in connection to her pro-Palestine tweets.

There is no indication yet if any of the original cast members will return, though Barrera would be interested to see what they do with the project

'They have the iconic cast that did it, so well see what goes on with that. Im just excited to see a new one,' she added

If Barrera does sign on to star, it will be quite ironic, since the original Scary Movie - which hit theaters in 2000 - was a parody of the of the original 1996 Scream

Barrera responded that she, 'will continue to speak out for those that need it most and continue to advocate for peace and safety, for human rights and freedom'

She had said Israel's actions in the Hamas-Palestine conflict as, 'genocide and ethnic cleansing,' which lead to her dismissal.

Scream production company Spyglass issued a statement, which said they have, 'zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing.'

Her posts, 'were interpreted as being anti-Semitic by those close to the film production.'

Barrera responded that she, 'will continue to speak out for those that need it most and continue to advocate for peace and safety, for human rights and freedom.'
Salma Hayek and Zoe Saldana were a fashionable pair as they stepped out in Venice on Thursday alongside their respective partners, Francois-Henri Pinault and Marco Perego, for a double date.

The From Dusk Till Dawn actress, 57, and the Avatar star, 45, were previously both spotted putting on glamorous displays at the 60th Biennale Art 2024 in the city on Wednesday.

Hayek turned heads wearing a pair of black, loose-fitting trousers as well as a matching, cropped jacket that was left unbuttoned at the front.

For a pop of color, the beauty also wore a vibrant, purple satin blouse that had strips of fabric tied into a loose bow around the neckline.

Her dark locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in elegant curls.

Salma Hayek, 57, and Zoe Saldana, 45, were a fashionable pair as they stepped out in Venice on Thursday alongside their respective partners, Francois-Henri Pinault and Marco Perego, for a double date

Hayek turned heads wearing a pair of black, loose-fitting trousers as well as a matching, cropped jacket that was left unbuttoned at the front

Salma opted for minimal accessories and sported a pair of black shades while a few flashy rings were placed on each of her hands.

A layer of mascara was added to her lashes, while a smoky bronze shadow was done around her eyes.

A light, pink blush was put on her cheekbones for a radiant glow and a nude-colored, satin tint was worn on her lips for a finishing touch.

Zoe also embraced her chic side in an all-black ensemble and added a cross-body purse with a gold-chained strap over her right shoulder.

The star's brunette locks were also parted in the middle, and naturally cascaded down past her shoulders.

The Guardians Of The Galaxy actress completed her overall ensemble with a pair of black shades to protect her eyes while strolling under the bright sunshine.

Both Hayek and Saldana were seen with their arms linked together as they made their way to ride on a water taxi located on the Grand Canal.

Salma's husband - whom she tied the knot with in 2009 - was also seen during the daytime excursion. The Kering CEO sported a pair of black pants as well as a plain, black shirt.

Salma's husband - whom she tied the knot with in 2009 - was also seen during the daytime excursion. The Kering CEO sported a pair of black pants as well as a plain, black shirt and blazer

The couples were spotted spending time together in the scenic city and at one point, stepped into a water taxi to head to their next destination

Hayek and Saldana have had a close friendship for many years, and have also been spotted on various occasions together; seen in 2019 together with their partners in Rome

For a final touch, the businessman opted for a black blazer on top with a blue handkerchief placed in a pocket on the left side.

Zoe's husband Marco Perego, whom she married in 2013, also joined the group for the double date outing in Venice.

The producer and director - who was born in Italy - kept it casual in a pair of light blue denim jeans as well as a black shirt. He layered the ensemble with a black, leather jacket that was unfastened at the front.

The couples were spotted spending time together in the scenic city and at one point, stepped into a water taxi to head to their next destination.

Hayek and Saldana have had a close friendship for many years, and have also been spotted on various occasions together.

Back in 2016, the two Hollywood stars were seen grabbing a sushi dinner with big smiles on their faces in L.A.

A few years later, both couples were seen posing together as they attended a Gucci Cruise fashion show in Rome in 2019.

Last year in August, the Frida actress took to her main Instagram page and uploaded a snap of herself with Zoe as well as pal, Penelope Cruz.

Last year in August, the Frida actress took to her main Instagram page and uploaded a snap of herself with Zoe as well as pal, Penelope Cruz

On Wednesday, both Hayek and Saldana stopped by the 60th Biennale Art 2024 event in Venice

In the caption of the post, Salma penned to her fans and followers, 'A circle of love, support, empowerment and long lasting friendship. #grateful.'

On Wednesday, both Hayek and Saldana stopped by the 60th Biennale Art 2024 event in Venice.

Salma - who recently mediated with her pet owl - put on a jaw-dropping display wearing a figure-hugging, strapless blue dress that clung to her frame and was made of a sparkling fabric.

She slipped into a pair of open-toed, black platform heels that were secured with thin straps that wrapped around her ankles.

The beauty added a pair of silver earrings and rings to complete her look for the special evening.

Hayek was joined by her husband, as well as father-in-law - whose name is also Francois - and her daughter-in-law, Mathilde

Saldana was accompanied by Marco and the lovebirds also cozied up together as they paused for sweets snaps

Zoe was classy in a black, midi dress that had a large embellishment on the left side and contained a hem that stopped a few inches above her ankles.

The From Scratch actress wore a black blazer and opted for a pair of unique, strappy black pumps.

Hayek was joined by her husband, as well as father-in-law - whose name is also Francois - and her daughter-in-law, Mathilde. The group paused for a few memorable photos together during the glitzy festivities.

Saldana was accompanied by Marco and the lovebirds also cozied up together as they paused for sweets snaps.
Tallulah Willis and her stepmother Emma Heming Willis attended the 30th Anniversary Presentation of Pulp Fiction.

The cult classic film stars Tallulah's father and Emma's husband Bruce Willis, who is currently battling dementia.

Tallulah, 30, sweetly honored her father with a black cap bearing her father's first name in white lettering.

The screening took place Thursday at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX as part of TCM Classic Film Festival's opening night.

Emma opted for a jet-black pantsuit that was paired with matching high-heeled shoes.

Emma Heming Willis and Tallulah Willis attended the 30th Anniversary Presentation of Pulp Fiction, which took place during the opening night of the 2024 TCM Classic Film Festival in Los Angeles on Thursday evening

The 45-year-old model and the 30-year-old social media personality appeared to be enjoying their time at the screening of the film, which starred the former's wife and latter's father, Bruce Willis

The fashion industry personality - who recently stated that her husband has 'no more joy' in his life - opted for a jet-black pantsuit

Emma completed her look with a low-cut beige blouse, and her gorgeous dark brunette hair was tied back into a tight bun.

The social media personality also wore a black cap featuring the first name of her father, who starred as Butch Coolidge in Pulp Fiction.

The Quentin Tarantino-directed feature, which also starred Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman and John Travolta, was credited with revitalizing the actor's career.

The performer was absent from the star-studded screening, as he remained at home amid his ongoing health issues.

The Die Hard star has been battling aphasia which has progressed to frontotemporal dementia.

Emma spoke about her husband's health during an interview with Today, during which she described dealing with the illness as particularly 'hard.'

The model went on to express that Bruce's family had attempted to rally around him as he battled frontotemporal dementia, although the situation had become particularly difficult.

'It's hard on the person diagnosed, it's also hard on the family. And that is no different for Bruce, or myself, or our girls. When they say this is a family disease, it really is,' she said.

Emma completed her look for the star-studded screening with a low-cut beige blouse

The fashion industry personality kept her blouse tucked in her pants for the length of the event

Emma accessorized with several pieces of jewelry and carried a silver clutch for much of the screening

The model's gorgeous dark brunette hair was tied back into a tight bun. Tallulah kept it relatively casual while wearing a yellow graphic-printed t-shirt

The social media personality tucked her top into a pair of slightly loose-fitting and distressed blue jeans

The actor's daughter also wore a single-button dark blue jacket during the event

The media figure's brightly dyed orange hair contrasted perfectly with the dark tone of her outerwear

The social media personality also wore a black cap featuring the first name of her father, who starred as Butch Coolidge in Pulp Fiction

The model went on to express that Bruce's family had attempted to rally around him as he battled frontotemporal dementia, although the situation had become particularly difficult

Emma later stated that individuals caring for people with degenerative diseases should also take their own well-being into account.

'It's important for care partners to look after themselves so that they can be the best care partner for the person they're caring for,' she said.

The model concluded by stating that the two daughters she shared with Bruce, Mabel, 12, and Evelyn, 9, had grown immensely while helping care for their father.

'It's teaching them so much and how to care and love, and it's really a beautiful thing amongst the sadness,' she said.
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Rachel Brosnahan and Melissa McCarthy both suited up to attend the opening night of Broadway musical Suffs (short for suffragettes), which was held at the Music Box Theatre in Midtown Manhattan on Thursday.

The 53-year-old Little Mermaid star just so happens to be an investor in the original play about the historical events leading up to the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution that gave women the right to vote.

The 33-year-old Emmy winner wore a brown pantsuit over a black crew-neck top, matching purse, and pointed-toe heels selected by stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn.

Hairstylist Danielle Priano coiffed Rachel's piecy updo and make-up artist Lisa Aharon made sure her alabaster complexion was ready for her close-up.

Brosnahan was joined on the purple carpet by her husband- Three Women actor Jason Ralph - looking dapper in a grey plaid suit over a white polo shirt and black loafers.

Rachel Brosnahan and Melissa McCarthy both suited up to attend the opening night of Broadway musical Suffs (short for suffragettes), which was held at the Music Box Theatre in Midtown Manhattan on Thursday

The 53-year-old Little Mermaid star just so happens to be an investor in the original play about the historical events leading up to the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution that gave women the right to vote

The married couple of seven years - who dote on their dogs Nikki and Winston - originally met in 2014 while filming Jon Goracy's rom-com I'm Obsessed with You.

Since February, Rachel has been hard at work on set filming her role as Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane in James Gunn's Superman reboot - hitting UK/US theaters July 11, 2025 - with David Corenswet as the Man of Steel and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

Brosnahan landed the plum part after beating out actresses like Emma Mackey, Phoebe Dynevor, and Samara Weaving.

Meanwhile, Melissa flashed her black bra in a sheer turtleneck beneath a matching blazer covered in 'Votes for Women' pins and wide-leg trousers.

McCarthy appears to be latest celebrity to hop aboard the trendy Ozempic train by flaunting her significantly shrinking 5ft2in figure.

The two-time Oscar nominee styled her brunette locks in waves and had her complexion fully contoured with defined brows, cat eyeliner, and a vampy pout.

Melissa completed her look on Thursday with sheer 'tattooed gloves' reading: 'Can ladies kill?'

McCarthy will next portray Kellogg's employee Donna Stankowski in Jerry Seinfeld's feature directorial debut Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story, which premieres May 3 on Netflix.

The 33-year-old Emmy winner wore a brown pantsuit over a black crew-neck top, matching purse, and pointed-toe heels selected by stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn

Hairstylist Danielle Priano coiffed Rachel's piecy updo and make-up artist Lisa Aharon made sure her alabaster complexion was ready for her close-up

Brosnahan was joined on the purple carpet by her husband - Three Women actor Jason Ralph - looking dapper in a grey plaid suit over a white polo shirt and black loafers

The married couple of seven years - who dote on their dogs Nikki and Winston - originally met in 2014 while filming Jon Goracy's rom-com I'm Obsessed with You

Since February, Rachel has been hard at work on set filming her role as Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane in James Gunn's (R, pictured Thursday) Superman reboot - hitting UK/US theaters July 11, 2025 - with David Corenswet (M) as the Man of Steel and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor

Meanwhile, Melissa flashed her black bra in a sheer turtleneck beneath a matching blazer covered in 'Votes for Women' pins and wide-leg trousers

2024 vs 2014: McCarthy appears to be latest celebrity to hop aboard the trendy Ozempic train by flaunting her significantly shrinking 5ft2in figure

The two-time Oscar nominee styled her brunette locks in waves and had her complexion fully contoured with defined brows, cat eyeliner, and a vampy pout

Melissa completed her look on Thursday with sheer 'tattooed gloves' reading: 'Can ladies kill?'

McCarthy will next portray Kellogg's employee Donna Stankowski in Jerry Seinfeld's feature directorial debut Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story, which premieres May 3 on Netflix

The 69-year-old comedian also stars in the 1963-set comedy about a pastry war between cereal rivals Kellogg's and Post, which originally derived from one of his stand-up bits.

Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, Hugh Grant, James Marsden, Christian Slater, Maria Bakalova, Bill Burr, Dan Levy, and Fred Armisen will also appear in Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story.

But the true woman of the hour was Suffs creator Shaina Taub, who wore a fetching floral pantsuit to celebrate the decade-in-the-making play, which originally debuted at the off-Broadway Public Theater in 2022.

Taub wrote, composed the music/lyrics, and made her Broadway debut as real-life suffragist Alice Paul who was jailed and suffered police brutality in her quest to successfully strategize the campaign for the 19th Amendment.

Leigh Silverman - who wore a sleeveless tuxedo top and metallic trousers - directed Suff, which began previews on March 26 and runs through September 1.

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, and two-time Tony Award winner Candy Spelling are among the more noteworthy producers behind Suff.

Hillary was, as usual, joined by Huma Abedin, the former vice chair of her 2016 presidential campaign.

And the 26-year-old Pakistani activist was joined by her husband of three years, Pakistan Cricket Board manager Asser Malik, who coordinated his purple necktie with her purple floral frock.

But the true woman of the hour was Suffs creator Shaina Taub, who wore a fetching floral pantsuit to celebrate the decade-in-the-making play, which originally debuted at the off-Broadway Public Theater in 2022

Taub wrote, composed the music/lyrics, and made her Broadway debut as real-life suffragist Alice Paul who was jailed and suffered police brutality in her quest to successfully strategize the campaign for the 19th Amendment

Leigh Silverman - who wore a sleeveless tuxedo top and metallic trousers - directed Suff, which began previews on March 26 and runs through September 1

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, and two-time Tony Award winner Candy Spelling (not in attendance) are among the more noteworthy producers behind Suff

Hillary was, as usual, joined by Huma Abedin, the former vice chair of her 2016 presidential campaign

And the 26-year-old Pakistani activist was joined by her husband of three years, Pakistan Cricket Board manager Asser Malik, who coordinated his purple necktie with her purple floral frock

Suff cast members (from L-R) Christine Heesun Hwang, Kirsten Scott, Chessa Metz, Housso Semon, Hawley Gould and D'Kaylah Unique Whitley all posed together in their pantsuits and cocktail dresses

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda donned a classic tuxedo for the gala opening and brought along his father Luis A. Miranda Jr., who contrasted his son in a tie-dye suit over a blue-patterned shirt

Also turning up at the feminist function was Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who rocked her signature shades and fringed bob with a blue-striped trench coat over a blue plaid dress

Dear Evan Hansen alum Ben Platt enjoyed a romantic date at Suffs with his fiance Noah Galvin ahead of the May 28th start of his three-week Broadway concert residency at the Palace Theatre

Waitress alum Sara Bareilles was 'honored to be' at the opening, writing via Instastory: 'Oh my friends, I'm so happy for your all! Your passion was infectious and the story goes on... #keepmarching'

Little Shop of Horrors thespian Darren Criss wore a pink nehru-collared shirt beneath a slim teal-blue suit and well-worn brown boots

Transgender TikToker-turned-singer Dylan Mulvaney wore an elegant updo with a single-strapped black gown selected by stylist Tabitha Sanchez

Head Over Heels thespian Peppermint - who was runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race season nine - was feeling her Janet Jackson 'Black Cat fantasy' in a white blouse and black leggings selected by stylist Craig Franklin Miller

Gypsy alum Laura Benanti flashed a hint of her taut tummy in a blue-striped cut-out dress

Emmy-winning documentarian Ken Burns rocked a spiky hairdo as he posed with a young girl, who was likely a family member

Suff cast members Christine Heesun Hwang, Kirsten Scott, Chessa Metz, Housso Semon, Hawley Gould and D'Kaylah Unique Whitley all posed together in their pantsuits and cocktail dresses.

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda donned a classic tuxedo for the gala opening and brought along his father Luis A. Miranda Jr., who contrasted his son in a tie-dye suit over a blue-patterned shirt.

Also turning up at the feminist function was Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who rocked her signature shades and fringed bob with a blue-striped trench coat over a blue plaid dress.

Dear Evan Hansen alum Ben Platt enjoyed a romantic date at Suffs with his fiance Noah Galvin ahead of the May 28th start of his three-week Broadway concert residency at the Palace Theatre.

Waitress alum Sara Bareilles was 'honored to be' at the opening, writing via Instastory: 'Oh my friends, I'm so happy for your all! Your passion was infectious and the story goes on... #keepmarching.'

Little Shop of Horrors thespian Darren Criss wore a pink nehru-collared shirt beneath a slim teal-blue suit and well-worn brown boots.

Transgender TikToker-turned-singer Dylan Mulvaney wore an elegant updo with a single-strapped black gown selected by stylist Tabitha Sanchez.

Head Over Heels thespian Peppermint - who was runner-up on RuPaul's Drag Race season nine - was feeling her Janet Jackson 'Black Cat fantasy' in a white blouse and black leggings selected by stylist Craig Franklin Miller.

Gypsy alum Laura Benanti flashed a hint of her taut tummy in a blue-striped cut-out dress.

Emmy-winning documentarian Ken Burns rocked a spiky hairdo as he posed with a young girl, who was likely a family member.
Abbie Chatfield put on a stylish display as she attended the launch of High Tea-Quila in Sydney on Thursday.

The FBoy Island host, 28, showed off her toned figure in a colourful crop top and jeans as she arrived to the event at El Primo Sanchez in Paddington.

The TV star completed her ensemble with a gold necklace, a bracelet and matching coloured earrings.

Abbie left her curled long brunette locks out and let her natural beauty shine with a neutral makeup palette.

She was all smiles as she held the beverage and posed for the camera.

Abbie Chatfield put on a stylish display as she attended the launch of High Tea-Quila in Sydney on Thursday

The FBoy Island host showed off her toned figure in a colourful crop top and blue jeans as she arrived to the event at El Primo Sanchez in Paddington

The sighting comes just hours after Abbie was left devastated when she discovered her new puppy Daisy had 'destroyed' her sex toys.

The FBoy Island host took to Instagram Stories to reveal the spaniel mix pooch had chewed through two of her 'favourite vibrators'.

Sharing pictures and video of the destruction, she showed followers what remained of the adult toys as she asked if any of her fans had experienced something similar.

'So, I love my puppy so much, but I'm just wondering why she felt the need to destroy not one but two of my favourite vibrators,' she said.

'My boyfriend's been away for a few days. I was excited to use these tonight. It's fine. It's so fine. It's so fine.'

The podcaster went on to share pictures of Daisy looking content, writing: 'Has your puppy destroyed a vibe of yours? I wish she could get a job and replace it.'

Abbie left her curled long brunette locks out and let her natural beauty shine with a neutral makeup palette

The sighting comes just hours after Abbie was left devastated when she discovered her new puppy Daisy had 'destroyed' her sex toys

Fans flocked to Abbie's messages to share their own stories of sex toys falling victim to their silicone-happy pooches.

One person said their dog 'stole [my vibrator] and took it right down to the front gate for everyone on the street to see'.

Another commented: 'I have had two puppies in my life and each one has destroyed only my favourite vibe each time.'

They went on to suggest if Abbie shows 'favouritism' to one or more of her vibrators, then their scent may have a 'lingering magnetism' for her puppy Daisy.

Abbie welcomed Daisy, a cocker spaniel cross clumber spaniel, to her family and and her other spaniel dog named Walter earlier this month.
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Former Married At First Sight star Tamara Djordjevic is set to expand her career by becoming the host of a breakfast radio show on the Gold Coast.

The reality star, 31, revealed the happy news on social media on Friday, by sharing a photo of her posing up a storm inside a radio studio.

Tamara captioned the snap with some exciting words: 'Surprise! I'm going to be on radio!

'Tune in Wednesday mornings at 6am if you want to listen.'

Tamara looked absolutely radiant in the stunning snap as she beamed at the camera while posing with a microphone.

Married At First Sight star Tamara Djordjevic (pictured) is set to expand her career by becoming the host of a breakfast radio show on the Gold Coast

Djordjevic will be presenting a program with Radio Metro Australia, a youth station that plays a mixture of talkback and house music.

Neither the station nor Djordjevic have revealed the name of her show or what kinds of topics she will discuss on it.

The blonde beauty rose to fame on the ninth season of MAFS in 2022, where she was famously 'married' to Brent Vitiello.

The former reality star, 31, revealed the happy news on social media on Friday, by sharing a photo of her posing up a storm inside a radio studio

Unfortunately, they were never a good match, and their marriage soon went from bad to worse.

Their relationship finally came to a crashing halt during their final vows, which aired in March 2022.

Brent launched into a powerful speech calling out Tamara for her 'vindictive, spiteful and self-absorbed' personality and then tossed his speech in the air and stormed off.

Brent had ended his tirade with, 'Good luck and good riddance,' a slogan he later used as his Instagram bio for months.

Following his appearance on show, Brent shared a raw and heartfelt Instagram post revealing his secret battle with mental health.
Tracks on The Tortured Poets Department

1. Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)

Taylor appears to reference the end of her relationship with Joe Alwyn and her subsequent fling with Matty Healy in the first track on her album.

The first verse appears to hint at the end of her romance with Joe as she sings: I was supposed to be sent away but they forgot to come and get me.

Taylor then wishes an ex well who betrayed her: All of this to say, I hope you're okay, but you're the reason / No one here's to blame but what about your quiet treason.

In the second verse, Taylor talks about a short-lived fling that helped her 'move on', potentially a reference to Matt.

She sings: 'All my mornings are Mondays stuck in an endless February / I took the miracle move on drug and the effects were temporary / And I love you, it's ruining my life / I touched you for only a fortnight.'

2. The Tortured Poets Department

The titular track is a shimmering melody which suggest that Taylor, modestly, doesn't see herself at the top table of tortured poets: 'You're not Dylan Thomas, and I'm not Patti Smith.'

It also appears to heavily reference her fling with Matty as she sings: 'You smokd then ate seven bars of chocolate / We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist.

'I scratch your head, you fall asleep / Like a tattooed golden retriever / But you awaken with dread.'

She also makes a candid reference to her mental health, singing: 'But you told Lucy you'd kill yourself if I ever leave /And I had said that to Jack about you so I felt seen'.

3. My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys

Written solely by Taylor, this song's dense electronic hum adds forceful notes.

Fans have suggested the title is a reference to the 'shiny toy she sang about in her hit Cruel Summer from the album Lover.

It's not clear if she is referring to heartbreak after splitting from Joe or the abrupt end to her romance with Matty.

'Once I fix me, he's gonna miss me,' she vows, adding: 'I know I'm just repeating myslf Put me back on my shelf / But first, pull the string And I'll tell you that he runs Because he loves me (He loves me).'

4. Down Bad

Taylor references mental health again as she details how 'down' she feels without an ex and the infatuation she felt with him.

'Everything comes out teenage petulance,' sings Taylor as she bitterly surveys the fallout from an old relationship.

She continues: 'Everything comes out teenage petulance / F**k it if I can't have him / I might just die, it would make no difference / Down bad, waking up in blood /Staring at the sky, come back and pick me up.

'F**k it if I can't have us / I might just not get up / I might stay down bad.'

5. So Long, London

The first track to be written with The National's Aaron Dessner brings a change of pace, with a lovely, choral intro. 'So long, London, you'll find someone,' sings Taylor.

The song appears to be a reference to British ex Joe and a follow up to her hit London Boy from Lover.

She references their different approaches to the end of their romance, singing in the first verse: 'I kept calm and carried the weight of the rift / Pulled him in tighter each time he was drifting away / My spine split from carrying us up the hill.'

Verse three she muses: 'And you say I abandoned the ship, but I was going down with it / My white knuckle dying grip holding tight to your quiet resentment.'

Taylor Swift officially dropped The Tortured Poets Department on Friday - her hotly-anticipated 11th studio album

6. But Daddy I Love Him

'I know he's crazy, but he's the one I want,' sings Taylor, showing wry humour as she admits to falling for the bad boys. Produced, with real brightness, by Dessner.

She goes on to revel in the fact she dismisses warning from critics, singing: 'They slammed the door on my whole world / The one thing I wanted

'Now Im running with my dress unbuttoned, / Screaming, But daddy I love him / Im having his baby / No Im not, but you should see your faces.'

7. Fresh Out The Slammer

Finger-picked acoustic guitar adds folky notes reminiscent of lockdown albums Folklore and Evermore to Fresh Out The Slammer, which details rushing into a new relationship.

Seemingly a reference to her fling with Matty - who she previously dated in 2015 - she sings: 'Now pretty baby, Im running back home to you. / Fresh out the slammer I know who my first call will be to.'

On the decay of her past relationship, she sings: 'Splintered back in winter, silent dinners, bitter he was with her in dreams / Gray and blue and fights and tunnels, handcuffed to the spell I was under.

'For just one hour of sunshine / Years of labor, locks and ceilings / In the shade of how he was feeling.'

8. Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)

An album highlight, this theatrical duet with London singer Florence Welch is an uplifting song of escape  from small-town life and a bad romance.

Tellingly the first tour stop following her split from Joe was in Tampa, Florida and she begins her song by singing: 'You can beat the heat if you beat the charges too.

'They said I was a cheat, I guess it must be true / And my friends all smell like weed or little babies / And this city reeks of driving myself crazy.'

9. Guilty As Sin?

A tale of unrequited love, and a superb slice of 1980s-style soft rock. It even mentions The Downtown Lights, a 1989 single by Scottish band The Blue Nile.

She begins the track with her feelings on being 'trapped' in a relationship, singing: 'My boredoms bone-deep, this cage was once just fine / Am I allowed to cry?

'I dream of cracking locks, throwing my life to the wolves or the ocean rocks.'

She hints at an emotional affair providing her release, singing: 'These fatal fantasies giving way to labored breath taking all of me weve already done it in my head.

'If its make-believe why does it feel like a vow well both uphold somehow?'

10. Who's Afraid Of Little Old Me?

Big drums, a dramatic arrangement, and more dry humour in another song penned solely by Taylor. 'You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me,' she snarls.

It's reminiscent of her hit single Look What You Made Me Do and the villain arc is prominent in her lyrics.

She sings: 'I was tame, I was gentle till the circus life made me mean /Dont you worry folks, we took out all her teeth

'Whos afraid of little old me? Well you should be.'

This is her first new album since the end of her six-year relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn and, while she doesn't mention Alwyn by name, speculation will be rife that tracks such as So Long, London are about him. Pictured together in 2019

Taylor Swift and Matty Healy seen leaving The Electric Lady studio in Manhattan on May 16, 2023

11. I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)

A moody, stripped-down number worthy of Lana Del Rey, who has also worked extensively with the song's producer, Jack Antonoff.

She appears to be referring to chain smoking, booze loving Matty, as she sings: 'The smoke cloud billows out his mouth like a freight train through a small town / The jokes that he told across the bar were revolting and far too loud.'

Fans had expressed their concerns when Taylor started dating The 1975 bad boy rocker and it seems her friends had the same reservations.

Taylor sings: 'They shake their heads, saying, "God help her" when I tell em hes my man / But your good Lord doesnt need to lift a finger / I can fix him, no really I can / And only I can.'

12. loml

'You said I'm the love of your life,' sings Taylor on this warm, resonant piano ballad. In a smart twist, the 'loml' ultimately becomes 'the loss of my life'.

She describes being love-bombed by an old flame, seemingly referring to Matty given their past experience.

Others have suggested the intensity of the lyrics suggest it relates to her longterm relationship with Joe.

She sings: 'I felt a glow like this, never before and never since /If you know it in one glimpse its legendary.

'You and I go from one kiss to getting married / Still alive, killing time at the cemetery / Never quite buried.'

13. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart

More 1980s influences on an electronic pop track that sees Taylor vowing to remain a trouper, despite any romantic strife.

She sings about putting on a brave face while her relationships publicly fall apart, noting: 'They said, "Babe, you gotta fake it till you make it," and I did.

'Lights, camera, b***h, smile / Even when you wanna die / He said he'd love me all his life / But that life was too short / Breaking down, I hit the floor / All the pieces of me shattered as the crowd was chanting more.'

Taylor has previously admitted she struggled with her love live playing out so publicly and the narrative that she'd had more boyfriends than other women.

14. The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived

'You didn't measure up in any measure of a man,' sings a disdainful Taylor on a melodramatic ballad.

The title is noteworthy, given that Matty's stature is an object of some debate. The singer previously disclosed: 'Everyone in [the 1975] is 64 and Im 510, so everyone thinks that Im 55.'

More recently, he addressed these short man allegations by telling a fan that he was 'sick to f***ing death of this', insisting that he is 'a big boy.'

She sings: 'And I dont miss what we had / But could someone give a message / To the smallest man who ever lived?'

15. The Alchemy

Not all the songs are about heartbreak, as sporting metaphors aplenty suggest a track inspired by the singer's current boyfriend, American football star Travis Kelce.

'When I touch down, call the amateurs and cut them from the team,' she sings.

Speaking about the upcoming release back in February, when he was building up to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas, Kelce said he had heard some of the songs on Taylor's latest release.

'I have heard some of it and yes, it's unbelievable,' he said to reporters. 'I can't wait for her to shake up the world when it finally drops.'

16. Clara Bow

It's tempting to think Taylor sees something of herself in a closing track inspired by Clara an American actress of the 1920s who lived her life in the Hollywood goldfish bowl.

She goes on to reference Stevie Nicks as she details struggling with the trappings of fame.

Taylor sings: 'I'm not trying to exaggrate / But I think I might die if I made it, die if I made it / No one in my small town thought I'd meet these suits in LA / They all want to say.'

The Alchemy: Sporting metaphors aplenty suggest a track inspired by the singer's current boyfriend, American football star Travis Kelce. Pictured at Coachella this week

Bonus tracks on The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology

17. The Black Dog

The Black Dog is also a reference to depression and lack of energy based on a demonic hellhound acting as an omen of death in English folklore and literature.

As well as the eerie lyrical meaning to the title, The Black Dog is a bar in Vauxhall, London - her ex Matt's city of birth and just a stone's throw away from Joe's hometown of Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

In the song, she belts out: 'I am someone who until recent events you shared your secrets with and your location / you forgot to turn it off / And so I watch as you walk into some bar called The Black Dog...

'I just don't understand how you don't miss me in The Black Dog when someone plays The Starting Line and you jump up, but she's too young to know this song that was intertwined in the magic fabric of our dreaming.'

18. Imgonnagetyouback

Taylor is torn between calling things off for good or rekindling with an ex in imgonnagetyouback.

Emotions are clearly running high as she sings: Whether Im gonna be your wife / Or smash up your bike / I havent decided yet.

She appears to reference her new romance with Travis as the song goes on, sharing: 'I can feel it coming / In the way you move / Push the reset button /Were becoming something new.

'See you got somebody else / Say I got someone else too / Even if its him, I'm leaving here with you.'

19. The Albatross

It seems London watering holes are a theme of the album, with The Black Dog and The Bolter joining The Albatross as apparent references to venues.

The Albatross Club is a pub in Farringdon, London but also has particularly eerie significance in its meaning as a word alone.

Albatross is defined in the Britannica Dictionary as: 'A continuing problem that makes it difficult or impossible to do or achieve something. Fame has become an albatross that prevents her from leading a normal and happy life.'

Additionally, an albatross is a large white ocean bird that has very long and often black wings - which many likened to her outfit from the Grammys.

Taylor is taking no prisoners in this track, referring to herself as one of the largest seabirds on Earth - famed for their giant wingspan and ability to glide seamlessly.

She sings about taking revenge with the lyrics: 'She is here to destroy you/ Devils that you know / Raise worse hell than a stranger'.

20. Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus

Taylor tells the story of a rocky relationship in which their partner betrays them and focuses on drugs more than her.

She hints at infidelity on their part by singing: 'Your hologram stumbled into my apartment / Hands in the hair of somebody in darkness.

'Named Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus / And I just watched it happen / As the decade would play us for fools.'

Taylor goes on to reference, singing: 'You said some things that I cant unabsorb / You turned me into an idea of sorts / You needed me, but you needed drugs more / And I couldnt watch it happen.'

Taylor reignited her explosive feud with Kim Kardashian by releasing a diss track aimed at the reality star (pictured with Kim in 2015)

Taylor also seems to reference Kim's 10-year-old daughter North West dancing to Shake It Off on TikTok back in January, she writes:# your kid comes home singin' a song that only us two is gonna know is about you'

21. How Did It End?

Taylor appears to reference the speculation over her relationship with Joe as she details in the chorus:

'Come one come all It's happ'nin' again / The empathetic hunger descends We'll tell no-one / 'Cept all of our friends / We must know How did it end?'

Accusing people of conducting their own 'post-mortem's' in the opening sentence, Taylor also accuses people of being smug: 'Soon they'll go home to their husbands / 'cause they know they can trust him / Then feverishly calling their cousins.'

She later admits that while everyone is questioning, 'How did it end?' she doesn't know herself: 'But I still don't know, how did it end?'

22. So High School

While many tracks are bold aims at her exes Matt and Joe, happiness does reign in her track So High School where she discusses current boyfriend Travis.

She sings: 'You know how to ball, I know Aristotle, brand new, full throttle // Touch me while your bros play Grand Theft Auto // It's true, swear, scouts honor // You knew what you wanted, and, boy, you got her.'

Taylor the directly references a resurfaced video in which Travis was asked who marry, kiss or kill between Ariana Grande, Katy Perry and Taylor.

She sings: 'Are you gonna marry, kiss or kill me? Kill me. It's just a game, but really, really, I'm betting on all three for us two.

23. I Hate It Here

Taylor relies in escapism to distract herself from the issues plaguing her real life, describing herself as going to 'secret gardens in my mind'.

She appears to be dealing with the fallout of being lied to, singing: Tell me something awful like you are a poet / Trapped inside the body of a finance guy

'Tell me all your secrets / All youll ever be is / My eternal consolation prize.'

She appears to be between relationships, musing: 'Im lonely, but Im good /Im bitter, but I swear Im fine.'

24. thanK you aIMee

Fans are convinced the 24th track - thanK you aIMee - is aimed at Kim Kardashian, as the letters K,I and M are capped up to spell out her name.

Taylor sings in one line: 'There's a bronze spray-tanned statue of you and a plaque underneath it/That threatens to push me down the stairs, at our school.'

'All that time you were throwin' punches, I was buildin' somethin' / And I can't forgive the way you made me feel / Screamed 'F**k you, Aimee' to the night sky, as the blood was gushin' / But I can't forget the way you made me heal.'

She goes on to add: 'And it wasn't a fair fight, or a clean kill / Each time that Aimee stomped across my grav / And then she wrote hadlines/ In the local paper, laughing at each baby step I'd take.'

Taylor concludes by confirming she's changed the name of the woman she's singing about - further fuelling speculation the track is about Kim.

She also seems to reference Kim's 10-year-old daughter North West dancing to her 2014 single Shake It Off on TikTok, finding it ironic as the 'song is about you'.

She sings: 'And so I changed your name, and any real defining clues/And one day, your kid comes home singin' a song that only us two is gonna know is about you.'

25. I Look in People's Windows

While she may have the ultimate girl squad around her, Taylor admits she can't help but feel lonely when chasing a man.

She sings: 'I look in people's windows / Transfixed by rose golden glows / They have their friends over to drink nice wine.

'I look in people's windows / In case you're at their table / What if your eyes looked up and met mine / One more time.'

26. The Prophecy

Taylor seems to be pained by the thought of trying to find an intimate love when her life is so public.

The singer - who found fame as a teenager - reveals that being in the spotlight and adored by millions of fans can't measure up to being loved by a partner.

She shares: 'Please / Change the prophecy / Let it once be me / Who do I have to speak to / About if they can redo the prophecy?'

Taylor has previously revealed how fame changed her life for the worst, explaining: 'It's a social situation every time I go out.

'I just have to wake up in the morning and say, "How am I feeling today? If someone asks for a picture, am I gonna feel imposed upon today because I'm dealing with my own stuff? Am I gonna take my own stuff out on some innocent 14-year-old today and be in a bad mood?"

'OK, maybe not  Maybe I won't leave the house.'

27. Cassandra

thanK you aIMee might not be the only song issuing shots at Kim Kardashians, with Cassandra also seeming to be filled with veiled digs.

Greek god Cassandra, 'entangled men' and was punished with a curse where no one would believe what she had to say.

In her chorus, Taylor sings: 'When the first stones thrown, theyre screaming /In the streets, theres a raging riot / When its "Burn the b***h", theyre shrieking / When the truth comes out, its quiet.'

This could be in reference to Kim sparking a social media firestorm when she shared a Snapchat video of then-husband Kanye West during a phone call with Taylor, where she seemingly gave the rapper to include lyrics about her in his new song.

While Taylor insisted that she hadn't consented to Kanye labelled her a 'b***h' in his track, many accused her of being a snake.

Kardashian fans and Swifties went to war with one another by posting snake emojis.

Taylor references snakes in her song, sharing: 'So, they killed Cassandra first cause she feared the worst / And tried to tell the town / So, they filled my cell with snakes, I regret to say / Do you believe me now?'

28. Peter

Taylor reflects on her childhood and pleads for forgiveness as she reflects on losing a past love.

It could be in reference to Matty, who she was first linked to in 2014, and their subsequent breakup as she sings: 'Said you were gonna grow up /Then you were gonna come find me.

'Words from the mouths of babes / Promises oceans deep / But never to keep / Never to keep.'

It could also be a follow up to her song Cardigan, where she sang: 'Tried to change the ending / Peter losing Wendy'.

Taylor reflects on her childhood and pleads for forgiveness as she reflects on losing a past love (pictured in 2008)

29. The Bolter

Fans have made many interpretations of The Bolter - with links to a London pub in the form of Mansion House's bar of the same name while also alluding to a suitor running into the night - something fans insisted was about Joe.

Some Twitter users claimed the location is where the former couple enjoyed their first date - yet the claims were quickly disputed by devoted followers.

The initial claim came from a fan writing: 'The Bolter is a bar in London where Taylor and Joe went on their first outing?!?!???? Im done, BYE'.

Others followed up writing: '***Apparently thats not the bar they were publicly first seen together!!!!*** But there is indeed this bar in London which is crazy anyway... guys it's not real, it was different place'.

She sings: 'Started with a kiss / "Oh, we must stop meeting like this" / But it always ends with a town car speeding / Out the drive one evenin' / Ended with the slam of a door / But she's got the best stories // You can be sure...

'All her f**kin' lives / Flashed before her eyes / And she realized / It feels like the time / She fell through the ice / Then came out alive'.

30. Robin

Her penultimate track is also reflective of her youth as she reflects on how innocence is ripped away with age.

She sings: 'You get the dragonflies above your bed /You have a favorite spot on the swing set / You have no room in your dreams for regret

'You have no idea / The time will arrive for the cruel and the mean / You'll learn to bounce back just like your trampoline.'

Despite this there's an element of hope involved as she sings: 'But now we'll curtail your curiosity / In sweetness / Way to go, tiger / Way to go, tiger /Higher and higher / Higher and higher / Wilder and lighter.'

31. The Manuscript

The only bonus track on the first physical versions of Taylor's album seems to be a follow up to All Too Well - her song about Jake Gyllenhaal.

She reflects on a past romance as she sings: 'Now and then she rereads the manuscript / Of the entire torrid affair /He said that if the sex was half as good as the conversation was / Soon they'd be pushin' strollers / But soon it was over.'

In a nod to All Too Well (10 Minute Version) and its music video directly, Taylor continues: 'The Professor said to write what you know / Lookin' backwards might be the only way to move forward / Then the actors / Were hitting their marks.'
Roxy Jacenko has revealed her latest business venture.

The PR maven, 44, is now selling a range of 'LipMount' iPhone cases.

The trendy mobile cases have a space on the back to securely store your favourite lip gloss.

'I wanted to do something that wasnt so Roxy and to create a range of fashion for your phone accessories that are interchangeable depending on your need,' she explained to news.com.au.

'I have always been that person, see it, do it! I love watching trends and have had so much success,' she added.

Roxy Jacenko has revealed her latest business venture

Roxy said she was inspired to create the product after noticing Hailey Bieber's successful sales of her Rhode lip gloss phone cases, which are not universally compatible or accessible in Australia.

'It was a neat thing to create for a girl on the go and at a price point that doesnt break the bank,' she told the publication.

The former Sweaty Betty owner's new product by brand 270x is being sold at the phone accessory retailer Fone King online for $24.99.

The PR maven, 44, is now selling a range of 'LipMount' iPhone cases

It comes after the PR maven broke her seven-month sobriety streak over the weekend as she celebrated the wedding of her friend Martinica Canha.

In a video posted to her Instagram, Roxy tilted her head back as she was lifted by a group of men on the dance floor.

Another male then poured whiskey into her mouth while guests cheered.

The trendy mobile cases have a space on the back to securely store your favourite lip gloss

'Thinking back to the most memorable wedding of our darling... getting into the barber chair tradition,' she wrote.

The post came one month after Roxy revealed the lifestyle changes she had made after losing an impressive 14kgs.

'Six months later we got there. Only took seven years,' she wrote in the caption.

'No alcohol, clean eating, body weight exercises only and walking (and the gym element 3-4 times a week dependent on work schedule.'
Billionaire Justin Hemmes was every inch the doting father as he sweetly carried his kids off his seaplane at his $100million Sydney mansion on Wednesday.

The restauranteur, 51, arrived at his Vaucluse mansion with his girlfriend Madeleine Holtznagel, 27, and his daughters Alexa, six, and Saachi, five, who he shares with his model ex Kate Fowler.

Justin sweetly carried his daughter off the seaplane as they touched down on the beach near his lavish harbourside property.

He cut a casual figure in a white T-shirt and grey linen trousers, while he went barefoot as he carried his Crocs in one hand while disembarking the plane.

The CEO, who is worth around $1.39billion, was joined by his model girlfriend Madeleine for the family day out.

Billionaire Justin Hemmes (pictured) was every inch the doting father as he sweetly carried his kids off his seaplane at his $100million Sydney mansion on Wednesday

The restauranteur, 51, arrived at his mansion with his girlfriend Madeleine Holtznagel, 27, (pictured) and his daughters Alexa, six, and Saachi, five, who he shares with his model ex Kate Fowler

She looked equally laidback for the outing as she sported grey cargo-style trousers and a colour coordinated T-shirt.

Madeleine completed her look with a black cropped hoodie and toted her essentials in a luxury pink Gucci designer handbag.

She shielded her eyes with a pair of rectangular sunglasses and kept it low-key as she strolled across the beach with her hood up.

Madeline and Justin quietly began dating in 2019, a year after he made his debut on the Financial Review Rich List with an estimated net worth of $951million.

In June, Madeline teased her Instagram followers by wearing a ring on her wedding finger.

His girlfriend Madeleine looked laidback for the outing as she sported grey cargo-style trousers and a colour coordinated T-shirt

Madeleine shielded her eyes with a pair of rectangular sunglasses and kept it low-key as she stepped out with her hood up

She completed her look with a black cropped hoodie and toted her essentials in a luxury pink Gucci designer handbag

Madeline and Justin, who is worth around $1.39billion, quietly began dating in 2019 and have been going strong ever since

A picture showed her sporting the jewellery as she cuddled up to Justin as they enjoyed a bowl of Udon noodles together at a restaurant in Japan.

But the bling appeared to be a turquoise dress ring, and another photograph showed her wearing a different ring on the same finger as she posed 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 doting partner had also bought her two llamas as a sign of his love.
Ed Westwick and his fiance Amy Jackson looked glamorous in black as they stepped out to the Dr Sturm Skincare Party at London's Chiltern Firehouse on Thursday.

The Gossip Girl star, 36, and Bollywood actress, 32, were the epitome of chic as they turned up to the glitzy event arm-in-arm.

Looking dapper as usual, Ed cut a sophisticated figure in a black suit and a crisp white shirt as he beamed while stepping into the bash.

Amy meanwhile looked incredible in an all-black look with sheer leggings to make the most of her endless legs.

She was sure to make the most of her incredible figure in the stunning look.

Ed Westwick and his fiance Amy Jackson looked glamorous in black as they stepped out to the Dr Sturm Skincare Party at London's Chiltern Firehouse on Thursday

The Gossip Girl star, 36, and Bollywood actress, 32, were the epitome of chic as they turned up to the glitzy event arm-in-arm

She upped the glamour with a pair of Amina Muaddi Rosie crystal-embellished satin courts, which market for 950.

Also in attendance was Pixie Geldof who wowed in a black and white polka dot shirt which she paired black trousers.

She up the glam with a silver Tiffany necklace and a Gucci handbag.

Zara Martin commanded attention for the event as she rocked a cream fur-line trench coat, which she paired with matching flared trousers and a sparkly cardigan.

Perfecting the cowboy look, Luke Day looked stunning in a black denim jacket featuring white stitching and a thick statement buckle belt.

Adding a pop of colour to the glitzy affair, Charli Howard stepped out a green fur-lined trench coat, which she layered on top of a gun-metal sparkly shift dress.

The outing comes just weeks after Ed proposed to Amy.

She upped the glamour with a pair of Amina Muaddi Rosie crystal-embellished satin courts, which market for 950

The couple were pictured with lady of the hour, Dr Barbara Sturm, whose skincare line was the purpose of the bash

Pixie Geldof was also spotted at the glitzy affair as she looked charming in a black and white polka dot shirt which she paired black trousers

She stepped up the glam with a silver chain Tiffany necklace and a Gucci handbag

Zara Martin commanded attention for the event as she rocked a cream fur-line trench coat, which she paired with some matching flared trousers and a sparkly cardigan

Zara, pictured with Sheila Atim, accessorised her look with black platform heels and a small circle handbag

Luke Day looked stunning in a black denim jacket featuring white stitching and a thick statement buckle belt

Adding a pop of colour to the glitzy affair, Charli Howard stepped out a green fur-lined trench coat, which she layered on top of a gun-metal sparkly shift dress

Ed got down on one knee to pop the question to Amy in G'staad, Switzerland, with the couple announcing their exciting news in January.

The couple took to Instagram to share a slew of sweet snaps of the romantic proposal, captioning them: 'Hell Yes [ring emoji].'

Adele Narcisi, Gemmologist & Design Expert at Queensmith, previously revealed that Amy's engagement ring is made from a natural diamond, which is reportedlyworth up to 100,000.

However, she noted that the diamond was more likely lab-grown, meaning the gem could be worth just a quarter of that.

She told MailOnline: 'Amy Jacksons engagement ring looks to be a stunning and timeless 4-carat oval solitaire diamond, a shape that has gained popularity in recent years.

'Based on its size and if it is natural, this diamond is estimated to be worth around 90,000 to 100,000.

Their outing comes after Ed got down on one knee to pop the question to Amy in G'staad, Switzerland, with the couple announcing their exciting news last month

'There are typically only a handful of top-quality four-carat natural diamonds available at any given time. Natural diamonds this size are a rarity...

'With a natural diamond, we'd recommend sticking between grades D to F colour for an icey, colourless diamond, VS2 and higher clarity making sure there are no inclusions visible to the naked eye...

'There's no need to go higher than VVS2 as the diamond will cost far more but look more or less the same'

Ed met Amy, who has four-year-old son, Andreas with her ex-fiance George Panayatiou, at Silverstone racetrack in 2021.

A source told The Sun on Sunday at the time: 'Ed and Amy are a really good match. They hit it off straight away. Both like to have fun and are career-driven. Theyre enjoying getting to know each other for now.'

The couple went Instagram official just before Valentine's Day in 2022, with Amy penning a sweet note on her social media just in time for the occasion.
Film fans were left in awe on Thursday when Hayley Mills rung in her 78th birthday in style with long-time pal, Gyles Brandreth.

This Morning favourite Gyles Brandreth, 76, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to wish the legendary actress a happy birthday.

In the sweet snap, the pair can be seen dressed to the nines as they beamed for the camera.

Gyles wrote: Happy birthday to my brilliant and beautiful friend: Oscar-winning actress Hayley Mills. (Btw, her autobiography is gripping - highly recommended.)

Fans of the Parent Trap star then rushed to the comment section to give their well wishes and complimented her on her youthful look.

Film fans were left in awe on Thursday after youthful looking Hayley Mills rung in her 78th birthday in style with long-time pal, This Morning star Gyles Brandreth

The British actress has had an incredible career over the years and she rose to fame after starring in 1961 family comedy film The Parent Trap (pictured left, in 1961)

One wrote: 'Wow! Hayley's looking fantastic! A very very happy birthday to you!';

'Wow!! Beautiful xx';

'What a lovely woman she still is! Where does she keep the aging portrait?!'

The day of celebrations comes after Hayley admitted in 2022 that she should have focused more on her children and less on her career.

The former child star offered some sage advice to fellow parents, albeit with the benefit of hindsight: dont neglect your children.

The Oscar-winner has two boys, film-maker Jason Lawson by actor ex Leigh Lawson, and Crispian Mills, the 51-year-old Kula Shaker frontman, whose father was Brighton Rock producer Roy Boulting.

But despite not always being around, Hayley, the daughter of Sir John Mills, is pleased her boys followed in her creative footsteps.

Fans of the Parent Trap star took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to give their well wishes and compliment her on her youthful look

The mother-of-two told Daily Mail: 'If theres ever any doubt about taking a job or spending time with your children  do the latter.

'Looking back now  I didnt. I spent too much time away.

'Theyve survived, and theyre both wonderful men who Im incredibly proud of, but they didnt have an easy time.'

Since the age of 13, Hayley was a Disney child star, making popular family films such as Pollyanna and The Parent Trap.

She has also starred in the ITV1 drama Wild At Heart, as Amanda Holdens mother.

Hayley received her first ever Oscar at the age of 14 for Pollyanna - meanwhile, her father John, who had a long and distinguished career as a movie star, was never awarded one.

The film became so iconic a remake was released in 1961 starring Lindsay Lohan who played both of the twins.

Hayley previously revealed how she secretly battled breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease on her 62nd birthday in April 2008.

The day of celebrations comes after Hayley admitted in 2022 that she should have focused more on her children and less on her career, (pictured in 2019)

The Oscar-winner has two boys, film-maker Jason Lawson by actor ex Leigh Lawson, and Crispian Mills (pictured right), the 51-year-old Kula Shaker frontman, whose father was Brighton Rock producer Roy Boulting

She underwent surgery and chemotherapy, until doctors told her the cancer had gone in 2010. She kept her illness private and only family members knew until years later.

At the time she told the Daily Mail: 'They found cancer in both breasts and I had surgery very quickly. For me it helped to keep the news to myself. Thats the sort of person I am.

'I know people who needed to tell all their friends, but for me it was a private thing and it helped me to get on with life as normally as possible.

'I shared it with very few people. My family and partner were just wonderful right from the beginning. Its so hard for the people close to you to deal with these things.'
Model and fashion icon Karlie Kloss exuded confidence on Thursday as she stepped out to attend a star-studded Carolina Herrera Beauty event in New York City.

The catwalk queen, 31, took the Big Apple by storm as she slipped into a bold red midaxi dress.

The stunning ensemble showcased Karlie's slender figure and boasted a turtleneck design, a fitted silhouette, and a flared skirt.

She added inches to her frame with a pair of red heels and carried her personal belongings in a red clutch.

The beauty beamed as she exited her car and made her way into the exclusive event.

Model and fashion icon Karlie Kloss exuded confidence in a bod red dress on Thursday as she attended the star-studded Carolina Herrera event in New York City

The catwalk queen, 31, took the Big Apple by storm as she slipped into her bright ensemble worn with matching heels

It comes after Karlie was a vision of style as she stepped out with her husband Joshua Kushner, 38, on Wednesday.

The beauty exuded sophistication as she wore an elegant cream blouse and toted her essentials around in a $30k Birkin bag.

She teamed the chic top with a pair of simple black jeans that were cropped at the ankle.

Her feet were slipped into a stylish pair of black loafers while classic sunglasses shielded her eyes.

She exuded confidence as she took a call, her attention placed on her phone as she pressed it against her ear.

The most eye-catching accessory of them all was her luxurious Gold Birkin bag.

Meanwhile, her husband Joshua kept it casual in a navy button down shirt, jeans, and trainers.

Karlie and her husband have been married since 2018 and share two children together: sons Levi, three, and Elijah, who was born in July of last year.

The stunning ensemble showcased Karlie's slender figure and boasted a turtleneck design, a fitted silhouette, and a flared skirt

Oil heiress Ivy Getty, 29, also attended the event in a stylish floral dress

The chic ensemble boasted a flared fit and she teamed the dress with a pair of green diamante encrusted heels

Australian model Bambi Northwood-Blyth, 33, also made a show-stopping entrance in a silver fringe mini dress

Meanwhile, The Handmaid's Tale actress Madeline Brewer, 31, cut an elegant figure in a chocolate brown bodycon dress

Model Lameka Fox also turned heads and put on a leggy display in a bold yellow off-the-shoulder mini dress

Her outing comes several weeks after it was announced that she and her husband will be relaunching Life magazine.

According to Variety, the couple will be bringing the publication back into both print and online distribution through their Bedford Media company.

The iconic magazine stopped being regularly published in 2000, however several special issues have been released since then.

Karlie expressed her excitement about her company's new venture in a statement released last month.

'We see Life as an uplifting and unifying voice in a chaotic media landscape. While Bedford is a new media company, we are deeply inspired by Life's iconic legacy and ability to connect diverse audiences with universal narratives of humanity,' she said.

In a statement, her husband said: 'Life's legacy lies in its ability to blend culture, current events, and everyday life  highlighting the triumphs, challenges, and unique perspectives that define us.'
Vick Hope and Calvin Harris looked happier than ever at a friend's nuptials on The White Isle, on Thursday.

The presenter stunned in canary yellow as she and her husband attended BBC Radio 1 DJ Arielle Free's wedding to George Pritchard in Ibiza, Spain.

Vick looked sensational in her statement gown, which boasted a subtle cowl neck and sexy thigh-high split, while Calvin rocked a navy suit with a light grey T-shirt and white trainers.

The famous couple weren't the only notable faces at the exchanging of vows, with DJ Fat Tony lending his skills on the decks for the afterparty.

Former TOWIE star Jake Hall was also at the wedding, which was held at Cala Gracioneta restaurant overlooking the hidden bay of the same name in San Antonio.

Vick Hope and Calvin Harris looked happier than ever at BBC Radio 1 DJ Arielle Free's wedding to George Pritchard in Ibiza, Spain on Thursday

Arielle previously co-hosted the official Love Island podcast. She joined BBC Radio 1 in 2019. Her husband George is the director of events and talent at Defected Records and Glitterbox

Vick looked sensational in her canary yellow gown while Calvin rocked a navy suit with a light grey T-shirt (Pictured with Dom Barklem, Ami Bennett and DJ Fat Tony)

In a playful video shared to Instagram, DJ Fat Tony showed Calvin pretending to kick off after requesting a song be played, with the superstar showing off his funny side and his acting skills in the clip.

Calvin and radio host Vick tied the knot in a lavish Glastonbury-themed wedding in September last year.

After their wedding, the couple jetted off to Brindisi in Italy on a 25million private jet for their romantic honeymoon.

Calvin and Vick were joined by their family and friends in an outdoor ceremony at Hulne Priory in Alnwick, Northumberland, before partying into the early hours.

The pair have been dating since January 2022, according to reports, and went public with their relationship at the Chelsea Flower Show in May that year.

Calvin then proposed to Vick with a huge diamond ring underneath a tree at his 138 acre Ibiza farm, Terra Masia, the same month.

While Vick said she is keeping the details of her engagement private, she said it was a 'very special moment' and that 'it was... perfect.'

She also revealed their love story actually goes all the way back to the early noughties when they first met when she was 19.

Vick said Calvin first made a move on her when he was enjoying his first flush of success with his hit Acceptable In The 80s back in 2007 - but she turned him down at the time.

Vick and Calvin (pictured top right) got involved in the party action at the celebrations

The famous couple weren't the only notable faces at the exchanging of vows, with DJ Fat Tony lending his skills on the decks for the afterparty

In a playful video shared to Instagram, DJ Fat Tony showed Calvin pretending to kick off after requesting a song be played

Popular DJ Fat Tony kept the party going following the nuptials

Former TOWIE star Jake Hall was also at the wedding

Arielle and George tied the knot at Cala Gracioneta restaurant overlooking the hidden bay of the same name in San Antonio

The happy couple were showered with colourful red and yellow rose petals

She told You Magazine of the twist of fate, saying: 'It's something that we laughed about on our first proper date. We still laugh about it now'.

Calvin went on to become one of the highest paid disk jockeys/producers, racking up an estimated 200-plus million fortune, with Vick previously admitting she was 'shallow' and had no idea he would turn into 'an Adonis'.

The happy couple split their time between Calvin's Ibiza farm and their London pad, and while Vick often follows her husband around the world for his DJ work, she admits she loves their 'peaceful' London life.

DJ Arielle co-hosted the official Love Island podcast Love Island: The Morning After from 2018 until 2023. She joined BBC Radio 1 in 2019.

Her new husband George is the director of events and talent at Defected Records and Glitterbox Ibiza.

The couple got engaged in Paris in November 2022 after they began dating in 2020, with Arielle sharing the news to Instagram with a snap of them together with the ring.

She wrote: 'Does this mean we have to grow up now @georgewpritchard ??? I love you, you mentalist. No one Id rather spend my life with, my wee ride or die.'

Arielle and George got engaged in Paris in November 2022 after they began dating in 2020, with Arielle sharing the news to Instagram with a snap of them together with the ring

Back in February, Arielle quit her early morning show on BBC Radio 1 and moving forwards will be on air only once a week.

The host, who previously presented Early Breakfast 5am until 7am Monday to Thursday, will remain at Radio 1 to host a new Dance Show on Thursdays from 8pm at the end of April.

Who is Arielle Free? Scottish DJ Arielle, 36, famously co-hosted the official Love Island podcast Love Island: The Morning After since 2018. She joined BBC Radio 1 in 2019 to host the early weekend breakfast slot and tours the world as a celebrated Electronic house DJ. She now hosts Monday to Thursday earlies and is the voice of Radio 1's Dance live stream and can be heard on the stage 35 hours a week. In January 2022, she released the single Soul Full that she produced with Bristol music duo Mortimer. The song features vocals by Joe Killington Advertisement

Arielle was suspended from her early breakfast show for a week in July after fellow radio host Charlie Hedges was forced to tell her to put down the mic, 'have some respect' and get out of her DJ booth.

All had seemed well at first when Arielle came on the show and said to Charlie: 'Hi, yeah I sound great don't I? as Charlie laughed, because Arielle was losing her voice.

'You've sounded better,' Charlie responded. 'But it's OK.'

Seeming out of sorts, Arielle insisted: 'Well this is what happened. You play on Friday and you play on Saturday and then your voice just goes.'

She then suddenly added: 'Can I be honest with you Charlie?... I expected better of you... ' with Charlie interjecting: 'What? To sound better, like you?'

Arielle said back: 'I don't like this song,' referring to Charlie's song choice of HorsegiirL's My Barn, My Rules.

Charlie replied: 'Oh really?' to which Arielle responded: 'I hate it!...[Interrupting further]. I'm sorrrryy.'

In that moment, an outraged Charlie said: 'Sorry I'm taking your mic down, it's my show Arielle, have some respect please. See you later.

'Get out of here,' ordering her out of the DJ booth.

A spokesman for Radio 1 told MailOnline: 'Whilst we would not comment on individual matters, we have strict codes of behaviour for staff and presenters, and any breaches are taken extremely seriously.'
Angus Cloud's final performance has sparked flurry of tributes from fans, as it hit cinemas eight months after his tragic death.

The Euphoria star was found dead in his home in July at the age of 25, following an 'accidental drug overdose.'

Just two weeks before his death, Angus had been filming scenes for the vampire horror film Abigail, but production was suspended due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.

All of Angus's scenes were filmed before production was shut down and the 'incredibly gory' film has since been dubbed the 'best horror of 2024'.

Abigail sees a group of would-be criminals kidnap the 12-year-old daughter of an influential underworld figure.

Angus Cloud's final performance has sparked flurry of tributes from fans, as it hit cinemas eight months after his tragic death

The Euphoria star was found unresponsive in his family home in Oakland, California, on July 31, and pronounced dead after an 'accidental overdose'

Holding her for ransom in an isolated mansion, their plan starts to unravel when they discover their young captive is actually a bloodthirsty vampire.

And while fans were quick to praise Angus's performance, some admitted they were visibly moved to see him on screen in the film following his death.

Flocking to X, formerly known as Twitter, viewers said while his character was fun to watch, they were ultimately saddened by his passing.

Posts included: 'RIP to Angus Cloud because his role in #Abigailwas so fun to watch and it just made me sad we lost someone who seemed so genuine and true to himself, and destined to be greater than he already was;'

'The dedication to Angus cloud at the end of the movie #abigail [crying emoji]'

'Angus Cloud, may you continue to rest in peace. (His performance in #Abigail was delightful.)'

'So proud of Angus Cloud in Abigail;'

'Angus Cloud Tribute had me tearing.'

All of Angus's scenes, where he played the role of Dean, were filmed before production was due to the SAG-AFTRA strik, and Abigail has since been dubbed the 'best horror of 2024'

Abigail sees a group of would-be criminals kidnap the 12-year-old daughter of an influential underworld figure

Holding her for ransom in an isolated mansion, their plan starts to unravel when they discover their young captive is actually a bloodthirsty vampire

And while fans were quick to praise Angus's performance, some admitted they were visibly moved to see him on screen in the film following his death

Many fans took to social media to pay tribute to Angus after watching his final film role

And while many viewers were left feeling emotional when reminded of the star's passing, fans still dubbed the film one of the best of 2024.

They posted: 'Abigail is an explosively gory good time. Perfect casting, actually funny and all practical effects. This one ramps up more and more throughout and it's so so satisfying. A new entry to my best horror of 2024;'

'Abigail captivates audiences with its intense and gripping storyline. The director skilfully crafts tension and suspense throughout the film, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as the plot unfolds;'

'An absolutely insane, bloody, campy, gore filled fun fest. Probably the best time at the movies this entire year;'

Angus stars in the new hit, alongside a star-studded cast including Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, Dan Stevens and Alisha Weir.

Since the star's passing, many members of the cast have been vocal about the star and his infectious personality on set.

Dan, who played Acteur in the film, admitted that he has never met any like Angus and saw him as a little brother.

He said: 'Angus was incredible, he was so unique and I've never met anyone like him. He was like all of our little brothers on set, and we loved him very much, and we miss him very much.

'I love that this film has a tribute to him at the end, and he would have loved this; he would've laughed his arse off,' the actor said.

Dublin-born actress Alisha, who played Abigail, added: 'Every single cast member was so incredible, and Angus brought so much joy to the set.

'Every single day he would make everybody smile and I'm so so honoured and so grateful, not just to have worked with him, but to have known such a beautiful person who is so amazing and beautiful inside and out.

'He shared that with every single person on the cast.'

The horror film was directed by Scream 6's Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who spoke to Variety to share their memories of making the film with Angus.

Director Tyler revealed that working with Angus was a fun affair and he was actually shocked to work with an actor who forces other cast members to pay attention.

Tyler told the publication: 'It was just so evident how much fun he was having. I don't think we've ever worked with somebody that forces the other actors in the scene to pay attention.'

He continued: 'There's not a false moment in anything that he does. He kind of gave everyone permission to be a little weird and take some swings that maybe they wouldn't have otherwise, just because of how natural and charismatic he is in a scene.'

After the cast and crew returned to work following the end of the strikes, Matt added: 'Everybody involved really wanted to make sure that we finished the movie strong and did Angus justice. We felt a responsibility.'

Angus died from an 'accidental overdose' of cocaine, meth and fentanyl. He was found unresponsive in his family home and was pronounced dead on the scene by responders

Sharing more behind-the-scenes details about Angus' impact on the film, Matt revealed that Angus personally chose the song his character sings along to in one particular scene.

'He was like, 'I can't believe we're getting this song in a f*****g movie!'' he said. 'To everybody's credit involved, it was just never on the table to cut it. It was like, 'No, that meant a lot to Angus. Let's let that be a part of the movie.''

Matt confirmed that all scenes of Angus included in the film are the ones that he filmed. There is no CGI or digital recreations involved when it comes to Angus' scenes.

'Every single thing of Angus is Angus in the movie,' he said. 'There's not even an ADR line off-camera that we needed for story. It's all Angus.'

Angus died from an 'accidental overdose' of cocaine, meth and fentanyl.

He was found unresponsive in his family home and was pronounced dead at the scene by responders.

Alameda County Coroner's office said: 'Angus Cloud died from a lethal combination of fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and more, in what is ruled as an accidental overdose.

'Angus suffered from acute intoxication from the combination of drugs, which also included benzodiazepine.'

A week before his death, he had traveled to Ireland to bury his father, who died in May after a 'brief battle with cancer'.

Conor Hickey died on May 18, 2023, aged 65, leaving the actor 'struggling with grief'.

His family initially suggested that the actor may have committed suicide, before clarifying that it was 'abundantly clear that he did not intend to check out of this world.'

Angus's mother, Lisa, called 911 and said he had suffered a 'possible overdose', telling authorities that he didn't have a pulse.

Law enforcement sources say Angus did not leave behind a note before his death, according to TMZ.

His mother posted an emotional tribute to her son, who played Fezco O'Neill on the HBO show, saying: 'Friends, I want you all to know I appreciate your love for my family at this shattered time.

'I also want you to know that although my son was in deep grief about his father's untimely death from mesothelioma, his last day was a joyful one.'

The star reportedly 'reorganised' his room shortly before his death, with his mother adding that he mentioned wanting to help family members with college.

'I don't know if or what he may have put in his body,' she said. 'I only know that he put his head on the desk where he was working on art projects, fell asleep and didn't wake up.

'We may find out that he overdosed accidentally and tragically, but it's abundantly clear that he did not intend to check out of this world.'

'Social media posts have suggested his death was intentional. I want you to know that is not the case. To honor his memory, please make random acts of kindness part of your daily life.'

Lisa and Conor shared three children, their eldest Angus, followed by twin daughters Molly and Fiona Hickey.

Angus had paid tribute to his late father on Instagram in one of his final social media posts just two weeks before his tragic death.

He shared a touching image of his smiling father in a red hoodie and red sweats, stating in the caption, 'miss u breh.'

Tributes quickly flooded in for the actor from Euphoria producers, castmates and fellow actors.

HBO said in a statement: 'We are incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Angus Cloud.

'He was immensely talented and a beloved part of the HBO and Euphoria family.

'We extend our deepest condolences to his friends and family during this difficult time.'

Angus was one of the breakout stars of Euphoria, appearing in both series of the Sam Levinson-directed drama alongside Zendaya, Sydney Sweeney and Jacob Elordi.

He was most often in scenes alongside his partner in crime Ashtray, played by Javon Walton.

Angus was discovered by Euphoria casting director Jennifer Venditti while working as a waiter in Brooklyn, which lead to him making his acting debut on the HBO series as the drug dealer Fezco.

He would go on to star in movies such as North Hollywood with Vince Vaughn and Miranda Cosgrove and The Line with Alex Wolff and Halle Bailey, with three more films either filming or in post-production.
The arrival of a beautiful new colleague has all the potential to leave even the most secure of women feeling discombobulated.

So one might imagine that This Morning's Josie Gibson has been rather jittery since Cat Deeley arrived to replace Holly Willoughby as the show's main presenter last month.

But while the long-limbed Brummie glamazon has certainly won over both viewers and her new bosses at ITV, I can reveal that down-to-earth Josie - who helped keep the ship steady after the torturous Phillip Schofield debacle left the show's bigwigs agonising over which presenters to hire to replace him and Willoughby - is now the new darling of ITV.

I've been told they are searching for a big new additional role for her.

Josie Gibson set tongues wagging last weekend when she was caught holding hands with fellow television star Stephen Mulhern

Josie was born and bred in Bristol and attended Brimsham Green School in nearby Yate, where she still lives

So captivated are they by the bubbly blonde, who now is the holiday cover presenter for the flagship show, ITV's director of television Kevin Lygo's daughter is one of her agents. I'm told: 'Kevin wants to look after Josie, he's a huge fan.'

The secret to Josie's star power, however, was refined not during years of grind in backroom TV jobs or studying broadcast media - but, endearingly, in her first job in a Bristol call centre.

Those who know her tell me that Josie's down-to-earth demeanour, which makes the network's millions of viewers so comfortable with her, was honed during her first job as a call centre operative at insurance firm AXA's headquarters in her home city.

It was a role which required Josie - who was born and bred in Bristol and attended Brimsham Green School in nearby Yate, a town where she still lives - to process health insurance claims, with shifts beginning at 7am and finishing as late as 11pm.

It is an unlikely place to start out, but those who knew her at the time say Josie was 'a right hoot' when she began working there aged 19.

As giggly then as she is today, one former colleague recalls how she was always the one who was leading the charge to socialise.

'Josie was a right laugh, she was fun and really lovely,' says a former colleague.

Josie Gibson, on This Morning with co-presenter Dermot O'Leary, is now the new darling of ITV

One might imagine that This Morning's Josie Gibson has been rather jittery since Cat Deeley arrived to replace Holly Willoughby as the show's main presenter last month

Josie became an ambassador for Curvissa clothing and began a career in showbusiness journalism

She arrived at the Big Brother house back in 2010, much to the surprise of her call centre colleagues

I'm A Celeb viewers watched her pine for son Reggie while she was in the jungle for three weeks, before she eventually finished the show in fourth place

'She was at the centre of everything and would always be up for socialising. There would be work nights out where things would get boozy.

'She was hard-working but she knew how to enjoy herself. But we never saw her achieving what she has today. It is amazing.

'She didn't even seem like she wanted to be particularly famous back then.'

And, perhaps ironically given how her life mapped out, Josie, now 39, would while her lunch hour away by clicking on MailOnline where she would read the latest celebrity gossip in depth  and then spend the afternoon discussing it with colleagues.

'We would all sit there reading the sidebar,' says Josie's friend. 'Then we would all have a right gossip, she loved it.'

All that bouncy fun was well on show when Josie arrived at the Big Brother house back in 2010, much to the surprise of her call centre colleagues. Crowned series winner with an unprecedented 77 per cent of the public vote, the public instantly took to her.

But while many BB winners have tried to make it after their spot in the limelight, few have managed to carve out a solid career.

After working as a roving reporter and competition announcer on This Morning, she got her big break covering Holly Willoughby some two and a half years ago.

Despite her riches  including a 100,000 pay check from ITV when she starred on I'm A Celeb last winter  she has vowed never to leave Bristol.

Cat Deeley has won over both viewers and her new bosses at ITV since she joined This Morning full-time

It's not the usual behaviour of most television stars, particularly one who has enjoyed such a successful year.

But insiders say the fact that Josie is open and 'ordinary' means ITV bosses 'adore her' - as well as the fact that she helped the show in its worst hour.

Last July she was tasked with the biggest challenge in This Morning's 35-year history - to replace the scandal-hit Phillip Schofield and sit alongside Holly as co-presenter.

No easy task, considering her appearance followed Schofield quitting the channel after he admitted having an affair with a much younger colleague from the programme. Then, following Holly's departure last October, Josie stepped in to cover her while the show's other stand-in host, Alison Hammond, was in pantomime.

Fans grew to love Josie even more, and many  including some ITV bosses  wanted her to get the gig full time.

Some fans even now refuse to watch the show because Cat got the job.

For Josie though, it was a dream she knew she was never going to achieve  even though, arguably, she deserved it.

At first, Josie capitalised on her Big Brother popularity by selling themed merchandise, including a perfume named Josie. She also sold hoodies and tops, became an ambassador for Curvissa clothing and began a career in showbusiness journalism.

In 2011, she featured on the Channel 5 show OK! TV as a reporter and presenter before the show was cancelled at the end of the same year. A year later, she became a columnist for celebrity magazine Now.

She has since been open about her struggles with her weight and has lost six stone since finding fame - something which has appealed to This Morning's female audience.

Other TV roles saw her on ITV's Loose Women, as well as her own reality shows like There's Something About Josie.

Despite her professional success, personal happiness still seems to elude her. She did set tongues wagging last weekend when she was caught holding hands with fellow television star Stephen Mulhern, 47, following the finale of Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway in which they both starred.

Rumours of a romance followed and when subsequently asked about their relationship status, Josie told MailOnline: 'I'm in love with Stephen Mulhern. There you go. But story of my life, I don't think he loves me.'

Her fans promptly took to social media, hoping that somehow love would come good for Josie. Indeed, those who watch Josie on TV are desperate to see her settle down.

One ITV insider who monitors social media posts relating to onscreen talent tells me: 'You will see loads of people willing to see Josie find love.

'Those watching at home feel like she is one of their friends and get particularly invested with her happiness. It's lovely.'

For all her sweet nature, the truth is that Josie has not had much success when it comes to romance.

While in the Big Brother house she fell for her Aussie housemate, John James. The pair hit it off on the show and dated for just under a year afterwards. Josie was heartbroken when their relationship ended.

Her next beau was plumber Luke Sanwo. He popped the question in 2012, just six months after meeting, but the pair decided to go their separate ways in April 2015.

Next up was property developer and family friend Terry (whose surname has never been disclosed). They began dating in 2017 after knowing each other for two decades. The couple then welcomed a little boy, Reggie, who was born in September 2018, but just five months later it was announced that they had split.

Last August, Josie opened up about her current relationship status, insisting: 'I'm still single. I couldn't pull a cracker.'

Shortly afterwards, though, she prompted much excitement amongst her followers after admitting she was in the early stages of a romance, saying: 'There is someone in my life at the moment but it's early stages... I've said I love you.

'It's best to just get it out of the way, I don't like playing games.'

Fans were convinced that she was dating cameraman Sam Morter after she shared a picture of them holding hands while on a job in Paris, but she later said they were just friends.

Clearing up the speculation, she later said: 'I am not in a relationship, neither am I in love with cameraman Sam. I am not with Sam Morter... I love Sam Morter, he is my work colleague, I'm like his older sister. I'm like his auntie. That's as far as it goes.'

For now, Josie has one priority: her son, Reggie. I'm A Celeb viewers watched her pine for him while she was in the jungle for three weeks, before she eventually finished the show in fourth place.

One friend tells me: 'Josie loves work but she loves Reggie more. She always says that he's the only man for her.'

As for what's next for her career, ITV insiders say it's something big.

'Josie is a ratings driver. She can't believe her success. To her it is mad, especially when you look at how she started her working life in a call centre.

'Now, she loves reading about herself on MailOnline.'

And if there was ever a measure of how far she has come, that's it.
Sydney Sweeney hit back at claims she's a 'dumb blonde' in resurfaced interview after Hollywood producer Carol Baum said she 'is not pretty and she can't act.'

Carol sparked outrage when she took aim at the actress, 26 - which she has since backtracked on - while speaking to New York Times film critic Janet Maslin in front of a live audience last week.

DailyMail.com then exclusively revealed that she had accused Sydney of not being able to act while branding her film Anyone But You 'unwatchable.'

In a resurfaced interview with Glamour magazine for the publication's Unfiltered sereis, the Euphoria star details 'the biggest misconception' about herself.

'The biggest misconception about me is that I'm just a dumb blond with big t*ts," she laughed.

Sydney Sweeney, 26, hit back at claims she's a 'dumb blonde' in resurfaced interview after Hollywood producer Carol Baum claimed she 'is not pretty and she can't act'

Carol sparked outrage when she took aim at the actress, 26 - which she has since backtracked on - while speaking to New York Times film critic Janet Maslin in front of a live audience

Sydney then quipped: 'I'm naturally brunette.'

'I'm very different to a lot of the characters I play, or the version you see of me on red carpets or in interviews because I'm still made up. Like, this is still the work version of me.'

After facing backlash, Hollywood producer Carol has admitted she regrets publicly slanging Sydney after feeling the wrath from the actress' diehard fans.

The American star was defended by fans who were quick to accuse Baum of jealousy and said she was an example of 'internal misogyny.'

Now, Baum has confessed she wishes she'd never made the remarks, telling TMZ that 'c***ping on an actor like that in public usually isn't her style.'

Baum went on to reveal that she's been inundated with hate mail in the aftermath.

Simultaneously, Sweeney broke her silence on the debacle to lambast Baum for attacking another woman in the industry.

'How sad that a woman in the position to share her expertise and experience chooses instead to attack another woman,' a representative for Sweeney told DailyMail.com.

In a resurfaced interview with Glamour magazine for the publication's Unfiltered sereis, the Euphoria star details 'the biggest misconception' about herself

'The biggest misconception about me is that I'm just a dumb blond with big t*ts," she laughed, before adding, 'I'm naturally brunette'

'If that's what she's learned in her decades in the industry and feels is appropriate to teach to her students, that's shameful.

'To unjustly disparage a fellow female producer speaks volumes about Ms Baum's character.'

Baum was speaking with Maslin before an audience of fans when she made the comments following a screening of her 1988 film Dead Ringers starring Jeremy Irons.

'She's not pretty, she can't act,' said Baum, whose films include Father of the Bride and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

'There's an actress who everybody loves now  Sydney Sweeney. I don't get Sydney Sweeney.'

Addressing her romcom Anything But You, in which she stars alongside Glen Powell, Baum continued: 'I was watching on the plane Sydney Sweeney's movie because I wanted to watch it.

'I wanted to know who she is and why everybody's talking about her. I watched this unwatchable movie  sorry to people who love this movie  [this] romantic comedy where they hate each other.'

Referencing the producing class she teaches at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Baum added: 'I said to my class, 'Explain this girl to me. She's not pretty, she can't act. Why is she so hot?''

Sweeney, who starred alongside Glen Powell in Anyone But You (pictured) simultaneously, Sweeney broke her silence on the debacle to lambast Baum and brand her 'shameful'

How sad that a woman in the position to share her expertise and experience chooses instead to attack another woman, a representative for Sweeney told DailyMail.com

'Nobody had an answer but then the question was asked, 'Well if you could get your movie made because she was in it, would you do it?'

'I said, 'Well that's a really good question...that's a very hard question to answer because we all want to get the movie made and who walks away from a green light? Nobody I know. Your job is to get the movie made.'

Baum has produced 34 films starring the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Michael Douglas and Dolly Parton and last year published a book entitled Creative Producing.

Fans leapt to Sweeney's defense in the wake of Baum's incendiary comments, with one posting on X: 'Some lady said Sydney Sweeney 'wasn't pretty' and if she wants to fight me I'll meet her anywhere she wants.'

Another added: 'God give me the confidence of top Hollywood producer Carol Baum who said this of Sydney Sweeney '[she's] not pretty and she can't act'. Judge for yourself.'

'Just accept Sydney is all that,' wrote a third. 'And you are bitter [and] probably irrelevant.'

Sweeney as Cassie in provocative HBO series Euphoria, which won her an Emmy nomination

Sweeney's fans leapt to her defence in the wake of Baum's comments, with some accusing her of 'jealousy'

Sweeney, who rose to fame in HBO's Euphoria, has become one of Hollywood's hottest prospects, starring in three films in the past six months: Anyone But You, Madame Web and Immaculate.

An article by DailyMail.com last week described how the all-American blue-eyed blonde has become a cultural phenomenon, her unashamed sexuality embraced by America's conservative Right as proof that woke culture is dying, if not already dead.

Hailed by Republicans as the poster girl of a long overdue cultural shift away from political correctness, an incredulous headline in one of Canada's biggest newspapers, the National Post, asked: 'Are Sydney Sweeney's breasts double-D harbingers of the death of woke?'

Sweeney produces her own films and is tipped to star in Marvel blockbuster Spider-Woman as well as being poised to remake Jane Fonda's brazenly libidinous 1968 sci-fi action movie Barbarella.
Alison Hammond wowed This Morning viewers on Friday with her secret piano talent when she opened the ITV programme with a song.

The presenter, 49, and her co-host Dermot O'Leary, 50, often kick off their end of the week show's with a musical number but this week's instalment came as a surprise.

Perched at a grand piano, Alison played a beautiful tune while Dermot, chimed: 'Welcome to the show today!'

In honour of French pianist, Richard Clayderman, who later closed out the programme, she showed off her hidden talent.

Joking that Alison's song was called 'Le ode de Birmingham,' Dermot temporarily broke her concentration as she burst out laughing.

Alison Hammond wowed This Morning viewers on Friday with her secret piano talent when she opened the ITV programme with a song

The presenter, 49, and her co-host Dermot O'Leary, 50, often kick off their end of the week show's with a musical number but this week's instalment came as a surprise

That was an absolute tonic for me. Can you learn a different composition every week and play it for us? he admitted while Alison added that it was the only song she knew.

Fans at home were equally impressed as they shared praise on social media: 'Theres something utterly beautiful about the piano that was was beautiful'; 'Shes brilliant'; 'This is just beautiful I could cry.'

'Well done Alison I listen to Richard Clayderman to go to sleep every night. I have a pillow speaker and set my phone to turn off the music after a certain time'; 'ALISON HAMMOND, you were brilliant !!!!!! I watched it four times!!'; 'Lovely to hear Alison performing her rendition of 'au de Birmingham'

'Wow Alison such beautiful playing. Love it. You and Dermot are brilliant.'; 'Dermot singing love it Alison so talented.'

Later in the show Richard joined the hosts to discuss his return to the UK for the first time in 25 years, before performing himself.

Meanwhile, Alison is said to have a new lease of life after finding love with Russian masseur David Putman who is 20 years her junior.

The This Morning host is reportedly dating the hunky 6ft 10in model, and the surprising way the couple met has now been revealed with their relationship blossoming from the moment Alison booked David for a 150 massage.

According to The Sun, Alison was a client of the professional masseur and it was during a session that the pair first hit it off, with the presenter visiting David in between her busy filming schedule.

In honour of French pianist, Richard Clayderman, who later closed out the programme, she showed off her hidden talent

That was an absolute tonic for me. Can you learn a different composition every week and play it for us? Dermot admitted while Alison added that it was the only song she knew

Later in the show Richard joined the hosts to discuss his return to the UK for the first time in 25 years, before performing himself

Fans at home were equally impressed as they shared praise on social media: 'Theres something utterly beautiful about the piano that was was beautiful'

Their friendship then reportedly turned romantic at the end of last year, despite the 23 year age gap between the pair.

Originally from Krasnodar in Russia, David left the country for the UK in December 2022 to escape the front line following President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

A friend of David told the publication: 'When the war in Ukraine began David's mother Olga began to worry. She didn't want her boys dragged into it. She wanted them safe like any mother would.'

David therefore moved to the UK, where he now lives with his uncle Nigel Putman, 71, in Slough, but he spends a lot of time in London for work.

The friend explained that David was able to avoid being drafted into the Russian army as his father, also called David, is originally from Slough himself, therefore the young masseur already had British citizenship.

David's father is reportedly a retired welder and panel beater who moved to Russia in the late 1990s after marrying Russian architect Olga Kovalenko following a divorce from his first wife.

David also two brother, twins Apollo and Sviatoslov, who are three years older than him and were born in England.

MailOnline have contacted Alison's representatives for comment.

Alison recently shared snaps of her and David together on social media including one where they cosied up together with their arms wrapped around each other on a country walk.

David is thought to be around 20 years younger than Alison, 49, and she is said to be 'happier than ever' with her new partner following a 'turbulent love life'.

David's pal also emphasised that the age gap between the pair is not a concern at all and he won't be phased at all by her career in the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Alison is said to have a new lease of life after finding love with Russian masseur David Putman who is 20 years her junior

The This Morning host is reportedly dating the hunky 6ft 10in model and the pair's relationship blossomed from the moment Alison booked David for a 150 massage, according to The Sun

Originally from Krasnodar in Russia, David left the country for the UK in December 2022 to escape the front line following President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine

A friend of David's told the publication that David was able to avoid being drafted into the Russian army as his father, also called David, is originally from Slough himself, therefore the young masseur already had British citizenship

David is thought to be around 20 years younger than Alison, 49, and she is said to be 'happier than ever' with her new partner following a 'turbulent love life' (pictured together)

They explained: 'David is a very quiet, unassuming and thoughtful person who likes to play the guitar. He's the strong, silent type, not a pushover, but not chatty like Alison.

'In that sense they're perfect for each other and to David age is just a number. He's not bothered by fame, he probably didn't even know who Alison was when they first met.'

The Sun also reportedly spoke to David himself, but he wouldn't yet speak about his reasons for leaving Russia or relationship with Alison.

Alison hinted at their growing relationship back in November when she liked David's post documenting a recent trip to Dublin.

A source told The Sun: 'Alison has never been happier. She has had a turbulent love-life, but is finally confident she has found a trusted companion.'
Farmer Wants A Wife fans have become convinced that Farmer Joe Bobbin has a celebrity lookalike.

The 2024 series of the Channel 7 dating show kicked off last weekend and former Canberra Raiders junior Joe, 33, is among the farmers looking for love.

But viewers have been left distracted by one key detail as they couldn't help but take to social media to comment on who they think his celebrity lookalike is.

After Joe showed off his muscular frame while going shirtless on a boating date, fans were quick to compare him to none other than Wolverine actor Hugh Jackman.

They wrote: 'He reminds me of Hugh Jackman  Wolverine style'; 'Looks like a young Hugh Jackman!'; Don't you think he looks a bit like Hugh Jackman, I thought that straight away!'

Farmer Wants A Wife fans have become convinced that Farmer Joe Bobbin (left) has a celebrity lookalike as they compared him to a young Hugh Jackman (right)

After Joe showed off his muscular frame while going shirtless on a boating date, fans were quick to compare him to the Wolverine actor

'Gives young Hugh Jackman vibes'; 'Is it just me or does anyone else see @thehughjackman here??'

Farmer Joe himself has even admitted he has been compared to the muscular Aussie Hollywood legend before.

He told Yahoo! Lifestyle: 'I've had that before actually. I've quite often gone to fancy dresses as Wolverine so it's come in before.'

Viewers were introduced to Joe and his fellow farmers Tom, Bert, Dustin and Dean during Sunday night's premiere, hosted by Samantha Armytage.

Farmer Joe (left) himself has even admitted he has been compared to the muscular Aussie Hollywood legend (right) before

The five farmers are all looking for love on the popular dating show, but it was recently revealed that a roster of eight bachelors were originally considered.

A source told New Idea this is the 'typical format of the show', with more farmers announced in pre-production than the number that ultimately goes to air.

One of the dumped bachelors, South Australian cattle and crop farmer Zac, opened up about being dropped from the show to Greater SA last month, saying 'some things just aren't meant to be'.

Viewers were introduced to Joe and his fellow farmers Tom, Bert, Dustin and Dean during Sunday night's premiere, hosted by Samantha Armytage

However, Zac, 28, also said he remains hopeful he will find his match some other way.

The other farmers snubbed by the 2024 edition included Nick, 22, also from South Australia, and cattle rancher Todd, 33, from Baan Baa, New South Wales.

Set across farms in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, the 14th season of the hit reality show features five young farmers looking for love.
Justin Hemmes knows hospitality.

As the CEO of Merivale, he heads up a range of extremely successful bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants around the country.

The billionaire's latest venture is the super trendy Good Luck Restaurant Lounge in Sydney's CBD.

Offering a fusion of Italian and Japanese food, Justin admits that the cuisine is hard to define.

'It's a sensory delight. I really want the guest to experience because I can't do it justice,' he tells the Daily Telegraph.

Justin Hemmes (pictured) knows hospitality. As the CEO of Merivale, he heads up a range of extremely successful bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants around the country

'And ultimately it's up for the guest to decide. We aren't pigeonholing ourselves with this venue'.

The eatery sits in the historic Burns Philp & Co building and is headed up by executive chef Mike Eggert.

The restauranteur, 51, is dating his model girlfriend Madeleine Holtznagel, 27.

Madeline and Justin quietly began seeing each other in 2019, a year after he made his debut on the Financial Review Rich List with an estimated net worth of $951million.

The billionaire's latest venture is trendy Good Luck Restaurant Lounge in Sydney's CBD. Offering a fusion of Italian and Japanese food, Justin admits the cuisine is hard to define

Last June, Madeline teased her Instagram followers by wearing a ring on her wedding finger.

A picture showed her sporting the jewellery as she cuddled up to Justin as they enjoyed a bowl of Udon noodles together at a restaurant in Japan.

But the bling appeared to be a turquoise dress ring, and another photograph showed her wearing a different ring on the same finger as she posed for a selfie.

Earlier this year, Madeleine celebrated her 27th birthday party with a lavish bash at Justin's sprawling Vaucluse estate.

Justin shares daughters Alexa, six, and Saachi, five, who he shares with his model ex Kate Fowler.
S Club have brought their Nineties energy to life once again during their The Good Times reunion tour, but have come under fire from cruel trolls mocking their dance performance.

The band - consisting of Rachel Stevens, 46, Tina Barrett, 47, Jon Lee, 41, Bradley McIntosh, 42 and Jo O'Meara, 44, kicked off the eagerly-anticipated tour in October.

They have been performing without Hannah Spearritt, 43- who quit the group last year following the death of their beloved bandmate Paul Cattermole.

Bringing a lively energy on stage, the pop group have replicated most of their old dance routines to some iconic tunes to bring some nostalgia.

Yet, not everyone has been impressed with cruel trolls took to Instagram criticising their 'outdated' performances.

S Club have brought their Nineties energy to life once again during their The Good Times reunion tour, but have come under fire from cruel trolls mocking their dance performance (Rachel Stevens pictured)

They have been performing without Hannah Spearritt , 43- who quit the group last year following the death of their beloved bandmate Paul Cattermole (Bradley McIntosh pictured)

(L-R) Tina Barrett, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, Jo O'Meara and Rachel Stevens kicked off the eagerly-anticipated tour in October (pictured in December)

A fan in attendance shared a clip from the live gig showing the band dressed in different colour suits - leading some nasty trolls to compare them to Power Rangers costumes.

Trolls penned: 'Looks like most of them stopped movin to the funky beat'; 'It's like going to an over 55's exercise class'; 'Hahaha. They look knackered....';

'Is this a joke?,' asked one, while another said: 'They old and tired,' accompanied with a laughing emoji.

'Power Rangers Tour?,' asked one joking as another commented: 'Looks like the teletubbies.'

But some loyal fans run into the band's defence, praising their vibrant performances for letting them have 'the best time'.

'Saw them last week in NYC and it was truly the best!!!,' said one person.

'Getting paid to do something you love whilst bringing joy to others, I see nothing wrong with this whatsoever'; 'It was so epic. Most fun Ive had in years honestly'.

S Club 7 was formed in 1998 and the band had a string of huge hits between 1999 and 2003.

But some less than impressed fans took to Instagram criticising the group's 'outdated' performances (Jon pictured)

A fan in attendance shared a clip from the live gig showing the band dressed in different colour suits - leading some nasty trolls to compare them to Power Rangers costumes (Tina pictured)

But some loyal fans run into the band's defence, praising their vibrant performances for letting them have 'the best time'

They had four number one singles including Don't Stop Movin' and Never Had A Dream Come True.

Band member Paul tragically passed away on April 6, 2023 aged 46 - just two months after he and the band announced they were due to go on the reunion tour.

Rachel has recently spoke about how touring with the group has been 'cathartic' following Paul's death.

Paul died suddenly of natural causes, before it was later revealed he'd passed away due to heart issues. There was no inquest into his death.

His body was discovered in his ground floor flat in Wareham, Dorset, devastating his bandmates and fans.

Paul, who made a living as a tarot card reader after quitting the group in 2002, was said to have been in 'good spirits' when he was seen at a park close to his home days earlier.

A spokeswoman for Dorset Coroner's Office said: 'We confirm that Mr Cattermole died from natural causes and our investigations have concluded. As his death was from natural causes there will be no inquest.'

His ex-girlfriend and fellow S Club 7 star Hannah was said to be 'in bits' after she was told the news.

They have been performing without Hannah Spearritt , 43 (pictured) who quit the group last year following the death of their beloved bandmate Paul Cattermole

Paul tragically passed away on April , 2023 aged 46 - just two months after he and the band announced they were due to go on the reunion tour (pictured in 2018)

Rachel recently spoke about how touring with the group has been 'cathartic' following Paul's death (pictured on tour in Toronto in February)

Following his death, the band rebranded as S Club as Hannah pulled out of the tour a month later.

His family and S Club released a joint statement announcing his sad passing.

They said: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son and brother Paul Cattermole.

'Paul was found yesterday, 6th April 2023 at his home in Dorset and was pronounced dead later that afternoon.

'While the cause of death is currently unknown, Dorset Police has confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances.

'Paul's family, friends and fellow members of S Club request privacy at this time.'

At the time the band paid tribute to Paul on social media.

Writing alongside a black and white photograph of him in the band's heyday, they said: 'We are truly devastated by the passing of our brother Paul. There are no words to describe the deep sadness and loss we all feel. We were so lucky to have had him in our lives and are thankful for the amazing memories we have.

S Club 7 was formed in 1998 and the band had a string of huge hits between 1999 and 2003 (pictured in 1999)

'He will be so deeply missed by each and every one of us.'

After quitting S Club 7 in 2002, Paul made a living as a tarot card reader after falling on hard times.

He reinvented himself as a 'spiritual psychic detective', earning money by charging 39.99 for reading on a spiritual website.

In 2021, Paul launched a YouTube channel called Tarot Me This, where he called upon fans to make a donation in exchange for a reading, explaining 'clairvoyance' was his new line of work.

He later revealed he hid his psychic abilities from the rest of S Club 7 because he feared it would make him sound 'crazy'
Dick Van Dyke has become the oldest Daytime Emmy nominee in history at age 98.

The actor was nominated as guest performer in a daytime drama series for his part as amnesiac Timothy Robicheaux on Peacocks Days of Our Lives.

Van Dyke is the oldest Daytime Emmy nominee and has previously won two coveted awards at the ceremony. He is also one Oscar away from achieving prestigious EGOT status.

Producer Norman Lear was 100 when he received his final Primetime Emmy nomination in 2022 and died the next year.

Among those Van Dyke is up against include Australian actor Guy Pearce for Neighbours.

Van Dyke has won four Primetime Emmys, including three in the 1960s for his classic comedy series The Dick Van Dyke Show.

Dick Van Dyke has become the oldest Daytime Emmy nominee in history at age 98 (pictured 2021)

Selena Gomez is nominated in the culinary series category for her Food Network special Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays.

Also nominated in that category is Food Networks Valeries Home Cooking, the show hosted by actor Valerie Bertinelli that ended last year.

CBS is ending The Talk after its 15th season later this year. The show's Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, Jerry OConnell and Sheryl Underwood were nominated for daytime talk series host.

The lead actress nominees are: Tamara Braun of Days of Our Lives, Finola Hughes and Cynthia Watros of General Hospital, Katherine Kelly Lang and Annika Noelle of "The Bold and the Beautiful" and Michelle Stafford of "The Young and the Restless."

The lead actor nominees are: Eric Braeden of The Young and the Restless," Scott Clifton, Thorsten Kaye and John McCook of The Bold and the Beautiful and Eric Martsolf of "Days of Our Lives."

The Daytime Emmys will be presented June 7 in Los Angeles and air live on CBS.

The show is returning to its usual schedule after being postponed until last December because of strikes by Hollywood actors and writers. The hosts and Lifetime Achievement honorees will be announced later.

The actor was nominated as guest performer in a daytime drama series for his part as amnesiac Timothy Robicheaux on Peacocks Days of Our Lives

Selena Gomez is nominated in the culinary series category for her Food Network special Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays

Also nominated in that category is Food Networks Valeries Home Cooking, the show hosted by actor Valerie Bertinelli that ended last year

Dick starred in the beloved children's movies Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and also in the classic TV sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show.

He said last year of his DOOL role: 'I have played old men before, but 'comedy old men,'

'This is the first time I ever just played my 97-year-old self.'

Van Dyke recently revealed he lacked ambition during his younger years and in fact considers himself a 'lazy person' while reflecting on his prolific Hollywood career in a new interview with CBS Sunday Morning ahead of an upcoming tribute special.

In a sit-down chat with CBS news correspondent Tracy Smith, the legendary entertainer was asked if he planned his career that has spanned more than seven decades in film, television and stage.

'No. I never did. As a businessman, I'm not much good. I would do a movie or something and come home and just sit down and wait for the phone to ring,' Dick said.

'I wasn't aggressive. So I was out of work a lot because I didn't go out and look for it,' Dick said smiling.

'And how did that sit with you?,' Tracy asked.

'Well, I didn't mind it. I'm pretty lazy really. When I'm having fun, you know, all right. But I'm a lazy person,' Dick said with a laugh.

'Really?,' Tracy asked incredulously.

'I lack a lot of drive. I've been very lucky,' Dick said.

'Wow,' Tracy said.

'There's always somebody to pick me up and put me over there,' Dick said.

'That's wonderful, it just sort of happened,' Tracy said.

'It did. It just happened,' Dick said.
Paris Hilton has shared the adorable first snaps of her baby daughter London.

The socialite, 43, who welcomed London via surrogate in November, posed up with husband Carter Reum, 43, and son Phoenix, 15 months in the first snaps taken by CamraFace.

London looked adorable in a pink bow and dress as Hilton wrote a sweet caption.

She penned: 'Introducing London Marilyn Hilton-Reum, Ive dreamed of having a daughter named London for as long as I can remember. Im so grateful she is hereI truly cherish every moment I spend with her.

'Together with Phoenix, my angel babies have shown me a love that I never even knew could run so deep before I became their mother.

The star also revealed her new track with Sia was inspired by her motherhood journey.

Paris Hilton has shared the adorable first snaps of her baby daughter London

On the song Fame Wont Love You., Paris sings shatteringly about trying to 'find validation for my futile existence' in the 'smiles' of the audience, only to discover that 'fame won't love you like a mother, like a father should.'

She continued in her caption: 'My incredible journey through motherhood has inspired a new, deeply personal song with my dear friend Sia called Fame Wont Love You.

'The song serves as a reminder that the special bond I feel with my children, my husband & my family is more valuable than anything else in the world. Its an anthem that will empower you to hold your most sacred relationships even closer to your heart - whether with family, friends, or yourself.

'I hope you love it as much as I do. It would mean the world for you to listen to #FameWontLoveYou on repeat today=,'

She told People: 'With Mother's Day around the corner, I couldn't resist introducing the world to my baby girl London and sharing these precious moments of our family together.

'Phoenix and London are everything to me, and I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to be married to the love of my life and have our beautiful family. We make the absolute best team, and my life finally feels complete.;

This comes after Hilton revealed that she would show London's face to the public 'soon' in the comments section of a video that was shared on her TikTok account.

Several of the reality television personality's fans left messages in the video's comments section to ask when she would reveal her youngest child's visage on social media.

Although Hilton did not provide an exact date, she assured her followers that London's face would be shown in the near future.

The entrepreneur began dating Reum in 2019.

The socialite, 43, who welcomed London via surrogate in November, posed up with husband Carter Reum, 43, and son Phoenix, one in the first snaps

A video shared on TikTok introduced little London by her full name

The whole family, including dad Carter Reum, 43, and big brother Phoenix 17 months took part in the fun

Hilton wrote that her 'angel babies,' Phoenix and London, had 'shown me a love that I never knew could run so deep before I became a mother'

The DJ and the 43-year-old businessman became engaged in February of 2021, and they tied the knot that November.

Hilton revealed that she and her husband had welcomed Phoenix via surrogate in January of last year.

The socialite's eldest child has since been featured in numerous photos and videos shared on her various social media accounts.

The reality television figure and her husband went on to welcome London, who was also delivered via surrogate, last November.

Hilton's eldest son became the subject of attention late last year, when numerous Instagram users began leaving messages on her posts to ridicule the size of his head.

The entrepreneur spoke to People last November and told the media outlet that her 'mama bear instincts' began to surface after reading various comments concerning her son.

The model lashed out against the users who had made remarks about Phoenix, and described the individuals who did so as 'cruel' and 'miserable.'

'I couldn't believe that they could be mean and vicious about a little innocent baby,' she added.

The 43-year-old socialite - who recently showed her support for Lizzo - posted a clip that showed her son Phoenix, one, playing around while they opened mail with each other

The entrepreneur shares her son and daughter with her husband, Carter Reum, whom she began dating in 2019

The entrepreneur spoke to People last November and told the media outlet that her 'mama bear instincts' began to surface after reading various comments concerning her son

The model lashed out against the users who had made remarks about Phoenix, and described the individuals who did so as 'cruel' and 'miserable'; seen in 2023

Hilton then stated that, although she had become accustomed to online criticism, she would not tolerate jokes at her son's expense.

'You can say what you want about me, but this is my little angel. And if anyone ever says anything to hurt him or his feelings, I will always be there to protect him,' she stated.

The DJ also thanked the individuals who had shown their support for Phoenix at the time.

'Sticking up for me meant the world to me, and to have people looking out for Phoenix in that way, it meant a lot,' she said.
Giancarlo Esposito revealed that his financial woes got so bad that he considered arranging his own murder so his four children could collection the insurance money.

While appearing on SiriusXM's Jim & Sam, the actor, 65, revealed that a year before landing his role as Gustavo Fring on the hit series Breaking Bad in 2008, he started to believe death was the only way out of his problems.

When asked how he got out of near bankruptcy, the three-time Emmy nominee said, at time, his brain jumped to wondering whether 'do you get life insurance if someone commits suicide.'

'My wife had no idea why I was asking this stuff. I started scheming. If I got somebody to knock me off, death by misadventure, [my kids] would get the insurance,' he confessed. 'I had four kids. I wanted them to have a life.'

Giancarlo Esposito revealed that his financial woes got so bad that he considered arranging his own murder so his four children could collection the insurance money; seen in 2023

He continued: 'It was a hard moment in time. I literally thought of self-annihilation so they could survive. That's how low I was.'

'That was the first inkling that there was a way out, but I wouldn't be here to be available to my kids,' Esposito added. 'Then I started to think that's not viable because the pain I would cause them would be lifelong, and there'd be lifelong trauma that would just extend the generational trauma I'm trying to move away from.'

Ultimately, he said 'the end of the tunnel was Breaking Bad.'

Esposito appeared on 26 episodes of Breaking Bad, before signing onto the prequel series, Better Call Saul, for another 34 episodes.

Earlier this year, he revealed he would be willing to reprise the role for a third time, if given the chance.

'Yeah, I would love that,' he told British GQ. 'My backstory is he was a military guy who worked his way up through the ranks and could have become president, even possibly the dictator and have taken over.'

The father-of-four added: 'But he wanted to do something that could not be controlled by others, and he wanted to control his own destiny. And so he took off to create a new life for himself in America and become a meth dealer, a businessman.'

'I think, in his younger years, he was someone who could have been more Tony Montana,' Esposito speculated. 'But he worked his way into becoming level enough to listen, hear, and see through his emotional state. We would hope that it might be The Rise of Gus.'

While appearing on SiriusXM's Jim & Sam,' the actor, 65, revealed that a year before landing his role as Gustavo Fring on the hit series Breaking Bad in 2008, he started to believe death was the only way out of his problems (pictured in 2024)

When asked how he got out of near bankruptcy, the three-time Emmy nominee said, at time, his brain jumped to wondering whether 'do you get life insurance if someone commits suicide' (pictured in 2017)

'My wife had no idea why I was asking this stuff. I started scheming. If I got somebody to knock me off, death by misadventure, [my kids] would get the insurance,' he confessed. 'I had four kids. I wanted them to have a life' (seen on Breaking Bad)

Previously, Esposito was married to Joy McManigal for two decades before 2015 divorce.

The former couple share four daughters, named Ruby, Kale, Shayne and Syrlucia.

'If you were to ask some of my buddies from an earlier time in my life, they might say it is universal payback,' he joked to Best Self in October 2022.

He continued: 'I have always loved women, and another surprising thing that people may not know about me is that I am a recovering womanizer. Today, I would rescript that and tell you that my girls have helped me reshape my relationship to myself, my lineage and othersand that's a beautiful thing.'

Esposito pictured as Moff Gideon in the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, which he has been starring on since 2019

While speaking of his kids, he went on to say: 'They have taught me, each in their own way, the greatest gifts of my life  to pay more attention, to listen more, to respect women on a whole other level and to come clean. And they call me out all the time.'

Esposito is best known for his roles in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian, Godfather of Harlem and Kaleidoscope.

Over his year, he has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.

Additionally, he won a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2012.
Penn Badgley passionately kissed co-star Charlotte Ritchie on the red carpet in a steamy scene they filmed for You in New York this week.

The sexually-charged thriller stars Penn, 37, as a serial stalker who drifts from woman to woman, becoming fanatically obsessed with each one.

You is currently shooting its fifth and final season, with Penn's character Joe now trying to avoid the attention of a serial killer.

By the end of season four, Joe has become involved with Charlotte's character Kate, the scion of a fabulously wealthy society family.

The high-octane glamour of the Kate's lifestyle was on full display as Charlotte and Penn filmed their smoldering kiss scene this week.

Penn Badgley passionately kissed Charlotte Ritchie on the red carpet in a steamy scene they filmed for You in New York this week

The sexually-charged thriller stars Penn, 37, as a serial stalker who drifts from woman to woman, becoming fanatically obsessed with each one

By the end of season four, Joe has become involved with Charlotte's character Kate, the scion of a fabulously wealthy society family

He wrapped his arms around her and dipped her, locking lips with her as the red carpet photographers snapped away at them.

Penn exuded his character's irresistible charisma in a snappy black tuxedo with a matching tie, sporting a slicked back hairdo.

He was clean-shaven, putting his matinee idol features on full display as he squired Charlotte across the red carpet in their scene.

Charlotte herself was the image of Upper East Side chic in a shimmering, floor-length silver gown that plunged to betray a faint hint of cleavage.

By the time season four wraps up, Joe and Kate have developed a tempestuously passionate dynamic and have even hidden a murder victim's corpse together.

You was awash with sex scenes for the first three seasons, until Penn expressed his discomfort and a change was made for season four.

When he told showrunner Sera Gamble how he felt, he was met with 'really positive response and they came back with a phenomenal reduction.'

Penn told Variety that sex scenes are now 'not a place where Ive blurred lines. Theres almost nothing I could say with more consecration.'

The high-octane glamour of the Kate's lifestyle was on full display as Charlotte and Penn filmed their smoldering kiss scene this week

Penn exuded his character's irresistible charisma in a snappy black tuxedo with a matching tie, sporting a slicked back hairdo

He was clean-shaven, putting his matinee idol features on full display as he squired Charlotte across the red carpet in their scene

Charlotte herself was the image of Upper East Side chic in a shimmering, floor-length silver gown that plunged to betray a faint hint of cleavage

By the time season four wraps up, Joe and Kate have developed a tempestuously passionate dynamic and have even hidden a murder victim's corpse together

You was awash with sex scenes for the first three seasons, until Penn expressed his discomfort and a change was made for season four

When he told showrunner Sera Gamble how he felt, he was met with 'really positive response and they came back with a phenomenal reduction'

He also explained that it was 'important to me in my real life' to not film sex scenes anymore, out of consideration for his wife Domino Kirke

Although he has filmed 'a fair amount' of intimate moments over the course of his career, he said: 'That aspect of Hollywood has always been very disturbing to me - and that aspect of the job, that mercurial boundary - has always been something that I actually dont want to play with at all.'

He also explained that it was 'important to me in my real life' to not film sex scenes anymore, out of consideration for his wife Domino Kirke.

'My fidelity in my relationship. Its important to me. And actually, it was one of the reasons that I initially wanted to turn the role down,' the Gossip Girl alumnus revealed. 'I didnt tell anybody that. But that is why.'

However it was Domino who 'encouraged' him to agree to You, and 'I wasnt going to listen to anyone more than her,' he dished.
Rachel Woolford looked in good spirits as she was seen for the first time since being crowned the winner of The Apprentice.

The fitness entrepreneur, 28, was all smiles as she departed Media City in Salford after an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Friday.

Rachel, from Leeds, was hired by Lord Alan Sugar after winning series 18 of the hit BBC show, after tirelessly working for years to launch her boutique gym business.

The TV star cut a casual figure for her appearance on the morning show as she sported a teal jumper with a pair of light gre jeans.

Letting her blonde locks fall loose down her shoulders, she completed her look with a pair of white trainers.

Rachel Woolford looked in good spirits as she was seen for the first time since being crowned the winner of The Apprentice

The fitness entrepreneur, 28, was all smiles as she departed MediaCityUK in Salford after an appearance on BBC Breakfast on Friday

Rachel launched North Studio during Covid and went head-to-head with pie maker Phil Turner to secure Lord Sugar's 250,000 investment and form a partnership with the business mogul.

After she was declared triumphant during Thursday's finale, she said landing the investment to expand her venture was 'something beyond my wildest dreams'.

Speaking to MailOnline, Rachel revealed that one of her goals is now walking down the aisle with her fiance Benjy Jacobs, after the pair got engaged in December last year.

She revealed Mr Jacobs, who founded his own estate agent firm, supports her wholeheartedly and understands firsthand the sacrifices she has made by working long hours in setting up her business.

She said: 'I am so lucky to have a fiance who also has a business so knows what it takes.

'If I'm working late or missing something, he knows it's business especially in the first few years... it's not an easy ride and I'm so grateful from an early age I got stuck in and I was never put off by things going wrong. I will continue to work like that but now all the blood, sweat and tears were worth it.

'I got engaged in December last year so a month before the Apprentice started airing. We haven't actually set a date yet because I have been a little busy, but we plan on getting married next summer.'

Benjy's employer, Stoneacre Properties in Leeds, posted a congratulatory message on Facebook after she won the competition.

Rachel, from Leeds, was hired by Lord Alan Sugar, winning series 18 of the hit BBC show, after tirelessly working for years to launch her boutique gym business

Rachel already has a list of targets she hopes to achieve including expanding her gym chain to other northern UK cities (Pictured in The Apprentice boardroom)

Rachel revealed that one of her goals is now walking down the aisle with her fiance Benjy Jacobs, after the pair got engaged in December last year

The post said: 'Ben and all of us at Stoneacre Properties are so proud of you Rachel. You have been the winner from the very start.

'You truly are a remarkable businesswoman and we have no doubt that your business will go from strength to strength.

'You deserve all the success that comes your way. Lord Sugar is the lucky one if you ask us. We can't wait to celebrate with you properly soon.'

The 28-year-old ppened her first fitness studio in the city before adding a second at Wellington House on Cold Bath Road in Harrogate last year.

The gym's website explains: 'We're not your typical gym. We won't tie you down with yearly contracts or complex cancellation clauses, because we know we're good enough to keep you coming back for more.

'Instead, we offer a range of flexible options suited to all budgets and commitment levels.'

Rachel, who helped her team secure a record-breaking 38.7 million in sponsorship during a task earlier in the series, said on Thursday: 'I was 24 years old when I started North Studio.

'I was just a girl from Leeds and now I cannot believe it, I'm going into business with Lord Sugar and he's investing in me.'
Amber Turner reportedly snubbed the Only Way Of Essex end of series wrap party after she stopped filming the last series early.

The TOWIE star, 30, made the decision to walk away from the programme after 'struggling to cope with Dan's new relationship with Ella Rae Wise'.

And it seems Amber was in no mood to bid farewell to her co-stars as she apparently skipped the series' recent wrap party as well.

Amber left filming and headed to Dubai to put her past relationship woes as the rest of the cast continued filming.

A source told The Sun: 'Amber wanted to make it known she'd quit the show early this series to head off to Dubai so snubbed the finale party.

Amber Turner reportedly snubbed the Only Way Of Essex end of series wrap party after she stopped filming the last series early

The TOWIE star, 30, made the decision to walk away from the programme after 'struggling to cope with Dan's new relationship with Ella Rae Wise ' (pictured together)

'Everyone else was there and it was a really special event, but Amber left everyone to it.

They added: 'It was a relief for some of the cast who couldn't be bothered facing any more drama.'

MailOnline has contacted representatives of Amber Turner for comment.

Amber and Dan have been in an on-off relationship since 2017, after meeting on the set of TOWIE, but called it quits in May of last year.

Dan is now dating Ella, 23, as the pair grew closer after filming for the ITV series in Bali.

Just earlier this week, Amber risked an awkward run-in with Ella as they filmed new TOWIE scenes at Lokkum Bar & Grill in Woodford, Essex.

As the reality show returns for a brand new series in Bali the former couple, who parted ways last May after six tumultuous years, have faced toe-curling run-ins.

Despite Ella confessing she had been 'snogging' Dan 'the entire time' they were in Bali, Amber had managed to keep her cool, until Sunday's episode.

A source said: 'Amber wanted to make it known she'd quit the show early this series to head off to Dubai so snubbed the finale party'

Amber and Dan have been in an on-off relationship since 2017, after meeting on the set of TOWIE, but called it quits in May of last year following rumours the hunk cheated on her

Amber has now admitted Dan and their pet, Oliver, were her family as she cried on the shoulders of her friends Elma and Chloe Meadows.

'The fact that they are together, I think because I knew it was gonna happen - that part doesn't shock me,' she explained.

Elma responded: 'You've handled the whole thing really, really well - too well almost.'

'That's why it makes me emotional, you've handled it so well that I feel like I'm taking on your emotions!' Chloe said.

Amber went on to explain how Dan and their dog Oliver was 'her family' before breaking down at the thought of loosing them.

'I'm already crying and I don't even know why,' she explained.

Dan is now dating Ella, 23 (pictured) as the pair grew closer after filming TOWIE in Bali

Previous episodes saw Amber tell Dan to 'feel free' to crack on with her 'if that makes him happy' during an argument about their 'shared' pet pooch, Oliver.

Within days of landing at the Balinese resort, fans saw a whirlwind of drama as Dan and Ella ignited an unexpected romance, catching everyone off guard.

Dan and Ella grew close while filming for the thirty-third series, but are not thought to be serious.
Amanda Holden has broken her silence on the Sharon Osbourne row and revealed her dreams of hosting a dating show.

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 53, branded the former X-Factor judge, 71, 'bitter and pathetic' over comments she made about their shared boss Simon Cowell.

Ms Holden's comments to the Daily Mail Weekend Magazine enraged Ms Osbourne who retaliated in a rant on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which she said: 'You don't know me, Amanda. Unlike you, the brand of Sharon Osbourne is known worldwide.'

When asked, Ms Holden refused to comment on Ms Osbourne's outburst but told MailOnline: 'Oh it's all b******s. Let's not give oxygen to any of that.'

Ms Holden initially spoke out against Sharon Osbourne after the 71-year-old mocked Simon Cowell in the Celebrity Big Brother house with fellow former X-Factor judge Louis Walsh, 71.

Amanda Holden has broken her silence on the Sharon Osbourne row and revealed her dreams of hosting a dating show

The Britain's Got Talent judge, 53, branded the former X-Factor judge, 71, (pictured) 'bitter and pathetic' over comments she made about their shared boss Simon Cowell

When asked, Ms Holden refused to comment on Ms Osbourne's outburst but told MailOnline: 'Oh it's all b******s. Let's not give oxygen to any of that' (pictured with Simon Cowell)

Amanda had told the Daily Mail's Weekend Magazine: 'I hated seeing certain people in a reality show dissing Simon - he's the person who's given them all the chances, given them a lot of money and a lifestyle they probably wouldn't have had.

'It's bitter and pathetic. It was like Cinderella with her two sisters in the background - just stabby, stabby, stabby.'

12 hours later, Sharon took to Twitter to issue the presenter with a full statement and accused her of being an 'ill informed sycophantic'.

Sharon went on to flaunt her wealth and luxurious lifestyle as she quipped: 'Our worlds are totally different. I have been blessed with an amazing lifestyle throughout my entire life.

'Before you were born, I was living in a mansion in Beverly Hills and continue to do so today and continue to have my country estate in England as well.

'But there is something you should know. I never discuss money, lifestyle or positions of power. I find it to be classless and crude.'

Amanda, who has been a judge on Britain's Got Talent since it started in 2007, revealed she now has her sights set on hosting her own dating show and revealed she would let her daughters Alexa, 18, and Hollie, 12, go on it.

The Britain's Got Talent judge told the Mail: 'The dream for me is to have a dating show.

In an acid-tongue letter posted on X, Sharon blasted Amanda after she said Simon had 'given them a lot of money and a lifestyle they probably wouldn't have had' (pictured in 2014)

Sharon took to Twitter to issue the presenter with a full statement and accused her of being an 'ill informed sycophantic'

Sharon went on to list her career accolades and those of her husband as she made a case as to why she didn't need Simon Cowell

Sharon savagely pointed out: 'Amanda, I think you're missing the point here, no disrespect to Simon Cowell, but he NEEDED ME for musical credibility on X Factor' (pictured in 2004)

'I wouldn't let my girls go on Love Island but if they wanted to go on a dating show, I would let them.

'If they wanted to but they're too shy.

'My youngest is 12 and my 18-year-old can do a bikini picture but she's very shy when it comes to social situations so there's no way she will want to go on camera.

'She's an A-star student that wants to study English at uni but the little one is nuts, she will definitely follow in my footsteps.'

The 53-year-old shares her teenage daughters with her record producer husband Chris Hughes who she married in 2008, having previously been married to the comedian Les Dennis.

Two years ago Alexa was signed to the same modelling agency that discovered Kate Moss but Ms Holden is adamant she will finish her education and attend university before attending university.
Jodie Foster paid a glowing tribute to her wife Alexandra Hedison during her hand- and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood this week.

After a half-century career as a member of the A-list, Jodie, 61, placed her prints in cement in front of the Los Angeles landmark on Friday.

She received a glowing testimonial from her longtime close friend Jamie Lee Curtis, who referred to Jodie as her 'bestie' during this year's Oscars.

During her own speech, Jodie pointed out that the ceremony was occurring on her and Alexandra's 10th wedding anniversary, in footage taken by NBC LA.

'The person that I have to thank the most, really, is my wife Alex, who I cannot believe was so generous to give up our 10-year anniversary day to come and do this with me,' said Jodie, joking: 'Like what are you thinking? How come we didn't say no?'

Jodie Foster paid a glowing tribute to her wife Alexandra Hedison during her hand- and footprint ceremony at the TCL Chines Theatre this week

After a half-century career as a member of the Hollywood A-list, Jodie, 61, placed her prints in cement in front of the Los Angeles landmark on Friday

She received a glowing testimonial from her longtime close friend Jamie Lee Curtis , who referred to Jodie as her 'bestie' during this year's Oscars

As Alexandra wiped a tear away from her eyes, Jodie continued in a more serious vein: 'I love you so much and I'm so grateful for the life we have together.'

Alexandra was seated in the audience next to Best In Show director Christopher Guest, who has been married to Jamie Lee for four decades.

Jodie reflected: 'This has been my whole life, has been making films, living in Hollywood, creating a family of friends to do it with. This is my life, I love my life and I'm so grateful that all of you guys think I'm okay and that I deserve to be in cement.'

She said that 'Hollywood for all of us in a way is this symbol space that's about iconography and about dreams and fantasies, and for me it isn't. It's very concrete.'

Before she shot to stardom as a child actress in Martin Scorsese's 1976 Taxi Driver, she used to visit the Chinese Theatre and fantasize about putting her prints there.

'The experience that I had was coming here with my mom and my brothers and sisters and going to Musso & Frank's,' she said, referring to an iconic Hollywood steakhouse: 'and then then putting my feet in the cement and measuring my feet to the other people - and yes, of course, saying: "Ooh, someday I would want that."'

She clarified: 'But not because I wanted to be a movie star, but because I wanted to be real. I wanted to be real! I wanted to be a real person and a real person puts their hands in cement, hands and feet in cement, and somehow what they do matters, not just for this generation but for other generations.'

Jodie said: 'So that was some kind of crazy fantasy that I had about belonging, which brings me here today, 'cause here I am with my family, right? My family and friends.'

She received a glowing testimonial from her longtime close friend Jamie Lee Curtis , who referred to Jodie as her 'bestie' during this year's Oscars

The partners looked so loved up during the ceremony

During her own speech, Jodie pointed out that the ceremony was occurring on her and Alexandra's 10th wedding anniversary, in footage taken by NBC LA

'The person that I have to thank the most, really, is my wife Alex, who I cannot believe was so generous to give up our 10-year anniversary day to come and do this with me,' said Jodie

Jodie joked: 'Like what are you thinking? How come we didn't say no?'

The adorable couple had fun at the event as Alexandra pretending to add her handprints

As Alexandra wiped a tear away from her eyes, Jodie continued in a more serious vein: 'I love you so much and I'm so grateful for the life we have together'

Alexandra was seated in the audience next to Best In Show director Christopher Guest, who has been married to Jamie Lee for four decades

Jodie reflected: 'This has been my whole life, has been making films, living in Hollywood, creating a family of friends to do it with'

'This is my life, I love my life and I'm so grateful that all of you guys think I'm okay and that I deserve to be in cement,' said the Silence Of The Lambs actress

She said that 'Hollywood for all of us in a way is this symbol space that's about iconography and about dreams and fantasies, and for me it isn't'

Jodie's prints drying in the concrete block

'The experience that I had was coming here with my mom and my brothers and sisters and going to Musso & Frank's,' she said

Jodie couldn't contain her happiness as she held a wide smile

She recalled 'putting my feet in the cement and measuring my feet to the other people - and yes, of course, saying: "Ooh, someday I would want that"'

Jodie clarified that she wanted her prints in front of the TLC Chinese Theatre 'not because I wanted to be a movie star, but because I wanted to be real'

Jodie said: 'So that was some kind of crazy fantasy that I had about belonging, which brings me here today, 'cause here I am with my family, right? My family and friends'

Jodie said: 'So that was some kind of crazy fantasy that I had about belonging, which brings me here today, 'cause here I am with my family, right? My family and friends'

She noted that both of them starred in different movies of the novel Freaky Friday by Mary Rogers, whose father was The Sound Of Music composer Richard Rodgers

Jodie played the daughter in the original 1976 mother-daughter comedy, while Jamie Lee played the mother opposite Lindsay Lohan in the 2003 remake

In her speech, Jamie Lee wryly noted that Jodie's TCL Chinese Theatre ceremony was occurring on 'a freaky Friday, if you will,' as seen in footage from MaximoTV

Jodie and Jamie Lee 'met outside of show-off-business' and 'became part of a group of best friends who suit up and show up for each other in a very powerful and beautiful way'

Jodie and TCM Host Ben Mankiewicz chatted about her phenomenal film career

Bonnie Stoll and Diana Nyad came to cheer on Jodie, as she played Stoll in the 2024 movie Nyad

Alexandra and Jodie attend Firooz Zahedi Opening At Kopeikin Gallery on April 27, 2014

Alexandra and Jodie attend L.A. Dance Project Annual Gala on October 16, 2021

Jamie Lee, who grew up in Hollywood as the daughter of Psycho blonde Janet Leigh and Some Like It Hot heartthrob Tony Curtis, delivered a glowing tribute to Jodie.

She noted that both of them starred in different movies of the novel Freaky Friday by Mary Rogers, whose father was The Sound Of Music composer Richard Rodgers.

Jodie played the daughter in the original 1976 mother-daughter comedy, while Jamie Lee played the mother opposite Lindsay Lohan in the 2003 remake.

In her speech, Jamie Lee wryly noted that Jodie's TCL Chinese Theatre ceremony was occurring on 'a freaky Friday, if you will,' as seen in footage from MaximoTV.

However the True Lies star noted that she and Jodie 'met outside of show-off-business' and 'became part of a group of best friends who suit up and show up for each other in a very powerful and beautiful way.'
Kylie Jenner went topless in a new photo for Khy on Instagram. She was sharing there is a next drop in her fashion line

'Drop 005: DENIM - coming soon in collaboration with @natashazinkomagazin,' she wrote in her caption referring to Natasha Zinko.

The black and white image featured the media personality with her body facing left, palms pressed flat against the thighs of a dark pair of baggy jeans worn over two other lighter pants, arms covering her breasts, leaving a sliver of underboob visible.

Her head is turned to face the camera, tilted slightly up, tousled hair framing her coquettish expression, her full lips partially opened.

Denim will be the fifth drop of the Khy fashion line and the second for 2024.

Khy launched its first one in October 2023, starting with a faux-leather and layers collection. The line has been wildly successful; the first installments sold out almost immediately.

Kylie Jenner shared a topless photo on Instagram to promote the next drop in her fashion line

Denim will be the fifth drop of the Khy fashion line and the second for 2024. Seen last year

A day before it was officially launched, the entrepreneur teased the new brand with a photo of herself in a black faux-leather jacket and red pumps seated on the floor, meet Khy, read the caption.

Long inspired by the effortless style of leather, Kylie Jenner knew that the debut drop from Khy had to explore its many facets through a striking collection of edited essentials. In a limited edition collaboration with Berlin-based designer Namilia. Drop 001 boldly encompasses the reason why Khy was created; to deliver the same level of quality and creativity as pieces in her own closet, at accessible pricing and in inclusive sizing.

The clothing lines official account was tagged in the photo, and many new followers were added before the official launch.

The second drop followed in November, another collaboration, this time with Entire Studios.

Sebastian Hunt and Dylan Richards previously served as the creative partnership behind YEEZY, the brand of The Kardashians stars former brother-in-law, Kanye West.

The winter-focused line included vests, hooded jackets and puffer jackets available in black, blue and white. In December, the third drop of the line was released. This one focused on sweats and tees, a more haute couture take on casualwear.

Khy launched its first one in October 2023, starting with a faux-leather and layers collection.

This will be the second drop of 2024 for the socialites fashion line. Drop 004 arrived in late February.

Dubbed Day to Night, its focus was on dresses and sets intended for fashionistas seeking versatility in their wardrobe. Earlier that month, the brand received limited new quantities of the launch drop.

The businesswoman teased the latest drop in her fashion line with a post a day before that gave a glimpse at the denim and revealed the designer: Natasha Zinko, an Odessa-born woman.

Based in London, she specializes in jewelry and womens fashion and has her own jewelry and clothing line.

The line has been wildly successful; the first installments sold out almost immediately

Collaboration with notable designers is part of Khy's guiding philosophy.

The lines official website states that it 'aims to redefine the modern wardrobe by offering edited collections that seamlessly blend luxury with everyday style, spanning a diverse range of categories and styles. By collaborating with iconic brands and global designers, we hope that KHY will be a platform that delivers access to incredible fashion for everyone.

Before launching the line, Kris Jenners youngest daughter was the face of the Acne Studios denim collection.

Fashion has long been an interest of hers, and she models the products in each drop, using the large platform her social media accounts provide to get the news about the new wares.
She instantly became a pop culture icon after bursting into the public eye as loudmouthed Page 3 girl, Jordan.

Having tried her hand at modelling, singing, presenting, campaigning and reality TV, the glamour model quickly became a household name in Britain.

Yet while Katie Price's moniker will ring a bell for both young and old, you would be forgiven for not recognising the star on sight alone, with Katie famously undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures over the years.

After two decades in the spotlight, Katie is almost unrecognisable from the naturally pretty teenager who burst on to the modelling scene at the age of 16, with her natural curls and fresh-faced beauty winning her an army of fans.

Katie, now 46, has undergone an array of procedures over the years, including rhinoplasty, a silhouette facelift, 3D, veneers, lip fillers and Botox, culminating in her first facelift in 2017.

Now, after two decades under the surgeon's scalpel, MailOnline takes a look at the many faces of Katie Price.

The many faces of Katie Price: MailOnline takes a look at the star's changing look after two decades of boob jobs, Botox and face lifts

1995 - Barefaced beauty

At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling.

At a friend's suggestion, the teenager had professional photographs taken and was quickly snapped up by a modelling agency who landed her a Page 3 slot in The Sun newspaper the following year, sparking the creation of her glamour model alter ego, Jordan.

Speaking last year, Katie revealed she was glad that she wasn't exposed to social media at the time as she had 'no idea what Botox was or fillers', otherwise she may have started her tweaks and enhancements at an even earlier age.

1995: At the age of 17, Katie Price was a fresh-faced natural beauty looking to make it into the world of glamour modelling

1998 - First boob job

Having just turned 20, the rising glamour model experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C.

The procedure cost 4,500 and it's thought her mum Amy and stepdad Paul helped pay for her to have the procedure.

Katie has since spoken out about her decision to go under the knife, admitting she was 'too young' and that she feels sorry for young girls growing up these days in a world of social media and filters.

1998: Having just turned 20, Katie experienced her first taste of cosmetic surgery, boosting her 32B cup breasts to a 32C

1999 - Second and third boob job

Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures the following year at the age of 21.

Katie boosted her bust from a C cup to a D cup and just a few months later went up again to a F cup.

Katie has previously claimed that she has only paid for two of her boob jobs over the course of her career - it is not known if these were the ones.

1999: Despite having only just increased her breast size, Katie opted to have two more procedures at the age of 21

2001 - Lip fillers

At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers.

While the glamour model did not confirm the rumours at the time, she was seen sporting a noticeably fuller pout while out enjoying the party scene.

Her overall look had also started drastically transforming, with the model sporting dramatic false lashes, bright lipstick and pale hair extensions.

2001: At the age of 21, Katie had her first cosmetic procedure on her face, opting for lip fillers

2004 - Botox

Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines and wrinkles.

She made no secret of her love of the procedure, announcing at the time: 'I get my forehead and around my eyes Botoxed every six months and I love it. You can't beat it. It just freezes all the wrinkles and that's what you want.'

At the time, Katie insisted she would never take things further and have a facelift, explaining: 'I'd never have a full facelift. I've seen what they can do to people and I don't want to go through that.'

2004: Aged 26, Katie began to experiment with Botox injections that relax the muscles in your face to smooth out lines

2006 - Fourth boob job

Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup.

The glamour model also played around with her overall look and embraced her dark side with a new brunette hairstyle.

She also continued to dabble with fillers and Botox.

2006: Katie went under the knife yet again to take her F cup breasts up to a G cup

2007 - First nose job and veneers

At the age of 29, Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and treating herself to a 25,000 set of new veneers.

'Oh my God, it burned like hell!' she said at the time. 'The next day I had this hideous red rash on my chin but two days later there wasn't a single spot left.'

Speaking about her nose job at the time, she admitted to liking her original nose, explaining: 'I liked my nose before and now. If I had a cupboard with both noses, I would alternate between them!'

2007:Katie took her love of surgery to the next level, undergoing rhinoplasty, a chemical peel and a 25,000 set of veneers

2008 - Fifth boob job

Despite gradually increasingly her bust size over the year, Katie fancied a change on her 30th and brought her bra size back down from an F cup to a C cup.

The procedure meant that Katie had returned to the size of her first boob job 10 years prior.

Katie's changing shape also coincided with the launch of her first clothing line - an equestrian range.

2008: Despite gradually increasingly her bust size, Katie fancied a change and brought her bra size back down to a C cup

2011 - Sixth boob job

Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup.

Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers.

The Loose Women panelist admitted that she loved having her cheeks filled to give her a 'plumper, more youthful look'.

2011: Katie's smaller chest didn't last long, and at age 33 she went back under the knife again to boost her bust to an F cup

2015 - Seventh and eighth boob job

Just before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother, the reality star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast and an implant protruding from her flesh.

Katie told her shocked housemates: 'Ive got no tits anymore. Theyve gone. Theres not even anything there. If you saw what Im like underneath. The scars gone septic. My whole implant was hanging out on New Years Day.'

Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house she underwent corrective surgery and had her implants swapped for a D-cup.

2015: Just before Celebrity Big Brother, the star had a botched boob reduction that left her with a hole in her breast

2016 - Ninth boob job and tattooed makeup

Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie was undeterred and flew to a Brussels clinic to go under the knife yet again, this time settling on a 32GG bust.

The reality star also had her eyebrows and lips tattooed, also known as 'permanent make-up', explaining that she prefers to go make-up free on a day-to-day basis.

Additionally the star has regular facial treatments, last year sharing a bloodied selfie after having a dermal roller micro-needling treatment, which sees a dermaroller with many tiny needles rolled across into the skin - designed to stimulate cells into regeneration.

2016: Despite her surgery horror the year before, Katie flew to a Brussels clinic to get another boob job, this time a 32GG cup

2017 - First face lift, new veneers and 10th boob job

Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word undergoing a 'Silhouette' face lift.

The procedure is designed to lift a sagging cheeks and blurred jawline, using 'sutures' implanted under the skin to sculpt features.

However, Katie was soon spotted with puffy features, revealing that she suffered an allergic reaction to anesthetic penicillin after having further work on her veneers. She also had her breast implants reduced from 1000ml implants to 795ml.

2017: Despite insisting she would never have a face lift and could rely on Botox, Katie went back on her word

2018 - Second face lift

Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40 to correct it.

She said at the time 'I need to get my face re-corrected after surgeon has totally f**ked my face up', admitting it had

He agent added: 'She had the thread and it really quite distorted her look. She got a lot of backlash, a lot of negative press, a lot of trolling, everyone saying shed taken it too far, when actually it was a job that had not gone to plan.'

2018: Katie claimed her first face lift had been a botched job and went back under the knife the following year aged 40

2019 - Third face lift, boob job first Brazilian bum lift and 11th boob job

Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her entire look with a full body transformation.

The reality star opted for a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck.

Just three months later she returned to the clinic and opted for another boob job, going back down to a D cup.

2019: Katie jetted to Turkey to overhaul her look with a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift along with a tummy tuck

2020 - 12th boob job and another set of veneers

Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers and revealed her real teeth had been reduced to stubs as she flashed a smile on her YouTube channel.

The mother-of-five then jetted to Belgium to correct botched surgery on her breasts, saying her surgeon was utterly shocked by the 'awful' previous procedure.

Katie said: 'They looked deformed, they were absolutely awful. That's the first time I've gone to a different surgeon. I had to go back to Frank with my head down, ashamed that I'd been to another clinic.'

2020: Katie returned to Turkey to have another set of veneers then jetted to Belgium to correct a botched boob job

2021 - Liposuction, eye and lid lifts and 13th boob job

Amid the Covid pandemic, Katie jetted off to then red-list Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, and fat injected into her bum.

The reality star also visited Belgium to have her 13th boob job as well as full body liposuction with bum fat removal.

The plastic surgery - performed by Dr Frank Plovier - came just five days ahead of the glamour model's sentencing for her shocking drink-drive crash.

2021: Katie jetted to Turkey for a complete cosmetic surgery overhaul, undergoing full body liposuction, eye and lip lifts

2022 - Another brow and eye lift

Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium at the beginning of 2022 for an eye and brow lift and had been concealing her new look with her head in a bandage.

Dr Judy Todd, an aesthetic doctor at Clinica Medica in Glasgow, said: 'It appears like she's had a face lift, temporal brow lift, and possibly an upper blepharoplasty.'

It was reported last month that Katie plans to travel to Turkey imminently for yet more plastic surgery, amid claims she wanted to get some tweaks in after being unhappy with her latest work.

Sian Dellar, Brow Specialist and Founder of Sian Dellar Permanent Makeup Clinic, added: 'Katie's eyebrows, like the rest of her, have changed lots over the years!

'Back in the 90s she had a very thin over plucked brow which was the fashion at the time, and today she has an extremely thick and unnatural looking brow.

'Currently it seems the face or eye lift that shes had have pulled her brows outward which looks unnatural and makes the brows appear almost stretched.

'Of course, as with any enhancement, its personal preference but we recommend not going too many shades darker, and keeping the shape as natural looking as possible and work to create or enhance brows to frame the face.

'Katies choice to have them so thick and dark and in that unusual positioning means they dominate her face and are the first thing the eye is drawn to. I would love to see Katie take her brows back to 2015/2016 when the fuller brow became a big trend. She got it right then and they framed her face well.'

2022: Katie secretly jetted back to Belgium for an eye and brow lift and is planning to to travel to Turkey for more surgery

2023 - 16th and 'biggest ever' boob job

It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th.

The star went under the knife in a bid to have the 'biggest in Britain' and was subsequently pictured being wheeled into surgery at the Be Clinic in Belgium.

She is said to have wanted even bigger breasts, opting for 2120 CC implants in a bid to boost her already large bust size.

Katie told OK! magazine of her boobs: 'I love them. They healed really quickly and they didn't hurt at all. That probably doesn't help. Because I heal quickly, it doesn't put me off and I have more.

'I would go bigger as well  and I will eventually. I just love having big boobs and a small body. I've always loved that look. In my eyes, if I'm having a boob job, I want them to look fake, I don't want them to look natural. I don't like the natural look.

'I just like that old-school American Playboy pin-up look. When I have surgery, that is what I'm striving for. If I could look like my airbrushed pictures, that would be amazing. But that's impossible to achieve.'

2023: It's not clear if Katie lost track of the number of breast augmentations or opted to keep some of her surgery private but by 2023 it emerged she'd undergone her 16th boob job, two years after claiming to be on her 13th

2024 - MORE facial surgery

In July 2024 Katie confirmed she is travelling to Turkey for facial surgery, to be filmed for a new documentary, after failing to attend a bankruptcy hearing.

The former glamour model was absent at a scheduled 760,000 bankruptcy court hearing having flown overseas for her latest cosmetic procedure.

A warrant was subsequently issued, with Katie admitting she's 'doing the best she can' to rectify her financial issues after receiving 'very clear warnings' that she needed to attend court.
Amanda Holden is delighted her daughters 'steal' her clothes, with the star insisting she sees it as 'a compliment'.

The Britain's Got Talent, 53, is mother to daughters Alexa, 18, and Hollie, 12, who are the same dress and shoe size as their famous mother.

While she is happy for her offspring to raid her wardrobe, she admits it doesn't come without risk.

Radio host Amanda explained to Women's Health: 'My daughters steal everything from me!'

She added: 'I trust my 18-year-old with some of the posher stuff I have in my wardrobe, but 100% I wouldn't trust my youngest with any of it.

Amanda Holden is delighted her daughters 'steal' her clothes, with the star insisting she sees it as 'a compliment' (pictured earlier this month)

The Britain's Got Talent, 53 (centre), is mother to daughters Alexa, 18 (left), and Hollie, 12 (right), who are the same dress and shoe size as their famous mother

'Just the other day, she borrowed a cream tracksuit of mine, and just as I said "please tuck a tea towel into that, Hollie", her omelette went down it and you just go "oh gosh, I just give up".'

However, Amanda claims the fact they are able to wear the same clothes means they can keep their luggage to a minimum when they go away.

She said: 'The good thing is that when we go on holiday we only ever take hand luggage, because fitting in all the same stuff means between us we have so many things to wear.'

Amanda was announced as Lipsy's oldest-ever brand ambassador in August 2023.

She joins the likes of actress Michelle Keegan, Selling Sunset favourite Chrishell Stause and Bollywood star Amy Jackson as face of the high-street brand.

Amanda said at the time: 'I am thrilled to collaborate with Lipsy  we wanted to create a range that celebrates the spirit of the modern woman  confident, empowered, and utterly glamorous.

'The pieces in this collection are not only stylish but also versatile, making them perfect for any occasion.'

It's been a busy week for Amanda as she gets ready for the Britain's Got Talent launch on Saturday night, with the show judge attending a photocall for the new series at London's Ham Yard Hotel on Tuesday.

While she is happy for her offspring to raid her wardrobe, she admits it doesn't come without risk

Amanda told Women's Health: 'I trust my 18-year-old with some of the posher stuff I have in my wardrobe, but 100% I wouldn't trust my youngest with any of it'

Last week, the television and radio star sparked a new feud with Sharon Osbourne when she called the TV personality, 71, 'bitter and pathetic' after she tore into Amanda's friend and BGT boss Simon Cowell on Celebrity Big Brother.

Sharon, the wife of legendary Black Sabbath rocker Ozzy Osbourne, retaliated by branding Amanda an 'ill-informed sycophant' in an acid-tongued social media letter.

Amanda had told the Daily Mail's Weekend Magazine: 'I hated seeing certain people in a reality show dissing Simon - he's the person who's given them all the chances, given them a lot of money and a lifestyle they probably wouldn't have had.

'It's bitter and pathetic. It was like Cinderella with her two sisters in the background - just stabby, stabby, stabby.'
Geri Horner and her husband Christian are reportedly in talks to make a fly-on-the-wall documentary in a bid to show their relationship troubles are in the past.

It is claimed the couple has been approached by a television production company which supplies to Netflix, as they plan a Beckham style documentary.

They both recently appeared in Formula One Netflix series Drive to Survive but the new show would take a look at their personal life at home.

It apparently be somewhat similar to the series filmed by Geri's former Spice Girls bandmate Victoria Beckham, where they referenced what they meant through at the time of her husband David's alleged affair with Rebecca Loos.

It comes after Red Bull Racing boss Christian, 50, got caught up in a 'sexting' scandal with an employee and was accused of sexual misconduct.

A source told the Mirror: 'The idea that has been pitched is a really personal documentary, capturing Geri and Christian at home.

Geri Horner and her husband Christian are reportedly in talks to make a fly-on-the-wall documentary in a bid to show their relationship troubles are in the past (pictured last month)

It is claimed the couple has been approached by a television production company which supplies to Netflix , as they plan a Beckham style documentary (pictured last month)

'Following the recent speculation about their relationship, there would be a huge amount of interest in seeing them together away from the race track and how they interact with their friends and family.

'Geri loved the Beckham documentary, and it was so positively received that it is easy to see why a similar show might appeal to Geri and Christian now. The off-the-cuff scenes at home between David and Victoria have completely transformed how they are viewed by people, particularly Victoria, who had the chance to show off her funny side.

'Netflix would be an obvious home for their series, if they agree to film one. But it is also possible it could spark a bidding war between firms, as there would be a massive amount of interest from viewers.'

The source added that it would give the couple a chance to show they and their children are a tight-knit family, and for Geri to talk about her children's books.

Geri, 51, and Christian share son Montague, or Monty for short, seven, together. Geri is also mother to Bluebell, 18, from her past relationship with Sacha Gervasi.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Geri and Christian for comment.

An internal investigation was carried out by Red Bull Racing prior to the 2024 season following a complaint made about Christian by a female employee at Red Bull, and Christian, who has been married to Geri since 2015, was cleared of any wrongdoing just a day before the first practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix in February.

However, what appeared to be intimate WhatsApp exchanges allegedly sent by Christian to the female colleague were then leaked to a number of key F1 figures and the media just 24 hours later, bringing his conduct back into the spotlight.

It comes after Christian got caught up in a 'sexting' scandal with a Red Bull employee. He was cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation (Geri and Christian pictured in 2021)

Christian has always denied the claims by the employee and she has since been suspended from her job at Red Bull.

It was claimed last month Geri had laid down some relationship rules for Christian following the scandal.

'One is that Christian cuts or reduces contact with the woman  but that is difficult because of her role at Red Bull,' News Corp reported.

'And she has definitely had her say over what messages he sends. For obvious reasons, Geri would like the female colleague  who she knew before her appointment  to be out of the picture as much as possible.

'But they cannot sack her as there are no grounds to do so.'

However GBN has reported that Christian is not impressed with the list or his wife's apparent mistrust in him.

'Christian was initially hurt by the idea of a list of rules and said it felt like her showing distrust,' a source said.

'She insisted that while she still loves him, she has to protect herself and urged him to put himself in her shoes to understand the torment she's endured with the public humiliation and embarrassment.

'Christian eventually backed down and has agreed to do whatever it takes.'

Red Bull continues to stand by Christian who has been team principal of the team ever since his appointment in 2005.
Big Brother bosses are reportedly being forced to dismantle and move the iconic house to a new location ahead of the new series.

According to The Sun filming at it's current North West London base, the home for both the main and celebrity reboots, is being disrupted by drunken revellers on the nearby canal.

A source said: 'During filming of the most recent series' they found that quite a few barge and boat users on the canal were pulling up and being quite lairy which disrupted filming'.

Going on to reveal that the location was actually chosen for its adjacent waterway so that the housemates could enter dramatically on speed boats in James Bond style.

However the source said: 'But then they found out it wasn't a river but a canal with a maximum speed limit of 4mph so the idea was abandoned.'

Big Brother bosses are reportedly being forced to dismantle and move the iconic house to a new location ahead of the new series (2024 CBB cast pictured)

According to reports filming at it's current North West London base, the home for both the main and celebrity reboots, is being disrupted by drunken revellers on the nearby canal

A source revealed the location was actually chosen for it adjacent waterway in order for housemates to enter dramatically on speed boats similar to a James Bond movie - until bosses learned of the canal's speed limit (Daniel Craig, L, and Rory Kinnear, R, pictured in Spectre)

It also claimed that despite ITV2 not yet recommissioning the reality show, bosses were so confident they were already planning the move.

ITV declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.

Producers created a brand new house for the reboot of the show after the original house at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, was demolished in 2019.

The Big Brother house had been the site for the series since its third season in 2002.

The groundbreaking show - which first aired in the UK in 2000 - was originally shot at a house in Bow, London.

Unaware of how popular the show would be, bosses Channel 4 - who broadcast the series at the time - had not acquired planning permission for more than two years, which is when it relocated to Elstree Studios ahead of it's third season.

With the move came upped security, after a break-in took place in 2001. The show was cancelled by Channel 4 in 2010, and aired its final celebrity, civilian and 'Ultimate' season. But a year later, Channel 5 relaunched it, at the same studios.

In 2016, a planning application to Hertsmere Borough Council hinted that production company Endemol would be extending the famously-cramped house.

It also reported that despite ITV2 not yet recommissioning the reality show, bosses were so confident they were already planning the move

Producers created a brand new house for the reboot of the show after the original house at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, was demolished in 2019

The most recent Celebrity series returned in March, six years after it was last broadcast on Channel 5 and ITV bosses spared no expense on making the property a five star experience for the pampered celebs.

The house, which was home to 16 civilians in the rebooted series last year, was given a starry makeover and turned gold in preparation for its new arrivals.

The interior of the house features an open plan layout with the kitchen, dining area and seating area for the evictions all in one room with accents of gold to mark the housemates' celebrity status dotted around the sprawling property.

The house put sustainability at the forefront, with an outdoor water tank collecting rainwater that will fill the jacuzzi.

In previous years, the smoking area had been a fixture of house chat and gossip, but this year, it was kept away from the cameras, with just a microphone to pick up on any dramatic discussions.

This year's house also features a cheeky nod to its reality TV rival Love Island, with the inclusion of an outdoor fireplace.
Katie Holmes was spotted cutting a casual figure as she frolicked around the streets of the Big Apple on Friday - one day after her daughter Suri turned 18.

The 45-year-old actress - who shares Suri with ex-husband Tom Cruise, 601, rocked a loose striped blue shirt tucked into oversized jeans and paired with black flats for the outing.

Her brown locks were tied up into a ponytail as she accessorized with a gold necklace and dark sunglasses.

She showed off her natural beauty going makeup free while scrolling on her phone as she carried her large black purse.

The Dark Night Rises actress strolled through Manhattan's SoHo area running errands.

Katie Holmes was spotted cutting a casual figure as she frolicked around the streets of the Big Apple on Friday - one day after her daughter Suri turned 18

The 45-year-old actress rocked a loose striped blue shirt tucked into her oversized jeans

Suri looked like the spitting image of her mother from her Dawson's Creek days as she stepped out on her 18th birthday

The sighting comes as Suri looked like the spitting image of her mom from her Dawson's Creek days as she frolicked around the Big Apple on her big day.

The teenager whose estranged father is busy shooting the Mission Impossible sequel 3,500 miles away in Britain  rocked Potter's iconic red-brown lip that was made popular in the 1990s.

She has spent much of the last 12 years living in the shadow of frenzied speculation over her infamously fractured relationship with her Scientologist father Tom Cruise.

And as she takes her first steps into adulthood, it seems she is finally ready to answer the question of her future with the Top Gun star once and for all.

On Sunday, the teenager marked her milestone 18th birthday without her dad Tom, 61, who has all but been exiled from his youngest child's life for many years - a bitter rift that stems in large part from Katie and Suri's decision to cut ties with his controversial Scientology faith.

The wedge that was initially driven between father and child at the time of his 2012 divorce has since become a rock-solid wall - one that Suri has no plans to ever break down, DailyMail.com can now reveal.

Now she is at the age of 18, Suri is a legal adult, 'officially' capable of making her own decisions.

But while sources close to the teen say she is still weighing up her options as far as her future career is concerned, they note that she is crystal clear on one thing: 'Tom does not exist to her.'

Suri's birthday today will officially sever all remaining ties with Tom on paper; as she turns 18, the Top Gun star will no longer be required to pay child support to Katie, a sum that reportedly amounted to a hefty $400,000 a year.

Suri (pictured 2013) marked her milestone 18th birthday without her dad Tom, 61

Suri marked her milestone 18th birthday without her dad Tom Cruise (seen together in 2011), who has all but been exiled from his youngest child's life for many years

But even the potential of future financial assistance will not lure Suri into pursuing a relationship with her father, the insiders insist.

'Suri will not have any contact with her father, despite being 18, and even if he called, she would not answer,' one source told DailyMail.com.

'He does not exist to Katie or Suri, and his daughter does not want to rely on him for anything. She feels that she has one parent and that is her mother,' the source added.

Suri's close bond with her mother is no secret; the pair are peas in a pod.

The Kennedys star Katie, 45, and her lookalike child are regularly pictured together in their hometown of New York, appearing every inch the happy mother-daughter duo.

But while Suri has inherited much from her mother - a love of fashion, a passion for creativity, and Hollywood-worth looks - she has no plans to follow in Katie's footsteps as far as an on-screen career is concerned.

Instead, insiders say, she is focused very much on remaining 'a private citizen' - or at least as private as her star-studded parentage will allow.

While Suri has yet to cement her plans for the future, she appears to be clear on the fact that she does not wish to go down the path that so many Hollywood nepo-babies have trod by forging her own career on the big or small screen.

'She's currently weighing up her options for the future,' the source reveals. 'But she plans on remaining a private citizen for now.

'Suri will not have any contact with her father, despite being 18, and even if he called, she would not answer,' one insider told DailyMail.com

Suri has however shown a keen interest in pursuing a career in fashion, with sources revealing back in March 2023 that she was 'leaning towards' studying the topic at college, focusing her application process large on the New York City area in order to remain close to her mother.

But while she may not have crystalized all of her plans, one thing about her future is clear: Tom will have no part in it.

While Tom's annual child support payments stopped on Suri's 18th birthday, the onscreen star could still be financially involved in her life as the divorce agreement is said to have included the stipulation that he will pay for college tuition.

DailyMail.com has contacted Tom's representatives for comment.
Strictly's Graziano Di Prima, Nancy Xu, and Gorka Marquez revealed that they will pay tribute to the late Robin Windsor during their upcoming tour.

Robin was a member of Strictly's professional lineup from 2009 until 2013, and was paired with stars including Patsy Kensit and Lisa Riley.

The dancer was found dead in a hotel in London at the age of 44 in February, though his cause of death is yet to be revealed.

During Friday's episode of Loose Women, Graziano, Nancy and Gorka discussed their plans to honour him on the tour.

The group and several other Strictly professionals will soon embark on The Professionals Tour. With twelve dancers, it is the biggest professionals tour so far.

Strictly's Graziano Di Prima, Nancy Xu and Gorka Marquez revealed on Friday's Loose Women that they will pay tribute to the late Robin Windsor during their upcoming tour

Robin was a member of Strictly's professional lineup from 2009 until 2013, and was paired with stars including Patsy Kensit and Lisa Riley

The dancers appeared on Loose Women with panellists Kaye Adams, Nadia Sawalha, Judi Love, and Olivia Attwood-Dack to discuss the tour

The tour lineup is completed by Carlos Gu, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przysta, Karen Hauer, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, Neil Jones, Vito Coppola, and Celebrity Big Brother runner-up Nikita Kuzmin.

Gorka told the show: 'I think we are a family and the loss of Robin who was part of that family... he was just a wonderful person. He was always smiling.

'I have memories of him smiling when it comes to the show, it was positive things for all of us. The least we can do is celebrate him because wherever he is up there, he will be dancing with us.'

Graziano added: 'I've got beautiful memories of him. We did a tour together, we did lifts and stuff and sometimes you're in pain.

'He would always be the last person to leave the room, even if he was in so much pain. Surprisingly enough I did my tour, one of my shirts was his pink shirt and it was written "Robin".

'Every time I was wearing it I had goosebumps. That was a nice, nice memory. I am always thinking of him.'

Graziano told The Express after Robin's death: 'We did rehearsals for two weeks nonstop. I could see the pain, but he would never stop.'

The two spent three years touring the West End together.

Strictly The Professionals Tour will hit Birmingham, Blackpool, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cardiff, Conwy County Borough, and Edinburgh;

Glasgow, Hull, Liverpool, Nottingham, Oxford, Plymouth, Salford, Sheffield, Stockton, Sunderland, Swansea, and Wolverhampton.

The Professional Tour kicks off on May 1 and concludes on June 1.

The tour lineup is completed by Carlos Gu, Dianne Buswell, Jowita Przysta, Karen Hauer, Luba Mushtuk, Michelle Tsiakkas, Neil Jones, Vito Coppola, and CBB runner-up Nikita Kuzmin

It was revealed in February that BBC didn't pay for an operation on Robin's back before being told by bosses he would not be brought back to Strictly show.

He suffered a 'slipped disc' at an after-show party in Blackpool, falling heavily on a marble floor while 'trying some lifts,' and required an operation.

READ MORE: Strictly stars pay tribute to late dancer Robin Windsor as he is laid to rest in a private funeral Advertisement

A source has told MailOnline that despite being left in agony by the spinal injury, Robin didn't receive any financial support for his operation by Strictly bosses.

While it seems unlikely the BBC were liable to pay for Robin's operation, the hefty medical costs will have added to Robin's woes, as he was hit by a 100,000 tax bill just months later.

Robin eventually had an operation and endured months of painful injections, but producers then decided they 'couldn't have him back.'

A source previously told The Mail that Robin 'never got over' being axed from Strictly, and he 'lived in hope' he'd be invited back one day.

Robin also revealed his torment on the My Time Capsule podcast in January 2022, saying: 'It was the worst thing that's ever happened to me...

'I loved being on Strictly Come Dancing. It was the best job in the world. I think I loved being on that show more than any other person that was there.'

Describing his sacking, Robin said: 'I got a phone call saying: 'Thank you for all your hard work on the show. We won't be needing you anymore.' And that was all that I got.'

'It hurt more than anything in the world. After all of the work that I'd put in, how much I loved it, what I'd been through with the injury... to be just pushed to the side, with no real thanks or anything, was heartbreaking.'

He finished: 'But, at the same time, that's showbusiness, right? Then I went on a downward spiral.'

A representative for Strictly declined to comment. MailOnline has contacted a representative for Robin Windsor's estate for comment.

For help, call Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
She is in the almost unique position of having worked in intimate proximity to both Queen Elizabeth, whom she remembers and reveres as someone 'with no ego' and for being 'so comfortable in herself', and Meghan Markle.

But now, having concluded her service for the Royal Family, Samantha Cohen has decided to explain how and why she was dubbed 'Samantha the Panther'.

'The name came about when I was in a junior position at Buckingham Palace and overseeing an event with high-profile celebrities,' recalls Cohen, who is now chief of staff at mining company Rio Tinto.

'An agent called asking if someone was on the guest list.

I said, 'Sorry, they're not'. They kept phoning back and I said, 'I'm sorry, we can't invite everyone'. The next day I was in the Press.'

Having concluded her service for the Royal Family , Samantha Cohen has decided to explain how and why she was dubbed 'Samantha the Panther'

Cohed served Queen Elizabeth for 17 years and took on the role of private secretary to Meghan and Harry at the Queen's request

Cohen only lasted 18 months as private secretary to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry but resigned 18 months later after being 'harshly treated', according to royal author Valentine Low

Cohen, an Australian, is, of course, far too discreet to disclose the identity of the 'high-profile celebrity' whose agent was making such desperate efforts on behalf of his client.

But, at the time, there were detailed  and gleeful  reports recording who had made it on to the list of Britain's 200 most powerful and most successful women.

Their reward was an invitation to a lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Tamara Mellon, creator of Jimmy Choo shoes, Heather Mills  at the time, married to Sir Paul McCartney  and Jemima Goldsmith all made the cut.

But Victoria Beckham did not.

Asked to explain the omission of the erstwhile Spice Girl, Cohen answered with splendid candour.

'Being rich is not enough,' she explained. 'These are people who are outstanding in their field or have been icons who have made a contribution in some way.'

Though refraining from public comment, fashion designer Victoria was said to have been 'deeply disappointed' not to have been recognised for her work for the NSPCC, Comic Relief and the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Cohen, who served Queen Elizabeth for 17 years, subsequently became private secretary to Meghan and Harry  a role she took at the Queen's request.

She resigned 18 months later, after being 'harshly treated', according to royal author Valentine Low.
READ MORE: Experts reveal if its better to workout before or after work

This is because it stimulates hormones in the muscles that signal for repair

Doctors consistently recommend exercise as a tool for improving sleep.

But certain types of movements might help you snooze more than others, experts say.

Resistance training - using weights, body weight, or resistance bands - is the best way to improve your sleep, according to Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, a physiologist who specializes in sleep therapy.

This involves movements like squats, lunges and push ups - as well as lifting hand weights or using machines.

Resistance workouts encompass a broad range, but generally include exercises which put your muscles under stress

The sleep-enhancing benefits of resistance exercises lie in the fact your muscles produce more of a hormone that makes you sleepy called adenosine, compared to cardio like running and HIIT, Dr Ramlakhan told Stylist.

Sleep is crucial to health. Those who get insufficient sleep have overall poorer quality of life and increased risk for diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer and death, according to the National Council on Aging.

So if you're one of the 30 percent of Americans who struggle with insomnia, mixing some push ups, deadlifts or cable pulls into your routine could make all the difference.

Ramlakhan's revelation is based on a 2022 study of 386 Americans by the American Heart Association.

According to the study, people who did resistance workouts slept for 40 more minutes a night than people who didn't exercise at all and 17 more minutes than people who did cardio alone.

They also had better sleep quality and reported feeling more rested when they woke up.

Lifting weights might cause your body to release more of a chemical that makes you sleepy, in order to stimulate repair, Dr Ramlakhan said.

During the night, it's thought that our body repairs damage from the stress it experienced throughout the day, Professor Angelique Brellenthin, the study's author and an assistant professor of kinesiology at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa told CNN.

When muscles are more fatigued it is possible they release more chemicals, like adenosine, Dr Ramlakhan said. These chemicals tell your body to sleep longer and more deeply, so that your body has more time to repair the muscle tissue.

'Physical movement can help us produce the chemical adenosine, which promotes sleepiness and enables melatonin [sleep regulation hormone] to work more effectively,' Dr Ramlakhan explained to Stylist.

'The build-up in the levels of adenosine is the catalyst to stop adrenaline and other stimulating hormones. This initiates the biochemical changes necessary for sleep.'

Dr Ramlakhan says just an hour of mild resistance exercises per day is enough to result in sleep benefits.

Resistance band workouts can be used for an upper body, leg or core workout, depending on where you place the bands.

Some experts believe that weight training stimulates testosterone and growth hormones, which have both been linked with 'better, deeper sleep,' Professor Brellenthin said.

The American Heart Association study's authors caution that you shouldn't move away from cardio completely - since it's been shown to support heart health and overall wellbeing.

But if you're worried about your sleep in particular, mixing in a couple resistance workouts a week could make a world of difference.

'While both aerobic and resistance exercise are important for overall health, our results suggest that resistance exercises may be superior when it comes to getting better ZZZ's at night,' Brellenthin said.
Motorists whose models are affected will be notified by early June 2024

Toyota is recalling around 55,000 of its vehicles amidst concerns its rear doors can open unexpectedly.

The recall affects its 2023-2024 Prius and Prius HEV hybrid electric vehicles in the US. Some 156,000 vehicles in Japan, Canada, Europe and Asia have also been recalled.

There are fears water may enter and short-circuit rear door latches which risks them opening when moving or in a crash.

Unexpected door openings increases the risk of injury to occupants, Toyota said in a recall notice. The automaker did not say whether any accidents had already been reported.

Motorists whose models are affected will notified by mail by early June 2024. They can also check if their vehicle is part of the recall by visiting Toyota's website.

Toyota is recalling around 55,000 of its vehicles amidst concerns its rear doors can open unexpectedly

The recall affects its 2023-2024 Prius and Prius HEV hybrid electric vehicles in the US

Toyota dealers will replace the right and left rear door opener switches with improved ones, free-of-charge.

In the meantime, owners are being urged to activate a feature that automatically locks the doors when shifting from 'park' to prevent the door opening if a short circuit occurs.

It comes after Toyota recalled more than 381,000 of its 2022-2023 Tacoma trucks over an axle issue that could affect vehicle stability and brake performance - increasing the risk of a crash.

The manufacturer also recalled more than 280,600 of its 2022-2024 model Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Lexus LX600 and 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrid vehicles.

The recall was sparked by a brake issue which might cause the vehicle to move when it is in neutral and the brakes are not applied.

Toyota dealers will replace the right and left rear door opener switches with improved ones, free-of-charge. Pictured: Toyota CEO Koji Sato

Today Tesla was also forced to recall nearly 4,000 of its Cybertrucks over a potentially fatal flaw.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Friday that Elon Musk's company will replace or repair the accelerator pedal assembly at no charge and owners will be notified through letters mailed to them in June.

The recall comes after a new Tesla owner shared the design flaw in a video, showing how the pedal cover can easily slip forward and become lodged in the interior, effectively locking the car in full acceleration.
Eight of them are scattered along the Gulf of Mexico, which is disaster prone

The spring real estate market is in full swing and homes are going up for sale - but they're staying there for longer in a handful of US cities.

In a smattering of metro cold spots - dotted throughout Texas, Florida, Louisiana, New York and West Virginia - homes are staying on the market for an average of more than 60 days, according to new data from Realtor.com.

Across the board, homes spent a median of 50 days on the market in March.

'Some of these markets are perennially slow-moving,' said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com. 'They tend to be smaller markets that are not on the radar of most buyers.'

In all of the areas where homes were spending longer on the market, there was also a notable increase in inventory year-on-year, according to data for March.

Huntington in West Virginia had among the coolest property markets in March, with homes remaining up for sale for an average of 66 days

Housing inventory surged by 130 percent in Punta Gorda, Florida. And in Cape Coral and Naples, both also in Florida, inventory was up 101 and 82 percent, respectively.

The areas with stagnating markets also often offer more affordable options, with nine out of the twelve metros boasting median list prices below the national average of $424,900.

For example, the most budget-friendly among them, Huntington, West Virginia, has a median list price of just $179,950.

Interestingly, eight of the twelve metro areas are located along the Gulf of Mexico, making them prone to storm-related risks. Some are still dealing with the aftermath of hurricanes and soaring interest costs as a result.

'In some cases, homes in these areas are at risk of flooding and other hazards, leading to rising insurance costs,' said Hale.

According to real estate agent Karen Brown of Michael Saunders & Company on the Florida Gulf Coast, Punta Gorda is suffering in the wake of Hurricane Ian in 2022.

'Cleanup efforts are ongoing, and residents are still navigating insurance claims,' Brown told Realtor.com.

1. Lafayette, Louisiana

Median days on the market in March: 69 (tie)

Median home list price in March: $259,250

In Lafayette, Louisiana, homes were on the market for a median of 69 days

2. Punta Gorda, Florida

Median days on the market: 69 (tie)

Median home list price: $419,000

3. Brownsville, Texas

Median days on the market: 68 (tie)

Median home list price: $308,000

In Brownsville, at the southernmost tip of Texas, on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, homes were on the market for a median of 68 days

4. Utica, New York

Median days on the market: 68 (tie)

Median home list price: $239,900

5. New Orleans, Louisiana

Median days on the market: 67

Median home list price: $329,000

6. Crestview, Florida

Median days on the market: 66 (tie)

Median home list price: $644,000

7. Huntington, West Virginia

Median days on the market: 66 (tie)

Median home list price: $179,950

In Huntington, West Virginia, homes were on the market for a median of 66 days

8. Waco, Texas

Median days on the market: 66 (tie)

Median home list price: $345,000

9. Longview, Texas

Median days on the market: 64 (tie)

Median home list price: $305,500

10. Naples, Florida

Median days on the market: 64 (tie)

Median home list price: $849,000

In Naples, Florida, homes were on the market for a median of 64 days. The median house price was significantly higher than elsewhere on the list

11. Cape Coral, Florida

Median days on the market: 64 (tie)

Median home list price: $474,100

12. Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Median days on the market: 64 (tie)

Median home list price: $305,000
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday called the BJP the "biggest liar in the universe" while addressing an election rally in western Uttar Pradesh.

The identity that the BJP has created for itself in the region in the last 10 years is that of "loot and lies", Yadav said.

"Perhaps no political party has uttered as many lies as the BJP. In the whole universe, it is the BJP which is the biggest liar," the SP president said.

Yadav also claimed that the BJP would be "eliminated" from the region in the first phase of polls, voting for which was underway on Friday.

"It feels like this time the wind from the west is going to eliminate the BJP completely. And it looks like the BJP'S first show has flopped," Yadav said, referring to the first phase of polls in eight constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh.

"Not only that, the public also does not want to listen to their often repeated dialogues. The story they were concocting till now, nobody wants to listen to that too," he claimed.

The SP president was addressing the rally, held in the Sikandrabad area of Bulandshahr district, in support of Gautam Buddh Nagar candidate Mahendra Singh Nagar. The Sikandrabad and Khurja areas of Bulandshahr come under the Gautam Buddh Nagar Lok Sabha constituency.

Seeking support for Nagar, he talked about his qualification as a doctor, who is taking on BJP's Mahesh Sharma, who is also a doctor.

"This time a doctor is competing with a doctor. Some people told me that you are losing in this region because you could not field a doctor to take on the doctor. I want to thank all party workers who have prepared a doctor (for elections) who can even cure the coming generations. Hence, a doctor for a doctor," Yadav said.

"The BJP people are coming to seek your votes after 10 years and look at their hoardings, they call themselves 'double-engine government' but the second face is missing from the hoardings," Yadav said, referring to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

"All the big hoardings that you see in Noida, Ghaziabad, or in other parts of the country... It's a double-engine government just for saying it, but the other face is missing everywhere. And when people will cast their votes, the sole face that appears on these hoardings (PM Narendra Modi) that too would go missing," he said.

"This time, the BJP would be removed from power from Ghaziabad (at one end of western UP) to Ghazipur (at the other end of eastern UP), Yadav said, adding "How would this government save itself now?"

"The INDIA coalition is ready for a fight this time. I know a lot of people wanted this coalition, some who could not speak up also nurtured this desire for a coalition in their hearts. Tell me if the socialists have not listened to your hearts? And it's not just the Congress, Samajwadi Party in the coalition. The Aam Aadmi Party is also there, ready to sweep them (BJP) out," Yadav said.

He claimed farmer leaders know how much they have to struggle with the government.

"The government got nails studded on roads, deployed force on the ground, tractors were not allowed to get diesel, police were deployed, restrictions imposed but the farmers did not turn back, some of them even got martyred and ultimately the government had to back out and take back the three black laws (farm laws)," he said.

He said the youth is also ready to remove the BJP from power and said the youngsters are "dejected".

"They prepared for exams and employment but it's unfortunate that exam papers leak every time. The youth knows it. Papers for more than nine exams have leaked so far, the government does not want to give job to anyone," he claimed.

He further claimed that paper leaks have impacted 1.80 crore voters across 80 Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, which means 2.25 lakh voters in each constituency.

"This is the number of voters that the BJP has lost this time. How would a government save itself when the farmers and the youth are against it?" Yadav said.

He said the BJP people keep talking about "pariwar-waad" (dynasty politics) but they should resolve that they won't give party ticket to anyone who has a family or seek votes from anyone who has a family.

"Can they take such a resolution? They can see your and mine families, but they can't see their own most dangerous family, which is creating divide in the society, spreading hatred, conspires. Hence, if there is any most dangerous family, it is with the BJP," he alleged.

He also slammed the BJP for converting permanent jobs in the defence into "temporary gigs" in the form of the 'Agnipath' scheme.

"If the BJP continues in power, the service of police personnel would also be reduced to three years like Agniveers," he claimed.

Gautam Buddh Nagar goes to polls on April 26 in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
Voting was underway on Friday in 102 Lok Sabha seats spread across 21 states and Union territories in the first of the seven phases of the world's largest electoral exercise, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging voters to exercise their franchise in record numbers.

He especially called upon the young and first-time voters to vote in large numbers.

Polling began at 7 AM and will end at 6 PM. Over 16.63 crore people are eligible to vote in this phase. In the first phase, there are 35.67 lakh first time voters, besides 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years.

As the voting commenced, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to cast their ballots carefully and asserted that a new era of economic empowerment and equal opportunities beckons them.

Appealing to people to go out and vote in large numbers, he said on X that "The fight to protect our Constitution and Democracy begins today".

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi urged voters to strengthen democracy and open 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan' in every corner of the country by defeating hatred.

"Today is the first phase of voting! Remember, each and every vote of yours is going to decide the future of India's democracy and its generations," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.

"Go out and strengthen democracy by applying the balm of your vote on the wounds inflicted on the soul of the country in the last 10 years," he said.

Open 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' in every corner of the country by defeating hatred, the Congress leader added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to people to choose a strong and decisive leadership that has shown the determination to free the country from corruption, nepotism and appeasement while fulfilling its promises.

Election officials said a voter turnout of 11.15 per cent was recorded in the first two hours of polling in the five Lok Sabha seats of Assam, while over 15 per cent voters exercised their franchise in three Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal.

Among the prominent early voters were Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who cast his vote at Walbakgre polling station in Tura Lok Sabha constituency, Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, who cast his ballot in Nagpur, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who exercised his franchise in Bikaner and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at Nagra Terai polling station in Khatima.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also cast their votes at their native villages as the polling for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies in the state got underway.

Sangma, who himself drove to reach the polling station, said, "I reached the booth at 6.30 hoping to vote first. But I was pleasantly surprised that there were many people before me. It is a healthy trend. Voting is a right of every citizen".

Rijiju cast his vote in his village Nafra in the newly created Bichom district, while Khandu exercised his franchise in the Mukto constituency in Tawang district.

Counting of votes in the elections that will conclude on June one will be taken up on June 4.

Polling is being held for all seats of Tamil Nadu (39), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1) and Lakshadweep (1).

Besides, voting is underway in 12 seats of Rajasthan, eight in Uttar Pradesh, six in Madhya Pradesh, five seats each in Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one seat each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh.

Simultaneously, assembly elections are being held in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats).

Among the prominent candidates in the fray in the first phase are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Sarbananda Sonowal, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress and DMK's Kanimozhi. An aggressive K Annamalai, who is steering the BJP campaign in Tamil Nadu, is also among the contestants.

The Election Commission has deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations.

While the National Democratic alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Modi is seeking a stronger majority, the constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections.

Besides Gadkari, Sonowal, seven other Union ministers--Bhupendra Yadav, Kiren Rijiju, Sanjeev Baliyan, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, L Murugan and Nisith Pramanik--are in the poll fray in the first phase.

Two former chief ministers--Biplab Kumar Deb (Tripura) and Nabam Tuki (Arunachal Pradesh)--and Tamilisai Soundararajan, who recently resigned as governor of Telangana to return to active politics, also figure in the poll battle. Soundararajan is contesting from Chennai South on BJP ticket.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Thursday urged people to cast their ballot and reminded people of the significance of each vote, saying there have been instances when one vote has mattered in a critical contest.
As polling began in the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls on Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged voters to strengthen democracy and open 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan' in every corner of the country by defeating hatred.

"Today is the first phase of voting! Remember, each and every vote of yours is going to decide the future of India's democracy and its generations," Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on 'X'.

"Go out and strengthen democracy by applying the balm of your vote on the wounds inflicted on the soul of the country in the last 10 years," he said.

Open 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' in every corner of the country by defeating hatred, the Congress leader added.

Gandhi also shared a graphic of the key Congress guarantees to the people, including the right to apprenticeship, a legal guarantee of MSP and a nationwide caste census.

The 2024 Lok Sabha polls kicked off Friday with polling being held for the first phase scheduled in 102 seats spread across 21 states and Union territories.

Among those in the fray are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Sarbanada Sonowal and Bhupendra Yadav, Gaurav Gogoi of the Congress, the DMK's Kanimozhi and K Annamalai of the BJP.

Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats) are also being held simultaneously.

While the BJP-led NDA under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a stronger majority, the constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections.
China issues plan to support creation of online literature, drama series

Xinhua) 11:06, April 19, 2024

NANJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The China Writers Association has released a plan to support the creation of online literature, aiming to promote the development of online drama series in turn.

A release conference was held on Thursday in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, with 50 projects selected for the plan, covering such themes as sci-tech innovation and science fiction.

Micro and short drama series have emerged as vigorous drivers of the overseas appeal of Chinese culture, and online literature provides original content for new productions.

Senior association official Hu Bangsheng called for efforts to strengthen copyright protection, safeguard the interests of writers, and nurture a sound cultural environment online.

The conference was attended by network writers and online literature service providers, with attendees putting forward suggestions on promoting the sound and orderly development of the online drama industry in terms of creation direction, global vision and copyright protection.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Key Points:

The US Navy has requested funding for one Virginia-class submarine in fiscal 2025, while lawmakers are pushing for two.

Lawmakers argue that reduced submarine orders will harm healthy vendors within the submarine-industrial base.

The Navy maintains that investment in the industrial base is sufficient to support submarine production needs.

Submarine Showdown: Lawmakers Push for Increased Spending

A battle is brewing over the US Navys shipbuilding budget as a House panel pushes for procuring two attack submarines in fiscal 2025, contrasting with the Navys request for just one. The debate centers on maintaining the health of the submarine-industrial base and supporting both US and Australian naval needs under the AUKUS agreement.

Get alerts:

The Navys Stance

Faced with a defense budget constrained by a 1% growth cap, the Navy has implemented a strategic reallocation of resources. This involves requesting funding for six new ships, including procuring a single Virginia-class attack submarine. To offset the reduced order quantity, Navy leadership asserts that submarine production capacity can be maintained in two ways:

Advance Procurement Funding: The Navy intends to allocate substantial funds towards procuring long-lead-time materials and components before future submarine construction. This strategy aims to mitigate potential supply chain disruptions and shorten production timelines.

The Navy intends to allocate substantial funds towards procuring long-lead-time materials and components before future submarine construction. This strategy aims to mitigate potential supply chain disruptions and shorten production timelines. Industrial Base Investment: The Navy plans to invest billions of dollars into programs directly supporting the submarine-industrial base. These investments will focus on enhancing vendor capabilities, such as modernizing production processes, expanding facilities, implementing advanced technologies and workforce development. The goal is to optimize vendor output and increase overall production efficiency within the submarine manufacturing ecosystem.

Lawmakers Push Back

Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), whose district houses major submarine shipbuilder General Dynamics Electric Boat, strongly opposed the Navys strategy. He refuted the assertion that investments in the submarine-industrial base (SIB) could fully compensate for the potential decline in direct submarine orders.

Submarine-Industrial Base Shows Signs of Recovery

Courtney acknowledged the value of SIB investment programs for long-term benefits such as process optimization, facility upgrades and workforce training. However, he emphasized that these investments do not translate into immediate revenue streams for vendors whose financial stability depends heavily on new submarine contracts. He expressed concern that a reduced order volume could lead to a significant revenue decline, potentially up to 50%, for otherwise healthy vendors within the submarine production network.

Rep. Courtney advocates that the submarine-industrial base is demonstrating a solid recovery trajectory following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlights several key indicators to support this assessment:

Workforce Growth: General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, the primary builders of Virginia-class submarines, have experienced substantial workforce expansion. This growth demonstrates increased capacity to handle production demands.

General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, the primary builders of Virginia-class submarines, have experienced substantial workforce expansion. This growth demonstrates increased capacity to handle production demands. Production Rate Increase: Submarine construction rates have increased, signifying improved output and efficiency within the shipbuilding process.

Submarine construction rates have increased, signifying improved output and efficiency within the shipbuilding process. Infrastructure Investment: New facilities are being constructed specifically to optimize the shipbuilding process, further contributing to industrial base capacity and efficiency.

Fiscal Hurdles Remain

Despite these positive indicators, proponents of the second submarine face a significant challenge in navigating the constrained defense budget. Funding would need to be reallocated from other defense programs to accommodate the additional submarine. Rep. Courtney has yet to propose specific areas within the budget where these reductions could occur.

At the hearing, the Navy also received criticism for delaying advanced procurement for its next two aircraft carriers and its lack of commitment to a multiyear purchase of San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks. Rep. Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), the subcommittees chairman, emphasized the importance of providing clear signals and predictable schedules to shipbuilders.
The chair of the Bloody Sunday March Committee has slammed the PPS decision not to prosecute former soldiers investigated for perjury.

In 2010, Lord Saville's report into Bloody Sunday stated some soldiers had knowingly put forward false accounts.

On Friday, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) said there was "insufficient" evidence to prosecute 15 former soldiers and one former member of the Official IRA.

The Bloody Sunday families were informed of the decision on Friday morning.

Kate Nash, Chair of the Bloody Sunday March Committee said that the decision not prosecute the former soldiers "shows yet again that Lord Saviles report cannot be taken as the last word on the Bogside massacre".

She said: The top Bloody Sunday liar, Michael Jackson, hasnt even been considered for prosecution. still doesnt rate a mention in any of the pronouncements of the British political or military leaderships. He lied and lied and lied again, but still hasnt been given a slap on the wrist, even as the families have repeatedly been given a slap in the face.

The thugs who pulled the triggers took their lead from Jackson who, after Bloody Sunday, rose to the very pinnacle of Britains army. The message to the paras was  Well done!

We shouldnt be surprised. The British Army has been rampaging across the world for centuries and hasnt changed or been made to feel any need to change.

The main reason the British Government refuses to tell the full truth about Bloody Sunday is that they feel it may be necessary in their own interests to launch a murderous assault against some other community at some other time. They are addicted to murder.

Many still campaigning for truth are the grandsons and granddaughters of those who fell and those who were with them on the day that they fell.

If it takes another generation, so be it. We wont allow their lies to pile up and cover up the mass murder in the Bogside. We won't let the killers button their lips and slink away.

Come next January 2nd 2025, Derry will march again and will again shout out not just to our own people but to all who have suffered and died at the hands of imperialist armies around the world.

They strive to protect the Bloody Sunday killers while cheering on the perpetrators of genocide in Gaza. They haven't learned a thing.

But if they think that they have worn us out, we will make them think again.
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The Irish Red Cross has renewed its appeal for the Irish public to consider pledging a room in their homes for Ukrainians.

The 'Safe Homes' appeal has also called on landlords and those with vacant properties to consider hosting families fleeing war. The pledges will take "significant pressure off State and private accommodation", by providing those fleeing the war-torn Ukraine with a safe place to stay, according to the charity.

Roughly a quarter of displaced Ukrainians in State-sponsored accommodation are currently being housed in pledged accommodation.

The Irish Red Cross-led Consortium of Partners have placed 10,842 beneficiaries in 4,757 properties, but it is concerned that those fleeing Ukraine will find themselves homeless here.

A revised policy, introduced on 14 March means those fleeing the war in Ukraine, who register for temporary protection and are looking for State-provided accommodation in Ireland, will be accommodated for a maximum of 90 days.

The charity said the pledging of accommodation has been "immensely successful" in providing temporary accommodation to those arriving in Ireland.

An online survey of 430 of those with experience of pledged accommodation conducted by the Irish Red Cross found that displaced Ukrainians are "overwhelmingly satisfied" with their experience in hosted accommodation in Ireland. Around 80 per cent reported being as "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their experience in pledged accommodation. A total of 74 per cent described the relationship with their host as "friendly and supportive" or "familial".
Proposals to ensure criminals face up to five years in jail for abducting cats and dogs have moved closer to becoming law after they cleared the Commons.

The Pet Abduction Bill, which would apply in England and Northern Ireland, creates two new offences and will now be sent to the House of Lords for further consideration.

Animals are regarded as property under existing theft legislation, with campaigners arguing for the emotional value of pets to be recognised and the distress caused if they are stolen.

The Bill would make it an offence to take a cat or dog from the lawful control of another person, with offenders facing a maximum prison sentence of five years.

Conservative MP Anna Firth (Southend West), the Bills sponsor, told the Commons: We are showing by our actions that cats and dogs are not just items, and that abducting them causes real distress to families and to individuals.

Because actions speak far louder than words and this Bill will send a signal that we take animal welfare seriously in the UK.

Conservative MP Ben Everitt (Milton Keynes North) said the Bill resolves a gap that has existed in law for far too long, adding that current legislation does not reflect the impact of pet abduction.

During the report stage of the Bill, Conservative former minister Sir Christopher Chope argued the Bill should only apply to dogs and cats which have been microchipped.

The Christchurch MP said: If you dont have your cat or dog microchipped, then you shouldnt be able to expect the law to come to rush to your assistance in the event of your cat or dog being abducted.

So, because apart from anything else, if you complain to the police that your cat or dog has been abducted and it hasnt been microchipped, it is all the more difficult to identify it and search for it, and so on.

It seemed to me that on that great principle of English equity, if you seek to come to the law, and protection of the law, you should come with clean hands.

It is compulsory for dogs to be microchipped and this will also apply to pet cats from June, under new Government reforms which aim to make microchip records easier to access, improve the accuracy of the information they contain and standardise databases.

Environment minister Robbie Moore said guidance will be provided to police, adding: In the event that they can recover an abducted cat or dog that is not microchipped, they have the power to issue a notice under English microchipping regulations requiring pets to be microchipped within 21 days.

For completeness, failing to comply with such a notice is an offence and subject to a fine of 500.

Sir Christopher also argued the Bill should be extended to cover other pets such as tortoises.

MPs agreed to amend the Bill to ensure the sections on dog and cat abduction also extend to Wales.

Labour said it strongly supports the Bill.

Conservative frontbencher Mr Moore, ahead of the Bill receiving an unopposed third reading, said on behalf of the Government: The unlawful taking of a pet is an abhorrent crime and its right that perpetrators are brought to justice and this Bill recognises that.

Animal welfare charity Cats Protection welcomed the Bill, stating it will finally give pets the full recognition they deserve.

The charitys senior advocacy and government relations officer Annabel Berdy said the Bill will help stamp out the criminal activities that prey on much-loved pet cats by onward selling or from breeding kittens to sell.
The campaign for justice by families of Bloody Sunday victims is not over despite a decision not to prosecute soldiers for perjury, SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has said.

However, DUP MP Gregory Campbell said the verdict reached by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) should come as no surprise given the number of years that have passed since Bloody Sunday.

Thirteen people were shot dead when soldiers opened fire on marchers during a civil rights march in Londonderry on January 30 1972.

Despite the Bloody Sunday Inquiry stating some soldiers had knowingly provided it with false accounts, the PPS announced on Friday there was insufficient evidence to prosecute 16 people.

This included 15 soldiers and one alleged former member of the Official IRA.

Mr Eastwood, MP for Foyle, drew attention to the comments of Lord Saville in the inquiry that some soldiers had knowingly put forward false accounts in order to seek to justify their firing.

The SDLP leader said: This is the latest in a long line of decisions which have delayed and denied justice to the Bloody Sunday families.

Lord Savilles remarks could not have been clearer.

The mental, legal and linguistic contortions that have been gone through to protect these soldiers over the last 50 years really beggars belief and stands in stark contrast with the way families have been treated.

He added: I know this is another difficult moment for these families, but the people of Derry, and people all across the world, know the truth about what happened here that day.

The campaign for justice is not over, not by a long stretch, and well continue to stand with the families for as long as it takes.

But Mr Campbell, the East Londonderry MP, said it was obvious that the prosecutions could not have proceeded.

He said: The decision from the PPS not to proceed with prosecutions against soldiers who were on duty in Londonderry during the day known as Bloody Sunday more than 52 years ago should come as no surprise.

The passage of time makes any decision not to proceed in the absence of new compelling evidence fairly obvious.

Mr Campbell said the decision also demonstrated there is no need for the Governments new laws to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles.

The new Act received royal assent last year despite widespread opposition from political parties, victims organisations in Northern Ireland and the Irish government.

Aspects of the laws include a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to those who co-operate with the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR).

In February, a judge at Belfast High Court ruled that the provision for conditional immunity was not compliant with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The Government is appealing against that finding.

Sinn Fein MLA for Foyle Padraig Delargy said the PPS decision was deeply disappointing for the Bloody Sunday families.

He added: The families have faced many hurdles in their 52 year long campaign for justice, and I have no doubt they will remain steadfast and resolute in whatever steps they take next.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll expressed solidarity with the Bloody Sunday families.

He said: Serious questions must be asked of the Public Prosecution Service following todays decision.
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Japan's JIC successfully acquires JSR with delisting expected by summer

Japan-based photoresist leader JSR announced that the Take Over Bid (TOB) for its shares, led by the Japanese government and the state-backed Japan Investment Corp (JIC), had been completed. JSR will lead in consolidating the semiconductor material industry in Japan and ramping up investments in advanced semiconductor materials.

On April 17, Nikkei and Asahi Shimbun reported that JIC's offer to buy JSR's shares surpassed two-thirds of its acquisition goal. This meets the requirement for JSR to be delisted, expected to happen by summer 2024.

From March 19 to April 16, JIC bought more than 84% of JSR's shares. The remaining shares will soon be acquired, making JSR a fully-owned subsidiary of JIC.

According to Nomura Securities, JSR is the world's largest photoresist manufacturer, with a 27% market share. Tokyo Ohka Kogyo is a close competitor. Japan-based Shin-Etsu Chemical, Sumitomo Chemical, and Fujifilm are also key players in the photoresist market, together holding about 90% of the global market.

The acquisition is expected to help JSR improve its technology and scale up as the advanced semiconductor manufacturing process requires advanced materials. JSR is collaborating with the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre (Imec) through Inpria, a US-based photoresist supplier JSR acquired in 2021. JSR is also jointly developing EUV photoresist with SK Hynix.
Chip wars: can US sanctions shift the semiconductor landscape?

Chinese semiconductor foundry firms are persistently adopting aggressive pricing strategies, putting relentless pressure on the market share of South Korean 8-inch wafer manufacturers. In this evolving landscape, South Korean industry insiders are eyeing potential benefits if the US expands its sanctions on China to encompass more mature semiconductor processes.

Citing industry sources, South Korean media outlet Theelec reports that key players like DB Hitek are closely monitoring the shifting sands of US policy towards China's semiconductor sector.

Should the US broaden its sanctions against China, US and European semiconductor design firms that have traditionally relied on Chinese foundries may find themselves pivoting towards Taiwanese and South Korean alternatives, analysts say.

DB Hitek appears poised to capitalize on this opportunity, reportedly targeting European and American firms currently outsourcing to Chinese foundries. Sources indicate that other South Korean foundry companies share a similar strategy.

Industry insiders in South Korea are closely watching the potential market dynamics that could emerge from US sanctions against China's mature semiconductor chips. The threat is real for South Korean 8-inch wafer manufacturers, who are currently facing intense competition from low-cost Chinese rivals.

Despite efforts to reduce prices, South Korean firms are grappling with challenges to boost their capacity utilization rates. As of Q1 2024, DB Hitek's capacity stands at 75%, lagging behind industry giants like Samsung Electronics and Key Foundry, a subsidiary of SK Hynix.

In this context, South Korean industry leaders are keenly interested in the US's stance on sanctions against China. At a recent meeting in Leuven, Belgium, the US and EU issued a joint statement addressing market distortions caused by mature process chips and expressed intentions to collaborate with like-minded nations on these issues.

The US has been ramping up efforts to curb China's semiconductor ambitions, announcing export bans on advanced semiconductor equipment to Chinese firms since October 2022, including DRAM below 18nm and system semiconductor production equipment below 14nm.

According to the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International (SEMI), China accounted for 34.4% of the global semiconductor equipment purchasing in 2023, surpassing one-third of the total market.

Despite US sanctions, China's appetite for semiconductor equipment remains strong, as reported by South Korean media ET News. The US is said to be preparing additional measures to counter China's significant investments in the semiconductor sector.
There was great success for St Marys College in the final of Gael Linns prestigious Abair Irish public speaking competition recently, with three students from the college taking part in the final which was held in Aonach Mhacha in Armagh City.

Speakers from across the nine counties of Ulster and County Louth competed in the annual cross-border competition. Cairell Ford and Caoilainn Mulvenna participated in the junior section of the final, while Alex McArdle participated in the senior section. They all qualified for the final having previously achieved first and second place in the regional bout held in Newry in January.

Competitors on the day had to speak about a topical issue as Gaeilge, for three/four minutes each. In the final Cairell spoke about his chosen topic of Raflai / Rumours where he spoke about the controversies surrounding the British Royal Family.

Caoilainn spoke about Teifigh / Refugees where she spoke about the challenges facing refugees today, and Alex spoke about An ghearcheim tithiochta don aos og / The housing crisis for young people. St Mary's College commended the students, saying they all gave excellent performances on the day in a very competitive competition.

Cairell and Caoilainn were delighted to win both first and second place in the junior section of the final. Comhghairdeas mor leo!
Independent Candidate for Dundalk-Carlingford in the upcoming local elections in June, Mr Ciaran Fisher, has said that there is a clear need for additional places in secondary schools for students with autism.

The newly announced candidate for the June election, who is a teacher, staff representative on the Board of Management and Assistant Principal Post-holder at Colaiste Chu Chulainn, was commenting on what he says is a lack of school places in the region in general, and the lack of Autism Class places in particular.

In a statement to the Dundalk Democrat, Mr Fisher said that: "There is a clear need for additional places in secondary schools for students with autism. Action thus far has been slow, reactive and not proactive. To be frank, its like watching a car crash in slow motion.

"This problem has been coming for years and yet there is an entire generation of children with autism who dont have the most appropriate type of education for their teenage years. The places in Autism Classes at primary level in the region, far exceed the capacity at second level.
Three Louth students have been awarded an all Ireland scholarship which will cover the full duration of their undergraduate studies.

Rebecca OBrien, Blessed Rita Fonkoh and Emily Halpenny were honoured at the all Ireland scholarships awards ceremony on 30 March in University Concert Hall, University of Limerick.

In attendance at the ceremony was scholarship sponsor JP McManus; Guest of Honour and CEO of Northwell Health, Michael J. Dowling; Minister for Further and Higher Education Niall Collins TD; and Director of Skills, Strategy & Policy, Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland, Graeme Wilkinson; as well as the family, friends and school representatives of the scholarship recipients.

Commenting at the awards ceremony, scholarship sponsor JP McManus said: I am delighted to be here today to celebrate the outstanding academic achievements of these 125 students.

"To date, 1,799 students have received an All Ireland Scholarship and 1,348 of those students have since graduated from university. Today is a very special occasion for the students, their families and principals. They should all be very proud of themselves, and we are looking forward to seeing what they do in years to come.

Above: Sponsor JP McManus; Minister Niall Collins; Blessed Rita Fonkoh; and Noilin Ni Dhulaing, Principal of Colaiste Ris in Dundalk

The All Ireland Scholarships were established in 2008 by JP McManus and this year marks its 16th anniversary. The third level educational scholarship is awarded to 125 of the highest  achieving students per year, with a minimum of two students from each of the 32 counties.

Above: Sponsor JP McManus; Minister Niall Collins; Emily Halpenny; and Una Kirk, Principal of Scoil Ui Mhuiri in Dunleer

The recipients must meet a further set of criteria, including attending a non-fee-paying school and be in receipt of a third level education maintenance grant from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) or be in receipt of an Education Maintenance Allowance in Northern Ireland. The scholarship offers full academic financial support for the duration of the students' third level studies.
Pictured above are: Kieran Swail, Conference Chair; Mike Ahern, Wildlands; Pat McCormick, President Dundalk Chamber; Mario MacBlain; David Kieran, ZOMA; Michael Gaynor, Chair Louth Tourism Networking Committee; Sabhbh Ni Mhaolagain, Tourism Officer Louth County Council; Sarah Mallon, Local Enterprise Office Louth; and Siobhan O'Connor, Corcreggan Mill.

The beautiful Four Seasons Hotel Carlingford was the setting for the 10th Annual Cross Border Tourism Conference organized by Dundalk Chamber of Commerce.

The event, which was sponsored by ZOMA, Louth County Council, Local Enterprise Office Louth, and The Marshes Shopping Centre and attracted just under two hundred delegates from all over Ireland. The Conference was facilitated by Kieran Swail, Southern Regional College.

The event brought together various tourism projects around Ireland and it really was a case of Learning from the Best.

There were four key speakers including Siobhan OConnor, Corcreggan Mill, who discussed how Corcreggan Mill had embraced the concept of agility to drive sustainable growth. Siobhan shared how the business has overcome seasonality by implementing an 8:4 strategy with no groups in high season. The company has also used the Workaway platform to address skills shortages.

David Kieran, Managing Direct of ZOMA spoke about How Digital Marketing is redefining the Future of Travel & Tourism.

He encouraged the audience to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and to repurpose video content. 95% of travellers check reviews before making decisions, so he urged businesses to focus on User Generated Content and customer reviews.

Mike Ahern, General Manager Wildlands explained how Wildlands had thrived in tough economic times, achieved through linking in with the local community. He highlighted how the company focuses on The Candidate Experience when recruiting staff. One of Wildlands core principles is to Recruit for Behaviour and Train for Skill.

Pol O Conghaile, Travel Editor with the Irish Independent introduced 10 Travel Trends in 2024 highlighting regional and international examples of tourism businesses that are creative and innovative by doing something different to attract visitors, to increase visitor spend and to stretch the visitor season.

There were twenty-five exhibitors from all over Louth and beyond and delegates were able to visit the trade stands and network.

Michael Gaynor, Director of Dundalk Chamber opened the Conference. Brendan McSherry, Heritage Officer with Louth County Council closed the event. There were also short contributions from Sabhbh Ni Mhaolagain, Senior Tourism Officer with Louth County Council and Pamela Kerr from Louth Local Enterprise Office.
A new drive is underway to bolster State funding for services which heart and stroke patients in Co Louth describe as their lifeline.

The Louth public is being urged to lobby their TDs and Senators to sign a pledge to support Irish Heart Foundation patient support services - with funding vital to their continued operation. It is estimated that 16,000 people in Louth are living with cardiovascular disease.

For many, supports provided by the charity are the only help they receive after a life-changing heart event, heart failure, stroke or other cardiac conditions. The practical, social and emotional support services begin when patients leave hospital and continue for as long as they are needed.

Now local people are being encouraged to ask their local representatives to sign an online pledge on irishheart.ie/advocacy to ensure 1.2million in crucial annual funding is made available. The Irish Heart Foundation currently receives just 8.6% of this to fund patient support services nationwide, which it says is inadequate to help the current volume of patients.

The services reduce costs for the State every year by supporting patients to continue living in their homes rather than requiring nursing home care or being readmitted to hospital - but only a fraction of this work is State-funded, says the charitys Director of Advocacy and Patient Support, Chris Macey.

Nationally, 80,000 heart and stroke patients are discharged from hospital every year, or one every seven minutes, in many cases to a bleak and uncertain future, he said. One in three of all stroke patients returning home are being referred in to our services, whilst we are also supporting thousands of heart patients.

These people cannot simply return to the lives they led before and desperately need the unique pathway of support services that the Irish Heart Foundation provides. We are doing our utmost with our resources to ensure that people can make the most of life after a stroke or heart diagnosis, but we cannot guarantee continued delivery of these services.

In 2017, 33-year-old Carmel Finnegan from Dundalk, returned home with her husband Mark from Dubai to give birth to her first child. After little Senans arrival, she was home three days when she began to feel unwell, had fatigue and checked her blood pressure, which was through the roof.

Carmel was struggling to breathe and her cough was worsening. She went to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where her lungs were checked. She was given oxygen and later had blood transfusions.

After further assessments, the primary school teacher was diagnosed with heart failure and spent the first few weeks of Senans life in hospital recovering. Following the birth of her second child, Carmel began using the Irish Heart Foundations Nurse Support Line, the counselling service, the Facebook Group Heart Support Network, and she also joined the Patient Champions Programme.

I had no expectations of the services, but I felt it was better to hear from those with real-life experience who had been through something similar, she said. The services and groups I am involved in are so positive and no one is ever negative, despite their diagnosis.

I would absolutely recommend these services to anyone going through similar to what I did. The services give me a support no one else can give me and give me a reassurance no one else can.

Mr Macey says stroke patients leaving hospital often feel abandoned  and many heart failure patients end up in a revolving-door system where they need to be re-admitted.

Our range of services, described by patients as a lifeline, reduce the need for admission to hospitals and nursing homes.

A heart disease diagnosis or stroke often leads to post traumatic stress disorder. But the counselling we provide is the only psychological support available to many patients. People are denied basic services and it is appalling.

In addition to counselling, the Irish Heart Foundation provides nurse-led needs assessments, weekly support calls, back-to-work programmes, fatigue management, peer-to-peer support services, social interaction and online exercise groups. Patients also have access to a Nurse Support Line to provide medical advice.

Once they sign the pledge, elected representatives names will appear on irishheart.ie/advocacy/ and they are also asked to share the pledge on their websites and social media.
Louth woman, Aimee Campbell was part of the FND Ireland team to give first ever presentation to Oireachtas members on Functional Neurological Disorder

Aimee Campbell, 28, from Tullyallen who has Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), along side Eamon McPartlin, founder of FND Ireland, and Dr Aoife Laffan, Neurologist and co-founder of FND Ireland, gave a presentation to Oireachtas members on FND on April 17. The event was hosted in Leinster House by local Senator Erin McGreehan as part of FND Awareness Month.

The event kicked off with a presentation from Dr Aoife Laffan explaining what FND is, a neurological condition that occurs when there is a problem with the functioning of the nervous system; this impacts how the brain and body send and receive signals.

Although many people have not heard of FND, it has been reported as the second most common reason to see a neurologist as an outpatient, yet there is no dedicated HSE clinical pathway for FND. International literature suggests that the development of a FND clinical pathway reduces repeat GP referrals to neurology and other clinics, reduces repeat emergency department attendances and hospital admissions and reduces the inappropriate use of healthcare funding.

Aimee Campbell presented the challenges of living with FND, and how her life has changed from competing at the highest level in Irish Dancing to now being a wheelchair user. Aimee who is paralyzed in three limbs and has many complex care needs gave an overview of her symptoms and the many hospital admissions she has had.

She highlighted in particular how her functional seizures are different from epileptic seizures. Aimee outlined her struggles to access relevant supports having recently won her fight for homecare support after the HSE originally turned her down for not meeting the criteria. Aimee said she is delighted to be on board as FND Ireland Awareness Ambassador and is looking forward to working with Eamon and the team on our FND Awareness campaigns.

Eamon McPartlin who also has FND gave a brief introduction to FND Ireland, the first Irish registered not for profit organisation dedicated to advocating for and supporting those living with FND in Ireland.

It is an entirely voluntary organisation with a committed team that requires funding to grow sustainably to extend its reach to the entire FND community in Ireland. Eamon outlined how FND Ireland will focus on six key areas, Support, Advocacy, Awareness, Information, Research and Collaboration.

Eamon noted the many challenges faced by those living with FND in Ireland and asked all Oireachtas members in attendance to ensure that our Government urgently put funding in place to develop the HSE clinical pathway for FND and the multidisciplinary teams urgently required.

Aimee and FND Ireland say they wish to thank local Senator Eirin McGreehan for hosting the event and the many elected representatives who attended the presentation including local TDs Fergus ODowd and Ged Nash.

FND Ireland also wish to thank Minister Anne Rabbitte for taking time to attend and meet with the team. To find out more about FND Ireland please check out their website www.fnd.ie and their social media platforms.
A woman has been seriously injured in a crash in Cork.

The woman, aged in her 50s, was driving a car which was involved in a collision with an articulated truck at Carrs Hill.

She was taken to Cork University Hospital where her condition is described as serious. No other injuries were reported.

Forensic investigators completed a technical examination of the scene on Thursday and gardai are appealing for witnesses.

They have also asked for footage and images of the crash not to be shared on social media.

The N28 between the Shannon Road roundabout in Carrigaline and the Bloomfield Interchange in Douglas remained closed on Thursday evening with local diversions in place.

Any road users who were travelling on the N28 between 12.45pm and 1.45pm on Thursday and who may have camera footage, including dashcam, are asked to make this available to investigating gardai.

Anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Togher Garda Station on 021 494 7120, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
In Manila, balancing work and love life can be challenging for couples. Childminders offer essential support, enabling parents to enjoy quality time together.

In this blog post, well share practical childminding tips tailored for Manila couples. From vetting caregivers to optimizing schedules, well help you navigate busy lifestyles while nurturing your relationship.

Say goodbye to stress and hello to more quality time with your partner with our expert advice.

How is Childminding Important in a Relationship?

Childminding is vital for sustaining a strong relationship. Caring for children demands considerable time and effort, often leaving couples drained and distant. Prioritizing childminding allows partners to create a supportive space where they can both recharge and cultivate their bond.

By ensuring childrens needs are met effectively, couples can foster an environment conducive to mutual care and affection. This commitment to shared responsibility helps strengthen the foundation of the relationship, fostering deeper connection and resilience amidst lifes demands.

How Does Childminding Affect Your Love Life?

Childminding can impact a couples love life in various ways. It may lead to reduced intimacy, increased stress, and a lack of quality time spent together. Its important for couples to recognize these effects and take proactive steps to address them in order to maintain a fulfilling and satisfying love life.

Investing in Love

Engaging reliable childminding services isnt just about managing childminder fees; its an investment in your relationships well-being. For example, Inna Circle offers affordable, high-quality solutions, ensuring your childrens safety and happiness while giving you the peace of mind to rekindle that spark in your relationship. You can trust Inna Circle to prioritize both your relationship and your budget, providing the support you need to nurture your love while managing your familys needs.

Rekindling Romance

When couples are constantly focused on childminding, they may find it challenging to find time for intimacy. The physical and emotional demands of caring for children can leave partners feeling exhausted and less inclined to engage in romantic activities. It is crucial for couples to prioritize intimacy and find ways to carve out time for each other, whether its through scheduling regular date nights or seeking support from family or friends to take care of the children.

Managing Stress for Loves Sake

The stress associated with childminding can take a toll on a couples love life. Constantly juggling responsibilities and managing the needs of children can leave partners feeling overwhelmed and irritable, making it difficult to enjoy intimate moments. It is important for couples to find healthy ways to manage stress, such as practicing self-care, seeking support from each other, or even considering therapy or counseling to navigate the challenges of childminding together.

Bridging the Distance

The lack of quality time spent together due to childminding can create distance and strain in a relationship. It is essential for couples to make a conscious effort to prioritize their relationship and set aside dedicated time for each other. This can involve creating a weekly date night, planning weekend getaways, or even just setting aside a few minutes each day to connect and check in with one another.

What Childminding Challenges Do Manila Couples Face?

Manila couples face unique challenges when it comes to childminding. The fast-paced lifestyle, long working hours, and lack of extended family support can make it particularly difficult for couples to find the time and resources to effectively care for their children.

One common issue faced by Manila couples is the difficulty in finding trustworthy and reliable childminders. Many parents worry about their childs safety and well-being when they are not around. Additionally, the financial burden of hiring quality childminding services can put a strain on a couples budget.

What are Essential Childminding Tips for Couples?

Despite these challenges, Manila couples can overcome childminding obstacles in various ways. Here are essential tips for you:

Communicate Openly

Its crucial to openly discuss childcare responsibilities, schedules, and expectations with your partner. This ensures mutual understanding and support, minimizing misunderstandings and conflicts. By keeping the lines of communication open, you can work together effectively as a team to navigate the demands of childcare and strengthen your relationship.

Plan Ahead

Developing a thorough childcare plan with backup options for unforeseen circumstances is essential. Anticipating challenges and preparing contingency plans helps reduce stress and facilitates seamless transitions between work and family duties. With careful planning, you can better manage your responsibilities and maintain balance in your daily life.

Delegate Tasks

Share childcare duties equally, considering each others strengths, preferences, and availability. This fosters teamwork and prevents one partner from feeling burdened, leading to a harmonious and supportive atmosphere for both parents and children. By distributing responsibilities fairly, you can create a balanced and fulfilling family dynamic.

How to Find Reliable Childminding Services in Manila

When seeking childminding services in Manila, you should consider these tips:

Research Thoroughly

Start by exploring different childminding services in Manila, taking into account their reputation, experience, and qualifications. Check reviews from other parents to assess the quality of each service. Also, seek recommendations from trusted sources like friends, family, or local parenting communities to ensure youre considering reliable options.

Discuss the Policies

Review and discuss the safety, discipline, and parent communication policies with your childminder. Make sure these policies match your preferences for your childs care. Also, clarify logistical details like hours, fees, and payment to prevent future misunderstandings.

Inquire About the Qualifications of Childminders

Ask about the qualifications and training of the childminders, including certifications in childcare, first aid, and CPR. A trained team is essential for handling emergencies and ensuring quality care.

Trust Your Instincts

Ultimately, you should trust your instincts when selecting a childminding service. Pay attention to your feelings during interactions with childminders. If something feels wrong, consider exploring other options until you find one that gives you confidence and peace of mind.

Incorporating Childminding into Your Love Life

Incorporating childminding into your love life involves finding a balance between nurturing your relationship and caring for your children. Its about creating opportunities for quality time together while ensuring your children are well taken care of. This might mean scheduling regular date nights or weekend getaways while arranging for trusted childminders to watch over your little ones.

By prioritizing both your relationship and your childrens needs, you can strengthen your bond as a couple and create lasting memories with your family.

Conclusion

Finding a balance between childcare and your love life is crucial for Manila couples managing work and family responsibilities. By following the childminding tips we shared, you can navigate your busy life more smoothly while nurturing your relationship.

Say goodbye to stress and hello to more quality time with your partner as you prioritize both your familys well-being and your love for each other. With careful planning, open communication, and trust in reliable childminding services, you can reclaim your love life and strengthen your partnership.
IT is a testament of endurance for any business to operate for eight decades - but this is what Cork- based Mercier Press have achieved this month, as they celebrate being Irelands oldest independent publisher.

Founded in April, 1944, by Captain Sean Feehan and his wife Mary with a mere 90, the publishing company was named after Cardinal Mercier in Belgium, a scholar and deep thinker who resisted German occupation during World War I. He was also one of the Cardinal electors in the 1922 papal conclave which selected Pius XI.

When Mercier was established, Captain Feehan, a Tipperary man, based in Collins Barracks in Cork, was the first Irish publisher to attend the famous Frankfurt Book Fair. Since 1955, Mercier has continued to have an unbroken attendance record at this event - the worlds largest trade fair for books, based on the number of publishing companies represented.

Captain Feehans attendance at the fair sowed the seed of change in the direction of Merciers book list. People who visited the Mercier stand expected to see not just Catholic books, but a range of Irish interest books too - but these were not available, simply because they were not being published.

The disappointment of these visitors was a constant reproach to Captain Feehan, so he decided to address the issue. He began publishing Irish interest books with the intention of presenting Irish culture not only to Irish people themselves, but also to those who were interested in the country, with writing that reflected real life here.

Captain Sean Feehan and wife Mary, founders of the Mercier Press in 1944

This was in tandem with publishing English translations of bestselling books on theology by German authors. Captain Feehan had taught himself German, and he obtained the world English language rights to these books.

He also had a sideline making religious statues, under licence from a German company using local artists to design them.

One of the most notable early Mercier publications was The Tailor And Ansty, by Eric Cross, which had been originally published in 1942 by Chapman and Hall.

Captain Feehan was undeterred by the controversy surrounding it and went on to republish the book, which has remained in print ever since.

This was a brave move back in the days of steely censorship in Ireland. The Censorship of Publications Board banned many books, many of which have since gone on to become widely read.

In 1946, Mercier published This Tremendous Lover, by Dom Eugene Boylan, which sold over a million copies. A spiritual classic, the author was a Trappist monk.

The 1960s publication Marriage Partnership received widespread condemnation from the Catholic Bishops, who felt it was too explicit as birth control was mentioned, and eventually it had to be sold under the counter in bookshops.

In order to make their reading list more accessible, the Mercier paperbacks were born, and in the days before mobile phones or extensive car ownership, it was a convenience to have a pocket-sized book to read while you were on a train or a bus journey.

John Spillane recalls the early days of Mercier Press when, in 1965, he was interviewed by Captain Feehan for the job of commercial manager. At that time the company was based in Morrisons Island, before it relocated to 4, Bridge Street.

When I was interviewed in Morrisons Island, Feehan was in his office there reclining on a sofa. I sat down and the conversation flowed between us, recalls Spillane.

Half an hour later he announced that he had to leave for lunch, and to come back in a weeks time, no mention about whether or not I had secured the job.

I duly turned up a week later and the conversation started up again, and again I left without knowing what was to be my future.

But finally, about a month later, I began my career with Mercier at their new premises on Bridge Street.

Spillane forged a friendship with the great Kerry writer John B. Keane during his time at Mercier.

Feehan was dealing with the authors himself, but when his workload got too much, he transferred one of the writers, John B. Keane, to me, and that was the start of a great period in my publishing life.

I have great memories of my visits to Listowel. We used to go for a meal, John B. loved scallops, and then we would chat about our business while walking Ballybunion Strand.

Back in the pub where he lived, I recall a guy who used to walk an imaginary tightrope down the middle of the bar, there was always a bit of craic going on.

Johns wife Mary was always lovely and welcoming too.

When Mercier was based in Bridge street, Maddens pub directly opposite was frequented by dockers.

When John B. visited Cork he loved having a drink there and engaging in conversation with the lads, which in turn provided him with great inspiration for his stories, recalled Spillane.

On another occasion John B. agreed to do the honours and launch our book The Magic Of The Shannon in Athlone, and if had a second chance I would have loved to have had a recorder in my pocket, he was so entertaining.

I was driving back to Listowel to drop him home, and as we set off through Athlone town, we noticed that the people were waving at us from every angle.

It was like the Pope was being driven through the town, and John B. was amazed at being so recognised. As we were stopped at the traffic lights, a guy came racing over and banged on the window- Sir, sir, your bag is on the roof!

Mercier press has been publishing books, many of them controversial, for the past 80 years.

The ethos has always been freedom of speech, said Carina McNally, Head of Public relations.

In the 1980s, there was great difficulty publishing Writing From Prison by Bobby Sands, which was written on toilet roll and the rice paper of contraband cigarette roll-ups, and a lot of pressure was exerted on Mercier not to do so.

Despite this, Captain Feehan and his daughter Mary published his writings after signing a contract with his solicitor Pat Finucane (who was later assassinated.)

In 2023, Mercier Press had the honour of being the only Irish publisher to have been nominated for the prestigious Prix Voltaire prize, which is dedicated to publishers who have typically published works amid pressure, threats, intimidation or harassment, be it from governments, other authorities, or private interests.

Captain Feehan, a man of courage and conviction, passed away in 1991.

Today, Mercier continues to publish fascinating books on Irish culture and history, with its team Carina McNally, PR; Dee Collins, Head of Books; John Spillane, Director; Mary Feehan, Publisher; Sara Treacy, Accounts; Marcus Spillane and Brian Barrett, board members; and Niamh OReilly, who looks after social media.

Merciers latest publication is Ceoltoiri Chualann: The Band That Changed The Course Of Irish Music, by Cork musician Peadar O Riada, a comprehensive account of the legendary Irish folk music ensemble.

After 80 years in publishing, Mercier continues to produce books that record the rich cultural tapestry of Ireland, and books which start conversations. Just as Captain Feehan would have liked it.
TELL us a little bit about yourself;

I grew up in the lovely town of Listowel Co Kerry and moved to the Rebel County back in 2008 and totally fell in love with the place.

My fiancee Brian and our amazing little girl Poppy, are the ones that drive and inspire me.

I launched my greeting card and stationery business PoppyRosePrintsIE back in late 2021 as I wanted to achieve my dream of working for myself as a creative and to have the flexibility to be there for Poppy as much as possible especially in these early years. Its great to be able to set my own hours to suit family life.

For as long as I can remember I have always loved drawing.

My best tip is that whatever your passion is, dont let others define and limit your abilities. We all start at zero and become better with practice. Our passions should be nurtured and encouraged as they are a special part of us and quite frankly life is too short to miss out on doing what makes us happy.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

After a busy week my perfect way to spend a Friday night is cozying up on the couch with Brian. We love to make a cocktail and watch a movie, usually a horror/thriller or a so bad its actually good movie. Some SBIAG movies include The Room by Tommy Wiseau, Sleepaway Camp and anything with the fab Nic Cage. On the rare time we get to go out together as a couple youll find us in Fred Zeppelins having the craic.

Lie ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you?

100% a lie in! We are a family of night owls.

Rita Casey of Poppy Rose Prints, with fiancee Brian and daughter Poppy.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

For the last few years work has often crept into my weekends. Being self employed is a hard graft but Im getting better now at keeping work to more regular hours now that Poppy is in playschool.

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

Edinburgh for sure, I love that city! My fiancee and I have been there a few times as we both enjoy it so much, we even got engaged over there as it is our special place.

If I won the Euromillions Id buy an apartment over there for more frequent city-break hols.

Not exactly a weekend break but a bucket list destination of mine is Japan, so if money was no object I would love some time in Japan.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

I dont do it nearly enough, but going to the beach is my favourite way to recharge. I love hearing the water lap on the shore, its just so soothing and helps to quieten my ever too busy mind. I also love having a stroll around Fota Wildlife Park with Poppy.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

Absolutely, family and friends are everything to me and theres no better way to spend a weekend than with them. Our weekends usually revolve around our family, and I catch up with friends during the week.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

Besides drawing, I love to catch up on my favourite YouTube vloggers which are usually other illustration based business owners that inspire me such as Katnipp, aPenas, and Emily Cromwell.

I also love to see my favourite bands play live, Ive often gone to England for gigs (pre mom-life) as I find my favourites dont play in Ireland much. I listen to lots of different genres but my most played artists would be Lorna-Shore, Kate Bush and Deftones.

Entertain or be entertained? If its the latter do you have a signature dish?

I love both. My signature dishes are a no-bake Nutella cheesecake, or my chicken and bacon carbonara.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork  where are your go to spots for coffee/ lunch/ special meal?

My favourites are Lab82 for brunch, their Wafflehoff dish is amazing. Son Of A Bun for a casual evening burger, my favourite burger is The Chipper when its available. For a couples dinner my favs are Sketch and Elbow lane for top notch steak.

Sunday night comes around too fast... how do you normally spend it?

After spending the day with family, Sunday night is usually spent prepping for the week ahead.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

As late as we can get away with, 7:50am.

Anything else you are up to right now...

The main focus for me this year is to expand PoppyRosePrintsIE into more retail stores. You can get any of my cards/prints on my website (poppyroseprints.ie) and my most popular designs are also available in the fabulous store Meraki Pop Up Cork located in Winthrop Arcade. Meraki Pop Up features 12 amazing businesses, most hailing from Cork.

Personally, I want to continue getting better at managing my work/life balance and doing more good for the soul things.

poppyroseprints.ie/

instagram.com/poppyroseprints.ie/
BISHOPSTOWN Community School is representing Ireland this weekend at the International Youth Film Festival in Spain.

The four-day event in Plasencia will see entrants from around the world compete for a first-prize trophy and diploma.

The video entry, created by the students at Bishopstown Community School, entitled Live and Let Live, is based on diversity and inclusion, and tackles issues of racism, gender discrimination, and queerphobia through song and spoken word.

The piece, which also made it to the final of the FRESH International Film Festival, is backed by original music created and produced by the students, alongside Corks Garry McCarthy, from GMC Beats.

Irish Sign Language (ISL) and subtitles are also used throughout the short film to represent the hearing-impaired students at the school.

Competing in a category against Greece, Austria, and Finland, two students and their teacher, Rebecca Milner, are attending the festival, kicking off at the Alkazar Theatre.

Ms Milner told The Echo: Were so happy to represent Ireland and were really hoping that we do well in our category.

We wanted to do something that would represent a modern Ireland, and include that message of working together for inclusion, to represent all the different communities within Ireland that we see today.

Were the only post-primary school outside of Dublin that has a hearing-impaired unit, and we also wanted to represent our students who couldnt hear the song, so we did that by incorporating ISL and subtitles, so people could see, hear, and read our message.

Theres a history of film and creativity at our school, and we would obviously love to take home the win.

The short film, which comes to just under four minutes in length, can be watched on YouTube here or by searching Live and Let Live Bishopstown Community School.
A VITAL scheme aimed at delivering enhanced facilities for road users in the Ballyvolane area has taken a step closer to becoming a reality.

The Ballyvolane Strategic Transport Corridor Scheme  North Ring Road to Mervue was approved by councillors in early 2022, following public consultation in 2021.

It is aimed at delivering enhanced facilities for all road users with particular benefits for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

Last November a spokesperson for Cork City Council told The Echo that the scheme has planning permission, but that the local authority was waiting on [an] An Bord Pleanala decision regarding the application for a Compulsory Purchase Order [CPO] to acquire the lands necessary to construct the scheme.

In an update this week, Cork City Council said An Bord Pleanala has confirmed the Compulsory Purchase Order and that the council has subsequently published the Notice of Confirmation for the CPO and are continuing with related landowner engagement along with the preparation of tender documentation.

Following this process and NTA [National Transport Authority] funding approval to proceed, Cork City Council intend to go to tender by the end of the year, the local authority added.

Speaking following the An Bord Pleanala decision, Labour Party councillor for the citys North East ward, John Maher, said he welcomed that the board has confirmed the CPO but described the delay in the council receiving a decision as frustrating.

It is crucial that we now push it on.

This will see vital improvements to the junctions at the Fox and Hounds junction, Ballyhooly Road junction and Riverview/ Clonard junctions.

It will also see cycleways, pedestrian crossings and proper footpaths and public lighting linking into the new Longview development in Laherdane, he said.

We expect and must persist to ensure substantial funding next year to bring project to completion.

"Its an exciting time to live in Ballyvolane, new homes, new infrastructure and more transport options with BusConnects.

Ive lived here for 12 years and its not before time that we got the investment in local amenities, more community playing pitches, sufficient drainage in our park and an improved playground.

The job of work continues but this is good news for all in the Ballyvolane community.
GARDAI and firefighters used used every piece of emergency equipment available to free a woman trapped in a car during a major emergency response at Carrs Hill on Thursday after a horrific multi-vehicle collision.

A woman in her 50s was left in a serious condition tonight in Cork University Hospital (CUH) following the incident involving three cars, a van, and a truck, on the N28 at approximately 1.15pm.

The female driver, who is believed to have been travelling in the opposite direction to the articulated truck, was pinned inside her car for just under three hours by a container which had become detached from the truck.

Gardai, National Ambulance Service paramedics, and four units of Cork City Fire Brigade attended the scene. Specialist healthcare workers from the HSE and CUH including trauma response doctors and a haematologist also attended the scene.

The driver of the truck was treated on scene for shock and minor injuries.

The stretch between the Shannon Road roundabout in Carrigaline and the Bloomfield Interchange in Douglas remained closed for several hours following the incident, with local diversions set in place. The road was later reopened following a technical examination conducted by the Garda Forensic Collision Investigation team.

Speaking to The Echo Cork City Fire Brigade Third Officer Gerard Ryan said: When the units arrived on scene they spotted the car that was trapped really badly between the ditch and under the container of the articulated lorry.

An articulated truck lies across the road at Carr's Hill, Co Cork. Pic: Larry Cummins

It was a very complex rescue exercise because of the weight of the container. It took just under three hours to free the lady from the car.

The container was bearing down all the way up to the A-post of the car. It was a very heavy container, the truck was carrying a full load. We used every piece of emergency equipment that was available to us, he added.

Emergency responders coordinated their efforts using multiple types of equipment including heavy lifting equipment, airbag cutting equipment, winching equipment, and a track excavator which was delivered by nearby builders working on the M28.

Local Fianna Fail councillor Seamus McGrath said: It was an extremely serious accident. My thoughts and prayers are with the lady in hospital, and Im hoping for the very best for her and her family.

A Garda spokesperson said: An Garda Siochana is aware that there are images related to this serious road traffic collision in circulation through group chat and on social media. This is an ongoing investigation and out of respect for those involved, please do not forward or share.

Togher gardai are appealing to road users travelling on the N28 between 1pm and 1.45pm, who have camera footage of the incident, to make it available to them.

Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Togher Garda Station on 021 4947120 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666111.
CORK was well represented at this years Texaco Childrens Art Competition. 12 students won top prizes in the 70th edition of the annual event.

In the 9-11 age category, Philippa Costello, age 10, a pupil at Watergrasshill National School, won second prize for her work, My Community.

Her artwork was described by final adjudicator, Gary Granville, professor emeritus of education at the National College of Art and Design, as an abstract work, through an unusual lens, in which her mapping of her community is both delightful and insightful.

Meanwhile, in the six-years-and-under category  the youngest age group in the competition  Sofia-May Kenefick, age 6, scooped third prize for her work, The Emotion Picture.

The Blarney Street CBS pupils work was described by Professor Granville as a piece that compressed a world of emotions within a series of miniature images.

In addition, 10 Cork artists each won special-merit awards for works that Professor Granville said demonstrated high levels of skill and imagination.

They were Darragh Woods, 14, and Aimee Lombard, 14, both pupils at Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig; Alexandra OBrennan, 16, from Christ King Girls Secondary School, South Douglas Rd; Abimbola Fashade, 14, from Glanmire Community College; Vihaan Manne, 8, from Mary Murphy School of Art, Carrigaline; Lily Atkinson, 15, from Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Ballincollig; Moya Dennigan, 12, from Gaelscoil Mhainistir Na Corann, Midleton; Aoife ORegan, 16, from Colaiste na Toirbhirte, Bandon; Keelin Ni Laoire, 18, from Scoil Mhuire, Beal Athan Ghaorthaidh in Ballingeary and Gael Taaffe, 17, from Skibbereen Community School.

The Texaco Childrens Art Competition is the longest-running sponsorship of art in Ireland, dating back to 1955.

This year, as has been the case throughout its life, organisers say it has been a platform on which young artists from Cork and counties throughout Ireland have had their talents recognised and their creativity commended.
The County Mayor councillor Frank O'Flynn led tributes to the late Gerard Murphy at a special meeting of Cork County Council held to honour the late councillor in his hometown of Newmarket.

Cork County Mayor Frank OFlynn opened the meeting, saying he was a colleague, a friend, a confidante, and he was always there, and proposed a vote of sympathy for his wife Marian, children, Donncha and Trish, and two grandchildren, Ethan and Mya.

Mr Murphy was one of the longest-serving public representatives in Cork County Council and a lifelong community activist, most notably in his hometown of Newmarket.

A proud member of Fine Gael, Mr Murphy was first elected to Council in 1992.

It was a life of service, and he was so proud of the community he served, the Mayor said, adding wasnt he kind, wasnt he gentle, but above all, wasnt he solid? When things got going tough, Ger was always there to steer the boat right.

His party and ward colleague John Paul OShea said that Gerard has always been a mentor to him, remembering he really excelled when it came to county and area development plans.

"Id call over to his house and hed have every plan spread across his table so he could have them all studied.

'He will be sorely missed'

Carrigaline Fianna Fail councillor Seamus McGrath described him as an absolute gentleman  an unassuming, humble public servant and an astute politician who will be sorely missed.

His political ability was echoed by Councillor Declan Hurley, who said we were a richer local authority for having Ger as an elected member, his ability to keep meetings on track was exemplary  he sat back, he listened, but at a crucial time, he intervened.

It was my pleasure to work with him and to know him  rest easy my friend, job well done.

Cobh Labour councillor Cathal Rasmussen said that when meetings were difficult "he was always there to remind us why we were there  not for ourselves, but for the people of the county, while Councillor Alan OConnor called him a senior statesman in the chamber, and a very nice man outside the chamber, very easy to talk to.

East Cork Fine Gael councillor Michael Hegarty agreed, saying he was a very solid, safe pair of hands. He would analyse things to the hilt, and he would look at the bigger picture always.

'The empty chair'

An emotional tribute was made by Bandon-Kinsale Fine Gael councillor Kevin Murphy, who called the late councillor my best friend, saying the man himself was a genius, every chance I got Id ring him for advice.

I am very sad and very lonely, he said, saying he was always sitting behind me, and the empty chair is behind me now.

His first day in the council was recalled by Bandon-Kinsale Independent councillor Alan Coleman, who was elected the same day as him, saying  we were newbies together, and in all those years, there was never a cross word between us.

Members of his municipal district paid tributes, with Fianna Fail councillor Ian Doyle saying he knew we were all in this for the greater good, he recognised that and so he could get things done.

Fianna Fail councillor Bernard Moynihan called him an excellent colleague, a real calming influence and a super operator and organiser, with Fianna Fail councillor Gearoid Murphy saying he was one of the most genuine people in politics.

An interview Gerard Murphy once gave was recalled by Macroom Fine Gael councillor Michael Creed, who told the meeting that when asked what he would like to come back as in the afterlife, he said hed love to come back as the Chief Executive of Cork County Council!

The humorous side of him was recognised by Macroom Fine Gael councillor Eileen Lynch, who said he was a rogue, tremendous fun to be around and very witty.

Chief Executive Valerie OSullivan closed the meeting, saying we will miss his common sense approach, sage advice and wise interventions  he was intelligent, astute, pragmatic and above all a real gentleman.
WILDLIFE Rescue Cork, a registered charity dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured and orphaned native Irish wildlife, is seeking corporate sponsorships in a bid to secure a new facility and develop its future plans.

The charity was established in 2017 and has treated a wide variety of animals from hedgehogs and badgers to deer, foxes, owls, and various other bird species.

It was set up by Julie Cronin, a dedicated wildlife professional with extensive experience.

Ms Cronin runs the organisation on a voluntary basis from her home in Whitechurch along with a team of dedicated like minded volunteers.

The number of animals requiring assistance from the charity, she said, has grown steadily since it was established.

In 2017, we treated 38 animals. Last year, that number jumped to 487 and just in January of 2024, which is usually the quiet season, we received 53 inquiries for assistance, she added.

Wildlife Rescue Cork offers its services  which includes fielding calls from the public, collecting injured animals, and providing care and rehabilitation, raising orphaned young - free of charge.

To meet the increasing demand for their services, it is now aiming to secure a new facility with dedicated enclosures.

Additionally, they are looking to develop a comprehensive business plan for the next five years.

Wildlife Rescue Cork is seeking corporate sponsorships to contribute to the 50,000 needed to achieve these goals.

For more information see wildliferescuecork.com.
By Rebecca Black, PA

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he was horrified by a chilling protest by masked men outside Childrens Minister Roderic OGormans home.

He also said he was deeply uncomfortable that the situation was allowed to develop.

Gardai were called on Thursday night following reports of up to 12 masked men staging a protest, some with anti-migration placards and banners, outside the property.

Mr Harris said he spoke to Mr OGorman of the Green Party in the Coalition Government about the situation on Friday morning.

Taoiseach Simon Harris called the protest disturbing (Niall Carson/PA)

I was utterly horrified to see the situation, he told media in Co Carlow.

We all recognise the right to protest in a democracy but to see masked people gathering outside somebodys family home, I think that is extraordinarily chilling and quite frankly disgusting.

I know that the gardai have to assess each of these situations, and as Taoiseach I dont wish to interfere in that. However, I feel deeply uncomfortable that the situation was allowed to develop outside the home of any person quite frankly, public figure or otherwise, government or opposition, and I hope in due course to have an opportunity to discuss this with gardai.

Asked whether he as worried about the trajectory of this, given former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar had seen protests outside his home last year, Mr Harris said he is worried to see an increase in the presence of people gathering outside peoples family homes.

I think that is chilling in a democracy. I think it is worrying, I think it is disturbing, he said.

Of course we see political discourse but there is an appropriate way to debate and raise issues, in the Dail, in council chambers, plenty of places to protest around Dail Eireann, constituency offices and the likes.

But I also dont want to suggest that these people, small in number, speak for Ireland.

My experience as a public representative, at a whole variety of levels in this country, has been that the overwhelming majority of people in this country  agree or disagree with your politics  are decent people.
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.

Cemarajaya Village in West Java Province, Indonesia on Jan. 26, 2024. Since 1998 the village has been impacted by sea level rise and flooding, and plantations once owned by the residents have vanished. Aditya Irawan / NurPhoto via Getty Images

Climate change damage worldwide will cost approximately $38 trillion annually by 2050, according to a new study by Germanys Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

The impacts will be felt all over the world, but will most affect countries that have contributed the least to the climate crisis.

Our study highlights the considerable inequity of climate impacts: We find damages almost everywhere, but countries in the tropics will suffer the most because they are already warmer. Further temperature increases will therefore be most harmful there. The countries least responsible for climate change are predicted to suffer income loss that is 60% greater than the higher-income countries and 40% greater than higher-emission countries. They are also the ones with the least resources to adapt to its impacts, said co-author of the study Anders Levermann, PIKs head of research department complexity science, in a press release from PIK.

The study, The economic commitment of climate change, was published in the journal Nature.

Our analysis shows that climate change will cause massive economic damages within the next 25 years in almost all countries around the world, also in highly-developed ones such as Germany and the U.S., with a projected median income reduction of 11% each and France with 13%, said study co-author Leonie Wenz, a PIK climate scientist and economist, as The Associated Press reported.

The severity of the impacts will almost definitely increase as humans continue to burn fossil fuels, reported Reuters.

These near-term damages are a result of our past emissions. We will need more adaptation efforts if we want to avoid at least some of them. And we have to cut down our emissions drastically and immediately  if not, economic losses will become even bigger in the second half of the century, amounting to up to 60% on global average by 2100. This clearly shows that protecting our climate is much cheaper than not doing so, and that is without even considering non-economic impacts such as loss of life or biodiversity, Wenz said in the press release.

The research team used empirical models along with climate simulations and also examined the persistence of climate impact effects on the past economy. In assessing how changing climatic conditions would affect future economic growth, the researchers looked at 40 years worth of data from more than 1,600 regions across the world.

Strong income reductions are projected for the majority of regions, including North America and Europe, with South Asia and Africa being most strongly affected. These are caused by the impact of climate change on various aspects that are relevant for economic growth such as agricultural yields, labour productivity or infrastructure, said Maximilian Kotz, a PIK climate scientist and first author of the study, in the press release.

The range of economic damages is estimated to be from $19 to 59 trillion by mid-century. The cause will mainly be rising temperatures, with additional impacts from rainfall changes and variations in temperature. Additional weather extremes like wildfires and storms could also increase the economic costs.

[W]e find that the world economy is committed to an income reduction of 19% within the next 26 years independent of future emission choices, the researchers wrote in the study. These damages already outweigh the mitigation costs required to limit global warming to 2C by sixfold over this near-term time frame and thereafter diverge strongly dependent on emission choices.

Levermann emphasized the need for a rapid shift away from fossil fuels.

It is on us to decide: structural change towards a renewable energy system is needed for our security and will save us money. Staying on the path we are currently on will lead to catastrophic consequences. The temperature of the planet can only be stabilized if we stop burning oil, gas and coal, Levermann said in the press release.

Wenz said the extent of the inequity of the impacts was unexpected.

Its devastating, Wenz said, as The Guardian reported. I am used to my work not having a nice societal outcome, but I was surprised by how big the damages were. The inequality dimension was really shocking.
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.

Students demonstrate against global warming and plastic pollution at a school climate strike in London, England in 2019. Jenny Matthews / In Pictures via Getty Images

By Cristen Hemingway Jaynes and Olivia Rosane

This year marks the 54th year of Earth Day! What better way to celebrate than to explore opportunities to join others in helping combat the climate crisis and make our planet cleaner, greener and more sustainable? Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

1. Square Up Against Plastic Pollution

Earth's future at stake.



Plastics impact every inch of our planet, from land to water. We're entwined with plastic, ingesting & breathing it.



Join us for "Planet vs. Plastics" and demand 60% plastic reduction by 2040, uniting for human &planetary health.https://t.co/9vBNGJED0W pic.twitter.com/CXkKchEdnL  EARTHDAY.ORG (@EarthDay) July 31, 2023

EARTHDAY.ORG, a global environmental group that grew out of the first Earth Day in 1970, has announced that the official theme of Earth Day 2024 is Planet vs. Plastics. The organization hopes to mobilize its worldwide network to demand a 60 percent cut in plastic production by 2040, with a view toward eliminating the toxic petroleum products entirely.

The word environment means what surrounds you. Now plastics do more than surround us; we have become the product itself  it flows through our blood stream, adheres to our internal organs, and carries with it heavy metals known to cause cancer and disease. Now this once-thought amazing and useful product has become something else, and our health and that of all other living creatures hangs in the balance, EARTHDAY.ORG President Kathleen Rogers said in the press release announcing the theme. The Planet vs. Plastics campaign is a call to arms, a demand that we act now to end the scourge of plastics and safeguard the health of every living being upon our planet.

To help anyone join the campaign, EARTHDAY.ORG has published an Earth Day 2024 Action Toolkit that includes a petition for an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty, resources to learn about the relationship between plastic pollution and fast fashion and advocate for a sustainable clothing industry and an invitation to take the #PlasticDetox Challenge on social media and reduce your reliance on single-use plastics.

You can also either search for or create your own Earth Day event or tackle plastic pollution directly by organizing or joining a Great Global Cleanup near you. If you want to go even deeper, you can sign up to Dive for Earth Day and remove trash from vulnerable ocean ecosystems like coral reefs or marine protected areas.

2. Sound the Alarm

Earth Day 2024 follows closely on the first 12-month period on record in which global temperatures breached 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. While some of this heat likely comes from an ongoing El Nino event, its exacerbated by global heating caused chiefly by the burning of fossil fuels. Several youth climate organizations including Sunrise Movement, Fridays For Future US and the Campus Climate Network are using Earth Day as a chance to pressure President Joe Biden to declare a climate emergency.

Congress grants the president various national defense powers that can be deployed during times of genuine emergency, the groups explain in a petition. Since the National Emergencies Act was enacted in 1976, every president has declared at least one national emergency during their term of office. By declaring a national climate emergency, Biden can unlock these emergency executive powers to aggressively combat the crisis.

Declaring a climate emergency would allow Biden to take steps including pausing oil exports and oil and gas drilling, using the Defense Production Act to bolster renewable energy installations and create green jobs and provide free healthcare and housing to people impacted by extreme weather events.

To add your voice to their call, you can sign the petition to Biden; join the Global Climate Strike on Friday, April 19; or sign up for a Sunrise Movement Earth Day teach-in taking place from April 19 to 23. If youre a university student, you can also attend a Reclaim Earth Day protest calling on schools to divest from fossil fuels, sever any connections with the fossil fuel industry and eliminate their greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Concert to End Fossil Fuels

If you find yourself in Washington, DC this Earth Day weekend, the Earth Day DC 2024 Concert to End Fossil Fuels will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the National Mall.

This Earth Day weekend we are coming together to continue the fight to End the Era of Fossil Fuels! Communities around the globe are plagued by severe storms and weather events, and politicians have been ignoring the scientific warnings for decades, Action Network said in its press release on the event. But we have the solutions. We know that we need an immediate just transition to renewable energy. Were fighting back against green washing and false solutions that fail to address the root cause of the climate crisis. We demand that giant fossil fuel companies be held accountable and pay for the harm they have caused. Our future lies in the will to pass bold policies and make systemic change.

The concert will feature local bands, artwork and speeches from community and youth activists.

We are gathering this Earth Day weekend with music and art to continue this fight, to strengthen our movement and hear from youth voices. We will also be hearing from youth in the constitutional climate lawsuits around the country, such as Juliana vs. Gov and Held vs. Montana as part of Our Childrens Trust!

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to get your groove on in the nations capital while being inspired by others at the forefront of the climate fight.

4. Earth Day 2024 Virtual Stage

Another opportunity for community connection is the Earth Day 2024 Virtual Stage, presented by Earth Day Initiative and March for Science New York City. Programming begins at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Earth Day itself.

This online collaboration features activists, filmmakers, artists, authors, actors and podcasters engaged in conversation about climate action, environmental justice and green living.

Some of the presenters scheduled to grace the Earth Day 2024 Virtual Stage include:

Environmentalist and drag queen Pattie Gonia with artist and activist Benjamin Von Wong and Maggie Kervick, global head of sustainability at Kiehls skincare, speaking about how to make the beauty industry more circular.

Actor, author and podcaster Angourie Rice with a special message on climate action.

Author and CBC Sunday Morning correspondent David Pogue and Earth Day Initiatives Executive Director John Oppermann on How to Prepare for the Climate Crisis.

Emily Fano, National Wildlife Federation senior manager for climate resilience education, and Alyssa Shearer, March for Science NYCs director of programming, with a discussion on climate change education.

Leslie Ann St. Amour, RAVENs campaign director, speaking with actor, filmmaker and environmental activist Luke Mullen about the Indigenous Fight Against Climate Change.

A conversation about Reducing Food Waste at Home by JacobSimonSays LLC founder and climate educator and creator Jacob Simon and Jeremy Lang, who is the co-founder and vice president of sustainability at LOMI.

An explainer on sustainable furnishings by actor, writer and director Megyn Price and Laurence Carr, CEO and founder of Laurence Carr Inc. and Studio Laurence.

Past segments of the virtual stage can be viewed here.

Whatever you choose to do to celebrate our planet this Earth Day, we hope it includes time in the outdoors, inspiration and community!
The bill that could lead to a ban of TikTok in the United States appears to be much closer to becoming law. The legislation sailed through the House of Representatives last month, but faced an uncertain future in the Senate due to opposition from a few prominent lawmakers.

But momentum for the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act seems to once again be growing. The House is set to vote on a package of bills this weekend , which includes a slightly revised version of the TikTok bill. In the latest version of the bill, ByteDance would have up to 12 months to divest TikTok, instead of the six-month period stipulated in the original measure.

That change, as NBC News notes , was apparently key to winning over support from some skeptical members of the Senate, including Sen. Maria Cantwell , chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. So with the House expected to pass the revised bill Saturday  its part of a package that also includes aid to Ukraine and Israel  its path forward is starting to look much more certain, with a Senate vote coming as early as next week, according to NBC. President Joe Biden has said he would sign the bill if its passed by Congress.

If passed into law, TikTok (and potentially other apps "controlled by a foreign adversary" and deemed to be a national security threat) would face a ban in US app stores if it declined to sell to a new owner. TikTok CEO Shou Chew has suggested the company would likely mount a legal challenge to the law.
The bill that could ban TikTok in the United States inches closer to becoming law. The legislation passed the House of Representatives last month, then had to face the Senate  and opposition from a few prominent lawmakers. The House is to vote on a package of bills this weekend, which includes a slightly revised version of the TikTok bill. In the latest version, ByteDance would have up to 12 months to divest TikTok, instead of the six months initially pitched.

That change alone was apparently key to winning support from some skeptical members of the Senate, including Sen. Maria Cantwell, chair of the Senate Commerce Committee. What will happen if the bill passes into law? TikTok (and potentially other apps controlled by a foreign adversary) would face a ban in US app stores if it declined to sell to a new owner.

 Mat Smith

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Chinese regulators cited national security concerns.

 and in what you might believe is something of a tit-for-tat move for blocking TikTok, Apple has pulled WhatsApp and Threads from the Chinese App Store . The countrys internet regulator says the removal was required and justified on national security grounds. Apple is always willing to comply, lest it harm relations with one of its largest markets.

Continue Reading.

At the exact same time as her new album drops.

Taylor Swift has a new album out. Taylor Swift has a new album out.

Taylor Swift has a new album out . Taylor Swift has a new album out .

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A second chance for an underappreciated console.

Tim Stevens for Engadget

Analogues latest retro console takes us to the multimedia era with the Duo: a love letter to one of Japans most beloved (but niche) consoles, the TurboGrafx-16. Its a deep cut from a brand that has made its name reviving the most obscure hardware from gaming history. But, as much as you can emulate all of these titles on pretty much any device you have laying around, theres something different about running it from the original media.

Continue Reading.

Theres no penalty for secrecy if youre a streaming company.

Netflix has always been secretive about how much of its near-limitless library of content is being watched at any given time. Now, the company has said it will even stop disclosing how many subscribers it has to prevent giving Wall Street another stick with which to beat it. Instead, itll only drop data when its good PR, like crossing the 300-million subscriber threshold, and stick telling everyone how much money its making.
A Brazilian woman brought her dead uncle to the bank in an attempt to secure a loan in his name.

On Tuesday, a woman named Erika de Sousa Vieira Nunes was arrested after wheeling her dead uncle, Paulo Roberto Braga, 68, to a bank in Rio de Janeiro to get him to sign a $3,400 loan, according to the New York Post.

In a video circulating online, Nunes seemingly tries to speak with her uncle as if he were alive, lifting his limp hand and drooping head using her hands.

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"Uncle Paulo, are you listening? You need to sign. You need to sign, if you don't, we can't get it. What I can do, I do. I can't sign it for you," Nunes said in the viral clip, per Al Jazeera's English translation.

"Hold it. Sign it [the loan documents] to not give us more headaches."

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However, the bank employee noticed something odd and told Nunes, "I don't think he is well. Indeed, he is not well. I don't think he is OK."

The employee also noted how Braga looked "very pale," but Nunes argued that her uncle was just like that.

A day after the bank employee's recording went viral, a new video surfaced. This time, Nunes was caught on the surveillance camera arriving at the bank by taxi. The timestamp in the CCTV footage showed they arrived around 1 p.m. local time.

Her uncle, who was seated next to the rideshare driver, was removed from the front passenger seat and placed in a wheelchair. Per the New York Post, Nunes insisted that she did not know Braga was dead when she took him to the bank.

However, the police discovered in the autopsy report that the old man died between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday due to respiratory aspiration of stomach and heart failure.

His toxicology tests are still pending.

Meanwhile, Nunes, who allegedly suffers from mental health issues per her lawyer Ana Carla de Souza Correa, is now faced with charges of desecration of a corpse and theft by way of fraud.

"Erika undergoes psychological treatment and takes prescribed medications. I believe she was having a breakdown at that moment because of the medications," the lawyer said of her client.

"She appeared visibly disturbed."




WWE founder Vince McMahon allegedly has kept in touch with Donald Trump as the two billionaires face respective legal problems, according to a report.

Several unnamed sources close to McMahon told NBC News and CNBC that he has talked to the former president since leaving the WWE and its parent company TKO Group in January in the wake of sexual assault and sex trafficking allegations against him.

While it is unclear what they've discussed, the two reportedly did not talk about their legal woes.

However, a spokesperson for McMahon denied the claims that the former WWE CEO has "been in touch regularly" with Trump and insisted the two men only had one quick chat in the past several years when McMahon underwent surgery on his back.

A rep for Trump refused to comment on the matter, according to the outlets.

Trump's connection with McMahon dates back to the late 1980s when the real estate mogul hosted two WrestleMania events in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

He also had a wrestling "feud" with McMahon in the 2000s and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

McMahon's wife Linda is currently on the board of Trump Media and Technology Group, which owns Truth Social.

Meanwhile, the insiders also told CNBC and NBC News that McMahon appears unfazed by his legal issues and has been "enjoying life" since resigning from TKO.

McMahon went on trips to Turks and Caicos and Italy, flying aboard a private plane, the sources said.

He reportedly also meets up with friends for meals at restaurants in Manhattan, including Italian spot Il Tinello East.

In addition to this, McMahon gets a haircut at his longtime barber every two weeks and works out with the help of his personal trainer multiple times a week, according to the insiders.

McMahon resigned as the executive chairman of the board of TKO Group in January -- just months after he began holding the position and a year after returning to the WWE.

"He will no longer have a role with TKO Group Holdings or WWE," WWE president and TKO board member Nick Khan said in an email to staff cited by Variety.

His resignation came just days after it emerged that former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against him alleging he raped, sexually exploited, and trafficked her during his time as CEO of the company.

A spokesman for McMahon vehemently denied the allegations.

"This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth," the spokesman said in a statement obtained by Deadline. "He will vigorously defend himself."

McMahon faces a federal criminal investigation in connection with the allegations but has not been criminally charged as of this writing.

Meanwhile, Trump was ordered to pay writer E. Jean Carroll a total of $88.3 million in damages following two separate civil trials in the past several months.

Trump was deemed liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll in the first trial, while the second found that he made defamatory statements about her.

On Monday, the trial for the first of Trump's four ongoing criminal cases kicked off in New York City.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records for his alleged role in the hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election in exchange for her silence on their alleged sexual encounter.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in all four cases and denied the affair allegations.

Jury selection is ongoing at Trump's hush money trial, which is expected to last up to eight weeks.
Two more seasons of "The Witcher" are coming.

Netflix announced on Thursday through a table read clip and a press release that they are "heading back to The Continent" and that a new season of the fantasy drama TV series created by Lauren Schmidt Hissrich for the streamer has officially begun production in the United Kingdom.

"It is with huge pride that we begin shooting our penultimate season of 'The Witcher' with a stellar cast, including some exciting new additions, led by Liam Hemsworth as Geralt of Rivia," Hissrich said.

We're heading back to The Continent. The Witcher Season 4 is officially in production. And Season 5 is coming to bring this epic series to a fitting conclusion. pic.twitter.com/mejYbhfhxZ  Netflix (@netflix) April 18, 2024

Per the logline revealed by Netflix, S4 will pick up from the "shocking, Continent-altering events that closed out S3." It will show Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri "who are faced with traversing the war-ravaged Continent and its many demons apart from each other."

"If they can embrace and lead the groups of misfits they find themselves in, they have a chance of surviving the baptism of fire and finding one another again."

Season 4 will see Liam Hemsworth's appearance as Geralt of Rivia as he replaces Henry Cavill, who previously took on the role in seasons 1 to 3. Meanwhile, Anya Chalotra and Freya Allan will reprise their roles as Yennefer of Vengerberg and Princess Cirilla of Cintra, respectively.

Old and new cast members joining them are Joey Batey, Laurence Fishburne, Eamon Farren, Anna Shaffer, Mimi M Khayisa, Cassie Clare, Mahesh Jadu, Meng'er Zhang, Graham McTavish, Royce Pierreson, Mecia Simson and Sharlto Copley, among many others.

"The Witcher" has also been renewed for a fifth and final season. Per Variety, seasons 4 and 5 will be filmed back to back.

The final seasons of the TV series will cover Andrzej Sapkowski's three remaining "Witcher" novels -- "Baptism of Fire," "The Tower of the Swallow" and "Lady of the Lake."

"We're thrilled to be able to bring Andrzej Sapkowski's books to an epic and satisfying conclusion. It wouldn't be our show if we didn't push our family of characters to their absolute limit. Stay tuned to see how the story ends," said Hissrich.
Montana Fishburne, the firstborn daughter of Laurence Fishburne, has been granted a two-year probation period in the wake of her arrest in 2022, Us Weekly confirmed.

In January 2022, Fishburne, 32, found herself in a legal battle after being apprehended by Broward County sheriffs and charged with battery on a law enforcement officer. The incident stemmed from a 911 call Montana made, reporting an ex-boyfriend for alleged stalking and threats against her.

Upon police arrival, no one was present at the reported location. Accounts from police records indicate Montana grew agitated, alleging lack of assistance, and confronted officers on the sidewalk near the address. Despite repeated instructions to step back, she purportedly struck one deputy on the head, resulting in swelling and redness on the officer's ear, according to the police report.

Montana's probation will conclude upon successful completion of a 13-week anger management program.

This isn't Montana's first encounter with the law.

In 2017, she faced three misdemeanors for a DUI, being released the following day after posting a $2,500 bond. Then, in 2020, she faced another DUI charge in Florida and was once again released on bond.

Laurence Fishburne, 62, is a father to three children. With his ex-wife Hajna O. Moss, he shares daughter Montana, 32, and son Langston, 36. Additionally, the actor co-parents daughter Delilah, 16, with actress Gina Torres, known for her role in 'Suits.'

Montana has previously expressed disinterest in pursuing a career in acting like her renowned father.

"I wasn't really into mainstream acting," Montana said to 'Us Weekly' in 2010. "People would ask me, 'Do you want to get into acting? Do you want to be an actress?' and I would say, straight up, 'No.' I knew I wanted to do adult [films]."
Google fired 28 employees after some staffers staged protests against the tech giants business ties to the Israeli government.
Friday, April 19, 2024

Interesting stuff happening or happened Thursday, April 18, 2024. Not an exhaustive list. Definite liberal truth bias. By Jan Blixt (@janblixt on Threads).

Voting will run in 7 phases from April 19 to June 1 for Indias national elections, THE biggest democratic exercise in history. 969 million voters are expected to vote using 5.5 million voting machines across 44 days. Results will be announced on June 4.

Voting in India runs in phases to allow equipment and poll workers to shift focus around the country. Indians are voting for 545 representative seats in the Lok Sabha (House of the People)  with the coalition winning a majority of seats forming the next government and choosing the PM. They are also voting for ? of the 245 seats in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), kinda like their Senate.

An international team of scientists has determined that a planetary body roughly twice the size of Switzerland likely collided with non-planet Pluto cataclysmicly creating Tombaugh Regio, the heart-shaped splotch.

In more news of flooding in places where it usually doesnt flood, the same record-breaking rainstorms that smashed through the Arabian Peninsula have caused downpours in southeast Iran requiring Department of Environment to issue a warning about short-nosed crocodiles being forced out of their natural habitats and being aggressive towards people trying to move their property out of the flood waters.

In NY, a jury of 12 has been empaneled in the first of DJTs criminal trials after two who had been empaneled yesterday were released this morning: one for lying about past criminal issues and the other as she had been outed by Foxs Jesse Waters and asked to be released. The jurors social media posts were read aloud to show bias and pool reporters say DJT was bothered by them. Tomorrow they will continue voir dire for the rest of the alternates. Temperature in the courtroom today was very chilly  no really, everyone was complaining to the judge about the cold.

The US vetoed a motion in the UN Security Council today on whether to recommend that Palestine receive full UN membership, which would effectively recognize its statehood. At this time, the UN considers Palestine a nonmember observer state  the Vatican (or The Holy See as its listed) seems to be the only other of these that I could find. Observers have the right to speak at United Nations General Assembly meetings, but not vote on resolutions.

I cant believe Im even writing this one, for multiple reasons: A Louisiana House committee has voted to repeal a law requiring employers to give child workers lunch breaks. Rep. Roger Wilder, who also owns many Smoothie Kings restaurants, sponsored the legislation and when asked, said he filed the bill in part because children want to work without having to take lunch breaks.

15 adult members of the Kennedy Family, including Kathleen (RFK Jrs sister) endorsed Joe Biden for president. No family endorsements yet for RFK Jr or DJT.

Stanford researchers announce findings as to why women get autoimmune disorders in much higher numbers than men: the X chromosome. The Y chromosome contains only a few active genes, the X has hundreds. With two Xs, the cells risk overproduction of proteins  which can be fatal. Early in embryogenesis, in females, the cell basically shuts down one of the two doubles in a process called X-chromosome inactivation (Jans scientific/legal/jargon term of the day). That inactivation seems to be the main cause of autoimmune issues. Note: there are some other causes, which is why men can also get them, but most appear to be caused this way.

(For the purposes of this news story, female is defined as two X chromosomes and male as an X and a Y. Please note: there are plenty of people who have XXY or XYY or XXX and many other variations on the standard model.)

A British sheep farmer says Axe body spray prevents her rams from getting aggressive with each other.

A $95bn US security package destined for Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, will be voted on as early as Saturday says Speaker Mike Johnson. The aid package, that has bipartisan support and would pass easily if it comes to a vote, has been stayed by MAGA House Republicans, loyal to DJT, who have threatened to oust Johnson if it comes to the floor.

Late entry (and I promise not to spend too much time on DJT, just whats currently happening.) Judge Merchan ordered the jury be ready for opening statements and witness testimony Monday. Defense councel asked the prosecution for the list of witnesses set to appear early next week. This a standard courtesy in a criminal trial. The prosecution council (Steinglass) says thats a courtesy they will not be extending in this case as DJT tweets (just gonna use tweets for shorthand) about witnesses. Judge concurs and says he will not order it.

Theres tons more, its a big world, but thats a quick clip.
Chinese doctors help local community fight malaria in Sierra Leone

Xinhua) 11:09, April 19, 2024

FREETOWN, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The 25th batch of the Chinese medical team in Sierra Leone, together with some medical experts from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, have helped local communities in the country fight malaria.

The Chinese doctors started a two-day program on Wednesday to provide free medical services at the Rogbangba Community as part of this year's commemoration of World Malaria Day, which falls on April 25.

Lu Chaoqun, leader of the Chinese medical team, said malaria is a major threat to human life in Sierra Leone, and the initiative of medical treatment is to prevent the spread of malaria and promote good hygiene in the community.

Anita Kamara, senior malaria management coordinator in Sierra Leone, said everyone has the right to quality, timely, and affordable services to prevent, detect, and treat malaria, but this is not a reality for all.

"Infants and young children continue to suffer the highest mortality rates, and disparities in access to education and financial resources exacerbate the risks," Kamara added.

Evangelist James Clifford, Rogbangba Community chairman, expressed appreciation to the Chinese doctors for always remembering the community, which he said, is a blessing.

"The free clinic came at the right time, and we are looking forward to more support," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.  Penn State Extension will host an Advanced Beef Cattle Nutrition course May 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Founders Lounge of the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn States University Park campus.

This event is targeted at practicing nutritionists who work with producers to feed beef cattle. Discussions will focus on fed cattle for beef production.The workshop will cover topics such as protein contributions and estimations, starch utilization, and contracts for feedlot cattle.

Participation is limited to the first 60 registrants. The registration fee is $200 per person. Participants must register by May 10. For more information, visit extension.psu.edu/advanced-beef-cattle-nutrition-course.
CLEVELAND  Everybody at the Cleveland School of Cannabis has a story, a personal reason, as to why they got involved in the cannabis industry.

For Randall Jenkins, professor of cannabis cultivation at the Cleveland School of Cannabis, it was his grandfather. His grandfather never wanted to use cannabis, but when he was diagnosed with cancer for the second time, his pain relief options were limited. In the last two months of his life, the peace cannabis provided him was immense.

Usually after chemo, hed sit in a room, not talk to anybody, just stare at the wall. (That evening) he hit a joint, sat down and ate dinner with his family, Jenkins said. Its not a cure-all, in my opinion, but it could be a help-all.

Ohio residents voted to legalize adult-use cannabis with the historic passing of Issue 2 in November. The legislation will allow Ohio residents over the age of 21 to buy cannabis products and grow plants at home.

Now, higher educational institutions across Ohio like the Cleveland School of Cannabis and Kent State University are offering cannabis education as a way to prepare residents for the emerging industry.

Marijuana was first declared illegal in the United States in 1937. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes. This extensive interval in time has led to a huge knowledge and research gap on the cannabis plant.

For the Cleveland School of Cannabis and others, Issue 2 is just the start of discovering the untapped potential of cannabis  potential that could have implications for Ohios health and wellness and agriculture industries.

Regulation

Under Issue 2, any Ohio residents over the age of 21 will be able to buy cannabis and grow up to six plants per individual and 12 plants per household. Now Ohio is tasked with developing regulations around legal adult-use cannabis and creating a cannabis marketplace.

The newly created Division of Cannabis Control, within the Ohio Department of Commerce, is currently completing a rule-making process for non-medical cannabis licensing applications, with the goal of taking applications for adult-use dispensaries in June and handing out licenses in September.

At the same time, some Ohio lawmakers are working on changes to the new law. Since Issue 2 was a citizen initiative, the state legislature can amend the law at any time after the election.

Hunter Buffington, director of ag policy solutions at the Cleveland School of Cannabis, urged the states policymakers to look at how others states have regulated the industry.

We need to make sure that we understand the product and that were treating it with the same regulatory oversight that any other product that fills that niche is going to receive, Buffington said. We dont need to recreate the wheel. We know how to regulate food, supplements and cosmetics.

As Ohio regulators continue to debate cannabis regulation, she believes this is a crucial time for universities to play a part in researching cannabis and educating the public.

Students ask questions. They are innovative and flexible in a way that an emerging industry really needs, Buffington said. But I think its critically important to engage, especially universities that are doing research, universities that are working in the agriculture sector. Its incredibly important to understand how plant genetics and plant propagation impact a cash crop.

Milestones

Before Nicole Fenix was the Director of Education at the Cleveland School of Cannabis, she worked as a high school science teacher. She joined the school shortly after it opened in 2017 as a curriculum writer. However, her interest in cannabis started in 2015 when her son was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in high school.

In the beginning, her son was on a lot of medications for pain relief, but Fenix says the pharmaceuticals were hurting him. In college, his liver enzymes started increasing, which doctors blamed on excessive drinking. But, he hadnt had a drink in six months.

Fenix said now he consumes a lot of medical-grade cannabis, CBD and CBG flower. Its been a game changer for his quality of life, she said.

As director of the Cleveland School of Cannabis, Fenix hopes to not only teach students about the benefits of cannabis but also educate them on how to properly grow, harvest and dispense cannabis to patients.

Like Fenix, the Cleveland School of Cannabis, CSC, has evolved and expanded from humble beginnings. It was founded in 2017 when it acquired a non-university hemp research license. This allowed CSC to grow hemp, which is derived from cannabis plants that produce less than .3% THC. Cannabis plants can be grown for either different types of hemp or marijuana.

The schools curriculum includes teaching students how to grow and harvest the plant as well as exploring hemps effects and uses for grain, fiber and CBD.

1 of 12

More than 1,000 graduates have come out of CSC from 28 states. The school was also recently accredited by the Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools, making it the first cannabis school of its kind to receive academic accreditation.

In total, CSC offers 16 courses to students including horticulture and soil science, cultivation using irrigation systems and processing the plant. CSC also teaches students about dispensary operations, allowing for a smooth transition when CSC students get hired at dispensaries.

As Ohio actively works on developing an adult-use marketplace, Fenix and CSC are expecting a high demand for educated budtenders  sales associates at dispensaries  soon.

Thats why, in part, Kent State University adopted its own cannabis certification program after Issue 2. Kent State announced in December it would be offering the certificate program through Green Flower, a California-based company offering online cannabis education and training courses.

Green Flower offers five online courses for students, spanning from cannabis agriculture and horticulture to the business of cannabis and cannabis healthcare. Classes for Kent States cannabis certification program started in January. So far, 90 students have enrolled in the first two sessions of classes offered.

Cannabis and Ohio agriculture

According to a recent study by Ohio State University, Ohios tax revenue from marijuana sales will be anywhere from $276 to $403 million after five years of an adult-use marketplace. This includes the special marijuana tax and traditional sales and local taxes.

Besides the economic benefits, cannabis plants offer agricultural benefits like promoting soil health, diversifying crop rotation and acting as a carbon sink.

In 2022, a team of scientists from the Hudson Center found the cannabis plant can store twice as much carbon as trees. On average, trees can capture up to 6 tons of CO2 per year; hemp can capture up to 16 tons per year.

The cannabinoids  the naturally occurring chemicals found in the cannabis plant  have also evolved to deter pests, according to a recent study from Cornell University. As a result, hemp farmers in Santa Cruz, California, are using hemp plants to deter pests from their corn and vegetable crops.

This is a great opportunity to try cannabis, said Buffington. For my farmers interested in regenerative agriculture practices, theres a lot of benefits to including, specifically hemp, into that crop rotation.

However, growing cannabis for marijuana can also be resource-intensive, as the plant requires a lot of water and sunlight. Thats why Buffington and Fenix are advocating for additional research so farmers interested in Ohios new cannabis industry can mitigate and, one day, eradicate those challenges.

Bridging the gap

While the cannabis industry is primed to take off in Ohio, there are still issues to be addressed. Currently, no formal training or education about cannabis and its products is required to be a budtender.

Fenix equates budtenders selling cannabis products to pharmacists dispensing drugs. The more the person making the product understands the plant, the better the product will be. The better the person is selling and educating customers about the product, the more likely a patient will get a product that works best for them, said Fenix.

Fenix also says the stigma of marijuana needs to be redefined. For the last several decades, marijuana usage has widely been depicted in a negative light. It has been branded as a gateway drug, and marijuana users have been routinely cast as lazy potheads in the media instead of relief-seeking patients.

Even my mom, who sees her grandson doing well with cannabis, says dont tell anybody, just keep it to yourself.  The propaganda was so well done in crimes and the movies and gloried (marijuana) in a negative aspect, said Fenix. I think Cheech and Chong is hilarious, but it creates this stigma that makes us look so ignorant and thats really harmful.

Buffington adds more research needs to happen to better understand the full potential of cannabis, particularly on when a person is considered intoxicated from marijuana. There are legal limits for consuming alcohol, but not other psychoactive drugs like caffeine and nicotine, which also alter mood, anxiety and cognitive processes.

It goes right back to the roles that universities play, said Buffington. That level of research and focus on what impacts pharmacological and physiological pathways in the body is something that we really need the universities to engage in, so that we dont go backward and say all things cannabis are intoxicating.

(Liz Partsch can be reached at epartsch@farmanddairy.com or 330-337-3419.)
BRATTLEBORO, Vt.  Registration is now open for the 2024 Holstein Association USA Judges Conference, set for May 21-22 at Oakfield Corners Dairy in Oakfield, New York.

Designed for judges of all experience levels, from seasoned judges to those newly entering the field, this conference aims to sharpen judging skills and broaden participants knowledge of Holstein cattle evaluation.

Interested participants can register for the conference with a credit card, using this online registration system. The pre-registration fee is $100. Pre-registration will close once all spots are filled or two weeks before the conference, May 7.

Participants interested in attending the Judges Conference without receiving an official rating are welcome for the experience but will not be eligible for the Holstein Association USA Judges Lists.

Participants must be 22 years old by the day of the conference to attend. To register online, visit na.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=793602&. For more information contact Tim Ziemba at 800.952.5200 ext. 4285 or by email at Tziemba@holstein.com.
NFU Scotland has welcomed the Scottish government's change in direction on its climate policy targets as it ditches plans to slash carbon emissions by 75% by 2030.

In a statement to the Scottish parliament, Energy Secretary Mairi McAllan has accepted that this target was out of reach.

The announcement is a major climbdown from a government which was one of the first in the world to declare a climate emergency.

However, Ms McAllan pledged an 'unwavering commitment' to retain a more ambitious target of reaching net zero by 2045.

The government also still plans to introduce mandatory carbon audits and nutrient management plans by 2028.

NFU Scotland has welcomed the change in direction, emphasising that policy must now "shift to how rather than being a hostage to when."

It said Scottish farmers and crofters, if appropriately equipped and empowered with the right tools and support, would play a key role in meeting net zero targets.

NFU Scotland vice president, Alasdair Macnab said: Scottish government must look to science to ensure that the current over-emphasis on emissions and a lack of emphasis on sequestration is addressed.

"It is in everyones interests that the right tools are adopted that more accurately calculate all the facts around sequestration and emissions at a grassroots level as part of our journey to net zero.

NFU Scotland has also been highlighting the need for the Scottish government to also focus on adaptation and welcome the current consultation on the Scottish National Adaptation Plan.

"We will continue to work closely with the Scottish government and others to ensure farming and crofting are enabled to adapt to a changing climate and play their unique role in tackling climate change."
The body of a missing farmer has been found in North Yorkshire, police have confirmed.

Nicholas Leaf, 67, from the village of Riccall located near Selby, was last seen by his family on 9 April.

North Yorkshire Police said his body was discovered on Thursday afternoon (18 April), in water near where he lives.

A spokesperson for the force said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

"We would like to thank everyone who shared our appeals," the spokesperson added.

Jack Leaf, who is Mr Leaf's nephew, thanked the public who took part in searches.

In a post on social media, he said: "I'm very sorry to share the news that Nick has been found and is no longer with us.

"Thank you again for all your support over the last nine days.

"If you could please respect the family's privacy we'd be grateful. Thank you."
A new carbon land tax would punish rural estates which already make the greatest contribution to achieving net zero, Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has warned.

A consultation will be launched this summer on carbon land tax on the largest rural estates in Scotland, the Scottish government has confirmed.

The devolved government also confirmed it would scrap its annual and interim targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

This would be replaced with a system measuring emissions every five years.

But the SLE said research demonstrated that rural estates were 'in the vanguard' of renewable energy, woodland creation and peatland restoration.

The rural business organisation noted that renewable energy on such estates accounted for around 60% of Scotlands generating capacity.

Large-scale peatland restoration projects  such as those carried out on rural estates  accounted for 57% of the peatland that had been restored since 2013, it said.

And since 2015, 45,000ha of woodland had been planted on private estate land with support from the Forestry Grant Scheme.

Stephen Young, director of policy at SLE, said if a carbon land tax was introduced, careful consideration would be required as to the impact on food production and economic activity in rural communities.

It would appear the Scottish government is seeking to punish those who are already making the greatest contribution," Mr Young added.

"The Scottish government had flagged this tax proposal last year that it was considering exploring this and there are serious questions how this would work in practice.

We all want to see progress on emission reduction and the sequestration of carbon but it is difficult to understand why estates are being the ones who have been singled out by the Scottish government.

It should not be forgotten that estates are already paying extensive taxes across their wide range of business activities and by introducing a new tax, it will do little to help Scotlands rural economy and encourage investment and employment.
Giancarlo Esposito considered arranging his own murder to improve his family's financial situation.

Giancarlo Esposito plotted his own death

The 65-year-old actor - who has four daughters with ex-wife Joy McManigal - was close to bankruptcy in 2008, around a year before he landed his role of drug lord Gus Fring in 'Breaking Bad', and he admitted things got so desperate, he began plotting his own death so his loved ones would benefit from the money they'd receive from his life insurance.

Speaking on SiriusXM's 'Jim + Sam', he said: My way out in my brain was: Hey, do you get life insurance if someone commits suicide? Do they get the bread?

"My wife had no idea why I was asking this stuff.

"I started scheming. If I got somebody to knock me off, death by misadventure, [my kids] would get the insurance.

"I had four kids. I wanted them to have a life.

"It was a hard moment in time. I literally thought of self-annihilation so they could survive. Thats how low I was.

The 'Mandalorian' actor ultimately knew any financial hardship wouldn't be as bad as leaving his family with the "lifelong trauma" that his death would cause.

He added: That was the first inkling that there was a way out, but I wouldnt be here to be available to my kids.

Then I started to think thats not viable because the pain I would cause them would be lifelong, and thered be lifelong trauma that would just extend the generational trauma Im trying to move away from. The light at the end of the tunnel was Breaking Bad'. "

Giancarlo admitted earlier this year he'd love to reprise his role as Gus - who he portrayed in 26 episodes of 'Breaking Bad' and 34 instalments of prequel series 'Better Call Saul' - for a spin-off of his own.

He told Britain's GQ magazine: Yeah, I would love that. My backstory is he was a military guy who worked his way up through the ranks and could have become president, even possibly the dictator and have taken over.

"But he wanted to do something that could not be controlled by others, and he wanted to control his own destiny. And so he took off to create a new life for himself in America and become a meth dealer, a businessman.

I think, in his younger years, he was someone who could have been more Tony Montana.

But he worked his way into becoming level enough to listen, hear, and see through his emotional state. We would hope that it might be The Rise of Gus.
Tom Selleck has never sent a text or an email.

Tom Selleck has never sent a text

The 79-year-old actor has "occasionally" looked himself up online while researching his memoir, 'You Never Know', but he largely stays away from the digital world and gets either his secretary or his wife Jillie to answer his messages.

He told People magazine: Occasionally I've looked up my name. That started really with the book, but I've never sent my own email. I had a secretary. I've never texted anybody.

The 'Three Men and a Baby' actor admitted it is a "luxury" that his wife is happy to reply to texts on his behalf.

He said: I have a certain luxury where I probably couldn't survive otherwise.

"But I don't know. I have a hard time writing things down, which is weird for a guy who's pushing a book.

When he isn't filming, Tom - who has two adult children, Kevin with ex-wife Jacqueline Ray, and Hannah, with Jillie - explained he doesn't really watch TV and spends his time either looking at his scripts for 'Blue Bloods' or enjoying the grounds of his 63-acre ranch in California.

He said of his wildflowers: Ive planted them for years and they bloom in cycles. When its coldest, one of them blooms and then another one comes in. I know it sounds stupid, but I just watch them grow.

And asked how he enjoys himself in his quieter moments, Tom said: "A cigar and a glass of whisky is a nice way to end the day.

"Ive had a very good life, a very lucky life. I dont know if its what I figured Id be doing, but its with a lot of gratitude."

But the veteran actor told how he was left devastated when droughts destroyed almost all the avocado trees and decimated around 25 100-year-old oaks on the ranch.

He said: "That just breaks your heart. But with the rain weve had, the sick ones are getting better, and theyre all sprouting a lot of healthy growth.
The Loca Loca Loca festival brings a melange of flavours from Mexico and India to Toast & Tonic in Mumbai and Bengaluru



Up until April 30, 2024, Toast & Tonic in Mumbai and Bengaluru is running Loca Loca Loca, a food festival that brings innovative Mexican-Indian flavours to the table. The fiesta imbues the finest ingredients sourced from across India with the essence of Mexican cuisine. The menu features a selection of cocktails, small plates, and desserts.





Choose from an array of Mexican-inspired cocktails with classic Indian ingredients such as the refreshing Mango Mambo or the G&T Jive. You could even pick from a variety of margaritas  classic watermelon, tangy kiwi, or sweet and juicy plum  or try Mezcalita, a smoky and spicy take on the classic.







Mexican favourites such as empanadas, carnitas and tacos promise to reach a new level on the festival menu  enlivened by Gondhoraj lemon zest from Kolkata, or the spice of Gujarati Bhavnagri chillies. The carnitas come with North Eastern-style black sesame pork filling, while empanadas cocoon housemade chorizo.







Desserts include the Mexican Chocolate and Avocado Mousse, topped with Kerala chocolate, toasted marshmallow fluff, and brown butter sable, and the Arroz Con Leche, a creamy Gobindobhog rice pudding served with mango jelly. And expect, while you enjoy all this happiness on a plate, to be transported to the streets of Mexico City by lively Mexican music.





Locations:

* Unit #1, Ground Floor, Jet Airways-Godrej BKC Building,

Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra-East, Mumbai;

* 14/1, Wood St, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru



Price Points: Rs 4,000 onwards for two with alcohol

Also Read: Getting Hot, Hot, Hot? 5 Drinks To Cool You Off In Bengaluru
The biggest celebration of Marathi cinema is back with its 8th edition! The RR Kabel Filmfare Awards Marathi 2024, honouring the best of the Marathi film industry is currently underway. As the evening unfolds at Mahakavi Kalidas Natyamandir in Mumbai, have a look at some stills from the star studded performances.



Prarthana Behere, Shrutii Marrathe, Prajakkta Mali and Vaibhav Tatwawadi set the stage on fire.



Check out the photos here:


Actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty recently visited the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya with his wife Pragathi Shetty on the occasion of Ram Navami. The couple also shared photos of their meeting with Malayalam super star Mohanlal.





Sharing a reel of their visit they wrote, May the blessings of Sri Rama be with you forever. Happy Rama Navami to you and your family.Throughout the reel, which consists of multiple clicks, Rishab and Pragathi are seen wearing traditional clothing.



View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pragathi Shetty (@pragathirishabshetty)
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 18, 2024) - This press release is being disseminated as required by National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bids and Insider Reporting Issuers ("NI 62-103") in connection with the filing of an early warning report by Paul Reid as a result of the acquisition by Mr. Reid of common shares ("Common Shares") of Core Nickel Corp. (the "Issuer") (CSE: CNCO).

On April 8, 2024, Mr. Reid acquired an aggregate of 1,000,000 Common Shares through the facilities of the Canadian Securities Exchange at an average price of $0.05 per Common Share for aggregate consideration of $50,000 (the "Acquisition"). The Acquisition resulted in Mr. Reid exercising control or direction over more than 10% of the Issuer on a partially-diluted basis.

Prior to the Acquisition, Mr. Reid owned and controlled an aggregate of 2,000,000 Common Shares and 1,000,000 common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants"), representing approximately 6.7% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis, and approximately 9.7% of the Common Shares on a partially-diluted basis (assuming the exercise of all of the Warrants).

Following completion of the Acquisition, Mr. Reid owns and controls 3,000,000 Common Shares and 1,000,000 Warrants, representing approximately 9.98% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis, and approximately 12.9% of the Common Shares on a partially-diluted basis (assuming the exercise of all of the Warrants).

All references in this news release to the percentage of Common Shares issued and outstanding is based on information provided by the Issuer to Mr. Reid effective April 18, 2024.

All securities of the Issuer owned or controlled by Mr. Reid are held for investment purposes and Mr. Reid has no present intention to dispose of or acquire further Common Shares. In the future, Mr. Reid may, from time to time, increase or decrease its ownership, control or direction over securities of the Issuer held by it through market transactions, private agreements or otherwise, depending on market conditions, the business and prospects of the Issuer, and other relevant factors.

Mr. Reid will be filing a report on Form 62-103F1 - Required Disclosure under the Early Warning Requirements in accordance with NI 62-103, which will also be available under the Issuer's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com. The head office of the Issuer is Suite 204, 75-24th Street East Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 0K3. For further information or a copy of Mr. Reid's early warning report, please contact the Issuer at 306-668-6927 or by email at info@corenickel.com; Attention: Misty Urbatsch, Chief Executive Officer.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/206153

SOURCE: Paul Reid
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.

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PUNE, India, April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report titled "Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market by Drug Type (Cholestyramine, Rifampicin, Ursodeoxycholic Acid), Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Online Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies), End-Users - Global Forecast 2024-2030" is now available on 360iResearch.com's offering, presents an analysis indicating that the market projected to grow from a size of $113.52 million in 2023 to reach $156.14 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.65% over the forecast period.

" Advancements and Global Initiatives Propel Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC) Treatment Landscape "

Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC), a group of rare liver disorders caused by genetic anomalies, disrupts bile flow, leading to severe liver conditions. Recognizing PFIC's critical nature, healthcare and regulatory agencies worldwide have accelerated diagnostic and treatment approaches. Enhanced genetic screening facilitates prompt intervention, while regulatory bodies, including the FDA and EMA, streamline approval processes for PFIC therapies. This effort has stimulated the development of innovative treatments and made liver transplantation more accessible. Cost considerations remain a challenge. Across the globe, regions are taking significant strides, including the Americas, which has robust healthcare systems and vigorous patient advocacy, driving awareness and treatment advancements. In the APAC region, countries such as Japan and Australia possess exemplary healthcare innovation, providing substantial support for PFIC management. Europe is at the forefront of PFIC research, benefitting from the EMA's cohesive policies and regulatory agility to expedite treatment access. As awareness grows, even regions with emerging healthcare infrastructures, such as the Middle East and Africa, are beginning to ramp up PFIC recognition and care. This collective global initiative signifies a hopeful trajectory for PFIC patients, highlighting the importance of novel treatment options and international cooperation in overcoming rare liver diseases.

Download Sample Report @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/progressive-familial-intrahepatic-cholestasis-treatment

" Advocacy Groups Facilitating Change in Treatment Access and Awareness "

Patient advocacy organizations worldwide play a pivotal role in enhancing awareness, support, and advancements in treatment. Groups such as the PFIC Advocacy and Resource Network by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and the American Liver Foundation are at the forefront of creating supportive communities for patients and their families, offering education, and funding research to improve liver health. Australian charity Liver Kids supports children with liver diseases, emphasizing the need for robust health policies. These groups are instrumental in fostering collaborations, fueling research and development, and improving communication between patients, healthcare systems, and pharmaceutical entities. Their efforts are crucial in ensuring patients have access to newly approved treatments, helping to demystify the complexities of insurance, and providing guidance on treatment options, ultimately aiming for earlier diagnosis, better management, and enhanced quality of life for those impacted by PFIC.

" Innovative Treatments Offer New Hope for Patients with Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis "

Cholestyramine, a drug traditionally used to lower cholesterol, is gaining attention for its role in managing progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC), a rare liver disorder. Cholestyramine effectively lowers bile acid levels in both the liver and blood, offering relief from the intense itching often experienced by patients by binding to bile acids in the intestine and preventing reabsorption. Additionally, Rifampicin, commonly used as an antibiotic, treats this symptom by promoting the elimination of bile acids through the induction of liver enzymes. However, its use requires careful monitoring due to potential interactions and side effects. Meanwhile, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) substitutes harmful bile acids with less toxic ones, helping to minimize liver damage and enhance bile flow. UDCA's safety and tolerance levels make it a vital option, though its efficacy may vary by individual cases regarded as a basis in PFIC treatment. These advancements in treatment provide much-needed assurance and relief for those affected by PFIC, representing a forward path in managing this challenging condition.

Request Analyst Support @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/progressive-familial-intrahepatic-cholestasis-treatment

" Ipsen Pharma at the Forefront of Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market with a Strong 15.94% Market Share "

The key players in the Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market include Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Ipsen Pharma, Mirum Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Sanofi S.A., AbbVie, Inc., and others. These prominent players focus on strategies such as expansions, acquisitions, joint ventures, and developing new products to strengthen their market positions.

" Introducing ThinkMi: Revolutionizing Market Intelligence with AI-Powered Insights for the Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market "

We proudly unveil ThinkMi, a cutting-edge AI product designed to transform how businesses interact with the Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market. ThinkMi stands out as your premier market intelligence partner, delivering unparalleled insights with the power of artificial intelligence. Whether deciphering market trends or offering actionable intelligence, ThinkMi is engineered to provide precise, relevant answers to your most critical business questions. This revolutionary tool is more than just an information source; it's a strategic asset that empowers your decision-making with up-to-the-minute data, ensuring you stay ahead in the fiercely competitive Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market. Embrace the future of market analysis with ThinkMi, where informed decisions lead to remarkable growth.

Ask Question to ThinkMi @ https://app.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/progressive-familial-intrahepatic-cholestasis-treatment

" Dive into the Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market Landscape: Explore 188 Pages of Insights, 286 Tables, and 22 Figures "

Preface Research Methodology Executive Summary Market Overview Market Insights Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market, by Drug Type Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market, by Distribution Channel Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market, by End-Users Americas Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market Asia-Pacific Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market Europe, Middle East & Africa Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Treatment Market Competitive Landscape Competitive Portfolio

Inquire Before Buying @ https://www.360iresearch.com/library/intelligence/progressive-familial-intrahepatic-cholestasis-treatment

Related Reports:

Rare Disease Diagnostics Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030 Cancer Gene Therapy Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030 Liver Diseases Therapeutics Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030

About 360iResearch

Founded in 2017, 360iResearch is a market research and business consulting company headquartered in India, with clients and focus markets spanning the globe.

We are a dynamic, nimble company that believes in carving ambitious, purposeful goals and achieving them with the backing of our greatest asset - our people.

Quick on our feet, we have our ear to the ground when it comes to market intelligence and volatility. Our market intelligence is diligent, real-time and tailored to your needs, and arms you with all the insight that empowers strategic decision-making.

Our clientele encompasses about 80% of the Fortune Global 500, and leading consulting and research companies and academic institutions that rely on our expertise in compiling data in niche markets. Our meta-insights are intelligent, impactful and infinite, and translate into actionable data that support your quest for enhanced profitability, tapping into niche markets, and exploring new revenue opportunities.

Contact 360iResearch



Mr. Ketan Rohom

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 18, 2024 / Perk Labs Inc. (CSE:PERK)(OTC PINK:PKLBF)(FKT:PKLB) ("Perk" or the "Company"), is providing an update on the status of a management cease trade order (the "MCTO") application to the British Columbia Securities Commission that the Company announced was granted on April 3, 2024.

The Company was granted a voluntary MCTO under National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203"). As previously announced, the application for the MCTO was made by the Company in order to secure additional time for the Company to file its audited annual financial statements and the related management's discussion and analysis for the year ended November 30, 2023,(the "Annual Filings"), which were due on April 1, 2024.

The MCTO prohibits all trading in the capital of the Company, whether directly or indirectly, by the Company's CEO and CFO. The MCTO does not affect the ability of other shareholders to trade in the securities of the Company.

The Company and its auditors continue to work diligently toward completing the Annual Filings as soon as possible. The Company maintains its expectation that it will be in a position to file the Annual Filings on or before May 31, 2024.

The Company confirms that since the date of the Announcement: (i) other than as described above, there has been no material change to the information set out in the Announcement that has not been generally disclosed; (ii) there has been no failure by the Company in fulfilling its stated intentions with respect to satisfying the provisions of the alternative information guidelines set out in NP 12-203; (iii) there has not been any other specified default by the Company under NP 12-203; and (iv) there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

The Company will continue to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines under NP 12-203 by issuing bi-weekly default status reports in the form of news releases for so long as it remains in default of the above-noted filing requirements

About Perk Labs Inc.

Perk Labs Inc., (CSE:PERK)(OTC PINK:PKLBF)(FKT:PKLB), the owner of Getit Technologies Inc. and Perk Hero Software Inc. ("Perk Labs"), provides innovative mobile ordering and payment systems, allowing customers the ability to scan a QR code or NFC sticker to order and pay for their purchases directly from their phone. Perk Labs specializes in providing a single unified payment interface for complex purchase environments - environments that have multiple retailers processing an array of different transactions, including food and beverage purchases, merchandise sales, ticketing, registrations, donations, parking fees, and service payments. Perk Labs provides a custom-branded solution that is ideal for multi-transaction brands such as stadiums and arenas, university and college campuses, conference centers, hotels and resorts, festivals and events, and professional service companies.

For more information, contact:

Ryan Hardy

CEO

(833) 338-0299

investors@getittechnologies.io

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "may", "believe", "thinks", "expect", "exploring", "expand", "could", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "pursue", "potentially", "projected", "should", "will" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. These forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to, among other things, the discussion of the Company's business strategies and its expectations concerning future operations, and expectations of future revenues for the Company. Although the Company considers these forward-looking statements to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking information, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur.

SOURCE: Perk Labs Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
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.

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BOSTON, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With every successive year, the lines between medical devices and consumer electronics become increasingly blurred - medtech companies seek to expand their reach beyond patients, and consumer electronics companies have targeted medical applications as a key focus for their wearable products. IDTechEx's report, "Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence 2024-2034: Trends, Opportunities, and Outlook", covers this ongoing trend in the consumer health wearables market and includes analysis of the opportunities and roadmap for biometric monitoring.

Consumer devices battle for medical applications

A direction of travel that has been evident in the wearables industry is the increase in health metrics monitored by smartwatches. A key development in February 2024 was the clearance by the US regulatory body, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), of the Samsung Galaxy Watch app for the assessment of sleep apnea risk. Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that has significant health implications but is often undiagnosed. The ability to detect silent health conditions via a consumer device has the potential to create improvements in quality of life for a significant population of users. Upcoming consumer electronics, particularly new form factors such as smart rings, promise to bring even more health monitoring capabilities.

Underpinning the sleep apnea detection algorithm are optical sensors capable of detecting the wearer's blood oxygen levels. While the FDA clearance is significant, the truth is that consumers have been able to check their quality of sleep for signs of sleep apnea, including movement, respiratory rate, and blood oxygen, for several years. The key difference is that with FDA clearance, the devices are no longer categorized as "wellness devices", which come with major warnings that the data generated are not intended for medical use.

Though there are countless biometrics that can be monitored by smartwatches and other consumer electronics, the reality is that there are only a select few medical conditions that have the potential to drive substantial numbers of new users to these products. When compared to existing diagnostics or monitoring methods, consumer electronics companies will need to prove that comfortable and continuous monitoring provides significant benefit over incumbent technologies, for a large enough market.

The IDTechEx report on digital health discusses opportunities for consumer health wearables, including key value propositions and a roadmap for wearable sensor technology segmented by key biometrics. For additional information on the sensor technologies required for key medical applications in consumer electronics, please refer to the IDTechEx research report Wearable Sensors 2023 - 2033.

Medical device companies eye up the consumer market

On the other end of the spectrum, medtech companies have also been entering the consumer market. Some products, such as the Omron HeartGuide blood pressure monitoring smartwatch launched in 2019, have been specifically designed from the ground up as a consumer health wearable.

However, the key health technology that is making the switch to consumer markets comes in the form of an electronic skin patch. Specifically, the continuous glucose monitor, a majorly disruptive piece of health technology in the Type 1 diabetes market, has been increasingly marketed toward consumers in recent years. These began with niche markets, such as elite athletes competing in endurance sports, but have shifted now to people interested in leveraging data on their metabolism to achieve wellness goals.

Currently, Abbott's Lingo is available in the UK to help consumers better understand their metabolism and to improve their health. In 2024, rival Dexcom received the first FDA approval to sell a CGM over the counter in the US. Called Stelo, the device will be available in the summer of 2024 and marks a major first step into the digital health for pre- and type 2 diabetes markets. IDTechEx's report on digital health covers the intersection of the digital health, diabetes, and consumer markets and includes a 10-year forecast for the CGM market from 2024 - 2034.

Elsewhere in digital health

The consumer health wearables narrative is only one of several stories that IDTechEx covers in "Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence 2024-2034: Trends, Opportunities, and Outlook". IDTechEx also reports on the promise of telehealth and remote patient monitoring, the increasing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, and a future of app-based healthcare.

To find out more about this IDTechEx report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/digitalhealth.

For more information on the medtech and wearable technologies discussed in this article, please visit the IDTechEx website: www.IDTechEx.com

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 Rogers

Sales and Marketing Administrator

press@IDTechEx.com

+44(0)1223 812300

Social Media Links:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/IDTechEx

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/IDTechEx

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The increasing global population and dairy demand is projected to drive the global milk bottle market's growth during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region is predicted to witness prominent growth by 2032.

WILMINGTON, Del., April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research has recently published a report, titled, "Milk Bottle Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Capacity, By Application, By Material, By Closure Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032." According to the report, the global milk bottle market generated $3,580.1 million in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $5,718.7 million by 2032, rising at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2023 to 2032.

Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/A295923

Prime Determinants of Growth

The growing population across the globe coupled with the growing demand for dairy and the rapid expansion of e-commerce & online grocery shopping due to on-the-go lifestyle are the factors expected to drive the growth of the global milk bottle market in the forecast period from 2023 to 2032. However, the rising raw material costs may limit market growth in the coming future. On the contrary, increasing emphasis on eco-friendly packaging and technological advancements and the innovations in design & functionality of milk bottles are expected to offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the milk bottle market during the forecast period.

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $3,580.1 million Market Size in 2032 $5,718.7 million CAGR 5.1 % No. of Pages in Report 290 Segments covered Capacity, Application, Material, Closure Type, and Region Drivers Growing global population and dairy demand Rapid expansion of e-commerce and online grocery shopping Opportunities Increasing emphasis on eco-friendly packaging Innovations in design and functionality of milk bottles Restraints Rising prices for essential raw materials

Procure Complete Report (290 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures):https://tinyurl.com/4kvdvwwc

Capacity: 200 ML to 500 ML Sub-segment to Hold Major Market Share by 2032

The 200 ML to 500 ML sub-segment accounted for the largest global milk bottle market share of 35.1% in 2022 and is expected to hold major share by 2032. This significant growth is mainly because these bottles are perfect for city dwellers with limited storage, offering a compact solution that fits neatly in smaller refrigerators. Innovations such as resealable caps and ergonomic designs enhance functionality and user experience, appealing to those who prioritize convenience and efficiency in their busy urban lives.

Application: Milk Store Bottle Sub-segment to Flourish Immensely During the Forecast Period

The milk store bottle sub-segment held the largest market share of 58.9% in 2022 and is predicted to grow at the highest CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period. This is mainly because glass milk storage bottles are particularly celebrated for their recyclability and durability. These bottles reduce waste and environmental impact significantly. In addition, their superior insulation properties help maintain milk freshness and extend shelf life by effectively shielding contents from light and air. Moreover, these bottles offer dairy companies an opportunity to enhance their brand recognition and consumer connection through creative designs and customized labeling, standing out in a competitive market.

Material: Glass Sub-segment to be the Most Dominant During the Forecast Period

The glass sub-segment accounted for the largest global milk bottle market share of 53.7% in 2022 and is anticipated to rise at the highest CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period. This significant growth is mainly due to its non-reactive nature, ensuring milk retains its freshness and flavor without influence from external odors. Glass bottles are also highly durable and recyclable, supporting repeated use and sustainability, which aligns with the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly packaging solutions. In addition, the aesthetic appeal of glass bottles enhances brand differentiation and consumer attraction by conveying quality and authenticity.

Closure Type: Screw Cap Sub-segment to Witness Substantial Growth by 2032

The screw cap sub-segment held the largest market share of 42.0% in 2022 and is predicted to grow significantly during the forecast period. This is primarily owing to the airtight sealing ability of screw cap, which preserves the milk's freshness and flavor. Screw caps are user-friendly, reducing spillage and enhancing ease of use, which appeals to a broad consumer base. Besides, their adaptability allows for distinctive branding opportunities, helping dairy businesses differentiate their products and enhance consumer loyalty through customizable packaging designs.

Region: Asia-Pacific Market to be Most Prominent During the Forecast Period

The milk bottle market in the Asia-Pacific region accounted for the largest share of 42.7% in 2022 and is predicted to continue to maintain its dominance and rise at the highest CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. This growth is mainly owing to the fueled by economic growth and rising disposable income of people, which has increased consumer spending on quality dairy products. Enhanced cold chain infrastructure has significantly supported the dairy sector, ensuring quality preservation during distribution. Moreover, innovative packaging designs in milk bottles provide effective branding opportunities, allowing dairy firms to enhance visibility and consumer engagement, thereby driving market growth.

Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/A295923

Leading Players in the Milk Bottle Market:

Longshen Industrial

bormioli rocco

Huhtamaki

Kadolta Packaging

Meadwestvaco

Amcor

WWP Direct

Gerresheimer

tupperware brands

Maharashtra Industries

The report provides a detailed analysis of the key players of the global milk bottle market. These players are employing various strategies including launching new products, entering collaborations, expanding operations, forming joint ventures, and signing agreements, all aimed at boosting their market share and securing their competitive position across 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.

Similar Reports We Have on Consumer Goods Industry:

Online Grocery Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Photography Services Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Stock Images Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032

Corporate training Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031

Kitchen Appliances Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027

Cleaning Services Market Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030

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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.

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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.



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Over three-quarters of consumers have inherited at least one common physical household object* with almost a fifth admitting they have inherited white goods, such as a washing machine or fridge**.

LONDON, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from Beko, the home appliance brand, has revealed the most weird and wonderful items that consumers have inherited.

77% of UK consumers have inherited at least one common physical household object* whilst jewellery and watches top the list (52%) followed by furniture (31%), clothing (27%) and artwork or decorations (21%). With 17% of those who were surveyed saying they have inherited white goods, such as a washing machine or fridge**, 18% said white goods were an object they were most likely to pass on. The generation most likely to want to inherit white goods were millennials.

The research revealed some of the most weird and wonderful items inherited including an Uboat overcoat, a live giant tortoise, "a very small glass bottle of what turned out to be a unknown bodily fluid from a little known "celebrity" from the Seventies" and a twelve foot giraffe with big eyes and soft hair!

When it comes to the reasons behind what items people want to inherit, over a third (34%) said that having a household object that will last a long time is the likeliest factor in wanting to inherit it. A majority of those surveyed (51%) fear that fewer large household items will be inherited these days compared to previous generations, with the biggest reasons being that products today are not built to last or are less high quality.

The research comes as Beko launches its latest campaign "The Beko Inheritance" which hopes to redefine industry standards around the durability of household appliances. At its heart is a captivating film produced by VML Germany & UK in collaboration with acclaimed OB42 director Jack Howard.

Infusing the campaign with a perfect balance of creativity, humour and an underlying serious message, the short film transports viewers into a classic murder mystery scenario, featuring performances from Brendan Patricks (Downton Abbey), Ross Hatt (The Gentlemen), and Marty Cruckshank (The Crown). As tensions rise during a family dispute over a presumed family heirloom, the unexpected reveal at the will reading leaves audiences both surprised and amused.

Adding an additional flair of humor, the campaign also features the official Beko Inheritance Addendum, a physical document allowing its holder to officially pass on their Beko appliance to their loved ones. Of the campaign, Akin Garzanli, Chief Marketing Officer at Beko said "in our journey to elevate the everyday, we recognize the value of our customers' time. We are pleased to showcase The Beko Inheritance campaign which we hope resonates and brings joy whilst drawing viewers into a world where we can generate meaningful conversation around the durability of our products."

Research was conducted by Focaldata with a nationally representative sample of 2,015 UK adults, between 12-15 April 2024.

About VML

VML is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Intel, Microsoft, Nestle, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave Reports, which name WPP a "Leader" in Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML's specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world's largest and most awarded health agencies. VML's global network is powered by 30,000 talented people across 60-plus markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, Sao Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP).

For more information, please visit www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X. WeAreVML

About Beko:

Beko is one of the top three large home appliance brands in Europe* in the white goods sector. Beko is helping customers make better choices for healthier lifestyles and contribute to a healthier environment. The brand's essence is built on the motto of 'Beko state of mind,' which defines the absolute confidence that customers have in making the right choices. Beko is committed to protecting the planet by designing and manufacturing innovative, reliable, efficient and sustainable products.

**Source Euromonitor International Limited; Large Appliances as per "Major Appliances" in Consumer Appliances 2024ed, retail volume, 2023 data

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SINGAPORE, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- HTX Ventures, the global investment arm of the cryptocurrency exchange HTX, has officially announced a strategic investment in Merkle 3s Capital, an innovative hybrid Global Web3 Fund based in Hong Kong, dedicated to the research and development of blockchain technologies. This investment highlights HTX Ventures' commitment to fostering innovation and supporting scalable Web3 technology development globally.

Merkle 3s Capital stands at the forefront of identifying and capitalizing on the next wave of market consensus, with a strategy that includes diverse investments in projects across both primary and secondary markets. With over a decade of industry experience and a portfolio that includes more than 100 investments across various blockchain ecosystems, Merkle 3s Capital has established itself as a key player in the Web3 space. The firm supports significant projects like Core, TON and Solana, leveraging its robust connections with leading crypto exchanges and top universities to advance technological innovation and global impact.

Edward, Managing Partner at HTX Ventures, emphasized the strategic value of the investment, stating, "We are pleased to welcome Merkle 3s Capital as one of our strategic partners through this investment. HTX Ventures is committed to our mission to support promising companies such as Merkle 3s Capital and develop the next generation of technological innovations. We continue to expand and diversify our Fund of Funds portfolio, while solidifying our position as a strong global investment leader."

Sarah, Founding Partner at Merkle 3s Capital, said, "Merkle 3s Capital aims to empower top-notch technologists and entrepreneurs to build high-impact Web 3 and digital economy projects around the world. To achieve that, we lean on our network of strategic partners with resources including the best academic institutions, exchanges and communities. The investment from HTX Ventures will allow Merkle 3s Capital to continuously strengthen our resource pool and accelerate the growth of our portfolio projects."

About HTX Ventures

HTX Ventures, the global investment division of HTX, integrates investment, incubation, and research to identify the best and brightest teams worldwide. With a decade-long history as an industry pioneer, HTX Ventures excels at identifying cutting-edge technologies and emerging business models within the sector. To foster growth within the blockchain ecosystem, we provide comprehensive support to projects, including financing, resources, and strategic advice.

HTX Ventures currently backs over 200 projects spanning multiple blockchain sectors, with select high-quality initiatives already trading on the HTX exchange. Furthermore, as one of the most active Fund of Funds (FOF) investors, HTX Ventures collaboratively forges the blockchain ecosystem alongside premier global blockchain funds, including Dragonfly, Bankless Ventures, Animoca, Shima, and IVC. Visit us here.

Contact Details

Michael Wang

glo-media@htx-inc.com

Company Website

https://www.htx.com/en-us/ventures

About Merkle 3s Capital

Merkle 3s Capital is a Hong Kong-based venture capital firm specializing in hybrid crypto funds. Our expertise and experience in the industry span over 10 years, with a previous portfolio of more than 100 investments across the blockchain ecosystems. We pride ourselves on our team of experienced partners dedicated to leading the industry toward worldwide impact. Visit us here.

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MANCHESTER, England, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- After the successful launch of W Residences, Manchester, the first branded residences in The City, British property developer Salboy announces the launch of Obsidian. The scheme marks the tenth luxury residential scheme in the city centre developed by Salboy, in partnership with DOMIS, the company's dedicated construction partner.

This exclusive scheme is in Greengate, one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Manchester. It will comprise a 26-storey tower of 250 units: 31 intelligent studios, 93 one-bed, 111 two-bed and 15 three-bed apartments.

Obsidian puts efficient living and space-saving at its heart. The scheme's studio apartments will maximise floor space for occupants. Features include hideaway beds, collapsible tables, built-in office cabinetry and slide-away kitchen panels. This use of modern interior design innovations creates multi-purpose homes that can be converted at a moment's notice.

All residents will enjoy access to high-quality communal amenities including a private dining room, gym, cinema room, coworking spaces and package storage. At the base of the building there will be 1,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. Works have already commenced with completion expected Q4 2026.

The architecturally ambitious development, designed by Studio Power, is crafted to attract younger residents - both students and young professionals who have chosen Manchester to pursue their studies and careers. ONS data shows that Greater Manchester has more young people aged 20 to 29 years old living in the region than any other region in the UK.

Simon Ismail, Managing Director of Salboy, comments: "The residential property we develop with younger professional people in mind are often some of the most complex and creative - bringing together modern designs, compact inner-city locations and our future residents' discerning tastes. Obsidian will deliver beautifully and thoughtfully designed homes for people who want to live a stone's throw from everything that Manchester and Salford have to offer without compromising on quality and comfort. We are delighted to return to Greengate neighbourhood - an area that connects the twin cities of Salford and Manchester and whose regeneration we have been involved with for more than seven years and seen huge growth."

Salboy is one of the fastest growing developers in the United Kingdom. Delivering over 3,500 homes in the last 5 years in prime locations. With over 1 billion worth of property in development in Manchester, London, and Cornwall.

Obsidian sales launch globally from May 1st.

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ABU DHABI, UAE, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- At the World Future Energy Summit held in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates from April 16 to 18 the global energy storage and technology companies Trina Storage and Pacific Green have signed a letter of intent relating to 1,500 MWh integrated energy storage solutions

Under the agreement Trina Storage and Pacific Green will draw on their expertise and commitment in renewable energy and work together in utility-scale energy storage technology innovation and applications, aiming to provide more reliable and sustainable energy. Trina Storage intends to supply 1,500 MWh integrated energy storage solutions, including the new generation liquid-cooled energy storage system Elementa 2, PCS and EMS to several grid-scale energy parks developed by Pacific Green across multiple jurisdictions.

"We are delighted to join with Trina Storage in these projects," said Du Yangfan, General Manager of Pacific Green Technologies Shanghai. "At Pacific Green we lead the smart energy transition with next-generation energy storage solutions. To achieve this, we collaborate with the leading clean energy suppliers, such as Trina Storage."

Jack Chen, overseas sales director of Trina Storage, said: "We are honored to support Pacific Green once again and power their energy parks with our new generation energy storage systems. This underlines our joint efforts to deliver clean energy and drive energy transitions."

Trina Storage ranked among the Top 5 on the BloombergNEF report Storage Providers and Integrators in 2023 and is included in the BNEF Energy Storage Tier 1 List, Chen said.

"As a bankable BESS solution provider our offerings range from proprietary battery cell technology to a fully integrated system and flexible battery storage solutions for various applications to meet customer needs at all levels."

Elementa 2 is the new generation liquid-cooled energy storage system(ESS) equipped with Trina Storage's in-house cells, and it was launched worldwide in February. The advanced, flexible and high efficiency ESS incorporates advanced features including an upgraded pack design, precise thermal management enabled by smart liquid cooling technology, and a robust fire mitigation and suppression system.

The latest agreement takes strategic collaboration between Trina Storage and Pacific Green to a new level, and Trina Storage looks forward to continuing joint work to harness the companies' collective expertise and drive further innovation.

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The VG57V Series Enhances Security and Productivity with Password-Free Login for Video Conferencing

BREA, Calif., April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ViewSonic Corp. , a leading global provider of visual solutions, introduces its next generation of video conferencing monitors. The VG2757V-2K and VG2457V docking monitors are available in 27 and 24-inch sizes and were developed with exceptional productivity features with a Windows Hello certified camera for enhanced security and Zoom certification for reliable video conferencing.

The VG57V series boasts Windows Hello certified IR camera that offers convenient facial recognition for a secure, password-free, single-user sign-on. A Zoom certified 5MP pop-up webcam with adjustable LED lighting, microphones, and front-facing 5W speakers ensures clear audio and optimal visuals for effective communication. The monitors offer immense flexibility and functionality, whether working from home or in the office.

Oscar Lin, General Manager of the Monitor Business Unit at ViewSonic, said, "Our VG57V series monitors, with Windows Hello and Zoom Certified technology, offer professionals and businesses superior video conferencing experience. These monitors' Zoom Certified webcam and audio setup enhance communication and collaboration among dispersed teams, while Windows Hello supports fast, password-free login, boosting productivity and security in the workplace."

With multiple connectivity options, both the ViewSonic VG2757V-2K and VG2457V monitors streamline workspaces by replacing extraneous docking stations. These monitors include USB-C connectivity with 90W power delivery, RJ45 Ethernet to connect to a wired network, USB-A hub to connect peripheral devices with a bonus USB-C with 15W PD for quick phone charging, and daisy-chain capability with DisplayPort out for dual monitor set-ups.

VG2757V-2K Webcam Docking Monitor

27-inch monitor with native QHD (2560x1440) resolution

Pop-up webcam at 5MP resolution that is Zoom and Windows Hello certified

Adjustable LED lighting; 5W speakers and microphones

Connectivity options include: RJ45; HDMI 2.0; DisplayPort in & out; USB Types A/C; USB-A hub connects to various peripherals; USB-C provides up to 90W power deliver to a laptop, and Audio-Out

VG2457V Webcam Docking Monitor

24-inch monitor with native Full HD (1920x1080) resolution

Pop-up webcam at 5MP resolution that is Zoom and Windows Hello certified

Adjustable LED lighting; 5W speakers and microphones

Connectivity options include: RJ45; HDMI 1.4; DisplayPort in & out; USB Types A/C; USB-A hub connects to various peripherals; USB-C provides up to 90W power deliver to a laptop, and Audio-Out

*Availability of the VG2457V model may vary by region. For the most current information, please contact the local vendor, or visit the ViewSonic website.

About ViewSonic

Founded in 1987 in California, ViewSonic is a leading global visual solutions provider with a presence in over 100 countries. The company leverages over 35 years of expertise in visual technology to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of hardware, software, content, and services. ViewSonic offers a wide range of products, with screen sizes spanning from 5 inches to a massive 760 inches. This includes interactive displays, large format displays, LED displays, pen displays, monitors, projectors, SaaS, AI services, interactive content, and more. This innovative ecosystem empowers education, workplaces, and individuals to foster creativity, collaboration, and seamless learning. ViewSonic focuses on designing products that deliver optimal performance and customer satisfaction while integrating sustainable production practices and upholding comprehensive environmental, social, and governance standards. The company's goal is to enable customers to "See the Difference". Learn more at www.viewsonic.com .

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BEIJING, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: On the morning of April 16, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Beijing. This is Scholz's second visit to China since he took office, and Scholz is the first leader of a major Western country to visit China this year. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Xi called on the two countries need to view and develop bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic perspective, and work together to inject greater stability and certainty into the world. His remarks have charted the course for the two countries to further advance bilateral relations and to jointly contribute more to world peace and prosperity under new circumstances.

Over the past 50-plus years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China and Germany have enjoyed robust bilateral relations. The two countries have had close exchanges at all levels and in all fields.

China's policy toward Germany is highly stable and consistent. China always views Germany as its important partner of mutually beneficial cooperation and supports Germany in playing a more important role in Europe and the wider world.

The two sides successfully held the intergovernmental consultation and high-level dialogues on strategic and financial issues, and will hold a dialogue on climate change and green transition. As long as the two sides uphold mutual respect, seek common ground while reserving differences, enhance exchanges and mutual learning, and pursue win-win cooperation, China-Germany relations will continue to enjoy solid and sustained progress.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the all-round strategic partnership between China and Germany. Over the past 10 years, despite tremendous changes in the international landscape, China-Germany relations have maintained steady growth, and bilateral cooperation has been strengthened and deepened across the board, providing impetus for the development of both countries.

Both history and reality have proved that the all-round strategic partnership is an inevitable choice and the optimal solution for China-Germany relations.

The more instability in the world, the greater the need for the two sides to strengthen the resilience and vitality of their relations, Xi said, calling for joint efforts to keep to the overall direction of cooperation and development in growing bilateral ties, and stick to the characterization of all-round strategic partnership.

Scholz said that going forward, the German side will work with the Chinese side to strengthen bilateral ties, deepen dialogue and cooperation in all fields, and promote people-to-people exchanges in such areas as education and culture.

Enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and strengthening dialogue and communication will contribute to the healthy and stable development of the all-round strategic partnership between the two countries.

Both China and Germany have deeply engaged in and benefited from each other's development, with pragmatic cooperation always being the defining feature of China-Germany relations.

China and Germany are important trading partners for each other. Germany has been China's largest trading partner in Europe for 49 consecutive years, while China has been Germany's largest trading partner for eight consecutive years.

According to a report by German Economic Institute (IW), in 2023, German direct investment in China increased by 4.3 percent year on year to a record high of 11.9 billion euros ($12.7 billion).

In the face of weak global economic recovery and rising protectionism, German investment in China has remained strong. Thousands of German companies and institutions are actively engaged in the Chinese market, which once again demonstrates that mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Germany is not a "risk," but the guarantee for a stable bilateral relationship and an opportunity for the future.

There is huge potential to be tapped for pursuing win-win cooperation in both traditional sectors such as machinery and automobile, and new areas such as green transition, digitization and artificial intelligence.

This time, Scholz visited Chongqing and Shanghai together with representatives of the German business community, and witnessed the great economic progress China made over recent years. He said that Germany opposes protectionism and supports free trade.

It is important for the two countries to adopt an objective and dialectical view on the issue of production capacity through a market and global perspective and based on the laws of economics, and devote more efforts to the discussion on cooperation, which will bring bilateral economic and trade cooperation to a new level and inject continuous impetus into global economic recovery.

As China and Germany are respectively the second and third largest economies in the world, the consolidation and development of their relations carries significance that goes beyond the bilateral scope, and has a major impact on the Eurasian continent and the entire world.

China and Germany share a lot in common on the issue of world multipolarity. Both of them support globalization and international cooperation.

Xi pointed out that a multipolar world is, in essence, one where countries with different civilizations, systems and paths respect each other and coexist in peace. China and Germany need to independently carry out collaboration on multilateral fronts, push the international community to take real actions to better address global challenges such as climate change, unbalanced development and regional conflicts, and make greater contribution to the balance and stability of the world.

Xi and Scholz reached consensus on the Ukraine crisis, Palestinian-Israeli conflict and other issues, which will inject greater stability and certainty into a turbulent and intertwined world.

China and Germany do not have clashing fundamental interests between them and pose no security threat to each other. Cooperation between the two countries benefits not just the two sides but also the world at large.

Both sides should cherish and inherit the valuable experience of the development of bilateral relations, constantly enhance mutual understanding and trust, and deepen practical cooperation, so as to inject new impetus into the all-round strategic partnership between China and Germany, and make greater contributions to world peace, stability, and growth.

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Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - AI HRMS, a game-changing human resource management software, is out to revolutionize HR with a new plan tailored for small businesses with less than 30 users. This innovative platform provides businesses with the tools they need to engage and develop their teams effectively.

AI HRMS Revolutionizes HR Management With a New Plan for Small Businesses

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"Small businesses often struggle to effectively manage their human resources due to limited resources and complex HR processes. This is where AI HRMS comes into the picture. The AI HRMS company addresses this challenge by offering a new plan tailored for small businesses with less than 30 users, providing comprehensive HR management tools to streamline operations," Stacey Ong said in a statement.

AI HRMS simplifies HR operations for small and medium-sized organizations by offering a wide range of features, including employee onboarding, wellness programs, training modules, feedback mechanisms, leave applications, claims processing, and performance reviews.

AI HRMS was created with the goal of supporting millions of small and medium organizations worldwide with their human resource challenges. The managing director added: "Our platform offers the best, simple-to-use AI HR software to help businesses better manage their talent."

Fully cloud-based, AI HRMS provides SMEs with the flexibility to customize the system according to their specific needs. AI HRMS has made a significant impact in a short period, being recognized as one of the Top 10 Best HRMS Software in Singapore.





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"We are honored that our HRMS solution has been recognized as one of the Top 10 best HRMS software in Singapore by Singapore Brand, a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in human resource management software," Stacey added.

Those ready to experience the revolution in HR management with AI HRMS may contact the team immediately to get started. To learn more about the platform and sign up for the new plan, visit AIHRMS.com.

About AI HRMS:

AI HRMS is a leading human resource management software platform that supports small and medium-sized enterprises globally. With a focus on customization and innovation, AI HRMS aims to empower businesses to manage their talent and drive organizational success effectively. As businesses undergo digital transformations, AI-powered HRMS solutions are reshaping HR practices by automating tasks, analyzing data, and optimizing workforce management for enhanced efficiency and decision-making. Key benefits include task automation, predictive analytics, personalized experiences, and improved security and compliance.

The AI HRMS offers streamlined expense management and performance reviews, facilitating efficient processes and fostering employee growth. With a focus on employee wellness and seamless onboarding, the aim is to empower SMEs to create productive workplaces, ensuring accessibility and affordability for all.

Contact Info:

Name: Stacey Ong

Email: info@aihrms.com

Organization: AI HRMS

Website: https://www.aihrms.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/203939

SOURCE: Plentisoft
CHICAGO, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Solid Biomass Feedstock Market is expected to reach USD 36.2 billion by 2029 from USD 26.6 billion in 2024 at a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Solid biomass feedstock refers to organic materials which are in solid state sourced from different sources such as agriculture, forestry, and organic waste, which can be utilized for energy production via combustion, gasification, or other conversion methods. These resources, are renewable and easily accessible, rendering them crucial for generating heat, electricity, and biofuels. Solid biomass feedstock serves as a cornerstone in the shift toward sustainable energy systems, providing a carbon-neutral substitute for fossil fuels and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Moreover, Solid biomass feedstock can play a vital role in mitigating carbon emission. However, limited availability of solid biomass feedstock, and variability in moisture content affecting conversion efficiency have hindered the growth of the market in recent years and are expected to restrain the market's growth during the forecast period.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Solid Biomass Feedstock Market"

207 - Tables

55 - Figures

217 - Pages

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Solid Biomass Feedstock Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $26.6 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $36.2 billion Growth Rate Poised to Grow at a CAGR of 6.3% Largest Market Asia Pacific Market Size Available for 2019-2029 Forecast Period 2024-2029 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Solid Biomass Feedstock Market by Source, Type, Application, End User, and Region. Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and South America. Key Market Opportunities Growing emphasis on Waste management Key Market Drivers Growing demand for biofuels

Briquettes, by type, is the second fastest growing segment during the forecast period.

Based on type, the Solid Biomass Feedstock Market has been split into chips, pellets, briquettes, and others. Briquettes are the second fastest growing segment during the forecasted period, derived from organic materials like agricultural and wood waste, offer a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels in heating and other applications. Hence, it is expected to hold the second largest share in the type segment of Solid Biomass Feedstock Market.

The biofuels, by application, is expected to be the second fastest growing segment during the forecast period.

This report segments the Solid Biomass Feedstock Market based on application into four segments: electricity, heat, biofuel, and biomethane. The biofuel is expected to be the second fastest growing segment during the forecast period. Government policies and incentive schemes drives the growth of biofuels. For example, India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas released its "National Policy on Biofuels," which was subsequently amended in June 2022. The primary goal of the policy is to decrease the reliance on imported petroleum products by promoting the domestic production of biofuels.

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Europe is expected to be the second largest region in the Solid Biomass Feedstock Industry.

Europe is expected to be the second largest Solid Biomass Feedstock Market during the forecast period. The Solid Biomass Feedstock Market in Europe is primarily fueled by significant supportive policies and ambitious climate goals. For example, The UK has launched a Biomass Feedstock Innovation Programme that supports innovation in the production of sustainable domestic biomass. New biofuel plants are required to achieve at least a 65% reduction in direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to fossil fuel alternatives. Similarly, biomass-based heat and power plants must achieve a minimum of 70% fewer GHG emissions (80% by 2026) than fossil fuel alternatives, with specific efficiency and technology criteria outlined for large-scale plants. These criteria complement existing EU climate and environmental legislation.

Key Players

Some of the major players in the Solid Biomass Feedstock Companies are Stora Enso (Finland), Drax Group plc (UK), Segezha Group (UK), Enviva Inc. (US), and Lignetics, Inc. (US). The major strategies adopted by these players include new product launches, contracts, agreements, partnerships, and expansions.

Browse Adjacent Markets: Energy and Power Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Biomethane Market by Feedstock (Energy Crops, Agriculture Residues & Animal Manure, Municipal Waste), Production Process (Anaerobic Digestion, Thermal Gasification), End-use (Transportation, Power Generation, Industrial) Region - Global Forecast to 2030

Biomass Power Generation Market by Technology (Combustion, Gasification, Anaerobic Digestion, Pyrolysis), Feedstock (Agricultural Waste, Forest Waste, Animal Waste, Municipal Waste), Fuel (Solid, Liquid, Gaseous) and Region - Global Forecast to 2028

Biomass Gasification Market by Source (Agricultural, Forest, Animal, Municipal), Gasifier Technology (Fixed-bed, Fluidized-bed, Entrained Flow), Application (Power, Chemicals, Hydrogen, Transportation, Ethanol, Biochar) - Region - Forecast to 2027

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - SATO Technologies Corp. (TSXV: SATO) (OTCQB: CCPUF) (the "Company", or "SATO"), a Bitcoin computing organization, today announced that its agreement with MTI Conseils Inc., a Quebec-based advisory firm, will end effective May 24, 2024. MTI Conseils Inc., provided consulting services, including COO services, to SATO via a designated consultant, Ms. Fanny Philip. Moving forward, the services previously rendered by MTI Conseils Inc. and its designee will be transitioned in-house under the supervision of SATO's Chief Financial Officer, Kyle Appelby.

Romain Nouzareth, Chairman, CEO, and Co-Founder of SATO, commented, "On behalf of our entire team, we thank MTI Conseils Inc. for their services to the Company."

On behalf of the board,

Romain Nouzareth, SATO CEO and Chairman

About SATO

SATO, founded in 2017, is a publicly listed company providing efficient computing power. The Company currently operates one center tailored to produce compute power for Bitcoin Mining, but may look to expand or add additional data centers for computing power for Bitcoin Mining, High Power Computing ("HPC"), Artificial Intelligence ("AI"), and L2's. The Company is listed on (TSXV: SATO) and (OTCQB: CCPUF). To learn more about SATO, visit www.bysato.com.

For additional information, please contact:

Romain Nouzareth

invest@bysato.com

Phone: +1 (450) 756-3636

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 Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the future performance of the Company, and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management as at the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risk, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/206161

SOURCE: SATO Technologies Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - European Energy Metals (TSXV: FIN) (FSE: W28) ("European Energy Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that beginning in May, it will begin conducting gold exploration on its Northern Finland portfolio of projects. The Company currently holds 5 individual mineral reservations covering approximately 300,000 ha (3,000 km2) primarily in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt ("CLGB) in Northern Finland (see Figure 1). The Company also continues to advance its lithium exploration targets on the Nabba and Nabba 2 Exploration Licences recently granted (Press Release of February 14, 2024).



Figure 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9006/206151_33a5ae5284895bf4_001full.jpg

The Paleo-Proterozoic Greenstone Terrane of Northern Finland is comprised of multiple greenstone belts including the CLGB which hosts world-class gold (eg Kittila Deposit, owned by Agnico Eagle and Ikkari Deposit, owned by Rupert Resources) and base metal deposits (eg Kevitsa owned by Boliden and Sakatti owned by Aglo-American). The belt's potential is also suggested by the presence of several major mining companies in the belt. The belt has very recently garnered significant interest following an offer from Rupert Resources to buy B2Gold's 70% interest in a Joint Venture between B2Gold and Aurion Resources which lies adjacent to Ruperts Ikkari Deposit, for $102 million. The joint venture ground is strategic to Ruperts proposed development of the Ikkari Deposit but is also host to numerous gold prospects along a structural corridor that extends >125 km.

The Company's projects occur in an underexplored part of the CLGB but are underlain by favourable host rocks of the CLGB and numerous throughgoing faults, domain boundaries and unconformities, considered favourable sites for gold mineralization. Ikkari occurs adjacent to a domain boundary. Preliminary reconnaissance prospecting has identified gold and/or copper occurrences locally on the company's licences.

Jeremy Poirier, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are super excited to initiate gold exploration field programs on our Northern Finland project portfolio. The recent surge of interest in the belt highlighted by Rupert Resources offer to acquire B2Gold's 70% interest in a joint venture between B2Gold and Aurion adjacent to its Ikkari gold project, suggests there is significant potential within our Northern Finland project portfolio. We believe our exploration teams can unlock the project's potential under the guidance of our VP Exploration, Mike Basha, who has worked extensively in the CLGB as the founder and former CEO and President of Aurion Resources."

The Company Also Wishes to Announce it will be attending the Capital Event Management Conference in Scottsdale this weekend April.19th to April.21st. The details are included below.

Dates: April.19th to 21st

Location: JW Marriott, Scottsdale, Arizona

Details: The conference introduced growth stage companies to active high net worth investors, brokers and institutions. Through a day of 1 on 1 meetings and networking activities.

Website: www.cem.ca

About European Energy Metals Corp.

European Energy Metals Corp. is a junior mining company primarily focussed on the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum Finnish Pegmatite Project in central Finland. Governing bodies in Europe and Finland are legislating environmentally friendly and energy independent laws and policies. One of the key components is access to REE and, specifically, lithium. The Company's concessions are located within 15 kms of the Keliber mine and production complex, currently under construction and expected to begin production in H2 2025. The Company cautions the presence of lithium mineralization on Keliber's properties is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the Company's mineral reservations.

An estimated 600 million investment by Keliber's parent company Sibanye-Stillwater Limited (NYSE: SBSW) in partnership with the Finnish Minerals Group (www.mineralsgroup.fi) is underway in the Kautinen Region and will see the development of open-pit and underground mining from several deposits, construction of a central spodumene concentrator plant and a lithium hydroxide chemical plant at tidewater in Kokkola. When completed, this complex will comprise a complete hard-rock spodumene pegmatite lithium supply chain (source: www.sibanyestillwater.com).

The Finnish Pegmatite Project covers approximately 2,500 km2 within geological terrane that hosts numerous LCT spodumene pegmatite prospects and deposits. The company's exploration Licences are situated less than 10 km from Keliber's Spodumene Concentrator Plant The 2023 inaugural exploration season saw the discovery of multiple occurrences of lithium-bearing spodumene pegmatite mineralization. The highlight was the discovery of the Kyrola Prospect, a 350m long by 110m wide spodumene-bearing boulder field, where 49 rock chip grab samples assayed from 3.84% Li2O to 0.003% Li2O, with 15 of the 49 samples returning grades in excess of 0.50% Li2O (Li2O = lithium oxide). The extent of the boulder field is constrained only by low-lying overburden covered areas and farm fields. The mean assay of these samples was 0.53% Li2O. Fifteen samples assayed greater than 0.50% Li2O, eleven assayed greater than 1.00% Li2O, 4 assayed greater than 2.00% Li2O and 1 assayed greater than 3.00% Li2O. It is interpreted, based on glacial history of the area, that the boulders have only been transported 300-500 m from source.

QA/QC Statement

Mike Basha, P.Eng., P.Geo. (NL), VP Exploration of European Energy Metals Corp., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has prepared this press release.

Samples were submitted to ALS Laboratories in Sodankyla Finland. ALS inserted internal standards, blanks and pulp duplicates within each sample batch as part of their own internal monitoring of quality control protocols. European Energy Metals monitors precision and bias performance by inserting certified lithium standards (OREAS 750 and OREAS 753) as well as blanks into each batch submitted to ALS at a rate of 1:25.

The major element oxides and trace elements including Li, Cs, Ta and Be were analysed by ALS analytical package ME-MS89L + B-MS89L involving digestion by Na2O2 fusion followed by ALS's super trace ICP-MS methodology. QAQC results to date do not indicate any analytical accuracy issues with all standards returning values Li values within 3 standard deviations of their certified mean and blanks returning expected values.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Jeremy Poirier, CEO

Telephone: 604-722-9842

Email: info@europeanenergymetals.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 Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Such statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future results of operations, performance and achievements of the Company, including the completion of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the presence of lithium mineralization at, and the exploration and development potential of, the Finland Pegmatite Project as well as the timing of any future exploration at the Finland Pegmatite Project. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such expectations will prove to be correct. All such forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. This information, however, is 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 information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from this forward-looking information include the failure of the Company to obtain approval of the TSX Venture Exchange for the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, the costs of any anticipated work programs and the ability to fund such costs, required approvals in connection with any work programs and the ability to obtain such approvals, risks inherent in exploration as well as those described under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise the forward-looking information contained in this news release, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/206151

SOURCE: European Energy Metals Corp.
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Urges shareholders to vote "FOR" ONLY Norfolk Southern's 13 highly qualified nominees on the WHITE proxy card today

ATLANTA, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) filed a presentation on Friday with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission addressing the flawed assumptions of Ancora Alternatives LLC's ("Ancora") highly unrealistic near-term financial targets.

Among many other claims, Ancora grossly overestimates the 12-month savings across numerous categories and their "estimated savings" are simply not supported by the mathematical reality. Ancora has unrealistically projected expected savings of $800 million over 12 months, resulting in a 62 - 63% operating ratio, while claiming they would not furlough employees.

In Norfolk Southern's presentation, informed by actual railroading experience and direct industry expertise, the company has outlined what the real savings would be in each cost opportunity Ancora cited. Ancora's misinformed savings estimates would only amount to $400 million, and to achieve the remaining $400 million savings in their plan, approximately 2,900 employee furloughs would be required, despite Ancora's assertions to the contrary.

The presentation also corrects the false and misleading statements made by Ancora including:

FALSE & MISLEADING

STATEMENT THE FACTS THE OUTCOMES Disregarding Norfolk Southern's successful implementation of a modern version of precision scheduled railroading. Norfolk Southern is advancing a modern PSR strategy, which is designed to avoid periodic service problems. The company is accelerating the execution of the plan through changes in leadership and operations. Customer-centric, operations-driven network that balances service, productivity, and growth, with safety at its core

Prudent approach to rapidly and sustainably improving its operating ratio

More reliable service to grow earnings over the long-term Dismissing the four decades of success and experience of recently hired COO, John Orr. John Orr is an expert and award-winning thought leader in PSR with a proven track record of improving operations at multiple Class I railroads in regions spanning Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Hiring John resulted in an inconsequential change to a commercial agreement with CPKC. John's expertise is helping: Identify and eliminate corridor bottlenecks Target large-volume Merchandise terminals for improved velocity and productivity Drive standard processes across all workstreams Rationalize locomotives and cars Replicate best practices across the network

Ignoring significant safety improvements that are driving results. In the wake of East Palestine (EP), Norfolk Southern took decisive action to protect the franchise and shareholders. Management, with board oversight, implemented a six-point safety plan and accelerated enhancements to its safety culture and operational transformation. Committed to being the gold standard for safety in the rail industry

Reduced the mainline accident rate by 38% year-over-year in 2023

Achieved the lowest mainline accident rate since 1999 and positioned itself among the best of the North American Class I railroads

Through its safety efforts, the board and Alan rebuilt trust and credibility with regulators and the EP community Overlooking Norfolk Southern's efficient operations before, and improvements after, the EP incident. Widening of the operating ratio occurred in 2023, as Norfolk Southern dealt with service disruptions and safety investments following the EP incident. Remained in-line with peers at a 62% OR while achieving record revenues in 2022 as the industry struggled to add headcount after cutting too deeply and profitability weakened

Drove 2nd highest 5-year total shareholder return among Class I peers in 2022

Despite adverse impact of EP, continued to improve service levels - train speed by 22% and terminal dwell by 11% - since Alan became CEO Discounting Norfolk Southern's clear plan to close the gap with peers. Norfolk Southern meaningfully narrowing the gap with peers in 2022 despite COVID disruptions. The company has improved key operating metrics over the last several weeks, reflecting changes and reprioritizations that were already in process and accelerated by the arrival of John Orr. On an achievable path to close the gap with peers by achieving a sub-60% OR in 3-4 years, without compromising safety, service, customer relationships, or long-term shareholder value1 Failing to recognize Norfolk Southern's executive compensation framework that holds management accountable. The board implemented executive compensation initiatives, including the addition of OR as a performance metric. The board eliminated the 2023 annual incentive awards payout. Addresses shareholder feedback and holds management accountable to deliver on key objectives

Ensures alignment between executive pay and outcomes experienced by shareholders and other stakeholders Mischaracterizing Norfolk Southern's superior and fit-for-purpose board. The board has proactively refreshed its ranks and provided effective oversight to ensure best-in-class governance practices and that it has the necessary expertise to oversee Norfolk Southern's success. Norfolk Southern has director nominees with broad operations and logistics experience, including seven former CEOs or presidents of large-scale organizations. Appointed six new directors in the last five years, including two in 2023

Taken initiatives to improve operations and oversight, including in safety, enterprise risk management, and cybersecurity



1 The operating ratio improvements discussed and presented on this page represent adjusted operating ratio. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" below for information regarding the definition and reconciliation to GAAP operating ratio.

Norfolk Southern has communicated consistently and transparently with shareholders on the company's progress and achievements. In contrast, Ancora has resorted to spreading false and misleading statements and deliberately ignoring material facts.

The presentation and other important information related to Norfolk Southern's Annual Meeting can be found at VoteNorfolkSouthern.com.

Your Vote is Important

Norfolk Southern believes all of its 13 nominees are uniquely qualified to oversee the company's strategy, drive sustainable value, and hold management accountable. Norfolk Southern strongly urges shareholders to protect their investment by VOTING the WHITE proxy card "FOR" ONLY Norfolk Southern's 13 nominees.

Please simply DISCARD any Blue proxy card you may receive from Ancora. If you inadvertently voted using a Blue proxy card, you may cancel that vote simply by voting again TODAY using the company's WHITE proxy card. Only your latest-dated vote will count!

If you have any questions or require any assistance with respect to voting your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor:

INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED

Shareholders may call:

1 (877) 750-9496 (toll-free from the U.S. and Canada)

+1 (412) 232-3651 (from other countries)

About Norfolk Southern

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and Norfolk Southern originates more automotive traffic than any other Class I Railroad. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports in the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

Important Additional Information

The Company has filed a definitive proxy statement (the "2024 Proxy Statement") on Schedule 14A and a WHITE proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") in connection with the solicitation of proxies for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "2024 Annual Meeting"). SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO READ THE COMPANY'S 2024 PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), THE WHITE PROXY CARD AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the 2024 Proxy Statement, any amendments or supplements to the 2024 Proxy Statement and other documents that the Company files with the SEC from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or the Company's website at https://norfolksouthern.investorroom.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

Certain Information Concerning Participants

The Company, its directors and certain of its executive officers and employees may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at the 2024 Annual Meeting. Information regarding the direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, of the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be considered participants in the solicitation of shareholders in connection with the 2024 Annual Meeting is included in Norfolk Southern's 2024 Proxy Statement, filed with the SEC on March 20, 2024. To the extent holdings by our directors and executive officers of Norfolk Southern securities reported in the 2024 Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting have changed, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change of Ownership on Forms 3, 4 or 5 filed with the SEC. These documents are available free of charge as described above.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance, including statements relating to our ability to execute on our strategic plan and our 2024 Annual Meeting and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or our achievements or those of our industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like "may," "will," "could," "would," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "intend," "believe," "estimate," "project," "consider," "predict," "potential," "feel," or other comparable terminology. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections. While the Company believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company's control. These and other important factors, including those discussed under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as the Company's subsequent filings with the SEC, may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, 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.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This document includes the presentation and discussion of adjusted operating ratio. This figure adjusts our GAAP financial results to exclude the effects of the direct costs resulting from the East Palestine incident. We use this non-GAAP financial measure internally and believe this information provides useful supplemental information to investors to facilitate making period to period comparisons by excluding the costs arising from the East Palestine incident, and in 2024, also excluding other charges relating to restructuring efforts, shareholder matters and a deferred tax adjustment. While we believe that this non-GAAP financial measure is useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, this non-GAAP financial measure may not be the same as similar measures presented by other companies. See below for a reconciliation of the 2023 non-GAAP operating ratio figures provided in this document to GAAP operating ratio. With respect to projections and estimates for future non-GAAP operating ratio, including full year 2024 adjusted operating ratio guidance and our longer term adjusted operating ratio target, the Company is unable to predict or estimate with reasonable certainty the ultimate outcome of certain items required for the GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. Information about the adjustments that are not currently available to the Company could have a potentially unpredictable and significant impact on future GAAP results.

The following table adjusts our 2023 GAAP financial results to exclude the effects of the East Palestine incident. The income tax effects of this non-GAAP adjustment were calculated based on the applicable tax rates to which the non-GAAP adjustment related:



Non-GAAP Reconciliation for 2023 Reported

(GAAP) East Palestine

Incident Adjusted (non-

GAAP) ($ in millions, except per share amounts) Income from railway operations $2,851 $1,116 $3,967 Income taxes $493 $270 $763 Net income $1,827 $846 $2,673 Diluted earnings per share $8.02 $3.72 $11.74 Railway operating ratio (percent) 76.5 (9.1) 67.4

SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - Bloom Burton & Co. is pleased to announce the finalists for the 2024 Bloom Burton Award. Bestowed annually and nominated by the public at large, the Bloom Burton Award honours an individual who made the greatest contribution to Canada's innovative healthcare industry in the previous year.

The finalists for 2024, in alphabetical order, are:

Roberto Bellini, former President and Chief Executive Officer, Bellus Health

Tom Frohlich, former Chief Operating Officer, Chinook Therapeutics

Francois Ravenelle, former President and Chief Executive Officer, Inversago Pharma

The 2024 Bloom Burton Award Finalists (L-R): Roberto Bellini, Tom Frohlich, and Francois Ravenelle

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6420/206174_gala_finalists%20vf_550.jpg

"I am pleased to share the 2024 Bloom Burton Award finalists as selected by our esteemed judging panel. This year's finalists represent the very best of leadership in the Canadian healthcare field and they each delivered blockbuster transactions as a culminating event for their respective organizations," commented Jolyon Burton, President and Head of Investment Banking of Bloom Burton.

"Widely regarded as one of the biotech industry's premier public company CEOs, Roberto Bellini of Bellus Health assembled a world class management team and institutional investors as Bellus acquired and advanced Camlipixant, a potential best in class P2X3 antagonist for chronic cough. After advancing the drug into a global phase 3 program, Bellus was acquired last year by GlaxoSmithKline for US$2 billion.

Tom Frohlich was a seminal leader behind the formation and success of Chinook Therapeutics. Tom's business development leadership resulted in Chinook acquiring atrasentan from Abbvie in 2019 and after repositioning and advancing the asset for IgA nephropathy, Chinook was ultimately bought by Novartis in 2023 for up to US$3.5 billion. This acquisition is among the largest ever of a Canadian biotechnology company.

Finally, Francois Ravenelle co-founded Inversago Pharma and led the development of INV-202, an oral, peripherally-acting CB1 receptor blocker which plays an important role in metabolism and appetite regulation. INV-202 demonstrated weight loss potential in clinical studies and holds promise in a range of kidney, metabolic and fibrotic disorders. Last year, Novo Nordisk acquired Inversago for up to US$1.075 billion in one of the largest acquisitions ever of a privately held drug developer in Canada."

We look forward to celebrating this year's finalists - Roberto Bellini, Tom Frohlich, and Francois Ravenelle at the 2024 Bloom Burton Award Gala!

The Bloom Burton Award finalists and winner are chosen by an independent panel of judges, all of whom are respected international leaders in healthcare investment, entrepreneurship and journalism.

This year's panel includes:

Michael Altman, Managing Director, Perceptive Advisors

Christopher Arendt, Chief Scientific Officer, Head of Research, Takeda

Karen Bernstein, Co-Founder and Chairman, BioCentury

Joan Eliasek, President, McKesson Canada

Carl Gordon, Managing Partner, OrbiMed Advisors

Dennis Purcell, Founder and Senior Advisor, Aisling Capital

Melinda Richter, Global Head, Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS

Camille Samuels, Partner, Venrock

All finalists will be invited to and celebrated at the Bloom Burton Award Gala on September 26, 2024, at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. For more information, please visit: www.bloomburton.com/gala.

About Bloom Burton & Co.

Bloom Burton & Co. is a firm dedicated to accelerating returns in the healthcare sector for both investors and companies. Bloom Burton has an experienced team of medical, scientific, industry and capital markets professionals who perform a deep level of diligence, which combined with our creative and entrepreneurial approach, assists our clients in achieving the right monetization events. Bloom Burton and its affiliates provide capital raising, M&A advisory, equity research, strategic advisory, as well as company creation and incubation services. Bloom Burton Securities Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and is also a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).

For more information:

Anna Jung

Event Coordinator

ajung@bloomburton.com

Karen Li

Manager, Marketing and Communications

kli@bloomburton.com

For table sponsorship inquiries:

Brian Bloom

Chairman & CEO

bbloom@bloomburton.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/206174

SOURCE: Bloom Burton & Co. Inc.
Klondike Gold Corp. (TSX.V:KG)(FRA:LBDP)(OTCQB:KDKGF) ("Klondike Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to outline the 2024 exploration plan and review exploration potential at the Company's 100% owned Klondike District Property (the "Property") in the Dawson mining district, Yukon, Canada. Initial drill targets to be focused around recent drill discoveries in the Stander Zone including 90.55 g/t Au (2.91 oz/t Au) over 0.55 meters among others (see news release of January 15, 2024).

Peter Tallman, Klondike Gold's President & CEO states, "Following from extremely promising 2023 gold discoveries, the Company in 2024 is positioned to deliver significant additional results to our shareholders in a favorable gold price environment. The Company's ongoing funded research, structural work, and evolved exploration model in 2023 led to new multi-ounce grade gold discoveries throughout the Property. The transformative drill discovery of high grade gold shear veining at Stander Zone, potentially a significant source of the famous 2 million ounce Eldorado Creek placer pay streak, will be drill tested first in 2024 among several high potential targets. The objective of this season is to successfully turn one or several of these new gold discoveries into substantial mineral resources and unlock the Klondike goldfields' world-class mineral wealth potential for our stakeholders."

Klondike Gold's property covers 727 square kilometres ("km") and thus far hosts two bedrock gold deposits, "Stander" and "Lone Star", with total Indicated Resources of 469 thousand ounces and Inferred Resources of 112 thousand ounces using a gold price of US$1,700/ounce1. Additionally, in 2023 high grade gold prospects have been discovered adjacent and outside the existing Mineral Resource areas and along the unexplored 60 km southwest trending network of crustal faults (collectively the "Klondike Shear Zone") that controls gold mineralization within the Property.

2024 EXPLORATION PLAN

Field work has begun with drilling scheduled to commence in early May with one drill.

Initial 2,500 meters of diamond drilling is planned to target the new Stander Zone discovery area of high grade (visible) gold shear veining over a 2km strike length, with focus on 500 meters outlined by 2023 discovery drilling to test the resource potential.

Contingent upon initial drill results, up to 2,500 meters of follow up diamond drilling is contemplated to test the additional resource potential of high grade (visible) gold shear veining at Stander Zone.

Surface mapping including detailed structural mapping and sampling is planned to follow-up of high grade (visible) gold veining discovered elsewhere along the Klondike Shear Zone throughout the Property.

Contingent upon structural mapping and further sampling results, additional diamond drilling is contemplated to test further resource potential at Gay Gulch Showing or to test for high grade mineralization at other Showings or new discoveries.

Prospecting and sampling is planned to target anomalous sites identified in the Klondike District Property by BLEG (bio-leach extractable gold) sampling survey with orogenic gold signatures (see News Release February 24, 2024) coincident with proximity to c.1900 gold-rush era mine workings identified by the Company in 2023 to locate new zones of mineralization.

Updated mineral resources estimate is planned to begin in fall 2024 to include additional drilling results from 2022 through 2024 seasons.

2024 STANDER ZONE EXPLORATION DETAIL

The 2024 drill plan will focus on follow up to the 2023 discovery of high grade (visible) gold shear veining over 350 meters strike length in four drill holes (see NR released January 15, 2024) within a 2km potential strike length based on subcrop high grade (visible) gold quartz samples.

Six drill holes at Stander Zone are now interpreted to have intersected the gold shear (including four 2023 intersections now correlated with two from 2021) indicating a 350 meter strike length and 200 meter dip length with mineralized intersections all grading between 30.3 to 90.6 g/t Au (0.97 to 2.91 opt Au) over 0.5m to 1.5m width. All holes have significant halos of 'extensional sheeted veins' containing low grade gold.

Table 1: Compilation of Stander Zone drilling intersections of Shear Vein to date.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Shear Vein Au (g/t) Shear Vein Au (troy oz/t) Interval (m) Section (m) EC23-508 21.05 21.60 90.6 2.91 0.55 585780E EC21-424 42.67 44.20 36.6 1.18 1.53 585780E EC21-425 70.00 71.00 36.4 1.17 1.00 585780E EC23-510 92.70 93.20 38.2 1.23 0.50 586120E Hole ID From (m) To (m) Shear Vein Au (g/t) Shear Vein Au (troy oz/t) Interval (m) Section (m) EC23-511 49.78 50.30 39.6 1.27 0.52 586120E EC23-514 98.65 99.15 30.3 0.97 0.50 586275E

Two areas of subcrop quartz veining located 2 km apart are interpreted to represent the outcrop line of high grade (visible) gold shear veining. Six prospecting samples collected in 2023 of quartz containing visible gold assayed between 7.0 g/t Au and 74.6 g/t Au (see NR January 15, 2024) represent the at-surface expression of high grade (visible) gold shear veining intersected in 2023 drilling listed in Table 1. A very similar second area of quartz vein material with visible gold is located 2km to the northwest and was discovered by prospecting in 2020. Five prospecting rock samples of subcrop quartz vein material dug from a 5m by 10m area contained visible gold and assayed 77.8, 74.1, 58.9, 22.2, and 6.8 g/t Au. The strike and dip projection of gold bearing shear veins in six drill intersections includes this second area of 2020 gold quartz samples projected 2km to the northwest.

UPPER ELDORADO CREEK PLACER LEASE

The Company has entered into a lease agreement with a private Yukon company whereby Klondike Gold assigns the rights and permits to placer mine on a portion of the Company's Upper Eldorado Creek Placer property totalling 34 contiguous claims covering the Upper Eldorado and Chief Gulch drainages. The lease is for a term of 3 years through 2026 and is renewable thereafter subject to approval by both parties. Klondike Gold will receive a direct 10% gold production royalty from any mining production on the Placer Property payable in raw gold. The Company holds a 10-year Class IV placer mining permit issued in 2022 expiring 2032 which includes this area. The Chief Gulch drainage lies 3.5 km along strike from the southwest end of known high grade gold mineralization at the Stander Zone. Exploration in the Chief Gulch drainage for placer gold deposits benefits the Company's overall exploration efforts.

QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

The technical and scientific information contained within this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Tallman, P.Geo., President and CEO of Klondike Gold and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 policy. Exploration related technical information, specifications, analytical information and procedures can be found on the Company's website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Klondike Gold will be participating in the following upcoming events:

April 19 - 21: CEM Investment Conference (Scottsdale, AZ)

June 21 - 26: Invest Yukon Investment Conference/Property Tour (Dawson, YT)

July 19 - 21: CEM TSX Venture Growth Conference (Kelowna, BC)

August 12 - 16: Klondike Investment Conference/Property Tour (Dawson, YT)

November 22 - 24: CEM Florida Capital Event (Miami, FL)

ABOUT KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

Klondike Gold is a Vancouver based gold exploration company advancing its 100%-owned Klondike District Gold Project located at Dawson City, Yukon, one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world. The Klondike District Gold Project targets gold associated with district scale orogenic faults along the 55-km length of the famous Klondike Goldfields placer district. Multi-km gold mineralization has been identified at both the Lone Star Zone and Stander Zone, among other targets. The Company has identified a Mineral Resource Estimate of 469,000 Indicated and 112,000 Inferred gold ounces1, a milestone first for the Klondike District. The Company is focused on exploration and development of its 727 square km property accessible by scheduled airline and government-maintained roads located on the outskirts of Dawson City, Yukon, within the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation traditional territory.

1 The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Klondike District Property was prepared by Marc Jutras, P.Eng., M.A.Sc., Principal, Ginto Consulting Inc., an independent Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The technical report supporting the Mineral Resource Estimate entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Klondike District Gold Project, Yukon Territory, Canada" has been filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca effective November 10, 2022. Refer to news release of December 16, 2022.

ON BEHALF OF KLONDIKE GOLD CORP.

"Peter Tallman"

Peter Tallman,

President and CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Telephone: (604) 609-6138

E-mail: info@klondikegoldcorp.com

Website: www.klondikegoldcorp.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. Klondike Gold does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws.

SOURCE: Klondike Gold Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - Volt Carbon Technologies Inc. (TSXV: VCT) (OTCQB: TORVF) ("Volt Carbon" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has closed the first tranche of the private placement (the "Offering") announced on April 9th, 2024, by issuing an aggregate number of 3,470,730 units ("Units") at a price of $0.07 per Unit for gross proceeds of $242,951 (the "First Tranche").

Each Unit consists of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company and one (1) common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one (1) additional common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of $0.12 per Warrant Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. All securities issued under the First Tranche will be subject to a four month and one day hold period.

V-Bond Lee, Carmelo Marrelli and Glen Nursey, each of whom is an insider of the Company (each an "Insider" and together the "Insiders"), purchased or acquired direction and control, directly or indirectly, over a total of 1,572,872 Units (the "Insider Units") as part of the First Tranche of the Offering. The purchase of the Insider Units by the Insiders is considered a "related party transaction" within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of the participation by the Insiders in the First Tranche of the Offering as the fair market value the Insider Units does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. A material change report was not filed at least 21 days before the closing of the First Tranche. The Company considers this to be reasonable and necessary in the circumstances to allow the Company to close the First Tranche on an expedited basis for sound business reasons including the Company's need for general working capital.

The Company expects to close the second tranche of the Offering on or before May 10th, 2024.

A cash finder's fee in the amount of $1,120 was paid to EMD Financial Inc. ("EMD"), who is arm's length to the Company, in connection with the closing of the First Tranche.

V-Bond Lee, CEO and President of the company, expressed satisfaction with the prompt completion of the initial tranche. "With the majority of this segment being non-brokered, it allows the company to allocate the maximum funds towards our efforts aimed at commercializing products in the battery and graphite facilities."

About Volt Carbon Technologies

Volt Carbon is a publicly traded carbon science company, with specific interests in energy storage and green energy creation, with holdings in mining claims in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia in Canada. For the latest information on Volt Carbon's properties and news please refer to the website www.voltcarbontech.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Volt Carbon Technologies Inc.

V-Bond Lee, P. Eng.CEO, President, Chairman of the Board and Director

Information Contact:

Email: info@voltcarbontech.com

Tel: (647-546-7049)

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.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, concerning Volt Carbon's business and affairs. In certain cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "intends" "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Such forward-looking statements include those with respect to: (i) the completion of the Offering; and (iii) the anticipated final closing of the Offering.

Statements of past performance should not be construed as an indication of future performance. Forward-Looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors, including those discussed above, could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Forward-Looking information is provided as of the date of this press release, and Volt Carbon assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required under applicable securities legislation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205648

SOURCE: Volt Carbon Technologies
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - Further to the news release of April 17, 2024, Awale Resources (TSXV: ARIC) ("Awale" or "the Company") announces further details and an increase regarding the participation right of its current shareholder. The shareholder has the right to maintain its percentage holding post offering. In order to account for the full Underwritten Offering (including the Underwriter Option), a maximum of approximately 3,989,323 Units (as defined herein) at a price of $0.62 per Unit may be issued to this shareholder for proceeds of approximately $2,473,380, which is an increase of 1,021,403 Units from the April 17, 2024 news release. There is no assurance the shareholder will exercise the full participation right. The Units are identical to those announced in the April 17, 2024 news release.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

About Awale Resources

Awale is a diligent and systematic mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of large high-grade gold and copper-gold deposits. The Company undertakes exploration activities in the underexplored parts of Cote d'Ivoire. Awale's exploration success to date has culminated in a fully funded earn-in Joint Venture with Newmont covering one permit and one application (the "Odienne Project JV"), where four significant gold and gold-copper-silver-molybdenum discoveries have been made.

The Odienne Project JV is located within Awale's greater Odienne Copper-Gold Project (the "Project") which consists of 2462 km2 of tenure in the Northwest of Cote d'Ivoire. The Newmont JV consists of 400km2 of granted tenure and 400km2 under application, or approximately 1/3 of Awale's total holding in the district. The Company announced 26 g/t gold over 57m, including 45.7 g/t gold over 32m from 165m downhole at the Charger Prospect and the discoveries have significant scope for growth and resource development. The Project has multiple pipeline prospects that have similar geochemical fingerprints to Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and intrusive related mineral systems that offers significant potential for district scale discoveries.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF

AWALE RESOURCES LIMITED

"Andrew Chubb"

Andrew Chubb, CEO For additional information you are invited to visit the Awale Resources Limited website at www.awaleresources.com, or contact Andrew Chubb CEO (+356) 99139117, a.chubb@awaleresources.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-Looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-Looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding, the Company's presence in Cote d'Ivoire and ability to achieve results, creation of value for Company shareholders, achievements under the Newmont JV, works on other properties, planned drilling, commencement of operations, the timing and completion of the Underwritten Offering, the exercise of the shareholder's participation right, the exercise of the Underwriter Option, the use of proceeds of the Offering and the receipt of regulatory approvals for the Offering, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange . Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-Looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. 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/206177

SOURCE: Awale Resources Ltd.
Emittent / Herausgeber: Mangrove LuxCo III S.a r.l. / Schlagwort(e): Quartals-/Zwischenmitteilung

Mangrove LuxCo III S.a r.l.: Invitation Q4 2023 Investor Conference Call



19.04.2024 / 15:00 CET/CEST

Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich.





NOTICE

Mangrove LuxCo III S.a r.l.

Societe a Responsabilite Limitee

Registered Office: 2, rue Edward Steichen,

L-2540 Luxembourg

Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

R.C.S. Luxembourg B236258

7.775% Senior Secured Notes due 2025

ISIN Code: XS2059543921 / XS2059544655 / XS2059545389

Luxembourg - 3.00 pm, 19 April 2024

We are pleased to invite you to the Q4 2023 investor conference call of Mangrove LuxCo IIIS.a r.l. on

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

4.00 pm CEST,

3.00 pm BST,

10.00 am EDT

On the conference call, Mangrove LuxCo III S.a r.l. will discuss the bondholder annual reports for 2023 and the results of operations of Mangrove LuxCo III S.a r.l. and its subsidiaries (the "Mangrove Group") in respect of such period. In addition, Mangrove LuxCo III S.a r.l. will discuss the noteholder presentation. The conference call will also include a discussion of the operational performance of the Mangrove Group and its subsidiaries on a pro-forma basis for Q4 2023 and twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

The conference call will be hosted by Mr. Mark Bevan, Chief Financial Officer of Kelvion Group.

The Group's bondholder annual reports for 2023 have been released at the investor website of the Mangrove Group at Syndtrak.

At the same website the noteholder presentation and the information how to access the investor conference call will be released in due course.

Holders of the Senior Secured Notes, prospective investors, broker dealers and securities analysts that do not yet have access to the investor website of the Mangrove Group at Syndtrak may contact Mangrove Investor Relations (info@mangrove-investor-relations.com) .

The Mangrove Group, under its brand Kelvion, is a leading global manufacturer of industrial heat exchangers for a highly diversified range of end markets, such as Data Centers, Food & Beverages, HVAC & Refrigeration, Power & Energy, Chemicals, Oil & Gas, Transportation and Heavy & Light Equipment. In these multiple markets, the Group supports its broad and long-standing customer base through its global sales, service and production network with energy efficient cooling and heating solutions for high and green tech applications.

****************

Disclaimer

This press release has been prepared by the Mangrove Group solely for informational purposes and does not constitute, and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or issue securities or otherwise constitute an invitation or inducement to any person to purchase, underwrite, subscribe to or otherwise acquire securities in any Mangrove Group entity.

Certain statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, any statements preceded by, followed by or including the words "targets," "believes," "expects," "aims," "intends," "may," "anticipates," "would," "could" or similar expressions or the negative thereof, constitute forward-looking statements, notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) statements about future financial and operating results; (ii) statements of strategic objectives, business prospects, future financial condition, budgets, projected levels of production, projected costs and projected levels of revenues and profits of the Mangrove Group or its management or boards of directors; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict and outside of the control of the management of the Mangrove Group. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements. We have based these assumptions on information currently available to us, and if any one or more of these assumptions turn out to be incorrect, actual market results may differ from those predicted. While we do not know what impact any such differences may have on our business, if there are such differences, our future results of operations and financial condition, could be materially adversely affected. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. The Mangrove Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

No representation, warranty or undertaking, express or implied, is made as to, and no reliance should be placed on, the fairness, accuracy, completeness or correctness of the information or the opinions contained herein. Neither the Mangrove Group nor any of its advisors or representatives shall have any liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this press release or its contents. The information contained in this press release does not constitute investment advice.

This press release is not for publication, release or distribution in Canada, Japan or Australia. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of securities laws. This press release and the information contained herein are not an offer of securities for sale in the United States or to U.S. persons. Any securities referred to herein have not and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States would have to be made by means of a prospectus that would be obtainable from the Mangrove Group and would contain detailed information about the Mangrove Group, of any securities and its management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited, and, if sent in response to the information contained herein, will not be accepted.

Veroffentlichung einer Mitteilung, ubermittelt durch EQS Group AG.

Medienarchiv unter https://www.eqs-news.com.



Fur den Inhalt der Mitteilung ist der Emittent / Herausgeber verantwortlich.






Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - The recently released final report of the Expert Panel on the Legislative Review of the Cannabis Act points both to causes for celebration and reflection as we approach 4/20 in 2024.

The report highlights successes such as the significant reduction in the number of charges for the possession of cannabis and minimizing the negative impact on some individuals from interactions with the criminal justice system.

It also highlights areas of concern with respect to youth: Canada continues to report among the highest rates of youth cannabis use in the world, and cannabis use among young adults has increased. In fact, surveys suggest that more than 4 in 10 Canadians between the ages of 20 and 24 report using cannabis in the past year.

"Increased use among young Canadians is particularly concerning as youth and young adults are more vulnerable to the potential adverse effects of cannabis," said Dr. Phil Tibbo, a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Dalhousie University, President of the Canadian Consortium for Early Intervention in Psychosis, and Scientific Advisor for the Cannabis and Mental Health Project. "The rise in use is accompanied by a corresponding shift toward the consumption of higher-potency cannabis products, this with daily or almost daily use of cannabis can have significant mental health implications."

"At SSC we are seeing, on the ground, the struggles youth and their families are facing when it comes to the longer-term risks of cannabis use," said Chris Summerville, CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada (SSC). "It is so important that youth are educated and can make informed decisions about the use of the substance and develop positive coping strategies and resilience."

The SSC has worked with key partners, with the support of Health Canada, to develop resources aimed at educating youth and the adults in their lives on safer consumption. Cannabis and Mental Health and Cannabis and Psychosis are free, evidence-based, engaging resources designed with a variety of key audiences in mind.

"Speaking from my own experience as a young person and in collaboration with peers, we've discovered that cannabis education is most effective when the resources reflect our real-life experiences and maintain a balanced perspective," said Vijai Raj, Outreach Coordinator of the Cannabis and Mental Health project.

The Cannabis and Mental Health team also offers free, customized workshops to support youth allies, educators, clinicians, family and community members in using the resources to enable critical conversations about mental health and substance use. The activities offer fun ways to help youth build resilience and skills to stay balanced and thrive, now and in the future.

This year on 4/20, let's promote mental health by spreading the word about free, effective and engaging resources to help young Canadians make informed decisions about cannabis use.

- 30 -

About Cannabis and Mental Health: Cannabis and Mental Health is a project of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, created by and for youth, to raise awareness about the links between cannabis and mental health and inform safe decision making around cannabis. To learn more, visit: www.cannabisandmentalhealth.ca.

About the Schizophrenia Society of Canada: SSC's mission is to build a Canada where people living with early psychosis and schizophrenia achieve their potential. This is possible with early intervention and recovery focused mental health services. The heart and soul of SSC is the conviction that things can be better for those experiencing early psychosis and schizophrenia. Hope changes everything. To learn more, visit: www.schizophrenia.ca.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jayme Wilson (905) 320-1291

jayme@impactcanada.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/206088

SOURCE: Cannabis and Mental Health
SEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / KeyBank (NYSE:KEY) announced it has received the honor of ranking #1 for the most small business loans $350,000 or less in Washington Congressional Districts 1, 3, 7, 8, and 9 by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2023 fiscal year. Districts include:

Washington's 1 st Congressional District encompasses part of Bellevue and Kirkland, following I-5 up to Arlington.

Congressional District encompasses part of Bellevue and Kirkland, following I-5 up to Arlington. Washington's 3 rd Congressional District includes the Southwestern part of the state.

Congressional District includes the Southwestern part of the state. Washington's 7 th Congressional District covers most of Seattle up to Shoreline, the University District, West Seattle, and Vashon.

Congressional District covers most of Seattle up to Shoreline, the University District, West Seattle, and Vashon. Washington's 8 th Congressional District is the bullseye of the state covering the vast middle.

Congressional District is the bullseye of the state covering the vast middle. Washington's 9th Congressional District stretches from Federal Way up to the bottom of Bellevue and includes Mercer Island and the Southeastern part of Seattle proper.

"We are very excited to receive this honor from the SBA here in Washington. Access to capital is a struggle for many small businesses, but through partnerships and relationships, KeyBank is making that happen," said James Fliss, Jr., KeyBank Senior Vice President, National SBA Manager. "We believe that small businesses are the backbone to a thriving community, we couldn't be prouder of our team."

KeyBank has been a top-performing SBA Preferred Lender for over two decades1, helping numerous small businesses obtain access to capital through the SBA lending programs. Since 2015, KeyBank has provided more than $2.6 billion in SBA-guaranteed financing to thousands of small business owners with more than $1.29 billion of that funding occurring in the last four years.

"Small businesses consistently identify financing as a top need, but access to capital often brings challenges and barriers for many small business owners. This is why the work the SBA does, in tandem with a robust network of lenders, is so critical," SBA Seattle District Director Melanie Norton said. "During Fiscal Year 2023 alone, approximately $900 million in SBA loans were made across the SBA Seattle District. We're grateful to KeyBank for being one of the top lenders in the district to make loans under $350,000 during the past year and ensuring small businesses with smaller dollar needs were not overlooked. We will continue our work together to make certain no entrepreneur is left behind."

ABOUT KEYBANK

KeyCorp's roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United State under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit. https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC. SBA LOANS ARE NOT FDIC INSURED OR GUARANTEED. All credit products and SBA Loans are subject to approval, terms, conditions, and availability and subject to change.

1 KeyBank has held the Preferred Lender designation since 1997

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CHICAGO, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The growing use of real-time monitoring and advanced analytics, integration with cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and IoT, and an emphasis on cybersecurity, cross-industry applications, and regulatory compliance are the key factors that will shape the risk analytics market in the future. The market's development will also be influenced by collaborative risk management, improved user experience, and an increasing focus on ESG factors and risk culture.

The Risk Analytics Market is estimated to grow from USD 59.7 billion in 2024 to USD 180.9 billion in 2029, at a CAGR of 24.8% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Several trends fuel the global spread of Risk Analytics. Increasingly Increasing Data Complexity, Rising Cybersecurity Threats and Rising Adoption of Cloud-Based Solutions A growing talent pool of data scientists and engineers is building the necessary tools and infrastructure. Governments are recognizing the potential of risk analytics for economic growth and are investing in research and development. These trends make DI more accessible and valuable, leading to its global adoption.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Risk Analytics Market"

260 - Tables

60 - Figures

350 - Pages

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Scope of the Report

Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 2019-2023 Base year considered 2023 Forecast period 2024-2029 Forecast units USD Billion Segments Covered Offering,Risk Type, Risk stages, Vertical, and Region. Geographies covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America Companies covered IBM (US), SAS Institute (US), Oracle (US), FIS(US), Moody's Analytics (US), ProcessUnity(US), ServiceNow (US), Marsh (US), Aon (UK), MetricStream (US), Resolver (Canada), SAP (Germany), Milliman(US), LogicManager(US), Provenir(US), SAI360(US), Deloitte(UK), OneTrust(US), Diligent(US), Alteryx(US), CRISIL(India), Archer(US), ZestyAI(US), Fusion Risk Management(US), RiskVille(Ireland), SPIN Analytics(UK), Kyvos Insights(US), Imperva(US), Cirium(UK), Quantexa(UK), ClickUp(US), Sprinto(US), Ventiv(US), Adenza(US), Centrl.AI(Canada), SafetyCulture(Australia), Quantifi(US), CubeLogic(UK), Onspring(US), Riskoptics(US)

By offering the services segment to account for higher CAGR during the forecast period

In the Risk Analytics Market, the highest CAGR of services is fueled by Increasing Complexity of Risks, AI and machine learning advancements, big data analytics integration, business process optimization, cloud-based solutions adoption, data-driven culture, and diverse industry adoption. These trends reflect a global shift towards leveraging data for competitive advantage, driving a continuous need for sophisticated risk analytics services across sectors. As businesses prioritize agility, the growth of services in the Risk Analytics Market is driven by the need for effective risk management strategies in an increasingly complex and uncertain business environment.

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By Type, GRC software is expected to hold the largest market size for the year 2024

GRC software typically offers comprehensive solutions that cover a wide range of risk management needs, including compliance management, policy management, audit management, and risk assessment. They also provide organizations with enhanced visibility into their risk landscape. Through features such as risk assessment, risk monitoring, and reporting, organizations can identify and prioritize risks more effectively, enabling proactive risk management strategies. GRC software streamlines risk management processes through automation, reducing manual effort and increasing efficiency. Tasks such as risk assessments, control testing, and incident management can be automated, freeing up resources to focus on strategic risk mitigation efforts. the combination of comprehensive functionality, regulatory compliance support, efficiency gains, scalability, integration capabilities, and culture enhancement makes GRC software a preferred choice for many organizations seeking to manage risk effectively.

By Vertical, Healthcare & Life Sciences is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The Healthcare and Lifesciences is experiencing a surge in the adoption of risk analytics due to a confluence of factors. Healthcare providers and life sciences companies wants to ensure the safety and well-being of patients. Risk analytics helps in identifying potential risks to patient safety, such as medication errors, adverse events, and medical device failures. The healthcare and life sciences industries are heavily regulated, with strict guidelines for patient care, data privacy, drug development, and clinical trials. Risk analytics helps organizations ensure compliance with these regulations by identifying and mitigating risks of non-compliance. Healthcare organizations and life sciences companies also face financial risks associated with fraud, billing errors, revenue cycle management, and reimbursement challenges. Risk analytics helps in detecting anomalies and optimizing financial processes to mitigate these risks.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region is experiencing rapid growth in the Risk Analytics Market, boasting the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR). This surge is primarily attributed to rising demand for data-driven decision-making solutions, expanding digital transformation initiatives across industries.. Moreover, the region's favorable regulatory environment, growing investments in big data analytics, and the integration of advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) further propel APAC's dominance in Risk Analytics Market growth.

Top Key Companies in Risk Analytics Market:

The major risk analytics software and service providers include IBM (US), SAS Institute (US), Oracle (US), FIS(US), Moody's Analytics (US), ProcessUnity(US), ServiceNow (US), Marsh (US), Aon (UK), MetricStream (US), Resolver (Canada), SAP (Germany), Milliman(US), LogicManager(US), Provenir(US), SAI360(US), Deloitte(UK), OneTrust(US), Diligent(US), Alteryx(US), CRISIL(India), Archer(US), ZestyAI(US), Fusion Risk Management(US), RiskVille(Ireland), SPIN Analytics(UK), Kyvos Insights(US), Imperva(US), Cirium(UK), Quantexa(UK), ClickUp(US), Sprinto(US), Ventiv(US), Adenza(US), Centrl.AI(Canada), SafetyCulture(Australia), Quantifi(US), CubeLogic(UK), Onspring(US), Riskoptics(US). These companies have used both organic and inorganic growth strategies such as product launches, acquisitions, and partnerships to strengthen their position in the Risk Analytics Market.

Recent Developments:

In March 2024, Orcale announced Oracle Risk Management Cloud in Release 24B. It offers comprehensive solution designed to help organizations identify, assess, and mitigate risks across their business operations. It offers advanced analytics, automation, and collaboration tools to streamline risk management.

In March 2024, FIS Global announces card fraud detection capabilities leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) with aim to bolster FIS's ability to identify and prevent fraudulent transactions, providing greater security for cardholders and financial institutions alike.

In March 2024, Aon acquired an AI-powered platform to assist fleet and mobility clients in making data-driven decisions, enhancing operational efficiency and risk management. The platform utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze data and provide insights, enabling clients to optimize their fleet operations and improve decision-making processes.

In March 2024, Crisp joined Resolver, with the aim to enhance Resolver's risk intelligence capabilities by integrating Crisp's expertise and technology into its platform, offering clients improved risk assessment and mitigation tools.

In February 2024, SAS partnered with Carahsoft to bring analytics, AI, and data management solutions to the public sector. The aim is to leverage SAS's expertise in advanced analytics and Carahsoft's extensive government market reach to offer tailored solutions that enable public sector organizations to harness the power of data for informed decision-making and improved outcomes.

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Risk Analytics Market Advantages:

By offering insights into potential risks, opportunities, and trends, risk analytics helps organisations make data-driven decisions that improve strategic planning and resource allocation.

In order to improve risk management procedures and lessen exposure to possible threats, risk analytics solutions assist businesses in identifying, evaluating, and mitigating risks across a range of business activities, including finance, operations, and compliance.

Through real-time monitoring and anomaly detection made possible by risk analytics, organisations may proactively address shifting market situations, legal requirements, and cybersecurity threats.

Risk analytics solutions assist organisations lower operating costs, increase productivity, and streamline compliance activities, which results in cost savings and resource optimisation. They do this by streamlining risk management procedures and automating routine work.

Accurate risk assessments, audit trails, and reporting capabilities are just a few of the ways that risk analytics solutions help organisations comply with regulations and stay out of trouble.

Organisations can enhance their resilience and competitiveness by anticipating and mitigating potential hazards before they materialise through the use of predictive modelling and advanced analytics approaches in risk analytics.

Report Objectives

To define, describe, and predict the Risk Analytics Market by offering, risk type, risk stages, vertical, and region

To provide detailed information about the major factors (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) influencing the market growth

To analyze the opportunities in the market and provide details of the competitive landscape for stakeholders and market leaders

To forecast the market size of segments with respect to five main regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America

To profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their market rankings and core competencies

To analyze the competitive developments, such as partnerships, product launches, and mergers & acquisitions, in the Risk Analytics Market

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Year 2023 both for the Company and natural gas markets can be characterized by lower tension and uncertainty compared to the challenging year 2022, when geopolitical events and changes in the regulatory framework both in Latvia and the European Union had significant impact on operations. At the same time, the Company had to work actively to ensure the security, stability of natural gas supply and better natural gas prices to its customers, as well as to maintain competitiveness in changing market conditions both in Latvia and in other natural gas markets where the Company operates. At the beginning of winter, European natural gas storages (including in Latvia) were almost completely filled. The Company has also injected in the Incukalns underground gas storage (hereinafter - IUGS) all the required natural gas amount to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas, including during 2023/2024 heating season.Despite lower tension in natural gas markets and lower natural gas prices compared to 2022, natural gas consumption both in Latvia and elsewhere in Europe still remains low. There are a number of reasons for this, but it is mainly due to low activity in the industrial sector, lower demand in the power sector, warm weather conditions and overall slowdown of the economic activity in the eurozone. Also, a commitment has been established in the European Union to voluntarily reduce natural gas consumption by 15% in the period from 1 August 2022 to 31 March 2024, which is in accordance with the European Union Council Regulation (EU) 2023/706 (it amends Council Regulation (EU) 2022/1369).One of the biggest challenges for the Company in 2023 was the opening of the household natural gas market from the first of May. Despite the competitors' aggressive marketing campaigns and pricing policies, the Company has done extensive work on the development of new products, sales activities, as well as notably changed the customer service model, which has provided results - after the opening of the household natural gas market, the Company has retained 86% of the household customer portfolio compared to the number of customers at the beginning of 2023.In addition, extensive work was done to fulfill the year 2022 decision of the Company's shareholders regarding the sale of the Company's former subsidiary JSC "Gaso". The sale process was successfully concluded in the summer of 2023 - on 17 July 2023, the final preconditions for the completion of the sales transaction were met, and on 24 July 2023 the change of ownership was registered with the Commercial Register of the Republic of Latvia, with AS "Eesti Gaas" becoming holder of 100% of shares in the JSC "Gaso".In 2023, the Company operated with 56.9 million EUR losses, compared to 40.8 million EUR net profit in 2022. The results can be explained by the fact that, firstly, the Company made corporate income tax payments to the State budget in the amount of 30.5 million EUR for calculated dividends to the Company's shareholders. Secondly, the Company has carried out a revaluation of natural gas (inventory), which was purchased at the end of 2022 at a price corresponding to the market situation at that time, thus fulfilling the obligations set out in the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 503 "On the Supply of Energy Users During the Declaration of Early Warning and Alarm Level" (hereinafter - Regulations). In accordance with the Regulations, the public trader (the Company) was obliged to maintain 1 150 GWh of natural gas reserves in the IUGS for household supply during the period from 10 August 2022 till 30 April 2023, reducing the reserved 1 150 GWh each month by the natural gas quantity actually supplied to households in the previous month. Despite the fact that quantity required for the supply of households was 20% lower both in 2022 and 2023 compared to previous three year average consumption, as a result of the Regulations, as at 30.04.2023 the Company had 236 GWh of natural gas in its balance sheet reserved only for household supply, which could not be sold to other customers for market prices. Also, on 14 July 2022, the Saeima (Parliament of the Republic of Latvia) adopted the law "Amendments to the Energy Law", which foresaw the exclusion of the public trader definition from the Energy Law from 1 May 2023. The Company, as a public trader, was obliged to sell natural gas at a regulated tariff from 1 January 2023, when the tariff was approved, until 30 April 2023. According to the tariff methodology, losses incurred by the public trader are compensated by including the price difference in the next tariff period. The next tariff period did not start due to the amendments to the aforementioned law, nor was the transition set from the regulated industry to market condition that would compensate for the losses caused to the Company in the regulated market. Respectively, the Company, according to the legal norms valid until 30 April 2023, had the right to receive compensation for the losses, but the Company has not been compensated. At the moment, the Company continues talks with the institutions responsible for the energy sector about the possible solution of the mentioned issue.The Audited Annual Report is published in XHTML format in accordance with the reporting requirements of the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF). The Annual Report is also available in PDF file attached to this publication.The Company will publish its Unaudited Interim Condensed Financial Statements for 3 months of 2024 on 24 May 2024.JSC "Latvijas Gaze"Chairman of the BoardAigars Kalvitiswww.lg.lv
PUNE, India, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The report titled "Aerospace Materials Market by Type (Non-structural, Structural), Aircraft Type (Business & General Aviation, Commercial Aircraft, Helicopters), Application - Global Forecast 2024-2030" is now available on 360iResearch.com's offering, presents an analysis indicating that the market projected to grow from a size of $52.90 billion in 2023 to reach $92.90 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.37% over the forecast period.

" The Rising Demand for Aerospace Materials in the Global Market "

The aerospace industry is driven by an increasing desire for air travel and a push for space exploration, significantly propelling the demand for cutting-edge aerospace materials. These materials, renowned for their durability, lightweight, and resistance to extreme conditions, are crucial in crafting advanced aircraft, spacecraft, and satellites. With a wide range encompassing metals, composites, ceramics, and polymers, these materials are the backbone of modern aerospace design, offering solutions to challenges like fuel efficiency and environmental sustainability. The Americas region is at the forefront owing to a robust aerospace manufacturing base, while the Asia-Pacific region experiences rapid growth, driven by escalating air traffic and technological investments, particularly in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Europe and the Middle East are vital players, prioritizing green technologies and expanding aviation capabilities. Challenges include high costs and complex production processes. Ongoing research and innovation promises new opportunities, ensuring aerospace materials are pivotal in meeting the evolving needs of global air travel and space exploration.

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" Surge in Global Air Travel Fuels Advancements in Aerospace Material Technology "

The aerospace industry is witnessing a significant rise in aircraft manufacturing owing to a substantial upsurge in global air travel, fueled by rising disposable incomes and the demand for efficient transport solutions. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Asia-Pacific region alone has seen a remarkable 126.1% increase in international air traffic as of 2023 compared to the previous year, necessitating a boost in aircraft production. This evolution is notably marked by incorporating cutting-edge aerospace materials in constructing vital aircraft structures such as fuselages, wings, and tail assemblies. Required materials in use include aluminum alloys, known for their optimal mix of weight, strength, and cost-efficiency, essential for commercial airliners; carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRPs) that offer unparalleled advantages in reducing aircraft weight and enhancing fuel economy without sacrificing safety or functionality; and high-performance materials such as titanium alloys and nickel-based superalloys, which are essential in jet engine construction, offering extended engine life and lowered maintenance costs. Moreover, the strategic application of lightweight composites and advanced plastics transforms aircraft interiors by optimizing seating, storage, and partition designs to elevate passenger comfort and meet rigorous fire resistance, durability, and low maintenance requirements. This tech evolution solidifies the aerospace material sector's pivotal role in shaping the future of civil aviation, ensuring it meets growing demands and adheres to the highest safety and efficiency standards.

" The Advent of Advanced Materials for Lighter and More Durable Aircraft "

Advanced materials are pivotal in constructing lighter and more durable aircraft, meeting the rigorous demands of flight. Epoxy adhesives have an exceptional ability to bond materials, offering high strength, chemical resistance, and the ability to withstand extreme temperatures, making them essential in joining metals and composites. Polyurethane adhesives, recognized for their flexibility and impact resistance, are used in aircraft interiors, ensuring durable and resilient bonds. Silicone adhesives offer unmatched flexibility for components that experience diverse temperature ranges and are ideal for sealing and bonding different materials. Protective coatings made from epoxy and polyurethane are critical for safeguarding components against corrosion, abrasion, and chemical threats, extending the lifespan of aircraft parts. Furthermore, foams, including polyethylene and polyurethane varieties, provide essential functions ranging from insulation and vibration reduction to enhancing passenger comfort through cushioning. The structural backbone of aircraft benefits significantly from alloys of aluminum, titanium, and steel, each selected for their unique combination of lightweight properties, strength, and resistance to environmental stresses. Composites, including aramid, carbon, and glass fibers, bring forth strength and weight reduction advancements, enabling more efficient aircraft designs. The evolution of plastics in aerospace, with materials such as PEEK and PPS, offers solutions for parts requiring exceptional strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance, marking a significant step forward in the pursuit of optimizing aerospace materials for future aviation needs.

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" Alcoa Corporation at the Forefront of Aerospace Materials Market with a Strong 5.71% Market Share "

The key players in the Aerospace Materials Market include Toray Industries, Inc., Hexcel Corporation, Evonik Industries AG, Alcoa Corporation, Constellium SE, and others. These prominent players focus on strategies such as expansions, acquisitions, joint ventures, and developing new products to strengthen their market positions.

" Introducing ThinkMi: Revolutionizing Market Intelligence with AI-Powered Insights for the Aerospace Materials Market "

We proudly unveil ThinkMi, a cutting-edge AI product designed to transform how businesses interact with the Aerospace Materials Market. ThinkMi stands out as your premier market intelligence partner, delivering unparalleled insights with the power of artificial intelligence. Whether deciphering market trends or offering actionable intelligence, ThinkMi is engineered to provide precise, relevant answers to your most critical business questions. This revolutionary tool is more than just an information source; it's a strategic asset that empowers your decision-making with up-to-the-minute data, ensuring you stay ahead in the fiercely competitive Aerospace Materials Market. Embrace the future of market analysis with ThinkMi, where informed decisions lead to remarkable growth.

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" Dive into the Aerospace Materials Market Landscape: Explore 196 Pages of Insights, 742 Tables, and 22 Figures "

Preface Research Methodology Executive Summary Market Overview Market Insights Aerospace Materials Market, by Type Aerospace Materials Market, by Aircraft Type Aerospace Materials Market, by Application Americas Aerospace Materials Market Asia-Pacific Aerospace Materials Market Europe, Middle East & Africa Aerospace Materials Market Competitive Landscape Competitive Portfolio

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Aramid Fiber Reinforcement Materials Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030 Aerospace Filters Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030 Aviation Lubricants Market - Global Forecast 2024-2030

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Technology and Solutions on Display from 200+ Exhibitors May 1- 2, 2024

NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / On May 1 and 2 the Music City Center in Nashville, TN will be the place to be for professionals in the booming Southeast manufacturing industry to gather for the 2nd annual ASSEMBLY Show SOUTH and the newly launched QUALITY Show SOUTH. The trade shows, produced by BNP Media's Assembly Magazine and Quality Magazine, will feature hundreds of exhibiting companies, dozens of educational sessions on the show floor, and networking at several special events. Pre-conference interactive workshops will be held on Tuesday, April 30.

"We are proud to be building the ASSEMBLY SHOW SOUTH in the booming Southeast U.S. region with the encouragement and support of the top manufacturing industry suppliers from across the globe. The 2nd year for this annual event, held each Spring, is relevant and targeted to manufacturers in automotive, appliance, medical device, aerospace, electronics, new energy and battery as well as general product industries. We welcome the addition of The QUALITY SHOW SOUTH whose exhibitors will offer software, inspection, measurement equipment and more," said Bill DeYoe, Publisher, ASSEMBLY Magazine, producers of the event. "We are thrilled to be partnering with The Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (TMEP) and featuring FIRST in Tennessee to introduce future engineers to professionals in the industry. We invite engineers, corporate executives, and all others in the manufacturing industry to join us May 1 and 2 at the Music City Center."

Highlights of the event, include:

Workshops: The education program will kick off on Tuesday, April 30 with four half day workshops . Tim Waldo, Workforce Consultant, and Danny Norman, Advanced Manufacturing Consultant for The Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (TMEP) will offer two workshops on I4.0 and a Culture of Innovation and People Development Systems. The editors of ASSEMBLY Magazine, producers of the show, will also offer two additional workshops on Automated Assembly and Bolted Joints. The QUALITY Show South will offer two half day workshops on GD&T Fundamentals and Validating a Best Practice Process. A Welcome Reception for both events will be held starting at 4:30 pm.

Keynote Presentation: Leifje Dighton, Executive Director and Plant Manager of GE Appliance's Refrigerator Assembly Plant in Decatur, AL, will discuss Transforming Productivity at GE Appliances Through AI: From Personal Effectiveness to Manufacturing Excellence. The keynote, open to all attendees for both events, will take place on Wednesday, May 1 at 9:00 am.

Exhibit Hall: The two events will feature 250+ leading vendors with working machinery and live demonstrations for attendees to interact with. The ASSEMBLY Show South show floor will feature Gold Sponsor Promess; Silver Sponsors Atlas Copco and Desoutter Industrial Tools; and Bronze Sponsors Schmidt Technology, UJIGAMI by Tutelar Technologies, and Weiss North America. The QUALITY Show South show floor will feature Gold Sponsor Deltek in addition to Hexagon, InnovMetric, FARO Technologies, 1factory, ZEISS Industrial Quality Solutions and many others.

Learning Theater Presentations: Each event which will feature a Learning Theater in the exhibit hall which will feature subject matter experts offering a unique opportunity for attendees to dive deep into important topics. For the complete schedule visit The ASSEMBLY Show Learning Theater and The QUALITY Show Learning Theater.

Valuable Networking Opportunities: The opening night Welcome Reception will take place on Tuesday, April 30 from 4:30 - 6:00 pm. On Wednesday, May 1 there will be a Networking Reception in the Exhibit Hall from 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Plus, on Thursday, May 2 from 9:00 - 10:00am enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the Morning Mingle & Breakfast right on the show floor.

Best in Show Awards. Hundreds of exhibitors will display the latest manufacturing products and services including fasteners, power tools, adhesives, dispensing equipment, conveyors, robots, software and, of course, automated assembly systems. The editors of ASSEMBLY Magazine have chosen ten innovative assembly line products for the event's "Best in Show" contest. Attendees will be invited to vote for the best product during exhibit hall hours on Wednesday, May 1. The winners will be announced on Thursday, May 2, at 12:30 pm.

FIRST in Tennessee will feature five Robotics Teams from across the state of Tennessee who will illuminate the floor. Team Flagship, Team Pioneers, Team Secret City Wildbots, Team SoKno Robo and Team HVA Robo Hawks will all be on hand May 1 to host interactive demonstrations of robots the students have designed, built and programmed as part of FIRST Inspires.

The ASSEMBLY Show South is sponsored by ASSEMBLY (www.assemblymag.com) the leading brand covering the processes, technologies, and strategies for assembling discrete parts into finished products.The QUALITY Show South is sponsored by Quality (www.qualitymag.com), the leading resource for manufacturing professionals focused on quality assurance and process improvement. Both events are produced by BNP Media (www.bnpmedia.com), one of the country's leading business-to-business media companies serving industry professionals across 60+ industries through magazines, custom media, e-newsletters, webinars, events and market research. For more information, visit www.bnpmedia.com.

For Further Information, Contact:

Amy Riemer, Media Relations Representative

978-502-4895 (cell)

amy@riemercommunications.com

SOURCE: Assembly Show South

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Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

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LONDON, United Kingdom, April 19

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

19 April 2024

Redde Northgate plc

Transaction in Own Shares

Redde Northgate plc (the "Company") announces that on 19 April 2024, it transferred 2,000,000 ordinary shares of 0.50 pence per share ("Shares") from treasury to The Northgate Employee Benefit Trust for 3.55 per share. The Shares will be used to meet obligations arising from employee share plans.

Following the above transfer, the Company has 246,091,423 ordinary shares in issue including 18,806,862 shares held in treasury. Shares held in treasury do not carry any voting rights. Therefore the total number of ordinary shares (excluding treasury shares) is 227,284,561. This number 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's Shares under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

This announcement is made in accordance with the requirement of Listing Rule 12.6.4 R.

This announcement is made on behalf of Redde Northgate plc by James Kerton, Company Secretary.

For further information contact:

James Kerton

Company Secretary

Telephone: 01325 467558

Redde Northgate plc
Dan Swoish, Reverse Mortgage Specialist, Leads Seniors to Financial Freedom, Redefining Retirement Planning

ORANGE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / Dan Swoish, a dedicated Reverse Mortgage Specialist at Longbridge Financial, is changing the landscape of retirement planning through the strategic use of reverse mortgages. With a deep-seated passion for empowering seniors and an extensive background in finance and retirement, Dan is committed to unlocking the doors to financial freedom for retired homeowners.

A Personal Journey to Financial Empowerment

Dan Swoish's journey in the finance industry is driven by a single mission: to ensure that every senior can enjoy their retirement years with dignity, comfort, and financial security. "Many homeowners are unaware of the incredible benefits a reverse mortgage can offer," says Swoish. "From eliminating monthly mortgage payments to providing tax-free income, the potential to improve seniors' lives is immense."

The Untapped Potential of Reverse Mortgages

Reverse mortgages stand as a beacon of hope for many seniors struggling to maintain their lifestyle in retirement. By eliminating monthly mortgage payments, these financial tools can significantly improve cash flow and offer a lifeline to those burdened by financial constraints. The flexibility to use the proceeds for a wide range of needs - from healthcare expenses to home repairs, or even purchasing a new, more suitable home - makes reverse mortgages a versatile solution for many challenges that seniors face today.

Moreover, the guarantee that the value of a reverse mortgage credit line will increase over time provides a reassuring buffer against future financial uncertainties. "It's not just about providing financial solutions today," explains Swoish, "but securing a prosperous and stable future for our seniors."

A Call to Action: Discover the Path to Financial Freedom

Dan Swoish invites seniors, their families, and financial advisors to explore how reverse mortgages can transform retirement planning. "Let's dispel the myths and uncover the true benefits of this powerful financial tool together," Dan encourages.

For anyone interested in learning more about reverse mortgages and how they can be the key to a worry-free retirement, Dan offers personalized consultations. Together, you can explore how a reverse mortgage might fit into your or your loved one's financial strategy.

Book Your Consultation with Dan Swoish Today

Don't miss the opportunity to unlock a brighter, financially secure future. Contact Dan Swoish at Longbridge Financial for a comprehensive consultation, and take the first step towards embracing retirement with confidence and freedom.

Contact Information:

Dan Swoish, NMLS#1646467 Reverse Mortgage Specialist

Company: Longbridge Financial, NMLS#2369412

Location: Orange, California, United States

Phone: (949) 633-6499

Email: dswoish@longbridge-financial.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danswoish/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dswoish/

Contact Information

Dan Swoish

NMLS#1646467 Reverse Mortgage Specialist

dswoish@longbridge-financial.com

(949) 633-6499

SOURCE: Longbridge Financial, LLC

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - Emergia Inc. (CSE: EMER) (the "Corporation" or "EMERGIA") today announced changes to the composition of its Board of Directors (the "Board"). Among the changes, Mr. Henri Petit has stepped down as Chairman of the Board effective April 16, 2024, in order to fully devote his time to being President and CEO of Emergia. The Board has appointed Mr. Faraj Nakhleh, who had been serving as an independent Director since June of 2022, as the Chairman of the Board.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Henri Petit for his contribution as Chairman of the Board. We wish him continued success as director and President and CEO," mentioned Faraj Nakhleh, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EMERGIA.

EMERGIA also announced that Mr. Joseph Cianci, Mr. Francois Castonguay, Mr. Luigi Valeriati and Mr. Roy Scaini have resigned their positions as Directors. Joining the Board as independent directors, effective immediately, are Mr. Hasan Shawa, Mr. Yannick Richard and Mr. Stephen Reisler have joined the Board of EMERGIA as Directors.

Mr. Nakhleh added, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would also like to thank the four resigning Directors for their contributions to EMERGIA. We wish them success in their new endeavours. I also wish the new Directors success in their new positions and I look forward to working with them to support Henri and the management team."

ABOUT EMERGIA INC.

EMERGIA operates mainly in Canada in the development, acquisition, and management of multi-purpose real estate, including retail, multifamily, industrial, and office buildings as well as land for future development. The Corporation's investment platform is based on an integrated, agile, and efficient develop-to-own strategy that enables EMERGIA to benefit from development profits and the value-add while securing stable long-term returns.

For more information, please visit www.emergia.com and www.sedar.com: EMER.CN

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Source: Emergia Inc.

For more Information, please contact:

Henri Petit

CEO

T: 1.888.520.1414 (Ext. 231)

E: hpetit@emergia.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/206183

SOURCE: Emergia Inc.
Redde Northgate Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 19

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

19 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 19 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 370 pence per share Highest purchase price paid 370 pence per share Lowest purchase price paid 370 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 18,831,862 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 227,259,561 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 19 April 2024)

Number of shares

purchased Transaction price

(GB pence per share) Time of transaction Transaction reference number Venue 25,000 370 09:22:40 00069634312TRLO0 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:
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 19

For immediate release

19 April 2024

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announce that it has today purchased 137,731 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 812.71 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 39,935,666; 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 185,055,637.

The figure of 185,055,637 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
Revenue Grid, the revenue intelligence pioneer, today announced it has been presented with a Bronze Stevie Award in the Sales Enablement Solution category in the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

The Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service are the world's top honors for customer service, contact center, business development, and sales professionals. The Stevie Awards organizes nine of the world's leading business awards programs, including the prestigious American Business Awards and International Business Awards.

Winners were announced during a gala event attended by more than 400 professionals worldwide at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Friday, April 12, 2024.

"Revenue Grid was the first to market with our revenue intelligence platform, built as a one-stop-shop for everyone involved in the workflow process - from frontline account executives to sales and revenue leaders," said Roman Shovkun, EVP of Customer Success & Revenue Operations for Revenue Grid. "Our platform helps organizations build and advance customer relationships to drive commercial success. We are honored to receive the Bronze Stevie Award in the Sales Enablement Solution category, underscoring our commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences."

More than 2,300 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry, in 44 nations and territories, were considered in this year's competition. Winners were determined by the average scores of more than 200 professionals worldwide on seven specialized judging committees. Entries were considered in more than 90 categories for customer service and contact center achievements, including Contact Center of the Year, Award for Innovation in Customer Service, and Customer Service Department of the Year; more than 60 categories for sales and business development achievements, ranging from Senior Sales Executive of the Year to Sales Training or Business Development Executive of the Year to Sales Department of the Year; and categories to recognize new products, services, and solution providers.

According to one of the judges, "It was incredibly innovative how Revenue Grid was able to produce the Revenue Grid platform and how it clearly offers three core components: activity capture, automatically logging team interactions for 360-degree pipeline visibility sales engagement, enabling data-driven decisions with comprehensive forecasting and analytics forecasting, providing insightful analytics for predictable revenue and forecast accuracy."

"The high scores given the winning nominations in this year's competition are evidence of the high levels of achievement portrayed in them," said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. "We join with the judges and all members of the Stevie Awards community in congratulating and celebrating the winners for their accomplishments."

Details about the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service and the list of Stevie winners in all categories are available at www.StevieAwards.com/Sales. Nominations for the 2025 competition will be accepted starting this July.

About Revenue Grid

The pioneer in revenue intelligence, Revenue Grid delivers proven, market-leading solutions that enhance sales performance and expand revenue generation. Its platform delivers 360-degree activity data capture, actionable insights, streamlined workflows, and custom sales strategies. Setting the benchmark in data security for regulated industries, Revenue Grid's data capture technology is the first of its kind, native to Salesforce, SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft. The result: sales and revenue leaders gain clearer pipeline visibility, leading to more accurate sales forecasting and accelerated revenue growth, with an ROI multiplier of nearly 300X in the first six months. More information can be found at www.revenuegrid.com.

About The Stevie Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, the new Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence, and the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. More than 1,000 professionals around the world participate in the Stevie Awards judging process each year. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

Sponsors of the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service include Sales Partnerships, Inc., Support Services Group, and ValueSelling Associates, Inc.

Media Contacts

Revenue Grid - North America

Denise Styerwalt

Trier and Company for Revenue Grid

Email: denise@triercompany.com

Phone: +1 408-406-9726

EMEA

Michael Harrington

Email: michael@triercompany.com

Phone: +011-44-770-090-0061

SOURCE: Revenue Grid

View the original press release on accesswire.com
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / TriplePundit

By Mary Riddle

Originally published by TriplePundit

Avocado trees are native to southern Mexico, where they grew as wild cultivars for thousands of years before the Aztec and Maya people began growing the crop domestically. Today, avocado production is an economic powerhouse for the region.

The avocado industry has enjoyed record-breaking growth in recent years, and per-capita consumption in the U.S. has steadily climbed, as well as avocado imports from Mexico. The dramatic growth in avocado imports has been good for the U.S. economy, according to a report from researchers at Texas A&M University's Agribusiness Food and Consumer Economics Research Center in partnership with Avocados From Mexico. In fiscal year 2021-2022, U.S. imports of Mexican Hass avocados added $6.1 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product and created 58,299 jobs. On the Mexican side of the border, hundreds of thousands of people earn their living from the prized fruit.

Michoacan, a Mexican state on the western coast, is at the heart of the country's avocado sector and produces 73 percent of all avocados grown in Mexico. It is also where Martin Mendoza calls home and where he has been growing avocados since he was 16 years old. "My mother started our family's farm in 1980, and my brothers and I started growing avocados then," he told TriplePundit.

Michoacan: The global center of avocado production

Today, Mendoza and his four brothers manage a 250-acre operation, where they grow 15,000 avocado trees, divided into five orchards. "Our farm is spread out at diverse elevations between 1,400 and 2,700 meters above sea level," Mendoza explained. "The difference in climates at the various locations allows us to harvest avocados year-round."

?

Michoacan is a lush environment, with rainforests, pine forests and deciduous forests spread throughout the state. "From my orchards, you can see the volcano Paricutin. In the past few weeks, it has had snow on top of it that we can see from the farm," Mendoza reflected.

Mendoza typically starts his day on the farm around 7 a.m. When his employees arrive, they go over their plan for the day and address any production problems before any other work begins. While the farm's full-time work crew consists of 20 employees, during times of heavy harvesting, they also manage outside picking crews.

Approximately 90 percent of avocado imports in the U.S. come from Mexico, and until recently, Michoacan was the only Mexican state to meet the rigorous requirements of the U.S. export program - which includes certifying the fruits are free from pests and plant disease, among other requirements. "We have participated in the export program since its inception, and we export mostly to the U.S.," Mendoza said of his farm.

Ensuring sustainability and safety

Mendoza has spent decades learning about the needs of avocado trees. For example, avocado trees are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation. With much of Mexico experiencing drought, farmers are conscious of water use. "Climate change has affected our entire region," Mendoza said. "However, in Michoacan we are blessed with a lot of rainfall. It rains most months of the year, and the rich, volcanic soil in Michoacan holds moisture and keeps the avocados alive without the use of irrigation."

In Mendoza's orchards, 80 percent of his trees rely solely on rainfall and soil moisture, and only 20 percent require additional irrigation. To ensure maximum uptake and avoid runoff, Mendoza utilizes micro-sprinklers and drip irrigation. These microirrigation technologies allow for greater precision by directing water only to the trees that need supplemental irrigation. Additionally, Mendoza harvests rainwater during the months with higher rainfall to use for irrigation during dry seasons.

The farm also invests in food safety and quality, and for Mendoza, that starts with the health of his employees. All employees undergo regular testing to ensure that nobody is sick while handling the avocados, and the Mendozas provide medical services for all employees working in their orchards.

They also monitor their water supply and ensure that any agricultural product that touches the avocados is environmentally-friendly and safe for consumers. "The guidelines for the export program are very strict, and they cover employees, tools, chemicals and more. We have to be impeccable," Mendoza said.

Mendoza's farm also carries additional responsible agriculture certifications, including Global GAP, and they employ a monitor who ensures that all outside picking crews and other employees are following responsible farming practices in each of the five orchards.

"We are very careful about the environment," Mendoza said. "We take care of the land because we depend on it. Responsible farming practices are generally a key characteristic of Michoacan."

Family farmers in Michoacan drive the avocado sector

The avocado sector in Michoacan provides an economic boost to the entire region through employment opportunities and additional outside investments, but this vibrant local economy would not be possible without the hard work of family farmers.

About 80 percent of avocado growers in Michoacan are smallholders with less than 12 acres, Mendoza said. "The avocado industry benefits thousands of farming families. There are 180,000 hectares in the avocado export program, but they are mostly the small family farms that support this industry."

Running a larger farm in a sector that provides so many in the community with a livelihood is a lot of responsibility, but Mendoza said he embraces it.

"Avocados are the main economic engine of our state in terms of job creation and the economy," he said. "My main challenge as a grower is to continue to export and continue to grow so I can generate employment for my community, but I am motivated by the challenge of making a good name for avocados from Michoacan. I am very proud to be Michoacano."

This article series is sponsored by the Avocado Institute of Mexico and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.

Hass Avocados being harvested in a grove in Michoacan, Mexico.

Images courtesy of the Avocado Institute of Mexico

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from TriplePundit on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: TriplePundit

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/triplepundit

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: TriplePundit

View the original press release on accesswire.com
YMCA Special Day of Events That Promote Healthy Habits for Kids & Families

ATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / Tips on TV and Heidi Brasher are celebrating Healthy Kids Day. The YMCA'S Healthy Kids Day is designed for kids' mental and physical health, while teaching healthy habits to kids and families. The event has always been about encouraging active play and inspiring a lifetime love of physical activity. In 2024, Healthy Kids Day takes place nationally on April 20. However, some Ys will choose to run the event on a different date if it works better for their community. More than 1,400 'Y' locations across all 50 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico, will be hosting events featuring fun games and activities to keep kids moving and learning. Heidi Brahser of the YMCA shared a preview of Healthy Kids Day 2024. Learn how to create lifelong memories with the entire family by heading to YMCA.Org/HKD to find a Healthy Kids Day event that will ensure families keep health and wellness top of mind all summer long, including the importance of good nutrition.

Heidi Brasher with the YMCA Shares Details on Healthy Kids Day

Learn about Healthy Kids with Heidi Brasher from the YMCA

THE YMCA HOLDS HEALTHY KIDS DAY EACH YEAR

Healthy Kids Day is a national initiative focused on improving the health and well-being of kids and families. Celebrated each year, Y's across the country host community-facing events that teach healthy habits, encourage active play, and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity.

SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT HEALTHY KIDS DAY ADDRESSES

The 'Y' launched the first Healthy Kids Day in 1992 in response to the growing effect of sedentary lifestyles on children's health. Children who are happy, healthy, and engaged are critical to successful and thriving communities. The importance of this event is that it inspires kids and families to keep their minds and bodies active throughout the summer months and beyond. This year Healthy Kids Day is set for April 20th, but some Ys will choose to run the event on a different date if it works better for their community.

TYPES OF ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE

Some Y's will hold a fun run or walk but there's so much more - there will be vendor booths featuring healthy offerings, sports, and fitness demos; games, swimming; STEM or art projects; family yoga or fitness classes; healthy cooking demonstrations; food pantry giveaway; story time and much more.

NEW FOR HEALTHY KIDS DAY THIS YEAR?

This year's Healthy Kids Day is sponsored nationally by Peanuts as part of a new multi-year partnership with YMCA of the USA. The goal is to increase summer camp access, innovative conservation programs, and camp leadership development for children across the U.S. and internationally. The partnership is a natural fit for Peanuts, whose character, Beagle Scout Snoopy, not only represents fun and adventure in the outdoors, but also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the character's comic strip debut this year. A fun fact: Peanuts Worldwide will also be the national sponsor for Healthy Kids Day in 2025, which marks the 75th anniversary of Peanuts.

MISSION OF THE YMCA

Healthy Kids Day is just one event, but at the Y, we believe in the potential of all children, and each day we work to help kids find that potential within themselves. All they need is the right support. Children who are happy, healthy, and engaged are critical to successful and thriving communities. Healthy Kids Day celebrates how engaging in your community and creating healthy habits can be supportive of mental health.

For more information on Healthy Kids Day 2024, check out your local branch of the Y, or visit:

YMCA.Org/HKD

POST|VIDEO

About TipsOnTV

TipsOnTV covers a variety of topics, including food, entertaining, personal finance, technology, travel, health, lifestyle and more.

Contact Information

R E

tipsontv@gmail.com

SOURCE: TipsOnTV

View the original press release on newswire.com.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd. (CSE: TONY) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that, further to its press release of February 7, 2024, it has successfully completed a non-brokered private placement financing for gross proceeds of $2,400,000 through the issuance of 4,000,000 units in the capital of the Company (the "Units") at a price of $0.60 per Unit (the "Offering"). Each Unit was comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one whole Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at a price of $0.75 per Common Share until the date that is one (1) year from the date of issuance. Gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons as defined under applicable United States securities laws unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Pursuant to the Offering, Gateway Capital Investments Inc. ("Gateway") acquired 2,000,000 Units. Prior to the completion of the Offering, Gateway held 1,266,951 Common Shares, representing approximately 14.99% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares in the capital of the Company on an undiluted and partially diluted basis. Upon completion of the Offering, Gateway holds 3,266,951 Common Shares and 2,000,000 Warrants, representing approximately 26.24% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares in the capital of the Company on an undiluted basis and approximately 36.45% on a partially diluted basis. Depending on market and other conditions, or as future circumstances may dictate, Gateway may from time to time increase or decrease its holdings of Common Shares or other securities of the Company. A copy of the early warning report will be available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Pursuant to the Offering, UGA Holding Limited ("UGA") acquired 2,000,000 Units. Prior to the completion of the Offering, UGA held 506,781 Common Shares, representing approximately 6.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares in the capital of the Company on an undiluted and partially diluted basis. Upon completion of the Offering, UGA holds 2,506,781 Common Shares and 2,000,000 Warrants, representing approximately 20.14% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares in the capital of the Company on an undiluted basis and approximately 31.19% on a partially diluted basis. Depending on market and other conditions, or as future circumstances may dictate, UGA may from time to time increase or decrease its holdings of Common Shares or other securities of the Company. A copy of the early warning report will be available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

For more information, please contact:

Ron Akram

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +44 786 6464 520

Email: contact@tony.holdings

This press release contains "forward-looking statements", within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using 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) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to materially differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements and information in this press release include,but are not limited to the Company's intention to defend the litigation with the Fund, the Company's liability under the Debenture and the above-mentioned litigation.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to materially differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to statements relating to the Loan and the Company's business strategy, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, that the litigation referred to herein will be resolved in a manner that is unfavourable to the Company (including any judgment, award or settlement of the litigation that results in the Company incurring liability, costs or expenses that, in the aggregate, exceed the share issuance costs of the Conversion Shares), the Company is required to issue shares other than the Conversion Shares or pay any amount to the plaintiff in defending, resolving, or in connection with, such litigation, and other related matters, or other factors set forth in the Company's publicly filed documents under its profiles at www.sedarplus.ca.

Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statement prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

None of the Canadian Securities Exchange or its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/206204

SOURCE: Tony G Co-Investment Holdings Ltd.
San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - James Coffee Co. is excited to announce the rebrand and relaunch of its collaboration with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Ilan Rubin. The Good Morning Blend, a custom creation born from a shared passion for coffee and friendship, is set to redefine the morning routine for coffee drinkers worldwide.

Photo credit: James Coffee Co., with permission.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8977/205918_fb47efe8e4d14a7b_001full.jpg

The blend is a unique fusion of Mexico's "El Jaguar," Colombia's "Palmichal," and Ethiopia's "Mokamba" beans. This meticulously crafted brew tantalizes the senses with notes of chocolate, red berry, and hazelnut, promising a delightful wake-up call with every sip.

Ilan Rubin, renowned as the drummer for Nine Inch Nails and a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, brings his eclectic musical influences and dedication to craftsmanship to the coffee world. As the youngest ever inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rubin's commitment to pushing boundaries and respecting tradition mirrors James Coffee Co.'s dedication to innovation and quality.

"Working with Ilan Rubin has been an incredible journey. His commitment to excellence and creativity resonates with our own values," said David Kennedy, Founder of James Coffee Co, who formerly played alongside Rubin in the band Angels and Airwaves. "We're thrilled to unveil the rebranded Good Morning Blend to our customers."

The intertwined history of these two musicians adds an extra layer of camaraderie into their partnership, reflecting the spirit of collaboration and dedication that defines James Coffee Co. This harmonious union embodies their commitment to delivering the highest quality coffee to hard-working individuals one cup at a time.

For more information about the Good Morning Blend and James Coffee Co.'s collaboration with Ilan Rubin, visit https://jamescoffeeco.com/products/good-morning-blend.

About James Coffee Co.

James Coffee Co. provides high-quality, ethically sourced coffee to people all over the world. Founded by two brothers in San Diego, California, James Coffee Co. is a veteran and woman-owned business that strives to bring the best coffee roasts to hands-on creators. Serving the best coffee experiences to the community, they believe coffee is much more than just a drink but a showcase of craftsmanship. To learn more about James Coffee Co., visit https://jamescoffeeco.com and follow them on social media for daily updates.

https://www.instagram.com/jamescoffeeco/

https://www.facebook.com/JamesCoffeeCo

Media Contact:

Fifth & Cor

Lexie Becker

lexie@fifthandcor.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/205918

SOURCE: Hexa PR Wire
Grass Valley, California--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - Rise Gold Corp. (CSE: RISE) (OTCQX: RYES) (the "Company") announces that it has increased the size of the non-brokered private placement previously announced in its April 9, 2024 news release from US$750,000 to US$1,000,000 through the issuance of up to 10,526,316 units (each a "Unit") at a price of US$0. 0.095 per Unit (~CDN$0.128 per Unit), with each Unit comprising one share of common stock (a "Share") and one-half of one share purchase warrant (the "Private Placement"). Each whole warrant (a "Warrant") entitles the holder to acquire one Share at an exercise price of US$0.158 for a period of three years from the date of issuance.

Rise Gold will use the proceeds from the Private Placement for general working capital. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to statutory hold periods in accordance with applicable United States and Canadian securities laws.

Certain directors and/or officers of the Company, directly, through entities controlled by them, or through entities for which they exercise control or direction over investment decisions, may participate in the Private Placement. The participation of each of such insiders in the Private Placement would constitute a "related party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company will be relying on exemptions from the formal valuation requirements of section 5.4 of MI 61-101 and minority shareholder approval requirements of section 5.6 of MI 61-101. As the fair market value of the related party's participation is not more than 25% of the Company's market capitalization, the related party transactions are exempt from the formal valuation requirements pursuant to subsection 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 and from the minority approval requirements pursuant to subsection 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101. It is anticipated that some or all of the funds received from certain directors will be used to pay accrued and unpaid debt owed by the Corporation to the respective director, such debts totalling, in aggregate, approximately US$100,000.

The securities offered have not been 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 absent registration or compliance with an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

About Rise Gold Corp.

Rise Gold is an exploration-stage mining company incorporated in Nevada, USA. The Company's principal asset is the historic past-producing Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine located in Nevada County, California, USA.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Joseph Mullin

President and CEO

Rise Gold Corp.

For further information, please contact:

RISE GOLD CORP.

Suite 600, 345 Crown Point Circle

Grass Valley, CA 95945

T: 530.433.0188

info@risegoldcorp.com

www.risegoldcorp.com

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitation, obtaining all necessary approvals, meeting expenditure and financing requirements, compliance with environmental regulations, title matters, operating hazards, metal prices, political and economic factors, competitive factors, general economic conditions, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information contained in this release. Rise undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or information except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/206223

SOURCE: Rise Gold Corp.
ST. JOHN'S, NL / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / Atlas Salt Inc. ("Atlas" or the "Company" (TSXV:SALT)(OTCQB:REMRF) is pleased to announce that the Honourable Bernard Davis, Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Minister of Environment and Climate Change, has released the proposed Great Atlantic Salt Project (the "Project") from the provincial environmental assessment ("EA") process. The Minister's decision follows regulatory and public review of the Project's Environmental Registration document, which was submitted to the NL Department of Environment and Climate Change ("NLDECC") on February 29, 2024.

Rick LaBelle, CEO, commented: "Today's news is very positive. The Great Atlantic Salt Project is poised to bring significant economic growth to the west coast of Newfoundland. Upon completion of advanced engineering and construction, the project will be positioned to deliver high-quality Canadian-made salt for markets in North America. We are grateful for the efficient assessment of the Project by the Newfoundland and Labrador regulators and the NLDECC in particular."

As is customary for projects released from the provincial EA process, the decision letter includes certain terms and conditions with which Atlas must comply. Full terms of the release can be viewed on the NLDECC website: https://www.gov.nl.ca/ecc/projects/project-2290/.

Today's news means that further provincial permitting can now proceed, which will position the Project for development and eventual production. The release from the EA process represents a crucial milestone in the Project's development and path to financing, construction and unlocking stakeholder value.

"Throughout the EA planning process, the Great Atlantic Salt Project benefited from thoughtful public engagement, which helped inform us on what the people of St. George's and western Newfoundland value and want protected across environmental, community and sustainability perspectives. We are fully committed to continuing this engagement as we progress this exciting long-term project," said David Robbins, VP ICI Innovations and Senior Environmental Consultant to Atlas.

Background to Today's News

On August 28, 2023, Atlas released results of a Feasibility Study for the Project, outlining a 34-year mine life producing 2.5 million tonnes of rock salt per year, with access to the deposit via twin declines. Extraction of rock salt would occur using the room and pillar method with continuous mining equipment. Salt would be processed to a specific size and grade using a crushing and screening plant located within the underground mine and transported to surface via conveyor belts. The above ground design envisions an overland conveyor transporting rock salt from the mine area to an existing port for loading onto ships destined for Canadian and American markets.

Atlas Salt believes that the Project will significantly contribute to the local and regional economies and create numerous highly skilled generational employment opportunities.

The Project's strategic advantage lies in its location close to potential markets, environmental sustainability and its projected economic viability. The near-surface location of the deposit, coupled with its proximity to essential infrastructure, significantly enhances the project's value. The innovative design which optimizes the use of electrical energy contributes to the Project's low GHG emissions while also bolstering its financial attractiveness, presenting a compelling case for environmentally conscious and economically sound mining.

For further information and ongoing updates, please visit https://atlassalt.com/.

Qualified Persons

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and approved on behalf of the Company by Patrick J. Laracy, P. Geo, Chairman of Atlas Salt, a qualified person.

About Atlas Salt Inc.

Atlas Salt Inc. is developing Canada's next salt mine and is committed to responsible and sustainable mining practices. With a focus on innovation and efficiency, the company is poised to make significant contributions to the North American salt market while upholding its values of environmental stewardship and community engagement.

For information, please contact:

Richard LaBelle, CEO

investors@atlassalt.com

(709) 739-9545

We seek safe harbor.

Cautionary Statement

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider, (as the term is defined in the Policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating to the future operating or financial performance of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this press release relate to, among other things: completion, delivery and timing of project components and requirements, and analysis and assumptions related thereto. Actual future results may differ materially. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, technical, economic, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing, completion and delivery of required permits, contract agreements, supply arrangements and financing. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these times. Except as required by law, the Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

SOURCE: Atlas Salt

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Oakville, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 19, 2024) - FendX Technologies Inc. (CSE: FNDX) (OTCQB: FDXTF) (FSE: E8D) (the "Company" or "FendX") a nanotechnology company developing surface protection coatings, announces it has renewed its investor relations services agreement with IR Labs Inc. ("IR Labs").

Pursuant to the agreement with IR Labs dated April 18, 2024, IR Labs has agreed to provide investor relations and communications services to the Company in exchange for monthly fee of $11,500. The services include development and management of PR/media, social media and stakeholder relations. The term of the IR Labs agreement is for a period of twelve months ending April 17, 2025, subject to a 30 day early termination provision. IR Labs and its principals are arm's length to the Company. IR Labs contact information is as follows: 2-21102 76 Avenue, Langley BC V2Y 4K7, attention: Alyssa Barry, email alyssa@irlabs.ca, telephone: 604-997-0965.

About FendX Technologies Inc.

FendX is a Canada-based nanotechnology company focused on developing products to make people's lives safer by reducing the spread of pathogens. The Company is developing both film and spray products to protect surfaces from contamination. The lead product under development, REPELWRAP film, is a protective surface coating film that, due to its repelling properties, prevents the adhesion of pathogens and reduces their transmission on surfaces prone to contamination. The spray nanotechnology is a bifunctional spray coating being developed to reduce contamination on surfaces by repelling and killing pathogens. The Company is conducting research and development activities using its nanotechnology in collaboration with industry-leading partners, including McMaster University. The Company has exclusive worldwide licenses to its technology and IP portfolio from McMaster, which encompass both film and spray coating nanotechnology formulations.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Carolyn Myers"

Carolyn Myers

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Contacts:

Dr. Carolyn Myers, CEO and Director

1-800-344-9868

Alyssa Barry, Investor Relations

1-833-947-5227

investor@fendxtech.com

For more information, please visit https://fendxtech.com/ and the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including with respect to: the plans of the Company; and products under development and any pathogen reduction benefits related thereto. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and involve several risks and uncertainties, including that the Offering may not close at all or on the terms announced; that the Company may use the proceeds of the Offering for purposes other than those disclosed in this news release; adverse market conditions; and other factors beyond the control of the Company. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate, and that actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

Important factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include: product candidates only being in formulation/reformulation stages; limited operating history; research and development activities; dependence on collaborative partners, licensors and others; effect of general economic and political conditions; and other risk factors set forth in the Company's public filings which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Accordingly, the reader is urged to refer to the Company's such filings for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/206095

SOURCE: FendX Technologies Inc.
The launch of the paper is the first of many activations Nium has planned for Money 20/20 Asia

SINGAPORE, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nium, the global leader in real-time, cross-border payments, and Asia's leading payments, banking, and capital markets research firm, Kapronasia, today launched "Breaking Borders: The Revolution of Real-Time Cross-Border B2B Payments in Asia" - a new data-backed white paper that addresses cross-border B2B payment challenges, current initiatives, and the important role of intermediaries.

In global commerce, cross-border B2B payments are crucial, yet hindered by complexity, high costs, and slow processing times. These challenges, compounded by diverse regulatory environments, can erode profitability and stall growth. There's a pressing need for innovation and reform in cross-border payments. In the paper, readers will learn more on how fintech solutions and regulatory harmonization efforts promise to simplify processes, reduce costs, and speed up transactions. The research calls out initiatives, such as SWIFT GPI, Project Nexus, and ASEAN's Regional Payment Connectivity, alongside emerging technologies, that signal a brighter future for cross-border transactions. Download the paper to see the data and learn more.

"Cross-border B2B payments are critical, but they face formidable challenges - from outdated systems to regulatory complexities," said Zennon Kapron, Founder and Director of Kapronasia. "Our latest research, in collaboration with Nium, sheds light on this critical issue. As we chart the course forward, it's evident that transformative change is imminent. Intermediaries like Nium play a pivotal role in this journey, bridging gaps and reshaping the landscape of global commerce. However, this transformation demands collective action to overcome technological and regulatory hurdles. Yet, the vision is clear - a world where cross-border transactions flow seamlessly, fostering collaboration across borders."

The launch of the paper is a part of a wider push leading into Money 20/20 Asia in Bangkok, Thailand (April 23-25). Nium plans to take the city by storm with announcements, panels, and parties, that highlight its expansion in the region.

The company will be making three blockbuster announcements during the event:

First, in a bold move to fortify its regional footprint, Nium is expanding its presence in Indonesia and will be signing an MOU at Money 20/20 with a pioneer in the Indonesian fintech space. Nium has also made headway into the dynamic landscape of Korea with the official launch of a key Korean bank, marking a pivotal milestone in its expansion journey and supporting its mission to further financial inclusion, globally. The company has already made waves in Thailand, where it powers four of the country's premier banks;

Second, Nium will be announcing its first ever Chief Payments Officer. With this newly-created position, Nium sets itself up to closer align itself with partners across the payments ecosystem. Nium's CPO will work across Nium's markets, leading the company's Global Banking and Payment Operations teams;

Finally, Nium will be show continued momentum in the exploding travel payments space, announcing a partnership with a leading global payments processor to issue virtual cards in the APAC region. By 2027, virtual card transactions industry-wide are expected to exceed 121 billion as travel intermediaries and their suppliers look for modern solutions to streamline payments.

Nium will be very visible on the event's main stages:

On April 23 at 10:00 a.m. in a session titled, "Travel in China: The Next Big Niche,"Richard Cogswell of Nium Travel will sit down with Jensen Cai, Head of Hong Kong at Triplink and Betsy Samuel, Chief Marketing Officer at Thredd to talk China travel trends and the future of payments in China and beyond.

Then at 3:00 p.m. on the Vision Stage, in one of the conference's most anticipated panels titled, "Beyond Competition: How Asian Payments Leaders are Shaping the Future Together,"Nium's EVP and GM of APAC and MEA, Anupam Pahuja, will join banking leaders Rajnish Pal, Founding Member at ZING by HSBC and Shun De Ng, Group Head of Payments at DBS, to discuss competition and cooperation in fintech. The talk will be moderated by global banking industry expert, Alexandra Johnson.

After all the excitement from the first two days of the conference, Nium and Beacon Venture Capital will invite attendees to unwind at Nium @ Nite Market with street food, drinks and music on April 24 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Marriott Marquis Queen's Park.

Finally, the Nium team will be on the ground at booth #1002 throughout the conference to provide free global payments assessments, answering questions on a range of topics, including:

How to take advantage of Nium's 100+ real-time markets to help your business grow;

How to manage FX better by collecting and holding funds in a Nium multi-currency wallet;

How issuing physical or virtual cards can streamline vendor payments and control employee expenses;

How a global account strategy can streamline global payouts; and,

How real-time payouts can help your business grow

Register for our event, book a meeting, and find out about more Nium's presence here.

About Nium

Nium, the leader in real-time, cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 190+ countries, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 35 markets. Nium's growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licences and authorizations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance - independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1678669/4660064/Nium_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nium-and-kapronasia-partner-to-shed-light-on-cross-border-b2b-payment-challenges-in-asia-302122574.html
S&P Global has cut Israels long-term ratings to A-plus from AA-minus. The rating agency said the Israel-Hamas war and the confrontation with Hezbollah appear set to continue throughout 2024-versus our previous assumption of military activity not lasting more than six months read more

Heightened conflict with Iran last weekend and increased geopolitical tensions in the region are turning out to be very costly for Israel, that too in a big way. Rating agency S&P Global has cut Israels long-term ratings to A-plus from AA-minus.

We forecast that Israels general government deficit will widen to 8 per cent of GDP in 2024, mostly as a result of increased defence spending, S&P Global said in a statement.

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What does a negative rating for Israel mean?

S&Ps credit rating or a sovereign rating is a score given to a country based on how the agency foresees the countrys ability to pay back the debt it has accrued.

The negative rating will also give investors an idea of how risky it could be to invest in a particular country, in this case Israel.

In our view, the recent increase in confrontation with Iran heightens already elevated geopolitical risks for Israel, a team of S&P analysts led by Maxim Rybnikov said.

We expect that while a wider regional conflict will be avoided, the Israel-Hamas war and the confrontation with Hezbollah is set to continue throughout 2024  versus our previous assumption of military activity not lasting more than six months, the agency further said.

In the early hours of Friday, Iran deployed its air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near Isfahan after spotting drones. Many people feared that it could be a retaliatory strike by Israel in response to a drone and missile attack by Iran last weekend.

S&P Global further said its updated forecast on Israel assumed that Israel wont be continuing a direct confrontation with Iran, and that there would be no broader instability in the West Bank."

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Israels deficit to widen

Meanwhile analysts predict that higher spending on defence will widen Israels general government deficit to 8 per cent of its gross domestic product in 2024. It also expects higher deficits over the medium term, with the net general government debt peaking at 66 per cent of GDP in 2026.

A wider regional conflict, which is not our baseline scenario, could have a further material negative impact on Israels security situation and, consequently, its economic, fiscal, and balance-of-payments parameters, analysts said.

Earlier in April, Fitch removed Israel from rating watch negative and kept its A-plus rating. It cited Israels conflict against Hamas in Gaza as a risk.

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In February, Moodys too, had downgraded Israels credit rating over the risk of a war.

With inputs from agencies
Star Cast: Paritosh Tiwari, Swastika Mukherjee, Bonita Rajpurohit and Abhinav Santosh Singh

Director: Dibakar Banerjee

In 2010, we witnessed an experimental cinema, which was way ahead of its time. Yes, it was Love Sex Aur Dhokha. Right from camera angles to bold sequences and themes, the movie was a revolution in all senses.

Now, the movie has returned after a hiatus of 14 years with its sequel and just its predecessor, it is loosely interconnected and explores the themes of gender and sexuality along with GenZs craze towards social media and its dark and ugly world.

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The makers have introduced a new acronym with LSD 2, that is Like, Share and Download and it rightfully justifies the theme and plot of the movie.

Love? No, its Like

In the first story, we are at the controversial reality show titled Truth Ya Naach based on the lines of Bigg Boss with over-dramatic judges played by Tusshar Kapoor, Sophie Choudhry, and Anu Malik. A trans woman named Noor (Paritosh Tiwari) craves fame and fast-earning money through this reality and is unabashed and unapologetic for choosing this way and to go any level.

Sex? Its Share

The second story takes us to the life of another trans person named Kulu (Bonita Rajpurohit), one of the many trans employees at Metro Railway station. While her story connects to us more on an emotional level, it somehow loses its impact after her dubious boss Lovina (Swastika Mukherjee) convinces her to file a police complaint that she has been sexually assaulted.

Dhokha? No, its Download

The subplot of the second story interconnects to the third one through Lovinas teenage son. An 18-year-old influencer Shubham aka Game Paapi (Abhinav Santosh Singh), who posts adult content on his channels, gets involved in a scandal. It shows the dark world of social media exploring the themes of gaming, online sex videos, meme culture, collabs and the head-scratching world of the metaverse.

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Dibakar Banerjee has masterfully intertwined the sub-plots and made sure to deliver a hard-hitting thrilling drama which hits hard at your face.

Talking about the performances, Paritosh Tiwari, Bonita Rajpurohit and Abhinav Santosh Singh portray their characters to the T. However, a versatile star like Swastika Mukherjee was seemingly wasted as her character had no meat. Cameos from Mouni Roy and Uorfi Javed are simply outstanding.

On the whole, Love Sex Aur Dhokha 2 is a hard-hitting and relevant affair, which has all the potential to strike a chord with Gen Z.

Rating: 3.5 (out of 5 stars)

Love Sex Aur Dhokha is playing in cinemas near you
Last year, Prince Harry said he wants to have his father and brother back in his life and that he wants a family, not an institution, during a TV interview ahead of the publication of his memoir read more

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle gave up their Royal title few years back and shocked fans and critics alike

It was a few years back when Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle gave up their royal titles and it ended up creating shockwaves across the globe. Ever since then, there have been multiple reports of rift between Harry and his father King Charles III. And now, a new report says Markle is worried her children Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2, may blame her for depriving them of a Royal life.

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British Royal Author Tom Quinn Reacts

Speaking to The Mirror, Quinn said, A friend of the couple  one of Meghans few aristocratic friends from her time in the UK  told me Meghan does miss some aspects of life in the UK and worries that her children will blame her if they never get to see their cousins and feel as adults that they have been deprived of what might have been a fun and meaningful existence in the UK as working royals.

It will be a long time before Meghan reappears in the UK. She has already publicly stated that she will not return to the UK, and her friends insist she is still furious at the way she feels she was treated during her time in Britain," Quinn added.

Reunion for King Charles III and Prince Harry

Last year, Prince Harry said he wants to have his father and brother back in his life and that he wants a family, not an institution, during a TV interview ahead of the publication of his memoir. Prince Harry had previously spoken about his relationship getting bitter with his father, King Charles III and his brother, Prince William. The Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan many have to say was like a one-sided story.
Sanjay Kumar Singh is also holding an enquiry against former NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede on charges of alleged irregularities while conducting an investigation into two drug cases when the latter headed the NCB Mumbai office read more

NCB deputy director general (DDG) Sanjay Kumar Singh, who headed an SIT that gave a clean chit to actor Shah Rukh Khans son Aryan Khan in the drugs-on-cruise case, has taken VRS just 8 months before his retirement. The 1996- batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Odisha cadre is currently heading the Narcotics Control Bureaus (NCBs) south-west and southern region as its DDG.

He is also holding an enquiry against former NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede on charges of alleged irregularities while conducting an investigation into two drug cases when the latter headed the NCB Mumbai office. Singh told PTI that he sought voluntary retirement from service (VRS) on purely personal grounds and that he has applied for the same on February 29.

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His VRS is effective from April 30. He was supposed to retire in January 2025. I will continue doing the job till April 30, he said. A special investigation team (SIT) headed by Singh had given a clean chit to Aryan Khan and five others in May 2022 citing lack of sufficient evidence against them in the drugs-on-cruise case. Aryan Khan and a number of others were arrested by the NCB in October 2021 in Mumbai on drugs charges by a team headed by Wankhede. Singh has earlier served in the CBI.

As per the sub-Rule (2) of Rule 16 of AIS (DCRB) Rule, 1958 provides that, A member of Service may after giving at least 3 months previous notice in writing to the State Government to retire from service on the date on which such member completes 30 years of qualifying service or attains 50 years age or on any date thereafter.

With inputs from PTI
The first batch of the export variant of Indias BrahMos supersonic cruise missile arrived in the Philippines on Friday. From bolstering relations with Manila to sending a positive signal to other potential buyers, heres why this development is crucial read more

The delivery of the first batch of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines is a big moment for India | Image used for representational purposes/Reuters

The first batch of the export variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from India have arrived in the Philippines. Several media reports had previously noted that the delivery is likely to happen on Friday.

This export is a big deal for India. It has immense economic, diplomatic, and geopolitical significance, especially in the Indo-Pacific region.

Heres a look at what the BrahMos export deal with the Manila included, and why this delivery is a big step for New Delhi.

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The Philippines BrahMos order

In January 2022, India and the Philippines signed a $375 million deal. As part of the agreement, BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, an Indo-Russian joint venture, would provide three export variants of the supersonic BrahMos missile weapon systems to Manila. Each system has two missile launchers, a radar and a command-and-control centre. Two missiles can be fired within 10 seconds, from submarines, ships, aircraft, or from land platforms.

The deal includes an integrated logistics support package and training for operators and maintainers that the island nation will need for the BrahMos.

Now, two years after the pact was inked, the first batch of the munitions have finally arrived in the Philippines.

BrahMos supersonic cruise Missiles delivered to the Philippines by India today. The two countries had signed a deal worth USD 375 million in 2022. pic.twitter.com/aoBtjjYUJr  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Sources told Firstpost that the shipment comprises the first missile and other BrahMos battery systems.

A big first for India

According to the Ministry of Defence, India already exports systems such as the Dornier-228 aircraft, 155 mm Advanced Towed Artillery Guns, Akash missile system, radars, simulators, Mine Protected Vehicles, Armoured Vehicles, PINAKA rockets and launchers, thermal imagers, body armour, line replaceable units, parts and components of avionics (aviation electronics), and small arms.

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However, the India-Philippines BrahMos missile export agreement is understood to be the first major military export deal for New Delhi. India, the top importer of weapons in the world, has been pushing aggressively for greater self-reliance in this arena. In fact, the country has also set ambitious defence export targets and aims to eventually become a net exporter of defence products.

This delivery of the weapons system to the Philippines is a big victory for India in that direction. It is crucial for morale in the military-industrial complex (MIC) domestically. But that is not it. Internationally, and especially in the Southeast Asian region, it serves to bolster Indias reliability as a reliable new player when it comes to weapons exports.

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ALSO READ: Make in India in defence is a decisive shift; Modi 3.0 could see it becoming transformative

A boost for India-Philippines relations

India has been looking to strengthen its defence cooperation with the Philippines amid rising worries over Chinas military assertiveness in the South China Sea. The region is a significant source of hydrocarbons and Chinas claim of sovereignty over the entire area has raised concerns globally.

The BrahMos deal reiterated New Delhis commitment to maintaining strong relations with Manila. The deliveries are another step in that direction.

For India to maintain its circle of influence in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific, the support of countries like the Philippines means a lot.

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Another positive signal to nations interested in BrahMos

In June last year, Atul Dinkar Rane, the Director General of BrahMos Aerospace, said that as many as 12 countries had shown interest in missile system. Argentina and Vietnams interest in acquiring the system has been well-documented, too.

The BrahMos missiles are a big-ticket purchases. With big-ticket acquisitions concerning national security, countries look for as much assurance as possible regarding the reliability of the supply as well as the efficacy of the system.

This delivery is very likely to be seen as a positive signal by nations interested in the weapons system.

BrahMos is the worlds fastest supersonic missile, capable of travelling at almost three times the speed of sound. Image courtesy: Brahmos Aerospace

The strategic impact of the mode of delivery

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Reports suggest that at least one Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 Globemaster aircraft is being used to make the deliveries to the Philippines marine forces. This aircraft is used for delivering military cargo and troops.

The IAF C-17 is comparatively faster than civilian aircraft. Its speed and reliability are likely to leave a good impression on what can be expected in terms of future after-sales servicing and maintenance of the weapons system.

It is also an unmissable sign of the synergy between the Indian military and BrahMos Aerospace  and how that can be leveraged by India for regional trade and strategic partners.

With inputs from agencies
The first phase of the worlds largest voting exercise kicks off today in India. The UNSC puts to vote whether Palestine should become its member. Lets check out the news today read more

Supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) react as they listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally in Meerut on 31 March 2024. File image/AP

A defining Friday kicks off with voting in the worlds most populous state to begin today and voting on the global stage at the UNSC on a crucial topic will take place as well.

Lets get into the details of it all:

Phase 1 commences: Lok Sabha elections 2024 begin today!

Indias much-anticipated political event, the 2024 Lok Sabha election, is poised to kick off starting today, 19 April 2024. The electoral process will unfold in seven phases, mirroring the structure of the 2019 general elections.

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This inaugural phase will span 21 states, encompassing nearly 970 million eligible voters, across more than 1.2 million polling stations.

On March 16, 2024, the Election Commission of India unveiled the schedule for the Lok Sabha and four assembly elections. The Lok Sabha proceedings will commence on April 19, 2024. Per the ECs announcement, the election results will be declared on June 4.

UN Security Council vote on Palestinian membership

The United Nations Security Council is slated to convene today to vote on a Palestinian request for full UN membership, as reported by diplomats. However, the United States, a staunch ally of Israel, is anticipated to thwart the motion due to its implicit recognition of a Palestinian state.

Scheduled for 3 pm (1900 GMT) Friday, the council will deliberate on a draft resolution recommending the admission of the State of Palestine to UN membership.

A council resolution necessitates a minimum of nine affirmative votes without any veto from the US, Britain, France, Russia, or China to pass. Algeria, a council member, proposed the draft resolution, seeking a vote to coincide with a Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

PM Modis overnight stay at Nagpur

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Nagpur on April 19, where he will remain overnight before resuming his campaign activities the following day for phase 2. This marks Modis first overnight stay in the city since assuming office as Prime Minister.

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During his visit, Modi will address a rally in Wardha, where BJP candidate Ramdas Tadas is contesting. A senior BJP official remarked, The PM will lodge overnight at Raj Bhavan, marking his inaugural stay in the city since assuming office.

India to start delivery of BrahMos missiles to PhilippinesIndia will deliver the first set of BrahMos launchers and missiles ordered by the Philippines today.

Sources told The Print said the delivery will be carried out by two aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and civilian freight liners to the Clark International Airport in the province of Pampanga, Philippines.

Sources added that the shipment would also include some of the initial lot of missiles.

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The contract, which was the first major international export order for the Indian defence space, is for a shore-based variant of an anti-ship cruise missile, with a range of 290 km.

Wrestlers step into the ring!

Seventeen Indian wrestlers are heading to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, for the Asian Wrestling Olympic Qualifiers starting this Friday. Theyll be trying to earn spots for the Paris 2024 Summer Games. This qualifier is their second-to-last chance to secure a spot.

In Bishkek, there are 36 spots up for grabs across different weight categories. The wrestlers will compete in brackets, and if they make it to the semi-finals, they get a spot for their country. No need for gold medal matches or extra rounds!

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Today in History - April 19
France owes Haiti billions of dollars, say historians and various civil groups. Haiti is one of the most impoverished nations in the world. How did they get there? Is France to blame? read more

Historians claim that France should repay billions of dollars to Haiti to cover a debt formerly enslaved people were forced to pay in return for recognising the islands independence. File image/AP

A coalition of civil society groups is urging France to repay billions of dollars to Haiti, covering a debt imposed on formerly enslaved people in exchange for recognising the islands independence. Haiti, the first Caribbean state to achieve independence in 1804 after an enslaved revolt, faced harsh reparations from France, a burden that persisted until 1947, contributing to the countrys ongoing challenges.

In Geneva for a UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD), around 20 non-governmental organisations are advocating for an independent commission to oversee the repayment of this debt, which they label as a ransom, reported Reuters. They propose that the funds be allocated to public projects in Haiti, where a transition council seeks to restore stability amid recent violence.

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How much does France owe Haiti?

While France has previously acknowledged a moral debt to Haiti, the exact amount owed remains disputed. While some historians estimate Haitis loss at $21 billion, supporters of the proposal argue for a much larger sum, factoring in 200 years of interest enjoyed by France.

Jemima Pierre, a professor at the University of British Columbia specialising in global race, suggests the owed amount could be as high as $150 billion to $200 billion or more. The coalition hopes their recommendation, along with others, will be included in the UN forums conclusions expected on Friday. Last year, the PFPAD proposed forming a tribunal to address reparations for slavery.

What is the Haiti Independence Debt?

The Haiti Independence Debt stems from an 1825 agreement between Haiti and France, where France demanded an indemnity of 150 million francs from Haiti. This indemnity, totaling $21 billion in todays value, was in exchange for diplomatic recognition and involved claims over property lost during the Haitian Revolution, including Haitian slaves. The initial annual payment alone exceeded six times Haitis annual revenue.

Although the payment was later reduced to 90 million francs in 1838, equivalent to $33,875,264,271 in 2023, Haiti still paid approximately 112 million francs in total over 122 years. These payments significantly hindered Haitian economic development, as they constituted a substantial portion of Haitian GDP, limiting investment in infrastructure and public services.

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Frances demand for payments, delivered via French warships in 1825, forced Haiti to take large loans from the French bank Credit Industriel et Commercial, benefiting the banks shareholders. While France received its last indemnity payment in 1888, the United States funded the acquisition of Haitis treasury in 1911 to receive interest payments related to the indemnity. The remaining debt to France was later transferred to American investors in 1922, with Haiti finally paying off all associated interest to the National City Bank of New York (now Citibank) in 1947.

In 2016, the Parliament of France repealed the 1825 ordinance of Charles X, but France has not offered any reparations. Some historians and activists denounce these debts as contributing to Haitis present-day poverty and classify them as odious debt.

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How France robbed Haiti of its future: A timeline

1791: The worlds largest and most successful slave revolt begins in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), inspired by the French and American revolutions.

1804: Haiti declares independence from France, becoming the first black-led independent nation. It bans slavery permanently.

1825: France demands 150 million francs from Haiti as reparations for lost property, including slaves, under the threat of military action. Haiti agrees under duress, taking loans from a French bank to pay off the debt.

1862: The United States officially recognises Haiti, amid the abolition of slavery.

1911: The US funds the acquisition of Haitis treasury to receive interest payments related to the indemnity owed to France.

1934: The US officially withdraws from Haiti but continues to control its public finances until 1947, diverting a significant portion of Haitis national income to service debt repayments to the US and France.

1947: Haiti finally pays off all associated interest to the National City Bank of New York (now Citibank), completing the repayment of the indemnity to France after 122 years.

2010: Haiti is devastated by a catastrophic earthquake, prompting calls for reparations from France. French economist Thomas Piketty estimates France owes Haiti at least $28 billion.

2021: Thousands of refugees from Haiti seek asylum at the US-Mexico border, fleeing political instability, economic hardship, and natural disasters. The Biden administration faces criticism for deporting Haitian refugees back to their homeland.

Monique Clesca, a Haitian civil society activist, spoke to Reuters emphasising the need for France to acknowledge this issue and for progress to be made.

However, the French foreign ministry has not yet responded to these calls.

With inputs from agencies
US president Joe Bidens off-the-cuff remarks have become part of his legacy. In the latest, he claimed that cannibals ate his uncle after a plane crash during World War II. It is likely to kick up a storm read more

US President Joe Biden with reporters outside of the White House in Washington DC on 4 January, 2023. File image/AP

At 81 years young, United States president Joe Biden brings more than just political experience to the table, as he embarks on his quest for a second term in the White House. With a penchant for off-the-cuff remarks and a knack for leaving audiences scratching their heads, Bidens verbal escapades have become as much a part of his legacy as his decades-long career in politics.

We take a look at a few of the US commander-in-chiefs odd statements over the years:

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The cannibal conundrum

During a speech at the United Steelworkers Headquarters in Pittsburgh on Wednesday (17 April), Biden shared a peculiar anecdote about his uncle Ambrose Finnegans demise during World War II.

Biden suggested that his uncles remains were never recovered because there used to be a lot of cannibals in the region of New Guinea. Despite conflicting accounts from official sources, Bidens colorful recollection added yet another layer of intrigue to his repertoire of verbal gaffes.

Biden recalled, And my uncle, they called him  Ambrose, they called him Bosie and he became an Army Air Corps, before the Air Force came along, he flew those single engine planes as reconnaissance over war zones. And he got shot down in New Guinea, and they never found the body because there used to be a lot of cannibals  for real  in that part of the New Guinea.

The US president also told the story before departing Scranton, Pennsylvania, earlier in the day.

According to CNN, there was, in fact, documented cannibalism in the region in the mid-20th century.

However, analysts in Papua New Guinea said that the presidents claims were unsubstantiated and poorly judged The Melanesian group of people, who Papua New Guinea is part of, are a very proud people, Michael Kabuni, a lecturer in political science at the University of Papua New Guinea was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

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And they would find this kind of categorisation very offensive. Not because someone says oh there used to be cannibalism in PNG  yes, we know that, thats a fact.

God Save the Queen: A royal misstep

In a bewildering moment during a speech in June 2023 on gun control at the University of Hartford in Connecticut, Biden left onlookers perplexed with a sudden proclamation: God save the Queen, man.

BIDEN: God save the Queen!"



Hes in Connecticut. And the Queen is dead



pic.twitter.com/dfJKrR595x  Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) June 16, 2023

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The cryptic statement, left journalists and White House staffers grasping for an explanation, yet none was forthcoming.

Back in January 2017, when he was vice president and certified the results of the 2016 US presidential election, he muttered, God save the queen, into the microphone as he adjourned US Congress.

Brewery banter by Biden

At Earth Rider Brewery in Superior, Wisconsin in January 2023, Biden left audiences bemused with a rambling speech that included phrases like The beer brewed here, it is used to make the brew beered here.

He then added, Ooh, Earth Rider, thanks for the Great Lakes. I wonder why but trailed off as laughter from the audience drowned out his words.

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Also Read: Decoding Modi-Xi-Biden power triangle

Social media erupted with commentary on Bidens delivery, with some questioning his cognitive acuity while others chalked it up to his unique style.

One Colin Rugg wrote, JUST IN: President Biden sounds like he is speaking a different language while giving a speech at the Earth Rider Brewery in Superior, Wisconsin. Dont worry The media has assured us that he is sharper than ever!

Another user commented, Biden is having a VERY tough time reading from his giant teleprompter today." Donald Trumps campaign Twitter account Team Trump also chimed in, stating, COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED JOE BIDEN : By the way, it used to make beer brew here it is used to make the b-brew beard here [inaudible].

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Cryptic message at the State of the Union address

During his 2023 State of the Union address, to Republican lawmakers, Biden injected a dose of enigma into his speech with the remark, Lots of luck in your senior year. Interpreted variously by allies and observers, the true meaning behind this seemingly cryptic message remained elusive, much like many of Bidens verbal oddities.

Bidens Vietnam presser

During a press conference in Vietnam last year in September, Biden added to his collection of perplexing remarks with a sudden declaration of bedtime plans amid questions about US-China relations.

As a matter of fact, he said, I think its less likely to cause that kind of conflict.

And look, nobody likes having celebrated international meetings, if you dont know what you want at the meeting. If you dont have a game plan. He may have a game plan. He just hasnt shared it with me, said Biden haltingly. But I tell you what, I dont know about you, but Im going to go to bed.

His seemingly off-the-cuff remarks, coupled with moments of confusion and abrupt endings, left both social media and reporters abuzz with speculation.

The Dog-faced pony soldier?

On the campaign trail in New Hampshire back in 2020, Biden famously referred to a skeptical voter as a lying, dog-faced pony soldier, claiming it was a line from a John Wayne film.

Despite his insistence, no such dialogue could be traced back to the legendary actors repertoire, adding yet another layer of mystery to Bidens linguistic quirks.

Also Read: Bidens reveal their taxes, Trump does not. Why it matters ahead of 2024 presidential elections

As Bidens verbal acrobatics continue to captivate and confound, one thing remains certain: his linguistic flair adds a dash of unpredictability to the political landscape. It also raises questions about his age and stamina.

In a world of scripted politics, Bidens linguistic riddles offer a refreshing reminder of authenticity and spontaneity at least to his supporters. After all, in the realm of presidential quirks, its just Biden being Biden.

With inputs from agencies
After the US withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal under Donald Trump, Tehran breached restrictions on its nuclear activities. It is now enriching uranium to up to 60 per cent purity and producing enough weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear bomb is not implausible read more

The Iranian military displays missles at Tehran's Baharestan square in in front of a poster of the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. As tensions between Iran and Israel escalate, the spotlight is on Tehran's nuclear programme. File photo/Reuters

The world has been waiting and watching. How will Israel respond to Irans weekend attack? Now reports have emerged that the Jewish nation has struck despite discouragement from its Western allies.

Israel has reportedly carried out a strike inside Iran, a move that threatens a wider conflict in the region. Multiple explosions were heard near a military base in Isfahan, according to reports from Iranian semi-official FARS news, where fighter jets are located in the northwest part of the city.

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Amid the escalation, the spotlight is on Irans nuclear facilities. On Thursday, a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said that Iran could review its nuclear doctrine amid Israeli threats. This raised concerns about Tehrans nuclear programme, which it has said time and again was strictly for peaceful purposes.

What does this threat mean? And does Iran have nuclear bombs? We explain.

What do we know about Irans nuclear programme?

In 1970, when Iran was ruled by the Shah, it ratified the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NTP) with plans to expand its nuclear programme. These plans were discontinued following the Islamic Revolution, which resulted in the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty and the establishment of an Islamic republic in 1979.

In the late 1980s, Iran established an undeclared nuclear programme called the AMAD project. It came under international pressure, paused its plan, and went on to sign an additional protocol to the NTP. This gave the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), an inter-governmental organisation that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, more powers to verify the programme, according to a report in The Indian Express.

In 2006, the United States, Russia and China joined Britain, France and Germany to form the P5+ group of nations, as it tried to persuade Iran to curb its nuclear ambitions.

Three years later, under then-US president Barack Obama, the US conducted extensive one-on-one talks with Irans top nuclear negotiator. The first breakthrough was announced in 2013 when Iran and six nations of the P5+ group signed an interim agreement that temporarily curbed the nuclear programme. Some of Irans assets were unfrozen paving the way for further negotiations, the report says.

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A view of the reactor at the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, 1200 km south of Tehran. File photo/Reuters

What is the Iran nuclear deal? How did it fall through?

In 2015, the Iran nuclear deal  formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action [JCPOC]  was signed between Iran and P5 along with the European Union. Iran would limit its nuclear programme and would get relief from sanctions from the US and other nations.

The deal slashed Irans stock of enriched uranium, leaving it only with a small amount enriched to up to 3.67 per cent purity, far from the roughly 90 per cent purity that is weapons-grade.

The United States said at the time that a main aim was to increase the time Iran would need to produce enough fissile material for a nuclear bomb  the biggest single hurdle in a weapons programme - to at least a year, reports Reuters.

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A year later, as the IAEA said that Iran had kept its word, most sanctions were lifted. This allowed Irans entry into the global banking system and it opened doors for the country to export crude oil and natural gas.

A man watches a television broadcast of Donald Trumps speech, in Tehran in October 2017. The US withdrew from the deal in May 2018.

But when Donald Trump came to power, he pulled the US out of the deal in May 2018. He campaigned on a promise of withdrawing from the accord, as he felt it did not address Irans ballistic missile programme or its involvement in regional conflicts. He reimposed sanctions on Tehran that slashed its oil says and battered its economy.

Also read: Israel carries out strike against Iran: What could Tehrans next steps be?

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What happened after the deal fell through?

After the US withdrew from the pact, in June 2018, Iran announced it would expand its enrichment infrastructure within the limits of the JCPOA. However, it started breaching the restrictions on its nuclear activities and then pushed far beyond them.

In May 2019, Tehran said it would not abide by some of its commitments under the deal unless other members agreed to its economic demands. In July of that year, the IAEA warned that Iran had exceeded its enrichment limits.

Can Iran produce nuclear weapons?

Iran has now breached all the deals key restrictions, including where, with what machines and to what level it can enrich uranium, as well as how much material it can stockpile. Its stock of enriched uranium, which was capped at 202.8 kg under the deal, stood at 5.5 tonnes in February, according to the latest quarterly report by the United Nations nuclear watchdog that inspects Irans enrichment plants.

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Iran is now enriching uranium to up to 60 per cent purity and has enough material enriched to that level, if enriched further, for two nuclear weapons, according to the IEAEs theoretical definition, reports Reuters. That means Irans so-called breakout time, the time it would need to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear bomb is close to zero, likely a matter of weeks or days.

A missile is seen front of a poster of the Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a military exhibition in Tehran. File photo/AP

As a result of Iran ceasing to implement elements of the deal, the IAEA can no longer fully monitor Irans production and inventory of centrifuges and machines that enrich uranium. It can no longer conduct snap inspections. That has prompted speculation about whether Iran could have set up a secret enrichment site, but there are no concrete indications of one, the report says.

Also read: Is Iran close to building a nuclear bomb?

Can Iran produce nuclear weapons?

Aside from uranium enrichment, there is the question of how long it would take Iran to produce the rest of a nuclear weapon and potentially make it small enough to put in a delivery system like a ballistic missile, should it choose to. This is much harder to estimate as it is less clear how much knowledge Iran has, reports Reuters.

US intelligence agencies and the IAEA believe Iran had a coordinated nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003. It worked on aspects of weaponisation and some work continued until as late as 2009, the IAEA found in a 2015 report.

In March 2023, the top US military officer at the time, General Mark Milley, testified to Congress that weaponisation would take Iran several months, though he did not say what that assessment was based on.

Demonstrators wave a huge Iranian flag backdropped by a building emblazoned with anti-Israeli messages, in Tehran, on 15 April, a day after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles in a revenge mission against Israel. AP

In a quarterly report in February this year, the IAEA said, Public statements made in Iran regarding its technical capabilities to produce nuclear weapons only increase the director generals concerns about the correctness and completeness of Irans safeguards declarations.

Diplomats said those statements included a television interview by Irans former nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi in which he likened producing a nuclear weapon to building a car, and said Iran knew how to make the parts needed, reports Reuters.

Also read: Iran vs Israel: Which country has the better, bigger military?

Can Iran turn to its nuclear capabilities amid tensions with Israel?

A day before the Israel strike, the IRG commander spoke of Irans nuclear doctrine.

The threats of the Zionist regime (Israel) against Irans nuclear facilities make it possible to review our nuclear doctrine and deviate from our previous considerations, Ahmad Haghtalab, the Guards commander in charge of nuclear security, was quoted as saying by the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Thursday.

This remark has only added to speculation about Iran weaponising its nuclear programme

Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has the last say on what Tehran does next. While the country has always denied having a nuclear weapons programme, Khamenei has once said that if it wanted to world leaders wouldnt be able to stop us.

With inputs from agencies
Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said Israel will never be victorious over Hezbollah and Hamas in a rare appearance leading Friday prayers in Tehran. For the Islamic Republics most powerful leader, the Jewish nation and the US have been foes for long read more

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, second right, Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehei, right, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, second left, and President Masoud Pezeshkian read Quran in a ceremony commemorating slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, at Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, Iran, October 4, 2024. (Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP)

Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei hailed the countrys recent missile strikes on Israel, calling the attack legal and legitimate. Leading the Friday prayers in Tehran for the first time in five years, he said that Israel will never be victorious over Hezbollah and Hamas.

Iran fired at least 180 missiles at Israel on Tuesday, in response to the killings of Lebanese group Hezbollahs leader Hassan Nasrallah and Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Abbas Nilforoushan in Beirut last week, and the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil in July.

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Khamenei, 85, said, The resistance in the region will not back down even with the killing of its leaders. With a rifle by his side, Irans supreme leader reportedly said the Islamic Republic would not procrastinate nor act hastily to carry out its duty in confronting Israel.

In his 40-minute speech to thousands of people at the Mosalla mosque, the main prayer site in Irans capital, Khamenei justified Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year as legitimate action by the Palestinian people.

Our resisting people in Lebanon and Palestine, you brave fighters, you loyal and patient people, these martyrdoms and the blood that was shed shouldnt shake your determination but make you more persistent, he said.

His address comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, with fears of them spilling over further in West Asia.

Lets take a closer look at the rise of Ali Khamenei and how he became and continues to hold the position of Irans most powerful man.

Early life of Khamenei

Ali Khamenei was born in Mashhad, a religious centre in Iran. He was the second son of Sayyed Javad Khamenei, described by Ali as a humble and poor Islamic scholar and an ascetic.

After studying initially at seminaries in his home city, he moved to the Shia holy city of Qom. And in 1962, he joined the religious opposition movement of Ayatollah Khomeini against Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

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He soon became a devoted follower of Khomeini. In fact, Irans current supreme leader says that everything he has done and believes is derived from Khomeinis vision of Islam. He was arrested numerous times in the 1960s and 1970s, spending several years in prison where he was tortured by the Savak secret police.

In June 1981, while he was addressing a speech in the Abouzar Mosque, a bomb, concealed in a tape recorder exploded besides him, leaving him paralysed in his right arm. In the same year, after one president was impeached and a second assassinated, Khamenei was asked by the revolutionary elites to run for president. He served the maximum two terms  from 1981 to 1989. The Iran Iraq war broke out amid his tenure, making it the most significant part of his reign.

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Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been the countrys most powerful leader since 1989. File image/Reuters

Ascension as Irans supreme leader

When Ayatollah Khomeini died in 1989, there was no heir apparent. This was because he had fired him just months before his demise. It was then that Ali Khamenei emerged as the default choice to become the new supreme leader. His appointment was opposed by some senior clerics who felt he was unqualified, but the Assembly of Experts eventually approved him.

In fact, Irans constitution was amended to say the Supreme Leader had to show Islamic scholarship, enabling Ali Khamenei to be selected. The BBC reports that he was also elevated overnight from the clerical rank of Hojjat al-Islam to ayatollah.

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Furthermore, the constitution was changed in order to abolish the position of prime minister and vest more powers in the presidency.

By the powers vested in me

Today, Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei is the most powerful man in Iran. He has constitutional authority over the judiciary, the regular armed forces and the elite Revolutionary Guards, and the state-controlled media.

Moreover, he heads Irans 12-member Guardian Council, which has the authority to vet electoral candidates and veto parliamentary decisions.

The constitution of Iran also empowers him to develop the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran and declare war and peace and mobilise armed forces. He also decides Irans foreign policy and makes decisions on its economy. It has been to refashion the economy and make it more resistant to international sanctions  what he dubs as the economy of resistance.

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Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei heads the IRGC and also is empowered by the constitution to declare war and peace and mobilise armed forces. File image/Reuters

To achieve this mission, Iran seeks to rely on outside states such as China and Russia, as well as neighbours such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

But despite his powers, Khamenei has faced troubles from the presidents and other officials of his country. One name worth mentioning here is Akbar Rafsanjani, who had initially helped in Khameneis rise to power. As one Iranian academic told Inews, Khamenei never forgave the the Rafsanjani-Rouhani alliance for promoting some degree of rapprochement with the decadent West, and thats why he ordered the death of Rafsanjani, the person who made him the supreme leader.

Another noteworthy name was Mohammad Khatami, who was in office between 1997 and 2005. He pushed for social and political freedom in Iran, but was blocked by Khamenei.

Khameneis hate for the US and Israel

Since ascending to the top position in Iran, Khamenei has been wary of the West, especially the United States and Israel. When he was president in 1981, he had vowed to stamp out deviation, liberalism, and American-influenced leftists.

Moreover, when Donald Trump abandoned the nuclear accord in 2018, he had said: I said from the first day: dont trust America.

According to Khamenei, Washington seeks a patron-client relationship with Iran that existed during the Pahlavi monarchy. In fact, hes not as concerned about a US military invasion, but, as carnegieendowment.org notes, a political and cultural campaign to undermine theocratic rule through a soft or velvet revolution.

An Iranian woman holds a picture of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The 85-year-old continues to wield the most amount of power in the country. File image/Reuters

Irans Supreme Leader also views Israel and the US as the two sides of the same coin. He has repeatedly called for the elimination of the state of Israel, and in 2018, described the country as a cancerous tumour that had to be removed from the region.

The Supreme Leader has also been a sceptic of the Holocaust. In 2014, he wrote on his social media feed: The Holocaust is an event whose reality is uncertain and if it has happened, its uncertain how it has happened.

His hatred for Israel has also led him to call the Jewish nation a terrorist base. Israel is not a country, but a terrorist base against the nation of Palestine and other Muslim nations, hes been quoted as saying, adding: Fighting this despotic regime is fighting oppression and terrorism, and (doing so) is everyones duty, he added.

In the aftermath of the deadly attacks perpetrated by Hamas last October, which led to the ongoing war in Gaza, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, We congratulate the Palestinian fighters. We will stand by the Palestinian fighters until the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem.

Al-Monitor also quoted the Iranian leader hailed Hamas for the epic victory and the destructive earthquake it inflicted upon Israel.

A Hezbollah supporter holds a portrait of Irans supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. File image/AP

And following Israels attack on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital, he had promised revenge, saying Israel would be punished. 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, Khamenei said in a message published on his official website.

And he did. Last Saturday, he ordered the strike from Iran against Israel, launching 300 missiles and drones.

It will be interesting to see how the Ayatollah responds to Israels latest action. For now, all we can do is wait and watch.

With inputs from agencies
Early Friday, Israel retaliated against Iran with strikes, targeting the city of Isfahan. Experts have said the Jewish nations choice of the city is strategic, as it is the centre of Irans nuclear programme  it operates three reactors here. It is also the base for the F-14 fighter jets fleet read more

A technician checks valves at the uranium conversion facility in Isfahan, 450 km south of Tehran. Early Friday, Israel struck the city, known for its nuclear facility. File image/Reuters

Defying calls from its allies for restraint and calm, Israel on early Friday morning reportedly launched a strike against Tehran in retaliation to its last weekends attack, plunging West Asia into further conflict.

Early Friday morning around 4.30 am local time, explosions could be heard in the city of Isfahan with US officials confirming that Israel had launched an attack against Iran. The Iranian media said the country had brought down three drones, but refuted claims of a missile strike.

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We take a better look at the city of Isfahan and why Israel chose this site for its attack.

Significance of Isfahan

Located in western Iran, Isfahan is situated on the north bank of the Zayandeh River and houses a population of nearly 20 lakh. In the 17th Century, the citys wealth and grandeur inspired the rhyming proverb, Isfahan nesf-e jahan, or Isfahan is half the world.

Today, Isfahan is mainly known abroad as the site of Irans premier nuclear research facility. Several other nuclear sites are also in Isfahans province  including the underground Natanz enrichment site.

Iranians gather on the iconic Khaju Bridge over the Zayandeh Rud river in Isfahan. In the 17th Century, the citys wealth and grandeur inspired the rhyming proverb, Isfahan nesf-e jahan, or Isfahan is half the world. File image/AFP

As per a report in The Guardian, the nuclear facility in Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Irans civilian nuclear programme.

And in February, Iran had stated that it was building a fourth nuclear research reactor in Isfahan. Iran described the 10-megawatt reactor as a research reactor, saying it would have a variety of applications including fuel and nuclear material tests and the production of industrial radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals.

In addition to the nuclear sites, Isfahan is also the eighth hunting base of the Army Air Force, reported FARS news.

Former US assistant secretary of state Mark Kimmitt told the BBC that Israel might have chosen Isfahan as its target owing to its significance to Tehran. Isfahan really is to a great extent the centre of the Iranian nuclear programme in terms of training, research and, what some would say, the development of the Iranian nuclear capability.

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So its a likely site that Israel would hit because the greatest fear the Israelis have is not continued missiles today but a nuclear capability tomorrow.

Michael Clarke, a military analyst for Sky News, also agreed with this theory. He told the British news outlet that Isfahan would make sense as a target as its home to one of the least sensitive nuclear sites.

The fact that Isfahan is one of the cities that does quite a lot of nuclear work is also symbolically quite important, I think, if the Israelis are indicating that theyre not frightened to go after these sites, he was quoted as telling Sky News.

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Col Cedric Leighton (retired), an US air force official, also told CNN that Isfahans air base is co-located to its airport. Also, Isfahan is the home of Irans fleet of F-14 fighters, purchased before the 1979 Islamic revolution.

US Major General Mark MacCarley (retired) further explained to CNN that by targeting Isfahan, Israel was issuing a warning that it could overwhelm Irans defences.

I think that there was a very deliberate thought process on the part of the Israeli war cabinet," he said, adding, Israelis had to retaliate, but at the same time, within that retaliation was a message, and that is, Yes, we can get through. Dont do it again. If you do it again, then all heck will break out.

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A view of a damage building after a fire broke out at Irans Natanz Nuclear Facility, in Isfahan, Iran. File image/Reuters

Isfahan safe

Shortly after Israels attack, state media in Iran showed visuals from the city of , perhaps to downplay the strike. Irans media also reported that the nuclear facilities in the city were completely secure.

Nuclear facilities in Isfahan province are completely secure, Tasnim news agency reported quoting reliable sources.

Genera Siavosh Mihandoost, a local army commander, also said that the incident caused no damage around Isfahan.

The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, also stated that there has been no damage to Irans nuclear sites. Furthermore, it said that it was monitoring the situation and urged for extreme restraint.

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Airlines diverted, tensions rise

Iran on Friday morning stated that it had deployed the countrys defence system and three drones had been shot down over the central city of Isfahan. Brigadier General Siavash Mihandoust confirmed that air defence batteries hit a suspicious object. There was no damage, according to the senior commander.

Israel has remained completely mum on the situation. Only Israels firebrand leader Tally Gotliv posted on X, Good morning dear people of Israel. A morning on which our head is held high with pride.

Israel is a strong and powerful country. May we regain the power of deterrence, she wrote.

Meanwhile, airlines scrambled to quickly change flight paths over Iran, diverting to alternate airports, or returning planes to their points of origin in response to the temporary airspace and airport closures following the reported explosions in Irans city of Isfahan.

Earlier, Iran closed its airports in Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan after the reported explosions and cleared flights from the western portion of its airspace for a few hours, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24.

Among those that cancelled flights to Tehran was the United Arab Emirates budget airline, Fly Dubai, according to Reuters news agency. One of its earlier flights turned back to Dubai, it said.

Moreover, Australia has urged its citizens to leave Israel, fearing a military reprisal. The US has also restricted travel for its embassy personnel in Israel and their family members out of an abundance of caution following reports of Israels retaliatory strike on Iran.

The embassy said staff have been told not to travel outside the greater Tel Aviv region - including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda - and the Jerusalem and Beer Sheva areas until further notice.

With inputs from agencies
Israel has carried out a strike against Iran, targeting the city of Isfahan. While the attack has not caused any damage, it has further escalated tensions between the two countries. How will Tehran respond to the strike? Indicators point out that a larger and more immediate action could be on the horizon read more

A handout image shows what the TV said was a live picture of the city of Isfahan, following reports of explosions heard in the province in central Iran. AFP

Friday morning (19 April), Iranians woke up to the sounds of explosions, with reports stating that Israel had responded to Tehrans last weekends attack.

Shortly after the explosions took place, around 5.49 am in Tehran, reports also came in that the nation had suspended flights and that flyers at Irans Imam Khomeini International Airport were informed that all flights had been cancelled.

If it is to be believed that the explosions are Israels answer to the weekend attack, how will Tehran respond? What options does it have? What may come next?

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Explosions heard, flights cancelled and more

Early Friday morning, a loud explosion was reported from the Iranian city of Ghahjaworstan, located northwest of the city of Isfahan, according to the Iranian semi-official FARS news agency. The city of Ghahjaworstan is located near Isfahan Airport and the eighth hunting base of the Army Air Force, FARS news said.

Isfahan is home to sites associated with Irans nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli attacks. However, state television described all sites in the area as fully safe.

A US official confirmed to ABC News that the explosion was courtesy an Israel strike on the nation. Later, two other US officials asserted to CBS News that an Israeli missile has hit Iran.

Israels action is believed to be its response to Iran for the weekend strike it carried out in which it unleashed over 300 missiles and drones at the Jewish nation. Despite the scale of the attack, least damage had been caused, as 99 per cent of the projectiles had been intercepted, courtesy Israels multi-layered aerial defence system and its allies, the US, UK, France and even Jordan.

Israel has remained mum on the matter. However, an US official told Fox News that Tel Aviv had launched a limited strike against Tehran. File image/Reuters

Shortly after the explosions, Iran has suspended flights over several cities including the central city of Isfahan. Flights over Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran cities have been suspended, state media reports.

Additionally, announcements were made at Tehrans Imam Khomeini International Airport that all flights were cancelled and passengers were ordered to leave the airport. News agency AP reported that Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4.30 am local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

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State television also reported the news, announcing that a loud noise had occurred near Isfahan.

Iran, it is reported, soon fired air defence batteries, with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) stating that defences had been fired across several provinces. However, it didnt elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire.

A US official, according to a Times of Israel report, stated that while Israel had struck Iran, their target wasnt a nuclear facility. Fox News citing a source added that the strike was limited.

As of now, neither Israel nor the US has officially confirmed anything.

Meanwhile, Iran says it shot down several drones and that there had been no missile attack for now on the country. Several drones have been successfully shot down by the countrys air defense, there are no reports of a missile attack for now, Irans space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian said on X.

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Irans counter-response

Now that it is believed that Israel has launched a limited strike on Iran, we explore what could Tehrans next steps be. Analysts note that Israels tit-for-tat action threatens to trigger further deadly conflict throughout West Asia.

Earlier, on Thursday (18 April), Iran had warned that its response to Israel in case of any further military action would be immediate and at a maximum level. In case the Israeli regime embarks on adventurism again and takes action against the interests of Iran, the next response from us will be immediate and at a maximum level, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian had told CNNs Erin Burnett in an interview.

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Irans foreign minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has warned that its response to Israel in case of any further military action would be immediate and at a maximum level. Reuters

He added that Iran sincerely hoped Israel would not repeat the previous egregious error, referencing the apparent Israeli strike in Damascus. If the Israeli regime commits the grave error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them, said the foreign minister, We do not seek to create tension and crisis or increase such situations in the Middle East and we sincerely hope the Israeli regime does not repeat the previous egregious error.

Meanwhile, a top Iranian commander also hinted that the country could develop nuclear weapons if Israel were to launch an attack. Ahmad Haqtalab, a Revolutionary Guards officer who heads the nuclear protection and security corps, said to IRNA agency, If the fake Zionist regime intends to resort to the threat of attacking our nuclear facilities as a means to put pressure on Iran, reviewing the current doctrine and nuclear policies of the Islamic Republic and distancing from past considerations is possible and conceivable.

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Even Iranian armed forces chief of staff, Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri had warned that Irans response to Israel if the Jewish nation chose to counter would be bigger. In the immediate aftermath of Saturdays attack, Bagheri had said: Our response will be much larger than tonights military action if Israel retaliates against Iran.

Besides a nuclear threat, which in the opinion of analysts seems highly unlikely, Iran has several other weapons in its arsenal to counterattack Israel. Tehran boasts of being one of the largest arsenals of ballistic missiles and drones in West Asia. This includes cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles, as well as ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,000 kilometres.

A model of a missile is seen during a celebration following the IRGC attack on Israel, in Tehran, Iran. Tehran could use its stable of missiles against Israel, if it chose to do so. Reuters

Moreover, theres also the fear that Irans proxy militias, also known as the Axis of Resistance, which includes the Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis would get even further involved in the conflict.

In fact, Hezbollahs second in command Naim Qassem in a previous interview to NBC News said: If Israel attacks us and aggresses us, then we will definitely respond. If they escalate, we will escalate.

A larger war

Now, what comes next? Many fear that the attack, the counter attack and a possible retaliation to the attack would lead to a larger conflict in the region.

The US, UK and others would like to avoid a larger escalation as it threatens to upend the geopolitical order in the world. It also could have an impact on the global oil prices.

As of now, Australia has already urged its citizens to leave Israel, fearing more violence. Theres a high threat of military reprisals and terrorist attacks against Israel and Israeli interests across the region. The security situation could deteriorate quickly. We urge Australians in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories to depart if its safe to do so, said a post.

With inputs from agencies
About 60 per cent of voter turnout was recorded until 7 pm in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on Friday. Now that the votes are cast on the Electronic Voting Machines, they have to be stored securely until the day of the counting of the ballots. So, how is it done? read more

Women wait to cast their votes as one of them stands behind a selfie point during the first round of voting of India's national election in Behror, Rajasthan, on 19 April 2024. AP

The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections is done and dusted. As many as 102 constituencies spread across 21 states and Union Territories were up for grabs on Friday (19 April).

About 60 per cent of turnout was recorded till 7 pm across the country. Over 16.63 crore voters were eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 1,625 candidates in the first phase of Indias general elections.

Now that the ballots have been cast at the polling booths, the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) have to be kept safe till the counting of votes on 4 June.

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So, how is it done? We explain.

What are EVMs?

EVM is an electronic device to register votes. It has two parts  the control unit and the balloting unit. While the control unit is with the polling officer, the balloting unit is used by electors to cast their votes.

Voters press one of the blue buttons placed against the serial number, name and symbol of the candidate of their choice. They can also select the None of the Above (NOTA) option if they deem none of the candidates worthy.

An election officer shows the functioning of the EVM and VVPAT during a training programme for polling officials in Dehradun on 18 March 2024. PTI File Photo

Another unit of the EVM is the voter-verifiable-paper-audit-trail (VVPAT). Once the voter chooses the candidate of their choice, a paper slip appears on a transparent screen for around seven seconds before getting stored in a sealed drop box.

What happens after polling?

Once polling is complete, the presiding or the polling officer has to create an account of the votes recorded in the EVMs. Each candidates polling agent gets an attested copy of this, as per an Indian Express report.

Then, the EVMs are sealed. Candidates and their agents can put their signatures on the seals which can help them know if there is any tampering with it, the report added.

The EVMs are then transferred to the strong room, the location of which is preferred to be close to the counting centre. Candidates or their representatives can follow the vehicles carrying these machines from the polling stations to the strong room.

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ALSO READ: Lok Sabha elections 2024: FAQs for voters as polls begin

How strong rooms are guarded

EVMs are stored in strong rooms under robust security conditions. After all EVMs reach the strong room, it is sealed and the candidates or their representative can put their own seals or locks, reported Indian Express. They can also monitor the strong rooms around the clock.

There has to be an uninterrupted power supply in the strong rooms during the time EVMs are kept.

The strong room is guarded by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) 24x7. CCTVs are also installed inside the strong room where polled EVMs are kept.

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Workers carry Electronic Voting Machines and other election material to be loaded on to a truck for distribution on the eve of the first round of voting in the six-week-long national election in Chennai, on 18 April 2024. AP File Photo

A triple-tier guard protects these strong rooms. The innermost layer is of CAPF, the second tier consists of a guard of the state armed police and the third would be district executive force.

After the strong rooms are sealed, it is not opened until the result day. In case they have to be opened before owing to inevitable reasons, it can be done only when the candidate or their designated agents are present.

They are allowed to place their seals or locks again after the room is shut.

Result day

The EVMs are brought to the counting centres on the day of the results. The representatives of the candidates are shown the unique IDs of the seals and control unit before the counting starts, as per Economic Times (ET).

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After the counting of votes is done and the winner is declared, EVMs are again kept in strong rooms and the storage facility is locked and sealed.

After results are declared candidates are given 45 days to apply for re-voting. Fourty-five days is the window period wherein if the candidate has any doubts over the results, they can apply for re-counting. There have been many instances where the margin of votes between winner and second runner-up is very less, like a few thousand or hundreds. There have been instances where margin is a single vote as well so in such cases recounting is proposed by a candidate. However, once 45 days have passed re-counting cannot happen, a senior senior from the Election Commission of India (EC) had told India Today in 2019.

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Are EVMs unsafe?

Concerns have been raised about the safety of EVMs, with some claiming that the machines can be manipulated. However, the EC maintains that EVMs are safe.

Recently, the poll body told the Supreme Court that EVMs cannot be tampered with at any stage. The top court was hearing petitions seeking cross-verification of 100 per cent of votes cast on EVMs with VVPAT paper slips.

For now, the cross-verification of EVM-VVPAT is carried out in five random polling booths in a constituency.

The Supreme Court has reserved its judgement in the case.

With inputs from agencies
Its Phase 1 of Indias Lok Sabha election and poll fever is high. This time, the country will see over 96.8 crore voters casting their democratic rights in seven phases. But such an exercise is also cost-sensitive. From Rs 10.5 crore in 1951-52, the expenditure of Indias elections has risen to a whopping Rs 3,870 crore in 2014 read more

Polling officials collect Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and other election material at a distribution centre on the eve of the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Nagpur. This is India's biggest election and perhaps also its most expensive. PTI

D-Day is finally here. Starting today (19 April), India will go to the polls to elect members to the Parliament in seven different phases.

Conducting Indias election is no easy task. The Election Commission (EC) has to ensure that voters across the length and breadth of our vast nation is given an opportunity to vote. It also has to cater to a large crowd  this time, there are around 96.8 crore people eligible to vote this election.

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As the EC says, India gets ready for the celebration of democracy A mammoth exercise in democracy which is worlds largest electoral movement of man and material.

But conducting an election on such a large scale also means a big, big cost. We explore just how much does it cost to conduct a Lok Sabha election, and who burdens this expense.

Rs 10.5 crore and rising

When India conducted its first election in 1951-52, it took the Election Commission 68 phases to complete the electoral exercise. At the time, it cost the country Rs 10.5 crore to organise the Lok Sabha election.

Since then, theres been no looking back. With each election and the rise in the number of eligible voters, the cost of the poll has also increased significantly. In fact, it is only the 1957 election that saw a drop in the costs.

In 2014, the year Narendra Modi was elected, the cost of the Lok Sabha election was Rs 3,870 crore. And, if a report published by New Delhi-based Centre for Media Studies is to be believed, then the cost of the polls in 2019 was a whopping Rs 50,000 crore ($7 billion). Compare this to the approximately $6.5 billion that was spent during the 2016 US presidential election, as per OpenSecrets.org, which tracks money in American politics.

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If one analyses the data even further, it is revealed that the EC spent 6 paise per elector in 1951 and that increased to Rs 46 in 2014.

N Bhaskara Rao, chairman of the Centre for Media Studies, was quoted as telling Bloomberg that most of the money spent was on social media.

Simon Chauchard, a Columbia University lecturer who has followed elections in India, concurs with this analysis, stating: Indian politicians feel youve got to do new things, and crazier things, and bigger things and louder things. Its a bunch of panicky candidates throwing money around to voters but also to vendors selling all kinds of stuff useful in a political campaign.

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And if we go by the previous years, then 2024s election cost would approximately cost the double of the last election, which means a whopping Rs 10,00,00 crore.

Breaking down the biggest costs

But what exactly does the EC spend on during polls? There is a myriad of expenses they make  from deploying officials and armed personnel, to setting up polling booths, procuring electronic voting machines (EVMs) and other paraphernalia, including the edible ink, and running awareness programmes.

Of these, procurement of EVMs is a significant part of expenses. As per an Indian Express report, since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls were completed, the expenditure on procuring and maintaining EVMs has risen. In the first Budget after the election, the Centre allocated Rs 25 crore for EVMs. In the latest Budget, Rs 1,891.8 crore was initially allocated for EVMs, with Sitharaman tabling an additional Rs 611.27 crore demand for grants in the Winter Session of the House.

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Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) and other election material being distributed from Nandanam Arts college to the respective polling booths on the eve of the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, in Chennai. PTI

Another big expenditure is the administrative costs. The EC has to pay its officials and volunteers for the poll-related work. The officials are paid for attending training sessions and travelling. It also conducts campaigns and videographs polling and campaigns of political parties. These measures have increased the expenses manifold.

In fact, as per an order released by the EC, dated as recently as 22 March, a presiding officer is paid Rs 350 per day, whereas polling officers are paid Rs 250 per day.

The ECs budget, as per government data, has increased from Rs 236.6 crore in 2018-2019 to Rs 340 crore in the 2023-2024. This coincides with the rise in EC staff  from 591 personnel in 2022 to 855 in 2024.

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Experts note that the rising cost of elections is not surprising considering the scale of the Lok Sabha elections. In the first general election, there were 1,874 candidates from 53 parties contesting in 401 constituencies (including dual member seats) requiring 1.96 lakh polling booths.

In 2019, these figures rose manifold  with 8,054 candidates from 673 parties in 543 constituencies with 10.37 lakh polling booths.

Security personnel and polling officials with EVMs and other election material leave for election duty ahead of the first phase of voting for Lok Sabha elections, in Doda. PTI

Burdening the cost

And who shoulders this total expense? As per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Law and Order in October 1979, the Centre bears the cost of the Lok Sabha election fully.

Similarly, the cost of state Assembly elections that are held are completely borne by the state government. However, if the elections to state and Lok Sabha are being conducted simultaneously, the cost is borne by both the state and the Centre equally.

This time along with the Lok Sabha polls, the states of Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha will also go to the polls on 13 May.

Polling officials sort papers after collecting election materials at a distribution centre, ahead of the first phase of Indias general election, in Alipurduar district in West Bengal. Reuters

A long, drawn out election

This election is bound to be expensive considering the duration of the polling period. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be held across seven phases  spanning across a long and tiring 44 days. The first phase will be today (19 April), followed by the second on 26 April, and then the next phases are on 7 May, 13 May, 20 May, 25 May and 1 June, respectively. Results for the polls will be announced on 4 June.

The t otal days of the electoral process this time, from the announcement of the polls by the Election Commission on Saturday till counting of votes, is 82.

The 2024 poll season, stretching over 44 days, is the longest ever since the first Lok Sabha election in 1951-52. Those polls were held from 25 October 1951 to 21 February, 1952 and had a whopping 68 phases in which an astronomical 10,59,50,083 exercised their newly acquired voting right.

Also read:

With inputs from agencies
Spain is dealing with more than just severe weather  a cockroach outbreak has emerged, raising public health concerns. Experts say cockroaches have become even more resilient due to a shift in their genetic composition. Unusually high temperatures due to climate change could be the reason read more

Experts warn that cockroaches are growing more prevalent in Spanish homes, bars, and restaurants. Freepik/Representative Image

Summers high temperatures bring a plague of cockroaches

Spain is dealing with more than just the severe weather  a cockroach outbreak has emerged, raising public health concerns.

In addition to an alarming increase in infestations, cockroaches have become even more resilient due to a shift in their genetic composition.

Experts think climate change could be the reason.

Lets take a look.

Rising number of mutant cockroaches

Authorities in Spain have noted that the number of infections has increased significantly this year, rising by 33 per cent over the rate in 2023, as per Euro News.

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Experts warn that cockroaches are growing more prevalent in Spanish homes, bars, and restaurants.

As per The Local, based on data by EL PERINDICO, Anticimex conducted a record 40 per cent more pest control incidents in 2023 than the year before.

Germanic cockroaches, which were originally discovered in Europe in the 18th century and were managed for many years using a variety of techniques, are the species that are most notable for this increase, according to Euro News. Insecticide-containing sweet baits took the place of insecticide spraying in the 1990s.

They emit fewer pollutants that are harmful to the environment.

More and longer-lasting survival is possible for the present breed of cockroaches, as they become less vulnerable to this particular killer.

Since cockroaches often come out of hibernation as spring approaches, the spread of these pests in Spain is becoming a more serious public health concern as the weather warms.

The role of climate change

Experts believe that these mutant cockroaches are a result of the unusually high temperatures.

The gradual transition Spain has experienced in recent years from a subtropical to a tropical climate means that pests like cockroaches have longer active seasons, as per Jorge Galvan, the director of the National Association of Environmental Health Companies (ANECPLA) to local newspaper 20 Minutos.

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The metabolic cycles of the pests quicken with increased heat. That is concerning because a lot of houses and businesses that deal with food have that variety.

According to Euro Weekly News, due to this change, the Germanic cockroach is now found throughout the mainland regions like Mediterranean coast, Andalucia, and the Balearic Islands, in addition to the Canary Islands, off the coast of Morocco.

Increased genetic resistance to conventional pesticides and an extended breeding season are enhanced by the above-average temperatures.

Adaptation and resistance

Their metabolic cycle is accelerated by the heat, and they are becoming immune to insecticides, explained Galvan.

Effective population management is becoming increasingly challenging due to this genetic change.

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The more we combat them, the greater their resistance grows, said Carlos Pradera, technical manager of the pest control company Anticimex, in response to a question about the changing problem.

The need for innovative solutions

As a result, modern pest management techniques are moving towards less intrusive and more environmentally friendly approaches, such as mechanical traps and better hygiene standards.

It is the best solution, says Pradera, as per Euro Weekly News.

Global warming seems to be the reason these many approaches are necessary.

With inputs from agencies
It is said to be longer than a T-Rex. The remains of one of the largest snakes that ever lived, a creature estimated at up to 15 metres in length, have been unearthed in a mine in Gujarat. We tell you more read more

The researchers have given the snake an estimated length range of 11-15 metres and 1 tonne in weight. Image used for representational purposes/Pixabay

In a tale as intriguing as it is colossal, researchers have unearthed evidence of a gargantuan serpent that once roamed ancient Indias landscapes some 47 million years ago. This prehistoric behemoth, now dubbed Vasuki indicus after the mythical serpent adorning the neck of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, stands as a testament to the awe-inspiring diversity of the natural world.

A serpent of myth and legend

Measuring longer than a school bus and dwarfing even the largest modern anacondas and pythons, Vasuki indicus is believed to have been one of the largest snakes to have ever existed. With scientific curiosity as boundless as the creature itself, researchers have embarked on a journey to unravel the secrets of this ancient titan.

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Here we report the discovery of a giant madtsoiid snake, one of the largest snakes ever reported, from an interval corresponding to a warm Middle Eocene period (~47 million years ago) of India, write the researchers in their published paper on Nature, a British scientific journal.

The snake was likely a slow-moving, ambush predator that subdued its prey by constriction or squeezing them to death, according to the study, which appeared on Thursday.

The reports two authors, based at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee in Uttarakhand, analysed 27 fossilised vertebrae  some still connected to one another  that were uncovered at a coal mine in Gujarat.

The Panandhro lignite mine in Gujarat where the remains of the prehistoric snake, Vasuki indicus, were found. Reuters

The beginning of the discovery

The saga of Vasuki indicus began in 2005 when the cache of fossilised vertebrae was initially mistaken for remnants of an ancient crocodile-like creature. It wasnt until 2023 that researchers made a startling revelation: they were in the presence of the remains of an ancient serpent of unparalleled size and grandeur.

With painstaking precision, the team analysed these fossilised vertebrae, piecing together clues about the creatures size, habitat, and behaviour. What emerged was a portrait of a creature so vast that its very existence seemed to defy belief.

How large was the snake?

There are a number of possible reasons for its large size which range from favourable environment with ample food resources to lack of natural predators, coauthors Debajit Datta, a postdoctoral fellow, and Sunil Bajpai, a professor of palaeontology, told CNN in a joint email.

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Another driving force could be the prevalence of warmer climatic conditions than at present, they said.

Based on the size of the preserved vertebrae, the researchers estimated that the snake would have been 10.9 meters (36 feet) to 15.2 meters (50 feet) in length, based on two different calculation methods, with a broad and cylindrical body.

This image provided by researchers in April 2024 shows views of some of the vertebrae of Vasuki indicus .The scale bar at the center of each row showing rotated views of an individual vertebra indicates 5 centimeters (almost 2 inches). AP

Datta and Bajpai think Vasuki indicus likely lived on land rather than in water, similar to anacondas, but its size probably prevented it from climbing trees.

They cautioned that their estimates of its size should be taken carefully because they didnt have a complete skeleton. However, they suggested that Vasuki indicus could have been as large as Titanoboa, the largest known snake species.

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Titanoboa, discovered from fossils in Colombia, weighed around 1,140 kilogrammes (2,500 pounds) and measured about 13 meters (42.7 feet) from nose to tail tip.

The climate connection

As with many mysteries of the natural world, the story of Vasuki indicus is intricately intertwined with the climate of its time. Snakes, as cold-blooded creatures, are highly sensitive to environmental temperature, with warmer climates providing ideal conditions for growth and development.

Their internal body temperature fluctuates with the ambient temperature of the environment, the authors said. So, higher ambient temperatures would have increased the internal body temperature and metabolic rate of Vasuki which in turn would have allowed it to grow so large.

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Datta and Bajpai said the snake lived in a coastal marsh and swamp. We cannot say precisely what sort of animals Vasuki ate, they said. Associated fossils collected from the rocks that yielded Vasuki include ray fish, bony fish (catfish), turtles, crocodilians and even primitive whales. Vasuki may have preyed upon some of these.

As the saga of Vasuki indicus continues to captivate the imagination, one thing remains abundantly clear: in the annals of natural history, truth is often stranger than fiction.

With inputs from agencies
Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1 LIVE Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the ongoing Lok Sabha election is about making India a big global power in the next five years and asserted a strong and stable government was needed in view of prevailing situation in the world read more

The first phase of the elections, which is also the largest of the seven stages, would see ballots taken from as many as 102 parliamentary seats spread over 21 states and Union territories.

Voting will be held in all 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu, 12 in Rajasthan, eight in Uttar Pradesh, six in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Uttarakhand, Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two each in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and one each in Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

The first phase of Lok Sabha elections will commence on Friday (19 April), with polling in 102 constituencies spread across 21 states and Union Territories. India is holding general elections in seven phases that will last till 1 June.

Voting will be held in 102 Lok Sabha seats, including all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu, 12 constituencies in Rajasthan, six in Madhya Pradesh, five each in Uttarakhand, Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, all seats in six Northeastern states and one each in Chhattisgarh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

India is geared up to hold the worlds largest election. As many as 21 states and Union Territories are polling on Friday (19 April) during the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

In addition, 3.51 crore young voters in the 2029 age range are registered to vote. According to the electoral board, around 1 lakh automobiles, 84 special trains, and 41 helicopters had been used to carry poll workers and security personnel

More than 16.63 crore voters are expected to cast ballots today at 1.87 lakh polling places, with more than 18 lakh poll workers deployed. A total of 35.67 lakh individuals are registered as first-time voters.

More than 16.63 crore voters are expected to cast ballots today at 1.87 lakh polling places

35 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed at various places for night patrolling as the state votes in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections today, West Tripura Election Officer Vishal Kumar said.

35 CAPF companies deployed in Tripura for night patrolling ahead of first phase of voting

EC held a similar evaluation on Friday, during which 250 observers were assigned to the constituencies that would vote in the second phase on April 26.

At the first phases review meeting, which EC presided on April 12, the observers were instructed to guarantee fairness for all parties involved and strict controls on the flow of voter inducements.

In addition to special observers, a total of 361 observers127 general observers, 67 police observers, and 167 expenditure observerswill monitor the polling process as the commissions eyes and ears.

In addition, border-guarding Central paramilitary troops, state police, and other law enforcement agencies are closely monitoring any unauthorised movement of these inducements.

Voter inducements such as illicit cash, alcohol, drugs, and freebies are tracked by 2,028 video surveillance teams, 5,208 static surveillance teams, and 4,627 flying squads around-the-clock.

In a video message, the CEC urged voters to cast ballots and select members of the 18th Lok Sabha, citing the peoples wise and enthusiastic participation as the reason behind Indias history of seamless, regular, and high-quality elections. They said they were doing so for your sake, for your family and children, for your village or town and, of course, for the country.

CEC in a video message appealed to voters to come out and choose members of the 18th Lok Sabha

The Udhampur parliamentary seat in Jammu and Kashmir is preparing to hold its first election following the repeal of Article 370. It will decide the fate of 12 candidates, including Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who is seeking a third term and faces stiff competition from Congress candidate Choudhary Lal Singh. Maoists in Bastar saw a high-voltage campaign, with the constituency going to the elections in the first phase. Promises to halt Naxal violence dominated public discourse a day after 29 Maoists were slain in a clash in the city.

According to the electoral commission, scores of voting officials have been airlifted to distant locations in the mountainous Himalayas, as well as the Maoist-controlled seat of Gadchiroli-Chimur, where 850 polling personnel are being despatched.

Phase 1 will include polling in 102 Parliamentary Constituencies in 21 states and Union Territories, as well as 92 Assembly Constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, making it the largest phase of all.

With 48 MPs from the Statethe most after Uttar Pradeshs 80the Lower House will vote in five stages beginning on Friday.

The following constituencies in the western state of Vidarbha will vote: Nagpur, Chandrapur, Ramtek (SC), Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST), and Bhandara-Gondia.

The electorates of five Maharashtra seats will vote today to select the next members of parliament.

Five constituencies in Maharashtra will cast votes to choose next MPs

Polling is taking place concurrently with the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections first phase.Today, elections will be held for all 60 Assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh and 32 Assembly seats in Sikkim.

#WATCH | Nagpur, Maharashtra: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat shows his inked finger after casting his vote in the first phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/rqZ2Fn0ZU1

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections commence today! As 102 seats across 21 States and UTs go to the polls, I urge all those voting in these seats to exercise their franchise in record numbers. I particularly call upon the young and first time voters to vote in large numbers. After all,

#WATCH | Former Tamil Nadu CM and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami casts his vote at a polling booth in Salem. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/NT6zdXtFiE

#WATCH | RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says, "Voting is our duty, our right. There should be 100% polling. I have cast my vote." #LokSabhaElections2024 https://t.co/lAaeuEVSHI pic.twitter.com/ZiS7KeKiew

Voting is our duty, our right, says RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

A total of 12 candidates, which includes two women and five Independents, are in the fray for the polls.

Of the 412 polling stations, webcasting will be available in 206 which are primarily located in sensitive or remote areas.

Special polling stations have been established for 39 voters of the Great Nicobarese tribe of Strait Islands, 68 members of the Onge tribe at Hut Bay and 98 Shompen tribals of Great Nicobar Island.

A total of 3.15 lakh voters  1.64 lakh men, 1.51 lakh women, and four of the third gender  are eligible to exercise their franchise.

Voting for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Andaman and Nicobar Islands began at 7 am on Friday amid tight security measures, poll officials said.

There are 95,54,667 voters in the five Lok Sabha constituencies in the Vidarbha region. Of these, 48,28,142 are male, 47,26,178 female and 347 transgender voters, an election official said.

Altogether 97 candidates, including Union minister Nitin Gadkari, are in fray in Nagpur, Ramtek (SC), Bhandara-Gondia, Chandrapur and Naxal-hit Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST) constituency, all located in eastern-most parts of the state.

Polling began Friday morning in five Lok Sabha seats of Maharashtra, where more than 95 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the first phase.

The poll body has declared 746 polling stations as sensitive, including 391 in Jalpaiguri, 196 in Cooch Behar and 159 in Alipurduars.

All three seats are reserved, with Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri for SCs and Alipurduars for STs.

Voting is taking place at 5,814 polling stations, of which 2,043 are in Cooch Behar, 1,904 in Jalpaiguri and 1,867 in Alipurduars.

A total of 37 candidates, including Union minister and BJP leader Nisith Pramanik, are in the fray in the three constituencies.

Voting began at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm, the official said, adding 56.26 lakh electors are eligible to exercise their franchise.

Polling in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengals Cooch Behar, Alipurduars and Jalpaiguri seats began on Friday, an Election Commission official said.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure elections in a free and fair manner, Bansal said.

A total of 23,000 polling booths have been set up in the first phase where around 75,000 policemen have been deployed to ensure law and order, ADG Law and Order Vishal Bansal said earlier.

Over 2.54 crore voters are eligible to vote in this round in the two-phase election in Rajasthan. Altogether, 114 candidates are in the contest for the 12 seats.

Voting began at 7 am in Churu, Nagaur, Ganganagar, Jhunjhunu, Bikaner, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur and Dausa constituencies. It will continue till 6 pm.

Polling for 12 out of 25 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan began on Friday morning in the first phase of elections.

The fate of 950 candidates will be decided by about 6.23 crore voters who are set to exercise their franchise in nearly 68,000 polling stations.

People arrived at the polling stations enthusiastically and waited for their turn to vote, with personnel of the state and central police forces standing guard.

Polling began at 7 AM on Friday in all the 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu for the 2024 general election, amid tight security arrangements.

More than 83 lakh voters will decide the fate of 55 candidates in the fray.

The five seats going to polls in Uttarakhand are Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Nainital-Udham Singh Nagar and the lone reserved seat of Almora.

A total of 1,365 polling stations have been categorised as critical and 809 as vulnerable, Additional Chief Election Officer Vijay Kumar Jogdande said.

Apart from 40,000 police, home guard and Prantiya Raksha Dal personnel, 65 companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed to ensure free and fair polling in the state.

The voting across 11,729 polling stations began at 7 am and will go on till 5 pm, they said.

Polling began on Friday morning for the five Lok Sabha seats in Uttarakhand, election officials said.

A total of 80 candidates  73 men and seven women  are in the fray in the first phase of polling.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has joined hands with the Rashtriya Lok Dal while the Samajwadi Party has allied with the Congress for the election. The Bahujan Samaj Party has decided to go solo.

Among the prominent candidates are BJPs Jitin Prasada from Pilibhit, Union minister Sanjeev Balyan from Muzaffarnagar and Azad Samaj Party chief Chandra Shekhar Azad from Nagina.

The seats include Saharanpur, Bijnor, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Nagina (reserved), Moradabad, Rampur and Pilibhit. These fall in the Jat and sugarcane belt of the state.

Polling for the first round of Lok Sabha elections in eight constituencies of western Uttar Pradesh began at 7 am on Friday.

Although nine candidates are in the fray in Tripura West Lok Sabha seat, the battle will be mainly between BJP candidate Biplab Kumar Deb and state Congress president Asish Kumar Saha, who is supported by the INDIA bloc.

Voting for Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency and by-election in Ramnagar Assembly constituency began at 7 am on Friday amid tight security, a poll official said.

A total of 146 candidates, including Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, his predecessor Pawan Kumar Chamling, former footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, and Tamangs wife Krishna Kumari Rai are in the fray for 32 assembly constituencies.

Over 4.64 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise to elect their representatives in the assembly and an MP for Lok Sabha from the Himalayan state.

Polling for 32 assembly seats and the lone Lok Sabha constituency in Sikkim began simultaneously at 7 am on Friday.

All international borders and inter-state borders have been sealed to ensure peaceful elections, a senior police officer said.

At least 6,500 polling personnel, over 3,500 policemen and 12 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) have been deployed for the Lok Sabha polls in the state.

Polling for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram is underway across the state under tight security arrangements, officials said.

It is an important day today, as the first phase of voting is taking place in the country. I appeal to all the voters who are voting in this phase to vote in large numbers because every vote of yours has the power to create a secure, developed, and self-reliant India. Your vote

An important day today, says Amit Shah as he appeals to the votes to vote in large numbers

An estimated 8,92,694 voters, including 4,54,256 women, will exercise their franchise and decide the electoral fate of 133 candidates in the assembly polls and 14 Lok Sabha poll contestants.

The polling which began at 7 AM will continue till 5 PM, the CEO informed.

In the 60-member assembly, the BJP has already won 10 constituencies unopposed.

Polling for the two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies began in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday, amidst a massive security blanket.

The fight to protect our Constitution and Democracy begins today. My dear citizens, from 21 States and UTs who are voting in the First Phase of the Lok Sabha elections, I request you to carefully cast your vote. A future where NYAY (JUSTICE) awaits you. A new era of Economic

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections commence today! As 102 seats across 21 States and UTs go to the polls, I urge all those voting in these seats to exercise their franchise in record numbers. I particularly call upon the young and first time voters to vote in large numbers. After all,

He added, I particularly call upon the young and first-time voters to vote in large numbers. After all, every vote counts and every voice matters!

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections commence today! As 102 seats across 21 States and UTs go to the polls, I urge all those voting in these seats to exercise their franchise in record numbers, he said in a post on X.

He especially called upon the young and first-time voters to vote in large numbers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged voters to exercise their franchise in record numbers as the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls started with polling being held in 102 constituencies.

#WATCH | Rajasthan: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Bikaner Lok Sabha seat, Arjun Ram Meghwal says, "It is the festival of democracy today. Voting will be done today on a total of 102 seats in the country and 12 seats in Rajasthan including the Bikaner Lok Sabha seat. pic.twitter.com/WCMDduvHr2

It is the festival of democracy today, says BJP candidate from Bikaner Lok Sabha seat, Arjun Ram Meghwal

#WATCH | Tura, West Garo Hills: Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma says "...When I reached the polling station around 6:30 AM, there were around 200 people present at the polling station, which is a good message that people are participating in the voting process enthusiastically...A pic.twitter.com/3IOiNvmQ4H

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma reached the Walbakgre polling station in Tura at 630 am and was in queue to cast his vote.

Meghalaya CM in queue to cast his vote since 6:30 am

#WATCH | Chhindwara | Congress leader & former Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath shows his inked finger after casting his vote in the first phase of #LokSabhaElections2024  His son and Congress leader Nakul Nath is contesting from the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat pic.twitter.com/XpDqSqr7oG

#WATCH | Uttarakhand: BJP candidate from Pauri Garhwal constituency Anil Baluni offers prayers at Kandoliya Devta temple before casting his vote Congress has fielded its former chief of the Pradesh Congress Committee Ganesh Godiyal from this seat. The BJP has been winning the pic.twitter.com/5bQilNPPLW

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu BJP chief and party's candidate from Coimbatore constituency, K Annamalai casts his vote at a polling booth in Uthupatti, Karur. He faces DMK's Ganapathy P. Rajkumar in the constituency. pic.twitter.com/n3VCoyFkWE

He also added that he was asking all people across Tamil Nadu to come in and vote as the goal should be to bring a stable government.

Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai after casting his vote, said that he has just exercised his right.

VIDEO | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: I have full trust in the people of Chhindwara. I believe that they will support the truth, says former Madhya Pradesh CM and Congress leader Kamal Nath. Polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on 102 seats spread across 21 pic.twitter.com/m3ZqZKMHg0

Speaking to ANI, Karti P Chidambaram said, People are very unhappy with the BJP-led central government and people will vote out the BJP government and they will overwhelmingly vote for the INDIA alliance in Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu is voting decisively against the BJP and in favour of DMK-led Congress alliance.

As the first phase of Lok Sabha elections kicked off on Friday, Karti P Chidambaram, Congress leader and candidate from Sivaganga constituency, arrived to cast his vote and said that the people of the state are unhappy with the central government and will overwhelmingly vote for the INDIA alliance.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu CM & DMK chief MK Stalin arrives at a polling booth in Chennai to cast his in the first phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/dCoyPV1hnK

#WATCH | Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says "...'Pehle matdaan phir jalpaan'...Today is the mega festival of democracy. I appeal to everyone to cast their votes and choose a good government. Under the leadership of PM Modi, India has seen new heights in the last 10 years and pic.twitter.com/h8eSvwjGWu

Tamil Nadu CM and DMK chief MK Stalin shows his inked finger after casting his vote in the first phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 in Chennai CM Stalin said, "I am proud to cast my vote. All voters should vote." pic.twitter.com/d2VnRC1ggE

#WATCH | Assam: Congress MP and candidate from Jorhat Lok Sabha seat, Gaurav Gogoi casts his vote at a polling booth in Jorhat. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/8mX3tI4y9D

Congress MP and candidate from Jorhat Lok Sabha seat, Gaurav Gogoi casts his vote at a polling booth in Jorhat.

The shameless karyakartas of @BJP4Bengal , faced with the message of a thumping defeat are attempting to rig the elections by intimidating the voters while the Central Forces and @ECISVEEP act as silent spectators in Natabari, Cooch Behar. We strongly condemn such disgusting

Villagers from Tandhera in Muzaffarnagar did not cast a single ballot until 8 a.m., expressing their dissatisfaction with the road building delays.

Independent UP candidate from Nagina claimed that the BJP is ensuring that there are no fair elections and is preventing people from voting in his support.

An independent candidate from Uttar Pradeshs Nagina seat said that more than ten EVMs were not working correctly, and that cameras inside voting booths were also defective.

#WATCH | Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma says, "There is great enthusiasm...I would like to appeal to you today that this is a festival of democracy - do cast your vote. Your votes will strengthen our democracy, our country...I would like to tell you that Rajasthan will repeat the https://t.co/QFafn6h66L pic.twitter.com/ehWFcGcOXi

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Union Minister & BJP candidate from Muzaffarnagar, Sanjeev Balyan and his wife Sunita Balyan cast their votes at a polling booth in Kutbi Kutba. He faces SP's Harendra Singh Malik and BSP's Dara Singh Prajapati here. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/UxuKgGfXtn

#WATCH | Aizawl: Mizoram Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati says, "In this election, a large number of new voters are being enrolled. I think they will be definitely enthusiastic to participate in the electoral process for the first time. And their aspirations will be fulfilled by https://t.co/yIYbgtqH8m pic.twitter.com/tidND98T8A

In this election, a large number of new voters are being enrolled, says Mizoram Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev casts his vote for the first phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/fKunBvJAzd

Voting is underway in J&Ks Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat, with many polling booths witnessing early queues, especially in Udhampur and Kathua districts, on Friday.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur, Nitin Gadkari says, "We are celebrating the festival of democracy today. Everyone should vote, this is our fundamental right as well as duty. You can vote for anyone but casting your vote is important...I am 101% pic.twitter.com/zF9WsZnBEO

We are celebrating the festival of democracy today, says Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

A total of 37 candidates, including Union MoS for Home Nisith Pramanik of the BJP, are in the fray in the three constituencies in the northern part of the state.

Polling during the first hour was peaceful. There was not a single untoward incident, the official said.

Polling began at 7 am and would continue till 6 pm, he said.

Voting was underway peacefully in Coochbehar, Alipurduars and Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal on Friday morning, an election official said.

VIDEO | "I am very confident that the DMK alliance - INDIA - will win on all 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu and Thoothukudi is one of it. The fight is between DMK and AIADMK," says DMK candidate from Thoothukudi Kanimozhi ( @KanimozhiDMK ) after casting her vote at a polling booth pic.twitter.com/waYd4RbpjZ

INDIA will win on all 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu, says DMK's Kanimozhi

#WATCH | Maharashtra: Union Minister and BJP candidate from Nagpur, Nitin Gadkari says, "We are celebrating the festival of democracy today. Everyone should vote, this is our fundamental right as well as duty. You can vote for anyone but casting your vote is important...I am 101% pic.twitter.com/zF9WsZnBEO

'101% sure that I will win by a good margin', says Nitin Gadkari in Nagpur

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also cast his vote in his village in the Chowkham assembly constituency.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju voted in their home villages on Friday, as voting for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies began, authorities said.

Elections to the Lok Sabha are being held on Friday for seats in Inner Manipur and certain areas of Outer Manipur. There are 32 assembly segments in Inner Manipur and 15 in Outer Manipur.

On Friday morning, Manipur Chief Minister and BJP leader N Biren Singh went to a voting place in Imphal to cast his ballot.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Actor Dhanush arrives at a polling booth in Alwarpet, Chennai to cast his vote for the first phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/d6HuyMlf5Z

As the voting commenced, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to cast their ballots carefully and asserted that a new era of economic empowerment and equal opportunities beckons them.

The polls close at 6 PM, having opened at 7 AM. In this phase, about 16.63 crore individuals can cast a vote. In addition to 3.51 crore young voters in the 2029 age range, there are 35.67 lakh first-time voters in the first round of voting.

He specifically urged young people and those who were voting for the first time to cast plenty of ballots.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters to cast ballots in unprecedented numbers as the worlds largest election exercise got began on Friday, with the first of seven rounds of voting in 102 Lok Sabha seats spread over 21 states and Union territories.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Actor and MNM chief Kamal Haasan casts his vote at a polling booth in Koyambedu, Chennai. Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) is not contesting the #LokSabhaElections2024 , the party supported and campaigned for DMK. pic.twitter.com/EZ2tnICRDn

#WATCH | NCP leader Praful Patel along with his family members casts his vote for the first phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 , at a polling booth in Gondia, Maharashtra. pic.twitter.com/inyKU4yLhA

The Eastern Nagaland Public Emergency allowed for the shutdown. With a total of 13,25,383 electors, the six districts that comprise the 20 Assembly segments contain 4,00,632 electors.

In protest of the delay in enforcing its demand for a Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT), the ENPO shut down all of the districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak, and Shamator starting at 6 p.m. on April 18.

On April 19, in the midst of an extended closure across six districts ordered by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO), voting for Nagalands lone Lok Sabha seat began as scheduled.

#WATCH | While addressing a public rally in Amroha, UP, PM Modi says "...The whole world has seen the amazing feat done by Mohammed Shami (who belongs to Amroha) in the Cricket World Cup. The Central Govt has given the Arjuna Award to Mohammed Shami for his excellent performance pic.twitter.com/F0AuBoNK3h

2024 Lok Sabha elections are the elections of the future of the country, says PM Modi while addressing a public rally in Amroha, UP

#WATCH | Udhampur, J&K: As the first phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 is underway, after the wedding newly married couple heads straight to vote as they exercise their franchise. pic.twitter.com/WbJeL4PN3M

VIDEO | Residents of Bakshpur village in UP's #Pilibhit boycott polls over a local issue. Police, administrative officials at the spot to persuade residents not to boycott the polling process. #LSPolls2024WithPTI #LokSabhaElections2024 (Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/nasjsXMxNg

Election boycotts by the people of Bakshpur village in Pilbhit, Uttar Pradesh, as a result of the government blocking a roadway. Officials from the police and administration are presently on the scene to talk with locals about not skipping the voting process.

#WATCH | Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang casts his vote for #LokSabhaElections2024 and state Assembly Elections 2024 at a polling station in Gangtok pic.twitter.com/XY6agVbGTr

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh: Congress candidate from Bastar, Kawasi Lakhma cast his vote at a polling booth here. BJP has fielded Mahesh Kashyap from here. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/nQJlurnazH

#WATCH | Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and his wife Amruta Fadnavis cast their votes at a polling booth in Nagpur #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/QPd38tla4A

#WATCH | Jagdalpur: Chhattisgarh BJP chief Kiran Singh Deo says, "...There is great enthusiasm among voters. They have trust in the government which is about to come...The time has changed now. Earlier, governments were formed with slogans and people used to be away from pic.twitter.com/5SV5Yr1IKv

VIDEO | West Bengal: Reports of stone pelting in Chandmari village, #CoochBehar , amid first phase polling for Lok Sabha Elections 2024. More details are awaited. #LSPolls2024WithPTI #LokSabhaElections2024 (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/2SF9KNM7HY

#WATCH | Former Madhya Pradesh CM and BJP's BJP candidate from Vidisha Lok Sabha seat, Shivraj Singh Chouhan performs puja at his residence ahead of filing his nomination papers today. pic.twitter.com/CwKttwFFLz

More than 100 complaints were received by the Election Commission in West Bengal within the first three hours of voting in three Lok Sabha seats: Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri.

Against an online media outlet that purportedly published a report claiming that the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips had indicated excess votes for the BJP in the mock poll, Mr. George has filed a complaint with Chief Electoral Officer (Kerala), Sanjay Kaul.

Reports that more votes were cast for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during a mock poll held in conjunction with the commissioning of electronic voting machines (EVM) in Keralas capital district were refuted by Thiruvananthapuram District Collector Geromic George on Friday.

Additionally, there have been reports of vandalism at a voting place in the Imphal East district under the Thongju Assembly seat.

At a polling place under the Moirang Assembly segment in Thamanpokpi, there was a shooting incident by miscreants. Authorities have quickly increased security measures in the region after reports of three injuries.

Violence hampered voting in the Inner Manipur seat during the first round of the Lok Sabha elections on April 19, despite strict security measures.

So far the voting is going on peacefully as we can see that a large number of women and men voters turned out in their respective booths. There were some minor EVM glitches but it was addressed immediately. It did not hamper the poll process, the CEO told PTI.

Chief Electoral Officer, B S Jaglan said so far voting is going on peacefully.

An estimated 21.82 per cent of the total 3,15,148 voters in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have exercised their franchise till 11 am on Friday for the lone Lok Sabha in the union territory, an official said.

The information that we are receiving from the booths (from Gaya, Jamui, Nawada and Aurangabad), theres a one-sided contest. We are definitely going to win all 40 Lok Sabha seats from Bihar and this time the margin of victory will also be huge, said LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan.

'The information that we are receiving from the booths, theres a one-sided contest', says Chirag Paswan

After casting her vote, Congress Candidate from CoochBehar Piya Roy Chowdhury said, Violence is taking place. I did cast my vote. EC is not working appropriately. People are threatened to vote; BJP and TMC are doing this, Congress is a peaceful party; this fight is going on between BJP and TMC.

'EC is not working appropriately...People are threatened to vote', says Congress Candidate Piya Roy Chowdhury from CoochBehar

#WATCH | Gujarat: Union Home Minister Amit Shah to shortly file his nomination from the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat for the upcoming #LokSabhaElections2024 Congress has fielded its party secretary Sonal Patel from Gandhinagar. pic.twitter.com/6Yb86sSXQs

Amit Shah, a union minister, submitted his nomination from the Gandhinagar seat on Friday. Sonal, his spouse, was with him. Shah is the Gandhinagar constituencys current Member of Parliament.

VIDEO | Lok Sabha elections 2024: The information that we are receiving from the booths (from Gaya, Jamui, Nawada and Aurangabad), theres a one-sided contest. We are definitely going to win all 40 Lok Sabha seats from Bihar and this time the margin of victory will also be pic.twitter.com/eVEEmw1vu3

Iqra Hasan, the SP candidate, has requested more time from the poll worker at the polling places if there was a voting machine failure or a delay so that the remaining voters may cast their ballots.

#WATCH | Haridwar, Uttarakhand: After casting his vote, Yog Guru Baba Ramdev says, "My vote is for India....My vote is to make India disease-free and drug-free. I have voted for the better education future of our young generation...I appeal to everyone to come out of their houses https://t.co/BTR8ydW4Ew pic.twitter.com/xTViBuI4i2

My vote is for India says Baba Ramdev after casting his vote

This by-election followed the death of the current MLA, Surajit Dutta, in December of last year.

Concurrently, by-elections are being held in the Ramnagar assembly seat, coinciding with the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

The territory is within the authority of the West Tripura Parliamentary constituency, where voting is now taking place as part of the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections.

A total of 37 candidates are in the fray in the three constituencies where voting will continue till 6 pm.

All three seats are reserved, with Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri for SCs and Alipurduars for STs.

Till 11 am, voter turnout in Coochbehar was 33.63 per cent, while that in Jalpaiguri was 31.94 per cent, and Alipurduars was 35.20 per cent, an election official said.

Polling started at 7 am in Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduars seats, where a total of 56.26 lakh people are eligible to vote, they said.

A voter turnout of 33.63 per cent was recorded till 11 am in the three Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal where elections were underway in the first phase on Friday, officials said.

Sources added there was no voter turnout till 11am. Polling comes to an end at 4pm.

Additional Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland Awa Loring said election officials are stationed in the 738 polling stations in the six districts of the region.

Sources said while the situation is peaceful, there is no movement of any person or vehicles except that of the district administration and other emergency services.

Six districts of eastern Nagaland wore a deserted look on Friday as people stayed indoors following an indefinite shutdown call by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO), an apex body of the seven tribal organisations of the area, to press for its demand for a separate state.

I will fulfil my duties as the Governor. The responsibility of holding a free and fair election is that of the ECI, Bose told reporters.

The Raj Bhavan was instantly forwarding the complaints received at the Peace Room to the Election Commission of India (ECI) for them to take necessary action, he said.

Bose, who offered his prayers at the Kalighat Temple this morning for free and peaceful polling in the three constituencies, started monitoring the situation there from the Peace Room, the official said.

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose is keeping a close watch on the proceedings of the first phase polling in three Lok Sabha constituencies in the state on Friday from Peace Room at the Raj Bhavan here, an official said.

Soon after joining a political party, I was feeling suffocated. I felt that I was not doing the right thing with a person who has developed Chhindwara, Ahake said in a video message shared on social media. I dont know what will happen to me, but if I dont stand with my leader Kamal Nath and Nakul Nath today as they have done a lot for me I appeal to the voters to ensure the victory of Nakul Nath (and his father Kamal Nath) with a huge margin, he said in the video message.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Congress sitting MP and candidate from Sivaganga constituency, Karti P Chidambaram casts his vote at a polling booth in Sivaganga BJP has fielded Devanathan Yadav from this seat, AIADMK has fielded A. Xavierdas. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/3a5HYzdobf

Though reports of poll-related violence poured in from a few districts, the election officials here are yet to confirm it.

In a few polling stations, voting was delayed as electronic voting machines (EVMs) developed technical snags which were later replaced, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said.

The turnout, which was moderate in the morning hours due to inclement weather, gained momentum as condition improved during the day.

The ruling BJP has already won ten seats in the 60-member assembly unopposed.

An estimated 38 per cent of the total 8,92,694 voters exercised their franchise till 1pm on Friday in Arunachal Pradesh where polling for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies is underway, officials said.

Dipak Sarkar, a voter in Sitalkuchi, Coochbehar got hurt while he went to cast his vote. He was hit on his eyes.

Most of the glitches were noticed during the mock poll, which started 90 minutes before the commencement of actual voting. Those glitches were rectified immediately. Voting started sometime late in those booths and now it is going smoothly, officials said.

Assam reported EVM malfunctioning at three polling booths of Bihpuria in Lakhimpur, one each in Hojai, Kaliabor and Bokakhat, and one in Naharkatia of Dibrugarh, an official said.

They said that some polling agents for CPIM candidate Ratan Das were chased away or barred from accessing voting booths. Dipak Majumder, BJPs by-election candidate, refuted the claims.

India bloc officials met with Tripuras CEO on 19 April to register a protest about anomalies, particularly in the Ramnagar Assembly constituency in Agartala, where a by-election is taking place.

The polls close at 6 PM, having opened at 7 AM. Voter participation was greatest in Tripura, where 53.04 voters cast ballots till 1 pm, and lowest in Lakshwadeep, where 29.91 voters cast ballots. These figures were reported by election officials.

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have all reported experiencing minor EVM difficulties at various booths.

Phase one of the Lok Sabha elections, which cover 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories, began on Friday. Amid intermittent violent incidents in West Bengal and an IED blast in Chhattisgarh that injured a CRPF commandant, an estimated 40% of voters turned out to cast ballots in the first six hours of voting.

The Union minister said Modis third term will be crucial because his first two terms went into correcting the mistakes made by the previous Congress-led UPA government.

Talking to reporters, Shah said this general election is all about giving a third term to PM Modi so that he can make India a developed country by 2047.

Shah was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel when he submitted the nomination papers to Gandhinagar collector and district election officer M K Dave in the state capital at exactly 12.39 pm, considered as Vijay Muhurat.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday submitted his nomination papers for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat from where he is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and said the general election is all about giving a third term to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Amit Shah files nomination from Gandhinagar LS seat, says election is all about giving Modi 3rd term

Sarania filed a writ case, which the High Court denied, contesting the State Level Scrutiny Committees decision to revoke his Scheduled Tribe (Plains) designation.

Two-time MP Naba Kumar Sarania submitted his candidature on April 19 for the Lok Sabha seat designated for the ST, one day after the Guwahati High Court ruled that his ST certificate was void and that he was not permitted to run for office.

Assam MP files nomination from Kokrajhar even after Guwahati HC declared him ineligible to contest polls

Addressing an election rally at Damoh in Madhya Pradesh, he accused the Congress of weakening the defence sector for decades when in power and alleged the opposition party did not want French made Rafale fighter jets to come to India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the ongoing Lok Sabha election is about making India a big global power in the next five years and asserted a strong and stable government was needed in view of prevailing situation in the world.

This election is about making India a big global power in next 5 years, says PM Modi

However, violence disrupted the first phase of voting in West Bengal, Manipur, and Chhattisgarh despite strict security measures.

The polling commenced at 7 am and will end at 6 pm.

Polling is underway in 102 parliamentary seats across 21 states and Union Territories in the first phase of high-octane Lok Sabha elections today, 19 April.

Lok Sabha elections 2024: How first phase of voting was marred by violence in 3 states

#WATCH | Ratnagiri, Maharashtra: On the first phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2024, Goa CM Pramod Sawant says, "Today, I came here for nominations. Mahayuti alliance leaders were present here. The nominations have been filed with great enthusiasm. I believe, Narayan Rane (Union pic.twitter.com/e0wy1ebXlM

The nominations have been filed with great enthusiasm, says Goa CM Pramod Sawant

Speaking to PTI, Chief Electoral Officer, BS Jaglan said, This is for the first time a total of seven members of Shompen tribe exercised their voting rights. Earlier, we have given them training about EVMs and VVPATs through a trainer. Its good to see that they came out of the jungle and voted for the first time.

The Shompen tribes were assisted in their language by an interpreter known as Mathiyas (a Nicobari tribal youth).

Not only Shompen tribe members exercised their voting rights at polling station 411 named as Shompen Hut built inside the forest staff quarters but also they posed for selfies at a designated cut-out made by the Election Commission of India, which reads, I vote for sure.

For the first time in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, seven members of the Shompen tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTGs) of Great Nicobar Islands on Friday exercised their voting rights for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the union territory, an official said.

It stated that voting was proceeding smoothly and peacefully in all 21 states and the Union Territories.

Phase one of the Lok Sabha elections is now taking place in many States and Union Territories, and the Election Commission reported substantial voter turnout up to 1 p.m. on April 19.

Addressing an election rally in Damoh, Prime Minister Modi said, Congress and INDI alliance are busy insulting our faith. These people say that our Sanatan is dengue and malaria. They were against the Ram Temple that had been built in Ayodhya. These people call the worship of Lord Shri Ram paakhand (hypocrisy). These were the same people who did not come to Ayodhya to attend Pran Pratishta. It is just for vote bank politics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the Congress and INDIA bloc are busy insulting the Hindu faith and beliefs adding that these were the same people who called the worship of Lord Ram a paakhand (hyprocrisy).

Gandhi attacked Vijayan on Thursday during speeches at many election campaigns in the State, questioning why the Left politician was singled out for criticism while he was engaged in battle with the BJP.

On April 19, the Left leader stated that, in contrast to Congress politicians, he was not frightened to go to jail. This came a day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, questioning why the politician had not been detained or subjected to an interrogation by federal agents.

Sanjay Kumar Singh, the district magistrate for Pilibhit, stated: We have heard that some people are skipping the votes due to local difficulties. The relevant officials have been instructed to go to these settlements, hold conversations with the locals, and make sure they cast ballots. Harendra Singh Malik, the candidate for the Samajwadi Party (SP), accused a hamlet in the Muzaffarnagar area of booth capture and urged the EC to send in paramilitary troops.

In the first six hours of voting in eight seats in western Uttar Pradesh, where the first round of the Lok Sabha election is being held, voter turnout averaged 47.44%.

Polling started at 7 am in Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduars seats, where a total of 56.26 lakh people are eligible to vote, they said.

A voter turnout of 50.96 per cent was recorded till 1 pm in the three Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal where elections were underway in the first phase on Friday, officials said.

52.73 percent of voters exercised their franchise in Sikkim, where there is only one Lok Sabha seat up for grabs, as of 3 p.m. on Friday. There are 573 polling places in the state, which has 4.64 lakh voters in total. Thirteen CAPF companies have been assigned to polling sites in Sikkim as part of security protocols.

Sudip Roy Barman, a Tripura Congress MLA, claimed on Friday that hooliganism against voters and poll workers was occurring all throughout the state. Along with being a member of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), Barman claimed that while the Election Commission had been successful in stopping large-scale false voting as it had in prior years, there was still unrestrained hooliganism occurring at polling places.

According to officials; there was also an early gunfire incident at Thamanpokpi in Bishnupur district. Both of these areas are located in the Inner Manipur constituency, which encompasses the majority Meitei Imphal valley.

One victim, identified as Khoisnam Sayamaima (65), was shot after an armed individual opened fire at a polling booth in Khurai, Imphal East, at approximately 2:00 pm. Later, the polling booth was vandalized and documents were set on fire.

In Manipur, a state engulfed in ethnic violence since May of last year, violence and claims of damaged electronic voting machines coupled with at least two gunfire incidents near polling places in the Manipur valley marred the polling process.

He declared that the BRS era in the state had come to an end, making fun of the Bharat Rashtra Samiti. Owaisi filed his paperwork for the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat in the interim after praying at the Mecca Masjid on Friday.

Speaking at a rally prior to submitting his nomination for the May 13 elections, Kishan Reddy asserted that the Congress lacked the moral authority to pursue votes in Telangana without keeping its poll-related pledges.

AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and Telangana BJP chairman G Kishan Reddy submitted their candidacy for the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.

As BJPs Bijuli Kalita Medhi filed her candidacy on Friday to run for the Guwahati Lok Sabha seat, Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed confidence that the party will win the seat by more than 5 lakh votes.

According to the official, the polling percentages by constituency are as follows: Balaghat 63.69%, Chhindwara 62.57, Jabalpur 48.05, Mandla 58.28, Shahdol 48.64, and Sidhi 40.60.

Six Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh, where the first phase of elections is taking place on Friday, had voter turnout of 53.40 percent as of 3 p.m., according to an official.

68.11 percent of voters cast ballots in the Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency as of 3 p.m. on Friday, despite claims of irregularities.

According to a spokesman for the Election Commission, the 49.78 percent turnout estimate was simply an estimate, and the polling process was going smoothly and peacefully.

The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, which will cover 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories, saw an estimated 50% turnout by 3 p.m. on Friday. There were intermittent violent incidents in West Bengal, and an unintentional grenade launcher shell explosion in Chhattisgarh claimed the life of a CRPF jawan.

Poll workers in six eastern districts of Nagaland waited in booths for nine hours, but despite a shutdown call issued by an organization demanding Frontier Nagaland Territory, none of the four lakh voters in the region cast ballots.

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Today marks the start of the first round of voting for 102 seats in 21 states and UTs as well as 92 assembly seats in the state assembly elections for Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

More than 16.63 crore voters are expected to cast ballots today at 1.87 lakh polling places, with more than 18 lakh poll workers deployed. A total of 35.67 lakh individuals are registered as first-time voters.

In addition, 3.51 crore young voters in the 2029 age range are registered to vote. According to the electoral board, around 1 lakh automobiles, 84 special trains, and 41 helicopters had been used to carry poll workers and security personnel.

Micro observers will be stationed at every voting place, and webcasting will occur at almost half of them. Days before the polls, 361 observers127 general observers, 67 police observers, and 167 expenditure observershave already descended into their areas.

Voting from home is an option for around 14.14 lakh registered voters 85 years of age and above and 13.89 lakh PwD voters in 102 PCs.

ECI reports that there has already been a lot of favourable response regarding the optional Home Voting Option. Today marks the beginning and end of elections in the following states: Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Andaman & Nicobar islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.

There will be two voting stages for Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tripura, and Manipur. Elections in Assam and Chhattisgarh will take place in three stages, while polling in Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand will take place in four phases.

Phase 2 will see 89 Lok Sabha seats go to the polls across 13 states/UTs. Kerala will hold elections for all 20 seats on April 26 during the second phase of the election process.

There will be seven stages to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, with the first one taking place on April 19 and the other ones on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The vote count will be held on June 4.
In West Bengal, where elections were being held for three seatsCooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduarsporadic violent occurrences were documented. By 10 am, the Election Commission had received scores of complaints about violence in the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat from both the TMC and the BJP read more

On June 4, all seven phases of the Lok Sabha Elections will have their ballots counted Image Courtesy PTI

Up to 60% of voters in all 102 parliamentary constituencies cast ballots through Friday at 5 p.m. First-phase voting for 102 parliamentary seats in 21 states and Union Territories took place in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. Voting was conducted from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

People were exhorted to use their right to vote by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In West Bengal, where elections were being held for three seatsCooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduarsporadic violent occurrences were documented. By 10 am, the Election Commission had received scores of complaints about violence in the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat from both the TMC and the BJP.

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While the elections were going on in Chhattisgarh, a blast was reported 500 meters from a voting place in the Galgam area of Bijapur, in the Naxal-affected Bastar region. One of the security guards was hurt while practicing area dominance with the rest of the team.

Arunachal Pradesh (2 seats), Assam (5 seats), Bihar (4 seats), Chhattisgarh (1 seat), Madhya Pradesh (6 seats), Maharashtra (5 seats), Manipur (2 seats), Meghalaya (2), Mizoram (1 seat), Nagaland (1 seat), Rajasthan (12 seats), Sikkim (1 seat), Tamil Nadu (39 seats), Tripura (1 seat), Uttar Pradesh (8 seats), Uttarakhand (5 seats), Andaman and Nicobar (1 seat), Jammu and Kashmir (1 seat), Lakshadweep (1 seat), and Puducherry (1 seat).

The first phase of the Tamil Nadu election will involve all 39 seats. In the aftermath of Prime Minister Modis election-related campaign blitz, the state is currently seeing a three-cornered battle.

Today, voting took place in 92 constituencies for the Assembly Elections in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Voting for the 543 Lok Sabha seats will take place in seven stages starting today. Aiming for a record-breaking third term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has set a goal of gaining 400 seats in this election. The opposition parties, united under the INDIA bloc banner and led by the Congress, pose a threat to the government coalition.

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On June 4, all seven phases of the Lok Sabha Elections will have their ballots counted.
The PM said when war clouds are hovering in different parts of the world, there is a need for a government which is capable of tackling any exigencies, comments coming in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war, conflict in West Asia and rising Iran-Israel tension. read more

In a veiled reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a swipe at Pakistan on Friday, saying that a country which was a supplier of aatank (terror) is struggling for aata (flour) these days.

Speaking at an election rally in Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, he emphasised Indias transition from being a major arms importer to becoming an exporter of advanced weaponry while referring to supplying BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines.

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Against the backdrop of the prevailing situation across the world, he advocated for a strong and steady government at the Centre, coinciding with the beginning of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, spanning seven phases with voting underway in over 100 constituencies.

The PM said when war clouds are hovering in different parts of the world, there is a need for a government which is capable of tackling any exigencies, comments coming in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war, conflict in West Asia and rising Iran-Israel tension.

There are many countries in the world whose condition has worsened. Many are getting bankrupt. Even one of our neighbours, which was a supplier of aatank (terrorism), is now struggling for supply of aata (flour), Modi said, targeting Pakistan.

The PM asserted his government works with the principle of Rashtra Pratham (nation first) and never succumbs to pressure from any quarter or bows before anyone.

Defending Indias move to purchase oil from Russia in face of international pressure after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he said To ensure that the people of the country get cheap oil and farmers get adequate fertilisers, we have taken this decision in the national interest.

We have seen in the last 10 years how a stable government works in the interest of the people. During the COVID-19 crisis, there was chaos world over, but a strong BJP government brought back its citizens from all over the globe, he said.

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The BJPs star campaigner emphasised the next five years are crucial for making the country a big global power. He said India has become self-reliant in the defence sector and is in the process of exporting weapons worth Rs 21,000 crore to other countries this year.

Modi underscored that while he is delivering a speech here (in Damoh), India is exporting the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles system to the Philippines.

The PM accused the opposition of weakening the countrys defence sector and said they are guided by their own vested interest even when it comes to purchase of weapons for the defence forces.

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He slammed the Congress for creating hurdles in the procurement of French-made Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, and said had the opposition party been in power, Tejas planes could not have taken to the skies.

The BJP, in its manifesto, has promised that every individual above 70 years of age will be brought within the ambit of the Centres Ayushman Bharat Yojana, ensuring free treatment to them up to Rs 5 lakh, Modi maintained.

The PM asserted his government was committed to the welfare of the poor and pointed out that the Centre has extended the free ration scheme for five more years for nearly 80 crore beneficiaries.

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Modi praised Iqbal Ansari, a former litigant in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, for accepting the invitation to attend the January 22 consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and slammed the opposition for boycotting the event.

The BJP has fielded Rahul Lodhi from the Damoh Lok Sabha seat and state party president Vishnu Dutt Sharma from the Khajuraho constituency. Both these seats will vote in the second phase of elections on April 26.

With inputs from PTI.
University of Southern California knew her anti-Semitic leanings but still selected her as valedictorian only to silence her later read more

Class Valedictorian is a time-honoured tradition in US schools but also some universities. The student with the most outstanding record is generally given the honour and tasked with giving the valediction  farewell address  at the graduation ceremony. How much this has become politicised is highlighted by the controversy over Asna Tabassum being cancelled from giving the valedictory address at University of Southern California (USC) this year.

Tabassum was picked from a list of 100 applicants for the class valedictorian honour. Time was when an outstanding grade point average (GPA) was the only prerequisite for the honour, but the need for applications indicates that many secure equal academic honours and hence other factors come into play, and a committee has to select the winner. Any criteria beyond grades means a degree of discretion, and Tabussums selection brings that process into focus.

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According to various media reports, the recipient of the valedictorian honour at USC is determined by not only outstanding GPA  of which there were 236 students eligible this year, having achieved scores of 3.98 and above  but also involvement in university and community activities. There are interviews before the valedictorian and salutatorian (the secondary honour) are selected too, so the selection committee cannot have been unaware of any students views.

The 22-year-old South Asian origin student majored in biomedical engineering, but, intriguingly, took a minor in Resistance to Genocide, which her university states is an interdisciplinary series of courses that researches the causes, results and representations of attempted genocide, as well as resistance to genocidal mass violence. The course itself indicates the slant of the privately funded university, which has been on the radar of anti-Semitism watchdogs for a while now.

In December 2021  long before the current resurgence of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish activism on campuses  some 60 USC faculty members sent an open letter to university officials to publicly and explicitly rebuke Yasmeen Mashayekh, a 21-year-old civil engineering student for her anti-Semitic online comments that year. The letter writers wanted the officials to distance USC from her hateful statements. Her tweets were removed but screenshots had reappeared.

Mashayekh had then been relieved of her paid mentoring position in the Viterbi School of Engineering but she still served as a diversity, equity and inclusion senator for the Viterbi Graduate Student Association. Among her more polite posts in 2021 was one saying Death to Israel and its bch the US but the officials told the letter writers that removing anyone from a student-elected position based on protected speech would be a violation of state law.

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After this was brought to its attention by Jewish groups that had seen her posts, the Viterbi School posted on Instagram, Even though the statements at issue are legally protected, we understand they are disturbing, gratuitously adding USC rejects and condemns hatred in all its forms. At the time, Mashayekh had posted that she wanted to normalize the language of resistance regardless of what that looks like, and had reiterated her views on Israel, Zionism etc.

In an eerie hark-back, Asna Tabassum told a TV channel this week that she has no regrets over her social media activity. I stand by exactly what I stand by, she said, adding I dont believe its ironic for me to minor in something called resistance to genocide, speak out on it and then be revoked because Im penalised for something that people have an issue with. If she is going by what she has been taught, it begs more questions than just her selection as valedictorian.

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The USC officials had to be aware of her choice of subjects when they chose her from a pool of 100 equally high-achieving applicants though she supposedly got the coveted honour for her additional efforts to arrange medical supplies from US for Ukraine, and earthquake affected areas of Turkey and Syria. That their choice would cause controversy must have also been known considering the worldwide reactions in universities across the world to the Israeli-Hamas war.

More so because, in the wake of the Israeli retaliation in the Gaza Strip after the 7 October 2023 killings and kidnappings, Palestinian solidarity protesters at USC were recorded chanting, There is only one solution, Intifada revolution and Jewish students expressed alarm and fear about open anti-Semitism on campus. Yet USC officials selected a student whose views  certain to be expressed during her speech  would not be conducive to peace or security on campus.

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So the announcement this week by USCs provost and senior vice president for academic affairs Andrew T. Guzman cancelling Tabassums address on 10 May on the grounds that it would present substantial security risks appears to be a case of what can charitably be called belated realisation. Why did the potential for mayhem at a ceremony expected to draw some 65,000 to the campus strike USC only after it had conferred the valedictorian honour on Tabassum?

Coincidentally, Tabassum was also valedictorian of her school  Ruben S Ayala High, Chino Hills, California  in 2020 and was listed as heading for a degree in bio-engineering as part of her pre-medical education. She was quoted by a local newspaper as having been inspired by her mother  a teacher in India who flew across the world to give her kids a better life  and her father, who was the eldest son of his family who went on to become the valedictorian of his university.

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Also perhaps coincidentally, Tabassum belongs to the same department as MashayekhUSCs Viterbi School of Engineering  of which she served as co-chair of its student ambassador programme for 2022-23. The Viterbi School has strong ties with India and even has an India Advisory Board featuring corporate icons from NR Narayana Murthy to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw. And Ratan Tata is one of the Life Trustees of the University of Southern California.

Amid the outrage over the cancelling of Tabassum, Indians may recall the case of Rashmi Samant, the Indian student who was forced to resign soon after being elected President of the Oxford Union in the UK in 2021 due to her allegedly racist, transphobic and anti-Semitic social media posts, since she was supposedly unapologetic (initially) about them. There were no calls to support her by those who generally oppose the Jewish lobby, despite the weak allegations.

The first accusation of anti-Semitism was based on a pathetic pun she attempted in a 2017 post after seeing the Holocaust Museum in Berlin. The second was when she compared Cecil Rhodes to Adolf Hitler, which was hardly a new idea. The Rhodes Must Fall campaign that began in South Africa in 2015 quickly spread internationally and comparisons of the British imperialist to various odious personages have abounded since then. But that didnt help Samant.

Those who usually make it their business to support whoever is accused of being anti-Semitic were curiously silent on Samant. That proved the speciousness of the claims that she was indeed anti-Semitic. In Tabassums case, the US Council on American-Islamic Relations stepped in to call the cancellation of her speech cowardly and safety concerns to be disingenuous. Anti-Jewish graffiti and sustained protests in campuses across the US notwithstanding, obviously.

From the vantage point of distance, it seems that USC was being either wilfully obtuse, or acceding to some hidden pressures or predilections when it came to selecting and then silencing Tabassum. But by acting in an unthinking manner, it has only exacerbated tensions at the worst possible time. Maybe Tabassum would have surprised (and perhaps even annoyed) all sides by advocating a non-partisan way ahead. Now we shall never know; sadly, neither will Tabassum.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Post-poll, the MDP and the Yameen camp may work together, drawing in the Democrats, who too hope to win a few seats, against the government combine. Already, Team Yameen has sought Muizzus impeachment read more

Strategic thinkers in the two nations are keeping their fingers crossed, but are still hopeful, over the future of Maldives-India bilateral relations after parliamentary polls in the two countries, especially the former. That is to say, the negativity of the past months, particularly emanating from the Maldivian side, may slowly be replaced by positivity and even more objectivity in the coming weeks, months and years.

The mostly unnoticed, yet quietly efficient posturing in the whole melee was the official position, as stated by India. Rather, there was no official response to any of the negative observations and governmental initiatives that have had the potential to kill bilateral relations for good. If anything, India has responded only with abundant positivity through deeds, still abiding by the nations value-based Neighbourhood First ethos to which Prime Minister Narendra Modi breathes in fresh air through words and deeds  especially in the case of a smaller neighbour Maldives.

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It was thus that the Modi government took President-elect Mohamed Muizzus reiteration of his poll-campaign commitment on India withdrawing military pilots and technicians manning the three flying platforms that were gifts from India through the past decade. Muizzu has since announced that the second of three batches of Indian personnel have since left Maldives as agreed upon. The third one is due to depart in May, all of them being replaced by civilian technical personnel.

The Indian acceptance of the Muizzu diktat with grace and dignity did ensure that the new President had nothing to fear from India or be suspicious about the larger Ocean neighbour in the north. Muizzus estranged political mentor and jailed former President Abdulla Yameen had injected those unnecessary and unjustified fears and suspicions into the bilateral discourse with his India Military Out request in the closing months of his presidency in 2018.

Barring Indias regional adversary Chinas unilateral declaration that they would defend Maldives sovereignty and territorial integrity in case of external threats, there was nothing to suggest that either India or any other nation or force was threatening the archipelago-nation at the time  or, even in the past six years since Yameen lost the presidential polls of 2018. Yet, after losing power and leaving without a cause to take on the successor government of President Ibrahim Solih of the rival Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Yameen launched the by-now-infamous India Out/India Military Out campaign, often confusing his goal and purpose.

In the end, the protests withered away, yet, Yameens coinage became a political burden for his estranged aide Muizzu, who needed some handle to off-load the same, once elected to power. In more ways than one, New Delhis quiet acceptance of Muizzus election (unlike perceived an propagated by some in Maldives) and also the ready acceptance of his request for withdrawing the military personnel engaged exclusively in urgent evacuations during medical emergencies and natural disasters showed how matured nations and governments handle situations of the kind  without allowing it to go out of hands.

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All of it was only a continuation of the way India rushed aid to lil Maldivian brother at the height of the unprecedented world-wide Covid crisis  before and after  when New Delhi pumped massive funds into infrastructure and massive development projects in the country. Long before the present, India, in another era had rushed the Indian Air Force (IAF) to thwart a mercenary-led coup-bid in 1988 (Operation Cactus), and the Navy to for rescue, relief and restoration work after the 2004 Asian tsunami) and large quantities of drinking and otherwise potable water when the sole desalination plant in capital Male was gutted in an accident a decade later.

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The latest one in this unending series is the way India has increased the import quota for essentials, including rice, wheat and flour, and also aggregates and river sand for construction, especially of more tourism resorts that are the mainstay of Maldivian economy. Maldives Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer posted his thanks to Indian counterpart S Jaishankar, who in turn swore by the commitment to stand by the southern neighbour.

Not much positivity

Barring a solitary occasion when news reports indicated Maldives hoped to approach India for rescheduling pending loans, President Muizzu has not personally exuded much of positivity in his approach and attitude towards India. On that one occasion, he said India was always a reliable friend of his country  or, words to that effect. On most other occasions, Muizzu targeted India from a negative platform, at times without any pressing situation that he as the elected President of an ancient civilisation-state should address.

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According to some reports, it followed the huge embarrassment that his government faced after three of his deputy ministers, in their early days in office, criticised India and PM Modi after the latter visited tourist resorts in Lakshadweep, to promote national and international tourism in the island-chain, not far away from Maldivian coast. Both before and after this episode, which involved the suspension of the three errant ministers and the consequent end of the Boycott Maldives call in India that had cost Maldivian tourism in the early days, President Muizzu seems to be handling all verbal responses on the India front exclusively by himself.

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It is still a mixed bag, normally not associated with presidential posturing unless otherwise intended that way. In the absence of any official Indian position to react, what passed for Muizzus off-hand comments should have fallen into the category of unwarranted provocation. But India did not react. Given the immediate situation on hand, there are reasons to believe that at least some of Muizzus comments were in reaction to unfounded international media summations.

For instance, there was one that claimed that India setting up a naval air base in Minicoy Island, closer to Maldives, was aimed at targeting that nation. Some media analysts claimed that India did it only after the Muizzu government fast-tracked geo-political, geo-economic and geo-strategic proximity to China, New Delhis historic adversary. Common sense dictates that Minicoy-kind of bases cannot be set up in weeks and months, and not certainly after Muizzu became President in November last year.

For those that might assume too much, his candidacy was announced literally at the very last minute only two months earlier and had taken even Yameen, his political boss of the time, by surprise. India could not have been able to guess the outcome of the presidential poll to conclude that Muizzu, or even Yameen, who was disqualified through and through, could be elected president.

Anyway, nations, especially larger nations like India with multiple political, economic and strategic interests and threats do not take decisions of the kind with one leader or presidency in mind. The Minicoy base, if at all, flowed from unprecedented and often provocative Chinese expansionism in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) that affected and impacted India. Maldives does not fit into such calculus on its own, yes, not even as a future ally of China  though collateral damage in times of a real war on all participating nations could become unavoidable even for those that had not intended to be one.

Non-disclosure

It is here, President Muizzus off-again-on-again statements and initiatives on the India front assume significance, as much for Maldives and Maldivians as for bilateral relations with India, regional security, peace and prosperity. If his demand for India taking back its military personnel, even if engaged in humanitarian assistance at invitation, was a stand-alone affair up to a point, his observation that the Indian Ocean is for all we may be small but that does not give anyone licence to bully us  made on his return from his maiden state visit, to China, were more than loaded.

It was the kind of language Chinese academics and service personnel pursuing strategic studies had made about/against India, and no government had repeated it. Here, there was a Head of State and Government, a democratically-elected President was saying it all, as if he were reading it out from someone elses script. The diplomatic import of the same was / is much more than the real words and their literary meaning.

In terms of actions and decisions, Muizzu seemed bent on cutting off the nations India connections, by declaring that they would import all essentials from distant Turkiye, which even in normal times was costlier and unaffordable when the Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea area shot up shipping and insurance costs, owing to an inevitable de-tour. The same may apply to Muizzu procuring Turkiye-made drones at $34-million to scan our waters ourselves, replacing the free service by the India-gifted Dornier aircraft with immediate effect.

The Muizzu government claimed that some of them are gifts from Turkiye, signalling the personal rapport the President had with his counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Already, two Turkiyish drones are operational in Maldives, and the government has refused to share details with Parliament, of the Majlis, after promising to do so on the governments overseas agreements, past, present and future. The same applies to the 20-plus agreements that the Muizzu leadership signed during his China visit in January, when he also met President Xi Jinping  as many of them have strategic importance, the reason that the government has cited for non-disclosure.

Stand-alone relation, but

From time-to-time during his high-pitched campaigning often targeting the MDP rival and taking broad-sides at estranged boss Yameen, Muizzu as the president of the latters one-time PPM-PNC combine, has sought to indicate that from his perspective, all was well with the nations India relations. He wants to make people believe that it was a stand-alone relation, and New Delhi should not bother about his decision to invite arch-rival China to strategically-sensitive projects alongside development works  which alone predecessor Solih too was indulging in, even in the last fortnight before the presidential polls last year.

These include non-extension of joint oceanographic survey by India at the end of a three-year term in June and providing berth facilities for a controversial Chinese research vessel, or a spy ship that New Delhi ensured that common neighbour did not indulge in for a third time in as many years. Then, there is a more recent agreement for China to develop a fruits-and-vegetables farm on 200 hectares of reclamation land, if only to ensure self-sufficiency.

That the Chinese farm will be coming not far away from the India-funded Maldivian Coast Guard jetty on Uthuru Thila-Falhu (UTF) Island notwithstanding, there is no clarity if attaining self-sufficiency by curbing fruits-and-vegetables imports from India would not hit local farmers whose produce find their way to the Male market.

The election to the 93-member Parliament, up from 87 in the outgoing one, is yet a tough fight for Muizzu, at times tougher than the presidential polls that he won last year. His six-month rule has been full of ups and downs, both on the domestic and foreign policy fronts. His avoidable provocation to long-time friend India and over-dependence on China that has the potential to drag the nation into an avoidable situation in an indeterminable future has not been to the liking of many peace-loving Maldivians.

Casting the die

The main battle is between Muizzus PPM-PNC combine and Solihs MDP, now headed by former foreign minister and veteran diplomat, Abdulla Shahid, who is the interim president of the party. The uniqueness of this election is that the nations two main parties are divided and the original leaders have been left with the minor faction. Yet, there are already visible local and not-very-local level adjustments and arrangements, aimed at weakening the ruling combine.

Through the six months after losing power, the MDP committed a lot of avoidable faux pas on the legislative front, where it still held an absolute majority after 13 MPs had joined the breakaway Democrats party of past President, Mohammed Nasheed, and an equal number defected to the incumbents camp, earlier this year. Including an anti-defection law that curbs cross-over of elected MPs and those down the line to another party, the MDP could have Parliament pass them when Solih was in power and the party had 65 of 83 members, or a four-fifth majority.

The MDPs attitude has left a bad taste in the mouth of the urban elite, at least some of whom may choose to stay away from the parliamentary polls as they did during the presidential election. But that by itself need not be the clincher after Muizzu unwittingly made foreign policy an avoidable poll plank more than during the presidential elections, where he was a late entrant after all  and his campaign-line was seen as being decided for him by others once in the Yameen camp.

Yet, for his part, Muizzu is cleverly sitting on the anti-defection bill, as the mandatory 15-day period for his decision expires on 22 April, when the results for the previous days poll would have been out  and the outgoing Parliament cannot pass the old bill again, compelling him to sign on the dotted lines. Again, such are not the real issues, but the nations economy which is seemingly bouncing back on the tourism front, but alienation from the immediate Indian neighbour has consequences for the long-term life of the economy, which urban voters especially perceive very well.

The Yameen camp has fielded independent candidates in many constituencies after their failure to enrol 3,000 voters, as mandated under the law, for registering their new party, Peoples National Front (PNF), in time for the election. They have questioned the inordinate delay in the High Court pronouncing the verdict on Yameens appeal against his conviction and imprisonment in a pending corruption case, which alone disqualified him from contesting the presidential polls last year. As coincidence would have it arch-rival MDPs Parliament Speaker Mohamed Aslam, is among those who have quizzed the inexplicable and inordinate delay.

Indications thus are that post-poll, the MDP and the Yameen camp may work together, drawing in the Democrats, who too hope to win a few seats, against the government combine. And already, Team Yameen has sought Muizzus impeachment even before the die had been cast. And to offset it all, Muizzu has been making a direct appeal to the voters to give him an absolute majority, if not outright two-thirds or four-fifths, which in the wee hours of the closing of the campaign, looks a far cry.

The writer is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The US has been trying hard for a few decades to ensure that the Islamic Republic of Iran falls  a situation that has escalated now, thanks to the additional reason that Iran and Israel have renewed their conflict. Ironically, unseating the Shah (Pahlavi dynasty) of Iran in 1978-79 and putting Ayatollah Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini at the helm after the Islamic Revolution was backed by the CIA. The Americans make this mistake time and again. The US invariably attacks such Muslim governments that are relatively moderate. Its difficult to believe Washington does not see the pattern in its interventions in the Islamic world since the 1970s, which has proved counterproductive time and again.

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In 2011, an agitation sponsored by the US replaced a moderate Hosni Mubarak with the Muslim Brotherhoods Mohamed Morsi in Egypt. It was part of the so-called Arab Spring that saw a wave of anti-government protests, uprisings and armed rebellions that swept through various countries in the Arab world during the early 2010s. It all began in Tunisia as a response to alleged corruption and economic stagnation, before spreading to Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Bahrain. Several rulers were ousted, such as Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia in 2011, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya in 2011 and Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen in 2012, besides Mubarak of Egypt around the time.

The region witnessed riots, civil wars and insurgencies. While major demonstrations occurred in countries like Morocco, Iraq, Algeria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman and Sudan, smaller protests were held in Djibouti, Mauritania, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and the Moroccan-occupied western Sahara. The uprisings, many of which were not-so-covertly supported by the CIA, led to the replacement of moderate Muslim rulers with fundamentalist Muslim leaders.

Bashar al Assad is a moderate, but the US backs Islamic hardliner rebels in Syria whereas Saudi Arabia and its neighbouring kingdoms never draw the ire of the Pentagon, much as intelligence reports suggest they are the prime sponsors of Islamist terrorism across the globe. Imagine why the home country of Osama bin Laden was never affected by the Islamic State (aka ISIS) but neighbouring Iraq and Syria were. Sources in Indian intelligence say most Muslim rioters in India are sponsored by sheikhs (who can be disowned by the kingdoms as non-state actors like Pakistan denies that its ISI runs Lashkar-e-Taiba  a convenience of deniability).

Think of women moving around in mini-skirts and gowns in Afghanistan under Mohammad Najibullah Ahmadzai till the 1980s and Afghan women under the Taliban now. The US had created the Taliban to oust Soviet troops from that country. What a Frankensteins monster that it chased away the US troops eventually in 2021!

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Consider women in Libya under Gaddafi and those under Husseins Iraq and the condition of Libyan and Iraqi women now. Remember, the most dangerous Islamic terrorist organisation ISIS reared its head in Iraq only after Hussein fell.

Apparently, when the world rose against the police action on Iranian women not wearing the hijab last year, that was a CIA-sponsored revolution too. A few friends who had returned from Iran that year told this columnist that they had seen no oppression of the sort in Iran and that the feminist movement was largely the handiwork of a few propped-up activists. The propaganda that a cleric-dominated regime was torturing freedom-loving Iranian women was a ploy to break Iran. We never know what kind of a puppet government the Americans will put in place if the Shiah reign is replaced by a secular administration. In the name of upholding democracy, the replacement may turn out to be all the more radical.

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Where this puts India

This American interventionist policy in Islamic countries has generally inconvenienced India. Iran is neither a friend nor a foe but can prove a useful idiot to drive a wedge in the ummah.

Further, Iranian petroleum is cheaper than Saudi petroleum, which India had to stop importing due to the US sanctions on Iran. The Russia-Ukraine war bailed us out because Russia then became the other alternative shop to buy crude oil from, but Russian oil wouldnt remain as cheap for India (and China) as it became post-2022 if the US were to allow Vladimir Putin administration to once again sell oil and gas to all countries.

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Then, India has had an agreement for the Chabahar port since 2003 to counter Pakistans Gwadar port, brought under the CPEC in 2015, but Indias alternative sea route to the Suez Canal and sea-plus-land route to Afghanistan has not materialised so far because every time we made some progress in completing the project, fresh US sanctions were slapped on Iran.

Now Israel and Iran are at war, which is complicating matters for India further, as Israel is certainly a friend while Iran is not our enemy. The solution that works for India is good sense prevailing on Iran that stops backing Hamas and Hezbollah and patches up with Israel the way Arab countries are now drawing close to the nation of Jews. In the possible truce, Israel needs to forget that Irans Revolutionary Guards helped establish Hezbollah during the 1982 Lebanese war. In turn, Iran could overlook the fact that in 2018, Israeli forces engaged in confrontations with Iranian forces in Syria while Israel also provided support to rebels in Iran, like the Peoples Mujahedin, and carried out airstrikes against Iranian allies in Syria. Additionally, Israeli involvement extended to the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists.

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The Iran-Israel proxy conflict or cold war is serving neither side. The world will do well to let a Shiah-Sunni balance prevail in the Islamic world by not turning irreconcilably hostile to Iran. Once a compromise is reached, Jews, being in influential positions in the US, can then try to soften Washingtons Tehran policy.

The author is a senior journalist and writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Doctors in Japan are seeking a total of 1.4 million yen or about $9,000 in damages from Google for its failure to remove negative and racist comments from their business listings on Google Maps read more

Google has often been accused of failing to act against indecent user-generated content such as comments and posts. Image Credit: Reuters

Fed up with fake reviews and the inability to respond to them or have them addressed by Google Maps, approximately 60 doctors in Japan are suing the tech giant for not acting against racist comments and reviews posted against them.

Several physicians and healthcare workers are alleging that Google has repeatedly ignored negative and racist reviews of their clinics that had no basis in reality. Through this class-action lawsuit, said to be the first of its kind in Japan, the petitioners are seeking a total of 1.4 million yen or about $9,000 in damages from the tech giant, as per a report by AFP.

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The doctors filed the lawsuit on Thursday, stating that they not being given an opportunity or a platform to address or refute defamatory reviews due to their obligation to patient confidentiality. Speaking anonymously, one doctor expressed frustration, likening the situation to being a punching bag for anonymous online users.

Casteism isnt directly applicable to Japan, but historical divisions akin to caste structures existed, notably among samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Contemporary Japanese society is more fluid, with social status influenced by education, occupation, wealth, and family background.

However, vestiges of historical class divisions persist, particularly in certain professions or industries. Discrimination against groups like the Burakumin, historically associated with impure occupations, reflects lingering social prejudices. Legal reforms have aimed to address such discrimination, yet societal stigmas endure.

While Japan lacks a direct equivalent to casteism, issues of social stratification and discrimination against marginalized groups persist, though in evolving forms.

According to the plaintiffs lawyer, Yuichi Nakazawa, the ease of posting online reviews has made it challenging to have them removed, leading to doctors working under constant fear of negative feedback. What has been more problematic though, is that certain users have repeatedly left racist and casteist comments on the clinics Google listing This fear, the plaintiffs argue, can impact their ability to provide proper medical care.

The complaint also highlights the fact that clinics focused solely on satisfying patients may compromise medical standards. Additionally, doctors may face personal attacks from patients, further exacerbating the issue.

If left unaddressed, the plaintiffs warn, doctors may feel pressured to comply with patients requests for unnecessary treatments or medications, ultimately harming societys well-being.

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Given Google Maps widespread use in Japan, the plaintiffs argue that the platform plays a crucial role in daily life and should recognize the negative impact of unfair reviews on medical businesses.

While Google claims to remove inaccurate and misleading content, the plaintiffs allege that the criteria for removal are unclear, and only a few reviews are actually deleted.

In response, Google stated that it is working to reduce inaccurate and misleading content on Google Maps using a combination of human operators and computer algorithms.

However, the companys efforts have not satisfied the plaintiffs, who continue to seek accountability for the harm caused by harmful reviews of their professional reputations.
Microns Sanand ATMP facility will start shipping out finished semicon chips by December this year, and may supply Apples factories in India. These semicon chips may find their way to iPhones that Apple sells in India, as well as in those that it exports read more

Micron Technology, a major player in the global memory and storage market, is contemplating a significant move that could reshape Indias tech landscape.

The company is looking at the possibility of providing locally manufactured chips from its upcoming plant in Gujarat to one of its major clients, Apple. Apple may soon start using these India-made chips in the devices it produces in India. This strategic move aims to streamline the supply chain for iPhones manufactured in India.

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Micron is currently in the process of setting up an an assembly test marking and packaging (ATMP) plant in Sanand, Gujarat, marking a rather pivotal moment for India and its semicon mission. Like all ATMP plants, this facility will play a crucial role in the conversion of silicon wafers into fully functional chips, ready to power electronic devices.

The process involves intricate steps such as slicing silicon wafers, packaging chips securely, encasing them in resin, and rigorous testing to ensure quality.

Currently, Apple relies on imported chips for its iPhone production in India. However, Microns plan could change this scenario, with a portion of the chips produced in India destined to serve Microns clients directly within the country.

The Sanand plant is on track to start the production of chips by December and will be focusing on producing ball grid arrays (BGA), integrated circuit packages, memory modules, and solid-state drives.

Micron has invested about $875 million into the facility at Sanand, and has further financial support from both the Gujarat state government and the PM Narendra Modi-led central government.

The chip-making facility is set to generate significant employment opportunities, with an estimated 5,000 direct jobs and 15,000 community job opportunities anticipated over the next five years.

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This initiative builds upon Microns earlier announcement in June 2023, when the company disclosed its plans to invest up to $825 million in Gujarat for chip assembly and testing. With backing from the Centre and Gujarat government, the total investment in the factory is projected to reach $2.75 billion.

Construction of the facility commenced in 2023, with the first phase slated for completion by mid-2024. The production of finished chips is scheduled to kick off by December 2024.

Moreover, a subsequent phase of the project, expected to commence in the latter half of the decade, holds the potential to double the factorys output, further cementing Microns footprint in Indias burgeoning tech sector.
TSMC is planning to charge more for the chips it makes outside Taiwan. Because of China and a few other domestic reasons, TSMC had to expand its production capacities outside the country. However, tech companies who ask for chips from these new factories will have to pay may read more

TSMC has been forced to diversify its productions outside Taiwan, because of China. Image Credit: AFP

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company or TSMC is planning to implement a rather unconventional pricing strategy for its customers. It plans on hiking prices for customers who request chips produced outside of Taiwan.

This decision comes amidst a backdrop in which TSMC has been forced to expand its production lines outside Taiwan and expand its global capacity, mainly because of rising tensions with China.

Rising power costs and the increasing complexity of developing advanced chip technologies are having a major impact on TSMCs profitability.

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CC Wei, CEO of TSMC, explained to investors during the companys first-quarter earnings call that customers who opt for chips produced in specific geographical areas would need to share the additional costs incurred.

He noted that in todays globalized and fragmented environment, higher costs are inevitable for TSMC, its customers, and competitors alike. TSMC is already discussing price increases with its customers.

TSMCs move to raise prices coincides with efforts worldwide to diversify chip supplies away from Taiwan, where over 90 per cent of the most advanced semiconductors are manufactured.

This diversification aims to mitigate geopolitical risks, particularly amid Chinas territorial claims over Taiwan.

Last week, TSMC announced plans to expand its investment in the US to $65 billion, up from $40 billion, in exchange for subsidies amounting to $6.6 billion.

This expansion includes the production of cutting-edge 2-nanometer chips by 2028 and the construction of a third fabrication plant (fab) by the end of the decade.

While TSMC has plants in various locations, including Japan and several upcoming facilities in the US and Germany, the cost of producing semicon chips outside of Taiwan are notably higher. The company allocates production capacity based on efficiency calculations.

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TSMC expects a decline in profitability this year due to factors such as soaring power costs in Taiwan, the impact of an earthquake in April, and slower efficiency improvements in 3-nanometer chip manufacturing, the most advanced technology currently in mass production.

Despite these challenges, TSMC reported a better-than-expected first-quarter net profit and forecasts strong revenue growth in the second quarter, driven by demand for artificial intelligence chips.

The company predicts that AI processors will account for over 20 per cent of its revenue by 2028.

However, TSMC has maintained its capital expenditure budget for this year at $28 billion to $32 billion, indicating a flat expenditure compared to the previous year. The company also expects a slight decrease in gross margin for the second quarter, primarily due to rising power costs in Taiwan and the transition to 3-nanometer production.

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Looking ahead, TSMC remains optimistic about its long-term prospects, with plans to achieve a gross margin above 53 per cent in the future, particularly with the introduction of 2-nanometer chip production slated for late 2025.
India has been at the forefront of years-long efforts to reform the Security Council, saying it rightly deserves a place as a permanent member at the UN high table, which in its current form does not represent the geo-political realities of the 21st Century. read more

Supporting Indias assertion that the United Nations Security Councils composition from 70 years ago no longer accurately represents current global realities, a senior US diplomat has expressed the Biden administrations backing for G-4 members to attain permanent membership in the UNs premier body.

US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, conveyed this stance during a speech in Tokyo while on her current travels, suggesting that Russia and China are the sole dissenters within the Security Council regarding its expansion.

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Last month, India presented a detailed model on behalf of the G4 nations for Security Council reform that includes new permanent members elected democratically by the General Assembly and displays flexibility on the veto issue.

Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj presented the G-4 model on behalf of Brazil, Germany, Japan and India for debate, dialogue and finally negotiations. The proposals elicited strong support from wider UN members.

Previously the United States, China and Russia agreed on one thing, and that was that we did not want to see changes in the Security Council. But in 2021, the US pulled out of that, and weve made clear that it is important that we see reform in the Security Council and broadly in the UN, she said.

The Security Council of 70 years ago does not reflect the realities of today, where we have 193 (Member States), where Africa does not have a permanent seat, Latin America does not have a permanent seat, and other countries around the world and other regions are not represented in a significant way in the Council, she said.

So one, we have made clear in our discussions with some of the members of the so-called G4 - Japan, Germany, and India (and Brazil) - we support their becoming permanent members of the Security Council, she said.And the (US) President (Joe Biden) reinforced this in his speech last year, again reaffirming our support for permanent seats for Africa and Latin America and additional elected seats on the Council.

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Over the course of the past year, I have had a series of listening tours among regional groupings to get their ideas on how we might move this agenda forward. We are continuing to work on that, Thomas-Greenfield said.Whether it will happen -, I know it wont happen by September. Its not something thats easy to accomplish.I think one of the things I learned during the listening tour is that its going to require a lot of work. Theres no agreement among the 193 members on how this might work, but there is agreement that we do need change, and we have to work together to figure out how that change will take place and what form that change will be. But it is something that we are absolutely committed to, and were working to bring it to fruition, she said in response to a question.

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Currently, only the five permanent members  China, France, Russia, the UK and the US  hold veto powers and through its use have stalled action in the Council to address global challenges and conflicts such as in Ukraine and Gaza.

India has been at the forefront of years-long efforts to reform the Security Council, saying it rightly deserves a place as a permanent member at the UN high table, which in its current form does not represent the geo-political realities of the 21st Century.

Currently, the UNSC has five permanent members - China, France, Russia, the UK and the US. Only a permanent member has the power to veto any substantive resolution.Last month, India presented a detailed model on behalf of the G4 nations of Brazil, Germany, Japan and itself for Security Council reform.The G4 model proposes that the Security Councils membership increase from the current 15 to 25-26, by adding by adding six permanent and four or five non-permanent members.

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With inputs from PTI.
For travelers who have confirmed reservations for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this time, the airline is waiving one-time fees for rescheduling and cancellation read more

New Delhi and Israel's capital city Tel Aviv are connected by Air India with four weekly flights Image Courtesy Agencies

Amid Middle East tensions, Air India said today that it will not be operating any flights to or from Tel Aviv till April 30.

New Delhi and Israels capital city Tel Aviv are connected by Air India with four weekly flights.

Air India flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until 30th April 2024, in view of the emerging situation in the Middle East. We are continuously monitoring the situation, an airline spokesperson said in a statement.

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For travelers who have confirmed reservations for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this time, the airline is waiving one-time fees for rescheduling and cancellation.

The airline made the decision to temporarily halt its flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday.

Middle East tensions have increased as a result of Irans strikes on Israel and the subsequent reaction.

After almost five months, the carrier operated by the Tata group resumed service to the Israeli city on March 3.

Following the attack on the Israeli city by the Hamas group, on October 7, 2023, Air India ceased operating flights to and from Tel Aviv.
The administration has blocked a proposed industrial road needed to mine copper in the middle of the state and has banned new oil and gas leasing on 13 million acres in the North Slope. read more

In this undated photo provided by the United States Geological Survey, permafrost forms a grid-like pattern in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, managed by the Bureau of Land Management on Alaska's North Slope. - AP

The Biden administration announced restrictions on new oil and gas leasing across 13 million acres of federal petroleum reserve in Alaska to help protect wildlife such as caribou and polar bears as the Arctic region faces increasing warming trends.

The decision came after a prolonged debate spanning several years regarding the development of Alaskas extensive oil resources. It solidifies protections initially proposed last year, coinciding with the approval process for the contentious Willow oil project.

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The approval of the Willow project elicited criticism from environmental advocates, who argued that the substantial oil initiative contradicted President Bidens commitment to addressing climate change. Fridays announcement also affirms a previous plan that involved closing nearly half of the reserve to oil and gas leasing.

A group of Republican lawmakers, led by Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, jumped out ahead of Fridays announcement about drilling limitations in the National Petroleum-Reserve Alaska even before it was publicly announced. Sullivan called it an illegal attack on the states economic lifeblood, and predicted lawsuits.

Its more than a one-two punch to Alaska, because when you take off access to our resources, when you say you cannot drill, you cannot produce, you cannot explore, you cannot move it  this is the energy insecurity that were talking about, Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said.

The decision by the Interior Department doesnt change the terms of existing leases in the reserve or affect currently authorized operations, including Willow.

In an olive branch to environmentalists, the Biden administration also Friday recommended the rejection of a state corporations application related to a proposed 210-mile (338-kilometer) road in the northwest part of the state to allow mining of critical mineral deposits, including including copper, cobalt, zinc, silver and gold. There are no mining proposals or current mines in the area, however, and the proposed funding model for the Ambler Road project is speculative, the Interior Department said in a statement.

Sullivan accused the administration of undermining U.S. national security interests with both decisions. Alaska political leaders have long accused the Biden administration of harming the state with decisions limiting the development of oil and gas, minerals and timber.

President Joe Biden is fine with our adversaries producing energy and dominating the worlds critical minerals while shutting down our own in America, as long as the far-left radicals he feels are key to his reelection are satisfied, Sullivan said Thursday at a Capitol news conference with 10 other GOP senators. What a dangerous world this president has created.

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Biden defended his decision regarding the petroleum reserve.

Alaskas majestic and rugged lands and waters are among the most remarkable and healthy landscapes in the world, are critical to Alaska Native communities and demand our protection, he said in a statement.

Nagruk Harcharek, president of Voice of the Arctic Inupiat, a group whose members include leaders from across much of Alaskas North Slope region, has been critical of the administrations approach. The groups board of directors previously passed a resolution opposing the administrations plans for the reserve.

The petroleum reserve  about 100 miles (161 kilometers) west of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge  is home to caribou and polar bears and provides habitat for millions of migrating birds. It was set aside around a century ago as an emergency oil source for the U.S. Navy, but since the 1970s has been overseen by the U.S. Interior Department. There has been ongoing, longstanding debate over where development should occur.

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Most existing leases in the petroleum reserve are clustered in an area thats considered to have high development potential, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, which falls under the Interior Department. The development potential in other parts of the reserve is lower, the agency said.

The rules announced Friday would place restrictions on future leasing and industrial development in areas designated as special for their wildlife, subsistence or other values and call for the agency to evaluate regularly whether to designate new special areas or bolster protections in those areas. The agency cited as a rationale the rapidly changing conditions in the Arctic due to climate change, including melting permafrost and changes in plant life and wildlife corridors.

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With inputs from AP.
Pakistan remains steadfast in collaborating with China for peace, connectivity, prosperity: president

Xinhua) 11:10, April 19, 2024

ISLAMABAD, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said on Thursday that Pakistan always remains steadfast in collaborating with China to advance shared goals of fostering peace, connectivity, prosperity and maintaining stability.

"The enduring strategic and all-weather friendship between Pakistan and China is a cornerstone of stability in the region," the president said when addressing the joint session of the country's parliament in the capital Islamabad.

The president expressed gratitude to the Chinese people and leadership for their unwavering support of Pakistan in various fields during difficult times.

Zardari reiterated the country's resolve to complete the ongoing China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, and said, "We will not allow hostile elements to jeopardize this vital project (CPEC) or undermine the strong bond between our two nations and will take all necessary measures to ensure the security of our Chinese brothers and sisters."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) - The Director of the Climate Change, Technology and Natural Resources Management Division of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Nassim Oulmane, is calling on African countries to speed up the implementation of bold and ambitious solutions for achieving the SDGs, ahead of the African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-10) scheduled to take place from 22 to 25 April in Addis Ababa
After Russia invaded more than two years ago, Ukraine has been subjected to hundreds of Russian aerial strikes. Downing a Russian bomber that was being used to launch cruise missiles would be a very significant victory for the east European country read more

Following the attack, President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his demands for increased air defense system supplies from Ukraine's Western partners Image Courtesy AFP

At least eight people, including two children, were killed in Russian strikes against Ukraine on Friday, while Kyiv claimed to have shot down a Russian strategic bomber for the first time.

Moscow reported that a military aircraft had experienced a technical fault and crashed on Russian soil while returning to base from a combat mission.

After Russia invaded more than two years ago, Ukraine has been subjected to hundreds of Russian aerial strikes. Downing a Russian bomber that was being used to launch cruise missiles would be a very significant victory for the east European country.

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Additional casualties and damage were reported following Russias most recent overnight attacks on the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, according to officials.

A horrific Russian air strike on the Dnipropetrovsk region this morning. Two children are among those killed. A 14-year-old girl and a 8-year-old boy, Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Regional chief Sergiy Lysak revised down an earlier death toll of nine, saying that medical personnel had saved the life of a six-year-old youngster who had been declared dead. There were twelve recorded injuries.

The strikes, which affected Dnipro, the regional capital, and the Synelnykivsky part of the region, incited new fury in Kyiv.

Children must not be killed in air strikes in modern Europe. We must protect them with a reliable air shield, Kuleba said.

The incident damaged train facilities, according to Ukraines railway operator, and seven staff were hurt. They also said that a female employee had died.

Following the attack, President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his demands for increased air defense system supplies from Ukraines Western partners.

Every country that provides air defence systems to Ukraine, every leader who helps persuade our partners that air defence systems should not be stored in warehouses but deployed in real cities and communities facing terror, and everyone who supports our defence is a life saver, Zelensky said.

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He said that Zelensky had visited troops and examined fortifications in the eastern Donetsk region. Because of the lack of personnel and munitions in Ukraine, Russian soldiers have been gaining ground in the area.

The US House of Representatives in Washington is preparing for a critical vote this weekend on a $61 billion military aid package that has been stuck for a long time and may provide much-needed weapons to Ukrainian soldiers fighting on the front lines.

For the first time, Ukraine claimed to have brought down a Russian long-range strategic bomber during a combat operation.

The chief intelligence directorate of Ukraines defense ministry reported that the Tu-22M3 was making its way back to its base in Russia after firing missiles at the country earlier in the evening.
Brent crude oil prices surged by over 3 per cent to approximately $90 per barrel during Friday mornings trading session in Asia, while the price of gold remained near a new all-time high, surpassing $2,400 per ounce. read more

Global oil and gold prices have jumped, while shares have slumped after reports of explosions near the Isfahan airport emerged just minutes after a US official told the Australian broadcaster ABC that Israel had fired missiles on one Iran site.

Brent crude oil prices surged by over 3 per cent to approximately $90 per barrel during Friday mornings trading session in Asia, while the price of gold remained near a new all-time high, surpassing $2,400 per ounce. Following the development in Iran, key stock indices in Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea experienced declines.

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Crude oil prices have surged since the beginning of the year, primarily due to escalating tensions in the Middle East and ongoing supply cuts by OPEC+. Given that the region contributes approximately one-third of the worlds crude oil output, developments there heavily influence global energy markets. The sustained increase in energy prices could elevate risks for the global economy and present a significant challenge for central bankers worldwide.

We continue to highlight the heightened risk that this war will move up the escalation ladder, RBC Capital Markets LLC analysts including Helima Croft quoted by Bloomberg saying in a note before crudes spike. Oil supplies could be caught in the cross-hairs of this metastasizing conflict.

Israeli missiles have hit a site in Iran, ABC News reported late on Thursday, citing a U.S. official, while Iranian state media reported an explosion in the center of the country, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.

Irans Fars news agency said an explosion was heard at an airport in the central city of Isfahan but the cause was not immediately known. Iran suspended flights over the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran, state media reported.

Several Iranian nuclear sites are located in Isfahan province, including Natanz, centerpiece of Irans uranium enrichment program.

Tehrans Imam Khomeini International Airport was closed to all flights until 0700 GMT, according to a notice to airmen posted on a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration database.

Some Emirates and Flydubai flights that were flying over Iran early on Friday made sudden sharp turns away from the airspace, according to flight paths shown on tracking website Flightradar24.
Iran is well aware that protecting its air assets will play a vital role in its performance in future wars or in the current near-warlike situation it faces with Israel read more

Iran, sworn enemy of US-allies, is no sitting duck when it comes to military preparedness. While Iran may not be capable enough to single-handedly handle an apocalypse-level attack, it certainly wont go down without a fight.

This morning, reports emerged that the Shahid Beheshti Air Base in Isfahan, responsible for protecting Irans central region, came under Israeli attack. Iran, of course, later denied this, stating that nothing had happened on the ground.

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Iran is well aware that protecting its air assets will play a vital role in its performance in future wars or in the current near-warlike situation it faces with Israel.

Air force going underground

In February last year, Iranian television showed a previously unseen underground hanger complex called the Eagle 44. The base is capable of storing and operating fighter jets and drones, although its location has been strictly guarded. An IRNA report said that Eagle 44, which is built deep underground, houses fighters equipped with long-range cruise missiles.

Commercial satellite imagery shows the new air base near a mountainous landscape with two pairs of entrances for aircraft at the apparent underground complex. This complex is currently connected to the single runway by a taxiway  the latter including a 150-meter tunnel through a ridge, wrote Joseph Dempsey, Research Associate (Imagery) for Defence and Military Analysis in his piece Irans Air Force, Going Underground?.

Iran does not have a very modern air force due to long-running sanctions and arms embargoes. Therefore, the country has little option but to protect all its air assets in whatever way possible, even going underground.

Any attack on Iran from our enemies, including Israel, will see a response from our many air force bases including Eagle 44, Irans armed forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri told state TV, as reported by IRNA.

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Iran already secures its pile of missiles underground.

Underground airbases are few and far between

While underground airbases are not as common as traditional above-ground airbases, they do exist, offering several advantages like protection from air raids, natural camouflage and reduced vulnerability to surveillance.

The United States has several underground airbases. One example is the Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado, which houses the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD), a critical element for the command and control of the countrys aerospace defence.

China supposedly has many underground bases, but information on them is at best sketchy. Russia also has underground airbases, such as the Yamantau Mountain complex in the Ural Mountains, which is rumored to be a massive underground facility capable of housing military equipment and personnel.

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Israels Area 27, near Tel Aviv, is said to be such a facility and is capable of withstanding missile attacks. The country also has other underground airbases. North Korea is presumed to have such bases, but very little is known about them.

Other known airbases in Iran

Iran has many above-ground airbases like the Mehrabad Air Base in Tehran, which serves both civilian and military purposes. Then there is the Imam Khomeini Air Base situated southwest of Tehran. The Tabriz Air Base, located in northwest Iran, serves as a strategic military installation, while the Shiraz Shahid Dastghaib International Airport also houses military facilities despite being a civilian airport.
The Tesla CEO also went on to slam US President Joe Biden reflecting his condemnation of the Biden administrations response to the ongoing crisis in West Asia read more

Hours after reports emerged that Israel has launched retaliatory strikes against Iran, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk reacted to the ongoing situation in West Asia in a unique way.

The tech billionaire took to X, formally known as Twitter and shared a photograph of a rocket. In the caption he wrote; We should send rockets not at each other, but rather to the stars, Musk wrote.

We should send rockets not at each other, but rather to the stars pic.twitter.com/h4apedUrsU  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 19, 2024

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Earlier today a US official told ABC News that Israel had launched a missile attack. However, the Iranian authorities denied the reports of the missile attack and mentioned that they shot down three drones.

Meanwhile, a massive explosion was heard at an airport in the Iranian city of Isfahan. However, the cause of the explosion was not immediately known.

It is pertinent to note that several nuclear sites are located in Isfahan province, including Natanz, which is touted as the centrepiece of Irans uranium enrichment program.

Musk slams Biden

The Tesla CEO also went on to slam US President Joe Biden reflecting his condemnation of the Biden administrations response to the ongoing crisis in West Asia

If they keep this up, he might be forced to wag his finger!  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 19, 2024

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The billionaire was replying to a tweet about Biden making a dont warning to Iran. If they keep this up, he might be forced to wag his finger! he replied.

In another comment, Musk also pointed out how the American tax dollars are being blown up in the ongoing conflict. Our tax dollars somehow also blowing up our tax dollars, he quipped.

Our tax dollars somehow also blowing up our tax dollars  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 19, 2024

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The Iran-Israel tensions escalate

The attack came just days after Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones within the Israeli territory. The tensions between the two nations reached an all-time high after Irans embassy in Syria witnessed a devastating attack which was allegedly conducted by Israel.

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned Israel against taking any military actions against Iran.

In case the Israeli regime embarks on adventurism again and takes action against the interests of Iran, the next response from us will be immediate and at a maximum level, Amir-Abdollahian said in an interview with CNN.

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The foreign minister insisted that Iran is sincerely hoping that Israel would not repeat the previous egregious error, referencing the apparent Israeli strike on Irans embassy complex in Damascus, Syria.

Our response will be decisive through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, he said. Weve announced to the White House, sent a message to the White House and Washington DC, the administration in which weve reiterated that if the Israeli regime commits the great error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them, he added.

With inputs from agencies.
Days after Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel, Embassy of Iran in India defended the Islamic regimes action saying that it implemented its inherent right of self-defence in accordance with the Article 51 of the UN Charter read more

Days after Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel, Embassy of Iran in India defended the Islamic regimes action saying that it implemented its inherent right of self-defence in accordance with the Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Embassy of Iran in India issues press statement on the exercise by Iran - "Iran, as a responsible member of the United Nations, emphasizing its commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the rule of law, in response to the Zionist regime's pic.twitter.com/CsDoeC72yW  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

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Iran, as a responsible member of the United Nations, emphasizing its commitment to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the rule of law, in response to the Zionist regimes heinous military aggression and unlawful use of force against diplomatic premises of Uran in Damascus on 1st April 2024, implemented its inherent right of self-defense in accordance with the Article 51 of the UN Charter on 14th April 2024, the Embassy said in a statement.

The Tehrans retaliation followed an attack on Irans consulate in Damascus on 2 April. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the tragic loss of seven of its officials, including senior commanders Mohammed Reza Zahedi and Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi.

Taking into account that while Zionist regime in a grave violation of UN charter and basic norms of international law, committed a terrorist attack against a well-known diplomatic and protected premises of Iran in Syria, but the Islamic Republic of Iran exercised its inherent right of self defence in full compliance with the relevant rules and regulations, and only targeted military objectives and army bases, without harm, injury or suffering for the civilians, the statement added.

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Meanwhile, in response to Irans weekend strikes, Israel on Thursday night launched a strike against the Islamic nation, US media reported.

The US media reported the strike early Friday Middle East time, quoting US officials.

A US official told CNN that the target of the Israeli strike inside Iran was not nuclear.

There was no immediate comment from the White House.

In response to a query from AFP, the Pentagon duty desk said, We do not have anything to offer at this time.

Iran activated its air defense system over several cities, state media reported, after the countrys official broadcaster said explosions were heard near the central city of Isfahan.

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Israel warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at its arch foe over the weekend. Most of them were intercepted.

That weekend barrage came in the wake of an attack on Irans consulate in Damascus widely blamed on Israel.

With inputs from agencies
Tit-for-tat exchanges between Iran and Isreal have sparked concerns of an all-out war breaking in the Middle East after decades of shadow war between allies-turned-foes read more

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on 14 April, 2024. Reuter File

Israel on Friday carried out a strike on Iranian territory on Friday, marking the latest episode in the tit-for-tat exchanges between the regional adversaries.

This escalation follows Irans launch of drones and missiles at Israel on 13 April, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to promise a response.

Irans attack, its first direct strike on Israel, was purportedly in retaliation for an alleged Israeli airstrike on Tehrans embassy compound in Damascus on 1 April. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the tragic loss of seven of its officials, including senior commanders Mohammed Reza Zahedi and Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi.

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These recent events are part of a broader escalation since the Gaza conflict last year, underscoring the deep-seated animosity between the two nations, characterised by a history of covert operations across various domains, including land, sea, air, and cyberspace.

Heres how things unfolded over the years:

1979 - Irans pro-Western leader Mohammed Reza Shah, who regarded Israel as an ally, is swept from power in an Islamic Revolution that installs a new theocratic regime with opposition to Israel an ideological imperative.

1982 - As Israel invades Lebanon, Irans Revolutionary Guards work with fellow Shiite Muslims there to set up Hezbollah. Israel will eventually see the armed group as the most dangerous adversary on its borders.

1983 - Iran-backed Hezbollah uses suicide bombings to expel Western and Israeli forces from Lebanon. In November a car packed with explosives drives into the headquarters of the Israeli military. Israel later withdraws from much of Lebanon.

1992-94 - Argentina and Israel accuse Iran and Hezbollah of being behind suicide bombings on Israels embassy in Buenos Aires in 1992 and a Jewish centre in the city in 1994, each of which killed dozens of people. Iran and Hezbollah deny responsibility.

2002 - Revelation that Iran has a secret uranium enrichment programme prompts concern that it is trying to build a nuclear weapon, which it denies. Israel urges tough action against Tehran.

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2006 - Israel fights Hezbollah in a month-long war in Lebanon but is unable to crush the heavily armed group.

2009 - In a speech, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei calls Israel a dangerous and fatal cancer.

2010 - Stuxnet, a malicious computer virus widely believed to have been developed by the United States and Israel, was used to attack a uranium enrichment facility at Irans Natanz nuclear site. It was the first publicly known cyberattack on industrial machinery.

2012 - Iranian nuclear scientist Mostafa Ahmadi-Roshan was killed by a bomb placed on his car by a motorcyclist in Tehran. A city official blamed Israel for the attack.

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2018 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hails U.S. President Donald Trumps withdrawal from Irans nuclear deal with world powers after years of lobbying against the agreement, calling Trumps decision a historic move.

In May Israel says it had struck Iranian military infrastructure in Syria - where Tehran was backing President Bashar al-Assad in the civil war - after Iranian forces there fired rockets at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

2020 - Israel welcomes the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani, commander of the overseas arm of Irans Revolutionary Guards, in an American drone strike in Baghdad. Iran strikes back with missile attacks on Iraqi bases housing American troops. About 100 U.S. military personnel were injured.

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2021 - Iran blames Israel for the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, viewed by Western intelligence services as the mastermind of a covert Iranian programme to develop nuclear weapons capability. Tehran has long denied any such ambition.

2022 - US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid sign a joint pledge to deny Iran nuclear arms in a show of unity by allies long divided over diplomacy with Tehran.

The undertaking, part of a Jerusalem Declaration crowning Bidens first visit to Israel as president, came a day after he told a local television station he was open to last resort use of force against Iran - an apparent move toward accommodating Israels calls for a credible military threat by world powers.

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2024 - A suspected Israeli air strike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus kills seven officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, including two senior commanders. Israel neither confirmed or denied responsibility. Iran responds with a barrage of drones and missiles in an unprecedented direct attack on Israeli territory on April 13. This prompted Israel to launch a strike on Iranian soil on April 19, sources familiar with the matter said.

With inputs from agencies
The incident became a matter of concern after multiple explosions were heard near a major Iranian air base in Isfahan read more

The United Nations atomic watchdog confirmed that the nuclear facilities in Iran were left untouched after the recent attack in the Middle Eastern region. Reports started to emerge late Thursday that Israel has launched a retaliatory attack against Iran.

The incident became a matter of concern after multiple explosions were heard near a major Iranian air base in Isfahan. In response to this Iran fired air defence batteries and shut down flight operations in several parts of the country.

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The attack came days after Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones over Israeli territory. The ongoing turmoil between Iran and Israel started to escalate after Irans embassy in Damascus witnessed a devastating attack. It was alleged that Israel was behind the incident.

IAEA assures Irans nuclear facilities are safe

Hours after reports started emerging, the UN watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) made it clear that Irans nuclear facilities are safe.

The IAEAs chief Rafael Grossi went on to urge both parties to maintain extreme restraint. IAEA can confirm that there is no damage to #Irans nuclear sites, the international body wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.

IAEA can confirm that there is no damage to #Irans nuclear sites. DG @rafaelmgrossi continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely. pic.twitter.com/4F7pAlNjWM  IAEA - International Atomic Energy Agency  (@iaeaorg) April 19, 2024

DG @rafaelmgrossi continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely, the statement further reads.

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Sounds of air defence system engulfed the skies of Isfahan

Commercial planes began diverting their routes early Friday morning without any explanation. Later the Iranian media confirmed that explosions were heard near an airport in Isfahan.

However, Iranian News outlet Fars later revealed that the air defence systems in Isfahan were activated against an object suspected to be a drone. It maintained that three explosions were heard near an army base in the citys northwest.

The Iranian province of Isfahan is located around 350km south of the capital Tehran. It is considered to be a strategically important region and is home to Irans several nuclear sites along with a major military air base.

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The nearby city of Natanz is one of Irans nuclear enrichment sites and has been repeatedly targeted by Israel in the past.

Amid the chaos, the Iranian officials stated that no missiles were launched in the region and its authorities have managed to take down three drones. Israel has yet to claim responsibility for the attack.

No immediate plans for retaliation

Given the lack of information on the matter, a senior Iranian official told Reuters that Tehran has no immediate plan to retaliate.

The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack, the unnamed Iranian official told the news agency.

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With inputs from agencies.
The limited scale of the attack and Irans muted response both appeared to signal a successful effort by diplomats who have been working round the clock to avert all-out war since an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel last Saturday. read more

Iran's Minister for Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, right, and Iran's Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani, 2nd left, arrive at a Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters, Thursday, April 18, 2024.- AP

Explosions were heard over an Iranian city in which sources attributed to an Israeli attack. However, Tehran downplayed the incident, saying it had no plan for retaliation. The response seems aimed at preventing a broader conflict in the region.

The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack, the Times of Israel quoted an Iranian official as saying on condition of anonymity.

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The statement came after Israel reportedly carried out a missile strike targeting an air defense unit in its south and causing material damage.

Iranian media and officials described a small number of explosions, which they said resulted from Irans air defences hitting three drones over the city of Isfahan. Notably, they referred to the incident as an attack by infiltrators, rather than by Israel, obviating the need for retaliation.

An Iranian official told Reuters there were no plans to respond against Israel for the incident.

The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack, the official said.

Israel said nothing about the incident. It had said for days it was planning to retaliate against Iran for Saturdays strikes, the first ever direct attack on Israel by Iran in decades of shadow war waged by proxies which has escalated throughout the Middle East through six months of battle in Gaza.

The two longstanding foes had been heading towards direct confrontation since a presumed Israeli airstrike on April 1 that destroyed a building in Irans embassy compound in Damascus and killed several Iranian officers including a top general.

Israel had vowed to respond to Irans unprecedented weekend attack, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of fighting in Gaza. Allies have urged Israel to hold back on any response to the attack that could spiral.

The United States and Britain announced Thursday that they were imposing a new round of sanctions on Iran. The moves came as European Union leaders meeting in Brussels vowed to ramp up sanctions on Iran to target its drone and missile deliveries to proxies in Gaza, Yemen and Lebanon.

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Regional tensions have increased since the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, when Hamas and Islamic Jihad  two militant groups backed by Iran  carried out a cross-border attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. Israel responded with an offensive in Gaza that has caused widespread devastation and killed more than 33,900 people, according to local health officials.

With inputs from agencies.
With reports of Israeli drones hitting in Iran late and explosions heard in the centre of the country, several commercial flights diverted their routes on Friday read more

Flights are back to normal at Tehrans main domestic airport, Mehrabad. FILE/AFP.

After a brief suspension following drone attacks by Israel, Tehrans two major airports resumed flights on Friday.

Flights through Imam Khomeini and Mehrabad airports have resumed, IRNA news agency reported.

With reports of Israeli drones hitting in Iran late on Thursday and explosions heard in the centre of the country, several commercial flights diverted their routes on Friday.

Flights took sudden sharp turns

According to flight paths shown on tracking website Flightradar24, some of Emirates and Flydubai aircrafts that were flying over Iran early on Friday made sudden sharp turns away from the airspace.

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Flights over Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran cities have been suspended, state media reported.

Iranian officials said its air defence shot down several drones, but there had been no missile attack for now on the country.

The state-run IRNA news agency reported that Iran fired air defense batteries on Friday morning across several provinces after reports of explosions near the city of Isfahan.

Several drones have been successfully shot down by the countrys air defence, there are no reports of a missile attack for now, Irans space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian says on X.

The alleged attack comes less than a week after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria.

Most of the drones and missiles were downed before reaching Israeli territory.

Israel had said it was going to retaliate against Irans April 13 missile and drone attack.

On Thursday, Iran told the United Nations Security Council that Israel must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests as the UN secretary-general warned that the Middle East was in a moment of maximum peril.

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With inputs from agencies
According to state news agency IRNA, air defence systems were activated in several regions as a precaution against potential aerial threats read more

Immediately after explosion was heard near the city of Isfahan, Iran activated air defence systems across several provinces that is home to nuclear sites and major air base for the Iranian military.

According to Iranian state television, around 12:30 AM GMT, three drones were seen in the sky over Isfahan, air defence systems were activated and they destroyed these drones in the sky.

Air defense batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported.

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Following the activation of air defense in some parts of the country to deal with some possible targets, reports indicate that so far, no large-scale strikes or explosions caused by any air threat has been reported, IRNA said early on Friday.

In particular, IRNA said air defenses fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Irans fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Missile defense systems were not activated, IRNA added.

Flights in Irans capital Tehran and the cities Isfahan and Shiraz were suspended earlier after reports of air strikes.

Following the reports, oil futures jumped on Friday with Brent crude rising 3.9 per cent to $90.52 per barrel in the international oil benchmark. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate, the US marker, climbed 4.0 per cent to $86.04 per barrel.

Israel had earlier indicated that they would respond to Irans attack last weekend when it fired more than 300 armed drones and missiles. It was the first attack by Tehran when it targeted the country directly from its own soil.

Iran said the strike was a response to an attack on its embassy in Damascus that killed senior military commanders, which Tehran blamed on Israel.

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With inputs from agencies
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Secretary-General of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), Ado El Hadj Abou, arrived in Tripoli on Thursday for the 4th session of the meetings of the Council of Ministers for Youth and Sport of the member countries, scheduled for next Sunday, after a 15-year hiatus
Among the 15-member security council, 12 nations were in favour of the motion, the US opposed and the United Kingdom and Switzerland abstained from voting read more

The United States used its power of veto to block the Palestinian request to the United Nations Security Council for full UN membership. With this, the US blocked the international bodys recognition of the state of Palestine.

Among the 15-member security council, 12 nations were in favour of the motion, the US opposed and the United Kingdom and Switzerland abstained from voting, The Guardian reported.

While addressing the council after the voting, Deputy US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood said that the United States will continue to strongly support a two-state solution.

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The United States continues to strongly support a two-state solution. This vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood, but instead is an acknowledgement that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties, he said.

Reaction from the two sides

Shortly after the meeting, the Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, sharply criticized the US veto and called the move unfair, immoral and unjustified. Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz on the other hand, hailed the United States for vetoing what he called a shameful proposal.

The proposal to recognize a Palestinian state, more than 6 months after the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and after the sexual crimes and other atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists was a reward for terrorism, Katz wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The proposal to recognize a Palestinian state, more than 6 months after the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and after the sexual crimes and other atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists was a reward for terrorism.



I commend the United States for vetoing this    Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) April 18, 2024

Meanwhile, Hamas, which was responsible for the deadly October 7 massacre in Southern Israel, strongly condemned Americas position. The UK also took time to explain its abstention.

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The British envoy to the UN, Barbara Woodward, insisted that the UK believe that such recognition of Palestinian statehood should not come at the start of a new process, but it doesnt have to be at the very end of the process.

We must start with fixing the immediate crisis in Gaza, she added.

A long way to go

Palestine currently has a non-member observer status which was granted by the UN General Assembly back in 2012. An application for full membership to the international body would have to be approved by the Security Council and two-thirds of the general assembly.

Recent escalations make it even more important to support good-faith efforts to find lasting peace between Israel and a fully independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state, Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, told the council before the voting.

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Failure to make progress towards a two-state solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region, who will continue to live under the constant threat of violence, he added.

Guterres went on to mention that Israels commitment to improve aid access to the conflict-stricken Gaza Strip also has limited or no impact. Apparent progress in one area is often cancelled out by delays and restrictions elsewhere, the secretary general averred.

For example, although the Israeli authorities have cleared more aid convoys, those clearances are often granted when it is too late in the day to make deliveries and return safely. So the impact is limited, and sometimes nil, he concluded.
The attack came just days after Iran conducted its own retaliatory strikes against Israel by sending a barrage of missiles and drones into the Israeli territory read more

Amid the brewing tensions between Iran and Israel, reports are emerging that Tel Aviv has launched a retaliatory attack against Iran. a US official told ABC News that Israeli missiles have struck a site in Iran.

The attack came just days after Iran conducted its own retaliatory strikes against Israel by sending a barrage of missiles and drones into the Israeli territory. The tensions between the two nations reached an all-time high after Irans embassy in Syria witnessed a devastating attack which was allegedly conducted by Israel.

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While the official confirmed to ABC News that the Israeli missiles had hit the Iranian site, he could not confirm whether Syrian and Iraqi sites were hit as well.

Explosion heard in some areas: Iranian media

According to Irans news outlet Fars, a massive explosion was heard at an airport in the Iranian city of Isfahan. However, the cause of the explosion was not immediately known.

It is pertinent to note that several nuclear sites are located in Isfahan province, including Natanz, which is touted as the centrepiece of Irans uranium enrichment program.

Amid all the chaos, several flights were diverted over the Iranian airspace. In light of this, Iran said that it has activated air defence systems in Isfahan and several other provinces.

While flights to Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz now stand cancelled, oil prices in the region have now surged by over 3 per cent.

Iran-Israel tensions

The attack came just days after Iran told the United Nations Security Council that Israel must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests. Given the tense climate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also warned that the Middle East is in a moment of maximum peril.

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After the April 13, Iranian attack, Israel has maintained that it was going to retaliate against Iran. However, the form of retaliation and the timing of it was up for debate.

On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned Israel against taking any military actions against Iran.

In case the Israeli regime embarks on adventurism again and takes action against the interests of Iran, the next response from us will be immediate and at a maximum level, Amir-Abdollahian said in an interview with CNN.

The foreign minister insisted that Iran is sincerely hoping that Israel would not repeat the previous egregious error, referencing the apparent Israeli strike on Irans embassy complex in Damascus, Syria.

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Our response will be decisive through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, he said. Weve announced to the White House, sent a message to the White House and Washington DC, the administration in which weve reiterated that if the Israeli regime commits the great error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them, he added.

Iranian official denies missile attack

After the reports of the attack, Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Irans civilian space program denied a missile attack. However, he wrote on X that small quadcopter drones had been shot down.

           



           Hossein Dalirian (@HosseinDalirian) April 19, 2024

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However, it wasnt immediately clear where that happened or if it was part of the ongoing attack.
Loud sound was heard in the Isfahan province as multiple flights over the Iranian airspace were diverted amid tensions with Israel, Iranian state TV reported read more

Israel has carried out a retaliatory attack on Iran as it reportedly conducted air strikes in the centre of the country late on Thursday.

Explosions was heard in the central city of Isfahan, a province that has one of Irans most crucial nuclear sites. But will Iran take a revenge after this? It appears so.

Several Iranian nuclear sites are located in Isfahan, including Natanz, the crown jewel of Irans uranium enrichment program.

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Unconfirmed posts on social media claimed that at least seven Iranian cities were hit by the air strikes carried by Israel.

Moments before the air strikes, the chief of Irans Nuclear Protection and Security Corps, General Ahmad Haqtalab, warned that If the Zionist regime decides to take action against our nuclear facilities and centres, it will definitely face our reaction.

General Haqtalab, in his statement on earlier Thursday, assured the citizens of Iran that the countrys nuclear facilities are secure.

Hands are on the trigger

If the fake Zionist regime decides to use the threat of attacking our countrys nuclear centres as a tool to put pressure on Iran, it is possible and conceivable to revise the nuclear doctrine and policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran and digress from the previously declared considerations, a report by Press TV quoted the IRGC official as saying.

The nuclear centres of the Zionist enemy have been identified and the necessary information about all the targets is at our disposal. In order to respond to their possible actions, the hands are on the trigger, so to speak, for firing powerful missiles to destroy the identified targets, General Haqtalab further said.

Ready to deal with any threat from Israel

The General further said: Thanks to  our highly advanced facilities and equipment, as well as the dispersion of our countrys nuclear facilities and complexes in the vast land of Iran, we are ready to deal with any threat from the Zionist regime.

Netanyahu a man of words

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From the air strikes on Iran on Thursday, it appears that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a man of words as he had earlier vowed to retaliate against Irans weekend attack, which involved hundreds of drones and missiles in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria.

With inputs from agencies
While neither Israel nor Iran have confirmed the attack, multiple explosions were reported near an airport in the Iranian city of Isfahan read more

While the United States was not involved in the attack on Iran, Israel did notify Washington about the strikes 24-48 hours before they happened. A senior US official, told CNN, that Israel already made its intentions clear about the Thursday incident.

However, the official insisted that the United States doesnt endorse the response. The reports were also confirmed by two unnamed US officials. The American officials told Bloomberg that Israel gave a heads-up to the US on Thursday that it planned to retaliate in a day or two.

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While neither Israel nor Iran have confirmed the attack, multiple explosions were reported near an airport in the Iranian city of Isfahan.

It is pertinent to note that several nuclear sites are located in Isfahan province, including Natanz, which is touted as the centrepiece of Irans uranium enrichment program.

Amid all the chaos, several flights were diverted over the Iranian airspace. In light of this, Iran said that it has activated air defence systems in Isfahan and several other provinces.

Austin spoke to Israeli counterpart hours before the attack

Meanwhile, shortly after the attack, the Iranian officials told Reuters that there was no successful missile strike and that the explosions were the result of Irans missile defences coming into play.

According to a Pentagon readout, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant earlier Thursday. As per the statement, the discussions between the two ministers revolved around regional threats and Irans destabilizing actions in the Middle East".

However, the Pentagon readout did not mention any discussions of Israels plans to attack. The readout noted that Austin discussed the importance of increasing and sustaining the flow of humanitarian aid to Gazan civilians, including via the new route from Ashdod Port in Israel.

Iran-Israel tensions

The attack came just days after Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones within the Israeli territory. The tensions between the two nations reached an all-time high after Irans embassy in Syria witnessed a devastating attack which was allegedly conducted by Israel.

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On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned Israel against taking any military actions against Iran.

In case the Israeli regime embarks on adventurism again and takes action against the interests of Iran, the next response from us will be immediate and at a maximum level, Amir-Abdollahian said in an interview with CNN.

The foreign minister insisted that Iran is sincerely hoping that Israel would not repeat the previous egregious error, referencing the apparent Israeli strike on Irans embassy complex in Damascus, Syria.

Our response will be decisive through the Swiss embassy in Tehran, he said. Weve announced to the White House, sent a message to the White House and Washington DC, the administration in which weve reiterated that if the Israeli regime commits the great error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them, he added.

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With inputs from agencies.
The official stated that the recent barrage of strikes was intended to send signal to Iran that Israel has the ability to strike inside the country read more

Israel has carried out operations against nuclear sites in the region before. Image Courtesy Reuters / Representative

Hours after reports emerged that Iran witnessed a surprise attack near the Isfahan province, an Israeli official confirmed that it was the countrys military that carried out the attack.

While speaking to The Washington Post, the official stated that Israel was responsible for the attack, but insisted that it is still not clear exactly how much damage was caused by the strike.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity and maintained that the recent barrage of strikes was intended to send a signal to Iran that Israel has the ability to strike inside the country.

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The comments by the unnamed official make it the first remark from the Israeli side on the matter. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus administration has kept mum on the matter.

Israels military keeps mum on the matter

Meanwhile, the Israeli military refused to comment on the reports that Israel was involved in the attack. The military told the AFP that we dont have a comment at this time when asked about reports of explosions and strikes in Iran and Syria.

The Israeli Prime Ministers Office has also refused to confirm to The Times of Israel that Israel is behind explosions in the Isfahan province.

A senior US official stated that Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran. The attack was conducted hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN in an interview that if Israel takes any further military action against it would be immediate and at a maximum level."

The attack came days after Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones into Israeli territory after the Jewish nation was accused of conducting an attack at an Iranian embassy in Syria.

Was the US involved?

Amid the chaos, a US official told CNN that while the United States was not involved in the attack on Iran, Israel did notify Washington about the strikes 24-48 hours before they happened.

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However, the official insisted that the United States doesnt endorse the response. The claims were also confirmed by two unnamed US officials. The American officials told Bloomberg that Israel gave a heads-up to the US on Thursday that it planned to retaliate in a day or two.

It is pertinent to note that several nuclear sites are located in Isfahan province, where multiple explosions were heard. This includes the city of Natanz, which is touted as the centrepiece of Irans uranium enrichment program.

With inputs from agencies.
Israel retaliated against Iran with strikes early Friday, targeting the city of Isfahan. Experts have said the Jewish nations choice of the city is strategic, as it is the centre of Irans nuclear programme  it operates three reactors here. It is also the base for the F-14 fighter jets fleet read more

Hours after Israel reportedly launched an attack on Iranian soil, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir posts one word in Hebrew on X, formerly Twitter, best translated as: Lame, as reported by Times of Israel.

Responding to the social media post, Iranian state media said The Israeli authorities are mocking themselves! The Minister of Internal Security of the Zionist regime wrote to the reports about the Isfahan incident: Weak! semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim posts on X, formerly Twitter.

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The statement came after Israel reportedly carried out a missile strike targeting an air defense unit in its south and causing material damage.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized at National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, after the far-right lawmaker called an alleged Israeli strike on Iran lame.

Never before has a minister in the security cabinet done such heavy damage to the countrys security, its image and its international status, Lapid writes on X, formerly Twitter. In an unforgivable one-word tweet, Ben Gvir managed to mock and shame Israel from Tehran to Washington, he charges.

The warplanes were seen around the time loud noises and drones were reported near a major Iranian air base and nuclear site early Friday. That area of Syria is directly west of Isfahan, some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away, and east of Israel. Iran fired air defense batteries early Friday and some flights were diverted or grounded after reports of explosions near a major airbase and nuclear site where drones were spotted.

Israel had vowed to respond to Irans unprecedented weekend attack, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of fighting in Gaza. Allies have urged Israel to hold back on any response to the attack that could spiral.
According to reports, Israel notified the Biden administration on Thursday of an imminent strike expected within the next 24 to 48 hours. However, Israeli officials reassured their US counterparts that the intended target would not include Irans nuclear facilities. read more

Israels military refused to comment on the reports that Israeli missiles hit a site in Iran. The Israeli military told the AFP that we dont have a comment at this time when asked about reports of explosions and strikes in Iran and Syria.

The Prime Ministers Office refuses to confirm to The Times of Israel that Israel is behind explosions in Isfahan. Iranian state media confirmed that air defence systems intercepted drones in Isfahan province and neutralising them effectively. Also, there were reports of air defense operations near Tabriz.

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A senior US official told CNN that Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran. The attack came just hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN in an interview that if Israel takes any further military action against it would be immediate and at a maximum level."

According to reports, Israel notified the Biden administration on Thursday of an imminent strike expected within the next 24 to 48 hours. However, Israeli officials reassured their US counterparts that the intended target would not include Irans nuclear facilities.

Following reports of explosions near a significant airbase near Isfahan, Iranian state media announced the activation of air defense systems, leading to the interception of drones in the province. Isfahan is home to several sites associated with Irans nuclear program, such as the Natanz enrichment site. State television affirmed the security of all facilities in the region to viewers.
However, US officials confirmed that Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran. The attack came just hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN in an interview that if Israel takes any further military action against it would be immediate and at a maximum level." read more

Explosions heard in Isfahan were a result of the activation of Irans air defence systems, an Iranian official told Reuters on Friday, adding that no missile attack was carried out against Iran.

However, a senior US official told CNN that Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran. The attack came just hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN in an interview that if Israel takes any further military action against it would be immediate and at a maximum level."

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Israels military refused to comment on the reports that Israeli missiles hit a site in Iran. The Israeli military told the AFP that we dont have a comment at this time when asked about reports of explosions and strikes in Iran and Syria.

The Prime Ministers Office refuses to confirm to The Times of Israel that Israel is behind explosions in Isfahan. Iranian state media confirmed that air defence systems intercepted drones in Isfahan province and neutralising them effectively. Also, there were reports of air defense operations near Tabriz.

According to reports, Israel notified the Biden administration on Thursday of an imminent strike expected within the next 24 to 48 hours. However, Israeli officials reassured their US counterparts that the intended target would not include Irans nuclear facilities.

Following reports of explosions near a significant airbase near Isfahan, Iranian state media announced the activation of air defense systems, leading to the interception of drones in the province. Isfahan is home to several sites associated with Irans nuclear program, such as the Natanz enrichment site. State television affirmed the security of all facilities in the region to viewers.
Iranian officials described a small number of explosions, which they said resulted from Irans air defences hitting three drones over the city of Isfahan. Notably, they referred to the incident as an attack by infiltrators, rather than by Israel, obviating the need for retaliation. read more

Oil prices gave up nearly all of early Fridays gains after an Iranian official told Reuters that it had no plan for retaliation, a response aimed at preventing a broader conflict in the region.

Brent crude oil prices surged by over 3 per cent to approximately $90 per barrel during Friday mornings trading session in Asia, while the price of gold remained near a new all-time high, surpassing $2,400 per ounce. Following the development that Israel launched missile strikes against Iran in the early morning hours today, key stock indices in Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea experienced declines.

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Iranian media and officials described a small number of explosions, which they said resulted from Irans air defences hitting three drones over the city of Isfahan. Notably, they referred to the incident as an attack by infiltrators, rather than by Israel, obviating the need for retaliation.

An Iranian official told Reuters there were no plans to respond against Israel for the incident.

The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack, the official said.

Regional tensions have increased since the start of the latest Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, when Hamas and Islamic Jihad  two militant groups backed by Iran  carried out a cross-border attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. Israel responded with an offensive in Gaza that has caused widespread devastation and killed more than 33,900 people, according to local health officials.
Several of Pakistans deadliest attacks in recent years have been carried out by terrorists attempting to topple the government and impose their own harsh form of Islamic authority; certain separatist groups have even targeted Chinese nationals read more

The Japanese citizens were identified by Pakistani officials as engineers employed by Karachi's export processing zone management, although no terrorist organization immediately took credit for the attack Image Courtesy Reuters

A police spokesman said that while two onlookers were among the three injured, five Japanese nationals in Pakistan escaped unharmed from a suicide bomb attempt on their vehicle in Karachi on Friday.

Several of Pakistans deadliest attacks in recent years have been carried out by terrorists attempting to topple the government and impose their own harsh form of Islamic authority; certain separatist groups have even targeted Chinese nationals.

The Japanese citizens were identified by Pakistani officials as engineers employed by Karachis export processing zone management, although no terrorist organization immediately took credit for the attack.

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The Japanese have been moved to a safe place in police custody, the spokesperson, Abrar Hussain Baloch, said, although the bystanders and a guard with the visitors suffered injuries.

The police mobile unit, which was nearby, responded to the attackers quickly and the security guards of the foreign guests responded immediately, Baloch added.

In Tokyo, Japans chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, told a press conference that one Japanese national was confirmed to have been injured and the government was checking details, having flagged the risk to other citizens in Pakistan.

One of the two motorcycle-borne attackers set off explosives tied to his body as soon as the vehicle slowed down, but failed to strike his target, Pakistani counter-terrorism official Raja Umar Khatab told reporters.

That prompted his accomplice to start shooting at the vehicle.

I think he fired some 15 or 16 shots, Khatab said, adding that private security guards with the foreigners and a nearby police patrol returned fire and killed the second attacker.

The men had followed the Japanese groups vehicle for some time before the attack, he said, with authorities suspecting they carried out reconnaissance to identify the target and location of the attack.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, praising the timely police action for saving lives.

(With agency inputs)
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya's interim oil and finance ministers on Thursday discussed a number of strategic issues with US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy, Jeffrey Pyatt, including the economic and political situation in the North African country, with a particular focus on the oil and gas sector
Islamist militants seeking to overthrow the government and set up their own strict brand of Islamic rule have launched some of Pakistans bloodiest attacks over the last few years, sometimes targeting foreigners, such as Chinese. read more

Karachi Police has shot down a suicide bomber and a terrorist on Friday as they attacked a vehicle carrying five Japanese nationals.

A police spokesperson Abrar Hussain Baloch said that all the tourists survived the attack and they have been moved to a safe place in police custody, he said.

Islamist militants seeking to overthrow the government and set up their own strict brand of Islamic rule have launched some of Pakistans bloodiest attacks over the last few years, sometimes targeting foreigners, such as Chinese.

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As of now, no militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The US State Department has warned that North Korea is developing lethal bacteria and viruses as part of the countrys biological weapons (BW) programme, according to a report read more

The US State Department has warned that North Korea is developing lethal bacteria and viruses as part of the countrys biological weapons (BW) programme, according to a report.

According to a UK-based The Times report, in its annual assessment, the US officials said that the reclusive state has developed sprays and poison pens as a means of spreading deadly diseases.

The report titled Adherence and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments shifts its emphasis away from North Koreas nuclear program to concentrate more on weaponry intended for biological warfare, such as anthrax and smallpox dissemination.

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The report highlights North Koreas consistent attention to its biological weapons program.

The United States assesses that the DPRK has a dedicated, national level offensive BW program. The DPRK has the capability to produce biological agents for military purposes. The DPRK has the technical capability to produce bacteria, viruses, and toxins that could be used as BW agents, the report posted on State Departments website said.

Pyongyang probably is capable of weaponising BW agents with unconventional systems such as sprayers and poison pen injection devices, which have been deployed by the DPRK for delivery of chemical weapons and could be used to covertly deliver BW agents, it added.

The DPRK also has the capability to genetically engineer biological products with technologies such as CRISPR, which have been reported by its State Academy of Sciences and other sources, the report said.

CRISPR is an acronym for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats. It is a technology used to selectively edit genes.

Biological weapons release disease-causing organisms or toxins to harm or kill humans, animals or plants. Agents such as anthrax can cause disease and death. It is thought that North Korea has had BW capabilities since the 1960s.

With inputs from agencies
According to Polish national prosecutors office, the man, identified as Pawel K, has been accused of being prepared to pass airport security information to Russian agents read more

A Polish man has been arrested on allegations of aiding a plot by Russian intelligence services to assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The man, identified as Pawel K, was apprehended in Poland on Wednesday. In a statement issued by the Polish national prosecutors office, Pawel has been accused of being prepared to pass airport security information to Russian agents.

Polish and Ukrainian prosecutors have collaborated closely in this investigation.

Details of the plot

The prosecutors said Pawel was seeking direct contact with Russians actively involved in the Ukraine war. He was expected to provide detailed information about the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport, located in south-eastern Poland near the Ukrainian border.

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This airport is crucial for international military and humanitarian supplies for Ukraine and is frequented by international leaders and aid workers, including Zelenskyy.

The airport is currently under the control of the US troops, making it a strategic point in the region.

According to Polish authorities statement Pawe was tasked to help, among other things, in planning by Russian special services a possible attack on the life of the head of a foreign state  President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Prosecutors said the man agreed to provide information to Russian spies about security at Rzeszow-Jasionka airport, in southeastern Poland, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the border with Ukraine.

Legal consequences

According to the Polish national prosecutors office, if convicted, Pawel could face up to eight years in prison.

Cooperation & evidence

The arrest was made possible through close cooperation between Polish and Ukrainian prosecutors and security services.

Ukrainian Chief Prosecutor Andriy Kostin said crucial evidence was provided by Ukrainian authorities, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

International espionage

In a separate incident, German prosecutors have also made arrests related to espionage activities. Two German-Russian men were arrested in the Bavarian city of Bayreuth on suspicion of espionage.

One of the men is accused of planning attacks on potential targets, including US military facilities, in an attempt to disrupt aid efforts for Ukraine.

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Ongoing threat

These arrests highlight the ongoing threat posed by Russia not only to Ukraine, but to the broader international community. Ukrainian Chief Prosecutor Andriy Kostin stressed that Russias actions demonstrate a persistent danger to sovereignty and peace in the region and beyond. The suspects in both cases are currently in detention pending further legal proceedings.

With inputs from agencies
According to the data, 56,208 Indian visitors traveled to the Maldives in January through March of 2023. The figure fell to 34,847 between January and March of 2024. This represented a 38% decrease from 2023 read more

In the past, India was the major source of tourism-related data for the Maldives Image Courtesy AP

When compared to figures from the same period in 2023, the number of visitors visiting the Maldives from India fell by about 40% between January and March of 2024. Simultaneously, the overall count of visitors from China increased by more than 200%.

The Ministry of Tourism in the Maldives just released its monthly report on visitor arrivals. The information displayed the number of visitors to the island nation from January to March of this year.

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According to the data, 56,208 Indian visitors traveled to the Maldives in January through March of 2023. The figure fell to 34,847 between January and March of 2024. This represented a 38% decrease from 2023.

In the meantime, 17,691 Chinese visitors traveled to the Maldives in JanuaryMarch of 2023. The total increased to 67,399 during January and March of 2024, marking a 281 percent peak.

Based on the most recent data, China is the top market with an 11 percent share for Maldives tourism, while India is ranked sixth in the top 10.

The information is important since, in the past, India was the major source of tourism-related data for the Maldives. In the figure displaying the nationality-wise arrivals of tourists in the Maldives from January to November 2023, Indians came in second only to Russians. In contrast to China, India began to see a rise in immigration in 2020.

Up until December of last year, India dominated the Maldives tourism industry. Indias standing began to deteriorate on January 2 of this year, when it was placed third out of the top 10 nations that account for the majority of the Maldives tourism market share. On January 21 and March 3, respectively, Indias ranking fell further lower to fifth and sixth.

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The decline in Indian tourism was observed shortly after the Maldives incident in the first week of January, which was sparked by Prime Minister Narendra Modis attempt to advertise Laskhwadeep as a travel destination. Subsequently, Mohamed Muizzu, the president of the Maldives, asked India to evacuate its soldiers stationed there.

The fact that fewer visitors are traveling from India and more are coming from China is consistent with Muizzus policies and agreements, which appear to favor China over India.
Now that he has completed a full term in office, Sogavare is one step closer to being the first prime minister in the history of the Solomon Islands to be reelected continuously. For the first time in the previous five years, the archipelago held elections on Wednesday to choose 50 members of the legislature read more

The Solomon Islands Election Commission's chief electoral officer, Jasper Highwood Anisi, predicts that most results would be available by late Sunday or early Monday Image Courtesy Reuters

As tensions over the countrys relations with Beijing simmer, the Solomon Islands pro-Beijing prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has kept his position in parliament following this weeks general election, local media reported late on Friday.

Now that he has completed a full term in office, Sogavare is one step closer to being the first prime minister in the history of the Solomon Islands to be reelected continuously. For the first time in the previous five years, the archipelago held elections on Wednesday to choose 50 members of the legislature.

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The Solomon Islands shifted recognition to China in 2019 and broke off diplomatic connections with Taiwan after 36 years following Sogavares fourth term as prime minister. In 2022, it inked a security agreement with Beijing, and the previous year, it signed a police cooperation agreement.

Growing ties with China have Australia and the United States concerned that China may establish military bases in the Solomon Islands.

Sogavare said the nation could not have the parliamentary election and the Pacific Games in the same year, thus it was postponed from its original date of last year. Opponents of Sogavare criticized the postponement as a power grab.

Sogavare has held the position of prime minister four times, but never in that order.

Despite strong opposition from David Qurusu, the son of a previous member of parliament, and voter dissatisfaction with the nations economic and living conditions, many had predicted that he would be reelected from his East Choiseul constituency.

The Solomon Islands Election Commissions chief electoral officer, Jasper Highwood Anisi, predicts that most results would be available by late Sunday or early Monday.

The question at hand is whether Sogavare will be reelected to the prime minister position for an unprecedented number of terms in a row.

Those chosen will convene in Honiara, the nations capital, following the announcement of the 50 seats. A system of secret horse-trading will be used to choose a new prime minister that is unpredictable and opaque. Weeks could pass before a ruling alliance forms.

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Daniel Suidani, the former premier of Malaita in the east and a vocal opponent of the federal governments strengthening relations with Beijing, was re-elected to the provincial legislature on Friday.

Following his ban on Chinese enterprises operating in Malaita, the most populous province in the country, Suidani was removed from office as premier in a no-confidence vote held the previous year. Suidani has declared his intention to run for provincial premier once more after regaining his seat.

In Suidanis stead, Martin Fini was sworn in as the premier of Malaita, although he failed to win reelection. Fini oversaw a swift expansion of Chinese investments in the province and recently signed a memorandum of understanding on friendly exchanges with Chinas Jiangsu province.
Even though the barbed wire fencing has had an impact on their life, none of them would want to pass up the chance to participate in the largest democratic festival. Due to historical circumstances, a sizable portion of Tripuras voters were forced to remain beyond the barbed wire fence read more

The people who are now registered to vote in Tripura are those who have reached voting age. The border gates have been open since the morning in order to make voting easier Image Courtesy ANI

On April 19, some 2,500 voters in Tripura walked beyond barriers separating Bangladesh and India to cast their ballots.

Even though the barbed wire fencing has had an impact on their life, none of them would want to pass up the chance to participate in the largest democratic festival. Due to historical circumstances, a sizable portion of Tripuras voters were forced to remain beyond the barbed wire fence.

The people who are now registered to vote in Tripura are those who have reached voting age. The border gates have been open since the morning in order to make voting easier.

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Amid heightened security given the polls, Indian citizens, who are sort of cut off from the mainstream, expressed that they have been receiving all kinds of cooperation from the authorities so that they can cast their votes without any hassle.

Speaking to ANI, an Indian citizen Hafizur Rahmanz who lives in the Bangladesh side of the barbed wire fencing said all the 50 voters who live in his village are eager to cast their votes in these elections.

My name is Hafizur Rahman. I live on the other side of the fence. The situation is quite good. The voting is also proceeding smoothly. There are 19 families consisting of 50 voters. Most of them have cast their votes in the morning and the remaining voters will soon come to cast their votes, said Rahman.

The voting also coincided with Jumma..

Due to Jumma, some people were busy with religious activities. All of them will certainly come to cast votes, Rahman told ANI, adding that the border gates stay open when the polling is underway.

The border guarding forces deployed at the border gates verify the photo identification cards of the villagers who have to cross the fence every day. On the voting day as well, there was no exception. In the Jayanagar area, located very close to Agartala city, female BSF personnel have been discharging their duties.

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Ful Banu Begam, another resident of the same village that falls under the Ramnagar assembly constituency, said, The families living in our village have been participating in the election process since morning. We have faced no problems so far. Several people have already voted; others are getting ready to cast their votes. Everything is going on peacefully. We live ahead of the fence. This 80C gate behind me helps us cross the borders.

According to the Returning Officer West Tripura Parliamentary seat, the total number of voters living ahead of the fence stands at 2,500. All the ahead-of-fence villages fall under the jurisdiction of the West Tripura Parliamentary Constituency.

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The voting turnout is satisfactory and if the trends keep rising at the same pace, the total voting turnout will certainly cross the 80 per cent mark, said RO West Tripura Dr Vishal Kumar.

He said that around 34 per cent of the voters casted their vote adding that administration and police made rounds to keep a strict vigil on the safety and security of the voters.

On the security measures in bordering areas given the history of violence in the area, he said, Since Ramnagar is a border-aligned area and it has a history of poll violence, we have made adequate arrangements for security personnel. Teams of administration and police have been making rounds to keep a strict vigil. According to reports received from the polling stations, the voting process is underway smoothly and no untoward incident has occurred so far.

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On the population living ahead of fencing areas, Kumar said, If you consider the whole Parliamentary Constituency, more than 2,500 voters are residing between the zero line and fencing and most of them are living in Boxanagar. The population there is around 1,600 and all will vote here. We have seen that a large number of voters participated in the polls last year. More than 90 per cent of them cast their votes. We hope the same scenario will be there this year also.

(With agency inputs)
Tasnim news agency, closely affiliated to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), has shared a video of the facility with the caption: Isfahans nuclear site is completely safe read more

Irans local media said on Friday that nuclear facilities in the central city of Isfahan were completely secure after explosions were heard near the area.

Tasnim news agency, closely affiliated to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), has shared a video of the facility with the caption: Isfahans nuclear site is completely safe.

Tasnim news agency, closely affiliated to the IRGC, has published this video with the caption: "Isfahan's nuclear site is completely safe". pic.twitter.com/rHAxJmGGuJ  Ghoncheh Habibiazad |  (@GhonchehAzad) April 19, 2024

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The video shows a man glancing at his watch in the vicinity of the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre. It then focuses on a group of soldiers gathered near what seems to be an air defence battery.

Meanwhile, Iran has said that it shot down several drones and that there had been no missile attack for now on the country.

Several drones have been successfully shot down by the countrys air defence, there are no reports of a missile attack for now, Irans space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian said on X.

As per the World Nuclear Association, the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre houses a uranium conversion facility (UCF), responsible for the production of uranium hexafluoride.

Iran utilises uranium hexafluoride gas in centrifuges to generate enriched uranium, suitable for both reactor fuel and potentially nuclear weaponry.

Adjacent to the UCF, there exists an enriched uranium oxide powder plant (EUPP) which converts uranium hexafluoride to uranium oxide, along with a fuel fabrication plant dedicated to producing fuel for the Tehran Research Reactor.

Uranium oxide has the potential to be transformed into uranium metal, a material Iran claims it intends to use for reactor fuel production, yet it could also serve as the core for nuclear weaponry.

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Furthermore, the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre operates four small nuclear research reactors supplied by China.

Iran insists its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful and denies it has any ambitions to develop nuclear weapons. But Israel accuses Iran of developing nuclear capability that could be used to make a weapon.

With inputs from agencies
India on Friday completed the delivery of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Philippines, as part of a deal worth USD 375 million that the two countries signed in January 2022 read more

India on Friday completed the delivery of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Philippines, as part of a deal worth USD 375 million that the two countries signed in January 2022.

#WATCH | BrahMos supersonic cruise Missiles delivered to the Philippines by India today. The two countries had signed a deal worth USD 375 million in 2022. pic.twitter.com/CLdoxiChb5  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

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In a video shared by ANI news agency, a military transport aircraft can be seen preparing to unload the consignment as soon as it touches down in Southeast Asian country.

In another video shared by the news agency, Indian officials can be seen offering sweets to the Philippines Marine Corps officers after the delivery.

#WATCH | Indian officials offering sweets to the Philippines Marine Corps officers on the delivery of the BrahMos missile to the Philippines under an export order of USD 375 million. pic.twitter.com/qzhLsMxOLu  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

A military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force transported the missile and the launchers to the Philippines for delivering them to the countrys marine forces.

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Under the deal, BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, a joint venture of India and Russia, would supply Manila with three export versions of the high-speed BrahMos missile system.

The deal also includes an integrated logistics support package and training for operators and maintainers that the island nation will need for the BrahMos

A few other countries including Argentina have also shown interest in procuring BrahMos missiles from India, which can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.

BrahMos missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound.

India has been looking at further expanding defence ties with the Philippines against the backdrop of growing global concerns over Chinas increasing military assertiveness in the South China Sea.

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There have been growing global concerns over Chinas sweeping claims of sovereignty over all of the South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons.

Several countries in the region, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei, have counterclaims.

As part of efforts to boost military ties with the Philippines, India has decided to post a defence attache to that country along with Ethiopia, Mozambique, Poland and Ivory Coast.

With inputs from agencies
New York, US (PANA) - Recent escalations in the Middle East make it even more important to support efforts towards lasting peace between Israel and a fully independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Thursday
Thursday Night

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to occasional showers later during the night. Low 52F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Vietnam's 'Provisional National Government' offers empty promises, lawyers say

Scores of Vietnamese have been jailed for their support of the US-based organization.

By RFA Vietnamese 2024.04.17 -- More than 60 people in Vietnam have been given long prison sentences for being members of the so-called "Provisional National Government of Vietnam," since it was classified as a terrorist organization by the Ministry of Public Security in 2018.

The U.S.-based group was founded in 1991 by soldiers and refugees that had been loyal to the South Vietnamese government prior to the country's unification under communist rule in 1975.

But two lawyers who were called to defend the accused told Radio Free Asia they believe "Provisional National Government" followers were duped by promises that were never honored or tricked by Vietnamese security agents posing as members of the organization.

Most of the people sentenced were charged with "activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government."

Some prosecutions have been in double figures, such as the case of 16 people convicted of planting gasoline bombs at Ho Chi Minh City's Tan Son Nhat International Airport in 2017; the 12 people sentenced to prison in 2018 on charges of propaganda, inciting protests, seducing, manipulating, and enrolling members in the organization; and the 12 people convicted in 2022 on charges of conducting a referendum to elect Dao Minh Quan as president of the Third Republic of Vietnam.

Lawyer Nguyen Van Mieng defended Tran Thi Ngoc Xuan, who was prosecuted in 2022 for "activities aimed at overthrowing the people's government," playing a leading role in the "referendum," and writing and distributing a "Provisional Constitution," "Constitution of the Third Republic" and "Brief Biography of Prime Minister Dao Minh Quan."

He said she told him she supported Quan because she was dissatisfied with the communist regime and wanted a change.

"So when someone they think is their savior appears, they cling to them. Specifically, the Dao Minh Quan organization always promised them they would receive land and houses. And if anyone is passionate about power, it said they would be appointed provincial governor or colonel or lieutenant colonel in a new apparatus called the 'Third Republic.'

"For poor people, this is a savior. When someone promises them land and houses and asks them to sign a petition supporting Dao Minh Quan to return to his country to become prime minister, they are ready to sign. They feel that signing the paper won't cost them anything," the lawyer said.

"But I have never seen anyone following Dao Minh Quan and receiving any benefits."

Another lawyer Dang Dinh Manh said he was called to help a number of clients, but at the last minute was unable to defend them because authorities told them they weren't allowed a lawyer. He said Dao Minh Quan and his supporters told these people the U.S. government was about to install them in power in Vietnam and anyone who joined the government would be rewarded with stable jobs and high salaries.

"They call on people to vote online to elect Dao Minh Quan as president in order to be recognized as a person of merit to Dao Minh Quan's government. When the Dao Minh Quan government returns to Vietnam to govern, they say it will repay the favor."

Because participants in the Provisional National Government of Vietnam often come from small provinces or remote areas, they have little awareness of politics, and understanding of Vietnamese organizations, Manh said.

He said Vietnamese authorities set traps to arrest people who are likely to join the "Provisional National Government" and regularly monitor the Dao Minh Quan YouTube channels.

"Whenever they detect channel viewers leaving emoticons or comments, they immediately approach them with virtual nicknames that match the names of people in the Dao Minh Quan organization.

"The security officer claiming to be from the Dao Minh Quan organization invites them to join the organization.

"When there is enough evidence and the whereabouts of the gullible people is determined, the security officer organizes their arrest.

"In these cases, people were arrested because of security traps, but they never had actual contact with the Dao Minh Quan organization."

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Tajani

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

April 17, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on the margins of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Capri and thanked him for Italy's leadership of the G7 during its presidency. Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Tajani condemned Iran's unprecedented attack against Israel. They discussed shared concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the urgent need to protect civilians, the response to Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, and the importance of preventing further escalation in the Middle East. They also discussed efforts to increase support for Ukraine against Russia's aggression.

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

17 April 2024

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

** Guests

Good afternoon.

In a short while, we will be joined by our guests from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). Leyla Sherafi, the Chief of the Gender and Human Rights Branch at UNFPA, and Emilie Filmer-Wilson, the Human Rights Adviser at UNFPA, will be here to brief you on UNFPA's latest State of the World Population report.

** Press Briefing

Tomorrow, at 11:30 a.m., there will be a briefing here sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations  on indigenous land rights.

The briefing is entitled "Tsilhqot' (Chilcotin) Nation Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of Historic Indigenous Land Rights Case"). That's at 11:30 a.m.; we will have our briefing at noon.

Also, at around 5:30 p.m. this afternoon, Philippe Lazzarini [Commissioner General of the UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA], will be at the Security Council stakeout, along with the Foreign Minister of Jordan [Ayman Safadi] and that is following the Security Council open meeting on UNRWA.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Staying in the region, our humanitarian colleagues today launched an appeal for more than $2.8 billion to allow United Nations agencies and our partners to address the most urgent needs of 3.1 million people in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and that is through the rest of 2024.

For this response, we need to see major changes to operating conditions on the ground. Humanitarian organizations must have safe and sustained access to all people in need across the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

We need more entry and supply routes by land into Gaza, including to the north, as well as the greater use of Ashdod port. We need fewer constraints on our movements inside Gaza. We need to be able to bring in critical humanitarian items, including communications equipment and protective gear for UN staff.

We need visas and permits for aid workers. And we need timely and flexible funding.

Despite the ongoing hostilities in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that we along with our partners continue our efforts to reach people in need across Gaza, wherever they may be.

On Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners reached two hospitals and a medical facility in northern Gaza. In a social media post, the Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros [Adhanom Ghebreyesus] said the mission was severely delayed, leaving less time for assessment of the facilities.

He said the removal of dead bodies from Al Shifa Hospital, in Gaza City, is ongoing. At the Indonesian Hospital, reconstruction efforts are under way, as the facility currently stands empty.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Medical Relief Society facility continues to receive trauma patients and provide basic health services.

Dr. Tedros said that WHO will provide fuel and medical supplies, which are urgently needed.

In southern Gaza, an engineering team from UNRWA is assessing the agency's facilities in Khan Younis for the possible return of displaced people who need shelter, following the withdrawal of the Israeli troops from that area.

** Security Council

This morning, the Security Council held a meeting on "the role of young persons in addressing security challenges in the Mediterranean".

Briefing Council members was Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. She told Council members that it is estimated that one out of four young people around the world is affected by violence or armed conflict. The young, especially women, she added, are more vulnerable to neglect, abuse, and exploitation, and young people are more likely to be recruited by armed groups when they have no other livelihood opportunities.

Ms. DiCarlo pointed out that these grim facts and figures are borne out in the unfolding calamity in one part of the Mediterranean  the 7 October attack on Israel by Hamas and the war in Gaza has destroyed the lives of many young people.

She noted that 70 per cent of the population in Gaza is under the age of 30 and almost all have been exposed to unprecedented levels of trauma, violence, disease, and food insecurity.

Her remarks were shared with you.

** Ukraine

Turning to Ukraine: The Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, today condemned the latest wave of deadly strikes across the country, including in the northern city of Chernihiv.

According to Ukrainian authorities, the attacks killed and injured civilians, including children, and damaged homes and a hospital.

Ms. Brown underscored that under international humanitarian law, civilians and hospitals must be protected at all times.

Aid workers in Chernihiv are on the ground supporting people impacted by the strikes  including with psychosocial and legal assistance  complementing the work of first responders and rescue services.

Meanwhile, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and non-governmental organization partners are mobilizing emergency repair materials and other supplies, as well as cash assistance.

In southern Ukraine today, an inter-agency humanitarian convoy delivered aid to Prymorske Town in the Zaporizhzhia Region. This support is from UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), the World Health Organization, and other humanitarian partners and included drinking water, medical supplies, and hygiene items for people impacted by shelling, which often disrupts electricity and water supplies.

** Democratic Republic of the Congo

Turning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our peacekeeping colleagues there (MONUSCO) report that with logistical support from the UN Mine Action Service  UNMAS  a weapons marking and registration operation is currently taking place in Goma and Beni in North Kivu.

The initiative was launched by national authorities to enhance the monitoring and tracing of weapons possessed by the Congolese army and police, while also addressing the proliferation of small arms and light weapons among civilians and armed groups in conflict-impacted areas.

With an estimated 300,000 weapons in civilian hands, this operation will help to combat the illicit circulation of these weapons and to strengthen control.

** Central African Republic

Our Peacekeeping Mission in nearby Central African Republic (MINUSCA) strongly condemned today the attacks against civilians by armed groups in the southeast and in the west of the country. These attacks, which have taken place since the beginning of the month of April, have claimed many lives, including those of women and children.

In Zemio, in Haut-Mbomou prefecture, peacekeepers are continuing to conduct daily patrols to restore calm and secure the area, which is a priority for them. The Mission has also established a temporary operating base in the Ouham-Pende prefecture, also to protect civilians.

The Mission again urged armed groups and self-defence groups active in the country to immediately end the violence and highlighted the urgent need for accountability.

** Libya

And just to stay on the African continent, you noted that yesterday, we confirmed that the Secretary-General has indeed received the resignation letter of Abdoulaye Bathily, his Special Representative in Libya [and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, UNSMIL]. The Secretary-General accepted the resignation.

The Secretary-General is of course, very grateful for the work that Mr. Bathily has done, for his leadership of UNSMIL and for his tireless efforts to restore peace and stability to Libya.

The Secretary-General reiterates that we are committed to continuing to support the Libyan-led and owned political process.

And of course, you also heard from Mr. Bathily quite clearly yesterday afternoon.

** Haiti

On Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is telling us that, as violence continues to drive humanitarian needs, supply constraints and transport costs remain major challenges to assist close to 90,000 people displaced across 87 sites in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

As a reminder, more than half of those displaced are women; and a third of them are children.

Meanwhile, with the rainy season under way in Haiti, the risk of flooding is another threat to displaced people and those in the most disadvantaged areas.

Despite the challenges, the humanitarian response continues.

Yesterday, the World Food Programme (WFP) delivered more than 14,000 hot meals to displaced people in the capital area, as well as 226,000 school lunches across the country.

Meanwhile, the World Food Programme  through logistics partners and the UN Humanitarian Response Depot  has facilitated air transport of humanitarian supplies into the country, through Cap-Haitien, in northern Haiti.

The operation began last Friday, with supplies from the Pan American Health Organization/WHO in Panama, as well as the International Organization for Migration.

** Afghanistan

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) today released a report showing that Afghanistan's women entrepreneurs face a range of hurdles and high costs of doing business. Deepened discrimination, operational constraints, coupled with a severely weakened financial system, has forced 41 per cent of the over 3,000 women surveyed are in debt, of whom only 5 per cent had received loans from banks or microfinance institutions.

UNDP notes that movement restrictions  with 73 per cent reporting being unable to travel even to local markets without a male escorting family member  further heightens the challenges. However, the report notes that women are finding ways to tackle the challenges and 80 per cent of women-led enterprises rely on their business revenues as their primary source of income.

More on the interweb.

** Financial Contribution

We have another country that have paid [its dues] in full. But it's not going to be a quiz today, it's just sharing an interesting factoid. In fact, our quiz meister has found this interesting factoid. The latest Member State to pay its dues is Antigua and Barbuda.

Despite its name, the country includes a third island. Can anyone name that island? It is uninhabited.

It is called Redonda, it is uninhabited, but it is documented by Christopher Columbus in 1493 when he named it "Santa Maria la Redonda".

And did you know that Redonda has its own King?

But that's another story... it's a special royal report for Maggie. So, after you are done with the briefing, you may google it. But we thank our friends heartily in Saint John's, and we are now at 101.

** Questions and Answers

Spokesman : Edith?

Question : Thank you, Steph. Does the Secretary-General have any response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who's brushing off calls for restraint and saying that Israel will decide how to respond to Iran's attack and the Iranian president's warning of a massive response if it does?

Spokesman : We're seeing a lot of rhetoric, increasingly dangerous rhetoric in the region. Rhetoric is also dangerous, and we are very concerned, and we continue to call for maximum restraint, as the Secretary-General said, with the world, let alone the region, cannot afford another open conflict.

Question : And a follow-up on SRSG Bathily. How long is he going to remain in the post, or is he going to remain in the post while the Secretary-General searches for a successor?

Spokesman : He has told us he will remain in the post till 15 May. So, obviously, we've already started to think about the search. Yeah, and he'll remain in the post till 15 May. Ibtisam, then Amelie.

Question : Human Rights Watch issued a report today about settlements in the West Bank. And in the report, they are saying, I'm quoting, Israeli settlers have assaulted, tortured, and committed sexual violence against Palestinians, stolen their belongings and livestock, and threatened to kill them if they didn't leave permanently, et cetera. So, the report is very long, and also it says that the Israeli military either took part in or did not protect Palestinians from violence. Do you have, first, any comments about that report?

Spokesman : This is the issue of violence in the West Bank. The increasing violence in the West Bank is something we've been seeing not just since 7 October but before. It is extremely worrying. The targeting and the killing of civilians is to be condemned and needs to be fully investigated. The Secretary-General will be speaking tomorrow at the regular Middle East monthly briefing. He will be speaking to the situation in the region, including that in the West Bank.

Question : I have a follow-up. Because you have been warning through whether statements or reports that were issued by OCHA on the issue of settlers and their violence, and yet we don't... things are getting actually worse. And the question here, what is the Secretary-General doing in order to put more pressure in on countries like the US, who has more leverage? And they are on the Israelis, especially given the fact that the report is saying, and it was before, also reported, that the Israeli army is part of this violence. It's not individuals. It's something systematic.

Spokesman : I mean, I'm not refuting the fact that we have seen Israeli security forces involved in some of these incidents. This is an issue that Tor Wennesland has pressed the Israeli authorities on and has also been raised in many contexts that the Secretary-General and Mr. Wennesland have had. Amelie?

Question : Thanks, Steph. Since there's a meeting on UNRWA this afternoon, could you give us any update on the OIOS (Office of Internal Oversight Services) investigation?

Spokesman : I don't really have anything to share with you at this point. I may in the next couple of days, but I know a question that has come up is the issue of the cooperation with the Israeli authorities. And I can tell you that from what OIOS tells me, they have had number of meetings and cooperation from the Israeli authorities on this. But I hope to have something for you in the next few days.

Question : And on the other report from Catherine Colonna, the date was officially 20th, which is Saturday. Can you tell us what is the timeline and when she's going to give her a report to the Secretary-General?

Spokesman : Madame Colonna will be in New York at the end of this week. I can probably assure you that we will not see each other on Saturday. We hope to have her be here in this room on Monday. And you will have had access to the report on Monday. Dezhi, then Benny.

Question : Yeah, a couple of questions. First, also on UNRWA. Do you know how many countries who suspended the funding now resumed the funding?

Spokesman : I don't. A number of them have. I don't have that number on the top of my head. But UNRWA would be able to tell you.

Question : Okay. Second, do you have any update on the role of the UN on the temporary pier that US is constructing in Gaza? Because it seems it's fast approaching the finished time.

Spokesman : Yeah, I mean, the discussions are ongoing. What is important for us is that we will support any plan to increase the delivery of aid, whether by sea, whether by air, and, of course, most importantly by land. But whatever is worked out, and this is obviously part of discussions, we need to be able to distribute aid in a way that is safe for us, that is safe for those who receive it, and is with the principles of impartiality and all the humanitarian principles that we have when we need to distribute aid and independence, of course.

Question : And last topic. On the full membership of Palestine, it seems the Security Council, they're going to have the vote tomorrow, or maybe on Friday. We don't know that yet. I know someone asked you before, what's the position of the Secretary-General on this?

Spokesman : Well, what was my answer when that person asked me?

Correspondent : It's up to Member States.

Spokesman : Thank you.

Question : But some people asked me to ask you this question. So technically speaking, if Palestine applied for full membership, they send the letter to Secretary-General, right? If Palestine sent the letter every single week, like continuously, will the Secretary-General handle that letters and send that to...?

Spokesman : The Secretary-General will continue to handle all requests for membership as per the responsibility given to him by the Charter and will continue to follow the procedures.

Correspondent : Okay.

Spokesman : Benjamin, ask me a question I haven't been asked.

Question : Actually, I'll ask you a question you have been asked just now. But I have two questions. Both of them are easy. As you know, I always ask easy questions. The first one to follow up on Dezhi's question on membership. As you well know, there is a congressional law, actually, that was signed by President [George] Bush and then President [Bill] Clinton in a different, that bars funding for any international organization that accepts Palestine as a full member. So, shouldn't the UN have at least some position? I know it's up to Member States, but since you might lose more than 24 per cent of the budget...

Spokesman : Look, the Secretary-General, as Secretary-General of the United Nations, has certain responsibilities, right? As the Secretariat to the Member States, he is following those procedures, following that responsibility. There is a process outlined in the Charter on how to gain membership. There are laws. We're well aware of the situation in the US. That's something for the US Government to comment on. We can only follow what is in the Charter.

Question : Isn't the Secretary-General, one of his responsibilities to secure...?

Spokesman : A little closer so everybody can hear you.

Question : Is one of the Secretary-General's responsibilities to secure funding for the United Nations?

Spokesman : The Secretary-General's responsibility is to be the Chief Administrative Officer, as outlined in the Charter. He is following his duty as to the Charter. Member States will have to live up to their own responsibilities and their own duties to support this organization.

Question : Second question I have on an event that happened this morning. There was firing of a drone from Lebanon that injured a lot of Israelis in the north. Reports are saying, and I understand that there was already a reprisal, but the reports are saying that the firing occurred from Naqoura. Now, has the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) headquarters been... Was it near UNIFIL headquarters?

Spokesman : Yeah. We've seen those reports. We're also obviously concerned about the casualties. Yet another example, I think, of the tensions that we're seeing across the Blue Line. And this incident will be investigated by UNIFIL, where we'd asked for some updates. I hadn't received anything by the briefing.

Question : But Naqoura is the site of UNIFIL's headquarters.

Spokesman : That is a fact.

Question : Has anybody noticed anything [inaudible]?

Spokesman : But, I mean, whether or not this attack was launched in the geographical area of Naqoura, that is not a fact that I have. But we're obviously looking into the situation.

Question : Can we find out? Because, I mean, from what I understand...

Spokesman : As I said, our UNIFIL colleagues are looking into it.

Correspondent : Okay, thank you.

Spokesman : Okay. Yvonne?

Question : Thanks, Steph. You said that the SG will brief the council tomorrow. Will the focus of his briefing be settler violence or is that just one aspect of it?

Spokesman : It'll be an overview. As you know, this is the briefing that is often done by Mr. Wennesland. So, it's an overview of the situation.

Question : And when will he be able to send his remarks to us?

Spokesman : As soon as they are sealed and ready for reproduction for the media. So hopefully and... hope springs eternal in Ireland. Yes, sir?

Question : Thank you so much. You're probably familiar that...

Spokesman : If you could put your mic. And if you don't mind introducing yourself.

Question : Yeah, I'm Ivo Puljic. I'm from Al Jazeera Balkans. And about draft resolution about genocide committed in Srebrenica in '95. It's around. And we have heard that Russia is eager to put some amendment about that, what is connected with the Gaza situation. Can you confirm that?

Spokesman : No, I can't. I mean, I think you'd have to speak further to the mission's concern. The members of the General Assembly are debating a resolution. They will put forward their positions. Our position on the events that the genocide that took place in Bosnia is clear. But this is a discussion among Member States. You need to check with them.

Question : Just a following question. It's about Mr. Vuk Jeremic, who used to be President of General Assembly. He was here last seven days, lobbying against that resolution. How you comment that the former President of General Assembly is lobbying here United Nations, against genocide, who was recognized by it?

Spokesman : Look, as I said, Member States are having a discussion on a resolution, as they do on many resolutions. The Secretariat's position has been clear. Mr. Jeremic, who I did not know was here, I'm sure is no longer the President of the General Assembly. So, it's not for me to comment on his activities.

Correspondent : I mean, he met with Mr. [Dennis] Francis, with the current President about the [inaudible].

Spokesman : No, you're welcome to speak to my colleague Monica Grayley, who speaks on behalf of the President of the General Assembly.

Correspondent : Thank you, sir.

Spokesman : And welcome. Okay, we will get our guests. And don't go away.

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Security Council Hears Briefing from Commissioner-General of Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Near East

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9607th Meeting (PM)

SC/15668

17 April 2024

(Note: Due to the financial liquidity crisis affecting the United Nations and the resulting time constraints, the full press release will be published at a later date.)

The Security Council met this afternoon on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine. The Council heard a briefing from Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION

Briefing

PHILIPPE LAZZARINI, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), stressed that UNRWA is a stabilizing force at a time of "seismic change" in the Middle East. It is the backbone of the humanitarian operation in Gaza and, beyond the Strip, it has championed human development for Palestinian refugees for decades. He pointed out, however: "Today, an insidious campaign to end UNRWA's operations is under way, with serious implications for international peace and security." While six months of relentless bombardment and a merciless siege have transformed Gaza beyond recognition, while its children are bearing the brunt of this war, and while a man-made famine is tightening its grip across the Strip, UNRWA is denied permission to deliver aid and save lives despite the food and clean water waiting across the border.

While observing that an "overwhelming" majority of Member States support UNRWA's mandate, he pointed out that the Agency is facing a campaign to push it out of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Israel seeks to end UNRWA's activities in Gaza, the Agency's requests to deliver aid to the north are repeatedly denied, staff are barred from coordination meetings between Israel and humanitarian actors and, worse, UNRWA premises and staff have been targeted since the beginning of the war. On that, he reported that 178 UNRWA personnel have been killed, and more than 160 UNRWA premises  mostly used as shelters  have been damaged or destroyed. Further, UNRWA personnel detained by Israel have shared harrowing accounts of mistreatment and torture in detention. Demanding an independent investigation and accountability for the "blatant disregard" of the protected status of humanitarian workers, operations and facilities, he stressed: "To do otherwise would set a dangerous precedent and compromise humanitarian work around the world."

Turning to the "serious allegations" against individual UNRWA personnel that emerged in January, he reported that he immediately terminated the appointments of those concerned. Further, the Secretary-General ordered an investigation and, in parallel, an independent review group is assessing how UNRWA upholds neutrality. He pointed out, however, that  despite these prompt and decisive actions  a significant amount of donor funding remains suspended. "This has serious operational implications and undermines the financial sustainability of the Agency," he stressed, adding that calls for UNRWA's closure are not about adherence to humanitarian principles. Rather, they are about ending the refugee status of millions of Palestinians. "Accusations that UNRWA deliberately perpetuates refugee status are false and dishonest," he stated, underscoring: "The Agency exists because a political solution does not."

Recalling that UNRWA was created 75 years ago as a stop-gap measure pending a political answer to the question of Palestine, he said that the Agency can "retrieve its temporary nature" if the international community truly commits to a political solution. To that end, he called on Council members to safeguard the Agency's critical role "both now and within the framework of a transition"; to commit to a genuine political process; and to acknowledge that a political process alone will not guarantee sustainable peace. "Instead, we must recognize  and reflect in our words and actions  that Palestinians and Israelis share a long and profound experience of grief and loss," he urged.

Statements

IAN BORG, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta , Council President for April, speaking in his national capacity, said UNRWA is an "indispensable lifeline" for Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the region, and a stabilizing force there. Malta continues to be a regular contributor to the Agency. "Preserving the life-saving role and operations of UNRWA must be our primary objective," he said. The failure to uphold the rules of law in Gaza is evident in the continued onerous, arbitrary, and bureaucratic impediments preventing the scaling up of humanitarian aid. He welcomed investigations into allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the 7 October attacks and an independent review into its adherence to the principle of neutrality and called on all parties to fully cooperate with the inquiries. He appealed to those who suspended contributions to UNRWA to resume "desperately-needed" funding and ensure that the Agency has the necessary resources to operate. In that regard, Malta recently issued a further financial contribution. "In these difficult times, we need to avoid politicizing the work of humanitarian actors," he said.

AHMED ATTAF, Minister for Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad of Algeria , said that UNRWA "embodies the ideals and values on which this Organization  this house of humanity  is built". Further, it is the best and most authentic witness of the modern Nakba that Palestinians are enduring. However, the Agency is being shamefully targeted by the expansionist occupying Power  Israel  who is destroying its facilities, killing its staff and using pretexts to end its very existence. He stressed that the Agency is targeted because it is inextricably linked to resolutions that enshrine Palestinians' right to return to their homeland, and because it is a key component of "Israel's plot to liquidate the Palestinian cause". Against that backdrop, he called on the international community to protect UNRWA, facilitate its vital activities and guarantee it long-term, sufficient funding through the regular budget. He added that his country will contribute an additional $15 million for UNRWA, which must continue its work "so long as there are Palestinian refugees".

TSUKASA UEMURA, Special Envoy for Middle East Peace of Japan , said the crisis in Gaza has meant that "human dignity, to which Japan attaches great importance, is under threat", with a growing risk of destabilization of neighbouring countries. He noted that UNRWA is "extremely important" in providing humanitarian assistance. Turning to the allegations against UNRWA staff, he appreciated the progress being made to strengthen the Agency's governance. He welcomed the interim report of the Independent Review Group and UNRWA's Action Plan. Japan lifted its suspension of funding to the Agency on 2 April and has already disbursed some $35 million. It will provide aid to improve sanitary conditions in Gaza and medical services in the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Considering the Independent Review Group's final report to be presented on 20 April, he underlined that his country will continue to support UNRWA's reform efforts and contribute to training to strengthen the neutrality of front-line management staff. Since 7 October, Japan has contributed over $100 million in aid to the Palestinian people.

The representative of the Russian Federation pointed out that, despite the Council's demands in resolution 2728 (2024), military hostilities in Gaza are escalating. Under these conditions, the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the enclave's people is practically impossible, and UN agencies are saying  in unison  that human access is non-existent. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Israeli Defense Forces are blocking half of the convoys heading to the Gaza Strip. "We have warned time and time again that, in the absence of a lasting and sustainable ceasefire  which must be duly monitored by military observers  all of our humanitarian efforts are doomed," he said. No voluntary deconfliction can help when one party is intent on continuing hostilities  especially when a Council member signals that Council resolutions are supposedly "non-binding". Against that backdrop, he stressed that attempts to label UNRWA a terrorist organization or close it down are "categorically unacceptable".

The representative of Ecuador hoped the investigation into the allegations against UNRWA staff will establish the facts and anyone found guilty be brought to justice. The final report of the Independent Group must be carefully analysed as its recommendations will be extremely important. He said that UNRWA's work is "vitally important". "For this reason, I reiterate my call to those who can do so to contribute to financing its operations, which is an important factor contributing to stability in the whole region," he added.

The representative of the United States stressed: "Humanitarian personnel must be protected  full stop." For that reason, the resolution the United States recently introduced demanded all parties to respect humanitarian notification and deconfliction mechanisms. "Although Russia and China vetoed that resolution, we repeat that call today," he said. Expressing concern that Israel has not done enough to protect humanitarian workers or civilians, he called on that country to implement a series of steps to address harm to such individuals. "United States policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by Israel's immediate and sustained action on these steps," he said. The United States paused additional funding to UNRWA due to serious allegations that its personnel participated in the 7 October attacks, he recalled, urging the Agency and the wider UN system to take all steps necessary to strengthen the Organization's neutrality and improve UNRWA's sustainability. Nevertheless, he recognized the Agency's "indispensable" role in Gaza and called for the lifting of "onerous restrictions on its work".

The representative of Slovenia called UNRWA a "factor of stability" in the region, noting the Agency's s work is mandated by the UN General Assembly. "It needs to be respected," he said. Underscoring the general agreement that UNRWA has become indispensable because of its resources, experience and knowledge, he noted that non-governmental organizations in Gaza say they are unable to substitute for or absorb its role. The Secretary-General and UN entities say that the Agency is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza. Slovenia takes the allegations against UNRWA staff seriously and looks forward towards further strengthening the Agency's neutrality and transparency. His country has maintained funding for UNRWA. He urged other countries to do the same and new donors to come forward, stressing: "It is about the survival of civilians in Gaza." He expressed concern that UNRWA's work faces obstacles. The Agency's staff, and all humanitarian and medical personnel working in Gaza, "are the face of humanity in this conflict", he added.

The representative of Mozambique expressed concern over attacks on UNRWA's work, restrictions placed on its personnel and limits on its funding, which significantly undermine its ability to carry out its vital humanitarian mission. Underlining the need to build trust and confidence between Israel and UNRWA, he said that  while balancing security concerns with humanitarian imperatives remains a complex challenge  dialogue and collaboration are crucial. Members of the international community, therefore, must reconsider their positions to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need. "Let us work towards a path of peace that prioritizes humanity above all else," he urged.

The representative of Sierra Leone underscored that UNRWA's ability to provide adequate humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza and elsewhere has been affected by the indiscriminate bombardment and collective punishment of the Strip since the 7 October Hamas attacks. Noting the allegation of the involvement of a small number of its personnel in the attacks, which has led to the suspension of funds by some major donors, he called on all those donors to reconsider that decision. No other agency or entity can replace UNRWA, he emphasized, describing its work across the region as "immeasurable and lifesaving". Concurrently, he stressed the need for an immediate permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the implementation of resolutions 2712 (2023), 2720 (2023) and 2728 (2024).

The representative of the United Kingdom , stating that UNRWA's mandate "remains as important as ever", recognized that the Agency is critical to aid delivery in Gaza and should have unhindered access. The United Kingdom remains committed to increasing humanitarian aid to Gazans. "We call on Israel to allow UNRWA and all agencies providing humanitarian relief unhindered access in Gaza, particularly to the north [...] to increase aid flows and enable the UN's minimum operating requirements, so that humanitarian agencies can operate safely," she said. UNRWA's health and education services and humanitarian relief across the region are important for regional stability, and of particular importance at this critical time. She emphasized the importance of UNRWA putting in place robust management reform actions, including stronger independent oversight and better detection systems. She looked forward to the findings of the independent review, after which her country will clarify its position on funding.

The representative of China observed that "amidst the gloom of war and death, the light of humanitarianism has never faded". UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Palestine and is indispensable for humanitarian assistance to Gaza. He therefore urged Israel to cease restricting the Agency's work and, while expressing support for an independent, impartial investigation into allegations against UNRWA staff, stressed that the same must not have a predetermined conclusion or undermine the Agency's work. "Individual cases should not overshadow the big picture," he underscored, rejecting both "malicious attacks" on UNRWA in the absence of solid evidence and the use of such investigation as a pretext to launch unfounded accusations against the entire UN system. He also called on Israel to adhere to the demands of resolution 2728 (2024), and on the United States to "make sincere efforts in this regard".

The representative of France underscored that unhindered humanitarian access and delivery must be guaranteed to meet the immense needs of the civilian population of Gaza, particularly in the north of the enclave. For 75 years, UNRWA has played an indispensable role for the 5.9 million Palestinian refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, she observed, adding that France will pay its annual contribution for 2024 to enable the Office's humanitarian operations to continue. Turning to the allegations that some of the UNRWA employees participated in the 7 October terrorist attacks, she demanded that all light be shed on these accusations and that strong measures be implemented without delay. In this regard, she took note of the interim report of the independent external audit conducted by Ms. Colonna, whose conclusions will be made public on 22 April.

The representative of Switzerland said to help meet the huge needs due to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza her country has allocated an additional $100 million in aid for the Middle East. She underscored that UNRWA is critical to humanitarian work in Gaza and preventing further destabilization in the region. Expecting the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) to fully shed light on the allegations against UNRWA staff, she looked forward to the swift conclusion of the OIOS investigation and the independent review, with diligent implementation of their respective recommendations. She underlined that all parties must allow unimpeded humanitarian access, including in northern Gaza. "It is high time for the parties to the conflict to strictly respect international law, in particular human rights and international humanitarian law," she said, stressing: "Every occupying Power has an obligation under international humanitarian law to meet the basic needs of the population under its control".

The representative of Guyana said it is "troubling" that several UNRWA premises have been directly attacked despite the Agency's provision of their coordinates through the UN humanitarian notification system. Underscoring that "there should be no impunity for such brazen disregard of international law", she also expressed concern over the ongoing campaign to discredit and dismantle UNRWA. The Agency has been accused of involvement in the 7 October attacks without any credible evidence. "While it is the right of any Member State to voice concerns about the operation of any UN agency, Guyana underscores that there is also a concomitant responsibility to ensure that those concerns are substantiated," she stressed. Adding that UNRWA's indispensable existence for the last 75 years is a "reminder that the international community has not yet delivered justice to the Palestinian people", she stressed that any attempts to dismantle the Agency should simultaneously align with the delivery of such justice.

The representative of the Republic of Korea said that since the outbreak of the military operation by Israel in Gaza, and before the announcement of the allegations that some of UNRWA staff members participated in the heinous terrorist attacks, "no one denied the Agency's indispensable role in assisting Gazan civilians in despair". Despite the serious allegations, UNRWA's devotion has not changed  with its 13,000 staff members in Gaza, 178 of whom were killed in this conflict, it remains the core agency in international humanitarian efforts in Gaza. Accordingly, the Republic of Korea has provided consistent and increased assistance to the Agency, including $5 million at the beginning of 2024. He welcomed the Secretary-General's appointment of an independent Review Group to assess UNRWA's neutrality, and expressed hope that the swift release of the interim report by OIOS will once again ensure UNRWA's credibility.

Taking the floor for the second time, the representative of the Russian Federation , in response to remarks of the delegate of the United States, said he regretted Washington D.C.'s attempt to sow disinformation. He said assertions that the Russian Federation and China vetoed the United States draft resolution, and as a result the Council could not protect humanitarian workers "are blatant lies and manipulation". He said it is not the first time that the United States delegation is trying to trick the international community. "It is regrettable that American diplomacy has sunk so low," he said, adding that by acting in this fashion Washington, D.C., is becoming directly complicit in the killing of over 200 humanitarian workers and 30,000 civilians in Gaza.

The representative of the United States , taking the floor for the second time, in response to the remarks of the Russian Federation, said it is a fact that the Russian Federation vetoed the resolution. But, he said, to blame the United States for the situation in the region is totally unfair "but it's typical of Russian disinformation activities".

ZIAD ABU AMR, Special Representative of the President for the State of Palestine , said he would be "remiss" to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the unobstructed delivery of humanitarian assistance and the implementation of relevant Council resolutions. "No innocent can be saved, no relief can be provided, no famine can be stopped in Gaza" so long as Israel continues targeting civilians, homes, infrastructure, schools, shelters, hospitals, humanitarian facilities, rescue teams and medical staff, he observed. Israel must therefore be pressured to respect international law and cease its policy of collective punishment and its use of famine as a weapon of war. He also called for serious steps to open all border crossings into Gaza and to compel Israel to carry out its obligation to provide basic services to those under occupation, asking: "Isn't it high time for this killing, destruction and displacement to stop?"

Recalling that the General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949, he said that the relevant resolution made clear when the Agency should be terminated  "when the question of Palestinian refugees is solved". The Agency "is not a mere humanitarian project", he urged; rather, it is a witness of the international community's commitment to Palestinians who had to leave their homeland until a just, comprehensive solution is found for their cause. Underscoring that UNRWA is the only UN agency with the skill, readiness, operational capacity, experience and expertise to carry out humanitarian work at such a large scale, he added that the Agency is "the best thing the UN can do during these circumstances". Emphasizing that Israel's campaign against UNRWA is neither new nor secret, he called on those who have suspended funding while the investigation is under way to reverse that decision as "no other operational structure can carry out such a humongous task".

The representative of Israel said the UN not only failed in advancing a solution but is directly responsible for perpetuating the conflict and ensuring that the Palestinians will continue to reject any peace plan or compromise. One of the UN's weapons to protract this conflict is UNRWA  "an instrument of war"  whose goal is not aid or education. In practice, the Agency is creating a sea of Palestinian refugees indoctrinated to believe that "Israel belongs to them". He emphasized that just because UNRWA has "a thin layer of Europeans in charge of collecting donations and garnering support", it is a Palestinian organization, "fully committed to Israel's destruction". One of its primary goals is to brainwash Palestinian children into believing that the war of 1949 is not over and that they are still refugees 76 years later, even though they were born in Gaza or other countries. However, he asked: "How can there be a Palestinian refugee in Gaza? A place with no Israeli control."

He stressed that UNRWA is the world's most prominent advocate for a one-State solution  that is, "a Palestinian State from the river to the sea". There are Palestinians today with Jordanian, United States and Swedish passports  yet, they remain on UNRWA's roster as Palestinian refugees, he observed, adding that "this dysfunctional system has no parallel anywhere else in the world". He called on States to diminish the problem instead of keeping it alive, stating: "You are providing aspirin to a body contaminated with cancerous cells." Today in Gaza, "UNRWA is Hamas and Hamas is UNRWA", he said, noting that the Agency has become part of the terror war machine. Meanwhile, Israel has shared evidence that 17 per cent of the Agency's employees in Gaza are members of terror groups, he said, declaring: "The time has come to defund UNRWA."

...

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Readout of Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer's Call with President Irfaan Ali of Guyana

April 17, 2024

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer spoke on the phone today with President Irfaan Ali of Guyana to discuss regional security and stability as well as ways to deepen our bilateral relationship, including our unwavering support for Guyana's sovereignty. During the call, Mr. Finer welcomed Guyana's leadership as the current Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). They both reiterated the importance of urgently increasing international support for Haitian-led efforts and the Multinational Security Support mission to help Haitians restore security and pave the way toward free and fair elections in Haiti. They also discussed other shared priorities, including energy security and climate change.

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The Presidents of Bulgaria and Italy Visit the Novo Selo Training Area

President of the Republic of Bulgaria

18 April 2024

Bulgarian service people contribute to the security not only of Bulgaria, but also of the entire region, said the head of state and supreme commander at a meeting with our contingent within the Multinational Battlegroup

Head of state Rumen Radev and his Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella, visited the Novo Selo Training Area today. The constructive cooperation between Bulgaria and Italy in the field of security and defence, as well as the opportunities for developing the partnership, were among the main topics during the visit of the president of Italy, who was on an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of the Bulgarian head of state.

At the Training Area, Radev and Mattarella were greeted with a guard of honour from the personnel of the Multinational Battlegroup in this country with the framework country Italy. The commander of the formation, Colonel Mariano Scandura, provided information on the mission and activities of the Battlegroup. The two presidents and the delegations led by them were briefed on the capabilities of the equipment and hardware, on display at the range. At Novo Selo, Presidents Radev and Mattarella held meetings with the Bulgarian and Italian contingents.

During his conversation with the Bulgarian military personnel, Radev pointed out that the highly responsible task of our military within the Multinational Battlegroup contributes not only to the security of Bulgaria, but also to the security and stability of the entire region. The head of state highly appreciated the opportunities within the multinational formation to increase the interoperability of our armed forces and to learn new tactics, techniques and procedures. Due to the war in Ukraine, the military sphere is developing extremely dynamically, which requires an increasingly intensive exchange with our allies to jointly build effective capabilities, the president added.

During the meeting, Radev also highlighted the problems facing the Bulgarian army, related to the lack of sufficient resources for combat training, the living and social conditions, the personnel security, resource insecurity , lack of modern equipment and weaponry. He reminded that over the years he has repeatedly insisted that not only urgent, but also even emergency measures be taken to prevent negative trends in staffing, noting that more and more decisive actions are being taken in this direction.

President Radev also pointed to the need to accelerate the process of modernisation of the army, emphasising not only the major defence projects, but also developing smaller low-budget projects that provide an asymmetric advantage. These processes must also be reflected in the preparation and training of service people, so as to guarantee the effectiveness of the operations and lives of servicemen.

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April 18, 2024

Transcript

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Remarks Welcoming Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Gram to the Pentagon

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III; Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Gram

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III: Minister Gram, welcome back to the Pentagon. It was great to see you a few weeks ago at Ramstein at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. I'm honored to host you here today at this key moment for European security.

Norway is one of our most capable and long-standing allies. We know that we can always count on Norway, from your partnership with the Minnesota National Guard to the Norwegian-developed NASAMS providing air defense for our Ukrainian partners. Norway has stood with the United States to support our shared security interests and democratic values.

Our bond is especially important today as Putin continues his ruthless war of choice against Ukraine, and Mr. Minister, we're deeply-grateful for Ukraine's  for  for Norway's leadership in providing long-term assistance to Ukraine. We salute you for stepping up to co-lead the Contact Group's maritime  maritime  Contact Group's Maritime Capability Coalition alongside the United Kingdom. You've also given significant support to both the Air Force Capability Coalition and the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Capability Coalitions.

Now, since your last visit to the Pentagon, Finland and Sweden have each joined NATO. They've made NATO stronger and more capable, and we're proud to have these two great democracies as allies.

As a founding member of NATO, Norway has long served as its eyes and ears in the Arctic. The alliance must be ready to deter aggression, and if necessary, fight it together in all conditions, including Arctic ones, and exercises like Nordic Response, which Norway hosted last month with Finland and Sweden, allow our troops to train together and strengthen our collective deterrence in the High North.

And finally, we commend Norway for your plan to reach our shared NATO commitment to spend at least two percent of your GDP on defense during this calendar year. Our deterrence across the region will grow stronger because of your landmark decision, and I look forward to hearing more about Norway's new long-term defense plan.

So Mr. Minister, thanks again for making the trip, and I look forward to a great discussion.

DEFENSE MINISTER BJORN GRAM: Well, thank you, Mr. Secretary, dear Lloyd. Thank you so much for the warm welcome at the Pentagon, and I  I really look forward to our discussion here today.

We meet at a challenging time, and when times are uncertain and you're faced with instability it's more important than ever to have close friends and allies. Our relationship with the United States goes beyond defense cooperation. It's a deep, strategic partnership.

Russia's brutal full-scale invasion of Ukraine has fundamentally upset the European security architecture. The situation in Ukraine is grave, and I would like to express my deep gratitude to the United States and to you, Lloyd, for your leadership in supporting Ukraine. Continued U.S. leadership is crucial. Northern Europe have stepped up and has to do even more, and we will do that.

The situation in the Middle East is another area of concern. We condemn the Iranian attack on Israel. It's important that we avoid further escalation.

To meet our common challenges and the deteriorating strategic situation, the Norwegian government has recently announced our defense plan, as you mentioned, and my government had de-  has decided to increase defense spending and with that, reach the two percent goal this year, and we will almost double our defense budget during the next decade, and this puts us on a path towards three percent and beyond. We do this for our own security, but also, for our common security. This is a contribution to better burden sharing in NATO.

Regarding our bilateral cooperation, I am grateful to America for the substantial U.S. presence in Norway and in our region. Our bilateral relationship is stronger than ever. It's based upon mutual interests and benefits, but also on the values we share. Standing up for these values is more important than ever. Our cooperation is particularly important in the High North, where we operate together regularly. This region is of growing importance, where we face a Russia that is more unpredictable and aggressive. Maintaining good situational awareness is a key part of this.

I look forward to discussing how we can develop our partnership even further both bilaterally and in the framework of strengthening transatlantic security.

SEC. AUSTIN: Mr. Minister, thanks for coming, and I look forward to a great discussion. Thanks.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3747402/

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April 18, 2024

Release

Defense Innovation Board Holds Spring 2024 Meeting

The Defense Innovation Board (DIB) held its Spring Board Meeting virtually on April 17th, 2024. At 12:30 pm Eastern Time, DIB Executive Director and Designated Federal Officer, Dr. Marina Theodotou, called the meeting into session. The DIB Chair, Mr. Mike Bloomberg, and Board Members discussed the status of the two ongoing studies and heard from four invited guest speakers as follows:

The Allies and Partners study is examining how the DoD innovates with treaty allies and strategic partners. The DIB has engaged with a variety of DoD internal stakeholders, allies and partners, and industry professionals. Potential areas of focus include Department of Defense leadership in international engagement, capability integration, sharing technology and resources, collaborative investment in cutting-edge capabilities, export controls, and fostering a culture of trust with like-minded nations.

The Incentives for Tech Adoption study is assessing existing DoD incentive structures to identify gaps or misalignment with regards to enabling calculated risk-taking needed for innovation. The study is building on critical efforts such as Replicator, Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve (RDER), and Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT).

To inform the Allies and Partners study, the Board heard from Mr. Sander Oude Hengel, Defense Cooperation Attache at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States, and Chair of the Defense MoU Attaches Group. Mr. Hengel outlined the functions of the MoU body, and key challenges to promoting reciprocal defense equipment cooperation and defense trade with U.S. industry. The Board also heard from Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch, the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Intelligence Directorate at the United States Space Force's Space Systems Command. Chief Master Sergeant Lerch discussed efforts to collaborate with international partners on defense technology and information security, the importance of clearly defined standards, and difficulty in sharing information with allied and partner nations.

To address the Incentives study, the Board heard from Colonel Kristin Saling, Chief of Innovation with the United States Army Recruiting Command. Colonel Saling discussed training ideas, approaches, and methods of innovative organizations, and ways to synchronize strategy and policy in people analytics and talent management. Lastly, the Board heard from United States Army (Ret.) General Paul Nakasone, former Commander of the United States Cyber Command from 2018 to 2024. General Nakasone discussed how to transition large organizations to ensure mission readiness amid changing information security and emerging technology threat environments.

Board Members will deliver their final recommendations on both studies at their next in-person public meeting in July 2024.

The DIB provides the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and other senior leaders with independent advice and recommendations on innovative means to address future challenges and ways to leverage strengths across the public and private sector to advance national security and economic security.

Additional information about the DIB can be found on its website.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3746021/

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April 18, 2024

By David Vergun, DOD News

Austin Lauds Norway's Increased Defense Spending

The United States commends Norway for its plan to reach NATO's shared commitment to spend at least 2% of its gross domestic product on defense during this calendar year, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said.

Austin hosted an enhanced honor cordon and meeting today with Norwegian Defense Minister Bjrn Arild Gram.

"Our deterrence across the region will grow stronger because of your landmark decision," Austin said, referring to Norway's increase in defense spending.

"Norway has stood with the United States to support our shared security interests and democratic values," he said.

As a founding member of NATO, Norway has long served as its "eyes and ears" in the Arctic region, the secretary said.

"The alliance must be ready to deter aggression and, if necessary, fight together in all conditions  including Arctic ones," he said.

Exercises like Nordic Response, which Norway hosted last month with Finland and Sweden, help to strengthen collective deterrence in the Arctic region, Austin said, adding that Finland and Sweden's membership in NATO bolsters the alliance.

Also, Norway has provided long-term assistance to Ukraine, the secretary noted.

Austin mentioned the importance of Norwegian-developed National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, better known as NASAMS, that provides air defense for Ukraine.

NASAMS defends against a range of airborne threats including aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles.

Gram said that in addition to reaching 2% GDP for military spending this year, Norway will almost double its defense budget during the next decade.

"We do this for our own security and also for our own common security," he said.

Norway thanks the United States for supporting Ukraine, Gram said.

"Continued U.S. leadership is crucial. Norway and Europe have stepped up and have to do even more," he said, regarding Ukraine support.

Gram also thanked the secretary for the "substantial U.S. presence in Norway and in our region."

Separately, yesterday the White House issued a joint statement on U.S.-Norway cooperation for "strategic cooperation regarding critical minerals."

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G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting: Press remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell in Capri

European External Action Service (EEAS)

18.04.2024

Capri

EEAS Press Team

Check against delivery!

Good morning,

It is a very nice place - un sitio muy bonito, pero el mundo no es asi. It is a very nice place but unhappily the world is not like this.

Unhappily, there are two wars, at least - no, many, more than two. We have the war in the Middle East, we have the war in Ukraine, we have an awful war in Sudan, the war continues in Ethiopia. Many places around the world are in the middle of a very dire situation.

And here we are, the G7 Foreign Ministers, plus the European Council yesterday, plus the Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers "Jumbo" meeting - Defence and Foreign Affairs [Ministers] both together - in Luxembourg, on Monday.

The purpose of all these meetings is the same: to take stock of the dire situation in which we are, they are - the Ukrainians and the people in Gaza, and Israel facing the Iranian attack. The dire situation of a world, where more and more the use of force to solve problems, is the rule.

More and more, inequalities are growing, and the threats and challenges are increasing.

So we, Europeans, in Brussels or in Luxembourg, and here [in Capri], the Western countries - Japan, Canada, United States, plus Europe - have to take quicker decisions in order to support Ukraine more. Because we cannot afford Putin's victory in Ukraine. And Ukrainians are fighting, but they need arms. They need arms and we have to provide them much quicker.

That is the call I made to the [EU] Ministers of Defence. In the following days, concrete decisions have to be taken in order to send to Ukraine more air defence. Otherwise, the electricity system in Ukraine will be destroyed. And no country can fight without having electricity - at home, in the factories, on the frontline, for everything.

And, the situation in the Middle East: we should not lose focus on what is happening in Gaza. In Gaza, the humanitarian catastrophe continues. The humanitarian support has increased very little. It has increased, but very, very insufficiently.

We have to ask Israel for a restrained answer to the Iranians' attack. We cannot escalate. We cannot go step by step, answering every time higher to a regional war. I do not want to exaggerate, but we are on the edge of a regional war in the Middle East, which will be sending shockwaves to the rest of the world, and in particular to Europe.

So, stop it. Take care of the Gazan people. Ceasefire. Humanitarian support. Freedom of hostages. This is the call that the leaders from the European Union launched yesterday. This is the purpose of this broader meeting, putting together "the Global West".

Thank you.

Q&A

Q: Mr Borrell, do you expect that the United States will provide Ukraine more Patriot systems?

They have, but not only the United States. We cannot only rely on the United States. We have to take our responsibility and stop saying: "Oh, yes, the United States will do [it]". We have to do [it]. We have Patriots, we have anti-missiles systems. We have to take them from our barracks, where they are "just in case," and send [them] to Ukraine where the war is raging. I am sure we will be doing that, but it has to be done quickly.

Q: Mr Borrell, the $60 billion in aid does not get through the US Congress. Do you really think you do have enough to help Ukraine, or you are going to have to start thinking of negotiated solutions?

Well, nothing will be enough, but everything is needed, so that is better than nothing. And I certainly have to regret that internal politics in the United States has been delaying the support to Ukraine. I was in Washington, and I said: "Look, what is happening in Europe is something that matters for you. It matters for everybody." So, this a first step - [it is] welcome. [It is] not enough but I do not want to say what the United States are not doing. I am not in charge of the US policy. I am in charge of the European Union's policy.

Q: And what about the de-escalation between Iran and Israel. Israel seems determined to do something, what are the G7 leaders going to do?

You know that there is the "loudspeaker diplomacy" and then, there is the "real diplomacy" that goes without saying. This is the important thing: to pass the message clearly - maybe not loudly - but clearly, that we have to avoid escalation. If there is another step on the ladder, nobody wants a war but at the end, there is war.

Q: Mr Borrell, speaking about Ukraine support, what is your take on the Peace Conference in Switzerland in June? What do you expect of it seeing that Russia is not taking part?

The only plan in town is [President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy's [Peace] Plan. There is no other one. At the beginning, many plans were blooming - the Chinese [one], the Brazilian [one], the Latin American [one], the African [one]. All of them have disappeared, the only one which has been keeping the momentum, being discussed by the international community, is the Plan presented by Zelenskyy. And the international community has to show how we see the end of this war. Certainly, later, there will have to be discussions with Russia which is the aggressor - do not forget about it. Do not forget about it: there is an aggressor and an aggressed. The aggressed is trying to defend itself. The international community has to say how do we see the end of this war.

Q: If you think of the Middle East, there is the possibility that there is a greenlight for an Israeli operation in Rafah in exchange for de-escalation towards Iran. What kind of scenario does it open, especially from the humanitarian point of view?

Well, if there is an attack on Rafah, with 1.7 million people amassed in the streets, then it will be a real humanitarian catastrophe. So, the call on Israel has been very clear from the President [of the United States, Joe] Biden himself, from all European leaders: Do not attack Rafah. There are 1.7 million people in the streets without any kind of possibility of defending themselves, [of] escaping. So, do not attack Rafah. For the time being, this has happened, so we have to continue the pressure.

Q: Speaking about the solution [...], we do not find a solution [...] in Gaza. We do not find a solution at all, what do you think about it?

You are right - ha ragione. L'epicentro del dramma e ancora a Gaza e nella West Bank. E ancora la, ora non dobbiamo dimenticare; l'attenzione deve restare ancora prendere la sulla situazione, sulla guerra in Gaza, e sulla situazione nel West Bank, dove la violenza aumenta. Mi aspetto che l'Unione Europea adottera some sanctions, against some violent settlers who have been attacking the Palestinians in the West Bank. We have to support Israel strongly to defend it from the Iranian attacks, and we have proved that we are defending Israel. Because the missiles and the drones launched by Iranians have been shot down thanks also to the military capacities of the United States, France and the United Kingdom. So, we have the proof that these are not just words. We are defending Israel and Israel has to be defending [itself] from many attacks.

But at the same time, we have to keep in mind that the problem between Israel and Palestine has to be solved taking into account the rights of the Palestinian people too, which has been recognised tens of times by the United Nations resolutions - tens of times. So, when we say that we support the international law, this is also part of the international law.

Q: Regarding the sanctions against Iran, what kind of sanctions? Because so far, the sanctions have not been efficient against Iran. There have been sanctions for years now. What do you think efficient sanctions against Iran could be?

We have a system in order to forbid the export of the components to produce drones and missiles to Iran. This regime exists since July 2023. Well, we will have to review the system in order to enlarge it and to make it more efficient.

But since July 2023, there is a limitation for all European firms to export to Iran the components that allow the production of this kind of arms. So, we will increase it, but it already exists.

Many times, the important thing is the implementation of a decision. We take a decision, and we believe that [after] taking the decision, the reality will follow. Well, most of the time the reality is quite disturbing. So, we have to review the system, maybe enlarge it.

There is another sanctions regime for Iran for supplying drones to Russia. Well, this regime can be extended to the supply of drones, not only to Russia to fight against Ukraine but to the proxies of Iran who are sending missiles in the Red Sea, who are sending missiles from Syria, from Iraq, from Lebanon. This is the geographical dimension and - let's say - the industrial dimension of our restrictive measures.

The word "sanctions" does not exist in the treaties. You use it because it is shorter, but what we take is "restrictive measures". We restrict export of goods, we restrict the supply of arms to Russia and to the proxies of Iran, who are part of the destabilisation process in the Middle East.

Let's go to see if we can make today a good work and push to support Ukraine quicker and better. Because the situation in Ukraine is, at the moment, dire. The Ukrainians are fighting, but in order to continue defending themselves, they need arms - and we have to supply them. Otherwise, we cannot expect that they could resist. Minister [Dmytro] Kuleba is here, the Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs is here, and he will explain us what is the situation. In particular, on the attacks against the civilians and the electricity system.

It is clear that Putin wants a complete blackout in Ukraine. They want them to be in the darkness, in the cold, with the factories [that have] to stop - and this cannot happen. The only way of preventing this from happening is to provide Ukraine with more efficient and strong air defence capacity.

Q: They need six Patriots more. Are you confident that the European Union will get it today?

I hope that today - well, here we are not going to take concrete decisions - but in Luxembourg, the Ministers of Defence and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, all together have to come out of this meeting with concrete engagements.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-255980

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China expresses support for Palestine's full UN membership ahead of Security Council vote

Global Times

By Wang Qi Published: Apr 18, 2024 10:47 PM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and also expressed China's support for Palestine over the upcoming UN Security Council (UNSC) vote on its full UN membership, which is likely to be blocked by Israeli ally the US.

Although the Palestinian Authority is unlikely to be granted full UN membership, which would mean a recognition of statehood, analysts said the UN vote would bring the issue of Palestinian statehood back to the UN stage, which is of positive significance for pushing the international community to forge more consensus on the issue.

Regardless of the result, the vote will also put further moral and political pressure on the US and Israel, increasing the isolation of the two countries on the global stage when the majority of the world's countries have already recognized a Palestinian state, analysts noted.

After a meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Jakarta on Thursday, Wang told media that China is deeply saddened by the humanitarian disaster caused by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and an unconditional and lasting cease-fire should be immediately realized and civilians should be effectively protected.

Wang said humanitarian relief mechanism should be established as soon as possible to ensure rapid, safe, barrier-free and sustainable access of humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Wang, China's top diplomat, also called on relevant parties to maintain calm and restraint, avoid escalation of the situation and prevent spillover of the conflict.

China supports the UNSC in discussing and accepting Palestine's full UN membership as soon as possible, and proposes that a larger, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference be convened to formulate a timetable and road map for the implementation of the "two-state solution," Wang said.

Citing diplomats, Reuters said on Wednesday that the 15-member UNSC is scheduled to vote at 3 PM on Friday local time on a draft resolution to demand that the UN admit Palestine as a member. It's the first vote of its kind in the UNSC since 2011, when Palestine halted its application after the US pledged to wield its veto.

UNSC member Algeria circulated a draft text on Tuesday, according to the Reuters report, which noted that Palestine is still pushing for the vote to be held as early as Thursday local time.

The UNSC resolution requires at least nine votes in favor, and no vetoes by the five UNSC's five permanent members - China, Russia, France, UK, and the US - before the application moves to the 193-member UN General Assembly (UNGA), where Palestine needs to get a two-thirds majority.

According to a report from news site Axios on Thursday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has rejected a request from the Biden administration to block plans for the UNSC vote. Citing a US official, the report said that the Biden administration "is trying to prevent the Palestinians from getting the nine votes," so the US will not need to veto the application by itself afterward.

Although it's very likely that Palestine will be unable to obtain full UN membership due to the US' block, the upcoming vote will bring the Palestinian statehood issue, the "two-state solution," back to the center of the UN arena once again as an issue of common concern for the international community, Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Voting within the framework of the UN is of positive significance to pushing the international community to further forge a consensus recognizing the independent statehood of Palestine, especially the rights of Palestinians under international law, Liu noted.

Further isolation

With the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, France, Russia, Spain, Belgium, Ireland, UK, Australia and other countries have recently expressed support for the "two-state solution," with many of them even considering recognizing the Palestinian state, according to media reports.

In contrast, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told media on Wednesday that she did not believe the upcoming UN resolution would help lead to a "two-state solution." Earlier this month, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told media that the US opposes a Palestinian push for full membership at the UN, as it backs statehood but only after direct negotiations with Israel, according to VOA.

Niu Xinchun, executive director of the China-Arab Research Institute of Ningxia University, told the Global Times on Thursday that six months after Israel launched the war in Gaza, an increasing number of countries, including some Western states, have changed their positions and expressed their opposition to Israel and its US ally.

Out of 193 UN member states, 139 have recognized Palestine's statehood, including European countries such as Sweden, Hungary, Iceland, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Poland and Romania, according to Al Jazeera.

Citing a high-ranking Israeli official, the report said eight UNSC members are expected to vote for Palestine, including China, Russia, Algeria, Malta, Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Guyana. The US and Israel are lobbying France, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea and Ecuador to vote against or abstain from voting, while the UK is expected to abstain.

If some of the US' European allies do vote for Palestine this time, it would be a huge blow to the US and Israel, said Niu, "Europe is more sympathetic to Palestine and the new round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict has divided the US and its Western allies to some extent."

The vote, even if it does not pass, will put moral and political pressure on the US and Israel, especially if another veto is used by Washington, which would make the US and Israel face greater isolation on the international stage, Niu said.

"The pressure from the international community will affect US support for Israel to some extent," said Niu. "And it's clearly not a good deal for the US to stand against the majority of countries in the world because of supporting Israel."

After the cease-fire in the latest round of Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israel may come under unprecedented pressure from the international community in pushing forward negotiations on the basis of a "two-state solution," although the eventual settlement of the conflict is still a very long and difficult process, Liu said.

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Current Philippine admin unilaterally abandons 'gentleman's agreement': Chinese embassy

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 18, 2024 04:37 PM

The current Philippine administration unilaterally abandoned the 'gentleman's agreement' between China and the Duterte administration on the Ren'ai Jiao (Ren'ai Reef). China urged the Philippines to honor its commitments, safeguarding the hard-won peace and stability in the South China Sea, according to the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines on Thursday.

The gentleman's agreement between China and the Duterte administration on Ren'ai Jiao was to control the situation, maintain peace, prevent conflicts, and was unrelated to sovereignty, said a spokesperson from the Chinese embassy, in response to Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr's recent remarks questioning the agreement.

The gentleman's agreement is not a secret deal. Until early February 2023, seven months after the current administration took office in the Philippines, relevant departments and agencies from both sides have abided by the agreement, effectively ensuring the peaceful and stable situation around the Ren'ai Jiao.

After the current administration of the Philippines took office, China has repeatedly communicated with the Philippine government on issues related to the gentleman's agreement, and has always insisted on seeking ways to manage differences through dialogue and consultation with the Philippines, said the spokesperson.

In addition to the meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM), in 2023, China invited the special envoy of the Philippine President for China affairs to China to discuss and reach an internal understanding on the situation at Ren'ai Jiao. Earlier in 2024, through diplomatic channels, China repeatedly discussed with the Philippine military to reach a "new model" for the operation and resupply at Ren'ai Jiao, according to the spokesperson.

After the relevant understanding and arrangements were implemented, the Philippines unilaterally abandoned them without reason. China once again urges the Philippines to honor its commitments, abide by the consensus, show sincerity, stop provocations, and return to dialogue and negotiation as soon as possible, and work together with China to properly manage the situation at Ren'ai Jiao, the spokesperson said.

In an exclusive interview with the Global Times, former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said he started on a neutral foreign policy. "Here in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), when I was president, there was no quarrel. We can return to normalcy. I hope that we can stop the ruckus over there, because the Americans are the ones pushing the Philippine government to go out there and find a quarrel and eventually maybe start a war."

Individual Philippine politicians have been continuously hyping up maritime disputes between China and the Philippines for their own political gain, exaggerating the differences between the two countries at sea, undermining cooperation between China and the Philippines under the guise of national security, and inciting anti-China sentiments. They even have extended their reach to educational exchanges between China and the Philippines, engaging in baseless sensationalism, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines noted on Thursday, in response to Philippine politician Joseph Lara's recent remarks related to concerns on more Chinese students studying in the Philippines.

A type of "McCarthyism" will be revived in the Philippines if this continues, which should be highly vigilant against and resolutely opposed, the spokesperson said.

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Palestinian resistance movement launches missile attack on southern occupied Palestine

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 18, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Quds Brigades (Saraya Al-Quds), the military wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, announced on Thursday night that it has targeted Ashkelon, Sderot and some Zionist towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip with rocket attacks in response to the killing of Palestinian civilians.

Palestinian Sama news agency cited Zionist media sources as saying that the danger alarm has sounded in some Zionist settlements near the Gaza Strip.

This operation takes place hours after Quds forces announced that this Palestinian resistance group managed to hunt down a drone of the Zionist regime called 'DGI Matrice' and extract important information from it.

A few days ago, Saraya al-Quds had published pictures of the hunting of a Zionist soldier, as well as rocket and mortar attacks on the Zionist military vehicles in Gaza.

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Hezbollah says targets Israeli base to support Gazans

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 18, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Lebanon's Hezbollah has announced it carried out a missile attack on a gathering of Israeli forces in the al Malikiyah military base to support the Palestinian resistance and the people in Gaza.

Through a statement, Hezbollah said the Israeli base was directly targeted by missiles on Thursday.

Also, Hezbollah announced on Wednesday that it attacked Birket Risha military base in northern occupied Palestine.

The rocket attack targeted the settlement of the Zionist military forces, Hezbollah added.

Since the start of war in Gaza in October 2023, nearly 34,000 Palestinians mostly women and children have been killed in the Gaza Strip.

The resistance groups across the region have announced they will continue operations against the Israeli regime till it stops bombarding Gaza and killing people in the enclave.

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Missile attack on Israeli bases in northern occupied Palestine: Media sources

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 18, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- The news sources reported early on Thursday that the Israeli regime's bases in northern occupied Palestine were attacked by missiles.

The Lebanese media have announced firing several missiles on the Zionist bases, IRNA cited the Palestinian news agency Samaa this morning.

In a related development, the Lebanese Islamic resistance movement said the same day that in support of the people in Gaza it has targeted the Zionist military gathering in a settlement near Lebanon's border.

The official media in Israel, too, reported on Wednesday that Lebanon's Hezbollah drone attack on the occupation forces' headquarters in west of al-Jalil area wounded 18 military forces.

Since the start of war in Gaza in October 2023, nearly 34,000 Palestinians mostly women and children have been killed in the Gaza Strip.

The resistance groups across the region have announced they will continue operations against the Israeli regime till it stops bombarding Gaza and killing people in the enclave.

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Russia calls on UNSC to impose sanctions on Israel

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 18, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Security Council Vassily Nebenzia has said that the Council must urgently consider imposing sanctions on Israel for its non-compliance to the Gaza ceasefire resolution in Ramadan.

"We remind you once again that non-compliance with mandatory Security Council resolutions must lead to sanctions against violators. We believe that the Council should consider this issue without delay," Nebenzia told during a session of the 15-member UN body on Wednesday as IRNA cited a Russian news agency.

He noted that Security Council Resolution 2728, which demanded a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip during Ramadan, had not been implemented, adding that the council needs to investigate the issue of sanctioning the Zionist regime.

The Russian diplomat, during the meeting on the developments in West Asia and Palestine, said that Gaza is witnessing an unprecedented disaster, but despite this, Israel is preventing humanitarian aid convoys from reaching this area.

Nebenzia stressed that the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) must be fully restored so that the situation in Gaza does not become more critical, warning that the entire region will suffer from the consequences and negative effects of weakening UNRWA's role.

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IRGC Quds Force commander condoles with Haniyeh

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 18, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Ismail Qa'ani has extended his condolences to the Hamas political bureau chief over the martyrdom of several family members and relatives in Israeli attacks.

Qaani expressed his sympathy with Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, on Wednesday.

The Iranian commander told Haniyeh that the martyrdom of his family members and relatives is proof of resistance leaders' struggle and sacrifices in defending Gaza.

On Wednesday, Palestinian media said that Haniyeh had lost his nephew in an Israeli attack in Gaza City earlier in the day. A week ago, he also lost three sons and three grandchildren in an Israeli airstrike on Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza.

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Argentina takes first step toward NATO partnership

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

18 Apr. 2024

Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana met Argentine Defence Minister Luis Petri at NATO Headquarters on Thursday (18 April 2024) for talks on working toward a partnership between the Alliance and Argentina.

"It is a great pleasure to welcome Defence Minister Petri to NATO Headquarters," said Mr Geoana. "Argentina plays an important role in Latin America, and I welcome today's request to explore becoming a NATO partner. NATO works with a range of countries around the world to promote peace and stability. Closer political and practical cooperation could benefit us both."

The two leaders exchanged views on European and Latin American security challenges. The Deputy Secretary General welcomed Argentina's role in supporting Ukraine with lifesaving humanitarian assistance, including food, medicine, and support for refugees.

NATO's political dialogue with Argentina began in the early 1990s. Buenos Aires later contributed to NATO's peace support operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in Kosovo. Colombia is currently NATO's only partner country in Latin America. Any decision on a formal partnership would require consensus by all 32 Allies.



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UN launches 2.8-bln-dollar flash appeal for Palestine

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 11:06, April 18, 2024

UNITED NATIONS, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) on Wednesday launched a flash appeal worth 2.822 billion U.S. dollars for the occupied Palestinian territory.

The money will be used to provide assistance to 3.1 million people in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, through the end of the year, said UNOCHA.

"For this response, we need to see major changes to operating conditions on the ground. Humanitarian organizations must have safe and sustained access to all people in need across the Gaza Strip and West Bank," said the office.

"We need more entry and supply routes by land into Gaza, including to the north, as well as the use of Ashdod port," the office said, adding they also need fewer constraints on their movements inside Gaza, visas and permits for aid workers, timely and flexible funding, and need to be able to bring in critical humanitarian items.

Israel launched a large-scale military offensive against Hamas in Gaza in response to a deadly surprise attack by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct. 7 last year, in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 others were taken hostage.

The Israeli onslaught has so far led to more than 33,700 deaths and more than 76,000 injuries, as well as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.

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Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 33,899: ministry

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:52, April 18, 2024

GAZA, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian death toll in the Gaza Strip from ongoing Israeli attacks has risen to 33,899, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Wednesday.

The Israeli army killed 56 Palestinians and wounded 89 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 33,899 and injuries to 76,664, since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The statement noted that some victims remained under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of rescue crews.

Avichai Adraee, a spokesperson of the Israeli army, said in a statement posted on social media platform X that over the past 24 hours, warplanes and air force aircraft raided more than 40 "terrorist" targets throughout Gaza.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.

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Netanyahu says Israel preserves right to self-defense

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 10:23, April 18, 2024

JERUSALEM, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday stressed Israel's "right to defend itself against Iran," when receiving British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Jerusalem.

The two top diplomats' visits came amid mounting international pressure on Israel and Iran to de-escalate the tensions following Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attack against Israel over the weekend.

During the meetings, Netanyahu insisted that "Israel preserves its right to self-defense," according to a statement released by his office.

The German foreign minister, for her part, stressed that the region must avoid spiraling into heightened tensions. "Everyone must now act prudently and responsibly," she said.

An escalation "would serve no one," not Israel's security, nor the hostages still held by Hamas, the suffering population of the Gaza Strip, the many in Iran, and the third countries in the region, she said.

Speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, Cameron said he visits Israel in an attempt to call on it to do "as little as possible to escalate tensions" and in a way that is "smart as well as tough."

In remarks at a cabinet meeting following their talks, Netanyahu said, "The two foreign ministers had all kinds of suggestions and advice. I appreciate it. But I want to make it clear -- we will make our own decisions, and the state of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself."

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Palestinian presidency condemns U.S. envoy's comments on full UN membership for Palestine

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:33, April 18, 2024

RAMALLAH, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The Palestinian presidency on Wednesday condemned the remarks by U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Linda Thomas-Greenfield over full UN membership for Palestine.

Thomas-Greenfield told reporters on Tuesday that she didn't believe that a draft UN resolution proposing full membership for Palestine in the organization could help reach a two-state solution and end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In a statement carried by Palestine's official news agency WAFA, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman of the Palestinian presidency, said that the remarks of Thomas-Greenfield "do not amount to the American positions regarding the two-state solution and establishing a just and lasting peace in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy."

Abu Rudeina said that the stability of Palestine is the only gateway to regional and global peace.

Noting that the General Assembly granted Palestine non-member observer State status at the UN in 2012, the spokesman said Palestine now has the right to obtain full membership.

"We express our condemnation of these American positions that threaten to use their veto power, which calls into question their credibility, as a result of their continued retreat from their promises and adoption of a pro-Israel slant," he added.

Abu Rudeina stressed that the establishment of the State of Palestine with its capital in East Jerusalem is the only way to "achieve security and prosperity and end the ongoing wars that the region has long suffered."

The UN Security Council is scheduled to vote Thursday on the request of the State of Palestine to obtain full UN membership, according to WAFA reports.

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Israeli airstrike kills 13 Palestinians on gathering in Gaza City

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:04, April 18, 2024

GAZA, April 17 (Xinhua) -- At least 13 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a gathering of Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip, local eyewitnesses and medical sources said on Wednesday.

Eyewitnesses told Xinhua that a drone attacked a gathering of Palestinians trying to access the internet in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City.

Medical sources told Xinhua that at least 13 Palestinians died at the scene, and several others sustained varying degrees of injuries had been transported to the hospital.

The Israeli media reported that a nephew of Hamas politburo leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the airstrike.

Meanwhile, Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli army demolished a residential square in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, which has been the site of a military operation for almost a week.

The sources added that the Israeli military intensified aerial and artillery bombardment on the northern outskirts of the camp, where clashes broke out with Palestinian factions.

On April 11, the Israeli army announced the start of a surprise military operation in the middle Gaza Strip as a part of the ongoing war against Hamas for over six months.

Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage.

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Palestinian official rejects change in Al-Aqsa status quo

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:01, April 18, 2024

RAMALLAH, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Adnan Al-Husseini, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and head of the Jerusalem Affairs Department, rejected on Wednesday the plan to change the current status quo in the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the eastern part of Jerusalem.

Al-Husseini told reporters that Israel's national security minister's decision to change the current situation in the Al-Aqsa Mosque is rejected and constitutes an assault on Muslims' rights and their Jordanian guardianship.

His remarks came after Israel's public radio KAN reported that Itamar Ben-Gvir planned to "enhance governance in the Jerusalem holy site, granting basic rights, and preventing discrimination and racism on the Temple Mount (Al-Aqsa Mosque compound)."

The discrimination in this clause referred to limited visiting hours imposed on Jews, according to the Israeli radio.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is regarded by Muslims as their third holiest site. The site is supervised by the Jordanian Waqf but is located in East Jerusalem, a territory annexed by Israel after the 1967 Middle East war.

Al-Husseini added that the Islamic endowments in Jerusalem are responsible for managing the legal and historical situation in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as all legal activities related to Muslims, under Jordanian sponsorship.

He claimed that the Israeli authorities and Ben Gvir "have no right to anything in Al-Aqsa and Islamic sanctities."

Jordan is responsible for overseeing the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem according to the peace agreement signed between Jordan and Israel in 1994.

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Palestine faces key challenges for sending aid to Gaza: PM

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:55, April 18, 2024

RAMALLAH, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa stressed on Wednesday the key challenges facing the Gaza Strip amid ongoing conflict.

In a meeting with Muhannad Hadi, the UN coordinator for humanitarian affairs in Palestine, Mustafa said the challenges include ensuring the quality and suitability of emergency aid, refining the mechanisms for aid delivery and distribution to meet the urgent needs across the Gaza Strip, as well as restoring essential services disrupted by the conflict.

According to a statement from his office, the prime minister emphasized the importance of fully opening all crossings with the enclave, especially in the north of the Strip, and coordinating relief efforts fully between international partners, civil society, and relief institutions with relevant ministries.

For his part, the UN coordinator affirmed full coordination with the government and relevant ministries to benefit from all available resources fully to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of citizens, according to the statement.

On the same day, Mustafa also discussed the humanitarian aid for Gaza with visiting British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, calling for international intervention to stop aggressions in the West Bank and settlement expansion.

The prime minister also addressed the financial strains caused by Israeli deductions from Palestinian clearance funds, urging Britain and the global community to pressure Israel to release the withheld funds. He reaffirmed Palestine's efforts towards full UN membership and international recognition.

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U.S. sanctions Iran's drone program, steel industry, automaker in response to attack against Israel

Xinhua) 11:19, April 19, 2024

WASHINGTON, April 18 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden announced new sanctions against Iran on Thursday targeting Tehran's drone program, steel industry and an automobile company, a move he said was aimed at "holding Iran responsible" for its recent attack against Israel.

"The sanctions target leaders and entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran's Defense Ministry, and the Iranian government's missile and drone program that enabled this brazen assault," Biden said in a statement, referring to the April 13 attack, which Iran said was in retaliation for Israel's strike on Iran's consulate building in Damascus, Syria on April 1.

According to a statement from the Department of the Treasury, 16 individuals and two entities were targeted by the Office of Foreign Assets Control -- the department's foreign sanctions arm -- for enabling Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production, including engine types that power Iran's Shahed variant UAVs, which were used in the April 13 attack.

The Treasury said it was also designating five companies in multiple jurisdictions providing component materials for steel production to Iran's Khuzestan Steel Company (KSC), one of Iran's largest steel producers, or purchasing KSC's finished steel products.

Also hit by the sanctions were three subsidiaries of Iranian automaker Bahman Group, which the Treasury claimed "have continued to materially support the IRGC and other entities designated pursuant to counterterrorism authorities, including Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics."

The statement said the Department of Commerce was also imposing "new controls to restrict Iran's access to technologies, such as basic commercial grade microelectronics."

Concurrent with the U.S. sanctions, Britain was imposing sanctions "targeting several Iranian military organizations, individuals and entities involved in Iran's UAV and ballistic missile industries," the statement said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
US vetoes Palestinian request for full UN membership

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 10:04 PM

The United States has predictably cast its veto against a bid by the Palestinian Authority (PA) for Palestine to be recognized as a full member of the United Nations.

The US, the Israeli regime's biggest ally, blocked a relevant draft resolution that had been put to vote at the 15-member UN Security Council on Thursday.

Britain and Switzerland abstained, while the remaining 12 Council members voted yes.

"...The draft resolution has not been adopted owing to the negative vote of a permanent member of the Council," said Vanessa Frazier, permanent representative of Malta, the Council's rotating president.

Palestine is currently a non-member observer state. An application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the Security Council and then at least two-thirds of the UN General Assembly.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the US "once again demonstrated what they really think of the Palestinians." "For Washington, they do not deserve to have their own State. They are only a barrier on the path towards realizing the interests of Israel," he said.

Citing "unclassified US State Department cables," The Intercept, an online American news organization, reported on Wednesday that Washington was secretly pushing members of the Council into rejecting Palestine's bid.

"We...urge you not to support any potential Security Council resolution recommending the admission of 'Palestine' as a UN member state, should such a resolution be presented to the Security Council for a decision in the coming days and weeks," one cable read.

The countries being railroaded into rejecting the statehood included Malta, the report said, adding that Ecuador, in particular, was being asked to lobby Malta and other nations, including France, to oppose UN recognition.

Washington's veto came amid the Israeli regime's October 7-present genocidal war on the Gaza Strip that has increased sympathy towards Palestinians and international calls for the recognition of the State of Palestine.

Zhang Jun, the representative of China at the United Nations, said during the Thursday vote that the decades-long dream of the Palestinian people had been quashed at a time when the admission of Palestine as a full member of the UN was more urgent than ever before.

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Burkina Faso orders three French diplomats to leave country over 'subversive activities'

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 7:18 PM

Burkina Faso has ordered three French diplomats to leave the coup-hit country within two days over "subversive activities", a year after the junta ruling the African nation cut off ties with France, the landlocked country's former colonial ruler.

In a letter posted on social media on Thursday, the junta, which assumed power through a military coup in 2022, declared three French diplomats "persona non grata" and gave them 48 hours to leave the West African country.

According to the letter, which was addressed to the French embassy on April 16, two of the expelled French diplomats were listed as political advisers, without elaborating on what they were exactly accused of.

Citing an unnamed source, Reuters reported that the diplomats were expelled because of meetings that they had with civil society members.

The French foreign ministry denied the allegation, saying that it regretted the decision to expel its diplomats and staff from Burkina Faso.

"We reject the unfounded accusations made by the Burkina Faso authorities against our staff," it said in a statement.

"The decision of the Burkina Faso authorities is not based on any legitimate basis. We can only deplore it," added French foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine, who also slammed the allegation as "unfounded."

Since the coup, Ouagadougou has since expelled hundreds of French troops, pushed France to recall its ambassador, and suspended some French media amid growing anti-French sentiment.

Being one of the poorest countries in the world, Burkina Faso has been under the influence of terrorist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Daesh that have killed thousands of its citizens, creating one of the fastest-growing humanitarian crises in Africa.

Niger, which is bordered by Burkina Faso to the southwest, demanded a "negotiated framework" for the French troop planned pull-out from the West African country in September last year.

The last French troops deployed in Niger left the country in December, marking an end to more than a decade of French military presence in West Africa's Sahel region.

Niger's junta also decided to suspend a military agreement with the United States last month.

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Following 'destructive' statements, Qatar says reassessing role as mediator in Gaza truce talks

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 11:07 AM

Qatar's prime minister has said Doha is reassessing its role as a mediator in negotiations between the Palestinian resistance group Hamas and the Israeli regime aimed at bringing about a ceasefire in Gaza.

Qatari Prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who is also foreign minister, said at a joint news conference with Turkey's foreign minister in Doha on Wednesday.

"Qatar is in the process of a complete re-evaluation of its role," he said, adding that some parties have made "destructive" statements against Qatar, without specifying to whom he was referring.

The Qatari prime minister said that there was a misuse of this mediation for "narrow political interest", adding that Qatar had been the victim of "point-scoring" by "politicians who are trying to conduct election campaigns by slighting the State of Qatar."

"We are now at this stage to evaluate mediation and also evaluate how the parties engage in this mediation," Sheikh Mohammad said.

Earlier, Qatari mediators had raised concerns about a potential setback in Gaza truce negotiations. The Qatari prime minister stated on Wednesday that they are facing challenges and are working to overcome them.

The Qatari prime minister said that negotiators are trying to "move forward and put an end to the suffering that the people in Gaza are experiencing."

He, however, warned about the spillover of war in Gaza to other parts pf the region, saying, Qatar "warned from the beginning of this war against the expansion of the circle of conflict, and today, we see conflicts on different fronts," he said, emphasizing the need for the international community to take action and halt the ongoing war.

He also strongly condemned Israel's policy of "collective punishment" in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

The Qatari embassy in Washington released a statement on Tuesday, criticizing Democratic lawmaker Steny Hoyer for urging Qatar to pressure Hamas in order to secure the release of a captive.

Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has been involved in weeks of talks in an effort to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli prisons.

Qatar played a key role in mediation efforts and helped secure a week-long ceasefire in Gaza in November that allowed Palestinian resistance groups and the Israeli regime to exchange captives and prisoners while enabling international organizations to deliver badly-needed humanitarian aid to the coastal sliver.

Israeli officials say 133 hostages are being held in Gaza - including four taken captive before the war - but that more than 30 of them are dead.

Hamas authorities have already said they would not agree to anything short of a permanent ceasefire while calling for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the unconditional return of displaced people to their homes.

At least 33,899 Palestinians have been killed and 76,664 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, while the 2.3 million Palestinian residents are facing severe shortages of food, shelter, and medicine.

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April 17: 'Axis of Resistance' operations against Israeli occupation

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 8:33 AM

By Press TV Website Staff

Amid Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 4,000 Palestinians so far, including more than 16,000 children, resistance groups in Palestine and across the region continue their operations against the Tel Aviv regime and its Western backers.

The major operations carried out by the Palestinian and regional resistance groups on Tuesday, April 17, are as follows:

Al-Qassam Brigades' operations on April 17:

Targeted a D9 military bulldozer of the Israeli military with Al-Yassin-105 shells east of Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

Sniped an Israeli regime soldier in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades' operations on April 17:

Bombed a gathering of Israeli soldiers and their military vehicles that penetrated east of Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip with 120-mm mortar shells.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli soldiers using appropriate weapons on the axis of advance east of Deir Al-Balah city.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces storming the city of Tubas with a barrage of bullets and explosives.

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli forces and their military vehicles in Tubas city from several fronts, using light weapons and explosive devices.

Targeted a command and control center of the Israeli military southwest of Gaza City with 107-mm rockets. On the rockets, they had written 'Your entity will disappear."

Al-Quds Brigades' operations on April 17:

Engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli soldiers using machine guns and anti-tank missiles east of Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.

Targeted an Israeli military bulldozer with a pre-arranged explosive device which was followed by clashes near Al-Quds Open University, Al-Ahmadiyya roundabout, and several axes in the occupied West Bank.

Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades' operations on April 17:

Targeted and destroyed the "Zikim" military base of the Israeli regime with a barrage of rockets. On the paper next to the rocket was written: "Salute to the Islamic Republic of Iran and their blessed strikes against Israel."

Hezbollah's operations on April 17:

Eastern sector:

At around 23:30 local time, an Israeli military vehicle was targeted at the Metulla site with appropriate weapons, resulting in casualties.

At around 15:40 local time, the Zibdin barracks in Lebanon's Shebaa were targeted with Falaq missiles.

At around 15:50 local time, surveillance equipment of the Israeli military was targeted at the Ramtha site in Lebanon's Kfar Shuba.

Western sector:

At around 07:30 local time, the headquarters of the 91st Division in the Beranit Barracks was targeted with a Burkan missile.

At around 07:50 local time, Israeli soldiers were targeted south of the Beranit Barracks with rockets and artillery shells.

At around 08:30 local time, Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Ramia site were targeted with rockets and artillery shells.

At around 08:50 local time, Israeli soldiers south of the Beranit Barracks were targeted with a barrage of missiles.

At around 11:30 local time, the forward air control of the Israeli military at the Meron base was targeted with guided missiles.

At around 13:15 local time, the 'National Center' base in Arab Al-Aramsha was targeted with drones and missiles, resulting in casualties.

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Palestinians across Gaza face 'man-made famine': UNRWA

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 7:47 AM

The United Nations Relief Works and Agency (UNRWA) has warned that the grip of a "man-made" famine is tightening its grip across the war-torn Gaza Strip, as Israel has severely blockaded the Palestinian territory plunging it into a humanitarian crisis.

UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini on Wednesday sounded the alert, condemning Israel for blocking aid deliveries to the besieged Gaza Strip and attempting to end the agency's activities in the war-ravaged coastal sliver.

"Today, an insidious campaign to end UNRWA's operations is underway, with serious implications for international peace and security," he told the 15-member UN Security Council, warning, "Across Gaza, a man-made famine is tightening its grip."

Lazzarini, whose agency is a critical source of support for people in Gaza, also said that in the north of the Palestinian territory, "infants and young children have begun to die of malnutrition and dehydration."

The occupying regime, however, prevents UNRWA from delivering the desperately needed aid to starving inhabitants of Gaza.

"Across the border, food and clean water wait. But UNRWA is denied permission to deliver this aid and save lives," Lazzarini further told the UNSC.

Founded in 1949, the agency provides services for over six million Palestinian refugees living across the occupied West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. In Gaza, it is the primary UN agency delivering healthcare, and essential humanitarian support to the Palestinians trapped in the blockaded territory.

Many of the UNRWA's 13,000 staff are Palestinian.

Israel has repeatedly equated UNRWA staff with members of Hamas, claiming that the agency has links to the Palestinian resistance group without providing any proof of the allegations. Israel has also been lobbying hard to have UNRWA closed as it is the only UN agency to have a specific mandate to look after the basic needs of Palestinian refugees.

Under pressure from the occupying regime, Lazzarini has already fired the accused staff and an internal UN inquiry is underway into Israel's allegations against the agency.

He has also said that its members, who had been detained, were tortured in Israeli custody, with some of them being stripped naked, among other forms of abuse.

According to UNRWA, several of its detainees were also subjected to insults and humiliation such as deprivation of water, food, sleep and toilets. In some cases, they were made to act like animals and were urinated on.

The detainees were threatened with prolonged detention, injury or the killing of their family members, the agency added.

Israel waged its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

The war has killed more than 34,000 people, mostly women and children, in Gaza since early October. Figures also show more than 14,500 of Gaza's 1.1 million children have been killed.

According to a report by UNRWA in February, some Israeli-detained members of the agency reported being pressured by Israeli authorities into falsely stating that UNRWA has Hamas links and that they took part in Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.

Lazzarini further told the UNSC that Israel "seeks to end UNRWA's activities. The agency's requests to deliver aid to the north are repeatedly denied. Our staff are barred from coordination meetings between Israel and humanitarian actors."

"Worse, UNRWA premises and staff have been targeted since the beginning of the war. 178 UNRWA personnel have been killed," he added.

According to the UN, the ongoing Israeli genocide has resulted in the internal displacement of 85 percent of Gaza's population, who are now facing severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine.

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China warns against US-Philippine joint military exercise

Chinese foreign ministry says the expanded annual exercise Balikatan destabilizes the region.

By RFA Staff 2024.04.18 -- China has slammed an annual Philippine-U.S. joint military exercise scheduled to begin next week, warning against "maritime provocations."

More than 16,000 Filipino and U.S. troops are expected to take part in the joint exercise Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder), now in its 39th year but which for the first time will be conducted outside the Philippines' territorial waters.

The territorial sea, measured 12 nautical miles from the shore, is where a coastal state has sovereignty and exclusive jurisdiction not only to the sea, but also to the airspace.

The U.S. Embassy in Manila calls this year's exercise from April 22 to May 18 "our most expansive Balikatan yet."

It said in a statement that the drills will include territorial defense and targeting simulated enemy forces in Luzon and Palawan, the areas facing Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Two countries - Australia and France - are sending troops to participate in Balikatan 2024 while 14 countries will attend as observers.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a press briefing in Beijing that Manila "needs to be fully aware that when countries outside the region are brought into the South China Sea to flex muscles and stoke confrontation, tensions could get worse and the region will only become less stable."

The exercise is an act of handing over the Philippines' security to outside forces, Lin said, adding that it "will only lead to greater insecurity and turn oneself into someone else's chess piece."

The spokesman urged the countries involved in Balikatan 2024 to stop stoking confrontation in the South China Sea and said that China will continue to take necessary measures "to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

'Not targeting any country'

Filipino officials on Thursday responded to China's statement saying Balikatan exercises are "not directed towards any specific country."

"This long standing initiative, spanning several years, is aimed at enhancing cooperation, fostering training opportunities, and strengthening regional stability," Col. Francel Margareth Padillat, spokesperson for the Philippine armed forces, told BenarNews, an online news service affiliated with Radio Free Asia.

Balikatan 2024 is also aimed at testing the Philippines' new defense strategy in order to protect the country's interests in the South China Sea.

Past Balikatan exercises have been carried out inside military camps in northern Philippines and this year's drills and locations indicate a shift in Manila's defense priorities.

Col. Michael Logico, the Philippine Balikatan spokesman, said Balikatan 2024 will be conducted in accordance with the new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, with focus on external security challenges, especially in the maritime domain.

Vessels from the Philippines and China have been confronting each other near some of the disputed islands in the part of South China Sea under Manila's jurisdiction, called the West Philippine Sea by Filipinos.

The Philippine coast guard said its ships have been harassed and fired at with water cannons by the Chinese coast guard.

A U.N. arbitral tribunal in 2016 ruled in favor of the Philippines and rejected all China's claims in the South China Sea but Beijing refused to accept the verdict.

Jason Gutierrez contributed to this report from Manila

Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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In Bosnia, A Legal Loophole Lets War Criminals Get Off With Just A Fine

By Marija Augustinovic-Stojak and Una Cilic April 18, 2024

SARAJEVO -- Violent war criminals are buying their way out of prison time in Bosnia-Herzegovina, exploiting a loophole that the Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe (OSCE) and others warn trivializes horrific crimes and seriously undermines public confidence in a region still tormented by questions of wartime guilt.

With many victims' groups already complaining of too few prosecutions and overly lenient punishments for crimes committed during the Balkan wars of the '90s, Bosnian courts have uniquely applied "mitigating" circumstances to commute prison terms of under a year to simple fines in at least 14 cases since 2012.

The beneficiaries aren't limited to any single ethnic group and have included kidnappers and torturers, a former police reservist convicted of abuse at a hotel notoriously converted into an illegal detention center at a power plant in Republika Srpksa, one of the two entities that make up Bosnia, and a defendant who confessed to dragging two teenage girls from their family home in the middle of the night to rape one and sexually assault the other in a car.

In one case, from last summer, the convicted war criminal walked away and still has not bothered to pay his fine.

"What kind of message is being sent to the survivors, except that their suffering is not particularly serious?" said Iva Vukusic, an assistant professor at Utrecht University and an expert on the prosecution of war crimes in the former Yugoslavia. "What kind of message is being sent to potential perpetrators? That such acts can be committed or that they won't be punished, or that the punishment will be mild and short."

"It's really a slap in the face to the survivors," she added, likening the penalties to a ticket for "a parking violation."

Bosnian law mandates at least 10-year prison sentences for war criminals. But unlike in neighboring Serbia and Croatia, where there have been no such commutations, Bosnia's legal system permits criminals to petition for and be granted the right to pay a fine in lieu of prison time if the sentence is 12 months or less. The fines don't contribute in any way toward the compensation of the victims.

In each of the cases where prison sentences were commuted to fines, Bosnian courts applied a 1976 criminal code from communist Yugoslavia. While that code generally prescribed lighter sentences than current Bosnian law, it required minimum five-year prison terms for war crimes. But crucially, it also allowed for even milder sentences in the presence of "mitigating" factors that courts have since interpreted to include confessions and guilty pleas, family status, and a clean criminal record.

Fined For Rape

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina counted 11 examples of such commutations between 2012 and 2022.

At least three more prison sentences have been commuted to fines since then, according to the results of inquiries to dozens of cantonal, district, and federal courts by RFE/RL's Balkan Service, including as recently as August 2023.

They include a former soldier who, along with two colleagues in a wartime Bosniak militia, abducted a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old from their family home in the town of Cazin in the Bihac region in December 1993. The soldier, Amir Coralic, raped one of the girls and sexually assaulted the other. He then fled following the war.

After a decade-long search and the threat of a Swiss trial, Coralic eventually confessed and, after plea bargaining with Bosnian authorities, received a one-year sentence in 2015. The confession provided the "mitigating" circumstance for the reduced sentence, the Bihac cantonal court reasoned.

Instead of a custodial sentence, however, Coralic was eventually fined the equivalent of around $19,000 for one of his crimes and ordered to pay the victim $35,000, which the Bosnia-based victims' rights group Trial International called "the highest sum ever paid to a victim of sexual violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina."

Coralic's lawyer, Omer Abdagic, told RFE/RL that the "length of the sentence" suited the crime and served as sufficient punishment, and that his client had also accepted and fulfilled the compensation obligation.

Whatever the sums involved, the OSCE has spent years encouraging Bosnian authorities to close the loophole. In a statement to RFE/RL's Balkan Service, it said officials could amend Criminal Codes to reduce the frequency of commutations, including by invoking "mitigating" circumstances less frequently to reduce sentences and further tightening laws so fines can only replace jail time of well under a year.

"Allowing those who have been convicted and sentenced for serious criminal offenses, including conflict-related sexual violence, to purchase their freedom seriously undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system," the OSCE said in a recent statement to RFE/RL's Balkan Service.

"Furthermore, this system creates a two-tiered system in which those who have money can escape imprisonment and those who do not must actually serve their prison sentences."

'Humiliated Wherever We Go'

Experts say sentences for war crimes, particularly those involving sexual violence, are inconsistent and frequently too lenient.

Midheta Kaloper, president of a victims' association in Foca, a town in southeastern Bosnia where Bosnian Serb forces committed war crimes against the local Bosniak population during the war, criticized the message that the judiciary sends to victims by commuting war criminals' prison terms. It can discourage or demotivate victims from testifying in court against defendants in the limited number of cases that are prosecuted, Kaloper said.

"Is it worth it to be a criminal rather than a victim?" she asked. "This [practice of commutation] raises the question of whether it's even worth testifying if [the perpetrators] can buy themselves out of such a crime. We eagerly await any verdict, even if it's [just] a year in prison, but for the crime to be condemned."

Kaloper said, "It is really shameful that such crimes are traded, especially against women who have suffered rape."

Foca was the scene of heavy fighting in the 1992-95 war. Around 3,000 Bosniaks are believed to have been killed there, including at least 586 women, according to Kaloper's association.

War crimes expert Vukusic says substituting prison time for a fine might make sense for minor, nonviolent offenses. But "for serious offenses such as causing physical pain and suffering, fines should be impossible." "This practice devalues the suffering of the victims, potentially further traumatizing them," Vukusic said. "The purpose of the punishment is punishment. If a person can exchange the punishment for such a serious crime with money, that's really shocking."

Samra Cardakovic, a legal adviser to Trial International, says courts have undervalued aggravating circumstances in too many cases, applied mitigating factors disproportionately, and behaved uncritically when accepting plea bargains. "This pernicious practice sends the wrong messages to victims and society as a whole about the purpose of punishment," Cardakovic told RFE/RL.

Milan Miletic is one of the survivors outraged by the commutations. He was among some 500-600 Bosnian Serb civilians rounded up and held by Bosnian Croats at an elementary school in Odzak, in northern Bosnia, in 1992.

Miletic spent more than three months at the school and vividly recalls the regular beatings and other abuse at the hands of captors from the Croatian Defense Council, the main military force for ethnic Croats in Bosnia.

He testified in several war crimes trials and said the courts would order longer sentences if they could put themselves in the position of the victims. "They should see what it's like when for 62 days they don't eat a single loaf of bread or drink a liter of water and get beaten up several times a day," he told RFE/RL's Balkan Service.

Mirko Culap is a former HVO fighter who was convicted in 2022 of war crimes against Serbian detainees at Odzak three decades earlier. The cantonal court's verdict described him and other guards ordering one detainee to lean spread-eagle against a wall so they could kick him in the kidney area.

Culap was sentenced to the minimum of one year in prison, with the court citing the "mitigating" circumstances that he was a family man with two children, had no prior convictions, and his "victim has no lasting consequences" of the abuse. In lieu of any actual jail time, Culap paid a fine of around 36,500 Bosnian marks ($19,100).

"Someone convicted of a war crime can buy their freedom, but what about us?" Miletic said. "We can't get justice, and for compensation, they refer us to lawsuits that don't pay off for anyone. We are humiliated wherever we go."

Perhaps even more discouraging for victims like Miletic is the case of Goran Govedarica, who was convicted by a Trebinje district court in December 2022 of abusing detainees in 1992 at a hotel on the premises of the Gacko power plant in Republika Srpska. Govedarica was acquitted of murder but convicted of pistol-whipping an inmate and given a one-year sentence that was justified by, it said, "extenuating circumstances."

In August 2023, a court approved the commutation of Govedarica's remaining prison term to a $9,600 fine, corresponding to a roughly six-month prison sentence. He was ordered to pay the fine within six months, by March. He still has not done so, the Trebinje district court confirmed to RFE/RL.

The International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, a UN organization that took over some of the functions of the now disbanded International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), declined to comment on the Bosnian commutation cases or the practice more broadly.

From its establishment in 1993 through its shuttering in 2017, the ICTY delivered historic verdicts, including at least 32 cases involving sexual violence, and assigned prison sentences of between five and 35 years in those instances. Since they began taking over cases in 2005, Bosnian courts have issued 78 convictions for cases that involved sexual torture. Fewer than 20 verdicts were handed down for wartime rapes in cantonal and district courts, according to RFE/RL research.

Retired Bosnian Judge Mira Smajlovic said the practice of giving fines instead of prison time ignores the seriousness of war crimes. "That mechanism shouldn't be applied to war crimes," Smajlovic said.

But Bosnia's lawmakers and other elected officials -- born of an ethnically based system that emerged to end the fighting in 1995 under the Dayton agreement -- have not found sufficient common ground to exclude commutations.

Lawmaker Sasa Magazinovic, a Social Democrat, authored what he described as a "common-sense initiative" to prevent perceived abuses of the "mitigating" circumstances that allow for prison sentences short enough to fall under the commutation procedure. But deputies rejected it in 2023.

"Unacceptably brutal crimes ended with the perpetrators not even serving a day in prison," Magazinovic told RFE/RL. "I reasoned at the time that the people who committed the crime -- who were Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks -- had situations where they were 'set up' to buy off their punishment."

Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by Marija Augustinovic and Una Cilic of RFE/RL's Balkan Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/balkan-war-crimes-justice- bosnia/32911075.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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EU Set To Provide Nonlethal Assistance To Armenia

By RFE/RL's Armenian Service April 18, 2024

A preliminary agreement has been reached in Brussels on providing nonlethal assistance to Armenia from the European Peace Facility (EPF), according to a diplomatic document obtained by RFE/RL.

The document, obtained on April 17 from diplomatic sources in Brussels, shows that the European Union plans to allocate 10 million euros ($10.6 million) to Armenia under the EPF as part of an assistance measure that will last 30 months from the date of the adoption of the decision.

According to the document, the assistance measure will finance setting up a mobile field camp for a battalion-size unit, including a medical treatment facility and other relevant services.

"The objective of the assistance measure is to contribute to strengthening the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia's capabilities to enhance national security, stability, and resilience in the defense sector," the document says.

The assistance also aims to allow Armenian forces to enhance operational effectiveness and accelerate compliance with EU standards and interoperability, thereby better protecting civilians in crises and emergencies, it adds.

The EPF was established in 2021 to provide funds for the purchase of nonlethal weapons or capabilities to promote peace, prevent conflict, and strengthen international security around the world. EU membership is not a prerequisite for applying to receive EPF funding.

Details about the EPF agreement come as Armenia turns away from Russia for security assistance. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in February spoke about "freezing" Armenia's membership in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Russian-led regional security grouping that Pashinian criticized for its "failure to respond to the security challenges" facing Armenia.

In an interview with RFE/RL earlier this month, Peter Stano, spokesman for the EU's Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, confirmed that discussions on possible support to Armenia under the EPF were ongoing but said that security policy is a "strictly member state-controlled area where any decision needs to be agreed by unanimity of all the member states."

The draft agreement seen by RFE/RL is expected to be submitted for final approval in the coming weeks.

Armenia first submitted an application for funding from the EPF in 2023, and it earned the backing of then-French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, who said during a visit to Armenia last October that she had personally appealed to the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy on this issue.

Among other countries that have received assistance from the EPF in previous years are Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova, all of which are seeking membership in the European Union. A number of African countries also have tapped into EPF funding.

With reporting by Heghine Buniatyan

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenia-european-peace- facility-nonlethal-assistance/32911146.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Senior Kosovar Police Officer Still In Serbian Custody

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service April 18, 2024

Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti said a deputy chief of the Kosovo Police remains in Serbian custody after being detained by Serbian police at the border, a move some Kosovar officials said was retaliation for the country being recommended for membership in the Council of Europe, a top European human rights body.

Four other police officers who were detained together with deputy police commander Dejan Jankovic on April 17 have been released, Kurti said on April 18 at a government meeting in Pristina.

Ten off-duty Kosovar police officers, both ethnic Albanians and Serbs, were detained by Serbian authorities while returning to Kosovo. Five of them were released the same day.

"The deputy police chief continues to be held in a prison in Serbia," Kurti said, referring to Jankovic.

After being detained at the Jarinje border crossing in northern Kosovo, Jankovic -- who comes from the municipality of Strpce -- was sent for interrogation to the southwestern Serbian city of Raska.

Serbia's Interior Ministry confirmed to Serbian news agency Tanjug that the officers were detained on April 17 during border checks, but did not say why Jankovic remained in custody.

The U.S. State Department is aware of the situation and monitoring it closely, a spokesperson told RFE/RL in an e-mail, urging all parties involved to avoid any actions that could jeopardize regional security and stability.

The spokesperson also warned that arbitrary or unduly lengthy detentions, especially if they target Kosovar police officers, "will be seen as escalatory actions detrimental to peace and stability."

As already noted by the European Union, the spokesperson said delays like those that recently took place represent a violation of an agreement on freedom of movement reached as part of the EU-facilitated dialogue on normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo. The agreement provides clear parameters for the entry and exit of Kosovar citizens to and from Serbia, the spokesperson said.

The detentions came after at least six buses from Kosovo were earlier stopped for hours by Serbian police at a border crossing with Croatia and Hungary, according to passengers, before being allowed to continue.

Serbia said the delays were caused by additional security measures at the border, but that Kosovar citizens' movement has not been restricted.

The tightening of border controls by Serbia came shortly after the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recommended on April 16 that Kosovo be invited to become a member of the Council of Europe, a European human rights body.

Kurti was quick to link the Kosovar police officers' detentions with the decision by PACE.

"The mass arrests, detentions, and ill-treatment of [Kosovar] travelers occurred immediately after the favorable vote in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe," Kurti told the government meeting.

Kosovar President Vjosa Osmani said the stopping of buses was a retaliatory measure by Belgrade, and directly accused Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic of ordering the move.

"Serbia is retaliating against Kosovar citizens, one day after PACE's CoE vote, by holding many hostage at border crossings, intimidating, confiscating docs & depriving them of food," Osmani wrote on X, formerly Twitter, adding, "One man is responsible for this: Vucic."

Kosovo's Foreign Ministry also said in a statement that Serbia had stopped the buses as a "a sign of retaliation against the PACE's support for Kosovo's membership in the organization."

Kosovo, a mainly ethnic Albanian former province of Serbia, declared independence from Belgrade in 2008 after fighting a guerrilla war in 1998-99 that ended with NATO's bombing of Serbia. Kosovo's independence has been recognized neither by Belgrade nor by its traditional ally, Russia, or China.

With reporting by Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/senior-kosovar-police-official- detained-by-serbia-at-border/32910464.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Georgia "Transparency of Foreign Influence" Draft Law

US Department of State

Press Statement

Matthew Miller, Department Spokesperson

April 18, 2024

We are gravely disappointed by the Georgian parliament's decision to advance Kremlin-inspired "foreign influence" legislation. As the EU has stated, passage of this law could compromise Georgia's progress on its EU path. We join our European allies in urging Georgia not to enact legislation that goes against the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Georgian citizens  the desire to integrate fully into the EU. Georgia has a vibrant civil society that serves its citizens and works to improve Georgia's economy. If adopted, the proposed legislation could limit freedom of expression, stigmatize organizations that deliver these benefits to the citizens of Georgia, and impede independent media organizations working to provide Georgians with access to high quality information. Such Kremlin-inspired legislation is not appropriate if the goal is to promote transparency. We urge all parties to protect the right of peaceful assembly.

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There is a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza - Gazans need more aid, and they need it now: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

18 April 2024

Let me start by reiterating that the UK condemns in the strongest terms Iran's unprecedented attack against Israel, as well as its violation of Jordan and Iraq's airspace.

The UK continues to call for de-escalation and remains steadfast in our commitment to protecting and upholding stability in the region.

Iran's actions do nothing to advance the prospects for peace in Israel and Gaza.

President, the UK condemns the October 7th attacks unequivocally and calls for the unconditional and immediate release of all the hostages.

The United Kingdom remains resolved to work with international partners to urgently secure an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, and then progress towards a permanent, sustainable ceasefire without a return to fighting and loss of life.

We also urgently call for the full implementation of resolution 2720, to protect civilians and enable humanitarian assistance.

There is a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Gazans need more aid, and they need it now.

We welcome Israel's commitments to fully open Ashdod port and the Erez checkpoint - and to increase capacity through the Jordan land corridor. We are resolved that the international community will work with Israel to see these vital changes fully implemented.

As my Foreign Secretary made clear during his visit to the region yesterday, we must maintain our focus on getting more aid into Gaza and getting hostages out.

For our part, the UK has trebled our aid commitment this financial year. We will keep doing everything we can to get more aid in by land, sea, and air to reach people in desperate need in Gaza.

President, we support a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people.

We must give the people of the West Bank and Gaza the political perspective of a credible route to a Palestinian state and a new future. And it needs to be irreversible.

This is not entirely in our gift. However, Britain and our partners can help by confirming our commitment to a sovereign, viable Palestinian state.

On recognition, this cannot come at the start of the process, but it does not have to be the very end of the process.

Our long-standing position has been that we will recognise a Palestinian State at a time that is most conducive to the peace process. That pathway must start with fixing the immediate crisis in Gaza.

President, we must focus collectively on the vital elements for a lasting peace. These include:

the release of all hostages;

the formation of a new Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by an international support package;

removing Hamas's capacity to launch attacks against Israel;

Hamas no longer being in charge of Gaza;

and as I have mentioned, a political horizon which provides a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.

Finally, President, I would like to address the ongoing settlement expansion and demolition of Palestinian properties in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. We are clear that settlements are illegal under international law, and once again urge Israel to halt settlement expansion immediately. The UK remains committed to acting robustly in support of peace and stability in the region.

President, let me end by reiterating the UK's commitment to a two-state solution and turning this Council's words into actions. We must work together to make this vision for peace a reality.

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Guterres appeals for maximum restraint in the Middle East

18 April 2024 - Recent escalations in the Middle East make it even more important to support efforts towards lasting peace between Israel and a fully independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Thursday.

"Failure to make progress towards a two-State solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region, who will continue to live under the constant threat of violence," he said.

Regional conflict, global impact

With the Middle East "on a precipice", he appealed for maximum restraint, warning against the far-reaching consequences.

"One miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake, could lead to the unthinkable - a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved - and for the rest of the world," he said.

Mr. Guterres reiterated his strong condemnation for Iran's large-scale attack on Israel on Saturday, and an earlier assault on the Iranian consulate in Damascus which Tehran attributed to Israel, saying "it is high time to end the bloody cycle of retaliation."

End Gaza hostilities

Stressing that the international community must work together to prevent any actions that could push the entire Middle East over the edge, he highlighted the need for diplomacy that would lead to de-escalation, starting with Gaza.

"Ending the hostilities in Gaza would significantly defuse tensions across the region," Mr. Guterres said, repeating his calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages held in the enclave.

"The horrific terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on 7 October, including mass killings, the use of sexual violence, torture, and the taking of hostages, were an intolerable denial of the most basic values of humanity, and a breach of the most fundamental rules of international law," he added.

'Humanitarian hellscape'

Meanwhile, nearly seven months of Israeli military operations in Gaza "have created a humanitarian hellscape". Tens of thousands have been killed, including more than 13,800 children, and two million Palestinians are now living under the threat of famine.

Israel recently made several commitments to improve aid delivery, he said. For example, three convoys from the World Food Programme (WFP) were authorized to use the Erez Crossing into northern Gaza to deliver food parcels and wheat flour over a three-day period this week.

Yet, "apparent progress in one area is often cancelled out by delays and restrictions elsewhere", meaning that "the impact is limited, and sometimes nil."

'Quantum leap' in aid

The Secretary-General called for "a quantum leap in humanitarian aid" to avert imminent famine in Gaza, and further preventable deaths from disease.

Conditions on the ground must also be addressed so that humanitarian agencies can safely deliver aid, he added, noting that nearly 250 aid workers have been killed, including more than 180 UN personnel.

"Delivering aid at scale requires Israel's full and active facilitation of humanitarian operations, including through a functioning humanitarian notification system - and improved and direct communications between humanitarians and military decisionmakers on the ground," he said.

West Bank violence

Mr. Guterres also highlighted "the explosive situation" in the occupied West Bank. More than 450 Palestinians, including 112 children, have been killed since 7 October. Seventeen Israelis, including a child, have also been killed there and in Israel during the same period.

Additionally, the reported killing of a 14-year-old Israeli boy over the weekend sparked a new wave of armed settler attacks against at least 37 Palestinian villages. Four Palestinians were killed, including a 17-year-old boy.

"The backdrop to this appalling surge in violence is the continued expansion of Israeli settlements - in themselves a violation of international law - and repeated large-scale Israeli operations in Palestinian areas," he said.

Condemning the violence, Mr. Guterres urged Israel to take immediate steps to end the unprecedented levels of settler violence, hold perpetrators to account, and protect the Palestinian population from attacks, violence and intimidation.

Blue Line, Red Sea

Efforts towards regional de-escalation must also address the extremely fraught situation in Lebanon, particularly along the Blue Line which marks the frontier between the south of the country and northern Israel, Mr. Guterres continued.

"Exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah are exacting a mounting toll on civilian communities in Israel and Lebanon. Dozens of civilians have been killed and tens of thousands displaced on both sides of the Blue Line," he said, appealing for restraint.

He also drew attention to the crisis in the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels in Yemen continue to launch attacks against merchant and commercial ships, disrupting global trade.

He urged the international community to unite to prevent escalation in the Red Sea, adding that the people of Yemen must be supported in their efforts towards a just and sustainable peace.

Palestine: Support full UN Membership

The Special Representative of the Palestinian President, Ziad Abu Amr, said the plight of the Palestinian people started over a century ago and is still ongoing.

"We are still longing to practice our right to self-determination to live in freedom, security and peace in an independent State, similar to other countries around the world. We have made and continue to make great sacrifices to achieve this goal," he told the Council.

He said granting Palestine full membership at the UN will lift some of the historic injustices that succeeding generations of Palestinians have been subjected to.

The decision will also be an important pillar to achieve peace in the region because the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in its different dimensions now goes beyond the borders of Palestine and Israel and impacts other parts of the Middle East and around the world.

"Therefore, we believe that it is high time for the Security Council to shoulder its historic responsibility to give justice to the Palestinian people by adopting a resolution to accept Palestine as a full member of the United Nations," he said.

"Those who are trying to disrupt and hinder the adoption of such a resolution, they are not helping the prospects of peace between Palestinians and Israelis and the prospects for peace in the Middle East in general," he added.

Council due to vote on Palestinian membership

The Security Council is due to vote in just a few hours' time in New York on whether to recommend Palestine for full membership, which if approved, would then go to the wider General Assembly. Read our full explainer here on Palestine's decades-long bid.

Turning to Gaza, Mr. Abu Amr said the comprehensive war waged by Israel has claimed the lives of over 35,000 Palestinians and wounded 80,000, mostly women, children and the elderly, and the majority of the enclave has been destroyed.

"Gaza will come back. What will be destroyed is the occupation," he said.

"We call on you today more than ever, to swiftly intervene and take the necessary measures to compel Israel to put an end to its aggression, to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance to a starving people, to immediately withdraw from the Gaza Strip, to comply with international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy."

A 'sick reward': Israel

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan chastised the Council for not meeting even once to discuss ways to advance the release of the hostages held in Gaza or issuing condemnations against the "heinous 7 October massacre" by Hamas.

"Rather than condemning Hamas's atrocities or taking action, real action, to bring our hostages home, this Council will be voting upon a resolution to recommend granting the Palestinian Authority full membership status," he said.

He stated that the resolution will have zero positive impact for any party, cause destruction for years to come and harm any chance for future dialogue.

Mr. Erdan said six months after the most brutal massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, the Security Council was seeking to reward the supporters and perpetrators with Statehood.

"The child-murdering Hamas rapists are watching this meeting and they are smiling. There is no bigger prize for terror than today's meeting," he said.

He also listed the criteria for admission to the UN, whose membership is open to all peace-loving States.

"The Palestinian Authority has absolutely no control over Gaza. You all know it; everyone knows it," he said. "So, who is the Council voting to recognize today and give full membership status to: Hamas in Gaza? Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Nablus? Who is going to be in charge?"

He said that while this alone "is grounds enough to reject this sick reward for Palestinian terror," the Palestinian Authority "is the opposite of a peace-loving entity" as it has not condemned the 7 October attacks.

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Gaza: UN experts decry 'systemic obliteration' of education system

18 April 2024 - UN independent human rights experts on Thursday raised alarm over the "systematic destruction" of the Palestinian education system in the Gaza Strip, as Israel's military operation continues unabated.

Since the brutal 7 October attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants on southern Israel, and the ensuing military assault by Israel, over 5,800 students and teachers have been killed and a further 8,575 have been injured across the enclave.

Many others have been arrested, while attacks on places of learning have left more than 625,000 students without any ability to study.

UN schools sheltering civilians displaced from their homes have also come under fire, including some inside Israeli military-designated "safe zones".

Hopes and dreams destroyed

"With more than 80 per cent of schools in Gaza damaged or destroyed, it may be reasonable to ask if there is an intentional effort to comprehensively destroy the Palestinian education system, an action known as 'scholasticide'," the experts said.

The term "scholasticide" refers to the systemic obliteration of education through the arrest, detention or killing of teachers, students and staff, and the destruction of educational infrastructure.

The experts called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and to protect educational institutions, teachers, and students.

"We remind Israel in particular of its obligations to comply with the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 26 January," they said.

Devastating long-term impacts

The experts, including UN Special Rapporteurs on the right to education and on the situation in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, also warned of the far-reaching impacts of attacks on education in Gaza.

"The persistent, callous attacks on educational infrastructure in Gaza have a devastating long-term impact on the fundamental rights of people to learn and freely express themselves, depriving yet another generation of Palestinians of their future," the experts said.

"When schools are destroyed, so too are hopes and dreams."

Not isolated incidents

In addition to schools, a further 195 heritage sites, 227 mosques and three churches have also been damaged or destroyed, including the Central Archives of Gaza which catalogued 150 years of history.

Israa University, the last remaining university in Gaza was demolished by the Israeli military on 17 January.

The experts noted that without a safe place to go to school, women and girls face multifaceted risks, including increased gender-based violence.

More than one million Palestinian children in Gaza are now in need of mental health and psychosocial support and will suffer the trauma of this war throughout their lives.

"These attacks are not isolated incidents. They present a systematic pattern of violence aimed at dismantling the very foundation of Palestinian society," the experts said.

Independent experts

The human rights experts raising the alarm included several UN special rapporteurs and members of human rights working groups.

Appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, they work on a voluntary basis, are not UN staff and do not receive a salary. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

UN food convoys enter Gaza from Israeli port

Meanwhile, the UN emergency food relief agency (WFP) reported that two of its convoys crossed into Gaza from Israel's Ashdod Port, via the Kerem Shalom border crossing point.

The first convoy on Tuesday was made up of eight trucks, followed by a second seven-truck convoy on Wednesday.

In total, the World Food Programme (WFP) convoys delivered 374 metric tonnes of wheat flour, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, told journalists in at the UN Headquarters, in New York.

"Fourteen additional [WFP] trucks are being loaded today and we hope they will depart soon," he reported.

"WFP says the sustained use of that port - as well as a smoother movement of convoys via Kerem Shalom into Gaza - will notably reduce the waiting time for cargo to enter the Gaza Strip," Mr. Dujarric added.

As part of the emergency response, the agency has shipped some 2,700 metric tonnes of wheat flour to Ashdod Port in southern Israel.

UN Senior Coordinator visits Gaza

In addition, Mr. Dujarric also informed journalists that Sigrid Kaag, the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, has concluded another visit to the Gaza Strip.

While there, she went to Khan Younis where she witnessed the war's impact on Palestinian civilians firsthand. She also visited a maternity ward in an International Medical Corps field hospital, as well as the Nasser Medical complex.

She spoke with the director and medical staff at Nasser about the challenges of securing entry and supplies of urgently needed medical items, Mr. Dujarric said.

"Ms. Kaag [also] went to Tel Aviv following her visit to Gaza and just concluded a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as other Israeli cabinet officials," the UN Spokesperson added.

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Security Council Debates Situation in Middle East, including Question of Palestine

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9608th Meeting (AM & PM)

SC/15669

18 April 2024

(Note: The final summary of this meeting will be available at a later time.)

The Security Council met today in an all-day open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine. The Council heard an address from the United Nations Secretary-General, as well as over 60 Member States and other speakers.

Briefing

ANTONIO GUTERRES, Secretary-General of the United Nations , warned: "The Middle East is on a precipice," pointing to the recent days' "perilous escalation  in words and deeds" and the threat of a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved and for the rest of the world. "This moment of maximum peril must be a time for maximum restraint," he urged. Reiterating his "strong condemnation of the serious escalation" represented by Iran's large-scale attack on Israel on 13 April, as well as his condemnation of the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this month, he said: "It is high time to end the bloody cycle of retaliation." The international community must work together to pull the region back from the precipice by advancing comprehensive diplomatic action for regional de-escalation, starting with Gaza. "Ending the hostilities in Gaza would significantly defuse tensions across the region," he emphasized.

In the horrific terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on 7 October, and the seven months of Israeli military operations in Gaza, tens of thousands of people have been killed, he said. Two million Palestinians  including over 13,900 children  have endured death, destruction and the denial of lifesaving humanitarian aid. "All this has happened with severe limitations imposed by the Israeli authorities on the delivery of humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, who are facing widespread starvation," he pointed out, citing limited progress and ongoing challenges despite Israel's recent commitments to improve aid delivery. For example, Israeli authorities' clearances of more aid convoys are often granted when it is too late in the day to make deliveries and return safely, he said, stressing: "Our personnel cannot operate in darkness in a war zone littered with unexploded ordnance."

From 6-12 April, Israel denied more than 40 per cent of UN requests that required passing through Israeli checkpoints, he continued. Humanitarian agencies, led by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), must be able to move food and other supplies safely and via all possible routes and crossings into and throughout Gaza. Israel must fully and actively facilitate humanitarian operations immediately, including through a functioning humanitarian notification system  and improved and direct communications between humanitarians and military decision makers on the ground. "For the moment, our aid operations face enormous difficulties and are barely functional," he said. The international community has a shared responsibility to do everything possible to ensure an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza; the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages; and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.

A comprehensive de-escalation approach must also reverse the explosive situation in the occupied West Bank, he said, urging Israel to take immediate steps to end the unprecedented levels of settler violence and to hold the perpetrators accountable. He also called on Israel, as the occupying Power, to protect the Palestinian population against attacks, violence and intimidation. Tel Aviv, together with the international community, must support and work with the new Palestinian Government to address its fiscal challenges, strengthen its governance capacity, and prepare it to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza. Moreover, all actors must recognize the critical role the Palestinian Authority should play in Gaza and work toward enabling its return in the appropriate time. "The ultimate goal remains a two-State solution..." including establishment of a fully independent Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part, he said, stressing: "The international community has a responsibility and a moral obligation to help make this happen."

Turning to other conflicts in the Middle East, he said regional de-escalation efforts must also address the extremely fraught situation in Lebanon, particularly along the Blue Line, and ensure the safety of navigation on the Red Sea. Armed confrontations on that crucial waterway increase risks to supply chains, environmental disaster or a confrontation between major Powers. The international community must act together to prevent escalation in the Red Sea and to support the people of Yemen towards a political process for a sustainable, just peace. Warning that failure to make progress towards a two-State solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people, he urged every Government to use its influence and leverage to that end. "We have a shared moral obligation to advance a comprehensive Middle East de-escalation effort, in order to reduce risks, increase stability, and pave the way towards peace and prosperity for the countries and people of the region and beyond," he concluded.

Statements

ZIAD ABU AMR, Special Representative of the President for the State of Palestine , emphasized that the Palestinian people are "victims of a history not of their making". However, since 1988, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)  "the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people", he noted  has shown readiness to close the chapter of conflict and sit at the negotiating table to find a just, comprehensive and permanent solution for the Palestinian question. It has made every possible effort, along with unimaginable historic concessions, to achieve peace based on the two-State solution and resolve the issue of refugees pursuant to General Assembly resolution 194. Granting Palestine full UN membership will lift "some" of the historic injustice to which succeeding Palestinian generations have been subjected, he said, asking how such a grant would damage the prospects of peace between Palestine and Israel.

Addressing those who say recognition of a Palestinian State must occur through negotiation and not through a UN resolution, he spotlighted the establishment and recognition of Israel through General Assembly resolution 181 of 1947. Those who are trying to hinder the adoption of such a resolution "are not helping the prospects for peace", he stressed, adding that its adoption would grant Palestinians the hope for a decent life that "has dissipated over past years because of the intransigence of the Israeli Government". Recalling the constructive role the State of Palestine has played after being granted observer status in the General Assembly, he said: "Today, we are asking for full membership for the State of Palestine in the United Nations  but this does not mean we forget what is happening in the Gaza Strip." He therefore called on the Council to compel Israel to end its aggression, allow aid to be delivered to a starving people, immediately withdraw from Gaza and comply with international law. "We rely on peace-loving nations to end this war," he urged.

The representative of Israel said that, rather than condemning Hamas' atrocities or taking real action to facilitate the return of hostages, the Council will be voting on a resolution to recommend granting the Palestinian Authority a full membership status  a Palestinian State. "How detached from reality can this [organ] be to dedicate its time and resources to support a resolution so disconnected from the reality on the ground?" he asked. Six months after the most brutal massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, the Council seeks to reward its perpetrators with Statehood. However, as the Palestinian Authority  "paying monthly salaries to all the terrorists that took part in the attacks"  has zero control over Gaza, "who is going to be in charge?" he asked. Emphasizing that this "genocide-loving entity" deserves no status here, he said that, if the draft passes, this organ should be known as "the Terror Council".

The Palestinians have rejected every peace plan ever proposed and their rejection pays off, he observed, noting that the UN is committed to "multi-terrorism" rather than multilateralism. On Iran, which "exposed itself as the terrorist State that it is", he said that  precisely 41 years since its 18 April 1983 attack on the United States Embassy in Beirut  this Council will be addressed by its terrorists. Tehran has provided weaponry to Hizbullah to rain down missiles on Israeli cities and launched an unprecedented attack on that country less than a week ago. Instead of sanctioning Iran's "evil regime", the Council opens its door for Iran's Foreign Minister  "to show that his country can launch an attack on another Member State on Saturday and come here on Thursday to lecture others on human rights and international law". Noting that "the UN has lost every ounce of justice", he stated: "Your eyes will remain in Gaza as the rest of the world burns". In its current form, the UN "has no future," he asserted, citing today's meeting as "the catalyst of the UN's collapse".

IAN BORG, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta , Council President for April, speaking in his national capacity, calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, said it is "completely unacceptable" that the parties disregarded the Council's ceasefire demand in resolution 2728 (2024). The prospect of further escalation into Rafah is "unconscionable" and poses further displacement. He underscored that international law and the International Court of Justice's provisional orders on 26 January and 28 March must be complied with. He called for an independent investigation into all killings of UN and humanitarian staff and for commercial trade to resume as the people of Gaza cannot remain dependent on aid alone. There must be prevention of regional conflagration, reversal of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, and a revitalization of the Palestinian Authority. "A just resolution" will provide for Palestinians' "legitimate aspirations" for UN membership and Statehood, and that Israelis live in security.

AHMED ATTAF, Minister for Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad of Algeria , stressed the failure to implement the "historic and legitimate right" of the Palestinian people to create an independent State  recognized by the international community 76 years ago  is the main cause of this prolonged conflict. He deplored Israel's attempt to eradicate the foundations of the Palestinian State and destroy its pillars through its "genocidal war" in Gaza and the "suffocation" of the West Bank through settlement policies and forced displacement. The Israeli occupation continues to escalate the situation in the region in an effort to extinguish the Palestinian cause. He recalled that a few months ago the Israeli authorities showed a map in the Council, where Palestine did not exist. This demonstrates "the true face of the Israeli occupation made of colonization, spreading of illusions and undermining the security of the Middle East", he said, adding: "The Council has a historic and decisive responsibility to act immediately to impose the two-State solution, which is facing the imminent mortal danger".

Citing Algeria's historical support for Palestine, he called for granting it full membership within the Organization. Doing so will consolidate the two-State solution, safeguard the future Palestinian State, and build the peace process on solid foundations. "This is our legal duty, a political duty and a security duty, [...] a duty at the scale of humanity and civilization," he stated.

RENATA CVELBAR BEK, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia , said that the situation in Gaza and the West Bank is "where the master key to easing tensions in the region is", calling for immediate and full compliance with the Council resolutions and International Court of Justice orders related to the conflict in Gaza. The threat of the military offensive in Rafah remains. In recent days, the situation in the West Bank has been escalating. "These are the fires that we have to extinguish before they engulf the whole region," she said, underscoring that a Gaza ceasefire is key to reducing "the boiling tensions" in the region, including along the Blue Line, in the Red Sea and elsewhere.

Urging all regional actors and their partners to exercise maximum restraint, she stressed that missiles and drones would not address the root causes of the crisis. "They are not solutions, just as retaliations are not dialogue," she said, declaring: "Diplomacy is the only way forward." She went on to emphasize the need to start and support the political process towards a two-State solution. The Council must do its part. In that regard, she welcomed the draft resolution proposed by France. The two-State formula must be based on the sovereign equality of States. Her country supports their equal status in the United Nations. People in Palestine, Israel and the whole Middle East are not asking for the impossible. They want peace and security and a viable vision of a better, dignified future. "Let us all do everything in our power to make this happen," she urged.

UEMURA TSUKASA, Special Envoy of Japan for the Middle East Peace , said the Council must foster and encourage the serious efforts outside the Council chamber of countries concerned to achieve the release of the hostages and a ceasefire, warning that a full-scale military operation in Rafah would bring about a disastrous outcome. He strongly condemned the escalation posed by Iran's attack against Israel and reiterated his country's determination to continue to make all necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent any further deterioration. "To end the current tragedy and achieve lasting peace and stability in the Middle East, there is no solution other than peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine," he underscored. His country will continue to contribute to the realization of a two-State solution through its own initiatives and efforts and will remain an "escort runner" for Palestine, Israel and all the people living in the Middle East, in good times and bad, he said.

The representative of the Russian Federation , recalling the adoption of resolution 2728 (2024) and its demand for a ceasefire, said that, to get there, his delegation and that of China had to veto a draft resolution submitted by the United States  "the purpose of which was specifically to ensure that there was no ceasefire". He also recalled that, as early as 16 October, the Russian Federation authored a draft on a ceasefire in Gaza, which received negative votes from the delegations of France, the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. On 18 October, a text drafted by Brazil was vetoed by the United States despite its condemnation of Hamas. "Just imagine how many lives we could have saved if these proposals had received support," he said, underscoring that every United States veto cast on Gaza "comes with a specific, frightful price"  the lives of those in Gaza. He added that, if its resolutions are not implemented, the Council has the right to impose sanctions on those who violate and sabotage its decisions.

The representative of the United Kingdom condemned Iran's unprecedented attack against Israel, as well as its violation of Jordan and Iraq's airspace. Calling for de-escalation, she said Iran's actions "do nothing to advance the prospects for peace in Israel and Gaza". London remains committed to urgently securing an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a permanent, sustainable ceasefire without a return to fighting and loss of life. On the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, she said: "Gazans need more aid, and they need it now." Accordingly, she welcomed Israel's commitments to fully open Ashdod port and the Erez checkpoint and to increase capacity through the Jordan land corridor. Reiterating her country's commitment to a sovereign, viable Palestinian State, she stressed that "recognition cannot come at the start of the process, but it does not have to be the very end of the process". While "London will recognize a Palestinian State at a time that is most conducive to the peace process," she underscored that "that pathway must start with fixing the immediate crisis in Gaza".

TIMOTHY MUSA KABBA, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone , expressed support for the admission of the State of Palestine to the UN, noting it potentially provides a pathway to a political horizon, based on the two-State solution. On the latest conflict, he called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and for parties to fully respect resolutions 2712 (2023), 2720 (2023) and 2728 (2024). "The killings, suffering and collective punishment must stop," and there must be accountability for all violations of international law. He expressed concern about tensions in the occupied West Bank, in Lebanon and with the exchange of rockets and other attacks, which may cause a regional conflict. He underscored that the Council should consider the implementation of resolutions 2712 (2023), 2720 (2023) and 2728 (2024).

The representative of China , noting the precarious situation on the ground, said that the Council must demonstrate "firm determination and make the right choice by taking vigorous action". An immediate ceasefire must be promoted with the utmost urgency, he stressed. The continuation of fighting will result in more casualties and pull the whole region into an "even greater Holocaust", he warned, calling on Israel to implement resolution 2728 (2024) and urging "countries with influence on the parties to take an impartial stand and promote a ceasefire". The fundamental way out for the Middle East lies in the two-State solution, he said, proposing to convene an international peace conference to develop a timeline and road map for its realization. Highlighting the historical injustice inflicted upon the Palestinian people, he pleaded with the Council to cast a favourable vote to "support Palestine to join the United Nations family".

The representative of Ecuador said that today's debate comes half a year after an unprecedented explosion of violence that has caused death and pain to the people of Israel and Palestine. Condemning Hamas terrorist attacks on 7 October 2023, he demanded the immediate release of all hostages without any conditions. It cannot be forgotten that each number of deaths and injuries "represents a human being, as worthy as those of us in this chamber". The full implementation of all Council resolutions is necessary to alleviate the hardships faced by the civilian population in Gaza. A humanitarian ceasefire is essential, as demanded by Council resolution 2728 (2024). The recent events underscore the need to fully implement Council resolution 2334 (2016), he said, stressing that "violence will not solve the Palestinian question". The nearly eight decades of conflict, thousands of deaths and the suffering of whole generations attest to that, he said, expressing his country's commitment to working towards a two-State solution.

The representative of France , condemning Iran and its proxies' 13-14 April attacks against Israel, reiterated her country's solidarity with that country and called on all parties to show maximum restraint. Echoing President Emmanuel Macron, she said that, in Gaza, a ceasefire agreement that would guarantee the protection of all civilians is urgently needed. All impediments to the delivery of humanitarian aid must be lifted and Israel must open and facilitate the use of all crossings for such deliveries. She once again condemned the 7 October attacks and sexual violence committed by Hamas and other terrorist groups and urged the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. An end to the illegal settlements under international law and the cycle of violence in the West Bank is equally necessary, she stressed, calling on Israeli authorities to ensure the protection of all civilians under the country's international law obligations. Detailing rising tensions elsewhere in the Middle East, she said the two-State solution is the only way to achieve a just, lasting peace in the region.

The representative of the United States called for united condemnation of Iran's "reckless escalatory acts". For its part, the United States announced sanctions this morning against several actors involved in Iran's unmanned-aerial-vehicle programme; suppliers and customers of one of Iran's largest steel producers; and Iranian automobile companies with connections to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Council, meanwhile, must not let Iran's actions go unanswered, as that State has armed Hizbullah in violation of resolution 1701 (2006), facilitated Houthi attacks in violation of resolutions 2216 (2015) and 2722 (2024) and transferred attack drones in violation of resolution 2231 (2015). Further, Iran's long-standing support to Hamas continues to contribute to the crisis in Gaza, and he underscored: "Hamas is the sole obstacle to a ceasefire." While the world watches to see what Hamas does now, Israel must do more to prevent civilian casualties. He also stressed that "no country has worked harder than the United States to improve prospects for peace in the region", adding: "Russia, frankly, has done nothing."

The representative of Mozambique called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, releasing all hostages and ensuring delivery of humanitarian assistance. Further, efforts are needed to stop violence in the occupied West Bank, de-escalate tensions along the Blue Line and re-establish safe navigation in the Red Sea. Despite the adoption of resolution 2728 (2024), the conflict continues unabated in Gaza, he observed, urging Israel to comply with relevant Council resolutions and International Court of Justice decisions on the matter. Recognizing the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, political independence and sovereignty, he advocated for a two-State solution  two separate independent and sovereign States, Israel and Palestine, both members of the United Nations, living side by side in peace and security, as prescribed by the Charter.

The representative of Guyana said the injustice Palestinians face is unaddressed due to lacking accountability for non-compliance with Council and UN bodies' decisions. The Council needs a new approach, she said. Since 7 October, there has been a "deliberate strategy of collective punishment of the worst kind" inflicted on Palestinians. "It must stop." She called for the occupying Power to abide by international law and implement the International Court of Justice's orders on 26 January and 28 March. The latest conflict is a symptom of the failure to address the core issue of a two-State solution. She noted a "perverse paradox" in which the State of Palestine, facing such horrors, believes in and seeks membership to the UN, while Israel, a full member of the UN, is relentless in denigrating and denouncing it. "Guyana will not let such perverse paradox derail our support for Palestine as a UN member." Palestinian Statehood must be delivered, with admission to the UN a necessary step.

The representative of the Republic of Korea , expressing concern about the absence of any clear signs of an end to the evolving tragedy in Gaza, underscored the need for the "strong will of the international community to end this conflict". The direct cause of the current situation was the 7 October terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israeli citizens, he said, stressing that terrorist attacks against innocent civilians cannot be justified and must be condemned. "For a permanent peace in the Middle East, the two-State solution is not an option, but a necessity," he said, urging for an immediate ceasefire to resume dialogue between the two sides. Settlement activities  a major obstacle to achieving a two-State solution  must completely cease "The two-State solution is beneficial not only for Palestinians but also for Israelis, and both peoples rightfully deserve the right live in peace, security, and dignity," he concluded.

The representative of Switzerland unequivocally endorsed the calls for de-escalation, condemning Iran's coordinated attacks against Israel as well as the Israeli strike against Tehran's consulate in Damascus on 1 April. "The spiral of violence has dangerously been triggered," she warned, underscoring the need to respect international law as "the compass" for resolving any dispute. Since the 7 October Hamas attacks, the Council has adopted three resolutions on Gaza. Implementing them is a first step towards peace. The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, already catastrophic, continues to deteriorate. As the occupying Power, Israel must meet the basic needs of the population under its control. The Palestinian population in the West Bank is prey to violent acts by Israeli settlers. Only a two-State solution, negotiated by both parties under international law and internationally agreed parameters, can lead to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

AYMAN SAFADI, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Jordan , recounted the story of Mohammed who was displaced from the Nuseirat refugee camp to Rafah where he fetches water and bread, if he finds them, to bring to his family. Although deprived of his school, he attends a lesson in a refugee camp with peers who insist on learning. "Mohammed says he doesn't want war. Instead, he wants a future; he wants life and dignity," he emphasized, stressing that the Israeli Government must be prevented from escalating further and dragging the West into a regional war, which would distract attention away from Gaza. De-escalation must begin with an end to the aggression in Gaza and an end to the worsening humanitarian crisis, he stressed. His country will not allow anyone, neither Israel nor Iran, to turn it into an arena for conflict, and will protect the security of its citizens. The Council must adopt a binding resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza and it must oblige Israel not to invade Rafah. He called on all to support the efforts of Egypt, Qatar and United States to reach an exchange deal that would lead to the release of hostages and ensure a ceasefire. The international community must launch immediate international actions that put the region on the path to implementing the two-State solution, with a specific timeframe and binding implementation guarantees, he said.

MAURO VIEIRA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Brazil , said that the Council must prevent the Middle East from plunging into widespread social unrest, political instability and war, stressing: "The key word here is 'de-escalation'." This requires an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza, the unconditional release of hostages, sustainable humanitarian aid and actions that promote dialogue over further confrontation. Recent escalation serves as a reminder that "a world without rules  or with rules that we pick and choose  is a much more dangerous world", he observed. He also urged the Council to assess the State of Palestine's request for UN membership "for its main merit  to redress, by peaceful means, a historical injustice". Various UN decisions outlawing occupation and annexation have laid the normative basis for the consolidation of the State of Palestine's territorial sovereignty, he recalled, urging: "We should now discuss ways to ensure the implementation of such norms."

CELINDA SOSA LUNDA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Bolivia , said every day, "with pain and indignation", the world witnesses the bodies of innocent girls, boys, women and men buried under the rubble, "bodies torn apart without a second thought" by Israel's weapons and bombs. Moreover, it is shamelessly accusing humanitarian organizations and the UN itself of financing terrorism. Israel has decided to ignore the Charter of the United Nations, international law, human rights and international humanitarian law to perpetrate genocide against the Palestinian people, which threatens world peace. Echoing the demand for an immediate ceasefire, she underscored that "the Palestinians in Gaza cannot continue to be imprisoned within their own territory, without food, without water, without medicine and without the most basic services that a human being requires." Against this backdrop, she reiterated the Palestinian people's legitimate right to self-determination and sovereignty. Palestine must be established as a free, independent and sovereign State, with pre-1967 borders and East Jerusalem as its capital, she stressed, fully supporting the incorporation of Palestine as a Member State, with full rights, in the United Nations.

HOSSEIN AMIR-ABDOLLAHIAN, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iran , asserted that three Council resolutions and a press statement against Israel's crimes have yielded "no practical result". Israel's attack on Iran's consulate in Damascus violates the Vienna Conventions, he underlined. He regretted that the Council has taken no action on his country's repeated requests to prevent further Israeli attacks on Iran's interests. No Member State would remain silent in the face of such a serious attack on its consulate and the killing of its staff. He pointed out the White House's green light granted to Israel for that and other attacks on Iranian interests. His country could no longer be patient. Its only option was to attack Israel, on 13 April, under its right to self-defence under international law. It did not target civilians or civilian areas, focusing on military bases used to attack its consulate. "Therefore, it was completely limited and proportionate in terms of scope and military requirements." He emphasized that his country's legitimate defence and countermeasures have been concluded and said Israel must be compelled to stop any further "military adventurism" against Iran's interests. Tehran "will not hesitate one bit" to respond to any illegal use of force to make Israel regret its actions. "This is an unchangeable decision." The Council must compel Israel to immediately stop the war and genocide in Gaza. Tehran will remain committed to promoting regional peace and stability, as its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have done previously in Iraq and Syria. Iran's anti-terrorism military advisers will continue "as mightily as ever" efforts to achieve lasting security in the region. He called for a referendum among the original Palestinian residents to establish a Government in the historical land of Palestine.

JOSE MANUEL ALBARES, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain , warning of a risk of regional escalation following Iran's attack on Israel, noted that the political solution to the conflict between Palestine and Israel has no alternative. To ensure irreversible peace in the region, a two-State solution must be irreversible. The way to achieve this is by recognizing Palestine as a full member of the United Nations, he asserted, adding: "The establishment of the Palestinian State alongside the State of Israel is undoubtedly a matter of justice, but it is also the only viable option for peace." Noting that Spain will join 139 countries that have recognized the State of Palestine, he emphasized that "security in Israel, peace in the region, are intertwined with the hope for the Palestinian people to have a State". Therefore, Spain has proposed the convening of an international peace conference  supported by the European Union, the League of Arab States (LAS) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as 80 countries  to advance the achievement of a two-State solution. Recalling that the first UN peacekeeping mission was deployed in Palestine 76 years ago, he asked: "How much longer we need to wait to solve it?" "The spiral of violence must end," he stressed, noting that the Palestinian people must have a place in the UN and their own State. Likewise, the place and existence of Israel must be recognized by all those who have not yet done so.

LUIS GILBERTO MURILLO URRUTIA, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Colombia , stressing that the lack of solution to the Palestinian question cannot be the exception to international law or to the Security Council's authority, said the 15-member organ must ensure immediate compliance with resolution 2728 (2024). Pointing to the over six months' incessant violence in the Middle East, he said the end of violence and the solution to the Palestinian question require the recognition and admission of Palestine as a full-fledged member of the United Nations. Such recognition is essential to guarantee a solid legal and political framework for the Palestinian people and for peace and stability in the region. This conflict can only be resolved once and for all with the two-State solution, he stressed.

AHMET YILDIZ, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Turkiye , underscored that "no country has been given immunity" from international law and asked, in that context, why the Council has not taken action amidst Israel's "brazen" violations thereof. Reminding the Council  "yet again"  that maintaining international peace and security is its primary task and that it is supposed to be the voice of the international community, he stressed that "where the international community stands on this matter is pretty obvious". Meeting regularly, making the same points repeatedly and leaving-empty handed will not solve the problem. New, decisive steps are needed, he underscored  "the full recognition of the State of Palestine is one of them". Israel has been enjoying Statehood for decades while Palestine is denied its inherent rights, and it is time to "fix this unjust, lop-sided approach", he said.

ANDRZEJ SZEJNA, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Poland , associating himself with the European Union, condemned Iran's attacks on Israel, which brought the entire Middle East  already in turmoil  to the brink of a full-scale conflict. While supporting Israel's right to self-defence, he underscored that it must take place in full compliance with international law and "not result in the suffering of innocent civilians or the death of those who come to help them." Voicing grave concern over Israeli military activities in the vicinity of Rafah, where the civilian population shelters, he supported the UN's efforts to stabilize the Middle East and deliver humanitarian assistance to the region. Full cooperation between regional and global partners is essential to decrease the risk of escalation. Calling for the investigation and accountability from UN partners after the deadly strike on World Central Kitchen volunteers, he noted that one of the fatal victims of the attack was a Polish citizen, Damian Sobol.

The representative of the Maldives expressed his country's support for the State of Palestine to become a full member of the UN and called on all other UN Member States to do the same. Israel is waging a gruesome and genocidal war against Palestine, he said, noting the Charter requires the Council to take punitive actions against those that violate its resolutions and therefore it should impose sanctions, including an arms embargo on Israel. The starting point for an enduring solution to the situation is granting full UN membership to Palestine. That is the basic ingredient of the "two-State solution". He underscored that the Council has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to be on the side of justice and say "yes" to the fundamental rights of Palestinian people, and "no" to Israel's racism, apartheid and occupation.

...

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Secretary-General's remarks to the Security Council on the Middle East

United Nations Secretary-General

18 April 2024

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

The Middle East is on a precipice.

Recent days have seen a perilous escalation - in words and deeds.

One miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake, could lead to the unthinkable - a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved - and for the rest of the world.

This moment of maximum peril must be a time for maximum restraint.

I reiterate my strong condemnation of the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched by the Islamic Republic of Iran on Israel on 13 April. The use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations, is prohibited by the Charter.

And - as I stated earlier this month when I condemned the attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus - the principle of inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel must be respected in all cases, in accordance with international law.

It is high time to end the bloody cycle of retaliation.

It is high time to stop.

The international community must work together to prevent any actions that could push the entire Middle East over the edge, with a devastating impact on civilians.

Let me be clear: the risks are spiraling on many fronts.

We have a shared responsibility to address those risks and pull the region back from the precipice.

The way to do so is by advancing comprehensive diplomatic action for de-escalation in the Middle East.

Mr. President,

It starts with Gaza.

Ending the hostilities in Gaza would significantly defuse tensions across the region. I reiterate my calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza.



The horrific terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on 7 October, including mass killings, the use of sexual violence, torture, and the taking of hostages, were an intolerable denial of the most basic values of humanity, and a breach of the most fundamental rules of international law.

In Gaza, six and a half months of Israeli military operations have created a humanitarian hellscape. Tens of thousands of people have been killed. Two million Palestinians have endured death, destruction, and the denial of lifesaving humanitarian aid; they are now staring down on starvation. An Israeli operation in Rafah would compound this humanitarian catastrophe.

The casualty figures are overwhelming and unprecedented in speed and scale during my time as Secretary-General. According to UNICEF, more than 13,900 Palestinian children have reportedly been killed in intense, often indiscriminate attacks.

All this has happened with severe limitations imposed by the Israeli authorities on the delivery of humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, who are facing widespread starvation.

Israel recently made a number of commitments to improve aid delivery - and there have been some examples of limited progress.

Three WFP convoys with a total of 25 trucks were authorized to use the Erez Crossing in northern Gaza on 14, 15 and 16 April, to deliver food parcels and wheat flour.

The operating hours of Kerem Shalom and Nitsana crossings have been expanded from the Israeli side. But security concerns mean the hours could not be expanded to the same extent on the Gaza side.

Some bakeries have resumed operations in northern and central Gaza - the first to reopen in months.

But apparent progress in one area is often cancelled out by delays and restrictions elsewhere.

For example, although the Israeli authorities have cleared more aid convoys, those clearances are often granted when it is too late in the day to make deliveries and return safely. One can say that our personnel cannot operate in darkness in a war zone littered with unexploded ordnance.

So the impact is limited, and sometimes nil. The clearances increase, but there are continued obstacles to aid for people who are in desperate need.

During the week of 6-12 April, Israel denied more than 40 percent of UN requests that required passing through Israeli checkpoints.

We urgently need meaningful, measurable progress, including, for example, the unrestricted delivery of aid via Ashdod port and the restarting of the Nahal Oz water line.

To avert imminent famine, and further preventable deaths from disease, we need a quantum leap in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. Food is essential; so are clean water, sanitation, and healthcare.

This means addressing the challenges impeding delivery on the ground.

Humanitarian agencies, led by UNRWA which is the backbone of our operations, must be able to move food and other supplies safely and via all possible routes and crossings, into and throughout every part of Gaza.

That requires improved delivery systems around all supply routes and entry points.

Humanitarians also need security. Nearly 250 aid workers, including more than 180 of our own staff, have been killed in Gaza; I repeat my call for thorough investigations into these tragic deaths.

Just last week, a UNICEF vehicle travelling with a convoy was caught in crossfire.

Delivering aid at scale requires Israel's full and active facilitation of humanitarian operations, including through a functioning humanitarian notification system - and improved and direct communications between humanitarians and military decisionmakers on the ground.

This is essential and must be implemented immediately.

For the moment, our aid operations face enormous difficulties and are barely functional. They cannot operate in an organized, systematic way; they can only seize opportunities to deliver aid whenever and wherever possible.

And humanitarians alone cannot address the enormity of the needs in Gaza. The private sector is critical. Increasing commercial traffic is essential.

What is needed is clear: an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza; the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages; and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.

The international community has a shared responsibility to do everything possible to make this happen.

Mr. President,

A comprehensive de-escalation approach must also reverse the explosive situation in the occupied West Bank.

More than 450 Palestinians, including 112 children, have been killed in the occupied West Bank since 7 October - the majority by Israeli forces in the course of their operations, and in exchanges between Israeli forces and armed Palestinians.

Others were killed by armed Israeli settlers, sometimes in the presence of Israeli security forces who reportedly stood by and did nothing to prevent these killings.

Last year saw the highest number of such attacks, and incidents of violence and intimidation against Palestinian communities, since the United Nations began recording them in 2006.



Seventeen Israelis, including one child, have also been killed in the occupied West Bank and Israel since 7 October.

In addition to this number, the reported killing of a 14-year-old Israeli boy over the weekend set off another wave of armed settler attacks against at least 37 Palestinian villages in the occupied West Bank. Four Palestinians were killed, including a 17-year-old boy.

I condemn all violence against civilians.

I urge Israel to take immediate steps to end the unprecedented levels of settler violence, and to hold accountable those who have perpetrated such attacks.

And I call on Israel, as the occupying Power, to protect the Palestinian population of the occupied West Bank against attacks, violence and intimidation.

The backdrop to this appalling surge in violence is the continued expansion of Israeli settlements - in themselves a violation of international law - and repeated large-scale Israeli operations in Palestinian areas.

Declarations that areas now constitute Israeli State land, together with legal decisions that strengthen settlements and potentially increase demolitions and evictions, risk undermining the contiguity of a future Palestinian state and deny hope to a generation of Palestinians.

Israel and the international community must support and work with the new Palestinian Government to address its fiscal challenges, strengthening its governance capacity, and prepare it to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza in the future.

I urge all actors to recognize the critical role the Palestinian Authority should play in Gaza and work toward enabling its return [at] the appropriate time.

Mr. President,

The ultimate goal remains a two-state solution - Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and security, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, on the basis of UN resolutions, international law and previous agreements.

This means an end to the occupation and the establishment of a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State, with Gaza as an integral part.

The international community has a responsibility and a moral obligation to help make this happen.

Mr. President,

Regional de-escalation efforts must also address the extremely fraught situation in Lebanon, particularly along the Blue Line.

Exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hizbullah are exacting a mounting toll on civilian communities in Israel and Lebanon. Dozens of civilians have been killed and tens of thousands displaced on both sides of the Blue Line.

These exchanges could take on a momentum of their own. Strikes deep into the territories of Lebanon and Israel could ignite an even more serious confrontation - as we have seen in the past.

I call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further breaches of the cessation of hostilities under the framework of resolution 1701.

The United Nations stands ready to support the efforts of several countries to encourage de-escalation and to work towards a diplomatic solution.

Mr. President,

Regional de-escalation efforts must also ensure the safety of navigation on the Red Sea, respecting the rights and duties relating to maritime navigation in accordance with international law.

Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial shipping continue to disrupt global trade. They have been met with strikes by the United States and the United Kingdom.

Armed confrontations on this crucial waterway increase risks across the board: risks to supply chains; risks of an environmental disaster from a damaged cargo ship or oil tanker; risks of a serious escalation and a confrontation between major powers, with appalling political, security, economic and humanitarian repercussions.

All attacks on merchant and commercial shipping on the Red Sea must end immediately.

The international community must act together to prevent escalation in the Red Sea that would exacerbate tensions and undermine regional peace and security and international trade.

The people of Yemen must be supported towards a political process for a sustainable and just peace.

Mr. President,

The Middle East is on a knife-edge.

Recent escalations make it even more important to support good-faith efforts to find lasting peace between Israel and a fully independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

Failure to make progress towards a two-State solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region, who will continue to live under the constant threat of violence.

I urge every Government involved to use its influence and leverage to promote trust-building, mutual security, and regional peace.

We have a shared moral obligation to advance a comprehensive Middle East de-escalation effort, in order to reduce risks, increase stability, and pave the way towards peace and prosperity for the countries and people of the region and beyond.

Thank you.

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Kenyan military chief killed in helicopter crash, president says

By VOA News April 18, 2024

Kenya's military chief was among nine people killed in a helicopter crash Thursday, according to Kenyan President William Ruto.

General Francis Ogolla, Kenya's chief of defense forces, was in the helicopter with 11 other military personnel. Two people survived the crash and are hospitalized.

Shortly after takeoff, the helicopter went down in Kenya's Rift Valley, in the country's west, and burst into flames, local media reported.

Ruto called the incident a "tragic moment" during a news conference.

"Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals," Ruto said. "The demise of General Ogolla is a painful loss to me."

Earlier, Ruto had convened an urgent meeting of the Kenyan security council.

Ogolla joined the Kenya Defense Forces in 1984, where he trained as a fighter pilot with the United States Air Force and as an instructor pilot at the Kenya Air Force, according to a Defense Ministry profile.

Ogolla ended up heading the Kenyan air force before rising to deputy military chief.

Ruto promoted Ogolla to lead the military last year. At the time, Ruto accused Ogolla of taking part in an attempt to overturn the 2022 presidential election results, but said he was the most qualified person for the job.

Some information is from Reuters.

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Chinese official criticizes US for its UN votes on Gaza cease-fire

By Devianti Faridz April 18, 2024

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the United States on Thursday for its votes on previous United Nations resolutions for a Gaza cease-fire, following talks in Jakarta with his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi.

During the talks, Wang highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East, and he called on all parties to exercise restraint in the conflict.

"The conflict in Gaza has lasted for half a year and caused a rare humanitarian tragedy in the 21st century. The United Nations Security Council responded to the call of the international community and continued to review the resolution draft on the cease-fire in Gaza, but it was repeatedly vetoed by the United States," Wang said at a news briefing at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

Wang acknowledged the passage of a Security Council cease-fire resolution in March, saying, "This time, the U.S. did not dare to stand in opposition to international morality and chose to abstain."

He added that the U.S. claimed the resolution was not binding and said, "In the eyes of the United States, international law seems to be a tool that can be used whenever it finds useful and discarded if it does not want to use it."

The United States has said it vetoed previous resolutions for not being linked to the release of Hamas hostages.

Both ministers expressed frustration over the humanitarian disaster caused by the Palestinian-Israel conflict. "We agree that the U.N. Security Council resolution on a cease-fire must be fully implemented and without any condition," said Wang.

China and Indonesia both support full Palestinian membership in the United Nations. Currently, the Palestinian Authority is a nonmember observer state, but it has sought full membership since 2011.

Indonesia does not recognize Israel and has strongly supported the Palestinian cause.

Meeting with Widodo

At a meeting with President Joko Widodo, Wang expressed China's interest in deepening cooperation and investment in energy transition, infrastructure, and the production and marketing of refined petroleum products.

Widodo highlighted bilateral trade between Indonesia and China and expressed hopes that China will further open its market for Indonesian goods, including by resolving disputes over Indonesian agricultural and fishery products.

Widodo also urged the construction of a strategic petrochemical project in Northern Kalimantan and further collaboration on food security, including replicating Chinese-style cultivation methods in growing rice, horticultural crops and durian fruit.

China is Indonesia's biggest trade partner, with a yearly trade volume reaching more than $127 billion. China is also one of Indonesia's biggest foreign investors, with an investment value of more than $7.4 billion in 2023.

Indonesia and China will discuss the details of increasing cooperation on Friday in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara province.

Apart from economic cooperation, Marsudi said that efforts to tackle cross-border crimes, including online fraud, will be discussed at the event.

Wang will also visit Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.

Later Thursday, Wang met with Widodo and his soon-to-be successor, President-elect Prabowo Subianto, the current defense minister of Indonesia.

Prabowo won the presidential election in February, and like his predecessor, he supports close ties with Beijing while seeking to balance diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China.

The Indonesian Defense Ministry said Thursday that Wang and Prabowo discussed plans for joint military exercises.

Some information for this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.

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Israeli airstrikes kill Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon

By VOA News April 18, 2024

Israel's military said Thursday it conducted airstrikes throughout the Gaza Strip targeting Hamas fighters and infrastructure along with aerial strikes that killed two Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanon strikes were the latest in cross-border fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that has raised concerns about the spread of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Agence France-Presse cited Hezbollah saying two of its fighters were killed in an Israeli strike in Kfar Kila.

Israel said 14 of its soldiers were injured Wednesday in a Hezbollah attack on northern Israel.

The White House said U.S. and Israeli officials on Thursday discussed American concerns over Israel's planned military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, which Israel agreed to consider.

"The two sides agreed on the shared objective to see Hamas defeated in Rafah," the White House said in a statement. "U.S. participants expressed concerns with various courses of action in Rafah, and Israeli participants agreed to take these concerns into account."

Earlier this week, the World Food Program sent two convoys into Gaza, delivering 374 metric tons of wheat flour, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations secretary-general, told reporters on Thursday.

"The agency warns that the only way to halt famine is through daily deliveries of food supplies. This requires conditions that allow humanitarian staff and supplies to move freely  and the people in need to access assistance safely," Dujarric said.

But U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday said that Israel's commitments to improve aid access in Gaza have had "limited and sometimes nil" impact.

On Thursday evening, the United States cast a veto at the Security Council to block the United Nations from recognizing a Palestinian state. The United Kingdom and Switzerland abstained, and the remaining 12 council members voted yes.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Wednesday during a visit to South Korea that the United States does not see the resolution as part of the path to achieving a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Close to 34,000 killed

Gaza is on the brink of famine, numerous agencies have reported, but the U.S. and Israel say access to aid has improved this month. Food trucks entered Gaza's Ashdod Port for the first time since Israel approved its opening for aid shipments, the Israeli military said Wednesday.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says Israeli military actions have killed nearly 34,000 Palestinians since the war began. The ministry says two-thirds of those killed are women and children.

Israel launched its offensive in response to the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures. Militants also took about 250 people hostage. In November, more than 100 hostages were released as part of a four-day pause in the fighting. Israel says about 130 hostages remain in captivity, but one-quarter of them are dead. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., U.K., EU and others.

Qatar reconsiders mediator role

Qatar is rethinking its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, its prime minister said Wednesday during a news conference with his Turkish counterpart in Doha.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said, without elaborating, that its mediation had been abused.

"At this point right now, we are reevaluating our role as mediators and how the parties are engaged with this mediation," he said.

Al Thani said there were "limits" to what Qatar can do as a mediator, though top leaders of Hamas live in exile in the country.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been involved in talks to secure a halt in fighting that would include the release of some hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza and the freeing of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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European right-wing politicians call for 'preserving nation-state in Europe' and end to Ukraine aid

By Henry Ridgwell April 18, 2024

Right-wing politicians in Europe called for an end to Western support for Ukraine in its war against Russian invaders, as hundreds of people gathered in Brussels this week for the European National Conservatism Conference, which ended Wednesday.

An effort by the Brussels mayor to shut down the conference on security grounds prompted accusations of an assault on the right to free speech.

Orban speech

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban topped the list of speakers at the event. In his sights were familiar foes: the European Union, immigration and multiculturalism.

"I think that nations have the right to decide about their own future. So, if somebody would like to make an attempt to create a mixed society, a Christian-based with Muslim community, and as a liberal thing that the outcome will be something good  do it, it is your fate, your future  but don't force us to do so," Orban told the conference. "We think that mixture of two civilizations will not result in good things."

Ukraine aid

Just hours before attending a special meeting of EU heads of state at the nearby European Council, the Hungarian leader criticized Western support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian invaders and said his country would maintain ties with Moscow.

"Ukraine is now just the protectorate of the West. So, without getting the money and weapons from the European Union and United States, Ukraine as a state would cease to exist," he said Wednesday, largely echoing Kremlin talking points. "So, it is not a sovereign state anymore."

'Right-wing playbook'

Orban has become the figurehead leader of the European right, according to Georgios Samaras, a political analyst and expert on the European far right at Kings College London.

"Viktor Orban can be perhaps the one strongman that unites the far right  as right-wing forces and central right-wing forces follow his lead because he's highly successful in pushing an authoritarian practice and authoritarian regime in his own country. I believe that the far right is right now trying to use the same playbook," Samaras told VOA.

"The far-right danger is here," Samaras added. "But it was always here and now it's openly normalized by the elites who are willing to collaborate with those political actors and entities in order to govern and probably abuse democratic institutions."

EU elections

Despite widespread criticism from both European and American allies, Orban denies undermining democratic institutions in Hungary.

The conservative conference was staged ahead of European Parliament elections scheduled in June. "This is the consolidation of different manifestos into one. And usually when these conferences take place, they're trying to agree on ideological pledges for the next few years," Samaras said.

Police action

The conference was almost cancelled when Belgian police blocked access to the venue Tuesday after Mayor Emir Kir issued an order to shut it down over public security concerns.

An emergency court ruling on Tuesday evening, however, overturned the mayor's order. Nigel Farage, a former member of the European parliament and campaigner for Britain's EU exit who was speaking at the conference, said the mayor's actions were an example of what they labelled left-wing "cancel culture."

"We can see that legally held opinions from people who are going to win national elections is no longer acceptable here, in Brussels, the home of globalism, because if you don't agree with ever closer union, you must be a bad dude," Farage told reporters Tuesday.

The effort to close the conference was criticized by politicians from across the political spectrum, including Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who described the move as "unacceptable."

Polls suggest center-right and far-right parties are set to gain seats at the June European elections. An EU survey published this week suggests that Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and European defense and security, are high on the list of voter priorities.

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Analysts skeptical about Nigeria's bid to improve local crude refining

By Timothy Obiezu April 18, 2024

Nigeria has been Africa's largest or second-largest oil exporter for years, but relies heavily on imports to meet local energy needs. The government is trying to change that, saying the country's four moribund oil refineries will be revived and put back in operation.

This week, authorities also announced a new policy that oil producers must sell a share of their crude oil to local refiners before they are permitted to export crude.

Nigeria's petroleum regulatory commission announced the new Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation (DCSO) during a meeting with industry players. It's part of an amendment to Nigeria's Petroleum Industry Act of 2021.

Under the policy, Nigerian oil producers are allowed to export crude only after meeting their supply obligations to local refiners.

The measure will take effect in the second half of the year, but it does not specify what quantity of crude must be supplied to local refineries.

Authorities said the objectives of the guideline are to bolster Nigeria's refining capacity, improve the oil industry and earn foreign exchange.

Public affairs analyst Jaye Gaskiya said it was the right move. "In the current situation globally, this is actually going to turn out much more beneficial to both the producers and refiners in the country," Gaskiya said. "Essentially this is designed to ease the problem of supply to the local refineries so that they don't become redundant. The second thing is that it is also designed in such a manner to ease the pressure on the naira," which is the currency of Nigeria.

According to the regulations, payments for crude to domestic refiners can be made in dollars, naira or a combination of both.

Nigeria relies heavily on imports to meet the population's energy needs. Analysts say refining crude oil locally could reverse this trend.

But oil and gas analyst Toyin Akinosho said he had concerns.

"In principle, I do not have a problem with it, but we need to be very careful about the foreign exchange implications and also the volumes that are going out," he said. "My challenge has always been, if you are overzealous about certain regulations, you can burn your fingers. In an era of very low forex [currency trading] and this being the major avenue for inflow into the country, you have to find a way of managing it."

The new measure includes penalties for oil producers who divert crude oil or refiners who fail to meet payment obligations.

But Gaskiya said there were some loose strings to the rule.

"The regulation says it is on the basis of willing buyer and willing seller, and that's quite tricky," Gaskiya said. "A situation where you have the suppliers, for instance, being unwilling, what are you then going to do as the regulator? So those are the things that the regulator needs to be on the lookout for."

The refineries in Nigeria, including the latest one built by Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, will have a combined processing capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day when rehabilitated.

While experts have doubts the new guidelines will be effective, authorities are optimistic Nigeria is getting closer to its goal of having a self-sufficient energy sector.

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Burkina Faso expels French diplomats for 'subversive activities'

By VOA News April 18, 2024

Burkina Faso's military junta has expelled three French diplomats for "subversive activities," according to a government statement Thursday.

The diplomats, two of whom are political advisers, were given 48 hours to leave and no additional details were shared about the alleged subversive activities.

The French foreign ministry responded in a statement, saying it rejects the "unfounded accusations made by the Burkina Faso authorities against our staff."

Burkina Faso's relationship with its former colonizer has steadily deteriorated since junta leaders severed military ties with Paris in 2023, ousting hundreds of French troops within a month.

More than 60 years after Burkina Faso's independence, French remains an official language and France has maintained strong economic and humanitarian aid ties with its former colony. As the Islamic extremist insurgency has deepened, however, anti-French sentiment has spiked due in part to the unabating violence.

Other Western nations are seeing ties with Burkina Faso diminish if they criticize the military government. The junta is instead aligning itself with countries like Mali and Niger, also led by military juntas, and moving to improve ties with Russia and China.

Some information for this report was provided by Agence France-Presse, Reuters and the Associated Press.

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Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby En Route Philadelphia, PA

April 18, 2024

11:53 A.M. EDT

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Hey. Hey, guys. We sadly don't have a lot of time. So, let me just do this at the top really quickly, and then I'll turn it off  turn it over.

So, we do have some news for you at the top. On Monday, April 22nd, the President will travel to Virginia to celebrate Earth Day. We will have more details, obviously, to share in the upcoming days. But the President is looking forward to celebrating Earth Day next week.

I do want to give a qu-  a statement about what we saw in Arizona yesterday.

For the second time, Republican elected officials in Arizona have  have blocked efforts to repeal the state's extreme and dangerous abortion ban from 1864.

This law, which includes no exceptions when a woman's health is at risk or in tragic cases of rape or incest, threatens doctors with jail time and will put the health and lives of women in Arizona at risk. It is outrageous.

After the Arizona Supreme Court's ruling paved the way for this Civil War-era ban to go into effect, Republican elected officials tried to dance  to distance themselves from their own extreme agenda to rip away women's freedom. But when Democratic elected officials in Arizona offered a bill to repeal this arcane law, Republicans said no twice.

The President and the Vice President stand with the vast majority of Americans who support a woman's right to choose. And the administration will continue to fight to protect access to reproductive healthcare and call on Congress to pass a law restoring the protections of Roe v. Wade for women in  in every state.

I know the Admiral doesn't have a topper, but he's happy 

MR. KIRBY: No topper.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE:  to take any of your questions on the Middle East.

Q So, John, we saw the Iran sanctions this morning. Why were these targets not already sanctioned? They were involved in Iran's UAV industry, which has been helping Russia fight its war in Ukraine. Why are there any targets that ha-  that 

MR. KIRBY: Look, sanctions  sanctions  the whole sanctions process is an iterative process, and they can be cumulative too.

I would remind you that, over the last three years, we've done 600 sanctions across a wide range of entities and individuals and organizations and businesses across Iran. These are specifically targeted at their drone capability. And  and we'll keep the option open for, you know, anymore that we need.

Q Quickly, about the meeting today over Rafah  the virtual meeting.

MR. KIRBY: Yeah.

Q Who is leading the talks from the U.S. side and 

MR. KIRBY: Jake.

Q And  and are you planning to discuss Israel's plan to attack Iran? I mean, to what extent is that getting discussed?

MR. KIRBY: The meeting is going on right now, so we'll give you a readout when it's over. I'm not going to get ahead of it. The main purpose really is to talk about Rafah and to continue to have a conversation with the Israelis about their intentions and to also share our  our continued concerns over a major ground offensive there.

Q And  and a quick one on  on, you know, the President's decision to impose tariffs on China. I mean, di-  had he mentioned that to President Xi when he spoke to him a few days ago on, you know, the decision to impose higher tariffs on steel?

MR. KIRBY: I'll just say that, broadly speaking, the President did talk to President Xi about unfair trade practices and  and the flooding in the global market of certain commodities that make it hard for American workers and families and businesses.

Q John 

Q What was his response?

MR. KIRBY: I'll leave it at that.

Q John, can you give an update on discussions regarding hostage negotiations  those Israeli hostage and American hostages that are being held in Israel?

And also, as part of that, is there proof of life for  that's been given to the Israelis as it relates to those who were abducted on October the 7th of last year?

MR. KIRBY: Proof of life for all of them? I wish we had more information, Jon. We don't. That's been the case since October 7th. We just don't have the ability to know the individual condition of any one hostage. So, we're  we're obviously doing the best we can to try to g-  gain as much information as we can. But we don't.

As for the status of negotiations, as I said earlier, I mean, for us, this is still an active effort. There's still a proposal on the table. We urge Hamas to take that proposal. And we're waiting to see what they do about it.

Q Can I  can I just ask a follow-up? If  if you don't have any information regarding proof of life, how can the Israelis negotiate, you know, in  in fairness with 

MR. KIRBY: They know who has been taken.

Q Okay.

MR. KIRBY: They know who has been taken.

Q Right.

MR. KIRBY: And  and we want them all back.

Sadly, if that means that not all of them come back alive, then they still need to be with their families. We just don't know the condition of each and every one of them. You can't count on Hamas to be perfectly honest about  about all their conditions. But we want them all back regardless.

Q The U.N. Security Council vote tomorrow on recognizing statehood for the Palestinian territory. What's the U.S. thinking on that? And are you prepared to use your veto?

MR. KIRBY: We completely believe in the two-state solution and a state for the Palestinian people. We believe the best and the most sustainable way to do that is through direct negotiations between the parties.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Sorry, guys. We're going to have to sit. Thanks, everybody.

(Cross-talk.)

Q We didn't address the cannibals.

Q A couple of questions.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Okay.

Q Can we see the "cannibal" tab in your book? (Laughter.)

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: There is no "cannibal" tab. What are you talking about? (Laughter.) Is that what you  is that what you're asking me about?

Q I mean 

Q Yeah.

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: Okay. Look, I'll just  and I think we shared this with some of you, so I'm just going to kind of repeat.

Look, you saw the President. He was incredibly proud of his uncle's service in uniform. You saw him at the war memorial. It was incredibly emotional and important to him.

You saw him respond to all of you when asked about the moment, yesterday, and his uncle who lost his life when the military aircraft he was on crashed in the Pacific after taking off near in New Guinea. The President highlighted his uncle's story as he made the case for honoring our sacred commitment to  to equip those we send to war and to take care of them and their families when they come home.

And as he reiterated that the last thing American veterans are are "suckers" or "losers," and he wanted to make that clear. He wanted to make 

Q By embellishing the story?

MS. JEAN-PIERRE: I mean, look, I  I don't have anything beyond  but what I just laid out. But it was a really proud moment for him. It was incredibly emotional. I think some of your colleagues, as  as you know, Zeke, were there, and they got to witness the President pray at the  at the war memo-  war memorial, look for his uncle's name, honor him.

And I think we can't  we can't forget that moment. And we cannot also forget what it means to be a commander-in-chief, what it means to lift up our service members, what it means to make sure that we respect their service. And he made that contrast very clear as to what we saw from the former  former President.

(Cross-talk.)

Sorry, guys. Thank you.

12:00 P.M. EDT

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Operation Iron Swords - Day 195 - 18 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)

Google terminated over 28 employees who demonstrated against the firm's cloud computing agreement with the "genocidal Israeli government and military". The dismissals followed an inquiry revealing that protests had been staged within Google's New York and Sunnyvale, California offices, calling for the cancellation of the companys $1.2bn contract with Israel. In Sunnyvale, demonstrators reportedly entered the office of Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, as disclosed by a post on X by the organizing group, No Tech For Apartheid. Banners held by protesters bore slogans such as "No More Genocide For Profit" and "We Stand with Palestinian, Arab and Muslim Googlers." A Google spokesperson informed CNN on Thursday that the protests were part of an ongoing campaign led by external groups and individuals largely unaffiliated with the company.

According to the spokesperson, a few employee protesters obstructed operations at several locations, prompting intervention to ensure office safety. "We have concluded individual investigations resulting in the termination of employment for 28 employees, and will continue to investigate and take action as needed," the spokesperson stated.

The group No Tech For Apartheid, which vehemently condemned the dismissals, highlighted Google and Amazon's $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli regime and military, known as Project Nimbus. This flagrant act of retaliation is a clear indication that Google values its $1.2 billion contract with the genocidal Israeli government and military more than its own workers, the group said in a statement published on Medium Thursday. Furthermore, employees at the US-based tech giant and pro-Palestinian protesters have jointly organized demonstrations in California and New York. These protests aimed at urging the cancellation of Google's $1.2 billion contract with Israel's government under Project Nimbus.

Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has proposed Thursday the execution of Palestinian detainees as a way to address overcrowding in Israeli occupation prisons. In a post on X, Ben-Gvir asserted that imposing the death penalty on Palestinian detainees was the "right solution" to what he described as "the incarceration problem." His comments followed the Israeli authorities' approval of his plan to construct approximately 936 additional prison spaces for Palestinian detainees. "The additional construction will allow the prison service to take in more Palestinians, and will bring a partial solution to the prison crisis," Ben-Gvir wrote.

Israeli occupation authorities had earlier declared a state of emergency in some prisons due to significant overcrowding. Previously, the Israeli minister had called for the daily execution of the longest-serving Palestinian detainees for each day an Israeli captive remains held by the Palestinian Resistance in the Gaza Strip. According to a statement issued by the Government Media Office in Gaza, over 5,000 Palestinians have been abducted by Israeli occupation forces during their ongoing invasion of the besieged Strip. The statement underlined that the Palestinian detainees were undergoing "the worst kinds of torture" in Israeli occupation prisons.

Passover will begin in the evening of Monday, April 22, and will last through April 30 just after sundown. Jews in the land of Israel and some Reform Jews in diaspora will end Passover on the evening of Monday, April 29th. Passover, also known as Pesach in Hebrew, is a significant Jewish holiday commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt, as narrated in the biblical book of Exodus. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays and is celebrated for seven or eight days, depending on tradition. The central ritual of Passover is the Seder, a ceremonial meal held on the first two nights (and sometimes the last two nights) of the holiday. During the Seder, the Haggadah, a text that recounts the story of the Exodus, is read aloud, and symbolic foods are eaten. These include matzo (unleavened bread), bitter herbs (to symbolize the bitterness of slavery), charoset (a mixture of fruits and nuts representing the mortar used by the Israelites in their forced labor), and others.

The prohibition of chametz (leavened food) is a significant aspect of Passover observance. This stems from the biblical command to eat only unleavened bread during the holiday. Many Jews thoroughly clean their homes before Passover to remove all traces of chametz, and some even perform a ritual search, called Bedikat Chametz, to ensure no chametz remains. Passover is also a time for Jews to reflect on themes of freedom, redemption, and renewal. It is a time for family gatherings, storytelling, and prayer, as well as for contemplating the relevance of the Exodus story to contemporary issues of justice and liberation.

War Termination

The United States used its veto power against a draft resolution that supports Palestines request for full membership in the United Nations, and acknowledges that the Security Council has submitted a recommendation to the General Assembly to grant them full membership in the United Nations. The draft resolution, drafted by Algeria, received the support of 12 members, while Britain abstained from voting, and the United States used its veto against it.

The President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, rejected the requests of the administration of US President Joe Biden not to proceed with a vote in the United Nations Security Council on accepting the State of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations, as four Palestinian, American and Israeli officials told the Axios website. The American website indicated an increasing state of "tension, frustration, and lack of trust" between the Abbas government and the Biden administration over the past three years. Abbas believes that the US administration is not working to advance a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The United Nations Security Council was expected to vote on Thursday on a draft resolution granting the State of Palestine full membership status in the United Nations instead of its current observer status. Diplomatic sources told Agence France-Presse on Wednesday that the session may be postponed until Friday, to make room for further deliberations. The Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, which controls parts of the West Bank, applied for full membership in the United Nations in September 2011, but the UN Security Council did not vote on it. Obtaining full membership status, which is equivalent to UN recognition of a Palestinian state, requires a General Assembly resolution by a two-thirds majority, but only after a positive recommendation to that effect from the UN Security Council.

Diplomatic sources reported to Agence France-Presse on Wednesday that the session that the UN Security Council is supposed to hold on Thursday to vote on granting the State of Palestine full membership in the United Nations may be postponed until Friday to allow further deliberations. he recommendation is issued by the Security Council pursuant to a resolution that must be approved by at least 9 of the 15 members of the Council, provided that no permanent member state uses its veto to prevent it.

American and Israeli officials told the website that the Biden administration is trying to prevent the Palestinians from obtaining the nine votes so that the United States is not forced to veto the resolution. The same source indicated that the United States' use of its veto against such a decision, especially amid the war in Gaza, would bring sharp criticism to Biden at the international level and within his party, including some of his supporters.

The United States has long called for a two-state solution, one for the Israelis and the other for the Palestinians, and has said that the issue of establishing a Palestinian state must be resolved through direct negotiations. An American official revealed that the Biden administration has been exploring options in recent months for possible recognition of a Palestinian state, but not as a unilateral effort at the United Nations. The same official said that the administration looked at recognition scenarios as part of a broader regional agreement that includes the post-war plan and normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

American, Israeli, and Palestinian officials said that the Biden administration, over the past two weeks, had exerted pressure on Abbas and his advisors to back down from their request. Palestinian and American officials say that Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, raised this issue directly in a phone call with Abbas, and other officials also raised it with their Palestinian counterparts almost every day during the past two weeks. An American official said that the Biden administration made clear to the Palestinians that current American law forces the administration to veto such a decision or stop funding the United Nations.

According to officials, Abbas rejected US pressure, and his aides informed the Biden administration that they would go ahead with the vote. A senior Palestinian official said the Biden administration asked whether Abbas would suspend the offer if he was invited to meet Biden at the White House. He added that Abbas rejected this alternative, and said that he agreed to such an American proposal a year ago, but he never received an invitation. American officials admitted that they "failed to persuade the Palestinians to suspend their attempt to the United Nations."

A Palestinian official stated: "We wanted the United States to offer a substantive alternative to UN recognition. But they did not. We believe that full membership of Palestine in the United Nations is long overdue. We have waited more than 12 years since our initial request." The US State Department did not respond to a request for comment from Axios. The Palestinian request was expected to be supported by 8 members of the Security Council: Russia, China, Algeria, Malta, Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Guyana, according to a senior Israeli official. It was expected that the United Kingdom will abstain from voting. The same official said that the United States and Israel are pressuring France, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea and Ecuador to vote against or abstain from voting, so that the Palestinians do not receive nine votes. American, Israeli and Palestinian officials said that if these efforts fail, the Biden administration was expected to veto the resolution.

The United States, Britain and other G7 countries have not recognized a Palestinian state, although France and Britain indicated this year that they were considering it. Since 1988, 140 out of 193 member states of the United Nations have recognized the Palestinian state, according to a letter supporting the Palestinian request sent by the heads of the Arab Group at the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement to the President of the UN Security Council, last week.

The American Wall Street Journal said that the White House was pressing to reach a historic agreement to normalize relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. American and Saudi officials told the newspaper that the Biden administration is pressing to reach a long-term diplomatic agreement in the coming months to push Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a new commitment to establishing a Palestinian state in exchange for diplomatic recognition from Riyadh. As temptations to recognize Israel, the White House is offering Riyadh a more formal defense relationship with Washington, assistance in obtaining civilian nuclear energy, and a push toward establishing a Palestinian state, according to what the newspaper reported.

According to the Wall Street Journal , American officials reported that they are in the final stages of negotiations. US officials say the successful efforts by several countries to shoot down Iranian missiles and drones on Saturday should demonstrate to Israel that its security against threats from Tehran can be strengthened through close integration with Saudi Arabia. For President Biden, this maneuver provides an opportunity to achieve a major diplomatic breakthrough in the middle of the presidential campaign year, which would expand the Abraham Accords concluded by his Republican opponent Donald Trump while he was in office, and the agreements led to the normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco.

The newspaper notes that convincing Netanyahu to embrace talks on establishing a Palestinian state remains a difficult obstacle, as right-wing members of his government and much of the Israeli public oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state after the October 7 attack. The Wall Street Journal reports that Saudi Arabia has emphasized for decades that a Palestinian state is a priority, and its senior diplomats have said that finding a path to a two-state solution is part of the price of normalization. Saudi officials said they had privately indicated to the United States that they might accept verbal assurances from Israel that it would participate in new talks on Palestinian statehood to secure other parts of the deal that mattered most to Riyadh.

The American newspaper explained that Saudi officials said that the agreement brokered by the United States may also help Israel with a possible exit strategy from Gaza once the war ends. It indicated that the United States has drawn up a post-war plan that would use forces from Arab countries to secure Gaza, but many potential Arab contributors say they will not consider participating without public moves by Israel toward establishing a Palestinian state, among other requirements. According to one idea being discussed within the Biden administration, If the United States completes a deal with Riyadh but Israel declines to support the establishment of a Palestinian state, a senior US official might deliver a speech explaining the benefits Israel could receive if it accepted the diplomatic package.

Netanyahu says that it is not possible to develop a post-war plan in Gaza without the complete dismantling of Hamas, and he also said that the chances of normalization with Saudi Arabia will improve after the defeat of Hamas. Netanyahu strongly opposes the creation of a Palestinian state, arguing that doing so would undermine Israel's security. In January, he said that Israel must maintain its security control over Gaza and the West Bank for the foreseeable future.

But the Israeli prime minister has also softened his opposition to Palestinian statehood several times during his previous terms as prime minister under pressure from Washington. However, doing so this time will likely require a reorganization of his current ruling coalition, which includes far-right parties. The most vocal supporter within the Israeli government of the normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia was Minister Benny Gantz, a member of the three-member war cabinet and a competitor of Netanyahu. In a statement issued at the beginning of this month, Gantz said that the normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia, as well as the international effort in which Arab countries are participating to provide security and aid in Gaza, are within reach, according to what the American newspaper reported.

Israeli media reported that the killing of three sons and a number of grandchildren of the head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, affected negotiations regarding the release of the hostages. The Times of Israel newspaper, quoting a senior official, explained that the killing of three sons and a number of grandchildren of the head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, greatly affected the negotiations regarding the release of the hostages and a ceasefire.

The newspaper pointed out that "last week's Israeli strike led to the killing of the sons of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, as well as his four grandchildren, and contributed to the continued disruption of the hostage negotiations." It added: "Israeli forces bombed Gaza at a crucial moment in these negotiations, when Hamas was supposed to present its response to the recent proposal prepared by mediators from the United States, Qatar and Egypt, while the official indicated that Hamas then decided to tighten its demands."

The American channel "NBC News" also reported, citing a high-ranking diplomat, that "negotiations for the release of the Israeli hostages and a ceasefire are almost frozen ." Ismail Haniyeh said earlier that Israel's massacres and crimes in Gaza reflect its strategic failure to achieve its goals and "it has not and will not eliminate Hamas and has not and will not recover the prisoners except through an honorable deal ." While he confirmed the continuation of negotiating a deal to release hostages and prisoners, despite the killing of his sons and grandchildren .

Although Qatar announced that it would re-evaluate its role as a mediator between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire and release the hostages, it is unlikely that Doha will withdraw from its role as a mediator. The US State Department said on Thursday that "Qatar, from our point of view, is an indispensable mediator when it comes to the current conflict in Gaza." Doha said on Wednesday that the negotiations are going through a sensitive stage and that it is reevaluating its role as a mediator, noting fears that its efforts will be undermined by those seeking narrow political interests.

The Qatari announcement came after statements by an American politician who called for a re-evaluation of relations between the United States and Qatar if Doha failed to exert pressure on Hamas. American lawmakers have indicated over the past few months that Qatar supports Hamas, an accusation that Doha denies, according to a Reuters report. Qatari analyst writer, Abdullah Al Khater, said, The Qatari model of mediation relies on integrity, impartiality, and the good faith of the negotiating parties and their trust in the Qatari mediator. He added in an interview with Al-Hurra website that "pressure on Doha to harness the Qatari role to serve one side of the negotiation equation contradicts the ethical rules and general frameworks governing the concepts of negotiation."

Al Khater expressed his surprise at distortions of the Qatari role for the sake of pressure, pointing out that these practices are neither wise nor logical. He added, "Doha is right to review and evaluate the effects of its role in mediation, whether it will harm it as a state or harm the country's sovereignty."

The Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, had confirmed, on Wednesday, that the negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding the truce and the exchange of prisoners in the Gaza Strip were witnessing some faltering. He continued, "Unfortunately, we have seen that there is a misuse of this mediation, employing this mediation for narrow political interests, and this required the State of Qatar to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of this role," explaining, "We are now at this stage to evaluate the mediation and also evaluate how the parties engage in this mediation."

US Congressman Steny Hoyer said on Monday that "if Qatar fails to exert pressure (on Hamas), the United States must re-evaluate its relationship with Qatar." Democratic Representative Hoyer said that Qatar, which is mediating with Egypt in the ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, should inform Hamas that there will be repercussions if Hamas continues to obstruct progress towards the release of the hostages and reaching a temporary ceasefire. He added in a statement, "The consequences should include cutting off funding to Hamas or refusing to grant Hamas leaders asylum in Doha. If Qatar fails to exert this pressure, the United States must reevaluate its relationship with Qatar."

In a statement on Tuesday, the Qatari embassy in Washington considered these statements by the US Congressman to be unconstructive, and said, Qatar is only a mediator. We do not control Israel or Hamas. Hamas and Israel are the only ones responsible for reaching an agreement.

CNN quoted analysts as saying that "Qatar is the only interlocutor capable of reaching an agreement because of its relations with Hamas and its alliance with the United States," and although it hosts the political office of Hamas, it also hosts an American military base that includes more than 10,000 soldiers. They stressed that "Qatar is unlikely to end its mediation role."

The Qatari embassy in Washington said in its statement on Tuesday, Qatar is one of the most prominent non-NATO allies and is currently stationed with 10,000 American soldiers and the largest American military presence in the Middle East. Anna Jacobs, Gulf affairs analyst at the International Crisis Group, told the network, I think that (Qatar) will try to help and mediate as long as it can... but Doha is also concerned about the criticism directed at American politicians. The Israeli diplomat, Daniel Schick, suggested that Qatar would not withdraw from the mediation role, as he spoke to the Israeli website "i24 News", noting that Doha "enjoys being in the spotlight." He added, although there are other players to mediate, "Qatar has the best position to play in these negotiations."

Qatar is leading mediation efforts with Egypt and the United States in an attempt to reach a truce agreement in Gaza and recover hostages taken by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7 in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. The mediators hoped to reach an agreement before the start of Ramadan, but negotiations repeatedly faltered. On Wednesday, the Qatari Prime Minister stressed that there are limits to the role of the mediator, and said, "Mediators cannot provide things that the parties themselves are refraining from." He had said that the talks on the ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages were going through a delicate stage, adding, Unfortunately, the negotiations range between moving forward and faltering, and we are trying as much as possible to address this matter and move forward, without going into details.

US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, had a call with his Qatari counterpart, the Prime Minister, on Tuesday, and they stressed the strength of US-Qatari relations and the importance of continuing close work in the coming days to reach a ceasefire in Gaza that guarantees the release of all hostages, according to a US State Department statement. Mediation efforts conducted by several international parties between Israel and Hamas are facing a new challenge after Qatar announced that it is evaluating its mediating role.

On Sunday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced in a statement that Hamas had rejected the latest proposal to return the hostages. He said that Israel "will continue to achieve its goals in Gaza with full force," according to Reuters. The statement added, "The rejection of the proposal shows that Yahya Al-Sinwar, head of Hamas's political bureau in the Gaza Strip, does not want an agreement and is trying to exploit the tensions with Iran and escalate the conflict at the regional level."

On Saturday, Hamas announced that it had delivered to the Egyptian and Qatari mediators its response to a truce proposal with Israel in the Gaza Strip, stressing a permanent ceasefire. The movement affirmed in a statement its adherence to its demands "for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the army from the entire Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to their areas and places of residence, intensification of the entry of relief and aid, and the start of reconstruction."

Israel rejects a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of its armed forces from Gaza. Netanyahu also announced his intention to carry out a ground operation in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, considering that the city constitutes the last major stronghold of Hamas.

Operational Update

Cyberspace has turned into a battlefield between Israel and Iran for years. The Israeli newspaper " Haaretz " said that psychological warfare efforts and external influence operations against the Israelis have escalated from agents likely to be Iranian, recently, by directing threats to public figures, retired military officials, and journalists. The newspaper added that Iranian efforts included sending packages or letters to the homes of the targets, as well as receiving threatening phone calls, surveillance, and other forms of harassment.

The newspaper indicated that, for example, the family of one of the hostages held in Gaza received a wreath of flowers accompanied by a letter of condolence earlier this month. The newspaper pointed out that an investigation by the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet) concluded that the package was actually sent by Iranian agents who used a mobile phone number to call a local store and asked it to send flowers to the home of the targeted family. The phone number was identified as belonging to an Iranian influence network, called the Israeli Avengers Organization, which operates on Hebrew-language social media sites and attempts to stir up discontent regarding Israeli internal political issues.

The same group was also able to infiltrate WhatsApp groups using local Israeli phone numbers to urge Israeli citizens to participate in political action and create public pressure on issues such as the anti-Netanyahu protest movement and pro-Israeli hostage demonstrations in Gaza. According to two sources who spoke to Haaretz, at least three other families of the hostages received wreaths in a similar manner along with messages of condolence.

The newspaper said that, simultaneously, a local news website reported that the Israeli Avengers also sent threatening letters to lawmakers from the ruling Likud Party, along with addresses and ID cards of other members of the coalition and even their family names. The newspaper reported that another Iranian influence group known to operate in Israel has intensified its operations to direct personal threats, including threats to the wife of a journalist, who recently published a report on the group, by sending a package containing a veiled threat to the life of his family.

The newspaper suggested that the Iranian agents had obtained the addresses and phone numbers of the victims by collecting intelligence information from open sources, such as photos of demonstrations and publications on social media. It also pointed out that some information may have been taken from databases of Israeli citizens that were leaked over the past years. The threats, which began to appear in recent days, included dozens of retired government employees from an unnamed government agency receiving harassing phone calls from numbers registered in the United States.

The newspaper said that people who answered the calls heard sirens, strange noises in the background, and recordings of phrases such as You will not be able to escape. According to information obtained by the newspaper, former employees of intelligence agencies, civilian employees in the Israeli army, academics and journalists were recently threatened with similar phone calls. An Israeli intelligence source told Haaretz newspaper, "Iranian intelligence is behind all this." He added, "This is part of an ongoing effort for years to harass, intimidate, sow chaos and division, and incite fear in Israeli society."

Israel has long accused its arch enemy Iran of being behind several failed attempts to hack the websites of a number of Israeli public institutions, in incidents that occurred in recent years. For years, cyberspace has turned into a battlefield between countries and parties hostile to each other, including Israel and Iran.

Irans Embassy in the Italian capital of Rome cautioned that counterproductive decisions toward the Islamic Republic and the Wests irresponsible alignment with Israeli actions could encourage Israels malice and adventurism, consequently increasing regional and global tensions. The statement was issued ahead of a meeting of the foreign ministers of Group 7 about the recent developments in the Middle East.

The full text of the Embassys statement is as follows:

"Over the past years, the Israeli regime has, in various ways and through flagrant violations of the fundamental principles of international law and peremptory norms, inflicted damage on the interests of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Among these, one can refer to multiple acts of sabotage in peaceful nuclear facilities, cyber-attacks on the country's infrastructure, the targeted assassination of a large number of nuclear scientists, and the most recent case of a terrorist attack on the building of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus.

"The attack on the building of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Syrian Arab Republic is considered a flagrant violation of the international conventions governing the inviolability of diplomatic premises and the United Nations Charter. Following this barbaric act, the Islamic Republic of Iran, in pursuance of its principled policy of preventing the escalation of tension and war in the region, called for an urgent meeting of the Security Council, the condemnation of this act, and the punishment of that (Israeli) regime. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of the majority of members, the Council failed to fulfill its express duty under the United Nations Charter, due to the opposition of the US, the UK, and France.

"In this regard, Mr. Hossein Amirabdollahian, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, also called in two telephone conversations with the Secretary-General of the United Nations for appropriate action and the firm condemnation of the international community and the Security Council.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran, as a responsible member of the United Nations, is committed to the objectives and principles enshrined in the Charter of that organization and insists on its commitment to maintaining international peace and security. The response of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the early hours of April 14, 2024, in the form of the exercise of the inherent right of self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter and after the disappointment in the condemnation of this norm-breaking act of the Israeli regime, is considered completed from the perspective of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is clear that the Islamic Republic of Iran will use all its power and capacity within the framework of international laws and regulations to confront the possible repetition of the malice of that regime.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is seeking a development in the credibility of diplomacy, and within the framework of the message of aspiration for peace, security, and progress for the region, it welcomes the remarks made on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, by Mr. Antonio Tajani, the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Italy, in the presence of ambassadors of Islamic countries. Tehran, considering the position of the Italian government as the current presidency of the G7 and also its regional and international role as one of the most important European countries, calls for the efforts of that government to make its European (the European Union) and international (especially the G7 members) partners responsible in the face of violations of international law, the purposeful escalation of tensions in the region, and the continued killing of the innocent people of Palestine by the Israeli regime.

"Undoubtedly, the adoption of counterproductive decisions towards the Islamic Republic of Iran, on the one hand, and the silence and irresponsible alignment of Western countries in the face of the actions of the Israeli regime in violation of international law, on the other hand, will encourage that regime to persist in its malice and adventurism, and consequently increase tensions in the region and the world. The Middle East region is going through a turbulent period, and without a doubt, the responsibility and success of the Italian government in reducing tensions and establishing stability in this region will remain in the historical memory of the international community."

Operational Update - Gaza

The White House revealed the details of the meeting in which American officials expressed to their Israeli counterparts their concerns about the various paths regarding Rafah. The White House confirmed, in a statement Thursday, that Israeli officials took these concerns into account, as they discussed the Rafah issue in expanded meetings between the two countries government agencies.

Further discussions will be held between experts under the supervision of a special coordination group, and the statement suggested that the meeting of the American-Israeli Strategic Advisory Group will be held again soon. Although Rafah has remained far from ground military operations, it is constantly exposed to bombing. For weeks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed his intention to launch a ground attack on the city, which is home to more than one and a half million people, according to the United Nations.

Israel cannot launch an attack until the 1.5 million displaced people who fled the war in Gaza are evacuated, according to the United Nations. But fierce fighting continues in central Gaza, and Israel still refuses the return of the displaced to the north. The American delegation at the meeting, which was held online, was headed by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, while the Israeli delegation was headed by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi. In the meeting, they discussed a series of issues in the wake of the unprecedented attack launched by Iran against Israel, according to a White House statement.

Tehran launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel at the end of last week, which it framed as legitimate self-defense after the destruction of its consulate headquarters in Damascus on April 1, in a strike it attributed to Israel. The statement indicated that "the discussions took place in the form of a small group to discuss the Iranian attack, and joint efforts to strengthen Israel's defense through advanced capabilities, in addition to cooperation with a broad coalition of international partners." According to the White House, Sullivan briefed the Israeli side on the details of the new sanctions and additional measures taken by the United States against Iran in coordination with members of Congress and the G7 countries. The United States and Britain announced Thursday the imposition of broad sanctions on Iran's military drone program.

The White House said that American and Israeli officials discussed, on Thursday, American concerns about the various courses of action in Rafah, concerns that Israel agreed to take into account and discuss further, adding that the officials will meet again soon.US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Thursday, Today, we hold Iran responsible, and impose new sanctions and restrictions on exports. He added, "Based on what I discussed with my fellow G7 leaders the next morning, we are committed to working collectively to increase economic pressure on Iran." New sanctions against Iran will be on the agenda of the G7 foreign ministers' discussions being held on the Italian island of Capri, off the coast of Naples.

The Israeli army announced that it had found underground tunnels and sites for making rockets and destroyed them, stressing the expansion of operational control over the central corridor of the Gaza Strip separating its north from its south. The Israeli army explained in a statement that underground paths and sites for manufacturing rockets were found and destroyed, and the area of operational control over the central Gaza Strip corridor was expanded, with documentation from the precise campaign launched by the 162nd Division in the central Gaza Strip.

In the last week, the fighters of the 401st Brigade's combat team, together with the Yehlam forces, cleared and destroyed more than 100 terrorist infrastructures and eliminated more than 40 terrorists in face-to-face battles and aircraft attacks. Among the terrorist infrastructures that were destroyed - several military targets of the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip, among them, a post used for the production of rockets and weapons of the terrorist organization Hamas and a post used for the production of long-range rocket missiles of the terrorist organization Islamic Jihad.

The fighters raided an underground combat management complex located under the Gaza stream and designed to prevent our forces from crossing the stream. Many weapons of the Hamas terrorists were found in the fighting compound. During the operation, 17 shafts were destroyed, including offensive shafts. Also, the forces located a number of launchers and launch pits used by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip.

Before the troops entered the area and during the operation, the 215th Fire Brigade led the divisional fire plan and eliminated many terrorists. The forces of the brigade, fighter jets and air force aircraft attacked dozens of targets. The artillery units attacked terrorist infrastructures in the center of the Gaza Strip.

Following operational information compiled by the Southern Command, an Air Force aircraft attacked and killed this week, the terrorist Yosef Rafik Ahmed Shabat, responsible for investigating the internal security apparatus of Hamas in the Beit Hanun area. Shabat served as a security officer in the Hamas military intelligence unit in the Beit Hanun Battalion. This elimination constitutes a significant damage to the investigation department of the organization. IDF forces, the Shin Bet with the assistance of the 215th Fire Brigade, attacked a vehicle with ten terrorists in it. The attack was carried out after collecting accurate information that made the attack possible.

Fighter jets of the Air Force, in cooperation with the Fire Center of the Southern Command, yesterday attacked a mortar launcher in the area of the Rimal neighborhood, from which several launches were made at the forces of Division 162 operating there. Also, during the last day, Air Force forces attacked dozens of terrorist targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including observation posts, military buildings, terrorists and other terrorist infrastructures.

The Israeli army also stated: At the same time, the Nahal Brigades combat group has been carrying out operational activities in the area of ??the central corridor of the Gaza Strip over the past three months, as the corridor forms an area separating the northern Gaza Strip from its south, from which the forces carried out precise raid operations, and during the campaign The brigade that was established this week, after receiving prior intelligence information, forces eliminated militants using precision missiles and found many combat means, tunnel openings, and destroyed an underground path in the area.. So far, dozens of precise raids have been carried out, and what has been destroyed has been eliminated. "More than 1,000 armed men were in this area, and more than 20 kilometers of underground tracks in the vicinity of the corridor were destroyed."

Operational Update - Judea-Samaria

Israeli forces stormed the city of Tulkarm in the northern West Bank, leading to the outbreak of armed clashes in several areas. Israeli forces carried out a series of raids into the city of Tulkarm and the Nour Shams camp, which led to the outbreak of armed clashes. Circulating video clips showed Israeli forces storming the city of Tulkarm from its western axis, and heading towards Nour Shams camp.

The Israeli forces imposed a tight cordon and siege on Nour Shams camp, deployed their vehicles on all axes of the camp leading to it, and closed the main street adjacent to its entrances, while reconnaissance planes flew overhead at a low altitude. It also began bulldozing and sabotaging operations on the infrastructure in the camp's streets. Palestinian media reported on Thursday that Israeli forces stormed several towns in Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Bethlehem and other areas of the West Bank and arrested a number of Palestinians.

The commander of the Galilee formation, Brigadier General Shay Klaper and the commander of the Hametz formation, Brigadier General Israel Shumer met yesterday (Wednesday), with the heads of the authorities, councils and KBAs in the northern sector. As part of the meeting, a dialogue was held with the heads of the authorities, in which they were presented with the assessment of the situation so far, as well as the processes of accelerating the readiness for the continuation of fighting in the sector. The division commanders expressed their appreciation to the heads of the authorities, councils, and KBTs who demonstrate true leadership and dedication in the past six months, and are an integral part of maintaining security in the sector.

"We are all writing a chapter in the history of the Galilee," said OG 91, Brigadier General Shay Klaper, "we are determined and ready to win and in our generation we were privileged to take part in this matter. The period we are in symbolizes the chain of our generations, from the Seder night when we will delve into the history of our nation , through Holocaust Day, memory and independence that remind us why we are here and why we need to preserve and protect the existing."

"I want to say thank you and express great appreciation, for the coping and leadership," declared from OG 146, Brigadier General Israel Shumer, "I learn from you every day anew what leadership is, I see the coping and the firm stand, when you stand by your values and values of all of us and represent the residents. My personal commitment and that of my subordinates is to be here until the security reality changes."

Operational Update - Lebanon

The border between Lebanon and Israel has witnessed almost daily clashes since October 8. Yesterday, Wednesday, the southern Lebanon front witnessed a qualitative escalation , after Hezbollah targeted a headquarters in Arab Al-Aramsha belonging to the Israeli army, causing several casualties among its ranks.

Golani brigade fighters identified a number of terrorists from Hezbollah using a drone. The terrorists were in a military structure in the area of Leida in southern Lebanon which, after being identified, was attacked by air force fighter jets. Following the alerts that were activated about the intrusion of a hostile aircraft in the Western Galilee area, this is a false identification. In addition, one launch was detected that crossed the territory of Lebanon, there were no casualties.

During the night, fighter jets of the Air Force attacked terrorist targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Al-Khyam area. Among the targets that were attacked, several terrorist infrastructures used by the organization along with two other military buildings. In addition, IDF forces fired to remove a threat in the area. Aircraft of the Air Force killed two terrorists of the Hezbollah terrorist organization that were identified in the area of Kfar Kila.

The Lebanese "Hezbollah" published a summary of its operations carried out against the Israeli army on Thursday, "in support of the steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their valiant and honorable resistance." Hezbollah's military media indicated that "the Islamic Resistance carried out a number of operations against the positions and deployment of the Israeli enemy army on the Lebanese-Palestinian border on Thursday, April 18, 2024, according to the following:



Eastern sector (southern Lebanon):

- At 00:05, an Israeli enemy force was targeted while trying to withdraw the military vehicle that was targeted on Tuesday evening, 04/16/2024, at the Metulla site, with appropriate weapons, causing confirmed casualties. - At 12:30, after careful monitoring and anticipation of the movement of the Israeli enemy in the Al-Marj site, and upon the arrival of the enemy soldiers and vehicles to the specified section, they were targeted with missile weapons and were directly hit, leaving them dead and wounded. - At 17:00, the Zibdin site in the occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms was targeted with artillery shells, causing a confirmed injury. - At 17:20, the Ruwaisat Al-Alam site in the occupied Lebanese hills of Kafr Shuba was targeted with missile weapons and was directly hit. - At 18:23, a building used by enemy soldiers in Al-Manara Settlement was targeted with appropriate weapons and it was directly hit, as a response to the Israeli attacks on the steadfast southern villages and civilian homes. - At 21:45, an Israeli enemy technical team was targeted while it was maintaining spy equipment in the Ramim barracks with artillery shells, causing confirmed casualties among its ranks.

Western sector (southern Lebanon): - At 01:45, a movement of Israeli enemy soldiers at the Al-Malikiyah site was targeted with missile weapons and was directly hit. - At 14:00, a gathering of Israeli enemy soldiers in Horsh Hanita was targeted with missile weapons and was directly hit. - At 18:00, a gathering of Israeli enemy soldiers in the vicinity of the Hanita colony was targeted with missile weapons and was directly hit. - At 18:20, two buildings used by Israeli enemy soldiers in the Yaroun colony (the occupied Lebanese village of Salha) were targeted with appropriate weapons and they were directly hit, as a response to the Israeli enemys attacks on the steadfast southern villages and civilian homes, especially the towns of Khiam and Kafr Kila. - At 20:23, the Beit Hilal base (battalion command) was targeted with Falaq missiles, in response to the Israeli enemys attacks on the steadfast southern villages and civilian homes, especially the towns of Khiam and Kafr Kila, and the martyrdom of a civilian.

Lebanese Hezbollah published scenes from the operation targeting the headquarters of the 91st Division in the Beranit barracks of the Israeli army on the southern Lebanese border. Lebanese "Hezbollah" showed scenes from the operation to target the "AN/TEQ-37" artillery radar at the air control unit at the Meron base in northern Israel. Hezbollah's military media published a video clip showing "scenes of the operation to target the AN/TEQ-37 artillery radar, which works to detect projectiles and missiles and identify sources of fire at the air control unit at the Meron base in northern Israel."

Israeli bombing targeted the towns of Kafr Kila and Adassiya in southern Lebanon, killing two people, who were mourned by Hezbollah.

International demands are increasing to calm the situation between Lebanon and Israel , for fear of the war expanding, especially with the Iranian attack on Israel in response to the targeting of its consulate in the Syrian capital, Damascus, while Hezbollah confirms that stopping its operations depends on the cessation of the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

At least 18 Israelis have been wounded following a drone and missile assault by Lebanon's resistance group Hezbollah, targeting an Israeli military facility near the Lebanese border on Wednesday, as per reports from Israeli media. Earlier on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the Israeli regime's military disclosed that 14 soldiers had been wounded, with six in critical condition, two moderately, and six lightly. The attack by Hezbollah was described by Israel's Walla news website as a carefully orchestrated ambush. Another report from Israeli media indicated that Hezbollah's drones struck their intended target without prior warning, leaving the Israeli military perplexed regarding their origin.

Hezbollah confirmed its involvement through a statement, asserting that it had attacked a military base belonging to the Zionist army situated in the northern vicinity of the Israeli-occupied territories. This action, they said, was in response to Israel's persistent airstrikes on Gaza and recurrent incursions into southern Lebanon. The statement further elaborated that the attack was executed using guided missiles and explosive drones on a newly established military reconnaissance command center in Arab al-Aramshe, a village near the Lebanese border. Hezbollah cited the incident as retaliation for the targeted killings of resistance fighters in Ain Baal and Shehabiya.

The Israeli army announced, on Wednesday evening, that it had carried out an air strike on a site belonging to Hezbollahs air defense unit in Baalbek, northeastern Lebanon, while the armed group, at dawn on Thursday, mourned two of its militants who were killed in the town of Kafr Kila, indicating in return that it had been targeted. Movement of Israeli soldiers during the past few hours. In a brief statement , the Israeli army said that its fighter jets bombed Hezbollahs air defense infrastructure north of the city of Baalbek, about 100 kilometers from the Israeli border. The attack came hours after the party carried out a drone attack on northern Israel, which... It resulted in the injury of 14 soldiers and four civilians. The Israeli army spokesman for the Arab media, Avichay Adraee, stated that the Israeli forces attacked deep inside Lebanon a terrorist infrastructure that was used by Hezbollahs air defense force. He continued, "In addition, IDF forces attacked in the area of Kawkaba village to remove a potential threat."

The air strike deep in Lebanon comes in response to a drone attack in the northern border town of Arab Aramsha, which resulted in the injury of 14 soldiers and 4 civilians, according to the Times of Israel . According to Al-Hurras correspondent in Beirut, a cautious calm prevailed on the southern front of Lebanon, on Thursday morning, after a night that included continued Israeli raids on the border towns. The last of these attacks was when the town of Khiam in the eastern sector of the south was subjected to violent raids by Israeli warplanes, accompanied by a concentrated bombardment with phosphorus shells on the town, according to what the National News Agency in Lebanon reported. The course of the Litani River, the outskirts of Dermamas, and Tallet Al-Azziyah were also subjected to artillery shelling, according to the same source.

Operational Update - Syria / Iraq

Operational Update - Yemen

The leader of the revolution, Abdul-Malik Badr al-Din al-Houthi, spoke Shawwal 9, 1445 AH corresponding to April 18, 2024 about the latest developments in Palestine and regional developments. "Before the Iranian response, there were diligent efforts and intense attempts to seek to obstruct The response, and containing the Iranian response, attempts to prevent the response from coming at all, and even offers and temptations were presented to the Iranians, in an attempt to dissuade them from responding. Because the enemies are worried at this stage about any position that benefits the Palestinian people and represents a contribution to supporting the Palestinian people. They are worried at this stage about anything that happens against the Israeli enemy. They want the Israeli enemy to remain free, calm, and free from any anxiety and any danger. ; To be alone with the Palestinian people, and to carry out its crimes on a daily basis, and to seek to achieve its failed, failed, and losing goals, and to be safe from any position from here or there. Unfortunately, even some of the Arab countries were seeking that, and everyone is moving under the title: (Seeking to prevent escalation in... The region), so that the conflict and escalation does not expand in the region. The escalation, danger and conflict is what the Israeli enemy is doing in the Gaza Strip. There is no solution that contributes to stability in the region properly, except stopping the aggression and siege on Gaza, and ending the aggression against the Palestinian people. It is not possible That there be stability while the Israeli enemy is the occupier of Palestine and the perpetrator of genocide in Gaza....

"Our front is in the auspicious Yemen, the Yemen of faith, jihad and conquests, the Yemen of manhood, loyalty and chivalry. Support operations reached within two weeks (fourteen operations), in the Red Sea, in the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandab, all the way to the Indian Ocean. It became part of the operations in In the Indian Ocean, as well as in the south of occupied Palestine, against targets of the Israeli enemy, these fourteen operations were carried out, using (thirty-six) ballistic, winged, and drone missiles, and (eight ships) linked to the enemies were targeted, and the total number of ships targeted reached (ninety-eight) ships, which approached One hundred ships will arrive, and, God willing, they will arrive. Work is continuing, and operations are continuing.

"The impact of the operations - praise be to God - is great and successful, and in these weeks several naval vessels withdrew from the Red Sea, and this is something useful and an important thing, and all those who withdraw talk about the effectiveness of these operations, about their impact, about their intensity, and they talk about them in a way that indicates their strength and effectiveness. This is good, and we assure everyone: whether the American, the British, or whoever the American wants to implicate, that no one can ever succeed in stopping these operations that our country is carrying out in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, and to put pressure on stopping the siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza. No one can bring food and medicine into it, and stop the aggression against it, except through counter operations, through bombing our country, as the Americans and the British do, and we are in the fourth month since the beginning of their aggression against our country with their support for the Israeli enemy; To continue his crimes in Gaza, and to continue starving the Palestinian people in Gaza, nor by some mobilizing frigates, warships, and military equipment to the sea - as well - as a courtesy to the Americans, and in an effort to appease the Americans. It is not in anyones interest to do that. Our position is completely clear. From the beginning, we repeated it often.

"There is no danger to the navigation of European countries, which are not heading towards the Israeli enemy, there is no danger to them at all, so they can pass safely and soundly, as long as they do not head towards the Israeli enemy, and do not participate in the aggression against our country, and we confirm this and say: It is in your interest to withdraw your vessels that cost you A lot, and your interference in skirmishes on behalf of the Americans, and burdens: financial burdens, and risks as well, without the need for that, and there is no justification for it at all, through the coordination of any European country, or any other country in the east and west of the earth, with our country, that can cross from Without any targeting from our country, the only impact of the crowding of military naval warships in the Red Sea is on the security of navigation, on the safety of navigation, and the transit of ships. Therefore, the enemy admits failure, and his economic losses are also high, along with the cost of what he does at sea. His economic losses are great. Because the American implicated himself, and the British implicated himself, the Israeli's losses continue to mount; As a result of preventing his ships from crossing, and the ships associated with him, which carry what they bring to him, his losses continue to mount, and have reached a large level, thank God. The American losses as well, the British losses as well, and the losses of the countries that implicate themselves in these burdens are also rising. Their losses in Insurance for transport and sea freight, and the costs associated with that, and the increase and rise in prices as a result, as well as those who move via other distant and expensive routes, and need to add large financial costs to insurance for the benefit of maritime transport companies, cost them great, and then this is reflected in the prices in their countries.

"The solution is in the interest of everyone, is to end the siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza, is for food and medicine to reach the Palestinian people in Gaza, and it is their right to do so, it is their established and recognized right, it is their right to obtain food and medicine, and not to be denied food, for this to end. The absolutely heinous state of starvation of the Palestinian people, which is a disgrace to all human society. Our operations are continuing, and others have no choice but to stop the aggression against Gaza and end the siege, and our perations are effective."

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

Allied for Democracy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told senior Mossad and Shin Bet officials that internal discord must disappear now because Israel is under an existential threat. Netanyahu stated that, in the face of the existential threat, powers must be united, not dismantled. The Prime Minister's statements came during his visit to the Mossad headquarters , where he met with Director David Barnea, and the General Security Service headquarters, where he held working meetings with the Director of the General Security Service, Ronen Bar.

At Mossad headquarters, Netanyahu discussed regional developments in various sectors, and the Prime Minister and Mossad director pointed to the ongoing efforts and the importance of doing everything possible to return the hostages as quickly as possible. The Prime Minister also listened to a comprehensive explanation of the agency's extensive activity in combating terrorism in various sectors. Prime Minister Netanyahu said before the Mossad Department Heads Forum: This holiday is different because they rose to destroy us... and this is something very tangible by the axis represented by Iran and its agents, including Hamas. "This is very tangible when we still have hostages being held in Gaza," he added.

He continued, "We are also committed to defeating Hamas in Gaza, freeing the hostages, and repelling the threat, including the Iranian threat." He explained that these are very large tasks and require two things: determination and unity, noting that nations first collapse from within, not from external pressure, but from internal strife. He added, "The internal dispute must disappear now because we are exposed to an existential threat, and in the face of the existential threat we must unite forces and not divide them, and this is the most important thing."

He stated that the great powers fell in their time, including the world powers, in the absence of internal cohesion around a unified idea, stressing that the unified idea here is the return of the Jewish people to their land and the rebuilding of the defense capacity against those who want to destroy Israel. Netanyahu concluded his statements by saying: If we lack the ability to defend ourselves against those who threaten our lives, then we have nothing, and that is why we need to unite now with full force on this Passover and what will come after it.

Operation Iron Swords - By the Numbers

1,900,000 IDPs in Gaza

76,465 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

33,797 Gazans martyred

20,528 Palestinians in Israeli prisons [Haaretz, 20 Mar 2024]

15,140 Israelis injured [i24 TV]

15,000 rockets launched from Gaza

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

9,400 Palestinians in Israeli prisons

9,000 IDF needing psychological assistance

8,365 arrested by Israelis in the West Bank since Oct.7th

7,209 IDF injured admitted to rehabilitation [IDF]

6,800 IDF officers and soldiers injured [Channel 12]

6,000 HAMAS combatants killed [HAMAS]

5,500 IDF wounded [reports]

4,800 West Bank Palestinians wounded

4,700 sites targetted in Lebanon

3,850 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria

3,484 administrative detainees

3,188 IDF wounded [IDF]

2,100 Gazan women are missing

1,609 terrorists killed on the first day

1,650 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

468 West Bank Palestinians martyred

364 people [including fighters] killed in Lebanon

260 Israeli officers and soldiers killed in Gaza

240 Hezbollah fighters killed in Lebanon

126 people recovered, including 91 Israelis, 11 bodies, and 24 foreign workers

116 living hostages in Palestinian custody

70 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.

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FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Releases Strategy to Strengthen Global Health Security

April 16, 2024

Today, the White House launched the U.S. Global Health Security Strategy (GHSS) to protect the health, lives, and economic well-being of the American people and people throughout the world.

President Biden came to office determined to guide our country through - and ensure we emerged stronger from - the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic profoundly affected every individual, community and country, causing millions of deaths, significant societal disruptions, and trillions of dollars in economic losses globally. Since day one, the President has directed his Administration to protect the American people from future health threats, recognizing that a biological threat anywhere can turn into a health emergency everywhere. Over the past three years, the Biden-Harris Administration has actively advanced a bold agenda to achieve the vision of a world free from pandemics and other health security threats. While the United States has made notable progress over the past three years, there is more work ahead.



THE NEW GLOBAL HEALTH SECURITY STRATEGY

The new Global Health Security Strategy articulates a whole-of-government, science-based approach to strengthening global health security.



Building on progress achieved since 2019 and incorporating lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Health Security Strategy lays out a path to deliver on the goals in the 2022 National Biodefense Strategy and Implementation Plan and the bipartisan Global Health Security and International Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response Act of 2022, which was enacted as part of the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023. -It places county-driven action, equity, and inclusion at its core to ensure the world is better prepared to prevent and respond to health emergencies, including pandemics. The Strategy also envisions using United States leadership to drive global action toward shared goals, including stronger investment and commitment by other countries.



The 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy sets out three goals to guide the United States' affirmative agenda to advance global health security:

Strengthen Global Health Security Capacities through Bilateral Partnerships. The most effective way to mitigate the impact of health security threats is to prevent, detect and contain them at their source. The Strategy focuses on working with countries around the world to ensure they are better able to prevent, detect, and respond to global health security threats. We are announcing today that the United States has expanded our formal global health security partnerships from 19 countries to 50 countries. Over the next five years, the United States will: Work with these 50 partners to build, further strengthen, and sustain a level of demonstrated capacity in at least five GHS areas; Promote country-led processes as essential to achieving sustainable progress toward the GHS goals; Incorporate gender-responsive and social inclusion considerations into GHS programming, to reduce public health risks and adverse health impacts on marginalized populations; and Track progress toward closing gaps in preparedness and response capacities, and share those results publicly.

The most effective way to mitigate the impact of health security threats is to prevent, detect and contain them at their source. The Strategy focuses on working with countries around the world to ensure they are better able to prevent, detect, and respond to global health security threats. We are announcing today that the United States has expanded our formal global health security partnerships from 19 countries to 50 countries. Over the next five years, the United States will:

These will further accelerate country implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR) and contribute towards achieving the G7 Pact for Pandemic Readiness Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) targets.

Catalyze Political Commitment, Financing, and Leadership to Achieve Health Security. The United States works alongside partners to catalyze and sustain political leadership, commitment, and financing in health security at local, national, regional, and global levels. Over the next five years the United States will: Continue to drive efforts to strengthen global policies, including through negotiations on a Pandemic Accord and targeted amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR); Support fit-for-purpose institutions that can drive innovation, offer reliable public health guidance, and implement a rapid response to global health emergencies; Further strengthen our efforts to expand equitable access to medical countermeasures; and Accelerate commitments made by the G7 including achieving the milestones of the G7 Pact for Pandemic Readiness to provide support to assist at least 100 low- and middle-income countries in building the core capacities required in the IHR.

The United States works alongside partners to catalyze and sustain political leadership, commitment, and financing in health security at local, national, regional, and global levels. Over the next five years the United States will:

The United States will also continue to deliver on the commitment to transform financing for global health security. The COVID-19 response highlighted limitations in the GHS financing ecosystem. In a health emergency, countries need to be able to quickly access financing to fortify their health systems, procure medical countermeasures, and launch an effective response. The United States is the world's leading investor in health security, and it is a top priority of the United States to collaborate with countries, regional and multilateral partners, including public and private sector organizations, to identify and strengthen solutions to enhance access to financing for pandemic preparedness and response. To overcome the cycle of crisis and complacency in investing in health security capacity, the United States led the way to establish the historic Pandemic Fund in 2022, and we are dedicated to working with all partners to ensure the Fund excels in its mission to support countries most in need. Simultaneously, the United States continues to support efforts to transform international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, and to clarify and strengthen the pandemic preparedness and response efforts of multilateral development banks and development financing institutions to better address crises, including pandemics.

Increase Linkages Between Health Security and Complementary Programs to Maximize Impact. The United States is committed to better maximizing linkages between global health security programs and other health, development and security programs. Building stronger relationships between these programs will lead to more sustainability, make better use of existing resources, and drive better outcomes. Over the next five years, the United States will: Better integrate and leverage global health programs - including PEPFAR, TB, PMI, and health system strengthening efforts including regulatory systems and MCM manufacture, procurement and delivery; Better integrate and leverage development programs, including humanitarian and disaster response; food security; water sanitation and hygiene; and community leadership; Further strengthen a One Health approach to GHS, including integrating infectious disease data from human, animal, plant and environment sectors; and Strengthen research networks, including for global clinical trials.

The United States is committed to better maximizing linkages between global health security programs and other health, development and security programs. Building stronger relationships between these programs will lead to more sustainability, make better use of existing resources, and drive better outcomes. Over the next five years, the United States will:

Collectively, these actions will make the United States, and the world, safer from the risk posed by pandemics and other health security events.

###

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Report: Government-linked hackers in China target exiled Tibetan leaders

By William Yang April 18, 2024

A new report by a team of Tibet-focused cybersecurity analysts details how hackers with links to the Chinese government are using cyber espionage tactics to target members of the Tibetan government-in-exile and the office of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

"Spyware-as-a-Service," which was released Thursday, uses information from an enormous data leak in February from Chinese cybersecurity firm I-Soon. According to the report, hackers have been targeting the mobile phones of officials from the Central Tibetan Administration, or CTA, since 2018 and the large amount of information Chinese hackers have collected could pose significant security risks to them and those in their social networks.

That targeting, "represents a significant shift in the tactics used by threat actors, signaling an adaptation to modern communication methods and an understanding of the increasing reliance on mobile devices for both personal and professional activities," the report said. Tibet-focused research network Turquoise Roof published the report.

The February data dump was a treasure trove of information about China's cyber espionage and other activities. Leaked documents revealed that private firm I-Soon's clients include the Chinese police, China's Ministry of Public Security, and the People's Liberation Army. The leaked information also detailed tools and tactics used by the organization and connections among hacking groups in China.

'Tip of an iceberg'

These new findings provide a glimpse into "the sprawling cyber espionage apparatus" that China has used to target ethnic minorities over the last few decades, says Greg Walton, senior investigator at U.K.-based security consulting firm Secdev Group.

"While the revelation is only the tip of an iceberg, it's a very revealing one," said Walton, who is the report's author.

"The findings help us learn more about the opaque system [that the Chinese authorities] have been using to target the West," he told VOA by phone.

One leaked white paper described in the report focused on how I-Soon used compromised e-mail inboxes of exiled Tibetan authorities to demonstrate how their system can satisfy the demand of China's intelligence agencies to "mine through substantial volumes of intercepted email data."

"The platform is engineered to facilitate investigations into an individual's 'interpersonal network' and to intricately map the social networks of targeted individuals," the report wrote.

Walton said the white paper offers rare insight into the "capabilities of the Chinese party-state."

"[Since] we know that I-Soon has been selling their services to Chinese intelligence agencies, including the public security bureau in Tibet, we make the point in the report that the harvested social network analysis from the exiles' inboxes could be sold to the authorities in Tibet," he told VOA.

In his view, Chinese authorities could incorporate "the web of personal and professional connections" identified from the compromised e-mail inboxes of exiled Tibetan officials into the big data policing platform that they use to crack down on the local community in Tibet.

"The platform is instrumental in a campaign that criminalizes even moderate cultural, religious expressions, language rights advocacy and surfaces links to exile Tibetan networks," Walton said.

In response to the report's findings, the Chinese Embassy in Washington said Beijing has "always firmly opposed and cracked down on all forms of cyber hacking" according to law.

The accusation from the report "is a complete reversal of black and white," Liu Pengyu, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy, told VOA in a written response.

A long history of threats from Chinese cyber espionage

The CTA and the Tibetan diaspora community have been targets of Chinese cyber espionage for more than a decade. In 2008, an extensive cyber operation called "GhostNet," which is connected to a specialized division of the People's Liberation Army, caused serious problems across the Tibetan community.

Between November 2018 and May 2019, some senior members of Tibetan groups received malicious links in tailored WhatsApp text exchanges with operators disguised as NGO workers and other fake personas, according to research conducted by the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab.

According to Turquoise Roof's report, the escalation of cyber operations against the CTA by China's military and intelligence services is "in step with" the exiled Tibetan government's increased investment in its digital presence and reliance on digital systems for interacting with the diaspora community.

Some Tibetan organizations have been conducting training to enhance their resilience against Chinese cyberattacks.

"The Tibet Action Institute provides tech assistance to exiled Tibetan organizations and they often teach us about the security measures we can adopt to prevent our accounts or digital devices from being hacked," Ngawang Lungtok, a researcher at the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, told VOA by phone.

The CTA has also been focusing on upgrading its technical capacity and offering orientations to all Tibetan officials in recent years.

"The Tibetan Computer Resource Center offers training and workshops regularly," Tenzin Lekshay, the spokesperson of the CTA, told VOA in a written response.

Walton adds that the CTA even sent people to the United States for specialized training.

"The CTA has some good people trained in the U.S. and is now in the position to help tackle risks extended from Chinese cyberattacks," he said.

The report says the I-Soon leak offers significant insight into the Chinese authorities' use of AI-driven surveillance systems to "enforce political controls" within and beyond its border. It also showcases Beijing's efforts to "refine its espionage capabilities" by using novel intelligence tactics against vulnerable populations like the Tibetans before global deployment.

Considering the impact of cyber espionage on the Tibetans, Walton said he believes investing in the protection of vulnerable populations from digital transnational repression "is an example of" aligning traditional security with human rights advocacy.

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Funding injection to boost Navy capability

18 April 2024

Conventionally armed, nuclearapowered submarines and infrastructure will receive $53 billion to $63 billion over the next decade as part of Australia's investment in developing a Navy with enhanced maritime, air and land strike capability.

This is one of the commitments in the newly released 2024 Integrated Investment Program, which sets out spending priorities that will be central to the National Defence approach outlined in the National Defence Strategy.

Investment in infrastructure in Western Australia out to the mid-2030s will support the transition to a sovereign Australian nuclear-powered submarine operating base.

The Government will also allow $4 billion to $5 billion for upgrading and sustaining the current fleet of six Collins-class submarines, which underpin the transition to the new submarines.

To complement crewed undersea warfare capabilities and the Navy's surface combatant fleet, $5.2 billion to $7.2 billion will be dedicated to subsea warfare capabilities and new autonomous and uncrewed maritime vehicles, including through AUKUS Pillar II Advanced Capabilities.

Planned investments include the development and acquisition of large and extraalarge uncrewed and autonomous underwater vehicles to undertake stealth missions in higharisk environments, alongside the continued acquisition of Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels for persistent maritime surveillance.

About $51 billion to $69 billion will fund maritime capabilities for sea denial, and localised sea control operations will expand the Navy's surface combatant fleet.

An expanded fleet of 36 MHa60R Romeo helicopters, costing $2.4 billion to $2.7 billion, will support the additional major vessels in the fleet.

The Navy's long-range strike capabilities will be enhanced through the acquisition of the Tomahawk weapon system from the United States.

The next-generation Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Block II and SM-2 and SM-6 missiles will also be acquired for the Hobart-class destroyers, Hunter-class frigates and general-purpose frigates.

Additional funding for maritime capabilities includes about $12 billion to $15 billion for sea-based strike, $2 billion to $3 billion for elements of the electronic warfare capabilities and $810 million to $910 million for maritime command systems. These investments will allow the Navy to hold targets at risk for longer ranges, providing greater capacity to target adversary aircraft and missiles.

The National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program are available on the National Defence Strategy website.

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Cyberpartisans Hack Belarusian Fertilizer Plant, Demand Release Of Political Prisoners

By RFE/RL's Belarus Service April 18, 2024

A group known as Cyberpartisans says it hacked into the computers and security systems of a major Belarusian state-run producer of nitrogen compounds and fertilizers and is demanding the release of workers who were arrested during protests against the disputed 2020 presidential election.

The group claimed that it took control of all internal e-mail accounts of the Hrodna Azot plant in the region of Homel as well as hundreds of computers, servers belonging to the facility, and the security system and security cameras in the plant's buildings. In addition, the plant's heating center stopped functioning due to the cyberattack.

The hackers say they will undo their work in exchange for the release of all the workers of the facility incarcerated for participating in the 2020 protests against the official results of the presidential poll that named authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka the winner. The hackers also demand 75 other political prisoners with medical conditions be released.

Hrodna Azot's website has not been accessible since April 17.

An employee of the plant told RFE/RL on April 18 on condition of anonymity that "there was a big buzz at the plant" the day before.

"People have been discussing that. Everybody knows what happened and who did it. But I do not know to what extent the attack affected the work," the employee said.

Official representatives of Hrodna Azot refused to comment and hung up the phone when RFE/RL correspondents called to request comment.

Yulyana Shametavets of the Cyberpartisans group told RFE/RL on April 18 that the cyberattack had been prepared for several months.

"The attack was huge enough and may have affected not only documentation and networks but the production of outputs as well," Shametavets said, adding that the attack revealed the weakness of the electronic systems used by industrial facilities in Belarus.

An unspecified number of the facility's workers were arrested during and after the 2020 rallies and many were later handed lengthy prison terms.

In February 2023, a court in the Homel region sentenced 10 activists of the Rabochy rukh (Workers' Movement) consisting of workers of Hrodna Azot on charges of high treason and creation of an extremist group. The Rabochy rukh movement was created in 2020 amid nationwide protests against the disputed reelection of Lukashenka.

Alyaksandr Kapshul and Uladzimer Zhurauka were sentenced to 15 years in prison each then; Syarhey Shelest, Andrey Paheryla, and Alyaksandr Hashnikau to 14 years in prison each; Syarhey Dzyuba, Ihar Mints, Valyantsin Tseranevich, and Syarhey Shametska to 12 years in prison each; and Hanna Ablab, the only woman in the group, to 11 years in prison.

Kapshul was also convicted of illegal use of a firearm, while Shelest, Zhurauka, and Paheryla were additionally found guilty of slander.

All members of the group, which went on trial in November 2023, pleaded not guilty at the time.

The movement tried to organize strikes at Hrodna Azot and another factory, Belarusian Steel Works (BMZ), also located in the southeastern Homel region.

Investigators claim the activists collected sensitive information and passed it to representatives and organizations of foreign countries, including the United States and Lithuania.

Lukashenka, 69, has tightened his grip on the country since the August 2020 election by arresting -- sometimes violently -- tens of thousands of people. Fearing for their safety, most opposition members have fled the country.

The West has refused to recognize the results of the election and does not consider Lukashenka to be the country's legitimate leader. Many countries have imposed several rounds of sanctions against his regime in response to the suppression of dissent in the country.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-cyberpartisans- hackers-prisoners-protests/32911367.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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The Federal Chancellor's visit to China - "Joint sustainable action"

Germany - Federal Government

Federal Chancellor Scholz visited China for the second time during his time in office. In addition to business relations, the visit focussed on geopolitical challenges and sustainability strategies. On the last day of his trip, Scholz met with the President of State Xi Jinping.

Tuesday, 16 April 2024

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz travelled to China for official talks for the second time in his time in office. "Joint sustainable action" was the motto of the trip that was all about the Federal Government's China strategy, which was published last year.

The last stop of the trip was Beijing, where the Federal Chancellor was welcomed by President of State Xi Jinping before meeting Prime Minister Li Qiang. Following these meetings, the Federal Chancellor reported that they had had good, comprehensive and intense conversations.

With President Xi, Scholz discussed ways for Germany and China to contribute to a just peace in Ukraine. The Chancellor said that he and Xi Jinping agreed that maintaining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity was essential to enable a sustainable peace order. The Federal Chancellor asked President Xi to get in touch with Russia to encourage "Putin to abandon his insane military campaign, withdraw his troops and end this war".

The situation in the Middle East

The situation in the Middle East was also addressed as part of the talks in Beijing. The Federal Chancellor condemned Iran's unprecedented attack on Israeli territory in the strongest possible terms once again and said that a conflagration in the region had to be prevented.

Once more, Scholz called for the immediate release of all hostages still being held by their captors following the barbaric terrorist attack against Israel by Hamas on 7 October. China and Germany also both demanded unhindered and reliable access for humanitarian aid to Gaza, Scholz stated, adding that President Xi and he considered a two-state solution to be the only option for enabling long-term peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians.

China continues to be a key business partner

"China should and will remain a key business partner for Germany and all of Europe," the Federal Chancellor stressed. He also said that fair competitive conditions were essential for this and that he had talked in depth to Prime Minister Li Qiang about ensuring market access on an equal footing, the protection of intellectual property and the necessity to establish a reliable legal framework.

Another topic discussed was the global political responsibility of both states in the field of collaboration for fighting climate change. The Federal Chancellor reported that they had agreed on close coordination in the area of sustainable farming, the protection and conservation of biodiversity, and avoiding plastic waste, among other things.

In closing, Scholz stressed that: "We will not be able to master these global challenges without China. We can and we should tackle them together."

Dialogue about circular economy and resource efficiency

Germany and China agreed to engage in a strategic dialogue about the issues of a circular economy and resource efficiency. Federal Minister of the Environment Steffi Lemke and Zhang Shanjie, Head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), signed an action plan that focusses, in particular, on reducing waste and preserving resources.

Visits to German companies

Federal Chancellor Scholz travelled together with a business delegation and visited German companies and their production facilities in the metropolises of Chongqing and Shanghai. In addition to his talks with China's political leaders and local companies, Scholz also spoke to students and representatives of the arts and of civil society. Scholz stated that the goal of his trip was to stay in touch with China. The journey focussed on three main topics: trade and business, the protection of global assets - with regard to sustainability and climate change action - and geopolitical challenges.

First stop: the multi-million metropolis of Chongqing

The trip started in Chongqing, China's biggest city with a population of over 32 million. Here, Scholz visited the Bosch company and took a tour of its production facility for sustainable hydrogen-powered drives.

The company Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems Co. Ltd. promotes the development of the hydrogen industry at its site in Chongqing, as well as accelerating the development of clusters of the new energy and storage industry.

In Chongqing, the Federal Chancellor also learned about a research project dedicated to monitoring water quality which is being conducted by the Free State of Saxony and Chongqing University. Furthermore, Scholz met the Party Secretary of Chongqing's Central Committee, Yuan Jiajun, for a conversation.

Second stop: innovation centre in Shanghai

On day two of his trip, Federal Chancellor Scholz travelled on to Shanghai. Here he met with students of Tongij University for a town hall talk, followed by a tour of the innovation centre of the plastics manufacturer Covestro.

The Covestro company is working on green and sustainable technologies and is among the world leaders in the production of high-quality plastics and their components. At its site in Shanghai, the company uses electric vehicles for short-distance transport of chemicals.

During a meeting with the Foreign Chamber of Commerce, Scholz spoke to representatives of the business world. The talks focussed on challenges and problems German companies are faced with in China. It was particularly important, the Federal Chancellor stressed, that companies are guaranteed their rights and fair competition, which also includes access to public tenders in his opinion.

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Wang Yi warns of 'small cliques' amid US-orchestrated S.China Sea tension

Global Times

By Zhang Han Published: Apr 18, 2024 08:31 PM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday warned of "small cliques" and called for joint efforts to preserve hard-won peace in the South China Sea during his visit to Indonesia.

The call represents the consensus of most countries in the region, analysts said, warning that if the Philippines continues on the wrong path of following the US' strategy, it will be isolated in Southeast Asia and risk burning itself by the fire it started.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his successor Prabowo Subianto on Thursday.

Widodo and Wang expressed their desire for regional peace and stability and repeated calls for a de-escalation and ceasefire in Gaza, the Jakarta Post reported Thursday.

Wang, during the meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, said the two sides are highly vigilant against the formation of various "small cliques" in the region, and oppose any attempts by certain groups to create camp confrontation. We shall cherish and maintain the hard-won peace and stability in the region, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

China is willing to continue working with other ASEAN members to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, accelerate the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and turn the South China Sea into a sea of peace and cooperation.

Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday that Wang's remarks in Indonesia represent the consensus and sincere hope of most countries in the region for peace and stability, amid the US' continuous attempts to reshape regional geopolitics against China with the Philippines as an auxiliary, Xu said.

Being a wheeler-dealer will isolate the Philippines, its former president Rodrigo Duterte said in a recent exclusive interview with the Global Times, adding that if the Philippines identifies itself with America, "then everything becomes blurry with our relations with China and the rest of the ASEAN countries."

For the Philippines, using the South China Sea as a bargaining chip to introduce an external major power and rashly getting involved in major power competition brings the risk of burning itself, Xu warned.

"US will not die for us," Duterte noted.

The US and the Philippines have been enhancing military ties, with the latest move being the deployment of the Typhon (Mid-Range Capability) missile system. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Thursday advised the Philippines to recognize the US' true intention and not pull the US' chestnuts out of the fire at the cost of the Philippines' security interests.

Xu said that as the biggest country in the ASEAN, Indonesia has been playing a constructive role in mediation and accelerating related negotiations. It is hoped that through communication between China and Indonesia, China and ASEAN can consolidate consensus and join hands to prevent a further escalation of tensions.

Analysts stressed the importance of an independent and neutral ASEAN, saying that the current tension, with US' support for the Philippines against China, has the potential to compel certain ASEAN member states to take sides, to the detriment of the broader well-being of the region.

According to a published schedule, Wang will chair a session of the China-Indonesia High-level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism on Friday before traveling to Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.

As Indonesia has just held general elections and is in a transition period, Xu expected the high-level meeting to facilitate the stable and sound development of China-Indonesia relations and continue to make fruitful progress under the new administration.

President-elect Prabowo made a China visit from March 31 to April 2, shortly after his win in the elections, marking the high level of mutual political trust, according to observers.

China and Indonesia, the country where "the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road" was initiated, have seen maritime cooperation and joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative as new growth poles in addition to traditional political, economic and trade, and cultural exchanges, Xu said.

Citing flagship cooperation projects such as the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, Xu said the bilateral relationship has set a cooperation model for the region and named sectors including infrastructure connectivity, new energy and digital economy as cooperation areas of great potential.

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China refutes US 'debt trap' accusations, saying international creditors account for big chunk of developing countries' debts

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Apr 18, 2024 05:33 PM

China refutes US 'debt trap' claim, says international creditors account for big chunk of developing countries' debts

China on Thursday refuted US claims alleging Chinese aid to other countries had led to a "debt trap", stressing that Western-dominated commercial creditors and multilateral financial institutions account for a big chunk of the debt held by developing countries.

"The US' accusations are untenable," a spokesperson from the China International Development Cooperation Agency said in a statement posted on the bureau's website on Thursday.

"China attaches great importance to the debt issue facing developing countries. We have followed the principle of consultations on an equal footing and mutually beneficial cooperation to help developing countries ease their debt burdens and grow their economies sustainably," said the spokesperson.

No country has fallen into debt difficulty because of cooperation with China, and no partner believes that China has led them into a "debt trap," the spokesperson said.

The comment came after US officials alleged during a recent US Congressional hearing that Chinese aid has resulted in a "debt trap", and the Safe City project disregards human rights and fuels corruption.

Stuck in the old era of Cold War thinking and zero-sum games, the US has been for years smearing China, evidenced by the "debt trap" narrative fabricated by the US, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The purpose behind the US slander of China is fully exposed, as the West does not want to solve developing countries' debt problems at all, rather it seeks to destroy the partnerships between China and other developing countries and contain China's development, Song said.

She stressed that China's sovereign loans are a form of development aid, whose goal is to promote developing countries' progress. When borrower countries face difficulties in repaying debt, China generally solves the problem through bilateral negotiations and equal consultations with the hope of triggering their development capacity.

While offering loans at favorable terms, China adheres to the principle that recipient countries put forward demands and agreements. All the loans are made by adhering to the development orientation, and the associated projects have produced sound, long-term economic benefits, becoming important drivers for partner countries' economic growth.

According to a report by the World Bank, the implementation of initiatives including the Belt and Road Initiative will increase trade among participants by 4.1 percent and the additional trade is expected to increase global real incomes by 0.7 to 2.9 percent. By the end of 2030, these initiatives will generate business revenue of $1.6 trillion around the world.

The truth is, some Western-dominated commercial creditors and multilateral financial institutions that hype the "Chinese debt trap" narrative account for a large share of developing countries' debt and represent a major source of stress in terms of debt repayments. They should make material contributions to help ease the debt burdens of developing countries, the spokesperson said.

China remains committed to enhancing transparency of the country's foreign aid program, with a Chinese managed supervision and evaluation system on foreign aid already in place, and work such as supervision, evaluation and anti-corruption runs through the entire process of overseas assistance, the spokesperson continued.

China-assisted Safe City project is aimed at helping developing countries establish modern security systems and provide effective services to increase protection for local residents and foreign tourists. These projects have won acclaim from locals.

In contrast, the US is engaging in massive, indiscriminate eavesdropping and data theft across the world. The US not only manipulates public opinion domestically but also intervenes in other countries' internal affairs by taking advantage of its digital hegemony, which infringes on the privacy of the people of all countries, including foreign leaders, the spokesperson said.

China's foreign assistance has no political strings attached, nor has it forced others or made empty promises. It is hoped that the US will abandon its Cold War mentality and hegemony so as to return to the original purpose of foreign aid for global development, the spokesperson noted.

"We are willing to join hands with all parties including the US to strengthen communication and cooperation in the development field so as to promote every country's prosperity with action."

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on April 18, 2024

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

2024-04-18 20:18

Shenzhen TV: The 135th China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair, kicked off recently. The Canton Fair has been known as the barometer and bellwether of China's foreign trade. We've noted some comments saying that the Canton Fair is a source of impetus to China's high-standard opening up. What's your comment?

Lin Jian: The 135th Canton Fair opened this Monday. Premier of the State Council Li Qiang visited the booths of enterprises at the Canton Fair and sat down with the representatives of exhibitors and overseas buyers. He stressed the importance of implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, deepening reform and opening up, and upholding innovation-driven development to make the Canton Fair a bigger success and shine in the new era. He commended the representatives for their long-term and active participation in the Canton Fair, as well as their vigorous economic and trade cooperation with China. Overseas buyer representatives said they are full of confidence in the prospects of China's economic development. They are ready to use the Canton Fair as a platform to continue expanding business in China, and to make positive contributions to the promotion of free trade and the maintenance of global supply chain stability.

Since its inception in 1957, the Canton Fair has been held uninterrupted every year. This year, the scale of the Canton Fair reached a new high. The import section covers an exhibition area of 30,000 square meters, and 680 global firms from 50 countries and regions are participating in the exhibition, of which 64 percent come from Belt and Road partner countries. The Canton Fair is where businesses from around the world gather to embrace the robust Chinese market. It is also where more Chinese hi-tech firms and innovative products go global, giving the world a sense of how China is advancing high-quality development and shaping new quality productive forces at a faster pace.

The dynamism of the Canton Fair is a window on China's openness. Just as Premier Li said, the history of the Canton Fair is a history of companies from all over the world sharing China's opportunities and achieving mutual benefits, and a microcosm of China's continuous opening up and active integration into the international market. Over the past decades since the first Canton Fair was held, the Fair has witnessed a total of nearly USD 1.5 trillion worth of export deals made, and trade relations with 229 countries and regions established. China's friends of trade has been growing and China is open up even wider to the world. By 2023, China had been the world's largest exporter and second-largest importer for 15 consecutive years. In the first quarter this year, China's trade in goods grew by 5 percent year-on-year. Different types of premium products from China are popular in the global market, and the international society also has high confidence in the strength of China's supersized market. Such a deep and mutual integration provides strong momentum for global growth.

Going forward, China will continue to pursue a virtuous cycle of development and opening up, build more and stronger golden bridges for win-win cooperation, further promote the transition from opening up based on the flow of goods and production factors to a deeper institutional opening up, and share China's supersized market and new development opportunities with the world.

AFP: US President Joe Biden called for a sharp increase of tariffs for steel imports from China citing the excuse of unfair competition. In his speech yesterday, he also accused China of being "xenophobic", and said "they've got real problems." What is your response to the US President's comments?

Lin Jian: I'd refer you to competent Chinese authorities for specific questions about China-US economic and trade relations. Let me say broadly that we've been asking the US to seriously respect the principle of fair competition, observe WTO rules, and immediately lift all trade protectionist measures against China. China will do what is necessary to safeguard its legitimate rights. On the comments you mentioned, we just have one question for the US: are those words meant for China or the US itself?

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CCTV: The US, Japan and the Philippines held their trilateral summit the other days and issued The Joint Vision Statement from the Leaders of Japan, the Philippines, and the United States. The statement expressed serious concerns about China's behavior in the South China Sea and called on China to abide by the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal. What's your comment?

Lin Jian: China strongly opposes the practice of bloc politics by relevant countries. We firmly oppose any acts that stoke and drive up tensions and harm other countries' strategic security and interests. We are seriously against forming exclusive groupings in this region. China does not accept relevant countries' groundless accusation and deliberate smears against us on the South China Sea.

The award of the South China Sea Arbitration is illegal, null and void. China does not accept or take part in the Arbitration. We do not accept or acknowledge the so-called award. Still less do we accept any claim or action that is based on the award.

The South China Sea Arbitration and its illegal award harm the interests of countries in the region, including the Philippines. No matter how some may try to frame the South China Sea issue, the issue remains what it is. No political manipulation disguised as legal moves will go anywhere or deter China from safeguarding its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. China will continue to firmly safeguard its lawful rights in accordance with domestic and international laws. We urge relevant countries to be sober-minded and change course instead of going further down the wrong path.

Dragon TV: It's reported that China received 38 pieces of lost cultural relics returned by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in New York, the US on April 17. Could you share more information on that?

Lin Jian: On April 17 local time, China received 38 pieces of cultural relics returned by the US at the Chinese Consulate General in New York. The relics cover a wide variety and carry important historical, artistic and scientific value. The artifacts were found and seized by the US authorities in March. After being informed of the seizure, the Chinese side attached great importance to that and immediately conducted verification. With cooperation from the US side, the cultural relics were successfully returned. The relics will be brought back to China by competent authorities in due course.

China and the US signed an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding on preventing the illegal entry of Chinese cultural relics into the US on January 14, 2009 for the first time. The MoU was extended for the third time on January 14 this year. The return of the above-mentioned relics is the first cultural repatriation cooperation since that extension, and is also a step to deliver on the common understandings reached by the two presidents in San Francisco. China will continue to follow up on the MoU, work with the US to establish a sound mechanism for notification on stolen relics, protect cultural relics, promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning, and provide effective support for enhancing people-to-people exchanges and friendship between the two countries.

Bloomberg: There are reports that Antony Blinken plans to visit China. Can you confirm the dates that he will be traveling here and tell us what China hopes to accomplish while he's visiting?

Lin Jian: China welcomes Secretary of State Antony Blinken to visit China soon. I don't have more information to share for the moment.

Antara News: Today, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Indonesian President Joko Widodo and also Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi in Jakarta. My question, is there a specific agreement as part of Belt and Road Initiative that has been agreed by the two countries after the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train? And second one, related to the Middle East situation, was there any specific discussion to prevent the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East or to support Palestine as a full member of the UN?

Lin Jian: On April 18, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi held talks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno in Jakarta and they met the press together. We have released readouts which you may refer to.

On the Middle East situation which you mentioned, let me quickly share some details. When the two foreign ministers met the press after the talks, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China is saddened by the humanitarian crisis caused by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. China and Indonesia agreed that it is important to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 2728, immediately realize an unconditional and durable ceasefire, and effectively protect civilians. A humanitarian aid mechanism should be established as soon as possible to ensure the rapid, safe, unimpeded and sustained access to humanitarian supplies for Gaza. We call on relevant parties to stay calm and exercise restraint, and prevent further escalation or spillover of the conflict. China supports the UN Security Council in holding discussions as soon as possible and accepting Palestine as a full UN member state. China calls for a more broad-based, more authoritative, and more effective international peace conference to work out a timetable and roadmap for the two-State solution.a a

Global Times: US Army Pacific announced a few days ago that the US has deployed the Mid-Range Capability missile system, also known as Typhon, to Luzon, the Philippines, as part of their joint military exercise. This is the first time that the US deployed a land-based, ground-launched system after it withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Comments say that the US move is aimed at deterring China. What is China's response?

Lin Jian: China noted the announcement and expresses grave concern over the move. China strongly opposes the US deploying medium-range ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific and strengthening forward deployment at China's doorstep to seek unilateral military advantage. The US's move exacerbates tensions in the region and increases the risk of misjudgment and miscalculation. We urge the US to earnestly respect other countries' security concerns, stop stoking military confrontation, stop undermining peace and stability in the region, and take concrete actions to reduce strategic risks. The Philippines needs to see and be mindful of what the US is truly after and the consequence of going along with the US on deploying MRBMs. The Philippines needs to think twice about being a cat's paw for the US at the expense of its own security interests, and stop sliding down the wrong path.

AFP: As an election is held in Solomon Islands this week, a major candidate named Peter Kenilorea said today that if he becomes the next Prime Minister, he will scrap the security agreement with China. He also said before that he would seek to reestablish relations with Taiwan. What's the Foreign Ministry's comment?

Lin Jian: I would like to reiterate that China upholds the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, and supports the people of Solomon Islands in choosing a development path that suits their national conditions. Commitment to the one-China principle is a universally recognized principle and is where the global opinion trends and the arc of history bends. This is the political foundation of the relations between China and Solomon Islands. We have a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development for a new era. A healthy and stable China-Solomon Islands relationship is in the interest of both countries.

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Hong Kong arrests 291 for endangering national security in past 4 years

Those arrested range from 15 to 90 years old, the government says.

By Cheryl Tung for RFA Cantonese 2024.04.18 -- Hong Kong has arrested 291 people for endangering national security in the near four years since the city's first national security law took effect. They range from 15 to 90 years old, according to the Hong Kong Security Bureau.

The data revealed come as the bureau was asked by lawmakers about the authorities' expenditure used to explain to the public the legislation for the second national security law, commonly known as Article 23, which was passed last month.

While the government didn't disclose the expenditure, it stated in its written response to the Legislative Council (LegCo) that "smear campaigns" against the legislation are still occurring and the "Response and Refutation Team" therefore will continue to operate.

LegCo is holding a special Finance Committee meeting this week to review government expenditure in 2024/25.

In its response, the security bureau said that as of March 8, its hotline had received more than 700,000 reports related to national security. In addition, as of December last year, among the 10,279 people arrested in connection with the 2019 anti-extradition related movement, 35 people were wanted by the court for failing to attend court hearings and 26 people released on bail failed to report to the police.

90-year-old Cardinal and 15-year-old student arrested

Until March 8, among the 291 arrested, 218 were men and 73 women, between 15 and 90 years old. More than 170 people and five companies have been prosecuted, and 112 people have been convicted and sentenced or are awaiting sentencing.

The oldest arrested was 90-year-old Cardinal Joseph Zen, the former Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Hong Kong, while the youngest was a 15-year-old secondary school student.

In May 2022, the National Security Division of the Hong Kong Police arrested five trustees of the defunct "612 Humanitarian Support Fund," including the then 90-year-old Cardinal Zen, on suspicion of violating the "collusion with foreign forces" rule under the National Security Law.

Less than a year earlier in September 2021, the same division arrested seven members of the organization "Light City People," charging them with "conspiracy to commit terrorist activities." The then 15-year-old student, among this group, pleaded guilty and was imprisoned for six years.

The government's written document did not disclose the conviction rate of cases involving the national security law, but past reports show that the conviction rate of cases after trial is 100%, and the maximum sentence is nine years in jail.

Translated by RFA staff. Edited by Mike Firn.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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KCNA Detailed Report on Completion of Construction of 10 000 Flats at Second Stage in Hwasong Area

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, April 18 (KCNA) -- The Korean Central News Agency Thursday released a detailed report that another flourishing socialist living space was built in the Hwasong area of the capital city under the grand plan and outstanding leadership of the Central Committee of the great Workers' Party of Korea.

The detailed report says as follows:

Thanks to the patriotic devotion made by the builders who had made new miracles and created new legendary tales in the Hwasong area, the construction of 10 000 flats at the second stage in the Hwasong area was successfully completed in a matter of one year and, therefore, the task of the third year for the fulfillment of the five-year plan for the construction of the capital city set forth at the Eighth Party Congress was successfully carried out.

The appearance of the ideal socialist country in which the people's happiness and civilization of the new era come into bloom and the rapid development of great Kim Jong Un 's Korea are reflected in the grand panorama of the new splendid street in which various forms of flats are in harmony with public and service buildings and establishments, assuming an aspect different from the flats at the first stage and keeping alive the characteristic traits and dignity of a modern city section.

The construction for solving the housing problem for the citizens of the capital city has been accelerated without a halt at the firm will of the great Party Central Committee to bring about a definite result in the work for carrying out the promise with the people and promoting their well-being.

The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un , the great father who orients and subordinates everything to realizing the people's requirement and desire, has wisely led the struggle for building the new street with his noble aspiration to turn Pyongyang Municipality into the world-level ideal city of the people and the greatest city.

Kim Jong Un had perfected nearly 1 000 layouts to build the second-stage section in the Hwasong area as a special street with the appearance of a modern city section and a model street and standard of the era.

All the builders turned out as one in the construction of a new street for the people with the rare willingness and great endeavor while flying the flag of the construction headquarters of 50 000 flats in Pyongyang Municipality given by the great Party Central Committee as the banner of successive offensive and uninterrupted innovation.

The second-stage construction in the Hwasong area was a gigantic creation campaign aspiring after a fresh development in scale and content as it included the construction of various forms of dwelling houses, public and service buildings and establishments with an area of over 80 hectares and a total floor space of one million and hundreds of thousands of square meters.

The construction headquarters had further consolidated the material and technical foundations for successfully pushing ahead with the housing construction by organizing exhibitions of information and motivation means, ceremonies of starting loudspeaker cars, ceremonies of putting vehicles in service and exhibitions of utensils and tools. Meanwhile, they had accelerated the project scientifically and efficiently by further improving the work system and guidance.

All leading members became field commanding officers and had made a breakthrough while taking the lead in difficult and labor-consuming work and made a strict demand for carrying out daily process plans without fail while directing efforts to improving the quality of structures.

Intensive political and ideological work had been conducted, boosting the offensive spirit of the builders to defend the dignity of the Party Central Committee with eye-opening miracles in the construction of the capital city in Kim Jong Un 's era of great changes.

The service personnel of the people's army, the death-defying fighters who remove mountains and fill seas once it is called by the Party, had taken the lead in the construction while creating new standard and records.

The construction sites were full of militant mettle and optimism of soldier-builders as frontline recreation parties, mass dances, frontline information and motivation activities were conducted during recesses of work.

Following the revolutionary fighting spirit and mettle of the service personnel, the civilian building units had created new standards and records by dint of self-reliance and science and technology.

Officials and workers across the country had also made collective innovations and solidarity innovations in hearty response to the grand plan of the Party for construction, contributing to the construction of 10 000 flats at the second stage in the Hwasong area.

Our society's great traits of helping and leading each other forward had come into full bloom in the glorious and worthwhile struggle to more wonderfully complete the Hwasong area, which is being built as a symbol of the new era of leap forward and advance, into the street of the people where socialist civilization is in full bloom.

Working people and young people across the country had encouraged the builders in their labor efforts, conducting night support shock brigade activities at the construction site of the Hwasong area from the very day of the ground-breaking.

Officers' wives had devoted their all to their husbands and soldiers who had performed heroic feats.

Thanks to the outstanding leadership of the Party Central Committee and the indomitable struggle of the builders who had performed miracles and feats with new construction speed and legendary tales of construction, another cradle of happiness for the people was built in the Hwasong area.

The completion of the construction of 10 000 flats at the second stage in the Hwasong area proves that nothing is impossible for the Korean people who are dynamically paving the road of development and prosperity by their own efforts and in their own way under the guidance of Kim Jong Un .

Pyongyang Municipality where a flourishing socialist living space is built every year thanks to the loyalty and patriotic devotion of the great people will turn into the most beautiful cradle of civilization and a paradise for the people admired by the whole world, the report concluded. -0-

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UN OKs shipment of vaccine storage equipment to North Korea

UNICEF had requested a sanctions exemption to bring 'cold chain' equipment into the country.

By Jamin Anderson and Lee Jeong Eun for RFA Korean 2024.04.18 -- The U.N. Security Council Sanctions Committee on North Korea approved a request from UNICEF for a sanctions exemption so that vaccine storage equipment could be transported into North Korea, U.N. documents showed.

UNICEF sent a letter to the committee on March 11 saying the cold chain equipment, which includes refrigeration units used to store vaccines, was critical to the successful distribution of vaccines to women and children in North Korea.

The U.N. has imposed economic sanctions on North Korea since 2006 in an effort to defund the country's nuclear program. Humanitarian organizations like UNICEF must apply for exemptions to these sanctions in order to legally transport goods into North Korea.

The committee approved all of UNICEF's requests on March 20 under the stipulation that all necessary equipment be delivered in a single shipment to expedite the customs clearance process.

The committee also requested that UNICEF staff remain on-site in North Korea to monitor the distribution and use of the equipment.

The cold chain technology, manufactured in France, is estimated to have a total value of $85,000.

Dr. David Hong, who visited North Korea seven times between 2015-2019 to volunteer at Pyongyang Okryu Children's Hospital, emphasized the importance of the equipment to public health in North Korea.

"Their ability to produce and store vaccines has been limited by these cold chain components, so thinking about the future and other possible outbreaks, this is probably pretty essential," he told RFA.

"It's an interesting support component because there's some instability in their power grid."

'It's not reaching the right people'

It is not yet clear whether UNICEF will be granted entry into North Korea to deliver and distribute the equipment.

UNICEF told RFA in February that its staff members have been unable to enter North Korea since the country closed its borders in 2020 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The organization announced in its annual report released in February that it was unable to provide "a comprehensive assessment of the health situation facing women and children in North Korea" due to the absence of international staff on the ground.

Human rights experts have raised concerns about North Korea's decision to open its borders to Russian tourists while continuing to deny entry to international aid organizations.

Robert R. King, former Special Envoy for Human Rights in North Korea, criticized Pyongyang's border policies in a statement at the U.S. State Department on Feb. 23.

"The people who are coming for tourism are spending a little bit of money, but it's not reaching the right people - the people that really need assistance from humanitarian organizations," he said.

Responding to questions from RFA about the aid delivery, Simon Ingram, a spokesman from the UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, was unable to confirm exactly when international aid workers would be able to enter North Korea.

"We continue to urge our government partners in DPR Korea to facilitate the earliest possible return of our international staff," he said.

"The reopening of the border and the return of UNICEF's full team to DPR Korea will be critical to ensuring more essential support can be provided in 2024 and programmes can be scaled up as necessary to meet the needs of children and women," he said, using an acronym to refer to North Korea.

However, he did reaffirm that UNICEF would be delivering the equipment within 12 months of the approval date.

Translated by Claire S. Lee. Edited by Claire McCrea and Malcolm Foster.

Photos in the folder

Copyright 1998-2016, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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'IRGC determined to confront hostile pro-Zionist activities in cyberspace'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 18, 2024

London, IRNA -- The Cyber Security Command of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has called on the Iranian people to report any pro-Zionist activities in cyberspace.

The IRGC Cyber Security Command said in a statement on Thursday that some social media pages' support of the Zionist regime has hurt the Iranian people's feelings amid the regime's genocide against the oppressed Palestinians as well as its aggression against Iran's diplomatic mission in Syria and assassinating Iranian commanders.

Therefore, the statement said, people are urged to report such activities, adding that those found guilty will be deal with, based on the law that calls for confronting the hostile acts of the Zionist regime.

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Iran to respond more severely to any Israeli miscalculation: FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 18, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has warned against adventurism by the Zionist regime, saying that the Islamic Republic will respond to any miscalculation more severely.

Amirabdollahian made the remark in talks with his Maltese counterpart Ian Borg whose country holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC). The two met on Thursday in New York City on the sidelines of a UNSC session.

As to the powerful response of the Iranian armed forces to the Israeli regime's assassination of Iran's military advisors in Syria, Amirabdollahian noted that the response was within the framework of legitimate self-defense and international law.

Praising Malta's efforts to help end the Israeli genocide in Gaza, the top Iranian diplomat said that the main element that secures stability in the region is the cessation of the Israeli regime's crimes in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as well as the establishment of a sustainable ceasefire.

The Maltese foreign minister, for his part, cautioned about the risks of the spillover of tensions in the West Asia region, noting that Malta promotes de-escalation in the region and makes all-out efforts to help establish regional peace and security.

The two sides also called for the expansion of mutual ties Iran and Malta in all political, economic, and cultural arenas.

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'Iran nuclear facilities secure; country ready to fire powerful missiles'

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 18, 2024

Tehran, IRNA -- A senior commander in Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has said that the country's nuclear facilities are fully secure, and that Iran has its finger on the trigger to fire powerful missiles in response to a possible attack by the Israeli regime.

Brigadier General Ahmad Haghtalab, commander of the IRGC unit responsible for safeguarding Iran's nuclear sites made the comments on Thursday amid the Israeli regime's threats of striking Iran in response to the weekend missile and drone attack by the Islamic Republic on the regime's military targets.

Iranian authorities said that True Promise Operation, which saw hundreds of missiles and drones fired at Israeli targets, was to punish the regime for its airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Syria on April 1. They said the operation was calculated but limited in scale, promising a more decisive and stronger response in case of an Israeli attack on Iranian soil.

The IRGC commander echoed similar comments in an interview on Thursday, saying that the Iranian armed forces are in full readiness.

"The Zionist enemy's nuclear facilities have been identified, and the Islamic Republic has accessed the necessary data on all targets. To respond to their possible action, we have fingers on the trigger to launch powerful missiles to destroy the identified targets."

On Israeli threats to attack Iran's nuclear facilities, he said that these threats are not something new. In addition, he added, the Zionist regime has over the past years carried out acts of sabotage and terrorism against Iran's nuclear industry.

Although global protocols and standards as well as regulations by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) prohibit countries from attacking nuclear facilities, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been ready to counter such threats, the commander said.

"Using passive defense and advanced equipment and thanks to the dispersion of nuclear facilities across the country, we are ready to counter any threats by the Zionist regime", he said, noting that the Islamic Republic will hit the regime's nuclear sites using advanced weapons if it takes action against Iranian nuclear facilities.

Haghtalab also said "If the fake Zionist regime intends to resort to the threat of attacking our nuclear facilities as a means to put pressure on Iran, reviewing the current doctrine and nuclear policies of the Islamic Republic and distancing from past considerations is possible and conceivable."

"If the Zionist regime conducts any aggressive action against Iran, the type of the response will be determined by the Iranian armed forces' prudence, and it [the regime] should be certain that the blow they will receive from the Iranian armed forces will be remembered in history like True Promise Operation," the commander further said.

4208**4194

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Iran reiterates commitment to IAEA cooperation

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 08:54, April 18, 2024

TEHRAN, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Iran's nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami reaffirmed on Wednesday the country's commitment to nuclear activities that align with its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Addressing the IAEA's concerns over "ambiguities" in Iran's nuclear program, Eslami underscored Iran's adherence to the safeguards agreement and the Non-Proliferation Treaty, reported the Iranian Students' News Agency.

Eslami highlighted the presence of 120 IAEA-accredited inspectors monitoring Iran's nuclear program, with some stationed in Iran and others conducting regular or surprise visits to the nuclear sites.

At a UN briefing in New York, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi remarked that Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, while at extremely high levels, does not equate to the possession of a nuclear weapon.

However, he noted the significant accumulation of nuclear material at levels nearly equivalent to weapons-grade, sparking international scrutiny.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed by Iran and world powers in July 2015, aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions. However, the U.S. withdrew from the agreement in May 2018, reinstating sanctions and prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments.

Efforts to revive the JCPOA commenced in April 2021 in Vienna, but despite multiple rounds of negotiations, no substantial progress has been reported since the last talks in August 2022.

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Iran sufficed to striking part of Israel's military positions: FM to UN chief

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 9:45 PM

Iran's foreign minister says the country could have conducted its recent retaliatory strikes against the Israeli regime in a wider scope, but sufficed to hit only part of the regime's military positions.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks to the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday in New York, where the former addressed the UN Security Council earlier.

"Although, Iran was capable of conducting the operation across a wider radius, only a part of the Zionist regime's military positions were targeted, from which the attack on our country's Embassy in Damascus had taken place," the top diplomat said.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched the operation late on Saturday in response to a deadly attack by the regime against the Islamic Republic's diplomatic premises in the Syrian capital on April 1.

The Israeli attack had resulted in the martyrdom of Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, his deputy, General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, and five of their accompanying officers.

During the retaliatory strikes, dubbed Operation True Promise, the IRGC targeted the occupied territories with a barrage of drones and missiles. The strikes inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied territories.

Amir-Abdollahian said the UN Security Council's "inefficacy" and its refusal to condemn the Israeli attack left Iran with no option other than to engage in "legitimate defense" and punish the Zionist regime.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the foreign minister pointed to the Israeli regime and its allies, including the United States' ongoing genocide against the defenseless Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

He was referring to Tel Aviv's October 7-present war on the coastal sliver that has so far killed upwards of 34,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

Amir-Abdollahian appreciated the UN chief's efforts at cessation of the warfare and transfer of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

For his part, Guterres noted Iran's recent retaliation against the Israeli regime, urging self-restraint on the parties to regional conflicts.

He condemned whatever instance of violation against diplomatic missions, saying the facilities had to enjoy immunity, and warning against the consequences of expansion of tensions across the region.

The United Nations calls for de-escalation of tensions in the region and invests all within its power towards establishment of regional peace and security, Guterres said, adding, "Currently, the international community's focus rests on establishment of immediate ceasefire in Gaza and immediate cessation of the war there."

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'Stop any further Israeli adventurism,' Iran FM tells Security Council

Iran Press TV

hursday, 18 April 2024 7:40 PM

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has called on the UN Security Council to force Israel to stop any further military action against Iran or face the Islamic Republic's "decisive" response to any aggression.

"I emphasize again: Iran's legitimate defense and countermeasures have been concluded. Therefore, the Israeli regime must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our centers, assets and interests," he told the council in New York on Thursday.

"In case of any illegal use of force by the Israeli regime, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate a bit to assert its inherent right to give a decisive and proper response to it to make the regime regret its actions. This is an unchangeable decision," he added.

Amir-Abdollahian said the Israeli attack on April 1 on the Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus showed yet again that the regime does not hesitate to violate the fundamental principle of the immunity of such places and people as well as the Vienna Conventions.

"As the majority of the members of the Security Council declared at the April 2 meeting here, the attack was a clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and thus is strongly condemned," he said.

Officials have said the "imperative for Iran" to retaliate for the attack on its embassy compound in Damascus might have been avoided had the UN Security Council condemned the strike at its April 2 meeting.

At the meeting, the Iranian minister said, the council failed even to issue a mere statement containing a simple condemnation "due to the unfortunate and completely irresponsible behavior of the United States, the UK and France in response to this illegal attack".

"No member state will remain silent in the face of such a brazen and serious military attack on its embassy, which is considered a symbol of its sovereignty as well as the killing of its legal, official and diplomat agents," he said.

Iran, Amir-Abdollahian said, had until recently "shown considerable restraint against other terrorist missile attacks bearing in mind the dire situation in the region and willing to give the role of the United Nations a chance to prevent the escalation of the conflict".

But it "was faced with the continuation of the White House's green light granted to the Israeli regime as well as the continued inaction of the Security Council in preventing these attacks".

"Therefore it could no longer be patient against the attack on its embassy and the attack on its sovereignty," he added.

Iran's military attack on April 13, he said, "was first and foremost, necessary because Iran had no other option".

"Secondly, it was carried out in response to a series of attacks and recurring aggressions by the Israeli regime on Iran's interests, especially on our embassy in Syria.

"Thirdly, it took place in the fulfillment of Iran's right to legitimate defense under international law.

"Fourthly, it was conducted by observing the criterion of non-aggression to civilian people and places.

"And fifthly, it focused solely on the two military bases of the Israeli regime which had been used in the attack on our Embassy, and therefore it was completely limited and proportionate in terms of scope and military requirements," Amir-Abdollahian summed up.

Moreover, the minister said, "since it was clear that the supporters of the Israeli regime, who are unrelenting partners in its carnage in Gaza, would assist the regime in neutralizing the Iranian attack, a wide variety of weapons were used to ensure the achievement of the attack's goal i.e. legitimate defense".

"The attack by my country's armed forces was limited and minimal, targeting only military bases and was in line with international law and the principle of non-aggression against civilian areas to ensure proportionality and accurate execution."

Iran, Amir-Abdollahian said, has always been a positive part of regional developments, treading the path of stabilizing peace and lasting security, including the fight against terrorism.

It "will have no reservations nor compromise at all with any party over our national security and interests as well as the collective security in the sensitive region of West Asia," he said.

The Security Council, the minister said, "must compel the rogue and rebel regime of Israel to immediately stop the war and genocide in Gaza".



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Iran slams G7 statement, vows no iota of doubt to respond to aggression

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 7:06 PM

Iran has condemned the G7 statement regarding Iran's retaliation of Israel's attack on its consulate in Syria, pledging that it will not hesitate for a second in responding to aggressors.

Leaders of the G7 nations claimed in their joint statement that "With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation".

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan'ani shot back Thursday, saying the statement is "in line with the well-known approach of these circles based on double and contradictory standards and behaviors".

Kan'ani touched on the group's "passive and encouraging position toward the aggressor regime" following Israel's attack on Iran's diplomatic headquarters in Damascus in gross violation of the UN Charter and international conventions, while condemning the Islamic Republic's "legitimate action and proportionate and deterrent response against the source of armed aggression".

"The government and the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while remaining responsible toward regional and global peace and security and adhering to international laws and regulations, will not hesitate an iota to defend national security and interests and they will give a decisive, regretful and deterrent response to the aggressors.

"They are not affected by the political and propaganda hype of the founders of the existing conditions in the region and the world," Kan'ani said.

He called the US and some European countries as the sponsors of the biggest wars, occupations and insecurities in West Asia for more than half a century, which have "put the occupying, apartheid and criminal regime of Israel under protection and immunity above all international laws and resolutions".

"Expressing concern for peace and security stability in the region and the world by such governments is ridiculous," Kan'ani said.

The G7, which calls itself the Group of Seven industrial democracies, groups the United States, Canada, Italy, Britain, France, Germany and Japan, as well as the European Union.

Kan'ani said, "Instead of blindly supporting the Zionist regime, the leaders of the European Union and members of the Group of Seven should stop supporting the regime that threatens regional and international peace and security."

Instead, they should "appreciate the Islamic Republic of Iran for taking proportionate and legitimate action in punishing the aggressor", he added.

"European and G7 authorities know very well that the main root of the crisis and instability in West Asia and, of course, on a wider scale in the world, is the occupation of Palestine and the crimes of the Zionist regime in the occupied territories for several decades and depriving the oppressed Palestinian people of their basic and obvious rights," Kan'ani said.

"There is no doubt that turning a blind eye to the obvious facts and baseless accusations against others by the US and Europe will not solve the problem of regional and international security."





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President Raeisi: Iran to make Israel rue 'slightest attack'

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 5:00 PM

President Ebrahim Raeisi says Iran will make Israel and its supporters regret the "slightest attack" amid reports that Tel Aviv was "making a decision to act" against the Islamic Republic.

"If the Zionist regime makes a mistake again and tries to carry out the slightest attack on the holy land of the Islamic Republic, we will respond in such a way that will make Israel and its supporters regret it," he told people at a stadium in the central city of Shahroud on Thursday.

The president touched on the world's largest ever drone and missile strike carried out by Iran to "punish" Israel for its assassination of Iranian military advisors at the country's consular section in Damascus.

"America and the Zionist regime thought they could harm our dignity by attacking our consulate, which is considered the territory of our country. But when they committed the crime, they should have been punished and the great nation of Iran punished them," he said.

President Raeisi said the time for bullying is over as he touched on his talks with Western leaders about reviving a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran.

The nuclear agreement officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) has been hanging by a thread since 2018 when the US unilaterally abandoned it.

Raeisi ruled out any inclusion of Iran's missile and other military capabilities in any possible negotiations.

"In negotiations with some Western countries, whether in person or over the phone, I have said, 'Don't speak to us and our nation with the language of force.' Our nation has rationality, planning, logic and speech.

"If you are open to talk and negotiation, we have not and will not leave the negotiating table. But if you want to speak to the Iranian nation with the language of force and bullying, you should know that the great nation of Iran and its statesmen will stand up to you with power," he said, addressing the Western countries.

"Gone is the time when some people wanted to deal on our missiles and capabilities. We will never allow any deal on the capabilities of the Iranian nation, which were obtained thanks to the blood of the martyrs," he said.

President Raeisi also reiterated Iran's support for the Palestinian people.

"Today, the entire Islamic world and the world of humanity has come to realize the righteousness of the Islamic Republic's position in defense of Palestine and opposition to the oppressive Zionist regime," he said.





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US, UK impose new sanctions on Iran over retaliation against Israel

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 4:50 PM

The United States and United Kingdom in a coordinated move have imposed new widespread sanctions on Iran's drone and missile programs after Tehran's recent retaliatory operation against Israel.

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced the sanctions at a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in Italy on Thursday, four days after Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at the occupied territories in response to Israel's attack on the Islamic Republic's diplomatic premises in Syria.

The sanctions target Iran's defense minister and other military figures and organizations including the Armed Forces General Staff and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy.

Britain's sanctions, amounting to 13 in total, also target individuals whom it described as key actors within Iran's drone and missile industries.

Washington's sanctions target 16 people and two companies involved in Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) program, as well as components for the drones used in the Saturday attack, according to the Treasury Department.

Alongside its sanctions against Iran's UAV program, the US also targeted five companies providing parts for Iran's steel industry, and an automaker involved in providing "material support" to the IRGC.

In a coordinated package with the US, the European Union has also sanctioned leading Iranian military figures in response to Iran's direct attack on Israel.

During the weekend, Iran exercised its right of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and conducted a retaliatory operation that involved firing over 300 missiles and drones at military sites in the occupied lands.

Iran hit a large intelligence base in the occupied lands and Israel's Nevatim Airbase, from where an F-35 jet took off to target Iran's consulate in Damascus.

Some European countries made irresponsible statements regarding Iran's legitimate response to the Israeli crime in Syria that violated all international obligations and conventions.

Toeing the US's sanction line against Iran, the EU has over the past years imposed several packages of illegal bans on Iranian individuals and entities under different guises.

This adds to the 400-plus sanctions already imposed on Iran. In 2023 alone, the UK made 154 new designations.

They consist of an asset freeze, a travel ban to the EU and a prohibition to make funds or economic resources available to those listed.

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IRGC warns of 'tit-for-tat' retaliation if Israel attacks Iran's nuclear facilities

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 12:08 PM

An IRGC official has warned that if Israel takes action against Iran's nuclear facilities, it will definitely face "tit-for-tat" retaliation against the regime's nuclear centers with advanced weapons.

"If the Zionist regime decides to take action against our nuclear facilities and centers, it will definitely face our reaction," head of the Nuclear Protection and Security Corps Gen. Ahmad Haqtalab said on Thursday, adding "for a tit-for-tat retaliation, the regime's nuclear facilities will be attacked with advanced weapons".

Haqtalab issued the stern warning after Israeli officials' suggestions of a possible attack on Iran's nuclear facilities following the Islamic Republic's Operation True Promise to "punish" Tel Aviv for assassinating Iranian military advisors in Damascus.

"If the fake Zionist regime decides to use the threat of attacking our country's nuclear centers as a tool to put pressure on Iran, it is possible and conceivable to revise the nuclear doctrine and policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran and deviate from the previously declared considerations," he added.

Iran's nuclear doctrine has been peaceful, leaving no room for the creation or possession of nuclear weapons.

Gen. Haqtalab said, "The nuclear centers of the Zionist enemy have been identified and the necessary information about all the targets is at our disposal, and in order to respond to their possible actions, the hands are on the trigger, so to speak, for firing powerful missiles to destroy the identified targets."

After violating all international laws and regulations in a criminal act by attacking the consular section of the Islamic Republic's embassy in Syria, Israel "was not thought to threaten to attack our nuclear facilities in another desperate move," Haqtalab said.

"Thanks to ... our highly advanced facilities and equipment, as well as due to the dispersion of our country's nuclear facilities and complexes in the vast land of Iran, we are ready to deal with any threat from the Zionist regime," he said.

Haqtalab said Israel's threats are not new and "the fake Zionist regime, in addition to threats, has engaged in sabotage and terrorist acts" against Iran's nuclear industry before.

"Although, based on international protocols and standards and the rules and regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency, all countries have been prevented from attacking nuclear facilities, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always been prepared to deal with these threats from the very beginning," he said.

Haqtalab echoed Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, saying the "era of hit and run has passed".

"If the Zionist regime does an act of aggression against Iran, the type of response will be with the planning of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said.

"They [Israel] should be sure that the blow they receive from the armed forces will be remembered in history like Operation True Promise," he added.

Gen. Haqtalab also said, "We assure the dear and noble people of Iran that ... nuclear centers of our country are completely safe."

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EU to expand sanctions on Iran over retaliation against Israel

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 10:10 AM

The European Union has decided to impose new sanctions on Iran's drone and missile programs under the pretext of Tehran's recent retaliatory operation against Israel.

The president of the European Council, Charles Michel, made the announcement at an EU summit in Brussels on Wednesday, three days after Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at the occupied territories in response to Israel's terrorist attack against the Islamic Republic's diplomatic premises in Syria.

"We have decided to put in place sanctions against Iran, it is a clear signal that we wanted to send," he said.

"The idea is to target the companies that are needed for the drones, for the missiles."

On April 1, Israeli warplanes bombed the consular annex of Iran's embassy in Damascus. The terrorist air raid killed 13 people, including seven military advisers of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

During the weekend, Iran exercised its inherent right of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter and conducted a large-scale retaliatory operation that involved firing over 300 missiles and drones at military sites in the occupied lands.

Some European countries made irresponsible statements regarding Iran's legitimate response to the Israeli crime in Syria that violated all international obligations and conventions.

Toeing the US's sanction line against Iran, the EU has over the past years imposed several packages of illegal bans on Iranian individuals and entities under different guises.

They consist of an asset freeze, a travel ban to the EU and a prohibition to make funds or economic resources available to those listed.

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Iran not after tension, informed US of retaliatory operation against Israel: Foreign minister

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 6:34 AM

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Tehran informed the United States of its plan to carry out strikes against Israel in retaliation for the regime's terrorist attack on the Islamic Republic's diplomatic premises in Syria.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks while speaking to IRNA early on Thursday upon his arrival in New York to attend a United Nations Security Council session on Palestine.

He said Tehran had informed Washington of its decision to punish Israel in line with the international law and legitimate right to self-defense following Israel's attacks against the consular section of the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital of Damascus and the killing of its military advisors earlier this month.

Following Israel's bloody airstrikes, Iran told the UN secretary general that the Security Council must fulfill its duty to counter the regime's measures.

After the retaliatory response -- dubbed Operation True Promise -- on Sunday, Iran sent another message to the US through diplomatic channels to explicitly announce that it does not seek an escalation of tensions in the region, he added.

The top Iranian diplomat warned that Israel's behavior can lead to more tensions in the region.

Before the military operation against Israel, Iran told the US that it had no plan to hit American bases and interests in the region unless Washington carried out any measure to support the Tel Aviv regime's aggression, Amir-Abdollahian explained.

In a multi-pronged attack, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at the occupied territories in response to Israel's aggression on the Iranian diplomatic facilities in Damascus on April 1.

The Israeli airstrikes on Iran's embassy compound in Damascus killed two generals of the Quds Force of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, as well as five of their accompanying officers.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Amir-Abdollahian said the regional developments and the situation in the Gaza Strip have reached a "boiling point" and added that the Security Council's meeting will be an opportunity to outline Iran's stance on the necessity to establish sustainable peace and security in the region.

The Iranian foreign minister noted that he will hold talks with the UN chief and his counterparts as well as a number of senior heads of international bodies about an immediate end to Israel's war in the Gaza Strip and the dispatch of humanitarian aid to the war-stricken people.

Israel launched the brutal campaign in the Gaza Strip on October 7. The death toll from the regime's genocidal atrocities now tops 34,000, mostly women and children.

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Treasury Targets Iranian UAV Program, Steel Industry, and Automobile Companies in Response to Unprecedented Attack on Israel

U.S. Department of the Treasury

April 18, 2024

New Industries Targeted Generate Billions of Dollars in Annual Revenue

WASHINGTON a Today, in response to Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel on April 13, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is targeting 16 individuals and two entities enabling Iran's UAV production, including engine types that power Iran's Shahed variant UAVs, which were used in the April 13 attack. These actors work on behalf of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), its UAV production arm, Kimia Part Sivan Company (KIPAS), and other Iranian manufacturers of UAVs and UAV engines. OFAC is also designating five companies in multiple jurisdictions providing component materials for steel production to Iran's Khuzestan Steel Company (KSC), one of Iran's largest steel producers, or purchasing KSC's finished steel products. Iran's metals sector generates the equivalent of several billion dollars in revenue annually, with the majority coming from steel exports.

OFAC is also sanctioning three subsidiaries of Iranian automaker Bahman Group, which have continued to materially support the IRGC and other entities designated pursuant to counterterrorism authorities, including Iran's Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). Bahman Group itself is being concurrently designated for owning these entities.

Concurrent with this action, the United Kingdom is imposing sanctions targeting several Iranian military organizations, individuals and entities involved in Iran's UAV and ballistic missile industries.

"Today, in coordination with the United Kingdom and in consultation with partners and allies, we are taking swift and decisive action to respond to Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel. We're using Treasury's economic tools to degrade and disrupt key aspects of Iran's malign activity, including its UAV program and the revenue the regime generates to support its terrorism," said Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen. "We will continue to deploy our sanctions authority to counter Iran with further actions in the days and weeks ahead. Over the last three years, we have targeted over 600 individuals and entities connected to Iran's terrorist activity, its human rights abuses, and its financing of Hamas, the Houthis, Hizballah, and Iraqi militia groups. We have also vigorously enforced our sanctions, including by levying historic fines and exposing sanctions evasion schemes and networks. Our actions make it harder and costlier at every turn for Iran to continue its destabilizing behavior."

Today's actions are being taken pursuant to: Executive Order (E.O.) 13382, a counterproliferation authority; E.O.13871, which imposes sanctions with respect to the iron, steel, aluminum, and copper sectors of Iran; and E.O. 13224, as amended, a counterterrorism authority.

The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is also imposing new controls to restrict Iran's access to technologies, such as basic commercial grade microelectronics. These controls also apply to items manufactured outside the U.S. that are produced using U.S. technology. This is in addition to the comprehensive export restrictions already imposed on Iran, including controls targeting Iran's involvement in supplying Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in support of Russia's illegal war in Ukraine.

UAV ENGINE PRODUCTION AND PROCUREMENT

OFAC is targeting executives of Iran-based UAV engine manufacturer, Oje Parvaz Mado Nafar Company (Mado Company). Iran-based Mohammad Sadegh Abutalebi (Mohammad Sadegh) is the chief executive officer (CEO) and member of the board of directors of Mado Company. Iran-based Ali Asghar Abutalebi (Ali Asghar) is a member of the board of directors of Mado Company. Mado Company produces, through reverse-engineering, the UAV engines used in Iran's Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 UAVs, which Iran employed in its brutal UAV and missile attack targeted at major civilian population centers in Israel. Mado Company was designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 on October 29, 2021 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, the IRGC.

Mohammad Sadegh and Ali Asghar are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Mado Company.

Iran-based Aseman Pishraneh Co. Ltd (Aseman Pishraneh) services the small aircraft engine models used in several types of Iranian UAVs, including the Shahed-129 and Mohajer-6. Aseman Pishraneh is majority-owned by Paravar Pars Company (Paravar Pars) and provides Paravar Pars engines for Iranian gyrocopters. In addition, Aseman Pishraneh and Paravar Pars have overlapping leadership. Iran-based Ali Habibi Najafi (Habibi) is the managing director of Aseman Pishraneh. Paravar Pars was designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 on September 8, 2022 for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force.

Aseman Pishraneh is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Paravar Pars. Habibi is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 for being owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Aseman Pishraneh.

IRGC-QF UAV PROLIFERATION

The IRGC-QF maintains a division known as Department 8000 tasked with developing UAVs and providing UAVs and UAV-related training to proxy forces such as the Houthis in Yemen and Iranian-aligned militia groups in Iraq and Syria. Iranian-manufactured UAVs have been provided to and utilized by Iran-backed militias across the Middle East, resulting in attacks against U.S. service members, allied forces, maritime vessels in the Red Sea. The IRGC-QF was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 on October 25, 2007 for providing support to multiple terrorist groups.

KIPAS is an Iran-based firm that has worked with the IRGC-QF to improve the IRGC-QF's UAV program. KIPAS has helped procure UAV components, conducted UAV testing, and provided technical assistance to the IRGC-QF. KIPAS was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, on October 29, 2021 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of the IRGC-QF.

Abbas Sartaji (Sartaji), Mehdi Ghaffari Naghneh (Naghneh), Hasan Arambunezhad (Arambunezhad), Hadi Jamshidi Zavaraki (Zavaraki), Reza Nahar Dani (Nahar Dani), and Abolfazl Ramazanzadeh Moshkani (Moshkani) are all senior, Iran-based members of the IRGC-QF and are active in UAV testing, development, and supply, especially to groups in Iraq, Yemen, and Syria.

Ali Reza Nurian Ramsheh (Ramsheh), Mohsen Sayyadi Turanlu (Turanlu), and Arambunezhad are all senior, Iran-based executives of KIPAS. In addition to their work with KIPAS, Ramsheh, Turanlu, and Arambunezhad are also directly involved with IRGC-QF UAV procurement and development efforts.

Mohammad Sadegh Fatehi (Fatehi), Hamid Hajji Ebrahimi Forushani (Forushani), and Ali Asghar Al-Taf (Al-Taf) are all Iran-based KIPAS employees who have personally worked with IRGC-QF officials on the development and provision of UAVs. Iran-based Esma'il Azizkhani (Azizkhani) is a KIPAS employee who has worked to procure critical parts for UAVs and taken part in UAV production and testing on behalf of KIPAS.

Sartaji, Naghneh, Zavaraki, Nahar Dani, and Moshkani are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the IRGC-QF. Ramsheh, Turanlu, Fatehi, Forushani, Al-Taf, and Azizkhani are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, KIPAS. Arambunezhad is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the IRGC-QF and KIPAS.

Fateh Aseman Sharjf Company (FASC) works closely with the IRGC, specifically the IRGC-QF. Iran-based Majid Dehghan (Dehghan) is the co-founder, CEO, and managing director of FASC. FASC is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the IRGC. Dehghan is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, FASC.

KHOUZESTAN STEEL COMPANY CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS

KSC is one of Iran's largest steel producers, including its top producer of steel bars. KSC's production and sale of steel brings in billions of dollars of revenue for the Government of Iran annually. KSC was designated pursuant to E.O. 13871 on January 10, 2020 for operating in the iron, steel, aluminum, or copper sectors of Iran.

PSI DMCC, based in Dubai,is an affiliate of KSC, which both helps to source parts and materials needed for steel production from foreign suppliers on behalf of KSC, and also facilitates steel exports on behalf of KSC. PSI DMCC has helped KSC source the equivalent of hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of parts used in the production process as well as facilitating the export of steel products from KSC to overseas buyers.

KSC has also used companies registered in Europe to source parts and facilitate exports. Kara Industrial Trading GmbH has purchased several tens of millions of dollars' worth of steel from KSC, while also selling KSC the equivalent in raw materials to KSC for use in steel production. Good Run Limited has sold critical components including electrodes to KSC for use in steel production. Electrodes are the primary heating element in six electric arc furnaces used by KSC for the steelmaking process.

Magellanic Phoenix Marine and Trading Limited, based in Hong Kong, has purchased several tens of millions of dollars' worth of steel products, including steel slab, from KSC since 2022.

Between 2022 and 2023, TArkiye-based HSF Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi has purchased several tens of millions of dollars' worth of steel products from KSC.

PSI DMCC, Kara Industrial Trading GmbH,Good Run Limited, Magellanic Phoenix Marine and Trading Limited, and HSF Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13871 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or serves in support of, KSC.

BAHMAN GROUP SUBSIDIARIES

Bahman Group was previously designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the IRGC. Bahman Group subsidiary Bahman Diesel Co. produces heavy trucks and other work vehicles, including for Iran's armed forces. Bahman Diesel Co.-produced vehicles have been utilized in the IRGC's military operations, including those involving UAVs and missiles.

Iran Docharkh Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bahman Group, sells millions of dollars' worth of motorcycles annually to the Armed Forces Personnel Cooperative Organization (ETKA), an entity owned by, and subordinate to, MODAFL. ETKA, a social welfare organization for those associated with the Iranian military, has ties to Iran's missile program and the IRGC.

Iran Chassis Manufacturing Co., another wholly owned subsidiary of Bahman Group, has purchased tens of millions of dollars' worth of goods from Esfahan's Mobarakeh Steel Company, Iran's largest steel producer. Mobarakeh Steel Company is used as a revenue stream for Bonyad Taavon Basij's economic conglomerate. Mobarakeh Steel Company was designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 on October 16, 2018 for assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of, Mehr Eqtesad Iranian Investment Company, an entity with close ties to the Basij Resistance Force and its Bonyad Taavon Basij. The Basij was concurrently designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 for being owned or controlled by the IRGC and for assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or financial or other services to or in support of, the IRGC-QF.

Bahman Diesel is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the IRGC. Iran Docharkh Co. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or good or services to or in support of, MODAFL. Iran Chassis Manufacturing Co. is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or good or services to or in support of, Mobarakeh Steel Company. Bahman Group is being designated pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, Bahman Diesel Co., Iran Docharkh Co., and Iran Chassis Manufacturing Co. Bahman Group is being concurrently delisted for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the IRGC.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.

In addition, financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to an enforcement action. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC's ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897 here. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

Click here for more information on the individuals and entities designated today.

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UK and US sanction leading Iranian military figures and entities following the attack on Israel

The UK sanctioned a further 7 individuals and 6 entities that enabled Iran's destabilising activity in the Middle East, including its direct attack on Israel.

18 April 2024

Today (Thursday 18 April) the UK has sanctioned a further 7 individuals and 6 entities who have enabled Iran to conduct destabilising regional activity, including its direct attack on Israel.

This adds to the 400 plus sanctions already imposed on Iran. Previous sanctions include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in its entirety and many of those responsible for the attack on Israel.

In a coordinated package with the US, leading Iranian military figures have been sanctioned in response to Iran's dangerous direct attack on Israel on 14 April. The UK and US have also announced a range of sanctions to tighten the net on key actors within Iran's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and missile industries and further limit Iran's ability to destabilise the region.

The Foreign Secretary announced these sanctions during his attendance at the G7 Foreign Ministers meeting in Capri, where the UK and our allies reaffirmed support for Israel's security and the security of all our regional partners.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

The Iranian regime's attack against Israel was a reckless act and a dangerous escalation. Today we have sanctioned the ringleaders of the Iranian military and forces responsible for the weekend's attack. These sanctions - announced with the US - show we unequivocally condemn this behaviour, and they will further limit Iran's ability to destabilise the region.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

At a time of great tension in the Middle East, Iran's decision to launch hundreds of drones and missiles towards Israel carried with it a serious risk of thousands of civilian casualties and wider escalation for the region. The sanctions announced today alongside the US demonstrate our unequivocal condemnation of Iran's attack on a sovereign state. The MSC Aries and its crew should be released immediately, and Iran should halt its reckless and unlawful behaviour. Further escalation is in no one's interest.

The UK has condemned Iran's dangerous attack on a sovereign state, which has further inflamed tensions in the Middle East and served to further isolate Iran on the world stage. Today's designations have been made under the UK's new Iran sanctions regime, which enables the UK to target Iran's hostile behaviour.

Further sanctions have been imposed on:

Armed Forces General Staff: directs and coordinates Iran's armed forces

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy: 1 of Iran's 2 naval forces

The Khatemolanbia Central Headquarters (KCHQ): responsible for operational command and control of Iran's armed forces

Major General Gholamali Rashid, Commander KCHQ: responsible for operational command and control of Iran's armed forces, reports directly to the Supreme Leader

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, Minister of Defence Armed Forces Logistics: Iran's Defence Minister, responsible for supporting and equipping the Iranian armed forces

Seid Mir Ahmad Nooshin, Aerospace Industries Organisation (AIO) Director and 4 further individuals related to AIO

The individuals sanctioned are subject to a travel ban and asset freeze. The entities are subject to an asset freeze.

The IRGC Navy was involved in seizing the civilian ship MSC Aries in international waters and has threatened military action against Israel. The UK has continued to call for the immediate release of the ship and its crew.

In 2023 alone, the UK made 154 new designations. The UK continues to tighten the net on actors involved in the Iranian UAV and missile industries. Last year the UK introduced trade measures prohibiting the export of specific UAV components and services to Iran. The UK has also designated a wide range of companies involved in production of Iranian UAVs, including the Shahed-131 and Shahed-136 drones - models which Iran has supplied to Russia. These types of drones were also used by Iran in its attack on Israel.

The UK is continuing to work closely with our partners in the G7 as we consider further measures to hold Iran's regime to account.

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At UN, Iran warns Israel against retaliation

By VOA News April 18, 2024

Speaking just days after launching a massive aerial attack on Israel, Iran told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that Israel "must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests."

"In case of any use of force by the Israeli regime and violating our sovereignty, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate a bit to assert its inherent rights to give a decisive and proper response to it to make the regime regret its actions," Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said.

Israel has warned that it will retaliate against Iran's April 13 missile and drone attack. The Iranian government said the attack was retaliation for a strike on the Iranian Embassy compound in Damascus earlier in April which it blamed on Israel.

Robert Wood, alternate representative of the United States for special political affairs in the U.N., said at the Security Council meeting, "It is vital that the international community is united in condemning Iran's reckless escalatory acts, which pose a direct threat to international peace and security, destabilize the region and endanger its own people."

Israel's U.N. ambassador, Gilad Erdan, criticized Amirabdollahian's presence at the Security Council, saying, "He is here to show you all a in your suits and with your diplomatic niceties a that his country can launch an attack on another member state on Saturday, and then he can come here on Thursday to lecture you all on human rights and international law."

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Middle East is at a "moment of maximum peril" and encouraged all sides to exercise caution.

"It is high time to end the bloody cycle of retaliation. It is high time to stop," Guterres said. "The international community must work together to prevent any actions that could push the entire Middle East over the edge, with a devastating impact on civilians."

The United States announced earlier Thursday that it is imposing new sanctions on Iran.

"We helped defeat this attack," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement. "And today, we are holding Iran accountable a imposing new sanctions and export controls on Iran."

The Treasury Department sanctions target 16 individuals and two entities that work to supply unmanned aerial vehicles, plus five companies that provide components for one of Iran's largest steel producers.

These sanctions, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement, aim to "degrade and disrupt key aspects of Iran's malign activity, including its UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) program and the revenue the regime generates to support its terrorism."

The Department of Commerce also imposed new controls to restrict Iran's access to technologies that include "basic commercial grade microelectronics."

Nearly 50 countries issued a statement late Wednesday condemning Iran's missile and drone attacks on Israel, calling on parties in the region to work to prevent the situation from escalating further, and pledging to cooperate diplomatically on efforts to resolve tensions in the Middle East.

"We note that Iran's escalatory attack is the latest in a pattern of dangerous and destabilizing actions by Iran and its militant partners that pose a grave threat to international peace and security," the statement said. The United States and United Kingdom were among the countries that issued the statement.

Israel will decide on its own how to respond to Iran's weekend attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday, even as Western countries asked for restraint to avoid all-out Middle East warfare.

Netanyahu met with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and his German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock. Both officials traveled to Israel as part of a Western attempt to keep the Israel-Iran confrontation from escalating further, on top of the Israeli war against Hamas militants in Gaza, which is now in its seventh month.

Netanyahu's office said he thanked Cameron and Baerbock for their support, while telling them, "I want to make it clear a we will make our own decisions, and the State of Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself."

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, speaking at an annual military parade on the outskirts of Tehran, warned against Israel retaliating, saying Iran would follow with a "massive and harsh response."

Since Hamas fighters triggered the war in Gaza by attacking southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people and leading to the capture of about 250 hostages, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-supported groups based in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

Inside Gaza, Israel's counteroffensive has killed nearly 34,000 people, two-thirds of them women and children, Gaza health officials say. Israel says the death toll includes thousands of Hamas fighters.

Senior U.S. officials have said the Iranian attack on Israel, the first launched from Iranian soil, involved more than 110 ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles and more than 150 one-way, explosive aerial drones. They said Iranian proxy forces in Iraq, Syria and Yemen also took part in the attack.

Iran has called Sunday's aerial assault a one-off event carried out in retaliation for the attack on its consulate in Damascus.

The Israeli war Cabinet has met repeatedly in recent days to debate Israel's response options.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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US Officials Say Israel Carries Out Missile Strike Inside Iran: US Networks

By Michael Lipin April 18, 2024

Israel carried out a predawn missile strike inside Iran on Friday local time, U.S. media reported, citing unnamed U.S. officials.

The reports by networks ABC, CBS and NPR did not provide further detail about the location or target of the apparent missile strike.

A spokesperson for the Israeli military told VOA he had no comment "at the moment" on the U.S. media reports, about an hour after the reports emerged.

Iranian state news agency IRNA said the Islamic republic's air defenses had been activated in the skies over several provinces.

Both IRNA and state news agency Fars, affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited unnamed news sources as saying there had been an explosion in Iran's central province of Isfahan.

Fars located the explosion in the city of Qahjaverestan, on the eastern outskirts of Isfahan city.

Israel had warned Iran that it would retaliate for an unprecedented Iranian aerial assault on Israeli territory last Sunday. Iran had warned, in turn, that any Israeli retaliatory strike would be met with a swift and tougher response.

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Israel Reportedly Launches Retaliatory Attack On Iran

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda April 19, 2024

Israel has launched an attack in Iran, U.S. media reported quoting U.S. government officials, in what appears to be retaliatory strikes for the unprecedented air attack Tehran launched last weekend on its sworn enemy.

Iranian state media said explosions were heard early on April 19 near the central city of Isfahan.

Video on CNN and social media showed several large explosions that were said to be near Isfahan.

Iran's state news agency IRNA reported that the explosions were part of the country's air defense systems firing. It did not give any further details and it could not be independently confirmed that an Israeli attack had been launched.

Israel did not immediately comment on the reports.

Tehran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel in the early morning hours of April 14, almost all of which were shot down by Israeli defense systems, along with intercepts by forces from the United States, France, Britain, and Jordan.

The attack by Tehran had been widely anticipated in Israel following a suspected Israeli air strike on the Iranian Embassy compound in Damascus on April 1 that killed two brigadier generals.

Since then, diplomats and politicians around the world, fearing another major escalation of fighting in the Middle East, had urged restraint as they awaited Israel's response.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on April 17 that Israel will decide how and whether it will respond to the unprecedented attack on its soil.

Israel and Iran have been bitter enemies for decades but this was the first direct attack by one on the other's soil instead of through proxy forces or by targeting each other's assets operating in third countries.

With reporting by CNN, ABC, CBS, and IRNA

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/32911861.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Joint Statement on the Islamic Republic of Iran's Attack on the State of Israel

Australia Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

18 April 2024

Category: International relations

The Permanent Representatives of the United States, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom to the United Nations issued the following joint statement condemning the Islamic Republic of Iran's attack on the State of Israel:

We unequivocally condemn the April 13 attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its militant partners on the State of Israel, which involved launching several hundred ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and attack drones against multiple targets, and note this large-scale attack could have caused significant damage and loss of life.

We further condemn the fact that the weapons launched at Israel violated the airspace of several regional states, putting at risk the lives of innocent people in those countries, and appeared to traverse airspace near holy sites in Jerusalem.

We welcome the efforts to avert a further immediate escalation of violence in the region, following the successful coordinated efforts to defend against Iran's attack.

We condemn Iran's unlawful seizure of a Portuguese flagged commercial ship near the Strait of Hormuz on April 13 and call on Iran to release the ship and its international crew immediately.

We note that Iran's escalatory attack is the latest in a pattern of dangerous and destabilizing actions by Iran and its militant partners that pose a grave threat to international peace and security.

We call on all regional parties to take steps to avert further escalation of the situation and demand that all Council resolutions be fully implemented. We will strengthen our diplomatic cooperation to work toward resolving all tensions in the region.



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US was informed before and after anti-Israel op.: Iran FM

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Apr 18, 2024

New York, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian says the United States was informed about Tehran's decision to punish the Israeli regime and after the operation 'True Promise' was accomplished with strikes on Israeli targets in the occupied territories.

We sent a message to the United States telling it about the operation and another message in the early morning of Sunday that we are not looking for further tension in the region, Amirabdollahian responded to a question from IRNA reporter upon the arrival in New York to attend a UN Security Council meeting.

Since the Israeli regime directly targeted the Iranian embassy in Damascus in a terrorist act, which martyred our official military advisers in Syria, we had been restraining ourselves considering the regional conditions but repeatedly asked the UN Secretary General that the Security Council should fulfill its duty to confront the Israel actions, he said.

But we informed America when the decision was taken for necessary response to the Israeli regime within the framework of international law and legitimate defense, the top diplomat revealed.

"We told the Americans in messages clearly that the decision taken by Iran's Supreme National Security Council headed by the president to punish the Zionist regime was definite and final and after the punitive action (Operation True Promise), approximately at 2:30 am on Sunday of this week, we sent another message to the United States through diplomatic channels mentioning that we are not looking for the escalation of tension in the region", Amirabdollahian explained.

Iran's foreign minister also stated that the US was informed well in advance that American bases and interests would not be targeted in the region, unless Washington wages a war in support of the Zionist regime.

The messages were exchanged especially through the Switzerland Embassy which represents US interests in Iran, and also official diplomatic channels, with the aim of creating a correct understanding of Iran's action and in order to prevent the escalation of tension and crisis in the region, he said.

In response to a reporter about the purpose of his visit to New York, the top Iranian diplomat said he will be attending the UN Security Council meeting on Thursday which is convened to examine developments in West Asia, with major focus on Palestine.

Amirabdollahian said the UN meeting is an opportunity to explain the views of the Islamic Republic of Iran in line with the necessity of establishing stable peace and security in the region.

At the same time, using the opportunity to meet with the UN Secretary General and other foreign counterparts as well as heads of international organizations, I will discuss ways to stop the war in Gaza send extensive humanitarian aid and other issues related to Palestine and the security of the region, he said.

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IRGC: Israel's Dimnoa nuclear reactor not among Op. True Promise's targets

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 8:56 PM

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) dismisses reports of affliction of damage to the Israeli regime's Dimona nuclear reactor during the Islamic Republic's recent Operation True Promise against the occupying regime.

"The Dimona reactor has not been among the bank of targets of the Islamic Republic's recent punitive measure against the Zionist regime," IRGC spokesman Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif said on Thursday.

"Publication of this news is a big lie and a malignant effort in line with the enemy's psychological operation towards deception of the public opinion," he added.

The remarks came after the Israeli regime's Ma'ariv newspaper claimed satellite images had allegedly shown that one of the reactor's buildings had been struck at least once during the Iranian operation, adding that up to two hits had also taken place in its vicinity.

The Corps launched the operation late on Saturday in response to a deadly attack by the regime against the Islamic Republic's diplomatic premises in the Syrian capital Damascus on April 1.

The Israeli attack had resulted in the martyrdom of Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a commander of the IRGC's Quds Force, his deputy, General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, and five of their accompanying officers.

In retaliation, the IRGC targeted the occupied territories with a barrage of drones and missiles. The retaliatory strikes inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied territories.

Amid speculation about fresh potential Israeli aggression, senior Iranian political and military leaders, including President Ebrahim Raeisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, have warned of a stronger and more severe response.

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Israel retreats, delays plan to strike back at Iran after US call: Sources

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 11:07 AM

Israel has for now retreated from its plan to strike back at Iran after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a call from US President Joe Biden, sources say.

Citing an unnamed source within the Israeli cabinet, Israel's public broadcaster Kan reported on Wednesday that the Tel Aviv regime had already approved various response options for Iran's massive attack, initially intended for immediate execution.

"The response won't be what was planned any longer, diplomatic sensitivities won out. There will be a response, but it seems it will be different from what was planned," the source further told Kan.

On April 1, the Israeli regime committed a terrorist attack against Iran's diplomatic premises in the Syrian capital Damascus.

The Israeli attack resulted in the martyrdom of Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a commander of the Quds Force of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), his deputy, General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, and five of their accompanying officers.

In retaliation, the IRGC targeted the occupied territories late on Saturday and early on Sunday with a barrage of drones and missiles. The retaliatory strikes - dubbed Operation True Promise - have inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the Palestinian occupied territories.

Following Iran's attack, Israel said it must retaliate to preserve the credibility of its deterrence. This is while Iran has already warned Israel against taking any retaliatory actions and also advised the United States to keep away from involvement in the conflict and signaled that it viewed the matter as "concluded."

The Israeli outlet also quoted an unnamed Western diplomat as saying that there is still an understanding that the Tel Aviv regime would respond but the delay suggested that the response would be weaker than the one originally envisioned.

Separately, the American news website Axios cited five unnamed Israeli and US sources as saying that Israel wanted to strike back on Iran on Monday night but decided to postpone it at the eleventh hour.

Hours after Iran's unprecedented attack on Israel on Sunday, Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi warned Tel Aviv in a statement, saying "If the Zionist regime or its supporters demonstrate reckless behavior, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response."

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Readout of U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group

April 18, 2024

Today, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan convened the U.S.-Israel Strategic Consultative Group (SCG) to consult on a series of issues in the wake of Iran's unprecedented missile and drone attack against Israel. The Israeli side was led by Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi. The discussion began in a small group format to discuss the Iran attack and the collective efforts to further enhance Israel's defense through advanced capabilities as well as cooperation with a broad coalition of military partners. Mr. Sullivan also briefed the Israeli side on new sanctions and other measures that began today, in coordination with Congress and G7 capitals, following on the President's call with G7 leaders held the morning after Iran's attack.

The two sides then broadened to include interagency delegations to discuss Rafah. The two sides agreed on the shared objective to see Hamas defeated in Rafah. U.S. participants expressed concerns with various courses of action in Rafah, and Israeli participants agreed to take these concerns into account and to have further follow up discussions between experts, overseen by the SCG. Participants will meet again soon.

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More Deaths Confirmed In Kazakhstan, Russia As Devastating Floods Continue

By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service and RFE/RL's Idel.Realities April 17, 2024

Seven people have been found dead in Kazakhstan as floods caused by abrupt warm weather that led to a massive snowmelt continue to wreak havoc across the country and in southern Russia.

Kazakh Deputy Interior Miniter Marat Qozhaev said on April 18 that the seven dead were from the region of Atyrau, while two more people remain missing in the northeastern region of Abai.

"Rescue teams continue to look for the two missing in the Abai region. Investigations were launched into the death of seven individuals," Qozhaev said.

The overall death toll from the floods remains unclear as accounts from residents in some towns and villages over casualties have differed from what officials say.

Kazakhstan's Emergencies Ministry said four people died in the town of Qulsary in the Atyrau region and another two men went missing when they tried to reach their house hit by the floods in the Abai region.

Two children also died in the northwestern region of Aqtobe, but officials have insisted their deaths were not linked to the floods.

"We thought that just like last year, the water would enter the village streets and then recede. No one expected it to happen like this," said Aray Aitkaliyeva, who lives in the village of Qorzhyn in the West Kazakhstan region.

Frustration over the preparations and response to the floods has boiled over in some parts of the country, with authorities meeting criticism with a heavy hand.

On April 17, Qairat Musabaev, a resident of the northern region of Qostanai, was released from jail after serving a 10-day sentence for his online criticism of President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev and his government for what he called "failing" to prevent the dire consequences of the floods.

The 39-year-old was found guilty of distributing "ungrounded information" after he placed a video statement on the Internet accusing the government of "making us cold in winter, unable to deal with wildfires in summer, and letting us drown in the spring."

In Pavlodar, another region in of Kazakhstan's north, 57-year-old Aqylbek Temirghalinov was released from jail on April 17 after serving six days for publicly criticizing the government for failing to properly deal with the floods.

In the south of neighboring Russia, the situation is just as dire, with water levels in rivers continuing to rise in the regions of Kurgan, Orenburg, Tomsk, Khabarovsk Krai, and the Republic of Bashkortostan.

Media reports on April 18 quoted relatives of residents in the region of Orenburg as saying that police had found the bodies of an 81-year-old woman and her 49-year-old son in the city of Orsk, bringing the official number of people killed by the floods in the region to at least seven.

According to the latest official data provided by Russian officials, the number of houses affected by the floods increased by 1,700 in the last 24 hours, putting the total number of houses under the water at almost 18,000.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-kazkahstan-floods- tobol-river-water-levels-evacuations/32909633.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Thailand urges Myanmar's junta to free Aung San Suu Kyi

Her transfer this week to house arrest was 'a positive step,' the Thai Foreign Ministry said.

By RFA Burmese 2024.04.18 -- The Thai Foreign Ministry urged Myanmar's military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi in a statement that also welcomed this week's move of the former de facto leader to house arrest.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate was transferred out of Naypyidaw Prison under tight security on Tuesday. It was believed that the 78-year-old had been held in solitary confinement at the prison in the capital. Her new location was unclear.

Former President Win Myint was also moved to house arrest on Tuesday in central Myanmar's Bago region.

The transfers were "a positive step in responding to the concerns of the international community," Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said in a statement on Wednesday.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military overthrew an elected government in February 2021.

The military junta has ignored a five-point consensus it agreed to with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations in April 2021, which included a call for a ceasefire and dialogue between all parties in Myanmar.

"The Thai Government calls for further positive steps in this direction leading to their immediate full release in order to advance the implementation of the ASEAN five-points consensus," Parnpree said in the statement.

Parnpree visited the Myanmar border on April 12 just after the army lost control of the major border town of Myawaddy.

The takeover by anti-junta forces sent thousands of people toward the border and caused neighboring Thailand's armed forces to deploy soldiers alongside Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridges, which regulate both people and goods and connect Myawaddy to Thailand's Mae Sot.

Parnpree urged the junta to refrain from further violence in the region. He said that people fleeing the fighting would be allowed into Thailand "on a strictly humanitarian basis."

On Thursday, ASEAN's foreign ministers said they were "deeply concerned over the recent escalation of conflicts" in Myawaddy and in Myanmar's Rakhine state, where the ethnic rebel Arakan Army has captured eight townships since ending a year-long ceasefire in November.

"We call on all parties to take urgent steps towards mitigating the impact of conflicts on the civilians, including creating a safe and conducive environment to ensure the timely and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance," the ministers said in a statement.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Ethnic army intercepts junta convoy on Thai-Myanmar border

Hundreds of soldiers were injured, according to the Karen National Union.

By RFA Burmese 2024.04.18 -- An armed ethnic group intercepted a junta convoy near the Thai-Myanmar border on Thursday, according to an announcement from rebel forces.

The Karen National Liberation Army, an armed branch of the Karen National Union, along with other allied groups, captured the last remaining junta Infantry Battalion 275 near a border town in Myanmar's Kayin state on Wednesday.

In response, the junta launched state-level offensive "Operation Aung Zeya" to capture Myawaddy city, according to a Karen National Union statement released Thursday.

Karen National Liberation Army joint forces destroyed military vehicles, including an armored vehicle, while junta troops were marching enroute to Myawaddy, it continued. According to the Karen National Union, more than 100 junta troops were injured and killed, and the group was stopped at Dawna Hills, a mountain range extending through Kayin state.

Radio Free Asia reached out to a Karen National Union spokesperson by phone today to learn more about the retaliation, but he did not respond.

On high alert

A Myawaddy resident who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons told RFA that the Karen army had warned some villages about junta airstrikes, which began on Tuesday evening.

"The villages near Infantry Battalion 275 have been ordered to be evacuated by the Karen National Union due to air raids," he said. "On April 18, people are telling each other to evacuate starting from today."

Civilians are waiting to go to Thailand through the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, while other Myawaddy residents are monitoring the situation, he said, adding that everyone is worried.

Another resident in the border city said the non-alighned Karen National Army, formerly the junta-aligned Border Guard Force, are patrolling the streets and warning the residents to be prepared to evacuate quickly if heavy fighting breaks out.

Junta forces fired with heavy weapons and bombarded villages along their marching route during their offensive, causing civilian casualties and property damage, the Karen National Union's statement said.

The junta has not released any information on the attack. RFA called junta spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for more information, but he did not pick up the phone.

Since April 5, the Karen National Liberation Army and joint forces have captured the junta camps 355, 356 and 357 in Kayin state's Thin Gan Nyi Naung town, in addition to Falu camp and Kyaik Don Byu Har hill camp and others around Myawaddy city.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.



Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Pakistan to host Iran's president Monday for official bilateral talks

By Ayaz Gul April 18, 2024

Pakistan announced Thursday that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi will pay a three-day official visit to Islamabad, starting April 22, as the neighboring countries seek to mend relations after an unprecedented exchange of antiterror missile strikes on each other's territory.

"He is coming. We welcome them," Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told reporters in the Pakistani capital. "The visit is on the card for April 22nd, 23rd and 24th. We are obviously making full preparations for it."

Dar rejected the idea that Iran's recent military standoff with Israel could lead to Islamabad and Tehran postponing Raisi's visit.

"This visit had been planned for weeks and months before the incident occurred," Dar stated.

The announcement comes a day after representatives to the United Nations of nearly 50 countries, including the United States, jointly condemned Iran's missile and drone attacks against Israel over the weekend.

"We note that Iran's escalatory attack is the latest in a pattern of dangerous and destabilizing actions by Iran and its militant partners that pose a grave threat to international peace and security," the statement said.

Washington, the European Union, and the G7 group of industrialized nations all announced plans to consider fresh sanctions on Tehran, an action aimed at supporting Israel while persuading it against further escalation.

The Iranian attack involving some 350 drones and missiles was a response to Israel's suspected strike on Iran's consulate in Syria on April 1. Tehran said the strike killed killing two Iranian generals and five other officers of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

On Tuesday, Dar addressed a joint news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud in Islamabad, where they jointly urged an immediate cease-fire in Gaza but refrained from calling out Iran for launching the attack on Israel.

Pakistan and Iran share a 900-kilometer border. The countries accuse each other of not doing enough to prevent militants from sheltering on their respective soils and launching cross-border terrorist attacks.

In January, Iranian security forces launched missile strikes against what they said were anti-Iran militant hideouts in the southwestern Pakistani border province of Baluchistan. Islamabad condemned Iran's violation of its territorial integrity and retaliated with strikes on bases of anti-Pakistan militants operating from Iranian soil.

The strikes fueled concerns about a larger conflict between the two Muslim countries and of wider regional instability after Hamas launched a terror attack on Israel on October 7.

Tehran and Islamabad swiftly undertook diplomatic efforts to ease the bilateral tensions and pledged to respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pakistan and Iran recently renewed their pledges to build a long-planned multi-billion-dollar pipeline linking the two countries to import Iranian natural gas.

While Tehran says it has completed construction of 900 kilometers of the pipeline on its side of the border, construction has not started on the Pakistani side because Islamabad fears it would invite U.S. sanctions for importing energy from Iran.

VOA Pakistan Bureau Chief Sarah Zaman contributed to this story.

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By SA Commercial Prop News

The South African listed property sector has started to experience tougher conditions especially weaker economic growth, says Ortneil Kutama, SA Commercial Prop News Media Director.



Its getting harder for listed property companies to repeat their former successes in the current South African landscape, according to Ortneil Kutama, SA Commercial Prop News Media Director.

The South African listed property sector has started to experience tougher conditions especially weaker economic growth. The South African economy is expected to grow at most 1% this year.

Retail sales are weak and some malls are set to struggle. The large super regionals may be able to manage difficult economic conditions and an underspending consumer but many malls and convenience centres are under pressure.



A number of Property Funds have released results so far and while they may have generally met market expectations, the results have not been strong. Stanlibs head of listed property funds, Keillen Ndlovu says he expects dividend pay-outs to ease which has already begun.

ALSO READ: Industrial Sector the top performer in SA Property Market

So far companies like Redefine Properties and Dipula Income Fund have achieved steady but not necessarily staggering income pay-out growth. Double digit growth is something of the past.

Stanlibs listed property team expects average income growth to be about 7.5% for 2017 overall.

Nevertheless, the likes of Equites Property Fund have impressed with its 14% dividend growth in its recent financial results. This is a specialised industrial property fund which has benefitted from owning assets in SA and the UK with blue chip tenants signed to long term leases.



Fayyaz Mottiar, the head of listed property at Absa Asset Management says investing well in property stocks in 2017 requires very careful stock picking. This is as opposed to buying the actual South African Listed Property Index (Sapy). The Sapy has struggled so far this year.

ALSO READ: SA Listed Property Growth Has Taken a Dive

Catalyst Fund Managers say that the Sapy has achieved a 1.88% return in the first four months of 2017. Meanwhile equities achieved a return of 7.56%. Cash also outdid listed property, managing a 2.44%. Bonds achieved a 3.94% return.



Investors need to pick stocks that are focussed on a market with a strong presence on the ground and who understand their markets.

Many of the stocks which are set to soar may be offshore based. This is because SAs economy is currently fundamentally weak. The rand remains volatile and weak and investors may be better suited to funds which can bring them euro or us dollar returns, even if these returns are around 1% and 2%.



Investec Australia Property Fund (IAPF) also offers an interesting proposition, paying returns in Australian dollars.



IAPF has been a consistent performer since listing on the JSE about three-and-a-half years ago, benefiting from the Investec groups asset management structures in the country.

IAPF grew its dividends 6.2% in Australian dollars during its financial year to March, according to its latest financial results.



"The funds performance is driven by the successful implementation of the strategy of acquiring properties with strong underlying fundamentals while also identifying opportunities to enhance yield and add value through active asset management," CEO Graeme Katz says.

Katz believes it is difficult to replicate IAPFs success.



"The fund has built a valuable platform that would be very difficult to replicate given the continued flow of offshore capital into Australia and the current levels of direct asset pricing," he says.

Ron Klipin of Cratos Wealth agrees that IAPF is an exciting investment prospect.



He says the company is expanding in the best growing parts of Australia.



Investec Property Fund itself (IPF) seems to be set for a better future than its recent past now that it has bedded down major acquisitions that were made in the past two years.



The company announced a final dividend of 66.74c per share for the six months ended March, taking the full-year dividend to 127.65c per share. This represented full-year growth of 2.4% in its dividend payout for the year to March, slightly ahead of expectations.



In difficult economic times for SA, it appears that focussed, reliable dividend payers stand out in SA. Also, property companies with a strong focus on one market abroad and scale are set to shine more than the funds which are trying to make their mark in too many geographies without strong enough teams on the ground, concludes Kutama.
PACE pays tribute to Alexei Navalny, calls for sweeping measures to counter Putin's totalitarian regime

Council of Europe

Parliamentary Assembly session

strasbourg

17 April 2024

PACE has paid tribute to Alexei Navalny, declaring that the Russian state bears full responsibility for his death, and urged a series of sweeping measures to counter what it called Vladimir Putin's "totalitarian regime".

Unanimously adopting a resolution based on a report by Emanuelis Zingeris (Lithuania, EPP/CD), the Assembly said that under Vladimir Putin's rule, Russia has become a de facto dictatorship which is conducting "a war on democracy".

An omnipresent security apparatus, mass surveillance of society and brutal repression against peaceful protests has "turned the Russian Federation into what the Assembly considers a totalitarian state, whose modus operandi resembles that of a criminal organisation".

Among other things, the Assembly:

called on the EU and other states to sanction those directly responsible for Alexei Navalny's persecution, ill-treatment and death as they appear on the "Navalny list";

urged all states to hold Russia accountable for its systemic use of torture under the UN's Convention against Torture.

reiterated its refusal to recognise Vladimir Putin as the legitimate President of Russia, and again urged the international community to cease all contact with him except for humanitarian purposes or the pursuit of peace;

again demanded the prompt transfer of over 300 billion USD in frozen Russian assets to a fund to compensate the victims of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and the creation of a tribunal to try the political and military leadership of Russia for the crime of aggression;

called on the EU and the G7 to strengthen sanctions against Russia, including by imposing secondary sanctions, sanctioning the Moscow Exchange and Rosatom, and lowering the oil price cap to reduce oil revenue as a source of income for Russia;

encouraged member and observer states to pursue prisoner exchanges to obtain the release of political prisoners in Russia and Belarus, prioritising Vladimir Kara-Murza and others with serious health conditions.

The Assembly also said it was setting up a contact platform for dialogue with Russian democratic forces, and called for the creation of a General Rapporteur on this topic.

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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the presentation of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Moscow, April 17, 2024

17 April 2024 18:02

707-17-04-2024

Esteemed Mr Khabirov,

Esteemed guests,

Your Excellency,

Ladies and gentlemen,

We have gathered today for a presentation of a region of the Russian Federation at the Foreign Ministry's Main Administration for Service to the Diplomatic Corps (GlavUpDK). Such events have become a good tradition. We take pride in performing this function as it allows us to introduce our foreign friends to the richness of the Russian Federation. Russia's regions and republics, including Bashkortostan, are contributing to this wealth. Bashkortostan is a unique land with a rich culture, historical landmarks and substantial economic and investment potential. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, in the very heart of Eurasia, it is emerging as a driving force in global economic and investment endeavours, as well as in the convergence of global civilisational processes. This role is crucial in shaping the centuries-old cultural fusion, which, to cite President of Russia Vladimir Putin, reflects both the historical legacy and current realities of this region.

The Republic of Bashkortostan is home to 110 ethnicities practicing different religions and speaking different languages. Accord between them, as well as between all other ethnic groups in the Russian Federation, is built on mutual respect and a careful preservation of traditions, history, faith, way of life and customs. Speaking at a meeting devoted to the 450th anniversary of Bashkiria's integration into Russia in 2007, President Vladimir Putin emphasised that the republic has long been and continues to be one of the core regions of our country, setting a successful model of ethnic and religious harmony. Clearly, this example is very important today.

We are seeing many attempts to undermine ethnic harmony in our country. Reflecting on the processes leading to the current confrontation between Russia and the West, which was preparing a war against us through Ukrainian leaders, and the barbaric terrorist attack in Krasnogorsk, President Vladimir Putin recently addressed this issue. This is why it is difficult to overrate the importance of promoting ethnic and religious accord, where, as President Putin emphasised, Bashkortostan is a noteworthy example.

The Kurai flower is a symbol of Bashkortostan, with its seven petals representing the seven clans that initiated the unity of the peoples inhabiting the region. Great Bashkirian poet Mustai Karim (Mustafa Karimov) once wrote: "We share the same destiny with the Russians. For four centuries, our tribes have been intertwined in feats and glory."

The residents of the republic have always upheld with dignity this reputation, which Mustai Karim described in such a poetic way. I recently discussed our shared historical achievements with Head of Bashkortostan Rady Khabirov - our contribution to the defeat of Napoleon's forces in the war of 1812, and the decisive victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War and World War II.

Today, the heirs of Napoleon's soldiers and Hitler's ideologues, who once sought to conquer and destroy our country, are making yet another attempt to achieve this. They unleashed a war against Russia using the Ukrainian Nazi regime, which seized power through an unconstitutional and bloody coup d'etat 10 years ago. President Putin spoke about this in detail more than once. Undoubtedly, this challenge mirrors the threats faced by our Motherland in the 19th and 20th centuries, aimed at the fragmentation of its territory with a view to controlling its remnants in accordance with the ambitions of the hegemon.

There is a reason why the United States, having subjugated the rest of the Western world, is reluctant to accept the objective trends of historical evolution, including the emergence of new centres of economic growth and political influence and the formation of a multipolar international order. This trend cannot be reversed. However, we are witnessing the West's desperate attempts to slow down this process, which, unfortunately, result in enormous loss of life. All our peoples, including the people of Bashkortostan, are resisting this new assault on our sovereignty and values. I would like to note the heroic contribution of the people of Bashkortostan to our efforts to achieve the just and noble goals of the special military operation.

Today, Bashkortostan is among the leading industrial and agro-industrial regions of the Russian Federation. Its main industries a petroleum production and refining, chemistry and petrochemistry, power engineering, metallurgy, and agriculture a reflect the latest global economic trends. The republic consistently ranks high among Russia's leading regions in the National Investment Climate Rankings. The governments of many countries represented here know this from their own experience.

It is encouraging to see that the republic is striving to expand its foreign trade relations. It has signed foreign trade agreements with 105 countries and prioritises cooperation with the CIS and the EAEU, as well as the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The capital of Bashkortostan, Ufa, has on many occasions hosted major international forums and festivals, including at the highest level. In 2015, Ufa hosted the BRICS and the SCO summits. I am confident that this beautiful city will continue to host many more successful summits.

We welcome the focus of Bashkortostan's leadership and its business circles on expanding foreign relations and looking for reliable foreign partners who are guided by the principle of mutual benefit and are willing to expand trade, investment, cultural and humanitarian exchanges, rather than engage in joint projects with someone who is hostage to their geopolitical ambitions.

The Foreign Ministry will continue to support these efforts in every possible way, especially so as they are undertaken in the context of global trends towards forming a fair, democratic, balanced and mutually respectful international order.

Without a doubt, Bashkortostan is generously endowed with natural riches. Its natural beauty is truly breathtaking, a fact I can personally attest to. There are countless attractions for visitors to explore here. Located just a two-hour flight from Moscow, the Southern Ural region is a must-visit destination at any time of the year. It offers mountain hikes, ski resorts, mineral springs, and historical tours. For those seeking thrilling adventures, rafting down the beautiful rivers of Bashkortostan are highly recommended. Personally, I owe much of my personal growth to my deep connection with nature. It was through participating in student construction teams that I first experienced the beauty of nature. As a MGIMO student, I made four trips to Siberia and the Far East during summer vacations as a student construction team member to build various sites, and got to know my homeland. Water tourism and mountain river rafting have played a significant role in shaping the person I am today. This passion of mine was born in Bashkortostan, for which I am deeply grateful to this remarkable land.

A magnificent world-class Rowing Slalom Centre is being built in Bashkortostan upon the decision of the republic's leadership, and we hope to open it this summer.

Friends,

I am confident that this presentation will provide a great impetus for promising projects and initiatives, which I believe your respective countries will find interesting. It will offer you an insight into Bashkortostan's history, industrial potential, and natural wonders.

This year, Ufa will celebrate its 450th anniversary. I propose that we consider today's presentation as the beginning of the festivities in honour of this momentous occasion.

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Missile falls off P-3C plane during aerial training: Air Force

ROC Central News Agency

04/18/2024 07:12 PM

Taipei, April 18 (CNA) A missile carrying no warhead fell off a P-3C anti-submarine aircraft during routine aerial training Thursday, according to the Air Force Command Headquarters.

A Maverick missile unexpectedly fell off into the sea as the P-3C was participating in a routine training mission in Taiwan's airspace that morning, the Air Force said in a brief statement.

No one was injured and the plane later returned safely to its base in Pingtung County, it said.

The Air Force did not provide further details of the incident, except to say that subsequent maintenance will be carried out to ensure that the aircraft is in good condition.

The Lockheed AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground tactical missile designed for close air support, and is effective against a wide range of targets, including armor, air defenses, ships, ground transportation and fuel storage facilities.

(By Matt Yu and Ko Lin)

Enditem/kb

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Taiwan Army concludes two rounds of drills testing precision weapons

ROC Central News Agency

04/18/2024 04:00 PM

Taipei, April 18 (CNA) Taiwan's Army has recently concluded two rounds of drills in southern Pingtung county testing the precision shooting capabilities of its missiles and rockets, the Military News Agency (MNA) reported Thursday.

The two rounds of live-fire exercises included the annual "Mighty Eagle" exercises that featured the Army Aviation and Special Forces Command's attack helicopter series: the AH-64E Apache and AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters, and the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior reconnaissance helicopter, according to the report.

During the daytime portion of the "Mighty Eagle" drill, the helicopters fired cannons at targets in the sea and in the air. At night the choppers fired Hellfire and Sidewinder missiles at targets in the sea, the report said.

Another drill codenamed "Thunder" featured live-fire exercises involving troops from the Army's 43rd Artillery Command and 58th Artillery Command operating the locally-made Thunderbolt-2000 Multiple Launch Rocket (MLR) System.

The Thunderbolt-2000 is a wheeled MLRS system produced by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology.

The modular, truck-mounted, multi-barrel MLRS has quick-fire potential against enemy amphibious assault landings.

"Mighty Eagle" and "Thunder" are the Army's major annual drills that test troops' familiarity with precision weapons systems. They were held at Jiupeng Base in Pingtung's Manzhou Township this year.

The MNA report did not disclose when the drills were held but according to an Army source, both took place from April 9 to Wednesday.

(By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh)

Enditem/kb



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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan Apr. 18, 2024

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/04/18

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Dateis

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Wednesday to Thursday, Apr. 17-18

2.PLA activitiesis

18 PLA aircraft and 5 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 12 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.



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No: 63, 18 April 2024, Regarding the Conclusions of the Extraordinary European Council of 17-18 April 2024

Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The conclusions on TArkiye by the Special European Council held in Brussels on 17-18 April 2024 are yet another example of the EU's lack of strategic vision on TArkiye and the global developments.

It is contradictory that the Council did not take any decisions on the recommendations of the Joint Communication on EU-TArkiye Relations prepared by the High Representative Borrell and the Commission, although the Council Conclusions emphasise that the EU has a strategic interest in developing a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with TArkiye.

TArkiye will never accept an approach that links progress in TArkiye-EU relations to the Cyprus issue. It is necessary to abandon an understanding which reduces these multifaceted relations to the Cyprus issue. Such a mentality cannot make a positive and constructive contribution to the problem, nor to the other regional and global issues.

TArkiye, as a candidate country, remains committed to membership to the EU. However, we reject the selective limitation of the bilateral cooperation to certain areas. In the coming period, we will review our dialogue with the EU on the basis of reciprocity, taking into account the pace, level and scope of the EU's steps towards TArkiye.

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UK's most lethal tank rolls off the production lines

British Army soldiers are a step closer to getting their hands on one of Europe's most lethal tanks - the Challenger 3 - the Defence Secretary has announced.

18 April 2024

Latest Challenger 3 tanks finalising production.

Supporting hundreds of UK jobs in Telford, Gateshead, Bristol and Bovington.

148 cutting-edge Main Battle Tanks to be provided to the British Army.

With advanced armour and devastating firepower, the Challenger 3 boasts an impressive range of state-of-the-art technology, making it the most lethal and survivable tank ever operated by the British Army.

The latest of eight Challenger 3 prototypes rolled off the Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land factory production line in Telford as the Defence Secretary had an opportunity to meet the engineers and apprentices who have worked on this crucial programme.

The first tank is already showing its capabilities on trials. All will be tested under operational conditions to validate their performance and make refinements, before another 140 are built and delivered to the British Army.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps, said:

In a more dangerous world, the need for vehicles such as the Challenger 3 is imperative, as the threats facing the UK evolve. This tank will be at the heart of the British Army's warfighting capabilities and will be integral to the UK's deterrence. The hard work and dedication on show in Telford and across the country is instrumental in driving forward UK defence innovation and delivering for our forces in the frontline.

Providing the Army's Main Battle Tank, the Challenger 3 will remain in service until at least 2040. This third iteration of the Challenger series includes a state-of-the-art turret with a more capable smoothbore gun, which is compatible with NATO ammunition, as well as improved armour and sensors.

The Army's Director Programmes, Major General Jon Swift OBE said:

Challenger 3 will be at the heart of the Army's Armoured Brigade Combat Teams, alongside Ajax and Boxer, and is critical to the Army's warfighting capability and the UK's contribution to NATO. The delivery of these prototype vehicles, the first of which has already started trials, marks a significant milestone on the Army's modernisation journey.

Director General Land for Defence, Equipment and Support, Lieutenant General Simon Hamilton CBE said:

Delivering the capability the Army needs to be more lethal is vital in an increasingly uncertain and dangerous world. The Challenger 3 Programme is a cornerstone of the Army's Future Soldier modernisation, and I am delighted to see the Army, DE&S and RBSL collaborating together to provide our soldiers with a world-class Main Battle Tank made here in the UK.

RBSL Managing Director, Will Gibby said:

RBSL is playing a key part in delivering the Land Industrial Strategy through its Challenger 3 programme, ensuring it benefits from the best of British engineering and manufacturing, whilst also sustaining valuable skills across the country. Delivery of the first pre-production Challenger 3 and the commencement of trials marks a critical milestone in our delivery of this impressive capability to the British Army and will provide our soldiers with a world-class Main Battle Tank made here in the UK.

Challenger 3 is being delivered by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) under a A800 million contract, creating a number of highly skilled roles, with nearly 300 jobs generated within RBSL, including 130 engineers and 70 technicians, with an additional 450 jobs across the UK.

The contract is also attracting a A40 million inward investment in RBSL's Telford facility, utilising a UK supply chain that includes companies in the West Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne and the Isle of Wight.

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Switzerland strengthens humanitarian demining capacities in Ukraine

Swiss Government

Bern, 18.04.2024 -- On 17-18 April, representatives from more than 50 countries and organisations gathered at an international workshop in Kyiv to discuss measures for identifying and clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine. Good coordination of national activities and international support is crucial to ensure that this work can progress swiftly and effectively. The workshop was co-organised by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD). Switzerland, whose delegation at the conference was led by Ambassador Simon GeissbAhler, has a long history of supporting humanitarian demining through the GICHD and other organisations. Clearing the country of mines is a key prerequisite for Ukraine's recovery.

156,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory are potentially contaminated by mines and other explosive ordnance. This equates to around a quarter of the country's territory, or almost four times the size of Switzerland. Where mines and unexploded ordnance are hidden or buried, or where there is even a risk that an area is contaminated by them, it is impossible to farm land and humanitarian aid is hampered. In wartime conditions, the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance makes people's everyday lives even more perilous. Humanitarian demining is therefore a prerequisite for greater security for the Ukrainian population and for the country's recovery.

During the workshop, Ukraine presented its strategy for humanitarian demining to be implemented over the next 10 years. The workshop on mine action held on 17-18 April 2024 in Kyiv focused on several key questions: how Ukraine's national humanitarian demining programme will be implemented over the next few years; how suspected contaminated areas can be inspected; how mines and explosive remnants of war can be surveyed and cleared; which innovative approaches, such as the use of drones, can assist in this process; which financing mechanisms can be used for humanitarian demining; and how international support must be coordinated to achieve the best possible impact.

"Switzerland is leading the way in terms of coordination. I was also able to see first-hand how the clearance of mines and explosive remnants of war has started. This is encouraging," says Ambassador Simon GeissbAhler, head of the FDFA's Peace and Human Rights Division and head of the Swiss delegation in Kyiv. Prior to the workshop, Mr GeissbAhler conducted a field visit to Chernihiv to personally assess the mine action being carried out there by the Fondation Suisse de DAminage. The Swiss-based organisation exemplifies Switzerland's expertise and tradition in the field of mine action.

Another example is the GICHD. In Ukraine, the GICHD supports the national authorities in expanding the national demining programme and advises them on strategic planning and the development of national standards. The GICHD also promotes the professionalisation of personnel by running courses for Ukrainian trainers. "The GICHD plays a crucial role in collaborating with the Ukrainian authorities to enhance the framework conditions, processes, and the exchange of information between national and international actors, thereby increasing demining capacities. Ultimately, this benefits the people living here," stresses GeissbAhler.

Humanitarian demining in Ukraine is a top priority for Switzerland. At the end of September 2023, the Federal Council approved a package of CHF 100 million dedicated solely to mine action in Ukraine. The package will be made available from 2024 to 2027 and will be financed in equal parts by the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport and the FDFA. Switzerland will host the high-level Ukraine Mine Action Conference in Lausanne on 17-18 October 2024.

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Commission allocates additional a10 million to support researchers from Ukraine under Horizon Europe

European Commission

Press release

18 April 2024

Brussels

The Commission has topped up the budget of the MSCA4Ukraine initiative, set up to support researchers forced to flee Ukraine, with an additional a10 million. The scheme, set up under Marie SkAodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) has supported displaced researchers since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

The extra funding will enable at least 50 additional researchers, including doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers, who were forced to flee Ukraine to continue their work safely on research projects at universities, companies, research centres and other institutions based in the EU and countries associated to Horizon Europe. It will also allow the researchers to access training, skills and career development opportunities. Specific support will be available for organisations hosting the researchers and those fellows relocating with their families.

Since its launch, the MSCA4Ukraine fellowship scheme has supported 125 displaced researchers from Ukraine, being trained and working in 21 countries.

Selected researchers will be able to start a new project or continue their previous work to pursue their research in any subject of their choosing, including on issues directly linked to helping Ukraine and its recovery. Current MSCA4Ukraine fellows are contributing to topics such as investigating war crimes in Ukraine or addressing the mental healthcare needs of displaced Ukrainian women.

The scheme is part of the wider EU support to Ukraine. Specifically in the domain of research and innovation, Ukraine participates in Horizon Europe and the Euratom programme without having to contribute financially. The EU has recently opened a Horizon Europe Office in Kyiv and set up a scheme to help Ukrainian deep-tech companies under the European Innovation Council (EIC).

It has also created a European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Community Hub in Ukraine, which will give Ukrainian innovators remaining in their home country access to partners, markets, testbeds, trainings and investment.

On 18 and 19 April, MSCA4Ukraine researchers will be giving their testimonials at the annual Marie SkAodowska-Curie Actions conference on the topic of researchers' careers organised with the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Next Steps

The next MSCA4Ukraine call is expected to be launched in May 2024, allowing selected researchers to start their fellowships by early 2025. The first step for researchers wishing to apply is to prepare an application together with their potential host organisation, who will then submit the proposal on the researcher's behalf.

An information day for prospective host organisations will be organised shortly after the call is published.

Background

The MSCA4Ukraine is part of the wider EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. First launched in September 2022 with an initial budget of EUR 25 million from Marie SkAodowska-Curie Actions, a part of Horizon Europe, the MSCA4Ukraine is the Commission's dedicated scheme to support displaced researchers from Ukraine, enabling them to continue their work safely in Europe. The MSCA4Ukraine call will be open to Ukrainian nationals, stateless persons, and nationals from third countries with their main residence in Ukraine on 24 February 2022 who have been displaced as of that date.

The initiative also aims at helping safeguard Ukraine's research and innovation system and the freedom of scientific research at large.

Supported researchers are encouraged to cooperate with their counterparts in Ukraine, thus strengthening the cooperation and integration between the scientific communities of the country and the EU. Maintaining this collaboration will also facilitate their return to and reintegration in Ukraine once circumstances allow. Although supported researchers are free to choose their research topic, a significant number of the fellows have decided to work on issues directly linked to helping Ukraine.

The MSCA4Ukraine is managed by a group of organisations experienced in supporting researchers at risk. It is composed of Scholars at Risk Europe (hosted at Maynooth University, Ireland), the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in Germany, and the European University Association. These organisations are also involved in the MSCA-funded project in support of researchers at risk InspirEurope+.

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Prime Minister Orpo stresses need for urgent military support to Ukraine and calls for restraint in the Middle East

Finnish Government

Government Communications Department

18.4.2024

Press release

In the evening on Wednesday 17 April, the special European Council discussed the security situation in Europe and the Middle East. The European Union condemned Russia's attacks on Ukraine and called for swift military assistance. Ukraine is in urgent need of support, especially when it comes to air defence. The EU leaders also expressed their concern over the tense situation in the Middle East and called on all parties to avoid the use of force. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo represented Finland at the meeting.

The European Council exchanged views with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via video connection. The EU heads of state and government reiterated their continued support for Ukraine. The EU strongly condemned Russia's ramping up of air strikes on civilian targets and critical infrastructure such as power plants.

"Ukraine cannot afford to wait for compromises. Ukraine urgently needs more assistance. The EU must be prepared to do more. We must work to strengthen Ukraine's air defence and speed up the delivery of ammunition. We do not want Kharkiv to be the next Mariupol," says Prime Minister Orpo.

The EU condemned Iran's attacks on Israel and announced that it would step up its restrictive measures against Iran. The Union called on all parties to refrain from taking any action that could lead to further tension in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Orpo noted that the situation in Southern Lebanon remains tense as well. "A ceasefire in Gaza would promote stability throughout the Middle East, including in Southern Lebanon," says Prime Minister Orpo.

The EU leaders held a strategic debate on relations between the EU and TArkiye based on a report by the Commission on the state of play of political, economic and trade relations. The Council further instructed the Member States to advance their work on areas of cooperation.

In Prime Minister Orpo's view, developing EU-TArkiye relations would benefit both parties while promoting security throughout the eastern Mediterranean region.

"The EU and TArkiye must be able to engage in dialogue in areas where they share common goals. These include migration, energy and climate issues," says Prime Minister Orpo.

The special European Council in Brussels will continue on Thursday. Items on the agenda include the EU's competitiveness, which the leaders will discuss in light of an independent report presented by former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta.

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Signage for the Katherine Delmar Burke School is seen on California Street in San Francisco. Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle The Katherine Delmar Burke School is seen on Thursday in San Francisco. Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle The Katherine Delmar Burke School is seen on Thursday in San Francisco. Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle A staff member stands next to an entrance at the Katherine Delmar Burke School in San Francisco. Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle

Many of San Franciscos dozens of private schools pay their heads of schools hefty sums  well into six figures  typically to oversee one school.

San Francisco University High Schools head of school made $750,000 in total compensation in 2022, for example, to oversee about 450 students. By comparison, the citys public school superintendent Matt Wayne, who oversees more than 100 schools and nearly 50,000 students, has a base salary of $345,000.

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Still, the exorbitant price of a private school education  which can reach $60,000 a year  arguably puts significant pressure on finding a top-notch leader, someone who is part CEO as well as fundraiser, safety expert, budget officer and educational leader.

That pressure has likely only grown as California private school tuitions have skyrocketed in recent years, with data showing costs increasing at a much greater rate than family income levels, according to a recent Chronicle analysis.

The Chronicle looked at the most expensive private schools in San Francisco to determine which schools pay their leaders the most. We pulled their pay from 2022 990 tax forms that nonprofit schools file with the IRS. For-profit schools such as the Academy of Thought and Industry and religious schools  such as Schools of the Sacred Heart (Convent and Stuart Hall) and Cathedral School for Boys  that have among the most expensive tuition in the city do not have to disclose pay for their leaders.



San Francisco University High School, which charges families $59,700 a year, paid its head of school in 2022, Julia Eells, the most. Some of the highest-paid leaders worked for high schools, while others worked for K-8 schools.

Beyond their official roles running the school and fundraising, heads of school need good listening skills, empathy and the ability to build a great team, said Raj Mundra, who fills the role at Lick-Wilmerding High School. They also need to adapt to the unexpected, like COVID, mental health issues or global issues, he said.

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In some cases, there is also parental expectation that a private school tuition is buying a bright future or an Ivy League education.

While that might sound like a lot, the head of school reflects the mission of the school, Mundra said. Private schools are different, each with their own flavor and the head of school sets that tone.

At Lick-Wilmerding, its about being a lifelong learner, an engaged citizen and someone who walks through the world with empathy  to use their education to act against intolerance and injustice.

Finding a good head of school can be difficult, more difficult perhaps than a decade ago, when most were white, older males, Mundra said. There is a great desire to hire a more diverse leadership now, he said.

At the same time, successful applicants are expected to bring a long list of qualifications.

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The Wesley School in North Hollywood, for example, hoped to recruit a head of school, hiring a search firm, RG175, which posted their criteria.

The ideal candidate would perpetuate Wesleys culture of modesty, inclusivity, and humility, as well as enjoy the company of parents, teachers and students from all backgrounds. They also need to be an effective communicator in speech and print, have an open-door policy, accomplish strategic goals, be adept at managing faculty, but not be conflict-averse and exude warmth, humor, good cheer and love for the job.

In other words, a no-nonsense administrator with a Mary Poppins sensibility.

As is the case with public schools, there is frequent turnover among heads of schools in the private sector, said Mundra, who is in his first year at Lick-Wilmerding, after 18 years as a teacher and administrator at Andover, the elite East Coast boarding school.

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At San Franciscos Town School for Boys, the head of school, Lorri Hamilton Durbin, has been in place for seven years, a long tenure, said Wyatt Gruber, chair of the Board of Trustees.

The education system as a whole is facing pressures to find candidates at all levels, and the role of head of school is an especially demanding position with a lot of different constituencies, thus requiring a specific set of skills and advanced experience, Gruber said. I have no doubt many school heads could lead corporations.



Still it raised the question of whether local private school heads are overpaid.

One parent whose kids graduated from a San Francisco private school said the pay of the leaders at some San Francisco private schools is extravagant, but also illustrates the competitive marketplace.

Its an unexplainable level of compensation relative to the complexity and size of the education enterprise they are responsible for, relative to university presidents and/or large urban school districts, said the parent, who requested anonymity for fear of backlash against their family. Its a nationwide arms race. Its a limited number of people theyre going after.



Editors note: The chart with this story has been updated to include schools that were left off the list.
Update 224 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency

37/2024

Vienna, Austria

18 Apr 20224

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was informed about a further attempted drone attack today on the training centre of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), causing no damage or casualties, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.

It would be the third reported attack targeting the training facility recently, following two such incidents last week. The ZNPP told the IAEA team stationed at the site that today's drone had been "neutralized", without giving further details.

The IAEA team heard an explosion at the same local time, 10:35am, as when ZNPP subsequently reported the attempted drone attack took place.

The team was denied access to the training centre just outside the ZNPP site perimeter to assess the incident, with the plant citing potential security risks.

It comes less than two weeks after a series of drone attacks significantly deepened concerns about the already precarious nuclear safety and security situation at Europe's largest nuclear power plant (NPP), located on the frontline of the conflict.

"If confirmed, it would be an extremely worrying development. Whoever is behind these incidents, they appear to be ignoring the international community's repeated calls for maximum military restraint to avert the very real threat of a serious nuclear accident, which could have significant health and environmental consequences and benefit absolutely no one," Director General Grossi said.

"So far, the drone strikes have not compromised nuclear safety at the site. But, as I told the United Nations Security Council a few days ago, these reckless attacks must cease immediately," Director General Grossi said.

Earlier this week, a new team of IAEA experts arrived at the ZNPP, crossing the frontline of the conflict on Tuesday to replace their colleagues who had been monitoring the situation at the ZNPP for the past several weeks.

It is the 18th team of IAEA experts at the plant since Director General Grossi established a permanent presence there in September 2022 to help prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict.

"Our presence at the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant is needed more than ever. As I also informed the Security Council, we are getting dangerously close to a nuclear accident. This month's drone attacks were the first clear violation of the five concrete principles for the protection of the site that I established at the Security Council almost one year ago," Director General Grossi said.

"In these extremely difficult and challenging times, I'm very encouraged by the strong support and unanimous appreciation of the IAEA's important work expressed by the members of the Security Council. Everybody agrees that the IAEA's role is indispensable as we do everything in our power to keep the plant safe and secure," he added.

In addition to today's report of an attempted drone attack, the IAEA experts heard several rounds of outgoing artillery fire early in the week, as has been an almost daily occurrence in recent weeks and months. As has also happened previously, artillery fire near the site at one stage triggered the alarms of cars parked near the ZNPP's administrative building.

"I sincerely hope that our calls for maximum military restraint - both at the IAEA Board of Governors and the United Nations Security Council - will be heeded before it is too late. The dangers facing the plant have not gone away, as shown by today's reported drone explosion. As we saw on 7 April, the situation can take a sudden and dramatic turn for the worse at any time," Director General Grossi said.

Whilst all reactors are now in cold shutdown, nuclear safety and security remains fragile. The new IAEA team will therefore continue to monitor the status of the plant against the seven indispensable pillars for nuclear safety and security as well as the five concrete principles to prevent a nuclear accident.

In particular, the team will focus its attention on the extent and effectiveness of ongoing maintenance activities, which are of paramount importance, especially considering the reduced level of maintenance performed at the site since the start of the conflict more than two years ago.

Maintenance activities on the electrical transformers of reactor unit 1 are ongoing, as are those on part of the safety systems of unit 2, which are expected to be completed by the end of April.

The IAEA team was also informed by the ZNPP that its radiation protection programme has been reviewed and is now aligned with the regulatory framework of the Russian Federation. The ZNPP said the radiation exposures to its staff had dropped significantly due to the site's shutdown state and the absence of major maintenance performed on the six reactor units.

On Sunday, the team carried out a walkdown within the site perimeter. Monitoring adherence to the five concrete principles, the IAEA experts were able to confirm that there were no heavy weapons in the areas they visited. However, they still do not receive permission to visit all areas on site, especially the western side of the turbine halls, the ZNPP cooling pond isolation gate, and the 330 kilovolt (kV) open switchyard of the nearby Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP).

Also over the past week, the IAEA experts visited the reactor building and containment of unit 2 to observe a routine swap of the cooling pumps for its spent fuel pool.

They also looked into the site's water situation - challenged by last year's destruction of the Kakhovka dam - and were informed that about 5000m3 of water are pumped from the discharge channel of the ZTPP to the ZNPP cooling pond per day. The 11 groundwater wells built after the dam was destroyed provide a similar amount of water each day for cooling of the reactor units and spent fuel.

Elsewhere in Ukraine, the IAEA teams present at the Khelmnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and the Chornobyl site have reported that nuclear safety and security is being maintained despite the effects of the ongoing conflict, including air raid alarms on most days over the past week.

Scheduled maintenance and refuelling activities are progressing at two of the four reactor units at the Rivne NPP and one unit of the South Ukraine NPP. The Agency experts present at the Chornobyl site conducted a successful rotation on Wednesday.

The IAEA this week completed a separate mission to the Khelmnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs regarding the coordination of its continued presence activities at these sites and a follow-up to previous medical missions last year to support the staff at the nuclear facilities in Ukraine.

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Secretary General participates in G7 meeting, stresses NATO's support to Ukraine

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

18 Apr. 2024

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underlined the importance of strengthening support to Ukraine at the G7 meeting of Foreign Ministers in Capri, Italy, on Thursday (18 April 2024).

"We now have encouraging signs from the US Congress that they will vote on a package for Ukraine in the coming days," said Mr Stoltenberg, welcoming the commitment and determination of NATO Allies in standing up for Ukraine. In recent weeks, Allies have stepped up support, including through the Czech-led ammunition initiative; increased military support from the Netherlands; a new aid package from Denmark, and Germany's decision to send an additional Patriot system to Ukraine.

"Ninety-nine percent of the military support for Ukraine comes from NATO Allies, and it is of vital importance that NATO Allies sustain and step up their support," said the Secretary General.

Mr Stoltenberg said that NATO plans to work towards a greater role in coordinating security assistance and training for Ukraine, and stressed the importance of providing sustained and predictable financial support.

On Friday, the Secretary General will chair a virtual meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of defence ministers.

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OSCE Chair-in-Office and Secretary General demand urgent action to release the three OSCE officials held in Donetsk and Luhansk for 2 years

OSCE | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

VALLETTA/VIENNA 18 April 2024

VALLETTA/VIENNA, 18 April -- This week marks two years since three OSCE officials were unjustly detained in Luhansk and Donetsk. The OSCE Chair-in-Office, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg, and OSCE Secretary General, Helga Maria Schmid, reiterated the demand for their immediate release and urged all members of the international community to amplify this message.

"The detention of our dedicated colleagues while performing their official duties, as mandated by all 57 participating States, has been nothing less than a flagrant injustice and a violation of their human rights," Chair-in-Office Borg said.

"Our position is clear: our colleagues must be freed. They must be treated humanely and with dignity. They must have access to medical care. They must be able to get in contact with their families and loved ones, and, most importantly, they must be released immediately," he emphasized.

"These days, our hearts and thoughts are with our detained colleagues and their families as they continue to endure unspeakable anguish and pain for over two years now. We are also extremely concerned about their wellbeing, as this unjust detention in harsh conditions has had a severe impact on their health," Secretary General Schmid said.

"I would like to call on participating States to join us in our relentless efforts to secure the release of our detained colleagues and express my deep gratitude to all who have already offered their support. We will continue to do all we can and more, publicly and privately, and we will not stop until our detained colleagues are freed," Schmid said.

Background information

Three OSCE officials - Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov - were detained in April 2022 in Donetsk and Luhansk, where they had been performing their official duties as mandated by all 57 participating States.

In September 2022, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov were "sentenced" to 13 years in prison as a result of so-called "legal proceedings". The so-called "legal proceedings" concerning Vadym Golda are ongoing.

In addition to the continued efforts of OSCE Chair-in-Office Borg and OSCE Secretary General Schmid, both publicly and in private, the OSCE remains in close contact with relevant stakeholders, including other international organizations, to facilitate the release of detained OSCE officials. The OSCE also continues to support the detainees' families during this difficult time.

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Zelensky, Stoltenberg agree to hold urgent meeting of Ukraine-NATO Council

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:03, April 18, 2024

KIEV, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday agreed to hold an urgent meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council.

"The Secretary General of the Alliance confirmed the convening of an extraordinary meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council at Ukraine's request," Zelensky said in a post on Telegram after a phone conversation with Stoltenberg.

The meeting at the defense ministers level will take place on Friday, Zelensky said.

"Ukraine needs immediate steps to strengthen air defense," he stressed.

At the talks, Zelensky informed Stoltenberg about Russia's missile attack on the city of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, which killed at least 17 people and injured 78 others earlier in the day.

They also discussed the implementation of initiatives to supply shells to Ukraine.

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Russia: New US aid for Ukraine will fail to change military situation in favor of Kiev

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 18 April 2024 3:57 PM

Russia says the latest aid package by the United States for Ukraine will fail to change the military situation in favor of Kiev, as Washington gears up for a seminal weekend vote on a long-stalled major military aid package for the ex-Soviet republic.

At a press conference on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that the $61 billion package of US funding for Ukraine would not change the dynamics on the battlefield.

"It won't in any way influence the development of the situation on the front. All experts now assert that the situation on the front is very unfavorable for the Ukrainian side. Therefore it will not be able to change anything," he said.

"Ukraine now has to fight not only for it (the aid package), benefiting the Americans, it has to fight to the last Ukrainian," Peskov further said, adding that Ukraine is also burdened with debt, "a favorite colonial policy of the United States."

His comments came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already warned that his country will lose its war with Russia if the US Congress withholds the major aid package, saying that the months-long delay has cost Ukraine lives and territory.

A day earlier, US House Speaker Mike Johnson said that he would advance the huge aid package, which has been stalled since last year amid political infighting in the Republican Party.

Ukraine is deeply dependent on Western funding, particularly from Washington, Kiev's biggest supporter throughout the current conflict, to fight off the Russians, who have begun to chalk up some of their first territorial gains this year following months of stalemate on the frontlines.

"We need this money yesterday, not tomorrow, not today," said Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal on Wednesday, echoing similar pleas for urgent support by other Ukrainian leaders.

US President Joe Biden has already said that he would sign the aid package into law "immediately" after it passed through Congress, which is plagued by differences over the complex plan.

Ukraine says hit Russian airfield in Crimea

On Thursday, Kiev claimed that Ukrainian forces had managed to strike a large Russian airfield on the Crimean peninsula, destroying a range of military equipment.

Crimea, formerly part of Ukraine, voted in a referendum in 2014 to fall under Russian sovereignty. The US and the European Union backed Kiev and refused to recognize the referendum results, later imposing sanctions on Moscow.

Ukraine's military intelligence said that the attack occurred in the early hours of Wednesday at the Dzhankoi airbase, situated on the northern part of the peninsula, claiming that the operation was "successful" and that it damaged radars and air defense systems, among other targets.

"The number of enemy aviation objects destroyed or damaged and the number of casualties among personnel of the Russian occupation army is being clarified," it added.

Russia commenced its "special military operation" in Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

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'Send Them To Ukraine': EU's Borrell Urges Europeans To Donate Air Defense Systems

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 18, 2024

The European Union's foreign policy chief called on EU member states to give Ukraine more air defense systems as the embattled country grapples with increasingly intense Russian air strikes on its infrastructure while its stocks of weapons and ammunition dwindle as critical U.S. aid remains stuck in Congress.

"We have Patriots (U.S. air defense systems). We have anti-missile systems. We have to take them [out] from our barracks where they are just in case and send them to Ukraine where the war is raging," Josep Borrell told the media on the sidelines of a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers on the Italian island of Capri, where Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine is topping the agenda.

The United States has been by far the main provider of military assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion in February 2022.

But a desperately needed $62 billion military aid package for Ukraine remains blocked in the U.S. House of Representatives amid opposition from hard-liners in the Republican party who want to tie domestic policy issues such as immigration to a decision on foreign aid.

The House is expected to vote on April 20 on new military aid, including the long-delayed package for Ukraine.

"We cannot only rely on the U.S. We have to take our [own] responsibility and stop saying, 'Oh, the U.S. will do it'," Borrell said, adding, however, that he regretted "internal politics" in the United States was delaying the critical aid package.

Without more air defenses, "the electricity system of Ukraine will be destroyed. And no country can fight without having electricity at home, in the factories, online, for everything," Borrell added.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who was invited to attend the Capri meeting, thanked Germany for providing Ukraine with a Patriot battery, while urging Congress to approve the package.

"We will work here at the ministerial level to make other allies deliver air defense systems to Ukraine. Because it's of fundamental importance," Kuleba said after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Kuleba pointed to the Russian missile strike on Ukraine's historic city of Chernihiv that killed at least 18 people on April 17 as evidence of his country's urgent need for military assistance.

"This is a matter of death and life for thousands of people, and in a broader sense, it's a matter of Ukraine's survival in this struggle against a much stronger enemy," he said.

The G7 meeting is also being attended by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Earlier on April 18, Ukraine shot down all 13 drones launched by Russia at its territory. The Ukrainian Air Force said most of the drones were launched at infrastructure targets in the western region of Ivano-Frankivsk. Russian news agency RIA Novosti claimed the drones struck Ukrainian military installations in Ivano-Frankivsk, but the mayor of the regional capital of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ruslan Martinskiv, told RFE/RL that only civilian infrastructure had been targeted.

Martsinkiv said debris from the drones caused a fire which was put out.

But a Russian missile attack on an infrastructure facility in the Dnipro region on April 18 causes substantial damage, regional administration head Serhiy Lysak said on Telegram.

"Two fires are still raging. We are clarifying the information," Lysak wrote.

Meanwhile, Andriy Yusov, spokesman for Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate at the Defense Ministry, has confirmed to RFE/RL reports of a "successful" attack by Ukrainian armed forces on a military airfield in the city of Dzhankoy in Ukraine's Russian-occupied Crimea.

Yusov told RFE/RL on April 18 that the attack, conducted a day earlier, destroyed Russia's launchers of anti-missile and anti-aircraft defense systems, radar systems, and damaged some planes.

Social media channels reported powerful explosions in the area of the airfield early on April 17, but the reports had not been verified.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-downs-13-russian- drones/32910655.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ground Drones: The Next Frontier Of Unmanned Combat In Ukraine

By Amos Chapple April 18, 2024

The modern battlefield has been transformed by drones in the air and on the high seas, and now both Russia and Kyiv appear to be on the cusp of deploying large numbers of ground drones onto Ukrainian soil.

A recent video captures the degree to which unmanned vehicles are transforming the modern battlefield. The clip shows two tracked Russian ground drones armed with grenade launchers being destroyed by Ukrainian aerial drones, all of which is captured by a reconnaissance drone hovering nearby.

The drone-on-drone destruction is one of several visuals released in recent weeks featuring unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). Other clips feature a ground drone firing volleys of tracer bullets at a Russian position, and a wheeled kamikaze drone trundling a massive explosive device across open ground before detonating under a bridge in Russian-held territory.

Nataliia Kushnerska, the head of Brave1, a Ukrainian government organization that helps to steer private inventions toward adoption by the country's military, told RFE/RL her organization had "made the development of ground robots one of its top priorities to catch up with other unmanned systems."

Brave1, she says, has had more than 200 UGV designs submitted to their platform, and has tested 50 so far.

Ground drones were first used in combat by the U.S.S.R. during its invasion of Finland in 1939. The Soviet "teletanks" were conventional tanks equipped with a radio control system. The vehicles were limited by the human controllers needing to steer the vehicle and aim its weapons from a distance without the aid of modern video feeds. Soviet teletanks were reportedly last used in combat in 1942 during World War II.

Also during the war, the German military built a kamikaze ground drone dubbed the Goliath. The bumper-car-sized vehicle was loaded with explosives and controlled through a wire that trailed behind as the Goliath made its way towards enemy positions. Thousands of the "demolition drones" were produced, but they proved slow and cumbersome and were easily stopped by gunfire.

Since World War II, multiple attempts have been made to revive the concept of the combat ground drone, with limited success. Russia's Uran-9 unmanned tank was used in combat during Syria's civil war in 2018 but reportedly fared so poorly that an officer noted the system was at least a decade awayfrom being ready for battle. The vehicle has not yet been deployed in Ukraine.

Michael Boyle, an associate professor at Rutgers University, and author of a book on drone warfare, told RFE/RL there are several reasons combat ground drones have been slow to develop. "The first is terrain," he said. While aerial drones can generally fly as freely as birds and marine drones also move through a relatively unconstrained element, ground drones "need to be able to move rapidly over uneven surfaces to complete their task and do so under fire in contested regions," Boyle says.

Obstacles as simple as a ditch, or coils of barbed wire that a soldier could easily hop over, present an impassable barrier for many ground drones.

Another key factor is cost. "Developing a ground vehicle that can operate over uneven terrain remotely, and be integrated with other military units, is expensive," Boyle said.

While kamikaze aerial drones costing a few hundred dollars are routinely sent on one-way missions, ground drones large and advanced enough to navigate pockmarked battlefields "are generally not disposable in the same way," Boyle said. The drone expert added that "communications infrastructure with [ground drones] must be especially secure, at least for now while they remain so expensive, and that presents its own barrier to entry."

Kushnerska says the most promising of the ground-drone designs Brave1 is testing is currently a vehicle designed to transport wounded from the battlefield. "Communication with the military has shown us that the defenders suffer many of their losses during the evacuation of the wounded."

She says a remotely controlled or autonomous vehicle could take the place of the three to six soldiers needed to carry a wounded soldier away from the front lines.

"By the end of 2024, we expect this [evacuation] UGV will become a systematic part of our military's actions," she predicted.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ground-drones-war- russia-invasion-ukraine/32911118.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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U.S. Envoy On Ukraine's Economic Recovery Says Reconstruction Process Already Under Way

By RFE/RL April 18, 2024

WASHINGTON -- The United States and Ukraine's other partners have already started working on Ukraine's economic recovery even as Kyiv focuses on defending itself because both Kyiv and its partners know that "part of Putin's war strategy is to try and destroy Ukraine's economy," said the U.S. special envoy for Ukraine's economic recovery.

Penny Pritzker, a former U.S. commerce secretary who was appointed to the post by President Joe Biden, told a briefing in Washington on April 17 that she and other partners have been working with Ukrainians and Kyiv's allies in both the public and private sectors to strengthen the economic environment to enable private sector investment.

She said it's important to start now because a functioning Ukrainian economy is key both to its war effort and to achieving its Euro-Atlantic goals.

"In order to defeat [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, it is not only going to take a sustained commitment from governments but also increased private sector engagement like a business advisory council to be more agile and responsive to the complex and rapidly changing environment in Ukraine," said Pritzker, who served as commerce secretary from 2013 to 2017.

Among the work already complete is the creation of a Multi-Donor Coordination Platform (MDCP) that last week held its first steering committee meeting in Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale invasion, she said, saying the group is a testament to what the international donor community can do when it collaborates.

The MDCP is on track to launch a business advisory council at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in June. The conference, which will be hosted by Germany and held in Berlin, will be an opportunity for Ukrainians to showcase their progress on various reforms.

It also will provide an opportunity for partner countries to highlight the support they have available and for the private sector to showcase what it can bring to the table, she said.

The conference "has the potential to be an important moment in both envisioning and bringing to reality some of the future ideas about Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction," Pritzker told reporters.

Pritzker also noted that the Ukrainian economy "just like its military remains alive active and resilient." The country's GDP is expected to grow at around 4 percent in 2024 after 5 percent growth last year, and state revenue increased 25 percent in January 2024 over the same month the previous year, she said.

Last year Ukraine saw investment increase by 17 percent, with more than 37,000 new businesses registered -- more than half founded by women, she added.

"Such results do not just happen. They are the result of close collaboration and partnership across governments, international financial institutions, NGOs, the private sector, and more," she said.

As a sign of the progress thus far, Pritzker said a $156 million deal was announced last week in Kyiv to provide 40 diesel locomotives for Ukraine's national railway in what she said was the first such deal since the invasion.

Pritzker said she has made two trips to Ukraine in the past two weeks and knows how dire the situation is as it struggles to defend itself with supplies of air defense munitions and artillery shells dwindling. She joined a chorus of Biden administration officials who are calling for the U.S. Congress to pass a multi-billion dollar aid package that has been held back in the House of Representatives by a small group of Republicans.

"Let me be clear: 784 days into Russia's full-scale invasion, the House must act to provide the crucial security, economic, and humanitarian lifeline that Ukraine needs and they must act now," she said. "The American people support Ukraine and we cannot abandoned them in their time of need."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-envoy-ukraine-recovery- reconstruction/32910370.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

April 18, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken met today with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Capri on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The two discussed the situation on the battlefield and Ukraine's progress a in coordination with Allies and partners a as it pursues its goal of greater Euro-Atlantic integration. The Secretary reaffirmed the United States' support for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia's ongoing brutal aggression, including the recent attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, and called on Congress to pass the president's supplemental funding request without delay.

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The President of Ukraine Met with the Vice Chancellor, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany

President of Ukraine

18 April 2024 - 21:03

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Vice Chancellor, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action of Germany Robert Habeck, who is on a visit to Ukraine.

The Head of State praised Germany's comprehensive support for Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression. In particular, he noted the assistance to the regions.

"In general, I would like to thank Germany and the entire German society for their extremely tangible support of Ukraine throughout the full-scale war, in times of all these challenges," the President emphasized.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed of the intensification of Russian missile terror against our country. The parties also focused on the importance of further bolstering Ukraine's air defense with modern Western-made systems.

"It is difficult to overestimate Germany's decision to support us with the new Patriot system. Air defense is our priority today," the Head of State said.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the restoration of energy infrastructure after Russian missile strikes, as well as ways to attract German assistance for the speedy repair of damaged power plants.

Particular attention was paid to bilateral cooperation in the defense industry and the defense needs of Ukrainian defenders. The President expressed gratitude for all the military support provided by Germany and discussed with Robert Habeck the key areas of further assistance.

The parties also exchanged views on attracting German investment in Ukraine and developing economic cooperation, and coordinated steps to prepare for the Ukraine Recovery Conference to be held in Berlin this June. Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined Ukraine's expectations regarding the results of this event.

The parties also discussed the first Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, which will also take place this June. The President expressed gratitude for Germany's support for the Ukrainian Peace Formula and Chancellor Olaf Scholz's assistance in its promotion.

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Results from the March 2024 primary election show voters living in high-growth neighborhoods, like the Financial District, South of Market, Mission Bay and the Dogpatch, lean more moderate than voters in the rest of the city. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

In the past decade, San Franciscos population grew fastest in neighborhoods along the eastern edge of the city. From 2010 to 2020, the number of residents in the Financial District, South of Market, Mission Bay and the Dogpatch grew by 71%, far surpassing the citywide increase of just 8.5%.

While these neighborhoods still represent only 10% of San Franciscos population, up from a little over 6% a decade ago, recent election results suggest their voting behavior could bring an advantage to the citys moderate faction.

To understand the voting trends of these rapidly growing areas, the Chronicle zeroed in on 25 electoral precincts that had some of the largest population increases from 2010 to 2020. Theyre located along the stretch of the city from the Ferry Building to just north of the Bayview. We then compared the election results in these high-growth precincts with those from the rest of the city.

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We found an electorate that leans more moderate. On each of the three most contentious measures in the March 2024 primary, voters in high-growth precincts were more likely to side with the opinions of the citys moderate leaders.

Take, for example, Measure F, which mandates drug screening for welfare recipients. About two-thirds of voters in the high-growth precincts supported the measure, compared to 58% in the rest of the city.

There are similar gaps in the yes shares for measures C (aimed at reducing the cost of office-to-housing conversions) and E (strengthening police powers) between high-growth precincts and the rest of the city. All three of these measures were supported by the citys moderates.

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There are, however, neighborhoods that vote more moderately than these high-growth precincts. Seacliff, for example, had roughly 70% or more of its voters backing each of the three measures  close to 10 percentage points higher than the yes percentages in the high-growth precincts.

These findings mirror those from a 2022 analysis by the Chronicle which gave every precinct in the city a progressivity score, based on how residents voted on local ballot measures in the 2022 midterms. That analysis, which built on the work of San Francisco State University professor emeritus Richard DeLeon, also showed that the voters in these high growth areas lean moderate, but not as moderate as places like the Marina, Seacliff or Parkside, which have the least progressive voters in the city.

Though these voters live in high-growth areas, the new population is not completely made up of people new to San Francisco. They could, instead, be people who moved from other parts of the city.

However, data collected from 2018 to 2022 for the American Community Survey suggests this high-growth area has a larger share of newcomers to the city than in other neighborhoods.

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According to political science professor Jason McDaniel from San Francisco State University, given the type of new housing in the area, the population represented in our analysis is a good proxy for the affluent newcomers working in the tech sector.

Between 2010 and 2020, the voting age population in these high-growth areas increased from about 44,000 to 75,000, comprising a larger share of the citys voting population  up from 6.3% to 9.8%.

Despite their growing influence, turnout in these precincts tends to lag  at least in non-presidential elections. Turnout in this area was six to seven percentage points lower than in the rest of the city during the March primary, 2022 midterms and 2019 municipal election.

However, the 2020 general election saw nearly equal turnout in the high-growth precincts as in other parts of the city, suggesting a potentially higher turnout for the November presidential and mayoral election.

Still, its not clear who these additional voters are or how they will vote. Its possible they lean more progressive, which would partially offset the more moderate votes from the highly engaged voter base.

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According to McDaniel, voters in the presidential election tend to be younger and more racially and ethnically diverse than those who turn out in primary or municipal elections. These voters tend to vote more progressively, so we might not see as big of a moderate advantage in November as we did in March in these neighborhoods.

Ballot measure results from the 2020 election support this hypothesis. On four local propositions, the gaps in the yes percentages between high-growth precincts and other neighborhoods are narrower than those in the recent March election.

Though voters in this fast growing area only make up a small share of the citys population, just how this group ends up voting in November could be key in deciding who becomes the next mayor and whether the city continues its swing towards more moderate policies.

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Ukraine and the Czech Republic Started Negotiations on a Bilateral Security Agreement

President of Ukraine

18 April 2024 - 20:41

According to the presidential decree, the Ukrainian negotiating delegation is headed by the Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak. Today's round of talks was led by Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva. The Czech side was represented by Director General for Security and Multilateral Issues of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic David KoneckA.

"The Czech Republic demonstrates continued leadership in supporting Ukraine and encourages other partners to implement bold and important initiatives, including the supply of ammunition to our country. We also feel the Czech Republic's strong support on the path to Ukraine's future membership in the EU and NATO," emphasized Ihor Zhovkva.

The parties noted progress in drafting the future security agreement, exchanged views on its content, in particular on strengthening cooperation in the defense industry, and agreed on a schedule for further negotiations so that the two leaders could sign the agreement in the near future.

A week ago, during a meeting in Vilnius, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel discussed the readiness to conclude a bilateral security agreement. This is envisaged by the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine signed during the NATO Summit in Vilnius on July 12, 2023.

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Our Domestic Defense Production Yielded Important Results - Address by the President

President of Ukraine

18 April 2024 - 20:29

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today's key takeaways.

First, a conference call with key reports. The Commander-in-Chief reported on the frontline, our operations and results. The Minister of Defense reported on the supply of weapons, equipment and communication with partners. There were important results of our domestic defense production: in particular, we managed to increase the number of Bohdana howitzers we produce monthly to 10. This is a good result. In general, there are positive aspects in arms production. We especially appreciate everything related to the production of drones and shells. I am always grateful to every company and every manufacturer that provides our Defense and Security Forces with everything they need. There were also reports on the regions - on the elimination of the consequences of Russian strikes, and the overall security situation. We discussed the situation in the border communities, including the information field, the access of people to the Ukrainian television signal and the blocking of Russian propaganda. Our own, Ukrainian, technical developments should also help with this. It is worth remembering that Russian propaganda is invariably followed by, at the very least, destabilization and, at worst, an attempted occupation. At all levels, we and our partners must work together to counteract it. And I thank everyone in the world - all leaders, all public figures, all politicians - who take seriously the need to protect people from disinformation and all other Russian destabilizing influences.

Today I had the opportunity to thank Germany: Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor of the German government, is currently on a visit to Ukraine. We particularly appreciate Germany's leadership, which helps not only us in Ukraine to protect lives, but also the whole of Europe to preserve the kind of Europe that is capable of being peaceful, capable of being lawful, capable of caring for people. Germany is now among the world leaders in helping our defense. We discussed what exactly is needed to adequately respond to all the security challenges of this year, to what Russian terrorists are preparing for. We discussed with Mr. Habeck the frontline, our needs for air defense, and the corresponding communication with partners - with third countries that can help and with whom our German friends will talk about this. Of course, we discussed cooperation at the level of European institutions and economic challenges. We also pay special attention to co-production projects, to our joint work so that our defense industries can contribute to the strength of our countries and the common security of the entire Europe. We are preparing the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Germany, our special bilateral work, and we agreed to make this format focused, in particular, on the defense industry - on production, on energy - on recovery, on air defense. As is always the case with Germany, there will be a result!

And one more aspect of both our internal and external work. Today I met with representatives of Ukrainian Jewish organizations and the Ukrainian Jewish community before Passover. It is very symbolic that our meeting took place in a Kyiv school: a Ukrainian school where children study Hebrew and Jewish culture, among other things. This is one of the many reflections of how rich Ukraine is in its diversity, in all our communities in our society. I thanked the rabbis who attended the meeting, those who are in Ukraine, those who are with Ukraine, with the people here, those who are helping us. This is extremely important. Of course, we talked about the possibilities of international communication - about ways to tell the world more about Russian aggression and our needs, in particular for air defense. For obvious security reasons, we held today's meeting in the shelter of this school in Kyiv. And it is important that everyone who really has influence helps us, helps us to protect the sky, our cities, and all the children of Ukraine. I am grateful to everyone who invests their own time, strength, and energy in Ukraine.

Glory to everyone who defends our country, our people, and Ukrainian life! Glory to everyone who achieves results for Ukraine.

Glory to Ukraine!

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Ukraine's Position on Holding Russia Accountable For Aggression Remains Unchanged a Iryna Mudra

President of Ukraine

18 April 2024 - 17:57

Deputy Head of the Office of the President Iryna Mudra and Executive Director of the International Bar Association Mark Ellis discussed international mechanisms for restoring justice for Ukraine.

Separately, the parties also discussed the issues of compensation for damages caused by the Russian invasion, the investigation of war crimes and the bringing of the highest political and military leadership of the Russian Federation to accountability for the crime of aggression.

"Ukraine's position remains unchanged. We advocate for the establishment of a separate international tribunal, which would have a mandate to overcome the immunity of the leaders of the aggressor country. Everyone in the world should be confident that there is an institution capable of bringing to justice those who encroached on the foundations of the international legal order, and that justice will be restored," emphasized Iryna Mudra.

Mark Ellis expressed support for the establishment of an international tribunal.

"Prosecution for the crime of aggression does not concern only Ukraine or the whole of Europe, it primarily affects the basic principles of international law. The responsibility of Russian leaders is a key point," he emphasized.

During the meeting, the main achievements and challenges in the further implementation of judicial reform in Ukraine were also discussed.

The parties agreed to continue cooperation, as well as to involve the world legal community in spreading the idea of creating a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine among colleagues in the countries of the Global South.

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Strengthening of Air Defense, Weapons for Soldiers and Sanctions against Russia: The President Addressed the Countries Participating in the European Council Meeting

President of Ukraine

18 April 2024 - 00:49

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, opened his speech at the special meeting of the European Council by reporting on the Russian attack on Chernihiv: 17 people were killed, and more than 60 wounded.

"The beginning of this day reflects our current key need a the need for air defense. Here in Ukraine, in our part of Europe, unfortunately, we do not have the level of defense that we all saw in the Middle East a few days ago. We are still convincing that we need to protect Europe from ballistic missiles and "Shaheds", from cruise missiles and bombs, as it happened in the skies of Israel and other countries in the region. Our Ukrainian sky and the sky of our neighbors deserve the same security. And I thank everyone who also perceives our need for security as a need for equal security for all, because all lives are equally valuable," the Head of the State said.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Russia had destroyed almost all of Ukraine's thermal power generation. Russian occupiers are hitting dams, equipment of hydroelectric power plants, and gas infrastructure. The aggressor state of the Russian Federation is not giving up on radiation blackmail. Ukraine does not rule-out that threat is not limited to the infrastructure of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

"This can only be stopped by air defense - by specific systems such as Patriot, IRIS-T, SAMP-T, NASAMS. Systems that you have. They are needed in Ukraine right now - needed to stop Putin from relying on terrorist methods. And this is your security need as well", - the President emphasized.

The Head of State thanked all the countries participating in the meeting for their initiatives and involvement in the coalitions to support Ukraine, and our Defense and Security Forces. He urged to accelerate the implementation of the agreements and to engage in communication with American partners so that the U.S. Congress could make a relevant decision on the support package.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also noted that sanctions against the aggressor state of the Russian Federation should be strengthened, and all its income should be limited.

"We all now need to overplay Putin in our determination - so that this war begins to finally move towards a fair end," the President concluded.

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The President During the Special Meeting of the European Council: The Beginning of this Day Reflects our Current Key Need - the Need for Air Defense

President of Ukraine

18 April 2024 - 00:35

Dear Charles, Mr. President,

Dear Ursula, Madam President,

Dear colleagues,

Thank you for your attention to Ukraine.

This morning in Ukraine began with another Russian terrorist attack. They hit our city of Chernihiv. Cruise missiles against civilian buildings. Many houses and a hospital were damaged, a hotel was completely destroyed. People were under the rubble. In total, more than 60 people were injured, including kids. Unfortunately, 17 people were killed. My condolences to all those who lost their loved ones. And this is what is happening every day. It reflects our current key need - the need for air defense.

Here in Ukraine, in our part of Europe, unfortunately, we do not have the level of defense that we all saw in the Middle East a few days ago. When, thanks to the combined power of the allies, they managed to shoot down almost all the missiles and drones that attacked Israel. We are still convincing that we need to protect Europe from ballistic missiles and "Shaheds", from cruise missiles and bombs, as it happened in the skies of Israel and other countries in the region. Our Ukrainian sky and the sky of our neighbors deserve the same security. And I thank everyone who also perceives our need for security as a need for equal security for all, because all lives are equally valuable.

And today our Defense Forces managed to hit an important military facility of the occupiers in Crimea. Thanks to the destruction of Russian equipment there, we can feel more confident about our soldiers in southern Ukraine, on the frontline. And this reflects not the first, but nor the second key issue in this war - the greater our striking capabilities, the sooner Russian occupiers will be forced to leave the sovereign territory of Ukraine. And thus - will be forced to leave each of their neighbors and entire Europe in peace.

Our ability to defend ourselves against Russian terror and the weapons in the hands of our soldiers is something that works not only for Ukraine but for all of you. And I thank each and every one of you who understands this and takes action based on that.

Now we have Germany's urgent decision to send an additional Patriot and missiles for air defense to Ukraine. This will really help. I thank you, Olaf, for your efficiency.

However, we have a bigger need. Russia has already destroyed almost all of our thermal power generation. Dams and equipment of hydroelectric power plants, as well as gas infrastructure are under terrorist attacks. Russia is not giving up on radiation blackmail and, in particular, continues to brutally play with the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. We do not rule out that the infrastructure of our other nuclear power plants and distribution networks are also under threat from Russian terror. This can only be stopped by air defense - by specific systems such as Patriot, IRIS-T, SAMP-T, NASAMS... Systems that you have. They are needed in Ukraine right now - needed to stop Putin from relying on terrorist methods. And this is your security need as well.

Next. Weapons for our soldiers. Shells for artillery. Vehicles. Drones. Everything that helps to hold the frontline. Now the Russian army feels its strength in almost everything related to the armed compnent. And it is precisely because of this strength - in artillery, in equipment, in the ability to operate in the sky - that they are putting pressure on us at the front and are gradually moving. Putin now hopes that he will succeed in his counteroffensive, and the only root of this hope is the shortage of weapons among our soldiers.

We are actively working with the United States to get the proper decision of the Congress on the American support package. And I ask each of you to engage in communication with our American partners to make their support really happen. We also expect that European leadership in security issues will be equally crucial for Ukraine and globally. Now it is time when all parts of the world should show their leadership for the sake of common security. Because the part of the world whose unity, whose leadership, whose defense production capabilities are insufficient, will lose. Europe must win this time.

I thank each and every one of you for your initiatives and participation in coalitions to support Ukraine, our defense and security forces. I thank everyone whose efforts are really effective. But, unfortunately, we have not yet seen a million artillery shells from the European Union that were discussed so much. Also, some other initiatives have not yet been fully implemented, and this is primarily reflected in what our soldiers can use at the front and what they still, unfortunately, have to wait for.

I ask you to accelerate the implementation of our agreements with you - both on supplies and joint production of weapons and ammunition, and on financing relevant projects.

We also need special support now in terms of our energy - in every sense of this word. Primarily, in the sense of energetics. To restore normal electricity generation and distribution after the Russian strikes. We appreciate the tangible help of each of you with equipment and finances. We also need very specific support for the energy of our society - the energy of spirit, the energy of resilience. This is something that belongs to the political sphere. We need the European Union to deliver what it had promised, and our people need to see Ukraine moving closer to full membership. June is the right time to actually start negotiations with Ukraine on membership. Therefore, we need to adopt a negotiating framework and hold the first intergovernmental conference. And let's not forget about the energy of justice, which is at the heart of our Europe. Let's not forget how we appreciate it, and how we want to keep it. Sanctions against Russia for its terror must be strengthened. It is fair. Russian assets that are now frozen should be used to protect lives from Russian terror. This is also fair. And please work to limit Russian revenues... Europe can ensure zero tolerance for anything that gives Russia profits for terror and destabilization. This will be fair too. But it will also be effective. Every country that restricts trade with Russia, every custom duty that prevents import of Russian goods, every your business that leaves Russia - ensures peace and stability in Europe.

We all now need to outmaneuver Putin in our determination - so that this war begins to finally move towards just end.

I believe in peace and I am confident in our Europe's strength.

Thank you all for your support!

Thank you for the strength of Europe!

Thank you, Charles!

Glory to Ukraine!

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G7 reaffirms support for Ukraine's defense, financial needs

By Nike Ching April 18, 2024

The Group of Seven on Thursday reaffirmed its support for Ukraine's defense, addressing both its urgent short-term financing needs and long-term reconstruction. Germany will host a Ukraine recovery conference in Berlin this year, while Italy will host the conference in 2025.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at a bilateral meeting on the margins of G7 foreign ministers talks in Capri, Italy, that the United States is committed to helping Kyiv defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia's aggression, including the recent attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Recent attacks on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant have raised concerns about the potential for a major nuclear accident.

Blinken also underlined the urgency of U.S. congressional action on aid for Ukraine.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is expected to hold its much-anticipated vote on aid for Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific as early as Saturday.

"In these turbulent times, it is a hopeful sign that there are now signals from the Republicans in the U.S. that support for Ukraine can be continued intensively," German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said during a news conference.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Kuleba later participated in the G7 foreign ministers session focusing on supporting Ukraine.

Stoltenberg said the alliance is actively working to provide additional air defense systems soon.

In Washington, the G7 finance ministers wrapped up talks on the margins of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group spring meetings earlier this week.

In a statement, G7 finance ministers said they are working with the European Union to "provide stable, predictable and sustainable financial support" covering a portion of Ukraine's financing needs until 2027, including through support for investment and access to finance.

"We reiterate our commitment to support Ukraine's long-term recovery and reconstruction needs, which the World Bank currently estimates to amount to almost USD 486 billion over 10 years," the finance ministers said in the statement.

Some information for this report came from Reuters.

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NATO chief says alliance working to send more air defense systems to Ukraine

By VOA News April 18, 2024

NATO is working to send more air defense systems to Ukraine, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday, noting that Ukraine had an "urgent, critical need for more air defense."

"We have compiled data about the different air defense systems we have in NATO and focused on the Patriot systems. And we are working with allies to ensure that they redeploy some of their systems to Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

He made the comments to reporters at a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Italy, which Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also attended.

A meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council is set to take place Friday, Stoltenberg said, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to participate virtually.

"I am encouraged by the commitment and the determination by NATO allies to stand up for Ukraine," Stoltenberg said. He added that there were encouraging signs that the U.S. Congress might vote this weekend on an aid package for Ukraine worth $60.84 billion.

"It's of vital importance that NATO allies sustain and step up their support. We will focus today on air defense. There's an urgent, critical need for more air defense," Stoltenberg said.

Ukraine's military said Thursday it shot down all 13 aerial drones launched by Russia in overnight attacks, while Russia's military reported destroying 20 Ukrainian drones.

The Ukrainian air force said its air defenses intercepted drones over the Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, Ternopil and Vinnytsia regions.

In a Telegram post, Serhiy Lysak, the regional governor in Dnipropetrovsk, reported damage to two homes, but no injuries.

Ivano-Frankivsk's governor, Svitlana Onyshchuk, said on Telegram that falling debris from the downed drones started multiple fires.

The bulk of Ukraine's aerial attack focused on the Belgorod region along the border between the two countries.

The Russian Defense Ministry said it destroyed 16 drones and two missiles over Belgorod, where the regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported damage to a home and one person injured.

Russian air defenses also shot down three drones over the Rostov region and one more over Voronezh, the Defense Ministry said.

Vasily Golubev, the governor of Rostov, said falling debris damaged an industrial building and injured one person.

G7 meetings

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba said Thursday that pushing allies to provide Ukraine with more air defenses was his only focus in talks with foreign ministers from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations in Italy.

Speaking before a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Kuleba said getting deliveries of air defense aid is "of fundamental importance."

Blinken said the talks are happening at a "critical time for Ukraine" and that supporters need to provide Ukraine with "what it needs to continue to effectively defend itself against this Russian aggression."

"If [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is allowed to proceed with impunity, we know he won't stop at Ukraine, and we can safely predict that his aggression will continue," Blinken said. "Other would-be aggressors around the world will take note and unleash their own aggressions, and we will have a world of conflict, not a world of peace and security."

The U.S. State Department said Blinken would also raise U.S. concerns about China's support for Russia's defense industry.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Tuesday that over the past months, the United States has observed materials being transferred from China to Russia, which is using the materials to rebuild its defense industrial base and produce arms that are showing up on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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CIA director: Ukraine could lose war against Russia without US aid

By VOA News April 18, 2024

The director of the CIA warned Thursday there is a "real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024," in its war against Russia.

William Burns, speaking in Dallas at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, said, Ukraine is "running out of ammunition and we're running out of time to help them," a swipe at U.S. lawmakers who are holding up additional aid to Ukraine.

"With supplemental assistance from the U.S. Congress, I think the Ukrainians can hold their own on the battlefield in 2024 and continue to do damage" in Crimea and against the Black Sea Fleet, the CIA director said.

Without the aid, Burns said, "the picture is a lot more dire."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address on Thursday the military is on track to produce 10 Bohdana howitzers this month. "This is a good result," the president said, for the country's production of defense materials.

The president said the talks with the military also included discussions about Ukraine's border communities including the information field, topics that included access to Ukrainian television signals and the blocking of Russian propaganda.

Zelenskyy said Russian propaganda "is invariably followed by, at the very least, destabilization and, at worst, an attempted occupation." He said Ukraine and its partners would "work together" to counteract any Russian influence and deal with any technological challenges.

Ukraine's military said Thursday it shot down all 13 aerial drones launched by Russia in overnight attacks, while Russia's military reported destroying 20 Ukrainian drones.

The Ukrainian air force said its air defenses intercepted drones over the Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, Ternopil and Vinnytsia regions.

Serhiy Lysak, the regional governor in Dnipropetrovsk, reported on Telegram damage to two homes, but no injuries.

Ivano-Frankivsk's governor, Svitlana Onyshchuk, said on Telegram that falling debris from the downed drones started multiple fires.

The bulk of Ukraine's aerial attack focused on the Belgorod region along the border between the two countries.

The Russian defense ministry said it destroyed sixteen drones and two missiles over Belgorod, where the regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported damage to a home and one person injured.

Russian air defenses also shot down three drones over the Rostov region and one more over Voronezh, the country's defense ministry said.

Vasily Golubev, the governor of Rostov, said falling debris damaged an industrial building and injured one person.

G7 meetings

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations were scheduled to discuss Russia's war on Ukraine during a meeting Thursday in Italy, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba taking part in the talks.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was set to join one of the sessions focused on support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly urged allies to provide more military support, particularly air defenses, to protect against Russia's drone and missile attacks.

The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken would also raise U.S. concerns about China's support for Russia's defense industry.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Tuesday that over the past months, the United States has observed materials being transferred from China to Russia, which is using the materials to rebuild its defense industrial base and produce arms that are showing up on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF) (AEMC or the Company) today announced that it has filed an amended Technical Report titled Nikolai Mineral Resource Estimate Technical Report Amended and Updated (the Amended Report), with an effective date of April 12th, 2024, for its 100% owned Eureka Property, Nikolai Nickel Project in Alaska, USA. On April 2nd, 2024, the Company filed a preliminary short-form base shelf prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec and Nunavut. This resulted in a review of the Canadian Securities Administration National Instrument 43-101 Standards for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) Technical Report filed on March 14, 2024 (Original Report), and the review is now complete.



The Amended Report contains no material differences, and the Mineral Resource Estimate remains unchanged from the Original Report. The Amended Report complies with the technical requirements of NI 43-101 and Form 43-101F1 (the Form).

A summary description of the changes to the Amended Report are as follows:

Addition of a Qualified Person who performed a site visit to the Nikolai Nickel Project in August and September of 2023 and authored Sections 1.2, 12.1, 12.3, 12.4 and 12.5.

Clarification to ensure that the Amended Report is limited to the work, interpretations, and conclusions of the authors.

Strengthened the sections relating to Data Verification, Sample Preparation, Analyses and Security by describing the steps and procedures taken by the authors to verify the data disclosed.

Recommendations have been reduced from three phases to two phases of work to comply with Item 26 of the Form.

The title page has been updated to include general location of the property and the authors names and professional designations.



Alaska Energy Metals President & CEO Gregory Beischer commented: We are pleased that the report the Qualified Persons at Stantec prepared in February had only a few, non-material changes required by the thorough reviewers at the securities commission. The final 43-101 report gives a clear, supportable, documentation of the Mineral Resource Estimate that we have quickly established at the Nikolai project Eureka deposit in just one year of operations.

The Amended Report can be found under the Companys profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on Alaska Energy Metals website (www.alaskaenergymetals.com).

STOCK OPTIONS

The Company confirms its previously announced intention to grant an aggregate of 275,000 stock options to a consultant who is a financial adviser to the Company, and to Sydney Knight, an investor relations professional that has recently joined the Company. The stock options were granted at a strike price of $0.195 and have a term of five years. The options granted to Sydney Knight will be subject to the TSXV mandatory vesting schedule for investor relations professionals.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Gregory Beischer, the Companys President and CEO is the qualified person who reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this news release.

For additional information, visit: https://alaskaenergymetals.com/

ABOUT ALASKA ENERGY METALS

Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (AEMC) is an Alaska-based corporation with offices in Anchorage and Vancouver working to sustainably deliver the critical materials needed for national security and a bright energy future, while generating superior returns for shareholders.

AEMC is focused on delineating and developing the large-scale, bulk tonnage, polymetallic Eureka deposit containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, iron, platinum, palladium, and gold. Located in Interior Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, its flagship project, Nikolai, is well-situated to become a significant domestic source of strategic energy-related metals for North America. AEMC also holds a secondary project, Angliers-Belleterre, in western Quebec. Today, material sourcing demands excellence in environmental performance, carbon mitigation and the responsible management of human and financial capital. AEMC works every day to earn and maintain the respect and confidence of the public and believes that ESG performance is measured by action and led from the top.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Gregory Beischer

Gregory Beischer, President & CEO

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO

Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-638-3164

Sarah Mawji, Public Relations

Venture Strategies

Email: sarah@venturestrategies.com

Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation). These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

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.
BALTIMORE, Md., April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Adams Diversified Equity Fund (NYSE: ADX) announced that William H. Reinhardt has been elected Vice President-Research, effective April 18, 2024.



Mr. Reinhardt joined Adams Diversified Equity Fund in February 2023 as a senior equity analyst covering the Industrials sector. Prior to joining the Fund, Mr. Reinhardt worked at Monarch Partners and before that, at Columbia Threadneedle, as a senior equity analyst covering Industrials, Materials, and Energy. His over eighteen years of experience also includes equity research positions with Lazard Capital Markets and Citigroup.

This is a well-deserved promotion for Will. His depth of knowledge and work ethic have enabled Will to successfully integrate with the rest of the team and contribute meaningfully to our success, said Jim Haynie, CEO of the Fund.

Mr. Reinhardt holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Kenyon College and he is a CFA Charter holder.

About Adams Funds

Since 1929, Adams Funds has consistently helped generations of investors reach their investment goals. Adams Funds is comprised of two closed-end funds, Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc. (NYSE: ADX) and Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc. (NYSE: PEO).The Funds are actively managed by an experienced team with a disciplined approach and have paid dividends for more than 85 years across many market cycles. The Funds are committed to paying an annual distribution rate of 6% or more, providing reliable income to long-term investors. Shares can be purchased through our transfer agent or through a broker. For more information about Adams Funds, please visit: adamsfunds.com.

For further information please contact:

adamsfunds.com/about/contact

800.638.2479
Annie is a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. She previously was a digital producer for The Chronicles Datebook section. She graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2017 with a degree in journalism. During her time there, she spearheaded a culture column, produced radio pieces for NPR-affiliate station KCBX, and was a DJ and writer for KCPR, the campus radio station. Before joining the Chronicle, she was an associate producer at SFGATE and interned at VICE and Flood Magazine. Shes particularly interested in communities and scenes that are often misunderstood.
New York, United States , April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Global Connected Tires Market Size is to Grow from USD 7.93 Million in 2023 to USD 311.73 Million by 2033, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 44.36% during the projected period.





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Connected tires are those that have sensors integrated into the tire that can monitor tire health and instantly provide data to the car. The tires are equipped with a range of Internet of Things devices in addition to a multitude of other sensor-based technologies, including increased assistance, pressure monitoring, temperature management, and others. The data collected, including tire pressure, tread depth, road condition, and temperature, is sent. This information helps predict tire performance, upkeep requirements, and alarms for deviations. It also aids in other modifications, emergency braking, traction control, and suspension. The automotive sector is a major source of technological innovation for future technical advancements. Moreover, one of the primary drivers of the connected tire industry is the increasing demand for vehicle safety. The number of traffic incidents rising annually has increased awareness of the importance of tire performance, safety, and health. However, it is anticipated that the market's expansion will be hampered by inadequate infrastructure in several emerging nations worldwide.

Browse key industry insights spread across 200 pages with 110 Market data tables and figures & charts from the report on the " Global Connected Tires Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Rim Size (12 - 17 Inches, 18 - 22 Inches, and Others), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicle, and Others), By Sales Channel (Aftermarket, OEM, and Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023  2033."

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The 12 - 17 inches segment is anticipated to hold the greatest share of the global connected tires market during the projected timeframe.

Based on the rim size, the global connected tires market is divided into 12 - 17 inches, 18 - 22 inches, and others. Among these, the 12 - 17 inches segment is anticipated to hold the greatest share of the global connected tires market during the projected timeframe. This is mostly because the most common option for manufacturers and consumers, the 12- to 17-inch tire size, covers the standard rim widths that are commonly seen on a range of vehicles, from small automobiles to midsize SUVs.

The commercial vehicles segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest pace in the global connected tires market during the projected timeframe.

Based on the vehicle type, the global connected tires market is divided into passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and others. Among these, the commercial vehicles segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest pace in the global connected tires market during the projected timeframe. This growth is being driven by the need for fleet management, efficiency optimization, and enhanced safety measures in the commercial transportation industry. Due to linked tires, commercial vehicle tiers might be better observed and controlled, with reduced operating costs and improved overall performance.

The aftermarket segment is predicted to grow at the highest pace in the connected tires market during the estimated period.

Based on the sales channel, the global connected tires market is divided into aftermarket, OEM, and others. Among these, the aftermarket segment is predicted to grow at the highest pace in the connected tires market during the estimated period. This increase might be attributed to tire replacements and upgrades as customers want their cars to look better and perform better. By getting into the aftermarket industry, tire shops and service providers can satisfy the growing need for tire replacements and customization.

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Europe is expected to hold the largest share of the global connected tires market over the forecast period.

Europe is expected to hold the largest share of the global connected tires market over the forecast period. Germany and the United Kingdom are two of the market's primary growth engines in Europe as a result of a surge in demand for car smart tires in these countries. Furthermore, technological advancements and the region's high concentration of prominent companies, such as Michelin, Pirelli & C.S.p.A., and Continental AG, are expected to drive market expansion. The rapid adoption of connected and autonomous vehicles in the region is anticipated to bolster market expansion in the future. Furthermore, the European tire industry is one of the most technologically advanced in the world, according to ETRMA (European Tire & Rubber Manufacturers' Association).

Asia Pacific is predicted to grow at the fastest pace in the global connected tires market during the projected timeframe. The fast-rising desire for connected and intelligent cars in nations like China and India, which is propelling growth in the automotive sector, is one of the many reasons for this rise. Automakers and customers are under pressure to utilize linked tire technologies as a result of government regulations promoting vehicle safety and reducing emissions.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the global market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market. Major vendors in the Global Connected Tires Market include Continental AG, Michelin, Pirelli & C. S.p.A., Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Hankook Tire & Technology Co. Ltd., Bridgestone Corporation, Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd., Nexen Tire Corporation, Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd., BFGoodrich Tires, Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd., and Others.

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Recent Developments

In March 2024, Continental launched ContiConnect Lite, a new software that serves as a portal to professional tire monitoring using sensor technology and data sharing. The technology is intended to integrate tires with the vehicle network, delivering real-time data on tire pressure and temperature.

In March 2023, Michelin Group announced an investment in TyreConnect, a leading developer of connected tire solutions. The investment will enable Michelin to broaden its portfolio of linked tire solutions and speed up the adoption of connected tire technology.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the Global Connected Tires Market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Global Connected Tires Market, By Rim Size

12 - 17 Inches

18 - 22 Inches

Others

Global Connected Tires Market, By Vehicle Type

Passenger Cars

Commercial Vehicle

Others

Global Connected Tires Market, By Sales Channel

Aftermarket

OEM

Others

Global Connected Tires Market, Regional Analysis

North America US Canada Mexico

Europe Germany Uk France Italy Spain Russia Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Australia Rest of Asia Pacific

South America Brazil Argentina Rest of South America

Middle East & Africa UAE Saudi Arabia Qatar South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa



Browse Related Reports

Global Advanced Tires Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Airless Tires, Pneumatic Tires, Run-Flat Tires, and Others), By Technology (Multi-Chamber Tires, Chip-Embedded Tires, Self-Inflating Tires, All-In-One Tires, and Others), By Vehicle Type (Light Duty Vehicles (LDV), Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDV), and Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023  2033

Global CNG & LPG Vehicle Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Fuel Type ((CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles), By Kit Type (Venturi, Sequential, Retro Fitment), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023  2033

Global Connected Tires Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Rim Size (12 - 17 Inches, 18 - 22 Inches, and Others), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicle, and Others), By Sales Channel (Aftermarket, OEM, and Others), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2023  2033

Global Electric Highway Market Size , Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Technology (Overhead Lines, Rail, and Inductive), By Scale (Local Electrified Roads, Long-distance Electrified Roads), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2022  2032

About the Spherical Insights & Consulting

Spherical Insights & Consulting is a market research and consulting firm which provides actionable market research study, quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight especially designed for decision makers and aids ROI.

Which is catering to different industry such as financial sectors, industrial sectors, government organizations, universities, non-profits and corporations. The company's mission is to work with businesses to achieve business objectives and maintain strategic improvements.

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Newark, April 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Brainy Insights estimates that the USD 1.6 billion wave and tidal energy market will reach USD 5.1 billion by 2033. Wave energy is captured from ocean surface waves and used to pump water into reservoirs, generate electricity, and desalinate. Since they produce the most concentrated form of renewable energy, wave and tidal energies are the most promising green technologies. An endless supply of renewable energy can be found in the oceans. Thus, the most sustainable energy source is anticipated to be generated using wave and tidal energy from the ocean's surface. These are the environmentally friendly ways to generate electricity by using the energy of the oceans. These renewable energy sources are commonly used by nations worldwide because they offer a reliable and consistent clean energy supply. Growing reliance on electricity has resulted in a rise in sustainable power generation, of which wave and tidal energy is one. Nevertheless, sustainable government power generation projects may be the main driver of wave and tidal energy growth.



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Report Coverage Details



Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20242033 Base Year 2023 Market Size in 2023 USD 1.6 billion Market Size in 2033 USD 5.1 billion CAGR 12.5% No. of Pages in Report 237 Segments Covered by Type, Technology, and Application Drivers Job creation and economic growth Opportunities Renewable energy transition

Key Insight of the Wave and Tidal Energy Market



North America will account for the largest market size during the forecast period.



Due largely to the availability of highly developed technology and the growing awareness of green energy resources in the region, North America is seeing the fastest-growing CAGR during the forecast period. With a robust regulatory framework and widespread public support, Canada has emerged as the largest market in North America for wave and tidal energy. For example, with a contribution of USD 11 million, Nova Scotia is one of the Maritime Provinces in eastern Canada that is involved in the development and enhancement of FORCE, the premier research centre for in-stream tidal energy, as well as providing support for numerous strategic research projects in the marine energy industry.



The wave energy segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 0.94 billion.



The wave energy segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 0.94 billion. Wave power is more widely accepted than other renewable resources because of its many benefits, which include high availability, ease of forecasting, and the highest production capacity of ocean waves, which produce energy 90% of the time compared to other resources. These factors are expected to drive the segment's growth shortly.



The tidal stream generator segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 0.44 billion.



The tidal stream generator segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 0.44 billion. Due to their increased availability and environmental friendliness, cleaner fuel sources are becoming increasingly popular, which is largely responsible for the segment's rise. Furthermore, several government agencies are placing a great deal of emphasis on tidal stream generator installation through various advantageous policies and programmes.



The power generation segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 0.88 billion.



The power generation segment dominated the market with the most significant revenue of USD 0.88 billion. One of the main factors propelling the segment's growth over the forecast years is probably the increasing acceptance and penetration of ocean power generation due to its many potentials, high predictability, and ease of availability compared to other renewable resources globally.



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Market Dynamics:



Drivers: Power generation



The ability to generate enough power to meet the world's demand has increased due to the rapid development in power consumption worldwide. Because renewable energy sources (RESs) are abundant and environmentally benign, they provide the best alternative for power generation. Ocean wave energy conversion is regarded as one of the most advanced RESs and has the potential to produce more than 1,00010,000 GW of electrical power. This is expected to meet the growing need for electricity and open up new chances for wave power electricity production.



Restraint: Lack of technological developments



The ocean's power is captured using wave and tidal devices to generate electricity. Since the 1970s, scientists have researched various theories and methods for extracting power from tides and waves. This technology is developing to the point where wave project demonstrations are being implemented. However, the technology has yet to converge with any design technique, and the industry has become more complex due to the exploration of this technology.



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Some of the major players operating in the wave and tidal energy market are:



 Pelamis Wave Power

 Wave Swell

 Orbital Marine Power

 OpenHydro

 CorPower Ocean

 AW Energy

 Ocean Power Technologies

 Wello

 Carnegie Clean Energy

 SIMEC Atlantis Energy

 Eco Wave Power

 Aquamarine Power

 Seabased

 BioPower Systems



Key Segments cover in the market:



By Type:



 Tidal Energy

 Wave Energy



By Technology:



 Oscillating Water Columns

 Tidal Barrages

 Tidal Stream Generator

 Tidal Turbines

 Tidal Fences



By Application:



 Desalination

 Power Generation



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About the report:



The global wave and tidal energy market is analyzed based on value (USD Billion). All the segments have been analyzed on a worldwide, regional, and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each part. The report offers an in-depth analysis of driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining critical insight into the market. The study includes Porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material analysis, supply, and demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution, and marketing channels analysis.



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Premium income (insurance premiums and other income) of 17.0 billion, up +6.9%

Strong growth in property and casualty insurance (+10.7%), driven by the solid performance of international subsidiaries

Increase in premium income in health and protection insurance (+7.9%)

Decrease in the savings/pensions business (-4.4%)

Net income of 510 million

Economic operating income of 627 million, despite an elevated climate-related claims charge (1.3 billion before reinsurance)

Combined non-life ratio of 96.8%

Solvency ratio of 197% without transitional measure

Solvency ratio of 267% without transitional measure on technical reserves

Groups IFRS equity of 9.9 billion, up +1.1 billion

Contractual services margin of 3.6 billion

Groupamas results for 2023 show its great resilience. I would like to salute the unwavering commitment of our elected representatives to those of our policyholders who suffered major climate events in 2023. This is the strength of our mutualist model. Lets remind ourselves that 2023 was the year of the full deployment of multi-risk climate insurance, thanks to its public reform, of which we have been one of the major contributors and which bears its fruits, with the very significant increase in insured agricultural areas. stated Francois Schmitt, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Groupama Assurances Mutuelles.

We can be proud of these results, driven by the contribution of all the Groups components in France and abroad, and by the solvency of our Group, which has remained at an excellent level. Especially as 2023 was once again marked by major climatic events in France in the second half, including the storms Ciaran and Domingos and the floods in the north of the country in a context of lower reinsurance. The insurability of our territories is more relevant than ever and is now the subject of active discussions with public authorities. added Thierry Martel, CEO of Groupama Assurances Mutuelles.

The Board of Directors of Groupama Assurances Mutuelles met on 18 April 2024, under the chairmanship of Francois Schmitt, and approved the Groups combined financial statements for fiscal year 2023.

Activity (insurance premiums and other income)

At 31 December 2023, Groupamas combined premium income stood at 17.0 billion, a +6.9% increase from 31 December 2022. The increase was due to strong growth in property and casualty insurance (+10.7%) and sustained growth in health and personal protection insurance (+7.9%). In savings/pensions, the group generated premium income of 2.9 billion, down

(-4.4%) compared with 31 December 2022.

Groupama premium income at 31 December 2023

in millions of euros 31/12/2023 Like-for-like change (%) Property and casualty insurance 8,813 +10.7% Health & Protection 5,124 +7.9% Savings & Pensions 2,887 -4.4% Financial businesses 213 +0.9% GROUP TOTAL 17,036 +6.9%

In France

Insurance premium income in France at 31 December 2023 amounted to 13.9 billion, up +5.2% compared with 31 December 2022.

In property and casualty insurance, premium income totalled 6.7 million at

31 December 2023, up +8.4%, driven by strong growth in home insurance (+11.2%) and agricultural insurance (+14.0%) and, to a lesser extent, motor insurance (+3.4%).

The health and protection business continued to grow (+7.5%) to 4.8 billion as at 31 December 2023, driven by growth in individual health (+5.6%).

In savings and pensions, premium income was down (-6.7%) to 2.4 billion at 31 December 2023, in a sluggish market during the first half of the year. Since September 2023, activity has returned to positive momentum. The UL rate in inflows remains close to 50%, in line with that of 2022.

International

At the end of 2023, business reached 2.9 billion, up +16.5% at constant scope and exchange rates compared with 31 December 2022, benefiting from strong business growth in Romania (+37.4%) and Hungary (+17.4%).

In property and casualty insurance, premium income totalled 2,1 million at 31 December 2023, up +18.5% compared to the previous period. This strong growth was driven by motor insurance (+22.2%), which grew significantly in Romania (+42.4%), as well as by solid performances in business and local authority insurance (+10.9%), particularly in Hungary and Italy.

Premium income in savings and pensions increased (+9.6%) to 0.5 billion, particularly in individual savings and pensions for unit-linked products (+13.7%). This increase was driven by Hungary. Group pensions also increased (+39.3%), mainly in Greece.

In health and protection, business grew (+13.9%) to 0.3 billion, benefiting from growth in group insurance (+27.3%), mainly in Hungary, Romania, Greece and Bulgaria, and the increase in individual protection (+10.0%).

Financial businesses

The Groups premium income was 213 million, including 205 million from Groupama Asset Management and 7 million from Groupama Epargne Salariale.

Results

The Groups economic operating income amounted to 627 million at 31 December 2023.

It totalled 316 million in property and casualty insurance. 2023 was marked by a very high number of weather events that affected the Group in France (storms Ciaran & Domingos and floods in the Pas de Calais region in particular) as well as in Italy and Greece. The cost for the Group, before reinsurance, is of 1.3 billion in 2023 compared with 1.5 billion in 2022. The Groups non-life combined ratio nevertheless stood at 96.8% at 31 December 2023, benefiting in particular from an increase in the discount of provisions for the current fiscal year as well as an improvement in the attritional loss experience and changes in prior years.

Economic operating income in life and health insurance was 389 million, down slightly (-3.7%) compared with 2022, with 233 million coming from health and protection and 156 million from savings and pensions.

The contribution of international business increased sharply (+101%) to 161 million at 31 December 2023, driven by property and casualty insurance.

Economic operating income from financial activities amounted to +35 million and that of the Groups holding company activity was -113 million at 31 December 2023.

The transition from economic operating income to net income includes non-recurring items, in particular the foreign exchange loss related to the disposal of the Groups Turkish activities, which had already been deducted from Groups IFRS equity. Overall, the Groups net income amounted to 510 million at 31 December 2023, a sharp improvement compared with pro forma income of 13 million at 31 December 2022.

Balance sheet

Groups IFRS equity totalled 9.9 billion at 31 December 2023 compared with 8.8 billion at 31 December 2022 pro forma. The change was mainly due to the positive contribution of income and the increase in OCI reserves.

The Groups contractual service margin, which represents the deferred future profits of outstanding contracts in savings and pensions and long-term protection, calculated discounted, amounted to 3.6 billion at 31 December 2023, down slightly (-1.5%) compared with 31 December 2022.

Insurance investments totalled 70.4 billion, up +3.2 billion, due in particular to changes in the financial markets (rise in equity markets, fall in bond yields and fall in the valuations of real estate assets).

At 31 December 2023, the Solvency 2 ratio without transitional measure on underwriting reserves was 197%, compared with 207% at 31 December 2022. This change is mainly due to changes in financial market conditions and the increase in the non-life SCR. The ratio with transitional measure on underwriting reserves authorised by the ACPR was 267%.

The Group's financial strength was highlighted by Fitch Ratings, which affirmed Groupama's rating at 'A+' with a 'Stable' outlook on 30 May 2023.

Group Communications Department

Press contact: Analyst and investor contacts: Safia Bouda  + 33 (0)6 02 04 48 63

safia.bouda@groupama.com







Valerie Buffard  +33 (0)6 70 04 12 38

valerie.buffard@groupama.com







For the financial statements at 31/12/2023, the Groups financial information consists of:

this press release, which is available on the website groupama.com,

the universal registration document of Groupama, which will be filed with the AMF on 30 April 2024 and posted on the www.groupama.com website on the same day.

About Groupama Group

For more than 100 years, Groupama Group has based its actions on timeless, humanist values to enable as many people as possible to build their lives in confidence. It relies on humane, caring, optimistic and responsible communities. The Groupama Group, one of the leading mutual insurers in France, carries out its insurance and service business activities in ten countries. The Group has 12 million members and customers and 31,000 employees throughout the world, with premium income of 17.0 billion.

Appendix: Groupama key figures

Premium income (insurance premiums and other income)

 million 31/12/2022

pro forma* 31/12/2023 Change **

as % > France 13,253 13,936 +5.2% Property and Casualty 6,182 6,703 +8.4% Health & Protection 4,469 4,804 7.5% Savings & Pensions 2,602 2,429 -6.7% > International & Overseas 2,479 2,887 +16.5% Property and Casualty 1,781 2,110 +18.5% Health & Protection 281 320 +13.8% Savings & Pensions 418 458 +9.6% TOTAL INSURANCE 15,733 16,823 +6.9% Financial businesses 211 213 +0.9% Groupama premium income 15,944 17,036 +6.9%

* Based on comparable data

** Change on a like-for-like exchange rate and consolidation basis

Economic operating income

 million 2022

Pro forma 2023 Insurance - France 301 543 Insurance - International 80 161 Financial businesses 42 35 Holding companies -118 -113 Economic operating income* 306 627

* Economic operating income: net income restated for realised capital gains and losses, allocations to and reversals of provisions for long-term impairment and unrealised gains and losses on financial assets recognised at fair value from property and casualty, health/personal protection, financial and holding company activities (these items being net of corporate income tax). Non-recurring transactions net of tax, impairment of goodwill (net of tax) and external financing expenses are also restated.

Net income

 million 31/12/2023 Insurance - France

Insurance - International 572

141 Financial businesses 35 Holding companies -129 Disposal of activities in Turkey -110 Net income 510

Balance sheet

 million 31/12/2022

pro forma 31/12/2023 Groups IFRS equity 8,783 9,862 Subordinated debts 3,006 3,009 - classified in Groups IFRS equity 871 871 - classified as financing debt 2,135 2,138 Contractual services margin 3,704 3,649 Total balance sheet 86,316 91,949

Main ratios

31/12/2022 31/12/2023 Combined non-life ratio 100.4% 96.8% Debt ratio 22.8% 21.8% Solvency 2 ratio (with transitional measure*) 282% 267% Solvency 2 ratio (without transitional measure*) 207% 197%

* transitional measure on technical reserves

Financial strength rating - Fitch Ratings

Rating * Outlook Groupama Assurances Mutuelles and its subsidiaries A+ Stable

* Insurer Financial Strength (IFS)

Attachment
Dublin, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Saudi Arabia Perfume Market Report by Type, Value, Gender, and Company Analysis 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Saudi Arabia's Perfume Market is expected to reach US$ 3,374.72 Million by 2032. The CAGR for the market from 2024 to 2032 is 5.95%. The analyst states that it amounted to US$ 2,005.99 Million in 2023.



Their rich and unusual scents are what make the perfumes of Saudi Arabia widely recognized. They have grown to be substantially popular globally. These fragrances come from a deep-rooted historical past. They blend traditional elements like oud, musk, and rose. The global market is increasingly interested in their luxury and distinctiveness. Social media and online purchasing have made them more accessible internationally. High-profile collaborations and endorsements have expanded their appeal. Saudi Arabian perfumes are now celebrated as a critical part of the luxury fragrance enterprise.







The thriving tourism sector drives an increase in the Saudi Arabia perfume market. International visitors and a growing local luxury market drive increased sales in the country's perfume industry. Saudi Arabia hosted over 100 million tourists in 2023. This included 27 million from overseas and over 79 million domestic travelers, as reported by the World Tourism Organization. So, tourists are drawn to traditional Arabian fragrances, while locals embrace global brands. This convergence of choices encourages market diversification and innovation.



The growing population of Saudi Arabia continually increases the patron base for perfumes. The contemporary population of Saudi Arabia was 37,315,410 as of March 2024, based on the Worldometer elaboration of the brand new United Nations information. The perfume market experiences persistent growth driven by diverse choices and a growing emphasis on self-care and indulgence. Many individuals are searching for personal grooming and luxury merchandise, contributing to this trend. The high disposable earnings of individuals also represent one of the essential factors catalyzing the demand for luxurious commodities, including top-rate perfumes in Saudi Arabia.



Substantial internet usage has heightened client knowledge of perfumes in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom boasts the highest number of active social media users across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter. DataReportal states that during January 2023, 29.10 million social media customers were active, representing 79.3% of the population. As of early 2023, there were 42.5 million active mobile cellular connections, 115.9% of the population.



Arabian beauty influencers are emerging as modern marketers in the Saudi Arabia perfume market by leveraging their social media presence. Saudi Arabian media figure Sara Murad entered the fray in 2023 by launching her perfume brand, By Sara Murad. As a self-proclaimed perfume enthusiast and MBC1 presenter, her debut fragrance, Black Oud, is a gender-neutral blend she describes as 'bold and intense.'



The Eau de Parfum (EDP) category could lead the perfume market of Saudi Arabia



The Eau de Parfum (EDP) section may dominate the Saudi Arabia perfume market due to its longer-lasting scent and better perfume attention. Offering a luxurious enjoyment, EDPs cater to the discerning tastes of Saudi consumers, propelling massive sales and organizing themselves as a preferred demand in the Saudi Arabia perfume market.



Women are anticipated to be the immediate customers in the perfume market in Saudi Arabia



In the Saudi Arabia perfume market, women are anticipated to be the primary customers because of cultural norms and alternatives. Perfumes are necessary for personal grooming and modesty in Islamic culture, prompting ladies to wear fragrances more openly. Besides, the developing emphasis on self-expression and comfort amongst ladies solidifies their dominance in driving demand for perfumes in the country.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 75 Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $2 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $3.37 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.9% Regions Covered Saudi Arabia

Company Analysis: Overview, Recent Developments, Revenue Analysis

Abdul Samad Al Qurashi

Ahmed Al Maghribi Perfumes

Ajmal Perfumes

Arabian Oud

Rasasi Perfume Industry LLC.

Rashat

Swiss Arabian Perfumes Group

The Fragrance Kitchen (TFK)

Type - Market breakup in 4 viewpoints:

Eau de Parfum

Eau de Toilette

Eau de Cologne

Eau Fraiche

Value - Market breakup in 4 viewpoints:

Luxury

Mass

Gender - Market breakup in 4 viewpoints:

Male

Female

Unisex

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6rqdfi

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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.

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Dublin, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Cardiovascular Surgical Devices Market, Size, Share, Global Forecast 2024-2032, Industry Trends, Growth, Insight, Top Companies Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global cardiovascular surgical devices market is currently undergoing a significant growth phase, forecasted to reach a valuation of US$ 2.77 billion by 2032. This expansion is primarily driven by the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and technological advancements enhancing device safety and efficiency. The market is poised for a steady Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.46% from 2024 to 2032.







Innovations such as artificial intelligence are revolutionizing cardiology with superior monitoring capabilities. Regulatory approvals for cutting-edge cardiovascular surgical devices are contributing to market dynamics, alongside strategic industry maneuvers including mergers, acquisitions, and product launches. These factors play an instrumental role in meeting the growing needs for advanced cardiovascular treatments.



Cardiac Arrhythmia: A Key Segment



Among various applications, cardiac arrhythmia stands out as a critical segment within the cardiovascular surgical devices market. Given its high incidence rate and potentially fatal nature, there is robust demand for devices like pacemakers and advanced ablation systems.



China's Significant Market Impact



China's vast demographic, coupled with an increasing rate of cardiovascular disorders and enhancements in healthcare infrastructure, is significantly impacting the market for cardiovascular surgical devices. Initiatives to expand access to minimally invasive treatments are particularly noticeable in this region.



Leading Industry Participants



Key players contributing to market growth include Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific Corporation, Edwards Lifesciences, and Medtronic PLC among others. These companies are at the forefront of transforming the landscape of cardiovascular care with their innovative product offerings and strategic industry initiatives.



Comprehensive Market Perspective



The report provides a detailed analysis encompassing various market segments including product types, applications, end-users, and key geographical regions. The insights included in the report reflect a global perspective of the cardiovascular surgical devices market.



This growth trajectory presents a promising outlook for the cardiovascular surgical devices market and reflects a global commitment to enhancing heart health through advanced surgical interventions. The active engagement of industry leaders in the production and distribution of revolutionary devices ensures an ongoing response to the pressing healthcare needs associated with cardiovascular diseases.



Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 200 Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $2.04 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $2.77 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 3.4% Regions Covered Global





Companies Featured

Abbott Laboratories

Boston Scientific Corporation

Edwards Lifesciences

Cardinal Health Inc.

Medtronic PLC

GE Healthcare

LivaNova PLC

Terumo Corporation

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Dublin, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "China Toys Market Report by Toys Segmentation, Sales Channel, End-Users and Company Analysis 2024-2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



China's Toys Market is anticipated to reach US$ 49.09 billion by 2032 from US$ 28.93 billion in 2023. The CAGR for the market from 2024 to 2032 is 6.05%

Toys are items designed for play. They maintain great cultural and economic importance in China. With speedy economic development, growing disposable incomes, and the relaxation of the one-child policy, Chinese families are investing more in their kids' growth and happiness, such as shopping for toys. The impact of global media and famous traditions has also introduced Chinese kids to various toys from international brands. As a result, the toy enterprise in China continues to thrive. This displays the state's developing patron market and evolving cultural landscape.







Electronic toys are propelling growth in the China toys market. They are gaining a reputation amongst parents in search of innovative options because of their interactive factors like lighting fixtures, sounds, and touch screens, which enhance children's creativity. A Hong Kong Trade Development Council survey stated that boys across all age groups choose digital toys. Rising incomes enable families to spend money on higher-priced electronic toys, boosting market growth. Ongoing technological innovation is expected to expand China electronic toy sector to satisfy the growing demand for digital enjoyment.



Growing Parental Concerns



Rising parental issues concerning child development, protection, and education drive the expansion of the China toys market. Parents increasingly seek toys that entertain and stimulate their children's cognitive, social, and physical skills. Safety issues and a competitive educational panorama prompt prioritizing high-quality, safe educational toys. A mainland toy consumption survey by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council determined that 98% of parents surveyed had bought or had been inquisitive about STEM toys. This parental focus fuels demand for various toy offerings in China, spanning academic, developmental, and safe play alternatives.



Robust Economic Expansion and Increasing Disposable Incomes



The escalating demand for toys in China stems from robust financial growth and growing disposable incomes. China's per capita disposable income reached 39,218 Yuan (about 5,511 U.S. dollars) in 2023, marking a 6.3 percentage nominal increase year-on-year increase, with a 6.1 percent upward thrust after adjusting for price factors, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported. With more financial resources, households allocate toward discretionary spending, consisting of toy purchases. This growing affluence fuels a burgeoning toy market as parents prioritize their kid's well-being and amusement. This, in turn, drastically drives domestic demand for the China toys market.



Increasing Enforcement of Government Policies



Government rules power China toys market's growth by promoting domestic consumption and helping economic improvement. This is done through tax incentives, subsidies, and investment projects to stimulate innovation, enhance product quality, and increase competitiveness globally. In February 2024, the World Trade Organization (WTO) introduced a draft of mandatory requirements for toys and jewelry from the Standardization Administration of China, aiming to satisfy modern-day compliance necessities. The protection requirements and intellectual property protection regulations, which include compliance with the country-wide standard 'GB 6675-2014 Safety of Children's Toys' for plush toys, also bolster patron confidence in locally made toys. This similarly propels market growth and fosters innovation for sustainable industry improvement.



China Toys Company News



The players in the China toys market include Mattel Inc., Hasbro Inc., LEGO, Spin Master Corp., Vtech, Manhattan Associates, Funko, and JAKKS Pacific.

In April 2023 - Mattel and Hasbro collaborated to merge iconic toy brands through multi-year licensing agreements. This aims to produce co-branded toys and games. Notably, this partnership focuses on renowned franchises like Barbie, with Monopoly games set for fall 2023 release, and Transformers, featuring in upcoming UNO games, alongside Hot Wheels vehicles debuting in early 2024.

In September 2023 - VTech will present its imaginative, discovery-focused product lineup at Toy Fair 2023. This features Turbo Edge RidersT and expanding award-winning lines like Go! Go! Smart Wheels, Switch & Go, and baby, infant, toddler, and preschool toys. VTech will also offer a preview of upcoming 2024 product releases.

In November 2023 - LEGO unveiled fresh toy sets at the China International Import Expo (CIIE), drawing inspiration from Chinese culture.

In December 2022 - The new MINDstyle Mission Control (MMC) store hosted a pre-opening celebration, unveiling a dedicated Funko section boasting larger-than-life statues and photo opportunities. Spanning 40,000 square feet, with the Funko area occupying 10,000 square feet, it offers an extensive array of Funko products, showcasing numerous licenses.

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 120 Forecast Period 2023 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $28.93 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $49.09 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.0% Regions Covered China

Company Analysis: Overview, Recent Developments, Revenue Analysis

Mattel Inc.

Hasbro Inc.

LEGO

Spin Master Corp.

Vtech

Manhattan Associates

Funko

JAKKS Pacific

Toys Segmentation

Action Figures

Board Games

Card Games

Construction Sets & Models

Dolls & Stuffed Toys

Plastic & Other Toys

Puzzles

Toys for Toddlers & Kids

Sales Channel

E-commerce

Specialty

Discounters

Department Stores

Others

End-Users

Unisex

Boys

Girls

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gbsoso

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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.

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WASHINGTON, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Sabin Vaccine Institute yesterday presented the Albert B. Sabin Gold Medal to physician-researchers Keith Paul Klugman and Shabir Ahmed Madhi, and its Rising Star award to infectious diseases epidemiologist Nicole Elaine Basta at a ceremony in the National Academy of Sciences building in Washington D.C.



Klugman and Madhi received the Sabin Gold Medal, one of the highest recognitions for vaccinologists globally, for their seminal combined contributions to the development of vaccines against pneumonia and diarrheal disease  major causes of death in children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Klugman first met his then-graduate student Madhi at South Africas University of the Witwatersrand (also known as Wits University), where Klugman established, and Madhi expanded, a now globally renowned infectious diseases research institute. Apart from pneumonia, their work focused on maternal and childrens vaccines including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), typhoid, and Group B streptococcus (GBS).

The evidence produced by these two awardees has and continues to inform the World Health Organizations recommendations for vaccines. Klugman and Madhis research has helped pave the way for the introduction of lifesaving vaccines in public immunization programs  including the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine where their findings were pivotal in influencing vaccination policy in many LMICs.

I am honored to award the Sabin Gold Medal to Dr. Klugman and Dr. Madhi for their extraordinary work on vaccines that have saved lives in communities most in need of these interventions, says Amy Finan, Sabins chief executive officer. Their pneumonia research has been particularly transformative in shaping our understanding of the disease and strengthening global health strategies to protect children from this vaccine-preventable disease.

Fueled by an early interest in science as a child in South Africa -- in part due to a physician father  Klugman holds both a medical as well as a science doctorate degree from Wits University and was the first student in the schools history to obtain them simultaneously. He began his research career nearly five decades ago investigating the typhoid vaccine and has since distinguished himself as a formidable infectious diseases scientist. Klugman is widely known for his work on pneumonia, which still kills a child under five every 43 seconds, many in the worlds poorest countries. As the director of the pneumonia program at the Seattle-based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Klugman orchestrates strategic initiatives aimed at reducing deaths from pneumonia, RSV, neonatal sepsis, and meningitis. He has authored hundreds of publications that have been cited over 50,000 times to date and has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine in the United States. Klugman is also a professor emeritus of global health at Atlantas Emory University.

His scientific achievements aside, Klugman has long championed the need for the worlds poorest children to have equitable access to vaccines. While in South Africa he joined in Wits Universitys struggle to allow access to the institution for all students.

It is absolutely wonderful to be receiving this award, especially together with Shabir, he says. When I look down the list of previous awardees, I recognize the great majority of them, and it is extraordinary to now be numbered among them.

With a career spanning more than 25 years, Madhi, also from South Africa, is a trained pediatrician whose research continues to be instrumental in prioritizing the rollout of vital vaccines and guiding global public health policies. At Wits University, he led clinical trials focused on respiratory and meningeal pathogens, including vaccines targeted at pregnant women and their unborn babies. Madhi led the first study showing that a rotavirus vaccine could significantly prevent severe diarrhea during the first year of life in African infants. That research served as a key piece of evidence for the WHOs recommendation of universal rotavirus vaccination. In addition, he also led the first two COVID-19 vaccine trials in Africa, and a number of COVID-19 epidemiology studies which led to the first evidence suggesting that infection-induced immunity and vaccinations played a role in reducing severity of disease.

Madhi heads South Africas widely respected South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit (Wits VIDA) and is a professor of vaccinology at Wits. He too has co-authored hundreds of publications which have been cited over 59,000 times. Madhi is a recipient of numerous lifetime achievement awards in South Africa, as well being bestowed an Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) from the British Government for his services to science and public health in a global pandemic.

It is really humbling for me to be acknowledged for my contributions in the field of vaccinology along with those who have received the Gold Medal award, says Madhi. It makes me realize that the work my team and I have done is acknowledged by my peers as being of substance. Most significantly, we contributed to protecting lives in those settings where a majority of death and suffering occurs, and that is in LMICs.

Sabins 2024 Rising Star Nicole Basta, an associate professor at Canadas McGill University and Canada Research Chair in Infectious Disease Prevention, has led numerous studies to evaluate the impact of vaccines and vaccination programs for a number of globally challenging viral and bacterial diseases, including COVID-19, meningococcal disease, influenza, and HPV.

Inspired by her parents emphasis on the importance of education, Basta is a first-generation college graduate who earned an undergraduate degree at Princeton University and graduate degrees at the University of Cambridge and the University of Washington. She has distinguished herself as a prolific researcher with a focus on assessing the impact of vaccination programs and increasing vaccine awareness, acceptance, and uptake. She designed and led studies to evaluate the impact of the meningococcal A vaccine MenAfriVac in Mali and the meningococcal B vaccine Bexsero in the US, both of which contributed to better understanding about how to best implement vaccination programs. In 2020, she and a colleague developed an interactive online COVID-19 vaccine tracker, providing real-time updates to millions of users around the world on the pandemic vaccine development progress.

Prof. Bastas impactful and policy-shaping epidemiological research benefits from her ability to make it accessible and useful to the global health community. The COVID-19 vaccine tool is one such instance, says Finan. Those achievements alone would make her deserving of the Rising Star but theres more: she also demonstrates a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of public health researchers through her research group which is exactly the kind of emerging leader we need.

Once an infectious diseases outbreak investigator with the Florida Department of Health, Basta has first-hand knowledge that scientific research needs to be understood and adopted beyond the confines of academia. She works with policy makers and public health agencies and organizations to translate research findings into actionable strategies for disease prevention and control.

Its truly an honor to receive the 2024 Rising Star Award from the Sabin Vaccine Institute, especially since I am deeply committed to ensuring that we have the evidence we need to demonstrate the importance of vaccination and increase access and uptake, says Basta. This recognition is also a testament to the outstanding collaborators and trainees I have had the privilege to work with and it motivates us to continue to make a difference in the years ahead.

The Gold Medal is Sabins highest scientific honor. It has been given annually for more than three decades to a distinguished member of the global health community who has made exceptional contributions to vaccinology or a complementary field. Past award recipients include leaders of vaccinology and vaccine advocacy such as Drs. Barney Graham, Carol Baker, Bill Foege, Anne Gershon, Stanley Plotkin, and Kathrin Jansen.

Sabins Rising Star award was created in 2020 to encourage and recognize the next generation of vaccine and immunization leaders.

About the Sabin Vaccine Institute

The Sabin Vaccine Institute is a leading advocate for expanding vaccine access and uptake globally, advancing vaccine research and development, and amplifying vaccine knowledge and innovation. Unlocking the potential of vaccines through partnership, Sabin has built a robust ecosystem of funders, innovators, implementers, practitioners, policy makers and public stakeholders to advance its vision of a future free from preventable diseases. As a non-profit with three decades of experience, Sabin is committed to finding solutions that last and extending the full benefits of vaccines to all people, regardless of who they are or where they live. At Sabin, we believe in the power of vaccines to change the world. For more information, visit www.sabin.org and follow us on Twitter, @SabinVaccine.

Media Contact:

Monika Guttman

Senior Media Relations Specialist

Sabin Vaccine Institute

+1 (202) 662-1841

press@sabin.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/44d4ebd3-50bb-4e77-846d-0bad4accb05b
Dublin, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Test / Burn-in Sockets - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Global Test / Burn-in Sockets Market to Reach $2.5 Billion by 2030



The global market for Test / Burn-in Sockets estimated at US$1.7 Billion in the year 2023, is projected to reach a revised size of US$2.5 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% over the analysis period 2023-2030.

A Prelude sets the stage for understanding the market outlook and challenges faced by burn-in socket makers in the semiconductor industry. Despite challenges, the market is expected to witness healthy growth, with world semiconductor industry revenue showing steady growth from 2015 to 2022.

The competitive landscape is analyzed, with insights into global key competitors' market share and their presence categorized as strong, active, niche, or trivial in 2023. Recent market activity indicates opportunities driven by the accelerating pace of digital transformation, where survival equates to digital adoption. The evolution of device technology, coupled with the large-scale rollout of 5G technology, presents growth prospects for burn-in testing strategies, highlighting the importance of semiconductors in driving market dynamics.



The U.S. Market is Estimated at $454.4 Million, While China is Forecast to Grow at 7% CAGR



The Test / Burn-in Sockets market in the U.S. is estimated at US$454.4 Million in the year 2023. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$552.7 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 7% over the analysis period 2023 to 2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 2.5% and 4.5% respectively over the 2023-2030 period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 2.8% CAGR.



Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 218 Forecast Period 2023 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $1.7 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $2.5 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.7% Regions Covered Global





MARKET OVERVIEW

Test / Burn-in Sockets: A Prelude

Market Outlook

Challenges for Burn-In Socket Makers

The Importance of Semiconductors!

Market to Register Healthy Growth

World Semiconductor Industry Revenue Growth: 2015-2022

Competition

Test / Burn-in Sockets - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2023 (E)

Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2023 (E)

Recent Market Activity

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Accelerating Pace of Digital Transformation Drives Opportunities

COVID-19 Has Created an Environment Where Digital Transformation Equals Survival: Global Digital Transformation Spending (In US$ Billion) for Years 2017 Through 2023

Winds of Major Changes in Semiconductor Industry & Implications for Burn-In Sockets

Evolution of Device Technology Demands Parallel Advances for Burn-In Sockets

Large Scale Rollout of 5G Technology to Boost Market Prospects

Growing Demand for 5G Chipset Modules Promotes Growth Opportunities for Burn-in Testing Strategies: Global 5G Chipset Market (In US$ Billion) for the Years 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025 & 2026

Emerging Technologies such as AI Drive Momentum

Global AI Semiconductor Market (In US$ Billion) for Years 2020, 2023 & 2025

Industrial Semiconductors to Emerge Into a Key Growth Pocket

Global Market for Industrial Semiconductors (In US$ Billion) for Years 2020, 2022 & 2024

Rapid Proliferation of Electronic & Electrical Subsystems in Automobiles Spurs Momentum

Measuring the Growing Importance of Electronics in Cars: Automotive Electronics as a Percentage of Vehicle Production Cost for the Years 2010, 2020 & 2030

Increased Motion Sensors, ICs Demand Fuels Demand for Burn-in Sockets

Chip Shortages to Continue, But Situation Set to Improve

World Automobile Production in Million Units: 2008-2022

Robust Outlook for EVs Opens New Opportunities for Growth

Global Electric Passenger Car Stock (In Million Units) for the Years 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2025P

Looking Beyond Current Challenges, the Coming of Age of Autonomous Driving to Spur Growth

Global Autonomous Vehicle Sales (In Million)

Growing Proliferation of Consumer Electronic Devices to Drive Demand for ICs Triggering the Need for Burn-In / Test Sockets

Global Consumer Electronics Market (In US$ Billion) for the Years 2018 through 2024

Global Smart Homes Market by Category in US$ Billion for the Years 2020 and 2022

Custom Packages Demand Peps up

Performance and Reliability of Sockets Highly Critical

FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS(Total 64 Featured)

3M Company

E-Tec Interconnect AG

Mill-Max Mfg. Corporation

Aries Electronics, Inc.

Cohu, Inc.

Advanced Interconnections Corp.

Loranger International Corporation

Megatone Electronics Corp.

JC CHERRY

INNO GLOABAL

Micronics Japan

Contech Solutions

Johnstech International

FoundPac

C.C.P. Contact Probes Co., Ltd.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2jvn1e

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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.

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Visiongain has published a new report entitled Automation in Biopharma Industry Market Report 2024-2034: Forecasts by Technology (Automation Technology, Digitisation Technology), by Automation Technology (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), Human-machine Interface (HMI), Advanced Process Control (APC), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA), Other), by Digitisation Technology (Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Twin Technology, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), Predictive Analytics, Cloud Computing), by Application (Clinical Phase, Drug Discovery Phase, Production Phase), by Component (Automation Hardware, Automation Software, Services Project Phase, Services Operation Phase) AND Regional and Leading National Market Analysis PLUS Analysis of Leading Companies AND COVID-19 Impact and Recovery Pattern Analysis.

The automation in biopharma industry market is estimated at US$1,954.3 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period 2024-2034.

Faster Hypothesis Testing Cycles Anticipated to Fuel Automation in Biopharma Industry Market Growth

Automating PV testing cycles is a fantastic way to produce hypotheses more quickly. The American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT) is investigating the viability of utilising state-of-the-art technologies such as robotic process automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence (AI) to automate the processing of adverse event reports. Pfizer faced forth against three private vendors' proposed solutions at the same time during this trial research. The findings demonstrated that automotive technology, made possible by artificial intelligence, accelerates the extraction of negative occurrences from source documents.

More technological developments in this area, such as the application of Big Data Analytics, Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology, and data extracted from social media, would enable the full shift from labour-intensive manual methods of source document annotation to total reliance on data fields of safety databases. Process automation provides the benefit of being able to differentiate across vendor solutions and determine which vendor is most suited for the discovery phase analysis of a testing cycle, according to pharmacovigilance experts. To ascertain the long-term advantages of this change, research is still necessary.

Download Exclusive Sample of Report

https://www.visiongain.com/report/automation-biopharma-industry-market-2024/#download_sampe_div

How has COVID-19 had a Significant Impact on the Automation in Biopharma Industry Market?

Pharmacovigilance specialists assert that the advantage of process automation is the ability to distinguish between vendor solutions and identify the vendor most suited for the testing cycle's discovery phase analysis. Research is still required to determine this change's long-term benefits.

The pandemic has also made it clear how important remote automation system monitoring and control is. As more employees work from home, businesses are relying more and more on remote automation system administration and monitoring to ensure that output keeps up. As a result, the biopharmaceutical industry now has more advanced remote monitoring and control systems for automation.

In the biopharmaceutical industry, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the market for automation, driving up demand for more advanced automation systems and technologies that can increase industry productivity and efficiency.

How will this Report Benefit you?

Visiongains 364-page report provides 138 tables, 226 charts/graphs. Anyone in need of comprehensive, commercial assessments for the Automation in Biopharma Industry Market and in-depth market segment analysis may consider our latest study. You may assess the total regional and global market for automation in the biopharmaceutical industry with the aid of our most recent report. Achieve a larger market share by obtaining financial analyses of the market as a whole and its various segments, such as technology, automation technology, digitization technology, application, and component. We think that the rapidly expanding automation market in the biopharmaceutical industry offers a lot of promising prospects. Examine how you may take advantage of the current and potential chances in this sector to increase your revenue soon. Additionally, by framing growth strategies, supporting the analysis of other market competitors, and optimizing corporate productivity, the report will help you make better strategic decisions.

What are the Current Market Drivers?

Technological Advancements to Improve Product Safety

Novel drug formulations and delivery techniques may provide pharmaceutical makers cause for concern regarding safety. For instance, the DTC channel "handles packages far more frequently than those transported through typical bulk channels, resulting in rougher handling overall and a higher risk of product damage or packaging." Since injectables have gotten more and more popular, sterility has become even more crucial due to the nature of these medications and how they are provided by injection. Product safety can be enhanced by automated solutions, particularly those backed by artificial intelligence, for both of these types of problems.

Increased Adoption of Electronic Batch Records is Driving the Market

Packs of paper are produced by manufacturers utilizing batch records. Every record must then be manually reviewed three times for mistakes. This means that, for example, a three-week production process can be planned to coincide with a lengthy, month-long paper-checking period. The drug would be kept in storage during that time, collecting dust and accruing storage and demurrage expenses. The bulk release procedure can be shortened by months thanks to EBR's automation and capacity to identify merely exceptions. High levels of control, transparency, and traceability that are required by the industry are provided by an EBR solution integrated with corporate information systems, which enhances compliance. The EBR also generates an abundance of readily accessible data that can be used for future research.

Get Detailed ToC

https://www.visiongain.com/report/automation-biopharma-industry-market-2024/

Where are the Market Opportunities?

Working Smarter Using Digital Labour

The robotic workforce can complete more and more mundane administrative jobs, requiring less human discretion. Considering the variety of clinical and sales call reporting techniques available, the sheer amount of these actions within the biopharmaceutical business is astounding. When these processes are automated, the biopharma value chain as a whole will collaborate more, increasing productivity and cutting expenses. Workers will have more time to concentrate on more important duties, including enhancing client interactions, if repetitive chores are automated. Robotic process automation, or RPA, not only modifies the efficiency equation but also improves the customer experience directly. Businesses may better prepare for the future and lay the groundwork for an artificially intelligent, more autonomous firm with the aid of this cutting-edge technology.

Rapidly Evolving Robots Projected to Offer Lucrative Growth Prospects

Robotics is growing more and more important, according to operations, but only when it's used to improve the efficiency, quality, and speed of processes. Rapidly evolving robots are beginning to have a rightful position in the war. According to a survey published by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), a trade association for robotics, companies ordered 7,697 robots for a total of $457 million between April and July 2023. The second-strongest demand was seen in the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors in the second quarter. These days, the majority of robots utilised in the pharmaceutical sector are limited to packing, kit assembling, dispensing, sorting, and light machine tending. Robots have a strong business case when new foil rolls, cartons, and leaflets are introduced, among other bulk material alterations. With some production lines, the cost-justification for investing in sophisticated robotic technology may be much greater based on product volumes, the frequency of varying tasks, and the weight and volume of the objects themselves.

Competitive Landscape

The leading companies in the Automation in Biopharma Industry market are ABB, Acieta, ADLINK Technology Inc., AMETEK, Inc., Baumuller, Emerson Electric Co., Revvity Inc., RheoSense Inc., Rockwell Automation, Sartorius AG, Siemens Healthineers AG, TetraScience, Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. The major rivals in this industry have used a range of tactics, such as partnerships, collaborations, R&D investments, mergers and acquisitions, regional firm expansion, and new product introductions.

Recent Developments

On 16 th February 2024, ABB inked an agreement to acquire SEAM Group. SEAM Group is a major provider of advice services and energized asset management to clients in the commercial and industrial building markets.

February 2024, ABB inked an agreement to acquire SEAM Group. SEAM Group is a major provider of advice services and energized asset management to clients in the commercial and industrial building markets. On 12th February 2024, Revvity Inc. unveiled Signals Clinical, a software-as-a-service (SaaS) end-to-end clinical data science platform, with the goal of combining all clinical trial data and quickly delivering relevant information for quicker decision-making in clinical trials and therapeutic market delivery.

To access the data contained in this document please email contactus@visiongain.com . Avoid missing out by staying informed  order our report now.

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New York, NY, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This April 20th, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Berner, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Cookies, will host a landmark event at Culture House in New York City, celebrating the launch of his new album "The Farmers Market" and the debut of Silly Nice's innovative product line.

As one of the most influential figures in the global cannabis industry, Berner's collaboration with Culture House and Silly Nice marks a pivotal cultural moment for New York's cannabis community. Culture House, renowned for its curated cannabis selections, is the perfect venue to showcase both local and globally celebrated brands.

"As one of the few Black and Veteran-owned brands in New York, Silly Nice represents the community vibe that Culture House aims to bring to both New Yorkers and visitors," said Berner. LeVar Thomas, Founder of Silly Nice, added, "This partnership validates the dedication we've poured into our work and honors our recent efforts as a Black and Veteran Owned cannabis brand."

The day promises an electrifying atmosphere with a lineup of DJs and vendors, alongside key industry figures like acclaimed grower Kenny Powerzzz, and teams from Silly Nice and High Mart, highlighting the vibrant cannabis culture in NYC.

Attendees will get the first glimpse of Cookies' new Dual Chamber vapes in three flavors, and multipacks of five infused prerolls featuring legendary strains such as Berniehana Butter, Cereal Milk, and Triple Scoop.

Fans who RSVP will have a chance to win up to $500 in CookiesSF merchandise. Nationwide 420 promotions will also offer new product drops, massive savings, exclusive items, and the largest sweepstakes ever from Cookies. RSVP HERE.

About Cookies: Cookies, co-founded by Berner, has rapidly evolved into one of the leading brands in the cannabis industry, known for innovative strains and high-quality products, continually setting new industry standards.

About Silly Nice: Silly Nice, a Black and Veteran-owned brand based in NYC, focuses on high-quality, responsibly sourced cannabis products, representing strength, community, and resilience, and dedicated to delivering unique consumer experiences.

For more information on the 4/20 event and to RSVP, please visit Culture House, Silly Nice, and Cookies.

Attachments
US betrays its conscience by vetoing Palestine's UN entry: Editorial flash

12:59, April 19, 2024 By Zhang Zhouxiang ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Representatives from the United Nations Security Council vote on Thursday in New York on a draft resolution that recommended the UN General Assembly admit Palestine as a full UN member. The resolution failed, as it was vetoed by the United States. MINLU ZHANG / China Daily

The vote on April 18 for granting the Palestine state full membership at the United Nations Security Council underlines the quest of the Palestinian people for independence and statehood.

However, by vetoing the application from 13.5 million Palestinians, despite 12 "yes" votes and two abstentions, the US has once again positioned itself against an overwhelming majority of the global community in matters of conscience.

This action has not only thwarted the aspirations of the Palestinian people but also prompted scrutiny over the fairness and immediacy of addressing their rights. Doubts cast on Palestine's ability to govern and its peace commitments are only a means to divert attention from what are their fundamental rights. The insistence on direct negotiations overlooks the shifting dynamics in the region, including the decreasing support from Israel for a two-state solution.

It's Israeli settlement expansion on the western bank of the Jordan River that has restricted the space for a Palestine state since the time it applied for UN membership in 2011. It's the superpower's unwarranted support of Israel that eroded the basis of a two-state solution, which is the only path toward lasting peace.

At a time when Israeli forces are still in Gaza and an attack on Rafah is still possible, it's more urgent now than at any time in history to accept the Palestine state as a full UN member. It's also time for the US to realign with the course of history that favors justice and peace.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announces involuntary manslaughter charges against three officers for the Alameda in-custody death of Mario Gonzalez in 2021. Scott Strazzante/The Chronicle

Alameda County prosecutors filed involuntary manslaughter charges against three officers in the death of Mario Gonzalez, a man they arrested in Alameda in April 2021 and pinned to the ground until he went limp, according to court records.

The decision to file felony charges reverses the decision of the previous district attorney, Nancy OMalley, who cleared the officers  Eric McKinley, James Fisher and Cameron Leahy  of criminal wrongdoing in 2022. Shortly after taking office the next year, DA Pamela Price reopened investigations in the county into eight police shootings or in-custody deaths, including the Gonzalez case. But on Thursday, she said she walled herself from the Gonzalez case and left the charging decision up to a Public Accountability Unit of prosecutors.

When asked why she walled herself from the case, she cited technical reasons and did not elaborate.

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Her office filed the charges just as the criminal statute of limitations was set to expire. All three officers were still employed in law enforcement as of Thursday, Leahy and McKinley at the Alameda Police Department and Fisher as a Contra Costa County sheriffs deputy. However, Alameda Police Chief Nishant Joshi said that, upon receiving notification of the charges, he placed Leahy and McKinley on leave until the matter is resolved.

Joshi said he conducted his own review of the previous investigations of the Gonzalez incident and found the officers had not engaged in misconduct. He stood by that decision in a statement Friday.

I have always been confident in the justice system, Joshi said in the statement, adding that his department would cooperate fully in this and all matters.

Tony Daysog, vice mayor of Alameda, expressed stalwart support for the officers, contending in his own statement that they are innocent of the charges brought against them.

They are scheduled to be arraigned May 30.

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Supporters of Mario Gonzalez rally outside the Alameda Police Department in April 2021 to protest his death after a struggle with officers. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle 2021

Gonzalezs death incited protests in Alameda and drew national attention during a period of societal introspection about police use of force. The 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis prompted calls to reduce and defund police forces, and cities throughout the country confronted intense scrutiny any time officers actions led to an injury or death.

When Price won election in 2022, she promised to take a hard line on investigations and prosecutions of police misconduct, while also seeking lighter prison sentences for all defendants  particularly those younger than 25. Early in her tenure, Price rolled out the Public Accountability Unit to oversee reviews of officer misconduct cases.

Price is now facing a recall election. Addressing reporters at her office near the Oakland Coliseum on Thursday, she stressed the importance of not having a double standard when investigating and prosecuting law enforcement.

We wont be able to administer justice if the community doesnt trust that the system is going to work for everybody on an equal basis, Price said at the news conference.

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Alison Berry Wilkinson, an attorney who represented the three officers during the previous criminal and administrative investigations, criticized Price for waiting until the eleventh hour before the statute of limitations was set to kick in, days after the Alameda County Registrar of Voters confirmed the pending recall. Wilkinson will serve as Leahys lawyer in the criminal prosecution.

There is no new evidence, Wilkinson said in a statement to the Chronicle. This is a blatantly political prosecution. She added that the officers actions were reasonable, necessary, and lawful, and attributed Gonzalezs death to drug toxicity.

We are confident a jury will see through this charade and exonerate the officers, she said.

The encounter between Alameda police and Gonzalez unfolded on April 19, 2021, before officers tried to make an arrest. Police had approached the 26-year-old man at a small park on Oak and Powell streets after receiving two calls about a suspicious person.

The first caller reported that a man was standing outside his front gate and muttering to himself, while the second caller said Gonzalez was lingering at the park with baskets of what might be stolen bottles of alcohol.

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McKinley arrived at the park to find Gonzalez standing beside two Walgreens baskets with bottles. For nine minutes, McKinley tried to engage the man, who appeared to have trouble putting thoughts and sentences together, according to OMalleys 2022 investigation.

Fisher arrived as backup, and the two officers tried to handcuff Gonzalez, who resisted by bending at his waist and straightening his left arm in front of his body, OMalley wrote in her report.

Roughly 11 minutes into the encounter, the officers forced Gonzalez to the ground and struggled on top of him, with help from a civilian parking employee who held Gonzalezs legs. After getting the handcuffs on, the officers continued pinning Gonzalez, who kept resisting, OMalley wrote in her report. Leahy arrived during that time and took over for the parking employee, who was still trying to restrain Gonzalezs legs.

After 3 minutes and 39 seconds of restraint with handcuffs on, Gonzalez became unresponsive, the former district attorneys report said. He was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Autopsy findings released by the Alameda County coroner in December 2021 ruled Gonzalezs death a homicide. The findings said he died of toxic effects of methamphetamine combined with the physiological stress of restraint. A second autopsy conducted at the request of Gonzalezs family in a federal civil rights lawsuit found that Gonzalez died of restraint asphyxiation, not from methamphetamine.

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Investigators hired by the city of Alameda published a report in May 2022 that determined that the three officers conformed to department policy, though it did not completely exonerate them. Certain crucial details of the encounter remained unconfirmed due to the limitations of body-worn camera footage, the report from Renee Public Law Group said.
HIGH POINT, N.C., April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- England Inc., a leader in customized upholstery with fast speed to market, and a subsidiary of La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE: LZB), celebrated its 60th anniversary with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Furniture Market in High Point, NC this week. Terry England, President, England Inc., Tj Linz, President, Portfolio Brands, La-Z-Boy Incorporated, Melinda Whittington, President and CEO, La-Z-Boy Incorporated, employees, customers, and suppliers all participated in the celebratory event. England continues to benefit from consumers preference for differentiation with its customized upholstery offering, which is a key competitive advantage for the brand. As it continues to invest in the business for the long term, England Furniture Inc. just revealed its newly renovated High Point showroom at April Furniture Market.



We are delighted to be celebrating the 60th year anniversary of England Furniture a brand started in 1964 from the creative vision of Charles and sons Eugene and Dwight England. Today, the company and legacy they built continues to be recognized for the highest quality and the shortest custom build and delivery cycle. With over 500 fabrics and leathers to choose from, England Furniture offers the broadest selection and countless combinations to help customers create something special and uniquely suited for their home with a promise of 21-day delivery to the retailer, said Terry England, President, England Furniture Inc.

England Furniture is a unique brand that provides fast, custom upholstered furniture made here in the United States. We are proud of the brand heritage and the continued investment in the business backed by La-Z-Boy Incorporated, added Tj Linz, President, Portfolio Brands, La-Z-Boy Incorporated.





Melinda Whittington, President and CEO of La-Z-Boy Incorporated said, This anniversary represents an important milestone for the England brand and the beginning of its next journey. La-Z-Boy Incorporated is proud to have England as a part of our portfolio of businesses.

Media Contact :

Mark Becks, CFA, (734) 457-9538

mark.becks@la-z-boy.com

About England Furniture :

England Furniture Inc. is a leader in custom upholstery since its founding in 1964. Known for its high quality, customized offering, and fast speed to market, England focuses on B2B. The company operates as an independent subsidiary of La-Z-Boy Incorporated and is headquartered in New Tazewell, TN. Additional information is available at https://www.englandfurniture.com/.

About La-Z-Boy :

La-Z-Boy Incorporated is a global leader in the manufacture and retail of residential furniture, marketing furniture for every room of the home. The Wholesale segment includes La-Z-Boy, England, American Drew, Hammary, Kincaid and the company's international wholesale and manufacturing businesses. The company-owned Retail segment includes 184 of the 353 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores. The Corporate and Other segment includes Joybird, an e-commerce retailer and manufacturer of upholstered furniture that also has 12 stores in the U.S.

The corporations branded distribution network is dedicated to selling La-Z-Boy Incorporated products and brands, and includes 353 stand-alone La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores and over 500 independent Comfort Studio locations, in addition to in-store gallery programs for the companys Kincaid and England operating units. Additional information is available at https://www.la-z-boy.com/ .

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7a6966b9-49ca-4e0a-91d5-ee864fdfa5ed
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Pacific Gold Corp. ("Great Pacific Gold, GPAC, or the "Company") (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: FSXLF) (Germany: V3H) announces that it has been requested by OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTC Markets) to issue this statement about promotional activity concerning its common shares traded on the OTCQX market (operated by OTC Markets).



On April 15, 2024, OTC Markets informed the Company that it became aware of certain promotional activities concerning the Company and its common shares traded on the OTCQX Marketplace, which newsletters were prepared by Gold Standard Media, LLC (Gold Standard) and its affiliates (Future Money Trends LLC, Wealth Research Group LLC and Portfolio Wealth Group LLC) (the GSM Group). On April 12, 2024, the Company announced the entry into an investors relations agreement with GSM Group to raise awareness of the Companys shares among investors. The Company was therefore aware of the GSM Groups activities respecting the Company since April 12, 2024. Accordingly, the materials prepared By the GSM Group were paid for by the Company through its engagement of GSM Group.

With respect to other investor relations service providers engaged by the Company within the last 12 months, , the Company has continued to use Highland Contact and Clarkham Capital (together with Golden Standard and its affiliates (the Service Providers), which entities have been engaged since the Companys initial public offering on April 14, 2020.

The Company provided the GSM Group with publicly available sources of information for its marketing materials and management reviewed and commented on the materials prepared by the GSM Group prior to their dissemination, including to ensure factual accuracy. The Company does not believe any of the statements in the marketing materials prepared by the GSM Group were materially false or misleading.

A significant increase in the trading volume of the Companys common shares was noted by OTC Markets on April 15 2024. The Company understands certain promotional activity coincided with increased trading activity in its common shares beginning on April 15, 2024. However, the Company does not believe the promotional activities were the primary factor in any increase in trading volume in its common shares. Rather, on April 15, 2024, the Company announced a significant acquisition to acquire the highly prospective Tinga Valley property, located in Papua New Guinea. The Company believes that the proposed acquisition is the primary factor in the increased trading volume.

After inquiry amongst the Companys management, directors and control persons, none of the Companys management, directors or control persons have sold or purchased the Companys securities within the past 90 days except for an on market purchase by Bryan Slusarchuk and an on market sale by an entity controlled by Mr. Slusarchuk. After an inquiry amongst the Service Providers, to managements knowledge, none of the Service Providers have sold securities of the Company within the past 90 days.

The Company has not at any point issued shares or convertible instruments allowing conversion to equity securities at prices constituting a discount to the current market rate at the time of the issuance.

About GPAC

Great Pacific Gold has a portfolio of high-grade gold projects in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia.

In PNG, Great Pacific Gold recently acquired a significant 2,166 sq. km mineral exploration land package in PNG. The land package comprises of exploration licenses (EL) and exploration license applications (ELA). It includes both early-stage and advanced-stage exploration targets with high-grade epithermal vein and porphyry-style mineralisation present.

The Arau Project consists of two exploration licenses, located in the Kainantu region, and includes the Mt. Victor Prospect, where previous drilling found a multiple phase intrusion complex hosting copper and gold mineralisation.

The Wild Dog Project consists of one granted exploration license, EL 2761, and one exploration license application, ELA 2516, located on the island of New Britain and about 50 km southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG.

The Kesar Creek Project consists of one exploration license, EL 2711, and is contiguous with the K92 Mining Inc. tenements.

In Australia, Great Pacific Gold began with two, 100% owned, high-grade gold projects called the Lauriston and Golden Mountain Projects, and has since acquired a large area of granted and application tenements containing further epizonal (low-temperature) high-grade gold mineralisation and associated intrusion-related gold mineralization all in the state of Victoria, Australia. The Great Pacific Gold land package, assembled over a multi-year period, notably includes the Lauriston Project which is a 535 sq. km property immediately to the south of and within the same geological framework that hosts Agnico Eagle Mines Ltds Fosterville Gold Mine and associated exploration tenements. The Golden Mountain Project is an intrusion-related gold project on the edge of the Strathbogie granite and occurs at the northern end of the Walhalla Gold Belt. The acquired projects include the epizonal gold Providence Project containing the Reedy Creek goldfield which adjoins the Southern Cross Golds Sunday Creek exploration project and a large group of recently consolidated granted tenements called the Walhalla Gold Belt Project, which contain a variety of epizonal and intrusion related style gold mineralisation. Additionally, Great Pacific Gold has another gold-focused project called the Moormbool project which has epizonal style gold mineralisation and associated potential intrusion-related gold mineralisation, as well as the Beechworth Project occurs in the northeast of the state and contains intrusion related and mesozonal gold mineralization.

All GPACs properties in Australia are 100% owned and have had historical gold production from hard rock sources despite limited modern exploration and drilling.

On behalf of GPAC

Bryan Slusarchuk

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Great Pacific Gold cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Great Pacific Gold's limited operating history, its exploration and development activities on its mineral properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Great Pacific Gold does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information: Adam Ross, Investor Relations, Direct: (604) 229-9445, Toll Free: 1 (833) 923-3334, Email: info@greatpacificgoldcorp.com
Dublin, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "3D CAD Software Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global 3D CAD Software Market is set to demonstrate robust growth, with projections showing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.78% during the forecast period of 2018-2028, reaching a notable valuation by the end of 2028. The market's compelling trajectory can be attributed to an array of factors, including the increased demand for advanced design and visualization tools, the rapid advancement of 3D printing, and the high impact of globalization on collaborative design practices.

Driven predominantly by thriving industries such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, construction, and architecture, 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) has become an indispensable element within the innovation toolkit. These platforms enable creators to construct intricate 3D models, revolutionizing the traditional design approach with heightened precision and efficiency.

Trends are leaning heavily toward cloud-based 3D CAD solutions that uphold the global demand for agility and collaboration. Design professionals from multiple geographies can now work on unified models with evident cost, time, and resource benefits. Furthermore, the seamless confluence of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) with 3D CAD software is transforming stakeholder engagements and enhancing design comprehensibility.

The Manufacturing Segment Dominates 3D CAD Software Applications

The manufacturing sector constitutes the most significant segment within the 3D CAD Software Market, propelling demand through its need for comprehensive and intricate design methodologies. As 3D printing gains momentum, the reliance on 3D CAD software intensifies, prompting progressions in sectors such as medical, aerospace, and consumer products. The manufacturing segment is leveraging these technologies to spur innovation, enhance product design, and streamline production strategies.

North America Leads the Charge in the Global 3D CAD Software Market

North America remains the epicenter for 3D CAD Software Market growth, courtesy of rapid technological adoption, significant investments in R&D, and a sprawling manufacturing and architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry landscape. The region, spearheaded by the United States followed by Canada, provides fertile ground for the technological advancements supporting the markets expansion.

Exploring Key Market Challenges

Amidst its ascension, the 3D CAD Software Market also encounters particular challenges, chief among them being the high initial outlays for software procurement and licensing. Such financial hurdles often dissuade small and medium-scale companies from harnessing these advanced design capabilities. Another impediment worth noting is the steep learning curve associated with 3D CAD software. Ensuring compatibility and interoperability between diverse software ecosystems continues to be an area necessitating concerted efforts for seamless data exchange and system integration.

In conclusion, the Global 3D CAD Software Market gives rise to transformational opportunities for various industries seeking to navigate the digital age with innovative design solutions. As businesses continue to adapt to the evolving technological landscape, the market for 3D CAD software is forecasted to ascend and profoundly influence how industries conceptualize, communicate, and realize design ideas into tangible outcomes.

Segments and Regional Insights: An In-Depth Analysis and Forecast Division

Enterprise Size: Small Business, Midsize Enterprise, and Large Enterprise

Application: Manufacturing, AEC, Automotive, Healthcare, and Others

Deployment: Cloud and On-Premise

Regional Insights: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 188 Forecast Period 2022-2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $11.41 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $17.76 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.7% Regions Covered Global

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:

Autodesk, Inc.

DASSAULT SYSTEMES

Siemens Digital Industries Software

PTC, Inc.

Trimble, Inc.

Hexagon AB

Bricsys NV

IronCAD, LLC

Graebert GmbH

Onshape, Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/i0byo3

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.

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Dublin, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "UAE Truck Leasing & Rental Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities, 2018-2028F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



UAE Truck Leasing & Rental Market has valued at USD 961.73 million in 2022 and is anticipated to project robust growth with a CAGR of 7.25%in the forecast period.







The UAE's truck leasing and rental market has been a dynamic and evolving sector in recent years. It has seen considerable expansion due to the country's robust logistics and transportation industry, coupled with numerous construction projects and the increasing demand for efficient goods movement.



One of the defining features of this market is the diversity of the truck fleet offered by rental and leasing companies. They provide a wide array of options, from small vans and pick-up trucks to heavy-duty commercial vehicles, to cater to various transportation needs. This versatility is a key selling point as it enables businesses to find vehicles suitable for their specific requirements.



The demand for truck leasing and rental services in the UAE is primarily driven by two key sectors: logistics and construction. Given the UAE's role as a global trade hub and the continuous development of infrastructure and real estate projects, there is a constant need for trucks, both for the transport of goods and construction materials. This demand extends to both short-term and long-term rentals, depending on project duration and logistics requirements.



Moreover, the UAE's flourishing tourism industry also contributes significantly to the truck rental market. The country is a prime tourist destination, with cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi attracting millions of visitors each year. Businesses in the tourism sector, as well as those involved in events and exhibitions, frequently require trucks for transporting equipment and materials to various venues, contributing to the market's growth.



When it comes to pricing and rental models, truck leasing and rental companies in the UAE offer a range of options. Customers can choose from daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term rental plans, making it accessible for businesses with varying needs and budgets. The cost of renting a truck can vary depending on factors such as the type of vehicle, the rental duration, and any additional services or features required. This flexibility in pricing allows companies to tailor their rental agreements to meet their specific demands, making it a favorable option for businesses of all sizes.

Key Market Drivers

Economic Growth

Infrastructure Development

Tourism and Events

Logistics Industry Expansion

Government Initiatives

Global Trade

Urbanization and Population Growth

Cost-Efficiency and Flexibility

Key Market Challenges

Regulatory Compliance

Intense Competition

Economic Volatility

Maintenance Costs

Depreciation of Assets

Insurance Costs

Market Saturation

Operational Efficiency

Key Market Trends

Growth in e-Commerce and Last-Mile Delivery

Digitalization and Fleet Management

Sustainability and Green Initiatives

Short-Term Rentals and Flexibility

Diverse Fleet Offerings

Rise of Leasing over Ownership

Urban Logistics Solutions

Customer-Centric Services

Report Scope



In this report, the UAE Truck Leasing & Rental Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:



By Type:

Lease

Rental

By Lease Type:

Financial Lease

Full Service/Operational Lease

Third Party Lease

By Truck Type:

Light Duty

Heavy Duty

Medium Duty

By Region:

Dubai

Abu Dhabi

Sharjah

Rest of UAE

Key Attributes

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 84 Forecast Period 2022-2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $961.73 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $1452.12 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.2% Regions Covered United Arab Emirates

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:

Diamondlease

Unisys Technologies LLC

Belhasa

Pickup Rentals

United Movers Dubai

LOAD-ME.COM

Rental Truck Dubai

Great Movers General Transport Establishment

Truck Rental Dubai

Any Rentals

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jlocka

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.

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WASHINGTON, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and SCORE, mentors to Americas small businesses and a resource partner of the SBA, announced the schedule for the 2024 National Small Business Week Virtual Summit. The two-day online event, co-hosted by the SBA and SCORE, will take place from April 30 to May 1. Attendance is free of charge, but registration is required. To register, visit National Small Business Week Virtual Summit registration.

This years National Small Business Weeks theme  Building on the Small Business Boom celebrates the surge in entrepreneurship and resilience of small businesses under the Biden-Harris Administration. The NSBW Virtual Summit expands on that theme, featuring fourteen educational workshops presented by event cosponsors, access to federal resources, and networking and mentorship opportunities. Participants will be able to learn about everything from writing a business plan to improving online marketing and e-commerce. To learn more about these and other sessions, check out the Virtual Summit agenda.

The NSBW Virtual Summit is part of the SBAs continued efforts to leverage technology to reach small businesses across America. National Small Business Week 2024 is being celebrated in person at our nations capital, as well as through our virtual summit, so all entrepreneurs may attend. For more information about National Small Business Week, visit www.sba.gov/NSBW.

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Co-sponsorship Authorization # 24-1-C. SBAs participation in this Cosponsored Activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any Cosponsor or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

###

About National Small Business Week

In the spirit of National Small Business Week, we celebrate the unprecedented growth of entrepreneurship in the United States, marked by 16.5 million new business applications since the Biden-Harris Administration took office. This surge highlights the dynamism and innovation that Americas entrepreneurs bring to our local communities. The SBA will continue to champion the endeavors of small businesses and the vital role they play in driving economic prosperity across the nation.

About SCORE

SCORE, the nations largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, is dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. Since 1964, SCORE has provided education and mentorship to more than 11 million entrepreneurs. SCORE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
WESTPORT, Conn., April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HMG Strategy, the Worlds #1 platform for enabling technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world, is thrilled to announce that it will be recognizing six top-tier business technology leaders for their visionary leadership at its 16th Annual New Jersey C-Level Technology Leadership Summit on May 23 at The Madison Hotel in Morristown, N.J.







World-class CIOs and business technology leaders being recognized at the 16th Annual New Jersey C-Level Technology Leadership Summit under HMG Strategys 2024-2025 Global Leadership Institute Awards will include:

Richard M. Entrup , MD and Head of Emerging Solutions - Enterprise Innovation, KPMG U.S.

, MD and Head of Emerging Solutions - Enterprise Innovation, KPMG U.S. Warren Kudman , SVP & CIO, The Turner Construction Company

, SVP & CIO, The Turner Construction Company Ravi Mani , SVP & CISO, Quest Diagnostics

, SVP & CISO, Quest Diagnostics Mark Sander , Chief Digital and Information Officer, Azurity Pharmaceuticals

, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Azurity Pharmaceuticals Hari Shah , CISO, Tapestry

, CISO, Tapestry Gabrielle Wolfson, SVP, CIO & CDO, Quest Diagnostics

Theres never been a better time to be an enterprise business technology executive, said Hunter Muller, Founder and CEO of HMG Strategy. With Generative AI and an array of transformational digital technologies at their disposal, CEOs and the Board are counting on CIOs and business technology leaders to help reimagine the business and to invent fresh Go-to-Market models and business services to power new waves of revenue growth. We are proud to be recognizing these exemplary business technology executives for their visionary leadership.

World-class executives speaking at the 16th Annual New Jersey C-Level Technology Leadership Summit will include:

Bashir Agboola , CTO, Hospital for Special Surgery

, CTO, Hospital for Special Surgery Roota Almeida , Head of Security Governance, Amazon Stores, Amazon

, Head of Security Governance, Amazon Stores, Amazon Saqib Awan , Founder & Managing Director, GTM Capital

, Founder & Managing Director, GTM Capital Marianne Bachynski , Former CIO, Investments, Enterprise Systems, Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG)

, Former CIO, Investments, Enterprise Systems, Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG) Gene Barskiy , VP IT, Anti-Defamation League

, VP IT, Anti-Defamation League Christopher Callahan , CISO, The Weichert Companies

, CISO, The Weichert Companies Pasquale Cirullo , PMP, ITIL, VP, IT, Richard Manufacturing Co.; President, New Jersey SIM

, PMP, ITIL, VP, IT, Richard Manufacturing Co.; President, New Jersey SIM Mark Coggin , VP, Portfolio Marketing, Rimini Street

, VP, Portfolio Marketing, Rimini Street Richard M. Entrup , MD and Head of Emerging Solutions - Enterprise Innovation, KPMG U.S.

, MD and Head of Emerging Solutions - Enterprise Innovation, KPMG U.S. Shai Gabay , Founder and CEO, Trustmi

, Founder and CEO, Trustmi Mark Goodaire , Director of Automation & Transformation, Automation Anywhere

, Director of Automation & Transformation, Automation Anywhere Elizabeth Hackenson , SVP & CIO, Schneider Electric

, SVP & CIO, Schneider Electric Stuart Kippelman , Chief Innovation Officer, Helton + DataLaw, LLC

, Chief Innovation Officer, Helton + DataLaw, LLC Jim Knight , CEO/Principal, Knight Insights

, CEO/Principal, Knight Insights Warren Kudman , SVP & CIO, The Turner Construction Company

, SVP & CIO, The Turner Construction Company Ravi Mani , SVP & CISO, Quest Diagnostics

, SVP & CISO, Quest Diagnostics Lakshman Nathan , EVP & CIO, Paramount Global

, EVP & CIO, Paramount Global Adam Noble , Operating Partner, IT/CIO/CTO, Littlejohn & Company

, Operating Partner, IT/CIO/CTO, Littlejohn & Company Joseph Puglisi , Chairman & Co-Manager, North Andover Investors Collaborative, LLC

, Chairman & Co-Manager, North Andover Investors Collaborative, LLC Ramesh Razdan , Global CIO, Bain & Company

, Global CIO, Bain & Company Mark Sander , Chief Digital and Information Officer, Azurity Pharmaceuticals

, Chief Digital and Information Officer, Azurity Pharmaceuticals Samir Sethi, SVP , Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Hackensack Meridian Medical

, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Hackensack Meridian Medical Hari Shah , CISO, Tapestry

, CISO, Tapestry Gabrielle Wolfson, SVP, CIO & CDO, Quest Diagnostics

Valued Partners for the 16th Annual New Jersey C-Level Technology Leadership Summit include Akamai, Automation Anywhere, BetterCloud, Box, Cyberstarts, Cyera, Darktrace, Delphix, Denodo, Fortinet, GTM Capital, Illumio, LastPass, Moveworks, Netskope, Nutanix, Palo Alto Networks, Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks, Rimini Street, RingCentral, SafeGuard Cyber, SAP, Schneider Electric, SIM New Jersey, T-Mobile for Business, Trustmi, Upwork, Varonis, Zoom, and Zscaler.

To learn more about the 16th Annual New Jersey C-Level Technology Leadership Summit and to register for the event, click here.

To learn more about HMG Strategys upcoming schedule of CIO & CISO summits, click here.

About HMG Strategy

HMG Strategy is the worlds #1 trusted digital platform connecting technology executives to reimagine the enterprise and reshape the business world. The HMG Strategy global network consists of more than 500,000 CIOs, CDOs, CISOs, CTOs, senior business technology executives, search industry executives, venture capitalists, industry experts and world-class thought leaders.

HMG Strategy was founded in 2008 by Hunter Muller, a leadership expert who has worked side-by-side with Fortune 2000 executives on strategic planning and career ascent for the past 30+ years. Hunter has published six books on leadership, innovation and business transformation and is currently working on book 7.

In 2024, HMG Strategy will host 100 unique experiences for top-tier business technology leaders, including executive leadership summits, networking dinners and digital roundtables.

Since the inception of its Transformational CIO Awards in 2012, HMG Strategy has recognized hundreds of premier business technology executives who are making a difference in their organizations through the industrys most distinguished and recognizable global leadership awards program.

In 2020, HMG Strategy introduced the Global Technology Executives Who Matter Awards to recognize the top-performing Chief Information Officers, Chief Information Security Officers, Senior Business Technology Leaders, Venture Capitalists and Search Executives who have demonstrated unparalleled leadership in areas such as Innovation, Business Transformation and Digital Disruption.

Now entering its 15th year of recognizing the exceptional contributions of business technology executives, HMG Strategy extended its recognition program beginning in 2021 to honor exemplary technology leaders and their teams who are making outstanding contributions to their organizations under the 2024-2025 Global Leadership Institute Awards.

HMG Strategys global media model generates more than one million impressions per week, providing vast opportunities for business technology leaders and sponsor partners to promote themselves and their brands.

HMG Strategys regional CIO and CISO Executive Leadership Series, authored books and Digital Resource Center deliver unique, peer-driven guidance from CIOs, CISOs, CTOs, CDOs and technology executives on leadership, innovation, transformation and career ascent.

HMG Strategy offers a range of peer-led advisory services such as its Global CIO & CISO Executive Leadership Alliance (CELA) service which bring together the worlds top CIOs, CISOs and technology executives to brainstorm on the top opportunities and challenges facing them in their roles.

HMG Strategys Global Advisory Services are a unique set of peer-driven research services that are designed to keep business technology executives up to speed on the latest leadership, business, technology and global macro-economic trends that are impacting businesses and industries.

HMG Ventures is a venture capital unit thats designed to connect CIOs, CTOs, CISOs and other technology executives with innovative early-stage technology companies from Silicon Valley to Tel Aviv. HMG Ventures provides technology executives with a window into hot emerging technology companies that can help move the needle for their businesses while also offering these executives unparalleled personal investment opportunities. One early-stage investment in an enterprise-level AI-powered service management provider has generated a 100X return.

HMG Strategy also produces the HMG Security Innovation Accelerator Panel, a forum thats designed to connect enterprise technology and cybersecurity leaders with the most innovative technology and cybersecurity companies from across the world.

HMG Strategy: We Build Legends Here.

For more information, contact Tom Hoffman at tomhoffman@hmgstrategy.com or by calling 203-221-2702.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fbbefc32-8d71-46f9-b137-06507f7d0c0e




AUSTIN, Texas, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hometown Hero, the veteran-supporting cannabusiness of hemp-derived THC and cannabidiol-based products, today published its newly released virtual panel discussion for cannabis and hemp consumers, advocates and enthusiasts in recognition of the 4/20 holiday.



The webinar, titled Innovations, Challenges and Opportunities for Hemp-derived Cannabinoids in 2024 and Beyond, features industry experts answering questions and addressing a variety of topics impacting the cannabis landscape, including several takeaways:

The need for more education about hemp among consumers, lawmakers and regulatory agencies.

The increasing role of terpenes in hemp-derived cannabinoids.

Better collaboration between hemp and marijuana operators to unlock product development and co-marketing opportunities.



The week of April 20 is always big for cannabis sales as more adult consumers are turning to hemp-derived cannabinoids, said Lukas Gilkey, CEO and co-founder of Hometown Hero. Whether they are canna-curious or more experienced, consumers can find many great sales deals and industry events celebrating the annual holiday. At the same time, its important for those interested in cannabis to understand the dynamics that are driving hemp growth and innovation, which is why we hosted an industry-wide webinar that explores everything from product development to the regulatory landscape.

Since the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, otherwise known as the Farm Bill, the hemp product ecosystem has been evolving to meet the changing demands of consumers. These innovations have established a growing national supply chain, along with a shifting patchwork of state laws regulating the industry. The panelists for Innovations, Challenges and Opportunities for Hemp-derived Cannabinoids in 2024 and Beyond include:

Cynthia Cabrera , chief strategy officer of Hometown Hero, and chair of the cannabinoids council of the Hemp Industries Association.

, chief strategy officer of Hometown Hero, and chair of the cannabinoids council of the Hemp Industries Association. Drew Hull , head of regulatory affairs and cannabis strategy at True Terpenes.

, head of regulatory affairs and cannabis strategy at True Terpenes. Marco Krause , Chief Operations Officer of Dr. MAKs Apothecary.

, Chief Operations Officer of Dr. MAKs Apothecary. Ryan Oquin, VP of sales at Hometown Hero.

Media, hemp business owners and operators, advocates and other cannabis industry members can view or download the webinar here. Viewers can also submit follow up questions by emailing support@hometownhero.com.

About Hometown Hero

Hometown Hero, headquartered in Austin, Texas, manufactures and distributes hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC, HHC and CBDA + CBGA products. Founded in 2015 by Lukas Gilkey and Lewis Hamer, the company donates a portion of all proceeds to various charities and organizations that support veterans. For more information, visit https://hometownhero.com/ or follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @HometownHeroATX.

Media Contact:

George Medici

PondelWilkinson

310.279.5968

gmedici@pondel.com




Congressional Leaders, Grassroots Organizations & Cannabis Industry Activists Call for Decriminalization during 420 Unity Day of Action



Multi-Day Activism Concludes with Moving White House Candlelight Vigil Honoring Those Still Incarcerated and their Families

PRESS HERE to Download Photos + Videos from the Weeks Events





Photo Credit: Ben Droz

WASHINGTON, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Over the past several days, Last Prisoner Project (LPP) has been mobilizing the largest coalition of bipartisan cannabis advocacy, industry, and grassroots organizations, as well as individual activists to convene in Washington D.C. for a 420 Unity Day of Action . A number of lobbying events applied public pressure on Congress and President Biden, encouraging them to take action to fully legalize cannabis, free those still in prison and clear cannabis-related convictions.

Although 24 states and D.C. have legalized adult-use cannabis sales and the vast majority of the U.S. population now lives in states with some form of legal cannabis, tens of thousands of people remain in state and federal prison and millions still suffer the collateral consequences of a criminal record for the same activity others now profit from.

Advocates were joined by several elected officials who have been leading the fight for cannabis reform including Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Massachusetts) who spoke during Wednesdays press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol, and the next day Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) spoke to advocates at the Capitol Visitor Center before Lobby Day meetings with elected officials from both parties including Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York), Sen. Kirsten Sinema (D-Arizona), Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), Sen. Bill Cassiday (R-Louisiana), Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virginia), and others to call for the full legalization of cannabis, the removal of criminal penalties and retroactive relief. Specifically, advocates called on lawmakers to co-sponsor one of the three pieces of legislation which would federally legalize cannabis, the MORE Act , States Rights Act , and the soon to be re-introduced CAOA , as well as the HOPE Act , which was introduced in the Senate on Thursday and would provide funding for state-level expungement programs.

Capping off 48 hours of lobbying and activism, formerly incarcerated LPP constituents Bryan Reid , Kyle Page , Donte West and Andy Cox , and families of those still incarcerated including Mitzi Wall and Alicia Deals , were joined by hundreds of advocates for a candlelight vigil in front of the White House to honor all those harmed by cannabis criminalization.

Throughout the week, directly-impacted advocates were joined by celebrity voices including Rosario Dawson, M-1 of Dead Prez, and JoJo Simmons who used their platforms to spread the calls to decriminalize far beyond the capital. This advocacy work to broaden the movement and get people engaged on these issues will continue throughout the weekend as the 4/20 Unity events culminate with the National Cannabis Festival taking place today and tomorrow (April 19-20) at RFK Campus Festival Grounds which includes educational panels and a fireside chat with Last Prisoner Project Board Member M-1. The weekend will conclude with a concert headlined by Thundercat and Wu-Tang Clan with Last Prisoner Project Ambassador Redman.

To join the fight for cannabis justice, contact your elected officials by sending them a letter and calling their offices urging them to decriminalize cannabis now.





Photo Credit: Ben Droz

The bipartisan advocacy groups that joined LPP this week included:

Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) ( @drugpolicyalliance )

) Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) ( @ssdpofficial )

) NORML ( @natlnorml )

) Veterans Cannabis Coalition ( @veteranscannacoalition )

) Parabola Center ( @parabolacenter )

) Reason Foundation

Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) ( @policeforreform )

) National Cannabis Festival ( @natlcannabisfest )

) National Craft Cannabis Coalition ( @nationalcraftcannabiscoalition )

) National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA) ( @nationalcannabisindustry )

) Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) ( @mincannbusassoc )

) Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) ( @indigenouscannabisindustry )

) Asian Cannabis Roundtable ( @asiancannabisroundtable )

) National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers (NABCL) ( @nabcl_llc )

) FreedomGrow ( @FreedomGrowForever )

) Marijuana Justice ( @thcjusticenow )

) Doctors for Drug Policy Reform ( @d4dprorg )

) United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) ( @ufcwunion )

) Bay Area Latino Cannabis Alliance (BALCA) ( @balca_bayarea )

) Supernova Women ( @supernovawomen )

) Minorities for Medical Marijuana ( @m4mmunited )

) Better Organizing for Winning Legalization ( @thebowlpac )

) Midwest Cannawomen ( @midwestcannawomen )

) DCMJ ( @DCMJ2014 )

) Just Leadership USA (JLUSA) ( @justleadershipusa )

) National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers ( @nacdl )

) United For Decrim

Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) ( @marijuanapolicyproject )

ABOUT LAST PRISONER PROJECT

Last Prisoner Project is dedicated to freeing those incarcerated due to the War on Drugs, reuniting their families, and helping them rebuild their lives. As laws change, there remains a fundamental injustice for individuals whose conviction is no longer a crime. We work to repair these harms through legal intervention, constituent support, direct advocacy, and policy change. Visit www.lastprisonerproject.org or text FREEDOM to 24365 to learn more.

Follow Last Prisoner Project:

Instagram | LinkedIn | X/Twitter | Facebook

For Media Inquiries:

Linda Carbone & Katie Leggett

PRESS HERE

linda@presshereproductions.com | katie@pressherepublicity.com

Stephen Post

Last Prisoner Projects Strategic Communications Manager

stephen@lastprsionerproject.org | press@lastprisonerproject.org
Woodstock, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Woodstock, Georgia -

Southern Phoenix Services, a women-owned and family-owned plumbing company, is pleased to announce its commitment to providing top-notch plumbing services to residents in Woodstock, GA, and the surrounding areas. With a focus on quality, reliability, and exceptional customer service, Southern Phoenix Services has established itself as a trusted partner for all plumbing needs in throughout Cherokee and Cobb County, Georgia.

Southern Phoenix Services offers a comprehensive range of plumbing services, including sewer line repairs/replacements, cast iron pipe replacements, leaky hot water heaters, leaking toilets, clogged drains, leaking gas lines, and more. Whether it's a minor plumbing repair or a major plumbing emergency, their team of licensed and insured plumbing contractors are equipped to handle any situation with expertise and efficiency.

One of the key pillars of Southern Phoenix Services is its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. The company understands that plumbing issues can arise at any time, often causing inconvenience and stress for homeowners. That's why Southern Phoenix Services offers immediate 24/7 emergency plumbing services, ensuring that customers receive prompt assistance when they need it most. Whether it's a burst pipe in the middle of the night or a stubborn clog on a weekend, Southern Phoenix Services is always just a phone call away and ready to help when customers need it most.

"At Southern Phoenix Services, we believe in going above and beyond to exceed our customers' expectations," said Julie Guy, owner of Southern Phoenix Services. "We understand that plumbing problems can be disruptive and stressful, which is why we are committed to providing reliable service and swift solutions to our customers, no matter the time of day or night."

In addition to their emergency services, Southern Phoenix Services prides itself on its dedication to quality workmanship and attention to detail. Each member of their team undergoes rigorous training and stays up-to-date with the latest industry advancements to ensure that they deliver superior results on every job. From diagnosis to repair, customers can trust Southern Phoenix Services to get the job done right the first time, every time. Check out some of their 5 star reviews on their Google business listing here: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=13997155734249635129

Beyond their technical expertise, Southern Phoenix Services distinguishes itself through its strong emphasis on community and family values. As a women-owned and family-owned business, the company takes pride in serving its local community and building long-lasting relationships with customers based on trust, integrity, and respect.

Whether it's routine plumbing maintenance service or an emergency plumbing repair, Southern Phoenix Services is the name that homeowners can rely on for all their residential plumbing needs. With their unwavering commitment to quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, Southern Phoenix Services is poised to remain a trusted partner for residents in Woodstock, GA, and beyond for years to come. Rest assured, customers plumbing systems are in good hands when they choose Southern Phoenix Services.

For more information about Southern Phoenix Services and the plumbing services they offer, visit their website at https://www.southernphoenixservices.com. Those interested can also contact them via phone by calling (770) 455-2700.

About Southern Phoenix Services:

Southern Phoenix Services is a women-owned and family-owned company that offers professional 24/7 plumbing services in Woodstock, GA and the surrounding areas. Some of the plumbing solutons they provide are sewer line repairs, cast iron pipe replacements, leaky hot water heaters, leaking toilets, clogged drains, leaking gas lines, and more.

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For more information about Southern Phoenix Services, contact the company here:



Southern Phoenix Services

Julie Guy

(770) 455-2700

info@southernphoenixservices.com

9801 Main St

Woodstock, GA 30188
Hong Kong Island, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong -

NOMAD Caviar, a highly respected company based in Hong Kong known for its select and top quality caviar, has unveiled a new delightful dish, the Caviar Tart. This latest product is the result of a creative collaboration with acclaimed culinary artisans, Le Bec Fin and Toto Private Chef. Consistent with its motto of 'Caviar for the People', NOMAD Caviar is committed to transforming the public perception of caviar, often seen as an indulgent luxury. Through a direct relationship with premium and ecologically conscious farms and the elimination of unnecessary intermediaries, NOMAD Caviar makes this gourmet selection more accessible for those who savour sophisticated flavours. For more inforamtion visit https://www.nomadcaviar.com/collections/all.

"NOMAD Caviar aims to change the conventional view of caviar as a rare treat eaten sparingly," said Jason Cohen, CEO of NOMAD Caviar. "Our goal is to present caviar as a main dish, meant to be enjoyed heartily and in abundance."

Reflecting the brand's innovative approach, the company's offerings balance both modern and traditional tastes. The Kaluga Hybrid, a hearty and smooth roe, caters to traditional preferences, while the Ossetra presents a tantalising blend of nutty and fruity flavours. In addition to the standalone products, NOMAD Caviar partners with companies such as Crewkies to create exceptional culinary delights, like the NOMAD x Crewkies Oversized Blini, which enhances the caviar experience.

Adding convenience to this luxury experience, NOMAD Caviar also provides a weekday door-to-door caviar delivery service to all customers in Hong Kong so enthusiasts can enjoy high quality, fresh caviar at their convenience. Beyond its brick-and-mortar retail outlets in Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines, NOMAD Caviar offers a caviar membership programme for discerning connoisseurs looking for regular culinary adventures. This includes a range of exclusive benefits, one of which is prioritised access to certain caviar products.

The NOMAD Caviar website provides an easy-to-navigate browsing and shopping platform, ensuring that all necessary information is readily available to users. It offers a comprehensive overview of available caviar products, various tub sizes, pricing details, and specific delivery and returns policies.

"Our commitment is to push boundaries within our industry. The recently unveiled Caviar Tart embodies our devotion to culinary innovation, without compromising the core principles of our brand, such as responsible sourcing from sustainable farms," Cohen further stated.

NOMAD Caviar takes its commitment to transforming the caviar industry one step further by considering caviar appreciation an evolving journey that must strike a balance between luxury and sustainability. Through careful sourcing and educating its customers, the company strives to cultivate a community that appreciates the complexities of caviar and cosigns its place as an everyday delicacy.

While the world of caviar is filled with rich flavours, enticing textures and a long-standing tradition, it doesn't need to be intimidating. NOMAD Caviar looks forward to guiding newcomers and seasoned aficionados alike on this captivating journey. Its mission is to provide an unprecedented yet modest caviar experience to consumers.

To explore the diverse offerings from NOMAD Caviar and learn more about its unique approach to making the caviar experience more accessible, please visit the website at https://www.nomadcaviar.com/.

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For more information about Nomad Caviar, contact the company here:



Nomad Caviar

Jason Cohen

+852 9773 2233

hello@nomadcaviar.com

8/F, 8 On Wo Lane, Central, Hong Kong
Sia Tahbazof arrives at the federal courthouse Friday in San Francisco for sentencing. Colin Peck/Special to the Chronicle

Two wealthy San Francisco developers who spent years bribing local building officials in exchange for permit approvals and inspections will avoid jail time, a federal judge ruled Friday.

Siavash Tahbazof, 73, and his 39-year-old nephew, Bahman Ghassemzadeh, each pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of honest services wire fraud. Both men received three years probation and monetary fines, without home confinement as prosecutors had sought.

Tahbazof, a politically connected local developer, founded architectural design firm SIA Consulting and development company SST Investment. Ghassemzadeh worked as an engineer at SIA Consulting and served on the citys Board of Examiners from 2018 to 2021.

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Mohammed Nuru, former director of San Francisco Public Works, is serving time as a primary defendant in the federal governments probe into corruption in City Hall. On Friday, Siavash Tahbazof and his nephew, Bahman Ghassemzadeh, each received three years probation and monetary fines as part of the investigation. Jeff Chiu/Associated Press

The men  along with Tahbazofs business partner, Reza Khoshnevisan  were swept up in a far-reaching federal corruption probe that has ensnared more than two dozen businesspeople, developers and city bureaucrats, starting in 2020 with the arrest of former Department of Public Works Chief Mohammed Nuru.

Tahbazof presided over a long-running bribery scheme that began in 2003, when he began paying off a Department of Building Inspection plan checker, Rudy Pada, with drinks, meals and cash, in exchange for plan approvals until Padas retirement in 2017. After Padas retirement, he turned to another plan checker, Cyril Yu, who resigned in March 2021. Prosecutors said Tahbazof directed his business partner and his nephew to pay bribes to Pada and Yu.

Pada and Yu pleaded guilty earlier this year to fraud charges.

Thats a long time to be paying bribes, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said, as she weighed the charges against Tahbazof. Its a long time to foster corruption in the housing department.

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Assistant U.S. Attorney David Ward called the scheme an egregious crime with significant potential harm, but noted that Tahbazof and his co-conspirators approached the government before investigators had discovered their crimes, and their cooperation had helped prosecutors build cases against Curran, Pada and Yu.

We didnt have info about their conduct, or about Mr. Pada or Mr. Yu, he said. They brought that to us.

As she sentenced Tahbazof, Illston noted his journey to the U.S. after the Iranian Revolution.

I believe you fled your country because it had let you down, she said.

She said it hurts my heart that after having come to San Francisco for sanctuary, he subverted its government through his actions.

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Illston added that San Francisco residents have a right to expect their needs at the inspections department will be met in a timely manner, and oversees many cases where people endure lengthy delays for permits or lengthy waits for inspections.

The public is entitled to have a functional inspections department, she said. I dont believe thats been the case for some time.

Tahbazof spoke briefly, acknowledging his conduct and apologizing for betraying the city that he fell in love with.

Im so sorry, he said, struggling for composure.

Tahbazof also paid numerous bribes to Bernie Curran, then a senior building inspector.

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He admitted to giving interest-free loans of $85,000 to Pada and $260,000 to Curran, ultimately forgiving $30,000 of the money Curran owed him. Curran resigned from DBI and pleaded guilty to his own charges last year and was sentenced to a year in federal prison.

The charges against Tahbazof and Ghassemzadeh carried a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison and fines of as much as $250,000, though federal sentencing guidelines in their cases ranged from about 18 months to 24 months.

Attorneys for Tahbazof and Ghassemzadeh sought sentences of home confinement or probation, given that they approached prosecutors on their own and cooperated extensively with the investigation  with Tahbazof going so far as to wear a wire to aid prosecutors.

He was not on the governments radar, said Tahbazof attorney Edward Swanson.

Swanson also extolled Tahbazofs work ethic, noting hes built hundreds of units of housing in San Francisco, including one 116-unit complex on Alemany Boulevard in which half of the units were below-market housing.

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Thats money out of his pocket, Swanson said. He has gone above and beyond  in a way I dont know any other developer in this town has done.

Illston sentenced Tahbazof to three years probation and a $75,000 fine, but she declined to require home confinement.

After Tahbazofs sentencing, prosecutors and defense attorneys repeated the process with Ghassemzadeh, giving him the same probation but with a $25,000 fine.

Ward called his conduct inexcusable and said he should have known better.

Ghassemzadehs attorney Gail Shifman noted her client is a new father of a 5-month-old daughter.

Like his uncle, Ghassemzadeh spoke only briefly, describing remorse and shame for his actions. The ordeal of the case had caused health issues for both his parents, he said. He wondered what it would be like to try to explain what had happened to his daughter when she was older, he said.
CHICAGO, Illinois, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Construction of the 100th Fisher House has begun at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center located in North Chicago, Illinois. Unlike other Fisher Houses built for the VA or a particular military service, this will be the first-of-its-kind home built for the partnership between the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense (DoD), integrating all medical care into a federal healthcare facility with a single combined mission.

This Fisher House will be the 100th Fisher House operating in the United States and Europe. Once finished, up to 1,400 families will be able stay in a Fisher House across the country and overseas on any given night.

The North Chicago Fisher House will allow up to 16 Veteran and military families to stay free of charge, serving families traveling to the health care center for medical care. It will offer more than 5,800 nights of lodging each year, potentially saving families more than $1.1 million annually.

The Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center provides comprehensive health and dental care for Navy recruits, service members, and their families based at Naval Station Great Lakes, and Veterans from northeastern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin.

"Weve been waiting for our Fisher House for a long time and are excited to begin construction, said Lovell FHCC Director Dr. Robert Buckley. Our unique mission here to care for Veterans and military members and their families is a perfect match for the 100th Fisher House and makes this all the more impactful.

The 16-suite, 14,490+ sq.-ft. comfort home will be the second Fisher House in Illinois joining the Hines VA Fisher House also located in the greater Chicago area. Each bedroom suite will be equipped with a private, wheelchair-accessible bathroom. Common areas will include a spacious kitchen, laundry room, patio and large communal living, dining and family rooms.

Fisher House Foundation is thrilled to start construction on the new Fisher House at Lovell Federal Health Care Center, said Fisher House Foundation Chairman and CEO Ken Fisher. As the 100th Fisher House, this house will reach an exciting milestone, but it is important to remember that it is not a stopping point. The need for military and Veteran families to have a safe place to stay while their loved ones receive care is only growing. Military service members and Veterans deserve our support, and this new home will serve as a refuge for military and Veteran families traveling to Northern Chicago and Great Lakes for medical care who might otherwise have to rely on long, expensive hotel stays.

A Fisher House creates an instant community for its residents united by their common mission of supporting a sick or injured loved one, but it also provides individuals with a secure and private refuge after a long day at the hospital to rest and recharge.

Fisher House Foundation proudly recognizes the generosity of the following contributors for their extraordinary support of our military and Veteran families: 84 Lumber; Combined Insurance, a Chubb company; Enterprise Mobility Foundation; Friends of Fisher House Illinois; The HPB Foundation; Men's Wearhouse; Pritzker Military Foundation on behalf of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library; Sevan Charitable Foundation; Vehicles for Veterans; Wohlers Family Foundation, and the many gifts of a grateful nation.

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About Fisher House

Fisher House Foundation is best known for its network of 97 comfort homes where military and Veteran families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital they serve. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room, and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and Veteran families an estimated $610 million in out-of-pocket costs for lodging and transportation. www.fisherhouse.org



About the Lovell Federal Health Care Center

With the main hospital located in North Chicago, Ill., Lovell FHCC is the nations only fully integrated Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility. It serves Veterans, active duty military members, and military families. Lovell FHCC operates outpatient clinics for Veterans in McHenry and Evanston, Ill. and Kenosha, Wis., and has four Naval Station Great Lakes clinics for Navy recruits and students, and other area military members and their families.

Attachment
Dallas, TX, April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) today announced that Daniel Powell, CEO and Founder of Spark Biomedical was named an Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 Southwest Award finalist. Now in its 38th year, Entrepreneur Of The Year is the preeminent competitive business award for audacious leaders who disrupt markets, revolutionize sectors, and have a transformational impact on lives. Over the past four decades, the program has recognized the daring entrepreneurs with big ideas and bold actions that reshape our world.

Daniel Powell was one of 47 regional entrepreneurs selected as finalists by an independent panel of judges. The candidates were evaluated based on their demonstration of building long-term value through entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, growth, and impact, among other core contributions and attributes.

I am immensely honored to be nominated for EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Powell said. This award is a testament to the entire team at Spark Biomedical that works tirelessly to bring our life-saving therapy to individuals struggling with opioid use disorder. It is humbling to be a finalist among so many great leaders and organizations, and inspiring to see how our innovations are shaping a brighter future.

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors many different types of business leaders for their ingenuity, courage and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to fortify it for the future.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 15, 2024 during a special celebration and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum, one of the nations most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

In addition to Entrepreneur Of The Year, EY US supports other entrepreneurs through the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Womenprogram and the EY Entrepreneurs Access Network to help connect women founders and Black and Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs, respectively, with the resources, network and access needed to unlock their full potential.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa, SAP and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In the Southwest program, sponsors also include Platinum sponsors DFIN and Haynes and Boone LLP, Gold sponsors BGSF, Marsh and Roach Howard Smith & Barton and Silver sponsors Big Picture Inc., Pierpont Communications and The Slate.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 80 countries and territories globally.

The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the World Entrepreneur Of The Year competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy .

About EY

EY exists to build a better working world, helping to create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets.

Enabled by data and technology, diverse EY teams in over 150 countries provide trust through assurance and help clients grow, transform and operate.

Working across assurance, consulting, law, strategy, tax and transactions, EY teams ask better questions to find new answers for the complex issues facing our world today.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com .

About Spark Biomedical

Spark Biomedical, Inc. is a leading U.S.-based wearable neurostimulation solutions developer devoted to the life-saving work of helping 36.3 million people worldwide overcome withdrawal, heal from addiction, and achieve the better quality of life they deserve. With opioid-related misuse and overdose deaths on the rise, the companys mission is to eliminate opioid use disorder by working to address the full lifecycle, including withdrawal management, opioid-sparing, relapse prevention, and PTSD/trauma abatement.

Spark Biomedical is helping patients take the first step of overcoming acute opioid withdrawal with its FDA-cleared wearable technology, the Sparrow Ascent Transcutaneous Auricular Neurostimulation (tAN) for Opioid Withdrawal Relief. Sparrow Ascent provides an easy, safe, and effective drug-free treatment option supported by clinical evidence. Next steps are underway with the launch of two NIDA-funded clinical trials to improve adult relapse rates and help infants suffering from Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS).

For more information please contact Udim Obot at udim.obot@sparkbiomedical.com.
Jeremy Gillis advises that pursuant to NI 62-103:

he has SEDAR filed an early warning report in connection with his holdings of securities in the capital of the Company on today's date. A copy can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca; he acquired beneficial ownership and control over 1,494,343 shares of the Corporation; he acted independently, and there are no joint actors associated with him; he previously held 7,021,888 shares of the Company; and his 8,516,231 shares represent 25.89% of the 32,894,829 current outstanding shares of Karus.

Peter Marrone:

he has SEDAR filed an early warning report in connection with his holdings of securities in the capital of the Company on today's date. A copy can be found under the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca; he acquired beneficial ownership and control over 1,118,216 shares of the Corporation; he acted independently, and there are no joint actors associated with him; he previously held 3,072,057 shares of the Company; and his 4,190,273 shares represent 12.74% of the 32,894,829 current outstanding shares of Karus.

Vancouver, April 18, 2024 - Karus Mining Inc. (the "Corporation" or "Karus") announces, further to its news release of March 13, 2024 regarding the completion of its amalgamation with Theia Gold Corp. ("Theia"), that it has issued an additional 2,661,936 common shares pursuant to certain contractual obligations of Theia. As a result, two persons are required to announce their share holdings in accordance with National Instrument 62-103 The Early Warning System and Related Take Over Bids and Insider Reporting Issues (NI 62-103).Either of the above persons ("Investors") may acquire additional securities of the Company, or may sell some or all of the securities now held by them from time to time in the future, but neither has present intentions in either regard. While the Investors do not presently have any plans or intentions to do any of the following, they will be working with the Company to seek new business opportunities, and as such may (a) undertake a corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (b) sell or transfer any other material assets to the Company; or cause the Company to sell or dispose of any of its material assets; (c) change the board of directors or management of the Company, including changing the number or term of directors or to fill any existing vacancy on its board; (d) effect a material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of the Company; (e) effect a material change in the Company's business or corporate structure; (f) effect a change in the Company's charter, bylaws or similar instruments or another action which might impede the acquisition of control of the Company by any person or company; (g) cause the Company to cease to be a reporting issuer in any jurisdiction of Canada; (h) solicit proxies from securityholders; or (i) any action similar to any of those enumerated above.Karus Investor Relations(888) 455-7620info@karusgold.com
Preliminary results confirm the Pactolus system extends south for 550 meters along strike and is well mineralized on surface.



The Company is analyzing the results to better understand the plunge and tenor of the ore shoots at this early stage of exploration.



The Company has developed multiple new high-grade targets at past producing mines in the Murray Creek area for drill testing in Q2/2024.

Recall that Pactolus is a new, surface Greenfields discovery made by RUA GOLD in 2021. Pactolus has returned assays for three of six holes drilled on the system, highlighting: DD_PAC_035 intersecting 2 meters @ 5.13g/t Au DD_PAC_036 intersecting 2 meters @ 3.61g/t Au.

These results compliment the surface trenching across outcropping mineralization: 5m @ 12.2 g/t Au (including 1m @ 17.1 g/t Au) and 4m @ 6.9 g/t Au (including 1m @ 16.1 g/t Au).

Further work is needed to model the geometry of this zone to warrant additional drilling in this area. As a result, the company expects to refocus on the past-producing areas in Reefton in the near term.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (ppm) Including DD_PAC_035 71 73 2 5.13 1m @ 8.44 g/t Au DD_PAC_036 60 62 2 3.61 1m @ 4.92 g/t Au

VANCOUVER, April 19, 2024 - Rua Gold Corporation (CSE: RUA) (OTC: NZAUF) (WKN: A4010V) ("RUA GOLD" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an exploration update for the Reefton Project on the South Island of New Zealand.PactolusRUA GOLD plans to commence with 5 targets in the Murray Creek area as the first step in a comprehensive drilling campaign that will test targets in Murray Creek, Crushington, Capleston and Caledonian historic districts. These historic mines collectively produced ~700 koz at 25.2 g/t within a radius of ~20 kilometers. Three of the targets are highlighted:Murray Creek Target 1: Down-dip extension of mine shoot:Records show mining stopped by faulting, evidence of continuation at depth. Recent surface rock chips include 56.2, 48.0, 33.3, g/t Au, including some striking visible gold (Figure 3). Trenching of the lode on surface includes 3m @ 31.7 g/t Au incl. 2m @ 47.1 g/t Au.Murray Creek Target 2: Near mine structural offset:Targeting potential offset of Inglewood Mine group to the east, rock chips include 35.1, 34.5, and 27.8 g/t Au.Murray Creek Target 3: Down-dip extension of mine shoot:Records show mining ceased at 200 meters, yet this was the largest deposit in the Inglewood group.Robert Eckford, CEO commented: "We are pleased to see consistent mineralization in the drilling from the Pactolus vein and see the potential for exciting new opportunities developing from the historic mine drill targets in the forthcoming near-mine program. Our team will continue drilling RUA GOLD's Reefton properties as our 2,500 meter drill program for 2024 rolls out. With the exceptional geology of the Reefton project and the highly experienced operating team on the ground, I am excited by the potential in this historic but under-explored high grade orogenic gold district".More information can be found at the Company's website: www.ruagold.com.The recent 6-hole drill program (DD_PAC_035-040) has tested under the three trenches along the north-south trend of system. Trenching results over four outcrops at Pactolus illustrated in Figure 2 returned the following:7m @ 13.75 g/t Au (including 1m @ 34.6 g/t Au, 1m @32 g/t Au) *5m @ 8.1 g/t Au (including 1m @ 14.9 g/t Au)5m @ 12.2 g/t Au (including 1m @ 17.1 g/t Au)4m @ 6.9 g/t Au (including 1m @ 16.1 g/t Au)*(Reported NI 43 101: Technical Report on the Reefton Project, New Zealand)Four of the six drill holes intersected the targeted mineralized structure. Initial assay results for DD_PAC_35, 36, and 37 returned:

DD_PAC_037 returned no significant intercepts.

Preliminary results and observations confirm the Pactolus system extends south for 550m and is well mineralized on surface, but determining the plunge and tenor of the ore shoots is proving challenging. A further update is anticipated when results from the remaining drill holes are received in 4-6 weeks.

Table 2: Significant intercepts for Pactolus drilling, calculated with a 1.5 ppm Au cut-off and up to 2-m internal dilution.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) DD_PAC_001 132.5 135 2.5 4.75* DD_PAC_002 133 138 5 6.52* DD_PAC_004 183 195 12 9.72* DD_PAC_005 218 223 5 2.24* DD_PAC_005 256 260 4 3.95* DD_PAC_007 214 227 13 1.62* DD_PAC_009 219 221 2 4.40* DD_PAC_010 221 225 4 2.69* DD_PAC_015 76 81 5 3.13* DD_PAC_018 58 60 2 3.11* DD_PAC_022 54 56 2 8.20* DD_PAC_025 33 35 2 3.53* DD_PAC_035 71 73 2 5.13 DD_PAC_036 60 62 2 3.61

The Reefton Goldfields presents as a classic orogenic style gold deposit, with historic mining recovering high-grade gold in plunging gold bearing quartz reefs. RUA GOLD's systematic exploration has highlighted the potential for the rejuvenation of this district in renewed opportunities in the vicinity of historic high-grade gold deposits.RUA GOLD has completed a comprehensive evaluation of the historic mines on the Company's tenements in the Reefton Goldfield which produced ~700 koz at 25.2 g/t (see Appendix 2). 3D computer modelling of the geology, structure, and historical mine lodes, was completed as a precursor to drill testing of priority targets. Likely targets include testing down-dip and potential duplicate structures in the vicinity of the historic mines.RUA GOLD plans to commence with 5 targets in the Murray Creek area as follows.Records show Inglewood mine stopped by faulting, evidence of continuation at depth. Recent surface rock chips include 56.2, 48.0, 33.3, 30.3, g/t Au, including some striking visible gold (see insert). Soil samples are up to 113 ppb Au. Trenching of the lode on surface includes:MC_C03 3m @ 31.7 g/t Au (including 2m @ 47.1g/t Au)MC_C04 12m @ 6.4 g/t Au (including 1m @ 63.9 g/t Au)Targeting potential offset of Inglewood Mine group to the east, illustrated in ultra-detail magnetic data, coinciding with Au-As soil anomaly and mapped quartz veins. Rock chips along the jog include 35.1, 34.5, and 27.8 g/t Au from brecciated, highly sulfidic quartz samples. Soil geochemistry (max 172ppb gold) envelopes gold anomalism over the target area.Trenching in the vicinity of the structural offset included:MCCRAE05 3m @ 1.7 g/t AuMC_C06 2m @ 2.9 g/t AuRecords show mining ceased at 200m yet this was the largest lode in the Inglewood group. Historical records describe the ore directly associated with a dolerite dyke. Accurate mapping of the dyke (UAV magnetics) and 3D structural mapping show significant potential for continuation at depth.RUA GOLD's mapping has delineated quartz and pug faulting along a syncline hinge that coincides with the north striking Perseverance historical workings. Rock samples returned 11-16.4 g/t Au, soil geochemical samples up to 195ppb Au envelope a north trending zone paralleling the Ajax-Golden Fleece historical mines.Ajax Target 1: Potential jog/structural complexity

A jog in the magnetic and strong structural complexity show there may be an offset between the Golden Fleece mine group and Venus, very prominent soil gold geochemistry highlights surface expression of this target.





Grant of Deferred Share Units



The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 875,476 deferred share units ("DSUs") to the directors of the Company at a deemed price of $0.175 per DSU. The DSUs were granted in consideration for services provided by the directors for February 28 to March 31, 2024. The DSUs were granted under the Company's Deferred Share Unit Plan adopted on April 17, 2024. Each DSU entitles the holder to receive one share of the Company at the time the holder ceases to be a director of the Company.





About RUA GOLD



RUA GOLD (RUA.CSE) is a new entrant to the mining industry, specializing in gold exploration and discovery in New Zealand. With permits that have a rich history dating back to the gold rush in the late 1800's, RUA GOLD combines traditional prospecting practices with modern technologies to uncover and capitalize on valuable gold deposits.



The Company is committed to responsible and sustainable exploration, which is evident in its professional planning and execution. The Company aims to minimize its environmental impact and to execute on its projects with key stakeholders in mind. RUA GOLD has a highly skilled team of New Zealand professionals who possess extensive knowledge and experience in geology, geochemistry, and geophysical exploration technology.



For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.





Technical Information



Simon Henderson CP, AUSIMM, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained herein. Mr. Henderson has verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information in the technical disclosure herein.





QAQC Soil Samples



A bulk sample of ~0.5-1 kg was collected in the field and taken back to RGL's office for preparation. Samples were dried in a customized incubator, set at 38C, for a minimum of two days. Once the samples were fully dried, they were sieved to <180 m in size. A sub-sample of 50-100 g was scooped from the <180 m size fraction for analysis. The remaining material was retained and stored in Reefton.



A 50-100-g fine-sieved (<180 m) soil sample was sent to ALS Geochemistry, Brisbane for Au-TL43 analysis. The analysis consisted of 25-g sample digestion by aqua regia, followed by trace Au analysis by ICP-MS. The detection limit for Au by this method is 1 ppb. Approximately 5% of the samples were analyzed for a full multi-element suite using a 4-acid digest and ICP-MS finish.



ALS Brisbane is independent to RUA GOLD.





QAQC Drilling



The majority of drillholes were sampled in full, typically following 1-m sample intervals unless geological contacts (i.e. dolerite intrusions) dictated otherwise. NQ core was analyzed as whole core; therefore, only requiring cutting along sample intervals. PQ and HQ core were sampled as half core.

Drill core samples were sent to SGS Westport for sample preparation. Core was crushed to 75% passing 2 mm, and 1-kg split of material was pulverized (to 85% passing 75 m). No split duplicates were collected during the crushing steps. Two scoops were taken from the pulverize bowl: one for laboratory analysis (~150 g) and the other for pXRF analysis (~100 g). The pulp reject is stored in Reefton.



Pulverized drill core samples were analyzed by 50-g fire assay with AAS finish at SGS Waihi (SGS Code FAA505). The detection limit for Au by this method is 0.01 ppm. As part of SGS' internal quality control, SGS conducted repeat analyses, also at a rate of ~5%.



Thirteen 3-g samples were also analyzed by screen fire assay (FAS30K) at SGS Waihi to establish the presence of nuggetty Au. Samples were screened to 75 m.



Website: www.RUAGOLD.com





Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information



This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company 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", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur and specifically include statements regarding: the Company's strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions, including but not limited to exploration programs at its Reefton and Glamorgan projects; and the Company's expected receipt of permits or other regulatory approvals. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and its business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by forward looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; risks related to the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war; risks related to climate change; operational risks in exploration, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration projects or capital expenditures; the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; changes in labour costs and other costs and expenses or equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to environmental hazards, flooding or unfavourable operating conditions and losses, insurrection or war, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing, and commodity prices. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company's CSE Form 2A - Listing Statement filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors.

Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Appendix 1: Full list of significant intercepts from the Pactolus drilling program.

Table 3: Significant intercepts for Pactolus program, calculated with a 1.5 ppm Au cut-off and up to 2-m internal dilution.

Hole ID From To Interval Au (ppm) DD_PAC_001 132.5 135 2.5 4.75 DD_PAC_002 133 138 5 6.52 DD_PAC_004 183 195 12 9.72 DD_PAC_005 218 223 5 2.24 DD_PAC_005 256 260 4 3.95 DD_PAC_007 214 227 13 1.62 DD_PAC_007 244 246 2 1.71 DD_PAC_009 219 221 2 4.40 DD_PAC_010 221 225 4 2.69 DD_PAC_015 76 81 5 3.13 DD_PAC_016 41 43 2 2.77 DD_PAC_018 43 46 3 2.75 DD_PAC_018 58 60 2 3.11 DD_PAC_022 54 56 2 8.20 DD_PAC_025 33 35 2 3.53 DD_PAC_035 71 73 2 5.13 DD_PAC_036 60 62 2 3.61

(Up to DD_PAC_025 reported in NI 43 101: Technical Report on the Reefton Project, New Zealand)

Appendix 2: Historic production from mining in the Reefton Goldfields.

Shear Group Mine Lode Total Production (Au oz) Recovered Grade (g/t) Italian Gully Golden Arch-Italian Gully-Tripoli 1,093.1 31.8 Capleston Welcome-Hopeful 88,620.3 61.4 Fiery Cross 27,955.1 34.8 Just in Time 17,171.7 38.8 Reform-Imperial-South Hopeful 1,070.6 19.6 Lone Star 1,09.3 13.9 Murray Creek Inglewood-North Star, Phoenix, Victoria 33,877.2 19.9 Golden Treasure-Comstock 5,697.1 18.5 Band of Hope 25.7 2.0 Perseverance 19.3 10.4 Westland 61.1 23.4 Ajax Golden Fleece - Ajax Royal 89,629.9 20.4 Venus 7,041.0 19.8 Crushington Dauntless, Energetic-Wealth of Nations-Eclipse-Independent-Vulcan 208,970.2 14.2 Heather Bell 9.6 4.9 Golden Ledge 1,138.1 9.2 Keep-it-Dark 182,597.0 17.0 Hercules-Nil Desperandum 6,809.5 16.5 No. 2 South Keep it Dark - Pandora 6,687.4 21.5 Specimen Hill Specimen Hill 1,205.7 16.3 Pactolus 498.3 141.3 Lady of the Lake 3.2 9.8 Argus 90.0 33.6 Larry Creek Caledonian 1,160.6 25.3 Larry's No. 1



No. 2 South Larry's 4,128.2 16.8 Kirwans Hill Newhaven, Earl Brassey, Mark Twain, Lord Brassey 11,011.6 15.2 Table 4: Historical production from mines within the Reefton Project (Barry, 1993).

Source: Barry, J.M., 1993. The History and Mineral Resources of the Reefton Goldfield.

Appendix 3: Locations and information on drill holes and trenches at Pactolus.

Table 5: Drill hole locations and hole details. Coordinates in NZTM2000; DD: Diamond drill hole, TR: Trench.

Hole ID Easting Northing Depth Azimuth Dip DD_PAC_001 1512924 5341019 224 257 -50 DD_PAC_002 1512924 5341019 204.4 280 -45 DD_PAC_003 1512924 5341019 305.4 279 -71 DD_PAC_004 1512924 5341019 225 213 -52 DD_PAC_005 1512925 5341019 305.6 213 -70 DD_PAC_006 1512924 5341020 189.7 304 -42 DD_PAC_007 1512924 5341020 299 201 -43 DD_PAC_007A 1512924 5341020 37.5 202 -42 DD_PAC_008 1513028 5340787 312.3 297 -42 DD_PAC_009 1513028 5340787 284.6 268 -50 DD_PAC_010 1513028 5340787 330.2 230 -60 DD_PAC_011 1512924 5341019 178.95 224 -41 DD_PAC_014 1512867 5340988 44.95 250 -60 DD_PAC_015 1512867 5340988 89 250 -70 DD_PAC_016 1512867 5340988 63.7 250 -45 DD_PAC_017 1512863 5340958 75.6 250 -45 DD_PAC_018 1512863 5340958 81.9 250 -60 DD_PAC_019 1512863 5340958 92.3 250 -70 DD_PAC_020 1512878 5340924 96.7 250 -55 DD_PAC_021 1512878 5340924 100 250 -70 DD_PAC_022 1512833 5341082 87.3 250 -55 DD_PAC_023 1512833 5341082 107.7 250 -70 DD_PAC_024 1512833 5341082 85.9 250 -45 DD_PAC_025 1512843 5341036 91.2 250 -55 DD_PAC_026 1512843 5341036 106.3 250 -70 TR_PAC_001 1512827 5340994 7 358 0 TR_PAC_004 1512826 5340896 4 5 0 TR_PAC_005 1512827 5340896 5 5 0 TR_PAC_006 1512820 5340859 5 5 0 TR_PAC_008 1512831 5340552 5 5 0 DD_PAC_035 1512893 5340880 118.5 264 -47 DD_PAC_036 1512893 5340880 191.8 292 -57 DD_PAC_037 1512893 5340880 254.1 219 -65 DD_PAC_038 1512871 5340729 115 265 -65 DD_PAC_039 1512871 5340729 138.1 338.9 -57.5 DD_PAC_040 1512887 5340639 154.1 225 -55

SOURCE Rua Gold Inc. Rua Gold Inc.Robert Eckford, Chief Executive OfficerTel: +1 604 655 7354Email: reckford@RUAGOLD.com
VANCOUVER, April 19, 2024 - Great Pacific Gold Corp. ("Great Pacific Gold," "GPAC," or the "Company") (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: FSXLF) (Germany: V3H) announces that it has been requested by OTC Markets Group Inc. ("OTC Markets") to issue this statement about promotional activity concerning its common shares traded on the OTCQX market (operated by OTC Markets).



On April 15, 2024, OTC Markets informed the Company that it became aware of certain promotional activities concerning the Company and its common shares traded on the OTCQX Marketplace, which newsletters were prepared by Gold Standard Media, LLC ("Gold Standard") and its affiliates (Future Money Trends LLC, Wealth Research Group LLC and Portfolio Wealth Group LLC) (the "GSM Group"). On April 12, 2024, the Company announced the entry into an investors relations agreement with GSM Group to raise awareness of the Company's shares among investors. The Company was therefore aware of the GSM Group's activities respecting the Company since April 12, 2024. Accordingly, the materials prepared By the GSM Group were paid for by the Company through its engagement of GSM Group.

With respect to other investor relations service providers engaged by the Company within the last 12 months, , the Company has continued to use Highland Contact and Clarkham Capital (together with Golden Standard and its affiliates (the "Service Providers"), which entities have been engaged since the Company's initial public offering on April 14, 2020.

The Company provided the GSM Group with publicly available sources of information for its marketing materials and management reviewed and commented on the materials prepared by the GSM Group prior to their dissemination, including to ensure factual accuracy. The Company does not believe any of the statements in the marketing materials prepared by the GSM Group were materially false or misleading.

A significant increase in the trading volume of the Company's common shares was noted by OTC Markets on April 15 2024. The Company understands certain promotional activity coincided with increased trading activity in its common shares beginning on April 15, 2024. However, the Company does not believe the promotional activities were the primary factor in any increase in trading volume in its common shares. Rather, on April 15, 2024, the Company announced a significant acquisition to acquire the highly prospective Tinga Valley property, located in Papua New Guinea. The Company believes that the proposed acquisition is the primary factor in the increased trading volume.

After inquiry amongst the Company's management, directors and control persons, none of the Company's management, directors or control persons have sold or purchased the Company's securities within the past 90 days except for an on market purchase by Bryan Slusarchuk and an on market sale by an entity controlled by Mr. Slusarchuk. After an inquiry amongst the Service Providers, to management's knowledge, none of the Service Providers have sold securities of the Company within the past 90 days.

The Company has not at any point issued shares or convertible instruments allowing conversion to equity securities at prices constituting a discount to the current market rate at the time of the issuance.

About GPAC

Great Pacific Gold has a portfolio of high-grade gold projects in Papua New Guinea ("PNG") and Australia.

In PNG, Great Pacific Gold recently acquired a significant 2,166 sq. km mineral exploration land package in PNG. The land package comprises of exploration licenses (EL) and exploration license applications (ELA). It includes both early-stage and advanced-stage exploration targets with high-grade epithermal vein and porphyry-style mineralisation present.

The Arau Project consists of two exploration licenses, located in the Kainantu region, and includes the Mt. Victor Prospect, where previous drilling found a multiple phase intrusion complex hosting copper and gold mineralisation.

The Wild Dog Project consists of one granted exploration license, EL 2761, and one exploration license application, ELA 2516, located on the island of New Britain and about 50 km southwest of Rabaul and Kokopo, PNG.

The Kesar Creek Project consists of one exploration license, EL 2711, and is contiguous with the K92 Mining Inc. tenements.

In Australia, Great Pacific Gold began with two, 100% owned, high-grade gold projects called the Lauriston and Golden Mountain Projects, and has since acquired a large area of granted and application tenements containing further epizonal (low-temperature) high-grade gold mineralisation and associated intrusion-related gold mineralization all in the state of Victoria, Australia. The Great Pacific Gold land package, assembled over a multi-year period, notably includes the Lauriston Project which is a 535 sq. km property immediately to the south of and within the same geological framework that hosts Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.'s Fosterville Gold Mine and associated exploration tenements. The Golden Mountain Project is an intrusion-related gold project on the edge of the Strathbogie granite and occurs at the northern end of the Walhalla Gold Belt. The acquired projects include the epizonal gold Providence Project containing the Reedy Creek goldfield which adjoins the Southern Cross Gold's Sunday Creek exploration project and a large group of recently consolidated granted tenements called the Walhalla Gold Belt Project, which contain a variety of epizonal and intrusion related style gold mineralisation. Additionally, Great Pacific Gold has another gold-focused project called the Moormbool project which has epizonal style gold mineralisation and associated potential intrusion-related gold mineralisation, as well as the Beechworth Project occurs in the northeast of the state and contains intrusion related and mesozonal gold mineralization.

All GPAC's properties in Australia are 100% owned and have had historical gold production from hard rock sources despite limited modern exploration and drilling.

On behalf of GPAC

Bryan Slusarchuk

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. Great Pacific Gold cautions that all forward looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by many material factors, many of which are beyond their respective control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to Great Pacific Gold's limited operating history, its exploration and development activities on its mineral properties and the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Great Pacific Gold does not undertake to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information: Adam Ross, Investor Relations, Direct: (604) 229-9445, Toll Free: 1 (833) 923-3334, Email: info@greatpacificgoldcorp.com
Vancouver, April 19, 2024 - Red Lake Gold Inc. (CSE:RGLD)("Red Lake Gold" or the "Corporation") announces that it has retained Thunder Bay-based Fladgate Exploration Consulting Corporation ("Fladgate") to design and perform an upcoming field exploration program at its Whirlwind Jack Gold Project near Red Lake, Ontario.

"Red Lake Gold is pleased to engage Fladgate Exploration, which brings experienced geologists and a proven track-record of executing field work in the region where our Whirlwind Jack Gold Project is located," stated Ryan Kalt, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.

Based on its geophysical exploration work to-date, Red Lake Gold believes that its Whirlwind Jack Gold Project may host a westerly extension of an important regional fault, commonly referred to as the LP Fault, which has been identified on mining claims that adjoin the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project. Red Lake Gold is seeking to determine if gold endowment also exists at its Whirlwind Jack Gold Project within the potential area of this interpreted westerly extension. To views held by the Corporation, the exploration program is expected to focus on a significant mag low corridor situated within the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project, which itself adjoins the Great Bear Project being advanced by Kinross Gold Corp..

Red Lake Gold expects that the field exploration program will be primarily funded using proceeds from its recently closed flow-through financing (see news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Closes Financings, dated April 5, 2024). As previously reported, the Corporation is in the ongoing process of refining and resizing the initial scale of its Whirlwind Jack Gold Project to more effectively explore areas of prioritized interest that are situated in closest proximity to the adjoining Great Bear Project, as well as to proactively adjust for other regional interests.

The anticipated exploration program outlined by this news release is expected to be the second exploration program performed by Red Lake Gold since it fully resolved operatorship of the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project last year (see also news release, Red Lake Gold Inc. Engages ProspectAir for a TDEM Exploration Survey at Whirlwind Jack, dated July 20, 2023).

The Corporation shall endeavor to update shareholders on the implementation of the expected field program in the ordinary and appropriate course.

The Corporation cautions that the exploration potential of and any exploration results from the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project may differ, materially, from exploration results of adjoining and/or regional projects, including but not limited to the adjacent Great Bear Project being advanced by Kinross Gold Corp..

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael Thompson, P.Geo, Fladgate Exploration Consulting Corporation's President, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and responsible for the technical information for this phase of exploration on the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project.

About Red Lake Gold Inc.

Red Lake Gold Inc. is a Vancouver-based junior mining exploration company, traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol "RGLD". For more information, please visit www.redlakegold.ca.

The Corporation is subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those risks and uncertainties set out in its public filings, such public filings generally being available, without limitation, through SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Corporation's Disclosure Hall on the CSE website (thecse.com/listings/red-lake-gold-inc/#disclosure).

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Ryan Kalt

Chief Executive Officer

T: 604.687.2038

Email: info@redlakegold.ca

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the Corporation's intention to conduct exploration work at its Whirlwind Jack Gold Project, the timing and completion of such exploration work and the results of such exploration work to the extent such work is successfully completed, as well as to the general exploration potential of the Whirlwind Jack Gold Project held by the Corporation. Actual results may differ materially from those currently expected or forecast in such statements.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Copyright (c) 2024 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
VANCOUVER, April 19, 2024 - C2C Metals Corp. (CSE: CTOC) (the "Company" or "C2C") is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of C$1,768,476 from the sale of 10,402,800 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of C$0.17 per Unit.

Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at a price of C$0.25 for a period of 24 months following the issue date of the Unit.

The proceeds of the Offering will be used to fund exploration on the Company's uranium projects in Utah as well as for general working capital purposes. Finder's fees will be payable in accordance with the policies of the CSE. The securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period ending on August 20, 2024. Red Cloud Securities Inc. acted as a non-exclusive finder in connection with the Offering.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

One director of the Company participated in the Offering, which constitutes a "related party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements under section 5.5(a) and section 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the securities issued to the related party did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the Offering because the details of participation had not been confirmed at that time.

C2C Metals is a mineral exploration company which holds a portfolio of uranium, gold and copper projects in the United States and Canada.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expected", "will be", "anticipated", "may" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

www.c2cmetals.com

@C2CMetalsCorp



/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/



SOURCE C2C Metals Corp.







Contact

Chris Huggins, Chief Executive Officer, (604) 968-4844, chuggins@c2cmetals.com


Mosab Abu Tohas Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear was released in 2022 through San Francisco publisher and independent bookstore City Lights. Courtesy of Stacey Lewis.

Fleeing his homeland atop a donkey cart with his family was not how Mosab Abu Toha envisioned the months following his American Book Award win.

The Palestinian poet was awarded the prestigious literary prize by Oakland nonprofit Before Columbus Foundation last August for his debut poetry collection, Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear. Started by East Bay author Ishmael Reed, the organization has been awarding writers with the prize since 1980 in an effort to recognize literary excellence without limitations or restrictions. Abu Toha was selected as a winner because the foundation found his poetry vital, urgent, and necessary, according to a letter the poet received by the organization announcing his win.

But instead of celebrating his achievement, Abu Toha found himself fighting to protect his family and his life after violence in Gaza escalated on Oct. 7.

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He had planned to attend an Oct. 1 ceremony at the San Francisco Public Library to formally accept the award plaque but, at the last minute, decided to return home to Gaza to be with his family after hearing of heightened conflict stirring.

Thats when his publisher, City Lights stepped in. Elaine Katzenberger, executive director of the San Francisco bookstore and publishing company, attended the ceremony on his behalf.

In late March  five months after the award ceremony  Abu Toha finally received his plaque in Cairo, where he is living safely with his family. But Gaza is never far from his mind.

Mosab Abu Toha with his American Book Award. Courtesy of Mona El-Naggar.

Abu Tohas writing is inspired by his life there, from his childhood growing up under occupation to facing a life-threatening injury from an Israeli airstrike as a teenager to becoming a father shortly after the 2014 Gaza War.

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I opened my eyes as a very young person to war, so I dont remember myself living in peace at all, the 31-year-old poet told the Chronicle.

Abu Toha said he began writing poetry in 2014, posting lines about his life and emotions during the war on Facebook.

The feeling of pain, the feeling of fear, the feeling of anxiety, the feeling that death is around the corner is something that many people have felt before  these feelings can be felt by a Gazan or a West Banker or a Californian, he said. So I think poetry can break the wall of identity when it comes to emotions.

Mosab Abu Toha at his desk in Gaza before his home was bombed. Courtesy of Hamza Abu Toha.

His heartbreaking and honest writing about Gaza has gained a larger audience in the months following the conflict, with Abu Toha rising to prominence as a creative and as an activist.

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More Information Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear

By Mosab Abu Toha

(City Lights; 144 pages; $11.17)

Hes an incredibly eloquent voice for an experience that an entire people are having that helps, in a very straightforward and humane way, to open peoples minds and hearts, Katzenberger said of Abu Toha and his work.

It was quite an ordeal leading up to Abu Toha receiving his award. Mere months before, he was face-to-face with Israeli forces.

In late November, he and his family were amid a sea of exhausted Palestinians traveling south from the school shelter at Jabalia refugee camp, many with the hopes of finding safety in Egypt. Making their way past demolished schools, homes and mosques, they were stopped by an Israeli tank that was controlling foot traffic. On Salah El-Din Street, the main highway of the Gaza Strip, Abu Toha was taken away from his wife and children by the Israeli army, along with dozens of other men.

City Lights published Mosab Abu Tohas Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle

After hearing the news, Katzenberger joined a network of leaders from various arts and culture and human rights organizations, educators and media to help him. Together, she said, they used their connections to put pressure on the U.S. State Department and others in power to demand his release.

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The author was released Nov. 21, after enduring three days of verbal and physical assault, he said.

City Lights is more than a bookstore, its more than a publisher, Abu Toha said. Its a family to me as a poet, and its also a family to me as a friend.

Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear

When you open my ear, touch it

gently.

My mothers voice lingers somewhere inside.

Her voice is the echo that helps recover my equilibrium

when I feel dizzy during my attentiveness.

You may encounter songs in Arabic,

poems in English I recite to myself,

or a song I chant to the chirping birds in our backyard.

When you stitch the cut, dont forget to put all these back in my ear.

Put them back in order as you would do with books on your shelf.

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 Excerpt from the title poem

Abu Toha first began working with City Lights in 2021, after his close friend and fellow writer Ammiel Alcalay reached out to Katzenberger on his behalf. In April 2022, less than a year after Abu Toha sent over his manuscript, Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear was published by City Lights. It was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for poetry that year.

His stature as a writer and as a poet and as a sort of de facto spokesperson has really rocketed, Katzenberger said. To have so many people read your work is everybodys dream when theyre a writer, and to have achieved it under such horrible circumstances  Those are the two things that are happening to him.

While Abu Toha and his family got settled in Cairo, Katzenberger said, the City Lights team in San Francisco was brainstorming ways to make sure that his voice is heard. The result was a public reading of Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear, hosted in February to benefit the Middle East Childrens Alliance, a Berkeley nonprofit helping to provide emergency assistance to displaced families in Gaza. Poets such as UC Berkeley lecturer Nathalie Khankan, writer and visual artist Norma Cole, and San Francisco State University lecturer Steve Dickison took turns reading poems from the book. An overflow crowd in the bookstore was joined by others via Zoom, Katzenberger said  including Abu Toha, who read some of his poems on video.

Part of it was meant to just provide something positive for people to do in the community here; to come together and feel united in something other than outrage and anger and sadness, Katzenberger said. All of those are appropriate, and they were all there, but it was also just a lot of love, a lot of support.

With the support of his literary family in San Francisco and his passion for storytelling, Abu Toha has no plans to stop writing.

Mosab Abu Toha published his debut poetry book, Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear, in 2022 through San Franciscos City Lights. Courtesy of Stacey Lewis.

Its my responsibility to write about this experience in the hope that this would bring all the people, not only common people, but also people in power, to put an end to the suffering of Palestinians, whether in Gaza or the West Bank and elsewhere, he said.

As for his award from the Before Columbus Foundation, Abu Toha eventually received it in Cairo. But it required quite an effort to get it to him.

Katzenberger, after accepting the award on his behalf last October, mailed it shortly after to his home in Gaza. That was just days before the Hamas attack on Israel that ignited what is now a six-month siege of the Palestinian territory. He never received that package.

Its never easy sending anything to Gaza, said Katzenberger. Who knows where that box went?

It wasnt until months later that Katzenberger was able to procure a replacement plaque and mail it to Cairo. It now sits on his bookshelf among the handful of literary treasures hes acquired during his stay. The poet said receiving the physical award provided a joyful moment amid the pain of the war in Gaza.
Vancouver, April 19, 2024 - Leocor Gold Inc. (the "Company" or "Leocor") (CSE:LECR), (OTC:LECRF) is pleased to announce that it has closed its non-brokered private placement and has issued 38,300,000 units (each, a "Unit") at a price of $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,915,000. Each Unit consists of one common share of the company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"), entitling the holder thereof to purchase one additional share at a price of $0.10 until April 19, 2027.

The Company intends to use the gross proceeds to advance the exploration and development of its gold and copper projects in Newfoundland, and for general working capital purposes.

In connection with closing of the offering, the Company paid finders' fees totalling $25,200 and issued 504,000 Warrants to certain arm's-length brokerage firms. All securities issued in connection with the private placement are subject to a statutory hold period until August 20, 2024, under applicable Canadian securities laws, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside of Canada.

Brian Shin, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, subscribed for 200,000 Units in the offering. Participation in the offering by an insider of the Company constitutes a related-party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions) ("MI 61-101"). The issuance of securities to Mr. Shin is exempt from the valuation requirement of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemption contained in Section 5.5(b) as the shares are not listed on a specified market and from the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemption contained in Section 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, in that the fair market value of the consideration paid for the securities issued to Mr. Shin does not exceed twenty-five percent of the Company's market capitalization.

"We're pleased with support of existing and new shareholders who participated in this raise," said Alex Klenman, CEO. "The additional funds realized in this placement will assist greatly in moving our Baie Verte project forward. With demonstrated robust gold and copper mineralization, the projects that make up this exploration package provide exceptional opportunities. Now is the perfect time to complete the next stage of development of these assets," continued Mr. Klenman.

About Leocor Gold Inc.

Leocor Gold Inc. is a British Columbia-based resource company involved in the acquisition and exploration of precious metal projects, with a current focus in Atlantic Canada. Leocor, through outright ownership and earn-in agreements, currently controls several gold-copper projects in prime exploration ground located within the prolific Baie Verte Mining District. Leocor's Bae Verte portfolio includes the Dorset, Dorset Extension, Copper Creek and Five Mile Brook projects, creating a contiguous nearly 2,000-hectare exploration corridor. The Company also controls district scale land packages in North Central Newfoundland, known as Robert's Arm, Hodge's Hill, and Leamington, (collectively "Western Exploits") representing over 144,000 hectares (1,440 square kilometers) of prospective exploration ground.

Contact Information

Leocor Gold Inc.

Alex Klenman, Chief Executive Officer

Email : aklenman@leocorgold.com

Telephone : (604) 970-4330

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.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such information includes, without limitation, information regarding the intended use of proceeds from the offering. Although Leocor believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

Forward looking information is typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Leocor cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by Leocor is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: the state of the financial markets for Leocor's securities; the state of the natural resources sector in the event the Option, or any of them, are completed; recent market volatility; Leocor's ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies; and other risks and factors that Leocor is unaware of at this time. The reader is referred to Leocor's initial public offering prospectus for a more complete discussion of applicable risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through Leocor's issuer page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Leocor 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.


VANCOUVER, April 19, 2024 - Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSX-V:YGT)(Frankfurt:TX0)(OTCQB:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of the non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") announced on April 10, 2024 with Eric Sprott as the lead investor, for gross proceeds of $2.5 M from the sale of 50 million common shares of the Company ("Common Shares") at a price of C$0.05 per Common Share.

An Insider of Gold Terra participated in the Offering and was issued an aggregate of 240,000 Common Shares, after being cut from 740,000 to allocate to others. Such participation in the Offering constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("61-101"). The Offering is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to related parties nor the consideration for such securities exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to closing of the Offering as the participation of insiders of the Company in the Offering had not been confirmed at that time.

A finder's fee of 6% cash totaling $33,120 was paid to certain finders. All securities are subject to a four month hold period from the date of closing.

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.

Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO commented, "We are pleased to have completed an oversubscribed (45%) successful financing with the support of new shareholders, with Eric Sprott as the lead investor and Rob McEwen, and many existing longtime shareholders such as MacKenzie Fund and Ingalls Snyder to name a few. Our 2024 program will continue as planned to test the Campbell shear structure some 600 metres below the existing working of the Con Mine which produced 5.1 Moz of gold at an average grade of 16 g/t."

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.sedarplus.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
A box of Bota Box wine, whose company is based in California, is identified as Chile Sauvignon Blanc. Esther Mobley/The Chronicle

That cheap bottle of wine you picked up at the grocery store? Even if its from a California winery, some of its contents may have come from another country entirely.

Every year, the states largest wine companies import significant volumes of bulk wine: the equivalent of 19 million cases last year, according to leading industry analyst the Gomberg Fredrikson Report, and 30 million in 2022. Two countries, Australia and Chile, account for about two-thirds of it. Often, the wineries blend this cheap foreign product with wine they make from California grapes as a way of bringing down their overall costs.

The financial incentive is powerful. Bulk wine from Australia and Chile cost the equivalent of $566 per ton in 2023  finished wine, ready to be bottled. Meanwhile, California grapes  which still need to be crushed and fermented  cost an average of $1,194 per ton last year.

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While this isnt exactly a new practice, it recently became a hot-button topic for the industry, which saw a 7.5% drop in wine consumption last year, per the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America.

With California winegrowers and wine producers struggling to keep their businesses alive, the widespread use of imported bulk is insulting, said Stuart Spencer, executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission. When wineries choose to buy wine from overseas rather than from within the state, they are undermining the communities in which they operate.

In the current market, these large wine companies grape purchases look increasingly like a zero-sum game. Farmers throughout California are ripping out their vineyards because they cannot find wineries to buy their grapes  a phenomenon thats particularly pervasive in Spencers area, Lodi. The way he sees it, these foreign goods are undercutting local farmers livelihoods.

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When you correlate it to actual tons of grapes that potentially are not getting purchased here in California, its significant, Spencer said.

California companies importing the largest volumes of bulk wine, according to the Gomberg Fredrikson Report, include the Wine Group (whose brands include Franzia and Cupcake), Delicato (maker of Bota Box), Gallo and Constellation. A Delicato spokesperson declined to comment for this article; the other companies did not respond to requests for comment.

A box of Bota Box wine with an American geographic designation. Esther Mobley/The Chronicle

Importing bulk wine is perfectly legal, and brands that do it are not difficult to spot if you know where to look. Sometimes the giveaway will be hidden in the fine print on a back label: Product of Australia. Product of Chile. Sometimes, its stealthier: The wine will be labeled American, instead of California. Confusingly, a wine can still be labeled American as long as foreign wine doesnt constitute more than 25% of the finished blend.

When bulk imports initially began to take off in the 1990s, it wasnt because of costs  it was because California wine was so in demand that the vineyards couldnt keep up. We were growing extremely fast, said Glenn Proctor, global wine and grape broker with Ciatti Co. Basically, there wasnt enough supply in California.

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Since then, the volume of imported bulk wine has fluctuated. Proctor cautioned against blaming the imports for the industrys current decline. Its not that simple, he said. It does compete with certain products that we produce, but its not the delta thats causing the downturn.

Yet its effects are being felt more acutely right now, especially among farmers who would like to sell their grapes to the big wine companies. In March, after speaking with the Chronicle about his communitys large-scale vineyard removals, Spencer published a blog post that referred to imported bulk wine as the dirty secret no one in California wine is talking about. The post, which was shared widely among industry members, hit a nerve.

It created a lot of conversation that I think was very welcome from the growers, Spencer said. Many of these farmers do business with a lot of these large companies that are importing all this bulk wine, and theyre hesitant to speak publicly about it.

Imported bottled wine is not inherently problematic; Spencer doesnt take issue with the idea of Californians drinking a European Syrah or a South American Sauvignon Blanc. But Spencer distinguished between imported wines with clear geographic labeling and those from California wineries with an American designation thats hidden on the back label.

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In his view, the murky nature of the American designation for wines that might be up to one-quarter foreign is a loophole that warrants an examination by policymakers.

Boxes of Franzia wine are marked as products of Chile and Australia. Esther Mobley/The Chronicle

Some winegrowers view the situation differently from Spencer. Tessa Gorsuch, estate director of Martinelli Vineyards and Winery in Sonoma County, sees imported bulk as an unfortunate feature of the industry  but appreciates that the resulting wines low price tags may be bringing new wine drinkers into the fold. Were all aware its happening, said Gorsuch. Ideally, I want people drinking Sonoma County wines and supporting family farmers, but thats not realistic for 100% of the business.

Like many growers, Martinelli is feeling the pain. Some of the wineries that buy Martinellis grapes  mostly boutique wineries producing higher-end Pinot Noir and Zinfandel  are cutting back on their production and plan to buy less fruit this year, Gorsuch said.

But she believes the best way to boost the industry is to simply increase the number of people drinking wine. Any wine.

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F1 caught by surprise by Shanghai surface paint

The entire world of Formula 1 was caught by surprise when zooming in on the details of Shanghai's track resurfacing and repair efforts after a four-year absence for the covid pandemic.

Charles Leclerc

 Ferrari

Before the teams touched down in China, there were reports that the asphalt has been resurfaced - amid other reports that only certain sections were repaired to smooth out some of the worst bumps.

The track appears to have been painted rather than resurfaced, triple world champion Max Verstappen said. I don't know what this will mean for grip.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc did not know how to describe what he saw other than it is something strange .

Worse still, only some parts of the layout appeared to have been 'painted' with a sort of rubbery extra liquid bitumen layer that covered the usual tiny visible stones and filled bumps.

Even Pirelli, F1's sole tyre supplier, was caught by surprise - as was the FIA, who did not mention the local organisers' bizarre solution in its pre-event technical report.

Maybe it's actually completely fine, so we'll find out, Leclerc added.

Later, an FIA spokesman told journalists who enquired that the layer put down in places is to preserve the asphalt and ensure the stones remain in place .

The official for the governing body added that the solution is expected to increase grip .

Shanghai's circuit lost its mandatory-for-F1 Grade 1 license during its covid hiatus, resulting in other repair works to certain barriers and other details.

(GMM)
Marko surprised by ongoing three-year Mercedes slump

Dr Helmut Marko admits he is surprised Mercedes has still not mastered the new-in-2022 ground effect regulations for three consecutive seasons and running.

George Russell, Japanese GP 2024

 Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

Former F1 driver Christian Danner said recently that he thinks the death of Toto Wolff's former sparring partner Niki Lauda might explain Mercedes' ongoing struggles, which have resulted in Lewis Hamilton departing for Ferrari for 2025.

It's not that simple, Marko, the top Austrian F1 consultant at Red Bull, told Osterreich newspaper.

You don't enter a slump like this overnight, he added. But what is alarming is that they have not been competitive for a third season now.

Some observers think Mercedes' crisis has even deepened in 2024, after the Brackley based team abandoned its 'no sidepods' concept over the winter and adopted a more Red Bull-esque solution.

Team boss and co-owner Wolff, however, is putting a brave and often positive face on the situation, when others suspect that every alarm bell should be ringing.

They probably are ringing, Marko said. What confuses me the most is that their car is really fast at times, making me think 'Now they've got it!' But it's always just a flash in the pan.

Another Austrian newspaper, Kleine Zeitung, wonders if Marko has any advice for Wolff, having overseen the Mercedes slump following so many years of domination.

That's a good question, he said. "I'm surprised by the situation myself.

"In Brazil 2022, after George Russell's victory, they believed things would get better. But so far they haven't brought any consistency.

The car works well on some tracks and not at all elsewhere. The reasons are certainly more to do with the chassis, and they haven't found the solution yet.

(GMM)
Only peace and calm will keep Verstappen at Red Bull

As long as Red Bull remains "peaceful and calm", Max Verstappen says he's going nowhere.

Max Verstappen, Japanese GP 2024

 Red Bull

For months now, rumours and counter-rumours amid the loud and intense Red Bull leadership power struggle have suggested the triple world champion might find a way out of his 2028 contract.

That might go a long way to explaining why the power struggle has suddenly become so quiet - notwithstanding a new report suggesting a new and less biased lawyer is now in charge of the internal appeal lodged by team boss Christian Horner's female accuser.

No comment, Dr Helmut Marko told Osterreich newspaper when asked about that report.

Tellingly, however, he is very careful with his words when asked if Verstappen might quit the team amid the ongoing turmoil.

Max wants to be in the fastest car, said Marko, who is on the opposing Austrian faction that is reportedly opposing Horner's push for extra power.

"And Max in this Red Bull is an unbeatable combination. But if you put Max in a Ferrari, things would look different. The 20 seconds that he is ahead of Checo (Perez) correspond to his (Verstappen's) driving superiority.

Max will drive where he has the best car, Marko reiterates, and he has that at Red Bull. Nothing else is on the horizon.

When asked about the wild prospect of him leaving Red Bull, Verstappen appeared to lay out his sole condition - peace and calm behind the scenes.

What I have always said from the beginning is that we want a peaceful and calm environment, the Dutchman is quoted as saying by Diario Sport.

"I think lately we have been talking about the car and performance, so I am already very happy about that. That's how it should be.

Of course, as long as I'm happy with the team, there will never be a reason to leave, the 26-year-old added.

(GMM)
Red Bull eyes both McLaren drivers for the future

Dr Helmut Marko admits Red Bull is keeping an eye on McLaren's contracted driver duo "for the future".

Lando Norris, Japanese GP 2024

 McLaren

Heading into Shanghai, McLaren boss Andrea Stella sounded hopeful the team will not only cement its status as the third-fastest team in 2024, but perhaps even win races later this season.

If we deliver the same type of development that we did last year, then why not? he is quoted by France's Auto Hebdo.

I don't want to sound arrogant, but this is certainly the mindset that everyone at McLaren has.

The Woking based outfit has taken some minor developments to China, but both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are predicting a tough weekend.

The long corners, Norris said, when asked why he is pessimistic. This type of corner is just not good for us.

As for his boss's prediction of potential race wins later in 2024, the 24-year-old is also not overly optimistic.

Not anytime soon, that's for sure, Norris insisted. "Right place, right time, if we improve the car how we need to, then I think Andrea is right. But that's an if.

You know, some of these certain areas have been a big challenge for us over the last many years - not just years, but the last many years.

The British driver signed a contract extension early this year, cementing him in place at least for 2025 and possibly longer.

And just a few months earlier, McLaren also locked up impressive Australian Piastri, 23, until the end of 2026.

But with the driver 'silly season' already in top gear, Red Bull's top F1 consultant Marko admitted he is keeping his eye on the orange-clad pair.

Norris has a contract at least until 2026, he told Kleine Zeitung, "so he is not an option in the short term, nor is Oscar Piastri.

But both drivers are certainly interesting for us for the future.

(GMM)
Guanyu Zhou

 Sauber

Oracle Red Bull Racing

Max Verstappen (4th, 2:00.028): "The car never really switched on for me and it was like driving on ice, which is why I think we deserved where we finished in Sprint Qualifying. It was incredibly slippery out there and I struggled a lot to get the temperature in the tyres, that's why it was very difficult to keep the car on track. The car never really switched on for me and it was like driving on ice, which is why I think we deserved where we finished in Sprint Qualifying. It wasn't really working for me in the wet, even though I think in the dry the car was quite good and I was quite happy with that. It doesn't always go as planned but it's not like you have to start on the inside here, there will be low grip for everyone due to the paint on the tarmac here and so we have to try and have the best start possible. I think it is going to be quite a long stint on one set of tyres for the Sprint but I think that that will make it quite interesting."

Sergio Perez (6th, 2:00.375): "In any conditions I think we can be competitive for now, which is very promising. Things were looking great initially, then with the traffic and the backoff people were doing we were onto a good final lap but unfortunately, I just couldn't do the final corner, it was so tricky to get through there and that meant I went off. That compromised being on the front row for the Sprint but I think we are in a good place this weekend. I felt confident straight away today and we ae in a good moment with the car, so in any conditions I think we can be competitive for now, which is very promising."

Christian Horner, Sporting Director: "The conditions on Saturday look to be a little more consistent than they were today so we are hopeful of a competitive day. Firstly, it's great to be back in China. The Sprint Qualifying certainly proved exciting albeit in tricky conditions. Fourth and sixth to start the Sprint tomorrow is obviously not what we were aiming for but it's a circuit that you can overtake on and therefore we know we are in the fight. The conditions on Saturday look to be a little more consistent than they were today so we are hopeful of a competitive Saturday and we will look to move up the field quickly and deliver a strong performance tomorrow in the Sprint and then in qualifying."

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team

Lewis Hamilton (2nd, 1:59.201): "The conditions were very tricky out there. As you could see, there was not a lot of grip out there for anyone. As soon as I saw the rain coming though, I was getting very excited. Our pace in the dry didn't look quite quick enough to challenge at the very front, so the wet weather gave us more of an opportunity. That's when it all came alive. We will have to wait and see what the conditions are tomorrow. We have a lot of fast cars starting behind us, but we will see what we can do to keep them behind us."

George Russell (11th, 1:36.345): "It wasn't easy at all out there. I got one lap in SQ2 before the rain arrived, which was frustrating. We tried to get out on track as soon as we could, as we knew the rain was coming. We got stuck behind several cars in the pitlane however and lost a lot of tyre temperature. We were still close to going through; one more tenth and we would have made it, so it was a shame to be on the losing end of that. Who knows what would have happened if we had got through to SQ3. Nevertheless, we've got a chance to recover in the Sprint tomorrow. After that, we've got qualifying for the Grand Prix in the afternoon and that is what really matters."

Andrew Shovlin: "It was a tricky day today. We knew that having not visited here in five years, the circuit would likely be very green in FP1. That proved to be the case and we therefore elected to only run one set of the Hard tyres. That provides us with a more beneficial allocation for the rest of the weekend. We hope that will prove useful as the track continues to grip up and evolve. Given the solitary hour of practice, it was always going to be a challenge to get the cars in the optimal window for Sprint Qualifying. That was complicated further by the changing conditions. After getting both cars through to SQ2, George suffered from a lack of tyre temperature on his first push lap. As the rain began to fall, he found himself on the wrong side of the bubble. Lewis made it through and, after a good call by him and the team to change onto a new set of Intermediates with higher pressure, did a great job to qualify P2. Our pace in the dry wasn't spectacular but with Lewis, we will be looking to keep those faster cars behind us in tomorrow's Sprint. George should be able to make some forward progress from his starting position and hopefully he can fight his way into the points. The on-track running in the Sprint will also provide us with further knowledge that we can utilise to make further adjustments to the W15 ahead of qualifying."

Scuderia Ferrari

Carlos Sainz (5th, 2:00.214): "It was a tough mixed session. We made it through SQ1 and SQ2 without major issues, but then in SQ3, with the rain and the Intermediate tyres, we struggled quite a lot with the rear tyres as we weren't able to get them up to the right temperature. If the Sprint Race tomorrow is also wet it won't be an easy session for us, but as of now it looks like there is a higher chance of dry conditions. In any case, we will try to recover some positions and face qualifying in the afternoon with good momentum."

Charles Leclerc (7th, 2:00.566): "I lost it on the out lap in Turn 8 during SQ3, which compromised our session. I don't think there was much we could have done differently today. We did some good work in terms of tyre preparation in dry conditions, which seems to be paying off. We'll give it our all in the Sprint Race and then reset for qualifying tomorrow afternoon."

Frederic Vasseur, Team Principal: "The conditions in SQ3 were extremely difficult and we struggled to get the Intermediates up to temperature, although I think this was the same for everyone. We will analyse all the data to see what we can learn from this first wet session, even if I reckon the condition of the track surface made the situation even more tricky. The forecast for tomorrow is better and we expect the rest of the weekend to be dry. We definitely had been hoping for a slightly less complicated first day on track given that we have not raced here for five year and this is our first time here with the new generation of cars. We are working a bit in the dark and the asphalt is particularly difficult to understand, but I think we are working in the right way and I hope the fact we have saved a set of Mediums today will be useful later. Tomorrow, we will start off by trying to score points and then switch our focus to Sunday when the big points are given out."

McLaren Formula 1 Team

Lando Norris (1st, 1:57.940): "I'm extremely happy, first of all, a big thanks to the whole team. It was tricky. Going into a session like this isn't easy, especially before Sprint Quali when you know it's going to rain. I was quite happy with how we were in the dry  we've had good pace all weekend so far, so it was a challenge heading into the session with changeable conditions, where you've got to push, build tyre temperature and get a lap in. There is still a chance of rain tomorrow, so if it's like this, then I think our chances of a good result are relatively decent, but the race is very different to qualifying and I'm sure everyone is going to catch up a bit tomorrow. I think we're in a good position and I'm very happy. The team did a good job, the car's feeling good and so am I, and it's paying off."

Oscar Piastri (8th, 2:00.990): "A mixed day. Unfortunately, not the end to Sprint Qualifying that we wanted. I had some wheelspin and pulled a gear and found neutral which was frustrating as I think we could have been higher up, but I also just didn't find enough on the last lap. I'm pleased for Lando and I think overall, we're more promising here than we were expecting to be, but the pace in general is tough to judge. We'll have a look overnight and see what we can do ahead of the Sprint and Grand Prix Qualifying tomorrow."

Andrea Stella, Team Principal: "It was an intense session affected by the weather, with the rain imminent in the first two Sprint Qualifying sessions, before finally arriving at the end of the second, with the third being wet. We needed to be ready, operationally and we needed to drive clean laps in difficult conditions, and this is what the team and the drivers did today. I have to praise Lando's brilliant driving in SQ3 when the grip was very low on Intermediate tyres and it was difficult to stay out of trouble and work out where to put the wheels. It was a shame on Oscar's side that he suffered an issue with a lock-up and then with the gearbox, which meant he lost acceleration and large amount of time out of the hairpin. He should have been higher in the classification. Nonetheless, this is a good starting position for the Sprint, with two cars that can finish strongly in the points. We'll have to be ready for everything because there still seems to be some inclement weather around, but so far, so good this weekend."

Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team

Fernando Alonso (3rd, 1:59.915): "It was quite a stressful Sprint Qualifying. In SQ1 we were looking at the radar and checking if the rain was coming. We progressed and safely made it into SQ3 in eighth position before it rained more heavily. As the conditions changed, we were quite competitive. The tyres seemed to improve with each lap, but the circuit was just getting worse with the rainfall increasing. It was difficult to judge the level of grip and how much risk to take. We have the two races now, so let's see if we can score some points in the Sprint and qualify well for Sunday."

Lance Stroll (15th, 1:36.677): "We completed some solid running in FP1 and I found some good speed towards the end of the session on the Soft tyre. However, I just didn't have the grip I needed in Sprint Qualifying when the track was dry. We then got a bit caught out by the rain, so I didn't get a second push lap in SQ2. Our options are limited in a short Sprint given we're starting P15, but we'll take today's learnings and see what we can do for the rest of the weekend."

BWT Alpine F1 Team

Pierre Gasly (16th, 1:37.632): "A challenging Friday morning session for us, due to a high voltage problem but the team worked hard and managed to swap the Power Unit and the battery before Sprint Qualifying as a precautionary measure. The session turned out slightly better than expected, although, we are far from where we want to be currently. From what we have seen so far, the upgrades to Esteban's car look to be a step in the right direction, so I am looking forward to Miami where we both will be able to run the updated car. In the meantime, we will continue working hard to get the maximum out of the car in the Sprint Race and Qualifying tomorrow."

Esteban Ocon (17th, 1:37.720): "We did not maximise the potential of the car today. I think we can extract more performance from the car and, unfortunately with only one practice session, we did not put everything together in time for Sprint Qualifying. We will try our best to make progress in the Sprint Race tomorrow morning and make changes to the car when Parc Ferme opens ahead of Qualifying for the Grand Prix. We will do some analysis overnight and evaluate what set-up changes we can make between sessions to improve tomorrow."

Williams Racing

Alexander Albon (18th, 1:37.813): "Tough session today. We were the first cars out, so the track was still very green, which damaged the tyres. We tried to go for a second lap at the end of SQ1 but the tyres were gone and we didn't have the grip. I don't know if SQ2 was a possibility today, but I think there was potential to be in a better position than we are. We'll treat the Sprint race as a session to learn more about the car ahead of Qualifying."

Logan Sargeant (20th, 1:37.923): "Mixed feelings today, as like Japan, I feel like I did a decent job but unfortunately that's placed me at the back of the grid. I felt like there's a little bit more in the car but I'm sure everyone else can say the same. The track was extremely slippery today with low grip which made it difficult. We have our homework to do overnight. The good thing is Parc Ferme opens again after the Sprint race to allow us to change some things. We'll use the Sprint to pick up the learnings for the race on Sunday and, of course, figure out what we can do better in Qualifying tomorrow."

Dave Robson, Head of Vehicle Performance: "Today was tough and we struggled in both sessions to generate good grip on the Medium tyre. The light rain between the sessions didn't help and made the conditions at the start of the Qualifying session quite tricky. We will use the Sprint race session tomorrow to help prepare for the Grand Prix and use the opportunity before tomorrow's Qualifying session to make some setup changes."

Visa Cash App RB Formula One

Daniel Ricciardo (14th, 1:36.553): "It's one of those days where P14 is not an obvious result to get excited about, but personally, I think it was a much better day because we hit the ground running this morning and were in the top 10. At the same time, I knew that some cars used only one set of tyres. We knew getting into Q3 would have been tough, but the feeling on track was definitely a bit better, so some encouragement by that. It's close, not somewhere where we're going to be particularly over the moon, but on our personal little path that we're on, it was a positive day. Looking at tomorrow, the Sprint is certainly another chance to come through the field and have a little bit of a battle. It's a circuit where you can overtake because there are some good opportunities. So yes, two chances for racing this weekend and I'm really looking forward to that."

Yuki Tsunoda (19th, 1:37.892): "I struggled with the balance and grip in general from FP1. Even for Sprint Qualifying, we tried different things, but I couldn't put it all together. Not sure what's happening there but it definitely was not easy today. It's not because of the weather and the general track conditions, I just could not achieve more. I haven't struggled this much so far. It's strange, but there are still sessions to go, so we'll continue collecting the data. Qualifying tomorrow is very important so hopefully, we can find something until then, so let's see how it goes."

Alan Permane, Racing Director: "Not a great day for us obviously, and certainly not what we've become accustomed to qualifying this car. It was apparent from the first session this morning that we were struggling a little bit for speed. We'll do the Sprint tomorrow and then obviously we've got a chance to change the cars. There'll be a lot of work going on tonight with the engineers here and back in Italy and the UK because we have an opportunity to adjust the setup for the qualifying session on Saturday afternoon."

Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber

Valtteri Bottas (9th, 2:01.044): "Today has been a great day for the team: both cars in the top ten is how we want to start a race weekend. We experienced mixed conditions  something that's never easy, but it's reassuring to know that we would have been up there regardless of the weather. I'm truly happy for Zhou and the Chinese fans  getting into SQ3 at your home race is special. While it's still quite challenging to assess everyone's race pace after FP1, especially with evolving track conditions, we'll give it our all tomorrow. The team has done a great job and with the extra support from the Chinese fans, we aim to be fighting for points in the sprint and deliver a qualifying performance to this level tomorrow."

Guanyu Zhou (10th, 2:03.537): "It feels great to be in SQ3. The laps kept coming together, in SQ1 through SQ2: there was a lot of potential in the car but in the end, in the rain in SQ3, we only had one lap to get the best possible outcome. I was just trying to get a lap onboard, even though everyone was struggling so much with the grip. I'm happy with the day, with two cars in SQ3, and the fans have been sensational: I can't wait for the rest of the weekend. Points tomorrow will only be for the top eight, but we're taking this step by step: we put two cars in the top ten today, and we will give everything tomorrow. Everything can still happen; it'll be a sprint from the lights to the finish. The guys we are fighting for the points will be strong, but we stand with a chance and we're ready to go for it."

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Team Representative: "Today has been a positive day for us  not just for having both cars in SQ3, but also for the performance shown on the medium compound in dry conditions in SQ1. The team did a really good job and both drivers were able to execute clean laps without mistakes. I believe this boosts the team's confidence: we started bringing upgrades a few races ago and it seems we're going in the right direction. We know that every weekend presents its own challenges  especially here with a Sprint format and mixed conditions, which can be quite demanding for all teams  but we have seen that, with a solid package, we can consolidate the performance shown in today's Sprint Qualifying session. Starting in the top ten can open an opportunity for us to score points, and we know the importance of adding more points to our scorecard. A big tribute goes back to our team, both in Hinwil and trackside  we keep our heads down and focus on the remainder of the weekend. Our job is not finished here, but to gain confirmation of our ability to fight for points is reassuring. We're excited to go racing and give back to the Chinese fans that have shown us tremendous support and love already throughout the weekend."

MoneyGram Haas F1 Team

Kevin Magnussen (12th, 1:36.473): "I'm not disappointed but we knew after practice that the likes of Ferrari, Mercedes and I think one of the Aston Martin's didn't really set lap times in that session. We didn't take the right choice in terms of strategy in SQ2, doing two runs, basically stopping in between  and for the second lap it started raining. We took a bit of a gamble there. It could have paid off, but overall, P12  it's not too bad."

Nico Hulkenberg (13th, 1:36.478): "A little bit disappointed not to have made it into SQ3 today  fine margins. SQ1, it was ok, there was some light drizzle about, but it was dry. SQ2, things got a little more interesting with the later rain. It was just a case of small margins. With a little more preparation time, might have been different. It's not the easiest of days with the one practice session, but it's the same for everyone, so that's where we are today. Practice across the board maybe wasn't the real deal, or the real picture, with everyone doing different things. But still, I feel good in the car and it feels encouraging for the weekend."

Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal: "SQ1, I thought it was ok  we got through to SQ2 with both cars safely. That was good. In SQ2, because we were expecting rain, it was pretty clear for us that the tire worked for the first push lap. We went for it for the one timed, which I think was the correct decision, but we somehow underperformed a little bit in SQ2 and ended up out. It's a bit disappointing to be P12 and P13 but they're still decent positions. We'll do our best to move up tomorrow in the Sprint."
Lando Norris

 McLaren

In an unpredictable qualifying session for the Chinese Grand Prix's sprint race, McLaren's Lando Norris clinched the pole position after a dramatic sequence of events at the Shanghai circuit. The session, marked by a sudden change from dry to wet conditions, saw Norris posting a lap of 1m57.940s which was temporarily deleted, casting uncertainty over the results, before being reinstated, ultimately securing his top spot on the grid.

The qualifying kicked off under dry conditions but was soon disrupted by rain towards the end of the Q2 session. This unexpected weather change prompted teams to switch to intermediate tires, adding an extra layer of challenge as drivers navigated the increasingly slippery track. The changing conditions played a pivotal role in the day's outcomes, with several drivers, including Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, struggling to maintain control. Leclerc notably spun and hit the wall on the exit of Turn 8, requiring a quick pit stop for a new front wing and a change to new intermediate tires.

As the final Q3 session got underway, times were initially above the two-minute mark, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Sergio Perez setting the early pace. However, it was Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin who first broke through, only to be surpassed by Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. Hamilton's lap seemed set to earn him the pole until the reinstatement of Norriss earlier faster lap ensured an all-British front row for the upcoming sprint race, with Hamilton settling for second.

Alonso's strong performance earned him third place, with Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing finishing fourth after a series of precarious moments before delivering a clean final lap. The third row was secured by Carlos Sainz of Ferrari and Perez, followed by a resilient Leclerc in seventh.

The session was not without its peculiar incidents, including a brief delay caused by spontaneously combusting grass lining the tracka bizarre recurrence echoing issues from the first practice session. This incident briefly halted the action but added to the overall unpredictability of the day.

With the grid set, Norris leads Hamilton, setting the stage for what promises to be a riveting sprint race. The top ten drivers, including the two Saubers of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu completing the group.
California will no longer provide weekly updates to the public on COVID-19 hospital admissions because the federal regulation that requires hospitals to report the data will end after April 30. Max Whittaker/Special to the Chronicle The state will still track wastewater samples and report on COVID test positivity rates and deaths, but some health experts worry the lack of weekly hospitalization data could be a problem for vulnerable patients. Jessica Christian/The Chronicle

California will no longer provide weekly updates to the public on COVID-19 and flu hospital admissions because the federal regulation that requires hospitals to report the data will end after April 30.

As a result, new hospital admissions for both viruses  key indicators of severe COVID and influenza illness in a community  will no longer appear on the states respiratory virus dashboard, which provides weekly updates on new hospital admissions for COVID and flu, as well as test positivity and deaths for both viruses.

Federal health officials signaled this change in 2023, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said the requirement for hospitals to report COVID hospital admissions data would shift from daily to weekly after May 2023, and eventually end after April 2024.

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California officially withdrew its COVID public health emergency declaration in February 2023.

California will continue to track COVID test positivity and deaths and post that information on the dashboard, at least in the short term, state epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan said Tuesday during a briefing with the California Medical Association.

The state also maintains wastewater surveillance to track COVID trends.

We continue to monitor test positivity rates across the state, which give us an early indication of trends in transmission, said Ali Bay, the state health departments deputy director of communications. That, and wastewater surveillance, are the best sources of information to protect vulnerable Californians from the virus, as hospitalizations are a lagging indicator.

Its not clear whether, after April 30, California will monitor COVID hospitalizations the way it monitors flu hospitalizations, which is to collect data from some but not all hospitals in the state through its decades-old surveillance network known as Sentinel.

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A spokesman for the California Department of Public Health said it is evaluating data sources to track and share hospitalization information for respiratory illnesses for when respiratory virus season begins again in the fall. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is currently seeking public input on how hospitals should report hospitalizations for respiratory illnesses starting in October.

Stay tuned for how well be doing respiratory surveillance for the next season, said Pan.

Infectious disease experts say removing COVID hospitalization data from public view could be a problem for higher-risk patients, such as those with underlying conditions or older nursing home residents who are more likely to develop serious disease. Such people may track hospitalization trends to help decide when to take extra precautions or get their next booster shot.

And with each of the past four summers seeing a bump in COVID infections, now may not be the best time to pull the information from public view.

This is one of the last few data points left standing that people can use to judge not only how society is doing, but how they should be protecting themselves, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist and associate dean for regional campuses at UCSF. Im not sure were completely out of the woods yet.

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The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has shared several recent updates on ongoing project developments and upcoming events, including extending the public scoping period for the Jackalope Wind Energy project, hosting local meetings on greater sage grouse land use plan amendments and hosting wild horse and burro adoption events.

Jackalope Wind public comment period extended

The BLM Rock Springs Field Office announced this week that they have extended the public scoping period for the Jackalope Wind Energy project to May 2.

"This 15-day extension will provide time for additional public input to inform development of an environmental impact statement for the project," a press release explained.

As currently proposed, the Jackalope Wind Energy project includes approximately 213 wind turbine generators and associated infrastructure, which could generate up to 600 megawatts of clean electricity.

Jackalope Wind, LLC, a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, proposes to construct the commercial wind energy project on 293,100 acres of public and private lands.

Sage grouse meeting to be hosted in Rock Springs

The BLM has been working on amendments to the greater sage grouse land use plan, proposing stronger conservation. Public meetings on the amendments are being held in multiple Wyoming cities, with the meeting for Sweetwater County set to be hosted from 5-7 p.m. next Monday, April 22, at the White Mountain Library in Rock Springs.

"The Bureau of Land Management manages the largest single share of sage grouse habitat in the United States-nearly 67 million acres of 145 million total acres," a BLM press release explained. "The draft plan offers a range of alternatives for sustainable management of these lands. Balancing a consistent management approach across the range while addressing conditions and policies unique to individual states, BLM will be able to work more effectively with state and local managers to protect and improve sagebrush habitats on public lands."

Wild horse and burro adoption coming up

The BLM will be hosting a wild horse and burro adoption event in Rock Springs.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rock Springs Wild Horse Holding Facility on Saturday, April 27. There will be approximately 40 untrained horses and 10 untrained burros up for adoption.

Starting the following week, potential adopters can schedule appointments on Thursdays or Fridays, according to a BLM press release. Those who are interested can call the facility to view available horses and burros.

To qualify, adopters must be at least 18 years old and have facilities that meet the BLM's requirements.

"Wild horses and burros for adoption were removed from overpopulated herds roaming Western public rangelands," the BLM explained. "As part of our efforts to find every animal a good home, the BLM offers up to $1,000 to adopt an untrained animal."
Commissioners vote to enroll county roads for off-road trail system

Sweetwater County is one step closer to being part of a trail system connecting communities across Southwest Wyoming.

The Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution designating and enrolling county roads as open to off-highway vehicle travel during their meeting on Tuesday.

The decision came after discussion of Sweetwater County being a part of Southwest Wyoming Off-road Trails (SWOT), a group hoping to create an interconnected trail system people can use to travel through and connect with destinations across the state, particularly in the southwest. Discussions over...
Within the next few days, Sweetwater County residents will begin receiving their 2024 Notice of Value Property Assessments in the mail. Residents will also see some changes on their Notice of Value because of recently passed legislation, and some residents may qualify for exemptions.

If applicable, the exemption amounts will be listed on the bottom left corner of the notice, and the resulting tax amount exempted in the bottom right corner, according to a press release from the Sweetwater County Assessor's Office. Some residents may qualify for multiple exemptions.

Some legislative changes apply to Tax Year 2024, the Assessor's Office explained.

House Bill 4 expanded the Property Tax Refund Program by adding a second tier to the program that will allow more taxpayers to qualify for the program. The application is available from the Department of Revenue's website, revenue.wyo.gov, or from the Assessor's Office or Treasurer's Office.

This year the Legislature appropriated an additional $20 million to further expand the Property Tax Refund Program.

"The property tax refund program assists eligible Wyoming homeowners who are struggling to pay their property taxes, which can often be a significant financial burden, particularly for those with fixed or limited incomes," a press release from the office of Governor Mark Gordon explained. "In 2023, the program helped more than 9,000 Wyoming families, with more than $8 million in refunds distributed, with the average refund being approximately $938."

House Bill 4 expands eligibility to those whose household income is equal to or less than 145 percent of the median household income for their county of residence, or the statewide median, whichever is greater. Eligible homeowners must be a Wyoming resident for at least five years, occupy the residence at least nine months of the year and have total assets less than $156,900 per adult household member. The Department of Revenue anticipates an additional 2,000 taxpayers will qualify with the increased income level, according to the Governor's office.

Another bill that will affect Tax Year 2024 is House Bill 45, which provides a residential exemption of any increase over 4% of the market value of all residential, single-family structures.

Other legislation will affect Tax Year 2025, according to the Assessor's press release.

The Property Tax Refund Program is still funded for Tax Year 2025, and the Residential Exemption from House Bill 45 will apply to the structure and the associated land.

Looking to Tax Year 2025, House Bill 3 provides for a Long-term Homeowners Exemption for individuals who are 65 years old and have paid property taxes in the State of Wyoming for 25 years. The property needs to be the primary residence and the applicant must reside in the property for eight months of the year. The application process will start later in the year after all the details of the program have been worked out and the actual application created, according to the Assessor's Office.

Senate File 89 will also increase the Veteran's Exemption from $3,000 to $6,000 with the current application process.

"If you have been receiving the Veteran's Exemption and there is not an amount listed in the Exemption portion of the Notice of Value, please contact our office by May 24 to receive the exemption for the 2024 tax year," the Assessor's Office said.

Overall, local property owners have seen less changes than others throughout the state.

"Sweetwater County had the lowest change in residential property values from tax year 2022-2023 in the state," County Assessor Dave Divis explained in the press release. "Our local increase was 8.52% compared to an average of 17.91% statewide."

Assessor Divis is asking residents to review the information on the Notice of Value. Homes are valued by calculating the replacement cost new, subtracting depreciation, trending for sales, and adding in the land value.

Any residents who disagree with the value of their property will have 30 days from the "date mailed," which is April 12, to discuss the value with the Assessor and provide information to assist the Assessor's Office in valuing the property.

"After looking over your Notice of Value, if you have any questions or concerns about the valuation of your property, please call the Assessor's Office," Divis said in the press release. "We enjoy taking the time to explain the valuation process to residents of our county."
How and when Wyoming residents can vote will look different this year.

Two election laws related to political party affiliation and absentee voting were added to the books in 2023, making the August primaries the first major election affected by the new regulations.

Under the new rules, May 15 is the last day registered voters can change their political party affiliation. The affiliation associated with a voters registration determines which primaries  either Republican or Democratic  they are entitled to vote in. Previously voters could change their party affiliation at the polls on Election Day, and many are accustomed to doing so. Qualified voters who are not yet registered will still be able to register and choose their party the day of.

Meanwhile, the window for absentee voting  also known as early voting  is shorter than before for most voters. The previous 45-day time frame was reduced to 28 days.

Local election officials across the state have been trying to get the word out, but most are working with limited resources. When lawmakers passed the new regulations in 2023, funding for additional voter education was not included in either bill.

We had hoped for a more robust educational component, Malcolm Ervin, Platte County clerk and president of the County Clerks Association of Wyoming, told WyoFile.

Due to funding, and not having a statewide approach, each county is taking it on their own in order to really educate their voters in a way that they see fit.

Laramie County, for example, held a voter registration pop-up event last month at the library in Cheyenne. Clerks in smaller counties, like Ervin, have met with volunteer groups like the Kiwanis or Lions Club to get them to help inform the public.

While different counties are taking different approaches, Ervin said their shared goal is to prevent voters from having to be turned away, but to also mitigate conflict in the event that occurs.

For those that disagree with the policy decision, I beg for them to remember that its not our [election] judges that made that policy decision, Ervin said. Theyre just the ones carrying out the will of the policymakers.

The states top election official says his office is gearing up to also inform voters.

As the 2024 election cycle begins, our office is engaging in a voter awareness and education campaign according to what our budget allows and similar in size and scope of previous administrations, Secretary of State Chuck Gray told WyoFile in an emailed statement.

Gray also pointed to key election dates provided on his offices website, press releases dating back to the legislations passage and op-eds.

Party affiliation changes

For years, Republican lawmakers sought to limit so-called crossover voting  the practice of changing party affiliation in order to vote for a certain candidate. In Republican-dominated Wyoming, this most often occurs when left-leaning voters change their party so they can participate in GOP contests. The practice received greater scrutiny amid the high-profile 2022 congressional race between then-Rep. Liz Cheney and attorney Harriet Hageman, who ultimately triumphed.

The ninth time was the charm for crossover voting critics. In 2023, the legislation was enacted without Gov. Mark Gordons signature after rising from the dead and passing both chambers.

Supporters said it was necessary to stop registered Democrats, minor party and unaffiliated voters from influencing primary election as Republicans.

Voters are now prohibited from changing party affiliation during the 96 days leading up to the primary election. The law lines up with the candidate filing period, and opponents have criticized the regulation for effectively forcing voters to choose a party before even knowing the slate of candidates.

This year, the deadline falls on May 15.

The restriction will not apply to new voters registering after that deadline, such as someone who has turned 18 after May 15, according to the secretary of states office. It would also not apply to voters who cancel their registration ahead of the deadline and then re-registers sometime after May 15.

Where we should be targeting our education are the unaffiliated and the minor party voters, Ervin said. Because in years past, they were accustomed to going to the polls on Election Day and being able to change the registration and get a ballot based on whatever candidates they wanted to vote for.

During the legislative session, Rep. Karlee Provenza (D-Laramie) brought an amendment to the budget bill to allocate $3,000 to each county clerk for purposes of voter education regarding new voter registration laws.

While the House adopted the amendment, it was ultimately left out of the final budget bill. That said, the funding would not have been available until July, when the new fiscal budget goes into effect.

Still, Provenza said shes concerned that voters will be turned away because lawmakers kept them in the dark.

I think its dishonest of the state Legislature to change the laws in such a way and then not do its due diligence to ensure that hard-working community members know that that law has changed, Provenza said.

People have lives. Theyre busy. They cant track everything that we do. And its really unfortunate that we arent being more transparent about what weve done.

Rep. Jeremy Haroldson (R-Wheatland), who was the main sponsor of the crossover-voting ban bill, did not respond to WyoFiles request for comment.

Even if the clerks had a robust education campaign, Ervin said, it still wouldnt completely rule out someone not getting the message.

The good news is, I do feel like theres been enough conversation around the state that I do think large swaths  of at least the major parties  are aware, Ervin said. Its that unaffiliated and minor party voters that I see there being more of an issue.

Absentee ballots

While the crossover-voting ban has commanded a lot of headlines, Ervin said the absentee ballot changes may actually be a bigger, more impactful change for voters.

In Wyoming, absentee ballots are used for both mail-in voting and early in-person voting. In 2023, lawmakers voted to shorten the absentee ballot window from 45 days ahead of an election to 28 days.

There is one exception to the restriction. Wyoming residents who live outside the United States, such as those who are serving in the military, are exempt under federal law.

But the change in timeline will mean voters need to be more prompt, Ervin said. That may be that much more important with the U.S. Postal Services proposal to move Wyomings mail processing out of state.

If youre requesting [your ballot] by mail or returning it by mail, make sure you do so quickly, Ervin said. Quicker than youve had to in the past.

After mailing their ballot, voters can always contact their county clerk to verify its been received, Ervin added.

Absentee voting begins July 5 for those that qualify for the out-of-country exemption. For all other voters, it will begin July 23. Absentee ballots may be requested at any time in 2024.

The primary election is Aug. 20 and the general election is Nov. 5.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
Its legal in Wyoming to chase coyotes and run over them with snowmobiles, but recently, a man used his snowmobile to run down a wolf until it was disabled. Then he taped the wolfs mouth shut and paraded the animal around a local bar, taking photos to commemorate the event. Finally, he killed the wolf.

According to news reports, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department fined the man $250. His only crime: possession of a live wild animal. The more we learn, the worse this disturbing story gets. Most recently, one news outlet released video footage from the state game department showing the muzzled...
The battle of Man vs. Machine is coming to the stage this weekend thanks to the Actors' Mission.

For the second time, the local theater company is hosting a 24-hour playwriting event, only this time with a twist. Most of the one-act plays will be written by humans, but one play will be written by AI.

Members of the Actors' Mission had been wanting to put on another 24-hour page to stage experience after the success of the first event in August 2022.

"It really meets the mission," Nina Tyler, an Actors' Mission member and one of the event's main organizers, explained.

She pointed out that it's...
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Patrick Thompson participates in a debate with election challengers at the County Fair Building in December. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle 2023

San Francisco is finished with judicial elections for the year. Two incumbent judges were contested in March. The challengers raised over $1.1 million, compared to about $693,000 for the incumbents  astounding sums.

In the end, the incumbents prevailed. Even though the election is over, its impact will linger.

As a superior court judge in San Francisco, Ive faced and survived my own electoral challenge. What do judges like me think about when our time to be challenged comes due?

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We think about fundraising, political consultants, community activists, endorsements from politicians, unions, community organizations and so on. We think about the press, blogs, social media and the fact that some people say were responsible for the citys ills.

And money, always money. We think about money for ads, lawyers, consultants and media clips on social media. Money for brochures, posters and door knockers. Money means solicitation, asking lawyers, friends, family and colleagues for it  but mostly asking lawyers.

Notice that this list of concerns doesnt include our day job: the trials were conducting, the upcoming law and motion calendar, helping to operate the court system.

We consider politics, not judging.

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To paraphrase the chief justice of the United States, politicians speak for the people, judges dont. Judges speak for the Constitution. That, in sum, is the independence of the judicial branch.

Can you imagine how this notion would go over at a debate in front of a political committee? Picture it: Incumbent judges get up and say they dont represent city residents. And they wont represent them if reelected. They wont agitate for unions or management or animal rights. They wont take sides in the endless strife between drivers and bicyclists. Theyll follow the law on bail without regard to public clamor over crime. They are speakers for the dead, attending to words in a document drafted in 1787.

Way to go, judges. Dont let the door hit you on the way out.

(By the way, relying on old words isnt the same as the originalism espoused by the conservatives on the Supreme Court: Justices from the liberal Ketanji Brown Jackson to the conservative Clarence Thomas agree we must rely on these old words.)

Of course, judges know they can be challenged, and many of them  some of the best  secured their positions through an election. But it wasnt until I was challenged in 2018 that I began to consider the vast distance between judicial and political values  and the potential impact of that gulf.

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The rhetoric of politics is hyperbole, distortion, invective and tirades. In the courtroom, this sort of conduct is punished.

While judges must not take money from those who may appear in their courts, we can when it comes to elections. We actually solicit it.

Judges are not allowed to comment on pending cases, except when its about a case at issue in the election.

While judges must be nonpartisan, and never show affiliation with party politics or elected officials, during an election campaign it is permissible to seek endorsements from the governor, senators and any other politician. I did.

If a law firm were to throw a big birthday bash for a judge and hand over a check, the judge would likely lose their job for violating judicial canons by fostering the perception of special influence with a judge by accepting gifts. During an election campaign, however, if the money can help save a judges job  its fine.

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The values of a truly independent judiciary bend when it comes to elections. Do they also break?

Not everyone wants an independent judiciary or allegiance to the rule of law. They just want what they want.

I once had a case in which my tentative decision was to deny a motion because its deadline had been blown. I didnt have the power to grant it. The lawyer asked me to ignore the law: The client was worthy. I was bewildered.

Just grant my motion, argued the lawyer.

In the moment, most people and lawyers just want to win.

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Judicial independence is abstract and remote. It doesnt get you where you live, in the gut. Its not salient, like gas prices, closing schools or war. One might be upset if a judge seems swayed by politics writ large but not so much if the decision is favorable.

Like every other judge, I sometimes decide matters contrary to my views, imposing what seems to me to be the wrong result. I do it because the law tells me to do it. Or theres an appellate decision from 20 years ago that says thats the deal. I cant wiggle around it.

Sometimes there isnt solid, on-point guidance. Then, I might read the past 10 years of cases in the area and get a sense of its direction. Then I follow that direction, as best as I can figure it. Thats what I swore to do when I took this job.

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

Heres what I dont do: stick my hand outside the window and take the temperature.
Del. James Moylan recently met with the Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss adding the Philippines to the Guam-CNMI visa waiver program and the potential of Medicare portability for U.S. citizens living in the Asian country.

At Marcoss invitation, Moylan joined a few of his colleagues on Friday evening in Washington, D.C. to discuss a variety of issues of importance between the U.S. and the Philippines.

Marcos expressed his support for the visa waiver and Medicare portability, and indicated that the delegates office should continue to work with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs on the issues.

Moylan introduced legislation recently to request a study on the cost and savings analysis if U.S. citizens were to access greater Medicare coverage in the Philippines.

The intent is to eventually permit Medicare portability for Guam residents who desire to use health care benefits without any restrictions in the Philippines.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security in October 2023 responded to Moylans letter, advising that the preliminary process of the visa waiver process was initiated, and that their office was in communication with the Philippine DFA to provide a plan to address overstays and other issues.

This process is still ongoing, and Moylans office continues to monitor the progress.

It was an honor to meet with President Marcos and to get the opportunity to discuss issues key for Guams relationship with the Philippines. The visa waiver process is ongoing, and this is truly an effort of so many individuals, primarily Gov. Carl Gutierrez, who has been a staunch advocate of the issue. I would also like to thank Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Sen. Jesse Lujan for their continued advocacy, Moylan said in a statement.

Moylan said while the process is still ongoing and will take some time, he said he will continue to press the issue with DFA and DHS.

Guam has historically done a great job with addressing overstay issues, but unfortunately, the overstay problems for Philippine citizens entering the U.S. over the years have been DHSs primary concern, Moylan said. The DFA secretary was also at the dinner event, and our office will continue to enhance communication as the wheels are in motion.
Sen. Sabina Perez introduced Bill 272-37, which seeks to enhance efficiency and transparency in the governments procurement process.

The bill would permit the retention and dissemination of procurement records to be made available through searchable Portable Document Format, according to a press release from the senator's office.

Access to the records of procurement actions is a public record, and Guam procurement law mandates that any person may inspect and copy any portion of the record, with limited exemptions such as for privacy or confidentiality.

Modernizing this process through permitting the digital storage and transfer of procurement records increases the convenience and ease of public access, which in turn, enhances the accountability and the transparency of the government, the senator's office said.

The bill is co-sponsored by Speaker Therese Terlaje and Sens. Chris Barnett, Roy Quinata, and Jesse Lujan.

Government agencies are required to retain procurement records for a minimum of five years before they can be disposed of, resulting in the need for storage accommodations to house the records, many of which are hundreds upon hundreds of pages of communications, specifications, certifications, and other documents relevant to procurement.

"Bill 272-37 could potentially lighten the arduousness of exclusively maintaining hardcopies and lessen the wastes and the costs of exclusively providing hardcopies to each request of a procurement record, Perez said.

Ensuring ease of storage and access of the procurement record promotes transparency and accountability, essential aspects to ensuring public confidence in how our government spends precious taxpayers money, the senator said.

"This measure is just one of many steps itll take to fill the gaps in our procurement processes, we must be equally vigilant that each step moving forward builds upon this integrity," Perez added.
When you live in the state where everyone else comes to vacation, where do Floridians go to get away?

Usually they like to keep it a secret  but the editors of Southern Living have spilled the beans, selecting Alys Beach, Florida, as one of the countrys most romantic coastal escapes for couples.

As the weather warms, couples begin to yearn for a romantic weekend getaway, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Well, yearn no longer  because located on Floridas panhandle, nestled between Pensacola and Panama City Beach, on a stretch of white sand, lies Alys Beach.

Named for Alys Stephens, a lifelong patron of the arts, this relatively new community just spouted up in 2004. It sits upon 158 acres and has a population of about 14,472.

Its amenities include a private beach with cabanas, parks, nature trails and courtyard fire pits. Known for its gourmet dining options and Greek village-style homes, Alys Beach also plays host to Digital Graffiti, a weekend for artists from around the world to showcase their work on whitewalls.

Heres what Southern Living has to say about Alys Beach:

With its manicured courtyards, turquoise waters, and stark white buildings inspired by Bermudian architecture, Alys Beach offers Florida sunshine and shorelines, but looks like some place else entirely. Located off of Highway 30A, Alys Beach has a more secluded and slower-paced vibe than nearby towns like Rosemary Beach and Seaside. Part of this is due to the lack of hotels and high-rises. If you stay here, it will be in a beautifully appointed house or condo. Not only will you have more privacy, youll feel a bit like a local as you stroll the quaint boutiques and dine at the charming Georges At Alys Beach.
If your friends all smell like weed or little babies  you might just be in Florida, at least according to Taylor Swift.

Its just one of the lyrics from her double album, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, featuring 31 new songs to dissect  and for those living in the Sunshine State, the song Florida!!! merits particular attention.

You can beat the heat if you beat the charges. They said I was a cheat, I guess it must be true. And my friends all smell like weed or little babies. And this city reeks of driving myself crazy.

As part of a collaboration with Florence + The Machine, Swift told iHeart Medias Tortured Poets Radio, the lyrics for Florida!!!  were inspired by the true crime show, Dateline.

Im always watching like Dateline, Swift said. People, you know, they have these crimes that they commit where they immediately skip town and go to Florida.

Shes not wrong. In a five year analysis of 270 Dateline episodes, researchers found the states with the most cases include California (42), Texas (23), New York (23), and Florida (18).

Oh, that pesky DNA.

You know they try to reinvent themselves. Have a new identify. Blend in, Swift said. And I think when you go through a heartbreak theres a part of you that thinks, I want a new name. I want a new life.

As for the city of Destin, Florida  it has the honor of receiving its very own lyric  Little did you know your homes really only a town youre just a guest in. So, you work your life away just to pay for a time-share down in Destin.

Its a line that apparently left the Pensacola Police Department feeling a bit envious. So, they took to Facebook, writing, Hey Taylor, nothing against Destin, but wed welcome you to visit Pensacola.

Uber fans also have speculated that lyrics from the song like, I need to forget, so take me to Florida. Ive got some regrets; Ill bury them in Florida, reference Swifts breakup with Joe Alwyn, which occurred just prior to her first concert in Tampa, Florida, during last years Eras Tour.

So, I did my best to lay to rest, all of the bodies that have ever been on my body. And in my mind, they sink into the swamp. Is that a bad thing to say in a song?

Well, truth be told, a Florida swamp is the ideal place to sink a body  especially the metaphorical body of an ex-boyfriend.

In essence, parsing through the verses of Florida!!! suggests that Swift sees the Sunshine State as a hub for new beginnings and letting go of unwanted memories, because  as she aptly points out  Florida is one hell of a drug.




Haiti - FLASH : USA repatriates 52 Haitians to Haiti...





Thursday April 18, 2024, after an interruption of almost three months without repatriation of migrants to Haiti, the United States repatriated 52 Haitians (40 men and 12 women), in an irregular migratory situation on the territory of the United States, officials announced Haitians and Americans.



A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed having "organized a repatriation flight for around fifty Haitian citizens" who landed at Cap-Haitien international airport. The Spokesman clarified that none of the Haitians expelled had a legal basis to remain in the United States, emphasizing "American policy consists of returning to their country all people who have not established a legal basis to remain in the United States."



Let's recall that in March 2024, nearly 500 human rights organizations, given the worsening crisis in Haiti, published a letter addressed to American officials, including President Biden, which emphasized that armed groups were terrorizing the population through systematic rapes, indiscriminate kidnappings and massacres, all with impunity since the State does not function and requested a moratorium on expulsions to Haiti.



Despite this appeal from the United States, the Biden administration has decided to resume Haitian repatriation operations, the imperatives of the presidential elections clearly taking precedence over human rights...



S/ HaitiLibre


















GRANTS PASS, Ore.  It was moving day, again, for Brenda Daigneault.

Police officers in this small city about an hours drive north of the California border visited her tent in a local park. They came to order her to leave, she said, posting the same notice that every homeless person living in one of Grants Pass public spaces gets every 72 hours.

If she didnt move in three days, she would get a $295 ticket  and perhaps see her belongings confiscated. Again.

But Daigneault couldnt get a ride from her son, who is homeless too and whose truck wasnt working. So, despite her chronic respiratory problems, she walked a mile from Tussing Park to the next closest park.

Brenda Daigneault, who has lived in Grants Pass since 1985, was housed until three years ago. Its waking up every day and seeing where Im at, Daigneault said. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Daigneault, 62, is part of an endless choreography that law enforcement officers and the unhoused perform in Grants Pass  one that could soon reverberate far beyond Oregon.

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On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case brought by unhoused residents here who say the citys broad anti-camping rules violate the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishment. Legal scholars and advocates on both sides of the case say the courts decision could reshape homeless policy across the nation.

The saga began to take shape in 2018, when the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that local governments could not make it a crime to sleep on a public street or sidewalk when, simultaneously, no homeless shelters were available. The court in 2022 went a step further and said Grants Pass could not prohibit simple self-protective measures for the homeless, like using blankets, or punish them by imposing civil fines that turn into criminal penalties when unpaid.

Grants Pass appealed, and the court is set to hear arguments in the case.

A host of states, cities and politicians have weighed in, arguing that the Ninth Circuits ruling handicaps local governments ability to protect residents, keep public spaces clear and address homelessness. Many contend that the ruling is flawed because the unhoused are often resistant to intervention, or even homeless by choice.

And even though the Supreme Court will be reviewing Grants Pass anti-camping ordinance, San Francisco looms large in the case.

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Mayor London Breed, backed by neighborhood and business groups, has urged the court to allow cities to cite residents and force them to move. Other current and former city officials, including former District Attorney Chesa Boudin, are backing the unhoused residents position. Both sides say the others position is not only untenable but lacks compassion.

Even outside entities have included San Francisco in their briefs to the court, holding it out as a bleak example of how street homelessness can ravage a city. A separate lawsuit against San Franciscos enforcement efforts is on hold, pending the Oregon ruling.

Regardless of what the court decides, it likely will do little to immediately improve life for those living on the street.

We need a place in Grants Pass where unhoused people can go, Grants Pass Mayor Sara Bristol, who hasnt taken a position on the case but wants to create a low-barrier homeless shelter in town, told the Chronicle. Because theyre going to exist, no matter what the Supreme Court decides.

About an hours drive north of the California border, the city of Grants Pass has seen a doubling of its population over the past 20 years. But, like many other cities across the West, it has done little to build more affordable housing. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Despite its growth, Grants Pass still has an intimate feel. On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case brought by unhoused residents here. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Lots of growth, little new housing

Earlier this month, police in Grants Pass recorded 100 tents in the citys public spaces, the most ever, said officer Tim Artoff, a member of the team that patrols the parks.

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Grants Pass population has doubled to about 40,000 people over the past two decades, but the city is still so intimate that service providers know just about all the homeless folks here. So do the cops who give them tickets. The mayor is married to the city editor of the local newspaper, and a leader of a group that wants to take back our parks has a son fighting drug addiction who occasionally sleeps in a park.

Despite the growth, the city  like many others across the West  has done little to build more affordable or multifamily housing.

Theres a perfect storm thats happened, said Doug Walker, a retired residential home-builder who serves on the citys Housing Advisory Committee. The city has had a strong cultural attitude that makes it hard to build. Sort of a We dont want to have that sort of thing here. They can live in Medford,  he said, referring to the larger city 30 miles away.

Then-City Council President Lily Morgan said during a 2013 meeting on community vagrancy: The point is to make it uncomfortable enough for (homeless people) in our city so they will want to move on down the road.

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The only shelter in town is the Gospel Rescue Mission, but its only 40% full. Exposing another layer of the national debate, many of the unhoused in Grants Pass bristle at the four pages of house rules they must agree to obey before being admitted. They include no smoking, drinking, pets, daytime sleeping or socializing between members of the opposite sex except at approved Mission events.

Kemario Adams exercises as Paul Allyn looks on at the Gospel Rescue Mission, the only homeless shelter in Grants Pass. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Left, the Gospel Rescue Mission, run by a Christian organization, has a long list of house rules that residents must obey. Brian Wright, right, is a client. Photos by Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle The Gospel Rescue Mission, run by a Christian organization, has a long list of house rules that residents must obey. Brian Wright, above, is a client. Photos by Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

The Christian organization requires clients to dress and behave according to their birth gender and attend chapel services twice a day. The Ninth Circuit court found the restrictions so onerous that it wrote off the shelter as a legitimate option for homeless residents.

On Wednesday, the City Council approved a special-use permit for a navigation center serving unhoused residents. Organizers say it could be operating by May. It will also include tiny homes on pallets that could house 15 people.

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But in other ways, political forces remain resistant to change. Last year, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek issued state of emergency orders with the hope of directing funding and other resources toward homelessness. But Josephine County, where Grants Pass is located, refused to apply for funding, even though the homeless rate there is triple the statewide figure. One commissioner called it a political setup.

As a result, Grants Pass, with a 1% rental vacancy rate, has few options for the unhoused. When the pandemic hit, many of those living on the margins were forced onto the street  like Daigneault, who has lived here since 1985, mostly working as an in-home caregiver.

She was housed until three years ago, when she said her landlord refused to address mold issues in her unit. She stopped paying rent and was evicted. She has a federal housing voucher, but hasnt been able to find a place that will rent to her after looking for a year and a half.

Its waking up every day and seeing where Im at, Daigneault said in an interview April 9 in Tussing Park, her eyes filled with tears. Im just tired. I need to get in one place to nest and be good. You know, just be comfortable and happy like it used to be.

In the tent next to Daigneault was 29-year-old Ashley Hanson. She grew up 2 miles from the park and played in it as a child. But she has been on the street for much of the past five years, also after being evicted. She said she had recently overcome colon cancer.

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Hanson was also preparing to move. Her husband of eight years has a separate tent, because we have so much stuff, she said. He already had moved to Riverside Park, a mile away.

Ashley Hanson, 29, sits in her tent in Tussing Park in Grants Pass. She grew up just 2 miles from the park and played in it as a child. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

It was a similar scene at Riverside Park, where a different set of the unhoused were preparing to move.

I thought maybe Id get a place, but I cant with all the fines and stuff that have been ordered on me, said Mark Lyon, 64, who has lived in Grants Pass since he moved here with his parents in 1972. He worked in the lumber mills around the region until he got laid off roughly two decades ago, and he has been living on the streets on and off since then.

Lyon doesnt want to leave Grants Pass because my mom and dad are buried here. And I felt like I had a right to be here. He said homeless advocates are trying to find him a place to live, but that the task is next to impossible. My credit is shot, he said.

Daigneault, Hanson, Lyon and many others here have something in common, aside from sleeping in the parks: Theyve been trying to secure stable housing  for years, in some cases. Their efforts challenge perhaps the most pervasive argument made by the cities and politicians urging the Supreme Court to side with Grants Pass: that unhoused residents could go inside, but choose not to.

The Ninth Circuit rejected similar arguments, writing, As long as there is no option of sleeping indoors, the government cannot criminalize indigent, homeless people for sleeping outdoors, on public property, on the false premise they had a choice in the matter.

Unhoused resident Emily, 17, cuddles with her dog, Anubis, at Riverside Park in Grants Pass. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Bryan Huntley, 11, sits outside his tent in Riverside Park after getting in a fight with one of his sisters. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

But the Supreme Court might be compelled by cities testimonies that some unhoused residents refuse services, including offers of shelter.

Glenn Miller, a 52-year-old former forklift operator who has been on the streets for much of the past six years, is one of those who say they cant find a place to live inside. He has been through detox programs, but said he hasnt been able to find a sober living facility to stay clean.

Im not leaving, Miller said on April 10 in Riverside Park, as he held the orange public notice of illegal camping that was posted that day. It is about making a paper trail for them to say, Hey, look, were doing our best to get them out of the parks.

No, theyre not, he said. Theyre doing their best to keep us right where were at.

Neighbors are fed up

The people living in neighborhoods around the parks are frustrated, too.

Brock Spurgeon, 58, is a tile setter who was born in Petaluma and is married to his childhood sweetheart, Stacy, a Novato native. Tall, with a gray ponytail and muscular arms, Spurgeon recalled working at a beautiful home on five acres in Sonoma County, and realizing he wanted that kind of place for himself.

One day it just hit me. If we moved, we could have a big place like this, Spurgeon said.

Brock Spurgeon, one of the organizers of Park Watch Grants Pass, holds up protest signs at a busy intersection in town. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

The couple bought a 4,600-square-foot home on 5 acres in Merlin, eight miles from Grants Pass. After their two children grew up, they downsized to a smaller house in Grants Pass, near Riverside Park.

A few years ago, though, Spurgeon found the problems we had left in the Bay Area had followed us here. Unhoused people had begun camping in the parks. Some left trash and drug paraphernalia.

Spurgeon and others formed Park Watch Grants Pass. Today, the group has 273 members. Many were behind an unsuccessful effort to recall Bristol, the Grants Pass mayor, last year.

Spurgeon walks through the parks filming drug debris and trash piles. He posts the videos on social media, similar to several people in San Franciscos Tenderloin, and shares them with the police. More recently, members of the group have begun holding signs saying, Parks are for Kids and Drug Free Parks at busy intersections.

Brock Spurgeon sits with his grandson, Adynn, 17, on pizza night at his home in Grants Pass. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Bristol finds the residents activism unproductive. The solution is to provide another place for the homeless people to go, she said. So just complaining about the situation in the parks isnt particularly helpful. What we need to do is work on the solution.

Amid the tension, two teenagers walked through parks last month and whacked homeless peoples tents with tree branches. One homeless woman was injured when she was hit in the face. Grants Pass police arrested an 18-year-old man and said they found no connection with the park watch group.

Some people say were vigilantes, Spurgeon said. Im not anti-homeless. Im anti-drugs.

Research has shown that two-thirds of the homeless population does not have problems with drugs or alcohol, but for Spurgeon this issue is deeply personal. Spurgeon said his father wrestled with drug addiction until he died at 48. His brother died at 49 six years ago, his body found in a creek in Medford after he had been reported missing from a homeless encampment 200 yards upstream.

J.D. Spurgeon, who is battling fentanyl and methamphetamine addiction, cries in a car because his girlfriend is sick. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

J.D. Spurgeon uses fentanyl in his tent on his parents property in Grants Pass. He also sometimes sleeps in the citys parks. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

One of the people who sometimes sleeps in Grants Pass parks is his son, J.D.

The hardest thing in my life is just thinking about him, Spurgeon said. And every night I go to bed, I hold my breath a little bit hoping hes gonna make it and Ill see him again.

While Spurgeon and his wife want to keep an eye on J.D., who is fighting an addiction to fentanyl and methamphetamine, they say he cant live inside their home anymore because he is too disruptive. They allow him to pitch a tent on the hard gravel space outside their garage.

Its not nearly as comfortable, J.D said, but my dads not up my ass as much.

J.D. Spurgeon prepares a bowl of cereal in his parents kitchen while chatting with his father, Brock Spurgeon. The hardest thing in my life is just thinking about him, Brock Spurgeon said. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Another member of Spurgeons group, Del Aldridge, said, I want to see a low-barrier campsite somewhere where someone (who is homeless) can go, as he held signs that read Drug Free Parks and Parks Are For Kids at an intersection in Grants Pass.

He has lived in the city for 35 years and said he wants to be able to take his grandson to local parks without seeing people use drugs there. He would be open to a shelter being created in his neighborhood, unlike many others in Grants Pass. If theres a place for (the unhoused) to go, then parks should be banned. If there isnt, then thats on the city, he said.

Spurgeon and Aldridges complaints are echoed by politicians and resident groups in other cities, in briefs urging the court to allow ramped-up enforcement.

In many parts of the City, it is impossible to walk down the sidewalk or enter buildings because of homeless encampments  collections of tents and other personal belongings where homeless people congregate to live and sleep, wrote the nonprofit group Neighbors for a Better San Francisco. Encampments are frequently sites of drug use and violence, endangering both passersby and homeless people themselves.

A constant shuffle

For Artoff, the Grants Pass police officer, visiting homeless camps next to pickleball courts and playgrounds is a routine, and he often encounters familiar faces.

Youre killing me, Shana, Artoff, who grew up in a small town a few miles away, told a woman as he stood outside her tent April 11 in Fruitdale Park, a leashed dog barking loudly nearby. Youve got to keep this dog quiet. I got a call from a neighbor.

OK, OK, came the response.

Artoff, 46, has been assigned to the police team dealing with the homeless for five years. Every Wednesday or Thursday, officers distribute the orange illegal camping notices. While people have 72 hours to leave, Artoff said officers dont check for compliance until Monday mornings. So really they have four or five days to move, he said. He figures he issues about 100 citations a month  and far more warnings.

Police officer Tim Artoff checks on a homeless woman named Cat and her dog, Sugar Mama, in Morrison Park as he makes his daily rounds of parks where homeless people live. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Stocky, with close-cropped blond hair and colorful tattoos covering his forearms, Artoff wove among the tents and exchanged small talk, petted the dogs and traded tidbits of information. He checked to see if the campers possessions fit inside an 8-by-8-foot square and that they had left 6 feet between tents.

Your tent stakes are in the ground. Youre not supposed to have the stakes in the ground, he told one woman.

Sorry, sorry, she said, hurrying out of her tent.

Im not gonna cite you now, Artoff said. Can we fix it? Oh, and that girl you know? She got out of jail.

The woman nodded.

Im stern, Artoff said as he walked through the park. And you can talk to a lot of people out here that will say, Artoffs an asshole, or whatever. But for most people that I feel are honestly giving a good effort, I appreciate the effort.

He sees the same faces rotating from one park to another. Recently, he saw a young woman in Morrison Park. The day before, hed cited her for fentanyl possession in Baker Park. When someone gets kicked out of a park for 30 days, he said, hell see them pitch their tent in another. If they get tossed from there, theyll move to a third, and so on.

By the time they get trespassed (kicked out of) the fourth one, they can now go back to the first one because their 30 days are up there, Artoff said. So its just a lot of that.

Perhaps if the Supreme Court sides with the city, he said, Grants Pass could toughen its rules, upping park suspension from a month to a year.

We are pretending homelessness doesnt exist

Cassy Leach also makes regular rounds through the parks.

She is co-founder of MINT, for Mobile Integrative Navigation Team. A nurse who grew up in Grants Pass, she later worked on medical and relief teams in Haiti and Africa. After returning to her hometown, she began to interact with the homeless while trying to get them vaccinated in the early days of the pandemic. What she found in the citys parks, she said, were people living in conditions reminiscent of developing parts of the world.

In February 2022, she and another volunteer started distributing vaccines, dog food and water to the campers.

Rayne Bird shows a piece of clothing to Cassy Leach, executive director of the relief organization MINT, as Leach helps pass out clothes to homeless people in Tussing Park in Grants Pass. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Now, 14 agencies visit the parks weekly to provide medical outreach, hot meals, clothing and about five days worth of groceries to 80 to 100 people. MINT has 10 volunteers, half of them medical professionals, who do outreach in the parks every day. The annual point-in-time count of the citys unhoused population recorded 600 people. Leach estimates its more like 1,000.

A quarter of them are lost in addiction, like, you know, truly lost, she said.

On a recent Thursday, she glided through dozens of people who had come to Riverside Park to pick up a box of groceries or meet a caseworker offering a connection to housing or health services.

Volunteers Patrick Hart and Rachel Beeman give out food to Jewel Edmond Andrews, who is homeless, at Riverside Park in Grants Pass. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle

Hey, are you still in your RV? Leach asked an older woman.

The woman replied that the vehicle was in Selma, 21 miles away.

We go out there on Wednesdays, Leach offered. We can get you a ride there at least.

Somebody stole my dog yesterday, the woman said.

Was it the one-armed dog? Leach said.

Yup.

Leach doesnt expect much to change for the people she serves after Mondays Supreme Court arguments and a likely summer decision by the justices.




Haiti - FLASH : Dangerous coexistence of detainees at CERMICOL





The Center for the Reintegration of Minors in Conflict with the Law (CERMICOL) in Haiti presents a major humanitarian challenge : the forced cohabitation of three vulnerable groups of prisoners : children, women and men, deplores the Association of Volunteers for the Reintegration of Prisoners in Haiti.



The cohabitation of these groups exposes minors to potentially traumatic situations, both emotionally and physically, due to their proximity to adult offenders. The presence of violent and sometimes unstable adults in the same space as these fragile young people can have devastating consequences on their emotional and psychological development.



Likewise, women prisoners are particularly vulnerable. Cohabitation with male prisoners increases the risk of sexual abuse, violence and harassment. These women are often forced to live in fear.



As for male prisoners, promiscuity with women and children can also be a source of tension and conflict. Prison overcrowding and lack of privacy can lead to aggressive behavior and rivalries between inmates, creating an even more hostile and potentially dangerous environment for everyone in the prison.



On the health front, the unsanitary living conditions and overcrowding of CERMICOL constitute a fertile breeding ground for the transmission of contagious diseases such as tuberculosis, skin infections and respiratory diseases.



On a mental level, forced cohabitation in such a hostile environment can lead to serious psychological disorders, such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. The lack of privacy, constant noise and constant threat of violence can have a devastating impact on the mental health of prisoners, exacerbating the suffering they already experience.



For the Association of Volunteers for the Reintegration of Prisoners in Haiti, it is imperative that measures be taken urgently by putting an end to this dangerous cohabitation and by offering appropriate detention solutions for each vulnerable group.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















San Francisco Mayor London Breed and Wu Minglu, secretary-general of the China Wildlife Conservation Association, hold an agreement to lend giant pandas to the San Francisco Zoological Society and Gardens during a signing ceremony Friday in Beijing. Liu Zheng/Associated Press

Mayor London Breeds agenda during her trip to China was black and white: bringing pandas to the San Francisco Zoo.

Her success in securing a promise to send the animals will write a new chapter in a long history of panda diplomacy in the United States.

Several of the giant pandas at U.S. zoos had been called home to China  which retains ownership of the animals and their offspring  in recent years, generating fears that their presence in America was coming to an end.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping indicated that pandas could be coming to California in a speech in San Francisco in November, and earlier this year the country announced that it would send two pandas to the San Diego Zoo. Breed, however, wasnt deterred and announced that part of the intention of her trip to China this week was for continued panda lobbying  a move that paid off.

Relations between China and the U.S. have been strained for years, with divisions over human rights, tariffs and trade policy, Taiwan, the invasion of Ukraine and pandemic travel restrictions among the many flash points. Tensions have dissipated since the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in November, when President Joe Biden and Xi agreed to increase cooperation on fentanyl manufacturing and exportation, resume military-to-military communications and work together on artificial intelligence regulation.

Barbara Bodine, a former U.S. ambassador and director of Georgetown Universitys Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, said Chinas interest in bringing pandas to more U.S. zoos is a sign the two nations are reestablishing channels of communication. Its a deescalation signal, Bodine said, otherwise known as cuddle diplomacy.

But the news also comes as the San Francisco Zoo faces turmoil behind the scenes. A Chronicle investigation recently revealed employees concerns about animal welfare and worker safety  especially in light of an incident last year when a zookeeper was chased by a grizzly bear after its den door was accidentally left open.

Pandas can be huge economic drivers for cities that host them. Before a panda pair at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., was returned to China in 2023, the Washington Post reported that more than 250,000 people visited during their last six weeks there  a 179% boost compared with the year before.

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San Franciscos zoo briefly hosted two pandas in 1984, boosting its attendance by four times the usual amount, the Chronicle reported at the time.

The zoo will have to pay an annual fee to China to have the animals on loan, a cost that has generally been $1 million per year, which China says goes to panda conservation research.

Zoos typically see an initial boost in visitor numbers from pandas but dont see many long-term financial benefits, Nikkei Asia reported.

Xi indicated a willingness to think about returning some of the pandas at a dinner during APEC, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Nov. 16. We obviously appreciated having them here, and we respect the sovereign decision that China made to remove some of those pandas.

China has used pandas as a tool for their diplomatic efforts for decades. They have often been used as an inducement tool for negotiations between China and other countries, Bodine wrote.

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The panda diplomacy, however, wont prevent U.S. lawmakers from working to address issues they see in China.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said the pandas will be a wonderful addition to San Francisco, but she is focused on human rights in China, spokesperson Aaron Bennett told the Chronicle.

In keeping with her practice of urging leaders traveling officially to China to raise human rights issues, Speaker Emerita Pelosi communicated these concerns to Mayor Breed in the hopes that she would convey them in her public and private engagements in China, Bennett said.

Many Asian American community leaders in San Francisco have supported the Breed administrations campaign to bring giant pandas from China to the city zoo. A Feb. 29 letter from Breed to Xi stating that the city was ready to welcome giant pandas to the zoo was co-signed by about 70 Asian American community leaders and organizations.

Some Chinese American political advocates say Breeds panda diplomacy overtures could boost her reelection campaign. Its not just about the pandas, they say; its about what the pandas represent: boosting the citys economy through friendlier ties with China as well as respect for Chinese culture.

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This effort is overwhelmingly supported by the Chinese community, said Josephine Zhao, president of the Chinese American Democratic Club and among the signers of the February letter. Panda diplomacy is one great addition to the mayors reelection. In addition, if the results from this trip can bring instantaneous results from the commercial relations between San Francisco and China, that would also benefit the economy of the city that most voters would care about.

Bill Lee, a former city administrator who closely watches Asian American city politics, said before the announcement that if Breed manages to secure a giant panda for the San Francisco Zoo, it would give her an advantage among Chinese voters as it would demonstrate her understanding of and sensitivity to the importance of pandas as a symbol in Chinese culture. Lee called pandas a Chinese living treasure.
(CNBC) A New York federal jury on Thursday convicted a Puerto Rico man of a $110 million scheme that was the Department of Justices first-ever cryptocurrency open-market manipulation case, prosecutors said. The man, 28-year-old Avraham Eisenberg of San Juan, faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison for the charges of wire fraud, commodities fraud, and commodities manipulation.

To read this article:
(CNBC) Norways giant sovereign wealth fund on Thursday reported a first-quarter profit of 1.21 trillion kroner ($110 billion), supported by robust returns on its investments in technology stocks. The so-called Government Pension Fund Global, the worlds largest sovereign wealth fund, said it had a value of 17.7 trillion kroner at the end of March.

To read this article:
Criminal proceedings are now underway in Leipzig against another suspected primary operator and an employee of the illegal streaming portal movie2K, which was available online until the end of May 2013. A special investigation unit of the Dresden public prosecutor's office, focused on combating serious corruption and organized crime, has submitted the indictment to the Economic Criminal Chamber of the Leipzig Regional Court. Prosecutors accuse the 40-year-old alleged mastermind of illegally exploiting copyrighted works via the platform in 219,928 cases. He will also have to defend himself against charges of commercial money laundering in 146 cases and incitement to false accusation. He is alleged to have acquired bitcoins with millions in revenue from advertising contracts.

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The accused initially went into hiding. He was arrested abroad in May 2023. Following his extradition, he was held in custody in Saxony until mid-January, according to the public prosecutor's office. The second accused is charged with 46 counts of commercial money laundering and particularly serious tax evasion. The 37-year-old Polish national is said to have received Bitcoin from his friend, the main operator, for his work at movie2k.

Investigators were able to seize around 2,700 Bitcoins and Bitcoin Cash and made an "emergency sale" of them. The Leipzig District Court has separated the question of realization from the criminal proceedings. It is therefore still unclear what will happen to the proceeds, which amounted to around 38.6 million euros. In addition, the investigators were able to provisionally secure almost 50,000 Bitcoins in mid-January in the current movie2k proceedings as a result of a voluntary handover. It has not yet been decided what will happen to these billions.

Suspended sentence for two people

Another charge, against a real estate agent from Berlin, has not yet been admitted for trial by the Leipzig District Court. This man is accused of money laundering together with the second main operator. In March 2023, the Leipzig judges sentenced the second main operator, who worked as a programmer, to a total prison sentence of one year and eight months for commercial unauthorized exploitation of copyrighted works, money laundering, fraud and tax evasion in criminal proceedings that had already been concluded with final effect. In addition, movie2k's main financial agent responsible for handling payment transactions was sentenced to a total of ten months' imprisonment for copyright infringement and false accusation. Both got off with probation.

Almost 900,000 films and series were available via the video streaming portal, which was launched in 2008 and was popular in Germany and elsewhere. Those responsible generated millions of euros in revenue through advertising and subscription traps. They invested the money in cryptocurrencies and real estate. Back in 2020, one of the main suspects handed over Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash worth a total of 25 million euros to the authorities.

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Netflix has commissioned a fifth season of "The Witcher". The production team has announced that the fantasy series will then reach its conclusion. Season 5 is scheduled to be filmed directly after the fourth season, which is currently in production.

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"It is with great pride that we begin filming our penultimate season of 'The Witcher'," commented showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich on the announcement. "We are thrilled to bring Andrzej Sapkowski's books to an epic and satisfying conclusion."

The two remaining seasons of "The Witcher" are set to cover the books "Baptism of Fire", "The Swallow Tower" and "Lady of the Lake" by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. A major challenge for the two remaining seasons: lead actor Henry Cavill has turned his back on the series. This is a bitter loss for the makers, as Cavill has repeatedly revealed himself to be a big fan of the source material and was very popular with fans. His role as the titular witcher Geralt will be taken over by Liam Hemsworth from season 4.

Read also Gaming platform GOG deletes larger cloud game saves

Laurence Fishburne as Regis

Meanwhile, Netflix has signed up another big name for season 4: Laurence Fishburne will play Geralt's companion Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy. Netflix has not yet announced a release date for the fourth season of "The Witcher".

It is also unclear whether all episodes of season 4 of the fantasy series will be released at once. For season 3, Netflix opted for a split release, with the last three episodes being released one month after the first five. Producer Steve Gaub explained this decision as a way of keeping the tension high and giving fans the opportunity to speculate and discuss the story.

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(dahe)
BRCC, students simulate mock hospital for emergency training

Health care students at Blue Ridge Community College and Wingate University experienced the reality of patient needs in a variety of bustling health care settings thanks in a comprehensive simulation exercise held Friday, April 12.

The schools transformed the first and second floors of the Health Sciences Center in downtown Hendersonville into a mock hospital including an emergency room, medical-surgical unit, operating room, inpatient and outpatient pharmacy and two urgent care units, and even simulated the transport of patients to the facility.

We have a unique learning environment here in Hendersonville with a variety of programs and learners, said Michelle Chaplin, associate dean of academic affairs for Wingates Hendersonville campus. Combining them all into one simulation exercise is hugely beneficial for their personal development and growth, and it helps to prepare them to work as a team in treating patients in real life scenarios after graduation.

Simulation is a tool that can encourage student confidence by letting them rehearse all of the knowledge and skills learned at the didactic level within the safety of a controlled environment, Blue Ridge associate degree nursing instructor Robyn Dixon said. There is no risk to the patients, and any mistakes can just be part of the learning experience.

The three-hour exercise included Blue Ridges nursing and surgical technology students and Wingates pharmacy and physician assistant students, as well as 25 patients played by student and volunteer actors. Each patient suffered from different illnesses or injuries, and the health care students responded in the same way that would be required of them in a real life-saving scenario.
Homeless residents tents line a street corner in Los Angeles on Dec. 6, 2022. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced new plans on Thursday to hold cities and counties to account  possibly by suing them  if they fail to use state homeless funding to get people off the streets. Frederic J. Brown/Tribune News Service

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced new plans on Thursday to hold cities and counties to account  possibly by suing them  if they fail to use state homeless funding to get people off the streets.

Im not interested in funding failure any longer, Newsom, a Democrat, said. I want to see results.

Its the latest instance of Newsom promising to hold local governments accountable for reducing homelessness. It comes on the heels of an audit that found the state failed to adequately track whether $24 billion in homeless funding over the last five years has actually improved the situation on California streets, something previous audits have also faulted the state for. Californias struggles with homelessness have made Newsom a frequent target of criticism from conservatives.

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Newsom said he wants to expand an effort hes used to force cities and counties to build more housing to include requirements that local governments also plan to construct housing for homeless people.

Jason Elliott, Newsoms deputy chief of staff, said details of the proposal are still being hammered out with state lawmakers. But he said the idea is to require cities and counties to plan to build more homeless shelters, supportive housing and other facilities for homeless residents.

Currently, the state assesses each regions population and determines how many new housing units each city and county needs to build to house people at all income levels. Local governments then submit plans to the state about how they plan to meet those targets and where they will build new housing. Then the state reviews those plans to ensure they are practical.

Newsom beefed up the states ability to force cities and counties to meet the states targets using a new Housing Accountability Unit within his state housing agency. The unit has secured various concessions and judgments against local governments across the state whom state regulators say failed to follow housing laws. It has sued over individual proposals, such as Anaheims rejection of a transitional housing project for recently homeless women, and over broad violations of state housing law, such as its lawsuit last year against Huntington Beach after the city failed to approve a compliant housing plan. The unit also began an unprecedented review of San Franciscos housing approval process, which last year found the citys process violates multiple laws and is the most drawn-out in California.

Newsom said he is moving 22 additional state workers to the unit, where they will apply the same scrutiny to local governments efforts to reduce homelessness. That will include incorporating counts of homeless people into the states housing needs determinations and auditing how cities and counties are using homeless funding they receive from the state. Some of those changes will require approval from the Legislature, which Newsom says he is working to secure.

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Many local governments, as a condition of accepting state homeless funds, they agree to implement certain strategies and reduce unsheltered homelessness, Elliott told the Chronicle. The state has had the ability to audit those  and thats an ability we intend on using more regularly going forward.

The League of California Cities, which advocates for cities interests at the Capitol, is waiting to see the details in Newsoms proposal, said Caroline Grinder, a lobbyist for the group. She noted that most California cities are spending money from their general funds on homelessness and pointed to a survey conducted by the organization that found that in about two-thirds of cities, people are becoming homeless at a faster rate than they are placed in housing.

Cities efforts cannot keep up with the ongoing and growing need for housing and services, she wrote in a statement. Addressing our states growing homelessness crisis is a shared responsibility that requires a strong commitment from all levels of government.

Its not the first time Newsom has threatened cities and counties for not doing enough to combat homelessness. In 2022, he temporarily withheld $1 billion in state funding from local governments because he said they were failing to get people off the streets fast enough. He relented a couple weeks later when cities and counties agreed to more aggressive targets to reduce homelessness.

Since then, homeless counts suggest Californias unhoused population may have increased.

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Newsom made the announcement about his new homeless accountability plan during a news conference in which he decried dangerous homeless encampments that have proliferated around the state.

He mentioned one encampment in the East Bay that he and Elliott toured, which Elliott said was eventually cleared.
Josune Menendez and Abigail Prado, staff members of One Community Health, greet an attendee during an event to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility in Sacramento on March 30. Sacramento recently became Californias first sanctuary city for transgender people. Andri Tambunan/Special to the Chronicle

The specter of a second Donald Trump presidency has transgender individuals preparing their passports, and abortion-rights supporters worried about an obscure postal obscenity ban.

Even California, a self-declared haven for people affected by out-of-state legislation attacking transgender rights and abortion access, may not be able to provide robust protections if Trump is reelected and carries through on promises hes made in this campaign and his previous four years in office.

Were worried we may have to leave the country, said Ebony Harper, executive director of California TRANScends, a transgender advocacy group in Sacramento. Theyre going to come for trans folks. And theyre going to try to punish people who help trans folks  even doctors, social workers, teachers. And theyre going to try to do it from a federal level.

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Experts in transgender and abortion rights  two areas where California has positioned itself as a critical backstop to the national conservative agenda  say that a second Trump term could yield policies that make it much more difficult for liberal states to provide sanctuary.

They noted that if Trump wins again, hed be coming into office with more experience and a better understanding of how to put in place policies that will stand up to legal challenges.

The processes that were used to issue rule changes before were sloppy and arrogant, said Jennifer Pizer, chief legal officer for Lambda Legal, an LGBTQ advocacy group. There appears to be an organized, well-funded, very aggressive effort to accomplish more (in a second term) than what was done last time. And that is profoundly alarming.

Pizer referred to Project 2025, a collection of Republican policy proposals written by nearly two dozen Trump administration officials and advisers, as evidence of the aggressive plans the former president has for a second term. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is working to Trump-proof California by enacting laws to thwart efforts from a potential second presidency, told the Atlantic that he keeps a marked-up copy of Project 2025 in his office.

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The Project 2025 health care blueprint was written by Roger Severino, who led the Health and Human Services Departments civil rights office during the Trump administration. Severino reversed nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people and increased enforcement of religious conscience protections, including for people who object to providing abortions. The Biden administration has reversed those changes.

California has positioned itself as a haven for people seeking abortions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Since then, 28 states have severely curtailed abortion access, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that tracks reproductive laws and policies in the U.S. In California, voters enshrined the right to abortion in the state Constitution last year, and Newsom has signed 24 abortion-protection-related bills into law over the past two years.

California similarly declared itself a sanctuary for transgender people in 2022, as other states began stripping civil rights protections or proposing legislation that would limit their access to care; specifically, the policy allows families with trans youth from other states to get care in California. Twenty-four states have passed laws that limit access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth, which generally includes hormones or drugs to prevent puberty.

Attacks on transgender and other LGBTQ people also have come in the form of book bans and legislation that forbids trans students from using certain bathrooms or playing sports. Californias attorney general has gone to court to challenge school district policies requiring educators to out transgender students to their parents, and Newsom signed into law new protections limiting book censorship in schools.

Abortion access

The biggest prospective threat to abortion access in California is an obscure 1873 law that could be used to prohibit the mailing of drugs used for abortions, legal experts said. The Project 2025 blueprint includes the use of this law to stop medication abortions.

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The Comstock Act has been getting increased attention from conservatives as a potential tool to enact a national abortion ban without requiring congressional action, said Mary Ziegler, a professor of law at UC Davis and leading scholar on abortion rights. Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas repeatedly brought up Comstock during arguments over access to mifepristone.

Then-President Donald Trump speaks at the 47th March for Life rally on the National Mall on Jan. 24, 2019, in Washington, D,C. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Preventing abortion pills from being shipped would impact California residents, people who wanted to travel to California and potentially doctors willing to send the medication into red states, said Greer Donley, a professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh focused on abortion rights.

The law could also be more broadly interpreted to stop the shipment of anything used for an abortion, including tools used to perform a surgical abortion, Donley said.

Some Democratic lawmakers have floated repealing Comstock, but its unlikely such a proposal could pass. Reproductive rights groups involved in challenging abortion restrictions  Planned Parenthood, the Center for Reproductive Rights and the American Civil Liberties Union  have, however, reportedly discouraged Democrats from introducing legislation to address Comstock, arguing that it could impact ongoing litigation.

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California and other states would likely challenge the Comstock Acts constitutionality if the federal government broadened enforcement. They could also try creative maneuvers to legally transport medication abortion, Ziegler said, like using private or state vehicles that arent common carriers.

Conservatives are waiting on the Supreme Court to decide whether it will limit access to mifepristone.

Nearly two-thirds of abortions in the U.S. are by medication, and of those, almost all are administered using both misoprostol and mifepristone. In the two-drug abortion protocol, mifepristone is taken to halt a pregnancy and misoprostol is taken later to cause the uterus to expel the pregnancy tissue.

If the Supreme Court declines to limit use of the drug, the Food and Drug Administration could still withdraw the approval of mifepristone or reinstate the requirement that abortion-seekers see a doctor in person to receive a medication abortion.

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Even if mifepristone use is restricted, misoprostol-only abortions could still be done. Misoprostol has other uses, including to induce labor and prevent ulcers, and is less likely to have its use restricted, Donley said.

Doctors say misoprostol-only abortions are safe, but can come with more side effects, including more pain.

The conservative policy blueprint for a second Trump administration also suggested withdrawing up to 10% of Medicaid funding from states that require insurance companies to cover abortion. California, which received about $81 billion from the federal government for its Medicaid program in 2022, was set to lose $200 million because of a provision requiring insurance coverage of abortions, but the Biden administration restored that funding. Severino also suggested that states like California that discriminate against pharmacies that dont carry medication abortion outside of California should face similar penalties.

People are right to focus on the doom-and-gloom scenarios when it comes to what the Trump administration might do, said Nicholas Bagley, a health law professor at the University of Michigan and former chief legal counsel to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. But I dont think we can take it as an inevitability, in part because the politics have shifted so quickly, and (abortion) is such an enormous vulnerability for Republicans, he said.

Transgender protections

One of Trumps earliest policy efforts, in his first year in office in 2017, was banning transgender people from the military  a plan he announced via a series of posts on what was then called Twitter. Biden rescinded the policy in 2021.

Seven years later, the candidate Trump reignited his anti-trans stances, and hes made revoking or limiting access to gender-affirming care a central point of his 2024 campaign.

Sara Kaplan listens with her son James, 9, at a Rally to Support Trans Youth at San Francisco City Hall on Feb. 23, 2017, the day after President Donald Trump removed Obama-era bathroom access recommendations. Leah Millis/The Chronicle

We will defeat the cult of gender ideology to reassert that God created two genders, male and female, Trump said at a rally in Texas in January.

Experts say it likely would be difficult for Trump to put in place a full federal ban on gender-affirming care, but he could make it more difficult for everyone to access. And they worry too about more subtle but insidious gestures he could make, such as no longer enforcing laws that protect transgender people.

I would not be surprised if express protections (for transgender people) are removed, and if federal agencies are instructed to roll back protections, said Joseph Wardenski, a New York civil rights attorney who focuses on LGBTQ equity. At the very least I think there would be no federal enforcement of existing protections on behalf of LGBTQ people, and especially trans people.

California has robust civil rights protections of its own, so that would serve as a backstop to some of the worst retrenchment we might see at the federal level, Wardenski said. But states are not positioned to do everything. All of these enforcement agencies are overburdened. Even in the best of times, its a slow path to having your civil rights protected.

Other experts in transgender rights worried that federal funding could indirectly impact access to care and other resources. For example, if a Trump administration ordered that hospitals that receive federal funding must allow staff to opt out of providing care they are opposed to  such as hormone therapy for a transgender woman  that could cause dilemmas even in California.

Theres a lot that can be done through attaching strings to public funding that could be pretty scary, said Peter Romer-Friedman, a civil-rights attorney based in Washington, D.C. You could end up denying people care.

Aside from the actual laws or policies a second Trump administration might put into effect, LGBTQ advocates also are bracing for worsening national anti-trans rhetoric thats already created hostile and sometimes violent environments for transgender people in many communities, including in California.
(JTA)  How might we celebrate Passover differently this year? With so many Israelis brutally murdered on Oct. 7, so many soldiers killed or wounded in battle, so many people  Palestinians and aid workers  dead or suffering in Gaza, we cannot simply celebrate as we did last year. As a community, we need to encourage ritual innovations or special readings to address all these tragic realities.

I want to focus on one aspect of a post-Oct. 7 seder: a ritual change meant to call our attention to the more than 130 hostages  men, women and children  still captive in Gaza after more than six mont...
The story of Passover, more than any other Jewish holiday, is all about miracles. A burning bush. A staff that turns into a serpent. Ten plaques, each one worse than the previous one. The parting of the Red Sea. Manna coming down from heaven. Moses receiving the Torah.

I have experienced what I consider miracles in my own life. Meeting Larry at a Purim party over 50 years ago. Holding our son and, three years later, our daughter, in our arms. Seeing flashes of ourselves and our children in our three beautiful grandchildren.

Just this past month, I experienced my own mini-miracle. On my 50th bi...
(JNS)  Washington has no evidence that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin testified during a Tuesday hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee about the 2025 defense budget.

About a dozen and a half anti-Israel protesters, who disrupted the beginning of the nearly three-hour hearing, were removed from the room.

I want to address what the protesters raised earlier: Is Israel committing genocide in Gaza? Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) asked Austin.

We dont have any evidence of genocide, Austin replied. We dont have evidence of that to my knowle...
(JNS) - The father of an Israeli Defense Forces soldier killed in action in the Gaza Strip has denounced renewed anti-government protests, accusing demonstrators of using the plight of bereaved families and the relatives of hostages to further their political aims.

"Nobody should burn the country down," Hagay Lober, whose son Staff Sgt. (res.) Elisha Yehonatan Lober, 24, was killed in the southern Gaza Strip in December, wrote in a viral Facebook post on Sunday.

"You cannot dismantle the country. You cannot riot. You cannot block roads. You cannot clash with the police. You cannot call for mil...
(JNS)  Pierre Poilievre, a member of the Canadian parliament and the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, recently spoke to members of the Orthodox Beth Israel Beth Aaron Congregation in Cote Saint-Luc, Quebec. His address on March 26 received robust applause and several standing ovations.

Poilievre proclaimed the permanence of the Jewish people, saying that a thousand years from now, whatever is going on, on Fridays, as the sun goes down, there will be a Shabbat in Israel.

He said, Those songs will be sung. The Jewish people will go on.

Poilievre also named Iran as the instigator...
(JNS)  The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews will be supporting over 100,000 people in Israel this Passover, with a specific focus on families directly affected by the ongoing war against Hamas, especially bereaved families, hostages relatives and the tens of thousands of evacuees.

As part of the 2024 Passover program, IFCJ will be distributing close to 19,000 600 shekel ($162) debit cards for evacuated families to use toward purchasing food items. The cards will also be delivered to families of injured soldiers as well as relatives of those who were killed at the Nova festival...
By Yaakov Lappin

(JNS)  Hamass leadership in Rafah continues to cling to fanatical visions of eventual victory, six months into the war it launched with Israel, according to Israeli observers.

As long as they are not decisively defeated, they have a chance to stay alive in Gaza. Therefore, they positively view the outcomes of the war, or at least they have some kind of optimism, said Brig. Gen. (res.) Yossi Kuperwasser, former head of the Research and Assessment Division of Israels Military Intelligence and currently director of the Project on Regional Affairs at the Jerusalem Center for...
(JNS) - The Popular Resistance Committees, a coalition composed of Hamas and other terrorist groups, recently announced price drops for food in the Gaza Strip.

Gazan merchants said, "An average family can now buy products for a hearty meal with 100 shekels [$27.15], compared to 200 shekels required for such a meal just a few days ago," Ynet reported.

The news is in line with a report issued last week by the Israeli Defense Ministry's Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories unit, which has been coordinating aid for Gaza.

According to COGAT's latest statistics, 205 aid trucks we...
(JNS)  U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday accused President Joe Biden of turning against Israel to appease the far-left flank of the Democratic Party.

Democrats are weak on Israel as well, and its their support for Israel. Its rather stunning to us that theres this dramatic shift. Hamas is holding more than 130 hostages, as you know, including Americans, the 52-year-old Republican said at a press conference in Washington.

These people are languishing at the hands of barbaric terrorists, and Joe Biden is meanwhile giving ultimatums to Israel, not Hamas. And shamefully,...
Palestine condemns U.S. veto of its full UN membership

Xinhua) 13:02, April 19, 2024

RAMALLAH, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestine condemned on Thursday "in the strongest terms" the U.S. veto on Palestine's full membership in the United Nations.

The Palestinian Presidency said the American "veto" is unfair, immoral, and unjustified and defies the will of the international community, Palestine's official news agency WAFA reported.

The presidency confirmed that the "aggressive" move reveals duplicitous U.S. foreign policy, which, on the one hand, claims to support the two-state solution and, on the other hand, prevents the UN from implementing the solution through its repeated use of the veto against Palestine and its legitimate rights.

The presidency added that achieving peace, security and stability in the Middle East region and the world depends on the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions, ending the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, and recognizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The owner of the Kinney Hotel on Eddy Street has made living conditions untenable by failing to repair the buildings elevator, says a spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. Google Street View

More than two dozen HIV-positive tenants living in a single-room-occupancy hotel in the Tenderloin are at risk of being displaced unless an elevator that has been broken for nearly two years is fixed.

The owner of the Kinney Hotel on Eddy Street has failed to maintain the elevator, making living conditions there untenable, according to Emily Cohen, spokesperson for the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. The city is in discussions with a potential buyer that could repair the elevator.



But unless the elevator is fixed, the city could terminate its contract with the nonprofit that operates the Kinney, forcing the 27 medically vulnerable tenants to move as soon as June.

The precarious living situation facing tenants at the Kinney underscores the adverse impact a broken elevator can have on struggling communities living in the Tenderloins SROs. A 2009 report by the Department of Public Health found that half of residents in SROs said their hotel elevator was not consistently working.

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At the Cadillac Hotel, a tenant is suing the buildings owner and manager, saying its elevator breaks down frequently and has caused years of mental and physical distress.

The city has money to fix many of the broken elevators that are keeping residents, many of them disabled, elderly or dealing with physical hardships, trapped in their homes.

Supervisor Dean Preston has criticized the city for missing deadlines to repair faulty elevators in dozens of residences for formerly homeless people. Salgu Wissmath/The Chronicle 2023

More than a year ago, San Francisco Mayor London Breed pledged to spend $10 million to repair faulty elevators throughout dozens of the citys aging SROs for formerly homeless people. But the city has missed multiple deadlines, and the money remains unspent  a delay that was the subject of a heated hearing Thursday led by Supervisor Dean Preston.

Breeds administration had agreed to release funding for broken elevators in late February after an Chronicle article highlighting the problems faulty elevators cause. Breed opened applications for the funding, but the money wont make it to operators hands until the fall because of the onerous process.



That means crews probably wont be able to start repairs until 2025.

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The problems with the Kinneys elevator are longstanding, but a default on the property made them more complicated to solve. The previous owner, Kinney Hotel LLC, defaulted on its loan in 2023, and its now owned by United Business Bank and is under receivership. Cohen said neither Kinney Hotel LLC nor the bank has maintained the elevator. The bank and the receiver did not respond to a request for comment.

Cohen said the city is seeking a written commitment from the potential buyer to fix the elevator.

If they can do that, we are happy to stay, Cohen said. We want to stay.

If that fails, Cohen said there are two options: To move the Kinneys tenants to a new building, or place residents into different supportive housing and shelter programs. In both cases, the Kinneys tenants would be displaced.

That could potentially be disruptive for a highly medically vulnerable population that now gets medical care and casework that is not available at all supportive housing sites. Cohen promised that the tenants will get the support they need.

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We are not going to be  turning anyone out, Cohen said.

John Paul Soto, spokesperson for the Kinneys operator, Lutheran Social Services, said the best case scenario is to keep all tenants at the Kinney, where they receive all the services they need.

At the hearing Thursday, Preston lambasted the mayors administration and HSH for the delays, saying the city has failed to provide a critical need facing vulnerable people.

HSHs Cohen explained the delays as resulting from staffing shortages, slow coordination between departments and delays in getting approvals from the city attorneys office.



Cohen also maintained that it was a coincidence that they issued the funds after a Chronicle article on the elevator problem. Preston called it one hell of a coincidence.

He pushed HSH and the mayors office to coordinate to ensure that elevator repairs can happen as quickly as possible.

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Currently, 38 of the 68 SROs funded by the city are eligible for a piece of the $10 million.

Cohen said HSH will look back at its review timeline and work to expedite it as much as possible.

Tom Paulino, who represented the mayors office at Thursdays hearing, said Breed will be happy to coordinate efforts toward expediting the process.



Supervisor Connie Chan questioned why HSH had not already coordinated with the eligible SRO buildings to ensure that the most critical needs are met quickly. She said the mayor could have also expedited repairs by issuing an emergency declaration, which would have allowed for a more streamlined process.

I am just dumbfounded by the process that you have decided to go about, which is probably the lengthiest one that you can possibly choose out of all the tools in your toolbox as a city department, Chan said.

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(JTA)  Rep. Gregory Meeks, the leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has said he would not approve a U.S. sale of F-15 fighter jets to Israel without assurances on what the jets would be used for.

Im waiting for assurances, Meeks, who represents a district in New York City, told CNN on Tuesday. It is enough of the indiscriminate bombing. I dont want the kinds of weapons that Israel has to be utilized to have more death.

Meeks is one of four lawmakers on Capitol Hill with the power to hold up weapons sales. He has previously supported Israels battle against Hamas an...
(JNS)  Esther Panitch was inspired when Renee Evans, of the World Jewish Congress, bought trees in Israel recently for Peach State legislators who voted in favor of a bill to codify into law the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances working definition of antisemitism.

Evans put Jewish National Fund tree certificates on the lawmakers desks. I saw the certificate, and I was like, Huh. This would be great if I could just name it in honor of a troll, Panitch, a Democrat who is the only Jewish state representative in Georgia, told JNS.

And so her trees for trolls approach was born....
(JNS)  Family members of U.S. citizens whom Hamas terrorists kidnapped and took to Gaza on Oct. 7 held a very productive meeting at the White House on Tuesday with Vice President Kamala Harris, Rachel Goldberg-Polin said, per the pool report.

We are thinking of all 133 souls who are being held in Gaza, added Goldberg-Polin, whose son is the American Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin. (Hershs father Jonathan Polin also attended the meeting.)

We want results, Goldberg-Polin said.

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of American Israeli hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, put the onus on Hamas, which has...
(JNS) - Orthodox Union leaders delivered 100,000 letters to the White House on Wednesday, urging U.S. President Joe Biden to continue supporting Israel, demanding the release of hostages whom Hamas holds in Gaza and combating antisemitism domestically.

The letters were the first batch of more than 180,000 that the OU has collected from synagogues across the country since Thursday, marking 180 days that the hostages have been in captivity.

Rabbi Moshe Hauer, executive vice president of the OU, told JNS that the best way to convey the American Jewish community's intense feelings was to deliver t...
It's rare, if ever, that one sits at home watching news of an impending attack that's already been launched at your country. But that's exactly what I did last night. First the IDF issued instructions to keep Israelis safe, including closing all schools, banning gatherings of more than 1000 people, and what to do in case of an air raid siren. An hour or so later it was announced that Iran had already launched dozens (up to 150-200) armed drones at Israel that would take as long as 9 hours to get here, and a little while later, hundreds of cruise missiles.

At 1:46 a.m., my youngest daughter ann...
(JNS)  Israels War Cabinet on Sunday recommended retaliating to the first-ever direct Iranian attack on the Jewish state, although they were divided on the scope and timing of the response, Reuters reported on Monday, citing Israeli officials.

However, no final decision was made, per reports, and ministers were to reconvene at 2 p.m. Monday to continue deliberations.

The Islamic Republic and its terror proxies launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday night, with Israel and its military allies shooting down most of them. Tehran said it was revenge for the alleged Israeli...
Some iPhone keyboards suggest Palestinian flag for Jerusalem

(JNS)  Typing Jerusalem on the current iPhone iOS 17.4.1 software in an emoji search returns a Palestinian flag icon if the phone is set to English (UK) but not when set to English (U.S.), JNS found on Wednesday.

The same thing happens on some Googles Android devices The Jewish Chronicle reported, citing a social media post by Rachel Riley, a British television presenter.

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, Riley w...
(JTA) - The celebrity chef behind the nonprofit whose aid workers were killed in an IDF strike on Tuesday is appealing to Israel, and the Jewish people, to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

In an op-ed published simultaneously Wednesday in Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper, and The New York Times, World Central Kitchen founder Jose Andres laments the killings and names the seven workers who died. He also calls on Israel to open land routes to deliver aid to hungry Gazans and says his organization's work in Israel after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack makes him confident that the current condi...
(JNS)  In January 1943, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill issued the Casablanca Declaration. It stated that the Allies goal was the unconditional surrender of the Axis powers. This was a statement of moral clarity and resolve for the ages.

In sharp contrast, President Joe Biden has now effectively demanded Israels unconditional surrender.

After the tragic accidental killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers by the IDF, Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded that Israel agree to an immediate ceasef...
(JNS)  It is appalling that Israels recent airstrike, accidentally killing seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen in Gaza who were bringing food to its besieged residents, has aroused as much international fury, if not more, as Hamass slaughter of 1,200 Israelis on Oct. 7 in the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust.

President Joe Biden has become the fickle leader of this anti-Israel assault. As the November election looms and his re-election prospect shows signs of fading, he is clinging desperately to the hope that he can persuade (or compel) Israeli Prime Minister Benja...
A giant panda eats bamboo this month at a zoo in Chongqing, China. Li Hongbo/Getty Images The orangutan exhibit at the San Francisco Zoo in March. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Visitors look at giraffes at the San Francisco Zoo in December 2020. Nick Otto/Special to the Chronicle 2020 Visitors enjoy the San Francisco Zoo in December 2020. Nick Otto/Special to the Chronicle 2020

In the latest chapter of the decades-long panda diplomacy between the U.S. and China, San Francisco is set to receive the rare animals for its zoo.

Mayor London Breed and Chinese authorities announced Thursday that the San Francisco Zoo will be sent giant pandas for the first time since a brief visit in the 1980s.

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Some question whether the zoo is ready for such high-profile inhabitants. In a recent Chronicle investigation, some zoo employees raised concerns about both animal welfare and worker safety at the zoo, which is owned by the city and run by the nonprofit San Francisco Zoological Society.

But Supervisor Myrna Melgar, whose district includes the zoo, said she would welcome pandas to the neighborhood. I definitely see the benefits for the zoo and for the city, Melgar said. I hope that the zoo puts its best foot forward.

Here are answers to questions raised by this news:

When might the pandas arrive in San Francisco?

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The memorandum of understanding states the bears will arrive next year. Breed gave no timeline for the arrival; the announcement said it depended on the completion of an enclosure for the animals at the zoo. San Francisco Zoo CEO and Executive Director Tanya Peterson told ABC News in February that it would take at least 18 months before the pandas would go on exhibit. The announcement said that preliminary planning has begun, with engineers from the Beijing Zoo visiting San Francisco this week to discuss the enclosures.

How many pandas will be coming?

The announcement stated that a pair will be sent to San Francisco.

Why do zoos and cities want pandas?

Pandas draw crowds.

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Theyre oversized plush toys, said Barbara Bodine, a former U.S. ambassador and director of Georgetown Universitys Institute for the Study of Diplomacy. Theyre absolutely adorable.

Before a panda pair at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., was returned to China in 2023, the Washington Post reported that more than 250,000 people visited during their last six weeks there  a 179% boost compared with the year before.

Alex Bastian, president and chief executive officer at the Hotel Council of San Francisco, said that adding pandas to the San Francisco Zoo would give tourists another unique experience and confirm San Franciscos status as an international city  a gateway to Asia and specifically China.

Are there pandas at other U.S. zoos?

Currently there are only four pandas in the United States, all at Zoo Atlanta in Georgia. The San Diego Zoo has reached an agreement with China to receive a pair as soon as this summer, according to the Associated Press.

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How many pandas are there in the world? How many are in zoos?

As of a 2014 census there were 1,864 giant pandas in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund, and its a number that China says makes them no longer an endangered species. They live mainly in temperate forests high in the mountains of southwest China and subsist almost entirely on bamboo. As of November, 23 zoos around the world had pandas on loan from China, according to CNN.

When has the San Francisco Zoo hosted pandas before?

In 1984, Yun-Yun and Ying-Xin from the Beijing Zoo visited the San Francisco zoo for about 2 months, boosting attendance by four times the usual amount, the Chronicle reported at the time. The pandas lived in a temporary spot in one of the zoos lion grotto exhibits. Chinese pandas made another brief visit to the zoo in 1985.

How much will it cost to host the pandas?

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No details were immediately provided on costs for San Francisco.

U.S. zoos must pay an annual fee to China to have the animals on loan. That cost has generally been $1 million per year, and China is supposed to use those funds on the animals conservation efforts, according to a 2022 report by the U.S. Congressional Research Service. Zoos typically have to hire animal care staff, including veterinarians, from China to accompany the pandas.

How much will it cost to build a panda exhibit?

Building a new facility for pandas at the zoo would cost an estimated $25 million, ABC News reported in a February interview with Peterson. That estimate came before the pandemic, so construction costs probably have increased.

How long might the pandas be in San Francisco?

China retains ownership of the animals and their offspring and can request they be returned.

Where would the money for construction and leasing the pandas come from?

Most of the zoos budget comes from ticket and retail sales, memberships and fundraising. Otherwise, the zoo receives $4 million per year from the city to help cover operating expenses. Mayor Breed has not announced whether the city would pitch in to cover the cost of the pandas.

What do zoo employees think about bringing in pandas?

Travis Shields, who was a zookeeper and assistant curator at the San Francisco Zoo until last year, said he does not know how the zoo can afford to bring in pandas when it faces difficulties maintaining its existing facilities and building new ones. For example, the zoo broke ground on an ambitious new Madagascar Center in 2018 that finally opened to the public last year but is not complete. Honestly, I dont know where that money would come from, because they struggle now to build new exhibits and complete them, Shields said.

Peterson could not immediately be reached for comment, but representatives of the zoo previously told the Chronicle that the zoo continuously works to update its exhibits.

What about parking and traffic after the pandas go on exhibit?

Parking and traffic could become more difficult in the neighborhood of the zoo with an increase in visitors. Another element that could be disruptive: The Great Highway along the western border of the zoo, south of Sloat Boulevard, will soon be permanently closed as part of a San Francisco Public Utilities Commission project to protect the coast from sea level rise. Construction is due to begin in late 2025.
(JNS)  Marking on Sunday six months since the Oct. 7 massacre, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened his weekly Cabinet meeting by listing what he called the considerable achievements of the war in Gaza.

We have eliminated 19 of Hamass 24 battalions, including senior commanders, he said. We have killed, wounded or captured a large number of Hamas terrorists. We have cleared out Shifa [Hospital in Gaza City] and other terrorist command centers.

He went on, We have destroyed rocket factories, command centers and weapons caches. And we are continuing to systematically destroy undergro...
(JNS)  Too many people in positions of power have all too conveniently forgotten what Israel is up against. And what we in the United States are up against, for that matter. Israel has been fighting a war of no choice. It is an existential war. It was forced upon Israel on Oct. 7, when the most brutal atrocities imaginablethe worst since the days of the Holocaustwere inflicted on Israelis.

Now that six months have passed since Oct. 7, its time to ask a few pointed questions: Has the world forgotten the babies who were decapitated and burned in ovens in front of their parents who had been t...
(JNS)  Can you see the hypocrisy? I see it all day, every day. Its hard to live in Israel, no matter how you feel about the war, and not see it. When you live in this region, its like the rest of the world is upside down. Its like youre looking at a bizarro universe that exists on a different planea universe so devoid of logic and morality that it no longer feels like your own.

The Israel Defense Forces made a monumental mistake. It was an error almost no one wanted. The accidental drone strike that killed seven World Central Kitchen humanitarian workers was nothing less than tragic. Eve...
PSEB 10th Result 2024 Live Updates: The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) has released marks sheets or scorecards of the Class 10 board exam today, April 19. The PSEB 10th result 2024 was released on April 18 and the scorecard download link has been made available today on pseb.ac.in and indiaresults.com....Read More

The Punjab board 10th scorecards can be checked with roll number or name of the candidate.

The PSEB 10th result 2024 was declared in a press conference, in which the Punjab board informed that 2,81,098 students appeared for the exam of whom 2,73,348 have qualified. The pass percentage is 97.24 per cent.

Gender-wise, the pass percentage of girls is 98.11 per cent and for boys, it is 96.47 per cent.

Follow this live blog for the PSEB 10th result 2024 direct link and other latest updates.
Giancarlo Esposito may be a familiar face and a seasoned actor, but he's had his share of financial struggles. On Jim and Sam Show, the actor said he was so broke in 2008 that he contemplated his own accidental murder so his family of four kids could claim the insurance money. (Also Read: This Professor X-Magneto fan-casting just got approved by Giancarlo Esposito) Breaking Bad actor Giancarlo Esposito said he once planned his own murder for insurance money

What Giancarlo said

My way out in my brain was: Hey, do you get life insurance if someone commits suicide? Do they get the bread? My wife had no idea why I was asking this stuff. I started scheming. If I got somebody to knock me off, death by misadventure, [my kids] would get the insurance. I had four kids. I wanted them to have a life. It was a hard moment in time. I literally thought of self-annihilation so they could survive. Thats how low I was," Giancarlo said.

However, he soon saw how that wasn't a wise solution. Then I started to think thats not viable because the pain I would cause them would be lifelong, and thered be lifelong trauma that would just extend the generational trauma Im trying to move away from. The light at the end of the tunnel was Breaking Bad, he added.

Taylor Swift is everywhere you look right now. Wonder what's the big deal about her? Read our special story, a primer on everything Swift.

About Giancarlo

The 65-year-old Esposito, a six-decade acting veteran who was first introduced to wide audiences through his work in Spike Lee Joints, is most recognised for his villainous, sinister roles like the iconic drug kingpin Gustavo Fring from Breaking Bad and its spinoff, Better Call Saul. More recently, hes appeared in popular series like The Mandalorian, Godfather of Harlem, The Boys, Kaleidoscope, and The Gentlemen.

He plays the lead role for the first time in the new show Parish. Based on the BBC One series The Driver, it follows Gracian Gray Parish, a New Orleans-based former getaway driver-turned successful law-abiding taxi entrepreneur whose life unravels after his sons murder. Facing financial hardships, he entangles himself with a local Zimbabwe gang that deals in human trafficking and ending that working relationship wont be easy.

He'll be next seen in the films Abigail, MaXXXine, Russo Brothers' sci-fi adventure The Electric State, Francis Ford Coppola's Megalapolis, and James Franco's The Long Home. He'll also star in Netflix mystery show The Residence.
Assembly Election 2024 highlights: People wait to cast their votes for Lok Sabha elections, at Gyalshing Bazer West Sikkim under Gyalshing Bermiok AC on April 19.

Assembly Election 2024 highlights: Voting for the 92 assembly seats in the state elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim concluded today. Polling began at 7 am and ended at 6 pm, according to the Election Commission of India. The results will be announced on June 2. Full 2024 Lok Sabha election coverage here. ...Read More

The voting for the 60-member Assembly seats in Arunachal and 32 seats in Sikkim were being held simultaneously with the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. While Arunachal voted for two Lok Sabha seats, Sikkim casted votes for its lone parliamentary seat. Follow Lok Sabha Election 2024 Voting LIVE here.

In Arunachal Pradesh, where infrastructure and border area development are seen as major poll issues, 8,92,694 voters marked the fates of 133 candidates contesting in the 50 assembly seats and 14 in the two Lok Sabha seats.

Union minister Kiren Rijiju is contesting against former Congress chief minister Nabam Tuki in Arunachal West Lok Sabha seat.

Also Read | Lok Sabha elections: What does the NDA-INDIA contest look like in Phase 1?

In Sikkim, chief minister and SKM supremo Prem Singh Tamang, former CM and SDF chief Pawan Kumar Chamling were among the 146 candidates in fray for the assembly seats. An estimated 4.64 lakh electorate, comprising 2,32,381 male voters and 2,31,545 female were eligible to exercise their franchise in the state.

More on the Assembly elections:
Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha election highlights: Officials at a polling station during the first phase of voting for national elections in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha election highlights: In addition to 20 other states and Union Territories, voting concluded for Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu on Friday, marking the commencement of the general election's first phase. A range of political figures and notable personalities voted for the Lok Sabha polls at various polling stations throughout Tamil Nadu on Friday....Read More

Follow LIVE updates on Lok Sabha election 2024 voting

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi cast his ballot at a local polling station, joined by chief minister MK Stalin, former chief ministers O Panneerselvam and Edappadi K Palaniswami, and various political leaders. Ravi and Stalin encouraged citizens to participate enthusiastically and fulfil their democratic responsibility.

Stalin, accompanied by his wife Durga Stalin, DMK leader Kanimozhi (running in Thoothukudi), and BJP leaders L Murugan (contestant in Nilgiris) and Tamilisai Soundararajan (South Chennai candidate), also voted in the same area.

The seven-phase electoral process began at 7 am in 102 parliamentary constituencies in 21 states and Union Territories, with voting continuing until 6pm.

Political parties in fray

The parliamentary elections in Tamil Nadu will see competition between the ruling DMK, opposition AIADMK, and BJP. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, led by current Chief Minister M K Stalin, the DMK secured a sweeping victory, winning 38 out of 39 seats.

Approximately 6.23 crore voters in Tamil Nadu will determine the fate of 950 candidates by casting their votes across nearly 68,000 polling stations today.

Scroll down for the latest updates on TN Lok Sabha election
Macys Inc. announced in February that it would close its flagship store near Union Square in San Francisco. Mayor London Breed and others at City Hall are hoping to change company leaders minds. Benjamin Fanjoy/The Chronicle

San Francisco officials are working to convince Macys to remain in its 400,000-square-foot flagship Union Square location longer than is planned.

The Mayor had a conversation with the CEO of Macys last Friday and we are continuing to talk with them about the future of the site, Jeff Cretan, Mayor London Breeds communications director, confirmed to the Chronicle on Friday.

The talks follow a letter sent by Breed  who is finishing up a weeklong trip to China to improve economic relations  to Macys CEO Tony Spring on April 2, in which Breed shared recently announced initiatives to create a more vibrant downtown through a mix of financial incentives, regulatory streamlining and investments in public safety. The letter requested a partnership with the retailer to ensure a mutually beneficial outcome for the Union Square district and the citys labor force.

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Macys announced in February that it plans to shutter its last remaining San Francisco outpost in the coming years amid a major restructuring effort that involves a total of 150 store closures across the country. The news stoked concerns about the future of Union Square, the citys premier shopping district, which has been in flux.

Retail vacancy in the area passed 20% at the start of the year, compared with roughly 8% citywide, as more than 30 retailers have exited their downtown locations since the start of the pandemic.

Macys confirmed in February that it is working to sell its huge building at 170 OFarrell St., but would keep the store running through at least 2025.

It is of paramount importance to me that a significant retail presence is maintained at Macys Union Square flagship store prior to and continuing through any redevelopment or change in ownership, Breed said in her letter.

Breed also said that she is willing to work with Macys and any potential new owner and/or retail occupant on strategies, incentives, and concessions to achieve that goal.

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Breed provided a list of examples of tools that the city has previously used to stimulate economic activity, including tax and height and bulk incentives, and expanding the uses allowed for downtown properties.

San Francisco has a long and successful track record of creative public-private partnerships to successfully reuse a large number of significant real estate assets around the city, Breed said, pointing to the transformation of the citys Ferry Building at the waterfront into an iconic food and retail destination and the near complete transformation of Mission Bay into office, housing and retail, as well as the soon to be approved redevelopment of Stonestown Mall into a new neighborhood with shops and housing.

While I know Union Square must evolve, I believe that Macys can still be a part of that evolution, Breed said, adding that the city is committed to partnering with the retailer to help it continue on-site.

Macys did not immediately respond to a message Friday seeking comment on Breeds letter and conversation last week, but a source familiar with the matter told the Chronicle that Macys is committed to maintaining open communications with the city.

Other San Francisco leaders are also hopeful that theres a chance that the retailer, which has been rooted in Union Square since 1947, might stay a bit longer.

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There is a glimmer of hope, said Board of Supervisors President and mayoral candidate Aaron Peskin.

Obviously this situation is not unique to San Francisco. This is 150 stores across America, Peskin said. And we are putting San Franciscos best foot forward as to why the flagship store at Union Square should be treated differently than the other 149 closures that they are contemplating from coast to coast.

Peskin did not reveal additional details on the status of the communications between the company and Breed, but said that there are any number of possibilities in terms of what Macys continued operations in Union Square could look like.

I dont want to put words in their mouth, but it could involve a smaller footprint, a later closing date  it is to be determined, he said.

A panel discussion Thursday evening at Mannys, and hosted by the Chronicle, focused on the revitalization of the Union Square area in light of the growing retail vacancies. Panelists, including city representatives and real estate market participants, said they were interested in maintaining the areas status as a retail destination, but spoke of an obvious need to evolve the areas offerings in response to changing retail trends. Peskin agreed.

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I think thats right  Union Square is still the high-end retail destination zone of a great American city and theres a place for that, Peskin said. And lets be real  the price point is going to come down and that is going to be attractive, if the real estate market really is a function of supply and demand.

But that should not be at the exclusion of making Union Square a vital neighborhood by capitalizing on every opportunity for residential conversions, or new housing in the area, he said.

Peskin said that one of Union Squares pitfalls in the wake of the pandemic has been that the area has never been a 24-hour neighborhood.

It has not been a destination restaurant area. It has not been a nightlife area, and including more residential would help make it a real neighborhood.

While the city has yet to put forward big ideas on how to reactivate the Macys building should the retailer pull out next year, Peskin said he sees an opportunity to bring a cable car museum to a location down the street from Union Square on Powell Street.

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Theres something brewing in the whisky aisle. Join us as we decant.

Until about 15 years ago, the worlds largest whisky market (because thats what we are) relied on imports for its single-malt tipple. Today, the awards are flowing in for homegrown brands, and India is drinking premium whiskies that dont just shout that theyre Indian, they explain why that counts. (Read on to see how the climate and the barley here can actually make single-malts richer.)

Fifteen years is what it has taken, to move the needle.

Indian whisky used to be equated with molasses, says author and columnist Vir Sanghvi. It was traditionally made by taking a neutral spirit (raw alcohol) made from a variety of sources  sugarcane and molasses in legend, but more likely rice these days  to which was added some kind of whisky flavouring, perhaps a real malt whisky. This was rarely aged for as long as Scotch, which is aged for at least three years, and usually for eight to 15. And so, when it hit the market, it was never as good as Scotch. But it was much, much cheaper.

This was the stuff one drank in secret, as it were; when guests came over, one fished out an imported bottle. Because whisky has always been aspirational. It became popular in colonial India, among Indians looking to mirror the habits of the ruling British elite.

The whisky made by early Indian distilleries such as Piccadily in Punjab and Rampur in Uttar Pradesh were sought-after for their price, not their aged excellence, and so they used a mix of local grains and imported single-malt to produce blended whisky, light in flavour and impact.

All that changed with the launch of the Amrut single-malt in India, in 2010. Amrut Distilleries was already more than 60 years old at this point, but neither the brand nor indeed India had ever produced a single-malt: a pure, aged, rich whisky made from just barley.

In a perceptive move, this single-malt was first launched in Scotland, in 2004. By the time it came to India six years later, it was aspirational in an entirely new way.

It was unabashedly Indian (Amrut is Hindi for Food of the Gods). It was a recognised name overseas. It was winning awards, and thus certifiably good.

It was the whisky a younger, wealthier, post-liberalisation India had been waiting for. And it sparked a homegrown single-malt movement.

In 2012, John Distilleries, founded in 1996, launched Paul John. Rampur launched its eponymous version in 2016. The Indian arm of the British multinational Diageo launched an Indian-made Godawan (the Hindi name for the endangered Great Indian Bustard) in 2021; Piccadily launched Indri the same year. GianChand, founded in 1961, released its single-malt in 2022.

Indian brands now account for about 53% of total single-malt sales in the country, according to 2023 data from the Confederation of Indian Alcoholic Beverage Companies.

To us

It turns out, India has some unique advantages when it comes to single-malt production.

The climate affects both the barley and the ageing process in positive ways, allowing whiskies to age faster and emerge richer, says Sandeep Arora, whisky connoisseur, consultant, entrepreneur, and consulting editor at Whisky Magazine, UK.

In the northern plains of India, the temperature oscillates between zero degrees Celsius in winter and 50 degrees Celsius in summer, with just two months of rain and 10 months of dry weather. This extreme temperature makes the pores of a wooden cask expand and contract exponentially, making the interaction between the wood and whisky much more pronounced, thereby imparting far more flavours to the liquid in a short period of time, says Siddhartha Sharma, CEO of Piccadily, whose Indri Dru variant won Best Indian Single Malt at the World Whiskies Awards this year.

The indigenous six-row barley has a higher protein content and a more robust husk than the two-row barley grown in Scotland and Japan (another major producer), says Vikram Damodaran, chief innovation officer with Diageo India. This means that the Indian whisky has to go through extra layers of filtration, which result in less volume but a higher concentration of flavours.

Whats the story?

We still need to find the narratives to go with the brands.

Stories have shaped premium single-malt brands worldwide. Scotlands Glenmorangie prides itself on having one of the best distillers in the world. Japans Yamazaki boasts of using the countrys purest water. Glenlivet, the prestigious single-malt from Scotland, has an identity rooted in the unlawful distillation. It owes its smooth texture, the story goes, to the large copper pot stills it uses for distillation and maturation, which still resemble lanterns.

Beyond the barley and the climate, India is still finding its stories. Godawan, for instance, is made in Rajasthan and is working to revive ancient distillation processes there, including the slow-trickle method once used to make herbal liqueurs from spices such as saffron and cardamom, and flowers such as the rose.

The narratives will become vital as this massive market begins to draw a fresh wave of global attention.

Already, international giants are launching Indian-made brands. Godawan was an early mover. Last year, the French giant Pernod Ricard launched the made-in-Nashik Longitude 77 (named for the meridian that runs the length of India). Foreign brands are launching Indian-made blended whiskies too.

What we are seeing is the beginning of a genuine domestic whisky-making culture, says Sanghvi. It will have an artisanal luxury segment, such as the small-production Diageo whiskies, as well as more mass-focused brands. And it will have different terroirs, just as Scotland has distinctive malts from different regions.

Watch out for subtle notes of struggle, in the next few pours.
As the International Space Station (ISS) inches towards retirement, our final frontier is moving out, says Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (one of the largest astronomical research institutes in the world).

The Moon and Mars, and the outer solar system, are the new two-tiered frontier for human and robotic space exploration. Living, working and experimenting on ISS has given us the confidence to survive in space, to venture beyond Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). And by the time the ISS retires, LEO will just be another place where humans hang out, he adds

As it happens, the decommissioning of the space station comes at a time when the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)  which oversaw its installation and will oversee its deorbiting  is readying for a new age in which its role will be vastly altered. NASA is already signing deals as a facilitator in the growing commercial space-exploration economy.

The American company Axiom has finalised a contract that will allow it to attach at least one habitable commercial module to ISS by 2026. There will eventually be four such units. After ISSs retirement, the modules will coalesce and become the Axiom Station.

NASA has meanwhile signed agreements with US-based companies such as Blue Origin, Nanoracks and Northrop Grumman, to help design and build independent commercial space stations and space destinations.

The agency is committed to continuing to work with industry with the goal of having one or more stations in orbit to ensure competition, lower costs, and meet the demand of NASA and other customers, Angela Hart, manager of NASAs Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program, said in January.

Why must ISS go?

It was only meant to serve for 15 years but, as with so much space technology, has exceeded expectations to last nearly 26. It would have been nice to leave ISS out there, like an in-orbit museum, but it would disintegrate and become dangerous, says McDowell. It would become steadily more battered, unstable and out of control.

Disposing it is expected to cost about $1 billion, in a delicate operation that will stretch over months.

To begin with, the space station will slowly be allowed to lose altitude. At about 200 miles above Earths surface, a special deorbit vehicle will attach itself and provide the final pull. ISS will then be guided towards a remote point in the Pacific Ocean, at a pace that will allow as much of the space station to burn away on re-entry as possible.

Nothing this big has ever re-entered (or exited) the atmosphere. But based on the re-entry of two other space stations, the Russian Mir in 2001 and NASAs Skylab in 1979 (ISS is four to five times larger than these), the space agency expects the skin of the modules to blaze away first, leading the internal hardware to rapidly melt. What is most likely to survive re-entry are denser, heat-resistant components such as the scaffolding or truss sections.

Where will it go?

Space debris of this kind is typically guided to a specific remote point in the Pacific Ocean called Point Nemo, or the Oceanic Pole of Inaccessibility (because it is one of the furthest points from land; there is another in the Indian Ocean).

Nicknamed the Space Cemetery, Point Nemo sits about 2,700 km from New Zealand to the west, South America to the east and Antarctica to the south.

Bits of titanium, stainless steel, aluminium and parts containing cryogenic fuel are usually what make it to the ocean floor in this freezing stretch, says space archaeologist Alice Gorman, an associate professor at Flinders University in Adelaide. Because of its depth and remoteness, there is little to no data on what happens to these remains, or on the impact on marine life here.

But it neednt be all bad news. Many shipwrecks end up fostering rich marine communities, Gorman says. Could these rocket bodies turn into habitats for sea creatures? I like to hope they can.

Onward

NASA, meanwhile, is already at work on its next. Gateway will be humanitys first lunar-orbit space station. It will reportedly be crucial to the exploration of the lunar South Pole. Assembly is expected to begin in 2028.

Gateway will make it easier to plan NASAs upcoming Artemis series of crewed orbiter and lander missions, McDowell says. After that, its Mars and the outer solar system.

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FRONTIER LEAGUE: A timeline of space stations before ISS

What came before the International Space Station? The answer is: quite a lot. ISS is about 25 years old, but weve had space stations for more than half a century. Who got there first? How did a space race end in Tranquillity? Take a look.

* Early musings: The idea of space stations can be traced, rather incredibly, to the mid-1800s. Thats when astronomers and physicists first began asking: Could humans get something to orbit Earth in the same way that the planets glide around the Sun?

In Russia, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, called the father of modern space-flight, drew an outline for a space station with a rotating section to generate artificial gravity. Such a station could be used to investigate Earth and refuel ships proceeding to other destinations, such as the moon, writes Jay Chladek, in his 2017 book Outposts on the Frontier: A Fifty-Year History of Space Stations.

The German aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun, who worked with the Nazis during the war and became an American citizen after it, wrote in 1951 of an idea to send humans to Mars by using a space station as an assembly point for an interplanetary vessel. Development of the space station is as inevitable as the rising of the sun; man has already poked his nose into space and he is not likely to pull it back, he wrote, in 1952.

The MOL test flight carried out in 1966. (Courtesy US Air Force)

* MOL beginnings: When NASA was founded in 1958, it took over space exploration, which had until then been led by the US Air Force. But, amid the Cold War, the US military wasnt taking its eye off the skies.

Plans took shape for a Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL), a series of 60-ft-long space stations in low-Earth orbit, to be occupied by two-man crews and built for military reconnaissance. Pilots were selected. A test flight was carried out in 1966. Then, amid budget cuts as the Vietnam War dragged on, and amid a fast-approaching 1969 deadline for a first manned mission to the Moon (by NASA), the project was abruptly ended.

Some of the spacesuits and waste-management designs would live on, when the US did launch its first space station, Skylab (1973-74). But first

* A Soviet Salyut: In many ways, Almaz (Russian for Diamond) was the Soviet Unions response to MOL. It was the brainchild of pioneering Soviet rocket scientist Vladimir Chelomei.

Almaz was a codename; it was officially the Orbital Piloted Station (OPS). The space station was conceived, in 1964, as a three-man orbiter that would gather intelligence with the help of a telescopic camera system and reconnaissance equipment.

Then the Apollo 11 landed on the moon. The Soviet government wanted to give Russia something as thrilling to celebrate. So, in 1970, the USSR announced that it would build a civilian or research-focused space station.

Salyut (Russian for Greetings) was launched in 1971. The worlds first space station was 66 ft long, or about the size of a large swimming pool.

A series of Salyuts would be sent into space over the years. The final one, Salyut 7, was launched in 1982. It held plant cultivator experiments, materials-processing furnaces, a treadmill and a bicycle that could read the users heart rate and other vital signs.

Skylab was a two-level orbital workshop made from a converted Saturn V launch vehicle. (NASA)

* Skylab: By 1965, NASA was having a bit of an identity crisis. It was clear by now that a lunar landing was well within reach. But after that, what? How would the US cement its status as a leader in space exploration?

There were calls for the organisation to devote more resources to unmanned missions and scientific research. There were also calls for it to justify and reduce its massive budgets. At the same time, NASA engineers in Alabama were looking at ways to use spent Saturn rockets. If they were left in orbit, could they be turned into a space lab that could be gradually expanded?

This seemed like an economical way to compete with the Soviet Union, which already had its Salyut in the skies.

And so it was that Skylab  a two-level orbital workshop made from a converted Saturn V launch vehicle  came about. It began the trend of student-suggested science experiments, which continue at ISS today. A key early one: could spiders spin webs in zero-gravity? It turns out they can.

Mir, launched in February 1986, was occupied for more than a decade. (Wikimedia Commons)

* Mir:By the end of Salyut 7s run, the world was a different place. Mikhail Gorbachev had taken the reins in a post-Cold War Russia. Peace was on the cards. Russias new space station, accordingly, launched in February 1986, was named Mir (Russian for Tranquillity).

Mir would be occupied for over a decade, visited by astronauts from Syria, Bulgaria, Afghanistan, France, Germany, Austria and Slovakia. An American astronaut visited in 1992. As it became clear that the two giants of space exploration could work together, a new plan took shape.

In 1993, the two countries announced plans for a revolutionary project that would be called, simply, the International Space Station.
On 31 October 2000 the first ISS crew was ready to lift off from Baikonur aboard Soyuz TM- 31. As with other important firsts, the launch would take place from the same R-7 rocket launchpad that had been used by Sputnik and Yuri Gagarins Vostok flight. The commander of ISS Expedition 1 was American Bill Shepherd. Accompanying him would be Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko, who were both Mir veterans. Compared to the body of experience both Russian cosmonauts had, Bill Shepherds accumulated time in orbit among three shuttle missions was only just over two weeks. The Russian managers on the ground were a bit concerned about that, but the crew themselves managed to integrate with no problems. The three men were a team.

Bill Shepherds path to spaceflight was somewhat unusual. Shepherd was a graduate of the Naval Academy and earned a degree in aerospace engineering, but rather than taking on pilot training or some other field related to aircraft, Bill instead decided to take on the intense training required to become a Navy seal. The seals are the U.S. Navys special forces arm, and the training required has a very high dropout rate compared to most of the special forces of other U.S. military branches. Even if a seal trainee can handle the mental pressures, sometimes their bodies can give out physically, and it might take more than one attempt to get through all levels of training successfully. Bill Shepherd succeeded and joined the elite seal ranks in the early 1970s, while also earning an ocean engineering degree from MIT in 1978. Shepherd joined NASAs astronaut ranks in 1984 after three tries. His SEAL training became unexpectedly useful as he was involved in salvage operations off the coast of Florida to recover debris from the destruction of the space shuttle Challenger in 1986. His first mission into space was on STS-27 in 1988, which deployed a classified satellite payload for the DOD. On that mission, Shepherd gained a reputation as a fun-loving practical joker, according to the book Riding Rockets, written by fellow STS-27 astronaut Mike Mullane. On that flight, Shepherd let a piece of breakfast sausage loose in the cabin and had the other crewmembers believing it was a piece of fecal material from an apparent malfunction of the shuttles toilet before realizing theyd been had.

Shepherd gained a reputation as a capable astronaut during the next decade as he was assigned management jobs in NASAs space station program in 1993 to try, as he described it, to bring order to what had been eight years of chaos. As Shepherd described the ISS situation in those days, the problems werent with the astronauts, cosmonauts, or engineers in both programs but rather with the higher echelons of management and at the political level. Due to his hard work on the ISS, he was the choice among some members of NASAs management to become the first astronaut to visit Mir, but Norm Thagard was chosen instead. Still, Shepherd became a natural choice when he was selected by NASA to become the first commander of the ISS.

During his training in Star City, Shepherd started a new tradition by creating a bar in the basement of one of the American-owned duplexes. Known today as Sheps Bar, it provided a nice place for training-station crewmembers of all nationalities to unwind in a casual yet somewhat private setting. More than just a place to drink, the bar has a jukebox, a piano, a billiard table, and several benches. The bar is still used to this day, even though Bill Shepherd himself has long since retired from NASA.

By the time Expedition 1 launched, the crew had been training together for about five years. After launch and a little over two days in orbit spent catching up with the station, the crew docked Soyuz TM-31 successfully. The crew entered the station, and on the early morning of 2 November 2000, the ISS was occupied. From that point on, except for brief periods when crewmembers would transfer a Soyuz craft to a different docking port, the ISS would be manned continuously.

The first month was very busy, and the crew spent it unpacking and activating equipment. Shepherd commented during a space-to-ground interview that the biggest challenge for him was packing thirty hours of work into an eighteen-hour day. The crew communicated with one another speaking half-English and half-Russian, sometimes with both languages in a sentence in a form Shepherd called Rusglish. Krikalev was a fluent English speaker, and Gidzenko was not far behind, while Shepherd did his part to keep his own Russian-language skills current. All communications with controllers at the TSUP were done in Russian. Each crewmember had their assigned tasks in orbit and sometimes didnt get to work in the same areas of the station, but each day at mealtimes, they all tried to eat together in order to share stories and keep each other updated as to the status of things.

Not long after arriving at the ISS, the crew came to a decision regarding the name of the station. Naming the ISS had been a point of political contention for several years. In NASA circles, it was known as Freedom and later Alpha, while the Russians had their own ideas for what to call it. The name International Space Station is rather cumbersome to say in Russian, so Shepherd used his privilege as Expedition 1 commander to give the station the radio call sign Alpha, which is the name of the first letter in the Greek alphabet. While it wouldnt officially become the name of the ISS, it was at least a start, and the station was known as Alpha during Expedition 1s stay.

(Excerpted with permission from Outposts on the Frontier: A Fifty-Year History of Space Stations, by Jay Chladek, published by University of Nebraska Press; 2017)
Israel launched missile attacks on Iran's Isfahan on early Friday morning, April 19, less than a week after Tehrans rocket and drone barrage, according to US officials. ABC and CBS News reported the strikes early Friday Mideast time, quoting US officials. There was no immediate comment from the White House or Pentagon. Israeli soldiers at an Iron Dome anti-missile battery site near the Gaza border in southern Israel on April 17, 2024.(Bloomberg)

Iran, however, said it shot down several drones and that there had been no missile attack for now on the country after explosions were heard near the central city of Isfahan. Follow Live Updates on Iran-Israel news

The BBC reported that explosions were reported in Isfahan, about four hours drive or 350km south of Iran's capital Tehran. Isfahan is home to a major military air base and several Iranian nuclear sites are in the province- including the city of Natanz, a center piece of Irans uranium enrichment programme, the BBC added.

It remained unclear if the country was under attack, as no Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility and Israel's military did not respond to a request for comment. However, tensions have remained high in the days since the early Saturday assault on Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and its own strikes targeting Iran in Syria.

Iran-Israel war: What we know so far
Iran Israel News Live: On Friday, the US embassy in Israel instructed its employees and their families to "restrict their movements" following reports of an Israeli strike inside Iran.

Iran Israel News highlights: Israeli missiles targeted a site in Iran following recent Iranian drone and missile attacks, believed to be in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on Iran's embassy in Syria, according to media reports. Iran's Fars news agency reported three explosions near the Shekari army airbase in Isfahan province's northwest. Hossein Dalirian, spokesman for Iran's space agency, confirmed the downing of several drones and clarified that there had been no missile attack for now....Read More

A US official, speaking anonymously to CNN, said that the Israeli strike inside Iran did not target nuclear facilities. Iran's Tasnim news agency assured that the nuclear facilities in Isfahan province are completely secure. Additionally, Tasnim, citing informed sources, Iran rejected claims of an attack from abroad.

Here's what happened today

- On early Friday morning, Iran reportedly fired air defence systems after explosions were heard near Isfahan, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. The situation remained unclear regarding whether the country was under attack.

- However, tensions in the broader Middle East remained heightened following Iran's unprecedented missile and drone assault on Israel. Speculation arose suggesting potential drone-targeted sites, as indicated by a government official.

- An Iranian news agency said the defences fired across several provinces. It did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire, though people across the area reported hearing the sounds.

- The semi-official Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported hearing blasts but did not specify the cause. State television confirmed the presence of "loud noise" in the vicinity.

- Dubai-based airlines Emirates and FlyDubai altered their flight paths to avoid western Iran around 4.30 am local time, although they did not explain. However, local aviation advisories suggested that the airspace might have been closed.

- According to the Associated Press, Iran subsequently suspended commercial flights in Tehran and parts of its western and central regions. At Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, customers were reportedly informed about the incident via loudspeakers, as depicted in online videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scroll down for all the latest updates
Sino-American non-governmental culture exchange activities commemorating the 82nd Anniversary of the Great Rescue of Doolittle Raid with the theme "Let the friendship forged by blood and flame be passed down from generation to generation" took place in the Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid at No. 9 Shuiting Street, Kecheng District, Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province between April 17 and 19. "There is a Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou, Zhejiang. The descendants of the American soldiers who were rescued that year often come here to pay tribute to the righteous and courageous Chinese people." On November 15, 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech at the joint welcome banquet hold by American friendly organizations in San Francisco, specifically talking about the story of Chinese soldiers and civilians bravely rescuing American pilots during the Anti-Japanese War and the descendants of rescued American soldiers returning to the Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou. After the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on April 18, 1942, 80 pilots such as Lieutenant Colonel Doolittle of the United States flew 16 modified B-25 "Mitchell" bombers to attack Japan. Due to problems such as insufficient fuel on the way back, the pilots abandoned their planes to jump over China, where the Chinese military and civilians bravely rescued them. As a result, the Japanese army launched the Battle of Zhejiang and Jiangxi, killing 250,000 Chinese civilians. Since the 1990s, the pilots that are still alive of the "Doolittle Raiders Association" as well as the pilot descendants from the Association "Children of Doolittle Raiders" have returned to China many times to search for the rescuers. On the morning of April 17, Susan Ozuk, the daughter of navigator of the plane No. 3, Ozuk, once again came to the depths of the mountains in Zhangcun Township, Jiangshan City, Quzhou, and revisited the rammed earth room located at "Xiaonankengkou No. 3". Eighty-two years ago, the villager Liao Shiyuan's family took good care of her father here. In 2018, she donated $15,000 to renovate the old house. Since 2016, the Association Children of Doolittle Raiders has set up scholarships in Quzhou Second Middle School and organized English essay competitions around the "Doolittle Raid" for many times, sowing the seeds of peace-loving in the hearts of young students. On campus, a "friendship tree" jointly planted by Sino-American friends in September 2015 has been leafy and vibrant, and the stone tablet beside the tree is engraved with the message - "Succeeding the Doolittle Raid, a memorial to the legend and a new page in the Chinese-US friendship". Tracing Doolittle .

Sino-American Non-governmental Culture Exchange Activities Commemorating the 82nd Anniversary of the Great Rescue of Doolittle Raid Launched in Quzhou
An Alabama man who killed a young child in a horrific case that shocked even hardened law enforcement officials has been sentenced to death.

Jeremy Williams was convicted of kidnapping, rape and murder in connection with the death of 5-year-old Kamarie Holland on December 13, 2021.

He had paid the child's mother, Kristy Siple, $2,500 in exchange for sexual acts with the child. He then tortured and killed the girl.

Siple pleaded guilty to sex trafficking last month in connection with the case.

The case was very disturbing and difficult for the jury because of the audio and video evidence of the crimes found on Williams' phone.

"You shouldn't see a child like that," Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey said to WTVM-TV. "No human should have to go through what she did."

At the sentencing, Kamarie's father addressed Williams.

"You don't deserve life yourself," Corey Holland Sr. said, according to the Ledge-Enquirer.

He also read a statement from Kamarie's grandmother that read: "What kind of demonic creature are you?"

The Russell County Sheriff's Office said the investigation and prosecution of this case were extremely difficult for all due to the graphic and disturbing evidence.

"Evil, I don't think is enough. Monster, I don't think is enough," Chancey said. "You never expect to see what you're going to see and what I saw is hard to put into words."
A US official confirmed that Israel did retaliate against Iran almost a week after Tehran launched a salvo of missiles and drones against the Jewish State.

The official, who has not been named, told ABC News late Thursday, April 18, that explosions were reported across Iran and even Iraq and Syria. Still, it could not be independently verified if connected to a counterstrike.

Iranian news agencies revealed that explosions were heard near an airbase in Isfahan, where the country's F-14 Tomcats are located, but say that the nuclear facilities in the area were unharmed.

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, IAEA, also confirmed that Isfahan's nuclear facilities remain undamaged.

"IAEA can confirm that there is no damage to Iran's nuclear sites," the IAEA wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "[IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi] continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely."

"[T]hree drones were observed in the sky over Isfahan," the country's state TV reported shortly after midnight, local time. The air defense system became active and destroyed these drones in the sky."

State TV also quoted senior army commander Siavosh Mihandoust as saying air defense systems had targeted a "suspicious object."

Prior to the attack, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned Israel that Tehran would deliver a "severe response" to any attack on its territory.

Iranian officials have since told Reuters they have no plans for immediate retaliation as they are still verifying who launched the attack.

On the other hand, Israeli officials have also warned the US that it intended to attack Iran in the next 24 to 48 hours, The Times of Israel reported.

It could be recalled that Iran launched around 300 missiles and drones against Israel. Still, most of it was negated by its Iron Dome system and military assets from its allies, particularly the US, the UK, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials earlier reported that they would take action after the Jewish feast of Passover despite multiple efforts from allies discouraging it from retaliating.

At the same time, several US politicians from the Republican Party defended Israel's "right to defend itself," calling for the country to expand its support for the Jewish State.

US Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) told Fox News Digital that Israel had a "right and obligation to respond" and blamed the recent attacks on President Joe Biden's handling of foreign policy in the region.

"The scope of Israel's action tonight shows just how far Iran's reach has extended across the region. Iran's advances should worry every American, because when Iran's leaders chant 'Death to Israel' they also chant 'Death to America,'" he said.

"Iran launched a massive attack and act of war against Israel. That attack was enabled because Joe Biden and Biden officials dismantled pressure on the Ayatollah."

In addition, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) chimed in, claiming on X that "Israel has the ability to conduct strikes against targets inside Iran without entering Iranian air space from aircraft over Syrian and Iraqi airspace."

Over on the House side, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) also defended Israel's reported attack, saying that "[w]isdom must be displayed" and that a "broadening regional war is in the best interest of no Middle Eastern country - or the United States."

"Iran and its proxies have mounted attacks against Israel for years, and under the Biden administration's foreign policy, things have only escalated," he wrote on X. "Israel has a right to defend itself against Iran's full network of evil."



This is a developing story. Please follow HNGN for more updates.
The United States has vetoed a resolution from the United Nations Security Council to recognize a Palestinian state in a vote on Thursday (Apr. 18).

The council's draft resolution - which recommended to the 193-member UN General Assembly that "the State of Palestine be admitted to membership" of the UN - also garnered 12 votes for and two abstentions from the UK and Switzerland.

"The United States continues to strongly support a two-state solution," US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood told the council. "This vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood, but instead is an acknowledgment that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties."

According to State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel, Washington's veto was due to Hamas "currently exerting power and influence in Gaza which will be an integral part of the individual state in this resolution."

Reuters reported that the proponents of the resolution expressed their frustration with the US.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the US veto as "unfair, unethical, and unjustified."

"The fact that this resolution did not pass will not break our will and it will not defeat our determination," Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyan Mansour told the council after the vote. "We will not stop in our effort."

The Palestinian push for full UN membership from its current observer role came six months into a war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza and the Israeli effort to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the UN considered to be illegal.

On the other hand, Israeli officials commended the US for casting its veto, such as Foreign Minister Israel Katz, while condemning the other council members for voting in favor.

"It's very sad because your vote will only embolden Palestinian rejectionism even more and make peace almost impossible," Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan told council members who voted in favor of the draft resolution.

Meanwhile, British Ambassador to the UN Barbara Woodward explained that her country's abstention was because the recognition of Palestinian statehood "should not come at the start of a new process, but it doesn't have to be at the very end of the process."

"We must start with fixing the immediate crisis in Gaza," she added.
Waymo says its driverless robotaxis currently will not be operating on Bay Area freeways without a driver. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle 2023

Six Waymo robotaxis ensnared traffic on a Highway 101 on-ramp in San Francisco on Tuesday night, according to video accounts posted on Reddit.

The incident happened at the southbound Highway 101 on-ramp on the southern end of Potrero Avenue, where the corridor splinters into a freeway on-ramp to the right and an on-ramp that transitions to Bayshore Boulevard on the left lane. The Bayshore on-ramp was blocked off by traffic cones.

According to Waymo, the incident, which took place around 9:30 p.m., involved a driverless Waymo vehicle en route to the companys San Francisco depot as the vehicle approached the on-ramps.

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But, rather than proceed toward the freeway, the Waymo vehicle stopped and pulled over, blocking other vehicles from entering the freeway.

The reason? The company is testing its robotaxis on Bay Area freeways only with a human driver present, and the vehicles are programmed to avoid driving on freeways if they dont have a backup driver behind the wheel.

The Waymo Driver pulled over to a safe location, out of the traffic lane in an area blocked by cones, the company said in an email. Other vehicles, both human and autonomously driven, followed the Waymo vehicle into the road closure. Waymos Roadside Assistance team was immediately dispatched to swiftly help the vehicles back on their way and Waymos fleet was informed to use an alternative route.

Waymo is allowed to deploy its autonomous vehicles on freeways in San Francisco and on the Peninsula for commercial driverless ride-hailing. The company, though, says that its deploying its robotaxis on freeways only for testing purposes with a human backup driver present and without passengers  for now.

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Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning (Apr. 19) near the city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which Iranian authorities claim were part of Israel's retaliation over Tehran's unprecedented attack last week.

While no Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility that Israel attacked, and the Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment, tensions have been high since the Saturday assault on Israel amid its war on Hamas in Gaza and its own strikes targeting Iran in Syria, the Associated Press reported.

US officials declined to comment as of early Friday, but American broadcast networks quoted unnamed US officials saying that Israel carried out the attack.

The New York Times quoted anonymous Israeli officials claiming the assault, which came on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 85th birthday. Israeli politicians also made comments hinting that the country had launched an attack.

"The explosion this morning in the sky of Isfahan was related to the shooting of air defense systems at a suspicious object that did not cause any damage," Iranian army commander Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi said.

It could not be independently verified what kind of drone flew over Iran.
Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper warned that Israel's strikes in Iran have rocketed the two countries into an elevated level of tension, and that an escalation in fighting will be "harder and harder to control."

Clapper, who served in his post in President Barack Obama's White House, told CNN Thursday evening that the assumption was Iran and Israel are "attacking each other in the hopes of messaging each other, and that somehow these attacks are circumscribed and limited to convey a message."

But, he added: "I think we're rapidly growing out of that phase, and that the escalation ladder is going to get harder and harder to control, and that the messaging phase is perhaps over."

Clapper said he takes Iranian officials, "notably the foreign minister, at their word, and I don't think they're going to respond in kind, but they're going to respond with a larger attack that in their minds would be more effective than the first one."

Israel carried out an attack overnight inside Iran, near a military base and nuclear installation in the city of Isfahan, days after the Islamic Regime fired a barrage of more than 300 missiles and drones against Israel.

Iran was responding then to an Israeli strike in Syria that killed top leaders of its elite Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps earlier this month.

Clapper said the "tit-for-tat" attacks by the longtime Middle Eastern foes are at a "pretty serious turning point."

"I had commented earlier that ... it looks like the Iranians crossed the Rubicon by attacking, or attempting to attack, Israel proper. Well, the other side of that Rubicon appears now has been crossed by Israel. So, you know, where do we go from here?" he asked.
The iconic Oregon building made famous as the Overlook hotel in Stanley Kubrick's cinematic masterpiece caught fire on Thursday.

A fire broke out at the historic Oregon hotel featured in the 1980 film "The Shining" on Thursday night, officials said.

The Clackamas Fire Department responded to the 3-alarm fire at the Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood at around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, along with crews from the Estacada, Hoodland and Gresham fire departments. The fire was under control by 11:12 p.m., according to Clackamas Fire.

"The fire was kept to the roof & part of the attic, & didn't spread any further," Clackamas Fire wrote on X, formerly Twitter. No injuries were reported.

The Timberline Lodge opened in 1937 with a dedication by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977.

The ski resort became even more popular after it served as the inspiration for director Stanley Kubrick's film adaptation of Stephen King's novel "The Shining." Although the hotel's exterior was filmed for establishing shots of the fictional Overlook Hotel, most of the movie was filmed in a recreation at Elstree Studios in England.

Most people now associate the Timberline Lodge with "The Shining," even though King was originally thinking of California's Stanley Hotel when he wrote the book.

According to the Timberline Lodge's website, Kubrick was asked not to depict Room 217 in the film, which was the room number used in the book, because guests might be too afraid to book the room. Although Kubrick used the nonexistent Room 237, the hotel said Room 217 is still the most requested room.

"Rest assured, Timberline is not haunted," the hotel wrote.

The Clackamas Fire Department said the U.S Forest Service will be investigating the cause of the fire.

--with reporting by TMX
Over 100 people were arrested on a New York campus Thursday during a pro-Palestinian protest, including a prominent Congresswoman's daughter, as tensions surrounding the humanitarian crisis inside Gaza escalate in the States.

In what was the second day of pro-Palestinian demonstrations that took place both on and off the campus of Columbia University, students gathered and set up an unsanctioned tent city, which has been dubbed the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment". NYPD kept a close watch on the situation throughout the day before showing up in full riot gear and seven correctional buses around before 12:30pm and removing the student from the encampment.

"We were walking around different parts of campus to occupy that space and demand that our voices be heard," one Columbia student said. "And when I showed up, everybody had already been arrested."

Barnard College, which is one of Columbia University's undergraduate colleges, has taken disciplinary action against three students, among them Isra Hirsi, who happens to be the daughter of Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, due to their involvement in the protests. Hirsi conveyed via social media that she and fellow demonstrators at the encampment remain steadfast in their commitment to protest until their objectives are achieved.

Students were detained aboard the buses before being transported to the precinct. Among the 108 students arrested, the overwhelming majority received summonses for trespassing.

"New Yorkers have every right to express their sorrow, but that heartbreak does not give you the right to harass others, to spread hate," Mayor Eric Adams said.

The encampment was organized by a student-led coalition of over 120 organizations, including Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD), Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) to protest what they describe as the university's "continued financial investment in corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide, and military occupation of Palestine," according to CNN.
After the accused 'Idaho 4' killer Bryan Kohberger finally revealed what he says he was doing the night of the killings, A former FBI agent is calling his alibi 'a bunch of Malarkey.'

Bryan Kohberger, who stands accused of killing four University of Idaho students, has recently presented the court with an updated alibi for the time of the murders.

Kohberger, 29, claims he was out driving the night of the killings on Nov. 13, 2022.

"What will they say about the time his phone was off? What program did their experts use? What about BK's car seen on video? There is a lot of money and notoriety at stake for this expert," questioned former FBI Agent Coffindaffer in a post to X.

Kohberger's alibi stated he was driving as he "often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars."

Coffindaffer expressed her distaste for the new development: "I feel bad for Mr. Goncalves (the father of murdered Idaho student Kaylee Goncalves) and all the victim families for this slap in the face. I say slap in the face because there is no alibi, and yet, Bryan and Ann (the defense lawyer) chose to concoct this," she said.

Bryan Christopher Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2022 in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony burglary after fatally stabbing the students at an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
A top scientist at the World Health Organization gave a dire warning about the dangers presented by the spread of bird flu to new species, noting that humans face an "extraordinarily high" mortality rate if infected, according to a report.

"This remains, I think, an enormous concern," the UN health agency's chief scientist Jeremy Farrar told reporters Thursday in Geneva, ScienceAlert reported.

WHO reported last week that of the 888 human cases of bird flu, H5N1, globally between January 2023 and March 2024, 52% of them were fatal.

The strain has become "a global zoonotic animal pandemic," Farrar said, ScienceAlert reported.

The bird flu outbreak began in 2020 and has killed tens of millions of birds. It has since evolved to infect cows and other mammals.

There is no evidence that it has been transmitted yet between humans.

"The great concern of course is that in ... infecting ducks and chickens and then increasingly mammals, that virus now evolves and develops the ability to infect humans and then critically the ability to go from human to human," he said.

Earlier this month, a person in Texas was diagnosed with an "extremely rare" case of bird flu after coming into contact with infected dairy cattle.

When "you come into the mammalian population, then you're getting closer to humans," Farrar said, adding that "this virus is just looking for new, novel hosts".

He recommended bolstering monitoring for bird flu, saying it is "very important understanding how many human infections are happening ... because that's where adaptation (of the virus) will happen."

"It's a tragic thing to say, but if I get infected with H5N1 and I die, that's the end of it. If I go around the community and I spread it to somebody else then you start the cycle," Farrar said.
A Maryland high school student was arrested and charged with threat of mass violence after authorities discovered a 129-page document they say was written by 18-year-old Alex Ye.

Law enforcement issued an arrest for the teenager following an alert to Ye's exchange of messages on Instagram with an unidentified person.

This person, who had previously met Ye at a local psychiatric facility where they both received inpatient treatment, believed a school shooting was "imminent."

Ye referred to the writings as "his memoir," which begins with a disclaimer that it is a work of fiction, according to CNN.

The police department stated that the FBI notified them about Ye's alleged writings, prompting a joint investigation between the two agencies.

"In the document, Ye writes about committing a school shooting and strategizes how to carry out the act. Ye also contemplates targeting an elementary school and says that he wants to be famous," police revealed in a news release.

Ye was hospitalized in December 2022 for "threatening to'shoot up a school,' as well as expressing homicidal and suicidal thoughts," per the arrest warrant.

In 2023, the student spent five months hospitalized at Johns Hopkins Pediatric Unit for "homicidal ideations."

Montgomery County Public Schools said it is aware of the arrest of a student from Wootton High and that the student has not physically attended classes since Fall 2022 and has been enrolled in an online program.

"The charges are extremely serious, involving alleged threats to harm others," the school system said in a statement.
Democrats stepped up Friday to help House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) approve a procedural foreign aid rule that could ultimately end in the passage Saturday of a package of Ukraine and Israel aid, despite opposition from far-right members of Johnson's party.

The House approved the rule in a 316-94 vote after Johnson refused to add border security regulations demanded by a faction of his colleagues.

The rule now opens up debate on $95 billion in four bills in military aide toUkraine, Israel and Taiwan, along with humanitarian assistance to Gaza and other international war zones, which could be all be passed in a vote on Saturday.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told Senate colleagues on Friday they should be prepared to stay in session throughout the weekend to finish work on the delayed package, The Hill reported.

Johnson's move has further infuriatied members of the House's right-wing Freedom Caucus, which has sharply ciriticized Johnson's position backing Urkraine aid against an invasion by Russia orchestrated by President Vladimir Putin. Donald Trump, who frequently praises Putin, has been conferring with his supporters in the House on which legislation to support or deny.

The Freedom Caucus also demanded stiffer border security be added to the foreign aid.

Despite Trump's stance on Ukraine, he suddenly threw his support behind Johnson during a joint appearance at Mar-a-Lago last week.

That undermined Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green (R-Ga.), who has filed a resolution to bounce Johnson from his role as speaker. She has not yet said when she plans to trigger a vote on it.

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) said Friday that he will co-sponsor Greene's resolution to remove Johnson as speaker. He made the announcement shortly after passage of the foreign aid rule.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) also endorsed Greene's resolution earlier in the week.
Police paid frequent visits to the house where missing 12-year-old Jaylen Griffin's remains were found nearly four years after he mysteriously disappeared, according to neighbors.

Jaylen's decomposed body was discovered concealed in the attic at 107 Sheffield Avenue in Buffalo, New York, last Friday, after he vanished on his way to a neighborhood corner store. A maintenance worker servicing the rental property came upon Jaylen's remains and called police. He was positively identified through dental records.

"I don't feel safe in my own house," one unidentified neighbor told WKBW-TV, following confirmation Jaylen's case transitioned to a homicide investigation.

Residents claimed different people constantly shuffled in and out of the house, and that police often responded to calls there.

"Probably about a year or two ago, I was walking my son down the street, and one of the ladies living in residence at the time chased me down with a bat," another anonymous neighbor told the station.

Court records indicate the home is owned by Sunrise West, LLC.

The company is named co-defendant, alongside Spectrum Health and Human Services  a non-profit, community health organization that helps people struggling with substance abuse find affordable housing  as well as tenant Deanna Withrow, in a 2022 negligence lawsuit.

The plaintiff is a next door neighbor who alleges Withrow caused $130,000 worth of damage to their home when she threw out clothing and debris that caught fire while she and a friend were smoking. As a result, the neighbor's home went up in flames, the documents state.

"Spectrum failed to properly and diligently to vet Ms. Withrow for the subject apartment, despite her propensity for smoking, and the need for Spectrum's services," the records read.

At least one registered sex offender also lived at 107 Sheffield Avenue up until last month, WKBW reported, citing jail records.

Speaking with Headlines & Global News this week, Jaylen's longtime family friend Pastor Tim Newkirk said the neighborhood where the pre-teen was found is a notably "high drug infested area... where there's gun violence, drugs, prostitution, overdoses and all kinds of different weird activities."

Shortly after his family reported him missing, police surmised he willingly disappeared.

"They left it as just a runaway case because of his age and pretty much didn't put that much emphasis on there being a suspect or any type of crime or foul play. They didn't believe that he was in any harm or danger," said Newkirk.

Meantime, Jaylen's homicide investigation remains underway.

Buffalo police did not immediately respond to HNGN's request for comment.
Wesley Clutchett, 81, sits in his room at Oak Days, a permanent supportive housing complex in Oakland that provides in-home care to residents who have substance abuse, mental health and other serious medical needs. The nonprofit Cardea Health, which gives Clutchett support with any medical needs, is planning to replicate the model through a program launching in San Francisco in June. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

After 38 years in prison, Wesley Clutchett found himself homeless for the first time in his late 70s. He was dangerously thin, living out of his car and suffering from late-stage cancer he didnt know he had.

Thats when Clutchett was given a room in a converted Oakland hotel and selected to take part in a new pilot program designed to provide skilled nursing and in-home health care to homeless people with serious medical conditions.

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Two years later, Clutchetts esophageal cancer is now in remission and hes feeling stronger every day. Without the program, the 81-year-old said, I probably would have died.

In June, Cardea Health will replicate this model through a new program in San Francisco at a permanent supportive housing site for formerly homeless people in the Tenderloin.

The program will target what Alexis Chettiar, CEO and co-founder of the Oakland nonprofit, said we lovingly refer to as our impossibles   formerly unhoused people who, in other cases, may be kicked out of housing due to their serious health issues, incompetence and inability to function independently.

Cardea Health CEO Alexis Chettiar says the Oakland nonprofit focuses on its toughest cases  formerly unhoused people who, in other cases, may be kicked out of housing due to their serious health issues, incompetence and inability to function independently. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

San Francisco officials hope the program will improve the health outcomes of its neediest tenants, reduce their chances of eviction, help to address safety concerns coming from neighbors and merchants, and save taxpayer money by decreasing ambulance trips and emergency room visits.

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The program comes after a 2022 Chronicle investigation found that San Francisco leaders have for years neglected permanent supportive housing and failed to meaningfully regulate the nonprofits that operate them.

At the Oakland site, Cardea Health provides up to 60 formerly homeless residents with on-site skilled nursing, in-home caregiving services and medical case management, such as setting up appointments and picking up medications. Participants can get methadone and other medications administered inside the building, receive rides to outside medical appointments, or have a caregiver clean their unit or help them take a shower.

Its an unrealistic expectation that folks could experience years of life living on the street, get housing and then function like the rest of us, said Catherine Hayes, president and co-founder of Cardea. They need and deserve our support.

According to Cardea, the rate of hospital visits among those in the program dropped by nearly 80% six months before and after participation in the program.

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San Francisco and Cardea recently entered into a 20-month grant agreement for up to $3.5 million to launch the program at Kelly Cullen Community, a 174-unit permanent supportive housing building in the Tenderloin. They hope the program will produce similar results to those seen in Oakland.

Medications for Clutchett in his room at Oak Days. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

What were seeing is an increased acuity among the people were serving, and our providers are all saying this, said Shireen McSpadden, director of San Franciscos Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing. I think were aware that we need another layer in some of our buildings.

The need for increased investment in staffing and health services within the citys permanent supportive housing system was central to a Board of Supervisors hearing this month where residents at a Mission Bay condo complex voiced concerns over what they said were hundreds of violent and disturbing incidents at a recently opened permanent supportive housing site across the street.

McSpadden said she expects that providing elevated care to those inside permanent supportive housing will help address neighbors concerns.

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Although the Mission Bay site was not chosen for the pilot program, McSpadden said the city is seeking to learn from this and scale it where we need to scale it.

San Francisco has 152 permanent supportive housing sites with more than 9,000 units across the city. At most of those, the support services revolve around helping tenants maintain their housing through programs such as financial planning, case management and employment assistance.

Just 13 sites  8% of the citys permanent supportive housing portfolio  provide on-site nursing staff to help address tenants health care needs.

Kelly Cullen currently has registered public health nurses at the building during daytime hours Monday through Thursday. Those nurses will relocate to another site when Cardeas program, which will run daily and overnight, begins.

A nurses station in the office space of at Cardea Health in Oakland. Cardea Health, which gives support to Oak Days residents with medical and mental health needs, is planning to replicate the model through a program starting in San Francisco in June. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Clair Neff, a social worker and site supervisor at Kelly Cullen, said the expanded nursing hours and in-home support will help tenants avoid eviction due to lease violations stemming from failing to maintain their living quarters.

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Its such an extraordinary extension of possibilities for the tenants, she added.

Hayes and Chettiar co-founded Cardea in 2021 after working as medical directors for Alameda Countys Project Roomkey program, when they said they noticed a void in care for homeless people who were getting placed into housing after spending years on the streets. Project Roomkey was a state-funded program to quickly create housing for the homeless in the wake of COVID.

Many, many people became housed from those programs, which is fantastic, but there was a cohort of people that were just so compromised and sick, Hayes said. We quickly realized that they needed much more support to be able to function independently and live safely.

Cardea primarily employs formerly homeless and incarcerated people and covers the training costs for workers who want to become certified nursing and health aides or pursue a nursing degree.

Central to the work of Cardea is helping formerly unhoused people enroll in a Medi-Cal program that offers reimbursement for in-home support so people can age in place.

Oak Days, a permanent supportive housing complex in Oakland, provides in-home care to residents who have substance abuse, mental health and other serious medical needs. The nonprofit Cardea Health is planning to replicate the model through a program launching in San Francisco in June. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

As they did in Oakland, Cardea plans to help enroll up to 60 people in San Francisco into the Medi-Cal program within a year or two, depending on availability. The grant funding is meant to serve as a bridge until Cardea can transition the participants over to the Medi-Cal reimbursement program.

When Clutchett was going through daily radiation treatment, an in-home care team helped him get dressed, use the bathroom, set up appointments and administer medications. Today hes able to function more independently, but Cardea staff still are ever-present in his life, reminding him of upcoming appointments and giving him a shot for his arthritis every Friday.

The top-notch treatment, he said, is a stark comparison to the medical care he received in prison.
Male giant panda Xiao Qi Ji relaxes in his enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington in August 2022. The San Francisco Zoo will soon get its own giant pandas. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images 2022 A worker cleans the outside of a glass enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo in 2020. The zoo expects to get giant pandas from China soon. Nick Otto/Special to the Chronicle 2020

San Francisco is absolutely thrilled that we will be welcoming giant pandas to our San Francisco Zoo, Breed said in a statement Thursday from Beijing, where she signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese wildlife officials regarding the panda plan.

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No timeline was given for the pandas arrival. The announcement said it depended on the completion of an enclosure for the animals at the zoo. The number of pandas was also not specified, though pandas often have been sent in pairs.

The giant panda symbolizes hope for conservation collaboration and bridges divides between cultural differences, zoo CEO and Executive Director Tanya Peterson said in a statement. We want to thank London Breed, city leaders and colleagues in China for returning these amazing ambassadors to beautiful San Francisco. We will continue to work closely with the mayor and the city on next steps.

Because of their popularity, having giant pandas is a coup for any American zoo. The bears have long served as diplomatic emissaries between the U.S. and China, with panda diplomacy stretching across generations at Smithsonians National Zoo in Washington, D.C. But getting them is a rare and expensive opportunity, typically including a $1 million lease agreement with China.

The celebratory news comes as the San Francisco Zoo faces turmoil behind the scenes. Employees concerns about animal welfare and worker safety  especially in light of an incident last year when a zookeeper was chased by a grizzly bear after its den door was accidentally left open  were the subject of a recent investigation by the Chronicle.

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The idea of bringing pandas to San Francisco first got publicly aired during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the city in November, when Chinese President Xi Jinping indicated in a speech that they could make an appearance in California.

In December, Breed sent a letter to Xi, urging him to send California-bound pandas to San Francisco. In February, news came that the San Diego Zoo, a previous decades-long panda host, would be getting a pair. But Breed did not give up, and announced that part of the intention of her trip to China this week was for continued panda lobbying. It seems to have paid off.

Well, my plan is to do everything I can to make it clear that  we stand ready and willing and able to host pandas at our zoo, Breed told Chinese media this week, in a video posted Monday by Chinese news outlet CGTN. Can you imagine how exciting that would be for a city like San Francisco?

On Thursday evening, Breed posted a video on X, jubilantly announcing the agreement and holding a stuffed panda bear. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome pandas to San Francisco!

Owned by the city, the zoo is run by the nonprofit San Francisco Zoological Society. In addition to the estimated $1 million annual price tag to rent the pandas, it could cost an estimated $25 million to build housing for them at San Francisco Zoo, Peterson told ABC News in February. That would be on top of the cost of maintenance and upgrades needed for the facilitys aging structures, some of which date to the 1930s.

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Previously, Peterson confirmed to the Chronicle by email that the zoo has been communicating with officials in China about bringing pandas to San Francisco. This week, Beijing Zoo engineers arrived in San Francisco to meet with S.F. Zoo engineers to discuss enclosures for the pandas.



Preparation for the giant pandas continues next month, when the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association sends representatives from Beijing to San Francisco to plan the next steps.

The last time San Francisco hosted giant pandas was 1984-85, when two of the animals, Yun-Yun and Ying-Xin, were loaned to the zoo for close to three months, attracting four times the average attendance of visitors to the zoo, the mayors office said Thursday in a statement.

Ko Lyn Cheang, J.D. Morris and Megan Fan Munce contributed to this report.
Tucked away within the heart of the iconic Mykonos Town, celebrated for its charming architecture, vibrant energy, and unique views, Anandes Hotel emerges as the latest independent luxury boutique hotel, set to open in June 2024. Gracing a high point of Mykonos' enchanting Old Town (Chora), overlooking its glaring white houses, windmills and the breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea, Anandes Hotel is re-defining the new Cycladic chic style.

Featuring 42 rooms and suites, many equipped with private pools, along with a spa and the highly anticipated arrival of the internationally acclaimed French Riviera-inspired restaurant, LPM Restaurant and Bar, at the poolside al-fresco terrace and in-room dining, Anandes Hotel is set to redefine intimate luxury hospitality on the island.

Designed by Studio Bonarchi, the property blends traditional elements with avant-garde design, creating radiant spaces decorated with unique furnishings and sculptural lighting. Meticulously crafted with natural stone, pine wood, linen fabrics, and bronze details, Anandes flawlessly combines modern sophistication with the timeless allure of Mykonos, inviting guests to experience a new era in luxury accommodation on this enchanting island.

Hotel website
Radio Hotel, the first and only full-service boutique hotel in Washington Heights, announced Danielle Dymond as the new Hotel General Manager. In her role, she will serve as the strategic business leader of property operations at the 221-room hotel and be responsible for creating and maintaining a high-performing service culture and managing budgets and reputation. As former Director of Sales & Marketing at Radio Hotel, Danielle will also oversee and execute hotel marketing strategies.

Danielle began her career with Radio Hotel, a Sightline Hotel, in November 2021 as the pre-opening Director of Sales & Marketing. The property, which opened in September 2022, incorporates the unique look and feel of the neighborhood, New York City's Little Dominican Republic, catering to both the local Latin community and international travelers looking for affordable, yet stylish rooms below the steep asking prices of downtown Manhattan hotels. The hotel, which features award-winning restaurant Jalao NYC, and flexible meeting space Above the Heights, is only one of two hotels in Washington Heights, the 5th largest neighborhood in New York City with a population of 150,000 people.

With 30+ years of professional hospitality experience, Danielle has homed her expertise across the hotel management spectrum with key roles as Director of Sales in business travel, corporate group, wholesale/fit, leisure and consortia and travel agency verticals. Danielle launched her hospitality career in New York City with an early title at The Hotel Pennsylvania, an independent hotel, followed by roles at Swissotel, Ian Schrager Hotels, Loew's Hotels, and Hilton Hotels Corporation, where she filled a multi-property position, followed by her working with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) as an Area Director in New York and various independent properties in the region.

Committed to enhancing the guest experience, Danielle can often be found in the hotel's vibrant lobby chatting with newcomers and wishing safe travel upon guests' departures. At other times, she can be found hitting the pavement, building relationships, and developing impactful partnerships with community leaders to better learn how the property can serve its community and neighbors. As a leader dedicated to creating a happy and healthy workplace, Danielle also loves catching up with colleagues across the hotel, restaurant, and event space, and creating opportunities for cross-collaboration and team bonding.
What is cyber security in the hospitality industry?

Cybersecurity in the hospitality industry is the software and processes that safeguard the vast array of sensitive data that hotels and resorts collect from their guests.

For hoteliers, this means not only protecting customer information, like credit card details and personal preferences, but also ensuring the security of internal systems against cyber threats such as data breaches or ransomware attacks. Recognising and investing in cybersecurity measures is not just about risk management; its about upholding your establishments reputation and providing a safe, seamless experience for every guest.

In this blog, well tell you everything you need to know about hotel cyber security, including what they are, the various ways you could be hacked, the consequences, and how to protect yourself.

Table of contents

1. What is cyber security in the hospitality industry?

2. What is a hotel data security breach?

3. Why hotel cyber security is important

4. Common cyber security threats in the tourism and hospitality industry

5. Examples of hotel security breach

6. Review of cyber security issues in hospitality industry

7. PCI compliance in the hospitality industry

8. Hospitality cyber security compliance: GDPR for hotels

9. HTTPS website data security for hotels

10. The rise of the hotel credit card breach

11. How hotels can avoid credit card fraud

12. Hospitality cyber security 101: Email phishing scams

13. How can cyber security threats in the hospitality industry be avoided

14. How SiteMinder helps with cyber security for the hotel industry

What is a hotel data security breach?

A data breach is the release, intentional or unintentional, of private or confidential information to an untrusted environment. In other words, when data is viewed or transferred by someone not authorised to do so, this is a breach.

Data breaches may involve financial information such as credit card or bank details, personal health information (PHI), Personally identifiable information (PII), trade secrets of corporations or intellectual property. Most data breaches involve files, documents, and other sensitive information.

Data breaches are a concerning and damaging threat to all kinds of industries and businesses worldwide. Hotels are especially vulnerable because they deal with a large amount of personal information from guests and customers. Hackers can take all types of sensitive information from hotels  anything from email addresses to home addresses and credit card data.

The fines for such breaches are steep, but theyre not the only things your hotel should worry about. A security breach can significantly tarnish your companys reputation in a very public way and many travellers say they will be less likely to book again with a company that lost their data through a security breach.

Why hotel cyber security is important

In this digital era, the hospitality industry must hurdle a critical challenge: safeguarding the extensive sensitive information generated by day-to-day online dealings and digital interactions. For hotel brands, the imperative to shield their own and their customers data has escalated to unprecedented levels.

The recent surge in online business and internet transactions has not just been a boon but a call for heightened vigilance. Hotel brands are now more than ever, under the obligation to ensure the security of their own and their customers data. Todays cyber-criminals are devising newer, more sophisticated methods to infiltrate and extract sensitive customer information from hotel websites, internal systems, servers, and even mobile platforms  your front desk is not exempt from these threats.

So, what could be the fallout of a security breach in your hotels systems or those of your partners? The aftermath is often grim: thorough investigations, severe damage to your brands reputation, a significant erosion of consumer trust, and these are just the immediate repercussions. The financial implications are no less daunting, often involving thousands of dollars in penalties and fines.

To outpace these relentless hackers, hoteliers must intensify their focus on how they collect, store, and safeguard customer data, and how they manage their systems. Installing firewalls or updating antivirus software is a start, but it isnt the end. Cybersecurity in your hotel is about cultivating a culture of cybersecurity awareness throughout the organisation, from the executive suite to the front desk. Your hotels reputation, customer trust, and financial health depend on this vigilance.

 Source: SiteMinder

Common cyber security threats in the tourism and hospitality industry

Here are three of the most common forms of online security breaches that may occur  along with some tips to avoid a hotel data breach where you are

1. Hotel malware

Malware is any piece of software that was written with the intent of doing harm to data, devices or to people. Malware is perhaps the most common and most dangerous online security threat thanks to its diversity.

Officially standing for malicious software, malware incorporates many different types of potential dangers to hotel technology such as reservations systems.

These include:

Viruses

Just like a virus you might contract, a computer virus will infect files on your system and then spread uncontrollably, eventually crippling the machine if left unchecked.

Trojans

Trojans are chameleons, disguising themselves as all types of legitimate software or hiding with legitimate software thats been tampered with. Once installed, they will then attack the system.

Spyware

Somewhat obviously, spyware is designed to linger undetected in the background of your system and take note of what you do online. It will look for passwords, payment card data such as credit card information, names and addresses, and other private details.

Worms

These have the ability to infect a whole network of connected devices, and then use all of them to infect more, either locally or across the Internet.

Ransomware

Again self-explanatory, this malware essentially locks your computer and threatens to destroy everything unless you pay a ransom to the owner. (Talk about dramatic.)

Adware

This is not the most hostile of the group, often it will simply serve you annoying ads or pop-ups, but it can also open a way for other malware to get in.

The problem is that all of these types of malware require slightly different methods of removal and protection if a breach does take place at affected hotels. Its always good practice to avoid engaging with suspicious emails and clicking insecure links, but the only way to be completely safe is to ensure you have anti-malware and antivirus software installed on all the devices you conduct your business with.

2. Spam

Spam has its origins way back in 1970 thanks to a Monty Python sketch and is the sending of an unsolicited message, mostly advertising via email.

The term can also apply to other media such as instant messaging spam, search engine spam, spam in blogs, wiki spam, online ads spam, text message spam, Internet forum spam, junk fax transmissions, social spam, spam mobile apps, television advertising and file sharing spam.

Its all very unwelcome usually and in some cases carries more dangerous malware with it.

However, there are plenty of ways to ensure youre not bothered by spam at your hotel. Here are some tips:

Avoid opening emails that look like scams or spam

Never give in to spammers by purchasing something or accepting an offer

Dont bother replying. Simply delete and/or block

Dont be tricked into clicking. Even if a link is labelled unsubscribe it will just confirm the email address is active and encourage more spam

Use a disposable email address for purposes that may attract spam such as online purchasing

In fact, be very wary where you put your main email address and who you give it to

Try to use web contact forms instead of actually posting your email address on your website publicly

When communicating your email address, present it in a way a person will understand but a spambot wont. For example, test at test.com instead of [email protected]

3. DoS attacks

A denial-of-service (DoS) attack occurs when a hacker or virus shuts down a machine or network and prevents it being accessed by its intended users. This is usually done by flooding the system with an unprecedented amount of traffic or by sending information that triggers a crash.

The victims of DoS are usually high-profile organisations who people have a slight against.

A few different methods of DoS attacks exist. They include:

Buffer overflow attacks sending more traffic to a network address than the programmers have built the system to handle

ICMP floods that leverage misconfigured network devices by sending spoofed packets that ping every computer on the targeted network

SYN floods that send a request to connect to a server, but never complete it. This continues until all open ports are saturated with requests

DoS attacks are very hard to predict or prevent. Usually solutions depend on countermeasures once the attack has been noticed.

Examples of hotel security breach

Some of the worlds largest companies have fallen prey to data breaches, costing millions of dollars in damages. In 2013 Yahoo was attacked and three billion user accounts were compromised. In the same year eBay had almost 150 million customer accounts accessed illegally.

Hotels and bed and breakfast properties have also been key targets of data breaches for many years  and there is one main reason for this: credit card payments. The security breach happens online, because thats where your guests are making their bookings, or where your front desk staff are making bookings on their behalf. Unfortunately, going off the grid isnt a feasible solution to the issue  the online space is too big to ignore and credit card usage continues to grow.

And while not a strict data breach, Booking.com paid about 10,000 customers who fell victim to a scheme which conned customers out of data.

Marriott hotel security breach

In 2018 Marriott announced that hackers had attempted to access its Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide guest reservation database. Further investigation revealed unauthorised access to the system as far back as 2014, two years before Marriott acquired Starwood.

A valuable lesson here is that businesses should always scrutinise the cybersecurity and data handling of other companies before they enter into any type of deal. Even though the hack happened before the acquisition, its still Marriotts reputation that is compromised. The same principle should be applied when a company acquires new infrastructure, applications, and systems. While these seem like assets, they should also be treated as potential liabilities.

Estimations said up to 500 million guests, including 327 million guests whose data includes some combination of name, mailing address, phone number, email address, passport number, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) account information, date of birth, gender, arrival and departure information, reservation date and communication preferences, may have had their information at risk in the period between 2014 and 2018. Marriott also confirmed some compromised guest data includes payment card numbers and expiration dates.

IHG hotel security breach

Front desk cash registers at more than 1,200 hotels in the InterContinental Hotels Group, which includes the Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza brands, were infected with malware that stole customer debit and credit card data between September 29, 2016 and December 29, 2016. The company has a network of more than 5,000 hotels in over 100 countries so that could mean more than one-fifth of its hotels were affected.

The malware stole information read from the magnetic stripe of a payment card as it travelled through the affected hotels server. That information could have included the cardholders name in addition to card number, expiration date, and internal verification code.

Hilton hotel security breach

In 2017 BBC News reported Hilton was fined $700,000 for mishandling data breaches in 2014 and 2015.

The company discovered the first breach in February 2015 and the second in July 2015, but first went public with the breaches in November 2015. US federal investigators said Hilton had taken too long to warn customers and lacked adequate security measures.

Wyndham hotel security breach

Wyndham Worldwide were involved in a lawsuit after failing to properly safeguard customer information, in a case arising from three data breaches affecting more than 619,000 customers.

The Federal Trade Commission wanted to hold Wyndham accountable for breaches in which hackers broke into its computer system and stole credit card and other details from customers, leading to over $10.6 million in fraudulent charges.

Under the order, Wyndham established a comprehensive information security program designed to protect cardholder data including payment card numbers, names and expiration dates.

Expedia security breach

Expedia subsidiary Orbitz disclosed that about 880,000 payment cards had been impacted by a security breach that potentially exposed customers information to hackers.

The travel booking site said an investigation determined that an attacker may have accessed personal information of people who made purchases between January 1 2016 and December 22 2017.

The personal information potentially exposed includes credit card information, addresses and phone numbers of customers. The information attackers likely accessed included peoples names, dates of birth, email addresses, street addresses, and genders, Orbitz said.

Review of cyber security issues in hospitality industry

In the hospitality industry, adhering to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is essential for safeguarding sensitive customer data.

PCI DSS, enforced by major credit card companies, mandates secure processing, storage, and transmission of credit card information, affecting every credit card transaction in hotels.

GDPR, implemented in the EU, emphasises the protection of personal data and impacts hotel marketing strategies, especially concerning guest databases and email campaigns.

HTTPS website security is crucial for building guest trust and securing online transactions.

Hoteliers must take proactive steps, including appointing a compliance champion, educating staff, controlling data access, and collaborating with PCI-compliant vendors, to adhere to these standards and protect against data breaches and hefty fines.

PCI compliance in the hospitality industry

The PCI Compliance Guide defines PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) as a set of requirements designed to ensure that all companies that process, store or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment .

PCI DSS has changed the way the travel industry approaches safety standards relating to how credit card payments are handled and processed. The standard is enforced by major credit card companies  including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB  as part of their merchant agreements.

Designed to help prevent payment card fraud, the standard applies to any business involved in the processing, storing or transmitting of cardholder data, regardless of the transaction volume or dollar value involved. Should a guest use their credit card to pay for something at a hotel, for example  be it a room reservation, spa treatment or coffee  PCI DSS applies to that purchase.

PCI DSS compliance is not a nice-to-have, but an absolute necessity. A security breach not only damages your reputation, but it could potentially wreak havoc on the lives of your guests, and cost you a significant amount in the way of data breach fees.

Hotel PCI DSS requirements

Heres your quick start list on PCI DSS compliance for hotels:

Name an owner or champion of PCI DSS compliance within your organisation : This person within your hotel can work with the various departments to ensure PCI DSS compliance is understood and act as go to person if staff have questions.

: This person within your hotel can work with the various departments to ensure PCI DSS compliance is understood and act as go to person if staff have questions. Be proactive: Teach staff why data security is important and the impact any breach may have. Show them how they can be proactive in managing security every day.

Teach staff why data security is important and the impact any breach may have. Show them how they can be proactive in managing security every day. Protect physical data: Control access to the back office and anywhere receipts are filed. Provide secure disposal bins or a shredder for disposal sensitive paperwork.

Control access to the back office and anywhere receipts are filed. Provide secure disposal bins or a shredder for disposal sensitive paperwork. Proactively manage access to systems: Restrict access to payment or personal data to only staff who require this information to do their job. Use individual logins and access codes to systems.

Restrict access to payment or personal data to only staff who require this information to do their job. Use individual logins and access codes to systems. Check your vendors approach to data security: Clarify the role vendors play in terms of compliance with data-related standards, and seek PCI DSS compliant partners.

Clarify the role vendors play in terms of compliance with data-related standards, and seek PCI DSS compliant partners. Secure online booking data: While you may need a paper copy of a reservation, do not print credit card details of customers from your online systems. Select an online booking engine that is fully PCI DSS compliant.

To help businesses determine their level of PCI DSS compliance, the PCI Security Standards Council provides various Self-Assessment Questionnaires (SAQs) online, as well as professional training for firms and individuals.

The cost of becoming PCI DSS compliant depends on a number of factors, including the size of your business, existing IT infrastructure among other factors.

To achieve PCI DSS compliance, follow these steps:

Speak with your acquiring bank(s) to determine the correct SAQ for your business (e.g. Visa, MasterCard, AMEX) Complete the appropriate SAQ for your business Submit the SAQ, evidence of a passing scan (if required), the Attestation of Compliance and any other requested documentation to your acquiring bank(s).

Hospitality cyber security compliance: GDPR for hotels

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a law introduced on 25th May 2018.

It was implemented to strengthen and unify data protection in the European Union (EU) and could directly affect your hotel.

The GDPR gives more control to residents over their personally identifiable information and aims to simplify the regulatory environment for international business.

Hotels need to ensure they review their connections to third party data processors (such as technology vendors), their own security policies, and if they have the necessary qualified staff on hand to cope with the new laws.

The GDPR dictates that all of these must be reviewed and its likely that data agreements will have to be renegotiated to remain compliant.

As is widely reported, serious penalties may apply to companies who arent compliant. At worst, a fine of 20 million may be issued, or 4% of the companys worldwide annual revenue of the prior financial year  whichever is bigger.

What hotels need to know about GDPR

For hotel marketers the new GDPR rules could be especially impactful on their guest databases  particularly in regards to running email campaigns and sending prospective guests promotional offers enticing them to book a room.

Under the GDPR, your prospective guests must explicitly opt-in to having their details stored and they should understand what they are being used for. If youre looking to send email campaigns with offers to people who havent stayed at your hotel previously, these people must have consented willingly to being communicated with.

The key definition is that user consent must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous. But what does that mean?

One example is enquiry forms with a checkbox to receive a newsletter with your hotels offers should not be ticked by default, assuming that unless the user selects this they do not wish to opt in to your promotional email messages.

What can your hotel do to keep your guest database intact?

Hotels must have regained consent from prospective guests theyre currently sending promotional emails to  and it will need to be clearly explained what content they will receive and how their data will be used.

One way to do this, is for hotels to run a campaign seeking permission to email prospective guests and ask them to opt-in to promotional communications.

This can actually be a positive way to cleanse databases of disengaged contacts and increase your future email conversion rates.

Heres what you should include in the initial email of these permission pass campaigns:

Why you are emailing the contact

A valuable reason for them to opt-in

What they will continue to receive if they do opt-in

A link to re-subscribe

An option to unsubscribe and have their data removed

A sign-off from a real person such as your general manager

You should always A/B test your email, trying different variations to see what will garner the most success.

And a last chance follow-up email should be sent, reiterating what was stated in your initial communication, to the people who did not respond. Theyll need a reminder.

You will also need to review and update your privacy statement to comply with GDPR requirements. Is the content in your privacy statement difficult to read? Or are you purposefully using terminology so that potential guests are not clear about what theyre signing up for? If so, rewrite it and make it clearer.

Privacy policy templates are readily available for free online if your hotel website doesnt have one already. If you think it needs rewriting to comply with the GDPR, SEQ Legal provides a free template privacy policy, subject to certain conditions. You can read more on that template here.

HTTPS website data security for hotels

Creating a safe hotel website experience should be treated as a duty of care for your guests; can you imagine the consequences of a traveller being defrauded via your website? Theres also the very real danger of travellers abandoning or not even landing on your homepage in the first place.

The majority of websites use SSL encryption to protect any data thats transmitted between a website and a shopper.

The SSL encryption requires a secure form of communication between a website and the consumer, known as HTTPS  where the s stands for secure. This is indicated to the user in the URL which displays https in place of the standard http.

It also shows the padlock symbol on the left-hand side of the URL bar which reassures people their data is secure when entering bank details or viewing their account online. It looks like this

 Source: SiteMinder

What does it mean for your hotels website? Basically, Google shows a huge bias towards websites that are HTTPS secure. In fact, if your website isnt secure, Chrome will actively warn users it isnt safe and could even restrict access to your website pages.

The reality is at some point you will probably collect data from visitors, even if its just an email address. Its also been proven that HTTPS sites will load faster than HTTP, another factor influencing user experience.

Surveys say 84% of users would abandon a purchase if data was sent over an insecure connection, and a large majority are concerned about their data being intercepted or misused online. So, if youre a hotelier that wants to convert direct bookings and maintain a high ranking on Googles search results, its vital youre HTTPS secure.

In the psychology of a prospective guest, seeing that little green padlock will give them peace of mind and an immediate sense of trust in your hotel business.

 Source: SiteMinder

How to make a website HTTPS secure

The steps to follow when migrating your website to be HTTPS secure include:

1. Host your website with a dedicated IP address

With a dedicated IP, you ensure that the traffic going to that IP address is only going to your website and no one elses.

2. Buy an SSL certificate

An SSL certificate will prove your website is your website. When people visit your site via HTTPS that password is checked, and if it matches, it automatically verifies that your website is who you say it is.

3. Activate the certificate

Your web host may do this step for you  check with them before proceeding. This can get complicated and if you can wait 1-2 days it may be best to let them do it.

4. Install the certificate

When installing an SSL certificate on a hotel website, the approach will largely depend on your hosting environment and server software, which is particularly vital for ensuring guest data security and trust in your online booking systems. Heres how you might proceed in different scenarios:

Installation on shared hosting: If your hotel website is on shared hosting (a common option for smaller hotels), log in to your hosting control panel (like cPanel). Find the SSL/TLS section and follow the steps to upload your new SSL certificate. Installation on dedicated/VPS hosting: For larger hotels with dedicated servers, youll need to access your server through SSH (a secure network protocol). Upload the SSL certificate files to your server and configure your web server (like Apache or Nginx) to use these files. This might require some technical know-how or assistance from your IT team. For managed or cloud-based hosting: If your website is on a cloud platform (like AWS) or managed hosting, youll typically use their interface to upload and activate your SSL certificate.

5. Update your site to use HTTPS

At this point if you go to https://yoursite.com you should see it load! Congrats, youve successfully installed SSL and enabled the HTTPS protocol. Keep in mind that you only need to protect a few pages, such as your login or checkout.

If you enable HTTPS on pages where the user isnt submitting sensitive data, its just wasting encryption processing and slowing down the experience

One of the easiest ways to ensure your website is secure, along with many other benefits, is to invest in a professional website builder tool. These solutions will automatically come with secure encryption and will also help you maintain a functional, SEO-friendly, and charming hotel website.

The beauty of using a customisable website builder is that youll have your brand new website within days and it will automatically keep up with Googles updates as time goes by.

The rise of the hotel credit card breach

Statistics show that 74% of travellers from the US alone make use of credit cards while travelling  citing convenience, theft protection, and easier tracking of purchases as the top reasons.

According to data from payment systems industry information provider Nilson, credit card use in the US jumped 42% from 2012 to 2018, accounting for US $120 billion in transactions.

Unfortunately, these transactions are vulnerable to cyber-criminals who specifically target travellers with disposable incomes. Indeed, hotels are an active hotspot for credit card fraud; according to a study by Trustwaves SpiderLabs, of 218 data breach investigations from 24 countries, 38% of the attacks occurred on hotels and, of the data stolen, 98% was credit card information.

How hotels can avoid credit card fraud

With so much travel now being booked online  and through a variety of channels  the opportunity for hotels to increase sales is getting bigger all the time. However, it also creates challenges in making sure customer payment data is protected and that no breach occurs at the hands of hackers or fraudsters.

The vast majority of security compromises (91%) occur at point-of-sale systems and are most often Card Not Present (CNP) fraud.

Because CNP transactions are so prevalent in the travel industry and much information is exchanged between hotel and customer, its important to know when you might be at risk and how to prevent any data breaches from happening. Since guests expect a hotel to be a safe place to escape to, even a single instance of failing to protect a customers data could have huge ramifications on your reputation and finances.

Heres what to look out for:

1. Hurried purchases

Its common for fraudsters to contact you in a panic, wanting to rush to set up their accommodation.

Its important you dont get flustered. Take the adequate time to verify their credit card, passport details, and other relevant documents to make sure theyre genuinely are who they say they are.

Take the adequate time to verify credit cards, passport details, and other relevant documents to make sure people genuinely are who they say they are.

2. First-time guests

It makes sense to be more cautious of people who havent booked with you before. With regular customers you can build a relationship and learn their purchase habits.

Be aware of a first-time customer who contacts you online to make a large purchase. Collect all the necessary verification information. For greater security, adopt a payment solution that is designed to capture transaction data in an intelligent manner.

3. Purchaser location

These days many fraudsters have become adept at hiding their true location and stopping themselves being tracked.

If you do have suspicions about a customer, do everything you can to verify their legitimacy, including calling and emailing them to collect data and confirm their identity.

4. Inconsistent addresses

One of the biggest warnings that everything is not what it seems is when someone wants to use different addresses for billing and shipping, which may not apply as strongly to hotels but is very relevant for the travel industry in general.

Hospitality cyber security 101: Email phishing scams

Given 15 million online hotel reservations are made on bogus third-party sites every year, travellers and guests are on high alert about being scammed.

These rogue websites trick people into thinking theyre reserving directly with their hotel of choice then go on to steal their information and money.

Lets go through what it is, what it may look like, and how to prevent your hotel falling victim to email scams and phishing.

What is a phishing scam?

As the name suggests, phishing is quite similar to fishing although far more malevolent.

Whoever the phisher or hacker is attempts to lure their target into opening a malicious download, clicking on fake links, or entering personal information in order to steal data or identities. The end goal, of course, is to make money at someone elses expense.

In the case of a business like your hotel, the most common form of phishing would come via email. Likely to be posing as a friend, co-worker, manager, or trusted company the email would make a seemingly reasonable request to open an attachment or verify information but would then infect your computer and capture valuable data.

Example of phishing scam

Often a phishing email will look very similar to a normal email you would expect to receive, which is why people can get caught out. Usually the email subject will be around changing a password, discussing transactions, updating information, important notifications etc.

Consider this example of a phishing email from scammers posing as eBay:

Seems perfectly legitimate at first glance but its hiding some concerning secrets.

Here are some clues that may indicate this is a phishing email:

Its simply addressed to sir, rather than anyone in particular

The threat of account suspension  if eBay truly believed the account was being used for fraud they would suspend it immediately

Spelling and grammar errors  note advise is misspelled as advice. Phishing emails commonly contain errors like this

The link reveals itself to be a fake website if you hover over it, instead of clicking it

You should also carefully check the incoming email address. Sometimes its complete nonsense, but often it will closely mimic the real address its passing itself off as.

Looking for these clues will help your hotel to avoid being caught by these online scams.

How to prevent email phishing attacks at your hotel

Its particularly important you keep your data safe as a security compromise could also endanger the information of your guests, which could do catastrophic damage to your hotels reputation and brand image.

Theres a whole range of actions you can take to reduce the amount of phishing emails you receive, and also how to make sure you delete them immediately if they make it to your inbox.

Heres a list of preventative measures for any email you suspect might be fake:

Ensure anti-spyware, anti-virus, and anti-malware tools are installed and up-to-date on your systems

Make sure all your applications are regularly updated

Check the spelling and grammar of emails you receive

Test links and attachments before opening them

Pay close attention to email addresses and the specificity of email content  authentic emails will include your name, account information/numbers etc.

Be wary of fake login screens trying to capture information  the website URL will not be legitimate

Run an education session for all hotel employees, since less informed staff members may take the bait

Once you know how to spot general phishing emails you should be relatively safe from harm.

There are more complex attacks, known as spear phishing, which target high profile figures (whales) such as celebrities, but these should affect your hotel far less.

How can cyber security threats in the hospitality industry be avoided

No hotel is too big or small to be a target. In fact, smaller independent properties may be even more vulnerable to attack, and less able to bounce back from the loss of reputation and damages paid.

Its not enough to have an SSL certificate on your website, or rely solely on third-party payment services such as Paypal or Google Checkout to handle your guests credit card security. Each program you use must be securely locked down.

After all, sensitive data can be intercepted at any point in your guests booking process. For example, if your online booking system vendor is not PCI DSS compliant, a wayward employee could easily decide to steal credit card data. This is why the standard was invented.

Furthermore, allowing your guests to pay securely helps to stop abandoned website bookings. Worldpay reports that nearly one in five online shoppers have dropped out of online travel bookings because of security concerns around payment.

If you are not actively protecting your guests credit card data, you are putting your business and customers at serious risk.

1. Keep your devices and systems up-to-date

One of the biggest risks to security is allowing your devices and systems to go too long without updates and software patches intended to improve and keep them safe. This makes them much more vulnerable to attack from hackers.

2. Regularly backup your data

The updates issued by your software providers are designed to protect you so its important to set your computers to automatically accept and install them periodically.

To eliminate the risk of losing data or having it irretrievably damaged, its essential to make a habit of backing it up. This will include financial records, business plans, customer data, personal information etc. Backing up your data is generally easy and cost-effective, meaning theres no excuse not to do it.

Heres a recommended strategy:

Daily backups to a portable device and/or cloud storage service

Weekly server backups

Quarterly server backups

Yearly server backups

3. Protect against malware and viruses

Often emails, pop-ups, fake accounts and profiles, and actual hackers will try to infect your computer and other devices with software designed to cripple your business or steal from you. Regularly check your bank and billing records to make sure this isnt happening.

Its important to install antivirus and anti-spyware and always update when prompted. Additionally you should keep track of all the equipment used by your business and who uses it.

Educate all your employees on the risks and best practices, and never allow them to take sensitive material home with them, or use personal devices for work purposes.

4. Prioritise password security

Some easy-to-remember tips here include frequently updating your passwords, never use the same password for everything, and use unique passwords.

Once a hacker has used one password, every account you own could be under attack if youve always used the same one. The same goes if youre using weak passwords that are easily guessed. The best idea is to change your passwords every few months.

Do not reuse passwords on different business-related accounts. Ideally, use a different, complex password for each online account you have where you have sensitive customer or financial data processed.

5. Know when to trust your software provider

Its vital that you dont take every correspondence with your hotel technology providers at face value. Phishing emails are very good at seeming legitimate when in fact theyre fake emails trying to steal information.

So if your provider sends an email they have never sent before, there could be a good reason not to trust it.

6. Use different emails

Try not to use an email address listed on your site as your online system login or username. That potentially makes it easier for a hacker to identify you as their target.

Dont use email accounts shared between employees, for example [email protected], to log in to any online platforms and solutions. If an employee is accidentally careless online with the shared password, it can make you that much easier to hack.

How SiteMinder helps with cyber security for the hotel industry

Data and security breaches in the hotel industry are incredibly serious and have been too common for comfort in recent years. Whether its been major brands like Marriott and Hilton, or software providers such as Prestige, large amounts of information and data has been exposed, resulting in the risk of it being stolen or exploited.

Being the industrys leading tech provider, SiteMinder places extreme focus on the security and stability of its platform, ensuring the data of its hotel customers and the hotels guests is safe at all times.

Here are 10 measures SiteMinder makes so your hospitality business can feel assured.

SiteMinder has full Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) compliance, minimising payment card fraud and hacking. SiteMinder is completely General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant, to ensure the safety of data belonging to EU residents. SiteMinder has implemented over 350+ security controls to maintain our certifications and we continue to improve in other key areas across our corporate systems. SiteMinder products are hosted on Amazon Web Services (AWS). The AWS environment maintains multiple security certifications, including ISO 27001, PCI DSS and SOC. SiteMinder engages respected external security firms to perform regular audits of the products to verify that our security practices are sound and to monitor for new vulnerabilities. All SiteMinder staff undertake privacy and security training. SiteMinder employs stringent security to physical premises and access to physical premises is restricted. All SiteMinder computer hardware is password protected, with encryption and default security firewalls in place to ensure data is always secure. SiteMinder has detailed protocols in place to monitor and respond to any data breaches which happen on our systems as soon as practicable after they arise. SiteMinders capabilities are measured against the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.

Improve cyber security measures in your hotel and optimise your time with SiteMinder

Elevate your hotels cyber security and streamline your operations effortlessly with SiteMinder, a leading-edge hotel management software dedicated to safeguarding guest data and enhancing operational efficiency.

Heres how we can help boost your revenue and keep your customer data safe

Enhanced data security: SiteMinders robust security protocols ensure the utmost protection of your guests personal and payment information. With industry-leading encryption and continuous security updates, our platform guards against data breaches, providing peace of mind for both hoteliers and guests.

SiteMinders robust security protocols ensure the utmost protection of your guests personal and payment information. With industry-leading encryption and continuous security updates, our platform guards against data breaches, providing peace of mind for both hoteliers and guests. Streamlined operations: Streamline your hotels operational processes with SiteMinders intuitive interface. Our platform simplifies booking management, room allocation, and rate adjustments, allowing you to focus more on guest experience and less on administrative tasks.

Streamline your hotels operational processes with SiteMinders intuitive interface. Our platform simplifies booking management, room allocation, and rate adjustments, allowing you to focus more on guest experience and less on administrative tasks. Increased revenue opportunities: Unlock new revenue streams with SiteMinders powerful analytics and market insights. Understand guest preferences and booking trends to tailor your offerings, optimise pricing strategies, and maximise occupancy rates.

Try for free | Learn more

About SiteMinder

SiteMinder Limited (ASX:SDR) is the name behind SiteMinder, the only software platform that unlocks the full revenue potential of hotels, and Little Hotelier, an all-in-one hotel management software that makes the lives of small accommodation providers easier. The global company is headquartered in Sydney with offices in Bangalore, Bangkok, Barcelona, Berlin, Dallas, Galway, London and Manila. Through its technology and the largest partner ecosystem in the global hotel industry, SiteMinder generates more than 120 million reservations worth over US$50 billion in revenue for its hotel customers each year. For more information, visit siteminder.com.

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Imagine a room full of college seniors all passionate about the same field and each recognized for academic excellence. One would think such individuals, specifically chosen for their demonstrated commitment to their future careers, would produce the ideal small groups to work together on a unique project. Turns out, its not that simple.

In March, I spent three days at the Young Hospitality Summit (YHS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, among, as one guest speaker described us, like-minded people from more than 40 universities worldwide. I was selected as one of the three delegates to represent FIU at the event hosted by EHL Hospitality Business School, which is known to have the best hospitality management program in the world.

The summit gathered top industry professionals to discuss sustainability, technology, mental health and talent retention  critical topics for the industry and those of us about to enter it. During presentations from leaders within the lodging sector, we also learned about real estate and, to my surprise, something called cognitive cities. While many of us have heard about smart cities, which focus on data collection and application for efficient management, cognitive cities use technology to gather data for proactive decision-making or problem-solving. Neom, one of the summit partners, is already making this concept a reality in Saudi Arabia.

To envision what the hospitality industry could look like in that futuristic cognitive world, Neom presented the challenge we would be asked to work on for the next two days. My team - students from the United States, the Netherlands, France and Indonesia  had about eight hours to come up with a pioneering, sustainable service model tailored specifically for Neom that would significantly reduce waste, energy and water usage.

Read the full article at FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Organized by the President of the General Assembly in collaboration with UN Tourism, the event was held at the UN Headquarters within the framework of Sustainability Week. The presence of Member States, Observers, civil society organizations, and UN agencies reflected a growing collective commitment to harnessing the transformative power of tourism for inclusive and sustainable development.

Addressing the General Assembly, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: The growing significance of the tourism sector for our societies and our economies brings with it extra responsibility. We cannot allow the lifeline of tourism to be cut again. Resilience in the tourism is not just a matter of planning or reacting to crises. It is also about proactively addressing the underlying factors of those crises. Unsustainable consumption is leading to biodiversity loss, climate change and the emergence of pandemics. It's vital that we adopt policies that accelerate transformative change.

The President of the General Assembly, His Excellency Dennis Francis, said: "We need a global tourism sector that is sustainable  one with deep local value chains that expand demand for locally made products and services in ways that also directly and positively benefit local communities; a sector that serves as a positive force for biodiversity conservation, heritage protection and climate friendly livelihoods."

High-level platform for statistics-led strategy

The thematic event provided a platform for Member States to share best practices, strategies, and innovative approaches to promote sustainable and resilient tourism, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key highlights included:

Fireside Chat: The Future of Tourism - Leaders from the tourism industry, academia, and civil society engaged in a dynamic discussion on the future of tourism and the need for innovative solutions to address emerging challenges and opportunities.

- Leaders from the tourism industry, academia, and civil society engaged in a dynamic discussion on the future of tourism and the need for innovative solutions to address emerging challenges and opportunities. Ministerial Roundtables: Discussions were held on the launch of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism and strategies for fostering resilient tourism in the face of global challenges. Ministers and high-level officials shared insights and commitments to advance sustainable tourism practices and policies.

In closing, the President of the General Assembly reiterated the importance of collaboration and partnership to address the complex challenges facing the tourism sector and reaffirmed the UN's commitment to supporting sustainable tourism as a catalyst for positive change.

In February, the UN General Assembly adopted a Resolution to declare 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism. The resolution invites UN Tourism to work with Governments, UN agencies and international organizations to on the implementation of the themed year.

Related links:

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
India - IHGHotels & Resorts, one of the worlds leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a management agreement with IVY Hotels & Resorts to bring the first Crowne Plaza hotel to Uttarakhand. Scheduled to open in April 2028, Crowne Plaza Dehradun Rajpur Road hotel will add 110 keys to IHGs portfolio in the state and build on IHG's commitment to expand its portfolio in well-known leisure destinations across the country.

Set in Dehradun, the capital of Uttarakhand and a notable leisure destination, academic hub, as well as a fast-growing economic centre, Crowne Plaza Dehradun Rajpur Road promises a unique blend of premium hospitality and convenience. True to the Crowne Plaza brand, the hotel is set to deliver exceptional guest experiences rooted in blended travel that will cater to both leisure and business guests, enabling effortless flexibility and balance between work and life.

We are delighted to debut our premium brand, Crowne Plaza, in Dehradun in partnership with IVY Hotels & Resort. Dehradun has witnessed rapid economic growth due to its strategic location and has emerged as a key destination for the tourism and hospitality sector. The ideal positioning of Crowne Plaza Dehradun Rajpur Road will ensure access to a thriving market encompassing leisure, corporate, SME, and MICE sectors. The signing further strengthens IHGs commitment to bring quality branded accommodation to key destinations, catering to the growing needs of diverse travellers and contributing to the countrys economic development. In line with our strategy to expand our footprint in the country, we are confident we will become a preferred destination for both leisure, and corporate travellers seeking a memorable premium hospitality experience in the heart of the Himalayas as well as a preferred destination for MICE opportunities. Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts

We are thrilled to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to open Crowne Plaza Dehradun Rajpur Road. With IHG's global expertise and our local insights, we are confident that this premium hotel will set new standards of excellence in hospitality, catering to the diverse needs of guests visiting this dynamic city. The Crowne Plaza brand is world-renowned for its premium comfortable experience, and we are proud to bring this experience to Dehradun. We look forward to harnessing the benefits of IHGs global systems and robust loyalty program. Mohammad Ilyas, Managing Partner at IVY Hotels & Resorts

Once opened, the hotel will feature 110 rooms with ample and modern spaces. For guests looking to indulge in exceptional culinary experiences, the new hotel will offer all-day dining, a specialty restaurant, a bar and a lobby lounge, catering to diverse guest preferences. For guests looking to unwind and relax, the hotel will boast a fully equipped fitness center, swimming pool, club lounge, rejuvenating spa, as well as a retail store.

IHG currently has 46 hotels operating across five brands in India, including Six Senses, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Express, and a strong pipeline of 49 hotels due to open in the next 2-3 years.

About IHG

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Ankita Chopra

+971 4 213 6043

IHG
Travelodge, the UKs first budget hotel brand which operates approximately 600 hotels, today announces that it is acquiring six hotels, totalling 773 rooms, in Spain from Louvre Hotels Group.

The hotels are currently branded Hotel Campanile, with five acquired on a freehold basis and one to be acquired on a long leasehold. The hotels are acquired by Spanish subsidiaries held within the Travelodge OpCo Group and are located in Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga and Murcia. The acquisition builds on Travelodges existing strongly performing six hotel Spanish business, doubling its presence in the Spanish market.

Spain is an important market for us, with an established presence of six hotels and an experienced local management team. We recognise there are significant ongoing opportunities for our business, with the potential to offer good value and quality accommodation in many more locations across the country. Last year we identified the top 20 key markets to open a new hotel in Spain, where there is currently a shortage of good quality, low cost, branded accommodation to meet the needs of business and leisure guests. We are excited to announce the acquisition of these properties from Louvre Hotels Group as part of our Spanish development strategy. This doubles our presence in Spain and gives us the ideal base to build our brand even further. We look forward to working with our new colleagues, and growing our hotel network further, providing further choice and great value to business and leisure travellers across Spain. Jo Boydell, CEO of Travelodge

In January 2024, a newly formed property holding group (Travelodge PropCo Group) was created to purchase 66 freehold and long leasehold assets in the UK, held by T&L Holdco Limited. T&L Holdco Limited is also the direct parent of Thame and London Limited, the top company in the Travelodge OpCo Group.

About Travelodge

Founded in 1985, Travelodge is Britain's very first budget hotel chain and today is one of the largest budget hotel chains in the UK, with a portfolio of over 600 hotels and over 46,000 bedrooms across the UK, Ireland and Spain.

In Spain, Travelodge has an established profitable presence and as of April 2024, its portfolio doubled to 12 hotels, having recently acquired a further six properties. Travelodge has ambitious growth plans within this market and has identified the top 20 key locations where it would like to open additional hotels in Spain.

Welcoming over 22 million guests annually across the UK, Ireland and Spain, the majority of Travelodge hotels are located in major cities, towns and holiday hotspots as well as by airports and key business hubs. With 90% of its hotels rated 4* or above on

TripAdvisor, Travelodge is proud to offer guests across its diverse customer base a good value experience  whether they are travelling for business or leisure. In 2023, approximately 50% of rooms were sold for less than 60.

Whether out celebrating a birthday, going to a concert or sporting event, visiting friends and family, taking a business trip, working away from home, or taking a short break, we help people to go and do their thing by Being the Brilliant Base.

Travelodge continues to invest in its ongoing hotel refit programme which is expected to see 50% of the Travelodge room estate upgraded to its new design by the end of 2024. The brand is also continually evolving its quality offering to deliver a better experience for its diverse mix of business and leisure guests such as its new look Bar Cafe design, 85 Bar Cafe, which has been rolled out to selected UK hotels as part of the refit programme.

Travelodge is focussing on its environmental and social impact, with sustainability integral to its business strategy. It's Better Future sustainability plan aims to build a more sustainable future for its customers, colleagues and the planet, and it is underpinned by three core pillars: Inclusive  ensuring we are accessible, inclusive and well-priced to our customers and colleagues; Caring  creating a caring and healthy environment for our colleagues and customers and ensuring their wellbeing; and Conscious  Travelodge is conscious of its impact on the planet, taking into account the waste it produces, the energy and other resources it consumes and the carbon emissions it generates.

For further information visit travelodge.co.uk or the Travelodge Hotels Limited LinkedIn page.

The Travelodge Press Office

+44 1844 35 8703

Travelodge
Dubai, UAE - UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the worlds largest alliance of independent hotel brands, celebrated its 20th anniversary this week in Berlin at the International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF), where the then start-up was first announced in 2004.

GHA was the loyalty partner of the IHIF EMEA event, which welcomed over 2,500 attendees from around the globe, and GHA CEO Chris Hartley shared his insights on the power of partnerships on the main stage.

GHA was conceived along the airline alliance model, with the goal of helping independent hotel brands to compete with the major global players, and to become less dependent on high-cost third parties for distribution. The majority of the alliances 800 hotels are owner-operated and GHA gives them the tools, technology and marketing reach that are difficult to achieve alone.

The hospitality industry has seen significant consolidation over the last two decades, making it costlier for the smaller players to maintain market share; nonetheless, many owners remain fiercely independent, and so collaboration with like-minded independent brands is a great way to remain competitive.



We are majority-owned by two of our founder member brands Kempinski and Pan Pacific Hotels Group, plus Minor and Corinthia, and our primary goal has always been to drive incremental revenue and reduce costs for their hotels, rather than to maximize profit for the alliance. GHA CEO Chris Hartley

GHA now has 40 brands with 800 hotels in 100 countries and continues to grow. In Q1 alone, the alliance welcomed The Lore Group and Cheval Collection as its latest member brands, as well as launching a partnership with Plum Guide, offering rewards for stays at its 38,000 luxury vacation homes.

All GHA member brands and hotels share one loyalty platform  GHA DISCOVERY  which in 2023 delivered US$2.3 billion in total revenue and 10 million room nights from its 26 million members; and the unique, multi-brand loyalty program has won 120 awards for its programme innovation.

To commemorate two decades of success, the GHA team was joined by its shareholders, brand executives, and hundreds of industry guests back at the iconic Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin this Tuesday evening for a 20th anniversary party, where it all began in 2004, dancing the night away to the legendary Boney M, who had performed at the same venue all those years ago.

Reflecting on the last two decades, Hartley concluded, We are proud to celebrate 20 years of collaboration, and hope that we can continue to grow and help the independent hotel sector to thrive in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Please find more images and the video of the event here.



For more information visit Global Hotel Alliance and GHA DISCOVERY.

GHA DISCOVERY is complimentary to join, and travellers can sign up online or download the GHA DISCOVERY app and register on their mobile phones. Travellers can also connect with GHA DISCOVERY on Instagram and Facebook.

About Global Hotel Alliance (GHA)

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) brings together a diverse collection of independent hospitality brands with GHA DISCOVERY, a multi-brand loyalty programme leveraging a shared technology platform. Through membership in GHA, brands expand their global reach, drive incremental revenue, and reduce dependence on third-party channels, all while maintaining management independence and individual positioning. GHA represents a collection of 40 brands with more than 800 hotels in 100 countries. The award-winning GHA DISCOVERY programme serves 26 million members and generated $2.3 billion in revenue and 10 million room nights in 2023. GHA's brands currently include Anantara, Araiya, ASMALLWORLD, Avani, Bristoria, Capella, Corinthia, Divani, Doyle, Elewana, JA Resorts, Kempinski, Leela, Lore, Lungarno, Maqo, Marco Polo, Mysk, NH Collection, NH Hotels, nhow, Niccolo, Nikki Beach, NUO, Oaks, OUTRIGGER, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL COLLECTION, PARKROYAL, Patina, The Residence by Cenizaro, The Set Collection, Shaza, Sukhothai, Sun International, Tivoli, Ultratravel Collection and Viceroy. For more information, visit www.globalhotelalliance.com.

About GHA DISCOVERY

Launched in 2010, GHA DISCOVERY is the world's largest loyalty program for independent hotel brands, featuring more than 800 hotels, resorts, and palaces across 40 brands. Members enjoy VIP recognition, thoughtful benefits and generous rewards at home or away. GHA DISCOVERY members earn and spend DISCOVERY Dollars (D$), an exclusive rewards currency. They also enjoy member-only Experiences curated by each hotel, plus they have access to properties close to home, without a stay, through member-only Local Offers. For more information, visit ghadiscovery.com.

Andrea Krenn

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA)
Rector of HES-SO and president of swissuniversities, Dr Luciana Vaccaro, presented her priorities in the evolving higher education landscape and looked at ways of strengthening the collaboration with EHL at this important moment in time. Against the backdrop of global challenges, tech advancements and changing paradigms in teaching and learning, three overarching themes emerge as the critical pillars supporting the strategic trajectory of modern higher education for both HES-SO and EHL: internationalization, digitalization and continued learning - Welcome to the future of higher education!

Dr Luciana Vaccaros impressive role in the Swiss higher education system dates back over 10 years. In fact, at her recent conference at EHL Lausanne campus, she was introduced by CEO Markus Venzin as the countrys second highest academic authority after the Swiss minister of Education and Research .

And rightly so. Since 2013, Luciana Vaccaro has been leading the largest University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland (HES-SO), the 3rd largest university in Switzerland with around 21,000 students and 28 institutions active in six fields of teaching and applied research. In her role as Rector, she is responsible for guiding the institution in fulfilling its two fundamental missions: research and education.

Since February 2023, Dr. Vaccaro is President of swissuniversities, as well as member of EHL Board of Directors. Comparing her role to that of a CEO of a large company, Dr. Vaccaro describes herself as an academic entrepreneur working to find global, innovative solutions to keep the student experience at the heart of the academic journey in todays accelerated world.

HES-SO and EHL history

The connection between the two institutions is longstanding. Since 1998, EHL has been a member school of the HES-SO, allowing EHL to be the only hospitality higher education training school in Western Switzerland with recognized programs at national and international level.

Praising the way that HES-SO and EHL work with collective engagement, Dr. Vaccaro was proud to state that around 5800 students graduate each year and are therefore equipped in finding a job and a place in society  thanks to us giving them a passport to the future. For this passport to remain valid, a deeper level of flexibility in the process of knowledge-acquisition must be implemented.

Internationalization: A world of opportunities

I believe that every student should have an international experience as part of their learning journey. Dr Luciana Vaccaro

Dr Vaccaro acknowledged EHLs impressive natural inclination towards internationalization with campuses in Passugg and Singapore, a global association of certified schools and VET partnerships. EHLs hugely mixed student body made up of over 120 nationalities is warmly encouraged to make use of this international perspective, either by studying or doing internships abroad  a feature often cited by EHL students as being one of the most enriching parts of the program, which also adds to EHL graduates seeing the world as their oyster.

Dr Vaccaros vision is clear: in her ideal world, each HES-SO student should be exposed to exchanges with international teachers, courses abroad and projects with foreign students - to discover communalities and differences. This should be applicable across the board, whether a HES-SO student nurse, engineer, researcher or teacher. For now, 18% of HES-SO students study abroad, which is slightly below the 20% goal fixed in the Bologna Process. In this regard, Dr Vaccaro is working towards a further extension of international opportunities, notably through the association of Switzerland to Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programs.

To make this happen, greater links to European and international universities would naturally be the starting point. Dr Vaccaros vision comes with budgetary and geopolitical challenges: a) public fundings are under pressure, b) the country has been in purgatory within the EU framework which has impacted adhesion to initiatives such as Erasmus+, and, c) the current international climate is extremely complicated.

The UNITA - European University Alliance

With a view to overcoming some of these challenges, Dr Vaccaro championed for HES-SO to join UNITA  Universitas Montium - an alliance of twelve universities spread across seven European countries, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Ukraine and Switzerland. The participating universities share several characteristics based on the Romance language, local socio-economic roots, and have as their aim to establish close cooperation in all areas of academic activity: training, research, innovation and services to society.

 Source: EHL

The HES-SO joined UNITA in June 2022 and became an associated member in November 2023. Dr Vaccaro described how the association with UNITA will help to encourage mobility and cooperation, particularly within the research and innovation hubs initiated by UNITA on the themes of renewable energies, circular economy and cultural heritage. Not only will the hubs create a dedicated space for developing new joint research projects, but thanks to the creation of a true inter-university campus, this association will also offer innovative international training opportunities for HES-SO students and, above all, ensure a foothold in Europe.

Digitalization: Dive into the future of education

Undeniably the biggest trigger of new opportunities in education, Dr Vaccaro described the advent of digitalization as good for the futurologists but advised against being techno just for the sake of it; where there is potential there are also limitations.

Using technology wisely to enhance the learning process is essential since education must match todays students new methods of sourcing information. What remains intact is the transmissional role of the teacher  a key element that students are still looking for today according to Dr Vaccaro. Also, promoting more active project-based work that is evaluated at the same level as theoretical work is important for keeping the dual system of practical vs. theoretical in balance in a heavily digital environment.

HES-SOs approach toward digitalization is to integrate digital tools in an accurate pedagogical scenario. It is used to revisit lessons, develop hybrid learning styles, personalize the learning pace, implement immersive and interactive teaching techniques.

When asked about how the HES-SO could take a more active role in helping scale the use of digitalization, Dr Vaccaros reply was communities of practice - in other words, creating collaborative learning environments to share knowledge, build expertise, and collectively drive the adoption and implementation of digital technologies to enhance student learning experiences. An example of this is currently underway with a collaborative effort between an HES-SO and EHL taskforce to devise ChatGPT guidelines for teachers and students.

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Taking inspiration from EHL where digitalization has been used as a main strategic axis, Dr Vaccaro applauded the blended Master program, as well as a large portfolio of EHL short courses available online, successful asynchronous classes and the prize-winning use of augmented reality in the preparatory year. All this while still promoting regular teamwork and hands-on projects. The balance between practical and theoretical ordigital and human-facing learning remains one of EHLs strongest fortes that can be considered as a source of inspiration.

Continued learning: Evolving with excellence

A concept that has long been shared by EHL and HES-SO is that of lifelong learning (LLL). Linked to the need for flexibilization in this increasingly competitive and changing environment where upskilling and professional growth are becoming part of our longer working lives, continued learning must today feature as an intrinsic aspect of the educational portfolio.

Dr Vaccaro explained that innovation in education and lifelong learning go hand in hand, indeed, flexible practices are dependent on digitalized delivery styles. For example, the use of gamification, VR, blended and hybrid learning, (all successfully implemented at EHL since the pandemic) should be matched alongside new styles of micro-certification based on short courses and specific modules. Using a decidedly Swiss metaphor, Dr Vaccaro suggested a carte a points option where micro-certifications are likened a ski lift pass where skiers pay a small amount each time they use the lift instead of buying a pass for the full season. Equally, work experience should be valued and accredited as a form of knowledge and skills acquisition.

Executive education is especially ripe for expansion into LLL, with benefits for both professionals and their employers in terms of productivity, personal growth and company loyalty. A good example is EHLs tailor-made executive programs which include offers such as the Executive Fellowship Teaching Program with a blend of online and on-campus learning, tailored feedback, and hands-on practice delivered on a part time basis over 13 weeks.

Flexibilization and the future

For Dr Vaccaro, higher education is no longer bound by processes linked to a fixed time, space or even enrollment. Todays methods of knowledge and skills acquisition have been extended to a much wider playing field and must be catered to. Internationalization, digitalization and lifelong learning are deeply interconnected axes that impact the quantity and quality of offers geared to a modern-day student experience increasingly based on flexibility.

Within UNITAs framework, the student journey is made up of various moveable and stackable elements: asynchronous learning, mobility offers, blended intensive programs (BIPs), internship opportunities, and student involvement in joint participatory bodies such as student assemblies. Currently, micro-certifications (notably to develop language skills) are under construction, along with ideas for possible double diplomas and a la carte modules, enabling students to follow part of their curriculum by distance learning or face-to-face.

Dr Vaccaro's wish for Europe's academic future? To one day have a recognized European degree. Even if it happens after my tenure, HES-SO must join this train and contribute to its construction! she stated with great enthusiasm. Even though the European constitution has not yet accepted such a proposal, it remains an inspiring North Star worth following as the academic universe becomes ever more connected.

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The Police Department in Adams is now at full force with the hiring of Officer Cole Desroches, who was introduced to the Selectmen on Wednesday.

Adams Welcomes New Officer; Appoints Housing Authority Board Member



Officer Cole Desroches recently graduated from the Police Academy. ADAMS, Mass.  The Selectmen welcomed the newest member of the Adams Police Department, Officer Cole Desroches, on Wednesday evening.

Desroches graduated from the Police Academy on March 22 in the top tier in his class. He's currently in the field training program and assigned to Sgt. Curtis Crane. He attended Hoosac Valley High School and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

"He's going to serve and protect the town of Adams very well," said Crane, who with Sgts. Matthew Wright and Gregory Onorato stepped in to introduce the new officer while Chief R. Scott Kelley was on vacation.

"We don't often get an opportunity to kind of talk about, frankly, some of the positive things that are happening in town and one of the many things that I feel are positive with are the Adams Police Department," said Town Administrator Jay Green. "We are right now at full staff. We have a full complement of officers. We have a chief who just resigned a three-year contract. ... We have four very capable sergeants (including Donna Malloy)."

The force consists of the chief, the four sergeants, a full-time detective and 11 patrol officers. It also has a new position in Cpl. Joshua Baker who is responsible for training and keeping staff equipped.

"We're on the cutting edge of ensuring that we have proper training in a very changing environment with law enforcement," continued Green. "And we have a nice complement of officers and we have a well-respected detective who handles some very complicated cases."

He called out the half-dozen officers who attended the meeting for the work they're doing as well as the K9 unit.

"I'm stealing Chief Kelly's thunder, I usually let him do that, but to the rest of the staff, thank you for all you do," Green said. "Be safe out there."

The board also voted to appoint James R. Suttle Jr. to a five-year term on the Adams Housing Authority effective May 7.

Suttle and candidate George L.H. Jacobson Jr. had been interviewed at the April 3 Selectmen's meeting. At that time, the authority's Executive Director William Schrade III said the current board appointee did not wish to be reappointed, leaving the seat open.

He said members of the authority were notified of the opening 30 days in advance and had the opportunity to ask questions about the role of the board, which is to approve policies, budgets and the hiring of the director. Three people had submitted their names to the town clerk by the April 1 deadline but one withdrew the morning of April 3.

Jacobson, a Navy veteran, told the Selectmen at the April 3 meeting that he had moved here about year ago after working for a security company in Plymouth. He said he wanted to give back to the community even though he'd only been here a short time.

"I have a nice quiet area. And it's just a great place to live and I recommend it to anyone," he said.

Suttle worked in labor unions and then in quality assurance control at Unistress, overseeing special projects, training and records maintenance and taking leadership courses. He said he's not the type to get involved but after getting the notification, he decided to try to for the seat.

"You know why? Because this guy excites me," he said, referring to Schrade. "He is so enthusiastic about the facility, if there's anything that I can do to support and contribute to helping him with his vision, because he's a guy that's proactive and I appreciate the painting, the remodeling, constantly looking for things and also see how caring he is for the people."

On Wednesday, Selectman Joseph Nowak said he felt both candidates were qualified but nominated Suttle because he was impressed by his resume, particularly with his involvement in the union and with working class people.

Selectman Richard Blanchard abstained because he was absent from the last meeting when the two candidates were interviewed and Selectman Howard Rosenberg was absent.

In other business:

 The board approved the replacement of a utility pole on Pearl Street; closed the town meeting warrant and recommended a change (with Nowak abstaining) in the dog leash bylaw to allow a dog park at the coal & grain site, with rules yet to be determined.

 Town Clerk Haley Meczywor reminded the community that the last day to register to vote is Friday, April 26, and that her office will be open until 5 p.m. that day. Mail-in ballots have been mailed out; mail-in and absentee ballot applications are available until April 30. In-person absentee balloting starts May 3. The annual town election is Monday, May 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Memorial Building. More information Town Clerk Haley Meczywor reminded the community that the last day to register to vote is Friday, April 26, and that her office will be open until 5 p.m. that day. Mail-in ballots have been mailed out; mail-in and absentee ballot applications are available until April 30. In-person absentee balloting starts May 3. The annual town election is Monday, May 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Memorial Building. More information here

 Resident Catherine Foster took to the podium during public comment to express concerns she had over alleged conflicts of interest related to the member of the Board of Selectmen. She referred to a number of boards that Chair Christine Hoyt sits on, including the Northern Berkshire Regional Emergency Planning Committee, the Adams Theater and the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association, saying she should not have made votes related to those organizations.

(All three volunteer boards are nonprofit and/or civic; Hoyt recused herself during the section of the budget recommendation vote that included the town's insurance.)

Foster also brought up Hoyt's vote to appoint Michael Wynn as Greylock Glen director, asking if she was friends with Wynn's wife. "I don't know why you did not disclose that conflict of interest to the town clerk before you had any business voting on hiring her husband," she said.

Selectman John Duval asked if her point was that Hoyt knew someone. "We as a board in Adams, the members that get involved with state-type committees and organizations really benefits the town of Adams," he said. "As I do myself. I'm on the board of the BRPC and a lot of organizations."

Foster said Duval "worked" for the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, which irked him enough to respond despite Hoyt asking him not to. She requested town counsel reply to Foster.

Town Counsel Edmund St. John III said Foster, who has filed numerous Open Meeting Law complaints against the town, was violating OML because the issues she was bringing up require deliberation and should be on the agenda.

"You're using this forum to invite them to violate the Open Meeting Law," he said as Foster talked over him. "I have a right to speak like everybody else, and I'm not finished with my conflicts of interest," she said, adding that OML did not apply to her.

She listed a number of other relationships she said were conflicts.

Hoyt said the matter would be put on the agenda for a future meeting and asked Foster to supply the material she wanted the board to address.
Dalton Planning Board OKs Gravel Company Permit

DALTON, Mass.  The Planning Board approved the renewal of Nichols Sand and Gravel's special permit for earth removal.

The company, located at 190 Cleveland Road, operates a gravel pit there.

The hours of operation will remain 7 to 4 p.m. The commission approved owner Paul Nichols' request to allow trucks to depart the property in either direction.

Nichols has to apply for renewal of the special permit every year. The previous permit required the truck to exit the property to the right.

It makes more sense to go left if truck drivers have to go to the Pittsfield area, Nichols said. He has talked to the residents in the area and they are agreeable to the change.

Former residents requested this stipulation nearly 16 years ago to reduce the number of trucks using the residential street to avoid disturbing the quality of life and neighborhood.

There weren't any residents present during the meeting who expressed concerns regarding this change.

There was one neighbor who previously sent a letter to the town expressing concerns about how allowing the trucks to turn left would change the character of the neighborhood and was a safety concern for the kids getting on the bus, board Chair Andrew Perenick said.

Since then this neighbor has left and there are not as many kids in the neighborhood. All of the letters the town has received expressed being in favor of this change, he said.

Nichols told the Traffic Commission during its last meeting that there would be the same amount of trucks in the area. The only difference is that the traffic will be dispersed.

One board member commented that it is better for him to turn left because it is less wear and tear on the bridge.

Nichols highlighted that he communicates with neighbors to ensure the truck divers are going slow in the neighborhood.

He mentioned that his wife keeps horses on their property, and if the drivers go too fast, it scares them.

If the truck drivers go too fast in the neighborhood they are not allowed to get materials at his business, Nichols said.




iciHaiti - European Union : New humanitarian airlift with Haiti





As the recent surge in gang violence makes the situation in Haiti even more critical, the European Union (EU) has launched a new humanitarian airlift to provide basic necessities to the population from the country.



In total, 5 flights arrived in Cap Haitien, in the north of the country, the international airport of Port au Prince having been closed since the beginning of March. Flights from Panama brought up to 62 tonnes of medicine, emergency shelter equipment, water and sanitation. Of this total, 24 tonnes of material came from EU stockpiles in Panama, including blankets, hygiene kits and kitchen utensils.



Janez Lenarcic, Commissioner for Crisis Management, declared : "The EU remains ready to support the people of Haiti by all means in our power. With these five flights, we are delivering much-needed supplies to our partners in the country, where people struggle to access healthcare and other basic services. Preventing the spread of diseases such as cholera is a priority, as is providing emergency shelter for the growing number of people displaced by the ongoing violence."



This humanitarian airlift, as well as in-kind donations, are organized within the framework of the European humanitarian intervention capacity.



IH/ iciHaiti


















EQS-Ad-hoc: Knorr-Bremse Aktiengesellschaft / Key word(s): Mergers & Acquisitions/Takeover

Knorr-Bremse Aktiengesellschaft: Knorr-Bremse Signs Agreement on the Acquisition of Alstoms Rail Signalling Technology Business in North America



19-Apr-2024 / 17:35 CET/CEST

Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Knorr-Bremse Signs Agreement on the Acquisition of Alstoms Rail Signalling Technology Business in North America

Munich, April 19, 2024  Knorr Brake Holding Corporation, a subsidiary of Knorr-Bremse AG (ISIN: DE000KBX1006), today signed an agreement with a subsidiary of Alstom S.A. on the acquisition of Alstoms conventional rail signalling technology business in North America (Alstom Signaling North America).

As purchase price an enterprise value of around EUR 630 million was agreed. This includes a mid-double-digit million EUR amount for additional expected project business. Alstom Signaling North America attained revenues of about EUR 300 million and an EBIT margin of approximately 16% according to the preliminary results in the past fiscal year which ended on March 31, 2024.

With this acquisition, Knorr-Bremse is successfully making an entry into the highly attractive control, command, and signalling (CCS) segment of the rail market. Alstom Signaling is a leading company in North Americas CCS market. From todays perspective, it is believed that the acquisition will be accretive right from the outset.

The transaction is subject to customary conditions and is expected to close during summer 2024.

The acquisition is to be financed from available liquidity and debt capital and should not affect the credit Rating.

Media contact:

Alexander Stechert-Mayerhofer

Head of Corporate Communications

+49 89 3547 1942

alexander.stechert-mayerhoefer@knorr-bremse.com

Contact Investor Relations:

Andreas Spitzauer

Head of Investor Relations

+49 89 3547 182310

+49 175 528 1320

investor.relations@knorr-bremse.com
Jeanne du Barry is a powdered and periwigged costume drama, pungently set in the palace of Louis XV and positively teaming with scheming courtiers. The first rule of Versailles, we are told, is never turn your back on the king. The courtiers may exit his presence with shuffling steps, bowing and scraping all the while. But whatever they do, they mustnt give him the cold shoulder. It would make the king feel unloved and ignored by his subjects. It might make him think hes done something to upset them.

In Jeanne du Barry, which opened quietly in UK cinemas this week, the king is played by a sad-eyed Johnny Depp, a Hollywood superstar turned pariah, dogged by accusations of domestic abuse and now shunned by many of the studios that once ran to greet him. The role of Louis XV is his first acting job in three years. Does that make it a comeback? Even Depp has his doubts. I keep hearing this word comeback and I wonder about that, because I didnt really go anywhere, he told reporters ahead of the films premiere. Maybe people stopped calling, but I didnt go nowhere. Ive been sitting around.

On-screen, Depps the king. Off screen, hes like a 21st-century Norma Desmond, mouldering in his mansion and largely forgotten by the public. The 60-year-old is still big, its just the films that got small. Which is to say that Jeanne du Barry is a French-language co-production, largely bankrolled by Saudi cash, that was unveiled without fuss in central London this week. Johnny Depp flashes yellowing smile at fans, ran the ungallant headline in Metro the next morning. I see this as the journalistic equivalent of exiting the kings presence: a dutiful curtsey while shuffling backwards at speed.

Kevin Spacey has fumed on the sidelines for years. Armie Hammer now sells timeshares in the tropics. But these are the exceptions. Most disgraced actors arent cancelled in the literal sense of the word (to stop, to make void). More often than not they fade out, like the Cheshire Cat, until all that remains is a smile and a nib on page six. There are no second acts in American lives, said F Scott Fitzgerald  but of course he was wrong. It exists in student films, corporate videos and obscure action films that tend not to sell outside Russia.

open image in gallery Best of the bunch: Mickey Rourke in Darren Aronofskys The Wrestler ( Shutterstock )

Theres nothing Hollywood likes better than a comeback story, a redemptive arc, the Robert Downey Jr grand tour from rehab to an Oscar. But theres something fascinating, too, about the comebacks that sputter  and Jeanne du Barry, for all its pomp and silliness, is never without interest. Depps royal romp joins a bizarre sub-genre of films that feel haunted and defined by the offscreen troubles of their stars. Its one of a handful of pictures that dont merely carry the whiff of failure but that opt to lean into it, inhale it, and try to spin it to their advantage.

Easily the best of this bunch is Darren Aronofskys The Wrestler, in which Mickey Rourke (his reputation in tatters; his features tenderised by boxing bouts) picked up an Oscar nomination for his turn as washed-up, punch-drunk Ram Robinson. The wildest, though, is probably Paul Schraders The Canyons, a stumbling erotic thriller that cast Lindsay Lohan in the role of a blasted Hollywood actor. Lohan, at the time, was fresh out of jail, with one foot metaphorically still in rehab. Her performance (assuming it even is a performance) steers the film on a hazardous course. Working with Lindsay was difficult, Schrader confessed afterwards. She has a hard time separating fantasy from reality.

When Jeanne du Barry premiered at last years Cannes film festival, the organisers were criticised for allowing Depp through the door. The festival enjoys these kinds of controversies. It likes bun fights and scandals and ill-starred comebacks, figuring perhaps that this is all part of cinemas rich tapestry. It was Cannes, youll recall, that premiered 2011s The Beaver, the dead-on-arrival star vehicle for a post-racist-meltdown Mel Gibson. And it was Cannes, too, that laid on the notorious midnight screening of Abel Ferraras Welcome to New York, featuring Gerard Depardieu in the role of a brutish sexual predator.

The Chilean director Pablo Larrain once made an excellent film called The Club. It was about a band of disgraced Catholic priests in a little house by the sea. The film festival circuit might be the celebrity version of that. Its a limbo or a lifeline, sometimes a fire sale. Its scheduled on the understanding that most viewers will turn their backs and that those who remain will be the diehards, the cultists and those who are more gripped by disaster than by tales of success. Shamed stars never die; theyre only sitting around in the dark. We know them by the flash of a yellowing smile.

Jeanne du Barry is in cinemas, and available on digital release from 20 May
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Taylor Swifts latest studio album The Tortured Poets Department dropped today, leaving fans both elated and confused.

Many fans expected the album would be heavily inspired by her six-year relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn. However, Swift has taken everyone by surprise as it emerged that her songs instead seem to address her brief dalliance with The 1975s frontman, Matty Healy.

News of Swift and Alwyns breakup was first reported in April 2023. A month later, the first rumours of Swift dating Healy emerged, after they were first linked back in 2014.

However, the relationship reportedly ended after just a few weeks. She is currently in a relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight-end Travis Kelce.

Swift and Healys relationship sparked consternation from Swifties (Swift fans) who objected to Healys long string of controversies, including a podcast in which he engaged with a number of derogatory remarks about rapper Ice Spice, as well as women and Japanese people.

Healy apologised to Ice Spice in April 2023, saying he didnt want to be perceived as, like, kind of mean-hearted. Soon after this, Swift announced a collaboration with Ice Spice for a remix of her song Karma, which some critics and fans claimed was damage control for Healys comments.

Fans are now scrambling to dissect the meaning of songs from The Tortured Poets Department, with the title track, along with songs such as The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, But Daddy I Love Him, Fresh Out the Slammer and My Boy Only Breaks His Favourite Toys all interpreted to be about Healy. She also appears to reference him on The Black Dog, from the extended version of the album.

open image in gallery Taylor Swift and Matt Healy ( Getty Images )

In a message to fans on social media, Swift wrote: This period of the authors life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up. There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed. And upon further reflection, a good number of them turned out to be self-inflicted. This writer is of the firm belief that our tears become holy in the form of ink on a page. Once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it.

Here are the latest clues that Swifts songs are about Healy

On Guilty as Sin? Swift sings about fatal fantasies for someone in her past who sends her the 1989 song The Downtown Lights by Scottish band The Blue Nile.

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Healy has mentioned before that The Blue Nile is his favourite band of all time and that The 1975s song Love It If We Made It was inspired by The Downtown Lights.

Fans also wrote an open letter in April urging Swift to reflect on the impact of your own and your associates' behavior.

On But Daddy I Love Him, Swift seems to address this criticism of her romance with Healy.

She sings: I'd rather burn my whole life down/ Than listen to one more second of all this bitchin' and moanin'/ I'll tell you something 'bout my good name/ It's mine along with all the disgrace/ I don't cater to all these vipers dressed in empaths clothing.

Swift continues in the same vein, on I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can) singing: The jokes that he told across the bar were revolting and far too loud/They shake their heads, saying, God help her when I tell em hes my man/But your good Lord doesnt need to lift a fingerI can fix him, no really I can.

She appears to accuse Healy of ghosting her on The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived, singing: Was any of it true?/ Gazing at me starry-eyed/ In your Jehovahs Witness suit/ Who the f*** was that guy?/ You tried to buy some pills/ From a friend of friends of mine/ They just ghosted you/ Now you know what it feels like.

She later sings: And I dont even want you back I just want to know/ If rusting my sparkling summer was the goal/ And I dont miss what we had but could someone give/ A message to the smallest man who ever lived.

Healy has been wearing black suits with a black tie and white shirt while touring with The 1975.

On The Black Dog, she shouts out another of Healys favourite bands, the pop-punk group The Starting Line. The 1975 covered their 2002 track The Best of Me while on tour last year, days before Swift and Healy were first spotted holding hands.

She sings: I just dont understand how you dont miss me/ In The Black Dog when someone plays The Starting Line / And you jump up, but shes too young/ To know this song/ That was intertwined in the magic fabric of our dreaming.

open image in gallery Fans think The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived is about Healy ( AP )

Early reactions from both critics and fans seemed positive. However, some Swifties have pointed out their unhappiness at the clear focus on Healy, as opposed to Swifts relationship with Alwyn.

A line about a tattooed golden retriever from the title track The Tortured Poets Department, which seems to reference Healys obvious ink, has also received some eye-rolls.

All that for an album about Matty Healy, one fan wrote on her Instagram.

Swifties looking for Joe Alwyn references will perhaps be reassured by So Long, London, as she sings, I died on the altar waiting for the proof / You sacrificed us to the gods of your bluest days.

The Tortured Poets Department has been heavily anticipated since Swift first announced it at the 2024 Grammy awards where she took home top prizes including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album, for 2022s Midnights.

The Independents Helen Brown gave the new album five stars, praising Swifts storytelling power. In keeping with the literary (if ungrammatical) album title, Swift is on her most piercingly polysyllabic form here, she wrote.

The album features collaborations with rapper Post Malone and Florence Welch, of English band Florence + the Machine. Physical copies of the album will also include an original poem from Fleetwood Macs Stevie Nicks.
Mainland says flight route adjustment benefits both sides of Taiwan Strait

Xinhua) 13:05, April 19, 2024

BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The initiation of the west-to-east operation of W122 and W123 routes that connect with M503 route, effective Friday, benefits both sides of the Taiwan Strait, said a Chinese mainland spokesperson.

Zhu Fenglian, a State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, made the remarks while responding to a media inquiry.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on Friday announced the initiation of the west-to-east routes W122 and W123 to connect with M503 route.

The move aims to alleviate the pressure brought by flight growth in relevant areas, ensure flight safety, reduce flight delays, and safeguard the rights and interests of passengers, Zhu said.

On Jan. 30, the CAAC announced the cancellation of the flight deviation measures for the north-to-south operation of the M503 route, effective from Feb. 1, also stating its intention to initiate the west-to-east routes W122 and W123 to connect with M503 route, with the aim of improving airspace operational efficiency.

Zhu highlighted that the M503 route falls within the Shanghai flight information region, and its establishment and implementation are routine responsibilities of mainland civil aviation airspace management.

She pointed out that since the cancellation of flight deviation measures for the M503 route, overall operations have remained safe and stable. This has led to notable improvements in cross-Strait flight operations and facilitated personnel exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Taylor Swift fans are scrambling to decipher the US artists many lyrical references on new album The Tortured Poets Society.

The Grammy-winning artist released her 11th studio album at midnight (5am GMT) on Friday 19 April, then announced an extended anthology version shortly after.

Swifties were surprised to learn that the majority of songs do not, in fact, appear to be about her six-year relationship with British actor Joe Alwyn, with exceptions such as So Long, London and loml.

Instead, much of her songwriting seems inspired by her brief fling with The 1975s frontman Matty Healy, whom she dated around April and May last year.

On Guilty as Sin? she sings about fatal fantasies for someone from her past who sends her the 1989 song The Downtown Lights, by Scottish band The Blue Nile (she might have felt a particular affinity for the song as it was released the year she was born).

Drowning in The Blue Nile/ He sent me Downtown Lights, she sings. I hadnt heard it in a while/ My boredoms bone deep/ This cage was once just fine/ Am I allowed to cry?

open image in gallery Swift and Healy dated briefly after she split from actor Joe Alwyn ( Getty Images )

Healy has mentioned his love for the Glasgow-formed trio on several occasions, calling them his favourite band off all time.

He also said that The 1975s song Love It If We Made It was inspired by The Downtown Lights, calling it Blue Nile on steroids.

Musically, theyve inspired me so much, he told Vulture in a 2016 interview. Theres so much drama. Its perfect nighttime music. Its beautiful, romantic music with British sensibilities. The sounds on it are amazing.

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The Blue Nile were formed by childhood friends Paul Buchanan and Robert Bell, with Paul Joseph Moore joining the lineup in 1981.

The Downtown Lights was released as the lead single from their second studio album, 1989s critically adored Hats. It reached No 67 in the UK and stayed in the charts for three weeks.

Somewhat unfortunately for fans, the band liked to take their time making new music; it was another seven years before they released their third album, Peace at Last.

Obviously, we didnt produce records very often; we didnt try to generate an image of any kind, Buchanan told The Quietus in a 2012 interview. So no, I wouldnt say we were careerist.

open image in gallery The Blue Nile havent released new music since 2004 ( Alamy Stock Photo )

And while the band havent released any new music since their fourth album, High, in 2004, they have never officially disbanded.

However, frontman and principal songwriter Paul Buchanan had a top 10 hit in the UK when he featured on Sleep by Texas, which peaked at No 6 on the charts.

I dont know what happened with the band, he told The Quietus. Its up to everybody, and, in a way, I ended up making the [new solo] record for a number of reasons, but I suspect my uncertainty and kinda mournfulness about the group was one of them.

Swift will launch the UK leg of her Eras tour in Edinburgh, Scotland, this June.
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Convicted killer Robert Durst reminded The Jinx director Andrew Jarecki of someone else prone to lying: former US president Donald Trump.

Jarecki spoke to The Independent ahead of the release of The Jinx  Part Two, the sequel to his 2015 hit series about the multiple murder allegations against realty heir Durst, which is set to air on Max this Sunday.

In the first series, Durst lies to Jarecki about being in Madrid in order to get out of an interview, although it later transpires he was in Los Angeles.

Bob is like a Trump in that way, hes very good at dodging something, Jarecki said.

The Germans have this word Blitzluge  a lightning lie  something you can pull in a second. And so I know Bob was sitting in a restaurant in Los Angeles, listening to some Spanish music and said: Im sorry I cant do the interview, Im in Madrid.

Trump, 77, is currently facing criminal trial in New York City over charges of falsifying business records to conceal payments to an adult film star ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

open image in gallery Robert Durst (left) and Donald Trump ( Getty Images )

Dursts conviction in 2021 for the 2000 murder of his best friend Susan Berman was partially brought about thanks to The Jinx. While wearing a microphone for the series, Durst was caught unwittingly telling himself in the bathroom: What did I do? Killed them all, of course.

Less than 24 hours before The Jinx finale aired, Durst was arrested on first-degree murder charges relating to the death of Berman.

The millionaire was first suspected of killing his wife, Kathleen Durst, after her mysterious disappearance in 1982; though, her body has never been found.

In 2001, he was arrested for the murder of his neighbour Morris Black  only to be acquitted of all charges after claiming he acted in self-defence.

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In January 2022, Durst died aged 78 of a cardiac arrest after just four months in prison, having suffered a litany of medical issues.

The Jinx  Part Two looks at the aftermath of the documentary becoming a national news story in 2015, through to Dursts eventual conviction and death.

The Jinx  Part Two will air in the US on Sunday 21 April at 10 pm ET/PT, with new episodes debuting weekly on HBO and streaming on Max. UK viewers can watch weekly episodes exclusively on Sky Documentaries and NOW from Monday 22 April.
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Netflix has been accused of using AI-manipulated images in its new true-crime documentary What Jennifer Did.

The film tells the story of 24-year-old Jennifer Pan who was convicted of a kill-for-hire attack targeting both of her parents, killing her mother and injuring her father. The events took place in Canada in 2010 and Pan is currently serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

In an interview included in the documentary, Pans high school friend Nam Nguyen describes her as bubbly, happy, confident, and very genuine. Nguyens words are accompanied by a series of photos that show Pan posing as she holds her hands in the peace sign position and pokes her tongue out at the camera.

However, on closer inspection of the images, Pans left hand looks like it has only two fingers, missing a thumb, ring finger and small finger. On the other hand, she appears to be missing another small finger.

Tech site Futurism first reported the observations. Often, human hands can be the first sign of image manipulation because they are difficult to generate or edit.

The Independent has contacted Netflix for comment.

While it is difficult to know what, if any, editing took place, manipulation of an image in a true-crime documentary would be seen as controversial given that the film is based on real-life events and should be told truthfully without embellishment.

Pan, now aged 37, was sentenced for hiring hit men to murder her parents.

open image in gallery The full image of Jennifer Pan included in Netflixs What Jennifer Did ( Netflix )

On 8 November 2010, a 911 call was made from a home in a residential neighbourhood in Ontario, Canada. Pan told police on the phone that she was home with her parents and gunmen had broken into their house and demanded money. Pan said that the intruders tied her up, shot both of her parents, and fled. Her mother died quickly and her father was severely wounded and taken to hospital, where he was put into an induced coma.

It was thought initially that the Pan familys home was randomly targeted but as more details emerged, detectives started to get suspicious of Pan when a neighbours security camera footage captured three men entering the house with no signs of forced entry.

Pan was the sole witness of the events until her father came out of his coma, and told police that his daughter appeared to know the people who broke into their home.

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Pan confessed to hiring the killers and leaving her house unlocked  though she claimed that she had arranged for herself to be their target, not her parents.

open image in gallery Clips from Pans interrogations are included in the film ( Netflix )

The Netflix show reveals that detectives learnt that it was Pans second attempt to organise a murder-for-hire, and ten months prior, she had asked another acquaintance to kill her parents.

Her father, Huei Hann Pan, testified for the prosecution at his daughters 2014 murder trial. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years, and she continues to maintain her innocence, according to the documentary.

The three hitmen also received life sentences with the possibility of parole after 25 years.

What Jennifer Did is now streaming on Netflix.
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The Jinx caused a sensation when it first aired on HBO in 2015. The six-part docuseries, from director Andrew Jarecki, told the story of multimillionaire New York real estate heir Robert Durst and his involvement in a series of grisly crimes. The show sparked headlines around the world when its subject was arrested on first-degree murder charges the day before its finale aired.

Now, with The Jinx returning for a second season nine years on, the original series is enjoying renewed interest. The genesis of the show can be traced back to Jareckis 2010 drama All Good Things, which starred Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst and Frank Langella. Although names were changed for the film, the story was heavily inspired by Dursts real-life story. In the film, Gosling portrays David Marks, the wealthy son of a real estate tycoon played by Langella. Marks strange behaviour leads to him becoming a prime suspect in a series of murders, as well as in the unsolved disappearance of his wife (Dunst).

The real Durst liked the film so much that shortly after All Good Things was released he called Jarecki and offered to sit for an interview, having never previously spoken to any other journalists. In the end, Durst spoke to Jarecki for over 20 hours, and those lengthy discussions would go on to form the basis of the series.

The first four episodes of The Jinx explore the unsolved disappearance of Dursts wife Kathleen in 1982, the execution-style murder of writer Susan Berman in 2000 and the 2001 death and dismemberment of Morris Black, who had been Dursts neighbour in Galveston, Texas.

Durst always denied any involvement in the disappearance of Kathleen, who was just months shy of her graduation from medical school when she vanished. However, he changed his story several times and each version was riddled with inconsistencies. Durst and his wife reportedly had frequent public, sometimes violent, arguments, and Kathleen was treated for bruises on her body. She also claimed that Robert forced her to have an abortion.

Susan Berman, meanwhile, was a friend and confidante of Dursts who was found shot dead in her Benedict Canyon home in Los Angeles. Berman had been Dursts main spokesperson and defender in public, but before she died, she was reportedly about to tell authorities that Kathleen hadnt disappeared but rather had been killed and that she had aided in Dursts coverup of the murder.

open image in gallery Robert Durst on trial for the murder of Susan Berman in March 2020 ( AP Photo/Alex Gallardo )

In October 2000, Durst was tipped off that police planned to reopen the investigation into Kathleens disappearance. In response Durst went into hiding, moving to Galveston, Texas, and going to elaborate lengths to disguise himself as a mute woman in order to evade police inquiries. He was then arrested in October 2001 after parts of his neighbour Morris Black were found dismembered in Galveston Bay.

At trial, Durst claimed he had killed his neighbour in self-defence after the pair struggled over his .22 caliber target pistol. He then admitted to cutting up Blacks body with a knife, axe and saws, putting it in a bag and dumping it into the bay. Blacks head was never recovered, so prosecutors were unable to present sufficient forensic evidence to dispute Dursts account of the struggle. He was acquitted on 11 November 2003.

During the fifth episode of The Jinx, Jarecki is contacted by Susan Bermans stepson Sareb Kaufman, who offers new evidence linking Durst to Bermans killing. He provides an envelope that Durst had sent to Berman, which features block letter writing and a notable misspelling of Beverley Hills, both of which had also appeared on an anonymous letter that had been sent to the police to notify them about Bermans murder.

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open image in gallery Robert Durst in The Jinx - Part Two ( HBO )

In the final episode of season one, Jarecki successfully convinces Durst to sit for a second interview. During this conversation, the filmmaker confronts him with the evidence of the two envelopes, but Durst continues to maintain his innocence and denies sending the letter about Bermans murder.

After the interview, Durst excuses himself to go to the bathroom and is apparently unaware that his microphone is still recording him. He rambles to himself, eventually stating: What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course.

That shocking and revelatory ending served as the climax of the series, but the real-life drama continued. The evidence provided by Bermans stepson and the filmmakers led directly to Durst being convicted of killing Berman.

His trial began in 2020, but was postponed until 2021 due to the pandemic. He was convicted that September, with both his brother Douglas and a friend, Nick Chavin, testifying against him, and sentenced to life in prison.

open image in gallery The Jinx director Andrew Jarecki ( Getty Images )

However, it did emerge during the trial that the damning audio heard in the finale of The Jinx had been edited and re-ordered. What Durst actually said on the full bathroom recording was less clear: I dont know what you expected to get. I dont know whats in the house. Oh, I want this. Killed them all, of course I want to do something new. Theres nothing new about that He was right. I was wrong. The burping. Im having difficulty with the question. What the hell did I do?

In January 2022, Durst died of cardiac arrest while in hospital for tests. The second instalment of The Jinx, which will air weekly on Max beginning Sunday 21 April, is set to include new interviews, hidden material, and Dursts prison calls.

If youre travelling abroad and want to watch The Jinx then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help: get the best VPN deals on the market.
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Pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai allegedly tried to trigger mainland China's political and economic collapse, a court in Hong Kong has heard.

Mr Lai, a 76-year-old UK citizen and founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, is facing the prospect of life in prison if found guilty of sedition and collusion charges brought against him under the draconian national security law.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Chan Tsz-wah, a paralegal turned prosecution witness, claimed Mr Lai shared an anti-China strategy with him, which would have paved the path for an American-style democracy.

On Day 63 of the trial, Mr Chan told the handpicked judges of West Kowloon Court: "Jimmy Lai said, according to historical experience, Chinas implosion would happen very soon because the government mobilised several resources to monitor citizens.

Mr Chan, the fifth prosecution accomplice witness to testify against Mr Lai, continued his testimony on Friday amid fears of coercion.

He claimed that Mr Lai in January 2020 shared a strategy, which the media mogul suggested would have caused China's GDP to fall by 40 per cent.

Mr Lai allegedly shared a four-point plan to steer foreign governments China policies in his favour, Mr Chan told the court.

Successful lobbying, appealing to international concerns and seeking condemnations, linking up foreign officials and relaying their ideas to activists and regular contact with political consultants and advisers were part of the alleged four-point strategy, Mr Chan claimed.

He alleged that Mr Lai believed the steps would push foreign nations to trigger sanctions and even "overthrow the Chinese Communist Party in the future.

Mr Chan earlier on Thursday alleged that the pro-democracy activist had visited Taiwan and met with former Taiwanese legislator and activist Shih Ming-teh in early 2020.

Mr Lais closely monitored trial at the West Kowloon Court is expected to last nearly 80 days. The proceedings have been condemned by both the UK and the US as an "attempt to stop the peaceful exercise of [Mr Lais] rights to freedom of expression and association".

Experts from the UN have called on China to drop all charges against Mr Lai and release him immediately.

We are alarmed by the multiple and serious violations of Jimmy Lais freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, and his right to a fair trial, including the denial of access to a lawyer of his own choosing and the handpicking of judges by the authorities, the experts added.
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Five Japanese nationals narrowly escaped a suicide bombing attack unhurt in Pakistans Karachi as one attacker died in the blast and police gunned down his accomplice.

Police officials said five Japanese nationals were in the car that came under attack in Landhis Mansehra Colony. All five are safe and have been shifted to a safe location, police spokesperson Abrar Hussain Baloch said.

One of the two motorcycle-borne attackers set off explosives tied to his body as soon as the vehicle slowed, Pakistani counter-terrorism official Raja Umar Khatab told reporters, but failed to strike his target. That prompted his accomplice to start shooting at the vehicle.

"I think he fired some 15 or 16 shots," Mr Khatab said, adding that private security guards with the foreigners and a nearby police patrol returned fire and killed the second attacker.

The men had followed the Japanese groups vehicle for some time before the attack, he said, with authorities suspecting they carried out reconnaissance to identify the target and location of the attack.

The foreign nationals were aboard the van heading to an industrial area where they worked at Pakistan Suzuki motors, local police chief Arshad Awan said. The Japanese were working in the export processing zone.

A bag filled with grenades and Kalashnikov has also been recovered from the crime scene. Three passersby were among the people injured in the attack and have been shifted to a nearby hospital. They are now in a stable condition, Mr Awan said.

No militant group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

In Tokyo, Japans chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, told a press conference that one Japanese national was confirmed to have been injured and the government was checking details, having flagged the risk to other citizens in Pakistan.

Pakistan and its neighbour Afghanistan have been rocked by multiple suicide bombing attacks over the last few years amid regional tensions and infighting between factions of Isis militant group, its powerful arm Islamic State  Khorasan Province (ISKP) and offshoots of Al Qaeda group.

The militants are looking to overthrow the government in Islamabad as they look to establish their own brand of strict Islamic rule.

The attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan have also targeted foreign nationals, including Chinese in Afghanistans Shahr-e-naw.

Regional governor of Sindh Karan Tessori has asked officials to submit a report on the attack, and said terrorism will not be tolerated in the city under any circumstances, Geo News reported.

Pakistans president Asif Ali Zardari and prime minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack on the Japanese nationals.

In separate statements, they praised police for quickly responding and foiling the attack. They also vowed to eliminate terrorism and prayed for the speedy recovery of those wounded in the attack.
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The Taliban will not be recognised as the legitimate government of Afghanistan until it allows the full participation of girls and women in the wartorn countrys society, the US State Department has said.

Equal rights for women and girls continues to be a key tenet of US policy towards Afghanistan, said Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson for the department, speaking at a news briefing on Wednesday.

We continue to reiterate regularly, through relevant channels, with the Taliban that their self-stated goal of legitimacy can only be achieved, and will likely be impossible to achieve, if half of their population is being left out of participating in its society, participating in its economy, Mr Patel said.

The Taliban has effectively removed girls and women from schools, colleges, public parks, gyms, salons and national parks through several diktats banning them from entering these places.

open image in gallery Taliban security personnel in the Baharak district of Badakhshan province ( AFP )

It continues to be a key factor of our approach to Afghanistan policy, and its something that well continue to work towards, Mr Patel said, referring to the inclusion of more than 21 million women in Afghan society.

The ban on education for girls and women is the Talibans biggest criticism which has hindered its plans to gain recognition as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan.

Last month, Afghanistan renewed its academic year but without any trace of girls whom they barred from attending classes beyond the sixth grade, making it the only country with restrictions on female education.

Before taking full control of Afghanistan in August 2021, shortly after the US and Nato forces pulled out of the country, the Taliban promised a more moderate governance in its second stint. In the 1990s, they banned education for girls and women, along with restricting womens movement outside their houses without a male guardian. Both edicts have returned to Afghanistan despite the protest of the international community.

open image in gallery Women and children are barred from visiting a recreational park in Charikar, Parwan Province ( AFP )

The Taliban previously said girls continuing their education went against their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, and that certain conditions were needed for their return to school. However, they made little or no progress in creating those conditions, according to government critics.

Education given to boys and men, although more legitimised by the Taliban as opposed to none for girls, is also severely harmful, international human rights groups have found out.

The Taliban have abusive educational policies which are harming boys as well as girls. In December last year, Human Rights Watch said there has been less attention to the deep harm inflicted on boys education as qualified teachers  including women  left, and inclusion of regressive curriculum changes as well as an increase in corporal punishment have led to falling attendance.
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The conflict between Israel and Iran, fought out often in secret and through proxies, has now erupted with Israel carrying out strikes deep inside Iran six days after Tehrans attack with more than 350 drones and missiles.

Explosions were heard near the central city of Isfahan, which has a large airbase, a major missile production complex and number of nuclear facilities.

Videos from the city showed orange flashes in the night sky, along with sounds of what appeared to be sustained bursts of anti-aircraft artillery.

Israel has so far maintained silence about what happened and the initial reaction of the Iranian authorities was to claim that nothing very serious has taken place.

American officials, however, confirmed the Israeli military action and Irans semi-official Fars news agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reported that blasts had been heard in the city, activating local air defence systems.

open image in gallery ( The Independent )

Later Iranian officials said the Isfahan military base had been struck and a separate attack in Tabriz, 500 miles away, had been thwarted. However, attempts were still being made to play down what has unfolded.

One official said: The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack. The source claimed the drones used actually may have been flown by saboteurs internally.

The US, UK and other Western states have been urging Benjamin Netanyahus Israeli government not to carry out a direct assault on Iran, and the Biden administration has made clear it will not take part in any such mission.

Israel could have targeted any of Irans allies: Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syrian and Iraqi militias, and the Houthis in Yemen instead of Iran, so the Isfahan attack takes the strife between the two countries to a dangerous new level.

Even before any Iranian retaliation comes, we await to see what other military steps Israel takes. The decision on targeting was left to a tight circle in the war cabinet consisting of the prime minister, defence minister Yoav Gallant and Benny Gantz, the leader of the main opposition party who joined the government after the 7 October Hamas massacre.

Gantz, a former head of the military, is said to have pressed for hitting back at Iran immediately, while others in the cabinet, like the far-right security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, demanded that Israel go berserk.

open image in gallery Iranian state TV ran what they said was a live picture of the city of Isfahan early on 19 April ( Iranian State TV/AFP/Getty )

But Netanyahu and Gallant held back while intense consultations took place with US officials and talks were held with a number of Arab states.

Israel, by showing it can get past Iranian air defences, may decide to call a halt to any further action for now. In January, Pakistan carried out strikes into Iran after Tehran carried out missile attacks on Pakistani bases of a Balochi militant group. The confrontation ended after that one round of exchanges.

But the animosity between Iran and Israel is far more bitter and ingrained. The Jewish state sees the Islamic Republic as an existential threat, something Netanyahu has played up in his long political career as he presented himself as Mr Security.

Overwhelming concern for Israel is of a nuclear-armed Iran. The possibility of this, ironically, has become much stronger since Donald Trump, as president, pulled the US out of the nuclear agreement between Iran and the international community under pressure from the Israelis, the Saudis and other Sunni Gulf states.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the Isfahan nuclear facility has not been hit in the air strikes. But the Netanyahu government may be tempted now to use the retaliatory opportunity it has to try and damage Tehrans ability to get the bomb.

It would, however, be extremely difficult to do so with any great effect without American military help because most of the important sites are deep underground with sophisticated air defences. And that help is not forthcoming.

open image in gallery An Iranian woman walks past an anti-Israel banner with a picture of Iranian missiles on a street in Tehran ( Reuters )

It is also unlikely that Saudi Arabia, on a path of building links with Iran, the largest Shia power in the region, would allow Israeli warplanes to fly over its airspace to carry out such a mission, meaning that extensive air-to-air refuelling would be needed  not an easy operation to carry out at scale.

After the Iranian air assault on Israel was thwarted, with American, British, French and Jordanian aircraft playing a major role in shooting down drones and missiles, Joe Biden urged Netanyahu to take the win and not escalate the conflict.

By striking inside Iran, the Netanyahu government has shown that it is prepared for escalation. There may not be immediate repercussions  Iranian officials have said there are no plans for any retaliation for now.

This maintains the line it took after launching its air raid in response to the Israeli killing of an IRGC general and senior officers at its consulate in Damascus, saying that was the end of the matter for the time being.

But with strike and counter-strike, ratcheting of tension in an area bristling with arms, a misstep by either side may lead to the law of unintended consequences  the feared conflagration spreading across the Middle East and beyond.
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Paris Hilton has officially shared her first-ever photos of her daughter, London, on social media.

On 19 April, the 43-year-old DJ took to her social media accounts to share a series of photos of her family of four, which included her and her husband, Carter Reum, and their two children: one-year-old son, Phoenix, and four-month-old daughter London, who they welcomed via surrogate.

The first snap in the post showed Hilton holding London  who was wearing a pink headband and dress  as they sat outside on a blanket. The following photo went on to show the entire family together, while the last picture showcased Hilton with her son.

In the caption, the Paris in Love star formally introduced her daughter, before expressing how grateful she was for the latest addition to the family and the time theyve had together so far.

Introducing London Marilyn Hilton-Reum, she wrote. Ive dreamed of having a daughter named London for as long as I can remember. Im so grateful she is here. I truly cherish every moment I spend with her. Together with Phoenix, my angel babies have shown me a love that I never even knew could run so deep before I became their mother.

She went on to note how her experience with motherhood has inspired her and Sias new song, Fame Wont Love You, which came out on 19 April. She further described what the tune means to her and how she hopes it resonates with her listeners.

The song serves as a reminder that the special bond I feel with my children, my husband & my family is more valuable than anything else in the world, she wrote. Its an anthem that will empower you to hold your most sacred relationships even closer to your heart - whether with family, friends, or yourself. I hope you love it as much as I do.

In the comments of Hiltons Instagram, many famous faces and fans went on to praise the family, as well as the first-ever pictures of London.

My little sweeties, Ashley Benson wrote, while Dakota Fanning added: Two angels!!!!!!!!!

Always been a girls girl, and now a girl mom, a third wrote. So proud of you mama p!!!

Earlier this month, Hilton first addressed how fans had been asking her to post about her daughter on social media. During an interview with E! News at the Fashion Trust US Awards on 9 April, she was once again asked when shed share a photo of London, to which she responded: Soon.

She then specified why she was refraining 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.

The socialites comments about posting her family on social media also came months after Hilton was hit with scrutiny over her sons appearance. In October, multiple people on Instagram questioned the size of Phoenixs head, to which Hilton ultimately hit back. 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.
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The UK website domain for Meghan Markles new lifestyle brand leads to a foodbank, The Independent has discovered.

The former senior royal, 41, announced her new venture, American Riviera Orchard, on social media last month, however, it was not immediately clear exactly what it was offering.

But it soon emerged that the company is registered to sell lifestyle products including downloadable and printed recipe books, tableware, textiles, as well as foods like jam and marmalade.

The first of these products - jars of jam - were made public after Markle gifted 50 limited edition samples to influencers to promote the brand ahead of its official launch.

While the website ending in .com leads to a highly stylised website introducing Meghans brand along with a waiting list to join, the site ending in .uk encourages people to donate to the Trussell Trust and features a link to a GoFundMe set up for the charity.

It is believed that American Riviera Orchard will be a luxury lifestyle brand, although none of its prices have currently been made public.

The brands soft launch included a vintage-style video of the actress pruning flowers and cooking to the tune of Nancy Wilsons I Wish You Love.

open image in gallery It is believed American Riviera Orchard will sell luxury lifestyle products ( Tracy Robbins/Instagram )

At the time of writing, American Riviera Orchard only has a website and an Instagram page, neither of which currently feature any products - merely its gold-embossed name.

The creator of the GoFundMe clarified that they are not Meghan Markle, writing: not meghan. hope meghan wouldnt mind. thoughts with catherine. x

The website landing page reads: FORGIVENESS. PERMISSION. PLEASE DONATE TO THE TRUSSELL TRUST.

The only link directs visitors to a GoFundMe for the organisation, which has a set target of 1,000.

The fundraiser has now raised over 7,000 for the charity thanks to interest in Meghans new project.

open image in gallery The UK domain for Meghan Markles new lifestyle brand leads to a foodbank ( PA )

The news comes amid increased food poverty across the globe, with the Trussell Trust discovering that one in seven people in the UK is currently going hungry because they cannot afford to eat.

Emma Revie, Chief Executive for The Trussell Trust, said: Being forced to turn to a food bank to feed your family is a horrifying reality for too many people in the UK, but as [our] Hunger in the UK [report] shows, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Millions more people are struggling with hunger. This is not right.

open image in gallery Harry and Meghan are focusing on new ventures after stepping down as senior royals. ( AP )

Food banks are not the answer when people are going without the essentials in one of the richest economies in the world. We need a social security system which provides protection and the dignity for people to cover their own essentials, such as food and bills.

The Independent has reached out to a representative for Meghan Markle for comment.

The Trussell Trust told The Independent: The Trussell Trust are grateful to people who put their time and energy into supporting our work to end the need for food banks in the UK. The charity is not connected with this website domain and have no knowledge of who set it up.
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A royal prankster appears to have spread some mischief after buying a similar domain name to Meghan Markles luxury lifestyle brand and redirecting to a Waitrose page for King Charless rival jam.

Just a day after The Independent revealed one version of the American Riviera Orchard site leads to a food bank, this paper has spotted a further variation of the site name cheekily redirecting to Duchy Organic Strawberry Jam.

The mischief making comes after the Duchess of Sussex launched her brand with 50 beautifully packaged jars of strawberry preserve sent to influencers across the US.

Photographs of the jars were soon shared across social media with overly-sweet messages from recipients delighted with their Montecito hamper.

But one prankster banking on users mistyping the mouthful of a brand name appears keen to pit the King versus the Duchess in the jam stakes.

While its not known exactly what American Riviera Orchard will sell, as none of its products are officially available yet, it is registered to retail items including downloadable and printed recipe books, tableware, textiles, jams and marmalades.

open image in gallery Meghan Markles new luxury jam has been promoted on social media this week ( Tracy Robbins/Instagram )

open image in gallery A mispelling of Markles website now leads to King Charles jam ( Waitrose )

Charless Waitrose jam appears to be a hit with fans, with one praising: Tastes like a lovely homemade jam, with occasional large pieces of strawberry which feel like a bonus when you get one. Plus its great knowing its organic, better for the environment, better for humans. [sic]

This was done via a landing page that read: FORGIVENESS. PERMISSION. PLEASE DONATE TO THE TRUSSELL TRUST.

This was accompanied by a link to the good cause.

While this fundraiser had no donations at the time of its discovery on Wednesday (17 April), it has now raised a whopping 7,585 for the charity and the amount is growing by the minute.

Its creator wrote: not meghan. hope meghan wouldnt mind. thoughts with catherine. x [sic]

The page then stressed the problem of food poverty in the UK, which has exploded in light of the ongoing cost of living crisis that has caused everyday staples to dramatically increase in price.

open image in gallery Markles new business venture is also being used to promote a foodbank ( AFP via Getty Images )

But while the fundraiser was created with a good cause in mind and its creator seemingly bears her no ill, some donors to the cause are using it to make a point about food poverty in light of the creation of the luxury brand.

One wrote: Genius idea. A website to help the needy not the greedy. Keep up the fantastic work. Love Meghans Dad. [sic]

A second added: The world doesnt need more expensive jam. Lining Trussel Trusts pockets will actually help the needy.

Others, meanwhile, used the fundraise to send their best wishes to the Princess of Wales and King Charles, who are both currently undergoing cancer treatment.

A donator wrote: Given with love and best wishes to those who will benefit from these donations, in recognition of King Charles III and Princess Catherine - wishing you both a full recovery, you are dearly loved.

open image in gallery Some donators have sent their best wishes to Kate Middleton and King Charles ( Independent TV )

But one prankster banking on users mistyping the mouthful of a brand name appears keen to pit the King versus the Duchess in the jam stakes.

The unveiling of Markles new lifestyle brand comes amid a difficult time for the royal family, who have recently been shaken by the King and Princesss illnesses.

Following Harry and Meghans decision to step away from their work as senior royals in 2020, with Kate and Charles largely out of action there are now just nine working royals left, most of whom are elderly and unknown.

The Independent has reached out to Waitrose and Meghan Markle for comment.

Sophie Carre, Director of Public Engagement at the Trussell Trust, told The Independent: The Trussell Trust are grateful to people who put their time and energy into supporting our work to end the need for food banks in the UK. The charity is not connected with this website domain and have no knowledge of who set it up.
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A woman filmed herself trying not to cry in an attempt not to ruin her spray tan.

In a viral TikTok video, college student Halle Hawkins (@halsterhotkins) is covered in spray tan while trying to hold back her tears in the passenger seat of a car. She captioned the video: No chance Im letting a tear ruin this tan.

Nothing is more real than being about to cry, but you just got a spray tan, Hawkins first said, with her eyes glassy with tears. Although she doesnt explain why shes crying, it seems as though the subject of her grief was overwhelming.

Her friend next to her in the drivers seat tried to distract her and could be heard in the background, saying: Dont! Dont!

Halle, youre fine, the friend continued, trying to prevent tears from streaking Hawkins tan. Okay, tell me about the cute clothes you want right now.

The friend then told Hawkins to look directly toward the air-conditioning vents to help prevent the tears from falling. Turn the air on high! the friend instructed. Put it on high; put your eyes in it!

TikTok users took to the comment section, calling Hawkins relatable as she struggled to keep the tears at bay to protect her spray tan. One person wrote: Girl my ex bf broke up with me the day I got my first ever spray tan safe to say it didnt last.

Drawing from their own experience, someone else suggested: Just bend down so your face is parallel to the ground and the tears fall straight to the floor. Ive been there.

Another noted that Hawkins pal was a true friend, writing: Sis in the background is a real one.

St Tropez skin finishing expert Sophie Evans explained to Teen Vogue that the reason streaks can occur is because a spray tan takes hours to set.

A self tan needs at least four hours to begin developing so you must avoid water during that time, she added. Water, sweating, working out, everything! The tears created the streaks as the self tan had not developed yet.

She added that the best way to rectify tear streaks on a recent spray tan is to blot and spray over the spot.

I would blot off the excess tan  or where there are cry streaks, she says. Do this as soon as you stop crying and use an aerosol self tanning spray and simply spray over the spot again, following the rules of a downward stroke. Keep your eyes closed, then just buff to even with a dry soft towel or applicator mitt.

She recommended making sure to start off with an even tan, noting that its much easier to fix things with a good base.
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A Pennsylvania school board's cancellation of an upcoming appearance by actor and childrens book author Maulik Pancholy was ill-advised and sends a hurtful message, especially to the LGBTQ+ community, education officials said.

A member of Cumberland Valley School Districts board cited concerns about what he described as Pancholy's activism and lifestyle before the board voted unanimously Monday to cancel his appearance at a May 22 assembly at the Mountain View Middle School. Pancholy, who is gay, was scheduled to speak against bullying.

Besides their concerns about Pancholy, some board members also noted the districts policy about not hosting overtly political events, news outlets reported. The policy was enacted after the district was criticized for hosting a rally by Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign for president.

District Superintendent Mark Blanchard and nine other senior leaders  including assistant superintendents and district-level directors of technology, curriculum, legal affairs, human resources, student services and special education  sent a letter to the board, faculty and staff on Thursday asserting that Pancholy's speech should have been allowed. Pancholy's representatives shared a copy of the letter with The Associated Press.

The education officials said they were not given a real opportunity to answer questions or provide guidance about the event, which they said was aimed at reinforcing the importance of treating all people equally.

The administrators added that the school board's decision had "significant ramifications for our school community, especially for our students and staff who are members of the LGBTQ+ community. They also noted that the actor's sexual identity was cited as a factor in the decision, meaning "Mr. Pancholys personhood was reduced to a single aspect, and his ability to communicate a message of anti-bullying and hate was discredited.

The Associated Press sent emails to individual school board members seeking comment Friday.

Pancholy, 48, is an award-winning actor, including for his roles on the television shows 30 Rock and Weeds, and as the voice of Baljeet in the Disney animated series, Phineas & Ferb. He also has written childrens books and in 2014 was named by then-President Barack Obama to serve on the Presidents Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, where he co-founded a campaign to combat AAPI bullying.

Pancholys appearance was scheduled by the schools leadership team, which each year selects an author to present a unique educational experience for students, according to the district.

The school board's vote to cancel Pancholy's appearance also sparked criticism from several parents, students and community members, who called the decision homophobic. Some have started online petitions urging that Pancholys appearance be reinstated.

In a statement posted on social media this week, Pancholy said his school visits are meant to let all young people know that theyre seen."

"To let them know that they matter.

He also said that one of the reasons he became an author was because as a child he never saw himself represented in stories.

Thats the power of books. They build empathy, Pancholy wrote. I wonder why a school board is so afraid of that?
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Watch again as Antony Blinken speaks from the G7 summit on Friday (19 April) after Israel carried out strikes on Iran.

The US Secretary of State held a news conference on the final day of a three-day meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of Seven major industrialised nations.

Mr Blinkens speech came after Israel launched a retaliatory attack against Iran overnight, with explosions heard near a major military airbase.

Tehran was forced to activate its air defence system above the city of Isfahan, which is also home to sites associated with Irans nuclear programme. However, there was no damage to the nuclear sites, said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

The UK government has urged de-escalation and moderation in the Middle East, while accepting Israels absolute right to defend itself.

It remained unclear if the country was under attack, as no Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility and Israels military did not immediately respond to The Independents request for a comment.
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More human remains, including a torso, that are believed to belong to a missing woman have washed up on a beach along Lake Michigan, authorities said Thursday.

The torso and an arm believed to belong to 19-year-old Sade Robinson were found Thursday morning along a remote stretch of tree-lined beach in South Milwaukee about a quarter of a mile (402 meters) from an apartment complex, the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Office said.

The remains were found by someone walking on the beach, the office said in a news release.

Maxwell Anderson, 33, of Milwaukee has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse and arson in the case. A phone message seeking comment was left Thursday afternoon for one of his attorneys, Anthony Cotton.

Anderson, of Milwaukee, was arrested April 4, two days after a leg believed to belong to Robinson was found by a passer-by down a bluff at Warnimont Park along Lake Michigan in Cudahy. The leg had been severed just below the hip.

A photo of Sade Robinson, a young woman who was killed and whose remains were found in and around Lake Michigan ( Milwaukee Police Department )

Robinson had been reported missing April 2 by a friend. An employee of the building where Robinson lived told police that Robinson was excited about a first date she had planned for April 1, according to the complaint.

Surveillance video from a restaurant showed Robinson and Anderson sitting together at the bar on the evening of April 1. Her burned car was found the next morning.

Anderson is being held on a $5 million bond. A preliminary examination is scheduled for Monday.

Andersons father, Steven Anderson, released a statement Thursday that offered condolences to Robinsons loved ones, saying, in part, that his family was shocked and devastated by her senseless death. The statement came out before the latest discovery of remains was made public.
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Desperate to end a weeks-long strike by thousands of doctors, South Koreas government said Friday it will slow down a plan to admit more students to the country's medical schools from next year.

More than 90% of the countrys 13,000 medical interns and residents have been on strike since late February, when the government announced a plan to recruit 2,000 more students next year. That would have increased the current cap of 3,058, which has been the same since 2006, by about two-thirds.

The government adopted a compromise proposal put forward by the presidents of six state-run universities on Thursday, under which medical schools will increase admissions over several years.

Doctors groups have claimed that the universities would be unable to handle a steep increase in students and that it would undermine the quality of the countrys medical services. Government officials say the country significantly needs more doctors to cope with the countrys fast-aging population.

Announcing the compromise proposal, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo cited concerns that the prolonged strike by junior doctors is increasing the strain on hospitals.

Han said the countrys 32 medical schools will be allowed to lower their quotas for new places by up to 50% of the target set by the government in 2025, meaning the number of new places could end up closer to 1,000 than 2,000.

Officials stressed that the compromise is temporary and that the schools will be required to finalize plans by April to increase their admissions by the full 2,000 by 2026.

Doctors' groups have called for the government to scrap the plan entirely.

The government decided that the damage caused by the vacuums in healthcare services cannot be left unchecked and that bold decisions are needed, considering the demands by patients and broader public to solve the problem, Han said in a news conference, urging the striking doctors to return to work and negotiate with the government.
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Former prime minister Boris Johnson breached UK government rules by being evasive about his relationship with a company that set up a meeting between him and Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro, the business appointments watchdog has said.

Lord Pickles, chairman of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Acoba), has written to both Mr Johnson and Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden warning of the breach.

It comes after the former Conservative prime minister failed to clarify his relationship with a company called Merlyn Advisors, a hedge fund.

Mr Johnson is reported to have met Mr Maduro alongside Merlyn Advisors co-founder Maarten Petermann in February.

Lord Pickles wrote in his letter to Mr Dowden: Mr Johnson has repeatedly been asked by Acoba to clarify his relationship with Merlyn Advisors.

He has not done so, nor has he denied the reports in the media that he has been working with Merlyn Advisors on a non-contractual basis.

Government rules state former ministers must not take up new jobs or appointments for two years after leaving public office without advice from Acoba first.

In correspondence dating back to March 18, the watchdog contacted Mr Johnsons office asking him to set out his relationship with Merlyn Advisors following media reports of his South American visit.

Venezuelas president Nicolas Maduro ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

He replied he had no contractual relationship with the company, and in further correspondence said he had not been paid for any meetings in Venezuela.

He added: I was extensively briefed by HMA (His Majestys Ambassador) Caracas before the meeting and used the occasion to push for democracy, human rights and the support of Ukraine.

Lord Pickles raised concerns that the trip was paid for by Merlyn Advisers and about the nature of Mr Johnsons activities for the company, even though he was not under any formal contract.

The peer warned: If that is the case, there is a reasonable concern that you were acting in a capacity that would be inconsistent with Acobas guidance on one-off speaking engagements  which does not provide blanket approval for ad-hoc advisory work.

Mr Johnson did not answer further questions from Lord Pickles about the nature of the meetings or his relationship with Merlyn, and said he believed it was clearly not necessary to consult or seek Acoba about the work.

But the watchdog chief disagreed and said there remains a reasonable concern that you were acting for Merlyn Advisors in a capacity that would be considered advisory work, which Acoba would have expected him to ask advice for.

He added: Given the evasive nature of your replies, your failure to answer specific questions put to you, or provide the context of your relationship with Merlyn Advisors, the committee has formed the view that there has been a breach of the Governments business appointment rules.

Lord Pickles then reported the former prime ministers actions to Mr Dowden, who is also responsible for overseeing the Cabinet Office, the department which oversees the machinery of Government.

He admitted there was little action that could be taken against Mr Johnson, as the rules no longer have relevance in the modern world and are unenforceable to applicants determined to ignore them.

The Government should reform the rules as it promised in July 2023, Lord Pickles said, to ensure those who breach them faces consequences.

A spokesman for Mr Johnson did not wish to comment.
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A murder investigation has been launched after a woman was found dead at a luxury hotel in Surrey.

Surrey Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of murder following the death of a woman aged in her 50s at a five-star hotel in Bagshot over the weekend.

Officers were called by South East Coast Ambulance Service to the Pennyhill Park Hotel at 8.43am on Sunday after her body was found.

A 60-year-old man, from Devon, was subsequently arrested and remains in police custody.

It is believed that the victim and the suspect were known to each other.

The womans family have been informed of her death.

An investigation into the incident, led by Surrey Police and Sussex Polices Major Crime Team, is ongoing.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Debbie Birch said: Our thoughts are with the victims family at this difficult time.

The investigation is in the early stages and a specialist team of officers are working around the clock to follow up enquiries.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police on 101, quoting PR/45240041581. Alternatively, to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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MPs have been accused of political cowardice for failing to back the resentencing of thousands of prisoners trapped under abolished indefinite jail terms.

Baroness Claire Fox, who is backing a series of amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill to help Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) inmates, has called for action, warning: We shouldnt wait until theres an ITV drama before the injustice is dealt with.

Controversial IPP sentences  in which offenders were handed minimum jail terms but no maximum - were scrapped in 2012 amid human rights concerns, but not for those already sentenced, leaving thousands languishing in jail for years beyond their original prison terms.

They include tragic cases highlighted by The Independent such as those of Wayne Bell, who has served more than 16 years for stealing a bike; Thomas White, who is still in prison 11 years after he stole a mobile phone; and Aaron Graham, who has served almost 20 years after he punched a man in a fight.

Of almost 3,000 IPP inmates currently trapped in prison with no release date, 700 have already served at least 10 years longer than their minimum tariff.

Despite a worrying rise in rates of suicide as prisoners lose hope, the government has repeatedly refused recommendations made by the justice committee to carry out a resentencing exercise amid fears it could lead to potentially dangerous offenders being released.

However Baroness Fox, a life peer, has said: No government can escape this. They will have to resentence IPP prisoners. Somebody will have to do it.

Baroness Claire Fox ( Supplied )

Her comments come ahead of a crunch vote in the House of Lords on a range of measures to help improve outcomes IPP prisoners, tabled as amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill.

The reforms have been backed by a coalition of experts in mental health, human rights and criminal justice as well as a cross-party group of peers  including David Blunkett, who admits he regrets introducing the IPP sentence as home secretary in 2005.

However her own amendment - calling once again for a resentencing exercise - has been dropped due to lack of support, including from Labours front benches.

She told The Independent: We are in this ludicrous situation where everybody on all sides politically now concedes that this sentence was the wrong decision.

But arguments used to bring in IPPs in the first place are redeployed against resentencing.

Baroness Fox said leaders are running scared from embracing resentencing amid fears of a backlash should a released inmate go on to commit another crime.

However, she believes this is an underestimation of the British public, who have a strong sense of justice and decency, while any resentencing process would have ample flexibility to navigate higher-risk cases.

Calls for action to action to address scandal of IPP sentences ( Getty/iStockphoto/PA )

Currently, IPP prisoners must prove to a parole board they are safe to be released into the community before they can be freed.

They are then subject to strict 10-year licence conditions, although justice secretary Alex Chalk last year announced proposals to reduce this period to three years.

Baroness Fox said the issue of dangerousness is weaponised against IPP prisoners while those sentenced to determinate jail terms are released every day of the week.

This creates a situation whereby a rapist can be sentenced and released, she said, while an IPP prisoner in the cell next door is still sitting there trying to prove that they are not dangerous.

No one is saying these prisoners are angels, but that shouldnt be the point because thats not the basis on which we have a legal system, she added.

More than 80 IPP prisoners are known to have taken their own lives in prison as many lose hope of being freed  including seven whose self-inflicted deaths were revealed by The Independent last year.

Meanwhile, those serving IPPs in the community say they are stuck in a recall merry-go-round in which they can be hauled back to prison indefinitely for minor breaches.

It creates a system whereby the state is keeping people in prison but not for any crime, Baroness Fox told The Independent.

Resentencing is a way to deal with this once and for all and stop kicking the ball into the long grass. It really is political cowardice.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk (Lucy North/PA) ( PA Archive )

She noted the crisis has some parallels with the Post Office scandal, adding: I think more and more people are becoming aware of the situation and when people hear about it people are genuinely shocked.

We shouldnt wait until theres an ITV drama before the injustice is dealt with.

In February, The Independent revealed a coalition of campaigners were supporting a range of IPP reforms tabled by peers, including further easing of the strict licence conditions.

Campaigners included the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the British Psychological Society, Amnesty International, Justice, Liberty, the United Group for Reform of IPP, the Probation Institute, the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Inquest, the Howard League for Penal Reform, and the Prison Reform Trust.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: We have reduced the number of unreleased IPP prisoners by three-quarters since we scrapped the sentence in 2012, with a 12% fall in the last year alone where the Parole Board deemed prisoners safe to release.

But public protection will always remain our top priority. This is why we have decided not to retrospectively change sentences for IPP offenders, who in some cases would be released without supervision despite committing serious sexual or violent offences.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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Lord Byrons brutal takedown of his wife and mother-in-law has been revealed in a newly discovered letter that provides fresh insight into his burnt memoirs.

The poet, who was 36 when he died in 1824, had left his memoirs with instructions to publish them following his death  but the manuscript was burned at the office of his publisher after he died amid fears of damage to his reputation.

Now, a letter that describes Byrons destroyed memoirs has been found by archivist Adam Green, who was cataloguing the Dawson Turner archive, in Trinity Colleges Wren Library at the University of Cambridge.

Elizabeth Palgrave writes to her father, the banker Dawson Turner, that she saw the manuscript on a visit to the publishing house of John Murray, expressing her shock at Byrons degrading of his wife and aversion to his mother-in-law.

Page one of a letter dated 29 October 1823 describing Lord Byron's memoirs ( Trinity College/PA )

In the letter dated 29 October 1823, she wrote: I opened the pages accidentally at that part of his Lordships life which mentions his marriage [to Anne Milbanke], and I read it with the utmost interest and avidity.

Lord Byron prefaces this portion of his manuscript by professing his design of hurrying over it, as it is of all the most painful to record.

He then, in the most cold-blooded and heartless manner, declares his little attachment to his wife at any time

It is grievous to read his declaration of indifference to his wife and of aversion to her mother, whom he never mentions but by the most opprobrious epithets.

Nor does he ever call his wife by any name but that of Miss Milbanke.

Page two of the letter Elizabeth Palgrave writes to her father, Dawson Turner ( Trinity College/PA )

She wrote that Byrons memoirs contain the most severe remarks, not only on [his father-in-law] Sir Ralph Milbankes family, mode of life  but all the families in the neighbourhood whom his Lordship met, are mentioned by name and classed in the wittiest but most cruel manner.

Ms Palgrave continued: Lord Byron evidently set his mind to evil  he takes delight in recording his own wickedness, and in the most perverted of all feelings  that of exposing and degrading his wife.

A leading trait in his memoirs is the extreme pleasure he takes in levelling, as far as he can, those who are eminent for virtue to his own standard.

Page three of the letter found by archivist Adam Green ( Trinity College/PA )

Cambridge scholar Dr Corin Throsby said the discovery of the letter was truly exciting.

For centuries people have wondered what Byrons lost memoirs might have contained, so it is truly exciting to have another first-hand account from someone who read them, she said.

Byron was always out to shock, and he would have been unsurprised and possibly delighted by Elizabeths extreme reaction to his work.

Her letter shows the success of Byrons bad boy persona as she is not only disturbed but also clearly fascinated by him, repeatedly imagining how he was feeling while writing.

In this way, the letter offers a window into how Byron was read in his time and demonstrates the lost memoirs apparent ability to simultaneously scandalise and captivate its readers imagination.

A conservator cleans Lord Byron's memorial stone in Poets' Corner at Westminster Abbey in London, ahead of the 200th anniversary of his death ( Jonathan Brady/PA )

Byron was a student at Trinity College between 1805 and 1807.

Trinity College archivist Adam Green, who discovered the letter, said: This fascinating detail is typical of Elizabeth Palgraves letters, which burst with intelligence and information.

Its typical too of the discoveries waiting to be made in the many relatively unexplored collections of letters  particularly those of women  in this library and elsewhere.
 Close Prince Harry makes surprise appearance from California for his sustainable travel firm

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Prince Harry has won the latest round in his court case against the publisher of the Sun newspaper, after a High Court judge rejected an application to delay the trial.

In the latest ruling, judge dismissed NGNs request to push back the trial listed for next January, saying it would be unsatisfactory to delay proceedings to instead hold a narrower preliminary trial to decide if cases had been brought too late.

The Duke of Sussex alleges he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for NGN, which also published the now-defunct News Of The World.

It comes just two days after actor Hugh Grant revealed he had settled his case against the tabloids publisher due to the risk of running a 10m legal cost if the case went to trial.

David Sherborne, Harrys lawyer, said that the former working royal is subject to the same issues and that the offers made make it impossible for them to go ahead.

In a statement on X, Mr Grant said he had not wanted to accept the money from the Rupert Murdoch owned group, but was warned that if awarded damages even a penny less than the settlement offer, he would be forced to pay the legal costs of both sides.
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The Duke of Sussex has won his latest legal skirmish in his battle against the Sun publisher, after the High Court rejected delaying a trial that has been scheduled for next January.

Prince Harry alleges he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for News Group Newspapers (NGN) over the course of nearly two decades.

Despite a judge rejecting the publishers application to hold a preliminary trial, the royal may be forced to settle his claims because of the risks of high legal costs.

It comes just days after the 39-year-old prince lost his latest round in his case against the Home Office, after he was denied an initial attempt to appeal against a High Court decision which supported a reduction in his personal security arrangements.

His lawyers had argued he was being treated less favourably in the decision by the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) in 2020, which was made after he and his wife Meghan Markle decided to step back as working royals and relocate to the US.

Prince Harry has won his latest round against the Sun publisher ( REUTERS )

However, a ruling by retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane on 28 February rejected Prince Harrys case, concluding that Ravecs approach was not irrational nor procedurally unfair. His bid to appeal has also been rejected, with the prince ordered to pay 90 per cent of the Home Offices legal costs.

It is one of a series of recent High Court cases brought forward by the prince. Last year, he won a case against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over a phone hacking claiming. And in January, the duke decided to withdraw libel action against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL).

Here we take a look at the legal cases the duke has been involved in recently:

Privacy claim against Splash News and Picture Agency

In May 2019, Harry accepted substantial damages and an apology from a news agency that took pictures of his home in the Cotswolds from a helicopter.

Harry settled privacy and data protection claims against Splash News and Picture Agency over photographs of and into the living area and dining area of the home and directly into the bedroom.

The court heard Splash agreed to pay damages and legal costs.

Legal action against the Home Office

The duke brought legal action against the Home Office over the security arrangements for himself and his family when they are in the UK.

He challenged the February 2020 decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec)  which falls under the remit of the Home Office  over his security, after being told he would no longer be given the same degree of personal protective security when visiting.

The dukes legal team argued that the security arrangements set out in a letter from Ravec, and their application when he visited the UK in June 2021, were invalid due to procedural unfairness, and there will be a full High Court hearing to review the dukes claim.

He recently lost his initial bid to appeal against a Home Office decision over his security arrangements in the UK ( REUTERS )

However, retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane rejected the dukes case, concluding that Ravecs approach was not irrational nor procedurally unfair.

In his 52-page partially redacted ruling issued on 28 February this year, he said the princes lawyers had taken an inappropriate, formalist interpretation of the Ravec process.

The bespoke process devised for the claimant in the decision of 28 February 2020 was, and is, legally sound, he added.

On 15 April, he lost his initial bid to appeal and has now been ordered to pay 90 per cent of the Home Offices legal costs, with his spokesperson confirming that he now hopes to appeal directly to the Court of Appeal.

Libel claim against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL)

The duke brought a libel claim against ANL  the publisher of the Daily Mail and The Mail On Sunday  over an article about his case against the Home Office.

The story was published online and in the newspaper in February 2022 under the headline: Exclusive: How Prince Harry tried to keep his legal fight with the government over police bodyguards a secret then  just minutes after the story broke  his PR machine tried to put a positive spin on the dispute.

Justin Rushbrooke KC, for Harry, had said the Mail On Sunday article purported to reveal, in sensational terms that information from court documents filed by the duke contradicted public statements he had previously made about his willingness to pay for police protection for himself and his family whilst in the UK.

ANL contested the claim, arguing the article expressed an honest opinion and did not cause serious harm to his reputation.

The civil claim had been heading towards an estimated three-day trial scheduled for May this year, but in January this year, the duke decided to withdraw the libel claim.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to the US in 2020 (Yaroslav Sabitov/PA) ( PA Wire )

Alleged unlawful information gathering at Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL)

Prince Harry is one of seven people, also including David Furnish, Sadie Frost, Liz Hurley and Sir Simon Hughes, who have brought legal action against ANL over denied allegations it carried out or commissioned unlawful information gathering.

The allegations include hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars, blagging private records and accessing and recording private phone conversations.

ANL, which firmly denies the allegations, asked a judge to rule in its favour without a trial, arguing the legal challenges against it were brought far too late.

A hearing is expected this year.

Alleged unlawful information gathering at Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN)

The Duke of Sussex and others sued Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN) over alleged unlawful information gathering are waiting to find out whether they will win their case.

The prince brought the case against MGN for damages, claiming journalists at its titles  the Daily and Sunday Mirror and Sunday People  were linked to methods including phone hacking, so-called blagging or gaining information by deception, and use of private investigators for unlawful activities.

His case was heard alongside similar claims by actor Michael Turner, who is known professionally as Michael Le Vell and best known for playing Kevin Webster in Coronation Street, actress Nikki Sanderson and comedian Paul Whitehouses ex-wife Fiona Wightman.

The allegations covered a period from as early as 1991 until at least 2011, the court was told. Harry faced eight hours of questioning over two days during a witness box appearance that drew the attention of the worlds media.

On 15 December 2023, High Court judge Mr Justice Fancourt ruled extensive phone hacking had taken place at MGN. He also said there had been so-called blagging or gaining information by deception, and use of private investigators for unlawful activities.

He gave evidence in the witness box during his case against the Mirror publisher ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Prince Harry was awarded 140,600 in damages over 15 of the 33 MGN articles he complained about. A further 115 articles were in the dukes claim, which could have been subject to a further trial.

But on 9 February this year, it was confirmed that a settlement had been reached with MGN over the remaining parts of the claim. This included an interim payment towards costs of 400,000, the princes barrister said.

Alleged unlawful information gathering at News Group Newspapers (NGN)

Harry is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN), publisher of The Sun and the now-defunct News Of The World, over alleged unlawful information gathering. The duke alleged he was targeted by journalists and private investigators working for the papers.

At a hearing in April 2023, NGN asked Mr Justice Fancourt to throw out the dukes case, arguing it was brought too late because he should have known sooner he had a potential claim.

In a ruling in July 2023, the judge concluded that Harry cannot bring his claim relating to phone hacking, but that his claim over other allegations  including use of private investigators  could go ahead to a trial.

In a small victory for the prince, a judge rejected the publishers bid to delay the trial, which has been scheduled for January 2025, by holding a preliminary trial to decide whether the cases against it have been brought too late.

In a ruling on 19 April, Mr Justice Fancourt dismissed NGNs request, meaning some cases will proceed towards a trial in eight months time if they are not settled out of court before then.

The judge said there was a plainly considerable risk of a preliminary trial increasing costs overall and delaying a full trial by up to two years.

That is unsatisfactory, he said.
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Rishi Sunaks government risks stigmatising people who are extremely vulnerable with proposed plans to fine or move on nuisance rough sleepers, a Tory MP has warned.

Under the proposals in the Criminal Justice Bill, ministers will give the police the powers to fine or move on rough sleepers - and would punish people if they caused damage to the environment through their excessive smells.

Anyone could be deemed to be a nuisance under the bill if they give the appearance that they are intending to sleep rough.

Bob Blackman, Tory chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Homelessness, said that people who end up sleeping rough on the streets are in desperate straits. He said the proposed Criminal Justice Bill was worse than the 200-year-old Vagrancy Act, which the government has said it will repeal.

The Bill as it stands stigmatises and criminalises those who are homeless through no fault of their own. Its about the mood music that the bill creates. Police should be trying to help these people into hostels, asking how they can support them and assist them, rather than putting them in cells.

We risk ending up stigmatising people who are extremely vulnerable. If you are sleeping rough your physical and mental health can deteriorate rapidly. A lot of young people also live on the streets and they are very vulnerable - vulnerable to being robbed and attacked physically.

Criminal Justice Bill will breaks peoples spirits, support worker who slept rough says ( PA )

Mr Blackman said that the most vulnerable rough sleepers are often those you will see on the streets in exposed places, while the more experienced rough sleepers hide themselves away. He called for a housing-first approach, that would get people off the streets, and then help them to address the other problems they will be dealing with - which likely led them to the streets in the first place.

Speaking about punishment for excessive smells, Mr Blackman said: The fact that you are street homeless, means you probably dont have access to a bath or a shower, or facilities to keep you clean. How do police enforce that, a sniff test? That has been to be done away with.

He also referred to the 2500 fines as ridiculous, saying: If they had 2500 pounds, why would they be sleeping on the streets?

Ministers have been listening to the mounting concerns from Tory MPs over this part of the Bill and are considering changes.

The bill, which is going through the House of Commons, has been paused while ministers consider a number of amendments from MPs.

Government ministers have also already said publicly that nobody should be arrested if they smell, with ministers working with MPs to see how they can change the wording of the bill to nullify a threatened rebellion of over 40 MPs on nuisance rough sleeping.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman took a tough stance on the Bill and caused outrage at the end of last year when she said that living on the streets was a lifestyle choice.

Housing and homelessness charities have called on the new home secretary James Cleverly to reconsider the plans to further criminalise rough sleepers. Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, said that the bill would punish people for having nowhere else to go and push them further away from support.

One of the amendments to the Bill that has growing support from MPs has been tabled by Mr Blackman, and aims to clarify when the police will be able to use the new powers. It says that begging or sleeping rough does not in itself amount to action causing harassment, alarm or distress and calls on police to balance the protection of the community with an understanding of why someone might be forced to sleep on the streets.

Writing in an op-ed for The Independent, Andy ORourke, a charity worker, who was street homeless at just 14 described how he had been attacked by a group of men in Birmingham and left with broken ribs, broken teeth and a dislocated shoulder.

He said that criminalising rough sleeping in the Bill breaks peoples spirits, and sometimes thats all you have to work with.

He added: Suggesting that people will cause a nuisance by seeking shelter in a doorway, or looking like they intend to sleep rough, is awful. Proposing to move them on, fine them up to 2500 and even imprison them for doing these things is inconceivable.

The measures in the Criminal Justice Bill will entrench the punishment of people who have no other option but to sleep rough.

Mr Blackman, along with his APPG co-chair Paula Barker MP, wrote to ministers in January about the worrying trend of people becoming homeless after being in the care of public services such as hospitals, prisons and asylum accommodation.

In a recent investigation, The Independent revealed that cancer and stroke patients were among thousands being sent from hospital to the street every year.

Mr Blackman said that the data on those becoming homeless after a hospital stay were going in the wrong direction. He said that councils had a duty to assist homeless people who needed their help, but added: The trouble is that the people who are in this position become desperate. Where do they go back to in the case of hospital discharge?

A Home Office spokesperson said: The outdated Vagrancy Act will be repealed and replaced with new legislation to support people away from the streets, and to tackle anti-social behaviour causing environmental damage. No one will be criminalised for simply having nowhere to live, and any criminal penalty would be pursued as a last resort, decided by a court.

We have also dedicated an unprecedented 2.4bn to end rough sleeping and tackle the root causes of why people end up on the streets.
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The Spectators theatre critic has suggested in a misogynistic column about his libido that a blonde lecturers appearance made him so aroused that he later had to pay for the services of a sex worker.

The article was widely condemned as sexist immediately after publication, with journalists and commentators appalled  and confused  by the magazines decision to commission such a piece.

Writing in the magazine, Lloyd Evans described a trip to Darwin College  or Downing College, as he incorrectly calls it in the piece  at the University of Cambridge, to attend a lecture from Professor Lea Ypi, an academic from Albania who lectures on political theory at the London School of Economics.

Mr Evans, who has written for the right-wing publication since the 1980s, said he was distracted throughout the talk on Kant and revolutions by the beautiful historians appearance.

He writes: Her blonde hair spilling over her shoulders absorbed far more of my attention than her political reflections and I was desperate to speak to her afterwards, but I had no way to orchestrate a meeting.

Unable to meet the distinguished academic, he instead goes to the rougher end of Cambridge.

Mr Evans writes that he had already arranged a social rendezvous with a petite and buxom woman called Shea, who looked Chinese.

He then describes being covered in hot wax before she ordered me to flip on to my back as she dimmed the lights and raised one eyebrow at me suggestively. This was the cue for negotiations.

The piece prompted an immediate backlash online.

Writing on her X/Twitter account, Lea Ypi, said: Advice for scholars: next time you lecture on Kant and revolutions at Downing (@DarwinCollege) Cambridge, make sure your hair is neatly tied and that youre not blonde.

Or else your research impact will be on the @spectator libido section.

Academics were quick to support their colleague. Dr Charlotte Lydia Riley, a historian, said the article was horrific and Colin Wight, an academic, added: Just such a weird piece to write. I cant see the point of it.

Other X/Twitter users branded the piece grim and misogynistic, questioning why it would be published by The Spectator or what the piece was trying to articulate.

Darwin College, the constituent college at the University of Cambridge where the talk took place, also called out the article.

In a post on X/Twitter, it said: Absolutely appalled to see this Lea. Your fascinating, beautifully crafted lecture was a hugely appreciated highlight of the Colleges cultural year, and we hope your memory of the event wont be tainted by an audience member using it to write something so crude and offensive.

Despite the outrage, Mr Evans was unapologetic when responding to criticism of the misogyny.

Asked why he decided to include Professor Ypi in the piece at all, he told The Telegraph: I just find clever and articulate women very attractive and she was physically attractive and that made me feel a bit lonely and then I ended up in a sauna bath.

He added: I was trying to encompass both poles of life, between the intellectual high-flying political philosophy and a sexual encounter. Of the two I found the sexual encounter much more satisfying and enjoyable.

He added about Professor Ypi, he added: Shes really funny and sharp and witty, and that was partly what inspired my feelings of longing towards her because she was obviously a really good laugh, apart from everything else.

And he insisted he had no regrets: Its a bit unfortunate, I have had people calling me a sex pervert on Twitter which I think is strange.

The Spectator has been contacted for comment.
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Women serving long jail sentences are being treated with programmes designed for violent male offenders and are punished when male prisoners misbehave, a damning new report has suggested.

Research by the Prison Reform Trust, shared exclusively with The Independent, discovered that women serving longer terms are being locked up with those serving short stints. They are also struggling to access education and opportunities for employment.

The study found female prisoners who are subjected to additional security measures are caught in a catch-22 situation in which they are blocked from accessing the services they require to have their extra security removed.

There are a number of women in the prison estate who have restricted status, which means they are subjected to additional security measures and they are only able to be held in three prisons, said Emily Evison, one of the reports authors.

To have the security measures removed they need to attend compulsory courses held only at other prisons.

Because there are a small number of womens prisons, women on long sentences are often housed alongside those on short sentences. The women have told us that is really difficult, as if you are with a woman who has a short sentence and she is really upset, that can harm your mental health Emily Evison

She warned female prisoners were being viewed as the same as their male counterparts despite posing less of a risk and also having had very different life experiences.

Although the majority of women in prison are serving short sentences of less than a year, there is a small but growing minority serving very lengthy jail sentences, researchers said.

The number of women serving an indeterminate sentence has risen from 96 in 1991 to 381 in September of last year.

Researchers conducted long-term interviews with dozens of current and former female prisoners on long sentences and also with frontline workers and experts.

Because there are a small number of womens prisons, women on long sentences are often housed alongside those on short sentences, Ms Evison, womens policy lead at the Prison Reform Trust, said.

Being in close proximity to those close to being released is bad for longer-serving womens mental health, she said.

Ms Evison explained that women serving longer sentences must engage in offender programmes to prove to a parole board they have reduced their risk in order to be released, but many of these courses are designed for men.

There are problems with the amount of money available for womens prisons and many female prisoners feel they are set up to fail in a system in which they are an afterthought, she added.

Prison is not created for women, every course was written for men. Although a couple are coming on board just now designed for women. I know women who were in for perpetrating sex offences and they were doing courses designed for male sex offenders Lifer who was inside for a violent offence

Kate*, a lifer who was imprisoned for a violent offence, told The Independent she served over 20 years in prison but is now living in the community.

Prison is not created for women, every course was written for men, she added. Although a couple are coming on board just now designed for women, I know women who were in for perpetrating sex offences and they were doing courses designed for male sex offenders.

Kate said female prisoners are penalised when things go wrong in male jails, warning women are background noise in the wider criminal justice system.

I was fortunate, I had the experience of being on a wing with all lifers, she added. I dont know how I would have coped now  in lots of womens prisons you will come off remand and be sentenced and be put on a wing among prisoners with sentences that vary from a month to longer.

She voiced frustration about her current licence conditions, which forbid her from going on holiday  saying she is desperate to go to the Louvre in Paris due to her interest in art history.

Women are much more likely to be coming into the criminal justice system having been at the hands of domestic abuse, childhood abuse, and mental health problems, Kate said. The criminal justice system has this antiquated view that women shouldnt be in court in the first place and demonises them.

Researchers found women on long sentences had lengthy stints of nothing time where they were not able to use their time effectively or make progress.

One female prisoner said: For long-termers, you have the bit at the beginning, the bit at the end, and the great depression in between.

Another added: It stops being about rehabilitation and just becomes incapacitation.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: The number of women in prison has fallen dramatically since 2010 but we continue to provide specialist support to those in custody  helping them deal with the issues which lead them to crime in the first place.

This includes rolling out bespoke support with extra face-to-face time with specialist staff, embedding forensic psychologists at every womens prison, and improving mental health training for all frontline officers.

*Kates name has been changed to protect her identity
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Ministers will be recommended to use live AI facial recognition to screen migrants arriving in the UK for threats, the Governments anti-terror law adviser has said.

Jonathan Hall KC, the UKs independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has said he will recommend the Government introduces the technology at migrant processing facilities in Kent when he presents his annual report this year.

The move would allow border officers to screen those crossing in small boats against a database of terror suspects.

In an interview with LBC, Mr Hall also warned that Manston, the migrant processing centre where those on small boat are detained after arrival in the UK, had at one point become so overwhelmed that people had to be released before all the checks had been done.

The reviewer told the broadcaster he visited Western Jet Foil in Dover last year, the initial processing site for migrants, as well as the Manston camp.

In my report, I'm going to say that, use live facial recognition at Western Jet Foil, so when people get off the boat, they can be screened Jonathan Hall KC

At the time I was there, it was lots of sort of tents and more permanent structures, he said.

The tricky thing with that is that a lot of people can suddenly arrive on one day, and if lots arrive on one day, how are counterterrorism police going to have the opportunity to screen them? And this is the really difficult bit.

They cant be kept, quite rightly, in inhumane conditions, which means that if youre jamming everyone into a tent, they can stay only there for a day.

But with migrants being moved out, this meant there was not the opportunity to screen them, Mr Hall said.

He added: Its going to be published in a few weeks, but in my report, Im going to say that, use live facial recognition at Western Jet Foil, so when people get off the boat, they can be screened, and if theyve got a watch list of people coming in, they will know there and then that theyre dealing with someone who is on a watch list.

Mr Hall said this would allow migrants to be checked against a database of images of people who are suspicious, who are potential terrorists.

The situation off the Dover coast was really complex and evolving, he said, with border staff unable to anticipate the surges of people crossing the Channel.

At one stage, they were so overwhelmed that people had to be released before all the checks had been done, he said.

This meant they were released without the full amount of checks, Mr Hall told LBC, adding border officers had to strike a balance between screening and ensuring arrivals were not kept in potentially inhumane conditions.

More than 6,200 people have crossed the English Channel since the start of the year, higher than in the same period in both 2023 and 2022.

Rishi Sunak has made stopping the boats one of his key leadership pledges as Prime Minister.

The Government hopes to deter people from making the journey with its plan to deport some arrivals to Rwanda but the Bill underpinning this is currently stuck in parliamentary deadlock between the House of Commons and House of Lords.
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Liz Truss has been accused of using a "fabricated" quote from Mayer Amschel Rothschild in her bombshell new memoir.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said a fabricated quote, attributed to the German-Jewish banker and founder of the Rothschild banking dynasty, had been used by the former prime minister in her recently published book Ten Years to Save the West.

The body said it had written to her publisher Biteback, which it said has consequently been forced to apologise and promised to remove the quote for the ebook and any future print editions.

The former prime ministers memoir Ten Years to Save the West was released on Tuesday ( PA )

The ex-Tory leader wrote in her book, which was released on Tuesday: If only the words attributed to Mayer Amschel Rothschild of the famous banking family had been heeded: Permit me to issue and control the money of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.

However, writing on Twitter/X, on Thursday, the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: We wrote to Biteback Publishing regarding a fabricated quote attributed to Mayer Amschel Rothschild, which featured in the recently published book, Ten Years to Save the West by Liz Truss.

The publishing house has apologised for this quote being mistakenly cited and for the failure to identify its false nature during the fact-checking process.

They have promised that it will be removed in the ebook version and in any future print editions of the book.

We thank them for their swift response.

In fact, the quote is not attributable to anyone, according to the Grammarphobia blog. Its earliest mention is thought to be in 1908, with research suggesting the quote is a variation of the English proverb from a couple of centuries earlier: Let me make the songs [or ballads] of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.

A source close to Ms Truss told The Independent: Liz came across the quote and thought it a useful way of illustrating a point about the Bank of England. Numerous online sources have stated that it was attributed to Rothschild, so she simply attributed it thus. Clearly, nothing more was meant of it.

It is the latest in a string of embarrassing blunders made by Ms Truss in relation to her new memoir.

There was the moment on Tuesday when she held her book upside down as she promoted it on American TV. The former prime minister was speaking to Fox News about her decision to endorse Donald Trump when she said, "Here's my new book! beaming as she held the back cover up to the camera. She then realised her mistake, flipping it and revealing the front, upside down.

Despite being in office for just 49 days, Ms Truss has managed to pack Ten Years to Save the West with numerous jaw-dropping tales from her time in Downing Street, featuring several bizarre revelations from her short stint there.

The ex-Tory leader, who took over from Boris Johnson in the summer of 2022, disclosed that she thought why me, why now? when she learned the Queen had died two days after she was sworn in, while she suggested her predecessors dog left fleas in No 10.

After the most disastrous stint in Downing Street in living memory, Ms Truss also attempts to argue that she was ousted by the establishment, blaming her humiliating downfall on the global left rather than admitting it was of her own making.

The collapse of her project, known as Trussonomics, dealt a hammer blow to the Tory partys long-held reputation for fiscal responsibility and careful economic planning.

The Independent has contacted Ms Truss and Biteback Publishing for comment.
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A devout Tory has said she has been let down by the Conservative Party after claiming her concerns about a sitting MP demanding thousands to free himself from an alleged kidnap attempt were brushed under the carpet.

Katie Fieldhouse, 78, a former Tory mayor and respected member of Fylde MP Mark Menzies constituency encompassing the coastal town of Lytham St Annes in Lancashire, says the MP rang her at 3.15am one December morning begging for 5,000 to pay bad people.

Mr Menzies lost the Conservative whip and was suspended as one of Rishi Sunaks trade envoys after The Times published the claims this week.

Speaking through tears at her home, Ms Fieldhouse, a lifelong Tory activist, told the BBC: I watch people go for a walk in this quiet area. Do I want them to go out and vote for a man who gets himself locked up and needs money to get him out? No.

She recounted the conversation, saying the MP rang her up to say: Ive got in with some bad people and theyve got me locked in a flat and they wont let me out until I pay them 5,000. I said: I beg your pardon. He said: Its life or death Katie, I need 5,000 from the account.

Labour has said the allegations against Mark Menzies warrant a police investigation (Richard Townshend/UK Parliament/PA) ( PA Media )

The sum, which rose to 6,500, was eventually paid by his office manager from her personal bank account and subsequently reimbursed from funds raised from donors in an account named Fylde Westminster Group, it is alleged.

She said she felt let down by the party, which she said failed to take any action over her allegations for months after she reported them to Simon Hart, the chief whip.

She added: I am not having this brushed under the carpet. The party has let me down. I have said, my faith in the party is like my faith in God... theyve let me down.

The party has been part of my life, Ive run every election campaign here for 40 years. I work myself into the ground for the party  all they hear is a 78-year-old little old lady.

In better times, Mr Menzies had previously thanked the business woman and former ally for organising a National Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast held at St Cuthberts Church.

Writing on his blog, he said: My thanks to Rev Nick Wells and Katie Fieldhouse for arranging - the service was uplifting, as were the most welcome bacon butties and brews afterwards.

Ms Fieldhouse donates to fundraisers for Cancer Research and Alzheimers charities and to keep her local church operating through Covid, according to her Facebook profile.

Katie Fieldhouse (furtherst right) acted as campaign manager for Mark Menzies (left) ( Mark Menzies )

She was pictured as the only activist not smiling when Mr Menzies announced he was re-elected in 2019.

Using her experience as a cordon bleu chef she released an array of cookery books to raise money for her local hospice Trinity as well as supporting Flyde farmers throughout the 1980s.

Her recipes include chicken livers with mango and almonds and creamy hot crab were designed to be sourced locally.

She counts herself as one of the 20,000 members of the prestigious La Chaine des Rotisseurs community whose focus they say is on brotherhood, friendship, camaraderie and sharing a passion for the culinary arts.

In a statement to The Times, Mr Menzies said: I strongly dispute the allegations put to me. I have fully complied with all the rules for declarations. As there is an investigation ongoing I will not be commenting further.

A Conservative Party spokesman said: The Conservative Party is investigating allegations made regarding a Member of Parliament. This process is rightfully confidential.

The party takes all allegations seriously and will always investigate any matters put to them.

A spokeswoman for Chief Whip Mr Hart said Mr Menzies had agreed to relinquish the Conservative whip, pending the outcome of an investigation, meaning he will now sit as an Independent MP.
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Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has broken her silence hours after her husband was charged in connection with embezzlement of SNP funds.

Police Scotland confirmed on Thursday evening that Peter Murrell, the partys former chief executive for 22 years, had been arrested and charged over the investigation.

The 59-year-old was previously arrested as a suspect last year, before being released without charge. On Thursday, he resigned his membership of the SNP, which has been urged to cooperate with the police investigation.

Mr Murrells charge is part of a probe, known as Operation Branchform, into the spending of more than 600,000 in donations for campaigning for Scottish independence.

On Friday, Ms Sturgeon spoke to reporters outside her home in Uddingston near Glasgow. Asked about the situation as she got into her car, she said: It is incredibly difficult, but that is not the main issue here.

I cant say any more, Im not going to say any more.

Nicola Sturgeon speaks to reporters outside her home near Glasgow after her husband was charged by police ( Getty Images )

She also asked reporters to leave her neighbours in peace. She said: Im now going to go out for a walk if thats alright with you? I know youve got jobs to do but I ask you, maybe, to give me neighbours some peace. Theres nothing going to be happening here.

After being charged by police, Mr Murrell returned home on Thursday night.

Ms Sturgeon was arrested two months after her husband was first arrested in April last year, while former party treasurer Colin Beattie was also arrested last year. Both were released without charge, pending further investigation.

Ms Sturgeon stood down as Scotlands first minister and SNP leader last February, saying that the pressures of the job had become very difficult.

Peter Murrell, pictured with his wife Nicola Sturgeon, has been charged in an investigation into the SNPs finances ( PA )

Mr Murrell stepped down as SNP chief executive during last years leadership campaign, won by Humza Yousaf.

On Thursday evening, Police Scotland said in a statement: A 59-year-old man has today been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.

The man, who was arrested at 9.13am today and had previously been arrested as a suspect on 5 April 2023, was charged at 6.35pm after further questioning by Police Scotland detectives investigating the funding and finances of the party.

A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course. The man is no longer in police custody.

As this investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.

Scottish Conservatives chairman Craig Hoy urged the SNP to fully-cooperate as the investigation continues.

An SNP spokesperson said: While this development will come as a shock, the police investigation remains ongoing and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to make any comment.
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Rishi Sunak has vowed to end what he called a sick note culture with a new moral mission to reform the welfare system, as he warned the number of economically inactive young people in Britain was a tragedy.

But he was forced to deny the plans - which include removing benefits entirely from fit people who refuse to work after 12 months - were just about cost cutting.

The prime minister insisted his reforms were the compassionate choice as he faced accusations of hostile rhetoric and a full-on assault on disabled people.

Since Covid the number of people out of work due to long-term sickness has risen significantly, reaching 2.8 million people in February.

In a speech on Friday morning, Mr Sunak talked of the risk of over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life as he railed against people being parked on welfare.

The current system is also economically unsustainable, he warned, with more spent on supporting working-age people with illness or disability than on schools, transport or policing.

Setting out his plans for reform he suggested that some people with mental health conditions who receive Personal Independence Payments (PIP) could be offered treatment instead of cash.

But charities slammed the proposal pointing out that 1.8 million people are currently waiting for mental health treatment on the NHS.

The prime minister also unveiled plans that could strip GPs of the right to write fit notes, handing them over to other medical professionals.

A post-election fraud Bill would also connect the Department for Work and Pensions to HMRC so that we treat benefit fraud like tax fraud, with new powers to make seizures and arrest and a new civil penalty, he said.

The charity Scope said calls were pouring into their helpline from concerned disabled people following the speech, which it said felt like a full-on assault.

Mr Sunak earlier insisted he was not downplaying or dismissing illness, but instead calling for a more ambitious approach to helping people back to work.

We should see it as a sign of progress that people can talk openly about mental health conditions in a way that only a few years ago wouldve been unthinkable, and I will never dismiss or downplay the illnesses people have, he said.

But just as it would be wrong to dismiss this growing trend, so it would be wrong merely to sit back and accept it because its too hard; or too controversial; or for fear of causing offence. Doing so, would let down many of the people our welfare system was designed to help.

Warning that something has gone wrong, Mr Sunak said 850,000 more people were out of work due to long-term sickness since the pandemic. The change had wiped out a decades worth of progress in which the rate had fallen every single year. Half of those individuals had depression or anxiety, he said, without stating that these are reported to be secondary conditions in most cases.

Most worryingly of all the biggest proportional increase in economic inactivity due to long term sickness came from young people. Those in the prime of their life just starting out on work and family, instead parked on welfare, said the prime minister.

He added: There is nothing compassionate about leaving a generation of young people to sit alone in the dark before a flickering screen watching as their dreams slip further from reach every passing day.

His review of the fit note system could see specialist work and health professionals charged with responsibility for issuing them instead of GPs.

Recent NHS data showed almost 11 million fit notes were issued last year, many of which were repeat fit notes issued without any advice, resulting in a missed opportunity to help people get the appropriate support they may need to remain in work, according to the government.

We dont just need to change the sick note, we need to change the sick note culture so the default becomes what work you can do  not what you cant, he said, pointing to figures showing that 94 per cent of the 11 million fit notes signed off by GPs denoted people as not fit to work.

Building on the pilots weve already started were going to design a new system where people have easy and rapid access to specialised work and health support to help them back to work from the very first Fit Note conversation, said Mr Sunak.

Were also going to test shifting the responsibility for assessment from GPs and giving it to specialist work and health professionals who have the dedicated time to provide an objective assessment of someones ability to work and the tailored support they need to do so.

Mr Sunak suggested greater medical evidence could be required to substantiate a claim for personal independence payments (PIP), which are designed to help claimants deal with the extra costs of living with a long term disability, and said some people with mental health conditions may be offered talking therapies or respite care rather than cash transfers.

And he detailed plans for new legislation to prevent treat benefits fraudsters in the same way as tax fraud to stop them exploiting the natural compassion and generosity of the British people.

Since 2020, the number of people out of work due to long-term sickness has risen significantly, reaching a record high of 2.8 million people as of February 2024, according to the latest estimates from the Office for National Statistics.

A large proportion of those report suffering from depression, bad nerves or anxiety, although most of those report these as secondary conditions rather than the main one keeping them out of work.

Labour accused the government of lacking concrete answers as the party pledged it would drive down NHS waiting lists.

Alison McGovern, Labour's acting shadow work and pensions secretary, added: "Rather than a proper plan to get Britain working, all we heard today were sweeping questions and reheated proposals without any concrete answers.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey described the speech as "desperate" at the time when millions are unable to access NHS hospitals, GPs or mental health support.

He said: "Rishi Sunak is attempting to blame the British people for his own government's failures on the economy and the NHS and it simply won't wash."

Richard Kramer, chief executive at charity Sense, said: The governments ongoing onslaught on disabled people is hard to watch, with the prime minister today taking aim at people who are long-term sick in a cruel speech demonising people with sick notes.

This rhetoric is unbelievably damaging and unhelpful, presenting disabled people as shirkers who dont want to work. But this isnt the case  while employment isnt right for everyone, many disabled people do want to work.

Warning that stigma, unfair recruiting practices and a lack of specialist assistive technology in job centres - are stopping people from finding work are among the barriers to jobseekers with complex disabilities finding work, he said: Wed urge the government to tackle these issues and offer better support as a priority, instead of focusing their time on scapegoating disabled and sick people.

Additional reporting by PA
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Rishi Sunak has called for calm heads to prevail as Britain has urged de-escalation following Israels retaliatory attack on Iran  with explosions heard near a major military airbase.

While foreign secretary David Cameron met with his G7 counterparts in Italy to discuss easing tensions in the Middle East on Friday, Tehran was forced to activate its air defence system above the city of Isfahan, which is also home to sites associated with Irans nuclear programme.

Asked about the emerging reports on Sky News, a government minister said the UK accepts Israels absolute right to defend itself  but insisted Britain was very firmly engaged in counselling de-escalation and moderation at this particular moment.

Smoke billows in the air as Israel strikes Iran on Friday ( Mario Nawfal/Twitter )

We do think that de-escalation is absolutely key now. Our message to all in the region, including Israel, is that de-escalation is really important said Mel Stride. The foreign secretary currently is in Italy speaking with his G7 counterparts and they will be focused on exactly that.

The focus must now be on getting aid into Gaza  on which Britain has made progress  and on ceasefires and the release of hostages, said Mr Stride, adding: So theres a lot of work to do.

Speaking later as he announced controversial plans to reform Britains welfare system, the prime minister repeated the message he said he had given to his Israeli counterpart last week  that significant escalation is not in anyones interest.

What we want to see is calm heads prevail across the region, said Mr Sunak, who again condemned Irans reckless and dangerous barrage of missiles against Israel on Saturday.

While the extent of Israels new military action remains unclear, it comes despite its allies in Britain, Washington and the G7 urging restraint in the wake of Irans unprecedented direct attack.

Works and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said de-escalation was absolutely key ( PA Wire )

Hundreds of drones and missiles were launched at Israel on Saturday night in retaliation for an attack on its embassy compound in Damascus, which killed several senior Iranian military commanders. Israel insisted it shot down 99 per cent of the missiles, with the help of Britain, France, the US and regional allies.

Asked about Fridays attack, the UKs former Lebanese ambassador Tom Fletcher told the BBC: Clearly the picture is still quite hazy, everyone will have an interest in it remaining hazy for some time while they work out how they want to describe what happened overnight, because in a way the reaction to it is as important as the event itself.

Across the region people Im hearing from are braced, many are waking up with real fear. Isfahan is a serious nuclear site, and this is a sign that Israel does intend to continue this game of high-stakes poker with Iran.

The attack comes in retaliation to an Iranian drone and misile strike on Israel, pictured ( Reuters )

We dont know how much of an escalation this is for now, he added. Clearly Iran is starting to signal that its not necessarily a major escalation, theyre playing it down. And of course Israel could have chosen to do something more dramatic. 

Diplomats across the region will all be looking to find ways to play it down now and messages into Tel Aviv and Tehran will all be clear and consistent that: this is enough, said Mr Fletcher, a former foreign affairs adviser to prime ministers Gordon Brown and David Cameron.
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Ukraine and Israel both desperately need the military weapons that are being held up by Congress' failure to pass a funding package for the two countries at war, Pentagon leaders told House appropriators Wednesday, calling the situation in Ukraine dire.

Whether its munitions, whether its vehicles, whether it's platforms," Ukraine is being outmatched by the Russians, Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. Ill just tell you that Ukraine right now is facing some dire battlefield conditions.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, seated alongside Brown, told lawmakers that time matters.

Were already seeing things on the battlefield begin to shift a bit in Russias favor. We are seeing them make incremental gains. Were seeing the Ukrainians be challenged in terms of holding the line," he said.

Their grim assessments came as House Republicans wrangle over the $95 billion foreign aid bill that the Senate passed in February. That legislation provides funding for Ukraine, Israel and other allies, as well as humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and Ukraine and replenishment cash for the U.S. military to replace weapons sent to Ukraine.

House Speaker Mike Johnson was forging ahead Wednesday toward votes later this week on the funding, even as he risks losing his leadership post in the bitterly divided Republican caucus.

Members of the House panel lamented the gridlock that has stalled the foreign aid, but several said they are hopeful the legislation will begin to move.

Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., noted the chilling comments by Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the top U.S. military commander for Europe last week. He told the committee that Ukraine will be outgunned 10 to one by Russia within a matter of weeks if Congress doesn't approve the funding.

Without the United States assistance, Ukraine will literally run out of ammunition and more civilians in Ukraine will be murdered by Russia, McCollum said.

Brown told lawmakers that Israel also critically needs support in the bill, including air defense interceptors and munitions to defend itself following Iran's attack over the weekend. Iran launched about 300 missiles and drones toward Israel on Saturday, but the vast majority were shot down by Israeli defenses or U.S. and other allies. The attack came less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building.

Israel has vowed to retaliate as the U.S. and other allies urge restraint.

The funding issue dominated the hearing, including its impact on the U.S. military and defense companies scattered across 30 states. The Pentagon's comptroller, Michael McCord, said the Defense Department has already spent about $2 billion for military operations in Europe and the Middle East to ensure troops and allies there are secure.

Some of that includes the movement of Navy ships to help protect Israel over the weekend and the extended deployment of ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to safeguard commercial and military vessels being targeted by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

Without the supplemental funding, McCord said the $2 billion would have to be absorbed by the base budget and shifted from other spending on things like facilities and equipment maintenance.

So there is an impact on our forces and our readiness as well if we cannot get the supplemental approved, he said.

Austin also repeated a selling point that defense leaders have been making to lawmakers over the past several months: The funding bill will directly help the American defense industry that is building Abrams tanks, ammunition and other weapons and equipment.

He said about $50 billion in the supplemental will flow through the defense industrial base creating good American jobs in more than 30 states.
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Chinese state-sponsored hackers have conducted widespread cyberattacks on critical American infrastructure in recent years, intending to give the country the ability to cause a devastating blow against the US, according to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

The fact is, the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] targeting of our critical infrastructure is both broad and unrelenting, he told a security conference in Nashville on Thursday, describing Chinas hacking programme as growing in strength.

Its using that mass, those numbers, to give itself the ability to physically wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing, he added.

Last year, security analysts at Microsoft identified mysterious code linked to communications systems in Guam, the US territory in the Pacific with a massive strategic air base.

Officials believe the code was the work of Volt Typhoon, a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group.

Volt Typhoon sought to target vulnerabilities in electric grids, shipping ports, and water infrastructure, among other systems, according to intelligence experts.

The FBI said in January it had removed hacks from hundreds of devices.

Security officials have spent the intervening months warning about Volt Typhoon and hunting out the remnants of its malicious code.

This March, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned that the hacking group sought the disruption or destruction of critical services in the event of increased geopolitical tensions and/or military conflict with the United States and its allies.

However, federal agencies are not done with efforts to uncover or eradicate the groups work, Rob Joyce, th, e outgoing director of the NSAs Cybersecurity Directorate, said that month.

China denies supporting cyberattacks against the US and has accused the US and its allies of cyberattacks of their own.

It is pure political maneuvering by the US and the UK, to once again hype up the so-called cyberattacks by China and to sanction Chinese individuals and entities, Lin Jian of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said in March. We urge the US and the UK to stop politicising cybersecurity issues, stop smearing and imposing sanctions on China, and to put an end to their own cyber aggression against China. 
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The man who set fire to Senator Bernie Sanderss office in Vermont has been indicted by a federal grand jury.

Shant Soghomonian, 35, was arrested on Sunday 7 April on one charge of using fire to damage a building used in interstate commerce, which carries a sentence of between five to 20 years in prison if he is convicted.

Prosecutors have not stated a possible motive for the fire, the New York Times reports. They described him in court filings as "somewhat homeless" and said he had a history of mental illness which includes a recent hospitalisation, Vermont Public reports.

His arraignment has not been scheduled as of Thursday afternoon.

Security footage from the building shows Mr Soghomonian allegedly throwing a liquid at the bottom of a door opening leading to the US Senators third-floor office in Burlington on 5 April. The man in the video then sets the liquid on fire.

Seven employees were working in the office at the time of the incident and were able to evacuate unharmed, according to police. Mr Sanders was not at the office at the time.

Shant Soghomonian, 35, spotted on surveillance video near Senator Bernie Sanders office in Burlington, Vermont. Mr Soghomonian is accused of setting a fire at the senators office and has been indicted by a grand jury ( Burlington Police Department )

Prosecutors have argued that Mr Soghomonian is a danger to the public and poses a flight risk.

The risk to the structure and the lives of the buildings occupants was substantial, showing the defendants disregard for the safety of the buildings occupants and the community at large, Assistant US Attorney Matthew Lasher wrote in a court filing. The defendant then fled the area to avoid detection and apprehension.

Judge Kevin Doyle agreed that Mr Soghomonian should remain jailed until, noting his "significant" mental health history.

He said during a pretrial interview with Mr Soghomonian's family, they shared that he at one point was afraid that drones are reading his mind and torturing him".

Mr Soghomonian had previous interactions with law enforcement; in August, he was stopped by Illinois State Police for a possible traffic violation. Officers found an AK-47 rifle and two magazines in his vehicle, along with 11.5 grams of cannabis and a book titled How to Blow up a Pipeline, prosecutors said in court documents.

Security footage shows a man who federal investigators believe to be Shant Soghomonian lighting a fire outside Senator Bernie Sanders Vermont office on 5 April, 2024 ( U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Vermont )

The book gives an impassioned argument for accelerating direct action  like sabotage  against man-made forces driving the climate crisis.

He gave officers an expired Oregon driver's license and police later learned he had travelled to New York, Illinois, California, and Pennsylvania before heading to Illinois and later Vermont.

Mr Soghomonian was also detained as a teenager for assault with a firearm while he was in Glendale California in 2005. That case was reportedly later dismissed, the Associated Press reports.

In other words, defendant has a history of itinerancy, firearms possession, and lack of candor with law enforcement, all exacerbating his risk of flight, Mr Lasher wrote.
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Luther Hall, a St Louis police officer, was present at a street protest in 2017 where he was working undercover. His disguise was apparently so good that his fellow officers failed to recognise him when they mercilessly beat him on the street.

On Monday, Mr Hall was awarded $23.5m for the attack, according to the St Louis American.

The incident occurred two days after Jason Stockley, a former St Louis police officer, was acquitted of the fatal shooting of Anthony Lamar Smith.

Police expected that there could be protests following the acquittal, and dispatched 200 officers from a "Civil Disobedience Team" that weekend in 2017.

More than 120 people were arrested, including Mr Hall and his colleague Louis Naes, a white officer also embedded undercover with the marchers.

Mr Naes told investigators that his arrest was "routine," but said police clad in riot-gear "beat the f*** out of [Mr Hall] like Rodney King.

Former St Louis police officer Luther Hall pictured here with injuries he sustained when his colleagues beat him during a protest in 2017 ( Trial photos )

In 2018, four St Louis police officers were indicted on federal charges. Three were accused of beating an undercover colleague, and all four implicated in covering up the incident.

Prosecutors argued that officers Dustin Boone, Randy Hays, and Christopher Myers slammed Mr Hall to the ground, kicked him, and beat him with metal batons, despite him being "compliant and not posing a physical threat to anyone."

The indictment also revealed messages sent between the officers in which they expressed their disdain for the protesters and their excitement for the chance to beat them.

In an exchange on 15 September, 2017, just two days before the incident, Myers wrote "let's kick some a**," to which Boone replied "it's gonna be a lot of fun beating the hell out of these s***heads once the sun goes down and nobody can tell us apart!!!!"

Judge Joseph Whyte noted during Mondays hearing that after Mr Hall was assaulted, Hays sent a text message to another officer, saying that if they had beaten a protester rather than a police officer, it wouldnt be a problem at all.

Mr Whyte said that Hays messages and actions indicated complete indifference to an individual he believed to be an unarmed African American doing nothing wrong, according to the New York Times.

Boone, Hays, and Myers were charged with depriving Mr Hall of his constitutional rights, and for conspiring to obstruct justice. A fourth officer, Bailey Colletta, was accused by a grand jury of lying about the incident when she told the panel that Mr Hall was "brought to the ground very gently".

Mr Hall's jaw was damaged after he suffered a kick to the face. The blow was so severe that he was unable to eat during his recovery and he lost approximately 20 pounds as a result.

During the criminal trial on 2 February, 2022, Mr Hall gave an emotional account of the attack, KMOV reported.

Feet, fist, sticks. People punching me. I was being held down, he said. It felt like [it went on] forever laying there.

Mr Hall said he knew he had been injured, but could not tell the severity of his injuries at the time of the attack.

I was in a lot of pain, he said.

He also testified that his tailbone was injured in the attack, and that he needed surgery to repair two herniated discs in his neck and back.

Prosecutors said the three indicted officers lied about the arrest, claiming that Mr Hall "resisted and was not compliant," and revealed that officers tried to contact him to persuade him not to press charges or pursue legal action.

St Louis Police Officer Randy Hays exits the federal courthouse following his first court appearance, Nov. 30, 2018. Hays was sentenced to 52 months in prison and two years of probation ( AP )

Boone was convicted and sentenced to 366 days in prison, while Myers was given a year's probation. Colletta was given three years probation and two consecutive weekends in prison for lying to the grand jury.

Both Colletta and Hays pleaded guilty to their charges. Hays was sentenced to 52 months in prison and two years of probation, according to NBC5.

Mr Hall also sued Boone, Hays, and Myers for the attack. He was awarded $5m from the city, and on Monday was awarded $10m in punitive damages, $11m for past and future physical and emotional pain, and nearly $2m for lost wages.

In addition, he was awarded more than $213,000 for lost delayed retirement and insurance benefits, as well as $366,000 for past and future medical expenses.

Rev Darryl Gray, who at the time served as a community liaison for the Ethical Society of Police, which represents primarily Black officers, said he was happy to see Mr Hall achieve some justice, and hopes the incident will illustrate the complaints groups like his have raised.

Unfortunately, this happened to Luther [Hall] but its not uncommon,Mr Gray told the St Louis American. Thats what weve been trying to say, hoping that police will acknowledge that the complaints and concerns weve raised over the years have been genuine.

He said he hopes that the trial's findings will vindicate "what the activist community has been crying out for all these years: accountability".

The city also agreed to pay out $5m to nearly seven dozen people who accused the police of violating their rights during the 2017 protests.
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The family of Kaylee Goncalves, one of the four murdered University of Idaho students, have responded to suspect Bryan Kohbergers alibi statement, saying that they now feel even more confident in the prosecution of the Defendant.

Mr Kohberger was on an early morning drive at the time of the killings in November 2022, according to a legal filing from his defence offered late on Wednesday.

Mr. Kohberger was out driving in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022; as he often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars, the document reads.

He drove throughout the area south of Pullman, Washington, west of Moscow, Idaho including Wawawai Park, the filing continues.

The defence plans to call a cell tower data expert to help corroborate claims of the 29-year-olds location at the time of the killings, per the filing.

The defence also suggested in its action that additional information about Mr Kohbergers whereabouts, as well as critical exculpatory evidence, could be forthcoming.

The Goncalves family was not convinced by the explanation.

The Defenses claim is that the Defendant was driving late at night hiking/running and stargazing. We are not sure why it has taken over a year for this to come out as those dont seem to be complicated activities. We believe that If this alibi had any weight it would have been submitted months ago. It is also in direct conflict with the Probable Cause affidavit that states that the Defendants phone was turned off between 2.47am and 4:.8am, the family wrote in a Facebook post.

Steve Goncalves and Kaylee Goncalves ( NewsNation screenshot/Kaylee Goncalves IG )

So if the Defendant was driving around and there is cell phone information that he was in a different place it would be either before or after the times of the murders. Hence not really an alibi. We continue to look forward to justice in this case and can now put this part of the proceeding behind us.

Mr Kohberger is accused of killing four University of Idaho students living in an off-campus house: Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

He is accused of breaking into an off-campus student home on King Road in the town of Moscow in the early hours of 13 November 2022 and stabbing the four students to death with a large, military-style knife.

Madison Mogen, 21, top left, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, bottom left, Ethan Chapin, 20, second right, and Xana Kernodle, 20, were all killed in a student house in Moscow, Idaho ( Instagram )

Two other female roommates lived with the three women at the property and were home at the time of the massacre but survived.

One of the survivors  Dylan Mortensen  came face to face with the masked killer, dressed in head-to-toe black and with bushy eyebrows, as he left the home in the aftermath of the murders, according to the criminal affidavit.

In May of 2023, Mr Kohberger declined to enter a plea in the case, prompting a judge to mark his stance as pleading not guilty.

A previous filing in August also claimed Mr Kohberger was out for a drive around the time of the murders.

That document, however, contained less detail, noting that the student was not claiming to be at a specific location at a specific time.

It read in part: Mr. Kohberger has long had a habit of going for drives alone. Often he would go for drives at night.

He did so late on November 12 and into November 13, 2022. Mr. Kohberger is not claiming to be at a specific location at a specific time; at this time there is not a specific witness to say precisely where Mr. Kohberger was at each moment of the hours between late night November 12, 2022 and early morning November 13, 2022.

Bryan Kohberger, right, is escorted into a courtroom for a hearing in Latah County District Court, 13 September 2023, in Moscow, Idaho ( AP )

He was out, driving during the late night and early morning hours of November 12-13, 2022.

Prosecutors argued this claim was too vague.

Wednesdays filing came in just before a deadline to submit additional information related to his alibi defence.

The updated alibi defence claims are the latest development in the high-profile trial.

Earlier this month, Mr Kohbergers defence requested discovery requests be placed under seal to because the documents contain facts or statements that might threaten or endanger the life or safety of individuals.

Idaho intends to seek the death penalty against Mr Kohberger.

His defence sought earlier this year to move the trial out of Latah County, arguing that extensive, inflammatory pretrial publicity would make it unfair.

In March, the Idaho Supreme Court denied a request from Mr Kohberger for his grand jury indictment to be thrown out.

The house where the four students were killed being demolished ( AP )

A trial date has not been set.

Prosecutors have tied him to the murders, in part, through surveillance footage showing his white Hyundai Elantra travelling to and from the crime scene.

An affidavit, released in January last year, outlined some of the evidence against the accused killer  including his DNA on a knife sheath left behind at the scene of the murders, the surveillance footage and cellphone activity.

The sheath  for a military or Ka-Bar style knife  was found partly under Mogens body after she and Goncalves were found stabbed multiple times on Mogens bed on the third floor of the home.

DNA on the button clasp of the sheath was then found to match that of the 28-year-old accused killer.

Mr Kohbergers attorneys have sought to cast doubts on the strength of this DNA evidence, in particular the use of genetic genealogy.

According to the affidavit in the case, the FBI used genetic genealogy databases to try to identify the DNA source.

Trash was then collected from the suspects parents home in the Poconos Mountains and a familial match  from Mr Kohbergers father  was made to the sheath, according to the criminal affidavit.

Following Mr Kohbergers arrest on 30 December, DNA samples were then taken directly from the suspect and came back as a statistical match, say prosecutors.
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For 13 years, Ellen Greenbergs parents have fought to prove she did not die by suicide, but that she was murdered  and now, new bombshell testimony could make their case.

In a shocking development that came earlier this week during a hearing for a civil lawsuit in the beloved Philadelphia teachers brutal 2011 death, the familys attorney said the states former assistant district attorney is set to testify that her body was likely moved after she had been fatally stabbed at least 20 times.

Its an obvious murder, Ellens mother, Sandra Greenberg told The Independent in reaction to Tuesdays hearing in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court.

You cant make this up.

Ellens parents Joshua and Sandee Greenberg have been fighting for justice since 2011 ( Justice for Ellen Facebook page )

On 26 January 2011, Ellen was found by her fiance, Samuel Goldberg, dead in the kitchen of their Manayunk, Philadelphia apartment. She was slumped against the cabinets, her legs splayed out in front of her.

The 27-year-old elementary school teacher had at least 20 stab wounds, many to the back of her head and neck. A 10-inch knife was lodged in her chest.

Following an autopsy at the time, pathologist Dr. Marlon Osbourne of the Philadelphia Medical Examiners office ruled her death a homicide, citing multiple stab wounds by an unknown person.

But with little evidence to go on, the case stalled and months later, on 11 April, Dr. Osbourne amended her death certificate, changing the manner of death to suicide.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the medical examiner was told that police were leaning toward suicide and looking at mental issues she might have had, despite her familys pushback.

Records show Ellen was being treated for anxiety at the time, but the familys experts hired over the years have found its unlikely her medications contributed to suicidal thoughts.

She was brutally murdered, stabbed once, twice, 20 times, Ms Greenberg said of their only child. Thats rage. She did not do that to herself.

From the investigation down by the Greenberg family, showing stab wounds ( Tom Brennan, Greenberg family )

Through the years, the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania couple have fought to change the ruling from suicide back to either homicide or undetermined manner of death, by enlisting in their team of experts and conducting an investigation that disputed the suicide finding, and say it was changed at the insistence of the police.

Its been 13 years and the city has been fighting us every step of the way, Ms Greenberg told The Independent. Ellen was a Philadelphia girl, she deserves better from her city.

At the hearing on Tuesday, the Greenbergs attorney, Joseph Podraza, in an effort to push forward with a sworn deposition of former Assisstant District Attorney Guy DAndrea, revealed that DAndrea had a previously unknown conversation with the citys then-medical examiner, Dr. Samuel Gulino and Gulino then determined that Ellens death was a homicide.

DAndrea had firsthand knowledge of the file and evidence, Mr Podraza told the judge. Dr. Gulino told DAndrea, this is a homicide.

Mr Gulino allegedly told Mr DAndrea that Ellens body had been in a supine position for a period of time, he continued.

This means she was flat on her back and not slumped in a seated position against a kitchen cabinet as she was reportedly found, according to the hearing.

Mr Podraza said that the medical examiner told Mr DAndrea that her body was likely moved and that they were able to tell by how the blood on Ellens face had dried up.

He also said there was no evidence that emergency responders were the ones who moved her body.

Investigation documents show how Greenbergs body was stabbed ( Court documents )

Ellens mother, who was listening to the hearing on Zoom, told The Independent that she knew her daughters body had likely been moved after her death, because of the way her blood had coagulated.

But what she didnt know was that the medical examiner and the assistant district attorney had had a conversation about it.

Mr DAndrea is also set to argue that, according to the medical examiner, one of the stab wounds would have "immediately incapacitated" her, making self-infliction unlikely.

The court is allowing the Greenbergs attorneys to move forward with discovery and depositions in the case. Their deadline is 6 May.

Ms Greenberg said she doesnt want to get her hopes up after 13 years of roadblocks and disappointment, but said she is pleased with the courts decision to allow Mr DAndrea to be deposed and believes that he can bring new evidence to the investigation.

Ellen Greenberg ( Justice for Ellen Facebook page )

The Greenbergs are hoping the civil case goes to trial this fall. By filing the lawsuit, theyll be able to hold everyone accountable in a civil case.

Every parent in America would want this for their child, she said. Im one of them, and I havent given up.

After losing a recent court ruling in their attempt to have her cause of death changed, the Greenbergs are also now preparing to take their fight to the Pennsylvania supreme court.

Our daughter did not commit suicide  we know that. She was murdered, Mr Greenberg told The Independent in a previous interview. They [the courts] have blatantly said the investigation was faulty on the part of the police, on the part of the medical examiner, on the part of the district attorney.

The way the authorities and the politicians are handling her case is a disgrace, Ms Greenberg added.

I want her name cleared. What I really want people to know is Ellen was our daughter, but she could be your daughter. She could be your mother, sister, friend. Think about what you would do.
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A religious group called "God's Misfits, based in South Carolina and led by a man calling himself Squirrel, has distanced itself from murder suspects allegedly operating under the same name.

Tifany Machel Adams, 54; Tad Bert Cullum, 43; Cole Earl Twombly, 50; and Cora Twombly, 44, have been charged this week with murder, kidnapping and conspiracy to commit murder, in relation to the deaths of Veronica Butler, 27, and Jilian Kelley, 39.

The women were heading to Oklahoma to pick up Ms Butlers two children from their grandmother, Ms Adams, when they disappeared on 30 March.

Their car was found abandoned at a rural crossroads near a trail of blood, broken hammer, a pistol magazine and one womans glasses. The bodies were confirmed to be those of Ms Butler and Ms Kelley, by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).

According to a police affidavit, obtained by The Independent, officers spoke with the 16-year-old daughter of Ms Twombley. In the affidavit, the daughter is referred to as CW.

A man calling himself Squirrel, the founder of a group called Gods Misfits explaining in a video that his organisation is not connected to a group of murder suspects using the same name ( screengrab/Facebook/Gods Misfits )

CW told police that her mother and the other suspects belonged to an anti-government group that has a religious affiliation called Gods Misfits. Investigators found that Gods Misfits held regular, weekly meetings at both the Twomblys and Cooks homes.

Social media searches have revealed no online presence of the Oklahoma-based Gods Misfits group.

There is another group called Gods Misfits on Facebook but they sought to distance themselves from the Oklahoma murder case this week, and said they had nothing to do with it.

On Wednesday, a man who calls himself Squirrel said that he founded Gods Misfits, and that their only focus is spreading the love of Jesus Christ.

Someway, people think they are part of us. Nothing could be more wrong, Squirrel posted on Facebook. Gods misfits is about spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, not about hate and murder.

Squirrel also responded to messages he had received about the murder case and said that he started up his religious groups website in 2015.

This combination of booking photo provided by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation From top left: Tad Bert Cullum, top left, Cora Twombly, top right, Tifany Machel Adams, bottom left, and Cole Earl Twombly, bottom right. ( AP )

He called news of another Gods Misfits group whacked-out and said that people had messaged him, calling his group a cult.

I aint got nothing to do with all of that, he said. I am about scripture and about spreading the love of Jesus. I am not an anti-government murderer.

Squirrel pointed out that sharing Jesuss love does not mean going out and killing anybody.

Someway, people think they are part of us. Nothing could be more wrong, he said.

The God Misfits Facebook group did not respond to The Independents request for information on Wednesday.

The murder suspects are two couples: Ms Adams, who served as a GOP chair in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, and her boyfriend Mr Cullum, and Mr and Ms Twombly, who moved to Oklahoma around 2005.

A custody battle appears to have been at the heart of the slayings, according to prosecutors. The filings revealed that a problematic custody battle had raged since 2019 between Ms Butler, Ms Adams, and her 26-year-old son, Wrangler Rickman, over two children aged six and eight.

At times Adams refused to let Rickman have his children, even though Rickman had legal custody of them, according to Ms Adamss arrest affidavit. Law enforcement previously responded to a call for service where Adams refused to give Rickman his children.

The group were arraigned 17 April at the Texas County Courthouse in Oklahoma.

All four arrived separately in orange jumpsuits, handcuffs and what appeared to be bullet-proof vests.

Emotions reportedly ran high, with some relatives of the victims being held back from trying to get to the suspects.

They were denied bond and will appear in court again in May.
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A Maryland student has been arrested after police say he threatened to shoot up his high school and former elementary school.

Alex Ye, 18, of Rockville, is alleged to have written a chilling 129-page manifesto detailing plans to gun down his classmates at Thomas S Wootton High School, and his former elementary school.

He was arrested on 17 April and charged with threat of mass violence, a misdemeanour crime punishable by up to 10 years in jail.

He is being held without bond, and a trial date is set for 3 June. The Independent emailed and called an attorney for Mr Ye seeking comment.

Authorities say they were first alerted to Mr Yes plan by a friend who had been given access to the mans Google Doc manifesto. Officers arrived at the students home on 3 March to conduct a welfare check but were denied entry to the residence by his father.

Alex Ye, a high school student, has been charged after police discovered his plans to commit a school shooting. ( Montgomery County Police Department )

The friend told investigators that the student had made several remarks about committing an act of violence.

During a probe of the students search history, officials discovered hed looked up gun ranges near me, minimum age to enter a gun range, what counts as a terroristic threat, obtained written and verbal descriptions of AR-15s and looked for a book about a student that plans to shoot his best friend and then himself.

Speaking at a news conference on Friday, Montgomery County Police Department Chief Marcus Jones said that the suspect had written about wanting to shoot up his former elementary school because little kids make easier targets.

He also strategised about how to enter the easiest classrooms in his high school and how he would be able to sneak a gun into the school.

Mr Ye also said he wanted to become a serial killer instead of a mass murderer because serial killers are romanticised a lot more, the chief said.

Officers returned to the students home three days after the first visit in March to perform a crisis evaluation. The suspect was involuntarily hospitalised as a result.

Medical staff at the hospital contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and police department concerned about the threat posed by the teenager, noting that he routinely conducted searches about mass shootings on Discord, an instant messaging app.

The app has been used by mass shooters in the past. He also used it to talk about the Columbine High School Massacre and similar shootings and drawings depicting shootings were found on his iPhone, the chief noted.

As police investigated the matter, investigators with the Federal Bureau of Investigation spoke to a psychologist at the students high school who said he was fixated on and made statements every time they spoke about carrying out a mass shooting.

Mr Ye also told the psychologist he was capable of committing a violent act after he graduated because he lived close to the school. Authorities later increased security at the institution.

He was preoccupied with self-harm, school shootings and explosions, Chief Jones said.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, who also spoke at the news conference, pointed to Marylands strict gun laws in potentially stopping a tragedy.

Everytown for Gun Safety currently ranks the state eighth in the nation for gun law strength.

This could well be a case where the difficulty to get guns prevented him from getting a gun when he wanted it, Mr Elrich said.
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A teacher, two lawyers and people working in finance are among the jurors who made history by convicting a former president of a felony crime for the first time.

Jurors seated in Donald Trumps hush money trial in Manhattan issued a verdict on 30 May after more than five weeks of witness testimony. The jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to conceal payments to an adult film star to boost his chances of winning the 2016 election. They convicted the former president on all 34 felony counts after nine and a half hours of deliberation.

After the verdict was announced, the defense asked to poll the jurors, meaning each one had to stand up and confirm their decision on the counts. All confirmed their verdict  as they did so, Trump craned his neck to watch them, otherwise remaining emotionless.

Now, Trump will be sentenced on 11 July  just days before the Republican National Convention, where delegates will name him the official GOP nominee.

Donald Trump, pictured, speaking to the media after a New York jury found him guilty following his hush money trial ( Getty Images )

The former president has been watching the jury since day one.

During the first four days of the historic trial in a New York City courtroom, the former president snapped awake from the defense table and craned his neck to get a good view of the jury box and the pool of New Yorkers who could ultimately convict him of a crime.

Ahead of the trial, Trump repeatedly tried and failed to move the case out of the borough, where he baselessly smeared its residents as hopelessly biased against him.

And so, during jury selection at his trial, Trump sat and heard firsthand from a group of Manhattan residents who pledged that they would be fair and impartial in hearing the case against him.

First, Manhattan dwellers who received notices to appear in court for jury duty that day were asked whether they could be fair and impartial, or if they had urgent obligations that would prevent them from attending court for four days a week for up to two months.

From that group, jurors were randomly selected to read their answers to a 42-question survey, covering their families and relationships, jobs, news diet, and whether theyd ever interacted with Trumps campaign or worked for his business.

A courtroom sketch depicts Donald Trump watching his attorney Todd Blanche during jury selection in a Manhattan criminal courtroom on 17 April ( REUTERS )

Lawyers for Trump and the Manhattan District Attorneys office then were allowed to ask those potential jurors other questions before making their requests to strike or remove any of them from the pool. Defense attorneys and prosecutors each had 10 chances to strike potential jurors from the panel.

By the end of the second day of jury selection on April 16, seven New Yorkers had been selected to decide the former presidents fate.

But, on the morning of the third day on April 18, two of those seated jurors were then excused. One, an oncology nurse, was excused after she expressed concerns about identifying information published in media outlets. A second was excused after he also expressed annoyance to the judge about the release of that information.

Despite the panel dwindling from seven to five, by the end of that day, the 12 jurors who would eventually make history had been selected. By the end of the day on April 19, all six alternates were seated.

The jury was comprised of 18 people: 12 who sat in the jury box during the trial, as well as six alternates.

The jurors were anonymised, and their identities were protected. They were not photographed, and they were off-limits to courtroom sketch artists. Jurors were also not displayed on the screens in a connected courtroom where other reporters were seated to watch the proceedings on a closed-circuit livestream.

Here is what we know about the panel of jurors who decided this historic case:

Juror 1

A married salesman and a former waiter who lives in Harlem. He likes outdoorsy activities and gets his news from The New York Times, The Daily Mail, Fox News, and MSNBC. Asked whether he is familiar with the cases against the former president, he said he has heard of some of them.

Juror number one is also the jury foreperson, tasked with delivering notes to the judge and speaking on behalf of the jurors.

He delivered the jurys verdict to the courtroom on 30 May.

Juror 2

A married investment banker who lives in Hells Kitchen and reads basically everything.

He follows Truth Social posts from the former president that are shared on X. He also follows Michael Cohen on the platform.

An oncology nurse was initially seated as Juror 2, but she was excused on 18 April after she had been sworn into the jury earlier in the week, telling the court that aspects of her identity had been revealed in news articles and her friends, colleagues and family members had then questioned her about her identity as a juror. She stated that she would not be able to remain fair and unbiased and not let outside influences impact her during the trial.

On April 16, before being sworn in, she had said that nobody is above the law. Im here to hear the facts, both sides, she said.

Juror 3

A corporate lawyer from Oregon who said he gets his news from The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Google, then later said he was embarrassed to admit that he doesnt follow the news closely. He said he was not super familiar with the other charges against the former president.

Juror 4

A married security engineer who lives in the West Village with three children. He said he doesnt use social media and enjoys metal- and woodworking.

An IT consultant from Puerto Rico was initially selected for the seat, but he was excused on April 18 after he expressed annoyance to the judge about the release of potentially identifying information. I find him fascinating, he had said of Mr Trump. He walks into a room and he sets people off. I find that really interesting.  Certainly, he makes things interesting.

Juror 5

A lifelong New Yorker and a schoolteacher who gets her news from Google and TikTok but otherwise doesnt really care for the news. She said she appreciates that Mr Trump speaks his mind but admitted that she didnt know anything about his criminal cases.

Juror 6

A software engineer who lives with three roommates in Chelsea. Trump and I probably have different beliefs but that doesnt invalidate who he is as a person, she said on 16 April. I think I can look at this as a person on trial, as any other American citizen.

Juror 7

A married lawyer with two children who works in civil matters. He spends time outdoors and listens to the Smartless podcast and the beloved but now off-air radio show Car Talk. He also listens to WNYC radio. I have political views about Mr Trump and his presidency, but I dont know the man, he said on 16 April.

I dont have any particular opinions about him personally, he said.

Juror 8

A retired wealth manager who lives on the Upper East Side and enjoys flyfishing, skiing, yoga and meditation. He is married with two children and reads The New York Times and Wall Street Journal and watches CNBC and ABC

Juror 9

A speech therapist who lives on the Upper East Side. I dont watch any news or follow it too closely other than email newsletters from CNN and The New York Times, she said. She also listens to reality TV podcasts.

I do have opinions but I do firmly believe I can be fair and impartial about Mr Trump, she said.

Juror 10

A man who lives in Murray Hill and works for an eyewear company. I dont really follow the news, if anything its The New York Times, he said. He also listens to podcasts on behavioural psychology.

Juror 11

A product development manager for an apparel company who lives in upper Manhattan and doesnt follow much news but watches late-night shows and reads Google.

I dont have strong opinions about him but I dont like his persona, she said under direct questioning from attorneys for Mr Trump on April 18.

He just seems very selfish and self-serving so I dont really appreciate that in any public servant, she said. I dont know how he is in terms of his integrity. Its just not my cup of tea.

Juror 12

A married physical therapist who lives on the Upper East Side. She gets her news from The New York Times, CNN and USA Today.

Alternate 1

An investment banker who lives in Midtown East.

Alternate 2

A woman originally from Spain and not currently working. Shes married with children in college and enjoys art and theatre in New York. I dont watch news. I skim through headlines, she said. My husband, if he thinks I need to know something, he will send me an excerpt or some news or something. Asked if she listens to podcasts, she said emphatically: No. Never.

Alternate 3

A native New Yorker who lives in Inwood and works in IT. He is married with one child.

My opinion is that Trump is a man just like I am, he said on April 19. I think that a man promotes growth if they attempt to right their wrongdoings. Nonetheless, if theres evidence found against him, theres consequences.

Alternate 4

A contract specialist who lives in Chelsea and is married with two children. She is not a big news person but she looks at The New York Times, Reuters and BBC, and has social media accounts but doesnt post or otherwise use them, she said.

Alternate 5

A Chinatown resident who works for a clothing company. Shes married and gets her news from The New York Times and Google.

Alternate 6

An Upper East Side resident with three children who works for a construction company. She is subscribed to The New York Times but mostly uses the app to play Spelling Bee. She also watches local television news station NY1.

This story was first published on April 17 and has been updated with developments.
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Elon Musks SpaceX has reportedly partnered with US aerospace and defence company Northrop Grumman on a secret spy satellite project that is already capturing detailed images of the Earth.

According to Reuters, which was first to report on the classified project, it is meant to enhance the US governments ability to track military and intelligence targets from low-Earth orbits.

The networks imaging capabilities are reportedly intended to have superior resolution over most existing US government spying systems. Once it is fully deployed it will be equipped with an array of different sensors, including optical and radar technology, according to sources that spoke to Reuters.

The system will also feature relay satellites that can transmit the imagery and other data across the network.

Another hope for the Earth-orbiting project is that it will reduce the risks associated with reconnaissance imagery gathered by US aircraft and drones in other countries sovereign airspaces, especially in conflict zones.

The involvement of Northrop Grumman  one of the worlds largest weapons manufacturers and military technology providers in the world  is reportedly to ensure that control over the highly-sensitive project is not given to one single contractor.

The National Reconnaissance Office awarded a $1.8bn contract to Musks SpaceX for the classified project, a planned network of hundreds of satellites, in 2021, according to Reuters ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

"It is in the governments interest to not be totally invested in one company run by one person," one of four people who spoke to Reuters said. Its unclear whether other contractors are currently involved, or whether more will be brought in at a later date.

In March, the outlet reported that the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) awarded a $1.8bn contract to SpaceX for the classified project, a planned network of hundreds of satellites, in 2021.

Those familiar with the project said that SpaceX has launched roughly a dozen prototypes so far, and is already providing test imagery to the NRO. The collection of imagery has not been previously reported.

The B-21 Raider stealth bomber is unveiled at Northrop Grumman  one of the worlds largest weapons manufacturers  in December 2022 ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Northrop Grumman is reportedly providing sensors for some of the SpaceX satellites and will test those satellites at its own facilities before they are launched, Reuters reported.

At least 50 of the SpaceX satellites are expected at Northrop Grumman facilities for procedures including testing and the installation of sensors in coming years, one source told the outlet.

In a statement, an NRO spokesperson said the agency "has always worked with a diverse group of partners to deliver the most capable, diverse, and resilient space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities."

The spokesperson did not comment further on specifics of the satellite network or identify any other companies that may be involved.

The Independent has approached SpaceX and Northrop Grumman for comment.
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Several big publishing houses have joined Penguin Random House along with renowned authors in a federal lawsuit suing Iowa over a state law that bans certain books in schools and restricts teachings on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan have joined Penguin Random House, who initially filed a lawsuit in November against Iowa, completing the line-up of the Big Five US publishers on the complaint.

The publisher Sourcebooks has also joined the suit with the other four, with the Iowa State Education Association, four authors, three educators, and one high school student also stated as plaintiffs.

The houses are challenging the state over the book-banning provisions of Senate File 496 in order to protect the right to publish and read books, the publishers said in a joint statement on Monday obtained by CNN.

The publishing houses are joined by authors John Green (The Fault in Our Stars), Laurie Halse Anderson (Speak and Shout), Malinda Lo (Last Night at the Telegraph Club) and Jodi Picoult (Nineteen Minutes).

The five publishers who joined the suit issued a joint statement that declared that we as publishers are uniting in our unwavering commitment to stand with educators, librarians, students, authors, and readers against the unconstitutional censorship measures being imposed by the state of Iowa.

The alarming rise of book bans across the country demands our collective action, their statement continued. Now, more than ever, we must stand firmly with our authors and readers to defend the fundamental right to read and the freedom of expression.

Senate File 496 was signed in May last year by Iowa governor Kim Reynolds, creating a law that allows K-12 school libraries only to carry books deemed age-appropriate, with the exclusion of any reading material with descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act.

However, the law has also prohibited any instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation within schools for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

The publishers claimed in their statement that this law has limited access to books, fiction and non-fiction alike, relating to gender identity or sexual orientation.

They claim that books like George Orwells Nineteen Eighty-Four, Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale and Ulysses by James Joyce, among many others, have all been removed from libraries.

The lawsuit, according to CNN, argues that the law denies students of reading books that portrays and describes critical aspects of the human experience and it discriminates against LGBTQ+ viewpoints and authors.

A federal judge temporarily blocked certain parts of the law from being enforced after he said that the ban on books was incredibly broad, and was leading to the removal of history volumes, classics and award-winning novels, even literature that were designed to help students avoid being victimised by sexual assault.

Governor Reynolds criticised the ruling, calling it extremely disappointing, and promised to continue to do my part to protect [the] innocence of young children.

Instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation has no place in kindergarten through sixth-grade classrooms, she wrote in a release after the law was blocked in December.

There should be no question that books containing sexually explicit content  as clearly defined in Iowa law  do not belong in a school library for children. The fact that were even arguing these issues is ridiculous. The real debate should be about why society is so intent on over-sexualising our young children.

The Independent has left a message at the office of the governor Kim Reynolds for comment.
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Max Azzarello, 37, who died after setting himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial, had recently started posting anti-establishment conspiracy theories online, including a lengthy article on Substack which blasted politicians, and billionaires and even made reference to The Simpsons.

The manifesto-style document warned of an impending apocalyptic fascist world coup.

At 1.30pm ET on Friday 19 April, he entered a park outside the New York courthouse, where Donald Trumps historic criminal trial is taking place, and set himself on fire. The horrific incident lasted several minutes before the flames were extinguished by police officers and court staff.

Police told NBC News that he was declared dead by the hospital after he was admitted with severe burn injuries. No time of death was given by the police.

His friends described Azzarello as a gentle and very personable man. Some struggled to see how his final act was committed by the person they once knew so well, while others noted how his mothers death had seemed to leave an indelible mark, driving him to support conspiracy theories and go a little haywire.

Who is the victim?

In his lengthy post, Azzarello described himself as an investigative researcher.

Police said that his drivers licence showed he was born in 1987 and was a native of St Augustine, Florida. A registered Democrat, he attended the University of North Carolina from 2005 to 2009, according to public records and his LinkedIn page. He then obtained his masters degree in city and regional planning in 2012 from Rutgers.

Those close to Azzarello described his as kind, creative, and well-informed  albeit concerned  about the world.

Steven Waldman, Azzarellos friend from high school, described him to the New York Times as one of the most intelligent people he knew.

While at Rutgers, Katie Brennan, a former classmate, recalled him dotting hallways with encouraging Post-it notes for his classmates and singing karaoke versions of Frank Sinatra and Disney songs, the Times reported.

He was super curious about social justice and the way things could be, Ms Brennan said. He was creative and adventurous.

Maxwell Azzarello pictured protesting outside Donald Trumps trial at Manhattan Criminal Court one day before self-immolating near the same location ( Getty Images )

By 2013, Azzarello worked as operations director for the campaign of Tom Suozzi, his LinkedIn profile reveals. The now-Congressman was at the time running for Nassau County Executive.

Since then, he worked in marketing, sales and technology roles, some of which were based in Philadelphia, his profile shows.

Years later, Azzarello moved to St Augustine, Florida, his social media indicates, working as a self-employed research investigator, consistent with his online post.

But at some point this month, between April 13 and April 19, seemingly unbenownst to his family, he arrived in New York City.

The April dates fall almost exactly two years after his mother died. Thats when everything changed for Azzarello, his friends said.

That was around the time when he became more outspoken, Mr Waldman told the Times. They were close, and they had a good relationship. He was heartbroken.

He posted a tribute to his mother on Instagram, writing, I couldnt be happier to have been able to be close to her these last few months. She suffered from COPD, but I am immensely proud to say that she navigated the awful challenges of this disease with strength, dignity and spirit through the very end.

From thereafter, his social media profile makes a significant shift, from posting about friends and family to posting about the criminal government and cryptocurrency.

Some told The Daily Beast that he had gone a little haywire as of late, also pointing to concerning social media posts.

In June of 2023, he reportedly tagged Ms Brennan and others in what she called a manifesto that he had penned. Alarmed by his writing, she called him immediately and eventually alerted one of his family members.

By August, the Times wrote, he posted on Facebook about visiting a mental health facility: Three days in the psych ward, and all I got were my new favorite socks.

In the following days, he displayed a series of unstable episodes.

He had dinner at St Augustines Casa Monica Hotel, where he apparently found a years-old autograph left on the wall by former president Bill Clinton; Azzarello threw a glass of wine at it, according to police.

Although he admitted to police what had happened, and they apparently dismissed it as a one-off incident, days later, he returned the hotel  clothed in only underwear  and stood outside, yelling into a bullhorn, the outlet wrote.

A few days later, he vandalized the outside of a United Way office and then entered a strangers truck, the Times reported.

Despite his multiple arrests in Florida, Azzarello did not have a criminal history in New York, police said.

His former landlord, Larry Altman, told the Daily Beast that Azzrello was a very personable guy but over the last few years, he had become more and more involved with the thought process that everything is a conspiracy against the common person.

Mr Altman also told the Times that Azzarello had political views that I would not consider mainstream. He called our government and the world government a Ponzi scheme.

The police-involved episodes of recent years and inclination toward conspiracy theories set the scene for Fridays act in New York City.

He had apparently been spotted outside the Manhattan criminal courthouse on Thursday and Friday.

Those who knew him previously didnt see the act outside the courhouse as consistent with the Max Azzarello they once knew.

Carol Waldman, Azarrellos friend Stevens mother, called Azzarello a kind and a gentle soul. She told the Times that he was a real wonderful, terrific young guy who had his whole life ahead of him.

His beliefs

Azzarello had a long history of posting conspiracy theories and railing against the rich and powerful, according to NYPD officials, who had begun to comb through his social media profiles.

Azzarello reportedly threw pamphlets in the park before self-immolating on Friday ( ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images )

His lengthy Substack post called out a string of people, social media companies and institutions. He also labelled the Covid-19 pandemic as an economic doomsday device.

In the document, Azzarello said that the act of self-immolation was an extreme act of protest.

To my friends and family, witnesses and first responders, I deeply apologize for inflicting this pain upon you. he wrote.

Elsewhere in the lengthy post, Azzarello also referred to late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, cryptocurrency, and episodes of The Simpsons.

At one point he compared himself to Lisa Simpson.

Azzarello posted on social media about what he was planning to do ( Social media )

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters at a press conference. The pamphlets [thrown by Mr Azzarello seconds before the incident] seem to be propaganda-based almost like a conspiracy theory type of pamphlets.

Some information in regards to Ponzi schemes, and the fact that some of our local educational institutes are a front for the mob. So a little bit of a conspiracy theory going on here.

The incident

Police said that Azzarello had not breached any security protocols before the incident, as the park  Collect Pond Park  was open to the public at the time.

Seconds before setting himself on fire, he tossed a stack of colourful pamphlets into the air.

A fire extinguisher remains on the scene outside the park where Azzarello self-immolated on Friday ( AFP via Getty Images )

A man who witnessed the shocking incident, which occurred just minutes after the final jurors were selected in the former presidents criminal case, and identified himself as Dave, was visibly shaken.

Papers clattered on the ground and that caught our attention well my attention anyway and I kinda wondered well what are those papers, Dave told The Independent.

He added that people around him were horrified and became screaming. The incident happened so quickly that nobody was able to stop it.

Its awful to see that.

Azzarello was taken by the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) to a burn unit at NewYork-Presbyterian Cornell Medical Center.

He was in critical condition and was later declared deceased by the hospital staff, NYPD said.

According to the fire department, six first responders, including a minimum of three NYPD officers and one court officer, sustained minor injuries while addressing the incident.
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A huge fire has broken out at the Oregon hotel made famous by the iconic Jack Nicholson movieThe Shining.

While many Stanley Kubrick fans will recognise the remote setting as The Overlook Hotel where spooky twins chillingly told Nicholsons character Jack Torrance to Come play with us, in the real world the Timberline Lodge serves as a family-friendly resort among the snowy landscape of Mount Hood.

On Thursday evening, while guests were staying at the hotel, a commercial fire broke out inside the iconic 55,000-square-foot building.

The Clackamas Fire Department said on social media that multiple crews including from the Hoodland, Gresham, and Estacada fire departments were called to the scene.

No injuries were reported with all guests and staff safely evacuated, KGW reported.

By around 11pm, the fire department reported that firefighters had a good knock-down on the fire and are doing everything they can to preserve the historic assets that exist here, KTVZ reported.

By 11.12pm, the fire  which impacted the roof and part of the attic  was finally declared under control and had not spready any further throughout the building, fire officials said in an update.

Crews also helped to remove furniture and artwork from the hotel after the main lobby was drenched with water.

Muliple fire crews on scene to extinguish a blaze coming from Timberline Lodge, Oregon ( Clackamas Fire Department )

Fire crew spent time cleaning up the scene after the blaze was extinguished ( Clackamas Fire Department )

Timberlines management told KGW that damage to the interior appears to be minimal, with no internal smoke or fire damage.

John Burton, the lodges marketing director, said that he was grateful for the fire crews, adding that this has been a first for them at the iconic hotel.

I think we just need to look at this as it could have been a lot worse, Mr Burton told the outlet. It was extremely windy, so it didnt help the cause, but [I] cant thank the first responders enough.

Mr Burton added that he suspects it was embers from the main chimney that started the blaze, but authorities are yet to confirm this.

The US Forest Service will further investigate the cause of the fire.

Jack Nicholson sitting in the lobby in a scene from The Shining. Timberline Lodge was made famous from the cult film ( Alamy Stock Photo )

Taylor Hatmaker was staying in the Timberline Lodge with her wife when they suddenly started to hear the fire alarm blaring. Once they exited the building, they could see sparks flying off the central chimney spire, she said.

Its emotional seeing something so emblematic of our state with such history on fire. Its such a historic, special building, she told The Oregonian.

Timberline means a lot of things to a lot of people.

Much of The Shining was filmed at Elstree Studios in the UK, but the Timberline Lodge appears in the opening scene of the movie as the fictional The Overlook Hotel and some other shots throughout the film.

Jack Nicholoson in the iconic scene Heres Johnny scene in The Shining ( Alamy Stock Photo )

During the filming, Kubrick was asked not to use the room number 217 (the room in the book) in the production, as it could be offputting for future guests of the lodge.

A nonexistent Room 237 was used in its place.

However, the lodge says on its website that Room 217 is requested more often than any other room.

Tthe lodge isnt only famous because of the 1980 cult-classic film.

When it opened in 1937, the Timberline Lodge hit headlines as then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt officially opened it and delivered a speech to crowds.

The lodge was later declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977, and is now one of Oregons most popular tourist attractions, according to the lodges website, drawing nearly two million visitors every year.

The Independent has contacted the US Forest Service for further information.
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In a historic week for America, Donald Trump appeared in a Manhattan courtroom as a criminal defendant for the very first time.

Jury selection began in the so-called hush money trial on 15 April, lasting around four days before the panel of 12 jurors and six alternates were sworn in to hear the first ever criminal trial of a sitting or former president.

The former president has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments given to cover up alleged affairs ahead of the 2016 election. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Mr Trump has made no secret of the fact that he would rather be almost anywhere else  the campaign trail, his son Barrons graduation, Staten Island  but the Manhattan courtroom. On the first day of the trial, Mr Trump called the case an assault on America.

But, after many unsuccessful attempts to delay or dismiss the trial, the trial has marched on and opening statements are expected to get under way on Monday.

It may have only been one week. But trial has already proven eventful.

Mr Trump has allegedly dozed off, has been scolded by the judge for intimidating a juror, and has gotten to hear what New Yorkers really think of him. Outside the courthouse, protesters and supporters made their views known, while  in a horrifying incident on Friday afternoon  a man set himself on fire.

Here is Mr Trumps landmark trial in photos:

Day one:

Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower to head to the criminal court in Manhattan for the first day of jury selection in his hush money trial. He waves to supporters before getting into his motorcade:

Mr Trump leaving Trump Tower to attend the first day of the hush money trial ( AFP via Getty Images )

Judge Juan Merchan presides over the first day of the hush money case in Manhattan criminal court:

Court sketch of Judge Merchan on the first day of the trial ( REUTERS )

An anti-Trump demonstrator stands outside of the courthouse in preparation for the high-profile trials start:

Protestor holds up a sign that reads Convict Trump Already ( AP )

In classic campaign-speech mode, Mr Trump bashes the trial to the press outside the courtroom, calling it a political witch hunt:

Trump tells the media that his trial is an assault on America ahead of the first day of his trial ( Angela Weiss - Pool/Getty Images )

Day two:

Mr Trumps lawyers flank the former president as jury selection continues into its second day:

Lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove surround Trump in the courtroom with attorneys on the trials second day ( via REUTERS )

A court sketch shows a weary Mr Trump  after he was accused of dozing off multiple times during the proceedings:

Sleepy Don at the defence table beside his lawyer Emil Bove ( REUTERS )

The former president goes to the Harlem neighbourhood of Manhattan to visit a bodega where a clerk fatally stabbed a man in a case of self-defence last year:

Trump talking to reporters while visiting a bodega after the second day of the trial ( AP )

Day three:

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee departs Trump Tower to head to the courthouse once again:

The former president leaving Trump Tower on his way to the courtroom on the third day of the trial ( REUTERS )

Brows furrowed but eyes open, Mr Trump braces for the third day of jury selection to begin:

An angry-looking Mr Trump waits for the start of the third day of jury selection ( AP )

A bored-looking Mr Trump sits and listens to the jury selection process:

Trump on his third day in Manhattan criminal court ( via REUTERS )

Day Four:

Mr Trump makes his way from Trump Tower back downtown to the Manhattan criminal courthouse for the final day of jury selection:

Donald Trump waves to people looking on as he leave Trump Tower on 19 April ( AP )

Before entering the courtroom, Mr Trump gives a speech in the courthouse:

Donald Trump speaks to the press before court on 19 April ( via REUTERS )

The former president sits quietly throughout the final day of jury selection where five alternate jurors are picked. Despite the chilly temperature of the courtroom being a nuisance, Mr Trump remains relatively relaxed:

Donald Trump attends the final day of jury selection on Friday 19 April ( EPA )

Horror erupts outside of the courtroom during the lunch break when a man sets himself on fire in the park across the street:

The aftermath of the area where a man self immolated ( AFP via Getty Images )

Mr Trumps criminal trial will continue on Monday morning with opening arguments expected to begin from both sides  and the first witness potentially giving testimony in the case.
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Disgraced former congressman George Santos surprised reporters and bystanders on Thursday when he showed up outside the court where Donald Trump is on criminal trial.

Mr Trump is on trial on charhes of falsifying business records in a bid to conceal a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has denied all wrongdoing  and denied that the affair even took place.

On day three of the trial on Thursday, Mr Santos  the ex-congressman and vocal Mr Trump supporter  was spotted outside of Manhattan criminal court as the former presidents criminal proceedings continued in court.

However, it doesnt appear that the former lawmaker was there to lend support to the former president.

Instead, Mr Santos was passing by on his way to a different event: a hearing in his own court case  a lawsuit against late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.

Todays a big day, Mr Santos said in a selfie video posted to X on Thursday. Im actually in federal court against Jimmy Kimmel for my fraud case against him.

The hearing was in Manhattan federal court, just blocks away from Mr Trumps courtroom.

The former congressman alleges Mr Kimmel deceived him into making more than a dozen videos on Cameo  a mobile app that allows users to pay for personalised videos from celebrities  that Mr Kimmel then played on his show Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Mr Santos sued him in February for copyright infringement, fraudulent inducement, breach of contract and unjust enrichment.

George Santos, pictured in a selfie video (left), was spotted outside the Manhattan Criminal Court (right) on Thursday where Donald Trump is on trial ( George Santos/X/Beyond My Ken )

The late-night personality took to his show to mock the disgraced lawmaker just after the suit was filed, highlighting that Mr Santos claims he believed video requests about a dog named Adolf and a man eating six pounds of loose ground beef were real messages and that he was duped.

Hes being represented by the prestigious law firm of Pot, Kettle, and Black, Mr Kimmel joked on his show.

Separately, the former New York representative is currently facing 23 federal criminal charges, including charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and theft of public funds.

Jimmy Kimmel mocks George Santos over Cameo videos

In March 2023, the House Ethics Committee launched an investigation into the then-New York lawmaker, who was first elected in 2022.

Two months later, the Department of Justice handed him the first thirteen indictments  and he was arrested the next day.

In October, Mr Santos was then hit with a 23-count superseding indictment, adding another ten charges to his total. The former congressman has denied all the allegations and has pleaded not guilty.

Mr Santos was expelled from the US House of Representatives in a 311 to 114 vote on 1 December 2023.

While his schedule might seem busy, between a lawsuit and federal criminal charges, Mr Santos still hopes to further his political career.

Mr Santos said last month he is seeking re-election in a different New York district as an independent candidate.
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The White House is staying silent on Israels recent retaliatory attack on Iran despite statements from Americas top diplomat denying any US involvement.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Friday opened her daily press briefing with a preemptive refusal to comment on the incident, which Iranian officials have largely appeared to have shrugged off.

I know theres a lot a lot of interest in reports from the Middle East overnight, and we understand that. Im going to say it now, though: I know you all will certainly ask me about it, that we do not have any comment on the reports at this time, she said.

Ms Jean-Pierre would not even offer an answer as to why she was left unable to comment.

The White Houses relative silence stood in stark contrast from the relative openness it exhibited earlier in the week when a trio of top defence officials were made available to brief reporters about American involvement in the successful defence Israel had launched against the more than 300 separate munitions launched its way by Iran.

In the wake of that defensive success, which reportedly saw 99 per cent of the Iranian rockets and drones shot down, President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take the win and asked him not to escalate further.

Ms Jean-Pierres reluctance to address the subject of the Israeli strike came just hours after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US played no role in an Israeli drone strike on Iran that was retaliation for last weeks Iranian strike on Israel.

Speaking at a news conference in Capri during a Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meeting, Mr Blinken repeatedly declined to answer questions about the Israeli strike.

Instead, he repeated a statement indicating that the US was not involved.

Im not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations, he said.

What were focused on, what the G7 is focused on, and again, its reflected in our statement, and in our conversation, is our work to de-escalate tensions, to de-escalate from any potential conflicts, he added.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the US played no role in an Israeli drone strike on Iran on Friday ( REUTERS )

The Israeli government has not, to date, made any public statement about what appeared to be a retaliatory strike on the Iranian city of Isfahan early Friday morning. The city hosts one of Irans major nuclear sites, but the International Atomic Energy Agency has said there was no damage to any part of any nuclear facility.

In Tehran, Iranian state media appeared to downplay the significance of the incident while indicating that the Iranian government wont respond in kind.

Speaking at the same press conference alongside Mr Blinken, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the United States provided the information at a Friday morning session that was changed at the last minute to address the suspected attack.

Mr Tajani, who chaired the G7 ministerial meeting which took place ahead of this summers Group of Seven leaders summit, said Mr Blinken had told his colleagues that the US had been informed at the last minute by Israel about the drones.

But there was no sharing of the attack by the US. It was a mere information, he added.

With additional reporting by agencies
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Melania Trump has given a rare interview to Fox News urging the country to unite as the 2024 campaign heats up and her husband, former President Donald Trump, faces a hush money trial in New York.

The former first lady has so far shied away from the trail during the 2024 campaign but on Saturday will attend a Mar-a-Lago event hosted by the LGBT+ group the Log Cabin Republicans, focused on its get-out-the-vote programme aimed at gay voters in battleground states.

We must unite in our effort to establish a society where equality is the everyday experience of every American, Ms Trump told Fox News Digital ahead of the event. Individual freedom provides a unifying set of principles, and ultimately establishes our American way.

She added that when America succeeds, it blossoms into a magnificent place where everyone can practice their beliefs, share new ideas, and express individualism  this is when we are our best.

Ms Trump is working with former US Ambassador to Germany and acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell  the first openly gay member of a presidential cabinet.

Melania attended a fundraiser earlier this month ( AP )

If you work hard and have a little bit of luck and Gods grace, you can do anything you want in America regardless of your skin colour, socio-economic situation, or sexual orientation, he told Fox News Digital. We want what every American wants, to be treated equally not differently.

He added that the Republicans have become increasingly welcoming of gay conservatives over the last 20 years.

But we made the most progress when Donald Trump and Melania Trump moved into the White House, he claimed. Gays and lesbians are no longer reflexively leftist.

Ms Trump had been almost entirely absent from Mr Trumps campaign events until earlier this month. She was spotted on Easter Sunday after lunch with their son Barron. On 6 April, she attended a fundraiser with Mr Trump at the Palm Beach home of hedge fund manager John Paulson, which the former president claimed raked in $50m. She also appeared beside Mr Trump in March to vote in the Florida primary.

Melania voted with the former president in March ( AFP via Getty Images )

Shes a private person, a great person, a very confident person, and she loves our country very much. At the appropriate time  shell be out there, Mr Trump told NBCs Meet the Press in September.

Asked what she would be working on if she became first lady again, Ms Trump told Fox News Digital: The safety and well-being of American families remains my top priority.

She added that its essential we provide the highest level of care to our next generation, to ensure they not only thrive but reach their full potential.

In private comments, she has called Mr Trumps hush money trial a disgrace and said its comparable to election interference according to The New York Times.
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US Representative Mike Gallagher has hinted that the death threats he has received while in office have played a part in his decision to step down early.

The Wisconsin Republican, 40, said that while he had signed up for such threats and late-night swatting his family had not, and that he wanted to prioritise them.

In February Mr Gallagher  who represents the states Eighth Congressional District, announced that he would not be seeking a fifth term. Last month he said that he would be resigning early, effective 19 April.

A statement from Mr Gallagher on 22 March read: "Four terms serving Northeast Wisconsin in Congress has been the honor of a lifetime and strengthened my conviction that America is the greatest country in the history of the world.

I will forever be proud of the work I did on the Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, chairing the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, and chairing the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. It has truly been an honor to serve in the House of Representatives."

The announcement came just days after he bucked his party, voting against the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Last month Mr Gallagher announced he said that he would be resigning early from his congressional position, effective 19 April ( Getty Images )

Although he didnt mention the vote contributing to his decision, he later said: Electoral politics was never supposed to be a career and, trust me, Congress is no place to grow old.

On Tuesday Mr Gallagher chaired a hearing of the House Select Committee on China concerning the countrys possible connection to fentanyl overdose deaths in the US  one of his last congressional acts.

Following the hearing he discussed the end of his time in office on Friday, telling reporters: This is more just me wanting to prioritise being with my family.

"I signed up for the death threats and the late-night swatting, but they did not. And for a young family, I would say this job is really hard.

According to WLUK, it is unclear if Mr Gallagher was referring to any specific incident with his remarks. The outlet later confirmed through the Brown County Sheriffs Office that a case number was assigned late last year to a swatting incident related to the congressman.

Mr Gallagher told WLUK that he and his wife had been discussing the decision for a long time.

We have a young family, we want to grow that family and this job is uniquely unsuited to that project [and] its definitely getting harder to be away from my daughters, he said.
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The US vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on Thursday that would have allowed Palestine to be admitted as a full member of the international body and effectively recognised its statehood.

The Biden administration said that while it supports Palestinian statehood, it could only be granted as part of wide-ranging peace negotiations with Israel.

It remains the US view that the most expeditious path toward statehood for the Palestinian people is through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority with the support of the United States and other partners, Vedant Patel, the State Department spokesman, told reporters earlier in the day.

The 15-member council voted on a draft resolution that would have recommended to the 193-member UN General Assembly that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations.

Twelve members voted in favour, two abstained and the US vetoed. It needed at least nine votes to pass and no vetoes from the five permanent members  the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.

Currently, Palestine only holds non-member observer status, which it gained in 2012. That status is a de-facto recognition of statehood, but does not allow it to vote on UN resolutions.

The UN Security Council has in the past voted in favour of resolutions calling on Israel to withdraw from territory it has occupied since the 1967 war, which would form a future Palestinian state. But Israel has continued to build settlements on that land, making a two-state solution increasingly unviable.

The US has repeatedly used its veto to block resolutions critical of its close ally Israel, including numerous times against calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Ziad Abu Amr, special representative of the Palestinian president, said adopting the resolution will give the Palestinian people hope "for a decent life within an independent state."

We are still longing to practice our right to self-determination, to live in freedom, security and peace in an independent state similar to other countries around the world, he said.

The plight of the Palestinian people started over a century ago and is still ongoing, he added during debate on the measure on Thursday. We have made every possible genuine effort, we have made unimaginable historic concessions in order to achieve a peace that is based on the two-state solution.

Israels ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, said that a vote on the resolution was a prize to terrorists involved in the Hamas attack against Israel on October 7 attack.

If this resolution passes  God forbid  this should no longer be known as the Security Council but as the terror council, he said. The only thing that a forced unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state will do is to make any future negotiation almost impossible.

US rivals like China and Russia condemned the American veto.

The veto once again demonstrated what they really think of the Palestinians, according to Russian UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, who noted that the vote marks the fifth time the US has struck down a resolution since the 7 October war began.

For Washington, they do not deserve to have their own State, he said of the US position towards Palestine. They are only a barrier on the path towards realising the interests of Israel.

Some Israeli leaders have previously endorsed the idea of a two-state solution. But the current Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said following the Hamas attack that everyone knows that I am the one who for decades blocked the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger our existence.

More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israels war on Gaza, which was launched in retaliation to a Hamas attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel. Large parts of Gaza are now in a state of near-famine due to the ongoing siege of the territory.
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Members of The Squad have hit out at Columbia University in New York after the daughter of one of its original members was suspended following a pro-Palestine protest on the campus.

On Thursday New York police arrested more than 100 demonstrators from Columbia and Barnard College, including Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar. The protest camp was dismantled by authorities but has since been rebuilt.

Ms Omar was one of the first four members of The Squad  a group of nine individuals known for being among the most progressive and left-wing members of Congress  alongside Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna Pressley and Rashida.

Students occupy the campus ground of Columbia University in support of Palestinians, in New York City, on April 19, 2024. Officers cleared out a pro-Palestinian campus demonstration on April 18 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Following news of the arrests, Ms Hirsi posted online that despite having no previous disciplinary record at Columbia in three years of study, she was one of three students who were suspended over the protests.

Ms Hirsi, an organiser for Columbia Universitys Apartheid Divest group, wrote on X: In my 3 years at @BarnardCollege I have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings.

I just received notice that I am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide.

She continued: Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated. We will stand resolute until our demands are met.

Our demands include divestment from companies complicit in genocide, transparency of @Columbias investments and FULL amnesty for all students facing repression.

Police said 108 people, including Ms Hirsi, were charged with trespassing at the private Ivy League institution. Two people were also charged with obstructing government administration.

Responding to Hirsis post, Ms Ocasio-Cortez wrote: What is going on here @BarnardCollege @Columbia?

How does a student with no disciplinary record suddenly get to a suspension less than 24 hours after a nonviolent protest? What merits asymmetric crackdowns on Palestinian human rights protests?

Fellow squad member Ms Tlaib described the alleged disciplinary action as appalling.

From UM to Vanderbilt to USC to Columbia, students across our country are being retaliated against for using their constitutional rights to protest genocide. Its appalling, she wrote on X.

Students had been protesting on the Columbia campus since early Wednesday, opposing Israeli military action in Gaza and demanding the school divest from companies they claim profit from Israeli apartheid."

The universitys president Namat Shafik previously issued a statement saying the school had warned protesters on Wednesday that they would be suspended if the encampment was not removed.

School officials decided on Thursday to call in police and clear out the demonstrators, she said. The individuals who established the encampment violated a long list of rules and policies, Ms Shafik wrote.

Ms Shafik also said the university tried through several channels "to engage with their concerns and offered to continue discussions if they agreed to disperse.

The school said it was still identifying students involved in the protest and added more suspensions would be forthcoming.

The suspension of Ms Omars daughter comes after the congresswoman questioned Ms Shafik on Wednesday at a hearing in Congress about the schools targeting of pro-Palestinian protesters.
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Donald Trumps request to halt his New York hush money trial was rejected by an appeals court judge after a jury panel was selected in the historic case.

The Friday afternoon ruling came just hours after the jury of 12 people and six alternates was seated in the case, meaning opening statements can begin on Monday.

Justice Marsha Michael took just minutes to issue the ruling after a short hearing.

The former presidents legal team had asked the judge to pause the case brought by Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg as they attempted to have it moved out of the borough.

After four days of jury selection, the final alternate jurors were picked from a batch of Manhattan residents on Friday. So long as no other jurors drop out or are dismissed from the panel, opening arguments will begin on Monday.

Fridays court proceedings were interrupted during the lunch break when a man self-immolated in a park outside of the courthouse.

Mr Trump, the Republican nominee for president, faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg alleges it was part of a greater catch-and-kill scheme Mr Trump engaged in to influence the outcome of the presidential election.

When leaving the court on Friday, Mr Trump was asked if he would testify in the case.

Yes, he replied.

The trial will resume on Monday at 9.30am ET.
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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.
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The man who set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trumps trial is underway was a self-described investigative researcher who posted a conspiracy-laden manifesto online moments before the incident.

Maxwell Azzarello, a 37-year-old man from Florida, has been declared dead by hospital staff, police told NBC News early on Saturday. No time of death has been given by police.

The man shared a string of conspiracy theories on his social media accounts in recent months, in which he railed against the rich and powerful and claimed our only goal is to abolish our criminal government.

On Friday afternoon, mere minutes after the final jurors were selected in the former presidents criminal case, Mr Azzarello self-immolated outside the court at Collect Pond Park.

He was taken to Manhattans Weill Cornell Medicine Burn Center in critical condition, police said.

Three NYPD officers and one court officer sustained minor injuries from the fire but are in stable condition, authorities told reporters.

Maxwell Azzarello pictured protesting outside Donald Trumps trial at Manhattan Criminal Court one day before self-immolating near the same location ( Getty Images )

Less than an hour before he set himself on fire he railed against corruption in the US government in a manifesto type document posted on Substack, seen by The Independent.

In it, Mr Azzarello describes himself as an investigative researcher and said that the act of self-immolation was an extreme act of protest over a totalitarian con and warned of an impending apocalyptic fascist world coup.

Max Azzarello, pictured in a video he posted on his Instagram account, self-immolated outside the Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday ( Instagram )

To my friends and family, witnesses and first responders, I deeply apologize for inflicting this pain upon you. But I assure you it is a drop in the bucket compared to what our government intends to inflict, he wrote.

Authorities said he threw pamphlets throughout the park before setting himself on fire.

Maxwell Azzarellos manifesto, pictured, was published just before he self-immolated on Friday ( Social media )

The pamphlets seem to be propaganda-based almost like a conspiracy theory type of pamphlets, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Some information in regards to Ponzi schemes, and the fact that some of our local educational institutes are front for the mob. So a little bit of a conspiracy theory going on here.

Police spoke to his family, who were unaware he travelled to New York. Authorities believe he arrived sometime between 13 April and 19 April.

He was unknown to authorities before this incident, police said, and he did not breach security protocols as the park was open to the public at the time of the incident.

Azzarello reportedly threw pamphlets promoting conspiracy theories before self-immolating on Friday ( ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images )

Public records indicate Mr Azzarello is a registered Democrat. He also attended the University of North Carolina 2005 to 2009, earning a bachelors degree in public policy and anthropology, the school confirmed to The Independent.

One witness, Dave, who declined to give his last name, spoke to The Independent after witnessing the horrific scene.

Papers clattered on the ground and that caught our attention well my attention anyway, and I kinda wondered, Well what are those papers? But then he pulled out a can and poured it over himself, Dave told The Independent.

People were horrified, he continued. There werent many people. People started screaming.

An open container pictured on its side at the scene of a self-immolation near the Manhattan Criminal Court. One witness told The Independent he watched the man pull a can out of his bag and pour it over himself ( Reuters )

Dave said the incident happened so quickly that people could not move to stop the individual.

It happened pretty fast, he told The Independent. Its awful to see that.

Some pamphlets on the scene read, The True History of the World. New York police officers scrambled to pick them up as they blew over a nearby fence.

A secret service agent spoke to Mr Trump inside the courthouse at about the same time police received the 911 call, CNN reports.

Law enforcement responded to reports of Azzarello setting himself on fire outside Manhattan Criminal Court just after 1.30 pm local time ( ABC News )

Mr Trumps trial began on Monday with jury selection. Now, all twelve jurors and five alternates have been selected. Opening arguments will begin on 22 April in the case against Mr Trump.

The former president faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair.

There will be no delay in the trial proceedings, a Manhattan Criminal Court spokesperson told reporters on the scene.

Two years ago, a climate activist self-immolated outside the US Supreme Court in protest against the climate crisis. Wynn Alan Bruce died on 23 April 2022, one day after setting himself on fire. He is only the second-known person to self-immolate in connection with the climate crisis.
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The House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to advance a large foreign aid package to a final debate and floor vote on Saturday.

A bipartisan majority voted to move ahead with four bills that will send aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as place fresh sanctions on Iran, seize Russian assets, and possibly ban TikTok in the US.

The vote to advance the foreign aid package comes after several days of GOP infighting among the partys far-right and more moderate members who oppose any further aid to Ukraine.

Mr Johnson pushed ahead with the aid package over the objection of his partys rightwing who are threatening to oust him from his position, led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Reps Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar have also joined her bid.

Getting past the procedural step on Friday was a massive step forward in the Biden administrations effort to fund Ukraines war as it struggles to hold back Russian attacks.

House Speaker Mike Johnson walks towards the House Chamber on Capitol Hill on Friday ( Getty Images )

The foreign aid package passed the procedural hurdle by a margin of 316-94 in the House on Friday morning.

A total of 165 Democrats chose to back the rule put forward by Republican Speaker Mike Johnson  151 members of his own party also voted in favour.

Thirty-nine Democrats and 55 Republicans voted against the measure.

On Thursday night, all Democrats on the Rules Committee voted to bring the rule to the floor, stepping in to bail out the speaker. Three rightwing Republicans, Chip Roy, Ralph Norman, and Thomas Massie, voted against.

Hardright Republicans blasted the speaker on Friday.

The question everyone should be asking is what deal did Speaker Johnson make with the Hakeem Jeffries to get the Democrats on the Rules Committee to vote for a Republican rule on the foreign war package which includes $60+ BILLION more to Ukraine? This never happens, Georgia Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X before the vote.

We do not have a Republican majority anymore, our Republican Speaker is literally controlled by the Democrats and giving them everything they want, she added.

Marjorie Taylor Greene departs Capitol Hill following a vote on Friday ( Getty Images )

Florida Rep Matt Gaetz posted: The last time the Democrats carried a Republican Speaker over the line on a Rule vote was McCarthys bad debt limit deal. Shouldnt have happened then. Shouldnt happen today.

The Ukraine aid efforts have stalled for months. The progress on the package comes as CIA Director Bill Burns issued a strong warning, saying that the future of the war effort looks dire if the package doesnt pass, according to Politico.

Speaking at an event at the George W Bush Presidential Center, he said: There is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024, or at least put Putin in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement.

The House will vote on Saturday but Fridays vote suggested that the $95bn foreign aid package has the support needed to pass.

Votes on rules for considering bills tend to be party-line affairs, but on Friday, more Democrats than Republicans ended up in support.

But it also revealed that a majority of House Republicans are in support of foreign aid amid pushback from conservative hardliners.

Former president Donald Trump, who heavily influences the GOPs right wing, blasted the idea of further US aid to Ukraine on Truth Social on Thursday.
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A Florida judge has denied motions from two former Donald Trump aides to have charges relating to the classified documents found at the former presidents Mar-a-Lago home dismissed.

Carlos De Oliveira and Walt Nauta were charged with multiple counts of the obstruction of justice alongside Mr Trump last year.

The two men were accused of moving boxes of sensitive information and attempting to delete security footage pertaining to the documents so that it could not be used in a future investigation as evidence.

The pair had sought to have their cases dropped on grounds of lack of specificity, which were described by Mr Nauta as unconstitutionally vague. Mr De Oliveira previously claimed he had no clue what was in the boxes he had been moving for Mr Trump and was unaware of the Justice Departments investigation.

On Thursday, US District Judge Aileen Cannon denied the motions.

Carlos De Oliveira, an employee of Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence, was charged with multiple counts of obstruction of justice alongside the former president last year ( AP )

In the ruling, Judge Cannon noted Mr De Oliveiras claims that he had no knowledge about the contents of the boxes or of an official proceeding, and that the allegations had not shown he was acting with the required corrupt criminal intent to support the charges.

These characterisations are not grounds to dismiss the obstruction counts against De Oliveira, she wrote.

While the indictment does not contain additional details about De Oliveiras specific knowledge of the grand jury proceeding or the grand jury subpoena it alleges that he and his co-defendants attempted to delete security camera footage to conceal the footage from the FBI and grand jury.

Mr Nauta, she noted, had sought clarity about the specifics of which boxes were allegedly concealed, moved and/or searched and whether they were among the 34 that he allegedly concealed.

Walt Nauta, personal aide to Donald Trump, described the charges against him as unconstitutionally vague ( REUTERS )

The aide had described the charges against him as unconstitutionally vague.

Although there is reason to understand the request for additional specificity as to the boxes and their contents, even in light of the lengthy Indictment, the Special Counsel is not legally obligated to provide more detail, Judge Cannon wrote.

A federal grand jury indicted Mr Trump in June 2023 on 37 charges for allegedly retaining classified national security information after leaving the White House in January 202 and then conspiring to obstruct justice and making false statements to federal officials when they sought to reclaim the documents.

Nearly two months later federal prosecutors added three additional charges  those faced by Mr De Oliveira and Mr Nauta.
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A California woman fell to her death from a 140-foot cliff while hiking with her husband and toddler in Arizona, authorities have said.

Mother-of-three Zaynab Joseph, 40, was described by friends as a beacon of positivity for whom her children were her greatest pride and joy, following the incident on Monday.

Josephs body was discovered by a group of hikers in the Bear Mountain area of Sedona, Arizona, who alerted the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office (YCSO) after hearing yelling.

While others called 911, one of the group descended an embankment to where Joseph had fallen and found her seriously injured, but still breathing. She died shortly after.

Members of the Sedona Fire Department were the first emergency responders on the scene and confirmed her death.

Joseph had been hiking Bear Mountain with her husband and one-year-old child, who were later flown off the mountain by a Department of Public Safety helicopter.

Josephs body was later removed from the mountain by DPS and members of the YCSO search and rescue teams.

The sheriffs department said the family, from California, had been staying in an Airbnb in Sedona. Friends and family posted tributes to Joseph following the tragic event.

My beloved sister, Zaynab Joseph, passed away yesterday in a tragic accident. She had a heart of gold and was very dear to all of us. No words can describe the pain our families are going through, especially her husband and three young children, wrote Farwa Zaidi.

Another friend, Zahraa Mahmoud, described Joseph as having infectious laughter and a heart of gold.

Zaynab was a beacon of positivity, her contagious smile lighting up every room she entered, she wrote on Facebook.

Her warmth and genuine compassion touched the lives of all who crossed her path, leaving lasting impressions of love and kindness. She possessed a rare gift of bringing people together, her gentle nature and infectious laughter making her loved by all.

YCSO conducted multiple interviews with hikers coming off the mountain and the investigation into the tragic incident is ongoing.

Bear Mountain Trail is described as a "strenuous hike" and is "mostly unshaded, steep and difficult in places," according to the US Forest Service.

The trail climbs over 1,800 feet in elevation over the 2.3-mile trek to the top of the mountain.
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A teenager accused of stabbing a bishop in a Sydney church during a service has been charged with terrorism, Australian police said.

The 16-year-old boy was questioned by the police from Australias joint counter terrorism team, police officials said on Thursday. He is currently recovering from his injuries and admitted in a hospital under police guard.

He has been charged with committing a terrorist act by the police after a round of questioning and if convicted, he could be sentenced for the maximum penalty of imprisonment for life.

This afternoon, investigators from the Joint Counter Terrorism Team Sydney attended a medical facility to interview the boy, before he was charged with committing a terrorist act under section 101.1 Criminal Code Act (Commonwealth) 1995, an offence which carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for life, the New South Wales state police said in a statement on Thursday.

The bishop was stabbed as many as six times and the boy had travelled for 90 minutes from his home to reach the Assyrian church, said New South Wales state police commissioner Karen Webb during a press conference.

The teen has been refused bail and is expected to appear before a bedside court hearing on Friday, Ms Webb said.

Shortly after the boy allegedly attacked Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a riot broke out outside the church as an angry crowd demanded the suspected attacker be handed over to them. More than 50 police officers were injured and 20 police cars were damaged.

The prominent 53-year-old Orthodox Christian leader on Thursday said he has forgiven his attacker and asked his supporters to be Christlike and refrain from any violence.

He has a popular youth following on TikTok and has been a target of criticism, hate and online trolling. His sermons range from homilies on the Bible to fiery criticisms of homosexuality, Covid-19 vaccinations, Islam and the election of president Joe Biden.

There is no need to be worried or concerned. And a piece of advice to all our beloved faithful  I need you to act Christlike, the bishop said.

The Lord Jesus never taught us to fight, the Lord Jesus never taught us to retaliate, the Lord Jesus never said to us an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

He continued: I forgive whoever has done this act. I say to him, youre my son, I love you, and I will always pray for you. And whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well.

In the audio message sent from his hospital bed, Bishop Emmamual added: I have nothing in my heart but love for everyone. Whether that person is a Christian or not, its totally beside the point.

Australias most populous city has been rocked by two knife attacks within three days - at a mall near Bondi beach that killed six people on Saturday and at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Sydneys west on Monday.

The shopping centre will reopen for business on Friday, while a candlelight vigil will be held on Sunday to mourn the victims.
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A major Russian missile attack has killed at least eight people and injured 21 others in central Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk, officials said.

They said the missiles targeted a residential building and railway station.

Of these, two people were killed in Dnipro and six in Synelnykivskyi district of the region, interior minister Ihor Klymenko said.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack damaged multiple storeys of a residential building and a train station in Dnipro, the regional capital.

Russia must be held accountable for its terror, and all missiles and Shahed drones must be intercepted. The world can ensure this, and our partners possess the necessary capabilities. This has been demonstrated in the skies over the Middle East, and it should also work in Europe, he said on X, formerly Twitter.

The Ukrainian president said the war-hit nations allies should persuade its partners not to store the air defence systems in warehouses but in fact deploy them in real cities and communities facing terror.

We must defeat Russian terror. It is necessary not only for our country and Ukrainians, but for the entire world, he said, as he shared the photos of the site of the attack.

The Ukrainian leader has been pleading for Western aid and speedy assistance in stopping and fighting back the aggressive Russian missile attacks that have picked pace in the past month.

State-run Ukrainian railways company Ukrzaliznytsia said Russias attack deliberately targeted its infrastructure in the region, injuring its workers. The company closed its station in Dnipro and rerouted trains set to pass through the city.

Russian officials mostly do not issue comments on routine missile strikes inside Ukraine.

Moscow also claims that it is not targeting civilian infrastructure in its course of 25-month-long invasion. However, it has fired hypersonic and ballistic missiles on Ukrainian cities, maternity hospitals, colleges, universities, museums and shelter facilities.

The war in Ukraine has reached a critical phase with Russian troops ramping up pressure on exhausted Ukrainian forces who are not being given ample ammunition by Kyivs allies, required to stop Russian missiles from entering Ukrainian cities.

Russian forces are grinding on to seize more land this spring and summer even as new analysis shows the heavy attrition rate. More than 50,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine since the Kremlin invaded its neighbour more than two years ago, according to BBCs latest analysis.

The number of deaths was nearly 25 per cent higher last year than in the first 12 months of the war, according to the BBC. The broadcaster used graves, open-source information from official reports, newspapers and social media to confirm the deaths.

Some 27,300 Russian soldiers died in the second year of the conflict as Moscow pursued its so-called meat grinder strategy of sending waves of cannon fodder troops to the front line to try to wear down Ukraine forces and expose their locations.

With the war in Ukraine now in its third year and a vital US aid package for Kyiv slowed down in Congress, Russia has increasingly used satellite-guided gliding bombs  which allow planes to drop them from a safe distance  to pummel Ukrainian forces beset by a shortage of troops and ammunition.
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CIA director William Burns blamed Hamas on Thursday for allegedly holding up negotiations to end the war in Gaza and return Israeli hostages, pointing to their decision last week to reject an Israeli ceasefire proposal.

It was a deep disappointment to get a negative reaction from Hamas, the intelligence official, who traveled to Cairo for negotiations earlier this month, said on Thursday while speaking at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. Right now, its that negative reaction that really is standing in the way of innocent civilians in Gaza getting humanitarian relief that they so desperately need.

And it breaks your heart because you can see in very human terms whats at stake here as well, he added.

The comments echo the view of Mossad, Israels foreign intelligence agency, which recently accused the leaders of Hamas of not being interested in a deal. Hamas seized more than 200 hostages in its terror attack on Israel on 7 October, when it killed more than 1,200 people.

Last week, Hamas announced its rejection of the latest confidential Israeli proposal, arguing it hadnt met key demands.

"We ... reaffirm our adherence to our demands and the national demands of our people; with a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation army from the entire Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to their areas and places of residence, intensification of the entry of relief and aid, and the start of reconstruction," the group said of its decision.

William Burns held negotiations in Cairo earlier this month ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Israel, meanwhile, has insisted on the return of the 130 individuals believed to still be in captivity, a quarter of whom may have already perished. It has also insisted it wont stop fighting until Hamas is destroyed as a military force.

Last week, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a date has been set for the IDF invasion of Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than a million civilians have taken refuge after being told by the Israelis to flee south.

Behind the scenes, issues over the hostage-exchange portion of any ceasefire agreement are reportedly a key sticking point.

A Hamas official told The New York Times it does not have enough living civilian hostages to comply with a proposal to release 40 people over the next six weeks.

An Israeli official, meanwhile, told the paper Hamas has proposed releasing half that number, under a narrower set of criteria only including women and the elderly, rather than a broader criteria Israeli had requested of hostages who are wounded or ill.
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Israel launched an attack on Iran overnight, less than a week after a full-scale attack by Tehran on Israeli territory last weekend.

Explosions could reportedly be seen near the central city of Isfahan, which is home to a major military airbase and a nuclear facility.

Iranian media reported three drones had been shot down after air defence systems were activated, and there have been no reports of injuries or damage so far. Israels leadership and military have so far not commented on the strike.

For live updates on the attack, visit our live blog by clicking here

But two US officials have told CBS News that an Israeli missile hit Iran. And a senior Israeli official told The Washington Post that the attack was intended to signal to Iran that Israel can attack its territory.

However, sources in Iran have told Reuters and the New York Times that the country had not been hit by an external attack.

Speaking at the G7 meeting in Capri, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the U.S. received last-minute information from Israel about the attack on Isfahan. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not dispute that, but said: We were not involved in any offensive operations.

The attack came on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneis 85th birthday.

A still from footage released by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of explosions near the city of Isfahan. The Independent is unable to independently verify the content, date, and conditions under which this was filmed. ( Natsecjeff/Twitter )

Heres what we know so far:

What has happened

Explosions were reportedly heard near the Isfahan airbase after Iran fired air defences after spotting drones on Friday morning.

The countrys Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported the sound of blasts without giving a cause, while state television acknowledged a loud noise in the area, where a major nuclear facility is also based.

Tasnim then published footage showing two different anti-aircraft gun positions, suspected to be at the site of Irans Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released a photo that it said showed flashes in the sky of Isfahan following reports of explosions ( IRGC )

A reporter said: At 4.45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on. It was the air defence, these guys that youre watching, and over there too.

There have also been unconfirmed reports of explosions in the sky over the city of Tabriz, in the north west of the country.

What is Iran saying on the attack

Conflicting reports have surfaced over where the attack came from, and what it featured.

Iran appears to be downplaying the incident, with senior army commander Siavosh Mihandoust quoted by state TV as saying air defence systems had targeted a suspicious object.

An Iranian official told news agency Reuters there were no plans to respond against Israel for the incident. The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack, they said.

And three Iranian officials told The New York Times the attack included small drones that may have been launched from inside Iran. They added that radar systems didnt detect unidentified aircraft that entered Irans airspace.

Iranian state TV released an image of the city in the wake of explosions overnight as the country appeared to downplay the attack ( EPA )

Also on state TV, an analyst said that the attack consisted of mini drones launched by infiltrators from inside Iran. No urgent meeting of the Irans High National Council called, it also reported.

What Israel is saying on the attack

On Friday morning so far, Israels leadership and the military have not commented on the attack.

However, two US officials have told CBS News that an Israeli missile had hit Iran, but they would not reveal the location or extent of the strike.

And a senior Israeli official has told The Washington Post that the attack was intended to signal to Iran that Israel can attack its territory.

View more

But in Iran, there has been a direct denial of any missile attack, with the spokesperson for the countrys National Centre of Cyberspace, Hossein Dalirian, writing on X: There has been no air attack from outside borders to Isfahan or other parts of the country.

Impact of the attack

With little mention of the attack on state media, not much is known on the impact with no damage or casualties yet reported.

Isfahan is home to Irans several nuclear sites along with a major military air base, and the nearby city of Natanz is one of Irans nuclear enrichment sites.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, said there had been no damage to the countrys nuclear sites.

But the UN watchdog said it was continuing to monitor the situation very closely and called for extreme restraint from all sides, stressing that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts.

Israeli Iron Dome air defence system intercept missiles fired from Iran on central Israel on Saturday night ( AP )

Why would Israel launch an attack?

Over the past week there has been speculation over how Israeli would respond to Irans attack on Saturday night.

More than 300 drones and missiles were fired at Israel by Iran. None of the drones crossed into Israeli territory as they were shot down by Israel and its allies, including the UK and Jordan.

Iran said it launched that attack in response to an assault on an Iranian consulate in Syria that killed seven officers, including two generals.

Israels allies since called for restraint as the country weighed up its response.

Isfahan, which is 250 miles south of Tehran, could have been a target due to it being home of a large airbase, a major missile production complex and several nuclear facilities including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

The airbase is where a fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats - purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution - are located.

Reaction worldwide so far

Country officials have pushed for de-escalation in the region in the wake of last nights attack.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called calm heads. Answering a question after a speech on welfare reform, he said: As I said to [Israel] Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu when I spoke to him last week, and more generally, significant escalation is not in anyones interest. What we want to see is calm heads prevail across the region.

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, reacted to the attack while speaking from Lappeenranta in eastern Finland. She said: It is absolutely necessary that the region remains stable and that all sides restrain from further action.

Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot wrote on X: The recent developments in the Middle East are deeply worrying. It is of paramount importance that further escalation is prevented.

Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani also called for absolute de-escalation while his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly said: We are monitoring the situation closely. We will address the situation with the foreign ministers at the G7 session this morning in Italy.

Chinas foreign ministry spokesman said: China opposes any action escalating tensions in the Middle East after the Israeli attack on Iran.

On Friday afternoon, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was committed to Israels security, adding when asked about Israels strikes on Iran that the US has not been involved in any offensive operation.
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Israel has launched a retaliatory attack against Iran overnight, with explosions heard near a major military airbase and nuclear site.

Tehran was forced to activate its air defence system across several provinces, with three drones destroyed over the central city of Isfahan.

There have not been any reports of damage or casualties and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said there was no impact on nuclear facilities - but called for extreme restraint.

( Natsecjeff/Twitter )

Follow live updates here

A senior Iranian official said Tehran had no plan for immediate retaliation and the source of the attack had not been identified - with explosions blamed on its own air defence batteries.

But where is Isfahan, and why was it targeted? The Independent takes a look below.

View more

Where is Isfahan?

Isfahan is a major city located around 252 miles south of the Iranian capital Tehran. It has a population nearly 2 million and is about 1,200 miles from Tel Aviv, Israel.

It is the third-most populous city in Iran, after Tehran and Mashhad, and the second-largest metropolitan area, according to Iranian media.

It is understood there are several nuclear experimental reactors as well as uranium conversion facilities (UCF) in the area - which Tehran claims is for civilian use, but Israel fears could be used for the development of nuclear weapons.

Flights in Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz were suspended for over two hours ( FlightRadar )

Why was it a target?

It is unclear what was targeted as the Israeli military declined to comment and Iran has given no indication of what was hit or who was responsible.

But it is home to a large airbase, a major missile production complex and several nuclear facilities. In 2023, Irans defence minister visited Hesa Air Base to tour the roll-out of Yasin training jet - a new type of aircraft designed for the Iranian military.

It has also been suggested Shahed Aviation Industries is located in Isfahan - which manufactures Irans signature drones used in Tehrans attack on Israel. They are also often used by Russia in Ukraine.

Earlier this week, Israel vowed to respond to Irans unprecedent attack - with some suggestions of targeting military infrastructure.
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The bitter confrontation between Israel and Iran has reached new, dangerous levels after Benjamin Netanyahus government is believed to have carried out strikes inside the Islamic Republic following the mass drone and missile assault last Saturday.

The attacks in Isfahan are said to have targeted a military airbase next to one of Irans most important nuclear plants, adding to fears of a conflict spiralling out of control as Tehran threatened it will target Israeli nuclear facilities if any Iranian ones are hit.

The Iranian government, however, tried to play down the attack, saying no damage had been done and that it had no plans, for the time being, to retaliate.

The US administration told a G7 meeting it had been given a last minute notice by Israel before the strike, according to the Italian foreign minister Antonio Tejani. However, reports in the US spoke of a warning given to Washington on Thursday that an attack would take place within 48 hours.

There was also confusion over how the attack was carried out. The Israeli government has not commented and the US administration, which confirmed the Israeli attack, did not give details of the weapons used.

The US TV network NBC said that American officials had stated that an Israeli missile was fired into Iran.

The Iranian government, however, claimed that drones were launched inside the country from two separate locations.

A still from footage released by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of explosions near the city of Isfahan. The Independent is unable to independently verify the content, date, and conditions under which this was filmed. ( Natsecjeff/Twitter )

As well as Isfahan, there was an attempted air raid on the city of Tabriz. Tehran said the drones, between three and five in number, were shot down.

Israel has long carried out a shadow war inside Iran, mainly targeted at its nuclear programme, through assassination of scientists, blasts and cyberattacks on nuclear installations, and breaking into nuclear archives to seize classified material.

Speaking at the G7 meeting in the Italian island of Capri, US secretary of state Antony Blinken stressed that there was no American involvement, but added nothing more.

Joe Biden, as well as other Western states, have repeatedly urged Israel not to escalate the conflict following the launching of more than 350 missiles and drones by Iran.

The UK, France and Jodan all played a significant part in thwarting the Iranian assault by shooting down a vast number of the weapons before they reached Israeli airspace.

The seemingly limited nature of the Israeli attack will lead to hope that another round of strikes and counterstrike will not follow. But there were warnings that miscalculations could lead to a conflagration.

The UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres, said it was high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East, any further development that could lead to devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond.

The G7, which includes the UK, US, France, Italy, Germany, Japan and Canada, urged an absolute de-escalation in the Middle East.

We are monitoring the situation closely. We will address the situation with the foreign ministers at the G7 session this morning in Italy, the Canadian foreign minister, Melanie Joly, tweeted.

Iranian state TV released an image of the city in the wake of explosions overnight as the country appeared to downplay the attack ( Iranian State TV/AFP/Getty )

In all, the attack appeared small and calculated following a week of speculation over how Israel would respond to Irans attack on Saturday. That failed attack on Israeli soil was in response to an assault on an Iranian consulate in Syria that killed seven officers, including two generals, the week before.

Sources told Reuters that the Israeli prime minister had initially approved plans for an immediate strike back on Monday, before holding back at the last minute following worldwide pressure, including from the US president.

Israels options appeared to range from targeting strategic Iranian facilities, including nuclear sites or Revolutionary Guards bases, to covert operations such as targeted assassinations and cyberattacks.

But by reportedly targeting an airbase with a measured strike, Mr Netanyahu proved he could strike within Iranian territory while potentially having the last shot, which many will hope will be small enough for Iran to not respond militarily.

As a result of the strike, Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai diverted planes around western Iran while the countrys authorities grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across its western and central regions.

The US embassy in Israel imposed travel restrictions on its employees and their families, while British security firm Ambrey has issued a warning to merchant vessels in the Arabian Gulf and Western Indian Ocean.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps released a photo that it said showed flashes in the sky of Isfahan following reports of explosions ( IRGC )

Meanwhile, police in Paris arrested a man at the Iranian consulate after responding to a witness report of a suspicious man possibly carrying a grenade and explosives vest. It was later confirmed the man was not carrying any weapons.

Inside the consulate, the man allegedly made threats of violent acts but then left the building alone, the prosecutors office said in a statement.

The incident came at a time of heightened tensions, with Paris on high security alert as it gears up to host the Olympics in three months.
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Nuclear facilities in Iran were left untouched, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on Friday after explosions were heard near a major air base in Isfahan.

Iran fired its air defence batteries and shut down flight operations in several parts of the country as Israel allegedly launched retaliatory missiles in an overnight attack.

It was unclear if Iran came under attack, as no Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility and Israels military has so far not responded to The Independents request for comment.

However, US media reports cited American officials stating it was an Israeli missile strike that the US was informed about earlier on Thursday.

Anonymous Israeli officials were quoted by The New York Times claiming the assault.

The incident comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East after Iran launched an unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel in retaliation against a strike on Irans consulate in Syria earlier this month.

Israel last week had warned of a military response to exact the price from Iran in the fashion and timing that is right for us without sharing further details.

A handout image grab made available by the Iranian state TV, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), shows what the TV said was a live picture of the city of Isfahan early on Friday ( IRANIAN STATE TV (IRIB)/AFP via )

Commercial planes began diverting their routes early Friday morning over western Iran without explanation as state media reported "explosions" had been heard over Isfahan.

Air defence systems in Isfahan were activated against an object suspected to be a drone, the Fars news agency reported citing sources. It said three explosions were heard near an army base in the citys northwest.

Isfahan, located around 350km south of capital Tehran, is considered to be a strategically important region and home to Irans several nuclear sites along with a major military air base.

The nearby city of Natanz is one of Irans nuclear enrichment sites and has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

The UN watchdog said it continues to monitor the situation very closely and called for extreme restraint from all sides, stressing that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts.

Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai diverted flights around western Iran, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace might have been closed.

Iran later announced it grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions.

Hossein Dalirian, a spokesperson for Irans civilian space programme, said on the X that several small quadcopter drones had been shot down.

A state television reporter in Isfahan said: Several small drones were flying in the sky over Isfahan, which were fired at.

Tehran appeared to have downplayed the attack, with an Iranian official telling Reuters that the explosions heard in Isfahan were a result of the activation of Irans air defence systems. The unnamed official claimed no missile attacks were carried out against Iran.
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On Friday morning, Iranians walked down the streets of Tehran next to posters adorning the countrys national flag with three depictions of missiles being fired from it.

Israel is as weak as a spider web, one poster read. Just hours before, explosions were heard over an airbase 200 miles south of the city in Isfahan.

Tehrans defences had shot down three drones launched from over 1,200 miles away in Israel - said to be part of Netanyahus response for an earlier attack by Iran which saw over 300 missiles and drones fired at the Jewish state.

Follow live updates here

So far, the tit-for-tat conflict has been limited to conventional warfare with the use of attack drones, cruise missiles and ballistic weapons - with the UN warning the region was on the precipice of a devasting war.

But what is the risk of the conflict turning nuclear? And does Israel or Iran have nuclear weapons? The Independent takes a look below.

Tehrans defences had shot down three drones launched from over 1,200 miles away in Israel. A man walks past a propaganda poster in Iran which reads Israel is as weak as a spider web ( AFP via Getty Images )

Does Israel have nuclear weapons?

Israel has always refused to confirm its possession of a nuclear arsenal and maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity throughout the region.

The countrys ballistic missile programme, called Jericho, is highly classified. Few details are in the public domain, but the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) estimates Israel has around 24 nuclear-capable missiles.

In general, Israeli leaders do not say much about their countrys atomic capabilities. But in November, far-right cabinet minister Amichai Eliyahu claimed it was an option to launch a nuclear strike on the Gaza strip - comments that were quickly disavowed by Benjamin Netanyahu.

In 2016, a leaked cache of emails from former US secretary of state Colin Powell included one that read: The boys in Tehran know Israel has 200 [nuclear weapons], all targeted on Tehran, and we have thousands.

A woman walks past a banner showing missiles being launched, in northern Tehran ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Does Iran have nuclear weapons?

Iran does not have nuclear weapons, but has several nuclear facilities across its territory which experts fear are being used to develop them. Tehran claims they are for civilian use.

In 2016, the country signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action - widely known as the Iran nuclear deal - which lifted sanctions and around $100bn of frozen funds in exchange for an end to atomic weapon research.

However, former US president Donald Trump withdrew from the accord in 2018 over fears Iran was still developing ballistic missiles and funding its proxy forces across the region.

Since then, Tehran has continued to enrich uranium at these sites of rates up to 60 per cent purity - which exceeds needs for commercial use and is just a step away from weapons-grade 90 per cent, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

An aerial photograph shows Irans Uranium Conversion Facility, just outside the city of Isfahan, in 2005 ( AP )

That means Irans so-called breakout time - the time it would need to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear bomb - is between six months to a year, according to experts.

Iran also vowed to revise its weapons doctrine if its nuclear sites were targeted by Israel before the attack on Friday morning.

What happens next?

So far, it is unclear. Israel maintains its policy of strategic ambiguity and Iran has immediately downplayed the severity of Israels attack - saying it would not respond.

A senior official said the country was looking at it more as an infiltration rather than an external attack - but previously Irans president said an attack would be met with a severe response.
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Tesla will recall all of the Cybertrucks it has made, amid fears they could unintentionally accelerate.

The controversial cars accelerators can get stuck in the trim of the car, meaning that it may get trapped accelerating. That increases the risk of crashes, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Teslas vehicles are regularly hit by recalls from the NHTSA. But many of the problems behind them can be fixed with a software update.

In this case, owners will have to return their cars to have the pedals fixed, free of charge. Tesla advised affected drivers that they can press the brake pedal, which will bring the car to a stop.

The recall affects 3,878, all the vehicles made between November and April.

The problem came about from the use of a new lubricant in the making of the accelerator pedal, Tesla said. That meant that the pad on the accelerator pedal can come off and become stuck in the cars trim.

It said that it was not aware of any crashes resulting from the problem.

The Cybertruck has proven controversial since it was first announced as a concept vehicle in 2019, with some concern that its sharp edges and relatively small windows could lead to crashes. Those concerns have continued ever since it was first made available in November.

The truck has only been available in limited numbers since its release, and is currently only available in the US, Canada and Mexico. The company has not announced plans to release it more broadly.
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As airline passengers endure a fourth day of travel chaos at the worlds biggest international air hub Dubai, Emirates has told travellers they cannot check in until 1am on Saturday British time (4am Dubai time).

The airline says: Customers with connections in Dubai will only be accepted at their point of origin if their flight departs after 23:59hrs GMT, 19 April. This is to support operations recovery from the recent bad weather at our Dubai hub.

Customers already in transit in Dubai, travelling to Dubai as their final destination, or departing from Dubai can continue to check in and travel.

Severe flooding has caused more than 1,000 flight cancellations, with many other arrivals and departures hit by diversions and long delays.

Normally a quarter-million passengers pass through the airport every day, but the airport authority has imposed restrictions on the number of arrivals.

According to the tracking service Flightradar24, by 2pm British time on Thursday, 1,145 flights had been cancelled  representing one-third of the normal schedule.

At noon local time on Friday, Dubai Airports introduced a 48-hour capacity reduction for arrivals. A spokesperson said the move was intended to assist the effectiveness of recovery.

Earlier, the Dubai Airports spokesperson said: This is the heaviest rainfall the UAE received in 75 years and were doing all we can to get operations back to normal.

A backlog of passengers baggage is building at the airport. The spokesperson said: We have been providing necessary assistance and amenities to affected guests but due to road blockages, its taken longer than we would have liked.

We know how frustrating cancellations, disruptions and delays are to travel plans and our teams are working around the clock to help our guests. Our passengers safety and wellbeing is our primary concern and we thank them for their patience.

British travellers booked on Emirates have told The Independent of extended waits and long delays.

Gerry Byrne flew in from Tokyo to Dubai on Wednesday, expecting an immediate connection to London Heathrow. Instead, he and his wife are currently in a hotel with a four-day wait until they can be flown home. He reported chaotic scenes at Dubai airport, with limited food and drink, as well as a dangerous stampede by passengers.

Two flights that did get out from Dubai for London Heathrow on Thursday evening, Emirates flights EK3 and EK5, were unable to land on Friday morning due to being too late for scheduled hours. Instead, passengers arrived at Birmingham at 12.30am and at Gatwick at 3am.

Dozens more Emirates flights have been cancelled on Friday, including two departures to Cape Town and other links to Bali, Bangalore, Colombo, Dhaka, Mauritius, Mumbai and Singapore.

The inbound legs of these cancelled flights would normally be carrying substantial numbers of British passengers returning from trips abroad.

UK air passengers rights rules, requiring alternative transport as soon as possible and a duty of care to provide hotels and accommodation, do not apply to non-UK/EU airlines flying from points outside Europe.

The airline says: Emirates extends our sincerest apologies to impacted customers who have experienced delays and disruption to their travel plans. We appreciate how difficult it is for everyone affected.

British Airways has cancelled many of its London Heathrow-Dubai flights since the flooding began.

A spokesperson for BA said: Like other airlines, weve had to adjust our schedule to Dubai due to ongoing restrictions at the airport caused by the adverse weather conditions.

Our teams are in contact with affected customers providing support and rebooking options.
A three-legged black bear attempted to raid a Florida family's fridge after breaking into their home on Thursday morning (18 April).

Julieta Cuesta said the mammal managed to get in after it broke the screened porch to get into the backyard of her Heathrow property.

The homeowner said the bear got into a fridge on their porch but didn't find anything.

To deter bears from coming inside homes, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation says dog food should be brought inside and rubbish should be secured.
Protesters occupied a lawn at Columbia University in a pro-Palestine encampment on Thursday, 18 April.

Students have been demonstrating on campus since Wednesday when university president Nemat Shafik faced a congressional hearing on the Ivy League school's response to antisemitism and conflicts on campus following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

Ms Shafik authorised police to begin clear the encampment from the South Lawn of Morningside campus before dozens were arrested.

Columbia introduced a policy in February approving specific locations for protests, which need advanced notice.

Protesters arrested Thursday were calling for the university to divest from corporations they said were profiting from Israeli military action in Gaza.
Rishi Sunak called for calm heads to prevail in the Middle East after reports Israel launced a retaliatory attack against Iran overnight on Thursday (April 18).

Explosions were reportledy heard near a major military airbase.

Asked about the incident after a speech on welfare reform in London on Friday, Mr Sunak said: We have condemned Irans reckless and dangerous barrage of missiles against Israel on Saturday, and Israel absolutely has the right to self defence.

But as I said to Prime Minister Netanyahu when I spoke to him last week, and more generally, significant escalation is not in anyones interest. What we want to see is calm heads prevail across the region.
A gunman opened fire at a group of rivals in front of terrified children on a busy London street, newly-released footage shows.

Ricardo Anderson pulled a firearm from his waistband, which he then fired wildly towards a vehicle on Park Lane, Tottenham.

The 21-year-old, of Manor Road, Tottenham, was convicted on Wednesday, 10 April, of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, and attempted grievous bodily harm.

Detective Constable Rhiain John said: This incident took place in a busy street, on a warm summers evening where people were out and shops were open. Terrified onlookers including children sought refuge in shops and scrambled for safety behind parked cars."
Naga Munchetty clashed with Tory minister Mel Stride during a heated discussion on his partys plan to end a puported sick note culture.

The prime minister wants to move responsibility for assessing fitness to work away from GPs to specialist work and health professionals in England.

Discussing the proposals on BBC Breakfast on Friday (19 April), the presenter asked the work and pensions secretary: 94 percent have been signed off by their GP. Do you think less than 94 percent should have been signed off by their GP?

Mr Stride replied: I think many more people are able with the right support...

The presenter interrupted: No, no, no, that is not my question.
Nicola Sturgeon admitted its a difficult time after her husband Peter Murrell was charged in connection with embezzlement of SNP funds.

Police Scotland confirmed on Thursday (18 April) that Mr Murrell, the partys former chief executive for 22 years, had been arrested and charged over the investigation.

Speaking to reporters outside her home today (19 April), Ms Sturgeon said: It is incredibly difficult, but that is not the main issue here.

I cant say any more, Im not going to say anymore.
Rishi Sunak donned a red apron and goggles as he got to work cutting keys on a visit to Timpsons following his pledge to end the UKs sick note culture.

The prime minister today (19 April) announced a new moral mission to reform the welfare system, as he warned the number of economically inactive young people in Britain was a tragedy.

But he was forced to deny his plans lacked compassion and were about saving money, as he faced accusations of hostile rhetoric and a full-on assault on disabled people.
Police gathered outside Donald Trumps criminal trial in New York after a man set himself on fire close to the courthouse on Friday, 19 April.

The trial was breaking for lunch when the man self-immolated outside the New York Criminal Courthouse.

The individual, who has not been identified, poured a liquid on themselves in the park across the street and set himself on fire.

A full panel of 18 jurors who will ultimately decide the former president's fate had just been sworn in.

Mr Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair.
In February, Mr Ronans Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE) lodged plans for the redevelopment of global banking giant Citigroups current European headquarters at 1 North Wall Quay in Dublins Docklands.

The scheme involves the demolition of Citigroups existing six-storey office building and the development of four buildings in its place ranging in height from nine storeys to 17 storeys.

RGRE firm NWQ Devco Limited is seeking a 10-year planning permission but the city council has refused planning permission on a number of grounds.

A spokesman for RGRE has confirmed that the group is to appeal against the refusal to An Bord Pleanala.

He said that RGRE is disappointed with the decision of Dublin City Council.

There is a strong view in Irish planning and construction communities, and among the wider public, that there has been a missed opportunity over the past decade for increased heights and densities along Dublins north and south Docklands, where the River Liffey is at its widest point and good transport infrastructure is in place, he said.

With the pipeline of brownfield sites in the Docklands now almost exhausted, few opportunities remain for the construction of taller, more sustainable buildings in a location that is clearly appropriate.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th April 2024

The council ruled that the proposed development, due to its height and excessive bulk and scale, would constitute an insensitive form of development adjacent to existing residential development.

The planning authority stated that the proposal would result in a significant and unacceptable loss of daylight/sunlight and resultant overshadowing to these properties and amenity areas, adversely impacting their residential amenity.

The council said the proposed development would therefore set an undesirable precedent and would devalue properties in the vicinity.

The planning authority also ruled that the proposed development would constitute an overly dominant form causing serious injury to the visual amenities of the Liffey Quays  a conservation area.

The council also concluded that the proposed development contravened various policies of the Dublin City Development Plan, adversely impacting key views and vistas along the river corridor and the amenities of properties in the vicinity.

In another reason for refusal, the council said that in the absence of a comprehensive justification for demolition of the existing building where not all options were investigated, the proposed wholescale demolition would be considered premature.

The council said the planned demolition would be contrary to the development plan, which seeks to promote and support the retrofitting and reuse of existing buildings.

At the end of a 38-page planners report, the council said the proposed development would set an undesirable precedent for wholescale demolition on similar sites across the city.
The number of remote roles dropped 10pc as working from home declined. Picture posed

The number of job vacancies on recruitment platform IrishJobs dropped 28pc in the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2023.

A new report from IrishJobs attributed the decline to an ongoing stabilisation of the jobs market in Ireland following a surge in demand for talent over the pandemic.

Job vacancies were down 3pc on a quarterly basis, the lowest fall in six successive quarters, according to the employment websites jobs index.

However, both the construction and property sectors recorded a rise in demand for new staff in the first three months of 2024.

New construction vacancies jumped 20pc in the period compared with the final three months of 2023. Engineering and property vacancies rose 11pc and 10pc respectively.

The report found that the most frequently posted job openings by employers so far this year were linked to quantity surveyor positions.

Facilities coordinators, facilities managers and facilities engineers were also highly sought-after in the first three months of the year.

The construction sector in particular registered a quarterly increase in job vacancies over the past three months  a sign of continuing demand for talent to develop the residential property needed to meet Irelands future housing needs, Sam Dooley, country director of The Stepstone Group Ireland, IrishJobs parent firm, said.

Overall, the education sector recorded the highest level of vacancies in Ireland compared with the previous quarter.

This was particularly evident for third-level institutions, with UCD, Munster Technological University and South East Technological University among those searching for assistant professors and lecturers.

This demand was also reflected in the area of childcare, with the number of vacancies for early years educators rising so far this year.

While the number of IT jobs fell 8pc in the period, the sector accounted for 5.5pc of all new jobs advertised in the quarter.

IrishJobs pointed to a rebalancing of the sector following extreme pandemic growth and consequent slowdown.

The number of remote roles dropped 10pc in the first three months of this year, with the rate of decline faster than that of overall vacancies.

The report attributed this slowdown to an overall reduction of homeworking in Ireland.
Low take-up across the country as May 1 deadline to register for support package looms

Most businesses in Ireland have failed to register for a 257m package of supports made available by the Government in the Budget, even as a deadline to do so looms.

The once-off Increased Cost of Business Scheme will return to businesses half of what they paid in commercial rates during 2023, if they paid up to 10,000. For businesses that paid between 10,000 and 30,000 in rates, a grant of 5,000 is available.

Businesses with rates above 30,000 are not eligible.

The grants are available to about 143,000 businesses across the State, or roughly 95pc of rateable enterprises, and they have until May 1 to register.

But businesses have been slow to avail of the free money, which is available through local authorities.

It has emerged that only about a quarter of the thousands of businesses in the Dublin region have registered for the supports.

Junior enterprise, trade and employment minister Emer Higgins said that as of Tuesday this week, just 21pc of the 17,661 eligible businesses in the Dublin City Council area have registered for the supports. Fingal County Council has received just 1,662 registrations, or 26pc of the 6,392 business that can avail of the assistance.

In the South Dublin County Council area, only 1,438 businesses have registered under the scheme, which is 26pc of the 5,530 that can.

In Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, the figure is 1,148, which is 23pc of the 4,991 businesses that have been notified of the scheme.

The sooner a business registers, the sooner their details will be verified and the grant will be paid out

Ms Higgins provided figures in response to parliamentary questions from Fianna Fail TDs John Lahart and Niamh Smyth. I urge all eligible businesses to register for this grant as soon as they receive a letter from their local authority, said Ms Huggins.

The sooner a business registers, the sooner their details will be verified and the grant will be paid out.

She said that payments will be made to eligible businesses in the coming weeks.

In Co Cavan, only 15pc of the eligible businesses there have so far signed up for the grant.

In Co Sligo, the figure is at 30pc, while in Co Donegal, it is 22pc.

Galway city has seen 31pc, or 983, of eligible businesses register for the scheme. In Galway county, 35pc, or 941, have registered.

In Mayo, the figure is currently at 28pc, while in Monaghan it is 30pc and in Roscommon, 27pc.

This week, Fine Gael senator Aisling Dolan called for more time for businesses to avail of the scheme.

She said the 257m package will provide a real boost to micro-businesses and SMEs and recognises the ongoing challenges they are facing.

We need to see a higher take-up in each county, she said. Therefore, I want to see the May 1 deadline extended to allow businesses the extra time to avail of this support.

I believe there should be proactive direct email engagement by local authorities and local enterprise offices to businesses that have yet to avail of this support.

To qualify, businesses must be a commercially-trading business that is currently operating from a property that is commercially rateable. The business must also have been trading on February 1 this year, and business owners must intend to continue trading for at least three months after they verify their details under the scheme.
The fashion brand of Carolina Herrera (second from right) is among those owned by Puig, headed by chairman and CEO Marc Puig (second from left). Photo: Getty

Puig Brands kicked off its 2.6bn initial public offering, set to be the largest in Europe so far this year, as the Spanish fragrance and cosmetics company seeks to capitalise on growing momentum in the regions equity markets.

The Barcelona-based company and its founding family plan to sell Class B shares at 22 to 24.50 each, Puig said yesterday in a filing with the Spanish securities regulator.

Puig, whose brands include Jean Paul Gaultier, Rabanne and Carolina Herrera, would have a market value of as much as 13.9bn after the offering, according to terms seen by Bloomberg.

The company will sell enough new shares to generate about 1.25bn in proceeds, while the Puig family is offering stock to raise around 1.36bn.

The family may also sell as much as 390m worth of additional shares in an over-allotment option. The number of shares of both the main offering and the over-allotment will be determined by the final price of the IPO.

Puigs implied valuation is higher than that of fragrance company Coty, but a long way off from beauty industry behemoths like LOreal or Estee Lauder.

In dollar terms, the listing surpasses Galderma Groups 2.3 billion Swiss-franc (2.4bn) sale last month as Europes largest so far this year.

If successful, Puigs offering is expected to pave the way for more listings. Companies have announced $7.5bn of IPOs this year in Europe, up 88pc from the same period last year.

However, stock market debuts have been mixed recently. Galderma shares have soared since the skincare company listed, while German perfume retailer Douglas AG has tumbled.

Puigs listing will be watched closely by Spanish candidates to float, such as clothing retailer Tendam and Hotelbeds. Elsewhere in Europe, private equity firm CVC Capital Partners plans an offering in Amsterdam.

Puig was founded as a perfume company in 1914 by Antonio Puig. The bulk of its growth over the 20th century came from the distribution of well-known foreign goods by firms like Max Factor, and the production of perfumes under license for other brands.

Puig has focused in recent years on a segment known as niche fragrance by buying LArtisan Parfumeur, Penhaligons and Byredo, and launching designer Dries Van Notens perfume line. The conglomerate also owns the latters fashion business.

The company is still led by the third generation of the founding family. Marc Puig Guasch is chairman and chief executive officer, while his cousin Manuel Puig Rocha is vice chairman.

The family will maintain a majority stake and hold more than 90pc of the voting rights, according to the filing.
Kota is led by Patrick OBoyle, Luke Mackey and Deepak Baliga

A Dublin-based start-up which offers an employee benefits software platform has done a deal with health insurer Vitality to enter the UK market.

The deal means that Kota, formerly called Yonder, now lets companies cover health and retirement benefits for UK-based staff.

The company, which recently raised 5m in a seed funding round, says that it wants to cover more of the European market.

Kota was founded by chief executive Luke Mackey, Patrick OBoyle and Deepak Baliga. Its customers include Dublin gifting start-up &Open, Spotlight Oral Care, Unmind and Fonoa.

The founders were recently named in a Forbes 30-Under-30 list.

Meanwhile, 15 Cork start-up founders have completed Enterprise Irelands New Frontiers programme in MTUs Rubicon Centre. The start-ups include Volta Robotics, Wizard & Grace, Ostomy Cube, The Blume Method, The Feed Ducks Initiative, GlishArabic, Origin Xero, The Mind Mechanic, Gabro Games, LA Edit and Clearsight Decision Support Systems.

Each of the group leaders undertook a six-month acceleration programme and got seed funding of 15,000, mentoring and office space.

Separately, Ulysses Neuroscience announced that it has raised 500,000 in investment from Enterprise Ireland and private investment company Growing Capital.

The five-year-old firm offers patients and pharmaceutical companies research services around psychiatric diseases and neurological disorders.

The Cherrywood-based company is currently hiring for preclinical and clinical neuroscience positions in the psychedelic, psychiatric and rare neurodevelopmental research space.

With a portfolio of globally based pharma clients and an annual revenue of over 1m, we have been able to break through the contract research organisation market and are helping a range of industries, said Dr Massimiliano Bianchi, CEO of Ulysses Neuroscience.
The cast of 1994 hit Pulp Fiction have reunited to mark three decades of the classic film.

The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards during the 67th ceremony, including nods for John Travolta for his role as Vincent Vega, Samuel L Jackson for character Jules Winnfield, Uma Thurman, who played Mia Wallace  and director Quentin Tarantino.

Other stars including Harvey Keitel, Rosanna Arquette and Eric Stoltz also arrived at the TCL Chinese Theatre to kick of the TCM Classic Film Festival with a screening of the film  which won an Oscar in the writing category.

John Travolta and Uma Thurman reunite (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Bruce Willis, who played Butch Coolidge in the film, was not present  having been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.

Grease star Travolta, who was supported at the event by his 24-year-old daughter Ella Bleu, said he had a history starring alongside Willis, referencing 1989 comedy Look Whos Talking.

With Bruce it was like being at home, it was very comfortable, (hes) just a good person. We cared for each other, he told Variety on the carpet.

In the film about violence and redemption, 70-year-old Travolta also said he had to convince Tarantino to let him wear hair extensions for the role.

Meanwhile appearing at the 15th annual film festival in Los Angeles, Jackson said he didnt realise that Pulp Fiction was a cultural phenomenon until the first screening.

John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson (Chris Pizzello/AP)

We were doing a film that was a lot of fun for us and a great script to do and big characters to be, the 75-year-old said.

Arquette, who played Jody in the film, also described Die Hard star Willis as one of the great guys.

I also did with Matthew Perry and him, The Whole Nine Yards. He is just a wonderful, sweet, good, kind man, he is surrounded by so much love in his family right now, hes just great, the 64-year-old said.

Stoltz, who played Lance in Pulp Fiction, said that Willis was always buying us pizza, describing him as a great guy.

Speaking about the first day of rehearsal, the 62-year-old added: The first day of rehearsal, Quentin took us all out to a sushi restaurant and we sat and laughed and ate and drank for hours, and when we left we felt like a company.

We felt like we were all on the same boat.
Barry Ward on the challenge of bringing back a lost rural way of life in Pat Collins new adaptation

Its only April but Im already pretty sure what the best Irish film of 2024 will be. Pat Collins That They May Face the Rising Sun is so good, so confident in its storytelling and so clear in its intentions that its hard to imagine a better homegrown feature appearing before the end of the year.

Back in 2005, Collins released A Private World, a mesmerising profile of John McGahern. The great novelist died a year later, but his final book, That They May Face the Rising Sun, stayed with Collins, who for years dreamed of turning it into a feature film. Now he has succeeded, triumphantly.

Barry Ward and Anna Bederke play Joe and Kate Ruttledge, a young couple who leave London to live in Joes native Leitrim townland. Its the 1980s, times are hard and the locals wonder if Joe had a screw loose returning to live in this economically stagnant backwater. Joes a writer, Annas an artist and over time they manage to earn the affection of most of their neighbours.

They are befriended by Jamesie and Mary Murphy (Phillip Dolan, Ruth McCabe), a kindly old couple who dote on them, but must work harder to win the respect of Patrick Ryan (Lalor Roddy), a sharp-witted, mercurial handyman. When death comes, the community draws together to absorb the loss, summoning old songs and customs to ease the pain.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th April 2024

Nothing much happens and yet it is entirely engrossing. Through Joes kindly gaze we get a birds eye view of a long-gone way of life, and of never-changing human foibles. Wards role requires him to watch closely and say little, no easy task for an actor.

For me, Ward admits, that was a challenge, because Joe is so still and patient. Im urban and I drink too much coffee and Im extremely fidgety. But where we were shooting, the community of cast and crew made it all much easier for me. And its very rare that you get to do a movie where youre not having to play high drama, with high stakes and emotionally draining scenes.

This was all about observing, listening, responding. My co-star Anna Bederke is very Zen and Buddhist in her ways, and she just brought an energy that was easy for me to slip into, and help us to kind of create that couple together. And that was exactly what was needed, because were the linchpin in a way, around which everything else revolves, and you can have these sometimes larger-than-life characters coming in and bouncing off us two. Our job was to accommodate that.

Though McGaherns fictional world is rooted in Co Leitrim, where he lived and ran a small farm, That They May Face the Rising Sun was filmed elsewhere. We shot in Co Galway, along the Mayo border, a beautiful part of the world. McGaherns world is very much Leitrim, but the locations we found were in Connemara, and you can see why when you watch the movie.

Because the story is set in a time before mass rural electrification in Ireland, you have to find a place where you can point the camera into a big wide vista and not have any telegraph poles. And thats not easy.

John McGahern in 1998. Photo: Tony Gavin

Wards character, Joe, could easily be seen as a proxy for McGahern, an affable man who liked to live among ordinary rural people and watch how they went about their business. Did that affect his performance?

The character of Joe is very much autobiographical, Ward agrees, but in the book, there are only one or two passing mentions of what he does, and hes like a copywriter or something, thats what he writes. But Pat thought it would be much more interesting if hes writing a novel, and its more in keeping with the theme of the film we were making.

I knew Pats documentary on McGahern and saw it years ago, but I didnt rewatch it or base my performance on him as a physical entity, it was more the mental approach  I think that was certainly a factor. At one point Pat was toying with the idea that because Joe was an observer of everything, perhaps the entire movie has sprung from Joes imagination. And theres a truth in that somewhere, in that he is kind of writing about what he sees.

As it slowly unfolds, Rising Sun gives us tantalising insights into a now largely vanished rural way of life. Lalor Roddys character Patrick Ryan is a jobbing handyman who does not suffer fools lightly. When Joe goes to visit him at Christmas, we see his spartan lodgings  a frosty cottage with no central heating or plumbing, where he has lived alone for many years.

Its so rich, the detail of all that, how sparse it is, Ward says. And the movie is kind of a paean to that way of life. Im a Dub, but my folks are rural, Roscommon and Louth, so my childhood was spent in very similar scenarios, where you would have these old bachelors coming to visit and regaling my auntie with all the news, small-town gossip in some ways but just brilliantly delivered by these natural storytellers. So it was like a trip down memory lane for me in many ways.

Though there is some scepticism among the locals about Joe and Kate and how long they will manage to stick around, slowly, by increments, they become accepted in the townlands wider community.

Eamon Little, who co-wrote the film with Pat, said to me after the shoot that if its about anything, its about belonging; the drama revolves around Kate and Joes attempts at becoming part of something bigger. And at the end of the film, we were thinking, well thats it, thats total inclusion in the community.

That scene, a wake, is beautifully done, and has much to say about the deeper traditions of rural life, and the quiet comforts available to those who live close to nature.

Theres something really haunting and elegiac about it, with the rosary and everything, Ward says. Ive attended a couple of similar events in real life myself, where theres this mantra that creates a really interesting headspace.

Before Pat Collins began his shoot, he gathered crew and cast for a brief period of rehearsal. We had a week together before shooting began, which was really useful: we all kind of hung out and read the script and did some isolated scenes from it, and a John McGahern expert came in and gave us a talk. It was very helpful, to have a chance to just be in that world and soak it up before filming began.

Barry Ward in That They May Face the Rising Sun, based on John McGahern's final novel

And then I would do my own rehearsal, I would sit for hours writing, to get that body, to get to know what its like to sit and write for ages, because its not something Id find very easy.

The movie premiered at the London Film Festival last November, a nervy experience for all concerned. Id watched it on a laptop on my own  and then to see it on a big screen with an audience, I just thought, wow. But right from the get-go, this film lulls you into this space, this slower pace, so it really requires you to see it in a cinema with phones off and no opportunity to scroll. Youve got to go with it, and a cinema helps you along that way, I think.

The tensest moment is when you see it with an audience for the first time, because thats the final piece of the jigsaw, really, when you make a movie. So it was a huge relief, and it was so joyous, the London screening  the response was just so warm. And in this era of constant streaming, and people just trying to grab your attention, theres a kind of necessity for a film like this now thats just so differently paced.

At a gala screening at the Dublin Film Festival in February, Pat Collins and his cast brought their film home.

In Dublin, Im coming into it with family and friends, very confident that we have a good movie on our hands. And of course, with an Irish audience, a lot of them will have some experience of a similar kind of place the movie depicts, and its not something youve seen on the screen that often. I cant wait to get it out there, to be honest.
Also reviewed this week: Abigail and The Sweet East

Hes not the Messiah, hes a very naughty boy! Its impossible to watch The Book of Clarence and not be reminded of Life of Brian, Monty Pythons full frontal assault on the sacred cows of Christianity.

Condemned from the pulpit, banned in Ireland and Italy, denounced on British television, Life of Brian turned the Passion of Jesus into a vaudeville knockabout by slyly transforming the crucifixion into a matter of mistaken identity.

Jeymes Samuels film does precisely the same thing, but in the end cant decide if its making fun of the New Testament or singing its praises.

It has its moments though, and is led from the front by LaKeith Stanfield, a fine actor too seldom in the spotlight. He is Clarence, a charming wide boy ducking and diving his way through the streets of Jerusalem.

Its 33AD, and the occupying Romans are sick and tired of hearing about Jesus, a Galilean prophet whos amassed a large following and claims to be the son of God.

Clarence is not that keen on him either: his twin brother Thomas is one of the apostles, and Clarence reckons its all a load of nonsense.

There is no God, and meanwhile he has more pressing matters, namely an outstanding debt to a local crime boss, Jedediah the Terrible (Eric Kofi Abrefa), who seems intent on living up to his name.

To complicate matters, Clarence is in love with Jedediahs daughter Varinia (Anna Diop), whos flattered but doesnt think hes a realistic marriage prospect. He certainly wont be if hes dead, but after losing his shirt in a chariot race against a dynamic Mary Magdalene (Teyana Taylor), Clarence hits on a daring plan that might solve all his problems.

Theres big money in the messiah business, he reckons, so if he poses as one himself and performs miracles for money, before you know it hell have paid off his debts and won the hand of the fair Varinia.

When his best friend Elijah (RJ Cyler) points out that all of this is rather blasphemous, Clarence shrugs: all miracles are magic tricks anyway, so his will be no different.

Clarence has been rebuffed by the disciples, given a hard time in the River Jordan by John the Baptist (David Oyelowo), and is out to teach those smug Christers a lesson. But as his fame and following grows, he draws the unwelcome attention of the Romans, who now begin to wonder if he might not be the real Messiah.

Marianne Jean-Baptiste plays Amina, Clarences mother, who watches worrying from the sidelines as her sons fame grows. Micheal Ward of Top Boy is a sly and watchful Judas Iscariot, and Omar Sy is Barabbas, a burly and slightly unhinged gladiator who becomes Clarences devoted minder.

Clarence is troubled by a good conscience, and abruptly decides to spend his ill-gotten gains freeing slaves forced to fight in the arena. Most of all, though, he wants to find out what is so special about Jesus Christ, and goes to visit his parents to find out how he does those magic tricks. Not surprisingly, Mary and Joseph (Alfre Woodard, Brian Bovell) give him short shrift.

Its no coincidence that Hollywood Romans are usually played by English people, who slip easily into the smug and superior attitudes of the empire builder. But its a Scot and an Irishman who must do the heavy lifting here.

James McAvoy is great fun as Pontius Pilate, a sexually ambivalent, eyeliner-wearing dilettante who is highly amused by Clarences antics until they threaten his career. And Tom Vaughan-Lawlor is tetchiness itself as Antoninus, a grumpy centurion.

Like Life of Brian, The Book of Clarence pokes fun at the mindlessness of the sheepish follower, but stops short of a two-footed tackle on the Christ.

This is a US film, remember, and no stand-up American is ever going to try and take down Our Lord, whose stock has remained consistently high in the land of the free.

And so, in the end, the film hedges its bets and casts Jesus (Nicholas Pinnock) as the Gary Cooper of the piece, riding in at the last moment to save the day.

In cinemas from Friday, April 19

Rating: Three stars

Irish actress Alisha Weir as Abigail. Photo: Universal

Abigail (16, 109mins)

If blood is your thing, Abigail has buckets of the stuff, but gore-lovers will have to be patient. For a calm and competent opening 40 minutes or so, Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpins film operates as a kidnap thriller, as a group of strangers hired by a Svengali convene to kidnap a sweet 12-year-old girl.

Abigail (the astoundingly talented Alisha Weir), a ballet-obsessed billionaires daughter, is abducted from her home by a gang led by Frank (Dan Stevens), a twitchy misanthrope. When they take her, as ordered, to a remote mansion to await the payment of a ransom, everything starts to go wrong.

Gang member Joey (Melissa Barrera) befriends the girl and promises to protect her, but begins to wonder if Abigail is as innocent as she seems when people start dying horribly. Abigail is purest schlock, and its makers would claim to know it: the tone is broadly comic, and Dan Stevens does a fine line in eye-rolling villains.

Does it need the exploding bodies and mounds of corpses thrown in during a hectic finale? Possibly not, and Ms Barreras huge, luminous eyes offer the only evidence of soul in this cheerfully nasty horror.

In cinemas from Friday, April 19

Rating: Three stars

Talia Ryder stars in 'The Sweet East', the feature debut of Sean Price Williams. Photo: Light House Group

The Sweet East (No Cert, 104mins)

As Trump fans gather outside a Manhattan courthouse threatening to get their guns and start a civil war if their glorious leader is not acquitted, the great Union seems in peril. Sean Price Williams is much of this opinion, and in his debut feature sends a self-absorbed teen across the eastern US on a sort of idiots Pilgrims Progress.

Lillian (the excellent Talia Ryder) has come to Washington DC from South Carolina on a high school educational trip, but absconds from the group after a gun attack.

After that, Lillian bounces like a pinball between various groups on the fringes of a disintegrating society: a shambolic bunch of anarchists, self-absorbed filmmakers, neo-Nazis, Jihadi terrorists. Most amusing of all is her encounter with Lawrence (Simon Rex), a college professor and far-right sympathiser whom she manipulates with ridiculous ease.

As ignorant as she is self-absorbed, Lillian is an empty vessel, the kind of person who could vote for just about anyone, if she could be bothered. The Sweet East has a ragged charm but is a little too glib to be taken seriously as a political satire.

In cinemas from Friday, April 19

Rating: Three stars
Samantha Libreri has been announced as the new eastern correspondent for RTE.

Ms Libreri (41) has been a journalist for RTE News for 20 years and has presented some of RTE Radio Ones flagship programmes, including Morning Ireland and Drivetime, since joining the station in 2000.

She also won a Justice Media award for her work on a year-long series on Road Safety with Charlie Bird.

As eastern correspondent, Ms Libreri will be reporting across RTE News platforms from the eastern region including all of Dublin, parts of east Meath, north and east Kildare and north Wicklow.

"As someone who was born and reared on the northside of Dublin and who has lived and worked all my life in the capital, being appointed RTEs eastern correspondent is a dream come true, she said.

"I hope to bring my 20 years of reporting experience to this new and expanded role to tell the stories of those who live in the commuter belts of Meath, Kildare and Wicklow while also keeping audiences up to date with the major developments in Dublin which impact on those who live, work in and visit the capital.

Ms Libreri will take up her new position in late May, which is a newly created post expanding on the previous role of Dublin correspondent.

I have always been so proud to work for RTE and am delighted to be taking on this role at such a vital time for reliable, accurate and engaging journalism," she added.

A Finglas native joined the RTE newsroom in November 2000 and was initially employed as a runner while studying English and Sociology in UCD.

She went on to become a freelance radio and television journalist for RTE, while also working as editor of UCDs student newspaper The University Observer.

In 2005, she became a full-time RTE journalist, where she has been reporting on issues in the greater Dublin area in addition to other stories, including the Carrickmines fire tragedy or the Creeslough explosion.

Ms Libreri was named Transport Journalist of the Year for her reporting on Irelands transport infrastructure both in 2011 and 2012.

She also wrote a book about her home place Finglas: A Peoples Portrait in 2012.
The beetle found in Cratloe Woods is widespread along the west coast of North America and Central America and causes damage to Monterey pine, a species similar to larch. Photo: Getty

A group of farmers, whose land has been placed in an exclusion zone by the Department of Agriculture, have been told it is inevitable that the great spruce bark beetle and other dangerous beetles will soon make their way into Ireland.
Theres no prosperous future for Ireland without the agriculture sector growing and not contracting, the Taoiseach Simon Harris has said.

Speaking at the European People's Party (EPP) conference on agriculture in Carlow today, the Taoiseach promised new income streams to help farmers transition, while committing to support existing practice.

I believe in maintaining a Nitrates Derogation for Ireland and I look forward to working closely with my MEP colleagues and with the Commission to make sure that is the case, he said.

I believe it is important for our industry here in this country and I want to work with farmers in relation to maintaining that.

The Taoiseach said farmers dont need a lecture from Dublin and that many populists wouldnt know one end of an animal to the other.

I think we have to do better when it comes to the debate around climate and suggesting the answer to it is reducing agricultural output - I dont buy into that theory that you have to be on the side of climate or the side of farmers, he said.

Its actually possible in Government and were obligated to do more than one thing at a time. What we need to do in Europe and Ireland is protect food security and the planet.

Taoiseach Harris said that there has been a disproportionate focus on agriculture in the climate conversation.

I absolutely understand that there is a sense of frustration and anger from farmers that they are on what they believe to be a constant treadmill of change over the past five years and a sense that their sector gets spoken down to or is no longer valued to the same extent as it once was, he continued.

Its not good enough and it cant be allowed to continue. So today as Taoiseach of this country, I want to thank you for the heavy lifting that you've already done and I want to commit to working with you in a spirit of partnership.

As far as Im concerned, theres no future for rural Ireland and no prosperous future for Ireland, that does not involve farming, farmers, the agri-food sector growing, not contracting. By working with you well ensure that farmers can earn a decent income whilst protecting the environment.
Ex-Bank of Ireland official who stole 200,000 from her employer may be spared jail after repaying some of cash
Two former senior officials of the National Association of General Practitioners have been sent for trial on company law charges including fraudulent trading.

Former chief executive Christopher Goodey and former chairman Andrew Jordan were charged with breaches of the Companies Act following an investigation into the financial management of the now-defunct association.
Sean McGovern profile: Rise of Dubliner to top of Kinahan cartel was surprise to gardai who knew him
PE teacher Tara Doonan wants hospital parking charges to be capped

A secondary-school teacher who was diagnosed with breast cancer has called on the Government to cap parking charges for patients after she had to pay 1,000 while undergoing treatment.

Tara Doonan, from Killeshandra, Co Cavan, also revealed she was clamped outside the Mater Hospital in Dublin after she fell asleep during a delayed appointment and did not get to top up her parking ticket in time.

Despite providing a letter from the ward manager explaining the situation, the National Transport Authority (NTA) did not uphold her appeal. She had to pay the 125 fine.

The Maters car park is the most expensive in the country at 3.20 an hour, which is capped at 15 a day. It is one of 10 hospitals that do not offer any concessionary parking to cancer patients.

The Irish Cancer Society has been campaigning for the abolishment of parking charges for the last 10 years, but despite repeated promises, the Government has not delivered, resulting in some cancer patients having to pay up to 300 a month for parking.

Ms Doonan was just 36 when she found a lump on her right breast during the summer of 2022. After visiting her GP, she attended the Maters triple assessment breast clinic for a biopsy and mammogram.

After I found the lump, I quickly reassured myself that it was nothing to worry about because I thought I was too young, she said.

I thought breast cancer was only something that affected women later in life, so I convinced myself it was a cyst.

The test results unfortunately confirmed the lump was cancerous.

When you get the diagnosis, youre just in it and youre surviving. Youre going from one appointment to the next and youre not really thinking about much else or able to think about much else apart from just surviving and getting through it, she told RTEs consumer show The Complaints Bureau.

Ms Doonan had to undergo five months of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and four weeks of radiotherapy. She also had to take sick leave from her job as a PE teacher.

When she first attended the Mater for treatment, she parked in the hospitals car park, which is operated by Euro Car Parks.

Despite leaving her home at the crack of dawn, the car park was often full when she arrived.

We used that car park for two or three months, but we often found it really difficult to get a space and we couldnt sustain the cost, Ms Doonan said.

My husband did some research and found that on-street parking would cost us a little bit less, with a rate of 1.80 per hour. We often had to park on streets about a 10-minute walk from the hospital to get the lower rate.

There are a lot of hidden costs with a cancer diagnosis, which I wasnt aware of until I had to enter the world of cancer.

Youre driving up and down to Dublin spending money on petrol, tolls, parking, and thats on top of your medication and your scans. The same income isnt coming into the house because youre not working, so it really is an extra stress and worry.

Tara Doonan during her treatment, which left her feeling exhausted

Between June and November last year, Ms Doonan had maintenance treatment to help prevent the cancer coming back and received antibodies every three weeks. It took a significant toll on her body, often leaving her exhausted.

On August 30, she arrived in Dublin for an appointment and bought a three-hour parking ticket. The parking app does not allow users to buy a ticket for longer than three hours at a time.

However, on that day, her appointment ended up being delayed. She also fell asleep during the treatment and did not get to renew her parking ticket. When she returned to the car, it was clamped.

I had to pay the 125 fee to get it released, she said. It was very stressful at the end of a long day and I was by myself. I was exhausted, so having to deal with that added a lot of stress that I could have done without. It was the last thing I needed.

Ms Doonan asked the hospital to provide a letter explaining how her appointment was delayed and how she had fallen asleep. She appealed against the decision to Dublin Street Parking Services  the private company that enforces parking regulations for Dublin City Council  but it was rejected.

The company said in a letter: The onus is on the driver to ensure they are aware of their parking expiry time and top up their parking within the 10-minute grace period.

She then appealed to the clamping appeals officer with the NTA.

While the clamping appeals officer acknowledges and sympathises with the circumstances which gave rise to this clamping event, and notes the appellants submissions, there does not appear to have been any error, or non-compliance with statutory vehicle clamping regulations, on the part of the parking controller, the NTA said.

Ms Doonan described the decision as really disappointing.

In a statement to The Complaints Bureau, the Mater Hospital said it did not get any money from the car park. It said the State did not fund the provision of an underground car park and Eccles Street Car Park Ltd, the company connected to the car park that is ultimately owned by the Mater, had to take out a significant loan to build one. The cash flow generated from the car park is used to pay off the loan, which means the Mater is unable to introduce concessionary parking for cancer patients.

Averil Power, CEO of the Irish Cancer Society, said the issue was a huge burden for patients. Out of 26 hospitals providing treatment for cancer, 10 offer no concessions at all  including five Dublin-based hospitals. Eleven remove car-parking charges completely, while five have some form of a concession, including St Jamess and St Vincents.

Right now, without the Government stepping in, its really a postcode lottery, Ms Power said. The most expensive is Dublin and the fees are up to five times higher than in some regional hospitals, which affects people not just from Dublin, but also those travelling to Dublin.

A review was published by a previous health minister in 2018 and promises were made to deliver. That didnt happen. In 2020, there was a government commitment to cap the charges and that hasnt been delivered yet.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said the HSE was currently carrying out an updated assessment of car-parking issues due to the passage of time since the last review.

Accordingly, the HSE has advised that a working group is to be established to develop clear national guidance for the implementation of maximum daily par parking rates in acute hospitals.

When contacted by The Complaints Bureau, the HSE could not give a definitive timeline for when the working group would be up and running.

Ms Doonan told the show: It all just seems and sounds like more lip service that weve already heard. We want action now at this stage.
Plans set to go ahead despite some criticism from DUP councillors

More than 300 streets in Belfasts Gaeltacht Quarter are set to get dual language street signs.

It follows a proposal for the erection of the signs, which was agreed by Belfast City Councils (BCC) strategic policy and resources committee in October of last year, despite some criticism from DUP members.

Now a consultation on the plans has been carried out and councillors will be asked to give their final approval on Friday.

The Gaeltacht Quarter in west Belfast covers an area over 417 streets, 108 of which already have dual language signs.

Sinn Fein proposed last year that BCC would save thousands of pounds by designating the streets in the Gaeltacht Quarter by public, rather than surveying each street individually where an overwhelming majority would be in favour of Irish street signs.

Letters were subsequently issued to all affected residents via a mail drop. The letters advised the resident about the dual-language sign proposals and gave them the opportunity to object if they so wished. If 15pc or more objected, the signs wouldnt go ahead.

A total of 21 objections covering 16 individual streets were received, with one street (Clovelly Street) meeting the 15pc threshold. Following the consultation process, 301 streets are to have the signage erected.

According to a council briefing document prepared for members of the strategic policy and resources committee: Work and discussions are ongoing between staff within Property and Projects and Building Control to consider the next part of the project, to erect the nameplates.

The proposal is to follow the existing process and utilise the current street signage contract and contractor.

Whilst the project will be managed by Property and Projects, the Building Control Service will work in conjunction with the project manager to provide the necessary guidance, assistance and oversight.

This may also require a resource to be provided by the Building Control Service to carry out some of the duties associated with the project.

The cost of erecting the signs is expected to be in the region of 135,000.

SDLP councillor Paul Doherty, who is based in west Belfast, said it is fantastic at last that the signs are set to go ahead and paid tribute to those who have campaigned for the move for years.

The Gaeltacht Quarter is absolutely thriving and has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, he added.

It does a great job of making the Irish language accessible and attracts a significant number of tourists to this part of our city. These new signs will only enhance the area and contribute to the resurgence of the Irish language in Belfast. I would urge every councillor to back these proposals, the Irish language is part of our shared culture, history and heritage and contributes positively to our society. Those living in the quarter have been clear that they back these new signs and they will be warmly received by everyone in west Belfast.

Speaking when the plans were decided last October, some DUP representatives voiced concern, but in the end did not oppose them formally.

DUP councillor Ian McLaughlin said he had grave concerns about the erection of dual-language signage around the Springfield Road area.

This signage, whether we admit it or not, demarcates social lines across this city, he added.

It will exclude a part of west Belfast. It is basically republican west Belfast within that boundary, and it will be set apart from the rest of the city.
The garda public order unit attended a standoff between protesters and counter-demonstrators over a makeshift migrant camp in Dublin City centre.

A number of asylum seekers who have not yet been offered state accommodation, and other homeless people, have been setting up tents in the area around the International Protection Office on Mount Street.

There have been several protests at the site amid heightened scrutiny of the Governments handling of asylum-seeker accommodation, with the state currently not able to provide housing for all male arrivals, in contravention of international commitments.

The latest figures show that more than 1,700 international protection applicants are waiting for an offer of accommodation.

On Friday, more than 100 demonstrators, organised under a banner of anti-racism and anti-fascism, formed a human barrier across the main entrance to the largest section of the makeshift camp.

They had arrived in anticipation of a later protest, which had been organised against the tents in the area.

Dozens of gardai, including members of the public order unit, were also present and traffic was temporarily restricted to one lane.

The pro-migrant demonstrators chanted: Say it loud and say it clear: Refugees are welcome here.

They also shouted slogans against the coalition Government and called for better provision of services for asylum seekers.

Anti-migrant protesters chanted Send them home.

The opposing groups largely remained separated by gardai on different sides of the road, although insults were exchanged among some.
The coroners report into the Stardust tragedy will be reviewed by gardai at the highest level before a decision is made on the direction of a potential criminal action, if any.

An inquest jury found that all 48 people who died in the Artane nightclub in Dublin in the early hours of February 14 were unlawfully killed. No liability was found against any individual or company as part of the inquest verdict.

Gardai await the coroners report on the matter, which will be examined thoroughly to determine what, if any, criminal offences may have occurred.

When the coroners report arrives to gardai, it will be assessed and reviewed very seriously, at the very highest level, a source said.

Due to the serious nature of this case, it is expected gardai will receive the report promptly.

Nothing can be done on this matter until gardai have received the inquest report, the source added.

As the statute of limitations does not apply in this case, individuals such as Eamon Butterly could potentially face criminal charges. In principle, he absolutely could [face criminal charges], a leading criminal law academic said.

The sort of consideration that the DPP will take into account will be the extent to which detail that came out in the inquest will be able to be brought forward at trial and if its brought forward at trial, that it will persuade another jury.

Another consideration is, Is there a public interest in proceeding with a trial at this remove, as this happened in 1981?

Ultimately, I think there will be a question of what the charge would be, whether the evidence in the tribunal is sufficient for the DPP to think, Yes, we can run the same or similar evidence and get the same or similar outcome.

Ninety-nine per cent of the time there isnt public interest that needs to be taken into account, but this situation is almost certainly in that 1pc. There is a lot of public interest in Stardust.

An inquest is an inquisitorial hearing to establish the facts concerning the who, how, when, where and circumstances of a persons death.

It is not an exercise of considering or apportioning blame or exoneration.

That said, a finding of unlawful killing will not be ignored by An Garda Siochana and will give rise, at a minimum, to a careful examination of the coroners file.

A statute of limitations does not apply in relation to a potential criminal prosecution, so it is possible for charges to still be brought in connection with a tragedy that happened 43 years ago.

One thing the verdict does not really open the door to is civil damages claims by the families. A two-year statute applies for personal injury claims.

This, in itself, is not a bar to the filing of a civil damages claim. It would be up to the defendant to argue that it is statute-barred. But that argument would be likely to succeed.

There is nothing to stop someone issuing a plenary summons in relation to something that happened in 1981. It is up to the defendant to plead the statute of limitations, one senior counsel said.

A defendant would be likely to raise it and it would likely be found to be statute-barred.

The barrister said any argument that the beginning of the statute period could be reset to now in light of the verdict would be unlikely to succeed.

There is nothing in legislation that says an inquest verdict of unlawful killing 43 years later suddenly changes the statute. The statute still ran from the day the fire happened, the senior counsel said.

An argument could be made that it is only now they have acquired this knowledge of unlawful killing.

But unlawful killing is only a verdict. It is not the knowledge from their expert reports. The families have had expert reports going back 10 or 15 years with particular theories.

While a civil damages claim by relatives looks unlikely, what cannot be ruled out, based on recent events, is a challenge to the inquest jurys verdict.

Former Stardust manager Eamon Butterly twice took High Court challenges seeking to prohibit the jury from bringing in a verdict of unlawful killing.

Before the inquests began, he sought an order prohibiting the coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane, from conducting them in a manner which involved an investigation or the consideration of a possible verdict of unlawful killing.

He also sought an order quashing the coroners decision at pre-inquest hearings to refuse to rule out an unlawful killing verdict.

Mr Justice Charles Meenan refused Mr Butterlys application and said he was satisfied the ruling by Dr Cullinane, that a verdict of unlawful killing could not be ruled out, was correct in law.

A second legal challenge was mounted by Mr Butterly shortly after the jury began its deliberations.

This too was rejected, this time by Mr Justice Tony OConnor.

The judicial review application could not be reported on at the time.

Mr Butterlys lawyers argued that such a verdict would be highly prejudicial and would damage his reputation.

They also argued it was not lawfully open for a jury to attribute blame to any individual or individuals.

The judge said he was not satisfied the coroner had misdirected herself on the issue.

Mr Justice OConnor also questioned whether the challenge was premature, and asked if such an action should instead be brought after the verdict had been given.

Mr Butterlys solicitors were contacted for comment about the possibility of a further challenge. However, no response was received at the time of going to press.

Susan Behan, whose brother John Colgan (21) died in the Stardust fire, said this morning shes relieved that finally we have the justice we deserved.

It just means so much to us as a family, to myself, to all of the families to finally hear that our loved ones were unlawfully killed, she told RTE Radio Ones Morning Ireland.

We were just in disbelief yesterday, afraid to even breathe at times, that maybe we might get justice after all this.

But when we heard it, it was just unreal, all those emotions, 43 years of wondering, and then we finally hear those words, she said.

She added they are happy that justice had prevailed.

The truth was actually out there, and everyone can see it now, it's not just us saying an injustice has been done. It has been done, it was an unlawful killing.

We were just all looking at each other and hugging each other, crying, jumping.

43 years of pent-up anxiety, and we just heard those words. We nearly all fell to the ground and we just erupted in roars and screams and cries, we just could not believe it, she said.

Mrs Behan said an official apology was important for the families as they were ignored.

I feel they were so disrespectful to us, and we were left to our own devices. That shouldn't have been the case, so now it shouldn't be a big deal for them to turn around and say: We're sorry. We got it wrong, and apologise to us.

It's the very least they could do. And it shouldn't take them a long time to know what to do - do the right thing and give the public apology.

We deserve this. Our loved ones deserve this," she said.

Susan Behan also paid a tribute to her late brother who died in the Stardust disaster.

When he was taken from us awfully, it just ripped the inside of our family apart because he was so special to us. He had this huge heart, this softness about him when he was around, he was funny.

Everybody that met him actually loved him, even to this day, people come up to me and say: I knew Johnny, he was a lovely lad'.

"We've all got so many beautiful stories about our loved ones.

A 21-year-old John Colgan was looking forward to his future, and was excited to meet his niece, as Susan was pregnant with her first baby.

I was expecting our first baby in the house. And there was about four weeks for me to go and he kept patting my tummy and saying: Does it know I'm going to be an uncle?

"He was super excited about it, she said.
'The cover up has ended and the rising of the truth has begun' - families of victims react to Stardust verdict

The verdict in the Stardust inquest has given hope to victims of the Whiddy Island disaster that they will also be granted fresh inquests.

Michael Kingston, solicitor for the families of the 50 people who died, said it was a red letter day for justice which he hoped would be repeated for Whiddy.

The 50 workers, from France, Ireland and Britain, died when the Betelgeuse tanker exploded while docked at an oil terminal in Bantry Bay, Co Cork in January 1979.

They included Mr Kingstons father, Tim, who died while waiting for delayed rescue boats to reach the scene.

Mr Kingston has submitted a request to the Attorney General asking him to order a fresh inquest into the deaths.

This was the tactic that eventually secured fresh inquests for the Stardust families after decades of their calls for new public inquiries were rejected.

Mr Kingston, who was present for the delivery of the verdict in the Stardust case, said the finding of unlawful killing was a huge breakthrough.

My fathers inquest recorded death by accidental drowning, he said.

All we have is a medical verdict and nothing about the contributing factors.

The original Stardust inquests were similarly limited, recording only the medical causes of death such as burns and smoke inhalation.

Mr Kingston praised former attorney general Seamus Woulfe for granting the Stardust families request for fresh inquests.

He said Mr Woulfe had swum against the tide of decades of failure by successive governments who failed to do right by the families.

He urged Mr Woulfes successor, Rossa Fanning, to follow that example.

It is never too late to achieve justice, as we bear witness to that today, he said.

As representative of the families of the 50 victims of the other enormous and horrendous tragedy of the Irish state, the Whiddy Island Disaster, Im asking that he demonstrate the same courage as his predecessor.

Mr Kingston said the Stardust verdict had the potentially to radically change the way inquests were conducted.

He said juries were rarely ever told they could make a finding of unlawful killing and praised coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane, for introducing that option to the Stardust jury.

The manner in which coroners courts are dealing with inquest and directions to juries, needs immediate revision and correction following the precedents set by the Stardust inquest, he said.
Taoiseach "eager to be in a position to apologise" over Stardust fire tragedy

Taoiseach Simon Harris will meet the Stardust families on Saturday before offering a formal state apology in the Dail on Tuesday.

Survivors of the blaze and relatives of the 48 young people who died will be present in the Dail as the Taoiseach makes the formal apology.

A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said: The Taoiseach has invited the families and loved ones of the Stardust victims to meet tomorrow.

The Taoiseach is eager to listen closely to the families. The Taoiseach has said he is conscious that these families have felt unheard for four decades, and his priority now is to hear directly from them.

The Taoiseach has also spoken to the two coalition party leaders and members of the opposition. The Taoiseach will seek to address the Dail on Tuesday on Stardust. His priority, however, remains engagement with the families first.

It comes after Mr Harris earlier on Friday said he hope to meet with the families and said he was "eager to be in a position to apologise to these families".

Speaking to media in Co Carlow, the Taoiseach said: "I have reached out to the families today, and I have offered to meet them tomorrow.

"I am very keen to meet with the families and very conscious that these families have felt unheard for decades and I want to make sure that they know that I'm listening, that I want to hear them and of course I want to be in a position as Taoiseach to apologise on behalf of this country but I think the most appropriate thing to do is to meet with them."

'The cover up has ended and the rising of the truth has begun' - families of victims react to Stardust verdict

Mr Harris said he spoke to Stardust survivor Antoinette Keegan on Thursday, the day when fresh inquests concluded with a verdict of unlawful killings.

"I have reached out today to offer to meet the families tomorrow, if that works for them, or if not at another time of their choosing," he said.

"I am eager to be in a position to apologise to these families but I think it's right and proper that I meet them first."

It came as the Government was urged to "do the right thing" and issue an official state apology over the Stardust fire tragedy.

Meanwhile senior officials said the question of compensation for the families has not arisen, when it was put to them that Taoiseach Enda Kennys emotional Dail apology to the victims of religious-run institutions in the wake of the Ryan Report had been followed by a redress scheme.

A political source said it was a separate process, if there is anything contemplated in that line, compared to the apology.

"The Taoiseach doesnt decide on any compensation. The situation up to now is that the families have said they are not concerned with money but they very much want a State apology, and that would seem to be indicated very much now by the Inquest verdict, which sets aside that of a prior State tribunal  albeit that the judgement there was previously struck down in 2009.

Meanwhile the Leinster House authorities and political party whips were frantically re-writing Government business for next week in order to carve a window of a couple of hours for Statements on the Stardust Inquest.

It is understood all parties are amenable to creating the time and space for the apology in order to draw a line under the worst miscarriage of justice in Ireland in recent decades.

Th Butterly family, owners of the Stardust, were paid 581,000 in compensation fro the supposed criminal damage to the premises occasioned by the June 1982 Keane Tribunal ruling of probable arson.

One source said: In light of that there are going to be political calls for the families to be properly recompensed for the loss of their loved ones, given that they were the victims of unlawful killing.

He added: The Government will simply not be able to resist such a call, as it would preserve the unfairness and be a very bad look. This is in a context where there are Local and European elections coming up. Simon Harris will want to do the right thing.

A source close to Simon Harris commented: He is taking control of this now, and isnt going to let these families be offended by the State again.

"He called them from Brussels as soon as the verdict was delivered.

"Contact is being made with all of them for what Im sure is going to be a highly-emotional meeting with them tomorrow. There will also be a non-partisan moment in the Dail.

Some 48 young people died in the blaze that ripped through the nightclub in north Dublin in 1981.

On Thursday, following fresh inquests, a jury returned a verdict that they were unlawfully killed.

It comes after a previous finding in 1982 that the fire had been started deliberately.

But on Thursday a majority decision from the jury of seven women and five men found the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Valentine's Day 1981, started due to an electrical fault in the hot press of the bar.

Families of the victims embraced one another after the verdict at the Pillar Room in Dublin city.

Susan Behan, whose brother John Colgan was among those killed, said the Government should issue an official state apology.

"I feel it's important for us because I think we were ignored. I really do feel we were ignored. I feel they were so disrespectful to us," she told RTE Radio's Morning Ireland Programme.

"We were left to our own devices, that shouldn't have been the case, so now it shouldn't be a big deal for them to turn around and say 'we're sorry, we got it wrong', and apologise to us.

"It's the very least they could do and it shouldn't take them a long time to know what to do.

"Do the right thing and give the public apology. We deserve it. Our loved ones deserve it."

She said the verdict on Thursday "meant so much to finally hear our loved ones were unlawfully killed".

Survivors, family members and supporters in the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin after the Stardust fire inquest verdict was returned (Brian Lawless/PA)

"So many emotions. It's been such a long time coming," she said.

"When we heard it, it was just unreal. All those emotions, 43 years, then we finally, finally hear those words. It was just unbelievable. It really was.

"It's very hard to put it into words to be honest because this morning I actually can't believe it. So relieved that finally we have the justice we deserved."

Meanwhile, the Rotunda Hospital said it was honoured to have hosted the inquest over the past year.

In a statement on Friday, the city centre hospital said it sincerely hopes that the verdicts delivered at the Dublin Coroners Court will finally bring some closure to all impacted by the tragic event on February 14th 1981.

The Rotunda has a long and proud association with the community and families impacted by the tragedy, a great many of those who lost their lives were born in the hospital, the hospital said.

Welcoming the findings the Master of the Rotunda, Prof Sean Daly said: Given our long association with the community involved, the Rotunda were honoured and delighted to act as host for the inquest proceedings and join with the families, friends and numerous others who have welcomed the final outcome.

I know I speak for all at the Rotunda and particularly those who came into contact with families and friends attending the inquest by welcoming the conclusion of the inquest and sincerely hope the findings finally bring some element of closure to the families impacted.
Sophie Robinsons cheerful designs place bright colours and individual creativity front and centre

Sign up, superfans! The Queen of Cobalt is coming to town. Few interior designers command such a following as Sophie Robinson, interior designer, presenter and podcaster. Now, shes on her way to Dublin to put us all to rights. Shes speaking at the Permanent tsb Ideal Home Show in the RDS Dublin (26 to 28 April) about her new collection with DFS, makers and purveyors of sofas. Youll find her on the DFS Interiors Theatre stage amid plump sensible sofas in eye-popping colours  electric pink, daffodil yellow, and her signature cobalt blue  and an insane number of cushions.

Sophie Robinson. Photo: Alun Callender

Like all brand collaborations, this ones been a while in the pipeline. When I speak to Sophie Robinson on the phone, shes buzzing with excitement. Im massively proud of it, she says. Ive never seen anything like this on the high street. Her collection is full-on vibrant in a way thats not typical of the brand. DFS only really do bright colour in collaboration with other designers. It gives people confidence and it completely fulfils my mission to help people embrace colour. It makes them so much happier when they do.

Sanderson Design Group fabric and wallpaper by Harlequin X Sophie Robinson

The collection includes three sofas (1,949 for a four-seater), three footstools (from 750), and an accent chair (1,359). Each sofa leans into a slightly different historical form, with a view to the homes they may end up in. The Wakehurst sofa is roll-armed and traditional; the Standen has a mid-century modern vibe; and the Fairlight is simply contemporary.

As well as choosing the fabrics and colours, Robinson was involved designing the actual furniture. All three shapes came from me. Ive been designing rooms for 25 years and I had quite a lot of opinions on what makes a good sofa. Comfort always comes first. As she explains, what you perceive as comfortable depends how you like to sit on your sofa. Some curl up in the corner. Others sit straight or stretch out. All the sofas come in plain velvet fabric. That was for commercial reasons, she says wistfully. I do love a patterned sofa.

Interior by Sophie Robinson

Robinson had her wicked way with the Pashley accent chair, which can be purchased in pattern (dots, stripes, or honeycomb). If you buy it in plain velvet you can customise the piping for no extra cost. The thin line of navy, pink, or yellow makes a big difference to the look of the chair. Likewise, the footstools come with piping options. One, the Fairlight storage footstool, has plain fabric outside and patterned within. This, she points out, is quite a lot of choice to find within a high street range.

Fairlight three-seater sofa by DSF x Sophie Robinson

Normally youd need to work with an interior designer to get something bespoke. I wanted to design the range so people can get creative and it doesnt look like youve bought it straight from the showroom. The options are not limitless. This brings down the price point and reduces the risk of buyer bewilderment. People want creativity and they want options, but they dont want to be bombarded with decisions, Robinson says. The key is that all the colours and patterns work with each other. You can mix and match any of them and theyll go together.

Sophie Robinson is a little bit cushion-crazy. There are 22 in this collection, she admits. I wanted to offer people a way to genuinely personalise their sofa. I just love the play of patterns and all the fabrics feel amazing. The cushions (55) come in two sizes  scatter and bolster  and are colour-coordinated in a way that allows the uninitiated to do truly nutty things, like combining florals with stripes with dots with chequers with frills. I think there are a lot of husbands who hear Sophie says this goes together, she says.

Sanderson Design Group fabric and wallpaper by Harlequin X Sophie Robinson

In September 2023, Sanderson Design Group launched the Harlequin x Sophie Robinson collection of fabrics (eight prints and seven weaves from around 55 per metre) and wallpapers (from 100 per roll). Irish stockists are listed on the Sanderson website. I like to layer a lot of pattern in a scheme. The more pattern I can get into a place the better. It makes my heart skip a beat! Robinson describes the collection as a maximalist decorators tool kit. Its picking up on the appetite for multi-layered interiors. Its bright, optimistic, positive and unashamedly confident.

Brand collaborations, as she understands them, work because the brand is putting a real person front and centre. People need a bit of handholding and the brand presents me as the person whos going to help you. Often, she explains, people know more about decorating and furnishing their homes than they think they do. They just want someone to push them over the line.

Pashley accent chair by DSF x Sophie Robinson

Some will go the full Robinson on their homes but most prefer a diluted version. A lot of my schemes are too full-fat for people. I never want to dictate my style or aesthetic to anyone. Thats not my approach. They do it their way. Id never ask anyone to copy me. Your home is your castle. It should be your personal space.

For those who want to take it a step further, Robinson has a series of online courses (50 to 400) covering various aspects of interior design. Its not easy to put a room scheme together and there is a method to it, she says. My interior design school is about teaching people about the design process so they dont make expensive mistakes.

With experience in television and broadcasting, she knows how to break down a complex process into a series of easy steps. The courses are all online and self-paced. You can do it in your own time. People do the courses all over the world and I have a massive Irish following. Some of these may be wondering whats happened to The Great Indoors, a hugely popular podcast hosted by Robinson and Kate Watson-Smyth. Its having a nap, she says. Look out for more episodes in September.

Standen three-seater sofa by DSF x Sophie Robinson

Apart from the colour palette, two things stand out about Sophie Robinson. One is her clarity of purpose. Shes capable of great sophistication in design (witness the Harlequin collection) but understands that most people need bite-sized options, small steps, and simple choices. Secondly, she knows her audience. Her style is not for everyone. She doesnt pretend it is. There are people who like grey and beige, she says. Those are not my people. My people get excited about paint charts and theyre in love with their homes. Then again, if you want a beige sofa, you probably arent looking at her collection.

See dfs.ie, sophierobinson.co.uk, sandersondesigngroup.com, idealhome.ie
China's exports no threat to industries in Global South: Asia Times

Xinhua) 13:10, April 19, 2024

BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- China's exports pose no threat to industries in the Global South, and "overcapacity" in China is entirely necessary for their development, reported the Asia Times, a Hong Kong-based English-language news website.

"Through methods fair and foul, the U.S. had long since dismantled Japan's export growth model and is now desperately targeting China," said the report titled "The Myth of Chinese Overcapacity."

"U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's recent trip through China kicked off a round of hand-wringing in the Anglo press over industrial overcapacity in China," it said.

"Without a single Chinese electric vehicle sold in the U.S., Senator Sherrod Brown has already called for their ban, declaring, 'Chinese electric vehicles are an existential threat to the American auto industry,'" said the report.

Western progressives, it said, are "mired in cognitive dissonance over long-trumpeted climate commitments when the solution presented to them is low-cost, made-in-China solar panels."

Meanwhile, China's exports to developing countries doubled in the past five years and now exceed exports to developed economies.

"Not only are China's exports not a threat to industries in the Global South, but 'overcapacity' in China is entirely necessary for their development," it said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Four Japanese woodblock prints by Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) are included in Sheppards sale (est. 6,000 to 9,000 each)

Theres a set of 12 porcelain plates in Sheppards Great Irish Interiors sale on 30 April and 1 May. Theyve a history that would put Indiana Jones to shame.

The blue and white plates (est. 2,000 and 3,000) were made in China around 1750 and decorated with peonies and pomegranate blossom for the export market. Eighteenth-century Europe was absolutely avid for porcelain. Like silver, furniture, paintings and carpets, it was an essential part of fine furnishing.

If everything had gone to plan, the plates would have made their way across the seas and ended up under slices of roast beef in some wealthy persons home. But everything did not go according to plan.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th April 2024

In January 1752, the plates set sail on the Geldermalsen, a Dutch East India Company vessel carrying tea, porcelain and gold.

The plates were packed into crates of tea. This protected the delicate porcelain when the ship hit a coral reef and sank in the South China Sea. The 32 surviving crew members were strongly suspected of salvaging the gold from the sinking ship and hiding it.

At that time in history, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) pretty much ruled the world. Established as a trading company for spices in 1602, it became a global corporation with its own army, its own currency, and the power of a colonial state.

According to the companys records, the Geldermalsens cargo included: 171 dinner services; 63,623 teacups and saucers; 19,535 coffee cups and saucers; 14,315 dinner plates; 1,452 soup plates; 299 cuspidors (spittoons); 606 vomit pots; 75 fish bowls; 447 single dishes; 1,000 nests of round dishes; and 25, 921 slop bowls. All of this remained on the sea floor for 233 years.

Four Japanese woodblock prints by Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) are included in Sheppards sale (est. 6,000 to 9,000 each)

Enter Captain Michael Hatcher, adventurer of the high seas. Hatcher (b.1940) is a marine salvage expert, highly skilled in extracting shipwrecked treasure. Unlike the real Indiana Jones, hes not an archaeologist. In 1984, he salvaged 23,000 pieces of porcelain from the shipwreck of an unidentified 1640s Chinese junk. The collection was sold in a landmark auction that established Christies, Amsterdam, as the go-to place for selling stuff from shipwrecks.

In 1985, Hatcher did it again. The cargo of the Geldermalsen was extracted under time pressure as his armed crew watched out for pirates. A Readers Digest Article (1986) described a diver opening the lid of a crumbled crate: There sat row upon row of tiny blue-on-white teacups, shiny-bright.

A film of the extraction shows divers reaching into the crates and drawing out pieces of porcelain. It also shows the destruction of the coral reef and the delicate remains of the Geldermalsen.

Since then, archaeologists have been loud in their complaints about Hatchers smash-and-grab methodology which destroyed the context of the wreck in its haste to extract the valuables for rapid resale.

Advertised as The Nanking Cargo, the haul went under the hammer at Christies, Amsterdam, in April 1986. It sparked a collectors feeding frenzy. The Telegraph reported fights erupted outside Christies Amsterdam yesterday as large crowds queued to view the celebrated Nanking cargo but film footage of the viewing looks more like a department store with historic porcelain stacked like Ikea plates.

Chinese art specialist Colin Sheaf oversaw the sale. In 2022, he described it for The Art Newspaper as the biggest and most successful auction of any kind of decorative art in 1980s.

Now, people would fret about the ethics of extraction. Then, the public were beguiled by sunken treasure and the romance of a shipwreck story. Bloomingdales purchased 3,000 pieces and advertised: its a rare opportunity to bring museum quality artifacts into your home. Look for the Nanking Cargo shop starting today on the second floor.

The plates at Sheppards were purchased at Christies by an Irish investment banker for 9,000 Dutch guilders (around 4,500). He kept the receipt. The plates are barnacle-free and dont look like they spent several centuries at the bottom of the sea.

The same collector made another, possibly wiser, investment. Four Japanese woodblock prints by Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) are included in Sheppards sale (est. 6,000 to 9,000 each). The signed prints are from Yoshidas Seto inland sea series, showing a sailing boat at different times of day.

Original prints from this series have reached very high prices at auction. In March 2021, Sailing Boat, Morning fetched USD 27,500 (25,700) at Christies, New York.

See sheppards.ie
In his first speech as leader of Fine Gael, Simon Harris talked of a firmer migration system and having pride again in our capital  the test of that will be whether he lets the huge asylum-seeker tent encampment on Lower Mount Street continue any longer.

As a proud resident of Dublin city centre I am appalled to see how the Governments failed migration policy is disfiguring our nations capital. This policy failure has created a large tent encampment of International Protection Applicants (IPAs) around the International Protection Office (IPO) on Lower Mount Street for the third time in 12 months, leading to a humanitarian crisis for the 170 men there and an intolerable situation for local residents and businesses.
Stephen Leddy, Managing Director of Hidden Hearing, and Kristina Malone, Customer Service Administrator, proudly display their award for Customer Experience of the Year at the Irish Loyalty and CX Awards.

Healthcare specialists Hidden Hearing are celebrating this week after taking one of the nations highest honours for unwavering dedication to customer experience.

The prestigious honour for Hidden Hearing came in the Customer Experience Award, which the firm won at the Irish Loyalty and CX (Customer Experience) Awards held at the RDS in Dublin last week.

The healthcare company was established in Cork in 1987, and steadily carved out a vital niche in the Irish market; with its model flowering rapidly across the entire island in more recent times.

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Today, it employs no fewer than 180 people across 98 clinics north and south with a marketing department in Cork, a regional office in Belfast and a Dublin head-office campus complete with dedicated training and development facilities.

Hidden Hearing was also delighted to open its brand new centre of excellence in Castlebar, Co Mayo, early last month in another strong indication of its growing success.

And dedication to customer experience is one of the companys key drivers of growth.

Irelands hearing healthcare specialists were commended for the businesss significant commitment to not just meeting, but exceeding, patient expectation, through innovative practices and exceptional service.

Hidden Hearing clinics provide free hearing tests for over 55s, and free sample hearing aids, at 98 locations across Ireland. The clinics network sees 100,000 patients annually, providing free hearing tests to around 60,000 people concerned about hearing loss.

Staff are trained to support people with dementia, and other cognitive difficulties, in conjunction with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI), in order to offer them the best care protocols for hearing healthcare.

Hidden Hearing is also recognised in the annual Great Place to Work scheme, engaging staff collaboratively in its mission to meet patient needs to an exceptional standard.

In early March this year, the healthcare business opened its new Hidden Hearing centre of excellence in Castlebar. The larger-format clinic, at 150m2, has more accessible facilities, cutting-edge technology, and highly trained staff devoted to customer-centric care.

The ageing population, and growing evidence of the significant knock-on effects of hearing loss, for other disease, is seeing demand for audiology services grow.

Winning this award is testament to the dedication of our team at Hidden Hearing Ireland, and their amazing determination to deliver an unparalleled patient experience, said Stephen Leddy, Managing Director at Hidden Hearing Ireland.

Our focus has always been on understanding and addressing the unique needs of each patient, ensuring they get not just the best hearing solutions, but also support and care tailored to their individual circumstances.

The Irish Loyalty and CX Awards, now in its seventh year, recognises businesses that set the benchmark for customer experience and loyalty in different sectors.

Hidden Hearing Irelands award involved a rigorous evaluation process, showcasing its comprehensive approach to customer engagement and loyalty, from the initial consultation through to free aftercare.

Our mission is to make a positive impact on peoples lives, and this recognition encourages us to continue our work with even greater enthusiasm and dedication, added Stephen Leddy.

The company funds education campaigns, highlighting the potentially serious knock-on effects of untreated hearing loss.

Around 8% of the Irish population suffer some degree of hearing loss, with men likely to lose their hearing earlier than women. 35% of people aged over 64 have a significant hearing loss and, in the over 75s, 50% will have age-related hearing loss.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th April 2024
As the competition draws closer, confidence is growing that Bambie Thug will sail through the semi-finals and seal Irelands first appearance in the Eurovision Song Contest final since 2018.

Bambi Thug currently has an odds of 4/7 with BoyleSports to qualify from the opening semi-final on May 7, with Croatia and Ukraine looking near certainties for the final at odds of 1/250.

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The performer however remains one of the outsiders at 33/1 to win this years contest in Malmo.

Despite reaching over two million streams on Spotify, the Cork stars Doomsday Blue has failed to hit the right notes on Irish radio and the songster has now recorded a new version of the Ouija Pop track featuring a more traditional piano and vocal take of the hit.

It has been stressed however that the re-release will not be the song of choice in Sweden this summer.

Despite punters going cold on Irelands chances of winning the competition for the first time since 1996, Bambie Thug wowed the crowd at a pre-Eurovision bash in London as 24 of the 37 contestants for this years contest took to the stage.

But it was once again Croatias Baby Lasagna that stole the show and he is now just 3/1 to be crowned this years winner on May 11th.

Bambie Thug: Addressing boycott calls & Final Eurovision prep | The Late Late Show

After a show stopping performance at Londons Eurovision Party, weve seen a surge of support for Bambie Thug to reach the final, but punters remain convinced that Switzerlands Nemo will make a splash and lift the trophy, said Brian OKeeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports.

Eurovision fans were not finding Nemo on the stage at the London bash, but the Swiss representative still tops the shortlist of punters as he now the 15/8 favourite for success in Sweden, while the UKs Olly Alexander is rated a 40/1 chance to end a 27-year drought for the country.
A local TD has welcomed the news that the centre is going to the construction phase

Cork North-West TD Michael Moynihan has welcomed the news that Kanturk Primary Care Centre is set to go to construction.

Cork Kerry Community Healthcare (CKCH) informed the Fianna Fail TD on Wednesday that the healthcare centre, which received planning permission in 2018 and will be situated at Bluepool Upper, was going to the construction phase.

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Were delighted its going for construction because its an important piece of infrastructure for the Duhallow region going forward, Deputy Moynihan told The Corkman.

As our population grows, as the demand on our health service grows, we need all the primary care, we need care in the community, we need everything and this is an important piece of infrastructure in the region.

CKCH told Deputy Moynihan that the Estates wing of the HSE will oversee the delivery of eight Primary Care Centres in County Cork over the next 24 to 30 months, with the facility destined for Kanturk at the most advanced stage.

The primary care centre for Youghal is at planning phase while centres for Glanmire, Midleton, Bishopstown, Douglas and Mayfield are all at the pre-planning stage.

A Millstreet facility is at the feasibility phase.

CKCH said that the provision of this number of Community Care Centres gives the service an unprecedented opportunity in integrated service delivery design, strategic location and accessibility of services for both staff and clients alike.

A number of the centres will house regional clinics (providing services like specialist dental and mental health care).

Most of these centres are to be delivered by operational lease (that is developer led), according to CKCH.

The HSEs Estates wing is also in the process of appointing a design team for the North City ECC hub at St Marys Health Campus, Gurranbraher, as part of the HSE Capital Works program.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th April 2024
An investment must be made in the village before it experiences serious issues, according to a local elections candidate

Cloughduv village urgently requires new infrastructure because it is set to experience an explosion of growth in the next five years, according to a Macroom Local Elections candidate.

Sinn Fein candidate John OSullivan has called on Cork County Council to act quickly before Cloughduv, located south east of Macroom, experiences serious infrastructure issues amid its massive expansion.

Locals from the area are dismayed with the lack of a zebra crossing or any safety measures to combat the increasing traffic flow through the village. There are children crossing the road at the church to go to the shop regularly and with no traffic calming in place, it will only be time before a serious accident happens, Mr OSullivan said.

It also beggars belief that a village like Cloughduv which will experience an explosion of growth in the next five years, has no playground for the children. The people of Cloughduv have to travel to Ballincollig and Macroom for their kids to use a playground. This isnt good enough, the people of Cloughduv deserve better.

Mr OSullivan also said that he fears what will happen to the local school when it sees a huge increase in its pupils in the very near future.

There needs to be a plan put in place now to deal with the increase of pupils in the coming years, Mr OSullivan said.

The electoral candidate called on the County Council to wake up and tackle the infrastructural issues which exist in Cloughduv.

It goes without saying, like the rest of Cork, the general condition of the road infrastructure is nothing short of disastrous, Mr OSullivan said.

If I get elected I will be pushing these issues in local council and higher within my party at Government level. Cloughduv cannot and will not be left behind.
After five years at the flagship salon located at Friars Walk in Cork city, the owner of KiwiCutz has decided that it is time to move on to a new location.

On Tuesday, April 9 the doors opened to the new home of KiwiCutz barbershop at Unit 8, Metro Business Park in Ballycurreen, just off the Kinsale Road Roundabout.

Ciaran OSullivan, better known as Kiwi, is the award-winning mens stylist and the proud owner of KiwiCutz.

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He launched his career at just 16 years old, while training under Cork hairdresser Wayne Lloyd.

Driven by his passion for hairdressing and a keen artistic eye, he established his premier salon in Cork city back in December 2018.

Kiwi's pursuit of excellence has led to numerous accolades, including victories in prestigious competitions and opportunities to style celebrities' hair.

Ciaran spoke to the Irish Independent about the new salon and whats next for KiwiCutz.

The move of KiwiCutz is genuinely exhilarating. It marks a leap towards expansion, fresh starts, and the opportunity to offer a private hair care experience, a novel concept in our industry.

While I hold a fondness for my original location as the birthplace of KiwiCutz, the anticipation of pioneering this unique approach and exploring new horizons overshadows any nostalgia. This shift isn't just about a new space; it's about setting a new standard in personalized care, he said.

He explained that clients stepping into the new KiwiCutz will be treated to a pioneering experience thats rare in the industry. It will offer a private, highly personalized hair care session.

My aim is to cultivate an environment that radiates warmth and exclusivity, where every client feels uniquely valued. Beyond customized services and consultations, the revamped setting will boast modern amenities and design touches that elevate the entire salon visit, making every appointment something to look forward to, he said.

When discussing the new location Ciaran explained the advantages that come with this move.

Im optimistic about the relocation positively impacting KiwiCutz. I've nurtured a loyal client base that values the exceptional service and the introduction of my private hair experience concept will resonate well with them.

It's a unique proposition that I believe will not only solidify the loyalty of our existing clientele but also attract new customers who are seeking this exclusive level of service. Moreover, this business model frees up more of my time, allowing me to devote attention to expanding and refining my product line, thereby enhancing my overall brand offering, he explained.

He also shared the advantages from a business owner's perspective for moving KiwiCutz to this location.

This move is strategic, affording me the chance to redefine the salon experience with a focus on privacy and individualized attention thats virtually unheard of in the industry. This innovative approach is expected to foster unparalleled customer loyalty and satisfaction. Operating in a one-to-one setting not only allows me to deliver unparalleled service quality but also grants me the time to focus on developing KiwiCutzs product line.

This dual focus on service and product excellence is set to differentiate our brand significantly, attracting a clientele that seeks an exclusive salon experience and values superior quality products. Ultimately, this move is about more than just changing locations, its about advancing the KiwiCutz brand, deepening client relationships, and stimulating business growth through innovation and exclusivity, he concluded.

In June 2023, Ciaran also launched his first hair product KiwiSalt a pure and natural Irish Sea Salt spray made with Achill island Sea Salt which provides volume and texture to hair with a fresh and fitting Kiwi fragrance and can be bought through the KiwiCutz website.

The product process was two and a half years in the making from concept, formulation, testing, packaging and launching.

KiwiCutz is open from Tuesday to Saturday, all bookings and further information can be found at www.kiwicutz.com or follow kiwicutz on Instagram for latest updates.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th April 2024
Innovation, sustainability and social impact were all at the heart of start-up ideas presented at the IGNITE Awards & Showcase in the Hub, University College Cork this week.

The start-ups are working on innovative new products and services in the areas of water conservation, waste and the circular economy, mental health and wellbeing and recruitment and productivity.

IGNITE is based at UCC and is open to anyone who has graduated from a third level institution in recent years and has the passion and ambition to work on an idea that has the potential for economic, environmental or social impact.

The programme is funded by University College Cork, Bank of Ireland, the three Local Enterprise Offices of Cork City, South Cork and North & West Cork, Cork City Council and Cork County Council.

The IGNITE Awards and Showcase event provides a unique opportunity for startups to garner recognition and network with industry professionals, investors, and fellow entrepreneurs.

"Our finalists this evening have created exciting new businesses that will improve the lives of so many people and we wish them all the very best of luck as they continue on their entrepreneurial journey, said IGNITE Director Eamon Curtin.

The winners on the night were Danny McEnery of PrimaHealth who took home the Bank of Ireland IGNITE Best Business Award and Ailis Crowley of FASH Forward, winner of Local Enterprise Office IGNITE Best Business Plan Award. Ailis was also the winner of the IGNITE Best Pitch Award.

The overall finalists were:

Ailis Crowley of FASH Forward: FASH Forward is on a mission to save one million items from landfill by 2030. The company is networking with sustainability experts to host workshops for organisations to develop the necessary skills to repair, recycle and upcycle fashion items including clothes, footwear and jewellery.

Elaine Moynihan and Katie McShane of WiseWater: WiseWater is an educational project designed for primary and post-primary students. Through engaging interactive activities and multisensory experiments, students discover the vital connection between preserving our water environment and nurturing our personal well-being.

Jerome Pan of TalentCen: TalentCen is a central hub that connects job seekers and companies in a dynamic, engaging, and innovative way. Moving away from the traditional resume system, TalentCen offers gamified assessments that make the process more interactive and provide a more accurate representation of a persons skills and potential.

Danny McEnery of PrimaHealth: PrimaHealth is a trusted adolescent mental health care provider for teenagers aged 12-19 years. PrimaHealths dedicated team of mental health professionals offer reliable online assessment and care nationwide, collaborating closely with parents when guiding adolescents through their challenges.
Residents say Ormond Place is being used as a public toilet and for open drug-dealing

Locals say the laneway at Ormond Place is plagued by constant drug-dealing. Pic: Stock image

Closing off a Dublin laneway will create a safer, more welcoming environment for all residents, it has been claimed.

Locals claim Ormond Place, near the Four Courts, is being used as a public toilet, for drug-dealing and is unsafe, leaving those living in the area feeling anxious.

The community has come together to express their concerns and to put forward a solution to enhance the safety of their area, according to Cllr Ray McAdam.

He said a petition has been signed by 57 local residents, some whose homes back onto the laneway, requesting the closure of Ormond Place and to extinguish the public right of way.

I support their call because, in the words of the residents who shared the petition with me, it is crucial for the betterment of our community and are confident that it will contribute in a meaningful way to creating a safer, more welcoming environment for all residents.

The petition is requested because of the constant, ongoing and significant drug-dealing and continued drug use in the laneway.

Its repeatedly used as a public toilet. It is unsafe and householders are very anxious about the security of their own homes and whether they can be accessed via the laneway.

Ormond Place is a laneway close to the Four Courts in Dublin. Pic: Getty Images

Having worked with residents in the area over the last 15 years to clean up the laneway, making sure there has been a greater garda presence there and examining what alternative uses could be made of it.

I believe it is now incumbent on Dublin city councillors to support the residents of Ormond Square, Arran Street East, Charles Street West, Chancery House, and Chancery Street in their demand to close the laneway.

Im calling on other local councillors to back my efforts to support our constituents, he told the Irish Independent.

Last month, Cllr Janice Boylan said: The level of anti-social activity going on in the area is at an all time high, with active drug-dealing and drug using.

The lane is being used as a public toilet and until we have a better garda presence that can completely stop these activities from happening, we need to work with this community.

They are heartbroken by the ongoing anti-social activity and need Dublin City Council to engage with them to provide them with gates and fobs for each end of the laneway.

This is the only practical solution that the community knows will help, they have came together and have a petition stating for that request to be carried out.

Dublin City Council has been contacted for comment.
Reports of drug-dealing, drinking, pick-pockets and abusive and threatening behaviour by gangs of youths, were among over 350 complaints made by Dart users so far this year.

An FOI request has revealed that from January 1 to March 31, Irish Rail received 357 complaints about the Dart service.

While the majority of the complaints related to service issues and train delays, some highlighted serious safety issues and anti-social behaviour.

One complaint from a female passenger on a journey from Tara Street to Howth related to the attempted theft of her phone.

As I passed through the ticket gate, I felt a man very close behind me press against me, the complaint said.

I turned towards him and quickly realised that he had put his hand in my front jacket pocket and now had my phone in his possession. I confronted him on this and he handed the phone back to me.

He left Tara Street station but did not rush, and continued to look back while walking away. I explained to security working there who also saw this man, she said.

Another complaint from a group of tourists said they experienced horrendous behaviour on a service from Dun Laoghaire to Connolly, with six young teenagers creating chaos on the journey.

Horrendous behaviour on Dun Laoghaire to Dublin Connolly Dart train yesterday afternoonaround 5.30pm, the complaint said.

Approximately six young teenagers, drinking cans of beer, kicking the train glass doors and screaming abuse at fellow passengers.

One French tourist who turned to look round at a screaming girl was then subjected to shocking verbal abuse and threats.

We return to Glasgow tomorrow where we live and have honestly never experienced such frightening and intimidating behaviour in our lives.

Two security guards did eventually board our carriage however walked past the offending gang, said nothing, then got straight off again, leaving us terrified.

Could not travel ever again by Dart. Could not recommend this form of train, they added.

Another complaint on a Howth train said that the train wasnt running due to a medical incident and criticised the lack of response.

It was very clear that the lad was not getting any first aid despite the blood on the floor, the complaint said.

Very concerning, so I administered first aid and contacted his dad via phone who came to get him.

My concern was the lack of first aid, no indication anyone knew what to do at all. Im an out of date first aider but you cannot ignore that situation.

I am shocked by the lack of action by several staff members. The lad was not drunk or abusive, and we ascertained his bleed was as a result of an acne drug he is on. Be better.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th April 2024

Other complaints detailed bicycles and scooters being a trip hazard for passengers departing the train.

One person acknowledged that there was a tragic incident that took place at Clongriffin, delaying services, but said no other service being provided to customers travelling to north county Dublin was outrageous.

Other complaints dealt with refund and compensation requests, service issues, maintenance issues, customer service issues, accessibility issues, equipment malfunctions, and two staff commendations.

A spokesperson for Irish Rail said the period of time in question has seen 4.6 million journeys made by Dart.

There is, in relative terms, a very small number of complaints received, they said.

They added that the most recent independent National Transport Authority customer satisfaction survey found that 90pc of rail customers were either very or fairly satisfied with their service.

We have more than trebled our security resources in recent years to increase patrols and assistance, and have in place a full-time security monitoring centre to manage and respond to issues of anti-social behaviour in the Greater Dublin Area, they added.

We have central liaison with all emergency services, for both proactive management of major events, and response to incidents.

We are welcoming back a record number of customers post-Covid, and have increased customer service resources and major event management resources.

While satisfaction levels are high, we do of course regret any instance where customers are dissatisfied with the service they receive, and work to continuously improve the service we provide.

Investment is continuing in station and on-board information, new station facilities including lifts and station furniture, and of course a major new fleet order with 185 new Dart+ carriages on order.

We are confident we will continue to deliver tangible improvements in our services to customers, to maintain and increase the high levels of customer satisfaction reported.
Dublin comedian Sharon Mannion will be one of your guides on The Craic Bus tour

If youre looking for something a little different on a Saturday night, a new comedy tour could literally be right up your street.

The Craic Bus will see comedians bring their audiences on a bus around the city for an informative, lively, hilarious, and craic-filled evening youll never forget.

The comedians will mix facts and fiction, providing plenty of information about the citys rich history and hidden gems, along with the craic.

The people behind the project, Sharon Mannion and Danny Kehoe, both perform weekly with the Dublin Comedy Improv and have been regulars on the Irish Comedy scene for over 20 years.

Were known all around the world for storytelling, so therell be tales, urban myths, and that craic, Sharon said.

People will get funny name tags on board; theyll get some slagging and therell be some songs. Therell be set comedy, improvising and information, but hyped up.

Its like the Dublin Ghost Bus Tour. Its a tour, but youre very much going for the craic. Tourists can go on it, but locals can go on it too.

Its not a straight up stand-up comedy show, its interactive. Therell be some written bits and therell be fun with the crowd, some games and what youd expect from a loose comedy show.

Theres a tour of the city as well, but its more fun based rather than on your left, theres the Molly Malone statue.

Weve teamed up with Vintage Tea Tours to use their bus. Its a Craic Bus, therell be two comedians. It should be good craic.

Theres a crowd in Boston called Improv Asylum, they have an improv theatre and they started doing this tour in Boston. Theyre affiliates of ours and they were chatting to us about setting one up here.

Were starting this one on May 11. Then well be rolling it out into the summer, were hoping to do one a week.

Were hoping to expand it to things like a Drag Bus or Bingo on the Bus. We just want to launch our presence first, Sharon added.

The tour begins and ends at St Stephens Green and sights include Trinity, Hapenny Bridge, Phoenix Park, and Christchurch with tickets costing 35.

Dublin is a vibrant city with a rich history, culture, and music scene. Its over a thousand years old; thats a millennium to you and me and has been welcoming visitors and invaders for most of that time, the tour promoters said.

Our comedy guides will show you some of the citys best-hidden gems and quirky spots, spin you some yarns, teach you some of the lingo and most importantly, have the craic.

Get ready to laugh your way through the streets of Dublin with this unique comedy tour.
A Ballybunion man has avoided jail after several prison sentences handed down at Listowel District Court were suspended to give him a chance to get his life back together.

Michael Horgan (36) of Lahardane, Ballybunion came before Listowel District Court this week on a string of offences including assault, driving with excess alcohol, refusing to give a sample, criminal damage and public order. He pleaded guilty to all offences before the court. The court was told that he was a hard-working man who, due to mental health issues, medication and alcohol, had gone off the rails.
Hopes are high in West Kerry that a major announcement to be made by Government Ministers on Monday will relate to the State acquisition of land at the world-famous Conor Pass.

Two separately owned tracts of land close to Dingle came on the market last year, with the State urged to buy the lands to develop the region as a tourist amenity and national park.

While there has been no official confirmation that the state has purchased the lands, it is understood that both tracts were being examined by the state and discussions had taken place about the purchase of same.

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It is now understood that both land tracts have been sold and in West Kerry it is widely hoped that the entire region will be developed as a National Park.

Owenmore Fishery is compromised of 480 acres, and includes nine lakes and a fishery known for its salmon and trout and The Kerryman understands that the state has purchased this land.

The second tract of land includes the Conor Pass and some of the highest lakes in Kerry including Pedlar's Lake, Lough Doon, Lough Atlea and Lough Beirne. Pedlar's Lake is one of the most popular tourist and hiking sites in Kerry.

This entire landbank comprises 561.3 hectares (1,387 acres) and is a mixture of woodland, grazing and the lakes and negotiations are being finalised on the sale of this, The Kerryman understands.

Fianna Fail councillor for the Corca Dhuibhne Municipal District, Breandan Fitzgerald, had advocated for the State to purchase both landbanks and create a new national park for Kerry.

He said that this would be of huge benefit to West Kerry but also to the entire county.

He says he is hopeful good news is on the horizon for the county and for West Kerry next week. He said there will be benefits to the entire region including the smaller villages of Cloghane, Annascaul and Castlegregory.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh OBrien TD, and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD will travel to Dingle on Monday.
Kerry Green Party candidate Anluan Dunne has criticised an attack by masked men on the residence of party colleague and Minister Roderic OGorman on Thursday evening.

Mr Dunne, who is contesting the Tralee Election Area in June, said the increase in targeted aggression towards elected representatives is extremely concerning.

To see masked men attack my Green Party colleague Roderic OGormans house in this way is shocking and I condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms, he said.

He added that the rise in harassment and intimidation of politicians and representatives must be addressed and stopped.

As someone who is running for election in Kerry, I find this deteriorating situation troubling both for myself and my family. No one doing their job should be treated in this manner, Mr Dunne said.

I am also deeply concerned at reports of a lack of action from Gardai in tackling what is clearly anti-social behaviour and a potential breach of the peace. We need thuggery of this sort addressed swiftly and comprehensively, he added.

Mr Dunne explained how in recent times an extreme, polarised, and populist position has become more prevalent in political and public life. He feels that leadership from every elected representative is required to call out the sort of behaviour that emboldens those willing to enact such aggression.

We pride ourselves as being the land of a thousand welcomes. It is time we all focussed on bringing the incredible empathy, hospitality, and friendliness, which the people of Ireland are known for, back to the core of our politics and public discourse, he said.
New York prosecutors describe a frenzied attack

The former boyfriend of murdered Longford woman Sarah McNally cruelly and brazenly took the life of the much loved bartender by stabbing her up to 19 times before cutting his own throat, prosecutors have alleged.

Marcin Pieciak (36), of 76th Street in Glendale, was arraigned today at a sitting of Queens Supreme Court in New York charged with second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

The accused had formally been indicted by a Grand Jury earlier this month in his absence as a result of self-inflicted stab wounds following the incident at the Ceili House Bar in Maspeth, Queens on March 30.

District Attorney Melinda Katz said the violent nature of the incident was one which had still to fully sink in for communities on both sides of the Atlantic.

The defendant is accused of cruelly and brazenly taking the life of someone he purported to care for and doing so in front of her colleagues and bar patrons.

We are grateful to the grand jury for returning these serious charges and we will work to seek justice for Sarah McNally.

According to the charges, Pieciak entered the bar where Ms McNally had been working at approximately 6:30pm.

Prosecutors say CCTV footage taken from the scene shows Pieciak walk behind the bar and towards Ms McNally before suddenly stabbing the Longford woman 19 times in the neck, back and chest.

The late Sarah McNally.

Moments later, Pieciak allegedly can be seen cutting his own throat several times before a customer bravely attempts to detain the accused from fleeing the scene.

The charges go on to allege that when police detectives arrived soon afterwards, they managed to disarm Pieciak just as the accused emerges from behind the bar brandishing two knives.

Both Pieciak and Ms McNally were rushed to the nearby Elmhurst Hospital where the deeply admired Longford native passed away from her injuries.

News of Pieciaks latest court appearance comes just over a week since countless tributes were paid to the car loving enthusiast at her funeral mass at St Mels Cathedral in Longford town.

She had a heart of gold, said her best friend Aine Wade. She loved everyone and she made a lasting impression on people and one that we will all remember forever.

Her uncle, local publican Eddie Valentine, whom the late Ms McNally fondly referred to as her Uncle Ed insisted the legacy of one of Longfords brightest and most beautiful of daughters would live on.

Sarah, you were a beautiful, unique, very special, kind and very loving girl with the most beautiful smile, he said.

You lit up the room everywhere you went. We all loved you so much and we still will, all of us, and were going to miss you, so, so much.

Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant, meanwhile, remanded Pieciak into continuing custody, ordering him to return to court on June 18.
Brendan and his partner Katie would love to have more children but dont have the space

Brendan Thornton in the sitting room of his home at Farndreg which he shares with his partner and their young son

A Dundalk man who is paralysed because of a traffic accident over twenty years ago is sharing his story as part of the Irish Wheelchair Associations Home Truths campaign which aims at highlighting the barriers wheelchair users experience in finding a suitable place to live.

Brendan Thornton lives in a small house in Farndreg with his partner and their young son and while he accepts that he is lucky to have a roof over his head, the home is no longer suitable as it wasnt designed as a family home.

I was given this Cluid Housing Association house in Farndreg about two years after my accident which I was delighted with back then, Brendan said. I dont think the council had a suitable house available in their housing stock for a wheelchair user at the time. Its mainly OAPs and single persons living in the houses here.

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I was 25 and single at the time and I would assume a lot of them would have thought you are a wheelchair user, you are not going to have a family, well stick you in the wee space there and youll be grand.

Brendan, however, now shares his home with his partner Katie and their toddler son. The couple would love to have more children but just dont have the space. They have transferred back onto Louth Co Councils housing list but dont know when a wheelchair accessible home suitable for their needs will become available.

While the family love where they live, its just not big enough. Brendan finds it difficult to manoeuvre his wheelchair around the small sitting room/ kitchen, which also has to accommodate their sons baby equipment and toys. The uphill ramps into the house also pose physical difficulties for Brendan as he gets older.

According to Louth County Council there are currently 218 housing applicants in the physical disability category on the housing waiting list in the county, and their housing need, size of required housing, and areas of choice, vary.

The council also confirmed that at present, there are no vacant units in Co Louth that are wheelchair accessible.

For people who dont have a physical disability there are more options out there, Brendan said. Even if we wanted to go on HAP we would struggle to find somewhere that is wheelchair liveable or accessible.

My life changed overnight when I had my car accident. I now have a partner and a son; my needs have changed.

There are definitely more challenges to face when you are in a wheelchair.

Brendan Thornton finds it difficult to manoeuvre his wheelchair in his small home

Another person who took part in the Irish Wheelchair Associations campaign, that challenge sadly means the indignity of having to crawl up the stairs to get to bed, because they are living in an inaccessible two-storey house.

Navigating a house in a wheelchair that is not accessible is really challenging, simple tasks like boiling the kettle, preparing a meal, or going from room to room are filled with barriers. Add to that the challenge of parenting, each day can be very frustrating.

The housing crisis in Ireland has been well documented but IWA says that for people with disabilities, it is a crisis within a crisis, particularly for wheelchair users.

A report published in January by the Joint Committee on Disability Matters on Irelands performance under UNCRPD stated that Ireland has regressed in the provision of independent living and inclusion in the community. The protocol was ratified in 2018 but the Government has failed to adopt mandatory accessibility standards or a national strategy to ensure the availability and affordability of housing options, including accessible and adaptable units, for persons with disabilities, across all areas of the community.

The National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2002-2027, also sets out that people with disabilities have the right to live independently with support but has also failed to be implemented or funded adequately.

Access to wheelchair liveable housing with independent living supports and wrap-around services is a right that must be afforded to people with disabilities who require it. Having a secure home of your own is a basic human right, says IWA National Housing Programme Manager, Jean Coleman.
The case was heard in Dundalk Court.

A 25-year-old woman refused entry to a Carlingford pub on Easter Sunday told gardai at the scene that the Constitution allowed her to call them derogatory names.

Molly Hogan, an account manager, of Laganvale Street, Belfast, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public and to using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or words at Tholsel Street in the village on March 31 last.

Evidence was presented that two females were outside PJ OHares after being refused entry. The defendant was intoxicated and shouting at door staff. This was reported to gardai at 8.45pm.

She continued with this behaviour when guards arrived, calling one of the officers a c**t and telling them to f**k off.

The Constitution lets me call you a c**t, so f**k off, Ms Hogan added.

Sgt Jimmy McGovern said that she tried to push her way into the pub, and that her behaviour continued on the way to the garda station.

Ms Hogan was offered an adult caution and refused it.

There were no previous convictions.

Barrister Cliodhna Breen said her client had far too much to drink.

She had written a letter of apology. It was handed into court.

Judge McKiernan remarked what happened was incredibly bad manners and shocking behaviour. It was incredible carry on.

Ms Hogan was foolish not to take an adult caution.

The charges were struck out after 300 was donated by the defendant to Turas Counselling Service.
The ATU Sligo Friends of Palestine came together on the 17th April with staff and students across the Island of Ireland for a unified day of action. Throughout this event members of the ATU community stood in solidarity with the devastated higher education system in Gaza.

For the past six months, Gaza's educational institutions have been systematically targeted and annihilated by Israel, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and the destruction of all 12 universities in the Gaza Strip.

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To mark this moment of unity ATU Friends of Palestine welcomed the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid to address staff and students.

The Ambassador spoke with strength and eloquence of the atrocities perpetrated against the Palestinian people and offered insight into how Irish education institutes could offer support. This included the facilitation of online learning, an area that ATU has shown significant leadership on in recent years.

Following the Ambassadors presentation, Dr. Salem Gharbia, Head of Environmental Science at ATU Sligo discussed his personal experiences, as a native of Gaza, with the students of St. Angelas. This session facilitated by St. Angelas economics lecturer Dr. Brian OBoyle, was an opportunity for students to engage with the reality of life in Gaza.

In the afternoon a crowd gathered at the main reception for a vigil in remembrance of the estimated 356 academics and 5,479 students killed.

During this poignant and reflective ceremony origami cranes bearing the names of academics who have been killed were distributed. In a sobering moment, Dr. Salem Gharbia selected several of the birds at random and reading those named, reflected I know them.

The names of the academics were then read aloud, and a minute silence was observed. Together the group read the famed poem by Dr. Refaat Alreer, If I Must Die, before the vigil concluded.

The final event of the day was a screening of the Palestinian film Foragers. Themes explored throughout the film including the importance of indigenous relationships to the land, as well as the climate impact of the genocide were explored through a thought-provoking follow-up discussion.

This day of action marks the beginning of a united response from groups across all third level institutions who stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people and denounce the genocidal atrocities being perpetrated against them by Israel.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th April 2024
IKEA celebrates the opening of its sixth Plan and Order Point in Ireland at The Canopy Shopping Centre in Sligo. This innovative service provides customers with a free, personalised, one-on-one consultation with IKEAs experienced design team, who will help guide them in planning their dream kitchen, bedroom, living room or wardrobe. Customers can book their appointments online at www.ikea.com/ie. Pic: James Connolly

IKEA has opened its first shop in the North West this week as the Plan and Order Point has opened in Sligo town.

It is the retailers sixth Plan and Order Point in Ireland, with another three planned to open within the next year.

This marks a significant milestone as IKEA establishes its first-ever presence in the northwest of the country.

The new Plan and Order Point is opened its doors at 9am on Friday. It is located in The Canopy, Sligo's newest shopping destination, which last year underwent a 1 million rebrand and makeover.

IKEAs Plan and Order Points are specialised outlets, designed to provide customers with bespoke kitchen and wardrobe planning services. At these locations, customers can access in-depth home furnishing advice and expertise, assisting them in designing, purchasing, and installing their ideal kitchens, bedrooms, and other IKEA home furnishings.

The Sligo store will showcase six different kitchens, two PAX wardrobe solution, have a home furnishing planning area, and an appliance studio. Customers will be able to drop-in or book an appointment to start their design with one of the four IKEA design specialists working in the store.

IKEA co-workers celebrate the opening of its sixth Plan and Order Point in Ireland at The Canopy Shopping Centre in Sligo. This innovative service provides customers with a free, personalised, one-on-one consultation with IKEAs experienced design team, who will help guide them in planning their dream kitchen, bedroom, living room or wardrobe. Customers can book their appointments online at www.ikea.com/ie. Pic: James Connolly

Products can then be ordered from across the full IKEA range for delivery direct to the customers home or a location of their choice. Appointments can be made online via the IKEA website.

Martyn Allan, Market Manager, IKEA Ireland, said: We are thrilled to introduce a slice of Swedish design and affordable home solutions to new areas of Ireland, where we haven't previously been physically present. Our Plan and Order Points are the perfect spot to craft your dream kitchen without breaking the bank, offering a 25-year guarantee on all kitchens.

"Beyond kitchen planning, these locations serve as an ideal hub for assisting individuals who live a distance from our Ballymun store, whether they're looking to order a new sofa, wardrobe, or any other IKEA product.

The introduction of a Plan and Order Point in Sligo follows the successful launch of IKEA's first such outlet in Naas in 2021, and subsequent openings in Cork, Drogheda, Carlow, and the St. Stephen's Green Shopping Centre in Dublin.

The Canopy (formerly Johnston Court Shopping Centre, Sligo) said: "We're delighted to welcome IKEA Plan and Order Point to The Canopy as their hub for the North West. As part of the centre's imagination, we hope this addition to Sligo brings exciting new possibilities for those designing and furnishing their homes."
Sligo Airport will host a fly-in to raise funds for the families of the two rally competitors who were killed in Sligo last year.

The Sligo Charity Fly-In, in association with Deja Vu North-West 24 takes place at Sligo Airport, Strandhill on Sunday 28th April, 9.30am-4pm.

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Up to 50 aircraft, from all across Ireland, will land at Sligo Airport during the Planes, Cars and Coffee charity event which will raise funds for the families of Gene McDonald and Daire Maguire who tragically died during the Sligo Stages Rally last July. Spectators are very welcome to this family friendly, free event.

Funds raised for the Rallying Friends appeal through aircraft registration for the event will be donated to Gene and Daires families. A 76-page souvenir brochure on sale (15) at the event will also add to the funds raised. Sponsors have donated through advertising in the brochure.

In addition to the spectacular aircraft on show more than 80 retro rally cars will be on display as part of the Deja Vu North-West 3-day rally event. Visitors can also enjoy delicious home-produced goods at the Peoples Food Market that will feature 60 local stalls in the airport grounds. The ever-popular Airport Cafe will also be open during the event.

The Planes, Cars & Coffee Sligo Fly-In is supported by Derrin Group.

Conor Gilligan, CEO, Derrin Group said, We are delighted to support this event and its Rallying Friends fundraiser and wish everyone involved in Deja Vu North-West 24, all the best for a successful and enjoyable day. Lets hope the sun shines!

Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th April 2024
Tipperary politicians and community leaders are being briefed by Department of Integration officials about a plan to house refugees from the Ukrainian war in a new 82 unit modular housing development.

The project is focused on property owned by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Clonmel and will mirror a similar project in Thurles which officials insisted has worked exceptionally well since it commenced operations.

It is hoped that the briefing will secure the support of politicians and community leaders for the project and avoid any public opposition and potential protests.

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The project is to be developed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under a special planning system exemption.

Department of Integration officials were scheduled to brief local political leaders on Thursday about the project.

This will include Tipperary Co Council members as well as Dail and Seanad members.

Follow-on briefings will be offered, if required, on the modular housing plan which is focused on a site at Heywood Road close to Clonmel rugby club.

Mayor of Clonmel Richie Molloy said he was hoping the meeting would help clarify a number of issues raised by locals in respect of the project.

Councillor Molloy told TippFM he was concerned that there may be local opposition to the plan if detailed clarification on a range of issues wasn't offered.

Independent Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath said he had been seeking information for the past three months about the project earmarked for the Heywood Road area.

Since then (February) I have been seeking information from the relevant Departments through parliamentary questions, Freedom of Information Requests, and queries to the Community Engagement Team and Local Authority, he said.

In February Tipperary County Council confirmed that the site, in the vicinity of the rugby club, was being considered for the provision of 62 modular homes.

"Following parliamentary questions I learned that the OPW, with the approval of the HSE, recently undertook initial technical analysis of the site at Heywood in Clonmel in relation to risk of flooding, topography, archaeology, environmental and ecological site considerations, invasive plant species and access.

Further to this, the OPW is also engaging with utility providers on accessibility to those essential services.

Last week I received a response to the Freedom of Information requests and separately received confirmation that the site has been selected for the provision of 82 Modular Homes, 20 more than previously advised.

These developments are exempted from planning permission as Minister OBrien has signed the European Union (Planning and Development), (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022.

The regulations, which came into effect on June 23 2022, provide that certain classes of temporary development, including residential accommodation, undertaken by or on behalf of a State authority, to provide protection to displaced persons from Ukraine, will be exempt from the provisions of the Planning and Development Act, other than environmental considerations.

I am led to believe that the contractor is due to move on site in the very near future and have sought confirmation of same from the local authority and the community engagement team but no response to date."

Today's News in 90 seconds - 19th April 2024
Ballygarrett Tidy Towns and many local people gathered on Saturday, April 13 for an educational walk and talk as part of the Clean Coasts Roadshow on Old Bawn Beach, Wexford.

The event by the National Parks and Wildlife Services Education Team featured an informative walk led by the Wicklow NPWS team regarding all things marine wildlife and environment.

The event started with a stroll through the willowy wetlands, where participants could listen to birdsong of Willow Warblers and Meadow Pipits. Participants learned about the formation and significance of the dune system at Cahore, gaining insights into the unique plants and birds inhabiting the area and the need to safeguard the dunes from erosion.

Upon reaching the beach, attendees had a chance to learn more about local biodiversity, as the team showcased welk eggs, cockle shells, mermaids' purses, and even freshwater eels. A highlight of the excursion was the visit to the Little Tern's nesting site, a spot along the coastline between Old Bawn Beach, Wexford, and Kilcoole Beach, Wicklow. Conservation ranger Padraig Webb shared the challenges faced by the Little Tern colony and the NPWS's tireless efforts to protect it, including erecting fences and signage to prevent trampling.

The day ended with a rewarding beach clean-up session, followed by a well-deserved cup of tea, fostering community spirit and networking opportunities.

The Clean Coasts Roadshow is a series of informative talks and workshops tailored for coastal communities across Ireland, taking place between January and May each year. This initiative brings together individuals interested in protecting their local beaches, seas, and marine environments.

The roadshow events cover a range of topics, including biodiversity, dune systems, marine litter, wildlife, sustainable developments, and the work of local groups and organizations. These events also serve as a platform for community groups to discuss practical matters, such as building volunteer capacity, attracting new members, and sharing responsibilities.

Clean Coasts Development officers explain various funding opportunities at a national and regional level, including the Clean Coasts grant scheme for 2024.

Clean Coasts is a charity programme, run through the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce, which engages communities in the protection of Irelands waterways, coastline, seas, ocean, and marine life. The Clean Coasts Roadshow in 2024 is a special opportunity to connect with and appreciate the communities and volunteers who have contributed to Clean Coasts' growth and success.
A nine year old girl with Autism has decided to cut off her long locks to raise money for Advocates For Autism.

In December 2023, Aoife OSullivan from Camolin told her mother Imelda that she wanted to cut all her hair off and raise money so she could bring all her friends on a day out.

Cutting her hair is a particularly big deal for Aoife as she avoids the hairdresser at the best of times because of her sensory issues with bright lights and loud noises. "She admits its going to be hard and tough but shes going to do it. Were very proud of her, shes so brave, said her mother Imelda Murphy.

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Aoife is in third class in Camolin National School and is the youngest of six kids. "She loves school and she has an SNA that helps her with her work. She loves people and she loves her friends. Noises and stuff like that, sometimes it can be too loud but they get movement breaks, said Imelda.

She says they hope to donate Aoifes hair to The Rapunzel Foundation, an Irish organisation which accepts ponytail donations of over 14 inches in length to provide wigs and partial wig funding to long term hair loss sufferers.

Shes planning on getting it cut on April 23 with sensory hairdresser Aisling Brennan at His and Hers Hair Salon in Gorey. Aisling opens up the salon after hours in the evenings to cater to people with special needs.

Not many people know Aisling is there, and she doesnt just do it for Advocates For Autism, she does it for anybody with special needs. She takes as much time as you need and shes really good, said Mary Durrant who started running Advocates For Autism over a year and a half ago.

Advocates For Autism is a registered charity that supports families and children on the autism spectrum. It aims to empower and uplift the children so they become more independent and confident and to create a nurturing environment where they can flourish and reach their full potential.

In the last year and a half, the group has grown from 13 families to 59 families who travel from Wexford, Carlow and Wicklow to be apart of it.

"They all travel because theres nothing like what we do anywhere near where they are. We dont tell anybody no. We even had a woman from Kildare message me last week because she saw that we were in Dublin Zoo.

"Its hugely important to have a service like this available for families. My son hes 11 and has Autism, I needed it, not just for him but for me. It is needed, were a charity so even trying to come up with funds and funding, were literally just a group of parents, were not CEOs of companies, were just parents, trying to do whats best for our children socially, Mary.

Only a small number of people will be present for Aoifes hair cut but Mary hopes to join them to take a few photos and mark the special occasion.

"Shes going to go as short as she can so she doesnt have to get it done again. We really appreciate what shes doing because its a huge amount of money and shes not the only child thats going to benefit from it. She wants an outing so were going to give her the biggest outing, said Mary.

The GoFundMe page has already raised 1,760 and the target is set at 2,000.

The funds raised from Aoifes hair cut will go towards a big trip to Emerald Park during the summer.

The group do weekly and monthly outings and they try to organise most of their outings for Sundays so both parents can attend. Most recently they took a trip to Dublin Zoo.

They also do horse-riding at Happy Trials once a month, and trips to places like Kids Zone and Pirates Cove. Mary says the group is as much for the adults as it is for the children, as it gives them a chance to speak to other parents that understand.

Anyone who would like to donate, can do so via the Haircut for Autism page on gofundme.com or by clicking here.
Independent TD Verona Murphy has said mental distress is being caused to people in Co Wexfords tourism industry arising from a lack of planning when it came to allocating homes to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.

The HSE alone has over 190 buildings around the country lying idle, buildings that could be turned into suitable accommodation with very little work. You could put over 500 people into Baggot Street Hospital alone. The reality of what the Government is doing if theyre finding every building they can think of with a roof so they can accommodate people fast and most of them are in rural areas like the Hook where services arent available.

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Deputy Murphy said what was short term accommodation is becoming long term for the refugees.

That particular accommodation is what supports the indigenous business person who lives in the area and who is dependent on these bed nights for their businesses to survive because these accommodations are taken up for the long term. The result is these businesses area failing.

Deputy Murphy has been contacted by local businesses who are ineligible for a Government Business Support Grant for Activities and Attractions grant as the criteria are far too stringent, she said.

People are now being mentally disturbed by this because they know their business is going to fail when they had a very good business model. Due to the war in Ukraine and a lack of planning, its causing havoc. There were always 300 available beds at Hookless.

She said The Friary, in Wexford, could potentially be an option, before adding that the Government is failing business people but not finding solutions.

Instead of putting people into a town with services, they are several kilometres from a village with little transport infrastructure. Migration only works when there is integration and if there is no prospect of integration it doesnt work. It only creates social unrest. Giving people 30 a week and piling and dumping them into somewhere they cant get out of isnt good enough. It all boils down to a lack of planning.

Deputy Murphy said instead of addressing the looming problems the country is facing, the Government are "calling people names for raising the very real issues, especially in rural Ireland.

There are serious repercussions with the lack of planning. With the business goes the jobs. This is not simple stuff and its not as if someone is making things up. Its happening and its happening now and its a direct repercussion of what the Government did.
Consecutive jail terms adding up to eight years were handed down to the father of one, with the closing two years suspended.

Three drug dealing offences added up to six years in jail for a 29-year-old former Newbawn, Co Wexford resident.

Kamil Krystian Debowski was first caught in August 17 of 2018 at his Carrigbyrne House residence. Gardai came to his door after following a package which excited the interest of sniffer dogs at the mail sorting centre in Dublin.
Wexford General Hospital has announced that strict visitor restrictions are now in place as management and staff battle to contain an outbreak of Covid-19 at the hospital.

In a statement issued this (Friday) afternoon, hospital management confirmed that Wexford General Hospital currently has an outbreak of Covid-19.

Increased infection control measures have been put in place across the hospital and, as a result, the hospital will be severely restricting visits to Patricks Ward in particular.

Hospital management confirmed that visiting to this ward will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances where a patient is at end of life or critically ill.

Anyone who needs to contact Patricks Ward is asked to ring the hospitals main number, 053 9153000, where you can be put through to the nurse manager on the ward.

While management are constantly reviewing the situation, visiting to other areas of the hospital is still currently permitted. However, people are asked to restrict to just one visitor per patient at a time and avoid bringing children to visit the hospital.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to thank the public for their understanding and patience at this time, the statement concluded.
Ifac is advising farmers across Wicklow to carefully consider all the options for solar, including battery storage.

As it stands, delays over the last few years have resulted in many of the first-round offers of solar lapsing, as the land was not leased five years after the options were granted. As solar companies explore renewing their offerings, battery storage is now emerging as an added choice.

Marty Murphy, Head of Tax at ifac said: Battery storage adds additional considerations from a tax perspective for succession planning, particularly in meeting the qualifications for agricultural relief. However, its important to note that standalone battery storage alone does not meet the criteria. Solar panels must be installed alongside the batteries, with the latter serving to capture and store the energy generated.

This underscores the importance of careful consideration, as legislation mandates that the batteries be charged by the solar panels to meet requirements. As with the initial round of solar offers, the new wave of second options needs to be reviewed from a tax perspective and the effect of the expiry of the original options considered.

Over the next couple of months, the push for solar is expected to start again so that applications are ready for September grid connections.

Competition is fierce at the moment for connections to the grid, and batteries are being used as an easement to allow for additional power production capacity where grids could otherwise exceed maximum capacity but limited, added Marty.

Additionally, planning permission is still causing delays as the technology changes and updated planning needs to take place before construction can start.

Leasing farmland to solar companies in Ireland can have tax implications for both the farmer and the solar company involved.

The rental income received by the farmer from leasing their land to a solar company is subject to income tax, Universal social charge and PRSI. The farmer must declare the rental income received on their annual tax return and pay tax on it at the applicable rate. Where the lease exceeds 25 years, an element of any initial payment may be taxable as capital gains tax.

If the farmer decides to sell the land to the solar company, they will be subject to capital gains tax on the sale. Reliefs are available, such as retirement, entrepreneurial, and consolidation relief.

In general, there is no VAT on the leasing of land. However, where buildings and other structures are being leased, VAT may need to be considered. The sale of a solar farm within five years of construction is subject to VAT.

Leasing land to a solar company in Ireland can have implications for inheritance tax if the landowner passes away or gifts the leased land. Here are some potential implications to consider:

Capital Acquisitions Tax is a tax on gifts and inheritances and is currently levied at a rate of 33pc. The value of the leased land will be included in the calculation of the total value of the estate and may increase the amount of CAT payable. There are also group thresholds, depending on the relationship between the disponer and successor.

Agricultural Relief is a tax relief that can reduce the value of agricultural property for inheritance tax purposes by 90pc. The relief is available if the landowner is leasing less than 50pc of their land to a solar company and continues to farm the land not leased to the solar company.

Business Relief is a tax relief that can reduce the value of a business or business asset for inheritance tax purposes by 90pc, similar to agricultural relief. However, the land must be actively farmed and cannot be leased to a third party, including a solar company.

Marty stated: Its important to note that the inheritance tax implications of leasing land to a solar company in Ireland can be complex and will depend on the specific circumstances of each case. It is advisable to seek professional tax advice before entering into any agreements or transactions.
The numbers of taxis operating in County Wicklow have declined by almost 14pc, according to new figures from the NTA, highlighting stark regional disparities in access to this form of transport.

Wicklow is one of 23 counties now dealing with less taxi licenses compared to pre-Covid levels, which is causing concern among hospitality providers, particularly as tourist numbers are expected to surge in the coming months.

The number of licenses held in the south-east region has fallen by more than 11pc since 2019. In Wicklow, the drop is 14pc with the fleet shrinking from 200 licenses in 2019 year-on-year to just 173 in 2023.

Carlow, Laois, Sligo, Cork, Waterford, Clare, Galway and Dublin have seen less of a decline, with Kerry and Limerick the only counties to see small increases.

The remaining 14 counties have seen a decrease of between 14pc and 26pc, while nationally the combined decrease is 4pc, thanks largely to the 20pc increase in taxis operating in a Local Hackney Area, which has been supported by Government grants for the past 12 months.

The figures came in response to a parliamentary question by Independent TD Carol Nolan and have come under-fire from those in the tourism, hospitality and transport industries.

The significant decrease in taxi availability is a crippling blow to rural Irelands hospitality sector, said Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland. These businesses often rely on taxis to get customers home safely, especially after dark. With little to no public transport links in rural areas and without a vital taxi service, many people simply won't go out, further squeezing already strained rural businesses. The Government needs to take immediate action to address this issue before it cripples the entire industry entirely.

Several factors have been cited as contributors to the decline, such as the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and an onerous entry system. Costly barriers to new drivers are also an issue, such as outlays of up to 59,000 for a vehicle alone.

The Taxis for Ireland Coalition is calling on the NTA and the Government to take immediate action to address the shortage of taxis. They propose a 30pc increase in taxi vehicles by 2027 as a step towards alleviating the impact of decreases over the past decade, coupled with Ireland's population growth.

Kieran Harte, General Manager of Uber Ireland, said: A reliable and accessible taxi network is essential for a thriving hospitality industry and local economies. Taxis provide a safe and familiar option for visitors to Ireland and serve an invaluable service to people in rural and urban areas alike. We urge the Government and NTA to acknowledge the issue and take concrete steps to improve the supply of licensed, regulated taxi drivers and vehicles.

The Taxis for Ireland Coalition is calling for the removal of the WAV requirement for newly registered SPSVs and a re-assessment of the SPSV Driver Entry Tests geography-based knowledge requirements. The removal of the WAV requirement, but the continuation of the WAV grant would mean a larger pool of taxis to choose from, meaning that people that do not need a WAV will not be booking one unnecessarily. The Coalition states that these measures would alleviate the current burdens facing prospective new drivers and would increase overall supply into the market.
Paul Mescals mum has said she is blessed beyond words as she shared some positive news on her battle with cancer.

Dearbhla Mescal was diagnosed with a form of bone marrow cancer called multiple myeloma in 2022.

Since then, she has been documenting her treatment on social media and alongside photos taken over the last year, the actors 55-year-old mum posted in her latest update how she cannot believe where I am.

Its been a moment. 365 days of moments to be exact, she wrote.

This day last year I came home from the most incredible Berkitt Ward at St James Hospital following my stem cell transplant. I continue on my journey with the amazing team in Unit 6 at The Beacon Hospital.

I am blessed beyond words. I cannot believe where I am, where Ive been & most excitingly where I am going. My immune system is on the up & my energy is climbing.

I am so thankful to all those who mind, hold, love & care for me. You are my forever people.

Now with gratitude, hope, loads of joy & a sprinkling of courage lets find out whats next?! she added.

Dearbhlas diagnosis was revealed in January 2023, after eldest son Paul landed his first Oscar nomination in the Best Actor category for his role in Aftersun.

Just after the Oscar nominations were announced, Pauls sister Nell revealed on Twitter: My mum got a haircut today in prep for her chemotherapy and then Paul got nominated for an Oscar life is so crazy.

Paul later paid tribute to his mum that April as he accepted the Best Actor award at the Olivier Awards for his stage performance as Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire.

In his acceptance speech, Paul thanked his parents and wished his mum well.

I hope you get better, he said.

In May, Dearbhla announced that her career with the gardai had officially come to an end.

She shared a number of pictures to mark the occasion, including from her graduation day when she was just 20 years old.

My life has another change today I retire from An Garda Siochana after 30yrs. I was 20 when I joined and I retire at 54 a whole lifetime, she wrote.

At the time Dearbhla gave her followers an update about her cancer battle and explained how she was due to go for an MRI.

"So Ive just finished in the hospital, Ive to go for an MRI. Date to be confirmed, but thats okay, she said.

"Bloods done, all still really good numbers so very, very happy about that part and well get to the root of the pain but its so wonderful to be cared for by this amazing team."

Dearbhla later let her followers know she was back home again, and that she was less worried about her unexplained pain.

Im home and feeling less anxious. I know we will get to the root of it, which is really good. I've made my sandwich, Ive lit the fire, I can see my roses and my birds and my tree and this is me.

"Im now going to settle and I hope for all of you that need to be heard that you get heard, that would be my hope for us all  that our voices are heard and if your voice cant be heard that there is somebody advocating for you to be heard. I think that is really important."

In February of this year the Normal People star opened up about processing his mums cancer diagnosis when shooting his latest film All of Us Strangers alongside Andrew Scott.

He was discussing the films themes of grief and losing parents in an interview with Australian journalist Thuy Ong when he was asked if the actors had personal experiences that informed your performances while working on the movie.

Its out in the world now and my mums doing great, but at the time that we were filming it, I found out that my mum had become quite sick, Paul explained.

Its so interesting now, looking back. I wasnt able to process it at the time, but my body was processing it in kind of real time.

Like in the scene where Andrew talks about the death of his mother, I was just going to work thinking it was fine and I was just going to get through it.

Grief is an amazing thing because it has nothing to do with your head. Its a physical thing. In my head, I was like, Im fine, Im fine, and Andrew was, as you would expect, utterly generous with all of that.

But something that Ive learned about grief is that its a physical thing and you can say that youre fine in your head, but it has to manifest itself some way.

Andrew added: The body keeps the score. I think thats so brilliant. You can say whatever you want but your body will tell you the truth.

Last summer, Pauls mum praised her family for supporting her throughout her cancer battle, with kids Paul, Donnacha, and Nell getting special shoutouts.

She wrote: "Of course I have days of concern, of what ifs & then I remember I am human & move on! My kids help me keep it real. I am still mum. Cancer is second place & although it sits at the table it is quiet & has no voice. Feeling connected really helps on the hard days.

"I am lucky those hard days are few & far between. I work hard at staying positive, part of that is accepting this new guest. I dont want to hide from it but my life is too important not to be actually lived.

"My joy seeking keeps me feeling blessed. Everyday my eyes are constantly seeking a magic moment to add to my treasure trove of joys. I never in my wildest dreams believed that my 28 days of finding joys; which I started so many years ago would become a way of life & that way of life would help me through this past 365 days.

"I was gifted this past year & as naff as that sounds, I mean every word. Every life lesson I experienced brought me to a new way of thinking, feeling & being. Am I a better person? I am not sure but I most definitely want to be."
Squatters slowly emerged from a Gordon Ramsay pub on Friday after lawyers secured a High Court order for the possession of the premises.

Four people have so far left the premises after locking themselves into the York & Albany near Regents Park last week.

It is unclear if and how many people are still inside and the order paves the way for High Court enforcement officers to retake the occupied pub in the coming days.

On Friday morning squatters left the Grade II listed building two by two, with the first squatter to leave fist-bumping his friend before taking off on a bike.

The squatter group ran a cafe out of a Gordon Ramsay pub last week (Lucy North/PA)

The other squatter, dressed in a bucket hat, keffiyeh face covering and carrying a skateboard, left in the opposite direction on foot.

He refused to comment, saying he was busy eating a liquorice sweet, and later two more people left the building in silence.

On Thursday, lawyers for Gordon Ramsay Holdings International Limited (GRHI) were granted an order by Judge Simon Brown to retake the property.

The squatters included members of the Anarchist Association London Branch and the Camden Art Cafe.

In a post on Instagram, the Camden Art Cafe announced it would be leaving the premises but added: We wish those left in the building the best of luck in their endeavours.

The squatter group ran a cafe out of the pub last week, handing out free food and drink to the people of Camden who have been victims of gentrification and parasitic projects like HS2.

The former pub and hotel building is up for sale for 13 million following a protracted legal battle between the Hells Kitchen frontman and film director Gary Love.

The York & Albany is for sale for 13 million (Samuel Montgomery/PA)

In 2007, Mr Love bought the freehold to the premises and then leased the pub to Mr Ramsay on a 25-year term for an annual rent of 640,000.

The celebrity chef attempted to free himself from the lease in 2015 but was unsuccessful in the High Court.

Timothy Foot, representing GRHI, told the court that squatters had been served legal papers both via email and in physical form.

None of the people from the group attended the hearing and they were not represented by a lawyer.

Bedsheet banners were still draped from the balcony on Friday morning, reading whatever they say, squatters will stay and squat the lot.

A Squatters of London Action Paper had also been taped to the York & Albanys gate, encouraging prospective illegal tenants to join their ranks.

The poster also spoke of solidarity with Palestine using flags and beautiful banners as a method of taunting police.

The Camden Art Cafe previously said on Instagram: We extend our particular solidarity to the Palestinian people and the long-standing residents of Drummond and the surrounding estates who have had their whole lives upturned by HS2.
A mischief-maker appears keen to pit the King versus the Duchess in the jam stakes

A prankster appears to have spread some mischief after buying a similar domain name to Meghan Markles luxury lifestyle brand and redirecting to a Waitrose page for King Charless rival jam.

Just a day after it was revealed one version of Meghans American Riviera Orchard site leads to a food bank, this paper has spotted a further variation of the site name cheekily redirecting to Duchy Organic Strawberry Jam.

The mischief making comes after the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle launched her brand with 50 beautifully packaged jars of strawberry preserve sent to influencers across the US.

Photographs of the jars were soon shared across social media with overly-sweet messages from recipients delighted with their Montecito hamper.

But one prankster banking on users mistyping the mouthful of a brand name appears keen to pit the British King versus the Duchess in the jam stakes.

While its not known exactly what American Riviera Orchard will sell, as none of its products are officially available yet, it is registered to retail items including downloadable and printed recipe books, tableware, textiles, jams and marmalades.

Charless Waitrose jam appears to be a hit with fans, with one praising: Tastes like a lovely homemade jam, with occasional large pieces of strawberry which feel like a bonus when you get one. Plus its great knowing its organic, better for the environment, better for humans. [sic]

This was done via a landing page that read: FORGIVENESS. PERMISSION. PLEASE DONATE TO THE TRUSSELL TRUST.

This was accompanied by a link to the good cause.

Meghan Markle has launched her own wellness brand. Photo: Getty

While this fundraiser had no donations at the time of its discovery on Wednesday (17 April), it has now raised a whopping 7,585 for the charity and the amount is growing by the minute.

Its creator wrote: not meghan. hope meghan wouldnt mind. thoughts with catherine. x [sic]

The page then stressed the problem of food poverty in the UK, which has exploded in light of the ongoing cost of living crisis that has caused everyday staples to dramatically increase in price.

But while the fundraiser was created with a good cause in mind and its creator seemingly bears her no ill, some donors to the cause are using it to make a point about food poverty in light of the creation of the luxury brand.

One wrote: Genius idea. A website to help the needy not the greedy. Keep up the fantastic work. Love Meghans Dad. [sic]

A second added: The world doesnt need more expensive jam. Lining Trussel Trusts pockets will actually help the needy.

Others, meanwhile, used the fundraiser to send their best wishes to the Princess of Wales and King Charles, who are both currently undergoing cancer treatment.

A donator wrote: Given with love and best wishes to those who will benefit from these donations, in recognition of King Charles III and Princess Catherine - wishing you both a full recovery, you are dearly loved.

But one prankster banking on users mistyping the mouthful of a brand name appears keen to pit the King versus the Duchess in the jam stakes.

The unveiling of Markles new lifestyle brand comes amid a difficult time for the royal family, who have recently been shaken by the King and Princesss illnesses.

Following Harry and Meghans decision to step away from their work as senior royals in 2020, with Kate and Charles largely out of action there are now just nine working royals left, most of whom are elderly and unknown.

Sophie Carre, Director of Public Engagement at the Trussell Trust, told The Independent: The Trussell Trust are grateful to people who put their time and energy into supporting our work to end the need for food banks in the UK. The charity is not connected with this website domain and have no knowledge of who set it up.
Our fashion editor rounds up the latest style news and fashion trends

Carla Johnson makes you want to take your clothes off! The Dublin textile artist is famous for designing the most amazing beach and resort wear, from swimsuits in flattering, playful silhouettes to silk kimonos and kaftans in luxurious silks that feel fabulous on the skin.

Given her very hands-on approach to business, I wasnt in the least bit surprised to learn that Carla did all the photography for her latest collection, which is titled Timanfaya and inspired by the volcano of the same name in Lanzarote.

'Zandra' silk kaftan in 'Magma Siren' print, monaswims.com

Carlas collection hums with vibrancy, and my favourite pieces include the Zandra silk kaftan (550) in the Magma Siren print, a fish-scale ombre in shades of gold, copper and pink, colours inspired by the flow of magma and crystal-like rubies and topaz.

It is Carlas attention to detail that stands out for me, like in the silk V-neck Xarracca dress (520) with skinny straps in contrasting leather suede.

Carla also does these shapes in the Indra print with its seriously compelling mix of ethereal blues and coppers, greens and golds. Indra is the goddess of atmosphere and Carla was inspired by the crystallisation of magma into lava, where crystals, magmatic gems and colourful gases are found.

'Xarracca' silk dress in 'Indra' print, Mona Swims

Besotted fans talk about the comfy fluidity of the Bedouin kimono in silk charmeuse (595), and theres no doubting the day-to-night appeal of the one-shouldered River tie kaftan (390) or indeed the very striking Bond bandeau swimsuit in a metallic gold (220). Pack with confidence because its a total head-turner on both the beach and dance floor.

Carla spent years living in Ibiza, which gave her a real, authentic feel of beach life, and now she is living beside the sea in Dublin and creating fabulous original prints by experimenting and blending her watercolours and ink drawings with her photography .

'Marilyn' two-tone swimsuit, Mona Swims

Her swimwear includes the black Reptilian Cheeky bikini, with top and bottoms priced at 110 each. The fabric looks like leather but is, in fact, a textured Lycra with 18pc elastane.

The two-tone, one-piece Kaia swimsuit (250) has a sports-luxe vibe and cut-out waistline, and its hard to beat the retro Marilyn one-piece (250), with a plunging neckline and high waist. Carla says it flatters all shapes and sculpts the silhouette. monaswims.com

Island edge

The Loewe Paulas Ibiza 2024 pop-up at Brown Thomas, Grafton Street, opened this week. The collection is inspired by the iconic Paulas boutique, which became synonymous with the counter cultural movement in the 1970s, and an expression of island life.

This 2024 collection has a real graphic edge. Archive scarf prints pop up. The Loewe signature basketry has a new woven raffia version of the iconic Puzzle and Puzzle Fold tote, as well as the Font tote and iraca basket in new colours.

Anagram basket with medium checks, 820, Loewe Paulas Ibiza 2024 collection pop-up at Brown Thomas, Grafton Street

The raffia Puzzle includes graphic stripes designed to follow the cuts of the bag, making it vary in colour and unique in design and pattern.

Alison Oliver. Photo: Gray Sorrenti

If the model in the campaign looks familiar, thats because its Irish actor Alison Oliver, who starred alongside Barry Keoghan in Saltburn.

The Cork-born actor was one of a number of international musicians and creatives invited by Paulas Ibiza to be part of a visual portfolio, shot by Gray Sorrenti. brownthomas.com

Style queen

Paris-based Kara OSullivan has launched a new online styling platform, and the tenacious Dubliner has her sights set on taking it global.

Kara started out her career as a buyer at Brown Thomas, after which she opened the Greens Are Good For You store with her pal, Johanna Dooley, offering clothes and rental opportunities.

The name of her new venture, Kara Made Me Do It, reflects the 29-year-olds ambition to encourage clients to step out of their comfort zone and experiment more with vintage and preloved pieces.

She built the brand and website with her best friend, Rachel, who owns branding and web design company RaRa Lab.

The styling process starts with the client filling out a detailed questionnaire. Kara sends different mood boards to assess their style and creates a mood board to form a vision and suggest shopable looks.

A lot of people want to find interesting and unique, one-off, sustainable pieces but they just dont know where to look for them, said Kara. whose special launch prices start at 50.

Theres The Weekender package (100), covering three-day, two-night looks with options, while The All-In package (150) is a wardrobe refresh aimed at helping you build a timeless capsule collection. karamademedoit.com
India begins voting in worlds biggest election

Indian election to last 7 weeks, has 968m votersPrime Minister Modi expected to win a rare third termModi showcasing growth, welfare, national pride, Hindu nationalismOpposition alliance demoralised, struggling to pose challenge

A woman clad in a burqa walks outside a polling station during the first phase of the general election in Kairana, in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India, April 19, 2024. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Krishn Kaushik, Praveen Paramasivam and YP Rajesh Fri 19 Apr 2024 at 07:26







India began voting on Friday in the world's largest election as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks a historic third term in office on the back of growth, welfare, his personal popularity and Hindu nationalism.
Britain

Woman who murdered her parents and lived with their bodies for four years is jailed for life
Rescuers work at the site of a building in Chernihiv which was destroyed during a Russian missile strike. Photo: Reuters

For Ukrainians, the double standard is glaring. Officials in Kyiv watched on Saturday as a barrage of Iranian missiles and drones targeting Israel were intercepted both by the Jewish states sophisticated missile defence system and the combined efforts of a coalition of Western and Arab partners.
Ukraines prime minister has warned there will be a Third World War if the country loses the war against Russia, as he rallied the US to pass a multi-billion-dollar Congress bill to boost the countrys defences.
FILE  In this photo taken from video released by State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, Ruben Vardanyan, the former head of Nagorno-Karabakhs separatist government, center, is escorted by Azerbaijani security service agents in Baku, Azerbaijan. Vardanyan, a former Ruben Vardanyan (State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan via AP, File)
LATEST | Iran signals no plans to retaliate after Israel attack; man with explosives vest arrested at Iranian consulate

Israel launches attack on Iranian soil on Friday, sources said, in the latest tit-for-tat exchange between the two arch foesSenior Iranian official says: The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmedIAEA says said there was no damage to Iran's nuclear sitesAirlines scramble to change routes in the area One source told Reuters the U.S. was not involved but was notified by Israel before the attack

Iranian worshippers chant slogans during an anti-Israeli gathering after their Friday prayer in Tehran. AP

Humeyra Pamuk, Phil Stewart and Parisa Hafezi Fri 19 Apr 2024 at 15:00







Explosions echoed over an Iranian city on Friday in what sources described as an Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation - a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war.
Palestinian children Abed Al-Qara and Muhammad Al-Fajem view their school which was destroyed during Israels military offensive in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Photo: Reuters

Israels commitments to improve aid access in the Gaza Strip have had limited and sometimes nil impact, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said yesterday as he pushed for urgent, meaningful and measurable progress to avert famine.

The United Nations has long complained of obstacles to getting aid in and distributing it throughout Gaza during the six-month-old war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the enclave of 2.3 million people.
Scathing allegations come one day after Kennedy family endorsed Biden

Robert F Kennedy Jrs former environmental colleagues, along with several national organisations, have called for him to drop out of the 2024 presidential race.

The independent candidates former co-workers at the Natural Resources Defence Council, along with 11 other environmental groups, signed an open letter calling for Americans to reject him and the toxic beliefs he promotes before its too late. The scathing letter, published on Friday just ahead of Earth Day, calls RFK Jr a dangerous conspiracy theorist and science denier.
The head of the UN agency that has helped millions of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank for decades has urged the Security Council to ensure its survival as Israel again demanded its dissolution, accusing the agency of becoming part of Hamas terror war machine.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
Mumbai: Indian ride-hailing company Ola Cabs is gearing up for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to secure $500 million with a company valuation of approximately $5 billion, media reports said.

SoftBank backed Ola, often dubbed as India's counterpart to Uber, and intends to submit paperwork for approval to the country's market regulator SEBI within three months, Reuters reported citing sources who requested anonymity.

Ola has not commented on this, so far.

The company is currently engaged in discussions with various investment banks, including Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Citi, as well as India's Kotak and Axis, with plans to onboard IPO advisors within the next month, as stated by two of the sources.

While Citi and Bank of America refrained from commenting, the other banks did not respond to comment requests.

This is Ola's second attempt at an IPO, following a 2021 initiative to raise funds up to $1 billion which was later shelved.

In 2021, Ola had achieved a valuation of $7 billion through fundraising; however, its valuation has been downgraded by its investors in subsequent internal assessments, said the report.

Vanguard, a shareholder of Ola, revised its internal valuation of the company to $1.9 billion in February, said the Reuters report.

Among Ola's investors are Warburg Pincus, Temasek, and Tiger Global Management.

Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal is hailed as one of India's most prominent startup entrepreneurs.

Often likened to Tesla's Elon Musk, Aggarwal also oversees a separate venture, Ola Electric, which stands as India's largest electric scooter manufacturer.

Ola Electric is also contemplating an IPO and had filed regulatory approval papers in December, according to Reuters.

In recent months, Ola's cab business has been focused on reducing losses and enhancing operational efficiency.

The company's losses were significantly reduced in the fiscal year ending 2023, and just last week, Ola announced the closure of its international operations in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Photo courtesy: wikipedia.org

Food and beverages company Nestle has come under intense criticism after a report revealed that it adds 2.7 grams of sugar per serving of its baby food Cerelac sold in India but does not follow the same practice in Germany and the UK.

Swiss NGO, Public Eye and International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) made the claim in their report after examining 150 baby products sold in different countries in a Belgian laboratory.

The findings showed that the samples exceeded established international food safety guidelines.

According to the report the company sells Cerelac with added sugar in South Asia (including India), Africa, and Latin America compared to markets in Europe.

The revelation has triggered criticism against Nestle for selling the baby food with significantly high sugar levels in economically disadvantaged countries, especially as it concerns babies, but not doing so in wealthier nations.

The report noted that the highest sugar content was found in samples from the Philippines where it was 7.3 grams. The company did not disclose this information on the packaging.

However, the packaging in India clearly discloses the sugar content.

India is one of the most lucrative markets for Nestle as it sold over Rs 20,000-crore worth of Cerelac products in 2022 in the South Asian country.

Why added sugar is a concern?

Experts say that adding sugar, which is highly addictive, to baby products is a dangerous and unnecessary practice, reported NDTV.

Added sugars are sweetening agents like syrups that are used in processed foods and beverages. They are generally considered more detrimental to health compared to naturally occurring sugars found in fruits and milk, reported Indian Express.

Talking to Business Today TV, Revant Himatsingka, author, food activist and influencer, said that the allegations against Nestle dont surprise him. "I am not surprised by these allegations and companies in India are known to use material which are of inferior quality," he said.

Himatsingka garnered attention after his viral video on the popular health drink Bournvita.

He asserted that the popular drink from Cadbury's lineup contains unhealthy levels of sugar that could lead to diabetes. Consequently, Cadbury's issued a legal notice to the influencer, but by December of the previous year, the company had to lower the sugar content in Bournvita.

Nestles response

Asked about the implications of the study, a Nestle India spokesperson told Indian Express, Reduction of added sugars is a priority. Over the past five years, we have already reduced added sugars by up to 30 per cent, depending on the variant. We regularly review our portfolio and continue to innovate and reformulate our products to further reduce the level of added sugars.

On whether it complied with food safety guidelines, the spokesman added, We ensure that our products manufactured in India are in full and strict compliance with CODEX standards (a commission established by WHO and FAO) and local specifications (as required) pertaining to the requirements of all nutrients including added sugars. Infant cereal products, the spokesman explained, are manufactured to ensure the appropriate delivery of nutritional requirements such as protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, iron etc. for early childhood.

Experts opinion

However, Dr Arun Gupta from the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), which was the India partner for the report, argues that the added sugars help companies to increase sales.

When you add sugars to baby formula food, babies are much more likely to drink it up because of the pleasing taste. With happy parents purchasing the products, it boosts the bottomline of companies. And they can get by because the regulations are weak, Dr Gupta told Indian Express.

According to WHO, babies should not be habituated with added sugars as the introduction of added sugars before the age of two years can lead to addictive eating habits.

Meanwhile, media reports said that Indias food regulator FSSAI is inspecting the report and soon it will be referred to a scientific panel for more action. FSSAI is a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Photo courtesy: X/@annamalai_k

Chennai/IBNS: Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief K Annamalai lashed out at the ruling DMK and opposition party AIADMK casting his vote as the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu are being held in the first phase on Friday.

Reacting to DMK's allegation that the BJP is spending money in the elections, Annamalai told the media, "I am running this election as a matter of principle, like a will. If their Intelligence, Tamil Nadu Police, DMK, AIADMK - what they are doing in Coimbatore, everybody is seeing. They are spending more than Rs 1,000 Crores in Coimbatore.

"If they can bring one voter and make them stand in front of the media and say that some BJP guy tried to influence them, I will leave politics the same day... it's an open challenge to all the Dravidian parties."

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu BJP chief and party's candidate from Coimbatore constituency, K Annamalai says, "People of Tamil Nadu are with PM Modi. We are confident, our party is strong and the people are with us and June 4 will be a historic result for NDA...In Karnataka, we are pic.twitter.com/Vn7AKP59Nl  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

The BJP has decided to go solo in this Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu, ditching its alliance with the AIADMK in the Dravidian-party-dominated southern state.

Former IPS officer K Annamalai is leading the charge for the party in the state where its performance has been dismal so far.

Under Annamalais leadership, the party has decided to contest for 23 seats without any alliance support, marking a big shift from its past strategies which saw the party mainly in a supporting role for the Dravidian parties - DMK and AIADMK.

BJP feels it is ready to disrupt the existing political equation in Tamil Nadu and attract voters on its own merit.

Annamalai is contesting from Coimbatore, the seat with the third highest number of voters in Tamil Nadu.

Giving a push to the BJP in the southern state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tamil Nadu on a number of occasions in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls.
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

Kolkata/IBNS: Several incidents of violence and intimidation have been reported from West Bengal as the Lok Sabha elections began with three seats in the politically-intensified state, media reports said.

The three seats, which went to polls in the first phase, are Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri, where the state's ruling party Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are in fierce contest.

A BJP booth president was injured in a stone pelting allegedly by TMC supporters in the Chandamari area of Cooch Behar.

BJP workers have been accused of attacking TMC workers in the Sitalkuchi and Chotosalbari gram panchayat areas.

A TMC polling camp was attacked in Sitai, a report by The Indian Express reported.

The news of violence started coming from West Bengal.



Heavy stone pelting has been reported in Chandamari Village.



This is the ideal democracy of elite liberals? #WestBengal #LokSabhaElection2024 pic.twitter.com/e3DDLXgYoq  Pradeep Bhandari( ) (@pradip103) April 19, 2024

As per the voting percentage, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri recorded 15.26%, 15.91% and 14.13% respectively till 9 am.

Governor CV Ananda Bose, who is in the 'Peace Room' at Raj Bhavan, said all complaints regarding violence have been forwarded to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

In the 2019 elections, the BJP won all the three seats- which went to polls- giving a jolt to the TMC, which got its tally down from 34 to 22.

The Lok Sabha elections will be held in West Bengal in seven phases from April 19 to June 1.

On Friday, 102 seats across 21 states and union territories went to polls.
Photo courtesy: PIB

New Delhi/IBNS: Forty percent voter turnout has been recorded in the first four hours of voting in 102 seats across the country in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, media reports said.

The 102 seats are from 21 states and union territories.

Among all states, Tamil Nadu's all 39 seats have gone into polling in the first phase.

Voting is being held in Naxal-infested Bastar that recently saw over 40 Maoists being eliminated in major actions as well as in the ethnic violence-hit Manipur in the first phase which also includes 18 seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and 11 for Scheduled tribes, Indian news agency UNI reported.

With the first phase of voting, polling will be over in 10 states.

Polling will be held in Tamil Nadu (39), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1), Lakshadweep (1) Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (Shillong and Tura), and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1) in the first phase.

Bengal reports incidents of violence in first phase of Lok Sabha polls

Several incidents of violence and intimidation have been reported from West Bengal as the Lok Sabha elections began with three seats in the politically-intensified state.

The three seats, which went to polls in the first phase, are Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri, where the state's ruling party Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are in fierce contest.

A BJP booth president was injured in a stone pelting allegedly by TMC supporters in the Chandamari area of Cooch Behar.

BJP workers have been accused of attacking TMC workers in the Sitalkuchi and Chotosalbari gram panchayat areas.

A TMC polling camp was attacked in Sitai, a report by The Indian Express reported.
Photo Courtesy: PIB

An estimated 66.34 percent of voters exercised their franchise till 3 pm in West Bengal where three Lok Sabha seats were voted in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in the politically crucial state.

In the first phase, voting took place North Bengal with Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri recording 65.54 per cent, 66.23 per cent and 67.28 per cent polling respectively.

Only Tripura, a north-east state, with 68.35 per cent polling is ahead of Bengal in terms of votes cast so far in the country.

Meanwhile, Poll Panel reportedly received in all 468 complaints up to 2 PM with 218 from Cooch Behar, 150 from Alipurduar and 100 from Jalpaiguri.

Delhi poll panel has also sought a report as to why state police had stopped BJP MLA Shikha Chatterjee's car at Dubgram.

The politician is an MLA from Datagram Pool Bari under Jalpaiguri district.



About 250 companies of armed central forces were deployed and some 10,000 state police personnel have been posted to ensure peaceful voting in the state which is currently ruled by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress.

Thirteen extra CAPF companies were put on reserve to be used in case of any exigency, reported Indian news agency UNI.

According to reports, the Election Commission has restricted Bengal minister Udayan Guha to his Dinhata segment after Cooch Behar's BJP contestant Nishith Pramanik appealed to the poll panel against his alleged intimidation.

Guha was seen at the Dinhata police station this morning to complain about an alleged attack on the TMC block president at Jenkins High School in Dinhata.

Though the contest is said to be multi-cornered, real fight is restricted between state ruling Trinamool Congress and key opposition Bharatiya Janata Party which is eyeing to comeback in the centre for a third term.

The other key contenders in the poll are the Left Front and the Congress.

The voting process commenced at 7 AM under a tight security arrangement.
In image voters exercise their election rights/ courtesy: PIB

New Delhi/IBNS: Voters' turnout in the first phase of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, projected by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a milestone to 2047 and the Opposition as a battle for democracy's survival, was 60.03 percent on Friday as polling was held in 102 seats across 21 states and Union Territories.

The first phase of polls was held on all seats of Tamil Nadu (39), Rajasthan (12), Uttar Pradesh (8), Madhya Pradesh (6), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1) and Lakshadweep (1).

Besides, five seats each from Assam and Maharashtra, four from Bihar, three from West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one each from Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh went for polling in the first of the 7-phase general elections.

Four states including Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, will also pick new assemblies alongside this Lok Sabha election. Of these, Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32) have already cast their votes.

At 7 pm, the recorded voting turnout was 60.03 percent. Tamil Nadu recorded 63.2 percent turnout, Rajasthan 50.3 percent, Uttar Pradesh 57.5 percent, and Madhya Pradesh 63.3 percent. As for the state polls, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh recorded 67.5 and 64.7 percent turnout, respectively.

Photo courtesy: PIB

An estimated 66.34 percent of voters exercised their franchise in West Bengal, a politically crucial state, which also recorded sporadic incidents of violence.

In the first phase, voting took place in North Bengal with Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri recording 65.54 percent, 66.23 percent and 67.28 percent polling respectively.

The ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP workers clashed in Cooch Behar and accused each other of violence, and assault on poll agents, media reports said.

North-Eastern state Tripura recorded 68.35 percent polling and is ahead of Bengal in terms of votes cast in the country.

In Manipur, a burst of gunfire was reported from a polling station in Bishnupur. In Imphal East district, a polling station was vandalised.

Meanwhile, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, two elderly people -- one a 77-year-old woman -- died at polling booths in Salem district.

BJP eyes massive win:

Backed by a high-octane campaign led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, the BJP is targeting 370 of 543 Lok Sabha seats, if it happens, would see a steep rise from its score of 2019. The Prime Minister has set a high target of 400 seats for the NDA. In the last election, the NDA won 353 seats and the BJP won 303 seats.

The Opposition bloc INDIA, which mostly made headlines over its disarray in the run-up to the polls, especially with the switch over of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to BJP, has been putting the fight together following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case.

Even so, in multiple pockets, the parties are up against each other, flouting the rule of one-on-one contests they guaranteed would push the BJP out.

The BJP is hoping to win 22 of the 25 seats in the northeast, an area it now dominates while sweeping the huge swathe of the Hindi heartland, Jammu in the north and Gujarat in the west.

Photo courtesy: PIB

In Bengal, the saffron camp is hoping to make it big banking on the array of corruption charges against Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress and make further inroads in Odisha, even though the proposed alliance with Naveen Patnaik's Biju Janata Dal fell through.

In the south, once a fortress against all northern parties except the Congress, the BJP is expecting to win big in Karnataka, which voted in a Congress government last year.

With outreaches spearheaded by PM Modi, it is also hoping to make a dent in the Dravidian politics of Tamil Nadu. As insurance, it is piggybacking on a handful of smaller parties, including PMK of S Ramadoss.

Voting in second phase will be held on April 26 and counting of votes will take place on June 4.
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from X video

Chennai/IBNS: South Indian superstar Rajinikanth, actors Kamal Haasan, Dhanush, Vijay Sethupathi were among the early voters in Chennai in the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

After casting his vote, Rajinikanth flashed his inked finger with a smile.

#WATCH | Actor Rajnikanth casts his vote at a polling booth in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.



#LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/6Ukwayi5sv  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Kamal Haasan cast his vote at a polling booth in Koyambedu, Chennai.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Actor and MNM chief Kamal Haasan casts his vote at a polling booth in Koyambedu, Chennai.



Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) is not contesting the #LokSabhaElections2024 , the party supported and campaigned for DMK. pic.twitter.com/EZ2tnICRDn  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Dhanush arrived at a polling booth in Alwarpet in the morning.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Actor Dhanush arrives at a polling booth in Alwarpet, Chennai to cast his vote for the first phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/d6HuyMlf5Z  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Apart from the three, actors Vijay Sethupathi, Ajith Kumar, Sivakarthikeyan were amongst the early voters in Tamil Nadu.

All 39 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu went to polls in the first phase of elections on Friday.
Photo Courtesy: WIkipedia.org

In the run-up to its 19th anniversary on 29th April, airlines major Air India Express has announced a campaign for first-time voters, true to its legacy of connecting people, places, and cultures.

Air India Express unveiled its #VoteAsYouAre initiative and campaign to empower and mobilise the youth of India to exercise their voting rights in the forthcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections.

The airline is offering 19% off across its domestic and international network for first-time voters, between the ages of 18 and 22, flying to cast their votes. Bookings can be made on the airlines award-winning mobile app and website, airindiaexpress.com for travel to the airport nearest to the respective constituency of the voter, between 18th April and 1st June 2024.

Air India Express has been dedicated to weaving a tapestry of connections that transcend geographical boundaries, embodying the spirit of new India.

#VoteAsYouAre is designed to recognise the importance of voting, especially among those eligible to vote for the first time in this election, the worlds biggest democratic exercise ever, with nearly 1 billion people eligible to vote, more than the population of the United States, the European Union and Russia combined. This initiative encourages the youth of India to exercise their franchise, make their voice heard and participate in shaping the future of the nation.

Speaking about the initiative, Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, Air India Express said, "Air India Express has always served as a catalyst for change - uniting people, places, and cultures across borders. As we gear up for our 19th anniversary, #VoteAsYouAre symbolises our commitment to empowering and galvanising the youth in shaping the future of our nation while fostering a culture of active citizenship and democratic participation. With this initiative, we want to make it easier for first-time voters to exercise their right to vote while also expressing our gratitude for their engagement in shaping the future of our country."

Air India Express flies to 31 destinations across states in India, including Amritsar (Punjab), Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) Bagdogra (West Bengal), Bengaluru (Karnataka), Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Delhi, Goa (Goa), Guwahati (Assam), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh), Hyderabad (Telangana), Imphal (Manipur), Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Jaipur (Rajasthan), Kannur (Kerala), Kochi (Kerala), Kozhikode (Kerala), Kolkata (West Bengal), Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), Madurai (Tamil Nadu), Mangalore (Karnataka), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Pune (Maharashtra), Ranchi (Jharkhand), Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Surat (Gujarat), Tiruchirappalli (Tamil Nadu), Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).

First time voters can avail this offer across the fare family of Air India Express that include four fare products  Xpress Lite (cabin baggage only fares), Xpress Value (15 kg check-in bag fares), Xpress Flex (unlimited changes with no change fees) and Xpress Biz (Business Class seating with complimentary Gourmair meals & priority services). Details on how to book and conditions of the offer are listed on airindiaexpress.com.
Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Israel has carried out a strike on Iran, nearly a week after missile and drone attack was carried out by Tehran on Jerusalem.

Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran, a US official tells CNN.

The attack came just hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN in an interview that if Israel takes any further military action against it would be immediate and at a maximum level."

The sound of explosions were heard around 4:00 am in the northern and eastern regions of Isfahan province, Mehr News Agency reported.

Local people told the news agency that the blast sound was due to the firing of air defence systems.

The news agency reported no damage to property or casualty has been reported so far.

An informed source told Mehr News Agency that the sound of the explosion was caused by the destruction of three micro air vehicles over Isfahan.

Earlier, Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi has warned that Iran's attack on his country will be 'met with a response'.

He made the remarks while visiting Nevatim Airbase in Israel where four Iranian ballistic missiles hit on Saturday (April 13, 2024).

Iran wanted to harm the strategic capabilities of the State of Israel  that is something that had not happened before. We were prepared for the Iron Shield operation  preparation that brought Iran to also encounter aerial superiority, he was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel.

We are looking ahead, we are considering our steps, and this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response, he added.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has said at the UN Security Council meeting that the Israeli regime must be forced to stop repeating any further military adventures against Iran's interests.

"Iran's legitimate defence and countermeasures have now ended. Therefore, the Israeli regime should be forced to stop repeating any further military adventures against Iran's interests," Amirabdollahian was quoted as saying by IRNA.
Photo Courtesy: UN Photo/Manuel Elias

Recent escalations in the Middle East make it even more important to support efforts towards lasting peace between Israel and a fully independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Thursday.

Failure to make progress towards a two-State solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region, who will continue to live under the constant threat of violence, he said.

Regional conflict, global impact

With the Middle East on a precipice, he appealed for maximum restraint, warning against the far-reaching consequences.

One miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake, could lead to the unthinkable  a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved  and for the rest of the world, he said.

Guterres reiterated his strong condemnation for Irans large-scale attack on Israel on Saturday, and an earlier assault on the Iranian consulate in Damascus which Tehran attributed to Israel, saying it is high time to end the bloody cycle of retaliation.

End Gaza hostilities

Stressing that the international community must work together to prevent any actions that could push the entire Middle East over the edge, he highlighted the need for diplomacy that would lead to de-escalation, starting with Gaza.

Ending the hostilities in Gaza would significantly defuse tensions across the region, Guterres said, repeating his call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages held in the enclave.

The horrific terror attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on 7 October, including mass killings, the use of sexual violence, torture, and the taking of hostages, were an intolerable denial of the most basic values of humanity, and a breach of the most fundamental rules of international law, he added.

Humanitarian hellscape

Meanwhile, nearly seven months of Israeli military operations in Gaza have created a humanitarian hellscape. Tens of thousands have been killed, including more than 13,800 children, and two million Palestinians are now living under the threat of famine.

Israel recently made several commitments to improve aid delivery, he said. For example, three convoys from the World Food Programme (WFP) were authorized to use the Erez Crossing into northern Gaza to deliver food parcels and wheat flour over a three-day period this week.

Yet, apparent progress in one area is often cancelled out by delays and restrictions elsewhere, meaning that the impact is limited, and sometimes nil.

Quantum leap in aid

The Secretary-General called for a quantum leap in humanitarian aid to avert imminent famine in Gaza, and further preventable deaths from disease.

Conditions on the ground must also be addressed so that humanitarian agencies can safely deliver aid, he added, noting that nearly 250 aid workers have been killed, including more than 180 UN personnel.

Delivering aid at scale requires Israels full and active facilitation of humanitarian operations, including through a functioning humanitarian notification system  and improved and direct communications between humanitarians and military decision makers on the ground, he said.

West Bank violence

Guterres also highlighted the explosive situation in the occupied West Bank. More than 450 Palestinians, including 112 children, have been killed since 7 October. Seventeen Israelis, including a child, have also been killed there and in Israel during the same period.

Additionally, the reported killing of a 14-year-old Israeli boy over the weekend sparked a new wave of armed settler attacks against at least 37 Palestinian villages. Four Palestinians were killed, including a 17-year-old boy.

The backdrop to this appalling surge in violence is the continued expansion of Israeli settlements  in themselves a violation of international law  and repeated large-scale Israeli operations in Palestinian areas, he said.

Condemning the violence, Guterres urged Israel to take immediate steps to end the unprecedented levels of settler violence, hold perpetrators to account, and protect the Palestinian population from attacks, violence and intimidation.

Blue Line, Red Sea

Efforts towards regional de-escalation must also address the extremely fraught situation in Lebanon, particularly along the Blue Line which marks the frontier between the south of the country and northern Israel, Mr. Guterres continued.

Exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah are exacting a mounting toll on civilian communities in Israel and Lebanon. Dozens of civilians have been killed and tens of thousands displaced on both sides of the Blue Line, he said, appealing for restraint.

He also drew attention to the crisis in the Red Sea, where Houthi rebels in Yemen continue to launch attacks against merchant and commercial ships, disrupting global trade.

He urged the international community to unite to prevent escalation in the Red Sea, adding that the people of Yemen must be supported in their efforts towards a just and sustainable peace.

Palestine: Support full UN Membership

The Special Representative of the Palestinian President, Ziad Abu Amr, said the plight of the Palestinian people started over a century ago and is still ongoing.

We are still longing to practice our right to self-determination to live in freedom, security and peace in an independent State, similar to other countries around the world. We have made and continue to make great sacrifices to achieve this goal, he told the Council.

He said granting Palestine full membership at the UN will lift some of the historic injustices that succeeding generations of Palestinians have been subjected to.

The decision will also be an important pillar to achieve peace in the region because the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in its different dimensions now extends beyond the borders of Palestine and Israel and impacts other parts of the Middle East and the world.

Therefore, we believe that it is high time for the Security Council to shoulder its historic responsibility to give justice to the Palestinian people by adopting a resolution to accept Palestine as a full member of the United Nations, he said.

Those who are trying to disrupt and hinder the adoption of such a resolution, they are not helping the prospects of peace between Palestinians and Israelis and the prospects for peace in the Middle East in general, he added.

Council due to vote on Palestinian membership

The Security Council is due to vote in just a few hours time in New York on whether to recommend Palestine for full membership, which if approved, would then go to the wider General Assembly. Read our full explainer here on Palestines decades-long bid.

Turning to Gaza, Abu Amr said the comprehensive war waged by Israel has claimed the lives of over 35,000 Palestinians and wounded 80,000, mostly women, children and the elderly, and the majority of the enclave has been destroyed.

Gaza will come back. What will be destroyed is the occupation, he said.

We call on you today more than ever, to swiftly intervene and take the necessary measures to compel Israel to put an end to its aggression, to allow the delivery of humanitarian assistance to a starving people, to immediately withdraw from the Gaza Strip, to comply with international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy.

A sick reward: Israel

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan chastised the Council for not meeting even once to discuss ways to advance the release of the hostages held in Gaza or issuing condemnations against the heinous 7 October massacre by Hamas.

Rather than condemning Hamass atrocities or taking action, real action, to bring our hostages home, this Council will be voting upon a resolution to recommend granting the Palestinian Authority full membership status, he said.

He stated that the resolution will have zero positive impact for any party, cause destruction for years to come and harm any chance for future dialogue.

Erdan said six months after the most brutal massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, the Security Council was seeking to reward the supporters and perpetrators with Statehood.

The child-murdering Hamas rapists are watching this meeting and they are smiling. There is no bigger prize for terror than today's meeting, he said.

He also listed the criteria for admission to the UN, whose membership is open to all peace-loving States.

The Palestinian Authority has absolutely no control over Gaza. You all know it; everyone knows it, he said. So, who is the Council voting to recognize today and give full membership status to: Hamas in Gaza? Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Nablus? Who is going to be in charge?

He said that while this alone is grounds enough to reject this sick reward for Palestinian terror, the Palestinian Authority is the opposite of a peace-loving entity as it has not condemned the 7 October attacks.

New US sanctions on Iran

United States Deputy Permanent Ambassador Robert Wood condemned Irans direct attack on Israel, which his country had helped to foil.

It is vital that the international community is united in condemning Irans reckless escalatory acts, which pose a direct threat to international peace and security, destabilize the region, and endanger its own people, he said.

In response, the United States announced new sanctions against several officials connected to Irans drone programme, as well as suppliers and customers of one of its largest steel producers, and automobile companies.

The Security Council must also not let Irans actions go unanswered, he continued.

He said evidence is clear that Iran has armed militant group Hezbollah. It has also armed, facilitated and enabled Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and on vessels in the Red Sea, all in clear violation of Council resolutions.

Additionally, Iran has transferred Shahed one-way attack drones used in attacks against multiple UN Member States.

Iran has provided significant funding and training for the military wing of Hamas, which as we know, perpetrated unspeakable acts of cruelty on October 7 against Israelis, Americans, and citizens from countries all over the world. This longstanding Iranian support continues to contribute to the current crisis in Gaza, he added.

Meanwhile, the US continues to work towards an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza, he said, as part of a deal to release the hostages and deliver additional, increased humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians.

Wood noted that his country is committed to achieving credible, timebound, and irreversible steps toward a two-State solution between Israelis and Palestinians.

Iran: Israel attack necessary

The Foreign Minister of Iran, Dr. Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said the 1 April attack on the countrys embassy in Damascus showed yet again that Israel does not hesitate to violate the fundamental immunity of diplomatic premises and personnel.

He regretted that the Council had not taken any action in response to Irans official and repeated requests to prevent further Israeli attacks on its interests.

Iran recently had also shown considerable restraint, he added, but was faced with the continuation of the White House's green light granted to the Israeli regime as well as the continued inaction of the Security Council in preventing these attacks.

Therefore, the attack on Israel last weekend was first and foremost necessary, because Iran had no other option, he said, adding that operations focused solely on two Israeli military bases used in the embassy attack.

Iran's legitimate defence and countermeasures have been concluded. Therefore, the terrorist Israeli regime must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests, he said.

Amir-Abdollahian assured the Council of Irans commitment to promoting regional peace and stability.

He said the Council must compel the rogue and rebel regime of Israel to immediately stop the war and genocide in Gaza.
Representative image/ courtesy: Unsplash

As Israel launched a missile strike on Iran Friday, Tehran claimed to have activated its air defence system and that it shot down several drones.

Israel launched a strike against Iran in retaliation for its weekend attack, said US officials, though media from both countries appeared to downplay the severity of the incident.

Iran activated its air defence system over several cities, state media reported, soon after the country's official broadcaster said explosions were heard near Isfahan, Iran's third-biggest city.

Several Iranian nuclear sites are located in Isfahan province, including Natanz, the centerpiece of Iran's uranium enrichment program.

Nuclear facilities in Isfahan were reported to be "completely secure", Iran's Tasnim news agency said.

The attack came just hours after Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN in an interview that if Israel takes any further military action against it would be immediate and at a maximum level."

The sound of explosions was heard around 4:00 am in the northern and eastern regions of Isfahan province, Mehr News Agency reported.

Though some media reports said that missiles had been fired, Iran said that they had shot down several drones but there had been "no missile attack for now".

Several drones "have been successfully shot down by the country's air defence, there are no reports of a missile attack for now," Iran's space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian said on X.

Earlier, Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi warned that Iran's attack on his country will be 'met with a response'.

He made the remarks while visiting Nevatim Airbase in Israel where four Iranian ballistic missiles hit on April 13.

Iran wanted to harm the strategic capabilities of the State of Israel  that is something that had not happened before. We were prepared for the Iron Shield operation  preparation that brought Iran to also encounter aerial superiority, he was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel.

We are looking ahead, we are considering our steps, and this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response, he added.
Image credit: President's Office/Wikipedia CC

Since winning the 2023 elections banking on an anti-India narrative and coming to power, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has been developing ties with China and distancing from India, calling its long-time ally a "threat to the sovereignty of Maldives."

Maldives upgraded its relationship with China by signing a number of MoUs with the Asian giant during Muizzu's maiden visit to Beijing as the Maldivian President in January this year, where Chinese President Xi Jinping called him "an old friend" of his country.

Now, ahead of the parliamentary polls in the archipelagic state, when the opposition parties have demanded a probe against him and his impeachment over corruption charges in the past, he is also facing the anger over China deals.

Muizzu reportedly signed at least 20 deals with China during his state visit to Beijing.

However, the shift of the island nation's allegiances from India to China is not giving a very positive result as the country had planned.

In February, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that the strategically placed Indian Ocean nation of Maldives is at high risk of "debt distress" as the Muizzu government is shifting its allegiances from India to China, and borrowing heavily from Beijing.

The total debt of the island nation stood at MVR119 billion (USD 7.6 billion), out of which external debt is MVR 50.9 billion (USD 3.3 billion), while the total public debt, including borrowings and sovereign guarantees, stood at 110.9 percent of the country's GDP at the end of September last year.

Maldives' foreign debt as a percentage of GDP stands at 47.5 percent.

The country currently owes MVR 9.1 billion (USD 600 million) to China. The bulk of the debt is in the form of sovereign guarantees for loans taken through various government companies.

Maldives has a loan of MVR 30.1 million to Export Import Bank of China, MVR 4.55 billion sovereign guarantees to Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, MVR 2.32 billion sovereign guarantees to Export Import Bank of China guarantee and MVR 2.26 billion sovereign guarantees to China Development Bank.



As per the government, 30 percent of the external debt is owed to China which is around USD 1 billion out of USD 3.3 billion external debt.

The Maldivian President requested Chinese support for reducing the debt repayment burden for the next 3-5 years to gain breathing space to restructure the external debt portfolio.

Muizzu also sought Chinese assistance in establishing a Development Bank in Maldives to provide finance for housing at an affordable rate.

The total public and publicly guaranteed debt (PPG) was USD 7 billion (113.5 percent of GDP) by the end of 2022.

Domestic debt accounted for 62.1 percent of GDP, while the external debt was at 51.4 percent of GDP.

According to reports, the country's current debt burden remains extremely high. Of which about 30 percent is for China.

Underlying Maldives grim economic situation and Chinas massive intrusion in the country's affair, Maldives has urged China to consider providing USD 200 million grant-aid as a budgetary support and USD 350 million medium to long term loan at concessional rates, for narrowing the financing gap and implementing crucial development projects.

The island nation requires US$ 550 million through external financing to meet its budgetary requirements of US$1.1 billion for 2024.

President Mohamed Muizzu on his return to Male claimed that his visit to China was fruitful and stated that China has agreed to provide USD 130 million as Grant Aid.

A view of the Male harbour. Image: Wikipedia Creative Commons

He also mentioned that Beijing has agreed to consider re-structuring the re-repayment of loans and an expert team from China would visit Maldives to discuss ways to offer a grace period in loan repayment over next five years.

However, except for USD 10 million which was promised during the Maldivian Presidents visit to Beijing, Maldives has not received any money from China.

The pro-China Maldivian President faced massive domestic criticism for his anti-India stance as the main opposition parties of the country, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Democrats, slammed Muizzu for distancing from India, the island nation's "most long-standing ally."

Besides expressing concern over the new foreign policy of Muizzu-led government in Maldives, the opposition parties took to the street in January.

However, the pro-China Maldives President has recently struck a reconciliatory tone and said India will continue to remain his country's closest ally as he had to urge New Delhi to provide debt relief to the archipelago nation.

According to a Business Standard report, the Maldives owed approximately USD 400.9 million to India by the end of last year.
In the labyrinth of Pakistans political theatre, a single image has captured the essence of power dynamics more poignantly than any high-profile political gathering could.

The photograph of General Asim Munir, the army chief, placing his hand over Assistant Superintendent of Police Syeda Shehrbano Naqvis head, commending her bravery, is emblematic of the militarys enduring influence in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

ASP Shehrbano Naqvis act of valor, rescuing a woman targeted by a mob under a blasphemy accusation, merits national recognition. Yet, the commendation didnt come from the police hierarchy or a civilian leader but from the army chief. This gesture, while commendable for acknowledging bravery, underscores a troubling narrative: the military, not civilian authorities, is perceived as the ultimate guardian of justice and order in Pakistan.

This incident isnt isolated. It reflects a broader reality where the military, often seen as the arbiter of power, continues to overshadow civilian governance. The recent elections only reinforce this perception. Despite the electorates voice, manifest in the surprising success of Imran Khans PTI, the militarys shadow looms large, influencing outcomes and political alignments behind the scenes.

The post-election developments, with Nawaz Sharifs PML(N) and the PPP navigating the political maze under the armys watchful eye, highlight a persistent theme in Pakistans polity: the militarys role as the de facto power broker. This is not merely about facilitating government formation but about steering the nations direction, often at the expense of democratic principles.

The implications are profound, not just for Pakistans internal dynamics but for its regional relationships, particularly with India. As the new government grapples with economic challenges and strives for stability, the undercurrents of military influence could shape Pakistans path forward, impacting its domestic and foreign policy.

For a nation yearning for democratic maturity, the ongoing scenario presents a conundrum. While the militarys role in ensuring national security is undeniable, the balance of power needs recalibration. True progress requires strengthening civilian institutions, ensuring they can operate independently of military oversight, thus fostering a democratic environment where the rule of law prevails, not just in letter but in spirit.

As Pakistan stands at this crossroads, the international community watches closely. The choices made today will determine not only the future but also its role on the global stage. In this intricate dance of power, the hope is that civilian voices will not be overshadowed by military boots, paving the way for a Pakistan where democracy is not just an ideal but a lived reality.

(Text and courtesy: Khalsavox.com)
Representative Photo Courtesy: Unsplash

Cambodian authorities have extradited 130 Chinese nationals for their alleged involvement in cybercrimes, online fraud and illegal gambling.

Lieutenant General Sok Somnea, Spokesman and Deputy Director General of the GDI, was quoted as saying by Khmer Times, 130 Chinese nationals were extradited on April 13, for their involvement in cybercrimes, online fraud and illegal gambling.

We are still looking for more of those involved in these crimes and I cannot go into more detail, as it is under investigation by the Immigration Police, he said.

He said the seized servers, computers, mobile phones, SIM cards and other equipment were believed to have been used for criminal activities.

He said they have been sent to court as evidence.

The Cambodian authorities are working closely with their Chinese counterparts to exchange information on the investigation, crackdown and rescue of victims of cybercrime, he said.
Death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza Strip passes 42,200 13 Oct 2024 | 4:54 PM Doha, Oct 13 (UNI) The death toll from the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 42,200, while over 98,400 Palestinians have been injured since last October, the enclave's health ministry said on Sunday. see more..

20 injured in southern Egypt train collision: ministry 13 Oct 2024 | 4:40 PM Cairo, Oct 13 (UNI) At least 20 people were injured in a train collision early Sunday in southern Egypt's Minya province, with no fatalities so far, the Egyptian Health Ministry said. see more..

Israeli armored force infiltrates Lebanese border village: sources 13 Oct 2024 | 4:37 PM Beirut, Oct 13 (UNI) An Israeli armored force infiltrated the southern Lebanese border village of al-Dhahira on Sunday morning, according to Lebanese military sources. see more..

25 Afghan inmates set free from Iraq 13 Oct 2024 | 4:36 PM Kabul, Oct 13 (UNI) A total of 25 Afghan inmates imprisoned in Iraq have been set free and returned to their homeland, Afghanistan's Ministry for Refugees and Repatriation said on Saturday. see more..
Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

Toronto/IBNS: A vehicle used in armed carjackings across the Greater Toronto Area was linked by Investigators with the York Regional Police Hold-Up Unit and are seeking additional witnesses to come forward.

Police responded to a carjacking attempt at a parking lot in the area of Yonge Street and Glen Cameron Road on April 6 at approximately 2 a.m.

The victim was walking to her vehicle when she was pulled away by an approaching suspect. In the meantime, a second suspect entered her vehicle. As the victim struggled with the suspect, she was joined by her husband to assist.

The suspects' attempt to flee in the victims vehicle led them to a crash into another vehicle in the parking lot while the husband attempted to pull the suspect out of the car.

The suspects then ran to a white Acura parked nearby driven by a third suspect.

It was learned through investigation that the white Acura was stolen in Peel Region on April 1.

The Acura was used on April 7 in a carjacking of a blue BMW in the City of Toronto.

Following the crash of the suspects' car, involved in carjacking, the Toronto Police Service were ultimately able to charge the suspects.

Assisted by the Emergency Response Unit, Hold Up investigators located the stolen Acura on April 13, 2024 with three suspects inside.

By utilizing flashbangs, a distraction device that produces a flash of light and loud noises, the suspects attempted to flee on foot, tossing a loaded firearm.

But all suspects were taken into custody and the stolen vehicle was recovered.

Poshur WILLIAMS, 18, of Toronto and two male youths, 15 and 16, were charged with numerous firearm and property offences. At the time, Williams was on a release order for unrelated charges.

A video of the April 6 incident and the arrest of the three suspects on April 13 can be viewed here:

Believing that there may be other suspects linked to this criminal network, investigators believe there may be other suspects and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward. The investigation is ongoing.

The York Regional Police Hold-Up Unit should be contacted by anyone with information at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6630, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.

For up-to-date crime data in York Region please visit our Community Safety Data Portal at https://community-safety-portal-datayrp.hub.arcgis.com/ Crime prevention is our shared responsibility. Learn more about Operation StreetView at www.yrp.ca/registermycam.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Adil Hussain's response has made it clear that the actor is unfazed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga's tweet criticizing him. After the Animal director slammed the veteran actor saying that "his greed is bigger than his passion" and that he will replace his face in his film Kabir Singh using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Hussain says he stands his ground.

Adil Hussain Reacts After Sandeep Reddy Vanga Blasts Him

Adil Hussain said that he was in the US and had not seen Sandeep's tweet. When informed about it, he said, "Neither do I intend to. What I said (about Kabir Singh) was in an interview, and not on social media."

He once again stated that he regretted doing the film and added, "I was completely shocked when I saw the film and I regret doing it. I will not change my stand." He told this to TOI.

Sandeep Reddy Vanga slammed Adil Hussain

Ur 'belief' in 30 art films didn't get as much fame to u as ur 'regret' of 1 BLOCKBUSTER film did https://t.co/BiJIV3UeyO

I regret casting u,knwing that ur greed is bigger than ur passion. NOW I'll save U from the shame by replacing Ur face with AI help Now smile properly   Sandeep Reddy Vanga (@imvangasandeep) April 18, 2024

This came after Vanga's tweet slamming the actor for saying that he was embarrassed after watching Kabir Singh and regrets playing a part in the movie. Vanga who doesn't mince his words responded by writing, "Your 'belief' in 30 art films didn't get as much fame to you as your 'regret' of 1 BLOCKBUSTER film did. I regret casting you, knowing that your greed is bigger than ur passion. NOW I'll save you from the shame by replacing your face with AI help. Now smile properly".

Also read: People Remind Sandeep Reddy Vanga Of Adil Hussain's Career Milestones After He Blasts Him



What did Adil Hussain say about Kabir Singh?

In an interview with AP Podcast's YouTube channel, Adil Hussain said he signed Kabir Singh without a narration and hadn't even heard the script. When he watched the film, he couldn't watch it beyond 20 minutes and walked out of the theatre. "That's the only film in my life that I did without reading the script, without watching the Telugu movie it was based on. And I went to see Kabir Singh in Delhi and after 20 minutes I just walked out. The only film that I have regretted doing till date is Kabir Singh because I think it is misogynist and makes me feel small as a human being," he said.

Also read: Neena Gupta Adorably Announces Daughter Masaba Gupta's Pregnancy, Anupam Kher Says 'Badhaai Ho'



He added, "It legitmises male misogyny and violence against anybody (does not have to be a woman). I have said it before that the only film I regret doing is Kabir Singh."

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Salman Khan has jetted off to Dubai. The Bollywood superstar was spotted at the Mumbai airport along with his bodyguard Shera and his Y+ security. The actor who met Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde amid threats from Lawrence Bishnoi, has been keeping a low profile ever since shots were fired at his house in Bandra, Galaxy Apartment.

Salman Khan jets off to Dubai

The Tiger 3 actor has taken off to Dubai for professional commitments. As per reports, he has gone there for the launch of Rizwan Sajan's newest project Diamondz by Danube. The actor was spotted at the Mumbai airport amid tight security. He chose not to pose for the paparazzi and was surrounded by his Y+ security.

Salman Khan gets Y+ security amid threats

BCCL

Salman Khan was given Y+ security after shots were fired at Galaxy Apartment by two men who are now under arrest. " The actor has Y+ category security cover, but after the firing, the number of police personnel guarding him has been increased," an official was quoted as saying. Additionally, the Police said they are taking precautions during the movement of the actor. "Whenever Salman Khan will be out for film shooting, precautions will be taken accordingly," the officer said, adding a vehicle of the Special Protection Unit (SPU) remains stationed outside the Galaxy Apartment.

IP address of FB post on responsibility for shooting at Salmans house traced to Portugal

BCCL

After the incident, Lawrence Bishnoi's brother Anmol Bishnoi claimed responsibility for the gunfire incident around 11 pm hours after shots were fired by two unidentified bike-borne men at Khan's house around 5 AM. Police have now tracked the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the Facebook post claiming responsibility for firing and it has been traced to Portugal.

Also Read: Why Is Lawrence Bishnoi Targetting Salman Khan? Did Vivek Oberoi Once Praise The Bishnoi Community?

Police suspect a VPN (virtual private network) was used for uploading the Facebook post, allegedly by Anmol Bishnoi, the brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

"The IP address of the FB post was traced to Portugal. We are verifying," a Police officer confirmed. The post was written in Hindi termed the firing as an "event" and a "trailer".

"We have only shown you a trailer so that you understand the magnitude of our strength and do not test it. This is the first and last warning," the post reads. According to the officer, the shooters had conducted recce outside Salman Khan's Bandra residence a few days ago.



Also Read: Salman Khan's Modest 1 BHK House Leaves Fans Shocked After Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's Visit

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Mahavir Jayanti also called Mahavir Janma Kalyanak holds significant importance in the Jain community, marking the birth of Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. Typically falling in March or April on the Gregorian calendar. It's a time to reflect on and honour the life and teachings of this revered spiritual leader. Mahavir Janma Kalyanak highlights the essence of Dharma within Jainism, emphasising principles such as non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-stealing (Asteya), chastity (Brahmacharya), and non-attachment (Aparigraha).

When is Mahavir Jayanti 2024?

Mahavir Jayanti 2024 is celebrated today on Sunday, April 21. It's a day filled with reverence and festivity among Jain devotees worldwide.

Mahavir Jayanti 2024 timings

Mahavir was born on the thirteenth day (Trayodashi) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Hindu month of Chaitra. This year, his 2622nd birthday will start on April 20 at 10:41 p.m. and end on April 22 at 1:11 p.m., according to the Panchang. So, the whole celebration of Mahavir Jayanti will be on Sunday, April 21, 2024.



Significance Of Mahavir Jayanti

Happy Mahavir Jayanti | Photo: Freepik

Mahavir Jayanti holds immense significance in Jainism. It commemorates the birth of Lord Mahavir, also known as Vardhaman, who dedicated his life to propagating the principles of dharma and non-violence. Jain followers celebrate this auspicious day with great zeal and devotion. (Happy Mahavir Jayanti wishes and quotes)



The Story of Mahavir Jayanti

Lord Mahavir was the son of King Sidhartha and Queen Trisala. He was born in Kundalagrama, Bihar, on the 13th day of the Hindu calendar month Chaitra in 599 BC, according to the Swetambars, while the Digambar Jains believe he was born in 615 BC.

In his childhood, he was named Vardhaman. Despite being born into a royal family and surrounded by all luxuries and comforts, he was not interested in worldly pleasures. As he grew older, he began to question the purpose of his existence.

Consequently, at the age of 30, he left the kingdom, his family, and his worldly duties, seeking inner peace and tranquillity in the forest. He rigorously practised penance for 12 years in pursuit of salvation.

Mahavir Jayanti Celebrations and Rituals

The celebration of Mahavir Jayanti typically includes prayers, reading sacred texts, and big processions. Followers go to Jain temples to worship, offering flowers, sweets, and other items to Lord Mahavirs statue. They also help others by giving out food and clothes to those who need them.



Jains also arrange processions called Rath Yatras, where Lord Mahavirs statue is carried in a decorated chariot through the streets. Devotees sing hymns and say prayers during the procession. The Rath Yatra is an important part of the celebrations, spreading the teachings of peace, kindness, and non-violence to everyone.

The Teachings of Lord Mahavir

Lord Mahavir's teachings emphasise the principles of ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha (non-attachment). His timeless wisdom continues to inspire millions around the globe to lead a life of virtue and righteousness.

Motivational quotes by Lord Mahavira

Do not injure, abuse, oppress, enslave, insult torment, torture, or kill any creature or living being.

In happiness and suffering , in joy and grief, we should regard all creatures as we regard our own self

Fight with yourself, why fight with external foes? He, who conquers himself through himself, will obtain happiness.

Dont accumulate if you do not need it. The excess of wealth in your hands is for the society, and you are the trustee for the same

All breathing, existing, living, sentient creatures should not be slain, nor treated with violence, nor abused, nor tormented, nor driven away.

A man is seated on top of a tree in the midst of a burning forest. He sees all living beings perish. But he doesnt realize that the same fate is soon going to overtake him also. That man is fool

Happy Mahavir Jayanti wishes and quotes to share with loved ones

Wishing you peace, happiness, and enlightenment on the auspicious occasion of Mahavira Jayanti. May Lord Mahavira bless you with wisdom and compassion.

There is no enemy out of your soul. The real enemies live inside yourself, they are anger, pride, greed, attachments, and hate.-

May Lord Mahaviras divine blessings always be upon us and our loved ones. Greetings on Mahavir Jayanti!

Truthfulness, chastity, simplicity, and equanimity are the four pillars of a pious life.

May Lord Mahavir grant everyone the courage, strength, and insight needed to overcome all challenges in life. Greetings on Mahavir Jayanti!

A man is seated on top of a tree in the midst of a burning forest. He sees all living beings perish. But he doesnt realize that the same fate is soon to overtake him also. That man is a fool.

May this Mahavir Jayanti signify the beginning of a new era filled with peace, joy, and prosperity for all. Greetings on Mahavir Jayanti!

It is better to win over self than to win over a million enemies.

May Lord Mahavira bless us abundantly and infuse our lives with the values of truth, non-violence, and compassion. Happy Mahavir Jayanti!

One who neglects or disregards the existence of earth, air, fire, water, and vegetation disregards his own existence which is entwined with them.

As we celebrate Mahavir Jayanti 2024, let us reflect on the timeless teachings of Lord Mahavir and strive to imbibe them into our lives. May this auspicious occasion bring peace, harmony, and spiritual enlightenment to all.



For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
World's Most Popular Coffee Drinks: Coffee is more than just a drink; it's a beloved part of many cultures around the world. As per a study by Coffeeness, a virtual maketplace based in the UK for coffee enthusiasts, these are the five most popular coffee drinks enjoyed by people from different corners of the globe.

Pinterest

Most popular coffee drinks across the world

1) Cappuccino

Originating from Italy, cappuccino is a delightful blend of espresso, steamed milk, and frothy milk foam. It's known for its creamy texture and rich flavor. The name "cappuccino" comes from the Capuchin friars' robes, which the drink's color resembles. Cappuccino is often enjoyed as a morning pick-me-up or as a comforting treat any time of the day.

Also Read: Health Tips: 3 Lifestyle Changes That Will Get You Your Summer Body

2) Espresso

Espresso is the foundation of many coffee drinks and is loved for its intense flavor and strong kick of caffeine. It's made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans under high pressure, resulting in a concentrated shot of coffee. Espresso is typically served in small cups and enjoyed as a quick and potent energy boost.

espresso

3) Black Coffee

Simple yet satisfying, black coffee is made by brewing coffee beans with hot water and served without any added milk or sugar. It's cherished for its pure and robust flavor, allowing coffee enthusiasts to fully appreciate the unique characteristics of different coffee beans. Black coffee is enjoyed by many around the world as a morning ritual or throughout the day for a caffeine fix.

4) Americano

The Americano is a popular coffee drink that originated during World War II when American soldiers stationed in Europe diluted espresso with hot water to mimic the taste of drip coffee back home. Today, an Americano is made by adding hot water to a shot of espresso, resulting in a smoother and milder coffee flavor compared to straight espresso.

americano

5) Mocha

Combining the richness of chocolate with the boldness of coffee, the mocha is a decadent treat loved by coffee and chocolate lovers alike. It's made by mixing espresso with steamed milk and chocolate syrup, then topped with whipped cream for an indulgent finish. Mocha is often enjoyed as a dessert-like drink or as a sweet afternoon treat.

No matter where you are in the world, these five popular coffee drinks offer a delicious and comforting way to enjoy the wonderful flavors and aromas of coffee. Whether you prefer the boldness of espresso or the creamy sweetness of a mocha, there's a coffee drink for everyone to enjoy.

Also Read: 21 Key Questions To Ask Your Partner Before You Say "Yes" To Arranged Marriage

For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle.
Voting is underway in 102 seats across 21 states and Union Territories in the first phase of the Lok Sabha Elections on Friday. The seven-phase voting that started on April 19 will conclude on June 1st and the results for all the phases will be announced on June 4.

According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), there are around 96.8 crore registered voters in the country including 49.7 crore men, and 47.1 crore women.

REUTERS

India's first voter won't vote this time

But one person who won't be voting this time is India's first voter. Shyam Saran Negi, who holds the record for being the first voter in the history of Independent India passed away in November 2022, at the age of 106.

This is the first general election in India without its first voter.

Shyam Saran Negi, India's first voter

Negi, a native of Kalpa village in Himachal Pradesh became India's first voter when he cast his vote in the first-ever general election in 1951-1952.

BCCL/FILE

In 1951, Negi, who was a school teacher at that time, was on election duty and had exercised his franchise in Chini constituency, later renamed Kinnaur.

Back then, voting in the snow-bound areas of the mountain state was held ahead of other places in the country. Thus he became the first ever person to vote in independent India.

34 vote in his lifetime

A firm believer in democracy, Negi never missed a vote in his lifetime and had voted a total of 34 times, with his last vote being in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections, just days before his death.

BCCL

India's first voter was almost forgotten

Despite being the first voter in the country's history, Negi's achievement was largely forgotten for decades.

It was only in July 2007 that the Election Commission of India tracked the countrys first voter, thanks to an IAS officer Manisha Nanda who noticed from the electoral rolls that Negi was 92 years old then. Nanda got Election officials to visit Negi, who described to them how he voted in the first General Elections.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee have claimed that fossils recovered from a mine in Kutch, Gujarat may have belonged to the spine of one of the largest snakes to ever have lived. The fossil remains of 'Vasuki Indicus' were found in the Panandhro Lignite Mine in Kutch in 2005.

REUTERS

Fossil mostly preserved

Researchers had found 27 "mostly well-preserved" bones forming the snake's spinal column, or vertebra, with some connections still intact.

It has been named after Vasuki, the mythical snake around the neck of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva.

Largest snake ever

In a new study published in the journal, Scientific Reports, IIT Roorkee researchers said that remains belonged to a snake from the now extinct madtsoiidae family. The madtsoiidae snake family is known to have lived across a broad geography, including Africa, Europe and India.

REUTERS

According to them, Vasuki Indicus could have been roughly 11 and 15 metres long, making it the largest known madtsoiid snake ever.

The vertebrae, measuring between 38 and 62 millimeters in length, and between 62 and 111 millimetres in width, suggested Vasuki Indicus to possibly have had a broad, cylindrical body, the researchers said.

Slow-moving predator

They believe that Vasuki Indicus's large size may have made it a slow-moving ambush predator, similar to an anaconda.

Considering its large size, Vasuki was a slow-moving ambush predator that would subdue its prey through constriction like anacondas and pythons. This snake lived in a marshy swamp near the coast at a time when global temperatures were higher than today, said Debajit Datta, a researcher in palaeontology at the IIT Roorkee and the lead author of the study.

REUTERS

The researchers said the snake represented a "distinct lineage" originating in India which then spread via southern Europe to Africa during the Eocene, about 56 to 34 million years ago. The first ancestors and close relatives of the modern mammal species are said to have appeared in the Eocene period.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Authorities in Singapore have ordered a recall of Everest Fish Curry Masala after it was found to have more than the permissible limits of a pesticide in it. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) issued the recall order on Thursday after tests found the presence of ethylene oxide in the Fish Curry Masala.

Everest Spices

Ethylene oxide not permissible in food

According to the SFA, ethylene oxide is a pesticide not authorised for use in food, although it is allowed to be used in the sterilisation of spices.

The agency said that although there is no immediate risk to consumption of food contaminated with low levels of ethylene oxide, long-term exposure may lead to health issues.

"Therefore, exposure to this substance should be minimised as much as possible," it added.

Unsplash

Consumers who have bought the implicated products should not consume it, said SFA.

"Those who have consumed the implicated products and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice. Consumers may contact their point of purchase for enquiries."

Imported from India

According to the SFA, the Everest Fish Curry Masala was imported from India and came in 50-gram packets with a best-before date of September 2025.

Mumbai-based Everest Spices is one of the biggest food processing companies in India, which according to its website has a presence in more than eight countries around the world.

MDH Sambar Masala recalled in US in 2019

This is not the first time popular Indian spice mix brands have failed quality tests in other countries.

Unsplash

In 2019 the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) had ordered the recall of three batches of MDH Sambhar Masala after they were found to be contaminated by Salmonella bacteria.

The consumption of food contaminated with salmonella can cause salmonellosis, which is one of the most common bacterial foodborne diseases like diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.

For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Lok Sabha Election 2024: The Lok Sabha elections for 2024, described by the BJP as a significant step towards 2047 and by the Opposition as a fight to protect democracy, began today. In the first part of this 7-phase process, voting is being held in 102 areas spread across 21 states and Union Territories.



This initial phase of voting covers all the seats in Tamil Nadu (39), Rajasthan (12), Uttar Pradesh (8), Madhya Pradesh (6), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1), and Lakshadweep (1). Additionally, there are five seats each up for grabs in Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh.

In the digital era, Digital India has created a user-friendly platform that allows Indian citizens to easily apply for and manage their digital voter ID cards online. This service, provided by the Government of India, simplifies the voter registration process, ensuring accuracy in the information of voters. The voter ID card holds significant importance for eligible citizens participating in elections.

Apart from being a necessary identification for voting, a voter card is also one of the most reliable forms of address verification available for us.

Indian voters | Photo: BCCL

The digital voter ID card is a secure, portable PDF version that can be accessed for download on mobile devices or printed from a computer for personal use. This digital format offers flexibility, allowing voters to either store the card on their phones, upload it to DigiLocker, or print and laminate it as needed.



Registration for a Digital Voter ID Card:

To apply for and download your digital voter ID card online, registration on the NVSP portal is essential. Follow the below steps to register on the NVSP portal for applying for a digital voter ID card online:

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Digital Voter ID Card Online:

Signing Up:

1. Go to the National Voters Services Portal (NSVP) at voters.eci.gov.in.

2. Click on 'Sign-Up'.

3. Type in your mobile number, email address, and the captcha code, then press 'Continue'.

4. Fill in your 'First Name', 'Last Name', 'Password', and 'Confirm Password', then click 'Request OTP'.

5. Enter the OTP you receive on your mobile and email, then click 'Verify'.

6. Once verified, you'll be all set to log in using your mobile number and password.

Applying for Your Digital Voter ID Card:

1. Visit the NVSP website again and select 'Login'.

2. Enter your login details.

3. After logging in, go to the 'New registration for general electors' section and click 'Fill Form 6'.

4. Complete Form 6 with all your accurate details.

5. Review the information by clicking 'Preview', then submit the form when you're happy with it.

Checking Your Digital Voter ID Card Status:

1. Head back to the NVSP website.

2. Log in with your credentials.

3. Choose 'Track Application Status'.

4. Enter your 'Reference Number', choose your state, and click 'Submit'. Your application status will be displayed. Alternatively, you can call the helpline number - 1950 from your BSNL mobile.

Downloading Your Digital Voter ID:

The government allows you to download your digital voter ID cards through the NVSP. Here's how:

1. Visit the NVSP website.

2. Log in with your credentials or sign up if you haven't already.

3. Find and click on the 'E-EPIC Download' section.

4. Choose either 'EPIC No.' or 'Form Reference no.'.

5. Enter the EPIC number or form reference number you got during form submission.

6. Select your state and click 'Search'.

7. Your Voter ID details will show up. Click 'Send OTP'.

8. Enter the OTP sent to your phone and click 'Verify'.

9. Once verified, click 'Download e-EPIC'.

Also Read: US Man Charged With Rs 1.2 Crore Phone Bill For Just 9.5 GB Data Usage, Here's W
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Google has launched a Doodle to celebrate the start of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, as millions of Indian voters participate in the first phase today across four states. The outcome of these elections will determine whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi secures a third term in office. Should PM Modi emerge victorious, he would become only the second Indian leader, after Jawaharlal Nehru, to serve three consecutive terms as prime minister.



Google honored the start of the 18th Lok Sabha Elections by replacing its iconic logo with an image of an uplifted index finger marked with indelible ink on its homepage. This symbol has become synonymous with the democratic process of Indian elections.





google

The Google Doodle celebrating the Lok Sabha Elections will be prominently displayed across India as voters head to the polls for Phase 1 of the election. This phase covers 102 Parliamentary Constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories, along with 92 Assembly Constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, making it the largest phase in terms of constituencies. Over the next 44 days, an impressive 969 million registered voters will cast their ballots, shaping the course of the world's largest democracy for the next five years.

Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2024: Step-by-Step Guide To Get Your Digital Voter ID Card Online

First Google Doodle

The very first Doodle launched as an out of office message of sorts when company founders Larry and Sergey went on vacation.

Google Doodle FAQs

What is a Google Doodle?

A Google Doodle is a temporary alteration of the Google logo that appears on the search engine's homepage to commemorate special events, holidays, achievements, and notable historical figures.

How often do Google Doodles change?

Google Doodles change regularly, typically daily, to mark various occasions such as holidays, anniversaries, and global events.

Who creates Google Doodles?

Google has a team of illustrators and designers known as "Doodlers" who are responsible for creating Google Doodles. They work to represent the essence of the event or individual being celebrated.

Can anyone submit ideas for a Google Doodle?

Google doesn't generally accept unsolicited ideas for Doodles. The team usually plans the Doodles well in advance, often based on historical events or major anniversaries.

Also Read: Millionaire Entrepreneur Shares Must-Have Skill To Survive In The AI Era
Israeli army hit 200 targets across Lebanon over past day - IDF 13 Oct 2024 | 5:58 PM Jerusalem, Oct 13 (UNI) Israeli troops have struck about 200 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon in the past day, eliminating dozens of Hezbollah fighters, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday. see more..

Death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza Strip passes 42,200 13 Oct 2024 | 4:54 PM Doha, Oct 13 (UNI) The death toll from the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 42,200, while over 98,400 Palestinians have been injured since last October, the enclave's health ministry said on Sunday. see more..

20 injured in southern Egypt train collision: ministry 13 Oct 2024 | 4:40 PM Cairo, Oct 13 (UNI) At least 20 people were injured in a train collision early Sunday in southern Egypt's Minya province, with no fatalities so far, the Egyptian Health Ministry said. see more..

Israeli armored force infiltrates Lebanese border village: sources 13 Oct 2024 | 4:37 PM Beirut, Oct 13 (UNI) An Israeli armored force infiltrated the southern Lebanese border village of al-Dhahira on Sunday morning, according to Lebanese military sources. see more..
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 13th.

The meeting marks an important attempt in easing testy relations between long-time adversaries Greece and Turkey.

The high-level talks, confirmed following an emergency European Council session, amid ongoing tensions over maritime rights.

Greeces proposed marine parks in the Aegean and Ionian Seas have sparked controversy with Turkey, which has voiced strong opposition. Still, Mr. Mitsotakis has reaffirmed Greeces commitment to international maritime law and environmental protection, stating the parks will proceed as planned.

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The ruling New Democracy party has established a commanding lead, increasing its gains ahead of European elections and securing 32.3 percent of voters support here, according to the latest Metron Analysis poll.

The count marks a strong 16.9 percentage point lead against the main opposition Syriza

party . It also shows rising support for New Democracy , measured at 31.4 percent in Metron Analysis previous poll to 32.3%.

The poll shows Syriza also gaining some traction, inching up about half a point to 15.4 percent as support for the socialist PASOK dipped a full point to12 percent.

Smaller parties also appeared to be gaining support with the newly-found Democrats inching to to percent and the New Left to 3.1%. The hardline communist KKE party marked a slip, as did hard right Greek Solution.

In calibrating voters' intent, the poll showed New Democracy clearing ahead with 26.8 percent, followed by Syriza at 12.8 percent and PASOK at 9.9 percent.

The polls also showed New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis being widely regarded as the most suitable for the prime minister, receiving a 35 percent approval rating. Stefanos Kasselakis marked a distant second at 9 percent, followed by Konstantinos Velopoulos and Nikos. Androulakis, both at 5 percent.

Mr. Mitsotakis ranked the most popular politician, soaking up 41 percent of the support of those polled, narrowly edging Communist leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas at 40 percent. Zoe Konstantopoulou and Mr. Androulakis clinched 36 percent and 33 percent respectively.

This poll reflects a snapshot of the current political sentiment in Greece, capturing the publics perspective as the country prepares to cast its votes in the forthcoming European elections.

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Announced on April 12, 2024, by its Founder & Artistic Director Dionysis Grammenos at the Delphi Economic Forum, the Greek Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO) will travel to New York City and perform at Carnegie Hall, one of the most prestigious concert halls of the world.

This

event is being hosted by The Hellenic Initiative , and with the support of American and Greek donors. The concert will take place Sunday, 7:30 pm, on November 3, 2024, at the Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage of Carnegie Hall.

The program will provide a wonderful array of compositions:

rewind by British, Grammy-nominated composer Anna Clyne, who is in demand at the highest level across the globe and was named by Bachtrack as one of the top ten most performed contemporary composers in the world;

A selection of Nikos Skalkottas Greek Dances, which premiered at Carnegie Hall exactly 70 years earlier, in November 1954, with Dimitri Mitropoulos and the New York Philharmonic;

Leonard Bernsteins celebrated Symphonic Dances, a composition based on themes from the musical West Side Story. Inspired by Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, the story is set in the mid-20th century, in a multiracial, working-class neighborhood in New York City.

During their stay in New York City, the musicians of the GYSO will also visit the recently constructed Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in Manhattan.

The GYSO is an Orchestra in Residence at Megaron  the Athens Concert Hall and represents Greece in the European Federation of National Youth Orchestras. Over recent years, 300 young musicians (ages 18-26) from 46 cities in Greece and abroad have been selected to participate in its concerts and educational activities.

The appearance of the GYSO at Carnegie Hall marks another milestone in the orchestras highly successful trajectory. In August 2023, the orchestra was invited for the second time to perform at the Konzerthaus Berlin, for the opening concert of the international Young Euro Classic festival.

In his article published in Tagesspiegel newspaper, critic Frederik Hanssen states that It is precisely this fire that blazes in the hearts of the young talents, and Dionysis Grammenos knows how to unleash it in such a way that the music literally jumps at the audience [...] Even in Brahms complex First, the musicians always know exactly where the music is heading and what holds it together at its core [...] Beautiful sound and concentration unite here with unconditional devotion to an interpretive intensity rarely heard in the works of the romantic composer from Hamburg.

Conductor Dionysis Grammenos recently made his debut with the London Philharmonic Orchestra at Megaron  the Athens Concert Hall, as well as with the Ulster Orchestra, with soloist Mahan Esfahani, in a concert broadcast by BBC Radio 3. Notable recent appearances include those with the Belgian National Orchestra, the Orchestre Symphonique de Quebec, the Cameristi della Scala, and with soloists Khatia Buniatishvili and Renaud Capucon, among others. He has served as principal conductor of the English Touring Opera for their production of Puccinis La Boheme, which received widespread critical acclaim, and has also conducted the Royal Northern Sinfonia in Rossinis La Cenerentola. In May 2024 he will conduct the RTE Concert Orchestra in Dublin, and in July of the same year he will make his debut with the Houston Symphony Orchestra.

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Still scarred by last years brutal storms, Greeces Thessaly region is on high alert as a fresh wave of severe weather looms.

The incoming storm, expected to strike on Friday, is forecasted to be intense, albeit brief, with meteorologists predicting heavy rain, thunderstorms, and possible hail.

Last year,

the Thessaly plain was ravaged by storms that left the land barren, with recovery efforts still ongoing. The region, vital to Greeces agriculture, suffered significant economic losses, and the upcoming storm raises concerns of further hardship.

Authorities says they are closely monitoring the front, urging residents to prepare for potential flooding, especially in previously affected areas like Larissa and Magnesia.

In 2023, the THessaly plain was battered by Storm Daniel  a disaster experts say could take at least five years for the plain to become fertile again. The agricultural region, which accounts for a quarter of Greeces agricultural production, faced ruined crops, dead animals, and worries of shortages and price hikes1.

The short-term impact on the Greek economy is estimated at between 3 and 5 billion euros.

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has described as laughable the agitation for Yoruba Nation by some South West elements.

The DHQ also raised alarm that terrorists and their sympathisers were planning to blackmail the military, following its crackdown on insurgents.

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Speaking at a briefing, in Abuja on Thursday, the Director, of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba said the agitation has further pointed out how the insecurity ravaging many parts of the country is self-inflicted.

The agitation of IPOB in the South East has proven to be for self-aggrandizement. Then, the call for a Yoruba Nation is laughable. All these buttress how our security situation is self-inflicted in the country.

These acts are against the constitution and therefore, unacceptable for persons or groups to take up arms against a constituted government. Anyone or group that contravenes this provision of the constitution is inviting severe military action and would be dealt with decisively.

READ ALSO: Ignore Those Agitating For Yoruba Nation  Ooni Of Ife To Nigerians

Recall that some Yoruba Nation agitators, last Saturday, dressed in military camouflage invaded the Oyo State secretariat and attempted to take over the State House of Assembly.

The agitators engaged the security operatives but were subdued, leading to the arrest of 29 suspects.

Raising the alarm that terrorists and their sympathisers were planning to blackmail the military following the onslaught on the insurgents, Buba said: It, therefore, should not be surprising, that these terrorists and their sympathisers plot to blackmail the military as a result of these airstrikes. The plot is to depict some casualties as innocent citizens rather than cohorts of this terrorist. It is therefore important for the media to be wary of the antics of these terrorist groups and their sympathisers. Our operations have prevented these evil elements from accomplishing their strategic objectives.
The Nigeria Correctional Service has debunked a viral report, claiming that controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, was moved from the Ikoyi custodial centre to its other facility in Kirikiri, Lagos State.

Recall that Bobrisky was handed a six-month prison sentence over abuse of the naira notes.

However, the crossdresser was reported to have been transferred to Kirikiri Prison last weekend where he was expected to complete his term.

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An NCoS official, while debunking the report, however told PUNCH on Thursday that he was still held in the Ikoyi prison.

READ MORE: Nigeria Correctional Service Relocates Bobrisky From Ikoyi To Kirkiri Prison

The official who pleaded anonymity said that the convict did not commit a capital offence to warrant his transfer to a maximum prison where inmates serving life and death sentences were mostly kept.

He said: Bobrisky has not been moved, he is still here in Ikoyi. He was not sentenced to death and didnt get a life sentence either.

Those people sentenced to death and given life sentences are mostly kept in the maximum prison. That is mostly based on capital punishment.

As for Bobrisky, he didnt commit a capital offence, so why would they take him to Kirikiri.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Edo Zonal Command, has arrested one Maryvianney Ikejimba (alias Oluchi), 40,over the alleged trafficking of 38 children in Delta State.

Oluchi  a fake Reverend Sister and one Chidera, handed over the children to two orphanage homes under the guise of giving them better care.

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According to reports, the children were handed over to the suspects by their parents at a farm community in Enugu-Awka camp by the Monastery, Ilah, Delta State.

She was reportedly arrested by the NAPTIP following a tip-off, while she came to the farm community apparently to recruit more children.

When contacted, the NAPTIP Zonal Commander in Benin, Nduka Nwanwenne, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect was in their custody.

Nwanwenne said the suspect claimed to be trained in Ghana as a Rev. Sister while their headquarters is in the Philippines.

He said she came to meet the parents and persuade them to allow their children to follow them to their orphanage homes and that they would be given better care.

READ ALSO: Man Bags Nine Months Jail Term For Assaulting KAI Officer In Lagos

To convince the parents when they were handed over the first batch of the children, he said the suspects asked two of the parents to follow them to know the two orphanage homes the children would stay.

Thirty-two of the children have been recovered by the agency while six who are between the ages of three and six years old are yet to be recovered

The suspect claimed that three of the six children are in Badagry while the other three are in Ogun State but later said they have been adopted by people in the East, the commander said.

Nwanwenne said on January 28 the suspect was given 12 children while on February 19, she was given 26 children bringing the total number of children in her custody to 38, noting that the children were all minors.

According to him, the suspect and her accomplices were human traffickers, who were posing as Rev. sisters from a convent in Owerri, recruiting children for human trafficking.

He said the agency was still on the trail of the other suspect, Chidera and that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.
The candidate of the Labour Party, in the forthcoming September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, Olumide Akpata has been invited by the State Police Command over alleged security breaches, involving shootings at the University of Benin, last Friday.

The commands Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, on Thursday in Benin City said that the invitation was served on Akpata by investigators in the political session of the state Criminal Investigation Department on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

It was gathered that the LP candidate was allegedly attacked by suspected political thugs during a ceremony at the invitation of the UNIBEN Staff Club.

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He alleged that the attack was to assassinate him, adding that it was orchestrated by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, as well as the state government.

Confirming the police invitation today, the state chairman of the Labour Party, Kelly Ogbaloi, described the incident as Akpatas private affair that had nothing to do with the party.

READ MORE: My Letter To INEC Made Edo LP Guber Primary Credible  Olumide Akpata

He said: Olumide Akpata is our candidate, but UNIBEN invited him to honour him on a personal note. I didnt sign surety of his safety there. I dont know why the police are equally inviting me to come along with Olumide Akpata.

The police ought to have done their background checks, his being honoured by UNIBEN had nothing to do with our party secretariat, so I dont know why I am being asked to come along with him to police command headquarters in Benin. However, I will honour the invitation.
Felix Morka, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, says the current travail of APCs National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, is different from the political intrigues that led to the removal of the then Party Chairman Adams Oshiomhole.

Oshiomhole, and his -led National Working Committee (NWC) were elected into office for four years (2018  2022) at a National Convention in Abuja.

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However, the leadership of the Party was dissolved two years into their tenure, an action that was alleged to derail the presidential ambition of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A Federal High Court in the Federal Capital Territory had in March 2020 asked Oshiomhole to step aside following an application of interlocutory injunction seeking his removal as APC National Chairman.

Justice Danlami Senchi had stated that the former Edo governor should remain suspended pending the determination of the suit.

Senchi also said it was wrong of the ruling party to have kept Oshiomhole as chairman after he was suspended by his state APC chapter in November 2019.

Reacting to suspicions that Gandujes suspension may be heading in the same direction, on Arise Television on Thursday, Morka insisted that the situations were different.

READ ALSO: Agitation For Yoruba Nation, IPOB Shows Nigerias Insecurity Is Self-Inflicted  DHQ

According to him, unlike what happened in Oshiomholes case, those pushing for Gandujes suspension were not recognised members of the Party.

His words, No, it is not familiar if you understand the facts of what happened to Oshiomhole. They are incomparable. They are two different things altogether. In the case of Oshiomhole when he was the national chairman, the individuals who were involved in that effort to suspend him and take all the actions within the party were officials of the party.

I know no one could have come out at that time to say these individuals are not legitimate officers of the party. So whether they were persuaded to do that or compromised, whether they were acting on their free will and volition is a different conversation. And I am not going to speak to that. But they were members of the party.

In this particular case in Kano, were seeing people that we know are not officials of the party. The man who purportedly read the suspension was physically at the party secretary on Wednesday to say he did not participate nor authorise any lawyer to go to court to bring this action against the national chairman. So when the person that is fully disclosed by identity is the same individual saying he did not, then who the heck was the individual who went to court? That is the question.

The difference here is that we have pure imposters announcing the suspension of our national chairman and they had gone to court to attempt to affirm that same illegal and criminal act. So I just want to make sure that that is clear that these individuals are not authorized and not acting foreign on behalf of the ward. They need to stop because when the dust settles; there will be consequences for this sort of behaviour.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has revealed the factors contributing to the increase in consumer costs.

This is as Nigerians continue to lament the high cost of commodities, despite rapid fall of dollar in the recent days,

The FCCPC Director, Surveillance and Investigation Mrs. B.A Adeyinka, made some revelations while briefing journalists during a market check-up to enforce prices on Friday, in Masaka Markets, Nasarawa State.

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Adeyinka disclosed that the commission has conducted extensive interviews with marketing executives and sellers across various sectors.

READ MORE: FG Seals Popular 4U Supermarket In Abuja Over Unfair Practices (Pictures)

She said: Despite government efforts to stabilize the currency, prices remain high. Our findings point to a complex web of factors, including multiple layers of taxation and transportation costs, that are driving prices up.

The cost of transportation is a significant burden on the sellers, and this cost is inevitably passed on to the consumer.

For instance, a product that once cost N15,000 now sells for N50,000. This drastic increase is largely due to higher transportation expenses, the rising cost of pesticides, and security concerns in certain areas.

Our first step is to compile a report on the multiple taxes affecting the market and advise the government on potential solutions.

We aim to unlock the market by reducing these taxes, thereby easing the financial burden on both sellers and consumers.

An increase in the availability of goods will naturally lead to lower prices. Additionally, we will address anti-competitive practices by cartels that restrict supply, to ensure a fair and competitive marketplace.
Adeniyi Johnson, a Nollywood actor, has sparked debate on social media after posing an important question to his millions of followers.

He inquired on his Instagram page as to whether it is customary for a man to wash his partners pants.

It was made clear by Adeniyi that he was not referring to trousers but undies.

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The actor wrote,

Is it normal for a man to wash his partners pants??

Pant as in undies o. Not trouser o.

READ MORE: I Want To Work With You  Rihanna To Ayra Starr

See some reactions to his post below,

I Am Neeyat wrote, Theres nothing normal there, spiritually sef its bad

Anyi Gold wrote, As long as shes ur wife and not ordinary girlfriend. I see nothing wrong with that but make sure you dont overdo it as a man

Major Brown wrote, If I can wash her plate, why cant I wash her pants?

Darlington White wrote, Am a man of love. And its only love that can make one do that, but that love no fit near me

Berry White Official wrote, Very normal but I wont allow my man do it for me

Mo Teehzy wrote, If it is normal to wash mens boxers then it should be normal for men to wash ladies pants too. I cannot give my pants to a man to wash for me too

SEE POST:
Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi States Commissioner for Information, has revealed that Governor Usman Ododo did not shield ex-Governor Yahaya Bello from the arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Commissioner who stated this in an interview with Channels Television on Friday, said Ododo is committed to upholding the laws of the country, including respecting its legal processes.

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He further rejected the anti-graft agencys claims, describing them as baseless and a product of an organized disinformation campaign.

READ ALSO: Ganduje Cant Be Suspended Like Oshiomhole, Those Clamouring Are Impostors  APC

According to him, a State high court injunction protects the former governor from harassment by the anti-graft agency.

Governor Ododo did not assist in Bellos departure from his residence; the EFCCs claims are misinformation aimed at furthering their objectives. Bello is not evading anyone; the existing court injunction protects his fundamental rights, he said.

Recall that officials of the EFCC laid siege to Bellos Abuja residence, but Ododo arrived at the scene and allegedly sneaked him out.

Security operatives who had spent hours at the gate to release volley of shots during its recent operation at his house.
Rotimi Salami, a Nollywood actor, has called on the government to make paternity fraud a felony, just like rape.

He campaigned for this on his Instagram account.

Salami said that the emotional sorrow felt by a man who realises that the child he has been raising is not biologically related to him is similar to the pain felt by a woman who has been raped.

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He also mentioned that rape is a serious crime and that he believes paternity fraud should be as well.

READ MORE: Portable Confronts Wife, Queen Dami For Not Bearing Him A Child

He posted: Paternity fraud should be criminalized just like rape. The experience when raped is the same a man goes through when he finds out hes been raising another mans child. Damn!

Rape is a major offence. Paternity fraud should also be. None of these 2 should be encouraged. Mens mental health too matters.
As the acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum has retained his position.

Recall that the PDP, on Thursday, conducted its 98th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Partys secretariat in Abuja.

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Debo Ologunagba, PDPs National Publicity Secretary, in a communique issued after the meeting, said the NEC urged all members to continue to work together for the success of the Party for the benefit of Nigerians.

NEC charges all Organs, leaders, critical stakeholders and indeed all members of the PDP to close ranks, put aside every personal or group interests and work together in the overall effort to reposition and return the PDP to power at the center in the interest of the Nigerian people.

Consequently, NEC received and approved the Timetable for Party Congresses across the country.

NEC also approved the Reconstitution of the Party Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees to further ensure the stability of the Party.

Similarly, NEC approved the extension of the life of the Party Constitution Amendment Committee to allow it to receive new amendment proposals for inclusion in its deliberation and final report for consideration by NEC.

NEC commended the efforts of the National Working Committee in its effort towards rebranding the Party including the new look PDP Logo which is widely accepted by Party members and Nigerians in general.

NEC charges all Party members to continue to work together for the success of the PDP for the benefit of Nigerians and sustenance of Democracy in our country, Ologunagba said.

READ ALSO: Edo 2024: Police Invite LP Gov Candidate, Akpata Over UNIBEN Attack

The camp of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, had moved to have Damagum return to his position as Deputy National Chairman (North) to let the North-Central produce a substantive National Chairman to complete the truncated tenure of the immediate past chairman, Iyorchia Ayu.

They also moved against Damagum, over allegations that he was working for Nyesom Wike, former Rivers State Governor and incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Wike led a group of five PDP governors that rebelled against Abubakar, the partys presidential candidate in the 2023 general election.

It was gathered that the Atiku camp has returned to the drawing board to re-strategise.

Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, while fielding questions from newsmen after the NEC meeting, expressed delight that contrary to expectations of the Partys enemies, the meeting was held in a peaceful atmosphere.

He said:  You can see there was no dissension and rancour. It was planned that the party will have an implosion. PDP is more than that. This party is a united party that is guided by experience and constitutionality.

There were a lot of permutations and mischievous thinking outside there. We looked at all the issues and we worked along our guidelines and constitution. There is no problem, dissension or problem among members.

Speaking shortly after the NEC meeting, Damagum told reporters that the position he occupied was not a matter of life and death matter for him.

This is not a matter and life and death. I am still an elected member of this NEC. Even If I revert to deputy national chairman Im still a member of NWC. The issue of surviving or not does not arise, he said.
At least two persons, reportedly loyal to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, including a serving member of the state House of Assembly, representing Aboada West Constituency, Sokari Goodboy, were allegedly arrested in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday.

It was gathered that the police also arrested a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, identified as Ezebunwo Ichemati.

Fubaras loyalists were reportedly arrested by policemen outside the venue of the National Executive Committee meeting of the PDP in Abuja.

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In a viral video spotted on X, a lady, who claims to be a member of Fubaras media team, alleged that the two men were arrested on the orders of a local government chairman in Rivers State.

She said: All of us, the media team that came from Rivers State, were together. The next thing he (the LG Chairman) pointed that they should arrest the serving Assembly member representing the good people of Aboada West.

READ MORE: Ill Free Rivers From Oppression, Slavery  Fubara Assures

The next thing, the LGA chairman started giving them instructions. He attacked Ezebunwo and tore his shirt.

We dont even know what we are doing here, because he has ordered that they should arrest all of us.

Meanwhile, the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Jerry Omotsegunwa, confirmed the incident and called for their immediate release.

Jerry said: They were there in solidarity, so why should they be arrested? Were they the only ones there in solidarity?

A lot of governors also came with their people and coming to pick some people on the order of an individual is not good at all. So, they should be released immediately.
Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, also known as Phyna, the winner of the 2022 BBNaija episode, has turned down new offers proposed to her from the shows sponsors regarding her prize wins.

The reality star blasted Multichoice Nigeria, BBNaijas organisers, on April 3, alleging she had not yet received the promised prizes and cash.

Her claim arose following Multichoices announcement of the ninth editions auditions.

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The Practicioners of Content Creating, Skit-Making and Influencers Guild of Nigeria (PCCSIGN) released a list of gifts that some of the shows sponsors are believed to have owed Phyna last week.

The guild encouraged Multichoice to assist in expediting the release of the prizes from its sponsors.

However, in an update following a meeting with Multichoice, Phynas legal lawyer, Olawale Amousa, and Michael Nwabufo, the interim national president of PCCSIGN, stated that she objected with the revised proposals made by the sponsors.

PCCSIGN announced on Thursday that a recent agreement with Pepsi and Unik Soap would be delivered on Friday.

The statement did, however, added that the parties had rejected the proposals from Travelbeta and Quidax Global.

READ MORE: Paternity Fraud Should Be Criminalised Like Rape, Mens Mental Health Matters  Actor Salami

Today, the acting president of PCCSIGN, Micheal Obinna Nwabufo, along with legal representatives from Phyna, Olawale Amousa Legal, visited the offices of MultiChoice Nigeria. The recent agreement between Pepsi and Unik Soap is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow, Friday, April 19, 2024, the statement reads.

While Travelbeta is offering a trip for 2 to Morocco or Kenya which we declined the destination options because Phyna was initially offered the destination options of Maldives or Jamaica.

Regarding the matter of the 1 BTC, it was stated that the exchange rate would reflect the 2022 Naira equivalent, amounting to N13 million. However, PCCSIGN and Phynas legal representatives declined the offer due to concerns about potential repercussions resulting from MultiChoices negligence.

The acting president of PCCSIGN insisted that the agreed-upon 1 BTC should be based on the current exchange rate. MultiChoice has agreed to further discuss this matter with Quidax Global and provide a response to PCCSIGN and Phyna.

SEE POST:
Building applications at scale is nothing compared to building an operating system like Windows, especially when it comes to source code control. How do you manage the repository (or repositories) for such a software behemoth, with thousands of developers and testers, and with a complex build pipeline thats continuously delivering fresh code?

Microsofts history with internal source control systems is convoluted. You might think it used the now discontinued Visual SourceSafe, but that was most appropriate for local file systems and smaller projects. Instead, Microsoft used many different tools over the years, initially an internal fork of the familiar Unix Revision Control System, before standardizing on Perforce Source Depot.

Git hits a wall in Redmond

Meanwhile some parts of the business used Visual Studios Team Foundation Server, before switching to using Git as the foundation of a common engineering platform for the entire company. Team Foundation Server supported Git, and the mix of a visual tool and the command line supported lots of different use cases across Microsoft.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced Thursday that the company will integrate the latest version of its conversational chatbot, Meta AI, across its social media apps. Read more

For months, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has boasted of a plan to spread artificial intelligence across its services, allowing billions of people to use chatbots in everything from Facebook to its VR-powered goggles.

That vision is becoming a reality. Zuckerberg announced Thursday that the company will integrate the latest version of its conversational chatbot, Meta AI, across its social media apps, allowing the tool to generate images and answer questions from its users.

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The company also introduced the latest iteration of its large language model, Llama 3, a move that puts Metas AI tools squarely in competition with the leading AI chatbots, including OpenAIs ChatGPT, Googles Gemini, Microsofts Copilot and Anthropics Claude. Zuckerberg touted the revamped Meta AI product as the the most intelligent AI assistant that is free to use.

But experts warn that the broad use of the AI chatbot may amplify problems that have long plagued Metas social networks, including harmful misinformation, hate speech and extremist content. The companys image generator is also likely to spark debates about how it chooses to depict race and gender when drumming up imaginary scenarios.

There was a general fear about how LLMs would interact with social and exacerbate misinformation, hate speech, etc., said Anika Collier Navaroli, a senior fellow at Columbias Tow Center for Digital Journalism and a former senior Twitter policy official. And it feels like they just keep making it easier for the bad predictions to come true.

Meta spokesman Kevin McAlister said in a statement that it is new technology and it may not always return the response we intend, which is the same for all generative AI systems.

Since we launched, weve constantly released updates and improvements to our models and were continuing to work on making them better, he added.

While Meta AI will be available on a new stand-alone website, it will also populate search boxes on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and Messenger. Meta has also experimented with putting the AI assistant into groups on Facebook, where it automatically chimes in to answer questions in groups if no one has responded in an hour.

Meta has long faced scrutiny from activists and regulators about how it handles dicey content about politics, social issues and current events. AI-powered chatbots, which are known to hallucinate and give responses that are false or not grounded in reality, could deepen these controversies.

Including the chatbots is inviting these tools to opine on topics from education to health, housing to local politics - all domains where developers of AI technology should be treading carefully, said Miranda Bogen, the director of the AI Governance Lab at the think tank Center for Democracy and Technology and a former AI policy manager at Meta. If developers fail to think through the contexts in which AI tools will be deployed, these tools will not only be ill-suited for their intended tasks but also risk causing confusion, disruption and harm.

On Wednesday, Princeton computer science and public affairs professor Aleksandra Korolova posted screenshots on X of Meta AI speaking up in a Facebook group for thousands of New York City parents. Responding to a question about gifted and talented programs, Meta AI claimed to be a parent with experience in the citys school system, and it went on to recommend a specific school.

McAlister said that the product is evolving and that some people may start to see some responses from Meta AI are replaced with a new response that says This answer wasnt useful and was removed. Well continue to improve Meta AI.

This week, an entrepreneur experimenting with Meta AI in WhatsApp found that it made up a blog post accusing him of plagiarism - even offering a formal citation for the post, which does not exist.

Image generators such as Metas have also come with their own problems. Earlier this month, a Verge reporter struggled to get Meta AI to generate images of an Asian person with a white person in a couple or as friends, despite giving the service repeated and specific prompts. In February, Google blocked the ability to generate images of people on its artificial intelligence tool Gemini after some users accused it of anti-White bias.

Now, Navaroli said she worries that biases baked into AI tools will be fed back into social timelines, potentially reinforcing those biases in a feedback loop to hell.

Korolova, the Princeton professor, said Meta AIs potentially false claims in Facebook groups are probably only a tip of the iceberg of harms Meta didnt anticipate.

Just because the technology is new, should we be accepting a lower bar for potential harm? Korolova asked. This sounds like Move fast and break things again.
Former Philadelphia Police officer Edsaul Mendoza was charged with murder and related offenses in the killing of 12-year-old Thomas "TJ" Siderio. Read more

Edsaul Mendoza, the former Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed 12-year-old Thomas T.J. Siderio in South Philadelphia more than two years ago, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder on Friday  becoming the first city officer to be convicted of murder for an on-duty shooting.

Mendoza, 28, was charged with first-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter after prosecutors said he chased T.J., then shot him in the back at near point-blank range after the boy tossed away a gun he had been carrying. The March 2022 shooting made T.J. the youngest person ever fatally shot by a city police officer.

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Mendozas plea marked only the second time a Philadelphia police officer has been convicted of a fatal shooting, and the first time an officer was convicted of murder. Former police officer Eric Ruch was found guilty of voluntary manslaughter for shooting Dennis Plowden Jr., who was unarmed, after a car chase in 2017 and was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in prison.

Inside the courtroom Friday, Mendoza showed little emotion, staring straight ahead as he admitted his guilt. He spoke only to answer questions from Common Pleas Court Judge Diana Anhalt, who asked whether he understood he was waiving his right to a trial.

Yes, he said calmly, as his mother, seated behind him in the courtroom, held back tears.

Mendoza, a five-year veteran of the force at the time of his arrest, could face up to 40 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced in July.

The landmark case brought little comfort to T.J.s loved ones, who said they were hoping that the officer would be convicted of first-degree murder and spend the rest of his life behind bars.

This is the best we could do, I guess, said Mark Nasuti, a family friend who helped raise T.J. He was resigned to the outcome, he said, even as he had been praying for justice.

The fatal shooting of T.J.  who was to turn 13 just weeks after he was killed  gripped the city and the nation as news unfolded of how the boys life was violently cut short after a tumultuous childhood, during which his parents had been incarcerated at various points in his life.

Law enforcement and city officials called the shooting a tragedy all around.

We as a society have failed him, then-Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said of the boy at the time.

In a statement on Friday, the police department said Mendozas actions were his and his alone, and that the agency was committed to building community trust.

As many have stated previously, this is a tragedy  and it is compounded by the fact that a life was taken by someone who swore an oath to uphold the law and protect the community, said department spokesperson Sgt. Eric Gripp. The Philadelphia Police Departments duty is to serve this city with honor and integrity, and the actions of an individual officer dont represent the professionalism and commitment of the thousands of dedicated Philadelphia Police officers who put on this uniform each and every day.

District Attorney Larry Krasner charged Mendoza with murder two months after the shooting on March 1, 2022. Outlaw fired him a week after the shooting, saying his conduct violated department policy.

Prosecutors said Mendoza and three plainclothes officers  Kwaku Sarpong, Robert Cucinelli, and Alexander Camacho  with the departments South Task Force attempted to stop T.J. and a 17-year-old as they were riding their bikes at 18th and Barbara Streets at about 7:30 p.m.

The four officers pulled up to the teens that night because they believed the 17-year-old with T.J. was tangentially connected to a stolen gun case, according to court records. The four officers were in an unmarked car staking out the area after seeing a social media post that showed a teen with a gun in his pants pocket and another at his feet, prosecutors said.

At a preliminary hearing in October 2022, Sarpong testified that the unit had not received any information that T.J. or the teen he was with had guns that night, and that the officers had been looking for the third teen who had posted photos of guns.

Just as the officers activated their emergency lights, prosecutors said, T.J. fired a shot at the car, shattering the rear passenger side window and piercing through a passengers headrest. Shards of glass injured Camacho, who screamed that he had been shot.

The boys then fled and ran in different directions, prosecutors said, and Mendoza chased after T.J. as the 12-year-old ran down Barbara Street toward Moyamensing Avenue.

T.J. dropped the gun as Mendoza chased and shot at him, yelling at him to get on the ground, prosecutors said. The boy then tripped or dropped to the ground, and Mendoza approached him and shot him in the back, prosecutors said.

Krasner said evidence showed that Mendoza knew that T.J., who was 5 feet tall and 111 pounds, was unarmed when he shot the boy, and that his conduct before and after the shooting made that clear. The gun, he said, was 40 feet away from T.J. when Mendoza shot him.

Prosecutors said Mendoza fired three shots: the first just after T.J. shot at the car, and again as Mendoza started to chase after him. The third and fatal shot, prosecutors said, was fired as T.J. was lying face down on the ground behind a pickup truck.

Outside the courtroom Friday, T.J.s mother, Desirae Frame, was blunt in her reply when asked how she felt about Mendozas plea to a lesser charge.

Its not fair, she said.

Mendozas attorney, Charles Gibbs, declined to comment after the hearing. Mendozas mother also declined to speak.

Assistant District Attorney Clarke Beljean said he understood the Siderio familys upset, but said he hoped the guilty plea would offer them some measure of closure.

Theyve lost their loved one, the prosecutor said outside the courthouse. T.J. was 12 and he died in a violent, violent fashion. Thats hard. But at the same time with a guilty plea, theres finality.

T.J.s family sued Mendoza and the city in January, saying T.Js death was the result of an abysmal systemic policy failure within the Philadelphia Police Department.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a statement that while she supports the thousands of officers who serve the city, she has zero tolerance for abuse or criminal behavior by our police force.

The justice system has spoken, she said. We offer our prayers for the Siderio family for their loss.

Beljean went a step further, saying that Fridays conviction was proof that the law applied to everyone  including law enforcement  in the same way.

It doesnt matter what you do for a living or who you know or who youre connected to. The law should be the law, he said. And if you commit a crime, you should be held accountable the same as everyone else is held accountable.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly referred to the death of T.J. Siderio. He was the youngest person ever fatally shot by a city police officer.
Investigators say Rhashaun Freeman shot Terrence Murray in the chest during a botched robbery disguised as a marijuana deal. Read more

A Delaware County man who said he was looking to buy marijuana found a would-be seller on Instagram, then robbed and killed him, police say.

Rhashaun Freeman, of Folcroft, told Terrence Murray, 22, to meet him at an address in Sharon Hill to sell him some marijuana, then shot him, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest.

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Freeman, 24, has been charged with murder, robbery, conspiracy, and gun violations. He remained in custody, denied bail. There was no indication he had hired an attorney.

Police in Darby were called to Calcon Hook Road on Jan. 29 for reports of a shooting, and found Murray wounded in a parked Acura TLX, the affidavit said. He had been shot once in the chest, and was taken to Crozer Chester Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

The driver of the car told police he drove Murray to the 400 block of Clifton Avenue in nearby Sharon Hill to sell marijuana, the affidavit said. Two men approached the car, and one of them asked Murray whether the weed is good.

As Murray reached down to grab the bag of marijuana at his feet, one of the men, later identified as Freeman, pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it into the car. The driver told police he sped off and heard a gunshot as he pulled away.

Murray later told him hed been shot, according to the affidavit.

Detectives reviewed Instagram messages Murray had sent to his potential buyer and traced the account to Freeman. Cell phone records showed Freeman had used that phone at his home in Folcroft on the day of the killing.

The shooting was recorded on nearby surveillance cameras, which showed two men approaching the Acura, and one of them raising a gun and firing into it, the affidavit said.

Freeman was unable to legally possess a gun because of a felony conviction for receiving stolen property, court records show. He also has convictions for DUI, drug possession, providing false identification to law enforcement, and simple assault, records show.

Murrays mother, Melonie Revak, declined to comment Thursday, referring a reporter to the obituary her family had written about him.

In that remembrance, they described Murray, who had a twin brother and six sisters, as a shining example of love, laughter, and compassion.

TJs departure from this world has left a void that can never be filled, but his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those he touched, his family wrote. The legacy of love and laughter that he leaves behind will serve as a source of comfort and strength for his family and friends in the days ahead.
Elizabeth Winkler in The Guardian:

Scholars often say that no one doubted Shakespeares authorship until the 19th century. The response is a rote way of brushing off persistent questions about the attribution of the worlds most famous plays and poems  but it may not be true. New scholarship suggests that doubts about Shakespeares authorship first arose during his lifetime  in a book called Palladis Tamia, Wits Treasury, published in 1598 by the theologian Francis Meres. Roger Stritmatter, a professor at Coppin State University who has spent years studying Meres book, argues that Meres asserted Shakespeare as the pseudonym of Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford. Stritmatters research has been published in the academic journal Critical Survey. Shakespeare scholar Graham Holderness, who edited the journal, worries that shutting down debate about the authorship endangers academic freedom. When you come across traditional Shakespeareans comparing Shakespeare authorship doubt to conspiracy theories  anti-vaxxers or climate change deniers  I mean, I think thats wrong  for all sorts of reasons, he said.

Palladis Tamia is a commonplace book of sayings and comparisons. It has long been known to scholars as an essential text in Shakespeare studies. In a chapter titled, A Comparative Discourse of Our English Poets, with the Greeke, Latine, and Italian Poets, Meres compares English writers with classical writers using an as-so equation. For example: As the soul of Euphorbus was thought to live in Pythagorus, so the sweet, witty soul of Ovid lives in mellifluous and honey-tongued Shakespeare.

More here.
After a long day of heated questions and public pressure, City Council unanimously recommended eight of Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers nine school board nominees for approval Friday.

The fate of the ninth person, veteran school board member and former president Joyce Wilkerson, was unclear  Council, at the eleventh hour, declined to consider or vote on her nomination amid a concerted wave of advocacy to defeat her candidacy. Sources close to the process said that had they voted on Wilkerson Friday, she would not have survived.

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Wilkerson, who was present for the entire seven-hour hearing but said nothing publicly, declined comment.

 READ MORE: Are Mayor Parkers school board picks in trouble? Ahead of a Friday Council vote, theres pushback.

Ultimately, Parker nominees Reginald Streater, Sarah-Ashley Andrews, ChauWing Lam, Crystal Cubbage, Cheryl Harper, Whitney Jones, Wanda Novales, and Joan Stern were all recommended by Councils committee of the whole. They are expected to be confirmed at the next Council meeting, and sworn in by May 1, with the ninth seat still up in the air.

After the vote was taken, the eight stood together with Wilkerson, a united front, and a sign of Parkers desire to have the whole group move forward, even after Council signaled objections..

We have unfinished business, Streater said, speaking for the group. We came as a slate and theres nine of us.

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas, chair of the education committee, said Wilkersons nomination wasnt considered because we felt like it was best to continue dialogue around that particular resolution and that he wasnt sure if the May 1 deadline would be met for a full board of nine.

The mayor on Thursday had praised the entire slate as the best, most diverse group of candidates that we could have assembled, with exceptional credentials, fresh ideas and who share my vision to serve the 197,000 schoolchildren of Philadelphia  whether they be in traditional public schools, charter schools or alternative schools.

Charter supporters had objections.

Objections to Wilkerson and, to a lesser degree, Streater centered on their history with charters, particularly Black-led charters.

Prior to the hearing, Council members were lobbied heavily on the subject; one Council source said Dawn Chavous, the wife of Council President Kenyatta Johnson, was involved in the effort to defeat Wilkerson and Streaters nominations through her role with the African American Charter School Coalition.

Chavous, who serves as spokesperson for the coalition, said it has not taken a position on any school board nominations and has said in an email she has not spoken to anyone who can infer, imply, or suggest what they should do based on my relationship with the Council President or that I told them what to do based on who I am married to. I am my own person with my own voice, and I do not control anyone on City Council or in the Mayors office.

Kyle Darby, a lobbyist who represents Philadelphia Charters for Excellence, said the advocacy was larger than the charter sector.

Were very against this notion of public versus charter, said Darby. We just want a board we can work with.

Here are some takeaways from the hearing:

The tone was testy.

Though eight of the nine nominees passed, Fridays hearing was not celebratory, nor particularly warm, to the board members who were considered.

Jones expressed support for Parkers slate, but said he did not believe the district treated charters and public schools equitably. Jones is an Overbrook High graduate, the child of public school graduates. But his grandchildren have chosen to attend charter schools, perceived by many Philadelphians as safer and better than the Philadelphia School District.

Im going with the team Mayor Parker has recommended  if shes responsible for making the meals, she should be responsible for bringing the groceries, Jones said. But I do not subscribe that youve been fair. You cant tell me that.

Councilmember Anthony Phillips told Streater, Wilkerson, Lam and Andrews, the four sitting board members up for a new term, that in the real world, if you dont show results, you dont keep your job. Some of yall have been here for a long time. You want people to trust, but trust is built, trust is by collaboration and listening.

Charters were often the focus.

Charters were a particular flash point at the hearing; their supporters engaged in significant lobbying against Wilkerson and Streaters candidacy prior to the hearing.

The most pointed questioning came from Thomas, chair of Councils education committee.

Why dont we treat Black charter schools the same way we treat white charter schools? Thomas said. Black-led charters represent 25% of the citys sector, but 80% of its closures. How do you look at that number and say thats not racist?

Streater stressed that the board is responsible to uphold state charter law, and it closed schools that had deep academic issues over years, engaged in financial mismanagement, and, in some cases, flouted laws. He noted that the board has added charter seats in recent years, and has given grace to schools that it could have closed.

Council wanted an answer on facility plans.

Thomas has long expressed his frustration with the district on its ability to manage facilities. He and others pushed that issue on Friday.

The district has said it has a plan for its buildings but no councilmember has ever seen this facilities plan, Thomas said.

Later, Thomas asked Streater if a public facilities master plan would be ready by the end of 2025. Thats partially up to Parker, Streater said, but also, it would be imprudent for the district to impose a plan on communities without getting their input.

Streater said hed put the chances of a facilities master plan happening by 2025 at 65% to 70%.

The house was packed.

Members of the public packed Council chambers for the daylong hearing but were not permitted to speak until after 5 p.m., and asked to cut their testimony to 90 seconds.

We need a school board that values charter schools, said Naomi Johnson Booker, founder of the Global Leadership Charter School and a member of the African American Charter School Coalition. Charter schools are tired of being at the back of the bus.

Lisa Haver, a retired Philadelphia teacher and founder of the Philadelphia Alliance for Public Schools, decried the board selection process and the dark money forces that led to lobbying against Wilkerson and Streater, with whom she does not always agree.

Robin Cooper, president of the districts principals union and a member of the educational nominating panel, urged Council to please support our mayor and to support the nomination of these nine individuals.

Inquirer staff writer Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article.
Mayor Cherelle Parker's nominees for school board, photographed April 2, are (L-R) Joan Stern, Whitney Jones, Wanda Novales, Crystal Cubbage, Cheryl Harper, Sarah-Ashley Andrews, Chau Wing Lam, Reginald Streater and Joyce Wilkerson. There's been some pushback on the nominations of Streater, the current board president, and Wilkerson, the former board president. Read more

As Philadelphia City Council prepares to consider Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers school board nominees Friday, a backroom battle is underway over the fate of at least two of her picks.

A campaign to reject the nominations of Reginald Streater and Joyce Wilkerson  both sitting school board members, the former and current school board presidents  is underway before hearings begin at 11 a.m., multiple sources confirmed.

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A Council source with knowledge of the nomination process said it appeared likely that Wilkerson will not be approved on Friday.

The source, who requested anonymity to discuss private negotiations, said that Streater was facing opposition as well but that it wasnt clear whether he had the votes for approval. Negotiations were expected to continue through the morning Friday.

Concerns center on Streater and Wilkersons track record on charter schools, specifically around Black-led charters, and whether members of Council can work with the pair, who are both Black.

Opponents of Wilkerson and Streaters nominations appear to have organized a letter-writing campaign, with Council members receiving emails from Philadelphia residents using similar language.

Their track record demonstrates a disregard for the educational welfare of Black children in our city, one version of the letter reads. Streater and Wilkersons decisions, such as non-renewing successful charter school decisions and denying charter applications from proven operators, have limited educational opportunities for Black students, pushing them into underperforming and unsafe district schools.

Naomi Johnson Booker, the CEO of Global Leadership Academy Charter School who has clashed with the current school board, wrote a letter of her own to Council members, saying that Parkers selection of Wilkerson and Streater does not align with the Mayors vision for a new approach to education oversight that is inclusive of all schools, both traditional public and public charter schools.

I implore you to stand with our community and vote against the reinstatement of Joyce Wilkerson, Reginald Streater, and other current Board members, wrote Johnson Booker, whose school is part of the African American Charter School Coalition.

Earlier this month, Parker chose Streater, Wilkerson, Sarah-Ashley Andrews; Chau Wing Lam, Crystal Cubbage, Cheryl Harper, Whitney Jones, Wanda Novales, and Joan Stern for the school board. Their nominations will be accepted or rejected by Council after the hearings.

A broad coalition

The Council source said Dawn Chavous, the wife of Council President Kenyatta Johnson, was heavily involved in the effort to defeat Wilkerson and Streaters nominations through her role with the African American Charter School Coalition.

Chavous, who serves as spokesperson for the coalition, said it has not taken a position on any school board nominations.

However, I am aware of a broad coalition of people who have concerns about a myriad of issues surrounding the district and nominees, Chavous said.

Chavous said she has not spoken to anyone who can infer, imply, or suggest what they should do based on my relationship with the Council President or that I told them what to do based on who I am married to. I am my own person with my own voice, and I do not control anyone on City Council or in the Mayors office.

Chavous served on Parkers educational nominating panel, which surfaced and approved the 27 candidates from which Parker chose her nine school board members. It is the final nine that Council will be deciding on Friday.

If Council rejected one of Parkers school board nominees, it would be the most significant instance of discord between the citys legislative and executive branches since Parker and Johnson took office in January.

Johnson on Thursday said he was waiting until Fridays hearing before making up his mind about the nominations.

Chavous, he said, is acting independently of him.

Shes an independent individual, an activist in her own right, he said, and myself Ill listen to the issues and concerns of my colleagues as well as everybodys testimony tomorrow, and well make our final decision.

He said that he is committed to working with Parkers administration regardless of what happens Friday.

Whatever the outcome is, well continue to work together to move the city of Philadelphia forward, he said.

Wilkerson attended Thursdays regular session of Council to discuss her nomination with members ahead of Fridays hearing.

We feel strongly that there be continuity. Dr. Watlington is doing some really wonderful work, and its hard, Wilkerson said. One of the things I found out when I got on the board was that we, the city at large, had allowed public education to collapse. So weve had to rebuild public education, and Im excited about the strategic plan.

Asked about any opposition to her nomination, Wilkerson said, Were one school school district. We have kids in both public and charter, she said. We care about quality education from all schools for all kids, so were not really engaging around personality issues.

Streater declined to comment.

Parker, in a statement, said she believed her proposed board is the best, most diverse group of candidates that we could have assembled, with exceptional credentials, fresh ideas and who share my vision to serve the 197,000 schoolchildren of Philadelphia  whether they be in traditional public schools, charter schools or alternative schools.

As opponents mobilized, supporters of Wilkerson and Streater were lining up, too.

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers president Jerry Jordan sent letters to council members endorsing their candidacy.

Jordan said he had a productive working relationship with both.

I truly believe that both individuals bring a steadfast commitment to ensuring a system of public education that meets the needs of all of our student, Jordan wrote. Both Mr. Streater and Ms. Wilkerson have worked in collaboration with the PFT to further that goal.

Historical concerns

The African American Charter School Coalition first raised concerns about the Philadelphia school boards charter authorizing and renewal practices in 2020, citing racism, inequity and biases as issues that must be fixed.

The school board, under Wilkersons leadership, authorized an independent investigation into the bias allegations. That report, released in October, found flaws in transparency and training, but no intentional acts of racial discrimination or bias by the board or district charter schools office.

Members of the coalition and its supporters later blasted the boards characterization and handling of the report, and called for the resignation of members of the school board.
A empty bottle of tetanus, diphthera and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine. In Montgomery County, health officials have reported an uptick in pertussis cases recently and have encouraged residents to make sure they are up to date on vaccines. Read more

Montgomery County health officials are monitoring a rise in cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, a bacterial infection that causes a serious cough that can last for months. It is particularly dangerous for newborns.

Health officials called the rise in cases part of a typical cycle that the region sees from time to time. They noted that not all cases are reported, making it difficult to provide case numbers.

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We see a wave going up and down over time, and this happens to be one of the peaks, said Rich Lorraine, the medical director at the countys public health office. Theres no specific reason or cause as to why there might be a higher amount now, and it is within the range weve seen in the past.

Nemours Childrens Health has also seen pockets of pertussis lately around the Delaware Valley region, infectious disease physician Jennifer Vodzak said.

Montgomery County has been working with schools that have reported cases, though Lorraine declined to say which schools.

Plymouth Whitemarsh High School in Plymouth Meeting had reported five cases among students, Colonial School District spokesperson Jessica Lester said, but had not seen any new cases since Monday.

What does whooping cough sound like? What are the symptoms?

Whooping cough typically starts with a runny nose or other cold-like symptoms. Patients then develop a distinctive, powerful cough while gasping between coughs for breath  the whoop that gives pertussis its nickname.

People are most contagious during the first week or two of infection. The cough can sometimes take three months to resolve.

In newborns, the symptoms of whooping cough might be more difficult to spot, since producing the distinctive whoop requires muscle tone not yet developed. Instead, very young babies may struggle to breathe or stop breathing.

Officials at Plymouth Whitemarsh have asked parents to monitor their children for symptoms of whooping cough for at least three weeks. Doctors in the area should also be aware of the potential risk to patients with respiratory illnesses, Lorraine said.

Most people who contract pertussis are feeling bad enough that they will seek medical care, he said.

How is whooping cough treated?

Because whooping cough is a bacterial infection, it can be treated with antibiotics. But it spreads similarly to viral illnesses such as COVID and respiratory syncytial virus  through droplets expelled from a runny nose or a cough.

Anyone who is having symptoms of a respiratory illness should stay home to avoid infecting others.

The disease is particularly dangerous for infants who are not old enough to be vaccinated against whooping cough. In rare cases, it can be fatal.

Plymouth Whitemarsh district officials said in an email to parents that children with health conditions that could be worsened by pertussis should take antibiotics to prevent them from contracting whooping cough, even if they are not coughing themselves.

Parents of children who live with a pregnant person, a baby under 12 months, or someone else at high risk for pertussis complications should also ask a doctor to prescribe the child preventative antibiotics, the district advised.

Students with any pertussis symptoms should be kept home, and those diagnosed with pertussis were asked to stay home until they had taken antibiotics for at least five days. The school has also conducted deep cleanings similar to those undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic to sanitize surfaces, Lester said.

Who should get a whooping cough vaccine?

Vaccines can help prevent pertussis  and also protect patients from developing a serious case. Children typically get a series of five immunizations for whooping cough as infants, and then receive a booster when they are 11 or 12 years old.

All five students at Plymouth Whitemarsh who contracted whooping cough were up to date on their vaccinations, Lester said.

Physicians often encourage pregnant people and grandparents to get a whooping cough booster shot to protect very young infants, because it can be so dangerous for that age group.

Lorraine said residents should make sure they are up to date on their vaccines. The county is holding an online town hall meeting for residents to ask questions about vaccines next Tuesday.
Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic CEO James L. Woodward will retire in January, the health system said Friday.

Woodward came to the Philadelphia region in 2016 as CEO of St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne. Two years later, he became CEO of a five-hospital group put together by their common owner, Trinity Health, of Livonia, Mich., which called it Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic.

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The hospitals in that group were St. Mary, Nazareth in Northeast Philadelphia, Mercy Fitzgerald in Darby, Mercy Philadelphia in West Philadelphia, and St. Francis in Wilmington. Trinity had planned to close Mercy Philadelphia in 2020, but it was kept open in a modified form by the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

Trinity Health, one of the nations largest Catholic hospital systems, had $1.1 billion in revenue from its nonprofit Philadelphia-area hospitals in the year that ended June 30, 2023, down from $2.2 billion in fiscal 2018, according to audited financial statements.

One reason for the decline was the sale of Lourdes Health System in South Jersey to Virtua Health in 2019. Lourdes had $542 million in revenue in the final year of Trinitys ownership. Trinity sold St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton in 2022 to Capital Health, which closed it.

Woodwards retirement was previously reported by Beckers Hospital Review.
A group of people gather on Kensington Avenue outside a Walgreens in 2021. The pharmaceutical giant agreed to pay the city of Philadelphia $110 million over five years in a settlement of a lawsuit over its role in the opioid crisis. Read more

Philadelphia will receive $110 million over five years to settle its lawsuit against Walgreens over the national pharmacys role in the opioid crisis.

In its 2021 suit, the city said Walgreens had not adequately monitored suspicious orders for prescribed opioid painkillers, and had dispensed those highly addictive medications without confirming they were issued for a legitimate medical purpose, according to a settlement agreement released Friday afternoon.

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Walgreens has denied wrongdoing and is not admitting fault. Both parties agreed to the settlement to avoid the expense, delay, and uncertainty of litigation, court documents say.

A spokesperson from Walgreens said in an email that the company remains committed to being a part of the solution.

This settlement will allow us to keep our focus on the health and wellbeing of our customers and patients in the community, while making positive contributions to address the opioid crisis, the company said.

In a news release, city officials said they would use the funds to address the opioid epidemics toll in Philadelphias most impacted neighborhoods. The funds will support substance use education, treatment, prevention, and community engagement efforts, the city said.

Some of the money will fund Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers plans to revitalize the Kensington neighborhood, the area with the most fatal overdoses of any zip code in the city and where an open-air drug market has operated for years.

Through this settlement, the City of Philadelphia has successfully held Walgreens accountable for oversupplying powerful drugs to people in our communities  with little consideration for the risk of addiction or harm posed by opioids, Parker said in the release.

Phillys share in opioid settlement funds climbs

The settlement comes a year after Philadelphia officials first announced plans for a $180 million payout in another lawsuit against a number of pharmaceutical companies involved in the distribution and marketing of opioid painkillers  drugs that fueled a nationwide explosion of addiction and overdose deaths.

That crisis is ongoing in Philadelphia: a record 1,413 people died of overdoses in the city in 2022, the last year for which complete data is available.

The city has said it planned to spend the $180 million opioid settlement fund on initiatives including improvements in Kensington and mobile clinics to dispense methadone and treat wounds caused by injection drug use.

Last month, Parker said her administration would no longer allow opioid settlement funds to pay for programs that supply sterile syringes to people with drug addiction. She has also proposed pulling city funding for syringes at Prevention Point Philadelphia, the public health organization that runs the citys largest syringe services program.

Those decisions were criticized by public health researchers and addiction physicians who said they were concerned the move would increase the spread of blood-borne illnesses like HIV and hepatitis C.
Councilmember at-Large Jim Harrity, the lead sponsor of the SEIU-backed bill that expands protections for office cleaners and guards whose office buildings may be transformed to housing uses. Read more

Philadelphia City Council has expanded protections for building workers including janitors and security guards, preventing them from being laid off without advance notice if their building is sold or closed for renovations.

A bill passed Thursday would require that building owners rehire some of the workers displaced during, say, a commercial-to-residential transition. Industry groups have fiercely protested against that provision, arguing that it would take hiring decisions out of the hands of their contractors.

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The new protections come as the citys commercial buildings struggle with high and increasing vacancy rates, pushing some owners to consider converting office space to residential use. The Service Employees International Union 32BJ, which represents office cleaners and security guards, has been pushing for similar protections in other cities.

The changes are coming, we have to change with the times. It should not be on the backs of working people, said Daisy Cruz, Mid-Atlantic district leader for 32BJ.

Building owners and property developers say that the bill, which expands on an earlier law passed in 2000, is a heavy-handed intervention that will make it harder to repurpose low-occupancy buildings.

The original ordinance already requires that when a building brings in a new contractor, they must keep the prior firms workers employed for at least 90 days. But it didnt protect workers in instances where a building was closed for renovations.

With lead sponsor Councilmember Jim Harritys changes passed on Thursday, the requirements would now apply to additional job categories, like concierge services and door attendants. It requires 60-day notice of a layoff due to building closure and opportunities for reemployment upon reopening. Workers with at least three months on the job, rather than eight under the previous rule, would be protected.

As a result of the pandemic and working remotely, all the buildings have [seen a] reduction in staff, Cruz said. We cant do anything about that now, but [this bill is] just adding an extra layer of protection.

At a hearing on April 4, 32BJ members who work in Philadelphia buildings shared how their jobs have been affected by their buildings converting some space from commercial to residential use.

Tiffany Cherry, a cleaner at the Bellevue, said her building increased the amount of residential space by six floors, decreasing commercial space to four floors, and went from nearly two dozen cleaners to five.

The current legislation protects workers to one during a switch [in contractors], however, if the building closed completely for renovations, I would be out of a job altogether, Cherry said, also noting, I would lose my seniority when it comes to time to apply as it reopens.

Industry leaders testified at the committee hearing earlier this month that the bill as written would be detrimental to local business owners, especially the provision requiring that some workers be rehired after an ownership transition  even if the contracting company has changed.

Regina Hairston, president and CEO of the African-American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, and William Carter, a vice president with the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, said the bill would create an unfair burden for the owners of cleaning businesses and other building service contractors, including Black and brown business owners.

Hairston said Thursday that she wanted to see amendments to the legislation that would have limited it to office-to-residential conversions only.

For us, its not about the building owners. Its about the contractors  who really depend on these kinds of opportunities to grow and scale, Hairston said. We do not feel we had the opportunity to have our voices heard.

Some Council members agree, and were unhappy that Harrity left the bill as is after hearing those business concerns.

I was trying to get an amendment in, but the lawyers said that it would change the original protections that they were granted with the original bill and I didnt want to take a chance of doing any of that, said Harrity.

The bill passed 13-2, with Council members Brian J. ONeill (R.) and Jeffery Young (D.) voting against it. Councilmember Young, who has a pro-union track record, left the Council meeting mid-session but made sure that his nay vote was recorded. He voted against it, he said, because it would hurt Center Citys commercial real estate market, decreasing tax revenue.

This bill will make it impractical and overly burdensome for property owners and service vendors because it mandates the assumption of employees of the previous owner or vendor, even if there is no work available, Young said.

Harrity acknowledged that there had been spirited discussion around the lack of amendments, but that he expected Mayor Cherelle L. Parker to sign the bill.

We always discuss things fairly openly and most of my colleagues concerns were addressed, said Harrity. Its passed now, so as far as Im concerned the issue is handled.

One of the Council members who voted for the bill, Mike Driscoll, said that there is absolutely interest in new legislation to address some industry concerns about the bill and that conversations [were already] starting.

Thursdays bill comes half a year after building owners and 32BJ agreed to a new contract, which included wage increases of 18.6% over four years. It came without cuts to workers hours, which union members worried would be on the table because of post-COVID industry pressures. The building owners were able to give raises because they did not have to make additional contributions to health and retirement benefits and because the number of members covered by the contract had declined.
Rick Van Noy canoed from Hancock, N.Y., to Trenton in 2021 and turned his journey into a book, "Borne by the River." His dog, Sully, came along. Read more

The Delaware River bends slightly before it runs into Titusville, N.J., and reveals Rick Van Noys past: the white church steeple, boyhood boulders he swam between with friends, and the little schoolhouse where hed sit and stare at the water outside the window.

Life pulled Van Noy away from the Mercer County waterfront, and he moved to Colorado, Washington, and Ohio for school and work. For the last 20 years, he has taught American literature at Radford University. In 2021, after a stroke and separation, Van Noy returned to his roots with his Wenonah canoe and his dog, Sully. Together they paddled some 200 miles south, from Hancock, N.Y., to Trenton, a journey chronicled in his new book, Borne by the River.

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This was always sort of home, Van Noy said by the river on a recent weekday. I always thought I would come back.

Rivers, Van Noy writes in his book, have always inspired authors, from the Epic of Gilgamesh to Norman Macleans A River Runs Through It. Theyre full of change, ever-moving, and evolving.

Rivers carry people and goods but also meaning. And this one means something to me, Van Noy wrote.

The Delaware, he noted, is a historical river and a founding one. It is the reason why cities like Philadelphia, Trenton, Wilmington, and even little hamlets, like Titusville, exist along its edges.

Theres layers of history here and thats important, he said. It contributes to a sense of place.

Van Noy grew up blocks from where George Washington crossed the river to lead an attack on Hessians in Trenton.

The river Van Noy grew up on, north of Trenton, is also renowned for recreation: canoeing, tubing, and fishing. He spent his summers working for a local canoe rental. South of Trenton, the Delaware teems with cargo ships and powerboats.

The Delaware flows undammed for 330 miles from New Yorks Catskills to the Atlantic Ocean. The rivers East Branch begins in an unremarkable pool, just up the road from a tire shop; the West Branch begins at a former family farm, 1,886 feet above sea level, and down a dead-end road in Schoharie County, N.Y. All told, the Delawares watershed encompasses 13,539 square miles of smaller rivers and tributaries that snake through the region.

Van Noy also teaches environmental humanities classes at Radford and authored the book, Sudden Spring: Stories of Adaptation in a Climate-Changed South. He said his interest in environmental issues goes hand-in-hand with his childhood on the Delaware.

Ive learned to love the environment by falling in love with the place and the river, he said.

Van Noy said recent years have been good to the Delaware too. American shad, a once-ubiquitous fish, has returned, and in 2020, Americanrivers.org named the Delaware its river of the year.

The river has come a long way, the organization noted. Seventy-five years ago, it was choked with pollution and sewage.

Van Noy saw bald eagles and osprey on his journey, chatting up fishermen and revelers barbecuing and sipping whiskey along the banks. The following year, he canoed down the Delaware with members of the Lenape Nation.

The paddle toward Titusville flooded Van Noys memory with both the missing, like a rope swing, and things that still remain, like the home where he grew up.

It has occurred to me that my search for sense of place, that most writing on sense of place, is motivated by loss, or learning to value what is before us, deepening our appreciation, Van Noy wrote in his book.

Someday, Van Noy might return to New Jersey for good, back to his stately childhood home on the hill, by the river.

Van Noys book is available at www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501775116/borne-by-the-river/.
READING  As soon as the phone rang, Rich Gibson feared there would be trouble.

Gibson  a union electrician and, in 2020, a project manager at the then-under-construction Live! Casino in South Philadelphia  had been arguing for months with an employee over his poor job attendance. So much so that Gibson had recently started docking the mans pay.

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But that employee  the man on the other end of the Aug. 19 call that gave Gibson such cause for concern  wasnt just any worker. It was Greg Fiocca, the nephew of the head of his union, the nephew of John Dougherty, the most powerful labor leader in the state.

Where the f are you at? Gibson, testifying in federal court Thursday, recalled Fiocca shouting into the phone.

 READ MORE: As it happened: Prosecutors play audio recording of fiery altercation central to case

Knowing that Fiocca was coming to find him and fearing that the impending confrontation would be hostile, Gibson set his phone to record.

What happened next  and Gibsons recording of it  is now a central plank in the governments extortion case against Fiocca and Dougherty, the twice-convicted former leader of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Prosecutors played the 40-minute audio recording of Fioccas heated altercation with Gibson for jurors Thursday as the trial entered its third day.

 READ MORE: John Dougherty extortion trial: Day-by-day updates

Where the f is the rest of my check, before I break your glasses, Fiocca shouted as soon as he tracked Gibson down to a trailer on the casino job site. You owe me 36 f hours before I break your f jaw.

He grabbed Gibson by the throat, the project manager testified. He started choking him, slapped his face, spit on him, and threw him onto a table.

Next time this happens again, its not going to be no little f push, Fiocca continued. I dont give a f. Ive been to jail.  Theres no cameras in here. Its your word against mine.

He told Gibson to call his uncle, insisted thats not how this works.

Were pulling the whole job  right now, Fiocca said. Im calling my uncle already. Were pulling everyone off the job.

Prosecutors say that pledge  repeated throughout the exchange and allegedly followed up later by similar threats from Dougherty  amounted to extortion.

They maintain that Gibson and his boss  the casino projects electrical subcontractor, Ray Palmieri  were so fearful of the delays and cost overruns that would be caused by Local 98s pulling its electricians from the project that they continued to pay Fiocca for five more months after the altercation, despite continued issues with his work.

I dont know why Greg felt threatened by me, Gibson told the jury Thursday. But I felt threatened by him.

As the recording  peppered with Fioccas rapid-fire insults and liberal cursing  played out Thursday over the courtrooms tinny loudspeakers, jurors paid rapt attention. Fiocca sat stoically reading a transcript of the recording from the defense table.

But while the ferocity of Fioccas reaction on the tape underscored the fear prosecutors say it struck in Gibson, the recording also appeared to bolster key aspects of Fioccas and Doughertys defense.

 READ MORE: John Dougherty's extortion case, explained

For instance, defense lawyer Rocco Cipparone Jr., while conceding Fiocca blew his stack, has maintained since the start of the trial that his client wasnt seeking to extort Gibson or Palmieri.

Instead, the attorney has said, Fiocca simply snapped after being pushed to his limits by months of harassment from bosses who seemed to be constantly checking up on him, second-guessing his attendance, and looking for chances to find him screwing up.

Youse f harass me nonstop, Fiocca shouted at one point during the recording. Youse want me to be this perfect f guy. Its not going to happen. Im going to have down days. Im going to have good days. Im normal.

Near the recordings end, Palmieri  Gibsons boss  entered the trailer, learned what had happened and heatedly remarked: Im going to pay somebody to watch [Fiocca] all day.

Cipparone has also argued that Gibson and Palmieris decision to dock Fioccas pay was based on a mistaken belief that he was shirking his responsibilities and often disappearing from work.

Instead, the defense lawyer contends, Fiocca was actually on the job, just busy elsewhere on the three-block job site fulfilling duties assigned to him as Local 98s steward on the casino project. Dougherty had appointed his nephew to the role  which serves as the primary liaison between union members and company managers  in 2019.

And during their confrontation, Fiocca repeatedly insisted that during times Gibson assumed he was skipping work he was actually attending to concerns raised by Local 98 electricians. Those issues were only multiplied and took up more time, Fiocca said, because the casino construction project was playing out during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Seventy guys in the middle of a f pandemic, Fiocca shouted at Gibson at one point on the tape, referring to sizable representation of Local 98 members on the constructions crew. Youre not factoring that, as much as you should factor.

But when they get their chance to question Gibson on Friday, defense lawyers are likely to reserve some of their fire for another attack entirely.

During opening statements Wednesday, they noted that the project managers secret recording of Fiocca may have violated state law, which requires both parties consent to record a conversation. Theyve questioned why Gibson wasnt being prosecuted instead.

 READ MORE: Extortion or complete and utter nonsense? Lawyers offer conflicting accounts as John Doughertys latest federal trial begins.

(Federal law only requires one-party consent, allowing for the tape to be used as evidence in federal court. State statutes include exceptions to the two-party requirement for crime victims who are fearful for their safety.)

But as he sat in the witness stand Thursday listening, four years later, to the fight that had made him a central witness in a federal case against Fiocca and his uncle, the man who had led their union for nearly 30 years, Gibson mostly appeared baffled as to how it had all come to this.

Hed always had a good relationship with Dougherty, he said. In fact, as a fellow Local 98 member, hed voted for Dougherty several times in union elections.

Hes a great man, Gibson told Fiocca at one point during the recorded Aug. 19 fight.

And before that confrontation, the project manager told the jury Thursday, hed never had problems with a union steward before. Ive always had good relationships, he said.

Sometimes you might bicker over things, he continued, but at the end of the day, were all Local 98 guys.
John Dougherty was back in court, facing his third trial on federal felony charges in as many years. This time, he was charged along with his nephew, Greg Fiocca, with threatening a union contractor amid a dispute over Fioccas job performance and pay while working in 2020 on the construction of the Live! Casino in South Philadelphia.

The stakes were high. Dougherty, once the most powerful union leader in the state, has been convicted in two previous cases  a 2021 bribery trial involving City Councilmember Bobby Henon and an embezzlement trial last year in which he and six others were accused of stealing more than $600,000 from Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Hes slated to be sentenced later this year.

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The third trial, however, ended in a mistrial, as jurors said they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Heres a recap of the latest developments from court and recent coverage:

Jury deliberations, mistrial, and fallout

Juror speaks: Roughly three hours into their marathon day of deliberations, 11 of the 12 jurors were ready to acquit Dougherty and Fiocca, according to a member of the panel who spoke to The Inquirer. But for nearly eight hours more, in the cramped Reading conference room, a lone holdout stood her ground, grinding the panels discussions to a standstill and eventually forcing a mistrial in the case. The jurors account provided new insights into how the jury of six men and six women viewed the governments evidence as prosecutors weigh whether to retry embattled labor leader and his nephew again. Several of us thought it  didnt feel like a strong case, the juror said, adding that some members of the panel described it as government overreach. Read more: Full story

 READ MORE: 'Inside Johnny Doc's Trial' newsletter: The mistrial madness edition

Day 8, April 25: After the jurys first, and only, day of deliberations, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Schmehl said the panel was hopelessly deadlocked after 11 hours of debate and declared in a mistrial. The decision offered an ambiguous conclusion to Doughertys third felony trial in as many years after previous convictions on bribery and embezzlement charges. Prosecutors did not immediately say whether they intend to retry the case. As for Dougherty, who celebrated his 64th birthday waiting on the jurys verdict, he allowed only a brief smile to flash across his face as the trial came to an inconclusive end. He left the courthouse with his family just after 10 p.m., saying: Im going home to spend the last two hours of my birthday with my wife. Read more: Full story | As it happened

 READ MORE: A judge has declared a mistrial in John Doughertys extortion trial. What happens now?

Closing arguments

Day 7, April 24: In their final pitches to jurors, attorneys in John Doughertys federal extortion trial sought to cement two vastly different portraits of the former labor leader with the panel charged with rendering a verdict in the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Costello described Dougherty as an enabler, willing to overlook his nephews 2020 assault on a supervisor and use every tool at his disposal  including threats of economic harm  to keep him employed. But the defense shot back, describing the ex-union chief as a man exceedingly devoted to keeping all union members employed and paid the all the wages they deserved. Those arguments came after a whirlwind day of witnesses as both sides rushed to tie up loose ends in the cases theyd presented to the jury. Read more: Full story | As it happened

Testimony

Day 6, April 23: Prosecutors played a recording of an Aug. 24, 2020, meeting between Dougherty and Local 98s business agents for jurors, airing publicly for the first time what has become one of the most controversial pieces of evidence they collected in their case against the former labor leader. The tape, made by a mole within Doughertys ranks and shared later with the FBI, features Dougherty still seething about the falling out between Fiocca and his bosses at the Live! Casino and Hotel project. He told the agents there should never have been any question that they would be taking his nephews side. We werent down there to make kumbaya, Dougherty said on the recording. F kumbaya. Youre f business agents representing the stewards who we appoint  right, wrong, or indifferent. Read more: Full story | As it happened

Day 5, April 22: Prosecutors shifted their focus toward detailing Doughertys reaction to Fioccas assault on one of his bosses with a series of witnesses who spoke directly to the union chief in the hours after the attack. Fran Rothwein, a Local 98 foreman on the casino job told jurors that Dougherty was screaming mad at the projects management after learning theyd docked Fioccas pay and were pushing to have him booted from the job. Dougherty threatened pull all Local 98 electricians from the site, effectively shutting down the project, and to interfere with the contractors ability to land future work in the city, Rothwein said. Despite his reservations, the jobs electrical contractor Ray Palmieri told jurors, he continued to employ Fiocca out of concern for what might happen if he didnt. Read more: Full story | As it happened

 READ MORE: "Inside Johnny Doc's Trial" newsletter: The tale of the tape edition

Day 4, April 19: With a key government witness, Rich Gibson, still on the stand, defense attorneys had their first chance to scrutinize the recording of his heated 2020 altercation with Fiocca, and to grill the man who made it. They sought to dispel any notion that it amounted to an extortionate threat. Yet, the project manager stood firm. He felt cowed, he said, into keeping Fiocca on the job. Read more: Full story | As it happened

Day 3, April 18: Rich Gibson, a project manager on the Live! Casino project in 2020 and a central witness in the governments case against Fiocca and Dougherty, took the witness stand as the trial entered its third day. And prosecutors played for jurors the secret 40-minute recording he made of an Aug. 19, 2020 altercation he had with Fiocca, that now forms the basis for the governments extortion case. Gibson said Fiocca, enraged over a pay dispute, spit on him, choked and slapped him, grabbed him by the throat and threw him onto a table. In between that beating and threats of future violence, he threatened to get his uncle involved. Were pulling the whole jobright now, Fiocca said in the recording played in court. Im calling my uncle already. Were pulling everyone off the job. Read more: Full story | As it happened

Opening statements

Day 2, April 17: As the trial opened, it quickly became clear that prosecutors and defense lawyers held very different views on the Aug. 19, 2020, confrontation between Greg Fiocca and his supervisor at the Live! Casino job site that forms the backbone of the governments case. As prosecutors told it in their opening pitch to jurors, Fiocca assaulted the man and John Dougherty later threatened to shut down the site and ensure its primary electrical contractor never worked in the city again. Defense lawyers told jurors Fiocca snapped after months of harassment by his bosses and that Dougherty wasnt making threats, but rather seeking to support a member of his union who believed hed been shorted wages. Testimony from prosecutors first witnesses sketched in Fioccas troubled history at the casino job site in the months leading up to the attack. He frequently went missing while on the job, or didnt show up at all, they said. Read more: Full story | As it happened

Jury selection

Day 1, April 15: For the third time in three years, John Dougherty strode into a federal courthouse preparing to once again select a jury to determine his fate. This is old news, the former labor leader quipped to reporters before the selection process began. You should be up with Donald Trump instead of with John Dougherty, he said, referencing another, arguably higher profile, trial unfolding 100 miles away. But unlike at the trial of the former president, lawyers in Doughertys case by the end of the day had finished their work selecting the six men and six women who will ultimately decide the case. Read more: Full Story | As it happened

 READ MORE: 'Inside Johnny Doc's Trial' newsletter: US vs. John Dougherty, round three edition

The setup: By all accounts, Fiocca, a union electrician, was less than a model employee. He rarely showed up for work, was once caught sleeping on the job, and had a history across multiple postings of mouthing off to his bosses. He was laid off from a Market East construction site in 2016 after he spit on a supervisor. Then came a job site skirmish that has now landed him and Dougherty in federal court. The men stand accused of extorting a union contractor who in 2020 attempted to dock Fioccas pay over his poor job performance. Read more: Full Story

 READ MORE: John Dougherty's extortion case, explained

Earlier trials

Embezzlement trial, December 2023: Dougherty and Brian Burrows, the former president of Local 98, were convicted after a four-week trial of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from their union to pay for pricey dinners, home repairs, travel, and mundane goods like groceries. Five others pleaded guilty before the trial, though none of them agreed to testify against Dougherty. Read more: Day-by-day updates

Bribery trial, November 2021: After a six-week trial, a federal jury found Dougherty guilty in a corruption case in which prosecutors had accused him of paying off Henon with a union salary and tickets to sporting events. In exchange, they said, Henon, who was also convicted, essentially sold the powers of his City Council seat, allowing Dougherty to use them to exact revenge on a series of personal and professional rivals. Read more: Day-by-day updates
Actor Maulik Pancholy attends the premiere of "Trishna" during the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, April 27, 2012 in New York. Read more

Actor and author Maulik Pancholy is speaking out for the first time after Cumberland Valley school board members voted to cancel his anti-bullying assembly at a Pennsylvania middle school.

Earlier this week, Cumberland Valley school board members nixed Pancholys scheduled appearance, citing concerns about his activism and lifestyle. Pancholy is openly gay and came out in 2013. His books center on two Indian American children who are gay. On his website, Pancholy lists several activist initiatives hes led, mostly focused on combating bullying of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and the LGBTQ+ community.

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When I visit schools, my activism is to let all young people know that theyre seen, Pancholy said in a statement he shared on Instagram. Thats the power of books. they build empathy. I wonder why a school board is so afraid of that?

Pancholy said that he first heard about the school boards decision to cancel his appearance via social media.

The Mountain View Middle School assembly in Cumberland County was set to take place on May 22 and was going to focus on anti-bullying. Pancholy  best known for his roles in 30 Rock and Phineas & Ferb  has conducted similar guest talks at other schools across the country.

 READ MORE: Pennsylvania school board cancels gay actors upcoming anti-bullying talk, citing his lifestyle

But Cumberland Valley school board members  including a local chapter member of the right-wing activist group Moms For Liberty  unanimously voted Monday to cancel the event, adding they didnt know what Pancholys talk would be about and worried it could be overtly political.

Critics say the move to block Pancholys appearance was homophobic and have launched a petition to reinstate the event. The decision has since been condemned by Act to Change, the nonprofit Pancholy founded to counter bullying targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

We condemn any actions that seek to silence or marginalize voices advocating for a safer and just world where all youth can thrive exactly as they are, the group said in a statement. We urge the Cumberland Valley School District school board to reconsider their decision and reinstate the event.

Since launching late Monday, the Change.org petition to reinstate Pancholys talk at the middle school has collected more than 6,800 signatures.

Its been incredibly moving to see the outpouring of solidarity, love, and support from the community at Mountain View Middle School, Pancholy said. To see the petitions that youve started; to hear from former and current students and faculty; to see the courage on display, particularly from young people.

He added, I hope that every single student at MVMS is receiving that message of support and love. That you know that regardless of who you are, you belong.
China prepares for next manned mission

08:16, April 19, 2024 By Zhao Lei ( Chinadaily.com.cn

China's next manned mission, the Shenzhou XVIII, is scheduled to be launched in the coming days to transport three astronauts to the Tiangong space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

The Shenzhou XVIII crew spacecraft and its carrier, a Long March 2F rocket, were moved to the service tower on Wednesday at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwestern China's Gobi Desert, the agency said in a brief news release, adding that the spacecraft and the rocket will undergo final checks in the next few days.

The Shenzhou XVIII will become China's 13th manned spaceflight and the first crewed mission to visit Tiangong this year.

The crew members, whose names have yet to be disclosed, will take over the massive orbital outpost from their peers in the Shenzhou XVII  mission commander Senior Colonel Tang Hongbo and crew members Lieutenant Colonel Jiang Xinlin and Lieutenant Colonel Tang Shengjie  who arrived on Oct 26. By the end of April, the Shenzhou XVII team will have stayed in orbit for six months.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Shenzhen's Q1 foreign trade exceeds 1-trln-yuan mark

Xinhua) 13:12, April 19, 2024

SHENZHEN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen saw its foreign trade grow 28.8 percent year on year to 1.02 trillion yuan (about 140.8 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of this year, exceeding the 1-trillion-yuan mark for the first time in a decade, local authorities said.

During this period, Shenzhen's exports grew 28.2 percent year on year to 642.44 billion yuan, and the city's imports reached 377.85 billion yuan, up 29.9 percent year on year, according to Shenzhen Customs in south China's Guangdong Province.

In the first quarter, the foreign trade of Shenzhen's private enterprises reached 720.96 billion yuan, up 45.2 percent year on year, accounting for 70.7 percent of the city's total trade volume.

Shenzhen's trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), its largest trading partner, hit 165.64 billion yuan, up 38.4 percent, accounting for 16.2 percent of the city's total trade volume.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Paul Brown in Singular Discoveries:

The message in a bottle washed ashore on a rocky beach at Coldingham Bay, Scotland, on the morning of March 11, 1909. For anxious relatives and friends, the hastily-scrawled note seemed to confirm their fears that the two-masted sailboat and its ten crew members were lost at sea.

The Snowdrop had departed from Dundee almost a year earlier as part of a small whaling fleet bound for the Arctic waters of the Davis Strait between Greenland and Canada. It was last seen there in the summer of 1908 and reported as All well. But when the fleet returned to Dundee with its catch of fifteen whales that November, the Snowdrop was missing, and its fate unknown.

For several weeks, the Dundee whaling community awaited the Snowdrops return, expecting that it had been delayed by ice. But by the beginning of 1909, they began to call for shipping agents to send a relief ship in search of the missing boat and crew.

More here.
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr., facing allegations that he abused his teenage daughter, said he was committed to his family and to his city at a Thursday event.

Weve all seen news accounts of whats going on with myself personally, Small said during a speech at the East Coast Gaming Congress at the citys Hard Rock casino, according to the Associated Press.

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It was the first time that Small publicly addressed the charges of physical assault and endangering a child since Atlantic County prosecutors filed them against the 50-year-old Democrat and his wife, Atlantic City schools superintendent LaQuetta Small, on Monday.

Its just that: personal, the mayor continued. But I pledge to each and every one of you, it doesnt change my commitment, number one, to my family, and it doesnt change my commitment here to the great city of Atlantic City.

An affidavit viewed by The Inquirer paints a detailed portrait of the alleged abuse Small and his wife inflicted on their 16-year-old daughter in late 2023 and 2024, which investigators said stemmed from their disapproval of her boyfriend.

Prosecutors allege that during an argument, Small struck his daughter with a broom, rendering her unconscious. Other descriptions of physical violence said Small struck his daughter in the legs with his fist, and that LaQuetta Small knelt on the teenagers chest and smacked her multiple times across the face.

In one instance, investigators allege Small threw his daughter into the shower, slammed her, and choked her.

Small has denied wrongdoing, and has stressed that the allegations have no relation to his duties as mayor.

Mayor Marty Small remains the mayor of the city of Atlantic City and will continue to faithfully perform his duties as mayor, his attorney, Edwin Jacobs, said in a statement Tuesday.

Smalls daughter reported the abuse this year to a school principal  a local Democratic official and associate of Small who was charged in March for failing to report the allegation to a child protection agency.

Investigators said Smalls daughter told school personnel, a mental health therapist, and personal acquaintances about the alleged abuse. But when questioned by detectives, Smalls daughter told them that she made the allegations up.

However, investigators would find information that contradicted that statement after interviewing Smalls boyfriend, who detailed verbal, mental, and physical abuse revealed on video chats between the couple  including her clothing being ripped, and her body bruised after the abuse incidents. Other videos recorded during arguments between Small and his daughter offered investigators audio of the alleged abuse.

Small opened his Hard Rock event Tuesday with his signature phrase: Its a great day in the city of Atlantic City, the Associated Press reported. He proceeded to address city matters, such as redevelopment of Pacific Avenue and the challenges faced by a growing casino scene in New York.
A view of the Philadelphia skyline from Jefferson Einstein Hospital parking garage in North Philadelphia on Feb. 15, 2024. Read more

Good things are happening in Philadelphia.

Some trends, such as rising median household income, yet another small increase in the percentage of residents with college degrees, and the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years are just a few of the bright spots, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts latest State of the City report.

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Still, some of these gains havent been felt equally across racial lines.

Despite the many positive economic indicators, the report also highlighted some of the seemingly intractable problems in the city, including a persistently high poverty rate, a high number of homicides in 2023, and a steadfast number of overdose deaths.

So is this status report a win for the self-described Philly boosters or do the citys public health and safety concerns wipe out any gains?

Katie Martin, project director at Pew, did not take the bait. She prefers to say that Philadelphia is in a period of transition with a new mayor and City Council.

This is an opportunity right now to build on the strengths in Philadelphia while making sure that these positive trends are felt by everybody in the city because you can see where those disparities are, she said, adding its up to city leaders to make sure the positive trends are widespread.

In addition to identifying emerging and long-term trends in Philadelphia, the report offers a comparison against other major cities. Here are some of the takeaways.

Positive trends for jobs and college grads

The citys unemployment rate in 2023 hit its lowest point since the 1930s. Impressive, sure, but Martin would like you to zoom out.

Historically, Phillys unemployment rate has followed national and metro-area trends, but has been some percentage points higher. In 2022, however, the trend lines for Philadelphia, metro area, and U.S. unemployment started to converge.

Last year, Philadelphia recorded a 4.2% unemployment rate, only marginally higher than the metro areas 3.7% and the U.S. average at 3.6%.

Were closing some of that gap, Martin said.

Also working in the citys favor is the continued growth of its college-educated workforce. The most recent batch of U.S. Census data shows 36% of Philadelphians over age 25 have a bachelors degree, continuing a decade-long increase, and keeping up with the national average. Martin said its particularly encouraging that young people are driving the trend and building upon the economy that we have right now. More than half of people ages 25 to 34 had a bachelors degree in 2022.

At the same time, the city had an average of 765,400 open jobs in 2023, a 40-year high. One bit of data that well have to wait for, however, is what kind of jobs are available to residents. Martin said theres a lot of noise in the data from the pandemic years.

Similarly encouraging is a rise in the median household income from $52,899 in 2021 to $56,517 in 2022, a 7% jump. Pew said 2022 marked the first time in the 16 years of the annual report that Phillys median household income was higher than Baltimores.

Still, the metric varies along ethnic lines, with Black and Hispanic households reporting just under $43,000, Asian households reporting close to $62,000, and white households reporting close to $82,000.

But poverty persists

Despite the bright spots in the Philadelphia economy, about 148,000 residents still lived in whats defined as deep poverty, according to the most recent Census data, meaning a family of four is reporting an income at or below $15,600.

The share of residents living in poverty in 2022  meaning a family of four with an income at or below $31,200  reached its lowest point since the 1990s but still accounted for 22% of residents. Thats compared to the countrys 11.5%.

Whats more, 29% of children were living in poverty.

Overdose deaths remain high

With an estimated 1,300 overdose deaths, Philadelphia saw its second-highest total on record in 2023, despite an 8% drop from the previous year. According to the most current CDC data, Philadelphia had more overdose deaths per capita than comparable cities such as Baltimore and Washington.

Crimes continued toll

Though the number of homicides saw a decline for a third-straight year in 2023, the city still reeled from 410 murders. The homicide rate per 100,000 residents in Philadelphia (26.2) was higher than that of cities like Chicago (23.2), Pittsburgh (17.2), and Houston (14.7), but lower than Baltimore (45.6) and Detroit (40.6).

At the same time, property crimes continued to rise in 2023. Car thefts stood out in particular, increasing by 70% in one year and accounting for 25% of all major crimes in 2023.

In the report, Pew warned that crime has soured the publics view of Philadelphia.

Increasing diversity

Theres a chance youve seen a headline or two about how Philadelphias population has declined since the pandemic. Yet the city continues to see foreign-born people move in. According to the latest data available, 15.7% of Philadelphia residents reported being foreign-born, compared to the national average of 13.9%.

 READ MORE: Philadelphia lost more than 50,000 residents during the pandemic, census data show

We are at the highest number of foreign-born residents in Philadelphia since the 1940s, said Martin. Its been a real growth in the city.

The boon of immigrants only adds to the citys already changing demographics, where Asian residents now make up 7.8% of the population and Hispanics make up 16.1%, nearly triple the shares they held in 1990. African American and Black residents make up 38.6% of the citys population, a dip from recent decades where they exceeded 42%, while white residents went from 52% in the 1990s to 33% now.
Rabbi Fred J. Neulander listens as the jury reads the guilty verdict on Nov. 20, 2002. Neulander died Wednesday while serving a life sentence in New Jersey State Prison for orchestrating the murder of his wife, Carol Neulander. Read more

Fred Neulander, the former senior rabbi of a Cherry Hill synagogue who promised to pay $30,000 for two hitmen to kill his wife so he could pursue an affair with a local radio personality, has died.

Neulander was found nonresponsive by correctional police officers Wednesday in an infirmary unit where hed been housed in New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, according to a statement released Friday afternoon by the New Jersey Department of Corrections.

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Staff immediately administered CPR and applied an automated external defibrillator, then transported Neulander by Trenton EMS to Capital Health Regional Medical Center.

State officials were notified of his death at 6:13 p.m. on Wednesday. No cause of death has been given.

Neulander, 82, had been in the Trenton prison since 2002 when he was sentenced to life behind bars after a conviction on murder charges. An initial trial ended in a hung jury.

Neulanders death comes 30 years after Carol Neulander, 52, the mother of Neulanders three children, was bludgeoned to death with a lead pipe in the couples home in 1994. The scene was staged to look like a robbery but nearly nothing in the house had been disturbed, a detail that investigators found suspicious at the time. Neulander was talking on the phone to her adult daughter, Rebecca Neulander Rockoff, when the assailants entered the familys home.

A beloved volunteer in South Jerseys tight-knit Jewish community and the cofounder of Cherry Hills Classic Cake bakery, Carol Neulander was mourned by more than 2,000 congregants, relatives and friends who came to her funeral.

The case stunned the Philadelphia region and gradually morphed into a grisly piece of popular culture after the trial became a fixture on cable television, inspired multiple true-crime docudramas and, in 2022, a true-crime musical, A Wicked Soul in Cherry Hill. The production, written by playwright Matt Schatz and described by the Los Angeles Times as charming albeit troubling, was protested by officials at the Neulanders former congregation and the Neulanders children before a brief run at a Los Angeles theater.

Why did Fred Neulander murder his wife?

For two decades, Fred Neulander had been a prominent figure in Cherry Hill. In 1974, he cofounded Congregation Mkor Shalom, now called Congregation Kol Ami.

On Friday, Kol Ami Rabbi Jennifer Frenkel released a statement, saying, Fred Neulanders ... leadership of the congregation ended many years ago under well-publicized circumstances that ran counter to the values our congregation holds dear.

Rather than dwell on the past, we at Congregation Kol Ami ... choose to focus on our future. ... We are building a vibrant and inclusive Jewish community guided by shared values and traditions, supporting each other through lifes joys and sorrows, and finding purpose and connection through prayer, learning, and acts of compassion and kindness.

At Neulanders trial, Len Jenoff, a former Collingswood resident, testified that he and an accomplice, a troubled man named Paul Michael Daniels, were hired to kill Carol Neulander. The Neulanders marriage had interfered with an affair the rabbi was having with Elaine Soncini, who had been on the air at WPEN-FM.

Soncini, who met Neulander when he officiated at the 1992 funeral of her husband, Ken Garland, testified for the prosecution at both of the rabbis trials, in 2001 and 2002.

Jenoff was a private detective who battled with alcoholism and at times claimed falsely to have worked for the CIA, and for the Mossad, the Israeli secret service agency. He also told people he had connections to Oliver North, a central figure in the politically charged Iran-Contra scandal.

He had confessed his role in the killing to Inquirer reporter Nancy Phillips, now an editor at the newspaper.

Neulanders serial marital infidelities were detailed in court. During testimony, a friend of Neulanders with a criminal record and underworld ties said the rabbi had asked him if he knew someone who could arrange for the murder.

The defense sought to discredit Jenoff and tried to convince the jury that Jenoff and Daniels acted on their own.

In his testimony, Jenoff said the rabbi in May 1994 asked him to kill Carol Neulander in their residence, allegedly saying that he wanted to come home one night and find his wife dead on the floor.

As she was being struck, Jenoff said in court, Carol Neulander asked, Why? Why?

When Neulander was convicted, the jury could not agree on the death penalty and he was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Jenoff and Daniels have completed their prison sentences. Both were released from custody in 2014.

Daniels admitted to being an accomplice in the killing so he could get $7,500 to buy drugs. After his release, he remained guilt-ridden, according to his attorney, Craig Mitnick.

He wants to live his life never forgetting what he did to another human being and a family, Mitnick said at the time.

In 2016, a state appeals court rejected a request to overturn Neulanders murder conviction.

Robert English, a spokesperson for the Camden County Prosecutors Office, said at the time: The opinion only reaffirms the jurys sound belief in a guilty verdict in this case.
BRUSSELS, Belgium  While the Congress fiddles as Ukraine burns, most of our NATO allies understand they have an emergency on their borders, as Ukrainian troops run out of artillery shells while Russia pounds major cities that lack air defenses.

Spending a day at NATO headquarters, I felt a sense of urgency there toward addressing the desperate drama in Ukraine that stands in stark contrast to the tragicomedy playing out on Capitol Hill  where, after six months of dangerous delay, GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson is finally going to make a convoluted effort on Saturday to pass legislation that includes $60 billion in aid for Ukraine.

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Even as Johnson was fighting to keep MAGA isolationists from ousting him from the speakers chair, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met on Wednesday with the prime ministers of Denmark, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands, who are trying to corral artillery shells and Patriot air-defense systems for Kyiv.

They are seeking them wherever they can be found  even if this means weakening their own countrys defenses. My message is clear, Stoltenberg said. Send more to Ukraine.

 READ MORE: Will Speaker Mike Johnson stand up to Trump and allow House vote on Ukraine aid? | Trudy Rubin

Denmark is contributing all of its artillery shells. A Czech government initiative has raised funds to contract for 500,000 shells, with the first tranche to arrive in June. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who may be tapped as the next NATO secretary general, spoke plainly: Ukraine needs stronger air defenses. Mere words are not enough. They are needed fast.

Even as NATO members up their game, however, they know they cant fill the gap if the United States cuts off Ukraine aid and stops sending weapons. They are banking on Johnsons success with his complex, Democrat-dependent aid legislation.

Whats still missing in the White House and Congress  and what is badly needed to save Ukraine  is the sense of urgency that European NATO members are displaying now.

While the White House obsesses over Mideast crises, most European leaders are watching worriedly as the Kremlin takes advantage of Ukraines shortages. Smelling Western weariness, Moscow is raining unprecedented numbers of Iranian-made drones, cruise missiles, and glide bombs on Ukrainian cities, residential buildings, and thermal power plants that provide electricity for every aspect of daily life.

In 2022, I saw the hideous damage done to Kharkiv and Chernihiv in earlier Russian attacks, with bombs deliberately dropped on central squares, shopping malls, universities, apartments, playgrounds, and schools. Yet those cities had been slowly rebuilding. Now, they are being hit even harder and are open targets without air defenses on the ground.

On all three trips Ive made to Ukraine in the last two years, officials have stressed their urgent need for more air defenses, specifically U.S.-made Patriot systems. The West has been reluctant to spare them, and frustration has been rising. Just give us the damn Patriots, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba exploded to Politico in March.

That frustration has only grown after U.S., British, and French pilots and Patriot weapons systems helped Israel repel an Iranian attack involving more than 300 drones and cruise and ballistic missiles. Ukraine, like Israel, is not a NATO member. It doesnt want the involvement of U.S. pilots, only the air-defense systems it needs to protect itself.

Most of Europes leaders get the message now, even if Washington doesnt.

Russias invasion of Ukraine woke up Europe to the fact that the post-World War II era of peace had ended (18 NATO members now meet the minimum of 2% of GDP for defense spending). Kyivs weapons crisis has jolted most European NATO members into recognizing that the pace of Ukraine aid must jump immediately.

With only three Patriot systems, Ukraine doesnt have enough to protect any big city except Kyiv. Even scarier, President Volodymyr Zelensky says the Kyiv regions largest thermal power plant was just destroyed because Ukraine ran out of interceptor missiles to fire.

Western armies have about 100 batteries of Patriots, according to the European Unions top foreign policy and security representative, Josep Borrell. The United States has the largest number.

Ukraine, at a minimum, needs seven to cover major cities. Germany is sending one, and as Borrell said at an April 9 conference here, it is unimaginable that we could not provide the rest.

 READ MORE: 4 ways the U.S. should help Ukraine right now | Trudy Rubin

At NATO headquarters Wednesday, the Netherlands Rutte made that point clearly. He insisted that members must look at our own stocks [and] purchase what is available around the world.

And Stoltenberg, a strong advocate of supporting Ukraine, added a crucial message, stressing that if it were a choice between meeting NATO weapons requirements for each country or sending critical systems to Ukraine, members should stress the latter.

In other words, the criticality of the moment demands that NATO members put the emphasis on finding what Ukraine needs, whether from their own stocks or elsewhere, and then get it to Kyiv quickly. On Friday, NATO will be convening a special NATO-Ukraine Council meeting with Zelensky beamed in on video to figure out how to make these words real.

This is the approach the Pentagon, with the most Patriot systems  not to mention stocks of long-range ATACMS missiles that could take out Russian missile depots and far-off delivery systems  should be taking. Instead, excuses are constantly made as to why stocks cant be touched even if the weapons  like the ATACMS  are being replaced by newer systems.

Urgency is what Stoltenberg proposed, along with the Dutch, Czech, and Danish leaders. That is whats needed from Congress and the White House if Ukraine is to be saved.
In this July file photo, District Attorney Larry Krasner speaks at a press conference with members of his office, elected officials, and community partners at Salt and Light Church. Krasner is set to run for a third term for district attorney. Read more

District Attorney Larry Krasner had a, lets say, tumultuous second term. House Republicans impeached him, but a trial is on hold for who knows how long. The Democratic governor signed legislation stripping him of some prosecutorial power. Hes a favorite topic on the right.

But maybe Krasner is a glutton for punishment?

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Sources told Clout that Krasner is planning to run for a third term, and we hear hes already told some of his staff as much. That should settle the chatter in Phillys political class of late about whether the DA might move on to greener pastures, be they a run for higher office, the lucrative speaker circuit, or his former life as a civil rights attorney.

Krasner is being publicly tight-lipped about his intentions and probably wont make an official announcement about the May 2025 primary election for some time.

But we should note that running for a third term is a big deal. Over the last 70 years, just one Philadelphia district attorney has served for more than two terms: Lynne Abraham, the Democrat known as one tough cookie who was the citys prosecutor for four terms.

Now the question is: Who is going to run against him?

Clout keeps hearing one name floated as a challenger: former City Councilmember Derek S. Green, a Democrat who last year ran for mayor and was recently written about in this space for registering as a lobbyist.

He told Clout on Thursday he hasnt decided whether hell run.

Rumors about Green contending for DA have been rampant since the mayors race and even before. Hes a former assistant district attorney whod position himself as tougher on crime than Krasner. Green last year said that if he were elected mayor, hed establish a process for police to circumvent the DA and have federal authorities prosecute gun crimes in the city.

Krasner did not like that, saying at the time: Some of the candidates for mayor are not in touch with Philadelphians.

If Green did decide to make a run, it could make things complicated for the citys power brokers, most notably the Northwest Coalition and its most high-profile member, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.

The political family backed Krasner and helped lift him to victory over a crowded field when he first ran in 2017. It was a big deal at the time. But Green hails from the Northwest Coalition himself and was a close aide to one of its leaders, former Councilmember Marian B. Tasco.

Perhaps Clout is getting ahead of ourselves.

Who paid for Mayor Parkers TV ads?

If it looks like a campaign ad, walks like a campaign ad, and talks like a campaign ad, is it a campaign ad?

According to Parkers administration, its an anti-littering public service announcement.

Thats the explanation Clout got this week when we asked the city about a television commercial running on cable that features our mayor introducing herself and saying shes committed to making Philly the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the nation, which happens to have been her campaign slogan.

Its illegal to use taxpayer resources for political activity, and the ad likely stops well short of that. But the use of Parkers slogan and images of her at a campaign event were more than enough to raise Clouts eyebrows.

The ad includes footage of Parker glad-handing with constituents and sweeping up trash. And it shows the mayor speaking at a 2022 fundraiser that was her first major event of the mayoral campaign. Clout knows exactly which fundraiser it was because the back of Clouts head is in the commercial. Finally, our big break!

The city bought the commercials along with ads on radio, in print, online, and at SEPTA facilities such as subway platforms. Parkers spokesperson Joe Grace said the cost of the one Philly campaign is $360,120, a large portion of which came from a state grant for public education on waste reduction and pollution prevention.

Grace pointed out that the city has been running anti-littering ad campaigns for 20 years, including last year, when the previous administration spent about $190,000 on them.

As for the footage from Parkers campaign? Grace said it was taken from a YouTube channel so its in the public domain.

Its certainly not the first time a taxpayer-funded ad felt a little political. Dont think we forgot about former U.S. attorney Bill McSwain spending $75,000 to put his name and face on billboards before he ran for governor, or the umpteen City Council members who have touted their work on city letterhead right around campaign season.

But, hey, they were all just PSAs.

Joe Biden tries to have it both ways

Well be honest. We were ready to throw some severe shade the presidents way when we saw that he stopped at a Sheetz during his swing through Pennsylvania this week and ordered something called fryz.

No. 1, ew.

No. 2, why? Who told Joe Biden that ticking off the largest city in the commonwealth by eating at our rival convenience store was a viable campaign strategy?

But our minds were changed Thursday.

At about 3 p.m. after a stop in North Philly, POTUS joined Mayor Parker for a stop at the Wawa on Chestnut Street in Center City for some pre-Air Force One grub. (Well note that is the fancy Wawa that we like to refer to as the je ne sais quoi-wa.)

According to reporters on scene, Biden got an Italian hoagie with American cheese (odd), a black-and-white milkshake, a dozen pretzels, a dozen assorted pastries, two orders of mozzarella sticks, two bottles of Coke, and a low-fat, strawberry banana yogurt specifically labeled for its probiotic properties.

This is one flip-flop Clout will allow.

Clout provides often irreverent news and analysis about people, power, and politics.

Inquirer staff writers Sean Collins Walsh, Emily Bloch, and Julia Terruso contributed to this article.
Democratic State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, Erin McClelland, and incumbent Republican Treasurer Stacy Garrity. Bizzarro and McClelland will face off in the April 23 Democratic primary. Read more

When Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity took the podium at a Lehigh County campaign event this month for former President Donald J. Trump, the Republican incumbent framed the election as an existential battle.

Every election that goes by that we dont get Republicans in office, our state, and our country get closer and closer to being lost, Garrity told the crowd of thousands.

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On Tuesday, voters will decide which Democratic candidate will challenge Garrity for the states top financial position, in an election that both parties see as an existential threat.

The treasurer  one of three elected statewide row offices  is the custodian of the states vast investment portfolio, as well as its balance sheet. The office oversees more than $160 billion in public funds.

The treasurers duties span the financial spectrum; the office decides where to invest state funds, and has bolstered the states rainy-day fund and improved savings programs for state residents.

On Tuesday, primary voters will decide which of two Democrats will face Garrity in November: State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro from Erie, or Erin McClelland, a small-business owner from the Pittsburgh area.

Heres a closer look at the candidates

Ryan Bizzarro

Bizzarro has served as Eries state representative for more than a decade, and is touting his experience in Harrisburg in his bid for treasurer.

The 38-year-old is also running unopposed to retain his 3rd District House seat for a seventh term.

As chairman of the House Democratic Policy Committee, Bizzarro said he regularly makes decisions related to Pennsylvanias financial matters, and collaborates across the aisle with his GOP colleagues.

Bizzarro said hed follow the model of treasurers in Democratic-led states who have figured out how to utilize the treasurers office for leverage to help with economic and community development.

The candidate aims to create an impact investment fund, for example, as well as an infrastructure real estate fund, and would expand the 529 program, which allows parents to invest in their childrens future college education. The effort would yield about $500 million in investments for Pennsylvanias agriculture and small businesses, according to Bizzarro.

You have to have the relationships in both the House and Senate, Democrat and Republican, in order to get things done, Bizzarro said. You cant implement a single new program without the OK from the legislature, and thats going to be important.

Erin McClelland

McClelland grew up in the river valleys of Pittsburgh, the city where the 49-year-old candidate said she was first inspired by a treasurers work.

As a process improvement specialist with the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative, McClelland worked under former U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul H. ONeill, whose approach to spotting waste in public services sparked her interest in the role.

McClelland later opened Arche Wellness, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, and now works in policy for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

McClellands bid for treasurer is her first. She was the Democratic nominee for the 12th House District seat in 2014 and 2016.

The Democrat has been critical of the legislatures bipartisan support of reforms to the public sector pension system via the Keystone Saves program, which the candidate worries will leave the door open to privatization of other benefits.

McClelland said that from an investment standpoint, it wasnt appropriate for the Republican-led treasurers office to invest in Israeli bonds with state funds as a show of support during the countrys war in Gaza.

The candidate is critical of what she describes as greed from the countrys large investment institutions, citing the mechanics behind the Great Recession. Still, McClelland said she keeps up to date on the industrys latest financial policies.

It is very important for our treasurer to be on the details when it comes to what is happening on Wall Street if they are truly going to protect the people on Main Street, McClelland said.

Stacy Garrity

Garrity, a retired Army Reserve colonel from Bradford County, was elected Pennsylvanias treasurer in 2020, beating Democratic incumbent Joseph Torsella by less than 1 percentage point

The 59-year-old earned two Bronze Stars across three military deployments in the Middle East, where she was commended for her security record as an officer overseeing an Iraqi internment camp. Garrity later became the first female vice president of Towanda, a global supplier of refractory powders, after working as an accountant.

As treasurer, Garrity has focused on cutting waste and reducing fees, including efforts that cut costs for those contributing to 529 savings accounts and for the PA ABLE program for disabled people.

Garritys office introduced an upgrade to the states unclaimed property system which fast-tracks simple claims returns, and the treasurer has helped return military decorations in the treasurys vault to their rightful veteran owners or their families.

Looking ahead, I will continue fighting for taxpayers, increasing transparency and strengthening Treasurys programs, Garrity said.
A trading floor at Susquehanna International Group's headquarters on City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd. Founded by Jeff Yass and partners, the company has also invested in over 500 private companies worldwide, including the company that became ByteDance, owner of TikTok. Read more

The federal governments push to crack down on China-based TikTok has brought renewed attention to Jeff Yass, the richest man in Pennsylvania, the largest donor in the 2024 election to date, and an influential early investor in the viral video app.

Yass, a leading securities trader, major political donor, and key player in the school-choice movement, heads Bala Cynwyd-based Susquehanna International Group (SIG). A SIG investment fund owns a 15% stake in TikToks China-based parent company, ByteDance. The Main Line investors personal share is 7%, worth roughly $21 billion, according to the Wall Street Journal.

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More than 150 million Americans use TikTok, making it the apps largest market. The company could lose significant revenue if Congress speeds forward with legislation to force a sale of the company to allow it to continue to operate in the United States. As soon as next week, the Senate could vote to send the bill to the White House, the New York Times reported Thursday.

How is Main Line supertrader Jeff Yass involved?

As reported in The Inquirer and other media, Yass SIG has invested in hundreds of Chinese companies since the early 2000s. According to an Inquirer review, SIGs China investments include a wide range of technology, consumer, and education companies, some of them similar to other SIG investments elsewhere in Asia and in Europe and North and South America.

Among SIGs investments was a 2009 position in 99Fang, headed by engineer Zhang Yi Ming, originally a real estate search service. Thursdays report in the New York Times, based on documents temporarily made public in a long-running lawsuit by disgruntled TikTok consultants, details how a group backed by Yass played an important early role in helping the 99Fang founder develop TikTok as a mass short-video platform.

The Times and others say Susquehanna still controls an estimated 15% of ByteDance, which would be worth around $34 billion. Yass share in that total is the largest factor in estimates of his fortune, which Bloomberg recently estimated at around $41 billion.

How important is TikTok?

According to data compiled by Statistia, TikTok is a dominant social media network in the U.S, with 26% of total viewership. Its advertising market share is less than half as much, as U.S. and Western European companies prefer to advertise on Facebook and other Western rivals.

Who thinks TikTok is dangerous for Americans, and why?

The FBI and the Federal Communications Commission warn that TikToks China-based owners could be forced to share users browsing history, location, and biometrics with Chinas government. TiKTok says that hasnt happened and said it would not cooperate with such a request, the Associated Press reported.

Will the government really ban TikTok?

Since at least 2019. Democrats and Republicans have called on the government to restrict use of the very popular short-video app as relations with Chinas Communist leadership worsened.

A bill that passed the U.S. House last month calls TikTok a foreign adversary controlled application and would prohibit U.S. servers and app stores from giving Americans access to the service.

The proposal is racing towards expected Senate confirmation and President Joe Bidens signature. The president has said he will sign the bill while a former supporter, former President Donald Trump, has flip-flopped and now criticizes the proposal.

What will TikTok do?

During former President Donald Trumps administration, the government had proposed selling shares held by ByteDances Chinese owners to U.S. companies; the proposal fell through. Such a sale, if ByteDance agreed, could keep TikTok running. But the service is also popular in many other countries, and ByteDance  or the Chinese government  could oppose a sale.

Trump has changed his stance, saying last month that shutting out TikTok could benefit Facebook, which he perceives as a company more favorable to Democrats.

How has Yass fortune influenced politics?

Yass is the biggest donor in the 2024 election so far. He spent $46 million on unsuccessful Republican rivals of Trump and groups who support school choice.

While Yass is a Republican megadonor, he has financed candidates of both parties who support school choice, including public support for private education, as well as charter schools. His wife, Janine Yass, a cofounder of Boys Latin Charter School, is also a school choice advocate. She is the founder and chair of the Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless Education.

A longtime supporter of libertarian politics, Yass champions private and charter schools, and has showered millions on politicians who take positions he supports. His school advocacy has drawn the ire of public-school teachers unions, and his support for conservative groups in Israel has also made Yass a target of Jewish liberals.

A senior Yass aide and an outside spokesperson didnt return calls seeking comment.
HARRISBURG  A top House Democratic leader took a first step Thursday toward expelling State Rep. Kevin Boyle from the state House, as the lawmaker faces criminal charges and his family says hes suffering from a serious mental health condition.

House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery), in response to Boyles situation, introduced a resolution Thursday to create a new process for expulsion based on a members incapacity to fulfill duties.

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The action comes less than a week before the primary election and is an extraordinary step because removing Boyle, a Democrat, would temporarily endanger his partys narrow majority in the House.

Philadelphia police issued a warrant for Boyles arrest Tuesday for allegedly violating a protection from abuse order. As of Thursday evening, Boyle had not turned himself in. Despite the potential House action and the legal case against him, Boyle will remain on Tuesdays primary ballot. His Democratic primary challenger, Sean Dougherty, has the backing of party leaders.

Bradfords resolution would change House operating rules to create a new expulsion process by forming a five-member subcommittee of top legislative leaders from both parties to investigate whether a member is unable to fulfill duties as a state representative.

The subcommittee would decide whether the member suffers a temporary or permanent impairment  whether physical or mental  that makes the person unable to discharge the duties of office, according to the resolution. The committee would also consider substance abuse or other cognitive impairments.

If Boyle were expelled, House Democrats would not have the 102 votes they needed to pass bills along party lines. They could hold a special election 60 days after his expulsion to fill the seat. With such a narrow majority, Democrats have previously chosen not to meet during the two-month period of a vacancy, stopping up any legislative work for months. But this action comes as the June 30 state budget deadline is looming, and it was not immediately clear how House leaders would handle such a vacancy.

Boyles brother, U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Pa.), said Wednesday that family, friends and colleagues have done everything possible to get him to enter into treatment, but we have been frustrated by a system that gives little power to the loved ones of an adult with a serious mental health condition.

Bradford, who is one of Kevin Boyles close friends, shared similar concerns for his mental health.

It breaks my heart to see him this way, Bradford told The Inquirer last week.

The timeline of the potential expulsion was not clear Thursday. The House is not scheduled to return to session until April 29, and the resolution would need to be adopted before an expulsion proceeding could move forward.

The new confidential process Bradford proposed also includes outcomes other than expulsion, including suspension with or without pay. The subject of any incapacity investigation would be allowed to participate in the closed-door process, along with a lawyer.

The state House last expelled a member, Rep. Leonard Sweeney, of Allegheny County, in 1975 after he was convicted of mail fraud, and only 15 members have been expelled from the House since 1683, WGAL reported.

House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster), who argued on the House floor Wednesday that Kevin Boyles voting rights should be immediately revoked, said Thursday that Bradfords resolution overcomplicates the situation. Democrats should still move to revoke Kevin Boyles voting privileges, he said, because his whereabouts are currently unknown.

Pennsylvania House Democrats continue to use this tragedy to further the tyranny of their majority and that is shameful, Cutler added.

Democrats opted to keep Boyles voting privileges intact Wednesday.

That means until his potential expulsion, Boyle  who lost his Capitol security access in February following an outburst at a Montgomery County bar  will likely still be recorded as voting on issues before the chamber even though he is not present.

Democratic leaders are empowered to vote on his behalf because of a designation form he filed at the start of the legislative session. That process, known as proxy voting, has been expanded since the COVID-19 pandemic and allows party leaders to vote for other members. House Democrats have been using that mechanism to vote on Boyles behalf during the last few months even though he did not show up to work.

Democrats already determined hes not fit for duty, Cutler said at a news conference Wednesday because theyve endorsed his primary opponent and have expressed concern for his mental health. They understand the severity of the issue and I think theyre taking advantage of him simply to maintain a 102 majority, and thats wrong.
The University City District is planning a bi-level water park on the western bank of the Schuylkill, between Chestnut and Market Streets, featuring a large public pool, beach, and a restaurant.

The $60 million project unveiled at the districts State of University City event Thursday would be built to withstand a 500-year storm event, according to promotional materials, and would offer large swathes of shaded areas to provide respite during the summer months.

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A lot of folks dont have the resources to get to the Jersey Shore, so this will be a place where kids from West Philly can take a trolley to a beach, said Nate Hommel, director of planning and design with the University City District (UCD). This is not a private club that is exclusive and requires steep membership.

Fundraising efforts are underway, and the price tag is large enough that the resources wont all come from one source. Hommel expects to approach the city for capital funds, as well as the University of Pennsylvania and the areas other anchor institutions.

Were going to have to use some of our history of partnering with folks: public funding, private sources, Hommel said. Were confident we can get the job done, and so were hoping to get a lot of excitement in the donor world to help us out with this.

University City District would operate the new park, just as it does the Porch at 30th Street Station and several other public spaces it has created in recent years.

The upper deck of the proposed structure would be lined with trees and offers access from the street, including a reserved space for food trucks. There will be a slide that can be used to navigate from the second-floor deck to the amenity-rich first floor, as well as stairs and a ramp.

The lower deck would be the centerpiece of the new public space, with the almost Olympic-size pool, public restrooms and changing areas, a kayak grotto, a cafe, and a shaded area that could be programmed to host everything from Parks on Tap to a childs birthday party. Sand will be trucked in to build the beach that will also be featured on the lower deck.

University City Districts idea of building a new public space over the Schuylkill began taking shape during the pandemic. The organization paid for a feasibility study and hired consultants from nationally renowned firms.

They also ran the concept past the many larger institutions that would have to sign off, from the Coast Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers to Pennsylvanias Departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection.

We didnt ask anybody to say yes. We just said, Hey, are we nuts? And nobody laughed us out of the room, Hommel said.

Originally, UCD dreamed of having the new park floating on the river. But then Hurricane Ida swept through the region, in what Hommel describes as a 400-year storm. They have since redesigned the bi-level park to withstand even more severe weather events.

The 500-year storm standard is meant to protect against extreme events such as back-to-back hurricanes. The lower level will also be designed to be sealed off in the event of catastrophic flooding, unlike the upper floor.

That top deck on the West Philadelphia waterfront will always be open, so you could still get those breezes in the summer when its hot, Hommel said. Even when its smoking hot, its always cooler at the river. Its all part of resiliency. As the Earth gets warmer, people can always come to the riverfront.

After fundraising is complete, UCD estimated it will take three years to carry out a community engagement campaign, make corresponding adjustments to the design, secure permitting, and build the park.

Because the bi-level park is planned over the river, it faces a tangle of jurisdictions. (There is no zoning, for example, because there is no land there right now.) A variety of approvals will be needed from federal, state, and city agencies.

Some details are scarce. UCD doesnt yet know how much sand will be required to create the beach, the number of public restrooms, or hours of operation, although they intend it to be open for far longer than city-run pools.

In recent years University City District has embarked upon several public space enhancement projects. The nonprofit spruced up the area around SEPTAs 40th Street trolley portal, opening a restaurant and creating a greener and more welcoming space. It also transformed the sun-blasted plaza to the south of 30th Street Station into a public space called the Porch, which features seating, shade, food trucks, and events.

A bi-level park over the river is far more ambitious than those, but with the right partnerships and backing, UCD believes it is achievable.

This will be a place thatll show up when theyre doing flyovers for Eagles games, Hommel said. So its going to have to work for those folks. But it really has to work for the folks that keep coming back, the folks that live nearby, the kids that want to hop on the trolley and go to the pool.
The controversial term was part of several product disclosure statements issued by Auto & General for different brands, including Budget Direct and Qantas Home and Contents Insurance. Since the legal proceedings began, Auto & General has stopped issuing new policies under some brands and updated their terms in May and again in September 2023 to mitigate the regulators concerns.
Our new partners and special counsel are shining examples of Clyde & Co's values in action with their focus on client excellence, working together as part of a global team, and celebrating and welcoming different perspectives and ideas from across the firm. They offer invaluable insight and expertise to our international and local client base, helping them to understand and navigate risks and make the most of the opportunities available as the world becomes an ever more complex place to do business, she said. They represent the next generation of senior talent within the firm, and it's fantastic to see them progress and steer their teams towards continued success. Congratulations to all as they mark the next milestone in their careers.
The inherent financial risk associated with these ventures can be potentially overwhelming for one insurance company to manage effectively. Therefore, there is a need for a group of companies to pool their resources and band together to form an insurance pool to underwrite the risks associated with these renewable energy sources, Manaf said.
Woody Bradford is appointed as CEO of GIH while maintaining his role as CEO & chair of the board at Conning Holdings Limited. Donnet, meanwhile, will take on the role of chair of GIH, while Carlo Trabattoni, currently at the helm of asset and wealth management, will transition to new duties within the asset management sector.
Farmers Group has remained in the state through constructive engagement with the CA Department of Insurance. For Vargas, the use of catastrophe modeling in rates-setting would be key  expressing support for Laras proposed expansion of catastrophe modeling use.
Developers, suppliers, and users of artificial intelligence must comply with existing state consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and data privacy laws, the Massachusetts attorney general cautioned Tuesday.

In an advisory, Attorney General Andrea Campbell pointed to what she described as the widespread increase in the use of AI and algorithmic decision-making systems by businesses, including technology focused on consumers.

The advisory is meant in part to emphasize that existing state consumer protection, anti-discrimination, and data security laws still apply to emerging technologies, including AI systems  despite the complexity of those systems  just as they would in any other context.

There is no doubt that AI holds tremendous and exciting potential to benefit society and our commonwealth in many ways, including fostering innovation and boosting efficiencies and cost-savings in the marketplace, Cambell said in a statement.

Yet, those benefits do not outweigh the real risk of harm that, for example, any bias and lack of transparency within AI systems, can cause our residents, she added.

Falsely advertising the usability of AI systems, supplying an AI system that is defective, and misrepresenting the reliability or safety of an AI system are just some of the actions that could be considered unfair and deceptive under the states consumer protection laws, Campbell said.

Misrepresenting audio or video content of a person for the purpose of deceiving another to engage in a business transaction or supply personal information as if to a trusted business partner  as in the case of deepfakes, voice cloning, or chatbots used to engage in fraud  could also violate state law, she added.

The goal, in part, is to help encourage companies to ensure that their AI products and services are free from bias before they enter the commerce stream  rather than face consequences afterward.

Regulators also say that companies should be disclosing to consumers when they are interacting with algorithms. A lack of transparency could run afoul of consumer protection laws.

Elizabeth Mahoney of the Massachusetts High Technology Council, which advocates for the states technology economy, said that because there might be some confusion about how state and federal rules apply to the use of AI, its critical to spell out state law clearly.

We think having ground rules is important and protecting consumers and protecting data is a key component of that, she said.

Campbell acknowledges in her advisory that AI holds the potential to help accomplish great benefits for society even as it has also been shown to pose serious risks to consumers, including bias and the lack of transparency.

Developers and suppliers promise that their AI systems and technology are accurate, fair, and effective even as they also claim that AI is a black box, meaning that they do not know exactly how AI performs or generates results, she said in her advisory.

The advisory also notes that the states anti-discrimination laws prohibit AI developers, suppliers, and users from using technology that discriminates against individuals based on a legally protected characteristic  such as technology that relies on discriminatory inputs or produces discriminatory results that would violate the states civil rights laws, Campbell said.

AI developers, suppliers, and users also must take steps to safeguard personal data used by AI systems and comply with the states data breach notification requirements, she added.

Photo: Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics InsurTech Data Driven Artificial Intelligence Massachusetts
A federal appeals court has sided with three chiropractors in ruling that claims under New Jerseys personal injury protection statute concerning insurance fraud are subject to arbitration.

GEICO has lost its bid to pursue litigation alleging fraud against the chiropractors.

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals reversed lower courts where GEICO alleged that the chiropractors defrauded it of more than $10 million by abusing the personal injury protection (PIP) benefits offered by its auto policies.

GEICO claimed that the clinics filed exaggerated claims for medical services, including sometimes for treatments that were never provided, ad that they billed medically unnecessary care and engaged in illegal kickback schemes. GEICO brought its claims under New Jerseys Insurance Fraud Prevention Act (IFPA).

The clinics sought arbitration of GEICOs IFPA claims, arguing both that New Jersey insurance law allows them to compel arbitration and that a valid arbitration agreement covered the claims.

But lower courts including the US District Court for New Jersey disagreed, ruling instead that IFPA claims cannot be arbitrated. The chiropractors appealed.

The Third Circuit Appeals Court concluded that the claims are subject to arbitration under New Jersey law and further that that there were enforceable documents that compelled arbitration under federal law.

The New Jersey law at issue allows any party to compel arbitration of any dispute regarding the recovery of medical expense benefits or other benefits provided under PIP coverage . . . arising out of the operation, ownership, maintenance or use of an automobile.

GEICO argued that because the claims involve fraud, they are not covered by the statute. It also maintained that arbitration would run counter to the purpose of the states anti-fraud statute.

The Third Circuit of Appeals disagreed. The court noted that the provision does not have an exception for fraud, and the court may not carve a broad exclusion from a plain statute on its own initiative. Also, New Jersey appellate courts have consistently held that the provision must be construed liberally.

The appeals court found that since GEICO is suing in an effort to recover medical expense claims paid through auto insurance PIP benefits, its claims fall under the statutes plain text. The list of claims specifically subject to the provision suggests fraud falls under its umbrella as that group includes whether the disputed medical treatment was actually performed and whether the treatment performed is reasonable[ or] necessary. That, the court said, is the alleged fraud underpinning GEICOs IFPA claims.

The court also said that GEICO failed to explain why arbitrating IFPA claims frustrates the anti-fraud goal.

The appeals court went further, also concluding that GEICOs IFPA claims fall under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), which compels claims to arbitration once a party shows both that an arbitration agreement was validly formed and that it covers the claims at issue.

The appeals court cited two documents that suggest GEICO and the doctors formed of an arbitration agreement, documents that GEICO did not contest. The first was GEICOs Precertification and Decision Point Review Plan, a plan that is required by New Jersey law and approved by the New Jersey insurance regulator. It governs GEICOs reimbursement of PIP claims. The plans arbitration provision covers any issue arising under the plan, or in connection with any claim for PIP benefits.

The chiropractic clinics bound themselves to GEICOs PIP reimbursement plan through a second document GEICOs assignment of benefits form, which doctors must submit before GEICO will pay them for PIP claims. That form requires each chiropractor to comply with all the requirements of the precertification plan.

The court said that these documents facially suggest that the chiropractors entered into an arbitration agreement and given that the plan covers any issue . . . in connection with any claim for PIP benefits, the language is broad such that it includes GEICOs claims.

The appeals court reversed the decisions of the lower courts and remanded the matter with instructions to compel arbitration of GEICOs IFPA claims against the chiropractors.

Topics Carriers Auto Fraud Legislation Claims New Jersey
Pennsylvania utility regulators must turn over inspection records to the National Transportation Safety Board as part of the federal agencys probe into a fatal explosion at a chocolate factory last year, a federal judge ruled this week.

U.S. District Judge Christopher C. Conner sided Tuesday with the federal safety board in its dispute with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, which had refused to produce inspection and investigation reports for UGI Utilities Inc.

UGI is a natural gas utility at the center of the probe into the March 24, 2023, blast at the R.M. Palmer Co. plant in West Reading. The powerful natural gas explosion leveled one building, heavily damaged another and killed seven people. Investigators have previously said they are looking at a pair of gas leaks as a possible cause of or contributor to the blast.

State utility regulators had spurned the federal agencys request for five years worth of UGI inspection records, citing a state law that protects confidential security information about key utility infrastructure from public disclosure, even to other government agencies.

The utility commission offered federal investigators a chance to inspect the reports at its Harrisburg office or to sign a nondisclosure agreement, but the safety board refused and then issued a subpoena.

The safety board said the records are vital to its investigation because they include state utility regulators assessment of the condition of UGIs pipelines, as well as leak or odor complaint investigation records for the gas utility. The agency argued that federal regulations entitled it to the state investigation records.

These reports are also vital to determine whether the commission conducted oversight of UGIs pipeline system in compliance with federal regulations, federal prosecutors, representing the safety board, wrote in their March 29 petition asking the court to enforce the subpoena.

In its response, the state agency pointed out that federal investigators had already obtained some of the requested records from UGI itself, and argued in a legal filing that federal law does not automatically preempt conflicting state laws.

Conner gave utility regulators seven days to produce the subpoenaed documents, but said they could do it in a way that complies with state law.

From the beginning, the PUC has underscored a commitment to assist the NTSB with this investigation  while also complying with the Commissions legal obligation to safeguard confidential security information, said Nils Hagen-Frederiksen, a spokesperson for the utility commission.

He said the judges decision was made as a result of discussions between the two agencies.

An NSTB spokesperson declined comment. The federal investigation into the blast is ongoing.

About 70 Palmer production workers and 35 office staff were working in two adjacent buildings at the time of the blast. Employees in both buildings told federal investigators they could smell gas before the explosion. Workers at the plant have accused Palmer of ignoring warnings of a natural gas leak, saying the plant, in a small town 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Philadelphia, should have been evacuated.

Palmer was fined more than $44,000 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to evacuate. Palmer denied it violated any workplace safety standards and contested the OSHA citations.

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Pennsylvania Manufacturing
Plans by Britains financial regulator to require firms to set targets for improving diversity could be counterproductive, UK business and women minister Kemi Badenoch said on Thursday.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of Englands Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) last September proposed guidance for financial firms to tackle sexual harassment and bullying, along with new requirements for large banks and insurers to set targets to improve diversity and inclusion.

My role as minister for women and equalities in particular often involves the killing of bad idea, Badenoch told a conference held by TheCityUK, a financial industry body.

Women in UK Financial Services Earn One-Third Less Than Male Colleagues: Data Show

Sometimes it means doing things like writing to the FCA and PRA, as I did a few weeks ago, warning them against a proposed mandate on equality quotas, she added.

Such a requirement is something the law does not require and could be counterproductive, she said.

The FCA said: We have received the letter and well respond.

Last month, parliaments Treasury Select Committee said in its report on Sexism in the City that regulators should drop their prescriptive plans for extensive data reporting and target setting.

Instead, regulators should focus their efforts on ensuring that the boards and senior leadership of firms take greater responsibility for improving diversity and inclusion, the lawmakers said.

The FCA told the committee last month it would reflect on the range of views received on setting diversity targets.

Badenoch told the conference she believed in the social value of financial services as it brings investment and makes peoples lives better.

Regulation has moved from protection against fraud and systemic failure to everything from diversity to green finance. This ever-rising tide of micromanagement will not necessarily make us or the financial market stronger, she said.

TheCityUK published a report on Thursday calling for closer scrutiny of regulators to ensure they aid the financial sectors global competitiveness and UK economic growth in their work.

(Reporting by Huw Jones; editing by Barbara Lewis)

Related:
Liberty Mutual Insurance announced strategic updates in its ongoing restructuring of Global Risk Solutions (GRS), the companys global commercial and specialty re/insurer and international insurance operations.

The restructuring includes the creation of a new international insurance business division, the unification of two business operations in Asia and the evolution of the companys global surety model. These strategic choices allow GRS to further enable global capabilities through local execution  all in service of meeting the evolving needs of clients and broker partners, the company said.

GRS will create Liberty International Insurance (LII), which will continue to go to market in Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the UK & MENA under its existing brands, including Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM) and Liberty Insurance.

Phil Hobbs, currently president and managing director, Liberty Specialty Markets, will be named president, Liberty International Insurance, and will continue to report to Bhalla Johnson.

This restructure brings together two business units in Asia  LSM and Asia Retail Markets  to create a single unified strategy in the region.

Matthew Jackson

, currently head of Asia for Liberty Specialty Markets, will be named president, Liberty International Insurance, Asia Pacific. Jackson will continue to be based in Singapore and will report to Hobbs.

LIIs other regions will continue to be led by: Kadidja Sinz, president, Europe; Manuel Moreno, president, U.S. and Latin America; and Luis Prato, president, UK & MENA. Sinz, Moreno and Prato will continue to report to Hobbs.

Additionally, Defne Turkes, currently president, Asia Retail Markets, will be named chief operating officer, Liberty International Insurance, and will dually report to Hobbs and Sue Figueredo Cook, chief operating officer, Global Risk Solutions.

Mike Abdallah, who started the Asia Pacific commercial insurance business of LSM 25 years ago, continues in his current leadership role.

In addition, Liberty Mutual Surety is making organizational changes in the U.S., which will benefit its brokers and customers globally. As a result of this new operating model, Liberty Mutual Surety can better leverage its talent to provide surety customers worldwide with more product expertise and value-added services, the company said.

Tim Mikolajewski, president, Global Surety, will continue to lead these operations, reporting to Bhalla Johnson.

Source: Liberty Mutual Insurance
James River Group Holdings Ltd. announced that Fleming Intermediate Holdings has completed the $277 million acquisition of James Rivers casualty reinsurance business  ending a period of legal wrangling that had threatened to derail the deal.

The transaction, which was first announced in November 2023, hit a roadblock when Fleming resisted completion, indicating that James River had misrepresented the level of its casualty reserving for JRG Reinsurance Co.

On March 11, James River filed a lawsuit to force Fleming to honor its contractual obligation to complete the acquisition in accordance with the terms of original stock purchase agreement (SPA).

Fleming responded on March 26 with its own legal action, asking the court to deny James Rivers preliminary injunction. The legal filing said that James River had sandbagged Fleming with disclosures about unusually low reserving.

This is not a case of buyers remorse. It is a bait and switch, the Fleming court filing said.

In a press statement issued on March 28, Flemings CEO Eric Haller described James Rivers lawsuit as meritless.

However, the court did not agree with Fleming. On April 8, the Supreme Court, New York County, Commercial Division, ordered Fleming to complete its acquisition of JRG Re on or prior to April 16, 2024. Although a Fleming media representative at the time told Insurance Journal the company planned to appeal, the deal ultimately was completed on April 16.

We are pleased to have successfully completed our sale of JRG Re to Fleming in accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement that the parties negotiated together and executed on Nov. 8, 2023, commented Frank DOrazio, James Rivers chief executive officer, in a media statement.

Fleming did not have a comment about the completion of its acquisition.

James River will continue to focus its resources on its core U.S. insurance businesses where we have meaningful scale, including our E&S and fronting businesses, DOrazio added.

Bermuda-based James River Group Holdings owns and operates a group of specialty insurance and reinsurance companies in three specialty property/casualty insurance and reinsurance segments: excess and surplus lines, specialty admitted insurance and casualty reinsurance.

Fleming is a portfolio company of private equity sponsor Altamont Capital Partners, which is based in Palo Alto, California.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Reinsurance Casualty
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Lloyds syndicate AEGIS London and Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

AEGIS London Hires AIGs Johnson and Lambert for New Cyber Underwriting Team

AEGIS London, the top quartile Lloyds syndicate, has hired a new cyber underwriting team. Daniel Johnson has been appointed to the role of class underwriter for cyber. He is joined by Lydia Lambert, as cyber underwriter. Both formerly worked at AIG.

Having begun his career with AIG in 2012, Johnson took on a number of cyber underwriting roles before moving to broker Aon in 2020. He subsequently rejoined AIG, rising to lead AIGs UK cyber and technology team. Johnson will report to Ben Lockwood, AEGIS Londons head of specialty underwriting.

Lydia Lambert worked alongside Johnson at AIG, holding a range of cyber underwriting roles before becoming major accounts cyber team leader.

Although weve not had a dedicated cyber team since 2015, weve been watching the market with great interest, in part because weve been involved in a number of cyber binders and consortia, commented Lockwood.

We feel now that the markets matured, learned some hard lessons and begun to find some sort of equilibrium as an important part of the wider Lloyds market. Underwriters ability to assess price and aggregate risk has also come on by leaps and bounds, which gives us confidence in the class, he added.

***

Markel Promotes Gordge to Head of Terrorism in London

Markel, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc., has promoted Chloe Gordge to head of Terrorism in London, effective immediately.

Gordge joined the organization as an underwriting assistant more than 11 years ago, during which time she has driven exceptional quality, results, and customer service on an international level, Markel said.

One of her notable achievements was launching Markels Active Assailant product offering for US-domiciled business, which involved drafting the wording and developing a rating tool for US clients.

In her new position, Gordge will lead the day-to-day running of Markels London Terrorism portfolio. She will have responsibility for leading and implementing the teams underwriting strategy, centered on developing market-leading insurance solutions for brokers and their clients in an increasingly, unpredictable threat landscape.

Gordge will continue reporting to Ed Winter, director of Terrorism in London, at Markel.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Cyber Underwriting London AIG Markel Markelcorp
HOUSTON (AP)  Attorneys for rap star Travis Scott argued in court this week that he should be dismissed from hundreds of lawsuits filed over the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival, saying he was not responsible for safety planning and watching for possible dangers at the Houston event.

But attorneys for relatives of one of the 10 people killed during a massive crowd surge at the festival said Scott ignored safety concerns and threatened to release online the personal information of anyone who would cancel the event over safety concerns.

Stephen Brody, an attorney for Scott, said the rap star remains devastated and heartbroken by the tragic events of Nov. 5, 2021, when authorities and festival organizers tried to shut down the show and stop the surge.

The families of the 10 people who died, as well as hundreds who were injured, sued Scott and Live Nation  the festivals promoter  as well as dozens of other individuals and entities.

During a court hearing before state District Judge Kristen Hawkins, Brody argued that Scott and his touring and production company, XX Global, should be dismissed from the case. They said his duties and responsibilities related to the festival were outlined as performing, marketing, curating talent for the event, providing for his own personal security and approving all creative matters involving the festival.

And thats it, Brody said.

During the concert, Scott, whose real name is Jacques Bermon Webster II, did stop his performance four times to check on issues he saw in the crowd, including some people who appeared to be in distress, according to Brody.

Did he have show pause authority? Hawkins asked Brody.

He could stop performing and wait to see if an issue of concern had been resolved, Brody said.

But Brody added the festivals organizers as well as Houston police also had the ability to turn on the lights or cut off the sound if they thought something was wrong.

Noah Wexler, an attorney for the family of Madison Dubiski, 23, said Scotts contract defined him as a co-promoter of the festival with Live Nation and as a promoter, he was responsible for the events safety under Texas rules.

Wexler alleged that Scott in a May 5, 2021, tweet that was sent after tickets for Astroworld had sold out instigated his fans to on the day of the show break into the festival grounds, writing, we still sneaking the wild ones in.

Wexler said this created dangerous conditions for a festival that was massively oversold and was part of a conscious disregard for safety.

Wexler alleged that Scott and his manager, David Stromberg, created dangerous safety conditions by insisting that Scott be the only musical act to use the main stage on the festivals first day, a situation that could create crowd flow problems. Scott and Stromberg were also accused of threatening to dox any festival organizers who would cancel the show over safety concerns.

In a deposition, Stromberg said his doxxing comments were a joke made in poor taste.

Brody said safety concerns raised over Scott being the only person to use the main stage were fixed.

Wexler also accused Scott and his team backstage of ignoring orders from festival organizers to stop the concert at 10 p.m.

In a deposition, Scott said he was never told as he was onstage that there were people in the crowd who were dead and he needed to stop the show at 10 p.m.

Scott said he was told to end the show after hip-hop guest artist Drake performed. The concert didnt end until 10:12 p.m.

Its one of the worst days for not just me but for a lot of people, families, the city. It was just  it was just a bad day overall, Scott said in a deposition in September.

Attorneys for other individuals and companies tied to the festival also asked Hawkins on Monday to be dismissed from the case. Hawkins was expected to issue a ruling on Scotts motion and the others at a later date.

Last week, Hawkins dismissed lawsuits against Drake and several other individuals and companies involved in the show.

After an investigation by Houston police, no charges were filed against Scott and a grand jury declined to indict him and five other people on any criminal counts related to the deadly concert.

Those killed, who ranged in age from 9 to 27, died from compression asphyxia, which an expert likened to being crushed by a car.

The lawsuit filed by Dubiskis family is set to be the first one to go to trial on May 6.

Some of the lawsuits filed by the families of the dead and the hundreds who were injured have been settled, including those filed by the families of four of the dead.

___

Associated Press writer Ken Miller in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.

Photo: The Astroworld main stage where Travis Scott was performing Friday evening where a surging crowd killed eight people, sits full of debris from the concert, in a parking lot at NRG Center on Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Houston. ( Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits
Tampa-based Slide Insurance has named former Farmers Insurance vice president Charles Chas Powell to be senior vice president of sales.

Powell has more than 20 years in the industry and began his career at his familys insurance agency in Florida. He later was underwriter and territory sales manager at Unitrin Kemper and, most recently, was VP of independent agency distribution with Farmers/Foremost, Slide said in a news release.

Like Slide, which has touted its technology-based approach to property insurance, Powell brings a data-driven approach to the role, the company said. Slide said it now has more than 249,000 policyholders.

Alliant Insurance Services, a national distributor of insurance services, said John Garner has joined the team as a producer in its employee benefits group, based in Atlanta.

Garner was previously a benefits consultant at OneDigital and is licensed to sell health, life and accident insurance. He has worked for Kaiser Permanente and as a police officer, nurse and business owner, the California-headquartered Alliant said in a press release. He will now work with clients in the Southeast.

Topics Alliant
April 19, 2024 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Rick Mills: Good morning Rob. I'd like us to do a bird's eye, a fly-over macro view of Dolly Varden Silver's (TSXV:DV, OTC:DOLLF) Kitsault Valley project. Then we'll get down into the dirt, the nitty gritty, results, comparables in the area and the Red Line and what it is.

Let's start at the south end down by the Dolly and the Torbrit, move up north to the Homestake Main then please get into the Big Bulk, the hub and spoke mine model and building a 50-50 gold and silver resource.

I have the prefect guy to do a deep dive on the project.

Rob van Egmond: Yeah, technical stuff, but maybe not too technical.

RM: Well my readers are pretty sophisticated. They absolutely love it when I talk to a top-shelf geologist like yourself and he explains what's going on, why he's doing what he's doing, what Dolly's going to do on the Kitsault in 2024.

We've got so many silver occurrences on the southeast side of the valley under a sediment cap, as you go towards the west side of the valley we get into gold.

I look at the fact sheet map below it's following the Minfile showings, and we see all the places where you've hit mineralization and it definitely seems to be a bit of a trend from the south to the northwest with maybe a bit of an offshoot to the north-northeast with the Ace and the Chance and the Moose.

RvE: Since the consolidation of the whole valley by adding the Homestake Ridge property, basically doubling the size of the project and with the recent consolidation and acquisition of the Big Bulk Copper-Gold porphyry system we have what we're calling, and the BCGS is also calling, a sub-basin of the Eskay Rift period.

RM: The BCGS's Red Line' is very noticeable on the map above.

RvE: All of the mineralization that you mentioned is within the Hazelton Formation. The Red Line is the contact between the Stuhini, the Triassic-aged rocks under the Hazelton, the Red Line is a time marker, when the Eskay Rift period started.

What the Red Line represents is a release in compression, the ongoing tectonic compression started to slow down and a time of expansion began. Basins started to form and were being filled with what is termed now the Hazelton Formation. All the mineralization within the Golden Triangle, or the vast majority of it, was put in during that Jurassic time period.

In our case there's a lot of volcanic rock that was deposited at the time, so there's a much more dynamic environment when the mineralization at Dolly Varden and Homestake was put in. Because of that the feeders and mineralizing events that occurred, during this Jurassic timeframe, occurred along structures where things were opening, so you have a lot more open space to be filled with mineralization.

The long and the short of it is that the Red Line marks the beginning of that phase and so that's why people are always referring to their position of the Red Line and what they're really saying is they're within that Hazelton Formation package of rocks because all those deposits, Brucejack, Premier and Snip as well as Eskay, and on the intrusive porphyry side of that is KSM, all those are put in in different types of geological environments, and so now that we have all the whole property together we have a little bit of everything.

RM: So what's driving the driving the mineralization in the Kitsault Valley?

RvE: Quite often you have a heat source like a big porphyry system, not necessarily mineralized, but it's what's driving the mineralized fluids and I've seen it working in Peru quite often, is that you have heat source and above it you'll get your epithermal gold systems but distally radiating around that is quite often where you'll get your high-grade silver veins and that's what we have at Dolly Varden.

Starting in the south the silver deposits that were the original Dolly Varden property are what we consider to be distal to a copper-gold porphyry feeder or heat source, so that would not be vertically above it but horizontally distal.

There is a bit of a combination in styles of mineralization at Dolly Varden. Torbrit, for example, which is our largest silver resource, and that's pure silver so that makes it quite unique in the Golden Triangle. Torbrit has had past production and produced about 18 million ounces of silver, and We have approximately 35 million oz silver resource defined around that, size-wise, just to give a relative size of what we're looking for, of Torbrit before production is about a 50-60 million oz silver deposit and so when these basins were forming the mineralizing fluids were coming up along the basin-bounding structures as well as cross-cutting structures that go off to the northeast, and they basically form different blocks within the basin.

We interpret that Torbrit started out as a volcanogenic-type system. It's not a true VMS, we don't have massive sulfide there, but the mechanism of emplacement where you have mineralizing fluids coming up along structures and then flowing out on a very shallow seafloor in our case and forming layers, that's the volcanogenic part of it.

Eskay Creek occurs a little bit later but within that same Jurassic time frame, but it was ejected out into a deepwater basin where you have lot higher confining pressures which means the fluids aren't reaching the substrate boiling, they're precipitating out, that's how you get your massive sulfide component. It's sort of a spectrum, we call it all volcanogenic-related.

And then because we're in a volcanic environment that was so much more dynamic, volcanic flows capped the mineralized layers forming, but the heat cells keep going and the mineralization style switched over to an epithermal system, so that's the Wolf Vein which we've been making some big advances on, and new discoveries deeper down underneath the sedimentary layer that's been masking it from past prospectors.

We're still making new discoveries in 100-year-old mining camps because we're employing new methods, deeper drilling, drilling's a lot easier than it used to be so we can check out theories of offsets from faults and things that are covered up by sedimentary caps.

RM: The last time we talked to you was your theory about this, that you were going to step back and drill underneath these sedimentary caps. You guys went ahead and you did that, and you were quite successful, you proved your theory.

RvE: Yes, at the Wolf Vein we went under the sedimentary cap and last season we continued to do step outs.

Dolly Varden Silver Intersects 15.94 meters Averaging 1,499 g/t Silver Including 0.35 meters of 23,997 g/t Silver at the Wolf Deposit

Dolly Varden Silver Intersects 461 g/t AgEq* over 26.99m, incl. 2,260 g/t AgEq* over 0.5m in 81 meter Step-out at Wolf

The important thing is the width, because it's within structures, I guess you would call it like a release-type environment, they're not being compressed so you end up with a lot wider deposits and that's what we're looking for in places like Wolf.

Torbrit is already wide because it's sort of flat-lying, and layers have built up so you have 25- to 40-meter-thicknesses averaging 300 grams per tonne silver.

Dolly Varden Silver Intersects near-surface Kitsol Vein Extension with 342 g/t Ag over 18m, including 2,270 g/t Ag over .5m and Adds Fifth Drill Rig

RM: Wider veins are much more amenable to bulk underground mining.

RvE: Yes, so we're looking at these veins and finding the extensions underneath the sedimentary cap.

We're getting 18 meters, 30 meters, 27-meter widths averaging 300 grams for tonne and quite often within that we'll have a higher-grade breccia because these structures are fairly long-lived and there's been multiple pulses and each pulse augments the grade.

But we won't just be following these high-grade breccias, yes half a meter of a kilogram or a meter of 1,800 grams per tonne silver, up to 2,000 grams per tonne in some areas and at Wolf in 2022 had a 23,000-gram silver over 35 centimeters would hold the dilution but we're looking at it in the whole width so we want to be able to take that 18 meters, that 30 meters, again using bulk underground mining methods because that brings your mining cost down and then you can add more of the lower-grade material and bring your number of recoverable ounces up.

RM: I see Wolf and then off to the northeast you've got discoveries at Moose, Chance and Ace Galena.

RvE: We havethese structures that run up the center of the valley so they're what we call basin-bounding structures. And then we have cross-cutting structures which host those epithermal veins.

Part of the Torbrit deposit is a vein called Kitsol, which again we had success on expanding out and then there's the Wolf Vein, and then the Dolly Varden is also along one of those structures and we've noticed that there's a periodicity of about a kilometer and a half, so in terms of those new discoveries the next one a kilometer and a half north of Wolf is another vein we call the Moose Vein.

It runs along those cross-cutting structures as well, and we had a little over 700 grams per tonne silver on one of those hits early last year, so that's one of our exploration targets, and this year we're going to be going in and following the projection of that underneath the sedimentary caps, so we'll be applying the same geometry that we see at Wolf and at Kitsault and applying that to Moose to start chasing that down.

So to answer your question, it's a showing along that volcanic edge that does punch or dip underneath the sedimentary cap, so that's in the case of Ace Galena, it's a little bit further into the volcanics and it's showing a little more VMS-style where we have massive galena but you're still getting kilogram grades of silver on some of the trenching, the old trenching from the 20s but that trend also goes down underneath the valley so when you mentioned earlier that all these Minfiles they curve up to the northeast, they're following the Hazleton Formation and it curves around that way because of the topography at the end of the valley.

So it's more of a topography thing that gives it that curve so in a general sense it's a syncline in the valley with the younger sediments sitting down the middle and that's where the volcanics are covered but the volcanics had the mineralization so the thing that happened at Wolf is just chasing the projection of that mineralization that we see, so we're calling it the smoke on the edges poking out from underneath the sedimentary cap, so we'll be following up the next vein up and then we have some planned holes for the next kilometer and a half interval which is place called Silver Horde, where we don't see a vein but we see very strong alteration that's associated with deposits like Torbrit and Wolf.

RM: I see the Wolf is underneath the sedimentary cap, so from the North Star to I suspect the South Reef, we're not showing any findings in there is that like a gap in the mineralization or is it just not explored?

RvE: There's a division on the property, we've been talking up till now about the silver deposits and they run up the eastern side of the valley on one limb of that syncline.

But the whole western side of it, you know looking at it holistically not between properties, that is a gold belt that runs from a showing that we call Red Point, which sits just beside North Star and it runs all the way up past Homestake Silver and Homestake Main, so that is higher-temperature alteration than the volcanogenic-type mineralization, that looks like it's more stratigraphically above the heat source so that's why we're getting more gold-copper in that belt.

RM: Yes, the heat source, the porphyry system.

RvE: We did some drilling at Red Point last year trying to find areas where there's a higher concentration of stock work and Red Point does show that. We have within the that alteration zone a 300m hole that runs 0.17 grams per tonne gold, not economic but shows there's gold within that system in a strongly altered and stock works zone. At Red Point there's a higher intensity of the stock work and then we're starting to see areas where we get 5 to 7 gram material which is starting to approach the grades that we see at Homestake Main.

And so as we follow that north to Homestake Main and Silver, that trend is just west of Homestake Main and Silver, and Homestake Main and Silver sit along one of those basin-bounding structure so that would be a structure that runs parallel to the valley bottom, not cross-cutting it like Wolf and so those structures just to the west do go underneath that sedimentary cap as well but from a different direction, so Homestake Silver dives down underneath that sedimentary cap.

To get to your question, that 5.5-kilometer gap between Wolf and Homestake Main is covered by that sedimentary cap so we have smoke in terms of silver mineralization coming out of the eastern side of the valley and that's where our silver deposits are, and then moving to that whole gold and silver trend to the western side.

Our last news release from the 2023 drilling was we hit a new style of mineralization at the north end of Homestake Silver. It looks a lot younger, and HR23-389 graded 1,335 grams per tonne gold with almost 800 g/t silver on the north end of Homestake Silver in a set of quartz carbonate veins, which is different from the pyrite-silica breccias that you see at Main.

HR23-389: 79.49 g/t Au and 60 g/t Ag (80.21 g/t AuEq*) over 12.45 meters including 1,335 g/t Au*** and 781 g/t Ag (1,344.42 g/t AuEq*) over 0.68 meters within a broad mineralized zone grading 15.26 g/t Au and 20.05 g/t Ag (15.50 g/t AuEq*) over 66.50 meters.

That style of mineralization is a lot younger and it's cross-cutting everything and the gold shows up as VG [visible gold], so native gold and the silver is in the wall rock, which you see down at the silver end, so there's a bit of a mixing going on there and the age of that is probably more like an Eocene, so that's much younger, but it is a known mineralizing event within the Golden Triangle.

RM: I think Goliath Resources LTD (TSX.V:GOT) has just done some age dating and their mineralization is a lot younger than the Jurassic that Dolly has there.

The last two news releases that concern the operational side were step out drilling at Homestake and drilling expanding Homestake.

Dolly Varden Silver Intersects 93.95 m of 357 g/t AgEq including 9,422 g/t AgEq over 1.02m expanding Homestake Silver High-Grade Trend

Dolly Varden Silver's Step-Out Drilling at Homestake Ridge Discovers New, High-Grade Gold Zone: 79.49 g/t Au over 12.45m, including 1,335 g/t Au over 0.68m

Can you do a quick summary of 2023?

RvE: Kitsault Valley is a huge project, getting back to the bird's eye view, it's going to be made up of a number of deposits, like I pointed towards Torbrit as 50-60 million oz size and we're trying to find these different basins and looking for another Torbrit.

Wolf is starting to approach the size of Torbrit, we have a couple more steps before we get to Homestake Silver, it's being made a little more difficult because it's hard to look through that sedimentary layer.

We've been able to combine exploration drilling with near-resource drilling so we've focused in on the wider and higher-grade intervals. At Wolf, we've defined plunge of about -45 heading to the west, so we've been concentrating on that and we've been working on expanding out and finding out the size of that higher-grade wider plunge and that's something we'll continue this coming-up season.

In the case of Homestake Main when we first got it, the big thing was to prove the continuity, right? That was the biggest risk when we took it on because it was always these narrow high-grade breccias and these feeders coming up. We started doing oriented core, which had never been done at Homestake, a structurally controlled deposit. From that and the infill drilling we figured out the orientation and defined a low-angle plunge to that wider, higher-grade area.

We now know it's a bend in the structure and it ends up creating more of these fluid pathways similar to Wolf. Obviously we like the high-grade feeders, 20-gram to 40-grams gold over 30 centimeters to 50 centimeters, even up to a meter but we would like to be able to take things that are 15 to 30 meters wide by combining a bunch of these narrow high-grade feeders, and include the wall rock, so we can go to that larger-stope underground mining.

We figured out the orientation at Homestake Main and than our focus in 2023 was to go to Homestake Silver and do the same thing we did at Homestake Main. We used the geometry that we learned at Main because they're basically along the same sort of structure.

Now we're getting 357g/t silver over 93 meters, that's a significant width, I mean even at true width it's probably 45 meters wide and again it includes these high grades of 2,800 grams per tonne silver-equivalent and this silver-equivalent is just precious metal so it's only the gold and silver component.

We just started defining that same higher-grade, wider plunge, you have more of these feeders that kind of overlap and you can take the whole width so this season coming up 2024 we'll be continuing to work down that projection of that plunge.

RM: Just to switch gears a little bit, awhile back in our talk you said that there's often in these scenarios a porphyry driving the distal mineralization, the silver and then over the heat engine, the driver of the mineralization, you would have the gold deposit. You consolidated and managed to get the Big Bulk copper porphyry project.

RvE: The Big Bulk, prior to the consolidation, has had a lot of work done on it in the last three years especially by the BC Geological Survey as well as UBC students doing their masters they dated it and came up a model, it's within the Texas Creek intrusive suite-aged rocks so it's the same intrusive event as KSM.

The part of the model that the BCGS has come up with, they're saying Big Bulk, relative to the mineralization in the Kitsault Valley, is similar to KSM and the mineralization at Eskay Creek. Meaning that those porphyry intrusives are what's driving the mineralization. We have a lot of evidence that these events don't just occur as a single intrusive, and there is a number of intrusive's along these huge regional trends.

We have indications that there could be a similar type of intrusive off to the west of Homestake Main by just looking at alteration temperatures and indicator elements.

That idea of another Big Bulk-aged intrusive off to the west is extremely interesting but the most important point to us is that the Big Bulk Dolly Varden has is mineralized. It has copper and gold mineralization, Libero did some drilling two years ago on the southern end, the part that we just acquired and they assayed 100 meters of 0.3 percent copper-equivalent, borderline economics right now but with these porphyries you have to have the whole thing to put the model together to find out where your alteration shells are, your mineralization shells are.

We'll be doing that compilation and getting some drill targets ready for either late this season or early next year.

RM: We have an entire mini sub-basin from the so important Eskay Rift period.

RvE: Yes, now that we have these properties consolidated, we have a mini sub-basin of all the different styles of mineralization that you see up in the main part of the Golden Triangle.

Goliath is on the next fold over so they're only 10 kilometers west of us so it's all part of a mineralized system in its own right, it's just now getting a lot more eyes on it. And Dolly's CEO, Shawn Khun Khun done a great job of getting the story out there, it's been here the whole time it's just putting it together.

Being able to raise money gives us the opportunity as geologists to test out more theories because we have more meters that we can now drill, which means successfully expanding out deposits, making new discoveries, and it's given us the density of data to be able to come up with these theories of where the highest-grade, wider intervals are.

RM: What I like about this is it's not just Dolly Varden. We looked at the bird's eye picture in Dolly Varden, and this project, but really if you fly a little higher and look, Dolly Varden is part of what is a district play in the area. I mean people talk about Hecla (HL:Z) looking at Dolly Varden, taking pieces of private placements and maintaining their interest, and that's awesome but there's a bigger picture at play here.

When you start to think about Goliath Resources, and others, being in the picture I naturally start thinking about a major miner coming in, and not slighting Hecla in the least, but I start to think about the more this develops, the more work that's done in the area, I think about a major niner coming in to consolidate the entire district.

RvE: Yeahexactly, and I mean that is why Hecla is here and don't forget that not only did they up their stake in us they're now at 15%, but they do own a very large land package, almost three times the size of Dolly Varden, all the way down to the south. It is because they are looking at the big picture, they see this also as a whole mineralized trend. They're getting more and more interested, we meet with their VP Exploration and go over what we have planned.

We listen to their messaging, they don't tell us what to do but we do listen to what they like to see and we're getting closer to what needs to be seen but like you say that consolidation, we started it on a smaller scale by consolidating Dolly Varden with Homestake Ridge and now consolidating Big Bulk and so we've made it easier for a major be it Hecla or someone else to start coming in and you know doing the next step in consolidation.

The consolidation was a no-brainer, it needed to be done because we're not talking huge deposits like KSM these are Torbrit size,about 50-60 million oz siver deposits, if we could find a couple more of those and then Homestake Main and Homestake Silver so it's a number of deposits, high-grade underground that will benefit from being consolidated and under one ownership and then you can start employing that hub and spoke model idea where you're feeding a number of these deposits into a central mill and processing area.

RM: Let's talk about that more. Hub and spoke mining offers many different options, there's and old permitted millsite, deep tide water access, we're not land locked at all.

RvE: We have a number of options that we're looking at in conjunction with the exploration work we're doing.

We have ongoing studies about hub and spoke-type models and one of the studies that's been announced was by Blackwolf Copper and Gold (TSX.V:BWCG).

BLACKWOLF SIGNS MOU WITH TWO ADDITIONAL COMPANIES TO STUDY VIABILITY OF HUB AND SPOKE MILL COMPLEX AT A PERMITTED SITE AT KITSAULT, BC

We have a letter of intent with New Moly because they are rehabilitating the old Kitsault molybdenum mine and they have a permitted mine site on tidewater. There's no mill or anything there, everything's been removed, but the value is that it is a permitted site it's been cleared it is sitting there and they're going to rebuild the mill and so to add on a gold circuit or a silver circuit and have us feed into that would be very cost-effective right?

It's not only cost-effective in terms of your capital cost but the timeline for permitting is non-existent, it's already permitted and less of an environmental footprint too with a central processing area.

The Nisga'a are very involved, they are the first nation's people whose traditional territories we're on, they're very keen on seeing that central processing thing at Kitsault as well. We work pretty closely with the Nisga'a and they are involved and have equity in it, so they have ownership of this whole thing they would be partners basically so that helps move things forward.

There's other hub and spoke ideas that we're looking at, one would be trucking it down the existing road to tidewater and just barging in around to Stewart and using the Premier mill or even going out east there's a route of forestry roads that we've been looking at that joins up with Hwy. 37 which would be only about a 20-kilometer road build and then trucking it around to Premier, so that's the advantage of having smaller higher-grade deposits is that it's not like a big open-pit copper-gold porphyry system.

RM: This all ties in with what we're talking about with not just Dolly Varden but with more of a regional expansion. One central processing plant on tidewater with a permitted mine site already there and let's not forget that Teck's Red Dog mine barges everything. They mine when they can in the summer and they barge everything out to ships and take it down to Vancouver. It's a very viable idea and it's already in practice, so there's obviously a need for it.

RvE: Yeah exactly and it's nothing new, Dolly Varden was doing it 100 years ago, they were transporting their ore down to tide water and then barging it over to Anyox, Anyox was the hub in the 20s, you know they had a full mill and smelter there that's long gone now but it's basically revitalizing that plan and barging is the cheapest mode of transportation I mean they barge dimension stone down from Alaska to California, that's how inexpensive it is.

RM: Yeah AOTH's been pounding the table for a refinery up in the Golden Triangle for over 20 years I've been in the area numerous times and I still don't understand why we don't have one of Teck's hydro-met smelters up there. I just don't get it but you know we're a tiny little voice in the wilderness when you start talking about stuff like that.

RvE: Yeah, but you know it's becoming more of a possibility because we've got some weight behind us now in terms of being in in with Fiore Group. I mean we're still separate from it but just the interaction with capital and talking about these big ideas there's lots of things going on here we're part of it.

And Goliath is part of that whole hub and spoke idea, they are on that letter including Blackwolf and their Niblack project. Anything on tidewater that's high grade and can be thrown onto a barge is viable to bring in. Kitsault might just become that next hub.

RM: Dolly Varden was silver, when I started talking about the company a few years ago it was silver and we were going to increase the silver, we did. Then we take over Homestake we've basically become "Dolly Varden Silver and Gold," our resource is 50-50 gold-silver, that's important.

RvE: While we do have gold, lead and zinc, we still call ourselves a silver company. Right now our resources are value-wise approximately 50% silver and 50% gold, but the thing that's helped us, especially in the last couple of weeks is that silver component is quite unique. Finding a clean, pure silver play outside of Latin America in a safe jurisdiction is rare so we get, imo, a lot more leverage on that as silver prices go up.

But we have that gold component which is that stable component when metals prices go up so we're getting a sort of a double whammy. We have much more leverage using just the precious metal equivalent (Silver + Gold = PM Eq, no base metals  Rick). This is based on our last resource estimate, which was done in 2019, where we have approximately a million ounces in in all categories of gold and about 63 million ounces of silver, all categories.

RM: Are we looking at another resource update coming soon?

RvE: The way we do things has been beneficial, but on the other hand it ends up taking more time. Every season we're combining exploration and testing new targets, as well as expansion, and a little bit of infill. Since the last resource we've drilled 100,000 meters, but that's split between the four main deposits, plus the exploration drilling, so not all that goes into the resource update, we will be doing at least another summer of drilling, 2024, before we look at doing a public release of a resource update.

RM: Is your drilling thisyear aimed at consolidating, placing some of the holes a little closer together?

RvE: At least a third of our drilling is dedicated to exactly that because at Wolf we have drilled some large step outs, 100 to 200 meters, last year we did do some in-between drilling but that's just basically along the centerline.

What we have to do now is step outs from those centerline holes and yes you're right we will be decreasing our distance trying to get as much mineralization into the next geological model as possible which we'll use to constrain the block model.

RM: Tell us about using directional drilling.

RvE: This year we are going to be using directional drilling. We can drill through the sediment with one 300 meter "mother hole" and from it we can peel off several holes. It costs a little bit more but you're saving re-drilling that 300m for every hole, if you can do five splays off the mother hole that's a huge savings.

But the big thing is that we can be more specific with our targeting. If we have two holes that are 50 meters apart we can split them, get exactly 25 meters in the middle because in this environment if you hit a different rock type or something like that and you're just drilling straight it can deviate a little bit.

The 10% of holes that decide to deviate, decide to go somewhere else, means you can end up 10 meters from one hole and 40m from the other, that's a waste of time, money and resources. We will use directional drilling and do that infill in the most efficient way possible.

RM: Directional drilling is used a lot in O&G

RVE: The oil industry pioneered it, they would have a single vertical hole but then they might want to go horizontal. I've used it in the past in South Africa drilling Bushveld, where it had a 250-meter sediment cover, similar-type thing to what we see at Kitsault.

The Waterberg project with Platinum Group Metals was very similar, everyone assumed that the Bushveld platinum mineralization just kind of curved off to the west but it went underneath the sedimentary cover and did exactly the opposite, went east, so the point is we drilled these mother holes and then did five splays, so you just get more sample intensity and then you don't have to redrill 300m caps so that's why we're using it here is to save the drilling through that sedimentary layer and then pinpoint our pierce point on the vein.

RM: I think we've covered everything what do you think? Do you want to add anything, do you think we missed anything?

RVE: Our plans for 2024 are to continue following up on discoveries that we had last year, and continue to define those higher-grade plunges as well as hitting some of these exploration targets. So 2024 into 25 will be a good mix of results coming out, hopefully some new discoveries and expansion of these wider higher-grade zones.

We're getting an earlier start as we've had a very low snow year so the barge will be going up at the beginning of May as opposed to near the end of the month. We should be drilling a few weeks earlier than other years because of that less snow.

RM: Thank you for doing this Rob, an hour or so out of your time that we very much appreciate here at Ahead of the Herd, it's always great talking to you. You know we never said it before but congratulations on the success of drilling under the sedimentary cap, it's opened up an awful lot of territory and given us a hell of a payback in just a relatively few drill holes.

RVE: Thank you. I've got a good team, working with the young geologist with fresh eyes was the one who saw the trend at Wolf and said "let's go under the sediments and drill." You've got to listen to everybody who's in on the project, it's a team effort.

Dolly Varden Silver

TSXV:DV, OTC:DOLLF

Cdn$0.92, 2024.03.05

Shares Outstanding 284.6m

Market cap Cdn$261.8m

DV website

Richard (Rick) Mills

aheadoftheherd.com

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Employers are becoming increasingly aware of their critical role in safeguarding the mental wellbeing of their staff, says one leading industry expert.

Linda Hynes, a partner in the employment, immigration and reward division of law firm Lewis Silkin's Dublin office, says managers are actively checking in on peoples wellbeing.

Noting that April is Stress Awareness Month, in this Q&A interview, Linda reminds employers of the actions they can take to ensure that their employees mental health and wellbeing is seen as a business priority.

Reflecting upon April being Stress Awareness Month, in what ways do you believe Irish employers can step up their efforts around safeguarding their employees mental health and wellbeing?

We are seeing a significant increase in employees feeling stressed and overwhelmed and not supported by their managers which is leading to an increase in employee grievances, bullying complaints and stress related sick leave. We are seeing an increase in employees stating in these grievances that their employer has failed to provide them with a psychologically safe workplace and increased references to the workplace being described as toxic.

These grievance and bullying investigation processes can be quite intense for both the employer and the employee so its important for employers and particularly managers and team leads to try and recognise the signs of stress early to try and support and resolve the employee before the issue becomes a larger one. Managers should have regular check-ins with employees to see how they are doing. This is particularly important, and can of course be more challenging, where employees are working fully remote, and it may be harder to get that in-person engagement with them.

Check-ins are key. Where an employee is suffering from work related stress that leads to a recognised psychiatric or psychological illness or injury such as depression then the employer could be held liable for that personal injury. Also where these issues are not resolved satisfactorily, they often lead to claims before the Workplace Relations Commission that could include constructive dismissal and penalisation claims. So its in everyones interest to ensure stress in the workplace is recognised quickly and managed appropriately.

As a minimum, employers should be:

Normalising conversations around mental health  the more employers raise awareness of the issues, the more likely it is that employees will seek support before their health is impacted. If an employee recognises the signs that their mental health is negatively affecting them, identifying the impact of work and life pressures and seeking help at an early stage will go some way to preventing longer term implications.

Identifying risks with the business  as with any health and safety consideration, employers need to carry out an assessment of the risk to their staff of mental health problems. Looking at workload, ways of working and manager styles are key steps in identifying where the risks lie and what needs to be done.

Offering wellbeing support  Employer Assistance Programmes, wellbeing rooms and mindfulness apps are commonly offered by employers as part of their employee benefits entitlements. Giving employees the chance to disconnect and access these services not only demonstrates an employers commitment to its employees mental welfare but also provides early intervention for employees who are juggling with work and life stresses.

Training managers  managers will often be the first people to spot an employee struggling but wont necessarily be equipped with the skills to deal with it. Training managers on how to identify problems, how to talk about mental health and how to support a colleague in their team, is a crucial step in meeting an employers overall duty of care towards staff.

Do employers and employees need to develop new ways of engaging around stress, mental health and wellbeing; and do approaches differ depending on age, gender and other categories?

We are seeing a trend in younger workers feeling more comfortable in raising mental health and stress concerns earlier before they get to the stage of burnout. However, if their manager is not trained in how to manage these issues then these can lead to an escalation of the issue and grievances. Generally, people are becoming more comfortable speaking about stress, mental health and wellbeing in the workplace but there is still some reluctance in older generations to disclose these issues in case it is seen as a weakness or a lack of resilience. Reaching this section of the workforce may require a different approach in encouraging them to talk about their experiences and the support they may require.

In the new era of remote and hybrid working, employers and employees need to be cognisant of the challenges of managing and dealing with workload and stress as a remote worker. While working from home/ hybrid working brings with it many benefits in terms of a better work-life balance, it also brings with it challenges for employees, for example, creating appropriate boundaries between their work life and home life, feeling isolated from team members or support etc.

What practical steps can an employer take to promote greater work-life balance and reduce employee stress?

Having appropriate policies and support programmes such as EAP Programmes in place is important but its even more important that employees are signposted to the supports that are available. Managers being able to recognise any potential indicators of workplace stress is also crucial so that they can check in with the employee as appropriate.

For example, if you can see people sending emails late at night and really early in the morning its a sign they are overwhelmed with work or at least have something going on that has an impact on them. A sudden change in their attention to detail and making errors they wouldnt normally make can also be a sign. Looking fatigued and not sleeping well, appearing disorganised, lack of appetite, drinking or smoking more, making negative statements or being unusually quiet are all potential signs that someone is suffering from stress.

If managers are concerned that they are seeing some of these signs, a simple call or coffee to check in can make a huge difference. Annual leave is essential to give employees a break and employers are under an obligation to ensure employees take their annual leave during the year and have a proper opportunity for rest and relaxation. However, employees need to feel they can actually take their leave and properly switch off and they should be encouraged to do so. Leading by example is essential here  if managers are not taking their breaks, not taking annual leave and are sending emails outside of working hours, then employees may feel this is what is expected of them also. Managers should ensure employees have decent breaks (and at least one two-week break) booked in the year. They should ensure that there is a proper plan in place to cover the employee so that they can switch off properly while on leave and they should ensure they are messaging to employees how important it is to take their leave.

What actions can an employer take to help build a progressive work environment for the future? Please give examples of any initiatives that Lewis Silkin has led in-house and/or promoted within the firm's client companies?

Communication with employees on the topic of workload management, work-life balance and stress is key. Employees should understand the employers available supports and be clear that the employer is committed to promoting wellbeing and better mental health in the workplace. For example, Lewis Silkin has signed up to the Mindful Business Charter. The Charters aim is to remove unnecessary sources of stress and promote better mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. It recognises that we cannot remove all sources of stress, nor will change happen overnight  but as a business community we have a responsibility to try to do things differently. It focuses on being respectful of peoples time in meetings, respecting rest breaks, delegating work fairly and with proper direction and information. So it can be a lot of small steps rather than making huge changes.

Managers leading by example is critical. Partners in our firm make it clear that being able to switch off regularly is important and lead by example by sending photos of their holidays and family events and encouraging colleagues to do the same. We also have a sabbatical policy that applies across the firm no matter what business area you work in and at all levels.

Lewis Silkin also operates a holiday purchase scheme allowing employees to purchase additional holiday days of up to two additional weeks each year as part of its efforts to promote a healthy work-life balance.

Family-friendly policies are also important to help employees balance work and personal life and we were very proud recently to introduce a groundbreaking New Parent policy which entitles all new parents employed in our firm - irrespective of role or gender  to a full 12 months leave and six months full pay.

We are also helping clients who have a concern that there is a cultural issue in their business by carrying out Culture Audits. A culture audit looks more broadly at issues that staff may be concerned about without requiring them to enter into a formal process. The culture audit enables you to get ahead of problems and take action before they arise through appropriate interventions and remedial actions.
A record year for corporate tax receipts has led to a government surplus of 8.3bn for 2023 with increased spending on employee compensations, cost-of-living measures and supports for Ukrainian refugees offsetting gains in revenue.

New figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Friday show last year's surplus was 4% lower than the record 8.6bn reported for 2022, despite government revenue rising by 7.8bn last year to a total of 123.7bn in 2023.

However, increases in revenue were met with rising expenditure, which grew by 8.1bn to a total of 115.4bn in 2023.

This is the second successive year of positive fiscal accounts which follow large pandemic-induced budgetary deficits in 2020 and 2021.

The rise in spending was mainly due to "increases across most expenditure items, including compensation of employees, intermediate consumption, social benefits and gross fixed capital formation," the CSO said, adding that "cost of living measures and supports for Ukrainian refugees also contributed to a growth in expenditure."

Welcoming the figures on Friday morning, Finance Minister Michael McGrath said the results were "testament to the careful management of our public finances in recent years," adding that they "gives us options that are not open to many peer countries in the developed world."

Windfall taxes

However, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that at least part of the surplus is due to the strength of corporation tax receipts, some of which is likely to prove windfall in nature."

Last year saw a record 23.8bn in corporate tax revenue, up from 22.6bn in 2022 and almost double the 11.95bn recorded in 2020.

"While our headline position is strong, this can change quickly given the inherent volatility in our corporation tax receipts and the dependence we have on revenues from a small number of multinational companies," Mr McGrath continued.

The Finance Minster stressed that windfall tax receipts are not to be used to finance permanent increases in expenditure or tax reductions, with the Government pushing to introduce legislation providing for the establishment of the Future Ireland Fund and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund.

Introduced last year, the Future Ireland Fund is part of the Government's longer-term strategy targeting Ireland's shifting demographics and is aimed at reducing impending budgetary costs and promoting inter-generational equity amid an aging population.

General government debt fell by 4.1bn to 220.7bn at the end of 2023, an equivalent to 43.7% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the CSO said.

It added that this is equivalent to 43.7% of GDP and represents debts of 41,781 per person, down from 43,354 in 2022.
Concern notched up in global medical circles after the highly pathogenic bird flu virus was detected in a person in Texas who probably contracted it from infected cows.

Ireland has been one of the countries least affected by bird flu. There were no outbreaks in poultry on the island of Ireland in 2023 or 2024. Elsewhere in Europe, cases are still widespread, but the overall number of detections has fallen.

Since about 2005, governments have monitored the risks of a covid-like pandemic of bird flu affecting humans. But the risk for the general population in Europe remains low, according to the EU's European Food Safety Authority, which continues to monitor the reassortment, mutation, and adaptation of bird flu viruses to mammals, including humans.

Thankfully, the infected Texan's only symptom was conjunctivitis, (also known as red or pink eye, usually caused by infection or allergies, a condition which usually does not need treatment, at least in an adult). The patient was told to isolate and was treated with an antiviral drug for flu.

Spread to cattle

However, the spread of bird flu to cattle, first seen in Texas, brings to more than 40 the number of different species of mammals infected.

Texas agriculture commissioner Sid Miller said infection was reported in several dairy herds in the state, which has the biggest cattle population in the USA.

The outbreak may have started about a month ago, when a mysterious illness affected about 40% of the state's dairy herds, Miller said. He said he now suspects it was bird flu, though officials did not know it at the time and cannot confirm it, because the animals recovered since then.

Bird flu primarily affected older cows, and only a small portion of each herd had clinical signs. Surprisingly, the US Department of Agriculture did not receive any reports of sickness in the state's huge beef herds.

Some dairy farmers in the US have banned visitors, cut down trees, and disinfected visiting vehicles, to keep bird flu at bay.

They fear a drop in demand for milk and cheese, despite safety assurances to consumers. Futures prices for milk dropped temporarily as infections increased. Beef cattle futures also plunged.

States have tightened up cattle movement regulations.

Meanwhile, almost two million hens had to be recently euthanised at a Texas poultry farm infected with bird flu.

Origin of bird flu

Highly pathogenic bird flu first emerged in 1997 in Hong Kong and then China in 2003, spreading through wild bird migration and poultry trading.

Highly pathogenic bird flu first emerged in 1997 in Hong Kong and then China in 2003, spreading through wild bird migration and poultry trading.

The unique variant causing the current epidemic emerged in late 2020 and is now widespread globally, especially in the Americas. The USA and Canada currently account for almost 80% of reported outbreaks in domestic birds worldwide.

There is concern now for the virus spreading from infected wild birds in Antarctica to Australia and New Zealand.

In the past, outbreaks could be controlled by culling infected birds. But this became increasingly difficult due to escalating outbreaks since 2021.

Infection spread to more and more mammals, including sea lions, goats, foxes, martens, skunks, minks, coyotes, domestic dogs and cats, and more recently, dairy cows and goats.

In Europe, the European Food Safety Authority says bird flu viruses continue to evolve globally, and with the migration of wild birds, new strains could mutate for mammalian adaptation.

If strains evolve which could spread efficiently among humans, largescale transmission could occur, due to the lack of immune defences. Measures to mitigate this pandemic risk focus on limiting exposure and preventing spread.

Vaccination of poultry

Vaccination of poultry may be considered, but has been largely avoided so far, because its only partially effective and can mask outbreaks.

France began vaccinating poultry in October, 2023. This compulsory vaccination was targeted at duck production, and 80% of subsequent French outbreaks reported were in unvaccinated poultry farms.

Infected wild birds are the suspected source of the infection found in cows in Texas, North Carolina, Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, Idaho. and New Mexico.

Worldwide, 889 human cases since 2003 ranged from mild to severe illness, that resulted in deaths in some countries. To date, there has been no sustained human-to-human transmission. And there have been no symptomatic human cases detected in Europe.

Health agencies worldwide say the risk to humans remains low, but they point to the ever-changing and unpredictable way the viruses are changing.

Infected wild birds are the suspected source of the infection found in cows in Texas, North Carolina, Kansas, Ohio, Michigan, Idaho. and New Mexico.

Genetic analysis detected a virus variant that is widespread among birds globally, but not very similar to the one found in Europe. However, no changes were found that would make the virus resistant to flu antiviral medications.

The cows in Texas showed milk yield decrease (20-30%), decreased appetite, and fever. Farmers were forbidden to sell milk from infected cows. But bird flu is not expected to undermine US milk production, which is generally trending higher seasonally.

The USA's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not change its bird flu human health risk assessment, It remains at "low". The CDC worked with state health departments to monitor workers in contact with infected or potentially infected birds or animals.

Milk samples in infected herds showed relatively high virus concentrations. But the commercial milk supply remains safe, because products are pasteurised before entering the market.

Warning to public

The general public in the US was reminded not to prepare or eat uncooked or undercooked food or related products, such as unpasteurised (raw) milk, or products made from raw milk. Also advised against was unprotected exposure to sick or dead animals including wild birds, poultry, cattle.

Some bird flu experts say massive outbreaks in wild birds, but reduced cases in humans, may point to bird flu viruses becoming better adapted to wild birds.

Similar precautions were recommended around animal carcasses, raw milk, faeces, litter, or materials contaminated by birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected infection.

Some bird flu experts say massive outbreaks in wild birds, but reduced cases in humans, may point to bird flu viruses becoming better adapted to wild birds, but less adapted to humans (and to domestic poultry).

The risk of infection is currently low for the general population and low-to-moderate for those people exposed to infected animals due to their occupation, said Angeliki Melidou, principal expert on respiratory viruses at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, when interviewed by Euractiv.
We had a birthday girl in the house this week as Becky turned 17. It's a milestone she had simply been waiting for as she already has her theory test passed and her provisional driving license. No doubt she will have a crack at her driving test as fast as possible.

She never really was one to hang around and always preferred to get a move on. She was born on Friday 13. I remember saying to Pete at 8am that morning that I thought I might be going into labour; we timed the contractions, and during a quick phone call, my GP informed me that Id want to get my skates on and get into CUH maternity.

We arrived into the hospital at 9:30am and Becky was born at 11:30am. She hasnt wasted a minute since either and a capable young woman to run the farm while myself take a short break.

We will be ditching the wellies for a few days and heading to Paris to celebrate our wedding anniversary, 23 years married.

We absolutely love Paris, and it is great value for money; even better that we are flying out from Cork airport, which is always so relaxing as we can be through security within 30 minutes of leaving our house, so we will land in Paris nice and relaxed.

It may seem like a luxury, but Pete hasnt had a day off since November, and we havent been out together in months, which is not like us at all. The cows were housed for six months due to the horrendous weather, which made farming difficult.

There is always a sense of panic trying to get so much done before a holiday, with the weather playing havoc, the last few days were hectic as we were waiting for ground conditions to improve. Silage ground has received slurry and fertiliser is up to date.

Hopefully, with high pressure building over Ireland, we will see a little heat and sunshine to drive grass growth and also allow tillage farmers to get on with the mammoth workload ahead to get spring crops planted.

The grazing rotation is a little unorthodox for the cows at the moment. The ground has finally dried on the lower part of the farm, allowing them to back graze the first rotation while they graze the second rotation paddocks at night.

They will probably start the third rotation on some paddocks this week. I get confused myself thinking about it, but at least we have plenty of grass.

The first rotation paddocks they are grazing are tricky ground conditions and we would probably do more harm if we mowed it and baled. The autumn in-calf heifers have also been drafted in as reinforcements to graze parts of it.

All the spring-calving heifers remain closer to our view as they have all been served, and we will be watching for repeats, which we plan to AI again.

We will start breeding cows once we come home from Paris, so the breeding charts are all ready for our Munster Bovine AI technician David Murphy. With a very limited number of cows receiving dairy semen, the vast majority of which will be sexed, it is easier to have breeding charts as I would imagine some days we will only be using beef semen.

Harvesting the sun

We had a meeting with Kevin Carey from Atlantic Energy Consultants this week, as they are putting in a TAMS application for us with a new tranche just opened.

With so much roof space on the farm, the plan is to install a large-scale solar panel system to reduce our energy costs and hopefully export power back to the grid. Energy prices have been sky high since the war in Ukraine broke out, and Ireland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe for electricity.

We live in a world which seems to be dominated by conflict. Indeed, tensions are high in the Middle East as well now, with Israel and Iran having a major standoff with each other.

While we are a long way from any potential battle fronts, the reality is that an escalation in the tensions could have a major impact on energy prices, 40% of the world's current oil usage travels through The Straits of Hormuz, and a full-scale war could see the Iranians block the Straits at a moment's notice.

Wars drive certain global economies as more weapons must be produced. Energy prices, it would seem, will continually fluctuate, so it would seem a wise business move to take more control of that cost ourselves, and there is the added advantage that solar energy is more sustainable.

I also think it makes sense to use the roof space, as it always frustrates me to see fields full of solar panels when so many industrial roofs lay idle. I think they are an eyesore on fields, quite frankly.

While many laugh at the level of emissions China produces, at least they had the common sense to ban any further construction of solar systems on fields.

Atlantic Energy Consultants offers a one-stop shop for farmers looking to apply for government-funded grants such as SEAI and TAMS. They are registered with DAFM and SEAI to provide a streamlined service.

The team understand the unique needs of the farming sector.

As we chatted with Kevin, he understood all the high-power consumption parts of the farm and where best to potentially place panels, even before any site survey is conducted. The plan is to develop a cost-effective energy strategy as we continually modernize the farm.

They take control of the whole process, liaising with DAFM throughout to simplify it for us. This also includes a free PV quotation, TAMS 3 solar application, installation and commission, project management, and grant claim on behalf of the farmer up to the final installation through their partner company, Fitzgerald Electrical.

They also offer a free SEAI energy audit for qualifying farmers. It will be a big project for us, but it will be so much easier using Atlantic Energy Consultants. They are constantly working on projects like this, so they will see the pitfalls before they ever arise.
ON Wednesday this week, stroke survivors and heart patients from all over Ireland gathered at Dail Eireann to call on the Government to increase funding to the Irish Heart Foundation.

The foundation has supported people living with the effects of heart disease and stroke since 1966.

Thats an estimated 600,000 people here in Ireland, the Irish Heart Foundations advocacy and patient support director, Chris Macey, says.

As the life-saving treatments offered in hospitals have improved, more people are surviving.

However, there hasnt been a corresponding improvement in services to allow them to make the best possible recovery once they go home.

Thats where the [foundation] comes in  providing practical, social, and emotional supports.

Patients are referred to the foundation from stroke units and heart failure clinics nationwide.

It offers them free services, including a phone helpline operated by expert nurses, support groups, counselling and short courses on fatigue management, physical exercise, and returning to work.

All these services are now under threat due to shortfalls in funding.

It costs upwards of 1.25m to deliver our services, Macey says.

We get just over 100,000 in funding from the State. Weve run down our reserves to make up the deficit, but its now reaching the stage where we can no longer guarantee the future of our services unless we get State support.

Patient champion

The thought of the foundation no longer being able to help heart and stroke patients motivated 58-year-old John Twohig, from Douglas, Cork, to become one of its patient champions.

I consider myself fortunate, the married father of one says.

At the age of 55, Id never smoked. Id stopped drinking in my late 30s. Id never been overweight and was always active. Id often be in the gym, working on my strength, conditioning and flexibility.

I was the youngest, fittest, and cleanest eating of my three siblings.

Yet, I was also the only one to have a triple heart bypass. However, I survived and made a great recovery.

As he bounced back from his surgery relatively quickly, Twohig didnt need the foundations support. However, he says it makes him angry that those who might need it wont get it due to a lack of funding.

Twohigs story starts with his father, who died of a heart attack at 63. A heart attack also killed his mother when she was 74.

He was keenly aware of his genetic legacy despite never having health issues other than high cholesterol, which runs in his family.

Once he turned 40, he had regular electrocardiogram tests . When he hit his mid-50s, he thought he should do more. My GP thought I was young, fit, and healthy, and all I needed to do was continue as I was  but I disagreed, he says.

So, his doctor carried out a series of tests, each raising enough concerns to lead to the next.

Blood tests were followed by a CT scan to check his coronary artery calcium levels, and this was followed by a stress test on a treadmill. Then came an angiogram, where a small catheter was inserted into a blood vessel, threaded up to his heart, and filled with dye so that his blood vessels could be seen on an X-ray.

Finally, there was an echocardiogram  which uses ultrasound to examine the heart  and, after that, my consultant shook my hand and said: Congratulations, Mr Twohig. Youve just saved your own life.

His medical team had discovered an 85% blockage to the right artery of his heart.

John Twohig: There was a month-long waiting list in Cork, and I didnt want to walk around with what felt like a ticking time bomb inside my body, he says. Pic: Larry Cummins

Straightforward recovery

Approximately six weeks later, in September 2020, Twohig underwent a triple bypass in Dublins Mater Hospital.

There was a month-long waiting list in Cork, and I didnt want to walk around with what felt like a ticking time bomb inside my body, he says.

He remembers being panic-stricken before the operation.

I was so nervous and couldnt understand why the doctors appeared so calm, he says.

However, the surgery went well and my recovery was straightforward. I did all my exercises, even getting up to walk around the ward the day after the surgery.

Fortunately, the experience left no psychological scars. Im the type of person who fixes problems and then moves on from them, Twohig says.

However, he was shocked by the size of his physical scars. One runs from my ankle to just above my knee, he says.

They took a vein from there. The other starts at my sternum and continues to just under my rib cage.

I took great care not to let them get infected.

All went smoothly, and Twohig returned to work six weeks after his surgery. I work as a senior account manager, which involves lots of travelling, he says.

I couldnt drive for 10 weeks, but I was able to answer emails and work online.

After four months, he returned to the gym.

I slowly built up to going three or four times a week, just like I did before. While Im not as strong as I was, Im pretty close, he says.

He is grateful for his health, especially as he knows others arent so lucky. My mother and father must have been on my shoulder, urging me to look into my health. Im glad I listened to them while there was time to do something about it.

Call for increased funding

The medical director of the Irish Heart Foundation, Dr Angie Brown, advocates for early intervention. 80%of premature cardiovascular disease is preventable, she says.

Some of the best ways to look after your hearts health include checking your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, stopping smoking, and leading a healthy lifestyle.

As for those who have already developed heart disease, thats what Wednesdays meeting was all about.

It was the first event in our campaign to bring this issue to the attention of our politicians, Macey says.

Every seven minutes, a heart or stroke patient is discharged from hospital and a significant proportion of them are likely to benefit from using our services.

He and the Irish Heart Foundation team are calling on all TDs and senators to sign a pledge on their website at exa.mn/IHF-pledge, to show their support for an increase in funding.

If you or someone in your family has suffered from a stroke or heart disease, please ask your local TDs to sign, Macey says.
I knew I was part of a growing phenomenon when the delivery driver knocked and announced this was the third one he had delivered so far that day and was averaging three or four drop-offs of the same large box daily around Cork.

Walking pads  a lighter, more easily stowed away version of a treadmill  have been creeping into my consciousness for quite a while now, thanks to TikTok.

I first noticed more videos of them appearing last year on my For You Page (FYP), with people  usually women  using them at standing desks in their homes to reach their step count during their working day.

Ive always loved walking and I walk our dog, a collie named Milly, daily. A walking pad was not a necessity for me as getting out for a stroll never feels like a chore with a happy madra.

If anything, I thought Id feel like a hamster on a wheel if I used a walking pad while working.

It wasnt until late last year when the evenings were dark and gloomy and the rain seemingly incessant (and my average walking distance dropped accordingly), that a new type of video appeared on my FYP.

Dubbed cosy cardio, I saw people creating inviting atmospheres in their homes to use their walking pads, strolling while a comfort show played on a nearby screen  think 90s romcoms, guilty-pleasure reality shows, or a nostalgic TV series.

Now, this was a fitness trend I could get behind, I realised. I started to wonder if I might use a walking pad after all. After deliberating for a few weeks, I bought one in January.

With just over 15 million results for walking pads Ireland on a Google search, the choices available seem never-ending. However, I bought mine from homefitnesscode.com after seeing favourable reviews.

The walking pad comes in two colour choices  I opted for a fun pink rather than the black option  and it cost me a little over 200.

The instructions were few, but its easy to use. Theres a switch to power it up, and a remote control to turn it on and choose a speed setting. I usually linger around 5.5 or 6.0, allowing me to walk at a comfortable pace for a long time.

On the go.

Stepping up

Im not the only walking pad owner in my circles. Two of my co-workers have also made the leap, with both finding physical and mental benefits to having one. Like me, journalist Michelle McGlynn learned about walking pads through TikTok.

I am very easily influenced. When I started to see walking pads appearing all over TikTok and Instagram, I was immediately intrigued but wasnt quite ready to fork out for one. Then friends of mine bought them and seemed happy with their purchase so I gave in, she says.

I have had mine about a month and Im delighted with it so far. As someone who does shift work and is probably at my most energetic at about 9pm, it has been great to be able to get in some cardio at times that suit me.

I dont need to worry about the weather or whether I will be safe if Im exercising early in the morning or late at night. The freedom feels great. I stick something on the TV or just scroll on my phone and dont even notice the time go by.

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Assistant editor David OMahony, meanwhile, was converted to walking pads at a much earlier stage and has felt the long-term benefits.

I got a walking pad toward the end of the lockdown and it is permanently under my standing desk in our home office, he says over email, as he literally walks the walk and talks the talk.

Ive definitely found it burns off a bit of general frustration, but once I started strapping my Fitbit to my ankle, I found it dramatically increased my steps per day - it can easily get up over 14,000 if Im diligent. My posture and general fitness are better.

The main trick was teaching myself to type while going at about 4km  but thats how fast Im going as I write this.

I find walking helps my creative thinking, and thought if I could do both while working, the outcome would surely be better quality work. It may seem as impossible as patting your head while rubbing your stomach, but I found typing and walking on the pad simultaneously to be very doable.

Irish Examiner journalist Denise ODonoghue puts a walking pad under her standing desk. Picture Chani Anderson

Health benefits

Walking has a wide-ranging list of health benefits and Cork fitness trainer Ray Lally  aka The Happy Fitness Guy  says he is a big fan of walking pads.

The advantages of walking slowly while doing other things [like working from home or watching television] are huge. It keeps the body moving which is great, he says.

It helps the body operate better because youre getting the blood flowing, building muscle, building cardio, getting your brain functioning better. Especially if youre working from home, that could help to improve your immune system overall, and it boosts your mood.

With so many benefits, Lally says walking is one of the best forms of exercise. The healthiest thing you can do is consistently walk more and more. I love it.

While standing desks have become de rigueur, recent research in Canada indicates that walking desks could significantly impact mental health, improving mood and lowering stress levels in the workplace. In addition, sitting for long periods has been linked to issues including diabetes, depression, cardiovascular disease, and early mortality.

With that in mind, I was eager to increase my bodys movement for those long-term gains.

To get the full benefit of the walking pad and to make sure I would actually remember to use it, I set myself a challenge for the first month: aim for around 10,000 steps a day, either with or without the walking pad.

Its not a static goal, though. I know that forcing myself to reach that target on busier days would be off-putting while on sunny spring days, I can easily hit 15,000 or 16,000 steps with the dog.

I knew if I forced myself to walk indoors on those sunny days it would feel like a chore and that is exactly the feeling I wanted to avoid.

Lally agrees the less pressure we put ourselves to hit a certain goal or target, the better and we should listen to our bodies.

Anything is better than nothing, 100%. I think the 10,000-step goal is a vague target. I wouldnt be disappointed at all if I got to less than that.

Dont beat yourself up over it, its just a target to keep moving. Dont be disappointed if youre not reaching certain goals.

Lallys positive attitude reflects my own approach to increasing my steps with the walking pad: a 10,000-step goal is a great target, but 5,000 steps are a worthy achievement too.

More often than not, I reached my target, but on busier days I was not disappointed  my average walking range was still higher than the previous month and I could feel the results mentally and physically.

For the first week, I felt the increase in movement in my now-sore muscles and looser-feeling lower back. Although I was already an active person, it surprised me when my legs and back were aching by the end of each day.

However, by week two, those niggles faded and I noticed I had increased stamina for longer walks, as well as more energy throughout the day. On top of this, I was sleeping better and I felt well rested when my alarm went off each morning.

The biggest surprise came at the end of the third week. I spent most of one day with my family, not moving much and enjoying a lovely dinner. When I got home that evening,

I felt such a strong need to go for a walk it can only be described as a craving. Despite challenging myself only to ensure I used my new walking pad regularly, my body became hooked on walking 10,000 steps along the way.

Its safe to say after this that my walking pad wont meet the same fate as the exercise bike-shaped clothes horse that haunts the spare room.
Ireland's entry in this year's Eurovision is standing by their decision to participate in the competition despite calls for a boycott.

This year's contest has been mired in controversy since the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has allowed Israel to participate despite the ongoing violence in Palestine.

There have been calls by the public and other Irish artists for Bambie Thug not to travel to Malmo, Sweden next month as a form of protest against Israel's inclusion.

The Cork artist has previously said they will not be boycotting the Eurovision and explained the decision on the Late Late Show on Friday night.

Following a stripped-back performance of their entry, Doomsday Blue, they joined host Patrick Kielty for a short chat during which Bambie was asked to explain their decision to resist the calls to stay home.

"I stand with anyone doing the boycott. I think if I wasn't in the competition I would also be boycotting," they said.

"There are a lot of moving parts and at the end of the day, without the group of us - who is pro-Palestine - it is less competition for the other side to win and it's less solidarity there.

"Obviously, it's incredibly heavy and I am extremely behind everybody."

It is not the first time Bambie has publicly defended their decision. Last month, in a joint statement with some of the other Eurovision entrants, including the UK's Olly Alexander, the group stated that they will remain in the competition to foster meaningful conversations and connections.

Referring to the statement, Bambie said: "We all met up and had chats about it and we just felt strongly about it. We just couldn't stay silent on the matter but, at the end of the day, it is the EBU who has to make the decision.

"Unfortunately, in my eyes, they are not making the right decision."

The 31-year-old was elated when they beat out a number of other artists to become Ireland's entry for Eurovision 2024, saying at the time that winning the public vote was a moment they'll never forget.

But now, they admitted that the feeling is now "bittersweet".

Bambie will face Ukraine, Cyprus, Poland, Serbia, Lithuania, Croatia, Slovenia, Iceland, Finland, Portugal, Luxembourg, Australia and Moldova in the first of two semi-finals on Tuesday, May 7.

They have been performing gigs across Europe in recent weeks and they now find themselves in the top 10 favourites to win the grand final which will take place on Saturday, May 11.

The last time that Ireland was in the final was in 2018 when Dublin singer and actor Ryan O'Shaughnessy entered with the song Together.
More than 40 children who sued over their alleged treatment at Hyde and Seek creche childcare have settled High Court actions for a total of 615,000.

Each child was awarded 15,000 each which was approved by Mr Justice Paul Coffey in the High Court. The judge said they were distressing cases.

The settlements which were reached after mediation are without an admission of liability. The children cannot be identified by order of the court.

John Gordon SC, instructed by Coleman Legal solicitors, told the court that the 41 cases arose out of the RTE Investigates documentary which was broadcast in 2019. The RTE Investigates team went undercover to look at standards of care in the family-run preschool, which operated several premises in the Dublin area.

Counsel said the children involved in the cases before the court were very very young and pre-verbal. Most, he said, attended the creche for 50 hours per week. He said it was their case the children were treated in a way that was unacceptable.

He said the children became resistant to attending the creche, were allegedly in overcrowded conditions and were hungry when they came home because of the poor quality of food. Counsel said each set of parents reported a similar experience and had their child assessed.

He said all of them record happily that the children were sufficiently resilient enough to get over it and were expected to make full recovery over time. He said this resolution of the cases deals honourably with the claims and the 15,000 in each case was the maximum allowed under the judicial guidelines.

Anne Davy admitted to engaging in a practice that was disrespectful at her Tolka Road creche on May 8, 2019, contrary to section 19.3 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. File picture: Paddy Cummins/IrishPhotoDesk.ie

The children, through their parents in separate sets of proceedings, had sued the Hyde & Seek owners and operators, Hyde & Seek Childcare Ltd and Hyde & Seek Glasnevin Ltd with registered offices offices at Tolka Road, Drumcondra, Dublin.

They also sued Anne Davy, her husband, Peter Davy and their daughter Siobhan Davy of Lindsay Road, Drumcondra, Dublin who were Hyde & Seek directors. All the claims made in each case were denied by all defendants.

Hyde & Seek Childcare is owned and run by the Davy family  Anne and Peter Davy and their daughter Siobhan Davy. Anne Davy (69) who had stepped down as a Hyde & Seek director was in 2022 fined 4,000 after pleading guilty at Dublin District Court to breaching childcare regulations.

She pleaded guilty to three offences and the prosecution dropped all charges against her daughter and director Siobhan Davy and the Hyde & Seek creche group company.

Ms Anne Davy admitted to engaging in a practice that was disrespectful at her Tolka Road creche on May 8, 2019, contrary to section 19.3 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. She also admitted having inadequate space per child ratios at the Shaw Street branch.

The court heard that 46 children were there on September 11, 2018, and 35 on July 19, 2019. However, the creche was sanctioned for 32 only.

Friday's proceedings

In the High Court on Friday, one case was settled for 15,000 for a now eight-year-old boy it was claimed started attending the Hyde & Seek creche, Tolka Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, in October 2016 when he was nine months old. He was initially placed in the baby room and by July 2019 was in the Toddler Room of the creche.

It was claimed that his parents noticed small bruises on his legs. They raised the matter with the creche but were reassured. It was claimed the parents observed worrying behaviour in their child and noticed he was always hungry when he was collected, and screaming for food on the way home.

He developed distress at drop off, it was claimed, and woke in the middle of the night. His parents also noticed that he would return home wearing a nappy which was swollen with urine.

The family had withdrawn the child for a few months from the creche and found he was much calmer going to a local creche where they had temporarily moved.

In the proceedings, it was claimed that in July 2019 it came to the attention of the boys mother that he had, while attending the creche, been allegedly exposed to a culture of erratic care in an alleged chaotic and distressing care environment and was allegedly exposed to emotionally unsettling experiences.

It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to attend to the boys basic needs by allegedly failing to ensure he was adequately fed and that his nappies were changed on a regular basis.

It was also claimed the boy had been exposed to alleged ongoing and repeated behavior which was allegedly disrespectful, intimidating , emotionally or physically harmful. All of the claims were denied.
Women have been perpetrators in the majority of assault cases a Cork judge has seen in his court recently.

Judge Colm Roberts made the comments after throwing out a case in which two female neighbours were involved in a brawl after one called the other a tramp or a slut and allegedly threated to smash her neighbours brains in.

Most assaults Im dealing with now are assaults of women. The last number of assaults were of women battering women, Judge Roberts told Midleton District Court.

Helen Hastings, 36, was charged with assault after a violent incident outside her home at 78 Russell Heights, Cobh, Co Cork, in October 2022. Midleton District Court heard that Ms Hastings and her neighbour, Natasha OHanlon, had a history of bad blood.

Ms OHanlon said that she heard her neighbour allegedly calling her the slut next door when she was outside trying to help a relative of Ms Hastings who had walked up her driveway.

Ms Hastings disputed her use of this word and said she had instead called her a tramp. Judge Roberts questioned why these misogynistic words were still used about women.

Have you ever called a man a tramp? Judge Roberts asked. Its a totally sexist term. When Ms OHanlon heard the slight against her she became angry and questioned Ms Hastings about why she had insulted her.

Then she said Im going to smash your brains in, Ms OHanlon said. I said come on so.

Ms Hastings then allegedly hit Ms Ms OHanlon with a mop and grabbed her by the hair, pulling out clumps. Photos of bald patches on Ms OHanlons head following the fight were shown in court.

She had a stick  the handle of a brush  she hit me wallop into the left ear. My hair was in a bun and she locked onto my bun.

She dug her fingers into my bun and dragged me forward so I was stuck, she digged me three times into my left ear. I grabbed her by the top  the top was ripped and I scratched at her.

Ms Hastings brother and another neighbour tried to break up the fight and the women were separated.

My ear was stinging, my cheekbone was swollen, clumps of hair were pulled out. Ms Hastings solicitor Don Ryan said that his client had been left with scratches on her chest, a mark on her arm and a red blotch on her cheek bone.

Ms Hastings alleged that Ms OHalloran had hit her first and she only retaliated in self defence throwing three to four digs.

Photos

Looking at the photos of the two women taken after the fight, Judge Roberts said: There was only one winner in this fight."

"Youre a bigger frame, if you were boxers you would not be in the same class, he said to Ms Hastings.

Due to a conflict of evidence and no witnesses in court to corroborate the womens accounts of the violence, Judge Roberts said it would be unsafe to convict.

The complainant did suffer injury as a consequence of Ms Hastings. I dont know who started it but Im satisfied that Ms Hastings finished it. He warned the women to stay out of each others way.
Gardai were called to the home of Childrens Minister Roderic OGorman on Thursday night when a gang of up to 12 masked men gathered outside his house and huge placards and banners were stretched across his driveway gate, along his wall and fastened to outside polls.

Experts have expressed concern at the increasing harassment and intimidation of public representatives and fear that the threats could escalate, particularly with the European and local elections approaching in June.

Videos of the incident were circulated online and show up to 12 masked men gathered outside the home of Mr OGorman in west Dublin.

A large banner was tied across the electronic driveway gate, stating Minister OGorman Hates Children and three other small banners are attached to railings on his front wall.

Three similar banners were placed against the outside of his wall and a giant banner, saying South Dublin Says No, Close the Borders is fastened to polls on the footpath.

The video shows two marked Garda cars near the scene.

In a statement, Garda HQ said: Gardai in Blanchardstown were notified shortly after 8pm following reports of a public gathering involving a small group of individuals outside a private residence in the Blanchardstown area yesterday evening, Thursday, April 18, 2024.

A Garda presence was maintained at the scene until the group dispersed a short time later. No arrests were made.

It added: An Garda Siochana does not comment on the security arrangements of any individual or group. Matters of security, including those that pertain to the safety, security, and welfare of public representatives, remain under continuous review.

Queries to Mr OGormans office were directed to An Garda Siochana.

A banner that was hung outside Roderic O'Gorman's house in Dublin on Thursday night.

On Friday, the Taoiseach said it is "extraordinarily chilling and disturbing and quite frankly, disgusting" that masked protesters gathered outside Mr OGormans home.

Simon Harris said he felt deeply uncomfortable that protesters were able to gather outside the Dublin West TDs house and that he hoped to speak to gardai on the matter "in due course".

Mr Harris said that he had spoken with Mr OGorman about the situation.

[I was] utterly horrified to see the situation. We all recognise the right to protest in a democracy, but when you see masked people gathering outside somebodys family home, I think thats extraordinarily chilling and disturbing and quite frankly, disgusting, Mr Harris said.

I know that the gardai have to assess each of these situations. I dont wish to interfere in that. However, I feel deeply uncomfortable that this situation was allowed to develop outside the home of any person, quite frankly, public figure or otherwise. Government or opposition.

Mr Harris defended the Garda response to far-right protests, saying that he is reluctant to immediately blame the police force.

The Gardai operate in very difficult and challenging environments and the Gardai responds to dynamic situations in real-time, Mr Harris said.

He said gardai take these matters very seriously, adding that there are clear laws on the statute books around what people can and cannot do at protests.

Im conscious that gardai may wish to look into matters that happened yesterday so I dont want to over-comment on one specific situation.

Mr Harris said that he was worried about an increase of people gathering outside the homes of elected politicians, saying that it has a chilling effect on democracy.

Of course, we see a coarseness in political debate and discourse, but theres an appropriate way to debate and raise issues, Mr Harris said, adding that protests should be held outside the Dail or at constituency offices.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said Mr O'Gorman's "privacy and property have been violated in a disgusting and shocking manner".

"Ive spoken to the Garda commissioner. This cannot be tolerated," she said.

Call for gardai 'to step in decisively'

Maynooth University Professor of European Politics John O'Brennan said: I think what we say yesterday was just the latest example of efforts to intimidate and harass serving politicians. He cited a video that circulated online showing an individual subjecting Sinn Fein TD Eoin O Broin to prolonged verbal abuse and harassment on the street.

The difference here is that this protest took place at the house of a minister, Prof O'Brennan said.

We have seen an incremental rise in the number of such provocations in recent years. He said it was time for the gardai to step in decisively and deal with these acts of harassment and claimed the guards had enough power to do so.

Garda HQ has repeatedly said they adopt a "graduated approach" to policing protests and are conscious of not giving conspiratorial and far-right groups propaganda of video recording gardai arresting them for standing on the street.

Some Garda sources also point out they can not prove the group gathered had put up the banners.

Maynooth University assistant professor in criminology John Morrison - an expert on radicalisation and terrorism - said the behaviour was worrying, but not surprising.

The aim of these actors is to promote conspiracy theories in order to deteriorate trust in public figures such as O'Gorman while simultaneously aiming to deter those with similar views to him from entering public life, he said.

As we have seen across the past year there is potential for this form of behaviour to escalate, with the arson attacks which for a while became a near permanent fixture on our news bulletins. These groups aim to spread conspiracy theory tropes about individuals, as well as wider communities. This is designed to bring about fear, distrust, and anger amongst those who listen to them.

With the upcoming euro and local elections I suspect there will be many more such incidents as they will see it as an opportunity to influence the debate and narrative."
Storage makes sense of our homes. It clears our spaces back to serenity, trims our time and motion, and categorises the things we use every day that quietly mean the most to us. Introduce some springtime zen with macro and micro-storage solutions for every corner of the house upstairs and down.

Think about how and when you need your stuff to hand, be it your favourite Japanese chefs knife or your everyday outfits. What would make a serious difference in terms of accessing the domestic ballast, putting logic on even your stranger habits?

Divide and conquer with this Muuto Restore storage basket made from recycled plastic bottles. It can even make sense of your cars boot, 95, lampmasters.ie

Trending for 2024? Versatile furnishings  dressers, statement wardrobes and settle-seating crafted with integrated storage elements. These multi-talented masters have a heritage stretching back centuries, and with an increasingly luxuriant flair, they are now sorting our future spaces.

In kitchens, living walls of storage cabinets will feature open pantries with an area designated to a working desk and/or coffee machine, bringing a sophisticated barista vibe to the centre of most Irish homes. Warming timber shelving can carry glass jars and canisters in coloured and reeded glass  offered everywhere this season to put dry goods on a delightful show.

in the kitchen, theres been something of a turn away from wall-mounting to slender counter-standing cupboards with pocket doors physically connecting upper and lower storage.

Think very carefully before introducing even modest storage pieces to solve storage problems. With fixed cabinets, vast wardrobes and primary shelving, its settled wisdom to add 30% more room than you think you need.

Bed nooks

Tiny house fans will be on the hunt for beds to inhabit weird nooks and oddly inclined walls. The Plane bed range from designer Felix Stark for the celebrated German brand Mueller is designed on 'planes' of plywood. It incorporates ledges, bedside shelves and an optional bed box at the foot handling storage and display for alarm clocks, bedside lamps and bedding; from 1,470, see muellermoebel.de for stockists.

Feed bins

Simplehuman takes this essential dry pet food storage out to the kitchen floor with a range of dedicated feed bins with clamp lids and BPA-free buckets. Available in three sizes, they take up a small paw-print and keep the kibble clean, dry and accessible with a firm, rubber gasket seal. Theres even a lid-mounted measuring scoop which attaches magnetically inside the unit; 169.95-189.95, simplehuman.eu.

Ergonomic brilliance

When Joseph Joseph introduces an ergonomic bit of brilliance, you wonder why no one had thought of that detailing before. The Tota range of tweedy grey laundry baskets features separating tote bags and would look smart in any laundry or on the landing. The latest Tota includes three 30l compartments and a lid to lock away wash-day woes; 149.99, eu.josephjoseph.com.

Bag man

The stylish Helsinki Bag Holder designed by Helena Matilla (shown in Copper) sits on the floor as a dedicated hanger for bigger shopping bags, their handles threaded over the top of the unit. Terrace three for everything from waste separating, to storing magazines or laundry; 39.10, finnishdesignshop.com

Tray swings

Rumble it out to the patio, or sit it proudly by your home office. The BarBoy from Verpan is an iconic piece of mid-century design from 1963, by the late, great Verner Panton, best known for his lighting. Three round metal drawers/trays swing out fully from the tower to utilise every surface; 1046, smallable.com. Knock-offs abound. For a budget, vintage bedside solution, pick up a Componibili by the Italian house of Kartell, from 145, c.1949, various suppliers.

Shelf mirror

Quality and multi-function are two vital concepts for this season. This Esun shelf mirror by British maker Tom Raffield, known for his environmentally sound products, is made of sustainably sourced, steam-bent ash. Beautiful in a compact bathroom or to hold a couple of family photos in a busy hall; 459, tomraffield.com.

Art deco

The sideboard family has some naughty inclusions as we embrace art deco decadence. Inspiration for a crafty summer upcycle? This wild Delphine credenza by Jonathan Adler combines antiqued glass, and a polished brass base with two double-door compartments that open to reveal a bright robin's egg blue interior, 4,908, sweetpeaandwillow.com.

Coffee dock

Open a world of storage possibilities from coffee stations to home offices and sleek pantry areas in any size of kitchen. Pocket doors disappear without intruding on your floor plan. The reeded timber panels used here with these long and counter-standing cabinets are a signature story for 2024; kitchen by McNally Living, mcnallyliving.ie.

Jar life

Small storage pieces left on show can be as characterful as you are. Littala Taika ceramic jar, designed in Finland, 129, various suppliers.

Wardrobe skeleton

Nimble, lightweight and useful in a hall or bedroom, the Woud Tojbox shows off the skeletal remains of a wardrobe without the bulk. Unmistakable Danish design by Made by Michael, from 799 in black or white oak, wouddesign.com.

Modular boxes

Walk-in wardrobes are on the wane (if Dermot Bannon is to be believed). Organising your clothes either on open rails or behind closed doors could be as life-changing as any Carrie Bradshaw dream. Think seasonal and edit your wardrobe. Modular boxes look sleek when you dispense with doors and use a curtain. Pax wardrobe frames from 80, ikea.ie.

Mag rack

Theres something rather 1920s about this Eileen side table with magazine rack by Dutchbone, as art deco continues to jazz us up for 2024, woodesign.com.

Shutter shelves

"Shutter shelves" appears to be a short phrase that lacks context. Can you please provide more information or clarify in what context you are using this term?We love the collection of shelving at the Irish design outlet Home Street Home, which selects pieces primarily in reclaimed and recycled wood. These Shutter Shelves are reimagined from vintage Asian shutters and carry the original paint and patina, 120, homestreethome.ie.

Study spots

Make the best of a spare room or under-stairs study spot with modular wall storage. Elfa Decor combines classic modular rails and shelving with touches of white or birch laminate to warm the look. Adapt the area effortlessly with movable elements and a brand you can build on. Look out for economic signature bundles for utilities, garages, small office layouts to entry-ways and clothes storage using Elfa systems; 162-1660, organisedstore.ie and equipashop.ie.

Henley cabinet

Freestanding, bespoke kitchen furniture is making a return, and we love the dresser base styling of this magnificent deeply pigmented Henley cabinet by Neptune, 3,295. Saffron yellow paint, 65 for 2.5l, neptune.com.
A jury of 12 people has been seated in former President Donald Trumps hush money trial in New York.

Lawyers now need to select six alternates to round out the panel that will decide the first-ever criminal case against a former US president.

The jury includes a sales professional, a software engineer, an English teacher and multiple lawyers.

The rapid progress propelled the case closer to opening statements and weeks of testimony in a case charging the Republican ex-president with falsifying business records to suppress stories about his sex life in the final days of the 2016 election.

Earlier in the day, two jurors were dismissed by Judge Juan Merchan.

One was excused after expressing doubt about her ability to be fair and impartial. The other was dismissed after prosecutors raised questions about the accuracy of his answers during the selection process.

Lawyers have been grilling hundreds of potential jurors for hours, asking questions on everything from their hobbies and their social media posts to their opinion of the presumptive Republican nominee in this years closely contested presidential race.

More than half the members of a second group of 96 prospective jurors brought into the courtroom were dismissed on Thursday, most after saying they doubted their ability to be fair and impartial.

The first juror to be excused, an oncology nurse selected on Wednesday, told the court she had become concerned about her ability to be impartial.

Judge Juan Merchan said that the woman, a nurse, conveyed that after sleeping on it overnight she had concerns about her ability to be fair and impartial in this case.

And though jurors names are being kept confidential, the woman told the judge and the lawyers that she had doubts.

Yesterday alone I had friends, colleagues and family push things to my phone regarding questioning my identity as a juror, she said. I dont believe at this point that I can be fair and unbiased and let the outside influences not affect my decision making in the courtroom. A second seated juror was dismissed after prosecutors raised concerns that may not have been honest in answering a jury selection question by saying that he had never been accused or convicted of a crime.

The IT professional was summoned to court to answer questions after prosecutors said they found an article about a person with the same name who had been arrested in the 1990s for tearing down political posters pertaining to the political right in suburban Westchester County.

A prosecutor had also disclosed that a relative of the man may have been involved in a deferred prosecution agreement in the 1990s with the Manhattan district attorneys office, which is prosecuting Mr Trumps case.

Because the juror was questioned at the judges bench, off-microphone and out of earshot of reporters, it was not known whether the man confirmed or denied if either instance was connected to him.

Twelve jurors and six alternates must be seated to hear the trial. Mr Merchan said on Tuesday that opening statements could begin as soon as Monday.

The setbacks in the selection process emerged during a frenetic morning in which prosecutors also asked for Mr Trump to be held in contempt over a series of social media posts this week, while the judge in the case barred reporters from identifying jurors employers after expressing privacy concerns.

The district attorneys office on Monday sought a $3,000 (2,800) fine for Mr Trump for three Truth Social posts they said violated a gag order. Since then, though, prosecutors say hes made seven additional posts that they believe also violate the order.

Several of the posts involved an article that referred to Mr Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen as a serial perjurer, and one from Wednesday that repeated a claim by a Fox News host that liberal activists were lying to get on the jury, said prosecutor Christopher Conroy.

Mr Trumps lawyer Emil Bove said Mr Cohen has been attacking President Trump in public statements, and Mr Trump was just replying.

The judge had already scheduled a hearing for next week on the prosecutions request for contempt sanctions over Mr Trumps posts.

The trial centres on a payment that Mr Trumps lawyer and personal fixer, Mr Cohen, made shortly before the 2016 election to pornography actor Stormy Daniels, to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Mr Trump from becoming public in the races final days.

Prosecutors say Mr Trump obscured the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Mr Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 and is expected to be a star witness for the prosecution.

Mr Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Ms Daniels, and his lawyers argue that the payments to Mr Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.

Mr Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He could get up to four years in prison if convicted, though it is not clear that the judge would opt to put him behind bars.

Mr Trump would almost certainly appeal any conviction.

The hush money case is one of four criminal prosecutions involving Mr Trump as he vies to reclaim the White House, but it is possible that it will be the sole case to reach trial before Novembers presidential election.

Appeals and other legal wrangling have caused delays in cases charging Mr Trump with plotting to overturn the 2020 election results and with illegally hoarding classified documents.
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 in favour, the United States opposed and two abstentions.

The resolution would have recommended that the 193-member General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, approve Palestine becoming the 194th member of the United Nations.

Premature actions in New York  even with the best intentions  will not achieve statehood for the Palestinian people

Some 140 countries have already recognised the state of Palestine, so its admission would have been approved.

Before the vote, US deputy state department spokesman Vedant Patel said the United States has been very clear consistently that premature actions in New York  even with the best intentions  will not achieve statehood for the Palestinian people.

US deputy ambassador Robert Wood said that Palestinian membership needs to be the outcome of the negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians.

It is something that would flow from the result of those negotiations.

This is the second Palestinian attempt for full membership and it comes as the war in Gaza has put the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at centre stage.
Argentina formally requested to join NATO on Thursday as a global partner, a status that would facilitate greater political and security cooperation.

President Javier Mileis right-wing government aims to boost ties with Western powers and attract investment.

The request came as Natos deputy general secretary Mircea Geoana discussed regional security challenges with Argentine defence minister Luis Petri, who was visiting Brussels.

Mr Geoana said he welcomed Argentinas bid to become an accredited partner in the alliance  a valued role short of ally for nations not in Natos geographical area and not required to participate in collective military actions.

Argentine President Javier Milei (Lynne Sladky/AP)

Nato membership is currently limited to European countries, Turkey, Canada, and the United States.

The designation could allow Argentina access to advanced technology, security systems, and training that was not previously available to it, the Argentine presidency said.

Argentina plays an important role in Latin America, Mr Geoana said at the Nato headquarters.

Closer political and practical cooperation could benefit us both.

Mr Milei has been pushing a radical libertarian agenda aimed at reversing years of protectionist trade measures, overspending and crippling international debt that has plunged the countrys economy into a tailspin.

Over his past four months as president, he has reshaped Argentinas foreign policy to almost unconditional support for the United States.

This is part of an effort to return Argentina to prominence in the global economy after past administrations allowed relations with Washington and European allies to wither.

Mr Mileis government also seeks security benefits through warming ties with Western countries.

On Thursday, the US government announced it was providing Argentina with 40 million dollars (32 million) in foreign military financing for the first time in more than two decades  a grant that allows key US allies like Israel to buy American weaponry.

The funds, intended to help Argentina equip and modernise its military, will help foot the bill for 24 American F-16 fighter aircraft Argentina bought from Denmark earlier this week.

Defence minister Mr Petri hailed the acquisition of the advanced warplanes as the most important military purchase since Argentinas return to democracy in 1983. The 300 million dollar (241 million) price tag has drawn criticism from Mr Mileis political opponents as he slashes spending across the government.

Formally partnering with Nato requires the consensus of all 32 Nato members.

Argentinas ties to key Nato ally Britain have been fraught since 1982 when the two went to war over the contested Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.

Other global partners of the alliance include Afghanistan, Australia, Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, and Pakistan. Currently, the only Nato partner in Latin America is Colombia.
04/19/2024

By Brett Buckner

Talent, much like the inspiration that guides it, doesnt always have a source. Some are simply born with the desire, a need to create. But drive alone doesnt guarantee success, nor does it provide the right platform so that gift can reach others. For that, it takes a community. Or, in the case of Jax State student, Conner Gayda, it takes a college.

Gayda, 25, who will graduate in May with a MFA in Visual Communication Design, has received a pair of honors for his work in graphic design. Gayda was selected as one of 15 students from around the world for the 2024 Communication Arts Student Showcase and will have six pieces included in the international juried publication, Graphis. Theyre both prestigious publications that honor the best in design, illustration, typography, photography, all that sort of stuff, said Gayda, a native of Tyrone, Ga. Its a huge honor to be included.

Gayda was quick to share credit with the faculty within the College of Arts and Humanities. I can say with confidence that our design faculty is as good  if not better - than anywhere in the country, he said. We have such an incredibly strong design faculty. Theyre absolutely amazing. And theyve all been super supportive. Any success, I've accomplished here, theyre a huge part of, so, I cant thank them enough, added Gayda.

Communication Arts is a long-standing publication that is extremely respected in the field, said Chad Anderson, professor of graphic design. It is notably difficult, as a professional designer or agency - or as a design academic - to have work accepted in the publication and their competitions, he said. This is not solely an academic achievement. Taking that alone into consideration makes this award beyond impressive but add to that the level of global competitiveness this award holds  narrowed down to 15 selected, such an achievement is absolutely off the charts.

Gaydas achievements not only bring attention to the MFA program but also elevate the reputation of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences, showcasing its commitment to student success and cultivating artistic excellence, said Seth Johnson, Distinguished Professor of Graphic Design. [Gayda] is a generational talent, and his professors recognized that early in his graduate career, he said. His selection for the Communication Arts Student Showcase and inclusion in Graphis is a fitting recognition that adds to his many accomplishments over the last three years. He is definitely the most decorated MFA candidate to attend Jax State, and recognition should be given to his exceptional graphic design professors for nurturing his talent.

Gaydas interest in graphic design was born out of a fascination with music. In his junior year of high school, he took a photoshop class as an elective. It was there that Gayda connected the dots, realizing that it was often graphic designers who created so many of the album covers he loved, especially those from Blue Note Records. Right then, he said, I knew thats what I wanted to do, that same type of art.

After graduation, Gayda will move to Birmingham, where hes accepted a job with the Tatum Design studio. Its all coming to head now, he said. All the hard work is paying off. I owe all of it and so much more to my professors.

View Gayda's Work on the Web:

Graphis.com

Dribble.com



Presentation: Typography, Baseball, and the Fight for Civil Rights

2023 Jacksonville State University Student Symposium




Newark, Delaware (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long wanted war with Iran and has all along been trying to get the U.S. involved, under different U.S. administrations.

On Friday morning, Israel launched missile strikes on military bases near the Iranian city of Isfahan.

A desperate Netanyahu, seeing Western support for his total war on Gaza collapsing, began this tit-for-tat cycle by launching an assassination of Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers at the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria on April 1st 2024. The Israeli government knew what they were doing. Netanyahu was baiting Tehran into a reaction, which he got.

Iran responded with a missile and drone barrage on April 13. Almost all these projectiles, however, were shot down by the United States, since Iran had openly telegraphed its intentions.

The context for this exchange of strikes is the Israeli assault on Gaza. Netanyahus government has killed more than 34,000 people. The numbers are not clear, since the ones under the rubbles of Gaza cannot even be calculated.

14,000 children.

Today, Gaza is worse than Dresden after the war.

Hamas, of course also committed atrocities against the Israeli population on October 7. Over 600 innocent, noncombatant Israelis were killed, alongside more than 400 Israeli military personnel. Many of the civilians were peace-loving people, who disagreed with their own governments punitive policies toward the Palestinians. The response of the far-right wing Netanyahu government, however, has been vastly disproportionate.

Another issue between the two countries has been Irans civilian nuclear enrichment program to create fuel for its reactor. Netanyahu fears that it can easily be militarized, and had created a spectacle at the UN showing off Irans alleged nuclear capabilities.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) refuted him, insisting that Iran has no military nuclear program.

Netanyahus charges obscured the imbalance of power between the two countries. Considering that Israel has 300 nukes, Iran, which has none, can be wiped off the map in a matter of minutes.

The IAEAs assurances notwithstanding, the Israeli government under various Israeli administrations has assassinated nuclear scientists inside Iran.

Israel, with the help of the expatriate Mojahedin-e Khalq (MEK) organization, which was until recently on the US State Department terrorism list, also stole nuclear data from Iran.

Then, Trump came along, and he withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal, to which Iran had scrupulously adhered, mothballing 80% of its civilian nuclear enrichment program for promised sanctions relief that was never granted.

The decision to rip up the deal was made in Tel Aviv, not in Washington.

Now, Mr. Netanyahu has a last chance to get his allies to rally behind him when both his support at home and internationally has dissipated. Since the war in Gaza has not gone well and has isolated his regime, his government, a very right-wing government, is looking for alternatives.

CNN Video: Israel has attacked Iran, US official tells CNN

The Islamic Republic has been been building deterrence by supporting the various groups in the Middle East, whether Houthis, Hezbollah or Hamas.

Several IRGC commanders were assassinated, including Ghassem Soleimani.

The shadow war has continued. Hezbollah launched missiles at the territory of Israel. Houthis fired on cargo ships in support of Gaza.

In his most recent speech at the UN, the Israeli ambassador compared the regime in Tehran to the Nazi regime. How can an educated person even compare the two? The Nazi regime eliminated millions of Jews and others.

Iran has the largest Jewish community after Israel. Khamenei is no Eichmann, despite what Netanyahu keeps alleging.

We, as Iranians and Iranian Americans wish for a better Iran without the rule of the clerics. But not at the expense of the disintegration of Iran. There is no question that has been Netanyahus wish.

Many years ago, at a conference at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, I remember the notorious Michael Ledeen had invited non-various actors from different ethnic minorities of Iran. Those speaking on their behalf did not even represent the Iranian minorities. At the end of the conference, where Paul Wolfowitz was also there, (the one who advised Bush to go to Iraq) all the speakers said we want a united Iran.

It was a total failure.

To this day, Iran has been a united nation and Iran is a nation state.

Iranians want a regime change but not by the help of any foreign entities, but rather with their own volition.

No war is going to solve anything. We are all united against a war on Israel or the Israeli nation and on Iran and the Iranian nation.

We need clearer, sounder voices to come to the fore.

In the words of the great Sufi poet of Iran, Rumi,

Out beyond the idea

of right-doing and wrong-doing,

there is a field, Ill meet you there.

We are for peace. But those in power in Israel and in Iran do not want peace.

They are itching for war.
Vancouver, British Columbia  TheNewswire - April 19, 2024 - Leocor Gold Inc. (the Company or Leocor) (CSE:LECR), (OTC:LECRF) is pleased to announce that it has closed its non-brokered private placement and has issued 38,300,000 units (each, a Unit) at a price of $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,915,000. Each Unit consists of one common share of the company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant), entitling the holder thereof to purchase one additional share at a price of $0.10 until April 19, 2027.

The Company intends to use the gross proceeds to advance the exploration and development of its gold and copper projects in Newfoundland, and for general working capital purposes.

In connection with closing of the offering, the Company paid finders' fees totalling $25,200 and issued 504,000 Warrants to certain arm's-length brokerage firms. All securities issued in connection with the private placement are subject to a statutory hold period until August 20, 2024, under applicable Canadian securities laws, in addition to such other restrictions as may apply under applicable securities laws of jurisdictions outside of Canada.

Brian Shin, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, subscribed for 200,000 Units in the offering. Participation in the offering by an insider of the Company constitutes a related-party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions) (MI 61-101). The issuance of securities to Mr. Shin is exempt from the valuation requirement of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemption contained in Section 5.5(b) as the shares are not listed on a specified market and from the minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 by virtue of the exemption contained in Section 5.7(a) of MI 61-101, in that the fair market value of the consideration paid for the securities issued to Mr. Shin does not exceed twenty-five percent of the Companys market capitalization.

Were pleased with support of existing and new shareholders who participated in this raise, said Alex Klenman, CEO. The additional funds realized in this placement will assist greatly in moving our Baie Verte project forward. With demonstrated robust gold and copper mineralization, the projects that make up this exploration package provide exceptional opportunities. Now is the perfect time to complete the next stage of development of these assets, continued Mr. Klenman.

About Leocor Gold Inc.

Leocor Gold Inc. is a British Columbia-based resource company involved in the acquisition and exploration of precious metal projects, with a current focus in Atlantic Canada. Leocor, through outright ownership and earn-in agreements, currently controls several gold-copper projects in prime exploration ground located within the prolific Baie Verte Mining District. Leocors Bae Verte portfolio includes the Dorset, Dorset Extension, Copper Creek and Five Mile Brook projects, creating a contiguous nearly 2,000-hectare exploration corridor. The Company also controls district scale land packages in North Central Newfoundland, known as Roberts Arm, Hodges Hill, and Leamington, (collectively Western Exploits) representing over 144,000 hectares (1,440 square kilometers) of prospective exploration ground.

Contact Information

Leocor Gold Inc.

Alex Klenman, Chief Executive Officer

Email : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Telephone : (604) 970-4330

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.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such information includes, without limitation, information regarding the intended use of proceeds from the offering. Although Leocor believes that such information is reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

Forward looking information is typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Leocor cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by Leocor is not a guarantee of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: the state of the financial markets for Leocor's securities; the state of the natural resources sector in the event the Option, or any of them, are completed; recent market volatility; Leocor's ability to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies; and other risks and factors that Leocor is unaware of at this time. The reader is referred to Leocor's initial public offering prospectus for a more complete discussion of applicable risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through Leocors issuer page on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Leocor 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.




VANCOUVER, BC, April 19, 2024 /CNW/ - RUA GOLD Corporation (CSE: RUA) (OTC: NZAUF) (WKN: A4010V) ("RUA GOLD" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an exploration update for the Reefton Project on the South Island of New Zealand.

Preliminary results confirm the Pactolus system extends south for 550 meters along strike and is well mineralized on surface.

The Company is analyzing the results to better understand the plunge and tenor of the ore shoots at this early stage of exploration.

The Company has developed multiple new high-grade targets at past producing mines in the Murray Creek area for drill testing in Q2/2024.

Pactolus

Recall that Pactolus is a new, surface Greenfields discovery made by RUA GOLD in 2021. Pactolus has returned assays for three of six holes drilled on the system, highlighting: DD_PAC_035 intersecting 2 meters @ 5.13g/t Au DD_PAC_036 intersecting 2 meters @ 3.61g/t Au .

in 2021. Pactolus has returned assays for three of six holes drilled on the system, highlighting: These results compliment the surface trenching across outcropping mineralization: 5m @ 12.2 g/t Au (including 1m @ 17.1 g/t Au) and 4m @ 6.9 g/t Au (including 1m @ 16.1 g/t Au).

Further work is needed to model the geometry of this zone to warrant additional drilling in this area. As a result, the company expects to refocus on the past-producing areas in Reefton in the near term.

RUA GOLD's forthcoming near-mine drilling program

RUA GOLD plans to commence with 5 targets in the Murray Creek area as the first step in a comprehensive drilling campaign that will test targets in Murray Creek, Crushington, Capleston and Caledonian historic districts. These historic mines collectively produced ~700 koz at 25.2 g/t within a radius of ~20 kilometers. Three of the targets are highlighted:

Murray Creek Target 1: Down-dip extension of mine shoot:

Records show mining stopped by faulting, evidence of continuation at depth. Recent surface rock chips include 56.2, 48.0, 33.3, g/t Au, including some striking visible gold (Figure 3). Trenching of the lode on surface includes 3m @ 31.7 g/t Au incl. 2m @ 47.1 g/t Au.

Murray Creek Target 2: Near mine structural offset:

Targeting potential offset of Inglewood Mine group to the east, rock chips include 35.1, 34.5, and 27.8 g/t Au.

Murray Creek Target 3: Down-dip extension of mine shoot:

Records show mining ceased at 200 meters, yet this was the largest deposit in the Inglewood group.

Robert Eckford, CEO commented: "We are pleased to see consistent mineralization in the drilling from the Pactolus vein and see the potential for exciting new opportunities developing from the historic mine drill targets in the forthcoming near-mine program. Our team will continue drilling RUA GOLD's Reefton properties as our 2,500 meter drill program for 2024 rolls out. With the exceptional geology of the Reefton project and the highly experienced operating team on the ground, I am excited by the potential in this historic but under-explored high grade orogenic gold district".

More information can be found at the Company's website: www.ruagold.com.

Pactolus Summary

The recent 6-hole drill program (DD_PAC_035-040) has tested under the three trenches along the north-south trend of system. Trenching results over four outcrops at Pactolus illustrated in Figure 2 returned the following:

7m @ 13.75 g/t Au (including 1m @ 34.6 g/t Au, 1m @32 g/t Au) *

5m @ 8.1 g/t Au (including 1m @ 14.9 g/t Au)

5m @ 12.2 g/t Au (including 1m @ 17.1 g/t Au)

4m @ 6.9 g/t Au (including 1m @ 16.1 g/t Au)

*(Reported NI 43 101: Technical Report on the Reefton Project, New Zealand)

Four of the six drill holes intersected the targeted mineralized structure. Initial assay results for DD_PAC_35, 36, and 37 returned:

Table 1: Significant intercepts for 2024 drilling, calculated with a 1.5 ppm Au cut-off and up to 2-m internal dilution.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (ppm) Including DD_PAC_035 71 73 2 5.13 1m @ 8.44 g/t Au DD_PAC_036 60 62 2 3.61 1m @ 4.92 g/t Au

DD_PAC_037 returned no significant intercepts.

Preliminary results and observations confirm the Pactolus system extends south for 550m and is well mineralized on surface, but determining the plunge and tenor of the ore shoots is proving challenging. A further update is anticipated when results from the remaining drill holes are received in 4-6 weeks.

Table 2: Significant intercepts for Pactolus drilling, calculated with a 1.5 ppm Au cut-off and up to 2-m internal dilution.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) DD_PAC_001 132.5 135 2.5 4.75* DD_PAC_002 133 138 5 6.52* DD_PAC_004 183 195 12 9.72* DD_PAC_005 218 223 5 2.24* DD_PAC_005 256 260 4 3.95* DD_PAC_007 214 227 13 1.62* DD_PAC_009 219 221 2 4.40* DD_PAC_010 221 225 4 2.69* DD_PAC_015 76 81 5 3.13* DD_PAC_018 58 60 2 3.11* DD_PAC_022 54 56 2 8.20* DD_PAC_025 33 35 2 3.53* DD_PAC_035 71 73 2 5.13 DD_PAC_036 60 62 2 3.61

Overview of the Reefton Region

The Reefton Goldfields presents as a classic orogenic style gold deposit, with historic mining recovering high-grade gold in plunging gold bearing quartz reefs. RUA GOLD's systematic exploration has highlighted the potential for the rejuvenation of this district in renewed opportunities in the vicinity of historic high-grade gold deposits.

Historic Mine Evaluation, Proposed Drilling

RUA GOLD has completed a comprehensive evaluation of the historic mines on the Company's tenements in the Reefton Goldfield which produced ~700 koz at 25.2 g/t (see Appendix 2). 3D computer modelling of the geology, structure, and historical mine lodes, was completed as a precursor to drill testing of priority targets. Likely targets include testing down-dip and potential duplicate structures in the vicinity of the historic mines.

RUA GOLD plans to commence with 5 targets in the Murray Creek area as follows.

Murray Creek Target 1: Down-dip extension of mine shoot

Records show Inglewood mine stopped by faulting, evidence of continuation at depth. Recent surface rock chips include 56.2, 48.0, 33.3, 30.3, g/t Au, including some striking visible gold (see insert). Soil samples are up to 113 ppb Au. Trenching of the lode on surface includes:

MC_C03 3m @ 31.7 g/t Au (including 2m @ 47.1g/t Au)

MC_C04 12m @ 6.4 g/t Au (including 1m @ 63.9 g/t Au)

Murray Creek Target 2: Near mine structural offset

Targeting potential offset of Inglewood Mine group to the east, illustrated in ultra-detail magnetic data, coinciding with Au-As soil anomaly and mapped quartz veins. Rock chips along the jog include 35.1, 34.5, and 27.8 g/t Au from brecciated, highly sulfidic quartz samples. Soil geochemistry (max 172ppb gold) envelopes gold anomalism over the target area.

Trenching in the vicinity of the structural offset included:

MCCRAE05 3m @ 1.7 g/t Au

MC_C06 2m @ 2.9 g/t Au

Murray Creek Target 3: Down-dip extension of mine shoot

Records show mining ceased at 200m yet this was the largest lode in the Inglewood group. Historical records describe the ore directly associated with a dolerite dyke. Accurate mapping of the dyke (UAV magnetics) and 3D structural mapping show significant potential for continuation at depth.

Murray Creek Target 4: 250m north extensions of historic workings

RUA GOLD's mapping has delineated quartz and pug faulting along a syncline hinge that coincides with the north striking Perseverance historical workings. Rock samples returned 11-16.4 g/t Au, soil geochemical samples up to 195ppb Au envelope a north trending zone paralleling the Ajax-Golden Fleece historical mines.

Ajax Target 1: Potential jog/structural complexity

A jog in the magnetic and strong structural complexity show there may be an offset between the Golden Fleece mine group and Venus, very prominent soil gold geochemistry highlights surface expression of this target.

Grant of Deferred Share Units

The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 875,476 deferred share units ("DSUs") to the directors of the Company at a deemed price of $0.175 per DSU. The DSUs were granted in consideration for services provided by the directors for February 28 to March 31, 2024. The DSUs were granted under the Company's Deferred Share Unit Plan adopted on April 17, 2024. Each DSU entitles the holder to receive one share of the Company at the time the holder ceases to be a director of the Company.

About RUA GOLD

RUA GOLD (RUA.CSE) is a new entrant to the mining industry, specializing in gold exploration and discovery in New Zealand. With permits that have a rich history dating back to the gold rush in the late 1800's, RUA GOLD combines traditional prospecting practices with modern technologies to uncover and capitalize on valuable gold deposits.

The Company is committed to responsible and sustainable exploration, which is evident in its professional planning and execution. The Company aims to minimize its environmental impact and to execute on its projects with key stakeholders in mind. RUA GOLD has a highly skilled team of New Zealand professionals who possess extensive knowledge and experience in geology, geochemistry, and geophysical exploration technology.

For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Technical Information

Simon Henderson CP, AUSIMM, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained herein. Mr. Henderson has verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the information in the technical disclosure herein.

QAQC Soil Samples

A bulk sample of ~0.51 kg was collected in the field and taken back to RGL's office for preparation. Samples were dried in a customized incubator, set at 38C, for a minimum of two days. Once the samples were fully dried, they were sieved to <180 m in size. A sub-sample of 50100 g was scooped from the <180 m size fraction for analysis. The remaining material was retained and stored in Reefton.

A 50100-g fine-sieved (<180 m) soil sample was sent to ALS Geochemistry, Brisbane for Au-TL43 analysis. The analysis consisted of 25-g sample digestion by aqua regia, followed by trace Au analysis by ICP-MS. The detection limit for Au by this method is 1 ppb. Approximately 5% of the samples were analyzed for a full multi-element suite using a 4-acid digest and ICP-MS finish.

ALS Brisbane is independent to RUA GOLD.

QAQC Drilling

The majority of drillholes were sampled in full, typically following 1-m sample intervals unless geological contacts (i.e. dolerite intrusions) dictated otherwise. NQ core was analyzed as whole core; therefore, only requiring cutting along sample intervals. PQ and HQ core were sampled as half core.

Drill core samples were sent to SGS Westport for sample preparation. Core was crushed to 75% passing 2 mm, and 1-kg split of material was pulverized (to 85% passing 75 m). No split duplicates were collected during the crushing steps. Two scoops were taken from the pulverize bowl: one for laboratory analysis (~150 g) and the other for pXRF analysis (~100 g). The pulp reject is stored in Reefton.

Pulverized drill core samples were analyzed by 50-g fire assay with AAS finish at SGS Waihi (SGS Code FAA505). The detection limit for Au by this method is 0.01 ppm. As part of SGS' internal quality control, SGS conducted repeat analyses, also at a rate of ~5%.

Thirteen 3-g samples were also analyzed by screen fire assay (FAS30K) at SGS Waihi to establish the presence of nuggetty Au. Samples were screened to 75 m.

Website: www.RUAGOLD.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company 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", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur and specifically include statements regarding: the Company's strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions, including but not limited to exploration programs at its Reefton and Glamorgan projects; and the Company's expected receipt of permits or other regulatory approvals. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and its business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by forward looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; risks related to the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war; risks related to climate change; operational risks in exploration, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration projects or capital expenditures; the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; changes in labour costs and other costs and expenses or equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to environmental hazards, flooding or unfavourable operating conditions and losses, insurrection or war, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing, and commodity prices. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company's CSE Form 2A  Listing Statement filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors.

Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Appendix 1: Full list of significant intercepts from the Pactolus drilling program.

Table 3: Significant intercepts for Pactolus program, calculated with a 1.5 ppm Au cut-off and up to 2-m internal dilution.

Hole ID From To Interval Au (ppm) DD_PAC_001 132.5 135 2.5 4.75 DD_PAC_002 133 138 5 6.52 DD_PAC_004 183 195 12 9.72 DD_PAC_005 218 223 5 2.24 DD_PAC_005 256 260 4 3.95 DD_PAC_007 214 227 13 1.62 DD_PAC_007 244 246 2 1.71 DD_PAC_009 219 221 2 4.40 DD_PAC_010 221 225 4 2.69 DD_PAC_015 76 81 5 3.13 DD_PAC_016 41 43 2 2.77 DD_PAC_018 43 46 3 2.75 DD_PAC_018 58 60 2 3.11 DD_PAC_022 54 56 2 8.20 DD_PAC_025 33 35 2 3.53 DD_PAC_035 71 73 2 5.13 DD_PAC_036 60 62 2 3.61

(Up to DD_PAC_025 reported in NI 43 101: Technical Report on the Reefton Project, New Zealand)

Appendix 2: Historic production from mining in the Reefton Goldfields.

Shear Group Mine Lode Total Production (Au oz) Recovered Grade (g/t) Italian Gully Golden Arch-Italian Gully-Tripoli 1,093.1 31.8 Capleston Welcome-Hopeful 88,620.3 61.4 Fiery Cross 27,955.1 34.8 Just in Time 17,171.7 38.8 Reform-Imperial-South Hopeful 1,070.6 19.6 Lone Star 1,09.3 13.9 Murray Creek Inglewood-North Star, Phoenix, Victoria 33,877.2 19.9 Golden Treasure-Comstock 5,697.1 18.5 Band of Hope 25.7 2.0 Perseverance 19.3 10.4 Westland 61.1 23.4 Ajax Golden Fleece - Ajax Royal 89,629.9 20.4 Venus 7,041.0 19.8 Crushington Dauntless, Energetic-Wealth of Nations-Eclipse-Independent-Vulcan 208,970.2 14.2 Heather Bell 9.6 4.9 Golden Ledge 1,138.1 9.2 Keep-it-Dark 182,597.0 17.0 Hercules-Nil Desperandum 6,809.5 16.5 No. 2 South Keep it Dark - Pandora 6,687.4 21.5 Specimen Hill Specimen Hill 1,205.7 16.3 Pactolus 498.3 141.3 Lady of the Lake 3.2 9.8 Argus 90.0 33.6 Larry Creek Caledonian 1,160.6 25.3 Larry's No. 1 No. 2 South Larry's 4,128.2 16.8 Kirwans Hill Newhaven, Earl Brassey, Mark Twain, Lord Brassey 11,011.6 15.2 Table 4: Historical production from mines within the Reefton Project (Barry, 1993).

Source: Barry, J.M., 1993. The History and Mineral Resources of the Reefton Goldfield.

Appendix 3: Locations and information on drill holes and trenches at Pactolus.

Table 5: Drill hole locations and hole details. Coordinates in NZTM2000; DD: Diamond drill hole, TR: Trench.
Several thousand Bosnian Serbs protested Thursday in Banja Luka against a potential UN resolution to declare July 11 an international day to remember the Srebrenica genocide.

Alongside a massive Serbian flag unfurled in the city's streets, thousands responded to the call of Bosnian Serb secessionist leader Milorad Dodik.

"We do not want to live with you, who want to tell the Serbian people that they are genocidal," he told the crowd.

Bosnian Serb forces captured Srebrenica -- a UN-protected enclave at the time -- on July 11, 1995, a few months before Bosnia's inter-ethnic war ended.

In the following days they summarily killed some 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys from the eastern town.

The remains of most of the victims were later found in mass graves in eastern Bosnia, where the perpetrators moved them from original burial sites to cover up the crime.

Europe's worst single atrocity since World War II was deemed genocide by international justice.

Under a settlement to end the war, Bosnia was divided into two semi-autonomous zones, one run by Bosnians and Croats, and another by Serbs, with Banja Luka as its capital.

Dodik, president of the Serbian entity, has been demanding greater autonomy.

According to a draft resolution prepared by Germany and Rwanda, which was seen by AFP, from next year, which will be the 30th anniversary of the massacre, July 11 would become the "International Day of Remembrance of the Srebrenica Genocide".

- 'Impose historical responsibility' -

Dodik, who has repeatedly denied that the Srebrenica massacre was a genocide, labelled the resolution unacceptable.

"I regret every victim," but "it is a lie that 8,000 people were killed in seven days," he told RTRS radio on Thursday.

"They want to impose historical responsibility on the Serbs," he added, hoping for "more than 40,000 people" at the protest.

"Those who carried out genocide against our and other people in Europe want to stick us a label that belongs to them," Dodik said on X in a video with nationalist rhetoric calling for the protest.

In 2007, Dodik, who had been a darling of the West in the late 1990s, said that he knew "perfectly well" that the massacre was a "genocide".

A decade later, he declared "with full awareness" that "there was no genocide in Srebrenica".

Dodik, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, regularly pays tribute to Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic and his army chief Ratko Mladic.

They were both sentenced to life in prison by a UN court for war crimes during Bosnia's 1992-1995 conflict, notably for their role in Srebrenica.

bur-cbo/yad/imm

X
Three accused are seated facing the presiding judge, a good distance apart. This is the first time they have taken the stand in several months. Some of them have been sitting in the dock for over a year. They are Moussa Dadis Camara, who was the countrys president in 2009, his aide-de-camp Aboubacar Diakite (Toumba) and Marcel Guilavogui, a protege of the first two at the time of the events. The three men are suspected of having played a major role in organizing and carrying out the massacre of over 150 demonstrators at an opposition rally at Conakry stadium on September 28, 2009. During their previous appearances, they all maintained their innocence and accused each other.

Before we start, confrontation doesn't mean we're going to take up all the debates, warned court president Ibrahima Sory II Tounkara on the morning of Monday April 15. The court has chosen a few people between whom there will be a confrontation. Specific points will be debated.

The first questions concern the presidential guard and regiment accused of having violently crushed the stadium rally. The court president wants to know who was in charge of these soldiers. Dadis and Toumba begin a verbal ping-pong match. For Dadis, Toumba was in command, but Toumba accused Dadis. You were our dear father of the nation. Really, don't lower yourself to that level, take your responsibility, Mr. President! he retorted. Guilavogui sided with Toumba and made his point: I ask President Dadis to be couragous. He was father of the nation, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, head of a military transition. Everyone stuck to their guns, and this confrontation, like the others that followed, failed to bring any new elements to the table. There was no major about-turn, but the attitudes of Guilavogui and Toumba have never seemed so close, their versions so concordant. On this first day, they showed unity.

Alliance strategies among the accused

Alpha Amadou DS Bah, coordinator of the victims lawyers collective, says he is disappointed by the confrontation, which has not helped bring out the truth. In his eyes, it is obvious that Toumba and Guilavogui had been talking to each other. Toumba himself repeated during the hearing that he had no problem with Guilavogui. During his interrogation, however, Dadiss former aide-de-camp had pointed the finger at Guilavoguis role in the September 28, 2009 violence. This time, he toned down his testimony. Toumba went back on crucial information he gave at the outset, Bah stressed. With regard to the attack on the political leaders [at the stadium], for example, he went so far as to say that he wasnt sure of the threat posed by Guilavogui. Bah is therefore convinced that the two defendants put a strategy in place to protect each other, to try and save each other in this case.

The duo remained on the stand for most of the day. Other defendants -- Moussa Tiegboro Camara, former minister in charge of the fight against drugs and organized crime, and Blaise Goumou, a gendarmerie officer  joined them. With Toumba and Guilavogui making common cause, a larger group emerged, comprising Dadis, Goumou and Tiegboro. One would have had to add Pivi if he wasn't still on the run. These four defendants are the same ones that got out of the central prison last November before being caught again, except for Pivi. During the hearings, they made statements tending to deny former president Dadiss responsibility in the stadium massacre.

In the end, there is nothing surprising about these confrontations. This split among the defendants occurred several months ago, after Guilavogui took the stand for the second time in July 2023. Promising to tell the truth, he asked to be heard again. He then changed his story, acknowledging that he had been at the stadium, but insisting that he had committed no crime there. If Guilavogui protected Dadis when he appeared in court in October 2022, this time he changed his tune. At least, thats how his testimony is perceived in the ex-president's camp. Guilavogui now accuses Dadis of having ordered the massacre. Along with Toumba, he is the only one to accuse the former head of state.

Strict policing of the hearing

Pepe Antoine Lamah, one of Dadis' lawyers, has a very different view of the confrontation involving his client. According to him, Dadis emerged stronger from this phase of the trial. Toumba and Guilavogui said nothing new and remained faithful to their version, which did not stand up to Dadiss arguments, asserted the lawyer.

As announced by the court president, the points discussed are very precise during the confrontations, and when a person on the stand strays from the subject of the discussion, he or she is quickly called to order. Lawyers and the public prosecutor are repeatedly reprimanded when the exchanges start to resemble an interrogation: You know, we mustn't confuse things. We have already finished with the interrogations, it is on the points of divergence that these discussions focus. And during the confrontation, both people must be asked the same question. You cant put one question to one person and a different question to the other person.

The court moves quickly, with some exchanges lasting just a handful of minutes. On April 17, half a dozen confrontations took place. In mid-afternoon, the court president called several victims to the stand, but none came. Mr. President, these two ladies were heard before in camera, said the prosecutor, taking the stand. Now its a question of knowing whether the confrontation phase concerning them will also be in camera. Such a decision would protect their identity, argued Halimatou Camara, lawyer for the civil parties. The court agreed. This time, the victims turned up, but it is possible that some of them will refuse to return to court, Bah warned, because since the start of this trial, no mechanism has been put in place to really protect them. The order has been issued, but no measures have been envisaged. With Pivi still at large, the victims have good reason not to come face to face with these defendants, the lawyer added.

A year and a half after the trial opened, it seems to be drawing to a close. Once the confrontations have been completed, it will be time for the closing arguments, followed by the verdict. Even if there have been several delays and unexpected postponements, Bah believes the case should be over before the judicial vacation in July.
With the betrayal of her closest team member, "Blood Free" Episode 4 highlighted Han Hyo Joo and Ju Ji Hoon's tense connection as client and bodyguard.

The newest thriller sci-fi series depicts the story of BF Group's CEO, Yoon Ja Yoo, whose vision is to change how humans consume food through artificially cultured meat.

Because of the radical change, the public and big companies are against the change that she is proposing. This also leads Yoon Ja Yoo to live with threats and betrayal from her colleagues.

Interestingly, this is also the reason she crosses paths with Woo Chae Woon, played by Ju Ji Hoon. He is a former officer who worked with the former prime minister, and now works as Yoon Ja Yoo's bodyguard.

However, because of his past, the CEO continues to question his loyalty.

'Blood Free' Episode 4: Will Woo Chae Woon Survive the Attack?

"Blood Free" Episode 4 started with Woo Chae Woon using his resources to find Shin Gu, and ended with him contacting a broker in Vietnam to find him for a hefty reward.

Unfortunately, while on his way to escape to Paris, Shin Gu died while in transit.

The Korean government ruled this as heart failure, but speculation rose that he died because of poisoning.

With the news following Shin Gu's death, the public was painting Yoon Ja Yoo in a negative light.

Amid this, Yoon Ja Yoo continued to suspect Woo Chae Woon. The CEO insisted that he was present in every significant event in her life, whether it was good or bad, suggesting that it was not a coincidence.

What triggered Yoon Ja Yoo to question Woo Chae Woon was when he was able to locate Shin Gu.

However, the bodyguard explained that it was because of his experience and expertise in the military.

Meanwhile, during the meeting with the high-ranking officials, the Prime Minister's father, Geum Seonu, requested a private meeting with Ja Yoo.

Here, he offered her 32 trillion KRW for him to obtain the cultured meat company. In exchange, he promised her to let Ja Yoo handle the subsidiary companies.

Despite the tempting offer, she asked for time to consider the plan.

In the last scene in "Blood Free" Episode 4, the CEO and Woo Chae Woon, along with the driver and Seo Hui, faced another assassination. They were rerouted in a different way, but Chae Woon sensed that something was not right.

An armed group of men shot them, but Chae Woon's group attempted to escape.

Since they were outnumbered by the armed men, Woo Chae Woon tried to protect Ja Yoo but ended up being shot twice.

Will this be the end of Woo Chae Woon?

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
Lee Jae Wook talked about his preparation and how he gets into his character.

With all his previous K-dramas, the South Korean heartthrob continues to prove that he can do different types of genres and be versatile when it comes to roles.

During his interview with Singles Korea, the 25-year-old celebrity dished on his experience in the industry, and revealed his unique trait whenever he has a new role to play.

Lee Jae Wook Talks About His K-Drama Comeback 'The Impossible Heir'

Lee Jae Wook garnered huge success after joining "Alchemy of Souls" in 2022 as Jang Uk. Then, his next lead role was the thriller-political K-drama "The Imposible Heir," where he worked alongside Lee Jun Young and Hong Su Zu.

Taking on the role of Han Tae Oh, Lee Jae Wook transformed into an intellectually gifted friend, Kang In Ha (Lee Jun Young), a third-generation chaebol who persuaded Tae Oh to join him and take over their conglomerate.

According to him, his character is someone who looks "fierce on the inside but hides his emotions on the outside and restrains himself as much as possible."

When portraying a certain character, Lee Jae Wook said that he tries to separate the character from his daily life.

"Of course, after filming a scene that involves a lot of emotion, it's a bit difficult even after the camera turns off, but I don't always have to hold on to the character's emotions."

Since his debut in 2018, Lee Jae Wook has made a name for himself. However, he admitted that he still feels "nervous and anxious" on set, especially during the first filming day.

"I constantly worry about whether I captured the character the director had in mind, whether I was in sync well, or whether it was the character I wanted to portray."

Interestingly, he has a unique way of immersing himself in his character.

Lee Jae Wook Matches His Perfumes to His On-Screen Characters

According to Lee Jae Wook, he changes his perfume everytime he has a new character to portray. The reason for this is to set his mood and have this "sense of belongingness" to the character.

"I think it is a device that creates excitement about the new character and a sense of belonging to the character by choosing a perfume that matches the character."

He once told a different outlet that he chose Le Labo's Santal 33 for his cameo role in "Death's Game."

Lee Jae Wook explained that playing Cho Tae Sang felt like "leather to him" because of the character's rough vibe and complex aspects since he lived a very tough life.

What's Next for Lee Jae Wook?

After "The Impossible Heir," he is set to return to the small screen for the novel-based series "Hong Rang."

Transforming into a prince who disappeared when he was young, Hong Rang is ready to find his true identity.

Joining Lee Jae Wook are Jo Bo Ah, Jung Ga Ram, Kim Jae Wook, Uhm Ji Won, and more as lead stars.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
Wuhan to host 9th Space Day of China as main venue

13:16, April 19, 2024 By Deng Xiaoci ( Global Times

2024 Space Day of China. Photo: Courtesy of China National Space Administration

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Wednesday unveiled detailed plans for the upcoming Ninth Space Day of China. The event will fall on April 24 and Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei Province will be the main venue.

Jointly organized by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the CNSA, the Hubei Provincial Government, the Wuhan Municipal Government, and Wuhan University, the main events of this year's Space Day in Wuhan would display to the world the impressive achievements China has accomplished in the last year, while offering clues about exciting future plans in the country's ambitious quest to explore the universe, according to CNSA officials at a press conference in Beijing on Wednesday.

In 2023, China carried out 67 successful orbital launches, setting a new historic record, Lyu Bo, a CNSA official said at the press conference.

Reviewing the remarkable year of 2023, Lyu highlighted China's space industry achievements by listing how the largest thrust 700-ton liquid rocket engine in Asia had successfully undergone testing and is now in operation; the Shenzhou-16 and Shenzhou-17 manned spaceflight missions were great successes; and the Remote Sensing-40 satellite was successfully launched, which will provide a more comprehensive and precise scientific basis for China's geological exploration, meteorological research, environmental protection, and advancement in other fields.

The application for lunar research samples from the Chang'e-5 mission has been opened to the world, sharing the achievements with the international community; the international version of the National Remote Sensing Data and Application Service Platform has also been released, aiding the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the promotion of building a global community with a shared future in outer space, he said.

China's space development is set for an even busier 2024, with Chang'e-6 - the first of China's Phase-4 lunar probe missions - being expected to be launched. The mission would be a moon sample retrieval mission targeting the far side of the Earth's natural satellite. Moreover, China Manned Space will see the launches of Shenzhou-18 and -19 crewed spaceflight missions, according to the CNSA official.

China will announce the plans for the Chang'e-7 lunar probe mission and the international payload onboard the spacecraft during this year's Space Day of China activities in Wuhan on April 24, witnessed by relevant officials from Chinese government agencies, scholars, and researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, universities, space firms, as well as guests from more than 50 countries, regions, and international organizations, Lyu revealed.

China designated April 24 as the Space Day of China in 2016 to mark the launch of its first satellite "Dongfanghong-1" into space on April 24, 1970. According to statistics obtained by the Global Times from the organizers, a series of nearly 500 space-themed activities will be held by relevant departments, universities, and associations on April 24.

Aerospace academicians, experts and astronauts will visit schools to give science lectures. Relevant aerospace exhibitions and facilities will be opened to the public and students of all levels. Aerospace-themed films and TV programs, as well as science TV programs and series will also be broadcast during the aerospace event period this year.

The Space Day of China has increasingly become a platform for the country to reach out to the world with openness and sincerity, to boost international cooperation in the space domain.

This year's Space Day of China will include the first-ever China-Latin American and Caribbean States Space Cooperation Forum and release the Wuhan Declaration, the Global Times has learned from organizers on Wednesday.

Some 100 delegates from 26 countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region, and eight international organizations are expected to attend the forum hosted by the CNSA, the Hubei Provincial Government, as well as the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The forum aims to implement the important consensus reached by leaders of China and Latin America, enrich cooperation within the framework of the China-Latin America Forum, and promote the construction of a China-Latin America community of shared future through high-quality aerospace cooperation, according to the CNSA.

The meeting will invite government officials from China, Latin American, and Caribbean countries, as well as representatives from industries, research entities, and the private sector, to discuss building aerospace partnerships and sharing space technology for the benefit of humanity. Together, they will establish a high-end platform for international aerospace cooperation between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries.

The forum will consist of an opening ceremony on April 24 in Wuhan, a main forum, and four sub-forums, focusing on areas such as space infrastructure to support sustainable socio-economic development, deep space exploration, and space science, the innovative development of the aerospace industrial chain, global governance of outer space, and capacity building in outer space.

Wuhan is known for being a crucial hub for China's commercial space industry, and in recent years, the city has become home to the country's first modern rocket industrial base, which possesses the capability of manufacturing, assembling, and testing 20 rockets annually. The city has also built the country's first small-scale satellite manufacturing line, capable of manufacturing more than 240 satellites a year.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Park Bo Young shared how she managed to score VIP tickets for the highly-anticipated concert of Lim Young Woong.

During her live on Weverse, the South Korean actress shared her experience as she tries to secure passes for the upcoming concert.

Park Bo Young Shares Her Technique to Score VIP Tickets at Lim Young Woong's Concert

A number of visitors surged when the site for Lim Young Woong's concert tickets exactly opened at 8 p.m. KST on April 10.

According to a report, Park Bo Young, who was also filming for the upcoming K-drama "Melo Movie," thought she wouldn't be able to purchase tickets for her parents.

According to her, the queuing period was so long that she ended up getting 300,000 or more.

"I was number 334,222. I waited until it got to around 100,000. But after that, I was like, 'It's not my lucky day. Sorry, mom'."

However, her determination to secure it was so high that she tried a "tricky" technique.

At first, she was hesitant to reveal her "tip" and joked that she might have a hard time executing her technique since her viewers would be doing the same trick and would now be her "competitors."

However, Park Bo Young was kind enough to share what she did to purchase tickets among thousands of hopeful fans.

"Well, but it might not work for everyone. It's pretty risky. What I did, you see, was I clicked 'go back'. I had pretty much given up. I didn't think it would take me back to the first ticketing page, but it did. So then I clicked 'get tickets' again. When I clicked it again, it took me straight to the seating map. My hands started shaking then."

To recall, the actress happily shared on her Instagram stories that she had successfully reserved tickets for the upcoming concert.

Along with a screenshot, she captioned her photo:

"How in the world did this happen?"

Several fans were happy for Park Bo Young since there were around 500,000 people who also attempted to avail passes, but tickets quickly sold out within minutes.

Park Bo Young Stars in 2 Upcoming K-Dramas

As mentioned by the actress, she is currently gearing up for her K-drama comeback, "Melo Movie."

Park Bo Young will transform into assistant director Kim Moo Bi, who dreams of following her father's footsteps and working in the film industry.

There she crosses paths with Ko Gyeom, played by Choi Woo Shik. He works as a supporting actor but wants to be a film critic someday.

Because of their same passion and love for film, their relationship blossoms, and they eventually start their own love story.

"Melo Movie" is scheduled to join upcoming K-dramas in 2024 and will air exclusively on Netflix.

In addition to this, she will also headline the webtoon-based thriller K-drama "Light Shop." Park Bo Young will be teaming up with Ju Ji Hoon, Lee Jung Eun, and more.

Slated to release in 2024, "Light Shop '' will premiere on Disney+.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores
"Goodbye Earth" director Kim Jin Min discussed the changes made in the upcoming K-drama as lead star Yoo Ah In got embroiled in a drug-related controversy.

Set to be one of Yoo Ah In's dramas in 2024, the actor was investigated by authorities over suspicion of illegal drugs.

After testing positive for five substances, the award-winning star went on a trial. Unfortunately, the negative publicity pushed Yoo Ah In to drop out of his upcoming projects, including Netflix's "Hellbound" season 2.

As for "Goodbye Earth," the team has decided to lessen his airtime.

Ahead of the much-awaited release, the "Goodbye Earth" director revealed how the team adjusted to the whole Yoo Ah In controversy.

'Goodbye Earth' Director Discussed the Adjustments They Made With Yoo Ah In's Character

In a report, director Kim Jin Min explained in the press conference why they chose the option of trimming down Yoo Ah In's screen time instead of replacing the actor.

"When I was about 3 episodes into the initial editing, the issue of Yoo Ah-in's drug use arose. At first, I thought it was not a complicated situation and would pass, but the problem did not go as planned."

According to him, he reached out to Netflix officials regarding the re-editing of the first three episodes.

"While editing, there were parts of the story that I personally understood. I was about to tell the Netflix producer that I would edit it again," he said, adding that the streaming giant originally didn't let them make any alterations after editing.

"We had an excuse, so we also touched on parts and amounts that could cause inconvenience to viewers," the director explained.

As director Kim Jin Min discussed what prompted them to lessen Yoo Ah In's screen time, he explained that the team made some adjustments "in a way that did not interfere with the storytelling.

The ''Goodbye Earth" director also hoped that "viewers will not be too uncomfortable" watching the series.

'Goodbye Earth' Cast and Release Date

In January 2022, drama officials confirmed Yoo Ah In and Ahn Eun Jin's appearance as the lead stars of "Goodbye Earth."

The award-winning star plays Ha Yoon Sang, a researcher at the Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology and the longtime boyfriend of middle school teacher Jin Se Kyung, played by Ahn Eun Jin.

Joining the duo as lead stars are Jeon Seong Woo and Kim Yoon Hye.

However, at the height of Yoo Ah In's scandal, Netflix announced the postponement of the series.

Thankfully, after months of waiting, the streaming giant confirmed that "Goodbye Earth" gets a green light for its release.

Along with the official poster, viewers will get to watch the "pre-apocalyptic" drama on April 26, exclusively on Netflix.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Flores


Thursday, April 18, 2024  The military Junta ruling Burkina Faso on Thursday, April 18, announced the expulsion of three French diplomats for alleged subversive activities.

The junta which disclosed that the diplomats had been given 48 hours to leave the country, did not provide details of the allegations against the expelled diplomats whose names were given as Gwenaelle Habouzit, Herve Fournier and Guillaume Reisacher.

Reuters cited a source with direct knowledge of the situation as saying their expulsion was due to meetings they held with civil society leaders.

The French foreign ministry said in a statement that it regretted the decision to expel its diplomats and rejected the accusations, stating its activities in Burkina Faso were within the United Nations framework for diplomatic and consular relations. "The decision of the Burkinabe authorities is not based on any legitimate basis," said the statement. "We can only deplore it."

Since coming to power in a September 2022 coup, Burkina Fasos military government has pulled away from France, its former colonial power, kicking out French troops, suspending some French media, and repeatedly accusing French officials of espionage.

On December 1 last year, Burkinabe authorities arrested four French officials with diplomatic passports in the capital, Ouagadougou, and charged them with spying, according to Le Monde newspaper. The officials, who France claims were working as IT support staff, are under house arrest, according to Burkina Faso security sources.

A year earlier, in December 2022, Ouagadougou also expelled two French nationals working for a Burkina Faso company, accusing them of espionage.

As relations with France deteriorate, Burkina Faso has increasingly turned to Russia, Mali and Niger for security assistance as it struggles to contain fighters linked to the armed groups, al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS).






Friday, April 19, 2024 - Kileleshwa Ward MCA, Robert Alai, has blamed the Kenya Kwanza Alliance Government over yesterday's crash of a military chopper that killed Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and nine others.

The chopper, Bell UH-1B helicopter, nicknamed the "Huey, crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet County and only one survived from the accident.

Sharing his sentiments on social media after the tragic death of the four-star general and his team, Alai said the chopper was poorly maintained and blamed the Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders for misusing military planes and choppers.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, have been using military choppers during their travels and this, according to Alai, has resulted to misuse and poor maintenance of the birds.

Let's agree that the KDF and Police choppers and fixed-wings are being misused.

Do they get enough time in hangars for repairs and maintenance?

General Ogola travelled like an OCPD and tried to inspect every toilet and cattle dip.

Surprising! Let's all tell Kenya Kwanza leaders to slow down on the misuse of KDF resources.

Kibaki's people tried the same, and it claimed many lives, Alai wrote on his X account.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Thursday, April 18, 2024  Google has fired 28 employees who participated in a 10-hour sit-in at the search giants offices in New York and Sunnyvale, California, to protest the companys business ties with the Israel government.

The pro-Palestinian staff at Google had donned traditional Arab headscarves as they stormed and occupied the office of a top executive in California on Tuesday, April 16.

They were fired late Wednesday, April 17, after an internal investigation, Google vice president of global security Chris Rackow said in a companywide memo.

They took over office spaces, defaced our property, and physically impeded the work of other Googlers, Rackow wrote in the memo.

Their behavior was unacceptable, extremely disruptive, and made co-workers feel threatened.





In New York, protesters had occupied the 10th floor of Googles offices in the Chelsea section of Manhattan as part of a protest that also extended to the companys offices in Seattle for what it called No Tech for Genocide Day of Action.

Behavior like this has no place in our workplace and we will not tolerate it, Rackow wrote.

It clearly violates multiple policies that all employees must adhere to  including our code of conduct and policy on harassment, discrimination, retaliation, standards of conduct, and workplace concerns.

Rackow added that the company takes this extremely seriously, and we will continue to apply our longstanding policies to take action against disruptive behavior  up to and including termination.

The fired staffers are affiliated with a group called No Tech For Apartheid, which has been critical of Googles response to the Israel-Hamas war.

The impacted workers blasted Google over the firings in a statement shared by No Tech For Apartheid spokesperson Jane Chung.

This evening, Google indiscriminately fired 28 workers, including those among us who did not directly participate in yesterdays historic, bicoastal 10-hour sit-in protests, the workers said in the statement.





This flagrant act of retaliation is a clear indication that Google values its $1.2 billion contract with the genocidal Israeli government and military more than its own workers  the ones who create real value for executives and shareholders.

Sundar Pichai and Thomas Kurian are genocide profiteers, the statement added, referring to Googles CEO and the CEO of its cloud unit, respectively.

We cannot comprehend how these men are able to sleep at night while their tech has enabled 100,000 Palestinians killed, reported missing, or wounded in the last six months of Israels genocide  and counting.




Thursday, April 18, 2024  The World Health Organization has raised an alarm at the growing spread of H5N1 bird flu to new species, including humans, who face an extraordinarily high mortality rate.

From the start of 2023 to April 1 this year, the WHO said it had recorded 463 deaths from 889 human cases across 23 countries, putting the case fatality rate at 52 per cent.

This remains I think an enormous concern, the UN health agencys chief scientist Jeremy Farrar told reporters in Geneva on Thursday, April 18.

The current bird flu outbreak began in 2020 and has led to the deaths of tens of millions of birds, with wild birds also infected as well as land and marine mammals.

Cows and goats joined the list of infected animals last month, a surprising development for experts because they were not thought susceptible to this type of influenza.

The A (H5N1) strain has become a global zoonotic animal pandemic, Farrar said.

The great concern of course is that in infecting ducks and chickens and then increasingly mammals, that virus now evolves and develops the ability to infect humans and then critically the ability to go from human to human.

So far, there is no evidence that the influenza A(H5N1) virus is spreading between humans.

But in the hundreds of cases where humans have been infected through contact with animals, the mortality rate is extraordinarily high, Farrar said.

Also American authorities earlier this month said a person in Texas was recovering from bird flu after being exposed to dairy cattle.

It was only the second case of a human testing positive for bird flu in the country and came after the virus sickened herds that were apparently exposed to wild birds in Texas, Kansas and other states.

It also appears to have been the first human infection with the influenza A(H5N1) virus strain through contact with an infected mammal, WHO said.

When you come into the mammalian population, then youre getting closer to humans, Farrar said, warning that this virus is just looking for new, novel hosts, Its a real concern.

Farrar called for beefing up monitoring, insisting it was very important understanding how many human infections are happening because thats where adaptation (of the virus) will happen.

Its a tragic thing to say, but if I get infected with H5N1 and I die, thats the end of it. If I go around the community and I spread it to somebody else then you start the cycle.






Thursday, April 18, 2024  The G7 must respond to Irans attack on Israel, Germanys foreign minister said Thursday, April 18 adding that measures were being discussed with her counterparts at a meeting in Italy.

We are also discussing further measures here at the G7 because of course there must be a response to this unprecedented incident, Annalena Baerbock told reporters on the island of Capri.

She added however that there must be no further escalation in the region, that would be fatal for its people.

The G7 nations  France, Germany, Italy, the UK, the United States, Canada and Japan  are expected to call for individual sanctions against people implicated in Irans missile supply chain, according to an Italian diplomatic source.

European Union leaders agreed on Wednesday to impose new sanctions on Irans drone and missile producers over the weekend attack, which caused little damage after most of the projectiles were intercepted.

We will have to review the system of sanctions in order to enlarge it and make it more efficient, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell  who was also invited to Capri  told reporters Thursday.

He said that since July 2023 there have been limits on exports to Iran by European firms of the components that allow the production of these kind of arms.

So we will increase it, he said.

The important thing is the implementation of our decision, he added.

He also called for restraint from Israel, saying the region was on the edge of war.

The United States, Israels top ally, has said it would soon impose new sanctions on Irans missile and drone programme and said it expects allies to follow with parallel measures.




Friday, April 19,2024 - Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has joined millions of Kenyans in mourning the death of Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Omondi Ogolla.

The four-star general died after the chopper he was travelling in crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Thursday afternoon.

Nine other senior Kenya Defence Forces also passed away with the General.

In a statement on Thursday evening, Kalonzo urged the Government to expeditiously speed up the investigation into the incident, as the country has never reported the death of a CDF in the line of work.

We expect answers on what exactly happened so that you can end up with a fallen Chief of Defence Forces, he stated.

Citing the rampant banditry attacks in West Pokot and Marakwet regions, Kalonzo questioned the cause of the aircraft crash.

Kenyans want to know if this was an attempt to eliminate the general, or was it a bandits shot that took him down? Because if it was we cant be losing to bandits, he added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Friday, April 19, 2024 - Frankford Karanja Mogire is the only survivor in the deadly chopper crash that claimed the life of Kenya Defence Forces boss Francis Ogolla and other military officials.

Karanja was a photographer in the army, having joined the forces in 2015 after studying journalism.

He has been putting his skills into practice as a KDF photographer.

His father is also in the army.

According to reports, he jumped mid-air and miraculously survived the crash.

The ill-fated chopper crashed in the Sindar area on the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.

Witnesses said it burst into flames on crashing.

See photos of the sole survivor.





























The Kenyan DAILY POST.


Friday April 19, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has revealed ODMs plans ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Thursday, April 18th during the ODM National Governance Council meeting at Bomas of Kenya, Raila said the party will pick the most suitable candidate as its presidential flag bearer in the 2027 general elections.

He noted that he will speak to the interested candidates when the election period is near and ask them to shelve their ambitions and support one of them.

"When the time for elections comes, we will look at who, if we put them as our flag bearer, will enable us to win.

I will tell others to step aside for now and let us try someone else.

Their time will come later.

We want to move forward united as members of ODM.

Let's leave behind the politics of discrimination." Said Raila.

The Azimio leader noted that the ODM party needs everyone on board including former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya to secure a win.

Raila pointed out that the opposition party should not be divided along regional lines but have a face of the nation.

"This party needs Oparanya, Joho, Sifuna, Mbadi, and everyone else.

We want all of them to be the face of ODM.

It's not about saying we from the coast think it should be Joho, we from the west think it should be Oparanya, or we from Nyanza believe someone from Nyanza should lead.

That is not ODM, that is petty politics.

I would like us to unite and show that ODM is not just about Baba; ODM is Kenyans, Raila added.

Raila's succession in ODM is pitting Joho against Oparanya, with both ex-governors interested in running for the presidency in the 2027 General Elections.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, April 18, 2024  Jeezy has backtracked on his request for full custody of his two-year-old daughter Monaco with estranged wife Jeannie Mai.

According to TMZ, the rapper, who recently claimed Mai 'isn't taking care of their child,' is now asking a judge for joint custody and a temporary parenting schedule.

He wants time with Monaco to be equally split between both parents.

Jeezy claims that he's hardly seen his daughter in 2024 because Mai has allegedly failed to adhere to the custody arrangement they agreed upon in mediation last year.

Although Mai agreed to let him take Monaco from the dates of March 3 to March 9, Jeezy alleges that plans to see his child again in early April were thwarted.

He claims that Monaco was not at his and Jeannie's marital home when he sent someone there to pick her up on visitation day.

The Put On hitmaker claims that he's often left in the dark about his child's location now that Jeannie and Monaco no longer live in the home.

He claims that Jeannie has his cellphone number blocked so he is unable to see Monaco via FaceTime.

The rapper also alleges that Jeannie is bothered by him being a gun owner despite him having always owned guns.

Jeezy is requesting that a hearing be held to work out the details of a temporary parenting schedule as their divorce battle rages on.

This comes just one week after he petitioned an Atlanta judge to discard the custody and parenting time arrangement that he and Jeannie, 44, agreed upon in recent mediation and wanted Monaco to live with him full time.

He alleged that 'Jeannie isnt even taking care of their kid herself,' per the outlet.

Additionally, the Soul Survivor hitmaker claimed that Jeannie had denied him parenting time with Monaco for nearly two months.

Initially, during his separation from Mai, Jeezy consented to relocate to the basement, while Mai eventually vacated their residence, taking Monaco with her.

He now asserts that over the past two months, during which his parenting time has been denied, their daughter has predominantly been under the care of Mai's mother and brother.

In essence, Jeezy argued that Monaco's life would be more stable under his sole guardianship.

The court filing comes four months after Jeannie requested that the court hold off on enforcing her prenup with Jeezy as she claims that she did not have enough time to review it before signing after conflicting statements about their separation.

The television personality filed the request in Fulton County Superior Court in Georgia.

In it, Jeannie is asking a judge to either deny the rapper's motion to enforce the prenuptial agreement or at least hold off on enforcing it until both parties can exchange info about it.

The publication reports that the documents indicate that Jeannie said the prenup process was so quick that she doesn't believe that she had the time to be able to do the proper due diligence on the agreement.

She claims that the two had only started negotiating five days before their wedding.

Jeezy, whose real name is Jay Wayne Jenkins, filed for divorce from Mai in September 2023 after two years of marriage.






Friday April 19, 2024 - Former President Uhuru Kenyatta was among the first people to mourn the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla, who perished tragically in a helicopter crash in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Shortly after President William Ruto confirmed Ogolla's demise, Uhuru paid his tribute and highlighted his pivotal role towards the military.

He detailed that in his 10-year tenure, he had the privilege of working with the general who served as the Deputy Commander of the Kenya Air Force, Commander of the Kenya Air Force, and finally as Vice Chief of Defence Forces.

"The CDF was not only an accomplished military leader but also a devoted patriot who dedicated his life to serving and protecting our beloved country.

His leadership, bravery, and unwavering commitment to duty have made a lasting impact on our armed forces and our nation as a whole," read part of the statement.

"As the Head of State, I had the privilege of serving with General Ogolla as Deputy Commander of the Kenya Air Force, Commander of the Kenya Air Force, and finally as Vice Chief of Defence Forces."

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, April 18, 2024  The South African government has reacted to the UK embassy in the country issuing a terrorism alert for any of its citizens who may be planning to travel to South Africa.

The alert, on its website, highlights the global threat of terrorism affecting UK interests and citizens, emphasising the potential for attacks by individuals inspired by terrorist groups like Daesh (ISIS). The embassy noted that the ongoing conflict in Occupied Palestine has resulted in increased tensions globally.

South Africa's International Relations Director-General Zane Dangor has since responded to the alert and said they will wait for the UK government to provide proof for its unfounded allegations. He added that he is surprised by the UKs strange assertions concerning the potential for a terrorist attack in South Africa.

Dangor also said the UK had failed to follow diplomatic channels to communicate concerns and has not provided proof for these unfounded allegations.

He said;

We asked them where this credible threat came from, and they still have not given us a proper explanation. There is no evidence why we would be a target for a terror attack, and we are saying if you have credible information, give it to us, which they have not done.






Friday April 19, 2024  Former Prime Minister Raila Odingas diehard and Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Babu Owino, has raised serious questions about the mysterious plane crash that saw nine people die alongside the military chief.

Taking to his X account, Babu Owino insinuated that Ogollas death does not add up even as he called for quick investigations.

Among the questions that the vocal lawmaker raised included the whereabouts of the West Commander when the incident happened.

He also questioned the whereabouts of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Sergeant Major and the Army Commander prior to the plane crash.

"Why was a whole CDF using one Helicopter with no 50ACB Helicopter Escort in an operation area? Babu Owino quizzed.

Questions were also raised as to why a senior military official in the capacity of Chief of Defence Forces was only in the company of junior officers.

The ODM legislator further called for a clarification to be made on which rank of the military should fly such a chopper especially one ferrying the Chief of Defence Forces.

Who gives parade to CDF in an operation when he is about to inspect his troops and how many Helicopters should a CDF use while visiting an operation area? Babu Owino questioned.

According to Babu Owino, why was a high-ranking military official in the capacity of General Francis Ogolla the one inspecting schools and not his juniors?

He also sought clarification as to why General Ogolla had to die so tragically just after the recent changes in KDF.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Friday, April 19,2024 - Fresh details have emerged over the status of the Kenya Airforce helicopter that crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Thursday and killed Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and nine other Kenya Defence Forces officers.

The plane that crashed was a Bell UH-1B helicopter, nicknamed the "Huey, and was developed in the 1950s.

It was widely used by the US military during the Vietnam War.

Sources at the Kenya Airforce said most of the helicopters are poorly maintained because the maintenance money is looted by their seniors.

Several modern helicopters can even run for 50100 hours without needing maintenance but Huey needs some costly maintenance.

In just under one year, over 5 choppers that belong to Kenya Defence Forces have crashed killing a dozen soldiers and injuring many.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Friday, April 19, 2024 - Captain Hillary Litali was among the KDF officers who died on Thursday in a chopper crash alongside General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces.

The youthful captain joined the Kenya Defence Forces in 2013.

He was described by friends and colleagues in the military as ever-jovial and friendly.

Videos of Litali having some fun moments with his colleagues in the military have surfaced.

He loved dancing and spending time with his colleagues in the disciplined force.

Captain Hilary Litali was standing in as Aide to Gen Ogolla.

The substantive office holder is abroad for training.













Watch the videos.





The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Thursday, April 18, 2024  A South African, Ravele, has narrated how his colleague was found dead on his bed after he didn't show up for work two days in a row.

"My worst fear happened to a Colleague, He didnt show up for work 2 days in a row. Day 3 another colleague was sent to check on him only to find that he passed on in His Bed. This is one of the disadvantages of staying alone. Rest in Peace to the Gentle Man," he wrote on Wednesday, April 17.










Friday, April 19, 2024 - The country is currently mourning following the tragic death of Chief of Defence Forces General, Francis Ogolla, on Thursday afternoon.

The four-star general was among ten people who perished after the chopper carrying him crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The bodies of those who died were flown to Nairobi and the two survivors are being treated in hospital.

Announcing three days of national mourning, President William Ruto said the deaths were a "moment of great sadness" for the country.

Gen Ogolla was appointed Kenya's Chief of Defence Forces in April last year.

Mr Ruto described his chief military officer as a gallant man who had died in the line of duty.

Reacting to Ogollas death, Miguna asked the investigative authorities to probe what caused the chopper's crash.

We need a thorough investigation!," Miguna wrote on his X account ( formerly Twitter).

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Friday, April 19, 2024 - President William Rutos Government has sent a strong message to millions of Kenyans who are speculating that Chief of Defence Forces General, Francis Ogolla, may have been assassinated on Thursday.

Ogolla was among 10 Kenya Defence Forces officers who paid the ultimate price after the chopper they were travelling in crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Many Kenyans speculated that the General was assassinated and the nine others who died were collateral damage

But in a statement, Ruto through Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura asked Kenyans to remain calm and avoid speculations regarding the crash, promising to issue an update.

"Dear fellow Kenyans. An official communication concerning the Military Aircraft Crash shall be issued soon. Lets stay calm and avoid any speculation whatsoever at this critical juncture," Mwaura stated.

General Ogolla will be laid to rest on Sunday in Siaya County according to family sources.

The Kenyan DAILY POST


Thursday, April 18, 2024  UEFA announced on Thursday it had fined Barcelona 25,000 euros ($26,680) for racist behaviour by their fans after two supporters were questioned by police following their Champions League quarter-final first leg with Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona were also banned from selling tickets to their supporters for their next away European game, although that punishment is suspended for a year.

Barca lost the tie 6-4 on aggregate after PSG won Tuesdays second leg 4-1.

On April 10, Paris police said they had questioned two people after videos were published on social media of a supporter making monkey noises and another making Nazi salutes at the Parc des Princes.

The UEFA Appeals Body has decided to fine FC Barcelona 25,000 euros and to ban the FC Barcelona from selling tickets to its away supporters for its next UEFA competition match, for the racist behaviour of its supporters, UEFA said.

Said ban from selling tickets to its away supporters is suspended for a probationary period of one year, starting from the date of the present decision.






Friday, April 19, 2024 - Embakasi East Member Babu Owino has asked questions regarding the untimely death of Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Omondi Ogolla.

The four-star General died after the chopper he was travelling in crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet County on Thursday afternoon.

Nine other senior Kenya Defence Forces officers also passed on with the General.

Through his X account, Babu Owino pointed out discrepancies in the Generals demise and sought clarification and accountability regarding the incident.

"If all these questions can be answered, then our hearts may stop bleeding. Otherwise, mambo ni tatu," Babu Owino declared.

Firstly, he questioned the whereabouts of key military figures such as the West Command commander, the Defense Forces Sergeant Major, and the Army commander during the operation.

He highlighted the absence of a 50ACB helicopter escort for the CDF during the operation.

Additionally, Babu questioned why General Ogolla was accompanied solely by junior officers and not by higher-ranking officials during the operation.

He also questioned the rank required to pilot a helicopter used by the CDF and the protocol for parading the CDF before troop inspections.

Furthermore, the MP asked about the standard number of helicopters a CDF should utilize during visits to operational areas and why General Ogolla chose to inspect a school alone instead of delegating the task.

Lastly, he raised concerns about the succession plan for the next CDF, as outlined by the Tonje Rules, and the timing of General Ogolla's death following recent changes within the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Water Babies, Irelands leading baby and toddler swimming school, is pleased to announce that 14 inspiring babies and children from across Ireland have been honoured at Water Babies Little Heroes Awards this year, including two youngsters from Kilkenny.

Water Babies unveiled heartwarming tales of how swimming and playing in water have become transformative for babies and toddlers, aiding them in overcoming health challenges, enhancing their development, and bringing joy to their lives and their families'. Despite special needs and serious illnesses, many of our Water Babies Little Heroes have demonstrated an astonishing amount of resilience and courage, defying the odds from their earliest years.

Four-year-old Alex Murphy shines brightly as a Little Hero in his swimming journey at the Ormonde Hotel in Kilkenny, under the guidance of Sandra. Despite facing health challenges that initially delayed his start in swimming, Alex's determination and resilience have propelled him forward. Dealing with hypermobility syndrome and chronic low muscle tone, he navigates the pool with admirable strength and perseverance. Swimming has become more than just a recreational activity for Alex; it's a sanctuary where he can exercise and build essential muscle and strength in a safe environment. The positive impact of swimming on his day-to-day life is evident and acknowledged by his occupational therapist. With each session, Alex's confidence grows, and his infectious smile upon leaving the pool reflects the joy and fulfilment he finds in swimming. Water Babies has not only been a source of support but also a catalyst for Alex's growth and development, for which his family is profoundly grateful.

Little Hero Fiadh was born with Down syndrome however that has never stopped her as she embarked on her remarkable journey with Water Babies at just 10 months old in Kilkenny's Ormonde Hotel. Fiadhs early months were marked by challenges, including open-heart surgery to repair her AVSD and a lengthy ICU stay in Crumlin Hospital. Despite these hurdles, Fiadh's resilience, and spirit shine through in the water. Following in the footsteps of her older sisters, Fiadh's love for swimming has only grown since she started Water Babies in September 2023. Notably, her strength and core muscles have seen significant improvement, thanks to her regular sessions with Water Babies. With every splash and giggle, Fiadh's joy in the water is evident, her smile a testament to the therapeutic benefits of swimming for her low muscle tone. Through her determination and infectious spirit, Fiadh exemplifies what it means to be a Little Hero, inspiring all those around her with her courage and resilience.

Carol McNally from Water Babies said;

"While we recognise the numerous physical benefits of introducing babies to swimming at a tender age, our Little Hero Awards shed light on the extraordinary resilience and achievements of those born with unique challenges. Witnessing these remarkable little ones thrive in Water Babies lessons, surpassing expectations and reaching milestones once deemed unattainable, fills us with overwhelming pride and joy. At Water Babies, we are immensely proud of our little heroes and the dedicated teachers who support, encourage, and champion them every step of the way. Our little heroes journey in the water is not just about physical growth, but also about emotional resilience and personal triumphs."
The recent visit to Singapore by the PM has seen some commentators say we should have a defence posture such as Singapores where there is no defence treaty with the US.

This shows how seriously Singapore takes its ability to defend itself. We are barely spending 1% of GDP on defence and Singapore is almost spending 3% of GDP. If we dont want to rely on others, we need to do more ourselves.

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Rescue workers search in the rubble of a destroyed Iranian consulate building in Damascus on April 2 following a suspected Israeli airstrike.
BABYMONSTERS's stylists are drawing flak after Ahyeon was dressed inappropriately.

Recently re-debuted on April 1, 2024, with "SHEESH," BABYMONSTER is known as a group where the members are notably young. While their oldest member is 22 years old, their youngest is just 15 years old. With four members still minors, many fans have grown protective of them, wanting to protect them from creeps.

This is why Ahyeon's stage outfit has garnered backlash. Keep on reading for all the details.

BABYMONSTER Stylists Draw Flak For Styling Ahyeon Inappropriately

On April 18, 2024, BABYMONSTER performed their debut song, "SHEESH," on Mnet's "M Countdown." Soon after the girl's performance went live, netizens flooded to social media platforms and South Korean online community forums to discuss the girl's outfits.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: THIS Feature of BABYMONSTER Ahyeon Earns Her Praise: 'She's Like a Second Jennie'

Due to the group's girl crush concept, it was noted that their outfits are usually dark and short. This is especially troubling due to the girls' young ages. However, it was Ahyeon's outfit during their latest stage that sent netizens over the edge.

During their Mnet stage, Ahyeon was dressed in a black and red skirt and tube top. Upon further inspection, it was noted that she did not have transparent straps to prevent the tube top from falling.

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: BABYMONSTER Ahyeon Earns Praise for Answer to Fans' Question + Why is LE SSERAFIM Hong Eunchae Being Mentioned?

This proved difficult for Ahyeon, who was seen adjusting her top several times while the girl group performed.

Please stop putting your artist in uncomfortable clothes when they need to sing, rap and dance @ygent_official my goodness, Ahyeon can barely dance with her clothes  pic.twitter.com/3rc94maT21  Ahyeonized  (@ahyeontology) April 18, 2024

The stylist garnered backlash for dressing Ahyeon in an outfit that is uncomfortable to dance in. Additionally, since Ahyeon is only 17 years old, people believe her outfit is too provocative and have slammed the stylist for dressing them in a way that can captivate creeps.

one thing i hate abt their stylist is they be giving my girls revealing outfits like some of them havent even reached their legal age yet https://t.co/NIiTD234yo April 18, 2024

CHECK THIS OUT: BABYMONSTER Ahyeon Opens Up on Being Called 'Little Jennie'

Some comments read,

"Ahyeon is still a minor. This is bad."

"They should dress the group in something that's extra stretchy or a shirt that won't siip."

"Ahyeon dances so powerfully that there are a few instances where her top slipped. I watched the video, and while her shirt is not low-cut, it is not secured well."

"Her clothes are pretty, but the problem is how they're not secured."

What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below!

BABYMONSTER Recent Activities

BABYMONSTER is gearing up for their first fan meeting tour. They are slated to visit five countries: Singapore, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia.

FOR YOU: BABYMONSTER Chiquita Experiences Wardrobe Malfunction + Bodyguard Praised For Doing THIS

On April 1, 2024, BABYMONSTER made their official re-debut with their debut extended play, "BABYMONS7ER," and its lead single, "SHEESH." The album includes their previous releases, "BATTER UP" and "Stuck in the Middle," re-recorded to include all seven members.

KpopStarz Owns This

Written by Alexa Lopez
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Guizhou to boost cooperation with U.K. in education sector

10:11, April 19, 2024 By Yu Ying ( People's Daily Online

An education delegation from southwest China's Guizhou Province visited the United Kingdom from April 15 to 16 with the aim of further promoting the internationalization of education in Guizhou and introducing more overseas talents. A total of 11 agreements were signed between universities in Guizhou and their British counterparts.

The U.K.-Guizhou Higher Education Cooperation Conference is held in London on April 15, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Guo Jinbiao)

The delegation consisted of provincial officials, as well as leaders and representatives from seven local universities, namely Guizhou University, Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, Guizhou Medical University, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guizhou Minzu University, Guizhou Education University and Kaili University.

The delegation met with representatives from the British Council, an association specializing in international cultural and educational opportunities, as well as London Metropolitan University and University of Oxford, exploring exchanges and cooperation in education reciprocity, joint training, talent introduction, research cooperation, and discipline construction.

During the visit, seven cooperation agreements, or memorandums of understanding (MOUs), were signed between universities in Guizhou and British universities at a higher education cooperation conference in London. The event was hosted by the provincial government of Guizhou, organized by its Department of Education, and supported by the British Council.

Lu Yongzheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Guizhou Provincial Committee and secretary of the Guizhou Provincial Education Commission, said at the conference that Guizhou has always maintained an open attitude and continuously deepened exchanges and cooperation with the U.K. in all aspects. He noted that mutual exchanges and cooperation in education between Guizhou and the U.K. have yielded fruitful results.

At present, five universities in Guizhou have previously established seven joint education projects with their British counterparts, and carried out a series of substantive cooperation such as teacher-student exchange visits, academic seminars, and curriculum co-construction, creating opportunities for Guizhou students to study in the U.K., and introducing British experts and scholars to Guizhou,  Lu noted.

Lu noted that Guizhou will provide platforms for talents to showcase their ability, and offer favorable policies and services for their work and life. The province announced it would provide 20 full and partial scholarships for British students to study in Guizhou.

Maddalaine Ansell, global director of education at the British Council, emphasized that China-U.K. educational contacts date back more than 45 years. The growth in the number of Chinese students taking part in U.K. education, either in the U.K. or in China, is a sign of the strength of our connections, she said.

Ansell pointed out that the British Council understands and shares Guizhou's aim of expanding access to higher education, developing expertise in scientific research, and deepening international ties for mutual benefit. "We firmly believe that, by working together, we can strengthen the U.K.'s relationship with these important areas of China," she said.

According to Ansell, there are currently 160,000 Chinese students at U.K. universities and a further 71,000 are studying for U.K. degrees within China. Research is another important area of collaboration. Currently, China is the U.K.s second most important research collaborator, with 156 research centers shared between the two countries.

We look forward to come to a continued future of cultural exchange, mutual support, and transforming lives with the power of education, Ansell said.

During the visit, Guizhou University and the Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine signed framework agreements on comprehensive strategic cooperation with the London Metropolitan University. Guizhou University and the Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research signed an MoU to develop cooperation in research innovation and training exchanges.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
PRNewswire

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 19: Startek, a global customer experience (CX) solutions provider, was honored as a Bronze Stevie Award winner in the prestigious 2024 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards. The accolade recognizes the company's role in pioneering technology-driven solutions to enhance customer service experiences.

Also Read | West Bengal Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Initial Polling in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri Seats Marred by Violence as TMC and BJP Workers Clash (Watch Video).

The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace in all 29 Asia-Pacific markets. The Stevie Awards are widely considered to be the world's premier business honor, recognizing achievements for 22 years. Nicknamed the 'Stevies' for the Greek word for 'crowned', the winners will be celebrated during a gala awards ceremony on Friday, May 24, in Manila.

"We are thrilled to receive the Bronze Stevie Award for our innovative use of technology in customer service," said Abhinandan Jain, Chief Growth Officer at Startek. "This acknowledgment underscores our commitment to digital-first strategies, revolutionizing the customer experience with innovative GenAI solutions. Focused on enhancing both agent experience and customer journey, we're driving transformative shifts in customer service excellence."

Also Read | IPL 2024: Top Five Players To Watch Out for in Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings Clash.

"The 11th edition of the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards attracted many remarkable nominations," said Stevie Awards president Maggie Miller. "The organizations that won this year have demonstrated that they are committed to being innovative, and we applaud them for their perseverance and creativity. We look forward to celebrating many of this year's winners during our awards banquet on 24 May."

For more information about Startek and its award-winning solutions, visit www.startek.com.

About the Stevie  Awards

Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, the new Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence and the Stevie Awards for Women in Business. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

About Startek

For more than 35 years, Startek has delivered customer experience (CX) excellence for the world's leading brands. Spread across 12 countries, our 38,000 associates create memorable, personalized experiences in both voice and non-voice channels. Our clients span from Fortune 500s to fast-growing startups in a diverse range of industries including cable, media and telecom; travel and hospitality; retail and e-commerce and banking and financial services.

By creating closer connections, Startek delivers value for our clients, opportunity for our people and sustainable growth for our shareholders.

To learn more visit www.startek.com and follow us on LinkedIn@Startek.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2222919/4299556/Startek_Logo.jpg

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], April 19 (ANI): As the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections began today across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories, there's a lot of excitement among the people throughout the country.

In Uttarakhand, a newly married couple exercised their voting rights at a polling booth in Pauri Garhwal.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Amid Violence, Bengal's Cooch Behar Records 33.63% Polling in First Four Hours.

In another instance, three generations of a family exercised their voting rights: Prabha Sharma, accompanied by her daughter Preeti Kaushik and granddaughters Shamita Kaushik and Sakshi Kaushik, cast their votes together at a polling booth in Uttarakhand's Dehradun.

Women voters clad in traditional attire were seen arriving at polling booths in Uttarakhand's Nainital district to participate in the electoral process.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: BJP Candidate in Jalpaiguri Dr Jayanta Kumar Roy Could Not Vote for Himself Again, Heres Why.

Uttarakhand Chief Electoral Office, BVRCC Purushottam, also cast his vote at booth number 141 in Dehradun.

In Sikkim, a senior citizen and an injured voter came to exercise their right to vote in the first phase of the Lok Sabha Election 2024.

In Jammu and Kashmir also, a newly-wed couple exercised their voting rights at a polling booth in Udhampur.

The newlywed woman, while speaking to ANI, said she and her husband have decided to prioritise their duty as responsible citizens by going to vote.

She urged everyone to exercise their right to vote.

"Yesterday I got married and I told my husband that we should go vote. I would like to tell everyone to not waste their vote; cast your vote," she told ANI.

Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories as the mega seven-phase electoral exercise commenced at 7:00 am. Voters will exercise their franchise until 6:00 pm.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged everyone eligible to vote in record numbers. PM has specifically called upon the young and first-time voters to come out in large numbers, emphasising that every vote counts and every voice matters.

"The Lok Sabha elections commence today! As 102 seats across 21 states and UTs go to the polls, I urge all those voting in these seats to exercise their franchise in record numbers. I particularly call upon the young and first-time voters to vote in large numbers. After all, every vote counts and every voice matters!" the PM said in a post on X.

PM Modi commended the musical duo MeetBros for their anthem, 'Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye', which aims to inspire first-time voters to participate in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. "A great effort to inspire first-time voters to vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," the PM said.

The anthem features voices in different languages from various parts of the country urging first-time voters to vote in Lok Sabha elections

The 2024 Lok Sabha election, which is being conducted from April 19 to June 1, is set to be the second longest polling exercise in the country's electoral history after the first general election, which was held over five months between September 1951 and February 1952.

The last general elections in 2019 were also held in seven phases.

Those voting in the first phase include seats in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry.

Along with this, voters in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are also exercising their franchise for the assembly elections today.

An estimated 8.4 crore male voters, 8.23 crore female voters, and 11,371 third-gender electors are eligible to vote in the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, according to the ECI data. (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 19 (PTI) Six months after India passed the G20 baton to Brazil, the ambassadors of Italy and Indonesia have lauded New Delhi's presidency of the bloc for bringing Africa and the Global South at the centre of international agenda.

"The success of India's G20 presidency is precisely the capacity to preserve the role of G20 because that was at risk," Italy's Ambassador to India Vincenzo de Luca said.

Also Read | Himachal Pradesh Road Accident: 15 Injured as Van Carrying Devotees Overturns in Una.

He was speaking at a panel discussion held to release a book, titled 'India's G20 Legacy: Shaping a New World Order.' "After G20 India, Global South and Africa have been in the centre of the stage," said the Italian envoy at the event last evening.

On the Ukraine-Russia standoff, the Italian envoy lauded not only India's G20 presidency, but also Indonesia's presidency" of the grouping for finding a consensus formulation on the contentious issue.

Also Read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: West Bengal Records 77.57% Voter Turnout Till 5 PM, Says Election Commission.

Indonesia's Ambassador to India Ina H Krisnamurthy lavished praise on New Delhi's G20 presidency for promoting inclusivity in the grouping.

Induction of the 55-nation African Union as a permanent member of the G20 and managing to produce a leaders' declaration overcoming deep divisions over the Ukraine conflict were seen as major milestones of India's year-long presidency of the grouping of the world's 20 big economies in 2023.

In her remarks, Krisnamurthy lauded India for taking the lead to include the African Union as a full member of the G20 and increasing the inclusivity of the bloc.

The envoy also praised India for undertaking the initiative to host two editions of the "Voice of the Global South Summit" which provided a platform for projecting interests and aspirations of the Global South in the G20 agenda.

"India's G20 Presidency has left a historical footprint. You don't know how happy we were when the G20 New Delhi Declaration was adopted. It was not out of relief, but pride," she said.

Edited by Manish Chand, the book comprises articles by diplomats and strategic affairs experts highlighting the legacy of India's G20 presidency.

The foreword to the book has been written by Harsh Vardhan Shringla, India's then G20 Chief Coordinator.

The contributors to the book included South Africa's Foreign Minister GNM Pandor, India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, Italian ambassador Luca and Brazil's Ambassador to Kenneth Felix Haczynski da Nobrega.

Senior diplomats, including Muktesh Pradeshi and Lakshmi Puri, singled out India's G20 presidency for making the grouping people-centric.

"No other country has ever done a diplomatic endeavour at a pan-country level. Diplomacy became a part of our everyday lexicon. Even taxi wallahs, shopkeepers, barbers -- everybody became part of a great national endeavour," said Muktesh Pardeshi, currently a secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.

Pardeshi supervised hosting of the New Delhi summit of G20.

"There was never seen before Jan Bhagidari- participation of women actors from all, from the grassroots to top policy levels in this whole process. So it was not only the people's G20, but this was also the women's G20," said Lakshmi Puri, Former Assistant Secretary General, UN.

The book launch and two panel discussions on India's G20 Legacy and Brazil's G20 presidency were organised by Jindal School of International Affairs, India Writes Network and Centre for Global India Insights.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], April 19 (ANI): Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Nagpur, Maharashtra, during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Friday.

The Punjab Governor showed his inked finger after casting his vote.

Also Read | India National Elections 2024: Enthusiastic Voters Queue Up in Jammu and Kashmirs Kathua-Udhampur As Voting Picks Up (Watch Video).

Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 began at 7:00 am on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories. Voting will end at 6 pm.

Maharashtra, the second-largest state after Uttar Pradesh (80), which contributes 48 seats in 543-member Lok Sabha, will witness a fierce contest between the two major state coalitions - the Mahayuti (Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party) and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP).

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In the first phase, polling is being held in five Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, including Chandrapur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Ramtek, and Nagpur.

Nagpur Lok Sabha is witnessing a contest between Nitin Gadkari and Congress' Vikas Thakre, who is currently the Nagpur West MLA.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Gadkari registered victory with a massive vote share of 55.7 per cent. He defeated the current Maharashtra Congress President, Nana Patole, with a victory margin of 2,16,009 votes. Gadkari also defeated Congress leader Vilas Muttemwar by a margin of 2,84,828 votes in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Chandrapur in Maharashtra was the only seat, out of the total 48 in the state, that Congress managed to win. But this time, the fight may not be easy for it as the BJP is sparing no effort to win back the constituency and fielded a state minister from there.

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. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)

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Nagpur, Apr 19 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis cast his vote in Nagpur for the Lok Sabha elections on Friday.

The deputy CM arrived at the Dharampeth Hindi High School polling booth here along with his wife Amruta and mother Sarita Fadnavis shortly after 10 am.

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Polling is being held in the Nagpur constituency, where Union minister and BJP leader Nitin Gadkari is pitted against Congress' Vikas Thakre, in the first phase.

Speaking with the media after casting his vote, he said the festival of democracy has begun in the country and urged people to exercise their franchise.

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My mother, wife and I have cast our votes, he said.

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit also cast his vote at the same polling booth and appealed to people to use the voting rights given to them by the Constitution.

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Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 19: A 20-year-old youth has been arrested for booking a cab from Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, said police on Friday.

According to Mumbai police, the accused has been identified as Rohit Tyagi, a 20-year-old man from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Salman Khan Firing Case: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Visits Salman Khans House in Bandra; Asks Police to Increase Security for Actor and Kin (See Pics and Video).

Sharing details, police said that the accused had booked a cab in the name of Lawrence Vishnoi from Galaxy Apartment, the house of actor Salman Khan, to the Bandra Police Station.

"When the cab driver reached Galaxy Apartment at Salman Khan's house and asked the watchman there about the booking, the watchman who was stunned at first, immediately informed about the booking to the nearby Bandra Police Station," said police.

Acting on the same, Bandra Police of Mumbai interrogated the cab driver and tracked the information about the person who booked the cab online.

"The person who booked the cab turned out to be a 20-year-old student from Ghaziabad, identified as Rohit Tyagi," said the police.

The police further said that during investigation it was revealed that the accused had booked the cab in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi as a prank.

The police registered a case against the accused and arrested him from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

He was thereafter brought Mumbai and presented before the court after which he was sent to the custody of Bandra Police for two days.

Further details into the matter are awaited.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Kutch Police arrested the two accused persons and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Later, a city court sent the two accused to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until April 25 in connection with the firing incident.

The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) from Bihar, were presented before the court after a medical examination.

The two men, who came on a motorbike, fired four rounds outside the Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, around 5 am on Sunday morning and fled.CCTV footage showed that both accused sported caps and carried backpacks. Salman Khan Firing Case: Mumbai Police Register Case Against Jailed Gangster Lawrence Bishnois Brother Anmol Bishnoi.

The clip also showed them firing in the direction of the actor's home.

After the arrest of the accused, Kutch DSP AR Zankant said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Notably, since November 2022, Salman's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus after threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar.

The actor was also authorised to carry a personal firearm and has also acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection.

On Monday, Salman's brother Arbaaz Khan issued a statement on the family's behalf, saying they all have been affected due to the 'disturbing' firing incident.

He also shared that the family was fully cooperating with the Mumbai Police in the ongoing probe into the incident.

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Amroha (UP), Apr 19 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused previous governments of cheating SC, ST and OBC communities in the name of social justice, and said he was working to fulfil the dreams of Jyotiba Phule, Dr BR Ambedkar and Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Modi was addressing a poll rally here in support of the BJP candidate from the Amroha Lok Sabha constituency Kanwar Singh Tanwar.

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"Previous governments have only cheated people of SC, ST and OBC communities in the name of social justice," he said.

"Modi is working day and night to fulfil the social justice dream of Jyotiba Phule, Ambedkar and Chaudhary Charan Singh," the prime minister added.

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Modi addressed the rally as polling was underway in eight western Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha constituencies in the first phase of the general election in the country.

The prime minister began his speech with an appeal to people to vote. "I appeal to all to exercise their right to vote given by the Constitution," he said.

Modi emphasized that youngsters should especially go out and vote to secure their future and that of the country.

Attacking the opposition INDIA block, he said, "People of INDI alliance are using their strengths to make villages backwards."

The prime minister was accompanied by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on the dias.

The Amroha Lok Sabha constituency of western Uttar Pradesh will go to polls in the second phase on April 26.

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Jalandhar (Punjab) [India], April 19 (ANI): In a major breakthrough, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police averted planned sensational crimes with the arrest of two operatives of the Bambiha Gang and seized three pistols and one kg of opium.

According to the police, the Bambiha Gang is involved in multiple heinous crimes such as murder, threats, extortion, ransom and many other criminal activities in several districts of Punjab.

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The police also seized contraband that included three pistols and one kg of opium.

The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on its official X handle, posted photos and videos of the seized items and arrested criminals. The police also said that the Punjab Police is fully committed to eradicate organised crime in the state.

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A few days before, Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, in a major blow to trans-border drug smuggling networks, arrested one associate of Jaipal Bhullar Gang and recovered three kg of Heroin and two pistols. The investigations revealed that the racket was sourcing Heroin across the border from Pakistan.

Earlier on April 16, In a major breakthrough, Rupnagar Police in a joint operation with SSOC #Mohali, has solved the Vikas Prabhakar Murder Case in less than 3 days with the arrest of 2 operatives of a terror module backed by Pakistan based terrorist mastermind.

In a statement the Punjab Police said "On the basis of scientific investigation, the assailants identified as Mandeep Kumar (Mangi) and Surinder Kumar (Rikka) were arrested along with 2 weapons of 32 bore Pistols, 16 live cartridges, 01 empty used cartridges and a TVS Jupiter scooty used in the crime has been recovered From the preliminary investigations, it has been revealed that this is a terror module, operated and funded by foreign-based handlers operating from Portugal and other places. Mandeep Kumar and Surinder Kumara are the foot soldiers of these foreign-based entities who are the operatives of Pak-based terrorist masterminds." (ANI)

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Srinagar, Apr 19 (PTI) Punjab resident Baldev Kumar has become the first person from outside Jammu and Kashmir to contest Lok Sabha polls in the Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

Kumar (67), a resident of the Naya Gaon area of Mohali in Punjab, filed his nomination papers from the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency as an independent candidate on Friday.

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He is among 25 candidates who are in the fray from the constituency, which will go to polls on May 7.

Kumar claimed that he decided to contest the polls on the insistence of a "large" number of local people whom he has "served for the last 20 years".

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"I worked for the people during the 2014 floods, I have sponsored the education of a number of students, I have facilitated patients from Kashmir when they go to Punjab for medical check-ups and kept a kothi (house) for them where they can stay when they go there for treatment," Kumar told PTI.

The contestant said he has been requesting the administration to build a 'Kashmir Bhawan' in Punjab, especially for the patients, but to no avail.

"(Activist) Medha Patkar got 20 acres of land for her NGO from the Gujarat government but I have not been allotted even two acres for a Kashmir Bhawan for the patients from J&K.

"The people have told me that I have to be in power and only then can I build a Kashmir Bhawan. So, I decided to contest the polls," he said.

Asked if he has Jammu and Kashmir's domicile certificate, he said, "I have no domicile as I have not stayed in one place".

Kumar is the first non-resident person to contest polls in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 and downgrading and bifurcation of the erstwhile state on August 5, 2019.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, NCR resident Shams Khwaja contested, and lost the polls from the erstwhile Anantnag Parliamentary constituency.

He was the first-ever non-resident to contest the polls in Jammu and Kashmir. Objections were raised against his candidature, but those were overruled by election authorities in 2019.

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is presently run by the Lt Governor-led administration after the PDP-BJP government collapsed in June 2018 with the national party pulling out of the alliance. The last assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were held in 2014.

The Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being conducted in five phases with voting in each of the five parliamentary constituencies of the Union Territory to be held in each phase.

An estimated 65 per cent of the total 16.23 lakh registered voters cast their ballot by 5 pm on Friday in the first phase of the elections in Udhampur.

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Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 19 (ANI): The Uttar Pradesh Board of Secondary Education has announced that the results of the high school and intermediate board examinations for the year 2024 will be declared on April 20 at 2:00 pm.

Secondary Education Council Secretary of UP board Dibyakant Shukla said through a press release that the results of the high school and intermediate examinations of the year 2024 will be declared on April 20 at 2:00 pm from the Secondary Education Council Headquarters in Prayagraj.

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The release further stated that the results can be seen on the websites of the Secondary Education Council at upmsp.edu.in and the NIC website at upresults.nic.in. The information has also been given to the Chief Election Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh, by the Board.

The class 10 and 12 exams for the Uttar Pradesh State Board of High School and Intermediate examinations began on February 22.

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As per the UP board, more than 55 lakh candidates will participate in the state board examination this year.

Earlier, the state board implemented a comprehensive strategy to maintain the integrity of the examination process.

Admit cards, complete with QR codes, have been distributed to all candidates, ensuring secure identification. More than three lakh exam invigilators have been deployed, and a three-tier team, consisting of the center administrator, external center administrator, and static magistrate, has been established to open question paper packets at examination centers, aiming to prevent any malpractices. Any deviation from this protocol will result in disciplinary actions against all three individuals.

To combat cheating, the Special Task Force (STF), local intelligence department, and police have been mobilized. The monitoring extends to social media, with the creation of the Quick Response Team (QRT) to swiftly address any irregularities online.

A robust monitoring system comprising 1297 Sector Magistrates, 430 Zonal Magistrates, 75 State-level observers, and 416 mobile squads has been established to oversee the examination process. (ANI)

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Hassan (Karnataka) [India], April 19 (ANI): As Karnataka gears up for polls in the next two phases of elections, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hit out at Janata Dal-Secular (JDS) leader Prajwal Revanna questioning his silence in Parliament on the injustice done by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to Karnataka.

Prajwal Revanna is the sitting BJP MP from Hassan. He is one of the youngest members in the Parliament.

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"Why didn't Prajwal Revanna and Deve Gowda raise their voices in the Parliament about the injustice being done by the BJP to the state?" Siddaramaiah said at Hassan.

Siddaramaiah was speaking after inaugurating the Prajadhwani-2 Yatra held on behalf of the Congress Lok Sabha candidate Shreyas M Patel.

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Hitting out at the central government for not releasing a "single rupee" for the Upper Bhadra Project, the Chief Minister said that the JDS leaders, instead of questioning the BJP has joined hands with them.

"The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the budget that 5300 crores has been allotted for the Upper Bhadra Project. But till now they have cheated without releasing even a single rupee. The JD(S) stopped questioning this fraud and instead has joined hands with the BJP. Is it not a betrayal of those who voted for Prajwal Revanna", he asked.

Siddaramaiah said that the Congress will not betray Indians like Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We will not make you believe in us and then betray Indians like PM Modi. We will not breach the trust. We have kept our promises. We will not make you a fool by provoking you emotionally. We will stand by you during difficulties in your life," the Chief Minister said.

"In order to respond to the plight of the people who were affected by the price hike, we formulated five guarantees. We implemented it. We have kept our promises," he added.

Hitting out at the Prime Minister for not delivering on his promises on unemployment, Siddaramaiah said that the former betrayed the trust of educated youth.

"You believed PM Modi when he promised to create two crore jobs per year. All Indians believed.But, when you asked for a job, he said- "Go and sell pakodas". Isn't this a betrayal of trust of educated young men and women by PM Modi? Was he not deceiving Indians?" the Chief Minister said.

Slamming the Narendra Modi government for its brute resistance to farmers' protests, Siddaramaiah said that the time has come to give them an answer.

"Isn't the Modi government's atrocities on the protesting farmers a big betrayal? BJP's brutality on the farmers who demanded minimum support price for their crops was too much. Now is the time to teach them a lesson for those atrocities," Siddaramaiah said.

Karnataka, which has 28 Lok Sabha seats, will vote in two phases on April 26 and May 7.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress and JD-S fought together against the BJP and the combine was decimated.

The BJP had won a record 25 seats; Congress and JD-S won just one seat each. The Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will be held in seven phases, starting on April 19. The counting of votes is on June 4. (ANI)

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Bengaluru, Apr 19 (PTI) India's largest IT services companies Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and Wipro saw a staggering 64,000 employees exiting in FY24, amid a weak demand environment globally and tighter tech spends by clients.

Wipro, which announced its Q4 earnings on Friday, reported a fall in headcount numbers to 2,34,054 as of March 2024, against 2,58,570 in the year-ago period. Headcount declined by 24,516 during the financial year ended on March 2024.

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"...immediate headcount reduction has happened primarily driven by the market and demand environment as well as the operational efficiency which we have driven, which is reflective in our margins," Saurabh Govil, Chief Human resources officer at Wipro said.

In the long term, as the company moves into more IP-based platform and Artificial Intelligence (AI), there could be divergence coming in terms of headcount growth, he added.

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India's IT services industry - a USD 254 billion powerhouse - has been feeling the heat of global macroeconomic uncertainties and geopolitical flareups as clients turned cautious with IT spends.

India's second largest IT services exporter Infosys reported total headcount of 317,240 employees as of March 2024, down by 25,994 from 343,234 employees in same period of the previous year.

"When we started, we were at 77 per cent utilisation including the trainees. The growth environment was different at that time. Our utilisation has gone up to 82-83 per cent. Our attrition has also come down significantly. That is the reason for net headcount reduction," Infosys CFO Jayesh Sanghrajka had said on Thursday during the company's Q4 results.

The company registered an attrition of 12.6 per cent.

"Hiring model has changed in the last few years. We are now on a more agile model of campus hiring. At this point of time we are at 82 per cent utilisation. We still have headroom over that and attrition is very low so we have not decided on campus hiring numbers at this point of time," Sanghrajka had said.

Larger rival TCS also saw a decline in its headcount by 13,249 employees to end the fiscal with 601,546 employees.

Wipro on Friday reported 7.8 per cent year-on-year decline in its consolidated net profit for the March quarter to about Rs 2834.6 crore, and cautioned that the macroeconomic environment remains "uncertain". While the headline numbers were more or less in line with expectations, the company has given IT Services revenue growth guidance in the (-)1.5 per cent to +0.5 per cent band for the June quarter on a constant currency basis.

On Thursday Infosys disappointed with its forecast of a 1-3 per cent annual revenue growth for FY25, raising concerns that the global macroeconomic uncertainty continues to weigh in on client decisions and discretionary spends.

Infosys' weak, somewhat realistic, guidance dragged down its US-listed shares, as analysts wondered if the global cues could push recovery to the second half of the fiscal for the Indian IT industry.

Last week, TCS reported a 9 per cent growth in net profit at Rs 12,434 crore in January-March quarter of FY24 due to strong domestic business even as the company struggled in its key markets overseas.

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Zagreb, Apr 19 (AP) Croatia's Constitutional Court on Friday banned President Zoran Milanovic from becoming prime minister in case his centre-left party manages to garner a majority after this week's highly contested parliamentary election.

The ballot on Wednesday ended inconclusively. The governing centre-right Croatian Democratic Union, or HDZ, won the most votes but not enough to rule alone. Although it finished second, Milanovic's Social Democratic Party is also trying to muster a coalition in the 151-member parliament.

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Milanovic made a surprise announcement that he would run for prime minister just hours after calling the election for April 17. The Constitutional Court warned him last month that he had to resign first, a warning that he ignored.

The Constitutional Court established that with his statements and behavior the president ... brought himself in the position that he can neither be the prime minister-designate of the future government nor the future prime minister, the ruling said.

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Milanovic and his SDP party said the Constitutional Court has no right to counter the will of the people. They claimed that the future parliament can choose whomever they want as the next prime minister.

The elections are over and the people's will will determine, and not the judges, Milanovic said at a press conference.

SDP President Pedja Grbin described the ruling as shameful." He urged other opposition groups to help form a new government without HDZ.

Milanovic has insisted that he had not violated Croatia's top law by openly supporting the opposition during the campaign and saying he would become the new prime minister. He has accused the current Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic of widespread corruption.

The showdown between Croatia's two top politicians has dominated the vote, which is also seen as a test ahead of elections for the European parliament in June.

Milanovic is critical of EU policies over the war in Ukraine. If he were to form a government, that could potentially open space for stronger pro-Russia influence in the country, akin to Hungary and Slovakia.

Officials results of Wednesday's vote has shown that Plenkovic's HDZ won 61 parliamentary seats while the SDP got 42. The far-right Homeland Movement has emerged as a potential kingmaker with 14 seats.

The Constitutional Court said that Milanovic could not now become prime minister even if he resigned as president to take up the new post. Some opposition politicians alleged the court is controlled by the ruling conservatives.

Former Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor said the court's decisions and announcements ran against the constitution itself. Leftist politician Dalija Oreskovic described Croatia's top court as one of a number of captured institutions.

The HDZ has largely held office since Croatia gained independence. The Balkan nation became an EU member in 2013, and joined Europe's passport-free travel area and the eurozone last year.

A presidential election is due to be held in Croatia by the end of the year. (AP)

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Abu Dhabi, April 19: Amid heavy rains that lashed United Arab Emirates and caused flood-like situation, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi has issued an advisory for Indian passengers travelling to or transiting through the airport to reschedule their non-essential travel till flight operations normalise. The Indian consulate in Dubai has also operationalized emergency helpline numbers to assist passengers.

Dubai International Airport has temporarily limited the number of inbound flights due to unprecedented weather conditions. In its advisory issued today, the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi said, "Due to disruption caused by unprecedented weather conditions in the UAE earlier this week, Dubai International Airport has temporarily limited the number of inbound flights." Dubai Rains: Severe Flooding Hits Dubai After Heavy Rainfall Across UAE, Videos Show Submerged Cars, Flooded Airport and Waterlogging Inside Malls.

It said that situation continues to remain unprecedented, however added that the UAE authorities are working round the clock to ensure the normalisation of operations."The Airport Authorities have advised that passengers may travel to the Airport ONLY AFTER final confirmation from the respective airlines regarding the departure date and time of the respective flights. In light of the above advisory, inbound Indian passengers travelling to or transiting through Dubai International Airport are advised to reschedule non-essential travel till operations normalise," the advisory read.

"In order to assist Indian nationals at the Dubai International Airport, the Consulate General of India in Dubai has operationalized emergency helpline numbers which have been functional since April 17, 2024," it read.

The Consulate General of India in Dubai emphasised on Thursday that they are in constant touch with UAE authorities and airlines, facilitating connections between stranded Indian passengers and their families. They further stated that relief measures have been extended in association with Indian community organizations. Dubai Rains: Video of Rahul Vaidya Holding Sneakers and Struggling To Walk Through Knee-Deep Water Goes Viral  WATCH.

"We are in touch with UAE authorities and the airlines to facilitate stranded passengers. -Regular updates from airlines are being conveyed to travelers. - Relief measures have been extended in association with Indian community organizations," the Consulate General of India in Dubai said in a post shared on X.

Moreover, the CGI stressed in their post that the helpline numbers will remain active until the situation normalizes. They further assured to remain committed to serving the Indian community currently living in or traveling to Dubai and the Northern Emirates.

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Washington, DC [US], April 19 (ANI): US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on Friday highlighted that the attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists on commercial ships in the Red Sea are preventing food and medicine from reaching vulnerable populations.

Stressing concerns about the shipping of products through the Red Sea, US State Secretary Blinken, along with the other G7 countries, reaffirmed commitments to defend freedom of navigation.

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"Attacks by the Houthis on commercial ships in the Red Sea are preventing food and medicine from reaching vulnerable populations. My G7 counterparts and I reaffirmed our commitment to defending freedom of navigation," US State Secretary posted on X.

https://x.com/SecBlinken/status/1781254310711697757

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The Houthi attacks on commercial vessels on Red Sea trade routes started in mid-November, with the group linking the disruptions to its demand for an end to Israel's offensive in Gaza and the delivery of aid to Palestinians 'under siege'.

The Houthi rebels, who are an Iran-aligned group, have said that they will not stop attacking until Israel ends the hostilities in Gaza.

The US and UK launched air and surface strikes, which also included fighter jets, against Houthi sites in Yemen.

Earlier on Wednesday, the US Central Command forces successfully engaged two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist-controlled areas in Yemen.

Notably, the UAVs presented an imminent threat to US, coalition, and merchant vessels in the region.

These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US, coalition, and merchant vessels.

According to US CENTCOM, these actions are taken to make international waters safer and to protect freedom of navigation.

Emphasising the tensions in the Red Sea, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it is a matter of concern for India.

On being asked if India has discussed the situation in Red Sea with other major powers, and what is New Delhi's policy on the issue, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal in a weekly presser said, "It is a matter of concern, not just for us, but for several international players. We have been discussing this with our interlocutors...the French President was here, with Iran when our External Affairs Minister travelled there, and also with the UAE President when he was here."

The MEA spokesperson also highlighted that the Indian Navy is also active, and providing support to several vessels, not only in India but in other nations as well. (ANI)

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Kyiv [Ukraine], April 19 (ANI): A Polish man has been detained for assisting an alleged Russian plot to assassinate Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, reported CNN, citing authorities in Poland and Ukraine.

He was charged with "readiness to act for foreign intelligence against the Republic of Poland," an offence that carries up to eight years in prison if he is found guilty, according to prosecutors.

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The Polish authorities alleged that the suspect, Pawel K, was tasked "to help, among other things, in planning by Russian special services a possible attack on the life of the head of a foreign state--President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky," according to a statement on Thursday.

Prosecutors said that the man agreed to provide information to Russian spies about security at Rzeszow-Jasionka airport, in southeastern Poland, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the border with Ukraine, reported CNN.

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Zelensky is known to use the airport when leaving on foreign trips, as it is one of the closest airports to the Ukrainian border.

Moreover, the airport often receives military aid and civilian goods from the US and across Europe, as Ukraine's airspace remains closed to non-military flights.

Ukrainian authorities highlighted that they uncovered the plot and handed key evidence to Polish officials, who then detained the accused on Polish territory, according to CNN.

The Polish prosecutors said the man had contacted Russians "directly involved in the war in Ukraine," though it was not clear from official statements whether he had handed over any information or even collected it.

Notably, it is not the first time Ukraine has claimed to have unveiled an attempt to kill President Zelensky, who has been energetic in rallying Western support.

Moreover, the Ukrainian President has faced several known attempts on his life since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In August 2023, the Ukrainian Security Service, the SBU, arrested a woman who had been allegedly "gathering intelligence" about a planned visit by the president to the southern region of Mykolaiv, in order to help plan a Russian airstrike.

Reportedly, the Polish man was arrested just hours after German police said that they had arrested two suspected Russian agents in the Bavarian town of Bayreuth.

The two individuals, identified as German-Russian nationals, are accused of plotting sabotage attacks and planning an explosive detonation, according to a statement by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office in Karlsruhe, CNN reported.

Meanwhile, one of the men had been in contact with a Russian intelligence agent, the statement said, adding that among the potential targets scouted were US army facilities in Germany.

"Our security authorities have prevented possible explosive detonations that were intended to affect and undermine our military aid to Ukraine. This is a particularly serious case of suspected agent activity for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's criminal regime," Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser said during a press conference in Berlin.

However, the Russian Embassy in Berlin dismissed the accusations as an "outright provocation," TASS 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)
From the golden sands of Jaisalmer to the peaks of Kashmir, Apple on Friday showcased five talented independent filmmakers in India who created short films on the iPhone 15 Pro Max device. The five emerging filmmakers that were selected by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) to create short films for the 2024 MAMI Select-Filmed on iPhone programme, were mentored by filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj, alongside fellow industry icons Vikramaditya Motwane and Rohan Sippy. The filmmakers  Saurav Rai, Archana Atul Phadke, Faraz Ali, Saumyananda Sahi and Prateek Vats  are reimagining traditional cinematic conventions by shooting on iPhone 15 Pro Max, said the company. All five of their short films were premiered on the MAMI YouTube channel on Friday. MAMI 2024: Aditi Rao Hydari and Fiance Siddharth Step Out for Film Screening Post-Engagement (View Pic).

Our aim is to create an ecosystem that facilitates emerging filmmakers by creating opportunities that help them do new work and showcase it to a larger audience, said Anupama Chopra, director of the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Each filmmaker also used MacBook Pro with the M3 Max chip, allowing them to edit in even the most remote locations, said Apple. Gudh' (Nest)  Rais debut film that was an official selection at the 69th Cannes Film Festival in 2016  was inspired by his own childhood memories. His new film, Crossing Borders, is no exception which tells the story of a woman who smuggles goods, like saris and umbrellas, across the Indo-Nepalese border to make ends meet.

Vishal Bharadwaj-led Jury Selects 5 iPhone Shorts for Spotlight at MAMI Film Festival

MAMI Select: Filmed on iPhone was launched last year at the festival with five next-gen filmmakers to reimagine traditional cinematic conventions by creating high-quality short films shot on the iPhone and edited on the MacBook Pro. pic.twitter.com/lSiiT8pGm3  MAMI Mumbai Film Festival (@MumbaiFilmFest) April 6, 2024

Having used Apple products for a long time, Rai said iPhone 15 Pro Max is made for filmmakers. Shooting like this gives you a beautiful depth of field that you can control either in post or on the iPhone itself, he explained. For her short film, Phadke found aural inspiration in the rhythmic hum of the windmills outside Jaisalmer. Titled Mirage, the film is based on a young boy who spends all his time on his iPhone, only to lose it  and himself  in the desert. My films always start with music or sounds, said the National Award winner. The visuals come later. Filmmaker Faraz Ali's short film, titled Obur (Cloud), follows a teenage boy who loses the memories of his ailing mother. The memories were on his iPhone, which he pawns off to a pharmacist in exchange for his mothers medical aid. Ali said that iPhone 15 Pro Max let him go where filmmakers with bigger cameras simply cannot  like the snowy white peaks of Kashmir, where colour is king. Sahis short film A New Life follows a migrant factory worker who leaves behind his pregnant wife in search of better job opportunities. Shot in Kolkata and Bengaluru, it examines tropes of fatherhood and long-distance relationships. Apple Showcases Five Indian Independent Filmmakers Who Created Short Films on iPhone 15 Pro Max Chosen for MAMI Select-Filmed on iPhone.

The short film by Vats is inspired by Anton Chekhovs short story The Death of a Government Clerk. Titled Jal Tu Jalal Tu (You Are Water, You Are the All-Powerful), it captures the anxiety of a factory worker who accidentally offends his employer. The film delves into power dynamics and social hierarchies in a blue-collar environment. Set in a real garment factory in Sonipat, the film is a riot of colours that iPhone 15 Pro Max captures perfectly, said Vats.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 19, 2024 11:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, April 19: A voter turnout of nearly 63 per cent was recorded in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections covering 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories amid sporadic incidents of violence at some places and an accidental explosion of a grenade launcher shell in Chhattisgarh that left a CRPF jawan dead.

The Election Commission said polling for the first and biggest phase of the seven-phase elections remained largely peaceful. Voters braved the heat in most parts while at some places, they waited patiently in pouring rain as the world's largest poll exercise got underway at 7 am. Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 1 Polling: People Across India Are Voting for NDA in Record Numbers, Says PM Narendra Modi As First Phase of General Polls Ends.

The National Democratic alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Modi is seeking a stronger majority for a third consecutive term, while the constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections.

Tripura recorded the highest turnout of 80.17 per cent, followed by West Bengal at 77.57, Meghalaya 74.21 per cent, Puducherry 73.50 per cent, and Assam 72.10. Voters in six districts of eastern Nagaland stayed indoors following an indefinite shutdown call by an apex body of tribal organisations to press for its demand for a separate state.

Tamil Nadu, where the BJP is trying to make inroads, was among the seven states and three Union territories where polling was held for all the seats. Assembly elections were also held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 1 Polling: Nearly 60% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 5 PM, Says EC.

The tentative figure at 9 pm of voter turnout of 62.37 per cent is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained, the EC said, adding voters reaching polling stations till the end of polling hour are allowed to cast their vote.

Among the voters were first-timers, many newly-wed couples who came in their traditional attires, physically-challenged people and some elderly persons carried on stretchers and wheelchairs. Minor EVM glitches were reported at some booths in Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Assam.

In West Bengal, polling was marred by violence in the Cooch Behar seat. TMC and BJP workers clashed with each other and lodged 80 and 39 complaints respectively related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assault on poll agents, sources from both parties said.

In strife-torn Manipur, an impressive turnout of 69.13 per cent was recorded. Wangkhem in Thoubal district had the highest turnout among the 32 assembly constituencies under Inner Manipur at 82.41 per cent. In Outer Manipur, Chandel, which has both Naga and Kuki voters, recorded the highest turnout at 85.54 per cent.

Incidents of shooting and intimidation were reported from several places in Inner Manipur seat, officials said. Armed men fired several rounds in the air near a polling booth in Thamnapokpi under Moirang assembly constituency in Bishnupur district, prompting voters to flee, police said, adding additional security personnel were rushed to the spot to control the situation.

In Chhattisgarh, 63.41 per cent voters cast their votes in the Naxal-hit Bastar Lok Sabha constituency where the CRPF jawan after the grenade accidentally went off while an officer was injured in an IED blast in another incident. For the first time in a Lok Sabha election, voters in 56 villages in Bastar cast their vote in a polling booth set up in their own village.

In Tamil Nadu, where polling is spread over 39 constituencies, a voting percentage of over 65.19 was recorded. Voting was delayed by an hour in some polling booths in the state such as the one near Tambaram due to technical glitches in the electronic voting machines.

Arunachal Pradesh saw 67.15 per cent of the total 8,92,694 voters exercising their franchise.Though the turnout was moderate in the morning hours due to inclement weather, it gathered momentum with weather conditions improving. In a few polling stations in the state, polling was delayed as the electronic voting machines (EVMs) developed technical snags which were later replaced, Chief Electoral Officer Pawan Kumar Sain said.

Supporters of two candidates clashed near a polling station in the Bameng constituency in East Kameng district, Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Chukhu Apa said, adding the situation was brought under control and polling is continuing. Incidents of EVM damage were also reported from three polling stations in East Kameng, Kurung Kumey and Upper Subansiri districts, the police officer said.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands saw a voting percentage of 56.87 per cent.There were some minor EVM glitches but it was addressed immediately, officials said. For the first time in the Union territory, seven members of the Shompen tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group of Great Nicobar Islands voted for the lone Lok Sabha seat.

Assam also reported EVM malfunctioning at three polling booths of Bihpuria in Lakhimpur, one each in Hojai, Kaliabor and Bokakhat, and one in Naharkatia of Dibrugarh, an official said. "Most of the glitches were noticed during the mock poll, which started 90 minutes before the commencement of actual voting. Those glitches were rectified immediately. Voting started sometime late in those booths and now it is going smoothly," an official said.

A vehicle carrying an EVM partially sank into a river after water level rose suddenly, washing away a mechanised boat that was ferrying the SUV in Lakhimpur constituency. The driver and the polling officer of the vehicle managed to get out before water gushed into the vehicle. Around 48.50 per cent of the 75 lakh voters in four Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar exercised their franchise.

Braving incessant rains, 65.08 per cent of voters exercised their choice in the first six hours of polling in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur parliamentary constituency. In Rajasthan, 56.58 per cent voting took place while Uttarakhand saw 54.06 per cent polling.

In Maharashtra, a voter turnout of 55.35 per cent was recorded while the six Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 64.77 per cent. Uttar Pradesh witnessed 58.49 per cent voting, Mizoram 54.23, Nagaland 56.91 and Sikkim 69.47.

Over 16.63 crore people are eligible to vote in this phase. In the first phase, there are 35.67 lakh first time voters, besides 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years. Counting of votes in the elections that will conclude on June one will be taken up on June 4. Among the prominent candidates in the fray in the first phase are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Sarbananda Sonowal, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress and DMK's Kanimozhi.

Besides Tamil Nadu, polling is being held for all seats of Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1) and Lakshadweep (1). Voting was also held in 12 seats of Rajasthan, eight in Uttar Pradesh, six in Madhya Pradesh, five seats each in Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one seat each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh.

Simultaneously, assembly elections were held in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats). The Election Commission has deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations.
Sydney, April 19: Police in the Torres Strait in Australia have verified that a teenager has died following a suspected crocodile attack off an island. Following reports of a missing 16-year-old male at around 4 am on Thursday, April 18, Island Water Police began a search and rescue operation near Saibai Island. According to Queensland police, the 13-year-old boy and the victim made an effort to swim from a capsized dinghy back to shore.

A representative of police verified that the victims body had been found on Thursday night. His injuries were indeed "consistent with a crocodile attack," as they have now verified, he said. Crocodile Attack in Australia: Teenager Fights Off Monster Reptile in Northern Territory.

In order to verify the identity of the body, the official identification procedure has started, and additional testing is being conducted to verify the cause of death. Wildlife inspectors will now investigate the seas near Saibai Island in an effort to find the crocodile in question, according to a representative for Queensland's Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation. Crocodile Attack in Australia: Female Zookeeper Mauled by Monster Reptile at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin.

According to a department spokesman, "the local community has requested that the animal involved in the incident be removed from the wild." Initial probe suggests that the crocodile responsible for the attack on teenager is around 3.5 metres long. The youngster present along with the victim, however, survived the attack and reached safety.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 19, 2024 12:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
On 18 April Argentinas Defence Ministerfiled a formal request in Brussels to become a partner country of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato).

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Riley Strain mom, Michelle Whiteid, remains in search of answers surrounding her son's disappearance and subsequent tragic death.

Whiteid disclosed receiving a text from Strain about his drink tasting odd before he went missing, People reports.

Despite last being seen at Luke Bryan's restaurant and bar in Nashville with his fraternity brothers, Strain visited multiple bars that evening, complicating the timeline.

Whiteid and Ryan Gilbert, Strain's parents, expressed dismay at the fraternity's response to his disappearance.

The Delta Chi fraternity members delayed alerting the police until the following afternoon and proceeded with their formal instead of assisting in the search for Strain.

The family criticized the fraternity's nonchalant behavior and questioned the delay in reporting their son missing.

READ NEXT: Riley Strain Found Dead in River: No Foul Play Detected

Mystery Surrounding Disappearance

After being ejected from Luke's 32 Bridge Food + Drink, witnesses observed Strain stumbling and appearing heavily intoxicated.

Despite extensive search efforts, Strain's body was discovered in the Cumberland River in West Nashville two weeks later, according to the New York Post.

While investigators initially ruled out foul play, doubts linger within the family, leading to requests for further investigation.

According to Dr. Michael Baden, the lack of water found in Riley's lungs during the autopsy doesn't necessarily indicate drowning as the cause of death.

Dr. Baden clarified that in drowning cases, it's not the water itself that harms the person but rather the blockage of oxygen reaching the lungs.

He explained that if someone is unable to breathe due to a spasm in the windpipe, it could result in decreased oxygen levels, even if water doesn't enter the lungs.

Therefore, the final conclusions about Riley's death await the results of the toxicology reports.

Potential Foul Play

Michelle suspects foul play in her son's death, but investigators deem it an accident.

Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake explained that Strain's body was discovered during a routine operation in the river.

A new revelation from Riley Strain mom suggests a possible drug incident involving Strain's drink at Luke Bryan's bar.

The text exchange between Strain and his mother hints at suspicious circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

While investigators maintain the death was accidental, the family suspects foul play and has initiated a second autopsy to seek clarity, Yahoo! News noted.

Strain's family continues to grapple with unanswered questions, including the mysterious disappearance of his personal belongings.

The absence of crucial items, coupled with discrepancies in the initial autopsy findings, fuels the family's skepticism regarding the circumstances of his death.

With toxicology reports pending, the family awaits further insights into Strain's tragic demise.

The Riley Strain death has left his family seeking closure and answers amid uncertainty.

Questions surrounding his disappearance, the fraternity's response, and the possibility of foul play underscore the complexities of the case.

As investigations continue and additional autopsies are conducted, the hope for clarity persists amid the grieving process.

READ MORE: TikTok Star Kyle Marisa Roth Dies at Age 36

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Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: Riley Strain's mom says he texted her about drink tasting strange | Morning in America - From NewsNation
Argentina has taken a significant step towards enhancing its global partnerships by formally applying to become a partner of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

This move underscores the nation's new geopolitical direction under the leadership of President Javier Milei, The Independent reports.

Defense Minister Luis Petri disclosed on Thursday that he submitted a "letter of intent" to NATO officials, expressing Argentina's desire to attain the status of a "global partner" within the military alliance.

This proposal was put forth during a meeting held at NATO headquarters in Brussels, where Petri engaged with top NATO officials, including Mircea Geoana, the Deputy Secretary General of NATO.

Petri shared his message on social media platform X, stating, "We will continue to work on recovering links that will allow us to modernize and train our forces to NATO standards."

READ NEXT: Argentinian President Javier Milei Holds Talks with Elon Musk in Texas

Understanding NATO and Argentina's Aspiration

NATO, a transatlantic military alliance governed by the North Atlantic Treaty, functions as a collective defense system, according to the Buenos Aires Times.

Presently, it includes nine countries formally designated as "global partners."

Notably, Colombia was the sole Latin American nation to achieve this status in 2018, engaging in collaborative efforts on various fronts such as counterterrorism, organized crime, cybersecurity, and maritime security.

Since assuming office in December, President Javier Milei has steered Argentina's foreign policy in a new direction.

Notably, the nation declined to join the BRICS bloc and has instead prioritized strengthening ties with the United States, Israel, and Ukraine.

NATO recently marked its 75th anniversary amid renewed concerns over Russian aggression and the potential return of Donald Trump to power in the United States.

The alliance faced a significant test with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which reinvigorated NATO's purpose in countering threats and promoting stability.

While NATO has expanded its membership to 32 countries, including Finland and Sweden, criticisms have arisen regarding member states' response to supporting Ukraine's bid to join the alliance.

Falkland Islands Dispute and Argentina's Stance

Despite President Javier Milei's efforts to foster closer ties with Western nations, Argentina's sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands remains a contentious issue.

The UK's unwavering support for the Falkland Islanders' right to self-determination has been reiterated, maintaining the status quo in the dispute, Express noted.

Argentina's request to become a NATO partner will undergo scrutiny, requiring unanimous approval from all 32 member states.

Currently, Colombia stands as the sole South American partner within the alliance.

While President Milei's overtures towards Western powers are evident, his stance on the Falklands reflects the complexities of domestic politics, where nationalist sentiments and economic concerns intersect.

Argentina's formal application to join NATO as a global partner underscores its evolving geopolitical strategy under President Milei's leadership.

The decision holds the potential to enhance Argentina's security cooperation and global standing, albeit amid ongoing challenges and diplomatic intricacies.

READ MORE: US Reinstates Venezuela Oil Sanctions Over Election Violation

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WATCH: Javier Milei: Who is Argentina's new president? - From Guardian News
All 12 jurors for the Donald Trump hush money trial in New York have been selected. However, this came after potential jury intimidation. One juror dropped out for fear for her life following Fox News host Jesse Watters outed some of her potentially identifying details. This led Judge Juan Merchan to warn the media not to report on where jurors worked.

The court is now selecting alternate jurors, and this is on track to end before the weekend. This means prosecutors could start presenting the case by early next week as the historic criminal trial of the former president, the first in history, continues.

According to the Associated Press, the 12-person jury includes a sales professional, a software engineer, a security engineer, an English teacher, a speech therapist, multiple lawyers, an investment banker, and a retired wealth manager. They will be deciding the fate of the man running for the White House while simultaneously facing four different criminal cases.

The presumptive Republican nominee has been trapped in his own echo chamber and has surrounded himself with the adoration of his supporters, only used to listening to news channels that constantly praise him, like Fox News and Newsmax. He would be required to sit in court and listen to unflattering testimonies about himself and be presented with damning pieces of evidence against him.

For now, Trump has insisted that he did not do anything and has pleaded not guilty to accusations that he broke campaign finance laws by using campaign money to pay off adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about their affair while his wife, Melania Trump, just gave birth to their son, Baron Trump.

Fox News Host May Have Forced One Donald Trump Hush Money Trial Juror To Quit

Meanwhile, right-wing media is trying to paint the jury as liberal hacks who would judge Trump guilty anyway. This became evident when one juror quit for fear of her own life soon after Fox News host Jesse Watters pointed out that she said, "No one is above the law."

READ MORE: Donald Trump Confuses Jimmy Kimmel for Al Pacino in Strange Rant About the Oscars

Judge Juan Merchan excused the juror that Watters talked about in his Fox News show. The excused juror who dropped out us a nurse and she stated that friends and family had already reached out to ask if she was serving on the jury, according to Salon. Merchan then warned the media not to report on who the jurors were.

Watters may have doxxed the woman and may have made her the target of harassment from Trump's fanatical supporters, with several media outlets reporting potentially identifying biographical information about her, including her job and the neighborhood she called home. He may have further whipped up Trump supporters against her, too, as he said, "This nurse scares me if I'm Trump" in his program.

Donald Trump Supporter Pleads Guilty to Sending Death Threats Vs. Judge Overseeing Fraud Case

Meanwhile, the danger these Trump fanatics pose was just highlighted after a New York man pleaded guilty to sending death threats to both Judge Arthur Engoron, the judge in the Donald Trump fraud trial, and New York AG Letitia James.

Tyler Vogel, 26, admitted to one felony count of making a terroristic threat and one misdemeanor count of making a threat of mass harm. He threatened both public servants with "death and physical harm" if they did not comply with his demands to "cease action" in the Trump case, per the Associated Press.

READ NEXT: Donald Trump Porn Star Hush Money Trial: What To Expect and Why Is It So Important?

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Fox News Clown REJECTS TRUMP JUROR for Saying "NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW!" - Jesse Dollemore
Additional human remains, suspected to be those of Sade Robinson, the 19-year-old college student who vanished earlier this month after a first date, have been discovered on a Lake Michigan beach in Wisconsin, as confirmed by the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office on Thursday.

A citizen walking along a remote beach stumbled upon a torso and an arm at 7:37 AM Thursday, as reported by the sheriff's office.

These findings are the latest in a series of grim discoveries made following Robinson's disappearance, CNN reports.

Robinson, a student at Milwaukee Area Technical College, went missing after a first date with 33-year-old Maxwell Anderson. Her absence from work prompted a search that led to the discovery of several body parts and her burned-out vehicle.

READ NEXT: 9 Dead, 1 Injured in Wisconsin Intersection Crash

Criminal Charges

Maxwell Anderson faces charges of first-degree intentional homicide, mutilating a corpse, and arson in connection with Sade Robinson's death. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday at the Milwaukee County Courthouse Criminal Justice Facility.

Anderson's attorney, Anthony Cotton, has stated that his client is presumed innocent and will vigorously contest the charges, according to TMJ4.

The investigation into Robinson's disappearance began when a severed human leg was found on a beach in Warnimont Park, Cudahy, on April 2.

Additional remains believed to be Robinson's were subsequently discovered in Milwaukee.

Phone records traced Robinson's movements on the night of April 1, from the seafood restaurant where she had a date with Anderson to various locations, including Anderson's home and the park where remains were found.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established to support Robinson's memorial service, describing her as a beloved daughter, sister, and friend.

"The pain of losing Sade has left a void in the hearts of her family, especially her grieving mother and little sister, along with other relatives, friends, and the entire community who loved and supported her," the description says. "As we come together to honor Sade's memory, we aim to provide her with the dignified farewell she deserves."

Originally from Mississippi, Robinson was on the verge of graduating from Milwaukee Area Technical College in Wisconsin and pursuing a career in criminal justice.

Her tragic death has deeply affected her family, friends, and the wider community, prompting efforts to ensure she receives a dignified farewell.

Continued Search Efforts

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office remains committed to supporting Sade Robinson's family as they navigate this difficult time, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted.

A sonar detection boat is scheduled to search Lake Michigan in Wisconsin for additional evidence related to Robinson's case.

Additionally, a vigil to honor Robinson is planned for Kilbourn Reservoir Park in Milwaukee on Friday evening, where attendees are encouraged to wear pink and bring pink balloons and flowers in her memory.

The discovery of additional remains adds to the ongoing tragedy surrounding Robinson's disappearance.

Her mother, Sheena Scarbrough, described the situation as an "ongoing nightmare," highlighting the profound pain experienced by Robinson's loved ones.

Despite the anguish, the community remains united in seeking justice for Robinson and honoring her memory as a vibrant and promising young woman.

READ MORE: Riley Strain's Mom: Son Texted About Strange Drink Before Vanishing

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WATCH: Human remains found along Lake Michigan believed to be Sade Robinson's - From WISN 12 News
The US House Judiciary Committee has now released the court orders from Brazil's highest electoral court and it shed more light on the court's feud with billionaire Elon Musk and his company, X, which used to be Twitter.

The previously sealed court orders asked X to suspend specific accounts on X for spreading fake news. Elon Musk vowed not to comply, prompting the Republican-held House Judiciary Committee to step in.

The staff report from the House Judiciary Committee revealed dozens of decisions by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, most of which ordered X to suspend or remove around 150 user profiles from its platform. The Brazil Supreme Court justice also prohibited X from making these court orders public, according to the report.

In the end, Musk and X were forced to comply with the Brazilian court's orders. This also came after calls in Brazil to regulate social media after Musk's non-compliance with the court orders.

Musk's defiance of Brazil's justice system was cheered on by the far right in Brazil, according to the Associated Press. They believe that they, as well as far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, are being targeted by political persecution.

Through these right-wing movements in Brazil, several "digital militias" have been formed, and they were central in planning last year's January 8 riot, where Bolsonaro supporters stormed government buildings, including the Supreme Court, the Legislature, and the Presidential Palace, in an effort to reinstate Bolsonaro to power.

READ MORE: Brazil Supreme Court Denies Jair Bolsonaro's Request To Travel to Israel

Who Is the Brazil Supreme Court Justice That Elon Musk Was Feuding With?

Elon Musk has been feuding for the past few weeks with Brazil Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, who has overseen a five-year probe of so-called "digital militias" that were spreading fake news across the country. He set his sights on Musk as many of these "digital militias" were also on Twitter.

According to France 24, when de Moraes ordered Musk to suspend the Twitter profiles of right-wing advocates in Brazil, the South African billionaire hit back and called the justice a dictator and vowed to defy the judge's rulings blocking users found to be spreading disinformation, most of whom were Bolsonaro supporters.

However, de Moraes responded by ordering fines of $20,000 a day if these accounts remain active. He also placed Musk under investigation for charges including obstruction of justice and accused the billionaire of "criminal instrumentalization" of X, formerly Twitter.

Brazil Supreme Court Judge Launched Investigation Over Elon Musk Defiance

Earlier this month, Justice de Moraes also ordered to have Musk investigated over fake news and obstruction of justice, with right-wing accounts that were protected by Musk continuing to spread misinformation regarding the 2022 elections where Bolsonaro lost to Lula, though Bolsonaro did spread doubts about the result by claiming the elections were rigged without any evidence.

Justice Alexandre de Moraes stated that the X and Tesla CEO waged a public "disinformation campaign" regarding the top court's actions while also failing to comply with the court's orders to block certain accounts.

READ MORE: Trials for Jair Bolsonaro Supporters Begin Over the January 8 Riots

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Elon Musk challenges Brazil's court order to block X accounts, lifts restrictions | WION World DNA
The consequences of Nicolas Maduro's constant repression campaign in Venezuela have begun as Venezuelan oil took a massive hit after the US reimposed energy sanctions against it over Maduro breaking his promise to be free and fair during the upcoming July 28 election.

The sanctions being reimposed meant that Venezuela lost a key US license that allowed it to freely export and increase investment in its oil sector. This will lead to the country's quality of its crude and fuel sales taking a hit while also prompting a flurry of requests for individual authorizations from the US.

The US previously eased sanctions against Venezuela when the country's leadership agreed to conduct free and fair elections. The deal included Venezuela agreeing to let politicians who were previously barred from holding office to run, most notably former legislator Maria Corina Machado.

However, the Venezuela Supreme Court, which is filled with Maduro allies, upheld the ban against her. Meanwhile, his attorney general arrested several key opposition members, including some of Machado's election staff and members of the media, over an alleged plot to assassinate Maduro.

As a result, the United States is not renewing Oil License 44, which eased oil sanctions in the country last October. Several oil supertankers chartered by customers of state company Petroleos de Venezuela, or PDVSA (PDVSA.UL) will now depart the country, though others may need individual US authorizations to complete their purchases.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil claimed that the sanctions had little effect and would not harm Venezuela and added that "Venezuela's recent prosperity was due not to license 44 but to Maduro's astute economic management."

Despite this, Reuters reported that PDVSA's finances will take a hit as its access to hard currency needed for affording everything from labor to procurement will become limited thanks to the sanctions returning.

READ MORE: Venezuela Sanctions Will Remain Unless Nicolas Maduro Regime Fulfills Fair Elections Promise, Says US

Oil Prices at 3-Week Low Despite US Sanctions on Venezuela, Middle East Tensions

Many were expecting oil prices to rise after the US reimposed sanctions against Venezuela, as well as the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. However, Reuters reported that oil prices actually reached a 3-week low, with Brent futures falling 18 cents, or 0.2%, to settle at $87.11 a barrel. Meanwhile, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 4 cents, or 0.1%, to settle at $82.73.

It was described as the lowest close for Brent since March 27, and this happened for the second day in a row, Meanwhile, WTI also closed at its lowest since March 27. This has been attributed to an "increased interest in energy trading."

How Much Venezuelan Oil Reached the US When Sanctions Were Eased?

When the US eased sanctions against Venezuela after it promised "free and fair" elections, the South American country was able to export 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) during the first quarter. Of that amount, 165,000 bpd were destined for the United States, according to CNBC.

It was reported that this amount was only moderate and the impact of the US losing this much oil was described to be "minimal."

READ MORE: Venezuela Elections: Three Times Nicolas Maduro Undermined Democracy During an Election Year

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Treasury Department to reimpose oil sanctions on Venezuela - CNBC Television
Northeast Jones senior Colby Martin will be attending Dartmouth College in the fall. (Photo by Darryl Speir)
An elderly Laois couple's ashes will be buried together in a shared ceremony, after their deaths within weeks of each other.

John Forristal, a former employee of the Leinster Express, was by his wife Eileen's side when she passed away peacefully on February 27, 2024, but sadly died himself five weeks later.

Eileen Forristal (nee Roche) had passed on in the loving care of staff at Droimnin Nursing Home in Stradbally, with her loving husband and her sister-in-law Breda at her bedside. She is sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sister Maura, sister-in-law, her extended family, friends and neighbours.

Her funeral Mass took take place on March 1, in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Stradbally, followed by private cremation. Donations were requested if desired to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

Her husband died peacefully at Waterford General Hospital, on Friday, April 5. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sister Breda, brother Pat, sister-in-law Maura, nephews, nieces, extended family, friends and neighbours.

His funeral Mass took place on April 10, also in Sacred Heart Church, Stradbally, followed by private cremation.

Burial of ashes for John and Eileen will take place on Saturday, April 20, in Oakvale Cemetery, Stradbally, at 10.30am.

Their community have expressed deep sadness at the couple's passing.

"To the Forristal family. My deepest sympathy to you all on the sad news of the passing of John. I was postman to John & Eileen for 13 years in Stradbally. They were a beautiful couple and I always enjoyed our chats. May John & Eileen be reunited in heaven once again. RIP John xxx," said postman Jack Rafter.

"Sincere condolences to John and Eileen's families on the sad passing of our dear neighbours and very good friends. May they rest in peace," said Tom and Jane Gannon.

"John i cant believe you are gone. You are sadly missed. One reassurance is that you are back together with your beloved Eileen. Miss the two of you John and Eileen. Until we meet again," friend Nathan Harrison said.
The government is being called on to honour a commitment to begin work on the new Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise by July 1 this year.

Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise caters for some of the most vulnerable children in the county. Its 44 students are being taught in unsuitable conditions with inadequate space and few facilities in predominantly prefabricated rooms.

The new 9 million school project has been dogged by delays and setbacks and was even put on hold last year due to budgetary concerns, a move that sparked outrage and led to a high profile campaign. The government ultimately gave the go ahead for the project but distrust remains given the delays and promises of the past.

Parents, staff and students have waited for more than two decades for a new school for the vulnerable children in the county.

Sinn Fein Deputy Brian Stanley said The latest commitment given by the Department and the Minister to begin construction before the 1st July needs to be honoured. There have been too many delays with this project with promises broken on a number of occasions. I have consistently raised this over the years with successive Government Ministers and it is now well past time to see concrete being poured.

Deputy Fleming said Minister for Education, Norma Foley and the Secretary General of the Department of Education had given the commitment in a response to his question on the matter.

The large scale capital project at the Kolbe school referred to by the Deputy is assigned to my Departments ADAPT (Accelerated Delivery of Architectural Planning and Tendering) programme.

This project is included in My Departments Construction Programme which will be delivered under the National Development Plan (NDP) as part of Project Ireland 2040 framework.

Necessary enabling works completed on site in early April 2024, the response states.

The Department set out the steps involved in the process and said:

The Design Team for the project issued the Letter of Intent to the successful contractor on the 20th February 2024.The project is currently at the final stage of Architectural planning Stage 3  Tender Action and Award.

It is envisaged that the project will commence on site in Quarter 2 2024, with a construction period of 18 months, the response stated.
As March came to an end Stradbally man Bobby Miller spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live the dire straits tillage farmers faced in Laois and other counties due to months of rain.

Mr Miller, who is also Chairperson of the Irish Grain Growers, said virtually no sowing had taken place locally or nationally placing the entire season under threat.

More rain has fallen since and while calmer conditions appear to be settling in, Mr Miller says he and others have had to move into a gambling mode this year.

Conditions improved slightly to look after winter crops but next to nothing has been done as regards the spring crops, he told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

He said farmers are hopeful the the high pressure promised by Met Eireann will eventually materialise. If so he he hopes to be on the land this week but he also realises he has to accept the reality.

Its gone beyond the point of being positive for the year, he said.

Mr Miller said that everything is now hinging on the short-term weather prospects to the end of April.

If we can get crops into the ground in the next week very few farmers will change their sowing plans. Spring barley will be the predominant crop, he said.

He hopes that seed availability does not become an issue with farmers forced to sow late and all around the same time. However, he believes that the vast majority have a secure supply at this point.

He said that farmers are effectively sticking with the plan a of sowing spring crops in the hope of positive weather after sowing eventually happens but this will depend on conditions.

If the weather does not pick up this month, Mr Miller said the plan has to be revised.

If it goes into May we are looking at a completely different scenario, he said.

Another risk that he and others have to contend with is the summer weather. This caused him to recall the Beast from the East and weather that followed.

We are hoping for positive weather after we sow during the growing season. If we dont get that we are looking at a 2018 scenario. That was the Beast from the East which was followed by a drought.

What we need, if and when we so crops, is a very favourable weather growing season, especially in May, he said.

This short sowing window and hope for good growing weather has left Mr Miller and others like gamblers. Like a poker players with a bad hand of cards, he is just openg to cover his stake.

In gambling terms, the odds are after going against us now. We are gambling to break even, he said.

Even if this happens, Mr Miller says the weather means that the weather that has already hit will have an impact. He says the yield will drop due to the shorter growing season.

While he says farmers could get lucky, he says the historic precedent for current weather conditions is that the quality will drop.

As for harvest time, Mr Miller says the weather could play its part once again. He believes it will not now be possible to take crops in until September when weather conditions will be changeable.

He does not dismiss the potential of a good harvest and high prices as happened unexpectedly in 2022 though the difference then was that seeds had been sowed on time. He said another variable is future grain prices.

Mr Miller said the 100 h/a per acre response promised by Government to support farmers does not cushion the likely blow this year.

Its a recognition that there is a problem this year. Is it a cushion? No, he said.

He said that a payment of roughly 40 per acre would fall well short of the 500 cost per acre of sowing spring barely normally.

We as farmers do not want to depend on handouts going forward - it is not in our nature and it's not a good foundation. When we do put out the call we are genuine, he said.

An avenue for short, medium and long term support has just opened for the Government to help tillage farmers in the shape of a vision document presented to the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalougue.

The Food Vision Tillage Group Report contains short, medium and long term proposals for the sector. The remit of the group was to produce a detailed plan and recommendations to sustainably grow the sector to 400,000ha by 2030. Mr Miller called on industry and Government to respond positively to its recommendations.

He urged the Minister to act quickly on some aspects of the report that would influence the direction of tillage. He highlighted the implementation of a new environmental / carbon recognition measure as the first step to take.

As tillage farmers we can completely justify why that needs to happen, he said.

Implementation of the report will not be cheap as is demonstrated by the year-one cost put on whats needed by the Irish Grain Growers.

We had an ask for 80 million, he said.

Mr Miller accepts that this is a lot of money but said the Government has laid down for areas of land use in its Climate Action Plan that need investment. Apart from tillage these are anaerobic digestion, organics and forestry.

Mr Miller said finances have already been invested in the organic sector and forestry. For instance, he said 250 million has already been allocated to organic farming over five years.

He said the Government wants 4% of land to be used for organic while tillage area is more than double that.

The tillage farmer says the 80 million proposal is also justified because tillage farming is carbon neutral and will not be the sector of agriculture responsible if fines for missing carbon reduction targets are levied on Ireland.

He claims that feed is imported from other countries but what is grown in Ireland leaves a carbon footprint of up to 20 times less than what comes to Ireland from Asia and the Mercosur region.

He adds that the 80 million will attract more farmers to opt for tillage farming.

Apart from supporting farmers, Mr Miller believes that such investment will benefit shoppers.

It is a way of keeping food cheaper for the consumerto the ordinary person supporting farmers can be well justified in the supermarkets, he said.

Ultimately, he said farmers are not looking for a payout every year. Instead he insists that investing in growers in Laois and other counties will put the sector on very firm foundations which is in line with Government vision for the country.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he was horrified by a chilling protest by masked men outside Childrens Minister Roderic OGormans home.

He also said he was deeply uncomfortable that the situation was allowed to develop.

Gardai were called on Thursday night following reports of up to 12 masked men staging a protest, some with anti-migration placards and banners, outside the property.

Mr Harris said he spoke to Mr OGorman of the Green Party in the coalition government about the situation on Friday morning.

I was utterly horrified to see the situation, he told media in Co Carlow.

We all recognise the right to protest in a democracy but to see masked people gathering outside somebodys family home, I think that is extraordinarily chilling and quite frankly disgusting.

I know that the gardai have to assess each of these situations, and as Taoiseach I dont wish to interfere in that, however, I feel deeply uncomfortable that the situation was allowed to develop outside the home of any person quite frankly, public figure or otherwise, government or opposition, and I hope in due course to have an opportunity to discuss this with gardai.

Asked whether he as worried about the trajectory of this, given former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar had seen protests outside his home last year, Mr Harris said he is worried to see an increase in the presence of people gathering outside peoples family homes.

I think that is chilling in a democracy. I think it is worrying, I think it is disturbing, he said.

Of course we see political discourse but there is an appropriate way to debate and raise issues, in the Dail, in council chambers, plenty of places to protest around Dail Eireann, constituency offices and the likes.

But I also dont want to suggest that these people, small in number, speak for Ireland.

My experience as a public representative, at a whole variety of levels in this country, has been that the overwhelming majority of people in this country  agree or disagree with your politics  are decent people.
The garda public order unit attended a standoff between protesters and counter-demonstrators over a makeshift migrant camp in Dublin City centre.

A number of asylum seekers who have not yet been offered state accommodation, and other homeless people, have been setting up tents in the area around the International Protection Office on Mount Street.

There have been several protests at the site amid heightened scrutiny of the Governments handling of asylum-seeker accommodation, with the state currently not able to provide housing for all male arrivals, in contravention of international commitments.

The latest figures show that more than 1,700 international protection applicants are waiting for an offer of accommodation.

On Friday, more than 100 demonstrators, organised under a banner of anti-racism and anti-fascism, formed a human barrier across the main entrance to the largest section of the makeshift camp.

They had arrived in anticipation of a later protest, which had been organised against the tents in the area.

Dozens of gardai, including members of the public order unit, were also present and traffic was temporarily restricted to one lane.

The pro-migrant demonstrators chanted: Say it loud and say it clear: Refugees are welcome here.

They also shouted slogans against the coalition Government and called for better provision of services for asylum seekers.

Anti-migrant protesters chanted Send them home.

The opposing groups largely remained separated by gardai on different sides of the road, although insults were exchanged among some.
The long-awaited green light to start building a new home for the Kolbe Special School building in Laois has finally arrived after a struggle fought by parents, staff and the local community.

After several false dawns and delays, Minister for Education Norma Foley TD says notification was sent to the Portlaoise school on Friday, April 19, while Kolbe School understands that it could take up nearly another month before the 18 month job can actually begin.

The school gave an announcement with a new timeline that if met, could see the school opened by Christmas 2025.

"Everything is in order and we will be issuing the Letter of Acceptance to the builders next week. Once this letter is issued the builders have 20 days to be onsite. Thank you to everyone for all your patience, your persistence and hard work during all of this. Our New School is coming," they confirmed.

Sean Fleming TD, Minister of State, announced that approval was issued that day for the contractor to start.

The children who have serious special needs remain in poorly insulated, cramped prefabs, a full 24 years since a new purpose built school was first promised.

A public meeting to demand a new school for Kolbe held in March 2023. Photo: Leinster Express

Kolbe Parents Association gave their relieved reaction to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"Parents heartily welcome the news that the necessary paperwork has issued to the school to enable construction to begin on the new school.

"A new purpose built building is no more than the students at Kolbe and their dedicated school staff and nurses deserve and they have certainly waited long enough for it. "We are looking forward to the day shovels go into ground, it will be a day of great celebration for us, our precious children, our families, the Kolbe staff and nurses and their families and our supporters. "Thank you also to people of Portlaoise, Laois and beyond who supported our high profile Prioritise Kolbe campaign. Your support was instrumental getting us to this happy day," spokesperson Orlaith Kerrigan said.

Minister Fleming gave this statement.

"The Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, has confirmed everything is in order and the contractor is in a position to commence construction, now that his insurance and other details have been clarified.

"The Letter of Acceptance has been issued by the Department today, 19th April now that everything is completed from the contractors side. The timeline to build this new school is 18 months. This is a very good day for the children and all involved in Kolbe Special School.

"I want especially to thank the school management, teachers and staff, parents and everyone involved for all their work and support for this new Special School," The Laois Minister said.

He outlined his own efforts over the years as delay after delay hit the plan.

"I have been in constant contact with Norma Foley TD, since she was appointed Minister for Education. In that time, I have worked with the school in relation to the design of the new school, with Laois County Council in relation to the planning application and fire certs etc. and I also helped ensure the appeal to An Bord Pleanala which could have delayed this project was withdrawn.

"I was then involved in ensuring tender documents for the new school were prepared and were submitted in a timely basis to the Department and that ultimately a builder was identified for the project. Now that the contractor has completed all the details at his end, I have ensured the Letter of Acceptance has been issued by the Department today," Minister Fleming said.

The Kolbe School says it specifically caters for children (age 4-18) within the severe to profound learning disability spectrum and/or autism. There are 41 pupils in the school at present.

The Laois Association of Parents & Friends of the Mentally Handicapped established the service in 1978. The original premises was situated in Portlaoise town and moved to Ballyroan.

In 1983 the services moved from Ballyroan back to Portlaoise to a purpose-built building on the Block Road near Portlaoise hospital.

It was named the Kolbe Centre after the Roman Catholic Priest, Fr Maximilian Kolbe a Polish priest who gave his life in Auschwitz to save the life of another.

The Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary Services became responsible for the Management of Kolbe Centre in 1992 from the Parents and Friends.

Since 2000 the Department of Education and Science became responsible for what was later renamed the Kolbe Special School.
Maynooth Universitys Innovation Value Institute (IVI) today welcomed Professor Dan Lasserson, the UKs expert in Hospital at Home models and acute ambulatory care, who spoke on the topic of delivering acute medical care for patients at home.

He told of his experience of similar models in the UK and opportunities for such an approach in support of Irelands HSE services that benefit end users.

In his presentation, Prof Lasserson discussed how advances in diagnostic and monitoring technology could lead to more patients being assessed and treated without any admission to hospital if that is their choice.

Drawing on his recent research and presentation of clinical cases that he has managed at Warwick University Medical School, Prof Lasserson also spoke about how patients with severe and complex medical problems can be given a care pathway that is personalised as well as delivering key processes of healthcare at home.

Prof Lasserson runs an acute hospital at home service from the Geriatric Medicine department at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and is a Past President of the UK Hospital at Home Society.

Prof Dan Lasseron commented: It is a privilege to be invited by Maynooth University to give this lecture which I hope will be a catalyst for the start of the Hospital at Home journey in Ireland and I look forward to mutual learning and innovation as we look to accelerate the adoption of digital enable models of care across the Irish sea.

A change in the health system mindset and culture, and using technology to enable a stay left, shift left of care to the home is essential to deliver personalized acute care in a future proofed healthcare pathway. 

Prof Martin Curley, Professor of Innovation at Maynooth University, added: Shifting more care from hospital to home is one of the key Copernican shifts needed to drive a metamorphosis in our health system. Using digital technologies such as the Irish developed Blueeye hospital at home system, means patient vital signs can be better measured and managed in their homes than in ninety percent of Irish hospitals. It is positive to see the HSE looking to introduce virtual ward solutions, we just need to go faster to help solve Irelands Acute hospital bed occupancy problem and perhaps more importantly bring better care and a better patient experience for to all.

Additional speakers on the day included Karen Kelly, Research Advanced Nurse Practitioner, who discussed how remote monitoring of heart failure patients using the Irish development patientMpower platform radically reduced patient readmissions at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise. Donal Morris, founder and CEO of RedZinc who has developed the advanced Blueeye hospital home solutions, showcased the next generation hospital at home capabilities now available.

The lecture and discussion was the first event in the Distinguished Lecture Series launched by IVI at Maynooth University and supported by Astra Zeneca.

As a follow on to todays event, the second International Digital Health Summer School will be hosted by the Innovation Value Institute (IVI), Maynooth University, on June 26 and 27.

Featured speakers for the Summer School will include Russ Brazell, President and Chief Executive of College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), Robert Watt, Secretary General at the Department of Health, Prof Martin Curley, Professor of Innovation at Maynooth University and Dr Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer at the HSE.
Gardai responded to a disturbance outside the home of Minister for Integration Roderic OGorman last night, where a group of protestors had gathered and multiple anti-migration banners had been erected

Banners reading 'South Dublin Says No' and 'Close the Borders' were attached to railings outside Roderic O'Gorman's home in west Dublin. A video posted on social media shows a small gathering of people, many covering their faces, standing outside the Minister's home.

Slogans referencing a plantation also appeared on the banners, a term used by Irish advocates of the white nationalist Great Replacement conspiracy theory. Masked men could also be seen in shared widely across social media attempting to stop a car from turning onto the street.

Gardai in Blanchardstown confirmed that they maintained a presence at the scene until the group dispersed, and no arrests were made.

They said in a statement that they do not comment on the security arrangements of any individual or group, adding that "matters of security, including those that pertain to the safety, security, and welfare of public representatives, remain under continuous review".

Protesters have previously gathered outside the homes of Simon Harris and Leo Varadkar which were widely condemned.
Independent candidate in the Manorhamilton Local Electoral Area, James Gilmartin is calling for a reasoned discussion on the situation regarding planning for modular homes within the county. Leitrim, like every county in Ireland, is experiencing a housing crisis, Mr Gilmartin said, it is the number one issue I am encountering on the doorsteps in the run up to Junes election. It is reaching crisis levels throughout the county."

The Independent candidate describes how, day in and day out, he is meeting people who are stressed beyond measure due to the lack of housing. These include young couples who are living in cramped accommodation in their family home with their parents. Others find themselves trapped in rental properties paying out of control rents that are eating up their capacity to save while their dream of home ownership continues to slip even further out of reach. To add to this over 550 families are on waiting lists for social housing and HAP in the county, Mr Gilmartin continued.

I believe an alternative we should examine more closely to help alleviated this crisis is modular housing. Such homes could play a pivotal role in addressing the lack of affordable housing in Co. Leitrim. These structures are based on modern methods of construction and are of high quality and extremely energy efficient. They are pre-built in factories and assembled on site in a matter of days and are consequently much less labour-intensive and much more cost-efficient when compared to the very high cost of building in the traditional manner, he said.

Mr Gilmartin points out that modular houses can have a long-term purpose. Initially they can provide starter homes for young couples and down the road can cater for the needs of older people, thus ensuring long term functionality. The modular build-type may also allow the Council to utilise land which has beengranted planning permission but where no works have taken place. Going down the modular road will present challenges. It is essential that such housing meets planning permission requirements and complies with building regulations but, when the necessary standards are met, this accommodation could go a long way towards addressing our needs for both social and affordable housing alongside private ownership on one-off sites. It should be considered as a credible short-term alternative in meeting our housing requirements, Mr Gilmartin said.

We need to be forward thinking in how we deal with this crisis and proper modular housing, when done correctly, can be one such innovative solution to our housing crisis here in Leitrim, Mr Gilmartin concluded.
The number of children attending primary school is projected to drop by almost a fifth, or 100,000, over the next ten years, according to Department of Education projections.

The falling demographics predicted between 2023 to 2042 will bring Irish classrooms closer in line to the EU average. The average in Irish primary school pupil-teacher ratio is 23:1 compared with the EU average of about 20 pupils per class. About one in seven pupils here are learning in so-called supersized classrooms of more than 30 pupils.

raise the prospect of an oversupply of teachers at primary level in the coming years which, in turn, could allow for smaller class sizes and lower pupil-teacher ratios.

The report says peaks are due to be reached in the number of primary school enrolments this year and post-primary enrolments in 2026.

The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) says smaller classes allow for more focused attention on every individual pupil, and so would make the Governments goal of establishing one the best education system in Europe more feasable.

The number of pupils in primary school is likely to decline from about 558,000 this year to about 533,000 in 2026 and to about 499,000 in 2030.
Irish premier Simon Harris has said he is eager to be in a position to apologise to the families of those killed in the Stardust fire tragedy.

Families of the 48 young people who died in the blaze that ripped through the nightclub in north Dublin in 1981 have called for an official state apology.

Earlier this week, following fresh inquests, a jury returned a verdict that they were unlawfully killed.

It comes after a previous finding in 1982 that the fire had been started deliberately.

But on Thursday a majority decision from the jury of seven women and five men found the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Valentines Day 1981, started due to an electrical fault in the hot press of the bar.

Families of the victims embraced one another after the verdict at the Pillar Room in Dublin city.

On Friday morning, Susan Behan, whose brother John Colgan was among those killed, said the Government should issue an official state apology, describing it as the right thing to do.

Taoiseach Mr Harris said he hopes to meet with the families on Saturday.

He said he is eager to be in a position to apologise to these families, but wanted to meet them first.

I have reached out to the families today and I have offered to meet them tomorrow, he told media while attending an event in Co Carlow on Friday.

I am very keen to meet with the families and very conscious that these families have felt unheard for decades, and I want to make sure that they know that Im listening, that I want to hear them and, of course, I want to be in a position as Taoiseach to apologise on behalf of this country, but I think the most appropriate thing to do is to meet with them.

Mr Harris said he spoke to Stardust survivor Antoinette Keegan on Thursday following the verdict.

I have reached out today to offer to meet the families tomorrow, if that works for them, or if not at another time of their choosing, he said.

I am eager to be in a position to apologise to these families but I think its right and proper that I meet them first.

Asked about further investigations into Stardust, Mr Harris said: I am aware that the gardai will be reviewing the coroners report, thats right and proper that they do.

I am also conscious that my colleague, the Minister for Justice, will ask the Attorney General to consider the report from the coroner as well.

As Taoiseach, I feel very strongly that it is important that the State recognises the pain, the suffering and the trauma, and the appalling long time these families have had to work, campaign and fight for truth and justice.

Earlier, Ms Behan told RTE Radios Morning Ireland Programme: I feel its important for us because I think we were ignored. I really do feel we were ignored. I feel they were so disrespectful to us.

We were left to our own devices, that shouldnt have been the case, so now it shouldnt be a big deal for them to turn around and say were sorry, we got it wrong, and apologise to us.

Its the very least they could do and it shouldnt take them a long time to know what to do.

Do the right thing and give the public apology. We deserve it. Our loved ones deserve it.

She said the verdict on Thursday meant so much to finally hear our loved ones were unlawfully killed.

So many emotions. Its been such a long time coming, she said.

When we heard it, it was just unreal. All those emotions, 43 years, then we finally, finally hear those words. It was just unbelievable. It really was.

Its very hard to put it into words to be honest because this morning I actually cant believe it. So relieved that finally we have the justice we deserved.
ALDI Ireland has launched its 2024 Community Grants programme, which features an expanded offering to mark 25 years of ALDI in Ireland.

ALDI is calling on charities and community organisations in Leitrim to nominate themselves for a 500 ALDI gift card by visiting their local ALDI store.

Staff from each of ALDIs 161 stores, its two distribution centres and corporate offices will then vote for a charity or community organisation in its local area to make the award to, enabling ALDIs staff to help the most worthy and impactful causes they care most about in their local communities.

For 2024, to coincide with ALDI Irelands 25th anniversary, the retailer will also be selecting 26 charities or community groups, one per county, to receive an additional support of 2,000 worth of ALDI gift cards.

This means that ALDIs Community Grants Programme for 2024 will amount to 137,500 of donations being provided to charitable organisations across Ireland that contribute vital work and services to their local communities.

ALDIs Community Grants programme has donated 620,500 to over 1,000 local charity branches and community groups across Ireland since its inception in 2016. Charities and organisations have ranged from rescue teams to animal sanctuaries, disability support to mental health support, and everything in between.

Launching the campaign, Rachel Nugent, National Sustainability Manager, ALDI Ireland, said: It is with great pride that we announce the return of our Community Grants programme for 2024, which has to date seen us distribute over 620,500 to worthy charities and community groups in every county in Ireland. Giving back to the communities we serve has always been hugely important to ALDI.

ALDI IRFU Ambassador Paul OConnell added: I am delighted to be part of the announcement of ALDIs Community Grants programme for 2024.

Charities and grassroots groups across the country play a critical role in the communities they serve, and ALDIs expanded Community Grants programme is a key source of support.

I wish all the groups applying the best of luck and applaud the valuable work they continue to do in towns, cities and villages all over Ireland.

Operating 161 stores around Ireland, ALDI has donated a total of 3.5 million meals to FoodCloud, equating to a saving of over 1.4 million kgs of food from going to waste.

The retailer has also raised over 1.5 million for its charity partner Barnardos since partnering in November 2020.
Innovafeed Expands to U.S.; French Agtech Firm Opens Insect Innovation Center in Decatur, Ill.





Innovafeed, a global leader in the production of insect ingredients for high-quality animal feed, pet food and plant nutrition, inaugurated its North American Insect Innovation Center (NAIIC) in Decatur, Illinois on the 18th of April. This pilot plant is the first step of the rising French agtech's industrial expansion to North America and aims to scale up production and commercialization of insect protein in the USA.

Innovafeed breeds Hermetia illucens, also known as black soldier flies, in state-of-the-art indoor farms, while efficiently repurposing agricultural by-products from its strategic partner, ADM, in a pioneering zero-waste framework. This innovative process yields insect meal, oil, and soil amendment, which Innovafeed markets under the brand Hiluciatm.

The inauguration of NAIIC will be a milestone in Innovafeed's expansion in North America. The choice of Decatur, Illinois, is not coincidental: located in the heart of the corn belt adjacent to ADM's North American headquarters and the world's largest corn mill operations, with hundreds of processing plants across multiple States, the region offers high potential for multiple sites to be deployed in the future. The broader area is also a historical innovation hub for the agro-industry, making it a strategic location for Innovafeed to serve its core markets. Since 2023, the company in partnership with ADM, already has commercialized Hiluciatm insect ingredients for the pet food market in North America. As part of this effort, ADM has invested in a comprehensive R&D study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with results to be released later this year demonstrating the nutritional and health benefits of its ingredients. Future opportunities with other types of animal feed are also being explored as part of the comprehensive partnership between the two companies.

"We are thrilled to partner with Innovafeed on this exciting project that highlights our commitment to responsible and sustainable sourcing. Our collaboration is a great example of how we are constantly seeking innovative solutions to meet the growing demand for alternative protein sources in animal and pet products. By expanding our value chain and offering collaboration opportunities to leading, innovative partners, we are positioning ADM as the provider of choice for responsible, sustainable materials across the food, beverage, feed, fuel, consumer product and industrial spaces. We are proud to be a part of this job-creating project and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our communities," says ADM Senior Vice President and President of ADM's Carbohydrate Solutions business, Chris Cuddy.

A pipeline will connect the plant to the ADM's corn processing wet mill, allowing it to directly recover up to 300,000 tons per year of by-products. These by-products will be transformed into high-quality insect ingredients producing up to 60,000 metric tons of animal feed protein derived from Hermetia Illucens. Additionally, it will generate 20,000 metric tons of oils for poultry and swine rations each year, along with 400,000 metric tons of soil amendment. In Decatur, the planned large-scale manufacturing facility will replicate an industrial symbiosis model pioneered by Innovafeed in France. A comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) is still to be conducted at the NAIIC.

"We chose Decatur for our first U.S. operation because of its location in the heart of the Midwest corn belt and its proximity to our partner ADM and other agribusiness leaders. ADM's corn by-products are a rich resource that we will leverage to fuel our black soldier fly production. At the same time, this circular process will present a tangible solution to contribute to our Mission and the US Department of Energy's objectives of decarbonizing the industrial sector," says Clement Ray, CEO of Innovafeed.

Innovafeed is delighted to welcome the presence of Governor JB Pritzker at our inauguration, which underscores Illinois's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and its pivotal role in driving both local and global economic impact within the United States.

"Innovative, exciting new approaches to agricultural and environmental challenges are what Illinois is all about, from the invention of the farm silo to global leaders like Innovafeed," said Governor JB Pritzker. "This expansion, perfectly situated in Illinois's rich corn country, demonstrates a commitment to Illinois as a place to grow and continue to innovate, and I'm glad to welcome Innovafeed to Illinois."

Finally, the plant is proudly part of a local ecosystem of industrial projects in Decatur that are poised to create future-focused jobs and help solidify the region as a catalyst for local economic growth and innovation.

"As the project expands, we believe Innovafeed can benefit from a strongly qualified local workforce, as well as contribute to developing new skills specific to our innovative industry. Furthermore, we envision Decatur as a promising hub for innovation with many opportunities for collaboration between Innovafeed and the neighboring projects that have recently been announced in the area," says Maye Walraven, US General Manager for Innovafeed.

Decatur Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe added, "The inauguration of Innovafeed's first U.S. location is another huge win for Decatur and is a prime example of what innovation and growth looks like in central Illinois. The northeast quadrant of Decatur will look very different in the coming years, and we are excited to see the future of Innovafeed and other synergistic partners in the area."

Founded in 2016, Innovafeed currently operates two industrial plants in northern France, producing insect protein for animal and pet nutrition. To date, Innovafeed has secured more than $1 billion in commercial contracts for its fly protein products for the aquaculture, pet food and poultry feed markets and has introduced insect ingredients as a viable, affordable, and sustainable source of animal and pet food, which is now recognized and embraced by both agribusiness leaders and environmental stewards alike. By integrating sustainable and innovative solutions, Innovafeed aims to play a pivotal role in mitigating the environmental impact of the animal and pet agribusiness sector.

Innovafeed is also proud to announce that it is now a Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) accredited company in the pet segment, effective from February 2024. Additionally, the company has been honored with the Most Innovative Company 2024 award by the prestigious Fast Company Prize. These milestones once again underscore Innovafeed's international expansion and its commitment to sustainability and innovation.

ABOUT INNOVAFEED

Innovafeed is a global agtech company and a leader in insect production (Hermetia illucens - Black Soldier Fly) for animal and plant nutrition, created in 2016 by three co-founders: Aude Guo, Bastien Oggeri, and Clement Ray, all driven by the ambition to find innovative and disruptive solutions to the challenges faced by the global food system. It develops disruptive technologies that replicate natural processes on an industrial scale. By building a circular, waste-free food chain that replicates the natural role of the insect, Innovafeed reinvents our way of life with increased quality, sustainability, and resilience for all. Its wide range of products includes Hiluciatm Protein for aquaculture; Hiluciatm Oil for monogastrics; and Hiluciatm Frass for plants, a 100% natural fertilizer made from insect excrement. Innovafeed also offers Hiluciatm Protein and Oil for pet food. Innovafeed has over 350 pragmatic dreamers for whom performance and positive impact must go hand in hand to shape the world we will leave to future generations. To find out more: https://innovafeed.com/en

ABOUT ADM

ADM unlocks the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. We're a premier global human and animal nutrition company, delivering solutions today with an eye to the future. We're blazing new trails in health and well-being as our scientists develop groundbreaking products to support healthier living. We're a cutting-edge innovator leading the way to a new future of plant-based consumer and industrial solutions to replace petroleum-based products. We're an unmatched agricultural supply chain manager and processor, providing food security by connecting local needs with global capabilities. And we're a leader in sustainability, scaling across entire value chains to help decarbonize our industry and safeguard our planet. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, we give customers an edge in solving the nutritional and sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow. Learn more at www.adm.com

18 april 2024 at 18:15

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The Montreal Daffodil Ball raises $1,474,785 to take on cancer





MONTREAL, April 18, 2024 /CNW/ - The 31st Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) Daffodil Ball, which took place this evening at Windsor Station in Montreal, raised $1,474,785 to fund innovative research projects and essential support programs for people living with cancer. The largest cancer-related fundraiser in Quebec was a smash success, bringing together some 400 people from the business, political and artistic communities to celebrate in a festive atmosphere under the inspiring theme, "Together as one ? United by life".

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all the donors who contributed to the success of this year's Ball. Every dollar raised represents renewed hope for people living with cancer, so thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and your unwavering solidarity!" stated Nadia Wendowsky, Vice-President, Leadership and Corporate Giving at CCS.

This edition would not have been such a success without the support and commitment of an exceptional co-chair, Abe Adham, Chair, Quebec Market, TD Bank Group, and Tracy Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer, CN. CCS is also grateful for the event hosts Claudia Marques and Francisco Randez, and all the dedicated volunteers and service providers who made the Daffodil Ball possible.

The Daffodil Moment, a moving highlight of the evening, featured artist Beyries, Cirque Eloize, as well as ambassadors?including survivors, donors, a volunteer and a researcher?all of whom exemplified that we all have a part to play in changing the future of cancer.

Established in 1994, the Montreal Daffodil Ball has played a crucial role in raising money for the cancer cause, raising more than $44.4M since 2004.

A direct impact on the lives of thousands of Quebecers

Over the past year, more than 45,000 people have benefited from the programs and support services provided by the Canadian Cancer Society. During the same period, CCS invested $7.2 million and supported 43 research projects in Quebec. For example, Dr Natalia Gorelik of The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and her team are developing an artificial intelligence (AI) model to help forecast who is at higher risk of cancer spread. If successful, the model would facilitate early diagnosis and treatment and help improve survival odds.

The donations collected as part of this event also fund the Cancer Information Helpline, the Jacques-Cantin Lodge, CancerConnection.ca?an online peer support community ? breast prostheses, wigs, and much more. These services help people facing the disease, during and after their cancer experience.

Join our village of hope. Visit daffodilball.ca to donate and help save lives.

The next edition of the Montreal Daffodil Ball will take place on April 24, 2025.

Official photos of the event are available in the press kit: click here

About the Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We raise funds to fuel the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, across Canada and for all types of cancer. Together with patients, supporters, donors and volunteers, we work to create a healthier future for everyone. Because to take on cancer, it takes all of us. It takes a society. Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.

Event Credentials:

Production: Groupe Toria

Catering: RE Le Traiteur

Floral decoration: Charlotte Lefebvre

Decor & AV: Evenements Total, Groupe Celebrations & ABP

SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society (National Office)

18 april 2024 at 23:38

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DEEPX Expands First-Generation AI Chips into Intelligent Security and Video Analytics Markets





Award-winning on-device AI chipmaker will pursue key industry partnerships to bolster this expansion; following a strong showing at ISC West, it will continue this momentum at Secutech Taipei, Embedded Vision Summit, and COMPUTEX 2024.

LAS VEGAS and SEOUL, South Korea, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DEEPX, an on-device AI semiconductor company, is announcing plans to expand its first-generation AI chip lineup to focus on the intelligent video analytics and security system market ? an expansion driven by key business alliances with global physical security companies, physical security device OEM/ODMs, and IDH companies. To this end, the company recently had an exclusive booth at ISC West (The International Security Conference and Exposition), the world's largest security exhibition held from April 9th to 12th in Las Vegas, USA, where it met with more than 400 companies and more than 600 business representatives from leading global security companies.

To explore partnering with DEEPX to drive synergies in the security and surveillance industry, please contact: [email protected]

DEEPX will also have a booth #123 at the Secutech Taipei exhibition in Taiwan from April 24 to 26 to showcase its innovative solutions for AI of Things (AIoT) and to expand product collaborations with physical security companies and global industrial equipment manufacturers.

The global AI video analytics market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 33% from $18.11 billion in 2023 to $75.35 billion by 2028. This is driven by the rapid expansion of industries that are applying vision AI capabilities, such as smart cities and transportation ? including traffic control ? smart factories, smart homes, retail, distribution, and healthcare.

Faced with communication delays, privacy issues, and network costs in systems that previously ran AI on the cloud or central servers, these markets require the realization of intelligent video analysis functions in real time using on-device AI semiconductors. In addition, a reorganization of the physical security industry's global supply chains is creating an opportunity for DEEPX to accelerate the expansion of its on-device AI solutions.

Harnessing this opportunity to empower physical security companies worldwide, DEEPX's DX-M1, which uses a 5nano processing, has secured a significant lead compared to similar solutions on the global market by demonstrating overwhelming efficiency of power consumption to performance. DX-M1 supports real-time AI computation processing of more than 30 frames per second (FPS) for more than 16 channels of multi-channel video on a single chip. Moreover, unlike other AI semiconductors, it has a wide spectrum of AI model support, from the most popular YOLOv5 model used for object recognition to the latest YOLOv9 and vision transformer models.

This technological and market advantage is made possible by more than 240 patents covering the underlying technology that ensures low manufacturing costs, low power consumption, and competitive pricing ? all key considerations for customers when purchasing AI semiconductors.

DEEPX is currently running an Early Engagement Customer Program (EECP) program to attract early customers, offering a small camera module with DX-V1 (5TOPS), an AI SoC solution; M.2 module with DX-M1 (25TOPS), an AI accelerator solution; DX-H1 quattro PCIe card (100TOPS), a product for AI servers; and DXNN, DEEPX's developer environment. Currently, more than 100 global companies have received hardware and software from DXNN through the program, which they are using to develop new AI-powered products for mass production.

Following its participation in ISC West and Secutech Taipei, DEEPX will attend Embedded Vision Summit in Silicon Valley in May and COMPUTEX 2024 in Taipei in June to accelerate its global business expansion with local businesses and global distribution organizations.

For more information, please visit: https://deepx.ai/

SOURCE DEEPX

19 april 2024 at 07:00

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Generational Group Advises S&L Computer Services in its Sale to Cyber Advisors





Generational Group, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisory firm for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client S&L Computer Services, Inc. to Cyber Advisors (a portfolio company of Goldner Hawn). The acquisition closed March 1, 2024.

Located in Fargo, North Dakota, S&L Computer Services (SLC) is an IT service provider for small businesses. An authorized dealer of HP, SonicWall, Microsoft, and NEC, the Company boasts an expansive product and service offering, ensuring correct solutions to make customers more efficient and productive. In addition, SLC's certified technicians are constantly trained and evaluated to optimally serve customers with both hardware and software support items.

Cyber Advisors, located in Maple Grove, Minnesota, was founded in 1997 and began its mission to provide right-sized solutions that reduce & mitigate network-related downtime (thereby maximizing employee productivity), ensure data security & availability, and enable organizations to contain IT-related costs. By partnering with Cyber Advisors for fully managed IT services, increasing security posture or IT Transformation, the Company is a trusted partner that recommends IT Security Solutions in Minneapolis specifically tailored to specific business objectives.

Founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1989, Goldner Hawn is one of the longest standing private equity investment firms in the Midwest. Over the years, they have built and sustained a reputation for high integrity and straight forward dealings, reflecting the values that have been ingrained in the culture of the firm. Since its founding, their focus has remained consistent; partner with business owners and management teams to drive and sustain growth. Goldner Hawn made its initial investment in Cyber Advisors in July of 2022.

This strategic move solidifies Cyber Advisors' commitment to expanding their Managed Service practice and increasing its technical depth and ability to service clients. Additionally, this acquisition serves as Cyber Advisors' first brick and mortar out of state expansion into North Dakota.

"The collaboration with the Cyber Advisors team offers an excellent integration opportunity with a top-tier partner. With an extended array of services and resources at their disposal, Cyber Advisors stood out as the perfect fit for our new partnership. We are looking forward to continuing to serve our clients and bringing security to the forefront of our solutions," said Leo Worner, Owner, S&L Computer Services.

The acquisition of S&L Computer Services represents yet another milestone for Cyber Advisors, further reinforcing its position as a trusted advisor to organizations seeking comprehensive cybersecurity and Managed IT solutions. This acquisition enhances the strengths and expertise of both companies to offer clients a broader range of cybersecurity services and more comprehensive support.

Scott Schafer, Owner, S&L Computer Services, remarked, "After many years of dedicated service to our valued clients, I am excited to expand into the cybersecurity solutions offered by Cyber Advisors. This collaboration arrives at a pivotal moment, as the need for robust cybersecurity solutions and services continues to escalate. We look forward to protecting our clients now and into the future."

S&L Computer Services is known for its personalized solutions, deep customer relationships, and highly responsive IT services. With a reputation for delivering high-quality service and rapid response, the addition of S&L Computer Services to the Cyber Advisors family brings expanded scale for the Small Business Division.

"Scott and Leo have built a fantastic business based on a foundation of dedication to their customers. Their commitment to providing personalized solutions, fostering deep relationships, and delivering highly responsive IT services has been the cornerstone of S&L Computer Services' success. With the acquisition by Cyber Advisors, this ethos will only be further enhanced. The additional talented resources that Cyber Advisors brings to the table will enable the S&L team to not only maintain but elevate their exceptional level of service. Additionally, we are very excited to further expand into North Dakota and begin serving a new community of clients," said Shane Vinup, CEO at Cyber Advisors.

Cyber Advisors and S&L Computer Services are dedicated to providing a seamless experience for their clients and partners. Together, their combined expertise will empower clients to thrive without the weight of technology challenges, enhance their cybersecurity defenses, and uphold the personalized service they have grown to rely on.

As cyber threats continue to evolve in sophistication and scale, Cyber Advisors remains committed to delivering innovative and effective solutions that safeguard organizations' critical assets. This acquisition reinforces Cyber Advisors' position as a leader in the Managed IT Service industry with a focus on the upper Midwest and underscores its dedication to helping clients navigate the digital age securely.

Generational Group Executive Managing Director, M&A ? Western Region, Lori Galloway, and Randy Bernard, a Generational Group Authorized Affiliate, with support from Vice President, M&A, Tony Brock closed the transaction. Senior Managing Director, Ashok Tandon established the initial relationship with SLC.

About Generational Group

Generational Group, headquartered in Dallas, is a leading, award winning, full-service business advisory firm. With more than 350 professionals located throughout 17 offices in North America, the company helps business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. The Generational suite of advisory services includes strategic growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A services, digital services, and wealth management.

For more information visit https://generational.com/

19 april 2024 at 12:55

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The French government announced a new rule on Friday, April 19, that will require stores to tell customers when a product becomes smaller but its price stays the same or increases, a practice known as shrinkflation.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire announced the measure to tackle the common but often criticized method that has become an international buzzword. He said that from July 1, such cases will need to be clearly communicated to shoppers.

Le Maire called shrinkflation a "scam" and stressed the importance of transparency. "Consumers must understand the real price evolution of products when their sizes change," he said in a statement.

Retailers at medium to large supermarkets will have to display specific information about the price per unit and any changes in quantity next to the affected products. It must be visible as signs on store shelves for two months following any changes to a product. This requirement applies to a wide range of goods, including food and household items. The Finance Ministry said there would be exceptions for unpackaged food items and bulk goods.

Read more Subscribers only French lawmakers vote to ban 'forever chemicals' except in cooking utensils

The French government is highlighting the new rule's consumer protection aspect. Consumers who notice pricing discrepancies are now encouraged to report them through France's SignalConso website or app.

Consumer watchdogs welcomed the new rule.

"This is great news, as shrinkflation is shifty and misleading because it is done behind the customer's back. It's high time to act, as we have less money and prices are rising," said Camille Dorioz, Campaign Director at Foodwatch France.

"It's perhaps very French that the government is stepping in to help the consumer. It's a French way not to let the markets rule on this problem," he added, saying that France is simply reinforcing a European law that forbids misleading packaging and products.

Dorioz said that most shoppers don't notice when a product they buy is 2 grams less, but "over time, it soon adds up, and when people are alerted to it, they understandably get angry."
Leonid Volkov, the top aide of Alexei Navalny, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Vilnius, Lithuania March 12, 2024. GERHARD MEY / REUTERS

Three men who allegedly organized and carried out an attack last month in Lithuania on Russian opposition figure Leonid Volkov have been arrested, officials said Friday.

Volkov  a close ally of late Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny  was briefly admitted to hospital after he was repeatedly struck with a hammer outside his home in Lithuania's capital Vilnius in mid-March.

On Friday, officials in Poland and Lithuania said that a Belarusian man who organized the attack and the two Polish assailants had been arrested in Poland.

"A Belarusian working for the Russians, who ordered two Poles to carry out the attack against the Navalny ally has been arrested," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"The assailants have already been detained," Tusk wrote, adding that they were allegedly "linked to radical hooligan circles," but without providing other details.

Lithuania President Gitanas Nauseda said that "two people suspected of having attacked the head of Russia opposition Leonid Volkov were detained in Poland."

Vilnius's prosecutor, Justas Laucius, said that "the suspects were detained on April 3 in Poland, in Warsaw", adding that the suspects were Polish citizens and that Volkov was attacked "because of his political activities and opinions."

The deputy head of Lithuania's criminal police, Saulius Briginas, said that the suspects were known to Polish police and that during the arrests, "five searches were carried out, which allowed the seizure of objects and proof necessary for the investigation."

The attack on Volkov came almost a month after Navalny's death in an Arctic prison, which Volkov blamed on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Lithuania hosts many Russian and Belarusian opposition activists.

Read more Putin overwhelmingly wins Russian presidential election with no genuine competition
The first KFC restaurant in Algeria, inaugurated with great fanfare on Sunday, April 14, in Dely Brahim, in the western suburbs of Algiers, sparked a heated debate on social media on its opening day. While a crowd of fried chicken lovers crowded the counter, pro-Palestinian activists gathered outside the building to call for a boycott of the chain, accused of supporting Israel. Closed for two days, the fast-food restaurant eventually reopened, but no longer displays its famous logo.

"It's the shaky compromise that seems to have been struck, between anti-imperialist Algerians who accuse the brand of supporting Israel's war against the Palestinians, and trendy middle-class Algerians, very happy to have their KFC on the spot at a time when visas to Europe are becoming difficult to obtain," said a journalist, with a touch of irony.

The authorities, who do not tolerate street demonstrations, ruthlessly dispersed the rally. Some sources suggest the protest was orchestrated by a small pro-power Islamist party, the El-Bina Movement, led by Abdelkader Bengrina  who has not claimed responsibility for the protest. "I don't know if this is the case, but the demonstration was made up of around 40 women in hijabs, supported by a few men," said a witness.

'Casus belli'

The arrival of KFC in Algeria  one of the few African countries without an international restaurant chain  was announced as early as June 2023. Authorized to set up, the company even launched a recruitment campaign on social media. At the time, the objections expressed online were not political. "They sell chicken and French fries, so their main raw materials are vegetable oil, potatoes and chicken  in other words, the three products whose prices fluctuate the most on the market," said one internet user at the time.

But the violence of the Israeli response in Gaza turned KFC's arrival into a casus belli, a controversy that swelled to the point of ridicule. "Some enlightened minds are convinced that closing a KFC in Algiers will have more impact than an attack by 200 drones and 50 missiles," said one internet user, referring to the attack carried out by Tehran after a deadly strike attributed to Israel on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Read more Subscribers only The subtle war in northern Israel, a crucible for escalating tensions with Iran

However, this is not the first time the American brand has been targeted. Around 50 people were arrested in Pakistan on March 30, after a violent mob chanting anti-Israel slogans ransacked and set fire to a KFC in the northeastern city of Mirpur, in the Islamabad-administered part of Kashmir. According to the police, some of the demonstrators belonged to the Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), an Islamist party behind violent anti-French demonstrations in 2020 and 2021.
LIMERICKS Michael Carroll was joint winner of the nutrient management category at the Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year awards.

Now in its seventh year, the awards recognise the best grassland farmers in the country who are growing and utilising more grass on their farms.

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, who presented the awards at the ceremony, congratulated all of the winners.

You are a credit to your families and to the agri sector. I congratulate you all for being here. You can all be really proud of your achievements, said Mr McConalogue.

Mr Carroll farms with his father Martin on their family farm in Granagh.

They milk around 150 cows on a milking platform stocking rate of just over three cows per hectare. Herd EBI is 175 and the average cow is delivering 542 kg milk solids for sale.

The Sustainable Grassland Farmer of the Year awards are part of the Teagasc Grass10 Campaign which is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc, AIB, FBD, Grassland Agro and the Irish Farmers Journal.

The Grass10 programme has placed an ongoing focus on improving nutrient management and efficiency on farms and clover establishment and its management.

Chair of the Grass10 committee, Knockaineys John Macnamara said it gave him great pleasure to congratulate the farmers and students here today and especially their families. Families are so important to successful farms, fulfilling a range of roles, and providing vital support.

READ MORE: Multi-million euro Limerick dairy farm is up for auction

"This is the All-Ireland title for grassland farmers. You can be proud of being here today. You are all winners, said Mr Macnamara.

Congratulating the grassland farmers, Professor Pat Dillon, director of research in Teagasc said: You are all being recognised here today with these awards because of the exceptional job you are doing at home on your farms, in terms of growing and utilising grass in your production systems.

"This years awards place an increased focus on improving nutrient use efficiency on grassland farms; and also the adoption of Clover in grassland swards.
SINN FEINs European election candidate for Ireland South Paul Gavan says there should be no Irish votes for the re-election of Ursula von der Leyen as commission president.

The German has launched her campaign to be re-elected to the top of the influential body.

But Senator Gavan, who is based in Castleconnell, feels her presidency has caused serious concern for Ireland across a number of areas.

I am absolutely clear that there should be no Irish votes for Ursula von der Leyen in her bid to be re-elected for a second term as president of the European Commission. Her presidency has caused serious concern for Ireland on a number of key issues and it is clear that she must not be allowed to continue in her role with another term, he said.

READ MORE: Two new candidates for local elections announced

He pointed to her handling of the crisis in Gaza caused by the Israel-Palestine war, saying her response has been appalling and seriously damaged the EUs credibility as a partner for peace and an honest broker for any future negotiations.

Her unwillingness to call for an immediate ceasefire and sustainable peace is a mark of shame for the EU, added Mr Gavan.

He added his concern about her militarisation agenda for the EU, which he fears runs counter to Irish neutrality.

This, the Senator said, must be protected at all costs.
Ryanair has issued a warning to Irish holidaymakers ahead of the summer months that two of their popular holiday destinations are unable to accept digital boarding passes.

The days of printing off boarding passes at home before setting sail for the airport will seem like a distant memory for many who have become accustomed to simply saving their boarding pass to their smartphone. However, Ryanair has flagged that some airports do not accept digital boarding passes.

Those jetting off to holiday hotspots in Turkey and Morocco, and indeed one airport in Albania, will have to remember to print out a physical copy of their boarding pass.

"We accept mobile boarding passes on flights from the majority of airports on our network," Ryanair states on their website.

"However unfortunately some airports cannot accept mobile boarding passes yet, these airports are: Turkey and Morocco."

The budget airline explained: "If you depart from a Moroccan airport, a digital boarding pass will not be accepted. You must carry a physical printout of your boarding pass, and youll need to present this boarding pass at the Moroccan airport check-in facility."

The website also notes that Tirana airport in Albania "does not accept mobile boarding passes".

Customers travelling from these airports must "check in online and print out a paper boarding pass for their flight(s)".

Holidaymakers can access their boarding pass via My Bookings on the Ryanair.com website or the Ryanair App.
India's Tata Motors is planning to import its Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) luxury electric cars under a new government policy that lowers import taxes for companies agreeing to set up local manufacturing, according to a Reuters report.

This policy, unveiled in March, offers significant incentives to car manufacturers. Import duties on some EV models have been slashed from as high as 100 percent to just 15 percent, provided the carmaker invests at least $500 million and sets up a domestic manufacturing facility within three years, as per Reuters.

While a Tata spokesperson declined to confirm these plans, sources familiar with the company's strategy suggested that both import and domestic production of JLR EVs were on the table.

Shifting Strategy? This potential shift in strategy comes after Tata previously lobbied the government to maintain higher import duties to protect the domestic auto industry. However, the new policy appears to have sparked a reconsideration.

Discussions regarding applying for the EV policy's incentives were reportedly at an early stage. Meanwhile, Tata is also moving forward with plans to construct a $1 billion manufacturing plant for JLR vehicles in Tamil Nadu. Details on which specific JLR models will be produced there are not yet available.

Wider Industry Engagement The Indian government is actively engaging with various automakers to finalise the implementation framework for the new EV policy. A recent meeting with representatives from Hyundai, Vinfast, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Toyota, and Tesla underscored the government's commitment to fostering a vibrant electric vehicle ecosystem in India.

With electric vehicle sales currently accounting for only two percent of the Indian market, the government has set an ambitious target of 30 percent by 2030. The new policy and increasing consumer interest in EVs could be a game-changer for India's automotive sector and position the country as a major player in the global EV market.
Gujarat Hotels announced their Q4 FY24 results on 18 Apr, 2024, revealing a 1.35% decrease in revenue but a 7.91% increase in profit year-over-year.

In comparison to the previous quarter, the company saw a 2.57% growth in revenue and a 10.98% increase in profit.

The Selling, general & administrative expenses showed a significant decline of 11.63% quarter-over-quarter and a 21.33% decrease year-over-year.

Operating income also reflected a positive trend, with a 2.27% increase quarter-over-quarter, although there was a slight 0.88% decrease year-over-year.

The Earnings Per Share (EPS) for Q4 FY24 stood at 3.54, marking a 7.7% increase year-over-year.

Investors have witnessed impressive returns from Gujarat Hotels, with a 13.75% return in the last week, 31.33% return in the last 6 months, and 30.34% year-to-date return.

Currently, Gujarat Hotels boasts a market capitalization of 78.67 Cr, with a 52-week high/low of 238.9 and 139.85 respectively.

Gujarat Hotels Financials Period Q4 FY24 Q3 FY24 Q-o-Q Growth Q4 FY23 Y-o-Y Growth Total Revenue 1.08 1.05 +2.57% 1.09 -1.35% Selling/ General/ Admin Expenses Total 0.04 0.04 -11.63% 0.05 -21.33% Depreciation/ Amortization 0.01 0.01 -1.69% 0.01 +0.87% Total Operating Expense 0.12 0.11 +5.03% 0.12 -5.11% Operating Income 0.96 0.94 +2.27% 0.97 -0.88% Net Income Before Taxes 1.78 1.6 +10.9% 1.62 +9.77% Net Income 1.34 1.21 +10.98% 1.24 +7.91% Diluted Normalized EPS 3.54 3.19 +10.97% 3.29 +7.7%
Lok Sabha elections 2024: Chennai Central, one of the three Lok Sabha constituencies in the capital city of Tamil Nadu, recorded the lowest voter turnout in Tamil Nadu in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Voter turnout in this constituency was 24.09 percent at 11 am, 32.31 percent at 1 pm, 41.47 percent at 3 pm and 67.35 per cent at 7 pm, Chief Electoral Satyabrata Sahoo said.

Highest voting of 75.67 per cent has been recorded in Kallakurichi, next 75.44 per cent in Dharmapuri, and minimum is 67.35 per cent in Chennai Central, 67. 82 per cent in Chennai South, Tamil Nadu Chief Election Officer said.

"By tomorrow, we will be able to get an overall figure of the voter turnout in the state," Sahoo added.



Till 11 am, the voter turnout in three parliamentary constituencies at Chennai was 20%. Sahoo said the voter turnout in Chennai Central constituency was 24.09% at 11 am, 32.31% at 1 pm and 41.47% at 3 pm.

Also Read | Iran-Israel LIVE: Air India suspends flights to Tel Aviv till April 30 As per data released by the Election Commission, the average voter turnout in 39 constituencies of Tamil Nadu was 51.41% till 3 pm. The Dharmapuri Lok Sabha constituency recorded 57.86% voter turnout, the highest in the state till 3 pm, followed by Namakkal at 57.67, and Kallakurichi at 57.34%.

Also Read | Sweet mangoes turn sour in Arvind Kejriwal-ED legal battle: Delhi court notes 'deviation' from diet, verdict on Monday Of the 39 constituencies in the state, eight polled below 50 per cent at 3 pm. These included the three constituencies in the city - Chennai North, Chennai South and Chennai Central- which polled 44.84, 42.10 and 41.47 percent, respectively. The others seats where polling was below 50 per cent were Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur, Tirunelveli, Madurai and Sriperumbudur.

Also Read | Indian embassy urges Indians to reschedule Dubai travel plans Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories at 7:00 am. Voters will exercise the franchise until 6:00 pm.
SINGAPOREChinas epic property bust has saddled its steelmakers with a glut of unsold metal. They are now shipping it overseas at knockdown pricesand the U.S. isnt the only country pushing back.

President Biden on Wednesday asked U.S. trade officials to hit imports of Chinese steel with heftier tariffs, the latest move in a broader campaign against cheap Chinese exports that Washington says are swamping U.S. and global markets.

Exports of Chinese steel have risen 33% in the past year as the countrys enormous producers try to unload their wares abroad now that construction at home has dried up. In the 12 months through February, China exported 95 million metric tons of steel, according to Chinese customs data, a sum that exceeds estimates for total U.S. steel consumption in all of 2022.

The surge in Chinese steel exports offers a potent illustration of the growing anxiety over the prospect of a new China shock" ripping through global trade.

View Full Image (WSJ)

Beijing is funneling investment into factories to rev up growth in an economy beset by restrained consumer spending and real-estate distress. The result is a blast of exports that is bringing back memories of the original China shock of the early 2000s when a torrent of cheap goods brought a bounty for consumers but proved an insurmountable challenge for some U.S. industries exposed to the new competition.

President Biden on Wednesday called for tripling a key tariff rate on Chinese steel to 25%, a duty that comes on top of a second 25% tariff rate applied to Chinese steel on national security grounds by the Trump administration in 2018.

Chinese data shows exports of steel to the U.S. have dwindled since the Trump-era tariffs came into effect. China exported 1.2 million metric tons of steel to the U.S. in 2018, according to Chinese customs data. By last year, that had fallen to 815,000 tons.

Instead, Chinese steel is pouring into other countries including Brazil, Vietnam, India, the U.K., the Philippines and Turkey, all of which have antidumping investigations under way.

Chinese officials have dismissed complaints the country is unfairly subsidizing its manufacturers and exporting a glut of goods onto world markets. They have called the criticism a smokescreen for the inability of Western companies to compete with Chinese rivals.

On Thursday, China urged the U.S. not to repeat what it described as mistakes by the Trump administration in raising trade barriers. The commerce ministry called the proposed tariff a protectionist measure. We urge the United States to face up to its own problems," the ministry said.

The sharp rise in Chinese steel exports over the past 12 months echoes a similar flood in 2015. Steel exports in 2015 reached a record 112 million metric tons, 5 times the exports notched a decade earlier.

View Full Image (WSJ)

That surge was powered by a collapse in steel demand thanks to a swooning Chinese real-estate market. By some estimates, real-estate construction in China in a typical year accounted for around 25% of global steel demand, said Frederic Neumann, chief Asia economist at HSBC.

Chinas real-estate market is once again in a deep slump. Most economists expect the downturn to persist as Beijing wrings what it perceives as speculative excesses out of the system. That means steel producers can expect to be sitting on unsold metal for years unless they rein in production.

Last year, though, production increased, rising around 3% compared with 2022 to 1.2 billion metric tons.

What is the outlet? It has to be exported," said Neumann.

Angang Steel, a Hong Kong-listed unit of Ansteel Group, the worlds third-largest steel producer, said last month that domestic sales in 2023 plunged 15% but exports rose 18% as it actively expanded its overseas sales channels." The company swung to a net loss of 3.25 billion yuan last year, equivalent to around $449 million, blaming low prices and subdued domestic demand.

Chinese data shows that exports of steel to India in the 12 months through February were 84% higher than a year earlier, at around 3 million metric tons. Exports to Vietnam were up 78% to almost 10 million metric tons.

Over the same period, exports to Brazil were up 55%, to Turkey they were up 58%, and to Mexico, up 14%.

In Brazil, some 2,000 steelworkers have been laid off or suspended over the past six months at factories owned by Brazil-based Gerdau and Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal as producers struggle to compete with Chinese imports. Brazilian steelmakers have called for tariffs of 25% on imported steel to protect local production.

Brazil exports iron ore to China, which manufactures it into steel and sells it back to us at a lower price than our own steelmakers can manage," said Weller Goncalves, head of one of the countrys largest steelworkers unions. Competition from China today is much worse than weve seen in previous years," he said.

Brazilian authorities in March opened antidumping probes into certain carbon steel sheets and prepainted steel from China. Mexico in September began an investigation into steel nails from China that are used in concrete. Vietnam is looking at steel strands, the U.K. at steel ropes and the Philippines at steel cylinders.

The Biden administration said it plans to work with Mexico to ensure its southern neighbor isnt used as a conduit for Chinese steel to enter the U.S. market, reflecting concerns that the countrys producers are seeking ways to circumvent tariffs. The Trump administration in 2018 accused Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand of being hubs for such transshipment.

The White House said trade officials are also launching antidumping investigations centered on Chinas shipbuilding, maritime and logistics industries. The broadside comes ahead of a presidential election in which trade with China is expected to be a key issue.

In contrast with the early 2000s, when China was mostly manufacturing low-end goods, China today is competing against industries all over the world, whether steel, textiles or ceramics in emerging markets, or semiconductors, electric vehicles and other high-tech equipment in advanced economies.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, on a recent trip to Beijing, warned that China is now simply too large for the rest of the world to absorb its ballooning industrial output, which U.S. officials say is supported by lavish subsidies and state-directed loans.

When the global market is flooded by artificially cheap Chinese products, the viability of American and other foreign firms is put into question," Yellen said.

Xiao Xiao in Beijing, Samantha Pearson in Sao Paulo and Clarence Leong in Singapore contributed to this article.

Write to Jason Douglas at jason.douglas@wsj.com
Americas original Marlboro Man faces a fresh competitor, who also happens to be a Marlboro Man. The showdown between them will reshape the U.S. tobacco market.

When Philip Morris International was spun out of Marlboro maker Altria in 2008, the two companies were never expected to compete head on. PMIs job was to distribute Americas bestselling cigarette brand overseas, while Altria would continue to sell it at home. But PMI gate-crashed the U.S. market 16 months ago through its $16 billion takeover of Zyn oral nicotine-pouch maker Swedish Match.

In roughly a weeks time, the last commercial tie between Altria and PMI will be severed. A 2013 contract that gave Altria the exclusive U.S. distribution rights to PMIs most successful smoke-free product, IQOS heat-not-burn tobacco sticks, expires on April 30. After this date, PMI will be free to compete in the U.S. with its top noncigarette brand for the first time.

Relations between the two companies have been tetchy for years. In 2019, they stunned investors by announcing plans to remerge. PMIs shareholders in particular hated the idea, and the stock fell. The deal was ultimately scrapped, causing tension. Then, in 2021, PMI began to complain publicly about how slowly Altria was rolling out IQOS in America. The Swedish Match deal followed soon after and turned the companies into direct rivals.

PMI hopes that by rolling out IQOS, it can grab a 10% share of the lucrative U.S. cigarette and heated-tobacco market by roughly 2030. The potential prize is enormousan additional $2.2 billion in annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, according to Stifel analysts. Altria, with its 50% share of the American cigarette market, has a lot to lose if PMI can persuade more smokers to switch to noncombustible alternatives.

Americas tobacco market is ripe for further disruption because smokers are changing how they get their fix. Last year, 40% of all nicotine products sold in the U.S. were smoke-free. This includes categories like e-cigarettes and oral nicotine pouches. Traditional cigarettes make up the remaining 60%, down from 80% in 2018. If the trend continues, Americans will be more likely to reach for a vape or nicotine pouch than a cigarette within three years.

View Full Image Graphic: WSJ

PMI looks in a stronger position to exploit the trend. The company already makes around 40% of its net revenue from smoke-free products. And it doesnt need to worry about the dwindling number of U.S. smokers because PMI doesnt sell cigarettes in America.

Altria does have a small share of the smoke-free market. The company owns brands including on! oral nicotine pouches and NJOY e-cigarettes. It also has a joint venture with Japan Tobacco to launch Ploom heated tobacco sticks in the U.S. and is working on its own heat-not-burn brand. But Altria still relies on old-school smokes for more than 85% of its sales for now.

PMI has proved to be a more innovative company. The $12.5 billion it poured into creating IQOS since 2008 produced a brand that now generates more than $10 billion in annual sales. Altrias record has been rockier. A badly timed bet on e-cigarette brand Juul Labs saddled the company with a $12.5 billion loss. Altria recently sold part of its stake in Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev and will use the proceeds to buy back its own stock. That money may be better spent investing more heavily in smoke-free products.

But Altria has several home advantages it can use to slow PMIs march. Its U.S. distribution muscle is very strong. It can hog the best shelf space, thanks to relationships built up with retailers over decades. In most U.S. convenience stores, Altria dominates the banner ads over the cigarette cabinet. This is a considerable perk as the point of sale is one of the few places where tobacco companies are allowed to advertise their brands.

Altria can also harness data to defend its patch. The tobacco giant is integrated into many retailers loyalty programs, allowing it to monitor what shoppers are buying. If Altria sees that a smoker is experimenting with cigarette alternatives like vapes, it can send the customer coupons or promotions for Altrias smokeless brands.

None of this will keep PMI at bay forever, but it would buy Altria some time to improve its own smoke-free offer. And if Americans are slow to adopt IQOS, which is a new type of nicotine product in the U.S., Altria will have more opportunity to catch up. Management wants noncombustible products to generate $5 billion by 2028, which will represent around 25% of total sales.

View Full Image Graphic: WSJ

Importantly for investors, expectations for Altria are so low that any good news could make a difference to its stock. The shares trade at eight times projected earnings, while PMIs fetch 14 times. Altria would get a boost if the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cracked down on illicit disposable vapes imported from China that are currently capturing all the growth in Americas e-cigarette market.

PMI has a stronger portfolio of smoke-free brands and American smokers seem in the mood to experiment. But the company wont get a warm welcome from its former parent. PMI can expect plenty of blocking tactics as Altria fights to defend its territory.

Write to Carol Ryan at carol.ryan@wsj.com
Mumbai: Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) in Indian markets seem to have pressed the panic button.

By Thursday's market close, they had raised cumulative net bearish bets on Nifty and Bank Nifty futures by a whopping 71,095 contracts overnight to 107,486 contracts, indicating heightened caution amid rising tensions in the West Asia and the recent amendment to the India-Mauritius tax treaty.

FPIs were net short by 36,391 contracts on Tuesday, and stock markets were shut on Wednesday for a public holiday. They take net short positions on index futures as hedges against their cash portfolios, which comprise mostly large-cap stocks, or as punts. FIIs cumulatively held Indian shares worth $769.5 billion as of 31 March, data from NSDL showed.

The change in stance comes soon after they held a cumulative bullish position of 51,282 contracts on 10 April.

It isnt common to see this kind of an overnight increase in bearish positions," said Rohit Srivastava, founder, IndiaCharts. The last time they were short by such an extent (108,883 contracts) was on 21 December last year, after which markets began to rise. However, this time around, the looming uncertainty in West Asia is causing markets to correct. These could be hedges against their portfolios, but such a large rise overnight hints at growing concerns."

Andrew Holland, CEO, Avendus Capital Alternate Strategies, said, Its hard to ascertain whether these are punts or hedges, but they seem to have arisen with rising Israel-Iran tensions in the backdrop."

Kruti Shah, quant analyst, Equirus, said that though the news of the Mauritius treaty amendment has been in the markets for some time", that could be spooking FPIs.

The amendment would effectively tighten the screws on those foreigners using the east African island nation to route funds into Indian shares simply to avail of the tax benefits.

FPIs have intensified selling Indian equities since Iran fired over 300 drones and missiles at Israel overnight Sunday, retaliating against Israel killing two senior Iranian army commanders in Damascus on 1 April.

In the past four sessions through Thursday, they have net sold Indian shares worth 18,698.31 crore, including a provisional 4,260.33 crore on Thursday, according to NSDL and BSE data. This has turned them into net sellers of 1,091 crore so far this fiscal year.

The Nifty earnings yield, the inverse of the price to earnings multiple, was 0.24% below the US 10 year-bond yield, which quoted at 4.62% intraday Thursday. Normally, the earnings yield trades at a premium to the 10-year US paper.

Renewed conflict in West Asia could result in crude oil hitting $100 a barrel, which can widen Indias trade deficit and hurt the rupee.
Two Indian students from Hyderabad reportedly drowned at a popular tourist spot in Scotland. The deceased were identified as Jitendranath Karuturi, 26, and Chanhakya Bolisetti, 22.

Their bodies were recovered by rescue personnel on Wednesday night from the Linn of Tummel area, located at the confluence of the rivers Garry and Tummel. The police shrugged off the possibility of unusual circumstances leading to the mishap.

Also read: Row over Hyderabad BJP candidate 'shooting arrow at mosque': Asaduddin Owaisi reacts, Madhavi Latha clarifies move "On Wednesday night, Jitendranath Karuturi, 26, and Chanhakya Bolisetti, 22, were washed away at Linn of Tummel, which is located north of Pitlochry. There don't seem to be any strange circumstances surrounding the fatalities," NDTV quoted a police official as saying.

Also read: Delhi Police issues traffic advisory for April 20 Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL match. Know route diversions

The deceased, along with their friends studying at Scotland's Dundee University and pursuing Master's degree, were on a hiking trip in the tourist spot.

An official from the Indian High Commission in London informed that the bodies of the two students were found downstream.

Also read: Hyderabad news: Police lathicharge to disperse crowd gathered for free haleem in Malakpet | Watch video here "The families of both students have been contacted by the Indian Consulate General, and a consular representative has met a student who resides in the UK. Dundee University has promised to help in every way," NDTV quoted an official as saying.

The post-mortem will be carried out on Friday, April 19, while the process for returning the bodies to India will begin after that, the official noted.

Two Telugu girls arrested for shoplifting in US In another incident that took place on March 19, two Indian students were arrested by Hoboken police for 'shoplifting' in New Jersey, United States, reported TOI. One of the accused hailed from Andhra Pradesh's Guntur while the other was a student from Hyderabad, before she moved to the US to pursue higher studies.
(Bloomberg) --

In his six years as Mexicos president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador gave his countrys military two important jobs: build infrastructure works to supercharge the economy and rein in violent crime.

By the end of his presidency, he will have accomplished only one  and left the other worse than ever.

AMLO, as the president is known, has used Mexicos armed forces to build airports, construct a nearly 1,000-mile long railroad through the Mayan jungle, and create a state-owned airline. Those initiatives are likely to burnish his economic legacy as he prepares to leave office following this Junes presidential election.

Yet Lopez Obrador will leave another legacy as well. His administration has presided over the bloodiest term in the nations recent history, with more than 170,000 homicides since he took office in 2018 through February. That is a 26% increase from the 135,345 murders during the term of his predecessor, Enrique Pena Nieto. And it has happened despite the combined budgets of the armed forces  the Ministries of Defense, Navy and the National Guard  being boosted by 150%.

This government had the largest legal tools, institutional backup and budget than any other administration, and all the numbers are the worst, said independent Senator Emilio Alvarez Icaza. Were seeing the worst numbers in homicides, in disappeared, in femicide. So the question is, what did they do?

Nearly all of the extra funds AMLOs administration provided to the military were directed to refashioning the armed forces into a construction behemoth, according to an analysis by Bloomberg News and Presupuesta Policy Consulting SA. This is the most in-depth assessment of the militarys resources and spending priorities to date. Meanwhile, as heists, kidnappings and extortions proliferated, the budget to train and deploy soldiers remained practically unchanged in real terms.

A separate public security ministry  which finances certain civilian-run public security efforts including the federal prison system  spent nearly 55% less during Lopez Obradors administration than Pena Nietos, and roughly 12% less than during Calderons term. The ministry receives funding for the National Guard, which Bloomberg did not include in this calculation since it is operated by the military.

While the president is flanked by top brass from Mexicos Defense Ministry and Navy at various ribbon cuttings, cartels have been left to effectively run pockets of Mexican society. They charge locals for everything from Wi-Fi connections to water usage and even the right to have a party. Since the start of this years presidential election season on March 1, nearly 400 people connected to politics have been threatened or kidnapped, according to Mexico City-based consultancy Integralia. At least 24 have been murdered.

All of that has made public safety a top issue for voters. One recent poll said 46% feel security has gotten worse during AMLOs term, and 74% think the government is very corrupt. Its also ratcheted up tensions with the US, where migration across its southern border with Mexico and the influx of fentanyl-laced drugs are top issues in the presidential race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

That leaves Mexicos next president  be it AMLOs protege and overwhelming favorite Claudia Sheinbaum or opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez  with limited options for reining in the militarys spending and reach, at least in the short term. In 2022, AMLO changed the constitution to allow the military to handle public security until at least 2028.

He made it really hard for the next administration to walk everything back unless they have a wide majority in congress, said Lisa Sanchez, head of Mexico Unido Contra la Delincuencia, a think tank that published a report called The Business of Militarization. Their economic and political empowerment carries other risks  theyre a much more powerful force than they used to be.

The Presidents office and the Defense Ministry did not respond to a request for comment on this article. Theres talk that the army and the navy are involved in everything, Lopez Obrador said during one of his regular morning press conferences in January. Its not about militarizing the country. Its about relying on two institutions that are pillars of the Mexican nation and that have helped us deliver in our responsibility to govern.

In an interview, Arturo Zaldivar, the former head of the Supreme Court who is now helping Sheinbaum design her security strategy, said that the armed forces have always been loyal in Mexico, but as far as infrastructure-building goes, wed maybe have to re-calculate the role these institutions have. It was important for them to intervene, and well have to see if theres reason for them to stay.

On Friday, during Acapulcos Banking Convention, Sheinbaum said she did believe the National Guard  whose members can be seen patrolling Mexico Citys subways and beaches all over the country  should remain under the Secretary of Defense while existing separate from the army. However, she said she hasnt yet determined whether several state-owned companies will remain under the armed forces jurisdiction or be placed in civilian hands.

Whoever wins, Xochitl or Claudia, is going to face a lot of problems in ruling this country, said Maria Elena Morera, activist and head of Causa en Comun AC, a nonprofit that studies security and other issues. With the military, they have so much power now  maybe they can reach an agreement thats good for them. But its going to be hard to take away all those businesses, and they were the ones who really insisted in handling the countrys security.

The Public Budget

The program had a very official-sounding name: National Security Government Infrastructure Projects. But rather than funding infrastructure works that serve the public like a train line or new airport, the investment program funds upgrades and expansions of the military's footprint.

During AMLOs administration, the Defense Ministry used the funding to build new air and military bases and remodeled and expanded military hospitals, according to Bloombergs analysis of military spending. It also modified a ranch to include an equine reproduction center, added a cargo elevator for a gym at its headquarters in Lomas de Sotelo in Mexico City and built a diving center in Cozumel, among other projects.

Whats also notable is that the military ultimately spent 288% more for the program than the 35.4 billion pesos, or about $2.1 billion, that Congress originally approved from 2019 to 2022. That meant the military infrastructure program accounted for 22% of the Defense Ministrys annual budget, a leap from the 1% to 3% that was typically allocated during the Calderon and Pena Nieto years.

The Navys National Security Government Infrastructure Projects program, meanwhile, now only accounts for 1.5% of its ministrys overall budget. Thats less than the 2.5% during the Calderon years and the 4.3% during the Pena Nieto era.

The Defense ministry was able to spend more than was allotted for such projects through whats known as an amendment  a tool that lets a ministry change the budget without Congresss approval, as is the case in many other countries. Congress is only informed about amendments in rare circumstances where the changes exceed 5% of a given governmental branchs budget, according to Aura Martinez, an information coordinator at the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency.

Defense has been an avid user of amendments, spending 27% more than Congress approved from 2019 to 2022, according to the analysis.

Wed never seen so many spending mechanisms made available to the armed forces as were seeing now, Sanchez said. Defenses overspending equals all of the Labor Ministrys annual budget.

While hes spending more on the military, Lopez Obradors priorities have differed from those of his predecessors. Historically, Mexican presidents have devoted nearly 50% of the Defense administrations budget to training, recruiting and deploying soldiers, and buying weapons. Under Lopez Obradors administration, that share of the budget, in real terms, will have fallen to 17%.

Instead, 51% of the Defense and Navys combined budgets of 331 billion pesos in 2024 was earmarked for infrastructure projects.

Nearly half of the 259 billion pesos that Defense got this year will be used to finish the third of the Maya Train line its in charge of building. The railway is designed to ferry passengers between tourism hotspots like Cancun and Merida, and to hotels the military is building and operating deep in the Mayan jungle.

Another chunk will go to operating the new state-owned airline as well as managing airports near Mexico City and Tulum.

Much of the militarys business operations are housed under a government-run company called Grupo Aeroportuario, Ferroviario, de Servicios Auxiliares y Conexos, Olmeca-Maya-Mexica SA  better known as Gafsacomm. AMLO created the conglomerate in 2022 to oversee most government-built infrastructure projects and handed over its operation to the Defense Ministry. Its budget this year of 15 billion pesos will help it operate 12 airports, five hotels, three natural parks, two trains, a museum and the Mexicana airline.

Hardly anyone expects the airports or the airline to turn a profit in the near future. While the groups losses will be covered by public coffers, it will get to keep any profit it does make and redirect it to the militarys pension system.

The trend is that increasingly, the armed forces are going to have different money-making streams, said Sanchez. And thats dangerous because youre giving more money to an armed corporation that has a legitimate use of power and 400,000 soldiers.

Lopez Obrador sees the projects as a way to develop the economy of traditionally poor parts of the country, which will create more employment and lead to better conditions, ultimately improving public safety. And the military has to be in charge of it all because, in the presidents view, its able to rise above the corruption that plagues civilian agencies handling funds for major projects. The military can deliver at a fraction of the cost of a private company and in a much shorter time, he says.

The Shadow Budget

There are several other, less transparent ways that Mexicos armed forces receive funds to oversee infrastructure works.

The Defense and Navy control trusts in which they or other entities can deposit money without being required to disclose where the funds came from or how theyre being used. At the end of 2023, trusts administrated by the military held 81 billion pesos, compared with 7 billion pesos at the end of Pena Nietos government in 2018, according to nonprofit Mexico Evalua.

Given the lack of disclosure, theres no way to know how much of the money in the trusts is accounted for in the budget.

The exorbitant sum of it all and the risk of double counting are exactly why they should tell us whats in there, said Sanchez.

Then there are contracts. Between 2019 and 2022, the Defense Ministry received an additional 191 billion pesos through agreements with other federal ministries for public projects including the Maya Train, according to the nonprofit Mexican Institute of Competitiveness, known as IMCO.

Contracts are rarely made public and increasingly difficult to track, given Lopez Obradors near dismantling of transparency watchdog, the National Institute for Access to Public Information and Data Protection. IMCO obtained the information through government information requests and legal challenges.

Were facing an opacity monster, said Paula Villasenor, the former head of IMCOs Effective Government division. Its incredibly hard to know how much money and contracts they have.

Sara Velazquez, the lead author of a report called National Inventory of the Militarized, said the military receives money from so many sources that its nearly impossible to trace all of it.

I think even they dont know how much money they get every year, she said.

Record Murders

Mexicos official crime statistics are known to be far from exact. The countrys cifra negra, or the estimated share of crimes that go unreported, reached 92% in 2022, according to statistics agency Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Geografia. Homicides, though slightly down from the first few years of Lopez Obradors administration, are on track to end up the highest ever in a presidential term. The Secretariado Ejecutivo del Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Publica (SESNSP), which is separate from Inegi, has counted 170,959 homicides with intent since AMLO took office through February of this year.

The president has acknowledged that homicides have surpassed those in previous administrations, but he casts blame on the violent country he inherited. Homicides fell 7% between 2021 and 2022, and dropped 4% between 2022 and 2023, which Lopez Obrador said was a direct reflection of his security strategy.

Its crazy to think that what we used to consider a violent year was one with 20,000 victims of homicide with intent, said Lilian Chapa, a public-policy analyst who served as an adviser to SESNSP. The registry counted 29,705 homicides with intent in 2023.

National Guard Does It All

Last year, security consultant Manuel Garza witnessed the biggest heist he had seen in two decades. A shipment of mainly electronic goods worth nearly 17 million pesos was traveling along the highway from the port of Veracruz through the central state of Puebla. The person monitoring it on a screen suddenly saw the dot freeze.

An alert was raised when the dot hadnt moved in over 40 minutes, said Garza, who is being identified using a pseudonym to protect him from retaliation. When the companys private car came to check the scene, the trucks security team of two armed guards were nowhere to be found.

The National Guard showed up 30 minutes later. When the trucks driver called from the neighboring state of Hidalgo, he said he and the two guards had been tied up. But the National Guard didnt take down the witnesses statements. For that, the security company had to go to the local prosecutors office. They got back nothing else from the heist.

The episode is emblematic of how the military has frequently taken a halfhearted approach to law-enforcement responsibilities it inherited when the Mexican government did away with the Federal Police in 2019.

The National Guard had a total headcount of about 104,000 at the end of 2022. That includes 17,419 members drawn from the disbanded Federal Police and 1,050 new recruits. However, the majority of the force is made up of soldiers and marines on loan from the Defense and Navy. The troops were given new uniforms and armbands, but little to no training on how to do police work.

That has led to plummeting arrests as many National Guard members prefer to turn a blind eye to whatever crime is happening before them than go through the motions of properly arresting a suspect and filing the report correctly, according to Chapa, the public-policy analyst. Seizures of illegal drugs and weapons have plummeted as a result.

Guillermo Montes, who also asked to use a pseudonym, was one of the marines transferred to the National Guard. He saw many of his fellow guardsmen make mistakes when they intervened at the scene of a crime because they had no idea how to track down robbers or respond to 911 calls.

One of the hardest things to do, he recalled, was present evidence in front of a judge. Often, their cases were dismissed on procedural grounds, since they hadnt been fully trained on the protocols of filling out police reports.

The armed forces are not trained to be police, he said. We followed in order to help, but we were lacking many of the things that the police know.

Lopez Obrador didnt always back such broad use of the armed forces. He had been vocal about sending the military back to its barracks since losing the 2006 presidential election against Calderon, who had the armed forces take to the streets to fight cartels. That resulted in more than 103,000 homicides during his administration.

We cant solve the countrys insecurity and violence with the army, Lopez Obrador said in a video dated 2010. We cant use the military to make up for the civilian governments shortcomings. Its important we dont give the army excessive faculties  we cant accept a militarist government.

But it didnt take long for him to change his mind. In regular meetings during his transition into office, the Defense Ministrys top brass laid out how corrupt the Federal Police was and how the military was the only institution worthy of his trust, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The Federal Police were plagued by reports of abuse of power, torture and corruption. Last year, Genaro Garcia Luna, who had been in charge of Mexicos battle to root out illegal narcotics and vanquish drug kingpins, was convicted by a federal jury in New York of helping Sinaloa cartel members import and distribute drugs in the US. His defense has requested a new trial.

Though AMLO initially presented the National Guard as a civilian force, its effectively operated by the Defense Ministry, and its budget is routinely transferred to the military. In August 2022, Lopez Obrador issued a decree to place the guard under the Defense Ministry.

In April 2023, Mexicos top court said that decree was unconstitutional, and gave the government until Jan. 1, 2024 to return the operation of the guard to the civilian ministry.

AMLO has said he would abide by the courts order, but in February, he sent a new proposal to Congress to officially move the National Guard to Defense. Congress has yet to pass it.

Were living in two worlds, said Ernesto Lopez Portillo, former member of Mexico Citys Human Rights Commission and head of Universidad Iberoamericanas Citizen Security program. The world of the constitution that says public security is a civilian matter and the world of reality, where the National Guard is, under every indicator that we have, strictly military.

Money and Power

Sheinbaum has said she intends to consolidate the National Guard, and following AMLOs footsteps, that it should operate under the Defense Ministry.

Meanwhile, Galvez has said the military has been asked to do too many things unrelated to their core mission.

They shouldnt be building trains, patrolling parks or handing out books, she said at an event in Campeche in March. A large part of the country is in the hands of criminals these days, we need the military to return to its national security activities.

Mexicos militarization isnt exclusive to the federal government, according Causa en Comun's Morera. Military and Navy officials now oversee public-security ministries in 17 of the countrys 32 states. Sixteen of those states are ruled by AMLOs Morena party.

For whoever wins Mexicos presidential election on June 2, the key question will be how to deal with an empowered, enlarged and wealthy military that has taken over hundreds of tasks that used to be in the hands of civilians  and that has more revenue streams than ever  while reining in the record-breaking number of homicides.

Theyve overused a perverse blanket called national security, said Senator Alvarez Icaza. Now the dilemma is, how do we take away all the money and power that Lopez Obrador gave them?

--With assistance from Maya Averbuch, Rafael Gayol and Michael O'Boyle.

(Updates in 14th paragraph with comments Sheinbaum made during Acapulcos Banking Convention on April 19.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg Law) -- Rudolph Giulianis creditors expanded their probe into the former New York mayors finances, filing more than a dozen subpoenas in his bankruptcy case on Friday.

The formal requests, filed Friday in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, were made by Giulianis official committee of unsecured creditors, who are seeking to uncover any hidden assets they believe should be distributed to them.

The committee served subpoenas to Giulianis son Andrew Giuliani, president of his third-party litigation defense fund; Maria Ryan, who co-hosts a podcast with Giuliani; and to Giulianis former assistant. The committee also filed document requests for corporate entities affiliated with Giuliani, and to Giuliani himself.

The former assistant, Noelle Dunphy, is a member of that creditors committee, and has said she has access to 23,000 of Giulianis personal emails.

Giuliani filed for Chapter 11 last year, saying he was unable to pay a $148 million defamation judgment brought by Georgia election workers.

The subpoenas filed Friday seek information about Giulianis finances, including communications about his income, expenses, bank accounts, and small businesses.

Trump Legal Fees

The subpoena to Dunphy asks for Documents and Communications concerning the nature of any legal services that Giuliani has performed, or continue to perform, for Donald J. Trump.

The creditors committee previously also hired a forensic accounting firm to probe his finances, including money tied to legal services done for former President Donald Trump.

Dunphy sued Giuliani for sexual assault, harassment, and wage theft. In her complaint filed last year, she said Giuliani loaded his email account onto her computer, giving her access to his inbox.

Since Giuliani gave Ms. Dunphy access to his email account, she had access to information that was, upon information and belief, privileged, confidential, and highly sensitive, Dunphys complaint said.

Giuliani has said hes owed about $2 million from the Trump Campaign and the Republican National Committee for legal fees related to the 2020 campaign. Creditors have considered suing Trump to recover those fees.

Dunphy has access to emails from, to, or concerning President Trump and his family, as well as top Republican officials and advisers, according to her lawsuit.

The unsecured creditors committee is represented by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. Giuliani is represented by Berger Fischoff Shumer Wexler & Goodman LLP.

The case is Rudolph W. Giuliani, Bankr. S.D.N.Y., No. 23-12055-shl, 4/19/24.

To contact the reporter on this story: Evan Ochsner in Washington at eochsner@bloombergindustry.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Anna Yukhananov at ayukhananov@bloombergindustry.com

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Mickey, Goofy and their friends at Disneyland are planning to join a union.

Hundreds of Disneyland employees who perform in parades, high-five visitors and pose for photos while dressed as famous Disney charactersfrom Darth Vader to Princess Jasminehave backed the creation of a new unit of the Actors Equity Association, a union that primarily represents theater actors and stage managers.

The unionizing workers say hourly wages are too low, benefits are limited and there are scant opportunities for advancement. Others complain of unsanitary working conditions, unchecked harassment by park guests, costume-related injuries and a lack of scheduling flexibility.

A Disney spokeswoman said pay is competitive and working conditions are good. Hourly workers receive annual wage increases, and base pay for parade and character performers rose from $20 to $24.15 per hour starting in January, she said.

The unionizing group, which calls itself Magic United," on Tuesday notified Disney that it had the support of the majority of Disneylands 1,700 cast membersDisneys term for its parks employees. On Wednesday, the group filed a petition to hold an election. If Disney doesnt voluntarily recognize the new union, the workers could vote to establish it as soon as May.

We support our cast members right to a confidential vote that recognizes their individual choices," said a Disney parks spokeswoman. The current unionization efforts dont include workers at Walt Disney World, Disneys Florida park.

The union organizing comes as parks become an increasingly important profit engine for Disney and amid a broader nationwide increase in worker unionization efforts that span parks performers, Hollywood visual effects artists, coffee baristas and auto-factory workers.

The Disney unit that includes theme parks accounted for 69% of operating income from the companys primary business segments in its 2023 fiscal year, up from 39% in 2018. The company has announced plans to invest $60 billion in that division over the next decade.

Disney parks performers are at the center of many visitors most cherished memories and represent the sense of magic" that the companys founder often spoke of wanting to create. Such was their devotion to Disney that these workers rarely aired grievances publicly. Some say discontent has grown since parks reopened after the pandemic, even among performers who describe themselves as lifelong fans, exhilarated by the feeling of connecting with visitors.

Its hard to go against the Mouse

Disney publishes Look Books" that dictate parks performers appearance, down to the length of their facial hair and nail polish colors. Mixing the worlds of reality and fantasy is forbidden: Cast members can be fired for revealing publicly which princesses or cartoon characters they portray during work hours.

Some workers, including most of those who march in parades, arent permitted to work full time. Disney says parade work is part-time by nature.

Courtney Griffith, 26 years old, earns $24.15 an hour to perform in parades like Magic Happens" and Fantasmic!" in addition to working shifts dressed as Disney characters. Griffith, who is finishing her college degree, earned about $18,000 last year and lives at home with her parents.

When she got involved with the unionization efforts, her mother became concerned because its hard to go against the Mouse," Griffith said.

Her mother Barb Griffith, a dancer, started dating her father Tom Griffith, a trombone player, when both were working in Disneyland parades in the early 1980s. Courtney Griffith passes by the bench where her parents first met each time she sets out down Main Street to perform.

She wants the union to push for more hours and full-time status for parade workers, higher pay, more autonomy over shift-scheduling and better cleanliness and safety standards.

My body has had enough

Some performers have raised health and safety concerns as part of the unionization push.

Those who portray Disney princesses refer to a moldy basement room beneath Disneylands castle where they take breaks between shifts as the dungeon." Disney acknowledged that cast members give colorful names" to some facilities, and said the princesses basement break room receives regular custodial service."

Alexis Velasco, 24, said she was attacked by a guest in 2018 while dressed as a classic Disney character after offering the visitor a handshake and playfully pulling her hand away.

The guest became upset and wrenched her head backward from behind, pulling her to the ground. Velasco said a doctor later told her that she had whiplash so severe it looked like she had been in a serious car accident.

Disney helped Velascowho still has a limited range of motion in her neckpay for her medical bills using a workers compensation settlement.

Other organizers described guest assaults on workers and said it often takes too long for security to respond to incidents. Disney said it doesnt tolerate inappropriate guest behavior.

Velasco still performs at Disneyland, but doesnt expect to stay much longer. There are good moments in my jobit pulls on my heartstrings, and I tend to forget all the injuries and damages that Ive gone through," she said. But my body has had enough."

Adam Hefner, 28, was injured on the job at Disneyland in 2016, when he suffered a repetitive stress injury from a costume that resulted in a torn labrum in his shoulder.

He says that Disney helped him find doctors and pay his medical bills when he was injured. The incident prompted him in 2018 to switch to being a safety lead"a backstage position where he now earns $26.15 an hour to help other cast members who are experiencing pain or discomfort.

Hefner said through his unionization work he has heard from other cast members who have suffered injuries from ill-fitting and burdensome costumes. Disney said employee safety is a top priority.

Hefner has spent time working with children as a character at a now-closed interactive show called Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple. He called his time at the Star Wars-themed experience by far the best thing Ive ever done"not just at work, but in his whole life.

He earns around $40,000 a year, without benefits, working part time. That salarywhich qualifies him as low-income in Orange County, Calif. has required him to live with three roommates in an apartment in Anaheim and doesnt leave much extra cash to pursue his hobbies, like traveling.

Disney made me who I am

Mai Vo keeps a shoebox in her closet filled with drawings and letters that fans and co-workers have given her.

Disney made me who I am, for better or for worse," she said.

A former high school marching band percussionist and drum major and the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants who settled in Orange County, Vo first auditioned to be whats known as a look-alike" performer at Disney when she was 16.

Her first job as a performer at California Adventure paid $13.50 an hour. Now 37, she works full time at Disneyland, making $24.75 per hour as a host and $29.50 an hour as a character.

She plans to continue working at Disneyland at least through the completion of the union drive with the aim of moving out of the cramped mobile home in Placentia, Calif., which she shares with her mother and brother.

One of her goals in the union push is a better paid-time-off policy. She said after the pandemic Disneyland changed its time-off policy, making it harder for cast members to accumulate paid time off to use when they are sick, which gives workers little incentive to stay home if they fall ill.

The Disney parks spokeswoman said that the companys sick-leave policy is reasonable and fair."

Angela Nichols, who is in her 30s, works as a host at Disneyland, chaperoning costumed characters around the park. She earned a masters degree in writing while working shifts at Disney and other part-time jobs, including as a production assistant on film sets.

Nichols dreams of becoming a TV screenwriter, but wants to see the union drive through to the end and pressure the company to treat cast members with more respect. I think I know I should leave, but I want to leave this job better than I found it," she said.

Write to Robbie Whelan at robbie.whelan@wsj.com
A shipment of 6,600 gold bars and millions of dollars in foreign cash landed last April at Torontos airport, where it was sent to a warehouse. Soon after, a man drove up in a white truck and presented fake documents. In a few minutes, the gold and cash were in the truck, and the man drove away with $14.5 million in stolen gold and almost $2 million in cash.

The theft was discovered three hours later, setting off a yearlong search by Canadian police, who uncovered what is alleged to be an inside job involving employees at Air Canada and an international arms-trafficking operation that was foiled by Pennsylvania State Police in September.

Its almost out of an Oceans 11 movie," said Patrick Brown, the mayor of Brampton, a Canadian city near Toronto Pearson International Airport. He was standing, along with an array of police officers and other elected officials, in front of the 5-ton white truck used in the heist.

The Toronto heist is one in a line of thefts from airports in recent years. Eight armed men stole roughly $30 million of gold and other precious metals from Sao Paulos airport in 2019, the same year that armed robbers in Albania rushed onto the tarmac at Tirana International Airport and stole millions of euros worth of gold and cash. In 2013, masked robbers stole more than $50 million worth of diamonds from a plane at Brussels Airport.

Airports around the world are struggling with an increase in cargo thefts, many of which are organized by criminal gangs, said Andy Blackwell, senior risk adviser and security adviser with the London-based security firm ISARR.

The Toronto heist, with its connection to arms smuggling, was likely a sophisticated plot that exploited insiders knowledge of the systems to pull off the theft, he said. This was a high level of organized crime."

According to the Canadian police, the plot at Pearson involved at least two employees of Air Canada and one jeweler.

Certainly the position of the people that were involved in it made it easier," said Nick Milinovich, a deputy chief for Peel Regional Police, which is responsible for Torontos airport.

The six other alleged conspirators included the trucks driver, Durante King-Mclean, who was arrested in Pennsylvania in September with a cache of 65 guns he allegedly intended to smuggle into Canada. Law-enforcement officials allege that King-Mclean bought the guns in Florida and Georgia with proceeds from the heist.

According to a U.S. grand jury indictment that was filed in Pennsylvania last week, the Canadians were working with a Florida resident who has been charged as an accessory to King-Mcleans gun-smuggling attempts. The police have video footage of King-Mclean leaving a U-Haul facility in Atlanta, carrying a backpack that was found to contain 30 handguns when he was arrested.

Of the 65 guns seized by police, one had its serial number obliterated, while 11 of them were reported stolen, according to court filings.

Canadian police had identified King-Mclean as the truck driver early on in their investigation, but they lost him over the summer. It wasnt until he was stopped in Pennsylvania, for what a law-enforcement official described as minor motor vehicle violations," that he was found again, said Det. Sgt. Mike Mavity, who was leading the investigation for Peel police.

Until that arrest, Canadian officials had been treating the heist as a simple, although sensational, property crime, said Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah. Investigators did not know that arms trafficking was going to be an associated activity until [King-Mclean] was arrested," he said.

It is unclear when the thieves in Toronto heard about the gold shipments, but according to a lawsuit filed by security company Brinks, which is suing Air Canada over the theft, the Swiss refiner, Valcambi, arranged in April 2023 to send the gold bars to Toronto Dominion Bank, while Swiss bank Raiffeisen Schweiz, in a separate transaction, had arranged to transport $1.9 million worth of bank notes to Toronto.

The cargo arrived in Toronto on April 17 and was taken to a secure warehouse close to the airport. Less than three hours after it arrived, the merchandise had been stolen.

Video footage released by police on Wednesday shows a forklift loading the gold and money into the back of a truck. King-Mclean, dressed in blue and wearing a face mask, appears to make sure the load is secure.

Brinks, which had been hired to ship the valuables, came to collect its shipments roughly three hours after the theft, which is when it was discovered.

No security protocols or features were in place to monitor, restrict or otherwise regulate the unidentified individuals access to the facilities," Brinks said in its lawsuit, which was filed in Canadian federal court in October.

An Air Canada spokesman in an emailed statement confirmed that two of the employees had worked at their warehouse. One was suspended, while the other resigned. In response to Brinks allegations, Canada disputed that its security was lax.

As part of the arrests, police found $312,000 worth of Canadian cash, which is believed to be profit from the sale of the gold, said Det. Sgt. Mike Mavity, who was leading the investigation. The investigators also found smelting pots, casts and molds in a Toronto jewelry shop that they believe were used to melt down and sell the gold to buy guns, said Mavity. All that remained of the precious metal were six crude bracelets made of pure gold worth about $65,000.

The police put together a team of 17 investigators to hunt for the thieves. They combed through hundreds of hours of security and traffic footage, issued 37 search warrants and interviewed 50 people.

Some of the details of the investigation verge on the comical. One of the suspects, Simran Preet Panesar, was working with Air Canada during the investigation and gave the police a tour of the facilities. The officers became suspicious because Panesar was unusually stressed out during the tour, said Duraiappah, the police chief. Soon after, the officers realized he was one of the people at the warehouse who would have handled the fake waybill, or had the capacity and means to get the proper codes to make the waybill seem legitimate. Their suspicions grew when police learned that Panesar was quitting his job later that summer. He has since disappeared.

According to a U.S. grand jury indictment filed in Pennsylvania last week, one of the alleged thieves was plotting less than a week after the theft to get King-Mclean, the alleged truck driver, into the U.S. and buy guns and smuggle them back into Canada.

King-Mclean was stopped by Pennsylvania State Police in September. The police said they found handguns, many of them stolen, in his rental car. King-Mclean was listed in police databases, which led U.S. officials to contact Peel police.

U.S. officials are still looking to identify the source of the stolen guns, said Eric DeGree, a special agent for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Im proud to say that we successfully put an international gun-trafficking operation out of business," he said.

Canadian police started making arrests over a three-day period earlier this month, said the police chief. The suspects had been living lavishly in the interim, having taken trips to Dubai and the U.K., he said. One of them even bought a luxury car.

Parmpal Sidhu, one of the alleged thieves, who worked at Air Canada until he was suspended earlier this week, said in an interview that he was arrested at a traffic stop by Peel Police on April 5. Well see where it goes," he said. Its innocent until proven guilty."

Sidhu and the other arrested men have been released by the Canadian court to await trial. They wont enter their pleas until a court date is set, which could happen in May, Sidhu said.

Write to Vipal Monga at vipal.monga@wsj.com
Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi has been appointed as the next Chief of the Naval Staff as present Naval chief Admiral R Hari Kumar retires from service. Tripathi who is currently serving as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, will take charge on April 30, 2024.

The defense ministry, in an official statement, said, The government has appointed Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, presently serving as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff as the next Chief of the Naval Staff with effect from the afternoon of April 30, 2024.

All you need to know about Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi? 1) Vice Admiral Tripathi was born on May 15, 1964. He is an alumnus of Sainik School Rewa and National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and has undergone courses at the Naval War College, Goa and Naval War College USA.

2) He was commissioned into the executive branch of the Indian Navy on July 1, 1985. A communication and electronic warfare specialist, Tripathi has had a long and distinguished service spanning nearly 30 years.

3) Before taking over as Vice Chief of Navy, he had served as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. Vice Admiral Tripathi has served in a variety of command, staff and instructional appointments. He has also commanded INS Vinash, PTI reported.

4) Tripathi has also held various important operational and staff appointments including Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet, Director of Naval Operations, Principal Director Network Centric Operations and Principal Director of Naval Plans at New Delhi.

5) As Rear Admiral, Tripathi served as Flag Officer Commanding of the Eastern Fleet. He also served as Commandant of the prestigious Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala.

6) Vice Admiral Tripathi has also received awards the Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) and Nau Sena Medal (NM).
Air India, the Tata group-owned carrier, on Friday said its flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until 30th April 2024, in view of the emerging situation in the Middle East.

The Indian carrier said the company is extending support to its passengers who have confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this period, with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges.

Taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Air India said, "Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until 30th April 2024, in view of the emerging situation in the Middle East. We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers who have confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this period, with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges.

Also Read | Dubai floods: Indian embassy urges Indians to reschedule travel plans to UAE Releasing 24/7 Contact Centre at 011-69329333 / 011-69329999, Air India said the safety of its customers and crew remains its top priority and is continuously monitoring the situation.

Earlier on April 14, the airline temporarily suspended flights to Tel Aviv due to rising tensions between Israel and Iran.

In a separate post, the airline also announced the cancellation of flights from Dubai Airport following the flood-like situation after heavy downpours.

Also Read | Narayana Murthy's 5-month-old grandson Ekagrah earned  4.2 crore after Infosys declared  28 dividend "We regret to inform cancellation of its flights to and from Dubai due to continued operational disruptions at Dubai Airport. We are doing our best to get affected customers on their way by re-accommodating them on flights as soon as operations resume. Customers booked on our flights with valid tickets for travel till 21st April 2024 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling and full refunds for cancellation," Air India said in a post on X.

With the Middle East tensions flaring up the airlines have charted alternative flight paths to avoid the Iranian airspace, but longer flight paths will result in increased operational costs for the carriers, and the situation could also push airfares higher.
Salman Khan House firing incident: In a major development in the ongoing investigation of the firing at Salman Khan's Bandra house on April 14, Mumbai Crime Branch has detained Sonu Gupta, brother of accused Vicky Gupta, said Mumbai police on Friday. Further investigation is underway.

It was found in the investigation that one of the accused in the Galaxy Apartment firing case, Sagar Pal, was impressed by the gangster lifestyle and aspired to have a similar life. Later he came in contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and received the contract of firing outside Salman Khan's Bandra house in Mumbai. The accused were told that it was a big job and they would get good money, ANI quoted Mumbai Police.

According to the preliminary investigation, it was found that Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) were allegedly contracted by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to execute the shooting, reported news agency PTI.

'No intention to cause harm or take life' The arrested accused in the case, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal admitted that the firing outside Galaxy Apartment aimed to intimidate the superstar rather than causing harm or taking his life, reported PTI.

The two suspects also said that the attack aimed to retaliate against Salman Khan because of his involvement in the Blackbuck poaching case, according to the news agency.

Salman Khan house firing incident The Mumbai Crime Branch will record Salman Khan's statement as a witness in the case. The Bollywood superstar expressed anger and concern about his family's safety with the Mumbai Police officials after the incident, reported ANI citing sources. Moreover, he raised questions about the heavy security deployment outside his Bandra residence. The miscreants were able to do multiple recce and shooting despite heavy security.

Moments before the shooting, the assailants parked a motorcycle approximately 100 metres away from Salman Khan's residence at Galaxy Apartments in Bandra.
The number of tourists from India to the Maldives declined by almost 40 per cent during the January-March 2024 period as compared to the data from the same period in 2023. At the same time, the total number of tourists from China shot up by over 200 per cent.

The Maldives' Ministry of Tourism released its monthly report on tourist arrivals recently. The data showed the tourist arrivals in the island nation between January and March this year.

The report revealed that as many as 56,208 Indian tourists had visited Maldives between January and March 2023. This number declined to 34,847 in the January-March 2024 period. This was a 38 per cent decline from 2023.

Meanwhile, 17,691 tourists from China visited Maldives during January-March 2023. The tally rose to 67,399 during January-March 2024  recording a spike of 281 per cent.

ALSO READ: Maldives snubs India over hydrographic survey deal after signing military pact with China

As per the latest data, India ranks sixth in the top 10 markets for Maldives tourism, while China ranks No. 1 with an 11 per cent share.

The data holds significance as India once used to be a significant and top-most contributor to the Maldive's tourism statistics. Indians were only second to Russia in the chart showing tourist arrivals in the Maldives by nationality in January-November 2023. The increase in arrivals from India started in 2020, as compared to that from China.

India dominated the Maldives tourism market until December last year. Its position started declining starting January 2 this year, when India ranked third among the top 10 countries that make up most of the Maldives' tourism market share. India's rank further plunged to fifth on January 21 and then to sixth on March 3.

Since then, China has steadily climbed the chart from 10th to the first spot.

India-Maldives row The drop in tourists from India was seen soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attempted to promote Laskhwadeep as a tourist destination, triggering a row in the Maldives in the first week of January this year. Later, Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu requested India to withdraw its troops stationed in the island nation.
In a tragic incident, Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress corporator Niranjan Hiremath, succumbed to injuries after being stabbed seven times with a knife by a former student at BV Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology in Hubballi, Karnataka, on April 18, reported NDTV. The assailant, identified as Fayaz, was promptly arrested by the police.

The attack took place while Neha was on the college premises. The police suspect that the attacker, known to Neha, allegedly carried out the attack after she rejected his advances.

Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: How will they impact financial markets and what should investors do? Hubballi Dharwad Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar stated, The accused had fled, but we arrested him in under 90 minutes. Other students have told us that Neha and the accused knew each other and had studied together. We will know more once the accused's interrogation is done.

Also read: Lok Sabha election 2024 Phase 1: Check out prominent candidates in THESE seats, and other details Neha was rushed to a hospital but was declared brought dead, reported NDTV.

Neha, a first-year Master of Computer Applications student, was confronted by Fayaz around 5 pm on Thursday, April 18, while taking a stroll on the campus. Fayaz was also a student of the same college and studied with the victim, but later dropped out.

Also read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Modi calls on young, first time voters to vote in large numbers, every voice matters CCTV footage captured a brief exchange before the assailant viciously attacked Neha. Subsequently, Neha could be seen falling to the ground after the first assault while the attacker continued stabbing her at least six more times.
Salman Khan house firing: Mumbai Crime Branch officials said on Friday that the duo accused in the firing incident outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's Bandra residence aimed to intimidate the superstar rather than causing harm or taking his life, newswire PTI reported.

Initial evidence and preliminary investigations, as per the PTI report, suggest that Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) were allegedly contracted by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to execute the shooting.

What was Lawrence Bishnoi gang's motive? The arrested suspects said that Lawrence Bishnoi wanted to retaliate against Salman Khan for his involvement in the Blackbuck poaching case.

Why is the Blackbuck Significant to the Bishnoi Community? The Bishnois of Jodhpur hold the blackbuck in high reverence, considering it the reincarnation of their spiritual leader, Guru Bhagwan Jambeshwar, also known as Jambaji. Former MP and representative of Bishnoi Samaj Jaswant Singh Bishnoi previously emphasized, Deer is our identity, and it is necessary for them to survive.

Since 1998, Salman Khan, aged 58, has been targeted by this group due to allegations of hunting and killing two blackbucks in Rajasthan's Kankani during the filming of the movie "Hum Saath Saath Hain." He was charged under section 9/51 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The Bishnoi community, revering the blackbuck as sacred, took offense to Salman Khan's actions. In a court appearance in 2018, Lawrence Bishnoi allegedly threatened to kill Khan, claiming that his actions had brought disgrace to their community.

This isn't the first instance of Lawrence Bishnoi issuing threats of assassination against Khan. In July 2022, Bishnoi allegedly dispatched gangster Sampat Nehra, a member of the Bishnoi gang, to Mumbai for recce around Salman Khan's residence. Bishnoi explained during questioning that Nehra "lacked a suitable rifle for targeting from a distance," thus thwarting the assassination plan.

Pertinently, Bishnoi's younger brother, Anmol Bishnoi, has claimed responsibility for the attack at Salman Khan's residence in a Facebook post.

Meanwhile, Mumbai's Joint Commissioner of Police, Lakhmi Gautam, stated, The accused persons carried out a recce around Khan's house three times before the firing incident.
Israeli missiles hit a site in Iran, ABC News said citing a US official as reported by Reuters. As per Iran's Fars news agency, explosions were heard at an airport in the Iranian city of Isafahan but the cause was not immediately known. CNN reported that multiple flights were redirected due to the situation in Iranian airspace. Isfahan is home to the Iranian military's main airbase and locations related to its nuclear programme.

As per Associated Press report, Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 am. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

Iran-Israel war LIVE Updates This incident comes as tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran's unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel. Over the weekend, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria.

Also Read: 5 biggest concerns around Iran-Israel tensions that could impact Indian stock market Israel then vowed to respond to Irans unprecedented weekend attack, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of fighting in Gaza.

Also Read: Iran tells UN its ready to de-escalate if Israel stops adventurism Regional tensions increased after Israel-Hamas war when Hamas carried out a cross-border attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. Israel responded with an offensive in Gaza that has caused widespread devastation and killed more than 33,900 people, according to local health officials.

The Iranian attack on Saturday marked the first time that Tehran launched a direct military assault on Israel. Israeli authorities said Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles, 99 percent of which were intercepted by air defenses in tandem with the US, Britain, France and Jordan. The attack took place less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consulate building in Damascus.

Meanwhile on Thursday, the US vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for a state of Palestine. The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 in favor, the United States opposed and two abstentions.
(Bloomberg) -- Toronto-Dominion Bank is confronting shareholders at a moment when investors and executives alike are clamoring for clarity on potential penalties in a US probe and the future of the firms leadership.

The banks annual shareholders meeting on Thursday comes as the firm contends with an investigation into its anti-money-laundering controls that has derailed the lenders growth strategy, hurt its stock and hastened questions about who might eventually rise to succeed Chief Executive Officer Bharat Masrani, 67, once he ultimately retires.

Senior executives have grown unhappy with the lack of an heir apparent, according to people with knowledge of the situation. The uncertainty has exacerbated managers frustrations over the business setbacks and their ability to plot their futures, the people said, asking not to be named discussing private conversations.

Much of the tension stems from the banks attempt to buy Memphis-based First Horizon Corp., which was called off almost a year ago amid the US regulatory probe into how the Toronto-based lender handled suspicious customer transactions. The move left Toronto-Dominion with ample capital to deploy and limited options, with its US growth strategy in limbo. The stock has tumbled in recent months, falling more than 8% this year, compared with a 2.6% decline for the S&P/TSX Commercial Banks Index.

Masrani, whos been CEO for almost a decade, voluntarily took a C$1 million ($725,000) pay cut for the last fiscal year over the scuttled acquisition of First Horizon and regulatory probe. Now, with no clear successor lined up, a new board chair is under pressure to come up with a way forward to satisfy investors and employees.

The uncertainty is the biggest source of consternation, said Dan Rohinton, portfolio manager at iA Global Asset Management. The firms retail mutual funds have about 4 million Toronto-Dominion shares.

Investors in Canadas second-largest bank want more detail on the fines its likely to pay, Rohinton said, as well as whether it could be restricted from mergers and acquisitions  or, in a worst-case scenario, face a cap on growing US assets organically.

Analysts have estimated the fine could top $1 billion, and the bank is already spending hundreds of millions of dollars on upgrades to its risk and control systems in the US.

Regretfully, our AML program was not where it needed to be, and we are addressing it. Masrani said at Thursdays meeting. We know what we need to do, and we are working diligently to strengthen our program. We have onboarded globally recognized talent and leadership, and invested in technology, process design, training and other activities. I understand that you want to know more. However, given the confidential nature of regulatory discussions, I cannot provide additional detail or speculate on timing or announcements.

Masrani was asked about the underperformance of Toronto-Dominions stock.

Without a doubt, shareholders have some anxiety, and as do we, regarding our issues in the US, he said. While Masrani believes the bank is doing very well fundamentally, he said hes sure theres pressure on the stock until the anti-money-laundering issue is resolved.

Indeed, with the broader regulatory penalties still up in the air, investors dont yet seem convinced.

That uncertainty is weighing on the stock, said Nigel DSouza, an analyst with Veritas Investment Research Corp., said before the meeting. And then you have questions about succession planning as well.

Bharat is focused on strengthening the bank, serving our customers and creating value for shareholders, Toronto-Dominion spokesperson Lisa Hodgins said in an email. He leads a deep and highly experienced bench of leaders with proven track records driving growth across large complex businesses. As you would expect, we have a very detailed and robust succession plan, overseen by the board, which continues to serve us well.

Asked about succession at Thursdays meeting, Masrani indicated hes still got ample energy for the job.

Im healthy. I wake up every morning saying, How can we serve customers even better, create more value for our shareholders? I feel great. he said. When the time comes, there will be a seamless transition, he added, reiterating that the company has a thorough succession plan in place.

Still, to outsiders, questions about his replacement have grown murkier this year. Michael Rhodes, who was leading the companys Canadian retail bank, departed in December to become CEO of Discover Financial Services, a role he has since left. His exit from Toronto-Dominion came as a shock to many executives, one of the people with knowledge of the conversations said.

Read More: Discover CEO Michael Rhodes Resigns to Become Allys Head

Leo Salom, who heads up Toronto-Dominions US operations, has long been seen as a potential CEO candidate, but its unclear how the anti-money-laundering mess in the country might impact his path to the top.

The firm has a strong and growing franchise in the US, Hodgins noted in the emailed statement, pointing to more than 10 million customers in major markets and communities from Maine to Florida.

Another contender has been Riaz Ahmed, the former chief financial officer who was tapped to lead the capital-markets unit in 2021. Some within the company have speculated he could be named CEO but take on the role for a shorter-than-normal period  five years or less. Still, Ahmeds age  hes in his early 60s  could be a knock against him. Also, hes been with the bank since the 1990s and on its senior executive team since 2009, a lengthy tenure when a more-dramatic change may be preferred.

One new name in the mix is Ray Chun, the former head of wealth management who was named to run the Canadian personal-banking business after Rhodes departed. The new post is an important role, often viewed as part of the CEO pipeline.

The succession question  intertwined as it is with the US issues  will be top of mind for the boards new chair, Alan MacGibbon. The long-time director took over from Brian Levitt on Feb. 1 and led the banks annual shareholder meeting in Toronto.

Despite the lingering questions, at least one influential market watcher sees upside in Toronto-Dominions shares. Meny Grauman, a managing director in Bank of Nova Scotias Global Equity Research unit, upgraded the stock to outperform on Wednesday.

We believe that fear has overtaken rationality on this name, Grauman said in a report to clients co-written by associate Felix Fang.

The stock is trading at about 10 times earnings, compared with about 12 times earnings for rival Royal Bank of Canada and about 13 times earnings at Bank of Montreal, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Concerns about the banks US regulatory problems and worries about succession at the bank are all valid, Grauman and Fang wrote. But we now believe that the downside risk from both of those issues is more than fully priced into the shares right now.

(Updates with Masranis comments on share price, succession starting in 10th paragraph.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
As many as five Japanese autoworkers narrowly escaped the suicide bombing incident that took place in Pakistan's port city of Karachi, said police, adding that the attacker detonated his explosive-laden vest near a van carrying the workers.

Local police chief Arshad Awan said said the vehicle was heading to an industrial area where five Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors, The Associated Press reported.

Police escorting the Japanese returned fire after coming under attack, killing an accomplice of the suicide bomber whose remains were found from the scene of the attack. All the Japanese who were the target of the attack are safe, the cop said.

Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz Sharif, in separate statements, praised police for quickly responding and foiling the attack, promising to eliminate terrorism. They also prayed for the speedy recovery of three bystanders wounded in the attack.

Awan informed that three injured were in stable condition at a hospital. A senior police officer, Tariq Mastoi said the cops were escorting the van after receiving reports about possible attacks on foreigners who are working in Pakistan on various Chinese-funded and other projects.

He said a timely and quick response from the guards and police foiled the attack and both attackers were killed, as per AP reports.

No one immediately claimed responsibility, however, suspicion is likely to to fall on a small separatist group or Pakistani Taliban who have stepped up attacks on security forces in recent years.

Insurgents have also targeted Chinese who are working on Pakistan on projects relating to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which includes a multitude of megaprojects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture.

In March, five Chinese and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide bomber in northwest Pakistan rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle when they were heading to the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, where they worked.
(Bloomberg) -- Chinas ambassador to Canada has left his post after nearly five years, a period marked by heightened tensions between the two countries.

Cong Peiwu has returned to China, according to a representative for Global Affairs Canada who wasnt authorized to discuss the matter publicly. The news was first reported by the Globe and Mail. Chinas embassy in Ottawa declined to comment.

Relations between Canada and China have been strained in the past few years, most recently over concerns about possible meddling by China into Canadian elections. Canada is in the midst of a public inquiry into alleged foreign election interference, primarily by China. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified last week that he didnt believe China was successful in swaying the outcome of Canadas 2019 or 2021 elections.

Read More: Trudeau Rejects Claim China Meddled to Try to Help His Election

Still, Trudeau noted that the past two elections occurred during a time of significant strife between the countries. China detained two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, for nearly three years in apparent retaliation for Canadas arrest of Huawei Technologies Co.s former Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou on a US extradition request.

The two men were released in September 2021 after Meng struck a deferred prosecution agreement with US authorities and returned to China.

Congs exit comes as one of Canadas most senior diplomats, Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison, is visiting China. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has not traveled to the country since her appointment in late 2021, but has signaled her pursuit of pragmatic diplomacy, engaging with non-like-minded countries.

Last year, Canada expelled a Chinese diplomat accused of targeting a Canadian Conservative lawmaker and his family in Hong Kong, prompting China to turf a Canadian envoy in response. Cong told Bloomberg News in an interview at the time that China would like to see the relationship back on track.

But its up to the Canadian side to make sure that they will correct mistakes and not to be engaged in any further provocation or confrontation, Cong said.

He also recently told Bloomberg that his country will continue to do business in Canadas domestic critical minerals sector despite Trudeaus crackdown on foreign investment.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Israel launched an attack on Iranian soil early Friday, ABC reported, citing a US official. Explosions and loud noises were heard in the city of Isfahan, according to Iran's Mehr news agency. This comes a week after Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israel.

Mehr news agency reported that flights were suspended in Isfahan, as well as the Iranian cities of Tehran and Shiraz, and airports across the countrys western borders. However, the details of the blast in Isfahan remain unknown. The city is believed to have been one of several launch sites for Irans April 13 attack.

A retaliatory strike on Iran Israel launched a retaliatory strike on Iran less than a week after Tehran's drones and missiles attack, the US officials said while raising fears of a widening conflict across the Middle East.

On Thursday, Israeli officials had notified the United States that they planned to retaliate in the next 24-48 hours, said two US officials on the condition of anonymity as quoted by Bloomberg.

Also Read | Live updates on Israel-Iran tensions

Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder, in an official statement, said US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant before the strikes were reported on Thursday.

Austin and Gallant discussed regional threats and Iran's destabilising actions in the Middle East. However, the statement did not say if Israel warned the US about any strikes on Iran.

No foreign attack against Iran Sources told Iran's Press TV that no foreign attack took place on Iranian cities, including Isfahan, after the city's air defence systems were activated to intercept suspected drones earlier in the day.

Explosions heard in Isfahan were a result of the activation of Iran's air defence systems. No missile attack took place against Iran, an Iranian official told Reuters on Friday.

The Israeli military also said that warning sirens, which sounded early on Friday in northern Israel, were a false alarm. The sirens had gone off shortly after unconfirmed reports of Israeli strikes in Iran.

Israel vowed to respond to Iranian weekend attack The explosion reports came a week after Israel vowed to respond to Iran's unprecedented drone attack on the weekend, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of fighting in Gaza.

Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones against Israel following Tel Aviv's attack on Tehran's embassy in Syria on April 1, which resulted in the killing of two Iranian Revolutionary Guards.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen later announced that Washington would impose new sanctions on Tehran, potentially aimed at diminishing the country's oil export capacity.
After reports of Israeli strikes on the city of Isfehan in Central Iran amid escalating conflict in the region, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in a veiled comment on April 19 that rockets should be sent to stars rather than at each other. Israel launched missile strikes against Tehran during the wee hours of Friday, ABC News reported, citing a senior US official.

Musk's post on X comes right after blasts were reported across Iran.

"We should send rockets not at each other, but rather to the stars," he said in his social media post. "Maybe world leaders should just email memes at each other and let the public vote on who wins," Musk said, adding "I prefer that over war."

The official quoted by ABC News could not confirm whether sites in Syria and Iraq were hit as well in the Israeli onslaught.

On Friday, Iran activated 's air defenses across multiple locations after loud explosions were heard near an airport and military base in the city of Isfahan, according to Iranian state media reports.

The blasts come just days after Iran allegedly launched over 300 drones and missiles at targets in Israel last Saturday, prompting the Israeli military to launch a bombing campaign against Gaza. Officials claim Israel and allied forces intercepted nearly all of the Iranian projectiles. Iran has charged Israel of bombing its embassy in Syria earlier this month and vowed to retaliate.

While Iran has not confirmed the cause of Friday's Isfahan explosions, Syrian media outlets reported Israeli strikes targeting Syrian military radar sites in the southern provinces of As-Suwayda and Daraa around the same time. Residents of Mosul and Erbil in Iraq also reported hearing sounds of jets flying overhead on Friday.

The alleged Israeli retaliation marks a significant escalation in the longstanding hostilities between Iran and Israel. The two nations have repeatedly accused each other of destabilizing the region through proxies and military force.

Amid the rising tensions, Tesla CEO Elon Musk weighed in on his social platform X, stating "We should send rockets not at each other, but rather to the stars." Musk suggested world leaders "email memes at each other and let the public vote on who wins", instead of warfare.
The French Police surrounded the Iran consulate in Paris on Friday before arresting a man threatening to blow himself up. Witnesses had earlier seen the suspect entering the premises while carrying a grenade or an explosive belt. An elite police unit was mobilised after the consulate requested an intervention and the whole neighbourhood around the consulate in 16th district was cordoned off.
Iran said on Friday that it had shot down multiple drones and clarified that as of now, there hadn't been any missile strikes on the country following reported explosions near Isfahan. But two US officials told agencies that Israel launched a retaliatory strike on Iran, raising fears of a widening conflict across the Middle East. An Iranian official has denied the reports of a missile attack from Israel, saying it was a false alarm.

The Iranian official said the explosions heard in Isfahan were a result of the activation of Iran's air defence systems. Several drones have been successfully shot down by the country's air defence, there are no reports of a missile attack for now, Iran's space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian said on X.

Dalirian added, Until this moment, there has been no air attack from outside the borders to Isfahan or other parts of the country, and they have only made a failed and humiliating attempt to fly quadcopters, and the quadcopters have also been shot down.

The Fars news agency said three explosions were heard near the Shekari army airbase near Isfahan.

Earlier in the day, according to a senior US official cited by ABC News, Israel conducted missile strikes against Tehran early on Friday morning local time, Reuters reported.

Iran's air defence systems were activated in response to explosions near Isfahan's airport and an army base, as reported by state media.

Also Read | Live updates on Iran-Israel tensions

This incident comes as tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Iran's unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel. Over the weekend, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria.

Additionally, Syrian media reported attacks on Syrian Army locations in southern governorates of As-Suwayda and Daraa. The attacks targeted Syrian military radar sites between Qarda and Izraa in Daraa, southern Syria, according to As-Suwayda24.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the nation's war cabinet have convened multiple times. Israel then vowed to respond to Irans unprecedented weekend attack, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of fighting in Gaza.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned Israel against taking any military actions targeting Iranian interests. He stated Iran has concluded its "defense and counteroffensive measures" and urged the international community to stop Israel from carrying out any military operations against Iran.

Regional tensions increased after Israel-Hamas war when Hamas carried out a cross-border attack that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. Israel responded with an offensive in Gaza that has caused widespread devastation and killed more than 33,900 people, according to local health officials.
Indian elections get underway this Friday with polling booths thrown open for us to pick members of the 18th Lok Sabha. As voters scan the list of candidates on electronic voting machines, looking for which button to press, we can safely assume that party symbols will catch their attention before they can read the names of people in the fray. In many cases, that will be the only cue needed for a vote to be cast. The use of easy-to-identify symbols goes back to Indias early years of low literacy. While over three-fourths of all adults are now classified as literate, the value of these symbols has not diminished. It may even have gone up in recent elections marked by the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), given that many electors see a vote for the ruling party as a vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership. For such voters, spotting the BJPs lotus symbol on ballots is what matters. The same advantage may also work for opposition parties. The Congresss hand symbol, for example, could also attract votes by means of a visual cue, without names needing to be read. Symbol salience is the equivalent of brand recognition, clearly, which explains the prominence given to these icons in party publicity material. As with all symbols, though, the symbolism of party insignia is also open to interpretation.

The BJPs lotus offers vast scope for a semiotic study. As a flower, it can cue thoughts of a bloom in fortunes, for example, which squares rather well with its campaign theme of development and aim of a Viksit Bharat (developed India) by 2047. As a particular type of flower, known for sprouting rapidly across a pond of water once it takes root, it also evokes a sense of expansion. Comments on the partys lotus-like proliferation since the early 1990s have been common, especially in Hindi. The ruling partys archrival, the Indian National Congress, has also enjoyed high levels of recognition across India by virtue of its election symbol. It comes in handy to position the Congress in popular perception as a party offering a helping hand. By coincidence or not, this seems in sync with the grand old partys welfare orientation. It also lends itself to advertising propositions. Haath badlega haalat," is its ad-line for these polls: The hand will change circumstances. While a hand that symbolizes agency (as a doer) may remind economists of a debate on state intervention, given that the free market is supposed to work at the behest of an invisible hand, a palm held up can more generally be interpreted as a human gesture that signals assurance. This reading of the Congress symbol also conforms with the partys promise of nyay or justice, an abstract value that can be sought to be assured at many levels in multiple contexts. Think of social justice, for example, alternate approaches to which have animated identity politics since the early 1990s.

Party symbols are powerful. Which is why retaining the original is so crucial to the warring factions of parties that split. These symbols hold the key to party recognition. Decades ago, Marxists were lucky to get the Communist icon of a sickle, hammer and star. In 2022, only one part of a divided Shiv Sena could claim its bow-and-arrow, resulting in a wrangle over it. Party symbols are also useful. Which is why they often get deployed literally. Samajwadi Party leaders dont miss a chance to cycle around. Aam Aadmi Party supporters use its broom as a clean-up call. Silent messaging works. Its why lotuses are flourishing on walls and hands of solidarity are in the air.
A nasty thing about waging war is that your enemies have a habit of fighting back. Thats a lesson German Chancellor Olaf Scholz would do well to keep in mind as he engages China amid a brewing trade fight over clean-tech. Recently, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that artificially cheap" Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), lithium-ion batteries and solar panels were causing negative spillovers" in the US and around the world. Far from calling a ceasefire in President Donald Trumps trade wars, the Biden administration appears now to be re-arming in an attempt to neutralize the issue ahead of elections in November.

That puts Germany in an uncomfortable spot. Russias invasion of Ukraine forced Berlin to rethink its post-war commitment to pacifism. US-China trade tensions are forcing a reckoning with its multilateral approach. The EU last year announced a probe of subsidies for Chinese EVs and has since added solar and wind probes. Berlins stance may decide whether this simmering fight intensifies or dissipates.

Cars are a contention. Automobiles are Germanys biggest export, and one where the EU still has a slight surplus with China. Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz sell about a third of their cars in China, and the trade relationship is crucialthe Asian country is a lucrative end-market for high-end European-made autos, and a low-cost supplier of batteries and vehicles. If Brussels raises tariffs on Chinese imports, the blowback could be devastating.

European carmakers are already facing a tough market in China, thanks both to weak local household spending and a competitive threat from cheaper locally-made EVs. Retaliatory tariffs and hostile consumer sentiment could deal a knockout blow. Hyundai, which trailed only VW in 2014 as Chinas top-selling car brand, has declined since a 2015 falling-out between Beijing and Seoul over South Koreas deployment of an anti-missile system, and barely scraped the top 20 last year.

European firms, politicians and lobby groups have so far taken a dramatically different tone in relation to China than their more hawkish US counterparts. Free trade needs to be our North Star, our guiding principle," Oliver Zipse, BMWs chairman, said last month. The European auto industry is not massively damaged by the import of Chinese automobiles, nor is it in the interest of the EU to further impose customs on these products," he added.

Tariffs on Chinese EVs should be reduced, not increased, his Mercedes-Benz counterpart Ola Kallenius told the Financial Times last month. Imports need to be met with better product, better technology, more agility," he was quoted as saying. That is the market economy. Let competition play out."

Its not just German companies taking this stance. Stellantis, owner of the Fiat, Maserati, Citroen and Peugeot brands as well as Chrysler and Jeep, is attempting to leapfrog its slow start in EVs through a 1.5 billion tie-up with Chinas Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology. VW is investing 2.5 billion under a joint-venture plant with Xpeng, the Chinese EV-maker in which it bought a 5% stake last year. Even Renault, which barely has a presence in China any more, is teaming up with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group on an engines venture.

President Xi Jinping, for his part, needs to extend an olive branch. If China wants to disprove the febrile US talk about Beijing hollowing out the worlds industrial sector, it has the perfect opportunity to show how the trading relationship can be mutually beneficial.

To date, much of Chinas investment into Europes automotive and EV battery sector has been focused on Hungary. Under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, thats probably the last location youd choose if you wanted to convince Brussels that your industrial policy wasnt a Trojan horse for authoritarianism.

Chery Automobile and SAIC Motor Corp, which are reported to be scouting out European assembly plants, would do well to pick locations in the heart of the continents liberal democraciesand politicians in those countries should do all they can to attract them. China can also pour oil on troubled waters by accommodating Europes desire to own a larger slice of its battery-materials supply chain.

Compared to the naked protectionism being promoted by the US, Scholz could offer a more fruitful approach. Capitalists shouldnt retreat into their shells at the first sign of competition. Instead, they should treat every danger as an opportunity to up their game. Its ironic that the US, which pretty much invented the spirit of ebullient boosterism, is now the nation retreating from it most rapidly. Europe in general, and Germany in particular, could show the West a better path. bloomberg
A global air pollution report, World Air Quality Report 2023: Region and City PM2.5 Ranking, featured 83 Indian cities in the top 100 most polluted cities of the world. While the reality of air pollution in India is undeniable, the ranking of cities requires an unbiased measurement framework. The data used in this report is a combination of readings from regulatory air-quality monitors and low-cost sensors. While this approach has merit, the weak link of the study is the spatial and temporal extent of the monitoring. For example, the yearly average of Delhi, reported at 102 microgram per cubic metre (ug/m3), is based on readings from 40 locations across the city with a cumulative uptime of 93%, whereas that of Siwan in Bihar, ranked No. 7 with 90ug/m3, is based on a single location, and Gurugrams 17th rank reading of 84ug/m3 is drawn from four locations. The number of monitoring locations and their uptime that go into calculating the citys average (and ranking) need standardization.

For city-level air pollution rankings, there are three critical parameters: one, the spatial coverage of the measurements; two, the temporal coverage (uptime of monitors or the number of hourly data points reported every month); and three, what pollutants are measured (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, CO, SO2, etc). Ranking cities by PM2.5 is sufficient, but a more nuanced ranking would factor in levels of NO2, O3 and CO as well.

Scrutiny of the reports 83 cities reveals that 15 of these had no public or government-backed air-quality data, so it is likely that data from privately run sensors was used to track their annual levels. The government uses Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMSs), whose readings are reported on the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) portal. Alternate technology is available and community-set-up sensors have scientifically-valid readings too. The reports data for 52 other cities is sourced from only one government-owned CAAQMS. Relying on a single monitor to check an entire citys air quality has many challenges, the biggest being that the reading may not be sufficiently representative and could give us a biased impression. About 10 locations included in the list (such as Morar and Banposh) do not qualify as cities on the list of monitored cities on the CPCB portal. Since only 16 cities on this list have more than one monitor, should the others be part of such global rankings?

A standardized framework for reporting city-level pollution levels is essential not just for ranking reliability, but also from a policy perspective, as the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) uses such data for decisions on where to disburse funds.

Launched on 10 January 2019, the NCAP identified 102 non-attainment cities at the onset. By 2024, it had identified 131. Its entire 9.934.4 crore budget is allocated by data from manual air quality monitors. These offer a minimum 104 measurements in a year, at a particular site, taken twice a week 24 hourly at uniform intervals." Alongside these, NCAP cities run CAAQMSs, which cost around $20,000 to monitor each pollutant, thus cumulatively costing as much as $200,000 for all notified air pollutants.

While the lack of a standardized framework doesnt necessarily mean single-monitor cities should not be included in rankings, its important to move towards a peer-reviewed approach that does not have spatial and temporal coverage gaps.

Any ranking needs to meet globally-accepted FAIR data principles. In other words, it should have the attributes of: Findability, so that people at large can find the underlying data used to compute these rankings; Affordability, which means the technology used to generate the data should be easily affordable by cities that want to track their monthly air quality levels and join these rankings; Interoperability, so that the data is in a format that allows for use with other data systems and not provided in sealed documents (as is the case of manual monitoring data in India); and Reproducibility, which means that the findings should be entirely reproducible by another independent agency that undertakes the same exercise with equivalent technology. For national-level rankings to hold credibility, the data used should adhere to these FAIR data principles. Only then would the rankings form a valuable record in the context of understanding the current situation and checking which cities are becoming worse and which are getting better over time. Using FAIR data principles will also allow us to compare city-level air quality data independent of the size or population density of a city, and eventually help us scale these rankings to cover the countrys 7,000-plus census cities and towns.

To effectively compute city-level air quality rankings, the authorities in India need to release guidelines on what constitutes adequate spatial and temporal coverage of a city from an air-quality representation perspective. The three prevalent mechanisms in usemanual air samplers, CAAQMs and sensor-based monitorsall have their respective strengths and limitations. A prudent city administration would look at adopting a judicious mix of all three systems. This would allow it to create a comprehensive approach based on an affordable, accessible and irrefutable methodology to track air-quality data. Its time we attained such clarity on the air around us.
The gap between productivity growth in the US and Europe paints a stark and, for Europeans, depressing picture. In the two decades since 2004, US productivity growth, as measured by the value of output per hour worked, has been more than double that of the eurozone. Whereas eurozone productivity has flat-lined and even fallen slightly since the outbreak of the covid pandemic, US non-farm output per hour has risen by more than 6% over the same perioda more than adequate performance by Americas own historical standards.

Something seems to be going seriously right in the US and seriously wrong in Europe. Some accounts point to the strong fiscal stimulus applied in the US since the outbreak of the pandemic. For Europeans, this explanation is reassuring, because it suggests that the differential is transitory. After all, America surely cant run massive budget deficits and live beyond its means indefinitely.

But while strong spending stimulus can trigger rapid output and employment growth, it is not clear why it should produce faster productivity growth.

On the contrary, given strong employment growth and tight labour markets, one might expect US companies to be forced to take on less productive workers, with negative implications for output per hour. More likely, tight labour markets in the US may mean that firms, unable to find an adequate supply of workers at any price, are impelled to substitute capital for labourto invest in labour-saving technology.

Americans visiting a bank branch will encounter plenty of ATMs, but sometimes not a single human teller. They are compelled to order meals, even at white-tablecloth restaurants, using a QR code. Patrons of Parisian bistros horrified by this thought may argue that a Franco-American cultural difference is at work. But it is hard to deny that tight labour markets also play a role.

Recall, however, that US productivity growth had accelerated relative to Europes already in the decade leading up to the pandemic, when labour markets were not so tight. Both the US and Europe turned to fiscal consolidation following the 2008 global financial crisis. Europe might have been slightly more hell-bent on austerity, but there was not enough difference in demand conditions to explain their different productivity outcomes.

Moreover, while American firms have been quicker to capitalize on digital technologies, the timing is wrong here too: US outperformance in computer producing and using sectors was most pronounced in the decade preceding the global financial crisis, not in the period since.

As for the latest round of new digital technologies, firms are only just now beginning to explore how large language models and generative artificial intelligence can be used to boost productivity. In other words, artificial intelligence (AI) and related developments cant explain Americas unusually strong productivity performance in the last four years. In fact, history suggests that capitalizing on radical new technologies requires firms to reorganize how they do business, a trial-and-error process that takes time. The inevitability of errors means that productivity is likely to fall before rising, a phenomenon economists call the productivity J-curve.

And it is not as if European managers are unaware of the labour-saving and productivity-enhancing potential of digital technologies.

It could be that Europes strong trade unions, fearing job destruction, resist their adoption, although Germany, with a tradition of strong unions, has some of the most robot-intensive factories in the world.

Alternatively, restrictive EU rules may be impeding adoption in Europe. The EUs data-privacy regulations, and now its proposed artificial intelligence rulebook, if adhered to strictly, may slow down the development of AI applications.

Finally, it could simply be that Europe has had bad luck, specifically in the form of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his energy-price shock. The US, being self-sufficient in energy, has not been vulnerable to energy-supply disruptions to the same degree.

European firms, in contrast, have been forced to suspend their most energy-intensive operations or else to engage in costly restructuring, which is not good for productivity.

Mario Draghi, Europes senior economic statesman, will present the EU with a set of proposals later this year for boosting productivity. No doubt, he will recommend completing Europes capital-markets union so that firms can more easily finance investments in new technologies.

Draghi will probably recommend the removal of barriers to competition, which would intensify the pressure on firms to innovate in order to survive. He will likely advocate greater energy efficiency and self-sufficiency to free Europe from more Putin-like disruptions.

Observers like me can confidently predict what Draghi will recommend because such proposals have been knocking around the continent for years. Europe should move now to implement these old ideas. And it desperately needs to come up with new ones. 2024/project syndicate
The Biden administration is considering more than $1 billion dollars in new weapons deals for Israel including tank ammunition, military vehicles and mortar rounds, U.S. officials said, at a time of heightened scrutiny of the use of American-made weapons in the war in Gaza.

The proposed weapons transferswhich would be in addition to those in a military aid deal currently before the Congresswould be among the largest to Israel since it invaded Gaza in response to Hamass attack that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, on Oct. 7.

The sales would also be the first since Iran launched an unprecedented direct missile and drone attack on Israel last weekend in retaliation for the killing of a top Iranian general in Syria on April 1. Israel responded to that attack overnight in what appeared to be a limited strike, after it came under pressure from the U.S. not to further escalate the confrontation.

The deals under consideration include transfers of $700 million in 120 mm tank ammunition, $500 million in tactical vehicles and less than $100 million in 120 mm mortar rounds, U.S. officials said. The sales would need signoff from congressional leaders and could take months or years to be delivered.

The U.S. has said it delivers weapons to Israel, which are usually paid for with American government funding, in part to bolster Israels long-term defense. In this case, the new tank and mortar rounds could be used to replenish Israels stocks depleted during more than half a year of war in Gaza.

The proposal would likely face obstacles among some American lawmakers who oppose giving Israel more U.S. weapons, even if they are for threats outside of the current war.

The administration is under pressure from a growing number of Democrats in Congress to cut back weapons supplies to pressure Israel into doing more to prevent the killing of civilians in Gaza, where more than 33,000 people have died, most of them civilians, according to Palestinian health officials.

Food shipments have increased, but continued shortages and aid-distribution difficulties risk a looming famine in the enclave, the U.N. says.

The State Department and Pentagon declined to comment. The White House didnt respond to a request for comment. The Israeli Ministry of Defense also declined to comment.

The U.S. has sent Israel tens of thousands of bombs, tank and artillery ammunition, precision weapons and air-defense equipment since the war began, often drawing on $23 billion dollars worth of weapons transfers that have been previously approved by Congress. The tank rounds, vehicles and mortars would be a rare example of new weapons deals with Israel during the war.

Israeli forces have used tanks extensively while battling Hamas in Gazas densely populated cities. Human-rights groups and some western officials have criticized the tactics for contributing to the extensive destruction of the urban landscape there.

Its a signal of unconditional military support," said Brian Finucane, a former attorney for the State Department and now a senior adviser at International Crisis Group, a conflict-resolution organization. The U.S. has yet to use the leverage it has with arms transfers to shape Israeli behavior."

Israel says the destruction has been the inevitable consequence of combating a guerrilla army that fights from civilian infrastructure.

Separately, the House is set to vote this weekend on a pair of bills that would unlock tens of billions of dollars in military assistance for both Ukraine and Israel. A monthslong standoff between the administration and Republicans in Congress, particularly over funding for Ukraine, has threatened supplies of weapons for both countries. The effort to arm both countries took on a new urgency following the Iranian attack.

Initially combined into one bill but now split into two, the legislation includes about $26 billion in funding for Israel, including $5.2 billion in spending on air defenses, $1 billion for the production of artillery, and billions of dollars for other weapons systems and U.S. military operations undertaken in the region in response to recent attacks. It also includes about $9 billion for humanitarian assistance, some of which would help Gaza residents.

The separate transfers of tank rounds and mortars are expected to face more opposition in Congress, because they are among the weapons used in the war in Gaza rather than anything Israel could use to defend itself against long-range missile and drone attacks from Iran. Israel could use tanks if it were to launch a ground incursion in Lebanon against Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.

More than 50 members of Congress including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signed a letter earlier in April urging President Biden to halt new transfers of offensive weapons to Israel following the Israeli militarys killing of a group of foreign aid workers in Gaza. Israel apologized for the attack and dismissed officers it said had violated its rules of engagement.

Israel has said it could launch a military offensive in the city of Rafah at the southern end of the Gaza Strip, an area where more than a million Palestinian civilians are sheltering from the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the offensive is needed to eliminate Hamass fighters in the area. The Biden administration has urged restraint, arguing that any attack on the area would endanger civilian lives.

Write to Jared Malsin at jared.malsin@wsj.com and Nancy A. Youssef at nancy.youssef@wsj.com
The second anniversary of Russias invasion of Ukraine, on February 24th, and the continuing menace Vladimir Putin, Russias president, presents to Europe, were always going to overshadow this years Munich Security Conference. But as the annual gathering of bigwigs got under way, a series of additional blows fell. First came the death of Alexei Navalny , Russias foremost opposition leader, in a Siberian gulag on February 16th. The next day Ukraines army withdrew from the town of Avdiivka, handing Mr Putin his first military victory in almost a year. Americas Congress, meanwhile, showed no sign of passing a bill to dispense more military aid to Ukraine, which is starved of ammunition and therefore likely to suffer more setbacks on the battlefield. The auguries could scarcely have been more awful.

The deadlock in Congress reflects the baleful influence of Donald Trump, whose opposition to aid for Ukraine has cowed Republican lawmakers. It was the spectre of Mr Trumps potential return to office in Novembers presidential election that cast the darkest pall over Munich. A week earlier Mr Trump had explained what he would say to an ally in nato that had not spent as much as the alliance urges on defence and then suffered an invasion: Youre delinquent? No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them [the invaders] to do whatever the hell they want."

Combined harms

Russias ever-deepening belligerence, Ukraines deteriorating position and Mr Trumps possible return to the White House have brought Europe to its most dangerous juncture in decades. The question is not just whether America will abandon Ukraine, but whether it might abandon Europe. For Europe to fill the space left by Americas absence would require much more than increased defence spending. It would have to revitalise its arms industry, design a new nuclear umbrella and come up with a new command structure.

In Munich the mood was fearful, but determined rather than panicked. American and European officials remain hopeful that more American munitions will eventually get to Ukraine, but they are also making contingencies. On February 17th Petr Pavel, the Czech president, said his country had found" 800,000 shells that could be shipped within weeks. In an interview with The Economist Boris Pistorius, Germanys defence minister, insisted that European arms production was increasing as fast as possible" and said he was very optimistic" that Europe could plug any gaps left by America.

View Full Image Graphic: The Economist

Not everyone is so sanguine. If American aid were to evaporate entirely, Ukraine would probably lose, an American official tells The Economist. Mr Pistorius is correct that European arms production is rising fast; the continent should be able to produce shells at an annual rate of 1m-2m late this year, potentially outstripping America. But that may come too late for Ukraine, which needs some 1.5m per year according to Rheinmetall, a European arms manufacturer. A sense of wartime urgency is still lacking. European shell-makers export 40% of their production to non-EU countries other than Ukraine; when the European Commission proposed that Ukraine should be prioritised by law, member states refused. The continents arms firms complain that their order books remain too thin to warrant big investments in production lines.

A Ukrainian defeat would inflict a psychological blow on the West while emboldening Mr Putin. That does not mean he could take advantage right away. There is no immediate threat to NATO," says Admiral Rob Bauer, the head of NATOs international military committee. Allies disagree over how long Russia would need to rebuild its forces to a pre-war standard, he says, and the timing depends in part on Western sanctions, but three to seven years is the range a lot of people talk about". The direction of travel is clear. We can expect that within the next decade, NATO will face a Soviet-style mass army," warned Estonias annual intelligence report, published on February 13th. The threat is not just a Russian invasion, but attacks and provocations which might test the limits of Article 5, NATOs mutual-defence clause. It cannot be ruled out that within a three- to five-year period, Russia will test Article 5 and NATOs solidarity," Denmarks defence minister recently warned. But the concern is less the timing than the prospect of confronting Russia alone.

Change of station

Europe has thought about such a moment for years. In 2019 Emmanuel Macron, Frances president, told this newspaper that allies needed to reassess the reality of what NATO is in the light of the commitment of the United States". Mr Trumps first term in office, in which he flirted with withdrawing from NATO and publicly sided with Mr Putin over his own intelligence agencies, served as a catalyst. The idea of European strategic autonomy", once pushed only by France, was embraced by other countries. Defence spending, which began rising after Russias first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, has increased dramatically. That year just three members of NATO met the alliances target of spending 2% of GDP on defence. Last year 11 countries did, ten of them in Europe (see chart 1). This year at least 18 of NATOs 28 European members will hit the target. Europes total defence spending will reach around $380bnabout the same as Russias, after adjusting for Europes higher prices.

Those numbers flatter Europe, however. Its defence spending yields disproportionately little combat power, and its armed forces are less than the sum of their parts. The continent is years away from being able to defend itself from attack by a reconstituted Russian force. At last years summit, NATO leaders approved their first comprehensive national defence plans since the cold war. NATO officials say those plans require Europe to increase its existing (and unmet) targets for military capability by about a third. That, in turn, means Europe would have to spend around 50% more on defence than today, or about 3% of GDP. The only European members of NATO that currently reach that level are Poland and Greece, the latter flattered by bloated military pensions.

Anyway, more money is not enough. Almost all European armies are struggling to meet their recruitment targets, as is Americas. Moreover the rise in spending after 2014 delivered alarmingly little growth in combat capability. A recent paper by the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS), a think-tank in London, found that the number of combat battalions had barely increased since 2015 (France and Germany each added just one) or had even fallen, in Britain by five battalions. At a conference last year, an American general lamented that most European countries could field just one full-strength brigade (a formation of a few thousand troops), if that. Germanys bold decision to deploy a full brigade to Lithuania, for instance, is likely to stretch its army severely.

Even when Europe can produce combat forces, they often lack the things needed to fight effectively for long periods: command-and-control capabilities, such as staff officers trained to run large headquarters; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, such as drones and satellites; logistics capabilities, including airlift; and ammunition to last for longer than a week or so. The things that European militaries can do, they can do really well," says Michael Kofman, a military expert, but they typically cant do a lot of them, they cant do them for very long and theyre configured for the initial period of a war that the United States would lead."

Poland is an instructive case. It is the poster boy for European rearmament. It will spend 4% of its GDP on defence this year, and splurges more than half of that money on equipment, far above NATOs target of 20%. It is buying huge numbers of tanks, helicopters, howitzers and HIMARS rocket artilleryon the face of it, just what Europe needs. But under the previous government, says Konrad Muzyka, a defence analyst, it did so with little coherent planning and utter neglect of how to crew and sustain the equipment, with personnel numbers falling. Polands HIMARS launchers can hit targets 300km away, but its intelligence platforms cannot see that far. It relies on America for that.

One option would be for Europeans to pool their resources. For the past 16 years, for instance, a group of 12 European countries have jointly bought and operated a fleet of three long-range cargo aircraftessentially a timeshare programme for airlift. In January Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Spain teamed up to order 1,000 of the missiles used in the Patriot air-defence system, diving down the cost through bulk. The same approach could be taken in other areas, such as reconnaissance satellites.

The hitch is that countries with big defence industriesFrance, Germany, Italy and Spainoften fail to agree on how contracts should be split among their national arms-makers. There is also a trade-off between plugging holes quickly and building up the continents own defence industry. France is irked by a recent German-led scheme, the European Sky Shield Initiative, in which 21 European countries jointly buy air-defence systems, in part because it involves buying American and Israeli launchers alongside German ones. When Olaf Scholz, Germanys chancellor, recently called for Europe to adopt a war economy", Benjamin Haddad, a French lawmaker in Emmanuel Macrons Renaissance party, retorted, Its not by buying American equipment that were going to get there." European arms-makers, he argued, will not hire workers and build production lines if they do not get orders.

These twin challengesbuilding up military capability and revitalising arms productionare formidable. Europes defence industry is less fragmented than many assume, says Jan Joel Andersson of the EU Institute for Security Studies in a recent paper: the continent makes fewer types of fighter jets and airborne radar planes than America, for instance. But there are inefficiencies. Countries often have different design priorities. France wants carrier-capable jets and lighter armoured vehicles; Germany prefers longer-range aircraft and heavier tanks. Europe-wide co-operation on tanks has consistently failed, writes Mr Andersson, and an ongoing Franco-German effort is in doubt.

The scale of the required changes raises broader economic, social and political questions. Germanys military renaissance will be unaffordable without cutting other government spending or junking the countrys debt brake", which would require a constitutional amendment. Mr Pistorius says he is convinced that German society backs higher defence expenditure, but acknowledges, We have to convince people that this might have an impact on other spending." Thierry Breton, the EU commissioner in charge of defence, has proposed a 100bn ($108bn) defence fund to boost arms production. Kaja Kallas, Estonias prime minister, backed by Mr Macron and other leaders, has proposed that the EU fund such defence spending with joint borrowing, as it did the recovery fund it established during the covid-19 pandemica controversial idea among the thriftiest member-states.

Europes manpower shortages are driving similarly fraught discussions. In December Mr Pistorius said that in retrospect" Germany had erred in ending compulsory national service in 2011. In January General Sir Patrick Sanders, the head of the British Army, said preparing Western societies for a war footing would be a whole-of-nation undertaking", and that Ukraine showed that regular armies start wars; citizen armies win them". His remarks prompted a national furore over conscription, though he never used the word. Several western European countries are studying the total defence" models of Sweden, Finland and other northern European countries, which emphasise civil defence and national preparedness.

View Full Image Graphic: The Economist

Perhaps the hardest capability for Europe to replace is the one everyone hopes will never be needed. America is committed to using its nuclear weapons to defend European allies. That includes both its strategic" nuclear forces, those in submarines, silos and bombers, and the smaller, shorter-range non-strategic" B61 gravity bombs stored in bases across Europe, which can be dropped by several European air forces. Those weapons have served as the ultimate guarantee against Russian invasion. Yet an American president who declined to risk American troops to defend a European ally would hardly be likely to risk American cities in a nuclear exchange.

During Mr Trumps first spell in office, that fear revived an old debate over how Europe might compensate for the loss of the American umbrella. Britain and France both possess nuclear weapons. But they have only 500 warheads between them, compared with Americas 5,000 and Russias nearly 6,000 (see chart 2 ). For advocates of minimum" deterrence, that makes little difference: they think a few hundred warheads, more than enough to wipe out Moscow and other cities, will dissuade Mr Putin from any reckless adventure. Analysts of a more macabre bent think such lopsided megatonnage, and the disproportionate damage which Britain and France would suffer, give Mr Putin an advantage.

Nuclear posturing

This is not just a numerical problem. British nuclear weapons are assigned to NATO, whose Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) shapes policy on how nuclear weapons should be used. The deterrent is operationally independent: Britain can launch as it pleases. But it depends on America for the design of future warheads and draws from a common pool of missiles, which is kept on the other side of the Atlantic. If America were to sever all co-operation, British nuclear forces would probably have a life expectancy measured in months rather than years", according to an assessment published ten years ago. In contrast, Frances deterrent is entirely home-grown and more aloof from NATO: uniquely among NATOs members, France does not participate in the NPG, though it has long said that its arsenal, by its existence", contributes to the alliances security.

Within NATO, nuclear issues were long on the back burner", says Admiral Bauer. That has changed in the past two years, with more and wider discussions on nuclear planning and deterrence. But NATOs plans hinge on American forces; they do not say what should happen if America leaves. The question of how Britain and France might fill that gap is now percolating. On February 13th Christian Lindner, Germanys finance minister and head of the pro-business Free Democratic Party, called in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, a German newspaper, for a rethink" of European nuclear arrangements. Under what political and financial conditions would Paris and London be prepared to maintain or expand their own strategic capabilities for collective security?" he asked. And vice versa, what contribution are we willing to make?"

Such musings have a long history. In the 1960s America and Europe pondered a multilateral" nuclear force under joint control. Today, the idea that Britain or France would share" the decision to use nuclear weapons is a non-starter, writes Bruno Tertrais, a French expert involved in the debate for decades, in a recent paper. Nor is France likely to join the NPG or assign its air-launched nuclear forces to NATO, he says. One option would be for the two countries to affirm more forcefully that their deterrents would, or at least could, protect allies. In 2020 Mr Macron stated that Frances vital interests"the issues over which it would contemplate nuclear usenow have a European dimension" and offered a strategic dialogue" with allies on this topic, a position he reiterated last year.

The question is how this would be made credible. In deterrence, the crucial issue is how to make adversaries (and allies) believe that a commitment is real, rather than a cheap diplomatic gesture that would be abandoned when the stakes become apocalyptic. Mr Tertrais proposes a range of options. At the tame end, France could simply promise to consult on nuclear use with its partners, time permitting. More radically, if the American umbrella had gone entirely, France could invite European partners to participate in nuclear operations, such as providing escort aircraft for bombers, joining a task force with the eventual successor to the Charles de Gaulle aircraft-carrier, which can host nukes, or even basing a few missiles in Germany. Such options might ultimately require a common nuclear planning mechanism", he says.

Mr Lindners talk of a European deterrent was largely dismissed by German officials who spoke to The Economist in Munich. But the nuclear question, involving as it does the deepest questions of sovereignty, identity and national survival, points to the vacuum that would be left if America abandons Europe. There will be a European nuclear doctrine, a European deterrent, only when there are vital European interests, considered as such by the Europeans, and understood as such by others," pronounced Francois Mitterrand, Frances president, in 1994. We are far away from there." Today Europe is closer, but not close enough. The same doubt that drove France to develop its own nuclear forces in the 1950swould an American president sacrifice New York for Paris?is replicated within Europe: would Mr Macron risk Toulouse for Tallinn?

The seemingly dry question of military command and control brings such issues to the fore. NATO is a political and diplomatic body. It is also a formidable bureaucracy that spends 3.3bn annually and operates a complex network of headquarters: a Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Belgium, three big joint commands in America, the Netherlands and Italy, and a series of smaller ones below. These are the brains that would run any war with Russia. If Mr Trump withdrew from NATO overnight, Europeans would have to decide how to replace them.

An EU-only" option would not work, says Daniel Fiott of the Elcano Royal Institute, a Spanish think-tank. In part that is because the EUs own military headquarters is still small, inexperienced and incapable of overseeing high-intensity war. In part it is because this would exclude Britain, Europes largest defence spender, as well as other non-EU NATO members such as Canada, Norway and Turkey. An alternative would be for Europeans to inherit the rump NATO structures and keep the alliance alive without America. Whatever institution was chosen, it would have to be filled with skilled officers. Officials at SHAPE acknowledge that much of the serious planning falls on just a few countries. Among Europeans, says Olivier Schmitt, a professor at the Centre for War Studies in Denmark, only the French, the Brits and maybe the Germans on a good day can send officers able to plan operations at the division and corps level", precisely those needed in the event of a serious Russian attack.

The question of command is also intrinsically political. Mr Fiott doubts that EU member states could agree on a figure equivalent to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, the alliances top general and, by custom, always an American. That epitomises how American dominance in Europe has suppressed intra-European disputes for decades, as captured in the cold-war quip that NATOs purpose was to keep the Americans in, the Russians out and the Germans down". Sophia Besch of the Carnegie Endowment observes caustically that Europeans still defer to America on the biggest questions of European security: My impression is that Americans often think more strategically about EU membership for Ukraine than many Europeans." She sees little hope that Europe will bring bold new ideas to this years NATO summit in Washington in July, which will mark the alliances 75th anniversary.

It is certainly possible that the shock to European security will be less dramatic than feared. Perhaps America will pass an aid package. Perhaps Europe will scrape together enough shells to keep Ukraine solvent. Perhaps, even if Mr Trump wins, he will keep America in NATO, claiming credit for the fact that a majority of its membersand all of those along the eastern front, and thus most in need of protectionare no longer delinquent". Some European officials even muse that Mr Trump, who is fond of nuclear weapons, might take drastic steps such as meeting Polands demand to be included in nuclear-sharing arrangements. For the moment, there are still intense debates over how far Europe should hedge against American abandonment. Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of NATO, has repeatedly warned that the idea is futile. The European Union cannot defend Europe," he said on February 14th. Eighty per cent of NATOs defence expenditures come from non-EU NATO allies."

Forward-operating haste

Advocates of European self-sufficiency retort that building up a European pillar" within NATO serves a triple purpose. It strengthens NATO as long as America remains, shows that Europe is committed to share the burden of collective defence and, if necessary, lays the groundwork in case of a future rupture. Higher defence spending, more arms production and more combat-capable forces will be necessary even if America remains in the alliance and under current war plans. Moreover, even the most Europhile of presidents could be forced to divert forces away from Europe if, for instance, America were to be pulled into a big war in Asia.

The difficult questions around command and control, and its implications for political leadership, are probably here to stay. In the worst case of a complete American exit from NATO, a messy" solution would be needed, says Mr Fiott, perhaps one that would bring Europes overlapping institutions into greater alignment. He suggests some radical options, such as giving the EU a seat on the North Atlantic Council, NATOs main decision-making body, or even a fusion of the posts of NATO secretary-general and president of the European Commission. Such notions still seem otherworldly. But less so with every passing week.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
The U.S. has hit Iran with a new wave of sanctions and export controls in response to the countrys recent air attack on Israel, a move aimed at grounding Irans drone program and pinching its national revenue.

The U.S. Treasury and Commerce Departments on Thursday announced a package of financial sanctions that targets a number of companies and individuals, both inside and outside Iran, alongside controls on low-level technology that could be employed in drone manufacture.

The move comes five days after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel. The swarm, though large, was mostly repelled by a joint effort from Israel, the U.S. and a half dozen other countries. Following the attack, President Biden has urged Israel to use caution and has pushed to de-escalate tensions.

Thursdays measures, which were joined by sanctions from the U.K., are intended to disrupt the network behind the manufacture of the drones in Iran. In addition to directly targeting companies involved in drone production, the sanctions take aim at businesses involved in Irans manufacture of steel, a key revenue source for the country.

Among those sanctioned are several that supply one of Irans largest steel producers, Khouzestan Steel, or buy its finished products, including companies based in Turkey, Germany, Hong Kong and Dubai. Khouzestan Steel didnt respond to a request for comment.

We are taking swift and decisive action to respond to Irans unprecedented attack on Israel," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said. The Group of Seven leaders recently discussed the possibility of new sanctions against Iran.

The U.S. has in the last three years targeted more than 600 individuals and entities connected to Irans terrorist activity, human-rights abuses and its financing of proxy fighters in the Middle East, Yellen said.

The U.S. said it also wants to disrupt Irans provision of drones to Russia, which has deployed the weapons against Ukraine.

The export controls package expands the list of proscribed items to include technologies such as basic microelectronics, said the Commerce Department, which administers the controls. The measures also block Iran from obtaining certain items manufactured outside the U.S. with U.S. technology.

The Biden administration and U.S. allies have deployed an expansive array of sanctions, export controls and other measuresincluding against Iranas they have sought to cut off funding to Russias economy and disrupt the flow of war-related materiel in response to Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Iran has also been targeted in its own right for years over behavior that the U.S. sees as destabilizing.

Recent analyses have questioned whether the Russia-related sanctions are having the desired effect. Yellen on Thursday said the U.S. is vigorously enforcing the sanctions and levying historic fines.

A Commerce Department official said recently that the U.S. likely to levy harsher penalties for export control violations. The controls are seen as a way to stop U.S. adversaries from gaining technology that could be used in military applications.

Write to Richard Vanderford at Richard.Vanderford@wsj.com
The accuracy of the opinion polls for the Lok Sabha Elections in the past has been a hit-and-miss affair. As the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) correctly puts it, the opinion polls and seat predictions have been "a mixed bag of successes as well as failures".

Here's what happened in past Lok Sabha elections: The Delhi-based CSDS earlier released a detailed analysis of how accurate were the opinion polls during the Lok Sabha Elections from 1998 to 2009. A political party needs to win 272 seats of the total 543 seats to gain a majority in the Lok Sabha in India.

The report revealed that the pre-election opinion polls in the 1998 Lok Sabha Elections were "almost accurate", while the prediction in the 1999 elections "slightly overestimated" the performance of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The BJP first rose to power at the Centre in 1996. The party retained the power in the 1998 and 1999 general elections.

In the 2004 Lok Sabha poll, the actual results were a "shocker" for many poll pundits. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was "completely underestimated" by the opinion polls/exit polls conducted during the various phases of the elections. As per the CSDS report, all the opinion polls in 2004 had predicted that the NDA would be able to retain power at the Centre. However, it was the Congress that ousted the BJP to form the national government again.

Five years later, the opinion polls during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections once again failed to predict the victory of the Congress-led UPA. Back then, the "predictions had failed to see the Congress upsurge". The UPA had increased its tally from 222 seats in 2004 to 262 seats in 2009.

Meanwhile, in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, the NDA was estimated to win around 257-340 seats. However, the NDA's actual tally was at over 336 seats. According to reports, some of the opinion/exit polls had then correctly predicted the "lowest-ever" tally for the Congress. The grand-old party had won 44 seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections. The UPA, in total, had won 59 seats.

Later, in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, pollsters had predicted around 285 seats for the NDA. However, the BJP-led alliance marked a landslide victory by winning 353 seats, with the BJP alone securing 303 seats. This was the result not many thought was possible. The Congress had won 52 seats and its UPA 91 seats.

Pre-Poll survey NDA INDIA bloc ABP-CVoter Survey 373 (BJP: 323) 155 (Congress: 65) India TV-CNX Opinion Poll 393 (BJP: 343) 99 (Congress: 40) Times Now-ETG Survey 386 118 India Today 335 (BJP: 304) 166 (Congress: 71) Zee News-Matriz Opinion Poll 377 94

Now, how close these numbers get to the actual figure will only become clear on June 4, when the results for the Lok Sabha Elections will be declared. This year, the Lok Sabha polls will take place in seven phases. The voting begins on Friday, April 19.

Exit Polls Vs Opinion Polls Exit polls and opinion polls are two different things. Exit polls are conducted by researchers who ask voters how they have voted just after they leave the polling station on poll day. But an opinion poll is a voter behaviour survey conducted in order to find out the opinion of the people, including those who may or may not vote, before voting takes place.

So opinion polls are held before the polling and exit polls after the polling.
August 2022. As Salman Rushdie lay on deaths brink after a frenzied attempt on his life by an Islamist maniac, a doctor offered him this weird bit of comfort: Youre lucky that the man who attacked you had no idea how to kill a man with a knife." Two weeks later, the writers son observed that many people are stabbed just once and die. And yet, the son told his dad, you got stabbed like fifteen times and youre still alive."

Knife" is Mr. Rushdies blow-by-blow account of the attack. At an amphitheater in Chautauqua, in idyllic upstate New York, Mr. Rushdie had arrived to speak on the importance of keeping writers safe from harm. His attacker came at him like a squat missile," stabbing him in the neck, chest, face, right eye (now blinded) and left hand (his wound a stigmata," as he calls it).

Mr. Rushdie was perforated as thoroughly as is possible in 27 seconds, the time his assailant had to complete his kill before being overpowered by members of the audience. In twenty-seven seconds," he writes, you can recite the Lords Prayer. Or, eschewing religion, you could read aloud one of Shakespeares sonnets, the one about the summers day, perhaps." Mr. Rushdies survival was as astonishing as it sounds, and he acknowledges this miracle" in his book, even though he isby his own descriptiona godless bastard."

Mr. Rushdie has lived under the shadow of impending death since 1989, when Ayatollah Khomeini, the supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the time, ordered his execution for blasphemy in reaction to The Satanic Verses," a novel by Mr. Rushdie that is regarded by the hair-trigger faithful as insulting to the Prophet Muhammad. Having lived for more than a decade after Khomeinis fatwa in a variety of safe houses in the U.K., the author moved to New York in 2000, gamblingcorrectlythat he could lead a freer, more public life in America.

But Death was always in a corner of his mindhow could it not be? And so, when he saw this murderous shape rushing toward me" in Chautauqua, his first thought was of Death: So its you. Here you are." His second thought, since hed cheated Death for all this time, was: Why now? Really? Its been so long. Why now, after all these years?"

Mr. Rushdie refuses to name his 24-year-old attacker from New Jersey, and refers to him only as A." The author spells out the import of this shorthand: My Assailant, my would-be Assassin, the Asinine man who made Assumptions about me, and with whom I had a near-lethal Assignation . . . I have found myself thinking of him, perhaps forgivably, as an Ass."

In no place in the booksubtitled Meditations After an Attempted Murder"does Mr. Rushdie hide his scorn for A., who said in an interview after his arrest that he hadnt read more than a couple pages" of his victims writing, and also that he didnt like Mr. Rushdie because he was disingenuous" (the assailants own, improbably sophisticated, word). Mr. Rushdie imagines himself confronting A. and saying, youll have to come up with a better reason than that."

If A. embodies the banality of evil in the old Arendtian sense, banal, also, was Mr. Rushdies reason for electing to go to Chautauqua in the first place. He hadnt really wanted to be there, but went because he needed the cash. We had some big domestic bills to pay," he writes. Our homes whole air-conditioning system was old, on the edge of breaking down, and needed to be renewed, so the money would be very handy."

This humdrum impulse delivered him to his assailant, who eluded the threadbare security and entered the venue with not one but a bagful of knives. In a flash of black humor, Mr. Rushdie asks: Did he think he might pass them out to the audience and invite them to join in?" This jest is close to the bone, the author reports. Members of the crowd had, at first, thought the attack might be some kind of performance-art stunt intended to highlight the issues of writer safety we had come to discuss."

Knife" is Mr. Rushdies attempt to answer violence with art." Writing the book, he says, is his way of owning what had happened . . . refusing to be a mere victim." It is a brave and beautiful book that tells his story with a cathartic relish, no gruesome detail spared. He writes of how his bulging boiled-egg eye hung out of" his face; how the hospitals ventilator felt like having an armadillos tail pushed down your throat"; and of the shock of seeing (after his recovery) video clips of himself in his mangled, knife-rent state, of which hed not been entirely aware, since his wife had allowed no mirrors in his hospital room.

In truth, this book is as much a love letter to his wifethe poet Rachel Eliza Griffithsas it is a punch-back at his assailant. Mr. Rushdie, it is evident, owes his recovery as much to Ms. Griffithss fiercely loyal ministrations as he does to the efforts of a phalanx of attending physicians and surgeons. He is 76 years old75 at the time of his attackyet his love for his wife is boyish, even pup-like.

If there is a weakness in Knife"a false noteit comes when he records a conversation that never occurred" between himself and A. Here, Mr. Rushdie strays from the steely forensics and elegantly stoical meditations of the rest of the book into a flabby fantasy-world of an imagined encounter that is never really convincing and is often pretentiousas when he quotes Bertrand Russell and Orhan Pamuk at A. (an unschooled man) and receives nothing more than a mystified brush-off in response. Language," says Mr. Rushdie, is his knife."

Mr. Rushdies Knife," in truth, is a sort of Occams razorit is best when it is sharp and frank and direct. In his conversation with A., alas, it stoops to dullness. But the rest of the book is so very good that it is easy to look past that error in narrative judgment.

Mr. Varadarajan, a Journal contributor, is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and at NYU Law Schools Classical Liberal Institute.
Apple removed Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from its China apps store following an order by the countrys internet regulator, which said the services pose risks to the countrys security, on April 19.

We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree. The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns," Apple said in a statement, Bloomberg reported. These apps remain available for download on all other storefronts where they appear," it said.

The move follows a government cleanup initiative launched in 2023, which aimed to remove unregistered or inactive apps from app stores like Apple's app store and Google's play store.

In August, Chinese authorities tightened the grip on information flow by directing all mobile app developers to register with the government by March 2024. They justified this move as a way to fight phone scams and financial fraud.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said that it would carry out supervision work on those filings from April to June, and take action against apps that were not registered. App developers would also be required to set up and improve mechanisms to handle illegal information."

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is tightening its grip on information flow. The recent app store order is just a step in a broader effort to control online content, forcing domestic and foreign companies to restrict access to information deemed politically sensitive by the Chinese government. Similar restrictions have already been placed on websites and large language models (AI systems that can generate text), as per a Bloomberg report.

Apple has a major presence in China, with its largest market outside the US and its primary production base located in the country. CEO Tim Cook recently visited China, highlighting its importance to Apple's business. The company has always maintained that it needs to comply with local laws to operate its app store effectively in different countries, the report added.

(With Inputs from Bloomberg)

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Vivo has confirmed that its latest V series smartphone, the Vivo V30e with a unique textured ribbon design and 5,500mAh battery will be launched in India on May 2. The smartphone will grace the Indian market almost 2 months after the company launched the Vivo V30 and Vivo V30 smartphones in India.

Also Read | Vivo V30, V30 Pro launched in India: Price, specs, launch offers and everything we know

The Vivo V30e is confirmed to feature a 'gem-cut' design, similar to the round camera module seen on the recent OnePlus 12 and Realme 12 series devices. The smartphone will be available in two colour variants: Velvet Red and Silk Blue. The V30e is also confirmed to feature a 3D curved display on the front and smart colour temperature adjustment.

The smartphone will also sport a dual rear camera setup, including a 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor and a secondary sensor with Aura Light. There will also be a 50MP eye autofocus shooter on the front to handle all the selfie and video calling requirements.

Also Read | Nothing Ear, Ear (a) launched in India: Details on price, playtime, features and more

According to a report by Fonerena, the VivoV30e may feature a 6.78-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone could be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and paired with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. The upcoming smartphone is likely to run on Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14 and come with IP64 water and dust resistance along with 44W fast charging.

Vivo V30e price (expected):

While Vivo hasn't made any official announcements about the pricing of the V30e, a look at the price of its predecessor, the Vivo V29e, can give an idea of the price range the new smartphone might fall into.

The Vivo V29e started at a price of 26,999 in India for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage variant, while the 8GB RAM/256GB storage variant was priced at 28,999. Similarly, the Vivo V30e may also be priced below the 30,000 mark in India.

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The U.K. privacy regulator says Googles proposed replacements for cookies need to do more to protect consumer privacy, according to internal documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

Googles proposed technology, dubbed Privacy Sandbox, leaves gaps that can be exploited to undermine privacy and identify users who should be kept anonymous, the Information Commissioners Office wrote in a draft report. Based on what the ICO called systemic industry noncompliance, it is likely companies will use the tech to continue tracking users across different sites, the ICO said.

The ICO is both trying to get Google to make changes and sharing its concerns with the Competition and Markets Authority, the U.K.s competition regulator, which is overseeing Googles global efforts to get rid of cookies in its dominant Chrome browser.

The draft isnt final, and the ICO is expected to release its report around the end of April. The CMA has promised it will consider the privacy regulators recommendations as it evaluates Googles plans.

The pushback is a significant last-minute obstacle as Google, a division of parent company Alphabet, tries to secure the U.K.s blessing to go ahead with its plans within the next few months. Google said it will apply its agreement with the CMA globally.

Google is rolling out changes to how companies use cookies, technology that logs web users activity across websites so advertisers can target them with relevant ads in its Chrome browser, and plans to complete this by years end.

The CMA wont let Google block cookies until it deems the replacement technologies to be acceptable. If the CMA requires Google to alter its technologies in light of the ICOs concerns, it may delay Googles timeline for deprecating cookies to allow time to overhaul the Privacy Sandbox technologies.

Privacy Sandbox technologies are designed to deliver meaningful privacy improvements and provide the industry with privacy-preserving alternatives to cross-site tracking," a Google spokesman said. He added that the company is working closely with the ICO and other regulators.

A spokeswoman for the ICO declined to comment. A spokesman for the CMA declined to comment.

Others have criticized Googles privacy plan for not being private enough. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit privacy organization, urged users to opt out of letting Googles new proposed tech track them when they use Chrome.

Even if its better than third-party cookies, the Privacy Sandbox is still tracking. Its just done by the company that makes your browser instead of the company that runs the ads," said Thorin Klosowski, a security and privacy activist at the foundation.

In response to the EFFs concerns, the Google spokesman pointed to the companys statement saying Privacy Sandbox will deliver meaningful privacy improvements.

Googles new solutions will rewrite the rules for an industry where it is the largest player. The company brought in $238 billion in ad revenue last year and has about 28.1% of the global online-ad market, according to research firm Emarketer.

Blocking third-party cookies could mean billions of web users see fewer ads that closely match their online-browsing habits. With cookies, an auto brand can target someone reading articles on a news outlets website after that person clicked a competitors ad on another site.

Googles Privacy Sandbox includes a suite of replacement technologies to help advertisers continue to target and measure ads without cookies.

Ad-tech companies say the privacy overhauls go too far and starve them of data. Getting rid of cookies will break the way digital ads have been sold for well over a decade, and Googles plan doesnt replace all the ways the ad industry uses cookies, ad-tech trade group IAB Tech Lab said in a February report.

Google has said the IAB Tech Lab report paints an inaccurate picture. Google said the former cookie functions that werent supported will be degraded on purpose to protect privacy.

Ad-industry critics say Googles search engine and YouTube video platform stand to benefit from the elimination of cookies because they dont rely as heavily on them. And they say Googles plan to hold ad auctions in the Chrome browser itself will make Google a gatekeeper.

Google has promised not to give preferential treatment to its own products as part of its agreement with the CMA.

Ad-industry stakeholders have been testing the Privacy Sandbox technologies since January, when Google began a limited test that restricted cookies for 1% of Chrome users. Google offered some ad-tech companies a grant of up to $5 million to cover their costs to test the Privacy Sandbox technologies.

PubMatic, which received grant money to test Googles tools, and other ad-tech companies have raised issues with Googles plans to the CMA through the industry body Prebid.

There are significant gaps that remain in Privacy Sandbox," said Andrew Baron, senior vice president at PubMatic. The Sandbox today should not go forward as-is."

While some loopholes remain, ad-tech executives said Googles cookie alternatives largely improved user privacy from the status quo.

There wouldnt be such concern in the market if this were not the case," said Andrew Pascoe, vice president of data science engineering at ad-tech company NextRoll, which received a grant from Google. The companys cookie alternatives make it more difficult to track users, though not impossible, he added.

Write to Patience Haggin at patience.haggin@wsj.com and Miles Kruppa at miles.kruppa@wsj.com
A Lewiston man pleaded guilty to three felonies, including two counts of vehicular manslaughter, after being involved in a car crash that killed two people.

William L. Clements Jr., 44, of Lewiston, pleaded guilty March 29 before 2nd District Judge Michelle Evans.

Clements was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter along with aggravated DUI in October 2022 following a vehicle crash that killed Kim Michael Thompsen, 67, of Syracuse, Utah, and Troy Michael Thompsen, 40, of Meridian. The three-vehicle collision took place at U.S. Highway 95 near Lapwai, according to court documents.

The case was in mediation, which is when a judge not involved meets with attorneys as well as the defendant and victims to negotiate a resolution, including a plea agreement. A Rule 11 plea agreement was reached, which is binding on the court, meaning that if the agreement isnt followed Clements can revoke his guilty plea.

The written agreement hasnt been filed yet, but Clements pleaded guilty to the felonies of two counts of vehicular manslaughter and aggravated DUI twice before Evans accepted his guilty plea. Two misdemeanor charges of having an open container and carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence were dismissed, according to court documents.
PULLMAN  Washington State Patrol troopers were led on a high-speed chase while pursuing a stolen vehicle Wednesday morning.

Law enforcement arrested 18-year-old Mikey Taylor, of Clarkston, for allegedly eluding officers in a stolen truck, Washington State Patrol Trooper Caleb Hudson said.

A trooper had tried to stop a pickup for speeding on U.S. Highway 195 near Steptoe. Hudson said Taylor was reportedly going over 100 mph.

Taylor supposedly failed to yield to the trooper, who ended the pursuit moments later. Another trooper on Washington State Route 27 near Pullman tried to pull over the vehicle clocked going 120 mph, Hudson said. That chase was also discontinued.
The old turkey call is lined with notches.

Dan Wittenberg adds one for each legal turkey the call draws within shooting range. Hes careful to say hes not the best turkey hunter in the world, but he knows how to talk to birds. While helping young hunters during youth seasons earlier this month, he called in 19 male turkeys. Thats 19 more notches for the old call.

The call is a long box, made of Eastern red cedar and butternut. For 15 years, hes been rubbing the lid against the soundboard, producing realistic yelps, clucks and purrs that have fooled somewhere north of 300 turkeys.

Its one of more than 500 calls hes made over the past two decades at his home on Spokanes South Hill, the place where a hobby turned into a business.

Over a couple of decades, Wittenberg has made calls for hunters all over the country. His calls are used by people in Spokane and in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Georgia and more.

He makes about 30 a year, tuning each one to perfection and adding bits of detail that make the calls his  his name, an inscription, a turkey-shaped logo and a thin strip of decorative banding down the sides.

The hunters who buy his calls are searching for something more than a tool to help them kill birds. They want something unique, something they can cherish, something that will last.

The proof is in the notches on the old call. Wittenberg, who is 74, plans to pass the call down to his son. Others who own his calls are making the same plans. Its a legacy, and one he couldnt have imagined when he first got interested in joining two pieces of wood with a screw.

I wanted one to hunt with, he said.

The conversation

Serious turkey hunters will tell you that their favorite part of hunting isnt killing the bird, or even eating it. Its the part that comes before they even shoulder the gun  the conversation between human and turkey, a delicate dance that has to go just right to bring a big tom close enough for a shot.

There are a lot of different styles of calls. Some are locator calls, which usually imitate a different animal in the hopes of eliciting a far-off gobble that tells a hunter where the birds are. When a hunter is ready to talk directly with a male turkey, theyll turn to the styles that imitate hens, such as diaphragm calls  placed in the mouth and blown  or handheld calls.

One form of the handheld calls is a pot call, a piece of slate or other material thats scratched with a striker. Another is the box call.

Box calls are made of two pieces of wood  the lid and box. A single screw holds the two together, allowing the lid to be swung out and back. The sound comes when the lid hits the soundboard, or the lip of the empty box.

Most box calls are short, not much bigger than a hand. Wittenberg makes boxes that are 12.5 inches long. The size allows for longer strokes, and it makes them more versatile. A long box call can be loud or quiet, high pitched or low pitched.

Wittenberg uses them exclusively now, both for locating gobblers and at close range. But for years, hed never touched one. For years, he wasnt even a turkey hunter.

He grew up a U.S. Air Force brat, moving all over the world before settling in Puyallup, Wash., for high school. He went to Central Washington University and then became an Air Force adult, training as a pilot.

He flew for the Air Force for 20 years, and he resumed the pattern of moving all over. Along the way, he hunted and fished, but his first turkey hunt didnt come until he was close to 30 and living in North Dakota. He took a trip to southeastern Montana with a store-bought call and no idea how to chase the birds.

I didnt know jack, he said.

But he was able to fill his tag. The next year, he returned and did it again.

In the early 1980s, he moved to Spokane for the first time. Turkey hunting wasnt popular then. Washington had planted the birds for decades, and hunting seasons had been open since 1965, but few people participated. Wittenberg didnt either.

In 1984, the Air Force sent him to California to teach people to fly B-52s, but he was able to return to Spokane for good in 1989. He retired from the Air Force in 1991, then worked as a pilot for Delta for a couple of years before joining the Spokane Valley Fire Department in 1995.

Meanwhile, turkey populations were growing. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife had been trapping birds in places where they were overpopulated and moving them into suitable habitat elsewhere, and the work was resulting in a wider distribution of huntable populations. As a result, hunters got more interested.

Wittenberg still didnt know anything about them, but he was interested. He started hunting with a friend from the fire department who knew the birds well, and he started copying what he did. Soon, he was getting pretty good at bringing birds home, and it became his favorite kind of hunting.

He loved the interaction with the birds, and the thrill when the delicate dance went well.

Thats the fun of it, Wittenberg said. Calling them in.

The instrument

One day, a friend of Wittenbergs brought a long box call on a hunt. It was a reproduction of a call made by the late Neil Cost, a renowned callmaker credited with pioneering a certain kind of long box.

They were at a spot Wittenberg knew well, a place he thought they should be able to find some gobblers.

He tried his pot call. No response. He tried his diaphragm. Still nothing.

He knew another spot they could try. They got ready to move, then he remembered his friend had brought the long box. He told him to try it.

A few yelps later, they got the gobble. It came from across the clearing, probably 400 yards away.

They stayed put and kept calling. The turkey popped out and started moving closer to them.
Israel launched a retaliatory strike on Iran less than a week after Tehrans rocket and drone barrage, according to two U.S. officials, but Iranian media appeared to downplay the incident in the hours that followed the initial reports.

An explosion was heard early today in Irans central city of Isfahan, the countrys semi-official Fars news agency reported. Nuclear facilities in the city are completely safe, state television reported.

Flights were suspended in Isfahan and the Iranian cities of Tehran and Shiraz as well as airports across the countrys western borders, Irans Mehr news agency also reported.

The details of the blast in Isfahan are unknown, according to Fars, but the city  home to several military bases and facilities  is believed to have been one of several launch sites for Irans April 13 attack.

The New York Times reported that two Israeli defense officials confirmed the nation was behind the strike. Israel had notified the U.S. earlier Thursday that it planned to retaliate in the next 24-48 hours, according to two U.S. officials who asked not to be identified discussing private conversations. Spokespersons for the National Security Council and the Pentagon declined to comment.

The reports come after Israel vowed to retaliate against Iran for its barrage of 300 drones and missiles, the vast majority of which were destroyed before hitting their targets. Iran said it was responding to a strike on its diplomatic building in Syria that killed several Iranian officers on April 1.

If attributed to Israel, the nature and scope of the strike  including any casualties  could determine whether the tit-for-tat responses between the two sides escalate or start to get scaled back.

Early indications are that this was a symbolic attack that wont force Iran to respond aggressively, retired Israeli Gen. Israel Ziv told the nations Channel 12.

Iranian media also appeared to downplay the attack, with the state broadcaster portraying a sense of calm in Isfahan and asserting that everything was proceeding as usual. Separately, the countrys Supreme National Security Council decided against convening for an emergency meeting, according to state TV, while officials provided no immediate updates on potential casualties or damage.
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Tomorrow, the Chattanooga Police Department will check car seats and show you the right way to install them.
A woman who allegedly attempted to steal over 560 worth of Easter eggs, red bull and other groceries and then tried to pay a staff member not to report it, is due to reappear in court in July.

Mary Lawrence (27), of 1 The Hollow, Longford, appeared last week before Judge Bernadette Owens at Longford District Court.

Sergeant Enda Daly, for the state, told the court that, on March 30, 2024, at a local store, it is alleged that Ms Lawrence entered the premises around 3pm.

Also read: Longford teenager suffered fractured skull after claw hammer used during 'revenge attack'

She filled a trolley with groceries, mainly Easter eggs and red bull, said Sgt Daly.

While at the till, she allegedly became aware of a till malfunction and only paid for three items, worth 40, and then attempted to leave the shop with the other items.

Also read: Man accused of Longford robbery allegedly threatened shop staff with steak knife

It is also alleged that she intimidated a staff member who was very afraid, and tried to pay her not to report it to her manager.

Judge Owens accepted jurisdiction and remanded Ms Lawrence on continuing bail to July 9.
A man involved in a two-vehicle crash in Drumlish on New Years Eve has been disqualified from driving.

Robert Dunka (52), of 20 Mill Oaks, Drumlish, Co Longford, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens last Tuesday at Longford District Court.

The court heard how, on December 31, 2023, at 5pm, Gardai responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash, where one car pulled out into the path of another.

When speaking with Mr Dunka, Gardai got a strong smell of alcohol from him and requested a breath sample, which detected alcohol in his system.

He was arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station, where he provided two further breath samples, which returned a reading of 57mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

Solicitor for the defence, Ms Brid Mimnagh, said Mr Dunka has been living in Ireland for 15 years.

It was his son's car. It was insured. He accepts he shouldn't have been driving it but he won't be driving again, ever, from what he's telling me, she said.

He says he's physically incapable of driving, she added, referring to a back injury her client suffered.

Judge Owens proceeded to convict and fine Mr Dunka 450 with six months to pay, and disqualified him from driving for four years on the drink driving charge.

On the no insurance charge, she fined him 300 with eight months to pay, and disqualified him for two years. A charge of driving without a licence was taken into consideration.
Over four decades after the biggest disaster of its kind in the history of the State, an inquest jury has found that all 48 of the young people who died in the Stardust nightclub fire were unlawfully killed.

The 12-person jury reached majority verdicts in all cases of those who died in the fire at the Artane nightclub 43 years ago.

After deliberating for eleven days over three weeks, the panel of seven women and five men returned to the Pillar Room at the Rotunda Hospital (where the court has been sitting since April 2023) this afternoon to deliver their majority findings and verdicts to Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane.

The jury has found that the fire started in the hot press in the main bar, and was caused by an electrical fault. Carpet tiles on the walls of the Stardust contributed to the spread of the fire.

The jury also found that at the time the fire broke out, exits in the Stardust were locked, chained, or obstructed, blocking the way out for those trapped inside.

These findings are in stark contrast to the original 1982 Keane Tribunal finding, that ruled the fire was "probably caused deliberately". That conclusion, which was been contested by families and friends of the victims since the fire, was struck from the record in 2009, although it still lingered for many.

More than 90 days of evidence and testimony from over 350 witnesses was heard at the inquiry into the deaths at Stardust Ballroom, aged 16 to 27, in a fire in the north Dublin on the morning of 14th February 1981. Five verdicts were available  accidental, misadventure, unlawful killing, open verdict and narrative.

The jury recommended that there should be regular reviews of the building regulations and they also recommended fire safety of all venues annually as opposed to the current target of 70pc every two years.

Those in court got to their feet and applauded the jury once the verdict was read out. Dr Myra Cullinane said they were the longest running inquests in the history of the State and that the jurors had stood outside their normal lives to attend court.

Cullinane said they had heard very difficult testimony. She also said she wanted to acknowledge the relatives' ongoing grief and said the holding of the inquests was in no small part down to their persistence.

The passage of time did not diminish the horror of the evidence they heard, the coroner said. Cullinane commended the jury for stepping outside their own lives for a year and said they did a great act of public service.

More than 150 family members of those who died packed the emotionally-charged courtroom, as they hoped the hear the news they had fought long and hard for.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: April 19 2024

Local public officials, as well as the honorees' families, will be on hand for this historic ceremony.

Long Islands Vietnam War veterans will receive the Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal in a solemn ceremony signifying the official end of United States involvement in the Vietnam War. Conducted by the Long Island Air and Space Forces Association and hosted by the American Airpower Museum, the ceremony takes place on Saturday, May 11, 2024, starting at 11:30 a.m., and honors 30 local veterans who served in all branches of the U.S. Military during the Vietnam War period.

The United States Department of Defense (DOD) Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemoration program, has been going on for nine years now (ends at the conclusion of 10 years). The Long Island Air and Space Forces Association (LIAFA) is a DOD 50th Anniversary Commemoration Sponsor. Please visit their web site at https://www.vietnamwar50th.com

Local public officials, as well as the honorees' families, will be on hand for this historic ceremony. This special ceremony honors Vietnam veterans who will receive long overdue recognition and thanks for their service said Fred DiFabio, President of the LIAFA who served in Vietnam. Honoring our Vietnam Vets with the commemorative medals means a lot to these guys, especially since their families will also be there to bear witness, DiFabio added.

Conducting the ceremony will be Colonel (ret.) Bill Stratemeier, LIAFA Treasurer, a U.S. Air Force pilot who flew supplies into Vietnam between 1972 and 1974. Many vets were criticized for their service in Vietnam, but were proud to honor them over five decades later, Stratemeier said. He noted LIAFA began honoring Vietnam veterans with the commemorative medals in 2015. To date, LIAFA has honored over 1,300 veterans with such medals, he added.

One of the reasons American Airpower Museum (AAM) was chosen for this ceremony is their exhibits include actual Vietnam era fighter-bomber aircraft that were used during the Vietnam War. Jeff Clyman, AAM President explained: Our Museum is the ideal site for these veterans and their families to gather, commiserate and reminisce. Please come and applaud our home-grown heroes, show them respect, that we appreciate and honor their service, he said.

The ceremony will include a Presentation of Colors, Introduction of Distinguished Guests, Dignitary Comments, Presentation of Medals and Singing of God Bless America and the National Anthem. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla Band will perform the popular Armed Forces Salute, featuring six official melodies of the U.S. Armed Forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Forces and the Coast Guard. The program is free and open to the public.

The Air Force Association (AFA) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. AFAs mission is to promote a U.S. Air Force that is second to none and a strong national defense. AFA honors our Air Force heritage and accomplishes our mission by: Educating the public on the need for strong aerospace power and technically superior capability to ensure U.S. national security; Advocating aerospace power and STEM education; Supporting the total Air Force family and promoting aerospace education. The Long Island Air and Space Forces Association Chapter (LIAFA) merged with several other local chapters in 1998 and became the LIAFA chapter #202. For more information, please go to: www.liafa.org.

American Airpower Museum is an aviation museum located on the landmarked former site of Republic Aviation at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY. The Museum maintains a collection of aviation artifacts and an array of operational aircraft spanning the many years of the aircraft factory's history. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Educational Foundation Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. For more information, please go to: www.americanairpowermuseum.org.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: April 19 2024

Every American has a right to safe, reliable, and clean drinking water, said LaLota.

Today, Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Suffolk County) released the following statement after securing $1.25 million for the Suffolk County Water Authoritys Westhampton Water Main Extension project.

Every American has a right to safe, reliable, and clean drinking water. I was proud to secure $1.25 million for the Suffolk County Water Authority to help mitigate PFAS contamination in Westhampton, as well as millions to support similar infrastructure projects across Suffolk County and protect our water, said LaLota. Ensuring this funding can directly benefit Long Island families is essential to my work in Washington. Putting Suffolk County first has always been and will continue to be my guiding light in Congress.

We are deeply grateful to Congressman LaLota for his advocacy for the Westhampton community, said Charlie Lefkowitz, Chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority. Clean drinking water is the right of every New Yorker but making these projects affordable is critical to giving access to that resource. The residents in Westhampton are faced with the uncertainty that comes when their private wells are contaminated with PFAS. They cant trust the water they drink. Thanks to this funding we will soon be able to extend high-quality public water to these families, giving them peace of mind every time they turn on the tap.

Background:

Funding for this project will allow for the extension of the water main for 64 homes in the vicinity of Old Country Road in Westhampton. The homes are within a Suffolk County Department of Health Services survey area for PFAS. This project will provide these homes with access to clean water and constantly tested drinking water.

The Suffolk County Water Authority funding is provided by the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which was signed into law in March.

Last week, LaLota announced $1.5 million in federal funding for the Town of Brookhavens Port Jefferson Harbor dredging and wave wall construction project.

For a list of all funding secured by Rep. LaLota in FY23, click HERE.
Iran has sought to leverage its militias and proxies, including Lebanese Hezbollah, to destabilize Jordan, reported the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat on April 16.

There are intensive Iranian efforts to target security in the kingdom over the last few months, an unnamed Jordanian source told Asharq al-Awsat.

Illicit smuggling by Iran-backed militias in Jordan is not the only threat facing the Hashemite Kingdom. Following Hamass Oct. 7 terrorist attack, Iranian-backed militias have attempted to carry out infiltration operations inside Jordan to support Palestinian terrorist groups.

Iraqi militias loyal to Iran have tried, since last Oct. 7, to carry out infiltration operations across the Jordanian border with the goal of popular mobilization to support the Palestinian resistance, Asharq al-Awsat noted.

The Jordanian army thwarted the attempts when it conveyed threats to Iraqi militias active on its border with Iraq.

However, the Jordanian army succeeded in foiling many of those attempts, directing serious/credible threats which were delivered through official sources to bomb the Shiite masses which set up encampments for itself in the area of Trebil on the Iraqi side [of the border], which led to those militias withdrawing to a depth of more than 40 km within Iraqi borders, Asharq al-Awsat reported.

Despite threats by the Jordanian Army, Hezbollah Brigades security official Abu al-Askary issued a warning on April 4, saying his organization can arm the Mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance in Jordan to support Gaza. Askary added that if given the green light from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the group would cut off the land route that reaches the Zionist entity.

While it may seem at first glance that Askarys threats are solely directed towards Israel, the warning extends beyond one country. Despite the lack of an officially recognized Islamic Resistance in Jordan, the potential establishment of a militia aligned with Iran in the kingdom could have profound implications for its security. It is important to note that Iran has a well-documented history of supporting a network of clients on Israels borders to foment violence and create an active front against the Jewish state. A militia supported by Iran in Jordan could not only incite violence against Israel but also create a challenging geopolitical dilemma in the region. Worse yet, there is a risk the militia could eventually turn its weapons against the kingdom.

Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East.
Missile reads the name of Irans military operation, True Promise. Below: The Zionist regime made a mistake by attacking Irans consulate; it should and will be punished.

In an unprecedented escalation on April 13, the Islamic Republic of Iran launched some 331 projectiles from its soil toward Israel, including 185 drones, 36 cruise missiles, and 110 surface-to-surface missiles. Most of the launches originated in Iran, though a small portion came from Iraq and Yemen. Israel, the U.S., Jordan, and reportedly Saudi Arabia intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones, and Israeli officials reported no casualties.

The Iranian people, meanwhile, experienced an astoundingly haphazard domestic messaging campaign, demonstrating both internal discord and ineffectiveness, along with a fear of potential public backlash from the deployment of a significant portion of Irans military battery on Israel.

Prior to the attack, Iranian media launched a media campaign to rally domestic support for escalating tensions with Israel. The rhetoric used by regime officials resembled that of an internal propaganda campaign, as opposed to diplomatic messaging for an external audience. In place of employing terms such as appropriate response or proportional retaliation, high-ranking officials such as Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian, and IRGC Operations Deputy for Brig. Gen. Abbas Nilforoushan stated that Israel ought to be punished for its strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Following the threats made by high-ranking Islamic Republic figures, the Iranian National Passive Defense Organization (NPDO) sent out texts to the public, warning citizens to gather an emergency preparedness stockpile of dry food and drinking water. Soon after, NPDO Head Reza Jalali attempted to backpedal on his own agencys guidance, claiming that the system was hacked and the texts were sheer lies. Contradicting the organizations leader, the NPDO Public Relations Office later denied any hacking allegations, claiming that the texts were fake. It remains unclear whether the NPDO system was hacked or whether the agency faced backlash from other arms of the regime apparatus. However, it is nonetheless indicative of the regimes unalignment of internal signaling.

On the day of the attack, Iranian state media launched a disinformation campaign about the attack, supplemented by social media accounts supplying a range of misleading claims. The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News posted a video of Texas wildfires, claiming that it depicted Iranian missiles targeting Israel. The reformist Shargh Daily published a video from Argentinian Luis Tomlinson fans, alleging that they are Zionist settlers fleeing the scene following the strikes. Numerous X users also engaged in spreading mis/disinformation about the war, as one posted a video taken in Oct. 2023 when Ashkelon was targeted with Hamas rockets, or another verified X account wrongfully claiming that a video from a Russian missile launch was the IRGCs cruise missiles. More videos were published on X on the day of the attack, and many were removed shortly after.

Attempts from ordinary Iranians to post truthful developments on social media were met with threats from the regime. A day following the attack, Iranians posted pictures and videos of missiles and drones that seemingly exploded shortly after being launched and landed in the vicinity of the city of Shiraz, Fars Province, damaging homes and properties. Posts circulating Persian-language social media mocking the regimes inability to effectively target Israeli sites while damaging Iranian property evidently angered officials. Consequently, the IRGC Intelligence Organization issued a statement threatening supporters of Israel in cyberspace and called on Iranians to report any account that publishes pro-Israeli content on social media. The regimes fear of pro-Israel sentiment among the Iranian population is further evidenced by reports of intelligence officers from the IRGC and Ministry of Intelligence joint meetings to assess the potential for domestic unrest in the event of an Israeli attack on Iran.

In light of the chaotic internal messaging surrounding Irans escalations with Israel, it is evident that the regimes fear of public backlash and its struggle with internal coordination are significant challenges during times of crisis. The contradictory messages from high-ranking officials, coupled with failed disinformation campaigns on social media and from state-sponsored media outlets, reflect a regime struggling to effectively capitalize on its attack on Israel within Iran and in cyberspace.

Janatan Sayeh is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focused on Iranian domestic affairs and the Islamic Republics regional malign influence.
Actor Elliot Page, known for his roles in Juno and The Umbrella Academy, is coming to Western Massachusetts for a fireside chat and meet and greet.

On Sunday, May 5th, at 7:30 p.m. Page will be at the Academy of Music in Northampton. The event is part of Transhealths birthday benefit.

Transhealth said the talk is expected to be a powerful fireside chat that illuminates the power of hope, the warmth of joy, and the courage required to live authentically.

Let us celebrate, enjoy each others company, make a wish, and blow out the candles as we burst with pride and intention into our fourth year of providing life-saving care and community, the website states. Our birthday wish? For all trans and gender-diverse people to have the freedom to be their authentic selves and to have access to the compassionate, comprehensive healthcare they deserve.

Transhealth is a Western Massachusetts-based healthcare organization that offers medical care for more than 2,000 trans and gender diverse people and families, including many from other states.

Were living in a time now where people are actively fleeing other states to Massachusetts, to ensure that they can get good medical care, Dallas Ducar, the organizations chief executive, told MassLive in August.

As of November, 22 states have a law or policy that bans gender-affirming care for anyone under the age of 18, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

Through these state bans, transgender youth will be prevented from accessing medically necessary, safe health care, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

But theres also a dire need to help those in Massachusetts, Ducar said.

Transhealth said when they did a needs assessment, they found that about 30,000 transgender and gender diverse Massachusetts residents were in need of medically appropriate health care.

In 2020, Page announced on social media that he is transgender.

After coming out, Elliot received overwhelming support from the LGBTQ+ community and is now using his voice to speak out on issues of violence perpetrated against trans bodies, as well as confronting political leaders who seek to criminalize trans healthcare, the event website states.

Tickets range from about $40 to $77.98. The VIP meet and greet is $274.09 after fees.
The space that was once home to Cafe Beirut in Jamaica Plain is about to welcome a new restaurant that Massachusetts eaters are already familiar with.

While an exact date has not been announced, bb.q Chicken will be taking over the 654 Centre St. space and will be coming soon, according to a banner outside the restaurant.

bb.q Chicken has over 3,500 locations worldwide since it opened in Seoul, South Korea, in 1995, according to its website. In Massachusetts alone, the franchise has six locations, including three in Boston, one in Quincy, one in Cambridge and one in Lowell.

The menu boasts 14 flavors of wings, including Gangnam Style, Gang-Jeong and Wings of Fire, along with dishes of kimchi fried rice or ddeok-bokki. Side dishes include pickled radish, cheesling fries, onion rings and fried dumplings, among others.

To learn more about bb.q Chicken, visit their website, menu, locator and more at the link here.
Earlier this year, to great fanfare, Gov. Maura Healeys office announced it planned to shutter the Bay States oldest mens state prison  MCI Concord.

The Democratic administration pointed to an ever-decreasing number of people in state custody as the reason behind the move, which is expected to save the state about $16 million a year, and free up 182 acres in the suburban Boston community as the commonwealth contends with a historic housing shortage, MassLive and the Boston Globe previously reported.

The numbers were on the Democratic administrations side.

In 2023, 6.070 people were in state custody, NBC-10 in Boston reported earlier this month.

Thats down from the 6,100 who were in the Bay States prisons in 2021, and down further still from the 2011 high of 11,723 people, state Department of Correction show.

But even with that years-long decline, a total of 16,000 people statewide are behind bars.

And with an incarceration rate of 275 per 100,000 people, the commonwealth still lock[ed] up a higher percentage of its people than almost any democratic country on earth, according to an analysis by the Northampton-based Prison Policy Initiative.

People cycle through local jails more than 7 million times each year and they are generally held there for brief, but life-altering, periods of time, the research group said, as it surveyed the incarceration landscape nationwide in a new report the research group released earlier this week.

Most are released in a few hours or days after their arrest, but others are held for months or years, often because they are too poor to make bail."

In 2018, Massachusetts lawmakers passed, and then-Gov. Charlie Baker signed, a suite of criminal justice reform measures aimed at [reducing] repeat offenders, [moving] those with mental illness and substance use disorder from prisons and jails to treatment, and [closing] stark racial disparities in incarceration, according to a January analysis by Boston Indicators, the research arm of the Boston Foundation.

Changes in criminal justice practices that occurred over the 2010sculminating in the 2018 reform legislation appear to have put us on a course toward safer and more resilient communities, the reports authors wrote.

A gavel.Canva stock image

The most recent Prison Policy Initiative data, however, suggests that work still remains.

In Massachusetts, people in local jails make up the largest share of people behind bars, with 8,300 people in county or city lock-ups, the report showed.

Some 1,300 people were in federal custody as of 2023, while 290 were in juvenile facilities, and 260 were the subject of involuntary commitments, the report showed.

And even that tally of local incarceration doesnt provide a full picture, the reports authors noted.

Thats because people cycle through local jails relatively quickly. And every year, at least 70,000 different people are booked into local jails in the Bay State, the data showed.

And, reflecting national trends, people of color are over-represented in the population of incarcerated people, even though they make up a smaller share of the states population as a whole.

Read More: Mass. saw increase in juvenile justice involvement in 2023, report shows

Black people were incarcerated at a rate of 383 per 100,000 people in state prisons, and 511 per 100,000 people in jails, the data showed. Thats compared to 53 per 100,000 people in prison and 82 per 100,000 people for white people, the data showed.

At the state level, Healey administration officials say theyve taken steps to reduce the commonwealths correctional footprint, that include opening educational opportunities, providing housing aid and substance use disorder treatment services.

If we have to incarcerate someone, they should be the right person. So I think thats one thing that Massachusetts has gotten right, Andrew Peck, the undersecretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, told NBC10 in Boston earlier this month.

As opposed to a lot of other states. We hold people accountable, but we understand that there are different pathways to that accountability, and we dont have to incarcerate someone to hold them accountable, Peck, whose office oversees state prisons, told the station.

Portland police's Major Crash Team is investigating the fatal crash.LC- THE OREGONIAN

The January report by Boston Indicators points to the commonwealths successes overall in both reducing crime and the number of people who are incarcerated statewide.

From police departments to the courts and correctional agencies, the achievements of Massachusetts belong not just to legislators, but also workers on the front lines who have provided leadership and personal sacrifice to implement the many changes during the incredibly challenging pandemic, the reports authors wrote.

Public perception of crime and criminal justice issues has long been susceptible to false narratives, they continued. With many social issues generating fear in society, we need conscientious efforts to make as much reliable information on criminal justice reform available to the public as possible.

The Boston Indicators report offers five recommendations for further improvements to the states criminal justice system.

They are:

Fully [implementing] the data and transparency provisions of the 2018 reform law with a deeper commitment to evaluation and unearthing the root causes of racial disparities;

[Increasing] continuing care and community-based treatment capacity;

[Maintaining] investments in residential reentry and address unmet housing needs for emerging adults;

[Building] sustainable capacity for community reinvestment and restorative justice, and

[Preparing] a correctional facilities master plan that confronts lingering issues that have major implications for criminal justice reform and public safety in the Commonwealth, the reports authors wrote.

Taking stock of criminal justice reform is also critical because much work remains to remedy large racial disparities, build community capacity to offer robust alternatives to incarceration, counter gun violence, and repair the economic harms of mass incarceration, they concluded. With the state facing increasing fiscal pressures, meeting these needs will likely be more difficult in the coming years.
Brockton Police are asking for the publics help in locating a driver they say lost control of the pickup truck they were driving and slammed into a home before landing on top of two parked cars.

Police went to 1007 Montello St. in Brockton around 2:30 a.m. Friday morning for a report of a truck crashing into property, Darren Duarte, a department spokesman, said in an e-mail. When officers arrived, they found a pickup truck on top of two parked cars.

Investigators believe the driver of the pickup truck was headed south on Montello Street when they lost control of the truck, hit a fire hydrant, crashed into the front porch at 1007 Montello St., hit the corner of the building, and then slammed into three other parked cars before coming to rest atop two of them.

The driver fled the area before police got there, Duarte said.

No injuries were reported in the crash, which remains under investigation. Brockton Fire Department assessed the building for any structural damage or hazards caused by the crash.

Police urged anyone with information about the crash or the drivers identity to contact them.
A Massachusetts man accused of over two dozen car break-ins and vandalism in January and March recently appeared in two Boston-area courtrooms to face charges, Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Haydens office announced Thursday.

Justin Caterson, 32, of Jamaica Plain, was charged in West Roxbury BMC on March 28 for possession of a burglarious instrument, carrying a dangerous weapon (brass knuckles), trespassing and entering a vehicle/boat at nighttime for a felony and vandalizing property, Haydens office said in a statement.

Caterson was ordered held on $500 bail and is expected to return on April 23 for a pre-trial hearing.

The next day, March 29, he was arraigned in Roxbury BMC for seven other separate incidents that happened between Jan. 5 and March 24, including 11 counts of breaking and entering a vehicle/boat at nighttime for a felony, five counts of vandalizing property, three counts of larceny under $1,200 and trespassing.

Caterson was ordered held on $1,750 bail and to stay away from each location. He is due to return to Roxbury BMC on May 14 for pre-trial hearings on seven other cases.

In connection with the first arraignment, Boston police arrived at the area of Parker Hill Avenue at around 8:34 a.m. on March 15 to find two vehicles with broken windows, Haydens office said. No items inside were stolen.

Then on March 28 at around 12:45 a.m., police were notified about a man in a black hoodie being seen smashing a vehicles window on Jamaica Street before he ran off, Haydens office said. About two hours later, Boston police saw a man matching the suspects description walk through the park across from the Stony Brook MBTA station.

Officers approached him but the man, Caterson, ran off and tried to jump over the fence, Haydens office said. He refused officers commands and violently resisted them before they placed him into custody, the district attorneys statement said.

Items Caterson was found carrying by officers included an orange tool typically used to shatter windows, brass knuckles, a Swiss army knife with a name inscribed on it  not his own  along with a Bank of America card and a Maine ID that was also not Catersons, Haydens office said.

Caterson faces other charges in connection with the break-ins of 14 vehicles in the area of Carmel Street, Delle Avenue and Sewall Street on March 19, and he will be arraigned at a later date in West Roxbury BMC, Haydens office said.

For his second arraignment on March 29 in Roxbury BMC, Catersons charges are in connection with the following incidents, according to Haydens office:
An Oklahoma man who is accused of throwing a pipe bomb at the Satanic Temple in Salem made a brief court appearance in Oklahoma Thursday, where a judge ordered he be detained pending a hearing next week.

Sean Patrick Palmer, 49, of Perkins, Oklahoma is charged with using an explosive to cause damage to a building used in interstate or foreign commerce, according to federal prosecutors. On Thursday, Perkins appeared in federal court in the Western District of Oklahoma in the custody of U.S. Marshals, where he will remain until at least April 24, when he returns to court, according to documents filed in court.

A hearing to determine whether or not Palmer should be detained longer, at the request of prosecutors who say he is a flight risk and a danger to the community, will be held on April 24. Palmer is also set to be extradited to Massachusetts to face charges in connection with the Salem incident, prosecutors said previously.

At about 4:14 a.m. on April 8, a man wearing all black and a tan-colored tactical vest and gloves approached The Satanic Temple in Salem in April and threw a pipe bomb at the main entrance, according to acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office.

The bomb, identified as an improvised explosive device or IED, partially blew up and caused minor fire and related damages to the exterior of The Satanic Temple, which also functions as an art gallery.

The pipe bomb appeared to have been constructed from a section of plastic pipe covered with metal nails, which were attached to the pipe with tape, according to charging documents. The inside of the pipe was filled with a powder-like substance which investigators preliminarily determined as smokeless gunpowder.

A single human hair was reportedly found on the pipe bomb containing the DNA profile of a white Caucasian male, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

A six-page handwritten note was found in a flower bed next to where the pipe bomb was found. The letter is addressed, Dear Satanist, and reads in part, Elohim send me to fight crybaby satan, but want me to make hard effort so no one dies. I obey. Elohim is a Hebrew word for God, according to an affidavit filed in federal court.

Prosecutors believe Palmer was also responsible for a vandalism at the temple in September, where white spray paint referencing bible verses was found on the property. There is a reference in the note to a peaceful message being delivered to the temple seven months prior to the incident, according to the affidavit.

Investigators obtained surveillance footage that reportedly identified a black Volvo sedan registered to Palmer that drove erratically in the vicinity of the temple before and after the bombing, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

They also found a photograph of Palmer, a white Caucasian male, posted to social media showing him wearing a tan-color tactical vest like the one worn by the suspect in the surveillance footage.

Charging documents also state that Palmer purchased PVC pipe on April 3 that matched the pipe used to construct the bomb from a home improvement retailer in Oklahoma.

The temples mission is to encourage benevolence and empathy, reject tyrannical authority, advocate practical common sense, oppose injustice, and undertake noble pursuits, according to its website. The Salem property, which opened in 2016, serves as the official headquarters for The Satanic Temple.

Its members dont view Satan as an evil figure, but as one who dared question authority, MassLive reported. The group mostly advocates for the separation of church and state and is known for attempting to get its one-ton goat-headed idol statue put next to the 10 Commandments monument on public grounds.

Material from a previous MassLive story was used in this report.
A Plymouth man pleaded guilty to COVID-19 pandemic unemployment fraud and will see prison time in the House of Corrections, Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiros office announced Thursday.

Aaron Fernandes, 43, pleaded guilty to three counts of larceny over $1200, two counts of unemployment fraud, one count of identity fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit larceny, Shapiros office said in a statement.

He will serve six months in the House of Corrections. A Suffolk Superior Court judge ordered Fernandes to pay $44,823 in restitution to the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance upon completion of his sentence. The judge also imposed three years of probation.

Fernandes was accused of conspiring with two women to pocket about $100,000 in COVID-19 relief payments during the pandemic, The Plymouth Independent reported in November 2023.

The charges against those two women, Rebecca Holmes and Katherine Quigley, remain pending, the Shapiros office said.

Ferris Brooks, also of Plymouth, collected over $400,000 in benefits in his name, in the names of two homeless people and a person who lives in Dubai, the Independent wrote. Fernandes, Brooks and the two women were arrested in separate cases as part of a larger crackdown on pandemic relief fraud.

The overwhelming need for these funds in the wake of a global pandemic and the speed with which they were dispersed did create opportunities for fraud, Shapiro said in the statement. I am grateful to the attorney general and her team for their continued efforts to hold those who took advantage of that opportunity accountable. The OIG remains committed to pursuing allegations of fraud and we are indebted to members of the public who contact our fraud hotline.
A 63-year-old man was arrested Thursday after prosecutors say they found he was in possession of several thousand images and videos containing child sexual abuse materials.

Laurence Pagnoni, of Provincetown, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography. He made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston Thursday, where he was released on conditions, including home detention with electronic monitoring, according to a statement from acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua S. Levys office.

An individual who was arrested in a child exploitation sting told law enforcement he received child sexual abuse material from Pagnoni, who is accused of sending them to the man through an online cloud storage platform, according to the statement. Prosecutors say investigators determined Pagnoni had sent thousands of such material to the individual.

During a search of Pagnonis home in May 2023, his cell phone was taken by police. Officials say investigators found several thousand images and videos containing child sexual abuse materials on Pagnonis phone, including at least 51 known images and videos as identified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Levys office said.

Pagnoni could face a sentence of up to 40 years in prison if he is convicted on both charges, according to the statement.

The U.S. Attorneys office encouraged members of the public who have questions, concerns or information about the case to call 617-748-3274.

The case against Pagnoni was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, which Levys office described as a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

This story was updated on April 23 to correct the spelling of Laurence Pagnonis name.
SPRINGFIELD  Family and friends of 35 recruits from the Springfield Police Academy filled the Fuller Arts Center on Thursday at the Springfield College Campus, celebrating their graduation from training.

Academy Class No. 0424 began its 23 weeks of training in November under the direction of Academy Director Capt. David Kane and Springfield Police Department instructors. Twenty-five of them will join the Springfield police; Westfield Police Department and the Hampden County Sheriffs Office each had three graduates; Holyoke Police Department had two; and the Springfield College Department of Public Safety and Greenfield Community College Department of Public Safety each had one.
HOLYOKE  The Massachusetts Gaming Commission awarded $750,000 last week to adult education and job readiness programs spearheaded by Holyoke Community College.

That was one of two casino-funded Workforce Development Grants awarded, according to a news release from the Gaming Commission. The other, a $750,000 award linked to Encore Boston Harbor, went to MassHire Metro North Workforce Board.
HOLYOKE  Tomorrow on 4/20, a day when cannabis aficionados hail their favorite psychotropic flower, a Western Massachusetts business leader and a city mayor will be meeting with canna fans and stumping for legalizing social consumption sites for weed.

Holyoke Mayor Joshua A. Garcia and Canna Provisions CEO Meg Sanders will both be attending a Canna Provisions block party at 380 Dwight St., featuring food, music and an array of vendors Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m. for those 21 and older. Canna Provisions opened the citys first recreational marijuana dispensary in 2020.
CHICOPEE  Robert Papalardo, the victim of a shooting Thursday on Montgomery Street, has died, according to city police.

The shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. at Zains Smoke Shop & Convenience on Montgomery Street, which was cordoned off with tape.
Its been seven months since the MBTA ended express train trips from Worcester to Boston without explanation and commuter Tracy OConnell Novick cant stand it anymore.

What was once an hour-long train ride became an hour-and-a-half slog after the MBTA announced in September that it would no longer provide direct trips between the two cities. For Novick, 51, a former Worcester School Committee member, this announcement was a disaster, as she had organized her commute to work in Boston, family life and sleep schedule around the express.

I now get less sleep and theres more morning rush to the train, Novick told MassLive. The previous service fit neatly into our family schedule, too. I could leave about the same time the high school bus came for the kids.

Despite her frustration, there is a chance Novick and nine other people can put the express back on track. City Manager Eric Batista announced Friday the creation of the Worcester MBTA Working Group  a team of 10 people who will collaborate with MBTA officials to improve commuter rail service in Worcester.

The group comprises several figures from Worcesters business and education fields, such as Worcester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tim Murray, Chief Development Officer Peter Dunn and President of College of the Holy Cross Vincent Rougeau, along with Massachusetts Department of Transpiration (MassDOT) Chief of Intergovernmental Affairs Gus Bickford and MBTA Assistant General Manager for External Affairs Angel Donahue-Rodriguez.

A spokesman from Batistas office wrote to MassLive Wednesday and confirmed that one of the improvements the group will push for is the restoration of the express service.

Providing one-hour service between Worcester and Boston is critical to growing ridership, providing commuters with a viable public transportation option, supporting efforts to fight climate change, and increasing access to jobs, housing, and other resources, the spokesman wrote. The newly announced working group will ensure the dialogue continues and advocate for new and seasoned riders, ensuring that Worcester has a seat at the table and is improving transportation options between New Englands two largest cities.

Additionally, the group will work with MassDOT to prepare for the construction and operations of Amtrak services between Boston and Pittsfield, according to the spokesman. The service, known as East-West rail, requires using Worcesters Union Station and creating a new central platform to hold more passengers. According to the MBTAs website, the platform is scheduled to be completed sometime in spring while construction for East-West rail is expected to begin in 2027.

Despite the groups focus on both the states east and western regions, commuters such as Novick said her priority is to find a way to restore the express service as soon as possible.

Its pretty clear I will be the voice of the train riders, she told MassLive. Ill work to be faithful in ensuring that is represented.

The MBTA launched the heart to hub express service in 2016 to allow commuters in Worcester and Boston to travel by train without stopping at the stations between Framingham and Worcester. These services continued until September 2023, when the MBTA and Keolis, the company that operates the commuter rail system, announced they would add more stops to the heart to hub services. These additional stops increased ridership on the Framingham/Worcester Line but Worcester residents were upset over the sudden decision to alter the express service from an hour to about 90 minutes.

Worcester commuter Matthew Noe told MassLive he loved taking the express to Boston during the spring and summer months and noticed how ridership increased because of faster travel time. He said the current train schedule for Worcester is worse without an express train as people need to travel to Boston quickly for their jobs or other events.

Theyve continually increased the amount of time we spend on the train since 2020, Noe said. Hopefully we will get the express again.

State Rep. Jim ODay, D-14th Worcester, told MassLive he and his colleagues have been trying to hold meetings with the MBTA to restore the express service for several months. According to ODay, the MBTA has not told him or the rest of the Worcester delegation why the express services changed and did not indicate if they will run express trains again.

Its ridiculous, ODay said. They need to come back.

Lisa Battiston, deputy press secretary for the MBTA, told MassLive Thursday the agency is committed in its goal to help Worcester improve its commuter rail service but did offer detail about what the improvements will be.

We continue to proactively collaborate with the City of Worcester on best serving their transportation needs, Battiston said. We look forward to publicly sharing more information on upcoming Worcester schedules and service improvements soon.

Keolis did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday.

Before the creation of the working group, the city managers office spokesman said that Batista and Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty have also been holding meetings with the MBTA for the last seven months. In a statement released on Friday, Petty wrote that the working group would help bring these conversations to a larger audience. He maintained his belief that express service would help Worcester and Bostons residents travel between the two cities at a fast and reliable speed.

Efficient and multiple express trains to Boston is a must if the City of Worcester will continue to grow and prosper. We are quickly becoming an alternative to people who are priced out of the Boston real estate market, Petty wrote. I hope that working alongside the MBTA will help ensure our residents have a better opportunity to experience a faster commute to Boston.

While elected officials and commuters want the working group to succeed in its mission, Novick told MassLive she is realistic about how much power the group will have. She said she will do her best to represent commuters when the group meets for the first time.

I hope so, she said. Im waiting to hear about when were first meeting and Ill go from there.
Les membres du Cabinet ont pris note quun protocole daccord sera signe entre lInstitute of Technical Education and Technology of Mauritius et Madison Area Technical College des Etats-Unis, la promulgation de lOptical Council (Registration of Opticians) Regulations 2024, quune deledgation de lUnited Nations Economic Commission for Africa, des activites organisees dans le cadre du Metrology Day 2024 entres autres.

1. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute of Technical Education and Technology of Mauritius and the Madison Area Technical College, USA. The objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding would be to:

(a) develop learning experiences that prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of living in a world community and serve the workforce development needs of the respective regions; and

(b) strengthen, promote and develop co-operation in education, training, development and innovation on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

2. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Project Cooperation Agreement between the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change and the United Nations Environment Programme for the preparation of the first Biennial Transparency Report for Mauritius. The project activities would include the preparation of:

(a) a national inventory of greenhouse gases emissions for the period 2023 to 2024; and

(b) a national report on progress made in the implementation and achievement of the targets set out in the 2021 Nationally Determined Contributions, information related to climate change impacts and adaptation, levels of financial support, technology development and transfer as well as capacity building support, capacity building needs and areas of improvement.

3. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of the Letter of Agreement and the Standard Letter of Additional Contribution, between the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage and the UNESCO for the implementation of the UNESCO Culture|2030 indicators, on a pilot basis, in Mauritius. The purpose of the indicators would be to measure and monitor the role and contribution of culture to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

4. Cabinet has taken note of the promulgation of the Optical Council (Registration of Opticians) Regulations 2024 which provide for the prescription of fees to be levied on Opticians.

5. Cabinet has taken note that the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has upgraded the Royal Consulate General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Mauritius into an Embassy. Consequently, as from 18 April 2024, the Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was operational in Mauritius.

6. Cabinet has taken note that on 11 April 2024, US Senators Chris Coons and James Risch introduced, in the Congress, a Bill to re-authorise the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Bill aims at requesting the renewal of AGOA for another 16 years till 30 September 2041. At the same time, the new Bill was redefining the eligibility criteria for AGOA. Whereas AGOA was initially meant for Sub-Saharan African countries, the new Bill was now proposing to include all countries that had signed and ratified the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA) and met the eligibility criteria.

The new AGOA Bill would provide for the graduation of an eligible country. Accordingly, when a Sub-Saharan country, had graduated to a high income level, AGOA would continue to apply to such beneficiary country for a period of five consecutive years, that might be extended for an additional five years, to allow for negotiation of a Free Trade Agreement with the US.

7. Cabinet has taken note that the Financial Crimes Commission, in collaboration with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Working Group on Bribery and the African Development Bank, would organise the Inaugural Meeting of the Africa Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Network from 23 to 25 April 2024 in Mauritius. The objectives of the meeting would be to:

(a) equip law enforcement authorities from African jurisdictions with the necessary tools, capacity and expertise to effectively investigate and prosecute complex corruption cases, including those of a transnational nature;

(b) provide a confidential platform for law enforcement authorities to discuss common challenges and good practices as well as exchange information on specific corruption cases; and

(c) enhance professional contacts throughout the African region, including with key Working Group on Bribery jurisdictions, investigative units from Multilateral Development Banks as well as other international law enforcement organisations that play a relevant role in the region.

8. Cabinet has agreed to the National Development Unit and the Drains Infrastructure Construction Ltd implementing the construction of drainage network at Verdun project and the construction of flood wall, culverts and river enlargement at La Source, Flacq project, respectively.

9. Cabinet has taken note that the teledon in favour of the people of Palestine, organised at national level and spearheaded by the Municipal City Council of Port Louis, had been further extended up to 30 April 2024 and the bank accounts of the State Bank of Mauritius (Account Number: 503 0000 118 8017) and the Mauritius Commercial Bank (Account Number: 000 45 20 56 349) would remain open till that date.

10. Cabinet has taken note that consultants from United Nations Economic Commission for Africa would field a visit to Mauritius from 13 to 16 May 2024 to collect information to feed in the development of an African continental wide database of raw materials and production inputs for the textile/cotton industry in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The objective of having a database at the continental level would be to strengthen the development of regional value chains in the textile/cotton sector in Africa. The database would further assist in identifying opportunities for the development of textile and clothing value chains across Africa and provide policy guidance in optimising the potential of the AfCFTA.

11. Cabinet has taken note of the rolling out of the Digital Lab on the Go project and the revamping of the Cyber Caravan by the Mauritius Digital Promotion Agency (MDPA). The project aims at digitally empowering citizens by providing a multifaceted approach to harness the full potential of digital technologies. A series of digital awareness initiatives for different target groups, including students, women as well as elderly, that would leverage on new technologies in the cyber caravan, would be conducted by the MDPA. The cyber caravan would be equipped with five booths representing the following new technologies:

(a) Robotics and Sensors;

(b) 3D Printing and Fabrication;

(c) Virtual and Augmented Reality;

(d) Digital Innovation  Geographic Information Systems & Internet of Things; and

(e) Digital Government.

12. Cabinet has taken note of the activities being organised in the context of World Bee Day, celebrated on 20 May every year, to raise awareness on the importance of pollinators and their contribution towards sustainable development. The theme chosen by the United Nations for this years celebration is Sustainable Development Goals and Our Buzzing Allies. The following activities would be organised by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security:

(a) exhibition and sale of honey and other bee products by beekeepers;

(b) exhibition on pollination by the Entomology Division;

(c) demonstration of beekeeping techniques by the Entomology Division;

(d) sensitisation on pests and diseases of honey bees and their management by the Livestock and Veterinary Division;

(e) sale of melliferous plants, fruit trees and planting materials by the Horticulture Division, the National Parks and Conservation Services and Forestry Service;

(f) demonstration of honey analysis by the Agricultural Chemistry Division;

(g) showcasing of honey-based recipes by the Food Science and Technology Division and the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI); and

(h) display of schemes and facilities provided to beekeepers by the Entomology Division, FAREI and the Small Farmers Welfare Fund.

13. Cabinet has taken note of the organisation of activities in the context of World Metrology Day 2024. The theme for this year is Sustainability which marks the official recognition of the 20th of May as the World Metrology Day by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. The following activities would, inter alia, be organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Protection:

(a) broadcasting of short video clips, covering the main aspects of Legal Metrology, including the legal obligation of traders (calibration/assizing of instrument of mass and volume, verification of packaged goods, among others);

(b) distribution of flyers/booklets to traders and the public to educate on the importance of using calibrated instrument in trade; and

(c) radio/TV programmes on specific issues relating to Legal Metrology.

14. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the Conference on Diabetes, Obesity and Associated Diseases held in January 2024 in Mauritius. The following main topics were discussed during the conduct of the three-day Conference:

(a) trend and changes in diabetes, epidemiology and new biomarkers for diagnosis of diabetes;

(b) new primary and secondary prevention and implementation strategies for diabetes as well as novel therapies in the management of diabetes;

(c) monitoring and management of renal, cardiovascular, eye and neurological complications of diabetes;

(d) the relationship between diabetes and other co-morbidities;

(e) trend, prevention and management of obesity as well as its link with diabetes; and

(f) regional experience in prevention and management of type-2 diabetes.

15. Cabinet has taken note that, as at 18 April 2024, there were 358 active cases of Dengue Fever in Mauritius, of which 44 had been hospitalised in both public and private hospitals. For Rodrigues, 121 active cases of Dengue Fever had been recorded of which 12 were hospitalised. Reinforced vector control teams were being deployed in hotspot regions for larviciding and fogging.

16. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the recent official visit of the Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives to Rodrigues. The Minister had meetings with the Deputy Chief Commissioner and the Commissioner for Agriculture. She also had consultations with the Federations of Cooperative Societies as well as owners of SMEs. Additionally, she had working sessions with the relevant Heads of Departments.

The Minister also attended two functions whereby cheques were remitted to 40 beneficiaries of SME Schemes and certificates were awarded to 46 trainees by SME Mauritius Ltd. The National Cooperative College also held an award ceremony whereby certificates were awarded to 130 persons, who had followed various courses with that institution.
With a population that is ageing rapidly, and faster than anywhere else in Europe, Ireland faces a unique but exciting challenge in ensuring that its healthcare system and the nursing home sector is sustainable, resilient, and equitable.

Ireland is a country in which nursing home care is lauded by its residents and their families, as evidenced by the national resident experience survey report, with 90.3 percent reporting a good/very good experience. Our main priority is making sure that the nursing home sector, and the wider healthcare system, is prepared for Irelands ageing population, so Ireland can be a country to celebrate growing old.

It is within this reality that NHI (Nursing Homes Ireland) seeks to transform nursing home care in Ireland, and to create a resident-focused, sustainable, resilient nursing-home care system. Over the last several months, NHI has been in close consultation with its members, board, staff, and key stakeholders in developing a new strategic plan, to further set NHI as the leading voice and authority in the sector.

The focus of our strategy is HOMES, which puts the resident at its core and supporting the overall healthcare structure as an integrated and sustainable system. NHI continues to effectively represent members and provide a strong united voice for the nursing home sector which provides care to everyone who needs it.

Care-First is at the heart of the strategy, amplifying the voice of residents in homes and championing care philosophies and responding to evolving needs. The title HOMES reflects the ambition of NHI to highlight (H), organise (O), motivate (M), engage (E) and shape (S) the environment for residents of nursing homes and members of the national representative organisation.

Our strategy embodies the ethos of placing the resident at the centre of our work. We have spent much time listening to residents, members, and other stakeholders to develop a strategy which is brought to life by the word homes: highlighting the voices of residents and members; organising campaigns to have their voices heard; motivating the Government and society at large; engaging our residents and members; and shaping the provision of care for our ageing population.

This strategy aims to place the voice of residents and members at the heart of everything we do. However, that is increasingly difficult. Even though it is well recognised that the provision of nursing home care is a vital part of our healthcare system, we find ourselves at an important juncture concerning the future of nursing home care in Ireland.

The simple fact of the matter is that the Government is not addressing the crisis in nursing home care. The reality of the enormous increase in costs  36 percent over a five-year period according to a PwC study  is not reflected in fees for resident care in private and voluntary nursing homes by the State to the sector, which provides 80 percent of its care.

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities within the nursing home system. Despite these challenges, nursing home staff across the country were heroic in their care and support of their residents.

Alongside this, the increase of closures of nursing homes around the country, is one of the most concerning problems that must be immediately addressed by the Government. In Connacht alone, five nursing homes have closed in the last five years, with 161 beds being lost as a result. The closure of these nursing homes is heartbreaking, for the residents who live there having to move and for the families and staff of these facilities.

With the launch of our Strategic Plan 2024-2026, we are actively working towards creating a more resilient, sustainable and compassionate nursing home system. This requires a collaborative effort from policymakers, healthcare providers, families, and advocates to ensure that the needs of our ageing population are met with dignity, respect and quality care.

By investing in staff, increasing funding and prioritising resident-centred care, we can create a nursing home system that truly serves the needs of our ageing population. In doing so, we not only create a nursing home system that can support our residents, but also supports the overall health and social system.

Nursing home care needs to be supported. Its time to act and ensure that current and future generations of our ageing population receive the care and respect they deserve in local communities throughout Ireland.

Tadhg Daly is Chief Executive Officer of Nursing Homes Ireland. For more information and to find out how to support the NHI campaign visit www.nhi.ie or email info@nhi.ie.
The Fianna Fail organisation in Westport have expressed their support to local opposition of the preferred route option of the controversial Murrisk Greenway.

A public meeting organised by a group opposed to the preferred route option of the Westport to Murrisk Greenway is to take place this evening in Lecanvey Community Centre at 8pm.

In advance of the meeting, the Fianna Fail organisation in Westport passed a motion to express their 'unequivocal support' to the affected landowners who are opposed to the proposed route going through their land.

In a statement, the Fianna Fail organisation in Westport stated that at a meeting of their cumann on Thursday evening, a proposal to support the landowners and property owners on the Belclare to Murrisk proposed greenway was 'unequivocally supported'.

The meeting heard from Cllr Brendan Mulroy who said that the Belclare to Murrisk greenway committee are not against greenways and believe the best option for the community and tourists would be to develop a greenway along the R335 which is the main road from Westport to Murrisk.

The Westport Fianna Fail Cumann said that they wholeheartedly support the local landowners and property owners, the statement read.

The Murrisk Greenway project is being developed by Mayo County Council in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The preferred route option will see the Greenway go off road from Aughavale Cemetery via the townlands of Cloonagh, Kiladangan and Deerpark towards Murrisk and will cut through land at the foot of Croagh Patrick.

The local Belclare to Murrisk Committee who oppose the controversial preferred route option have called a meeting for this evening Friday, April 19 in Lecanvey Community Centre at 8pm. They are inviting landowners from Belclare to Louisburgh who may be affected by future greenways to listen to a number of speakers who they have invited to address the meeting.

The speakers will include Gerard Quinn, Professor Emeritus in law at the University of Galway while there will also be speakers who will speak on the environmental concerns of greenways as well as members of farmers groups who did not sign up to the Greenway Code.

A spokesperson for the committee said they were inviting all landowners from Belclare to Louisburgh to attend and listen to how future greenway planning will affect them in the future.

Meanwhile the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) have joined the IFA in raising concerns about the way greenways are being developed throughout the country.

INHFA Vice-President John Joe Fitzgerald expressed major reservations around the approach taken by some county councils when looking to acquire land for their Greenways.

We have seen enormous pressure applied on local residents to acquiesce to Greenway routes that will impact heavily on their farming enterprise, undermine their privacy and cause significant distribution in accessing their homes and businesses.

This pressure has seen landowners threatened with the possibility of CPOs and guilt-tripping people with the line that this will be good for the community and do they really want to hold up progress, he said.

With regard to CPOs, Fitzgerald was adamant that this option should never be used for Greenways as they are not a critical infrastructure, and stressed that county councils need to look again at how they deal with landowners and communities and detailed the need 'for active ongoing engagement'.

Mr Fitzgerald also questioned 'the commitment by the Government to spend 360 million per year in providing walk and cycle ways'.

It is reasonable to ask who is going to be using them especially when we see the dramatic fall in numbers on prominent greenways such as the Great Western Greenway in Mayo. While hotel availability has been cited as a possible factor in the falling numbers we should also recognise that there is a ceiling on the number of people that will partake in this activity and consequently the offering should acknowledge this fact.

It is vital that the Government recognise that their Greenway ambitions could be running out of steam and maybe the funding allocated here could deliver better outcomes if spent on our national road network or other projects. On this basis we are asking that the Government carries out a cost benefit analysis on the Greenway Programme prior to the start-up of any new projects.
A MOTORIST was clocked driving at 109 km per hour in a 80km zone outside Ballina during the opening hours of National Slow Down Day.

In the first two hours of National Slow Down Day, a GoSafe van detected a vehicle travelling at 109 km per hour in a 80km zone on the R314 at Rathroeen, Ballina.

National Slow Down Day is aimed at reminding drivers of the dangers of speeding and a garda operation also aims to increase compliance with speed limits and is in effect from 7am this morning until 7am tomorrow.

In the first five hours of National Slow Down Day, GoSafe checked the speeds of 41,630 vehicles, and detected 81 vehicles travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit.

In Galway a vehicle was detected travelling at 75 km per hour in a 50km zone on the N84 at Castlequarter, Cloonboo.

The detections come as gardai are calling on motorists to support today's 24-hour nationwide operation targeting speed to make Irish roads safer for all users.

Just four months into 2024, already 63 people have been killed on roads in Ireland with eight of those deaths recorded in Mayo. The number of deaths on roads in Mayo has led to a call for motorists to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Last week, the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow returned to Castlebar where TY students from around Mayo heard harrowing tales from emergency service personnel of the reality of road traffic collisions.

Today's initiative, which is supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), is to promote safer driving behaviour among motorists and to encourage all of society to help prevent road traffic collisions.
Two fishermen have been ordered to make donations to the Ballyglass RNLI after they admitted fishing for mackerel without official authorisation.

Martin ODonnell (61) of The Shore, Porturlin, and Jonathon ODonnell (38) of Porturlin both appeared before Belmullet District Court charged with breaching regulations regarding the fishing of mackerel off the Erris coast.

Martin ODonnell pleaded guilty to fishing mackerel without authorisation on May 10, 2022, while Jonathon ODonnell also pleaded guilty to the same offence on the same day on a separate boat. Jonathon ODonnell also pleaded guilty to failing to submit a log of his catch on two separate days  May 13, 2022 and May 17, 2022.

The prosecutions were brought on behalf of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), an independent statutory body responsible for the regulation of the sea-fisheries and the seafood production sectors.

The court heard that both fishermen had licences to fish mackerel but under regulations brought in in 2020 to protect mackerel stocks, fishermen must now have an authorisation before they can go out fishing. The two defendants said they were not aware of this authorisation and immediately remedied the situation when the rule was brought to their attention.

Catch logged

In the prosecution against Martin ODonnell, Sea Fisheries Protection Officer, Martin Daly explained that while conducting a desktop referral he noted that the defendant had caught 1,823 worth of mackerel on May 10 and May 18, 2022.

Mr ODonnell was interviewed on September 14, 2022 and admitted catching the mackerel on those two separate dates. Mr Daly said that the defendant was co-operative and had no previous convictions.

When questioned by Michael Bohan, solicitor for Mr ODonnell, the witness accepted that Mr ODonnell had a licence to fish mackerel but did not have authorisation to do so. He added that he did not visit Porturlin Pier on the date but the catch was recorded by Mr ODonnell and it was on the computer system.

Mr Bohan said his client did not know of the need for authorisation to fish for mackerel and once he was made aware, he applied for it on May 17 and was granted authorisation that day.

Mr Bohan explained that each catch has to be logged by the fisherman and also by the wholesalers when it is sold and that Mr ODonnells records coincided with that of the wholesaler. Mr Daly agreed there were no issues with what was recorded in the catch.

Mr Bohan accepted that ignorance of the law is not an excuse but his client was genuine. He commented that six or seven boats hold 98 percent of the mackerel quota in Ireland and subsidence fishermen like his client have 2 percent of the quota. Mr ODonnell, he said, has fished since he was 12 years old and has no previous convictions for similar offences and asked the court to be lenient.

Judge Lydon said she was prepared to strike out the charge if Mr ODonnell made a 500 donation to the Ballyglass lifeboat.

Dropped the ball

The prosecution against Jonathon ODonnell heard evidence from Sean Ivery, a sea fishery officer with the SFPA who visited Porturlin Pier on May 10, 2022, and inspected Mr ODonnells fishing vessel.

He explained Jonathon ODonnell had a catch of 3,246kg, which has a value in excess of 3,000. He did not have authorisation to fish mackerel.

Mr Ivery said that when a catch is made there is an obligation on the fisherman to log the catch within 48 hours. He said this was not done on May 10 or on May 13, 17 and 29. It was eventually logged on July 1.

He explained that the requirement to log catches with the SFPA is to ensure that the data for catches are with the European Commission in a timely manner to monitor mackerel stocks.

Mr Ivery said the defendant was fully co-operative and has no previous convictions.

Mr Dermot Connolly, solicitor for Jonathon ODonnell, said his client was unaware of the need for authorisation to fish for mackerel and once he found out he applied for one the following day and received authorisation.

With regard to the failure to log his catch in time, Mr Connolly admitted his client dropped the ball in this regard and he should have filled out the paperwork.

He said his client has been fishing since he was 16 and was fully so-operative with the SFPA officer on the day. He added his client is married with four children and asked Judge Lydon to be as lenient as possible.

Judge Lydon said that taking into account the lack of previous convictions and the fact he remedied the situation she was prepared to strike out the charge of failing to log his catch of May 14 if Mr ODonnell makes a 3,000 to the local Ballyglass RNLI. The other charges she said would be taken into account.




Belmullet Town prepares to commemorate a most significant milestone in its past with an event that promises to captivate both locals and visitors alike.

On Saturday, May 4, 2024, the town will come alive with a performative street spectacle hosted by the renowned LUXE Landscape Theatre Company.

The event, aptly titled Aisling an Iarthar  A Mirage in the West pays homage to a pivotal moment in Belmullets history.

In May 1824, William Henry Carter, an absentee landlord, embarked on a journey into the barony of Erris via the newly constructed road from Castlebar. This historic arrival marked the birth of Belmullet town, envisioned and brought to life amidst the untamed wilderness, earning it the epithet of an oasis in the desert.

Fast-forward to 2024, the spirit of that momentous occasion will be reignited through a mesmerising lantern procession, tracing the path of Carters inaugural journey from land to sea.

The communitys active participation will infuse the event with a sense of unity and shared history, making it an experience to cherish for generations to come.

Aisling an Iarthar  A Mirage in the West

As Chairperson of Belmullet200, I am thrilled to help orchestrate this fusion of our towns history and creativity in this spectacular event, remarked Mark Ruddy.

He continued: This celebration not only honours our past but also shines a bright light on our future. Its a momentous occasion that will leave a lasting impact on our community, showcasing the unique spirit, culture and charm of Belmullet and Erris for all to see.

As the clock strikes 9pm on Carter Square in Belmullet, spectators will be transported back in time, witnessing the magic of history unfolding before their eyes.

The procession, led by a carriage and a lantern horse, will weave its way through the town streets, accompanied by enchanting music and illuminated handcart pieces, casting a spellbinding glow on the surroundings.

As the procession progresses, fire performers will light a path with flames, while the communitys lanterns will illuminate the night. The journey will culminate at the towns historic pier, where sculptural fire drawings will celebrate the towns maritime heritage.

On the beach nearby, a stunning fire mandala made from 200 flaming steel bowls symbolises Belmullets resilience, while a firework finale will ignite awe amongst the crowd.

Mairead Melody Carr, Manager of Mayo North Tourism, stated, This celebration will attract tourists to North Mayo, encouraging visitors to explore the town and wider environs.

This event highlights the variety of experiences available in our region, including historical sites and cultural attractions. We look forward to welcoming guests to the area and showcasing the appeal of Belmullet to a wider audience, she concluded.

This event, which is proudly supported by Mayo County Council, Failte Ireland, The Department of Foreign Affairs, Udaras na Gaeltachta, The Arts Council and Ealain na Gaeltachta, coincides with MayoDay2024.

For further information, follow Belmullet 200 on social media.
A new report from the Health information and Quality Authority (HIQA) into International Protection Service (IPAS) centres has found pest infestations, incomplete Garda vetting and reports that asylum seekers have felt "unsafe" in state provided accommodation.

Inspections were carried out on four different centres around the country earlier this year by HIQA including Monaghan and Limerick.

The Knockalisheen accommodation in Limerick was found to have "significant deficits" in standards and was deemed "unsuitable" with "underdeveloped governance and oversight".

The centre has a capacity to house 354 residents, but currently houses 278 people, including 35 children.

The investigation found that there was no Garda vetting in place for a number of staff and international police checks had failed to be carried out on others who had previously lived abroad, leaving recruitment practices at the centre "not sufficiently safe or effective".

Eleven members of staff had also not undergone mandatory Children First training.

The report also noted that the "military-style tents" that house 52 males on the grounds of the accommodation were living in conditions that posed "potential risks to their health, safety and welfare".

The men had "no private space to change their clothing, no privacy screens between beds and no access to storage for personal belongings", which in turn impacts their basic human rights, said inspectors.

Residents in Knockalisheen also reported incidents of "drug use, alcohol use and aggressive behaviours", with some telling inspectors they felt "unsafe".

The report also stated the centre was in need of a "deep clean" and noted there was "little engagement with children", by staff members.

The report states the inspectors took the "unusual steps of issuing an immediate action, requesting the service provider to complete a full analysis of all risks in the centre, including risks relating to residents."

In a separate inspection at St Patrick's Accommodation Centre in Monaghan, inspectors noted "ongoing issues related to pest control", along with "high levels of non compliance", with national standards.

A child had previously been admitted to hospital due to the presence of pests in their accommodation.

338 residents including 155 children live at this accommodation centre, and investigators directed the service provider to take immediate actions after "infestations" were found in residents living spaces.

The report found gross overcrowding at the centre with some adults sharing beds with children, and no room for a baby's crib.

Children who spoke to the inspectors said they don't have any room to their homework, instead having to lie on the floor.

No Garda vetting or police checks were also found among staff and not one member of staff had attended training on first aid, anti-bullying, conflict resolution or human trafficking.

Inspections were also carried out at another centre in Limerick, Hanratty's Hotel, and the Hazel Hotel in Kildare, both of which house 95 residents each.

Those living in the Hazel Hotel said there were "some improvements" required and they didn't always "feel safe" but the general welfare of residents was "well-promoted".

Residents in Hanratty's Hotel said they were generally satisfied and spoke very highly of the staff members. Inspectors noted the centre was "a supportive space where staff and managers were readily available to residents".

Staff at the centres that were investigated were notified of the inspections, however HIQA is expected to carry out further unannounced inspections in the coming months.
Concerns have been raised as reports surfaced of a bird taking residence in Terminal 1 of Dublin Airport.

Pictures and videos circulating online show the bird to be a starling.

On the peculiar case, a spokesperson for Dublin Airport has said: "We note the concern about the bird currently living in Terminal 1 at Dublin Airport.

"Helping a small (and very speedy!) bird to get out of such a vast and busy building is no easy task. But the airport team is on the case and - in consultation with wildlife and bird experts - a process is underway which will get the bird safely on its way very soon.

"In the meantime, the public can be fully assured that the bird is getting plenty to eat and drink and is healthy."

It remains unclear how the bird got trapped in the terminal, but a spokesperson for the airport has said: "The safe return of the bird to the wild is a top priority and we thank the public for leaving its rescue to the professionals. Stay tuned for further updates!"
Collaborative, creative, and fast-paced, WildHacks is Northwesterns largest hackathon. The annual coding-based competition is designed for all students to learn and broaden their programming skills. Teams solve problems and innovate in a convivial, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere.

During WildHacks 2024, held April 5 - 7, approximately 300 participants from 14 universities dedicated the weekend to building functional and compelling software.

We really wanted to provide an opportunity for members of all experience levels and from all backgrounds, said WildHacks 2024 director Dilan Nair, a fourth-year student in computer science at Northwestern Engineering. This year, we created a dedicated space for social events, career networking opportunities, and workshops with free meals, snacks, and swag to empower WildHackers to put their time and effort purely into the development of their innovative projects. We ended up with some really cool projects.

University students across the country were invited to participate. Alongside more than 200 Northwestern participants, hackers joined the in-person event from Colgate University, DePaul University, Emory University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Loyola University Chicago, Rice University, Stanford University, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Iowa, University of Pennsylvania, University of Toronto, and the University of WisconsinMadison.

Once again, WildHacks exceeded expectations, said Joseph Hummel, a WildHacks 2024 judge and professor of instruction at the McCormick School of Engineering. We welcomed 60 teams from both inside and outside Northwestern and saw an amazing array of applications and tools produced in just a 24-hour timeframe. It was impressive work  both the event organization and what the teams produced.

The WildHacks organizing team also included:

To support participants with varying degrees of experience, the WildHacks team shared resources and beginner-friendly tutorials. Student organizations including Develop + Innovate for Social Change (DISC NU), Emerging Coders, Northwestern University's Student Chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NU IEEE), and Responsible AI Student Organization (RAISO) hosted workshops. A Discord-based help channel was also available during the event to aid hackers.

WildHacks submissions

A total of 43 software projects were submitted.

In the first round of judging, all team submissions were evaluated on the criteria of technical complexity, utility, originality, design, and presentation within three tracks: urban planning, productivity, and wellness. The 10 top-rated teams were then invited to present an in-depth demo of their projects functionality in an interactive session with the panel of judges.

Music Notes, developed by Northwestern students Alex Feng, Shubhanshi Gaudani, and Carolyn Zou, along with Anthony Xie (Stanford University), won first place overall. The program is a study aid that leverages a language model to extract the core ideas of course readings and turn them into the titles and lyrics for catchy songs.

Northwestern team members Samarth Arul, Jeffrey Ryan, and Jonathan Zhang earned second place for FYND, an intuitive application that builds community by matching the hobbies and interests of new college graduates who are relocating to unfamiliar cities.

Angel Shot, built by Northwestern students Jack Burkhardt, Alexis Diaz-Waterman, Lev Rosenberg, and Finn Wintz, earned third place. The program helps people in uneasy or potentially unsafe situations, such as a rideshare driver taking an unfamiliar route, make a realistic-sounding phone call using an OpenAI text-to-speech system.

"I was really impressed with how far our students came in one day and the quality of their projects, said Sruti Bhagavatula, a WildHacks 2024 judge and assistant professor of instruction at Northwestern Engineering. It was great to hear how much students learned in the process even if they couldn't get a working project scraped together by the end. Hackathons are a chance for students to be thrown into something new and get their hands dirty and it's always successful in that respect whether they get a working product or not."

Additional winning projects included:

The project Remap.City, by Northwestern students Ryan Newkirk, Andrew Pulver, and Franklin Zhao, earned the urban planning track award.

Northwestern team Darin Cheng and Eliseu Kloster Filho won the productivity track award for their MathTyper tool.

Northwesterns Timothy Fu and James Kim earned the wellness track prize for their Fitlial fitness app.

Best design was awarded to the web app Heartland, developed by Northwestern students Iris Ely, Miya Liu, Elysia Lopez, and Chelsey Yiran Tao.

The iOS app MoodGenie, by Northwestern students Irena Liu, Michelle Sheen, Michelle Wang, Ziye Wang, won the best technology award.

Netpet, a virtual internet pet, won the crowd favorite award. The screen time companion was built by Northwestern students Alison Bai, Jasmine Meyer, and Hannah Zhao.

Additional WildHacks 2024 project judges included Brylan Donaldson, associate director at The Garage at Northwestern, and Lydia Tse, software engineer at Google and adjunct lecturer in computer science at Northwestern Engineering.

Representatives from industry and the event sponsors also volunteered their time to evaluate project submissions, including Ronit Basu (Domino Data Lab), Andrew Seto, Sahar Siddiqui, and Ian Wallace (Accenture).

Hackers also had the opportunity to enter their projects into extra challenges presented and judged by Major League Hacking (MLH), a student hackathon league platform that provided support for WildHacks 2024. The MLH challenge winners included Version Control Add-on (most creative Adobe Express add-on), Bearly (best domain name from GoDaddy registry), Urban Pulse (best DEI hack sponsored by Fidelity), PocketCats.Co (best use of Kintone), and Scholarly (best use of AI in education). The project FundsFly earned both the MLH best use of Starknet award and the Capital One challenge for best financial hack.

Sponsors of the event included Northwestern Computer Science, The Garage at Northwestern, Accenture, Call for Code, Capital One, CodeCrafters, Deloitte, and Major League Hacking. Event partners included Coca-Cola, Insomnia Cookies, and StandOut Stickers.
by Barbara Lippert , Columnist, April 18, 2024

Can you be fair and impartial?

That question, asked of jurors, has been bugging me since the beginning of The People v. Trump, aka the hush money trial, now proceeding in a downtown New York City courtroom.

Among other things, the former president is charged with falsifying business records in connection with the payment he made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels in 2016.

Even if you think you could be a potential juror, these days, who could come up clean after teams of lawyers comb through your social media posts?

Though its hard to pick a jury in any trial, the degree of difficulty here is nuclear.

For starters, the case involves the prosecution of one of the most powerful people in the world, an overwhelmingly polarizing personality who has not only been president, but is now running for that office again, and arrives in court protected by a phalanx of Secret Service agents.

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So far, the media has worn out the word unprecedented.

Adding to the challenges of jury selection, Trump, who has long believed that the U.S. justice system is weaponized against him, has not stopped posting complaints about the trial, the venue, and the judge to Truth Social. Thats in defiance of gag orders, just as he did in the E. Jean Carroll case, for which he was severely penalized.

This week, after day one, the defendant came in hot, attacking the number of peremptory challenges that each sides lawyers get in the trial. I thought STRIKES were supposed to be 'unlimited' when we were picking our jury? I was then told we only had 10, not nearly enough when we were purposely given the 2nd Worst Venue in the Country," he wrote.

He went on to describe the case as "election interference" and part of a "witch hunt, two of his regular go-tos.

Of course, even before proceedings began, and while Trump and his legal team were still attempting to delay, he was excoriating both New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan (who HATES ME,) and attacking the judges daughter for being Super Liberal.

But part of his brand, which hes a genius at building, is being persecuted and taking on the mantle of the victim. It delights his followers, who also feel like victims of a liberal conspiracy, and are moved by his contention that he is taking the slings and arrows for them.

Still, while sitting in court, looking a bit flattened, especially while sleeping, Trump has almost been reduced to human size, an ordinary man with foibles, which is weird to consider.

And being a juror in any case Is about putting away biases and acting on the evidence.

On the first day of the trial, the judge asked 97 prospective jurors if they couldnt be fair and impartial in the case.

Fifty-seven out of 97 raised their hands and were dismissed. Still, the court managed to eke out seven potential jurors that day.

By Thursday, two jurors were let go, one due to the fear of being identified, a legitimate worry, considering the doxxing, threats, and direct attacks that are part of the MAGA arsenal.

So are there any precedents for this trial?

Theres that other Trial of the Century, involving O.J. Simpson, which has some similarities in that O.J. was also a celebrity and enormous personality, and people thought they knew him through his performances on television.

In the book The Run of His Life, Jeffrey Toobin contended that lead prosecutor Marcia Clark lost the case due to sheer arrogance, believing that she knew better than the jury consultant, who tried to advise her that African Americans (and African American women in particular) tended to be supportive of Simpson. She had previously prosecuted domestic violence cases successfully, and believed that shed win over the women on the jury by focusing on the horrors of what O.J. did to Nicole.

She was entirely wrong.

Of course, Trump is sui generis. He has no peers.

But presidentially, Richard M. Nixon comes closest, as the first president to resign from office when the evidence of his illegal conduct during Watergate became overwhelming.

Nixon avoided trial and possible imprisonment when his replacement, Gerald Ford, pardoned him in the interest of the country. It was not a popular decision.

Nixon remained defiant. Afterwards, in a famous TV interview with David Frost, he proclaimed "Well, when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal.

Though not according to the law.

Can the jumpy and quick-to-anger Donald Trump sit through a trial? Hell have to. And that will be difficult. But I do believe that with persistence, a jury will be found, and that the former president will get a fair trial, even in that hellhole, New York City.

Despite all the hitches, I think People v. Trump will show that democracy and justice can work.
by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, April 18, 2024



Source: Corsight AIs Facial Intelligence

Just months after the Federal Trade Commission banned Rite Aid from using facial recognition in stores, a class-action lawsuit is coming for Target.

Arnetta Dean is the lead plaintiff in the class action suit filed several weeks ago in Illinois Cook County. It alleges that Target broke the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, passed in 2008 and designed to protect people from their physical characteristics being collected without their knowledge.

Target did not respond to Marketing Dailys request for comment.

Illinoiss Biometric Information Privacy Act was passed unanimously after an initiative led by the ACLU of Illinois. The law prohibits private companies from collecting unique biological information, including retina scans, fingerprints, voiceprints, hand scans, facial geometry or DNA, unless theyve informed people in writing. They must also tell consumers why they are collecting the data and how long it will be stored.

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Retailers have often argued that such technology is necessary to help them guard against theft, which Target has called out as a growing problem in its financial results. So have such retailers as Lowes, Dicks and Walgreens. While retailers dont disclose the use of such technology, it is widespread. And retail trade shows are increasingly crowded with vendors promising ever-evolving options to the technology.

The FTC ruling against Rite Aid banned the now-bankrupt retailer from using facial recognition technology for five years. The agency said the companys use of the often-flawed tech led to falsely tagged consumers, particularly women and people of color.

Rite Aid's reckless use of facial surveillance systems left its customers facing humiliation and other harms, and its order violations put consumers sensitive information at risk," said Samuel Levine, director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, in the ruling. Todays groundbreaking order makes clear that the Commission will be vigilant in protecting the public from unfair biometric surveillance and unfair data security practices.

Following that judgment, the New York State Bar Association urged the states legislature to regulate facial recognition technology.
by Teresa Buyikian , April 18, 2024

Whos got the munchies? Otherwise known as 4/20, the unofficial holiday of pot smoking culture, this April 20 several QSRs have the arena covered with deals on tacos, chicken, desserts and more.

Popeyes has launched a Munchies Menu along with a specific 4/20 promotion. Now through the holiday, customers who order off the Munchies Menu will receive a Chicken Sandwich (Classic, Spicy, Blackened or Spicy Blackened)for $4.20. The deal and Munchies Menu are only available through the website or Popeyes app for pickup or delivery.

Chronic Tacos is celebrating 4/20 with the grand opening of its latest location in Redondo Beach, California. The days events include 15% off all items, free tacos and giveaways of concert tickets, among other prizes. All other locations will also offer $4.20 off any order of $20 for loyalty members through the chains app on 4/20.

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We love to reward our loyalty members any chance we get, especially when it ties into one of our favorite holidays, Mike Mohammad, CEO of Chronic Tacos, told Marketing Daily. This day has always been a part of our culture at Chronic Tacos; our first location in Newport Beach had a plaque that read Its always 420.

Wingstop has launched its own line of THC -- but it doesnt refer to tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. This THC (which contains no actual marijuana or derivatives) stands for The Hot Chili, describing a new chicken wing rub, only available today through April 21. The chain is also offering for a limited time the Wingstop Hot Box (referring to a method of marijuana ingestion involving a car with closed windows), containing a chicken sandwich, eight piece classic or boneless wings or 3-piece tenders, ranch fries and a drink.

Wingstop is promoting its THC and the Hotbox through social posts and video, seen here, which teases viewers to hit it while you can.

Wienerschnitzel is commemorating the day by giving away treats for stoners with a sweet tooth. Customers on April 20 can receive a free Brownie Shake with a digital certificate available only on Wienerschnitzel.com. The chain is quick to point out the desserts contain not those kind of brownies, or actual marijuana.

"Our new brownie shakes are the perfect way to satisfy your cravings while celebrating 4/20," said Doug Koegeboehn, Wienerschnitzel's CMO, in a release. "We always strive to be right alongside our customers' wants and needs, and we know that special promotions like these continue to capture their attention. Don't let this offer go up in smoke!
by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, April 19, 2024

Bing and Google search results now serve real-time information in the Meta AI assistant built on the companys largest language model (LLM) Llama 3, which is being integrated into the search box of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.

A new partnership with Alphabets Google includes real-time search results in the assistants responses, supplementing an existing arrangement with Microsofts Bing

In September 2023, Microsoft announced it was working with Meta to integrate its AI copilot experiences to help people navigate any task.

Its not clear what the partnership agreement looks like or whether or not that same agreement was signed with Google to license real-time search content.

Meta determines which search engine results will serve as the answer to the query.

What makes this search option so powerful across the Meta platform is the ability to access relevant information without switching platforms.



Planning a trip in a Messenger group chat allows users to ask the assistant to find flights and determine the least crowded time to travel, for example. A user also can ask Meta AI for more information about counted posted on the web.

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For example, if someone sees a photo of the northern lights in Iceland, they can ask Meta AI what time of year is best to check out the aurora borealis.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a video in January to Instagram outlining his goals as well as the changes to the organizational chart for the company.

Another important change, Meta AIs image generation can now create animation and render high-resolution images in real time as the user types.

Previously, Meta AI had only been available in the U.S. It is now begun rolling out in English to Australia, Canada, Ghana, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.vMore countries and languages will become available soon.

Meta also introduced two open-source Llama 3 models for outside developers to freely use. One is an 8-billion parameter model and a 70-billion parameter one, both are accessible on all major cloud providers.



Amazon Web Services on Thursday announced Meta Lama 3 is now available on Amazon SageMaker JumpStart, and on Amazon Bedrock since last year.

In an email to MediaDailyNews, Amazon said Bedrock is the first and only managed service to offer all of Anthropic Claude 3 modelsOpus, Sonnet, and Haikuas generally available.

The pace of development of Llama 3 is an example of how quickly AI models are scaling. Llama 2, the largest version released last year, had about 70 billion parameters. This next version of Llama 3 will have more than 400 billion, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

To train the Llama 3 models, Meta combined three types of parallelization: data, model, and pipeline. Our most efficient implementation achieves a compute utilization of more than 400 TFLOPS per GPU when trained on 16K GPUs simultaneously, the company wrote in a blog post.

Training runs were preformed on two custom-built 24K GPU clusters. The company also developed an advanced new training stack that automates error detection, handling, and maintenance.

Other high-tech developments also were made such as new scalable storage systems that reduce overheads of checkpointing and rollback. The improvements resulted in a more effective training time of more than 95%.
by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, April 19, 2024

If you click on the video above, you can hear for yourself. But no, it's not Donald J. Trump. Or John Barron of John Miller or David Dennison or any of the many fake personas he has used himself, but a not-so-deep fake courtesy of AI voice generator Parrot.ai.

I created that video in seconds after first reading about it in a dispatch from NewsGuard this morning, which reported on how deepfake tools like it were being used by disinformation campaigns by Iranian state media faking military success against Israel.

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You can see NewsGuard's reporting, as well as samples of Iran's deepfake videos here.

You can also see an update on its unreliable AI-generated news site tracker, which has identified 802 to date.

The post also includes a link to Parrot.ai so you can play around with it and create your own, which no doubt is a lot of fun -- but not in the way JibJab videos were a dozen or so years ago, because unlike JibJab, some users may not know these are fabrications.

And that's the point of Trump's endorsement of "Red, White & Blog" today: We all need to be skeptics and question the source and authenticity of unverified news, video and other content that might be trying to misinform us.

In the meantime, thank you, John... er, I mean, David... er, I mean Donald. Or whoever you really are.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, April 19, 2024

A federal judge has granted final approval to a class-action settlement that requires Google to pay $62 million for allegedly collecting and storing location data from smartphone users who had attempted to keep that information private.

The deal requires Google to pay around $42 million to more than a dozen schools and organizations -- including the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University, Free Press, ACLU of Northern California, Center for Democracy & Technology, and Electronic Frontier Foundation.

The settlement also calls for the attorneys who brought the case to receive around $20 million. Individual users won't receive compensation.

U.S. District Court Judge Edward Davila in San Jose wrote in an order issued Thursday that deal was an appropriate resolution in this case.

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Davila accepted the settlement over the objection of three smartphone users who argued in papers filed last month that the settlement funds shouldn't be distributed to nonprofits unless there was no practical way to directly compensate people whose data was allegedly collected.

The objectors also said they disagreed with some of the recipients' positions -- such as support for net neutrality rules, or stance on abortion.

The proposed recipients are self-described advocacy groups that advance contentious public policy positions with which at least some class members, including objectors, disagree, they argued.

Their counsel, Ted Frank of the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute Center for Class-Action Fairness, has challenged numerous other class-action settlements -- including a prior privacy dispute involving Google that went to the Supreme Court in 2018. (Last year, Google settled that matter for $23 million.)

The location-privacy settlement comes in a battle dating to 2018, when San Diego resident Napoleon Patacsil brought a class-action complaint against Google over allegations that it tracks smartphone users' locations.

Patacsil's lawsuit -- later joined by other Google users -- stemmed from an August 2018 Associated Press report that Google stores location data harvested from some services, including search and maps, even when users have attempted to prevent the data collection.

The AP reported that even when the "Location History" setting is turned off, Google gathers some location data unless people turn off a separate setting -- "Web and App Activity." After that report came out, Google revised a help page by stating that turning off Location History doesn't affect other location services, and that some location data may still be saved.

Google separately agreed to pay around $600 million to settle location privacy charges brought by state attorneys general.

A company spokesperson previously said claims in all cases were based on outdated product policies" that were changed years ago.
by Teresa Buyikian , April 19, 2024



Busy, busy busy: Things are heating up with lots of activity this week in QSR.

Locations

Cicis Pizza has signed a six-unit agreement in Texas. The new stores will be in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex market.

Bojangles, specializing in classic Southern style chicken, biscuits and tea, has announced its first entree into the Los Angeles market with the signing of a new 30-unit agreement. The first LA county location is slated for completion in early 2025. Bojangles and Poulet Brothers, LLC, plan to open 30 new locations over the next six years.

Freshslice Pizza, the Canadian pizza franchise with over 100 stores, is branching out into the U.S. by announcing its first two franchise locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas Metroplex.

Fatburger parent company FAT (Fresh. Authentic. Tasty.) Brands Inc. has announced a new development deal across northern California. In a partnership with franchisee California Burger, Inc., Fatburger will be added to 40 existing Round Table Pizza locations over the next decade, with the first location set to open later this year.

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Little Caesars signed several new multi-unit development agreements to expand its presence across target markets in the U.S., per a release. The pizza company will open over 30 new restaurants throughout San Diego, Memphis, Tampa, Raleigh, Minneapolis-St. Paul, San Antonio and Eugene as part of the new agreements.

Noodles & Company has signed a deal with DND Group Inc. to acquire six restaurant locations and open a total of ten new restaurants in the Portland, Oregon area. The first location is set to open in early 2025 and is part of a strategic growth plan targeting the Pacific Northwest.

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Chilis Grill & Bar is launching its own version of the popular Espresso Martini, swapping traditional vodka for reposado tequila. The new drink also contains Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Monin Agave Nectar, Owens Espresso Martini Mix and is garnished with coffee beans. Reality TV stars and ex Chilis waitress, Scheana Shay, and tequila expert, Katie Maloney, promote the beverage in a new TV spot, seen here.

Cold Stone Creamery has added a Strawberry Passion Cake for Mothers Day. The ice cream dessert has layers of red velvet cake with strawberry puree, strawberry ice cream mixed with gram cracker crust and topped with strawberry frosting.

Subway has announced the return of Honey Oat Bread and Creamy Sriracha sauce. While the Honey Oat Bread is an LTO, the Creamy Sriracha is now a permanent addition to the menu. Additionally the chain has partnered with Miss Vickie's Kettle Cooked Potato Chips on an exclusive flavor based on Subways Baja Chipotle sauce. The new Miss Vickie's Baja Chipotle flavored chips are now available in Subway locations nationwide.
  Trusted Source

April marks Oral Cancer Awareness Month, with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer on the increase



Go to source Trusted Source



In India, #oralcancer stands out as a prominent health issue, ranking as the second most prevalent cancer overall and the leading cancer among males. #cancer 

The Surge in Oral Cancer Incidence and Treatment Challenges

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April marks Oral Cancer Awareness Month, with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer on the increase - (https://adanews.ada.org/ada-news/2023/march/april-marks-oral-cancer-awareness-month/)

India shoulders a substantial burden of oral cancers , accounting for approximately 30% of all global cases.Also known as mouth cancer, the disease is the most common form of head and neck cancer and includes cancers of the mouth and the back of the throat. Traditionally known to affect older adults, the disease is seeing an early onset, Dr. Sowrabh Arora, Senior Director - Surgical Oncology (Head & Neck), Max Hospital, Vaishali, told IANS ().Alarmingly, the incidence of oral cancer is on the rise, with approximately 70 percent of cases diagnosed at an advanced stage, complicating treatment efforts, added Dr. Mohit Saxena, Senior Consultant - Medical Oncology, Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurugram. The doctors attributed the rise to the use of tobacco , chewing betel nuts, or smoke, accounting for 80-90 percent of cases.Other contributing factors include excessive alcohol consumption, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection , weakened immune system , poor nutrition, excess body weight , and excessive sun exposure.This highlights the pressing need for awareness campaigns and preventive measures to curb the rising prevalence of oral cancer, particularly among the younger population, and to address the root causes, Dr. Sowrabh said.The doctors also advised to be vigilant of symptoms to help in crucial early detection and better outcomes.Recognizing the symptoms of oral cancer is crucial for early detection and intervention. These include persistent mouth ulcers, red or white patches, intraoral swelling or lumps, difficulty in swallowing, hoarseness of voice, neck or throat swelling, and unexplained weight loss , Dr Mohit told IANS.He also called for prevention strategies such as abstaining from tobacco, and alcohol , practicing safe sex to minimize HPV exposure, using sunscreen to protect against sun damage, and undergoing regular oral screenings for early detection.Source-IANS
Thousands of former Army National Guard soldiers were mailed letters from the service component asking them to figure out whether they are owed unpaid bonuses, according to internal documents reviewed by Military.com.

The Guard letters went to former soldiers who may have never received their promised enlistment bonus after the service component got behind on the payments. The vague correspondence essentially asks them to jump through bureaucratic hoops to find out whether they're owed anything, and if so, how much, the documents show.

In October, Military.com was first to report that the Army National Guard was behind on paying out about 13,000 bonuses, some of which have been delayed for years. The backlog has gotten so severe that 3,900 of those soldiers completed their service and left the military without ever getting paid.

Read Next: House of Prayer, Accused of Bilking Veterans Out of Millions, Said to Be Stonewalling Investigation

Following that reporting -- and questions from lawmakers on the matter -- the service component is now asking the former soldiers to file claims, which include various online applications and gathering records such as initial enlistment documents and discharge orders, which they may not have or do not have easy access to.

Instead of being specific on how much the former Guardsmen are owed, the letters do not outright tell them whether they are owed a bonus, just that they might be, officials explained, raising questions about how well the Guard is tracking who it owes money.

"We're putting the onus on the soldier here," one Guard official with direct knowledge of the situation told Military.com on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press. "It's confusing and they can go through this huge process, wait months, only to be told they aren't owed anything. We should figure out what money we owe who, and just send them a check."

The National Guard did not return a request for comment ahead of publication.

Enlistment bonuses can be up to $20,000 and are typically paid out in two chunks: one after the soldier completes their initial training and the other at the halfway point of the soldier's contract. Bonuses are supposed to be paid within 30 days of those two milestones, but that goal is not codified in policy.

The backlog started in 2018 when servers that processed bonuses were damaged by a fire at the Pentagon. The Guard was then unable to process payments for 10 months. The system crashed again in 2021, leading to another 10-month blackout as part of an unrelated incident.

The bonus backlog caused first by technical issues was further inflamed by service component staff at the state level, Guard officials said.

Two state adjutants general said that in their respective states, staff are poorly trained on processing bonuses and have no systemic procedures. In some cases, soldiers who are owed bonuses have been tracked by hand on paper or dry erase boards, which has caused confusion in some states.

In November, Reps. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.; Mike Waltz, R-Fla.; and Trent Kelly, R-Miss., all military veterans themselves, sent a letter to the National Guard's commanding officer questioning the handling of incentives.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that the National Guard has not paid thousands of soldiers and veterans the enlistment bonuses they were promised," Gallego, a Marine veteran, said at the time. "We need answers."

The news comes as the Army is struggling to dig out of a years-long recruiting slump. There's little evidence enlistment bonuses on their own generate recruits, but they can sweeten the deal and also direct applicants to sign up for certain fields as the service struggles to fill the ranks.

The Army as a whole is eyeing cuts to education benefits, particularly the Credentialing Assistance Program. Military.com was first to report on Army planners mulling curtailing funding of the program as its popularity since being fully implemented in 2020 has ballooned in cost.

While that specific program isn't key to recruiting pitches, education benefits as a whole are, and the optics of reducing any of those benefits could be devastating, particularly during an election year. Some lawmakers have promised strong pushback, and Army Secretary Christine Wormuth was asked about Military.com's reporting this week on Capitol Hill.

The service is also reviewing federal tuition assistance, though it's unclear what changes could be underway. That benefit isn't to be confused with National Guard tuition assistance, which is controlled by the states, and is not under any review for cuts.

Meanwhile, the Army National Guard has run into other hiccups on bonuses, including in March when service planners miscalculated funding and suspended those bonuses for a week. Anyone who enlisted in the Army National Guard between March 1 and March 7 are not eligible for bonuses.

Related: Soldiers Unpaid: National Guard Hasn't Paid Out Thousands of Enlistment Bonuses
A Fort Liberty soldier has been sentenced to 40 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to three counts of money laundering related to "an elaborate series of romance scams," according to federal authorities.

Specialist Sanda G. Frimpong, who was serving on active duty until his arrest in 2023, was ordered to pay back over $350,000 to victims he and others manipulated. Frimpong posed as a romantic suitor to earn his victims' trust and subsequently bilked them out of thousands of dollars, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina said in a press release Thursday.

"Frimpong and other conspirators engaged in elaborate scams, impersonating romantic love interests, diplomats, customs personnel, military personnel, and other fictitious personas," the press release read.

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Frimpong pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering on Sept. 14.

Frimpong served as an Army specialist, according to the indictment. He immigrated to the U.S. from the Republic of Ghana in 2015 using a K-1 fiance visa, divorced the sponsor in 2018 and was naturalized as a citizen shortly thereafter.

He laundered the money from his victims often with the help of contacts in Ghana, according to the press release.

In one example included in the indictment, Frimpong posed as a woman in 2020 to target a New York-based widower. He claimed to have been detained by a Canadian customs officer named "Sanda Frimpong," and asked the widower to send a total of $7,400 to help him escape detention, and to help him move bars of gold out of Canada.

In another example, Frimpong posed in 2021 as a soldier deployed to Afghanistan and convinced a divorcee to send him $100,000 to pay for travel expenses and customs fees for moving gold and diamonds. After receiving the funds, Frimpong transferred the money to two bank accounts based in Ghana.

Separately, Frimpong and Ghana-based contacts used stolen U.S. identities to submit fraudulent applications for unemployment benefits and benefits related to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in 2020.

West Africa, where Ghana is located, is a known source for romance scams. A 2023 Interpol investigation in the region culminated in 100 arrests and more than two million euros seized.

The Federal Trade Commission said nearly 70,000 Americans reported romantic fraud in 2022 -- with personal financial losses reaching $1.3 billion.

Military romance scams are not uncommon, though usually scams involve non-military culprits posing as service members in hopes of more easily garnering sympathy from victims who support troops. Troops can also become victims by having their photos used by scammers.

In 2022, a Texas man was arrested for scamming victims out of almost $1 million by posing as an Army general.

"Romance scammers exploit our most vulnerable citizens, even our seniors and military veterans, sometimes leaving them financially and emotionally devastated," U.S. Attorney Michael Easley said in the U.S. Attorney's Office press release Thursday. "The fact that an Army service member was involved in romance scams while serving as a soldier is appalling."

-- Kelsey Baker is a graduate student at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, and a former active-duty Marine. Reach her on X at @KelsBBaker or bakerkelsey@protonmail.com.

Related: Mastermind of Romance Scam That Used Pictures of US Military Generals Gets 3 Years
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...
A Navy sailor who was convicted on a charge stemming from his participation in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, has managed to avoid jail time or probation after a judge sentenced him to 30 days of home detention and a $2,500 fine.

Petty Officer 1st Class David Elizalde argued in a sentencing memo that a probation sentence would have been "fatal" to his Navy career, which he wanted to salvage despite being convicted of one charge of violent entry and disorderly conduct on the Capitol grounds when a violent mob stormed the building hoping to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Stephen Brennwald, Elizalde's lawyer, told Military.com that they "knew that having a sailor on probation wouldn't really work if he was given orders to go back out to sea, or was shipped out, so the judge adopted our recommendation so that his sentence would be over quickly with no probationary term."

Read Next: Army National Guard Asks Former Soldiers to Figure Out if They're Owed Unpaid Enlistment Bonuses

Brennwald added that they were "thrilled that the judge agreed with our recommendation." Prosecutors had asked for 30 days in jail and probation of three years. The maximum sentence Elizalde faced was six months in prison and a fine of $5,000.

Elizalde captured video of a police officer being assaulted and also briefly entered the Capitol on Jan. 6 as hundreds of rioters broke through police lines, smashed windows and vandalized congressional offices following a rally held by former President Donald Trump, who falsely told attendees the election had been stolen.

Despite the favorable legal outcome for Elizalde, it is far from a guarantee that his career will be safe.

The Navy would not comment on the specifics of Elizalde's case or speculate on any additional legal processes for him, but one official noted that just because civilian legal punishments do not impede a sailor's ability to serve, that does not mean leaders can't pursue their own investigation or charges.

Elizalde, 46, joined the Navy in 2007 as an aviation structural mechanic, according to Navy records. After completing his training, he served aboard the USS Eisenhower and then the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carriers.

While assigned to the Truman carrier, Elizalde traveled to Falls Church, Virginia, and attended the events of Jan. 6 on the National Mall and at the Capitol.

Elizalde first attended the "Stop the Steal" rally where Trump urged those gathered to "fight like hell" and not concede the election to President Joe Biden, who won the vote. "Even before the speech ended, Elizalde joined the crowd heading to the Capitol building via Constitution Avenue," according to documents submitted by the prosecution.

The document also noted that at some point during that day, he bought a "Veterans for Trump" flag.

As the riot on the grounds of the Capitol intensified, Elizalde's own GoPro camera footage "graphically captured an attack" on a Capitol Police officer, and prosecutors noted that the petty officer "took no action to assist, help, defend, or otherwise protect the police officers as they were attacked by the riotous mob; rather, he remained part of the crowd."

Prosecutors also pointedly noted that he "did not disclose the existence of his GoPro or associated images or video to investigators."

His lawyer, in his own filing, argued that Elizalde was "a student of history" who simply had "a great deal of curiosity" about the day's events, and as a result, "he walked among the crowd, observing the events and alternately photographing or videotaping various scenes."

He ultimately made it inside the Capitol building for a few minutes before an officer directed him to leave, which he did.

His lawyer conceded that the Navy told all its sailors "through official email channels not to attend any 'January 6' events" but "unfortunately, because Mr. Elizalde was on shore leave at that time, he did not have access to military emails, and he never learned of this command."

Months later, in December 2021 and in early 2022, Elizalde was interviewed by Naval Criminal Investigative Service agents about his activities that day, and he was eventually transferred from his post at the naval base in Rota, Spain, to the Washington Navy Yard, where he was arrested and charged.

Elizalde's record shows that among a host of unit and service awards, he received four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals.

Elizalde is one of a small handful of active-duty service members who participated in the riot that day.

The most senior service member charged is Marine Corps Maj. Christopher Warnagiris, whose trial is still ongoing. A trio of junior enlisted Marines who were all connected to the intelligence community were also arrested early last year. All three pleaded guilty last September and were sentenced to probation and community service.

Related: 5th Active-Duty Service Member Arrested on Jan. 6 Charges
DAKAR, Senegal  The United States is attempting to create a new military agreement with Niger that would allow it to remain in the country, weeks after the junta said its presence was no longer justified, two Western officials told The Associated Press Friday.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, said Washington was actively working on options for a revised deal aimed at retaining its foothold in the West African nation.

Niger plays a central role in the U.S. militarys operations in Africas Sahel region, Washington is concerned about the spread of jihadist violence where local groups have pledged allegiance to al-Qaida and the Islamic State groups. Niger is home to a major U.S. airbase, in the city of Agadez, some 920 kilometers (550 miles) from the capital Niamey, using it for manned and unmanned surveillance flights and other operations. The U.S. has also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training Nigers military since it began operations there in 2013.

But relations have frayed between Niger and Western countries since mutinous soldiers ousted the countrys democratically elected president in July. Niger's junta has since told French forces to leave and turned instead to Russia for security. Earlier this month, Russian military trainers arrived to reinforce the countrys air defenses and with Russian equipment to train Nigeriens to use.

The decision to revise the agreement was seen by one of the officials in an internal cable for State Department officials. It didnt outline what the terms would be and its still unclear if the junta will be receptive to them.

In October, Washington officially designated the military takeover as a coup, which triggered U.S. laws restricting the military support and aid that it can provide to Niger. In March, a U.S. delegation traveled to Niger to hold discussions at senior levels to explore whether it was possible to achieve an agreement respecting the concerns of both sides, said a State Department official.

We are in touch with the transition authorities and are discussing next steps. The (junta) has made it clear that they want a different model for what U.S. military cooperation with Niger looks like going forward. What that cooperation is, is still under discussion, said the official.

The revised agreement would aim at finding a formula that addressed respective interests and concerns, as maintaining a U.S. presence in the country is essential to ensure the safety of the troops, said one of the officials. What's at stake is more than counterterrorism operations, said the official. Without a U.S. troop presence it will become harder to protect and evacuate military and diplomatic staff in the region if there were any type of escalation.

The wisest policy is for the United States to disengage, but it's complicated because of the extensive military and intelligence infrastructure the U.S. has invested in the country, said Hannah Rae Armstrong, a senior consultant on Sahel peace and security.

It puts the U.S. in a very bad position because its hard to walk away from, she said. If the U.S. stays, it should find a new mode of engagement that departs from the failed counterterror cooperation model of the past decade, and continues to press other states in the Sahel region on accountability and human rights abuses, she said.

Insa Garba Saidou, a local activist who assists Nigers military rulers with their communications, couldn't confirm that Niger was revising its military agreement but said there had been long discussions with the U.S. and that Niger was open to working with other countries.

The people of Niger and their interests must be preserved and I think this is logical, he said. The relations between the two states must be fair and the two countries must respect each other.



Mednick reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press reporter Matthew Lee in Washington, D.C., contributed.
Over the weekend, my family and I watched the highly anticipated 28-minute episode of the cartoon "Bluey" titled "The Sign." For the uninitiated, "Bluey" is an Australian cartoon featuring a family of anthropomorphic blue Heeler dogs. It's one of those shows that is just as much for the parents as it is for the children; while kids love the beautiful imagery and delightful storylines, parents also watch along, often with tears, as the episodes evoke a deep sense of nostalgia and the brutal heartache of parenthood.

While the Heeler family, for all intents and purposes, seem like a typical Australian family, those of us in a military family especially appreciate the occasional episode featuring Rusty, an Australian red Kelpie whose father is often away from home for military service.

But unlike the more joyous episodes of "Bluey," "The Sign" had me in tears from the start. The story is a continuation from the previous episode, where viewers learned that the Heeler family had put their Brisbane home up for sale and were planning to relocate to another city. "The Sign" deals with two parallel storylines: One is the upcoming nuptials of two secondary but beloved characters, and the other is the conflict and guilt that Mom (Chilli Heeler) and Dad (Bandit Heeler) feel for uprooting their family for a new job prospect.

As the spouse of a U.S. military service member and a mom who loves a military kid, I can relate hard to the anguish and ambivalence about moving children (and ourselves) away from a lovely place we've called home. But perhaps it's serendipitous that this episode aired during April, which the Defense Department established as the "Month of the Military Child" in 1986 to honor the contributions that military children make to their parent's (or parents') service to the nation.

According to the DoD, more than 1.6 million military children are in the United States, and their lives are dramatically impacted as a result of moving every 2-3 years because of at least one parent's military service. While many military children have and will learn to navigate the challenges of parents spending prolonged amounts of time away due to training and deployments, moving and changing schools is one of the core experiences of a military child -- for better or worse.



"The Sign" may not totally capture the impacts associated with a permanent change-of-station, or PCS, move, but it certainly reflects the existential angst that comes with it. While Bluey and Bingo question their parents about the wisdom of the decision (Chilli: "I think it could be good for our family." Bluey: "But it could be bad for our family."), Chilli's ultimate answer to her children's questions hits every military parent right in the heart: "I wish I could tell you which one it was going to be, but I don't know."

Sometimes, as a civilian military parent, I feel I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place: to keep my family together by moving or allowing my child some geographic and educational stability while their service member parent moves ahead for their next job. Even if the choice is for everyone to pack up and go, there is no way a military parent can say with certainty that this next town or school is going to be great.

We can't say this "career move" is truly worth taking our children from their favorite activities, friends or house, even though military parents are always being told that our children are resilient and they can do anything. All the assurances in the world still don't silence those worries that come to us in the middle of the night:

What if I am wrong?

What if I choose wrong?

And if I did choose wrong, can my child and I weather the consequences of that choice?

For so many of us, when the morning comes, all we can do is make educated guesses, come up with a plan, carefully execute this plan and hope for the best.

As the summer PCS season is fast upon us, as many of us watch our children say goodbye (or, optimistically, see you later) to their friends ready for their next big adventure, we can only be awed by the spirit of our military children to speak their big emotions, adapt and thrive despite constant changes. Sometimes, as I watch my own kid, I can only whisper to myself as Calypso, a teacher at Bluey's school, does in this episode: "Everything will work out the way it's supposed to."

Dr. Jeanette Yih Harvie is a research associate at Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families and a military parent.

Keep Up with the Ins and Outs of Military Life

For the latest military news and tips on military family benefits and more, subscribe to Military.com and have the information you need delivered directly to your inbox.
TRAVERSE CITY, MI - People travel to northern Michigan from all over the country for the serenity of being surrounded by nature, the lakes, beaches, sand dunes and waterfalls, the world-class trails and, of course, the food.

Traverse City has just been recognized as having one of the top 10 food scenes in the entire country, ranking No. 8 on USA Todays 10Best list of the 10 Best Small Town Food Scenes in the U.S. for 2024.

Known first and foremost for its beautiful freshwater beaches, Traverse City on the shores of Lake Michigan enjoys a buzzing food scene, the publication wrote about its ranking. Morel mushrooms grow in the area woods, and local chefs pair them with everything from local fish to farm-fresh eggs. Top dining options include Trattoria Stella by James Beard semifinalist Myles Anton, The Filling Station Microbrewery, and the Cordwood BBQ food truck.

There are more than 250 restaurants listed in Traverse City on TripAdvisor with Reflect Bistro coming in at No. 1, followed by the Filling Station, Boathouse Restaurant, Trattoria Stella and the Towne Plaza. And a trip to TC wouldnt be complete without a stop at Moomers Homemade Ice Cream.

The other cities in the U.S. to make the list of 10 Best Small Town Food Scenes are: Cape May, NJ; Mesquite, NV; Orange Beach, AL; Mount Dora, FL; Covington, LA; Oxford, MS; Abingdon, VA; Thomasville, GA; Lewisburg, WV.

USA Today has numerous 10Best lists which are first nominated by a panel of experts made up of editors from both USA Today and 10Best.com. The top 10 is then determined by a public vote. Here is everything in Michigan ranked in USA Todays 10Best for 2024 so far:
HOLLAND, MI -- Sunny days and cool nights have tulip bulbs opening up in full color this week, but Hollands parks department wants to slow that bloom for some of their flowers.

The city of Holland parks department is responsible for 565,000 bulbs planted through the main corridors and throughout city parks. That also includes hundreds of pots that are featured on street corners, parade floats and at the artisan markets during the Tulip Time Festival.

The parks department keeps a close eye on all of the mircoclimates throughout the city, including their own greenhouse.

The cool spring days have kept the tulips right on schedule, but pots lined up along the greenhouse have been getting an intensely sunny reflection off the glass, said Jamie Scott, parks and cemetery deputy director.

To avoid the bulbs opening too soon, the entire parks department worked together to move 1,500 pots. Half the pots moved inside to a cooler kept at 55-degrees and the other half remained outside but away from the reflective rays.

Its this attention to detail that ensures downtown will have tulips for the festival, starting the first week of May.

We dont want to sell just stems, Scott said. We want to make sure the flowers are nice and tight and not opened up too much.

Tulip Time, running May 4-12, draws in millions of visitors for the parades, dancing, food and six million picturesque tulips. The festivals artisan market runs May 4-5 and parades are May 9 and 11.

Cooler nights ahead will keep the flowers planted in city parks on schedule to hold their color until the festival, Scott said.

More Tulip Time News:

Holland sweeps out winter, invites in springtime guests during Tulip Time parades

Anxious for spring? Livestream tulips blooming in Holland

Few spots left for Tulip Time tour hitting Holland highlights, Windmill Island and Big Red

Pickleball fever hits Tulip Time. Still time to register for Tulip City Open
The Great North American Eclipse has passed but skywatchers will soon have the opportunity to see something NASA experts are describing as a once-in-a-lifetime event.

A star system located 3,000 light-years away from Earth is predicted to soon become visible to the naked eye due to a nova outburst, an occurrence that only takes place about every 80 years. The blaze star, officially known as T Coronae Borealis, or T CrB, last exploded in 1946 and astronomers believe it will do it again sometime between February and September 2024.

Bill Cooke, lead for NASAs Meteoroid Environment Office at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, said the timing of the explosion is much harder to predict than the eclipse but said when it happens it will be something youll remember.

Seeing that star blow up is much rarer than a solar eclipse, Cooke told NPR. So, its kind of a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

The star system is typically far too dim to see with the unaided eye but will jump to the brightness of Polaris, the North Star, during the event. When that occurs, it will be visible for several days and even longer if you use binoculars.

The outburst will take place near the constellation Corona Borealis, or the Northern Crown, a small, semicircular arc bear Bootes and Hercules, NASA said. This is where the outburst will appear as new bright star.

According to NASA, the recurring nova is one of only five in our galaxy.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  Its been more than six years and a global pandemic since Washtenaw County voters gave their stamp of approval to a tax that sent millions to police and mental health services.

Will they go for it again?

Its a question that could be answered at the ballot box in November, as county leaders mull renewal of the mental health and public safety preservation millage  the eight-year, 1-mill tax first passed by a 2-1 margin in 2017.

As they do so, theyre facing calls to reshape the tax, even from groups that campaigned for it the last time around.

A renewal in 2024 would extend the millage another eight years after it expires at the end of 2025.

That means you dont see a change in the countys need in 16 years, said Cindy Bodewes, Washtenaw Regional Organizing Coalition president and part of a number of groups pushing for changes. Then add to that COVID, the housing crisis, substance abuse increases and mental health need increases. It doesnt make sense to say this same millage is the best way to spend the money.

A common refrain at a public hearing hosted Wednesday, April 17, to gather feedback on a potential millage renewal was a demand for funneling a greater portion of the money toward social workers, psychologists and programs addressing mental health needs  and away from police.

The tax now routes 38% of money collected to the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office, 38% to Washtenaw County Community Mental Health and 24% as a rebate to cities and townships with their own police forces, to spend as they wish.

On Wednesday, Danielle Dicks, a CMH case manager and former county resident who said she voted for the tax in 2017 but would not today, if she were able, urged county leaders to break up the millage into separate mental health and public safety taxes.

This feels ultimately like a stigmatization of mental illness that so many dollars are allocated to law enforcement, as if the public needs to be protected from people living with a mental illness when we know most people with a mental illness are not violent or a threat to others, Dicks said.

The voting public of Washtenaw deserve to determine where (their tax dollars) are going instead of being forced to fund law enforcement as a condition of funding mental health care.

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners discuss during a meeting at 220 N. Main St. on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023. Sydney Verlinde | MLive.com

Tax greatly boosted access to mental health care, officials say

The mental health and public safety millages architects  and beneficiaries  defend its track record.

The thing about this millage is its been as successful as it is complicated, said Ann Arbor Commissioner Andy LaBarre, who chaired the county board when it passed and played a key role in promoting the proposal.

The benefits are many, and they hit people in ways that matter, he said.

The tax, LaBarre said, was designed to tackle twin concerns.

On one hand, policing costs for jurisdictions served by the sheriffs office were rising, threatening their ability to afford policing contracts without significant help from the county. On the other, funding cuts at the state threatened hundreds who relied on the county for mental healthcare.

Andy LaBarre, Washtenaw County Commissioner for District 7, speaks during a meeting of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners in Ann Arbor on Jan. 9, 2019.Jacob Hamilton

The tax has played a key role in each issue, LaBarre said.

Before its passage, CMH served only people on Medicaid with certain more severe mental illnesses or intellectual or developmental disabilities, the agencys executive director, Trish Cortes, said.

Now it provides psychological, psychiatric and crisis services to all, regardless of ability to pay, she said. As a result, its clients served jumped from 3,874 in 2018 to 6,020 in 2023, and the tax funds 29 new positions at the department, according to a CMH fact sheet.

The millage dollars also flow out to organizations providing affordable housing, therapists and students support in Washtenaw County schools and partnerships with police, like a unit that pairs a deputy with a social worker to respond to calls.

Several commenters on Wednesday, like National Alliance on Mental Illness Washtenaw County board member Mark Creekmore, spoke of the importance of those programs, urging county leaders to support a renewal.

The secret sauce for NAMI is the changes in both police and mental health cultures, Creekmore said. The key is collaboration across normally siloed sectors.

Twenty-two community groups get millage funding, Cortes said, and it fills gaps even in safety net primary care like at Ypsilantis Corner Health Center and Packard Health locations.

What happens if the tax expires without renewal? All of what weve been able to stand up and build will likely have to go away. We wont be able to pay for it, Cortes said.

Sheriff defends millage spending amid community concern

Police are a major beneficiary, but many didnt realize that when the millage first passed, Bodewes said, echoing comments others raised at the Wednesday hearing.

The public facing message on the ballot language led many people to believe that the bulk of this money was going to go to mental health services, she said, and the lack of restrictions on the remainder of the money has disappointed some voters.

Sheriff Jerry Clayton finds that difficult to understand.

It passed two to one, so youre telling me 63% of the people that voted for it didnt know what they were voting for? he said.

The largest piece of the sheriffs office portion of the money, some $14.3 million as of 2023, has gone toward discounting the cost of policing contracts with the 11 cities and townships that use them.

Without it, the county board would be forced to step in with $3 million to $4 million in annual funding, or those jurisdictions would have to pay the full price, Clayton said.

The alternative is the proliferation of smaller, under-resourced police departments across the county, which runs counter to many residents desire for law enforcement reform, or reliance on the Michigan State Police, with the nearest post in Brighton, Clayton said.

Washtenaw Country Sheriff Jerry Clayton at the Washtenaw County Jail on Monday, April 29, 2019.Tanya Moutzalias | MLive.com

The sheriffs office has also put a portion of the millage funds to a new state-of-the-art 911 dispatch center, serving 95% of the county, Clayton said. Community initiatives like SURE Moms, a weekly peer support group for mothers of justice-involved youth, and WeLIVE, a violence interruption effort, also depend on the funds, he said.

The sheriffs office also uses the money to provide mental health services to inmates and reentry support at the county jail, as well as supporting corrections monitoring programs that help the jail maintain its status as one of the smallest per capita in Michigan, according to a sheriffs office report.

The tax has also gone toward other police equipment, like replacement boats for patrolling county waterways and police rifles, according to a September presentation from the law enforcement agency.

Millage money has also improved the jail facility, with the installation of new flooring, the addition of safety equipment for staff and new jail cameras. Some have criticized the expenditures, but Clayton, who is not running for reelection this year, stands by all of them.

Do you want a jail thats falling apart, that is a dump? Most of the people are pretrial and have never been convicted of anything. Or do you want a jail that runs consistent with our values about how we care about people? he said.

What will a renewal look like?

Bodewes and advocates with a coalition including the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, Care-Based Safety and Huron Valley Area Labor Federation hope to see a reimagined millage.

Theyre suggesting a new millage entirely, with more money for mental health, or separating the public safety and mental health portions of the tax, Bodewes said.

Those steps may be unlikely, however, as county leaders say changes to the structure of the millage would jeopardize its status as a renewal, which many see as important to its chances of passing, especially during a year already packed with five existing county millage renewals.

Still, advocates also hope to win other changes, like more tracking of how unrestricted rebate money sent to municipalities with police forces through the millage is actually spent.

Before the 2017 approval, Ann Arbor leaders pledged to use the funds to support affordable housing, climate action and pedestrian and bicycle safety, following through on those promises.

During a city budget discussion on Monday, April 15, Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor suggested repurposing the funds if the county tax is renewed to power a new unarmed crisis response program as an alternative to armed police for certain mental health crises and other non-criminal situations.

County leaders cant dictate to the municipalities getting millage rebates what they must do with the money, LaBarre said.

Still, he hopes a new system can be put in place with a potential renewal to make it easier for residents to examine those expenditures, as well as a menu of pre-determined options for the communities to spend the money to support public safety and mental health needs.

In recent weeks, county leaders have also discussed establishing a new advisory committee for the money sent to the sheriffs office, similar to one that already exists for the CMH funding.

Discussions are likely to continue throughout the year, LaBarre said, as county leaders can vote to put the renewal on the November ballot and then continue to make changes to the county ordinance that establishes procedures around the money.

Officials are targeting this year for a renewal to avoid the half-million dollars in costs associated with placing the measure on the ballot in an odd-numbered year, LaBarre said.

Plus, the presidential election this November affords them an opportunity. With something this important, you want to go to the biggest voter pool and get their mandate, he said.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI  An 18-year-old will serve three years of probation for his part in an Ypsilanti Township shootout that endangered students on and near a school bus.

You could have killed childrenThis is the absolute scariest thing (for) most people in our community, Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Arianne Slay told Kawaun Robinson during a Thursday, April 18 hearing. I think there was a time and place where people thought this could never happen in our community.

Slay sentenced Robinson as an adult offender because he was just days away from his birthday at the time of the crime.

Imposing an adult sentence would give Robinson access to programming better suited to keep him on the right track, Slay said. She gave him three years probation and credit for the 201 days already served in jail.

Robinson pleaded guilty in February to firing a gun from a vehicle.

He was arraigned in June on six counts of assault with intent to murder and six counts of assault with a dangerous weapon in a weapons-free school zone for his part in an argument that escalated into the shootout in May in Ypsilanti Township. The county prosecutors office later added additional charges.

A school bus carrying students was in the area during the incident, according to previous statements from Robinsons Ypsilanti-based lawyer Erika Julien.

Read more: 18-year-old pleads guilty to firing gun from car in Ypsilanti-area shootout

Robinsons codefendant, 19-year-old Rontrelle Davis, took a plea deal Oct. 19, just days after testifying against Robinson. Davis, originally charged with 13 felonies, pleaded guilty to one count of reckless discharge of a firearm damaging property worth more than $50.

Davis and Robinson, who have a tenuous relationship, were at Davis home near Concord and Bedford drives in Ypsilanti Township on May 22, 2023, when a third person arrived and a fight broke out, Davis testified.

Robinson shot at the third person, Davis testified, adding Robinson shot first. Davis eventually shot at Robinson, he said.

Robinson fled the scene in a vehicle driven by another person, testified Davis, next to appear in court on May 2.

There were kids on the bus, but there were also children, based on the transcript, that were outside when the bullets were flying back and forth, said Alec Chabalowski, assistant prosecuting attorney with Washtenaw County, during the hearing.

He hopes this is Robinsons last interaction with the criminal justice system as an adult, Chabalowksi said.

Robinson was in jail from June 2023 to January, but has not had any probation violations while on home confinement, Julien told the court. The incident has inspired him to change, she said.

He wants to do productive things, Julien said.

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OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners is expected to take up an anti-abortion resolution next week, venturing into cultural issues most county boards dare not go.

County board Chair Joe Moss and Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea announced Thursday, April 18, they would bring up the resolution to promote life at the Tuesday, April 23 board meeting.

Moss, Rhodea and other commissioners affiliated with an ultra-conservative platform known as Ottawa Impact only two days ago filed for re-election to the board.

Commissioners tied to Ottawa Impact hold a majority on the 11-member board.

Since the Ottawa Impact members took office in January 2023, theyve made several controversial decisions and drawn both outrage and blessings from the public.

They have waded into cultural issues on several occasions.

In June, they passed a resolution in a 9-2 vote to protect childhood innocence.

It forbids the use of county staff or resources on activities, programs, events, content, or institutions which support, normalize, or encourage the sexualization of children and youth. The resolution effectively banned any county staff from attending any LGBTQ Pride events in a professional capacity.

The proposed resolution on abortion, according to Moss, will encourage the people of Ottawa County to promote life, protect the unborn, provide resources for expectant mothers, and support organizations which assist mothers and fathers with life affirming decisions.

RELATED: Lawsuits, childhood innocence, $4M settlement talks: How far-right board shook up Ottawa County

Language in the resolution also prohibits any county resources from being used to provide for an abortion, including the use or prescription of any instrument, medicine, drug, or any other substance or device, to intentionally kill an unborn child.

It goes on to prohibit the use of any county resources for transportation to abortion providers for the purpose of obtaining an abortion.

Ottawa County health department spokesperson Allison Clark said late Thursday that the county currently does not offer any such services.

The Ottawa County Department of Public Health does not provide abortions or transportation to abortion services, Clark told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press.

The proposed resolution to promote life marks the latest of several instances where Ottawa Impact members have ventured into issues not common to county boards.

In February, Commissioners Roger Belknap taped a sign to the back of his laptop saying war on children at a meeting where a pastor who supports LGBTQ rights gave the invocation.

A contract signed by all Ottawa Impact commissioners before they took office states one of the the political groups governing principles is Sanctity of life and conscience. Later in that contract, Ottawa Impact members promise to protect and prioritize the needs of families, children, and unborn children.

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KENTWOOD, MI -- A state police officer has been temporarily suspended as authorities investigate the death of a wanted 25-year-old Grand Rapids man struck by an unmarked police vehicle.

Samuel Sterling died after he was struck about 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 17 near 52nd Street and Eastern Avenue SE in Kentwood.

State police Director James F. Grady II issued a statement late Thursday about the death and the ongoing investigation.

He said that members of the state police Sixth District Fugitive Team were working with officers with several police agencies -- Kentwood, Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Michigan Department of Corrections, U.S. Marshals Service -- on a fugitive operation in an attempt to find and arrest Sterling.

Police said he was wanted on multiple warrants.

Grady said the officers spotted Sterling at a gas station at 52nd Street and Eastern Avenue. He was putting air into a vehicles tires.

When officers approached him, he ran.

Several officers chased him on foot, while a state police officer in an unmarked vehicle drove parallel to Sterling.

They ended up converging in the parking lot of Burger King on Eastern Avenue, where the vehicle driven by the MSP member struck Sterling, Grady wrote.

Sterling was critically injured and later died at a hospital.

The state police officer driving the unmarked vehicle has been temporarily suspended during the investigation.

Grady said troopers with a neighboring state police district are handling the investigation.

Sterlings family has raised concerns about his death. His mother said he was wanted on a probation violation for going out of Michigan following a weapons-related conviction in 2021.

Grady, in his statement, called for patience as the investigation proceeds.

As an African American male and a father, its not lost on me that this is the death of another young African American male following an interaction with police, he wrote.

As the director of the Michigan State Police, I want to assure the community that we see you, hear you and will thoroughly and expeditiously investigate the incident, he wrote.

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KALAMAZOO, MI  After two years of searching for the right site to put housing pods for Kalamazoos homeless population, Housing Resources Inc. has identified a location.

The Place of Dignity (POD) site will be at 2015 Lake St., just west of the I-94 Business Loop and just behind Juliannas Restaurant. Its owned by Clark Logic, which approached HRI last fall about leasing the space to the housing agency.

While HRI has considered over a dozen sites in the past couple years, the site is the third they have done a heavy amount of due diligence on, HRI executive director Michelle Davis told Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive.

The other sites, on Alcott Street and Stockbridge Avenue, both proved to be cost prohibitive, she said.

If all goes to plan, the Lake Street would become home by this winter to 50 ModPod units  each with one or two beds, storage space, heating/air conditioning and electricity. Service providers would staff the gated community 24/7 to help clients secure long-term housing.

Other on-site features would include showers, sanitation facilities, laundry, food services, trash services, full-time on-site security and a secure, gated design with two entry points  one being off Schuster Avenue. An existing building on the site will be retrofitted to accommodate some of those features.

Of the pods, 34 are single units and 16 are double units, the latter of which would be utilized for couples or those with a medical caretaker, she said.

The Nevada Cares Campus in Reno, Nevada has similar ModPods as to what Housing Resources, Inc. hopes to soon be setting up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. (Provided by Nevada Cares)Provided by HRI

The approach is being modeled on successful efforts in other communities, including the Nevada Cares Campus in Reno, Nevada, which opened in 2021.

Theres a general assumption that the POD community is going to be similar to a homeless encampment, but Davis said that wont be the case.

Its called the Place of Dignity and thats at the forefront of our minds while people are there, she said. The people who are experiencing this on the streets ... they want to know how we are going to keep the bad apples out as well.

Visitors, she said, will not be allowed in the pods themselves, and will only be able to gather in the common area. The pods will be off limits to everyone but residents, she said. To help with that, one of the two entrances would be for staff and residents only.

Residents of the pods will also have to agree to have their space searched twice daily.

A model of a POD that will be part of Housing Resources Inc.'s Place of Dignity community in Kalamazoo, Michigan.Provided by HRI

I think its really important for people to understand that this is another option for people, and not the option for everyone, Davis said. There will be people that will not want to be here.

HRI has yet to sign a lease, Davis said, but after a few months of due diligence, the organization has started community outreach with neighboring businesses  not all of which has been positive thus far.

It was important for the community conversation to start before going public with the site, she said.

HRI, which purchased the pods for $1 million in late 2021, still needs to file an application with the city. The citys emergency housing ordinance  which received a five-year extension in late 2023  was designed to allow for innovative projects like the pods to help address the housing crisis.

RELATED: Kalamazoos emergency housing ordinance gets 5-year extension

HRI still needs funding to make the pods a reality.

Helping the cause, the county just awarded $144,000 from its Homes for All housing millage on April 3 to help the organization secure the site.

An additional $1.65 million will fully lease the site and kick off design and construction, Davis said. A total of $5 million will complete construction and have the Kzoo POD Community operating by this winter. Once open, she said, the annual operations budget will be between $750,000 and $1 million.

The annual operations budget will cover everything from waste management to utilities, to security to grounds maintenance and food supplies, Davis said.

This effort is truly a collective one, she said. No single group can do it alone. Already partners like Clark Logic, Aetna, Consumers Energy Foundation, Classic Gutter Systems and others have stepped forward to make a difference. Success for those we serve depends on more partners like them.

George Stanard, 30, stands outside of his tent about a half hour before Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety cleared out a homeless encampment close to the train tracks at the Urban Nature Park in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.

With over 400 households without housing in Kalamazoo County on a waitlist for vouchers, Davis said there is a dire need. HRIs project is just one of many that hopes to put a dent in the crisis, she said.

Once established, the POD community allows for 20 people to move in per quarter until at capacity, per the citys emergency housing ordinance. Davis said, while that number can be achieved, there are plans to move people in slowly to acclimate them. She anticipates only two to five people will be moved in the first week.

Those who are moved in first will be woman who were victimized in encampments and individuals who are medically vulnerable, she said.

There are people out there with cancer right now and really serious, unmanaged medical conditions, she said. So, when we talk about who are we thinking about moving in first  very, very slowly and transitionally  its those people that the community outreach teams are out identifying right now.

Community outreach teams include people from Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, HOPE Thru Navigation, WMeds Street Med Team and some of the areas homeless coalitions. Those groups will also be involved with the POD community once it is up and running, Davis said.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety has also expressed interest in being on site, she said.

A possible site for the Kzoo POD Community: A Place of Dignity at 2015 Lake St. in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Friday, April 19, 2024. The location, owned by Clark Logic, is under consideration to be leased by HRI. It is located at the intersection of Schuster Avenue and Lake Street right next to public transportation and near services.Ryan Boldrey | MLive.com

While no site is perfect, Davis said the Lake Street location proved to be both cost-effective as well as convenient to the bus line and other services. The existing building on site helps it be cost effective, as well as a remote entry gate already there.

The bottom line is that people are living outdoors and living in the dirt and we cannot be OK with that as a community any longer, Davis said. People need to be able to come inside.

For more information, visit housingresourcesinc.org/a-kzoo-pod-community.

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Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_
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Sri Lankan Tamil casts inaugural vote as Indian citizen. She was born in a refugee camp
In the first phase of Lok Sabha elections, all 39 Tamil Nadu seats witness a high-stakes battle among DMK, BJP, and AIADMK, with results due on June 4. Key contenders include BJP's K Annamalai in Coimbatore and Tamilisai Soundararajan in Chennai South.

The voting in 36 constituencies begin today, which include Thiruvallur (SC), Chennai North, Chennai South, Chennai Central, Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram (SC), Arakkonam, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Villupuram (SC), Kallakurichi, Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Tiruppur, Nilgiris (SC), Coimbatore, Pollachi, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Chidambaram (SC), Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam (SC), Thanjavur, Sivaganga, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukkudi, Tenkasi (SC), Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari are the constituencies in Tamil Nadu for the Lok Sabha elections.

The DMK-led alliance, buoyed by its 2019 success, aims to maintain its dominance. Conversely, the BJP, allied with smaller parties, endeavors to expand its footprint in a state historically less receptive to its overtures.

In 2019, the DMK-led coalition clinched an overwhelming victory, securing 38 out of 39 seats. However, the BJP, despite its efforts, failed to secure a single seat. Notably, its ally AIADMK managed to win Theni by a narrow margin. In the current contest, the BJP is contesting 23 seats, with smaller allies vying for the remaining 16.

The DMK-Congress alliance has a seat-sharing arrangement, with DMK contesting 22 seats and Congress fielding candidates in 9. Additionally, the CPI and CPI(M) will contest two seats each.

With key leaders vying for positions, the electoral landscape is fraught with interesting battles. The outcome will not only shape the political trajectory of Tamil Nadu but also have broader implications for national politics. Stay updated with Moneycontrol for the latest developments.

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Technical View: Nifty forms Bullish Piercing pattern, may march towards 22,300 next week
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Schneider says its in deal talks With USs Bentley Systems
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The markets have so far shrugged off the possibility of a serious escalation of the war in the Middle East

In today's edition of Pro Panorama: Life beyond TCS Q2, outlook for Indian stocks, what tied up RBI's hand and much more

Cera reported solid results in H1 FY24, aided by a healthy growth in the tiles and faucet business. However, subdued demand across markets as well as multiple

For this weeks tactical pick, we are suggesting Cera Sanitaryware ( Cera ; CMP: Rs 7,090; Nifty: 21,996), the building materials company. While the company is facing a slowdown in demand, concerns appear to have been discounted as Ceras stock has corrected nearly 25 percent in the last few months.

Highlights - Quarterly performance largely backed by improved realisations - Medium-term triggers China plus and protectionist measures for tyre industry - Valuations not inexpensive; but improved medium-term outlook

Weekly Tactical Pick  Why this building material company is catching our attention

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Manish M. Suvarna is Senior Correspondent at Moneycontrol. He writes on the Indian money markets, RBI, Banks and NBFCs. He tweets at @manishsuvarna15. Contact: Manish.Suvarna@nw18.com
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Ready to support Pakistan to improve its economic situation: IMF
Jonathan LealBetancourt CDCR photo View Photo

Update at 6:05 a.m.: The Sierra Conservation Center reports that the Alameda County inmate, who walked away from the Vallecito Conservation Camp in Calaveras County early Friday morning, has been caught.

26-year-old Jonathan LealBetancourt (Leal-bet-tan-court), convicted of first-degree burglary and serving a five-year, four-month sentence, was discovered missing during a 3 a.m. head count on Friday (4/19). The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) states that staff immediately began a search of the camp buildings and grounds and notified local law enforcement. CDCRs Crisis Response Team apprehended LealBetancourt without incident at around 9:30 a.m. on Friday. He was transported to the Sierra Conservation Center. His case will be referred to the Calaveras County District Attorney for possible escape charges.

Original post at 2 p.m. Friday, April 19, Vallecito, CA  A minimum-security prisoner walked away from Vallecito Conservation Camp in Calaveras County today, and prison officials are turning to the public in hopes of catching him.

Take a good look at the man in the image box. He is 26-year-old Jonathan LealBetancourt of Alameda County, who was discovered missing during a 3 a.m. head count at the camp located on 6 Mile Road off Highway 4. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) states that staff immediately began a search of the camp buildings and grounds. LealBetancourt was convicted of first-degree burglary, receiving stolen property, vehicle theft, and buying/receiving a stolen vehicle, trailer, or construction equipment. He was admitted to the Sierra Conservation Center on June 23, 2023, to serve a five-year, four-month sentence.

CDCR gives this description of LealBetancourt. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 219 pounds. Camp officials say he could be wearing either gray sweatpants and a gray T-shirt or orange pants with an orange long-sleeve shirt. They ask that anyone who sees or knows his whereabouts contact the Vallecito Conservation Camp Commander at (209) 736-4922, any law enforcement agency, or 9-1-1.

CDCRs Office of Correctional Safety, Cal-Fire, and local law enforcement agencies have been notified and are assisting in the search.


By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Patient readers, this is a travel day for me, I am very tired, and I am writing this from a vast transportation edifice after a liquid lunch. So please forgive any solecisms or incoherencies. lambert P.S. Plus, Im pressing submit while I still have connectivity, so this will be a little short.

* * *

Bird Song of the Day

Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Finger Lakes National Forest, Tompkins, New York, United States. 26 minutes of Grosbeak madness. Grab a cup of coffee! And thanks to all the birders who left comments yesterday.

* * *

In Case You Might Miss

(1) Naptime for Donald

(2) Pennsylvania battleground;

(3) Columbia pro-Palestine demonstration.

* * *

Politics

So many of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in fact a rational management of symbolic capital. Pierre Bourdieu, Classification Struggles

* * *

2024

Less than a year to go!  RCP Poll Averages, April 19: Here this Fridays RCP polling. Trump is still doing very well in almost all the Swing States (more here), leading with one exception: PA. Forget all the arithmetic, and look at PA as a test of the Trump campaigns basic competence. What are they doing to fix this? (Ill work out a better way to present this, but for now: Blue dot = move toward Biden; red dot = move toward Trump. No dot = no change (presumably because state polls are not that numerous so far from election day). * * * Trump (R): Strategic napping: A feeble and tired Donald Trump once again falls asleep in court pic.twitter.com/IONvb1cH5Y  Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) April 19, 2024 Nonsense. Trump is a back row kid, in Chris Arnades formulation (or playing at being one). The front row kids at the DNC dont get it. Trump (R): Does quoting other people violate the gag order? Donald Trump is under a gag order from the judge in New York on the nondisclosure trial and instead of speaking out against the case hes reading a sheaf of articles of others lambasting Alvin Braggs zombie case.

The dudes indefatigable. pic.twitter.com/1GGSPgduvN  Brian Doherty (@BDOH) April 18, 2024 Perhaps not in the public mind (He never said it! This other guy said it!) Trump (R): Jury of 12 Is Seated in Trump Criminal Trial [New York Times]. Juror #1: works in sales (West Harlem); #2: works in finance (Hells Kitchen); #3 works in the legal field (Chelsea); #4: an engineer (Upper West Side); #5: works in education (Harlem); #6: works in technology (Chelsea): #7: works in the legal field (Upper East Side); #8: worked in finance (Upper East Side); #9: works in an educational setting (Upper East Side); #10: businessman (Murray Hill); #11 product manager (Upper Manhattan); and #12 works in health care (Upper East Side).  Spot the lone holdout! Seriously, four from the Upper East Side? Whatre the odds? Also, I dont think the two finance people will be too happy with Trumps, lets face it, shenanigans. even if compliance is for thee and not for me. Trump (R): 2 of Trumps jurors are lawyers. Would they acquit on a technicality? [Politico]. Of the seven jurors selected for Trumps hush money trial so far, one is a civil litigator at a large white-shoe law firm, and another is a corporate lawyer at a firm focused on start-ups and venture capital. One of the lawyers on Trumps jury, the civil litigator, signaled during jury selection that he was well aware of that concern. Im a litigator, he said, so I take the law seriously, and I take judges instructions very seriously.'  This ran in Links this morning, but I want to file away the specialities of the two lawyers. Trump (R): Of course, this isnt a hush money case (see NC here). But if it were: I'm old enough to remember 1998 when Bill Clinton paid Paula Jones $850,000 to settle sexual harassment claims and he wasn't criminally charged. Alvin Bragg should be charged for prosecutorial misconduct and the judge disbarred. pic.twitter.com/zGOjclchJM  John Cardillo (@johncardillo) April 19, 2024 Who knows? Maybe well get lucky and Bragg will disclose his theory of the case on Monday! Trump (R): Interesting example of Trumps local campaigning in Manhattan: HAPPENING NOW: President Trump departs Trump Tower, 721 Fifth Avenue, for day 4 of Alvin Bragg's sham trial. Heres a quick look at Trump Towers rich history: Its construction started in 1979 and completed in 1983, standing out as a 58-story building with a distinctive brass and pic.twitter.com/2zXmYSeyRD  LivePDDave  (@LivePDDave1) April 19, 2024 * * * Kennedy (I): Before you click through, its pay-per-view: https://t.co/pLIQZKnFxA  alexanichadhain (@alexanichadhain) April 18, 2024 * * * Democrats begin to outpace Republicans in fundraising for key House races [NBC]. Democratic candidates outraised Republicans in almost every one of the most competitive seats in the race for the House, according to new fundraising reports filed this week, a setback for Republicans who had been hoping their candidates were turning a corner. Ten of the 11 Republican incumbents in races rated as toss ups by The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter were outraised by at least one Democratic challenger. Republican incumbents who were outraised include: Reps. David Schweikert and Juan Ciscomani of Arizona; John Duarte, David Valadao, Mike Garcia and Ken Calvert of California; Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey; and Mike Lawler, Marc Molinaro and Anthony DEsposito of New York. And Republican candidates were also outraised in two other toss-up seats being vacated by Democratic incumbents in Michigan. * * * PA: Video from Trump rally at Schenksville. described yesterday: DEVELOPING IN PENNSYLVANIA: Massive Crowd At Trump Rally. WATCH pic.twitter.com/LG8hNXPBPF  Simon Ateba (@simonateba) April 13, 2024 Impressive. Not dispositive, of course; think of Sanders. PA: Organizing PA: We Are Registering Amish to Vote Joe Biden won Pennsylvania by 80,000 votes: There are 80,000 Amish in PA

There are 80,000 truckers in PA

There are 800,000 veterans in PA

There are 930,000 hunters in PA If we register to vote & mobilize these coalitions, we will win. pic.twitter.com/WED8Q5E78y  ThePersistence (@ScottPresler) March 2, 2024 Well see. I dont see how the ground war beat the air war if the ground war doesnt have enough money  or a candidate who cant rally the troops because hes in court. (I would speculate from yesterday tha\t many of those truckers are likely to be Latino, a demographic where Trump is gaining. Thinking in terms of identity politics, its will be a pretty neat trick to get the Amish and Latino truckers lined up on the same side.) PA: Biden v. Trump: The Fight for Pennsylvania Is On [Philadelphia Gay News]. When Trump was in Schnecksville, where a large crowd waited in line for three hours to see him, Biden was dealing with a possible global crisis. Iran had attacked Israel in a retaliatory missile and drone strike in response to Israels earlier attack on an Iranian embassy, taking out Hamas figures tied to Iran. That juxtaposition made for some strange moments at the Schnecksville event when the crowd chanted Genocide Joe, a rallying cry usually associated with far-left pro-Palestinian protesters. In response, Trump said, Theyre not wrong, theyre not wrong. Hes done everything wrong.' Theres Trumps A/B testing, right there. More: That chanting highlighted a difficult issue for Biden that will likely follow him throughout the primary and possibly into November. Those chants may have been ignored by the Biden camp, which was trying to contain an increasingly rogue Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, but it was not ignored by either the media nor leftists themselves, many of whom are considering ways to vote uncommitted in the Pennsylvania primary April 23.  Sort of amazing to see Genocide Joe jump the species barrier like that; and so fast! PA: A Biden Victory in November Turns On This State [New York Times]. As Mr. Biden works to sell voters on his accomplishments, and himself, he will have to do it across wildly different parts of Pennsylvania. Winning here means playing everywhere, say the states political hands  pretty much all of whom can recite the vote margins a Democrat needs to aim for in Philadelphia, its collar counties, Allegheny (home to Pittsburgh), this western enclave, that area of the Lehigh Valley and even the T counties running up the center and across the top of the state that typically go Republican. Boiled down, the blue-team blueprint is: run up the numbers in and around Philly, do well in Allegheny and other select spots and hold down Republicans margins of victory in the more rural areas. You cant rely on the places traditionally friendly to us. You have to close the margins in places were not going to win, said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, a Democrat. Take the reliably red counties of Westmoreland, in the Pittsburgh region, and rural Northumberland, he offered: You can lose 60-40, but you cant lose 70-30. It makes a huge difference. Margins matter! confirmed State Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, who is running statewide for auditor general. This is especially true if turnout in Philadelphia is not so hot  which, Democrats say, has been the case for several years. * * *

Republican Funhouse

Very funny: The amendment that Marjorie Taylor Greene just proposed to sabotage the Ukraine bill is something that is such a nuanced Russian disinfo narrative that it could have only come directly from her Russian handlers. The notion that Hungarians are being persecuted in Ukraine is pic.twitter.com/RT3VtYnWgF  Jay in Kyiv (@JayinKyiv) April 18, 2024 I cant sort which Ukrainian ox is gored by MTGs amendment, but it would be amusing if it were the Banderites.

Democrats en Deshabille

The next Democrat Mama Bear is good but Im not buying it: "What do you say to a young progressive or an Arab-American who says to you, 'I just can't vote for Biden again after what he's enabled in Gaza.'? Listen to a detailed, thoughtful, & important answer to my Q from @AOC at the Zeteo launch. (Do try & actually listen & not assume!) pic.twitter.com/nJiCXTen9a  Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) April 19, 2024 Tne party of lawfare and the Censorship Industrial Complex doesnt have standing to defend our democracy.

Realignment and Legitimacy

Filing the Columbia protests here, because shades of 1968. This is in no sense exhaustive! Columbia (1): Cornel West (and not anyone else): Cornel West arrived to Columbia and hopped the fence of the south lawn, to massive applause (and some kids asking Who is that?). Use your platform for peace! someone tells him as he readies to hop. And justice! he adds. pic.twitter.com/ylUb9FmtRp  Talia Jane  (@taliaotg) April 18, 2024 Columbia (2): DEI doing what its supposed to do: Today we're going to see Columbia University's first Arab president work with New York City's black cop mayor work with the nypd's first Latino Chief to arrest as many diverse students as possible. Only in America  Dr. Thrasher (@thrasherxy) April 18, 2024 Columbia (3): LIfe in the Big House: WAIT, WAIT, we have a last minute entry: For emailing Barnard & Columbia students that they have 15 minutes to pack up & get out (in violation of NYC tenant law?) Leslie Grinage, VP for Campus Life & Student Experience & Dean, YOU ARE the inaugural #DailyOverseer! #OverseerAwards https://t.co/pLCT98jOFr  Dr. Thrasher (@thrasherxy) April 19, 2024

Pandemics

I am in earnest  I will not equivocate  I will not excuse  I will not retreat a single inch  AND I WILL BE HEARD. William Lloyd Garrison

* * *

Covid Resources, United States (National): Transmission (CDC); Wastewater (CDC, Biobot; includes many counties; Wastewater Scan, includes drilldown by zip); Variants (CDC; Walgreens); Iowa COVID-19 Tracker (in IA, but national data). Infection Control, Emergency Management, Safety, and General Thoughts (especially on hospitalization by city).

Lambert here: Readers, thanks for the collective effort. To update any entry, do feel free to contact me at the address given with the plants. Please put COVID in the subject line. Thank you!

Resources, United States (Local): AK (dashboard); AL (dashboard); AR (dashboard); AZ (dashboard); CA (dashboard; Marin, dashboard; Stanford, wastewater; Oakland, wastewater); CO (dashboard; wastewater); CT (dashboard); DE (dashboard); FL (wastewater); GA (wastewater); HI (dashboard); IA (wastewater reports); ID (dashboard, Boise; dashboard, wastewater, Central Idaho; wastewater, Coeur dAlene; dashboard, Spokane County); IL (wastewater); IN (dashboard); KS (dashboard; wastewater, Lawrence); KY (dashboard, Louisville); LA (dashboard); MA (wastewater); MD (dashboard); ME (dashboard); MI (wastewater; wastewater); MN (dashboard); MO (wastewater); MS (dashboard); MT (dashboard) ; NC (dashboard); ND (dashboard; wastewater); NE (dashboard); NH (wastewater); NJ (dashboard); NM (dashboard); NV (dashboard; wastewater, Southern NV); NY (dashboard); OH (dashboard); OK (dashboard); OR (dashboard) ; PA (dashboard); RI (dashboard); SC (dashboard); SD (dashboard); TN (dashboard); TX (dashboard); UT (wastewater); VA (dashboard); VT (dashboard); WA (dashboard; dashboard); WI (wastewater); WV ( wastewater ); WY ( wastewater ).

Resources, Canada (National): Wastewater (Government of Canada).

Resources, Canada (Provincial): ON (wastewater); QC (les eaux usees); BC (wastewater); BC, Vancouver (wastewater).

Hat tips to helpful readers: Alexis, anon (2), Art_DogCT, B24S, CanCyn, ChiGal, Chuck L, Festoonic, FM, FreeMarketApologist (4), Gumbo, hop2it, JB, JEHR, JF, JL Joe, John, JM (10), JustAnotherVolunteer, JW, KatieBird, LL, Michael King, KF, LaRuse, mrsyk, MT, MT_Wild, otisyves, Petal (6), RK (2), RL, RM, Rod, square coats (11), tennesseewaltzer, Tom B., Utah, Bob White (3).

Stay safe out there!

* * *

Airborne Transmission: Monkeypox

Mpox, smallpox and the increasing threat of orthopoxvirus epidemics [Global Biosecurity]. We should be on high alert for orthopoxvirus epidemics because of large, ongoing epidemics of mpox in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mpox has been resurgent in the African continent in countries like Nigeria and DRC since 2017, where the infection is endemic in animals and can be zoonotic or human-to-human transmitted In fact, smallpox and mpox are respiratory viruses, and mpox has been identified in ambient air.  Im sure Baggy Blues will do the job, totally.

* * *

TABLE 1: Daily Covid Charts

LEGEND

1)  for charts new today; all others are not updated.

2) For a full-size/full-resolution image, Command-click (MacOS) or right-click (Windows) on the chart thumbnail and open image in new tab.

NOTES

[1] (Biobot) Our curve has now flattened out at a level far above valleys under Trump. Not a great victory. Note also the area under the curve, besides looking at peaks. That area is larger under Biden than under Trump, and it seems to be rising steadily if unevenly.

[2] (Biobot) No backward revisons.

[3] (CDC Variants) As of May 11, genomic surveillance data will be reported biweekly, based on the availability of positive test specimens. Biweeekly: 1. occurring every two weeks. 2. occurring twice a week; semiweekly. Looks like CDC has chosen sense #1. In essence, theyre telling us variants are nothing to worry about. Time will tell.

[4] (ER) CDC seems to have killed this off, since the link is broken, I think in favor of this thing. I will try to confirm. UPDATE Yes, leave it to CDC to kill a page, and then announce it was archived a day later. And heaven forfend CDC should explain where to go to get equivalent data, if any. I liked the ER data, because it seemed really hard to game.

[5] (Hospitalization: NY) Flattening out to a non-zero baseline. I suppose to a tame epidemiologist it looks like endemicity, but to me it looks like another tranche of lethality.

[6] (Hospitalization: CDC) Still down. Maps, charts, and data provided by CDC, updates weekly for the previous MMWR week (Sunday-Saturday) on Thursdays (Deaths, Emergency Department Visits, Test Positivity) and weekly the following Mondays (Hospitalizations) by 8 pm ET.

[7] (Walgreens) Leveling out.

[8] (Cleveland) Slight uptrend?

[9] (Travelers: Posivitity) Still down.

[10] (Travelers: Variants) JN.1 dominates utterly.

[11] Looks like the Times isnt reporting death data any more? Maybe I need to go back to The Economist.

Stats Watch

There are no official statistics of interest today.

* * *

Todays Fear & Greed Index: 32 Fear (previous close: 34 Fear) [CNN]. One week ago: 46 (Neutral). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Apr 19 at 12:03:21 PM ET.

News of the Wired

Up in the air: Presence and collection of DNA from air and air conditioner units [Electrophoresis] Results of this pilot study show that human DNA can be collected on air conditioner unit surfaces and from the air, with air samples representing the more recent occupation while air conditioner units showing historic use of the room.  Now heres a happy thought!

* * *

Contact information for plants: Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) find out how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal and (b) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi, lichen, and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. From Desert Dog:

Desert Dog writes: After the photo I took this morning of the snow wood pile and tree, this afternoon I was walking around in a fierce wind and found something my partner snuck in the ground on the south side of my doghouse last year evidently. Normally I try to maintain the Plant queue in some rough order, but I felt this was newsworthy. (Nice woodpile that was, too!)

* * *

Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the annual NC fundraiser. So if you see a link you especially like, or an item you wouldnt see anywhere else, please do not hesitate to express your appreciation in tangible form. Remember, a tip jar is for tipping! Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for three or four days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of donations helps me with expenses, and I factor in that trickle when setting fundraising goals:

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If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you!
Normally I would put up a post on such an important event as Israel (according to US sources) delivering on its promise to strike Iran in retaliation for Irans retaliation for Israels attack on Irans embassy grounds in Damascus.

But theres not a lot of solid reporting now, even before you get to the heavy spin deployed after Iran was successful in hitting three targets in Israel over last weekend. The eagerness to put narrative stakes in the ground, as the US did pretty successfully in its not-credibly-fast out of the box claim no way, no how did Ukraine have anything to do with the terrorist attack on Russias Crocus City Hall, means it makes sense to wait until theres more commentary (and supporting evidence) regarding the claims made by both sides (as of now, the US, Oman, and Iran; Israel has yet to pipe up).

Remember the competing stories on the Iran strikes over the weekend. As we and many many others have pointed out, the fact of the missiles landing successfully and doing real damage to all the target is the key development. It shows Iran, even in a very well telegraphed salvo, was able to penetrate not just Israeli defenses, but also those of helpers like the US, France, and Jordan. But the Western press took up the line that Iran had sent a ginormaus number of flying thingies at Isreal, and nearly all were shot down. But most were drones whose primary role was to draw fire, both to deplete Israel and its allies stockpiles, and to expose how the combined air defenses worked. It would have been shocking, with a five hours flight time, if any of these drones had gotten through.

Scott Ritter, in a detailed discussion of this attack, has deemed that it established that Iran has deterrence dominance.

Now to the current and not exactly clear state of play. US sources declared Israel dunnit per NBC and CNN and that Israel informed the US but the US did not consent or participate.

There are strongly opposed stories as to the degree of damage, if any. The attack was on Isfahan, at just before dawn. Iran says there were only a few drone and they shot them all down. Anadolu Agency reports that US officials, anonymously, natch, depicted it as a ballistic missile attack.but attack does not necessarily translate into success. And so far there is a dearth of corroborating evidence:

There is no sign of any missile being detected, and there are a few countries in between Israel and Iran. A ballistic missile projectile is visible by a lot of people in these countries and we have seen no evidence of it so far.  Sammy (@SammyXCVIII) April 19, 2024

Although this does not prove the negative, there were also what looked like phone-taken videos purporting to be the sky over Isfahan at the time of the attack, and they look to capture at least some of the drone shoot-downs. There is no footage of a missile entry.

Iran shut its airports only briefly and does not appear to have closed its airspace, Despite Twitter claims otherwise, Lambert looked at a flight tracker and planes were still in the air. Allegedly some airlines like Emirates quickly redirected flights over Iran based on breaking news, as opposed to official directives.

Arab News reports that Iran is downplaying the attack and not planning to retaliate. From its account:

Explosions echoed over an Iranian city on Friday in what sources described as an Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation  a response that appeared gauged toward averting region-wide war. The limited scale of the attack and Irans muted response both appeared to signal a successful effort by diplomats who have been working round the clock to avert all-out war since an Iranian drone and missile attack on Israel last Saturday. Iranian media and officials described a small number of explosions, which they said resulted from Irans air defenses hitting three drones over the city of Isfahan. Notably, they referred to the incident as an attack by infiltrators, rather than by Israel, obviating the need for retaliation. An Iranian official said there were no plans to respond against Israel for the incident. The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more toward infiltration than attack, the official said.

A reason to think Israel did less than it might have wanted to was that, despite US hand-wringing about not having anything to do with this affair, is that Haaretz and per below, the Times of Israel reported that the US traded Iran escalation for a green light for Israel to attack Rafah, something the US has heretofore opposed vigorously:

Yesterday it was reported the US agreed to an onslaught against Rafah if Israel didn't conduct a large strike on Iran. This has to be the fear. An onslaught against Rafah would mean the worst humanitarian catastrophe yet, in an already obscene genocidal war. pic.twitter.com/1FE6kuipYN  Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) April 19, 2024

Reader sightings, particularly of fresh news and analysis, very much appreciated.
Hunters Die After Consuming CWD-Infected Venison Yahoo! News (Chuck L)

Dry-Clean-Only Swimwear Is the Unlikely Trend of Summer 2023 Elle (Dr. Kevin)

We Need To Rewild The Internet NOMEA (Micael T)

How the American Workforce Got Hooked on Adderall Bloomberg (Jason B)

#COVID-19

After COVID, WHO defines disease spread through air Reuters. Robin K: How many experts did it take to create the confusion. The hospital did not do airborne infection control, refuses to do airborne infection control, and openly states its too hard for them to do airborne infection control. patients should expect to be infected with COVID. This is not healthcare. This is not medicine. https://t.co/FxH6GgmNVo  Julia Marie (@julia_doubleday) April 18, 2024 Call it what you will, but this is now a state sanctioned war on the most vulnerable in the country Our PM does not understand the collateral damage done to people from long covid (HIS fault) or mental health worries over money (HIS policies) What a vile heinous man he is pic.twitter.com/Drr3NMrB7O  Dan White : Disability Campaigner & Author  (@Danwhite1972) April 19, 2024

Climate/Environment

China?

European Disunion

The IMF has outlived its usefulness  by about 50 years Bill Mitchell. ma: Others would say it has been extremely useful in subjugating nations and transfer assets into Western private hands. This is a rather extraordinary speech by Mario Draghi, former head of the EU Central Bank and currently tasked with producing a report on EU competitiveness. If I were to summarize it: "we f*cked up big time and need radical change".https://t.co/mRu6M0LslJ The "we f*cked up  Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) April 17, 2024

Old Blighty

Prince Harry Renounces His British Residency, Says America Is His Home Daily Beast (furzy). Li notes: There mustve been a lot of drugs. How is this idiot going to support himself and his polo habit? Wifeys lifestyle business tanked, and no one is interested in hearing from them if theyre not royal. Thames Water nationalisation plan could move bulk of 15bn debt to state Guardian (Kevin W)

South of the Border

Gaza

Israel v. Iran

New Not-So-Cold War

Ukraine suddenly walked away from Black Sea deal Reuters. From earlier in the week, not widely reported. Germany arrests suspected Russian spies over bombing plot Financial Times (furzy). This makes zero sense from the Russian perspective.

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

CIA Director Claims Lawsuit Against Alleged CIA-Backed Spying On Assange Visitors Could Damage US Security Kevin Gosztola (MLK) This is an insane story. One input to Israel's dystopian "Lavender AI", which selects targets to be killed by the IDF, is "whether you're in a WhatsApp group with a suspected member of Hamas". Which means that Meta is sharing this data with the IDF, making it directly complicit. https://t.co/82h3FwAaOJ  Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) April 18, 2024

Imperial Collapse Watch

Checkmate Scott Ritter. Chuck L: It has been my impression that Ritter on occasion has a tendency to get out over his skis, but he provides enough specifics here to suggest he may be on to something. Moi: Important. Inferiority of the Western Way of War Slowly Comes to Light Simplicius the Thinker. Warning: available part useful but then they want you to download an app. US Navy cant hide its flagging fleet Asia Times (Kevin W) I'm a little late on this news item but it seems to have flown under the radar for people who don't obsessively follow US military procurement, so: The US Army cancelled the XM1299 Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) system last month. The next-gen cannon. Head meet desk. pic.twitter.com/b7PdsE6oUR  Armchair Warlord (@ArmchairW) April 18, 2024

Trump

Biden

President Biden suggested that his uncle Ambrose Bozey Finnegan may have been eaten by cannibals in World War II. What is striking about this story is the specificity of the key facts  and the fact that they are false https://t.co/vHIhZa7MXT  Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) April 18, 2024

2024

Where the 2024 Presidential Election Voting Integrity Will Be Fought Angry Bear

Gunz

Police State Watch

The Supreme Court effectively abolishes the right to mass protest in three US states Vox (Chuck L)

Falling Down Boeing Airplanes

One way to understand dysfunction in corporate America is that executives simply don't come from the production areas of the firms. For instance the head of Boeing is an accountant when he should be a hit man.  Matt Stoller (@matthewstoller) April 18, 2024

AI
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When it comes to foreign policy, Argentinas Javier Milei government appears to have only one guiding principle: to align itself with the US and Israel as closely as possible, whatever the cost. As I reported on Tuesday, it seems intent on embroiling Argentina in conflicts thousands of miles away, including in Ukraine and the Middle East. Yesterday (Thursday, April 18), we heard further confirmation of that when the countrys Minister of Defense, Luis Petri, announced from Brussels that he had delivered a letter to NATO headquarters expressing Argentinas interest in becoming a Global Partner of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). I met with Mircea Geoana, deputy secretary general of NATO, said Petri. I presented the letter of intent that expresses Argentinas request to become a global partner of this organization. We will continue working to recover links that allow us to modernize and train our forces to NATO standards. Heres what NATOs official website had to say on the development: It is a great pleasure to welcome Defence Minister Petri to NATO Headquarters, said Mr Geoana. Argentina plays an important role in Latin America, and I welcome todays request to explore becoming a NATO partner. NATO works with a range of countries around the world to promote peace and stability. Closer political and practical cooperation could benefit us both. The two leaders exchanged views on European and Latin American security challenges. The Deputy Secretary General welcomed Argentinas role in supporting Ukraine with lifesaving humanitarian assistance, including food, medicine, and support for refugees.

Thats right: Argentina, whose economy is in the grip of a brutal stagflationary crisis, largely of the governments own making (though previous governments certainly played their part), where the ranks of the poor are growing at a rate of one million per month and where public spending and subsidies are being slashed, even for the increasingly in-demand soup kitchens and food banks, is sending food, medicine and other forms of support across the ocean to Ukraine.

NATOs Global Expansion

NATO, the worlds largest permanent military alliance, currently has eight global partners, only one of which is in Latin America. That country is Colombia, which, ironically, is seeking to join the BRICS (more on that later), the nine-country intergovernmental organisation whose new members were supposed to include Argentina. But Milei cancelled Argentinas entry. NATOs other seven global partners are Australia, Iraq (which had little choice in the matter), Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Korea. Afghanistan also was a member, again with little choice in the matter, but it was suspended in 2021 after US troops disorderly withdrawal from the country.

The NATO press release notes that any decision on a formal partnership would require consensus by all 32 Allies, including the UK, Argentinas historic rival which could, if it wanted, throw a spanner in the works, though that is unlikely. Far more of an obstacle is the fact that that before joining Milei have to seek the approval of Argentinas Congress, and that is far from a given considering how little support his party enjoys in the two legislative chambers.

According to NATOs official website, NATOs engagement with global partners is taking on growing importance in a complex security environment, where many of the challenges the Alliance faces are global and no longer bound by geography:

NATOs involvement in areas outside of its immediate region  including Afghanistan and Libya  has increased the need and opportunities for enhanced global interaction. Clearly, the emergence of global threats requires the cooperation of a wider range of countries to successfully tackle challenges such as terrorism, proliferation, piracy or cyber attacks. Dialogue with these countries can also help NATO avert crises and, when needed, manage an operation throughout all phases.

The NATO Agenda 2030 (defined in June 2021) sets out a commitment to strengthen NATOs relationships with like-minded partners and forging new commitments in Africa, Asia and Latin America. In November 2021, the Atlantic Council (NATOs political arm) raised the possibility of Mexican accession. As the Latin American Strategic Center for Geopolitics CELAG noted in its 2022 paper, What Is NATO Doing in Latin America?, one key attraction of Latin America to NATO is manpower:

Brazil has 334,500 active military personnel, Colombia 200,000 and Argentina 51,309 (data as of 2018). NATO has 3.5 million active military and civilian personnel. Brazil and Colombia alone would contribute more assets than the European members annexed to NATO in the 1990s (North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Croatia, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic and Hungary). Argentina has assets similar to those of Bulgaria (24,800) and the Czech Republic (25,000) combined.

Another reason why NATO, like the US, is interested in Latin America is China, and to a lesser extent, Russias growing influence in the region. The Asian superpower is already South Americas largest trading partner. In recent years, the US has initiated an aggressive plan to reengage with its direct neighbourhood after decades of relative disinterest. Chinas rise in Latin America coincided almost perfectly with the US-led Global War on Terror, as I noted in my August 2021 article, The US Is Losing Power and Influence in Its Own Backyard:

As Washington shifted its attention and resources away from its immediate neighborhood to the Middle East, where it frittered away trillions of dollars spreading mayhem and death and breeding new terrorists, China began snapping up Latin American resources. Governments across the region, from Brazil to Venezuela, to Ecuador and Argentina, took a leftward turn and began working together across various fora. The commodity supercycle was born. Chinas trade with the region grew 26-fold between 2000 and 2020, from $12 billion to $315 billion, and is expected to more than double by 2035, to more than $700 billion. In the last 20 years China has moved from an almost negligible position as a source of imports and destination of exports within the region to become its second trade partner, at the expense not just of the US but also Europe and certain Latin American countries such as Brazil whose share of inter-regional trade has fallen. According to the World Economic Forum, China will approachand could even surpassthe US as LACs top trading partner. In 2000, Chinese participation accounted for less than 2% of LACs total trade. In 2035, it could reach 25%.

Spearheading Washingtons plan to regain dominance of South America is General Laura Richardson, the commander of US Southern Command whom the Argentine newspaper La Nacion described in a recent headline as the US general who works day and night to stop Chinas advance in Latin America. Richardson has visited the country twice in the past month alone.

Richardsons mission is two fold: first, to counter Chinese and Russian influence in the region. Latin America is brimming with invaluable resources, including rare earth elements, lithium, gold, oil, natural gas, light sweet crude, copper, abundant food crops, and fresh water. And the US government and military, and the corporations whose interests they serve, have their eyes on all of them. As the Argentine journalist and news presenter Carlos Montero lamented in 2021, it would be nice to live in a would where the US wasnt interested in Latin America for the riches it could plunder but to help it break free from being the worlds most unequal region.

The Ultimate Sell Out

General Richardson is not the only senior US official to have passed through the halls of Argentinas Casa Rosada over the past two months. So, too, have the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and CIA Director William J Burns.

The results speak for themselves. In those two months, the Milei government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States allowing members of the US Army Corps of Engineers to operate along the Parana-Paraguay Waterway, including large parts of the river Plata basin, upon which roughly 80% of all Argentine exports travel. It has agreed to buy $300 million of second-hand, 40-year-old F-16 fighters from Denmark, with the help of US financing. It has also announced the establishment of a US naval base in Ushuaia, on the southern tip of Tierra de Fuego, often described as the last stop before Antarctica.

Accused of selling out his countrys sovereignty for seemingly nothing in return, Milei argued, with a straight face, that allowing the installation of a US military base in Usuahia is the greatest act of sovereignty of the past 40 years since it will strengthen Argentinas territorial claims over the Antarctic.

As if that were not enough, Milei has discussed sending weapons and even possibly military personnel to Ukraine. He has also expressed Argentinas unwavering support for the State of Israel even as it commits genocide in Gaza. In a televised interview three days ago, Mileis Minister of Interior, Patricia Bullrich, a senior member of the political caste whom Milei swore to take down, summed up Argentinas geopolitical position in the clearest possible terms:

We are with Israel out of conviction. We are with Israel, with the US, with Europe, with the Western world, out of conviction. Because we believe in the philosophy of democracy, in the defence of human rights, in free countries where people can lead the lives they choose freely Neutrality is not Argentinas position. Politically correct messages such as those calling for peace are not Argentinas position. Argentinas position is that it will on the side of States belonging to democracy (sic), to the Western world, which have shared values with Argentina, regardless of whether it goes well or badly.

And that, dear readers, is the Milei governments approach to foreign policy  as defined by its security minister whose remit, of course, does not include foreign policy. Based on this reasoning, it makes perfect sense for the government to want to join NATO as a global partner.

Of course, there are a whole bunch of reasons why the US and its NATO allies would want Argentina as a partner. Here are a few provided by Sacha Llorenti, a former Bolivian ambassador to the United Nations:

Destabilise the region.

Prevent any regional integration efforts.

Expand the military presence of the United States and Israel.

Appropriate one of the vertices of the lithium triangle.

Muddy the waters of Israels genocide in Gaza and establish a NATO presence in South America.

Involve the region in present and future armed conflicts.

This last point is important. As we have reported over the past two years, Latin American countries, like the lions share of the so-called Global South, have wanted zero involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The only government in the region that has supported EU-US sanctions on the Russia to any great degree is Costa Rica. Now, there are two new governments  Argentina and Ecuador, both of them in hock to the International Monetary Fund  that are determined to do the collective Wests bidding on foreign policy, not only in Ukraine but also in the Middle East as well as in their direct neighbourhood.

An article in The Intercept reveals how Daniel Noboas embattled government in Ecuador, currently a temporary member of the UN Security Council, was deployed by the Biden Administration to lobby other countries on the Council to not support Palestinian statehood in the upcoming vote. The Biden administration was reluctant to use its veto on the Council to block recognition of Palestinian statehood since in public it claims to support a two-state solution. Instead, it used proxy members like Ecuador to try to get other countries to change their vote in the hope that a majority would vote against the resolution:

A second cable dated April 13 sent from the U.S. Embassy in Quito, Ecuador, relays Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfelds agreement with the United States that Palestine should not be recognized for statehood. In cooperation with the United States, according to the cable, Sommerfeld instructed Ecuadors permanent representative to the United Nations Jose De La Gasca to lobby Japan, Korea, and Malta (all rotating members of the Security Council) to reject the proposal. Lobbying of permanent member France is also mentioned. Sommerfeld agreed, according to the cable, that It was important any proposed resolution fail to achieve the necessary votes without a U.S. veto. The cable says, Ecuador would not want to appear isolated (alone with the United States) in its rejection of a Palestine resolution (particularly at a time when the most UN member states are criticizing Ecuador over its April 5 incursion into Mexicos embassy in Quito). Ecuador finds itself in an escalating conflict with Mexico over its decision to arrest the former Ecuadorian vice president inside the Mexican Embassy This really shows the extent to which the [Ecuadorian President Daniel] Noboa administration is beholden to the United States, Guillaume Long, senior fellow at the D.C.-based Center for Economic and Policy Research and former foreign minister of Ecuador, told The Intercept when shown the cable. On top of this, it is quite shocking to see the United States, which condemned Ecuadors April 5 storming of the Mexican embassy and its violation of international law  making the most of Ecuadors isolation in the hemisphere to get it to do its bidding. Ecuador is just buying its way out of its crimes by committing more crimes. Truly shocking, said Long, referring to Ecuadors rejection of Palestinian membership in the U.N.

In the end, the US used its veto power to block the United Nations Security Council resolution to accept Palestine as a full member of the UN, claiming at the same time that it still supported Palestinian statehood.

"Our veto against Palestinian statehood does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood" When you go full Orwellian doublespeak.pic.twitter.com/w8RdZtvuKy  Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) April 19, 2024

Rumours About Hezbollah

As I reported on Tuesday, one of the outcomes of the recent visit by CIA Director Burns to Buenos Aires was an agreement that Argentina would conduct intelligence on terrorism threats in the region, primarily from Hezbollah, drug trafficking and the Triple Frontier, a tri-border area along the junction of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, where the Iguazu and Parana rivers converge. It looks like the Hezbollah part of that agreement is already in full wing. From Pagina 12 (translation my own):

The Minister of Security (Patricia Bullrich) ran off the mouth in an interview saying that the Argentine position regarding the conflict between Israel and Iran is not to ask for peace but to support Israel and all of its belligerent actions. In the middle of that, Bullrich said that Argentina is in an area where there is an active presence of two forces that are allied, one directly, with Iran. One of them, Hezbollah, is on the triple border of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina.

Bullrich also alleged that the Lebanese fighting group had been detected in Iquique, in the north of Chile, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Peru. She also claimed that Iranian members of the Quds Force, one of the armed branches of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, are present in Bolivia and that the Argentine government is checking its borders with Bolivia to see if people who do not speak Spanish and who have Bolivian passports enter. She then had to clarify that nobody had actually been seen trying to enter Argentina but it is a hypothesis that we are treating as a possibility  in which case why mention it, apart from to sow discord?

Which is precisely what happened. Bullrichs words elicited a fierce response from the governments of both Chile and Bolivia. The Chilean President Gabriel Boric asked Bullrich to be responsible and not make such reckless statements. In fact, the Chilean government summoned the Argentine official through its diplomatic representation, telling her: If you have serious accusations, you should hand them over to Chiles legal authorities and let them communicate through the Foreign Ministry.

From the Bolivian Foreign Ministry: We deny and emphatically reject the allegations that Bolivia harbors on its borders people who spread terror, insecurity and anxiety. These accusations lack evidence or documentation and are made without any basis. La Paz also described the allegations as provocations intended to poison relations between States and peoples who share the same roots and aspirations.

Interestingly, Bullrich was quick to apologise to her Chilean counterparts but has shown no inclination to do the same with the Bolivian government.

Colombia Looks to BRICS Membership

Lastly, it is worth noting that geopolitical alignments are not just shifting in Washingtons favour. The left-leaning government of Colombia, a long-standing US client state with at least eight military bases on its territory, has expressed a keen interest in joining the BRICS grouping. After a meeting with Brazils President Lula da Silva during the inauguration of the 36th edition of the Bogota International Book Fair, Colombias President Gustavo Petro announced his attention to apply for BRICS membership as soon as possible.

President Lula welcomed the news saying he will do all he can to promote Colombias application. Lula has already suffered the embarrassment of Argentinas eventual rejection of its invitation to join the BRICS but he is clearly keen for another Latin American country to take its place. Colombia, with the fourth largest economy in South America after Brazil, Argentina and Chile, makes for an obvious choice. Other Latin American countries interested in joining the bloc include Bolivia and Venezuela.

At the same time, Colombia remains firmly in the grip of US Southern Command. The US currently has seven formal military bases in Colombia, according to CELAG. Other reports I have come across suggest it may be eight. Whats more, a new military project is under way on Gorgona National Natural Park, a pristine island located in the South of the Colombian Pacific. The project is for the construction of a Coast Guard substation financed by the U.S. Embassy through the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Section, and it is strongly opposed by local residents, NGOs and environmental groups.

Nonetheless relations between Washington and Bogota have soured in recent months, in large part due to Petros fierce condemnation of Israeli war crimes in Gaza and his refusal to condemn Hamas Oct 7 terrorist attack. A couple of weeks ago, the US responded in kind by excluding Colombia from the select group of countries that benefit from additional US funds. According to US Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, the decision was taken in response to the recent words and actions of the Colombian Government which go against US strategic interests.
Yves here. This is pathetic. America has a super low Federal minimum wage, of $7.25 an hour. It was increased to that level in 2009. That is equivalent to roughly $10.60 an hour, using a CPI calculator, which understates the increases in the cost of living to low-income workers, based on food price increases alone.

But on top of that, it turns out cheating pays. Minimum wage enforcement is so weak and fines are so low that non-compliance is a good economic bet.

By Anna Stansbury, Assistant Professor in Work and Organization Studies Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Originally published at VoxEU

A minimum wage is only effective to the degree it is actually paid  and research suggests that minimum wage non-compliance is very common. This column uses data on all violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act in the US documented since 2005 to ask what incentives US firms have to comply with the federal minimum wage. While the law allows for large penalties, average penalty levels are far too low to give most firms an incentive to comply. As the federal minimum wage is increased, higher penalties and greater enforcement will be needed to ensure compliance.

The US federal minimum wage is the baseline labour market protection for low-wage workers. Debates rage over how high it should be, in policy and in academia (e.g. Roth et al 2022, Cazes and Garnero 2023). But a minimum wage is only effective to the degree it is actually paid  and research suggests that minimum wage non-compliance is very common. Random Department of Labor inspections of fast food outlets over 2001-2005, for example, found 40% in violation of Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) minimum wage or overtime provisions, and random garment industry inspections in 2015-2016 found FLSA violations in 85% of workplaces (Weil 2014, 2018).

In a new paper (Stansbury 2024), I compile case-level data on all FLSA violations identified by the Department of Labor since 2005  combining publicly available data obtained in a Freedom of Information request. I use these data to ask: What incentive do US firms have to comply with the federal minimum wage? This question is important to understand the efficacy of existing minimum wage legislation, as well as to interpret other minimum wage research, including estimates of disemployment effects.

How to quantify a firms incentive to comply with the minimum wage? A long tradition in economics applies a cost-benefit framework to compliance decisions, suggesting that a profit-maximising company complies with the law if the extra profits made by breaking the law are less than the expected costs (Becker 1968). Taking this cost-benefit approach, I use data on penalties levied on violators to infer the penalties firms can expect to face under different scenarios  and thus, to estimate the degree to which firms have an incentive to comply with the minimum wage, under different assumptions about the probability of detection.

While the law allows for large penalties, few firms face penalties over and above paying the wages that they owed

The FLSA requires that all firms who underpay the minimum wage pay the back wages owed. They can also be required to pay an equal amount in liquidated damages. Willful or repeat violators can be charged a civil monetary penalty. In certain cases, the hot goods provision can be used to embargo goods made in violation of the FLSA. And the most serious violators can be referred for criminal prosecution.

Yet, my analysis of the Department of Labor data shows that most firms face minimal costs for underpaying the minimum wage, over and above paying workers the wages originally owed.

Liquidated damages can in theory be levied on a large share of minimum wage violations. They were, however, almost never levied in DOL cases prior to 2012. This policy has changed in more recent years (Weil 2018). By 2022/2023, more than 30% of cases concluded had liquidated damages assessed. The remaining two thirds did not.

Willful and/or repeat violators may be required to pay a civil monetary penalty. But the vast majority of violations are not eligible for these penalties: 91% of violations detected by the DOL are first-time violations and of these, only 2% are deemed willful. That is, over 90% of violations are not eligible for any civil monetary penalty at all (at least under current legal interpretations of the definition of willful). Even among the repeat and/or willful violations eligible for a penalty, nearly half are charged no penalty. And even in the cases where civil monetary penalties are assessed, the amounts are small: the median repeat, non-willful violator in 2005-2023 was required to pay a penalty worth only 2 cents per dollar of back wages owed, and the median first-time willful violator was required to pay a penalty worth 15 cents per dollar of back wages owed. (Table 1). All this, taken together, means that only 6.5% of DOL-identified FLSA violations had any civil monetary penalty at all levied, and only 1.4% of cases received a penalty worth more than $1 per dollar of wages.

The hot goods provision is almost entirely used in the garment industry (Weil 2018); among violations in other industries, the provision was used in only 0.15% of cases over 2005-2023.

Finally, criminal prosecutions are vanishingly rare: only 38 criminal convictions have occurred for violations of FLSA minimum wage or overtime provisions (sections 206, 207, 211C, 215, 216) over 1994-2020, according to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and Federal Criminal Case Processing Statistics. While the FLSA allows for fines of up to $10,000 and prison sentences of up to 6 months in criminal convictions, in practice fines were levied in only four cases, and none led to any prison time. Thus, among willful violations detected by the DOL, there was less than a 0.7% chance of a criminal conviction and a 0.08% chance of a criminal conviction with a fine.

Table 1 Liquidated damages and civil monetary penalty assessments in concluded Department of Labor FLSA investigations where back wages were owed, 2005-23, by violation type

Source: Department of Labor WHISARD database, all concluded WHD actions FY 2005 to July 2023

Note: LD = liquidated damages. CMP = civil monetary penalty.

Department of Labor investigations are not the only channel by which FLSA minimum wage violators can be identified: they can also be taken to court by employees in an individual or collective action. In this case, the employees will receive back wages plus an equal amount in liquidated damages. A major cost to violating firms is attorney fees: both their own, and the fees of the employee(s) if the employer loses the case. No civil monetary penalties can be levied in FLSA court cases.

Average penalty levels are far too low to give most firms an incentive to comply

With the data above, I infer the minimum probability of detection firms must expect, to have an incentive to comply. This is simply the reciprocal of the expected penalty per dollar of wages owed (Chang and Ehrlich 1985). I consider seven possible scenarios firms might face. In Figure 1, I illustrate for each scenario (1) the expected cost the firm will face if their violation is detected, as a share of back wages owed, and (2) the minimum probability of detection that the firm must expect to have an incentive to comply.

For a DOL investigation, the most likely scenarios are the Average violator scenarios. As the figure shows, the average first-time violator faces total costs of $1.205 per dollar of back wages owed, meaning that they would need to expect an 83% chance of detection to incentivise compliance. If the violator knows that their violation would be deemed willful if detected, the average penalty rises to $2.09 per dollar of back wages owed  but this still means that the firm would need to expect a 48% chance of detection to incentivise compliance.

Costs are higher in court, since we estimate that any attorney fee awards plus the employers own legal costs combined would amount to around twice the total value of back wages owed (although this can vary widely). In court, we expect an average violator to face a cost of $4 per dollar of back wages owed, meaning they would need to expect a 25% chance of a successful court case against them to have an incentive to comply.

Figure 1 Incentives to comply with the FLSA under different scenarios

Source: Authors calculations, based on DOL enforcement data and data from FLSA cases (obtained using Westlaw).

Actual probabilities of detection are likely substantially lower than this. Using data on inspections and violations in fast food from Weil (2014b), I estimate that the average violating establishment has a 1.4% chance of being detected through a targeted DOL inspection in a given year  or a 4.2% chance over three years, the maximum length for which back wages can be claimed. That is, even under relatively effective targeting, detection probabilities would need to increase by more than an order of magnitude to reach the range of 48%-83% which my estimates suggest is required to incentivise compliance at current penalty levels. And while violations are frequently detected through worker complaints or court actions, these cannot be relied on to surface underpayment, particularly from the most vulnerable workers: workers may fear retaliation or job loss, or may not know their employers pay practices are illegal (e.g. Weil and Pyles 2006, Bobo 2011).

Higher penalties and greater enforcement are needed to ensure minimum wage compliance

For many firms in the US, then, the existing penalty and enforcement system for the FLSA does not create sufficient incentive to comply. Compliance incentives can be improved by increasing penalties and/or the probability of detection. The two are inversely related: to create an effective deterrent the expected penalty must increase exponentially as the probability of detection declines. My estimates suggest increases on both margins are needed.

When considering appropriate penalties, it is illustrative to note that the penalties firms face for underpaying workers  wage theft  are far smaller than the penalties individuals face for theft of items of equivalent value. Shoplifting goods worth $2,500 or more can lead to felony charges and imprisonment in every state (Traub 2017). Over 2005-2020, the DOL found more than 16,000 cases of minimum wage underpayment, and more than 76,000 cases of overtime underpayment, worth more than $2,500. The total value underpaid to workers across these was nearly $570 million. In this time there were 26 criminal convictions, 3 criminal fines, and no prison sentences for FLSA violations.

My work focuses on the expected penalties levied by the legal system, and excludes reputation costs. Enforcement agencies can and do leverage companies reputation concerns to incentivize compliance, over and above penalties (Ji and Weil 2015, Johnson 2020). But it is insufficient for a law to rely only on reputation: if so, workers at unscrupulous companies suffer, and ethical companies are at a competitive disadvantage.

Effective deterrence will only become more important as the federal minimum wage is increased. In real terms, the federal minimum wage is at its lowest level in 66 years (Cooper et al 2022) and, as a result, it applies to relatively few workers. If it was raised to $15, as per recent proposals, an estimated one in six US workers would be affected (Zipperer 2023)  with a correspondingly greater noncompliance problem (Clemens and Strain 2024).

_________
In a panel discussion at the German Marshall Funds Brussels Forum on Thursday (18 April 2024), Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana underlined the importance of the NATO Alliance throughout its 75-year history. The Deputy Secretary General spoke at a two part panel, titled NATO at 75: Past, Present, Future and was joined by Lord Robertson, former NATO Secretary General.
On Wednesday and Thursday (17 and 18 April 2024) the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD) met with representatives from Allied nations to address pressing challenges facing the armament sector.

Delegates met at NATO Headquarters to discuss raising defence production capacity, increasing interoperability and measuring the progress of existing Allied armaments programmes.



NATOs Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana joined the meeting and highlighted the steps taken by Allies to ramp up industrial production. Mr Geoana emphasised the importance of multinational procurement and underscored the urgency of increasing production capacity making clear Ukraine could rely on NATO support today, tomorrow, and for the long haul.



At the Vilnius Summit in 2023, Allied leaders endorsed the Defence Production Action Plan which set out actions to enable NATO to strengthen its engagement with the defence industry. The CNAD plays an essential role in delivering the advanced capabilities needed for effective deterrence and defence.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg received Belgiums highest honour, the Grand Cordon in the Order of Leopold, in Brussels on Friday (19 April 2024).

The award was presented by Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib. The Grand Cordon in the Order of Leopold was established in 1832 and is Belgiums oldest and highest honour of chivalry.



In remarks at the ceremony, the Secretary General praised Belgium, a founding member of NATO, for its contributions to the Alliance, including hosting its main headquarters in Brussels and its military headquarters in Mons. Mr Stoltenberg described Belgium as having a special place in his heart and praised Belgians people, culture and cuisine.
(As delivered)

Teri Schultz, DW

Welcome, everyone. This is quite a setup. I think I've been introduced, my name is Teri Schultz, I'm a journalist, that no one who follows NATO has escaped in the last 16 years, including the Deputy Secretary General. I'm very pleased to be here. I'm honoured to be moderating this session, NATO at 75. I feel old, I've been here for so many of those 75 years. But this is why it's exciting for me to have the chance to be with the Deputy Secretary General, as we've spoken many times, but also with an audience who deeply cares about NATO, and all of us know that that's more important than ever to know about NATO and to care about NATO. And that's something both of us do. So we are going to get started on this discussion. And we will be joined shortly by Lord Robertson for another.

Deputy Secretary General

We should listen to Neil Young, Forever Young.

Teri Schultz, DW

Lets do it. You know what, that would relax me a lot. Could we please? Yes. Okay. So, Mr. Deputy Secretary General, we are going to be taking a look, NATO at 75. So during those years, as you know, the focus of the Alliance has shifted from collective security, to expeditionary missions, back to collective security where we are today.

But tonight, we're going to take a look also, at what the Alliance has gotten right? And what has gotten wrong. Now, you're still in office. So I know that you can't perhaps be completely forthcoming about your personal views. But that's why I'm here. I will help you talk about such things if you need it. But using the lens of history, let's look now you've been in the office since 2019. Many very important things on the timeline, of course before that, but also many since, what would you say candidly, that NATO has gotten right in its 75 years, you can use, you can go all the way back to 1949. What is it gotten wrong? And what do you believe the most important tasks are for its future?

Deputy Secretary General

No, first of all, happy to be at the Brussels forum. Heather, Ian, Ambassador Adler, so good to see you. I'm a huge fan of GMF. I remember bringing it to Romania. And as a relatively newcomer to this Alliance, my country celebrated 20 years since we joined, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, 25 years other countries more recently, and Sweden and Finland, most recently, the Western Balkans nations that are so important to us.

So the question is why, in 1949, there were 12 Allies as founding Allies, and why today we are 32. So what makes this Alliance so magnetic, to European nations? Why do these nations continue to knock on the open door of NATO, and I do hope and I know that one day, also Ukraine will become a member. And I hope that every free nation in Europe will choose their own path if they want to come. And if they qualify, and if we agree by consensus, then we'll be okay. 75 years is an impressive age for us.

But because I run innovation at NATO, I would say that NATO has other than our values and always the mission that we share, I think we have in our genes. I think there is a gene in our genetical code as an Alliance, a gene, a permanent adaptation to changing strategic environments, and also a gene of learning from our mistakes.

We also did mistakes, we had crisis in the Suez Canal, they will not always, you know, beautiful and sunny, and perfect. No, we also did mistakes, but we always had the capacity to come back to the fundamentals, our values, our transatlantic unity, and our mission, which is the same to protect now 1 billion people live in the 32 NATO allies, more than 50% of global GDP, more than 50 something percent of global defence expenditure and this is growing because the burden sharing thing is important.

So I believe that this is an indispensable Alliance not because I work and I get paid for by this Alliance, I work but because I believe when we say we are the most successful Alliance in human history, this is for good reasons. Because we are here to stay. And I think 75 years is just, you know, the kindergarten part for our long history. We're here to stay for many long decades and hopefully, for the long run.

Teri Schultz, DW

You're not getting off that easy, the Suez Canal is the example that the Secretary General always puts in his speeches because he thinks we're not going to talk about other issues. But let's talk about I mean, let's talk about things that some people do believe are mistakes. Let's talk about Afghanistan. I went there six times, five of them with NATO. And there were some very deep relationships there that were abruptly cut off. And the Alliance went through what they called a lesson learned procedure, which lasted, I don't know, a few weeks, maybe, and then the results were classified. So tell us what happened. And do you consider that the way that this mission, the longest in NATO's history was brought to a very abrupt end, of course, not by NATO's own doing, but the Taliban and 

Deputy Secretary General

Listen Teri, I am not shying away from difficult questions, and that's the business we are in. First, I would say that the fact that we activated for the first and single time Article Five, in supporting our US Ally is something nothing short of historic, and that's something positive, I believe we did. And it's counterintuitive that the largest, the most influential Ally, needs or we call Article Five for the most powerful of our Allies. But we did that. And I think this was the right decision at that time. Now, the execution of 20 years or long campaign and a long engagement is always complicated. And nation building is always a very complicated issue. And I think previous great powers went there. And we discovered that this is a very difficult place, I still have colleagues that are still traumatized, by the huge, huge, huge trauma that we had to leave some of our guys behind. Afghans who have worked for us, women that we knew, that are really defending women's rights, people that sacrificed and took huge risks to be with us. So that's something that of course, we are exceptionally, exceptionally affected by. But in big strategic terms, in big political terms, we had to respond to this hideous attack against America. And by the way, terrorism is not going away. And also, history is not ending at all. So what is NATO doing now learning from the mistakes? And another 

Teri Schultz, DW

What did we learn from mistakes there?

Deputy Secretary General

First of all, I think we did learn that we have to make sure that we don't get into open ended issues without having a clear exit and a clear strategy. That's something that we know, we also have to say, again, honestly, in the Middle East, and in Africa and the global South, there is sometimes a problem of reputation or perception of NATO, because of Libya. There is something there, we should not hide from this. We are not hiding from this. But I'm also saying that once there is something really dangerous for European security, the heinous attack by Russia against innocent and independent Ukraine. We were there to defend our people and to support Ukraine.

So I'm not saying that NATO is just, you know, a history book full of nice photographs, and only good moments, and everything is nice and fine. But I'm saying again, with war in Ukraine, with so much tension in the Middle East, with issues also across the Indo Pacific, that the role of NATO and the usefulness of NATO for our nations and for our 1 billion people, is nothing short of indispensable. I would say with all the arguments and learning from things that not have done that well.

Probably, us in Europe, probably less so the country's from the eastern flank, because we know Russia, and we have a sort of a collective memory of the past with this empire, but probably also in Western Europe, there was an illusion, that, after the fall of communism in Europe, there will be a long period of peace, that wars will never return. That great power competition was put to rest forever. We were wrong.

But the good news about NATO that once we decide and once we feel and we know that there is a real danger to our security, we are getting our house in order, the way in which we reacted to the Russian aggression, two years and something in terms of activating our defence and deterrence plans. Now nations investing in new generation, defence and deterrence, investing in our partnerships, investing in innovation, investing in cyber, investing in space, investing in countering disinformation and this and fake news, I would say is nothing short of remarkable. The speed in which a big organization was able to adjust to this new reality.

Teri Schultz, DW

Depends on the year you start counting.

Deputy Secretary General

We could have probably avoided or could have done better 

Teri Schultz, DW

Wait, thats my line 

Deputy Secretary General

But the main mission of this is to defend our people and our nations and our freedom, and our democracy and the way, our way of life. And for that thing, there was not never a war on NATO soil for 75 years  to know a little bit of European history. This is nothing short of remarkable to keep this continent at peace, when it comes to NATO members for so, such a long period of time.

Teri Schultz, DW

So to prepare for tonight, I actually watched some of the video of Brussels forum 2014. And we'll talk more with Lord Robertson about this. But at that time, we even had members of Russia, the Russian parliament, the Russian ambassador to NATO, at the time, Mr. Grushko, all of us who have been, who have covered NATO for a long time, remember him, the NATO officials will remember him, he was in the audience, and he was here exchanging views with people, it was, it's incredible to look back at that video, and see that he was here. He was called on, he raised his hand. You know, that is something that's, that is unbelievable now, but this was 2014. And of course, you know, and this may be boring for those of us who cover NATO, who talks about this quite often. But there is criticism about how quickly the response, how quickly the Alliance moved after 2014, and also after 2008 with Georgia. So if people had been more awake, and the Secretary General himself has said perhaps we didn't wake up quickly enough after 2014. If you had moved more quickly, then to do some of the things to make some of the changes that now truly have been made in spending, in unity, in innovation, in technology, would Ukraine, would we still be in the same position now in Ukraine. I won't go back all the way to the 2008 decision not to allow Ukraine and Georgia into the Alliance, although if you want to feel free, because that was, of course in your home country. But if there, could you have done anything in 2008? Or 2014, which would have prevented the situation we're in today? Where war is at NATO's doorstep? War is at Europe's doorstep? And truly, Allies are worried that it won't stay there?

Deputy Secretary General

I would argue that this is always difficult to look into contra-factual history. What if and tactically, it's also, some of the Allies are telling other Allies, told you so, we knew better, we knew best because we know in Poland, Romania, or the Baltic countries, that, that's not such thing, as you know, the disappearance of an imperial instinct, you know, in the country where they 

Teri Schultz, DW

Were they right?

Deputy Secretary General

And they proved to be right. But at the same time, at the same time, all of us after the fall of communism, hoped and even investing ourselves in creating a new relationship with Russia. We they will our partners, I believe, in 1997, in the NATO Russia founding act they recognise written black and white in paper in an official document with us, not only the OSCE, in the UN Charter, that they recognize the right of European nations to choose their own system of Alliances, is written with us. Of course, they were the summit, of course, the former ambassador, he was a lively guy, he was here. Yeah, probably the more fundamental mistake we all made.

And probably this is something that we could eventually, you know, have a sort of a moment of recollection about, that probably, we underestimated what I said earlier, that there is in a sort of an imperial instinct of grabbing territory.

And probably some people say, listen, this is like appeasement. In the beginning of the Second World War, you give an inch and they take you 1000 miles of your territory, but I believe that unfortunately, Russia has chosen a path of nationalism a sort of a probably because they are in a difficult situation because for great powers managing abrupt decline is that they're very difficult exercise to do. So I think they are now knows they are taking the Soviet propaganda manual. You know, taking the dust off. And now America is bad, the West is bad. And they are the ones defending, you know the values of whatever else.

Teri Schultz, DW

Were going to bring in Lord Robertson now.

Deputy Secretary General

So we're going to probably we're probably wrong. But I will say that trying to have a constructive, predictable relationship between the western Russia was, I think, a natural instinct from us to try to do. They didn't want to play ball is their problem, not ours.

Teri Schultz, DW

Okay, we're going to bring in our very special guest. Lord Robertson, it's exciting to have him here thank you. So more look, looking back at history. I was really grilling him. So would you but I mean, that's, that's why I'm here. You can also say good things. But Lord Robertson, the Deputy Secretary General brought up that, of course, formative moment in NATO's history and in 2001, Article Five. And I think everyone would be interested in hearing what it was like inside that room, because I actually wasn't here, then. And I have not heard exactly what it was like, as Allies decided that they were going to invoke the most sacred, sacred tenet of NATO for the very first time. And at the same time, I would like you to answer now with 32 Allies, some of them do openly express doubts that if they were attacked, if Russia were to step over, onto their territory, that Article Five would be as ironclad as it was on that day in 2001. So can you take us back to that moment, and also project ahead how it whether you feel there is a doubt that 32 Allies 31 Allies would respond if one Ally, asked for Article Five to be invoked.

Lord Robertson

There shouldn't actually be any doubt at all. And that day, we invoked it for the biggest member of NATO. And, you know, this wasn't an easy decision to make.

Teri Schulz, DW

Why not?

Lord Robertson

Because it is symbolically important, very difficult. And the other thing is, because most people don't know this, or realize this or have woken up to this yet: it has to be consensus. It is not automatic, you know, the idea that somebody invades Luxembourg and that automatically triggers Article Five is wrong. It goes to the North Atlantic Council, who then, at the head of government level, have got to make the decision about it.

So it was high risk to actually do it in the first place. But we thought it was the right thing to do. And we formulated the statement that was to go out and then went to the Council. People were a bit astonished. You know, this was, you know, a moment of history. At half past three in the afternoon, I told the Council that they had to come back at, I think it was eight o'clock, with their answer from all of the nations, the 19 nations at the time, and then I hit the phones to try and explain what we were doing.

Why we were doing it. It wasn't easy to do and if it had gone wrong, I doubt if Id be sitting here today, because it would have been the opposite of a success. In the morning of course, everybody thought it was [inaudible] idea. And I was quite glad that that was the case, share the responsibility. So would we do it again? Well, that's where the Summit meeting in July is going to have to think about it, that everybody around that table in July, is going to have to face the fact that they're all signing up to the North Atlantic Treaty.

And that is an obligation that comes with being a member of NATO, and the shield that is there. You're a billion people, a billion people in the Euro Atlantic area sleep safely in their beds tonight, because Article Five and NATO is protecting them.

So it's hugely important. Anybody who might think it's not a good idea, or it's a bad idea, or why should we defend Luxembourg when it's being for example, I said quickly, for example being attacked? [They] have got to recognize that it's a collective security organization and we're all we're all in it together. So I don't have doubts.

And I'll tell you one thing as well. I'm the only person in history who has invoked Article Five, I think I might be the only person ever to invoke Article Five, because I don't think there will be another military power outside of NATO who would dare close the Article Five line.

That's not to say that he wouldn't use hybrid warfare or attack us in other ways, and 

Teri Schultz, DW

And now those can be considered also. Those also can be considered an Article Five offense we should put pit. It was much more limited in the days when you did declare it.

Lord Robertson

Well, yeah, but it might be more difficult and attribution will be much more difficult. So people shouldn't assume that just because there wouldn't be a military attack against this great Alliance, that we wouldn't be attacked in other different ways. And that's what we have to think about in terms of what Vladimir Putin is doing now in Ukraine.

Teri Schultz, DW

Okay, but to go back to you, Deputy Secretary General, because I know that you have meetings all the time, with Allies, with officials from Allies who if they tell me they surely tell you, that they are not so certain. And they actually say it publicly. If you're a Baltic state, they do say publicly that they are not sure.

And, you know, that was even before then President Trump laid all kinds of, you know, doubt on that, on that principle. So you hear this from people, I know that you do. So how can you tell them that in this hypothetical situation, Luxembourg is never one of those who goes into these meetings with any concerns? But what do you tell them? I mean, yes, of course, you've all signed up to it.

The other thing we should say about Article Five that other people may not understand is that each country decides how they will contribute. It's not that you declare that if Article Five is declared, but unanimity that everybody, you know, gathers all of their resources and goes to battle. I mean, this is another reason why perhaps some countries think they might not get enough if they did need it.

NATO Deputy Secretary General

Lord Robertson refers to the political decision making process in this Alliance as consensus based as political, that's a political Alliance. But I can tell you, and every single Ally does know that the strength I mentioned the gene of permanent adaptation in NATO to a changing security environment.

And I have to say that what our leaders have decided in Vilnius at the Summit in Lithuania, and what will be reconfirmed in Washington, is the most significant transformation of deterrence and defence, military planning, force structure, battlegroups up to brigade level in the east, the two-percent, twenty nations, hopefully all of them will be investing a minimum of two percent.

So what I say, the underpinning of the political decision, which is political, we are democracies, is the fact that we are now doing, for the first time in generations, probably from the 80s, this Alliance has not undergone such a huge transformation of our deterrence and defence.

Teri Schultz, DW

And now you're talking about the regional plans that, I mean 

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana

I'm speaking about the regional plans, I'm speaking about declaring cyber and space as operational domains, adapting to conventional warfare, and to high end technologies. NATO has adopted AI strategy would principle us attached to it, biotech, new materials, space, autonomous, everything else.

And there is something else that I  and that's, of course, up to our leaders and our national parliaments to decide  but beneath that, there is every single day, the confirmation that each of us are doing their part. Of course, bigger nations, the more. Smaller nations do a lot. You mentioned Luxembourg, George.

Teri Schultz, DW

Something I rarely do. But go ahead.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana

I mention Iceland, they don't even have an army, and they are contributing with transport and money for our friends in Ukraine.

And also, speaking of something that I do a lot, and we care a lot, is our partnerships. Of course, the one with European Union, which is self-evident. But we have now close to 40 nations around the world that are working with us.

Washington will be the third summit in a row where our Indo Pacific four partners at the top level, heads of state and government will be attending NATO Summits. I received this morning, I have to say, with great joy, the new defence minister of Argentina, that presented to us an official request to become our second partner in Latin America after Colombia.

And of course, we are looking very positively to this. Of course, there's always complex, but I'm just saying that this Alliance has again, a huge capacity to adjust to a changing strategic environment.

And the last issue, Lord Robertson mentioned very rightly, that it is not only traditional difference and defence and military, which is so important, but the very definition of security so much broadened in the last decades. We speak now and we do a lot on climate change and security on cybersecurity, on energy security, we speak of economic security, we speak of resilience, we speak of things of space, and competition in space. And this is something I believe, NATO is also doing a lot. It's not that visible, it is not in the headlines. If you want, a little bit more subtle, in a way. But in a way, we are putting a mosaic puzzle of pieces in the armor of this great nation. So for every single citizen goes to bed at night, knowing that there is something big, solid, credible, and meaning, to really protect our people.

So this is not talking points. This is, you know, me, a guy who lived half of my life in communism in my home country of Romania, and cherishing every single day of freedom, every single day without war, every single day when I go to work, or go to you know, to college, or to high school, or wherever, knowing that there is something important there for me. And this is NATO. And that's why we are and this is what we have been. And this will always continue to be.

Teri Schultz, DW

I want to definitely leave enough time to talk about some of the cool things in the future that NATO is going to do, because we have a lot of young people here. And we all want to look cooler than we actually are. But there are some things that we can do that with, but I wanted to go to a quote that I found that you said Lord Robertson, and you said, we can't ignore it. Obviously, we need to talk more about Ukraine. You said if Ukraine loses, our enemies will decide the world order. So that's a headline that you gave me not so long ago. So looking now, as you can without being responsible for decision making inside NATO, I mean, what would you say. Is there more incumbent upon NATO to make sure that Ukraine doesn't lose?

Lord Robertson

Absolutely. We need to give the Ukrainians the weaponry that they want, when they need it. We need to keep the unity of the West absolutely tight. We need to keep the unity between Europe and the United States. Because these are the signals that Vladimir Putin will be affected by.

You know, I dealt with Vladimir Putin from the very beginning. I got on well with him. We formed a NATO-Russia Council and all the working parties that came out after that. And he's now been transformed into a monster who, who is now trying to annihilate a nation that 

Teri Schultz, DW

He has transformed himself you mean. That shouldn't be a passive sentence, right?

Lord Robertson

No, no. Well, he transformed himself, in the maybe in the pandemic. He stood beside me as close as you are, at the press conference at the NATO Russia.

Teri Schultz, DW

I looked up those, the documents from when the NATO Russia council was founded, you had meetings every week, you cooperated. I mean, they're written like, like love notes to each other. Now, given our context, now. I mean, you had regular meetings multiple times a week, actually, with the Russians working on all kinds of things. It's inconceivable now, isn't it?

Lord Robertson

It is, because the man transformed and changed, became more authoritarian, more in control and, and transformed himself into this monster now who wants to annihilate the nation that he said was an independent nation state and had the right to make its own decisions about it.

You know I am one of the few people still alive today who can stand beside an open window and talk about Vladimir Putin sense of humor, which seems to completely disappear. And now, you know, he's involved in a brutal The photographs outside this room tell a story that is much more than I can tell, of the sheer, naked brutality of the Russian invasion and [inaudible] Russia would do if they took over, if they took over Ukraine.

The stakes are enormously high to the people of Ukraine. But for the rest of the world as well. The stakes are simply enormous. They will, they, the Chinese, the North Koreans and the Iranians will write the rules of order in the world and the world will be a very uncomfortable place for the next generation to grow up in.

Teri Schultz, DW

So when you say we need to keep the unity of the Transatlantic Alliance, do you mean NATO? Do you mean NATO needs to do more? The West needs to keep the unity?

Lord Robertson

The West. NATO is an organization that has got tentacles into the defences of the West. So we need to do more. Why is it that countries who have got anti-missile defences are keeping them at home just now, when they're not under threat? When the Ukrainians are under threat? You know, why are we not giving more from individual countries of what we've got at the moment? Why are we not replenishing?

Teri Schultz, DW

Let's ask the DSG.

Lord Robertson

Sorry to put you on the spot.

Deputy Secretary General

Always been a friend.

Teri Schultz, DW

But you're in those negotiations. I mean, what excuses do countries come up with when Ukraine asks for, for air defences. There's a meeting at least once a month where these kinds of things are discussed.

Deputy Secretary General

We had Dmytro Kuleba at our Foreign Ministers meeting just I think two or three weeks back. And I know, Dmytro well, we know President Zelenskyy well, we know Mr Umerov well. And of course, they always, were so convincing in saying we need more, because we need to resist this brutal, you know, barbaric invasion, by Russia.

Teri Schultz, DW

It's not [inaudible]

Deputy Secretary General

There are two things here. One is our own national politics, they do matter. They do matter. And if there is one bad news for the Brussels forum, that some of the US members of Congress [inaudible] 

Teri Schultz, DW

Take a vote.

Deputy Secretary General

That could be very good news for Ukraine. So I think they are excused for the right cause. So this is politics. And this is something that all of us have to be respectful of, because that's politics. And that's something that democracy

Teri Schultz, DW

But can you say that, it is politics and these people.

Deputy Secretary General

One second. At the same time. When Kuleba was with us, he made a very, very passionate and convincing plea for us to give them more air and missile defence.

And I have to say that we are doing this. Germany is taking the lead by giving one additional patriot. I was yesterday in in Rome, talking to our Italian Allies. Secretary General is, George knows, how you pick up the phone and try to do this.

I'm convinced that we'll be able to give them more of what they need. I have to applaud what our Czech friends and Allies are doing in terms of 155 artillery rounds. It's an immensely successful operation of being creative in putting things together.

I also hope that at our summit in Washington, when NATO, we hope our US will approve, for us to take a much bigger coordination role will give a little bit more predictability to this kind of support.

And I also know that as we've been probably over optimistic a few months back, when Ukraine was ready to launch the counter offensive. Now the situation is not is not very positive. But we should also not be very overly pessimistic in saying this. I know that we understand that Ukraine's fight is not only their fight, it is also our fight. We also know that the symbol is strategic reverberations of a success of Ukraine, or God forbid, of a failure in Ukraine, we'll have global ramifications.

Our leaders know that. I think our public opinions know that. Now it's also a matter of really [inaudible]. And the last point is about our 

Teri Schultz, DW

I have to open it to public opinion.

Deputy Secretary General

I have just one, we were in Europe mainly believing in this illusion that the world history has come to an end. So we stopped investing in defence industry. And our discovering was that when we need to ramp up production, we had difficulty. And our corporations say show me the money, show me the checkbook, we eventually saw the money but then we're not a war economy like in Russia, to switch in authoritarian country, I switched from a normal economy to war economy.

We are a capitalistic free society, so it takes a bit of time. But what we do also through NATO and, and the platform that NATO represents I see the curve of Russian, let's say, ammunition and, and resources for the war moving up, but I also see even slower our curve, because we are twenty five larger in terms of economies than Russia's economy. And I think it's a matter of switching faster, not war economy, but to an economy that is also providing what Ukraine needs, and also what we do need for our own defence and security.

Teri Schultz, DW

Okay, I'm going to open the floor to questions. Heather, can I have more time?

Martin Zebrowski, GlobeSec

So I wanted to ask you gentleman, if you can imagine NATO prospering functioning without the United States is it at all possible  and before you say is not going to happen for the reason we just heard from Mike Pence for example  is it not a scenario that we should consider? And in case this scenario was to come through? Let's hope not.

Teri Schultz, DW

Okay, question. Go.

Deputy Secretary General

Listen, I know America well. I was a very young ambassador. We I'm a political person, okay? I'm not only a NATO guy, I'm also a political guy. So I know one thing, that in the polls, in the US public opinion, NATO is at roughly 70% approval rate. That's huge. So the American people understand the value of America's Alliances.

Secondly, I know Republicans and Democrats very well. Irrespective of the nuances that might have on one topic or another, I know one thing that with the rise of China, and the ganging up between China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, and who else, I don't know, that there is an understanding in American strategic and political establishment, that the arch competition for global controlling of the commanding heights of the world with China and China's, let's say, partners, autocratic partners, mostly, America has a treasure in its Alliances, it is not a burden it is not something that you say, Okay, we are caring because we start to invest more.

So I believe that, as for Europe, America's involvement is indispensable and not substitutable for our Alliance. I think that also for America, having so many Allies in NATO, in Indo Pacific, in many other places, is a huge plus, that will probably be the decisive factor in overcoming this fierce competition from China, and the other bad guys.

Teri Schultz, DW

but Americans don't vote on foreign policy, and they're not going to vote about NATO. So if he gets elected, and if he wants to pull out of NATO, the question was, could NATO survive?

Deputy Secretary General

I'm absolutely convinced that Americans and politicians and public opinion and establishment and military understand the huge added value of America's Alliances in Europe and around the world. And I know that also us in Europe, will not fall prey to many people that are having a sort of a doomsday making an American election so decisive in terms of 75 years of American engagement in Europe and in the world.

So let's be more confident that in the end, on both sides of the Atlantic, we cherish and we praise what we have together.

Teri Schultz, DW

Its a different America than when you were Secretary General. So what do you say?

Lord Robertson

I don't think America is going to pull out I heard what former Vice President Pence said this afternoon, there might be some glitches along the way. We are made up of democracies and people make decisions about it. But, you know, America is going to stay there. But the answer to the question is: we should prepare for a situation where there's a more equal relationship. You know, a former US Defence Secretary, Jim Mattis, summed it up when he said, Why should America care more about the future of European children than they do? You know, that sums it up.

You know, the Europeans have got the same GDP, same share of global GDP, as America has, the same population 340 million people inside a NATO Euro. So why are we not doing more in order to have the capability and the capacity defend ourselves? We know see where the danger is. We're seeing it visibly every day on our television screens, and the Ukrainians are suffering it every day. So we've got to invest more, we've got to believe more. We've got to create the capacity that at the moment we depend on the Americans to provide and then that equality of treatment will mean that exactly what Mircea says, the American people will believe that it is a better bargain that it looks at the present moment.

Teri Schultz, DW

Okay, I'm going to take a question from back here.

Miranda (unknown surname)

Thank you. I'm Miranda. I'm a Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network alumni of the German Marshall Fund. I come from Georgia, and my question is the following. In 2008, 14, and 22, we witnessed Russia's aggression and sometimes we do really underestimate their aggression. Georgia did not really get to choose its neighbour. And nowadays, with increased Iran's tension to be a player in the world politics. What would you say for Georgia in terms of NATO?

You mentioned that the door is open if the people are knocking [inaudible], you mentioned Ukraine, but you didn't mention anything about Georgia. So anything specific that you can send a message for Georgian people who are now striking in the streets against the Russian law, to stay in the European family, where do they really belong? So what is your message in terms of defence, increasing the Defence is part of your strategic consideration.

Deputy Secretary General

I am sorry, I should have mentioned your great nation. I should have mentioned the Republic of Moldova, not joining NATO, but joining the EU. I should have mentioned Bosnia Herzegovina and the Western Balkan nations that are members of NATO are not yet members of the EU, I should have mentioned all European nations that are determined to go west, and are ready to go west. And we'll be ready to welcome all of you. I'm not saying that this is easy. You have a very difficult situation. Russia has these booby traps. From Transnistria to South Ossetia. When I pass here, they're playing dirty, dirty tricks.

They're playing with many hybrid. Lord Robertson is right. Its not easy. I know one thing. As Ukrainians are so determined to fight for the freedom and the freedom to choose their future. Either Georgia nation will stay the course  and you're the closest partners to NATO, we've done so many things together, and we are ready to do even more  So this is a message that coming from us, this open door thing that I believed Romania, my country, I was foreign minister, ambassador - I think I was  and we were denied entry into NATO. I'm not comparing things. I'm not comparing your geography with Romanias geography.

But then we continue to stay the course. We wanted, Romanians wanted it to be part of the West. If you want to be part of the West, and you stay the course, and do the reforms and stay the course I know that your place is with us and Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova in the EU.

And I think this is the other big strategic consequence of the war in Ukraine. Because if Ukraine stands, and they will stand, in means we create geostrategic conditions for all European nations that are willing to come our way for us to welcome them. And I say this with all clarity.

And if you want a sense of history, that I think, as our generation had, was to have a Europe whole and free. a Europe whole and free will not be completed until countries like Georgia and Ukraine are joining. If you want to be here with us, you should be here with us, just stay the course of reforms. Don't hedge, don't hesitate. There is a row towards the West. And this is something I believe will happen if you stay the course, well stay the course.

Teri Schultz, DW

Do you want to say something on Georgia? I can take one more question. We get like three and a half more minutes.

Lord Robertson

Both at NATO, and out of NATO, wherever I go, whatever the audience, there's somebody from Georgia, who asks the question 

Teri Schultz, DW

Every press conference they get to ask.

Lord Robertson

The Deputy Secretary General has given a fairly comprehensive they stay the course and become, you know, much more democratic than it looks at the present moment, then, you know, that's where they belong ultimately.

Deputy Secretary General

Let me also praise the European Union for the strategic boldness that they have basically demonstrated the last period of time in supporting Ukraine in opening negotiations, including for Georgia. So I believe that NATO and the EU are two sides of the same coin. So stay the course on both for NATO and for the EU.

Teri Schultz, DW

Okay, I've got one last question. It has to be really, really short.

Unknown journalist

[inaudible] Im from Kyiv ICPS. What will Ukraine get at the next NATO summit, in addition to the usual language about NATO door open and so on? Will there be a shortcut direct invitation to Ukraine to NATO or not? And don't you think if there'll be no direct invitation, one day Ukrainians will ask what is it all for?

Because this war is not ethnical, it's not religious, it's a geopolitical war. Putin attacked us because of our willingness to be in NATO. If you will not invite us now to NATO, don't you think that a moment of disappointment will come to Ukraine? Thank you.

Deputy Secretary General

Now, thank you for your question. And I know there is a huge expectation in Ukrainian public opinion, within your political leadership, for you to move faster towards full membership into NATO. I'll be direct. I do not believe that there are conditions for the Washington summit to make an invitation for your country.

But and I say this with all the respect for your sacrifice, for your bravery, and for the immense suffering of your nation. That the summit in Washington, as the Vilnius summit, was an important step, giving away the map, starting the NATO-Ukraine Council: President Zelenskyy called Secretary General Stoltenberg yesterday, he called him I want to call for a NATO-Ukraine Council in defence ministers format, tomorrow 3pm will be convening that. So the summit in Washington, I want you to see it as a bridge towards your membership.

And also giving the example that we just had from Sweden and Finland, because, you know, you ask for good reasons. Finland and Sweden came in relatively swiftly. The fact that you're moving every day closer to us, more interoperable, you're doing the reforms, and you basically are more interoperable with NATO that probably nobody would have thought, you're moving to post-Soviet equipment as we speak. The moment when the political decision by consensus would be met, the time for you to join after we take the political decision, will be very compressed. Because this bridge means that you're coming closer to us, and then the execution of the political decision will be relatively compressed in time ratification.

And then one day, I hope you will be presenting your instrument of ratification to the State Department like many other nations. So I know it's a little bit disappointing for you. But really do trust the fact that we are saying loud and clear is not a matter of if but a matter of when and this when I think will be sooner rather than later. And this will be good for Georgia. This will be good for Moldova, this will be good for Europe. And I think it'll be a strong signal around the world. Your place, my friend, is in the family of democracies. You earned it, and you will be part of the family.

Teri Schultz, DW

That's a good answer. Okay, I'm gonna get pulled off stage but Lord Robertson, easier for you to say you don't have to get this consensus. Would you like to see that sooner? Would you like to see it the Washington Summit?

Lord Robertson

It's already been said, it was set at the Bucharest Summit, that that is the ultimate objective. But the signal that Ukraine needs from the from the NATO summit in July is that the Allies are absolutely firm and will stay in place for them until they've expelled the invaders from their territory, and that they will get the equipment, and that they will get the ammunition, and they will get the support and the unity of the West. That's what they need. Not some sort of vague promise about membership, ultimately - which will eventually come in any event. In the meantime, they have to win the battle. And the battle can only be won if the man in the Kremlin is persuaded that we're going to be with them until they win.

Teri Schultz, DW

Okay, that's where we'll leave it. Thank you very much, Deputy Secretary General, Lord Robertson. We're going to have to hand it back now to Ian. Thank you very much, everyone
(As delivered)

Good afternoon,

We have just concluded a virtual meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

President Zelenskyy briefed Allied Defence Ministers on the situation on the battlefield, and Ukraines critical need for more air defences.

NATO Defence Ministers have agreed to step up and provide further military support, including more air defence.

NATO has mapped out existing capabilities across the Alliance and there are systems that can be made available to Ukraine.

So I expect new announcements on air defence capabilities for Ukraine soon.

I welcome Germanys efforts, including the recent decision to deliver an additional Patriot system to Ukraine.

In addition to Patriots, there are other weapons that Allies can provide, including SAM-Ts.



And many Allies who do not have available systems have pledged to provide financial support to purchase them for Ukraine.

We are also working with industry to ramp up production and to refurbish systems to make them operational and fit for purpose.

In our meeting today, Ministers also addressed many other pressing needs, including 155 mm ammunition, deep precision strike capabilities, and drones.

Each NATO Ally will decide what to provide. Several Allies made concrete commitments during the meeting and are finalising contributions that I expect will be announced soon.

Help is already on the way.

Just this week, Denmark made a new pledge for Ukraine, and the Netherlands announced an additional 4 billion euros in military support.

Czechia confirmed that they have procured half a million artillery rounds through their ammunition initiative.

And I welcome the progress made in the US Congress towards vote on the critical aid package for Ukraine tomorrow.

I count on the bill to pass without further delay.

Allies must dig deep into their inventories.

And speed up the delivery of missiles, artillery and ammunition.

Ukraine is using the weapons we provided to destroy Russian combat capabilities.

This makes us all safer.

So support to Ukraine is not charity.

It is an investment in our own security.

With that, I am ready for your questions.

Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson

Well start with Ukraine news agency, over to you

Dmytro Shkurko, National News Agency of Ukraine

Thank you for [inaudible], Dmytro Shkurko, National News Agency of Ukraine. Secretary General, had Ukraine's side inform you about today's shutting down the Russian bomber Tu-22. And the related question as we are expecting some kind of anti-aircraft systems delivery to Ukraine. Are there any restrictions on targeting Russian military targets over Russian territory and follow up if I may, before we were speaking about the formation, some kind of multi-level anti-aircraft system in Ukraine, had the Ukrainian side requested a part of the Patriots some kind of other systems to create such kind of air defence. Thank you.

NATO Secretary General

Defense ministers Umerov, who also participated in the meeting updated us on the efforts by the Ukrainian armed forces to protect their territory and to protect their airspace, including, of course, the efforts to down different Russian capabilities. But it's not for me to go into the specifics. I will leave that to the Ukrainian side to go into the specific comments on the specific concrete actions, what I can say is that of course, NATO Allies will step up and several allies also made that clear in the meeting today with delivery of more air defences and I expect concrete announcements in the near future based on the information allies shared with us in the ministerial meeting with President Zelenskyy today. We have to remember this is a war of aggression where Russia is attacking a neighbour, attacking Ukraine. Ukraine has the right to self-defence. That includes also striking legitimate military targets outside Ukraine.

So to down Russian planes which are used to attack Ukraine is part of Ukraine's right for self-defence. Ukraine already has a multi-layered Air Defence System. The problem is that it has to be stronger and more comprehensive because Ukraine has different systems to take down drones, to take down different types of cruise missiles and also to take down the most advanced ballistic missiles. So Ukraine has NASAMS, it has IRIS-T, it has Gepard, it has, of course also Patriot batteries. So these are different layers of air defence systems, but they need more systems, they need more batteries and they need also more ammunition for all these systems. And that's exactly what we addressed during the meeting today.

Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson

Thank you over to FAZ, Thomas in the middle there.

Thomas Gutschker, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Thanks a lot. Thomas Gutschker, with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, just to be clear Secretary General. So you've had a concrete pledges in the rooms, in the room, but you cannot announce them now. But you have reason to believe that the member states themselves will make these announcements soon, if you could just confirm that. And could you also give us an idea about the scope of this additional support to Ukraine and maybe also give us the result of your mapping exercise. So how many systems are operative or deliverable from NATO allies? How many systems could they provide without risking the security of NATO? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General

So we have mapped and updated the overview we always have in NATO on different capabilities that different NATO Allies have and this mapping confirms that there are systems including Patriot systems available to be provided to Ukraine. But I will not go into the specific numbers because this is classified information. This is part of NATO's defence planning. Therefore, I will not go into the specific numbers but of course, these numbers and the updated overview the mapping has been shared with all allies and we are working with those allies to ensure that they make the right decisions to provide new Patriot batteries. But it is also extremely important to ensure that the batteries which have already been delivered to Ukraine are operational, meaning that they need spare parts. They need maintenance and they need interceptors because to have batteries without interceptors doesn't help.

So we need the full package, we need the capability, we need the sustainment in addition to the new systems, so we need to focus on new capabilities or new batteries. But also on sustaining existing and also new batteries. Yes, I expect new announcements in the near future based on information that allies have shared with us, but I will leave it to those different allies to make the announcements. We have also had some important announcement just this week, the German extra Patriot battery is an example. But also the Netherlands, 4 billion extra for Ukraine, but also based on the information Allies shared with us today.

I expect new announcements that was also very clearly conveyed in the meeting I had with Prime Minister Frederickson, Prime Minister Mark Rutte and also Fiala from the Czech Republic here at NATO two days ago, where we addressed how we can mobilise more support from Ukraine and also in the meeting with the G7 Foreign Ministers I attended yesterday in Capri more air defence and more ammunition for Ukraine was the top topic and based on all these consultations, I expect new announcements in the near future.

Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson

Other questions? Over to you.

Alexandra Von Nahmen, Deutsche Welle

Thank you very much. Alexandra Von Nahmen with DW, Deutsche Welle. I would have a question on the Middle East. There were reports of explosions in Iran overnight. What is your assessment and how concerned are you and what would you say what NATO Allies can do to convince all parties from any further escalation they are thinking?

NATO Secretary General

Of course, we are concerned and I echo the words by the G7 foreign ministers and other international leaders who have called on all parties to de-escalate tensions. No one stands to benefit from another war in the Middle East. It is vital that the conflict does not spiral out of control and therefore we call on all parties to show restraint.

Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson

Okay, we'll take a final question.

Stephan Israel, Table Media

Yes, Stephan Israel for Table Media. I would come back to Ukraine and the air defence systems. Could you maybe say what the needs of Ukraine are because we heard some figures like they would need seven to cover the biggest cities at least. Can you confirm that and could you maybe tell us whether these systems which you discussed today, about the number is covering these needs approximately? Or do you still need more offers from other member states? And maybe finally, why does it take so long? I mean, we speak about defensive system, why is it so complicated to deliver that and how long would it take to deliver them? Like, for example, a German Patriot which is already offered? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General

So first of all, we have to remember that so far, NATO Allies have delivered unprecedented level of military support to Ukraine, including very advanced air defence systems including Patriot batteries, NASAMS which are also extremely advanced, SAMP/T advanced air defence systems and IRIS/T and many other systems. And these systems have helped to both protect Ukrainian cities, Ukrainian forces, and Ukrainian critical infrastructure and of course also different, more shorter range systems has also been supplied. But this is a war of attrition, there is a need for more and theres urgent need for more, and therefore Allies are now stepping up. We have had announcements just over the last few days, I expect more announcements in the coming days.

And we are mobilising more support from NATO Allies, NATO Allies are providing 99% of the military support to Ukraine. I also made it clear that of course when I call on Allies to dig deeper into their inventories, there is a risk that they will go below the NATO guidelines. We have NATO capability targets, we have NATO guidelines based on defence plans. But of course if Allies then dig deeper and provide the capabilities to Ukraine that are part of NATO's defence plans, then there is that we will go below those guidelines. And we, I, made it clear that if the only way NATO Allies are able to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to defend themselves, well that's the risk we have to take provided that this is a national decision and provided that Allies then make sure that they replenish their stocks so they, again, are able to meet the NATO capability targets. So Allies are providing, help is on its way and I expect more help and support to be announced in the very near future.

Farah Dakhlallah, NATO Spokesperson

Thank you. Thank you all for your time.

NATO Secretary General

Thank you
This everyones a spy insanity will lead to a free speech bloodbath if the American people let it: terrifying new FISA bill will solidify America becoming a full-scale police state

Just days ago, we republished this story on ANP titledwithin which we warned America was quickly heading into a trulyperiod due largely to our full-scale gallop into tyranny and the fact that the American people, people who own 500 million+ guns, won't accept said tyranny, nor should we ever.

(Article by Stefan Stanford republished from AllNewsPipeline.com)

Warning within that story that what we were witnessing was a kind of 'Robin Hood effect,' a time when 'outlaws' have more honor than government, and that in such times, paradigms come crashing down, we see more evidence of our public servants in Washington DC quite literally waging war upon the American people in a must read series of tweets from Elizabeth Goitein, Co-director of the left-leaning Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, tweets which NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden called the most important thread you will read this year.

With Goitein and Snowden warning of what they call a 'Terrifying new FISA Bill that would only solidify America becoming a full-scale police state under Joe Biden and the very real crime cabal that occupies Washington DC right now, forcing businesses and websites such as All News Pipeline to become NSA spies as long as they host any kind of communications, which we clearly do with people using our story comment sections to communicate, as Ethan Huff warns in this new story, we're witnessing nothing less than the United States government once again trying to turn the American people against one another with a new "Everyone is a spy" surveillance bill that is being quietly ushered through Congress. Briefly, from this story.:

The Senate is set to vote on the FISA reauthorization bill that includes a provision forcing any company or individual that provides ANY communications service to become a pawn of the National Security Agencys surveillance grid.

The Section 702 provision of the FISA renewal bill requires any company that hosts any form of communication service to surrender surveillance data to the NSA under a gag order if compelled by the agency.

Buried in the Section 702 reauthorization bill (RISAA) passed by the House on Friday is the biggest expansion of domestic surveillance since the Patriot Act. Senator [Ron] Wyden calls this power terrifying, and hes right, wrote Elizabeth Goitein, Co-director of the left-leaning Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice on X Monday.

With Goitein warning also that None of these people or businesses would be allowed to tell anyone about the assistance they were compelled to provide. They would be under a gag order, and they would face heavy penalties if they failed to comply with it, it's easy for me to say that I'd rather be an 'outlaw' under such circumstances than 'aiding and abetting' what our government has turned into over the past several decades, a very real terrorist organization waging war upon the American people.

As Senator Ron Wyden also tweeted of the bill, "This bill represents one of the most dramatic and terrifying expansions of government surveillance authority in history."

With this very real 'crime cabal' in Washington DC clearly having some crazy desire in 2024 to know everything about everyone, yet going out of their ways to let anybody into this country who wants to come in and not holding them to the same standards that they hold Americans to, it's long past time the American people said no to those who are going out of their way to 'rule over us'.

"That sweeps in an enormous range of U.S. businesses that provide wifi to their customers and therefore have access to equipment on which communications transit. Barber shops, laundromats, fitness centers, hardware stores, dentist's offices ... the list goes on and on."

Commercial landlords that rent out office spaces where tens of millions of Americans go every day to work would also be swept into the NSA snitching pipeline via the new amendment.

While some entities would be exempt  hotels, libraries and coffee shops, to name a few  the vast majority would not, meaning just about every American business could be probed by the NSA to share confidential communications information on demand.

"The amendment even extends to service providers who come into our homes," Goitein further explains. "House cleaners, plumbers, people performing repairs and IT services providers have access to laptops and routers inside our homes and could be forced to serve as surrogate spies."

"None of these people or businesses would be allowed to tell anyone about the assistance they were compelled to provide. They would be under a gag order, and they would face heavy penalties if they failed to comply with it."

Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com
GATECRASHERS: Chinas disintegration warfare

(Article by Jon Bowne republished from Infowars.com)

Yet, no Country comes remotely close to executing the Art of War as China does with its methodical creeping disintegration warfare being waged on the United States.

Author Peter Schweitzer writes that disintegration warfare, in the Chinese leaders words is going after the United States soft underbelly in terms of politics, economics, and the spirit and psychology of people. It is based on the ancient Chinese strategist and general Sun Tzus teachings on how to win a war without fighting. The strategy is aimed at undermining a rival countrys national will, values, and cohesion.

A Chinese Migrant who is now a US Congressional Candidate has warned Americans not to underestimate Chinas use of soft power to infiltrate the U.S. and achieve global dominance.

Most of those people they want to flee China because in the last three years it has become very harsh and inhumane, she said. In 2012, under Xi Jinping, you notice a shift in China. He is the new Mao, doing Cultural Revolution 2.0.

But Im also very worried is so well organized, correlated, with some sleeper cells  I just feel like we have a really dark force on us

And while the swarms of illegals continue to chip away at the American economy. China is logging every weakness in American national security it can find. In 2019, three Chinese nationals were sentenced to prison for illegally taking photographs at a Florida Navy base.

Lyuyou Liao, 27, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, after pleading guilty to illegally entering NAS Key West and taking photographs and video footage of property on the Truman Annex of the station. Of course the cartel/china Fentanyl operations are contributing to killing over 100,000 Americans as of 2023. Meanwhile, the Chinese are pouring fuel on the fire of gang violence tearing cities apart.

As Breitbart reported, Cities such as St. Louis continued to devolve into war zones. In 2021, the ATF reported 66 incidents of full auto gunfire. The next year, there were 339. Well over a third occurred in St. Louis County.

The Communist Chinese government has been flooding the United States with illicit gun parts. Records reveal that between 2019 and 2021, there was a rise of 4,200 percent in incidents involving machine gun fire in 130 American cities, Schweizer reveals.

Although some of the illegal auto switches are made on 3D printers in the U.S., the vast majority on the street are from China and are of much higher quality that those made on 3D printers, Schweizer writes.

Not surprisingly, the number of switches seized by law enforcement officials investigating crimes jumped by a startling 570% during a period of 2017 to 2021, compared to the previous five years, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

America is up the creek without a paddle with the possibility of a rigged election in sight. The Chinese flooding of third world America with Glock Switches ensuring that the mass murder of innocent civilians will eventually lead to sweeping gun control.

Read more at: Infowars.com
Iran threatens larger attack if Israel doesnt back off with its aggression

If Israel proceeds with another attack on Iran, Tehran is promising to launch an even greater retaliation than the one that occurred over the weekend, new reports indicate.

"Our response will be much larger than tonight's military action if Israel retaliates against Iran," stated Iranian armed forces chief of staff Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri to state television.

As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to achieve victory in his endeavors against Israel's neighbors, Iran is warning the United States that American military bases will be targeted if Washington backs any Israeli retaliation against Iran.

On Saturday going into Sunday, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel following Israel's bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria. Most of the drones and missiles were intercepted, but Israel spent and arm and a leg defending itself compared to what Iran spent launching the attack.

Iran is saying it has no further plans to attack Israel unless Israel continues to escalate the situation, which the Netanyahu regime has already said it plans to do in the coming days.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has stated emphatically that its response to any further provocation by Israel will be "limited" and for self-defense purposes only.

"At this point, the Islamic Republic of Iran has no intention of continuing defensive operations, but if necessary, it will not hesitate to protect its legitimate interests against any new aggression," Amirabdollahian wrote on X.

(Related: Did you catch Rev. Munther Isaac's interview with Tucker Carlson in which Isaac, an Evangelical Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem, asked other Christians to advocate for peace.)

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.

Israel promising "significant response"

Netanyahu, meanwhile, is beating the war drums once again with promises of further aggression against Iran when the time is right.

"We intercepted, we repelled, together we shall win," Netanyahu declared following Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant further promised that Israel's military campaign against Iran is not over, and that Tehran must prepare for every possible scenario as anything could happen next.

When the time is "right," Israeli Knesset member Benny Gantz further promised, a regional coalition will be constructed to exact a price from Iran.

Israel's Channel 12 TV also cited an unnamed Israeli official who promised a "significant response" to the attack as Netanyahu consulted with his war cabinet.

Save for a few Iranian missiles that struck the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel, the rest of Iran's 300-plus drone and rocket attack was intercepted outside of Israel's airspace, protecting the Jewish state against damage and casualties.

Lebanon's Hezbollah also fired rockets at an Israeli base overnight, Hezbollah being Iran's most powerful ally in the region. Israel reportedly struck a Hezbollah site inside Lebanon the morning after the Iranian attack.

Tehran is said to be closely watching Jordan to see how it responds to these attacks. If it sides with Israel, Jordan could become the next Iranian target.

The Iranian attack on Saturday represents the first time ever that Iran has struck Israel directly.

President Biden reportedly stated he would convene a meeting of the leaders of the Group of Seven, a cohort of major world economies, to coordinate a diplomatic response to what he described as Iran's brazen attack.

Secretary of State Antony Blink said the U.S. will "not seek escalation" on any front and will hold talks with its allies in the coming days.

As for Israel, the Jewish state is petitioning the United Nations (UN) Security Council to condemn Iran's attack. Israel wants the UN to officially designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization following the attack.

Everything happening in the Middle East right now is prophetic. Learn more at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

NaturalNews.com
The Matrixxx Groove Show: Jeff and Shady slam Media Matters attack on their program  Brighteon.TV

Jeffrey "InTheMatrixxx" Pedersen and Shannon "ShadyGrooove" Townsend dedicated the April 12 episode of their Brighteon.TV program "The Matrixxx Grooove Show" to denounce the attack by the left-wing Media Matters for America (MMfA) on their show

Pedersen began by citing a December 2023 article by MMfA senior researcher Alex Kaplan, which was titled "A QAnon Show Receives Press Passes for Trump's Nevada Rally." According to InTheMatrixxx, "The MG Show" is a conservative radio talk show and not a QAnon one.

"We actually support Donald J. Trump, and we covered Q as it dropped. They made this thing evil  there's Q, and there is no QAnon. The [anonymous operatives] that did the false codes are QAnons, the ones that are out there working with Media Matters."

According to the MMfA piece, "at least one" of "The MG Show" hosts purportedly attended Trump's Dec. 17, 2023 rally in Reno, Nevada as accredited media. Pedersen recounted that during the Dec. 15, 2023 edition of the Brighteon.TV program, Townsend announced that they were given accreditation as media outlets covering Trump and his campaign after seeking press passes for the Reno rally.

Moreover, InTheMatrixxx also stressed that receiving the press passes proved that Trump knew who they were. He even mentioned how he had personally met and talked with the former president.

"He knew that I was Jeffrey Pedersen with 'The MG Show' and took a picture with [us] together, with the thumbs-up [pose]. So that happened."

According to Donnie O'Sullivan of the fake news network CNN, Pedersen and Townsend may have received the press credentials through a right-wing radio talk network that had pro-Trump radio hosts. The Brighteon.TV host nevertheless continued that this wasn't the first time both of them attended a Trump campaign rally, as they were also issued press credentials during a July 2021 rally in Sarasota, Florida.

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.

"WWG1WGA" slogan isn't from QAnon, but from a movie

The MMfA piece also recounted that during the July 2021 Sarasota rally, Pedersen and Townsend wore wristbands with the phrase "where we go one, we go all"  often shortened to WWG1WGA. But according to InTheMatrixxx, this slogan wasn't from QAnon. It was actually from the 1996 film "White Squall" directed by Ridley Scott.

Kaplan also wrote that "The MG Show" hosts led the crowd in chanting the slogan at the Sarasota rally  something Pedersen attested to. The MMfA senior researcher continued: "After receiving backlash for credentialing QAnon conspiracy theorists, Trump's team distanced itself from QAnon and 'The MG Show.'"

Pedersen ultimately mentioned that MMfA has the network to mine social media and find all the posts they need. It can then amplify these posts to target certain users, or suppress these so that people won't see them and learn the truth.

Moreover, he alleged that MMfA is discrediting other news sources to establish a competitive system of influencers in the network. In this setup, the left-wing watchdog has the online talent that analyzes everything and ensures people who work closely with MMfA are the ones permitted to flourish. (Related: Media Matters assembled $13.4M budget for 34-person team focused on destroying, discrediting the independent media.)

Despite this smear, Pedersen emphasized that he and Townsend have not wavered in their support for Trump.

"We're not going to be turning on Trump. There might be some others out there that say they have info that we might have to turn on them. But look, Donald Trump is a lone warrior. There's nobody helping him more than you, the people, and this show that's been attacked constantly," he said.

"All we do is talk about how we need to get Trump elected. I don't care about fighting over anybody else if you understand what I'm talking about in general."

Watch the full April 12 episode of "The Matrixxx Grooove Show" below. Catch "The Matrixxx Grooove Show" with Jeff and Shady every weekday, 12-1 p.m., on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

Matrixxx Grooove: Trapt frontman Chris Taylor Brown discusses smear campaign against him over his beliefs  Brighteon.TV.

Missouri AG investigating Media Matters after Elon Musk claimed it gamed servers for X hit piece.

Trumps Truth Social files $1.5 billion lawsuit against 20 media outlets over alleged defamatory reports.

Disinformation expert tells people to only use trusted sources, avoid doing your own research.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

MediaMatters.org

IMDB.com
Andrew Meyer: Netanyahu, IDF and Mossad allowed Oct. 7 attack to happen

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israel Defense Forces and the Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations  commonly known as Mossad  allowed the Oct. 7 attack to happen

This was the assertion of Andrew Meyer, an Orthodox Jew, during an interview with the Health Ranger Mike Adams. He remarked: "In Israel, there are protests on the ground [with] thousands of people with signs like 'Netanyahu traitor.'"

"[This is] because they know it's impossible for the IDF, the Mossad [and] Netanyahu to have been blindsided on Oct. 7. A hundred percent they allowed it to happen, so that they could then conduct [the] months-long bombing campaign," Meyer told Adams. "So plenty of people in Israel know they allowed all these attacks to happen, so that they could go conduct all this war  and that's why there's thousands and thousands of protesters there."

For his part, the Health Ranger denounced Netanyahu as an insane, murderous psychopath. The founder of Brighteon.com and Natural News also clarified that the Israeli leader's actions do not represent all the people of Israel and the opinion of Jews. Meyer agreed, adding that people such as Ben Shapiro of the Daily Wire and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach who claim to represent the Jews aren't really representing the Jewish people.

According to the writer and editor for various independent media outlets, Tel Aviv clearly allowed Oct. 7 to happen because Netanyahu wanted to justify what he has done since: the mass bombing of the Gaza Strip and the displacement of its Palestinian residents. (Related: CONFIRMED: Israel ordered IDF to STAND DOWN and let Hamas attack  now Israel wants full-scale war to fulfill decades-long plan for "Greater Israel.")

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.

Adams also expressed astonishment about Netanyahu being an expert manipulator who has duped both the U.S. Congress and the American people. The Israeli prime minister even bragged about this manipulation on video, with him touting that he has 70 percent of America on his side, Tel Aviv can bomb anybody and America "won't do a damn thing about it."

According to the Health Ranger, Netanyahu was right with the second and third points. But his guest stated that the Israeli people need to hold the three-term prime minister accountable and imprison him when the truth comes out.

Oct. 7 attack changed the future pivot of human history

Adams continued that Oct. 7 is one of the days that changed the future pivot of human history. He added that the violent actions committed by Hamas  formally the Islamic Resistance Movement  on that day has caused a schism in the fabric of reality.

Despite this, the Health Ranger said many things have come out since Oct. 7 that had astonished him. These also led him to have a bigger respect for the plight of Palestinian Muslims, people who speak the truth like Candace Owens and people of faith.

Meyer said that people of faith  Jews, Christians and Muslims  are all children of Abraham who believe in the same God. Through his experience, he discovered that those who belong to the three religions and truly love God are the greatest people. The Orthodox Jew also believes that Muslims, Christians and Jews all have a place in the world as brothers.

Adams agreed with his guest, adding that the three religions can all coexist and live successfully in many countries around the world. Unfortunately, people in power have gained so much control over the whipping up of violence and hatred, he said.

Meyer responded by pointing out that the issue throughout history has been people who want to put their ego above the word of God. There is really no place for all the division and hatred that comes up if people follow His word, he added.

Follow IsraelCollapse.com for more news about Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Watch the full conversation between Andrew Meyer and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Most of Israels October 7 claims about Hamas brutalism are fabrications, evidence shows.

More evidence emerges that Israel bombed and killed its own citizens on October 7.

Tens of thousands of protesters in Israel call for Netanyahu to resign.

WAR BUSINESS: Netanyahu directly participated in creating Hamas for Israels political machinations, writes political essayist.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

TheAndrewMeyer.com
Plastic bags four times better for environment than green paper bag alternatives, study finds

If environmentalists were truly concerned about saving the planet from carbon dioxide (CO2) and other "greenhouse gases," they would immediately bring back plastic bags , which are now banned in many left-wing cities for being too "polluting."

New research published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology reveals that in 15 out of 16 applications of plastic covering 90 percent of global volume, non-plastic alternatives actually produced more greenhouses gases than plastic otherwise would.

"And not just more, but significantly more," writes Chris Morrison for The Daily Sceptic.

"Over their lifetime cycle, paper bag substitutes produce at least four times more GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions than their plastic counterparts. Paper bags are noted to weigh significantly more than plastic carriers leading to higher GHG emissions for production and transportation."

(Related: The same people who claim plastic bags are destroying the planet also say that humans merely breathing is ruining the environment.)

Plastic is good, actually

In the aforementioned 15 applications, which cover five key sectors of plastic -- packaging, building and construction, automobiles, textiles and consumer -- durable, plastic products released anywhere from just 10 percent to upwards of 90 percent fewer emissions across the product life cycle.

In the case of food packaging, there is simply no alternatives to plastic that even exist, let alone that work and provide any demonstrable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

"If carbon dioxide is your thing, and, of course, it is the crucial part of the reason for pursuing insane Net Zero policies, plastic needs to make a big comeback," Morrison says. "But of course it will not."

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.

"Despite revolutionising modern industrial life, it has the misfortune to be a hydrocarbon. Most plastics are a by-product from natural oil and gas production. Thus plastic bad, anything else good."

Ironically, many green energy alternatives to earth-based fuels are likewise worse on the environment than the things they are supposed to replace. Take wind turbines, for instance, which result in the mass slaughter of flying animals, i.e., birds, in order to protect the integrity of their operations.

How can it be considered environmentally friendly to end the lives of animals when cheap and abundant oil and gas are readily available for use without the need for loud, bulky wind turbines and solar panels that take up an inordinate amount of land area and space?

In Germany, there is even an ongoing campaign to destroy entire forests, including the ancient ones written about in the mythical Brothers Grimm fairy tales, to make room for more of these obnoxious, undependable wind farms. Again, how does destroying the natural environment in any way save the planet?

"And we must not get started on road and bridge chomping EV cars," Morrison further writes about electric vehicles.

"These are a true ecological disaster zone with a manufacturing requirement to turn over vast tracts of the Earth's crust, and a small problem of insufficient children available to mine all the required cobalt in the Congo."

Most, if not all, of the problems that exist with plastic have more to do with waste management procedures and infrastructure than with plastic itself. It turns out that it is relatively easy and inexpensive to recycle or dispose of plastic waste safely, but that would require additional investments that are simply not part of the green agenda.

"If rich countries don't want their plastic to end up in the oceans, they shouldn't send it to poor countries who, out of sight, dump it in local rivers on their behalf," Morrison maintains.

"The scientists note that better disposal of plastics is an urgent challenge given the 'threats to biodiversity and ecosystem health worldwide.'"

Many "green" concepts are far worse for than environment than the "polluting" things they replace. Find out more at GreenTyranny.news.

Sources for this article include:

DailySceptic.org

ACS.org

NaturalNews.com
Report: U.S. and U.K. helped shoot down Iranian drones and missiles launched against Israel

The United States and the United Kingdom both assisted Israel in neutralizing Iranian drones and missiles launched against Israel, according to a report by the Guardian.

The British outlet said "a hastily assembled coalition"  which included the U.S. and the U.K.  helped Tel Aviv take on the attack by Tehran on April 13 and 14. As the mass salvo of drones and missiles approached Israeli territory, the Jewish nation scrambled its fighter jets to intercept the projectiles as per Israeli news outlets. (Related: Iran strikes Israel as region plunges into escalation cycle that could end in NUCLEAR WAR.)

U.S. President Joe Biden remarked that Washington had built up its forces in the run-up to the widely anticipated attack, dubbed Operation True Promise by Iran. He added that the reinforcements to Israel had paid off.

"At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week," Biden said in a written statement. "Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our service members, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles."

Meanwhile, the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) also confirmed the participation of fighter jets and refueling aircraft from the Royal Air Force (RAF). The planes, which took off from bases in Cyprus, had a two-fold role in addressing both the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and Tehran itself.

"In response to increased Iranian threats and the growing risk of escalation in the Middle East, the [British] government has been working with partners across the region to encourage de-escalation and prevent further attacks," said a statement from the MOD.

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.

"We have moved several additional RAF jets and air refueling tankers to the region. These will bolster Operation Shader, which is the U.K.'s existing counter-ISIS operation in Iraq and Syria. In addition, these U.K. jets will intercept any airborne attacks within range of our existing missions as required."

Even Jordan joined in the fray

"The Biden administration sent the head of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Erik Kurilla, to Israel  to help coordinate defenses against an Iranian attack. Kurilla was reported to have left the country [shortly] before the first drones were launched," the Guardian continued.

"As well as fulfilling U.S. defense commitments to Israel, the Biden administration is seeking to prevent out-of-control escalation leading to a regional war. U.S. officials have said that their ability to restrain Israel's response would depend a lot on what was hit inside Israel and the number of casualties from the Iranian attack."

Aside from the U.S. and the U.K., the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has also joined in the fray. According to a report by Reuters that cited two regional security sources, jets from the Royal Jordanian Air Force downed dozens of Iranian drones flying across the country's northern and central regions.

The report further stated that the drones had been brought down over the east bank of the Jordan River, with the unmanned aerial vehicles heading in the direction of Jerusalem. Others, meanwhile, were intercepted close to the Iraqi-Syrian border.

Amman earlier said it closed its airspace to all incoming, departing and transiting aircraft starting on the night of April 13. Officials in the Jordanian government told Reuters that the move was among precautionary measures put in place in the event of an Iranian strike across its border.

"The relevant authorities took the decision to close the airspace for precautionary reasons as a result of the surrounding security situation," said Jordanian Government Communications Minister Muhannad Al Mubaideen. He also denied media reports that the kingdom had announced a state of emergency, adding that there was no cause for concern among its citizens.

Outside of Al Mubaideen's remarks, there was no confirmation from the Jordanian government on its military role. But the Iranian news agency Fars, which is run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited a source saying the Iranian government was closely monitoring Jordan's actions. If Amman acted in Tel Aviv's defense, Tehran could make the kingdom "the next target."

Visit IsraelCollapse.com for similar stories.

Watch this video that explains how Iran sends a strong message to Israel with its use of missiles and drones to attack the Jewish nation.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Netanyahu convenes war cabinet as Israel prepares for "imminent" retaliation from Iran after airstrike against embassy in Syria.

BREAKING: Israel vows to retaliate against Iran with new devastating strike (World War 3).

Iran's supreme leader calls for SANCTIONS against Israel, demands halt to Gaza bombing.

Israel attacks Iranian embassy in Syria to provoke Iran, rope U.S. into WWIII.

Sources include:

TheGuardian.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Virologists have resorted to anti-scientific practices to make their claims

The realisation that the whole Covid situation was fraudulent in early 2020 led to a deep dive and the realisation that the fraud surrounding virology had actually been occurring for more than a century for doctors Sam and Mark Bailey. The couple had both previously been trained in the conventional medical system, had conventional beliefs and thought they knew all about microbiology and germs. However, due to the fact that things did not add up in the Covid era they began their own indepth research which resulted in their own books  such as The Final Pandemic  An antidote to medical tyranny,  and papers that Mark Bailey says expose why the virus model is completely fraudulent and why viral pandemics are not a thing.

(Article by Patricia Harrity republished from Expose-News.com)

According to the doctors Bailey, they have spent the last four years with their allies dismantling every aspect of the virus model whether it concerns isolation, antibodies, genomics, PCR, proteomics, electron microscopy, or animal and human studies. Additionally, in recent webinars Dr Mark Bailey has discussed with Dr Tom Cowan, the concepts of independent variables and controlled experiments, among other areas. Mark says Clearly the virologists have resorted to anti-scientific practices to make their various claims including the foundational claim of virus existence.

A Limited Hangout.

Nobody has been able to seriously refute their material that has left no stone unturned Mark Bailey told Gareth Icke in a recent interview on Ickonic, where he also claims that the Wuhan Lab, gain of function theory, is just a limited hangout.; See the video below from 5.10

Wuhan Lab Is A Limited Hangout  Dr Mark Bailey Talks To Gareth Icke Tonight.

Apical Logical Fallacy

Mark Bailey had been motivated to write an essay, he says (Below) specifically addressing the apical logical fallacy in the cell culture technique  something that has been noticed previously but perhaps not formally expressed

Dr Mark wrote: The virologists have claimed they perform control experiments and sometimes describe these as mock-infected cultures. In recent months we have also been contacted by people in the no virus community asking whether John Enders inadvertently performed a control experiment in his 1954 measles paper. Dr Stefan Lanka exposed the lack of a control experiment in this paper in the Stuttgart Higher Regional Court in 2016 and I make some further comments expanding on this in note 20.

The pivotal issue is that the virologists do not have an independent variable and their experiments cannot make a hypothetical particle real. The gold standard technique for isolation cannot possibly determine the presence (or existence) of viruses no matter how they attempt to control it. The paradigm that was created in the 1940s to keep virology alive was dead on arrival because the technique relies on a reification fallacy and logical errors that disqualify the entire process from being scientific.

I would like to acknowledge Christine Massey and Steve Falconer for their helpful suggestions.

The essay follows below.

Read more at: Expose-News.com
No escape from the meat grinder: Zelensky signs tyrannical mobilization bill that lets no man escape

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has affixed his signature to a tyrannical military mobilization law , which means all Ukrainian men can no longer escape the meat grinder.

According to the legislation card publicly available on the website of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's unicameral parliament, Zelensky signed the controversial measure on April 16. The nation's legislative body passed the bill earlier this month after a drawn-out debate over its contents.

"In a last-minute turn of events, its provisions became even stricter than originally proposed, with a demobilization clause withdrawn," noted InfoWars. "The adopted legislation effectively means that all draftees are set to remain in the military indefinitely."

According to the outlet, the indefinite service period was requested by Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrsky, the new commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU). Syrsky is known for his willingness to put soldiers in harm's way to achieve his goals. Such a behavior has earned him the unsavory moniker of "The Butcher." (Related: New Ukrainian Armed Forces commander dubbed "THE BUTCHER" due to his penchant for putting troops in harm's way.)

The new law further simplifies draft procedures, with all Ukrainians obliged to "update data" on themselves with the military authorities within 60 days after the measure takes effect. Ukrainians living abroad no longer have any reason to defer their military service, as the provision applies to them as well. Moreover, all individuals aged 18 to 60 eligible for military service must now always carry their military ID at all times.

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 legislation also introduces new penalties for breaches, including fines and suspension of a drivers permit. A conscription notice is now considered to be delivered to a draftee, even if conscription officers fail to meet them in person at their residence and actually hand them their notice  sarcastically dubbed the "love letter." The police can also forcibly deliver a suspected draft dodger to an enlistment office should a draftee fail to show up on being deemed to have received their conscription notice.

New law rebuked for its lack of demobilization mechanisms

"Kyiv has maintained its mobilization drive since the early days of the conflict with Russia," InfoWars continued. "The mobilization effort grew increasingly chaotic and lawless over time, with numerous videos circulating online showing Ukrainian enlistment officers chasing potential soldiers in the streets, violently detaining them, beating them up and so on. Senior Ukrainian officials, however, have routinely dismissed concerns over mounting violations as Russian propaganda."

"Critics of the legislation have been arguing it will only drive a wedge between the Ukrainian authorities and ordinary people. It has also reportedly received a poor reception within the military itself, given the lack of any demobilization mechanisms. A demobilization procedure is expected to be introduced in separate legislation, though it remains unclear when exactly such a bill could materialize."

Historian Tarek Cyril Amar commented on the new law in an April 13 op-ed published in Russia Today, three days before Zelensky signed the mobilization edict.

"Perhaps the single worst disappointment is that the law does not include a hard rule for demobilization, which is what everyone expected. Yet opening a way out for at least some of [the Ukrainian soldiers] is what did not happen. Instead, the Zelensky regime has dared come out with a law that only takes but gives nothing back," Amar wrote.

"[Even] more Ukrainians are open to ending the war by making concessions, yet the Zelensky regime is doubling down. Instead of entering serious negotiations,  it is seeking to throw more lives into a war that has become a meat grinder for Ukrainian troops."

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 Cynthias Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Ukrainian general: NOBODY can sit out the draft, and ALL MUST FIGHT.

Ukrainian men paying DISABLED WOMEN for marriage to escape the draft.

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.

Sources include:

InfoWars.com

RT.com

Brighteon.com
Number of American teens being arrested for HUMAN SMUGGLING on the rise

The number of American teens smuggling illegals unlawfully into the U.S. is on the rise, with law enforcement pointing to money as the foremost motivator for these attempts.

According to the federal government, human smuggling is defined as the illegal importation of people into the country by evading federal immigration laws. It also pertains to the unlawful transportation and harboring of individuals already in the country illegally. Newsweek focused on several cases that happened in Texas and Arizona.

In November 2023, two Dallas teens were arrested for smuggling. Seventeen-year-old Jonathan Rodriguez, one of the suspects taken into custody, disclosed that they were offered $1,300 to transport illegals. Rodriguez was subsequently charged as an adult.

A month later in December 2023, a 15-year-old male was taken into custody and charged with smuggling and evading arrest/detention. At the time of his arrest, the suspect was driving a vehicle that had five illegal immigrants as passengers. The five were later released to the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP).

A spokesperson for the El Paso Sheriff's Office told Newsweek that the department had only one case of smuggling involving a minor. The case, which happened back in 2020, also had money as the prime motivator. (Related: Smuggling ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS into the U.S. is now a $13B a year business.)

Over in Arizona, Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre shared county data that showed 33 juvenile prosecutions for border-related crimes as of November 2023. Of this number, 20 were prosecuted as adults and 13 as juveniles. This number was lower than the 49 juvenile prosecutions in 2022, with 38 charged as adults and 11 as juveniles, but remains alarming.

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 a complicated spiderweb, but in particular in what we're dealing with now, human smuggling being the primary driver for juveniles and adults  they're coming from everywhere," he said. "We've become like a criminal tourist country. We've had them from Maine, Oregon, Chicago, you name it."

Smugglers recruiting mules on SOCIAL MEDIA

The Cochise County attorney told Newsweek that advertisements on social media platforms like Snapchat are driving this uptick. This is because of the encryption on these apps and the ease for teens to get involved in criminal activity. Ads shared with the magazine show recruiters posting photos with wads of cash, calling it "easy money" to drive to checkpoints in cities like Douglas and Sierra Vista  both located in Cochise County.

"That's what's driving it, plain and simple," said McIntyre. "If you can get paid $1,500 a body to drive down here from Phoenix, load [them] up and get [them] to Phoenix as fast as you can without getting caught, it's a risk people are willing to take."

Illegals transported in this manner will "literally crawl through the desert" while covered head to toe in camouflage, he added. But once smuggled, they have no intention to deal with USBP or seek asylum.

Smuggling cartels run the entire network for a fee, which costs between $6,000 and $8,000 if someone is from Mexico. Those wanting to enter the U.S. illegally often tend to pay a small amount upfront and then must pay off the remainder while in the United States. This, according to McIntyre, makes them "indentured servants."

Ray Rede, Homeland Security Investigations assistant special agent in charge for Arizona, said the smuggling cartels "prey on the fact that they create a false sense of anonymity" through social media apps. The cartels do this, he explained, through social media ads that recruit young people to become mules for human smuggling.

"When these individuals answer these ads, they're just looking for easy money. And at the end of the day, that's really what it is. They're just looking for easy money," he said.

"If you're a 20-year-old sitting in Phoenix, Arizona, and you're on your favorite social media site, and you see the advertisement pop up, and it's easy money for you, and you answer the ad and you decide to do it  those are individual choices."

Head over to Trafficking.news for similar stories.

Watch this clip of a member of the Texas National Guard being apprehended for smuggling an illegal.

This video is from the HaloRock channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

ISIS-affiliated smuggler helped migrants illegally enter the U.S. via Mexico.

Kentucky man charged with smuggling MINORS into the U.S. to make child porn.

Gang of illegals charging people $6K to smuggle them across the northern border.

Border Patrol chief highlights smuggling networks control over illegal immigration.

Alex Jones reveals MASSIVE child trafficking scheme operating in plain sight at US border while local police watch and do nothing.

Sources include:

Newsweek.com

Brighteon.com
Dr. Joseph Mercola: Bird flu cant kill humans  unless it is WEAPONIZED

All instances of fearmongering about the possibility of a lethal bird flu have been proven false

This is according to Dr. Joseph Mercola, who noted that not a single person in the United States has died because of avian flu. Mercola also explained that the annual outbreaks of bird flu were recorded and hyped between 2014 and 2017, and they didn't involve human casualties.

It may be different this time.

Mercola, a board-certified Family Medicine Osteopathic Physician, a fellow of the American College of Nutrition and a New York Times bestselling author, recalled that in the spring of 2022, Bill Gates warned that another pandemic is coming. The billionaire might be referring to a "weaponized" bird flu pandemic.

Speaking at a recent White House briefing, virologists explained that H5N1 (bird flu) has mutated and can now spread more easily among mammals. They also warned that an outbreak in the human population could be "100 times worse than COVID-19" and a bird flu pandemic could kill 50 percent of those infected.

The virologists said several cases of bird flu infections have affected cows, cats and even humans. They claimed that these are all "raising the risk of the virus mutating to become more transmissible."

Fortunately, other attendees at the White House briefing were level-headed enough and said it was too early to panic because there were still too many unknown factors about recent cases to warrant alarming the public. (Related: Meet Eris, the new COVID-19 subvariant thats about to be aggressively pushed as the next "plandemic.")

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.

Early in April, Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., the largest egg producer in America, halted egg production at a Texas facility because avian flu was detected at the site. According to a company announcement, Cal-Maine killed 1.6 million egg-laying hens as a precaution, along with 337,000 pullets (3.6 percent of the total flock).

However, Mercola advised that culling animals whenever a case is detected can be harmful since it "guarantees that natural immunity will never develop." Instead, he recommends simply eliminating the chickens that die from the infection and keeping those who survived bird flu alive.

Second human case of bird flu in the U.S. reported in Texas

Within one week of avian flu being reported in Texas dairy cows in late March, a Texas resident also tested positive for the virus after coming into close contact with the infected cows. The primary symptom that the patient experienced was conjunctivitis or pink eye.

This case was reported as the second human case of avian influenza A (H5N1) in the country. No human-to-human transmission has been identified yet and federal and state health authorities are investigating the outbreak.

Historically, natural avian influenza (H5N1) was never a threat to mankind. However, when scientists started experimenting with viruses, they created a hybrid with human pandemic potential.

Some of that research was conducted in biolabs in Ukraine that were funded by the Pentagon.

Gates and Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, also funded gain-of-function research on H5N1. Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka is a scientist whose work on H5N1 has been funded by both Fauci and Gates.

In one experiment, Kawaoka combined the bird flu virus with the Spanish flu virus, which produced a highly lethal respiratory virus with human transmission capability. Kawaoka also experimented with mixtures of H5N1 and the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) virus, which produced an airborne hybrid that could evade the human immune system, effectively rendering humans defenseless against it.

Stay informed and prepare for the next plandemic

As time goes by, the public must be armed with the truth to protect against fake narratives from the government and Big Pharma. Remember, if avian flu becomes a human epidemic or pandemic, there are many reasons to believe that its a weaponized virus, and that the "solution" offered will be the same as that for Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), which is to force mass vaccination.

But don't be fooled, especially because the COVID-19 mRNA injections were linked to many negative side effects and even deaths in seemingly healthy people.

As reports about bird flu keep popping up, the U.S. and other countries are already stocking up on the H5N1 vaccine "just in case."

It's naive to believe that an mRNA-based injection against a weaponized bird flu will be safer than COVID-19 vaccines, but it won't be surprising if that is the narrative that Big Pharma pushes in the future if bird flu spreads among the human population.

As a first basic prevention step, optimize your vitamin D intake. The ideal range is between 60 ng/ml and 80 ng/ml. Mercola advised that you should measure it to confirm because there is no way to know what your vitamin D level is without a blood test.

And if you do get sick, Mercola recommends buying a nebulizer to nebulize hydrogen peroxide at the first signs of symptoms.

Visit Influenza.news for similar stories about other avian flu cases in the U.S. and around the globe.

Watch the video below as Brits are advised to stay six feet away from birds amid fears of another pandemic.

This video is from the TruNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

UK confirms TWO cases of BIRD FLU in humans working at a poultry farm.

WHO warns H5N1 bird flu still a major pandemic threat.

Top 5 ways the FDA and CDC engaged in genocide of Americans during Covid-19 plandemic.

Russia claims avian flu pathogens with 40% lethality rate in humans being cooked up at US-run biolab in Ukraine.

Sources include:

Expose-News.com

MSN.com

NPR.org

Brighteon.com
Federal Bureau of Prisons to close California womens prison where inmates were SEXUALLY ABUSED

The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has announced the closure of a women's correctional facility in California that became notorious for rampant sexual abuse against inmates.

According to Just The News, the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Dublin, California was described as the "rape" club due to alleged rampant sexual abuse there. Multiple employees at the women's prison have been accused of sexually assaulting inmates and retaliating against those who have tried to report it. In some cases, the abuse stretches back decades as per an investigation by the Associated Press (AP).

The BOP confirmed the closure of FCI Dublin, which is located near Oakland and houses 605 inmates, on April 15. The remaining prisoners will be transferred to another facility and all employees there will keep their jobs, it added. FCI Dublin is just one of six federal women's prisons in the country.

"[BOP has] taken unprecedented steps and provided a tremendous amount of resources to address culture, recruitment and retention, aging infrastructure and  most critical  employee misconduct," said BOP Director Colette Peters.

"Despite these steps and resources, we have determined that FCI Dublin is not meeting expected standards and that the best course of action is to close the facility. This decision is being made after ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of those unprecedented steps and additional resources."

The announcement of FCI Dublin's closure came 10 days after U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers named Wendy Still to serve as a special master to oversee the prison. The magistrate originally ordered the appointment of a special master in March, but did not name a specific candidate at the time. Still, who was the former chief probation officer of California's Alameda County, boasts of extensive experience coordinating compliance with the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act. (Related: California allows 47 biological men to transfer to womens prison  approve no requests of biological women to move to the mens estate.)

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.

BOP allegedly failed to root out inmate abuse at FCI Dublin

"Advocates have called for inmates to be freed from FCI Dublin, which they say is not only plagued by sexual abuse  but also has hazardous mold, asbestos and inadequate health care," the AP wrote.

Last August, eight FCI Dublin inmates sued the BOP, alleging that the agency had failed to root out sexual abuse. Amaris Montes, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said at the time that inmates continued to face retaliation for reporting abuse, including being put in solitary confinement and having belongings confiscated.

Montes later remarked that while she and her clients had suspected that the closure of FCI Dublin might be a possibility, the sudden decision that followed Still's appointment as special master came as a shock. The lawyer added that the timing of the closure and the transfer of inmates were still being worked out, but expressed hope that both would be done in a measured way.

"It's a signal that the prison knows that they are not meeting constitutional standards to keep people safe from sexual assault and sexual harassment. I think that the BOP is quick to try to transfer accountability and move accountability elsewhere as the way to remedy the issue. And that would mean  moving people quickly without addressing [their] needs right now."

A former FCI Dublin inmate who is a whistleblower in the civil lawsuit lamented the closure. According to her, the decision "just feels wrong" because it undermines the long process of getting justice for the women who endured abuse and appalling conditions.

"We've worked so hard to get a special master in there to clean house, so to speak," said the woman who spoke on condition of anonymity. "Pretty much the minute after that happened, they say they're just going to close it down."

Head over to BigGovernment.news for similar stories.

Watch former California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Lt. Hector Bravo discuss how male and female populations are mixed in the Golden State's prison system.

This video is from the PatriotsCannabisCo channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Half of trans-identifying biological male inmates in Wisconsin have been convicted of sex crimes  so why are they allowed to move to womens prisons?

Alabama building a $1 billion, 4,000-bed prison  the most expensive prison in U.S. history.

AI allowing globalists to construct worldwide surveillance PRISON from which there is no escape.

Sources include:

JustTheNews.com

APNews.com

Brighteon.com
British govt to equip cops with facial recognition technology as part of $69M plan to combat retail crime

The government of the United Kingdom plans to allocate four million British pounds ($5 million) for the development of mobile police units equipped with live facial recognition technology that can scan people's faces on the street, supposedly as a means to combat retail crimes.

According to the announcement of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the program will make use of 55.5 million pounds ($69.24 million) worth of state-of-the-art surveillance technologies, including mobile units equipped with facial recognition systems in different public areas over the next four years. These units will capture real-time footage of public spaces, comparing images against a database of suspects wanted for crimes such as shoplifting. In turn, l enforcement will receive notifications to intercept the targets.

"Since 2010, violent and neighborhood crime in England and Wales has fallen dramatically, showing our plan to keep our streets safe is working. Yet shoplifting and violence and abuse toward retail workers continue to rise," said Sunak.

"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," he added. "Our local shops are the lifeblood of our communities, and they must be free to trade without the threat of crime or abuse."

The plan, which follows the success of the Retail Crime Action Plan, encompasses five primary objectives: creating a new offense of assaulting a retail worker; expanding the use of electronic monitoring for frequent shoplifters; using new technologies to prevent and detect retail crimes; designing out crime to reduce opportunities to steal and sell stolen goods; and making it easier to report crime and share information between businesses and police. (Related: British police secretly using U.K. passport database to conduct facial recognition searches.)

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.

Big Brother Watch launches a campaign against facial recognition technology

Civil liberties advocates, including Big Brother Watch, have voiced opposition to the program.

Silkie Carlo, the director of Big Brother Watch, denounced the program as a misguided attempt to compensate for deficiencies in law enforcement. Carlo argued that while holding criminals accountable is essential, the proposed expansion of surveillance technology represents an intrusive and disproportionate response.

"It is completely absurd to inflict mass surveillance on the general public under the premise of fighting theft whilst [the] police are failing to even turn up to 40 percent of violent shoplifting incidents or to properly investigate many more serious crimes," he said. "Rather than resourcing police to actively pursue people who pose a risk to the public, the governments investment in facial recognition cameras for retail offenses relies on shoplifters walking in front of marked police cameras and as such will effectively target the lowest hanging fruit."

Moreover, the absence of parliamentary or public scrutiny over these plans underscores the lack of democratic oversight. Carlo warned that implementing live facial recognition surveillance would not only squander public funds but also erode privacy and civil liberties.

"It's an abysmal waste of public money on a dangerously authoritarian and inaccurate technology that neither the public nor parliament has ever voted on. This will cost not only the public purse but the publics privacy and civil liberties. Live facial recognition may be commonplace in China and Russia but these government plans put the U.K. completely out of sync with the rest of the democratic world. This Orwellian tech has no place in Britain."

In turn, Big Brother Watch has launched a campaign against the measure and is seeking signatories on a petition against the program.

Visit PrivacyWatch.news for more stories about overreaching surveillance technology.

Watch this Dec. 7, 2023 episode of "Unmasking the Narrative" with host Aida Reva, who discusses how the proliferation of artificial intelligence is making facial recognition technology even more dangerous.

This video is from the People for People Radio channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Facial recognition tech deployed at Chinese gas stations  people on social credit blacklist cant refuel.

Facial recognition program to be rolled out at 16 major U.S. airports, increasing biometric surveillance of Americans.

TSAs use of FACIAL RECOGNITION tech in US airports rouses privacy concerns.

AI, palm scanners, facial recognition, augmented reality and more: The dystopian future is NOW.

Australian government to use facial, fingerprint recognition for key online government services in 2024.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

Gov.uk

BigBrotherWatch.org.uk 1

BigBrotherWatch.org.uk 2

Brighteon.com
CRUELTY: Israeli drones play recordings of crying children to lure innocent Palestinians into IDF crosshairs

It has come to light that the Israeli military is tricking innocent Palestinians into their own deaths by playing recordings of crying children in the streets of Gaza.

Much like that famous scene from Schindler's List in which a high-level Nazi is randomly picking off concentration camp prisoners with a gun, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are luring innocent Palestinians into the streets of Gaza so they can be picked off by much more advanced weaponry than anything that existed during World War II.

Israeli quadcopters are reportedly flying around the streets of Gaza in search of human targets. Once those targets are identified, the quadcopters start playing recordings of crying children and women, prompting innocent Palestinians to come out of their homes in search of those crying in need, only to discover that the sounds are fake as they get shot on sight by Israel.

It is a sick and utterly inhumane tactic, but it is part and parcel of what Israel continues to unleash on Gaza. Meanwhile, the rest of the world, minus religious folks who "support Israel" because their god wants them to, watch on in horror, demanding that Israel be held accountable for its heinous crimes against humanity.

"I heard a woman crying and screaming for help, saying 'help me, my son was martyred!' The sounds were coming from the street and they were bizarre," described 49-year-old Samira Abu al-Leil, a resident of the Nuseirat refugee camp in northern Gaza.

"Some men rushed out to the rescue, only to be shot by the quadcopters that kept roaming all night long."

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 Israel utilizes advanced artificial intelligence [AI] computer programs to streamline its genocide of innocent Palestinians?)

Israel's cold-blooded murder of innocents

According to reports, somewhere between seven and 10 Palestinians were injured by the quadcopter crying deception during Israel's assault on the Nuseirat refugee camp. Onlookers, who were unable to help the victims, said the Israeli "quadcopters were firing at anything that moved."

"At night, the streets are usually empty and men are inside their homes," Leil further said, adding that an ambulance was eventually able to reach the area and help the victims receive care at a local hospital.

"When the quadcopters open fire, they only hit the roofs and streets, they don't find any people to shoot. So they played these sounds because they know the nature of our society; they know that men were going to try to provide help. They wanted them to go out so that they could shoot them."

Leil says quadcopter bullets also struck his roof, door and the street in front of his home  "but yesterday morning, they fired some kind of explosive bombs with shrapnel that spreads everywhere on our neighborhood, leaving many residents injured."

Sadly, with the help of U.S. taxpayer dollars, Israel is planning to unleash more of these quadcopters to rove the streets of Gaza in search of innocent Palestinians to murder. Watch below to see what they look like:

Israeli drones are reported emitting sounds of crying children at al-Nuseirat camp in Gaza to target and shoot civilians searching for the source of the distress calls. pic.twitter.com/5w02CqYwqs  Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) April 16, 2024

"We are horrified to hear the cruel tactics of the Zionist occupying forces," tweeted Human Aid & Advocacy. "We must not stop demanding our government end their ally-ship with Israel who have violated international law and proved themselves to be immoral war criminals."

Everything Israel is doing right now  the war, the genocide and the apartheid  is antichrist. Learn more at Antichrist.news.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

NaturalNews.com
Israel vows to retaliate against Iran with new devastating strike (World War 3)

The biggest question on everyones mind right now (including mine) is.whats next?

(Article by Noah republished from WLTReport.com)

Over the weekend on Saturday we suddenly watched as Iran launched a massive strike of Drones and Missiles on Israel.

Iran has attacked Israel before via its proxies like Hezbollah, but Iran as a country has never directly attacked Israel until now.

So say this is historic (in a bad way) and a game-changer would be an understatement.

And while I would love to see peace prevail on ALL sides, it would be extremely naive to think that will happen right now.

I fully expect Israel to strike back next and I expect it to be very bloody.

But thats not just my opinion, that is what is widely being reported right now, with claims that the Israeli Cabinet has met and is in unanimous agreement that they will strike back in retaliation:

JUST IN: Israeli war cabinet minister Benny Gantz says that his country will 'exact a price' from Iran over last night's attack  The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) April 14, 2024

??? BREAKING: The event is not over yet - Benny Grantz (Israeli War Minister) He was referring to the Iranian Retaliation last night, and how Israel is going to strike back https://t.co/Q1VEP4OcxK pic.twitter.com/Ld7G3SjU0O  Alex Barnicoat (@mrbarnicoat) April 14, 2024

More here from Axios:

Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant told Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Sunday that Israel has no choice but to respond to the unprecedented missile and drone attack launched by Iran over the weekend, a U.S. official and another source briefed on the call told Axios. Why it matters: The Biden administration and several other Western countries allied with Israel are urging Benjamin Netanyahus government not to rush into a retaliation against Iran that could lead to a regional war. The latest: Gen. Herzi Halevi, chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, said Monday that Israel is considering next steps and that the launch of so many missiles and drones to Israeli territory will be answered with a retaliation. Ahead of a meeting Monday with Iraqs deputy prime minister, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. is coordinating a diplomatic response to the Iranian attack intended to prevent further escalation.

Strength and wisdom must be the two sides of the same coin, Blinken said in what appeared to be a message for Israel. President Biden said during a meeting with Iraqs prime minister: Were committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading beyond what it already has. The United States is committed to Israels security. [Biden] is certainly not looking for a war with Iran and I am confident that Prime Minister Netanyahu is aware of the presidents concerns, White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters. The other side: Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told U.K. Foreign Secretary David Cameron in a phone call Monday that Iran does not want escalation  but that if Israel seeks adventure, our next response will be immediate, stronger and more extensive, Irans Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

This Tweet is especially spot on, I do truly believe the next 48 hours could be the most important in our lifetimes:

??? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ????????? ?? ???? ????????. If Israel is to launch an attack on Iran, triggering an escalation, the price of oil will surge. Iran will retaliate by blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Such pic.twitter.com/CdJox1ohuY  Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) April 14, 2024

??? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ????????? ?? ???? ????????. If Israel is to launch an attack on Iran, triggering an escalation, the price of oil will surge. Iran will retaliate by blocking the Strait of Hormuz. Such a conflict could spell the end of the petrodollar, potentially replaced by a central bank digital currency, as hinted by plans already in motion. SWIFTs recent announcement, made in March, outlines intentions to establish a platform within the next one to two years, facilitating connections between the emerging wave of central bank digital currencies and the current financial system. Problem. Reaction. Solution.

And the possible outcomes are mostly not good.

Because we then devolve into an endless cycle of escalating attacks back and forth until more nations are drug in and we truly have a WORLD WAR of essentially the USA/NATO vs. BRICS/Iran/Russia.

BREAKING: Iran announces it will retaliate immediately if Israel attacks, vowing to target US bases in the region should they be used in any assault against Iran.  sarah (@sahouraxo) April 15, 2024

Heres more from the AP:

Israels military chief said Monday that the country will respond after Iran launched an attack involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. World leaders are urging Israel not to retaliate. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says all sides must show restraint to avoid a rising spiral of violence in the Middle East. French President Emmanuel Macron said Paris will try to convince Israel that we must not respond by escalating. The Iranian attack on Saturday marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the countrys 1979 Islamic Revolution. The attack happened less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building. An Israeli military spokesman said that 99% of the drones and missiles launched by Iran were intercepted. Israel and Iran have been on a collision course throughout Israels six-month war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The war erupted after Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two militant groups backed by Iran, carried out a devastating cross-border attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others. An Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,700 people, according to local health officials.

More here:

RELATED:

Who Won Between Israel and Iran Over The Weekend.And Whats Next [Analysis From Noah]

I wanted to break down the recent air strikes launched by Iran on Israel over the weekend and let you know who won that exchange.

And I have two competing opinions I want to give you.

I think they both make a lot of sense and could both be right in a sense.

The most common analysis Ive seen is that Israel shot down 98-99% of all missiles and drones launched by Iran and that it was a very embarrassing showing for Iran in that sense.

In other words, they shot their big shot and it bombed (no pun intended).

? Respect to Israel Defense & congratulations to the Israeli people. 324 of 331 missiles shot down ? 98% defense success rate.  185/185 Drones shot down  103/110 Ballistics shot down  36/ 36 Cruise Missiles shot down How will Israel respond? pic.twitter.com/ZsMGE2JEDX  Grant Cardone (@GrantCardone) April 14, 2024

Israel claims "99% were shot down". pic.twitter.com/gUPjuxb15Y  Syrian Girl ?? (@Partisangirl) April 15, 2024

Here is MeetKevin who I think does excellent analysis breaking down that opinion and saying Iran really looks bad right now:

And by all accounts that is true.

Israel had an incredible showing.

But is there more to the story under the surface?

Trending: John Mellencamp Gets Booed and Storms Off Stage

This is where we turn to my good friend Mike Adams, the Health Ranger.

Mike had a slightly different take, saying this wasnt really that good for Israel at all, and in fact this first attack wasnt really designed to blow up Israel, it was designed to deplete the defenses of the Iron Dome and create a huge bill for Israel.

A very interesting and compelling take:

Just as they planned, #Iran used mostly cheap, low-cost drones and missiles to force #Israel to spend over $1 billion, launching volleys of multi-million dollar anti-air defense munitions to shoot down the incoming drones. This first wave was designed to help deplete Israel's  HealthRanger (@HealthRanger) April 14, 2024

Full text of that Tweet:

Just as they planned, #Iran used mostly cheap, low-cost drones and missiles to force #Israel to spend over $1 billion, launching volleys of multi-million dollar anti-air defense munitions to shoot down the incoming drones. This first wave was designed to help deplete Israels munitions supply, stressing the supply chain of U.S.-supplies munitions. Iran can rapidly produce thousands of low-cost drones, but Israel cannot easily replace these wildly expensive Iron Dome or Davids Sling munitions, some of which cost millions each. So this is a losing exchange for Israel. The fact that Israel claims it shot down 99% of incoming drones and missiles is NOT a win for Israel. Its a win for Iran. BTW, Israel also cant do math because it admits 7 hypersonic missiles got through, so that means Israel didnt shoot down 99% after all. See my full analysis from last night: https://naturalnews.com/2024-04-14-iran-strikes-israel-region-plunges-escalation-cycle-nuclear-war.html

Then you have U.S. Army Colonel Retired Combat Veteran Douglas Macgregor with a similar opinion:

Israels air and missile defenses are not air tight. Serious damage was done to military targets, but Iran deliberately did not target civilians. The cover up begins.  Douglas Macgregor (@DougAMacgregor) April 14, 2024

So, can both be right?

Yes.

It would be what youd typically call a pyrrhic victory.

Yes Israel won that skirmish, but was it detrimental long term?

We shall see.

Continue to pray for peace.

Read more at: WLTReport.com
Thousands take to the streets across Japan to protest the countrys possible accession to WHOs Pandemic Treaty

Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Japan on Saturday, April 13, to protest the country's possible accession to the World Health Organization's (WHO) proposed Pandemic Treaty.

Officially, the WHO's proposed Pandemic Treaty would help prepare the world for the next global health emergency and allow vaccines to be distributed equitably around the world. Signatories would be legally bound to the stipulations within the treaty, committing them to monitoring possible pandemic threats and beefing up their capacity to respond to disease outbreaks.

The biggest single protest took place in Higashi-Ikebukuro Central Park in Tokyo, with speakers including molecular pathology professor Masayasu Inoue of the Kumamoto University School of Medicine and historian Chikatsu Hayashi, who both expressed opposition to WHO, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the prevailing medical strategies concerning Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) mRNA vaccines.

Inoue and Hayashi's speeches highlighted the perceived encroachments of global health authorities in partnership with pharmaceutical companies, and the potential dangers of genetic vaccines.

Demonstrators criticized the lack of explanations for a sharp increase in excess deaths related to the COVID-19 vaccines and demanded accountability and clarity on vaccine-related casualties. (Related: Study: 70% of deaths linked to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Japan were reported within 10 days of vaccination.)

Protesters warn: Global health "being used as a weapon" by WHO

Inoue, in his address, articulated a stark vision of the current global health scenario: "Our health is being used as a weapon, and now were in the midst of a third world war fought with information, questioning whether responsible adults are aware and able to protect themselves accordingly," he said. He further warned against the introduction of genetic vaccines which utilize the body's mechanisms to produce agents that could potentially harm rather than heal.

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.

"To everyone here, among friends and acquaintances, introducing genetic vaccines into the body should not be done, regardless of the type," said Inoue. "Take this as the key message home; by doing so, I hope you can protect your children and grandchildren."

Adding to the discourse, Hayashi called for resistance against what he termed global totalitarian tendencies encompassed in the WHO's plans, including the pandemic treaty and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR).

"We stand against WHO, global totalitarianism, pandemic treaties, submarine IHR, genetic vaccines, plandemic, control of information, and declare to eliminate all these," Hayashi stated. "Let's stop the third atomic bomb with our hands, in the hands of the Japanese people. Shall we not?"

The demonstration also served as a platform to critique the sharp rise in unexplained excess deaths and demand transparency and accountability from health authorities about vaccine-related injuries and deaths.

This sentiment was particularly poignant in light of the WHO and various world leaders calling for a swift agreement on a multilateral pandemic preparedness and prevention plan, which critics argue lacks sufficient transparency and inclusivity.

Visit MedicalTyranny.com for similar stories about the World Health Organization.

Watch this video of Masayasu Inoue discussing how the COVID-19 pandemic is being exploited as a pretext for more control by the WHO.

This video is from the Thrivetime Show channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Worlds first self-amplifying COVID-19 vaccine approved in Japan despite lack of safety data.

Japan approves worlds first self-amplifying mRNA COVID-19 vaccine without any supporting SAFETY DATA.

Japan to start charging for mRNA vaccines in April 2024.

Is the WHO Pandemic Treaty a red herring designed to deceive?

WHOs Pandemic Treaty will only benefit Big Pharma and billionaires like Bill Gates.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

Politico.eu

VigilantNews.com

Brighteon.com
Radical Muslim STABS Eastern Christian bishop and 3 others during church service in Australia

A radical Muslim teenager stabbed an Eastern Christian bishop and three others during a church service in the Wakeley suburb in Sydney, capital of Australia's New South Wales state.

The attack occurred on the evening of April 15 at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church (CGSC) in Wakeley, and was captured on a live stream. A teenager wearing a black hoodie approached Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, drew a switchblade and proceeded to stab the Assyrian Orthodox cleric. Three other individuals in the congregation who intervened, including Father Isaac Royel, also suffered injuries.

The suspect, who was restrained by parishioners following the attack, reportedly said in Arabic: "If he wasn't criticizing my prophet [Muhammad] and my religion [Islam], I wouldn't have come or attacked." The remark was also recorded during the live stream. Law enforcement arrested the 16-year-old suspect immediately after the attack, and questioned him over his motives.

According to Channel News Asia, "the Wakeley neighborhood is a hub for Sydney's small Christian Assyrian community, many of whom fled persecution and war in Iraq and Syria. The church holds a prayer session every Monday evening and streams its sermons on its social media page."

Emmanuel was first ordained as a deacon in the late 1990s. He was ordained a priest in 2009 and became a bishop two years later in 2011. Emmanuel established CGSC in 2015 and eventually gained a following on social media.

During the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the bishop became notorious for speaking out against the medical tyranny prevalent at the time in the form of social restrictions and vaccine mandates. He described such actions as "mass slavery."

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.

"Are we humans? Because we are being treated like animals," Emmanuel said in a sermon from 2021. "They are encouraging people to go and take [the COVID-19] vaccine and stay at home. They have had enough."

Man shot at Catholic church in Istanbul back in January

The April 15 stabbing of Emmanuel and four others is not the first instance of radical Muslims committing violence in Christian churches. Back in January of this year, a man was shot during a Catholic Mass at a church in the city of Istanbul in Turkey.

According to LifeSiteNews, 52-year-old Turkish national Tuncer Cihan was shot and killed on Jan. 28 at the Santa Maria Church. As the Body of Christ was being raised, two masked men opened fire on Cihan  killing the victim and causing panic in the congregation. "The [pews] and walls [of the church] were peppered with bullet holes," the Associated Press (AP) said in a separate report.

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) took credit for Cihan's killing through its media outlet Amaq News Agency. According to the radical Islamist group, individuals affiliated with it "attacked a gathering of Christian unbelievers during their polytheistic ceremony." (Related: ISIS takes credit for fatal shooting during Catholic Mass in Istanbul.)

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the suspects behind the attack had been apprehended. He added that police raided 30 locations and took some 47 others into custody in connection with the murder of Cihan.

"Both of the suspects are foreign nationals. One of them is from Tajikistan and the other is Russian, and evaluated them to be with [ISIS]," Yerlikaya told reporters during a news briefing.

Emphasizing that Ankara "strongly condemns" the killing of Cihan, the interior minister continued: "We will never tolerate those who try to disrupt the peace of our country  terrorists; their collaborators; both national and international criminal groups; and those who aim at our unity and solidarity."

Head over to Terrorism.news for more stories like this.

Watch this clip of the April 15 stabbing incident that injured Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel.

This video is from the CreeperStatus channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Turkey detains 147 ISIS-linked suspects following deadly Moscow attack.

Over 100 people in Russia DEAD in ISIS-claimed terrorist attack at concert venue right outside Moscow.

Muslim extremists, anti-Semites and terrorist sympathizers are about to INVADE America expedited by CHRISTIAN aid groups.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

ChannelNewsAsia.com

TimesNowNews.com

LifeSiteNews.com

Brighteon.com
Rand Paul COVID BOMBSHELL: We have 15,000 samples in Wuhan  could do full genomes of 700 CoVs

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, a prominent Republican member of Congress, penned an op-ed recently making the claim that officials at 15 federal agencies "knew in 2018 that the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) was trying to create a coronavirus like COVID-19."

These officials, Paul claims, knew that the Chinese lab was pushing to develop a COVID-19-like virus but said absolutely nothing about it. As such, the world was eventually forced to endure three years-plus of authoritarian hell in the form of lockdowns and mask and "vaccine" mandates.

Despite these revelations going public, the same officials are refusing to release any information about the full extent of what they actually knew, so there is still a lot of information that we do not know about how COVID came to be.

Peter Daszak of the EcoHealth Alliance and the WIV made a proposition to officials representing these 15 federal agencies explaining what they wanted to do. The project as a whole was officially known as DEFUSE, and it involved illegal gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses.

New documents released by Drastic Research show Peter Daszak and the EcoHealth Alliance had applied for funds that would allow them to further modify coronavirus spike proteins and find potential furin cleavage sites. Rep. Gallagher explains why that's so important. pic.twitter.com/6aEPyuW7Go  Rep. Gallagher Press Office (@RepGallagher) September 23, 2021

(Related: Earlier this year, Sen. Paul unleashed on Mitch McConnell for aligning himself with President Biden and the scheme to allow 5,000 illegal aliens to enter the United States every day.)

Denying the lab leak theory

Paul further pointed out an April 26, 2020 email between Daszak and "Fauci Flunky" David Morens that discussed the lab leak theory of COVID, which was starting to circulate around that time. The two conversed digitally about how to orchestrate a formal denial to the lab leak theory that instead pushed a "natural origin" theory.

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 COVID may not actually be a virus as claimed  after all, it has never been isolated as such, nor has it been proven to exist at such  many now believe that it is still some kind of bioweapon that was primarily spread by the "vaccines" and possibly early 5G activation in some areas of the world such as in Wuhan.

Daszak and his cronies worked hard, Paul uncovered, to keep the truth about COVID a secret and pretend as though it simply appeared at random in nature, which we now know is anything but true.

In the April 26, 2020 email, Daszak lamented the "real and present danger that we are being targeted by extremists," the word "extremists" in this context referring to those who would claim that COVID is unnatural.

Since President Trump was one of those people at that time, Daszak called him "shockingly ignorant" in the same email. He also told Morens that he would have to restrict communications "to gmail from now on" as a result.

It was in this same email that Daszak would admit that as many as 15,000 samples of coronaviruses, or CoVs, were being stored in freezers in Wuhan at the time, so moving them out of that facility to keep the scheme covered up was not an option.

"Even that would be a loss," Daszak wrote, adding that those 15,000 samples could not be used to "do the full genomes of 700+ Co Vs we've identified if we don't cut this thread."

"... and could do the full genomes of 700+ CoVs [coronaviruses]"  Rand Paul (@RandPaul) April 16, 2024

In 2016 Peter Daszak (the man Faucis NIH was funding) openly talked about the gain of function research being done in China. The research Fauci said never happened. Daszak actually talked about creating a killer virus. pic.twitter.com/iYseialw6Z  MAZE (@mazemoore) April 9, 2024

More related news about the COVID scam can be found at Plague.info.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
House Speaker Mike Johnson ignores Americas best interests in favor of Israel

House Speaker Mike Johnson has just unveiled his long awaited foreign aid bill, and it leaves a lot of people wondering just where his loyalties lie as other countries are getting billions of dollars in aid and nothing is being earmarked for securing the nations borders.

It is not surprising that Johnson is being branded a traitor to America, as the other bills he is putting forward entail acts such as seizing Russias assets and giving them to Ukraine, banning TikTok to keep criticism of Israel under wraps, and turning U.S. businesses into spies for the National Security Agency.

The legislation unveiled by the House Appropriations Committee will provide more than $95 billion worth of security assistance to other nations. This includes more than $60 billion for addressing the conflict in Ukraine and helping regional partners manage the situation; more than $23 billion of this amount would be spent replenishing American weapons, facilities and stocks.

Meanwhile, $26.38 billion of aid is earmarked for Israel as it continues to carry out genocide in Gaza, with some of the money being used to cover the expenses associated with U.S. military operations that were carried out in response to recent attacks on the Jewish state. Just over $9 billion of this total is being set aside for humanitarian needs, which was a stipulation for Democrats to support the bill.

Johnson appears to be taking advantage of the recent attacks by Iran on Israel in retaliation for the Israeli air strike on the Iranian embassy in Damascus. The U.S. stepped in and shot down many of the drones and missiles that were being fired at Israel by Iran, and the incident's unprecedented nature is being used to add urgency to his push for passing the security bill.

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He said that House members will have 72 hours to review the bill before a vote on its final passage will be held on Saturday evening. President Biden supports the package and has called on the House and Senate to pass it.

"I will sign this into law immediately to send a message to the world: We stand with our friends, and we wont let Iran or Russia succeed," he said.

Two members of Johnson's party have already said they will try to remove him from his post as speaker over the bill, with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) joining Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) in threatening to oust him. Johnson has insisted, however, that he will not resign.

Johnson blindly supports Israel

Johnson has made no secret of his support for Israel, declaring that it was Americas biblical admonition to support the Jewish state during a speech on Monday night before Christians United for Israel.

I'm going to state something that you all know  at this critical moment, the United States must show unwavering strength and support for IsraelWe have to make certain that the entire world understands that Israel is not alone and God is going to bless the nation that blesses Israel," he told the crowd, adding that supporting them also happens to be great foreign policy.

He also recounted how he confronted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) for calling for Israel to hold new elections.

"I called the senator and I said, What are you doing? What if I came out and made a statement and called for a regime change in Ukraineyour hair would be on fire," he said.

Sources for this article include:

InformationLiberation.com

FoxNews.com
U.S. accused of double standard after shooting down missiles fired at Israel while refusing to help Ukraine in the same way

The U.S. has no intention of shooting down any Russian missiles or drones fired at Ukraine despite its recent actions in Israel, White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

The U.S. protected Israel from an attack by Iran last weekend, joining the U.K. and France in helping the Jewish State intercept a barrage of missiles and drones sent there by Iran following an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. However, when asked by a journalist during a daily briefing if the U.S. would offer similar help to Ukraine, he said it would not happen.

He replied: I knew this question was coming. Look: different conflicts, different airspace, different threat picture. And [President Joe Biden] has been clear from the beginning [of the Ukraine hostilities] that the U.S. is not going to be involved in that conflict in a combat role.

Although the U.S. has vowed to help Ukraine as it fends off Russia, it has maintained that it will not directly engage Russian forces.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron faced the same question in a recent interview, and he took a similar stance to Kirby, responding: Actually, putting NATO forces directly in conflict with Russian forces  I think that would be a dangerous escalation.

Ukrainian officials are wondering why the U.S. isnt as willing to step in on their behalf as they are on behalf of Israel, with Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak telling NBC News that he thinks it looks extremely strange.

He asked: How does the civilian population of Ukraine or the civilian infrastructure of Ukraine differ from the civilian population of Israel from a humanistic point of view?

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He added that the fact that the Kremlin is using the same drones on Ukrainian cities that Tehran sent to Israel makes the situation even more puzzling.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also drew attention to the perceived double standard during a recent nightly address, saying: European skies could have received the same level of protection long ago if Ukraine had received similar full support from its partners in intercepting drones and missiles.

He said that the response to the recent attack on Israel demonstrated how NATO members can work to protect non-members and could offer similar protection to Ukraine, saying: No one was dragged into the war. They simply contributed to the protection of human life.

Ukraine under pressure

Ukraine is currently on edge as they struggle to hold off Russian forces that have been launching air assaults and advancing on the battlefield. Russian drones and missiles have been bombarding the countrys energy infrastructure and targeting homes for several weeks, and the population is experiencing regular rolling blackouts. Their reserves of air defense missiles and ammunition are reportedly dwindling.

The U.S. House of Representatives recently announced its long-awaited vote on supplying aid to Ukraine and Israel could come as soon as this weekend, and it looks like Ukraine wont be able to complain that Israel is getting better treatment in the financial department.

The House Appropriations Committee has unveiled legislation that would earmark $60.84 billion for addressing the Ukraine conflict, which includes replenishing U.S. stocks, weapons and facilities, while the Israeli bill sees $26.38 billion going to support Israel and cover the cost of American military operations in response to the recent attacks there.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

NBCNews.com

Reuters.com
Vampire bacteria may seem to be in the realm of fiction, along with stories of blood-sucking undead that prey on the living. However, scientists in the United States recently found that there are microorganisms that resemble the fabled "Dracula" and its infamous vampire minions.

A new study revealed earlier this week that some foodborne bacteria possess a trait, called bacterial vampirism.

Researchers found some of the world's deadliest bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli enter the human's bloodstream, where it causes life-threatening blood infections and sepsis; the latter referring to bacterial blood poisoning.

This means some bacterium actively seeks out human blood where it detects serum, the fluid part and solvent component of our blood, as per the new discovery.

Bacterial Vampirism

The word "vampire" pertains to a mythological creature that nourishes itself by feeding on the blood of the living. The term has its roots dating back hundreds and thousands of years ago both from modern and ancient societies, including the Greek civilization.

Today, the vampiric characteristic has been used to describe animals such as the vampire bat and plants like the parasitic plant Cuscuta.

Now, evidence suggests that vampirism also exists in smaller life forms such as bacteria. In a new research paper published in the journal eLife on Tuesday, April 16, scientists from Washington State University and other institutions found the existence of vampire bacteria or the trait bacterial vampirism such as Salmonella enterica serovars, Escherichia coli, and Citrobacter koseri.

Also Read: India Faces Antibiotic-Resistant 'Superbug Infections'

Vampire Bacteria

According to authors of the paper, the trajectory of these bacteria towards the human bloodstream (where they can enter through intestinal bleeding) is no accident. Instead, the Washington State University suggests that these pathogens actively search and consume human blood.

The study answers previous scientific inquiries as to why bacteria from the family Enterobacteriaceae, associated with gastrointestinal bleeding and bacteremia, are prone to bloodstream entry.

In light of the recent study, scientists could understand the notion that some bacteria blood infections are not coincidental at all.

Bacteria Blood Infection Deaths

In recent years, bacterial blood infections or sepsis have claimed the lives of millions of people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The most common symptoms of the lethal medical condition include fever, difficulty in breathing, and extreme body pain.

In July 2023, the WHO reported that a recent scientific publication showed there were 48.9 million cases of sepsis and 11 million related deaths worldwide back in 2017. During this period, 50% of all the global sepsis cases involved children.

If not fatal, sepsis can lead to degrading conditions. One such case involved sepsis survivor Tom Ray, who lost his arms, legs, and the lower part of his face during a sepsis infection back in 1999, when he was 38 years old. The WHO emphasizes older persons, pregnant women, and hospitalized patients are among the vulnerable populations from sepsis or weaker yet related infections.

Related Article: Listeria: Deadly Foodborne Bacteria Could be Hiding from Sanitizers Sprayed by Food Suppliers [Study]
Parts of Colorado can expect snowy conditions this week, bringing slushy weather conditions. The chance of snow can lead to potential travel delays or disruptions. In nearby areas, people can expect a colder outlook.

In a National Weather Service (NWS) report, strong to marginally severe thunderstorms are likely in the Southeastern US. Possible strong winds and hail conditions can create dangerous situations for homeowners and travelers.

In south-central Colorado, potentially fire-prone weather conditions can occur due to gusty winds and dry conditions. Homeowners should avoid outdoor fire burning, which can cause the rapid spread of fires.

A recent Nature World News (NWN) report showed that threats of critical to extreme fire concerns occurred in parts of Colorado and Kansas due to the dry weather conditions and low relative humidity. Red flag warnings were issued in the region due to the potential spread of fires.

Colorado Weather Forecast: Where Will Snowy Conditions Unload?

The latest weather report showed that Colorado can expect snowy conditions and slushy roads this week, including in parts of Wyoming. The dry and warm conditions are expected to ease due to the snow outlook this late week until the weekend. The forecast monitors the development of a storm in the Rockies.

On Friday, widespread colds can occur in Bismarck, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Minneapolis, and Fargo. Chilly weather outlooks can unload in Omaha, Des Moines, and Chicago.

In Chicago, the forecast reveals that showers and thunderstorms are likely in the region, particularly in the evening. The potential thunder can impact portions of south Interstate 80, with a chance of developing severe storms. Areas from Paxton to Folwer Line can expect the threat of lightning strikes.

In the central Rockies in Colorado, homeowners should check for a possible snowy outlook, spreading in northern portions and southern Wyoming. On the weekend, travel disruptions are likely due to snow in Sterling, Denver, and Cheyenne, especially on the Interstate 25 corridor.

From snow to a freezing outlook, homeowners should watch out for cold-related health concerns, affecting children, older adults, and people with medical conditions. In Denver, with the usual snow, motorists should stay alert for slippery road conditions.

Also Read: Northern Rockies to Expect Moderate to Heavy Snowfall; Colder Temperatures Likely in Wyoming, Montana This Week

Western US Weather Forecast

The latest NWS weather discussion reveals that much of the western US can expect a dry outlook and drought. The forecast monitors the development of the next Pacific system in the region.

In the Pacific Northwest, residents can anticipate rain on Saturday. A potential cold front can arrive in the Great Lakes, Midwest, Mid-South, and Northeast this week, easing the recent warmth trend.

Related Article: Mid-Atlantic Weather Forecast: Severe Storm to Bring Hail, Damaging Winds This Week

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
An extreme heat wave has impacted Africa's Sahel region since early this year, resulting in mass human fatalities as temperatures reached a record high. Affected countries include Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, where reported temperatures had spiked as high as 45 degrees Celsius. The temperatures are 1.5 Celsius hotter than average, according to reports.

While the scorching heat seemed like a relatively ordinary natural disaster, the deadly Sahel heat wave has caught the attention of the scientific community and other experts. In a new study, scientists argue that the extreme heat the region experienced from late March to early April is "impossible" without the influence of anthropogenic or human-induced climate change.

Sahel Heat Wave

During a televised interview in Mali, Professor Diango Djibo, from Bamako's Gabriel Toure hospital, stated that a total of 102 people died in the facility's intensive care unit. The deaths happened during the first four days of April this year amid the Sahel heat wave that impacted not only Mali but also other countries across West Africa, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre reported.

Last month, the temperatures in Mali surpassed 48 degrees Celsius and more than 45 Celsius in Burkina Faso between April 1 and April 5, according to a study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA). This extreme heat is likely the reason behind the numerous deaths, according to the new research paper. The WWA is an international scientific team that focuses on extreme weather events.

Also Read: Madagascar Heatwave: Impact of Global Heat Among Populations Unrecorded

Anthropogenic Climate Change

In the paper published in the website of the WWA on Thursday, April 18, scientists assert the extreme Sahel heat wave that struck a highly-vulnerable population would not be possible without anthropogenic climate change. During the end of the recent Ramadan, by the end of March and beginning of April, the unprecedented heat blanketed the Sahel and West Africa.

While heat waves are considered to be arguably the deadliest type of extreme weather event, this is the first time in recorded history that a heat wave of such magnitude occurred in the region. The natural disaster, coinciding with power cuts in many countries across the African region, also made it difficult for the local population to cope with the extreme temperatures, according to the WWA.

Climate Change and Heat Waves

The findings relating to climate change and the Sahel heat wave came from WWA's international coalition of scientists from the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Sweden.

This is not the first time that the current climate crisis has been linked to heat waves. In September 2023, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) cited a report, showing human-caused climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of heat waves since the 1950s.

According to the WMO, heat waves are dangerous since it amplifies the impact of drought, wildfire, water insecurity, power shortages, and agricultural losses.

Related Article: Climate Change Slows Heat Waves, Exposing Humans To Extreme Temperature Longer
According to information published by the Venezuelan MoD on April 16, 2024, the Bolivarian Navy has officially added new CM-90 anti-ship missiles of Iranian origin to its arsenal. The confirmation came during an official visit by Venezuela's Minister of Defense, Padrino Lopez, and was widely broadcast through videos and images.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Iranian CM-90 anti-ship missiles. (Picture source: Venezuelan MoD)

The new missiles, part of a deepening military cooperation between Venezuela and Iran, have been deployed at the Agustin Armario Naval Base in Puerto Cabello. This base also hosts facilities dedicated to the maintenance and support of the recently acquired equipment.

The CM-90 missiles are presumed to be a part of the armament of the Peykaap missile boats, which were introduced in a naval parade in July of the previous year. These fast and agile boats are designed for coastal defense and are heavily armed relative to their size, equipped with anti-ship missile launchers and torpedo tubes, with later models also featuring remote weapon stations.

Introduced by Iran in 2022 during the DIMDEX exhibition, the CM-90 missile is about 4.16 meters long, 280 mm in diameter, and weighs approximately 350 kilograms. It features an active radar guidance system and a turbojet engine, providing it with a range of about 90 kilometers.

Iran-Venezuela relations

The military relations between Iran and Venezuela have deepened significantly over the years, reflecting a strategic alliance aimed at mutual support against external pressures, particularly from the United States.

Historically, the relationship intensified under the presidencies of Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Iran, marked by numerous bilateral agreements across various sectors including military cooperation. These early interactions included the construction of military-related facilities in Venezuela and the planned establishment of joint enterprises, such as an ammunition factory.

In recent years, under Presidents Nicolas Maduro and Ebrahim Raisi, the relationship has further evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership. In 2022, the countries signed a 20-year cooperation roadmap during Maduro's visit to Tehran. Iran has also been implicated in supplying Venezuela with military technologies such as combat drones.
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Elon Musk calls for peace in cryptic post amid Iran-Israel war

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ockets should be used to reach the stars not to harm fellow humans, said billionaire Elon Musk on Friday, in light of the ongoing wars between Iran and Israel, and Russia and Ukraine.

We should send rockets not at each other, but rather to the stars, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO said in a post on X.com, sharing a photo of a rocket.

His comments come amid recent attacks on Israel by Iran, reportedly in retaliation to the attack on their embassy.

Last year, after the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, and the conflict that ensued, Musk made a two-day trip to Israel during which, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took him on a tour of an Israeli kibbutz destroyed during the attack.

After his Israel visit, Hamas had also invited Musk to Gaza to see the extent of destruction caused by Israeli bombardment.

Later Musk also commented about the potential for a third World War, as Russia had been at war with Ukraine since February 2022.

"We need to figure out peace in Ukraine, and I think we need to restore normal relations with Russia," Musk said in October.

World War III is a civilisational risk that we may not recover from," he posted on X. "Could this lead to WW3? We need to prioritise avoiding World War III."

 Elon Musk calls for peace in cryptic post amid Iran-Israel war

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Vicky looks back at V-Day with Katrina: 'Our goal was to spend quality time together'

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ctor Vicky Kaushal reminisced about the moments spent with his wife Katrina Kaif on Valentines Day, when they were just dating, and what is the significance of the day for them after tying the knot.

Vicky appeared on the stage of 'The Great Indian Kapil Show', along with his brother Sunny Kaushal.

Host Kapil Sharma joked about Valentines Day plans before and after marriage, prompting Vicky to share: "Before marriage, our goal was to spend quality time together. It has still been the same post marriage that we get maximum time with each other."

Agreeing with Vicky, Kapil remarked, "I agree. For me, Valentines day is everyday."

Teasing Sunny with his witty joke, Kapil added: "Do you believe that Valentines Day is everyday or is it only on 14th Sharvari (February)."

Sunny and Sharvari Wagh are reportedly in an alleged relationship.

The episode is set to air on Netflix on Saturday at 8 p.m.

 Vicky looks back at V-Day with Katrina: 'Our goal was to spend quality time together'

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Air India suspends flights to Tel Aviv till April 30 over Iran-Israel conflict

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ir India on Friday extended the suspension of its flight services to Israel's capital Tel Aviv till April 30, in the wake of prevailing conflict and tension between Israel and Iran.

"Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until 30th April 2024, in view of the emerging situation in the Middle East," the airline said in a statement.

The Tata-run airline has also offered one-time waiver for passengers rescheduling their flights.

"We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers who have confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this period, with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges," the airline said.

Currently, Air India runs four weekly flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv.

On April 14, Air India had temporarily suspended its flight services to Tel Aviv.

Apart from Air India, several other airline carriers are said to be contemplating such a move over the looming threat of escalating tension in the Middle East.

 Air India suspends flights to Tel Aviv till April 30 over Iran-Israel conflict

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Air India suspends flights to and from Dubai till April 21

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uspension of Tata-owned Air India flights to and from Dubai will continue till Sunday, the airline said on Friday.

Following severe flooding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Air India suspended its flight operations on Wednesday.

"We regret to inform cancellation of its flights to and from Dubai due to continued operational disruptions at Dubai Airport," it said in a statement issued on Friday.

"We are doing our best to get affected customers on their way by re-accommodating them on flights as soon as operations resume. Customers booked on our flights with valid tickets for travel till April 21 will be offered a one-time waiver on rescheduling and full refunds for cancellation," it said.

However, IndiGo, which had also suspended flight operations on April 17, due to flooding at Dubai airport said that they had resumed their operations at 1.30 p.m. on Thursday.

On Tuesday, the UAE, a Gulf federation of seven emirates, was lashed by downpours described by its National Centre of Meteorology as the heaviest rainfall in the past 75 years.

As a result, the federal government announced extending remote working for all state employees.

 Air India suspends flights to and from Dubai till April 21

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One elementary principal hire down, two more to go for the HR team at Champaigns Unit 4, which is also in the market for 71 licensed teachers, 31 licensed paraprofessionals, 19 licensed special education staffers, 18 coaches, two high school athletic directors and, of course, two school board members.
Tomir L. Johnson, 17, pleaded guilty last month to aggravated battery with a firearm. Evidence presented in court showed he participated in a cannabis sale that went wrong in November 2022, leading to the death of DeCarlo Douglas, 34, in Rantoul.
Thinking about getting a spring-time booster shot? A new study coming out of York University's Centre for Disease Modelling in the Faculty of Science shows that immunity after a COVID-19 booster lasts much longer than the primary series alone. These findings are among other, sometimes "unintuitive," revelations of how factors like age, sex and comorbidities do and don't affect immune response.

The study's authors  York Post Doctoral researchers Chapin Korosec and David Dick, Applied Mathematics Professor Iain Moyles and Professor James Watmough with the University of New Brunswick  used health data submitted to the Covid Immunity Task-Force project for more than 150 individuals who received either Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to look at how immunity holds up over time.

Our approach as mathematicians is to create mathematical models of the immune system, and then calibrate those models to health care data in order to advance our understanding of the human immune system. It was really interesting to see the SARS-CoV-2 booster dose have such a huge increase in protective longevity capacity as compared to the primary series of two doses." Chapin Korosec, study's lead author

Published today in the journal Scientific Reports, the study used Canadian vaccine data collected from individuals living in long-term care, as well as frontline health-care workers working in long-term care and hospitals.

Looking at the group as a whole, the median length for the antibody half-life immune response was 63 days for the primary series, and increased to 115 days for those who went on to receive their boosters, a statistically significant finding, says Korosec.

It is well-established that age can affect how adept the body is at priming an immune response after vaccines, so much so that advanced age is considered a comorbidity itself, says Korosec.

"Chronological age is your time since birth. But you also have an immunological age, which is correlated to your chronological age, and is related to how your body loses its ability to prime against invading pathogens and produce antibodies as time marches on," explains Korosec. "What's convoluted is that as we age chronologically, the probability that we accrue diseases that can affect the immune system in unintuitive ways also increases."

Looking into this aspect, the researchers found that older adults did have a less long-lasting immune response, but once they controlled for other comorbidities such as hypertension, lung disease and cancer, age no longer had as significant of an influence on the immune response.

Other interesting findings include a small, but statistically significant immune response for males versus females, and people with asthma having a longer lasting immune response  more durable, in fact, than those with hybrid immunity from vaccines and contracting COVID-19.

"We found that some outcomes were surprising and worth further study, but of course we're not advocating any particular comorbidity is beneficial," says Dick. "We don't have any information from this study on how asthma would affect the severity of the COVID-19 illness, for example."

Outside of the strict findings, the researchers also say the study points to the importance of interdisciplinary research and are excited about the possibilities for collaboration, with plans to open York's medical school in 2028.

"While we're all from math and stats departments, the data comes from clinicians who went through medical school and are now professors studying immunology, and I think this study shows how people with different skill sets can come together and do really interesting science," says Korosec.

Adds Moyles: "We have a really top applied math program at York, and now the university has announced a medical school. Imagine these clinicians were at York and we had access to the data on the ground floor. This would cut the research timeline by years and has huge potential for future interdisciplinary research at the university."
A new study from the University of South Australia is putting people's experiences of pelvic pain at the front of pain education to develop better pain management strategies and improved outcomes.

Persistent pelvic pain is an umbrella term for pain in the pelvic area (below the belly button) which may be accompanied by symptoms suggestive of gynecological, lower urinary tract, bowel, sexual, and pelvic floor dysfunction.

In Australia, one in two women and people assigned female at birth experience persistent pelvic pain, with one in four reporting that pelvic pain affects their ability to undertake daily activities such as work, study, or exercise.

This study is hoping to improve this reality through pain education concepts that have been designed for and by females with persistent pelvic pain.

Using semi-structured interviews, the consumer-centric, qualitative study captures rich and nuanced experiences of 20 females with pelvic pain who had engaged in pain science education and seen improvements.

The study identified four important pain concepts that females say can help with pain management:

A sensitized nervous system can lead to overprotective pain - this concept is important as it provides a biological explanation for pelvic pain and validates that pain is real, and not 'in your head'. Pain doesn't always mean my pelvis is damaged (although sometimes it does)  it is important because it provides reassurance that not every flare up means your pelvis is damaged or getting worse and that tissue pathology (like endometriosis lesions) is just one piece of the pelvic pain puzzle.

How I think, feel, and 'see' my pain can make it worse  this concept speaks of how there are many factors that can influence pelvic pain. As such, there are many ways to manage pain beyond just medication or surgery.

I can change my pain... slowly - this concept was important because it provided hope and empowerment to pursue pain improvement as a viable goal.

The findings follow the announcement for a landmark South Australian inquiry into endometriosis, and the Australian Government's 2022-23 Budget commitment of $58.3 million commitment to improving women's health, in particular endometriosis and pelvic pain.

UniSA researcher and PhD candidate Amelia Mardon says educating people about pain can help improve pain conditions.

Learning how pain works is pivotal to managing persistent pain. But while preliminary evidence suggests that pain science education can help women with persistent pelvic pain, there has been little information about what these consumers value learning. This study addresses this gap by capturing people's experiences of persistent pelvic pain and identifying what knowledge could help others. By putting consumers' voices, experiences, and opinions at the forefront of any intervention, we're ensuring that pain education is relevant and aligned with their needs or priorities. Without that, it will just miss the mark." Amelia Mardon, UniSA researcher and PhD candidate

Senior researcher, UniSA's Professor Lorimer Moseley says that learning 'how pain works', legitimizes and makes sense of pain experiences.

"Validating pain may be particularly poignant for women with pelvic pain because of the extensive history of prejudice and dismissal of their pain, especially by healthcare professionals," Prof Moseley says.

"When you're told that your pain is 'all in your head', it's incredibly disempowering which can have significant effects on physical and mental health.

"Pain is complex. Understanding that there is a biological explanation for persistent pain  even when we can't 'see' it  can reframe perspectives of pain and potentially change outcomes."

While further research is needed with more diverse samples, including expert clinicians, this study hopes to provide clinicians with better supports to help women with persistent pelvic pain.
Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration has compromised on long-sought rules that would protect indoor workers from extreme heat, saying tens of thousands of prison and jail employees  and prisoners  would have to wait for relief.

The deal comes a month after the administration unexpectedly rejected sweeping heat standards for workers in sweltering warehouses, steamy kitchens, and other dangerously hot job sites. The rules had been years in the making, and a state worker safety board voted to adopt them March 21. But in a controversial move, the administration upended the process by saying the cost to cool state prisons was unclear  and likely very expensive.

So the Democratic administration said the rules can proceed but must exempt tens of thousands of workers at 33 state prisons, conservation camps, and local jails, "in recognition of the unique implementation challenges," said Eric Berg, of California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health, at a Thursday hearing. A separate regulation will be drafted for correctional facilities, which could take a year, if not longer.

It's unclear if the standards will become law in time to protect millions of other workers from summer's intensifying heat. The compromise rules must go through a 15-day public comment period, and legal reviews within 100 days, which could push implementation well into summer. But that can't even happen until the original regulation is rejected by the Office of Administrative Law, which has until next month.

"Summer is arriving, and many workers, unfortunately, are going to suffer heat conditions," said Tim Shadix, legal director at the Warehouse Worker Resource Center. "Some will likely get really sick, potentially even die from heat illness, while we continue to wait for the standard."

Berg told members of the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board on April 18 that Cal/OSHA would try to accelerate the timeline and get protections in place for summer.

California has had heat standards on the books for outdoor workers since 2005, and rules for indoor workplaces have been in the works since 2016. The proposed standards would require work sites to be cooled below 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present and below 82 degrees in places where workers wear protective clothing or are exposed to radiant heat, such as furnaces. Buildings could be cooled with air conditioning, fans, misters, and other methods.

The rules allow workarounds for businesses that can't cool their workplaces sufficiently, such as laundries or restaurant kitchens.

Because the rules would have a sweeping economic impact, state law requires Newsom's Department of Finance to sign off on the financial projections, which it refused to do last month when it was unclear how much the regulations would cost state prisons. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said implementing the standards in its prisons and other facilities could cost billions, but the board's economic analysis pegged the cost at less than $1 million a year.

Department of Finance spokesperson H.D. Palmer couldn't promise that the compromise rules would be signed off on, but "given that the earlier correctional estimates were the issue before, not having them in the revised package would appear to address that issue," he said.

Business and agricultural groups complained repeatedly during the rulemaking process that complying with the rules would burden businesses financially. At the April 18 hearing, they highlighted the administration's lack of transparency and questioned why one sector should be given an exemption over another.

"The massive state costs that are of concern, specifically around prisons in the billions of dollars, are also costs that California employers will bear," said Robert Moutrie, a senior policy advocate at the California Chamber of Commerce.

Labor advocates asked board members not to exempt prisons, saying corrections workers need protection from heat, too.

"It's a huge concern that prison workplaces all over are being excluded from the heat standard, leaving out not just guards, but also nurses, janitors, and the other prison workers across California unprotected from heat," said AnaStacia Nicol Wright, an attorney with Worksafe, a workplace safety advocacy nonprofit. "California needs to prioritize the safety and well-being of their workers, regardless of whether they work in corrections, a farm, or a sugar refinery."

Prisons will continue to provide cooling stations in air-conditioned areas, and make water stations, fans, portable cooling units, and ice more available to workers, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Prison housing units, which house roughly 94,000 inmates as of January, all can be cooled, usually with evaporative coolers and fans.

Only Minnesota and Oregon have adopted heat rules for indoor workers. Legislation has stalled in Congress, and even though the Biden administration has initiated the long process of establishing national heat standards for outdoor and indoor work, they may take years to finalize.

Seven workers died in California from indoor heat between 2010 and 2017. Heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, cardiac arrest, and kidney failure. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, 1,600 heat-related deaths occurred nationally, which is likely an undercount because health care providers are not required to report them. It's not clear how many of these deaths are related to work, either indoors or outdoors.

"These are not overly cumbersome things to implement, and they are easy ways to keep people safe and healthy," said Jessica Early, patient advocacy coordinator at the National Union of Healthcare Workers. "Now is the urgent time to make our workplaces safer and more resilient in the face of rising temperatures."

This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
A systemic review of the current body of research shows that investigators have inadequately addressed the intersection of aging, health disparities, and cancer outcomes among older adults. This is the conclusion of a new paper published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, and led by Nikesha Gilmore, PhD, a member of Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester.

As the population of survivors of cancer 65 and older will likely double in size during the next two decades, the review reveals an urgent need for research to address biases impacting cancer outcomes in older people.

A lack of studies focused on disparities, as well as policies and targeted interventions to improve health equity, "perpetuates cancer inequities and leaves the cancer care system ill-equipped to address the unique needs of the rapidly growing and increasingly diverse older adult cancer population," the team concluded.

Promoting and conducting this type of research is a central theme at Wilmot: The 27-county Rochester region from which the cancer center draws patients has a high percentage (18%) of people 65 and older, a rate that is higher than state and national averages. The region also has a higher cancer incidence rate than in New York state and the nation.

Gilmore, an assistant professor of Surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center and member of Wilmot's Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) research program, is lead co-author of the report with Shakira J. Grant MBBS, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The review team also included Gilmore's mentor and senior co-author of the paper Supriya Mohile, MD, and members of the national Cancer and Aging Research Group. The scoping review included articles published between 2016 and 2023; Nancy Lundebjerg, CEO of the American Geriatrics Society, lauded the work.

Internally at URMC, Gilmore is also involved extensively in efforts to promote diversity and train the next generation to identify key areas of future investigation. For example, she launched an immersive student enrichment program called EmREACh, in collaboration with a handful of peers at Wilmot and the CPC. The goal is to remove barriers for underrepresented undergraduate students who are interested in science and medicine by pairing them with mentors, teaching them how to write manuscripts, and introducing them to clinical research and professional development opportunities.
Bioengineers at Rice University have been awarded $1.4 million as part of a multi-center consortium funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to develop strategies for reversing the effects of osteoarthritis.

We're thrilled to be a part of this collaborative effort to tackle one of the most challenging degenerative joint diseases and develop, test and commercialize solutions for patients." Antonios Mikos, the Louis Calder Professor of Chemical Engineering and professor of bioengineering and materials science and nanoengineering

APRA-H is part of the National Institutes of Health, and the osteoarthritis funding is administered through its National Initiative for Transforming Research Outcomes program. Mikos' collaborator on the project is Vasiliki Kolliopoulos, a Rice Academy Postdoctoral Fellow in his lab.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 32.5 million people in the U.S. and 500 million globally suffer from the degenerative joint disease known as osteoarthritis.

The consortium, named Orchestrating Multifaceted Engineering for Growing Artificial Joints (OMEGA), is led by Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Overall, OMEGA has been awarded $47.7 million for two phases of research spanning five years.

Various research teams within OMEGA will investigate and integrate perspectives including biomechanics, regenerative medicine, computational modeling and clinical practice to develop equitable interventions targeting osteoarthritis in patients. As part of the program, 40 patients within five years will have knee replacements with "live joints," or biocompatible bone and cartilage grown from human cells that can restore natural function. The goal is to scale up the technology to make treatment available to patients commercially.

"Most of us know someone who has this degenerative joint disease. The potential treatment outcomes from this research could improve the quality of life for millions suffering with osteoarthritis," said

Mikos, director of the Biomaterials Lab, the Center for Excellence in Tissue Engineering and the J.W. Cox Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering at Rice.

The Biomaterials Lab will provide state-of-the-art equipment and resources for the design and fabrication of 3D-printed scaffolds, crucial for the creation of live joints. Uday Jammalamadaka, manager of the Biomaterials Lab, will also contribute to the project.

Current treatment for osteoarthritis offers neither a permanent cure nor solutions without negative effects. In 2020, 1.5 million Americans underwent hip and knee replacements, a number expected to increase by 11% annually to about 5 million procedures by 2040 as the aging population increases and incidence of obesity grows.

Prosthetic implants presently have a short- to medium-term life cycle, lasting about 20 years. Additional surgery is required as the implants wear out.

Other members of the consortium include Colorado State University, Ohio State University, Washington State University, the Boston biotech firm Sapphiros AI Bio, University Hospitals Medical Center of Cleveland, the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital.
In a recent British Medical Journal study, researchers assess the adverse effects associated with the use of antipsychotic drugs in people with dementia.

Study: Multiple adverse outcomes associated with antipsychotic use in people with dementia: population based matched cohort study. Image Credit: Fahroni / Shutterstock.com

The role of antipsychotics in dementia management

Individuals diagnosed with dementia undergo functional disability and progressive cognitive decline. Some common psychological and behavioral symptoms of dementia include anxiety, depression, apathy, aggression, delirium, irritability, and psychosis.

To manage psychological and behavioral symptoms of dementia, patients are commonly treated with antipsychotics. The United Kingdom National Institute for Health and Care Excellence currently recommends the use of antipsychotics only when non-drug interventions are ineffective in alleviating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. However, there has been an increase in antipsychotic use during the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has been attributed to lockdown measures and the unavailability of non-pharmaceutical treatments.

In the U.K., risperidone and haloperidol are the only antipsychotics that have received approval for the treatment of behavioral or psychological symptoms of dementia. In 2003, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlighted the risks, such as stroke, transient ischaemic attack, and mortality, associated with the use of risperidone in older adults with dementia.

Based on multiple study reports, regulatory guidelines have been formulated in the U.K., U.S., and Europe to reduce inappropriate prescriptions of antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. To date, few studies have provided evidence of the association between antipsychotic drug prescriptions in older adults with dementia and risks of multiple diseases, such as myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, ventricular arrhythmia, and acute kidney injury.

About the study

The current study investigated the risk of adverse outcomes associated with antipsychotics in a large cohort of adults with dementia. Some adverse outcomes considered in this study were venous thromboembolism, stroke, heart failure, ventricular arrhythmia, fracture, myocardial infarction, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury.

Over 98% of the U.K. population is registered with National Health Service (NHS) primary care general practice. All relevant data were collected from the electronic health records held at the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), which is associated with over 2,000 general practices. CPRD comprises the Aurum and GOLD databases, which can be considered as broadly representative of the U.K. population.

Individuals above 50 years of age and diagnosed with dementia were recruited. Importantly, none of the study participants were under antipsychotic intervention one year before their diagnosis.

The researchers utilized a matched cohort design, in which each patient who used antipsychotics after their initial dementia diagnosis was matched using the incidence density sampling method. This method considered up to 15 randomly selected patients who were diagnosed with dementia on the same date but were not prescribed antipsychotic drugs.

Antipsychotics increase the risk of adverse effects in dementia patients

Across the two cohorts, the mean age of the participants was 82.1 years. A total of 35,339 participants were prescribed an antipsychotic during the study period.

The mean number of days between the first diagnosis of dementia and the date of a first antipsychotic prescription was 693.8 and 576.6 days for Aurum and GOLD, respectively. The most commonly prescribed antipsychotics were risperidone, haloperidol, olanzapine, and quetiapine.

The current population-based study revealed that adults with dementia prescribed antipsychotics are at a greater risk of venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, pneumonia, fracture, and acute kidney injury than non-users. This observation was based on analyzing 173,910 adults with dementia selected from both databases.

The increased risk of adverse outcomes was most prevalent among current and recent users of antipsychotic drugs. After 90 days of antipsychotic use, the risk of venous thromboembolism, pneumonia, acute kidney injury, and stroke was higher than non-users. However, antipsychotic drugs did not impact the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, appendicitis, and cholecystitis.

As compared to the use of risperidone, haloperidol was significantly associated with an increased risk of pneumonia, fracture, and acute kidney injury. Although the adverse effects of haloperidol were higher than quetiapine, no significant differences were observed between risperidone and quetiapine for the risk of fracture, heart failure, and myocardial infarction. The risk of pneumonia, stroke, acute kidney injury, and venous thromboembolism was lower for quetiapine as compared to risperidone.

Conclusions

The current study highlights how antipsychotic drugs affect older adults with dementia. The use of these drugs was associated with many serious adverse outcomes, such as stroke, acute kidney injury, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.

In the future, these risks must be considered, along with cerebrovascular events and mortality, while making regulatory decisions about the use of antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of dementia in older adults.
Jharkhand Board (JAC) 10th Result 2024 Live Updates: The Jharkhand Board class 10 result 2024 for around 4 lakh matriculation students has been released by the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) today, April 19 at 11:30 am. The class 10th examinations were held from February 6 to 26. This year, 90.39 per cent students passed the class 10 exam which is a significant drop from last years 95.38 per cent.

Students who took part in the matriculation test may check their results by visiting the Jharkhand Academic Council website at jac.jharkhand.gov.in and jac.nic.in. The candidates roll number or roll code must be entered to view the results. In addition to this, DigiLocker and SMS are other ways to track the results.

Students in class 10 need to receive at least 33 per cent in each subject and aggregate to pass the Jharkhand board exam 2024. Once the Jharkhand Class 10 Result 2023 is officially published, applicants who are unsatisfied with their marks in any subject will be able to file for re-checking, commonly known as scrutiny. Students can apply for the JAC Matric supplementary test if they end up failing in one or two subjects on the Class 10 main exam.

In 2023, the Jharkhand Board class 10 pass percentage was recorded at 95.38 per cent. Out of these, the first division was obtained by 66.23 per cent of students, the second division by 31.05 per cent of students, and the third division by 2.37 per cent of students.
The Jharkhand Academic Council Board (JAC) has announced the results of class 10. This time too, the daughters have won by topping the list. Sana Sanjori, a student of Indira Gandhi Girls School, Hazaribagh, has secured the second position in the state. Sana Sanjuri has scored 493 out of 500.

Sana Sanjori told Local 18 that she is a resident of Seranghatu in Todar village of Lohardaga district. She has been studying in the hostel of Indira Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya for the last four years. She was selected for this school through a competition and is very happy that he has secured the second position in the entire state. The family members are also very happy.

Apart from the relatives, they are also receiving calls from residents for their daughters success. After the results were announced, there was a stream of people congratulating her. Sana Sanjori has scored 98 marks in English, 99 in Sanskrit, 100 in Music, 100 in Science, 96 in Social Science and 96 in Mathematics.

She further said that she wants to become a doctor in future. My family members also wish me to become a doctor in future. For this more hard work is needed. I worked very hard to study for the 10th class. For this I studied 8 to 10 hours daily, Sana shared.

At the same time, Sana Sanjoris father Yusuf Khan said that he is a stay-at-home and is engaged in farming. After many struggles, he sent his daughter from Lohardaga to Hazaribagh to study and it paid off well.

According to JAC, a total of 2,05,110 students passed in class one, 1,53,733 in class two and 19,555 in class three. This year, like the previous year, girls have outperformed boys with 91 per cent while boys scored 89.7 per cent, when taken average. The top three positions are dominated by girls, who incidentally come from Indira Gandhi Girls High School, Hazaribagh. Jyotsna Jyoti scored 99.2 per cent, the second-best student is Sana Sanjori with 98.6 per cent and the third-best student is Karishma Kumari and Srishti Saumya with 98.4 per cent.
Sarika A K from Kerala created history by becoming the first person from the state to clear the UPSC Civil Service Examination (CSE) while suffering from Cerebral Palsy. Despite being confined to a wheelchair and having minimum mobility, the 23-year-old girl has secured the 922nd rank in the exams. She originally hails from Keezhariyur, Kozhikode. While speaking with Times Of India, Sarika said that it was like a dream come true moment for her. She aspired to secure a position in the IAS under the different-abled category. It was her second attempt. She attributed her success to the support of her family, friends and teachers while emphasising the pivotal role played by her parents in the journey.

According to media reports, 23-year-old Sarikas right hand has minimum mobility whereas only three fingers of her left hand work. She uses the remaining two fingers to move around using a motor-operated wheelchair. From travelling to exam centres and facing the challenges of a week-long Mains examination, Sarika overcame each obstacle with resilience. However, the accessibility of the exam centre at Kozhikode was a boon for her. For her interview round, Sarka was accompanied by her father who flew back from Qatar to support her daughter. She attended the interview while sitting in a wheelchair. Sarika said that in the interview she was asked more questions about her graduation subject and her district Kozhikode.

While talking to Times of India, Sarika said that it was her school teacher at Koyilandy Abdurahiman who persuaded her to try for the UPSC exam. Since then, Ive been striving towards that goal. One day, Abdurahiman sir forwarded me a pamphlet of Project Chitrashalabham started by civil services trainer Jobin S Kottaram, said Sarika. She called it a turning point in her life. She said that she learned through online classes. She started her classes in 2022. Succeed in the second attempt. If selected for IAS, Sarika said that she would prefer the Kerela cadre with Tamil Nadu as her second option.

The results of UPSC CSE 2023 were released on April 16. The interview stage was concluded on April 16.
Voting has begun for Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim on Friday. Polling began at 7:00 am and will end at 6:00 pm, according to the Election Commission of India. The closure of polling time might differ constituency-wise.

People of 60 Assembly seats in Arunachal and 32 Assembly seats in Sikkim will cast their votes the same day as voters of 102 Parliamentary constituencies across 21 states will exercise their polling rights in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election which has also begun today.

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha Elections Voting Phase 1: Can You Take Paid Holiday On Polling Day? Check Laws And Exceptions

While Arunachal will be voting for two Lok Sabha seats, Sikkim will poll for its lone parliamentary seat in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections today.

SEE ALSO: Stone Pelting, Kidnapping & Offices Burnt Down: Poll Violence Mars Phase-1 Voting in Bengal as BJP, TMC Workers Clash

Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim Assembly Elections Latest Updates

Voting for the 60 Assembly seats in Arunachal and 32 seats in Sikkim has commenced.

Sikkim reported over 36.75% voter turnout for 32 Assembly seats and the lone Lok Sabha constituency by 1:00 pm, an official reported.

for 32 Assembly seats and the lone Lok Sabha constituency by 1:00 pm, an official reported. Over 37.39% voter turnout was recorded in Arunachal Pradesh by 1:00 pm.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu urged all eligible voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers.

As Arunachal Pradesh votes today to elect representatives for the eighth State Legislative Assembly and 18th Lok Sabha, I appeal to all eligible voters to exercise their franchise in large numbers. Let us overwhelmingly participate in this vibrant festival to enrich democracy. I also call upon the youth and first-time voters to take part in the elections, the Arunachal CM wrote in an X post.

The BJP won 41 seats in Arunachal Pradesh in the 2019 Assembly polls, and subsequently, seven MLAs of other parties, including the Janata Dal-United, joined the BJP.

READ MORE: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Why Was NOTA Introduced? What Happens If It Gains More Votes Than Parties

In the 60-member Assembly in Arunachal Pradesh, 59 seats are reserved for the Scheduled Tribes (ST).

The results of Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will be announced on June 2.

In Sikkim, chief minister and SKM supremo Prem Singh Tamang, former CM and SDF chief Pawan Kumar Chamling are among the 146 candidates in the fray for the 32-member Assembly.

The BJP has an informal alliance with the ruling SKM in Sikkim, whose government it supports from the outside.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took to microblogging site X and urged voters of 102 constituencies across 21 states which are set to go to polls today, to exercise their franchise in record numbers.

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections commence today! As 102 seats across 21 States and UTs go to the polls, I urge all those voting in these seats to exercise their franchise in record numbers. I particularly call upon the young and first time voters to vote in large numbers. After all, every vote counts and every voice matters! the prime minister said.

Stay updated with live coverage of 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Tamil Nadu Election 2024, West Bengal Election 2024, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim Election Phase 1 Polling on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, and analysis in real-time.Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
A day after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked Pinarayi Vijayan, asking why the Marxist leader was not being interrogated or arrested by Central agencies, the Kerala Chief Minister on Friday hit back saying he was not afraid to go to jail.

In a jibe suggesting Gandhi had not improved his public image over time, Vijayan also recalled an old name of Rahul Gandhi.

Addressing a massive election rally in Kozhikode, Vijayan said, Rahul Gandhiyou have an old name. There should not be a situation wherein you have still not moved from that situation.

Vijayan was apparently referring to Marxist veteran and former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandans remarks a decade ago against Gandhi calling him an Amul Baby.

He also recalled Rahuls grandmother, Indira Gandhis reign and said she also imprisoned most of the Left leaders, including himself, during the Emergency.

Your grandmother had jailed most of us for more than one-and-a-half years. We have experienced and seen enough interrogation and imprisonment. We are not afraid of jails. So, dont try to threaten us with investigations and jails; we are not worried, Vijayan said.

CPI(M) sources told news agency Press Trust of India that Vijayan intended to reference Achuthanandans Amul baby remarks against Gandhi through his old name jibe on Friday. There were also speculations over whether he referred to the Pappu jibe.

Congress Hits

The attack against Gandhi did not sit well with Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, who came down strongly on Vijayan during a rally in Kozhikode and accused the Kerala CM of stooping too low to please Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Condemning Vijayans remarks against Gandhi, Chennithala said, Vijayan should not have stooped so low to please Modi. The Congress Working Committee Committee (CWC) member also urged Vijayan to retract his bad remarks against Rahul and apologise to him.

Criticising the Chief Minister for his continuous attacks against Gandhi in his poll rallies, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, said, Vijayan works as BJPs mouthpiece in Kerala. The same thing that has been written and prepared for the last 35 days is said in the press conferences and delivered in the meetings. The Chief Minister criticises Congress and Rahul Gandhi the most, Satheesan alleged at a press conference in Alappuzha.

Rahul Gandhi is leading the anti-fascist struggle and heading the INDIA alliance. Chief Minister Vijayan also opposes Rahul Gandhi, whom the Modi administration targets with unending vengeance. Vijayan is governed by fear. People will react strongly in the elections against the illicit relationship between the CPM and BJP, Satheesan said.

Rahul Gandhis Attack On Vijayan

Gandhi, while addressing multiple election campaigns in the state, had on Thursday lashed out at Vijayan and wondered why the Left leader was targeting him while he was fighting against the BJP.

The Congress leader had said he was interrogated by the ED for 55 hours, his Lok Sabha membership and his official residence were taken away and currently, two chief ministers are in jail, but none of these were happening to the Kerala Chief Minister.

Why is he (Vijayan) not being interrogated by the ED, CBI and all? Two CMs are in jail, but why is none of this happening to the Kerala CM? I have been attacking the BJP 247 but the chief minister is attacking me. This is a bit puzzling, Gandhi had said.

Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked voters for turning out in large numbers for the first phase of the Lok Sabha election 2024 on Friday and expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliances big win on June 4.

Taking to the social media platform X, the Prime Minister wrote, First phase, great response! Thank you to all those who have voted today. Getting EXCELLENT feedback from todays voting. People across India are voting for NDA in record numbers.

First phase, great response! Thank you to all those who have voted today.Getting EXCELLENT feedback from todays voting. Its clear that people across India are voting for NDA in record numbers.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 19, 2024

A voter turnout of over 60% was registered in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections covering 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories amid sporadic incidents of violence at some places such as West Bengals Coochbehar and an accidental explosion of a grenade launcher shell in Chhattisgarh that left a CRPF jawan dead.

The Election Commission said polling for the first and biggest phase of the seven-phase elections remained largely peaceful. Voters braved the heat in most parts while at some places, they waited patiently in pouring rain as the worlds largest poll exercise got underway at 7 am.

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Modi is seeking a stronger majority for a third consecutive term, while the constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections.

Assembly elections were also held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. The tentative figure of voter turnout till 7 pm is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained, the EC said, adding voters reaching polling stations till the end of polling hour are allowed to cast their vote. Among the voters were first-timers, many newly-wed couples who came in their traditional attires, physically-challenged people and some elderly persons carried on stretchers and wheelchairs.

Minor EVM glitches were reported at some booths in Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Assam. In West Bengal, polling was marred by violence in the Cooch Behar seat. TMC and BJP workers clashed with each other and lodged 80 and 39 complaints respectively related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assault on poll agents, sources from both parties said. In strife-torn Manipur, around an impressive turnout of 68.62 per cent till 5 pm was recorded.

Voting was also held in 12 seats of Rajasthan, eight in Uttar Pradesh, six in Madhya Pradesh, five seats each in Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one seat each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh.

Among the prominent candidates in the fray in the first phase are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Sarbananda Sonowal, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress and DMKs Kanimozhi. Besides Tamil Nadu, polling is being held for all seats of Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1) and Lakshadweep (1).

Simultaneously, assembly elections were held in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats). The Election Commission has deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations.

(With PTI inputs)

Stay updated with live coverage of 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Tamil Nadu Election 2024, West Bengal Election 2024, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim Election Phase 1 Polling on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, and analysis in real-time.Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
The None of the Above (NOTA) option is available on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for voters who do not wish to support any political candidate. This allows them to exercise their right not to vote without revealing their decision.

Choosing NOTA signifies that the voter has decided not to back any particular party or candidate. If NOTA receives the highest number of votes in a constituency, the candidate with the second-highest number of votes is declared the winner.

Before NOTA was included in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), voters who wished to reject all candidates had to fill out Form 49-O at a voting booth. However, this process compromised the secrecy of the voters choice.

When was NOTA introduced?

In India, NOTA was introduced following a Supreme Court judgment on September 27, 2013. It aimed to discourage political parties from fielding tainted candidates.

Negative voting will lead to a systemic change in polls and political parties will be forced to project clean candidates. If the right to vote is a statutory right, then the right to reject a candidate is a fundamental right of speech and expression under the Constitution, said a bench headed by the then Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam said while delivering the verdict.

The bench also noted that the system of negative voting exists in several other countries. Even in Parliament, MPs have the option to abstain from voting.

The courts ruling mandated the Election Commission of India (ECI) to include a NOTA button on all electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Following the order, the election body then introduced a NOTA symbol, designed by the National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad, which appears in the last panel on all EVMs.

When was NOTA First Used in India?

The NOTA option was first used in the Assembly elections held in four states  Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh  and the Union Territory of Delhi in 2013. More than 15 lakh people exercised this option in the state polls, with 3.56 lakh in Chhattisgarh, 5.9 lakh in Madhya Pradesh, and 5.67 lakh in Rajasthan.

Stay updated with live coverage of 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Tamil Nadu Election 2024, West Bengal Election 2024, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim Election Phase 1 Polling on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, and analysis in real-time.Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
The polling process has commenced for the Lok Sabha election 2024 slated to be held in seven phases with its first phase beginning on Friday. People across 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories will exercise their voting rights in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections today.

Follow 2024 Lok Sabha Election LIVE News here

Is Voting Day A Paid Holiday?

Voters are entitled to paid leave on the day of voting, as mentioned in the Constitution of India under Section 135 B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Working professionals and employees are entitled to a paid holiday without deduction of salary on the day of voting.

ALSO READ: Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 1 Polling On April 19: List Of Documents Required For Voting, How to Check Polling Booth

According to the Representation of People Act, 1951, businesses, trades, industrial undertakings, and other establishments are required to declare a holiday on the polling day within their area.

Is Voting Day A Paid Holiday In Private Sector?

Legal experts say that the provision of declaring a holiday on the polling day extends to private sector also and applies equally to people belonging to, but not residing in the constituency where the voting is taking place. For example, a voter from Lucknow is residing in Delhi for work, but wishes to vote in Lucknow, he/she is entitled to a holiday to travel to his/her hometown to exercise his/her polling rights.

Penalty For Not Providing Paid Holiday On Voting Day

In the event of refusal to grant paid leaves, employees can report violations by their employers to the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commission. Consequences include penalties up to Rs 500 and the potential filing of FIRs under the Indian Penal Code

Polling Day Paid Holiday: Exceptions

Exceptions to the mandated paid holiday are in place for employees employed in a sector where their absence may jeopardize safety or lead to substantial losses for the employer.

The subsequent phases of Lok Sabha elections 2024 will follow on April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said her INDIA bloc allies, Congress and CPI(M), were BJP agents in the state, underlining once again that her support for them was at a national level. She cautioned people in the state against voting for the other two parties and said one vote for them against the TMC means giving away two votes to the BJP.

Banerjee said she will not be supporting the Congress and CPI(M) in Bengal, and that voting for any other party in the state means making the BJP more powerful. I am hearing that some people are saying here that we are INDIA alliance, vote for us. Let me tell them that the INDIA alliance is in Delhi, not here. The Congress, CPM should not form the INDIA alliance here. Giving even one vote to Congress against TMC means giving two votes to BJP. Voting for any other party here means making BJP more powerful, she said in Murshidabad district, which has a strong Congress-CPI(M) presence.

State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim are contesting from Berhampore and Murshidabad. After painstaking discussions over seat-sharing with the Congress for months, the TMC boss decided to contest the general elections alone. In the run-up to the polls, she has often accused the Congress and the Left of joining hands to assist the BJP in Bengal.

One of the major reasons for Mamatas frequent outbursts against her national allies could be her concerns about the Muslim vote bank in Bengal, which accounts for at least 28 per cent of the states total population. Traditionally, the ruling parties of Bengal  both the Left and TMC  have a well-consolidated Muslim vote and any split in this can put Mamata in trouble.

Now, if past election results are analysed, the Congress, too, had been a dominating political force in Muslim-majority districts like Murshidabad, Malda and parts of Birbhum. This was the same for the Left in some districts where Muslims and tribals are high in vote share percentage.

The Congress and Left sharing a stage can make the Muslim vote bank think that voting for either will make the alliance stronger. So, now that the TMC wields strong political influence among the Muslims in the state, Mamata is worried that any confusion caused by the national alliance could jeopardise the TMCs chances.

Voting for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections kicked off in Bengal with three constituencies in the northern parts  Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar  going to polls. The elections in the state will be held in all seven phases till June 1.

With the largest deployment of central armed police forces in the state for the elections, sporadic violence was reported from Cooch Behar that is presently represented by the BJPs Nishith Pramanik. Both the parties have accused each other after an incident of stone pelting was reported from the constituencys Chandamari area.
Taking a dig at Pakistan without naming it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said a country which was a supplier of aatank (terror) is struggling for aata (flour) these days.

Addressing an election rally at Damoh in Madhya Pradesh, he said India, which once bought most of its arms from overseas, was now exporting high-tech weapons to other countries and referred to providing BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines.

Citing the prevailing situation in the world, he pitched for a strong and stable government at the Centre, on a day when the the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, being held in seven phases, kicked off with voting in more than 100 seats.

There are many countries in the world whose conditions have worsened. Many are going bankrupt. Even one of our neighbours, which was a supplier of aatank (terrorism), is now struggling for supply of aata (flour), Modi said, targeting Pakistan.

The PM asserted his government works with the principle of Rashtra Pratham (nation first) and never succumbs to pressure from any quarter or bows before anyone.

Defending Indias move to purchase oil from Russia in the face of international pressure after it invaded Ukraine in February 2022, he said To ensure that the people of the country get cheap oil and farmers get adequate fertilisers, we have taken this decision in the national interest.

We have seen in the last 10 years how a stable government works in the interest of the people. During the COVID-19 crisis, there was chaos the world over, but a strong BJP government brought back its citizens from all over the globe, he said.

The BJPs star campaigner emphasised the next five years are crucial for making the country a big global power.

The PM said when war clouds are hovering in different parts of the world, there is a need for a government which is capable of tackling any exigencies, comments coming in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war, conflict in West Asia and rising Iran-Israel tension.

He said India has become self-reliant in the defence sector and is in the process of exporting weapons worth Rs 21,000 crore to other countries this year.

Modi underscored that while he was delivering a speech here (in Damoh), India is exporting the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system to the Philippines.

The PM accused the opposition of weakening the countrys defence sector and said they are guided by their vested interest even when it comes to the purchase of weapons for the defence forces.

He slammed the Congress for creating hurdles in the procurement of French-made Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force and said that had the opposition party been in power, Tejas planes could not have taken to the skies.

The BJP, in its manifesto, has promised that every individual above 70 years of age will be brought within the ambit of the Centres Ayushman Bharat Yojana, ensuring free treatment to them up to Rs 5 lakh, Modi maintained.

The PM asserted his government was committed to the welfare of the poor and pointed out that the Centre has extended the free ration scheme for five more years for nearly 80 crore beneficiaries.

Modi praised Iqbal Ansari, a former litigant in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, for accepting the invitation to attend the January 22 consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and slammed the opposition for boycotting the event.

The BJP has fielded Rahul Lodhi from the Damoh Lok Sabha seat and state party president Vishnu Dutt Sharma from the Khajuraho constituency. Both these seats will vote in the second phase of elections on April 26.
West Bengal witnessed political violence once again on Friday as Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri seats went to polls in Phase 1 of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

Both BJP and Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused each other of hurting their poll agents and workers and disrupting the electoral process in the state.

As of 9am, over 15 per cent of the 56.26 lakh voters in the three Lok Sabha constituencies had exercised their franchise, an Election Commission official said. Till 9 am, voter turnout in Cooch Behar is 15.26 per cent while that in Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri is 15.91 per cent and 14.13 per cent respectively, the official said.

BJP Alleges

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which is trying to better its performance in the state, alleged that TMC workers had pelted stones in Cooch Behars Chandamari area due to which the saffron partys booth president suffered injuries.

In the heart of Coochbehar Natabari, where the quiet hum of democracy should reign, darkness descended like a shroud last night.Amidst the flickering lights of Booth No. 175, nestled within the Pani Shala area, a scene of horror unfolded. Mustafa Ali, entrusted with the solemn pic.twitter.com/MWppejKPra  BJP West Bengal (@BJP4Bengal) April 19, 2024

It also alleged that their polling agent Biswanath Paul had been kidnapped from a poll booth by TMC workers, though the BDO, in its report to the Election Commission, said Paul had gone home to collect the voters list and was back on duty.

BJP workers also claimed they were attacked in Natabari and injured cadre were admitted to Tufhangunj hospital in Cooch Behar. Apart from this, the saffron party claimed that houses of BJP Karyakartas were destroyed by TMC. The party also said that stone pelting by TMC workers in Chandamari to prevent voters from exercising their franchise led to BJPs booth president suffering injuries.

TMCs Counter-Claims

The ruling TMC too accused the BJP of orchestrating violence in the state, with the Mamata Banerjee-led party alleging that Union minister and BJP leader Nisith Pramanik was using his position to store arms in his office. They have also written a letter to the Election Commission in this regard.

The party also said BJP supporters had assaulted a TMC polling agent in Alipurduar apart from setting on fire a temporary election office in the Harirhat area of Barokodali-I gram panchayat in Tufanganj-II block. TMC alleged that AITC Block President, Bhetaguri, Anant Barman was brutally assaulted by BJP workers and is currently undergoing treatment in hospital. They also said BJP leaders Ratan Burman, Ajeet Mahanto and Hiren Mahanto hurled bombs and attacked AITC booth agents, triggering violence.

At Alipurduar, @BJP4Bengal thugs plunged to despicable depths!They brandished weapons, instilled terror among locals, and assaulted our polling agents from the booth 226 and 227, all while the spineless Central forces stood idly by, complicit in their silence. Such blatant  All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) April 19, 2024

Till now, TMC has raised 21 complaints to the EC against the BJP.

PHASE-1 MATH

All three seats in Phase-1 are reserved, with Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri for SCs and Alipurduar for STs. A total of 37 candidates, including Pramanik, are in the fray in the three constituencies. Voting began at 7am and will continue till 6pm.

Stay updated with live coverage of 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Tamil Nadu Election 2024, West Bengal Election 2024, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim Election Phase 1 Polling on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, and analysis in real-time.Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Sporadic incidents of violence marred the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Bengals three parliamentary constituencies, with a 77% voter turnout till 5 pm and several injuries reported as TMC and BJP workers clashed mostly in the violence-prone Cooch Behar seat.

The TMC and BJP lodged around 100 and 50 complaints respectively, which are related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents in the initial hours of polling, as claimed by sources from both parties. Most complaints originated from Cooch Behar.

We have received a few complaints and we are looking into them. However, we have no reports of any major incidents of violence so far. The polling has been peaceful, a senior officer from the CEOs office said.

The CEOs office received approximately 500 complaints from various parties till 2pm, with most of the complaints swiftly resolved.

According to officials, Cooch Behar recorded a 77.38 per cent turnout till 5pm, while Alipurduars and Jalpaiguri recorded 75.54 and 79.33 per cent, respectively.

Voting commenced at 7 am and concluded at 6 pm. Sources suggest the turnout may increase further as long queues were seen outside polling booths.

All three seats are reserved: Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri for SCs, and Alipurduars for STs. These seats were won by the BJP in 2019.

During the last Lok Sabha polls, the turnout in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduars was 84, 86, and 83 per cent, respectively.

A total of 37 candidates, including Union Minister and BJP leader Nisith Pramanik (Cooch Behar), are contesting in the three constituencies.

LATEST UPDATES

Police have found nine explosives 200 metres away from a polling booth in Cooch Behar districts Falimari village.

Police chased BJP MLA from Jalpaiguris Dabgram-Phulbari constituency, Shikha Chatterjees, car after she forcibly entered a polling station in ward number 33, violating poll rules. Police also tried to detain her. The Election Commission has sought a report on the issue.

Congress Candidate from Cooch Behar Piya Roy Chowdhury cast her vote.

#WATCH | Cooch Behar, West Bengal: Congress Candidate from Cooch Behar Piya Roy Chowdhury casts her vote.BJP has fielded Union Minister Nisith Pramanik from Cooch Behar constituency. #LokSabhaElections2024 pic.twitter.com/8XbkPklnGv  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Around 50.96 per cent of 56.26 lakh voters of three Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal exercised their franchise on Friday.

BJPs candidate from Coochbehar Nisith Pramanik, while addressing the media on Saturday said, This time the win will be for the people. No matter what gunagardi TMC does, win will be for BJP.

On West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, TMC leader Dr Santanu Sen said, The work of governor is to work as Constitutional head, however, what we see as they work on the behest of BJPIn West Bengal, the law and order situation is good comparatively other statesIf the EC stays neutral and provides a level playing field to all, then here elections will take place peacefullyGovernor has been used to disturb the state government.

A bomb was recovered from a village in Coochbehars Dinhata. It has also been alleged that Trinamool workers hurled bombs at the BJP booth presidents house in the area.

TMC candidate from Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha constituency Nirmal Chandra Roy cast his vote at a polling station in Jalpaiguris Dhupguri. He said, I will appeal to the people to cast their votes peacefully and maintain law and order.

CPI(M) Jalpaiguri candidate Debraj Barman cast his vote in the first hour and said he would visit different booths throughout the day.

TMC workers have allegedly pelted stones in Cooch Behars Chandamari area due to which BJPs booth president has suffered injuries.

VIDEO | West Bengal: Reports of stone pelting in Chandmari village, #CoochBehar, amid first phase polling for Lok Sabha Elections 2024. More details are awaited.#LSPolls2024WithPTI #LokSabhaElections2024(Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/2SF9KNM7HY  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 19, 2024

The BJP in Bengal has claimed that their party polling agent, Biswanath Paul has been kidnapped from a poll booth by TMC party workers.

On the alleged stone pelting incident in West Bengals Medinipur, Governor CV Ananda Bose said, Peace and harmony is something that the people of Bengal want and the people of Bengal deserve. It is after the authorities to ensure that there is law and order in the state, especially during the elections. Any perpetrators of violence should be booked and stern action should be taken, that is the responsibility of the Election Commission.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged people of the 102 constituencies in 21 states and union territories, who are voting today to vote in record numbers.

In Coochbehar, both TMC and BJP claimed attacks on their party workers. Two incidents have come up where workers from both parties have been hospitalised.

The ruling TMC has written a letter to the Election Commission alleging that Nishit Pramanik is utilising his position and storing arms in his party office.

At least 112 companies of central forces and 4,500 state police will be deployed in Cooch Behar, which is almost double compared to the forces deployed in the other two districts.

The poll panel has decided to deploy 2,454 state police personnel alongside 63 companies of central forces in Alipurduar, officials said.

There will also be 75 companies of central forces and 3,077 state police in Jalpaiguri.

The longstanding rivalry between Pramanik and TMCs Dinhata MLA and North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha seems to have contributed to the palpable tension in Cooch Behar over the elections.

The Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) or the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel will be deployed there for the April 19 polls, an EC official has said.

This comes in view of the death of four persons in a firing allegedly by CISF personnel at a booth in Sitalkuchi during the 2021 assembly polls, following which the Election Commission has decided not to deploy any personnel of that force there.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed public meetings in Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar while TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and the partys number two Abhishek Banerjee also held several rallies and roadshows in these places.

All three constituencies were won by the BJP in the 2019 general elections. In the 2021 assembly polls, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar remained BJPs stronghold with the party winning five of seven segments in the first and six in the second constituency, but in Jalpaiguri, the TMC had the upper hand, winning five and the saffron party managed to win two.

A 42-year-old CRPF jawan fell unconscious while on duty at a polling station in Cooch Behars Mathabhanga. On being taken to a nearby hospital, doctors declared him dead. His body has been sent for post-mortem.

ALSO READ: Why Was NOTA Introduced? What Happens If It Gains More Votes Than Parties

Alipurduar Constituency

Senior BJP leader Manoj Tigga will be fighting Trinamool Congresss Prakash Chik Baraik here.. The Left Front has nominated Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Mili Oraon as its candidate.

Cooch Behar Constituency

Union Minister of State for Home Nisith Pramanik is taking on TMCs Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia in Cooch Behar (SC) seat, which saw the death of four persons in firing allegedly by central forces at Sitalkuchi during the 2021 assembly elections, that has been made an issue by the TMC in the current poll campaign also.

Jalpaiguri Constituency

Located in North Bengal, the Jalpaiguri constituency is designated as reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs).

In the first phase of voting, Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy, the incumbent MP from the BJP, is fighting against Nirmal Chandra Roy of the TMC and Debraj Barman representing the CPI-M.

The districts like Darjeeling, Raiganj, and Balurghat will go into polls in its second phase on April 26.

Candidate Profiles

The BJP has renominated Jayanta Roy in Jalpaiguri and Pramanik in Cooch Behar but replaced last times winner John Barla with the partys Madarihat MLA Manoj Tigga.

The TMC has, however, changed candidates in all three seats, fielding Prakash Chik Baraik in Alipurduar, Nirmal Chandra Roy in Jalpaiguri and Sitai MLA Basunia in Cooch Behar.

Check Voter Turnout For Lok Sabha Election 2024

2019 West Bengal Lok Sabha Polls

In 2019, the ruling Trinamool bagged 22 seats compared to the BJPs 18, with respective vote percentages of 43.3 and 40.7. However, in 2021, Mamata Banerjee led the TMC to a landslide victory in the assembly elections, securing an impressive 215 seats.

Despite the BJPs vigorous campaigning, it only managed to get 77 seats.

The state sends the third-highest number of representatives to the 543-member Lok Sabha, trailing only Uttar Pradesh (80) and Maharashtra (48).

ALSO READ: Stone Pelting, Kidnapping & Offices Burnt Down: Poll Violence Mars Phase-1 Voting in Bengal as BJP, TMC Workers Clash

(with agency inputs)

Stay updated with live coverage of 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Tamil Nadu Election 2024, West Bengal Election 2024, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim Election Phase 1 Polling on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, and analysis in real-time.Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
In a harrowing turn of events, a 24-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed to death by her 44-year-old ex-boyfriend, who was later bludgeoned to death by the victims mother in the Jayanagar area of Karnatakas Bengaluru on Thursday.

The deceased have been identified as Anusha, a resident of Shakambari Nagar in JP Nagar, and T Suresh, a resident of Goraguntepalya.

According to the police, Anusha and Suresh had known each other for five years.

They reportedly met while working for an event management firm. At the time, Suresh claimed to be a bachelor. He had an affair with Anusha and promised to marry her.

However, some time ago, Anusha discovered that Suresh was married with two children and since then she has been trying to distance herself from him.

A preliminary investigation has revealed that Anusha and Suresh had an altercation at Sarakki Park near the womans house in Jayanagar because she had begun distancing herself from him, which he did not take well.

She did not want to have any association with him, the police said.

They met at the park where he allegedly stabbed her twice, a senior police officer said.

Before stepping out of her house, Anusha had informed her mother that she was going to meet someone in the park for five minutes and would be back soon. Suspecting that something was amiss, her mother followed her and ended up witnessing Anusha being stabbed in front of her.

Anushas mother Geetha tried to stop Suresh, but couldnt. She then picked up a cement brick lying nearby and hit Suresh hard. She then rushed Anusha to a nearby hospital with the help of some passersby.

Anusha was grievously injured, with one injury on her chest and another on her neck. She was declared brought dead at the hospital, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Lokesh Bharamappa Jagalasar said.

He said both Anusha and Suresh were killed around 4.45 pm.

Based on the investigation so far, it appears that Suresh stabbed Anusha. Anushas mother rushed to save her and in that bid, she hit Suresh on his head with a stone and he died on the spot. We are currently interrogating an eyewitness in the case, he said.

Both of them knew each other from their workplace. Anusha was a caretaker, while Suresh worked for an event management company. Anusha was trying to keep her distance from him, which may have led to this incident, the DCP added.

Two separate cases have been registered in connection with the incident and the mother of the deceased is being questioned, police said, adding that further investigation is underway.

(With PTI Inputs)

Stay updated with live coverage of 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Tamil Nadu Election 2024, West Bengal Election 2024, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim Election Phase 1 Polling on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, and analysis in real-time.Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
As India goes to vote for phase 1 of the Lok Sabha polls, people from all walks of life turned up to participate in the festival of democracy ranging from first-time voters to elderly people exercising their right to vote. However, a startling visual came to light from Jammu and Kashmirs Bhaderwah area where a groom decked up in sherwani was among the first to cast his vote for the phase of the crucial Lok Sabha elections.

Talking to the groom, News18 learnt that he preferred to exercise his right to vote ahead of his wedding and kept the bride waiting at a marriage in Seri area of Bhaderwah.

Identified as Susheel Kumar, the groom was a resident of Seri Bhaderwah. On his way to the marriage hall where the bride was waiting for his arrival, the groom stopped at the polling station and contributed to the nation-building process.

Susheel appeared at a polling station established at Seri and cast his vote.

In a similar incident, a bride was also seen arriving at the polling station after her wedding in Uttar Pradeshs Muzaffarnagar to cast her vote.

a newly-wed couple headed straight to vote to exercise their franchise on Friday in J&Ks Udhampur.

Raising awareness among people to make use of their Right to Vote, bride Radhika Sharma said, Yesterday our wedding ceremony took place and today after farewell rituals, I told my husband that we must cast our votesI will convey to everyone that they must not waste their votes.

#WATCH | Udhampur, J&K: As the first phase of #LokSabhaElections2024 is underway, after the wedding newly married couple heads straight to vote as they exercise their franchise. pic.twitter.com/WbJeL4PN3M ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Kapil Gupta got married Thursday and exercised his franchise at a polling booth set up in Jammu and Kashmirs Udhampur town soon after returning home Friday morning.

Jammu and Kashmir will have elections in the first five phases. The Union Territory has five Parliamentary constituencies. In the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, Udhampur constituency went to the polls.

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In a disturbing incident from Guna, Madhya Pradesh, a woman was reportedly raped and tortured by her neighbour for a month. The accused allegedly demanded that she marry him and transfer her parental property into his name.

According to the police, the 23-year-old woman, who lived with her mother, was allegedly confined, sexually assaulted, whipped with a belt, and beaten with a water pipe.

The accused also allegedly applied chilli powder to her wounds and sealed her lips with glue to prevent her from screaming.

As per The Times of India report, the victim told the police that the accused forcibly took her to his residence a month ago, where he confined her to a room, depriving her of any means of communication or escape.

On Tuesday night, after enduring another episode of torment, she somehow managed to escape from the house and walked 5 kilometres through the night to reach the Cantonment police station by morning.

Upon her arrival at the station, the police were appalled by her condition. Her lips were sealed shut with glue, her eyes were swollen, and her body bore visible signs of bruising.

Sharing an update on the victims condition, Dileep Rajoriya, the police officer, told Hindustan Times that she is stable after hospitalisation. He also said that the womans mother was away in Shivpuri when the assault happened.

Police stated that the accused was arrested while illegally supplying liquor on Wednesday night. He has been booked under the Indian Penal Codes Sections 376 (rape), 294 (obscene language), and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), as well as under the Excise Act, adding, they could add additional charges after further investigation.

Stay updated with live coverage of 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Tamil Nadu Election 2024, West Bengal Election 2024, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim Election Phase 1 Polling on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, and analysis in real-time.Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk is likely to reach New Delhi on Sunday, and meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday morning to announce his investment plans in the electric vehicle (EV) segment, according to sources.

Musk will stay in New Delhis Hotel Oberoi. Sources said Musk is likely to present a roadmap for total investment of around 20-30 billion dollars in India. Amid talks of starting EV sales in India this year, Musk is likely to hold a meeting with startups in Bharat Mandapam. There are chances that the Starlink agreement, however, may not happen during this visit.

ALSO READ | Elon Musk Supporter of India: PM Modi on Tesla CEOs Visit, Big-ticket Investment Plans

Investment roadmap is likely to have different phases. Sources said there is a possibility of announcement of investment of 2-3 billion dollars in the EV segment. Along with electric cars, a roadmap for investment of component makers may also come. Investment in battery manufacturing facility may also be part of the investment, said sources.

In an interview to news agency ANI, the prime minister was asked about how Musk had said he was a Modi fan". Look, the first thing saying that Elon Musk is a supporter of Modi is one thing, basically, he is a supporter of India. And I just met him. Its not like that," Modi said.

Modi said he met Musk twice before  once during a factory visit in 2015 and the other, most recently, during his state visit to the US last year. Recalling the factory visit in 2015, he said the Tesla CEO had cancelled his pre-scheduled commitment to meet him.

He showed me everything in his factory. And I understood his vision from him. I went there just now (to the US in 2023) and met him again. And now he is about to come to India," the PM told ANI.

Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister @NarendraModi in India! Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 10, 2024

On April 10, Musk confirmed his visit to India and his planned meeting with PM Modi. In a post on X, he wrote: Looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister @NarendraModi in India."

In June last year, Musk had met Modi during the prime ministers US visit. The Tesla CEO had then said he planned to visit India in 2024, while expressing confidence that the company will enter the Indian market soon.

Thanks @elonmusk for showing me around at @TeslaMotors.Enjoyed discussion on how battery technology can help farmers pic.twitter.com/r2YuSPPlty Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 27, 2015

His planned visit comes weeks after the central government announced a new electric vehicle policy, under which import duty concessions will be given to companies setting up manufacturing units in India with a minimum investment of $500 million. This is a move aimed at attracting major global players like the US-based Tesla.

At present, cars imported as completely built units (CBU) attract customs duty ranging from 70 per cent to 100 per cent, depending on the engine size and cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value. Among the large countries of the world, India has the highest import duties on cars.

ALSO READ | Why is India Market Important for Elon Musk? Besides EV Segment, Why Tech Sector Could See A Boom

I want investment to come to India because, in India, it doesnt matter who has invested money, (but) the sweat put into the work must be of our own people. The product should have the essence of our soil, so that our youth in the country will get employment opportunities," he told ANI.

Earlier this month, Musk said it would be a natural progression to provide Tesla EVs in India. India is now the most populous country in the world, based on population. India should have electric cars just like every other country. Its a natural progression to provide Tesla electric vehicles in India," he added.

Stay updated with live coverage of 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Tamil Nadu Election 2024, West Bengal Election 2024, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim Election Phase 1 Polling on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, and analysis in real-time.Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
India delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines on Friday. The supplies came over two years after India signed a USD 375 million deal with the Southeast Asian nation in 2022 to supply the weapon systems.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) transported the missile and the launchers to the Philippines through its American-origin C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft. The weapon system was sent to the Philippines Marine Corps.

#WATCH | BrahMos supersonic cruise Missiles delivered to the Philippines by India today. The two countries had signed a deal worth USD 375 million in 2022. pic.twitter.com/CLdoxiChb5 ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Indian officials offered sweets to the Philippines Marine Corps officers on the occasion.

#WATCH | Indian officials offering sweets to the Philippines Marine Corps officers on the delivery of the BrahMos missile to the Philippines under an export order of USD 375 million. pic.twitter.com/qzhLsMxOLu ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

The deal reflects the growing military ties between the India and Philippines amid Chinas military muscle-flexing in the South China Sea.

About The Deal

Under the January 2022 deal, India will supply three batteries of the missiles, their launchers and related equipment. It was the first export of the BrahMos missile by India. A few other countries including Argentina have also shown interest in procuring BrahMos missiles from India.

About BrahMos Missile

BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, an India-Russian joint venture, produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms. BrahMos missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound.

India-Philippines Ties

India has been looking at further expanding defence ties with the Philippines against the backdrop of growing global concerns over Chinas increasing military assertiveness in the South China Sea. Both India and the Philippines have been emphasising the need for peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea and for adherence to international law, especially the UNCLOS (UN Convention on the Law of the Sea).

The twin sides are also favouring implementation of an arbitral award by a UN court on the South China Sea. The UNs Permanent Court of Arbitration, adjudicating the Philippines case against Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea, ruled in favour of Manila. However, China refused to accept the verdict.

There have been growing global concerns over Chinas sweeping claims of sovereignty over all of the South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons. Several countries in the region including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei, have counterclaims.

As part of efforts to boost military ties with the Philippines, India has decided to post a defence attache to that country along with Ethiopia, Mozambique, Poland and Ivory Coast.

Stay updated with live coverage of 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Tamil Nadu Election 2024, West Bengal Election 2024, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim Election Phase 1 Polling on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, and analysis in real-time.Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Dismissing the political attack and claims of love jihad, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Friday said the murder of daughter of a Congress corporator on a Hubballi college campus was due to personal reasons. Deputy CM DK Shivakumar defended the law and order situation in the state, blaming the state Opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for trying to create fear and panic.

According to police, Neha, a 23-year-old first-year Masters of Computer Applications (MCA) student at BV Bhoomaraddi (BVB) College of Engineering and Technology and daughter of Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) councillor Niranjan Hiremath, was stabbed seven times on the campus by Fayaz, 23, a dropout of the same institute whose advances she had spurned, on Thursday. The CCTV footage showed Fayaz stabbing Neha multiple times before fleeing. The woman died of multiple stab wounds, while Fayaz has been arrested.

Murder of #Karnataka college student & daughter of a #Congress corporator #NehaNiranjan by her former classmate #Fayaz triggers a political row, BJP accuses Congress-led govt of playing appeasement politics at the cost of law & order#PlainSpeak @ShivaniGupta_5 pic.twitter.com/8aIKKGlczV News18 (@CNNnews18) April 19, 2024

Fayaz hails from Munavalli in Savadatti Taluk. His parents, Baba Saheb and Mumtaz, are government school teachers.

Hiremath told ANI: He was an old student, and he had proposed to my daughter, but she rejected his proposal. She did not like him, and she usually stayed away from all this She refused his proposal, saying they both belonged to different castes and that she did not wish to have any relationship with him. Out of anger, he stabbed my daughter seven times. The motive of the murder is that the victim rejected the accuseds love proposal We had a conversation with the accused before the incident where we explained to him that we cant allow him to get married to her.

#WATCH | Congress Corporator and father of the deceased, Niranjan Hiremath says "After my daughter' was returning from college, an unknown person came and stabbed him 7 times and she died on the spot. The accused has already been arrested. The motive of the murder is that the pic.twitter.com/ueqFcIuWxs ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

The accused had fled, but we arrested him within an hour. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered. He has been sent to judicial custody. It is a serious case and we are investigating. In the due course of the investigation, everything will come to light, Hubballi Dharwad Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar told ANI.

The BJP attacked the Congress government, claiming a love jihad angle. This is an unfortunate incident and I believe there is an angle of love jihad in this. When the girl refused advances, she was murdered. Under the Congress government, there is no law and order, Union Minister and BJP leader Pralhad Joshi said. Union Minister and BJP leader Shobha Karandlaje said, The girl was innocentHe wanted to trap her in love jihad. She did not listen, therefore, she was murdered on the college campus. This is a failure of law and order.

STORY | Congress Corporator's daughter stabbed to death inside college campus in HubballiREAD: https://t.co/Qqwkv3K90I VIDEO | This is an unfortunate incident and I believe there is an angle of 'love jihad' in this. When the girl refused (the guys) advances, she was pic.twitter.com/NRKTwh5LwK  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 18, 2024

Karnataka CM rejected the allegations. The murder happened due to personal reasons. The law and order situation in Karnataka is good. It is our duty to maintain law and order and we are doing it

State Home Minister G Parameshwara claimed that Neha and Fayaz were in a relationship before it soured. Maybe he stabbed her because she was to marry someone else, but I dont know the details As it was a mutual relationship, it doesnt seem to be a case of love jihad, Parameshwara said.

#WATCH | Karnataka: On a college student hacked to death in Hubballi campus, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar says "BJP is trying to threaten by showing that there is no law and order in Karnataka. Karnataka has the best law and order. They are just trying to tell the voters that they are pic.twitter.com/FLFnZ921yw ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Shivakumar said: The BJP is trying to threaten by showing that there is no law and order in Karnataka. Karnataka has the best law and order. They are just trying to tell voters that they are going to impose Governors Rule in the state. They cant do it. The law will take its course for everyone.

Meanwhile, ABVP activists staged a protest on the campus and set tyres on fire.

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The Supreme Court on Friday sought replies from the Centre and the Assam government on a plea challenging the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, meant to operationalise and regulate the process of granting Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants who came from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala took note of the submissions of a lawyer representing petitioner Hiren Gohain, a Guwahati resident, and issued notices to the state government and the union ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs.

The top court also ordered that the fresh plea be tagged with those pending on the issue.

The late plea on the hugely contentious issue said, The uncontrolled influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh to Assam has caused huge demographic changes in Assam. The indigenous people, who were once the majority, have now become a minority in their land.

Recently, the bench, while refusing to stay the operation of the CAA Rules, asked the Centre to respond to the applications seeking a stay on their implementation till the apex court has disposed of the pleas challenging the validity of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.

Gohain, in his plea, said the CAA Rules, 2024 are ultra-vires to the Constitution as they are palpably discriminatory, manifestly arbitrary, illegal and against the basic structure of the Constitution.

It is stated that the impugned Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024 violates the petitioners fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 (right to equality), 15 (right against discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste etc), 19 (freedom of speech and expression), 21 (right to life and personal liberty) etc of the Constitution, it said.

Gohain said he has filed the plea in his personal as well as in representative capacity of a majority of the indigenous people living in Assam and seeks enforcement of their fundamental rights.

Raising the issue of an uncontrolled influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh to Assam, the plea said it was not a communal issue.

Neither it is a Hindu-Muslim or indigenous people v/s Bengali immigrants issue. Rather it is an issue of foreign infiltrators, be it Hindus or Muslims, who are inundating the land that for centuries has belonged to the indigenous people of Assam. In other words, it is an issue between Indians and non-Indians/ foreigners and one of grave importance for the entire nation, it said.

It is stated that according to the 2011 census, the population of Assam was about 3.21 crores out of which only 1.34 crore people are indigenous Assamese. This figure includes the Assamese Muslims and indigenous people of the different tribes like Bodo, Missing, Rabha, Karbi etc.

Additionally, there are about 48 lakh people that comprise the tea tribes, it said.

The total of the aforesaid two figures comes to about 1.82 crores. A major part of the remaining population of Assam essentially comprises Bengali speaking Hindus and Muslims and a minor part comprises Hindi/other language speaking people who have migrated from the other states of India, the petition said.

With the unveiling of the rules on March 11, days ahead of the announcement of the Lok Sabha elections, the Modi government kicked off the process of granting Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants  Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis and Christians  from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

The rules came into force with immediate effect, according to a gazette notification.

The massively polarising CAA sparked protests in various parts of the country in late 2019 and early 2020 over its alleged discriminatory provisions.

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While theres a common belief that undergoing a Cesarean delivery may hinder womens efforts to reduce post-pregnancy belly fat, its still possible to effectively shed excess weight by practising specific Yoga poses. Despite the major surgery to the stomach area, new mothers can strengthen their abdominal muscles or core with these exercises. Lets delve into five Yoga poses that can help reduce the post-pregnancy belly pouch.

Plank Pose or Chaturanga Dandasana

Plank Pose or Chaturanga Dandasana is hailed as one of the most effective yoga poses for weight loss, targeting multiple muscle groups. This pose not only strengthens the core, arms, and wrists but also tones the abdomen area. Furthermore, it improves posture and enhances overall body stability. To execute this pose, position your forearms on the ground with elbows aligned under your shoulders. Maintain a straight line from head to heels and engage your core muscles. Aim to sustain this pose for at least 50-60 seconds for optimal benefits.

Downward Dog Pose or Adho Mukha Svanasana

This full-body stretch pose offers numerous benefits, stretching the lower body, including the hamstrings, calves and ankles. Moreover, it strengthens the upper body and engages the midsection, facilitating the development of strong abdominal muscles. To execute this pose, lift your hips as high as possible while straightening your arms and legs. Ensure your heels are grounded, and your head is positioned between your arms. Aim to maintain this pose for at least 30 seconds to experience its full effects.

Swiss Ball Bird Dog Pose or Parsva Balasana

This exercise is an effective method for strengthening your upper back, glutes, and muscles along the spine. It also contributes to stability, posture enhancement and alleviating lower back pain, which is often experienced post-pregnancy. To perform this movement, youll need an exercise ball. Lie on top of the ball so that your torso is supported by it, forming a straight line with your body. Place your palms flat on the floor and ensure your toes are touching the ground. While maintaining a gaze towards the floor, simultaneously lift and reach your left foot and right arm. Hold this position for 1 to 2 seconds before repeating with the opposite foot and arm. Aim for at least 5 repetitions to reap the benefits of this exercise.

Cat-Cow Pose or Bitilasana

This pose supports your back muscles, strengthens the core, and enhances spinal mobility. It also encourages relaxation and improves circulation. Start with your hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips. Inhale while arching your back and lifting your head and tailbone. Exhale, rounding your spine, tucking your chin and tailbone while pulling your navel in. Repeat it for 10 times.

Bridge Pose or Setu Bandhasana

This movement strengthens the upper and lower back, hips, and legs, while also bringing strength to the pelvic floor and lower belly. For this pose, lie on your back with your knees bent and feet on the ground. Lift hips while pressing shoulders into the mat. Maintain this position for 5 breaths.
Junaid Khan, son of Bollywoods Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan, is currently on a roll. Even before the premiere of his first film, he has already wrapped his second film, as per reports. As Junaid gears up for his debut with Yash Raj Films Maharaj, he has also completed his second project after an intensive 58-day shoot.

A source close to the actor revealed, Despite the demanding schedule, Junaid continues to showcase his versatility as he wraps up a 58-day shoot for his second exciting project! The title of the film and the plot details have not been revealed yet.

Last month, Junaid Khan returned from Japan after completing 50 days of schedule of his upcoming untitled film made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions. After shooting for a month and a half in Sapporo, Japan, Junaid wrapped up the schedule. The film will also feature Sai Pallavi as the lead.

Recently, BTS pictures went viral online, showing Sai Pallavi and Junaid shooting together against the scenic backdrop of Japans Sapporo Snow Festival. According to reports, the entire team, including Junaid, remained determined and continued shooting despite the weather not in their favour. To keep the project on track, the team worked 1214 hours per day. The reports added that Aamir Khan is in constant touch with his son Junaid and the staff to assess the shoot properly.

Meanwhile, Junaid also has a film with Khushi Kapoor in the pipeline. The film is the Hindi remake of Love Today and is set to commence filming this summer. As for his debut, Netflix released a video featuring glimpses of three films, including Junaids debut, along with Vijay 69 and Mandala Murders. While the video revealed the characters faces in the latter two films, Junaids look in Maharaj remained a mystery, hinting at the films grand scale.
With just a few months before the release of Inside Out 2, the fans are already awaiting the all-new emotionsAnxiety, Ennui, Embarrassment, and Envy. The Academy Award-winning film Inside Out gets a sequel where teenage emotions are all set to stir chaos in Rileys mind. Recently, director Kelsey Mann opened up about Stranger Things star, Maya Hawkes casting for the voice of Anxiety in the film.

Recalling a delightful memory of casting for Anxiety, director Kelsey Mann shared, Heres a really cool thing about Maya, [she] was awesome, you know. Its a really fun story. I auditioned Maya from Disney World, believe it or not. He revealed that Maya was on a holiday with her family when they asked to submit her audition. So, we went out to like to do an audition with Maya, and Mark [Nielsen] was like, Good news is she said, Yes. She would love to audition and meet with you. Bad news is its during your vacation. So, me and my kids, we were all at Disney World. Im like Ah, man, Im at Disney World. Hes like Dont worry, well figure something out.

Speaking about his interaction with Maya Hawke, he added, They did. It was awesome. I was with my family, I go, Alright, Ill be right back, and then they took me backstage, and I went back to some random office where they had a computer with Zoom on it. She absolutely crushed it. And my favorite part was, you know, at the end of it, I talked about what I wanted the movie to be about, and she just immediately connected with it. I think I even cried as she was talking. And I walked away and, you know, called you [Mark], and were like, Oh my God, shes perfect. And then I went back into the EPCOT and continued my vacation. It was hilarious.

Pixars Inside Out 2 is all set to open in Indian theatres on June 14.
The Marathi actress Mukta Barve, has recently been making headlines for her upcoming film Nach Ga Ghuma, slated to release on May 1. The makers of the film on Wednesday dropped the official trailer on the YouTube channel of Everest Marathi.

The film features a stellar cast including Mukta Barve, Sukanya Kulkarni, and Sarang Sathe among others. The story of Nach Ga Ghuma revolves around a typical middle-class family. The plot takes a turn when the familys maid quits her job and goes on a vacation. The workload of the maid then becomes the familys chores and eventually a nightmare for them to accomplish.

Mukta has been known for not only films but also for her commendable work in television and theatre as well. She has been a recipient of over seven Maharashtra State Film Awards. However, being at the top of an industry is not that easy. Mukta has gone through several such challenges that broke her numerous times.

Originally, Mukta hails from Pune, and settling in the city of dreams, Mumbai was never been easy. As there are several levels of differences in the lifestyle of Pune and Mumbai, Barve had to face some of them. At first, she has to struggle majorly to adapt to the crowd. To get through the rush of the city, she mentioned that she used to take local trains, she said in a Rajshri Marathi interview. However, her first time on the train made her concussed and she ended up falling on the platform at Kurla station.

Talking about her struggling days, Mukta said that she initially stayed in a hostel with actress Madhugandha Kulkarni in Mumbai. She mentioned that she eventually managed to make herself strong enough as she wanted to work and mark her path to success. After this, Mukta Barve started to stand on the Dadar stations bridge to study the crowd. She learned how to tackle the rush and survived for her career to be built, the actress added.
Businessman Raj Kundra took to his Instagram stories on Friday afternoon to share a cryptic post. Shilpa Shettys husband shared a picture with a quote that read, There is a time to be a nice person. And theres time to say enough is enough. The post comes a day after the Enforcement Directorate seized his and Shilpas properties worth Rs 97.79 crore in connection with a bitcoin fraud case.

Earlier today too, Raj shared a picture of a lion roaring on his Instagram stories and spoke about remaining calm despite feeling disrespected. Learning to stay calm when you feel disrespected is a different type of growth, his post read.

On Thursday, ED seized Raj Kundras properties worth Rs 97.79 crore. The attached properties include a residential flat in Mumbais Juhu, in the name of his wife Shilpa Shetty. Another property is a residential bungalow in Pune and Equity shares in the name of Raj Kundra, the ED said.

The agency said in a statement that the Mumbai zonal office of ED has provisionally attached immovable and movable properties of Kundra under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. It has been alleged that Kundra along with others collected huge amounts of funds in the form of bitcoins (worth Rs 6,600 crore in 2017) from the gullible public with the false promises of 10 per cent per month return in the form of bitcoins.

Later, the couple issued a statement via their lawyer and argued that they were ready to cooperate with the concerned authorities. They hoped for fair investigation and stated that they had full faith in the Indian judiciary system.

We shall follow the due process of law and take necessary steps as prescribed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to protect the liberty and property of my clients. On the face of it, there is no prima facie case made out against my clients Mr Raj Kundra and Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra, their statement read.

We have complete faith in the Honourable Judiciary. I believe when we make our fair representation before the Honourable Enforcement Directorate, even the investigation agencies may grant justice to us. We have faith in the fair investigation. We stand committed to cooperating with the authorities as and when required, it added.
Crime Branch sources have revealed that the accused who fired gunshots outside Salman Khans house in Bandras Galaxy Apartments on April 14, carried out the attack for media coverage and publicity. Their motive was to spread terror, sources added.

The accused, Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21), both residents of Champaran in Bihar, were arrested from Gujarats Bhuj on April 16 and were flown down to Mumbai.

Accused Sagar Pal was influenced by the gangster lifestyle and to fulfil his dream, he came in contact with the gang, and from there he got the contract of firing outside Salman Khan, the accused were told that it was a big job and they would get good money, Mumbai Police said.

Anmol Bishnoi, younger brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the firing outside Salman Khans house through a Facebook post following the attack.

According to sources, the investigation revealed that Anmol Bishnoi was in contact with Sagar Pal and Vicky Gupta via internet calling. The two accused were paid Rs 1 lakh in advance for the shooting and were promised to receive Rs 3 lakh more after the job was done.

According to the crime branch sources, Sagar Pal was trained to use the weapon around his village in West Champaran that was used in the attack.

During the investigation, the accused further revealed that they conducted recce of Salman Khans farmhouse in Panvel 4-5 days before the firing incident. However, it was decided that the firing would take place at Bandra.

The accused conducted a recce of Salman Khans farmhouse in Panvel. They intended to just scare him, not murder him. The statements of both families have been recorded in Bihar. Around 7 people have been called from Haryana and other states for questioning, which is ongoing, a Mumbai Crime Branch official was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Sonu Gupta, brother of Vicky Gupta, has been detained by the Mumbai Crime Branch and is being interrogated in the matter. Sonu lives in Chandigarh and works as a labourer. Call records have revealed that Vicky and his brother were on calls until late at night on April 13, a day before the attack.

Crime Branch suspects that Sonu is also a part of this conspiracy, Mumbai police said.

Stay updated with live coverage of 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Tamil Nadu Election 2024, West Bengal Election 2024, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim Election Phase 1 Polling on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, and analysis in real-time.Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has shared the first post on his social media handles since the firing outside his residence at Galaxy Apartments in Mumbais Bandra area, where he stays with his parents Salim Khan and Salma Khan. In the latest post, Salman shared a video of him talking about an event, organised by Karate Combat, which he will be attending in Dubai on April 20.

Karate Combat is a brand which promotes the first professional full-contact karate league, hosting worldwide events since April 2018. The actor jetted off to Dubai this morning for a professional commitment following the firing incident outside his residence last Sunday. He arrived at the airport in his bulletproof SUV that he purchased in 2023 for security reasons.

Sharing the video on X, previously known as Twitter, Salman simply wrote, Hope to see you tomorrow In the video, Salman said, So Im in Dubai now and tomorrow Im going to be at this event called Karate Combat. I wont say much about the event that you see for yourself, but I want to share a story with you. I know this kid who was doing taekwondo, jujitsu since the age of 2 and then one day we lost contact.

Just today I found out that the president of Karate Combat happens to be the same boy and his name is Asim, Salman said, before introducing the man to his fans on the video.

As per a report in Hindustan Times.com, after finishing his prior work commitments, Salman will start shooting for AR Murugadoss directed movie, Sikandar, in June 2024. Salman is paying all his attention towards working on his character, and getting it right. The shoot location is still not finalised, as the team is on a recce, shares a source. Everything would certainly be in a manner that it does not hamper the vision of the filmmaker or comes in between the filming process, says the source.

While Salman Khan has not issued any statement regarding the firing as of now, his father Salim Khan spoke to India Today about the incident. Whats there to talk about ye jaahil log jo kehte hain maar denge tab pata lagega na (These illiterate people say youll learn your lesson when well kill you). Weve been given extra police protection. Theyve (Mumbai Police) assured protection for us and our friends. If theyve arrested two people today, that means theyre on it, he said.
Salman Khan has been ruling headlines ever since the firing that took place outside his apartment in Mumbai. However, it has not stopped the actor from fulfilling his professional duties. On Friday, the Tiger actor was snapped by the paparazzi in Dubai, where he will be attending an event soon.

In a video that surfaced on social media, Salman Khan was seen getting out of his car amid tight security when he was welcomed with flowers. The Bollywood superstar posed for the paparazzi as he also flaunted his smile. Khan was seen wearing a pair of black baggy jeans with a black T-shirt. He completed his look with a pair of black sunglasses and looked dapper as always. Check out the video here:

On April 14, gunshots were fired outside Salman Khans Galaxy Apartments in Mumbais Bandra area. The Mumbai Crime Branch arrested the two accused from Gujarats Bhuj later and brought them to Mumbai. The accused were identified as Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal. Top Mumbai Police sources also told News18 that Lawrences gang was behind the attack and it was carried out by Rohit Godara, who operates the Bishnoi gang in Rajasthan.

Later, Salman Khans security was also increased. The actor earlier had two PSOs. Now, two commandos, two escort vehicles and 11 cops under the Y+ category security have also been provided to him. Additionally, personnel in the security convoy will carry two automatic guns.

While Salman Khan has not issued any statement regarding the firing as of now, his father Salim Khan spoke to India Today about the incident. Whats there to talk about ye jaahil log jo kehte hain maar denge tab pata lagega na (These illiterate people say youll learn your lesson when well kill you). Weve been given extra police protection. Theyve (Mumbai Police) assured protection for us and our friends. If theyve arrested two people today, that means theyre on it, he said.
Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra shared cryptic posts after it was revealed that Enforcement Directorate seized his properties worth Rs 97.79 crore in connection with a bitcoins fraud case. While Raj and Shilpa Shettys lawyer issued a statement on their behalf, Raj took to his Instagram Stories to share a cryptic post. The businessman shared a picture of a lion roaring and spoke about remaining calm despite feeling disrespected.

Learning to stay calm when you feel disrespected is a different type of growth, Raj Kundras post read. On the other hand, Shilpa shared a picture of Sai Baba and wrote, Om Sai Ram, along with the hashtag, Surrender. Check out their posts below:

In the statement issued by their lawyer, Shilpa and Raj argued that they are ready to cooperate with the concerned authorities. They hoped for fair investigation and stated that they have full faith in the Indian judiciary system.

We shall follow the due process of law and take necessary steps as prescribed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to protect the liberty and property of my clients. On the face of it, there is no prima facie case made out against my clients Mr Raj Kundra and Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra, their statement read.

We have complete faith in the Honourable Judiciary. I believe when we make our fair representation before the Honourable Enforcement Directorate, even the investigation agencies may grant justice to us. We have faith in the fair investigation. We stand committed to cooperating with the authorities as and when required, it added.

Mumbai zonal office of ED has provisionally attached immovable and movable properties of Raj under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Kundra along with others have been accused of collecting huge amounts of funds in the form of bitcoins (worth Rs 6,600 crore in 2017) from the gullible public with the false promises of 10 per cent per month return in the form of bitcoins.

The ED seized Raj Kundras properties worth Rs 97.79 crore. The attached properties include a residential flat in Mumbais Juhu, in the name of his wife Shilpa Shetty. Another property is a residential bungalow in Pune and Equity shares in the name of Raj Kundra, the ED said.
Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu and acclaimed filmmaker SS Rajamouli were spotted returning to Hyderabad on Friday morning. The duo is collaborating on SSMB29 and their airport spotting has only fuelled the excitement of the film. In a video shared on X and Instagram, Mahesh Babu and SS Rajamouli were seen walking out of the airport. It is reported that the duo was returning from Dubai.

Mahesh was seen wearing a black and white jacket with a grey tee underneath. He paired it with jeans. He sported a cap, sunglasses and was seen carrying a shoulder bag. On the other hand, Rajamouli was seen wearing a brown tee with a blue jacket. The duo maintained a distance from the paparazzi.

Their recent spotting has fans believing that Mahesh Babu and SS Rajamouli could be working on dropping a new announcement about the film. The duo has been tight-lipped about the films plot. They have not yet revealed the title either. However, in a recent interview, the RRR hitmaker shed a little light about the films status.

We started my next film. We completed the writing, we are in the pre-production processBut we havent finished the casting yet. Only the main hero is locked, the protagonist of the film is locked. His name is Mahesh Babu, he is a Telugu actor (people hoot). Looks like many of you already know him. He is very handsome. Hopefully, we finish the film a little bit fast, he said, while addressing fans in Japan.

SSMB 29 has already generated a massive buzz. Reports have been doing the rounds suggesting that SSMB 29 will be Indias Indiana Jones. According to reports, Mahesh Babus character in SS Rajamoulis upcoming film is inspired by Lord Hanuman. Writer Vijayendra Prasad, who has penned the story of the film, revealed in his latest interview that the makers will be roping in Hollywood actors for an action-adventure set in Africa.
Sunny Leone is back with her hosting duties for another season of the dating reality show Splitsvilla. There is no dearth of work for the actress in films across industries with the recent being a new Malayalam project. The actress commenced filming for her upcoming project on April 19 and offered a glimpse of herself from the sets as she performed muhurat puja.

Sunny Leone, on Friday, dropped a clip from the sets of the Malayalam film. It captures her performing the muhurat puja before the shooting kickstarted in a disclosed location. Accompanying the video was a short write-up that read, Im so excited to be part of this amazing Malayalam film that I ended up burning my hands (sic). Dressed in a grey T-shirt and a pair of blue denim jeans which she teamed up with oversized sunglasses and hair tied in a bun, Sunny looked cute and stylish at the same time.

Sunnys announcement created a wave of excitement among her fans who shared their views in the comments section. A fan called her beautiful as he wrote, Sunny Leone mam you are so beautiful. Conversely, another wished her luck saying, Best of luck Mam.

Notably, the Ragini MMS 2 actress earlier made a guest appearance in a Malayalam film that featured Mammootty as the protagonist. Later, she also announced two Malayalam films, Rangeela and Shero. However, both films are yet to hit the screens. Apart from this, the actress will also play a pivotal role in Anurag Kashyaps Kennedy, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. The film, during its screening at the prestigious event, received a standing ovation from the audience. The film is yet to be released in India. Apart from these films, the Mastizaade actress will also entertain the masses with her role in Quotation Gang.

In addition, Sunny Leone has been hosting MTVs popular couple show, Splitsvilla for quite some time now. The reality show, this year, premiered on March 30 and saw several new contestants participating in the show with their ex-flames residing in another villa known as the Ex-Isle.
M Night Shyamalan has another gritty tale up his sleeves that is likely to leave the audience with sleepless nights. The director, known for chilling movies like The Sixth Sense, Split, The Visit, and Old is heralding a fresh horror mystery titled Trap. Starring Josh Hartnett, Ariel Donoghue, and Saleka Shyamalan in prominent roles, the trailer was unveiled by Warner Bros on April 18. Traps first look was unveiled at CinemaCon in Las Vegas this year. The film will hit the silver screens on August 2.

The trailer treats viewers to a heartwarming father-daughter equation. Josh Hartnett as a caring father brings his daughter Jody to a concert of some fictitious artist named Lady Raven. The girl, seemingly excited, enjoys the superb performance when Harnett leaves her in the crowd for a washroom visit. On his way out of the stadium to the common corridor, he notices police trucks and tight security. Upon asking a staff member what was happening he gets to know that the concert is being staged to catch a serial killer who is expected to attend the event. Because of the way he kills his victims the serial killer has attained the moniker of a Butcher.

But typical to M Night Shyamalans storytelling techniques, Trap comes with a twist. It is revealed that Josh Hartnetts character is the serial killer the authorities are looking for. In the washroom when he takes out his cellphone, there pops up a visual CCTV footage of a young male victim who he had held hostage already. The trailer concludes with Harnett laughing maniacally to himself.

At CinemaCon, M Night Shyamalan revealed his decision to choose Josh Hartnett in the role of a serial killer. What Im looking for is someone thats willing to just let go completely, give themselves over like a play to the movie, and leap  dont protect yourself. That beautiful electricity that requires the right actor at the right time in their life. And thats where Josh was when I met him," he was quoted as saying by Variety.

Harnett previously played important roles in the British anthology television series Black Mirror and Christopher Nolans award-winning film Oppenheimer.
Trisha made her way to a polling booth in Chennai on Friday to cast her vote. Videos have surfaced online showing the actress voting in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The Ponniyin Selvan star, dressed in a yellow kurta, was spotting in a voting booth. After she voted, Trisha posed for the cameras. She smiled for the media and showed off her inked finger.

The Tamil actress won everyone over with her sweet gesture at the polling booth. In a video shared by PTI, a few polling booth staff members approached the actress for a picture. Trisha sweetly obliged and posed for a few pictures with them. Watch the video below:

A staff at the polling booth wanted to take a photo with #Trisha. @trishtrashers immediately fulfilled her request. #LokSabhaElections2024pic.twitter.com/WfNvNjVKJP George (@georgeviews) April 19, 2024

Tamil Nadu went into polling in the first of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections on Friday. The result of the high-stakes battle between the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) will be declared on June 4.

Earlier in the day, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Vijay Sethupathi, Dhanush, Ajith Kumar, Ilayaraja, Sarath Kumar, Radhika Sarath Kumar and Sivakarthikeyan were also seen casting their votes in Chennai.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Trisha is rumoured to be starring in Allu Arjuns next film. Atlee is set to collaborate with Pushpa actor Allu Arjun for his upcoming project. Reports state that Trisha will have a significant part in the movie. Although there hasnt been an official confirmation yet, movie analysts are already abuzz with the possibility.

It is also reported that Trisha is currently busy with the upcoming Tamil-language action thriller film Vidaa Muyarchi. It is directed by Magizh Thirumen and also stars Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Regina Cassandra, and Arav in the lead roles.
Thalapathy Vijay struggled to reach the polling booth to cast his vote. The actor was in Russia for his upcoming film and flew down to Chennai to cast his vote. He landed in Chennai this morning and headed to the polling booth soon after. In a video surfaced online from the polling booth, the actor-turned-politician was welcomed by a mob of media and fans. Vijay struggled to make his way out through the mob. Eventually, police officials stations at the booth jumped in to help him.

Another video showed him inside the polling booth, casting his vote. Vijay was surrounded by the media. All eyes were on Vijay as he recently announced his political plans. The actor revealed he was entering politics in February. He added that he will forgo his career in acting to fully pursue his political career.

Watch the video below:

The actor, in February, announced that he will be forming the party named Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), which translates to Tamil Nadus Victory Party. Vijay emphasised the need for political power to carry out social work more effectively, despite the ongoing efforts of his fan club, Vijay Makkal Iyakkam. He has mentioned hell quit films.

You all are well aware of the political situation of Tamil Nadu. On one side, we have a dysfunctional administration and corrupt political culture, and on the other, we have divisive politics that aims to divide people along the lines of caste, creed, and religion. Both impede our progress. It is uncontestable truth that people, more so in Tamil Nadu, are longing for a change in a political scenario and want a selfless, honest, secular and talented party to bring about a change. In this case, it is my long-term intention and desire to help the people of Tamil Nadu and the Tamil community, who gave me name, fame, and everything after my parents, as much as I can, the statement read.

Politics is not just another career for me. It is a sacred peoples work. I have been preparing myself for it for a long time. Politics is not a hobby for me. That is my deepest desire. I want to fully involve myself in it, the actor said in the statement.
Vidhu Vinod Chopras film, 12th Fail, has propelled Vikrant Masseys career to new heights. Alongside professional success, Vikrant is also enjoying personal bliss with the arrival of his son, Vardaan. His trajectory in the industry has only been ascending, with 12th Fail marking 25 successful weeks in cinemas. Not just this, his film is also gearing up for a release in China. His movie has also garnered praise from audiences and celebrities, with Kareena Kapoor Khan being one of them. And Vikrant Massey is deeply grateful for the recognition and support.

After watching the film, Kareena Kapoor Khan shared a review full of words of praise. 12th Fail. Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Vikrant Massey, Medha Shankar, Anant V Joshi, Anshumaan Pushkar and the entire cast and crew, legend

Vikrant Masseys response? He shared, Bas, ab mai retire ho sakta hu. Thank you so so much maam! You have no idea what this means to me.

Now, in a recent interview with ETimes, Vikrant Massey once again expressed his heartfelt gratitude for Kareenas message. Like most of us, I am in awe of her. I love her immensely. She was generous enough to take time out and watch the movie. And she actually does not watch a lot of movies. Despite that, for her to make time, watch 12th Fail, and then go appreciate my work publicity, I wonder, what else can I ask for? he said.

Vikrant Massey went on to reveal that Kareena Kapoor is her childhood crush.

Back in 2023, Vikrant Massey had a fanboy moment with Kareena Kapoor. Sharing BTS photos from an event with her, Vikrant wrote, Ive always loved her. But this day, I fell in love all over again. While fans adored their photograph, others also flooded the post with comments like, Which film is cooking?

In addition to 12th Fail, Vikrant Massey has made a significant mark with his roles in films such as Haseen Dilruba, Chhapak, Forensic, Gaslight, Love Hostel, 14 Phere, Cargo, A Death in the Gunj and more. Not just on big screens, he has also garnered acclaim in the world of OTT with web series like Mirzapur and Broken But Beautiful.
Tamil actor Vishal cast his vote on Friday for the Lok Sabha elections 2024. The actor took to his X (formerly known as Twitter) handle to share a picture from the polling booth. He was seen flaunting the ink on his finger, the hallmark of Indian elections. Vishal urged his fans to go out and vote as he mentioned every vote counts.

Yes, its D day. #Friday19th. #ElectionDay. #TimeToVote. I have done my bit and voted and the ink on my left finger makes me feel proud that I have done my bit and not missed even one election since I got the power to choose the right candidate. Requesting one and all to go and vote. Pls dont think that your one vote will not make any difference. If u dont. It does. Every vote counts. So, lets make the voting percentage reach the highest this time. God Bless, Vishal wrote.

Yes, its D day. #Friday19th. #ElectionDay. #TimeToVote.I have done my bit and voted and the ink on my left finger makes me feel proud that I have done my bit and not missed even one election since I got the power to choose the right candidate.Requesting one and all to go and pic.twitter.com/SxhT1BuVww Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) April 19, 2024

Earlier today, actors Vijay, Vikram, Suriya and Rajinikanth also visited their respective polling booths to cast their votes.

Vishal is known for films like Sandakozhi, Enemy, and the recent one, Mark Antony. Last year, reports of Vishal starting his own political party also made headlines. However, the actor later dismissed all such reports with a statement.

I am forever indebted to the people of Tamil Nadu who recognised me as an actor and social worker in the society. With the aim of helping people as much as I can, from the beginning, I thought that my fan club should not be treated as an average club, but it should be run to benefit people. We have been running the fan club with the aim of doing our best for those who are in need, the actor said in a statement.

The next step is to create a peoples welfare movement and work district-wise, constituency-wise and branch-wise. Through the Devi Foundation run in the name of my mother, we help many poor and needy students every year. We are also helping affected farmers. I meet people in many places where I go for shooting and listen to their basic needs and grievances and fulfill their demands through my peoples welfare movement. I have never expected political gains while indulging in welfare activities. If nature demands, then I will not hesitate to speak for the people in future, he added.
China has been blocking His Holiness the Dalai Lamas visits to Sri Lanka. Recently, a renowned Sri Lankan Buddhist monk revealed this in a media interview. When asked about Chinas view on the Dalai Lama, the most venerable Dr. Waskuduwe Mahindawansa said, We respect him and invited him to Sri Lanka, but China did not like that. China pressed against our government as well, we dont like that. He is a Buddhist leader, he has freedom, and we have the freedom to invite.

This incident wasnt an exception; China has been blocking His Holiness the Dalai Lamas visits to Sri Lanka since 2015. In fact, China has never shied away from expressing its displeasure whenever the Dalai Lama moves from one place to another or meets any person of repute. For China, the Dalai Lama, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, is a separatist. China has even called him wolf in monks robes.

Why does a benevolent exiled leader agitate an aspiring superpower so much? The answer lies in the complex history of Tibet and the Chinese subjugation of the same over the last 70 years.

Tibet: A Brief History

Tibet lies in the confluence of Central, South and East Asia. It has a recorded history dating back to 602 AD when Namri Songsten became the first king of Tibet, uniting the central Tibetan states. There are records of conflict between China and Tibet, which was ended by the China-Tibet Peace Treaty 821 AD. The treaty famously mentions, Tibetans shall be happy in Tibet, and Chinese shall be happy in China. After more than 700 years, China and Tibet both sustained subsequent Mongol invasions. In the latter half of the 16th century, Altan Khan, the Mongol ruler, gave the title of Dalai Lama to Sonam Gyatso, leader of the Gelugpa school of Buddhism. In return, the Dalai Lama decreed that Altan Khan be reincarnated as Kublai Khan, which gave legitimacy to his rule. This event marks the founding of modern Tibet. For the next two hundred years Chinese tried to take hold of Tibet but could not succeed, and their influence declined in the first half of the 20th century.

In 1912, the Qing emperor of China renounced his post, giving way to the establishment of the Republic of China. China also lost whatever suzerainty it had over Tibet, and the Dalai Lama reiterated that, We are a small, religious, and independent nation. In 1914, Britain, Tibet, and China met in Shimla to negotiate the borders between British India and Tibet. In that treaty control of Qinghai was given to China, and the rest of Tibet was recognised as autonomous.

Thereafter Tibet enjoyed a relatively peaceful three decades until China invaded it again after the end of the Chinese civil war in 1950. The new Peoples Republic of China initially gave the 14th Dalai Lama (Tenzin Gyatso) complete authority over Tibet. However, widespread Chinese brutality on Tibetans continued which finally resulted in the Tibetan National Uprising of 1959. In March 1959, Chinese troops attacked the Potala Palace in order to arrest the Dalai Lama, but he managed to escape to India.

Today plenty of evidence of Chinese high-handedness while dealing with the Tibetan Uprising are available online. Since then, the Dalai Lama has extended multiple proposals toward China for peaceful engagement, which has always been ignored and subjected to blatant personal attacks by Chinese authorities.

Dalai Lama: A Smile of Resistance

Since 1960, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has been heading or guiding the Tibetan government in exile from Dharamshala and is one of the most substantial hopes for the 7 million Tibetans living under the oppressive Chinese regime. The Dalai Lama has carved a niche for himself for not being just a religious head but also as a symbol of resistance, which is non-violent, supportive and talks about love and care among people. It gives the Dalai Lama a distinguished reputation worldwide. His teachings navigate through the ideas of joy and happiness and how to channel ones emotions for the better. Since the late 1970s, the Dalai Lama has travelled from one continent to another spreading the wisdom of Buddha worldwide. He has followers worldwide, ranging from Hollywood superstars to politicians, diplomats and intellectuals from various corners of the world.

This immense popularity of the Dalai Lama presents a phenomenal challenge to the Chinese regime accused of cultural genocide in Tibet. The CCP has an official ideology which thinks of religion as an opium of the masses. Its political leaders have defined religion as foreign cultural imperialism, feudalism and superstition. The Chinese regime seems to be fearful of the aura and popularity of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. It is suspected that a visit of the Dalai Lama to other countries would bring the Tibetan cause to the forefront and expose its repressive regime.

Thus, China has been repeatedly using its economic clout and influence to curtail the popularity of the Dalai Lama. The repeated attempts by China to stop his holiness visit to Sri Lanka is part of the same playbook. The way the Chinese government has arm-twisted Sri Lanka to stonewall the visit of an esteemed Buddhist spiritual leader is a matter of serious concern. It has again brought to the forefront widely known folly of smaller economies walking into the Chinese Debt Trap losing their sovereignty.
Mizoram Chief Minister and Zoram Peoples Movement (ZPM) leader Lalduhoma on Friday said if their candidate wins the Lok Sabha polls, their party will stay independent and neutral from any alliances at the Centre.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote in Aizawls Chawlhhmun area, Lalduhoma said his party will neither join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nor the INDIA bloc if ZPM candidate Richard Vanlalhmangaiha is elected.

We are not joining either the NDA or the INDIA bloc. We want to maintain our identity. We dont want to be controlled from New Delhi. We want to take independent decision on any issue from here, the Chief Minister said. The former IPS-officer-turned politician expressed confidence that his party will win the polls.

Polling for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state is underway amid tight security arrangements. State chief electoral officer (CEO) Madhup Vyas said no technical glitch with EVMs or law and order problem has have been reported till now.

Officials said more than 26 per cent votes have been cast till 11 am. Over 8.56 lakh voters, including 4.4 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of six candidates.

Mizoram registered 63.13 per cent voter turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, which was significantly lower than the national average of 67 per cent.

Stay updated with live coverage of 2024 Lok Sabha Election, Tamil Nadu Election 2024, West Bengal Election 2024, Arunachal Pradesh & Sikkim Election Phase 1 Polling on our website. Get the latest updates, polling trends, and analysis in real-time.Stay Ahead With all the Lok Sabha Election 2024 Related Real-Time Updates At News18 Website.
Google has laid off 28 employees after their involvement in a protest against the companys latest contract with the Israeli government. As reported by The Verge, the layoffs happened after nine employees were suspended and then arrested in the US earlier this week.

These employees were clearly angered by Googles dealings with the Israeli government worth $1.2 billion. In an internal memo to employees, quoted in the report, the company said that behaviour like this has no place in our workplace, and we will not tolerate it.

The overwhelming majority of our employees do the right thing. If youre one of the few who are tempted to think were going to overlook conduct that violates our policies, think again, Google told the staff.

The company takes this extremely seriously, and we will continue to apply our longstanding policies to take action against disruptive behaviour  up to and including termination. The full internal memo quoted in the report reads as follows:

Googlers,

You may have seen reports of protests at some of our offices yesterday. Unfortunately, a number of employees brought the event into our buildings in New York and Sunnyvale. They took over office spaces, defaced our property, and physically impeded the work of other Googlers. Their behaviour was unacceptable, extremely disruptive, and made co workers feel threatened. We placed employees involved under investigation and cut their access to our systems. Those who refused to leave were arrested by law enforcement and removed from our offices.

Following investigation, today we terminated the employment of twenty-eight employees found to be involved. We will continue to investigate and take action as needed.

Behavior like this has no place in our workplace and we will not tolerate it. It clearly violates multiple policies that all employees must adhere to  including our Code of Conduct and Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, Retaliation, Standards of Conduct, and Workplace Concerns.

We are a place of business and every Googler is expected to read our policies and apply them to how they conduct themselves and communicate in our workplace. The overwhelming majority of our employees do the right thing. If youre one of the few who are tempted to think were going to overlook conduct that violates our policies, think again. The company takes this extremely seriously, and we will continue to apply our longstanding policies to take action against disruptive behavior  up to and including termination.

You should expect to hear more from leaders about standards of behavior and discourse in the workplace.

The company faces questions about its deals with governments across the globe but the ongoing situation in the region, points to a bigger issue brewing in-house which needed immediate action.
TikTok has silently launched a direct competitor to Instagram on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in select countries. The companys communication team released a statement on X, talking about its new app TikTok notes. The post reads, Were in the early stages of experimenting with a dedicated space for photo and text content with TikTok Notes.

Starting today, TikTok Notes is available for download and limited testing in Australia and Canada. They showed off a few official images of the mobile app in a second post on the thread. These image files are aimed to provide some insight into the apps design and features, especially for the ones who do not have access to it.

The second post on the thread also suggests that the new app from TikTok will be a photo-based social media platform. It reads, We hope that the TikTok community will use TikTok Notes to continue sharing their moments through photo posts. Whether documenting adventures, expressing creativity, or simply sharing snapshots of ones day, the TikTok Notes experience is designed for those who would like to share and engage through photo content.

The new TikTok Notes app requires users to have an existing TikTok account. The company also indicated that unless the users choose to opt-out, their existing or future posts will also be visible on the new Notes app.

The pictures shared by TikToks communication team showcase a special headline column for the images, right above the caption section. This headline tab isnt natively offered on Instagram. The homepage can also be seen visibly segmented into two sections. Theres a separate page provided to view posts from the ones you follow.

A For You page has also been provided on the app which resembles Pinterests homepage but has a smaller two-column grid. Apart from these tweaks, the app bears a striking similarity to Instagram. However, due to its old-school nature, the app does not seem to have the Stories feature, unlike its Meta counterpart.

TikTok had revealed their new photo-sharing app earlier this month. A notification was sent to users, announcing the apps launch. During the unveiling, not much information was provided besides its name. There is also no clarity as to why the company chose Australia and Canada as the first countries to receive this new app. No statement has been provided on whether the TikTok Notes app will launch in the United States or other regions of the world.
Love is one of the purest emotions. It is also said to be blind; it can happen anytime and anywhere. Recently, a similar story has gone viral. A woman found real love at the most unexpected time. The woman fell in love at first sight at her sons school. Lets take a look at the heart-touching love story.

According to a report by Newsweek, this is the story of 39-year-old Dorilee Lavin, who is a resident of Vermont, America. She is the mother of three children. However, she has been divorced. She posted a video on the social media platform TikTok and talked about meeting her second husband, which changed her life.

Dorilee said that in the year 2023, she had gone to drop her son off at school. There, suddenly, she met an unknown man who had come to drop off his child. Dorilee liked that person at first sight without knowing anything about him.

Dorilee was not at all a shy person. After seeing the man, she was looking for an opportunity to make an introduction to him. But she was not getting such an opportunity. One day, a staff member at her kids school after-care program offered to pass along Dorilees number.

Within an hour, Dorilee received a text message from Sean Lavin, a divorced father of two children. He knew exactly who Dorilee was and was very interested in her. Dorilee came to know he had also noticed her in school.

With time, they became good friends. Later, they went on their first date in June 2023 and tied the knot three months later. Their wedding was attended by Dorilees ex-husband and Seans ex-wife; they both enjoyed the function as they shared a healthy relationship.

Sean proposed to Dorilee with a ring he designed himself. It features five diamonds on each side to represent the five children they now share. The centre stone is a round cut, which Dorilee says is meant to represent their easy love.

She further shared that everything has been very easy with Sean since day one. She hopes her and Seans story will give other single moms hope that real love exists.

Both of them are now very happy together and are raising their children together.
Scientists have discovered in Sweden that Viking women underwent cosmetic surgery 1,000 years ago. A German research team found three elongated skulls that were probably altered in the womens first year of life when their skulls were still soft and pliable. The researchers said it is possible that the Vikings elongated their skulls as a sign of status and beauty.

Skull deformities were common in the Black Sea region and had previously only been found among Mesoamerican, Native American and Eurasian cultures; this is the first time they have been found among Vikings. We do not know where these three women grew up and where their heads became deformed, Matthias Toplak, the expeditions co-leader, told Atlas Obscura. Whether their heads became deformed in their early childhood, for example in the Black Sea region, and how they got back to Gotland is unclear, he added.

The researchers believe the womens skulls were probably altered in the first year of life when the bones were still soft enough to be altered by wrapping bandages around the infants head to lengthen the skull. However, if the Vikings used more serious techniques, such as using weights or harnesses, it could have affected their cognitive development.

The researchers clarified that they could not determine from the skulls whether this was the case, but Jesse Goldstein, the head of the pediatric plastic surgery department, said the more severe approach could have disastrous consequences.

If this method was used, it could have had negative effects on brain function, especially if it happened in early childhood, he told Atlas. However, he also added, Its hard to say for sure.

The researchers think its more likely that the artificial cranial deformation (ACD) was to distinguish the women from others, to show that they had travelled.

The human body is and represents a medium of communication, the researchers wrote in the study, adding that it can produce communication in a functionally complex, structured manner. Although the women may have used ACD as a symbol of beauty, it is much more likely that they were seen as evidence of extensive trade contacts and thus a sign of influence and success in trade, Toplak told LiveScience.

Researchers from the Haithabu Viking Museum and the University of Munster in Germany used DNA analysis to prove that the skulls date from the Scandinavian Viking Age on Gotland, an island in the Baltic Sea belonging to Sweden.
People from different regions plan for their trips to exotic and amusing places to have an escape from the routine lifestyle. While planning for such vacations, we all consider several things in mind. However, leaving something behind by mistake at times does not hamper the trip and enjoyment much. But missing out on something significant can lead to big results as well.

In a similar case, a man from Florida, US recently reported about his shocking surprise from the mobile connection operator which blew his mind after he came back from a vacation. According to reports, the man identified as Rene Remund, and his wife, Lynda who lives in Florida, went to their hometown, Switzerland.

They went to the European country and vacationed in the nostalgic environment and cherished Renes childhood memories. However, when the couple returned to Florida, they received a phone bill of $143,000 which is approximately Rs 1.20 crore.

The phone bill stunned the couple, as they had visited Switzerland previously as well, and this had never occurred before. According to Rene, he ensured contact with the mobile phone provider by visiting them in-store about their travels. However, the company did not stop the roaming charges on data.

As per reports, the couple took numerous pictures while on their vacation which they also shared with their friends and family members outside the country. Eventually, this made them billed for thousands which Rene received from the T-Mobile service operator after coming to Florida. Remund mentioned that at first, he thought it was $143 (approximately Rs 12,000).

According to the mobile phone bill, Remund used up 9.5 GB of data while he was in Europe. Although 5-10 GB of data is not a large amount, not being covered by the roaming fees has cost Rene thousands of dollars every day.

Following the confirmation from the service provider, Remund hired a lawyer to fight his side. His lawyer has issued a letter to the president of T-Mobile, to which the service providers are yet to answer.
As Dubai continues to grapple with the aftermath of heavy rainfall that lashed parts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), countless videos of Dubai flash floods have surfaced on social media. Amidst this, a video showcasing Fable and Mane CEO Akash Mehtas struggles during Dubais flash floods is doing the rounds on the internet. In the viral video shared on Instagram, Akash can be seen juggling Zoom calls while simultaneously clearing his flooded balcony.

The video shows Mehta filling buckets of rainwater and clearing out his flooded balcony. He starts by collecting it and then dumping it on the streets. As the video progresses, the entrepreneur playfully pours the flooded water on himself with the dustpan and performs some fun moves. Towards the end of the video, he can be seen attending Zoom meetings on his laptop and saying that he was late to join the call due to the water issue.

Sharing the video on the social media platform, Akash Mehta captioned, Today was fun!

Have a look at the hilarious video below:

The clip was shared two days ago, and since then, it has mustered more than 13.4 million views and 332,000 likes. The Fable & Mane CEOs hilarious encounter with Dubai flash floods has also triggered a sea of reactions. Social media users took to the comments section of the video to share their take. Many expressed their amusement watching Akashs funny dance, while others said that he single-handedly contributed a new round of viral streams towards Water by Tyla.

You are the funniest founder ever, commented a user.

Sharing his own experience, an individual said, My Zoom meeting was like this today.

This gave me Tip Tip Barsa Pani vibes, wrote an individual.

Another added, Haha giving Tyla a run for her money.

Im dying, we need the full dance asap, posted a user.

A user quipped, Watched on repeat just for the twerk.

You may have single-handedly contributed a new round of viral streams towards Water by Tyla, another wrote.

Meanwhile, the desert city of Dubai was battered by a record-breaking rainstorm on April 15, April 16, and April 17. Heavy rain lashed the United Arab Emirates, surpassing the UAEs annual rainfall average in the past 75 years. The rainstorm paralysed much of the city for the last two days, halted operations at Dubai Airport, flooded the highly advanced infrastructure malls of Dubai, and swept away cars across the roads. This was the heaviest rainfall that caused chaos in the city and ignited worry about climate change around the world.

As per the countrys National Committee for Emergency Management, heavy rain also lashed neighbouring Arab nations, including Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. In addition to that, at least 18 people were killed by the heavy rain in nearby Oman.
One of the most challenging times in life is to lose a loved one, especially parents. More painful is seeing them getting buried or cremated. Recovering from their death often takes a lot of time and is quite challenging. People often visit the graves of their close ones to offer flowers; the engraving on the tombstone makes them feel that the deceased is still there. Imagine the pain of a child, who could not bid adieu to her father before death, and a few years later, she discovered that his grave was missing. Joseph Lynch and his wife, Greta had moved to Barbados after he retired as a police officer. The couple wanted to enjoy their final years in the sunny region. In 2014, Joseph was suddenly diagnosed with prostate cancer and he died on November 20 at the age of 81. His daughter, Susanna who was working in the prison service at that time immediately rushed to catch a flight to Barbados with her brother, but they could not make it in time to bid him farewell.

The family held a funeral on December 5, 2014, and requested a motorcycle escort for Josephs final journey, but the Barbados authorities were slow to respond and the family could not opt for the motorcycle escort.

In August 2022, Susanna returned to Barbados once more, and this time with her husband Brian. She wanted to visit sooner, but due to the pandemic, there was limited access to the Caribbean island. She visited the cemetery and realised that something was wrong. She walked to the exact spot where her father was buried and she kept looking for the wooden cross with his name, but could not find anything.

As per reports in the Metro, her fathers grave was missing. Susanna shared with the news portal, The entire grave was gone. My husband said Are you sure this is the right place?, I felt like I was going mad. I kept walking to the same spot, but my father wasnt there. They found a staff member who gave them the most devastating news. After five years, graves at the cemetery in Barbados were dug up and the bodies were moved into a large bone hole. Such practices are followed in Singapore, Germany and Belgium.

While it was a common practice on this Caribbean island as well, Josephs family was not warned about it. Even the natives were not aware of such practices. Susanna shared that she did not have the words to explain the ordeal and how she felt upon finding out that her father was in that bone hole. He wanted to be buried in the place he loved and wed had so many happy memories in Barbados, but now its just a nightmare.

Susanna returned to her country and started reaching out to the ministers and politicians. Gillingham North councillor Adam Price assured to help her. She received an apology letter from the office of Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and offered her sincere apology for the distress she suffered. She wanted more than an apology and demanded the abolishment of such rules.
Dont fight wars with neighbours open the doors of friendship open the doors of your hearts, said Punjab province Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Friday, in an apparent outreach by the new government in Islamabad, arguing for enhanced ties between India and Pakistan.

In her speech at Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, Maryam invoked her father, three-time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, urging for a shift towards friendship over hostility. Addressing a gathering of some 3,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims, Maryam stressed the importance of fostering goodwill between the two nations.

During her speech, the head of Pakistans most populous region also highlighted her familys roots in the Indian city of Amritsar, underlining the shared heritage between the people of Punjab on both sides of the border. According to The Indian Express, Maryam also praised the appointment of the first Sikh minister in Pakistan, stressing the need for cross-border cooperation.

Maryams remarks resonate with her grandfathers migration from Jatti Umra in India to Pakistans Lahore, underscoring a personal connection to the shared history between the two nations. Once someone came from India, from Jatti Umra. He brought soil from there, so I put it on my grandfathers grave, she recounted, highlighting the emotional ties between the two countries.

Her speech marks a departure from traditional rhetoric, signaling a potential shift in Pakistans approach towards India. This outreach comes as India has consistently stressed the need for Pakistan to take credible, irreversible and verifiable action to end cross-border terrorism. India consistently raises the issue of Pakistans continued support to cross-border terrorism and terrorist infiltration in bilateral, regional and multilateral fora.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in an exclusive conversation with Network18 recently, sent a strong message to Pakistan. The government will give a befitting reply to any terrorist who tries to disturb peace in India, he said. If he [terrorist] flees to Pakistan, we will follow him and take him down on Pakistani soil. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken the truth India has the capability and Pakistan has also started understanding that, Singh said.
Amid reports of Israels retaliation, Iran on Friday lifted the suspension of flights hours after it was learnt that flight operations were suspended in several areas of the country including at Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz airports. The suspension was ordered after explosions were heard near the airport at the countrys central Isfahan city.

Iran Israel War LIVE Updates

Iranian state media Press TV earlier in the morning reported that outgoing flights from several Iranian airports have been cancelled.

Israels Retaliation Suspected

According to a report published by ABC News, this missile attack on Iran is suspected to be an Israeli strike on Irans embassy in Syria. The attack is speculated to be a response by Israel to Irans recent drone and missile attack.

The incident comes as tensions remain high in the wider Middle East after Irans unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel. Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 am local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

The semiofficial Fars news agency reported on the sound of explosions over Isfahan near its international airport. It offered no explanation. However, Isfahan is home to a major airbase for the Iranian military, as well as sites associated with its nuclear program. Iranian state television began a scrolling, on-screen alert acknowledging a loud noise near Isfahan, without immediately elaborating.

Nuclear Facilities In Irans Isfahan Completely Secure

Nuclear facilities in Isfahan were reported to be completely secure, Irans Tasnim news agency reported, citing reliable sources.

According to Irans local media, the country activated its air-defense system on Friday morning amid reports of missile and drone strikes by Israel. Israel fired a missile at an Iran airport, ABC News reported citing a US official.

Why Is Isfahan Strategically Important To Iran?

Notably, Isfahan is considered strategically important to Iran and is the location of several important facilities, including military research and development sites, as well as bases.

Over the weekend, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria.

Most of the drones and missiles were downed before reaching Israeli territory.

Iran told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that Israel must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests as the UN secretary-general warned that the Middle East was in a moment of maximum peril.

(With agency inputs)
French authorities on Friday detained a man after receiving an alert from the Iranian consulate in Paris that someone had entered carrying an explosive, the capitals police authority said.

The man has exited the consulate and is being controlled by police, it said, after a security source told AFP that the mission called in law enforcement following a witness seeing a man enter carrying a grenade or an explosive belt.

#URGENT consulat Iran Paris : intervention policiere imminente  alerte individu avec grenade ou gilet explosifBRI mobiliseeQuartier boucleDispositif #policier en placetrafic #ratp metro 9 et 6 interrompus#Police #attentat #vigipirate pic.twitter.com/PHyCjTBm65 Denis JACOB (@DenisJACOB_PN) April 19, 2024

DIRECT  Operation de police en cours au consulat d#Iran : Le trafic de la #Ligne6 et la #Ligne9 du metro est arrete dans le secteur.La #RATP annonce quil sagit dune mesure de securite. La BRI est sur place. (Officiel) #Paris16 pic.twitter.com/RTrFsDAkUJ  FLASH INFO Ile-de-France (@info_Paris_IDF) April 19, 2024

Earlier, a man was seen at about 11 am (local time) entering the consulate, carrying what appeared to be a grenade and explosive vest. Police had asked the public to avoid the area but provided no further details. Service was interrupted on a nearby metro line for security reasons, the RATP metro company said on X, formerly Twitter.

READ MORE: Israel-Iran Crisis LIVE: World Leaders Call For De-Escalation In Middle East After Drone Attack Near Iranian Air Base, Nuclear Site

It was however unclear whether the incident had any link to the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. Earlier on Friday, explosions echoed over the Iranian city of Isfahan in what reports described as an Israeli attack. However, Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation  a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war in the Middle East.

(With agency inputs)
More than 100 pro-Palestinian student protesters were arrested by police at New Yorks Columbia University Thursday, a day after the president of the prestigious school was grilled in US Congress over accusations of anti-Semitism on campus.

The students were calling for the school, which has an exchange program with Tel Aviv University, to boycott all activities associated with Israel in the wake of Gaza war. Jewish students at the university applauded the removal of anti-Israel protesters who were camping out in tents on campus Thursday, saying the unruly demonstration made them fear for their safety.

Anti-Israel, Pro-Hamas Protest

It makes me feel safer. It makes me feel like the administration is finally implementing their policies and the truth is, today of all days, it looks like everyone who supports their cause  the anti-Israel, pro-Hamas cause  came out of the crevices and its a lot of people, sophomore Jonny Lederer told the New York Post. According to The New York Times, the daughter of US politician Ilhan Omar was among those detained and she has been ordered to appear in court.

Daughter of Ilhan Omar

Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar revealed Thursday that she has been suspended from Barnard College over her involvement in disruptive anti-Israel protests on Columbia Universitys Morningside campus.

I just received notice that I am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide, the 21-year-old wrote on X. University president Nemat Shafik requested police intervention to disperse the protesters, who she said had violated campus security regulations.

im an organizer with CU Apartheid Divest @ColumbiaSJP, in my 3 years at @BarnardCollege i have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warningsi just received notice that i am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide.  isra hirsi (@israhirsi) April 18, 2024

October 7 Hamas attack

Universities have become the focus of intense cultural debate in the United States since the October 7 Hamas attack and Israels responding bombardment of Gaza, as many students pro-Palestinian sentiments drew accusations of anti-Semitism. Congressional Republicans have taken up the issue, calling the presidents of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University to testify, and Harvards president Claudine Gay resigned shortly after.

Columbia said it had started to suspend students who had participated in the tent encampment, considered an unauthorized protest. We are continuing to identify them and will be sending out formal notifications, a university spokesperson said by email to news agency Reuters. At least three students, including Isra Hirsi, have received suspension notices from Barnard College, an affiliate of Columbia, for participating in the encampment, the pro-Palestinian advocacy group Institute for Middle East Understanding said.

Reminiscent of Vietnam War

The clash, reminiscent of the demonstrations against the Vietnam War at Columbia more than 50 years ago, is the latest in a series of demonstrations disrupting university campuses, bridges and airports since the latest escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on Oct. 7. Alongside the proliferations of protests, human rights advocates, have also pointed to a rise in bias and hate against Jews, Arabs and Muslims in recent months.

The congressional committee on Wednesday accused Shafik of failing to protect Jewish students on campus, echoing accusations leveled against three other elite university leaders at a hearing last year that sent shockwaves through higher education. She responded by saying the university was facing a moral crisis with antisemitism on campus, and Columbia had taken strong actions against suspected perpetrators.

(With agency inputs)
Iran Blasts Rattle Global Markets Reports Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes against Iran rattled markets on Friday, with oil prices briefly surging and equities slumping. Irans state media reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan on Friday, as US media quoted officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes against its arch-rival.

Israel-Iran Crisis LIVE: UN Chief Says 'I Condemn Any Act Of Retaliation' I condemn any act of retaliation & appeal to the international community to work together to prevent any further development that could lead to devastating consequences for the entire region & beyond, the UN chief said in a post on X. It is high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East. I condemn any act of retaliation & appeal to the international community to work together to prevent any further development that could lead to devastating consequences for the entire region & beyond.  Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) April 19, 2024

UN Chief Says Mideast 'Cycle Of Retaliation' Must Stop: Spokesperson

Police Cordon Around Iran Consulate in Paris, Intervention Imminent: AFP Cites Police Source French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday and were preparing to enter it at the consulates request, after a report that someone had come in with an explosive, a police source told AFP. A witness saw a man enter carrying a grenade or an explosive belt, the source said, adding that an elite police unit had been mobilised after the consulate requested an intervention.

Turkey Calls On 'All Parties' To Abstain From Measures That Could Lead To A 'Wider Conflict' It is becoming more and more clear that the initial tensions provoked by Israels illegal attack against the Iranian embassy in Damascus risks transforming into a permanent conflict, the foreign ministry of Turkey, a critic of Israel, said in a statement. We call on all the parties to abstain from any measure that could lead to a wider conflict.

'There Has To Be An End To Exchange of Blows And Escalation': Sweden Foreign Minister This is something we from the governments side take very seriously and are following very closely, Sweden Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said. There has to be an end to the exchange of blows and escalation.

Israel-Iran Crisis LIVE: Lufthansa Group Suspends Israel, Iraq Flights to Early Saturday German airline group Lufthansa has suspended flights to Israel and Iraq until early Saturday after Israel reportedly carried out retaliatory strikes against arch-foe Iran. Services by airlines of the group to Tel Aviv in Israel and Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan were suspended until 0500 GMT due to the current situation, a spokesman told AFP.

Blinken Says G7 Committed To 'De-Escalation' In Middle East All I can say is that for our part and for the entire G7, our focus has been on de-escalation and on avoiding a larger conflict. Actually thats been true since day one and the horrific events of October 7. A big part of our approach has been to prevent the conflict from spreading to avoid escalation everywhere, he said on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in Italy.

US 'Not Involved In Any Offensive Operation': Blinken The United States was not involved in any offensive operation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday following reports that Israel had carried out revenge strikes on Iran. Im not going to speak to these reported events All I can say is for our part and for all the members of the G7 our focus is on de-escalation, Blinken told a press conference on the Italian island of Capri.

Iran's President Makes No Mention of Explosions Irans President Ebrahim Raisi on Friday hailed Tehrans unprecedented retaliatory attack on Israel almost a week ago but did not mention explosions heard in his countrys central region. World leaders called for de-escalation, after United States media quoted officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes on Iran, after the Islamic republics missile and drone attack against Israel.

Israeli-Iranian Retaliations Must End: Jordan Warns Against Danger Of Regional Escalation Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi says retaliations between Israel and Iran must end, warning against the danger of regional escalation. We warn against the danger of regional escalation. We condemn all actions that threaten dragging the region into war. Israeli-Iranian retaliations must end. The inhumane war on Gaza must end now. The focus of the world must remain on ending the catastrophic aggression on Gaza, the Jordanian official says.

US Officials Say Biden Considering $1 Billion In New Weapons Deals For Israel The Biden administration is considering more than $1 billion in new weapons deals for Israel, including tank ammunition, military vehicles and mortar rounds, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing US officials.

Israel-Iran Crisis LIVE: Spanish PM Calls For 'No Escalation Of Conflict' In Middle East Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called Friday for all sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East after reports that Israel carried out retaliatory strikes on Iran. We must avoid any action that would lead to an escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. The seriousness of the moment demands responsibility and restraint from all parties, he wrote on X.

Russia: We Told Israel 'Iran Does Not Want Escalation' Russia has made clear to Israel that Iran does not want escalation, Moscows foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday. There have been telephone contacts between the leadership of Russia and Iran, our representatives and the Israelis, Lavrov said in an interview with Russian radio stations after reports Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes against its arch-rival. We made it very clear in these conversations, we told the Israelis that Iran does not want escalation.

Israel-Iran Crisis LIVE: G7 Asks 'All Parties' To Prevent Further Middle East Escalation G7 foreign ministers have urged all parties to work to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, following reports that Israel carried out a strike on Iran. In light of reports of strikes on April 19th, we urge all parties to work to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work to this end, the Group of Seven nations said in a statement after a meeting on the Italian island of Capri.

Israel-Iran Crisis LIVE: Russia Urges Restraint After Escalation In Middle East The Kremlin on Friday said it was looking into reports Israel carried out a strike on Iran and urged all sides to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation.

Chinese Embassy In Iran Urges Citizens To 'Take Precautions Over Security Risks' Chinas embassy in Iran has warned its citizens in the country to take precautions over security risks after Iranian media reported explosions heard near the city of Isfahan. (We) remind Chinese citizens and companies in Iran to take precautions over security risks, pay close attention to the development of the situation and ensure personal safety, the embassy said in a statement on social media.

Israel Minister Slammed For Implying Israel Behind Iran Blasts Israels National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir came under severe criticism for harming Israels strategy against Iran after he suggested Israel was behind blasts that rocked Iran on Friday. Never before a minister has done such a heavy damage to the countrys security, its image, and its international status, opposition leader Yair Lapid wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Israel-Iran Crisis LIVE: Germany Urges 'De-Escalation' After Reported Strike On Iran Germany on Friday pleaded for restraint after reports that Israel carried out a strike on Iran. De-escalation must be the advice of the hour, said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit, adding: We must prevent a conflagration at all costs, and this appeal goes to all sides.
Two Indian students, studying at the University of Dundee in Scotland, tragically drowned during a hiking mishap. The bodies of the two boys, both in their 20s, were recovered by emergency services at the Linn of Tummel after they were found dead in the water at the popular sightseeing spot on Wednesday night.

Both victims, Jitendranath Karuturi, and Chanhakya Bolisetti, were pursuing Masters degrees at Dundee University. The incident occurred near Blair of Atholl in Perthshire, where two rivers meet. Local authorities have ruled out any suspicious circumstances surrounding the fatalities. The Indian High Commission in London confirmed that the bodies of the students were recovered.

Two Indian students hailing from Andhra Pradesh drowned in an unfortunate incident on Wednesday evening and their bodies were found a little downstream. The Consulate General of India has been in touch with the families of both the students and a consular official has met the relative of one the students who lives in the UK. The University of Dundee has assured of all help, a high commission spokesperson was quoted as saying by news agencies.

Consular representatives have contacted the families, and Dundee University has pledged assistance. Post-mortem examinations are scheduled for Friday, with plans underway to repatriate the bodies to India.

(With agency inputs)
The United States on Thursday vetoed the UN bid to recognise a Palestinian state by casting a vote in opposition in the Security Council, denying Palestinians full membership of the world body.

It vetoed a draft resolution that recommended to the 193-member UN General Assembly that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the UN. Notably, the United Kingdom and Switzerland abstained. Meanwhile, the remaining 12 council members voted yes.

#BREAKINGUnited States vetoes Security Council resolution recommending observer State of Palestine be granted full United Nations membership Result of the vote:IN FAVOR: 12AGAINST: 1ABSTAIN: 2 pic.twitter.com/lvxKeEtThZ  UN News (@UN_News_Centre) April 18, 2024

Two-state solution

The United States continues to strongly support a two-state solution. This vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood, but instead is an acknowledgment that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties, Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood told the council. Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the U.S. veto in a statement as unfair, unethical, and unjustified.

Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour, at times emotional, told the council after the vote: The fact that this resolution did not pass will not break our will and it will not defeat our determination. We will not stop in our effort. The Palestinian push for full U.N. membership came six months into a war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and as Israel is expanding settlements in the occupied West Bank, which the U.N. considers to be illegal.

Israels Foreign Minister Israel Katz commended the United States for casting a veto. Addressing the 12 council members who voted in favor of the draft resolution, Israels U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan said: Its very sad because your vote will only embolden Palestinian rejectionism even more and make peace almost impossible.

History

The Palestinians are currently a non-member observer state, a de facto recognition of statehood that was granted by the UN General Assembly in 2012. But an application to become a full UN member needs to be approved by the Security Council and then at least two-thirds of the General Assembly. The UN Security Council has long endorsed a vision of two states living side by side within secure and recognized borders.

Palestinians want a state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, all territory captured by Israel in 1967. Failure to make progress towards a two-state solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region, who will continue to live under the constant threat of violence, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council earlier on Thursday.

(With agency inputs)
The subject of a true-crime podcast who's maintained innocence in the killing of his wife while serving 35 years of a life sentence for the crime will soon walk free. Florida's Leo Schofield Jr., subject of the popular 2022-23 Bone Valley podcast , was granted parole on his fifth attempt Wednesday, reports the New York Times . He's to be released from a corrections transfer program at the Everglades Re-Entry Center in Miami on April 30, the same week he'll celebrate his 29th wedding anniversary with his second wife. "It's hard for us to find the right words for the emotions we're feeling, but gratitude, of course, is a big oneand relief," wife Crissie Schofield, who met her husband while he was an inmate, said Wednesday, per the Times. "It's a surreal feeling."

Schofield had been married to his first wife, 18-year-old Michelle Schofield, for just six months when she was discovered stabbed to death in a drainage canal in Lakeland, Florida, on Feb. 27, 1987. There was no physical evidence connecting her husband to the crime. He reported his wife missing and claimed he was looking for her at the time authorities believe she was killed, per LkldNow. But he was convicted after prosecutors claimed he was abusive and a neighbor claimed to have seen him removing a large object, possibly a body, from his home. In 2004, police matched fingerprints found inside his wife's car, where the stereo had been stolen, to a man serving a life sentence for robbing and killing a man. Jeremy Scott went on to repeatedly confess to killing Michelle Schofield, including to Bone Valley. Still, Schofield was denied a new trial.

Assistant state attorney Jacob Orr criticized the podcastnow expected to become a scripted TV series, per Deadlinefor omitting key facts of the case during Wednesday's hearing before a parole board in Tallahassee. Corrections officers, former inmates, and relatives testified in support of Schofield's release, which the parole board unanimously granted one year after approving Schofield's release from Hardee Correctional Institution to a corrections transfer program. On April 30, he'll move to a halfway house under conditions, including payment of undetermined restitution; anger, mental health, and substance abuse evaluations; and 18 months of curfew restrictions. He must also not have contact with Michelle Schofield's family, who did not speak at Wednesday's hearing. (More parole stories.)
One of Speaker Mike Johnson's seconds and one of his opponents tossed insults Thursday in the course of a confrontation on the House floor over the speaker's performance. Three Republicans gathered around Johnson to give him an earful about his plan to put aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan to a vote this week: Reps. Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, and Tim Burchett. Rep. Derrick Van Orden went up to the three and dared them to file a motion to remove Johnson; he later told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he was trying to "call their bluff." During the ensuing debate, Van Orden called Gaetz "tubby."

The Wisconsin freshman said he only used "tubby" after Gaetz called him a "squish"which Van Orden said he assumed meant he was being insulted as a soft person. The term is sometimes used by Republicans to imply colleagues are insufficiently Republican. Gaetz, who has not committed to the effort to oust Johnson, later told reporters he found his clash with Van Orden "puzzling and concerning." He added, "The only thing I gleaned from it is that Mr. Van Orden is not a particularly intelligent individual."

Van Orden said he went up to the group to back Johnson because "everybody needs a swim buddy." He said Gaetz and other GOP hard-liners are "destroying our majority." If they succeed, he said, and Donald Trump wins the election, he'll be dealing with an "obstructionist House of Representatives run by Democrats." As for Gaetz as an individual, Van Orden said he's a bully. "The only way to stop a person from bullying you is to push back hard," he said. (More House Republicans stories.)
The US vetoed a widely backed UN resolution on Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine. The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 in favor, the US opposed and two abstentions. The resolution would have recommended that the 193-member General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, approve Palestine becoming the 194th member of the UN, the AP reports. Some 140 countries have already recognized the state of Palestine, so its admission would have been approved.

This is the second Palestinian attempt to become a full member of the UN, and it comes as the Israel-Hamas war has put the more than 75-year-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict at center stage. Before the vote, a State Department spokesman said the US has "been very clear consistently that premature actions in New Yorkeven with the best intentionswill not achieve statehood for the Palestinian people." Palestinian membership "needs to be the outcome of the negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians," US deputy ambassador Robert Wood said. It "is something that would flow from the result of those negotiations." Anything that gets in the way "makes it more difficult to have those negotiations" and doesn't help move toward a two-state solution, which Wood said "we all want."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas first delivered the Palestinian Authority's application for UN membership in 2011. The Palestinians revived their bid in early April, backed by the 140 countries that have recognized Palestine as an independent state. Ziad Abu Amr, special representative of the Palestinian president, said adopting the resolution would grant the Palestinian people hope "for a decent life within an independent state." Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan called the resolution "disconnected to the reality on the ground" and warned that it "will cause only destruction for years to come and harm any chance for future dialogue."

(More United Nations stories.)
Members of his extended family have largely shunned Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign, calling it dangerous, and been supportive of President Biden's reelection. But they made their endorsement official and emphatic on Thursday, Politico reports, appearing with Biden on Thursday in Philadelphia. "We want to make crystal clear our feeling that the best way forward for America is to reelect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris to four more years," Kerry Kennedy told the gathering. She led a chant of "four more years" and did not mention her brother in her speech.

Biden, she said, is "a champion for all the rights and freedoms that my father and uncles stood for," referring to the late President Kennedy and Sens. Robert and Edward Kennedy. Donald Trump, Kerry Kennedy said, per CNN, is not. "I can only imagine how Donald Trump's outrageous lies and behavior would have horrified my father," she told the event. "What an incredible honor, to have the support of the Kennedy family," Biden said in response. The endorsement's rollout has included Kennedys appearing on talk shows and giving multiple interviews before Thursday's event.

The president's campaign is no longer leaving the effort to discredit the Kennedy candidacy to outside groups, which a New York Times analysis says could reflect increased concern among Biden aides. Some Democrats worry that the independent bid is more of a threat to Biden than it is to Trump, per Axios. Michigan election officials confirmed Thursday that RFK Jr. will be on their ballot in November, per the AP. Utah already reported that he's made the ballot there. Kennedy's backers said they have enough signatures in states including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina, but officials have not yet ruled on the signatures' validity. (More President Biden 2024 stories.)
"Let's not sugarcoat what is going on here," the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee said Thursday before launching into a fiery speech in regards to the ongoing foreign aid debate, blasting Republicans for following the whims of former President Trump, whom she blamed in part for the war in Ukraine. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said Trump's "dearest friend" Russian President Vladimir Putin was emboldened to act by the former president's statements and his "illegal" withholding of security assistance from Ukraine, per Raw Story . Then she called out House Republicans for claiming they wouldn't support aid for Ukraine without bipartisan border security.

"You know what? We accomplished bipartisan border security. You can shake your head all you want," she said during the hearing of the House Rules Committee, referring to a bill blocked by Senate Republicans in February. "And you know what? It was Donald Trump who said, 'Don't give Biden a win.'" That Republicans are now complaining about border security feels like "revisionist history," she continued. She said lawmakers had the opportunity "to govern" and "to be a world leader." But "for months and months, we have been diddling around where people are dying in Ukraine," DeLauro said. "Don't talk about what weapons we want to give them. We're not giving them what they need now, and it has been months in the coming."

"We're standing by and [watching] Ukrainians die!" added DeLauro, per Raw Story. "If that's the way we want to be remembered in history, it's certainly not the way I want to be remembered!" As the Daily Beast sees it, she went "nuclear" on the GOP and a House speaker who proposed a new foreign aid package to assist Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan this week only after Iran's attack on Israel. DeLauro has urged lawmakers to pass all three bills, including the proposed $60.8 billion in aid for Ukraine, as has President Biden. (More foreign aid stories.)
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a US resident, the AP reports. Four years after Harry and his American wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, decamped to a villa in Southern California, a travel company he controls filed paperwork this week informing British authorities that he has moved and is now "usually resident" in the United States. The formal acknowledgment underscores the prince's increasing estrangement from Britain, after he and Meghan walked away from royal duties to pursue lucrative media deals in America. Since then, Harry has repeatedly criticized the royal family, including allegations of unconscious racism that were included in a Netflix series and the prince's autobiography, Spare.

The paperwork was filed by Travalyst Ltd, a company at least 75% owned by Harry and which was founded in 2020 "to promote global awareness of the importance of sustainable tourism." The documentation was received Monday by Companies House, the government agency that oversees the incorporation of UK companies. The filing further separates Harry from his role as one of the king's counselors of statemembers of the royal family who can be deputized to carry out the duties of the monarch if he is unwell or out of the country. While Harry formally remains a counselor of state, the crown informed Parliament in 2022 that "in practice" only working members of the royal family would be called upon to fill in for the monarch.

Although Harry and Meghan have put down roots in the wealthy enclave of Montecito, where they are raising their young son and daughter, Harry is also facing scrutiny about his US residency. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has questioned the Department of Homeland Security's decision to grant Harry a US visa following admissions of drug use that were included in Spare. The foundation, which has asked a judge to force the department to release Harry's immigration file, argues that the prince either lied on his visa application or was given special treatment because a history of drug use would normally disqualify an applicant from being granted a visa.

(More Prince Harry stories.)
Iran fired air defense batteries Friday amid reports of explosions near a major air base at the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Per the AP , it remained unclear if the country was under attack, but tensions remain high after Iran's unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, sources tell outlets including Fox News , CNN , and NBC News that Israel indeed carried out a "limited" strike inside Iran, and that the amount of damage done was still being assessed. IRNA said the defenses fired across several provinces. It did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire, though people across the area reported hearing the sounds. "The defense is activated in response to an object that is likely to be a drone," according to a source who spoke to a local outlet cited by CNN.

There were no immediate reports of casualties, per Al Jazeera. Natanz, where one of Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities is located, is in Isfahan; it's not clear whether it was hit, but state media says nuclear facilities in the city are "completely secure," and sources say the target was not nuclear. Commercial flights in the area were being diverted or suspended. Israel previously vowed to respond to Iran's unprecedented weekend attack, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of fighting in Gaza. Allies have urged Israel to hold back on any response to the attack that could spiral. The US on Thursday vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for a state of Palestine. The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 in favor, the United States opposed and two abstentions.

(More Iran stories.)
Two planes nearly collided at Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, on Thursday, and might have done so if an air traffic controller hadn't yelled "Stop!" Around 7:40am, an air traffic controller instructed Southwest Flight 2937 to cross runway 4 on its way to runway 1. It was instructed to allow an American Airlines flight to pass in front before turning in the direction of runway 4, and did so. Around the same time, another air traffic controller cleared JetBlue Flight 1554 for takeoff on runway 4. "Cleared for takeoff, runway 4, JetBlue 1554," the pilot replied, per WTOP . The plane began moving down the runway just as the Southwest plane approached the runway's edge.

As an air traffic controller directed another plane, a voice could be overheard on the recording saying, "Tell Southwest to stop," according to audio shared on YouTube. A frantic voice commanded the JetBlue plane to stop, then yelled, "Southwest, stop! Southwest 2937, stop!" "We stop. We were cleared to cross runway 4," the Southwest pilot replied. WTOP reports the two planes came within 400 feet of each other. The Southwest plane had crossed the taxiway's "hold short line," the line planes are expected to remain behind so as to not interfere with the runway.

"There was no margin left," as John Nance, a retired airline captain and aviation safety analyst, tells WTOP. "If there had been a failure to communicate to JetBlue and they were on a high-speed portion of their take off, they would not have been able to swerve." The JetBlue plane had thankfully only reached 39mph, WTOP reports. The FAA said it would investigate the incident in which "an air traffic controller instructed Southwest Airlines Flight 2937 to cross Runway 4 ... while JetBlue Flight 1554 was starting its takeoff roll on the same runway." There were 1,756 runway incursions in the US in fiscal year 2023 out of 54.4 million takeoffs and landings, with about 20% attributed to air traffic controller action or inaction, reports NBC Washington. (More airplane mishap stories.)
Click through to AmericanRivieraOrchard.com and you'll be brought to the landing page for Meghan Markle's somewhat murky new luxury lifestyle brand. Go to the seemingly related UK domain for that site, however, and you'll find yourself instead on a portal imploring you to donate to a food bank. It's a new head-scratcher tied to the Duchess of Sussex, though most of the mystery has since been solved.

Meghan's project: Per the Independent, Markle announced her brand last month, though with sparse details. It later came out that she'd be hawking lifestyle products such as recipe books, textiles, tableware, artisan jams, and the like.
The 12 students and one teacher killed in the Columbine High School shooting will be remembered Friday in a vigil on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the attack. The gathering, set up by gun safety and other organizations, is the main public event marking the anniversary, which is more subdued than in previous milestone years, the AP reports. Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who began campaigning for gun safety after she was nearly killed in a mass shooting, will be among those speaking. So will Nathan Hochhalter, whose sister Anne Marie was paralyzed after she was shot at Columbine. Several months after the shooting, their mother, Carla Hochhalter, took her own life.

The organizers of the vigil, which will also honor all those affected by the shooting, include Colorado Ceasefire, Brady United Against Gun Violence, and Colorado Faith Communities United Against Gun Violence, but they say it will not be a political event. The organizer is Tom Mauser, who is on Colorado Ceasefire's board. His son Daniel, a sophomore who excelled in math and science, was killed at Columbine, decided to set up the vigil after learning school officials did not plan a large community event like the one on the 20th anniversary.

Those killed included Dave Sanders, a teacher shot as he shepherded students to safety. He lay bleeding in a classroom for almost four hours before authorities reached him. The students killed included one who wanted to be a music executive like his father, a senior and captain of the girls varsity volleyball team, and a teenager who enjoyed driving off-road in his beat-up pickup. Sam Cole, another Colorado Ceasefire board member, said the students killed would now be adults in the prime of their lives with families of their own. "It's just sad to think that they are always going to be etched in our mind as teenagers," he said.

(More Columbine school shooting stories.)
Alli Rosenbloom, CNN

Take your seat because Taylor Swift's Tortured Poets Department meeting has officially been called into session.

The Grammy-winner released her highly anticipated 11th studio album on Friday, appearing on Apple Music some time prior to its scheduled midnight release time.

The 16-track album serves overall as a relaxed and mellow listen on the surface, but if you're paying attention to the lyrics - as most very thorough Swifties do - you'll discover a chaotic and complicated stream of consciousness where Swift works through waves of heartbreak, longing, anger and self-reflection.

An example among many comes on the album's 12th track 'loml' - which is internet-speak for "love of my life" - in which Swift sings, "I wish I could un-recall how we almost had it all." After singing the words "love of my life," at the very end of the song, she concludes, "You're the loss of my life."

To mark the occasion of the album drop, Swift wrote that the album is "an anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time - one that was both sensational and sorrowful in equal measure" on her verified Instagram page Friday.

"This period of the author's life is now over, the chapter closed and boarded up. There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed. And upon further reflection, a good number of them turned out to be self-inflicted," she wrote. "This writer is of the firm belief that our tears become holy in the form of ink on a page. Once we have spoken our saddest story, we can be free of it. And then all that's left behind is the tortured poetry."

The songs on which Swift chose to feature collaborators are some of the album's highlights. The album's eighth track 'Florida!!!' with Florence + the Machine is a gorgeous match of two unique voices blending together, with Florence Welch's signature plaintive singing style complementing Swift's vocal range on the melodic track.

'Fortnight,' the album's lead single featuring Post Malone, is a dynamic first track, perhaps the album's catchiest. "I love you it's ruining my life," Swift sings reflectively, with Post Malone's soft vocals echoing hers.

The music video for 'Fortnight' will be released at midday tommorrow NZT, according to Swift, who wrote on her Instagram page on Thursday that she's been "such a huge fan" of Post Malone "because of the writer he is, his musical experimentation and those melodies he creates that just stick in your head forever."
Concerns were growing among immigration officials about the number of temporary migrants committing crimes and not being aware of how this could impact their visas, the ministry said.

In some parts of New Zealand, "increasing numbers of migrant workers in construction, tourism and hospitality are facing alcohol-related charges and court appearances", Watson said.

Watson appealed to migrants to be aware of the consequences of committing "what they may see as minor matters" or may face "an early plane ride home".

"The decision to deport is made by looking at the total picture of an individual's circumstances," the ministry said in a statement.

"This may include what the criminal offence is; how long theyve been in New Zealand; whether theyve got family in New Zealand; what their job is; the skill set of the individual; and whether there are any humanitarian factors present which relate to New Zealands international obligations.

"We compare the risks of their offending with the value they bring to New Zealand and balance that against a careful assessment of their character," said Watson.
GATINEAU, QC, April 18, 2024 /CNW/ - Plastic pollution is everywhere in the environment, travelling beyond national borders, posing a risk to wildlife, and damaging ecosystems. Plastic production and waste is set to triple by 2060, and up to 37 million metric tons of plastic pollution could be entering our oceans every year by 2040. This is leaving a legacy of environmental impacts for future generations. Plastic pollution costs more than $2 trillion every year, a burden that is largely held by local communities. Without new and effective control measures, and increased international cooperation, the global plastic pollution crisis will intensify.

Next week, from April 23 to April 29, Canada will welcome the world to Ottawa for the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) at the Shaw Centre to advance the development a global agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024. During the conference, the Canadian delegation, led by the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, will convene with international partners from around the world to help drive ambition and alignment on addressing plastic pollution.

INC-4 is the fourth negotiating session of five sessions being coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme. INC-4 represents the penultimate moment to unite the world around a shared goal to end plastic pollution.

Canada is kicking off the session with a series of events organized in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature. On April 21, Minister Guilbeault will host a meeting of the alliance of INC host countriesCanada, Uruguay, France, Kenya, and the Republic of Koreato discuss shared objectives in the INC process. He will then meet with several ministers and high-level representatives to continue building the political momentum for an ambitious outcome.

On April 22, coinciding with Earth Day under the theme "Planet vs. Plastics", the Minister will co-host a high-level Partnerships Day, which will include action-oriented discussions with ministers, Indigenous peoples, youth, civil society, all levels of government, and the private sector to accelerate efforts to beat plastic pollution.

Negotiation sessions will start on April 23, where countries will continue to work through the possible scope, wording, and mechanisms, including financial tools, to include in the new legally binding treaty on plastic pollution. No final agreement is anticipated at INC-4; however, it is the critical point to build the foundations for a successful conclusion to the negotiations at INC-5 in the Republic of Korea later this year.

Canada has taken many actions to address the growing global challenge of plastic pollution, including the launch of the Ocean Plastics Charter during Canada's 2018 G7 Presidency, the introduction of a domestic ban on harmful single-use plastics, the implementation of its comprehensive plan to reduce plastic waste and pollution, and its move toward a circular plastics economy. Canada is also an inaugural member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution, a group of more than 60 countries representing every United Nations region, with the goal to end plastic pollution by 2040 and develop an ambitious and effective global agreement.

Canada looks forward to collaborating with all nations to drive substantial progress in our united goal to end plastic pollution.

Quotes

"We have a historic opportunity to tackle the global plastics crisis at INC-4 in Canada. The rate at which we are all consuming plastics is simply unsustainable, and it is only by rallying together that we can solve it. We are taking some big steps at home to cut the amount of plastics that go into landfills and the environment, but tackling this problem can't happen without a global solution. Canadians and people around the world want to see their leaders come to INC-4 to make real progress on ending plastic pollution by 2040."

 The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick facts

Minister Guilbeault will also be meeting with representatives from provinces, territories, and Indigenous organizations to discuss Canada's unique challenges and opportunities to collectively tackle plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.

unique challenges and opportunities to collectively tackle plastic pollution, including in the marine environment. Throughout negotiations, Canada will reinforce the urgent need to conclude negotiations this year, reiterate the shared consensus among countries to end plastic pollution, advance progress on key aspects of the treaty, advocate for a mandate for intersessional work between negotiating sessions, and continue to be a strong voice for inclusivity in the INC process.

will reinforce the urgent need to conclude negotiations this year, reiterate the shared consensus among countries to end plastic pollution, advance progress on key aspects of the treaty, advocate for a mandate for intersessional work between negotiating sessions, and continue to be a strong voice for inclusivity in the INC process. In 2022, Canada and all other United Nations member states agreed at the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly to establish the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee with the mandate to develop a legally binding global agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024.

and all other United Nations member states agreed at the resumed fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly to establish the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee with the mandate to develop a legally binding global agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024. At the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in February 2024 , Canada hosted a ministerial meeting and formed the INC Host Country Alliance alongside Uruguay , France , Kenya , and the Republic of Korea. Host Country Alliance members expressed their shared commitment to conclude negotiations by the end of 2024.

, hosted a ministerial meeting and formed the INC Host Country Alliance alongside , , , and the Republic of Korea. Host Country Alliance members expressed their shared commitment to conclude negotiations by the end of 2024. Canada is taking action to reduce plastic waste and pollution and help Canadians move toward a circular economy through its comprehensive Government of Canada plan. Canada is also working with provinces and territories to implement the shared Canada-Wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste and Action Plan that addresses the entire life cycle of plastics to keep plastic in the economy and out of the environment.

is taking action to reduce plastic waste and pollution and help Canadians move toward a circular economy through its comprehensive Government of plan. is also working with provinces and territories to implement the shared Canada-Wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste and Action Plan that addresses the entire life cycle of plastics to keep plastic in the economy and out of the environment. To ensure INC-4 is inclusive, equitable, and meaningful, Canada is also hosting a Plastic Action Zone at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa from April 23 to April 29 .

is also hosting a Plastic Action Zone at the National Arts Centre in from . The Plastic Action Zone offers a separate space for partners and stakeholders to share actions, innovations, and experiences to help drive ambition and prevent plastic waste and pollution throughout the life cycle of plastics. Registration for members of the public to attend events in the Plastic Action Zone is available online.

The 2024 theme for Earth Day, "Planet vs. Plastics", calls to advocate for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, rapidly phase out all single-use plastics, urgently push for a strong global agreement on plastic pollution, and demand an end to fast fashion.

The fifth and final planned INC session (INC-5) will take place from November 25 to December 1, 2024 , in Busan , Republic of Korea.

Associated links

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Twitter page

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

Oliver Anderson, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-902-0686, [email protected]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [email protected]
WASHINGTON, April 18, 2024 /CNW/ -- EARTHDAY.ORG , the global force behind Earth Day, is partnering with the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA), the leading trade group representing the entire out of home (OOH) advertising industry, for the sixth year in a row! OAAA and their membership are supporting the launch of a national (OOH) campaign to help shine a light on the dangers of plastics to human health.

EARTHDAY.ORG, the global force behind Earth Day, is partnering with the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) on a campaign created with Extra Credit Projects.

The EARTHDAY.ORG Theme for 2024 is PLANET VS PLASTICS and has been driving home the message that plastics are not inert. Research is finding that plastics break down into tiny fragments called microplastics, which leach out toxic plastic chemicals. They are both associated with a wide range of human health issues from Alzheimer's to strokes to male infertility to obesity.

"Plastics in one form or another have contaminated our soil, our air and our water," said Kathleen Rogers, the President of EARTHDAY.ORG. "Plastics are in our food chain and by default, inside all of us, and we are inhaling them in from the air we breathe. It's important that the public knows this  and that we bring this crucial issue to the forefront of consumers' minds."

Babies seem the most at risk with evidence microplastics can interrupt maternal-fetal communication and potentially damage DNA . Reports have linked microplastics to autism and other endocrine disruption issues which can amongst other things manifest as early onset puberty , as well as association with some cancers , including in the prostate gland of fetuses .

"Helping to drive awareness around this important and widespread issue is what out of home is made for  delivering larger-than-life impact and engagement with the masses. These are big problems to solve, and we need to harness big, bold storytelling to help solve them," said Anna Bager, President and CEO, OAAA.

Media partners can download the creative here.

"This incredible campaign devised by our friends at the creative agency Extra Credit Projects and supported by OAAA, is about alerting the public to the dangers of plastics and their additive chemicals. It is forthright because EARTHDAY.ORG believes that the plastic industry doesn't give a fork about the planet," said Tom Cosgrove, Chief Creative and Content Officer for EARTHDAY.ORG.

To help generate even more awareness, share pictures of our creative, tag EARTHDAY.ORG, OAAA , and use the hashtag #PlanetvsPlastics .

About EARTHDAY.ORG: EARTHDAY.ORG's founders created and organized the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Since then, EARTHDAY.ORG has mobilized over 1 billion people annually on Earth Day, and every other day, to protect the planet. EARTHDAY.ORG's mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental movement worldwide. EARTHDAY.ORG is the world's largest recruiter to the environmental movement, working with more than 150,000 partners in nearly 192 countries to build environmental democracy. Learn more at EARTHDAY.ORG . It's not a day, it's a movement.

For Media Inquiries: On how plastic harms human health & loads more.

Sarah Davies, [email protected] , +1 240 463 1341

About OAAA

The Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) is the national trade association for the entire out of home (OOH) advertising industry. OAAA represents over 800 members, including leading media companies, advertisers, agencies, ad-tech providers, and suppliers. OOH media includes billboards, street furniture, transit, place-based media, and digital formats (DOOH) across every sector of the channel. OAAA is the unifying voice for the industry, the authoritative thought leader, and the passionate advocate for advancing OOH advertising in the United States. The legislative unit of OAAA advocates for the responsible growth of OOH with federal, state, and local governments. OAAA-member media companies donate over $500 million annually in public service advertising. Founded in 1891, OAAA is headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in New York City. To learn more, visit oaaa.org.

For Media Inquiries: On OOH's role in this campaign and OAAA's partnership with EARTHDAY - Christine Galetto, [email protected]

SOURCE EARTHDAY.ORG
MONTREAL, April 19, 2024 /CNW/ - With extensive renovation work now complete, Le 9e, the landmark ninth-floor restaurant atop the Centre Eaton de Montreal, will officially reopen to the public on May 17. The iconic Art Deco space, classified as a heritage property under Quebec's Cultural Heritage Act in August 2000, has been painstakingly restored in a way that honours the spirit of the restaurant's original layout while respecting its heritage value. The property is owned by Ivanhoe Cambridge and will be operated by a group of Montreal entrepreneurs that includes Jeff Baikowitz, Marco Gucciardi, Andy Nulman, Madeleine Kojakian and the 7 Doigts creative collective.

 Jomi - Joe Alvoeiro Photographe (CNW Group/Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc.)

A sumptuous space is reborn

Le 9e (Le Neuvieme, for the "ninth floor") will comprise the 120-seat Ile de France restaurant, offering an intimate dining experience; the Gold and Silver rooms, two additional multipurpose spaces, each with capacity of up to 20; and La Grande Salle, a versatile venue equipped to host a wide range of events including live shows, exhibitions and private functions. This exceptional site will be complemented by a lavishly appointed cocktail bar and cafe on the ground floor of the building. The maximum capacity of Le 9e will be 500 guests.

The Ile de France will feature a fine dining experience inspired by the original establishment's menu, to be overseen by Executive Chef Liam Hopkins (Hopkins, McKiernan, Park) and Culinary Director Derek Dammann (Maison Publique, McKiernan, Fifteen). Andrew Whibley (Cloakroom Bar, Dominion Bar) will head up the cocktail bar, with Dominique Jacques (MELK) joining the team as manager of the cafe. Table reservations for the Ile de France will be available as of May 1.

"The team at Le 9e is thrilled to announce that, very soon, we will be welcoming Montrealers and visitors to this space that we hope will not only become a prime gastronomical destination, but also one of our city's most popular cultural venues," said Jeff Baikowitz of Le 9e. "We feel privileged to be part of the rebirth of this legendary spot and can't wait for the public to enjoy it once again."

Accent on preserving architectural heritage and public access

To ensure respect for the architectural heritage of the space and its preservation, Ivanhoe Cambridge partnered with EVOQ Architecture, a firm with established expertise in projects with a heritage conservation component, to carry out the renovation work, which was authorized by the Ministry of Culture and Communications (MCC).

In Ivanhoe Cambridge's view, preserving and highlighting the site's unique heritage assets was of paramount importance in ensuring the successful reopening of the ninth-floor site. The other key challenge of the project was to make the space once again accessible to the public after it had sat vacant for a quarter-century.

"We are delighted to be announcing the official date for the reopening of this jewel in Montreal's architectural and heritage crown," said Annik Desmarteau, Vice President, Offices, Quebec, who oversaw the project for Ivanhoe Cambridge. "We are proud to have drawn on our real estate expertise and that of our partners to enhance the experience of Le 9e for Montrealers and visitors alike. This project is the logical continuation of our recent investments in Place Ville Marie, the Centre Eaton de Montreal and Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, and is sure to bring yet more vitality to our downtown core."

A photo gallery is available here.

About Ivanhoe Cambridge

Ivanhoe Cambridge develops and invests in high-quality real estate properties, projects and companies that are shaping the urban fabric in dynamic cities around the world. It does so responsibly, with a view to generating long-term performance. Ivanhoe Cambridge is committed to creating living spaces that foster the well-being of people and communities, while reducing its environmental footprint.

Ivanhoe Cambridge invests internationally alongside strategic partners and major real estate funds that are leaders in their markets. Through subsidiaries and partnerships, the Company holds interests in more than 1,500 buildings, primarily in the industrial and logistics, office, residential and retail sectors. Ivanhoe Cambridge held C$77 billion in real estate assets as of December 31, 2023, and is part of CDPQ (cdpq.com), a global investment group.

SOURCE Ivanhoe Cambridge Inc.

Ivanhoe Cambridge: Media line: +1 866-456-3342, [email protected]
DARPAs Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program had the first-ever in-air tests of AI algorithms autonomously flying a fighter jet against a human-piloted fighter jet in within-visual-range combat scenarios (aka dogfighting). The General Dynamics X-62 VISTA (Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft) is an experimental aircraft, derived from the F-16D Fighting Falcon, which was modified as a joint venture between General Dynamics and Calspan for use by the United States Air Force (USAF

Team members discussed what makes the ACE program unlike other aerospace autonomy projects and how it represents a transformational moment in aerospace history, establishing a foundation for ethical, trusted, human-machine teaming for complex military and civilian applications.

In flight, the ACE AI algorithms controlled a specially modified F-16 test aircraft known as the X-62A, or VISTA (Variable In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft), at the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, where all demonstrations of autonomous combat maneuvers took place in 2023 and are continuing in 2024.
Resistance against Hobokens administration and the city council is beginning to build after city hall prevented a vote on a contract to hire a DJ to headline a festival over her pro-Palestinian politics, among other concerns.

The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Ceasefire Now NJ activist coalition both said they are planning to publicly challenge the citys decision, with some comparing the move to McCarthyism-era censorship.
A former South Jersey school administrator was convicted by a jury of a decade-old sexual assault in Woodbridge Thursday, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said Friday.

Danny McEaddy, 40, of Sicklerville was convicted of two first degree counts of kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault, second degree sexual assault and burglary, and three counts of third degree criminal restraint, aggravated assault and criminal sexual contact.

The charges stemmed from the assault of a woman in Keasbey on Sept. 21, 2014 when she alleged that a man forced his way into her apartment, covered her face with a blanket and told her he would kill her if she told anyone, according to the criminal complaint.

DNA collected at the scene by authorities connected McEaddy to the scene, authorities said. He was arrested on Mar. 23, 2023, and held at the Middlesex County Jail until his trial, according to authorities.

Contact information was not listed for McEaddys attorney Friday.

McEaddy had served as a principal at Freedom Prep charter school in Camden until he was terminated in August 2022, according to school records. He also served in administrative and teaching roles in the Camden school district and in Pennsylvania, records show.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jul. 25, 2024.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A quarter-century ago, the Justice Department had few meaningful relationships with Native American tribes.

While the federal government worked with state and local police and courts, tribal justice systems did not have the same level of recognition, said Tracy Toulou, who oversaw the departments Office of Tribal Justice from 2000 until his recent retirement. They were essentially invisible, he said.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said Toulou built the office from an idea into an institution within the Justice Department.

Its relationships with the nations 574 federally recognized tribes are important, in part because federal authorities investigate and prosecute a set of major crimes on most reservations.

Public safety statistics reflect the serious challenges. Native Americans and Alaska Natives are more than twice as likely to be victims of a violent crime, and Native American women are at least two times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted compared with others.

For Toulou, a descendant of the Washington state-based Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, part of addressing those grim realities is expanding the power of tribal justice systems.

Tribes had been barred, for example, from prosecuting non-Natives under a 1978 Supreme Court decision, even if the crime happened on reservations, making it harder to seek justice in many cases. That changed somewhat in 2013 with a federal law that allows tribes to prosecute non-Natives in a limited set of domestic violence cases. The authority was expanded in 2022 to include cases such as violence against children and stalking.

That was a key change  tribes were now viewed as participants in the justice system on a more or less equal basis with everybody else, which should never have changed, said Toulou, who was a federal prosecutor in Montana early in his career.

Still, much works remains to be done.

Tribal police and courts are stretched thin and are coping with conflicting jurisdictional issues and underfunding, leaders told the Senate Indian Affairs Committee at a session last month that drew more than 600 comments.

Police Chief Algin Young of the Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota said he has six to eight officers to patrol nearly 4,700 square miles (12,200 square kilometers) against an influx of guns, illegal drugs including fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin, and violent crime that can only be described as shocking and extremely dangerous.

Our people dont feel safe in the communities, and our visitors do not, either, he said.

The challenges comes against a historical backdrop of injustices committed by the federal government against Native Americans, including massacres, forced assimilation of Native children in abusive boarding schools and the removal of many tribes from their ancestral land.

One of Toulous personal regrets is he does not speak his tribes language because his grandparents were sent to boarding schools, breaking the links that would have passed it down through generations.

We have a unique responsibility to Indian tribes, Toulou said, partly due to obligations the U.S. made in treaties, through Congress and other acts. There is a moral responsibility that is underpinned by those treaties to support those tribal nations and interact with them on a government-to-government basis.

In recent years, that has meant heeding calls to address the crisis of Indigenous people who have been killed or gone missing. Thousands of those cases remain unsolved, hundreds have been closed due to issues such as jurisdictional conflicts and many families say authorities regularly fail to communicate about the status of pending cases.

Toulou was a leader in the effort to create a federal strategy to respond to violence against Native people in 2022, after the passage of the Not Invisible Act and Savannas Act.

He also helped develop legislation such as the Safeguarding Objects of Tribal Patrimony Act of 2021 aimed at halting the removal of historic archaeological remains and the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010. That law improved the collection and reporting of Native crime data, expanded the sentencing authority of tribal courts and allowed tribes such as the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians in Minnesota to expand their policing powers.

That really makes a big difference, said the tribes chief executive, Melanie Benjamin. We have the experience, we have the commitment of our own tribal members and our community members that want to be a part of public safety to protect and serve.

Working within the federal bureaucracy can be like pushing a big rock up a steep hill, said W. Ron Allen, chairman of the Jamestown SKlallam Tribe in Washington state. But tribal leaders have become more sophisticated in navigating it over the past two decades, he said.

Tracy has played a critical role, said Allen, citing Toulous help in educating federal lawyers on Native culture, from restorative justice to traditional land management.

The Justice Department also takes part in civil litigation involving tribes, including environmental cases and hunting and fishing rights.

In Toulous place as acting director is Daron Carreiro, a career attorney from the Environment and Natural Resources Division who is also steeped in laws and policies around tribal communities, sovereignty and public safety.

As he begins his retirement in Montana, Toulou is hoping to see improved communication between the federal law enforcement and victims families and more Native people working at the Justice Department.

Garland said Toulous legacy will be felt at the Justice Department and in tribal communities for generations to come.

 By LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press
NEW YORK  Twelve jurors and one alternate have been seated in Donald Trump s hush money case, quickly propelling the jury selection process forward after a morning that saw two previously sworn-in jurors dismissed  one after she expressed new doubt in her ability to be fair and impartial following the disclosure of details about her identity and the other over concerns that he may not have been truthful about whether he had ever been accused or convicted of a crime.

Lawyers in the trial now need to select five alternates to round out the panel that will decide the first-ever criminal case against a former U.S. president.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged scheme to bury stories he feared could hurt his 2016 campaign.

The allegations focus on payoffs to two women, porn actor Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal, who said they had extramarital sexual encounters with Trump years earlier, as well as to a Trump Tower doorman who claimed to have a story about a child he alleged Trump had out of wedlock. Trump says none of the alleged sexual encounters occurred.

The case is the first of Trumps four indictments to reach trial.

Heres the latest:

FIRST WITNESS IN TRUMPS TRIAL UNDER WRAPS

Prosecutors declined to tell Donald Trumps legal team who the first witnesses in his hush money trial would be, complaining that he has been posting on social media about witnesses in the run-up to the trial.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche offered to assure the court that it wouldnt happen, saying he would commit to the court and the people that President Trump will not Truth about any witness.

That he will not tweet about any witnesses? I dont think you can make that representation, Judge Juan M. Merchan said.

1 ALTERNATE JUROR SEATED

One alternate juror in Donald Trumps hush money trial late Thursday, leaving lawyers in the case to select five more and rapidly bringing the trial closer to opening statements.

The jury includes a sales professional, a software engineer, an English teacher and multiple lawyers.

ALL 12 JURORS SEATED

All 12 jurors in Donald Trumps hush money trial have been seated, quickly propelling the jury selection process forward late Thursday afternoon. Lawyers now need to select six alternates to round out the panel that will decide the first-ever criminal case against a former U.S. president.

TWO MORE JURORS SEATED IN TRUMP TRIAL

Two more jurors have been seated in Donald Trumps hush money trial, bringing the number of seated jurors back to seven.

The newly seated jurors replace two jurors who were sworn in on Tuesday, but who were both dismissed by Judge Juan M. Merchan earlier Thursday.

The first juror was excused after she expressed new doubt in her ability to be fair and impartial following the disclosure of details about her identity while the other was dismissed over concerns that some of his answers in court may have been inaccurate.

POTENTIAL JURORS WARNED ABOUT IMPLICIT BIAS

As they questioned prospective jurors in Donald Trumps hush money trial, attorneys for the former president warned them about the impacts of implicit bias.

The problem with biases is they color the way you look at the world. What you may believe and may not, Susan Necheles said. We wouldnt allow someone who has a strong dislike for a certain type of people to sit on a jury of that type of person.

Necheles was responding to remarks from two possible jurors about their opinions of Trump.

A woman from the Upper West Side had acknowledged, in response to questions, that she did have strong feelings about the former president. Yes. I disagree with most of his policies, she said.

Shortly after, another woman spoke in even stronger terms. He just seems very selfish and self-serving, so I dont really appreciate that in any public servant, she said.

Trump appeared to perk up during both comments, turning around to look in the direction of the box. Both women said it would not impact their ability to act impartially.

PROSECUTOR TELLS POSSIBLE JURORS THEYLL HAVE TO USE COMMON SENSE TO COME TO CONCLUSIONS

Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass began his questioning of the prospective jurors in Donald Trumps hush money trial much the same way he did earlier this week  acknowledging the unusual publicity surrounding the case and asking the group of 18 seated in the box whether it would impact their ability to evaluate evidence fairly.

He called first on a lifelong Manhattan resident who works in law enforcement. I could be objective, the man told him.

During subsequent questioning of an attorney who previously said shed followed the case closely and could still be impartial, the individual told Steinglass that she had since changed her mind.

Im worried that I know too much, she said. Im worried that its going to seep in, in some way, she added.

Steinglass thanked her for her candor and moved on.

Steinglass later acknowledged that no witness will say that Trump directly told them: Lets pull the wool over the American publics eye so I can get elected.

Rather, the prosecutor said, jurors would have to analyze the evidence and apply common sense to draw conclusions.

CHILLY COURTROOM AS QUESTIONING RESUMES

A chill of sorts came over the proceedings in Donald Trumps criminal case when Trump lawyer Todd Blanche asked the judge whether the temperature in the courtroom could be raised.

Manhattans main criminal courthouse is over 80 years old, and the building has many quirks.

Judge Juan M. Merchan said if they tried to raise the heat even slightly, the room would probably end up getting way too hot.

Theres no question its cold, but Id rather be a little cold than sweat, the judge said.

Still, Merchan later addressed the frigid nature of the courtroom ahead instructing prospective jurors how voir dire  the process of lawyers from both sides asking them questions  works.

I want to apologize that its chilly in here, he said, eliciting laughs. Were trying to do the best we can to control the temperature, but its one extreme or the other.

COURT BREAKS FOR LUNCH

Court proceedings in former President Donald Trumps hush money case have halted for a lunch break. Proceedings will resume at 2:15 p.m. ET.

The most recent crop of 18 potentials in the jury box, including an initial juror who was excused and replaced by another man, have now gone through the standard screening questionnaire. After lunch, they will be questioned by lawyers.

QUESTIONING OF POTENTIAL JURORS RESUMES

Legal counsel in Donald Trumps criminal trial has returned to questioning prospective jurors in the case after Judge Juan M. Merchan dismissed a second previously seated juror.

While multiple seated and prospective jurors are lawyers, another potential jury member has a good deal of experience specifically being a juror.

The longtime Manhattanite said that over the years, shes been a juror in a criminal trial and a civil insurance fraud case that both reached verdicts. She also served as an alternate juror on a malpractice case that was resolved during deliberations, she said.

The woman, who works as a paralegal, said there was no reason she couldnt serve as a juror in Trumps case, too.

MERCHAN DISMISSES A SECOND SEATED JUROR

Judge Juan M. Merchan has removed a second seated juror from Donald Trumps hush money trial after prosecutors raised concerns that the man may not have been truthful about whether he had ever been accused or convicted of a crime.

The decision came after the judge questioned the jurors alongside lawyers out of earshot of reporters. The judge later said the juror had expressed annoyance about how much information about him had been out in the public.

That echoes the concerns of another juror dismissed earlier Thursday. She said family members and friends questioned her about being a juror even though their names are being kept secret.

PROSPECTIVE JURORS GIVING VAGUER ANSWERS TO EMPLOYMENT QUESTIONS

Instead of disclosing where they work, as other potential jurors in Donald Trumps hush money case had done earlier this week, the latest group gave more generic answers on Thursday.

The shift in demeanor came after Judge Juan M. Merchan scolded the press for reporting identifiable details about the potential jurors, ordering them not to report on questions about their current and former employers and noting the answers would be redacted from court transcripts.

Theres a reason that this is an anonymous jury, Merchan had said. It kind of defeats the purpose of that when so much information is put out there that it is very easy for anyone to identify who the jurors are.

It wasnt clear if they were directly instructed to avoid giving specifics about their employers.

The first prospective juror was an attorney who mentioned having attended the Womens March and reading a book by former Manhattan prosecutor Mark Pomerantz. Pomerantz previously oversaw the investigation into the allegations at the center of the hush money case, and his book detailed his work on it.

Ive discussed the legal merits of this case with many coworkers, she added. When asked whether she could still be a fair and impartial juror despite that, she let out a deep sigh before responding, Yes.

OVER HALF OF LATEST JURY POOL EXCUSED

Fifty-seven out of the second round of 96 potential jurors in Donald Trumps hush money trial have been excused after saying they cant serve.

Some 48 people indicated Thursday morning that they could not serve fairly and impartially. An additional nine said they couldnt serve for some other reason, which they were not asked to state.

SECOND PANEL OF 96 PROSPECTIVE JURORS NOW IN COURT FOR QUESTIONING

The second wave of potential jurors in Donald Trumps criminal trial is now in court to begin the questioning phase of jury selection.

As with the first big group, the judge will explain the basics of jury service along with the case, then ask for a show of hands from any panelists who dont believe they can serve fairly and impartially. After, hell ask for a similar indication from any who dont believe they can serve for another reason.

More than half of the 96 potential jurors in the first group were dismissed after they said they couldnt be fair and impartial.

STATUS OF ANOTHER SEATED JUROR IN LIMBO

The status of a second juror seated for Donald Trumps hush money trial was in limbo Thursday after he failed to report to court to address concerns that some of his answers in court may not have been accurate.

Prosecutors found an article from the 1990s about a man with the same name as the juror being arrested for tearing down political advertisements in suburban Westchester County. The posters were on the political right, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass said.

Steinglass also disclosed that a relative of the man may have been involved in a nonprosecution agreement in the 1990s with the Manhattan district attorneys office, which is prosecuting Trumps case.

Judge Juan M. Merchan had instructed the man to come to court at 9:15 a.m. Thursday to answer questions and verify whether the people involved were him or his relative.

Merchan noted the jurors apparent reluctance to come in and asked both sides if theyd consent to having him removed without further inquiry. Trump lawyer Todd Blanche declined, saying he wanted to first hear what the man had to say.

Under questioning earlier this week, the man had said he hadnt been convicted of a crime.

PROSECUTORS WANT TRUMP SANCTIONED FOR MORE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS

Prosecutors in Donald Trumps hush money trial told Judge Juan M. Merchan on Thursday that they wanted the former president held in contempt and sanctioned for seven more posts they said violated his gag order.

Trumps new posts came after the prosecutors initially sought a $3,000 fine on Monday for three other Truth Social posts.

Prosecutor Christopher Conroy said several of the new posts involved an article that referred to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen as a serial perjurer and another from Wednesday that repeated a claim by a Fox News host that liberal activists were lying to get on the jury.

Trump lawyer Emil Bove said Cohen has been attacking President Trump in public statements, and that Trump was just replying.

Merchan had already scheduled a hearing for next week on the prosecutions request for contempt sanctions over Trumps posts.

JUDGE ORDERS JOURNALISTS NOT TO REPORT ON POTENTIAL JURORS EMPLOYERS

After dismissing a seated juror in Donald Trumps hush money trial, Judge Juan M. Merchan admonished the media for reporting details about the seated and potential jurors that could be used to identify them, ordering them not to report prospective jurors answers to questions about their current and former employers.

As evidenced by whats happened already, its become a problem, he said Thursday morning.

He also directed reporters to abide by common sense and avoid writing about the physical characteristics of the people called to serve.

We just lost what probably would have been a very good juror, the judge continued. She said she was afraid and intimidated by the press, all the press.

PREVIOUSLY SEATED JUROR EXCUSED, CITING IMPARTIALITY CONCERNS

A juror who had been selected for Donald Trumps criminal hush money trial was dismissed Thursday after she told the court shed become concerned about her ability to be impartial.

Although the jurors names are being kept confidential, the woman, a nurse, conveyed that after sleeping on it overnight she had concerns about her ability to be fair and impartial in this case, Judge Juan M. Merchan said before calling her into the room for questioning.

The woman said her family members and friends were questioning her about being a juror.

With the womans dismissal, the total number of seated jurors dropped to six. Attorneys now need to pick 12 more people to serve on the panel that will decide the former presidents criminal case.

Merchan admonished the media for reporting details about the jurors that could be used to identify them.

Theres a reason that this is an anonymous jury, Merchan said. It kind of defeats the purpose of that when so much information is put out there that it is very easy for anyone to identify who the jurors are.

The press is certainly entitled to write about anything thats said on the record because its on the record, Merchan said, but he added that hes directing reporters to abide by common sense and not do things like writing about physical characteristics of the people called to serve.
By JON GAMBRELL

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Iran fired air defenses at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones early Friday morning, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehrans unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.

It was unclear if the country came under attack, as no Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility and Israels military did not respond to a request for comment. However, tensions have been high since the Saturday assault on Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and its own strikes targeting Iran in Syria.

U.S. officials declined to comment as of early Friday, but American broadcast networks quoting unnamed U.S. officials said Israel carried out the attack. The New York Times quoted anonymous Israeli officials claiming the assault.

Air defense batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported.

In particular, IRNA said air defenses fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Irans fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Tasnim later published a video from one of its reporters, who said he was in the southeastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its nuclear energy mountain. The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Irans Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

At 4:45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on, he said. It was the air defense, these guys that youre watching, and over there too.

The facility at Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Irans civilian nuclear program.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Irans nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

State television described all atomic sites in the area as fully safe. The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, also said there is no damage to Irans nuclear sites after the incident.

Gen. Siavosh Mihandoost, a local army commander, also told state TV the incident caused no damage around Isfahan.

Irans nuclear program has rapidly advanced to producing enriched uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels since the collapse of its atomic deal with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018.

While Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, Western nations and the IAEA say Tehran operated a secret military weapons program until 2003. The IAEA has warned that Iran now holds enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear weapons if it chose to do so  though the U.S. intelligence community maintains Tehran is not actively seeking the bomb.

Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

Iran then grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Loudspeakers informed customers of the incident at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, online videos purported to show. Iran later restored normal flight service, authorities said.

Hossein Dalirian, a spokesperson for an Iranian government cyberspace agency who as a journalist had ties to Iranian defense officials, said on the social media platform X that several small quadcopter drones had been shot down. A state television reporter in Isfahan said the same in a live report, saying several small drones were flying in the sky over Isfahan, which were fired at.

Around the time of the incident in Iran, Israeli warplanes flying over Syrias southern province of Daraa struck a military radar for government forces after it spotted the fighter jets, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor. It was not clear if there were casualties, the Observatory said.

That area of Syria is directly west of Isfahan, some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away, and east of Israel.

Meanwhile in Iraq, where a number of Iranian-backed militias are based, residents of Baghdad reported hearing sounds of explosions, but the source of the noise was not immediately clear.

The incident Friday in Iran also sparked concerns about the conflict again escalating across the seas of the Middle East, which have been seeing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen on shipping over the war in Gaza.

The British militarys United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center warned ships in the region that they could see increased drone activity in the skies.

There are currently no indications commercial vessels are the intended target, it wrote.

The Houthis have launched at least 53 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen and as shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined over the threat.

___

Associated Press journalists Nasser Karimi, Mehdi Fattahi and Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report.
As MSNBC reporter Yasmin Vossoughian was announcing on live TV that the jury for Donald Trumps hush-money trial had been seated, with all six alternates, she announced in horror that a man had set himself on fire across the street from where she was reporting outside the Manhattan courthouse on Friday.

With tensions running high because of the first criminal trial for an ex-president, Vossoughian reported in horror as spectators rushed to assist the man and extinguish the fire, which Vossoughian said was about 50 feet from her. The incident occurred at approximately 1:40 p.m. inside an area set aside for demonstrators.

It is unknown whether the man was protesting the trial. He was taken to a hospital, where he was in critical condition in the burn unit, police said at a news conference later in the day.

It was the climax of an intense day inside the courtroom that resulted in two jurors breaking down in tears and three being excused after expressing anxiety about being on the case.

We have our full panel, Judge Juan Merchan declared after the last of the six alternates were added. They will serve alongside the panel of 12 jurors, and the completed jury sets the stage for opening statements to begin Monday.

Within minutes of Merchans declaration, the fire was lit. With flames leaping toward the sky, police raced in to put out the fire with extinguishers. Emergency personnel were summoned and arrived quickly. EMT personnel took the man away on a stretcher. Vossoughian reported that the man could move his limbs.

There was no threat to anyone else in the area, Vossoughian reported. He was standing alone. People were yelling he was on fire.

Laura Coates from CNN, also reporting from outside the courthouse, watched the incident unfold:

We have a man who has set himself on fire, a man has been emblazoned himself outside of the courthouse just now, she shouted during a live report. Our cameras are turning right now. A man has now lit himself on fire outside of the courthouse in Manhattan.

We are watching a man who is fully emblazoned in the front of the courthouse today. We are watching multiple fires breaking out around his body and person. We have seen an arm that has been visible that has been engulfed in total flames. There is chaos that is happening. ... Im looking across the corner, across the courtyard. There is a man racing towards him, theres coats coming off to try to put out the fire.

We have members of security details. NYPD is rushing to the scene. They are trying to come now ... officers are on the scene with fire extinguishers right now. They are trying to put this man out. Theyre climbing over barricades to try to separate the public and put out the flames on this man. He has lit himself out in fire in front of the courthouse right now.

According to The Associated Press:

Emergency crews rushed away a person on a stretcher after fire was extinguished outside the Manhattan courthouse where jury selection was taking place Friday in Donald Trumps hush money criminal case.

No other details were immediately available from police.

Its unknown whether Merchan, who is presiding over the case, Trump or the jurors were aware of the incident, which occurred amid heavy security. The jurors had been dismissed for the day.

Theres some irony in the fact that in this heavily fortified courthouse behind us that someone was able to so easily self harm, MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin said from outside the courthouse. With all of this spectacle and all this security around them  and to what extent the jurors are aware of this, we cant say we dont know, but obviously we want to. And after we come back from the break. If the proceedings are called, well come back out here and well share that as soon as we can.

In the afternoon session, prosecutors will argue for the judge to admit prior acts by Trump that they believe are relative to the case. The hearing is designed to inform defendants of the scope of questions they could face from prosecutors on cross-examination if they choose to take the witness stand in their own defense.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office disclosed in a court filing that it would ask Trump about more than a dozen items, including a $464 million civil judgment against him and his company for fraud, $88 million verdicts and liability findings for sexual abuse and defamation in lawsuits brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, and a number of other adverse court rulings. Merchan will rule on whats allowable.

One of the prospective jurors who broke down in tears told the court: I feel so nervous and anxious right now. Im so sorry. I wouldnt want someone who feels like this to judge my case, either. I dont want to waste the courts time.

The trial centers on a $130,000 payment that Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer and personal fixer, made to porn actor Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump from becoming public in the final days of the 2016 race.

The AP contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
An Ocean County man has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison for stabbing a man to death in Berkeley Township in 2020, prosecutors said Friday.

Angelo Grenci, 47, of Berkeley Township, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in connection with the death of Carlton Williams, 50, of Seaside Heights, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office announced.

Grenci will be required to serve at least 85% of his prison sentence before he can be considered for parole, prosecutors said.

He pleaded guilty to the charge before Judge Kimarie Rahill on Jan. 29, prosecutors said.

During the evening of Nov. 14, 2020, police officers responded to RWJ Barnabas Community Medical Center in Toms River following a report of a male victim who was stabbed.

Williams had a stab wound in his neck and was flown to Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Brunswick, where he died of his injuries on Nov. 21, 2020.

Williams cause of death was determined to be a brain injury with a massive bleed from a stab wound to his neck, officials said.

Authorities determined Grenci stabbed Williams during an altercation in the area of Magnolia Avenue in the Manitou Park section of Berkeley Township around 7 p.m. on Nov 14, 2020.

Grenci was taken into custody and initially taken to the Ocean County Jail.

Since then, Grenci has been in New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, where hes serving a sentence for an unrelated conviction, police said.

Grenci, who was previously convicted on burglary and assault charges, has had several run-ins with the law. He was once featured on the crime television series Americas Most Wanted and wrote a book about his experiences as a wanted man in Mexico.

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By Julia Sass Rubin

New Jersey is at an inflection point.

For most of the past century, we have been a political machine state, controlled by a handful of men who run our largest county party organizations. The political machines have stayed in power with the help of New Jerseys unique county line primary ballot.

Last months ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Zahid Quraishi upended that system by requiring New Jersey to switch to office block ballots, like those used in every other state. Although this decision is limited to Democrats in the June 2024 primary, the underlying case, Conforti v. Hanlon, is expected to be heard next fall and would have wider implications.

To preempt a decision in Conforti, New Jerseys legislative leadership may try to adopt a version of an office block ballot that would enable the political machines to continue controlling who gets elected.

Fortunately, many New Jersey voters are following this issue closely. Multiple 2025 gubernatorial candidates are also pushing for good government reforms, which will make it harder for the legislature to enact another biased ballot design.

So, what does New Jersey need to do now to continue moving towards a real democracy?

 First, adopt an office block primary ballot with candidate order randomized by voting district.

There is ample research confirming that being first on the ballot is advantageous. To counter this, many states randomize the order that candidate names appear on the ballot so that no candidate is listed first more frequently than any other. New Jersey should do the same.

 Second, make the county clerk position non-partisan.

County clerks, who supervise our elections, have had to run for office in the Democratic or Republican primaries, making them vulnerable to the wishes of county party chairs. Having partisan clerks also undermines perceptions of their fairness, which is particularly concerning when some voters already doubt the integrity of our elections.

 Third, help voters learn about the candidates.

In much of New Jersey, voters have been irrelevant as candidates understood that the surest way to win the primary was to devote resources to convincing the county party chairs to give them the county line, rather than convincing the voters to vote for them.

Candidates also have been largely irrelevant as primary outcomes were determined not by candidate quality or ideas but by who was on the county line. Those candidates who displeased the county party leadership found themselves replaced.

Since the county chairs are overwhelmingly white men, the candidates they selected have also tended to be white and male, resulting in a state legislature that does not reflect the diversity of our state by race, ethnicity, or gender.

Eliminating the county line will likely result in a greater number of more diverse candidates. To help those candidates engage with voters while minimizing the impact of money on elections, New Jersey should look to models from other states.

For example: Washington State mails every voter a state General Election Voters Pamphlet with information about the candidates. And for a few thousand dollars, California allows candidates for state and federal office to purchase space for a 250 word candidate statement in either the state or county voter information guide. To qualify, candidates must agree to abide by specified campaign spending limits.

New Jersey could allow candidates who abide by spending limits to purchase inexpensive space in the sample ballots mailed to all voters ahead of the primary and general elections. This approach would be particularly helpful for women candidates and candidates of color, who tend to have a harder time raising funds.

To fix the Democratic Party, killing the line is just a start. | Moran https://t.co/FgmiCdKltn  njdotcom (@njdotcom) March 25, 2024

 Fourth, expand public financing of elections beyond the governorship to include the state legislature and county and local positions.

Six states -- Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, and New York -- currently provide public financing for state legislative races. Hawaii also offers public financing for county races and 26 cities and counties provide such financing for mayor, council and county positions.

 Fifth, enact state campaign finance reform.

The Coalition for Integritys 2022 State Campaign Finance Index ranked New Jersey 32nd nationally, behind Idaho and Kentucky. They note numerous problems with our campaign finance laws, including a lack of transparency, high limits on contributions, and insufficient oversight power given to the Election Law Enforcement Commission.

Our contribution limits also increase candidates dependence on the political machines by encouraging donations to county or state political party committees and legislative leadership PACs rather than directly to candidates. For example, an individual donor can give up to $2,600 to a candidate in a primary but up to $75,000 to a county or state political party committee or a legislative leadership PAC.

And county or state political party committees and legislative leadership PACs are unlimited in how much they can give to candidates and to each other.

Taken together, these five reforms would help vanquish the powerful grip that political machines have long had on our state.

Julia Sass Rubin teaches at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, where she also serves as the Associate Dean of Academic Programs and Director of the Public Policy Program.

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A New Jersey cardiologist accused by six women of groping and fondling them during medical exams has had his medical license revoked by the state Board of Medical Examiners in a case that took nearly a decade to resolve, officials said Friday.

John Strobeck entered a consent order with the Attorney Generals Office in January agreeing to surrender his license, which had been suspended since 2015, authorities said. The alleged incidents took place between 2008 and 2014, according to officials.

Strobeck, who had offices in Fair Lawn and Hawthorne, represented himself in agreeing to the consent order, a spokesperson for the Attorney Generals Office said. An attorney for Strobeck that represented him in the criminal case in Passaic County did not immediately return a request for comment Friday.

Doctors who sexually exploit patients behind the closed door of an exam room are a danger to the public and a disgrace to their profession, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement.

Strobeck was indicted by a state grand jury on Feb. 10, 2015 in Passaic County on a six-count superseding indictment charging him with criminal sexual contact, authorities said.

The ages of the alleged victims ranged from 51 to 80-years-old and accused Strobeck of groping them without legitimate medical justification and for his own sexual gratification, according to authorities.

Strobeck resolved the criminal matter on Jan. 16, 2024 and settled allegations of malpractice and professional and sexual misconduct with the state this month. Strobeck entered a pre-trial intervention program on the criminal charges, according to NorthJersey.com.

Under the terms of the consent order, Strobeck is barred from ever practicing medicine and surgery in the state and cannot apply for a medical license in the future, officials said.

He must also divest himself of any current and future financial interest or benefit from his former medical offices and is prohibited from managing, overseeing, supervising and influencing any medical practice in the state, according to the agreement.

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New York Magazines Olivia Nuzzi reports a former member of Trumps legal team told her itll be virtually impossible to keep the identities of the jurors secret for the duration of the process.

The judge already dismissed one of the seven jurors Thursday after the woman told the court that people she knew were able to identify her. The woman told Justice Juan Merchan she worried about her ability to be fair and impartial. Merchan then directed media covering the trial to not report on jurors physical appearances and other attributes that could make then identifiable to people outside of the courtroom.

Talked to a former member of Trumps WH legal team who predicts that the court is going to run out of alternate jurors during the trial. He believes it will be virtually impossible to keep the identities of the jurors secret for the duration of the process, and he expects some jurors will begin to crack under the immense pressure they will be under. The selection of the alternates, which is taking place today in Manhattan criminal court, is just as important as the selection of the 12 primary jurors earlier in the week. Nuzzi posted to X, formerly Twitter.

Talked to a former member of Trumps WH legal team who predicts that the court is going to run out of alternate jurors during the trial. He believes it will be virtually impossible to keep the identities of the jurors secret for the duration of the process, and he expects some  Olivia Nuzzi (@Olivianuzzi) April 19, 2024

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged effort to keep salacious  and, he says, bogus  stories about his sex life from emerging during his 2016 campaign. On Monday, Trump called the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg a scam and witch hunt.

The charges center on $130,000 in payments that Trumps company made to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen. He paid that sum on Trumps behalf to keep porn actor Stormy Daniels from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has denied the sexual encounter ever happened.

Prosecutors say the payments to Cohen were falsely logged as legal fees. Prosecutors have described it as part of a scheme to bury damaging stories Trump feared could help his opponent in the 2016 race, particularly as Trumps reputation was suffering at the time from comments he had made about women.

Trump has acknowledged reimbursing Cohen for the payment and that it was designed to stop Daniels from going public about the alleged encounter. But Trump has previously said it had nothing to do with the campaign.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Chris Christies name made a brief appearance in Donald Trumps criminal hush-money trial Friday as jury selection continued.

The former governor, who staked his failed 2024 presidential campaign on taking Trump head on, is a New Jersey native, so its no wonder someone who lives in Manhattan could know someone who knows him.

The next potential juror jumps to Q29A, and discloses that a family member is a lifelong friend of former NJ Gov. Chris Christie. When asked if that would be a problem: I dont believe so. Merchan: Is that a figure of speech or Her: Sorry, a figure of speech. Im nervous. Tyler McBrien, a managing editor at Lawfare posted to X, formerly Twitter.

The next potential juror jumps to Q29A, and discloses that a family member is a lifelong friend of former NJ Gov. Chris Christie. When asked if that would be a problem: "I don't believe so." Merchan: "Is that a figure of speech or" Her: "Sorry, a figure of speech. I'm nervous."  Tyler McBrien (@TylerMcBrien) April 19, 2024

Christie was among the first mainstream Republicans to get behind Trump in 2016 after Christies first failed presidential bid. He was close with the former president for the four years Trump was in the White House, but split with him after Trump refused to accept the results of the 2020 election.

Christie campaigned hard against Trump in New Hampshire in the Republican primary. But his campaign never took off and he dropped out shortly before voters there went to the polls.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged effort to keep salacious  and, he says, bogus  stories about his sex life from emerging during his 2016 campaign. On Monday, Trump called the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg a scam and witch hunt.

The charges center on $130,000 in payments that Trumps company made to his then-lawyer, Michael Cohen. He paid that sum on Trumps behalf to keep porn actor Stormy Daniels from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has denied the sexual encounter ever happened.

Prosecutors say the payments to Cohen were falsely logged as legal fees. Prosecutors have described it as part of a scheme to bury damaging stories Trump feared could help his opponent in the 2016 race, particularly as Trumps reputation was suffering at the time from comments he had made about women.

Trump has acknowledged reimbursing Cohen for the payment and that it was designed to stop Daniels from going public about the alleged encounter. But Trump has previously said it had nothing to do with the campaign.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @MatthewArco.
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Hate it, like it or love it, the New Orleans public school system has been heavily Black and mostly Black-run for quite some time  until 2005
A newly revamped park in Bideford has officially opened.

Victoria Park play area in Bideford was officially inaugurated on April 18, marking a significant milestone for the community.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was officially opened by the Chair of Torridge District Council, Councillor Doug Bushby.

Students from St Mary's Primary School in Bideford were among the first to experience the delights of the new play area, brimming with excitement as they explored its feature-packed offerings.

Replacing the beloved yet ageing 'Bide-Fort' scheme, which had reached the end of its lifespan, the project commenced following planning approval in late 2023.

Despite facing the challenges posed by adverse weather conditions, construction by local company TK Play kicked off in January 2024, with contractors and local trades going the extra mile to ensure timely completion.

Torridge District Council have said that the result is an extraordinary collection of play structures and special features, designed and project managed by play equipment specialists Kompan, with an eye-catching central tower scheme measuring almost 10 metres high and taller than a double decker bus.

A zipwire, slides, swings, climbing walls, hidden features and interactive elements make up the other features of the park.

Notably, the park also boasts wheelchair-friendly amenities, including a roundabout, ensuring inclusivity for all.

In his opening address, Councillor Doug Bushby expressed gratitude to the multitude of contributors who played pivotal roles in bringing the project to fruition.

The financial backing from Torridge District Council's capital funding program, a generous 119k grant from Bideford Bridge Trust, community fundraising spearheaded by Robin Glover, a 10k contribution from Bideford Town Council, and a 150k grant from the Government's Rural England Prosperity Fund were instrumental in turning the vision into reality.

Councillor Bushby remarked: "From fundraisers to contractors and our own officers involved in the design and build this has been a truly collaborative project. The end result is a spectacular park that is already being enjoyed by local children and their families. Our Community Engagement Project Officer, Adrian Avery deserves a special mention for his part in the project as does local resident Robin Glover who have both worked on this since conception and well before any funding was secured. A great example of real quality in project design and facilities, which will benefit the local community and visitors for many years to come.
CHICAGO  The younger sister of a 31-year-old Lake Station man pronounced dead after his unresponsive body was found Thursday in Chicago said she suspects foul play.

Brandi Jo Williams, of Portage, said her brother, Joseph A. Westbrook, was with two other individuals from the Region at the time of his disappearance on April 1 and had faced death threats.

Hammond man seeking sex with Ohio child greeted by feds instead, records show Clark was taken into custody and among the items found in his vehicle was a sex toy and two bags of Skittles candy he had been told the girl liked, according to a federal charging document.

Chicago police, who say they are investigating pending autopsy results, reported Friday morning that Westbrook was found around 11:20 a.m. Thursday unresponsive in the 400 block of W. 47th St.

Westbrook was pronounced dead at 11:49 a.m. Thursday, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

Chicago police had posted a missing person's report for Westbrook on April 11, saying he was last heard from on April 1. His last known location was in the 4700 block of S. Normal Avenue in Chicago.

"The above missing person may be in need of medical attention," police had said.

Westbrook was the third oldest of seven siblings, according to Williams.

"Anyone that knew him knew that he was very daring, and also knew that Joey would do absolutely anything for the ones he loves," according to his younger sister. "Joey is loved and now mourned by so many."

Come back to nwi.com for updates as they become available.
DYER  State Sen. Dan Dernulc confessed he did not know Kelley Holdren, but after learning about her life, he found she was a special person.

Dernulc was not alone in his praise Thursday before the Town Council, as the chamber was filled with nurses and other first responders to pay tribute to someone who impacted many lives.

Dernulc, R-Highland, was the Indiana Senate co-sponsor of a concurrent resolution with state Rep. Hal Slager, R-Schererville, to honor Holdren, who died Nov. 21, 2023, after a yearlong battle with cancer.

Slager had been approached by Fire Chief Joe Martin about state recognition for someone very important to the town of Dyer and all the staff at the University of Chicago Aeromedical Network.

Martin explained, Her accomplishments were not just about saving lives but to the fire service. She taught me to be better at my job.

The daughter of a firefighter, Holdren had been chief flight nurse and administrative director of UCAN at University of Chicago Medicine. Cited for her clinical expertise, dedication to critical care transport nursing, and her supportive nature, Holdren had served as president of the Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association and also led the Illinois Association of Air and Critical Care Transport.

Martin said Holdren actively encouraged collaboration among fire departments, EMS, police, and hospitals in Indiana and Illinois.

Candice Schaper, UCANs current chief flight nurse, said, Kelley was good at her job because she loved people and fiercely advocated for their needs.

Recalling Holdrens humor, and serious side when it came to her patients, Schaper said, She will be missed but never forgotten.

Slager presented the resolution, which highlights Holdrens accomplishments honoring her as the epitome of a selfless and caring person that all Hoosiers should honor and remember.

Holdrens husband Cliff Holdren III called the honors to his late wife pretty cool, pretty awesome, recalling how she loved everybody and loved helping everybody.

Holdrens nursing career began at UChicago Medicine in 1998, working in specialized intensive care units before transitioning to flight nursing in 2004. While in flight nursing, Martin said, Holdren advocated for advanced practice within the UCAN team. She set high standards for professional certification among flight nurses. She also welcomed healthcare professionals from different specialties to shadow the UCAN team to ensure safe transport.

In addition to her husband, Holdren is survived by two daughters, Isabella and Hannah, and her mother, Carol Smith.

Its really awesome to be able to honor her and talk about her, Isabella said. Its amazing how they were able to come together and do this for her.

Smith added that her late daughter went way high. She did it her way.

That included earning masters degrees in nursing and business administration while undergoing chemotherapy.

Her mother added, When she was 9 or 10, she wanted to be a flight nurse. I didnt even know what that was.
Jerry Davich Metro columnist Follow Jerry Davich Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Lenora Jackson, of Gary, turned 106 last week.

Erna Yark, of Valparaiso, just turned 104.

Marge Bishop, of Merrillville, turns 100 on April 25.

Our Region has more centenarians than ever before, reflecting a national trend as the number of Americans age 100 and older is projected to more than quadruple over the next three decades, according to projections from the U.S. Census Bureau.

In 1950, there were an estimated 2,300 Americans age 100 and older. Today, there are more than 100,000 of this age group with projections to more than 400,000 in 2054. The large majority, 78%, are women like Jackson, Yark and Bishop.

Jackson, who lives at Gary Manor Apartments, was born April 10, 1918.

Let that sink in for a minute.

That year on Nov. 11, the historic Armistice was signed, signaling an end to the First World War with genuine hopes there would never be another one. Also, daylight savings time was enacted, a total solar eclipse crept over our country, and the 1918 pandemic killed tens of millions of people.

But it didnt kill Jackson, who was born in Centerville, Texas. At 5 years old, she was among the Great Migration of Americans who moved from the South to the North, landing her in Chicago. She would later marry Ed Henry Jackson, enjoying matrimony for 40 years until his death.

Lenora Jackson was a housewife for most of those years. After her husbands death, she worked as a caseworker in Chicago until she retired. The couple had two children, seven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. According to Jackson, these are her secrets to such a long life.

She gives honor to God, saying she asked God for longevity and He has granted it thus far. She also has a family history of relatives living past 100. Jackson also stayed very socially active with her friends and within the community. Her lifes credo is simple: Treat people the way you want to be treated.

In the last three decades, the U.S. centenarian population has nearly tripled, according to Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan think tank in Washington, D.C. In 30 years, women are expected to make up 68% of those ages 100 and older, while 32% will be men.

Yark, who was named after her aunt, was born in Hammond. She grew up in Crown Point and moved to Valparaiso in 1991. With seven sisters and two brothers, Yark has a large family, including many nieces and nephews. She currently lives at Valparaiso Care & Rehabilitation, where on Friday she will celebrate her 104th birthday.

Erna continues to find joy in puzzles, coloring and embracing her inner princess. She loves dressing up in pretty clothes and a tiara, a spokeswoman said. She stole the spotlight during Valparaiso's Popcorn Festival Parade. She also attended Night to Shine, a special needs prom, where she shone brightly among her fellow attendees.

Ernas boundless joy and resilience serve as a reminder of the power of the human spirit. Her story resonates as a testament to the beauty of a life well-lived and the enduring impact of love, family and community, the spokeswoman said.

There are currently more than 700,000 centenarians worldwide, with the U.S. ranking second behind Japan, followed by China, India and Thailand.

Bishop, whose parents were from Croatia, will be celebrating her 100th birthday in true Region style with a celebration Sunday at Teibels Family Restaurant in Schererville. Dozens of family members and friends will be attending, coming from eight other states and Puerto Rico. This includes her four children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Bishop has lived in Northwest Indiana for 97 years, as a girl taking a streetcar trolley from her Glen Park home to downtown Gary. Her first job was packing chocolates in boxes earning 5 cents an hour.

She was a young girl when the first radios became available, and 10 years old when the first television sets were available to buy, said her daughter, Mary Hilgart, who lives in New Jersey.

Bishop was 5 when the Great Depression devastated our country. She lived through it just as she lived through so many other major events, wars, milestones and catastrophes. She has lived for 876,000 hours and counting. Again, let that sink in for a minute, or for an hour.

Lets take a second to reflect on what it means to be 100 years old, her daughter told guests who will be attending Sundays birthday party.

This is exactly the point of todays column. Despite the fact that youth is celebrated, even worshiped, on a daily basis in our world, just imagine living to 100. For some of you, it will someday be a reality.
Donald J. Trump is a creature of social media. And the lawyers representing him in his criminal trial in Manhattan showed themselves to be savvy at using it during jury selection this week to try to get some prospective jurors dismissed.

Mr. Trumps defense lawyers, Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles, managed to dig up old social media posts by a number of prospective jurors that attacked the former president, creating fascinating exchanges with people who had to explain, under oath, comments that were often years-old.

While Mr. Trumps team succeeded in getting some prospective jurors removed, Day 3 of jury selection ended on Thursday with a full panel of 12 jurors in the case, which could move to opening arguments on Monday.

In one lengthy exchange on Thursday, Ms. Necheles highlighted a series of posts by a woman that were highly critical of Mr. Trump and the Republican Party, leading the woman to apologize in court in front of the former president.
Apple said it pulled the Meta-owned apps WhatsApp and Threads from its app store in China on Friday on government orders, potentially escalating the war over technology between the United States and China.

The iPhone maker said that Chinas internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration, ordered the removal of WhatsApp and Threads from its app store because of national security concerns. Apple said that it complied because we are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree.

A Meta spokesman directed requests for comment to Apple. The Wall Street Journal earlier reported Apples removal of the apps.

A person briefed on the situation said the Chinese government had found content on WhatsApp and Threads about Chinas president, Xi Jinping, that was inflammatory and violated the countrys cybersecurity laws. The specifics of what was in the content was unclear, the person said.
House Republicans are looking to Democrats on Friday to help them push past their own partys opposition and supply crucial votes to bring up the long-stalled foreign aid bill for Ukraine and Israel.

A critical vote on the House floor was scheduled for Friday morning after the G.O.P. was forced to rely on Democratic votes late Thursday night to move the package out of the powerful Rules Committee over Republican objections  an extraordinary turn of events in a panel that usually operates strictly along party lines.

Democratic votes will also be needed on Friday to pass a procedural measure, known as a rule, to allow the aid package to be brought up, in what is expected to be yet another unorthodox vote in the face of Republican opposition.

The rule is critical to Mr. Johnsons plan to push the foreign aid package through the House, because it would allow separate votes on aid to Israel and aid to Ukraine, which are supported by different coalitions, but then would fold them together without requiring lawmakers to cast an up-or-down vote on the entire bill.
The federal judge overseeing former President Donald J. Trumps classified documents case on Thursday denied initial attempts by Mr. Trumps two co-defendants to have the charges against them dismissed.

The ruling by the judge, Aileen M. Cannon, was the first time she had rejected dismissal motions by the two men, Walt Nauta and Carlos De Oliveira, both of whom work for Mr. Trump at Mar-a-Lago, his private club and residence in Florida.

Prosecutors in the office of the special counsel, Jack Smith, say that Mr. Nauta, one of Mr. Trumps closest personal aides, and Mr. De Oliveira, the property manager of Mar-a-Lago, conspired with the former president to hide from the government boxes of classified materials that Mr. Trump had removed from the White House, and then took part in a related plot to destroy security camera footage of the boxes being moved. The men have also been charged with lying to investigators working on the case.

At a hearing last week in Federal District Court in Fort Pierce, Fla., lawyers for the two men tried to convince Judge Cannon that their clients had no idea that the boxes they had moved on Mr. Trumps behalf contained classified materials. The lawyers also said they needed more details about the evidence against the men than what was contained in the 53-page superseding indictment.
Follow live updates on Israeli military strikes in Iran.

The United States and European allies joined together on Thursday to impose new sanctions on Iranian military leaders and weapon makers, seeking to punish Iran for its missile and drone attack on Israel last weekend, while imploring Israel not to retaliate so strongly as to risk a wider war.

White House officials said the sanctions targeted leaders and entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Irans Defense Ministry and the Iranian governments missile and drone programs. The sanctions also seek to block exports by Irans steel industry that bring Tehran billions of dollars in revenue, they said.

Ive directed my team, including the Department of the Treasury, to continue to impose sanctions that further degrade Irans military industries, President Biden said in a statement. Let it be clear to all those who enable or support Irans attacks: The United States is committed to Israels security.

Britain said it had imposed sanctions on seven people and six entities linked to Irans regional military activity and its attack on Israel, which Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a reckless act and a dangerous escalation.

These sanctions  announced with the U.S.  show we unequivocally condemn this behavior, and they will further limit Irans ability to destabilize the region, Mr. Sunak said in a statement.
? Este 2024 se perfila como un mejor ano que el 2023, producto del trabajo constante que viene realizando el Gobierno para impulsar la economia peruana. Asi lo destaco la presidenta la republica, Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra. ????



? Con obras como el Anillo Vial Periferico y pic.twitter.com/QhImOxF4Lj
The New York International Antiquarian Book Fair is the place to inspect some of the most exquisite rare books on the market. But at this years event in early April, some browsers may have been unprepared for a small, grayish item on view: a book bound in human skin.

The book, which measures about 3 by 5 inches, came with a price tag of $45,000  and a colorful back story. According to a statement by its owner, the binding was commissioned in 1682 by an Italian doctor and anatomist identified as Jacopo X, and has been kept by his descendants ever since.

Family lore held that during a dissection, Jacopo recognized the woman on the slab as an actress he had seen in Corneilles comedy Le Baron dAlbikrac. He knew that unclaimed bodies sold to medical schools for dissection were rarely, if ever, given a proper burial. So he removed a piece of skin, and used it to bind a copy of the play.

There was a sense that this was a tribute, Ian Kahn, a dealer, explained to onlookers gathered at the counter of his booth before pulling out the book to offer a closer look.
Two dancers from the Mariinsky Theater in Russia were barred from performing at a youth ballet gala in New York this week after their participation drew criticism from pro-Ukrainian officials and activists.

The dancers had been set to take part in two performances, at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, that celebrate the 25th anniversary of Youth America Grand Prix, a prestigious ballet competition and scholarship program based in New York.

But Youth America Grand Prixs leaders removed the dancers from the program after critics said the organization was lending support to the Russian government by hosting the artists. The Mariinsky is a state-run theater in St. Petersburg led by the conductor Valery Gergiev, a close ally of President Vladimir V. Putin.

Youth America Grand Prix said in a statement that the decision gives us great pain. It said that in the hours before the first performance on Thursday, it had learned  along with Lincoln Center and others in the ballet world  of possible protests. After consulting with New York City Ballet, which operates the Koch Theater, it said that it was agreed to cancel the performances of the scheduled Mariinsky Ballet dancers.
An early version of Dovecote, a short, nearly wordless film directed by Marco Perego for exhibition at the Biennale, has a scene that tracks a man in uniform as he drives a motorboat through a morning in Venice. The city is showing off its glories, with palazzos and domed churches reflected in the canals, a blue sky above. The film shifts to black and white as the action moves inside a building less adorned than the ones the man has boated past, but grand, even so. Its his workplace, the Giudecca womens prison.

Perego said in a telephone interview that he wanted to contrast the beauty of Venice, one of the most beautiful places in the world, then this silent place inside. He added, I wanted to ask the question of what freedom means.

Once inside the prison, the film focuses on an unnamed character played by Peregos wife, the actor Zoe Saldana, who is to be released that day. Her companions are played by 20 actual prisoners.

During the Biennale, the film will be exhibited in the prisons visitation room, as part of the Vatican Pavilion, which is being hosted throughout the building. The show will also feature work in various media by nine other artists, shown in spaces including the prisons courtyards, chapel and cafeteria.
They had a really productive day today. Matter of fact, right before I came out here to do the show, we learned that a full jury has now been picked for Donald Trumps New York trial. Plus, one alternate has been seated, too. So 13  also known as a Stormy dozen.  STEPHEN COLBERT

Each prospective juror had to answer questions about what they think about Trump, which meant he had to sit there and listen to comments like this one, from a woman who said  she said, I wouldnt believe Trump if his tongue were notarized. You know, that woman  she did not get picked as a juror, but I would like to hire her as a writer if shes interested.  JIMMY KIMMEL

Juror No. 2 told the judge that people in her life had figured out shed been selected and then had started to try to influence her. That frustrated Judge Merchan, who admonished the press for reporting juror descriptions and gave this example: There was really no need to mention that one of the jurors had an Irish accent. Thats true  that little detail allowed me to positively identify him as the Lucky Charms guy. [imitating Lucky Charms leprechaun] Theyre after me home address!  STEPHEN COLBERT
Israel strikes Iran

Israel struck Iran early this morning, according to two Israeli defense officials, in what appeared to be the countrys first military response to Irans attack last weekend.

Three Iranian officials confirmed that a strike had hit a military air base near the central Iranian city of Isfahan early on Friday, but did not say which country had attacked.

The explosions came less than a week after Iran fired more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel, its first direct attack on the country, in response to an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria that killed seven Iranian officials on April 1.

For days, Israeli leaders have threatened to respond to Irans strikes, which turned the two countries yearslong shadow war into a direct confrontation. The attack came after the U.S. and European allies imposed new sanctions on Iranian military leaders and weapons makers, while imploring Israel not to risk a wider war by retaliating too strongly.
Chinas car shipments to foreign markets have quintupled in the past four years. Its solar panels dominate global markets. Even exports in labor-intensive industries like furniture making, which China was once expected to lose to lower-wage countries, are surging.

American and European leaders have become increasingly vocal that a flood of Chinese exports is swamping their markets. Developing countries like India and Brazil are joining them in starting to put limits on purchases from China. Rich and poor countries alike fear that many of their factories may need to close, unable to compete with newer, more automated ones in China.

But Chinas manufacturing sector is so strong that its export push will be difficult to counter. China already installs more factory robots than the rest of the world combined. Chinas low-cost supply chains produce almost every imaginable part. And Xi Jinping, the countrys top leader, is pushing the countrys banks to lend more money for the construction of even more factories.

At the same time, Chinese companies are finding ways to bypass trade barriers in the West. They are breaking shipments into small parcels each worth little enough that they are exempt from tariffs. Chinese companies have increased exports to the West through indirect routes in Southeast Asia and Mexico, sidestepping tariffs on goods that come directly from China.
Michael Abramowitz will be the next director of the federally funded broadcaster Voice of America, its parent, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, announced on Friday.

Mr. Abramowitz, 60, is currently the president of Freedom House, a pro-democracy nonprofit organization, a role he has held since 2017. He was previously a director at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and spent 24 years as a reporter and editor for The Washington Post.

Voice of America, which was founded in 1942, aims to offer unbiased news to audiences around the world. Mr. Abramowitz said he is drawn to the outlets global reach and its mission to counter propaganda and disinformation coming from authoritarian countries like China, Russia and Iran.

These countries are waging ferocious information warfare aimed at undermining democracies, aimed at undermining the United States, and we need to fight back, Mr. Abramowitz said in an interview. I think that the V.O.A. is one very important tool for the United States government in this information war.
The Biden administration expanded federal protections across millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness on Friday, blocking oil, gas and mining operations in some of the most unspoiled land in the country.

The Interior Department said it would deny a permit for an industrial road that the state of Alaska had wanted to build through the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in order to reach a large copper deposit with an estimated value of $7.5 billion. It also announced it would ban drilling in more than half of the 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, an ecologically sensitive expanse north of the Arctic Circle.

Together, the two moves amount to one of biggest efforts in history to shield Alaskan land from drilling and mining. They are expected to face challenges from industry as well as from elected leaders in Alaska, where oil and gas revenues make up much of the states budget and where mining is a main driver of the economy.

Alaskas majestic and rugged lands and waters are among the most remarkable and healthy landscapes in the world, sustaining a vibrant subsistence economy for Alaska Native communities, President Biden said in a statement.
Climate promises are hard to keep. Scotland is the latest, perhaps most surprising example.

Scotland, an early industrial power and coal-burning behemoth, was also an early adopter of an ambitious and legally binding government target to slow down climate change. It had promised to pare back its emissions of planet-heating greenhouse gases by 75 percent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

This week, its Net Zero minister, Mairi McAllan, said that goal was now out of reach. She said Scotland, which operates semi-autonomously from Britain, would scrap its annual targets for cutting emissions and instead review targets every five years.

That is a sharp contrast to the bullishness of the Scottish government in 2021, when diplomats from around the world gathered in Glasgow for international United Nations climate talks. At that time, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon called Scotlands climate targets not just amongst the most ambitious anywhere in the world  they are also amongst the toughest.

The reversal shows how difficult it can be for governments to follow through on ambitious promises to slash emissions, despite the growing urgency to act as climate change rapidly warms the world and fuels extreme weather.
When his creative, funny, independent mother, Kathy, began to exhibit signs of dementia, the writer Max Lugavere moved cross-country and picked up a camera to start documenting his journey to figure out how to help her. The result is Little Empty Boxes, a new documentary thats strongest when it chronicles their relationship. Kathys memories of Maxs upbringing and his desire to be close to her bring them both a strange comfort. (She passed away in 2019.) The rest of the film  notably interviews with researchers studying links between nutrition, exercise and brain health  is uneven. Its visual language ranges from traditional, brightly lit talking heads to an observational approach, which can provoke whiplash for the viewer.

But Little Empty Boxes, directed by Lugavere and Chris Newhard, made me think about other powerful documentaries that chronicle walking through memory loss with a loved one. The experience can be tremendously painful, with family and friends feeling helpless; watching a film about it can in turn be both gut-wrenching and cathartic.

One of the best recent movies about memory loss  nominated for an Oscar last year  is The Eternal Memory about the Chilean journalist Augusto Gongora and his wife, the actress Paulina Urrutia. Directed by Maite Alberdi, the film (streaming on Paramount+) weaves Gongoras slow decline into a broader meditation on cultural memory, and on what we lose as communities when were denied the ability to retain those memories  through book bans and state propaganda that whitewashes historical truth. But the broader metaphor doesnt obscure Gongora and Urrutias love story, which is heartwrenchingly beautiful.

Even more harrowing is Tell Me Who I Am (Netflix) directed by Ed Perkins. Like Little Empty Boxes, this 2019 film is more effective when exploring its subjects relationship than when it turns journalistic. Alex Lewis was in a motorcycle accident at 18, and when he woke up, hed lost his memory. His twin brother, Marcus, helped him reconstruct his life, but as the film goes on, Alex  and the audience  realize that Marcus was holding back information about their past, and that revealing it is fraught. The brothers trust and love holds the film together.




Representatives of the U.S. Department of Defense expressed interest in the possibility of financing research projects and prototype scientific projects conducted by UNI in order to be put on the market.





In this regard, they invited UNI to participate in joint projects and to apply for funds to develop its own research.





U.S. delegation's visit constitutes a triumph for said university. On the matter, UNI Rector, Dr. Alfonso Lopez, stated that the





Lopez said that the visitors affirmed they are "our friends and allies" and that they are interested in "exploring our projects, not only in engineering, but also in arts and humanities" in order to finance said initiatives.





Chasqui II project, such as CubeSats picosatellites, Cansat rover, among others. The head of the Research Unit at the Mechanical Engineering Department (FIM) , Dr. Jose Oliden, presented the space-related projects highlighted by said department within the framework of the, such as CubeSats picosatellites, Cansat rover, among others.





The Chasqui II nanosatellite, developed at the Center for Information and Communication Technologies (CTIC  UNI), will be a small aluminum cube weighing up to 1 kg, which will orbit the Earth while collecting information on greenhouse gases.





Its design was carried out by the Chasqui II project, made up of UNI students and graduates who developed computer-based tests using the nanosatellite digital model.





In the long term, the main goals of the space project are to enhance the space scientific community in Peru, to welcome both scientists and enthusiasts, and to consolidate a space industry that will allow the country to be part of the economic and commercial boom that this sector envisions for the coming years, the leader of the Chasqui II team, Raul Figueroa, told Andina news agency.





The Peruvian APU SPACE team from the National University of Engineering (UNI), specialized in the design and construction of rockets, is participating in the first category of the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition 2024 (IREC 2024), which consists of creating a rocket that can be launched up to 10,000 feet propelled by a commercial engine.





Mechatronic engineering student Anibal Esquiembre, the team leader, told Andina that they will compete against prestigious universities such as Stanford, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), among others.

This category, unlike the others, allows students to purchase an engine to be installed on the rocket. The rest of the categories, as Esquiembre explains, require that the different types of engines (solid, liquid, or hybrid) be built by the students.





Scientific research in space technology





In turn, the Mechanical Engineering Department (FIM) Dean, Dr. Tito Vilchez, highlighted the progress made by the university in terms of such research.





He also stressed that, in recent years, teams made up of UNI students and graduates have won prizes in research competitions organized by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)





It should be noted that UNI is promoting the design and development of rockets in collaboration and support of State-run institutions such as the Peruvian Space Agency (CONIDA) and the Peruvian Air Force (FAP)





(END) NDP/SPV/RMB/MVB

Authorities from the Lima-based National University of Engineering (UNI) received the visit of representatives of the United States Department of Defense , who showed interest in exploring and promoting basic and applied scientific research projects carried out by said higher education institution.Publicado: 19/4/2024
Scores of student protesters at Columbia University gathered outside on Friday, just across from where their tent encampment had been demolished by university officials the day before. Some students had been there through the night. Others, including a few who had been arrested Thursday, had only recently arrived.

A day after Columbias president, Nemat Shafik, called in the police to arrest some 100 students and take down their encampment, the activists showed little sign of losing steam. There were heaps of blankets and deliveries of water bottles and food.

Dr. Shafiks decision drew criticism on Friday from the campus chapter of the American Association of University Professors, a professional faculty organization.

We have lost confidence in our president and our administration, and we pledge to fight to reclaim our university, the group said in a statement Friday.
On a cool, windy day in February, two big white dogs escaped from a well-known nonprofit farm in Westchester County and ended up on a public footpath deep in a New York State park.

They encountered a 10-pound miniature poodle on a leash. The larger dogs attacked, killing the poodle and then severely injuring its owner. Acting on the recommendations of state law, a local judge ordered the dogs to be euthanized.

The disturbing encounters aftermath has been considerable. The farm, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, which is connected to Blue Hill at Stone Barns, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Pocantico Hills, filed an appeal on Thursday to stay the dogs euthanization.

A lawyer for the miniature poodles owner, Yong Ging Qian, said she was considering a lawsuit against the farm connected to what she said in a hearing in Mount Pleasant Justice Court were her substantial injuries: a mangled hand, several broken ribs, brain hemorrhaging and a mild heart attack.
A man set himself on fire on Friday afternoon near the Lower Manhattan courthouse where jurors were being chosen for the criminal trial of former President Donald J. Trump.

The man, who had lingered outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse earlier this week, doused himself with accelerant at around 1:35 p.m. in Collect Pond Park, across the street from the building. Onlookers screamed and started to run, and soon, bright orange flames engulfed the man. He threw leaflets espousing anti-government conspiracy theories into the air before setting himself on fire.

People rushed and tried to put out the flames, but the intensity of the heat could be felt from some distance.
Religious texts state that when Moses climbed to the top of Mount Sinai, he was spoken to by God and inscribed that message onto stone tablets that became known as the Ten Commandments. Thunder rumbled, trumpets blared and lightning shot across the sky.

It was, by biblical and other standards, an extraordinary moment. Moses had been fasting and was clearly in an altered state of consciousness when God appeared to him, scholars say.

But what if, as at least one Jewish scholar has suggested, Moses was also high?

It may sound like blasphemy, but some religious scholars say they see an overlap between the pursuit of the divine and the use of psychedelic drugs  an unlikely partnership that underpins one of the most unusual legislative efforts in New York this session.

The goal is to expand access in the state to psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in over 200 types of mushrooms that has been used as a part of religious experiences  as well those of a spiritual and existential sort  for thousands of years.
The president of Columbia University, Nemat Shafik, is grappling with the fallout over her handling of student protests against the war in Gaza.

After appearing in a congressional hearing where many Republican lawmakers criticized the universitys efforts to quash antisemitism on campus, the school called in local law enforcement for the first time in decades to quell an unauthorized demonstration.

The crackdown came one day after pro-Palestinian students had erected an encampment with dozens of tents and refused to leave until their demands were met. The police swept through campus, arresting at least 108 protesters and discarding the tents as students jeered them.

Some Jewish students and others have said they appreciated the response, while some left-leaning faculty members, students, free speech advocates and others have said it was too harsh. Within hours, it was evident that the aggressive response might not have achieved its goal: Several student protesters said they were not only undiscouraged, but inspired to take new action.
Are these your posts? the judge asked.

The slight, silver-haired woman stood at a lectern in the icy-cold courtroom on the 15th floor of the Manhattan Criminal Courts Building. She blinked under the lights as she was questioned, standing about 12 feet from the man who had inspired the social media messages nearly a decade before.

They were hers, she confirmed, and the judge directed her to read them aloud. It took her a moment to get to the crux of the first, which dated back to 2016.

Lets be civil, she read. And try to protect the rights of the many at risk should we fail to stop the election of a racist, sexist, narcissist  She interrupted herself. Oops. That sounds bad.

It was just one of several such inquisitions this week as lawyers and the judge asked prospective jurors, who live in deeply Democratic Manhattan, to explain social media posts that were critical of him as president or as a candidate. The posts were apparently unearthed by researchers working for the legal team representing Donald J. Trump.
During the Darfur genocide and humanitarian crisis two decades ago, then-Senator Joe Biden passionately denounced then-President George W. Bush for failing to act decisively to ease suffering. Biden expressed outrage at China for selling weapons used to kill and maim civilians, and he urged me to write columns demanding the White House end needless wretchedness.

Darfur and Gaza are very different, of course, but I recall the senators compassion and urgency  and I wonder, where has that Joe Biden gone?

Gaza has become the albatross around Bidens neck. It is his war, not just Benjamin Netanyahus. It will be part of his legacy, an element of his obituary, a blot on his campaign  and it could get worse if Gaza cascades into a full-blown famine or violent anarchy, or if a wider war breaks out involving Iran or Lebanon. An Israeli strike on a military base in central Iran early Friday underscored the danger of a bigger and more damaging conflict that could draw in the United States.

Consider just one example of Americas fingerprints on this war under Bidens leadership. In January, the Israeli military dropped a bomb on a compound in Gaza used by the International Rescue Committee, a much-respected American aid organization that is supported in part by American tax dollars. The International Rescue Committee says that the near-fatal strike was caused by a 1,000-pound American-made bomb, dropped from an American-made F-16 fighter jet. And when an American-made aircraft drops an American-made bomb on an American aid group in an American-supported war, how can that not come back to Biden?
As a journalist, you usually go to the front line to find the news. But sometimes the front line finds you. This happened to me not once but twice on Thursday, as an epic battle over freedom of expression on college campuses unfolded from one end of Manhattan to another.

The first was when I happened to be on the campus of Columbia University, speaking at a class. While leaving the classroom, I came upon a tent camp that had sprung up on one of the campuss lush lawns. It was, as college protests often are, an earnest but peaceful affair. A few dozen tents had been pitched, and students hung a sign reading Gaza solidarity encampment. Their tactics were a mild echo of those of an earlier generation of students, who effectively shut down the campus in April 1985 to demand that Columbia divest from South Africa  protests that were in turn an echo of the 1968 student takeover of the university amid the broad cultural rebellion against the Vietnam War.

On Thursday morning the students marched in a circle, their chants demanding that Columbia divest from Israel in protest of the ongoing slaughter in Gaza, in which around 34,000 people  more than 1 percent of Gazas population  have died, most of them women and children. The protesters were taking up a good bit of space and making a fair bit of noise. They were, according to the university, trespassing on the grounds of the school they pay dearly to attend. But they didnt seem to be targeting, much less harming, any of their fellow students. The campus was closed to outsiders; the protest seemed unlikely to escalate. I took in the scene, then hopped on the subway to get back to my office.

I was stunned to learn, less than an hour later, that Columbias president, Nemat Shafik, had asked the New York Police Department to clear the camp, which had been established less than 48 hours earlier. What followed was the largest arrest of students at Columbia since 1968.
Last year the United Auto Workers announced an ambitious plan to organize workers and unionize foreign-owned auto plants in the South.

One of our biggest goals coming out of this historic contract victory is to organize like weve never organized before, Shawn Fain, the president of the U.A.W., said after winning significant wage and benefit gains in negotiations with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler). When we return to the bargaining table in 2028, it wont just be with the Big Three. It will be the Big Five or Six.

Fain, believe it or not, may have understated the unions ambitions.

The U.A.W. is targeting 13 automakers  including Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, Nissan, Volvo and Tesla  employing around 150,000 workers in 36 nonunion plants across the South. It faced the first major test of its strategy on Wednesday, when 4,300 workers at a Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, Tenn., began voting on whether to unionize. The vote ends on Friday. If its successful, it will be a breakthrough for a labor movement that has struggled to build a footing in the South.

The mere potential for union success was so threatening that the day before the vote began, several of the Southern Republican governors announced their opposition to the U.A.W. campaign. We the governors of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas are highly concerned about the unionization campaign driven by misinformation and scare tactics that the U.A.W. has brought into our states, their joint statement reads. As governors, we have a responsibility to our constituents to speak up when we see special interests looking to come into our state and threaten our jobs and the values we live by.
Caroline Noel Franklin said that Kevin Knipple Wilkes had the softest lips when they first kissed in 1973.

It proved true again 49 years later.

Every time I kiss this man its effervescent bubbles, said Ms. Franklin, now 66.

In 1971, she was among 20 girls joining 60 boys in the first coed freshman high school class in 129 years at Trinity School in Manhattan. (The independent prep school, for kindergarten to grade 12, actually started out coed in 1709.)

It changed the schools sweaty, smelly nature, said Mr. Wilkes, also 66, who entered Trinity in first grade.
#BuenasNoticias | Hoy, el pleno del @congresoperu aprobo el Acuerdo de Interceptacion Aerea con los EE. UU., impulsado por la Cancilleria y la @ComisionRREE, con el gran trabajo de @DEVIDAPERU, @fapperu, @MindefPeru, @MininterPeru, entre otros. pic.twitter.com/IqmPwfgXxH
The new tents popped up  one, two, three  on Columbias campus. It was a defiant gesture on Thursday afternoon by student activists, who were furious about the universitys decision to call in the police to clear an encampment used to protest the Israel-Hamas war.

If university officials thought that getting rid of the encampment, or arresting more than 100 protesters, would persuade students to give up, they may have been very wrong.

By Thursday night, the tents had disappeared. But scores of students took over a campus lawn. Planning to stay all night, they were in a rather upbeat mood, noshing on donated pizza and snacks. An impromptu dance party had even broken out.

The police presence and the arrests do not deter us in any way, said Layla Saliba, 24, a Palestinian-American student at the School of Social Work, at a news conference organized by Apartheid Divest, a coalition of student groups.
David McCormicks origin story goes something like this: He grew up in rural Pennsylvania, southwest of Scranton. He baled hay, trimmed Christmas trees and otherwise worked on his familys farm. And from those humble beginnings, he rose to achieve the American dream.

I spent most of my life in Pennsylvania, growing up in Bloomsburg on my familys farm, Mr. McCormick, now a Republican candidate for Senate, told Pittsburgh Quarterly in 2022.

Ive truly lived the American dream, he wrote in a fund-raising appeal in October. My lifes journey  from growing up on a farm in Bloomsburg, to graduating from West Point and serving in the 82nd Airborne Division, growing a business in Pittsburgh, and serving at the highest levels of government  reflects that.

I grew up on a family farm from the time I was a kid, he said at the Pennsylvania farm show in January.
A group of left-leaning House Democrats is urging its colleagues to oppose the $26 billion aid package for Israel, hoping to maximize the number of no votes from the party and send a warning to President Biden about the depth of his political coalitions discontent over his support for Israels tactics in Gaza.

Framing the upcoming vote as a make-or-break moral choice akin to Congresss votes to authorize and fund the Iraq war, progressive leaders in the House are working to muster a sizable bloc of Democratic opposition to the aid measure, which is expected to pass on Saturday and become law in the coming days.

In the wake of those votes, people came around much, much later and said, We shouldnt have allowed that to go forward, Representative Pramila Jayapal, Democrat of Washington and the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said of the decades-ago debate over Iraq. And I think that this is that moment.

Representative Joaquin Castro, Democrat of Texas, called it a defining vote, adding, Were either going to participate in the carnage, or were not.
The prospect of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threatening to upend the presidential race went from an idea to a reality in one of the countrys most consequential battlegrounds on Thursday, when Mr. Kennedy qualified for the ballot in Michigan.

The decision by the Natural Law Party to grant Mr. Kennedy its ballot line in November ensures he will be a factor in a pivotal swing state where the presidential election is expected to be incredibly close and where President Biden has already shown vulnerability with key Democratic constituencies. During Michigans primary in February, a protest movement over Mr. Bidens support for Israels war in Gaza drew significant support.

Mr. Kennedy, a lifelong Democrat and the scion of perhaps the nations most famous Democratic family, is running as an independent in 2024 and polling higher in early surveys than any third-party candidate since Ross Perot, the self-funding billionaire who ran in the 1990s.

His independent candidacy has earned him the estrangement of his own family  who campaigned this week with Mr. Biden in Pennsylvania  and many of his previous colleagues from the environmental movement, who denounced his candidacy publicly on Friday.
Rough seas were a fitting symbol for this weeks meeting of Group of 7 foreign ministers on the Italian island of Capri. Coast Guard ships that ferried V.I.P.s across the Gulf of Naples to the island on Wednesday swayed precariously, leaving the passengers reaching for their motion-sickness medicine  and, in some cases, their sick bags.

Though no ministers from this elite international coalition, including Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, were known to have lost their lunch, the global problems they confronted were enough to make even a seasoned diplomat queasy: the risk of war between Iran and Israel, the nightmare in Gaza and Ukraines uncertain fate.

At the luxurious Grand Hotel Quisisana, Mr. Blinken came determined to project unity within a group that includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United States and the European Union.

First created to help stabilize the world economy, the G7 has grown more active and ambitious in recent years, seeking to shape geopolitics and to be a steering committee for the worlds most advanced democracies, as Mr. Blinken put it in a closing news conference on Friday.
The Greek government on Friday published a list of 198 untrodden beaches that it said are now off limits to bars, restaurants and large public gatherings in its latest attempt to contain development and address the backlash to the throngs of tourists that descend on the countrys coastlines each year.

The move comes amid growing frustration among residents of Greek islands and parts of the coastal mainland that are popular with foreign visitors. Protests ballooned into a nationwide beach towel movement last summer as disgruntled locals complained that they were being pushed off their own beaches by businesses seeking to take advantage of a tourist boom that brought more than 32 million foreign visitors to Greece last year.

On the countrys Cycladic islands, local residents joined forces with the authorities to push back against a wave of construction.

Greeces conservative government has pledged to crack down on the development, and on seaside businesses that violate regulations. In February it passed a law aimed at regulating the use of the countrys coastline, imposing penalties of up to 60,000 euros for businesses occupying more than 50 percent of Greek beaches with umbrellas and sun beds.
As many in Europe worry about the possibility of a second presidency for Donald J. Trump that they fear could bring an end to U.S. support for Ukraine, some of Russias most fervent foes are taking a different tack: making nice with the Trump camp.

To that end, the governing party of Lithuania, a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, last month organized meetings between Ukrainians, Baltic politicians who want increases in military spending to counter Russia, and a group of former Trump administration officials. Also attending were members of pro-Trump groups like the Heritage Foundation, an influential conservative group skeptical about helping Ukraine.

Leading the participants from Ukraine was Oleksandr Merezhko, the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliaments foreign affairs committee and an ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Reaching out to the Trump camp, he said, was simply a recognition of Ukraines perilous vulnerability to the shifting sands of American politics.

When we are fighting for our survival, we cant afford to antagonize either Biden or Trump, Mr. Merezhko said. If we place the wrong bet, we risk losing our country.
A decades-long shadow war between Israel and Iran is increasingly taking place in the open.

On Tuesday, Iran fired about 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, most of which were intercepted by Israeli and U.S. air defense systems. Iran said the attacks were in retaliation for Israels assassinations of Hezbollahs leader, Hassan Nasrallah; Hamass political leader, Ismail Haniyeh; and an Iranian commander.

Experts say the most recent round of strikes signals an escalation in the conflict, since Tehran opted for ballistic missiles instead of the cruise missiles and drones used in a similar attack in April. A long-feared war in the Middle East may have finally arrived as Israel fights a ground war against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

Here is a recent history of the conflict, which has often involved Irans network of allies in Lebanon, Iraq and other countries.

2019

Strikes against Irans allies

Israel carried out a series of attacks in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq to prevent Iran from equipping its Arab allies with precision-guided missiles, drones and other sophisticated weapons.

2021

An attack on an oil tanker

In July, an oil tanker managed by an Israeli-owned shipping firm was attacked off the coast of Oman, killing two crew members, according to the company and three Israeli officials. Two of the officials said that the attack appeared to have been carried out by Iranian drones.

A remote-controlled assassination

In November, Israel killed Irans top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, with a remote-controlled machine gun. The assassination was part of its campaign to limit Irans nuclear capabilities through sabotage and cyberattacks.
The relatively limited scope of Israels overnight strikes on Iran, and a subdued response from Iranian officials, may have lowered the chances of an immediate escalation in fighting between the two countries, analysts said on Friday.

While Israel is still fighting wars on two fronts, against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, the likelihood of a third front has ebbed, at least for now.

For days, there have been fears that a forceful Israeli response to Irans attack on southern Israel last weekend could prompt an even more aggressive riposte from Iran, potentially turning a tit-for-tat confrontation into a wider war.

Foreign leaders advised Israel to treat its successful defense against Irans missile barrage as a victory that required no retaliation, warning against a counterattack that might further destabilize a region already roiled by Israels wars with two Iranian allies, Hamas and Hezbollah, and tensions with a third, the Houthis in Yemen.

But when it finally came early on Friday, Israels strike appeared less damaging than expected, allowing Iranian officials and state-run news outlets to downplay its significance, at least for now.

In public, only one high-ranking Iranian official, the foreign minister, had acknowledged Israels role in the strike by Friday evening. The relative silence from the Iranian government and lack of acknowledgment of responsibility from Israel gave Tehran the chance to move on without feeling humiliated, analysts said.
Iranian officials said that the Israeli strike on Friday morning was carried out by small exploding drones, a tactic that would follow a well-established pattern in Israeli attacks on Iranian military targets.

As Israel has targeted Iranian defense and military officials and infrastructure, small drones  specifically ones known as quadcopters  have been a signature of those operations. Quadcopter drones, so named because they have four rotors, have a short flight range and can explode on impact.

The drones might have been launched from inside Iran, whose radar systems had not detected unidentified aircraft entering Iranian airspace, Iranian officials said. If the drones were launched within the country, it demonstrates once again Israels ability to mount clandestine operations in Iranian territory.

Israels military has not commented on Fridays strike. Though it rarely claims responsibility publicly for attacks against Iranian targets, several attacks in recent years have used drones:
YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. On April 19, 2024, the eighth meeting of the Commission on Delimitation and Border Security of the State Border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia was held on the border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Mher Grigoryan and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev.

As the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, during the meeting, the Commissions agreed as follows:

At the initial stage of the delimitation process, the Parties have preliminary agreed upon separate sections of the borderline immediately between the settlements of Baghanis (Republic of Armenia) - Baghanis Ayrum (Republic of Azerbaijan), Voskepar (Republic of Armenia) - Ashaghi Askipara (Republic of Azerbaijan), Kirants (Republic of Armenia) - Kheyrimli (Republic of Azerbaijan) and Berkaber (Republic of Armenia) - Ghizilhajili (Republic of Azerbaijan), in order to of bring them into compliance with the legally justified interrepublican border that existed within the Soviet Union at the moment of its dissolution.

Decided that the description of these sections of the borderline will be drawn up considering the adjustment of coordinates based on the geodetic measurements on the ground, documented in a relevant Protocol-description which must be agreed upon and signed by the Parties by 15 May 2024.

It was agreed that the Parties will apply to their Governments in order to take measures aimed at simultaneous and parallel deployment of their border services on the agreed sections of the borderline. They also agreed that until the delimitation process is fully completed, the sections of the borderline specified in the Protocol-description will be considered delimited.

Parallelly, the Parties agreed to complete the alignment of the draft Regulation on the Joint Activity of the Commission on Delimitation and Border Security of the State Border between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia by 1 July 2024 and proceed with the completion of the internal procedures and approval of the Regulations according to the procedure and the requirements of the legislation of the State parties.

The Parties have agreed that the process of delimitation will be based on the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991. The Parties have also arranged to stipulate this fundamental principle in the draft Regulation (in the future, in case the Agreement on establishment of peace and interstate relations between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan provides otherwise, the relevant clause of the Regulation will be brought into compliance with the principles as prescribed by this Agreement).

Agreed that after the Regulation is approved by the Parties, they will arrange the order and continue the delimitation process of all the remaining sections of the border, including the issues of enclaves and exclaves.

A protocol was signed on the meeting results.The sides agreed to set the date and the place of the next meeting of the Commissions in working order.
Israeli warplanes fired missiles on Iran during a retaliatory strike early Friday morning, one Western official and two Iranian officials said, suggesting that the attack included more advanced firepower than initial reports indicated.

It was not immediately clear the types of missiles used, from where they were fired, whether any were intercepted by Irans defenses or where they landed.

The Western official and the Iranian officials requested anonymity to discuss classified information.

Previously, Iranian officials said Fridays attack on a military base in central Iran was conducted by small aerial drones, most likely launched from inside Iranian territory. A separate group of small drones, they said soon after the attack, was shot down in the region of Tabriz, roughly 500 miles north of Isfahan.

Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for Fridays attack and would not comment on the use of planes or missiles.

Israels strike came in response to an Iranian attack last weekend in which Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel. A majority of the weapons used in that salvo were fired from Iranian territory and intercepted by Israel and its allies before causing any damage.
The Israeli strike on a military base near the Iranian city of Isfahan was part of a cycle of retaliation that has alarmed world leaders, but it produced a largely muted response from both on Friday.

Television networks and some officials in both countries played down the significance of the strike, which Israeli and Iranian officials confirmed.

In Israel, officials described the strike as a limited response designed to avoid escalating tensions. Pundits on the countrys morning news shows said the strike did not appear to cause significant damage to military sites in Iran.

Israel can do elegant military maneuvers that are not noisy or cause significant military damage but which deliver the message Israel wants, Dana Weiss, a diplomatic affairs analyst for Israels Channel 12, told viewers. And that is what we have seen them do.

State television in Iran said military and nuclear facilities in Isfahan were safe and broadcast footage of the city looking calm in the spring light. One newsreader there described the attack as not a big deal.

Social media users in Iran, including some connected to the countrys military, mocked the Israeli strike as a puny response to the roughly 300 missiles and drones that Iran launched at Israel last weekend.

In one video that was widely shared online Friday, a girl throws a paper airplane at an apartment building and compares it to the Israeli strike, giggling as the folded paper hits the concrete structure.

Iranian officials told The New York Times that a strike had hit a military air base near Isfahan. But Brig. General Siavash Mihandoust, the most senior military official in Isfahan, told state television that any explosions heard there on Friday were not caused by Israeli strikes, attributing them to air defense systems shooting down flying objects.

Some in Israel celebrated the strikes, including elected leaders from the countrys right-wing parties.

Tally Gotliv, a lawmaker from the Likud party, wrote on X, A morning in which our head is proudly up. Israel is a strong and forceful country.


Las Cruces Plans to Hire Travel PR Partner Wed., Oct. 9, 2024 Visit Las Cruces, which is the convention and visitors bureau of New Mexicos second largest city, wants a PR firm to help position it as a premiere tourism destination.
Lisa Frank

Derris promotes Lisa Frank, who founded the brand consultancy along with Jesse Derris in 2013, to CEO. Jesse Derris will transition from the CEO spot to a chairman role, in addition to serving as chief strategy officer at Orchestra, Derris' parent company. As CEO, Frank is responsible for leading the agencys new line of businesses (creative, content, experiential, influencer marketing) and its international growth strategy. The agency has helped to launch and scale over 25 brands (Warby Parker, Everlane, SKIMS, rhode, Glossier). It has also maintained 71 percent employee retention, with many team members who started in entry level roles now part of the senior leadership team.

Bristol Whitcher Rice,

Nik Barkley,

Chris Nardone

PAN Communications brings on Bristol Whitcher Rice, Nik Barkley and Chris Nardone as VPs. Rice will serve as VP and head of PAN's New York region. She joins the agency from Inkhouse, where she was most recently a VP. Before that, Rice worked at Cone and BIGfish Communications. At PAN, she is focused on strategic communications services, including corporate communications, crisis management and executive thought leadership. Barkley, who was previously VP and creative director at Matter Communications is now PAN's VP, brand marketing and experience design. His role centers around helping brands discover and tell their stories to the market in the most impactful ways possible. Nardone, who previously worked at Aisle Rocket and Digitas North America, is VP, integrated marketing and head of PAN's South by Midwest region, responsible for developing, maintaining and growing client business

Zachariah Hosseini

Pace University hires Zachariah Hosseini as CMO and VP for university relations. Hosseini comes to Pace from Johnson & Johnson, where he led communications for its global life sciences incubator JLABS, and its venture capital arm, JJDC. Before that, he was associate vice chancellor for communications and marketing at Rutgers University and held communications roles at the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. At Pace, Hosseini will oversee the marketing, communications and government affairs teams for the University and its campuses in New York City, Pleasantville and White Plains. Zachs accomplished career in communications and marketing will be a significant asset to Pace, said Pace president Marvin Krislov. His experience, background, and leadership will play an important role in helping to further communicate the Universitys message of Opportunitas, or creating opportunities for students, to a global audience.
YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Armenian National Assembly Civil Contract Faction Artur Hovhannisyan, has commented on the agreement reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"For the first time, a practical possibility has arisen to have a delimited and demarcated state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, where border guards will be stationed instead of armed forces," Hovhannisyan said on social media, referring to the meeting of the border delimitation commissions.

The Information and Public Relations Department of the Prime Minister's Office has responded to written questions from Armenpress regarding the agreement reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
MARK your calendars for a very special cup of tea!

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is hosting the 30th Alzheimers Tea Day across Ireland this May and The Alzheimers Day Centre in Birr, Co Offaly will join the celebrations with Tea Day on Thursday, May 2nd 2024 at 2pm at the centre with the public welcome to attend to support the event. The 30th anniversary is a significant milestone as statistics show that at least 30 people in Ireland are diagnosed with dementia, every single day.

Claire Dolan, Birr Day Centre Manager, commented, 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Tea Day and we are delighted to host Tea Day in Birr Day Centre to help support our services users, their families and carers.

Alzheimers Tea Day brings communities together across Ireland to support The ASI's vital work, providing much-needed resources and services for the 64,000 individuals living with dementia and their families nationwide. With the number of people diagnosed with dementia expected to double in the next 25 years, the need for support has never been greater.

Over the 30 years, Tea Day has raised 10 million to help support people living with dementia across Ireland, along with their families and carers. Register on www.teaday.ie to receive your free organiser's toolkit, packed with everything you need to host a successful Tea Day event. Funds raised through Alzheimer's Tea Day support critical services like the Alzheimer's National Helpline, Daycare programmes, home care, family carer training, social clubs, and Alzheimer's cafes. Your contribution can truly make a difference in the lives of those affected by dementia.

Speaking ahead of the 30th anniversary of Alzheimers Tea Day, Mairead Dillon, Head of Fundraising for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, commented, Whether you host an event, attend one, or simply donate, every action brings us closer to a future where no one faces dementia alone. Together, let's raise a cup of kindness and make the 30th anniversary of Alzheimer's Tea Day the most successful yet.

Join the conversation online using #TeaDay2024 and #TeaDay30 to share your stories and show your support.

For more information or to register as an organiser, please visit www.teaday.ie.
The Irish Government has been urged to do the right thing and issue an official state apology over the Stardust fire tragedy.

Some 48 young people died in the blaze that ripped through the nightclub in north Dublin in 1981.

On Thursday, following fresh inquests, a jury returned a verdict that they were unlawfully killed.

It comes after a previous finding in 1982 that the fire had been started deliberately.

But on Thursday a majority decision from the jury of seven women and five men found the blaze, which broke out in the early hours of Valentines Day 1981, started due to an electrical fault in the hot press of the bar.

Families of the victims embraced one another after the verdict at the Pillar Room in Dublin city.

They are set to meet with Taoiseach Simon Harris.

Susan Behan, whose brother John Colgan was among those killed, said the Government should issue an official state apology.

I feel its important for us because I think we were ignored. I really do feel we were ignored. I feel they were so disrespectful to us, she told RTE Radios Morning Ireland Programme.

We were left to our own devices, that shouldnt have been the case, so now it shouldnt be a big deal for them to turn around and say were sorry, we got it wrong, and apologise to us.

Its the very least they could do and it shouldnt take them a long time to know what to do.

Do the right thing and give the public apology. We deserve it. Our loved ones deserve it.

She said the verdict on Thursday meant so much to finally hear our loved ones were unlawfully killed.

So many emotions. Its been such a long time coming, she said.

When we heard it, it was just unreal. All those emotions, 43 years, then we finally, finally hear those words. It was just unbelievable. It really was.

Its very hard to put it into words to be honest because this morning I actually cant believe it. So relieved that finally we have the justice we deserved.
A PE teacher who was diagnosed with breast cancer had her car clamped while undergoing treatment, and says that hospital parking alone cost her 1,000 while undergoing treatment.

Tara Doonan, from Killeshandra, Co Cavan recalled that she was clamped outside the Mater Hospital in Dublin after she fell asleep during a delayed appointment. She did not get to top up her parking ticket in time and you could only pay for three hours, at a time.

"I had to pay 125 to get it released. It was so stressful. It was the last thing I needed after coming out of treatment," Ms Doonan told RTE's 'The Complaints Bureau' consumer show.

However, despite providing a letter from the ward manager explaining the situation, the National Transport Authority (NTA) did not uphold her appeal. She had to pay the 125 fine.

The RTE show found that the Mater Hospitals car park is the most expensive in the country at 3.20 an hour, which is capped at 15 a day. It is one of 10 hospitals around the country that do not offer any concessionary parking to cancer patients.

Despite providing a letter from the ward manager in the hospital explaining how she fell asleep during cancer treatment, both Dublin Street Parking Services and the National Transport Authority did not uphold her clamping appeal https://t.co/MAjc5ZQIGN  Amy Molloy (@AmyMolloyIndo) April 19, 2024

In the summer of 2022, 36 year old Tara was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, a type of breast cancer.

"I had no symptoms at all, bar finding a lump one evening when I removed my bra. It was quite a large lump and breast cancer immediately came into my head, followed quickly by Im too young to get cancer, it must be a cyst or hormonal. The next week, my husband noticed it too, so I went to my GP. She reassured me that it felt fibrous and was unlikely to be anything sinister, but referred me for a triple assessment in August to confirm. I was so sure it would just be a cyst that needed to be drained and nothing else, so we naively booked a night away in a hotel for the appointment in Dublin to celebrate".

After undergoing an ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy, Tara was told by her consultant that they were highly suspicious it was breast cancer, but theyd need to wait for the biopsy results to come back.

"Those two weeks waiting for the results were terrifying. I didnt know what type of breast cancer it could be. Once they confirmed it was cancer, they did an MRI and CT scan, and thankfully they told me the cancer hadnt spread.

"We had been trying to start a family for 4 years before my diagnosis, so to then find out I had cancer was a real kick in the teeth, to put it mildly! My cancer wasnt hormonal positive, so we were able to do one round of IVF before starting chemotherapy and we managed to freeze 4 embryos. I am afraid to hope that someday our dreams of becoming parents will come true," she said.

Taras treatment included 5 months of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and 4 weeks of radiotherapy, which finished up in June 2023.

"When you get the diagnosis, youre just in it and youre surviving. Youre going from one appointment to the next and youre not really thinking about much else or able to think about much else apart from just surviving and getting through it," she told RTEs consumer show.

In a statement to The Complaints Bureau, the Mater Hospital said it did not get any money from the car park. It said the State did not fund the provision of an underground car park and Eccles Street Car Park Ltd, the company connected to the car park that is owned by the Mater, had to take out a significant loan to build one. The cash flow generated from the car park is used to pay off the loan, which means the Mater is unable to introduce concessionary parking for cancer patients.

"It was the last thing I need after coming out of a day in hospital getting treated for cancer"



Amy meets a young Cavan teacher who wants to see car parking charges at hospitals abolished for cancer patients.#TheComplaintsBureau | Thursdays at 7pm | @rteplayer pic.twitter.com/DnSumlNYhQ  RTE One (@RTEOne) April 15, 2024

Car parking is an unavoidable cost that affects over 8 in 10 cancer patients. This rises to 9 in 10 families if a child is diagnosed with cancer, the Irish Cancer Society, who have been campaigning on the issue for a decade, says.

In the Programme for Government there is a commitment to: Introduce a cap on the maximum daily charge for car parking for patients and visitors at all public hospitals, where possible. Introduce flexible passes in all public hospitals for patients and their families.

"As it stands, there is no standardised approach to hospital parking and a lack of consistency in what cancer patients can expect to pay while they attend tests and treatment," an Irish Cancer Society spokesperson said.

"Not only is there a huge disparity in the actual charges applied, but also in the manner by which patients can access information about where concessions might exist in the first place. This is causing additional stress and anxiety to patients and their loved ones at a time when they are already vulnerable".

While some hospitals have abolished or reduce car-parking charges for cancer patients, this is not the case in every cancer-treating hospital

You can watch the episode of the RTE show 'The Complaints Bureau' here
YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS. During his visit to Saudi Arabia on April 17-18 Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan gave an interview to the 'Arab News. Taking into account the historical nature of the visit which took place after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the interview focused on the discussions held during the visit and on prospects of development of relations.

Minister Mirzoyan answered the questions also on regional topics. Below are the main quotes from the interview presented by the foreign ministry.

- Prospects of development of relations between Armenia and Saudi Arabia after the establishment of diplomatic relations

Historically we have enjoyed friendly relations with the Arab World, with all the Arab countries, and these relations have been based on traditionally, historically friendly ties between our peoples, between Arab people and the people of Armenia. And we also should remember that many Arab countries became home to Armenian refugees, the survivors of the Armenian Genocide. But of course, the cultural ties, the relations were there even before that. So in this context, it was also a little bit strange that between the Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there were no diplomatic relations even. And in this sense, 2023 was indeed a historical year: we established diplomatic relations. And now I am visiting Riyadh, I am having meetings with the respective officials, and my colleagues here. And it is worth mentioning that the two countries, Armenia and Saudi Arabia, assure each other that this is only a start, we dont want to stop here. There are so many areas, there are so many fields where we can deepen our cooperation, and there are so many spheres where we can explore what we can do jointly. And hopefully, after this visit a road map will emerge - a road map of the development of our relations.

I had meetings in Riyadh, not only with my counterpart, his highness the Foreign Minister but also I was received at the Ministry of Economy and Planning and the Ministry of Education where I met my counterparts, and we discussed the opportunities that emerge. And frankly, there is no limit here: education, sciences, advanced technologies, urban development, agriculture, tourism, people-to-people contacts, trade investments, infrastructure. There are so many things going on on the ground here in Saudi Arabia but also in Armenia. And of course, the future is quite promising for our cooperation.

Our vision is that we should build a very good and close cooperation with Saudi Arabia including when it comes to regional affairs, but also international fora. I would like to mention that when Saudi Arabia came up with the bid for Expo 2030, Armenia was among the countries who supported it. And by the way, this is a very good occasion to congratulate Saudi Arabia.
Despite the mother being able use her name on her driver's licence and Australian citizenship certificate without any dramas, Uber deemed it too offensive.

Uber has apologised to a young Aussie mum after she was banned from the platform for a total of five months over her name, that in her culture "means good luck", but was deemed offensive by the ride share giant.

Sydney mother Swastika Chandra explained her name means "good luck and prosperity" in Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, and said it forms a large part of her identity.

Despite Chandra being able use her name on her birth certificate, her Australian citizenship certificate, her healthcare card and her driver's licence without any dramas, according to Uber it was unacceptable due to its German links to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.

Swastika Chandra's first name means good luck and prosperity in Sanskrit, but it saw her blocked from Uber. Source: ACA

Mum's confusion over 'uneducated' ban from Uber

Although the ride-sharing app says it has systems in place to respect all cultures, Chandra argued her situation should've been dealt with using common sense. She was told she'd have to change her name on the platform by Uber or she'd no longer be able to use it.

"It means good luck. It means good things for me," she said. "I was putting in an order for food one afternoon and went to the payment stage and this pop-up came up saying, 'Your first name is in violation and you need to change your name on the app'," Chandra told A Current Affair.

Uber recently changed its policy on words that could be deemed offensive  including swastika  in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. While Chandra said she understands what her name means to many, she wants people to know it was "used for thousands of years" before Hitler appropriated it for the Nazi party.

"They don't know that the Hindus used it for thousands of years before Hitler used it in the wrong way," she said. "A bit of education, I think, is needed ... I'm very proud of my name. I believe in the good that comes with it and I'm not changing it for anyone."

Sydney mother Swastika Chandra said her name means good luck' but raised red flags at Uber. Source: Getty

Uber backflips over multi-agency intervention

Eventually, Uber backflipped on its decision to ban Chandra, though it took intervention from Australia's peak Hindu body, The Hindu Council, and support from the Jewish community and the NSW attorney-general. "Don't let the past be a stepping stone for your future," the mum said to women everywhere with names that are "different".

"Be proud of your name. It's your identity  it's who you are."

In a statement, Uber apologised to Chandra for inconvenience caused.

"Uber has a global policy of restricting access to users whose names entered into the Uber app contain potentially offensive words," an Uber spokesperson said. "We understand that there are different cultural nuances to names, and therefore our teams address incidents like this on a case-by-case basis to ensure we evaluate each account fairly.

"In this case, after reviewing Ms Chandra's request, we reinstated her access to the app. We have apologised to Ms Chandra for the inconvenience."

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History may be made in 2024 if long-range forecasts for Australia from international climate models prove correct.

Australia may be in for some heavy rainfall later this year. Source: Getty

The Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared the end of El Nino, with suggestions a La Nina may be coming our way in a few months. This would then be the first time in history that Australia has seen an El Nino or La Nina weather event declared five years in a row.

Lets recap: What are ENSO, El Nino and La Nina?

El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the oscillation between El Nino and La Nina conditions, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).

El Nino, which occurs on average every three to eight years, refers to the warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, leading to a major shift in weather patterns across the Pacific including drier conditions. La Nina is the opposite of El Nino and brings with it an increased likelihood of above average rainfall, particularly in eastern and northern Australia. When neither El Nino nor La Nina are active, ENSO is in what is called "neutral".

Read more: What are El Nino and La Nina, and how do they change the weather?

Why do experts think La Nina could be coming?

The BoM stated "International climate models suggest ENSO will likely continue to be neutral until at least July 2024" before a possible La Nina forming by spring.

Climate Professor Shayne McGregor from Monash University told Yahoo News Australia there are a "couple of things" that lead people to believe La Nina is coming.

The first reason is a history of El Nino events being more often than not followed by La Nina events. "This suggests there is an increased chance of a La Nina event occurring relative to a neutral/normal year," he said.

As well as this, McGregor explained there are "temperature signals in the subsurface ocean" that are consistent with the beginning of a La Nina event.

"However, it is important to note that the signs of an ending El Nino event look like the beginning of a La Nina, so there is some ambiguity here."

If La Nina were to be declared, it would mean an increased chance of wetter-than-"normal conditions" during July and November, when the "strongest impacts" of the weather events are felt. "There would also be a reduced chance of having particularly dry conditions during these months."

The map shows the mean winterspring rainfall during La Nina years. Source: BoM

Australia has never had events declared five years in a row

Australia has experienced three La Ninas followed by an El Nino, and if La Nina does grace us by spring that would mean an event had been declared five years in a row  which is unprecedented.

Such a sequence has not been recorded previously, Cai Wenju, a former senior CSIRO researcher, told Guardian Australia.

But, McGregor tells Yahoo, this is not something he is concerned about at this stage. "We really have not observed these events over a long period, [so] the chance to see something we have not seen before has a relatively high chance," he said. "However, ENSO does appear to have been very active in recent years."

He does note, however, there is some "alignment with climate model projections" which indicates ENSO will fluctuate more and more due to climate change. "But we are a long way from being able to attribute this recent increase in ENSO activity to climate change."

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Inside the refugee camps it's the women and children who are suffering the most.

Despite mounting cost-of-living pressures, most of Australias 26 million people live relatively well. But across the Indian Ocean roughly the same number of people are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Over 14 million of those affected are children. And four million of them are severely malnourished, according to Plan International. The numbers are staggering.

But with conflict raging in Ukraine and Gaza, the crisis in Sudan risks being forgotten. Aid groups are wanting to help but they need more resources, and with the country on the brink of collapse they have called on Australias government to invest $50 million to help save human lives.

Over 23,000 people are taking shelter in and around the Renk refugee camp in South Sudan. It was designed for just 4000. Source: Peter Caton/Plan International

The people are suffering from outbreaks of cholera, dengue, measles, and malaria. With much of Sudan's infrastructure destroyed, there are few places to seek treatment, and health care is no longer available to two thirds of the population.

What's life like for Sudanese inside refugee camps?

After landing in Australia this year after years of work in Africa, Plan International Australia Deputy CEO Mudasser Siddiqui told Yahoo News Australia the people hes been working with are traumatised, particularly the women and children.

He was based across the southeast border in Ethiopia where millions face starvation there too. But despite its dangers, Ethiopia is seen as a safer option for many of the Sudanese who have been displaced by a year-long violent political conflict, and now face famine.

Over 14 million children urgently need aid. Source: Peter Caton/Plan International

Describing life inside the refugee camps, Siddiqui said most survivors are in despair.

"When you walk into the camps there is the smell of poverty and hunger. There are families crammed in very limited spaces, hygiene facilities were very few and far between, and water services were not there," he said.

"People arrived with absolutely nothing. And we couldn't continue to meet the needs of people to the level that was needed."

Plan International Australia Deputy CEO Mudasser Siddiqui (centre) at a refugee camp in Africa. Source: Supplied

He recalls the story of a 10-year-old girl who lived a life that would be familiar to many Aussies.

She had a TV in her house and she used to watch cartoons, and she had access to her parents mobile phones. But now she was living in a refugee camp with her grandmother because her parents were killed in the conflict. She was sleeping on the floor on a matress provided by aid agencies, he said.

You can imagine her mental state. There are thousands of people like her throughout this conflict. And thats the most important aspect that the world has forgotten.

Sudanese Australians disturbed by unfolding crisis

On top of the violence, there's the extreme weather. South Sudan where thousands of refugees have fled, hotter than average weather has shaken the country  on one March day the temperature soared to 41 degrees. Climate change is making some areas around the Horn of Africa impossible to survive in.

Siddiqui said the Australian government has been very generous in helping to prevent famine, but more money is urgently needed.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong (right) has been urged to find $50 million for Sudan. Source: AAP

On the one year anniversary of the conflict this week Plan International joined Oxfam, Save the Children, Unicef Australia and other high profile aid agencies to call on Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong to urgently send additional humanitarian assistance .

The Australian Sudanese diaspora population is approximately 13,000 people. This is a community that is watching their loved ones, friends and country tragically caught up in a devastating conflict, and who seek more action from their government here in Australia, the letter reads.

The $20.45 million commitment to date is welcome but does not go far enough.

Yahoo reached out to Senator Wongs office on Friday and questions were referred to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) which issued a written statement.

"The Australian Government remains deeply concerned by the conflict and the humanitarian impact on the people of Sudan and those in neighbouring countries," it said.

"The Australian Government has provided $20.45 million to the crisis since May 2023 to support people affected. In addition, in February 2024, the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (to which Australia is a longstanding donor) announced two allocations to Sudan of US$15 million and US$20 million. We continue to monitor the situation."

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Following her grocery trip, the pregnant woman urged parents to teach their kids one simple lesson.

Coles shopper Mahlea was stunned by the interaction between a teenage employee and an elderly customer who asked for help. Source: TikTok

A Coles shoppers rant about a disheartening interaction between a teen employee and an elderly customer at a stores self-serve checkout has sparked a heated debate about the younger generation. Mahlea said she witnessed the embarrassing incident during a recent trip to the supermarket to pick up some groceries and needed to get it off her chest as soon as she returned to her car.

In a TikTok video, the Aussie mum, who is pregnant with her second child, explained while she was scanning her items she overheard an old man easily in his 80s ask a Coles employee in the self-serve checkout area for help.

He would have been like 15 years old, I think this kid was. This old man was like, Oh, I need a bag. Could I please grab a bag? And the kid goes Yeah, theyre over there, she said, mimicking the workers lacklustre response.

Yeah, okay its not his job to go and get everyone a bag and bring it over to them, but you know, this man is 80  or however old he is.

After shuffling over to pick up a bag and returning to the kiosk where his items were, the elderly man then asks the teen what do I do?, Mahlea recalled. And the kid walks up to him and goes, You scan the barcode ... I wanted to be like, HELP HIM, she vented.

Coles customer's 'common courtesy' plea

Mahlea said she froze in a state of shock while watching the short interaction unfold but helped the elderly customer retrieve his walking stick afterwards.

The mum pondered if the teen worker was not getting paid enough, but argued it is ultimately just common courtesy to want to help an old person.

Can we promise each other as people  Im pregnant [and] I have a four-year-old  as people with young children or if youre going to have kids, lets not raise them to be that way because its f***ing embarrassing.

They have no emotional intelligence beyond, like, the internet... I dont know. I dont know what it is. I know its not all of them but if your kid is one of those ones, sort it out.

Rant about 'younger generation' sparks debate

Mahleas swipe at the younger generation ignited a heated debate online, with the majority of people agreeing customer service is non-existent these days.

Spot on! Just general manners and consideration all gone out the window, one person wrote.

I work at Coles and mind you Im a lot older than some of the kids I work with, but damn the newer generation is just not okay, they dont wanna work and are so lazy, another claimed.

While numerous Aussies agreed with the Coles shopper, others argued the teen worker had probably copped verbal abuse in the past. Source: Getty

However, numerous other viewers said the teen may not have been trained properly, or perhaps had simply endured too much abuse from customers. Probably had 10 other older people shout at him about how there should be more people at checkouts! My son gives [exceptional] customer service but has still been shouted at, pushed, and lectured! one woman argued.

l think we need to give 15-year-olds a break. l remember sucking at my first job, but l ended up running multiple businesses. We have to remember that the teenage brain is still not fully developed, someone else pointed out.

Coles responds to woman's account

A Coles spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia its team members are trained and encouraged to help our customers where possible.

Whether it be packing their bags effectively, offering to scan bulky items at the self-service checkout area for them, helping them to find an item in the store or even reaching a product thats up high, its all about offering the best possible customer service experience for them so they come back time and time again.

We are constantly evolving and carrying out various training approaches with current and new team members across the country to ensure a seamless and efficient shopping experience for our customers.

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Palakkad: Human rights activist Samuel Jerome, who will accompany Nimisha Priya's mother Premakumari to Yemen on Saturday, said the negotiations for the release of the nurse, who has been sentenced to death there in a murder case, are going positively so far. Nimisha Priya's release is only possible through negotiations with the family and the tribe of the slain.

Talking to Manorama News, Samuel said: "The situation is quite serious now that the order issuing the death sentence is in the possession of the Yemeni president. There is no legal recourse. Only discussions with family and their tribe will ensure Nimisha Priya's release. Talal's (victim) brother has been informed about Premakumari coming to Yemen to meet her daughter and the family. Initial negotiations alone can cost $40,000. The blood money to be paid is not decided by the family but by the head of their tribe."

Samuel further said had Manorama News not published Nimisha Priya's letter in 2017, she wouldn't be alive. Samuel, a Tamil Nadu native who has been working in Yemen for over 30 years, arrived in Kochi to accompany Premakumari tomorrow.

Case in a nutshell

Palakkad native Nimisha Priya had been working in Yemen when travel to and from the country was banned in 2016 due to the civil war there. Her husband and daughter returned to India in 2014, but she couldn't due to her job. In 2015, with the help of a Yemeni national Talal Mahdi, she set up a clinic.

Soon, differences cropped up between her and Mahdi and she alleged that he abused and tortured her. The Yemeni also took her passport away, making her trip back home impossible. Mahdi also misrepresented himself as her husband to the Yemeni authorities, due to which she couldn't get any aid from them, she alleged in her statement.

On July 25, 2017, she injected Mahdi with sedatives to render him unconscious to take her passport back and flee from there. But things went awry and he collapsed a while after she administered the sedative.

Realising that Mahdi had died, she disposed of his body, with another person's help. Four days later, the crime surfaced and both were arrested. Nimisha was sentenced to death and the other person was sentenced to life.


ISRAEL ATTACKS IRAN | Iran Activates Air Defence Systems | Will a War Start ? ISRAEL #IRAN #ISFAHAN #PRASHANTDHAWAN #WORLDAFFAIRS ISRAEL ATTACKS IRAN | Iran activates air defence ...

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu juxtaposed with Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi

In the early hours today according to an Iranian news outlet Israel attacked Iran as well as military airfields and a radar sites in Syria and Iraq. [1]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declined comment on the Iranian report.

This latest incident came days after Iran sent missiles and drones into Israel in retaliation of Israel attacking the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, Syria which killed 7 high ranking Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officers on April 1, 2024.

Hours before this latest attack by Israel, Iran's Foreign Ministry had issued a statement if Israel took further military action on Iran, our "response would be immediate and at a maximum level...decisive, definitive and regretful for them".

The sense here Iran does not want a full scale war with Israel but it can't let Israeli attacks on the country go unpunished. Thus its retaliation on Israeli territory after the foreign ministry attack in Damascus.

Israel considers Iran as its primary enemy and believes the Islamic Republic is secretly building an atomic weapon. Iran has repeatedly denied the accusation and IAEA nuclear inspectors operating in the country concur there is no evidence of such a weapon being built.

What is worrisome at this point these retaliatory strikes by both Israel and Iran could lead to a Middle East conflagration with worldwide implications.

In such a scenario oil prices would skyrocket as Iran would likely block the Strait of Hormuz where a third of the world's oil traverses.

Unconfirmed reports by the Biden administration has the president telling Netanyahu not to retaliate further against Iran. But the Israeli PM -whose hold on power is tenuous due to domestic corruption charges he faces-would, could like a wider war with Iran which would deflect from his domestic problems and bring the US on his side.

Lest we forget Netanyahu's IDF is waging war against Hamas in Gaza which he has vowed to annihilate. Iran supports Hamas and Netanyahu accuses the Iranian's of being behind Hamas attack in Southern Israel last October killing some 1200 people and taking over 240 hostages.

So Israel's attacks on Iran and its war in Gaza against Iranian ally Hamas can hardly be separated.

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"Either this nation shall kill racism, or racism shall kill this nation." (S. Jonas, August, 2018)

"A Vote for 'ABBB' (Any Body But Biden) is a Vote for Trump and Republo-Fascism" (S. Jonas, March, 2024)

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In the "selection of images for 'tricks,'" that one has access to on the OEN site, this one is entitled, simply, "Red Squirrel." I'm not sure what the trick is, but the squirrel sure is a cute one.

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In the past on a number of occasions I have written on what I have termed "Trump's Six [then seven] Magic Tricks." It is a list of the thought-patterns, strategies, and tactics that brought him from being the not-terribly-high-achieving-on-his-own son of a successful New York City real estate developer to the Presidency. Their use, at multiple points along his life-pathway, is what has also brought him, as both an Ex-President, and presumptive-nominee of his party (now rebranded as the "Trumpublicans"), for the possible return to that office. Getting in the way of that return are three factors. One is of course the vote to be held on next November 5. Another is how the real results of that vote are going to be handled, should they on paper at least go against him. Third is what he and his troops (real and figurative) would do in the latter case.

Obviously, the paragraph above contains the stuff for a number of future columns. For this one we shall stick to the "Seven Magic Tricks" themselves, with observation/analysis of how Trump is using them, and how well, or not, they still work for him.

To review, here are Trump's (first) Six Magic Tricks.

1. He has always had one or more protectors and enablers, either personal, or financial or both.

2. For decades he has had a standard operating procedure when he faces an adversary of any kind. He learned it from Roy Cohn (who learned it from Joe McCarthy): "Always attack; Never defend."

3. Also learned from Roy Cohn is the mantra: "when you run into a problem, just sue." You may not win, and it may cost you some money. But a) you might win, and b) with the endlessness with which civil litigation can be drawn out in the U.S. legal system, the other side may just get worn out (or run out of money for lawyers' fees [which Trump, for one reason or another, never seemed to do]).

4. In the whole of his business life, Trump has never been responsible to anyone else, either above him (except for Dad, of course) or even alongside. In the end, he has still been able to escape from one legal (and other) scrape after another, as long as he has had a protector/enabler (see 1., above), also known as the "fixer," on his own.

5. Trump has lived his life surrounded by enemies, whether in business, in his personal life, in his banking and financial life (except for a select few, like Deutsche Bank), certainly in politics, and not just at this time. He has thrived on that state-of-being. In dealing with his enemies/adversaries, as he told us in the "Art of the Deal," the key to winning for him has never been actual deal-making, but rather attempted opponent-crushing. Real negotiation is just not his thing.

6. Trump is history's greatest con man (a subject to which I have devoted a previous column).

To which I added a Seventh Trick "Oh woe is me; everyone's against me, and it's so unfair[!]"

Of course the Seventh was added to the list as the indictments, in four separate criminal cases, began to add up. But before we go through the list and how Trump is at present using them, or within the limits of the state and Federal criminal justice systems trying to use them, to me it is fascinating that Trump hardly ever says, in response to the indictments (except to a degree in the "Florida Documents" case --- in which case he is claiming, before trial, that the Presidential Records Act simply doesn't apply to him), "I'm innocent."

This not the plea with which he is going to go to the public. The reason likely is that above anyone else, it is he who knows just how guilty he is, in each and every case. Instead, as is well-known he is constantly saying: "this is a witch-hunt," "Biden is out to get me," "the 2020 election really was stolen," "I had nothing to do with 'Jan. 6,' and anyway, all those people in prison (convicted, in court, for breaking various Federal statutes) are 'hostages'," and so on and so forth.

Now, when he is asked to plead in the New York falsification of financial records case that will change, for he will have to plead "not guilty." But until then he will be using, or trying to use one or more of the 7 Magic Tricks. In the Georgia election-fraud-RICO case the same analysis will apply. (And do note, that in both of those cases, the prosecutor is an African-American [and one them female to boot]. Thus, right up until the moment a pleading is required he will be in the all-out attack-the-prosecution, life-is-so-unfair, mode, with a strong helping of racism.) As for the "Jan. 6" case, of course he is hoping that his far-right-Republican Supreme Court will let him off the hook. But if somehow or another five justices will deny him the "immunity" cover for one or more of those charges, he will have to plead "not guilty," that is if one or more of those charges ever get to Court.

BUT, for now he has fallen back on The List. So, let's see how they are working for him.

1. He has always had one or more protectors and enablers, either personal, or financial or both. Of course, he does have one or more of the six standard-issue-Republicans-and-further-to-the-Right-Republicans on the Court. And as noted, by every Trump-trials observer, Left, Right or Center (although how one can be "center" on Trump is beyond me), his protectors-enablers on the Court could well get him of out of one or more convictions in the end. But until then, his coterie of high-profile public protectors/enablers has vanished.

I am not referring to the Trump-Claque on TV and on-line. They talk a lot but for the most part they are heard only by the already-pro-Trumpers. (Except, that is, when they are actually engaging in on-air jury tampering [see FoxNews].) I am referring rather to the last-in-the-line major one, Katy-Barr-the-Door, Bill Barr. In the last of his protect-Republican-President efforts, he made mince-meat-in-public of Bob Mueller and his Report. But knowing that his support had a false basis from the git-go, and certainly looking to be able to put together some sort of post-Trump career, he refused to jump on board the "stop-the-steal" truck from the beginning. And after Barr, there is no one else "big" out there for him. (Pipsqueaks like Alan Dershowitz don't count, even if they are at Harvard.) They are certainly not to be found among that rag-tag set of lawyers he presently has representing him in the Four Cases.

2. He is obviously using "Always attack; never defend" to a fare-the-well. Plus, it's variant: "look over there," as in going after Judge Merchan's daughter in the New York City election fraud case. This one is being used to a fare-thee-well, and is the most important one that he has left from the list. Just watch his performance each and every day, in Court, outside of it, on TS, and on Trump-TV.

3. This Magic Trick, also learned from Roy Cohn is the mantra: "when you run into a problem, just sue." In observing Trump's behavior in facing the four sets of felony charges (all of which carry significant penalties for an overweight/out-of-shape 77-year-old man with failing finances that he does), one has to remember that while being in-and-out-of-court, either as a defendant or a plaintiff, has been part of his normal operating procedure, he has never been the subject of, not just one, but four, criminal procedures. So, this Trick is of no use.

4. The "being-not-responsible-to-anyone-else" trick, as in 3, doesn't apply here either. He is now responsible to the criminal law, at both the state and Federal levels.

5. Again, the "surrounded by enemies" trick has often worked for Trump, as he has wiggled/wriggled out of one contretemps after another, in the Civil sector: winning the case, or with losing the case with minor penalties --- as when one Chris Christie, then the New Jersey Attorney General, vastly reduced the Trump-penalty in the Atlantic City bankruptcy/tax-fraud case. But then he blithely went on to the next, indeed often surrounded by enemies. You know that list, the suits for: Trump wine, Trump Airlines, Trump ties, Trump University, and etc. Again, Trump this time is also surrounded by enemies, but not ones that he can just make go away, with help-from-a-friend, say from a many-years-tenured private banker at Deutsche Bank to the leader of the first industrial- feudalist nation in the world.

6. "History's Greatest Con Man?" That one is still working with his base and a very significant number of Republican elected-officials-and-wanna-be same. But again, on a broader scale, and in particular in dealing with the state and Federal criminal justice systems, not.

7. And finally, with the major gaps in the effectiveness of a significant number of the first Six, the Seventh has come to play a major part for Trump: "Oh woe is me; everyone's against me, they are all after me, and it's so unfair[!]" This is now the essence of virtually every one of his rants, whether in his "election campaign" speeches, in his in-front-of-the-court-house whining's, in his on-air appearances-with-only-friendly hosts, and certainly on "Truth (ho, ho, ho) Social."

Yes, indeed, for the first time in his adult life (at least since the end of the Roy Cohn era), Trump has had an increasingly shrinking selection of his Magic Tricks working for him, for an increasingly shrinking audience. Of course, with some help from his friends (especially those on the Supreme Court plus one particular District Court Judge in Florida) he may be able to once again wriggle out of what is now the biggest mess of his life, maybe even all the way back to the Oval Office.

But if he does, that will be due to those friends-in-high-or-relatively-high places, not to his set of Magic Tricks, which are becoming less magical by the day. Or, in the Noo Yawk vernacular (which Trump does not speak, by the way --- that's one thing he hasn't soiled by his presence), "How's dose Magic Tricks doin' for ya, Don? Well, not so good --- Hey Don?!"

(Article changed on Apr 19, 2024 at 1:41 PM EDT)
Aiming to tap into the $1.5B West Coast bridal industry, Folio.YVR promises luxury-level spotlights for couples. In addition to the already robust coverage of all things luxury on Canada's West Coast, Folio.YVR has launched 'Celebrate' to spotlight the province's $1.5B booming bridal industry. Rebounding post-pandemic, weddings are getting pricier and more elaborate, many involving multi-day events and destinations. "Capturing the essence of love and luxury, our new 'Celebrate' section sets the stage 
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Since April 2024, passport control for travelers from Germany, Switzerland and Austria will no longer be required when entering Bulgaria. With Bulgaria joining the Schengen area, dental vacations at Dentaprime will be even less complicated than they already are. The journey to Bulgaria is now even more pleasant for patients: with a flight time of just 2.5 hours and daily Austrian Airlines flights via the Vienna hub as well as direct 
On Thursday night, Izak Hamilton received a historic message on his cellphone.

The Clackamas Fire public-information officer was in his Sandy home, enjoying a root-beer float and playing a board game with his wife, their three kids and his oldest daughters boyfriend.

He set down his drink, turned away from the game and looked at the message at about 9:30 p.m. It told him Clackamas firefighters were responding to a report of a commercial fire on Timberline Road.

I asked myself how many commercial buildings are really on Timberline Road, he recalled. None. Until you get to the lodge at the top.

Then his cellphone rang. It was a battalion chief in the department, who confirmed that Timberline Lodge was on fire.

When I heard that I thought of some words I cant say out loud, said Hamilton, 47, who has been with the department for a decade. That lodge is part of Oregons history.

Its part of Hamiltons family history, too.

Its one of our favorite places, he said. My dad worked there when he was a kid. He did maintenance and janitorial work. Our family has been going there forever.

The massive ski lodge, a National Historic Landmark, was built in 1937 on the south slope of Mount Hood at 6,000 feet elevation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt dedicated the Works Progress Administration project on Sept. 28, 1937.

More than 86 years later, Hamilton left his home in a department-issued vehicle, traveling with family memories and his awareness of what fire could do to the grand wooden structure.

I just wanted the fire stopped, he said. We needed to save one of the symbols of who we are in Oregon.

Hamilton arrived at a chaotic scene and quickly took in the activity, the firefighters from various area departments hustling, working hard.

Guys from all departments rolled up their sleeves, he said. A well-organized mission. No one was standing around.

Hamilton soon learned that, before the firefighters arrived, the heroes were a couple of lodge employees.

They took the initiative, he said. They have hose racks that are part of the building, part of their fire-suppression system. They were up in the attic trying to stop and slow down the fire.

Hamilton felt relief when on-scene commanders reported the fire had been contained to the roof and attic, and that it soon would be completely extinguished.

The extent of the damage to the building is not yet known; the insides of the lodge were soaked during the battle to stop the flames. The U.S. Forest Service is leading the investigation into the cause of the fire.

Hamilton arrived home at 2:30 a.m. Friday, exhausted, emotionally as well as physically.

Ive been on some big fire calls, he said. Technically, this wasnt big. But this is one call I will never forget.

-- Tom Hallman Jr. is a member of the public safety team. Reach him at 503 221-8224; thallman@oregonian.com
Yahoo brings you the biggest talking points of the day as reports emerge Israel has launched an attack on Iran.

Yahoo's live news blog has concluded for Friday, April 19.

A 16-year-old boy has now been charged with a terrorist offence after allegedly stabbing a bishop in a Sydney church.

Bondi Junction Westfield officially reopened to shoppers, where those visiting were urged to respect workers and not ask them about the tragic events of Saturday, where six people were killed in a stabbing frenzy.

Reports have also come through that Israel has launched a missile attack on Iran. Read the latest information here.

Yahoo's live news blog will return on Monday.

LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER 12 updates Truckie's close call after mechanical issue Have you ever wondered what these ramps at the side of highways are for? Well NSW Police have shown just how important they are following a truck driver's terrifying ordeal. Early this morning a truck began experiencing mechanical issues on a 110km/h stretch of the M1 Motorway north of Sydney and the vehicle was unable to stop by itself. Luckily, it was able to come to a halt at the top of a safety ramp, as seen in the pictures below. Police say they have caught several drivers parking at the base of the ramp. Drivers are prohibited from doing so and the offence can result in a $302 fine. "Today's incident highlights the potentially tragic consequences of disregarding this rule," Traffic and Highway Patrol said. The truck was thankfully able to stop at the top of the ramp. Source: NSW Police

'Enormous concern' bird flu will spill over to humans The World Health Organisation says there is "enormous concern" bird flu will spill over to humans. An outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, which has a high mortality rate in humans, began in 2020 has led to the deaths or killing of tens of millions of poultry. The virus has since spread within several mammal species including cows and goats, with experts now fearing it is more likely to be past on to humans. This remains I think an enormous concern, WHO chief scientist, Jeremy Farrar, told reporters. Yahoo's Environment Editor Michael Dahlstrom has covered the outbreak extensively and you can read his related stories below. Grave fears deadly bird flu to rip through millions of penguins after 'concerning' discovery Bird flu toll rises sparking concerns of a new pandemic: 'We need to be concerned' New Zealand prepares for threat of avian influenza as virus spreads to Antarctica

Flights suddenly turn back after reports of missile attack Flights have been cleared from the western side of Iran following reports of a missile attack by Israel. Iran's Fars news agency reported three explosions were heard near an army base in the central city of Isfahan, Reuters reported. The city's airport has reportedly been closed, as have airports in Tehran and Shiraz. Some international flights, as pictured in the X post below, made sudden U-turns as it moved away from the airspace. Commercial flights have been grounded in Iran's western and central regions. With reports that Israel has struck targets within Iran, airports in Tehran, Shiraz, & Isfahan are NOTAMd closed until 0700 UTC (subject to extension). Flights have also been cleared from the western half of Iran.



Some flights currently returning to origin. pic.twitter.com/FUxFVIeyow  Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) April 19, 2024

Israel launches missile strike on Iran, reports Reports are emerging Israel has hit Iran with a missile strike. Iranian state media reported an explosion in the centre of the country days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel. Read more here.

Four dead as ute hits tree In a disturbing update from police in Western Australia, four people, including a nine-year-old boy, have died after a ute they were travelling in struck a tree. The silver Nissan Navara utility left the Great Eastern Highway at Clackline, east of Perth, in the early hours of Friday morning and hit the tree. "Tragically, the four male occupants of the vehicle, aged 45, 21, 19 and 9, sustained catastrophic injuries and died at the scene," WA Police said. Investigations are ongoing and police are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.

Adorable kangaroo photo warms Aussies' hearts What a picture this is from South Australia. Royal Flying Doctor Service volunteer Mick Young said the kangaroo just wanted a bit of "human interaction". Read the story behind the adorable moment here. It doesn't get much sweeter than this. Source: Dave Rose/Facebook

Notorious Chinese newspaper issues warning to Australia One of China's most notorious tabloids has now taken a swipe at Australia, telling Canberra it needs to stop conjuring up an "imaginary war" alongside the US. It comes after the Albanese government revealed its national defence strategy and confirmed its defence budget would increase by $50 billion. The revelation was blasted by China's foreign ministry a day before the Global Times warned Australia about its "miscalculations". China and Australia have no historical grudges or fundamental conflicts of interest, and China has no intention of treating Australia as an enemy, but it is always described as a threat by Australia, the Global Times has now said. Read more here. Anthony Albansese (left) and Xi Jinping (right). Source: Getty

McDonald's' brutal blow to unlucky customer Vinnie Deluca says she's been stitched up by McDonald's. Source: Getty/ CTV Toronto Spare a thought for this unlucky McDonald's customer after the fast food giant confirmed hundreds of tokens she'd collected are now worthless. Canadian Vinnie Deluca collected 416 full loyalty cards over a number of years, each which entitled her to a free hot drink, CTV Toronto reported. Each card is complete with seven stickers that are given with every coffee purchased, meaning Deluca has bought nearly 3,000 coffees at McDonald's. However McDonald's changed their rewards scheme and offers are now exclusively redeemable on its app. McDonald's says it will not honour any of the tokens, stressing it gave ample warning to customers to use tokens before the change. Do you think that's fair from McDonald's? Have your say below.

Bondi Junction knifeman Joel Cauchi described as 'delusional' over brothel offer Bondi knifeman Joel Cauchi was described as "delusional" by a former brothel manager over his attempts to become a sex worker. Cee Rodriguez told the Daily Mail Cauchi, 40, made an informal and sloppy application to work at the brothel she managed near the Bondi Junction Westfield shopping centre. She said she only entertained the unusual application after he said he was willing to offer his services to men as well as women. "If he hadn't said men I would have just laughed. I would have sent a laughing emoji and blocked him," she said. "But since he said men and because I know the demographic and some of the clientele and their requests, I entertained the idea of a booking-only arrangement." Cauchi also advertised his services as a male escort online. Photos used on escort profiles reportedly offering Joel Cauchi's services. Source: Nine News

Bondi Junction business owner 'terrified' to reopen With shoppers set to return to Bondi Junction Westfield today, one business owner has revealed he is "terrified" to start back less than a week after the fatal stabbing spree. Im very nervous and actually I feel a bit sick in the stomach and Im still a bit terrified, to be honest, hair salon owner Bill Mohana told Today. Visitors to the shopping centre have been urged not to ask workers about the attack, with the day expected to be confronting for many who were there last Saturday when Joel Cauchi stabbed multiple people, killing six. Read more here. Bill Mohana will reopen his salon today, but is terrified to do so. Source: Nine

Brittany Higgins' first post after rape verdict Brittany Higgins has posted on social media for the first time since a Federal Court judge found her former colleague Bruce Lehrmann raped her. Justice Michael Lee ruled that to the civil standard  that is the balance of probabilities  Mr Lehrmann had lied and had sex with Ms Higgins on the couch of Senator Linda Reynolds office in 2019 when she was too drunk to give consent. His ruling meant Mr Lehrmann lost his defamation battle against Network 10 and journalist Lisa Wilkinson. On Thursday, Ms Higgins posted a story on Instagram noting that submissions had opened for an Australian Law Reform Commission inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence. Read the full story here. A judge ruled earlier this week Bruce Lehrmann raped Brittany Higgins in 2019.

Teen charged after allegedly stabbing bishop The 16-year-old boy who allegedly stabbed a bishop at a Sydney church has been charged days after the attack on Monday. Police allege the teen attacked the 53-year-old bishop and another priest during a live-streamed service at the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on Monday. He allegedly travelled up to 90 minutes from his home to allegedly carry out the attack. He has been charged with committing a terrorist act under Commonwealth law. Read the full story here. The alleged stabbing was broadcast online. Source: NCA Newswire

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Ahlstrom Begins Consultation Process to Divest or Close Its Bousbecque Plant

The Bousbecque plant in the north of France focuses on producing parchment specialty materials. The plant has an annual capacity of approximately 12,000 tons and has 117 employees. The Bousbecque plant in the north of France focuses on producing parchment specialty materials. The plant has an annual capacity of approximately 12,000 tons and has 117 employees.

April 19, 2024 (Press Release) - Ahlstrom has launched today a consultation process with employee representatives at its Bousbecque plant in France about the possibility to divest or close the plant and to centralize parchment paper production to its Saint-Severin plant in France to ensure the long-term future and competitiveness of the specialty materials business.

The Bousbecque plant in the north of France focuses on producing parchment specialty materials. There is overcapacity in parchment and increasing competition. The plant has an annual capacity of approximately 12,000 tons and has 117 employees.

Despite thorough review of different options, Ahlstrom has not been able to find solutions that would enable it to continue operating the Bousbecque plant. Therefore, after having carefully studied all possible scenarios, Ahlstrom is now planning to move production from Bousbecque to Saint-Severin plant, planning to divest the Bousbecque site and if a buyer cannot be found considering closure.

This plan would allow Ahlstrom to centralize all its parchment paper production activities on the Saint-Severin site, which would help reduce production costs and improve competitiveness.

"We are committed to examining all potential options to minimise any possible social consequences, as we understand that this is a difficult time for our employees at Bousbecque. In the absence of viable solutions, we pledge to work closely with our other sites, the municipality of Bousbecque, the Northern French region and all stakeholders to provide full support to all our potentially impacted employees," says Guillaume Latourrette, Vice President of Ahlstrom's Global Food business.

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. The company serves five end markets, which form the basis for its five divisions: Filtration, Food & Consumer Packaging, Healthcare, Building Materials, and Technical Materials.

SOURCE: Ahlstrom
Approximately 200 students at the University of Texas at Austin interrupted a virtual faculty council meeting led by university president Jay Hartzell on Monday.

Students at UT Austin Protested Opposing University's Decision

They were opposing the university's recent decision to lay off almost 60 employees who worked in diversity, equity, and inclusion-related roles.

When Hartzell and other university officials joined the meeting, they were confronted by numerous students displaying a black background with the message "No DEI = Not Our Texas" in red letters.

Christian Mira, representing UT Austin's Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Color Agency, emphasized the students' demand for transparency, communication, and support from Hartzell regarding compliance with State Bill 17 and the changes affecting the campus.

The layoffs, which predominantly affected people of color, queer, and trans individuals, were announced by Hartzell on April 2, following the closure of the Division of Campus and Community Engagement and the discontinuation of DEI-supportive programs.

Critics of the layoffs expressed frustration and disillusionment, particularly highlighting the impact on marginalized communities. The university's swift backlash included demands from faculty, students, and organizations for accountability and a reversal of the firings.

Students lamented the loss of supportive programs and expressed sadness and uncertainty about the future. The protest against the DEI changes garnered significant support, with hundreds signing a letter demanding transparency from university and state officials.

The layoffs at UT Austin and similar actions at the University of Texas at Dallas were attributed to compliance with Texas legislation SB 17, which bans DEI initiatives in higher education.

Faculty members who opposed SB 17 during the legislative session expressed frustration at the university's failure to safeguard jobs as promised. The community's trust in university officials has been severely shaken by these developments.

The university's actions are driven by compliance with Senate Bill 17, which prohibits DEI initiatives at public universities in the state.

President Jay Hartzell stated in an email that the institution anticipated these changes and recognized the need to utilize resources effectively to support teaching, research, and students.

Read Also : West Virginia University Student Union Asserts That Struggle Persists After Program Cuts

Protesting Students Call for Transparency and Effective Communication

The protesting students emphasized their demand for transparency and communication from President Hartzell.

Other public institutions in the state are also under pressure to demonstrate compliance with the law, with warnings from State Sen. Brandon Creighton about potential funding consequences for non-compliance.

Critics like Karma Chavez, chair of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies, said the layoffs blindsided and angered many, largely impacting Black, brown, queer, and trans staff who provided vital resources to underrepresented students.

Programs supporting undocumented, multicultural, and women students were also affected. Faculty, students, and advocacy groups have swiftly condemned the cuts.

The university's AAUP chapter demanded reversing the "discriminatory" firings that violate free expression. The Texas NAACP sought transparency, while the Legislative Black Caucus criticized the decision.

As campus morale plummets, protesters insist Hartzell be held accountable, with graduate student Zion James saying, "We don't know what to do...or how to move forward." Students who rely on the now-defunct support services feel adrift.

The conflict highlights the tensions arising from Texas' new restrictions on DEI initiatives in public higher education.

Texas is among five states that have recently passed legislation targeting DEI programs, with at least 20 others considering similar measures.
It's rare for orcas to be travelling through this part of Western Australia in April, one wildlife photographer has explained.

An orca pod with a brand new calf off the Exmouth coast in Western Australia's northwest cape. Source: Ningaloo Aviation

Aussie wildlife enthusiasts living in an ultra-remote part of the country are rejoicing after spotting a brand new orca calf  the first born in the area in three years.

Striking images snapped by scenic flight and photography group Ningaloo Aviation captured a series of incredible shots showing an orca pod with a brand new calf off the Exmouth coast in WA's northwest cape. Dazzling images show the baby with its family swimming and playing in the pristine water  a "rare sight in April".

Tiffany Klein from Ningaloo Aviation spoke to Yahoo News Australia about the "adorable" discovery.

The little one is the first to be born in the spot in three years. Source: Ningaloo Aviation

"It's the first baby that's been spotted in three years, the last one didn't survive and the one before that was two years prior to that and sadly that one also didn't survive," Klein told Yahoo.

'Adorable' orca calf first to be born in the area in three years

"We really hope this one makes it, he's still little, so he's got a while to go yet, but we really hope he survives. They don't come around too frequently," she added, pointing to the fact that orcas typically give birth every three or so years, with a pregnancy span of about 17 months.

Klein said the discovery was "super exciting" for the locals, who keep track of the different orca families in the area. "We do keep track of them up here, all of them have different families. Our local researcher has been studying them for about 20 years, and has a family tree of all the different pods.

"Every time one gets seen, they identify which pod it's from. We don't know who the mother is of this calf, but we know which family group it belongs to  the little one's super cute, really, really cute."

Cute photos but nature is brutal, wildlife photographer says

While the photographs are undoubtably adorable, they also serve as a reminder of how brutal nature can be.

Klein said it's so rare to see orcas at the spot in April because they normally travel to the area in July and August when humpback whales are in town, to feed on their young.

Local wildlife researchers know all about the different orca pods that visit the area. Source: Ningaloo Aviation

"They come up to feed on them, so that's quite pleasant," she joked, adding that nature can be savage.

"So yeah, because there's no humpbacks here at the moment. It's not common to see them right now, which is why it's so special."

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A Maryland teen has been taken into custody for supposedly threatening mass violence, with investigators disclosing proof implying plans for a shooting at a school in Montgomery County.

Maryland Teen Accused of Threatening School Shooting

Eighteen-year-old Alex Ye, also known legally as Andrea Ye, from Rockville, was arrested on Wednesday after the findings of a 129-page "memoir" he allegedly authored. The document reportedly contained descriptions of potential shootings at both a high school and an elementary school.

Although Ye initially claimed the writings were fiction and included a disclaimer stating they did not represent his beliefs, a witness who had seen the writings contacted authorities in early March, citing significant similarities to Ye's life and expressing concern that he might be planning an imminent attack.

Ye later referred to the writings as "his memoir" during discussions with law enforcement.

Authorities, upon investigation, noted that the writings contained elements of both fiction and non-fiction. According to court documents, the witness informed police that Ye's "memoir" featured a transgender protagonist named "James Wang," whose experiences mirrored aspects of Ye's own life, particularly instances of bullying.

While Ye identifies as male despite being biologically female, according to police records, the writings included detailed plans for carrying out a shooting, with specific references to targeting classrooms perceived as easy targets and even considering an attack on a former elementary school due to the perceived vulnerability of young children.

Police also uncovered concerning social media activity and internet searches by Ye, including inquiries about nearby gun ranges and descriptions of firearms.

Chat records indicated conversations in which Ye discussed thoughts of carrying out a school shooting, expressing escalating levels of homicidal ideation.

There is no indication in the documents that Ye had access to firearms at the time of his arrest. He has not yet entered a plea and is currently awaiting a bond hearing.

Read Also : Chicago Mass Shooting Resulted in Death of 8-Year-Old Girl and 10 Others Injured Including Children

Teen Had History of Mental Health Treatment

Ye, an active student at Wootton High School, had been participating in virtual classes since late 2022, according to Montgomery County Public Schools. He has a documented history of receiving inpatient mental health care, with reports of expressing thoughts of violence and undergoing emergency evaluations.

One counselor who worked with Ye reported that he discussed violent thoughts, including shooting up the school, with apparent enthusiasm and a desire for fame stemming from such an event.

Investigators claim Ye purchased a BB gun on Amazon and intended to provoke a confrontation with law enforcement, resulting in "suicide by cop."

Authorities learned of the document in March from an individual Ye met at a psychiatric facility. Charging documents reveal Ye had undergone mental health treatment in recent years.

Police obtained a warrant to search Ye's Rockville residence and seized electronic devices containing searches for gun ranges, AR-15 rifles, and murder-suicide information. No one responded at Ye's residence on Thursday.

Numerous students expressed relief at Ye's arrest, stating they were unfamiliar with him but found the situation unsettling.

Ye is currently detained at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, awaiting a bond hearing. Details regarding his legal representation were unavailable at the time.

Montgomery County police and Montgomery County Public Schools have bolstered security measures at schools, authorities confirmed.
Mickey Bell, who released his sophomore project, Live from the Paramount, on April 1, found an unconventional route to comedy Amidst the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, he found himself teaming up with GRAMMY Award-winning artist Jason Crabb, traveling around to assist churches in reopening. I did about 120 dates during COVID, which is crazy, Bell reminisces. Thats when I got to actually work on my craft.

Bells comedic chops shine in navigating the delicate balance of humor within the confines of religious settings. In the church world, not everybody has a good sense of humor, he notes. But Ive learned to find that line, especially as a clean comic.

The Alabama-native found that church people will laugh about their denominations, their own personal quirks, but frequently draw the line at jabs at their political candidates. He also says that even though he is a clean comedian who frequently appears in nightclub settings, a church setting requires an extra layer of caution.

If you went into churches and did what people do at comedy clubs, thats considered clean comedy, he says. But some people still call that sacrilegious. So, I have to have an extra bath. That was one of the hardest things for me to learn, knowing where that line was, because that line is determined by each individual, not the specific location of where you are.

Beyond the laughter, the comedian has a deeper message to shareone of struggle and redemption. Bell has been transparent with his personal battle with mental illness, a journey that led him from the pulpit to the stage.

I didnt know that I was supposed to talk about my feelings, he admits. But Ive realized that my platform is more than just comedy. Its about reaching out to those who feel unheard.

His decision to incorporate mental health advocacy into his comedy sets him apart, offering a safe space for those grappling with similar issues. I want my concerts to be considered a safe place, Bell emphasizes. People come because they know I understand.

The release of  Live from the Paramount marks a milestone in his career, garnering praise and reaching the number one spot on iTunes comedy charts. Yet, Bell acknowledges the challenges of maintaining originality in an era of social media saturation. People feel like they already know your show because theyve seen clips online, he explains.

Despite these challenges, Bell remains steadfast in his commitment to his craft. My material is going to be online either way, he says. Id rather control it and make a little bit off of it.

Indeed, Bells resilience and adaptability shine through in the face of adversity. He credits the COVID-19 pandemic for catapulting many comedians into the spotlight, showcasing the power of humor in times of crisis.

With Live from the Paramount, now streaming on digital platforms, Bell invites audiences to laugh, reflect, and be inspired with the hope of redemption and restoration.
Meta has launched Meta.ai, an AI-specific site that has a cool hook that its competitors dont offer: It can generate images in real time, and even animate them on demand.

There is a catch, however: Meta would really like to continue improving Meta.ai, and to do so its only offering image generation if you sign into your Facebook account.

Meta joins other LLMS or AI chatbots like Google Gemini, Microsofts various flavors of Copilot, Anthropics Claude AI (used within Discord), and other sites offering AI solutions. Meta.ai feels like more of the same, though with some limitations: It cant accept uploaded documents, but it can summarize websites or web pages. Of course, it has creative purposes, too: It can also be used to write or rewrite text, as many other services can as well.

Technically, Meta is upgrading Meta AI as well as launching the site itself. Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg announced the addition of the Meta.ai site on Threads  which is also owned by Meta  as well as the upgrade to the LLaMA 3 model. Meta launched LLaMA in February 2023, and publicly released the 65-billion parameter model. LLaMA 3 will be open-source, as well, Zuckerberg said.

But theres more: Were making Meta AI easier to use by integrating it into the search boxes at the top of WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, Zuckerberg added. In other words, expect Meta AI to be all over your social media.

Meta.ais amazing powers of AI art

The coolest thing about Meta.ai is its image generation  which is also its most problematic, if you dont really want to tell Facebook what youre making images of, or dont subscribe to Facebook or Instagram in general. But the image progression might be unlike anything youve ever seen. If youre familiar with how Google or Bing starts auto-generating suggestions as you type, Meta does almost the same thing  except its drawing the actual pictures as you type, too.

A screenshot of Meta.ai as the prompt is entered. When its done, four images are shown. A screenshot of Meta.ai as the prompt is entered. When its done, four images are shown. Mark Hachman / IDG A screenshot of Meta.ai as the prompt is entered. When its done, four images are shown. Mark Hachman / IDG Mark Hachman / IDG

It does so at blazing speed, even if the eventual image doesnt necessarily come out as sharply as some of the final images. When completed, Meta generates four 12801280 images, which can be highlighted or shown off at a larger size. Theyre all downloadable, and all come watermarked with an Imagined by AI watermark. The images can also be edited after completion, which makes changes to the finished product.

The other feature Meta offers, however, is the ability to animate each of the resulting images This isnt anything like Runway or Sora; instead, Meta.ai generates a few frames of video before and after the original image, like a GIF. The process took at least 30 seconds to a minute on my screen. (On a second try, it seemed to lock up and didnt complete after several minutes.)

I asked Meta.ai to animate this image of a parrot dressed as a noir private eye. I asked Meta.ai to animate this image of a parrot dressed as a noir private eye. Meta.ai I asked Meta.ai to animate this image of a parrot dressed as a noir private eye. Meta.ai Meta.ai

One has to wonder if Meta, as the owner of Facebook, will allow AI art to be generated on Facebook as a way of generating misinformation. A quick effort to try and draw Donald Trump generated a non-specific error message. But any image that you create can still be downloaded and the watermark cropped out.

Meta.ai has enough to offer that wed recommend that you try it out. But I think its fair to say that its long-term impact wont be on Meta.ai, but on the other properties Facebook owns.
Genser Energy, a Ghanaian-owned independent power producer, has extended heartfelt appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the successful construction of a 110-kilometre natural gas pipeline.



This critical infrastructure will power the 250-megawatt Kumasi 1 Thermal Power Plant (K1TPP) and future plants (500MW AKSA, 330MW CENIT), marking a significant advancement in the country's power sector.



The gas transmission infrastructure, spanning from Prestea to Anwomaso, stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and Genser Energy Ghana Limited.



This milestone achievement underscores the pivotal role played by various stakeholders, including the GNPC, financial institutions (Stanbic, absa, dbsa), the Land Valuation Board, Energy Commission, local chiefs and communities, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and the mining companies (Gold Fields) whose balance sheets were used to finance the project.



Constructed with 12,000 steel pipes imported from the US, the Anwomaso Gas Pipeline, spearheaded by Genser Energy, aims to supply the plant with natural gas sourced from the Western Region. Divided into three phases, the 420km network stretches across key regions, promising to enhance Ghana's power sector and provide affordable energy to support regional industries.



Commissioning the gas pipeline on Wednesday in Anwomaso in the Ashanti Region, His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, touched on the importance of government policy support for the private sector in industrial development, echoing sentiments for increased private sector involvement in national growth agenda.



It is about time government should be content with policies and private sectors should be involved in setting up industries. It would work that way and therefore attract more investments into the country, he said.



Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister of Energy, lauded the contributions of his predecessors and emphasised the government's commitment to ensuring abundant electricity supply in the country. He credited the partnership with Genser Energy for furthering this agenda.



Expressing gratitude for the collaborative effort, Nana Otwasuom Osae Nyampong VI, the Board Chair of Genser Energy, affirmed the company's commitment to delivering energy solutions not only to Ghana but also beyond. He urged the government to facilitate the utilisation of private capital for national development initiatives.



Also at the commissioning was Jonathan Oppenheimer, the executive chairman of Oppenheimer Generations, who underscored the critical role of energy in national growth and commended Genser Energy for its commitment to delivering sustainable energy solutions.



Without energy, so much is not possible and Genser is about bringing affordable, practical and deliverable energy to Ghana. The process of building a gas conversion point here are all signals to what we want to do in terms of sustainable long-term project in delivering sustainable energy solutions to this country and its neighbours, he stated.



For his part, Baafour Asiamah-Adjei, Founder and CEO of Genser Energy, urged communities and the general public to help protect the right-of-way of the gas pipelines, highlighting their significance in revitalising the industrial hub of the Ashanti Region.



Genser Energy, a diversified energy company with operations in West Africa, stands poised to continue its contributions to the region's energy landscape. With over 200MW of installed capacity and a distribution network of over 420km of natural gas pipelines, the company remains dedicated to providing reliable energy solutions to support economic growth and industrial development.

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.

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Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has praised the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for his immense contribution to the development of Ghana, particularly Otumfuos role in maintaining the peace the country is enjoying.



Speaking in an Opemsuo Radio interview shared on X on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, former President Kufuor described the Asantehene as a wise man who is respected by all persons across the political divide.



He said that because of Otumfuos wisdom, actors in Ghanas political landscape listened to him and this has saved the country from trouble, especially during the 2016 general elections.



The former president recalled how the overlord of the Ashanti Kingdoms intervention averted potential political violence.



The 2012 or 2016 election almost turned messy at a point. But the Otumfuo intervened and all the factions in the elections accepted the results presented by the Electoral Commission.



If not for that things were getting very difficult, he said in the Twi dialect.



Watch the former presidents remarks in the video below:





The 2016 election which almost ended in chaos was resolved easily by Asantehene - Fmr. Prez. J. A. Kufuor.#opemsuoradio pic.twitter.com/3fGnnJbh5m  Opemsuo Radio (@OpemsuoRadio) April 17, 2024

















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.

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By Anusha Bayya and Leonard Greene, New York Daily News (TNS)

NEW YORK  The young squatter couple accused of beating a Manhattan woman to death and stuffing her body in a duffel bag went on a wild shopping spree, got engaged while on the lam and even bought a diamond ring with the victims credit card to seal the deal, authorities said Thursday.

After fleeing to Pennsylvania and crashing the victims Lexus they stole from outside the murder scene, Halley Tejada, 19, of Manhattan, and Kensly Alston, 18, of the Bronx, used the victims credit cards to go on a spending spree that included Apple AirPods, clothing, food, a PlayStation 5 and the ring, according to prosecutors.

Alston, despite the trouble she was in, fancied herself in love, authorities said. The couple had just celebrated her 18th birthday and wound up engaged by the time they were apprehended.

Tejada and Alston were charged Thursday in the death of Nadia Vitels inside the victims late mothers apartment on E. 31st St. near Third Ave. in Kips Bay.

Tejada was escorted out of the 17th Precinct stationhouse dressed in a black shirt, gray sweatpants and flip-flops.

Im innocent, Im innocent, he told reporters.

Never, he said before he was driven away.

Cops believe that the squatters were in Vitels mothers apartment, which had been vacant for a few months, when the 52-year-old woman showed up on March 10 to prepare the pad for a family friend to live in. The victims arrival apparently caught the squatters by surprise and they attacked her.

Vitels son found his mothers body, her foot sticking out of the duffel bag in a closet, as they frantically searched the apartment four days later.

An autopsy revealed that victim Nadia Vitels died from blunt force trauma to the head, the citys Medical Examiner said, ruling her death a homicide. (New York Daily News, TNS, file)TNSDaily News

Police believe the squatters had been there for a few days before Vitels came to the apartment after arriving from Spain.

Kensly Alston and Halley Tejada allegedly murdered Nadia Vitels in her own apartment while she was moving in to start a new chapter of her life, said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. I send my deepest condolences to her friends and family as they continue to mourn her loss. My office will secure justice for Nadia Vitels.

After allegedly beating the woman to death, the couple stole her Lexus and drove to Pennsylvania, where they crashed the vehicle in Lower Paxton Township, about 30 miles from where they were apprehended, police said.

They spent the next week wandering around the area, going to multiple car dealerships trying to purchase a car for $1,000 which they (were) unable to do, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

After the Pennsylvania crash, authorities let them go because they did not know about the body in the apartment yet. The couple took advantage of the break and celebrated their nine-day Pennsylvania jaunt with a spending spree, courtesy of their victim, Clerkin said.

Ms. Alston explained how good their life had been in Pennsylvania, she said.

Clerkin said security footage captured Alston and her accomplice as they walked around the secure lobby to gain access to the New York building, pausing before entering Vitels apartment as if waiting to see if anyone was inside.

The last time Vitels was seen on surveillance footage was March 12 at 11:30 a.m. She was walking with her dog. The victim was never seen alive again, Clerkin said.

Alston and Tejada were each charged with second-degree murder, burglary, robbery, criminal possession of stolen property, grand larceny and concealment of a human corpse.
Joyce Park Williams is getting closer to making kimchee as common as ketchup.

The founder of Kimchee Girl recently sold her Fresh Market at Hershey Towne Square food stand to devote more time to her growing condiment company. Williams last day at the market is April 27.

She said she sold the physical market stand and equipment, but not Kimchee Girl.

In fact, Williams said shes making good on her promise to grow the homemade Korean condiment brand into a household name. By late summer or early fall, Williams said Kimchee Girl will be carried at seven Giant stores throughout central Pennsylvania.

Kimchee is a condiment made from fermented cabbage that is predominantly used in Korean cooking.

Williams said Kimchee Girl recently completed a build-out for a 2,300-square-foot kimchee production facility in Mechanicsburg.

Kimchee Girl produces three kimchee varieties sold in jars including Napa cabbage, cucumber and Korean radish. Unlike traditional kimchee, Williams version doesnt contain fermented shrimp paste, so its vegan. It is also gluten-free, probiotic-rich and all-natural.

Inspired by her late mother, Yang Sun Park, who passed from lung cancer in 2013, Williams created the company using a homemade family recipe. Growing up, Williams said her family would make homemade kimchee, a laborious process that took all week. Her parents legally immigrated from Seoul, South Korea in the early 1970s and arrived in New Cumberland.

They grew all of the ingredients for the kimchee, made from Napa cabbage and Daikon radish with seasonings such gochugaru, scallions, garlic and ginger.

Kimchee Girl was one of the first vendors when the Fresh Market opened in 2022. The stand carries kimchee as well as ready-to-eat items including beef short ribs, bulgogi beef and bibimbap.

Fortunately, Williams said Kimchee Girls popular Korean barbecue menu will still be available at occasional pop-ups, outdoor markets and festivals in the area.
Visitors in Hershey can see several new animals up close and personal.

Fern, a new mountain lion, joins ZooAmerica, while two new seals and a sea lion are part of Hersheyparks Aquatheatre.

Fern, a female lion, arrived in Hershey from Orondo, Washington in January 2023. Living behind the scenes at the Animal Health Center, she was finally introduced to the zoos male mountain lion, Rainer, in December.

...(Fern is) about a year-and-a-half old. She came to us early last year, but she is loving her time here at the zoo, with her new (male) resident roommate, Rainier, said Katie Hess, ZooAmerica general curator.

Fern is a ball of fire. She is so active, so playful. She definitely knows that she wants to be the boss but Rainier definitely puts her in her place.

The pair are now living together in the zoos habitat where they can be seen playing and laying near each other on the rocks. Visitors will be able to see them as part of the zoos Party for the Planet, an Earth Day celebration, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 20.

The celebration will feature animal encounters, rock painting to create a snake, a nature play area, a sustainability scavenger hunt and educational opportunities at more than one dozen vendor booths.

Nearby, Hersheyparks Aquatheatre, in partnership with Ocean Connections, welcomed three new marine mammals with special needs in December 2023.

This spring, harbor seals Scooter and Satara, and female California sea lion Reese join three other harbor seals and one sea lion as part of Our Friends From The Sea performances.

We were joined by three new animals in mid-December. ...(Scooter is) 27 years old. He actually did develop cataracts at a young age, and so it does impair his vision but it doesnt slow his training at all. So we just modify how we work with him, said Jackie Beiler, supervisor of marine mammal training and husbandry from Ocean Connections.

Satara is an Atlantic harbor seal, shes a female, a little smaller than Scooter-(hes) the big guy. Sataras going to be turning 30 years old next month. In the wild they only live 10-15 (years), but at zoos and aquariums they can live into their late-30s, early 40s.

Satara, she actually in 2020 was diagnosed with West Nile virus. There isnt a lot known about it in seals other than it can often be fatal. We have veterinary teams all over the world working closely with us and she is doing remarkable.

Reese is a California sea lion. She is eight years old. Shell be turning nine this summer. She was born with a natural defect which is a small esophagus. So getting her to eat fish when she was a little pup was a little bit harder for her. We overcame that with a lot of time and training with her and now she eats really well and comfortably and is growing all the time.

Hersheypark is open through May 19 for spring hours. Daily operations begin on May 23.

ZooAmerica is included with a Hersheypark ticket only by entering the Zoo from the bridge inside Hersheypark during posted Park hours.
Antiquities repatriation fosters deeper China-U.S. cultural exchanges

08:17, April 19, 2024 By Yang Shilong ( Xinhua

NEW YORK, April 18 (Xinhua) -- A treasure trove of 38 pieces of Chinese cultural relics, once lost but now on the cusp of returning to their ancestral homeland from New York, serves as a poignant symbol of the profound bond and goodwill shared between the American and Chinese people.

The sentiment was conveyed at a ceremony of the handover of the relics, held on Wednesday at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, attended by Li Qun, China's deputy minister of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, along with Chinese Consul General in New York Huang Ping, and Matthew Bogdanos, chief of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

This return marks a significant step in the ongoing cooperation between China and the United States in protecting and repatriating cultural heritage.

Returned Chinese cultural objects are seen at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, the United States, on April 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

IMPLEMENTATION OF SAN FRANCISCO VISION

In his remarks at the ceremony, Li, who is also director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA), said that the renewed cooperation between China and the United States in cultural relic returns signifies mutual trust and progress in artifact repatriation efforts.

China will continue to actively fulfill the memorandum of understanding with the United States on preventing the illegal entry of Chinese cultural relics into the United States, and work with the United States to establish a sound mechanism for information sharing on stolen relics, contributing the wisdom and strength of both countries to safeguarding cultural heritage and promoting mutual understanding through cultural exchanges, Li said.

Huang noted that the event is a positive implementation of the San Francisco Vision reached by the leaders of both countries in November last year and will greatly enhance cultural exchanges and friendship between China and the United States.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations, and it is hoped that people from all walks of life in China and the United States will continue to work together to promote stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations, said Huang.

Bogdanos emphasized the significance of the return of these cultural relics in fostering cultural exchanges.

"I haven't met half of the people in this room, and that doesn't matter because for cultural heritage, what it does is it brings us all together, and all the differences melt away when we consider the shared cultural heritage of all humanity," Bogdanos said.

"We recognize two of the most important aspects to cultural heritage -- one is a reminder that we have far more in common than you might otherwise believe from all the headlines you read. And the second is that we have far more in common when we roll up our sleeves and get to work returning these antiquities where they belong because that's our only goal," said Bogdanos.

China's Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism and head of the National Cultural Heritage Administration Li Qun (2nd R) and Matthew Bogdanos (2nd L), chief of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, sign documents at a handover ceremony of returned Chinese cultural objects at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, the United States, on April 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

HUMANITY'S COMMON CULTURAL HERITAGE

Most of the 38 pieces of cultural relics returned Wednesday are Tibetan Buddhist artifacts from China, dating from the Yuan to Ming and Qing dynasties, with a rich variety and exquisite craftsmanship. Among them, ivory carvings, wooden sculptures, and fragments of murals are particularly rare and hold significant historical, artistic, and scientific value.

"China sincerely thanks the United States for its extensive efforts in promoting cultural relic returns, and we highly appreciate the professionalism demonstrated by our American counterparts in this endeavor," Wen Dayan, director general of NCHA's international cooperation department, told Xinhua after the handover ceremony.

Wen said this marks the third successful cooperation in cultural relic returns between the NCHA and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office (the other two were in May 2023, and September 2021), and it is also the first successful collaboration between Chinese and U.S. government departments since the renewal of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on preventing the illegal entry of Chinese cultural relics into the United States in January this year.

The MoU between the two countries, initially signed on Jan. 14, 2009, has been extended for the third time, starting from Jan. 14 this year.

So far 504 pieces or sets of Chinese cultural relics have been delivered in 15 batches from the United States to China.

Returned Chinese cultural objects are seen at the Chinese Consulate General in New York, the United States, on April 17, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

"China has always been committed to preventing and combating the illegal trafficking of cultural property through expanding government cooperation. It fully demonstrates the unremitting efforts and close cooperation of both countries in protecting humanity's common cultural heritage, setting a positive example globally," said Wen.

Bogdanos agreed. "Every one of these ceremonies that we have, where we are able to return looted antiquities to their homeland, whether it's China or any other country, for us, it's always a celebration," Bogdanos told Xinhua following the event.

"It's a celebration of what we have done, but it's also a reminder of how much we still have to do, because for every antiquity you see here that's being returned, there's another dozen that are still out there waiting for us to find, to seize, and to return to the country of origin," said Bogdanos.

"We are willing to work with the United States and other countries around the world to further strengthen cultural heritage exchange and cooperation, including preventing and combating the illegal trafficking of cultural property, making more active contributions to protecting humanity's common cultural heritage, and promoting mutual understanding through cultural exchanges," said Wen.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
It's not every day you see interactions with Aussie wildlife quite like this one.

Royal Flying Doctor Service pilot Mick Young has revealed the touching story behind this viral image taken with a kangaroo. Source: RFDS/ABC

An Aussie pilot has revealed the touching story behind a "beautiful" viral photo that captured hearts all over the world, showing the volunteer hand-in-hand with a curious kangaroo.

Royal Flying Doctor Service volunteer Mick Young said he was working at an airbase in Port Augusta in South Australia earlier this month when "this young female roo wandered quietly up" and began interacting with him and a colleague.

Young said that off-camera, the kangaroo actually first "introduced" herself to his colleague, Dave, placing her "head on his right shoulder" and her "paw on his left shoulder". Moments later, she turned to Young, when the now-viral image was snapped.

Curious roo 'wanted human interaction'

"Dave gave it a pat, but unfortunately we didn't get that bit of footage," Young told ABC News Breakfast. "We weren't quite sure what was going on  we thought 'maybe it needs a drink' so we grabbed some water and gave it a drink, but you could see that wasn't its primary focus.

"It really just wanted human interaction, and that started [us] questioning whether this was actually a wild kangaroo or an orphan-raised one that got away. The slight hint of shampoo gave it away, it had more meat on it than I had. It was obviously a pet.

"Once it interacted with Dave it walked around and I put my hand out.. and that's the footage you've seen  it was a nice moment."

It doesn't get much sweeter than this. Source: Dave Rose/Facebook

'Nice moment' not the first time roo sought human company

Young said that wild kangaroos wouldn't normally ever approach humans in this manner, unless they were extremely thirsty. "Certainly not put their paw in your hand and introduce themselves, it's not a common thing really," he said.

"It was quite funny, I saw her a couple of times [after], there's actually some footage of her in the terminal at the airport here, that was taken about a week later, where a young lady was opening up the terminal and [she] wandered in.

Mick Young said he suspects the roo grew up in captivity and was more than happy to 'introduce itself' to himself and a colleague. Source: ABC

"I'm sure i've seen it a couple of times bounding across the road. Different to the way other kangaroos would, this was bounding like it hadn't run before. It's obviously relishing its freedom out of the yard it had grown up in."

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Maulik Pancholy, who appeared on the popular NBC comedy 30 Rock, released a statement on Instagram after his planned appearance at a central Pa. middle school in May was canceled by an 8-0 vote by the Cumberland Valley School Board because of his lifestyle choices and role in activism.

Pancholy, 48, came out as gay in 2013 and travels to schools to advocate against bullying, promote inclusion and more.

On Monday evening, I learned via social media that the school board of the Cumberland Valley School District in Pennsylvania voted 8-0 to cancel my scheduled author visit with the students of Mountain View Middle School due to concerns about my activism and what they called my lifestyle.

My heart goes out to the entire Mountain View Middle School community, and particularly to the students, Pancholy said in an Instagram post.

The motion to cancel Pancholys speech at the middle school was brought up by Bud Shaffner, a Cumberland Valley School Board member from Hampden Township, during a meeting on Monday.

If you research this individual, he labels himself as an activist, said Shaffner. He is proud of his lifestyle, and I dont think that should be imposed upon our students  at any age.

Pancholy has spoken as an advocate at many different events, but since writing two books aimed at middle-school-aged students, he has made frequent appearances at schools across the country.

Both of my books  The Best At It (Stonewall Honor Winner) and Nikhil Out Loud (Lambda Literary Award Winner)  are stories that reflect the full, complicated, and wonderful lives of middle school students.

As a middle schooler, I never saw myself represented in the stories around me. I couldnt find books that featured South Asian-American or LGBTQ+ characters. They didnt exist.

And when I set out to write my own novels so many years later, I was still hard-pressed to find those stories. Its why I wrote my books in the first place. Because representation matters, his statement said.

Pancholy called out the school board directly, saying his books are meant to help middle school students feel included.

When I visit schools, my activism is to let all young people know that theyre seen. To let them know that they matter. When I talk about the characters in my books feeling different, Im always surprised by how many young people raise their hands  regardless of their identities and backgrounds  wanting to share about the ways in which they, too, feel different.

Thats the power of books. They build empathy. I wonder why a school board is so afraid of that? he said.

Pancholy also thanked everyone for an outpouring of solidarity, love, and support from the community at Mountain View Middle School, and wished love and support to every student at Mountain View Middle School.

He ended his statement by saying, To each of you: I see you. I appreciate you. You matter. No one can take that away from you.

Also on Thursday, the Cumberland Valley School District administration, including superintendent Mark Blanchard, released a letter voicing its disapproval of the boards decision.

Without a real opportunity for administration to answer questions and/or provide guidance, the Board made a decision that has had significant ramifications for our school community, especially for our students and staff who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, the letter  signed by Blanchard, assistant superintendents Robyn Euker and Greg Milbrand, and others  said.

No one should be made to feel that who they are is less than anyone else. Mr. Pancholys visit would have reinforced for our students the importance of treating all people with dignity and respect, even if we disagree with or do not understand something about them.
A driver was found dead in a car that local police said plummeted into a western Pennsylvania reservoir early Friday.

Peters Township police in Washington County said they were called to the Boone Reservoir around 12:30 a.m. after a resident reported hearing a loud crash into a guardrail, reported KDKA-TV.

Police said the guardrail was heavily damaged and there was debris in the water below, leading them to conclude a vehicle had gone into the water.

Divers located the car, which was pulled out of about 8 feet of water, KDKA reported. The driver was the only person found in the car.

The county coroner told the Washington Observer-Reporter that the driver was pronounced dead at 6:36 a.m. The name of the driver has not been released pending notification of the family.

The car was towed from the scene at 8 a.m.
WILLIAMSPORT  Two men arrested nearly four years ago in an investigation into a Lewisburg business the government alleges was a front for the manufacture of illegal narcotics have pleaded guilty.

Damonico Henderson, 59, of Elyria, Ohio, and Terry Harris, 50, of Philadelphia, entered their pleas Thursday in U.S. Middle District Court, each to a charge of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

The respective plea agreements state the parties agree the appropriate sentence would be the mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison followed by five years supervised release along with a $10,000 fine.
State police are investigating human remains that were found in an abandoned western Pennsylvania building on Thursday and a local mother wants to know if its her missing daughter.

In a statement, state police said that police in Aliquippa, Beaver County, called them shortly before noon after the remains were found in the building on Fifth Avenue.

There was no information released on how the remains were found or who discovered them, but a source told WPXI-TV that a tip that led to the body came from a jail inmate.

Sources told KDKA-TV that the body was in an advanced state of decomposition.

West Virginia resident Ronda Duke told WPXI that her 24-year-old daughter, RiKiah Griffie, lived with her boyfriend nearby when she disappeared in October 2022.

This is right where she went missing, a block away is where they found a decomposed body, said Duke, who has given her DNA to investigators.

I just dont want it to be my child, Duke said, so thats why I dont know how to feel exactly.
The state's Department of Environment, Science and Innovation said the body of a 16-year-old boy was retrieved yesterday afternoon at Saibai Island.

A teenager has died after being attacked by a crocodile in Queensland's Far North.

The state's Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) said the body of a 16-year-old boy was retrieved yesterday afternoon at Saibai Island, having sustained fatal injuries "consistent with a crocodile attack."

It's understood the boy was attempting to swim to safety after the dinghy he was travelling in with a 13-year-old companion broke down. The younger boy was able to make it to shore, but the older boy did not return from the water.

The crocodile involved is estimated to be around 3.5 metres in length. Source: Getty

Queensland Police said a formal identification process is underway to confirm the identity of the body, and "further testing is underway to confirm the cause of death", though they agreed with DESI in that it appeared a crocodile was responsible.

DESI said they believe the animal in question to be 3.5 metres in length.

"DESI extends its condolences to the family and friends of a teenager who died in waters off Saibai Island early yesterday morning," a spokesperson told media. "DESI wildlife officers have been assisting the Queensland Police Service in the response to this incident and have confirmed the boy suffered injuries consistent with a crocodile attack.

"Wildlife officers will survey the waters off Saibai Island by helicopter this afternoon in an attempt to locate the crocodile involved. The local community has requested the animal involved in the incident be removed from the wild."

Saibai Island is a small island located in the northwestern Torres Strait, around 140 kilometres from the northern tip of Cape York in Queensland and just four kilometres south from the Papua New Guinea mainland.

Police will address media with regard to the incident at 1pm AEST on Friday.

More to come.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories.
Trump thought that he would never stand trial and now that reality is setting in, he is not taking it well.

Trump said:

In New Hampshire, Im supposed to be in Georgia. Im supposed to be in North Carolina, South Carolina. Im supposed to be in a lot of different places campaigning.

But Ive been here all day in a trial that really is a very unfair trial. These are all stories. This is over the last few days from legal experts. This is Wall Street Journal experts and it is a story from experts saying how this is not a case. The case is ridiculous. This is another one of the cases. Theyre ridiculous. Trump indictment. Its missing fraud. There is no fraud. Its stories.

Trump later claimed that Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg is the real fraud.

Video:

Trump: I am supposed to be in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, a lot of places campaigning but Ive been here all day pic.twitter.com/VjOEQ5fWpp  Acyn (@Acyn) April 18, 2024

The ex-president continues to tell the same lie over and over again that he would be campaigning right now if he wasnt on trial. The truth is that Trump barely was on the campaign before the trial. Trump has only been campaigning one day a week and that is on Saturdays.

Donald Trump is not incarcerated. He can still campaign. There are 24 hours in a day.

Trump wasnt campaigning before the trial, and he isnt campaigning now.

The former president never thought that he would be tried on any of these charges, and he is finally realizing that accountability has arrived.

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For the first time in 16 years, the cities of Auburn and Syracuse, along with other local governments in New York, will receive a state aid increase.

The 2024-25 state budget agreement includes $758.1 million for the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities program, a $43.4 million increase. AIM funding is the main source of unrestricted state aid for local governments.

A breakdown of how much more cities like Auburn and Syracuse will receive wasn't immediately available.

The increase is a victory for local leaders, including Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino and Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion, who advocated for more state aid. Giannettino made it one of his top priorities after taking office in January, while Marion released a report detailing how the lack of additional state aid affected Syracuse's budget.

"This is an important step in the right direction to right-sizing the investments New York must make in our cities," Marion said.

AIM was established under Gov. George Pataki. Auburn, Syracuse and other local governments received increased aid in the first two budget cycles after the program's inception. But state aid was slashed during the Great Recession and then frozen under Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Beginning with the 2011-12 budget, total AIM funding has remained at about $715 million annually. Syracuse received $71.7 million every year, while Auburn got nearly $5 million.

Over the years, local government leaders unsuccessfully lobbied for more funding. The Auburn City Council passed resolutions requesting a state aid increase, but the final state budgets would not include additional financial support.

This year was different. The New York Conference of Mayors once again pushed for the state aid increase. Elected officials, like Giannettino and Marion, explained why their municipalities needed more state support. State lawmakers were supportive, with the Assembly and Senate including increased AIM funding in one-house budget plans.

"This is a significant step in that the governor and legislature have finally recognized that AIM is vital funding for cities," Giannettino said. "After all these years of lobbying we have finally been heard."
Trump and his lawyers are now trying to get the judge to block ex-White House staffers from testifying against him in Manhattan.

Jose Pagliery of The Daily Beast was in the courtroom and posted:

I *think* the judge just said he'll address that as it comes at trial. Next, the judge says he'll rule next week on Trump's claim that "he believes his conduct was legal because Cohen as an attorney negotiated the payments in question."  Jose Pagliery (@Jose_Pagliery) April 19, 2024

Executive Privilege, which is where itis safe to assume Trump and his lawyers are going with this doesnt apply because it doesnt cover criminal activity. No matter how much Trump tries to make it so, Executive Privilege does not give presidents the right to commit crimes.

The second point raised by Trump and his legal team seems equally preposterous. A crime isnt suddenly legal if a lawyers assists in it commission. Although, the idea that Trump thought he could commit crimes as long as he had a lawyer involved is a very Donald Trump way of thinking.

With each passing moment that Trump spends in court, his attempts at evading justice seem to be getting more far-fetched and desperate. Trumps defense for years in this case has been to blame Michael Cohen, so it seems to be the plan to evade conviction by blaming Cohen.

A Special Message From PoliticusUSA

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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.

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Natural disasters like storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding and wildfires often bring out the best in people as strangers reach out to help others in need. Unfortunately, the aftermath of a crisis also brings out contractors taking advantage of those who have already been victimized. Read moreBBB CONSUMER TIPS: Protect yourself from 'storm chasers' after a natural disaster
Two of the better football teams in Region 7-5A, if not the best two, did battle on the first cool night of the season and the defensive units showed up ready to play. Read moreImproved defense on display for Gators in key region win
While the Columbia area is generally cheaper than other cities when it comes to home prices, the cost to buy a home has risen significantly in the last few years, making home ownership less and less attainable for young people. Read moreAs home prices across the country skyrocket, these Columbia neighborhoods remain affordable
The 2024-25 state budget agreement allows Gov. Kathy Hochul to expedite the closure of up to five prisons, but it's still not known which correctional facilities will close in the new fiscal year.

The public protection and general government budget bill authorizes Hochul to close the prisons with 90 days' notice to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

According to the legislation, the notice should include the list of correctional facilities that will close, the number of incarcerated individuals in each prison and the number of affected employees.

Daniel Martuscello, acting commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, will be required to report to legislative leaders on staff relocation within 60 days after the prison closures.

Hochul sought the authority to close more prisons in her state budget proposal. Under state law, prison closures require a one-year notice, but she wanted to expedite that process.

In his budget testimony, Martuscello told lawmakers that a "staffing crisis" was the main reason for the plan to close more prisons. At the time, he said DOCCS had 3,800 vacant positions, including 1,900 corrections officers.

The declining incarcerated population is also a factor, as it has been with past closures. DOCCS reports that the number of incarcerated individuals has decreased by 54.7%, from 72,649 at the population's peak in 1999 to 32,918 on April 1.

New York has closed 24 prisons and eliminated more than 13,000 beds since 2011.

"We are in a good position with excess capacity," Martuscello said in January. "We have 6,000 staffed vacant beds and an additional 6,000 beds which we've consolidated to try to alleviate staffing concerns. We can't consolidate any more, so closures is a way forward so we can make sure we use our staff more efficiently as well as provide the services to the population."

The plan to close more prisons has been criticized by some lawmakers and the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, a union representing corrections officers.

It's unknown which prisons will be in the latest round of closures. There are 44 prisons, including two in Cayuga County: Auburn Correctional Facility, a maximum-security prison in the city of Auburn, and Cayuga Correctional Facility, a medium-security prison in Moravia.

State legislators are beginning to vote on the budget bills after Hochul and legislative leaders settled most budget issues. The state Assembly and Senate passed the public protection and general government budget bill on Thursday.
ORANGEBURG  South Carolina State University's administration is walking back most of its proposal to cut a number of the universitys history and education bachelors degree programs, and it approved new engineering degrees during an April 18 Board of Trustees meeting.

The shift comes after the proposed deletions were met with skepticism and protest from some students and professors, who defended the programs' importance and pushed for more faculty involvement in decision-making.

First brought to the universitys Board of Trustees for final approval in December, the cuts would have eliminated undergraduate degrees in history, special education, art education, social studies and dramatic arts.

The proposal stemmed from university leadership looking to replace those programs  which had faced low enrollments and graduated few students  with higher-interest degrees.

The board in December hesitated to approve the deletions, voting instead to table the measure indefinitely. At the time, university President Alexander Conyers said he planned to bring the proposal back to the board.

But after a board of trustees meeting April 18, Provost Frederick Evans told The Post and Courier his office is no longer recommending the board cut most of the degree programs. Staff drilled down into the enrollment data, he said, and found that the figures for some programs were not fully accurate.
COLUMBIA  The University of South Carolina immortalized the three Black students who permanently integrated the Columbia campus in 1963, unveiling a 12-foot statue of the trailblazers at the apex of its historic Horseshoe.

In black granite and bronze, it depicts Robert G. Anderson, Henrie Monteith Treadwell and James L. Solomon Jr. stepping down from the Osborne administration building on Sept. 11, 1963 after registering themselves at USC.

Treadwell, successfully sued in 1962 to be admitted into the university, allowing the three to become the first Black students to attend USC since Reconstruction, when Black students were admitted starting in 1873 until the campus was temporarily shuttered by the state in 1877. When it reopened in 1880, it was again an all-White institution.

"I take great pride in knowing that in some small way, 60 years ago, I legally opened a door," Treadwell said at the April 19 unveiling ceremony, recalling that she registered for classes "not with fear, but at times holding my breath."

The statue, based on a photo taken by a photojournalist from The State newspaper, was sculpted by Basil Watson, a Jamaican sculptor who has also designed a sculpture of Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta.

Anderson, Treadwell and Solomon are framed by two incomplete and broken black columns, which Watson said represent the "institution, and its history and its way forward."

The steps supporting the three students are embedded with books, representing USC's foundation of knowledge, and they're "armed with their papers, that represent their passport to their university and their passport to the world of knowledge."

"USC is a historic university, but it's also a modern university," university President Michael Amiridis said. "Our relevance depends on our ability to look forward and to move forward. To do this, we must soldier the truths of our past.

"Today, we do this by welcoming a long-awaited moment, to celebrate and honor the irresistible ones, and to thank them for their continuing gift of paving the pathway of education for the tens of thousands of students who followed them and continue to follow them here at our campus," Amiridis continued.
All Charleston County School District board members heard updates on the Fiscal Year 2025 budget at the boards committee of the whole meeting on April 15.

Chief Financial Officer Daniel Prentice and Superintendent Anita Huggins shared progress on developing the weighted student funding model proposed by Huggins in March, including developing guardrails around its potential implementation.

Weighted student funding is a model that has been adopted by a growing number of school districts around the country. Its intended to allocate school funds based on student demographics. CCSDs proposed funding formula would include pupils in poverty, multilingual students and children with special needs.

Experts have suggested that a key to the models success is the implementation of guardrails and clear-cut boundaries for principals to spend funds.

At the meeting, Huggins said weighted student funds may be used to bring in additional teachers and staff such as school counselors, psychologist or social workers. They can also be used for student health needs, materials, uniforms, translation services, and programs for students and parents.

She also said school principals may not use funds to pay for more than one administrative personnel position to ensure that funds are used specifically to support student outcomes. The money also cant be used to fund maintenance, construction, custodial or food services, out-of-state conferences, professional development, non-authorized partners or organizations, or IT devices and software.

The presentation also briefly touched on budget reductions. Huggins said that approximately 30 central staff positions will be cut, as well as purchased services. This will save the district $5.5 million.

Huggins gave no details about what these positions or services will be, since this was discussed in executive session with school board members at a special called meeting held the same day. Executive sessions are meetings that happen out of public view.
Nicole Ziege is a Local Government Reporter for The Post and Courier Myrtle Beach/Georgetown Times. She reports on government and education in Myrtle Beach and Horry County. She graduated from Western Kentucky University, and has previously reported on government and education in Eastern Kentucky.
GREENVILLE  The citys Design Review Board deferred a vote on plans for a 25-story tower at the most-prominent gateway into downtown Greenville, praising the developer for its goal of activating the beleaguered site but requesting more details.

If built, the tower would be the first development at the confluence of Beattie Place, Church Street and North Street since the Greenville Memorial Auditorium was demolished there in 1997.

The board voted 3-0 April 18 to defer Miami-based NR Investments request for site plan approval. The developer presented plans for landscaping, two pedestrian plazas and other ground-level details, but didnt include how the building would be shaped, which board members said was crucial to making a full decision.

The massing informs how the site is laid out, Board Member Jeff Tiddy said. Where you locate pedestrian areas, how much shading occurs  its more than just building height, its building shape.

Daniel Suarez de Puga, a representative for NR Investments, told the board the developer wanted a vote on the site plan separate from a vote on the massing, which they withheld to make some changes.

They wanted the vote on the site plan to avoid slowing down the development timeline. They had already scrapped one plan for the building, which the board approved in 2023, after costs rose.

Representatives for the project offered to present the current massing plans for context, but the board members declined.

Board Chair John Edwards said the board has a responsibility to be transparent with the public, and if they were to vote on the massing, which wasnt included in the agenda and could change, that might harm transparency.

Suarez said he respected the boards opinion, so they deferred the application to the May meeting. Instead of voting, the three present members offered feedback and asked questions about the designs, so at the following meeting the developer could provide more details.
Last Sunday, I was asked to bring the morning sermon for a wonderful church in the country called Mt. Lebanon Methodist. I had a dream recently about delivering a message and when I awoke, I went I into my office and asked God to please not let it dissipate before I could write down as much  Read moreThe dynamic bond of love and prayer
You know how Charlestonians get when they see snow falling? That was Pickens Rep. Neal Collins the morning Tropical Storm Helene arrived at his Easley home. He stood in his garage and shot video of the rain. I woke up before my 5am alarm with unexpected excitement, he posted on social medi Read moreScoppe: 'We are being manipulated by people who don't have our best interests at heart'
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North Carolina, USA & Adelaide, Australia, Apr 19, 2024 - (ACN Newswire) - Avance Clinical, the award-winning North American and Australian market-leading CRO for biotechs, will attend World Orphan Drug Conference in Boston (April 23-25, 2024) to share their rare diseases drug development expertise with biotechs (booth #730).Avance Clinical CEO, Yvonne Lungershausen said that Avance Clinical is dedicated to advancing research and ensuring faster access to therapies that can make a significant difference in patients lives.Avance Clinical has deep therapeutic knowledge of this area, completing over 50 trials in rare and orphan diseases globally in the last five years, including Fragile X Syndrome, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Rett Syndrome and Erythropoietic Protoporphyria, she said.Central to the companys success in this sector is collaboration with disease-specific advocacy groups, patient registries, and tailored recruitment strategies, to enhance patient enrolment and retention.Lungershausen said, We have an extensive understanding of the unique challenges in managing small patient populations. Our patient-centric approach places patients at the heart of our operations, ensuring optimal care through the selection of experienced sites and clinics.Avance Clinical engages with clients early in the planning process to tailor trial designs to accommodate the unique needs and challenges faced by patients with rare diseases, ultimately improving patient access to critical medicines, she said.Avance Clinical is adept at crafting adaptive, patient-focused protocols that adhere to regulatory standards. The companys innovative approach to study design, combined with over 26 years of experience in delivering FDA and EMA-quality data, positions Avance Clinical as a CRO capable of navigating the complexities of the regulatory landscape efficiently.Lungershausen describes Avance Clinical as a mid-sized, agile, and responsive CRO with a proven track record of swiftly advancing high-quality clinical programs. This makes us an ideal CRO partner for rare disease-focussed biotechs, she said.Avance Clinical is focussed on accelerating drug development for its biotech clients, from preclinical stages through to Phase III, she said.This is our GlobalReady program and we have more than 90 biotech clients leveraging this unique, streamlined multi-region process. With a globalized strategy, we ensure efficiency every step of the way, she said.Biotechs are looking for a partner that can seamlessly help transition rapidly with high-quality data that is readily accepted by the FDA and other regulatory agencies. Our in-house global regulatory affairs team assists biotechs to navigate regulatory complexities with confidence and support our clients with FDA, EMA and TGA submissions, she said.In addition, our GlobalReady Site Partnership Network of over 1,250 highly qualified sites across the United States ensures maximum efficiency and effectiveness in our biotechs clinical trials, particularly in rare and orphan indications, she said.New analysis by market research leader Frost & Sullivan shows one of the major challenges for biotechs was finding the right biotech aligned CRO partner.More than 60% of US biotechs experience delays seeking the right CRO partner to accelerate their drug development programs, Lungershausen said. (See report here).The comprehensive report underscores the increasing biotech preference to collaborate with the right sized CROs that can accommodate the fast-paced nature of biotech demands.Executive Vice President, North America Operations, John Mann, will attend the conference in Boston alongside Avances team of clinical trial experts, including Senior Vice President, Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Kevin Leach and Director of Business Development Clint Henry.Visit Booth #730 to discuss your upcoming clinical trial, and find out more about the Avance Clinical Advantage, supporting biotechs globally in their clinical development programs.Book a meeting with the team hereFind out more:Learn about the GlobalReady model here https://www.avancecro.com/avance-clinical-north-america-operations/ For more information about the benefits of running your next study with Avance Clinical contact usVisit Booth #730 to discuss your drug development program at the World Orphan Drug Congress in Boston, April 23- 25Media Contact:Avance Clinicalmedia@ avancecro.com Kate ThompsonAbout Avance ClinicalAvance Clinical is the largest premium full-service Australian and North American CRO delivering quality clinical trials, with globally accepted data, in Australia, New Zealand and the US for international biotechs. The companys clients are biotechs completing Phase I to Phase III of their drug development program that requires fast, agile, and adaptive solution-oriented clinical research services.Frost & Sullivan AwardsAvance Clinical, a Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific CRO Market Leadership Award recipient for the past four years, has been providing CRO services in the region for more than 26 years.Pre-clinical through to mid to late phaseAvance Clinical offers pre-clinical services with their experienced ClinicReady team right from pre-clinical consultancy through to Phase III clinical services leveraging global reach, supported by significant Australian Government incentive rebates of up to 43.5% and rapid start-up regulatory processes.With experience across more than 120 indications, the CRO can deliver world-class results and high-quality internationally accepted data for FDA and EMA review.TechnologyAvance Clinical uses state-of-the-art technology and gold standard systems across all functional areas to provide clients with the most effective processes. Medidata, Oracle, TrialHub, Certinia, Salesforce, Zelta and Medrio are just some of the technology partners.
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Averill & Reaney Attorneys at Law, based in St. Tammany Parish, has pledged $3,000 in support of local citizens affected by the tornado that struck Slidell on April 10th. Attorneys Matthew Averill and Brian Reaney, drawing from their experience representing residents with property damage claims, recognize the challenges faced by those impacted by extreme weather events.SLIDELL, LA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / In the wake of a tornado that struck Slidell on Wednesday, April 10th, Averill & Reaney Attorneys at Law has pledged a total of $3,000 to provide disaster recovery for local citizens.Averill & Reaney Attorneys at Law Averill & Reaney Attorneys at LawAttorneys Matthew Averill and Brian Reaney say their experience representing residents with property damage claims has given them a deeper understanding of the challenges and hardships faced by homeowners and small businesses impacted by extreme weather events in Louisiana."In times of crisis, it's crucial to come together and support one another," said Brian Reaney, partner and co-founder at Averill & Reaney. "Matthew and I are committed to helping members of our community find stability and security in difficult times, and that's true inside and outside the courtroom. Our hope is that these contributions can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have been affected by this devastating storm." Their donation will support local disaster relief efforts through the following organizations:Journey Fellowship's Convoy of Hope ministry received $1,000 to distribute food and clothing to tornado victims. Another $1,000 contribution was made to Keep Slidell Beautiful supporting their efforts to facilitate community-wide cleanup and debris removal. Samaritan's Purse and First Baptist Church Slidell received $1,000 to support their work providing essential goods and services, including chainsaw crews to help with debris removal.In addition to specializing in property damage cases, Averill & Reaney Attorneys at Law also assists clients in estate planning and creation of wills and offers representation for personal injury claims. Property owners who have questions about homeowners insurance claims or disaster recovery may visit arlawllc.net or contact Averill & Reaney (985) 378-8001 for additional information.Contact InformationMatthew AverillPartner, Co-Foundermaverill@ arlawllc.net (985) 378-8001SOURCE: Averill & Reaney Attorneys at LawView the original press release on newswire.com
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LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 /Boucher LLP, a prominent law firm based in Woodland Hills, California, is at the forefront of advocating for justice for victims of sexual assault, abuse, and institutional negligence. With a steadfast commitment to protecting the rights of individuals, the firm has demonstrated unparalleled dedication and prowess in handling a wide array of legal matters, including sexual assault and abuse cases, employment law disputes, and consumer class actions.Led by a team of seasoned attorneys, Boucher LLP has built a sterling reputation for its unwavering advocacy on behalf of those who have suffered at the hands of negligent institutions and perpetrators of abuse. Their landmark victory includes securing a monumental $660 million settlement against the Los Angeles Archdiocese, marking a significant step forward in holding accountable institutions responsible for the heinous acts of abuse perpetrated under their watch.One of the firm's notable cases involved representing 18 plaintiffs who were members of UC Berkeley's swimming team. Boucher LLP's tireless efforts not only brought justice to the victims but also shed light on the urgent need for reforms within institutional frameworks to prevent such atrocities from recurring.Headquartered in Woodland Hills, Boucher LLP also operates from a strategic location in San Francisco, further extending its reach and impact in advocating for the rights of individuals across California. Their offices serve as beacons of hope for those seeking legal recourse and representation in the face of adversity."We believe in holding wrongdoers accountable and securing justice for our clients," said Raymond Boucher, Founder and Senior Partner at Boucher LLP.In addition to their groundbreaking work in sexual assault and abuse cases, Boucher LLP's expertise spans a wide spectrum of legal areas, including employment law matters and consumer class actions. Their comprehensive approach to legal advocacy ensures that clients receive personalized attention and robust representation tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.As champions of justice, Boucher LLP remains steadfast in its mission to empower individuals, hold institutions accountable, and pave the way for a more just and equitable society. For more information about Boucher LLP and their legal services, visit their website at https://boucher.la or contact their offices at 818.340.5400.Contact Information:Raymond BoucherFounder and Senior Partnerboucher@ lawyermarketingexperts.com (818) 340-5400SOURCE: Boucher LLPView the original press release on newswire.com
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / For the team at Chemours, the communities where we operate are also where we live work and play, and our mutual success is one and the same. We invest time and resources in our communities to make a meaningful difference. That's the driving force behind our goal of building vibrant communities by investing $50 million in expanding access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, sustainable environment programs, and safety initiatives. One way we do this is through the Chemours Future of Engineering, Science, Trades, and Technology School Partnership Program (ChemFEST).Last year, Chemours Belgium joined hands with Technische Scholen Mechelen (TSM) to establish the company's first ChemFEST partnership outside of the US. This 3-year agreement was intended to promote the significance of STEM education and inspire students to explore their love for science and technology. Isabel Welters, a Nafion Technical Service Specialist at Chemours, led the multi-faceted plan to transform the school's STEM facilities, with plans to inaugurate the refurbished technical lab and classrooms by the second half of 2024.Beyond the ChemFEST partnership, Welters, in collaboration with the Belgium Chapter of the Chemours Women's Network (CWN), has been integral to other STEM-related activities. An event titled "Str@ffe Madammen" co-organized by Welters and the CWN saw participation from over 150 female students from TSM, who were provided with insights into career opportunities in STEM. Additionally, the team recently hosted a unique STEM day at the Mechelen plant for 40 students, showcasing their Coatings Production facilities and Technical Services.Back in our headquarters state of Delaware, the Chemours team recently celebrated an important milestone towards the opening of the Chemours STEM Hub at EastSide Charter School in Wilmington. After breaking ground on the facility in February 2023, Chemours team members joined with community partners and school officials to commemorate the placing of the final beam in the 24,000-square-foot facility.The Hub-expected to open by early 2025-will serve as a premier access point for STEM education and other development opportunities in the Wilmington community. Made possible in part by a $4 million grant from Chemours in 2021 through the ChemFEST program, the Chemours STEM Hub will offer public spaces for learning and improve access for more students from more backgrounds to be exposed to, excited by, and interested in STEM."We know that shaping the world's future requires great innovators and problem solvers from all backgrounds; it's why we are committed to taking action and championing change toward a more diverse STEM workforce. Through partnerships - like our ChemFEST school partnership program - we're helping to support future STEM talent by nurturing students and members of communities who have been underserved, under-resourced, and often overlooked," said Chemours Chief Brand Officer, Alvenia Scarborough.And earlier this year, the team at our Chambers Works manufacturing site in New Jersey continued a more than three-decades-long tradition of sponsoring the Salem County Science Fair. This science fair allows students to apply what they have learned in STEM education in hopes of advancing to the Delaware Valley Science Fair and beyond.Students concentrate on an area of special interest, collecting and analyzing data while following the scientific method and presenting their findings to volunteer judges.The various winners received a total of $2,500 from Chemours. This event sponsorship is part of a broader $275,000 Vibrant Community grant where the Chambers Works team partners with Salem Community College (SCC) and the local middle schools to support hands-on learning opportunities to instill a lifelong love of STEM.Brian Boettler, Chemours Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) Senior Consultant, leads the partnership on the site's behalf."Partnering with the local schools and community college is rewarding. We all contribute in our own way to help support the next generation, and that is on full display at the Science Fair," Brian explained.These are a few examples of Chemours' commitment to fostering greater interest and diversity in STEM careers by supporting students in our communities. We are proud to play a key role in shaping the future of our industry and making a positive impact on communities by inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Chemours Company on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: The Chemours CompanyWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/chemours-company Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: The Chemours Company
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Do you, or did you, own shares of Doximity, Inc. (NYSE:DOCS)?Did you purchase your shares between February 9, 2022 and April 1, 2024, inclusive?Did you lose money in your investment in Doximity, Inc.?Do you want to discuss your rights?NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationally acclaimed investor rights law firm, reminds investors of the deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in a securities class action lawsuit that has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the common stock of Doximity, Inc. ("Doximity" or the "Company") (NYSE:DOCS) between February 9, 2022 and April 1, 2024, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you purchased or acquired Doximity common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Doximity, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later thanJune 17, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.According to the Complaint, Defendants repeatedly touted the Company's business prospects and the sustainability of its revenue growth and profitability, while downplaying both the impact of competition and tightening macroeconomic conditions, as well as Doximity's reliance on "upselling" products and services (such as additional advertising) to existing customers to sustain performance and future growth.On August 8, 2023, after the market closed, Doximity provided disappointing guidance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 and slashed its guidance for the full fiscal year 2024. In conjunction with the disappointing guidance, Doximity announced that it would reduce its workforce by approximately 10%.On this news, Doximity's stock price fell $7.49 per share, or nearly 23%, to close at $25.30 per share on August 9, 2023.Then, on April 1, 2024, Jehoshaphat Research published a report alleging, among other things, that "Doximity's underlying sales . . . are declining at a negative -3-6% rate, but [] this decline has been masked through accelerated revenue recognition." On this news, Doximity's stock price fell almost 2%, closing at $25.80 per share on April 1, 2024.If you purchased or acquired Doximity common stock, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Doximity, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Investor Relations Manager Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years.ATTORNEY ADVERTISING.  2024 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.Contact Information:Peter AlloccoInvestor Relations ManagerBernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (212) 951-2030 pallocco@ bernlieb.com SOURCE: Bernstein Liebhard LLP
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New programs boost environmentally responsible travel and support economic advancement in local communities across the globeFollowing successful pilots, Expedia Group is now accepting submissionsSEATTLE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / Expedia Group announced the launch of two new programs - Destination Climate Champions and the Destination Giveback Initiative - both designed to support destination marketing and management organizations (DMOs) in becoming better environmental stewards and helping ensure travel is truly a force for good in their local communities. The new programs are aligned with Expedia Group's Open World social impact and sustainability strategy and its commitment to building resilient prosperity for destinations across the world."Responsible, sustainable travel means experiences that support local communities, while also protecting natural environments. Success requires collective effort - this is critical for the future of global travel," said Aditi Mohapatra, vice president of Global Social Impact and Sustainability at Expedia Group. "Many DMOs are eager to take proactive actions on sustainability and social impact but may need initial support to get there. Expedia Group has invested in two new programs to further our destination partners' capabilities, to transform local travel offerings, and empower travelers to make more responsible travel choices." Sustainability is a key value of travelers today. According to Expedia Group Media Solutions research, 90% of consumers already look for sustainable options when booking. And half of consumers would be willing to pay more for a trip if the travel options were more sustainable, meaning destination communities that offer more responsible tourism choices stand to enjoy economic benefits as well. [1]Taking Climate ActionExpedia Group has partnered with the Travel Foundation, a leading industry NGO, to launch a first-of-its kind educational program for DMOs called Destination Climate Champions. The online training course and peer learning network equips DMO staff with the knowledge and skills to serve as climate champions and incorporate a climate lens into their day-to-day work, while also creating a destination specific Climate Action Plan. The program further enables DMOs to communicate credibly with travelers about sustainable tourism in their destination and promote more eco-conscious travel.This program builds on Expedia Group's own commitment to greener travel and to reaching Net Zero emissions by 2040, all detailed in its Climate Action Plan released last year. Recognizing that many DMOs may lack the resources needed to create a tourism-specific Climate Action Plan, the course will help destinations better meet traveler expectations while building community and industry resilience to the impacts of climate change.The Destination Climate Champions program is being piloted with 30 destinations and three geographic cohorts across Europe, New Zealand, and the Northwest of the U.S. and Canada. The pilot cohorts began the training in February 2024 and the course will be available globally to additional DMOs later this year. There is no cost to participate; interested DMOs can register here."We are excited to embark on this transformative journey and support our DMO partners in this space," said Rob Torres, senior vice president, Media Solutions at Expedia Group. "We understand that for many of our partners, the topic of sustainability is an urgent issue to address, but is often complex, and it can be hard to know how to put words into meaningful action. Our partnership with Travel Foundation reflects our shared vision of a travel industry that prioritizes both people and the planet. We're providing DMOs with a step-by-step program that helps them to create a more environmentally-conscious approach to driving demand to their destinations." Giving Back to the CommunityTo further support destinations and local communities, Expedia Group has launched the Destination Giveback Initiative. Expedia Group makes donations to local causes identified together with its DMO partner on behalf of both parties, and provides support to local communities where they need it most while driving tourism growth. Depending on the destination's overall level of partnership, the selected cause may also receive extra promotion across Expedia Group's global marketing channels.As an example, Destination Canada is one of Expedia Group's most valued destination partners and engaged with the Destination Giveback Initiative in 2023 as part of their overall partnership. Expedia Group made a one-time donation of $100,000 USD to The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC). The fund offers a unique opportunity for travelers, Indigenous businesses and non-Indigenous companies to actively participate in and support Indigenous tourism development.To learn more about the Destination Giveback Initiative, contact the Media Solutions team here.To learn more about the Destination Climate Champions program, please visit here.About Expedia GroupExpedia Group, Inc. brands power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. Our organization is made up of three pillars: Expedia Brands, housing all our consumer brands; Expedia Product & Technology, focused on the group's product and technical strategy and offerings; and Expedia for Business, consisting of business-to-business solutions and relationships throughout the travel ecosystem.Expedia Group's three flagship consumer brands includes: Expedia, Hotels.com , and Vrbo. One Key is our comprehensive loyalty program that unifies Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo into one simple, flexible travel rewards experience. To enroll in One Key, download Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo mobile apps for free on iOS and Android devices. One Key is currently available in the U.S. and will become available globally soon.About Travel FoundationThe Travel Foundation is a leading global NGO that works in partnership with governments, businesses, and communities to develop and manage tourism in a way that maximizes the benefits for communities and the environment. Founded in 2003, it has since worked in over 30 countries around the world.VIEW ALL NEWSView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Expedia Group on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: Expedia GroupWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/expedia-group Email: info@3 blmedia.com
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / Cadence is thrilled to announce the eight recipients of Cadence's 2023 Latinx Students in Technology Scholarship and spotlight their outstanding achievements.Over the past three years, the number of applications for this scholarship has nearly doubled with each cycle, and we are excited to see this growth continue. Muchas felicidades to the selected students-each of our recipients is pursuing a technical degree and was awarded this scholarship based on their strong academic record, work in the community, leadership potential, and recommendations from professors. Get to know our impressive recipients in this short video and by reading more about their academic journeys below.Hear directly from the students as they dive into their personal experiences, post-graduation goals, and what drives them to shape the future of technology.Thank you to everyone who submitted applications this year. We hope to continue to reach STEM students from underrepresented groups with our upcoming scholarships. We also want to thank the talented individuals who were selected for sharing their inspiring stories and expressing how these programs have positively impacted their studies. We look forward to seeing where their passions take them next.Allison Delgado, Santa Clara University"As a child, I quickly noticed the stark difference in the availability of technology for the children in my mother's home country versus those around me in the United States. This imbalance of technology, crucial for medicine, education, and communication, made me realize that we are far from worldwide technological equity. This inspired me to study engineering so that I'd be able to share my perspectives and experiences to help bridge the technology access gap around the world." Emily Grace Arana, University of California, Davis"Perseverance and energy conquers all! If you have a vision or a dream, it can be accomplished as long as you're willing to put in the time. Your goals may not be accomplished on your desired timeline, but if you want it bad enough, it doesn't matter how long it will take. Reach out to your network and consider all of your resources, there is help for you out there!"Jimena Noa-Guevara, Oregon State University"I am exploring the data science and human-computer interaction tracks within the computer science discipline. After graduating, I plan to enter the workforce for a few years and continue learning about how technology contributes to our world. However, the notion of "why not?" follows me everywhere, and I want to show people from diverse backgrounds that anything you put your mind to can be done. Thus, my end goal is to become the CEO of my own company, because: why not?!"Jose Guajardo, University of California, Berkeley"My first exposure to STEM was through a summer program that I attended at a local university in my hometown of Laredo, Texas. Over several summers in middle and high school, I learned fundamental math and science and was introduced to engineering through a LEGO Mindstorms project. Looking back, it's hard to imagine that such a program was available in my hometown, and I have no doubt that it planted a seed that grew into my interest in electrical engineering." Rosalinda Garcia, Oregon State University"My advice to future STEM students is that community is key! Seeking out clubs or friends who understand your experiences is an important part of the support needed to persist and succeed. There are also folks in industry or with more experience who can relate to you and are more than happy to help you navigate toward your degree." Sarah Barreto Ornellas, Massachusetts Institute of Technology"After graduation, I plan to focus on research and development of new medical devices, in either academic or private institutions. I hope to apply the knowledge gained during my graduate studies to the development of new biosensors that are less expensive to manufacture and that can collect important health-related data to help providers make informed decisions or enable new diagnostics or therapies." Vinicius Cabral do Nascimento, Purdue University"You have the same potential as anyone else. You might have to work hard to catch up, but you are capable. Find student societies for underrepresented groups. Attend panels with professionals who are ahead in their careers and have gone through similar experiences. Their success will inspire, and their struggles are relatable. In the event of any friction, avoid assuming cultural differences are an irreparable alienating factor. Seek common ground, and don't put up barriers." Xiomara Gonzalez, University of Texas at Austin"As a recipient of this scholarship, I will be able to participate in conferences and professional development opportunities related to my field of study. These events are crucial for learning about the evolving demands for technology and innovative approaches to address challenges that arise. They also offer a rich environment where I can share my research and hear about others' experiences." Learn more about the Diversity in Technology Scholarship Program and check out our past recipients:2022 Latinx Students in Technology Recipients 2021 Latinx Students in Technology Recipients 2020 Latinx Students in Technology Recipients View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cadence Design Systems on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cadence Design SystemsWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cadence-design-systems Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Cadence Design Systems
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / GMV Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "GMV") (TSXV:GMV)(OTCQB:GMVMF) is pleased to report that it has closed a non-brokered private placement with the issuance of 2,706,667 Units at a price of $0.15 per Unit for gross proceeds of $406,000 with all securities issued having a four-month hold period which expires on August 20, 2024. The Private Placement remains subject to obtaining final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share at a price of $0.25 for a period of twenty-four months from the date issuance.No finder's fees were paid with this issuance.The net proceeds of the Offering will be used to advance exploration activities at the Company's 100% controlled Mexican Hat gold property located in S.E. Arizona, advance exploration at the Daisy Creek Lithium project, as well as for general working capital.About GMV Minerals Inc.GMV Minerals Inc. is a publicly traded exploration company focused on developing precious metal assets in Arizona. GMV, through its 100% owned subsidiary, has a 100% interest in a Mining Property Lease commonly referred to as the Mexican Hat Property, located in Cochise County, Arizona, USA. The project was initially explored by Placer Dome (USA) in the late 1980's to early 1990's. GMV is focused on developing the asset and realizing the full mineral potential of the property through near term gold production. GMV. Recently updated its National Instrument inferred mineral resource to 36,733,000 tonnes grading 0.58 g/t gold at a 0.2 g/t cut-off, containing 688,000 ounces of gold.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS___Ian Klassen, PresidentCautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking InformationThis news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's 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 as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. 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 information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.For further information please contact:GMV Minerals Inc.Ian KlassenTel: (604) 899-0106Email:info@ gmvminerals.com SOURCE: GMV Minerals, Inc.
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LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / Ilmor, a leading high-performance marine engine manufacturer, and GM Marine, a subsidiary of General Motors specializing in marine propulsion systems, are attending the SuperCat Fest West Boat Show in Lake Havasu City, a premier showcase for some the fastest pleasure boats in the world. This marks the next stop for Ilmor and GM Marine's 2024 collaboration.Close up of Ilmor's Supercharged 650 marinized version of the GM LT4 engineOn display will be the Supercharged 650 engine, Ilmor's marinized version of the award-winning GM LT4 engine. At the heart of the engine is the Eaton TVS Supercharger, spinning up to 20,000 RPM and producing over 9 pounds of boost, which is enough to create 650 horsepower and 665 lb-ft of torque. Developed under the collaborative expertise of Ilmor and GM Marine, the Supercharged 650 strives to provide an unparalleled boating experience through its power and reliabilityIlmor will also be displaying their MV8 570, an efficient, compact, and lightweight engine, in a beautifully dressed package. The naturally aspirated, high performance 570 HP engine is based around the GM Performance Parts modern LS architecture cylinder block. The MV8 570 utilizes sophisticated engine technologies, like variable valve timing, for overall enhanced performance, providing increased lower end torque and high RPM horsepower.This marks the second annual SuperCat Fest West, a premier showcase for some of the fastest pleasure boats in the world. During the week, attendees can expect to see these boats on display in addition to the enjoyment of casual Fun Runs, dock parties, and the annual Poker Run. On top of that, the event will look to surpass its charitable fundraising of $200,000 the year before. SuperCat Fest West is the place to be to see the pinnacle of marine speed.The event is set to kick off on Thursday, April 18th, at the Havasu Riviera Marina with events running throughout the weekend.Contact InformationKelly GrinnellGM Marine Brand Leadkelly.k.grinnell@gm.com Nicholas MatthewsIlmor Creative Marketing Specialistmatthewsn@ ilmor.com SOURCE: Ilmor EngineeringView the original press release on newswire.com
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

Volkswagen Anhuis first all-electric SUV ID. UNYX to appear at Auto China 2024

Volkswagen Anhui's first all-electric SUV model, the ID.UNYX (Chinese name: ), will make its debut at the Auto China 2024 in Beijing next week. Positioned as an A-segment electric coupe SUV, the new vehicle is set to hit the Chinese market later this year.

Photo credit: Volkswagen

DENZA to showcase Z9GT at Auto China 2024

DENZA, the high-end electric vehicle brand majority-owned by BYD, will showcase its strongest and most comprehensive product lineup in its history at this year's Auto China. Among them, the brand's first intelligent luxury flagship sedan, the Z9GT, will make its global premiere, featuring the brand-new proprietary technology, e.

Changan Automobile to launch semi-solid-state battery by end of 2026

During Changan Automobile's 2023 performance briefing, Chairman Zhu Huarong announced that the group's semi-solid-state battery is slated for launch by the end of 2026.

Dongfeng Forthing launches Xinghai new energy vehicle range, kicks off pre-sale for V9 MPV

On April 18, Dongfeng Forthing officially launched its new energy vehicle range, Xinghai (name in Chinese pinyin). The inaugural model from the range, the Xinghai V9 luxurious new energy flagship MPV, started pre-sale at the same time.

Li Auto puts Li L6 five-seater SUV onto market, starting at 249,800 yuan

On April 18, Chinese new energy vehicle maker Li Auto officially put its new five-seater SUV, the Li L6, on to the market. Available in two variants, the Li L6 Pro is priced at 249,800 yuan, while the Li L6 Max comes at 279,800 yuan.

FAW Group partners with DJI Automotive for intelligent driving tech development

On April 18, at the 5th China FAW Technology Conference held by Chinese automaker FAW Group, the company inked a strategic cooperation agreement with DJI Automotive, the automotive technology arm of DJI.

FAW Group, ECARX team up to build smart cockpit solution, Hongqi-brand smartphones

On April 18, at the 5thChina FAW Technology Conference, the Chinese legacy automaker FAW Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with ECARX, a smart mobility solution developer affiliated with Geely, focusing on intelligent cockpit development.

Hyundai to showcase various new models at Auto China 2024

From April 25 to May 4, Hyundai Motor will showcase its automotive technology and products at the 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (Auto China 2024).

Toyota's first China-made all-wheel-drive MPV hits market, starting at 299,800 yuan

On April 18, Toyota's first all-wheel-drive MPV manufactured in China, the Toyota Granvia 2024, went on sale officially.

China's in-car Ethernet chip supplier EtlChip closes Pre-A+ funding round

Recently, Nanjing EtlChip Microelectronics Technology Co., Ltd. ("EtlChip"), a Chinese in-vehicle Ethernet chip supplier, successfully completed its Pre-A+ round of financing, according to a post on the WeChat account of CASSTAR, the lead investor of this round.

Lynk & Co puts 08 EM-P 120 Long Range Plus edition onto market, with limited-time price of 179,800 yuan

Recently, Lynk & Co, the car brand jointly owned by Geely and Volvo Cars, announced on April 17 the Lynk & Co 08 EM-P 120 Long Range Plus hit the market as a new edition to the Lynk & Co 08 EM-P series.

XPENG AEROHT plans to build take-off and landing sites for flying car demonstration

On April 18, the Panyu District People's Government of Guangzhou City and XPENG AEROHT, an urban air mobility company and a subsidiary of XPeng Inc. ("XPENG"), signed the "Framework Agreement to Jointly Promote the Application of Flying Cars".
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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 /Klondike Gold Corp. ( TSX.V:KG)(FRA:LBDP)(OTCQB:KDKGF) ("Klondike Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to outline the 2024 exploration plan and review exploration potential at the Company's 100% owned Klondike District Property (the "Property") in the Dawson mining district, Yukon, Canada. Initial drill targets to be focused around recent drill discoveries in the Stander Zone including 90.55 g/t Au (2.91 oz/t Au) over 0.55 meters among others (see news release of January 15, 2024).Peter Tallman, Klondike Gold's President & CEO states, "Following from extremely promising 2023 gold discoveries, the Company in 2024 is positioned to deliver significant additional results to our shareholders in a favorable gold price environment. The Company's ongoing funded research, structural work, and evolved exploration model in 2023 led to new multi-ounce grade gold discoveries throughout the Property. The transformative drill discovery of high grade gold shear veining at Stander Zone, potentially a significant source of the famous 2 million ounce Eldorado Creek placer pay streak, will be drill tested first in 2024 among several high potential targets. The objective of this season is to successfully turn one or several of these new gold discoveries into substantial mineral resources and unlock the Klondike goldfields' world-class mineral wealth potential for our stakeholders." Klondike Gold's property covers 727 square kilometres ("km") and thus far hosts two bedrock gold deposits, "Stander" and "Lone Star", with total Indicated Resources of 469 thousand ounces and Inferred Resources of 112 thousand ounces using a gold price of US$1,700/ounce1. Additionally, in 2023 high grade gold prospects have been discovered adjacent and outside the existing Mineral Resource areas and along the unexplored 60 km southwest trending network of crustal faults (collectively the "Klondike Shear Zone") that controls gold mineralization within the Property.2024 EXPLORATION PLANField work has begun with drilling scheduled to commence in early May with one drill. Initial 2,500 meters of diamond drilling is planned to target the new Stander Zone discovery area of high grade (visible) gold shear veining over a 2km strike length, with focus on 500 meters outlined by 2023 discovery drilling to test the resource potential. Contingent upon initial drill results, up to 2,500 meters of follow up diamond drilling is contemplated to test the additional resource potential of high grade (visible) gold shear veining at Stander Zone. Surface mapping including detailed structural mapping and sampling is planned to follow-up of high grade (visible) gold veining discovered elsewhere along the Klondike Shear Zone throughout the Property. Contingent upon structural mapping and further sampling results, additional diamond drilling is contemplated to test further resource potential at Gay Gulch Showing or to test for high grade mineralization at other Showings or new discoveries. Prospecting and sampling is planned to target anomalous sites identified in the Klondike District Property by BLEG (bio-leach extractable gold) sampling survey with orogenic gold signatures (see News Release February 24, 2024) coincident with proximity to c.1900 gold-rush era mine workings identified by the Company in 2023 to locate new zones of mineralization. Updated mineral resources estimate is planned to begin in fall 2024 to include additional drilling results from 2022 through 2024 seasons. 2024 STANDER ZONE EXPLORATION DETAILThe 2024 drill plan will focus on follow up to the 2023 discovery of high grade (visible) gold shear veining over 350 meters strike length in four drill holes (see NR released January 15, 2024) within a 2km potential strike length based on subcrop high grade (visible) gold quartz samples.Six drill holes at Stander Zone are now interpreted to have intersected the gold shear (including four 2023 intersections now correlated with two from 2021) indicating a 350 meter strike length and 200 meter dip length with mineralized intersections all grading between 30.3 to 90.6 g/t Au (0.97 to 2.91 opt Au) over 0.5m to 1.5m width. All holes have significant halos of extensional sheeted veins' containing low grade gold.Table 1: Compilation of Stander Zone drilling intersections of Shear Vein to date.Hole IDFrom (m)To (m)Shear Vein Au (g/t)Shear Vein Au (troy oz/t)Interval (m)Section (m)EC23-50821.0521.6090.62.910.55585780EEC21-42442.6744.2036.61.181.53585780EEC21-42570.0071.0036.41.171.00585780EEC23-51092.7093.2038.21.230.50586120EHole IDFrom (m)To (m)Shear Vein Au (g/t)Shear Vein Au (troy oz/t)Interval (m)Section (m)EC23-51149.7850.3039.61.270.52586120EEC23-51498.6599.1530.30.970.50586275ETwo areas of subcrop quartz veining located 2 km apart are interpreted to represent the outcrop line of high grade (visible) gold shear veining. Six prospecting samples collected in 2023 of quartz containing visible gold assayed between 7.0 g/t Au and 74.6 g/t Au (see NR January 15, 2024) represent the at-surface expression of high grade (visible) gold shear veining intersected in 2023 drilling listed in Table 1. A very similar second area of quartz vein material with visible gold is located 2km to the northwest and was discovered by prospecting in 2020. Five prospecting rock samples of subcrop quartz vein material dug from a 5m by 10m area contained visible gold and assayed 77.8, 74.1, 58.9, 22.2, and 6.8 g/t Au. The strike and dip projection of gold bearing shear veins in six drill intersections includes this second area of 2020 gold quartz samples projected 2km to the northwest.UPPER ELDORADO CREEK PLACER LEASEThe Company has entered into a lease agreement with a private Yukon company whereby Klondike Gold assigns the rights and permits to placer mine on a portion of the Company's Upper Eldorado Creek Placer property totalling 34 contiguous claims covering the Upper Eldorado and Chief Gulch drainages. The lease is for a term of 3 years through 2026 and is renewable thereafter subject to approval by both parties. Klondike Gold will receive a direct 10% gold production royalty from any mining production on the Placer Property payable in raw gold. The Company holds a 10-year Class IV placer mining permit issued in 2022 expiring 2032 which includes this area. The Chief Gulch drainage lies 3.5 km along strike from the southwest end of known high grade gold mineralization at the Stander Zone. Exploration in the Chief Gulch drainage for placer gold deposits benefits the Company's overall exploration efforts.QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROLThe technical and s
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LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / GROZEO has appointed Latika Pathela as its new Head of Marketing for the UK. Latika is a leading figure in the e-commerce marketing space. Over a remarkable 13-year career, she has navigated complex challenges for a diverse portfolio of B2C and B2B clients. Her expertise in melding technology, creativity, and strategic insight to sculpt successful brand narratives positions her as an invaluable addition to the GROZEO team.As Head of Marketing at a startup university in London, Latika demonstrated her prowess in developing and implementing comprehensive go-to-market plans, leading to a significant uplift in applications and enrollments. Her strategic direction contributed to an increase in applications within a short period and played a pivotal role in rebranding initiatives, which saw notable growth in undergraduate and master's enrollments.In line with Grozeo's commitment to prioritising retailers, Latika is focusing her efforts on enabling them to thrive in the digital marketplace. Her plan includes offering a full spectrum of support that goes beyond merely enabling online transactions. It extends to delivering a suite of services that cover marketing, logistics, and inventory management. The strategy emphasises improving customer engagement and loyalty by upgrading the ecommerce platform's interface and introducing a customer loyalty scheme. Latika's goal is to not just fulfil but surpass the contemporary expectations of users, employing digital-first marketing tactics to strengthen relationships with consumers and enhance the brand's valueUnder her guidance, GROZEO is set to redefine its marketing approach, emphasising the integration of advanced analytics, creative campaign execution, and strategic stakeholder engagement to achieve business objectives. This comes at a crucial time as we face increased market competition. Latika's focus on developing and executing campaigns across bought, earned, and owned media is expected to enhance GROZEO's presence in domestic and international markets, reflecting the company's core values of innovation, integrity, and customer satisfactionLatika's arrival at GROZEO marks a new chapter in her illustrious career and a testament to the brand's mission of empowering businesses and consumers through cutting-edge e-commerce solutions. As GROZEO continues to expand its reach and impact, Latika's leadership and innovative marketing strategies are not just anticipated but expected to play a critical role in shaping the future of e-commerce technology.About GROZEOGROZEO is at the forefront of the e-commerce technology industry as an innovative ecommerce website builder. It is dedicated to providing innovative solutions that empower retail businesses and enhance consumer experiences. Our commitment to innovation is evident in our continuous investment in research and development, as well as our strategic partnerships with leading technology providers. With a focus on leveraging the latest technologies to create seamless, efficient, and engaging ecommerce platforms, GROZEO is committed to driving growth and success for its clients and partners worldwide.Contact Details:Name - SandeepWebsite - https://grozeo.com/ Email - htsyndication@ htdigital.in SOURCE: GROZEO
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Dan Swoish, Reverse Mortgage Specialist, Leads Seniors to Financial Freedom, Redefining Retirement PlanningORANGE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / April 19, 2024 / Dan Swoish, a dedicated Reverse Mortgage Specialist at Longbridge Financial, is changing the landscape of retirement planning through the strategic use of reverse mortgages. With a deep-seated passion for empowering seniors and an extensive background in finance and retirement, Dan is committed to unlocking the doors to financial freedom for retired homeowners.A Personal Journey to Financial EmpowermentDan Swoish's journey in the finance industry is driven by a single mission: to ensure that every senior can enjoy their retirement years with dignity, comfort, and financial security. "Many homeowners are unaware of the incredible benefits a reverse mortgage can offer," says Swoish. "From eliminating monthly mortgage payments to providing tax-free income, the potential to improve seniors' lives is immense." The Untapped Potential of Reverse MortgagesReverse mortgages stand as a beacon of hope for many seniors struggling to maintain their lifestyle in retirement. By eliminating monthly mortgage payments, these financial tools can significantly improve cash flow and offer a lifeline to those burdened by financial constraints. The flexibility to use the proceeds for a wide range of needs - from healthcare expenses to home repairs, or even purchasing a new, more suitable home - makes reverse mortgages a versatile solution for many challenges that seniors face today.Moreover, the guarantee that the value of a reverse mortgage credit line will increase over time provides a reassuring buffer against future financial uncertainties. "It's not just about providing financial solutions today," explains Swoish, "but securing a prosperous and stable future for our seniors." A Call to Action: Discover the Path to Financial FreedomDan Swoish invites seniors, their families, and financial advisors to explore how reverse mortgages can transform retirement planning. "Let's dispel the myths and uncover the true benefits of this powerful financial tool together," Dan encourages.For anyone interested in learning more about reverse mortgages and how they can be the key to a worry-free retirement, Dan offers personalized consultations. Together, you can explore how a reverse mortgage might fit into your or your loved one's financial strategy.Book Your Consultation with Dan Swoish TodayDon't miss the opportunity to unlock a brighter, financially secure future. Contact Dan Swoish at Longbridge Financial for a comprehensive consultation, and take the first step towards embracing retirement with confidence and freedom.Contact Information:Dan Swoish, NMLS#1646467 Reverse Mortgage Specialist Company: Longbridge Financial, NMLS#2369412 Location: Orange, California, United States Phone: (949) 633-6499 Email: dswoish@ longbridge-financial.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danswoish/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dswoish/Contact InformationDan SwoishNMLS#1646467 Reverse Mortgage Specialistdswoish@ longbridge-financial.com (949) 633-6499SOURCE: Longbridge Financial, LLCView the original press release on newswire.com
Bobriskys journey has been anything but ordinary, but heres a surprising twist in his backstory. Did you know he was arrested and paraded by the police in Lagos in 2011 for dressing like a woman?

Before becoming a household name, sparking endless debates, Bobrisky faced a challenge that few knew about or remember.

Recently, Bobrisky made headlines after he was tried by the EFCC and convicted of naira abuse by a court in Lagos.

On 12 April, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced the controversial cross-dresser to six months in jail without an option of fine.

Before imposing jail time, the judge asked the crossdresser what his gender was. In response Bobrisky identified as a man.

The 32-year-old had, before his arrest, claimed to have transitioned to a female, and to the credit of his unusual persona on social media platforms like Instagram, he has garnered a substantial following over time.

Cross-dressing has recently ignited a firestorm of debate in Nigeria, following Bobriskys recent ordeal. Although no law criminalises cross-dressing in Nigeria yet, a bill was introduced in April 2022 to amend the Same-sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act of 2013 by to include cross-dressing as one of the offences under the law. If the bill is passed into law, cross-dressers risk six months in prison or a fine of N500,000.

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Although Bobrisky was recently arrested and jailed for naira abuse, it wasnt the first time the controversial cross-dresser would be arrested and grappled with a prospect of trial.

In January 2011, before he became a well-known figure, Bobrisky found himself in a peculiar situation at a bar in Surulere Lagos State, where he was arrested and paraded for disguising himself as a woman.

The arrest

In a Vanguard report in 2011, the then 19-year-old Bobrisky was arrested for disguising as a lady to obtain money from men.

This young lad, then known by his birth name, Idris Okuneye, was apprehended in a bar in Surulere, Lagos.

It was on a Sunday, when he had, as usual, dressed like a woman, waiting for clients.

In an unusual twist at the local bar, a man raised the alarm when he realised that a young lady he had met at a bar turned out to be a man.

The man (whose name was withheld) had entered the bar accompanied by two ladies. Idris was there, dressed like a woman. His inviting glance captivated the man that had just arrived.

However, Idris behaviour soon aroused the mans suspicion. Driven by curiosity, the man reached out to touch Idris breast, only to be stunned as a sachet of water fell from his bra, leading to an uproar in the bar.

Dual personality

The surprising discovery led to Idris immediate arrest.

After he was arrested, he told the police that he had only started this unconventional means of earning money in the same month, with the primary goal of funding his tertiary education.

He said, I went into it to raise money for my education. After my secondary school education, my father told me he could not afford money for me to buy the JAMB form.

Again, there was nobody to help me because I am a man. I realised that men do not help their fellow men but women. Then, I decided to start dressing like a lady to deceive men and get money from them, but I did not sleep with them. Whenever it gets to that stage, I stylishly excuse myself.

Asked how he usually collected money from men, he revealed that he would dial any number and if the owner happened to be a man, he would invite him over, posing as a club girl.

His customers, according to him, sometimes fell into his trap while others disregarded him.

The young Bobriskys approach, then, involving posing as a club girl and luring men over the phone, secured varying degrees of success.

As of the time of his arrest he said he had managed to make N20,000, some of which, he said, he used to pay for university admission application fees.

Despite his activities, Bobrisky maintained a low profile in Isolo, Lagos, ensuring his family remained unaware of his alter ego.

As for his acquisition of a convincing female personality, he said he learnt by observing and imitating womens walking styles. Clad in the right female attire, he also perfected improvising artificial breasts from water satchets.

When he was asked if his parents were aware of what he was into, he explained that he never paraded himself like a lady within the vicinity of his residence in Isolo.

At the time of his arrest, he was clad in a cream-coloured flowing gown, complemented by a jacket crafted from the same fabric adorned with a series of brown rings.

Adding to the ensemble, he sported a striking brown bag embellished with numerous glistening spherical designs. He also accompanied his outfit with bold earrings, and of course, the sachets of water to achieve an ample bosom.

The Lagos State Police Deputy Public Relations Officer at the time, Adesanya Jinadu, who cautioned men to be wary of the likes of Idris, said he would be charged in court with an attempt to defraud and breach public peace.

But not much was heard about the case thereafter.

Although at the time of his arrest, social media was in its infancy stage in Nigeria, hence, the news did not gain so much traction as it would have if had happened later in time.

Femalehood

After the arrest, Bobrisky went off the radar for quite a long time. His next claim to fame was when he started working with famous fashion designer, Toyin Lawani, in 2017, as a cosmetician.

His job with the celebrity fashion designer brought him closer to many celebrities, but no sooner than later, Bobrisky and Toyin fell out, and their friendship went sour.

Toyin later accused him of stealing some of her clients. When he fell out with Toyin, her former boss, he became closer to many celebrities, like Tonto Dike.

Fast forward to now, Bobrisky has grasped fame as a socialite and crossdresser, advertising various cosmetics and engaging in online skirmishes with several celebrities on social media.

He currently has 5 million followers on his Instagram page.

In September 2022, in an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Bobrisky explained why she identifies as a woman. Bobrisky noted that being a woman had paved many ways for her.

Women dont know how powerful they are. They dont even know how to use their resources as women. Most of them use it, but many women dont know how.

I feel like, when I was a guy then, I didnt have anything. No money. I was just there, hustling. Nobody wants to talk to you. Nobody wants to associate with you. Because you dont have money. I want to be my boss, so let me use what I have to get what I want, she said.

According to him, he took a shot at being a crossdresser, not knowing whether it would succeed or not. He said the plan was to do it for a little while and quit.

Bobrisky further said that in Nigeria, women have more opportunities to be more successful than the other gender.

In 2019, I started thinking about whether to do surgery. I was scared. I wasnt sure. In 2019, nothing happened. In 2020, I was also scared. Nothing happened. In 2021, I was ready. So I said, anything that wants to happen, let it happen, he said.

Bobrisky said in 2021 that she finally gave in to her desire to undergo surgery and liposuction to make her appear more feminine.

He often shows off his new female looks on social media. But many critics and sceptics continue to express doubts about the genuineness of those features.

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Veteran Nollywood actor Zack Orji has shared a heartening update regarding his health.

Orji, currently in the United Kingdom (UK) for a post-surgery assessment, was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the National Hospital in Abuja on New Years Eve after he collapsed in his house.

In an interview with Channels TV on Thursday, the actor recalled how he fell ill and provided a recovery update.

The 63-year-old actor stated that before he underwent successful brain surgeries, he lost his memory.

It was my wife who told me that they (those who visited him in the hospital) came, but immediately after the surgery, when they (doctors) brought me out, the first question I asked was, What day is it? My wife said they had started wishing everybody Happy New Year.

I need time to recover because there were stitches done on my head with bandages and other stuff. It took me quite a while to recover. I feel alright; my memory is back, and I can recognise people.

Death rumour

On 28 March, there were speculations that he died following the death of veteran actor Amaechi Muonagor.

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The actor said his death rumour was a falsehood from the depths of hell, adding that it was the rumour instigators that died, not him.

He said he wouldnt waste his time accusing them because he has more important things to do with his life and time.

I dont know who originated that lie. I called it a lie from the pit of hell that they, not myself, had passed away, and I saw it and started receiving all kinds of calls, even from people I had not heard from for years. Most were just concerned; they wanted to find out if it was true, he said.

Social media

He said his death rumour was fabricated by reckless and callous individuals who relied on spreading fake news to boost their social media presence.

I can only say that sometimes social media has made people so reckless and callous to the point of spreading fake news just to grow their pages.

The death rumour which the person did happen at a time when we have lost some of our colleagues, like the late Amaaechi Muonagor. He had just passed away when someone started spreading that lie about me, the actor said

The actor thanked God it wasnt his time to die, maintaining that his life was in Gods hands, the keeper of lives.

AGN

Mr Orji appreciated the Actor Guild of Nigeria (AGN) s proactive support during his health challenges.

He lauded the AGN President, Emeka Rollas, who visited him at home and in the hospital.

Before the actors departure to the UK, Rollas revealed the actor underwent two brain surgeries and required post-surgery evaluation overseas-

On 2 January, AGNs National Secretary, Abubakar Yakubu, said the actors health improved.

Yakubu said the actor, who was initially unable to walk or talk upon admission, had begun speaking.

On 1 January, First Lady Remi Tinubu and the Vice Presidents wife, Nana Shettima, visited him at the hospital.

In 2022, during the lead-up to the February 2023 general elections, the actor made headlines when he declared support for President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate.

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For decades, the welfare of crew members on Nollywood movie sets and emerging actors and actresses has been a concern.

Despite the Actor Guild of Nigeria (AGN) s efforts to improve industry standards and enhance member welfare, little progress has been made.

The primary focus has always been on health, particularly for veterans and those soliciting financial donations. Even health insurance intended for actors and actresses has yet to be embraced by practitioners.

However, the death of star actor Jnr Pope and four others in a boat mishap in Anam River in Anambra State on 10 April while en route to the location of the ill-fated movie Other Side of Life, sparked a new discussion about the necessity for a complete overhaul of welfare and filmmaking operations in Nigeria.

This discussion focuses on Asaba, Delta State, which produces the highest number of films.

Skit maker and actor TC Okafor, one of the survivors of the boat mishap, claimed he was paid N100,000 to star in the ill-fated movie. He contested this figure with the producer but to no avail.

He disclosed that the welfare fee for the ill-fated movie was N1,500 and added that the movie producer, Adanma Luke, paid him N30,000 for his first job on her project, Shortcut.

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N667 per day

He revealed that movie producers pay their assistants a mere N10,000 after fifteen days of labour.

He said: How much are personal assistants paid? How can you employ someone to work for you for fifteen days and pay them N10,000? Even if its just seven days, the amount is meagre, and they will be lifting generators and carrying cables.

When it rains, the PAs will be outside while the producers will be inside the room. Thats unfair. Its not just a sin; its a sin against God.

Mr Obi emphasised that producers engaging in such practices accrued substantial unfair debts for themselves.

Unfair treatment

Mr Obi further urged actors and actresses to stand up against unfair treatment from movie producers.

He added that while such practices are not new in the industry, they persist due to the mentality of actors and actresses who believe it will get better.

If youre a guild member, call your chairman or president and inform him that the producers youre working with ask you to enter a forest where there are snakes, and you cant do itthe guild should swing into action immediately, not afterwards, he said.

The filmmaker shared an incident in which an actor almost died due to his producers negligence.

Mr Obi noted, I just showed some people a video of Mr Emmanuel Ogun, who was almost killed on a set because the producer brought an actor who didnt have a drivers license, and he almost crushed him to death. Upon getting to the hospital, the producer said, Theres nothing he/she can do.

The 53-year-old joined Nollywood in 1995 and rose to fame when he appeared in the 1995 movie Rattlesnake as Sango. He was also known for Poka Messiah in 2016, The Seed 2 in 2005, and Idemili in 2014.

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The representatives of the governments of Slovakia and Ukraine recently met in the city of Michalovce in the east of Slovakia to discuss possible bilateral cooperation, the Slovakian Ambassador to Nigeria, Tomas Felix, has said.

The outcome of the 11 April, 2024 meeting is a reinforcement of mutual cooperation between the two countries, Mr Felix said in a statement he emailed to PREMIUM TIMES.

The ambassador also quoted the Prime Minister of the Slovakia, Robert Fico as saying after the meeting, The lesson from today is that you have to put aside fear, prejudices, bring people together, remove bureaucratic obstacles and you will find that difficult decisions can be made.

I asked my cabinet ministers to take into account when negotiating with Ukrainian partners the gravity of tasks the members of the Ukrainian government have to deal with compared to their Slovak counterparts. Let them abstain from the typical bureaucratic approach that sometimes prevents us from taking quick decisions in Slovakia.

I think we succeeded, because not only today, but also during the preparation of joint documents, the most important of which is the joint road map, we showed that we are interested in being good neighbours.

According to Ambassador Felix, Prime Minister Fico reiterated during the meeting that the use of military force in Ukraine was a gross violation of international law and emphasized that Ukraine needs help and solidarity.

He called for the end of the war as soon as possible and the establishment of peace.

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To achieve this, the Slovakian prime minister offered Ukraine maximum cooperation in the search for peaceful solutions, such as the upcoming international summit in Switzerland. He also expressed support for Ukraines interest in becoming a member of the European Union.

Ambassador Felix also identified an extremely important outcome of the meeting as the agreement on improving the energy connection on the Mukachevo  Velke Kapusany route.

We have already shown great help in the reverse gas flow in the past, now we realize how important the energy connection is. I would like to emphasise that energy infrastructure is the most frequent target of attacks during this war conflict, and therefore we understand Ukraines need to secure sufficient electricity supply, Prime Minister Fico reportedly said. In the energy sector, the partners also discussed the need to diversify gas imports to Europe.

The representatives of Slovakia and Ukraine also discussed military help, specifically concerning the demining of Ukrainian territories. We also talked about special multi-purpose excavators, explained Mr Fico.

He added that the Slovak Republic remained ready to cooperate with regards to military supplies on a commercial basis, and the Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic, Robert Kalinak, and the Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Ivan Havryliuk, also conducted negotiations along these terms. At the same time, Slovakia offered Ukraine assistance in providing health care for people affected by the war.

The export of agricultural products from Ukraine was also discussed by the two parties. In this context, Mr Fico stated that Slovakia will provide transitional corridors for export of Ukrainian agricultural products to countries that need them. However, I explained to the Prime Minister how important it is to protect the interests of Slovak farmers, and unless a joint solution is found, a ban on import of 14 agricultural products will continue to apply, he stated.

At the meeting in Michalovce, the Slovak and Ukrainian ministers agreed on establishing a railway direct connection between Kyiv and Kosice. They also agreed on the refurbishment of Vysne Nemecke border crossing in order to increase its capacity.

As part of cross-border cooperation, Robert Fico offered the Ukraine representatives expertise and cooperation of cities and municipalities from the region of eastern Slovakia.

Overall, Prime Minister Fico described the meeting of members of the Slovak and Ukrainian governments as highly constructive.

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The founder of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Boniface Aniebonam, says the move by the former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Kwankwasiyya Movement to hijack the party structure is a betrayal of trust.

Speaking at a news conference in Lagos on Friday, Mr Aniebonam said he gave Mr Kwankwaso the platform of the party, on a platter of gold, to achieve his political ambition of becoming Nigerias president.

He said he singlehandedly registered and nurtured the NNPP from 2002 until 2022 when Mr Kwankwaso and his team approached him to fly the flag of the party in the 2023 presidential election.

He said, Buba Galadima led the delegation, including Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi and Prof. Sam Angai to my country home in Anambra, to plead for us to accept Kwankwaso in the NNPP.

After the talks, I placed a call to Kwankwaso and after asking him questions about his intentions for Nigeria, I offered him the platform of NNPP as its sole candidate.

I believed that Kwankwaso was not aware of the internal crisis in the party until he came out openly on live television, displaying a new logo and flag for the NNPP and mutilating its constitution.

It is disturbing and if I continue to keep quiet, it will not be in the interest of the soul of the party as the founder and at some point, its board chairman.

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The partys constitution says the founder is a life member of the board and even when Im alive, my brother and good friend, Kwankwaso, for whatever reasons, is destroying the party I built from 2002 to 2022 when he joined us to contest the 2023 presidency.

I funded the party for 22 years and Kwankwaso wants to hijack it even when he is not a member of the board of the trustees or the leader of the party.

Mr Aniebonam said he founded NNPP after he founded the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and NAGAFF, therefore, is the parent body of the NNPP.

He said Mr Kwankwaso and others were expelled from the party for anti-party activities but as a life member of the board with inherent powers, he would grant him pardon if he purged himself of what he was doing.

The kangaroo convention even when there was a court order stopping it, is null and void because a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ruled that the NNPP issue is an internal crisis.

This means that the issues can only be settled using the constitution. However, we are ready to pursue the interpretation of the constitution up to the Supreme Court.

The NNPP founder said with this singular action, Mr Kwankwaso would no longer enjoy the sole candidacy of the NNPP should he even be pardoned.

(NAN)

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The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Umar Damagum to continue as the acting national chairman of the party, pending the election of a new chairman in August.

The chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, said this when he briefed journalists shortly after the 98th NEC meeting of the party on Thursday in Abuja.

In the next two months we will see a lot of activities, leadership is a responsibility. We said in September that we would have come out from our congresses.

We will look at the issue of leadership and look at the issue of our constitution where it will be and we will do it without rancour, he said.

Mr Mohammed added that the successful conduct of the partys NEC meeting was an indication that there was no dissension and rancour within the leadership.

It was planned that the party will have an explosion. PDP is more than that, we have gone beyond all these idiosyncrasies. This party is a united party that is guided by experience and constitutionality.

There were a lot of permutations and mischievous thinking outside there. But we looked at all the issues and we worked along our guidelines and constitution. There is no problem or dissension and problem among members, he said.

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Also speaking, Mr Damagum said that the leadership of the party was not a do or die affair.

This is not a matter of life and death. I am still an elected member of this NEC. Even if I revert to deputy national chairman Im still a member of NWC. The issue of surviving or not does not emerge, he said.

Also, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said that issue of the party leadership would be considered in August.

Our party emphasises the need for reconciliation and stability within the party at this time. Therefore, the issue of the National Chairman, Damagum, has been deferred to the next NEC meeting, which is tentatively scheduled for August 15th, he said.

Resolutions

Mr Ologunagba later read the communique at the end of the meeting, saying that the NEC tasked all organs, leaders, stakeholders and members of the PDP to close ranks and put aside their differences and work together to reposition and return the PDP to power.

He said that the NEC also received and approved the timetable for the partys congresses across the country.

NEC also approved the reconstitution of the Party Disciplinary and Reconciliation Committees to further ensure the stability of the party.

Similarly, NEC approved the extension of the life of the Party Constitution Amendment Committee to allow it to receive new amendment proposals for inclusion in its deliberation and final report for consideration by NEC.

NEC commended the efforts of the National Working Committee in its effort towards rebranding the party including the new look PDP Logo which is widely accepted by Party members and Nigerians in general.

NEC charges all party members to continue to work together for the success of the PDP for the benefit of Nigerians and sustenance of Democracy in our country, he said.

Tinubu tasked

Mr Ologunagba said that the NEC advised President Bola Tinubu to convene a special National Security Council meeting to proffer a holistic solution to the current security challenge facing the country.

He said that the NEC also urged Mr Tinubu to rejig his economic team to include individuals with proven integrity and competence to assist in repositioning the economy.

NEC further demands that the federal government should review all policies and programmes which are stifling the economy with suffocating effect on the lives of citizens; including the increase in price of fuel without cushioning measures, hike in electricity tariff, increased taxation and implementation of adverse fiscal policies, he said.

The meeting was attend by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, NWC members, BOT members, serving governors and members of the National Assembly.

(NAN)

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The United States has vetoed a Palestinian request to the United Nations Security Council for full UN membership, blocking the world bodys recognition of a Palestinian state.

The vote in the 15-member security council was 12 in favour, the US opposed, and two abstentions, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

The resolution would have recommended that the 193-member General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, approve Palestine becoming the 194th member of the United Nations. Some 140 countries have already recognized the state of Palestine, so its admission would have been approved.

Associated Press reports this is the second Palestinian attempt to become a full member of the United Nations, and it comes as the war in Gaza, now in its seventh month, keeps raging.

Before the vote, diplomats said the US mission had been trying to convince one or two other council members to abstain, to mitigate Washingtons isolation on the issue, but American officials said they were resigned to having to wield the US veto once more in support of Israel, according to the UK Guardian.

Americas position is that the emergence of a Palestinian state had to be the outcome of negotiations on all aspects of a Middle East peace settlement.

We completely believe in the two-state solution and a state for the Palestinian people. We believe the best and the most sustainable way to do that is through direct negotiations between the parties, the White House national security spokesperson, John Kirby, said on Thursday.

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The Palestinian presidency condemned the US veto as unfair, unethical and unjustified.

Meanwhile, explaining the UK abstention, the Guardian quotes the British envoy to the UN, Barbara Woodward, as saying: We believe that such recognition of Palestinian statehood should not come at the start of a new process, but it doesnt have to be at the very end of the process,

Ms Woodward added: We must start with fixing the immediate crisis in Gaza.

Palestinians currently have non-member observer status, granted by the UN General Assembly in 2012. An application to become a full member with voting rights would have to be approved by the Security Council and two-thirds of the general assembly.

Recent escalations make it even more important to support good-faith efforts to find lasting peace between Israel and a fully independent, viable, and sovereign Palestinian state, Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, told the Security Council.

Russias ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia spoke in favour of granting Palestine full membership, saying an absolute majority of the global community also supports it.

He said this marked the fifth time the United States has vetoed a Council resolution since the start of the current hostilities in Gaza last October.

The US once again demonstrated what they really think of the Palestinians, Mr Nebenzia told the Security Council. For Washington, they do not deserve to have their own State. They are only a barrier on the path towards realising the interests of Israel.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Army General gets United Nations appointment

He said at present, an absolute majority of the global community supports Palestines application to become a full member of the UN.

Todays use of the veto by the US delegation is a hopeless attempt to stop the inevitable course of history. The results of the vote, where Washington was practically in complete isolation, speak for themselves, he added.

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Beijing (Gasgoo)- On April 18, at the 5thChina FAW Technology Conference, the Chinese legacy automaker FAW Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with ECARX, a smart mobility solution developer affiliated with Geely, focusing on intelligent cockpit development.



Photo credit: FAW Group

According to the agreement, both parties will embark on comprehensive strategic cooperation in the smart cockpit field, leveraging their respective strengths in product design and development, collaboration on ecosystem terminal products, and the operation and maintenance of V2X ecosystems.

FAW Group and ECARX aim to establish integrated full-stack R&D capabilities to create competitive smart cockpit solution and operating system (Hongqi OS) for FAWs premium passenger car brand Hongqi.

Notably, the duo will also jointly develop high-end Hongqi-branded smartphones to deliver ultimate connectivity and smart interaction experiences to users.

FAW Group and ECARX will swiftly implement the agreement, driving technological integration and innovation, seizing new opportunities in automotive intelligence, and working together for mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Police Command in Lagos State says three children, allegedly locked up in a room by their grandmother, have been rescued and the woman arrested.

The commands spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

Mr Hundeyin said that the infants, a girl and two boys, who are aged between two and four, were rescued by the Ikotun Police Division on Wednesday which received information at about 4.00 p.m. from members of the public.

He said that they were allegedly locked up by their grandmother (name withheld), around the Agodi Egbe Ikotun area of Lagos State.

The spokesperson said a team of anti-crime detectives immediately moved to the scene, rescued the children and took them to the station.

The three children are looking malnourished and unhealthy.

The suspect was arrested, while the infants will be transferred for proper treatment and care. Investigation is ongoing, he said.

(NAN)

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Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has constituted a committee to interface with relevant government agencies to propose necessary actions to mitigate the effect of an impending flood in the state.

The committee was set up two days after the federal government issued an alert warning that at least 31 states in the country, including Akwa Ibom, were at risk of severe flooding.

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, who gave the warning on Monday, said that 148 local government areas across 32 states were among the high flood-risk areas for 2024.

Mr Utsev issued the warning while unveiling the 2024 AnnualFloodd Outlook (AFO) in Abuja.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Ini Ememobong, announced the setting up of the mitigation committee by the state government and assured residents of the governments preparedness to minimise the effect of the impending flooding.

Other committee members include Commissioners for Environment and Mineral Resources, Water Resources and Sanitation, Health, Internal Security and Waterways, Agriculture, Information, Lands and Urban Development and the chairperson of Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency.

Governor Eno further directed the immediate activation of the emergency management protocol of the state headed by the Deputy Governor, Akon Eyakenyi.

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The Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources and the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency should immediately commence aggressive desilting of gutters and flood control channels across the state, Mr Ememobong said.

Many parts of Akwa Ibom State, including Uyo, the state capital, are high flood-risk and gully erosion-prone areas.

Whenever it rains, some flooded roads in the city become impassable to motorists and other road users, with shops and houses affected by the flood.

Governor Eno, in July last year, visited Atiku Abubakar Avenue, one of the worst affected areas by flood in the state capital.

Mr Eno had, during the visit, said the road, which was waterlogged, needed immediate intervention and had since mobilised a contractor whose work on the flooded road is at an advanced state of completion.

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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has declared that reforms of the President Bola Tinubu administration have started manifesting in the resurgence of the nations economy.

Speaking while playing host to a delegation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Professionals Forum led by former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda, Mr Alake asserted that Mr Tinubus progressive leadership and courage in taking difficult decisions are turning the tide, putting the economy on a strong footing.

 The President has chosen to leave a legacy of taking difficult decisions that will herald enduring structures that will not only outlast the administration but also make it impossible for successive administrations to deviate from. The society would have become used to a certain standard of service delivery at the end of the Tinubu administration that Nigerians will no more settle for anything less, Alake affirmed.

According to the minister, it has become evident that the temporary pains of reforms are beginning to ease, citing the resurgence of the naira and emerging stability in the forex market.

Speaking further, the minister highlighted the administrations efforts towards infrastructural renewal, citing the Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which he stated on completion will shorten travel time to the Cross-River state capital to two and half hours.

 On completion of that coastal road, the amount of tourism that will be generated along that axis is unimaginable. It will be one of the longest tourism coast town drives in Africa, not to talk of the ease of movement of goods and services and the economic impact of ports along the route, and it will finally link up to Sokoto  a project which has been in the pipeline for more than 30 years, Alake asserted.

The minister charged the forum as a repository of knowledge and diverse professionals within the APC to contribute their quota to the success of the administration, reiterating that the APC-led Federal Government is open to innovative ideas in its quest to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

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In his remarks, Mr Yuguda congratulated the minister on his appointment, commending his efforts to sanitise and attract global attention to the mining sector, emphasising that solid minerals remain the key to Nigerias economic prosperity.

The former governor urged Nigerians and the federal government to support Mr Alake with all that is required to transform the mining sector, stressing that solid minerals have all it takes to overtake oil as the mainstay of the nations economy.

Rowing light on the mission of the APC professionals forum, Mr Yuguda stated that the group is a foremost group of patriotic professionals in diverse fields committed to nation-building. He assured the forum would lead the enlightenment of the populace on government programmes and advance suggestions, where necessary.

On the entourage with Mr Yuguda were the former governor of Adamawa State and member of the Forums Board of Trustees (BOT), James Ngilare; former Deputy Governor of Anambra State and Vice-Chairman BOT, Nkem Okeke; Secretary, Akeem Akintayo amongst others.

*Segun Tomori*

Special Assistant on Media

Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development.

18th April, 2024.

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President Bola Tinubu says Nigerias investment climate has been bolstered by critical new reforms, with an array of opportunities across sectors for investors.

Speaking during the presentation of a letter of credence by the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria, Kim Pan Kyu, at the State House, on Friday, the president said Nigeria is a huge market for Korean products, particularly for Korean goods manufactured and produced in Nigeria, while emphasising that Nigerian goods will be of great benefit to the Korean market.

Highlighting the favourable economic outlook of the country, President Tinubu invited more South Korean companies to leverage these opportunities by establishing production bases in Nigeria.

I am glad that you have a very good knowledge of Nigeria and appreciate the role of our country in Africa. Our doors are open for economic opportunities and trade, and I acknowledge that several South Korean companies and products are firmly entrenched in the Nigerian market.

Nigerians appreciate South Korean technology, and Nigerian products can also be beneficial to South Korean markets. You need to bring more of your companies and manufacturing plants here. We have everything your industries require to excel as we progress over the near term. We can partner on skill development and the systematic transfer of knowledge to further empower our countrys innovative youth population.

We have investment opportunities in the solid mineral sector and other areas, and cooperation in these areas will strengthen our bilateral relations, the president said.

Recounting his fruitful discussions with President Yoon Suk Yeol during the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, in 2023, and their mutual commitment to strengthen cooperation, President Tinubu pledged to build on the outcome of that meeting to further expand bilateral ties.

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He welcomed an invitation from President Yoon to attend the first-ever South Korea-Africa Summit from 4 June to 5 June in Seoul, South Korea, and directed Nigerias Ministry of Foreign Affairs to keep him abreast of the matter.

Mr Kim, a vice admiral, underscored President Tinubus pivotal role as the Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government and leader of Africas largest economy, population, and democracy.

He noted the importance of Nigerias participation at the highest level at the Summit to enhance bilateral relations while also creating a future of prosperity for Africa and Korea as genuine partners in progress.

Your Excellencys visit to South Korea for the Summit will provide an excellent opportunity to strengthen the relations between the two nations, the ambassador said after reading a formal invitation from President Yoon.

Earlier, President Tinubu also received letters of credence from Antit Mohsen, Tunisian ambassador to Nigeria and Zambian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Muhali Imbuwa.

At the separate events, the president emphasised the need to strengthen African unity and brotherhood that not only creates economic opportunities but also works toward eliminating conflicts across the continent.

Speaking with the High Commissioner of Zambia, the president said African unity and cooperation are important if the continent must overcome perennial conflict.

We are ready to explore more areas of cooperation that promote African brotherhood and ensure sustainable growth across different sectors and provide economic opportunities for our citizens.

Our doors are open, and do not hesitate to bring any challenges you may have in the course of your duty to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the resident told the commissioner.

In his audience with the Tunisian ambassador, President Tinubu affirmed Nigerias willingness to deepen partnership with North African countries toward achieving continental prosperity for all African people.

He declared that Nigeria is open for business like never before and that the international community is taking notice, while investor confidence in the country is returning.

He thanked the ambassador for acknowledging the progress in the country in the last eleven months of his administration, promising that his government will continue to ensure a memorable and rewarding stay for representatives of foreign governments.

The Tunisian ambassador said his government welcomes the new vibrancy and determination the president has brought into national leadership since his inauguration on May 29, 2023.

We welcome the economic reforms and the enhancement of national security in Nigeria under your leadership.

Because of what we have seen, we are emboldened to collaborate on a new level, particularly in the areas of trade, economy, and defence, the ambassador said.

Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

April 19, 2024

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Iranian state media on Friday reported that several small flying objects had been shot at in the skies over the central province of Isfahan.

Earlier on Friday, state news agency IRNA reported an explosion in the province, which was reportedly triggered by air defences.

Iranian state media said that there was no evidence of a missile attack on the country.

A few hours ago, several small flying objects were sighted and hit in the skies of Isfahan, said a reporter in a live broadcast on state television.

There were initially no reports of damage.

After a temporary suspension, air traffic had resumed.

The Iranian government rejected reports that the national security council had convened for an emergency meeting.

Isfahan is home to important facilities of the Iranian defence industry.

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The countrys largest nuclear research centre is also located in Isfahan.

According to state media radio reports, there was no danger to the nuclear facilities there.

Several US news outlets, including broadcasters ABC News, MSNBC, and Fox News, cited US government representatives as saying that Israel had carried out a military operation in Iran in response to Iranian airstrikes on Israel at the weekend.

Several US media outlets reported that one or more Israeli missiles had attacked a target in Iran.

The US Department of Defense did not initially confirm these reports.

Fox News reported, citing a military source, that it was a limited attack.

The US had not been involved and the Israelis had informed the US government in advance, Fox reported.

On Thursday, representatives from the US and Israel had met to consult on a series of issues in the wake of Irans unprecedented missile and drone attack against Israel, the White House said at the time.

Over the weekend, Iran attacked Israel with more than 300 drones, cruise missiles, and rockets.

Israeli air defences and allied forces were able to intercept almost all of the weapons.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders vowed to respond, despite the calls from allies to avoid escalation.

Israel also threatened to hit Irans military facilities, prompting fears the conflict could turn into an all-out war.

Meanwhile Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian on Thursday defended his countrys missile and drone attacks on Israel as legitimate defence under international law in remarks to the United Nations Security Council in New York.

Amirabdollahian cited the suspected Israeli airstrike on Irans embassy compound in Damascus on April 1, which among others killed two generals, as the reason for the retaliatory attacks.

(dpa/NAN)

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Police operatives in Katsina have foiled an attack on Sabuwa town, headquarters of Sabuwa Local Government Area of the state, killing one suspected bandit.

The police spokesperson, Abubakar Aliyu, made this known to journalists on Thursday in Katsina.

He said that on 17 April, at about 5 p.m., information was received that some suspected bandits in their numbers, armed with dangerous weapons such as AK-47 rifles, on motorcycles, were riding toward Sabuwa town with the intent to attack.

Upon receipt of the report, he said, the DPO Sabuwa mobilised a team of operatives, consisting of men of the Operation Sharan Daji and Community Watch Corps, who responded to the scene.

They engaged the suspected bandits in a fierce gun duel. The team successfully foiled the planned attack.

However, a member of the Community Watch Corps sustained a gunshot injury in his right leg and was rushed to the hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention, he said.

The spokesperson revealed that in the course of scanning the scene, the body of one suspected bandit that was neutralised was recovered.

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He added that one walkie-talkie and a hand grenade were also recovered from the scene.

Mr Aliyu quoted the Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Abubakar-Musa, as urging the public to promptly continue to report anyone seen with a bullet wound, as some of the suspects escaped with gunshot injuries.

READ ALSO: Katsina govt speaks on resurgence of banditry in eight LGAs

He further urged residents of the state to continue to provide vital information about criminal activities in their respective areas in the state.

The commissioner reiterated the commands commitment towards ensuring the protection of the lives and property of the people of the state.

(NAN)

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The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, dismissed money laundering charges filed against a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke.

The judge, Inyang Ekwo, upheld the no-case-submission application filed by Mr Adoke after the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), concluded its case and it was the turn of the defendants to present theirs.

A no-case submission is filed by a defendant at the end of the prosecutions case, asking the court for an acquittal without having him or her present a defence. Such filing is premised on the presumption by the defendant that the prosecution, with all its witnesses and evidence tendered while making its case, failed to link him or her to the alleged crimes.

Mr Adoke was standing trial along with Aliyu Abubakar, a businessman, on money laundering charges in the case.

In his ruling on Friday, Mr Ekwo said the EFCC failed to provide any substantial evidence linking Mr Adoke to the alleged offence.

The judge went ahead to discharge and acquit Mr Adoke of alleged offences.

But, the judge dismissed Mr Adokes co-defendants no-case-submission, ordering Mr Abubakar to enter his defence in the trial.

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The ruling tallies with the judgement of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Jabi, Abuja, which, three weeks ago, freed Mr Adoke of complicity in alleged fraud in the controversial Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245, widely known as Malabu Oil deal.

Background

In the FCT High Court case, Mr Adoke, who was justice minister under former President Goodluck Jonathans administration, was charged alongside a businessman, Aliyu Abubakar; Rasky Gbinigie; Malabu Oil and Gas Limited; Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited; Shell Nigeria Extra Deep Limited and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Limited over the Malabu oil scam.

They were arraigned in 2020 on a 40-count amended charge.

EFCC had, in the FCT High Court, conceded that it lacked evidence against Mr Adoke and his co-defendants, but insisted that it had led credible evidence to warrant the former AGF to enter his defence in the matter.

But, in the Federal High Court case in which judgement was delivered on Friday, the EFCC had charged Messrs Adoke and Abubakar, alleging money laundering to the tune of N300 million.

The anti-graft agency had, on 4 August 2020, re-arraigned Messrs Adoke and Mr Abubakar on an amended 14 counts of money laundering.

In count 9 of the charges, the EFCC had alleged that Adoke, sometime in 2013, in Abuja, made a cash payment of $2,267,400 to Risslanudeen Muhammed and thereby committed an offence contrary to the combined effect of section 16(1)(d) and of section 19a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.

There was no mention of the Malabu Oil deal in the case before Mr Ekwo, however, the details of charges featured in the charges that were before the FCT High Court, where the EFCC said the N300 million was a kickback from the sale of the oil block by Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd in 2011.

Each of them faced seven counts. They had pleaded not guilty.

The court exonerated Mr Adoke on Friday, but ordered the proceedings to continue against his co-defendant, who is now to enter his defence.

Fridays ruling brings to an end Mr Adokes trial in connection with the controversial Malabu Oil scam.

The Malabu scam

The Malabu scandal involved the transfer of about $1.1 billion by Shell and ENI through the Nigerian government to accounts controlled by a former Nigerian petroleum minister, Dan Etete.

From accounts controlled by Mr Etete, about half the money ($520 million) went to accounts of companies controlled by Aliyu Abubakar, popularly known in Nigeria as the owner of AA Oil.

Anti-corruption investigators and activists suspect he fronted for top officials of the Goodluck Jonathan administration as well as officials of Shell and ENI.

The transaction was authorised in 2011 by Mr Jonathan through some of his cabinet ministers and the money was payment for OPL 245, one of Nigerias richest oil blocks.

The oil resources of the OPL 245 licence have remained undeveloped since the controversies began.

Eni initiated international arbitration proceedings against Nigeria in September, alleging the Nigerian government has breached its obligations by refusing to let the firm develop the licence, which has now expired this May.

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The Plateau University, Bokkos, has suspended ongoing examinations in the institution over the killing of a 200-level student.

Yakubu Ayuba, the registrar of the institution, announced this in a statement on Friday in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that gunmen on Thursday night attacked Chikam, a neighbouring community to the university, killing the student, identified as Dading Jordan.

Mr Ayuba said that the university had also declared a two-day mourning in honour of the slain student.

The Vice-Chancellor and the entire management convey their condolences to the family of the deceased student, the student body and the university community.

In view of this sad development, management has declared a two-day mourning, from Friday, April 19, to Saturday, April 20.

Accordingly, all the examinations earlier scheduled for Friday and Saturday are hereby suspended.

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While we call on our students to remain calm and law-abiding, we wish to urge the security agencies to beef up security around the university to secure staff and students, he said.

NAN reports that Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the attack, calling on residents to remain calm.

He said that government and security agencies were doing everything to bring the perpetrators of the attack to justice.

(NAN)

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The Nigerian state is undergoing a three-dimensional crisis. The first one affects the political economy and it is generated mainly by public corruption, which over the past four decades has created a run on the treasury at the national and state levels, threatening to consume the goose that lays the golden egg The second one is the crisis of citizenship symbolised by ethno-regionalism The third element relates to the frustration of the countrys democratic aspirations

I spent the week in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, making two presentations and engaging the academic community in broad debates on the crises facing Nigeria and West Africa. My first presentation was on setting eleven benchmarks for enhancing security and national unity. The Nigerian state is undergoing a three-dimensional crisis. The first one affects the political economy and it is generated mainly by public corruption, which over the past four decades has created a run on the treasury at the national and state levels, threatening to consume the goose that lays the golden egg.

The second one is the crisis of citizenship symbolised by ethno-regionalism, the Boko Haram insurgency, farmer-herder killings, agitations for Biafra, militancy in the Niger Delta, and indigene/settler conflicts. The third element relates to the frustration of the countrys democratic aspirations, in a context in which the citizenry believes in true democracy but is confronted with a reckless political class that is corrupt, self-serving and manipulative. These issues have largely broken the social pact between citizens and the state. That is why today, Nigerians find themselves in a moment of doubt about their nationhood.

The first benchmark is a concerted state and society effort to stop the current drift towards anarchy. As a people, we love living near the precipice and the risk is that our dangerous behaviour could one day push us over. It has been said that in Zamfara State alone, there are no fewer than 30,000 gunmen spread across more than 100 camps within and around the state, killing, kidnapping, raping people and burning their food and housing. General Abdulsalam Abubakar, the chairman of the National Peace Committee, told Nigeria that there are about six million weapons circulating in private hands in the country.

We are at a point in our national trajectory where young Nigerians feel sufficiently marginalised from the STATE and SOCIETY to procure arms and engage in self-help, which they define variously as banditry, scotched earth attacks on innocent village communities, accompanied by mass rape and other forms of sexual violence, in addition to the killing of security agents, and even declaration of an Islamic Caliphate in Nigeria. There are too many groups that have discovered that obtaining an AK47 can be their pathway to wealth because they are not in government, where you can be wealthy by stealing without arms.

The second benchmark is the urgency of moving away from state-centric security provisioning. The Nigerian citizen has for too long endured a culture of intimidation by the countrys security forces. Law enforcement agents have, since colonial times, developed a culture of reckless disregard for the rights of the people. The legal framework has not helped matters, given our colonial heritage of laws against vagrancy, illegal assembly, wandering, and illegal procession. The state is constructed as an edifice against citizens who are assumed to have a natural tendency to break laws and must therefore be controlled, patrolled and constantly surveyed. Not surprisingly, citizens learn to fear and avoid law enforcement agents. The ordinary Nigerian sees security agents as potential violators of their security, rather than providers of their security.

The fifth benchmark is the deeply felt need for true federalism, which must be addressed. The 1951 Macphersons Constitution was adopted on the basis of an elite consensus. The regional elites were suspicious of each other, had no trust in the other and therefore decided that federalism was the best collective protection for all of them.

Thirdly, we need to edify the rule of law, which is the affirmation of the principle that the governance of human society should be based on law rather than the whims and caprices of human beings. Nigerians fear the police and increasingly fear the justice system, where money or favour towards those in power overrides justice. Both the law and precedents now sway in favour of injustice.

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The fourth benchmark proposed is to educate the people that virtually all Nigerians are marginalised ,so we should have a collective rather than sectional approach to contesting the ruling class marginalisation of the people. A united band of criminal elements is ruling this country using divide-and-rule tactics that hide the reality that most of us are marginalised.

The fifth benchmark is the deeply felt need for true federalism, which must be addressed. The 1951 Macphersons Constitution was adopted on the basis of an elite consensus. The regional elites were suspicious of each other, had no trust in the other and therefore decided that federalism was the best collective protection for all of them. As it has been explained by Professor Ade Ajayi:

True Federalism implies power sharing, abandoning the notion of any one group dominating all the others, not secession but building interdependence. But we need to work hard on it and not merely pay lip service to unity in diversity.

A new policy framework on the farmers-pastoralists crisis should be developed that is both comprehensive and mutually beneficial to both groups. Pastoralism is not sustainable in Nigeria over the long term due to a high population growth rate, expansion of farming, and loss of pasture and cattle routes. At the same time, pastoralism cannot end or be prohibited in the short term, as there are strong cultural and political economy reasons for its existence.

The First Republic failed because the ruling elite failed to respect the principles of power sharing. They still do.

Benchmark six is to negotiate an approach and timeframe for resolving the farmer-herder crisis. Pastoralists-farmers conflicts in Nigeria have grown, spread and intensified over the past decade and today poses the greatest threat to our national integrity. The activities of herders have often been recast in conspiracy theories of attacking people to take over their land. Government policy under the Buhari administration, such as the cattle colony and ruga policies, were perceived by many communities as tacit, if not direct alignment with the alleged herders agenda of killing people and taking over their land. President Buhari failed to undergo a Mea culpa stating clearly that it was not sectional in its approach to tackling the crisis of pastoralism.

A new policy framework on the farmers-pastoralists crisis should be developed that is both comprehensive and mutually beneficial to both groups. Pastoralism is not sustainable in Nigeria over the long term due to a high population growth rate, expansion of farming, and loss of pasture and cattle routes. At the same time, pastoralism cannot end or be prohibited in the short term, as there are strong cultural and political economy reasons for its existence. The new policy should develop a plan for a transitional period during which new systems would be put in place.

Benchmark seven is on recovering our ungoverned spaces. Rural Nigeria is characterised by the absence of the state and its security agencies and it is therefore not surprising that the blight of armed banditry has spread and impacted negatively on lives and livelihoods. The massive proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Nigerian hinterland has provided the means for agency in the spread of violence. The phenomenon has dramatised the expansion of ungoverned spaces in the country. There are many factors that contribute to the growth of the phenomenon of rural banditry. One of the most important is poor governance and the virtual collapse of institutions of governance. Deep seated corruption has eroded the capacity of institutions to perform their functions. To be concluded.

A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation, may Allah extol the mention of our noble Prophet Muhammad in the highest company of Angels, bless him and give him peace and securityand his family, his Companions and all those who follow him correctly and sincerely until the establishment of the Hour.

Dear brothers and sisters! The world is slowly recovering from the hardships that came with the wars, insecurity and Covid-19 pandemic. Governments and companies were pretty much shut down. People lost livelihood and lives, and their fortitude was tested in a way that humanity has rarely been tested before.

Such an events would test the resolve of any and every person in a way that the world has never seen before. There is no doubt that peoples around the globe have been afflicted with catastrophes and doubts. Surely, such moments in our lives can cause us to wonder why the Almighty is testing us so.

The Islamic view of why Allah blesses us with hardships is an interesting one. As Muslims, our perspective on the struggles of life must be aligned with the general understanding of our existence in relation to the hereafter. In this regard, our will and determination to persevere must be based on our relationship with Allah and our willingness to be drawn closer to our Creator. Here are a few key aspects about hardships in Islam:

Almighty Allah says in the Quran:

Do the people think that they will be left to say, We believe and they will not be tried? But We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will surely make evident those who are false. [Quran, 29:2-3]

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The Almighty Allah puts us through trials to see if we would follow or reject his teachings. There are simple solutions to every problem, but there is always the possibility that those solutions are forbidden, immoral, or evil, and that choosing them implies turning away from Allahs teachings. Although the purer path may be more difficult, it is the one that will maintain us in his favour, which is why difficulties arise.

Allah Almighty assures His servants:

For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. [Quran, 94-5]

Respected brothers and sisters! Embrace His promise. Do not give up even if the pain and hardship seems never-ending and you feel worn out from carrying it all; there is relief and something even greater waiting for you just around the corner.

Even difficulties are not permanent. And those believers who persevere in their belief in Allah and practise patience in the face of adversity are then rewarded in ways that are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even if it were the prick of a thorn. [Bukhari]

We can be struggling spiritually, sinning, believing its acceptable, and losing our morals. Even though we may like living in sin, difficulty is a blessing in our lives because it makes us realise that we have been leading impure lives. As a result, we turn to the correct and noble path.

Allah Almighty tells us:

Perhaps you dislike a thing and Allah makes therein much good. [Quran, 4-19]

Misfortune does sometimes happen to us. We are given obstacles to overcome this unfortunate situation rather than being offered the simple solution. Even though the voyage is difficult, it is worthwhile if the final destination is pure and in the presence of the Allah Almighty. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

The people who face the most difficult tests are the Prophets, then the righteous, then those following them in degree. A person is tried according to his religion. So if there is firmness in his religion, then the trial is increased, and if there is a weakness, then it is lightened. Verily a trial remains with a servant until he walks the earth having no sin left upon him. [Bukhari]

We can consider ourselves to be living a life of faith, and as a result, we might think that the happy life we lead is a reward for our faith. We develop arrogance and complacency. Then the Allah Almighty brings us adversity. Our faith is ultimately strengthened when we become aware of how we might improve.

Its crucial to keep in mind that, as Muslims, Allah has not abandoned us; rather, he desires for us to become nearer to him. Nevertheless, we must also seek professional assistance when necessary. For instance, when we are sick and visit a doctor to speed up recuperation. Similar to how you should get care from a qualified professional counsellor who shares your faith if you have a mental health concern.

Given the difficulties we may face every day, anxiety is something we cannot avoid. A disorder like anxiety doesnt just appear out of the blue. Without our realising it, it gradually takes hold of us.

And also depression is a condition that depresses us and makes us believe that life is no longer worthwhile. It gradually seeps into our systems and makes us into a person who is no longer enthused about life.

The fact that both of these mental illnesses are quite prevalent throughout the entire world and can affect anyone makes the situation much more concerning. Fortunately, by learning how to deal with anxiety and sadness, they may be overcome In Shaa Allah.

Below are some actionable steps to help us overcome hardships:

1. Utilise technology to help you remember Allah.

If youre feeling unmotivated in the mornings, mix your routine up and start your day with an Islamic lecture to learn something new about the religion or to reinforce what you already know. By learning something new or participating in an enlightening conversation in the morning, you can feel prepared and ready for the day.

2. Recite one verse from the Quran every day.

Build a slow and steady engagement with the Quran by beginning to incorporate it into your daily life. Some of us may be striving to strengthen ourselves in preparation for Ramadan so that we can read the entirety of the Quran during the noble month. To read one juz or even one surah a day can be intimidating for novices, especially if youre not comfortable with your Arabic.

3. Study the Quranic tafsir in your own time.

Its crucial to comprehend and internalise the lessons of the Quran in addition to building your confidence when reciting it. By doing this, we are hearing from Allah and applying His teachings to our life. These teachings can direct us in our behaviours and ideals during both happy and joyful moments as well as depressing and upsetting periods.

The aspect of hardships are inseparable from this life and plays a large role in the tests that we experience throughout our journey as we draw closer to the hereafter. In the end, our decisions and perspectives on such calamities will determine how well we fare once we have to face our Allah Almighty Creator.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true followers.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of: Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah Mosque; and Late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene Mosque, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com; or +2348038289761.

This Friday sermon (Jumuah Khutbah) was prepared for delivery today Friday, 08 Shawwal, 1445 AH (April 19, 2024).

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Beijing (Gasgoo)- On April 18, Dongfeng Forthing officially launched its new energy vehicle range, Xinghai (name in Chinese pinyin). The inaugural model from the range, the Xinghai V9 premium new energy flagship MPV, started pre-sale at the same time.

Photo credit: Dongfeng Forthing

Positioned as a mid-to-large MPV, the Xinghai V9 offers five variants across two series, with pre-sale prices ranging from 199,900 yuan to 279,900 yuan. The official launch is scheduled for the end of May.

Photo credit: Dongfeng Forthing

In addition, Forthing also unveiled another model from the Xinghai range, the Xinghai S7, which is set to make its public debut at the upcoming Auto China 2024 in Beijing next week.

The launch of the Xinghai range signals Dongfeng Forthing's accelerated transition to new energy vehicles and its entry into the household vehicle market starting from 2024. Over the next three years, the automaker plans to roll out 13 new energy models under the Xinghai range, covering MPVs, sedans, SUVs, and more.

Photo credit: Dongfeng Forthing

The Xinghai V9 boasts two distinct front-end designs: the business-oriented "Qingyun Ti" grille, symbolizing progress with its nine-horizontal-bar pattern, and the family-focused "Chinese Knot" version, featuring a waterfall-style intake grille and a split-type headlight design, is inspired by the traditional Chinese knots.

Measuring 5,248mm in length, 1,920mm in width, 1,820mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,018mm, the Xinghai V9 accommodates a 2+2+3 seven-seat layout.

Under the hood, the Xinghai V9 utilizes Dongfengs Mach PHREV technology equipped with a 1.5T plug-in hybrid electric system. The top-spec version of the Xinghai V9 is installed with a 34.9kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, offering a battery-powered range of 200km and a combined range of 1,300km under CLTC conditions.

Photo credit: Dongfeng Forthing

Inside the cabin, the Xinghai V9 offers a 41-inch smart ultra-clear three-screen setup, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip and integrated with Tencent TAI 4.0 intelligent car system. The vehicle features L2+ intelligent driving assistance system and high-speed NOA function.
I am delighted to observe that despite the campaign of calumny launched against me by the EFCC domestically and internationally, which essentially deprived me of my livelihood as a lawyer and arbitrator since 2016, and loss of family life and reputation, I survived. God was kind to me by granting me good health and friends who came to my aid in several ways. Now that the trial is over, I have the option of suing the Nigerian state and all those who contributed to my ordeal.

On Friday, 19 April, the Federal High Court, Abuja, Coram Inyang Ekwo, J, upheld the No case Submission I made to the spurious charges levied against me by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the official role I played in the implementation of the 2006 Settlement Agreement entered into by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and Malabu Oil & Gas Limited (Malabu) over the disputed ownership of OPL 245.

It will be recalled that the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Coram Abubakar Kutigi, J, had on Thursday, 28th March, similarly upheld the No case submission I made to the charges filed against me. The EFCC had, in their wisdom and in the exercise of their prosecutorial powers, filed charges on the same facts in different courts to annoy and cause me maximum discomfort and expense.

Nigerians will recall that I served the country in the exalted position of Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice from April 2010 to 29 May, 2015. During that period, I received Presidential Approval/Directive to implement the subsisting 2006 Settlement Agreement between the FGN and Malabu, which at the material time had been reduced to a consent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja. When the EFCC, at the instigation of some powerful persons in the country, ostensibly because of the enabling political environment, began its shenanigans sometime in 2015, I took out an Originating Summons against the FGN praying the Federal High Court, Abuja, to determine whether I, acting as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in the Government of the Federation, could be held personally liable for carrying out or implementing the Presidential Approvals/Directives of the President in exercise of his powers under section 5 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. The Federal High Court, Abuja, Coram, Binta Nyako, J, declared in essence that I did no wrong by carrying out the Presidents lawful directives and that I could, therefore, not be held personally liable for discharging my responsibilities.

Nigerians will also recall that when the OPL 245 Settlement Agreement came under the searchlight of the EFCC in 2017, the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, CON, had in his reasoned legal opinion to the EFCC confirmed that he had reviewed the Settlement Agreement and could not find any illegality in the transaction. The Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, also wrote an opinion to the President through the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, where he opined in essence that the transaction was for the benefit of the country, as it would enable the oil block to be developed for the benefit of the country.

Despite these exonerating opinions and the subsisting judgment of the FHC, Abuja, the EFCC proceeded to charge me and other entities for corruption, money laundering and other sundry offences. I had no option but to submit myself to the legal process. It has been a harrowing experience that has lasted for over nine years, due mainly to the antics of the prosecution, which hurriedly filed charges against me to satisfy some narrow political interests but became reluctant to prove their case for want of evidence. The trial became an object of a political witch hunt and scapegoatism, as the EFCC needed to hang corruption charges on my neck as a way of sustaining the FGNs claims against the implementation of the Settlement Agreement in foreign jurisdictions, such as Milan, Italy; the United States of America; and the United Kingdom.

Predictably, these foreign jurisdictions examined the OPL 245 transaction and my role in implementing the Settlement Agreement and, in their reasoned judgments, held that there were no infractions of a criminal nature. Consequently, the charges in Milan, Italy were quashed, the United States Department of Justice found no criminality in the transaction, and the United Kingdom Commercial Court, which interestingly, in affirming the legality of the transaction, commended the role I played in the implementation of the Agreement.

I am delighted to observe that despite the campaign of calumny launched against me by the EFCC domestically and internationally, which essentially deprived me of my livelihood as a lawyer and arbitrator since 2016, and loss of family life and reputation, I survived. God was kind to me by granting me good health and friends who came to my aid in several ways. Now that the trial is over, I have the option of suing the Nigerian state and all those who contributed to my ordeal. While contemplating the next steps, I leave all my traducers to their conscience and the judgment of posterity. I am grateful to the Almighty Allah for divine mercies and blessings, my family for standing by me and enduring the public odium associated with trials of this nature, my friends for living up to the name and my lawyers for their forbearance and industry.

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

Despite my ordeal, my faith in the Nigeria project is not misplaced or shaken. I will continue to contribute my quota to the progress and development of our great country.

Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) is a former attorney-general and minister of justice in Nigeria.

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At least 23 persons were killed on Wednesday during an attack by terrorists at Anguwar Danko in Kakangi ward of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The police spokesperson in Kaduna, Mansur Hassan, could not be reached immediately to comment on the attack. But PREMIUM TIMES saw a security report alerting officials about heightened criminal abduction in the area.

The internal memo confirmed the attack at Anguwar Danko at about 6 p.m. on 17 April.

The report indicated that the terrorists abducted an unspecified number of people during the attack.

The bandits stormed the neighbourhood in large numbers, fired gunshots intermittently, and then dragged their victims away, the security report said.

Residents and officials said an unspecified number of residents were also either kidnapped or could not be accounted for.

Armed persons invaded our community on Wednesday, welding sophisticated weapons. They fired and killed at will and abducted several residents who we could not account for as of Thursday evening, a resident told PREMIUM TIMES, asking not to be named for security reasons.

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But the lawmaker who represents the area in the State House of Assembly, Yahaya Musa, on Thursday, said 23 people were killed and five others injured in the attack.

There were casualties following Wednesdays attack in my constituency, so far 23 people were buried on Thursday, he said.

He said 19 of the deceased were from Anguwar Danko while four were killed at Kanawa village.

Attacks by terrorists are frequent in the Birnin Gwari area and some parts of Kaduna State despite the presence of multiple security formations in the state.

Terrorists have turned Kaduna State into a war zone and made travelling between the state and Abuja and Niger State a nightmare with impudent attacks on road, rail and air facilities.

READ ALSO: Army troops rescue 16 kidnap victims in Kaduna

Experts say the security situation does not reflect the fact that Kaduna has some of the most critical military and police establishments in the country.

While most states have one military base, a police command and a few other security outfits each, Kaduna has at least 15 military establishments including the premier Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). Yet, terrorists activities have wrapped the state in fear and anxiety.

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The Nigerian Army on Friday released the King of Ewu Kingdom, Clement Ikolo, who had been in detention following the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama community in Delta on 14 March.

The traditional ruler surrendered himself after he was declared wanted alongside seven other suspects by the army in connection with the incident.

Mr Ikolo was handed over to the senator representing Delta Central, Ede Dafinone, by the Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu.

While briefing journalists on the release of the traditional ruler, Mr Nwachukwu said the army authorities decided to release the royal father on bail to the senator after a preliminary investigation.

He said that while there was no sufficient evidence of the traditional rulers culpability, it was also too early to exonerate anyone from the dastardly act.

The army spokesperson said the manhunt for those who perpetrated the crime directly, supported or knew about it, was ongoing.

According to him, Mr Ikolo in whose domain the dastardly act took place, surrendered to the Nigeria Police Force, who in turn handed him over to the Nigerian Army.

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Since his surrender, the Nigerian Army has painstakingly reviewed every available information on the incident and has come to some preliminary observations and inferences.

One of which is that, while culpability has not been conclusively established against the traditional ruler, there is insufficient evidence, to exonerate anyone at this stage.

Nevertheless, on the intervention of distinguished Senator Dafinone, representing Delta Central, and his vouching for the monarchs character, and the fact that the monarch voluntarily turned himself in for questioning, it has been decided that His Highness be released to the Senator.

He has agreed to act as surety for his release on the condition that he will always assist the army and other agencies of government investigating the Okuama killing incident, to have access to the monarch whenever needed.

Mr Nwachukwu said the release of the traditional ruler was in line with the armys commitment to upholding the rule of law and justice.

He encouraged others declared wanted to make themselves available for questioning, assuring that they would receive fair and decent treatment.

The army spokesman further assured that anyone found culpable would be strictly subjected to constitutional provisions for handling such cases.

In his response, the traditional ruler thanked God, Delta Governor and members of the National Assembly from the state for their support.

He said that the army accorded him fair treatment, and he was kept in a decent facility during his detention.

The royal father promised to support and cooperate with the army to ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were brought to book.

The senator, on his part, commended the Nigerian Army for exhibiting a high level of professionalism in the handling of the crisis and attested that the traditional ruler was treated with dignity.

(NAN)

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Nick Agule, an international oil and gas expert, has advised Nigerian governors to maximise the gains created by the unbundling of the electricity sector by domesticating the amended Act in their respective states.

Mr Agule further urged the governors to put in place a regulator  an equivalent of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for their states to regulate activities in the sector.

The energy expert made the advice on Wednesday while appearing as a guest on Focus Nigeria on AIT.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari last year signed into law 16 constitution alteration bills, which devolved more powers to the state by removing some items including railway, prison and electricity from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.

Before then, sub-national governments including Akwa Ibom State only own power stations but cannot transmit and distribute electricity as such powers were exclusively preserved for the federal government.

PREMIUM TIMES in 2016 reported how former Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State lamented that despite being the only state in the country that could generate more than 150 megawatts of electricity, transmission was still an exclusive preserve of the federal government, the basis he said, residents were complaining of lack of power supply.

But the amended law allows states to license, generate, transmit and distribute electricity in areas covered by the national grid.

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The next step is for them (governors) to seek private sectors to come and invest by offering them sweet deals, to make things easy for them, Mr Agule said.

A governor can say if you come in I will sign your Certificate of Occupancy today. I will give you some tax breaks. There is no state in Nigeria today that does not have abundant energy sources, he added.

How electricity can boost employment, revenue

The energy expert said that Nigeria is currently generating 3,000 megawatts of electricity shows that the country is not serious about power supply, adding that electricity is to the economy what blood is to the life of human beings.

The economy will never lift up without electricity. So electricity should be the main target for governors. It is with electricity that businesses will begin to move.

If you give electricity to this economy you will see that a lot of people will not depend on the government again because they can do it on their own, and then, the states and federal government will begin to take in more revenue from the taxation that is happening with them.

He said governments should give the same attention it gave to Covid-19 to electricity if it wants to solve the challenges of power supply in the country.

Break national grid monopoly

Mr Agule said the monopoly of having one national grid should be broken and likened it to putting all eggs in one basket, the basis he said was why when the nation goes down (experience darkness) once the national grid goes down.

He said other countries have micro grid, mini grid, and the national grid as against Nigeria which has only national grid.

Talking about hydro, I have been to all the states in the southern part of Nigeria. There is no state that you will go to that you will not see a flowing body of water like a stream or a river near a community.

Just dam (build a dam) it to get hydroelectricity for the communities around. You dont need to transmit it too far. Keep damming each river and supply to the communities around.

Hydroelectricity comes off that. Irrigation comes off that. With irrigation you dont need to wait for rainfall again. You can create your rain twelve months a year and farmers will be busy. You can have fishing activity coming off that and you can also supply pipe borne water from that dam and also build a nice tourism resort.

With localization of distribution and generation of electricity, it will eliminate the high cost of construction of the national grid, he said.

Some state governments, PREMIUM TIMES understands, had already secured power distribution licences from the federal government.

For instance, NERC in January last year approved an independent power distribution network known as Ibom Utility Company for Akwa Ibom to distribute electricity to selected locations in the state, Business Day reported.

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The police in Abia State, South-east Nigeria, have said they arrested the suspected killer of a final-year undergraduate student of the Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU).

The police spokesperson in the state, Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

The victim, Emmanuel Uche, went missing in March after some cult-related clashes in students residential quarters in the area.

A viral video clip later showed when the victim was being killed by a group of suspected cultists in a lodge outside the university premises.

In the clip seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the victim attempted to escape as he crawled through an untarred road. He would later stand up and try to flee, but was shot dead by one of the attackers who caught up with him.

Police speak

Mrs Chinaka, an assistant superintendent of police, said the police authorities in Abia State observed that the viral clip, which showed the victim being killed by the hoodlums, surfaced on 11 March.

The police spokesperson said the victim was murdered in front of a lodge known as Miracle Lodge in Uturu, a community in the local Government Area of the state.

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READ ALSO: Army probes death of hotel manager in Abia

How suspect was arrested

Mrs Chinaka said the suspect was arrested at Uturu in Isuikwuato Council Area of the state at about 11:00 a.m. on Thursday by police detectives from Abia State Police Command in response to a tip-off.

The police spokesperson said the suspect was spotted in the viral video clip murdering the victim.

The suspect, identified as Emmanuel Victor, has confessed to the crime. He is currently in lawful custody and will be charged to court, she said.

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The police in Enugu State, South-east Nigeria, say they have arrested a 23-year-old suspect for allegedly vandalising an electric transformer in the state.

The suspect, Chigozie Obieze, was said to have vandalised the transformer in an estate close to Damijah Flyover in Enugu alongside other fleeing suspects.

The police spokesperson in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Ndukwe, a deputy superintendent of police, said police operatives serving in Trans-Ekulu Divisional Headquarters arrested the suspect at about 5:30 a.m. on 12 April at the flyover in the state.

The police spokesperson said the arrest followed a tip-off about the activities of the suspects around the area.

He said while the operatives arrested Mr Obieze, his cohorts escaped during the operation.

(A) yet-to-be ascertained lengths and sizes of armoured cables and a big cutting tool the suspect and others at large used in vandalising the transformer were recovered, 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

A preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect confessed to having been previously involved in the act of vandalism with others at large, Mr Ndukwe stated.

The police spokesperson said the arrested suspect will be arraigned and prosecuted once investigations are concluded.

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Many people have been killed in a road accident in Imo State, south-east Nigeria.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the accident occurred on Friday morning along Owerri-Onitsha Expressway in Owerri, the state capital.

The accident happened when a luxurious bus, conveying members of the Lords Chosen Church, collided with a Tipper vehicle in the area.

Members of the church were said to be visiting Owerri for a crusade billed to hold within the weekend when the incident occurred.

A witness, who asked not to be named, told this newspaper that at least 20 members of the church were feared dead during the crash.

Yes. It (the accident) happened at the Orogwe end of the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway here in Owerri. From what I have seen, I think over 20 people died in this accident, he said.

The witness said a few of the victims had been rushed to nearby hospitals by some residents.

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

Police speak

When contacted, the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr Okoye, an assistant of police, said over five persons have been confirmed dead so far while a yet-to-be-ascertained number of the victims had been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Over five (victims) have been confirmed dead. I dont have the statistics for now. Those confirmed dead have also been deposited in the mortuary, he said.

The police spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Danjuma Aboki, has deployed a police traffic team to the scene of the accident to help in evacuating victims.

He added that the police commissioner has equally deployed a reinforcement team of police operatives to assist in controlling heavy traffic in the area caused by the incident.

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SAN FRANCISCOFalcon Studios has announced the debut of Desert Moon, directed by Trenton Ducati and Ryan Brian. The full movie, starring Falcon|NakedSword exclusive Max Konnor, is now available on DVD and as a digital download at the Falcon|NakedSword store.

Featuring real-life boyfriends Trevor Brooks and Swhirly, the first episode of Desert Moon is out now on FalconStudios.com.



In the episode, Brooks and Swhirly hop out of an outdoor jacuzzi to run inside for some raw afternoon delight.

In future episodes of Desert Moon, according to a company synopsis, "Siren Santiago is meeting Kyle Fletcher for the first time and eating up the muscle hunks thick load while Max Konnors ten-inch bareback rod pounds fuck buddy Ty Santanas juicy ass. Later, after a late-night visit to the outdoor firepit, Ricky Rexx is burying his hard cock into Kyle Fletchers beefy cakes and drowning the versatile bottoms six-pack in his creamy ropes. Tony Genius then arrives for a raw three-way with Trevor Brooks and Swhirly that finds Trevor being spit-roasted and Tony getting stretched out by Swhirlys impressively oversized dick."

Promotion of the premiere and all future episodes of Desert Moon is available through the Buddy Profits affiliate program. For more information, contact the affiliate manager at [email protected].



For DVD retail and wholesale purchasing, contact John Gunderson at [email protected].

Contact Cameron Greer at [email protected] for any additional inquiries.
NEW YORK, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The agrochemicals market size is expected to grow by USD 49 million between 2022 and 2027. This growth, projected to accelerate at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.48%, underscores the pivotal role of agrochemicals in sustaining agricultural productivity amidst evolving challenges.

The report offers an up-to-date analysis of the market, and to know the exact growth variance and the Y-O-Y growth rate

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Agrochemicals Market 2023-2027

Request a FREE Sample Report.

Driving Forces Behind Market Expansion

One of the primary drivers propelling the agrochemicals market forward is the escalating demand from developing countries, notably India and China. These nations, characterized by large rural populations and burgeoning food requirements, present immense growth opportunities for agrochemical companies. Despite their vast agricultural landscapes, both India and China exhibit relatively low pesticide usage per hectare compared to developed counterparts like the UK and European Union. However, as farmer awareness increases, a surge in pesticide consumption is anticipated, contributing to market growth.

Segment Analysis: Fertilizers Leading the Charge

Within the agrochemicals market, the fertilizers segment emerges as a frontrunner, boasting the largest market share. From 2017 to 2021, this segment witnessed steady growth, with phosphate-based fertilizers occupying a significant portion of the market. Phosphorus, an essential macronutrient, plays a critical role in enhancing crop productivity by regulating various biochemical processes in plants. The extensive utilization of phosphorus-based fertilizers, including Diammonium phosphate (DAP) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP), to address soil phosphorus deficiencies is expected to fuel segment growth in the coming years.

Regional Dynamics: APAC at the Forefront

Asia-Pacific (APAC) stands out as a prominent contributor to the global agrochemicals market, projected to drive approximately 50% of its growth during the forecast period. The region's substantial agricultural expanse, coupled with fertile soil and increasing food demand due to a burgeoning population, positions it as a key player in the agrochemical landscape. APAC's commitment to modern farming practices and the widespread adoption of agrochemicals further bolster its standing as both the largest and fastest-growing market for pesticide consumption globally.

For more insights on the market - Request a FREE Sample Report.

Competitive Landscape

The agrochemicals market is characterized by its fragmented nature, with several significant players vying for market share. Notable companies such as American Vanguard Corp., BASF SE, Bayer AG, and Syngenta Crop Protection AG are among the key contributors shaping the market's trajectory. Additionally, a diverse array of companies, including CF Industries Holdings Inc., Corteva Inc., and Nufarm Ltd., are actively engaged in the agrochemicals space, fostering competition and innovation.

Conclusion

As global agricultural demands continue to rise amidst challenges such as limited arable land and climate variability, the role of agrochemicals in enhancing crop yields and ensuring food security becomes increasingly vital. With robust growth projections, particularly in emerging markets like India and China, the agrochemicals sector is poised for dynamic expansion in the coming years, driven by innovation, market competition, and evolving agricultural practices.

To learn more about this report- Request a FREE Sample Report.

Analyst Review

The agrochemicals market is a big part of agriculture, helping farmers grow crops effectively. It includes different types of chemicals like pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. These chemicals protect crops from pests and diseases that can harm them.

Farmers use fertilizers to help their crops grow better. There are different kinds of fertilizers, like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers. They provide essential nutrients to the soil that plants need to thrive. Nitrogen fertilizer, for example, helps plants grow green and healthy.

In the agricultural sector, protecting crops is crucial for a good harvest. Pests, such as insects and rodents, can damage crops, leading to lower yields. Farmers use crop protection chemicals to keep pests away and ensure their crops stay healthy.

Different crops have different needs. Cereals like maize and sorghum need specific care, while oilseeds and pulses have their own requirements. Fruits like blueberries and vegetables also need careful attention to grow well.

Organic farming is becoming more popular due to concerns about health and the environment. Organic fertilizers, such as neem cake, are made from natural sources and are safer for both the environment and consumers.

Farmers also need to consider animal welfare regulations when raising livestock. They use animal feed to keep their animals healthy and well-fed.

As cities grow and more land is used for development, farmers face challenges in finding suitable arable land for farming. Urbanization and industrialization can encroach on farmland, making it harder for farmers to produce enough food.

Ensuring food safety is essential for consumers. Farmers must follow strict guidelines to prevent contamination and ensure the food they produce is safe to eat.

Overall, the agrochemicals market plays a vital role in agriculture by providing farmers with the tools they need to grow crops efficiently while protecting the environment and ensuring food safety.

To learn more about this report- Request a FREE Sample Report.

Market Overview

The Agrochemicals Market is crucial for farming success. It encompasses various aspects like agricultural sectors, ecosystems, and arable lands. Farmers rely on fertilizers like nitrogenous, phosphatic, and potassic fertilizers to enrich soil nutrients for robust crop growth. Anhydrous ammonia and inorganic fertilizers play vital roles in this process. Fertigation, a method of combining irrigation and fertilization, ensures efficient nutrient delivery to crops. However, agricultural pests pose challenges, necessitating pest management strategies. Alongside crop cultivation, animal husbandry contributes to the agricultural sector's diversity. Cereals, grains, fruits, and vegetables are key products of this industry, supporting food security worldwide. Overall, the agrochemicals market is indispensable for sustaining agricultural productivity and meeting global food demands.

To learn more about this report- Request a FREE Sample Report.

Related Reports:

The organometallics market size is expected to increase by USD 3.73 billion from 2021 to 2026, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 6.7%.

The powered agriculture equipment market share should rise by USD 36.58 billion from 2022 to 2026 at a CAGR of 7.08%.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- American Skin Association (ASA) is thrilled to announce that it has received Candid's eminent 2024 Platinum Seal of Transparency and the coveted Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator. Candid (formerly Guidestar & Foundation Center) is the world's largest source of information on nonprofit organizations and Charity Navigator is America's premier assessor of charities.

The Platinum seal is Candid's highest honor and puts ASA in the top 0.1% of nonprofit organizations. To receive this seal, Candid evaluated ASA via rigorous standards. Organizations must present transparent and updated information on their mission, programs, goals, strategies, and financial statements prepared by an independent auditing firm. The honor is only bestowed on nonprofits that consistently illustrate the highest level of responsible fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

"It is with great pride that we accept Candid's Platinum Seal for the fourth consecutive year," said ASA Chairman, Howard P. Milstein. "This seal undoubtedly reflects the dedicated efforts of ASA's Board of Directors and staff in maintaining a fiscally efficient and transparent organization committed to expanding dermatologic research."

The Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator designates ASA as an official "Give with Confidence" charity and is only awarded to those exceeding industry standards and outperforming most organizations in their area of philanthropy. American Skin Association achieved perfect scores of 100% on both essential rating criteria, Accountability & Finance and Culture & Community. The Accountability & Finance beacon assesses charities' fiscal health and operational governance, while the Culture & Community beacon evaluates the nonprofit's engagement with its community.

"We are delighted to provide American Skin Association with third-party accreditation that validates their operational excellence," said Michael Thatcher, President, and CEO of Charity Navigator. "The Four-Star Rating is the highest possible rating an organization can achieve. We are eager to see the good work that ASA is able to accomplish in the years ahead."

Since its establishment in 1987, ASA and its affiliates have funded more than $50 million in critical grants to support talented young scientists who have gone on to become top researchers in their fields. These individuals work to find cutting-edge methods to prevent, detect, and treat skin cancer and other skin diseases. In addition, ASA has made crucial investments in the well-being of future generations, putting great effort and resources into educating young people about the importance of sun safety and skin health. ASA supports an acclaimed nationwide skin health educational initiative for children and adolescents, taught by medical students, through collaboration with the Sun Protection Outreach Teaching by Students (SPOTS) program.

"American Skin Association is honored to receive the highest ratings from the two most esteemed charity evaluators," added David A. Norris, MD, President of ASA. "Charity Navigator's Four-Star Rating and Candid's Platinum designation stand as beacons of trust, reflecting ASA's unwavering commitment to the highest level of financial transparency and accountability. Our donors can be assured that their generosity fuels our mission to advance dermatologic research and promote skin health."

In today's ever-challenging economic climate, donors seek transparency and accountability from the organizations they choose to support. The high honors bestowed by Candid and Charity Navigator reconfirm that ASA is worthy of its donors' confidence and generosity.

To learn more about ASA's important work, or to make a gift today, visit americanskin.org.

ABOUT AMERICAN SKIN ASSOCIATION

A unique collaboration of patients, families, advocates, physicians and scientists, ASA has evolved over nearly four decades as a leading force in efforts to defeat melanoma, skin cancer and other skin diseases. Established as a 501(c)(3) organization to serve the now more than 100 million Americans  one-third of the U.S. population  afflicted with skin disorders, the organization's mission remains to: advance research, champion skin health  particularly among children, and drive public awareness about skin disease. For more information, visit americanskin.org.

SOURCE American Skin Association
Global Humanitarian and Business Leader, Ruben Vardanyan, Demands Immediate and Unconditional Release of All Armenian Prisoners

YEREVAN, Armenia, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The family of illegally detained philanthropist, Ruben Vardanyan, announced today that he entered into a hunger strike to demand the immediate and unconditional release of himself, and the other Armenian prisoners illegally held in Baku.

The hunger strike began on April 5, 2024, following repeated requests by Vardanyan and counsel to provide a fair and transparent trial in a timely manner in line with international legal standards. Tellingly, since his hunger strike began, his family's regular phone calls with him have been cut off, in clear violation of all international norms. The original trial slated for January was extended without cause to May.

Last September, armed forces of the government of Azerbaijan invaded the Armenian autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh, triggering the exodus of the 120,000 inhabitants of the region. During the plight of the refugees, Vardanyan and 7 other former officials were arrested and now face spurious politically motivated charges. They are all political prisoners.

"I am deeply concerned about the health and well-being of my father," said David Vardanyan, one of Mr. Vardanyan's sons. "For nearly 200 days, my family has not seen my father. We have had absolutely no contact with him since he launched his hunger strike on April 5th."

Vardanyan's hunger strike tragically coincides with the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide which will occur on April 24th, demonstrating how Armenians continue to be targets of ethnic cleansing and are still targeted for persecution around the world.

Ruben Vardanyan is a loving husband and a father of four. He is also an influential Armenian business leader, social entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Together with his partners from around the world, he has driven more than $1.5 billion toward advancing economic development, addressing humanitarian challenges, and supporting global education initiatives.

A former State Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from November 2022-February 2023, Mr. Vardanyan has been charged with false accusations, held in conditions against international law, and faces a trial that will not be up to international standards, especially regarding access of international observers to the proceedings. In addition, Mr. Vardanyan's case has been separated from the other seven political prisoners, raising questions about whether he in particular is being politically targeted.

"The illegal detention of Ruben and the other former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh is an egregious abuse of human rights and the international justice system and must be ended," said Paul Polman, Selection Committee member of the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative co-founded by Ruben Vardanyan. "The irony of this entire situation is that Azerbaijan has been selected to host COP 29 in a blatant attempt to 'greenwash' their international reputation. COP has a major focus on the interconnectivity of climate change and human rights at a time when they are abusing both in plain sight."

Mr. Vardanyan's family demands that:

All illegally detained ethnic Armenian prisoners, including Ruben Vardanyan, should be released immediately and unconditionally. Should the illegal trials proceed, they must happen before the prisoners' detention orders expire in May, must meet global legal standards, and international observers and media must be allowed to attend. The Azeri government must allow immediate access of the International Red Cross to assess the wellbeing of Ruben and the other prisoners. The family's access to telephone calls with Mr. Vardanyan must be restored. Any peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan must include the release of all ethnic Armenian prisoners. COP 29 should not proceed in Azerbaijan without these steps occurring.

For additional information go to www.freearmenianprisoners.com

Media Contact

Jere Sullivan, Edelman Global Advisory

[email protected]

+1 (202) 425-9056

SOURCE Free Armenian Prisoners
For the first time ever, Aviation American Gin is Dropping a Series of Limited-Edition Bottles Slated to Hit Shelves Early this Summer

PORTLAND, Ore., April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Get ready to marvel at the ginematic universe with six new limited-edition Aviation American Gin bottles inspired by Marvel Studios' "Deadpool & Wolverine," in US theaters July 26. To celebrate the release of the film, Aviation American Gin is giving fans (21+) the opportunity to dive headfirst into the action with the launch of limited-edition bottles rolling out at retailers nationwide and in select countries globally starting early this summer.

Aviation American Gin Aviation American Gin

"I discovered Aviation American Gin while shooting the first Deadpool movie," said Ryan Reynolds, Aviation American Gin's Co-Owner. "Back then Aviation wasn't big enough to tie-in to a big summer movie and Deadpool was lucky to get any sponsors at all. A few hundred weeks and drinks later, here we are! They grow up so quickly, don't they?"

Beautifully designed by Maximum Effort and Sandstrom Partners, the new Aviation American Gin bottles draw inspiration from the beloved film franchise. Encased in sleek black glass and accented with red custom strip stamps and metallic details, these bottles are the ultimate collector's item for fans of both the movie and spirit. Offering a nod to the iconic character, each bottle variant showcases one of six distinctive Deadpool icons, while the exterior of each gin case simulates the look of Deadpool's signature suit fabric.

"Our collaboration with 'Deadpool & Wolverine' to create this series of bottles is a first-of-its-kind promotion for Aviation American Gin with one of the most iconic characters in pop culture history," said Ricky Collett, Global & US Brand Director for Aviation American Gin at Diageo. "The custom bottle embodies the irreverent spirit of both brands and showcases our commitment to pushing cultural boundaries and redefining the gin drinking experience."

Each limited-edition bottle is filled with the same perfectly crisp, smooth Aviation American Gin fans know and love. Distilled in its unique American style and crafted with a blend of botanicals delivering an approachable and balanced flavor profile, Aviation American Gin is a versatile spirit, perfect for any cocktail occasion.

"The 'Deadpool' film franchise has been a cultural phenomenon since its inception," said Holly Frank, Walt Disney Studios' VP, Partnership Management and Operations, Marvel. "We're so excited to be collaborating with Aviation American Gin to give fans a chance to engage with the world of Deadpool in a whole new way leading up to the eagerly anticipated theatrical release of 'Deadpool & Wolverine'."

The Aviation American Gin bottles inspired by Marvel Studios' "Deadpool & Wolverine" are a 750mL bottle. Starting early this summer, the limited-edition product will be available while supplies last at retailers nationwide, online, as well as the Aviation American Gin Portland Distillery , and in select countries (US/UK/CAN/AUS) at the same price as the traditional Aviation American Gin offering.

For further information, visit http://www.aviationgin.com/deadpoolandwolverine and follow @AviationGin on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for real time updates. You can find hi-res images/assets in the folder here.

Aviation American Gin [42% Alc/Vol. Imported by Diageo, New York, NY] reminds you to drink responsibly.

About Aviation American Gin

Aviation American Gin is one of the world's highest rated gins and helped establish a new style of American gin. Crafted with a blend of botanicals delivering an approachable and balanced flavor profile, Aviation American Gin is a versatile spirit, perfect for any cocktail occasion. Created by a unique bartender / distiller partnership and now co-owned by actor and entrepreneur Ryan Reynolds, Aviation American Gin operates a distillery, packaging facility and visitor experience in Portland, OR.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo: @Diageo_News and @Diageo.

About Marvel Studios' "Deadpool & Wolverine"

Marvel Studios' "Deadpool & Wolverine" delivers the ultimate, harum-scarum, team-up throwdown on July 26.

Shawn Levy directs "Deadpool & Wolverine," which stars Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, and Matthew Macfadyen.

Kevin Feige, Ryan Reynolds, Shawn Levy and Lauren Shuler Donner produce with Louis D'Esposito, Wendy Jacobson, George Dewey, Mary McLaglen, Josh McLaglen, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick and Simon Kinberg serving as executive producers.

Marvel Studios' "Deadpool & Wolverine" is written by Ryan Reynolds & Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick & Zeb Wells & Shawn Levy.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Alison Brod Marketing + Communications

[email protected]

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Zook Cabins among fastest growing companies in North and South America.

ATGLEN, Pa., April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Zook Cabins, a family business selling cabins across the United States, is featured on America's Fastest Growing Companies 2024 . The list by Financial Times is a compilation of 500 of the most rapidly growing companies in North or South America. Coming in at #100 on the list, Zook Cabins has sustained an incredible growth rate of 483% from 2019 to 2022.

Cabin Manufacturer Featured on FT List of Rapidly Growing Companies Cabin Manufacturer Featured on FT List of Rapidly Growing Companies

The Zook Cabins journey is a fascinating one. Beginning almost 20 years ago building hunting cabins, they have expanded to include modular homes and, more recently, park model cabins. Not only have they developed great products, they have also built a team that brings energy to their company and the customers they serve.

One of their goals is to give families a chance to make memories. "We want our customers to have a place to relax," says Allan Fisher, CEO. "Our team works very hard to make sure that each family has a chance to make memories together."

The company gives credit to their strong team as the reason that they have been so successful. "Our team brings hard work and great vision together," says Fisher, "And that has allowed us to keep growing and serving our customers."

With headquarters in Atglen, PA, Zook Cabins manufactures cabins of all types and delivers them across the United States. In their collection, they build several styles of log homes, ranging from 800 to 2000 square feet in size. Smaller than the homes are their 400 square foot park models, which are small, elegant living spaces that bring a modern look. They also have lines of glamping pods and luxury mobile homes.

Zook Cabins has revolutionized the cabin space over the last decade, making log cabins a reality for many. At the forefront of the industry, they have been instrumental in tiny home living as they have developed new models, such as the recently launched Luna Cabin .

For more information, visit www.zookcabins.com .

About Financial Times Fastest Growing List

The Financial Times creates an annual list of fastest growing companies that are headquartered in the Americas. Using data gathered by Statista, they choose the top 500 companies to feature in their FT ranking: The America's Fastest-Growing Companies 2024 article, giving a good look at which companies, like Zook Cabins, are leaders in their industries in the Western Hemisphere.

Contact:

Leon Fisher

Sales Representative

(610) 593-4556

[email protected]

SOURCE Zook Cabins
NEW YORK, April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global clinical laboratory services market size is estimated to grow by USD 147.44 bn from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 10.25% during the forecast period. The global population is aging due to increased life expectancy and a shift in cause of death to chronic diseases. This demographic change impacts the clinical laboratory services market, which focuses on diagnostic tests for chronic conditions, biomolecular concentrations, and infections. Technological innovations, automation, and digitalization are driving advancements in areas like genome-based laboratories, preventive screening, and data management. Despite pricing pressure, the market is expected to grow significantly due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and the need for early disease diagnosis.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Clinical Laboratory Services Market 2023-2027

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

Clinical Laboratory Services Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.25% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 147.44 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 8.91 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 38% Key countries US, UK, Germany, China, and Japan Key companies profiled Abbott Laboratories, AP Moller Holding AS, ARUP Laboratories, Bio Rad Laboratories Inc., Cerba HealthCare, Charles River Laboratories International Inc., Enzo Clinical Labs, Eurofins Scientific SE, Fresenius Medical Care AG and Co. KGaA, Genova Diagnostics Inc., HU Group Holdings Inc., Illumina Inc., Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, NeoGenomics Laboratories Inc., OPKO Health Inc., QIAGEN NV, Quest Diagnostics Inc., Siemens AG, Sonic Healthcare Ltd., and SYNLAB International GmbH

Segment Overview

This clinical laboratory services market report extensively covers market segmentation by End-user (Hospital-based laboratories, Stand-alone laboratories, Clinic-based laboratories) Application (Bioanalytical and lab chemistry, Toxicology testing, Cell and gene therapy, Preclinical and clinical trial, Others) Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, Rest of World (ROW))

Market segmentation by End-user

The Clinical Laboratory Services Market encompasses various specialized segments, including Microbiology, Hematology, Immunology, Cytology, and Genetic. The Clinical chemistry segment, which focuses on biomolecular concentrations, utilizes advanced technologies such as chromatography, immunochemistry, ELISA, mass spectroscopy, and molecular biology. Technological innovations, including automation and digitalization, are transforming diagnostic laboratories, enabling preventive screening, genome-based laboratory testing, and home-based diagnostics. Despite pricing pressure, the market's growth is driven by the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the need for early disease diagnosis. Laboratory automation systems, database management tools, and informatics facilitate efficient sample preparation, data management, and patient test record maintenance. Infectious diseases and inflammatory conditions continue to be major diagnostic areas, with a focus on improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing turnaround times.

Geography Overview

The Clinical Laboratory Services Market in North America is experiencing significant growth, driven by the rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Diagnostic tests are at the forefront of this expansion, with a focus on time-saving and cost-effective procedures. In vitro tests are particularly popular in the US due to the increasing incidence of lifestyle and chronic conditions. Automation plays a crucial role in this sector, with laboratory automation systems streamlining sample preparation, data management, and clinical lab services. Biomolecular concentrations, infections, inflammatory conditions, and genetic testing are all benefiting from these technological innovations. Database management tools and patient test records are essential components of informatics, enabling early disease diagnosis and efficient diagnostic practices. Disease prevalence continues to fuel the demand for clinical laboratory services, with diagnostic laboratories offering clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology, immunology, cytology, genetics testing, toxicology testing services, and more. The healthcare system's shift towards preventive screening and the advent of genome-based laboratories put additional pricing pressure on the market. Despite these challenges, clinical laboratory services remain a vital part of the healthcare ecosystem, contributing to disease diagnosis and lab testing procedures through clinical diagnostic techniques.

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 Clinical Laboratory Services Market is experiencing growth due to the rise in chronic diseases and preventive healthcare. Regular routine checks, including diagnostic tests, are crucial for disease prevention and early diagnosis. Doctors recommend tests based on age, gender, and disease prevalence. Clinical lab services provide various tests, such as clinical chemistry, genetics, toxicology, and microbiology, using advanced automation and digitalization. Innovation in diagnostic practices and pricing pressure are market trends.

The Clinical Laboratory Services Market encompasses various sectors, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and innovation. Clinical laboratory professionals, specialized in areas like clinical chemistry, genetics testing, microbiology, hematology, and immunology, utilize advanced diagnostic devices. However, a shortage of technologically proficient professionals increases the risk of incorrect diagnoses. Key areas include hospital-based and stand-alone laboratories, bioanalytical lab services, toxicology testing, and clinical diagnostic techniques. Automation and digitalization are driving trends, while pricing pressure remains a challenge.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 - 2021) and forecast period(2023-2027)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

The Clinical Laboratory Services Market encompasses various diagnostic tests and techniques, including Clinical Chemistry (kw), Microbiology (kw), Hematology (kw), Immunology (kw), Cytology (kw), and Genetic (kw) testing. These services play a crucial role in disease diagnosis (kw) and monitoring biomolecular concentrations (kw) related to infections (kw) and inflammatory conditions (kw). Advancements in technology have led to the implementation of automation (kw) and digitalization (kw) in laboratory settings, such as Laboratory Automation Systems (kw). These innovations streamline sample preparation (kw) and clinical testing procedures (kw), enhancing efficiency and accuracy in the Clinical Chemistry Segment (kw). The healthcare system (kw) relies heavily on preventive screening (kw) and genome-based laboratory (kw) services to ensure early detection and effective management of chronic diseases (kw). Nursing personnel and clinical diagnostic techniques (kw) collaborate to provide comprehensive care, ensuring optimal patient outcomes.

Market Research Overview

The Clinical Laboratory Services market is a significant segment in the healthcare industry, utilizing advanced technologies for diagnostic testing and disease management. Diagnostic tests play a crucial role in disease detection and treatment, with laboratories providing services such as clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and immunology. The use of digital technologies, including telemedicine and remote monitoring, has expanded laboratory services, enabling faster and more accurate results. Biomarkers and genetic testing are also gaining popularity, contributing to personalized medicine and disease management. The market is driven by factors such as an aging population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and technological advancements. Despite challenges, including regulatory requirements and reimbursement issues, the market is expected to grow steadily, offering opportunities for innovation and expansion.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

End-user

Hospital-based Laboratories



Stand-alone Laboratories



Clinic-based Laboratories

Application

Bioanalytical And Lab Chemistry



Toxicology Testing



Cell And Gene Therapy



Preclinical And Clinical Trial



Others

Geography

North America



Europe



Asia



Rest Of World (ROW)



7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company 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
NEW YORK, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating the 40th anniversary of The Glaucoma Foundation, writer, performer and producer David Letterman was front and center at TGF's April 18th Gala in New York City, where he received the Foundation's inaugural Chairman's Spotlight Award.

Said TGF Chairman Gregory K. Harmon, MD, "This new award puts a spotlight on the transformative effect individuals can have in their chosen field and their activism and philanthropy on behalf of others. I can't think of anyone more deserving than our first recipient, David Letterman."

David Letterman receives The Glaucoma Foundation Spotlight Award.

Accepting the award, Mr. Letterman presented a special new "Top 10 List" about visits to an eye doctor. "The curing and treating of this disease is truly a gift to me and my family," noted Mr. Letterman, whose mother had glaucoma.

The Glaucoma Foundation was founded in 1984 by Dr. Robert Ritch to identify and support innovative research in glaucoma. "Even then," says TGF President and CEO Elena Sturman, it was understood that research would hold the key to opening doors that could lead to new treatments and eventually a cure for this insidious disease." Ten years later, TGF's interdisciplinary Annual International Scientific Think Tank was launched, helping to set the course.

Glaucoma afflicts some 3 million people in the U.S. and 80 million worldwide. Eliminating blindness from glaucoma through vital research, education and collaboration remains TGF's core mission. In recent years TGF has developed new initiatives to educate the public and help glaucoma patients around the world manage their disease. During Covid, TGF began presenting an ongoing series of impactful webinars. "We strive to be a valuable resource and to improve the lives of people with glaucoma worldwide," says Ms. Sturman.

In addition to honoring Mr. Letterman, TGF presented its Kitty Carlisle Hart Award of Merit for Lifetime Achievement at the Gala to Barry S. Friedberg & Charlotte Moss, and Kenneth & Linda Mortenson. Ms. Hart, the stage and screen actress, was a devoted friend of the Foundation for many years.

The Anniversary Gala with 250 in attendance has raised $550,000 in support of the Foundation's mission to eradicate blindness caused by glaucoma. Proceeds will be applied to its research program.

Media Contact: Gabrielle Bamberger/[email protected]

SOURCE The Glaucoma Foundation
Edison Achievement Award Given to Leaders from SpaceX and NASA JPL

FORT MYERS, Fla., April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Edison Awards, an organization dedicated to honoring the world's most innovative new products, took center stage last night in Fort Myers to announce their 2024 award winners. For the full list of this year's winners, click HERE.

"The Edison Awards are a celebration of the forward-thinking innovations that will shape our world for the better," expressed Executive Director Frank Bonafilia. "This year's impressive group have demonstrated remarkable vision and dedication. They have created products and services that not only meet the needs of today's consumers, but also help pave the way for a more sustainable and equitable future."

Edison Awards announces their 2024 innovation award winners, NASA and SpaceX leaders receive Edison Achievement Award. Post this

The event brought together an esteemed group of innovators from across the globe. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in a series of invigorating events, including thought provoking speaker panels by industry experts, networking opportunities, live demonstrations, and breakout sessions. Carmichael Roberts and Florian Schattenmann provided valuable insights into the latest trends in sustainability and social impact, other themes throughout the event focused on the future of energy led by Lucienne Pears of Babcock Ranch, and a dynamic conversation about artificial intelligence's role in the corporate world that included Kristian Hammond and Dr. Rodney Sappington among others.

At the inspirational Edison Awards events this year not only were the winners unveiled, but the Edison Achievement Award was presented to Gwynne Shotwell, the President & COO of SpaceX, and Dr. Laurie Leshin, Director of JPL NASA. Both were celebrated for their exceptional leadership roles and their impact on driving innovation in aerospace. Their uplifting comments for the audience included stories of learning from their failures, pushing the barriers, suggestions on building strong teams and organizations, and their vision for the future of the industry. Other notable attendees from the aerospace industry included Leland Melvin, Sian Proctor, and Paul Propster.

The 2024 class of Lewis Latimer Fellowship honorees, a group embarking on a year-long journey of mentorship and "learn by doing" curriculum was also introduced at the event. John Cropper, the LLFP's Co-Founder, shared his enthusiasm for this impact driven group, stating, "We are thrilled to announce the 2024 Lewis Latimer Fellows, an exceptional group of individuals who represent a very diverse array of backgrounds and experiences will undoubtedly contribute to the richness of the program."

The Edison Awards would like to thank its 2024 sponsors: City of Fort Myers, Black & Veatch, CRA, Babcock Ranch, Horizon Foundation, 35 Mules, Blue Waters Development Group, Cargill, Florida Power & Light, Lee Health, SABIC, and U.S. Sugar. For more information about the Edison Awards and the 2024 winners, visit www.edisonawards.com.

About The Edison Awards:

Established in 1987, the Edison Awards are dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and fostering innovations and innovators. Named after Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931), the annual competition honors excellence in new product and service development, marketing, design, and innovation. The organization's mission is to inspire and enable individuals and organizations to create a better future by recognizing and celebrating the world's most innovative new products, services, and business leaders.

PR Contact:

Rachel Reed

[email protected]

SOURCE Edison Awards
Screen grab: AEW

Even in its aftermath, AEWs decision to air security footage from the real-life backstage altercation between CM Punk and Jack Jungle Boy Perry remains a polarizing one.

On the one hand, airing the eight-month-old footage was largely criticized by fans as a tactic to get back at Punk for his comments about the company and owner/president Tony Khan on The MMA Hour. On the other, the strategy seemed to work, at least from a ratings standpoint, with last weeks episode of AEW Dynamite garnering its largest total audience since February and best demo score since January.

Considering that the argument over whether AEW should have aired the footage is still ongoing, its fair to wonder whether Khan would do it over again if given the chance. But when asked about the segments polarizing nature on a media call ahead of AEWs Dynasty pay-per-view on Sunday, the son of Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan stood by the decision, pointing to the praise he received from his TV partner for the rating.

On the media call happening now, Tony Khan is asked by Dominic D'Angelo if Khan understands the fan feedback on airing the All In footage. Khan says TBS called him about the rating and said good job. That's the most important thing. The rating is the #1 source of fan feedback.  Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) April 18, 2024

Theres no arguing that airing the security footage proved to be a successful draw, although its worth wondering whether its sustainable. Its not like this is a storyline that AEW can push forward, let alone pay off, as Punk is now working in WWE after being fired for cause by AEW as a result of the altercation.

Its also fair to question whether popping a one-week rating was worth having the AEW audience chant for Punk while further convoluting the companys ongoing storyline between the Young Bucks and FTR, which was used as a thinly veiled excuse to air the footage. Blurring the lines between fiction and reality is a time-tested formula in professional wrestling, but it can also lead to diminishing returns when overdone.

To Khans point, AEWs weekly television ratings are currently more important than ever as the company continues negotiating its next media rights deal. Time will tell whether the decision to air the Punk-Perry footage paid off in the long run or was a mere one-week spike during a pivotal time for the promotion.

[Brandon Thurston on X]
YIWU, China, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Under a sunny sky and amidst the sweet scent of blooming flowers, a grand spring gala unfolded. Yiwugo.com hosted its annual "Most Excellent Female Bosses" Party at the Yiwu Expo Center Hotel on the afternoon of April 18, 2024. Yiwugo.com, the official website of the Yiwu Commodity Market, is the largest commodity wholesale market in the world.

Yiwugo.com hosted its annual Most Excellent Female Bosses Party at the Yiwu Expo Center Hotel on the afternoon of April 18, 2024.

On that day, the stage was graced by the presence of ten exceptional women entrepreneurs, recognized as the "Most Excellent Female Bosses". Among them were Fu Jiangyan from Zhangweichao Socks Firm, Sun Lifang from Julia's Bag, Wang Xiaoqing from Yiwu Duo Can Baking Cake Cup, Wang Xiaohong from Aishang Home, Wang Chunxing from Butterfly Fly Lace Firm, Jin Chengfeng from Lanmo Textiles, Li Hong from Yiwu Hanbang Daily Necessities Firm, Peng Xiaoyu from Yuer.toys, Liu Jianying from Avatar Glue Factory, and Wang Liting from Dongyang Qiansi Craft Weaving Co. Ltd. Additionally, 20 nominees for the event, including Yu Liping from Xingda Ceramics Firm, Tan Chengjiao from Xuping Jewelry, and Bao Qiaoli from Bole Plush Pendant Toy, along with other remarkable women entrepreneurs, also attended the party. Dressed in their finest attire, they collectively showcased the elegance and accomplishments of female business owners in the bustling Yiwu market.

Intense Competition: Newcomers vs. Veterans

In line with past practices, the selection process for this year's "Most Excellent Female Bosses" began at 0:00 on March 8th, involving all female merchants across zones 1 to 5 of Yiwu International Trade City, Huangyuan Clothing Market, and the production materials market. Since the start of voting, market operators have shown enthusiastic engagement, attracting a large number of participants competing for the awards.

Following a month of fierce competition, the winners have been announced for each award. Among the list of awardees, we find familiar names like Fu Jiangyan and Wang Xiaoqing, who have witnessed the continuous evolution of this event.

"Every year, I actively participate in this selection event. It provides an excellent platform for self-promotion, product promotion, and brand recognition. Additionally, it serves as a medium for exchange and mutual growth, enabling me to learn from others and broaden my horizons, thus driving the development of my business more effectively," said Fu Jiangyan. She added that through this platform, she has gained recognition from both domestic and international buyers, making her company's brand and herself the top choice for customer purchases.

Among the awardees, there are also several "new faces" on the list, including Liu Jianying, who has injected the "Most Excellent Female Bosses" event with new vitality.

"We are the primary manufacturer specializing in various adhesive products. With a high degree of outward orientation, our products are exported to regions including Europe, America, South America, and Southeast Asia. However, as they say, 'even the finest wine needs a good market'. By participating in this selection event, we aim to enhance our brand recognition, and expand our presence in overseas markets, to create more business opportunities," explained Liu Jianying. Despite being her first time participating in this competition, Liu Jianying expressed her surprise at the event's ability to attract customers. She exclaimed, "Every day, we receive orders from customers who found us through Yiwugo.com. They not only support us but also cheer for us."

It is due to the collective efforts of these "familiar faces" and "new faces" that breathe life into Yiwugo.com's "Most Excellent Female Bosses" selection event, infusing it with endless charm and vitality. So far, this event has evolved into one of the foremost brand selection activities in the Yiwu market, capturing significant attention each spring.

Platform Elevates "She Power"

One of the distinctive characteristics of the Yiwu market lies in its division of labor: men oversee production while women manage retail. This silently agreed-upon arrangement, though informal, has proven to be highly pragmatic. It is this very model that provides female business owners with extensive space for career advancement and growth.

According to the latest statistics from Yiwugo.com, female merchants make up approximately 53% of the workforce in the Yiwu market. These "female bosses" continue to play an indispensable role in the market, serving as a driving force behind the ongoing growth and development of Yiwugo.com.

Since 2016, Yiwugo.com has consistently hosted the "Most Excellent Female Bosses" event, aimed at recognizing and promoting exceptional female business owners. This initiative seeks to spotlight the top-tier brands and products behind these female entrepreneurs, thereby fostering the indispensable "She Power" necessary for cultivating a thriving marketplace.

Up to now, this selection event has been held for nine consecutive years, identifying numerous outstanding female merchants. Through this initiative, they, along with their businesses and products, have garnered visibility and recognition among a broader audience. These female entrepreneurs stand as exemplary models of female innovation and entrepreneurship in the Yiwu market. Embracing opportunities for development, they stay grounded in their profession, nurture their primary ventures, explore and broaden their horizons, and represent the spirit of women in today's entrepreneurial landscape.

"In the era of the digital economy, Yiwugo.com will continue to play a leading and driving role as a platform. Through initiatives like the 'Most Excellent Female Bosses' selection event, we aim to promote outstanding female entrepreneurs across all sectors of society, offering inspiration for the growth of more female merchants and the enterprises they represent. We are empowering 'her' and propelling their progress," stated Wang Jianjun, General Manager of Yiwugo.com.

SOURCE Yiwugo.com
NEW YORK, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global endoscopy devices market size is estimated to grow by USD 14.24 bn from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.17% during the forecast period. The endoscopy devices market is driven by technological innovations, including high-definition cameras and NBI technology. These advancements offer superior image quality, enabling early detection of diseases such as chronic diseases, liver abscesses, gallstones, and cancers. Disposable components, medical professionals, and outpatient facilities also contribute to the market's growth. Key areas of application include gastroenterology, pulmonology, cardiology, and gynecology. Economic viability and patient satisfaction are key considerations. Devices include endoscopic operative devices, visualization equipment, and operative devices for elective surgeries.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Endoscopy Devices Market 2024-2028

For more insights on the historic (2018 - 2022) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

Endoscopy Devices Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.17% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 14.24 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.49 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 41% Key countries US, Germany, UK, China, and Japan Key companies profiled AnX Robotics, Arthrex Inc., asap endoscopic products GmbH, B.Braun SE, Boston Scientific Corp., Clarus Medical LLC, Conmed Corp., Cook Group Inc., Ecleris USA, ESC Medicams, FUJIFILM Corp., Integrated Endoscopy, Johnson and Johnson Services Inc., KARL STORZ SE and Co. KG, Medtronic, NeoScope Inc., Olympus Corp., PENTAX Medical Co., Pristine Surgical LLC, SonoScape Medical Corp., and Stryker Corp.

Segment Overview

This endoscopy devices market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application (Laparoscopy, GI, Others) Product (Accessories and others, Endoscopes) Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, Rest of World (ROW))

Market segmentation by Application

The Endoscopy Devices Market encompasses a range of products used in conjunction with endoscopes for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. These include light sources, cameras, video recorders, processors, and various types of endoscopes such as rigid, flexible, and capsule endoscopes. The market is driven by the increasing demand for endoscopic devices in GI procedures, minimally invasive surgeries, and robotic and AI-assisted procedures in healthcare services, including hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. The elderly population and those with chronic diseases, such as liver abscesses, gallstones, and endometriosis, benefit from these procedures. Endoscopic equipment requires periodic replacement, contributing to market revenue. High-definition cameras, light sources, and hygiene accessories ensure patient satisfaction and economic viability. Reprocessing, sterilization, and disposable components are essential for maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and patient safety. Medical professionals utilize these devices to diagnose and treat conditions like intestinal perforations and cancer, reducing hospital stays and post-procedure complications.

Geography Overview

The Endoscopy Devices Market experiences robust growth due to the increasing burden of chronic diseases, particularly in the areas of ENT, GI, and ENT disorders. Diagnostic procedures like ENT endoscopy, Bronchoscopy, Arthroscopy, and Neuroendoscopy, necessitated by these conditions, fuel demand for advanced endoscopy devices. Technological innovations, such as high-definition imaging, virtual chromoendoscopy, NBI, and robotic-assisted endoscopy, enhance diagnostic accuracy, procedural efficiency, and patient outcomes. Rigid and flexible endoscopes, capsule endoscopes, and robot-assisted endoscopes are key equipment types. Accessories, hygiene, reprocessing, sterilization, and disposable endoscopic components are essential market segments. Chronic diseases, including liver abscess, gallstones, endometriosis, and intestinal perforation, drive market expansion. Medical professionals utilize endoscopes for biopsies, elective surgeries, and cancer diagnosis. High-definition cameras, light sources, and optical instruments contribute to patient satisfaction and economic viability. Hospital stay and post-procedure complications are considerations. Conditions like peripheral arterial disease, stroke, atrial fibrillation, and cardiovascular diseases further expand the market scope.

Insights on the market contribution of various segments including country and region wise, historic (2018 - 2022) and forecast market size- Download a Sample Report

Endoscopy devices market sees continuous growth due to technological innovations. Companies invest in R&D to enhance imaging, improve functionality, and create new features for better visualization and tissue characterization. In 2023, Pristine Surgical LLC launched Summit 4K , a first-of-its-kind single-use arthroscope, addressing traditional visualization challenges in surgical procedures. Key areas include biopsies, elective surgeries, gastroenterology, pulmonology, orthopedic surgery, cardiology, ENT surgery, gynecology, neurology, and chronic diseases for hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Technological innovations include flexible endoscopes, laparoscopy, robotics, artificial intelligence, and optical instruments.

, a first-of-its-kind single-use arthroscope, addressing traditional visualization challenges in surgical procedures. Key areas include biopsies, elective surgeries, gastroenterology, pulmonology, orthopedic surgery, cardiology, ENT surgery, gynecology, neurology, and chronic diseases for hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Technological innovations include flexible endoscopes, laparoscopy, robotics, artificial intelligence, and optical instruments. Endoscopy devices market involves advanced tools for minimally invasive procedures, including endoscopes, laparoscopies, and robotics. These devices facilitate GI, urology, gynecology, ENT, bronchoscopy, arthroscopy, and neuroendoscopy. Risks include perforations, bleeding, and infections, treated through surgery or antibiotics. Market drivers include chronic diseases, elderly population, and economic viability. Key components include high-definition cameras, light sources, and hygiene accessories. Reprocessing and sterilization are crucial for patient safety and reducing chronic disease burden.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2018 - 2022) and forecast period(2024-2028)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

The Endoscopy Devices Market encompasses a range of advanced technologies used in Endoscopy procedures, including Endoscopes, GI procedures, Minimally Invasive Surgeries, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence. These technologies are integral to Healthcare Services, particularly in Hospitals and Ambulatory Surgery Centers. The Endoscopy Devices Market caters to various medical specialties such as Gastrointestinal, Urology, Gynecology, ENT, Bronchoscopy, Arthroscopy, Neuroendoscopy, and Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Sterilization and Disposable Endoscopic Components are crucial aspects of this market, ensuring patient safety and reducing the Chronic Disease Burden, especially for the Geriatric Population. Common conditions treated with these devices include Liver Abscess, Gall Stones, Endometriosis, and Intestinal Perforation. Medical Professionals rely on these Endoscopy Devices to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Market Research Overview

The Endoscopy Devices Market encompasses a range of technologies used for minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. These devices include Endoscopes, Procedures, and Accessories. Endoscopes are flexible tubes with a light source and camera, enabling doctors to examine the digestive tract. Procedures such as Endoscopic Surgery and Endoscopic Ultrasound provide precise diagnosis and treatment. Accessories like Endoscopic Forceps and Endoscopic Biopsy Forceps facilitate the removal of tissue samples. Robotic Systems and Artificial Intelligence enhance the accuracy and efficiency of these procedures. Disposables like Endoscopic Capsules and Endoscopic Instruments ensure hygiene and safety. The market for Endoscopy Devices is growing due to the increasing prevalence of digestive diseases and the advancement of technology.

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WASHINGTON, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of State, the Bezos Earth Fund, and The Rockefeller Foundation today announced next steps for the future governance and structure of the Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA), a high-integrity carbon finance platform aimed at catalyzing private capital to support ambitious just energy transition strategies in developing and emerging economies. The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) will serve as the ETA's secretariat, and former Secretary of State John Kerry will serve as honorary chair of the ETA's newly established Senior Consultative Group.

The Hon. John Kerry, outgoing U.S. Climate Envoy and incoming honorary Chair of the Senior Consultative Group for the Energy Transition Accelerator (ETA), speaking at an Earth Day event at the U.S. Department of States Diplomacy Center

Today's announcements at the National Museum of American Diplomacy at the U.S. Department of State are the latest steps in the ETA's establishment as an independent initiative. The ETA partners began their collaboration at COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. After a year of extensive consultations with government, business, and civil society stakeholders, the partners released the core ETA Framework at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as several major companies and countries declared their interest in engaging in the continued development of the groundbreaking initiative.

"We must deliver innovative finance solutions at the speed and scale needed to transition to clean power and keep 1.5 degrees within reach. Working in partnership with developing countries, the ETA can mobilize billions to transition away from fossil fuels and achieve an ambitious, just clean energy future," said John Kerry, former Secretary of State and former U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate. Secretary Kerry led the Department of State's engagement as a founding partner of the ETA from 2022-2024. Secretary Kerry was joined on stage by John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy.

"LEAF and ETA are forging strong partnerships between governments and the private sector. We invite other governments and other companies to join us in partnership as we carry these efforts forward so that, together, we can achieve the full potential of high-integrity carbon markets," said Richard R. Verma, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources.

"Investment in the energy transition needs to rise seven-fold by 2030," said Dr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund. "Carbon credits, done right, can play a vitally important role. The Energy Transition Accelerator, by insisting on the highest standards, can usher in a new phase of high integrity carbon crediting. Now is the time to accelerate investment in an equitable energy transition away from fossil fuels."

"To advance human opportunity even as we slow climate change, we must invest in the people and communities living on the front lines of the climate crisis. The Energy Transition Accelerator is the sort of innovative solution that can unlock the billions and billions of dollars needed to ensure everyone  not just the wealthiest countries  can access the renewable energy technologies that can bolster the lives of people and communities even as they help protect the planet," said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation.

The ETA will pioneer an innovative sectoral-scale carbon crediting standard enabling developing countries to generate high-quality carbon credits as a way to finance their transition from fossil-generated to clean power. According to preliminary estimates, the ETA could generate tens of billions of dollars in transition finance through 2035.

The three ETA partners announced several key steps for the work ahead in 2024 and beyond, including:

Building on the core framework presented at COP28 , the partners outlined the ETA's governance and management structure, to be further elaborated in consultation with ETA stakeholders, available at https://www.etaccelerator.org/;





, the partners outlined the ETA's governance and management structure, to be further elaborated in consultation with ETA stakeholders, available at https://www.etaccelerator.org/; The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), led by President Nat Keohane, will serve as the ETA's secretariat. C2ES has served as a lead coordinator of the ETA since the concept was introduced at COP27 ;





; The ETA partners established a new Senior Consultative Group to provide independent input on the ETA's design and operation, to be chaired by Secretary Kerry. Additional members will include Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency, Arunabha Ghosh , Founder-CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), Rachel Kyte , Co-Chair, Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), Annette Nazareth, Chair, Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, Mary Nichols , Vice Chair, California-China Climate Institute, Damilola Ogunbiyi , Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, and Chief Executive Officer for Sustainable Energy for All, Co-Chair UN-Energy, and Vera Songwe , Co-Chair, High Level Expert Group on Climate Finance;





, Founder-CEO, Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), , Co-Chair, Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative (VCMI), Annette Nazareth, Chair, Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market, , Vice Chair, California-China Climate Institute, , Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, and Chief Executive Officer for Sustainable Energy for All, Co-Chair UN-Energy, and , Co-Chair, High Level Expert Group on Climate Finance; The Dominican Republic announced the formation of an inter-ministerial working group led by the Ministry of Energy and Mines to guide its engagement as an ETA pilot country, and ongoing support from the World Bank to model energy transition pathways and the catalytic role of carbon finance; and





announced the formation of an inter-ministerial working group led by the Ministry of Energy and Mines to guide its engagement as an ETA pilot country, and ongoing support from the World Bank to model energy transition pathways and the catalytic role of carbon finance; and The government of the Philippines announced that it will participate in the ETA as an observer country to develop a deeper understanding of the initiative and its potential to mobilize finance supporting the country's energy transition. The Philippines also hopes to inform the global energy transition dialogue through its unique perspective of a privately-owned, market-driven, and unsubsidized power sector.

At the event, the ETA partners and the World Bank highlighted the deepening strategic collaboration between ETA and the World Bank, including its Scaling Climate Action by Lowering Emissions (SCALE) partnership. SCALE aims to mobilize finance for effective energy transitions by enabling developing countries to be directly rewarded for verified emissions reductions from a pool of payments committed by public and private sector contributors.

"We must act now to end poverty on a livable planet," World Bank Group President Ajay Banga said. "The intertwined crises we face demand that we act together with urgency, speed, and scale and do so together. We must work with our partners to accelerate the clean energy transition, support forest protection and reward people and communities for their efforts. This will help countries leverage new sources and larger volumes of affordable finance through high-integrity carbon markets. High-integrity voluntary carbon markets could help transfer resources of wealthier nations to support development."

"The world cannot meet the temperature goal of the Paris Agreement without accelerating the clean energy transition in developing countries even as their economies grow," said Nat Keohane, President, C2ES. "The Energy Transition Accelerator is designed to meet this need, by providing an innovative platform for high-integrity carbon credits that has the potential to channel tens of billions of dollars to the clean energy transition  including to ensure a just transition for local communities  and leverage tens of billions more. C2ES welcomes the opportunity to help realize this ambitious vision by serving as the ETA's Secretariat."

According to the International Energy Agency, clean energy investment in developing and emerging economies excluding China must increase seven-fold to $1.9 trillion a year by the early 2030s to keep a 1.5C limit on warming within reach. The ETA brings together governments and private sector stakeholders to employ high-integrity carbon crediting to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to clean power in developing countries, delivering faster, deeper greenhouse gas reductions and improving the lives of vulnerable people. The sectoral-scale crediting approach being pioneered by the ETA will incentivize participating countries to intensify their near-term activities contributing to power sector decarbonization, including to deploy clean power, retire fossil fuel assets, enhance storage capacity, transmission, and distribution, and implement new policy.

About the Bezos Earth Fund:

The Bezos Earth Fund is helping transform the fight against climate change with the largest ever philanthropic commitment to climate and nature protection. Jeff Bezos has committed $10 billion in this decisive decade to protect nature and address climate change. By providing funding and expertise, we partner with organizations to accelerate innovation, break down barriers to success and create a more equitable and sustainable world. Join us in our mission to create a world where people prosper in harmony with nature.

About The Rockefeller Foundation:

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.

SOURCE The Rockefeller Foundation
LOS ANGELES, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Late yesterday the United States District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that four HIV-positive "John Doe" plaintiffs adequately alleged CVS acted intentionally under the "deliberate indifference" standard when it implemented a drug program that discriminates against people living with HIV.

Download the Order here.

The latest ruling comes in a long-running legal battle over civil rights violations relating to a CVS drug program that limits people living with HIV to obtaining their life-saving medications only by mail. The lawsuit alleges that the program cuts off access to knowledgeable pharmacists and other critical benefits and services essential for people living with HIV.

The four HIV-positive Plaintiffs in the case are represented by lawyers for the non-profit Consumer Watchdog and Whatley Kallas, LLP.

In the Order issued last night, Chief Judge for the Northern District of California Edward M. Chen ruled that the allegations were sufficient to establish CVS was on notice that Plaintiffs' civil rights were threatened and that they may seek money damages and an injunction to change CVS's practices. CVS, one of the largest healthcare companies in the world, owns pharmacies throughout the U.S., but also operates as a pharmacy benefit manager, which coordinates pharmacy benefits for people like the John Doe plaintiffs who are enrolled in employer-provided health plans.

Judge Chen also ruled last night that CVS's arguments that its employer clients, not CVS, controlled the prescription drug benefits provided to their employees were ineffective to inoculate CVS from the legal claims.

According to the Order (internal citations omitted):

" Plaintiffs sufficiently allege that Defendants implemented The Program by "utiliz[ing] its discretion" under its contracts with employers and 'offer[ing] financial inducements to plan sponsors.' 'As such, CVS effectively controls and directs the pharmacy benefits of such plans. Furthermore...CVS Caremark has an ongoing ability to alter plan terms and the prescription drug benefits provided thereunder to Class Members.' CVS also reserves the right to alter pharmacy benefits at any time. These facts sufficiently allege that the Defendants have control over The Program."

Download the Third Amended Complaint here.

As noted by the court, under civil rights laws incorporated into the federal Affordable Care Act, intentional discrimination may be established by a showing of deliberate indifference. Duvall v. Cnty. Of Kitsap, 260 F.3d 1124, 1139 (9th Cir. 2001)." To allege deliberate indifference, a plaintiff must establish the defendants [1] knowledge that a harm to a federally protected right is substantially likely, and [2] a failure to act upon that likelihood.

In addition to money damages, the lawsuit seeks a nation-wide injunction to bar CVS from continuing to implement the mandatory mail delivery program for HIV medications.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals previously held that Plaintiffs "adequately alleged that they were denied meaningful access to their prescription drug benefit, including medically appropriate dispensing of their medications and access to necessary counseling." Doe v. CVS Pharmacy, Inc., 982 F.3d 1204, 1211 (9th Cir. 2020). The Supreme Court granted certiorari, but Defendants withdrew their petition under pressure from disabilities rights groups. CVS Pharmacy, Inc. v. Doe, 210 L. Ed. 2d 990, 141 S. Ct. 2882, 2883 (2021).

Most other major health insurance companies in the U.S. now allow members to opt out of mail-order-only delivery of HIV medications because of numerous settlements achieved by attorneys for Consumer Watchdog and Whatley Kallas, LLP.

If you are prescribed medications to treat or prevent HIV and are enrolled in a healthcare plan where your pharmacy benefits are coordinated by CVS, or if you are interested in more information about this lawsuit, please contact Consumer Watchdog here and let us know about your experience.

The case is John Doe One, et al. v. CVS, et al., No.: 3:18-cv-01031 and is pending in federal district court in San Francisco.

Consumer Watchdog is a non-profit and non-partisan public interest organization. Visit us on the web at https://www.consumerwatchdog.org/

Whatley Kallas, LLP attorneys have earned a national reputationbased on trust, respect, demonstrated commitment and tangible resultsin connection with their representation of healthcare providers and members of the organized medicine community. Visit Whatley Kallas, LLP on the web here: https://www.whatleykallas.com/

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog
BOSTON, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IDTechEx Research, a trusted provider of independent market intelligence, announces the availability of a new report, "Silicon Photonics and Photonic Integrated Circuits 2024-2034: Market, Technologies, and Forecasts".

IDTechEx is forecasting a 2.4x growth of the PIC market by 2034, primarily derived through growth in the transceivers for AI and 5G markets. Source: IDTechEx

This new report looks at key market players, emerging materials (such as TFLN, and BTO), and new applications such as AI, to forecast the growth of the Silicon Photonics and Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) market. IDTechEx also discusses emerging technologies, such as Programmable Photonics, Photonic Quantum Computers, and Co-Packaged Optics.

This unbiased report includes several 10-year market forecasts based on conversations with industry insiders, analysis of key players (such as Nvidia, Coherent, Infinera, and more), as well as IDTechEx's expertise in data centers, 5G, autonomous vehicles, and LiDAR. Detailed examination of the latest innovations in Silicon Photonics and Photonic Integrated Circuits is provided, alongside key technical trends, analysis across the value chain, major player analysis, and granular market forecasts. Anyone interested in the future of photonic integrated circuits can expect to gain valuable insights.

This PIC and Silicon Photonics market report provides the following information:

Key Player Analysis for the High-Performance PIC-based Transceiver Market

A breakdown of Co-Packaged Optics and its key concepts

Analysis of Photonic Integrated Circuits for Quantum Systems

Benchmarks and comparisons of photonic materials, with an industry breakdown by material. It also includes an insight into emerging materials such as Thin-Film Lithium Niobate ( TFLN ) and Barium Titanite ( BTO ).

Niobate TFLN Titanite BTO Photonic Integrated Circuit Fundamentals and Key Concepts, including important components, and underlying principles.

An analysis of how AI is changing demand for PIC-based transceivers, with a look at how Nvidia's recommended server architecture requires large numbers of transceivers.

Nvidia's An overview of PIC manufacturing techniques.

A look into future applications of PICs such as interconnects, LiDAR , biosensors , and gas sensors.

Market Forecasts:

- 10-year Total Photonic Integrated Circuit Market Forecast

- 10-year PIC Transceivers for AI Unit Shipments Forecast

- 10-year PIC Transceivers for AI Cost per Gbps Forecast

- 10-year PIC Transceivers for AI Market Forecast

- 10-year Data Center Population Cumulative Forecast

- 10-year AI Accelerator Unit Shipments Forecast

- 10-year PIC Transceivers for Datacom Market Forecast

- 10-year PIC Transceivers for 5G Market Forecast

- 10-year PIC Transceivers for 5G Unit Shipments Forecast

- 10-year PIC Transceiver for Telecoms Market Forecast

- 10-year Quantum PIC Market Forecast

- 10-year PIC-based LiDAR Market Forecast

- 10-year PIC-based Sensor Market Forecast

The content of this report includes:

Executive Summary

Introduction and Key Concepts Technology Background - What is Silicon Photonics? Photonic Integrated Circuit Key Concepts



Manufacturing and Materials

SOI , SiN , InP , TFLN , BTO , Polymer, and Rare-Earth Metals Discussion, Benchmarks, and Key Companies

Applications

The Semiconductor Energy Crisis Photonic Integrated Circuits for High-Performance Transceivers for Data Centers Photonic Integrated Circuits for On-Device Interconnects Advanced Packaging and Co-Packaged Optics Hybrid integration: Co-Packaged Optics Photonic Engines and Accelerators for AI and Neuromorphic Compute Photonic Integrated Circuits for Quantum Computing Photonic Integrated Circuit-based Sensors Photonic Integrated Circuit-based LiDAR

Forecasts

For more information on this report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/PIC, or for the full portfolio of research available from IDTechEx, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research.

IDTechEx reports provide a detailed appraisal of a technology and its applications, based on primary and secondary research conducted by technical analysts, helping you understand the full picture. These high quality, unbiased studies are researched at a global level.

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 [email protected] or visit www.IDTechEx.com .

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SINGAPORE, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Snufff, the innovative nasal inhaler, emerges onto the wellness and lifestyle scene, offering a refreshing blend of enjoyment and health benefits. Crafted in the vibrant heart of Singapore, Snufff aims to revolutionize the way we approach personal well-being.

Founder Charlotte's vision embodies the ethos of prioritizing health without compromising on enjoyment. "Why subject our health to unnecessary harm when we can enjoy the same benefits with a product that's all about fun and zero health risks?" she emphasizes.

Introducing Snufff: Your Pocket-Sized Lifestyle Companion Introducing Snufff: Your Pocket-Sized Lifestyle Companion

Their range of nasal inhalers comes in four delectable flavors  Coffee, Peach, Watermelon, and Mint  each carefully crafted to tantalize your senses and invigorate your spirit. There's something for everyone, whether it's the comforting scent of coffee in a cozy cafe on a Sunday morning, the juicy aroma of peaches and watermelon on a warm summer day, or the familiar, energizing kick of mint to keep you going throughout your busy day.

Snufff has you covered.

More than just a product, Snufff represents a lifestyle companion seamlessly integrated into daily routines. Bid farewell to harmful smoke, addictive substances, and negative impacts  Snufff promises a guilt-free experience, enriching every moment with joy and wellness.

Harnessing the power of nature's goodness, Snufff is dedicated to promoting positive habits and addressing common health concerns. Their natural and innovative solutions empower individuals to reclaim control over their well-being in a manner that's both enjoyable and sustainable.

Whether navigating the bustling streets of Singapore or embarking on adventures beyond, Snufff ensures your favorite flavors are always within reach. By infusing fun and convenience into everyday life, Snufff provides relief for sinus discomfort, headaches, and offers a refreshing pick-me-up at work.

Ready to embark on a journey towards a healthier, happier lifestyle? Discover Snufff today at www.snufff.com .

About Snufff:

Driven by personal experience, our founder, constantly battling with sleepiness and migraines at work, sought a solution that was both effective and enjoyable. Tired of traditional ointments and medications, they envisioned a fun alternative that seamlessly integrated into everyday life  thus, Snufff was born.

At the core of our mission is the belief that wellness should be effortless and accessible. We understand the ups and downs of life's journey, and our goal is to provide a companion that adds a touch of joy and practicality to every step.

Through relentless dedication to innovation, we've developed products that harness the power of nature's goodness to address common health concerns. From combating stress to boosting energy levels and alleviating discomfort, our natural and innovative solutions empower individuals to take control of their health in a way that feels enjoyable and sustainable.

Remember, Snufff is always just a pocket away.

Media Contact:

Charlotte M., Founder

Snufff

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+65 92292201

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SOURCE Snufff
SINGAPORE, April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On the 17th of April 2024, the Centre for Trusted Internet and Community (CTIC) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) launched a groundbreaking new initiative, "Living Well Digitally" (https://ctic.nus.edu.sg/living-well-digitally/). Developed in partnership with the DQ Institute and in support of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)'s Digital for Life movement, the initiative aims to educate, engage, and empower individuals around the world with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of the digital world, fostering a more balanced and informed digital lifestyle.

(From right to left) Professor Li Mongli, Professor Chen Tsuhan, Professor Audrey Yue, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Professor Natalie Pang, Dr. Yuhyun Park, Assistant Professor Zhang Renwen, Research Assistant Soh Kai Xin (PRNewsfoto/DQ Institute) Digital Wellbeing Indicator Framework (DWIF) (PRNewsfoto/DQ Institute)

The "Living Well Digitally" initiative introduces three key components:

Digital Wellbeing Indicator Framework (DWIF): The DWIF is the world's first original framework that holistically assesses digital wellbeing across various domains of everyday life. Using DQ Institute's IEEE DQ Global Standards (IEEE 3527.1TM) as its foundation framework, the DWIF spans across five Digital Wellbeing domains (digital social relations, digital health, digital consumption, digital employment, and digital civic participation). It integrates the concept of digital citizenship to provide a comprehensive and inclusive framework for digital wellbeing.

Universal Digital Wellbeing Assessment Tool: Using the Digital Wellbeing Assessment tool that's Powered by DQ, individuals can now easily assess their digital wellbeing with the click of a button and receive immediate scores and feedback on our Living Well Digitally website. Developed based on the DWIF framework, the tool guides users through a series of questions, providing a personalized breakdown of their wellbeing score, allowing them to identify areas of strength and improvement so as to boost their level of digital wellbeing.

Accessible Resources for the Community: With the aim of educating and empowering individuals to enhance their digital wellbeing, the Living Well Digitally website serves as a platform that offers a curated repository of free educational resources, tips and information that can be accessed by anyone and everyone, from young adults to families, educators, and social workers.

Developed by a team of researchers from NUS-CTIC (led by Professor Audrey Yue, Professor Natalie Pang, Professor Zhang Renwen, in collaboration with Professor Lim Ee-Peng from the Singapore Management University, as well as Dr. Yuhyun Park from DQ Institute), the DWIF was crafted over two years of research, refinement, and validation. This included consultations with 23 experts (policymakers, social service agencies, and academics) from Singapore, China, the US, and the UK, followed by pilot tests with over 1,300 combined in Singapore and worldwide. This was followed by a cross-country population survey with over 4,000 individuals across four cities in Singapore, Seoul, Shanghai and London.

To celebrate the public launch of the "Living Well Digitally" initiative, CTIC organized an official launch event at NUS for stakeholders from governmental ministries and organizations including the Ministry of Communications and Information and IMDA, social service agencies such as TOUCH Community Services, and leading tech companies like Meta and ByteDance (TikTok).

"In today's digital landscape, prioritizing digital wellbeing is essential. With the Living Well Digitally initiative, we're sparking a movement to educate and empower individuals in Singapore and worldwide to take ownership of their digital experiences and cultivate meaningful connections both online and offline," said Professor Audrey Yue, Principal Investigator of the project, Deputy Director of CTIC, Head of Department and Professor of Communications and New Media at NUS. "By introducing the Digital Wellbeing Indicator Framework and Living Well Digitally platform, we hope to provide individuals, social workers, educators, tech corporations and policymakers with an instrument that can help everyone and anyone to 'live well digitally' in the digital age."

In her keynote address, Guest of Honour Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Health & Ministry of Law, emphasized the importance of digital wellness and mindful use of technologies for people of all backgrounds, saying, "Whether you identify as a parent, an educator, or a tech practitioner, it is crucial that we think about our approach and relationship with technologies in a mindful way."

Mdm Rahahyu Mahzam added, "We hope that this toolkit will add the range of resources under the Digital for Life movement to educate, engage and empower Singaporeans to strengthen their digital wellbeing and resilience."

During the event, the research team unveiled the "Living Well Digitally" website and showcased the Powered by DQ Digital Wellbeing Assessment tool. "Powered by DQ" is a seal of trust that a digital literacy intervention is credible and impactful based on the IEEE DQ Global Standards (IEEE 3527.1TM), providing the NUS-CTIC framework with alignment and impact measure tools to identify areas of strength and weaknesses for actionable insights and further initiative development.

Dr. Yuhyun Park, founder of the DQ Institute, said, "DQ Institute is honoured to collaborate on this meaningful global initiative aimed at understanding and enhancing digital wellbeing in an era of unprecedented developments in artificial intelligence (AI). While the effects of AI on individual wellbeing continues to unfold, the commitment of the NUS-CTIC research team is poised to unveil actionable insights and drive positive change. This impactful initiative will empower communities with the essential tools and knowledge needed to navigate the risks and opportunities presented by AI, ensuring a more balanced approach to digital wellbeing."

About NUS-CTIC:

The National University of Singapore Centre for Trusted Internet and Community (NUS-CTIC) is dedicated to the inter-disciplinary study of the Internet and its implications on the society of the future. It aims to integrate social and behavioural science research, digital technologies, data-driven approaches, and policy studies to holistically examine the Internet and its societal impact. For more information, visit CTIC's Website: https://ctic.nus.edu.sg/

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:

Ms. Wendy Poh Wan Li

[email protected]

About DQ Institute:

The DQ Institute (DQI) is an international think-tank dedicated to setting global standards for digital intelligence and ensuring the safety, empowerment, and well-being of individuals, organizations, and nations in the digital age. DQ framework is recognized as the global standard for digital literacy, skills, and readiness (IEEE 3527.1-2020). DQI operates as a 501(c)(3) organization in the United States and as a not-for-profit organization in Singapore. For more information, visit DQ Institute's Website: https://dqinstitute.org

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:

Ms. Eris Seah

[email protected]

Phone: +65 9396 9200

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SOURCE DQ Institute
SINGAPORE, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On the 17th of April 2024, the Centre for Trusted Internet and Community (CTIC) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) launched a groundbreaking new initiative, "Living Well Digitally" (https://ctic.nus.edu.sg/living-well-digitally/). Developed in partnership with the DQ Institute and in support of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)'s Digital for Life movement, the initiative aims to educate, engage, and empower individuals around the world with the knowledge and tools to navigate the complexities of the digital world, fostering a more balanced and informed digital lifestyle.

(From right to left) Professor Li Mongli, Professor Chen Tsuhan, Professor Audrey Yue, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Professor Natalie Pang, Dr. Yuhyun Park, Assistant Professor Zhang Renwen, Research Assistant Soh Kai Xin Digital Wellbeing Indicator Framework (DWIF)

The "Living Well Digitally" initiative introduces three key components:

Digital Wellbeing Indicator Framework (DWIF): The DWIF is the world's first original framework that holistically assesses digital wellbeing across various domains of everyday life. Using DQ Institute's IEEE DQ Global Standards (IEEE 3527.1TM) as its foundation framework, the DWIF spans across five Digital Wellbeing domains (digital social relations, digital health, digital consumption, digital employment, and digital civic participation). It integrates the concept of digital citizenship to provide a comprehensive and inclusive framework for digital wellbeing.

Universal Digital Wellbeing Assessment Tool: Using the Digital Wellbeing Assessment tool that's Powered by DQ, individuals can now easily assess their digital wellbeing with the click of a button and receive immediate scores and feedback on our Living Well Digitally website. Developed based on the DWIF framework, the tool guides users through a series of questions, providing a personalized breakdown of their wellbeing score, allowing them to identify areas of strength and improvement so as to boost their level of digital wellbeing.

Accessible Resources for the Community: With the aim of educating and empowering individuals to enhance their digital wellbeing, the Living Well Digitally website serves as a platform that offers a curated repository of free educational resources, tips and information that can be accessed by anyone and everyone, from young adults to families, educators, and social workers.

Developed by a team of researchers from NUS-CTIC (led by Professor Audrey Yue, Professor Natalie Pang, Professor Zhang Renwen, in collaboration with Professor Lim Ee-Peng from the Singapore Management University, as well as Dr. Yuhyun Park from DQ Institute), the DWIF was crafted over two years of research, refinement, and validation. This included consultations with 23 experts (policymakers, social service agencies, and academics) from Singapore, China, the US, and the UK, followed by pilot tests with over 1,300 combined in Singapore and worldwide. This was followed by a cross-country population survey with over 4,000 individuals across four cities in Singapore, Seoul, Shanghai and London.

To celebrate the public launch of the "Living Well Digitally" initiative, CTIC organized an official launch event at NUS for stakeholders from governmental ministries and organizations including the Ministry of Communications and Information and IMDA, social service agencies such as TOUCH Community Services, and leading tech companies like Meta and ByteDance (TikTok).

"In today's digital landscape, prioritizing digital wellbeing is essential. With the Living Well Digitally initiative, we're sparking a movement to educate and empower individuals in Singapore and worldwide to take ownership of their digital experiences and cultivate meaningful connections both online and offline," said Professor Audrey Yue, Principal Investigator of the project, Deputy Director of CTIC, Head of Department and Professor of Communications and New Media at NUS. "By introducing the Digital Wellbeing Indicator Framework and Living Well Digitally platform, we hope to provide individuals, social workers, educators, tech corporations and policymakers with an instrument that can help everyone and anyone to 'live well digitally' in the digital age."

In her keynote address, Guest of Honour Mdm Rahayu Mahzam, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Health & Ministry of Law, emphasized the importance of digital wellness and mindful use of technologies for people of all backgrounds, saying, "Whether you identify as a parent, an educator, or a tech practitioner, it is crucial that we think about our approach and relationship with technologies in a mindful way."

Mdm Rahahyu Mahzam added, "We hope that this toolkit will add the range of resources under the Digital for Life movement to educate, engage and empower Singaporeans to strengthen their digital wellbeing and resilience."

During the event, the research team unveiled the "Living Well Digitally" website and showcased the Powered by DQ Digital Wellbeing Assessment tool. "Powered by DQ" is a seal of trust that a digital literacy intervention is credible and impactful based on the IEEE DQ Global Standards (IEEE 3527.1TM), providing the NUS-CTIC framework with alignment and impact measure tools to identify areas of strength and weaknesses for actionable insights and further initiative development.

Dr. Yuhyun Park, founder of the DQ Institute, said, "DQ Institute is honoured to collaborate on this meaningful global initiative aimed at understanding and enhancing digital wellbeing in an era of unprecedented developments in artificial intelligence (AI). While the effects of AI on individual wellbeing continues to unfold, the commitment of the NUS-CTIC research team is poised to unveil actionable insights and drive positive change. This impactful initiative will empower communities with the essential tools and knowledge needed to navigate the risks and opportunities presented by AI, ensuring a more balanced approach to digital wellbeing."

About NUS-CTIC:

The National University of Singapore Centre for Trusted Internet and Community (NUS-CTIC) is dedicated to the inter-disciplinary study of the Internet and its implications on the society of the future. It aims to integrate social and behavioural science research, digital technologies, data-driven approaches, and policy studies to holistically examine the Internet and its societal impact. For more information, visit CTIC's Website: https://ctic.nus.edu.sg/

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:

Ms. Wendy Poh Wan Li

[email protected]

About DQ Institute:

The DQ Institute (DQI) is an international think-tank dedicated to setting global standards for digital intelligence and ensuring the safety, empowerment, and well-being of individuals, organizations, and nations in the digital age. DQ framework is recognized as the global standard for digital literacy, skills, and readiness (IEEE 3527.1-2020). DQI operates as a 501(c)(3) organization in the United States and as a not-for-profit organization in Singapore. For more information, visit DQ Institute's Website: https://dqinstitute.org

For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:

Ms. Eris Seah

[email protected]

Phone: +65 9396 9200

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NEW YORK, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global men swimwear market size is estimated to grow by USD 1665.94 mn from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period. The Men Swimwear Market experiences rapid growth due to e-retailing's time-saving and cost-effective advantages. Online shopping via smart devices is popular due to Internet penetration, improved economies, and omnichannel retailing. Vendors like Speedo sell products through Walmart, DICK'S Sporting Goods, websites, and third-party channels. Keywords: e-retailing, consumer goods, omnichannel, retailers, websites, third-party channels, Speedo, Walmart, DICK'S Sporting Goods, Internet, economy, omnichannel retailing, e-commerce, vending machines, automation, cashless, sensors, digital payments, smartphones.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Men Swimwear Market 2023-2027

To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Innovation Sparks Market Growth:

The Men Swimwear Market experiences robust growth in the retail sector, driven by user-friendly interfaces, product photos, and animations. Consumer goods businesses thrive in this digital age, with user experience being a key differentiator. Panic buying is minimized through intelligent solutions like Azkoyen vending machines, which employ automation and AAEON's ERP for inventory management. Strategic decisions and technical innovations, such as touch screens, facial recognition, and visual experiences, influence consumer behavior. LCD/touch screens, cashless vending, and mobile payments are driving factors in this fast-paced life. Urbanization and the adoption of Internet-enabled devices, including smartphones, fuel the demand for vending machines offering lottery tickets, food & beverage purchases, and digital payment options. Sensors and component manufacturers cater to the needs of food vending machines, ensuring quick delivery and portability.

Addressing Challenges:

In the context of the global water crisis, the Men Swimwear Market faces challenges in production and distribution. IoT technology and telemetry are utilized for dynamic route optimization and logistics efficiencies. Near-field communication enables contactless interactions with intelligent vending machines, offering nutrition information and product warnings. HD displays showcase interactive promotions, while cloud technology reduces operational and maintenance costs. However, product unavailability arises due to water scarcity, impacting raw material sourcing and vending machine components. Economic slowdown increases the costs of technology and raw materials. Consumers seek healthy alternatives to junk food, hazardous products, tobacco, and cigarettes, leading to a shift in product sub-segments towards beverages, snacks, and food. Longer working hours necessitate convenient access to these items, driving the demand for touchscreen controls, video, audio, scents, and gesture-based interaction on smart vending machines.

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Analyst Review

In today's urbanized world, where fast-paced life prevails, intelligent vending machines have become a necessity in public places. These advanced machines offer various payment systems, including cashless systems and mobile payments, ensuring convenience for consumers. The dispensing unit of smart vending machines can store and dispense not only cash and coins but also tokens. Telemetry systems integrated into these machines provide real-time data, enabling component manufacturers to optimize production and inventory management. Intelligent vending machines offer a wide range of products, from frozen items to instant food items, catering to diverse consumer preferences. Moreover, these machines come with digital signage, voice recognition, and touchscreen controls, enhancing the user experience. Scent technology is an added feature that can attract customers and create a unique shopping experience. ERP systems help manage inventory, sales, and customer data, ensuring efficient operations. In the men's swimwear market, these advanced vending machines can offer a wide range of products, from various brands and sizes, ensuring customer satisfaction. The touchscreen controls and mobile payment options make the shopping experience hassle-free and convenient.

Market Overview

The Men Swimwear Market is a significant segment of the fashion industry, featuring various products such as trunks, briefs, board shorts, and rash guards. Vending machines, retail stores, and online platforms are common distribution channels. Cashless payments and digital marketing strategies are essential for businesses in this industry. Dispensing systems and customization options are also popular features. Consumers seek durable, comfortable, and stylish swimwear made from materials like polyester, nylon, and spandex. Consumers are influenced by factors like price, brand reputation, and product features when making purchasing decisions. The market is expected to grow due to increasing health consciousness, rising disposable income, and changing fashion trends.

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Key Companies:

Men Swimwear Market is fragmented ; the companies are competing with competitors and are trying to get greater market share. The market is growing, and the chances of new entrants cannot be overlooked. The major companies have well-established economies of scale and market presence and generally rely on positioning technological advances, and the price of the products. Men Swimwear Market report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors including American Eagle Outfitters Inc, Arena Spa, CHANEL Ltd., Decathlon SA, DICKS Sporting Goods Inc., Frescobol Carioca, Hennes and Mauritz AB, Hermes International SA, Jack and Jones, Love Brand and Co, Nike Inc., Pentland Brands Ltd., Perry Ellis International Inc., PUMA SE, PVH Corp., Thornico AS, Urban Outfitters Inc., Vilebrequin, adidas AG, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

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
The laboratory has state-of-the-art technology to support medical research of clinical labs and healthcare institutions, improving precision diagnoses and treatments. The agricultural sector can also benefit.

SAO PAULO, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Contributing to the advancement of genomics in Latin America, MGI Tech Co. Ltd. (MGI), a company committed to building core tools and technology to lead life science, announced the launch of its Customer Experience Center (CEC) in Brazil.

Commitment to Brazil healthcare

The MGI Brazil Customer Experience Center The MGI Brazil Customer Experience Center Automation products in the lab

The goal is to provide a facility for clinical and research laboratories, hospitals, and universities to enhance learning and experience with genetic sequencing technology, applied in precision medicine, oncology, agrigenomics (application of the genome in agriculture) and metagenomics (collection of genomes of environmental microbial communities), among other segments.

"Genomic research has grown exponentially in the region. As the demand for next generation sequencing tests in cancer diagnostics and genetic screening increases, hospitals, clinics, laboratories and universities need to rely on supporting laboratories to improve their capabilities with affordable solutions faster sample processing speed and high data quality", says Carlos Carpio, Senior Commercial Director of MGI LATAM and General Manager of MGI Brazil.

"Our Customer Experience Center will be able to contribute significantly to the scientific development of the region by reducing sequencing costs, expanding clinical applications and, therefore, making precision diagnoses and treatments more accessible to the population", he adds.

The lab will also play a role as MGI Hub in Brazil, allowing the expansion of operations across Latin America. It demonstrates MGI's enduring dedication to broadening global genomics accessibility in this region. MGI has been operating in Latin Americas since 2019 and has already partnered with many clients, such as Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz) in Brazil, Biogenar in Argentina, Gencell in Colombia, Genos in Mexico and TCL Group in Chile.

In Brazil, MGI's technology also supports the largest Brazilian genomic sequencing project, which aims to sequence the complete genomes of thousands of patients with rare diseases and hereditary cancers, searching for genetic markers to track inherited diseases for early diagnosis. Coordinator of the genomic project, Dr. Joao Bosco de Oliveira Filho highlights MGI's technology: "I had a wonderful experience working with MGI's team. The technology is solid, the data quality is outstanding and the support is available when needed", he also welcomes the importance of the launch of the CEC: "Researchers and diagnostic laboratories need to stay up-to-date on available technologies to advance their studies and tests; therefore, it is very important to have a local support laboratory and service personnel".

State-of-the-art technology provided in the Lab

MGI operates in 100 countries and has other 9 Customer Experience Centers around the world. The Brazilian center, located in Brooklin Paulista, in Sao Paulo, will provide a place for clinical laboratories, universities, and hospitals to engage in demonstrations, enhancing their education and experience with the company's technology. Highly skilled professionals will lead certified training sessions, demonstrations, evaluations and local new application support.

CEC, with 270 m2, comprises four distinct areas: NGS (Next Generation Sequencing) lab, automation lab, BIT lab and engineering lab.

MGI's sequencing experience features the high throughput sequencer DNBSEQ-T7, high speed sequencer DNBSEQ-G99, the robust and flexible DNBSEQ-G400, and portable and easy-to-use sequencer DNBSEQ-E25*.

At the automation lab, the company offers access to cutting-edge technology, with sample preparation system MGISP-100 and MGISP-960, high and low throughput automated nucleic acid extractor MGISP-384 and MGISP-NE32, and automated sample transfer processing system MGISTP-7000.

There are also bioinformatics products such as ZTRON Pro, a data processing platform and storage, and MegaBOLT, a bioinformatics analysis accelerator series.

Researchers and other professionals will be able to experience the range of end-to-end MGI solutions in the CEC Sao Paulo, as it is fully equipped to conduct genomics laboratory protocols. CEC Sao Paulo is located at Avenida das Nacoes Unidas, 11633  15 floor  Brooklyn  Sao Paulo. Further information: [email protected].

*Certain sequencers can be used for research purposes only and not for use in any diagnostic procedures. Please consult MGI's local contactor for details.

SOURCE MGI
Stephen A. Smith and Donald Trump

Stephen A. Smith joined Sean Hannity on Fox News Thursday night and defended Donald Trump after the former president controversially claimed Black Americans relate to him being discriminated against.

Trump made the comment in February, as he boasted about his criminal indictments while speaking at a gala organized by the Black Conservative Federation.

And then I got indicted a second time and then a third time and a fourth time! Trump told the audience. And 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. Its been pretty amazing.

Two months later, Stephen A. Smith is defending those comments, expressing outrage over the criminal trials against Trump and claiming the former president was right to compare his current legal situation to that which Black Americans have experienced.

https://twitter.com/realandyhidalgo/status/1781168991433633798

Dare I say something that might will probably be termed the most uncomfortable thing that Ive ever had to articulate out of my mouth from a political perspective. Smith said on Hannity. But I gotta tell you something. As much as people may have been abhorred by Donald Trumps statement weeks ago talking about how Black folks, hes hearing that Black folks find him relatable because of what he is going through is similar to what Black Americans have gone through, he wasnt lying! He was telling the truth.

When you see the law, law enforcement, the court system, and everything else being exercised against him, it is something that Black folks throughout this nation can relate to with some of our historic, iconic figures. Weve seen that happen throughout society.

So, no matter what race, what ethnicity you may emanate from, we relate to you when youre suffering like that, cause we know we have. And thats what he articulated. As unpopular as it was, as much as we didnt like to hear it, its the truth. And theres no way around it. Those are all contributing factors to the state of affairs with the slippage that appears to be taking fold when it comes to President Biden, unfortunately.

Charles Barkley heard the same comments from the former president and threatened to punch any Black person walking around with a Trump mug shot shirt during his now defunct CNN show. But after the criminal trial against Trump kicked off this week with jury selection, Smith took a far different approach toward the Republican presidential candidate than Barkley did.

Earlier this week on The Stephen A. Smith Show, Smith ranted about the ongoing prosecution against Trump in New York, labeling the former presidents hush money trial a disaster and much ado about nothing. He took his outrage over Trumps criminal trials a step further on Fox News Thursday night by admitting he was articulating the most uncomfortable thing to ever come out of his mouth. Smith already stated he would be voting for Joe Biden in the upcoming election, but after his recent defense of Trump, it certainly seems like the ESPN host wont be doing the incumbent any favors.

[Mediaite]
The launch of the paper is the first of many activations Nium has planned for Money 20/20 Asia

SINGAPORE , April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nium, the global leader in real-time, cross-border payments, and Asia's leading payments, banking, and capital markets research firm, Kapronasia, today launched "Breaking Borders: The Revolution of Real-Time Cross-Border B2B Payments in Asia" - a new data-backed white paper that addresses cross-border B2B payment challenges, current initiatives, and the important role of intermediaries.

In global commerce, cross-border B2B payments are crucial, yet hindered by complexity, high costs, and slow processing times. These challenges, compounded by diverse regulatory environments, can erode profitability and stall growth. There's a pressing need for innovation and reform in cross-border payments. In the paper, readers will learn more on how fintech solutions and regulatory harmonization efforts promise to simplify processes, reduce costs, and speed up transactions. The research calls out initiatives, such as SWIFT GPI, Project Nexus, and ASEAN's Regional Payment Connectivity, alongside emerging technologies, that signal a brighter future for cross-border transactions. Download the paper to see the data and learn more.

"Cross-border B2B payments are critical, but they face formidable challenges - from outdated systems to regulatory complexities," said Zennon Kapron, Founder and Director of Kapronasia. "Our latest research, in collaboration with Nium, sheds light on this critical issue. As we chart the course forward, it's evident that transformative change is imminent. Intermediaries like Nium play a pivotal role in this journey, bridging gaps and reshaping the landscape of global commerce. However, this transformation demands collective action to overcome technological and regulatory hurdles. Yet, the vision is clear - a world where cross-border transactions flow seamlessly, fostering collaboration across borders."

The launch of the paper is a part of a wider push leading into Money 20/20 Asia in Bangkok, Thailand (April 23-25). Nium plans to take the city by storm with announcements, panels, and parties, that highlight its expansion in the region.

The company will be making three blockbuster announcements during the event:

First, in a bold move to fortify its regional footprint, Nium is expanding its presence in Indonesia and will be signing an MOU at Money 20/20 with a pioneer in the Indonesian fintech space. Nium has also made headway into the dynamic landscape of Korea with the official launch of a key Korean bank, marking a pivotal milestone in its expansion journey and supporting its mission to further financial inclusion, globally. The company has already made waves in Thailand , where it powers four of the country's premier banks;

and will be signing an MOU at Money 20/20 with a pioneer in the Indonesian fintech space. Nium has also made headway into the dynamic landscape of Korea with the official launch of a key Korean bank, marking a pivotal milestone in its expansion journey and supporting its mission to further financial inclusion, globally. The company has already made waves in , where it powers four of the country's premier banks; Second, Nium will be announcing its first ever Chief Payments Officer. With this newly-created position, Nium sets itself up to closer align itself with partners across the payments ecosystem. Nium's CPO will work across Nium's markets, leading the company's Global Banking and Payment Operations teams;

Finally, Nium will be show continued momentum in the exploding travel payments space, announcing a partnership with a leading global payments processor to issue virtual cards in the APAC region. By 2027, virtual card transactions industry-wide are expected to exceed 121 billion as travel intermediaries and their suppliers look for modern solutions to streamline payments.

Nium will be very visible on the event's main stages:

On April 23 at 10:00 a.m. in a session titled, "Travel in China: The Next Big Niche," Richard Cogswell of Nium Travel will sit down with Jensen Cai, Head of Hong Kong at Triplink and Betsy Samuel, Chief Marketing Officer at Thredd to talk China travel trends and the future of payments in China and beyond.

Then at 3:00 p.m. on the Vision Stage, in one of the conference's most anticipated panels titled, "Beyond Competition: How Asian Payments Leaders are Shaping the Future Together," Nium's EVP and GM of APAC and MEA, Anupam Pahuja, will join banking leaders Rajnish Pal, Founding Member at ZING by HSBC and Shun De Ng, Group Head of Payments at DBS, to discuss competition and cooperation in fintech. The talk will be moderated by global banking industry expert, Alexandra Johnson.

After all the excitement from the first two days of the conference, Nium and Beacon Venture Capital will invite attendees to unwind at Nium @ Nite Market with street food, drinks and music on April 24 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Marriott Marquis Queen's Park.

Finally, the Nium team will be on the ground at booth #1002 throughout the conference to provide free global payments assessments, answering questions on a range of topics, including:

How to take advantage of Nium's 100+ real-time markets to help your business grow;

How to manage FX better by collecting and holding funds in a Nium multi-currency wallet;

How issuing physical or virtual cards can streamline vendor payments and control employee expenses;

How a global account strategy can streamline global payouts; and,

How real-time payouts can help your business grow

Register for our event, book a meeting, and find out about more Nium's presence here.

About Nium

Nium, the leader in real-time, cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 190+ countries, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 35 markets. Nium's growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licences and authorizations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance  independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1678669/4660064/Nium_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Nium
NEW YORK, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global online home rental services market size is estimated to grow by USD 21,190.52 mn from 2023 to 2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 12.9% during the forecast period. Government affordable housing initiatives in countries like China, India, Australia, and others will boost homeownership, reducing demand for rented properties. In India, the "Housing for All" scheme will promote home construction by 2023. Australia's National Affordable Housing Agreement aims to increase new housing supply and improve housing through the NPAH and NAHSSP. This trend impacts urban real estate, particularly rental markets, affecting landowners, hospitality chains, and online platforms.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Online Home Rental Services Market 2023-2027

To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

The Type segment emerges as the fastest-growing segment in the online home rental services market

The Online Home Rental Services Market in North America is a significant business opportunity, primarily driven by the US and Canada. With a robust technological infrastructure, these web portals enable landlords to list apartments for potential tenants, facilitating rentals through agents, brokers, and businesses. Smart phones and an internet connection enable renters to search for budget-friendly options from anywhere. Families seeking housing in urban cities, driven by economic growth and migration, fuel market expansion. Government policies, builder-lender collaborations, and estate agencies streamline tenant processes. IT/ITeS industry solutions, including Big Data and IT solutions, enhance connectivity and digital transformation. Potential investors, corporate developers, and financial backing further fuel market growth, ensuring customer centricity and trust in this dynamic sector.

Commenting on the market trends, a Senior Analyst of Technavio, stated," In densely populated metros like New York, Beijing, and Hong Kong, the soaring housing market drives demand for compact alternatives like capsule and box apartments. With an average house price of USD1.2 million in Hong Kong, online rental services for flats are increasingly popular among urban consumers. Key players include property developers, architects, IT/ITeS industry, and hospitality chains, leveraging IT solutions, digital transformation, and big data for customer-centric services. Potential investors and millennial consumers connect via online platforms for affordable, tech-enabled housing solutions."

To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

Analyst Review

In the dynamic world of urban living, the Real Estate Industry has witnessed significant shifts towards Online Home Rental Services. Single family residences and flats in metropolitan areas are increasingly being listed on online platforms for vacation home rentals and long-term rentals. E-commerce and virtual economies have paved the way for technological innovations, providing technological infrastructure for landowners, landlords, and potential tenants to connect seamlessly. Hospitality chains and businesses have also joined the bandwagon, offering budget-friendly options for renters. Agents and brokers leverage these online services to expand their reach and cater to the millennial consumer base, making the process of finding the perfect home more convenient than ever. Overall, Online Home Rental Services present a lucrative business opportunity for all stakeholders in the real estate sector.

Market Overview

In today's digital age, the Online Home Rental Services market has gained significant traction. With the use of technology, potential renters can easily search and find suitable properties through various platforms. These services offer a wide range of features, including property listings, virtual tours, and secure payment options. The trend of remote work and the desire for flexible living arrangements have further fueled the growth of this sector. However, the industry faces challenges such as regulatory compliance and ensuring the safety and security of properties and guests. Despite these hurdles, the Online Home Rental Services market continues to evolve, providing convenience and accessibility to consumers.

To understand more about this market- Download a FREE Sample Report in minutes!

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
FORT WORTH, Texas, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse is thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of its Fort Worth, TX location on Monday, April 22, in the Victory Shops at Heritage Trace, near Alliance Town Center! The Parry's team is excited to serve up some NY-style pizza, wings, sandwiches, pasta and more, plus 72 beers on draft, to residents of Fort Worth!

Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse located in the Victory Shops at Heritage Trace, near Alliance Town Center NY-Style Pizza, craft beer and more!

A ribbon-cutting ceremony, presented by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, will take place at 10am on Monday, and all are welcome to join. PLUS, in celebration of Parry's newest location, the first 25 parties in line for the opening on the 22nd will receive a guaranteed Grand Opening prize bag valued up to $50. Arrive early to secure your prize!

AND, all day Monday and Tuesday, Parry's will be raffling off FREE PIZZA AND FREE LUNCH SPECIALS EVERY WEEK for 6 months! A total of 20 lucky guests will win these incredible raffles.

Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse is located at 9601 North Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76177.

About Parry's Pizza

Parry's launched in 2007 as a New York-style pizza joint that was great for a quick bite and perhaps a beer or a glass of wine. Over the past 17 years, the restaurant's reputation for "craveably crafted" food at a family-friendly value has grown, and Parry's has evolved into a complete dining experience. Sure, pizza, wings and fried dough (customer favorites) are still on the menu, but Parry's also has become a craft beer haven with some of the best rotating tap lists around.

Parry's restaurants are built with a unique, New York warehouse feel, complemented with inviting fixtures and decor that allow you to feel even closer to the city that never sleeps. The Parry's vibe is perfect for lunch, dinner or a special occasion.

Parry's partners with numerous community groups including schools, churches and nonprofits to host donation nights throughout the year. Plus, a portion of every Parry's Pint sold is donated to nonprofit partners as part of the company's "Pennies from Pints" program. Dallas-Fort Worth Parry's locations support Minnie's Food Pantry and the National Breast Cancer Foundation with their Pennies from Pints donations.

Parry's mission is simple, and the company strives to deliver on it every single day: Craveably Crafted Food & Beer Served with Uncommon Hospitality.

Media Contact:

Nate Lyon

303-902-8786

[email protected]

SOURCE Parry's Pizzeria & Taphouse
FREMONT, Calif., April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Power Knot LLC, the market leader for onsite organic waste management solutions, has been awarded the 2024 Innovation Award of Excellence by Restaurants Canada. This esteemed recognition was presented at the Restaurants Canada Show, Canada's premier food service and hospitality event, held annually in Toronto.

The Restaurants Canada Awards of Excellence spotlight exceptional professionals and industry leaders who exemplify the pinnacle of achievement within the hospitality and food service sector. The Innovation Award of Excellence specifically celebrates individuals and organizations that challenge conventional practices, demonstrating remarkable ingenuity and vision to pioneer groundbreaking products and services that propel the food service industry forward.

With a steadfast commitment to innovation and sustainability, Power Knot has revolutionized organic waste management solutions, offering the LFC biodigester amongst other solutions that empower businesses to efficiently and responsibly manage their waste streams. This award underscores Power Knot's dedication to driving positive change within the food service industry through its innovative solutions. The award was graciously accepted on behalf of Power Knot by The Solution Foodservice Group , its business partner in Canada.

Restaurants Canada, a national not-for-profit member-based trade association, serves as a cornerstone of the Canadian food service industry, fostering growth and excellence through its comprehensive suite of member programs, research initiatives, advocacy efforts, and signature events.

"We have been providing solutions to businesses in Canada since 2016, so that they can dispose of food waste sustainably and at low cost," expressed Iain Milnes, President of Power Knot. "Being honored with the Innovation Award of Excellence is a testament to our commitment to innovation with environmental products that can be deployed today, and we are truly grateful for this recognition."

About Power Knot

Power Knot provides safe and economically sound solutions for commercial, industrial, and military customers globally seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. We offer nine biodigester models that process from 10 kg (25 lb) to 6000 kg (13,200 lb) of food waste per day. Our technologies are proven, available today, have been in reliable use for many years, and offer a payback period typically of less than two years. We design, develop, and manufacture our products in our headquarters in Silicon Valley, California.

CONTACT: Cecillia Wong, Power Knot, 4088898433, [email protected]

SOURCE Power Knot LLC
AUSTIN, Texas, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Loyal, the San Francisco-based company dedicated to improving the health and longevity of dogs, and Prelude, the leading animal health-focused electronic data capture (EDC) system for clinical research, are proud to announce their strategic partnership.

The growing rates of canine ownership and the rising demand for solutions to improve the health of dogs have highlighted the need for innovation within the animal health industry. This partnership was established with the core mission of providing an eClinical technology partner to advance the development of groundbreaking solutions that align with Loyal's commitment to extending the lives of dogs.

Through this partnership, Loyal will leverage Prelude's suite of data management products to enhance their research endeavors, ultimately benefiting the longevity and well-being of dogs. Prelude's EDC allows for seamless data collection, monitoring, and analysis, enabling Loyal to gather crucial insights. Additionally, Prelude's mobile ePRO app allows pet owners to input data directly into Prelude's EDC, facilitating owner feedback in real time and improving overall study compliance.

With access to Prelude's animal health data management products, Loyal can streamline their trials and enhance the efficiency of their clinical studies. Prelude's flexible EDC system and mobile ePRO app will serve as invaluable tools in supporting Loyal's mission to extend the lives and improve the health of dogs.

"I'm excited to join forces with Loyal," says Prelude CEO Tommy Jackson. "Their dedication to extending the lives of dogs aligns perfectly with our mission to accelerate the development of new life-saving medical products. Together, we will advance canine healthcare and make a lasting impact on our pets."

"Prelude's products allow us to build and execute customized, veterinary clinic and subject-centric studies that deliver fast, accurate data," says Laurel Yruretagoyena, Clinical Development Project Manager for Loyal. "Our partnership with Prelude is pivotal in executing clinical studies with a high standard, thus helping us to deliver on our mission of more, healthier years with the dogs we love."

About Prelude

Prelude is a life science software company looking to raise the bar on the clinical research experience, thus making the world safer and healthier by accelerating new product development of life-saving medicine and devices.

Founded in 2003, Prelude's founders created a new type of electronic data capture (EDC) system  that is, with the end-user in mind while still being able to withstand the most extreme scrutiny for data, accuracy, and speed. Today, Prelude offers mobile applications to support modern data collection.

Prelude's ePRO mobile app enables subjects participating in a clinical trial to input data directly into Prelude's EDC system, enabling real-time patient updates at any time from any place.

Prelude prioritizes providing comprehensive support to teams who choose to entrust their studies to them with the goal of making the study building to closeout process as simple and straightforward as possible so that their clients can focus on what matters  their research. For more information, please visit www.PreludeEDC.com.

About Loyal

Founded in San Francisco, Loyal's talented and committed team is dedicated to improving the health and longevity of dogs around the world. With a focus on a new approach to aging and helping dogs live longer, Loyal holds a unique position in the animal health industry.

They are developing drugs intended to help dogs live longer, healthier lives by targeting biological mechanisms associated with aging. These products are prescribed by veterinarians and aim to prevent and delay the onset of many age-related diseases. For more information, please visit www.loyalfordogs.com.

Media Contact

Kat Meyer

[email protected]

(512) 476-5100

SOURCE Prelude
Award celebrates and honors inspiring female leaders in PR and communications

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ripley PR, an award-winning global public relations agency specializing in manufacturing, skilled trades, franchising and B2B technology, announced today that CEO Heather Ripley has been named an honoree on the 2024 PRNEWS Top Women Awards list in the business entrepreneur category.

The Top Women Awards recognize outstanding female professionals who have demonstrated unwavering commitment, innovation, and influence within their organizations and respective industries.

Heather Ripley, CEO and founder of Ripley PR, has been named to the 2024 PRNEWS Top Women Awards list in the business entrepreneur category.

As a self-made public relations powerhouse, Ripley's passion for supporting manufacturers, B2B technology brands and the often-underserved skilled trades industry is what has propelled the agency to be recognized as the top PR agency for the home service industry and recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine as a Top Franchise PR Agency for six consecutive years.

"I'm grateful and humbled to be recognized on the PRNEWS' Top Women list," said Ripley. "I started my agency 11 years ago with the intent to forge a new path in home service and franchise public relations where superior customer service results in happy clients and repeat business. Because of the hard work of my dedicated team, we've been able to help small startups become behemoths, global manufacturers launch new products and support our tech clients through their venture capital fundraising efforts."

Ripley PR has grown into an elite, highly respected PR agency that services clients all over the United States and the world. Ripley continues to trailblaze the industry and most recently authored "NEXT LEVEL NOW: PR Secrets to Drive Explosive Growth for Your Home Services Business," to further support residential service business owners increase their visibility.

Ripley PR, which was named to the Forbes list of America's Best PR Agencies for 2021, offers its clients strategic communications services, including award recognition, crisis management, media relations and social media strategies. The agency specializes in the home service and building trades, manufacturing, B2B technology and franchising industries. Its unique combination of expertise and creativity in public relations helps clients build brand awareness, establish positive reputations and drive prospects to the brand.

For more information visit www.ripleypr.com or call (865) 977-1973.

About Ripley PR



Ripley PR is an elite, global B2B public relations agency specializing in home service and building trades, manufacturing, B2B and franchising. Ripley PR was recently recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best PR Agencies for 2021 and has made Entrepreneur Magazine's annual list of Best PR Agencies for Franchises for the past five years. Offering a full range of strategic communication services, including award recognition, crisis management, media relations and social media strategies, Ripley PR uses a blend of strategic business acumen and creative public relations branding to tell compelling stories and deliver measurable results. Ripley PR is a partner in IPREX, the $508 million network of more than 1,100 communication professionals in more than 100 markets globally. For more information, visit www.ripleypr.com or call 865-977-1973.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Ripley PR
LISBON, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, 19th April is the anniversary of the start of the massacre which for three days assassinated about three thousand Jews in Lisbon. The bonfires went as high as the houses, in a city filled with quartered bodies where heads were paraded on the points of spears.

Today, 19th April is the anniversary of the start of the massacre which for three days assassinated about three thousand Jews in Lisbon.The Jewish community of Oporto, Portugal, has just released a free documentary film online about these events, in English, Hebrew, French, Spanish and Portuguese. (PRNewsfoto/Jewish Community of Porto - Portugal)

The Jewish community of Oporto, Portugal, has just released a free documentary film online about these events, in English, Hebrew, French, Spanish and Portuguese - https://youtu.be/wzOEqMy-pM0. The film aims to show that the October 2023 massacre did not happen in a vacuum.



According Michael Rothwell, director of the Oporto Holocaust museum, "there has always been a mix of stereotypes, fanatical joy and terrorism of the quartering in the massacres that for two millennia targeted the Jews in such different locations as Alexandria, Granada, Seville, Madrid, Toledo, Barcelona, Basel, Uberlingen, Strasburg, Cologne, Worms, Erfurt, Metz, York, Norwich, Trent, Troyes, Bern, Paris, Odessa, Moscow, Hebron and recently the border areas of southern Israel."



The documentary film was made as short as possible, about 20 minutes long, so that it may be seen by everyone of all ages, even those who prefer not to watch long movies. The format allows the organization viewings and debates in cinemas around the world, with invited speakers and comments from the audience.



On Wednesday 17th, 2024 the Tel Aviv Diaspora Museum presented a preview of the film, followed by a debate moderated by Alex Traiman, Editor in Chief of the Jewish News Syndicate. Speakers included Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israeli Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, Raheli Baratz-Rix, Head of the Department for Combating Antisemitism and Enhancing Resilience of the World Zionist Organization, and Ashley Peretz, President of the "Reconectar" Association that promotes the reconnection between the descendants of the Sephardic Jews and the Jewish world.



The documentary film was produced by the Portuguese director Luis Ismael and involved the participation of hundreds of costumed and armed extras. Research was carried out by the Community's historical research centre and reviewed by the holder of the Alberto Benveniste Chair of Sephardic Studies of the University of Lisbon.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2391636/Jewish_Community_of_Oporto.jpg

SOURCE Jewish Community of Porto - Portugal
FREEHOLD, N.J., April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Raceway Kia of Freehold has once again been recognized as one of the top-performing Kia dealerships in North America. The dealership has been named a two-time winner of the Kia President's Club award; an honor reserved for only the most outstanding Kia retailers.

Kia Presidents Club Award 2023 It is Raceway Kia of Freehold's second consecutive year earning this prestigious award.

The Kia President's Club award is given to dealerships that have achieved the highest overall sales volume and provided exceptional customer satisfaction. Out of nearly 800 Kia retailers, only 40 are selected to be a part of this exclusive group. This recognition is a testament to Raceway Kia's commitment to providing top-notch service and delivering quality vehicles to their customers.

"It's a great honor to receive back-to-back Presidents Club awards at Raceway Kia," said Raceway Kia owner Jake Lebowitz. "This is the highest accomplishment you can receive as a Kia dealer, and we are grateful that we can continue serving our customers. The team puts in tremendous effort day in and day out and they are very deserving of this. We plan on continuing to be at the top of the region in both sales volume and customer satisfaction. Thank you to our loyal customers of Monmouth County and to our dedicated employees. We look forward to building our new state-of-the-art, 40,000 square foot Kia facility  which will include four express service lanes, automatic car wash, and beautiful lounges  in the coming year or so, to continue supporting our great clients."

Raceway Kia of Freehold has been serving the Freehold community for over a decade, offering a wide selection of new and pre-owned Kia vehicles, as well as top-notch service and maintenance. As part of the number one volume Kia dealer group in the region, they are able to offer their clients the largest inventory, at the best prices. The dealership has also been actively involved in giving back to the community through various charitable initiatives. This recognition as a two-time Kia President's Club award winner further solidifies Raceway Kia's position as a leader in the automotive industry.

Raceway Kia of Freehold's commitment to excellence and dedication to their customers has once again been recognized with the prestigious Kia President's Club award. The dealership looks forward to continuing to provide exceptional service and top-quality vehicles to their customers in the years to come. For more information, visit Raceway Kia of Freehold's website or stop by the dealership to experience their award-winning service firsthand.

For more information, visit racewaykia.com.

About Raceway Kia of Freehold:

Raceway Kia of Freehold is a leading Kia dealership located in Freehold, New Jersey. Committed to providing exceptional service and a wide selection of vehicles, Raceway Kia of Freehold aims to deliver a superior car-buying experience to customers in Monmouth County and beyond.

Contact:

Jake Lebowitz

Dealer Principal

Raceway Kia of Freehold

888-641-6821

racewaykia.com

SOURCE Raceway Kia of Freehold
NEW YORK, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global remittance market size is estimated to grow by USD 38.2 bn from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 10.55% during the forecast period. The remittance market is driven by digitization in banking, enabling real-time international money transfers through core solutions like Internet banking and ATMs. Regulators oversee digital remittances, addressing security concerns, money laundering, and terrorism funding. Online platforms, including money transfer operators and electronic wallets, offer convenience for customers, businesses, and financial professionals. Blockchain technology and mobile wallets are emerging trends, reducing extra fees and paperwork for migratory workers in cross-border transactions.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Remittance Market 2023-2027

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

Remittance Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 10.55% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 38.2 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 9.51 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 31% Key countries US, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, UK, and Germany Key companies profiled Bank of America Corp., Citigroup Inc., Digital Wallet Co. Ltd., Euronet Worldwide Inc., Flywire Corp., JPMorgan Chase and Co., MoneyGram International Inc., Nium Pte. Ltd., OzForex Ltd., PayPal Holdings Inc., Ripple Labs Inc., SingX Pte Ltd., TransferGo Ltd., Wells Fargo and Co., Western Union Holdings Inc., Wise Payments Ltd., WorldRemit Ltd., and ZEPZ

Segment Overview

This remittance market report extensively covers market segmentation by Method (Non-digital, Digital) Type (Inward, Outward) Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, South America)

Market segmentation by Method

The remittance market encompasses international money transfers from foreign bank accounts to domestic ones, a significant link to economic development and migration. Regulators oversee digital remittance businesses to ensure security and prevent illicit activities like money laundering and terrorism funding. Money transfer fees, or exchange rates, can vary, leading to a lack of transparency and potential extra costs for customers. Authorized regulators, including banks and financial organizations, offer wire transfer services and money transfer operator solutions through online platforms, electronic wallets, and software. B2B clients and financial professionals utilize money transfer software for cross border transactions. Digital transfer platforms facilitate online transactions using electronic devices and mobile device usage. While digital payments offer convenience and lower transfer fees, concerns regarding financial security, anonymity, and mediators persist. Blockchain technology aims to address these issues, offering secure, transparent, and cost-effective money transfers for migratory workers and individuals engaged in cross border transactions.

Geography Overview

The North American remittance market is poised for significant growth due to intensifying competition among FinTech startups specializing in money transfers in Silicon Valley. These innovators will revolutionize the payments sector, catering to individuals and small businesses, thereby increasing the demand for money transfer and currency exchange services. Regulators overseeing digital remittance businesses are crucial in ensuring compliance with international regulations, addressing concerns such as money laundering and terrorism funding. Money transfer fees, a significant cost for customers, are being challenged by digital payment solutions like mobile wallets and blockchain technology. However, security barriers and lack of knowledge among international residents and small financial organizations may hinder adoption. Banks, financial organizations, wire transfer services, money transfer operators, and online platforms employ money transfer software to facilitate cross-border transactions for B2B clients and financial professionals. Digital transfer platforms, electronic devices, and mobile device usage are transforming the remittance landscape, offering anonymity and convenience at a potential cost of extra fees and paperwork.

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 remittance market in developing countries like India , Mexico , and Brazil has seen growth due to government initiatives promoting digital payment methods and instant transfer schemes. Notable examples include India's Digital India and BHIM app, and Brazil's Brazilian Instant Payment Scheme (PIX). Regulators, digital remittance businesses, and international residents use various platforms like wire transfer services, money transfer operators, online platforms, electronic wallets, and blockchain technology for cross-border transactions. Security, money laundering, and terrorism funding concerns persist, requiring authorization from regulators and financial organizations. Digital transfer platforms offer anonymity, but extra fees and paperwork may deter some customers.

, , and has seen growth due to government initiatives promoting digital payment methods and instant transfer schemes. Notable examples include Digital India and BHIM app, and Brazilian Instant Payment Scheme (PIX). Regulators, digital remittance businesses, and international residents use various platforms like wire transfer services, money transfer operators, online platforms, electronic wallets, and blockchain technology for cross-border transactions. Security, money laundering, and terrorism funding concerns persist, requiring authorization from regulators and financial organizations. Digital transfer platforms offer anonymity, but extra fees and paperwork may deter some customers. The global remittance market faces significant challenges from increasing illicit financial flows facilitated by digital technologies. Key concerns include money laundering, terrorism funding, fraud , and tax evasion. Regulators, digital remittance businesses, and financial organizations grapple with security barriers, lack of knowledge, and high transfer fees. B2B clients, financial professionals, and migratory workers use various digital payment solutions like mobile wallets, blockchain technology, and online platforms to send remittances, adding to the complexity. Cross border transactions and electronic device usage increase the risk of anonymity and mediate extra fees and paperwork.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 - 2021) and forecast period(2023-2027)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

In the remittance market, migratory workers rely on digital transfer platforms for cross-border transactions, facilitating online money transfers using electronic devices. Digital remittance services offer financial security and anonymity, making them increasingly popular. However, these services come with extra fees and paperwork, which can be a deterrent for some users. Regulators play a crucial role in the digital remittance business, ensuring compliance with international remittance regulations and preventing money laundering and terrorism funding. Authorized regulators oversee money transfer costs, transfer fees, and security barriers to maintain the integrity of the digital payments system. Despite these challenges, the remittance market continues to grow, offering convenient and efficient cross-border payment solutions.

Market Research Overview

In the dynamic remittance market, digital transactions are transforming the way money is transferred across borders. With the use of technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrencies, remittance services offer faster, cheaper, and more secure transfer options. Cross-border remittance transactions involve various players, including migrant workers, remittance service providers, and regulatory bodies. Digitally, remittance transactions are facilitated through platforms like mobile wallets, online banking, and digital money transfer operators. Regulatory bodies ensure the security and transparency of these transactions, implementing regulations such as Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) procedures. Remittance fees vary based on the service provider and the transfer amount, making it essential for consumers to compare and choose the most cost-effective option. Overall, the remittance market is a critical component of the global economy, enabling financial inclusion and supporting the livelihoods of millions.

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
CHICAGO, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The robotic palletizer market is projected to grow from USD 1.4 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 1.9 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2024 to 2029 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Rising awareness towards workplace safety and reducing the risk of work-related injuries to drive the market. Robotic palletizers significantly enhance workplace safety and reduce the risk of work-related injuries and associated costs. By automating repetitive tasks like palletizing, businesses can redeploy their human workforce to higher-value activities that require human skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and customer interaction. This allows them to optimize their workforce and leverage human capabilities more effectively.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Robotic Palletizer Market"

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Robotic Palletizer Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2024 $ 1.4 billion Estimated Value by 2029 $ 1.9 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 5.9% Market Size Available for 20202029 Forecast Period 20242029 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Component, Robot Type, Application, End-use Industry and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge High initial investment cost Key Market Opportunities Increasing application in small and medium-sized enterprises Key Market Drivers Growing labor shortage and need for workforce optimization

Collaborative robots in the robot type segment are expected to witness higher growth rate during the forecast period.

Collaborative robots are expected to witness a higher CAGR during the forecast period. Unlike traditional industrial robots that often require physical barriers or cages to protect human workers, cobots are equipped with advanced safety features, such as force and torque sensors, collision detection, and speed monitoring. These features enable cobots to operate safely in proximity to humans without posing significant risks of injury.

The Pharmaceutical segment in the robotic palletizer market is expected to witness highest growth rate during the forecast period.

Pharmaceutical products are subject to strict regulations regarding storage, handling, and quality control. Robotic palletizers play a crucial role in providing greater precision and consistency in palletizing tasks and minimizing the risk of contamination within pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. It also reduces human intervention in the handling and stacking of products and helps mitigate the potential for cross-contamination and ensures adherence to strict hygiene standards.

End-of-Arm- Tooling (EOAT) component is expected to witness the highest CAGR in the robotic palletizer market during the forecast period.

End-of-arm tooling (EOAT) is a crucial element of a robotic arm system, especially in applications like robotic palletizing, where the robot needs to interact with various objects or products. EOAT essentially acts as the hand of the robotic arm, designed to securely grasp, lift, and place boxes or cases onto pallets. Overall, EOAT plays a vital role in the effectiveness of robotic palletizers as it ensures secure handling of products, efficient palletizing patterns, and smooth operation of the entire system.

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North America is expected to hold the largest share of the robotic palletizer industry during the forecast period.

North America is home to major automobile and retail companies, which has accelerated the demand for robotic palletizers in this region. Additionally, the rise in manufacturing activity, fueled by plans for reshoring and technological improvements, has further driven the need for robotic palletizers. In North America, certain government funds are available to increase workplace safety. In 2023, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced a grant of approximately USD 12.7 million to 100 non-profit organizations across the nation to provide education and training for workers and employers about recognizing workplace hazards, injury prevention, and understanding workers' rights and employers' responsibilities under federal law. Businesses that use robotic palletizers may be eligible for funding as they lower the risk of worker injuries from manual lifting.

Key Players

Leading players in the robotic palletizer companies include FANUC CORPORATION (Japan), KION GROUP AG (Germany), KUKA AG (Germany), ABB (Switzerland), and Krones AG (Germany). Schneider Packaging Equipment Company, Inc. (US), Honeywell International Inc. (US), Kaufman Engineered Systems (US), Concetti S.p.A. (Italy), Sidel (France), Brenton, LLC. (US), A-B-C Packaging Machine Corporation (US), Antenna Group (Italy), BEUMER GROUP (Germany), Brillopak (UK), BW Integrated Systems (US), Columbia Machine, Inc. (US), Euroimpianti S.p.A. (Italy), Fuji Yusoki Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Japan), HAVER & BOECKER OHG (Germany), KHS Group (Germany), MMCI (US), Okura Yusoki Co., Ltd. (Japan), Rothe Packtech Pvt. Ltd. (India), and S&R Robot Systems, LLC. (US) are few other key companies operating in the robotic palletizer market.

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About MarketsandMarkets

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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.

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NEW YORK, April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of HireRight Holdings Corporation (NYSE: HRT) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus (collectively, the "Offering Documents") issued in connection with HireRight's October 2021 initial public offering (the "IPO"), of the important June 3, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased HireRight securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the HireRight class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=23874 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 3, 2024. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the Offering Documents made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) HireRight was exposed to customers with significant employment and hiring risk and HireRight derived greater revenue growth from existing client hiring than from new client hiring; (2) as a result, HireRight's revenue growth was unsustainable to the extent that it relied on the stability of its current customers' hiring and/or the profitability of securing new customers; (3) accordingly, HireRight had overstated its post-IPO business and/or prospects; and (4) as a result, defendants' statements about HireRight's business, operations, and prospects were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the HireRight class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=23874 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

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Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

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The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

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SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
Fisher Barns Makes Financial Times' Fastest Growing List

ABBEVILLE, S.C., April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fisher Barns, a portable building manufacturer in South Carolina, has been featured on America's Fastest Growing Companies 2024 . The list by Financial Times is a compilation of 500 of the most rapidly growing companies in North or South America. Coming in at #304 on the list, Fisher Barns has sustained an incredible growth rate of 123% from 2019 to 2022.

Fisher Barns Fisher Barns

Founded over 20 years ago, Fisher Barns has had significant growth in recent years. Marvin Fisher, co-owner of Fisher Barns, says, "I am proud of our team for this stretch of extended growth. We have done our best to provide a good product at reasonable prices."

Fisher Barns has a number of product lines that are offered to customers, focusing primarily on storage sheds, prefab cabins, animal structures, and lawn furniture. Each line has multiple design choices so each customer can find something they like. In addition, customers can choose to design their own building right on Fisher Barns website using their 3D Builder. "One of our goals is to provide each customer with a building that fits what their needs are," says Fisher.

Fisher credits the company's growth to product availability and competitive pricing. Their website allows customers to see all their available products in the comfort of their own home. As they have grown over the years, Fisher Barns has been able to produce buildings more efficiently. By simplifying their workflow and buying materials in bulk, they are able to keep their prices affordable and competitive.

Adding more locations has increased visibility for customers to see what Fisher Barns can offer. With sales locations in Abbeville, Anderson, and Greenwood, customers from all over western South Carolina and Northern Georgia can stop in and visit.

When asked about the future, Marvin commented, "Our goal is to keep the efficiency that we currently have while continuing to add other products. We are dedicated to bringing excellent service and products to our customer base."

For more information about Fisher Barns, visit our website at https://fisherbarns.com/ .

About Financial Times Fastest Growing List

The Financial Times, a world-leading news organization, creates an annual list of fastest growing companies that are headquartered in the Americas. Using data gathered by Statista, they choose the top 500 companies to feature in their FT ranking: The America's Fastest-Growing Companies 2024 article. Although the list is not exhaustive, the list gives a good look at which companies, like Fisher Barns, are leaders in their industries in the Western Hemisphere.

Contact:

Marvin Fisher

864-366-7333

[email protected]

SOURCE Fisher Barns
SEOUL, South Korea, April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM, "SKT") today announced a collaboration with Aptos Labs, Brevan Howard, and Microsoft to deliver to the global financial market Aptos Ascend, a suite of end-to-end institutional solutions including a permissioned network and Digital Asset Controls powered by SKT's Wallet-as-a-Service product and the scalable, secure Aptos blockchain. Aptos Ascend will also tap Brevan Howard's industry leadership and expertise to develop a seamless path for any major bank or financial institution to begin offering digital currency and asset management to their clients responsibly and at scale.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) will be Aptos Labs' preferred consulting partner, leveraging its global expertise in decentralized finance, digital assets, and AI to work with companies to implement the solutions. As one of the world's leading management consulting firms, BCG has a strong track record in delivering and implementing large-scale digital transformations for major financial institutions.

"With a growing trend of tokenization in traditional finance, we expect the partnership to create a strong model for innovation in the future financial market," said Oh Se-hyeon, Vice President and Head of Web3 CO at SKT. "Built upon SKT's trusted KYC/authentication business experience, T wallet (Wallet as a Service) aims to provide a stable platform for various crypto services to be provided with high reliability and security."

"Global institutions require superior levels of compliance, security, trust, and innovation to service customers, operate across borders, and adhere to regulations at every level," said Mo Shaikh, Co-Founder & CEO of Aptos Labs. "In collaboration with SKT, Brevan Howard and Microsoft, Aptos Ascend will provide the world's financial institutions, banks, and tech-forward money markets with a performant, compliant, secure, and scalable gateway to decentralized finance on Aptos that will evolve for years to come."

"We see a tremendous opportunity at the intersection of AI and distributed ledger technologies and are pleased to support Aptos and the Ascend Project as they apply these technologies in financial services," says Adrian Crockett, GM & Head of Product, Microsoft Cloud for Financial Services.

"We continue to have high conviction in the positive impact that the application of Web3 and blockchain technology will have on the financial services industry," said Gautam Sharma, CEO & CIO of Brevan Howard Digital. "It is still early days, and we are pleased to support initiatives like Ascend that may help propel the industry forward."

In addition to bringing traditional finance giants, innovative fintech partners, money market platforms, and global investment firms into the Web3 fold, Aptos Ascend will enable organizations to:

Unlock unparalleled transaction efficiency with the Aptos blockchain thanks to an industry-leading sub-second latencybuilt for scale to achieve more than 30,000 transactions per second (TPS).

Use the Move smart contract language and Digital Asset Controls, which provide secure asset management, privacy options, and formal verification of smart contracts, greatly reducing the risk of hacks.

Collaborate with like-minded partners to build an extended ecosystem from the start to deliver scale from day one to encourage adoption.

Further explore financial services solutions with dedicated support from the Aptos Labs' engineering team to develop additional functions and features as required.

The institution-ready, end-to-end financial suite will use Microsoft Azure and Azure OpenAI Service, along with Brevan Howard's international and market-specific investment expertise, and SKT's regulatory-compliant Web3 technology, to pair innovative trade finance offerings with a decentralized, scalable, data-rich, and accessible network. Adding BCG's strategic consulting expertise will enable Aptos Labs clients to implement the technology solutions seamlessly within their institutions. While the Aptos Ascend solutions will continue to evolve, immediate value at a global scale will take the form of:

Expanding decentralized finance to institutional capital.

finance to institutional capital. Unlocking the uncollateralized lending market for Web3.

Releasing the liquidity of tokenized assets on a global scale.

Aptos Ascend is designed to help regulated institutions around the world meet their obligations to customers, regulators, and other stakeholders. Further, Aptos Ascend includes unparalleled customizable configurations to meet specific business and regulatory requirements, including:

Access controls to help institutions meet regulatory requirements.

Controls over the types of transactions allowed and which entities can control transaction types.

Tools to maintain account and transaction privacy.

Embedded features for Know Your Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) checks and other regulatory considerations.

About SK Telecom

SK Telecom has been leading the growth of the mobile industry since 1984. Now, it is taking customer experience to new heights by extending beyond connectivity. By placing AI at the core of its business, SK Telecom is rapidly transforming into an AI company with a strong global presence. It is focusing on driving innovations in areas of AI Infrastructure, AI Transformation (AIX) and AI Service to deliver greater value for industry, society, and life.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit our LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/company/sk-telecom.

Aptos Network

Aptos is a next-generation Layer 1 blockchain. Aptos' breakthrough technology and programming language, Move, are designed to evolve, improve performance and strengthen user safeguards. Please visit https://www.aptosfoundation.org for more information on the Aptos blockchain.

About Aptos Labs

Aptos Labs, co-founded by Mo Shaikh and Avery Ching, is dedicated to creating better network tooling and seamless usability to bring the benefits of decentralization to the masses. Having now raised over $400M, Aptos Labs is backed by top-flight investors, including a16z, Jump Crypto, Binance Labs, Dragonfly, PayPal Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz and Franklin Templeton Investments.

SOURCE SK Telecom
NEW YORK, April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The global solar panels market size is estimated to grow by USD 50.08 bn from 2023-2027, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 7.87% during the forecast period. Solar panels are a significant part of the evolving renewable energy landscape. In Q1 2021, renewables accounted for 28% of global electricity generation, with solar energy contributing substantially. Despite higher generation costs, solar panels compete with fossil fuels due to low carbon emissions and government incentives. Key developments include new product launches, mergers, and collaborations. Transparent solar panels and advancements in photovoltaic cells are driving innovation. Solar capacity expansion continues, with a focus on rooftops and warehouses, reducing environmental impact and energy needs.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Solar Panels Market 2023-2027

For more insights on the historic (2017 - 2021) and forecast market size- Request a sample report

Solar Panels Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017 - 2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.87% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 50.08 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 7.35 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 43% Key countries US, China, South Korea, Germany, and Italy Key companies profiled Adani Group, Antec Solar GmbH, Canadian Solar Inc., First Solar Inc., Flisom AG, Hanergy Thin Film Power Group Ltd., JA Solar Technology Co. Ltd., Jiangsu Zhongli Group Co. Ltd., JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd., Kaneka Corp., Longi green energy technology Co. Ltd, Risen Energy Co. Ltd., Shell plc, SoloPower Systems Inc., Soltecture GmbH, Tata Power Co. Ltd., Tesla Inc., Trina Solar Co. Ltd., Wuxi Suntech Power Co. Ltd., and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd.

Segment Overview

This solar panels market report extensively covers market segmentation by End-user (Power utilities, Commercial, Residential) Type (Crystalline panel, Thin-film panel) Geography (APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, South America)

Market segmentation by End-user

The Solar Panels industry continues to thrive, with crystalline solar panels, including monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon variants, dominating the market. These PV panels, essential components of solar energy systems, deliver up to 25% efficiency, contributing significantly to renewable energy production. Silver and polysilicon are key materials in their manufacturing process. Environmental concerns drive investments in solar energy, with governments offering tax breaks and emission standards to incentivize adoption. In 2021, the total amount invested in the solar sector surpassed USD150 billion. Floating solar technology, a market development, integrates water infrastructure and reduces evaporation, enhancing power production. New product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, and collaborations shape the dynamic solar panel market. Transparent solar panels, utilizing UV and infrared wavelengths, expand applications beyond traditional solar PV and concentrated solar power. Grid connectivity, on-grid and off-grid solar solutions cater to residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. DIY solar panels offer accessibility to individuals, fostering clean energy adoption. Government incentives, including tax rebates, fuel the growth of solar powerhouses, ensuring a sustainable future for the Solar Panel Market.

Geography Overview

The Solar Panel Market is experiencing significant growth due to evolving environmental concerns, increasing energy demand, and supportive government regulations. Major players in this market include China, India, and Japan, with China leading in annual installed capacity. Solar PV, including thin film and crystalline technologies, and Concentrated Solar Power are key application areas. Grid connectivity is essential for Power production from On Rid Solar and Off Grid Solar systems, used in Residential, Commercial, and Industrial sectors. New product launches, contractual agreements, mergers, and acquisitions, and collaborations are driving market developments. Transparent Solar Panels, utilizing UV and Infrared wavelengths, are a new trend in this sector. Government incentives, such as tax rebates and the Renewable Energy Directive, are promoting the shift from Fossil Fuels like Oil and Coal to Clean Energy sources. Solar capacity expansion is crucial to meet Energy needs while minimizing Environmental impact and Carbon emissions.

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 solar panels market is driven by advancements in thin-film technology, particularly copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) cells. CIGS cells, which can be fabricated on lightweight, flexible substrates, have achieved the highest efficiency of 20.4% for potassium fluoride post-deposition-treated devices. Heavy alkali doping has further boosted CIGS cell performance by over 20%, reaching a record efficiency of 22%. Renewable energy investments continue to grow, with solar energy systems, including floating technology, becoming increasingly important in reducing reliance on fossil fuels and meeting emission standards. Component production costs and power consumption remain key considerations in the industry.

The renewable energy sector, particularly solar panels, faces challenges due to intermittency. Weather conditions, geography, and time impact output, leading to disruptions. Solar industry includes Solar Panels, PV panels, Concentrated Solar Power, Thin film, and Crystalline. Investments in this sector totaled X, driven by tax breaks, grid connectivity, and new product launches. Solar energy systems employ floating technology, impacting water infrastructure and evaporation. Government incentives and emission standards shape market developments through contractual agreements, mergers, and acquisitions.

Insights on Market Drivers, trends, & Challenges, historic period(2017 - 2021) and forecast period(2023-2027)- Request a sample report!

Research Analysis

The Solar Panels Market is experiencing significant growth due to increasing environmental concerns and the need for clean, renewable energy sources. The Solar Panels industry is driven by the production of Photovoltaic (PV) panels, which utilize Silicon, primarily Polysilicon, in Photovoltaic cells. The market is supported by government incentives, including tax breaks and rebates, which encourage investments in this sector. Environmental pollution from traditional energy sources like Oil and Coal is a major concern, leading to stricter Emission standards. Solar energy, derived from the Earth's sunlight, is a viable alternative, producing Electrical energy without contributing to pollution. Solar powerhouses, or large-scale Solar energy installations, are becoming more common, providing a sustainable solution to Energy needs. The Renewable Energy Directive, a European Union policy, aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the EU's final energy consumption to at least 32% by 2030. The market for Solar Panels is expected to continue growing, with advancements in technology, such as the use of Photovoltaic glass, contributing to its success. The Solar Panel Market is not only beneficial for the Environment but also for the Economy, offering a promising investment opportunity.

Market Research Overview

The Solar Panels market is experiencing significant growth, with Solara and PV Contracted projects driving the industry. Renewable energy, especially solar energy, is becoming increasingly important as countries aim to reduce their carbon footprint. The demand for solar panels is on the rise, with new markets emerging in the US, India, and other regions. The market is also witnessing technological advancements, such as thin-film solar cells and floating solar panels. The global solar panel market is expected to reach a value of USD161.47 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 13.3% during the forecast period. The market is also witnessing regulatory support, with governments offering incentives to promote the adoption of solar energy. The market is expected to be dominated by players like Trina Solar, Canadian Solar, and Jinko Solar. The future of the solar panels market looks bright, with increasing demand, technological advancements, and regulatory support driving growth.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

End-user

Power Utilities



Commercial



Residential

Type

Crystalline Panel



Thin-film Panel

Geography

APAC



Europe



North America



Middle East And Africa



South America



7 Customer Landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10 Company Landscape

11 Company 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
Five Local Unions Challenge Pepsi's Illegal Work Rules, Union Busting

RIDGE PARK, Ill., April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Five Teamsters local unions in three states have filed unfair labor practice (ULP) charges against Pepsi with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over the company's anti-worker policies that are illegal under current labor law.

Teamsters locals across Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa  including Locals 727, 90, 135, 142, and 673  filed charges against Pepsi's unlawful work rules that prohibit workers from discussing wages, hours, or other terms or conditions of employment. The policies also prevent or discourage workers from forming, joining, or supporting a labor organization, contacting and/or filing charges with the NLRB, and engaging in protected concerted activities.

The ULP charges come as Pepsi Teamsters are in negotiations for new contracts at Local 727 and Local 673 in Illinois and Local 135 in Indiana.

"While Pepsi should be at the bargaining table to reach an agreement that rewards the hardworking Teamsters who keep operations moving, the company is subjecting our members to antiquated and illegal work rules that violate their basic rights," said Jeff Padellaro, Director of the Teamsters Brewery, Bakery, and Soft Drink Conference. "Teamsters are putting Pepsi on notice that we won't tolerate union busting. We will take coordinated action against the company until it gets serious in negotiations."

"Pepsi management has repeatedly said in bargaining that they have a great relationship with labor and that they 'plan to bargain in good faith,' but clearly that couldn't be further from the truth," said John Coli Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. "Other Teamsters local unions have partnered with Local 727 to stand up to this corporate bully. Pepsi management has made one thing crystal clear: they do not value their union workforce. Whether members vote to strike is up to the company. Pepsi should stop with the unlawful behavior and return to the table to give workers what they need."

"This is the largest food and beverage company in North America and it's time they start acting more responsibly and respectfully," said Dustin Roach, President of Local 135 in Indianapolis. "Pepsi needs to address workers' issues at the bargaining table. If they don't, we will hit the streets."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Kara Deniz, (202) 497-6610

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
More than 1,100 Students Dive into AI Exploration, Joined by Leading Educators, Industry Experts, Government Leaders, and Community Advocates

SAN JOSE, Calif., April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a groundbreaking collaboration, The Tech Interactive, a world-renowned science, technology, and education center in the heart of Silicon Valley, is spearheading the inaugural National AI Literacy Day Summit. It is one of three national live events happening in the United States on Friday, April 19 to celebrate National AI Literacy Day. In partnership with aiEDU , AI for Education , EdSafe AI Alliance (InnovateEDU) , and Common Sense Media , the summit aims to bring K-12 students, educators, and communities together through an immersive exploration and discussion of artificial intelligence.

The Tech Interactive ignites AI Literacy Day with inaugural summit in Silicon Valley highlighting education and access. Post this Join us on April 19th for a nationwide day of action, inviting students, parents, educators, and other community members as we explore the fundamental question, "What is AI?" This event will offer valuable lessons for classrooms and after-school programs, plus professional development opportunities for educators. With events hosted in local communities and national spotlight events, our mission is to promote AI literacy through education.

Embracing the spirit of The Hour of Code , this landmark event will empower participants with a deeper understanding of AI's impact and potential. More than 1,100 students from Bay Area schools will take field trips to The Tech Interactive to participate in hands-on activities designed to demystify AI and spark curiosity. Meanwhile, educators, industry leaders, government officials, and community members will engage in dynamic discussions about advancing AI literacy, equity, and accessibility in the classroom.

The summit's agenda encompasses critical themes such as preparing students for an AI-driven world and the indispensable role of community partnerships in fostering AI literacy. Notable speakers include: Matt Mahan, Mayor of San Jose; Jonathan Porat, CTO for the State of California; Kathrin Probst, Director of Engineering, Google for Education; Ellen Pack, President, Common Sense Media; Sonia Malik, Global Program Director for Skills Build, IBM; Alexandru Costin, VP, Generative AI and Firefly, Adobe; Michael de la Cruz, Sr. Director of Education, Microsoft.

"Fostering AI literacy requires a collaborative effort that transcends boundaries," says Katrina Stevens, President and CEO of The Tech Interactive, who was recently recognized among GSV Venture's 2024 Leading Women in AI. "By uniting stakeholders across sectors, we can collectively empower every child to participate equitably in the AI revolution. National AI Literacy Day embodies our commitment to learning, problem-solving, and paving the way for a safer, more inclusive AI ecosystem for all."

Embracing its role as a leading hub for science and technology education, The Tech has released new AI resources for grades 4-12, including lesson plans, discussion guides, and videos. The Tech Interactive is also showcasing exhibits featuring prototypes of immersive AI utilizing speech recognition and visual display, robotics utilizing machine learning with visual recognition, and an image generation interactive. These exhibits aim to highlight AI usage and increase comprehension and participation among visitors, who can test their knowledge with a new TikTok filter that challenges users to discern between AI-generated and non-AI generated images.

Additionally, many national organizations have published free resources for National AI Literacy Day to support educators across the country.

Common Sense offers grab-and-go lessons, a webinar series, and explainer videos on AI literacy for Grades 6-12, plus an upcoming 1-hour asynchronous professional development session for educators in May.

offers grab-and-go lessons, a webinar series, and explainer videos on AI literacy for Grades 6-12, plus an upcoming 1-hour asynchronous professional development session for educators in May. The Stanford Accelerator for Learning and the Stanford Graduate School of Education introduced CRAFT (Classroom-Ready Resources About AI For Teaching) , a collection of free resources for high school teachers to foster critical thinking about AI.

, a collection of free resources for high school teachers to foster critical thinking about AI. The Stanford Graduate School of Education released a series of explainer videos featuring faculty members discussing AI and education.

For educators and parents eager to join the AI literacy movement, a library of free resources and live and on-demand professional development series are available online at https://www.ailiteracyday.org/ .

The National AI Literacy Day Summit is made possible by the generous financial support from IBM SkillsBuild, Booz Allen Hamilton, Google, Adobe, Salesforce, and Stanford Accelerator for Learning.

Note: Photos and video will be made available following the event. Follow #AILiteracyDay for live updates.

About The Tech Interactive

The Tech Interactive is a family-friendly science and technology center in the heart of downtown San Jose. Our hands-on activities, experimental labs and design challenge experiences empower people to innovate with creativity, curiosity and compassion. The Tech is a world leader in the creation of immersive STEAM education resources to develop the next generation of problem-solvers locally, nationally and globally. We believe that everyone is born an innovator who can change the world for the better.

SOURCE The Tech Interactive
HONG KONG, April 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 29, the "Education, Technology, and Talents" 2024 Science Education Innovation and Integrated Development Forum was held in Chengdu. Hosted by Tianli Education Group, the forum gathered numerous authoritative experts and scholars from various industries to jointly discuss the frontiers of scientific education.

At the forum, scholars from Tianli Education shared the construction of the Tianliculum system, which centers on scientific literacy. Currently, Tianli Education has established an educational objective system centered on scientific literacy and is actively engaged in the construction, implementation, and evaluation of the Tianliculum system .

Overview of the Tianliculum

The Tianliculum comprises four major programs: Tianliculum Preschool Program (TPP), Tianliculum Elementary Program (TEP), Tianliculum Junior Program (TJP), and Tianliculum Synergized Program (TSP). These programs cover various educational stages from kindergarten to junior school, including innovative international course projects from primary to high school. Each program is akin to a carefully crafted dish, designed to meet the differentiated educational needs of students of different ages.

Cultivating Core Competencies

The core of the Tianliculum lies in the cultivation of "Tianli Seven Competencies," namely, Physical Fitness, Resolute Mind, Ethical Morality, Academic Success, Action Oriented, Creative Thinking and Social Service. These core competencies, like the essence of a dish, permeate every course and activity, ensuring that each student excels not only academically but also in their specialties and overall qualities.

Courses as Dishes

In this "educational restaurant," national compulsory courses such as Chinese, mathematics, and English constitute the "main dishes," forming the focus of students' daily studies. Moral education is served as the "staple food," providing a solid foundation for students' comprehensive development. Large-scale activities are like "hard dishes," enhancing students' practical abilities and team collaboration through diverse and enriching courses that promote comprehensive literacy. The learning environment, akin to elegant tableware, provides a comfortable atmosphere for students to learn. The daily schedule and learning process are like the serving order, ensuring that each part proceeds in an orderly manner.

Customizing the Educational Menu

A significant feature of the Tianliculum is its customizability. Depending on the specific needs of each school and the individual circumstances of students, educators can flexibly combine these course "dishes" to create the most suitable teaching menu. This ensures that regardless of whether a school wishes to emphasize academic achievement, specialty training, or quality education, the Tianliculum can provide a comprehensive and balanced solution.

In summary, the Tianliculum is like a high-end customized educational restaurant that can offer the most suitable "combination of dishes" based on different educational needs and student situations. Here, every student can receive the most suitable educational nutrition, achieving excellent academic results while also exhibiting their unique talents and noble characters in various aspects.

SOURCE TIANLI International Holdings Limited
South Valley Skate and Food Truck Fest with Mariah Duran to Promote Financial Wellbeing

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union, one of New Mexico's leading credit unions with more than 93,000 members, announces today a partnership with Mariah Duran, an Albuquerque native, X Games Gold Medalist and member of the inaugural USA Skateboarding Team who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

"I am honored to partner with U.S. Eagle to help educate and motivate New Mexicans about setting goals in life and for their financial wellbeing and how to better manage their finances, said Mariah Duran. "Through growing up in Albuquerque and my experience as a professional athlete, my parents and grandparents first taught me how to manage and save money. Today, I apply what I learned from them to help me compete professionally and make sound financial decisions for myself and my career. I hope to share what I've learned with my community and help them create their own financial wellbeing. It's another way for me to give back to the city where I was raised and to those who have supported me to reach my goals."

"U.S. Eagle is thrilled to work with Mariah to help educate members of the community and her contemporaries about the importance of financial wellbeing. Growing up in Albuquerque and competing as an Olympian, she professes the same 'people mean more' philosophy as we do at the credit union and our partnership will help to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve," said Marsha Majors, president and CEO of U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union.

U.S. Eagle invites the community to attend the South Valley Skate and Food Truck Fest Event on Saturday, April 27 between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the newly opened U.S. Eagle location at 3801 Isleta Blvd SW. Mariah will host a skateboard session at noon, where she will skate alongside fellow friends and community at the Rio Bravo Skate Park located at 3912 Isleta Boulevard. Various parts of the event will occur at each location and are listed in greater detail on the event website.

Prizes such as signed autographs and skateboards will also be given away to attendees and local food trucks will be serving a variety of food options. The event is free to the public and guests are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to support Rio Grande Food Project as well as the Albuquerque nonprofit, New Day Youth & Family Services.

For more information about U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union, please visit https://www.useagle.org/mariahduran.

About U.S. Eagle

U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union is the state's first member-owned credit union. Founded in 1935, U.S. Eagle offers a full suite of personal and business financial products and services and has ten, including Cannabis- and Business Banking-dedicated locations in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Farmington, and Santa Fe. With assets of more than one $1.4B, more than 93,000 members, and as a five-time Forbes Best-In-State Credit Union award recipient, U.S. Eagle is where people mean more.

Insured By NCUA Equal Housing Lender

SOURCE U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union
SHANGHAI, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (NYSE: ZTO and HKEX: 2057), a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China ("ZTO" or the "Company"), today announced that it filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 19, 2024. The annual report on Form 20-F can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at http://zto.investorroom.com as well as the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Company will provide a hard copy of its annual report on Form 20-F containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders upon request. Requests should be directed to the Company's IR Department at [email protected].

The Company has also today published its annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 pursuant to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ("HKEX"), which can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at http://zto.investorroom.com as well as the HKEX's website at http://www.hkexnews.hk.

About ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

ZTO is a leading and fast-growing express delivery company in China. ZTO provides express delivery service as well as other value-added logistics services through its extensive and reliable nationwide network coverage in China.

ZTO operates a highly scalable network partner model, which the Company believes is best suited to support the significant growth of e-commerce in China. The Company leverages its network partners to provide pickup and last-mile delivery services, while controlling the mission-critical line-haul transportation and sorting network within the express delivery service value chain.

For more information, please visit http://zto.investorroom.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.

Investor Relations

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +86 21 5980 4508

SOURCE ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc.
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New Delhi, April 19 : All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) spokesperson and Welfare Party of India leader Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas has called on Muslims to support the INDIA bloc in the Lok Sabha elections.

"Muslims should save democracy, they should uphold secularism, and that is why they should support the INDI Alliance," he said on Thursday.

Speaking to IANS, Ilyas said the Congress has made a lot of mistakes, "but now it seems they are trying to learn from them. If they implement what they have mentioned in their manifesto, there will be change".

Urging secular parties to publicly endorse the issues of the Muslim community, the AIMPLB spokesperson said that political parties "often take a backstep when it comes to Babri Masjid issue or any other Muslim issues".

Earlier addressing a media briefing on the 14th foundation day of the Welfare Party of India, he said: "We feel that the upcoming parliament election is very crucial in deciding whether the democracy will prevail or the country will drift towards autocracy..."

Ilyas further said that his party has decided to contest on a "limited number of seats despite operations spreads over ten different states across the country".

"We are fielding our candidates in only four constituencies -- Murshidabad and Jangipur in West Bengal, Dhule in Maharashtra and Domariyaganj in Uttar Pradesh. In the remaining 539 constituencies, we will extend our support to the INDI Alliance...we consider them as the only alternative to save democracy, protect constitutional rights and save the nation and its secular values," he added.

Ilyas is the father of former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader Umar Khalid.
Washington, April 19 : US officials have met Israeli leaders to discuss the situation in the embattled city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has confirmed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch an Israeli ground assault against Rafah, which is now packed with hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who fled Israeli attacks elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.

The US, Germany and other Israeli allies have been urging restraint instead and warning against the fallout from a direct attack on the city, which is located on the border with Egypt.

Kirby, speaking to reporters in Washington on Thursday, declined to comment on the precise content of the talks or identify the participants, saying he would provide details once the meetings are over.

"The main purpose is really to talk about Rafah ... and also share our continued concerns over a major ground offensive there," he said.

A meeting with an Israeli delegation had been planned this week to discuss the concerns of the US side.

Prior to the major Iranian air attack on Israel over the weekend, Netanyahu had announced last week that the assault on Rafah had already been scheduled.

However, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant contradicted Netanyahu's remarks shortly afterwards.

--IANS/DPA

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Imphal, April 19 : Polling for the two Lok Sabha seats in ethnic violence hit Manipur began on Friday morning under an unprecedented security arrangement.

Polling started at 7 a.m. in the entire Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat and 15 of the 28 Assembly segments of the Outer Manipur (ST) parliamentary constituency.

Voting will be held in the remaining 13 Assembly segments of Outer Manipur (ST) seat in the second phase on April 26.

Over 15.44 lakh voters, including 8.02 lakh females, would decide the electoral fate of 10 candidates in the two Lok Sabha seats -- six in Inner Manipur and four in Outer Manipur (ST).

The main contest is expected between the BJP-Naga People's Front (NPF) alliance and the Congress-led INDIA bloc.

The ruling BJP has put up state's Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh against Congress nominee Angomcha Bimol Akoijam in the Inner Manipur seat.

The ruling party extended support to its ally NPF nominee Kachui Timothy Zimik, who is contesting against Congressa Alfred Kanngam S. Arthur in the Outer Manipur (ST) seat.

The Election Commission has set up 85 special polling stations for the ethnic violence-affected displaced voters in seven districts -- Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.

A total of 18,091 Internally Displaced Voters, who are staying in the relief camps in seven districts, would exercise their franchise in their respective Special Polling Stations.

Over 8,000 polling personnel were deployed and all polling personnel reached their respective polling stations on Thursday.

Thousands of Central Armed Police Force and state security personnel including Manipur police commandos have been deployed to manage the security. Voting will continue till 4 p.m.
Agartala, April 19 : The polling for the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat and the Ramnagar assembly segment, where by-polls are being held, started on Friday morning under strict security arrangements.

Election officials said that 14.63 lakh voters, including 7.34 lakh women electorate, would decide the fate of nine candidates in the politically important parliamentary seat.

The main contest is expected between former Tripura Chief Minister and BJP candidate Biplab Kumar Deb, and state Congress president Asish Kumar Saha, of the INDIA bloc.

The voting also started simultaneously for the by-election to the Ramnagar Assembly seat, which fell vacant after the demise of sitting BJP MLA Surajit Datta on December 28 last year.

Two candidates, one each of the BJP and the CPI-M, are trying their electoral fortunes in the Ramnagar Assembly by-poll.

Over 20,000 polling personnel would conduct the voting in 1,682 polling stations in the Tripura West Parliamentary constituency.

Voting would continue till 5 p.m. without any interruption.
Rajasthan Assembly polls: Elderly, disabled people to be able to cast votes from home. Image Source: IANS News

Itanagar, April 19 : Voting for the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh began on Friday morning under heavy security blanket, officials said.

The voting, to elect two Lok Sabha members and 50 MLAs, began across 2,226 polling stations at 7 a.m. and would continue till 5 p.m.

A total of 8.92 lakh voters, including 4.54 lakh women, will decide the electoral fate of 133 candidates contesting for the 50 assembly seats, and 14 candidates vying for the two Lok Sabha seats.

Of the total 60 Assembly seats in the state, BJP candidates in 10 seats including Chief Minister Pema Khandu (Mukto seat) and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein (Chowkham seat), have been elected unopposed.

The BJP has fielded candidates in all the assembly seats while the opposition Congress put up 19 nominees. The National People's Party (NPP) is contesting for 20 seats, NCP (14) and the People's Party of Arunachal has 11 candidates in fray.

In the Arunachal West Parliamentary seat, eight candidates are in the contest including Union Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju and state Congress president Nabam Tuki. Sitting BJP Lok Sabha member Tapir Gao and state Congress vice-president and former minister Bosiram Siram are among six candidates contesting from the Arunachal East seat.

With the deployment of 70 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) (6500 personnel), and thousands of state security forces, elaborate security arrangements have been made to hold peaceful polling in the state, officials said.
Kohima, April 19 : Voting for the Nagaland Lok Sabha seat began on Friday morning amidst heavy security measures, election officials said.

Voters, comprising men, women and first-time electorates, queued up in front of most polling stations before the voting started across the state at 7 a.m.

The voting in 2,342 polling stations, manned by over 11,000 polling staff, would continue till 4 p.m. without any interruption.

Election officials said that over 13.25 lakh voters, including 6.64 lakh women, would decide the electoral fate of three candidates a" opposition Congress nominee S Supongmeren Jamir, ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) candidate Chumben Murry and Independent Hayithung Tungoe Lotha.

Eastern Nagaland Peoplesa Organisation (ENPO) in support of their separate state demand has urged the people to abstain from voting in the six Eastern Nagaland districts a" Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamator and Noklak. However, the Election Commission on Thursday sent polling parties for the 738 polling stations in the six districts.
Lucknow, April 19 : Polling for eight Lok Sabha constituencies in Uttar Pradesh began on Friday in the first phase of parliamentary elections.

The Lok Sabha seats where polling is underway are Saharanpur, Bijnor, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Nagina (reserved), Moradabad, Rampur and Pilibhit, located in nine districts of western Uttar Pradesh.

According to information provided by the Uttar Pradesh Police headquarters, 6,018 inspectors and sub-inspectors; 35,750 constables; and 24,992 home guard personnel, along with 60 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and 220 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed to ensure peaceful polling.

Uttar Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said that 1.43 crore people are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase. Of them, 76.23 lakh are men, 67.14 lakh women and 824 are transgender persons. According to data compiled by political parties, Muslim voters account for 35 to 50 per cent of the electorate in these constituencies.

A total of 14,849 polling booths and 7,689 polling centres have been set up for the first phase of voting.

A total of 80 candidates -- 73 men and 7 women -- are in the fray in the first phase.

Twelve candidates are in the fray from Moradabad, 14 from Kairana, 11 each from Muzaffarnagar and Bijnor, 10 each from Saharanpur and Pilibhit and six each from Nagina and Rampur.

The BJP has joined hands with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and the SP has allied with the Congress for the election, while the BSP has decided to go solo.

Prominent candidates in this phase are Prasada from Pilibhit, Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan from Muzaffarnagar and Azad Samaj Party chief Chandra Shekhar Azad from Nagina.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat votes in Nagpur, urges everyone to exercise their 'right and duty'. Image Source: IANS News

Nagpur, April 19 : The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat voted at a polling booth near Reshimbagh, here on Friday morning.

The RSS chief was among the earliest to arrive at a polling station. He waited for nearly 15 minutes before the polling started, entered to cast his vote and emerged soon thereafter, displaying his inked left-hand forefinger with pride.

Interacting with media persons, he said that he had done his first personal duty for the day and called upon all the people to cast their vote since as citizens, saying "itas their right as well as a duty".

"All people must go out and vote in the interest of the nationa Through your vote, you decide the future of the country for the next five years. There should be 100 per cent voting, and hence everybody must cast their votes in the interest of the country," the RSS chief said.

In Nagpur, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is contesting against INDIA-MVA-Congress nominee Vikas Thakare.

The first phase of the Lok Sabha elections started in five constituencies -- Nagpur, Chandrapur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Ramtek (SC) and Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST) -- at 7 a.m. with thousands trooping out to vote.
Kolkata, April 19 : Polling for Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal started on Friday morning under tight security cover.

However, in the first 30 minutes since the polling began, reports of tension had started surfacing from certain pockets in the Cooch Behar constituency, which is under the scanner of the Election Commission of India.

Voters were seen lining up in front of the polling booth in all three constituencies in the early hours.

Interacting with the media persons, early voters said that the two reasons that prompted them to reach polling stations early were to avoid the heat as well as the long queues in the latter part of the day.

The polling began with a tragedy at Mathabhanga in Cooch Behar district, where a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan, who was admitted to a hospital, died early Friday morning. The said jawan, identified as Nilesh Kumar Nilu (42), was admitted to a local hospital on Thursday night after he complained of uneasiness. He was a resident of Bihar.

Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Friday told media persons that he will be keeping a watch on the developments throughout the day from the Peace Room within the premises of the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata.

Polling is continuing in 2,043 booths at Cooch Behar, 1,867 in Alipurduar and 1,904 in Jalpaiguri.
Kolkata, April 19 : West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, on Friday, visited the iconic Kalighat Kali Temple in South Kolkata and offered prayers for peaceful polls in the three constituencies of the state.

The three constituencies, where polling is underway are -- Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar.

While coming out of the temple, he told the media that throughout the day he would be at the Peace Room within the premises of Raj Bhavan in Kolkata keeping a watch on the developments of the day.

Initially, the Governor had plans to camp at Cooch Behar on the polling day considering that this constituency had the maximum records of poll-related violence. However, following the insistence of the Election Commission as well as a complaint filed by the Trinamool Congress with the Commission, the Governor shelved his plans to camp at Cooch Behar.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress has filed a complaint with the Election Commission against the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and BJPas re-nominated candidate from Cooch Behar Nisith Pramanik accusing him of assembling anti-social elements at his residence, stocking illegal arms there and trying to influence of the movements of Central Armed Police Forces in that constituency.

In the complaint, the ruling party pointed out that since CAPF comes under the jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry, Pramanik is trying to influence their movement using his position as central minister in charge of the same department.

State Trinamool Congress spokesman Kunal Ghosh said that Pramanik is resorting to such illegal acts, understanding that his party is at a difficult wicket this time in Cooch Behar.

Reacting to this, BJP legislator from Natabari, one of the seven Assembly constituencies under Cooch Behar Lok Sabha, Mihir Goswami said that Trinamool Congress was making such baseless allegations, understanding that their defeat for the second consecutive term from Cooch Behar is certain.
Jaipur, April 19 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Friday cast his vote at Navodaya Mahila Shikshak Prashikshan Mahavidyalaya, Jagatpura in Jaipur, and said BJP aims to make a clean sweep this time also.

He was accompanied by his wife and son. After casting his vote, the CM also clicked a picture at the selfie point and showed his inked finger.

Speaking on the occasion, he said, "We will repeat the story of 2014 and 2019 when BJP made a clean sweep."

He also said that everybody needs to mark a seal on PM Narendra Modi's work.

CM Sharma went to Govinddev Temple to offer his prayers after casting his vote. He also visited the SMS hospital where his mother was admitted.

The CM will depart for Jodhpur at 11 a.m. to attend back-to-back programmes. At 6.15 p.m., he will depart for Udaipur where he will attend a roadshow with Union Minister Amit Shah from 7.15 to 8.15 p.m. The CM will stay in Udaipur on Friday.
Nagpur : , April 19 (IANS) Nagpur Lok Sabha BJP candidate and Union Minister Nitin J. Gadkari along with his wife Kanchan and other family members voted at a polling station near their house in the state's second capital, here on Friday.

Minister Gadkari, who is aiming for a hat-trick here, said that this time the BJP will definitely achieve '400-paar' (400-plus LS seats), and expressed '100 per cent confidence' that he would easily sail through in Nagpur with over 5-lakh margin.

"Not only that, we are also targeting a record voting turnout this time, from 54 per cent in 2019 to 75 per cent in 2024. I appeal to all the people to step out and exercise their right to vote, and celebrate the greatest festival of democracy," urged the Union Minister.

The winner in the 2014 and 2019 LS elections, this time Gadkari is pitted against his main rival, INDIA-MVA-Congress nominee and MLA Vikas Thakare, who exudes confidence that he will trump his BJP opponent.

The first phase of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections started in five LS seats in Maharashtra in Nagpur, Chandrapur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Ramtek (SC) and Gadchiroli-Chimur (ST) at 7 a.m. with thousands trooping out to vote at various polling stations.

Leaders of various political parties have called upon the people to come out and complete their voting before the summer day temperatures start soaring.
Seoul, April 19 : South Korea is set to fully shift to an "endemic" approach to the Covid-19 pandemic, lifting some last-remaining mandates, including indoor mask requirements for hospitals, from next month, officials said on Friday.

The health authorities said that the disaster level of Covid will be downgraded to the lowest tier in South Korea in a way that fully returns to a pre-pandemic stage some four years after the outbreak, Yonhap news agency reported.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) said it will lower the four-grade Covid crisis level from the second highest "alert" to the lowest "concern" from May 1.

"The current epidemic situation itself is very stable, with a low fatality rate and no particularly dangerous variants observed," the CDSCH said.

The decision came more than four years after the country's first case of Covid was reported on January 20, 2020.

Consequently, some remaining mandatory indoor mask requirements for hospitals and other facilities will be completely lifted, and government-level response organisations, such as the CDSCH, which has overseen disaster-controlling measures since the Covid outbreak, will be disbanded.

Additionally, most of the government's medical assistance will be discontinued.

The government will no longer cover Covid testing or hospitalisation costs for some severely ill patients, while patients will have to partially pay for Paxlovid, an oral antiviral pill.

While the Covid vaccine will continue to be freely available to everyone until the 2023-2024 season, it will subsequently be limited to high-risk groups, such as individuals aged 65 and older and those who are immunocompromised.

The health authorities emphasised the importance of personal responsibility despite the downgrade in crisis level.

"Although the crisis level has been downgraded, we must prioritise rest when unwell for the betterment of society," said Jee Young-mee, who heads the CDSCH.

"If you experience symptoms of Covid-19, please promptly seek medical attention and adhere to personal quarantine practices, including frequent handwashing," Jee added.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 19 : With polling ending in Tamil Nadu on Friday evening, stalwarts from the state are expected to add colour to the Kerala poll campaign.

Kerala goes to the polls on next Friday to elect 20 new Lok Sabha members.

All eyes are on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin now as everyone is wondering whether he will arrive in Kerala for campaigning as he and his Kerala counterpart, Pinarayi Vijayan are close friends.

However, the catch is that DMK is part of the INDIA bloc and Stalin and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, have a lot of mutual respect.

So, if CM Stalin campaigns in Kerala it would be an embarrassing situation for the alliance as the principal poll battle in Kerala is between the CM Vijayan-led Left and the MP Rahul Gandhi-led Congress.

Incidentally in Tamil Nadu, itas the DMK which leads the INDIA bloc, which both the Congress and the CPI(M) are part of.

However, one person who is rearing to arrive in Kerala any time starting Saturday is Tamil Nadu BJP President and party candidate from Kovai, K Annamalai.

Annamalaias constituency borders the Palakkad town in Kerala, where the BJP is doing every bit to make it a triangular battle.

Likewise, the IPS-officer-turned politician Annamalai is expected to campaign in the state capital Thiruvananthapuram which also borders Tamil Nadu and in Wayanad which has his counterpart K Surendran taking on Rahul Gandhi.

Even though there are eight districts in Kerala that have a border with Tamil Nadu, with campaigning in Kerala set to end on Wednesday, Annamalai will be racing against time to reach as many places in the state as he can.

But all eyes are on CM Stalin as of now, as people wonder if he will arrive in Kerala at all.
New Delhi, April 19 : Oil prices surged by $3 a barrel in the international market on Friday amid reports of Israel launching a missile attack against Iran raising fears of escalating geopolitical tensions that could disrupt crude shipments.

The benchmark Brent crude price rose to around $90 a barrel U.S. West Texas hovered at around $85 a barrel.

The price of Brent crude had fallen to around $87 per barrel on Wednesday following higher US inventories and the decline in Chinese demand due to a slowing economy.

US media reports on Friday said that Israeli missiles had hit sites in Iran. The attack was reported to be in retaliation to Iranian drone attacks on Israel carried out earlier.

However, Iran denied reports of the Israeli missile attack and claimed that the explosions heard were from the firing of its air defence systems.

Since India imports over 85 per cent of its crude oil requirement, a sharp increase in global oil prices could lead to an increase in the countryas oil import bill and weaken the rupee due to the larger outgo of foreign exchange.

The cheaper purchase of oil from Russia has helped India to reduce its oil import bill by 16 per cent to $132.4 billion for the fiscal year 2023-24 from $157.5 billion spent in the previous year.

The total quantity of oil imported in 2023-24 was 232.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) compared with 232.7 MMT in 2022-23 which is more or less the same level.
Agartala, April 19 : The polling percentage in Tripura till 11 a.m. was 34.6 per cent for Tripura West Lok Sabha seat and Ramnagar Assembly seat. Around 16 per cent voter turnout was registered till 9 a.m. in the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat amid tight security, election officials said on Friday.

Agartala, April 19 (IANS) The polling percentage in Tripura till 11 a.m. was 34.6 per cent for Tripura West Lok Sabha seat and Ramnagar Assembly seat. Around 16 per cent voter turnout was registered till 9 a.m. in the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat amid tight security, election officials said on Friday.

Election officials added that over 12.28 per cent voters cast their votes in the byelections to the Ramnagar Assembly seat.

Though there is no untoward incident reported from anywhere in the parliamentary constituency, state Congress President Asish Kumar Saha alleged that party agents were not allowed to enter several polling stations.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, after casting his vote at a school here, expressed his confidence that BJP would win in Tripura's two Lok Sabha seats and Ramnagar Assembly seat.

Polling for the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat and the Ramnagar Assembly segment, where bypolls are being held, started on Friday morning under strict security arrangements.

Election officials said that 14.63 lakh voters, including 7.34 lakh women electorate, would decide the fate of nine candidates in the politically significant parliamentary seat.

The main contest is expected between former Tripura Chief Minister and BJP candidate Biplab Kumar Deb, and state Congress President Asish Kumar Saha of INDIA bloc.

The voting is also going on simultaneously for the byelection to the Ramnagar Assembly seat, which fell vacant after the demise of sitting BJP MLA Surajit Datta on December 28, last year.

Two candidates, one each of BJP and CPI-M, are trying their electoral fortunes in the Ramnagar Assembly bypoll.

Over 20,000 polling personnel would conduct voting in 1,686 polling stations in Tripura West Parliamentary constituency.

Voting would continue till 5 p.m. without any interruption.
Chennai, April 19 : Actor Vijay Sethupathi, popularly known as Tamil cinema's 'Makkal Selvan', has won the hearts of netizens by clicking a selfie with an elderly woman in a wheelchair, while exercising his franchise at a polling station in Chennai, Tamil Nadu during the first phase of Lok Sabha polls.

A circulating video on the internet shows the bespectacled actor shaking hands with the elderly lady in a wheelchair, touching her feet, seeking blessings, and taking a selfie with her.

Vijay's warm gesture left the old woman amazed.

The 'Tughlaq Durbar' actor was dressed in a deep blue shirt with rolled-up sleeves.

Fans expressed their admiration on social media, with comments like: "This is why he is Makkal Selvan" and "Lovely gesture".

Vijay, who was most recently seen in action in the web series 'Farzi' and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer 'Jawan', came with his wife to vote.

After voting, Vijay posed for the paps gathered outside, proudly displaying his inked index finger to signify that he had cast his vote.

Earlier in the day, Tamil cinema stars, starting with Ajith Kumar and including Rajinikanth and Dhanush, streamed into polling booths to exercise their democratic right.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Vijay was last seen in 'Merry Christmas'. He has 'Viduthalai Part 2' in the pipeline.
Karachi, April 19 : Five foreign nationals had a narrow escape on Friday after their convoy was attacked by two suicide bombers in Landhi's Mansehra Colony in Karachi.

"At least two terrorists were killed in a suicide attack targeting a convoy of foreign nationals, crossing through Mansehra colony in Karachi's Landhi area. At least two security guards and a passer-by were among the injured," police said.

The incident occurred when the convoy enroute to the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) was passing through the Malir Sharif Goth police station limits.

Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud explosion followed by gunfire.

Police officials present on duty told IANS that one of the attackers blew himself up while the other was neutralised after being confronted by them.

"One of the two attackers detonated his suicide vest while the other assailant was killed in the firing by police. He was also wearing a suicide vest. All foreign nationals were safe," said one of the police officials.

"Two security guards who were accompanying the convoy were injured in the attack," said the police officer.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Tariq Masoi confirmed that the attack on the foreign national's convoy was a suicide attack.

"The vehicle was targeted in a suicide attack but it was thwarted as two terrorists were killed. The police have also find a bag filled with grenades from the crime scene. The foreign nationals were safe. However, their two guards and a passerby were injured and shifted to the hospital", he said.

Police also confirmed that the second attacker, shot dead by the police, was also wearing a suicide vest.

Police confirmed that the attacked convoy consisted of at least two vehicles, which were carrying the Managing Director of a company while four other foreign nationals were traveling in the following van.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. But this is the second targeted attack on foreign nationals, which has raised serious concerns among the security forces and government authorities.

Earlier, in March this year, at least five Chinese engineers were targeted and killed as an explosive-laden vehicle rammed into the bus carrying the engineers to the Dasu Hydropower Dam.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has condemned the suicide attack and has said that terrorism in the city would never be tolerated.

"Terrorism will not be tolerated in the city under any circumstances," he said.
Kohima, April 19 : Around 28.37 per cent of voters cast their votes till 11 a.m. in the lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland amidst a tight security cover, officials said.

Election officials said that so far no voter cast their votes in six Eastern Nagaland districts in view of various Naga groups' call to the people to "abstain" from Friday's voting in support of their statehood demand.

There are around four lakh eligible voters in the six Eastern Nagaland districts.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio after casting his vote at a school in Kohima said that the state government has proposed the constitution of an autonomous body for the development of the Eastern Nagaland and people residing in the area.

"The Election Commission has served a show cause notice to the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) for calling the people to abstain from voting," the Chief Minister told the media.

Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer R. Vyasan in his show cause notice to the ENPO indicated to take appropriate action under the Indian Penal Code.

Voting for the lone Nagaland Lok Sabha seat began on Friday morning amidst heavy security measures, election officials said.

Voters, comprising men, women and first-time electorates, queued up in front of most polling stations before the voting started across the state at 7 a.m.

The voting in 2,342 polling stations, manned by over 11,000 polling staff, would continue till 4 p.m. without any interruption.

Election officials said that over 13.25 lakh voters, including 6.64 lakh women, would decide the electoral fate of three candidates  opposition Congress nominee S Supongmeren Jamir, ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) candidate Chumben Murry and Independent Hayithung Tungoe Lotha.

The ENPO in support of their separate state demand has urged the people to abstain from voting in the six Eastern Nagaland districts  Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamator and Noklak.

A Naga group called an indefinite shutdown in the entire Eastern Nagaland from Thursday evening while the ENPO has urged the 20 legislators from Eastern Nagaland to remain "indoors" on Friday to "prevent any untoward incidents."

Of Nagaland's 16 districts, seven backward tribes -- Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung -- live in the six eastern districts.

Nagaland Government, Chief Minister Rio, Deputy Chief Minister and BJP Legislature Party leader Yanthungo Patton, BJP, which is a partner of the United Democratic Alliance government in the state, and the Eastern Nagaland Legislators' Union (ENLU) had earlier separately urged the ENPO to participate in the voting.

However, the Election Commission on Thursday sent polling parties for the 738 polling stations in the six districts.
BJPs Jalpaiguri candidate 'sad' for not being able to vote for himself. Image Source: IANS News

Kolkata, April 19 : BJP's sitting Lok Sabha member from Jalpaiguri constituency in West Bengal, Dr Jayanta Kumar Roy, who is seeking re-election, was not able to vote for himself.

Even in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he was unable to vote for himself.

This is because despite being a candidate from Jalpaiguri he is a voter from the adjacent Darjeeling constituency.

"I cannot help it but surely it is a matter of pain for me that I am unable to vote for myself," said Roy while interacting with the media persons as he was hopping from one place to another while the polling for Jalpaiguri was taking place.

His closest contestants are Trinamool Congress' Nirmal Chandra Roy and CPI(M)'s Debraj Burman.

However, despite the sadness of not being able to vote for himself, the sitting BJP candidate is confident of retaining the seat this time as well. "I have absolutely no doubts about the victory. This is because the people of Jalpaiguri have faith in BJP," Roy said.

Barring one or two stray incidents, the polling process at Jalpaiguri had been more or less peaceful in the first four hours of polling, which the BJP candidate himself admitted.

"At some places, Trinamool Congress tried to terrorise the voters. In some places, they tried to lure voters by distributing rice. But the people of Jalpaiguri are really eager to vote for us," he said.

He also appreciated the role of election observers in promptly addressing any instances of grievance recorded with the Election Commission of India
New Delhi, April 19 : Unique items such as a coin collection, prasad, a Ukulele instrument, and hair trimmer were left behind by Indians in Uber over the last year, the company revealed on Friday.

According to the ride-hailing platform, riders also left behind important documents such as passports, bank and business papers in their Ubers.

"With Uber, you have the option to attempt retrieving the lost item by simply following a few steps in the app," said Nitish Bhushan, Head of Central Operations.

"We understand the trust riders put in us each time they take an Uber ride, and we felt the time was opportune to provide a quick refresher course on how to retrieve lost items," he added.

According to the company, Delhi has been ranked as the most forgetful city in the country for the second consecutive year, while Mumbai has retained its second position.

Bengaluru has reclaimed its third spot from Hyderabad, which slipped to fourth as its residents have become more cautious about their belongings. Pune has rounded up the top five most forgetful cities in the country.

Among the most commonly forgotten items, phones secured the top spot followed by laptop bags, clothing, keys, headphones, and others.

Moreover, the company found that people were most likely to forget their belongings in an Uber on Saturdays. They forgot most items last year during the festive days around Diwali.
Kyiv, April 19 : At least eight people were killed and 15 injured in southern Ukraine due to heavy bombardment by Russia early on Friday, authorities said.

Two people were killed and 15 injured in the regional capital of Dnipro, Governor Serhiy Lysak announced on Telegram.

Governor Lysak announced on Telegram a five-storey residential building was hit and the state-owned railway said rail facilities had been targeted. The main railway station in Dnipro was closed and long-distance trains were diverted.

According to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, six people were also killed in the town of Synelnykove - including two children - after several family homes were hit.

Ukraine is being targeted almost every night by Russian missiles as Moscow tries to up the ante after months of stalemate in the conflict. Russia invaded Ukraine over two years ago.

A factory was also damaged in Pavlohrad and an infrastructure building in Kryvyi Rih, officials added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram that the skies over Ukraine could be defended just as well as the skies over Israel if foreign partners supplied more weapons.

According to Governor Lysak, the air defence system over Dnipropetrovsk was able to shoot down nine Russian missiles, but others got through.

Since Soviet times, Dnipro and other cities in the region have been home to defence industries.

To the south, the Dnipro River forms the front line of the war and Russian troops shelled the Nikopol district across the river with artillery, Lysak added.

The port city of Odessa was also attacked with missiles from the Black Sea, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

--IANS/DPA

int/svn
Hyderabad, April 19 : Another MLA is set to say goodbye to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

T. Prakash Goud, the BRS MLA from Rajendranagar constituency in Greater Hyderabad, called on Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday.

He is likely to join the ruling party in a day or two along with his followers.

Prakash Goud was elected from Rajendranagar in the recent elections for the fourth consecutive term. He has won all the four elections from Rajendranagar since 2009, when the constituency was created in the delimitation process.

He was first elected as Telugu Desam Party (TDP) candidate. He was re-elected on TDP ticket in 2014 but later defected to TRS (now BRS). He was re-elected on a BRS ticket in 2018 and retained the seat in 2023.

If Prakash Goud joins the Congress, he will be the fourth BRS MLA to do so in less than a month. Earlier, D. Nagender from Khairatabad constituency in Hyderabad, Kadiam Srihari from Station Ghanpur in Warangal district and Tellam Venkat Rao, from Bhadrachalam in Khammam district had defected to the Congress party.

Nagender, a former minister, has been fielded by the Congress as its candidate for Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat. The ruling party has also given Warangal MP ticket to Kadiam Sriharias daughter Kadiam Kavya after she pulled out of the contest as BRS candidate.

BRS, which lost power to Congress recently after ruling the state for 10 years, had bagged 39 seats in the 119-member Assembly.

The party has already petitioned Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar to disqualify the defectors.

In the run up to Lok Sabha polls, the BRS also lost five sitting MPs to opposition parties. While three of them joined the Congress, two crossed over to the BJP.
Hubballi, : April 19 (IANS) Hindu organisations and student outfits have given a call for a bandh in Hubballi condemning the murder of the daughter of a Congress Corporator in her college premises at Hubballi city in Karnataka.

After 23-year-old Neha Hiremath refused to marry a youth who she had been in a relationship with, he stabbed her multiple times, leading to her death on Thursday.

The police department is on high alert and security has been beefed up all across the city.

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has declared a bandh in all colleges of Hubballi-Dharwad City Corporation.

Hindu Jagaran Vedike, Sri Rama Sena and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have declared their support and called for a protest in Belagavi city.

Sources said that after the body of Neha Hiremath, who belongs to the Lingayat community, is handed over to the family, it will be taken in a procession for three kms before the final rites are performed in the Veerashaiva-Jangama burial ground.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mines and Coal, Pralhad Joshi stated on Friday that after Neha Hiremath refused to marry a Muslim youth he stabbed her nine times.

"These tragedies are taking place during the tenure of the Congress government because of appeasement and encouragement of anti-social elements. If the Congress does not initiate action, society will protest," Joshi stated.

Meanwhile, Karnataka BJP, while taking to social media, questioned the Congress government and asked how many more Hindu lives it wants to sacrifice for the sake of appeasement politics.

"The objective of governance is autocracy. Law and order has disappeared. It has become the guiding principle of the Congress government. Mr. CM Siddaramaiah, as a result of your appeasement politics, one Fayaz had stabbed Neha Hiremath to death at the BVB College in Hubballi," the BJP stated.

"You must answer for how many more Hindu lives you want to sacrifice for appeasement politics?" the BJP questioned.

Meanwhile, Minister Siddaramaiah has condoled the incident. "I condole the death of Neha Hiremath, daughter of Hubballi-Dharwad City Corporation Member Niranjan Hiremath. The murder is condemnable. One accused has already been arrested in connection with the incident. I have directed the police chief to conduct a strict enquiry to ensure maximum punishment to the accused," he stated.

Appealing for peace CM Siddaramaiah said, "No one should get worked up regarding the incident and take the law into their hands or disturb the peace. It is our duty to give justice to the girl. The police department will put all efforts in this regard."

Neha Hiremath, studying MCA at BVB College was stabbed to death by Faizal Kondikoppa, a resident of Savadatti in Belagavi District and a BCA student in the same college. He has been arrested, police said.
Editor's note: The percentages of the payment structure for those landowners leasing their property has been updated.

Following modifications last year to make the program more attractive to landowners, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is busy finalizing a new round of 30- and 40-year conservation leases under its Habitat Conservation Lease program.

On Thursday, Region 7 in southeastern Montana held a public hearing for seven properties totaling 38,800 acres at a cost of $4.56 million. In northeastern Montanas Region 6, another three properties are proposed for 40-year leases totaling 13,157 acres at a cost of $1.58 million.

To pay for the leases, FWP will tap its Habitat Montana fund, federal dollars from Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration, and if possible money from other federal, state, or habitat partners. The leases exclude surface development and require a certain amount of public access. Grazing can continue, but the land cannot be plowed.

I think in general the HCLP goes in the right direction on what we should be doing for wildlife management, said Chuck Denowh, of the United Property Owners of Montana, in an email. For too long the state has ignored the impacts that private landowners face from big game animals. Landowners bear almost all of the burden and realize very little of the benefit from our rapidly growing big game herds.

FWPs goal is to enroll 500,000 acres in five years with an emphasis on preserving sagebrush grasslands, mixed grasslands, intermountain grasslands, riparian/floodplain and wetlandgrassland complexes.

Modifications

In 2023, FWP modified the program after enrolling six properties totaling 10,000 acres in 2022.

The application response was considerably less than FWP staff had anticipated and desired, the agency noted in its environmental assessment for the proposed changes.

The two main modifications made were to alter the payment level allowing a range of 15% to 20% of fee title value for a 30 and 40 year lease, respectively, with a 5% bonus for the longer option. The higher payout comes with additional restrictions. Payments to landowners are made up-front as an incentive.

The second change was to provide a penalty-free buyout provision for those seeking a permanent conservation easement.

The environmental assessment speculated the change in the payment formula would roughly double the cost for the five-year effort, climbing from a range of $25 to $35 million to $50 to $70 million.

Unlike perpetual easements, which may take a year to two to complete, the shorter-term leases can be done in six months.

Landowner concerns

Denowh said some of UPOMs members are not interested in the program because of the requirement to allow public access.

I think FWP would find this program more popular among landowners if they were more flexible in how the lease could be structured, in particular by respecting property rights, he said.

He also criticized the program for not taking into account wildlife populations on the property.

We have some areas of the state that are grossly overpopulated with elk, for instance, Denowh said. The landowners in areas with high elk concentrations face a very large financial burden; much larger than the lease payment being offered by FWP. There should be some flexibility in the program to take those impacts into account when calculating the lease amount.

Conservation fears

During the public comment period for revising the program, conservation groups and land trust representatives expressed concern that FWP was moving away from perpetual easements and acquisitions.

One complaint was that 30- to 40-year leases had limited value and represented a lost opportunity for permanent protection as development pressures continue to grow.

The Montana Wildlife Federation requested a more thorough review before the changes were enacted, calling the alterations a massive restructuring of an effective and popular program.

Past divisions

The Habitat Conservation Lease program has gained momentum in the wake of Republican legislators complaints about perpetual conservation easements developed in the back-to-back Democratic administrations of governors Steve Bullock and Brian Schweitzer, a 16-year span.

One proposed easement in Eastern Montana in 2018 was approved only after the Montana Supreme Court weighed in and said the Fish and Wildlife Commission had authority to approve the agreement, not the State Land Board composed of the top elected officials. The decision overruled the Republican attorney generals opinion.

When Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte was elected, the Fish and Wildlife Commissions authority to approve easements was revoked, so now the Land Board has the decision-making authority.

Although FWP hasnt abandoned perpetual easements and acquisitions, Gianfortes first FWP director, Hank Worsech, said the easements were creating heartburn among county commissioners.

Then in last years Legislature, Sen. Steve Hinebauch, R-Wibaux, introduced a bill that would have mandated all conservation easements be limited to 40 years. He argued the bill would protect communities and prevent landowners who may be vulnerable from signing away property rights and value for the future. The measure was tabled in committee, but the message was clear.

Genesis of program

The foundation for protecting wildlife habitat dates back to 1987 when the Legislature created the Habitat Montana program. Funded mainly by a nonresident hunting license fee to the tune of about $3.5 million a year, the idea was to use the money to maintain open spaces and wildlife habitat as development pressures increased and long-time family ranches were being purchased.

At the same time, access for hunters to traditional ranches was diminishing. In response, two years earlier the state created the Block Management program to pay private landowners to allow public hunting access. In 2022, the program enrolled more than 7.1 million acres.

Round 2

The next round of enrollment for the Habitat Conservation Lease program will be offered this fall. FWP is spreading the word via radio advertisements, targeted mailings and from personnel like FWP biologists who have contact with landowners.

Amber Feddes, who oversees the program in Region 7, said she has enjoyed working with conservation-minded landowners, but has had some back out after scrutinizing the restrictions or opposing the public access component.

Whether the program can hit its goal of 500,000 acres in five years remains to be seen. In the early 2000s, FWP completed 30-year leases on more than 200,000 acres of sagebrush habitat using a federal program, the agency noted in its EA. More recently, 128,000 acres of grassland was conserved through a different federal program.

To date, these leases have been successful at conserving important habitat, while maintaining working lands, FWP said.

The changes to the new program are meant to bridge a gap between no conservation and perpetual conservation, the agency added.
Islamabad, April 19 : A pair of suicide bombers targeted a vehicle carrying Japanese autoworkers in southern Pakistan on Friday, in another attack aimed at foreigners in the volatile South Asian country.

The early morning bombing occurred in the city of Karachi when at least five employees of Pakistan Suzuki Motors were travelling together to work from their residence, local police chief Azfar Mahesar said.

The first suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden vest near the vehicle, while the second one opened fire at the car before he was gunned down by guards, Mahesar added.

All the Japanese nationals escaped unhurt.

A security guard and a passer-by were wounded in the attack, which comes weeks after five Chinese workers and their local driver were killed in a suicide car bombing in the countryas north-west.

The Pakistani Taliban, a group different from their Afghan counterparts in organization but follows the same hardline Islam, was found to be behind the March attack against the Chinese.

A Pakistani staffer at Japanas embassy in Islamabad confirmed the Japanese workers were targeted and said diplomats were in touch with local authorities.

Pakistanas Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Zardari condemned Friday attack.

More than 80, 000 Pakistani civilians and security forces have been killed in violence since the start of war against al-Qaeda in neighbouring Afghanistan in 2001.

There has been an uptick in violence since the Afghan Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021.

--IANS/DPA

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London, April 19 : The British government is stressing the need for "de-escalation and moderation" amid reports of a retaliatory attack by Israel against Iran.

London, April 19 (IANS/DPA) The British government is stressing the need for "de-escalation and moderation" amid reports of a retaliatory attack by Israel against Iran.

Cabinet minister Mel Stride said the UK recognizes Israel's right to defend itself, while also pressing its ally to "work hard towards de-escalation."

Iran said it fired air defence systems early on Friday to shoot down drones spotted at a major air base and nuclear site near the city of Isfahan, raising fears of a wider conflagration in the region.

Unnamed US officials said Israel carried out the airstrikes, according to reports, days after Israel was targeted by a barrage of Iranian drones and missiles.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron is discussing the developments with counterparts at the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy, Stride said.

The Work and Pensions Secretary told Times Radio: "I think what we should say first and foremost, of course, is this is an evolving situation. These are unconfirmed reports as at the moment.

"But where we are as a government is recognizing very clearly that Israel has a right to defend itself. Indeed we joined in with others in doing exactly that when Iran made that a very significant attack on Israel at the weekend.

"At the same time though, we are pressing our Israeli allies and others in the region to really work hard towards de-escalation. So that is the important message that we have at the moment, but obviously, we need to wait to see how events unfold and exactly what has happened.

"I know the foreign secretary is speaking with his G7 counterparts in Italy as we speak, and of course, they will be focused on exactly that, and the importance of de-escalating tensions in the region."

Stride declined to say whether the UK would support Israel's reported strikes in Iran if confirmed, or any further action.

"I don't want to get into hypotheticals," he told Sky News.

"We are very firmly engaged in counselling de-escalation and moderation at this particular moment."

Israel had vowed to respond to Iran's weekend attack, despite calls for restraint from allies, some of whom  including the UK, US and France  helped Israel repel Tehran's unprecedented drone and missile barrage.

The onslaught followed Israel's targeting of an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria earlier this month.

The two arch foes have waged a shadow war for decades, but the strike over the weekend was the first direct Iranian military attack on Israeli soil.

--IANS/DPA

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Guwahati, April 19 : A relative of an executive member of Assam's North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) in Dima Hasao district was allegedly kidnapped by a proscribed group.

The victim is identified as Prasanjit Naiding, the younger brother of Monjit Naiding, Executive Member of NCHAC. He was allegedly kidnapped by a group purportedly named United Dimasa Liberation Army (UDLA).

UDLA also posted a picture of the victim in their custody on social media platforms. The pictures went viral on Friday.

Superintendent of Police in Dima Hasao district, Mayank Kumar told IANS on Friday: "We have also received information about the kidnapping of Naidang. An investigation was launched following a police complaint. However, I can not say much about the matter as of now because the group claiming to kidnap the victim did not have much existence in the region."

The police officer said that an investigation team has been probing details of the alleged proscribed group.

Meanwhile, the family has lodged a police complaint of kidnapping.

"Prasanjit Naiding, the 30-year-old victim, was recently married," Kumar added.

Further investigation is underway.
Berlin, April 19 : Germany's Foreign Office is disputing as "misleading" an Israeli media report about a heated argument between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock over the situation in the Gaza Strip.

"Key points in this account of the hour long meeting between Foreign Minister Baerbock and Prime Minister Netanyahu are wrong and misleading," the Foreign Office wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.

The German ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, made the same statement without offering specifics.

A journalist from the Israeli TV station Channel 13 had previously reported that Baerbock reacted negatively when shown footage from the Gaza Strip depicting markets filled with food during a meeting in Israel on Wednesday.

Baerbock reportedly responded by pointing out widespread hunger in Gaza and offered to show Netanyahu pictures of starving children on her cell phone.

Netanyahu is said to have replied that she should look at photos of the markets and also of people on the beach, as there were no cases of hunger there.

According to the Channel 13 report, Baerbock advised him not to show the pictures as they did not correspond to the reality in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu, in turn, is said to have loudly replied that the photos were real and that Israel was not showing an invented reality like the Nazis. In 1942, for example, the Nazis had a film crew shoot a propaganda film with scenes of everyday life in the Warsaw ghetto, where Jews were forced to live in abysmal conditions.

Baerbock reportedly asked Netanyahu whether he was accusing doctors working in Gaza, as well as the international media, of lying about the situation.

The images of the market stalls filled with fruit and vegetables were published this week by COGAT, an Israeli agency within the Defence Ministry responsible for contacts with the Palestinian Territories and humanitarian aid.

The images show markets in the north of the coastal area, which is particularly affected by food shortages. According to COGAT and aid organizations, some food recently arrived in the area, although aid workers and residents say it remains far from enough.

--IANS/DPA

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Seven killed in IS attack in Syria. Image Source: IANS News

Beirut, April 19 : At least 28 pro-government fighters were killed in suspected attacks by Islamic State militants in Syria, a war monitor said on Friday.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 22 Syrian soldiers and allied fighters were killed in an attack on a military bus late Thursday night. Seven other people were injured in the attack near the town of al-Taybah in the eastern part of the country.

Six Syrian soldiers were killed in another attack in the eastern Syrian province of Deir al-Zour, the watchdog said.

No group has claimed responsibility but the Observatory said the Islamic State group was likely behind the attacks.

The extremist militant group once controlled large swathes of land in western and northern Iraq plus parts of Syria. It was defeated in late 2017 but cells are still active in both countries.

--IANS/DPA

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Tumakuru, : April 19 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister, Dr G Parameshwara, on Friday stated that the murder of the daughter of a Congress Corporator in a college campus was not a case of love jihad.

After 23-year-old Neha Hiremath refused to marry a youth who she had been in a relationship with, he stabbed her multiple times, leading to her death on Thursday.

"Incidents like this happen accidentally. The boy killed the girl in a fit of rage that she would marry someone. Legal action would be initiated against the accused," Dr G Parameshwara maintained.

Speaking to reporters, the Home Minister stated that Neha and accused Fayaz were in love. Later, Neha had tried to distance herself from him and had rejected his marriage proposal. Enraged by this, the accused had killed Neha.

He said there was no politics involved and during the incident Neha's mother was also there and she was also attacked, but was rescued.

"There is no evidence available to prove that it is a case of love jihad," the Home Minister clarified.

Neha Hiremath, studying MCA at BVB College was stabbed to death by Faizal Kondikoppa, a resident of Savadatti in Belagavi District and a BCA student in the same college. He has been arrested, police said.

Neha's father Niranjan Hiremath is a Congress Corporator in Hubballi-Dharwad City Corporation.

Commenting about youths being attacked for chanting 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans, Parameshwara stated, "It is an unfortunate incident. No one will be protected if they go against the law. It is natural to chant 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans. To counter that, another group had raised different slogans. There is no question of protecting or appeasing anyone. Without mercy legal action would be initiated."

Refuting the allegations that weaker sections had been registered against the people who attacked Hindu youths for raising 'Jai Shri Ram' slogans, he stated that the sections would be registered as per evidence.

Parameshwara maintained that during the rule of the BJP government also incidents like this had taken place.
New Delhi: Media persons at the Supreme Court complex on the day of the court's verdict. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, April 19 : The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea filed by a rape survivor seeking legal action against a magistrate in Kerala who inadvertently revealed her name in his order.

Observing that the lapse may have been inadvertent, a bench of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra dismissed the special leave petition filed against the decision passed by the Kerala High Court in January this year.

The survivor had approached the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Kattakkada seeking cancellation of the bail granted to the accused A.V. Saiju. However, in his order, while refusing the plea, the magistrate also revealed the identity of the victim.

The victim then approached the High Court demanding action against the magistrate. However the single bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran, directing immediate anonymisation of records to protect the rape survivor's identity, dismissed the petition seeking action against the magistrate.

On appeal, a division bench of Chief Justice A.J. Desai and Justice V.G. Arun upheld the order of a single-judge bench and gave a clean chit to the magistrate.

The Kerala High Court ruled that Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which criminalises revealing the identity of victims of certain offences like rape, applies only to those who print or publish the identity of a victim and does not cover situations where a court, during the course of its proceedings, inadvertently reveals such information.

However, it urged judges and judicial officers to be conscious and wanted steps to anonymise details in cases involving such victims.
New Delhi, April 19 : Six people, including a juvenile, who were absconding after abducting and killing a 14-year-old boy, were nabbed from their hideout in Delhi after a massive hunt, police said on Friday.

The accused were identified as Ayush a.k.a Bhanja (19), a resident of Rohini, Siwansh a.k.a Shiva (19), a resident of Narela, Mohit a.k.a Lala, 21, a resident of Bankner and a 17-year-old boy.

Their arrest came days after a 14-year-old boy, Vishal, a resident of Narela, was found dead on the outskirts of Delhi.

In his statement, Vishal's father Sanjay, alleged that his son was kidnapped and fatally beaten by two individuals named Deepak (son of a soldier) and Prateek.

"During the investigation, a man named Mota alias Deepak was apprehended, who on interrogation disclosed that he had hired Vishal to deliver batteries to shopkeepers daily. Mota suspected Vishal and his friend Sahil of stealing his batteries. On March 31, around 2 p.m. - 3 p.m., Mota and his friend Prateek went to Vishal's house to inquire about the missing batteries. Vishal agreed to meet them near a pond in Bankner village after recharging his phone," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer north) R.K. Singh.

During the meeting, Vishal was questioned about the stolen batteries by Mota and Shivansh. Sahil, Vishal's friend, was also called to the pond. After the inquiry, Mota and Shivansh brutally beat Vishal with a cable in front of Sahil.

"Subsequently, Mota called his other friends, Mohit, Ayush, and a juvenile. Together, they abducted Vishal and took him on a motorcycle to agricultural land in Lampur village, where they continued to beat him until his death. Vishal sustained multiple injuries all over his body," said the DCP.

Vishal was admitted to the SRHC hospital by Mota and Prateek, where he died during the treatment. Both Mota and Prateek fled from the hospital. Mota was held, however, other accused were absconding.

"Police team examined the routes taken by the accused to flee from the spot. With the assistance of technical surveillance and manual information, the team successfully apprehended the four accused persons: Ayush, Shivansh, Prateek, and Mohit," the DCP added.
Islamabad, April 19 : At least seven people were killed and 22 others injured when a van fell into a ditch in Muzaffarabad of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the rescue service reported on Friday.

The accident took place in the Garhi Dupatta area of Muzaffarabad when a passenger van went off the road in mountainous terrain and fell on the roof of a house before eventually hitting the ditch, resulting in casualties, said the rescue service.

The deceased included a person who was in the house upon which the bus fell, it added.

Following the accident, the rescue workers reached the site and shifted the victims to the local hospitals, the rescue service said, adding that three injured were in critical condition.
New Delhi, April 19 : As the first phase of General Elections began for 102 Lok Sabha constituencies across 21 states and Union territories, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was expecting its best-ever performance in South India in the polls.

The Union Home Minister, speaking exclusively to NDTV, said that he feels that the party was headed for its "best show in Southern states".

"We will have a strong result in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Karnataka. On the back of PM Modi's increasing popularity, we will get more votes and seats in South India, for the first time."

He also cited the increase in BJP's vote share between 2014 and 2019 and said that party's outreach in South will help open accounts in some and better vote percentage in others.

His statement echoes popular political perception that the BJP is slated for strong inroads in Southern states including Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The minister also filed his nomination papers from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency on Friday and appealed to the voters to elect the Modi government for a third term.

Speaking to NDTV after filing nominations, the Union Home Minister rejected Congress's charges of receiving "forced" political donations via electoral bonds and said that the grand old party was the biggest beneficiary.

"Concerning Congress and BJP MPs ratio to the Electoral bonds, the former got the highest donations. Congress got about Rs 9,000 crore donations while BJP received just Rs 6,600 crore," he said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ten years of governance remain unblemished and there has not been a single case of corruption. A concerted campaign is being run against him to spread canard and fan false propaganda," he added.

He also reiterated the government's zero tolerance policy on Maoism.

He slammed Congress for calling the recent Bastar encounter "fake", in which 29 ultras were neutralised by the forces and said, "When Congress government was in power, no action happened on Maoists but our government has cracked down on them."

"In the third term of Modi dispensation, naxalism will be completely rooted out within one or two years of government formation," he added.
Chennai, April 19 : Showcasing the spirit of the Indian democracy, all the polling process in the Mahe region of the Union Territory of Puducherry is being dominated and controlled by women.

Mahe has 31,000 voters and has 31 polling booths which are dominated and controlled by women polling officers.

The Mahe province is geographically situated in Kerala and borders Thalassery in the Kannur district and Vadakara in the Kozhikode district of Kerala.

As per the Mahe administration, a total of 140 women polling officers have been deployed for the smooth conduct of elections in the region. Each polling booth has four officers including a Presiding Officer (PO) and three Polling Officers (POs).

Around 124 women polling officers are on duty while 16 women officers have been put on stand-by in the constituency.

Interestingly, the police officers on duty at the booths are also women. Each booth has two women police officers.

Sreekala, a voter in Pandakkal, Mahe told IANS that all women polling booths in the Mahe region make them proud.

"This is the beauty of Indian democracy. Women controlling the entire polling process including law and order is a novel experience," Sreekala told IANS.

In the Lok Sabha elections for the lone seat in Puducherry, Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Puducherry V. Vaithilingam is seeking reelection.

Former Puducherry State Congress President, A. Nammassivayam who switched to BJP and is presently the Home Minister of the Union Territory is contesting against Vaithilingam.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Vaithilingam won the seat by a margin of 1,97, 025 votes.
Kolkata, April 19 : Even as the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in West Bengal was flooded with complaints of poll-related violence, heavy polling was recorded in the first six hours in the three Lok Sabha seats where voting was taking place on Friday.

As per reports from CEO Ariz Aftab's office, the total votes polled on average in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar was 50.96 per cent till 1 p.m. The maximum polling was recorded in Alipurduar at 51.58 per cent, followed by Cooch Behar at 50.69 per cent and Jalpaiguri at 50.65 per cent.

The CEO's office has also provided the breakup of the total of 383 complaints received at the office till 1 p.m. The maximum number of complaints had been received from Cooch Behar at 182, followed by 135 at Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri at just 76. "Of these 383 complaints, 195 have already been resolved," said a source in the CEO's office.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leadership has accused the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel of behaving in a biased manner in Cooch Behar by attempting to restrict the movements of the party candidate Jagadish Chandra Barma Basunia.

Basunia was spotted engaging in heated arguments with the CAPF personnel deputed in Sitai of Cooch Behar.

At Falimari area, also in Cooch Behar, the CAPF personnel recovered nine crude bombs from near an election premise. A similar recovery of crude bombs was also reported from the Vetaguri area in the same constituency.
New Delhi, April 19 : A 20-year-old member of the Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate was arrested for allegedly providing logistic support to the gang after receiving instructions from its leaders, an official said on Friday.

Police said that they have also recovered seven stolen bikes from the possession of the accused, identified as Sunny a.k.a Prince, a resident of Katewara, which were meant to be supplied to gang members to execute the crime.

According to police, on April 14, specific input was received regarding the movement of an active gang member of the Lawrence Bishnoi, Kala Rana and Kapil Mann gangs in the Bawana area.

"A raid was conducted and Sunny was nabbed. When frisked, a loaded single-shot country-made pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from his possession," said the Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer-north) Ravi Kumar Singh.

On interrogation, Sunny disclosed initially that he was enticed by the criminals of his village in Katewara and he got involved in illegal activities such as weapon possession and delivery later on.

"As his association expanded through social media, he came in contact with many more members of the gang. He used to facilitate logistic support, including motorcycles, to the gang members," said the DCP.
Kolkata, April 19 : The Trinamool Congress is ideologically dead and hence it is trying to terrorise the voters since Friday morning, claimed BJP leader and Union Minister Nisith Pramanik, who has been renominated from the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency where elections are underway.

"The Trinamool leaders and their supporters are scared after getting a feel of the people's pulse this time. That is why they are unleashing violence in Cooch Behar since the morning. Such things happen when a political entity becomes ideologically dead. That is what is happening with the Trinamool now," Pramanik told mediapersons after casting his vote on Friday.

He also said that terrorising the voters by using the police is the only option left for the ruling party now.

Of the three Lok Sabha seats in the state where polling is being held on Friday -- Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar -- maximum violence has been reported from Cooch Behar.

Pramanik, the Union Minister of State for Home, said that his priority is to stand with the BJP workers who have been injured following attacks by the Trinamool cadres.

Pramanik also rubbished the claims of the Trinamool MLA from Dinhata, state minister Udayan Guha, who had accused Pramanik's followers of trying to create tension in the area.

"This has been the style of Trinamool leaders. First, they create problems, then they blame others. But now they have started facing resistance from the common people," Pramanik said.
New Delhi, April 19 : As Elon Musk prepares to arrive in India in the next couple of days to announce Tesla's local manufacturing plans, homegrown Electric Vehicle (EV) startups on Friday said Tesla's entry would drive infrastructure development and job creation.

They said that the billions of dollars worth of investments will drive technological advancements, infrastructure development and employment generation, leading to an increased adoption of EVs across India.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO is expected to announce a $2-$3 billion worth Tesla manufacturing facility.

He might also announce the likely arrival of his affordable satellite Internet service Starlink, for which the government has speeded up the licence approval process.

Akshit Bansal, Founder and CEO of EV charging infrastructure provider Statiq, told IANS that Tesla's entry presents numerous opportunities for the domestic EV industry.

"Despite being renowned for their premium pricing, Tesla's popularity is undeniable. By establishing a presence in India, Tesla stands to gain access to a burgeoning market of tech-savvy consumers who are increasingly embracing sustainable transportation solutions," Bansal said.

Moreover, Tesla's reputation for innovation and advanced technology could attract a segment of Indian consumers who value quality and performance over price alone.

A cheaper Tesla EV worth around Rs 20 lakh in the future is also a possibility, which will further drive the momentum for the Musk-run company.

Hari Kiran, Co-Founder and COO at electric two-wheeler manufacturer eBikeGo, said that Tesla's entry holds significant importance for the EV industry in the country.

"The entry of such global brands into the Indian EV market will not only lead to a market penetration of EVs up to 40 per cent by 2030 but also increase the value of the EV sector to almost $100 billion per year," Kiran told IANS.

The shift will result in the creation of numerous job opportunities, especially in the manufacturing and the technology sector.

VG Anil, CEO of EV battery manufacturer ARENQ, said that Tesla's presence is also expected to drive consumer confidence.

"The healthy competition fosters innovation, cost reduction and sustainability efforts. We aim to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, greener future, creating opportunities, reducing emissions, and advancing the automotive industry. Tesla's entry signifies a pivotal moment in our country's EV landscape," Anil elaborated.
New Delhi, April 19 : Air India on Friday extended the suspension of its flight services to Israel's capital Tel Aviv till April 30, in the wake of prevailing conflict and tension between Israel and Iran.

"Our flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended until 30th April 2024, in view of the emerging situation in the Middle East," the airline said in a statement.

The Tata-run airline has also offered one-time waiver for passengers rescheduling their flights.

"We are continuously monitoring the situation and are extending support to our passengers who have confirmed bookings for travel to and from Tel Aviv during this period, with a one-time waiver on rescheduling and cancellation charges," the airline said.

Currently, Air India runs four weekly flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv.

On April 14, Air India had temporarily suspended its flight services to Tel Aviv.

Apart from Air India, several other airline carriers are said to be contemplating such a move over the looming threat of escalating tension in the Middle East.
Mumbai, April 19 : In the upcoming episodes of the show 'Kaise Mujhe Tum Mil Gaye', viewers will witness the wedding festivities of Jayesh (played by Iqbal Azad, Amruta's father) and Ishika (portrayed by Deekshha Sonalkar Tham).

During the celebration, Babita (played by Kishori Shahane) devises an evil plan to humiliate Bhavani (played by Hemangi Kavi) by bribing the mehendi artist to write 'divorcee' on her hand.

Bhavani, who is not educated, remains unaware of whatas written on her hand. When Virat (played by Arjit Taneja) discovers that his mother is responsible for this scheme, he takes a stand for Bhavani and voluntarily writes 'divorcee' on his hand.

For Arjit, portraying a character willing to challenge norms and stereotypes brings him profound satisfaction. The bold act of having adivorceea written on his hand with mehendi was not just a scripted moment for him.

Reflecting on the sequence, Arjit said: "I am really proud to be a part of the show where the writers are addressing real-life issues. We live in a society where divorced men and women are treated differently."

"We recently shot for a sequence where my character, Virat, who is also a divorcee, stands up for Bhavani, who is being ridiculed and called names because her husband left her for another woman. Through this show, we aim to change these outdated perceptions and send a powerful message against gender biases in the domain of divorce," he added.

The show airs on Zee TV.
New Delhi, April 19 : A 27-year-old cyber criminal was arrested for duping people after impersonating a customer care executive in Lufthansa Airlines, said a Delhi Police official on Friday.

The accused was identified as Gourab Dey, a resident of Kolkata, West Bengal.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh said that a case was registered at Cyber Dwarka police station on the complaint of Durga Nath Raina, who alleged that he was duped while booking a flight at Lufthansa Airlines.

Raina got a number from Google and he called the customer care number. "Later on he received a call from customer care and an apk file was installed on the instructions of the caller and he shared OTP. In this way he suffered an online fraud of Rs 5,50,000," said Singh.

During the probe, call detail records of the numbers used for trapping people were obtained from TSPs and bank statements and KYC details were also obtained from HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank.

"Raid was conducted and Dey was arrested after technical surveillance," said the DCP.

On interrogation, Dey disclosed that he made a plan with his friends Abhishek Yadav, Rahul Ram and Sahabaj Koyal alias Badsah to mint easy money, for which they had to provide bank accounts.

"All benefits were shared equally amongst them. He accepted that he provided his bank Account kit to his friend Badsah for ATM withdrawal. They duped people by impersonating themselves as customer care executives of Lufthansa Airlines," said the DCP.

"He got greedy and committed crime for money. Further investigation in the case is underway," the DCP added.
Cairo, April 19 : Egypt has urged Iran and Israel to exercise restraint and avoid plunging the region into conflict, a foreign ministry statement said.

Egypt expressed deep concern over the continued mutual escalation between Israel and Iran and warned of the consequences of expanding the conflict in the region and its dangerous impact on the safety and security of its people.

Oman, meanwhile, has condemned an suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian province of Isfahan as well the repeated Israeli attacks in the region, a foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.

The Gulf state urged the international community to address the roots of tension and conflict through dialogue, diplomacy and political solutions. It also called for focusing on ceasefire efforts in Gaza and reaching "a just and permanent solution for the Palestinian cause in order to restore security, stability and comprehensive peace in the whole region."

--IANS/DPA

dan/
Stuttgart, April 19 : Police in south-western Germany seized a large arsenal of weapons, including an assault rifle and a machine pistol, during a raid on a suspected drug dealer's home, authorities announced on Friday.

Police also seized a number of other weapons along with 10,000 rounds of ammunition and narcotics during the search in the town of SchAntal, which took place on April 11 but was only publicly disclosed on Friday.

The 46-year-old allegedly bought drugs from six other suspected drug dealers who were arrested at the end of March.

The man is now in custody, according to a police statement. The public prosecutor's office is investigating violations of the Weapons of War Act and the Narcotics Act.

--IANS/DPA

dan/
Germany to deploy Leopard tanks in Kiev very soon: Chancellor. Image Source: IANS News

Norderney Island, April 19 : Following a suspected Israeli retaliatory attack on Iran, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned against further escalation in the Middle East.

"Everyone must ensure now and in the near future that there is no further escalation of the war," Scholz said on Friday.

He stressed that the position urging restraint is shared by Germany and its allies, but declined to comment further on reports of Israeli strikes on targets in Iran.

Scholz acknowledged on Friday only that there had been "renewed military activity" overnight. Israel has not commented publicly on the reported attack.

Scholz's comments came while attending a conference of his centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) on the German North Sea island of Norderney.

According to US media reports, one or more Israeli missiles were used to attack a target in Iran. There were initially no reports of damage.

Last weekend, Iran attacked Israel with hundreds of drones and missiles, almost all of which were intercepted by Israeli and allied air defences, in retaliation for a suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus.

--IANS/DPA

dan/
Capri, April 19 : Around 30 people were injured in a collision on a ferry sailing to the Italian mainland from the Mediterranean island of Capri on Friday, rescue officials said.

The exact course of events was initially unclear. According to reports, the high-speed Isola di Procida collided with the dock upon arrival in the city of Naples, Xinhua news agency reported.

Despite the number of injuries, no one was seriously hurt in the incident, the rescue service said.

The meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) economically strong democracies has been under way on Capri in the Gulf of Naples since Wednesday.

The vast majority of participants were still on the island on Friday.

Capri is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy. The island, which has fewer than 15,000 permanent residents, attracts tens of thousands of visitors every day during the high season. The ferry crossing from the mainland takes about an hour.
Thiruvananthapuram, April 19 : AICC general secretary and star campaigner of the party Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will arrive in Kerala on Saturday to address three election rallies and lead a road show in the state capital city.

She is scheduled to land in Kochi by a special flight in the morning, fly to Thrissur and address her first election rally at the Chalakudy Lok Sabha constituency.

From there she will hop on to the helicopter to campaign for sitting three-time Lok Sabha member Anto Antony at Pathanamthitta who is pitted against Anil Antony (son of CWC member A. K. Antony) and two time former State Finance Minister and CPI-M veteran Thomas Isaac.

She will reach the state capital city to lead a roadshow along with sitting MP Shashi Tharoor and then address the election meeting, after which she will return to Delhi late in the evening.

Kerala goes to the polls on April 26 to elect 20 new Lok Sabha members.
Abuja, April 19 : At least 192 suspected terrorists, including three key figures, were killed in anti-terror operations in Nigeria over the past week, the military said.

Some 341 others were nabbed in raids by troops, with 62 hostages freed from their captors during the period, Edward Buba, a spokesman for the military, told reporters in the Nigerian capital of Abuja, Xinhua news agency reported.

In the northeastern part of the country, a total of 122 members of the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) and their families surrendered to the troops during the operations, Buba said.

The air force of the military conducted air strikes on suspected ISWAP fighters' hideouts and a logistics hub, including their food processing unit, in the village of Kolleram located along the shores of Lake Chad, according to the spokesman.
Agartala, April 19 : A 25-year-old man was arrested in Tripura while attempting to cross into Bangladesh illegally, officials said here on Friday, adding that he claimed to be a Pakistani-born Bangladeshi national who had travelled across India.

The official said the youth, named Ayan Alam was detained by border villagers at Jalefa in South Tripura district on Thursday night and was handed over to the police later.

Alam's mobile phone, a few thousand rupees and some Indian documents, including an Aadhaar card, were recovered from his possession. The documents were being examined to corroborate the truth of his confession and his Pakistan connection, the official told the media.

"During interrogation, the detainee said that he was a Pakistan-born Bangladeshi citizen. Thorough interrogation revealed that he was from Mayarampur village of Brahmanbaria district of Bangladesh," the official said.

Alam confessed that his parents had shifted from Bangladesh to Pakistan 25 years ago and he was born in Pakistan, the official said. Quoting the youth, the official added that the Pakistani authorities had taken action against his family due to the non-availability of valid documents and Ayan's father returned to Bangladesh with him in 2011. His mother, four brothers and four sisters, however, stayed back in Pakistan.

The official said that during questioning, Ayan also confessed that he illegally entered India (through the West Bengal border) from Bangladesh in 2014 and then moved to Kerala, where he worked for a company for two years before moving to Delhi.

The youth claimed that recently he had gone to Kashmir and had unsuccessfully tried to cross into Pakistan. He then returned to the national capital where the Delhi Police Special Branch detained him on March 15.

He told the police that he was dispatched on a train to Agartala after several weeks of interrogation and he reached Tripura on April 18.

A case was registered against him with the local police station. The police official said that Alam is a Bangladeshi citizen and his mother, who is in Pakistan, is the only known Pakistani link he has.

"Alam's presence in the Indian territory despite heavy security along the India-Bangladesh border in view of the Lok Sabha elections and any possible angle of his involvement with any unlawful organisation or outfit are being investigated," the official said.
Mumbai, April 19 : Ending a four-day losing streak, India's benchmark indices closed higher on Friday led by HDFC Bank and Bajaj Finance, among other factors.

The Sensex ended 599 points, or 0.83 per cent, higher at 73,088, while the Nifty closed at 22,147, up 151 points, or 0.7 per cent, on Friday.

However, the benchmark indices posted their worst weekly fall in over a month as worries over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran weighed on investor sentiment. The Nifty and the Sensex declined 1.65 per cent and 1.56 per cent, respectively, in the week ended April 19, its worst decline since March 15.

Intraday, the benchmarks declined nearly 1 per cent amid investor concerns that the West Asia turmoil might escalate to a war. During the day, the Nifty slipped as much as 0.99 per cent to 21,777.65, while the Sensex fell 0.93 per cent to 71,816.46 before bouncing back.

HDFC Bank Ltd, ICICI Bank Ltd, Bharti Airtel Ltd, Bajaj Finance Ltd, and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd added positively to the index, while Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, Infosys Ltd, Bajaj Auto Ltd, and HCL Technologies Ltd recorded limited gains in the index.

On the NSE, five sectors ended higher, one settled flat, while six declined, while 11 sectors declined and nine advanced on the BSE.
Mumbai, April 19 : Maharashtra minister and veteran NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday announced he was opting out of the fray for the Nashik Lok Sabha constituency, so the the MahaYuti partners can soon seal a seat-sharing agreement for the seat.

He, however, made it clear that his decision, in no way, signals discontent against the NCP leadership, saying that he would campaign for the candidate to be finalised by the MahaYuti for Nashik.

With Bhujbal's announcement, the ball is now in the court of the other MahaYuti partners - the BJP and the Shiv Sena - to decide. Apart from Bhujbal, the BJP has staked its claim citing its strength, while sitting Shiv Sena MP Hemant Godse had already launched his campaigning demanding his renomination.

Bhujbal's move has stunned the NCP leadership as it was engaged in talks with the Shiv Sena and BJP over its claim on the Nashik seat. The founder of Samata Parishad with a strong presence in the OBC community which constitutes about 33 per cent of the state population, his decision may impact the prospects of the NCP and MahaYuti adversely, as the OBCs could feel that its tallest leader has been victimised.

"I was told that after the Holi festival, I should be ready to contest from the Nashik seat as my name was recommended by the BJP's central leadership. I had a meeting with our party chief Ajit Pawar who also said that the party is in favour of contesting the Nashik seat. However, three weeks have passed but the deadlock continues, and therefore, I decided to opt out of the race. However, I strongly feel that the MahaYuti should soon solve the deadlock as the Maha Vikas Aghadi nominee had already started his campaigning," he said.

He added that if the deadlock continues, the MahaYuti will have to make greater efforts to win the seat.

Bhujbal reiterated that he had started his preparations after he was informed that the BJP central leadership wanted him to contest from Nashik due to his bright prospects.

"I am thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and my party leaders also for considering my name for Nashik seat. I will campaign wholeheartedly for the MahaYuti candidate in Nashik and also in other constituencies," he said.

Bhujbal figured in the headlines during the Maratha reservation protest by Manoj Jarange-Patil after he opposed giving Kunbi certificates to the Maratha community from the OBC quota. He was isolated in his NCP but stuck to his stand saying that giving Kunbi certificates from the OBC quota was an encroachment on its reservation quota. He also opposed the state government's move to conduct a survey of Kunbi records across the state.
New Delhi, April 19 : The seven northeastern states in the country recorded over 50 per cent voting despite inclement weather conditions on Friday.

Arunachal recorded 55.51 per cent; Assam 60.70; Manipur 63.03; Meghalaya 61.95; Mizoram 49.77; Nagaland 52.60; and Tripura 68.35 voting per cent till 3 pm.

In Arunachal - which is going for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections - the Arunachal East parliamentary seat recorded a voter turnout of 56.78 per cent and the Arunachal West Lok Sabha seat witnessed 54.53 per cent voter turnout till 3 PM.

In Assam, an estimated 60.70 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 3 p.m. on Friday in the five Lok Sabha seats.

Jorhat Lok Sabha constituency, in Assam, recorded the highest voter turnout of 64.84 per cent and the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha seat witnessed the second highest voter turnout in the state till 3 PM.

The five Lok Sabha seats in the state that went to polls are Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Kaziranga, Lakhimpur and Sonitpur.

Manipur witnessed around 63.03 per cent of voters cast their votes till 3 p.m. in two Lok Sabha seats in violence-hit Manipur.

Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat recorded the voter turnout of 67.71 per cent and the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat witnessed 54.63 per cent voter turnout till 3 PM.

Meghalaya recorded an average voter turnout of 61.95 per cent till 3 p.m., as per the date provided by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Tura Lok Sabha seat, in Meghalaya, recorded a higher voter turnout of 63.04 per cent, Shillong Lok Sabha recorded 61.31 per cent polling.

Mizoram Lok Sabha seat, reserved for the tribals, recorded a voter turnout of 49.77 per cent till 3 p.m.

Nagaland witnessed an estimated 52.60 per cent voter turnout recorded till 3 p.m. in the lone Nagaland seat in the first of the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections, officials said.

Tripura witnessed around 68.35 per cent voter turnout registered till 3 p.m. in the Tripura West Lok Sabha seat amid tight security, as per the date provided by the ECI.
Jaipur : Rajasthan Deputy CM Diya Kumari shows his finger marked with indelible ink after casting her vote for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections. Image Source: IANS News

Jaipur, April 19 : A 41. 51 per cent turnout was logged by 3 p.m. on Friday in the first phase of the Lok Sabha election in Rajasthan, where 12 of the state's 25 seats went to polls, with the highest voting recorded in Ganganagar seat.

Ganganagar registered a voter turnout of 50.14 per cent, and the Jaipur Lok Sabha seat followed with 49.48 per cent voting. However, the Jaipur Rural constituency only logged a voter turnout of 39.90 per cent.

The lowest turnout, of 33.86 per cent, was in Karauli-Dholpur.

Churu, witnessing a tight contest between Congress' Rahul Kaswan, who quit the BJP in the run-up to the polls, and the BJP's Devendra Jhajharia, had 46.40 per cent voting. Alwar, from where Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav is in the fray, registered 43.39 per cent voting while Bikaner, from where his cabinet colleague Arjum Ram Meghwal is contesting, had a voter turnout of 40.80 per cent.

The turnout in Nagaur was 41.56 per cent, Jhunjhunu registered 36.12 per cent, Sikar 39.25 per cent, Bharatpur 37.28 per cent, and Dausa 38.36 per cent.

In Jaipur, BJP candidate Manju Sharma's brother Manoj Sharma alleged that there has been slow voting in the Government Higher Secondary School located in Brahmpuri and that the employees are deliberately harassing the public under the pressure of Congress candidate Pratap Singh Khachariyawas.
Mumbai, April 19 : Actor Shakti Anand has opened up on shooting an action sequence in one-take for the show 'Kundali Bhagya', calling it a satisfying experience.

In the recent episodes, the viewers got to watch how Preeta (Shraddha Arya) is trying to save Kavya (Mrinal Navell) from Varun (Ashish Trivedi) by exposing his truth of already being married in front of everyone.

However, one thing leads to another, and Rajveer ends up getting shot by a bullet, and Papa Karan rushes him to the hospital in a handcart.

At the wedding, as a couple of goons try to harm Karan (Shakti) and Preeta, Rajveer (Paras Kalnawat) ends up saving them by taking the bullet himself and getting stabbed by one of the goons.

In order to save Rajveer, Karan along with Preeta and Palki rush to the hospital, but unfortunately, their car breaks down, which leads to Karan without further ado, carrying Rajveer on a handcart.

While Karan is heartbroken and is trying his best to save his son, shooting for the same sequence was not very easy, as Shakti had to push the cart with Paras lying on it. Shakti not only nailed the sequence but also shot the scene in one go.

Shakti said: "I believe in giving 100 per cent to whatever I do, be it in my personal life or profession. Recently, I shot for a scene where I had to push a handcart with Paras lying on top of it as he was shot by a couple of goons at a wedding function. It was very much a father-son moment, and the whole family came together."

"The cart was not only very heavy, it was even more challenging as I had to push it for quite a while. However, after discussing it with my creative team and other co-stars, I felt confident that I could do it without any support. And I did and it got okayed in just one take. As an actor, it's a great feeling when you manage to pull off a difficult scene in one go. It was a truly satisfying experience," he added.

'Kundali Bhagya' airs at 9:30 pm on Zee TV.
The 2.7 pounds of illegally produced fentanyl powder seized by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents in North Dakota last year was enough to kill more than 500,000 residents, according to the agency.

Thats nearly two-thirds of the states population.

A great deal of illegal fentanyl is transported into the state from Detroit. Court records regularly show charges against Detroit-area residents who tell authorities they travel from Michigan to North Dakota with the express purpose of selling pills laced with the potentially deadly compound.

A possibly lethal dose is 2 milligrams, according to DEA. Two milligrams is the rough equivalent of five to seven grains of salt and fits on the tip of a pencil, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fentanyl is here, and the statistics show that its not getting any better right now," DEA Agent Steven Bell said.

Bell and others in the the law enforcement and legal community say battling the flow of fentanyl into North Dakota will require a multifaceted approach combining education to discourage new users, treatment to help those already using, and stiffer sentences for drug dealers who view North Dakota as an easy and profitable target.

No. 1 threat

Bell is the special agent in charge of the agency's Omaha Division, which covers the Dakotas, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa and parts of Illinois and Wisconsin. Divisionwide seizure totals of illegal fentanyl in 2023 were up 83% from 2022, with an estimated 2.9 million doses -- both in pill and powder form -- being discovered.

Bell called fentanyl the No. 1 drug threat in America. The 2023 death toll from fentanyl-related overdoses topped 112,000, or more than 300 per day, according to the CDC.

Bell equated the death toll to a fully loaded 737 passenger jet falling out of the sky, killing everyone aboard, every day of the year.

One of the most recent area cases involves a Detroit pair arrested after agents with the Metro Area Narcotics Task Force exercised a search warrant on a Bismarck address, discovering roughly 20,000 pills that an affidavit says resembled prescription oxycodone but were actually laced with fentanyl. The document states the seizure potentially contained enough fentanyl to kill nearly 1 million people, depending on concentrations of the drug.

Why does it kill?

Fentanyl, a synthetic, or man-made, opioid, was originally developed in 1959 and introduced as an intravenous anesthetic in the 1960s, according to the DEA. The CDC reports the drug is up to 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Opiates are highly addictive, and the CDC says pharmaceutical fentanyl -- often referred to as a "last resort" drug -- is prescribed to treat severe pain, usually with advanced-stage cancers.

Illegally made fentanyl is also highly addictive, and not held to the quality control standards exercised by a pharmaceutical manufacturer. It's often mixed with other ingredients such acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, and made to resemble drugs like oxycodone or Adderall to increase their potency.

In a number of criminal cases being monitored by the Tribune, suspects have been found with small blue pills resembling prescription oxycodone. The pills commonly referred to as "blues or berries" are very small. Each weighs a tenth of a gram. An affidavit in one case reported more than 1,500 such pills in a vitamin pill bottle.

"Seven out of 10 fake pills DEA seized last year have contained what is considered a lethal dose of fentanyl," Bell said. "You have people that don't know what they're dealing with mixing it all together and hoping for the best.

If you get any substance anywhere other than a licensed medical practitioner or pharmacy, you really have no idea what youre getting, and thats the scary part," he said.

Traffickers of illegal fentanyl also don't care if the product they're selling is safe, and families are left to deal with the fallout, according to Bell.

We have heard from families whose children have taken a quarter of a pill, what they thought was either an Adderall or some other stimulant, and it was actually fentanyl ... and they found their child deceased," he said.

Pipeline persists

Distribution of the vast majority of illegal fentanyl entering the U.S. is controlled by a pair of Mexican cartels who smuggle the drug across the southern border into population centers such as Detroit, according to Bell. From there, drug dealers push the product out to lower-populated areas such as North Dakota.

The reason is simple -- money.

You routinely in North Dakota can get $55-$60 a pill still around the state. The economics of that are really, really troubling," state Attorney General Drew Wrigley said.

A pill that sells for $55-$60 in North Dakota might cost a drug dealer in Detroit or Chicago as little as $2. Closer to the U.S.-Mexico border, illegally manufactured fentanyl tablets can be had for less than $1, according to Wrigley.

The profit potentials are huge, especially since drug dealers have identified a market in North Dakota and have worked for years to implement a pipeline. That pipeline is something state and federal authorities have known about for years, going back to Wrigley's days as U.S. attorney, when in 2019 an operation known as Blue Prairie was launched targeting the flow of fentanyl from Detroit to North Dakota and tribal communities. Blue Prairie resulted in the indictment of 57 known drug traffickers, according to Wrigley. The vast majority were from Detroit.

These were very high-level narcotics traffickers," Wrigley said. "They were moving tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars of pills, and over the course of the conspiracy, many millions of dollars' worth of pills out into North Dakota.

Yet the pipeline persists. Local news media reports contain story after story about arrests of Detroit-based drug traffickers, usually with descriptions of large amounts of pills and cash seizures.

A Tribune review of all criminal charges filed in the South Central Judicial District from Jan. 1 through April 11 found a total of 14 people charged with possessing salable amounts of fentanyl. Generally speaking, felony-level charges are filed based on quantities of drugs discovered. The Tribune considered only cases in which defendants could face potential sentences of 10 years in prison or more. Of those 14 defendants, six are from the Detroit area. Another is from Toledo, Ohio, about an hour's drive from Detroit.

Some of the mid-level dealers are getting caught," Wrigley said. But he added that for the drug traffickers, that's just "the price of doing business."

Decreasing the demand

Wrigley and Bell said the goal is to lessen demand and slow trafficking, and that accomplishing the goal requires a multifaceted approach combining education and treatment.

I think it starts with education and trying to get people to make correct choices," Bell said.

The DEA, we go into schools all the time and never in my wildest dreams did I think Id be in an elementary school talking to kids about fentanyl, but thats where we are today, and it needs to continue and it needs to happen at all levels," he said. "Because what you don't know can kill you."

Wrigley said the Attorney General's Office will support efforts on all fronts to combat the problems caused by illegal drugs.

Anyone who wants to listen, weve made them aware," he said. "If you want the Attorney Generals Office to be on board with your plans that can have actual results, proven results in recidivism when it comes to mental health, alcoholism, drug abuse, were here. Were here to fight those battles with you shoulder-to-shoulder."

Crime and punishment

While acknowledging education and treatment as important tools against fentanyl use, Wrigley also points to criminal penalties, and the differences in how state and federal courts deal with drug traffickers. Especially traffickers in possession of firearms.

State sentences typically aren't nearly as punitive as sentences in the federal court system. Under state sentencing rules criminal defendants receive credit for time served awaiting trial, are eligible for early release from prison via parole, are often given probation rather than prison time, and can receive reductions in their sentences for good conduct behind bars.

Dennis Ingold, senior assistant in the Burleigh County State's Attorney's drug division, told the Tribune that a four-year sentence in a drug offense is considered a long sentence.

Under the federal system, once sentenced to prison, a federal inmate can receive only a 15% sentence reduction for good conduct under the strictest of circumstances. Otherwise, sentences are "day for day."

The differences are well-known to drug traffickers, according to Ingold.

Ive seen drug dealers not only from Michigan, but North Dakota, South Dakota, Chicago, send texts from jail saying Out here you only have to serve 35%, and they say If my case gets picked up by the feds I have to serve 85%,'" Ingold said. "So that tells me theres only one things drug dealers are afraid of out here, and thats a federal indictment.

U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider said those indictments are intended to target larger operations because that makes the best use of the office's resources and federal statutes.

"For all practical purposes, what our offices in Bismarck and Fargo are trying to do is take out the criminal organizations, not go after the users necessarily," he said.

Cases the office does take on end in convictions more than 93% of the time, according to 2023 statistics he provided.

"We're one piece of the puzzle here, again, and what you can count on from the United States Attorney's Office in the district of North Dakota and from my colleagues nationwide is relentless prosecution," Schneider said. "Is that alone going to single-handedly reverse course here? It is not. But we are committed to doing our part."

Tougher sentences at the federal level are one reason Ingold said he's never going to oppose a request by the U.S. Attorney's Office to dismiss local charges against a drug trafficker in favor of a federal indictment.

"Because I know there is accountability on the back end," Ingold said.

Increasing accountability

Increasing accountability is something Wrigley wants to see. A proposal he brought to state legislators in the 2023 session would have instituted tougher sentencing for violent crimes and crimes involving firearms. It passed the Senate unanimously but was gutted in the House, Wrigley said. Opponents said the bill might clog the courts and the prison system without true reform, and cost the state more money.

Wrigley said hes disappointed but undeterred and plans to bring the idea back to the Legislature next year.

Drug dealing and the use of firearms in drug dealing and the violent crime that accompanies drug dealing are clear problems in North Dakota, he said.

Ingold supports Wrigleys idea, especially if it includes tougher sentencing for drug dealers.

There were prosecutors in the state of North Dakota that were 100% behind the attorney general, and still are, he said.

While tougher sentencing is a popular idea among members of law enforcement and inside state's attorneys offices, Ingold concedes that high inmate populations at state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facilities mean not every conviction gets treated the same.

The nonviolent criminal population at North Dakotas correctional facilities runs at nearly 102% of capacity, according to Ingold. That number includes nonviolent drug dealers. Thus Corrections routinely moves nonviolent offenders, including drug dealers, into halfway houses and community correctional facilities such as the Missouri River Correctional Center, rather than house them at the State Penitentiary, he said.

Some people convicted of serious drug offenses serve very little time behind bars, according to Ingold, who anecdotally added he's familiar with one defendant sentenced to four years who actually served only 67 days.

'Turn this ship around'

Wrigley and Ingold agreed with Bell's assessment that battling illegal fentanyl "is a problem we can't arrest our way out of."

I am the eternal optimist, Bell said. I think if the law enforcement, education and treatments come together and communities say enough, I think we can turn this ship around.

But turning the ship around, according to Wrigley, will include making North Dakota a less-attractive destination for drug traffickers.

We want the cost of business to get too high for them out here, he said. We want them to be of the mindset You know what? Its not worth it to go out there and try to redevelop this pipeline out there in North Dakota.' Thats really the goal. We want to dismantle their operations.
New Delhi, April 19 : India equipping the Philippines with Brahmos cruise missiles, making it the first foreign nation to acquire the missile weapon system developed by an India-Russia joint venture, marks a significant milestone for the Narendra Modi government just as the first of the seven-phase election in the world's largest democracy kicked off on Friday.

It was in January 2022 that the BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed a $374.9 million contract with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines that included supply of shore-based anti-ship missile systems for the Philippines Navy.

The move spotlighted the important role that the Philippines plays in India's 'Act East' Policy, its overall Indo-Pacific vision and was labeled by New Delhi as "an important step forward for Government of India's policy of promoting responsible defence exports".

The Philippines' Defence Ministry acknowledged that Brahmos will provide deterrence against any attempt to undermine its sovereignty and sovereign rights, especially in the West Philippine Sea.

Initially, the Philippines will be acquiring three batteries a" six launchers and missiles. The contract also includes training for operators and maintainers as well as the necessary Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) package.

Last month, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his visit to the Philippines, called on the country's President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., briefing him about recent developments in the India-Philippines partnership and on the joint initiatives to further fortify bilateral ties.

Besides meeting his counterpart Enrique A. Manalo, the EAM also met Gilbert Teodoro, Secretary of National Defence of Philippines, to discuss the growing cooperation in defence and maritime security.

"Substantive discussions were held on consolidating the ongoing momentum in bilateral defence ties through capacity building, joint exercises, information exchange and defence industrial collaboration," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on March 27.

Teodoro on the other hand, welcomed India's "unwavering support" for the Philippines' position on the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea issue.

"Minister Jaishankar reaffirmed India's commitment to upholding a rules-based international order and promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region. As part of such efforts, both sides also agreed to promote collaboration among defence industries, enhance mobility and logistics cooperation, as well as explore investments on emerging technologies, cooperation on space domain awareness, and potential partnership on joint research and development (R&D)," stated the Philippines' Department of Defence.

Addressing common security challenges and building robust defence and military partnerships with countries in the region has remained a top priority for the Modi government over the past 10 years.

BJP's 'Sankalp Patra' for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024 promises not only to protect the country's security interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) but also vastly expanding the domestic defence manufacturing and exports of 'Made in Bharat' defence equipment.

This, it says, will be facilitated by accelerating indigenisation in major air and land equipment platforms.

"Expanding Bharat's defence footprint across strategic locations and partner with friendly countries to protect Bharat's and the Indian Ocean Region's security interests," it states.

The manifesto also lists promoting regional cooperation and ensuring stability and prosperity, making India a "trusted and responsible partner" in the subcontinent.

"Strengthening Maritime Vision (SAGAR), we will continue to collaborate with the countries of the Indo-Pacific Region for the security and growth of all in the region," says the manifesto.

While the missile weapon system will help the Philippines to safeguard the strategic waters in the region that includes some of the busiest sea lanes in the world, its procurement by Manila will act as a major boost to 'Make in India, Make for the World' initiative launched by the government led by PM Modi.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has made it clear that if India wishes to become a military power at the global level, there is no other option than being self reliant in defence manufacturing.

The government believes that, with the development of Defence Industrial Corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the growth of indigenous industries will not only generate employment but also boost the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.
New Delhi, April 19 : The environment-tech sector in India has raised $7.3 billion in total funding to date, a report showed on Friday.

The countryas environmental technology funding saw substantial growth between 2018 and 2022, surging from $0.23 billion to $2.47 billion, as per data by Tracxn, a leading market intelligence platform.

Indiaas share in global funding was 7 per cent in 2022, the highest since 2011.

Environment tech funding in the country peaked in 2022 at $2.47 billion. However, it experienced a decline to $1.68 billion in 2023, a 32 per cent decrease from 2022.

As of the first three months of 2024, the funding stands at $0.24 billion.

Despite the global increase in funding, India's share remained consistently low, ranging from 0 per cent to 7 per cent. Bengaluru ($2.7 billion) tops the list in this space in terms of all-time city-wise funding, followed by Delhi ($1.2 billion) and Mumbai ($942 million).

"This space has seen 14 initial public offerings (IPOs) and 25 acquisitions to date. Only five companies reported more than $100 million rounds in 2023," the findings showed.

One unicorn has also emerged in India in this space -- Ola Electric.
New Delhi, April 19 : DRDO's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has handed over the first batch of the indigenous Leading Edge Actuators and Airbrake Control Module to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the HAL, Lucknow has already made preparations for the production of these units for the current 83 LCA Tejas Mk1A order.

It said that the Secondary Flight Control of LCA-Tejas, comprising Leading Edge Slats and Airbrakes, now boasts state-of-the-art Servo-Valve based electro-hydraulic servo actuators and control modules.

"These high pressure, redundant servo actuators and control module, characterised by astute design, precision manufacturing, assembly, and testing, represent a culmination of ADA's relentless pursuit of indigenous technological prowess," the ministry said.

Collaborating with Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, and Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI), Bengaluru, ADA plans to achieve self-reliance in these technologies, the ministry added.

The successful completion of flight trials for Leading Edge Actuators and Airbrake Control Modules has paved the way for production clearance, enabling HAL to gear up for equipping the Mk-1A variant of LCA Tejas.

The production of these critical components is underway at the Accessories Division, HAL, Lucknow, marking a significant stride towards bolstering India's aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
Chennai, April 19 : Residents of the Vengaivayal Dalit colony voted in the Lok Sabha elections after Tamil Nadu revenue officials persuaded them to do so on Friday, just before polling ended.

The 30 families who are residents of the Vengaivayal Dalit colony in Pudukkottai District had boycotted the elections over failure of the Tamil Nadu CID to arrest the culprits who put human faeces in their overhead drinking water tank

They had announced that they would boycott elections unless action was taken.

During the day, the residents held a protest with placards that read, "We had human faeces and You are having your vote. Why should corpses have vote? We who drank the water mixed with human faeces will not VOTE. Why should we vote?"

There were allegations that upper caste people had mixed human faeces in the drinking water supplied to the Dalit colony that was detected in the water tank on December 26, 2022 and led to a major uproar.

Earlier in the day, K Shailaja, a resident of the Vengaivayal Dalit colony told IANS, "It is going to be two years since the incident took place, but we haven't got justice as yet. We have been traumatised by this heinous incident. There was a serious investigation when the issue hit the headlines and now nothing is happening.

"Politicians come to us only during elections and we have decided to boycott the Lok Sabha polls."

"People of the village were not even able to travel by bus to attend a family function in the neighbouring village as police suspect that we may be going for a protest. We are under watch while the culprits roam free," said MK Velu, another resident.

"To hold a function, we have to get permission from the Deputy Superintendent of Police and Superintendent of Police. We are boycotting this Lok Sabha election as we don't have any other option left," he added.

He said that with constant police presence, the village feels like an open prison and they want an end to this kind of torture.
Imphal, April 19 : Amidst stray incidents of violence, including vandalisation of polling booths, firing, and clashes, around 68 per cent of 15.44 lakh voters cast their votes in two Lok Sabha seats (one partially) in ethnic violence-hit Manipur on Friday, officials said.

Police officials said that incidents of vandalisation of polling booths, damage to the EVMs by angry voters, firing between rival groups, and clashes among the rival party supporters were reported from Bishnupur, Imphal East and Imphal West districts, leaving six people injured.

Election officials said that they are collecting the details of the incidents in different parts of the state.

Given the nearly year-long ethnic violence, unprecedented security arrangements, comprising central forces, state police and Manipur Police commandos, were made in the state to foil any incidents of violence.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, accompanied by his wife, cast his vote at Srivan Higher Secondary School Polling Station while other leaders cast their votes in other polling stations early in the morning.

Biren Singh, expressing his hope for the victory of the BJP candidate in the Inner Manipur seat and the Naga Peopleas Front (NPF) candidate in the Outer Manipur constituency, said that the election is very crucial to save and protect the indigenous population of the state as well as to protect the integrity of the state and bring peace at the earliest.

Polling started at 7 a.m. in the entire Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat and 15 of the 28 Assembly segments of the Outer Manipur (ST) parliamentary constituency and continued till 4 p.m.

Voting will be held in the remaining 13 Assembly segments of Outer Manipur (ST) seat in the second phase on April 26.

Over 15.44 lakh voters, including 8.02 lakh females, were eligible to decide the electoral fate of 10 candidates in the two Lok Sabha seats -- six in Inner Manipur and four in Outer Manipur (ST).

The main contest is between the BJP-Naga People's Front (NPF) alliance and the Congress-led INDIA bloc.

The ruling BJP had fielded Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh against Congress nominee Angomcha Bimol Akoijam in the Inner Manipur seat, and extended support to ally NPF's nominee Kachui Timothy Zimik, who is contesting against Congressa Alfred Kanngam S. Arthur in the Outer Manipur (ST) seat.

The Election Commission had set up 85 special polling stations for the ethnic violence-affected displaced voters in seven districts -- Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts. A majority of 18,091 Internally Displaced Voters, staying in the relief camps in seven districts, exercised their franchise in their respective Special Polling Stations.

Over 8,000 polling personnel were deployed to conduct elections in 2,107 polling stations.
New Delhi, April 19 : Even as India on Friday began voting for the 18th Lok Sabha elections, a report called for increasing spending on research and development (R&D) to make the country a science powerhouse.

While previous "governments have neglected basic research" in India, the elections offer an "opportunity to reimagine science funding", argues the editorial published in the esteemed journal Nature.

"One thing Indiaas government can do is to boost science spending by encouraging businesses to contribute more, as is the case for other leading economies," the editorial said.

"If policymakers and industrialists can get this right, an opportunity to put rocket boosters under the countryas impressive scientific achievements is there for the taking," it added.

The report noted that India has been far behind in terms of funding for R&D.

As per data from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the country spent "just 0.64 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) during 2020-21".

The DST data also shows that R&D spending in India rose steadily after economic reforms in 1991, and peaked in 2009-10 at 0.82 per cent of GDP. In comparison, the average R&D expenditure of the 38 high-income countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) was around 2.7 per cent in 2022, according to data published in March.

World Bank data shows China alone spent 2.4 per cent on R&D in 2021.

Despite the low funding, India became the worldas third-largest pharmaceutical industry by volume, and the fourth country ever to achieve a soft Moon landing and the first to land near the lunar south pole.

Between 2014 and 2021, Indiaas research output increased from 760 to 1,113. The last 10 years also witnessed an increase in the number of Indian Institutes of Technology -- from 16 to 23.

Further, the report also highlighted low funding from the private sector for R&D in the country. It showed that while central and state governments and universities account for 60 per cent of Indiaas research spending, the share of the private sector stood around 40 per cent.

In contrast, the private sector contributed 74 per cent of funding in OECD nations and 66 per cent in the European Union.

"Whichever political group is elected, it must consider how to increase the countryas R&D spending, as well as what could be achieved with more money," the editorial said.
New Delhi, April 19 : India's largest private port operator, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), announced earlier this month that it handled a record 420 MMT (million metric tonne) cargo in FY24 (including international ports), setting a new milestone in its journey.

It was an impressive 24 per cent growth (year-on-year), with domestic ports contributing over 408 MMT cargo.

While it took 14 years for the company to achieve the first 100 MMT of annual cargo throughput, the second and third 100 MMT throughputs were achieved in 5 years and 3 years.

Notably, the latest 100 MMT mark was achieved in less than two years' time.

How did this impressive feat happen?

Over the years, APSEZ has evolved into a provider of integrated port infrastructure services, of which the Mundra SEZ in Gujarat is a landmark validation.

Spanning over 8,000 hectares, the Mundra Economic Hub offers investment options as the largest multi-product SEZ, Free Trade and Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) and Domestic Industrial Zone.

Mundra, the first port of APSEZ, welcomed its maiden ship in 1998. Since then, the company has built a network of 15 ports and terminals on the east and west coasts of the country.

APSEZ is currently the largest commercial port operator in India, accounting for nearly one-fourth of the cargo movement in the country. Its presence across domestic ports in seven maritime states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Odisha presents the most widespread national footprint with deepened hinterland connectivity.

The port facilities are equipped with the latest cargo-handling infrastructure which is not only best-in-class but also capable of handling the largest vessels calling at Indian shores.

During FY24, more than one-fourth of all India cargo volumes were routed through the APSEZ ports, according to the company.

"The latest 100 MMT mark has been achieved in less than two years. This is a testament to our ongoing commitment and efforts towards enhancing operational efficiencies and maintaining our position as a top port operator in the industry," according to Karan Adani, Managing Director, APSEZ.

Dhamra port in Odisha's Bhadrak district has become a critical hub for dry cargo shipment in the region. Ten years ago, it handled only 14 MMT of cargo but today, its capacity has moved up to over 42 MMT.

The port can accommodate Cape Size vessels and caters to industries in Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

Dhamra also has a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal of 5 MMT capacity which helps fulfil the requirements of Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Krishnapatnam Port is an all-weather, world-class deep water port of international standards which is capable of handling Cape Size vessels round the clock throughout the year. It has state-of-the-art infrastructure, mechanised handling systems and dedicated storage yards which provide clean and contamination-free handling facilities for bulk and break bulk cargo.

Its current capacity is 75 MMT, a significant increase from 64 MMT four years ago.

Karaikal port in Puducherry is near power plants and cement factories. In FY23, it handled nearly 10 MMT of cargo and in FY24, the figure went up to 13 MMT. Eight ports -- 84 per cent of the portfolio by volume -- delivered double-digit growth for the company in FY24.

Dahej Port is a deep-water, multi-cargo port located in the Gulf of Khambhat. It is strategically situated on international maritime routes and provides easy access to the dense industrial hubs of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

This makes it the preferred port for the cargo hubs functioning in the northern and western states and Union Territories of India.

The flagship port Mundra became the first in India to handle 16 MMT cargo in a single month (October 2023). In fact, the learnings from Mundra Port have been replicated at all other ports owned by the company.
New Delhi, April 19 : The importance of the middle class appears to have also come to the fore in the BJP campaign for the Lok Sabha polls with the focus on opening more IITs, IIMs, AIIMS for creating better job openings and continued push for economic reforms being highlighted as a major priority.

The middle class has been a major beneficiary of the economic growth that has taken place in the last 10 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government and the party seems to be extending its outreach to this segment, which plays a key role in driving the nation ahead.

The surge in the manufacturing sector under the productivity-linked incentive (PLI) schemes has led to a whopping Rs 1.03 lakh crore of investment flowing in till November 2023 and created as many as 6.78 lakhs in the skilled sector, benefiting the highly educated middle class.

PLI schemes have witnessed exports surpassing Rs 3.20 lakh crore, with significant contributions from sectors such as large-scale electronics manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and telecom and networking products, according to Commerce Ministry data.

Keeping in view India's vision of becoming 'Atmanirbhar', PLI schemes for 14 key sectors [with an incentive outlay of Rs 1.97 lakh crore (over $26 billion)] are under implementation to enhance India's manufacturing capabilities and exports which will create more job opportunities for the graduates passing out of engineering institutes and universities of the country.

The incentives given to startups has been another major area to empower the middle class.

At the Startup Mahakumbh held in Delhi recently, PM Modi said: "The youth of the country have chosen the path of becoming job creators rather than job seekers.

"Today, India is the third largest startup ecosystem in the world. Whereas in 2014 there were not even a few hundred startups in the country, today there are about 1.25 lakh registered startups in India. And about 12 lakh youth are directly associated with them. We have over 110 unicorns," the Prime Minister highlighted.

The middle class, which constitutes a major segment of investors in the stock markets, has also emerged as a big gainer in the 10-year tenure of PM Modi-led government, with Indian stock markets consistently outperforming the stock exchanges of competing countries.

Statistics compiled by leading global financial agencies show that foreign investors pay a much higher premium to buy Indian shares as compared to other emerging markets.

This results in generating healthy returns for domestic investors since the value of their stocks shoots up.

The volatility of Indian stocks is also low which helps to give more assured returns and attract more investments.

In a significant milestone, the combined market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies surpassed a whopping Rs 400 lakh crore for the first time on April 8 this year.

This achievement came on the back of a sustained rally across large, mid and small-cap stocks with heavyweight stocks playing a major role in driving the surge.

Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch said recently that despite a higher price to earnings (PE) ratio compared to other countries, India is attracting foreign investments because of the faith and trust that global investors have in the country.

The BJP election manifesto aims to empower the emerging neo-middle class in the country by supporting them with affordable quality housing and healthcare, greater access to quality education, and more employment opportunities.

The manifesto states that the RERA Act will be strengthened as it has helped make the real estate sector in the country more transparent and citizen-friendly.

It also highlights that there would be a greater focus on the modern road network, enhanced rail and metro connectivity with new-age trains and expanded networks, development of comprehensive EV charging stations, construction of new airports, and advanced telecom infrastructure with 5G and 6G technology.
Srinagar, April 19 : Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman Sajad Lone on Friday criticised former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his 'good' and 'bad' political remarks.

He said that the hypocrisy within the National Conference (NC) and their shifting alliances and differing perspectives depending on their position of power.

"When the NC is in alliance with the BJP and the 'touristy prince' makes a saffron debut by being the first Kashmiri to join the union cabinet led by the BJP that is what we call the good BJP. And it is so good to be the poster boy of the good BJP. When NC is rebuffed, and not entertained by the BJP - that is the bad BJP," Lone said.

On Shiv Sena supporting NC in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, Lone again criticised Omar Abdullah over "good" Shiv Sena and "bad" Shiv Sena.

"When NC was in alliance with Shiv Sena in the NDA or in the current INDIA alliance then they are good Shiv Sena. However, when the NC is not in alliance with the Shiv Sena, it is termed as bad Shiv Sena. Which in that case is rabidly communal, original Hindutva and of course the planner and executor in chief of the bloody Mumbai riots where hundreds of Muslims were killed," Lone added.
New Delhi, April 19 : The US-based global Asian fusion restaurant chain, P.F. Chang's, which is famous for its iconic dishes such as lettuce-wrapped chicken, Dynamite Shrimp and Spicy Kimchi Fried Rice, is opening at the Cyber Hub, Gurugram, on April 21, following its Indian debut in Mumbai.

Brought into India by Ramit Mittal, who's from the Bharti Mittal family and was last in the news for getting Sri Lankan celebrity chef Dharsana Munidasa's Ministry of Crab, P.F. Chang's is the creation of the Shanghai-born American restaurateur Philip Chiang and his business partner Paul Fleming.

The P.F. in the restaurant chain's name, incidentally, stands for Paul Fleming. The brand also features Chiang's surname minus the 'i'.

Their partnership took shape after Fleming, who was planning to open a Chinese restaurant, dropped in at the eatery Chang had been running in Phoenix, Arizona, since 1983 and offered to onboard him for his project.

They opened their first restaurant together at Scottsdale, Arizona, where the company's headquarters is now situated, in 1993.

The chain, which is now owned by a private investment fund and hedge fund company, has a global footprint of more than 300 restaurants.

Chang's mother, Cecilia, in fact, was well-known in the United States as the promoter of The Mandarin, a popular Chinese restaurant in San Francisco's Chinatown whose major patrons included C.Y. Lee, best-selling author of 'The Flower Drum Song', Vic Bergeron, founder of the Trader Vic's restaurant and bar chain, and the famous journalist Herb Caen.

Speaking to 'BBC Good Food' back in 2019, this is how Chiang explained the chain's scratch-cooking philosophy: "We make every dish to order, from scratch. It is a laborious task, but one that we feel is crucial in ensuring the highest quality of traditional Chinese food for our customers."

The signature wok, where the ingredients will be cooked atop a 700-degree flame, is the highlight of the show kitchen that stands out in the plush, black-and-gold 112-seater new restaurant (with an additional 28 seats outside) opening in Gurugram on Sunday.

Talking about Dynamite Shrimp, Chiang told 'BBC Good Food': "The recipe was inspired from a trip I made to Hong Kong more than ten years ago. We visited a fantastic restaurant that was famous for its use of mayonnaise, which at the time was not a prominent ingredient in Chinese cooking. The British influence in Hong Kong was strong, and it was here that we decided to incorporate it into the dish."

P.F. Chang's standout offerings in Gurugram will include a Jain menu, a robust variety of sushi and dim sum, apart from signature entrees, as well as drinks such as the Asian Pear Mojito and Japanese Old Fashioned.
Lucknow, April 19 : The Uttar Pradesh Prosecution Department is planning to introduce a new system wherein government officials, mostly policemen and doctors, will be able to record their statements virtually in pending court cases.

This is being done to reduce the pendency of cases in the courts of Uttar Pradesh.

The state government is gearing up to build infrastructure in the districts to have a central, computerised system under which police officers and government doctors can go to the office of the Joint Director of the Prosecution Department and record their statements for speedy proceedings in the courts.

ADG (Prosecution), Dipesh Juneja, said, "There is a huge pendency of cases in the district courts. What happens is that police officers who work in the capacity of investigating officers and doctors in medico-legal cases have to routinely go to the district courts to record their statements. Such officials are regularly transferred from one district to another across the state.

"Because of the geographic size of Uttar Pradesh, it becomes difficult for these officials to physically go to the district courts. For example, one officer who was posted in Western UP and investigated a case there gets transferred to Eastern UP. Now that officer has to take leave, and travel to the district where he was posted earlier.

"This results in the loss of manpower and also requires large amounts of funds for travel, lodging etc. So we plan to have a centralised system where a police officer or a government doctor can go and virtually record their statements. This will help us ensure speedy trials in cases, and also, save money."

The Prosecution Department plans to launch the initiative in five districts soon -- Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Noida, Barabanki, and Varanasi.

"Once the system is operational in these five districts, we will extend it to the other districts as well. In the future, we hope the common people can also give statements to courts remotely from these computerised offices," said Juneja.

Joint Director (Prosecution), Atul Kumar Ojha, said: "Once an officer retires, he or she is not willing to go to a different district to record evidence. To get allowances for the same is a lengthy process. This system will allow them to do it from wherever they are based after their retirement. We hope to reduce the pendency of cases with this new system."
New Delhi/Raipur, April 19 : A trial court in Chhattisgarh accepted the closure report filed by the EOW-ACB as no case of disproportionate assets could be made out against Aman Singh, who served as Principal Secretary to former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, and his wife.

This comes as a major victory for the former IRS official.

The relief for Aman Singh and his wife Dr Yasmin Singh comes on the back of the EOW-ACBas failure to substantiate the charges against them in a disproportionate assets case.

An FIR was lodged against him on orders of former Congress Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, based on claims by RTI activist Uchit Sharma, accusing the couple of amassing unaccounted wealth.

Despite exhaustive investigations over three years, the FIR failed to hold up as the EOW found no evidence supporting the claims, leading to the filing of a closure report. Significantly, the closure report was filed by the EOW in December last year, before the current BJP government took the oath of office in Chhattisgarh.

Noted criminal lawyer and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, who represented the Singhs, has openly criticised the motives behind the FIR, describing it as a tool for political retribution rather than justice.

"Bhupesh Baghel's government was one of the most corrupt and vindictive regimes this country has ever seen. They weaponised the FIR to unjustly target Aman Singh, an honest officer, and his wife Yasmin Singh, a renowned artist, forcing them to undergo trials and tribulations for several years. Targeting an officeras wife was a new low, even by Bhupesh Baghelas standards. However, justice has finally been served with their discharge by the court," he said.

The case has also seen judicial scrutiny at various levels, including a notable moment when the Bilaspur High Court quashed the FIR, citing a lack of substantive evidence. However, the Supreme Court later revived the FIR on an appeal by the Congress government of Baghel, saying that a thorough investigation would better serve to maintain public trust and accountability.

"We quite appreciate that there could be cases of innocent public servants being entangled in investigations arising out of motivated complaints and the consequent mental agony, emotional pain and social stigma that they would have to encounter in the process, but this small price has to be paid if there is to be a society governed by the rule of law," the apex court had held
New Delhi, April 19 : A special court in Srinagar has taken cognisance of the chargesheet of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed against nine persons for their alleged involvement in terror financing, and for being hand-in-glove with Pakistan-based handlers, an official said on Friday.

It was alleged that the accused individuals and 'Al-Jabar Trust' were collecting money from the students in Jammu and Kashmir to arrange their admission into MBBS courses in Pakistani institutes. However, the money was allegedly being used for terrorist activities in India.

The chargesheet, in connection with the case, was filed against Mohammad Akbar Bhat, Fatima Shah, Altaf Ahmad Bhat, Qazi Yasir, Mohammad Abdullah Shah, Sabzar Ahmad Sheikh, Manzoor Ahmad Shah, Mohammad Iqbal Mir and Syed Khalid Geelani a.k.a. Khalid Andrabi.

The court has also issued a notice to all accused except Qazi Yasir, Altaf Ahmad Bhat and Manzoor Ahmad Shah.

The probe agency had initiated the investigation on the basis of a chargesheet filed by Jammu and Kashmir Police in connection with the matter.

"ED investigation revealed that the accused persons were hand-in-glove with some educational consultancies for arranging admissions of Jammu and Kashmir residents into MBBS courses in various colleges of Pakistan by taking hefty money of Rs 10-15 lakh per student," it said in a statement.

The probe further revealed that the money was being received by the accused persons from the students/ parents of students in their personal accounts and in the bank accounts of Al-Jabar Trust, which was the front entity for receiving the funds from the students/parents in the guise of donations.

"It was further revealed that the amount received at Al-Jabar Trust was ultimately used for the purpose of providing terrorist activities in India such as distribution of money to stone-pelters, terrorists, etc., in Jammu and Kashmir on the instructions of Pakistani handlers," it said.

The agency said that the accused, Mohammad Abdullah Shah, had sold the property of Manzoor Ahmad Shah, currently in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and used the sale proceeds for terrorist activities, stone-pelting, etc.

Earlier in this case, the ED had attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 5 crore (approximately), and also arrested Mohammad Akbar Bhat, Mohammad Abdullah Shah, Fatima Shah and Sabzaar Ahmad Sheikh.
New Delhi, April 19 : Leading psephologist Pradeep Gupta insists that the chances of the INDIA bloc making a significant impact in the big states might have suffered a dent, as the alliance partners are struggling to put up a united front, especially after the exit of Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.

"There seems to be a lack of unity in the INDIA bloc. It has been happening for the last six months or so now and has been more visible after Nitish Kumar left," Gupta told IANS in an interview on Friday.

With the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also regularly criticising the front, the Managing Director of 'Axis My India' feels that the bloc's performance will be affected, especially in the big states.

"Let's see how much impact does Nitish Kumar leaving (the opposition alliance) has on the INDIA bloc's performance in Bihar. They are also found missing in a state like Uttar Pradesh that has the maximum number of seats," says Gupta.

States like Kerala are seeing a war of words between the Left and Congress parties which are putting up a united front at the national level but Gupta feels that will not be of a major concern to the grouping.

"Yes, they are criticising each other in states like Kerala but it is a natural process and is done to attract voters. It will also be interesting to see how the BJP does in Kerala," said Gupta.
Jaipur, April 19 : Voting in 12 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan came to an end at 6 p.m. on Friday with a turnout of 50.87 per cent recorded till 5 p.m.

While 50.27 per cent of votes were registered via EVM, postal ballot polling stood at 0.62 per cent.

Ganganagar recorded the highest turnout at 60.29 per cent, followed by Churu (56.52 per cent), Alwar (53.31 per cent), Jaipur (56.57 per cent), Nagaur (49.92 per cent), Bikaner (48.87 per cent), Sikar (48.85 per cent), Jaipur Rural (48.67 per cent), Dausa (45.63 per cent), Bharatpur (45.48 per cent), Jhunjhunu (44.97 per cent), and Karauli-Dholpur (42.53 per cent).

A few incidents of clashes were reported from the state during polling on Friday.

In Nagaur, clashes broke out between the supporters of BJP candidate Jyoti Mirdha and INDIA bloc nominee Hanuman Beniwal (RLP) in which Kuchera Municipality Chairman Tejpal Mirdha suffered head injuries after he tried to intervene. He is presently undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

While the police said they are investigating the matter, Beniwal alleged that the attack was orchestrated by the ruling BJP.

Violence was also reported from Churu where a polling agent was injured after he reportedly turned down requests for fake voting at Rampur Renu village.

In Bharatpur, 98-year-old Pandit Ramkishan, a former Lok Sabha MP and a well-known socialist leader, reached the polling station to cast his vote despite the Election Commission making provisions for 'vote from home' for those above 85 years of age. At 97, Ramkishan underwent knee replacement surgery.

"Voters are expressing their choice against the insensitivity and arrogance of those in power," he said.

In Churu, Pushpa Satyani, the District Election Officer (DEO), suspended two poll officials -- Chandan Singh and Ramchandra -- for dereliction of duty.

While Singh is accused of leaving the polling office without permission, Ramchandra has been suspended for joining duty in an inebriated state and misbehaving with the people.

Meanwhile, some villagers in the Dausa Assembly segment boycotted the polls in protest against the delimitation of the gram panchayat. People also boycotted voting at Baritaki village in the Mahua Assembly segment to express their anguish over garbage dumping in the area.
New Delhi, April 19 : Pradeep Gupta, Axis My India Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) on Friday made a clarification on the fake opinion poll, conducted in its name and blamed the Opposition parties and vested interests for creating a needless controversy in the heat of elections.

Speaking to IANS, Axis My India CMD rubbished the 'viral' Opinion polls as fake and fabricated and informed that his company only conducts Exit polls and Post-poll studies and not Opinion polls.

Notably, a couple of pictures claiming to be Opinion poll from Axis My India circulated on the social media today, predicting a close contest between BJP-led NDA and Congress-led UPA. The fake opinion poll projected 243 seats for NDA and 242 seats for INDIA bloc.

Taking strong objection to the fake survey, he said that it was the handiwork of Opposition parties and accused them of doing it with a motive. He said that they were blatantly violating the rules and spreading canard to create a 'favourable' impression for themselves.

He also said that it was illegal and fraudulent act by the opposition parties for 'electoral gains' and for this, they were misusing the name of his polling agency.

"We will lodge a complaint with the cyber department and Election Commission, seeking action against the culprits," Gupta told IANS.

He also informed that the image of opinion polls, labeled as Axis My India survey, started circulating on social media, last night.
Brussels, April 19 : NATO allies are to give more air-defence systems to Ukraine, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Friday, after a crisis meeting via videolink with defence ministers and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Brussels, April 19 (IANS/DPA) NATO allies are to give more air-defence systems to Ukraine, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Friday, after a crisis meeting via videolink with defence ministers and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

NATO has "mapped out existing capabilities" from alliance countries that can be given to Ukraine, Stoltenberg said in a press conference after the meeting.

The alliance secretary general also mentioned that "several allies made concrete commitments" to send further air-defence weapons for Ukraine.

Stotlenberg declined to give further details about what "existing capabilities" were identified as this was classified information. He did say however that the "mapping confirms that there are systems, including Patriot systems, available to be provided to Ukraine."

The NATO meeting was convened at the request of Zelensky with Ukraine concerned whether it can hold the front line against increased Russian military pressure.

In recent weeks, Russia destroyed almost all of Ukraine's thermal power plans with airstrikes, Zelensky said ahead of the meeting.

In the talks Zelensky also pushed for additional weapons, artillery shells, vehicles and drones for the Ukrainian armed forces.

Stoltenberg repeated his message to allies that in the current battlefield situation in Ukraine, it is more important to help Kiev than to fulfil alliance targets for the provision of weapons and ammunition.

"Allies must dig deep into the inventories and speed up the delivery of missiles, artillery and ammunition," he said.

"Ukraine is using the weapons we provided to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer. So support to Ukraine is not charity. It is an investment in our own security," he added.

The secretary general said he expects several announcements of military support for Ukraine from allies soon. He also praised Germany's decision to send a Patriot air-defence system.

According to information provided by Zelensky at the beginning of April, 25 Patriot air-defence missile systems, each with six to eight launchers or comparable equipment, would be needed to fully protect Ukrainian airspace. Alternatives include systems such as the Iris-T, SAMP/T and NASAMS.

--IANS/DPA

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Moscow, April 19 : After more than two years of intense fighting in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday reasserted Moscow's claimed right to rule over its neighbour.

At most, the future of western Ukraine is unclear, Lavrov told several Russian broadcasters in an interview in Moscow.

Otherwise, there will only be a Ukraine "that is truly Russian, that wants to be part of the Russian world, that wants to speak Russian and educate its children," he said.

There was no question of any alternative, according to Lavrov, 74, who has served as foreign minister since 2004 and is a staunch supporter and confidant of President Vladimir Putin.

Russia does not want to attack NATO states, as is claimed in the West to scare voters, Lavrov said.

"But if they want to push NATO's borders to our borders, then we will of course know how to prevent that in Ukraine."

Like other senior members of the leadership, Lavrov said Russia was ready for talks with Ukraine, but only under specific conditions.

There would be no ceasefire during possible negotiations, talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are pointless, and Kiev would have to move away from his peace formula, he said.

In the autumn of 2022, Zelensky drew up 10 points that included the withdrawal of Russian troops, reconstruction and reparations, and the prosecution of war criminals.

--IANS/DPA

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Nairobi, April 19 : At least 32 people have died in Kenya in recent days following heavy rainfall and flooding, aid agencies reported on Friday.

More than 40,000 people had to flee their villages and settlements, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Large areas of farmland were also destroyed by the floods.

The Kenyan Red Cross reported that 35 camps had been set up so far for people left homeless.

In addition to the greater Nairobi area, the Lake Victoria region in the west of the country, the Great Rift Valley area and regions in north-east Kenya were particularly affected.

The annual rainy season, which continues in the East African country until around the end of May, is also being influenced this year by the El NiAo weather phenomenon.

The Kenyan weather service has also announced heavy rainfall for the coming days.

--IANS/DPA

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Kiev, April 19 : The Ukrainian city of Odessa was struck by Russian missiles on Friday, damaging port infrastructure and injuring one person, local military administrator Oleh Kiper said.

Writing on Telegram, Kiper reminded local residents to heed the air-raid alarm and seek shelter in good time.

According to regional media reports, several powerful explosions rang out across the city. Later, thick smoke rose from the site of the attack.

Odessa has repeatedly been the target of air and missile attacks since the beginning of the Russian war against Ukraine.

--IANS/DPA

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Hambantota becomes 1st SL port to comply with ISO standards. Image Source: IANS News

Berlin, April 19 : German customs authorities have granted the cargo ship Atlantic Navigator II permission to depart from the German Baltic Sea port of Rostock, after earlier detaining the ship under EU sanctions against Russia.

A spokeswoman for the German customs office in Stralsund confirmed the decision to dpa on Friday.

The cargo ship, which was heading from Russia to North America, was forced to stop in the German port for repairs after experiencing technical problems in early March.

German customs officials then ordered the ship detained, noting that all ships entering EU ports are subject to customs inspection and EU regulations.

--IANS/DPA

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Brussels, April 19 : The European Union has imposed sanctions on radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank for the first time, targeting four individuals for acts of violence against Palestinians.

The agreement was finalized on Friday by a written procedure that allows member states to make decisions on urgent matters without sending ministers to Brussels. The law giving effect to the sanctions and detailing those targeted was published in the EU's statute book a few hours later.

The sanctions target four individuals and two organisations. Those subject to sanctions will no longer be allowed to enter the EU or do business with EU citizens, and any assets or accounts they have in the EU will be frozen.

The measures were imposed under an EU sanctions regime designed to punish human rights abuses.

The first new name on the EU sanctions list is Neria Ben Pazi, who "established four of the most violent outposts in the West Bank," the legal text says.

The term "outposts" refers to settlements not authorised by the Israeli government. Ben Pazi is accused by the EU of repeatedly attacking Palestinians in Wadi Seeq and Deir Jarir.

The second name is Yinon Levi. The sanctions notice says he "has taken part in multiple violent acts against neighbouring villages from his residence in the Mitarim farm illegal outpost."

Also now under sanctions is Meir Ettinger. According to the EU, he is "a leading figure of the Hilltop Youth, a radical youth group consisting of members known for violent acts against Palestinians and their villages in the West Bank."

The fourth is Elisha Yered, who's also associated with the Hilltop Youth, the sanctions note says.

The two organisations now subject to EU sanctions are the aforementioned Hilltop Youth and Lehava, which "is a radical right-wing Jewish supremacist group," the EU says.

The EU decision follows similar moves by the United States and Britain. In March, the US sanctioned three individuals - including Ben Pazi - and two outposts, including Levi's Mitarim farm.

In February, the British government imposed sanctions on four individuals, including Levi and the leader of the other outpost sanctioned by the US.

Diplomats told dpa the sanctions would ideally lead to the Israeli authorities taking a harder line against settler violence against Palestinian villages and olive groves.

The sanctions have been on the table for a long time, but they needed the consent of all 27 EU member states, and the Hungarian government blocked the move until last month. Part of the agreement meant imposing new sanctions against Islamist groups.

While the EU has long condemned the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal, this is the first time it has taken punitive measures against settlers.

--IANS/DPA

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Hyderabad, April 19 : Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Friday met state leaders of the Communist Party of India-Marxist, seeking the party's support for the Congress candidates in next month's Lok Sabha elections.

The Deputy CM held talks with the CPI-M leaders at the partyas state office in Hyderabad and claimed that the CPI-M agreed to work with the Congress in the upcoming elections.

Vikramarka told media persons that the INDIA coalition is making efforts for a secular government in the country.

On the direction of the party leadership, he held talks with CPI-M state Secretary Tammineni Veerabhadram, CPI-M State Secretariat Committee member and former MLA Julakanti Ranga Reddy and other party leaders and requested them to support the candidates declared by Congress.

The Congress leader said he would convey the view expressed by the CPI-M leaders during the meeting to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who would respond to the same on Saturday.

Fridayas meeting took place a day after a CPI-M candidate filed the nomination for the Bhongir Lok Sabha seat.

The CPI-M had already announced that it would contest all 17 Lok Sabha seats in the state after the Congress refused to leave one Lok Sabha seat for it. It announced the candidature of Mohammed Jahangir from the Bhongir seat.

The Congress has already announced its candidate for Bhongir.

The CPI, which had fought the recent Assembly elections in alliance with the Congress, also wanted the ruling party to allot it the Nalgonda or Warangal Lok Sabha seat but the latter did not agree.

Both the left parties, which are part of the INDIA bloc at the national level, were unhappy with the approach of the Congress.

The Congress had made attempts to forge an alliance with Left parties during Assembly polls held in November 2023. It could strike an alliance only with the CPI as the CPI-M rejected the proposal after the Congress offered just one Assembly seat each to both parties.

The CPI accepted one seat (Kothagudem), contested the election, and won while the CPI-M contested 14 seats on its own but drew a blank.

In a related development, leaders of the CPI and the CPI-M and their cadre had Thursday joined the campaign led by Irrigation Minister, N. Uttam Kumar Reddy in favour of Congress candidate K. Raghuveer Reddy from Nalgonda Lok Sabha constituency.
Kohima, April 19 : Election officials at 738 polling stations in six Eastern Nagaland districts waited for over nine hours on Friday, but none of the 4 lakh (approx) voters from the region showed up due to a call to abstain from the electoral process given by the Naga organisations pressing for their demand for a separate 'Frontier Nagaland Territory'.

Elsewhere, a voter turnout of around 57 per cent was recorded for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state that went to the polls under tight security cover on Friday.

Despite the indefinite shutdown call given by the Naga bodies from Thursday evening, the Election Commission made all efforts to conduct polling in the six districts covering 20 of the state's 60 Assembly segments.

The 20 MLAs representing the Eastern Nagaland region also did not exercise their franchise, responding to the 'abstain from voting' call given by the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO), the apex body of seven tribes from the six districts.

In a show cause notice to the ENPO, Nagaland's Chief Electoral Officer R. Vyasan has indicated taking appropriate action under the Indian Penal Code for the 'abstention' call given by the tribal body.

Meanwhile, after casting his vote at Touphema, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the state government has proposed the constitution of an autonomous body for the development of Eastern Nagaland and its people.

"The Election Commission has served a show cause notice to the ENPO for calling upon the people to abstain from voting," the Chief Minister told the media.

Rio also said that he has accepted the draft working paper for the 'Frontier Nagaland Territory', which was handed over to him earlier in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The ENPO in support of its 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' or separate state demand had earlier urged the people to abstain from voting in six Eastern Nagaland districts -- Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamator, and Noklak.

The ENPO had also urged the 20 legislators from Eastern Nagaland to remain indoors on Friday to "prevent any untoward incidents".

Seven backward tribes -- Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, and Yimkhiung -- live in the six Eastern Nagaland districts.

The Nagaland government, Chief Minister Rio, Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton, and the Eastern Nagaland Legislators' Union (ENLU) had earlier separately urged the ENPO to participate in the electoral process.

The lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland is being contested by S. Supongmeren Jamir of the Congress, ruling NDPP candidate Chumben Murry, and Hayithung Tungoe Lotha, an Independent nominee.
Hyderabad, April 19 : A day after Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president and former Telangana CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao claimed that 20 Congress MLAs are in touch with him, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Friday warned that if he dares to touch Congress MLAs, he would be "burnt".

The Congress leader gave the warning to the former chief minister while addressing a meeting after participating in the nomination filing of Mahabubnagar Lok Sabha candidate Vamshichand Reddy.

Revanth Reddy cautioned KCR against treating Congress MLAs like a herd of sheep that he can take away like he did in the past.

"The guard here is Revanth Reddy. Try it if you can. We will erect the fencing to protect our MLAs. Here is Revanth Reddya high tension Revanth Reddy. Come and touch. You will turn a crow," he said.

"By evening you would know how many MLAs will be with you," Revanth Reddy told KCR, hours after BRS MLA T. Prakash Goud met him amid indications that he will soon join Congress.

Three BRS MLAs have already defected to Congress during the last one month.

On BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao's remark that the "car" (BRS election symbol) has gone to the garage for servicing, Revanth Reddy said the car's engine has stopped working and remarked that it should be sold as scrap.

The Chief Minister said KCR as Mahabubnagar MP between 2009 and 2014 did nothing for the constituency.

He alleged that the BRS chief also let down the people of Mahabubnagar during his 10-year rule.

He said KCR did not complete Palamuru Rangareddy, Jurala and other pending projects.

He assured the people that the state government will fight to get national status for Palamuru Rangareddy project and bring Rs 30,000 crore for it from the Centre.

Revanth Reddy said sitting MP M. Srinivas Reddy, who has been fielded by BRS again, never opened his mouth in the Parliament for Telangana or Mahabubnagar.

The Chief Minister told the people that voting for BJP candidate D.K. Aruna will also amount to wasting the vote as the BJP has done nothing for Telangana.

He asked if she ever spoke about the problems faced by people of Mahabubnagar.

Revanth Reddy stated that the Congress government implemented the promise of free bus travel for women, enhanced the limit under Arogyasri scheme from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and also gave cooking gas cylinders for Rs 500.

He claimed that the Congress government provided 30,000 jobs in just three months.
Chennai, April 19 : Tamil Nadu BJP President, K. Annamalai, on Friday alleged that the names of around one lakh voters were found missing from the voter list of the Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency and demanded a repoll at several polling booths of the constituency.

The Tamil Nadu BJP President, while speaking to mediapersons, said, "There are several discrepancies in the voter list and many people who had come to vote from abroad found their votes deleted. Voters of the same family were assigned in different and faraway booths. Names of 830 persons were missing at one single polling booth."

He alleged that if the names of one lakh voters were missing then it raises a doubt and added whether the Election Commission has carried out its duty in a "free and fair manner".

He said that voters who traditionally vote for the BJP were denied their right.

Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai also added that the Election Commission did not arrange vehicles for senior citizens to cast their votes and said that there was a lack of preparedness.

He asked, "What is the point in holding elections after deleting the names of 60 per cent of voters at a polling booth and how will people have faith in democracy?"

The BJP leader also said that all these issues were documented and submitted as complaints to the polling officials.

BJP Mahila Morcha National President, Vanathi Srinivasan had earlier told IANS that the party had raised complaints with the election officials.
Hyderabad, April 19 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President K. Chandrasekhar Rao will embark on a bus yatra in Telangana from April 22 to intensify the party's campaign for next month's Lok Sabha polls, the party announced on Friday.

The former Chief Minister plans to cover 16 out of 17 Lok Sabha constituencies during the bus yatra, which will conclude on May 10.

Party spokesman Kethireddy Vasudeva Reddy met Chief Electoral Officer Vikas Raj, seeking permission for the bus yatra, and handed over the detailed tour programme of KCR.

The BRS leader mentioned that since all officials work under the Election Commission during the election time, he requested the CEO to direct the police officials concerned to make proper security arrangements for the bus yatra.

He also urged the CEO to identify and focus on the sensitive areas and if necessary, mobilise central forces.

Vasudeva Reddy also complained that the ruling Congress is attacking BRS workers and social media warriors and removing the flexes and banners of his party, and demanded that the EC ensure transparent and peaceful conduct of the elections.

He said during the bus yatra, KCR, as Rao is popularly known, would meet people and assure them to resolve the problems they face.

BRS leaders believe KCRas bus yatra will boost the morale of the party cadre. After losing power to Congress in the elections held in November 2023, the BRS has received a series of setbacks with five sitting MPs, three MLAs and other elected representatives jumping over to the Congress or the BJP.

KCR had Thursday predicted that political turbulence will begin in the state after next monthas Lok Sabha elections, and believes whatever happens will be good for the BRS. He also claimed that 20 Congress MLAs were in touch with him.
Kolkata, April 20 : Sikha Chattopadhyay, the BJP legislator from Dabgram-Phulbari, one of the seven Assembly seats under the Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha constituency, on Friday accused the police and Trinamool Congress supporters of manhandling her while she was moving around in a ward under supervising polling.

Chattopadhyay said that while she was moving around a ward under the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC), the police suddenly stopped her following which she and her supporters got involved in a heated exchange of words with the cops.

Later, when the Trinamool supporters reached the spot, tension escalated as the police somehow managed to keep the two rival groups at a distance.

"This particular ward is under SMC Mayor Gautam Deb. So if the Trinamool trails here, the Mayor will be reprimanded by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. That is why the ruling party workers and the police were not willing to allow me to go there so that the Trinamool workers could resort to hooliganism and election malpractices," Chattopadhyay alleged.

Deb, however, accused the BJP legislator of trying to create tension in the constituency which she represents.

"She was trying to influence the voters," Deb alleged.
New Delhi, April 20 : A 20-year-old member of the notorious Jitender Gogi syndicate was arrested while he was allegedly going to kill a rival gang member here, the Delhi Police said on Friday.

The newly recruited gang member was identified as Piyush Barela a.k.a Sunny, a resident of Manglapuri area. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Manoj C. said that information was received that the gangsters Rohit a.k.a. Moi and Monu Dagar, a key member of Gogi gang, are planning to murder a rival gang member through some newly inducted member of their gang. During the probe, it was revealed that Rohit had roped in Piyush in his gang.

"Piyush conducted recce of the assigned target at different places. Piyush was also provided with illegal weapon by the gang members," said the DCP.

Working on this input, the police team on Tuesday apprehended Piyush with an illegal semi-automatic sophisticated pistol loaded with three bullets and foiled their plan of murdering the member of a rival gang. "Piyush fell into bad company and gradually came in contact with dreaded criminals lodged in jail including Rohit and Monu. On the instructions of these dreaded criminals, he conducted a recce of the assigned target and was planning to execute murder for which he had already procured weapons through the members of Jitender Gogi syndicate," the DCP added.
Bengaluru, April 20 : Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai filed his nomination on Friday as a BJP candidate for the Haveri Lok Sabha seat in the state.

Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi were present along with Bommai while he filed the nomination.

The Congress has fielded Anand Gaddadevara Mutt, a fresh face, against Bommai.

Sitting MP Shivakumar Udasi represented the Haveri Parliamentary seat in the 2009, 2014, and 2019 general elections.

Udasi announced retirement from electoral politics ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Thousands of workers from both BJP and JD-S were present in Haveri at the time of filing nomination.

They marched together in the procession.

A roadshow was held from Hukkeri Math till Sir Siddappa Kambli Circle.

Speaking at the rally, B.S. Yediyurappa appealed to the voters to ensure Bommai's victory by a margin of over 2 lakh votes.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, while addressing the gathering, said: "Boycott those who boycotted Pran Pratistha ceremony of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. Kick out those who talk of bringing back Article 370. Dump them into the sea who support raising pro-Pakistan slogans. Those who oppose reciting Hanuman Chalisa, 'burn' them as Lord Hanuman did."

Addressing the gathering, Bommai offered his "heartfelt thanks" to thousands of workers who turned up for the rally, saying it was a sign of victory.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi must become the PM again, the BJP must cross 400 seats in the country... they must win all the 28 seats in Karnataka," he said.
An Arkansas pipe manufacturer is seeking more than $15 million from a company that wants to build a carbon dioxide pipeline system in the Upper Midwest amid delays of their agreement, according to a lawsuit filed this week.

The lawsuit filed by Welspun Tubular says Summit Carbon Solutions commissioned the company to produce about 785 miles of pipe, starting in May 2023, at a total cost of about $183 million, Iowa Capital Dispatch reported.

But Summits project -- a 2,500-mile pipeline network in five states -- has taken longer to get potential approval than the company initially anticipated. It now says construction might begin early next year.

A purchase agreement between the two companies allowed Summit to delay pipe production for up to six months until November 2023, according to the lawsuit complaint filed in state court in Delaware, where Welspun is incorporated.

Welspun was able to further delay the start of production to early 2024 by manufacturing pipe for others, to which Summit agreed, court records show.

But when Welspun notified Summit that it planned to proceed with production in February, Summit sought to delay again, according to the lawsuit.

Summit asked to discuss the status of the project, and those discussions revealed that the project was dramatically off-schedule, the lawsuit says.

In February, Summit canceled the agreement, according to the lawsuit. Welspun claims that entitles it to a $15 million cancellation charge and partial reimbursement for materials it obtained to manufacture the pipe.

Summit disagrees that it owes the money and hopes to find a compromise.

Our current dispute with Welspun Tubular revolves around timing issues related to pipe delivery, the company said in a prepared statement. Were committed to resolving this matter swiftly, and our intention to collaborate with Welspun remains unchanged.

Summits $8.5 billion pipeline system would transport captured carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to North Dakota for underground sequestration.

The Iowa Utilities Board is poised to decide whether to issue the company a hazardous liquid pipeline permit.

State regulators in North and South Dakota rejected the companys initial pipeline routes. North Dakota is reconsidering a revised plan, and Summit has said it intends to file a new permit request in South Dakota.
Bengaluru, April 20 : Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) president H.D. Deve Gowda on Friday responding to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's 'JD-S is BJP's B team' remark, said: "Yes. I am BJP's B team leader. So what"?

Addressing a gathering in the Kolar Parliamentary seat for NDA candidate Mallesh Babu, he said that in the last Assembly election, people elected the Congress government for guarantees, and now, people and women are suffering for even drinking water in Bengaluru.

"The Ettinahole project to provide water to the region was sanctioned by then Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar during the tenure of the BJP government. The pipes laid for the project are rusting now. The Congress is not giving priority to the project," Deve Gowda said.

Deve Gowda further stated that after the Lok Sabha election, the Congress government would not be in power.

"I am 93 years old. In 2014, I challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and got defeated. I was ready to submit my resignation as I had challenged. However, Prime Minister Modi told me that I should be in the Parliament as my experience was needed," Deve Gowda recounted.

"This time PM Modi has the conviction of winning 400 Lok Sabha seats," he added.

Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi during his recent visit to Karnataka had criticised Deve Gowda, saying he had warned the people that JD-S was a B team of BJP, but now they have even become partners.
Bengaluru, April 20 : Popular Kannada actress Harshika Poonacha said on Friday that she is afraid to step outside in the streets of Bengaluru after her family was attacked by a mob for speaking in Kannada and appealed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and the Karnataka Police to take strict action against the miscreants involved in the incident.

Senior BJP leader and Opposition leader, R. Ashoka, on Friday criticised the Congress government over the incident and said that "politics of appeasement" is leading to such incidents in the state.

The actress had posted a video of the entire incident and said that she will raise her voice for other women or families facing such similar incidents in the state.

A mob of 20 to 30 persons said that they have to teach a lesson to those who speak in Kannada language, Harshika said.

"No one has the right to create ruckus with the people who are peacefully conducting themselves. After going through the trauma it occurred to me that whether we are living in countries like Pakistan or Afghanistan? Is it wrong to speak in the local Kannada language? How safe are we in our city? Do I have to hush up this incident which is going to cause trauma for a long period?" she asked.

Her social media post said, "Dear all, after a lot of thought I have decided to share a horrifying experience I had in Namma Bengaluru a couple of days ago."

"I was having a casual dinner with my family on a late evening in a restaurant called "Karama" in the Mosque Road, Pulikeshi Nagar near Frazer town area a couple of days ago in Bengaluru. When we were about to move out of the restaurant, two men suddenly appeared near the driver's seat window and started arguing that the vehicle is very big and if moved suddenly it could touch them," she added.

"They (the mob) were saying these Kannada people should be taught a lesson and even tried to hit my husband on the face. Within a few minutes a mob of 20 to 30 members of the same gang gathered and two of them grabbed my husband's gold chain and snatched it so hard that it came off and then they tried pulling it towards them in a very skilled manner. My husband realised this on time and quickly held on to it and gave it to me," Harshika said.

"By this time this entire mob was so agitated that they could not get their hands on the gold chain and other valuables that they started damaging my vehicle and trying to physically abuse me and my husband by saying made up things like we scolded them and that did not even make sense to us or anybody around. My husband did not react because there were women and family in our vehicle," she added.

"After I made an emergency call to the Police Inspector whom we knew, the mob disappeared. We saw the police beat the vehicle and explained our ordeal to Assistant Sub-Inspector Umesh. He did not show any interest and asked us to speak to senior police officers," she said.
Many people fighting breast cancer struggle with getting restful sleep due to physical discomforts. The "Gifts of Comfort and Hope" Event seeks to alleviate such hardships by providing patients and survivors with queen-sized mattresses to enhance sleep quality and overall well-being. Post this

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Welcoming Committee: Offer a warm welcome, provide essential information, and answer any questions, ensuring attendees feel supported from the moment they arrive.

The "Gifts of Comfort and Hope" Mattress and Pink Bag Event is for people impacted by breast cancer, and joining UBCF as a supporting community member is a truly rewarding experience. You will be a part of something incredibly meaningful  offering comfort, hope, and empowering those affected by breast cancer. An article on CancerConnect emphasizes that being diagnosed with cancer can stir up a host of emotions  fear, anger, confusion, and sadness. It's an emotional roller coaster and hard to ride alone. By offering emotional support, encouragement and inspiration, the community becomes a pillar of strength for a challenging journey.

This event embodies that community spirit, providing an opportunity for human connection and support that can boost mental well-being during treatment and recovery. Sharon V., a breast cancer survivor who attended a previous UBCF Mattress & Pink Bag Event shared, "It was truly a memorable day filled with warmth, support, and inspiration. The opportunity to meet and connect with other breast cancer survivors was truly invaluable. The chance to share our experiences, hopes, and dreams with others who have walked a similar path brought us immense comfort and strength. I made new friends today!"

Many people fighting breast cancer struggle with getting restful sleep due to physical discomforts. The "Gifts of Comfort and Hope" Event seeks to alleviate such hardships by providing patients and survivors with queen-sized mattresses to enhance sleep quality and overall well-being. Due to overwhelming response, all mattresses have been accounted for, but more events are in the works - and Pink Bag "shopping" is still available!

"Chemotherapy has left me with so much bone and joint pain. Surgery, drains, lymphedema and cording have made sleeping very difficult and uncomfortable. Having a new mattress may not be a big deal for other people, but for me? It means the whole world! Just to think that I am finally going to be able to have a comfortable mattress and that I will get a good night sleep is going to change a lot," exclaimed Emma S., another attendee who benefitted from a previous UBCF Mattress & Pink Bag Event.

But the comfort doesn't stop there. Attendees will enjoy Pink Bags filled with delightful goodies, offering a moment of self-care and a reminder that they deserve to be pampered. Kathleen V., Pink Bag recipient from UBCF's most recent event described her Princess Day, "I attended this event and had not smiled so much in a long time. The ladies were such a joy to work with, made me feel special. I received so many lovely things; skin care, hair care products, clothing, sneakers, household items, etc. So many items and surprise gifts!"

Spread the word and show your support! Share this with friends, family and neighbors and encourage others to join us on Saturday, April 27th for the "Gifts of Comfort and Hope" Mattress and Pink Bag Event. This will be a day of relief, renewal, strength, and inspiration.

Event Details & Registration:

The UBCF Mattress and Pink Bag Event is open to all breast cancer patients and survivors. Attendees must be present to receive items, which cannot be stored or shipped. We are still accepting applications for the Pink Bag Shopping portion of the event. To learn more about the event and to fill out the Eligibility Questionnaire for the Pink Bag Shopping experience visit http://www.ubcf.org/mattress-eligibility-spring-2024/

Volunteer Opportunities: http://www.ubcf.org/volunteer/

About UBCF

The United Breast Cancer Foundation is a non-profit founded in 2000 with a mission to make a positive difference in the lives of those impacted by breast cancer. UBCF is committed to gifting helpful and supportive donated items and funding breast health and wellness services focused on education, screening, treatment, recovery, overall wellness and beyond. The platinum rated, 4-star charity offers numerous life-supporting patient and family programs available to women, men, and families nationwide. Tax-deductible contributions (consult your tax advisor) may be made towards UBCF's programs. UBCF accepts contributions through Donor Advised Funds and vehicle and property donations as well. Combined Federal Campaign #77934.

About the Gloria Gemma Foundation:

The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing free services to individuals and families touched by breast cancer in local Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts, and eastern Connecticut communities. The foundation offers a range of support services, including education, access to wellness resources, and support programs to all those touched by cancer. https://www.gloriagemma.org

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SOURCE United Breast Cancer Foundation
For longevity and community loyalty, its hard to compete with Warwicks. Now in its 128th year, the family enterprise draws in beach vacationers and residents of the Village of La Jolla, Calif.

We have customers who shopped there as teenagers, then brought their kids, and now theyre bringing their grandkids, says events director Julie Slavinsky, a Warwicks staffer since 2010. I started shopping in the store in 1979, when I moved down from L.A.

Technically, Warwicks has been a La Jolla fixture since 1939. William T. Warwick founded the bookstore in Mankato, Minn., in 1896; moved it to Waterloo, Iowa, in 1916; and then went west to California. His son, Wynn, worked as a McNally map salesman before buying the store in 1950. The stores fourth-generation owner is Nancy Warwick, Williams great-granddaughter, who learned the ropes from her parents, Bob and Marian.

My parents had a very close relationship and liked working together, says Nancy. Even though they raised us to feel like the store was a family business, they never pressured us to take over. She completed a Ph.D. in anthropology and worked with Mexican immigrant survivors of domestic violence before returning to lead Warwicks. Her sister Cathy Warwick-ONeill, who holds a 10% ownership interest, chose a teaching career.

The heartbeat of the village

Warwicks boasts a 7,000-square-foot sales floor divided between books and a selection of gifts, stationery, office supplies, and art supplies. In 2021, the stores 125th anniversary year, Warwicks landlords unexpectedly announced a plan to sell to another party. In a swift show of support, area investors raised money, bought the building, and leased it back to Warwicks.

The community came together and contributed to the stores necessary survival, says author and editor Neva Sullaway (Chasing Dreamtime), who lives nearby. Sullaway calls Warwicks the heartbeat of the village for the way it accommodates local author book signings and brings nationally and internationally known authors to the community.

About three dozen staffers, 12 of them full-time, operate the shop and facilitate the literary calendar. We have a vibrant events program, says Slavinsky, who arranges Booked for Lunch, ticketed luncheons with touring authors including the likes of Anna Quindlen and Amanda Eyre Ward. The author gets double exposure when they come to San Diego and put La Jolla on their itinerary, plus the tickets are book bundles, and publishers love that. In addition to Booked for Lunch, Warwicks also stages readings with creators such as Kevin Kwan and Deborah Harkness.

Because small-press authors like the spotlight too, Warwicks features a regional author every Sunday as part of its Weekends with Locals. The author gets a two-hour table signing, advertised on the store website and on a flyer. I get a lot of feedback from the writing community in San Diego, thanking us for giving them a place to highlight and promote their books, Slavinsky says.

Its great for the whole store, because it brings more people in on Sunday, Warwick agrees. Customers are there to support the author, and theyre definitely going to come back.

Sales reps participate in Warwicks events as well, thanks to Tea Time Book Recommendations, every Monday at 4 p.m. PT on Facebook Live. Tea Time began in response to pandemic closures, as a way for booksellers and reps to pitch exciting titles. We were always great at handselling, and we figured out a way to do it online, Slavinsky says. Now, we have customers watching from all over the country, and an email newsletter listing of Tea Time recommendations.

With a selection of literary fiction, cookbooks, and general titles, plus dependable, inviting events, Warwicks remains an anchor business for La Jollas core community and visitors alike, Nancy Warwick says. We have regulars that come by every single day.
Literary Arts, the Oregon nonprofit responsible for the Portland Book Festival, Portland Arts and Lectures, Oregon Book Awards, and Writers in the Schools programming for some 4,000 students annually, plans to move into a new headquarters in fall 2024.

In March 2022, the organization purchased a 1904 building at 716 SE Grand Avenue in the citys industrial Central Eastside neighborhood, and is renovating the space in partnership with Bora Architecture and Interiors. This fall, Literary Arts will trade its 5,200-sq.-ft. downtown location for the 14,000-sq.-ft. facility, which is slated to include a bookstore with a 2,000-sq.-ft. selling floor, a cafe, classrooms and event spaces, and staff offices. Bookshelves in the store will be on casters, ensuring that they easily roll aside and provide seating for 75 visitors.

This building will be transformational for Literary Arts, executive director Andrew Proctor wrote in a statement. Not only will it be one of the largest physical centers in the nation for literature and storytelling, but it will also stand as a love letter to this city that has been our home for four decades. Literary Arts is celebrating its 40th year in Portland this year.

Proctor told PW that Literary Arts has grown a lot in those decades"we've quadrupled in size"and the leadership began talking before the pandemic about finding a bigger home. "We're an unusual organization in the range of services we offer," he said. "We already do a lot of presenting in our current space, with [open mic series] Slamlandia and all kinds of reading series for the writing community," so more spacious accommodations will enable community innovation. Literary Arts has also presented the Archive Project, "a radio show on Oregon Public Broadcasting for the past 10 years, and we've never had our own recording facilities," Proctor added. The new design includes studio space that's accessible for classes and workshops as well.

Amy Donohue, a Literary Arts board member and an architect with Bora, described the building as a two-story gem, steeped in history with its exposed brick and original floors." She explained, Throughout the design process, weve focused on how this building can best be used by not only staff at Literary Arts, but also those they serve," and how it can function as "a true cultural hub."

The completed building will represent a 170% increase in Literary Arts physical footprint, and the nonprofit appears primed to expand in other ways too. Presently, Literary Arts employs 15 full-time staff, and Proctor says that the new facility will require additional staffers, including bookstore and cafe managers, baristas and floor staff, and facilities management once fully operational.

"This building will anchor us in a permanent home, reduce our operational costs, and lower the overheadwe're doing this without any debt, and we'll own it outright," Proctor said. The acquisition of the space "is all about delivering on the mission" of Literary Arts and finding ways to serve the Portland community: "I want to be able to open the doors, welcome them in, and hear what they want to do with the space" in addition to existing programs, he said. "The city needs investment, and this is a huge investment in the core of the city and the creative life."
Progressive policy institute The Center for American Progress this week released a report urging more support for school libraries. It's well worth a read, offering a sound assessment of the state of school librarianship and a set of policy proposals to bolster school libraries. The report is a well-reasoned show of support for school librarians, coming at a time when they are facing escalating political attacks.

"More than 50 years of research across more than 60 studies show that students with access to well-resourced school libraries with certified librarians consistently perform better academically and score higher on standardized assessments," the report states. "Yet since 2000, there has been a nearly 20% drop in school librarian positions, which translates to 10,000 fewer full-time school librarians across the country."

As we reported at Publishers Weekly, PEN America released its latest report on school book bans, Banned in the USA: Narrating the Crisis, and the numbers are shocking. PEN found 4,349 book bans recorded across 23 states and 52 public school districts during the first half of the current school year, more than in the entire 2022-2023 year, in which 3,362 books were targeted. For anyone who cares about the bedrock of American values and the protection of free expression, this report should be a red alert, said the reports lead author, Sabrina Baeta, Freedom to Read program manager at PEN.

As we also reported at Publishers Weekly, five more publishers have joined the litigation to permanently block Iowa's SF 496, one of the most contentious and sweeping book ban laws in the nation. In December, a federal judge blocked two key provisions of the law from being enforced, but the state has appealed that ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and briefs have now been filed.

PEN America has filed an amicus brief in Iowa, urging the appeals court to uphold the block of SF496. Under the guise of protecting children from so-called age-inappropriate content, laws like SF496 are a smokescreen for censorship of constitutionally-protected expression and access to information," said Katie Blankenship, director of PEN Americas Florida office, in a statement.

Governor Ron DeSantis, despite insisting that book bans are a hoax, nevertheless signed a bill to curb them this week, and The Associated Press has a report.

The Washington Post takes a lengthy look at the surge in legislation in red states seeking to expose librarians to criminal liability for making allegedly inappropriate books available to minors, and why some states are working on laws to protect librarians. "Tara White was appointed Elkhart Community Schools director of literacy in 2015. For the first several years, she never fielded a book challengeuntil 2021, when community members objected to 60 titles, she said. When she defended the books, a conservative website claimed she was fighting for porn in school," the articles states. "White resigned.... Nobody wants to go to jail, she said, for giving children books."

 Nobody wants to go to jail, she said, for giving children books. 

Elsewhere, Vanity Fair picked up the piece and followed on with a short take of its own. "Once upon a time, working as a librarian in America was not considered a dangerous vocation," writes Bess Levin. "But thanks to GOP state legislators, thats now become a legitimate fear."

AL.com has a report on the Alabama Library (ALLA) Association conference, where, among the discussions, librarians discussed the state's attempt to undermine professional library associations and the high costliterally, in dollarsof book bans.

In Lancaster County, Penn., Lancaster Online reports that two qualified board members, including the only librarian on the board, failed to be reappointed by Republican leaders this week. You'll never guess why. "In letters to the board of commissioners, the Library Systems executive director, Karla Trout, had recommended that both members be reappointed in January, according to county records," the article notes. "But that was before a surge in interest came after Parsons and DAgostino took to social media beginning March 7 to pan a scheduled childrens event featuring a drag queen at the Lancaster Public Library."

Over at Book Riot, Kelly Jensen begins her weekly censorship news roundup with an observation about Google and its changes to how it presents news. "Earlier this year, several users began to note that the 'News' tab on Google was disappearing. It wasnt one time here or there. It was noticeable enough that several outlets reported on the issue," she writes. Indeed, Googles experiment in disappearing the news feature wasnt a bug. It was a goal"and one with consequences.

And finally this week, NBC News has a lengthy report on what's been framed by the pastor of a local church as a battle of good vs. evil involving the public library in "Superman's hometown" of Metropolis, Ill., the library bill of rights, and a new Illinois law meant to combat book bans.

"The dispute has pitted the citys mayor, a member of Eastland Life Church, against his own library board of trustees. It led to the abrupt dismissal of the library director, who accused the board of punishing her for her faith. And last month, it drew scrutiny from the states Democratic secretary of state, who said the events in Metropolis 'should frighten and insult all Americans who believe in the freedom of speech and in our democracy,'" the article notes. "Unlike in comic books and the Bible, the fight in Metropolis doesnt break along simple ideological lines. Virtually everyone on either side of the conflict identifies as a Christian, and most folks here vote Republican. The real divide is between residents who believe the public library should adhere to their personal religious convictions, and those who argue that it should instead reflect a wide range of ideas and identities."

The Week in Libraries is a weekly opinion and news column. News, tips, submissions, questions or comments are welcome, and can be submitted via email. Previous columns can be viewed here.
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It's The Information, Stupid

colin 18 April 2024 2 min

Sir Francis Bacon in 1597 wrote ipsa scientia potestas est," which is often translated to "knowledge itself is power." He has since thus been credited with the better known expression "information is power".

In the 21st century, more and more people are realising that power seeks control over information, with the internet as the pivotal arena. Governments, media organisations and educational institutions have long been the controllers of information, but nowadays the biggest controller of all is technology companies. These entities work together far more than most realise. The revolving door is no doubt doing its thing, and not just in the USA.

The power over information always mattered of course, but in 2024 with 64 countries heading to the polls, there is a lot at stake. It is quite remarkable therefore, how little is mentioned about the influence that search engines have on elections. Even more remarkable when Google has over 90% of global market share.

The Influence of Search

Actually the influence of search engines on elections has been commented on since the early 2000s. Books may have been written, and yet little academic research seems to have been done. It may seem remarkable, unless you think about it.

An exception is Robert Epstein, a researcher now outside the academic mainstream, who has been publishing about the effects of search on elections since 2015, based on very extensive data collection. His paper from back then The search engine manipulation effect (SEME) and its possible impact on the outcomes of elections concluded that:

biased search rankings can shift the voting preferences of undecided voters by 20% or more,

the shift can be to 80% in some demographic groups, and

such rankings can be masked so that people show no awareness of the manipulation.

Epstein also wrote in 2015: Research I have been directing in recent years suggests that Google, Inc., has amassed far more power to control electionsindeed, to control a wide variety of opinions and beliefsthan any company in history has ever had. Indeed so.

Predictably his research has been labelled a conspiracy theory by Google. Undeterred Epstein continues his research today and has made testimony to Congress.

From Media to Digital

It cant be news to anyone that the mainstream media has had, and still has, an enormous influence on elections. To cite two examples: in "News: The Politics of Illusion", Lance Bennett gave a critical examination of the news media's role in American democracy, arguing that the news media act as a filter that shapes and distorts the political reality that reaches the audience. And in "Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media," Herman and Chomsky detail an international "propaganda model" and argue that mass media serve the interests of elite groups, affecting everything from public discourse to election results. As they point out:

the mass media are drawn into a symbiotic relationship with powerful sources of information by economic necessity and reciprocity of interest.

Well we all know this, if and when we stop to think about it.

Manufacturing Consent first published in 1988, one year before the invention of the Web, does not cover the influence of digital platforms today. But the extension of this model into the digital age, was covered by Robert McChesney's book "Digital Disconnect: How Capitalism is Turning the Internet Against Democracy" in 2013. McChesney argues that the Internet, initially celebrated as a tool that would enhance democracy by enabling free communication and access to information, has instead been co-opted by corporate and capitalist forces.

It is interesting to note that behaviours for accessing news varies on the Web, varies very significantly across different countries, according to research undertaken in 2019 by the Reuters Institute. To illustrate this shown below are the answers to the question: Which of these was the MAIN way in which you came across news in the last week? where the study noted that there was a pattern of four types of behaviour:

Scapegoats 2024?

You can bet that the post-election analyses of votes this year will have all manner of theories about who is to blame for outcomes. Social media will get a bashing again, no doubt. In the US, much of the recent news has been about the influence of TikTok. And the influence of Facebook has regularly been discussed and battled over in elections across the world, in the last 8 years at least.

We can expect much to be written about deep fakes. AI is already coming under scrutiny and we can expect a lot more. Disinformation will be an overused word, drowning out mention of that other word, propaganda.

Will search engines get a mention? Will the influence of Google on elections get a mention in the mainstream news? Dont hold your breath. Anyway, what do you think Mojeek?.
Victoria Fuller / Instagram

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/18/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

Bachelor Nation couple Victoria Fuller and Greg Grippo have reportedly called it quits on their relationship after one year of dating.According to sources, Greg and Victoria are no longer dating, Page Six reported Multiple sources claim that Victoria and Greg quietly broke up "months ago."Fans have also noticed that Victoria and The Bachelorette alum unfollowed each other on Instagram.In addition, Victoria hasn't posted a photo or video with Greg on Instagram since December 31, 2023. She appears to be hanging out with her girlfriends lately and taking fun trips.Victoria last subtly mentioned Greg in a TikTok video in January, when she wrote about how her "boyfriend" never gave her the "ick" feeling.While Victoria hasn't noticeably deleted old photos with Greg, she used to post content with him constantly.Greg, for his part, hasn't uploaded any pictures with Victoria since December. Instead, he's been posting a lot of videos featuring fellow The Bachelorette 17 alum Andrew Spencer Amid chatter and speculation about their romance, Greg and Victoria have yet to comment on their alleged breakup and set the record straight.Fans have persistently been asking Greg and Victoria whether they're still together on Instagram, but the pair continues to ignore the comments and not reply.It appears Victoria still lives in Nashville while Greg is based in New York City.Last summer, Victoria and Greg were house hunting in Nashville together and Greg promised to leave Manhattan to be with his girlfriend. However, he never apparently made the move.Victoria previously shut down split speculation in late July 2023. When rumors swirled that Victoria was single again -- mainly because she and Greg hadn't posted about each other on social media for a month -- she shared some photos of herself cuddling with Greg in her home.In June 2023, Victoria explained in a Q&A session via Instagram Stories why she and Greg weren't engaged yet . After all, Greg had said only a few months earlier that he could picture himself marrying Victoria and having kids with her within five years."LMFAOOOOOOO. [Questioning about our engagement] is nuts!! You guys, if you don't remember, one year ago I was engaged [to Johnny DePhillipo ]. When it happens, it will not be rushed or for anyone but us. But y'all will be the first to know, trust," Victoria said.Greg and Victoria first met at Governors Ball Music Festival in Summer 2021 and remained friends for nearly a year.The couple told Nick Viall in December 2022 on "The Viall Files" podcast that they had mutual interest in each other but never acted on those feelings, especially since Victoria wanted to appear on that year and Greg was in a relationship with a woman overseas at that point.Victoria therefore looked for love on Paradise, and she fell hard and fast for Johnny, who initially competed for Gabby Windey 's heart on The Bachelorette's nineteenth season.Victoria and Johnny got engaged on 's eighth season in 2022, but the couple split shortly after filming the finale.Victoria alleged Johnny had called her terrible names -- including a "f-cking c-nt" and "homewrecker," which Johnny denied and called "low blows" -- and Johnny claimed Victoria was jealous and "heartbroken" over his The Bachelorette stint, which was airing on television while they were secretly engaged.Johnny also said Victoria demanded a lifestyle he wasn't ready for yet and their differences were glaring.According to Victoria, she and Johnny ended their engagement three weeks after Johnny's marriage proposal because their dynamic was "toxic." But Johnny believes his relationship with Victoria didn't officially end until mid-September considering they were allegedly still speaking and going to therapy before Victoria enjoyed a surprising European getaway with Greg in late October.Fans first spotted Victoria and Greg, and suspected a romance, when they were spotted in Italy together.Because of how quickly Victoria moved on from Johnny, the brunette beauty was accused of cheating on her then-fiance with Greg.Victoria and Greg also flirted on social media as reports swirled about Victoria and Johnny's split.Victoria said that Greg officially asked her to be his girlfriend on Halloween, and then Victoria went public with her new relationship on November 4, 2022, when the reunion special taped.'s reunion aired in late November 2022, and fans were shocked to see Victoria and Greg so affectionate and carefree about their relationship. Victoria claimed she didn't care what anyone thought of her because she was so happy with Greg."I'm completely in love with her, like, head over heels in love with her," Greg said on Nick's podcast.Nick therefore playfully asked Greg if he was ready to propose marriage to Victoria."Stay tuned!" Victoria teased."I mean, we both want that in life," Greg interjected, "she's my person."Victoria agreed that Greg was her "person" as well, and then Greg added, "I haven't felt -- I don't want to say 'content,' that's not the right word because it sounds boring. But I think there's a certain beauty with being content with someone."Greg said he could just sit in a room with Victoria for days on end and they wouldn't get sick of each other."We're growing day by day, and I see it going that route," Greg gushed. "I want that and I know that that's important to her, and I want to be able to take that step with her."Victoria was clearly getting choked up and she said, "I'm going to cry."Prior to appearing on Paradise, Victoria competed for Peter Weber on The Bachelor's 24th season and finished in third place after Fantasy Suites.Greg initially competed on Katie Thurston 's season of The Bachelorette.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Daisy Kent / Instagram

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/19/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

The Bachelor alum Daisy Kent has revealed that she feels "relieved" she's not starring on next season. Jenn Tran is currently filming 's 21st season, but viewers are well aware Daisy could have been in Jenn's shoes had she wanted the gig to begin with.Daisy recently said she turned down role two weeks before taping The Bachelor: After the Final Rose in late March, and during that special, she publicly announced that she wasn't interested in being the franchise's next leading lady.Daisy was asked if she's changed her mind since then or maybe has regrets about her decision during the April 17 episode of "The Squeeze" podcast, which is co-hosted by actor Taylor Lautner and his wife, also named Taylor Lautner "I'm very happy with that decision," Daisy said."I think it was the best thing for me, and there's so many things I'm looking forward to doing -- even stuff like this. I think it was meant to happen the way it did for me for a reason, and yeah, I'm happy."But Daisy went on to admit, "I did wonder though, and I did question... when it was announced how I was going to feel. And I just felt relieved."Daisy said she also felt relief because Joey Graziadei 's The Bachelor season was over and the world finally had confirmation that he picked -- and got engaged to -- Kelsey Anderson Daisy finished in second place, but her breakup with Joey was mutual since she had a feeling she wasn't The One for The Bachelor star prior to the Final Rose Ceremony on Season 28."I think I felt relieved too because the show was over, everyone knew what actually happened," Daisy said."Everyone was saying I was probably going to be the Bachelorette, maybe, and then that was done. I just felt a weight lifted off of me. I was like, 'I can breathe again.'"Joey's The Bachelor season wrapped filming right before Thanksgiving in November 2023.On After the Final Rose, Daisy shared with The Bachelor franchise host Jesse Palmer how she was not ready to date and needed time to focus on herself, even though four months had passed since Joey's Final Rose Ceremony.Daisy, after all, just had a cochlear implant in 2023, and before that, she battled undiagnosed Lyme disease for years and finally sought an aggressive treatment program in Germany."My health is an aspect of it. I knew, as the lead, it's a lot on you, not only emotionally but physically too," Daisy explained of her choice to turn down on a recent episode of "The Viall Files" podcast."You're up super late, and it's nonstop. I talked to a lot of past leads when [ABC] was in talks with me, and I just knew from a health point, it would be a lot."Daisy went on to clarify, "It's also not that I'm not ready to date; it's that I wasn't ready for that specific thing."She continued, "I think right now, I just want to live and be happy. I always want to jump at opportunities, but I think this specific opportunity wasn't right for me right now."Daisy said she was also scared of "not getting enough sleep" during process and essentially struggling through the whole thing."I knew they would take care of me, and they made that very evident that they would," Daisy revealed."But also, the fact you're hurting other people... I mean, there's usually what -- around 30 people? I can't send everyone home at once, you know what I mean? What if I didn't like them? I don't think I could actually sit there and kiss somebody [I didn't like]."Former The Bachelor star Nick Viall joked, from personal experience, that "it's brutal," and then Daisy shared how she definitely "thought really long and hard" about the opportunity before passing on it."I think I know when things are getting too much and when it would be too much for me," Daisy explained."I'm not someone who easily turns down opportunities, especially something like that, but there's also so much I want to do, and right now, I just felt like it was important that I kind of take control over my life and the path I want to do."Daisy acknowledged that, overall, there were "a lot of reasons" and "thinking" involved with her decision to skip .Daisy apparently arrived at her decision thanks to input from her family and former show leads."Some people said, 'It's the hardest thing I've ever done,' but a lot of people were like, 'It's the best thing, too.' No one regretted doing it, but people were like, 'If you're doing it, make sure you're ready.' It just didn't feel right," Daisy shared.Since Daisy repeatedly said she's not ready for "right now," Nick asked the Minnesota native if she'd be open to starring on in 2025 or later -- or if she feels content with letting that go away."Right now, I'm content with letting that go away, and I know most people might not understand that," Daisy said. "I think if you were to ask me, even a year ago, 'Do you think this would be a possibility?' I would be like, 'Oh my gosh, 100 percent I'll do it.'"Daisy shared how people on social media were accusing her of campaigning to be star while Joey's season was airing."And I was like, 'No, it's quite the opposite, actually,'" Daisy said.But Daisy confirmed her decision wasn't based on trying to prove anyone wrong, adding, "It was definitely just something that was about me."Daisy also said during a recent appearance on the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast that she probably won't be up for filming Bachelor in Paradise's tenth season this year either.On The Bachelor's Season 28 finale, Daisy and Kelsey Anderson were Joey's Final 2 bachelorettes in Tulum, Mexico.After both women met Joey's family and had a final date with him, Daisy predicted that she wasn't going to end up with Joey.Daisy therefore sought out Kelsey in her hotel room to essentially compare notes about their week.Daisy admitted to Kelsey that something felt "off" and seemed to be "missing" with Joey during their last date, and so she arguably spoiled the fact that Kelsey was going to be Joey's winner.The two women then traveled to the Final Rose Ceremony in the same van, and Daisy gracefully bowed out of the competition before Joey could officially dump her."Falling in love with you has been so fun and I do love you," Daisy told The Bachelor star at the Final Rose Ceremony. "But the thing is, you're not going to choose me."Joey immediately broke down into tears, confirming that Daisy's gut instinct was correct.Daisy told Joey that she realized he wasn't her "person," and she added, "I know that you know I'm not your person. And as much as that hurts, umm, I know you said you want what's best for me, and so I'm going to do what's best for me -- and I'm going to go."Joey called Daisy "special" and offered to walk her out, but Daisy decided to do that on her own."I'm going to miss you," Joey cried."I'm going to miss you too," Daisy responded in tears. "I'm pulling for you!"Daisy then returned to the van, hugged Kelsey, and wished Joey's winner the best.Joey proceeded to reunite with Kelsey and propose marriage to her, and the couple is still together and planning to move to New York City in July or August.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Disney/John Fleenor

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 04/19/2024



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

exes Gerry Turner and Theresa Nist recently revealed how they fought during their relationship and that it got pretty brutal at times.Theresa and Gerry appeared on a March episode of the "Dear Shandy" podcast that was released several weeks before couple publicly announced their split and decision to get a divorce on April 12.During the joint interview, Gerry and Theresa talked about their fighting style and how it wasn't rainbows and butterflies all the time."We yell and scream -- and then say 'sorry,'" "And then we're better for it," Theresa said with a laugh.Gerry, who was covering his mouth with his hand, then offered his two cents on the topic of conflict in his marriage."It's more like intellectual jousting to start with," Gerry quipped. "There's a point and then a counterpoint. And then it will accelerate a little bit."But Gerry said he and Theresa tended to reach a point where they'd look at each other and want to resolve things."We'll start looking at each other, like, 'Really?! Really?!' [I'll say], 'I'm totally right,' and then she'll say, 'No, I'm totally right.' And then we go, 'Yeah, it doesn't matter,'" Gerry said.When asked which person typically said, "I'm sorry," first, Gerry replied, "I think Theresa is a little better at that than I am.""She's pretty good at knowing when, 'Okay, this isn't important,'" Gerry shared at the time. "[She'll say], 'Sorry, let's move on.'"Theresa then interjected and said, "I want to take it back. I don't scream. I can't even get above [a speaking] volume."Gerry clarified how it was "modified screaming" in Theresa's case, and he added, "Both of us need to forget about being right or proving our own point and finding a compromise area."Gerry revealed that ironically, his second career -- after he retired from owning a fast-food restaurant -- was working as a mediator."I did small claims court and divorce, and I did workplace mediation and all that," Gerry shared."Sometimes that training is counterproductive with a partner, with a spouse, because you try to be detached and you try to be unemotional -- and I'm not. I'm very much the emotional guy. So I have a little internal conflict there."Gerry joked about how he cried a lot more on than Theresa appeared to.Gerry and Theresa got engaged on 's finale, which aired in late November 2023 on ABC.The pair decided to rush down the altar, and so they agreed to get married on a live televised special that aired January 4 on ABC.Shortly after Gerry and Theresa publicly announced their split in a lengthy ABC Nightline interview, part of which aired on Good Morning America, Gerry filed for divorce in Indiana.Gerry listed April 12 as his date of separation from Theresa in the divorce papers, and he cited an "irretrievable breakdown" of marriage as the cause of their split from Theresa, according to Us Weekly.Theresa also confirmed on ABC Nightline that she and the retired fast-food restaurant owner had signed a prenuptial agreement."So many people wanted us to sign a prenup, and we do [have one]," Theresa revealed with a big smile. "We thought it would be best for our families."Up until April 12, the couple had been putting on a united front in public.Gerry and Theresa just recently walked the red carpet together and filmed an episode of Celebrity Family Feud, after which Gerry boasted about the couple's "blended family" reuniting on social media.During their interview with Juju Chang on ABC Nightline, Gerry and Theresa revealed they're divorcing because neither one of them was willing to relocate and move away from their adult children and families."The thing that strikes me the most, and in our conversations, is how dedicated both of us our to our families," Gerry said as Theresa nodded in agreement."So we look at these situations and I think we just feel like it's best for the happiness of each of us to live apart."Gerry is still living at his lake house in Indiana, which is about 45 minutes away from his ageing father, Everett Turner.Theresa, meanwhile, has a home in New Jersey near several of her grandsons, and she works a full-time job in financial services.But Juju was openly skeptical of the couple's explanation, as many Bachelor Nation alums have been as well "I hear what you're saying... and yet throughout the process you said you were 100% committed to making it work," she said. "In November you told me you were thinking of moving to South Carolina to be together. How did it all fall apart?""Yeah, so that was the plan," Theresa replied."We looked at homes in South Carolina. We [also] considered New Jersey. We just looked at home after home but we never got to the point where we made that decision."Sessions with a marriage counselor apparently helped Gerry and Theresa decide to move in the direction of divorce rather than trying to stay together.However, the reality TV stars insisted they have not fallen out of love, despite their choice to part ways.During the ABC interview, Theresa also insisted a November 2023 media report that Gerry misrepresented his past throughout 's production and broadcast run and allegedly had a live-in girlfriend of nearly three years before he appeared on the show played no role in her decision to divorce."No, not for me," Theresa said. "Because Gerry had already discussed that with me, he had already explained that to me before the report was ever released -- so we were good with that, that didn't play into it.""No," Gerry shrugged.stars also shared that they plan to continuing looking for love in new relationships."Oh yeah," Gerry told Juju."Yes," Theresa acknowledged. "And we tell everyone else to continue looking for love."When the Los Angeles Times previously asked Gerry if he'd continue to seek stardom or just live a quiet life with Theresa post-show, Gerry had replied, "I don't think those two things are mutually exclusive.""I can have a great, quiet life with Theresa and still look at the aspirations and ambitions that may be out there," he elaborated in December."But I will say this, I am absolutely going to savor every moment until I get to that altar and say my 'I do's.' I want every single moment to be as joyful for her as it is for me, and I never want to look back and feel I hurried through anything. We'll deal with the aspirations after that."Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
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Corporate India is starting to step up its capital expenditure plans amid government incentives and signs of rising demand, company executives and analysts have indicated.

This coincides with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently citing a double-digit growth in private capital expenditure.

Healthy balance sheets of banks and corporates, along with increasing capacity utilisation and improving business sentiment, are contributing to a favourable environment for sustained growth in private sector investments, the RBI said in its policy last week.

The private capex momentum is being led by conglomerates such as Tatas, Reliance Industries and Adani group, among others, in areas ranging from new energy and power generation to automobiles and semiconductors.

The Tata group, which has announced plans to invest $14 billion in two semiconductor plants in Gujarat and Assam, is expected to invest up to $120 billion in the coming years across sectors including renewable energy, electric vehicles and power generation.

The Adani Group, between five of its portfolio firms - Adani Green Energy, Adani Energy Solutions, Adani Ports & SEZ, Ambuja Cements and ACC - could invest around $100 billion over the next decade towards achieving energy transition, according to a recent announcement.

Reliance Industries had earlier announced plans to invest up to $10 billion (Rs 83,000 crore approximately) in building the new energy ecosystem.

RIL's capital expenditure for the quarter ended December 2023 was Rs 30,102 crore ($3.6 billion).

The Aditya Birla group firm Hindalco is investing Rs 8,000 crore to set up a 2 million tonne greenfield alumina refinery in Odisha.

Another group firm UltraTech said it would spend another Rs 32,400 crore in the next three years (including the Kesoram buy) to enhance capacity.

In an interview with Business Standard in New Delhi, R Dinesh, president of Confederation of Indian Industry, spoke about green shoots.

Dinesh cited a CII survey to capture the positive outlook on private capex.

The survey conducted across sectors showed that capacity utilisation was in the range of 75 to 95 per cent.

"At 75 per cent, people start looking at investing and at 90-95 per cent, it is necessary for them to invest.

"Cement and steel have already started happening. Green shoots are there," Dinesh said while pointing out that the Indian industry had the strength of balance, resilience and high capacity utilisation.

It is imperative for them (India Inc) to invest, he said, adding that it is not heavy lifting yet because the government continues to invest in infrastructure.

Analysts said around 6 to 6.5 per cent of revenue would be spent by automobile companies on capex in FY25.

"This 6 to 6.5 per cent of revenue number does not include the impact of production linked incentive (PLI) scheme.

If companies see a margin boost from the PLI scheme, their capex plans may improve.

Overall the revenue growth for automobile companies is estimated to be in the range of 5 to 7 per cent and volume growth will be around 6 to 9 per cent in FY25, Shruti Saboo, director of India Ratings and Research, told Business Standard.

India's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India plans to spend about Rs 1.25 trillion on capex between FY24 and FY31, according to the company.

This is significantly higher than its capex spend of Rs 27,538 crore in the last eight years from FY16 to FY23, a Business Standard analysis showed.

In January, Hyundai Motor India (HMIL), the country s second largest car maker, announced Rs 6,180 crore investment in Tamil Nadu.

This is in addition to the Rs 20,000 crore investment planned in a phased manner till 2032.

HMIL has also acquired General Motors India's Talegaon plant and said it would invest Rs 6,000 crore in Maharashtra.

Investments made so far this year which includes what we have charged out to P&L (profit and loss) as well as what we have spent as capex is around 2.3 billion pounds for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and around Rs 6,000 crore for the passenger vehicle (PV), commercial vehicle (CV) and electric vehicle (EV) businesses of Tata Motors, PB Balaji, Group CFO, Tata Motors, said in the third quarter earnings call.

Also, JSW Group, which announced a joint venture with China s SAIC Motor to acquire 35 per cent in MG Motor India, is planning to invest Rs 40,000 crore to set up electric vehicles and battery manufacturing capacity in Odisha.

Indeed, India Inc leaders are optimistic about the next few years being capex heavy.

Overall, for our expansion we need to invest $4.5-5 billion.

So $2-2.5 billion would be invested this year and $2-2.5 billion by 2025, said Amit Harlalka, CFO of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel.

AM/NS India is in the process of increasing capacity from 9 million tonnes to 15 million tonnes at Hazira, Gujarat, with its total investment at $7.4 billion including downstream.

Other steelmakers including Tata Steel and JSW Steel are also adding capacity with another 38.5 million tonnes per annum.

The new steelmaking capacity is expected to come on stream between the financial year 2024 and 2027, a report by rating firm ICRA said.

While healthcare is attracting private equity investments from overseas in buying local companies, hospitals are also incurring capex to grow organically.

"Some of the recent transactions include Apollo Hospitals Enterprise incurring capex of around Rs 3,000 crore to add 2,000 beds over the next two to three years; Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences planning to double the beds to 8,000 over the next two to three years and Fortis healthcare Limited planning to add 1,400 beds in the next three years among others," India Ratings & Research (Fitch Group) said in a recent report.

Max is set to add around 75 per cent bed capacities by FY27, with two-thirds driven by brownfield expansion, which will enable it to quickly ramp up utilisation of new capacities and achieve Ebitda breakeven in six to 12 months versus 24-30 months for a greenfield hospital.

Among pharma companies, India's largest drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical plans to incur annual maintenance capex of $200-250 million.

(Inputs from Ruchika Chitravanshi, Sohini Das, Amritha Pillay, Ishita Ayan Dutt & Dev Chatterjee).
A special court here on Friday granted bail to Yes Bank co-founder Rana Kapoor in the Rs 466.51 crore bank fraud case, paving the way for him to walk out of jail after four years.

Photograph: PTI Photo from the Rediff Archives

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Kapoor in March 2020 in a money laundering case, and he has been booked in eight cases related to fraud at the bank.

The banker has now secured bail in all the cases.

Kapoor's lawyer Rahul Agarwal said they were trying to complete the bail formalities to facilitate his release as early as possible.

The court has granted bail to Kapoor in the CBI's case against him and Avantha Group promoter Gautam Thapar for allegedly indulging in criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating and forgery for diversion of public money to the tune of Rs 466.51 crore.
George Orwell wrote in 1984 that "Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past." Governments work relentlessly to distort public perceptions of the past. Regarding the Ukraine War, the Biden administration has repeatedly and falsely claimed that the Ukraine War started with an unprovoked attack by Russia on Ukraine on February 24, 2022. In fact, the war was provoked by the U.S. in ways that leading U.S. diplomats anticipated for decades in the lead-up to the war, meaning that the war could have been avoided and should now be stopped through negotiations.

Recognizing that the war was provoked helps us to understand how to stop it. It doesnt justify Russias invasion. A far better approach for Russia might have been to step up diplomacy with Europe and with the non-Western world to explain and oppose U.S. militarism and unilateralism. In fact, the relentless U.S. push to expand NATO is widely opposed throughout the world, so Russian diplomacy rather than war would likely have been effective.

The Biden team uses the word unprovoked incessantly, most recently in Bidens major speech on the first-year anniversary of the war, in a recent NATO statement, and in the most recent G7 statement. Mainstream media friendly to Biden simply parrot the White House. TheNew York Times is the lead culprit, describing the invasion as unprovoked no fewer than 26 times, in five editorials, 14 opinion columns by NYT writers, and seven guest op-eds!

There were in fact two main U.S. provocations. The first was the U.S. intention to expand NATO to Ukraine and Georgia in order to surround Russia in the Black Sea region by NATO countries (Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia, in counterclockwise order). The second was the U.S. role in installing a Russophobic regime in Ukraine by the violent overthrow of Ukraines pro-Russian President, Viktor Yanukovych, in February 2014. The shooting war in Ukraine began with Yanukovychs overthrow nine years ago, not in February 2022 as the U.S. government, NATO, and the G7 leaders would have us believe.

The key to peace in Ukraine is through negotiations based on Ukraines neutrality and NATO non-enlargement.

Biden and his foreign policy team refuse to discuss these roots of the war. To recognize them would undermine the administration in three ways. First, it would expose the fact that the war could have been avoided, or stopped early, sparing Ukraine its current devastation and the U.S. more than $100 billion in outlays to date. Second, it would expose President Bidens personal role in the war as a participant in the overthrow of Yanukovych, and before that as a staunch backer of the military-industrial complex and very early advocate of NATO enlargement. Third, it would push Biden to the negotiating table, undermining the administrations continued push for NATO expansion.

The archives show irrefutably that the U.S. and German governments repeatedly promised to Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev that NATO would not move one inch eastward when the Soviet Union disbanded the Warsaw Pact military alliance. Nonetheless, U.S. planning for NATO expansion began early in the 1990s, well before Vladimir Putin was Russias president. In 1997, national security expert Zbigniew Brzezinski spelled out the NATO expansion timeline with remarkable precision.

U.S. diplomats and Ukraines own leaders knew well that NATO enlargement could lead to war. The great US scholar-statesman George Kennan called NATO enlargement a fateful error, writing in the New York Times that, Such a decision may be expected to inflame the nationalistic, anti-Western and militaristic tendencies in Russian opinion; to have an adverse effect on the development of Russian democracy; to restore the atmosphere of the cold war to East-West relations, and to impel Russian foreign policy in directions decidedly not to our liking.

President Bill Clintons Secretary of Defense William Perry considered resigning in protest against NATO enlargement. In reminiscing about this crucial moment in the mid-1990s, Perry said the following in 2016: Our first action that really set us off in a bad direction was when NATO started to expand, bringing in eastern European nations, some of them bordering Russia. At that time, we were working closely with Russia and they were beginning to get used to the idea that NATO could be a friend rather than an enemy ... but they were very uncomfortable about having NATO right up on their border and they made a strong appeal for us not to go ahead with that.

In 2008, then U.S. Ambassador to Russia, and now CIA Director, William Burns, sent a cable to Washington warning at length of grave risks of NATO enlargement: Ukraine and Georgia's NATO aspirations not only touch a raw nerve in Russia, they engender serious concerns about the consequences for stability in the region. Not only does Russia perceive encirclement, and efforts to undermine Russia's influence in the region, but it also fears unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences which would seriously affect Russian security interests. Experts tell us that Russia is particularly worried that the strong divisions in Ukraine over NATO membership, with much of the ethnic-Russian community against membership, could lead to a major split, involving violence or at worst, civil war. In that eventuality, Russia would have to decide whether to intervene; a decision Russia does not want to have to face.

Ukraines leaders knew clearly that pressing for NATO enlargement to Ukraine would mean war. Former Zelensky advisor Oleksiy Arestovych declared in a 2019 interview that our price for joining NATO is a big war with Russia.

During 2010-2013, Yanukovych pushed neutrality, in line with Ukrainian public opinion. The U.S. worked covertly to overthrow Yanukovych, as captured vividly in the tape of then U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt planning the post-Yanukovych government weeks before the violent overthrow of Yanukovych. Nuland makes clear on the call that she was coordinating closely with then Vice President Biden and his national security advisor Jake Sullivan, the same Biden-Nuland-Sullivan team now at the center of U.S. policy vis-a-vis Ukraine.

After Yanukovychs overthrow, the war broke out in the Donbas, while Russia claimed Crimea. The new Ukrainian government appealed for NATO membership, and the U.S. armed and helped restructure the Ukrainian army to make it interoperable with NATO. In 2021, NATO and the Biden Administration strongly recommitted to Ukraines future in NATO.

In the immediate lead-up to Russias invasion, NATO enlargement was center stage. Putins draft US-Russia Treaty (December 17, 2021) called for a halt to NATO enlargement. Russias leaders put NATO enlargement as the cause of war in Russias National Security Council meeting on February 21, 2022. In his address to the nation that day, Putin declared NATO enlargement to be a central reason for the invasion.

Historian Geoffrey Roberts recently wrote: Could war have been prevented by a Russian-Western deal that halted NATO expansion and neutralised Ukraine in return for solid guarantees of Ukrainian independence and sovereignty? Quite possibly. In March 2022, Russia and Ukraine reported progress towards a quick negotiated end to the war based on Ukraines neutrality. According to Naftali Bennett, former Prime Minister of Israel, who was a mediator, an agreement was close to being reached before the U.S., U.K., and France blocked it.

While the Biden administration declares Russias invasion to be unprovoked, Russia pursued diplomatic options in 2021 to avoid war, while Biden rejected diplomacy, insisting that Russia had no say whatsoever on the question of NATO enlargement. And Russia pushed diplomacy in March 2022, while the Biden team again blocked a diplomatic end to the war.

By recognizing that the question of NATO enlargement is at the center of this war, we understand why U.S. weaponry will not end this war. Russia will escalate as necessary to prevent NATO enlargement to Ukraine. The key to peace in Ukraine is through negotiations based on Ukraines neutrality and NATO non-enlargement. The Biden administrations insistence on NATO enlargement to Ukraine has made Ukraine a victim of misconceived and unachievable U.S. military aspirations. Its time for the provocations to stop, and for negotiations to restore peace to Ukraine.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the date of William Burns' 2008 cable warning about NATO enlargment. That error has been fixed.

https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/the-war-in-ukraine-was-provoked-and-why-that-matters-if-we-want-peace
'Not even a single rupee from the electoral bonds should be allowed to be used in the election.'

'If it is used in the election, it will taint India's electoral process itself.'

IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra D Modi addresses an election meeting in Rishikesh, April 11, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

From the time the Supreme Court directed the State Bank of India to put all the information regarding the electoral bonds in the public domain, activists and some media have been coming out with fresh shocking corruption scandals every day.

These are not just allegations against corrupt practices, there is solid evidence to show how the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party benefitted from the anonymous, non-transparent electoral bonds.

Retired IAS officer, Dr E A S Sarma has highlighted what is wrong with the electoral binds scheme.

Dr Sarma, an 1965 batch IAS officer, served in the Union finance and power ministries before he opted for voluntary retirement from the IAS in 2000 after differences with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

He is currently involved in "protecting the environment, promoting electoral reforms and safeguarding the livelihood opportunities of low-income groups in India, including the tribal groups".

"India's democracy has become a 'corporatocracy'! It's not by the people, of the people, for the people. It is by the corporates, of the corporates and for the corporates. All the laws are changed to please the corporates," Dr Sarma tells Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier.

IMAGE: A Communist Party of India-Marxist protest against electoral bonds outside an SBI branch in Chennai, March 6, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

You called the electoral bonds, 'Unholy Bond'. Is it because the bonds clearly show an unholy nexus between corporates and political parties?

Absolutely. It was in 2016-2017 that the present BJP government went headlong into a series of highly regressive legislative changes concerning corporate funding for political parties, knowing well that it was the BJP that would get undue gains from it with its position in power and with the clout it could use through its enforcement agencies

I and ADR (Association of Democratic Reforms) had filed a case in the Delhi high court in 2013 against foreign funding.

Just before the 2014 elections, the Delhi high court delivered an important judgment in which they upheld our contention that both the BJP and the Congress had violated the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and should be prosecuted under that Act.

Both the BJP and Congress went to the Supreme Court where their appeals were disallowed.

What the BJP-led NDA government did soon after that in 2016 was -- instead of prosecuting the two political parties -- retrospectively amended the FCRA Act since 1976.

The Companies Act of 2013 required that corporate donation should not be in excess of 7 and a half percent of the average profits of the company for the previous three years. They removed this ceiling too so that companies can donate any amount of money irrespective of whether they are profitable or loss-making ones.

In the same go, the NDA government, not satisfied with the above changes, introduced the infamous Electoral Bonds scheme in 2017, which ensured total non-transparency in donations to political parties.

So, just before the 2019 elections, the BJP opened the floodgates to corporate donations, including foreign donations, which is very dangerous from the national security point of view.

You should remember that companies do not give money for their love for democracy, they give it for a purpose which is to maximise their profit.

IMAGE: A Congress protest against the electoral bonds scheme outside the SBI branch in Patna, March 7, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

It is the BJP that has benefitted the most from electoral bonds...

Yes, the most important thing people should know in the case of the electoral bond scheme is, that its author is the BJP.

It is the BJP that is in a position, as the ruling party, to change laws and procedures to suit the corporates by way of quid pro quos.

It is the BJP that is in the position to deploy the ED, the CBI, and the income tax department to intimidate and exhort money from corporates.

Nirmala Sitharaman made a statement that none of the political parties can stand on a moral high ground because all received donations. She should know that the Left parties had objected to the bonds when it was introduced, and they did not accept any money through electoral bonds.

The fact is, the other political parties cannot change laws like the BJP as they are not in power.

The other political parties do not have ED, the CBI, etc to comply with them.

So, the fault entirely lies with the BJP.

In my view, you can call the electoral bond case a conspiracy by the BJP as they changed three laws deliberately in one go, and without much discussion in Parliament, all the above legislative changes were rushed through the backdoor of the Finance Act. They were cleverly visualised, designed and implemented by the BJP-led NDA government.

I call it the 'Unholy Bond' because it literally placed India's democracy at the disposal and control of big businesses.

In my view, there should be a complete ban on corporate donations because, the ruling party is at an advantage, and the other political parties are at a disadvantage. There is no level playing field.

IMAGE: AAP MP Sanjay Singh addresses the media about electoral bonds at AAP HQ in New Delhi, April 8, 2024. Photograph: Ishant/ANI Photo

Many people describe electoral bonds as the biggest corruption scandal independent India has seen. Do you agree with them?

Fully. No other government or political party went to this extent of completely opening the field for corporate donations.

There are many questions.

Did not the NDA government amend the Forest Conservation Act, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, violate protective laws such as the PESA and Forest Rights Act applicable to the Scheduled Areas to dole out highly valuable mineral blocks to big businesses at the cost of public interest, by way of quid pro quos?

Electoral bonds donations taken from such businesses constitute outright corruption.

How did loss-making companies donate money to political parties, especially the BJP?

Where did they get the money?

Is it through money-laundering?

If the money trails are identified, the concerned political parties need to be proceeded against under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

There are several non-descript shell companies through which political parties, especially, the BJP, received donations.

How did such shell companies flourish? The corporate affairs minister admitted around 5-6 years ago that there was no definition of a 'shell company' in Indian laws and it would be desirable to incorporate such a definition.

Then the ministry deliberately allowed the legislative gap to persist, providing a convenient cover for both domestic and overseas shell companies to operate a shadow economy.

The ministry of finance -- department of economic affairs -- even issued instructions on overseas shell companies which effectively encouraged money-laundering.

The fact that the BJP received electoral bonds through such companies suggests a cover indirectly provided by it.

In my view, private corporate donations to political parties are not quite different from kickbacks.

They indirectly imply political corruption. They always give an undue advantage to the ruling party at the cost of the other political parties.

They facilitate splurging of money by political parties and increase the cost of electioneering placing the ordinary citizen inclined to contest in elections at a disadvantage.

They make a mockery of the ordinary voter with their money muscle.

Even after involved in a major corruption scandal of this size, the BJP is going after other political parties and political leaders. Do you think the BJP never expected the information regarding the electoral bonds to be in the public domain?

Yes. The BJP thought they would get away with this. They thought they were very clever.

Luckily, activists extracted information through the RTI Act on electoral bonds.

The Supreme Court of India intervened thanks to those who had gone to court for intervention.

Even after the Court's directive, they were reluctant to divulge the details. The SBI wanted time till June, till after the elections.

The public should know that, in violation of CPSE (Central Public Sector Enterprises) norms, the BJP has even put one of its representatives through the NDA government on the SBI board of directors.

So, the only people who had the information on electoral bonds were the BJP and the SBI. No other political party had any information. This shows how surreptitiously the BJP-led NDA government went about managing the scheme.

IMAGE: Chief Justice of India Dr D Y Chandrachud during a hearing on electoral bonds in the Supreme Court, March 15, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

If not for the Supreme Court directive, nobody would have known about the scam...

Yes. We all tried to get the information, but we could not.

The court proceedings took a long time. So, they passed an interim order. The court said, after the interim order, no party should use any bond-related money

Unfortunately, almost Rs 6,000 crores (Rs 60 billion) are lying with the BJP, which is perhaps not covered by the Supreme Court order, which the BJP is going spend on elections unless there is an immediate embargo on it.

Since the scheme itself has been held unconstitutional, every single rupee that is part of the electoral bond is tainted.

In my view, not even a single rupee from the electoral bonds should be allowed to be used in the election.

If it is used in the election, it will taint India's electoral process itself.

The Election Commission has a reservoir of power, and it has every authority to order the BJP not to spend the bond money that is lying with them. But the three election commissioners have chosen not to function independently.

Unfortunately, the public has lost trust in the institutions today. That's why I have requested the President of India to intervene. I mentioned in the letter that the public has lost trust and confidence in many institutions today.

Narendra Modi said those who criticise the electoral bonds would regret later...

India's democracy has become a 'corporatocracy'!

It's not by the people, of the people, for the people.

It is by the corporates, of the corporates and for the corporates.

All the laws are changed to please the corporates.

Suppose you look at the details of the donors of Electoral Bonds, you see that there are errant drug companies which by their unsafe units are killing their workers and spewing pollution all around, and endangering people's lives.

IMAGE: Dr E A S Sarma. Photograph: Kind courtesy Dr EAS Sarma IMAGE: Dr E A S Sarma.

In the specific case of the Silkyara tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand a few months ago, endangering the lives of 41 workers, the contracting firm that gave a hefty electoral bond donation to the BJP, failed to construct an escape exit. At a meeting of the Union Cabinet, that company is reported to be condoned from being prosecuted for the lapse.

Is not the government, presumably for the reason that the BJP has benefitted from donations through electoral bonds, playing with the lives of the people?

One could therefore call such unholy bond donations as 'blood money'.

While presenting the draft of the Constitution of India to the Constituent Assembly, Dr Ambedkar expressed his apprehensions about the fate of India's newly acquired democracy. He said, however bad a Constitution happened to be, it could turn out to be good if it is operated by good people; however good a Constitution happened to be, it could turn out to be bad, if bad people operated it.

Today, political leaders use democratic means to come to power every five years, make a mockery of it during the next five years, submit themselves to corporate diktats, and once again talk of democracy when they face elections.

The electoral bonds scheme, read with the amendments to the Companies Act and the FCRA, all crafted cleverly by the BJP-led NDA government has been a culmination of an electoral corruption scam of a very large magnitude, which has hurt the national interest like never before.

It cut at the very roots of democracy.

It has subjugated the ruling political executive in particular, and all political parties in general to corporate dominance in governance.

IMAGE: Modi tries playing a traditional drum at an election meeting in Rishikesh, April 11, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Despite the scandal, the BJP and the prime minister say they will come back to power with more than 400 seats...

Any political party that plays with the lives of people cannot last long.

Political parties should respect the dignity of people.

Any political party that comes to power through questionable means think they are superior to the people of India. But they are wrong. People of India are sovereign.

They can probably mislead some people for some time, but they cannot mislead all the people, all the time.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
'The prime minister took a meeting recently and he asked for suggestions and ideas for a plan till 2047.'

IMAGE: Nitin Gadkari with his family and others after he voted in the 2024 Lok Sabha election at the Town Hall, Nagpur, April 19, 2024. Photograph: Kind courtesy Nitin Gadkari/X

It was 11.30 at night, but even after a hard day of roadshows and a public meeting with Narendra Modi in neighbouring Ramtek, Nitin Gadkari, who is contesting the Lok Sabha election from Nagpur as a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, spoke to Aditi Phadnis/Business Standard about projects finished and unfinished, his dreams and convictions, at his residence in Nagpur.

So, a victory with a bigger margin than before? You won the 2019 election by a 220,000 margin?

I have told my workers to strive for 75 per cent of the vote for the BJP in Nagpur.

I told them there was no doubt about the victory, but that we should strive to improve our vote share.

In 2019, I got 55.6 per cent of the vote. We should improve it this time. I am hoping to win by a margin of 500,000.

This constituency has a 40 per cent Dalit and Muslim population. Many from these sections will vote for me because I have done a lot for the constituency.

You have been all around. You will have seen the development Nagpur has undergone.

Besides being from the BJP and Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh, I have done a lot of seva (service) for everyone.

I have organised more than 45,000 heart operations, and helped thousands of cancer patients. I have five mobile vans.

They provide prosthetic equipment, do eye check-ups ... during the pandemic I spent Rs 100 crore to buy and distribute help kits, ventilators, oxygen checking machines, sanitisers, Remdesivir injections ...

I consider the people of Nagpur members of my family. I do not say this idly.

I have never discriminated against anyone, regardless of caste, community, or political belief.

Even Congressmen have helped me in many ways.

You've been president of the BJP. You contributed to the building of the party ahead of the 2014 elections. But in the south, the party has not been able to establish itself.

This is what is keeping the BJP from crossing the 400 plus mark the Congress was able to achieve (in 1984). Why is that?

In the south, politics was polarised right from the beginning. Where the contest was between us and the Congress, we won: Karnataka, for instance.

But in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, there were other actors.

And in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, we are still not in that position where we can challenge existing players effectively. This time, we will improve.

There is a lot of regional politics there. So national parties have been relegated to secondary position.

But you will see. Our vote share will improve phenomenally this time.

You've been making roads for 10 years at the Centre and for five in Maharashtra -- 15 years of building roads! Aren't you bored?

(Laughs) Actually, what we should and should not do is decided by the prime minister. But I explicitly asked for this department from him.

And now, after June?

That is his prerogative.

IMAGE: Gadkari offers prayers to Lord Ram on Ram Navami at the Shri Poddareshwar Ram temple in Nagpur, April 17, 2024. Photograph: Kind courtesy Nitin Gadkari/X

But if he asks you?

When he asks me, I will tell him. It is not right to ask for things publicly.

I ask because you've said you're interested in health and education.

Those are my projects. I run 1,800 Ekal Vidyalayas. I have many projects in both these fields. But whatever the prime minister asks of me, I will do.

You have a unique style of leadership. Some years ago, you let fly at officers at a National Highways Authority of India function.

You did it publicly and made no bones about your disapproval. Ministers don't usually do that.

I publicly commend work that is done efficiently and is thorough. But sometimes, there are delays.

For a building that should have cost Rs 150 crore (Rs 1.5 billion), Rs 650 crore (Rs 6.5 billion) was spent.

This makes me angry. It is public money after all. No one has the right to waste public money. So I said what I wanted to on that subject.

In the coming days, what should be the government's priorities for roads?

Green express highways. We have already changed the policy to keep 1 per cent of the project cost aside for highway plantation and its maintenance.

This will generate employment for around 500,000 people in rural areas.

This also involves developing roadside amenities. The idea is to provide dignified employment to local people and communities. This will also help in fighting pollution.

In any case, all policies will be decided by the next government. The consent of the ministry of finance and other ministries is also necessary.

The prime minister took a meeting recently and he asked for suggestions and ideas for a plan till 2047. We're all discussing this.

Whatever the consensus on this, the government will do.

IMAGE: Gadkari, right, with Devendra Fadnavis, another BJP leader from Nagpur, at an election roadshow in Nagpur. Photograph: ANI Photo

You are passionate about the electric-vehicle ecosystem. But there are doubts about this too.

This is my unambiguous mission. It is not just about liberating the country from pollution.

It is also to remove the burden of the Rs 16 trillion bill on account of oil import. I'm not saying it is easy. But it has to be done.

I am working to ensure the acceptability of EVs increases. This means encouraging catalysers and pumps and also use of compressed natural and ethanol.

We are discussing this globally also: At the G20 we had extensive discussions on this.

In our country, agriculture is contributing to developing aviation fuel.

Rural agricultural economists are highly enamoured of the idea.

Do you feel you've left some things incomplete?

No work is ever complete. When you complete something, it is the start of something else that is unfinished. And the people's expectations also rise.

The more you work, the more work you create for yourself because people want more.

In Nagpur, you can see the changes that have come about in the past 10 years.

Don't ask me. Ask the people how the city has changed, how much it has grown.

Only the person who does the work knows how much more can be done.

Will India ever get a prime minister from Vidarbha?

Which region, language, or religion a prime minister belongs to -- this is not an appropriate thing to ask. A prime minister should take the country forward.

And in this context, a prime minister's region, caste, religion, gender, language ... all this should not be a factor at all.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Adultery can be a ground for divorce but not for granting custody of a child, the Bombay high court said while granting custody of a nine-year-old girl to her mother.

IMAGE: A view of Bombay high court. Photograph: ANI on X

A single bench of Justice Rajesh Patil on April 12 dismissed the petition filed by the man, son of a former legislator, challenging an order passed by the family court in February 2023 granting custody of his daughter to his estranged wife.

The couple tied the knot in 2010, and their daughter was born in 2015. In 2019, the woman claimed that she was removed from their home. The petitioner, however, alleged that his wife had left of her own volition.

The petitioner's counsel, Indira Jaising, submitted to the court that the woman had multiple affairs, and hence, it would not be proper to hand over the custody of the child to her.

Justice Patil noted that the allegations of adulterous behaviour would have no bearing or doubt while deciding the matter of the child's custody.

Not being a good wife does not necessarily mean she is not a good mother. Adultery can be a ground for divorce, however, the same cannot be a ground for not granting custody, the court observed.

The man, in his plea, claimed that it was in the child's best interest to live with him and his parents, as she was not happy with her mother and there were some behavioural changes in her.

Jaising told the court that the authorities at the girl's school had written emails to the petitioner's mother, raising concerns about her behaviour.

The high court, however, refused to accept this and questioned why the school got in touch with the paternal grandmother when the parents were well-educated.

It noted that the petitioner's mother was a former legislator aspiring to contest the Lok Sabha elections.

According to me, the school authorities have no reason to inform about the issues relating to the girl to the grandmother, who is a politician, when both the parents of the child are available, well-educated, and in fact, the mother of the child is a doctor, the court said.

Justice Patil noted that the girl was only nine, which is a pre-puberty age, and in such custody matters, the court must consider the welfare of the child as paramount.

The girl was taken care of by her maternal grandmother, and her academic record during her custody with the mother was also good, he said.

Therefore, according to me, there is no reason to change the custody from the wife to the husband, the court said.

The bench directed the petitioner to hand over his daughter's custody to the wife by April 21.

In 2020, the woman lodged a police complaint against her husband and her in-laws, alleging harassment, assault, and criminal intimidation. She claimed that her daughter was taken away from her.

The woman also filed a complaint under the Domestic Violence Act before a magistrate's court and an application before the family court seeking custody of her daughter.

The man also filed a petition in the family court seeking divorce from the woman and custody of the daughter.

In February 2023, the family court handed over custody of the girl to the mother and allowed access to the father.

However, in February this year, when the girl went to her father's residence for weekend access, he refused to hand the child over to the mother.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on Friday, recalled "an old name of Rahul Gandhi" to attack the Congress leader, who a day earlier had wondered why the Marxist veteran was not jailed by the Bharatiya Janata Party government at the Centre, unlike two other chief ministers of Opposition-ruled states.

IMAGE: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan attends LDF Lok Sabha candidate KS Hamza's election campaign for Ponnani, Kerala, April 18, 2024. Photograph: Courtesy Pinarayi Vijayan on X

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala fumed at the chief minister's targeted attack against Gandhi at the election rally in Kozhikode.

He came down heavily on Vijayan and accused him of "stooping too low to please" Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Congress leader's statement came hours after Vijayan apparently said that the Congress leader's remarks against him suggested that Gandhi had not improved his public image over time.

"Rahul Gandhi...you have an old name. There should not be a situation wherein you have still not moved from that situation," Vijayan said.

He was apparently referring to Marxist veteran and former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan's remarks a decade ago against Gandhi calling him an "Amul Baby."

Communist Party of India-Marxist sources said that Vijayan intended to reference Achuthanandan's "Amul baby" remarks against Gandhi through his "old name" jibe on Friday.

During an assembly election rally in Palakkad, Achuthanandan had attacked the Congress leader, stating, "Rahul Gandhi is an Amul baby. He has come to Kerala to campaign for Amul babies."

Gandhi, while addressing multiple election campaigns in the state, had on Thursday lashed out at Vijayan and wondered why the Left leader was targeting him while he was fighting against the Bharatiya Janata Party.

The Congress leader had said he was interrogated by the ED for 55 hours, his Lok Sabha membership and his official residence were taken away and currently, two chief ministers are in jail, but none of these were happening to the Kerala chief minister.

"Why is he (Vijayan) not being interrogated by the ED, CBI and all? Two CMs are in jail, but why is none of this happening to the Kerala CM? I have been attacking the BJP 24x7 but the chief minister is attacking me. This is a bit puzzling," Gandhi had said.

Reacting to Gandhi's remarks, the Marxist leader addressed a massive election rally in Kozhikode, stating that Rahul's grandmother, Indira Gandhi, had imprisoned most of the Left leaders, including himself, during the Emergency.

"Your grandmother had jailed most of us for more than one-and-a-half years. We have experienced and seen enough interrogation and imprisonment. We are not afraid of jails. So, don't try to threaten us with investigations and jails; we are not worried," Vijayan said.

Condemning Vijayan's remarks against Gandhi, Chennithala said, "Vijayan should not have stooped so low to please Modi."

The Congress Working Committee Committee member also urged Vijayan to retract his "bad remarks" against Rahul and apologise to him.

Criticising the chief minister for his continuous attacks against Gandhi in his poll rallies, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala assembly, VD Satheesan, said, "Vijayan works as BJP's mouthpiece in Kerala."

"The same thing that has been written and prepared for the last 35 days is said in the press conferences and delivered in the meetings. The chief minister criticises Congress and Rahul Gandhi the most," Satheesan alleged at a press conference in Alappuzha.

"Rahul Gandhi is leading the anti-fascist struggle and heading the INDIA alliance. Chief Minister Vijayan also opposes Rahul Gandhi, whom the Modi administration targets with unending vengeance. Vijayan is governed by fear. People will react strongly in the elections against the illicit relationship between the CPM and BJP," Satheesan said.
Voting was underway on Friday in 102 Lok Sabha seats spread across 21 states and Union territories in the first of the seven phases of the world's largest electoral exercise, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging voters to exercise their franchise in record numbers.

IMAGE: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev greets people after casting his vote for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024, at a polling booth in Coimbatore. Photograph: Kind courtesy @SadhguruJV/X

He especially called upon the young and first-time voters to vote in large numbers.

Polling began at 7 am and will end at 6 pm.

Over 16.63 crore people are eligible to vote in this phase. In the first phase, there are 35.67 lakh first time voters, besides 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years.

As the voting commenced, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to cast their ballots carefully and asserted that a new era of economic empowerment and equal opportunities beckons them.

Appealing to people to go out and vote in large numbers, he said on X that 'The fight to protect our Constitution and Democracy begins today'.

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi urged voters to strengthen democracy and open 'Mohabbat ki Dukaan' in every corner of the country by defeating hatred.

'Today is the first phase of voting! Remember, each and every vote of yours is going to decide the future of India's democracy and its generations,' Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.

'Go out and strengthen democracy by applying the balm of your vote on the wounds inflicted on the soul of the country in the last 10 years,' he said.

Open 'Mohabbat Ki Dukaan' in every corner of the country by defeating hatred, the Congress leader added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah appealed to people to choose a strong and decisive leadership that has shown the determination to free the country from corruption, nepotism and appeasement while fulfilling its promises.

Election officials said a voter turnout of 11.15 per cent was recorded in the first two hours of polling in the five Lok Sabha seats of Assam, while over 15 per cent voters exercised their franchise in three Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal.

Among the prominent early voters were Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who cast his vote at Walbakgre polling station in Tura Lok Sabha constituency, Rashtriya Swyamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, who cast his ballot in Nagpur, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, who exercised his franchise in Bikaner and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at Nagra Terai polling station in Khatima.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also cast their votes at their native villages as the polling for two Lok Sabha seats and 50 assembly constituencies in the state got underway.

Sangma, who himself drove to reach the polling station, said, "I reached the booth at 6.30 hoping to vote first. But I was pleasantly surprised that there were many people before me. It is a healthy trend. Voting is a right of every citizen".

Rijiju cast his vote in his village Nafra in the newly created Bichom district, while Khandu exercised his franchise in the Mukto constituency in Tawang district.

Counting of votes in the elections that will conclude on June one will be taken up on June 4.

Polling is being held for all seats of Tamil Nadu (39), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1) and Lakshadweep (1).

Besides, voting is underway in 12 seats of Rajasthan, eight in Uttar Pradesh, six in Madhya Pradesh, five seats each in Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one seat each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh.

Simultaneously, assembly elections are being held in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats).

Among the prominent candidates in the fray in the first phase are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Sarbananda Sonowal, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's Kanimozhi.

An aggressive K Annamalai, who is steering the Bharatiya Janata Party campaign in Tamil Nadu, is also among the contestants.

The Election Commission has deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations.

While the National Democratic alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Modi is seeking a stronger majority, the constituents of the opposition Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections.

Besides Gadkari, Sonowal, seven other Union ministers--Bhupendra Yadav, Kiren Rijiju, Sanjeev Baliyan, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, L Murugan and Nisith Pramanik--are in the poll fray in the first phase.

Two former chief ministers--Biplab Kumar Deb (Tripura) and Nabam Tuki (Arunachal Pradesh)--and Tamilisai Soundararajan, who recently resigned as governor of Telangana to return to active politics, also figure in the poll battle. Soundararajan is contesting from Chennai South on BJP ticket.

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Thursday urged people to cast their ballot and reminded people of the significance of each vote, saying there have been instances when one vote has mattered in a critical contest.
From attacking political opponents to raising awareness among the electorate, colourful memes, including many drawing humorous elements from popular Bollywood films, have flooded social media as the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls began on Friday.

IMAGE: A grandson carries his 95-year-old grandfather arrive at the Jain Dharamshala polling booth to cast their votes during the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, in Kairana, Uttar Pradesh, April 19, 2024. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are the largest democratic exercise in the world and major political parties have tried to outwit their rivals both in rallies on ground and slugfests online.

From Instagram to X, social media platforms, in the run-up to the polls have seen bitter poster wars and even bitter meme battles for political one-upmanship.

But, amid this digital melee, the Election Commission of India, which is holding the world's largest elections, has used memes to reach out to the electorate, especially the young and first-time voters, using at times quirky lines or dialogues from famous movies to drive the message home.

"We are excited to vote in #LokSabhaElections2024 Are you ready too?#SaathChalenge #Elections2024 #ChunavKaParv #DeshKaGarv #FirstTimeVoters #ECI," the ECI posted on X on Wednesday, and used a meme based on a still from a scene from the film 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' with a tagline 'Excitement of first time voters before voting'.

In the first phase, 102 seats spread across 21 states and Union territories are scheduled to go to polls, the ECI had earlier said.

Polling began on Friday at 7 am and will end at 6 pm.

Among those in the fray are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Sarbanada Sonowal and Bhupendra Yadav, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's Kanimozhi and K Annamalai of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Voters include 8.4 crore men, 8.23 crore women and 11,371 from third gender. There are as many as 35.67 lakh first-time voters, besides 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years in the first phase.

As polling began for phase one of the elections, the ECI's X handle shared voters queuing up at booths, or flashing inked fingers to security personnel on duty, from multiple states, reflecting the diversity of a democratic India.

In its posts on X, the Commission also at times used languages native to the region of polling to achieve greater connect with the masses.

"Amar vote, amar doyitvo ! #MyVoteMyDuty #YouAreTheOne #IVote4Sure Check out the facts at a glance of the #Phase1 poll in #WestBengal #ChunavKaParv #DeshKaGarv # GeneralElections2024 #GoVote," the ECI posted on Friday along with photos of young and old voters of West Bengal.

With photos showing voters in Rajasthan, it used lines such as padharo mhare polling booth in its post on X.

The ECI has described elections as the "festival of democracy" and chunav ka parv, and on Thursday night, it shared an invite card on X, both in English and Hindi, calling it the 'Grand Voting Invitation' with RSVP for 'All voters of India'.

On the eve of the first phase of the polls, the ECI also put up a series of posts, digital posters on X to motivate voters to come out and exercise their franchise.

It also reposted a meme themed on film Gangubai Kathiawadi shared by Doordarshan, on Thursday, as well as a classic poster by Amul on the 2024 polls which had a pun-laced tagline -- 'World's greataste elections! Amul Your favourite choice".

The ECI's X handle also shared the message of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Thursday in a digital poster.

"CEC appeals to every voter to come out and vote with their family and friends in #GeneralElections2024. #IVote4Sure #ChunavKaParv #DeshKaGarv #YouAreTheOne #SaathChalenge," it said.

In the past several days, the Commission has also used memes to build awareness, as on April 11 it had posted a funny meme themed on web series The Family Man, leaving netizens in splits.

Experts say memes and humour appeal to youths and hence may have the desired effect on the minds of such voters as the poll panel is seeking to boost turnout.

The ruling BJP and Opposition parties Congress, Aam Aadmi Party -- both part of INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) bloc -- have used the online medium and social media platform to outsmart each other in the 'NDA (National Democratic Alliance) vs INDIA' battle.

On Thursday, the AAP ran a series of posters on X, attacking the ruling dispensation.

"Jaan ki baazi laga denge lekin desh ke samvidhan par aanch nahin aane denge," the AAP posted a digital banner on X with a photo of its leader Sanjay Singh who was recently released from jail.

In the recent past, the AAP has targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi many times in speeches, press conferences and on social media.

One such digital poster out up on AAP by X recently, had a slogan -- Modi ko hatana hai kyoniki...." along with a tagline 'BJP Hatao, Samvidhan Bachao and an image of Modi.

On Thursday, the Arvind Kejriwal-led party also posted on X a few posters about its jail ka jawab vote se' campaign, with a hashtag #JailKaJawabVoteSe.

On March 15, the AAP had on X shared a video meme, mocking the BJP on the isse of electoral bonds, while other posts dubbed its manifesto -- Sankalp Patra as not a ghoshna patra but a jumla patra.

The BJP's social media feeds have been largely dominated by images and slogans such as 'Modi ki Guarantee' and vikas bhi, virasat bhi, both of which also figure prominently in their manifesto.

On Thursday, the Congress posted a video on X, taking a veiled swipe at the ruling BJP with a sarcastic tagline berozgari bahut hai, baki sab thik hai.

On Wednesday, the grand old party also shared a poster on X with a quirky tagline, attacking Prime Minister Modi.

The Election Commission has deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations where over 16.63 crore voters will exercise their franchise.

While the polls got underway from Friday, the meme wars would perhaps only get bitter from hereon till its last phase on June 1.
Iran's nuclear sites are unharmed, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday after Israel allegedly launched retaliatory strikes overnight.

IMAGE: Employees work inside a nuclear facility in Isfahan, Iran, March 30, 2005, in this screengrab taken from video. Photograph: Reuters TV

In a statement released on Friday, the United Nations Atomic Watchdog said it is monitoring the situation very closely.

It further said that IAEA Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi has emphasised the ongoing need for utmost restraint from all parties, adding that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts.

'IAEA can confirm that there is no damage to #Iran's nuclear sites. DG @rafaelmgrossi continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely.'

A United States official confirmed to ABC News outlet that Israel carried out airstrikes against Israel.

Al Jazeera cited Mehr news agency reporting that 'sounds were heard over the city' in Isfahan early on Friday adding that 'several miniature UAVs were shot down'.

However, the official could not confirm whether Syria and Iraq sites were hit as well.

The report came shortly after local sources reported blasts in Isfahan region in central Iran.

Following this, Iran fired air defence batteries and shut down flight operations in several cites including Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan that was later lifted.

The latest development comes after Iran on April 13 fired a barrage of over 300 missiles and drones against Israel, which Tehran said was in retaliation for a presumed Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1 in which 13 people were killed.
Taking a dig at Pakistan without naming it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said a country which was a supplier of aatank (terror) is struggling for aata (flour) these days.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a public meeting for Lok Sabha elections, in Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, April 19, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Addressing an election rally at Damoh in Madhya Pradesh, he said India, which once bought most of its arms from overseas, was now exporting high-tech weapons to other countries, and referred to providing BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines.

Citing the prevailing situation in the world, he pitched for a strong and stable government at the Centre, on a day when the the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, being held in seven phases, kicked off with voting in more than 100 seats.

"There are many countries in the world whose condition has worsened. Many are getting bankrupt. Even one of our neighbours, which was a supplier of aatank (terrorism), is now struggling for supply of aata (flour)," Modi said, targeting Pakistan.

The PM asserted his government works with the principle of rashtra pratham (nation first) and never succumbs to pressure from any quarter or bows before anyone.

Defending India's move to purchase oil from Russia in face of international pressure after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he said, "To ensure that the people of the country get cheap oil and farmers get adequate fertilisers, we have taken this decision in the national interest."

"We have seen in the last 10 years how a stable government works in the interest of the people. During the COVID-19 crisis, there was chaos world over, but a strong BJP government brought back its citizens from all over the globe," he said.

The BJP's star campaigner emphasised the next five years are crucial for making the country a big global power.

The PM said when war clouds are hovering in different parts of the world, there is a need for a government which is capable of tackling any exigencies, comments coming in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war, conflict in West Asia and rising Iran-Israel tension.

He said India has become self-reliant in the defence sector and is in the process of exporting weapons worth Rs 21,000 crore to other countries this year.

Modi underscored that while he is delivering a speech here (in Damoh), India is exporting the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles system to the Philippines.

The PM accused the opposition of weakening the country's defence sector and said they are guided by their own vested interest even when it comes to purchase of weapons for the defence forces.

He slammed the Congress for creating hurdles in the procurement of French-made Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, and said had the opposition party been in power, Tejas planes could not have taken to the skies.

The BJP, in its manifesto, has promised that every individual above 70 years of age will be brought within the ambit of the Centre's Ayushman Bharat Yojana, ensuring free treatment to them up to Rs 5 lakh, Modi maintained.

The PM asserted his government was committed to the welfare of the poor and pointed out that the Centre has extended the free ration scheme for five more years for nearly 80 crore beneficiaries.

Modi praised Iqbal Ansari, a former litigant in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, for accepting the invitation to attend the January 22 consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and slammed the opposition for boycotting the event.

The BJP has fielded Rahul Lodhi from the Damoh Lok Sabha seat and state party president Vishnu Dutt Sharma from the Khajuraho constituency. Both these seats will vote in the second phase of elections on April 26.
The United States has vetoed a resolution in the UN Security Council on the latest Palestinian bid to be granted full membership of the United Nations, an outcome lauded by Israel but criticised by Palestine as 'unfair, immoral, and unjustified'.

IMAGE: Palestinian Ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour speaks after US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood voted against members of the Security Council allowing Palestinian UN membership during a Security Council at UN headquarters in New York City, on April 18, 2024. Photograph: Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

The 15-nation Council voted on a draft resolution Thursday that would have recommended to the 193-member UN General Assembly 'that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership in the United Nations'.

The resolution got 12 votes in its favour, with Switzerland and the United Kingdom abstaining and the United States casting its veto.

To be adopted, the draft resolution required at least nine Council members voting in its favour, with no vetoes by any of its five permanent members -- China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Palestinian attempts for recognition as a full member state began in 2011.

Palestine is currently a non-member observer state, a status that was granted in November 2012 by the UN General Assembly.

This status allows Palestine to participate in proceedings of the world body but it cannot vote on resolutions.

The only other non-member Observer State at the UN is the Holy See, representing the Vatican.

Israel's Foreign Minister Israel Katz praised the US for vetoing what he called a 'shameful proposal'.

'The proposal to recognise a Palestinian state, more than 6 months after the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and after the sexual crimes and other atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists was a reward for terrorism,' Katz wrote on X, after the US veto.

US Ambassador Robert Wood, Alternative Representative for Special Political Affairs, said in the explanation of the vote at the Security Council meeting on Palestinian membership that Washington continues to strongly support a two-state solution.

"It remains the US view that the most expeditious path toward statehood for the Palestinian people is through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority with the support of the United States and other partners," he said.

"This vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood, but instead is an acknowledgement that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties."

Wood said there are 'unresolved questions' as to whether Palestine meets the criteria to be considered a State.

"We have long called on the Palestinian Authority to undertake necessary reforms to help establish the attributes of readiness for statehood and note that Hamas -- a terrorist organisation -- is currently exerting power and influence in Gaza, an integral part of the state envisioned in this resolution," he said, adding that "For these reasons, the United States voted 'no' on this Security Council resolution."

Wood noted that since the October 7 attacks last year against Israel by Hamas, US President Joe Biden has been clear that sustainable peace in the region can only be achieved through a two-state solution, with Israel's security guaranteed.

"There is no other path that guarantees Israel's security and future as a democratic Jewish state. There is no other path that guarantees Palestinians can live in peace and with dignity in a state of their own. And there is no other path that leads to regional integration between Israel and all its Arab neighbours, including Saudi Arabia," he said.

The Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, sharply criticised the US veto, saying that it was 'unfair, immoral, and unjustified, and defies the will of the international community, which strongly supports the State of Palestine obtaining full membership in the United Nations'.

Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, said that 'our right to self-determination has never once been subject to bargaining or negotiation'.

"Our right to self-determination is a natural right, a historic right, a legal right. A right to live in our homeland Palestine as an independent state that is free and that is sovereign. Our right to self-determination is inalienable...," he said.

Getting emotional and choking up as he made the remarks, Mansour said that a majority of the Council members 'have risen to the level of this historic moment' and have stood 'on the side of justice, freedom and hope'.

He asserted that Palestine's admission as a full member of the UN is an 'investment in peace'.

On April 2, 2024, Palestine again sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres requesting that its application for full UN membership be considered again.

For a State to be granted full UN membership, its application must be approved both by the Security Council and the General Assembly, where a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting is required for the State to be admitted as a full member.

Earlier in the day, Guterres, in his remarks to a Council meeting on the Middle East, warned that the region is on a 'knife edge'.

"Recent escalations make it even more important to support good-faith efforts to find lasting peace between Israel and a fully independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state," Guterres said.

"Failure to make progress towards a two-state solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region, who will continue to live under the constant threat of violence," he said.

The UN, citing the Ministry of Health in Gaza, said that between October 7 last year and April 17, at least 33,899 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza and 76,664 Palestinians injured. Over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, including 33 children, have been killed in Israel, the vast majority on October 7.

As of April 17, Israeli authorities estimate that 133 Israelis and foreign nationals remain captive in Gaza, including fatalities whose bodies are withheld.
In India elections are never fought in a straight line.

It's fought on many issues, at many levels, with multiple emotions and with a bit of good luck, too.

Sheela Bhatt reports from Rajasthan.

IMAGE: Residents of Pinan village celebrate Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth anniversary. All Photographs and Videos: Sheela Bhatt

"How's the mahaul?" I ask Nisha, a woman voter in Pinan, a small village in the Rajgadh-Lakshmangadh taluka in the Alwar constituency in Rajasthan about the Lok Sabha election.

"BJP wale kitab badal rahe hai. (BJP will change the Constitution)," she says, adding, "We will vote for the Congress."

Nisha is dressed up to attend an event in Pinan bazaar to celebrate Babasaheb Ambedkar's "birthday party". Two years ago, the Dalits of Pinan erected a statue of Dr Ambedkar in the local bazaar. All the Dalit families residing in Pinan are present to garland the statue.

On locally made sound systems, music greeting "Happy Birthday to Babasaheb" is playing loudly. A few villagers dance to the synthetic tunes. Young boys cut the cake. One child cutely pastes cake on Dr Ambedkar's lips.

In many parts of India, Dalits identify with Dr Ambedkar, more and more. They have given Dr Ambedkar almost a godly status. The Constitution of India has acquired a different meaning amongst the Dalits. "Samvidhan" is the only guarantee of their scheduled caste status and the reservation quota of 15% in government jobs.

WATCH: Residents of Pinan village garland Dr Ambedkar's statue

WATCH: The villagers at Dr Ambedkar's 'birthday party'

WATCH: Children dance to the music

I ask Nisha and her neighbour Rajkumari the name of the Congress candidate in the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency. They have no clue who he is.

I ask Alwar's senior BJP leader Banna Ram Meena, who lost the 2023 assembly election, why this "fear" of the possibility of a change in the Constitution has percolated to citizens?

"It's spread by the Congress," Meena says.

"On what basis?" I ask, "What triggered it?"

Meena smirks and asserts, "This slogan of 'ab ki baar 400 paar panicked them."

For the last couple of days, Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Bhupendra Yadav, the BJP's candidate in Alwar, have been denying this perception.

IMAGE: Nisha says she will vote for the Congress because she fears the BJP will change the Constitution.

On April 16, Modi was in Bihar and West Bengal. In Balurghat, Bengal, he told an election rally, 'The Constitution is our Aastha (faith). This Constitution has turned out to be so great because Ambedkar was supported by 80% to 90% members of the Constituent Assembly who were Sanatani. Uttam samvidhan banane main unhone Ambedkar ka saath diya (,em>they supported Ambedkar in creating a fine Constitution).'

While quashing the 'misconception' about the BJP's intent, Modi said, 'In the 75th year of the Constitution we will take its message to nooks and corner of India. We will show the importance of it. These people (the Congress) who suspended the Constitution during the Emergency are manufacturing an incorrect narrative about the Constitution.'

Modi repeats this message in all his speeches. The same day, in another speech, Modi says, 'What to talk about Modi, or the BJP, even if Ambedkar himself wishes, this Constitution can't be changed! It is giving strength to our passion and our sanskars."

The BJP is paying a price for its Uttara Kannada MP Anantkumar Hegde's statement that triggered this controversy. On March 25, Hegde -- who has since not been given a ticket to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election -- said the BJP wants to win 400 seats because it wants to change the Constitution.

The Congress added spice to this by saying that the BJP wants to change the Constitution to 'end reservations for Dalits and tribals.' The BJP leadership distanced itself from Hegde's remarks, but the damage has been done.

BJP candidates in Rajasthan and elsewhere are firefighting the notion that the party will alter the Constitutuon if it wins 400 seats this election and insist that the "Constitutional guarantee" of "reservation" is unchangeable.

In Alwar district, on the campaign trail, I ask Bhupender Yadav about the "fears" of some voters that the BJP is asking for 400 seats so that it can change the Constitution.

"Maybe some Congress voters are saying so," says Yadav. "Prime Minister Modi has given a strong response to it. Amit Shah, during his speech in Alwar, has said that these are rumours spread by the Congress."

"We have ruled for 10 years under our Constitution. We believe in the Constitution, and we have no plans to change it," Yadav, who is perceived to be close to Modi and Shah, adds.

WATCH: Bhupender Yadav, the BJP candidate, tying a turban

WATCH: Bhupender Yadav addresses an election meeting

At ground zero, a reality check of any issue provides a different perspective.

By any yardstick, the perception that the caste-based reservation system can be tampered with is the ultimate political weapon to hit your opponent.

But in India elections are never fought in a straight line. It's fought on many issues, at many levels, with multiple emotions and with a bit of good luck, too.

IMAGE: Kanhaiyalal Saini, a vegetable vendor, at Alwar market.

Take Alwar constituency.

Here, the Meos, native Muslims of the region, Meenas, the tribals of Alwar, and Dalits speak about the "BJP samvidhan badlega" and largely favour the Congress.

By a rough estimate, around 750,000 (7.5 lakh) among Alwar's 2.05 million (20.5 lakh) voters are inclined towards the Congress. But in an Indian constituency when the caste factor enters the fray, many genuine electoral issues vanish.

In Alwar the caste identity is quite sharp.

After leaving Pinan, I travel to areas where Sainis, Yadavs and other non-tribal and non-Dalit Hindus are in a majority. They don't express fears that the BJP will change the Constitution.

They are angry over the water scarcity.

In the Rajgarh-Lakshmangarh assembly constituency, drinking water comes once every four days. There is severe scarcity of water for farming.

IMAGE: A sweet meat vendor in Pinan village, Alwar.

I ask Murarilal Shastri, a retired Sanskrit teacher in Behedkho Kalan village, "What happened to Modi's Har Ghar Jal project?"

"We had a Congress government. They were not sincere in its implementation because it was Modi's project," says Shastri. "They installed pipelines to the bore well which had no water in it. The project's money got spent, but we never got water."

"In our area if you dig up to 800 feet below the ground level you won't find water. The levels have gone down dangerously low."

Indian elections are increasingly difficult to report because all castes are uniting on election eve to demand their share of power. Candidates are left with no choice but to negotiate with caste leaders. Retired bureaucrats and police officers, former MLAs and MPs in the area are engaged to negotiate with their respective castes.

IMAGE: Bhupender Yadav, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate in Alwar.

Bhupender Yadav faces a challenging battle as around 400,000 Yadav voters in Alwar will be divided between him and his Congress rival, Lalit Yadav, who is the sitting MLA for the Mundawar assembly seat which is part of the Alwar Lok Sabha constituency.

At a subtle level he will have to establish that he is the powerful emerging Yadav leader of the entire belt extending into Haryana and Lalit Yadav is "junior" to him.

Of Alwar's 8 assembly seats, five have Congress MLAs.

"Meena tribals of our area converted to Islam many decades back. Now they are known as Meos," says Kanhaiyalal Saini, a vegetable vendor. "Meenas and Meos have lots of common customs and traditionally they have been voting for the Congress."

To solve the area's water problems, Saini will vote for the BJP.

"Without power in Jaipur and Delhi you can't solve the pani ki samasya (water crisis). You need a budget worth crores of rupees. Modi has the wherewithal to spend that kind of money."

"Hindus will vote for the BJP," Saini adds.

"Alwar is a spiritual bhumi," Banna Ram, who lost an election as recently as November 2023, tells me. "The real issue is lack of water supply. Hindus and Muslims live in harmony."

Bhupender Yadav gets his confidence from data from the 2019 Lok Sabha election.

BJP candidate Balaknath then secured 60.1% of Alwar's votes, polling 760,000 votes. His Congress rival Bhanwar Jitendra Singh, a scion of Alwar's erstwhile royal family, won 430,000 votes or 34% of the votes polled.

When the difference between the BJP and Congress is as high as 26%, Lalit Yadav, Bhupender Yadav's Congress adversary, needs a massive swing in his favour.

Without power in Jaipur, Congress candidates are sailing against the wind in Rajasthan.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
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Moment  Mike Waltz  90,000 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13325745/Mike-Waltz-busings-air-force-military-overspending.html

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Moment Rep. Mike Waltz holds up a $90,000 bag of insulator joints as stumped USAF Secretary admits he has NO IDEA such basic parts cost that much for taxpayers https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13325745/Mike-Waltz-bushings-air-force-military-overspending.html

US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall was stumped in Congress

Waltz held up a bag of bushings which he said the USAF pays $90K a bag for

He warned that military overspending is 'literally driving us out of business'

By WILL POTTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM 18 April 2024

US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall suffered an awkward moment in Congress as he was stumped over a question about military overspending. The military leader was questioned by Florida Congressman Mike Waltz over the 'exorbitant' amounts spent on regular inexpensive items, using a bag of bushings as an example. Despite the small bag of electrical bolts costing average Americans around $100, Waltz said the military forks out $90,000 a bag. 'This is literally driving us out of business,' he said. 'The interest on our debt alone is now exceeding, for the first time in American history, the entire defense budget.' Florida Congressman Mike Waltz slammed US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall over military overspending, using a $90,000 bag of bushings as an example Kendall was stumped when quizzed over the 'exorbitant' spending, particularly as the DOD sources commercial parts directly from factories Waltz began his grilling of the Air Force secretary by holding up the small bag of bushings, which only contained a handful of bolts. 'This, Mr. Secretary, is a bag of bushings,' he began. 'This bag of bushings, stamped out by machines, don't need a high school diploma, nothing high tech about this, all of this bag is compliant with the FAA specifications. 'How much do you think the Air Force pays for this bag of bushings?' Kendall responded that he 'didn't know', leading Waltz to quickly clarify: '$90,000.' Waving the small bag in the air, the exacerbated representative continued: 'This is a $90,000 bag of bushings, that you need for any jet turbine engine.' Bushings are essential components of engines, and the small rotating parts are typically placed between joint mounts for vibration absorption, rotation support and thermal resistance. Branding the cost 'exorbitant', Waltz noted that the Department of Defense sources all commercial parts directly from original equipment manufacturers, meaning they should be cheaper than off-the-shelf items. However, while everyday Americans can expect to pay roughly $100 for the bag of bushings, Waltz questioned why the taxpayers were footing the bill for the huge markup. 'This is literally driving us out of business,' he said. 'The interest on our debt alone is now exceeding, for the first time in American history, the entire defense budget.' Waltz's remarks sparked backlash towards the military after it circulated on social media, with viewers feeling it is 'pretty insane how the taxpayer is ripped off by the MIC (military industrial complex).' 'A $90,000 bag of bushings courtesy of the DOD,' commented another. 'Typical American government waste and fraud.' Another said: '$90,000 for a small bag of bushings. Should be like $90! 'Privatization just means private contractors fleece the US government! Of course, some of this money cycles back into the pockets of politicians.' The issue was raised as military spending shows no signs of slowing down, with the cost of militaries around the world topping $2.24 trillion in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is not the first time that Waltz has slammed military leaders, after previously introducing legislation to audit the military's DEI policies that he argued were 'harming our military readiness.' Last June, the congressman, a Green Beret veteran, introduced the WARRIOR Act to combat what he perceived as left-wing ideology infiltrating the military. Waltz said the military overspending is 'literally driving us out of business', noting that 'the interest on our debt alone is now exceeding, for the first time in American history, the entire defense budget' Waltz said the military overspending is 'literally driving us out of business', noting that 'the interest on our debt alone is now exceeding, for the first time in American history, the entire defense budget' Alongside ending DEI, Waltz also lobbied against critical race theory being taught in military academies, and hoped to launch an investigation into the effect of Covid-19 vaccines on troops. 'Under the Biden Administration, the Pentagon has diverted its focus from lethality and have instead pushed initiatives that have politicized our warfighting ranks and harmed our military readiness,' Waltz said at the time. 'Our military faces the worst recruiting crisis since the Vietnam War because young Americans dont want to join what was once a trusted institution that has become overly politicized and hyper-focused on DEI initiatives. 'The reforms proposed in this legislation will restore a merit-based culture to our ranks, audit unnecessary and political DEI programs, and require cost-benefit analysis reports for green-energy-focused proposals.'

Waltz Leads Letter Pressing Air Force on Generals Political Comments

https://waltz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=748?

Washington, June 23, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C.  On Friday, U.S. Congressmen Mike Waltz (FL-6), Greg Steube (FL-17), and Pat Fallon (TX-4) sent a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall expressing their deep concern with a speech given by U.S. Space Force Lieutenant General DeAnna Burt, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, at a Pentagon Pride event earlier this month.

During her remarks, Lt. Gen. Burt stated, while in uniform, that: Since January of this year, more than 400 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been introduced at the state level. That number is rising and demonstrates a trend that could be dangerous for service members, their families, and the readiness of the force as a whole. When I look at potential candidates, say, for squadron command, I strive to match the right person to the right job. I consider their job performance and relevant experience first. However, I also look at their personal circumstances, and their family is also an important factor,

She continued, If the good match for a job does not feel safe being themselves and performing at their highest potential at a given location, or if their family could be denied critical health care due to the laws in that state, I am compelled to consider a different candidate, and, perhaps, less qualified.

These remarks refer to state legislatures which are protecting children by preventing their exposure to sexual material in schools and barring gender transition operations for minors. Lt. Gen. Burts speech, again conducted publicly and uniform, inappropriately commented on laws passed by elected officials reflected the views of their constituents and raises serious concerns about civilian oversight of the military.

Read the full letter below:

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I am writing to express my deep concern with a speech given by U.S. Space Force Lieutenant General DeAnna Burt at a Pentagon Pride event on June 7, 2023. Lt. Gen. Burt currently serves as the Space Forces Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, making her one of the most important officials in an organization that is vital to the national security of the United States.

At this event, Lt. Gen. Burt said, while in uniform, that she would base promotion and posting decisions on an officers sexuality and not their ability to effectively do their assigned job. Since January of this year, more than 400 anti-LGBTQ+ laws have been introduced at the state level. That number is rising and demonstrates a trend that could be dangerous for service members, their families, and the readiness of the force as a whole, she said. When I look at potential candidates, say, for squadron command, I strive to match the right person to the right job. I consider their job performance and relevant experience first. However, I also look at their personal circumstances, and their family is also an important factor, Lt. Gen. Burt continued. If the good match for a job does not feel safe being themselves and performing at their highest potential at a given location, or if their family could be denied critical health care due to the laws in that state, I am compelled to consider a different candidate, and, perhaps, less qualified.

By reasonable inference, Lt. Gen. Burt is referring to state legislatures like Florida, which are protecting children by preventing their exposure to sexual material in schools and barring gender-transition operations for minors. Lt. Gen. Burts speech, again conducted publicly and in uniform, inappropriately commented on laws passed by elected officials reflected the views of their constituents and raises serious concerns about civilian oversight of the military.

The Space Force must clarify this policy change alleged by one of its most senior leaders. Among other issues, it could have enormous impact on operations and readiness. As you know, Florida is home to Patrick Space Force Base (SFB) and an estimated 13,000 military, civilians, contractors, and dependents associated with the base and its mission. Patrick SFB houses Space Launch Delta 45, which controls and operates Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and the Eastern Range, a vital task.

Additionally, the Air Force recently decided to base the Space Training and Readiness

Command (STARCOM) at Patrick SFB in Florida. STARCOM plays a critical role in our national security and is responsible for educating and training Guardians, developing the Space Forces doctrine and tactics, and testing Space Force capabilities. The basing decision is expected to bring more than 350 personnel to STARCOM once it reaches full operational capability.

If posting and promotion decisions for Patrick SFB and STARCOM are determined based on political concerns over state law, and the Space Force is posting less qualified officers to Patrick SFB, that would be an egregious dereliction of the Defense Departments primary responsibility to ensure the Armed Forces are ready to deter and if necessary, defeat our adversaries.

In light of Lt. Gen. Burts comments, I request answers to the following questions.

 Do you agree with Lt. Gen Burts decision to intentionally promote less qualified Guardians?
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy with periods of rain. High 47F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with periods of rain. Low 43F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Periods of rain. High 47F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Periods of rain. Low 43F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a half an inch.
WINDHAM  After the community opted for school choice and rejected an operating budget for Windham Elementary at annual Town Meeting last month, voters will be asked if the building should be closed.

They'll also consider allowing the School Board to spend $557,344 for tuition and other costs, and to pay tuition for state-approved elementary schools in an amount not to exceed the statewide elementary school tuition.

The three articles are anticipated to come before the community next month after the board voted unanimously Thursday in favor of moving forward with them.

"I'm just wondering why the school board isn't voting to close the school, why they're putting it to the town?" Crystal Corriveau of Windham asked at the meeting.

Mark Oettinger, the school district's attorney who served as general counsel for the Vermont Agency of Education for eight years, cited law saying every school district in Vermont "shall operate an elementary school unless the electorate by voting to close the school authorizes the school board to pay tuition in accordance with Vermont statute."

"My reading of the statute is that closing a school, it's such a fundamental change that the law doesn't allow the board to do it unilaterally," he said. "We spent a little bit of time talking about the fact that this is such a fundamental thing, whether or not you have a school in your community, that it's a protection essentially to vest the voters with the power to do so. We also talked about the possibility that at some point in the future, the electorate could vote to reopen the school."

Oettinger said Windham could see "a big influx of students, and maybe suddenly there's no longer a shortage of licensed teachers and school administrators."

"My understanding is that the board proposes to maintain the school perhaps to turn it into a profit center as a benefit to the community and potentially to be there in the event that circumstances change and the decision is made to reopen the school," he said.

Corriveau recalled a vote by the community in 2018 giving the board the power to close the school.

"I'm not aware of all of that may have occurred in years gone by; I'm just going on the basis of statute," Oettinger said. "I think what the School Board has decided here, if I understand it correctly, is to essentially not exercise that right if it has that right but to instead follow the dictates of the electorate."

Oettinger said the proposed budget figure largely factors in the cost of tuition for about 20 or 22 students and includes about $25,000 to continue maintaining the school building while the board explores "revenue generating options for it."

The board plans to warn the articles 30 days in advance of the vote. Daniel Roth, board member, said the articles will be submitted to the town so a vote can be scheduled.

Windham opts for school choice, rejects budget WINDHAM  Voters opted for school choice, rejecting a school budget that would keep the elem

Currently, the school is closed due to staffing issues. Since January, students have been attending Townshend Elementary.

At Town Meeting in March, an article for the School Board to provide for the elementary education of students by paying tuition to one or more public elementary schools passed 82-45. In a 77-60 vote, the approximately $597,000 budget proposed for fiscal year 2025 was rejected.

"Windham families spoke up forcefully at the town meeting, giving several reasons for their fear and dislike of the Windham Elementary School, which is currently closed. They particularly cited the school boards inability to affirm that the school would be improved in the immediate future, given lack of staff and serious deficiencies in the school plant," the Windham Committee for School Choice said in an statement at the time. "The resounding victory for the solid majority of parents who wanted school choice was unexpected, and suggested that some pro-school voters at town meeting changed their minds on the basis of what they learned from the unhappy parents."

Voters also rejected an article to submit a petition to the state to ask to be regrouped into a different supervisory union. Windham is currently in the Windham Central Supervisory Union.
A photo shared by Chinese-speaking social media users claims to show American soldiers stationed on Taiwan's Kinmen islands this year. But the claim is false. The photo in fact shows U.S. troops attending a New York funeral in 2007.

The claim was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Feb. 27.

The year 2024 has just arrived, and US Special Forces have been stationed in Kinmen, a small island just 2 kilometers from Xiamen, after the Kinmen fishing boat incident, the claim reads in part.

Netizens on X claim that U.S. soldiers were stationed in Taiwans Kinmen islands. (Screenshot/ X)





The photo began circulating following an incident on Feb. 14, in which two Chinese men drowned near Kinmen, an island under Taipei's control that is just 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Chinese city of Xiamen, while being chased by a Taiwanese coast guard vessel.

The incident has exacerbated tensions between Beijing and Taipei, especially after a survivor allegedly claimed the boat was rammed.

Similar claims have been shared on X here and here.

But the claim is false.

A funeral in New York

A reverse image search on Google and TinEye found the same photo published on the website of Yellow Ribbon America, a group that provides support for U.S. military personnel, their families and communities.

U.S. Army Rangers with the 75th Ranger Regiment make up the honor platoon in a funeral procession to the gravesite of Gen. (retired) Wayne A. Downing during his interment service at West Point, NY, Sept. 27, 2007, the caption of the photo reads.

A keyword search found an exact matching photo posted on the website TogetherWeServed, an online community of the U.S. military veterans, stating that the funeral of Gen. Wayne A. Downing was held on Sep. 27, 2007 at the West Point Cemetery, which is located on the grounds of the United States Military Academy in New York state.

US troops in Taiwan

In 2021, Taiwans President Tsai Ing-wen acknowledged for the first time since 1979  the year the last U.S. garrison departed following Washingtons shift of diplomatic recognition to Beijing  that American troops were present on the island to train with Taiwanese soldiers.

In a separate report published by Taiwans Central News Agency on March 14, 2024, the regions defense minister affirmed U.S. troops were also positioned on the outlying islands as part of an exchange program, described as a learning opportunity for the armed forces of the democratic island.

Edited by Shen Ke & Malcolm Foster.

Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) was established to counter disinformation in todays complex media environment. We publish fact-checks, media-watches and in-depth reports that aim to sharpen and deepen our readers understanding of current affairs and public issues. If you like our content, you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Two Chinese warships, circled, are seen at Cambodia's Ream naval base on April 18, 2024.

UPDATED at 9:20 am ET on April 19, 2024

Cambodia appears to have given the Chinese navy extended and exclusive access to its naval base in Ream despite official claims that they only arrived for training purposes, a U.S. think tank said.

Radio Free Asia first reported on the arrival of two Chinese corvettes last December, the first foreign warships allowed to dock at the new Chinese-built pier at Ream, Sihanoukville province.

The ships left the pier on January 15, 2024, only to return several days later, said the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C. in a new report.

AMTI analyzed commercial satellite imagery that shows the Chinese vessels have now maintained a consistent presence for over four months.

It appears that they've been based there, just as the leaked 2019 MOU [memorandum of understanding] suggested they would be, said Greg Poling, AMTIs director, referring to the reported controversial agreement between Cambodia and China in 2019 giving Beijing exclusive rights to part of the Ream naval base.

This isn't just a visit or an exercise, Poling told RFA. Despite the Hun Sen and Hun Manet governments' denials, the PLAN [Peoples Liberation Army Navy] is operating out of Ream.

Training Cambodian navy

The AMTI report said that no other ships, including Cambodian vessels, have been seen docking at the new pier, which was completed last year to enable larger warships to dock in Reams shallow waters.

This indicates a visible sign of privileged access for Chinas military, it said, adding that the degree of Chinas access to Ream in the future will confirm whether Ream has become a Chinese naval base.

Former Cambodian defense minister Tea Banh visits a Chinese warship at Ream naval base, Dec. 3, 2023. (Facebook: Tea Seiha)





Cambodia is preparing for the upcoming annual joint exercise Golden Dragon with the Chinese military, part of which will be conducted at sea, RFA has learned. Naval commanders held a meeting in Phnom Penh on April 18 to discuss the exercise.

It is unclear whether the Chinese vessels currently at Ream would take part in Golden Dragon 2024. In last years iteration, the two navies conducted their first-ever joint naval drills in the waters off Sihanoukville, but with a landing ship dispatched from China.

RFA has contacted Rear Adm. Mey Dina, Ream naval bases commander, for more clarification but has not received any reply.

When the two Chinese ships arrived in Ream in December 2023, Cambodias minister of defense Tea Seiha said on Facebook that it was for training our Cambodian Navy crew. In the following days there was indeed a training course for Cambodian navy staff at Ream, attended by Chinese officers.

However, there were no further reports on any activity of the Chinese ships in either Cambodian or Chinese media.

We dont know what the Chinese have been up to [at Ream] because China builds and operates it itself, said a Cambodian analyst who wished to stay anonymous due to the sensitivity of the topic.

What appears to be evident is that Beijing has begun to station semi-permanent warships there as a means of solidifying its military footprint across Southeast Asia, said Paul Chambers, a political scientist at the Center of ASEAN Community Studies at Naresuan University in Thailand.

A Chinese foothold in Cambodia offers support to other nearby Chinese military platforms in the South China Sea, Myanmar, Laos, and southern Asia, Chambers told RFA.

Serious concerns

A spokesperson from the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh said in an email to RFA that the United States and countries in the region have consistently expressed serious concern about the intent, nature, and scope of construction at Ream naval base, as well as the role the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) military is playing in this process and infuture use of the facility.

The Cambodian people, neighboring countries, ASEAN, and the region more broadly would benefit from transparency on PRC activities at Ream, the embassy wrote.

The U.S. State Department last December said it had serious concerns about Chinas plans for exclusive control over portions of Ream Naval Base, a claim that Cambodia has repeatedly denied.

Top officials in Phnom Penh have maintained that allowing a foreign military to be based in Cambodia would be in contradiction to the countrys constitution.

Sailors stand guard at the Cambodian Ream Naval Base in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, July 26, 2019. (Reuters/Samrang Pring)





Cambodian analyst, Chhan Paul, wrote in the pro-government newspaper Khmer Times that any allegation of a Chinese military base is a deliberate attempt to malign Cambodia.

Cambodia never claims that it wont allow warships from China to dock at the Ream naval base. Cambodia openly welcomes warships from other friendly countries to dock at the base, the independent analyst wrote, Therefore, the mere sighting of a Chinese warship cannot be interpreted to mean anything out of the ordinary.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi is to visit Cambodia from April 21 to 23 to further consolidate bilateral relations in wide-ranging areas, according to a press release from the Cambodian foreign ministry.

Wang Yi is scheduled to call on King Norodom Sihamoni and meet with Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father Hun Sen, who is now the president of the countrys Senate.

Edited by Mike Firn.

Updates with comment from U.S. Embassy.
Hu Chunfeng's social media accounts are blocked for 'violating' rules despite the anchor's angry reaction to camera.

A Chinese celebrity blogger has been blocked by internet censors after someone called him up during a live stream and asked if President Xi Jinping is a dictator, according to video captured from the incident.

"I wanted to ask if you think Xi is a dictator," the caller asked, prompting blogger Hu Chunfeng to ask "What are you trying to say?"

The caller repeats their question: "I'm trying to say, do you think Xi is a dictator?"

Hu then cuts the caller off and launches into a furious rant denouncing their behavior. "Oh my God," he yells. "People like that are so scary!"

"This person was in serious breach of live-streaming regulations," Hu shouts to camera, wagging his finger at the caller, adding: "I cut him off immediately."

"People like that are crazy, right? Pretty sure someone's going to come looking for him after that," Hu says, in a reference to law enforcement agencies.

"He'll have to bear the legal consequences," he adds, wagging his finger again.

The incident was the latest in a string of politically embarrassing moments during live streams that have left government censors and their proxies in private companies scrambling to shut down any mention of "sensitive words," including unflattering mentions of Chinese leaders.

In November, U.S. President Joe Biden referred to Xi as a "dictator" following a leadership summit, prompting China to hit back calling his comments "absurd" and "a provocation."

Wasnt enough

Hu's politically correct rant wasn't enough to save him from his own consequences, however.

Soon afterwards, a notice appeared on Hu's live stream page saying he was taking a three-day break "due to feeling unwell."

After that, an announcement appeared on his Bilibili video-sharing account, where Hu has more than 15,000 fans, bearing the message: "This account is currently blocked." On his Weibo account, the message read: "This account has been blocked for violating our community guidelines."

Comments under the video posted to Radio Free Asia's X account said Hu's rant clearly hadn't been enough to protect him.

"There may have been a glimmer of hope if he'd answered Of course not, with a revolutionary speech filled with high praise," @USABelAir2021, an account that describes itself as a "news account run by an overseas China," commented.

"He's going to get blocked whatever he does, his big reaction notwithstanding," the user commented.

X user @woyongdehuawei commented that the blocking of Hu's accounts was a "tacit admission that Xi Jinping is a dictator."

"The ban on Hu shows that the Xi Jinping dynasty is afraid of the voice of the people," the user wrote.

"There's no way he could survive that," user @Canadianavion replied. "As you said, it doesn't matter what he does after that -- it won't be of any use. Online monitors and platforms are far more likely to just shut down the account to protect themselves."

Former Sina Weibo censor Liu Lipeng, who now lives in the United States, agreed.

"The platforms are acting out of fear, because the topic of whether or not Xi Jinping is a dictator isn't a topic that can be discussed at all," Liu told RFA Mandarin. "Anything relating to Xi Jinping is taboo, and is a sensitive topic of the highest order."

"Online platforms are obliged to eradicate the whole incident."

Politically sensitive handles

Bilibili has run into trouble before with live streamed content from its platform.

In January 2023, it imposed restrictions on live stream anchors playing Goose Goose Duck after users in China assumed politically sensitive handles referencing Chinese leaders, disgraced former officials and exiled dissidents.

They included jailed former security czar Zhou Yongkang, exiled billionaire Miles Kwok and former 1989 Tiananmen student movement leader Wang Dan.

And in June 2022, censors shut down the livestream of beauty influencer Austin Li after he displayed a tank-shaped ice-cream cake ahead of the 33rd anniversary of the Tiananmen massacre, prompting fans to wonder what unknown event he could have been referring to, as the incident has largely been erased from textbooks and internet content behind the Great Firewall of online censorship.

Chinese censors have also extended their policing of Xis image overseas, with at least two satirical YouTube channels shut down in recent years for taking pot-shots at the Chinese leader.

According to Liu, Hu had inadvertently answered the caller's question by getting visibly rattled by it.

"His reaction was too dramatic, which made it spread further," he said, citing the shutting down of a live stream in Cantonese, the lingua franca of Hong Kong, by Douyin censors in October 2022.

"If you can't understand it, you have to shut it down," Liu said, adding that foreign nationals aren't allowed to run live streams in China, even if they are of Chinese descent, because they won't have undergone years of political education growing up.

Even having a foreign spouse is suspect, he said.

"There have been Chinese live streams that were shut down because a foreign spouse was seen walking around in the background," he said.

U.S.-based current affairs commentator Ma Ju said the incident was an "Emperor's New Clothes" moment.

"Everyone in China knows very well that this is a question that can't be answered, and a topic that can't be discussed," Ma told RFA Mandarin. "This incident has vividly demonstrated the fear that everyone feels living under the Chinese Communist Party's totalitarian rule."

"In particular, it illustrates the lack of freedom of speech that Chinese people have nowadays, and their fear of the dictator Xi Jinping," he said.

Translated with additional reporting by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Eight more were injured after police, guards and soldiers opened fire on the inmates, an advocacy organization said.

People waiting for prisoners to be released in front of Myitkyina Prison on April 17, 2024.

Prison and junta authorities killed four inmates following a protest in northern Myanmar jail, a resident told Radio Free Asia on Friday.

Following the juntas amnesty of over 3,000 prisoners on Wednesday for Burmese New Year, some inmates who did not get chosen for early release started a riot in Kachin states capital at Myitkyina Prison the following day.

A Myitkyina resident who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons told RFA inmates started protesting on Thursday afternoon, calling the amnesty unfair.

The protest has been going on since around noon. The crackdown started at 4 p.m. Four inmates were killed and eight were injured. I dont know who died, he said. But I have seen that the [dead] were taken out by ambulance along with the Red Cross. It calmed down again at 8 p.m. last night.

The dead and injured were taken to Myitkyina Hospital, guarded by junta forces he added.

The junta has not released any information regarding the protest or casualties.

RFA reached out to Kachin states junta spokesperson Moe Min Thein, but he did not answer the call.

The Myanmar Political Prisoners Network said in a statement that police, soldiers and prison authorities opened fire several times on the prisoners, adding that it is still investigating the circumstances that led to the injuries and deaths.

On Wednesday, junta officials released 42 inmates from Myitkyina Prison for a Burmese New Years day amnesty,

Among them, only three political prisoners were released, including Kachin Baptist Convention advisor and reverend Hkalam Samson, former Kachin State Social Affairs Minister Nay Win and former immigration minister Zaw Win.

Hkalam Samson was re-arrested on Wednesday night. He was originally taken into custody in December 2022 and sentenced for three charges, including incitement to terrorism and unlawful association after praying with other Christian members of the shadow National Unity Government, which formed after the 2021 military coup to oppose the junta.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Kiana Duncan and Mike Firn.
Academics call on the government to extend visas for people from Myanmar who fled fighting there.

A woman and child walk into Thailand at the Tak border checkpoint in Mae Sot district, April 11, 2024.

The Thai government is looking to expand humanitarian aid to Myanmar as fighting between junta forces and rebels intensifies across the border in Kayin state, a senior spokesman from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Friday.

The Thai government is seeking to deliver the aid to all parties in need equally, spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said, with relevant international organizations and civil society groups along the border expected to be invited to discuss the matter in the near future.

As a neighboring country, Thailand supports dialogue for reconciliation, leading to peace, stability and unity in Myanmar. However, reaching that point must come from discussions and finding solutions among the various groups within Myanmar itself, Nikorndej told reporters at a news conference. Thailand is ready to talk to all parties if requested and is prepared to engage in discussions.

He confirmed that Thailand was ready to support efforts to quell the violence within Myanmar.

Thailand supports dialogues for reconciliation in three main issues  peace, security, unity. We are currently considering ways to increase and expand humanitarian assistance by collaborating with international organizations within the next one to two weeks, he said.

The Thai government is monitoring key events including clashes between junta troops and rebel forces, particularly those that could affect Thai citizens along the border if their Myanmar neighbors are forced to flee into Thailand.

The spokesman confirmed that the situation along the Thai side of the border remained normal, despite opposition forces taking control of the town of Myawaddy in Myanmar.

Recently, the Karen Nation Liberation Army (KNLA), the Karen National Union (KNU) and the Peoples Defense Force (PDF) announced that they had captured Myawaddy  a major trading hub along the border  spurring an influx of refugees into Thailand.

Meanwhile, Thai Defense Minister Sutin Klungsang told reporters that security forces were on high alert to respond to emergencies.

We have a border committee to oversee the border situation, as the army has military units at hand and our air defense is ready to take off. There are reconnaissance flights ready for air patrol and deterrence, Sutin said. We have the capabilities for protecting our air space and can dispatch fighter jets to intercept immediately, if there are any intrusions.

Since the Feb. 1, 2021, military coup overthrew the government of President Win Myint and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar, the country has seen constant fighting between junta forces and those opposed to the military government.

The fall of Myawaddy to anti-junta forces sent thousands of people toward the border. That caused Thailands armed forces to deploy soldiers alongside Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridges, which regulate both people and goods and connect Myawaddy to Thailands Mae Sot.

The takeover of the town prompted Thailands foreign minister to call on the junta to refrain from further violence in the region. He said that people fleeing the fighting would be allowed into Thailand on a strictly humanitarian basis, RFA quoted him as saying on April 12.

Burma Concern

On Friday, a group called Burma Concern released an open letter signed by more than 150 academics and addressed to Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and relevant agencies, listing a series of requests.

The letter called for the Thai government to not force the repatriation of Myanmar citizens because they could face persecution and torture.

It also called for the government to allow Myanmar citizens of fighting age to seek temporary refuge in Thailand. Many fled across the border to avoid being drafted after the Myanmar government introduced conscription regulations earlier this year.

The letter said the Thai government should extend visas for students who are close to graduation and for colleges and other educational institutions to consider accepting other Myanmar students.

It also called for the Thai government to speed up the visa process for those wishing to enter the country and grant relief to Myanmar citizens who are unable to return to their homes.

In February, Sretthas government announced plans to establish a humanitarian safe zone and corridor for delivering aid to some 20,000 people across the border in Kayin state.

The Thai government, in cooperation with the Thai and Myanmar Red Cross Societies, began delivering humanitarian aid last month.

A convoy traveled across the Mae Sot-Myawaddy Friendship Bridge No. 2 on March 25 to deliver 4,000 packages to Na Bu, and Thar Ma Nya and Paingkyon in Myanmars Kayin state.

Isa Gharti, a public policy researcher at Chiang Mai University, said if Thailand increased humanitarian assistance, it should coordinate with all parties to ensure a more comprehensive and equitable distribution. He emphasized the need for transparency in disclosing information about the distribution to build confidence from the international community.

Additionally, Thailand should strongly push at the ASEAN meeting for negotiations with the Myanmar military government and the opposition to end the violence and restore the peaceful political process, including the establishment of a special ASEAN representative for Myanmar to serve as a mediator in the negotiations if possible, Gharti told BenarNews on Friday.

Gharti spoke out after the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) issued a statement on Thursday saying it was deeply concerned over the escalation of conflicts inside Myanmar and calling for an end to the violence.

The 10-member bloc pointed to the situation in the area of Myawaddy and in Rakhine, a state in western Myanmar that shares a border with Bangladesh and where civilians have been displaced by fighting between Arakan Army rebels and junta forces.

We call on all parties to take urgent steps to reduce the impacts of the conflict on civilians. This includes providing a safe and conducive environment to guarantee the timely and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need in Myanmar without discrimination, the statement said.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
Its the second time in just over a month that junta raids forced an evacuation of Monywa township.

Nearly 5,000 villagers in central Myanmars Sagaing region have fled their homes after junta troops conducted raids in Monywa township, home to the regions largest city, residents told RFA Burmese.

They are the latest to be left homeless by the three-year conflict in the country, where more than 2.8 million people are displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance amid access challenges, according to the United Nations.

On Wednesday evening, approximately 150 junta troops entered eastern Monywa township from neighboring Ayadaw township, prompting the evacuation of thousands of villagers from Kyauk Kar, Hta Naung Win and Ywar Ton, according to residents of the area.

A resident of Hta Naung Win, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said the column of troops carried small arms and heavy weapons.

The junta troops spent a night in Kyauk Kar village and [Thursday] morning they advanced to Hta Naung Win, where they remain stationed, he said.

March raids on Monywa

The seat of Monywa township is Sagaings largest city, located about 135 kilometers (85 miles) northwest of Mandalay on the banks of the Chindwin River. Home to around 372,000 people  nearly half of whom live in rural settings  Monywa serves as a major commerce hub and cultural center for the nations poets.

Kyauk Kar, Hta Naung Win and Ywar Ton villages collectively comprise more than 1,000 households, residents said.

Displaced civilians due to Myanmar junta raids in Monywa township in 2024. (Chaw Su San)

Attempts by RFA to contact Nyunt Win Aung, the juntas social affairs minister for Sagaing and the regional spokesperson, for comment on the raids went unanswered.

Wednesdays raid marks the second time in just over a month that junta troops attacked eastern Monywa township, forcing residents to seek shelter.

In early March, the military set fire to several villages in the area, destroying more than 150 homes and displacing over 5,000 people, residents told RFA.

Translated by Kalyar Lwin. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Moe Pyae Sone left her home and is now in Kayin state for the revolution.

Karen National Liberation Army fighter Moe Pyae Sone, 18, is seen in Myanmars Kayin state, April 17, 2024.

With braided hair, pink plastic clogs and a wide grin, 18-year-old Moe Pyae Sone stands straight before a camera and tells of her decision to leave her family, her school and her village.

I am from northern Shan state and Ive come to Kayin state for the revolution, she says to Radio Free Asia.

Moe Pyae Sone pauses for a moment at an internally displaced peoples camp just south of Myawaddy, where ethnic rebels recently overran military junta positions.

Wearing camouflage pants and a tactical vest over a traditional red garment, she recalls her participation in protests  like so many other young people  against Myanmars military junta after the Feb. 1, 2021, coup detat.

Knowing of her desire to fight, her parents asked her to remain in school, she says. But in 2022, she secretly sold a pair of earrings to pay for travel expenses.

On the other side of the country  in Chin state  she joined rebel forces and eventually became a trainer.

In Chin state, Ive gained combat experience, she says. Ive participated in quite a few battles.

She speaks matter-of-factly and occasionally lets loose with a nervous giggle.

Karen National Liberation Army fighter Moe Pyae Sone and another soldier are seen in Myanmars Kayin state, April 17, 2024. (Pimuk Rakkanam/RFA)





Earlier this year, she made her way to Kayin state to join with another group of anti-junta fighters.

Shes the eldest of three siblings. She says her mother still lives in the same village in Shan state.

Of course they worry about me, she says.

Then she jumps in the back of a pickup truck with a half dozen others. She turns around to wave goodbye  still smiling  as they drive off toward a junta outpost.

Edited by Matt Reed.
A Solomon Islands politician ousted as premier of the Pacific island countrys most populous province after opposing diplomatic recognition of China has been reelected to its provincial assembly, according to preliminary election results released Friday.

The results from Malaita province are among the first to be made public since the voting in national, provincial and capital city elections took place Wednesday. Electoral Commission officials have said they hope that many results will be known by the middle of next week.

Daniel Suidani won the most votes in his provincial constituency, an Electoral Commission spokesman Ednal Palmer told RFA-affiliated news organization BenarNews. Martin Fini, the politician who replaced Suidani as premier following his ouster in a no confidence vote in February last year, was not reelected, according to a separately announced vote count for his constituency.

The election in the Pacific island country of 700,000 people was the first since its combative, pro-Beijing prime minister Manasseh Sogavare switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 2019 and signed a secretive security pact with the Asian superpower.

Polling workers prepare to count ballots at a vote counting center in Honiara, Solomon Islands on Apr. 18, 2024. (Stephen Wright/BenarNews)





Under Suidani, Malaitas provincial assembly opposed the diplomatic switch to Beijing and issued its Auki Communique banning China-funded projects in Malaita despite the islands crumbling roads, rickety bridges and threadbare health system.

Suidani touted benefits from a United States development aid project in the province, but it was slow to produce tangible results. He remained popular and attracted large crowds to his campaign rallies in Malaita.

The central governments ineffectiveness in providing basic services and the struggle to earn enough money to survive was preoccupying many voters when they headed to the polls on Wednesday. Whether Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will stay in power is also keenly watched by governments from China to Australia and the U.S.

Once vote counting is completed, members of Parliament decide the prime minister so leadership of the Solomon Islands may not be known until May.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
Sue Ott Rowlands (L), president of Randolph College, presents Jetsun Pema, the younger sister of the Dalai Lama, with the Pearl S. Buck Award at Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia, April 18, 2024.

The younger sister of the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has received a prestigious university award for her lifelong dedication to educating Tibetan children who live in exile.

Jetsun Pema, 84, received the Pearl S. Buck Award, with a medallion and a cash prize of US$25,000, from Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Thursday.

Pema, revered by Tibetans as Amala, or Respected Mother, has built one of the most successful Tibetan educational institutions abroad  the Tibetan Children's Villages, or TCV. The nonprofit organization cares for and educates orphaned, destitute and refugee children from Tibet. Its main facility is in Dharamsala in northern India.

She is the first Tibetan to receive the award given to women who exemplify the ideals, values and commitments of writer and novelist Pearl S. Buck, the first American woman to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature and a champion of womens and childrens rights.

We had some amazing nominations, and when the nominations for Jetsun Pema came through, it just felt like this is [someone] who exemplifies Pearl Buck and her commitments to people of Asia and the children, and her commitment to education, college president Sue Ott Rowlands told Radio Free Asia.

Pema was also the first woman elected to a ministerial post in the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, serving as minister for education.

Officially recognized by the Tibetan parliament-in-exile as the Mother of Tibet, Pema worked at TCV for over five decades.

She served as president of TCV from 1964 to 2006 and was instrumental in leading the expansion of schools across India and in caring for and educating over 53,000 Tibetan children who had escaped Tibet and were separated from their families, or who were orphaned or from underprivileged families.

Jetsun Pema (sitting, C), the younger sister of the Dalai Lama attends a ceremony to receive the Pearl S. Buck Award Randolph College in Lynchburg, Virginia, April 18, 2024. (Randolph College photo)

After she retired in August 2006, Pema continued to work on various childrens education projects, including the Dalai Lama Institute for Higher Education in Bangalore, India.

This award acknowledges the efforts of not only myself but everyone who has contributed to this cause, starting from my late elder sister along with many others who have dedicated their lives to the education of Tibetan children, Pema told RFA Tibetan in an interview.

Illustrious list

Previous award winners include former Irish President Mary Robinson, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, former First Lady of Egypt Jehan Sadat, former Philippines President Corazon Aquino, U.S. architect, designer and sculptor Maya Lin, and American author Maxine Hong Kingston.

Pema said she would donate her award money to TCV.

The education we have given to our young people has benefited them greatly and has empowered them  and that is encouraging, Pema said, addressing a gathering of several hundred people, including former students and Tibetans who had traveled from other parts of the country to be at the award ceremony.

At the event, Pema spoke about the mandate she received from the Dalai Lama to ensure Tibetan children received a good education and care when she took over the work initiated by her late sister, Tsering Dolma Takla.

Takla, the elder sister of the Dalai Lama, first volunteered in May 1960 to care for over 50 Tibetan children whose parents were working in road construction camps in north India, creating a nursery home for them, which later expanded into a series of over 15 TCV schools across India under Pemas leadership.

Pema has received several global honors, including the Worlds Childrens Prize for the Rights of the Child in Sweden in 2006, the Maria Montessori Award in Italy in 2010, and a UNESCO Medal in 1999.

She also received the esteemed Nari Shakti Puraskar award in 2018 from the Indian government, which recognizes women or institutions dedicated to advancing womens empowerment.

Translated by Tenzin Dickyi with additional reporting by Passang Dhonden for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Tenzin Pema for RFA Tibetan, and by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
One year ago, Hamas -- the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip -- carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel, the deadliest in the countrys history.

In response, Israel launched an aerial bombardment and ground invasion of the Palestinian enclave to destroy Hamas and rescue the 251 hostages taken by the group.

Israel has expanded its war in recent weeks by invading Lebanon and launching air strikes targeting Hezbollah, the armed group and political party that controls much of southern Lebanon.

RFE/RL spoke to Lior Yohanani, manager of quantitative research at the Israel Democracy Institute, a Jerusalem-based independent research center, which on October 7 released a wide-ranging survey of Israeli public opinion after one year of war.

RFE/RL: Can you explain what your study found as to how Israelis view the past year since Hamas's October 7 attack?



Lior Yohanani: Well, I think Israelis still don't see October 7 as an event that's over. Sure, the actual horrific events of that day ended, but Israelis are still living with the consequences.

There are two main aspects to this. First, since October 7, Israel has been in this multifront war that doesn't seem to have an end in sight. And then, of course, there is the issue of the hostages still being held in Gaza. So, we're seeing a sharp drop in people's sense of personal security. Almost three quarters of the public feel less safe compared to before October 7, and that's despite a year of war and some significant military achievements. On the flip side, we're also seeing that most people say their lives have returned to normal when it comes to things like work, media consumption, and family and social gatherings.

Another thing we're noticing is that the Israeli public is giving pretty low marks to all the political and military leaders for the performance since October 7. For example, almost two-thirds of Israelis are rating Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu's performance since then as poor or not good.

RFE/RL: How has Israel's involvement in a two-front conflict, in both Gaza and Lebanon, as well as a confrontation with Iran affected public opinion among Israelis?



Yohanani: It's tough to answer that question, because we're at the point where things could go in a few different directions. In the last few weeks, we've seen a major escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, and just last week, Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, which Israel is expected to respond to. In a survey we just did recently, we asked whether Israeli society and the military could handle fighting on two or more fronts for an extended period of time, and the results were pretty striking. Over 70 percent believe that yes, both Israeli society and the military can handle that kind of prolonged fighting. So, while the situation is complex and evolving, there seems to be a strong sense of resilience and capability among Israelis, even in the face of these multiple threats. But of course, public opinion could shift depending on how events unfold in the coming weeks or months.



RFE/RL: Is there support for Netanyahus response to October 7? Is there debate in Israeli society, as well as political circles, over Netanyahus strategic choices?



Yohanani: First of all, it's important to say that the Israeli public has largely supported significant military operation against Hamas in Gaza. That said, the Israeli discourse around the October 7 events, the ongoing war, and especially toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, is very polarized between right-wing supporters on the one hand and left and center supporters on the other.

People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term."

So, on the left and the center, there is a high level of distrust and suspicion toward Netanyahu and his government. For instance, Netanyahu's apparent reluctance to pursue a deal for returning the hostages in exchange for ending the fighting in Gaza is seen by large parts of the public, even on the right, as resulting from Netanyahu's dependence on far-right, ultranationalist members of his government who refuse any compromise or ceasefire.

Now for a long time, Netanyahu and his ministers argued that only significant military force would lead Hamas to compromise and release the hostages. Now, with military attention and resources shifting to the north, people are asking, where is this massive military force that was supposed to bring the hostages home?

One question we have asked several times since October 7 in our polls is what should be the main goal in Gaza: Dismantling Hamas or bringing back the hostages? And as time goes on, public opinion is increasingly supporting the return of hostages. In our current survey, 62 percent saw bringing the bringing back the hostages as Israel's main goal, while only 29 percent pointed to dismantling Hamas as the primary objective.

RFE/RL: How do ordinary Israelis see the question of the remaining hostages amid the continued protests by the hostages' families?



Yohanani: As I mentioned before, most of the public supports a deal to release the hostages, even if it means ending the war and withdrawing the military forces from Gaza. There's this widespread feeling that we've left the hostages behind, and that's really hitting at our sense of solidarity, which is a deep and fundamental value, I think, in Jewish history in general and in Israel society in particular.

At the same time, the campaign run by the Hostages And Missing Families Forum has become very politicized. Many right-wing supporters see it as weakening Israel. As time goes on, we're seeing more and more harassment of protesters who support bringing the hostages back. There are cases of passersby cursing, even hitting and throwing eggs, at hostages' families. In our latest survey, we asked about the effectiveness of the protests and actions taken by the hostages' families.

Despite most of the public feeling empathetic toward the hostage issue, only less than a third think these actions are actually helping to advance a deal for the hostages' release, while almost 40 percent think they're actually hurting the cause. So, you've got this complex situation where people want the hostages back, but there is disagreement and some backlash about how to make that happen.

RFE/RL: Can you explain the reasons behind the apparent contradiction in views regarding prioritizing a negotiated return of the hostages, or destroying Hamas?

Yohanani: You're right to point out that apparent contradiction. Let me break it down a bit. As I mentioned earlier, a clear majority of the public sees a deal to release the hostages as the main goal. But there is a big gap between political camps on this issue. In the center and left, about 80 percent support the deal for the hostages' release, while the opinions on the right are evenly split. So, for most of the left and center, the fighting in Gaza has run its course. They feel most military objectives have been achieved, and Hamas's military power has been significantly weakened. From their perspective, continuing the fight now only puts the hostages at greater risk.

It's important to know that about half of the right-wing also shares this view of prioritizing the hostages' release, but the other half of those on the far-right thinks dismantling Hamas is more important.

Why? For a couple of reasons.

First, there's a security stance that Hamas must be wiped out and not allowed to recover. There is also a very strong sentiment of revenge, with minimal consideration for the cost, whether it's the lives of the hostages, soldiers, let alone innocent civilians in Gaza. Another significant component openly discussed in religious nationalist circles is the return of Jewish settlement to the Gaza Strip after Israel evacuated Jewish settlements from there in 2005.

RFE/RL: Is there public confidence that Israel will ultimately be able to remove the threat of Hamas and Hezbollah and come out of this conflict with greater prospects for a peaceful and stable near-term future?



Yohanani: Right now, the Israeli public isn't showing a lot of optimism. In our current survey, when we asked people if they're optimistic or pessimistic about Israel's future, we found more pessimists, 48 percent, than optimists, 45 percent.

I also think it's important to note that a peaceful future, as you put it, or peace in general, isn't really a common concept in the current Israeli discourse. I would say the hope of Israelis is that the military actions against Hezbollah and Iran will lead to a situation where Israel's existence isn't in question, and that Israeli military superiority will prevent events like October 7 from happening again. So, it's less about peace in the traditional sense, and more about security and deterrence. People are hoping for a future where Israel can exist without constant threats, rather than expecting a harmonious relationship with its neighbors in the near-term.
Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here.

I'm Abubakar Siddique, senior correspondent at RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead.

The Key Issue

As part of its widening crackdown on the media, the Talibans hard-line government has shut down two television stations.

On April 16, the media complaints commission within the Taliban's Information Ministry ordered the immediate suspension of the broadcasts from the Noor and Barya channels.

Commission members said the stations were shut for "violating Afghan and Islamic values and journalistic principles.

A Taliban court will now decide whether the suspension can be lifted or turned into a permanent ban.

Jamiat-e Islami owns Noor TV, while Hizb-e Islami runs Barya. Both are leading Islamist groups who have opposed the Taliban. These stations ran Islamic programs.

Since it emerged as a ragtag militia in the mid-1990s, the Taliban has opposed and fought against the two groups, which it held responsible for the vicious civil war following the demise of Afghanistans pro-Soviet socialist government in 1992.

Why It's Important: The ban is a clear manifestation of the Talibans intent to outlaw media that does not conform to its Islamist ideology and worldview.

With the suspension of the stations, the Taliban is indicating that there is no space even for media outlets that are ostensibly Islamic and which cannot be accused of immorality or debauchery.

"This is worrying, Samia Walizadeh, the head of the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC), an independent media watchdog, told RFE/RL'S Radio Azadi. The reasons given by the [Taliban] commission for suspending the broadcasts of these two media outlets are unacceptable."

Saddiqullah Tohidi, a press freedom activist, agreed. He said that the Taliban closed the two stations without even bothering to first prove their accusations.

In a country that lacks a constitution, how can you prove a violation of national interests and Islamic principles? he asked. Afghanistan has turned into one of the most censored nations.

What's Next: The Taliban is forging ahead to create a media environment that only reflects its views and serves its interests.

The extremist Islamist group ultimately aims to replace all journalism with propaganda. It attempts to achieve this by closing or outlawing independent Afghan media and discouraging or banning international press outlets from covering Afghanistan.

Fading international interest in the country provides a more conducive atmosphere for the Taliban to achieve its ideological goals.

What To Keep An Eye On

Statistics issued by the Taliban-led government show a drop in Afghanistan's exports and an increase in imports.

On April 16, the Talibans National Statistics and Information Authority released figures showing a nearly 20 percent decline in exports in the first three months of this year -- to $134 million from $176 million during the same period last year.

The countrys imports, however, surged from $694 million during the first quarter of last year to $793 million this year.

A recent World Bank report on the Afghan economy recorded similar trends.

Experts attribute the decline to the Talibans tense relations with neighboring Pakistan, which is one of its leading trading partners. Islamabad also provides ports to the landlocked nation.

"Pakistan closed its border crossings while pomegranates and other fruit crops were ready for export," said Khan Jan Alakozai, a senior official of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce.

He said coal prices also plummeted in the same period, impacting Afghanistan's export earnings.

Why It's Important: Afghan macroeconomic trends might continue to deteriorate if the Taliban's relations with Pakistan do not improve.

Tehran's ongoing standoff with Israel threatens the alternative import route the Taliban wants to build through Iran.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org

Until next time,

Abubakar Siddique

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said during a visit to Berlin on October 11 that it was important that Ukraine's allies do not decrease their assistance next year as he met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Zelenskiy has been on a whirlwind tour of major European capitals meant to win backing for his "victory plan" aimed at ending the war with Russia.

His main goal in his visits to London, Paris, Rome, and Berlin, his final stop, was to press for additional military and financial aid as Kyiv faces difficult months ahead in its fight to stop a slow but continuous Russian advance in the east.

In Berlin, Zelenskiy thanked Germany for its backing and said that "it is very important for us that this assistance does not decrease next year."

He said he would present Scholz with his plan for winning the war, repeating his hope that the conflict would end no later than next year.

"Ukraine more than anyone else in the world wants a fair and speedy end to this war," Zelenskiy said.

After his stops in London, Paris, and Rome on October 10, Zelenskiy said on X that he had "outlined the details" of his proposed "victory plan" to defeat Russian forces during his meetings with the leaders of Britain, France, and Italy.

He added that he and the other leaders agreed to work on the plan together but gave no details on what it says.

Scholz said he and the Ukrainian leader agreed on the need for a peace conference that includes Russia, but that peace "can only be brought about on the basis of international law."

"We will not accept a peace dictated by Russia," Scholz said.

Scholz also announced a 1.4 billion-euro ($1.53 billion) military aid package for Ukraine from Germany with partner countries Belgium, Denmark, and Norway, saying it includes more air defense, tanks, combat drones, and artillery and sends a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that "playing for time will not work" and vowing "not let up in our support for Ukraine."

During a 35-minute meeting with Pope Francis on October 11, Zelenskiy sought the Vatican's help in securing the return of adults and children taken prisoner by Russia, he said on X, formerly Twitter.

"The issue of bringing our people home from captivity was the main focus of my meeting with Pope Francis," he said.



Zelenskiy gave Francis an oil painting called the Bucha Massacre, depicting the mass killings of civilians by Russian troops in the Ukrainian city in 2022.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

Zelenskiy's arrival in Berlin comes after an October 12 summit of the Ramstein group of Ukraine's main backers was canceled at short notice when U.S. officials, including President Joe Biden, abandoned their travel plans as the southern U.S. states braced for Hurricane Milton.



The White House said in a statement that Biden spoke to Scholz on October 10 and noted "his intention to continue our strong collaboration on geopolitical priorities, including supporting Ukraines defense against Russian aggression."

The United States has been Ukraine's main backer and by far the main contributor in terms of financial and military aid, but a victory by Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump in the election could cast doubt about Washington's continued support for Kyiv.



Zelenskiy's diplomatic efforts are taking place as Russia continues to keep up the pressure on Ukraine's cities.

As Zelenskiy arrived in Berlin, the number of civilians killed in a Russian missile strike on Odesa on October 11 rose to nine, including a teenage girl, and Russian troops struck the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine.

"A two-story building where civilians lived and worked was destroyed," Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper said on Telegram.

Odesa, Ukraine's main hub for grain exports, has been repeatedly struck by Russian forces since the start of the war.

Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Synyehubov said there were no injuries in one strike but an inspection following another missile strike on the Derhachiv community of Kharkiv was ongoing.

Outside Kharkiv, a 38-year-old man was killed by a Russian drone strike on the village of Kozacha Lopan, the region's military administration reported.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the capital was targeted by Russian drones early on October 11. The military administration of the Ukrainian capital later reported on Telegram that all the attacking drones had been shot down, without specifying a number.

On the battlefield, outmanned and outgunned Ukrainian forces were fighting Russian troops inside the strategic city of Toretsk in the eastern region of Donetsk after abandoning Vuhledar, another strategic hub in the region, last week.

Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces carried out fresh attacks near Vremivka, Kharkiv, Kupyansk, and Siversk, the General Staff of Ukraine's military reported on October 11.

Separately, the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said at least 208 civilians were killed and 1,220 injured in Ukraine in September. That made it the month with the highest number of civilian casualties in 2024, the mission said.

The organization said that 46 percent of the dead were over the age of 60. In addition, nine children were killed and 76 were injured in September.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP
SOFIA -- Former Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov is clear on who was to blame for the recent collapse of his government: the U.S.-sanctioned oligarch Delyan Peevski.

In an interview with RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service, Denkov, who led the country under the reformist anti-corruption alliance of We Continue The Change and Democratic Bulgaria (CCDB), said Peevski, a powerful behind-the-scenes power broker, was the "biggest evil in Bulgaria."



Bulgaria faces snap general elections on June 9, its sixth such poll since April 2021, amid persistent political turmoil.

The latest election was called by President Rumen Radev on April 9 after the populist There Is Such A People (ITN) became the third party to decline a mandate to form a government.



Before that, the center-right GERB and its former coalition partner, CCDB, both said they had been unable to form a new cabinet.



Following elections in April 2023, Bulgaria had a joint government supported by the reformist CCDB and GERB. They had agreed on an 18-month government with a rotation of prime ministers -- first, Denkov from CCDB, and after nine months, Maria Gabriel from GERB.



Denkov stepped down on March 5 to let GERB lead the government for the following nine months, as agreed. But Gabriel, a former EU innovation commissioner and deputy prime minister, failed to form a government. On March 27, Denkov also rejected Radev's invitation to try to put together a cabinet.



The fresh poll is set to coincide with elections for Bulgaria's members of the European Parliament. Bulgaria is the poorest of the 27 members of the EU and has been wrestling with widespread corruption. The Balkan country has been grappling with political instability since major anti-corruption protests in 2020.

'At The First Meetings, He Invited Peevski'



In his interview with RFE/RL, Denkov blamed Peevski, leader of the liberal Movement For Rights And Freedoms (DPS), for exerting pressure on GERB and its leader, Boyko Borisov, to derail coalition talks. The DPS has traditionally represented Bulgarian Turks and other Muslim communities in the country.



"I saw it with my own eyes. From the very beginning, when we had meetings with Borisovat the very first meetings, he invited Peevski. We go to the meeting, and Peevski is sitting next to Borisov. And in fact, during those months, 80 percent of the time, the conversation was with Peevski, not with Borisov," Denkov recounted.

"And that was not part of the agreement. Our agreement with GERB was that we were in a governing coalition with them. Peevski should have appeared where two-thirds [of the votes in the parliament] were needed to secure the constitutional changes. The fact that it turned out that Peevski coopted the leadership of GERB was a surprise for us," he added.



According to Denkov, Peevski, as well as Borisov, himself a former Bulgarian prime minister from 2009 to 2021, were intent on derailing reform efforts in Bulgaria, long cited as one of the EU's most corrupt countries.



"Peevski and Borisov were afraid of the reforms that had to be implemented. At one point, they realized that we were doing well so far, but they were not ready to continue with what we had agreed on as a governing program and as reforms that had to happen in Bulgaria," Denkov told RFE/RL.

"Maybe in the first nine months they didn't realize exactly how far we were willing to go with these changes," Denkov continued. "When they realized that, in fact, we really want to change Bulgaria, which means not only changing the laws on paper but also starting to implement them, they decided that they should apply the handbrake and push us into the blind rut again."



Borisov has long been dogged by accusations of corruption, although he has refuted all such charges. In 2022, he was briefly detained by Bulgarian police as part of an operation connected to investigations led by the EU's prosecutor's office.

In 2020, protesters demanded the resignation of Borisov, his government, and the country's chief prosecutor, Ivan Geshev, amid monthslong anti-corruption protests in Sofia and elsewhere in Bulgaria.



Borisov tried to balance close ties with the EU and NATO, both of which Bulgaria belongs to, while maintaining friendly relations with the Kremlin and Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly in the energy sector.



In March, hackers leaked documents that appear to show how the Kremlin had circumvented public procurement rules in Bulgaria to expand the TurkStream gas pipeline, bypassing Ukraine, in order to provide Russian gas to Serbia and Hungary. According to a report on the Bulgarian news site Kapital, the pipeline's construction had been pre-agreed under the Borisov government.



"There is no doubt that the actions surrounding TurkStream were joint between Borisov and Peevski," Denkov told RFE/RL. "Many things connect them. And some of these things are related to consideration of Russia's interests, in some cases to the detriment of Bulgarian interests."



According to Denkov, Peevski was the "biggest evil in Bulgaria" because of his alleged efforts to steer Bulgaria away from a democratic path.



"If Borisov in his first and second governments was relatively careful, he took into account what public opinion was and what other political partners said. In the third government -- and we see this even now -- after the collapse of the government, we see extremely aggressive rhetoric and actions without much regard for what these politicians think. This is Peevski's style. This is what scares me, because this style could very easily lead us into a soft dictatorship at best, if not worse," Denkov warned.



In 2013, Peevski's appointment as head of Bulgaria's counterintelligence agency sparked mass protests over fears that the move was a dangerous alliance of politics and big business.



The protests, which lasted for more than a year, were effective. Peevski ended up stepping down from Bulgaria's State Agency for National Security, and the government of then-Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski resigned.



Back in 2013, Peevski was known as a secretive oligarch who controlled several newspapers and a significant share of print media distribution networks. He had been a lawmaker with the DPS since 2009 but quickly earned a reputation for rarely attending parliament.



Earlier this year, Peevski was elected co-president of DPS, the first ethnic Bulgarian to lead the party.
SOFIA -- In 2012, Dutch-Canadian photographer Paolo Woods was living in Haiti when friend and fellow photographer Gabriele Galimberti came to visit. The subject of taxes came up and Galimberti, an Italian national, mentioned that his tax bill had arrived and that Rome was about to claim nearly 50 percent of his income. The pair joked that with the Cayman Islands just a short distance away, Galimberti should "just go and hide" his money there. The photographers then realized they knew almost nothing about the murky world of offshore banking. Two months later, the pair flew to the Cayman Islands to begin work on a project that became known as The Heavens.

The photo project is being exhibited in Sofia's Synthesis gallery until June 15 and offers a fascinating glimpse into the virtually invisible world of offshore tax havens. "This whole system is secret," Woods told RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service. "As a journalist, when you want to investigate it, it does everything it can to stop you. "Gabriele and I realized that the offshore system is closely connected to the global economy and that much of this system is actually legal."

From the U.S. state of Delaware to the Virgin Islands, offshore zones serve as places to invest wealth anonymously and avoid tax obligations. As well as offering a place to park money and assets, offshore territories also enable people to set up opaque legal entities. Such "shell companies" can have their own assets of artwork, cash, and real estate ownership. Secrecy is at the core of the offshore banking system, and getting permission to enter was by far the biggest challenge of the photo project. "It was extremely difficult," Woods says. "It took a long time to put the project together because it's almost impossible to get access to these places and institutions. Many of them turned us down, and some blocked access as soon as we arrived."

As an illustration of the levels of secrecy and security of this financial underworld, the photojournalist says some of the offshore facilities include storehouses accessed through multiple doors that required codes and iris scans, meaning an insider was required to be with them every step of the way. The photographers say their project aims to raise moral questions about the issue of tax havens. Some $32 trillion is estimated to be held in offshore entities around the world. Much of this wealth is owned by super-rich individuals, but an increasing share belongs to companies that use the havens to escape regulations or tax obligations -- in many cases perfectly legally.
Tehran said it shot down three quadcopter drones outside the central city of Isfahan, which is home to key military and nuclear facilities. Israel's suspected military response early on April 19 appeared to be limited in scale and scope and aimed at de-escalating tensions with Iran.
If Iran decides to respond to a suspected Israeli strike on its territory on April 19, it might not have to pull its punches like it did the last time.

Tehran's telegraphed barrage against Israel last week was written off by many as a failure. But Iran has many arrows in its quiver should its standoff with Israel continue to escalate.

Experts say that Iran has more sophisticated weaponry at its disposal, can bring its proxies into the fight, and, unlike its attack on April 13, can utilize the element of surprise. And the ultimate threat -- officially activating its long-suspected effort to develop a nuclear weapon -- could come into play.

Caution First

Iran's initial response after its territory was hit on April 19 was muted. While unidentified U.S. officials reportedly said that Israel had carried out the attack, Tehran did not directly accuse Israel of involvement. Israel has not commented on the incident.

A senior Iranian official told Reuters on condition of anonymity that there was "no plan for immediate retaliation, and no clarification on who is behind the incident."

WATCH: Iranian state media said explosions were heard early on April 19 near the central city of Isfahan, which is home to an air base and a nuclear facility. The IAEA nuclear watchdog reported that there was no damage to Iran's nuclear sites. U.S. sources were cited as saying Israel had attacked the area.

"The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed," the official said. "We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more toward infiltration than attack."

Iranian Army General Siyavush Mihandoust said only that explosions heard in the central city of Isfahan were "due to the work of air defenses against suspicious objects."

Iranian state television reported that three small drones were shot down east of Isfahan, which is home to Iranian nuclear facilities, and broadcast footage that projected an image of calm in the city.

A spokesman for Iran's National Center of Cyberspace, Hossein Dalirian, dismissed reports by U.S. media that quoted unidentified U.S. officials as saying that missiles were used in the attack.

"There have been no air strikes from outside [Iran's] borders against Isfahan or other parts of the country," Dalirian wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "They have only made a failed and humiliating attempt to launch drones, and the drones were shot down."

Timing Is Everything

Analysts said it is common for Tehran to hold off on commenting on such incidents until it can determine a course of action.

But if Iran does choose to respond militarily -- as it did on April 13 in retaliation for the April 1 killing of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in a strike on the Iranian Embassy in Damascus that it blamed on Israel -- it can take things much further.

Hamidreza Azizi, a fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, noted that ahead of Iran's April 13 barrage against Israel, which was effectively thwarted, Tehran ensured that "everybody would know about it beforehand."

There was deliberately "no element of surprise," Azizi said.

But hours before the April 19 strike, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN that if Israel again took actions against Iran, "the next response from us will be immediate and at a maximum level."

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani on April 15 said that "there will not be a 12- or 13-day gap" between an Israeli strike and an Iranian answer. Israel, he said, "must now reckon in seconds, not hours.

The Iranian officials' stress on the immediacy of a possible retaliatory strike signals that Iran would not telegraph its strategy this time, raising the chances of inflicting greater damage.

More In Iran's Arsenal

Tehran launched more than 300 drones and missiles during its April 13 attack, in which the vast majority were either shot down or failed to reach their target, but experts and Iranian officials have suggested it could have used more powerful weaponry.

IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Sardar Hajizadeh said that Iran had used "old weapons with minimal power" on April 13, adding that Tehran had decided against using more powerful missiles, including hypersonic missiles, in its arsenal.

Fabian Hinz, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Berlin, questioned the veracity of Iran's claim it could have used better weapons, saying that one of the missiles launched against Israel, the Kheibar Shekan ballistic missile introduced in 2022, "is one of the best missiles Iran has."

Hinz told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that in terms of quality, he is not sure Iran could make a "qualitative jump" in any future attack.

In terms of sheer numbers, however, Iran has "many, many more missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in stock," Hinz said. "There is no doubt about that."

Dangerous Friends

While Iran sent a message with its April 13 attack that it was willing to take on Israel directly and had the capacity to inflict heavy damage, Tehran still has many partners and proxies willing to strike their mutual enemy.

While members of Iran's so-called "axis of resistance" have been battling Israel -- including the U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist organization Hamas, Huthi rebels in Yemen, and Lebanese Hizballah -- those groups for the most part sat out the April 13 attack.

"One thing Iran could do is involve Hizballah, because Hizballah is just much closer to Israel," Hinz said. "And when you deal with amazing defenses, the best thing to do is to overwhelm them, and that is much, much easier at a shorter distance."

Going Nuclear

Just hours before the April 19 strike, an IRGC commander specified that an attack that targeted Iranian nuclear facilities would prompt a reciprocal attack on Israeli nuclear sites and could even lead to a rethinking of Iran's official nuclear doctrine.

Ahmad Haqtalab, who oversees nuclear security for the IRGC, said in comments published by Iranian media on April 18 that "our hands are on the trigger for reciprocal attacks using advanced missiles against their own nuclear sites."

Iran has long been suspected by Israel, the United States, and other countries of pursuing a nuclear weapon, while Tehran has said its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed after Israel's apparent strike that "there is no damage to Irans nuclear sites." But prior to the incident, Haqtalab said that even the threat of an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear sites made it "possible and conceivable that the doctrine and nuclear policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be reviewed to reverse the declared considerations of the past."

That decision would ultimately be made by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final call on all major decisions in Iran and has claimed that Iran cannot pursue nuclear weapons for religious reasons.

But Azizi emphasized that the threat is real, saying that an attack on Iranian territory "might be exactly what Iran wants to find an excuse to weaponize its nuclear program."

Hannah Kaviani of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report.
Iranian state media said explosions were heard early on April 19 near the central city of Isfahan, which is home to an air base and a nuclear facility. The IAEA nuclear watchdog reported that there was no damage to Iran's nuclear sites. U.S. sources were cited as saying Israel had attacked the area.
Stanislav Aseyev, a former RFE/RL contributor, was held captive by Russia-backed separatists in Ukraine's Donbas region for 2 1/2 years. After being freed in a prisoner swap, he returned to writing and launched a foundation to investigate war crimes. But Aseyev decided that he could do the most good for his country as an enlisted soldier.
Ukrainian authorities announced that Russian aerial attacks had killed at least nine people in the Dnipropetrovsk region early on April 19. Most of the casualties were in the city of Synelnykove. In the regional center, Dnipro, a five-story residential building in the downtown area caught fire after it was hit by fragments from a downed Russian missile.
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A Russian Tu-22M3 long-range warplane crashed in Russia's southern Stavropol region on April 19. Ukraine's air force says it was the first time it had shot down a Tu-22M3. The Russian Defense Ministry said the crash was due to a technical malfunction.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stepped up his calls for urgent military assistance, saying NATO members must decide whether we indeed are allies, as a crucial vote in the U.S. Congress for a new Ukraine aid package was expected to finally take place on April 20.

"Our sky must become safe again," Zelenskiy told a video conference with NATO defense ministers on April 19.

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here.

"It depends fully on your choice. Choice whether life is indeed equally valuable everywhere. Choice whether you have an equal attitude to all partners. Choice whether we indeed are allies," he said.

Zelenskiy said his embattled nation could not defend itself from the Russian invasion without additional support from Western allies.

"It is obvious that -- now while Russia has air advantage and can rely on its drone and rocket terror -- our capabilities on the ground, unfortunately, are limited," he added.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg reiterated the alliances support for Kyiv and stressed to members the need to further aid Ukraine given the perilous battlefield situation.

"The allies must dig deep into the inventories and speed up the delivery of missiles, artillery, and ammunition," Stoltenberg said.

"Ukraine is using the weapons we provided to destroy Russian combat capabilities. This makes us all safer. So support to Ukraine is not charity. It is an investment in our own security," he added.

Ukraine has been pleading for months for more air defense systems as it grapples with increasingly intense Russian air strikes on its infrastructure while its stocks of weapons and ammunition dwindle as critical U.S. aid remains stuck in Congress.

The United States has been by far the main provider of military assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia's invasion in February 2022.

A desperately needed $60.84 billion military aid package for Ukraine has until this week been blocked in the U.S. House of Representatives amid opposition from hard-liners in the Republican party who want to tie domestic policy issues such as immigration to a decision on foreign aid.

But the House on April 19 pressed forward on a package of $95 billion in aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan as a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers helped clear a procedural hurdle to reach final votes, now expected to start at 1 p.m. on April 20.

On April 19, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that his recent visit to Washington marked "a shift in the issue of unblocking the aid from the United States."

"We received assurances of the support for the bill from both [the Republican and Democratic] parties. We expect that this large aid package from the U.S. will be voted on in the near future," Shmyhal added.

Separately, members of the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations responded to the strikes by pledging to boost Ukraine's air defenses.

"Every country that provides air defense systems to Ukraine, every leader who helps persuade our partners that air defense systems should not be stored in warehouses but deployed in real cities and communities facing terror, and everyone who supports our defense is a life saver," Zelenskiy wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

"We are determined to continue to provide military, financial, political, humanitarian, economic, and development support to Ukraine and its people," the G7 foreign ministers said at the end of a two-day meeting on the Italian island of Capri.

The G7 will "bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities to save lives and protect critical infrastructure," the statement said, but without providing a specific deadline.

A day of mourning was declared on April 19 for those killed in Russian missile strikes on the city of Dnipro and its surroundings in Ukraine's southeastern region of Dnipropetrovsk as Ukraine's air force for the first time said it had downed one of Russia's attacking strategic bombers.

At least eight people were killed and 25 were wounded when Russian warplanes fired missiles at targets in the Dnipropetrovsk region -- the country's industrial heartland.

Two people were killed in Dnipro, a city of 1 million that is also the region's capital, and six in the Synelnykivskiy district, some 60 kilometers south of Dnipro, where more than a dozen homes were damaged, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.

Serhiy Lysak, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk region, said on Telegram that 24 people were wounded and residential buildings and infrastructure facilities were also damaged in the city.

Dnipro Mayor Boris Filatov declared April 20 a day of mourning in the region.

A third location in Dnipropetrovsk, Zelenskiy's hometown of Kriviy Rih, was targeted by a separate Russian attack that damaged infrastructure and wounded three people, according to Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul, who said the strike on infrastructure caused a fire.

Following the strikes, Ukraine's air force said it destroyed a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber.

"This is retaliation for the fact that the Russian strategic aircraft attacked our peaceful cities today, where civilians were killed," air force spokesman Ilya Yevlash told RFE/RL.

"This is the first time that our air force together with our partners from the [military intelligence] and other defense forces were able to shoot down a Tu-22M3 strategic aviation aircraft. And for the first time, two Kh-22 missiles fired by this aircraft were also shot down. Of course, it's a combo. Today is a rainy day in the Russian propaganda media," Yevlash said.

Yevlash later added that a second Tu-22M3 was forced to turn around before it had time to launch its missiles, without providing details.

The Ukrainian claim could not be independently verified.

Russia's Defense Ministry said a Tu-22 had crashed in the southern region of Stavropol due to a technical malfunction while returning to base from a combat mission.

Stavropol regional chief Vladimir Vladimirov said one of the four members of the crew had died, while rescue services were searching for one that was missing. Two other members were found alive, Vladimirov said.

"Russia must be held accountable for its terror, and all missiles and 'Shahed' drones must be intercepted," Zelenskiy wrote on X.

"The world can ensure this, and our partners possess the necessary capabilities. This has been demonstrated in the skies over the Middle East, and it should also work in Europe," Zelenskiy said in an apparent reference to a massive Iranian drone attack on Israel last week that was virtually completely repelled in a joint effort by Israeli, U.S., French, British, and Jordanian air defenses.

With reporting by AFP, dpa, and AP
High Court Reporters

Over 40 children who sued over their alleged treatment at Hyde & Seek creche childcare have settled High Court actions for a total of 615,000.

Each child was awarded 15,000, which was approved by Mr Justice Paul Coffey in the High Court. The judge said they were distressing cases.

The settlements which were reached after mediation are without an admission of liability. The children cannot be identified by order of the court.

John Gordon SC, instructed by Coleman Legal solicitors, told the court that the 41 cases arose from the RTE Investigates documentary which was broadcast in 2019.

The RTE Investigates team went undercover to look at standards of care in the family-run preschool, which operated several premises in the Dublin area.

Counsel said the children involved in the cases before the court were very, very young and pre-verbal.

Most, he said, attended creche for 50 hours per week. He said it was their case the children were treated in a way that was unacceptable.

He said the children became resistant to attending the creche, were allegedly in overcrowded conditions, and were hungry when they came home because of the poor quality of food.

Counsel said each set of parents reported a similar experience and had their child assessed. He said all of them stated the children were sufficiently resilient enough to get over it, and were expected to make full recovery over time.

He said this resolution of the cases deals honourably with the claims and the 15,000 in each case was the maximum allowed under the judicial guidelines.

The children, through their parents, in separate sets of proceedings, had sued the Hyde and Seek owners and operators, Hyde &Seek Childcare Ltd and Hyde & Seek Glasnevin Ltd with registered offices offices at Tolka Road, Drumcondra Dublin.

They also sued Anne Davy, her husband, Peter Davy and their daughter Siobhan Davy of Lindsay Road, Drumcondra, Dublin who were Hyde and Seek directors.

All the claims made in each case were denied by all defendants.

Hyde & Seek Childcare is owned and run by the Davy family - Anne and Peter Davy and their daughter Siobhan Davy.

Anne Davy (69), who had stepped down as a Hyde and Seek director, was fined 4,000 in 2022 after pleading guilty at Dublin District Court to breaching childcare regulations.

She pleaded guilty to three offences and the prosecution dropped all charges against her daughter and director Siobhan Davy and the Hyde & Seek creche group company.

Ms Anne Davy admitted to engaging in a practice that was disrespectful at her Tolka Road creche on May 8th, 2019, contrary to section 19.3 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.

She also admitted having inadequate space per child ratios at the Shaw Street branch.

The court heard that 46 children were there on September 11th, 2018, and 35 on July 19th, 2019. However, the creche was sanctioned for 32 only.

In the High Court on Friday one case which was settled for  15,000 a now 8-year-old boy it was claimed started attending the Hyde and Seek creche, Tolka Road, Drumcondra Dublin in October 2016 when he was nine months old.

He was initially placed in the baby room and by July 2019 was in the Toddler Room of the creche.

It was claimed that his parents noticed small bruises on his legs. They raised the matter with the creche but were reassured.

It was claimed the parents observed worrying behaviour in their child and noticed he was always hungry when he was collected, and screaming for food on the way home.

He developed distress at drop off it was claimed and woke in the middle of the night.

His parents also noticed that he would return home wearing a nappy which was swollen with urine.

The family had withdrawn the child for a few months from the creche and found he was much calmer going to a local creche where they had temporarily moved.

In the proceedings It was claimed that in July 2019 it came to the attention of the boys mother that he had, while attending the creche been allegedly exposed to a culture of erratic care in an alleged chaotic and distressing care environment and was allegedly exposed to emotionally unsettling experiences.

It was further claimed there was an alleged failure to attend to the boys basic needs by allegedly failing to ensure he was adequately fed and that his nappies changed on a regular basis.

It was also claimed the boy had been exposed to alleged ongoing and repeated behavior which was allegedly disrespectful, intimidating ,emotionally or physically harmful.

All of the claims were denied.
By Rebecca Black and Cillian Sherlock, PA

Threats against elected representatives will undermine essential qualities of Irish democracy, Integration Minister Roderic OGorman said, after a protest outside his home.

Gardai were called on Thursday after reports that up to 12 masked men were staging a protest, some with anti-migration placards and banners, outside the property.

On Friday Mr OGorman said: I want to thank local gardai in Blanchardstown for their assistance yesterday.

Ireland has a strong democratic tradition, where public representatives are accessible and accountable to the public.

We debate and sometimes disagree, but do so in a way that is fundamentally respectful.

I know that is valued by people across this country, and it is valued by politicians too.

Threats and intimidation towards publicly elected representatives and those seeking election will undermine those essential qualities of Irish democracy.

If we were to lose those, we would lose something very dear, and not easily recovered.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said he was horrified by what he described as a chilling protest.

He also said he was deeply uncomfortable that the situation was allowed to develop.

Mr Harris said he spoke to Mr OGorman, of the Green Party in the coalition government, about the situation on Friday.

I was utterly horrified to see the situation, he told reporters in Co Carlow.

We all recognise the right to protest in a democracy but to see masked people gathering outside somebodys family home, I think that is extraordinarily chilling and quite frankly disgusting.

I know that the gardai have to assess each of these situations, and as Taoiseach I dont wish to interfere in that. However, I feel deeply uncomfortable that the situation was allowed to develop outside the home of any person quite frankly, public figure or otherwise, government or opposition, and I hope in due course to have an opportunity to discuss this with gardai.

Asked whether he was worried about the trajectory of this, given former taoiseach Leo Varadkar had protests outside his home last year, Mr Harris said he was worried to see an increase in the presence of people gathering outside peoples family homes.

I think that is chilling in a democracy. I think it is worrying, I think it is disturbing, he said.

Of course we see political discourse but there is an appropriate way to debate and raise issues, in the Dail, in council chambers, plenty of places to protest around Dail Eireann, constituency offices and the likes.

But I also dont want to suggest that these people, small in number, speak for Ireland.

My experience as a public representative, at a whole variety of levels in this country, has been that the overwhelming majority of people in this country, agree or disagree with your politics, are decent people.
Romania and its full Schengen accession

Romania wants checks lifted at Schengen land borders.

Schegen-EU flag Credit: pixabay

Leyla Cheamil, 19.04.2024, 14:00

On March 31, Romania and its neighbour, Bulgaria, partly joined the Schengen visa-free travel area, after the EUs Justice and Home Affairs Council decided to scrap checks at the air and maritime borders between the 2 countries and the other Schengen member states. This was possible after Austria, the last country in the bloc that opposed the idea, lifted its veto.

The Schengen area has one, external border where checks are conducted in line with a clear set of rules regarding visas, migration, asylum and police, judicial and customs cooperation.

Attending the special European Council meeting held this week in Brussels, the president of Romania Klaus Iohannis highlighted the need to lift all barriers to the operation of the single market as a pillar of competitiveness, including in relation to the four freedoms of movement.

This aspect, he pointed out, is particularly important in the context of Romanias Schengen accession process, and of its efforts to have land border checks lifted as well.

In fact, a report commissioned by the Council mentions the need for Romanias and Bulgarias full Schengen integration, as a means to boost the single market.

Meanwhile, in Sofia, the Romanian interior minister, Catalin Predoiu, and the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, attended a meeting with Bulgarias interior minister, Kalin Stoyanov, concerning the two countries Schengen accession.

The Romanian official said that both Romania, and Bulgaria were prepared for the lifting of land border checks. He added that all the measures to counter organised crime and illegal migration at the internal borders had been discussed in detail.

In turn, the European commissioner Ylva Johansson voiced hopes that a precise date would be set this year for the two countries full accession to the visa-free zone, as proposed by the European Commission. She said the topic would be discussed in the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting due in mid-June.

We had a very good exchange where both ministers, Stoyanov and Predoiu, told about the improvements made in Bulgaria and Romania, the European commissioner said. She also pointed out that the Commission had established, in fact-finding missions, that Bulgaria and Romania were better prepared to fulfil all the Schengen acquis than some Schengen member states, given all the efforts made at their external borders. (AMP)
The Buffalo School Board has entered the home stretch of its 16 listening sessions. These are meetings in which pairs of board members gather with different groups to identify student academic goals.

Audiences at earlier stops have been focused  rallying the faith community, parent leaders and employers for their own sessions  but three of the remaining stops are open to the public.

Board Member Larry Scott will lead all three discussions, which are a key part of a new strategy overseen by district partner Council of the Great City Schools that streamlines the boards efforts, captures the communitys vision and values, and focuses the School Boards actions on student achievement.

9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at North Park Community School (780 Parkside Ave.). This converges with one of the districts Saturday Academies, which are open to the community as well.

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 22 at Lafayette International School (370 Lafayette Ave.).

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 23 at South Park High School (150 Southside Parkway).

Invigorated by training, Buffalo School Board strives for unity despite history of division "It could be transformative for the board in how we conduct our meetings and represent the vision and values of the community," said Larry Scott, an at-large board member.

The Board is embarking on a new way of governing with a strategic focus on student outcomes, said Scott, an at-large board member, in a statement. The community listening sessions are an opportunity for the Board to better represent the vision and values of the community in long-term goals and planning.

The intention of the open meetings is not to engage in back-and-forth discussion with board members, but instead for the public to share more specific learning goals, dubbed student outcomes.

Standard questions include: Looking into the future, how would you like to describe a graduate of Buffalo Public Schools? What do you think Buffalo Schools students should know or be able to do in order to be successful by the end of elementary, middle and/or high school? What should Buffalo Public Schools stop or avoid doing thats getting in the way of these academic achievements?

'This data has faces': Buffalo Schools leaders urge sensitivity in evaluating student achievement Buffalo Schools Superintendent Tonja M. Williams said she's encouraged by recent academic progress in reading and math, emphasizing the need to recognize students' disrupted learning during Covid-19 closures and vast mental health challenges the pandemic caused.

The Board is encouraging the communitys in-person participation to ensure they clearly understand the perspectives, but a Google Form is also available at buffaloschools.org to supply feedback for those who cannot attend. Listening sessions with students and teachers are also scheduled.

Board members will collect the communitys responses and send them to the Council of the Great City Schools, which will organize the data and identify trends in the community demands. The common themes will then be used this summer to determine the goals for Superintendent Tonja M. Williams for next school year.
Maruti is getting ready to launch the new Swift in India  Ahead of that, Suzuki Swift has been crash tested in Japan

Maruti Suzuki Swift, the stalwart of the Indian automotive market, is poised for a significant upgrade with the launch of its new generation model in May 2024. Following its successful debut in Europe and other global markets, the anticipation for its arrival in India is palpable. Ahead of India launch, new Suzuki Swift has been crash tested.

Suzuki Swift Achieves Impressive 4-Star Safety Rating

In a recent series of rigorous crash tests conducted in Japan, the latest iteration of the Suzuki Swift has emerged with flying colours, securing a commendable 4-star safety rating. The results, released by Japanese safety authorities, highlight the vehicles robust safety features and advanced technology designed to mitigate collision risks and protect occupants.

2024 Suzuki Swift excelled in preventive safety measures, achieving an impressive 99% score. Notably, its autonomous emergency braking system showcased remarkable efficacy across various scenarios, including car-to-car interactions, pedestrian encounters during both day and night, as well as interactions with bicyclists. Additionally, the lane departure prevention system and high-performance headlights received top marks, further solidifying the vehicles proactive safety capabilities.

Collision Safety Performance

Scoring 81% in collision safety performance, the Suzuki Swift demonstrated notable resilience in simulated crash scenarios. It exhibited strong protection for occupants in both frontal and side collisions, with particular emphasis on mitigating neck injuries in rear-end collisions. The vehicles passenger-centric approach was evident in the full-wrap frontal collision tests, where it achieved high ratings for both driver and passenger seats.

Automatic Accident Emergency Call System

Equipped with an automatic accident emergency call system, the Suzuki Swift attained a perfect score of 100%. This system ensures swift response and assistance in the event of an accident, enhancing overall emergency readiness and post-collision support for occupants.

2024 Suzuki Swifts exemplary performance in crash tests underscores the automakers commitment to prioritizing safety without compromising on performance or style. With advanced safety technologies becoming increasingly crucial in the automotive landscape, the Swifts achievements position it as a compelling choice for safety-conscious consumers in Japan and beyond.

2024 Maruti Swift For India  Safety

Safety rating for India-spec Maruti Swift might not be same, as it remains to be seen if we get all the features which are on offer with international spec variant. Indian car safety crash test will be carried out by Bharat NCAP.
While Fortuner hybrid variant is being introduced across multiple global markets  India launch expected later this year

In November 2023, Toyota had introduced a mild-hybrid (MHEV) variant of Hilux for the European market. And now, the same tech has been deployed with Fortuner in South Africa. Toyota will be launching the MHEV Fortuner in various other markets in due course.

Fortuner 48V Hybrid variant  How users benefit?

Performance boost  Fortuners 2.8-litre diesel engine is already known for its powerful performance. It churns out 204 PS and 500 Nm. The mild hybrid system delivers an additional 16 PS and 42 Nm.

Fortuner 48V hybrid variant is equipped with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Both 2WD and 4WD variants are on offer. Users should be able to experience tangible improvements in driving dynamics. Fortuners mild-hybrid system comprises a 48V battery and an electric motor generator.

Fuel savings  According to Toyota, Fortuner hybrid variant is 5 percent more fuel efficient in comparison to the standard diesel variant. Fortuner diesel variants mileage is known to be around 14 km/L. Accounted cumulatively, even the 5% fuel savings can be significant in the long term.

New idle start-stop feature  Toyota has introduced a new engine idle start-stop feature with Fortuner hybrid variant in South Africa. Users can expect improvements in engine restart and throttle response. Negotiating the 2-ton+ Fortuner in bumper-to-bumper traffic will become easier with the mild-hybrid tech. Improved acceleration will also be effective for overtaking manoeuvres.

Enhanced safety

In addition to the mild-hybrid tech, Toyota has also upgraded the safety kit for Fortuner in South Africa. Fortuner MHEV gets a 360 camera and Toyota Safety Sense ADAS suite. The ADAS suite has features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitor, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, high beam assist and forward collision warning.

Fortuner hybrid  Exterior, interior updates

Visually, there arent any changes to the Fortuner hybrid variant. But it is worth mentioning that the Fortuner in South Africa is a close match to the Fortuner Legender sold in India. South African-spec Fortuner has a lot more vibrant colour options in comparison to India-spec Fortuner. Inside, the Fortuner hybrid variant gets some minor cosmetic touch-ups.

Fortuner hybrid  India launch prospects

Toyota is introducing the hybrid variants of Fortuner and Hilux across multiple international markets. The performance boost and other benefits available with Fortuner hybrid variant are relevant for the Indian market as well. Considering the demand and competition, Toyota is likely to launch Fortuner hybrid with ADAS later this year in India.

Toyotas India portfolio currently has powertrain options of petrol, bi-fuel petrol-CNG, petrol hybrid and diesel. In 2025, Toyota will debut its first battery powered electric mass market SUV for India. It will be a rebadged version of the upcoming Maruti eVX SUV.
The new Volkswagen Passat PRO has leaked online  Official debut at 2024 Beijing Motor Show this month

Passat has been one of the most influential cars ever sold in Europe and China and has a massive pull among fans. In China a new Pro variant is getting ready to launch. Ahead of that, it has leaked online. Passat Pro is the result of SAIC VW JV. Launch is likely soon as it has passed Chinas homologation procedures.

Volkswagen Passat Pro Debuts In China

Passat has been a major hit in Europe. It is also sold in China and a few other markets. In China, SAIC VW joint venture has now come up with Passat Pro, which is larger than standard Passat and packs a more modern design, drawing inspiration from Volkswagens own ID range.

As part of the homologation procedure, Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) website has revealed exterior design along with dimensions and a few key component details. Where dimensions are concerned, Volkswagen Passat Pro measures 5m long, around 1.85m wide, around 1.5m tall and has a 2.87m long wheelbase. These numbers are higher than the Passat Wagon which is sold in Europe.

Wheel options with Passat Pro include either 17-inches or 19-inches. As per MIIT, Passat Pros weight is between 1,579 kg and 1,679 kg. Exterior design reveals quite a few similarities to other VW family vehicles. For example, Passat Pros side profile reminds us of the new Skoda Superb in the way three-box silhouette is implemented. We can see a few elements similar to VW Arteon. Fascia is all new and bears newer VW DNA we saw with 2025 Tiguan and companys ID range of EVs.

Grill is larger and more expansive in shape than the standard Passat. Chrome horizontal slats look interesting and are flanked by C-shaped cuts in the bumper. Rear gets a connected effect for its tail lights with Passat lettering, while actual lighting elements dont connect. Pro badge can be seen on its tailgate. Rear bumper gets a large blackened trim with reflectors running across its width.

Should it launch in India?

Images from Chinese MIIT do not reveal interiors. That said, we can see up to seven alloy wheel designs and at least three different front bumper designs. There seem to be GT and GTS versions of Passat Pro as seen in the different front bumper designs.

As per powertrains, Passat in China gets a 160 PS 1.5L engine with base trims and a 220 PS 2.0L engine with higher trims. Unlike European Passat Wagon, Volkswagen Passat Pro in China lacks an AWD layout and is FWD only across the variants. Also, there are no manual transmission options.

Chances of Passat Pro making it to India are very meek. But we hope Volkswagen considers re-establishing its presence in large sedan segment in India which currently has the recently re-launched Skoda Superb, Toyota Camry and newly launched BYD Seal. More details will be revealed soon, as official debut is expected at the 2024 Beijing Motor Show this month.
With its optimal combo of peppy performance and high fuel efficiency, Hyundai Exter has emerged as a popular choice in sub-4-meter SUV segment

Launched in July 2023, Hyundai Exter primarily rivals the Tata Punch. Right from start, Exter has delighted users with its robust performance across both city streets and highways. Just like any other Hyundai car, Exter also offers a comprehensive range of features.

Exter owners share real-world mileage

According to Exter (petrol) owner Durai Anand, he is getting an average mileage of 17 km/L after 1,300 km. This is when the AC is turned on all the time. Half of Anands travel has been on highways, whereas the rest in a city environment with moderate traffic. Another Exter owner Deepak Rai reports that he got 33 km/L in CNG on the highway with the AC off. When the AC was in use, Exter CNG delivered 30 km/L. When running on petrol, the mileage was 17+ on the highway.

These real-world mileage numbers are quite impressive and could be a key reason for Exters growing popularity. Exter currently has a market share of around 8% in the sub-4-meter SUV segment. Various other Exter owners have shared screenshots of their trip-wise mileage numbers. For Exter petrol variants, it is evident that average real-world mileage is around 20 km/L. For Exter CNG, the number is around 30 km/L.

Tips from owners

With fuel-efficient driving practices, Hyundai Exter owners can improve their mileage numbers. For example, maintaining the recommended tyre pressure is a must. It will reduce rolling resistance, which in turn will increase mileage. Tyre pressure monitoring system is available with select variants of Exter. It makes it easier for users to track and maintain the recommended tyre pressure. Users should also learn to drive smoothly and avoid aggressive acceleration and braking.

Another way to improve fuel efficiency is to switch off the engine when the car is idling for extended periods. It can occur at a busy traffic signal, rail crossings, traffic jam situations, etc. Higher variants of Exter are equipped with push button start/stop feature.

Exter also has cruise control, which is another great way to improve fuel efficiency across highways. A bit of planning can also help improve fuel efficiency. For example, users can access Google Maps to avoid routes with heavy traffic. Exter makes it possible, as it has on-board navigation. This is a segment-first feature.

Programmed for high mileage

Exter has various features that help improve fuel efficiency. For example, it has an aerodynamic profile that reduces drag. Exter utilizes a lightweight chassis that contributes to increased fuel efficiency.

The 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine powering Exter is designed for enhanced fuel efficiency. It has transmission choices of 5-speed manual and Smart Auto AMT. For max fuel efficiency, users can choose the Bi-fuel powertrain option. Exter CNG is offered with only a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The stock 348cc single cylinder air-cooled engine on this custom Honda CB350RS by Magical Racing generates 20 PS and 29 Nm

Hondas rival to Royal Enfield Classic 350, CB350 has been one of the popular classic motorcycles on sale in India. There are three variations of CB350 on sale and the sportiest of this bunch is CB350RS, a scrambler-esque motorcycle. A custom Honda CB350RS by Magical Racing gets carbon fibre parts from Magical Racing in Japan.

Custom Honda CB350RS By Magical Racing

This CB350 series has spawned three body styles till now and multiple optional packs offering customers some kind of personalisation options right from the OEM. That said, a full-on custom offering with accentuated sportiness is a good proposition for Honda CB350RS and thats exactly what Magical Racing is aiming for.

For starters, Honda manufactures the CB350 lineup in India and exports it to Japan. CB350 Hness is sold as GB350, CB350 RS as GB350 S and the newest CB350 (Classic) as GB350 C in Japan. Magical Racing has selected GB350 S owing to its sportiness and has worked its magic on it.

Magical Racing did not go overboard with its sportiness criteria and achieved a completely different-looking motorcycle. Instead, what Magical Racing has done is in keeping with the vision Honda had while creating Honda CB350RS. In that regard, we can see subtle changes that lend a sportier appeal than stock.

Other notable changes

The main highlight is the carbon fibre ORVM codenamed NK-1 Mirror which uses a Type 6 head and 10 mm thread. Other changes we can spot are an FRP rear tail tidy that looks much better than stock. Also notable is an open-type chain cover that looks more industrial and raw, perfectly complementing the new short rear fender.

Matching the short rear fender is a short front fender. Both fenders get an option of either a silver finish or a matte black finish. Brackets for both FRP fenders are made of stainless steel. Adding a dash of retro-ness is a short fly screen that is also offered in either silver finish or matte black.

These components are from TCW and the stickers on front and rear fenders along with front windscreen come with the package and are optional. Another notable attribute of this build is that lighting elements are kept stock. Metzeler Tourance Next tyres will add a dash of sportiness to the stock vehicles dynamics.

Magical Racing has established a good unison of carbon fibre, stainless steel and aluminium and achieved a slightly sportier look that should appeal to many. Powertrain is kept stock too. The same 348.36cc air-cooled engine as the stock donor bike develops 21 PS of peak power and 29 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a 5-speed gearbox.
Hyundai Verna outsold Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia, Honda City and Maruti Ciaz in FY24 by a huge margin to command a 30.80% market share

The mid-size sedan segment in India was once considered highly competitive, with several models vying for attention. However, now, this segment is fighting for survival in a market that is more inclined towards SUVs in the sub-4m, compact and mid-sized segments while even hatchback claim more attention from buyers in the country.

Mid-Size Sedan Sales FY24 vs FY23

Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia, Honda City and Maruti Suzuki Ciaz are the mid-size sedans currently on sale in India with combined total sales of 97,475 units in FY24. In FY24, sedans in the mid-size segment saw the Hyundai Verna emerge victorious from among its rivals Virtus, Slavia, City and Ciaz as the most preferred choice among sedan buyers in the country.

Verna sales stood at 30,027 units in the FY24 period with an average of 2,502 units sold each month to command a 30.80% share. Even as Verna sales set off to a strong start in the first quarter of FY 23-24 with 11,689 units sold, its sales dipped considerably in Q2 FY23-24 to 8,044 units to end H1 period with 19,733 unit sales. The 2nd half of the year was also not as promising as sales continued to dip each month to 4,726 unit sales in Q3 FY23-24 but improved slightly to 5,568 units in the Q4 period. H2 sales fell to 10,294 units, a 47% decline from sales seen in the H1 period.

VW Virtus, with a 5 Star safety rating at Global NCAP, was at No. 2 on the list of mid-size sedan sales in FY24 with 21,094 units sold. It currently commands a 21.64% share in this segment and has seen an average monthly sales of 1,758 units. Sales in the Q1 period stood at 4,924 units which improved to 5,668 units in Q2 FY 23-24 but fell marginally to 5,145 units and 5,357 units in Q3 and Q4 period.

It was followed by the Skoda Slavia, which is also a 5 Star safety rated sedan, with 19,092 units sold in FY24. This was at an average of 1,591 units each month with the Slavia commanding a 19.59% share in this segment. While there had been 4,920 units and 4,892 units of the Slavia sold in the Q1 and Q2 periods of FY23-24, its Q3 sales improved to some extent to 5,652 unit. However, sales declined again in the last quarter to 3,628 units.

Honda City, Maruti Ciaz Sales FY24

The once dominant Honda City suffered a severe decline in sales in FY24 to 16,925 units averaging at 1,410 units per month to command a 17.36% share. The companys latest entrant Elevate in the SUV segment has grabbed some of the attention away from the City. City sales which had stood at 4,930 units in Q1 FY23-24 dipped to 4,571 units in the Q2 period to end H1 FY23-24 at 9,501 units. Sales continued to decline to 4,001 units in Q3 FY23-24 and to 3,423 units in Q4 FY23-024 to end H2 with 7,424 unit sales.

Maruti Ciaz too has recorded lackluster sales in FY24. Ciaz is one of two sedans in Maruti Suzukis portfolio, the other being the more popular DZire which is positioned in the sub 4 meter sedan segment. With 10,337 units of the Ciaz sold in FY24, this displays an average monthly sale of just 861 units with the Ciaz commanding a 10.60% share in the mid-size sedan segment. Triple digit sales were seen through most months of FY24 with Q1 FY 23-24 sales at 3,753 units which dipped to 3,688 units in the Q2 period and then down to 1,462 units and 1,434 units in Q3 and Q4.
Since taking office in January 2023, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. has spent time on all 64 SUNY campuses, and he says the concerns he hears most from students are financial.

Thats why SUNY and state lawmakers pushed for the next state budget to include the first increase in New Yorks Tuition Assistance Program since 2000  a move included in the budget agreement announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul this week.

Although the final budget has yet to be approved, King said its safe to say that the family income threshold for students to qualify for TAP will increase from $80,000 to $125,000 and the minimum award will increase from $500 to $1,000 when the budget is passed. The income thresholds are rising for the first time in 24 years.

I regularly hear about students struggling to afford college, whether its experiencing food or housing insecurity or just not being able to have the confidence that they can afford school, King said. A lot of students are making painful life choices because they are are so stretched.

An estimated 44,500 current SUNY students will be receiving more financial aid for 2024-25 as a result of the budget agreement, King said, and an estimated 26,000 SUNY students will become newly eligible for TAP. Students at private colleges and universities in New York will also benefit from greater access to more TAP aid.

This is an effort by the state to tell New York families that we are going to make it easier for you to attend college, King said. Even students eligible for the minimum of $500 will now get $1,000 that they can put toward things like books or fixing the car. These things make a huge difference.

We also know there are students sitting on the sidelines because they cant afford college, King added. We hope this will lead more students to choose college, hopefully at a SUNY school, but really any college in New York.

The increases will come as a pleasant surprise to many students because the TAP income threshold and minimum award have been stagnant for so long and the push to increase it came late in the budget process.

King said TAP originated 50 years ago as a concerted effort to unlock access to higher education for all New Yorkers.

In the early years it served middle-income as well as low-income families, but in tighter financial times for the state, we did not increase the threshold, so we were not serving as many students, he said.

SUNY and lawmakers in both the State Senate and Assembly mobilized to change that this year to reflect higher investments in aid for higher education by competing states. The TAP increases in the budget agreement Hochul announced Tuesday also surprised college and university officials who were unaware of the late push to include them for the 2024-25 academic year.

We are looking at putting more needs-based grants for higher education in the hands of families that need it most, said James Nowak, director of enrollment and financial aid operations at Canisius University, which serves a majority of students who qualify for financial aid.

We are learning this at the 11th hour, as usual, he added. Im not saying its a bad thing, but we have already provided TAP estimates on the financial aid packages weve sent to hundreds of students. I assume the amount is going up, but I would always hope my estimates are accurate.

Several other college and university officials in Western New York said they are hesitant to celebrate the TAP increases until the final budget is passed, but that if approved, many more students will be able to pursue higher education without major debt, hopefully resulting in higher college enrollment.

The best thing about this proposed increase is that it provides students more access to funds for higher education, said Erickson Neilans, vice president of enrollment management for SUNY Erie Community College.

Like most community colleges, a majority of our students use TAP and federal financial aid to fund their education, Neilans said. Its going to remove barriers and provide educational opportunities for students that otherwise might not have the resources.

Jim Trimboli, director of admissions and financial aid at SUNY Niagara County Community College, said about 65% of its students receive some TAP funding. Any TAP increase is a good thing, he said.

Its free money that they dont have to pay back, and thats a win, Trimboli said. But nothing is set in stone until the budget passes.

The University at Buffalo reported that 23% of its 30,000 students  nearly 6,900 in all  received a total of $19.5 million in TAP funding for the 2022-23 academic year, and the average award was $2,837.

Overall, 234,000 New Yorkers attending eligible two- and four-year public and private colleges were awarded $662 million in TAP awards for 2022-23, King said. Estimates put the cost of the coming increases at about $66 million a year.

Christopher Connor, UBs interim vice provost for enrollment management, said programs like TAP have a substantial and positive impact on low- to middle-income families by reducing financial barriers and making higher education more accessible and affordable.

He said more access to TAP will not only make higher education more attainable, but also reduce the burden of student debt, allowing graduates to pursue their careers with greater financial freedom.

By supporting educational equity and broadening opportunities, these programs play a crucial role in uplifting numerous families across the state and enhancing the overall economic health of the community, Connor said.

Besides increasing the income limit and the minimum award, King said the updated rules will also benefit working adults, including those who attend college part time, through a new part-time TAP program for in-demand workforce programs.

The TAP income threshold for independent married students with no dependents also will increase from $40,000 to $60,000, which will benefit an estimated 1,000 current SUNY students, King said.

The TAP income threshold for independent single students with no dependents will increase from $10,000 to $30,000, which will benefit another 8,500 SUNY students, he said.

Since dependent students getting the minimum of $500 will see their awards double, it seems safe to assume that all students will see their awards increase by at least $500, Canisius Nowak said.

It looks like this will unlock small TAP awards for more people and increase per-person awards, Nowak said. But will the maximum award limit of $5,665 now increase to $6,165? We dont know yet.

But at the end of the day, its good news, and its been a long time coming, he said.
White supremacist sentenced for death threats against journalist

A white supremacist leader from California was sentenced to 44 months in prison Friday for conspiring to make death threats against a Brooklyn journalist who was investigating the supremacist group.

Nicholas Welker, also known as King ov Wrath, 33, of San Jose, was sentenced in New York City.

The Justice Department identified Welker as the leader of a group called Feuerkrieg Division (FKD), a neo-Nazi group that advocates violence against ethnic minorities and LGBTQI+ individuals.

Welker pleaded guilty to using social media to make death threats against the journalist and his media organization, which were not identified by the Justice Department.

Welker tried to silence a journalist from reporting on his white supremacist group so that his fellow extremists could continue to commit violence against racial, ethnic, and religious minorities and the LGBTQI+ community, said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace.

The FBIs New York Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the case.

- News staff reports
Written By

Publisher and Editor

she/her | Bridget is the Messengers editor and publisher. She oversees the newsroom and covers the Maple Run Unified School District and education at large. She also pays attention to recreation, food and the arts and is an avid cyclist and skier.

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Escondido  Two weeks ago in an Escondido backyard, Erika Shawver witnessed something she never thought shed see: Her 3-year-old son Caiden went for a swim.

Caiden has a sensory-processing disorder. Over the past year or so, every time Erika took her son to a pool for paid lessons, hed end up in hysterics, fearful of the water, of being touched or being approached by an instructor.

Then Caiden met Cori.

Cori is a 1-year-old golden/Labrador retriever mix in training to become a certified water rescue dog. Cori offers canine assistance to swimming instructors, which means she can make pool time fun, educational and less scary for children with special needs.

As soon as Cori leapt into the swimming pool with Caiden that day, the boys anxieties over strangers, being touched, noise and other sensory issues washed away.

He can get overwhelmed so easily, so I was shocked when I saw how quickly he responded to Cori, Shawver said. He had confidence in the dog, which made him confident in himself and it made him want to swim with Cori. Then he began to trust the teacher because she was helping him be with Cori.

At his third swim lesson this week, Caiden plunged into the water without Cori, clung happily to the instructor and held his breath underwater for the first time.

Cori is the latest canine prodigy owned by Judy Fridono. The Escondido dog trainer is better known for her other pet, Surf Dog Ricochet, who has more than 230,000 followers on Facebook. Ricochet is a gentle-natured, 9-year-old golden retriever and certified therapy dog who has won national acclaim riding waves with children and veterans with special needs.

Fridono, 59, became a full-time certified dog trainer in 2003 when rheumatoid arthritis forced her to give up her career in health care. Ricochet hadnt made the grade as a regular therapy dog, but she excelled in surfing. So Fridono started the nonprofit foundation Waves of Empowerment, which provides free surf training with Ricochet for children and adults with special needs.

Because Fridonos mobility is limited, she has relied over the years on volunteer Deb Parker to serve as the water handler for Ricochet, and now Cori. Parker, who is a chef by training, said Cori has come a long way. As a puppy, she was afraid of the water and showed zero talent for surfing.

Then, on a beach trip in May, Parker said she noticed that Cori would pull to shore any children who grabbed her leash or collar. And in Fridonos backyard, above-ground swimming pool, Cori would leap into the water after children and push them with her fast-paddling front legs toward the stairs.

Cori just has a natural instinct, Parker said. Judy doesnt push dogs into doing anything. She believes every dog has their purpose. If we listen to them, they will tell us what that is.

The final piece of the puzzle clicked into place in June, when Fridono and Parker met Jodi Powell at a Waves of Empowerment autism paddleboard camp in Carlsbad.

Powell was there because her 6-year-old son, Logan, has sensory processing issues. She also runs Special Fishies Swim & Play, a 20-year-old swim school for children with special needs, including autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome.

Powell said that many children on the autism spectrum dont feel connected to their bodies, but when theyre in the water that connection occurs, so it can be a very freeing experience if they can learn to swim.

However, Powell said she has spent up to three years with some students because every special-needs child learns in different ways, some slower than others. After she saw how her son Logan interacted with Ricochet at the camp, and later with Cori in the pool, she wondered if dogs might be the missing ingredient in making a breakthrough with the hardest-to-reach children.

Over the past three month, the trio of women have worked intensively with Cori and Powells two sons, Logan, and 4-year-old Sawyer, Caiden and others to practice different swim-training techniques.

Fridono has reached out to the Scuola Italiana Cani Salvataggio  a school in Italy where dogs are trained as working lifeguards  about getting Cori certified for water rescue. She has also outfitted Cori with an Italian-made, life-saving vest. The buoyant vest has handles on the back that children can grip to be pulled around the pool, something Caiden Shawver especially enjoys.

The trio plans to apply for grants to create a nonprofit program for canine-assisted swimming. For now, theyre offering lessons on a sliding scale to special needs students through Powells company (specialfishies.org). Eventually, they hope to build a permanent pool and sensory education center where both Powell and Parker can work full time.

Until then, theyre all volunteering their time, watching what Parker calls breathtaking work between Cori and the swim students.

Cori is the bridge between the instructor and special-needs children, Parker said. What she does is create a bridge of trust between them and then the magic can happen.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
SAN DIEGO  A wrongful-death lawsuit against a former El Cajon Lexus dealer accused of contributing to the fiery deaths of a California Highway Patrol officer and his family settled days before trial was set to begin in Los Angeles.

The settlement between the parents of the victims and car dealer Bob Baker is the latest in a case that has received worldwide attention over unintended acceleration problems in Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

The terms of the settlement, including the amount, are confidential, and none of the parties involved would discuss the agreement.

A spokeswoman with the Los Angeles County Superior Court confirmed that the parties called the court Thursday to say that they had settled the case. Trial had been set to begin Monday.

It is the second settlement that the parents of both the officer and his wife have received in the lawsuit. In 2010 they accepted a $10 million payout from Toyota.

The Aug. 28, 2009, crash in Santee set off a ripple effect that has cost Toyota billions of dollars in settlement payouts and led to massive recalls.

The crash occurred as California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Saylor was driving the loaner Lexus ES350 from Bob Baker Lexus El Cajon with his wife, Cleofe, their daughter, 13-year-old Mahala, and his brother-in-law, Chris Lastrella.

In a 911 call as the car was barreling north on state Route 125, Lastrella reported the accelerator was stuck and brakes werent working. The call cut off as the Lexus struck a Ford Explorer then launched into a ditch at Mission Gorge Road and erupted into flames.

An investigation by the county Sheriffs Department pointed to a floor mat as a likely culprit. Since 2007, Toyota had known about the possibility that some floor mats, installed incorrectly, could make the accelerator stick, according to an investigation by the U.S. Justice Department. Lexus is a division of Toyota.

The lawsuit against Bob Baker Lexus alleged the dealership received warnings about such problems from Toyota but ignored them. A trial brief filed by the plaintiffs contended carpet mats that came with the Lexus ES350 were removed to keep them clean and replaced with oversized rubber mats that belong in an SUV.

Attorneys for Bob Baker Lexus argued that the car model was defective because it lacked clearance between the floor and pedal, lacked an override braking system and had confusing shifting and ignition button designs. Owner Bob Baker said investigators failed to fully examine possible manufacturing defects.

Baker sold the El Cajon Lexus dealership a few years ago, telling U-T San Diego in an earlier interview that he was upset at Toyotas handling of the matter.

After the deaths, Toyota issued a flurry of recalls totaling 10 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles to fix problems with ill-fitting floor mats, sticky pedals and faulty brakes.

Toyota agreed to take a $1.1 billion charge against its earnings to cover settlements to owners who claimed to have suffered economic loss related to the recalls.

But the Justice Department determined that wasnt enough. The government ordered the automaker last March to pay a record $1.2 billion for hiding knowledge that similar problems were present in other vehicle models, as well as failing to disclose to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration that improperly manufactured pedals were also a major threat.

From 2010 to 2012, Toyota has also paid more than $66 million in fines for delays in reporting safety problems. The company also faces numerous wrongful-death and injury lawsuits. It has settled some.
Having a bucket of ice-cold water whipped over me by a child so tiny that I didnt see her coming is really not how I thought my day was going to go. Water pistols, yes. Roadside hoses, sure. But truck upon truck driving past like Mardi Gras floats, loaded with vats of water that families and their dangerously small, bucket-wielding offspring throw as they pass by  well, that was a surprise.

I suppose I shouldve thanked the infant; the temperature was 40C. Thailands new year celebration, Songkran, takes place in the middle of April, one of the hottest months of the year up in Chiang Mai, where I live. But despite residing here for a few years, this was my first Songkran in the north and blimey, I had a lot to learn.

Songkran brings out everyones inner child beams Patrick Tunhapong, a local blogger and historian. It is traditionally a time that families get together, as elders and ancestors are honoured, but people in Chiang Mai are so nice, youll be part of the family here.

The Thai new year celebration is the countrys most famous festival (Tourism Authority Thailand)

Hes not wrong. Chiang Mai residents are known for being incredibly kind and polite, while usually pretty reserved  but not this weekend. Its easy to hop on a float and get adopted by a passing family, then drive around on their truck (particularly if your water-launching arm is strong enough). A firm fan of spending the festival here in the north, Patrick says: Songkran is special in Chiang Mai as the circulation and movement of people around the square moat that lines the old city means you can see everything and everyone. Water and people flow.

Read more on Thailand travel:

Its the first Songkran since it was added to Unescos Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Thailand has not held back: consequently, the celebrations are extra-long, lasting 10 days in Chiang Mai and 21 down in the capital, Bangkok. Usually occurring for four days in mid-April after the rice harvest, pouring water during Songkran is a symbolic act, representing cleansing, reverence of older family members and, of course, optimistically hoping for good fortune for the year ahead.

Its not all water fights and street parties, although they certainly are the most apparent and unavoidable element. Before Id been blasted with Super Soakers and drenched by children with buckets, the day started with an impressive parade from the royal temple, Wat Phra Singh. Hundreds of monks, clad in orange robes and carrying Buddha statues, were followed by fon lep dancers with long silver nails, and alms carriers in traditional costume.

Outside of water, pomp and pagentry play their part in Songkran (Somsak Wonghemmarat)

This was just one of over two dozen parades and traditional, devotional rituals in some of the citys hundreds of ancient temples every morning. Thousands of Chiang Mai residents were seen bringing out blessed water for the monks to wash their Buddha icons, collecting the water as it rolls off the statue (so the one offering can use the liquid to bless themselves), and dousing it over their shoulder at the end of the practice.

North Suvisa Vathananond, a local guide who runs Norths Chiang Mai, is thrilled with the Unesco award, like so many others who work in the regions tourism industry. While this festival is the highlight of Thai folks year, she feels it is deserving of wider international recognition and to be firmly on the map for visitors.

Songkran is so special because it gives you an intangible experience that doesnt require any material things. Its a human-to-human interaction, and water is free. In other countries, you have tomato fights or fireworks but here we dont need anything to run this festival, she says, with a glint in her eye.

Water during Songkran symbolises washing away the previous year, and getting ready for the next (Somsak Wonghemmarat)

She giggles as she shares: Its also the one time of the year where you can play fight and not feel angry. It teaches you something: everyone is seen. Its like a greeting  no matter who you are, its like, I see you.

This community aspect of Songkran is recurring throughout my weekend. Local architect Opor Pharadon Phonamnuai, the co-founder and co-owner of the citys infamous and much-loved Northgate Jazz Co-Op, agrees that for the stretch of days Songkran plays out, the city is united as one.

Everyone, maybe 50,000 to 60,000 thousand people on the streets have one memory about one thing, it turns the whole of the citys rhythm into one rhythm  the Songkran songs become like a communal heartbeat he muses. A festival like this can remind you that we used to live in communities, as we become a collective again for Songkran, you can share a beer, play together. I think thats why people love to come to Chiang Mai for it.

As it all winds down and normality is just about restored, I find myself missing the aquatic mayhem. Ill have to find new reasons to talk to my neighbours  and vow not to leave it until next April.

Read more: The best hotels in Bangkok
Jon Huertas on the 'Curveball' He Faced While Directing Tracker with Justin Hartley: 'Froze My Butt Off!' (Exclusive)

"You didn't plan for this. What am I going to do?" Huertas recalls thinking after a snowstorm derailed his directing plans for 'Tracker'

JC Olivera/FilmMagic; Ethan Miller/Getty Jon Huertas (left) and Justin Hartley

Jon Huertas turned a hitch into a blessing while filming Tracker with Justin Hartley.

While shooting the CBS show starring Hartley in Vancouver, Canada, Huertas, 54, and the crew found themselves stuck in the winter snow.

The director, who starred on This Is Us with Hartley, recalls studying on his iPad in the car on the way to set before looking up to see snow everywhere.

You didn't plan for this. What am I going to do? And I also didn't plan for it with what I was wearing. So I was freezing. Hand warmers in my hands. I put hand warmers in my boots. I was just trying to stay warm, he tells PEOPLE.

Viewing the situation from a directors perspective, Huertas says, It was something new I had to adjust to.

Michael Courtney/CBS via Getty From left to right: Justin Hartley, Gavin Russo and director Jon Huertas on set of 'Tracker'

Related: Mandy Moore Calls 'This Is Us' Costars Chrissy Metz and Jon Huertas Her 'Forever Family' as Trio Reunites

With no other choice, Huertas said he started to frame the sudden snow as a happy accident rather than a setback.

This is great, he remembers thinking. I'm going to be able to really sell the fact this is three years before what the rest of our story is going to take place. So it ends up being an opportunity for us to take a curveball and knock it out of the park.

Instead of worrying, Huertas chose to transform the unexpected obstacle into an advantage. The quick thinking and problem-solving is where he says he found the most joy in directing.

Thats what I did with the snow. I made it a part of the story, he explains. And I froze my butt off doing it.

Michael Courtney/CBS Director Jon Huertas and Justin Hartley

Huertas directed the ninth episode of Tracker, Aurora, giving him the chance to reunite with Hartley, 47, for the first time onscreen since their days starring on This Is Us. (Huertas played Miguel Rivas on the NBC series while Hartley played Kevin Pearson.)

Speaking about his costar, Huertas reveals that, for the most part, Hartley is an open book, but what might surprise people is that his fashion sensibility is on point.

Justin's style is amazing, but it's all him. He really is his own stylist. So I think that's kind of surprising for someone who always looks as good as he does in his clothes, he says. I've asked for advice from him. Where's you get that jacket, man? It's dope. And he'll tell me and say, Yeah, go get one.

Related: A This Is Us Reunion! Jon Huertas Reunites with Costar Justin Hartley in First-Look at New Tracker Episode (Exclusive)

In Tracker, "Aurora" will see Hartley's character Colter Shaw searching to find the missing daughter of a widower. The exploration, however, leads him into the world of ghost hunting and paranornal activity, per the episode description from CBS.

When PEOPLE caught up with Hartley prior to the Tracker series premiere in February, the actor was more than excited to tease his reunion with Huertas.

I'll be with him every day on set, Hartley said. We'll be spending a ton of time together.

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.

Tracker airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.



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Alexander Vinogradsky, the owner of Paramount Towing, was gunned down on March 28 near Dufferin Street and Finch Avenue in Toronto. (Toronto Police Service - image credit)

Alexander Vinogradsky's Facebook posts share puns, poke fun at Gen Z and show off a trip to Tokyo Disneyland last year. In others, he is smiling or highlighting damaged cars in need of a tow.

But beneath the cheerful faces and overseas vacations, a constant menace lingered in Vinogradsky's life: as a kingpin in the Toronto area's tow truck underworld, he was a marked man.

Before he was gunned down March 28 outside a north-end Toronto plaza, he owned Paramount Towing, one of four outfits allegedly locked in a deadly turf war that prompted a major police crackdown in 2019 and 2020. The investigation prompted dozens of arrests  Vinogradsky's included.

And though he was never charged in any murder plots, investigators had information the tow truck boss ordered hits on at least two perceived rivals in late 2018, according to court decisions that have not previously been reported on. One of those men survived a drive-by shooting while the other, Soheil "Cadi" Rafipour, was shot dead that Christmas Eve.

"The owner of Paramount Towing was identified as Alex Vinogradsky and the confidential information received suggested that the murder of Mr. Rafipour had been ordered by Mr. Vinogradsky," an Ontario Superior Court judge wrote in a trial-related ruling published in January, recounting the steps police took to investigate the crime.

Two men  one of whom worked for Paramount Towing, according to evidence presented at their pre-trial hearings  were convicted this past December for the Christmas Eve slaying.

Whether he knew it or not, Vinogradsky appeared to have stepped into a hornet's nest. According to court records obtained by CBC News, both of the targets in those 2018 shootings were associates of a Toronto resident named Girolamo Commisso  the nephew of Cosimo Commisso, a man long alleged to be a senior Mafia figure in the Greater Toronto Area.

Police have not named any suspects or made any arrests in Vinogradsky's killing.

WATCH | Police reveal links between towing industry, organized crime:

Costa Rica plot

The first of the two shootings allegedly ordered by Vinogradsky targeted a man named Sergei Manukian. He and Rafipour had ambitions to start a competing tow truck business in the GTA with the goal of bringing in more clients to Manukian's existing physical rehabilitation clinic  namely, the people in the wrecked cars they would be towing, a judge said investigators had learned.

Manukian was sitting outside his clinic  barely a block from the Toronto plaza where Vinogradsky would be killed six years later  in the driver's seat of a black Jeep, smoking a cigarette and chatting with a friend named Jonathan Salazar-Blanco in the passenger seat. Two men in a grey sedan drove up and fired 21 bullets at them. The sedan then tried to speed away, but crashed into a nearby dumpster.

Neither man was injured; Manukian chased after one of the attackers and managed to subdue him. He was charged in relation to this incident and a video presented in court shows him repeatedly striking and wrestling a man to the ground. He was later convicted of assault and given an absolute discharge.

healwholeself/Instagram, Alex Yizhak/Facebook

The day after the drive-by shooting, Salazar-Blanco told police, he flew to his native Costa Rica because he was afraid for his life. He told them he bought a last-minute ticket with money from friends, including Girolamo Commisso and their associate Alex Yizhak.

Coincidentally, they had just learned that Vinogradsky was possibly also in or travelling to Costa Rica.

Commisso, Yizhak and Salazar-Blanco then began to make arrangements that would lead to police charging them with conspiring to murder Vinogradsky.

All three were acquitted of the charges. But phone messages between the three men, obtained by police through search warrants connected to the Project Kraken investigation that included corruption in the towing industry, suggest there was no love lost between them and the Paramount Towing chief.

Shortly after Salazar-Blanco landed in Liberia, Costa Rica, he messaged Commisso on WhatsApp about an apparent plan to get a gun.

A police officer who investigated the case would later file a sworn statement saying that he believed "maquina"  Spanish for "machine"  was slang for a gun.

"I believe Salazar-Blanco is speaking about obtaining a cheap and smaller caliber firearm to keep noise down while firing it," he wrote.

There was no evidence Commisso ever sent any of the money discussed in the texts.

In messages a few minutes later, Salazar-Blanco tells Commisso from the airport: "Im here and not leaving," and "Ill do it with my bare hands if i have to."

And then just over an hour later: "I got it bro if he comes by here hes mine." Commisso replied: "let's hope u can get the exact flight."

Salazar-Blanco was simultaneously also texting with Yizhak.

A few hours later, Salazar-Blanco messaged a photo of his hand cradling a loaded revolver.

"It's on ma [N-word]," he wrote.

However, Salazar-Blanco never found Vinogradsky in Costa Rica. According to further text exchanges filed in court, the men appear to have learned he was actually in Miami.

Salazar-Blanco was acquitted of conspiracy to commit murder in February 2022 when a judge ruled that while she had no reasonable doubt that there "was a conspiracy to find and kill Mr. Vinogradsky," it wasn't clear that Salazar-Blanco had a true intention to be a part of it based on the phone messages and his police interrogation. He could have been bluffing, the judge said.

The WhatsApp messages were never before the court at Commisso and Yizhak's brief trial in June 2022 because both men were immediately acquitted after the Crown announced its case couldn't go forward without its key witness, Salazar-Blanco. He had been personally subpoenaed but was unlikely to attend to testify, a prosecutor said.

"It really would give it too much credit to say there was a weak case against both men," said defence lawyer Greg Lafontaine, who represented Yizhak at trial and both defendants at their preliminary hearing.

"There was absolutely no case of guilt at all."

Reached earlier this week, Commisso said he had no comment. Salazar-Blanco did not reply to a request for comment sent through his former lawyer.

2019 drive-by shooting

It wasn't the last time Vinogradsky was targeted.

In spring 2020, he was swept up in the police crackdown on the Greater Toronto Area's tow truck turf wars and faced charges of fraud, conspiracy to commit arson and a number of organized-crime offences.

He brought a court application to have his home address redacted from evidence that would be disclosed to the 50-plus defendants, as previously reported in the Toronto Star.

That application revealed that in December 2018, Toronto-area police had warned him they had information that his life was in danger. Soon after, Vinogradsky and his family moved to a different home.

In April 2019, he went back to his former home and those threats became a reality.

While he was parked outside, the 2020 ruling on his application noted, another vehicle drove past and a man in the front passenger seat began firing a handgun at him. He drove away with the other car in pursuit, a man still firing at him.

A bullet hit him under his left armpit, the ruling said, but the injury was minor.

In a statement he gave to police after the incident, Vinogradsky said he felt like "a dead man with money on [his] head," but wouldn't say who he thought was responsible, telling officers, "I have to think about my street cred."

In June 2020, multiple cars and trucks were set on fire outside one of Vinogradsky's businesses.

LISTEN | Arson, fraud and murder in the tow truck industry:

Violence persists in towing industry

The charges against Vinogradsky were dropped in 2022 when prosecutors decided they couldn't meet their obligation to disclose all relevant evidence to the defence without compromising the identity of one or more confidential police informants.

Vinogradsky went back to work running Paramount Towing, posting a photo of a damaged car on Facebook as recently as Feb. 22  five weeks before his death  with the comment "Another day on the job" and his company's phone number.

Reached by CBC News last week, a member of Vinogradsky's immediate family said they had "nothing to add right now."

After arresting Vinogradsky and more than 50 others in 2020 amid the tow truck turf wars, police announced that they were dismantling "four distinct criminal organizations." They said, "We expect the extreme level of violence we have seen in our community to diminish."

But the industry is still reeling.

Just last month, two masked people doused a tow truck in liquid and set it on fire at a strip mall in Richmond Hill, Ont.

York Regional Police

The week before, A Action Towing and Recovery, a company based in Burlington, Ont., said three of its trucks were set ablaze overnight. Those incidents followed a rash of apparent tow truck arsons in the Greater Toronto Area last summer and fall.

A Action Towing's owner, Doug Murray, told CBC News that there's been a significant drop in violent incidents between tow truck operators in some areas, but in others violence can persist.

"As long as guys are fighting for the tow and chasing for the tow, there's going to be people angry with each other."
Arun Ross Supplied Supplied Supplied Supplied Supplied Supplied Supplied

With artificial intelligence continuing to expand, along with growing uncertainty about how it will impact the future, academic institutions stand at the forefront of advancing AI technology. In Michigan, professors at Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University, are not only driving AI advancements through research and educational initiatives, but are also shaping its responsible implementation across various industries.



The University of Michigan (U-M) in Ann Arbor has an AI Lab, which serves as a hub for collaboration, bringing together faculty and students to tackle AI-related challenges in areas such as image processing, natural language processing, and machine learning.



In academia, we really have the freedom to explore the variety of directions that are driven by AI, so we can do research that will pay off down the line maybe in a 10-year, 20-year horizon as opposed to the very short term, says U-M Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Micha Derezinski.



Derezinskis personal research focuses on reducing the computational costs associated with training AI models to make advancements accessible to more people while supporting the next generation of data science algorithms.



Only those with enough resources can actually build models [to advance AI], he says. My research essentially is focused on designing algorithms for doing this data processing that is required under the hood of training the machinery models so that hopefully we can train a better ChatGPT with reduced resources.



At Detroits Wayne State University, Professor Hengguang Li, Chair of the Department of Mathematics, pioneers AI research aimed at solving complex mathematical equations.



There is tremendous potential using artificial intelligence algorithms to solve some of the most difficult equations, Li says. We develop AI to solve those equations because there's no existing model.



His research seeks to develop AI algorithms tailored to solve equations unattainable through traditional numerical methods, bridging the gap between theoretical AI advancements and real-world applications.



In 2022, Wayne State received a donation for a campus-wide initiative to promote programs in data science and artificial intelligence. For this, the Math Department collaborates with the schools of engineering, business, and medicine to build up partnerships with students and faculty across campus.



When it comes to academia, Li feels that AI will play a very important role in higher education for grading, assessment of a student's performance, and more. While he utilizes the benefits of AI, he also recognizes the risks, including academic misconduct of students with the availability of chatbot platforms.



There are a lot of discussions on campus, but for now, people are still exploring different types of solutions to that, Li says. It is very challenging and there are a lot of risks to higher education in that way.



He feels that while AI can be helpful, its widespread availability should urge people to think more about the value of education.



The perspective of people in terms of forward education will be different, Li adds. I think that's the challenge and also the opportunity for university leaders: how to embrace the change, especially from AI, and how to implement policies and adapt to the right technology to really improve what we do in higher education.



In East Lansing, Professor Arun Ross at Michigan State University uses AI to develop a curriculum to help college students succeed, especially since students of unique backgrounds have different learning styles and needs.



We are trying to use AI tools to develop scenarios where we make some assumptions about the geographical area where the [learning] is happening or the background of the student, Ross says. We are able to use AI tools [to create] customizable tutorials, which the students can then utilize to better understand certain concepts.



However, Ross also acknowledges that AI can be harmful if someone relies on it completely and doesnt take into account context or other factors, such as incorrect responses and biases.



AI tools are trained using data, sometimes historical data, and historical data can exhibit some biases, which have to be eliminated so that the resulting AI tool is not exhibiting those biases, Ross says.



So, the work being done does not only include developing powerful AI tools, but also creating techniques to validate the data produced by AI.



Were trying to see how synthetic data generation can benefit our students both in terms of teaching concepts but also in terms of them being able to utilize it for some of their deliverables, Ross says.



The educational role of universities is fostering AI literacy among students and end-users, he adds. By developing curricula and raising awareness about the potential risks and benefits of AI, universities have a crucial part to play in shaping responsible AI usage.



Universities play a significant role in being able to educate individuals, companies, and other enterprises, about both the benefits as well as the harmful effects of AI, so that balanced decisions can be made, Ross says. As much as we develop AI technology, as much as we utilize AI technology, it is also important that we educate society about both the pros and cons of AI.




Laura Rzanca with her parents Tom and Barbara and Lauras kids Luke and Zoe.

Overview of Griskie Farms in Goodells, Michigan.

Laura Rzanca working in one of the greenhouses on Griskie Farms.

Laura Rzanca with her mother Barbara and Lauras kids Luke and Zoe transplanting seedlings.
Booming sales of cold drinks at Starbucks have created a problem: growing amounts of plastic waste from the single-use cups that Frappuccinos, Refreshers, cold brews and other iced drinks are served in.

The coffee giant said Thursday it plans to alleviate some of that waste with new disposable cups that contain up to 20% less plastic. The cups are set to be rolled out to stores in the U.S. and Canada starting this month.

Amelia Landers, Starbucks vice president of product innovation, said the Seattle-based company spent the last four years developing the new containers. Engineers tested thousands of iterations to see how much plastic they could remove while still making the cup feel sturdy.

We feel like its industry-leading, Landers said. Its the best expression of a cold plastic cup.

Starbucks says Frappuccinos and other cold drinks now account for 75% of its U.S. beverage sales, up from 37% in 2013. The company estimates the new cups will keep more than 13.5 million pounds of plastic out of landfills each year. Producing the tumblers also requires less water and creates fewer carbon emissions, a leading cause of climate change, it said.

Starbucks made other changes as part of the redesign. The new cold cups feature raised dots near the bottom, so baristas  including those with impaired vision  can quickly feel with the swipe of a thumb which size cup theyre holding. And the 12-ounce cup  that's the tall size in Starbucks lingo  is shorter and wider to accommodate the same-size lid as larger cups.

Landers said the new cups are part of a sustained sustainability push at Starbucks. The company adopted strawless lids in 2019. Last year, it said it would accept customer-provided cups for drive-thru and mobile orders in the U.S. and Canada.

The company plans to roll out a reusable cup program at thousands of stores in Europe, the Middle East and Africa by next year. Under the program, customers will pay a small deposit when they buy a hot or cold drink in a specially designed cup that can be used up to 30 times. They will get the deposit back when they return the cup to a store.

Starbucks also has tested U.S. reusable cup programs in California, Arizona and Colorado.

Every market has their own challenges, their own requirements and customer behavior. Some are more prime for reusables, some are less prime for reusables, Landers said. "There is no one silver bullet to a sustainable cup.

Longer term, Starbucks has said it wants all of its packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030. The reduced-plastic cup making its debut is a small step toward that goal: even though the cup is recyclable, it still was designed for one-time use, Landers said.

The company will continue to explore ways to make single-use cups more sustainable, she said.

I think we will never take our foot off the gas, evaluating new ways and new methods and new technologies to go further, she said. Were not done.

Starbucks isnt the only company rethinking plastic packaging. In some markets, McDonalds has introduced McFlurry cups without plastic lids, and salad boxes and cutlery made from renewable fiber. Late last year, Coca-Cola said it had developed a bottle made entirely from plant-based sources. Coke produced a limited-run of 900 bottles to show that the technology can be commercially scaled.

Single-use plastics revolutionized the medical industry. Now, they're raising concerns about sustainability. Single-use plastics revolutionized the medical industry. Now, they're raising concerns about sustainability. Plastic medical waste booms during COVID-19 Convenience gives way to cleanliness Waste could pile higher, faster in the coming years Organizations work to implement environmentally conscious plastic waste management
UK-based green hydrogen technology company Clean Power Hydrogen (CPH2) reported solid progress towards the commercial rollout of its membrane-free electrolyser (MFE) technology in its final results on Friday, driven by a revamped engineering team.

The AIM-traded firm successfully operated the entire MFE110 system at scale during the year, along with functional testing of the control programme enabling automatic operation and shutdown.

Improvements were also made to key components, while rigorous testing informed valuable enhancements for the MFE220 design.

Financially, CPH2 reported a year-end net asset position of 21m, with 8.5m in cash or current asset investments.

The company invested 2.8m in research and design during the 12-month period.

CPH2 said it had also entered into a 10-year licensing agreement with Fabrum Solutions, granting non-exclusive rights to manufacture and sell membrane-free electrolysers in New Zealand and Australia.

The company said it was also engaged in advanced discussions with multiple potential partners for new licences and orders.

In terms of certifications, CPH2 was awarded three ISO certifications, including ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, ISO 14001 for environmental management systems, and ISO 9001 for quality management systems.

Looking ahead, the company said it expected to complete factory acceptance testing for the MFE110 within the next three months.

Additionally, the completion and delivery of the MFE220, a 1MW system for Northern Ireland Water, was expected within the next 12 months.

2023 has been a year of further progress for CPH2, both operationally and technically, said chief executive officer Jon Duffy.

Our focus has centred on developing our unique technology for commercialisation, ensuring safety and scalability through rigorous testing of the MFE110.

The successful running of the entire MFE110 system, producing separated hydrogen and oxygen gases, stands as a key milestone for CPH2, proving our differentiated technology works at scale.

At 0803 BST, shares in Clean Power Hydrogen were up 2.58% at 15.9p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
Woodside Energy reported a 7% quarter-on-quarter decline in output to 44.9 million barrels of oil equivalent per day over the three days ending in March.

Quarterly revenue therefore shrank 12% versus the prior three-month stretch to reach $2.7bn as a result of lower prices and volumes.

The company's boss Meg O'Neill reiterated full-year output guidance for 185-195m boe.

She also highlighted progress on the company's three main growth projects in Senegal and Western Australia.

-- More to follow --
Israel struck a target in the central Iranian province of Isfahan, where the country's nuclear installations are located.

The province was also the location of the air base from which Iran had launched drones against Israel one week before.

According to two officials cited by CBS News, the BBC's U.S. partner, an Israeli missile had struck Iran.

For its part, the New York Times, citing three Iranian officials, said a military base near Isfahan was hit.

Yet Iran's state-owned news agency Tasnim was reporting that a "missile attack or large explosion" had been ruled out.

The retaliatory strike followed an Iranian attack with over 300 drones and missiles during the previous weekend, which caused only minor damage at one Israeli air force base, as 99% of the drones and missiles were downed mid-flight.

Euro/dollar initially fell to 1.0611 but as of 0709 BST had pared its decline to just 0.12% to 1.0630.

In parallel, front-dated Brent crude oil futures rose to an intra-day high of $90.75 a barrel, but could last be seen at $88.67.

The two main questions now left to answer appeared to be whether the Israeli strike had ended and whether Iran would respond.

"Suppose the reports are accurate and Israel indeed launched a barrage of missiles at Iran's top nuclear facility," said Stephen Innes, managing partner at SPI Asset management.

"In that case, it is a clear sign that tensions will continue to rise and possibly beyond a tit-for-tat manner."

-- More to follow --
Rebecca Foster and Sara Beth West are avid readers and regular contributors of book review coverage for Shelf Awareness. In honor of April as National Poetry Month, we put these two poetry lovers in conversation with each other to talk about their reading habits, what first drew them to the form, how they tend to approach each new collection, who some of their favorite poets are, and more!

Rebecca Foster: It's so nice to virtually "meet" you, Sara Beth! It was an honor to be asked to contribute some thoughts and recommendations to this year's Poetry issue. I'm curious, have you always been a poetry reader, or did you come to the form over time?

Sara Beth West: I decided poetry was special when I was introduced to "anyone lived in a pretty how town" by e.e. cummings. I was young and in awe, hearing someone play with language in ways I hadn't realized were possible. How about you?

Foster: I remember coming across Shel Silverstein in elementary school, and then Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Langston Hughes in high school. But my strongest early poetry memory is of memorizing Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" in middle school. A friend and I took on the challenge and, teacher's pets that we were, recited all 18 stanzas in front of our class.

West: I love that image of middle school you reciting "The Raven," and I'm glad it didn't make you say "Nevermore!" to poetry after that. I'm afraid the way we handle poetry in schools is one of the reasons it's not more popular among adults, even those who consider themselves readers. But you're so right to note the various entry points to poetry and the ways it offers a lifetime's worth of discovery.

Foster: People seem afraid of poetry: they think they won't understand it, or don't have the vocabulary to describe it. I've picked up the terminology gradually over the years that I've been a poetry reader. Reading 52 Ways of Looking at a Poem by Ruth Padel, in particular, helped me to develop strategies for noticing how a poem works. But I feel like it's primarily an emotional response?

West: Poetry definitely requires a different sort of attention. I try to approach each poem like a complete meal. Some meals are less suited to my taste; others, though, are like brilliant tasting menus, full of unexpected turns and delicious ideas, and at the end, I sit back and reflect on just how good it was, how good it can be. For that reason, I don't love to shovel poems in, one after the other. I take lots of breaks when I'm reading a collection of poems.

Foster: I agree. I think poetry is best read slowly and in silence. A collection can be just 50 pages yet take me hours to read because I have to go back and read particular poems multiple times. Do you read collections in order or jump around? I always read poems in their published order and wouldn't dream of doing otherwise, but maybe you have a more interesting answer!

West: I think of a collection of poems as somewhat like an album or a really good playlist: the artists assemble the collection in the order they think will have the greatest impact. So yes, I read stand-alone collections in their published order. But I also understand the fatigue that can come from reading poem after poem in a collection. I love it when single poems are dropped between other forms, like when single poems appear in a magazine like the New Yorker, or even the way poems will appear on my social feeds.

Foster: So do you also enjoy hearing from lots of different poets through anthologies?

West: I do! For instance, U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limon has edited a collection called You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World (Milkweed, $25; reviewed in this issue), and it introduced me to a few new poets that I now want to seek out. I also dearly love Padraig O'Tuama's Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World (Norton, $17.99), especially because of the brief reflective essays that accompany each poem. What are your thoughts on anthologies?

Foster: For the most part, I prefer individually authored collections because they feel more intimate: you are spending real time with one voice and viewpoint. But every so often I'll read a poetry anthology, such as the thematic ones released in the U.K. by small indie publisher The Emma Press, or Raised by Wolves (Graywolf, $18), and discover lots of new-to-me poets.

West: Can you think of some poets or collections you would particularly recommend to new poetry readers?

Foster: One of my top recent recommendations has been Dearly by Margaret Atwood (Ecco, $18.99) because it is led by its themes--the poems are generally about what they say they're about, and more material than abstract. She writes about memory, women's rights, environmental crisis, and bereavement. Reading poetry by trusted novelists (like Atwood) and memoirists can be a great way to broaden your experience--Mark Doty, Helen Dunmore, Barbara Kingsolver, James Lasdun, and Patricia Lockwood are some other reliable crossover authors that I've found.

West: Though I love Atwood, I've never read her poetry, so on the list it goes! I mentioned Padraig O'Tuama, and his podcast Poetry Unbound is one of my go-tos for introducing new readers to the form. His voice and affect are perfect, and the short episodes make it possible to approach each one in a mindful and open manner without feeling like you're making a huge investment. Another favorite to recommend is Clint Smith's Counting Descent (Write Bloody, $17); I reviewed his Above Ground (Little, Brown, $27). Oh, and Ross Gay! Many people came to love him through The Book of Delights (Algonquin, $18.99), but his poetry is wonderful.

Foster: I read The Book of Delights a couple of summers ago! What are some of your other favorite poetry collections of recent years?

West: Christian Wiman is a singular talent with a remarkable mind; though it's not exclusively poetry, his Zero at the Bone (FSG, $30) was one of my favorite titles in 2023. I was awestruck by Ilya Kaminsky's Deaf Republic (Graywolf, $17). And Limon's The Hurting Kind (Milkweed, $24) arrived right on time for me. What about for you?

Foster: Pilgrim Bell by Kaveh Akbar (Graywolf, $16) and Lo by Melissa Crowe (University of Iowa, $20) are two that stand out for me. I know that we both loved Standing in the Forest of Being Alive by Katie Farris (Alice James, $18.95) and that we equally admire Wiman's work.

West: Would you say you're drawn in more by a poet's style or by their subject matter?

Foster: The subject matter is usually the immediate attraction (grief and health themes are sure to catch my eye), but if I'm not enjoying the style I know I won't get far. It's almost impossible to define taste in poetry. I enjoy formal approaches and rhyme schemes--sonnets, sestinas, ghazals, pantoums--but am terrible at recognizing them, so I appreciate when poets identify them in the title or an endnote. For Shelf Awareness, I consider four or five poetry collections a month and often reject several within the first few pages. It's hard to predict what will be a successful read for me. I try to read excerpts on a poet's website or Poetry Foundation page before requesting.

West: I do similar reconnaissance before making requests, so my Shelf assignments tend to pay off, especially those that hit in just the right way and become instant favorites. I especially love to come across a debut doing something unique, like Hannah Emerson's The Kissing of Kissing (Milkweed, $16). Perhaps that's what I love most about poetry: it's endlessly adaptable, an invitation to all.
The Fremont City Council last week unanimously voted to reaffirm the status of a large section of downtown Fremont as blighted and substandard, updating the status that was approved 15 years ago and also 10 years ago.

The blighted and substandard zone allows city leaders to examine, plan and eventually seek tax increment financing (TIF) or Community Development Block Grant funding for redevelopment, improvements and new construction, said Jennifer Dam, the citys planning director.

Dam also told the council that the current area that is designated as blighted and substandard is a small expansion of past zones from 15 and 10 years ago.

We wanted to focus on the downtown area, Dam said in response to questions from Ward 2 Council Member Blair Horner. We are only allowed to have a certain percentage of the city to be designated blighted, which is 35%. We are currently at 26.5% blighted.

Dam also said the city is approaching the issue carefully as redevelopment plans and projects are theorized.

We want to minimize the area that is (designated) blighted until we know there are good projects available, Dam added.

On Tuesday, April 16, Mayor Joey Spellerberg said the approval of the blight study was another step in the redevelopment of Downtown Fremont, which he said has a bright future as city leaders seek ways to improve the community on multiple fronts.

Our downtown continues to see exciting growth and increased foot traffic. The update to this study is an important step to attract redevelopment and align with our comprehensive plan to revitalize downtown Fremont, Spellerberg said in an email.

Before Dam spoke to the council on April 9, a short presentation titled Downtown Blight Study was given to council members by Jeffrey B. Ray, an engineer with JEO Consulting firm.

Ray explained that Nebraskas Community Development Law allows cities to designate areas as blighted or substandard in order to become eligible for the CDBG or TIF funding mechanisms.

Used a PowerPoint slide show presentation to illustrate the 16 criteria that are used to determine a blighted and substandard area, Ray walked council members and meeting attendees through the specifics of blight and substandard criteria.

Characteristics of a blight zone include a substantial number of deteriorating structures; unsanitary or unsafe conditions; diversity of ownership; high population density or over-crowding; average age of structures being older than 40 years and several other criteria.

To get funding for future redevelopment, a city council must declare a specific area as blighted or substandard, and then the city must develop a generalized plan for redevelopment, Ray said. Of the 16 elements that can cause an area, building or property to be declared blighted or substandard, Fremonts area met 12 of them, he said.

Ray stressed that blighted is technically different than substandard, and said 73% of the buildings in the area deemed blighted or substandard were deteriorating. He also said many properties in the downtown area are too narrow for traditional redevelopment in the current state of the buildings.

The majority of structures in this area fit into the dilapidated or deteriorating category, Ray said.

The zone of blight approved on April 9 is from Union Street south to the Union Pacific railroad tracks, then westward to Broad Street then west on Third Street to just before I Street, then north to Military Avenue with a brief easterly shift to H Street then north to 10th Street and the back to the east to Union Street.

Ray said the average age of residential buildings in the blighted and substandard zone was 108 years old, while the average age of business buildings is 94 years old. The zone is also within a flood plain, has numerous tripping hazards and piles of debris inhabited by possibly disease carrying rodents and some buildings still have lead paint and asbestos inside of them.

It is our recommendation that the area studied and delineated to be declared blighted and substandard, Ray said.

The presentation of the study was technically part of a public hearing on the issue; however, no members of the public spoke about the issue and it was approved by the council in an 8-0 vote.
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bulgarian National Audit Office (SAI Bulgaria) to enhance international cooperation in the field of auditing. The agreement, signed by the two Supreme audit institutions, aims to foster collaboration and the exchange of expertise between the two nations.

The MoU will establish a platform for knowledge and experience sharing among auditing professionals and technical teams. This collaboration includes joint training programs and mutual assistance in conducting audits, strengthening the professional capacity and audit methodologies of both institutions.

Girish Chandra Murmu, CAG of India, expressed his confidence in the MoU, stating, "Signing of the MoU between our SAIs will further strengthen our bilateral cooperation. We look forward to working closely with you and assure you of our support and commitment to energize our capacity development initiatives and exchange of knowledge and information between our SAIs".

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Ms. Goritsa GrancharovaKozhareva, Acting President of SAI Bulgaria, who emphasized the importance of the agreement in developing and strengthening the audit practices of both institutions.
As the continent braces for a future powered by AI, Africa's tech leaders are due to converge on Johannesburg's Focus Rooms on May 7 for the 16th annual installment of the IDC South Africa CIO Summit. Set against a backdrop of unprecedented global uncertainty, the summit promises to serve as a beacon of insight, innovation, and collaboration.

In the wake of the disruptions first sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, Africa's CIOs are leveraging technology to chart a course toward resilience and growth. And with AI emerging as a cornerstone of this journey, the IDC South Africa CIO Summit 2024 will shine a spotlight on the transformative potential of generative AI (GenAI) and its impact on industries, economies, and societies.

Modern CIOs must play a multidimensional role as strategic architects, innovators, and collaborators. With this in mind, the IDC South Africa CIO Summit 2024 will address the theme 'The Future of IT: Rethinking Digitalization for an AI Everywhere World', with a host of expert speakers exploring strategies for building data-centric platforms, embracing cloud governance, redefining security, and nurturing digital talent.

"With AI poised to permeate every facet of business and life, CIOs must prepare for an 'AI Everywhere' future," says Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC's group vice president and regional managing director for the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa. "IDC forecasts AI-centric spending to exceed $300 billion globally by 2026, underscoring the urgency for AI readiness. Presenting actionable insights and best practices for driving sustained success, the IDC South Africa CIO Summit 2024 offers a unique opportunity for technology leaders to explore the strategic implications of AI in today's digital landscape."

Prominent industry figures will be on hand to share practical insights for navigating the changing roles, expectations, and operating models of IT organizations, with expert panelists including:

Jaco Coetzee , Chief Information Officer, FNB South Africa

, Chief Information Officer, FNB South Africa Mohammed Gause , Chief Information Officer, Tiger Brands

, Chief Information Officer, Tiger Brands Aveena Mothilall , Chief Information Officer, Engen Petroleum

, Chief Information Officer, Engen Petroleum Celia Mantshiyane , Chief Information Security Officer, MTN Group

, Chief Information Security Officer, MTN Group Ishaaq Jacobs , Chief Cybersecurity Officer, Sasol

, Chief Cybersecurity Officer, Sasol Thabo Mashegoane , Chief Advisor IT Architect, Eskom Holdings

, Chief Advisor IT Architect, Eskom Holdings John Arends , Group Head of IT and Network Operations, City of Johannesburg

, Group Head of IT and Network Operations, City of Johannesburg Paul Casarin, CIO, Spur Corporations

IDC would also like to extend its gratitude to the following esteemed members of its regional CIO Advisory Council for their invaluable contribution to shaping the agenda of the IDC South Africa CIO Summit 2024 :

Sne Dlamini , CIO, Discovery Insure

, CIO, Discovery Insure Viren Naidu , CIO, Hollard Insurance

, CIO, Hollard Insurance Jenny Mohanlall, Senior IT Director, DHL

Senior IT Director, DHL Louise van der Bank , CIO, AfriSam

, CIO, AfriSam Luyanda Ntuane , Group CISO, Motus Holdings

, Group CISO, Motus Holdings Shalin Naidoo , Chief Information & Technology Officer, DRDGOLD Limited

, Chief Information & Technology Officer, DRDGOLD Limited Reinette Fourie , Executive IT Manager, Medihelp

, Executive IT Manager, Medihelp Reinhardt Gerber , Head of IT, Sea Harvest Group

, Head of IT, Sea Harvest Group Faith Burn, CIO, Eskom Holdings

CIO, Eskom Holdings Helen Constantinides, CIO, AVBOB

Join all of the above at the IDC South Africa CIO Summit 2024 as they navigate the future of AI-driven digitalization and chart a course towards sustainable innovation and growth in Africa's dynamic tech landscape.
Meta has unveiled Llama 3, the next generation of its open-source large language model (LLM), offering advanced AI capabilities. The first two models of Llama 3 are now available for broad use and represent a significant step forward in the AI era.

The company emphasizes its commitment to responsible development by providing various resources to guide responsible usage of Llama 3. The models will soon be accessible on major cloud platforms such as AWS, Databricks, Google Cloud, IBM WatsonX, Microsoft Azure, Nvidia NIM, and Snowflake. They will also receive support from prominent hardware platforms such as AMD, AWS, Dell, Intel, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm.

Meta plans to introduce new capabilities, including longer context windows, additional model sizes, and enhanced performance in the coming months. The company will also release the Llama 3 research paper to share more insights.

The text-based models being launched mark the beginning of the Llama 3 collection. Meta aims to make Llama 3 multilingual and multimodal, with improved context capabilities and overall performance.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  The results of an independent autopsy surrounding a New Jersey mans death run counter to what authorities have said, NJ.com reported.

Noted forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden, at the behest of the mans family, suggests that Jameek Lowery, who died in an ambulance after walking into a police station, was killed.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  For the second time, a court appearance Wednesday in an ongoing murder case on Staten Island ended with an emotional outburst from the gallery.

Frank Rivera, 59, is facing charges that include second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault in connection with the July 23, 2023, slaying that played out inside a house in Mariners Harbor.

Prosecutors say the victim, Jonathan Winokur, 38, of Port Richmond, was found stabbed several times in the head and torso. He worked as a security guard, leaving behind two small children.

A prior altercation between the two men previously led to charges, though ultimately they were not pursued by the deceased, sources said.

The house on Union Avenue where the incident played out was described by neighbors as a public nuisance, known for yelling matches, disputes with neighbors and a group of younger males who sometimes hung out there, the Daily News reported.

A friend of Winokur told the outlet that Rivera warned Winokur about returning to the location.

Thats where he disappears to, she said. But after a prior dispute, Frankie told him never come back again.

Rivera claims he was acting in self defense, when he awoke to the alleged victim trying to snatch a chain from his neck.

In this December 2023 photo, Frank Rivera, now 59, is arraigned in state Supreme Court, St. George, standing alongside defense attorney Maria Guastella, on a top charge of second-degree murder. (Staten Island Advance/Kyle Lawson)

The hearing Wednesday proved uneventful until a woman in the gallery became emotional. She wept loudly as Rivera was escorted out of the courtroom by officers.

Keep your head up daddy, she said, backing out of the courtroom. I love you daddy.

Rivera acknowledged the woman but did not say anything.

Sources previously said the defendant has been diagnosed with multiple serious, or even life-threatening illnesses.

The outburst was reminiscent of the defendants arraignment in December, attended by family of Winokur.

At that hearing, defense attorney Maria Guastella requested medical attention for her client at Rikers Island, to which the family snapped: Medical attention for what?

Before he was escorted out of the courtroom, Rivera faced toward the family and paused for a moment, though it wasnt clear if he said anything.

Dont f------ look this way! shouted a woman sitting with the group.

Rivera, who is being held without bail, has a prior violent felony conviction and was involved in a separate drug case at the time of his arrest.

The case was adjourned to June 4.
NEW YORK, N.Y.  Former President Donald Trumps Manhattan criminal trial continued Friday, but it didnt start without some gripes from the defendant.

Trump closed Thursdays proceedings telling reporters that he felt the trial was unfair, complaining about the courtrooms temperature, and saying that hed rather be out campaigning as the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election.
An all-new relationship series called The Never Ever Mets,  that takes online dating into the real world by storm  is about to come to life on Friday, April 19 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network).

The show is hosted by TaRhonda Jones, known for her roles in Empire, The Real and The Steve Harvey Show.

As the shows host, Jones is a voice of reason for the group, checking in with the couples week to week to see how their time together is progressing, addressing relationship concerns and facilitating fun team exercises  the OWN website happily announces.

TaRhonda Jones (Courtesy/OWN website)OWN Network

The OWN website boasts, Love is a mix of beauty, patience, and kindness, yet it often brings frustration, pain, and complexity. But what happens when you fall for someone you have never met in person?

Watch for The Never Ever Mets the 10-episode series that follows the journey of seven couples who are virtually dating and believe that their relationships could be the beginnings of real love.

While some have connected for only months, others have been together for years.

Despite their different locations, ages, and backgrounds, they all share one striking similarity: theyve never met their partners face-to-face.

HOW TO STREAM THE NEVER EVER METS ONLINE FOR FREE

If youre a cord-cutter or dont have cable, you can watch The Never Ever Mets online on any one of the following streaming platforms, and get it for free via a trial offer:

WHAT CHANNEL IS OWN ON?

If you are watching on cable, catch The Never Ever Mets on OWN.

You can find which channel [NETWORK] is on by using the channel finders here: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV and Dish.

MEET THE COUPLES

Shay (Florida) and Josh (Tennessee), dating 12 years, JoAnna (Illinois) and Aaron J. (Georgia), dating nine Months, Dymond (Florida) and Aaron H. (California), dating five years, Alexis (Texas) and Dominique (Illinois), dating six months, Sienna (New York) and Brandan (Florida), dating 10 months, Sandia (Florida) and Chris (Florida), dating three months, Millie (California) and Gregg (California), dating three years.

A LITTLE SNEAK PEEK

HERES WHAT WILL GO DOWN IN THE NEVER EVER METS

The website now reveals that now, all seven couples will meet and live together under the same roof for three weeks. Together they will explore whether their virtual bond can manifest as true love.

They will date in person rather than through their computers or phones  their biggest challenge yet.

While many couples have been years in the making, some quickly find the in-person relationship is not what they anticipated. To test the strength of their love connections, the group participates in a series of fun and flirty relationship activities, couples therapy and for some, a trip to the boom boom room.

Though obstacles will prevail, at the end of their stay, some will go home together  and some will be signing off.

In the premiere episode, Offline and Off the Rails, Josh and Shay are eager to connect after 12 long years of texting, FaceTiming and everything in between.

After speaking online for a month, Sandia thinks she may have found her Haitian Prince Charming, Chris. But when Chris starts sharing his views on women and faithfulness, Sandia worries about their future together.

After five years, Dymond and Aaron H. finally share a romantic meal in person. But Dymond has many questions  including his proposal to another woman after they decided to be exclusive.
Woodside boss Meg ONeill says the energy majors climate plan is upfront, credible and honest, despite the likelihood investors will reject it at the companys annual general meeting next week.

ONeill said on Friday that the company was working to address the biggest concern of investors that it was not moving fast enough to reduce its own emissions nor help its customers reduce their carbon footprint.

Three of Australias four biggest industrial carbon polluters are gas export plants because of the vast amount of energy needed to cool gas to a liquid making it fit for shipping.

CEO Meg ONeill presented Woodsides results just five days before its crucial AGM. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

ONeill said Woodside was investigating technologies to reduce those emissions but its not going to be easy or cheap.
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This venue appears in Melbournes cosy new wine bars collection. See all stories .

Scopris charming sibling, Bar Olo, has opened just down the road from the beloved Italian restaurant, a long-awaited spot for Scopri customers who want to come in for a drink before or after dinner. But everyone can roll up for wagyu arrosticini (skewers), vitello tonnato, and agnolotti del plin, the pinched pasta parcels Scopri is known for. Bar Olo is the more casual little sibling to a favourite Italian restaurant. Simon Schluter Chef Kirsten Sattler (ex-Pinotta, Alimentari) is leaning into Melbournes sandwich obsession with tramezzini: crustless, triangular white-bread sandwiches that are popular everywhere in Italy from quaint espresso bars to fancy establishments. Prawn with crispy tropea onions is the first iteration. Like Scopri, Bar Olo is a slice of Italys Piedmont region. But the bars name points to a specific devotion to one of the areas most revered wines: there are 120 barolos on the list.

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Prawn tramezzini sandwiches at Bar Olo. Simon Schluter In the spirit of Italys aperitivo tradition, from 4pm to 6pm, your drink  perhaps a slightly foamy, superbly bitter Campari shakerato  comes with a free surprise snack, whether a straight-from-the-wheel hunk of parmigiano reggiano, or zeppole: fluffy deep-fried dough balls. A vintage vibe can be hard to create, but the team has done it through cafe curtains, a curved art deco-style bar and food served on antique crockery. Open Wed-Sat, 4pm-late 165 Nicholson Street, Carlton, barolocarlton.com.au

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Albert Parks new midweek hangout might be Omen, a newbie from three ex-Rockpool staff who want to offer classic Euro flavours and Aussie wines in a light-drenched space theyve renovated themselves. Its a big change from their glitzy former workplace at Crown. Were ready for anything. Were going from a 200-seater to a little 40-seater, says manager Pierre-Marie Caillaud. A Big Green Egg ceramic grill is the backbone of the kitchen, roasting pigs cheeks glazed in honey, grilling prawns paired with a shellfish sauce, and smoking OConnor beef short-rib. Omen in Albert Park is pitched towards locals seeking an easy night out. Julian Fletcher Wine-friendly snacks include brioche doughnuts filled with chicken liver parfait. Later, theres pumpkin agnolotti with burnt butter sabayon (a lush egg yolk sauce).

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After dinner, chefs Dean Stagno and Declan Carroll are offering the best of both worlds: a dessert-meets-cheese course where stilton blue is paired with a wedge of apple tarte tatin and lavosh. Brioche doughnuts are filled with chicken liver parfait at Omen. Julian Fletcher Caillauds wine list is a mix of Gippsland, Geelong and Beechworth producers, with a smattering of French and Italian. Open Wed-Sat, 5.30pm-11pm; Sun, noon-5pm 149 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park, omenrestaurant.com

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Ora, already a morning destination for Kew locals, is hoping to win hearts after sunset with its new evening menu and swish renovation thats installed a separate dining room in the neighbouring tenancy. Walls have been knocked out, walnut panels installed and a suite of granite-topped tables now join olive-green upholstery and a handsome backlit bar. Art deco-inspired lights make the space feel night-time-ready. The cafe continues to trade as normal  just with an extra-plush look. Ora, already a key part of the Kew community, is about to open after dark, too. Flat Pack Studios Owner of 10 years Phil Nikolarakos says the wine bar offering will be a magnet for locals who may not want to walk the 20 minutes to High Street venues such as Mister Bianco and its bar, Bianchetto. Cocktail hour might include one of the half-dozen classics on the list paired with house-made duck rillettes, and whitebait with yuzu kosho mayo. A fresh spin on surf and turf involves scallops with an oxtail marmalade, a heavily reduced braise thats fragrant with juniper and star anise.

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At night, cocktails and small plates are the go. Flat Pack Studios Larger choices include pan-fried ricotta gnocchi and caponata, and grilled king prawn skewers with chimichurri. To finish? A mezcal Old Fashioned is the pick. Open from April 19, Fri & Sat, 5pm-11pm. From May, also open Wed & Thu, 5pm-11pm. 156 Pakington Street, Kew, orakew.com.au

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After only nine months of operation, Raja restaurant, with its innovative Indian meets native Australian cuisine, has announced its final service will be on May 4. Despite widespread acclaim for the Good Food Guide hatted Potts Point restaurant and head chef, Firedoor alumnus Ahana Dutt, owners Nick and Kirk Mathews-Bowden have struggled to make ends meet since January. Rajas designer-kitsch dining room. Jennifer Soo By early April, there was no way to bring the business back and ride out the winter, when trade historically slows. This is the most challenging its been, in the two decades Ive worked in hospitality, Nick Mathews-Bowden tells Good Food.

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Were all sick of hearing about it, but its because of the cost of living. People who had the money to go out once a week might be going out once a month now, or not at all. And you cant blame anyone for that, we all have to be mindful of how we spend the limited resources we have. This is the most challenging its been, in the two decades Ive worked in hospitality. Nick Mathews-Bowden, Raja Coupled with rising operational costs (including an electricity bill that has tripled during their tenure), Mathews-Bowden says it might be time to rethink the viability of high-end hospitality. While the couple are taking a moment to reflect on their experience, they will retain the lease on the Potts Point site. He predicts the next 12 to 18 months will bring more closures. At Raja, Dutt tried to adapt the menu while remaining true to her vision, adding dishes with more familiar ingredients.

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Dutt had introduced her own flavour of Indian cuisine to Sydney, with dishes such as kachori bread with achaar pickles of sunrise lime atop creamy stracciatella, and the best-selling spatchcock makhni, a twist on butter chicken. When people cant afford to eat out as much, they usually prefer to stick to what they know, so we tried to find familiar landing spots [by playing on familiar dishes like] chicken tikka  and saag paneer, Mathews-Bowden says. While the ending has left the team heartbroken, Mathews-Bowden says he considers it a privilege to have worked alongside the group. Rajas Kirk (left) and Nick Mathews-Bowden with chef Ahana Dutt (centre), pictured at the Good Food Guide awards. Edwina Pickles

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I feel the sadness, but Im also filled with pride, he says. I cannot wait to see what Ahana does after this, and how her career progresses over the next decade. She is going to leave her mark on the Sydney dining scene.

Bianca Hrovat The dining room at Izakaya Tempura Kuon. Jennifer Soo. Izakaya Tempura Kuon is another restaurant casualty, having announced it will finish trade at the end of April. The highly specialised Wynyard eatery had glowing reviews. Its Japanese tempura coats everything from sea-eel to shitake mushrooms and foie gras in a thin batter, before dipping it in the deep fryer. Kudos to Kuon, then, that after a few rounds with its fried seafood, I feel revived rather than call a wheelbarrow and get me out of here full, Good Food critic Callan Boys wrote. Anyway, back to the tempura. Inject it into my atoms, please.

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Before trying hypnosis for the first time, I was sceptical. My only previous experience of it was during a cruise holiday about a decade ago, when I watched a man be made to quack like a duck while under some kind of mystical trance. The prospect of releasing control made me uneasy.

So when I tried Reveri, a self-hypnosis app developed by associate chair of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Stanford, Dr David Spiegel, I was surprised to find I remained in complete control. No one made me bleat like a goat or do a silly dance. I merely imagined I was pleasantly floating in a lake while still aware of my true surroundings.

Trust in hypnosis has slowly been improving, but what about self-hypnosis? Credit: Compiled by Bethany Rae

In some ways this was disappointing, as distracting thoughts were still free to whirl around my head. But in other ways it was reassuring. I was able to relax my body and imagine myself in a joyful place without releasing myself to the whim of a stranger.

As trust in hypnosis continues to improve, apps like Reveri and Nerva  a hypnotherapy app aimed to manage IBS symptoms  are becoming increasingly popular. But with research around hypnosis still somewhat lacking, just how safe and effective is it to hypnotise yourself?
The administrators have launched legal action against Nassif and his brother Bakhos, with whom he is believed to be living in Lebanon, over Nassifs withdrawal of $10 million from the Westpac loan facility, which he transferred to the Bank of Beirut account owned by his brother. Loading Nassif is also being pursued over $7.6 million he allegedly borrowed from company accounts. The interest on this loan is accruing at more than $1800 per day. Although Nassif told the ABC he slept most days as he was up at night running his Australian business, the administrators of his companies said they had had no contact with Nassif. Meanwhile, Nassifs lawyers were in the Federal Court on Monday seeking the courts indulgence to allow Nassif to continue his defamation action against 2GBs morning host Hadley and Harbour Radio, which is owned by Nine, also the owner of this masthead.

Nassifs legal team submitted that they do not shy away from the long history of this matter and the failures by them to comply with orders of the Court. However, that is an unfortunate result of Mr Nassifs personal and health circumstances. Lawyers for the radio station and Hadley took issue with the paucity of documentation to back up Nassifs claims that multiple health issues have prevented him from returning to Australia. These included a hernia repair in June 2023, the only evidence of which they said is a photograph of Nassif in a hospital setting. Jean Nassif has submitted a photograph of himself in a Lebanese hospital as proof of a medical ailment preventing him returning to Australia. Nassif also claimed he had a further operation in September 2023 after which he was advised to avoid heavy weightlifting and to wear compression garments.

It says nothing about Mr Nassifs capacity to return or to prosecute his proceeding, said Hadleys lawyer Jake Blundell in his affidavit. Loading Then there was Mr Nassifs alleged post-operative infected seroma, which included an undated report, said Blundells affidavit. Nassif filed further medical reports after the court-imposed deadline of March 11. The court heard that on March 19 Nassif was evaluated for complaints related to his psychiatric and medical problems. His lawyers claimed he was in need of a full psychiatric and medical evaluation that will require a few weeks to a few months before a final decision is documented.

On the following day a cardiology problem emerged. And following the ABCs Background Briefing program on Nassif, which was broadcast on April 5, Nassif told his lawyers he was suffering from a suspected brain haemorrhage. However, the court heard that on April 11 The Daily Telegraph reported that Nassif was seen in the VIP section of a casino in Lebanon on April 8 smoking a cigar, joking with his four minders, and feeding wads of cash into multiple poker machines. The paper reported that Nassif was at the casino most nights, and gambled until the establishment closed at 3am. Nassif indicated to his lawyers that he should be well enough to return to Australia around September 20.

The court heard that Nassifs application to reinstate the defamation proceedings required an additional $50,000 security payment. The money was paid on April 9 by Parramatta law firm Paramonte Legal, run by Robert Bounassif. When Bounassif was asked by the Herald where the funds had come from, he replied I cant tell you that. He also said that he was not currently acting for Nassif, although court records indicate he has previously acted for Nassifs older brother Sarkis, also a developer though not accused of involvement in Jeans wrongdoing. Jean Nassifs brother, Sarkis. Last August, the Federal Court ordered Nassif to pay a combined $900,000, in three tranches of $300,000, in security to cover his legal costs in the event he lost the case. The money arrived on October 9, the day before proceedings were due to be dismissed.
A Muslim community leader has questioned whether NSW public high schools are doing enough to guard against extremism among students after he discovered his 12-year-old child was attending a prayer group without his consent in breach of departmental policies.

Refugee advocate Jamal Daoud discovered his child was participating in the prayer group run by a Muslim leader at a western Sydney high school without his knowledge in late 2022.

Jamal Daoud was taken aback to discover that his child was attending a prayer group in a secular school without his consent. Credit: Dean Sewell

It came seven years after NSW Department of Education launched a statewide audit of the prayer groups over allegations some were being used to radicalise students and found several schools were not complying with the requirement to seek parental permission.

Daoud feared the failure of the department to ensure its own rules were being followed showed the threat of the radicalisation of young people was not being taken seriously enough in the wake of this weeks stabbing attack by a teenager at Wakeley.
Strike Force Dribs is sifting through 600 hours of footage, and NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has vowed to find and arrest as many as 50 people over their involvement in the riot. Experts say while the behaviour was unacceptable, there is a complex confluence of factors at play that ought to inform our understanding of what happened outside the church, and why it happened. The long history of Assyrian persecution in the Middle East makes the community incredibly protective of their institutions, but also of their religious leaders, says Josh Roose, an associate professor at Deakin University who specialises in political and religious violent extremism. Coming from what theyve come from ... to be directly targeted by someone with a knife has an extra resonance, he says. Their response is not to shy away, its to front up and man up and fight. The stabbing footage reportedly circulated in Assyrian, Maronite, Catholic and Coptic Christian communities via group text messages, and people began arriving in their cars within minutes. Footage shows people chanting bring him out; at some points, bricks and rocks were thrown.

But why were the police set upon? We do not yet know how events unfolded, and NSW Police declined an interview, citing the ongoing investigation. One plausible theory is that people felt police were protecting the alleged perpetrator, or at least preventing them from taking revenge. Its an honour-based culture, says Roose. Honour-based cultures are typically more of an approach of an eye for an eye, [rather] than other cultures that might go and take legal action. One Coptic Christian, Monica Gayed, told this masthead on Tuesday: The majority of people in our community have parents or are parents that have fled from war crimes. This is what we get now. It has come into our back door, and were just so over it. Police make a first arrest over the Wakeley public order incident. Dani Mansour, 19, later appeared in court. Credit: NSW Police But it is not just fleeting anger at a senseless act of terror. Middle Eastern Christians come from countries where distrust of the police and the government makes perfect sense. This has been exacerbated by lingering resentment and anger over COVID-19 lockdowns in western Sydney. Thats not an acceptable outcome, but its certainly not without context, Roose says.

Basim Shamaon, a Chaldean Catholic who has lived in Sydneys Fairfield since 2005 and who is involved in Labor politics, tried to get to Wakeley himself on Monday night but found the roads blocked. In his view, the crowds anger was triggered by the stabbing, foremost. But he says memories of lockdown, and how people in the west were treated, would have come to mind during the event. Some people would have just been desperate to see if their friends and loved ones were safe. Referring to a video captured as the attacker was pinned down by parishioners, Shamaon says: He made it worse when he spoke in Arabic because thats a trigger to so many people. But Shamaon says the mobs actions are a mystery to him. Im from that community; its not us. I was shocked to see that kind of behaviour, especially toward police officers. They were there to help minimise the harm and minimise the risk, and they were treated in a way that is unacceptable. The crowd outside the church was dominated by men, as was the group that clashed with LGBTQ protesters outside a Mark Latham event at St Michaels Church in Belfield last year. The same goes for past rallies organised by conservative religious rights group Christian Lives Matter, for whom Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel is a favourite preacher.

Roose says Christian Lives Matter doesnt appear to be as active as it was previously, although these movements tend to revolve around events [and] mobilise in reaction to a perceived slight. But an element of hypermasculinity runs through the community, he says. It is part of the dynamics of a community that has been oppressed and persecuted, and it is a way of emphasising a protective barrier and buffer against that, he says. Another observer says the boilover is not complicated to explain: there were a lot of hotheads around who were bored and who spent a lot of time in the gym or letting off flares at Western Sydney Wanderers games. NSW Premier Chris Minns met with religious leaders on Tuesday, and again on Thursday evening. Credit: Louise Kennerley But Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone says most people in the crowd were simply there to help relatives who were at the church service. If police ended up arresting 50 people, that would be a small fraction of those present. Unfortunately, it seems like some idiots from outside the area came and used it for other reasons, Carbone says.

There is unrest in the Muslim community over police rapidly declaring the Wakeley stabbing as religiously motivated terrorism, as opposed to Saturdays mass murder in Bondi Junction, where mental health issues of the killer were highlighted. A court heard on Friday the Wakeley attacker had a history of behaviour consistent with mental health troubles. NSW Premier Chris Minns has stressed the need for calm. On Thursday night, he convened another meeting with religious leaders and senior officials, including Deputy Police Commissioner Peter Thurtell and his predecessor, Nick Kaldas, now chair of the Multicultural NSW advisory board. Loading Roose says the government is rightly concerned about the situation escalating. But the religious leaders with whom it engages cannot necessarily reach or influence the people on the fringes who might exploit these events. It only takes one individual seeking to enhance their own status or standing, he says. Western Sydney has an abundance of men who hold conservative religious views across the spectrum, many of whom  not all  are socio-economically marginalised and bound by an honour culture to their communities.
You might add other background sources of community anxiety: the crescendo of climate change consternation, the drumbeat of global war talk, and the catastrophising in much of the reporting of all these problems. The net result? You cant take community cohesion for granted, summarises the prime minister. Nor community safety, as a corollary, Id add. The director-general of security, ASIOs Mike Burgess, has warned Australia of security threats external and internal. An enemy state, he says, is prowling Australias cyber systems for sabotage openings, and an enemy state constantly seeks to subvert the political system through influence networks. Illustration: Jim Pavlidis He was too diplomatic to name the hostile state, although the national defence strategy this week frankly named China as the source of destabilisation to which Australia must respond. But the ASIO chief nominated two internal sources of threat. First, Sunni violent extremism poses the greatest religiously motivated violent extremist threat in Australia. Second, there was, he said, a rising risk of extremist nationalist violence seeking to provoke a race war within Australia. In other words, neo-Nazis and their kin.

The Bondi Junction murders, as far as we know, were psychotic, not political; random, not religious. But the background level of social stress cant be a calming influence on anyone, and potentially an aggravating influence on disturbed minds. And it magnifies the consequences of any outbreak. For Australia, a violently riven community is an existential threat. We are the most multicultural among the substantial developed nations, with double the US proportion of immigrants, for example. Albanese did his best this week to calm and console a shaken society. The opposition critiques of his performance  that he should have named the terrorist as an Islamist sooner, for instance  are querulous. But what to do to prevent further violence? Whats the policy agenda? The first point is what the government cant achieve. Australia cant stop the war in Gaza. Albanese says: We are not in control, we can have little impact on what is happening in Gaza or in Israel. We can promote social cohesion here and ensure what overwhelmingly a majority of Australians want  which is for those conflicts not to be brought here.

In that cause, what can be done? The Albanese government was already moving to civilise perhaps the greatest threat to civilisation  the so-called social media companies that traffic in social misery. Meta, X, Google, Apple and Microsoft have opened a vector into the very heart of civilised societies for the most depraved and evil forces on Earth. Australias eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says that these enormous corporations are providing the holy grail for paedophiles. They can store videos and images of child sexual services for free and with no risk of detection. I cant tell you how important these end-user managed hosting services are, she told me last month. Loading Inman Grant points out that these businesses are actually doing less to prevent harm than they were doing 20 years ago. They wont even apply their own in-house scanning programs to filter out the most harmful content from their own platforms.

The European Unions chief enforcement officer has had enough. The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, who was in Australia for talks with Inman Grant, is proposing new laws for the EU: The internet companies have to be responsible for what kind of crimes they are enabling on their platforms. Beyond trafficking in paedophilia, the social misery companies are the primary vehicle for sowing distress, misinformation, extremism and conflict. Albanese identifies this industry as the first priority for action. He says Inman Grant has directed Facebook  owned by Mark Zuckerbergs Meta  and X  owned by Elon Musk  to take down extraordinarily distressing footage of both the Bondi murders and the violence at the church in south-western Sydneys Wakeley. These platforms also allowed falsehoods about the two incidents to be spread at scale, says Albanese, magnifying their consequences. He first spoke about the harm that social media does to democracy by driving polarisation in a 2019 speech he gave as opposition leader. Now, Albanese says, the government is prepared to legislate as necessary. Loading

In other areas of policy, theres been a clamour of ideas in recent days. NSW Police is asking for greater powers to search people for knives, using portable metal detectors, as Queensland allows with its wanding law. Theyre also proposing that parents be held criminally responsible for their children carrying knives. Federally, Bill Shorten on Friday proposed that police patrol Westfield shopping centres, with the owners paying for their services. He didnt explain who should police churches. The civil liberty objections to all these ideas are obvious. I ask Albanese what policy responses are needed beyond social media reform. Mental health systems, deradicalisation programs, gun and knife controls, police and intelligence powers? His answer: All of the above. But Albanese resists the rush to instant solutions. What will happen after an incident like this is there will be a review. It needs to be a considered review. Its likely to be a joint state-federal review, he says, but thats yet to be decided. So we need to respond in a considered way. In order to achieve the best outcome rather than immediately jumping to conclusions, we need to ensure that we listen to all the experts out there.
Like all of you, I have spent much of this week processing the two horror events that have cast a pall over Sydney and the nation. After a lot of thought  and yes, some tears  I keep coming back to one word to sum it all up: senseless.

Last Saturdays stabbing rampage at Westfield Bondi Junction claimed the lives of six people: new mum and osteopath Ashlee Good, young bride-to-be Dawn Singleton, architect and mother-of-two Jade Young, artist Pikria Darchia, Chinese student Yixuan Cheng and Westfield security guard Faraz Tahir. A shocking 18 people were stabbed in total, including Goods nine-month-old baby. I still cant get my head around how someone could stab anyone, let alone a baby in a pram, and doubt any of us ever will.

Grief stricken Sydneysiders continued to place wreaths outside Westfield Bondi Junction during a community reflection day. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos

Of all the things said over the past week, the statement that rung most true came from the MP for the federal seat of Wentworth, Allegra Spender. There was one guy who was trying to do enormous harm, she said of the attack in her electorate. But there were hundreds of people who were doing all they could to look after each other and keep each other safe.

This is something we should all cling to over the coming days as we work through our disbelief, grief and anger at what happened.
It was amazing; we loved it. The Dolomites was a real highlight, as was getting up early in Venice, which was crazy busy, and going to St Marks to see the sunrise when there was no one else around, and sipping Aperol spritzes til late at night. Husband Stuart relished sitting in the piazzas of tiny villages, eating and drinking with the locals. It was really cool and ticked all the boxes, he said. Theres still a bit of friction around air travel but the joy of being in new places is still there. Loading As a result, Italy is currently celebrating a record-smashing 316,880 Australians visiting during 2023, the highest number in a single year since records began. And there seems to be no end in sight to its increasing popularity, turbocharged by the hit new Netflix series Ripley, filmed in Italy, the Sicily season of White Lotus and the last James Bond movie No Time To Die, with its final shot along the panoramic Torre dei Crivi. I was recently at a roadshow which visited Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and I asked agents about what a great year we were having, and they said bookings were continuing to grow, said Emanuele Attanasio, country manager, Italian National Tourist Board Australia & New Zealand. There was no end in sight.

I think a lot of Australians went to Italy a few years ago, and ticked off boxes like Rome and Florence and Venice, but then realised there was so much more to Italy, and that its so easy to get around, with a great rail system. So now theyre returning to visit Milan and the lakes and the Amalfi Coast, and immerse themselves in the culture, and visit friends and family. Thats certainly true for Sydneysider Fabio Vivan, 47, whos also just back from visiting Milan and Bologna and is already planning his next trip. I love to visit my family and my friends there and I love the culture, hairdresser Vivan said. The climate is good and the people are happy and its easy to travel anywhere around Europe. Loading This boom in travel is being seen as a new golden age, with the bounce back in global capacity and new capacity announcements from airlines like Jetstar, Singapore Airlines, China Southern and Delta. The airlines and airports with the highest number of aircraft seats available are also the ones seeing the best rates for passengers. As well as those top five destination fare falls, ticket prices to the UK have dropped by 18 per cent, to China by 17 per cent and to Singapore by 15 per cent.
New York: The United States has vetoed a widely backed United Nations resolution that would have paved the way for Palestine to achieve full membership of the UN, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and which Israel has worked to prevent.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council ended with 12 in favour, the US opposed and two abstentions, from the United Kingdom and Switzerland. US allies France, Japan and South Korea supported the resolution.

Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations Riyad Mansour speaks during a Security Council meeting. Credit: AP

The strong support the Palestinians received reflects not only the growing number of countries recognising their statehood but almost certainly the global support for Palestinians facing the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Gaza, now in its seventh month.

The resolution by the council would have recommended that the entire 193-member General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, approve Palestine becoming the 194th member of the UN. Some 140 countries have recognised Palestine, so its admission would have been approved, probably by a much higher number of countries.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Ombudsman Gwendolien Mossel has concluded the Systemic Investigation into the motor vehicle confiscation policy of KPSM. The Final Report (FR) was recently submitted to the Minister of Justice.

History

The Ombudsman received numerous complaints regarding KPSM confiscating motor vehicles, usually during traffic controls, for suspicion of the vehicle being stolen. Complainants alleged that vehicles remained in the custody of the police/public prosecutor (OM), sometimes for months, without proper explanation, even after it had been established that the vehicle was not stolen and the complainant was the rightful owner. There have also been complaints concerning lost or misplaced keys of confiscated vehicles as well as lost or (unjustly) destroyed and misplaced vehicles.

Bottlenecks and Challenges

The following bottlenecks and challenges have been identified:

Lack of written policy and procedures

There is an overall lack of written policies and procedures. This is not only pertaining to vehicle confiscation, but in general. This was also highlighted as a bottleneck in the Ombudsmans investigation regarding KPSMs towing policy. Documented policies, procedures and/or basic work instructions regarding vehicle seizures that can be made available to the public, and which KPSM can be held accountable for, are non-existent.

Lack of information provision / inadequate communication

There are inadequacies in KPSMs /OM's general communication to the public. Ineffective communication leads to misunderstandings and disagreements and can frustrate and upset people. This is evident from complaints received by the Ombudsman. Basic information about the process, such as during which hours persons can visit the police station and who the contact persons who will be available to answer questions regarding vehicle seizures are, is not known.

Lack of financial, personnel, and material capacity

There is a chronic lack of financial, personnel, and material capacity across the judicial chain, KPSM included. The following is quoted from the Law Enforcement Councils State of Law Enforcement Report (2022): The necessary preconditions for the proper execution of tasks continue as a common thread throughout almost all organizations in 2022. The capacity issue(s) runs like a thread through almost all topics. Time and again, the capacity shortage and its negative effects emerge across the entire judicial chain. The lack of financial capacity has manifested itself in several projects that would have substantially curtailed vehicle theft, namely the bill of sale and database projects. The bill of sale project was reportedly discontinued due to a lack of funds less than 6 weeks before implementation. In addition, while KPSM would like to introduce a designated window for confiscated goods, this is not feasible due to a shortage of personnel.

Lack of an appropriate storage facility

As a result of not having a storage location, KPSM has acknowledged that some goods remain at the KPSM premises awaiting criminal proceedings, resulting in space and safety issues. Other goods are stored in unsafe and unsuitable locations, resulting in liability risks. Although the Minister of Justice has expressed willingness to look into the availability of land so that the Court could build a storage site through its financial resources, this is an unlikely scenario due to the lack of resources and will not be realized in the short term.

Accidentally destroyed and lost goods and motor vehicles.

Pursuant to Article 142, paragraph 1, CPC-confiscated objects may not be auctioned or destroyed without authorization from the Prosecutor. The Ombudsman has, however, received complaints regarding seized items and motor vehicles that have been accidentally misplaced and even destroyed without the required authorization. It is unclear how these incidents could have occurred. This, therefore, points to not only inadequacies in the storage facility but, more so, the manner in which items are registered as well.

Lack of fair and timely compensation for accidentally destroyed and misplaced goods

The Ombudsman has observed that in the event of accidentally destroyed or misplaced goods, persons are not fairly nor timely compensated. In one case, complainant was waiting for more than two (2) years for his scooter to be returned after it had been confiscated. The scooter was accidentally destroyed by KPSM. Up to present, it is uncertain if complainant has been (fairly) compensated.

Delayed receipt of traffic (police) reports (proces-verbalen)

Insurance companies have indicated to the Ombudsman that that there is a delay in the processing of traffic reports by KPSM, which unnecessarily delay the settling of claims.

Lack of cooperation with insurance companies in Marigot

KPSM has indicated that the communication and cooperation with the insurance companies in Marigot is challenging. The main offices of said insurance companies are located in Guadeloupe, and usually (they) take considerable time to respond to inquiries, which further delays the process. This points to a communication (language) and organizational challenge.

Motor Traffic Guarantee Fund (waarborgfonds motorverkeer) inactive

The Motor Traffic Guarantee Fund is available to anyone who has suffered damages due to a motor vehicle accident and cannot claim said damages by their own insurer. For example, if the perpetrator drove away, is not insured, or was driving a stolen motor vehicle. The motor traffic guarantee fund is also regulated in the national ordinance on motor vehicle liability insurance. This fund has not yet been established in Sint Maarten. As a result, there is presently no recourse for victims who have suffered damages and are unable to claim the damages from their insurer.

Conclusion

The Court is the custodian based on the law, however because of the present lack of storage facilities KPSM currently acts as the holder. As such, KPSM is usually the first point of contact for the general public. The prosecutor also has a role to play in decisions such as returning to the owner, auctioning, or destroying goods. KPSM/Prosecutor has no written policy and/or procedures regarding motor vehicle confiscation. Upon questioning by the Ombudsman for the same, a reference was made to the articles in the Criminal Procedural Code and the Confiscation Decree without any further explanation regarding the practical execution of these laws. As a result, there is inadequate communication with the general public, which leads to misunderstandings and frustration. KPSM has acknowledged that they face challenges with ensuring efficient and accurate communication to the public. Since the start of the investigation KPSM has taken swift action via the media in an attempt to correct some of these shortcomings, however a sustainable communication strategy and structural changes are needed. Affected persons were encouraged to visit the Great Bay Police Station at specific times during the week. Names of the responsible police officers and telephone extensions were also provided.

While these quick remedies are applauded by the Ombudsman, they cannot replace written, transparent, published policy/procedures, combined with a clear and easy breakdown of said policy, that can be made available to the public and to which KPSM/OM can be held accountable. According to the Enforcement Councils State of Law Enforcement Report (2022), the lack of financial, personnel, and material capacity is the Achilles heel and the primary source of most of KPSMs current challenges. However, the Ombudsman notes that cost-effective and common-sense solutions must be found in particular when dealing with the public.

Recommendations

Based on the facts and findings, the Ombudsman proposes the following recommendations.

In consideration of the absence of financial, personnel, and material capacity, the provided recommendations are cost-effective and common-sense solutions that require limited financial resources. This, however, does not negate the fact that a comprehensive long-term solution for vehicular theft (that continues to be rampant on the island) as previously envisioned by KPSM c.s. should be implemented.

1. Improve information provision/communication to the public

2. Prepare written policy for (motor vehicle) confiscation

3. Improved registration system/process

4. Fair and timely compensation for accidentally destroyed and misplaced goods

5. Improve cooperation with insurance companies in Marigot

6. Activate the Motor Traffic Guarantee Fund

The final report is available via download on the Ombudsmans website, www.ombudsman.sx. To complement the report a short animation video has been produced. The film can be viewed on the Ombudsmans Facebook page (Bureau Ombudsman Sint Maarten) or via the website (www.ombudsman.sx).
Japanese AI tool predicts when recruits will quit jobs



Tokyo, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



Bosses worried about turnover or wondering how long a new hire will stick around can now turn to AI for a heads-up on who might be next out the door.

The artificial intelligence tool was developed by Japanese researchers to try and help managers provide targeted support to staff to stop them from quitting.

It crunches data on employees at a company, from their attendance record to personal information such as age and gender, and was created by Tokyo City University professor Naruhiko Shiratori with a start-up based in the Japanese capital.

The tool also analyses data on employees who left the company, or took a leave of absence, to create a turnover model for each firm.

Then when fed data on new recruits, it predicts who is at risk of quitting "in percentage points", Shiratori, a media education expert, told AFP on Friday.

"We are currently testing the AI tool with several companies, creating a model for each one."

Bosses could use the results to "suggest to the high-risk employee -- without showing a raw figure, which could be shocking to him or her -- that the company is ready to offer support, because AI suggested they may be facing difficulties", Shiratori said.

To create the tool, the researchers built on a previous study using AI to predict the characteristics of university students likely to drop out.

Now they are planning an upgrade so that the AI tool can suggest suitable assignments for new employees by analysing information from job interviews, as well as their characteristics and personal histories.

Japanese businesses traditionally all hire graduates at the same time each year, but about one in 10 recruits fresh from college quit their jobs within a year, government data shows.

Around 30 percent leave their company within three years, according to the labour ministry.
Kyrgyzstan's TikTok block builds censorship fears



Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



In her photography studio in the capital of Kyrgyzstan, Aku Sharsheeva, tried unsuccessfully to connect to TikTok this week.

"Nothing loads. There are no videos," the 22-year old told AFP, showing an error message displayed on the app's home page.

The Central Asian country this week blocked the video-sharing platform after its security services expressed concern over the influence on children.

Sharsheeva had used TikTok, which has more than one billion monthly users worldwide and is owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, to market her photography business. Now she will have to find another way.

The ban in Kyrgyzstan -- a small, ex-Soviet country of seven million people -- is just one small part of a global backlash from politicians and regulators to the app's surging popularity.

TikTok is embroiled in a string of battles over issues ranging from the mental health effects of the app to the data it allegedly scoops up from users.

Azamat Asanov, an official in Kyrgyzstan's digital ministry, told AFP the decision to cut access had come down from the security services.

"The decision was motivated by TikTok's failure to comply with a law on preventing harm to children's health," he said.

Some TikTok users in the country question that reasoning.

"Closing down TikTok is absolutely absurd. The malicious content they want to protect children from can be found everywhere, on any social network," said Sharsheeva.

She said the block was the latest sign of a "repressive deterioration" unfolding in the country.

"Those who block it are doing so to control freedom of speech," she said.



- 'Pressure' -



Kyrgyzstan, once seen as the most politically open country in the region, has mounted an escalating campaign to bring independent media and civil society under closer state control in recent months.

Authorities have arrested several journalists, suspended independent media outlets and passed a "foreign agents" law that critics say is designed to silence dissenters.

"I don't think there was any need to block TikTok," said Aigerim Bekbosunova, a 20-year-old medical student who often watched educational videos on the platform.

Another student, Syymyk Zhyrgalbekov, said a ban could help -- but more as an antidote to social media addiction.

"It will help school kids. I and others were really addicted to TikTok," the 18-year-old said. "It was hurting our studies".

TikTok is also in the spotlight over its data policies in the United States and European Union, where fears are growing over the company's links to Beijing.

Kyrgyzstan borders China where it has important economic ties.

The country's State Committee for National Security, which requested the ban -- is a successor to the Soviet-era KGB secret police and headed by the powerful Kamchybek Tashiev.

Asked whether a ban on other social media platforms could follow, the agency was non-committal, telling AFP it "doesn't know at the moment."

Studio owner Sharsheeva said blocking the app left no doubt as to the direction the ex-Soviet country was heading in.

"We have had a lot of pressure on activists, on journalists, on various media. It was on TikTok that you could promote your point of view," she said.

"It seems that the state doesn't like the fact that some alternative opinions are wandering freely around the internet."

str-bk-jc/jbr/tw

Meta
Israel launches strike against Iran: US media



Washington, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



Israel has launched a strike against Iran in retaliation for its weekend attack, US media reported Thursday night.

ABC, CBS and CNN, among other media, reported the strikes early Friday Middle East time, quoting US officials. There was no immediate comment from the White House.

The Pentagon duty desk said in response to a query from AFP: "We do not have anything to offer at this time."

Iran activated its air defense system over several cities, state media reported, after the country's official broadcaster said explosions were heard near the central city of Isfahan.

Israel warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at its arch foe over the weekend. Most of them were intercepted.

That strike came in the wake of an attack on Iran's consulate in Damascus widely blamed on Israel.
Denmark moves to upgrade bare-bones military



Copenhagen, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



Embarrassing malfunctions, angry dismissals and soaring costs have recently exposed the dire state of Denmark's military after two years of generous donations to Ukraine, prompting Copenhagen to upgrade its armed forces.

The country of just six million people has been one of the top donors to Ukraine, and there has been broad political support for the help, even though it has come at the cost of depleting its own military.

"We gave a lot of materiel, a lot of weapons systems and ammunition to Ukraine, and only kept what was absolutely necessary," Peter Ernstved Rasmussen, the head of specialised defence magazine Olfi, told AFP.

Denmark's bilateral aid to Kyiv so far totals 2.4 percent of its gross domestic product, making it the second-biggest donor in terms of GDP, behind Estonia, according to the Kiel Institute.

In mid-April, Copenhagen approved its 17th aid package, worth 2.2 billion kroner ($314 million).

The generosity has "pulled back the curtains -- you could suddenly look in and see that what we thought was an effective defence force was broken," said Ernstved Rasmussen.

In mid-March, the Scandinavian country said it would increase its defence spending by 5.5 billion euros ($5.85 billion) over the next five years, on top of last year's announcement of 19.2 billion euros over 10 years.

Denmark's 2024 defence budget amounts to 4.8 billion euros.



- Good reputation -



Since the end of the Cold War, Denmark has become one of the United States' staunchest allies, flexing its military muscle by participating in international operations from Kosovo to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Over the years, Denmark "earned a reputation for being an ally who stood up in difficult times (even though it) had a relatively small defence," Jakob Linnet Schmidt, a researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, told AFP.

"Today we see a change of mind in Denmark towards taking care of our own security," he said.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shone a spotlight on Denmark's responsibilities as a NATO member, both with regard to its own capabilities and the Alliance's target of spending 2 percent of GDP on defence.

"It's peer pressure from the other NATO members -- and especially to be on very friendly terms with the United States -- that in my opinion has been the decisive issue" for the recent investments, said Peter Viggo Jakobsen, a researcher at the Royal Danish Defence College.

"Denmark was the only (NATO) country around the Baltic Sea that did not spend 2 percent" of GDP on defence, the NATO requirement, he said.

He said the country needed to act urgently because of "the general state of the armed forces".

"We're short of equipment. We're short of personnel, and we're struggling to meet our obligations."



- 'Will take decades' -



Denmark's partners can nonetheless still count on its help, as Copenhagen continues to offer at least the bare minimum.

A battalion of 800 troops was sent to Latvia to protect NATO's eastern flank in 2022, but its mission was not renewed due to a lack of troops.

Other embarrassing issues -- unrelated to each other, according to experts -- have recently made headlines.

This winter, two Navy boats that were supposed to patrol the Arctic and North Atlantic remained docked in Greenland for seven weeks due to engine trouble.

In March, a Danish frigate sent to the Red Sea to protect commercial shipping from attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels was temporarily unable to use its anti-air missile system during a drone attack due to a malfunction.

Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen was not immediately informed of the incident, and after the announcement of additional costs related to new artillery systems he sacked Chief of Defence Flemming Lentfer after having "lost confidence" in him.

The country, which recently increased its mandatory military service from four to 11 months, is turning over a new leaf.

"There is broad support in parliament and the funds that are absolutely necessary have been allocated," Ernstved Rasmussen said.

But no new materiel has been delivered to the Danish military yet, he noted, and questioned who would train the new conscripts given the shortage of officers.

"It is not possible to solve the problems within one or two years. This is going to take 10, 20, 30 years to bring back the defence forces to a state where we can call ourselves a trustworthy ally," he lamented.
Threatened by Russia, will the EU do enough to fund defence?



Brussels, Belgium, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



As Russian forces push back outgunned Ukrainian troops and conflict rocks the Middle East, calls are growing from panicked EU leaders for Europe to finally get serious about funding its own defence.

"It is time for the European awakening on defence and security," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told an industry summit in Brussels this week.

"There is so much at stake here -- our freedom and our prosperity depend on our security, and we have to bring our actions in line with this changing security environment."

More than two years after full-scale war returned to the continent, such soaring rhetoric is not new.

Days after Moscow's invasion German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a historic "turning point", and several months later French President Emmanuel Macron called for a "war economy".

Some key steps have been taken to plug the gaps after decades of underinvestment following the end of the Cold War.

More of NATO's European members -- including heavyweights France and Germany -- have increased their defence spending to meet the alliance's two percent target of GDP.

The European Union has launched a raft of initiatives aimed at ramping up its defence industries -- bolstering their capacity to make the artillery shells desperately needed by Ukraine.

But while Moscow has put its economy on a war-footing, the EU is still struggling to meet Ukraine's needs and build up its own forces.

"I think that there has been a change in mindsets," Michael Johansson, CEO of Swedish defence firm Saab, told the Brussels conference.

"But there's much more to do."

Last month Brussels put forward a 1.5 billion euro ($1.6 billion) strategy to step up defence production, but officials say this is nowhere near sufficient.

Some EU countries have pitched the need for joint borrowing similar to Covid recovery funds to finance a much larger programme, with figures floating around putting the need at over 100 billion euros.

So far that push has got short shrift from so-called frugal nations led by Germany.

Brussels is set to come up with more proposals for financing the defence push by a summit of EU leaders in June.

Those spearheading the calls for Europe to step up insist there is no time to squander -- as fears swirl that a wider war could engulf the continent if the Kremlin triumphs in Ukraine.

"There are various estimates of how soon Russia will reconstitute and be in a position to attack again," Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas warned.

"The number, three five or 10 years, does not really matter -- everyone agrees that they will be ready and willing for the next war."



- Shell struggles -



The struggles of one of the EU's flagship initiatives highlight some of the problems facing the bloc.

As Ukraine pleaded desperately for artillery shells in the spring of 2023, EU officials agreed a plan to get Kyiv one million rounds in the space of a year.

Part one involved subsidising EU countries to raid their stockpiles for any shells they could spare.

The second part saw the bloc's defence agency told to negotiate framework contracts with EU producers to help member states club together to buy more.

By last September -- lightning speed for the Brussels bureaucracy -- a raft of those contracts were on the table.

Then it was up to the member states to put in their money.

But that never quite happened. Instead of a rush of deals, only a trickle of firm orders followed.

Now, more than eight months later, orders worth just 350 million euros -- a little over 70,000 shells -- have been signed by 12 EU countries. Stocks worth over one billion euros remain untapped.

"I feel we are talking too much, we really have to act now," Andre Denk, deputy chief executive of the European Defence Agency, told a gathering in Brussels.

"Where's the political will? Where is the financial contribution, the financial willing to really invest?"

Defence firms complain the reluctance of countries to cooperate together and commit to long-term contracts are holding back Europe's industry.

"It is a bit of a chicken and egg issue," Estonia's prime minister told reporters in Brussels this week.

"We should do this together," Kallas said. "Making the political decision to put more money into defence is the first step to give the signal to the defence industry to do more."

"But whatever we decide to do, we need to do it fast."

It's not just Russia fuelling the sense of urgency in Europe: there is also the possible return to the White House of an isolationist Donald Trump after US elections in November.

Benedikta von Seherr-Thoss, a senior official at the EU's foreign service, said that at the moment Europe buys 78 percent of its defence equipment outside the bloc.

"Of course, it will make a huge difference who the US president will be," she said.

"But at the same time the question that we as Europeans have to ask ourselves is how dependent do we want to be for our security?"
Israel targets army position in Syria: ministry



Beirut, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



Israeli strikes on Friday targeted a Syrian army position in the country's south, Syria's government and a monitor said, as US media reported Israel had hits its arch-rival Iran.

In a statement, Syria's defence ministry said "the Israeli enemy carried out an attack using missiles... targeting our air defence sites in the southern region" and causing material damage.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Israel targeted an army radar position in the southern province of Daraa that had detected the entry of Israeli planes into Syria's airspace.

Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Britain-based Observatory, said the strikes took place "at a time when the Israeli air force was flying intensively over the Daraa region" without Syrian air defences taking any action.

The Israeli military has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria since the outbreak of a civil war in its northern neighbour in 2011, targeting the army and Iran-backed fighters.

But the strikes have increased since Israel's war with Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip began on October 7.

Rayan Maarouf, who runs the Suwayda24 anti-government new website, had earlier told AFP there had been strikes on a Syrian army radar position in Sweida province, without specifying their origin.

The latest strikes came as explosions were reported early on Friday in central Iran, with senior US officials reporting an Israeli attack.

Iran's Fars news agency reported three explosions near a military base in the province of Isfahan. The official news agency IRNA said there was "no major damage".

Israel warned it would hit back after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel overnight on April 13 in an unprecedented attack, which was retaliation for a deadly strike on its Damascus consulate.
ASEAN 'deeply concerned' by escalating Myanmar violence



Bangkok, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



Southeast Asian regional bloc ASEAN said it is "deeply concerned" about a recent upsurge in fighting in Myanmar, after fierce clashes over a key trading hub on the Thai border.

The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations urged "all parties for an immediate cessation of violence" in Myanmar, which has been roiled by conflict since the military seized power in a February 2021 coup.

The ministers' statement issued late Thursday said 10-member ASEAN was "deeply concerned over the recent escalation of conflicts, including in the area of Myawaddy".

The military was forced to pull its troops out of positions in the valuable trading post last week after days of battling the Karen National Union (KNU), a long-established ethnic minority armed group, and other anti-junta fighters.

It was the latest blow suffered by the junta, which has suffered a string of battlefield losses in recent months, with some analysts warning it was its most significant threat yet.

Myawaddy is important to the cash-strapped junta, with more than $1.1 billion worth of trade passing through it in the 12 months to April.

The clashes drove people to flee across the border into Thailand, from where gunfire and the boom of artillery barrages could be heard.

There have been no major clashes in the town since then, although fighting rumbles on around the town of Kawkareik, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) southwest of Myawaddy on the main highway.

The junta is anxious to avoid losing another major town, analysts say, following the humiliating surrender of around 2,000 troops at the town of Laukkai on the northern China border in January.



- UN warning -



Parts of the country that have been previously peaceful have been sucked into the conflict, including in Rakhine state where a longstanding ceasefire ended in November.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Friday clashes between the military and the Arakan Army, alongside tensions being fuelled between the Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine communities, meant there was a serious risk of a repeat of previous atrocities.

"The alarm bells are ringing, and we must not allow there to be a repeat of the past," Turk said in a statement.

However, despite the losses and uptick in fighting, analysts believe the junta is not in dire peril yet.

"In the larger scheme of things, the regime is clearly losing control of many areas in the periphery," independent Myanmar analyst David Mathieson told AFP about the Myawaddy clashes.

"There is still a long way to go for the SAC to fall," he said, using the acronym of the junta's official name.

ASEAN has led diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis but has little to show for it, with more than 4,400 people killed and nearly 20,000 in detention in the military crackdown according to a local monitoring group.

Little progress has been made since 2021 when the bloc agreed on a five-point peace plan -- which Myanmar signed up to but has failed to implement.

And friction has also erupted between ASEAN members over differing approaches to the crisis, with some like Thailand -- which has a 2,400-kilometre (1,490-mile) border with Myanmar -- appearing more willing to engage.

Thailand has also said it is ready to receive people from Myanmar, though the kingdom's foreign minister warned it would not tolerate any violation of its sovereignty.

The Thai airforce said on Friday it had deployed an F-16 fighter plane to "protect sovereignty" along the border.

The conflict in Myanmar has provoked a previous Thai response, with the kingdom scrambling jet fighters in 2022 after junta planes breached the border during operations against anti-coup fighters.
Kenya mourns defence chief killed in helicopter crash



Nairobi, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



Kenya began three days of mourning on Friday after its defence chief and nine other senior officers were killed in a helicopter crash, the latest military accident involving a high-profile figure.

General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (CDF), was killed when his helicopter went down shortly after takeoff in a remote forested area of northwestern Kenya on Thursday.

"A distinguished four-star general has fallen in the course of duty and service of the country," President William Ruto said as he announced the deaths that evening.

He said the nation would observe three days of mourning from Friday, with the national flag flying at half-mast across the country and at Kenyan missions abroad.

Ogolla's family announced that a funeral would be held on Sunday at his home in Siaya County in the west of the country, followed by a memorial service in a Nairobi suburb on April 26.

"Final salute" was the front-page headline in the leading Daily Nation newspaper, while The Standard wrote: "General's tragic last moments."

The bodies of the victims, draped in Kenyan flags, were returned to a military base in Nairobi on an air force plane late Thursday.



- 'Trying to keep Kenya safe' -



Ogolla, a trained fighter pilot, had been promoted to the role by Ruto just a year ago and was about to mark 40 years of military service.

He had been visiting troops deployed in Operation Maliza Uhalifu (Operation End Crime in Swahili) in the North Rift region, where insecurity caused by armed bandits and cattle rustlers is rife.

Ruto said the Air Force had dispatched an investigation team to establish the cause of the crash that involved a "Huey" helicopter.

Ogolla's daughter Lorna Ogolla said in a poignant post on LinkedIn that her father died "doing what he did best for the better part of the last 40 years -- trying to keep Kenya safe".

Messages of condolence were sent from across the country and the African continent as well as the United Nations, the United States and other Kenyan allies.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan described him as a "valuable partner" in relations with Kenya.

"From combatting terrorist threats posed by Al-Shabaab to leading efforts to bolster regional cooperation across a range of domains, he has left an indelible mark," he said in a statement.

The Standard newspaper said it was the fifth armed forces chopper crash in 12 months, with claims that the country's military aircraft were old and poorly maintained.

In June 2021, at least 10 soldiers were killed when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise south of Nairobi.

Ogolla, who was born in 1962, is not the only high-profile victim of an air crash in Kenya, with several dignitaries killed in recent years.

In 2012, internal security minister George Saitoti, seen as a possible presidential candidate, was among six people killed in a police helicopter crash.

Ogolla, a married father of two, joined the KDF in April 1984, rising through the ranks to command the Kenyan Air Force in 2018, a post he held for three years before becoming vice chief of the defence forces in 2021 and then chief in April 2023.

Under Kenyan military regulations, the defence chief normally retires at 62 or after four years in the post, whichever comes first.

txw/amu/kjm
Serbia orders evacuation after discovery of NATO projectile



Belgrade, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



A neighbourhood in the southern Serbian city of Nis will be evacuated on Sunday due to the removal of NATO projectiles found in the area, said the city's emergency situations headquarters on Friday.

"The special demining teams will be on-site on Sunday. They will relocate a bomb dating back to the NATO bombing in 1999, weighing, believe it or not, 1,000 kilograms," said Nis Mayor Dragana Sotirovski.

According to unofficial information, as reported by local media, the bomb that was found is an unexploded "Tomahawk".

NATO's bombing of Serbia began on March 24, 1999, and lasted 78 days.

One of the bloodiest incidents during the NATO's campaign happened in Nis on May 7th 1999. More than a dozen people were killed when NATO planes dropped cluster bombs on a crowded central outdoor market. The incident was later described as a "blunder".

The city was bombed again on May 12th with cluster bombs, leading to the deaths of 11 civilians.

The city's mayor added that the neighbourhood should be empty, devoid of people and parked cars.

Officials from various services will visit the settlement to inform residents, provide instructions, and display orders from the Headquarters and Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure everyone's safety.
EU chief tells Trump 'get facts straight' on Ukraine aid



Brussels, Belgium, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



EU chief Charles Michel on Friday told Donald Trump to "get the facts straight" on support for Ukraine, after the US presidential challenger said Europe should be giving Kyiv more money.

"Don't be intimidated by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin. We aren't," the European Council president wrote in a post addressed to Trump on X.

"Let's get the facts straight. The numbers speak for themselves. EU contribution to Ukraine: EUR143 billion ($150 billion)."

Former US leader Trump on Thursday told Europe to "get moving" on support for Ukraine ahead of a vote this weekend by US lawmakers on a long-delayed $61 billion aid package for the war-torn nation.

"As everyone agrees, Ukrainian Survival and Strength should be much more important to Europe than to us, but it is also important to us! GET MOVING EUROPE!" Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday.

Despite not holding office, the former US president exercises tight control over many Republicans in Washington, who have delayed granting new military aid funds to Ukraine. They insist on prioritising the fight against illegal immigration at the Mexican border.

The deadlock between Democrats and Republicans has left Ukraine short of ammunition and defense systems and caused it to suffer setbacks in the war that began with the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Trump, who will battle President Joe Biden for the White House in November, wrote: "Why is it that the United States is over $100 Billion Dollars into the Ukraine War more than Europe, and we have an Ocean between us as separation!

"Why can't Europe equalise or match the money put in by the United States of America in order to help a Country in desperate need?"

The Germany-based Kiel Institute, which has been tracking aid to Ukraine, said that as of the beginning of this year, the EU and its member states were the biggest donors with 144.1 billion euros in pledges, followed by the United States with 67.7 billion euros.

However the EU had only allocated 77.2 billion euros as much of the pledges were for several years.

The US House of Representatives is set to vote Saturday on a new military aid package that would unlock billions of dollars for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

Biden has called for Congress to pass the package, vowing that he would sign the law immediately.

During the months the US package has been stalled in Congress, EU nations have signed off on military and budgetary support worth tens of billions of dollars for Ukraine.

But Europe has struggled to keep Ukraine armed while military superpower the United States has been mired in political wrangling, leaving Kyiv's forces on the front line outgunned.

During his time in office and since, Trump has repeatedly attacked Washington's European allies for not spending enough on their own defences.

He has rocked the NATO alliance by suggesting he wouldn't protect countries not spending enough on defence. NATO countries have committed to spend at least 2 percent of their GDP's on defence, with 20 out of 32 members expected to hit that bar this year.
Iraq drone strike blamed on Turkey kills man: official



Arbil, Iraq, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



One man has been killed in a drone strike in northern Iraq, a local official in the autonomous Kurdistan region said on Friday, attributing the attack to Turkey.

Ankara regularly carries out ground and air operations in northern Iraq against positions of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.

"A Turkish drone strike on a car" killed a man, said Ihsan Chalabi, mayor of the mountainous Sidakan district near Iraq's borders with Turkey and Iran.

The body found on Friday is of "an inhabitant of the region who is a member of the Peshmerga", the local Kurdish security forces, Chalabi told AFP.

For decades, Turkey has operated several dozen military bases in northern Iraq in its war against the PKK, which Ankara and its Western allies consider a "terrorist" group.

Both Baghdad and the Kurdish regional government have been accused of tolerating Turkey's military activities to preserve their close economic ties.

At the beginning of April, a "high-ranking military official" from the PKK was killed in a Turkish drone strike on a car in the mountainous Sinjar region, according to the Kurdistan counterterrorism services.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Iraq on Monday on his first official trip to the country since 2011.

Iraq's Defence Minister Thabet al-Abassi in March ruled out "joint military operations" against the PKK, but said that Turkey and Iraq "will work to set up a joint intelligence coordination centre".
G7 slams Chinese firms' military help for Russia



Capri, Italy, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



G7 foreign ministers Friday expressed "strong concern" about transfers of dual use materials and weapons components from Chinese businesses to Russia being used by Moscow for its military expansion.

At a meeting in Italy, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had urged European counterparts to increase pressure on Beijing, who Washington accuses of helping Russia's "most ambitious defence expansion since the Soviet era".

"We express our strong concern about transfers to Russia from businesses in the People's Republic of China of dual-use materials and weapons components that Russia is using to advance its military production," the Group of Seven ministers said in a final statement after talks on the island of Capri.

"This is enabling Russia to reconstitute and revitalise its defence industrial base, posing a threat both to Ukraine and to international peace and security.

"China should ensure that this support stops, as it will only prolong this conflict and increase the threat that Russia poses to its neighbours."

In addition to the United States, the G7 countries include Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Japan and Italy, which holds the presidency this year.

Washington has set a red line for Beijing -- not to supply weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine. And so far it has not presented proof that this has been crossed.

But the United States is increasingly denouncing what it says is China's backdoor support for Moscow.

"When it comes to Russia's defence industrial base, the primary contributor in this moment to that is China," Blinken told reporters after the meeting in Capri.

This was "allowing Russia to continue the aggression against Ukraine", he said.

The diplomat added: "China can't have it both ways.

"If China purports on the one hand to have positive, friendly relations with Europe and other countries, they can't be fuelling on the other hand what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War."

A senior US official said last week that China was helping Russia undertake "its most ambitious defence expansion since the Soviet era and on a faster timeline than we believed possible" early in the Ukraine conflict.

Unveiling US findings, officials said China was helping Russia on a range of areas including the joint production of drones, space-based capabilities and exports vital for producing ballistic missiles.

China has been the key factor in revitalising Russia's defence industrial base "which had otherwise suffered significant setbacks" since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a senior US official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
US officials due in Niger next week after demand for troop withdrawal



Niamey, Niger, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



A US delegation will visit Niger next week for talks with the military regime which has broken off a military agreement with Washington, state television announced Friday.

Following a July coup, the West African country said last month that the 2012 cooperation agreement had been "unilaterally imposed" by the United States.

"A high-level American delegation will visit Niamey next week to take stock of our cooperation and make concrete proposals to the Nigerien side to better envisage the future," Tele Sahel TV reported, summing up a visit to Washington by Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine.

On Tuesday, Zeine met State Department officials in the US capital where they discussed strengthening "diplomatic, economic, trade and technological relations" among other topics, the channel said.

"The prime minister reiterated, in clear language and without taboos, Niger's sovereign decision to demand the departure of all foreign forces, including American forces," Tele Sahel said.

Zeine also met World Bank officials over the resumption of grants interrupted after the July 26 coup that overthrew elected president Mohamed Bazoum.

The United States suspended most of its cooperation, including military, with Niger following the coup.

In late March, Niger said the United States would submit a proposal to "disengage" its soldiers from the country.

Thousands of Nigeriens protested in Niamey on Saturday for the immediate departure of about 1,000 US soldiers based in the northern city of Agadez.

Niger and its neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso -- also run by miliary regimes -- have turned their backs on former colonial power France and strengthened ties with Russia.

French troops were expelled at the end of last year.
Kenya mourns defence chief killed in helicopter crash



Nairobi, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



Kenya began three days of mourning on Friday after its defence chief and nine other senior officers were killed in a helicopter crash, the latest military accident involving a high-profile figure.

General Francis Omondi Ogolla, Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (CDF), was killed when his helicopter went down shortly after takeoff in a remote forested area of northwestern Kenya on Thursday.

"A distinguished four-star general has fallen in the course of duty and service of the country," President William Ruto said as he announced the deaths that evening.

He said the Air Force had dispatched an investigation team to establish the cause of the accident.

Ruto condoled with Ogolla's family at a ceremony in Nairobi on Friday as the nation began observing the mourning period, with the Kenyan flag flying at half-mast across the country and at missions abroad.

"Yesterday was truly a very, very tragic day," the president said. "This is a big loss to the country because General Ogolla made a whole difference in the security of the country."

The family said in a statement that a funeral would be held Sunday at Ogolla's home in Siaya in the west of the country, followed by a memorial service in a Nairobi suburb on April 26.

"Final salute" was the front-page headline in the leading Daily Nation newspaper.

The bodies of the victims, draped in Kenyan flags, were returned to a military base in Nairobi on an air force plane late Thursday.

One of the officers, Brigadier Swale Saidi, was buried in the Indian Ocean town of Kilifi on Friday and other funerals are expected in the coming days.



- 'Trying to keep Kenya safe' -



Ogolla, a trained fighter pilot, had been promoted to the defence chief role by Ruto just a year ago and was about to mark 40 years of military service.

He had been visiting troops deployed in a security operation in the North Rift region, which is plagued by violence caused by armed bandits and cattle rustlers.

Ogolla's daughter Lorna Ogolla said in a poignant post on LinkedIn that her father died "doing what he did best for the better part of the last 40 years -- trying to keep Kenya safe".

Messages of condolence were sent from across the country and the African continent as well as the United Nations, the United States and other Kenyan allies.

"From combatting terrorist threats posed by Al-Shabaab to leading efforts to bolster regional cooperation across a range of domains, he has left an indelible mark," US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a statement.



- 'High profile accident victims' -



The Standard newspaper said it was the fifth armed forces chopper crash in 12 months, with claims that Kenya's military aircraft were old and poorly maintained.

In June 2021, at least 10 soldiers were killed when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise south of Nairobi.

Ogolla is among a number of high-profile victims of air accidents in Kenya.

In 2012, internal security minister George Saitoti, seen as a possible presidential candidate, was among six people killed in a police helicopter crash.

Kenya has one of the largest military budgets in the East Africa region, at 150 billion shillings ($1.1 billion) for the financial year ending in June 2024, according to government statistics.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated in its 2024 report The Military Balance estimated the total number of active armed forces at 24,100.

The East African nation is a major contributor to UN peacekeeping operations and also deploys troops for missions in the region.

Ogolla, a married father of two, joined the KDF in April 1984, rising through the ranks to command the Kenyan Air Force in 2018, a post he held for three years before becoming vice chief of the defence forces in 2021 and then chief in April 2023.

Under Kenyan military regulations, the defence chief normally retires at 62 or after four years in the post, whichever comes first.

txw-ho/spb
Zelensky says NATO must choose 'whether we indeed are allies'



Kyiv, Ukraine, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday that NATO must choose whether it really is an ally of Ukraine by accelerating weapons supplies to help his struggling forces.

"Our sky must become safe again," Zelensky said during a video conference with NATO defence ministers.

"It depends fully on your choice. Choice whether life is indeed equally valuable everywhere. Choice whether you have an equal attitude to all partners. Choice whether we indeed are allies," he said.

Casting a bleak picture of his forces' ability to hold off Russian attacks on the ground and from the air, Zelensky said Ukraine could not defend itself without Western support.

"It is obvious that now, while Russia has air advantage and can rely on its drone and rocket terror, our capabilities on the ground, unfortunately, are limited," he said.

Zelensky called a Saturday vote in the US House of Representatives on whether to unlock a long-delayed $61 billion military aid package a "vitally important decision".

The aid has been delayed since last year amid political infighting in the Republican Party.

Speaking after another week of Russian aerial barrages that killed and injured dozens across the country, the Ukrainian leader said Kyiv needed more air defence systems to protect Ukrainian cities and save lives.

"To defend, we need seven more 'Patriots' or similar air defence systems -- and it's a minimum number. They can save many lives and really change the situation" Zelensky told a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council.

He also stressed the urgency of getting hold of the much-needed arms.

"This year we can't wait for decisions to be made," he said.

Ukraine is reliant on Western, primarily US, military support to fend off the Russian invasion.

Western systems, such as longer-range rockets, have previously been credited with allowing Ukraine to match the better-supplied Russian troops.

But Kyiv has also complained that promised deliveries throughout the two-year war have often arrived too late or in too small numbers to have a decisive impact on the battlefield.
NATO countries agree to give Ukraine more air defences: Stoltenberg



Brussels, Belgium, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



NATO countries have agreed to give Ukraine more air defences after desperate pleas from Kyiv for advanced systems to shoot down Russian attacks, alliance chief Jens Stoltenberg said Friday.

"NATO defence ministers have agreed to step up and provide further military support, including more air defence," Stoltenberg said after virtual talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"NATO has mapped out existing capabilities across the alliance and there are systems that can be made available to Ukraine," he said.

"So I expect new announcements on air defence capabilities for Ukraine soon."

Ukraine has been urgently calling on its Western backers to send more air defences as it has struggled to fend off a surge in Russian attacks on its infrastructure in recent weeks.

Kyiv has above all been calling for more US-designed Patriot systems that are capable of shooting down Russian hypersonic missiles.

Stoltenberg said there were Patriot and also Franco-Italian SAMP/T systems available in stocks of NATO countries that can be given to Ukraine.

But he could not say whether NATO defence ministers had made concrete commitments during the meeting.

Germany earlier this week announced it was giving Ukraine an additional Patriot system, on top of two already supplied.

Officials say that the United States, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Greece, Romania and Poland are the NATO countries with Patriot systems.

US lawmakers will vote Saturday on a long-stalled $61-billion aid package for Ukraine that allies hope will reopen a stream of support from Washington.

"I count on the bill to pass without further delay," Stoltenberg said.

The hold-up in support from Washington and struggles by Europe to find enough weaponry have left outgunned Ukrainian forces struggling to hold back Moscow's troops.

Stoltenberg said that ministers also discussed Kyiv's "many other pressing needs", including artillery shells, longer range missiles and drones.

"Each NATO ally will decide what to provide. Several allies made concrete commitments during the meeting and are finalising contributions that I expect will be announced soon," he said.
PHILADELPHIA  A fired Philadelphia police officer pleaded guilty Friday to murder in the shooting of a fleeing 12-year-old boy, who prosecutors have said was on the ground and unarmed when the officer fired the fatal shot.

Edsaul Mendoza also pleaded guilty to possession of an instrument of crime as part of a plea deal with the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office. A sentencing date has not been disclosed.

The Associated Press left a voicemail message for Mendozas lawyer seeking comment Friday.

Mendoza had been charged with first- and third-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter in the shooting of Thomas T.J. Siderio in March 2022, with the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office saying at the time that video contradicted the officers version of events. Police have said the boy had first fired a shot at an unmarked police car, injuring one of four plainclothes officers inside.

Mendoza, a five-year veteran of the force, was fired a week after the shooting by then-Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, who said his conduct violated department policy.

Siderio threw a gun down about 40 feet before he was shot and then dropped to the ground, either tripping or obeying a command to get down, according to authorities.

The four officers had been in an unmarked car, looking for a teenager they wanted to interview in a firearm investigation, police have said. They saw Siderio and an unnamed 17-year-old, and maneuvered the car around the block and next to them to initiate a stop.

Prosecutors said Monday that almost at the same time the officers turned their red and blue lights on, a shot came through the back passenger window and ricocheted around the car. One officer was treated for injuries to his eye and face caused by broken glass.

Mendoza and another officer on the passenger side got out and fired one shot each, according to police. Mendoza then chased Siderio down the block, firing twice and striking the boy once in the back from what prosecutors say was relatively close range.

Siderios family sued Mendoza and the city in January, saying his death was the result of an abysmal systemic policy failure within the police department.
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The tug of war yielded no clear winners and only one clear loser: Sydney Sweeney. Or had she really lost? She was still at the centre of the conversation, after all. This isnt the only time Sweeney has unwittingly become the centre of a political storm. The actress was lambasted by the Left last year after she attended a birthday party for her mother where guests were pictured in Make America Great Again-styled caps. This, combined with her All American good looks, made her a pretty little pin-up for Right-wing Americans. And while Sweeney did hit out at assumptions that were made about her political stance after the pictures received a backlash, she stayed conspicuously clear of disclosing her own politics.
I do understand that something needs to be done to protect the state of Israel, for its existence  and I just wish I could have some peace and quiet for a while for me and my kids.
At the same time though, we are pressing our Israeli allies and others in the region to really work hard towards de-escalation. So that is the important message that we have at the moment, but obviously, we need to wait to see how events unfold and exactly what has happened.
If they thought they could sweep this under the carpet somehow they were obviously very mistaken and that is why I think there are very serious questions now that need to be answered.
The foreign ministers of the G7 group of advanced economies condemned Irans attack on Israel, writing in a communique from their meeting in Italy: Israel and its people have our full solidarity and support and we reaffirm our commitment towards Israels security. Irans actions mark an unacceptable step towards the destabilisation of the region and a further escalation, which must be avoided.
He added: For years we have had to endure smug lectures from nationalist ministers about how Scotland was a world leader on climate change. But when it came to doing the actual hard graft of insulating homes, planting trees or cutting emissions, they have proven to be woefully incompetent.
I am very keen to meet with the families and very conscious that these families have felt unheard for decades, and I want to make sure that they know that Im listening, that I want to hear them and, of course, I want to be in a position as Taoiseach to apologise on behalf of this country, but I think the most appropriate thing to do is to meet with them.
Charlottesville police say the man wanted on multiple charges after a shooting in the citys Fifeville neighborhood this past week has turned himself in to authorities.

Corinthian Zayquan Brown turned himself in the CPD this afternoon without incident, the police department said in a statement issued Thursday.

It added that the investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and the department is encouraging members of the public to come forward with any details related to the matter.

Brown has been charged with malicious wounding, shooting from a vehicle, maliciously shooting at a vehicle and using a firearm during a malicious wounding.

Charlottesville officers responded to a reported shooting on Prospect Avenue in Fifeville around 7:09 p.m. Tuesday.

Upon arrival, they located a gunshot victim at the scene suffering non-life-threatening injuries, the police department said in a statement issued roughly an hour after officers responded to the scene.

While initial reports said the shooting occurred on Prospect Avenue, police later said the shooting likely occurred half a mile north.

Further investigation revealed that the shooting actually occurred at the intersection of Cherry Ave and Ridge St, which was confirmed by evidence found at that scene, police said in a statement Wednesday.

Police identified Brown as a suspect Wednesday and obtained warrants for his arrest. He turned himself in the next day.

He remained in custody at Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail as of Friday.

Anyone with information regarding Brown or the Tuesday night shooting is encouraged to contact the Charlottesville Police Department at (434) 970-3280 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (434) 977-4000.
Taylor Swift has lived in London, recorded music and has even had several serious relationships in the city, therefore it is not a surprise her newest album The Tortured Poets Department includes a song called So Long London. It is thought to be about Taylors British ex-boyfriend Joe Alywn, whom she dated from 2016 to 2023. This is the second time Swift has used London in a track title.
The League of Oregon Cities helped city governments formulate responses to a new state law that mandated them to provide unsheltered residents with a place to sleep, rest, lie or keep warm without criminalization if they had nowhere else to go.

But now it is now among the voices calling upon the Supreme Court to overturn the Ninth Circuits ruling in Johnson v. Grants Pass, one of two cases that led to the law.

A Place to Sleep, episode 7: Grants Pass It's a community that openly heckles  and worse  its homeless neighbors, many who have deep roots. And it may have a date with the Supreme Court.

The High Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Monday, April 22. The case has attracted more than 100 amicus  or friend of the court  briefs from organizations who say they will be impacted by the ultimate decision. The league is one of them.

In its March 4 brief, the league argues that now that Oregon has enacted House Bill 3115  which basically codified the Grants Pass ruling and a similar one out of Boise, Idaho by requiring municipalities to designate sleeping spots  cities know firsthand it doesn't work.

That's because law enforcement officers can't keep track in real time how many shelter beds may be available and whether those sleeping outside are truly unable to access adequate temporary shelter.

There are other unanswerable questions too, according to the brief: If someone is passing through a city, are they subject to the camping ordinance or not? If there are available beds in an emergency shelter in the next town, can a police officer know this and use it when deciding to enforce a sleeping or camping law?

And if there are available beds but an unsheltered individual is precluded from accessing them due to behavioral or health challenges, or simply has no interest in congregate shelter housing, how can an officer be made aware of these factors in the moment?

These unknowns, the league argues, complicate enforcement for cities.

The league argues also that the Ninth Circuit ruling in Johnson and its predecessor Martin v. Boise does not explain how cities can lawfully enact time, place and manner restrictions. Because of that, cities face constant threats of "federal litigation and class-wide injunctive relief for not allowing camping at all times and in all circumstances," the league's lawyers argue.

According to the brief, the homelessness crisis is worsening, even more so in Oregon, a fact that is putting a strain on city governments across the state.

The 2023 point-in-time counts, found that Oregon ranks third nationwide in percentage of homeless individuals who are unsheltered. As the numbers rise, so do the outdoor encampments, and this proliferation is resulting in strains on citys emergency and public works services as well as causing harm to the natural environments where unsheltered individuals take up residence, the league argues.

According to the brief, fire teams have been called out in Portland and Sweet Home to address fires erupting in or around homeless campsites. In Vancouver and Spokane, Washington, homeless encampments are rife with drug paraphernalia, human waste and garbage that sully riverbanks, parks and other natural habitats.

And it isnt that that the state or cities are not trying to shelter unsheltered community members, the brief argues.

Oregon passed a $200 million bill to address the crisis in 2023. Sweet Home opened a new shelter in the same year. Portland allocated $85 million in 2022-23 to address housing supply. Salem allocated over $23 million the same fiscal year to address homelessness.

Dealing with sleeping or camping laws and the growing number of illegal outdoor encampments is a costly distraction, the brief argues, not to mention exposes cities to litigation from any number of sides.

"Homeless encampments are not safe for anyone, including those who live in them," the brief says.

The brief argues that cities can spend already lean budgets on providing housing in order to enforce the sleeping laws  which will in turn impact spending in other areas  or they can choose not to and then be unable to enforce ordinances regarding public spaces.

It is a choice local governments in the Ninth Circuit cannot afford to make, the league says.

Related stories:
"Babes-Bolyai" University (UBB) in Cluj Napoca is leading a project to increase technological capacities in the ICT area in nine European countries.

"UBB is leading the CapTTict project for technological capacity building in ICT. Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca (UBB) has started from 1 January 2024 the implementation of the project "Increasing technology transfer capacities, company creation and innovation in ICT" (CapTTict), funded under the first call of the Interreg Danube programme in the 2021-2027 programming period. The central element of the project is the search for new synergies, cooperation and exchange of experience between innovators from each country. The project supports technology and knowledge transfer in new countries - Romania, Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Ukraine," reads a press release UBB sent on Friday.

According to the source, the project will provide support services for the development of business plans in technology transfer and commercialisation.

"An important part of the project is the creation of an incubation/acceleration programme - ICT Danube Digital Accelerator, which will support more than 30 promising technologies. The project will enable access and networking of innovative activities and experts in an international environment through the EXPERTS.AI digital tool. Another important part of the project is to map the ICT innovation environment in 4 non-EU partner countries, while supporting the development of their S3 strategies. Besides, another valuable contribution will be the establishment of new contacts and cooperation in the international environment," the UBB press release reads.

Within the CapTTict implementation, the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science of UBB is in charge of the overall coordination and implementation of the project, using its experience gained in recent years in the area of technology and knowledge transfer.
Health Minister Alexandru Rafila was in Iasi on Friday to attend the start of the first construction works of the Regional Emergency Hospital (SRU).

"We are in front of the most important investment objective in Moldavia in the last 30 years, the Regional Emergency Hospital in Iasi. Nearly 700 million euros is an enormous investment that practically starts today. I am glad we can celebrate together. I will be most happy when this hospital will be operational in 4 years. That's when this hospital will be completed. I am sure it will be ready on time. The constructor will do his best to start on time. I believe that for the community of Iasi, of Moldavia, this hospital is symbolic. This effort that the Romanian Government has made is significant and I hope there will be a continuity regarding these projects that have changed the face of medicine in Iasi," said Minister Alexandru Rafila, at the event attended by representatives of local and county authorities, political parties, representatives of the Health Infrastructure Development Agency and the North East Development Agency.





Rafila said that work would soon begin on the other two regional emergency hospitals.



"At the beginning I was less optimistic, now I am much more optimistic that dozens of new hospitals in Romania will be built. There are a lot of hospitals under construction at the moment, and these three regional hospitals that this government has taken on are in the phase where the actual works are starting. Shortly the works will start at the regional emergency hospitals in Craiova and Cluj," Alexandru Rafila mentioned.





The future medical unit will have 850 beds, of which 752 beds for acute care and 98 beds for intensive care, of which 12 for the Big Burns Department, 10 for Pediatrics ICU, 16 for Neonatology ICU and 60 for ICU.



SRU Iasi will have 20 operating rooms (one hybrid room), three CT scanners, two MRI scanners, six endoscopy cabinets, four angiography scanners, eight X-ray cabinets, one densitometry cabinet, one SPECT scanner (gamma camera).



SRU Iasi will also be a "green hospital," the main features of this project being the nZEB (near-zero emission building) which aims at energy sustainability based on a 30% increase of energy from renewable sources, a photovoltaic park on a large surface, geothermal heat pump, lighting efficiency (LENI), thermal recovery cooling device.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity has developed a project on European funds, worth 4 million euros, which involves the development of a sales platform for the promotion of social economy products and a resource centre that will facilitate the work of social enterprises, according to a post by the institution on its Facebook page.

"Romania has a long tradition in the social economy, from the development of handicraft products in cooperative associations to enterprises specifically dedicated to people with disabilities. The Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity has developed a 4 million euro European-funded project under the 'Education and Training' programme to develop the social economy. The project involves the development of a sales platform that will facilitate the promotion of social economy products, but also a resource centre that will facilitate the work of social enterprises," MMSS representatives note.

According to them, the social economy is a booming sector in Romania. In mid-February, Labour Minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu signed the European Union's roadmap for the social economy in Liege. The document sets out the role of member states in developing enterprises that are not only profitable but also inclusive and sustainable.

"I want the social economy to develop and we are creating programmes at the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity to encourage this sector. I want at least one percentage point of Romania's GDP to come from activities carried out by social enterprises," the minister said.

Simona Bucura Oprescu has recently attended the European Social Economy Conference "Entreprising for Tomorow!" which took place in Iasi. The Minister also saw the products made by social economy enterprises that were exhibited in Iasi and discussed with entrepreneurs whose main goal is not to make profit, but to develop activities that bring social benefits.

"I saw, in Iasi, a remarkable model of good practice for the social economy. From travel agents doing a great job, even though they are in wheelchairs, to people from vulnerable backgrounds working in coffee roasters. And because the social economy is about responsibility towards people and the environment, coffee bags are used to create beautiful garments," she said.
MEP Corina Cretu said on Friday that the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) is a historic opportunity for Romania and that she hopes that the funds allocated will be spent until 2026, so that they will not be returned.

"In the ECOFIN Council, the ministers of economy and finance of the EU countries reached an agreement that the post-pandemic recovery fund, also called NextGenerationEU, will not be extended beyond 2026. This means that all projects in the PNRR must be implemented by that year and the allocated funds spent (...). The PNRR is a historic opportunity for Romania and I hope with all my heart that we will not wake up in 2026 that we have not used the money allocated and that we have to send it back to the Commission," says MEP Corina Cretu, in a post on her Facebook page.

The former European commissioner for Regional Policy pointed out that the third application for payment under the PNRR, amounting to 2.7 billion euros, was submitted by Romania in December 2023 and that it has not yet been approved, although the deadline for evaluation set in the regulation expired on 15 February.

"Currently, we have received approximately 9.4 billion euros from the PNRR, with a 32% collection rate. In 2024, among the investments and reforms that should take place there are: equipping 75,000 classrooms with furniture, 1,200 electric buses to transport students, 10,000 science laboratories, at least 25 public hospitals will benefit from equipment and materials that help reduce the risk of nosocomial infections, investments in 25 intensive care units, and 50% of investments in rail and road infrastructure must be completed," the MEP said.

Corina Cretu said that in 2022, when the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism was negotiated in the European Parliament, she tabled amendments to extend the deadline for the implementation of the PNRR money to 2026, the initial deadline proposed by the Commission being 2025.

"I did this because, even when I was managing European funds as a commissioner, I was aware of the slow implementation of projects in certain member states, including Romania," MEP Corina Cretu wrote.
MEP Dan Nica, head of the Romanian delegation with the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament (S&D), has called on the two vice-presidents of the European Commission, Margrethe Vesteger and Maros Sefcovic, to take immediate measures to protect steel production in Europe, so that "hundreds of thousands of people will keep their jobs, the environment will be protected and the economy will strengthen."

"I am calling on the European Commission to take immediate measures to protect steel production in Europe. The steel market in Europe is currently shrinking due to imports that have reached a record level. To stop this negative trend, the European Commission must step up efforts in the future to ensure a level playing field. We cannot accept our industry being undermined by unfair trade practices coming from countries with surplus production. You must also take into account the billions of euros that European companies have invested in green steel projects," Dan Nica is quoted as saying in a press statement released by the Galati chapter of the Social Democratic Party (PSD).

The MEP also asked the European Commission to present "a consistent action" for the Green Steel Made in Europe plan.

"The plan should include specific measures to overcome barriers: lack of energy supply at competitive prices, slow infrastructure, low demand for green products made in the EU. The commission should also devise structural measures as soon as possible to ensure the exact extent of the steel shortage in our industry. I firmly believe that the EU needs the highest quality, decarbonised steel that meets all environmental and energy conditions, all of which will lead to the preservation of jobs for all European citizens."
The preservation and enhancement of the Jewish heritage, the promotion of history, values and the contribution made by the Jewish communities to the development of Romania will always be a priority, an essential component both in the current activity of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania (FCER), and in the image projected in the public space, stated, on Friday, the deputy Silviu Vexler, who was elected for a new mandate as president of FCER, at the 5th Congress of the organisation that took place these days at the Parliament Palace.

"I had and have an unshakable faith in the future of the Jewish Communities, complemented by respect for their past and present. I am grateful to the Jewish Communities for supporting my candidacy and to all of the delegates from the country for their involvement and effort, for their advice, for their vote of confidence. In the current mandate, we managed to achieve extraordinary things and find solutions to difficulties that seemed insurmountable. Yes, sometimes we had a chance to turn dreams into reality," emphasized the president of FCER, in a post on Facebook.

He mentioned that one of the main goals of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania is to ensure that no Jew is alone. According to him, one of the most important missions of the FCER in the near future is to ensure that religious life can take place without problems and to encourage it at every step.

Vexler also gave assurances that social-medical assistance and support to Holocaust survivors, fundamental pillars of FCER's activity, will benefit from the necessary resources, attention and involvement to operate without difficulties, but above all, to be improved and expanded

"FCER must support in every possible way the common projects, the ties between Romania and the State of Israel, must find ways to promote the values and traditions of the State of Israel in Romania and of Romania in the State of Israel, along with what Israel means to Jews throughout the world. The preservation and enhancement of the Jewish heritage, the promotion of the history, the values and the contribution made by the Jewish Communities to the development of Romania will always be a priority, an essential component both in the current activity of FCER and in the image projected in the public space. Education, the foundation of any measures to prevent and combat anti-Semitism, will be a determined factor in supporting, by FCER, any positive steps in this regard," added the deputy.

Silviu Vexler highlighted that, although a special effort will be necessary, Jewish life in Romania has a beautiful future and a very special chance in Romania.

"In a nutshell: I want us together to rediscover and develop everything that means Jewish life and culture. To be able to share it with those who want to know us. Today, for all the Jews in Romania, the Jewish Communities are at home. For the whole society, our door is always open. 'Let me remain an optimist. Let me remain a dreamer of my people!' (Shimon Peres) Shabbat Shalom!" the FCER president said.
A key innovative service provided at no charge by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri is helping aspiring low-income entrepreneurs gain the knowledge and resources needed to succeed.

Entrepreneur Shelby Farr launched and expanded Shelby Marie Luxury Fragrance Bar with support from the CED Microenterprise Program at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri.

Legal Services lawyers help with questions, such as: how do I incorporate, how do I sign a lease, how do I handle employee agreements, and how do I trademark my brand name, explained Marlene Elliott, LSEM managing attorney, CED Microenterprise Program.

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri has provided free civil legal help for low-income families for 65 years. In 2021, more than 37,000 people in 21 counties of eastern Missouri received assistance from four regional offices. The program to help low-income entrepreneurs started in 2011.

Farr participated in the program and recently expanded to a new location. Farrs initial space could hold about 20 people. Her new space accommodates nearly 45 people indoors and features a patio for about 40 customers.

The CED Microenterprise Program helps clients understand core legal needs for the success and expansion of their business.

The Luxury Fragrance Bar offers customers a sophisticated and personalized experience to create their signature fragrance. It provides high-quality fragrance oils, expert guidance from a Master Fragrance Designer, and a customized process to create the perfect blend.

We emphasize providing a luxurious and memorable journey for every customer. If a desired time is unavailable on the day you choose, join our waitlist and we will work to accommodate you, said Farr.

LSEM has seen a surge of interest in people wanting to start their businesses. The CED Microenterprise Program provides the necessary support for them to flourish. Farr got acquainted with Elliot through The Better Family Life Business program, she came to speak with our class about the Attorney Services.

Elliot joined in March 2018 as a staff attorney and became the manager in October 2022 she describes the work she is doing to help others as really great. The attorney wears multiple hats, she assists in community outreach, fundraising for the microenterprise program, and lastly shes a connector. Even if we cant help people with what they need. We try to get them the proper services they need, said Elliot.

Many low-income entrepreneurs start with a small pot of money. According to Elliot, their financial hardships can put a strain on if they can pay rent, their mortgage, utilities, and other expenses.  Its not easy to get access to a business loan or assistance to help start up a business, she said.

Marlene has helped my business in many ways, she is currently helping me get my trademark. She had read over past business leases and created contracts for me, said Farr.

I love seeing her business grow, said Elliot.

Some entrepreneurs who joined the program needed assistance in legal advice, getting their products patented, or just networking and being connected to the right people.  We try to level the playing field, said Elliot. She added, Information can be free, and Im getting that information to the people who dont have access to it.

Elliot has partnered with the Small Business Development Corporation, Urban League, Better Family Life, Veteran Business Resource Center, and St. Louis County Library. These partnerships help entrepreneurs in getting small business loans and mentoring.

For more information, visit www.lsem.org

Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.
ST. LOUIS  A man was killed early Friday when he drove his car into a home in the city's Walnut Park East neighborhood.

Officers were called about 1:15 a.m. to Theodore and Plover avenues, police said.

Lester White, 36, was driving a Ford Explorer south on Theodore when he veered off the road and hit a house on Plover, police said.

He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

No one else was injured in the crash, police said.
WENTZVILLE  Reactions to outgoing Wentzville Superintendent Danielle Tormalas $1 million buyout were mixed Thursday, including at least one board member expressing frustration with the amount.

While I am not happy about the amount of money involved in the separation agreement, Im very hopeful, and I feel positive about the new leadership in central office, said Jen Olson, board member for Wentzville schools.

Tormala will receive more than four times her salary from the 2022-23 school year  $235,000  during the next three months as part of her separation agreement with the Wentzville School District.

In all, with the district buying out the last three years of her contract plus sick days, she will receive $1,027,558.

Tormala announced her immediate sabbatical and retirement last Friday with mixed emotions, saying the decision was made collaboratively with the board of education.

This role has challenged me and allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, Tormala wrote in an email announcing her departure. I am grateful for the opportunity to have served alongside such a dedicated staff, and am confident that the administrative team will continue to lead the district well in my absence.

Tormalas departure comes after a little less than two years on the job  a tumultuous tenure mired by political conflicts and culture wars.

Tormala, 47, declined to comment Thursday.

Rumors about the superintendents departure swirled during the past week, including speculation that it was related to the districts divided board. Tormala was often at odds with the conservative minority on the board, including Olson and Renee Henke, who were elected last year.

Last fall, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey sued the district after Olson, Henke and fellow board member David Lewis alleged school officials held policy conversations about bathroom use for transgender students in defiance of Missouris open records law.

Henke said Thursday that a lot of the rumors surrounding Tormalas departure are untrue. She declined to comment further but said the districts co-interim superintendents, Jeri LaBrot and Brian Bishop, are doing a great job.

Olson described the leadership change as night and day.

Theyve been extremely helpful, accessible, Olson said. Theyve changed the atmosphere overnight.

But many in the district dont view Tormalas departure as a positive.

Tormala was Wentzvilles first woman superintendent and, according to a recommendation letter by former board President Shannon Stolle, boosted the districts assessment scores across all content areas, increased staff salaries and provided new programming for the districts youngest and most fragile students.

I, for one, am very sad, parent Claudia Jenkins said. She consistently tried to move the district forward, but she was met with so much resistance.

Katie Hubbard, whose children go to Wentzville schools, said Tormala tried to rid the district of negativity even while she faced harassment.

It is really unfortunate that our district and society have turned to toxic culture wars, Hubbard said. People are constantly trying to one-up each other on fringe, manufactured fear tactics.
JEFFERSON CITY  Planned Parenthood is seeking a second opinion after the St. Louis Circuit Court last week ordered the organization to turn over certain transgender care records to the Missouri attorney generals office.

Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri on Friday filed a notice of appeal in the case.

Last week, Circuit Judge Michael Stelzer ruled Attorney General Andrew Bailey was entitled to records not protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the federal law known as HIPAA that protects patient privacy.

Richard Muniz, interim president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, accused Bailey, a Republican of weaponizing the attorney generals office for a political campaign targeting the states most vulnerable rather than work to promote the health and rights of transgender and gender-expansive Missourians.

Were asking the court of appeals to put a halt to Baileys pretextual and lawless investigation, because Missourians should not have to live in fear of having their essential and lifesaving care dismantled  or their private health information scrutinized by politicians, he said in a statement.

Planned Parenthood remains committed to ensuring the rights to privacy and health care are protected, Muniz said. When we said we wont back down from this sham investigation, we meant it.

In response, Bailey said in a statement Friday, Its extremely questionable that Planned Parenthood is actively stonewalling our investigations. If we have to continue to go to court to protect children to uncover what went on here, thats exactly what well do.

Planned Parenthood initially sued over the civil investigative demand in March 2023.

The attorney general said at the time the demand came after finding out that the clinic deviated from standard care practices by providing life-altering gender transition drugs to children without any therapy assessment, spokeswoman Madeline Sieren said then, the Associated Press reported.

The court last Thursday said Baileys civil investigative demand arose out of the attorney generals investigation of the Washington University Pediatric Transgender Center and contained 54 separate requests and 15 subparts.

Stelzer said the attorney generals office had broad powers to investigate consumer protection cases.

The Defendant is investigating possible dishonesty by Plaintiff in their medical and billing practices, Stelzer said.

Among records demanded by the state, the attorney generals office wants all documents containing operating policies and standards of care for clients, and demands Planned Parenthood describe in detail what you understand to be the standard of care for Clients identifying as transgender.

Bailey launched an investigation of the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Childrens Hospital last year after a former case manager there, Jamie Reed, contacted the state alleging children received puberty blockers and hormone therapies without proper screening or parental consent.

A lawsuit Washington University filed in December said the attorney generals office issued civil investigative demands to the university as well as to two staff members.

Washington University is seeking to modify state demands in St. Louis Circuit Court. That case was still pending Friday.
NEW YORK  The final jurors were seated Friday in Donald Trumps hush money trial, and an appellate judge rejected the former presidents latest bid to halt the case as a hectic day in court set the stage for opening statements to begin Monday.

The panel of New Yorkers who will decide the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president took final shape after lawyers spent days quizzing dozens of potential jurors on whether they can impartially judge Trump in the city where he built his real estate empire before being elected in 2016.

The trial thrusts Trump's legal problems into the heart of his hotly contested race against President Joe Biden, with Trump's opponent likely to seize on unflattering and salacious testimony to make the case that the presumptive Republican nominee is unfit to return as commander in chief.

Trump, meanwhile, is using the prosecution as a political rallying cry, casting himself as a victim while juggling his dual role as criminal defendant and presidential candidate.

Judge Juan Merchan said lawyers will present opening statements Monday morning before prosecutors begin laying out their case alleging a scheme to cover up negative stories Trump feared would hurt his 2016 campaign. He has pleaded not guilty and says the stories were false.

Despite the failure of repeated previous attempts to delay the trial, a Trump attorney was in an appeals court hours after the jury was seated, arguing that Merchan rushed through jury selection and that Trump cannot get a fair trial in Manhattan.

To think an impartial jury could be found in that period of time, I would respectfully submit, is untenable, attorney Clifford Robert said.

Justice Marsha Michael denied the request just minutes after a brief hearing.

Back in the trial court, Merchan expressed frustration as Trump's lawyers pressed to revisit a litany of pretrial rulings.

At some point, you need to accept the court's rulings, Merchan said. "Theres nothing else to clarify. Theres nothing else to reargue. Were going to have opening statements on Monday morning. This trial is starting.

Just after the jury was seated, emergency crews responded to a park outside the courthouse, where a man had set himself on fire. The man took out pamphlets espousing conspiracy theories and spread them around the park before dousing himself in a flammable substance and setting himself aflame, officials said. He was in critical condition Friday afternoon.

Trump has spent the week sitting quietly in the courtroom as lawyers pressed potential jurors on their views about him in a search for any bias that would preclude them from hearing the case. During breaks in the proceedings, he has railed against the case on social media or to TV cameras in the hallway, calling it a politically motivated witch hunt.

"This Trial is a Long, Rigged, Endurance Contest, dealing with Nasty, Crooked People, who want to DESTROY OUR COUNTRY, he wrote Friday on social media.

Over five days of jury selection, dozens of people were dismissed from the jury pool after saying they didn't believe they could be fair. Others expressed anxiety about having to decide such a consequential case with outsized media attention, even though the judge has ruled that jurors' names will be known only to prosecutors, Trump and their legal teams.

One woman who had been chosen to serve on the jury was dismissed Thursday after she raised concerns over messages she said she got from friends and family when aspects of her identity became public. On Friday, another woman broke down in tears while being questioned by a prosecutor about her ability to decide the case based only on evidence presented in court.

I feel so nervous and anxious right now, the woman said. Im so sorry. I wouldnt want someone who feels like this to judge my case either. I dont want to waste the courts time.

As more potential jurors were questioned Friday, Trump appeared to lean over at the defense table, scribbling on some papers and exchanging notes with one of his lawyers. He occasionally perked up and gazed at the jury box, including when one would-be juror said he had volunteered in a get out the vote effort for Hillary Clintons campaign. That man was later excused.

Trump spoke to reporters before Friday's proceedings got underway, lambasting a gag order that prosecutors have accused him of violating. Merchan has scheduled arguments for next week on prosecutors' request to hold Trump in contempt of court and fine him for social media posts they say defy limits on what he can say about potential witnesses.

The gag order has to come off. People are allowed to speak about me, and I have a gag order, Trump said.

Merchan also heard arguments Friday on prosecutors' request to bring up Trumps prior legal entanglements if he takes the witness stand in the hush money case. Trump has said he wants to testify, but he is not required to and can always change his mind.

Manhattan prosecutors have said they want to question Trump about, among other cases, his recent civil fraud trial that resulted in a $454 million judgment after a judge found Trump had lied about his wealth for years. He is appealing that verdict. Merchan said he would rule on the matter in the coming days.

The trial centers on a $130,000 payment that Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer and personal fixer, made to porn actor Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump from becoming public in the final days of the 2016 race.

Prosecutors say Trump obscured the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 and is expected to be a star witness for the prosecution.

Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and his lawyers argue that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He could get up to four years in prison if convicted, though its not clear that the judge would opt to put him behind bars. Trump would almost certainly appeal any conviction.

Trump is involved in four criminal cases, but its not clear that any others will reach trial before the November election. Appeals and legal wrangling have caused delays in the other three cases charging Trump with plotting to overturn the 2020 election results and with illegally hoarding classified documents.

Where each Trump case stands Classified documents case Election interference Hush-money scheme Georgia election indictment Arizona election indictment Civil cases
A group of Portland residents is hoping the U.S. Supreme Court sides with Grants Pass and allows cities to cite homeless residents for sleeping on public property, especially on sidewalks.

They filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court as it contemplates next week whether it's cruel and unusual punishment to criminally cite folks for sleeping outside when they have nowhere else to rest.

A lower court ruling on the matter, the Portland residents claim, is making it next to impossible for people with disabilities to navigate their own city safely.

A Place to Sleep, episode 7: Grants Pass It's a community that openly heckles  and worse  its homeless neighbors, many who have deep roots. And it may have a date with the Supreme Court.

They join a wide collection of briefs urging the court to overturn the City of Grants Pass v. Johnson decision, arguing the ruling has hampered the ability of local governments to manage growing unsheltered populations living in public spaces.

For 10 Portland residents, many with disabilities who use wheelchairs or electric scooters to get around, the ruling also has prevented the city of Portland from honoring a settlement they reached two years ago, following a federal class-action lawsuit.

The Portland residents filed suit in 2022, claiming the city violated the federal Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to keep sidewalks clear of tents.

The city settled in 2023, but the 10 plaintiffs are now arguing rulings from the Ninth Circuit Court, stemming from 2018 cases in Boise, Idaho and in Grants Pass, are preventing Portland from effectively clearing campsites from sidewalks.

For context, those Ninth Circuit rulings, while allowing local governments to prohibit tents in public spaces, found measures that criminalize unhoused populations for sleeping outside, like issuing citations and fines, violated the Eighth Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

This time, legal action came from a group of unhoused residents, claiming the city's ban violated the states constitution and Oregon law by subjecting those who are involuntarily homeless to unreasonable punishments.

The city has since dropped that proposed daytime ban, according to OregonLive, and is working on a new, less-restrictive camping ordinance.

For the original 10 plaintiffs in Portland, the Ninth Circuit has helped make traversing downtown and other neighborhoods a risky proposition for those with disabilities.

In their brief, the 10, who range from a recent 23-year-old college graduate to an 83-year-old Navy veteran, shared their experiences trying to safely move along sidewalks blocked by tents and other debris.

All 10, including a caregiver, said theyve had to venture into city streets to get around encampments, according to the brief.

Additionally, all said theyve felt unsafe, faced harassment and, in some cases, assault, from people living in those areas. In one example, 64-year-old Portland resident Barbara Jacobsen, who uses an electric wheelchair, claimed shed once been Maced by campers.

Nearly a year after reaching a settlement, many of the citys sidewalks remain blocked, according to the brief.

Catch up with all of our Oregon homeless coverage:
Examples of true statesmanship are sadly rare in Congress today  and, we would argue, virtually non-existent among the faction of hard-right House Republicans known as the Freedom Caucus, which has been throwing sand in the gears of government since last year.

So the emergence of conservative House Speaker Mike Johnson this week as an unequivocal champion of crucial military aid to Ukraine is a welcome surprise. The Louisiana Republican is undoubtedly risking his speakership in the face of the right-wing nihilists of his own party who have, bizarrely and shamefully, sided with the Kremlin against democracy.

It is now incumbent upon House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his caucus to exhibit some statesmanship of their own by standing with Johnson  not only to approve the Ukrainian aid this weekend, but to consider helping Johnson keep his leadership post in the GOP intraparty battle expected afterward.

One of the strangest and most disturbing hallmarks of the Trump era has been the transformation of a significant portion of the Republican Party, once the most stalwart guardians against Russian aggression, into apologists and patsies for Moscow.

Russian communism is gone, but the elements that made the old Soviet Union so dangerous to the free world  an expansionist totalitarian government armed with a globe-threatening nuclear arsenal  are still there under Russian President Vladimir Putin. In some ways, in fact, the threat is greater today, with the lumbering Soviet Politburo now replaced by a single megalomaniacal strongman.

Which likely explains former president Donald Trumps long-demonstrated affinity for and deference to Putin, as a fellow power-obsessed narcissist. (At least, we hope thats the explanation, all the others being even more troubling.)

For a certain segment of the GOP, performatively mimicking even Trumps worst instincts is what passes for political principle these days. Trumps position on Putins invasion of Ukraine, like most of his positions, seems to shift with his mood, but he has been consistent in refusing to forcefully condemn the invasion and support U.S. aid efforts.

So it is that America this weekend is expected to see a spectacle that Ronald Reagan would have found unthinkable (and nauseating): multiple self-described conservative House Republicans fighting to stop passage of a rescue package absolutely necessary to prevent a European democracy from falling to an unprovoked Russian invasion.

Not that long ago, Johnson would have been among this crowd of pro-Putin cranks in the House. But in a remarkably principled about-face this week, he threw his support entirely behind the aid package and vowed to bring it to a vote Saturday, despite threats from his right to remove him as speaker if he carries through.

[Y]ou do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may, he said in emotional comments Wednesday night that took much of the political class by surprise.   This is a critical time right now.  Im doing here what I believe to be the right thing.

The rhetoric from the so-called Freedom Caucus has been more predictable.

Im not giving (Ukraine) a nickel today, tomorrow or next week, declared Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas.

Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., tweeted that he would oppose anything less than tying Ukraine aid to real border security  an obvious diversionary tactic, since it was this crowd that recently killed a major border-reform package at Trumps behest in order to keep the border crisis alive for the presidential campaign.

Rep. Moscow Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, bringing the crazy as always, has filed amendments to the aid package declaring that any member who supports it shall be required to conscript in the Ukrainian military.

Freedom Caucus, our foot. This is the Kremlin Caucus.

Johnson is the unlikeliest of heroes in this story. He has until now hewed to a policy of appeasement toward the radical right in his party in order to keep his seat. He used to be one of them and in some ways still is: In this space Thursday, we condemned (and still condemn) his recent pilgrimage to Mar-a-Lago to endorse Trumps vile lie of massive vote fraud by undocumented migrants.

But Johnson deserves credit for his decision to finally do whats right for American security and democracy itself, the Kremlin Caucus be damned  and he deserves the support of House Democrats. By aligning with Republicans who support Ukrainian aid, they could ensure its passage.

That in turn would likely spur the GOP hardliners to move for Johnsons ouster. Democrats in that scenario would once again be in a position to help him from across the aisle  if they so choose.

Why should they, given that Johnson still represents so much of whats wrong with todays Republican Party?

Maybe because in showing the capacity to do whats right in the face of a MAGA headwind, he has demonstrated (if belatedly) the kind of responsibility thats too rare in his conference today. That kind of responsibility deserves support, no matter which party it comes from.
April 19, 2024: Patriot has been in service since 1984 and experienced its first sustained combat in 1990, when it was used against Iraqi SCUD ballistic missiles fired at Israel and Saudi Arabia. Its success rate, 40 to 70 percent, was mediocre at best. That was largely due to the improvised modifications Iraqis made to their SCUDs to extend their range. As a result, the SCUDs tended to fall apart during the terminal (speeding down towards the target) flight phase which created unintended countermeasures. Some of the larger pieces of these modified SCUDs, like additional fuel tanks, broke away and were seen by Patriot radar as the actual missile warhead section. In some cases, non-warhead portions, like the fuel tanks carrying very toxic fuel, of the SCUD came down on military or civilian personnel on the ground. Subsequent upgrades to Patriot increased accuracy against deliberate or accidental countermeasures.

Patriot has been used against UAVs but firing a missile costing over four million dollars at homemade UAVs, as Israeli forces did a few times, isnt healthy for the economy so Israel developed cheaper solutions for UAVs.

Although initially designed to be used against manned aircraft, the Patriot did not face this threat very often and it wasnt until 2014 when Patriot downed one. An Israeli Patriot shot down a Syrian Su-24 fighter-bomber. While Patriot was originally designed for use against aircraft, most of what it has shot down have been ballistic missiles, either SCUDs or more recent Iranian and Russian designs. The UAE sent a battery to Yemen where it successfully defended major military bases from Iranian ballistic missile attacks. Arab Patriot users have developed a lot of missile crews with combat experience and that has helped attract capable recruits to air defense work, which is usually seen as less prestigious than traditional service with ground, air, and naval combat units. During 2023 Patriot Systems began operating in Ukraine, with the usual spectacular results. This was especially the case with the Ukrainians, who tended to find additional uses for many of the weapons they received from NATO countries.

Since 1970 over 10,000 Patriot missiles and 1,500 launchers have been produced. After decades of service, some were updated while others were scrapped. Patriot missiles can, with regular upgrades and refurbishment, remain in use for over 40 years. A growing number of Patriot missiles are doing just that, but many are still fired each year for training and testing. Most Patriot batteries are equipped with both longer-range GEM-T missiles for aircraft and shorter-range PAC-3 MSE ones for ballistic missiles or, if necessary, aircraft. The PAC 2 is older, cheaper, and designed to intercept manned aircraft at ranges up to 160 kilometers, while the PAC 3 is the newest and about twice as expensive (over $4 million). The Patriot system, with continued upgrades, will likely remain in production until the 2040s, though it badly needs a mobile replacement for various reasons such as attack by swarms of cheap UAVs, plus that the precise location of Patriot radars can be easily determined from orbit. Demand for Patriot missiles in Ukraine means that nearly all the older Patriot missiles are being used and the m anufacturer is working overtime to produce more missiles.

Each Patriot battery is manned by about a hundred troops and contains a radar plus four or more launchers. The launcher is designed to use both the smaller PAC 3 missile as well as the original and larger PAC 2 anti-aircraft version. A Patriot launcher can hold sixteen PAC 3 missiles versus four PAC 2s. A PAC 2 missile weighs about a ton while a PAC 3 weighs about a third of that. The PAC 3 has a shorter range that was originally 20 kilometers, but the latest version can do 35 kilometers. The larger PAC-2 can reach 160 kilometers.

Currently Patriot air defense systems are found worldwide. For example, there are 60 Patriot batteries in service in the United States. A Patriot battery includes only one fire unit (up to 8 launchers, one radar, one command post, communication, and support vehicles.

NATO members are heavy users of Patriot systems. Germany has about 10 Patriot PAC-3 batteries; The Netherlands has less than 3 Patriot PAC-3 batteries; Sweden is in the process of receiving up to 4, and currently has up to 2 Patriot PAC-3 batteries; Romania has up to 7, currently up to 4 more Patriot PAC-3 batteries are in the process of being received; Poland has 2 Patriot batteries, plans for up to 12 PAC-3 batteries; Greece has 6 Patriot PAC-2 batteries; Spain has 3 Patriot PAC-2 batteries. Japan has 24 Patriot PAC-3 batteries; South Korea has 8 Patriot PAC-3 batteries; Kuwait has 7-8 batteries (possibly 6 more in PAC-2); Qatar has 4-6 Patriot PAC-3 batteries; Saudi Arabia has 25 batteries (PAC-2 and PAC-3 together); UAE has 6-9 Patriot PAC-3 batteries, 2 more PAC-2 batteries; Israel has 4 Patriot PAC-2 batteries.

Ukraine has asked for Patriot batteries European countries sought to locate and send as many Patriot batteries as they could to Ukraine. Germany organized this effort. As of March 2024, eight Patriot batteries have arrived in Ukraine. The Ukrainians want 25 Patriot batteries and over a thousand Patriot missiles to defend military and civilian targets from Russian missile attacks. The Patriot batteries already in Ukraine have made it impossible for Russia to use their jet fighter-bombers inside Ukraine. Russia does use these aircraft from inside Russia, near the Ukrainian border, to launch glide bombs at targets inside Ukraine. These GPS guided bombs can be intercepted by a Patriot system that is within about 150 kilometers of the target.


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Idahos water supply is sufficient, with parts of northern Idaho being the exception, according to state water experts.

In an Idaho Water Supply Committee meeting April 12, water experts discussed Idahos water supply levels, highlighting that while most parts of Idaho started out the winter with weak snowfall and rain, snow in March and early April across southern Idaho brought many basins closer to normal snowpack conditions.

With the snow melting and rivers rising, irrigation supplies for farming and ranching are expected to be sufficient in southern Idaho. In places like Owyhee County, the water supply is better than average, and there is a supply for the next two years.

Erin Whorton, a water supply specialist at the Natural Resources Conservation Service, said during the meeting that wet spring conditions helped bring up water supply levels to normal, especially in the southern part of the state.

We have been either near normal or above normal for reservoir storage this year, so that is a really good part of the water supply picture, Whorton said.

But exceptions to normal reservoir levels include Mackay Reservoir, Brownlee and Lake Pend Oreille, according to the Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report.

The report also shows data from the NOAAs Climate Prediction Center, which predicts spring and summer will be warmer and drier than normal, which could impact water supply by increasing irrigation demand, changing the timing and duration of irrigation, and impacting streamflow volumes.

Grant Bell, with the U.S. Corps of Engineers, said his team started flood risk management releases in the Boise River in late March.
King was born at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, to Randall and Willa Rockhill. He grew up in nearby Renton, Wash., where he attended Sartori Grade School and Renton High School, graduating in 1959. He was an honor student, played trumpet in the band under his fathers direction, and turned out for track. In his sophomore year of high school, he met Alice Temple who later became his wife of 62 years.

King attended the University of Washington and was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity where he majored in history while playing bridge and attending ROTC. He married Alice on March 17, 1962, and then attended Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, N.J., to become a lifelong United Methodist Church (UMC) Minister. During seminary, daughter Wendelyn was born in 1964 and King served in a student church in Dingmans Ferry, Pa. In 1965, he served as associate minister at Haller Lake UMC under Larry Linnamen. Son Jason was born in 1967.

In 1968, King was assigned to the Garfield/Farmington churches in eastern Washington. This charge, off and on, extended to forty-six years. During that time King served on the Whitman County Mental Health Board, on the staff at Washington State Universitys Koinonia House, studied and taught at WSU while working on a Ph.D. in history, taught religion at University of Idaho, organized the construction of LaDow Court Assisted Living under a newly created hospital district, was associate director of Pastoral Institute, and the first director of Rural Ministries Resources (RMR) along with LIMPOP (limited population) small church ministry. He continued to play trumpet in multiple bands, was president of the Appaloosa Museum board, and performed hundreds of weddings with panache, storytelling and celebrations of love. He retired in 2004 and moved to Harvard, where he became a gentleman farmer and logger, riding Appaloosa horses and raising organic beef. King was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2015. He and Alice moved back to the Seattle area, building a house on Whidbey Island in 2016. This allowed them to be closer to family including his children and grandchildren. He died in Memory Care on Friday, March 22, 2024.
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A view of Tinian's North Field from an Air Force C-130H Hercules on Feb. 26, 2015. (Jason Robertson/U.S. Air Force)

The Air Force is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to restore the island airfield that launched the atomic bombings of Japan, according to the construction company awarded the contract.

The U.S. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency awarded Fluor, a global construction company based in Irving, Texas, a five-year, $409 million contract, the company said in an April 10 news release. The work includes laying new pavement at North Field on the island of Tinian.

The island is part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Were honored to be selected to help strengthen the U.S. Air Forces deterrence capability as part of its global mission, Tom DAgostino, president of Fluors Mission Solutions business, said in the release.

He said Flour excels at delivering timely and cost-effective solutions to some of the worlds most logistically challenged spots.

Tinian airfield is located in a complex and ever-changing environment and is closely aligned with the nations National Defense Strategy for the Indo-Pacific region, he added.

Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, then-commander of Pacific Air Forces, flagged the Tinian project in comments reported Dec. 13 by Nikkei Asia and confirmed by his command. The airfield will be reclaimed from jungle that has overgrown it since World War II, he said.

In 1945, the airfield included four 8,500-foot runways that launched B-29 Superfortress bombers against Japan. Visitors to Tinian, a U.S. territory 118 miles from Guam, can still see pits where the atomic bombs Little Boy and Fat Man were loaded onto B-29s bound for Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The North Airfield has extensive pavement underneath the overgrown jungle, Wilsbach told Nikkei.

Well be clearing that jungle out between now and summertime, he said, without providing a timeline for when the airfield will be in use.

The recently passed National Defense Authorization Act includes tens of millions of dollars for projects on Tinian.

Funding for the island includes $26 million for airfield development, $20 million for fuel tanks, $32 million for parking aprons, $46 million for cargo pad and taxiway extension and $4.7 million for a maintenance and support facility.
From left, Pfc. Joshua Smith, Ryan Walter, and Sgt. James Kurpaska, attached to 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, return a drone from a practice resupply mission at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center near Hohenfels, Germany, Oct. 20, 2023. The 101st Airborne conducted live-fire counterdrone drills in Romania in recent days, the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest announced. (Kenneth Rodriguez/U.S. Army)

The 101st Airborne Division carried out live-fire counterdrone drills in Romania, the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest announced this week on the heels of reports that commercial drones have been buzzing around a large allied air base in the country.

The paratroopers participating in the exercise at a Black Sea coastal range were able to track and destroy the drones with a combination of electronic warfare and large-caliber machine guns, the embassy said.

The embassy spotlighted the drill, which was conducted April 10 but not announced until Thursday, amid reports that multiple commercial drones have been spotted in the vicinity of Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base.

The exercise represents a continued milestone not only in the U.S.-Romanian strategic relationship, but also in Romanias deterrence posture in the volatile Black Sea region, the statement said.

The 101st Airbornes 3rd Brigade Combat Team is in Romania on a rotational mission to bolster NATOs position on its southeastern flank. The air base, positioned near the coastal city of Constanta, is a hub for U.S. forces in the country.

Multiple Romanian media outlets reported that at least two drones on Monday were seen maneuvering near the base, which is commonly referred to as MK by U.S. military personnel.

Romanian defense officials told News Romania that all measures were taken to maintain safety in the air space and that electronic warfare countermeasures were used in that effort.

Secure air space has become a top priority in Romania, where in recent weeks government officials said they found fragments of a possible Russian drone near the countrys border with Ukraine.

Russian missiles also have landed close to Romanias border during the course of the Kremlins war in Ukraine. The situation has led to a larger U.S. presence at MK and a stepped-up NATO air patrol mission there.

Meanwhile, a major expansion of MK is ongoing, with various construction and renovation projects.

In March, Romanian officials said the multibillion-dollar effort will make MK among the largest bases in Europe, eventually surpassing the size of Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Not all the projects are directly related to military missions. Schools, shops, pharmacies and a hospital for military members and their families also are in the works, Euronews Romania reported March 16.

Nicolae Cretu, the commander of the Romanian air base, told Euronews Romania that infrastructure is being developed to support an array of capabilities, including special operations and other ground force elements. Cretu did not indicate where those units might come from.

The U.S. military has about 5,000 troops in Romania operating on a rotational basis. The Pentagon has not indicated any interest in establishing a permanent force in the country.
An entrance sign to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. (U.S. Air Force)

The court-martial of an Army doctor accused of 53 counts of sexually abusing soldiers and veterans under his care has been delayed until January 2025, according to Army court records.

The start of Maj. Michael Stockins trial had been changed from Oct. 7 to Jan. 13, the Armys court website, eDocket, showed Thursday.

Michelle McCaskill, communications director for the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, which is handling the prosecution, said the Army had agreed to the new date during a pretrial hearing on Thursday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Stockin, 38, is charged with abusive sexual contact and indecent viewing of 41 male patients at Madigan Army Medical Center, the hospital at Lewis-McChord. One patient who was initially included in the case has been removed.

Dr. Michael Stockin stands in front of a Defense Health Agency display board during a 2019 event. (MDedge)

Stockin, an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, was assigned to Madigan Army Medical Center in June 2019. He enlisted in 2013 and previously was assigned to Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and deployed for five months to Iraq.

Army investigators have been looking into possible cases of abuse by Stockin during his earlier assignments. No charges have been filed from those deployments.

Robert Capovilla, a former Army lawyer representing Stockin, could not be reached Thursday for comment. The Armys eDocket showed Capovilla attended the hearing, along with other civilian and military defense attorneys.

Stockin has not entered a plea to the charges, but Capovilla has said the soldier plans to plead not guilty at the appropriate point in the proceedings.

Stockin continues to be barred from seeing patients. He has been assigned unspecified administrative duties at JBLM.

On Thursday, defense attorneys also requested the trial take place at another venue. It is scheduled now to happen at Lewis-McChord.

The judge took the motion under advisement until voir dire,  McCaskill said. This means the case proceeds as is and if a fair and impartial panel cannot be found at JBLM through the voir dire process, a change of venue may be granted at that time.

The voir dire process involves jury selection.

The judge set additional hearings for May 9 and July 9-11.
A sign at the main gate to the Camp Lejeune Marine Base outside Jacksonville, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps)

A Camp Lejeune Marine died Thursday during a training exercise near the North Carolina base, Marine Corps officials said Friday.

The Marine was a member of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and was participating in a nighttime training exercise in Carteret County, just east of Camp Lejeune in coastal North Carolina, according to the II Marine Expeditionary Force. The Marines name was not released Friday, pending the Defense Departments next-of-kin notification process, service officials said.

The deadly incident was under investigation Friday, and Marine officials declined to provide any further details about it.

The 24th MEU is a unit built of Marine Corps air, ground and logistics forces that can deploy around the globe aboard Navy ships. The unit is part of Camp Lejeunes II MEF.

Marines from the 24th MEU have spent recent days training with the Navys Wasp Amphibious Ready Group in the western Atlantic Ocean, including off North Carolinas coast, according to recent Marine and Navy social media posts.
Zushi, a popular beach near Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan, is pictured on March 22, 2024. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

YOKOSUKA, Japan  A U.S. Navy sailor accused of slamming into a group of Japanese people in a beach town near Yokosuka Naval Base identified himself afterward as Satan, a Japanese police officer testified Thursday.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Daniel Krieger, a logistics specialist assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Milius, is charged with four counts of bodily injury. He pleaded not guilty during his March 8 arraignment at Yokohama District Courts Yokosuka Branch.

Kriegers attorneys dont dispute the facts of the July 9, 2022, incident in Zushi, a beach town on Sagami Bay, said Masahiko Goto, who represents the injured parties in a separate civil suit against the sailor.

Kriegers criminal defense lawyers argue the sailor cannot bear responsibility because he was drunk at the time and suffers from a preexisting brain injury, said Goto, whose clients are demanding damages of about $136,000.

Kriegers lawyers could not be reached for comment Friday.

At the sailors criminal trial Thursday, Kanagawa Prefectural Police Officer Ryota Yogita testified Krieger at first identified himself as Satan and at varying times said he was from Colombia, China, Russia and Okinawa.

Yogita at the time worked at the Zushi Police Department and interrogated Krieger after the incident.

Krieger refused a Breathalyzer test and said he hadnt been drinking that day, Yogita testified. Krieger did not smell of alcohol but seemed to be speaking and acting strangely, the officer said.

Yogita, the lone witness Thursday, testified for about two hours. The trial is scheduled to convene again on April 25 and May 13.

Kriegers defense attorneys played more than a dozen videos from surveillance cameras on the day of the incident. Prosecutors allege Krieger ran into the group of five people from behind and knocked them down, leaving some seriously injured.

One, low-resolution video appeared to show Krieger colliding with the group on a street. Other videos show him being chased by civilians before police detained him at a train station.

All five were injured to varying degrees, according to police.

Among the most severe injuries was a 33-year-old man with multiple sprained vertebrae and a 58-year-old woman who suffered a broken upper jaw, broken nasal bone and other facial injuries.

Kanagawa police in October 2022 recommended charging Krieger with bodily injury of five individuals, but prosecutors indicted him on four, a police spokesman said at the time.

In Japan, bodily injury carries a maximum punishment of 15 years with hard labor or a fine of approximately $3,250.

Naval Forces Japan spokesman Cmdr. Paul Macapagal confirmed Kriegers rank and command but could not immediately provide other biographical details, including his hometown.

The Navy takes seriously all incidents and allegations involving misconduct of sailors, Navy civilians and family members, he said by phone Friday. We expect the highest standards of conduct for all of our Navy-affiliated personnel.
In a recent report released by GoCardless, the impact of the ongoing cost-of-living pressures on the financial stability of small and medium businesses (SMB) in Australia is brought to the forefront.

The report sheds light on how the cost-of-living crisis, among other factors, is affecting businesses nationwide. A concerning 55% of business leaders express worries about a potential increase in late-paying customers over the coming year. Compounding this concern is the revelation that half of the respondents admit to avoiding uncomfortable money discussions with their clients.

Moreover, the report emphasizes the tangible repercussions of avoiding such conversations. A staggering 86% of respondents who have chosen to circumvent money talks report experiencing negative effects. Notably, 19% of respondents estimate annual business losses ranging from $6,000 to $30,000 due to delayed payments.

Millennials are more than twice as likely as Baby Boomers to agree that theyd feel uncomfortable asking customers for Payment (42% compared to 20%), suggesting a generational gap exists regarding how business leaders operate and interact with customers.

When it comes to feeling awkward about money, millennials were also significantly overrepresented in the findings, with three in five (62%) of millennial business leaders agreeing theyd feel uncomfortable chasing customers for late payments, compared to 40% of Gen X and 36% of Baby Boomers.

Half of all millennial business leaders also agree they now find it harder to talk about money with customers than before the rise in the cost of living. 70% of millennials are also concerned the problem of late-paying customers is only set to worsen this year as the cost of living rises.

The data also reveals a gender gap in payments confidence, with 29% of women agreeing theyd feel uncomfortable asking customers for payment, this rises to almost half (46%) when it comes to chasing late payments. However, only 26% of men feel uncomfortable asking for payments and 40% share this experience chasing payments.

Stress and operating costs pushing business

Respondents who have sidestepped money conversations have reported numerous negative repercussions for businesses and their leaders, including:

A personal increase in stress for business leaders (43%)

Elevated stress levels in the workplace (37%)

Instances of late payments to their business (36%)

Financial losses incurred by their business (31%)

Conversely, businesses are now more inclined to engage in conversations about late payments with customers compared to last year due to several reasons:

Rising operating costs, heightening the urgency of payments (55%)

Realizing that customers were receptive to such conversations (44%)

Frustration over not receiving owed payments (34%)



Luke Fossett, General Manager, at GoCardless, said:Despite some optimism emerging late payments will continue to cause a cashflow crunch for already struggling SMBs in 2024  businesses need to acknowledge this and adapt quickly to stay on top, Fossett says. For those wishing to avoid more uncomfortable money conversations, there are practical solutions, such as avoiding payment options with high failure rates, automating follow-ups on unpaid invoices and offering payment methods that reduce the onus on your customers such as Direct Debit or PayTo, which automatically pull money from a customers bank account. For recurring payments, all they need to do is set up the payment once and then forget about it.

Seeking solutions to the payment nightmare

The Pursuing Payments report reveals that among those who say they would avoid talking about money with their customers, Millennials and Gen X are at least seven times as likely as Baby Boomers to admit they wouldnt know how to broach late payments with customers.Those millennials who say they are now more likely to have conversations about late payments with their customers compared to last year, were also roughly twice as likely as Gen X and Baby Boomers to reason that theyve either found an effective way to chase payments or received support or training to feel more confident to ask for late payments.

Millennials and Gen X (85% and 68%, respectively) are also more likely than Baby Boomers (51%) to be interested in introducing technology  such as automated invoicing, PayTo, or payment platforms to get paid more quickly.

GoCardless customer and owner of Melbourne-based Dukes Gym, Jonathan Quieros, was surprised to hear that 62% of his fellow Millennials are uncomfortable chasing late payments: I think it comes with experience. If youre being clear and transparent with what youre doing, then its not rude. Its just like you wouldnt go to a restaurant, eat the food and then be surprised when youre asked to pay, Quieros says. I think the reason that I feel like that is our charges are transparent, upfront, clear, and easy to understand from the very start. We try and make it so there are no options for misconceptions or misunderstandings.

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The remains of U.S. Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kenneth J. McKeeman are to be buried with full military honors in Middletown, Conn., in June. (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency)

(Tribune News Service)  The remains of a World War II soldier from Waterbury who was killed along with his entire bomber crew in 1944 have been identified and will be buried with full military honors in Middletown, a U.S. Department of Defense agency announced this week.

U.S. Army Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kenneth J. McKeeman was identified from remains exhumed from the Rhone American Cemetery in Draguignan, France, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced. McKeeman is to be buried in the State Veterans Cemetery on June 7.

In early 1944, McKeeman, 23, was assigned to the 724th Bombardment Squadron, 451st Bombardment Group, 15th Air Force in the Mediterranean and European Theater. On March 11, he was serving as a bombardier on a B-24D Liberator that took off from San Pancrazio Airfield in Italy carrying 11 crew members for a mission against Toulon on the southern coast of France.

Powered by four Pratt & Whitney engines, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator is described on the National World War II Museum site as a powerful symbol of US industrial might, with more than 18,000 produced by the wars end. The plane was a workhorse, flying faster, higher and farther than the older B-17 bombers. All heavy bomber crews, however, suffered heavy losses throughout the war. The National Museum of the United States Air Force lists more than 30,000 crew members killed, 30,000 captured, 10,000 wounded, and 8,000 planes lost.

After dropping its payload, McKeemans Liberator took a direct hit from German flak just behind the rear bomb bay, according to the DPAA.

Others flying the mission reported seeing a large burst of flame shooting through the damaged Liberators waist windows before the aircraft fell out of control and broke in half, the agency reported. The two sections of the plane fell into the water. Witnesses reported seeing no parachutes before the crash and believed that there were no survivors.

German forces in the area found the crash site near Cape Cepet and recovered several sets of remains, which were then interred in the Lagoubran Cemetery in France. Beginning in 1945, the American Graves Registration Command exhumed 25 graves from the cemetery. Among the recovered remains were some of McKeemans fellow crewmen and four unknowns. The remains of the unknown service members ultimately were interred in Rhone American Cemetery.

DPAA historians and American Battle Monuments Commission personnel exhumed remains identified as X-85 in 2019 and transferred them to the agencys laboratory. Scientists identified McKeeman in part through mitochondrial DNA analysis, the agency said.

McKeeman was born in Waterbury, graduated from Wilby High School and entered service in 1942, according to news articles at the time of his death. He left a wife, Dolores Gorman McKeeman, whom his nephew said he married while on furlough; five brothers, two of whom were serving in the war; and two sisters, according to the Waterbury newspapers. A Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury upon news of his death.

McKeemans nephew, Michael McKeeman of Litchfield, said he and other family members plan to attend the funeral. McKeeman, 72, said he and two female cousins provided DNA to help researchers identify his uncles remains. Michael McKeemans father, William McKeeman, served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during the war, and his uncle Robert served in Europe. He said his father and uncle did not talk much about the war or their brothers death, so he has learned much in the identification process. McKeeman said he is thankful to the Department of Defense researchers.

The resources and commitment theyve given to this are beyond remarkable, he said.

Kenneth McKeemans name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Rhone American Cemetery, along with others still missing from World War II. A rosette will be placed next to his name to show he has been accounted for, the DPAA said.

For more information on the Defense Departments mission to account for Americans who went missing while serving, people can visit www.dpaa.mil.

(c)2024 Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.

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(Kim Ki Sam/Stars and Stripes)

Fifty miles north of Seoul, South Korea, October 1959: Republic of Korea House Speaker Ki Poong Lee is briefed by Lt. Gen. Jae Hung Yu, First Republic of Korea Army commander on Operation Killing Zone. The exercise deployed 50,000 troops in a maneuver conducted under simulated atomic conditions.

Held 50 miles north of Seoul, it was a test of combat effectiveness during a chemical, biological and radiological war. The operation included mobile, attack and defense operations. Elements of the ROK Air Force and U.S. Armys 4th Missile Command acted as supporting units.

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This large mosaic showing Saddam Hussein in the town of Umm Qasr, Iraq, on March 30, 2003, following the U.S.-led coalition's invasion of the country. (Matthew R. Jones/U.S. Marine Corps) ()

In late 2002, Saddam Hussein seemed more concerned with writing novels than the prospects of an American invasion of Iraq.

Saddam in this pivotal period thought the U.S. knew he had no weapons of mass destruction, Steve Coll writes in the new book The Achilles Trap.

While hostile to weapons inspectors and defiant on the world stage, he thought so highly of the CIAs abilities that he believed the intelligence agency could see through his bluff. He didnt even bother to come up with a defense plan for the coalition invasion until December 2002.

The March 2003 toppled Saddam but found no weapons of mass destruction. The decision to invade led to the deaths of more than 3,500 American troops in combat, the Pentagons casualty tally said. Other consequences included the deaths of more than 110,000 Iraqi civilians in the violence between the invasion and 2009, an Associated Press report from that time said, with other estimates putting the toll much higher.

The book offers a look into the mind of a dictator that Western leaders failed to understand. Coll researched the book using hundreds of hours of tape recordings from Saddams meetings, as the dictator lectured his subordinates. The two-time Pulitzer Prize winner sued the Pentagon for access to the tapes, which had been seized by U.S. forces. The book also draws from more than 100 interviews.

While the books aim is to understand Saddam, it doesnt sanitize his brutality. There is a horrific section on the 1988 Anfal campaign to execute thousands of Kurdish civilians. Other chapters detail Iraqs use of chemical weapons, and the indefinite detentions and torture imposed by the secret police.

Coll describes Saddams introduction to U.S. foreign policy through the lens of his cooperation with the CIA during the 1980s. The CIA under Ronald Reagan came to Baghdad offering maps and other forms of military intelligence to help Iraq in its war against Iran.

Saddam did not trust this information and said that the U.S. must be secretly in league with his enemies, Iran and Israel. And his suspicions would be proven right. The U.S. was indeed sending arms to Iran, with Israeli help, in a scandal that would become known as the Iran-Contra Affair.

Saddam would refer to this incident for years afterward, and how it confirmed his views of the U.S. and the CIA as not to be trusted.

The CIAs role in Iraq forms much of the American narrative in The Achilles Trap. Iraqs defeat in the first Gulf War exposed Saddams covert nuclear-weapons program. Much of the first half of the book is about this effort, told through the story of Jafar Dhia Jafar, the would-be Oppenheimer of Iraq.

The CIA was humiliated as the nuclear program was far more advanced than they anticipated, which fed into their distrust of any of Saddams claims regarding weapons of mass destruction.

Coll writes that Iraqs biological, chemical and nuclear arms programs were indeed destroyed after the Gulf War. But Saddam publicly remained cagey about them. Some of the reasons given are not surprising: he feared his enemies in Iran, Israel and internally would take advantage of him, and his own pride would suffer in any public admission of destroying these weapons.

But the book offers another reason. Saddam seemed to be infected with a cynicism that comes from seeing ones conspiracy theories turn out to be real. He believed the U.S. was arming Kurdish groups against him and was trying to recruit his generals to overthrow him, and he was right. Saddam thought international weapons inspectors were working with the CIA, and he was right, as the book details.

The dictator would tell people that the CIA knew he didnt have weapons of mass destruction, and the weapons inspections were all a game, with the real goal being his head. Statements by the U.S. saying sanctions would not go away even if Iraq complied with inspections seemed to confirm this thought.

The idea of the CIA making an analytical mistake on the scale of its error about Iraqs weapons of mass destruction was not part of Saddams worldview, Coll writes.

Saddam attributed to malice what The Achilles Trap attributes to incompetence. Coll has said he does not believe in conspiracy theories that the U.S. knew Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction before invading Iraq. The books final chapters describe U.S. marching toward war based on a mistake formed out of confirmation bias and an inability to understand Saddams intentions.

By the end of The Achilles Trap, readers are confronted with the unsettling reality of a mad despot whose actions might have been more rational than they appeared, juxtaposed against an America whose foreign policy often validated the ideas of its adversaries.

The Achilles Trap by Steve Coll is available in hardcover and e-book at most major book retailers.
Emblem of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army Strategic Support Force. (WikiMedia Commons)

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered what amounts to the biggest reorganization of the nations military since 2015 in a move that affects the force in charge of capabilities including cyber warfare.

China will terminate the Strategic Support Force, which was created more than eight years ago to enhance capabilities in space, cyber, political and electronic warfare, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Friday.

Xi is in turn creating a new branch called the Information Support Force. The aerospace and cyber units previously under the Strategic Support Force will now be organizationally parallel to the newly created Information Support Force, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Reiterating the Communist Partys leadership over the army, Xi said that the new force will provide key support in coordinating the construction and utilization of the cyber information system.

Li Wei, the political commissar from the now-defunct Strategic Support Force, will take that same role with the Information Support Force. He pledged to resolutely listen to Xis instruction. The new commander of the Information Support Force is Bi Yi, state television CCTV reported.

The previous commander of the Strategic Support Force was Ju Qiansheng, whose disappearance had spurred speculation of being linked to the broader turmoil in Chinas military leadership thats unfolded over the past year. While Ju has recently resurfaced, state media hasnt made clear his current position.

The restructuring comes as the worlds second-largest economy faces off with the US in a fight for global sway, with cyber warfare emerging as a key battleground. The US, UK and New Zealand accused China last month of sponsoring malicious cyber activity in targeting democratic institutions.

The latest revamp follows a sweeping purge by Xi of the military establishment last year. US intelligence experts viewed that move as a response to the discovery of widespread corruption in the military, including in the Rocket Force, which manages the countrys expanding nuclear arsenal.

Former Defense Minister Li Shangfu was ousted from his role without explanation in October. China named Dong Jun, a navy veteran, as the new defense chief in December.
Japanese police suspect a U.S. Marine of attempting to rob this Lawson convenience store in Ginowan, Okinawa, April 18, 2024. (Keishi Koja/Stars and Stripes)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  Japanese police have arrested a U.S. Marine on suspicion of attempted assault and robbery of a convenience store on Okinawa.

Lance Cpl. Andrew Torres, 20, was taken into custody just after 1 a.m. Thursday in the parking lot of a Lawson in the Nodake district of Ginowan city, an Okinawa prefectural police spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday.

Torres is assigned to III Marine Logistics Group at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, a spokesman for the group, Chief Warrant Officer William Faffler, said by email Friday.

Police said a man in black pants and a black hooded sweatshirt carried a knife into the store between 12:53 a.m. and 1:03 a.m., went behind the counter and attempted to open the cash register.

The store clerk, a man in his 20s, was in the back office when, through a security camera, he saw the hooded man at the register, the police spokesman said. The clerk ran from the store and called police from his cellphone.

Police soon arrived and stopped Torres, who was in the parking lot running from the store, the spokesman said.

Torres had no money from the register, and no damages or injuries were reported, the spokesman said. No customers were in the store at the time.

Torres was still being held Friday, the spokesman said.

Some government officials in Japan may speak to media only on condition of anonymity.

Police are investigating a possible connection between this incident and another convenience store robbery in Ginowan on April 3, the spokesman said. In that case, the robber threatened the store clerk with a knife and stole about $840 worth of yen.

We are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities for the investigation. Due to this ongoing investigation, no further information is available at this time, Faffler said.

The police spokesman said Torres case would go to prosecutors Friday. Under the Japanese judicial system, prosecutors, not police, decide whether to file charges.

III Marine Expeditionary Force remains committed to fostering positive relationships with our local community, and the vast majority of Marines and Sailors assigned to III MEF uphold our values of honor and respect in an exemplary manner, Faffler said. Those who do not are held accountable.
Slow demand for EVs sees the Il Faldo parking lot near Italys port of Livorno fill up, on March 29, 2024. (Francesco Peccioli/Bloomberg)

Europes falling electric-vehicle sales are painful proof the market isnt ready to stand on its own, putting governments on notice for more support until affordable EVs become a reality.

The glut is clogging up ports and factories are cutting production - a red flag for the regions climate goals and risk of more job cuts after Tesla Inc.s mass layoffs this week.

Without subsidies, EVs are still too expensive for many drivers. Insurance and repairs are more expensive than for combustion-engine cars, and many would-be customers continue to bristle at limited charging infrastructure. At the same time, rapid technological advances and Teslas price war are causing resale values to plummet, wreaking havoc on ownership costs.

We are losing momentum, said Mattias Bergman, chief executive officer of auto industry group Mobility Sweden, where sales slumped by nearly a fifth during the first quarter. The market is no longer growing, and the share of electric cars in the market is actually decreasing.

For the industry, its too late to turn back. Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and other carmakers have invested billions and are now grappling with building out new lineups even as demand weakens. Last month, sales in Europe declined 11% from a year ago, helping tip the broader market into reverse, as Germany, Sweden and Italy saw EV declines of around 30%.

Changes in incentives have been a trigger for the reversal. Germany, looking for savings during an unprecedented budget crisis, yanked its popular subsidy program suddenly late last year, causing EV sales to halve in December. In Sweden, among the most advanced EV markets in Europe with 39% of new vehicles sold last year being battery-powered, the government ended an incentive and then lowered fuel taxes, making combustion-engine cars cheaper by comparison.

People just dont earn enough to buy these cars, said Laurent Favre, CEO of French auto-part supplier OPmobility. Theres a gap between supply and demand and its normal that the subsidies wont last forever. Reality is catching up with us.

Governments are starting to be more selective with their subsidies. Italy is considering grants of as much as 13,750 ($14,650) on EV purchases for low-income families who trade in decades-old cars. In France, President Emmanuel Macrons cut-price EV leasing contracts for poorer households have been wildly popular.

In the UK, the House of Lords in February said it was premature for the country to end a plug-in grant for private buyers in 2022. Since then, EV sales have flatlined as a share of overall new car purchases. New targeted grants should be reconsidered, the report said.

The grants were lifted too early, said Andy Palmer, interim CEO of charging company Pod Point and former head of Aston Martin. Consumers are reluctant to spend comparatively more on an EV, he said, especially when the charging infrastructure is lagging. If you want to speed up adoption, youve got to reduce the cost of the cars. Youve got to put cars in that $20,000 to $30,000 bracket.

Months into owning a Mercedes EQB, Naeem Badiuzzaman in Milton Keynes, England, says hes ready to trade in the vehicle, which he acquired with the help of a company incentive program. A dearth of charging stations has meant regular 45-minute waits, and even medium-distance trips required him to stop and top up his battery. When his two-year lease ends, Badiuzzaman plans to switch to a hybrid.

I would currently not recommend an EV to my family or friends, he said. For the price of an entry level electric vehicle, you have wide range of slightly more premium petrol cars.

Sentiments like his are a bad omen for Europes ambition to phase out sales of new combustion-engine cars by 2035. Carmakers have begun lobbying for a softening or delaying of that plan, and an easing of interim benchmarks theyre supposed to hit along the way.

The shift to EVs has become highly politicized, and ill-conceived measures can backfire. Frances yellow vest protests in 2018 over increased fuel taxes brought the country to a standstill. In the UK, Londons extension of the citys Ultra Low Emission Zone has brought about vandalism.

Germanys far-right AfD party has denounced a forced shift away from combustion-engine cars, and the issue could feature prominently in upcoming elections in September in the states of Thuringia, Brandenburg and Saxony, where the AfD is leading in polls.

Consumers in Europe are lost right now as governments change the rules for EV subsidies too often, Alexandre Marian, partner and managing director at consultancy AlixPartners. What is badly needed is some continuity in the rules in the run-up to 2035.

With assistance from Wilfried Eckl-Dorna, Rafaela Lindeberg, Jamie Nimmo, Anthony Palazzo and Monica Raymunt.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi attends a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on Dec. 7, 2023. (Pavel Bednyakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool )

Earlier this month, Kamleh Al-Yaseeni was supposed to accompany a friend to a hospice for the elderly in Damascus where they both volunteered, but she changed her mind to stay home with her disabled son, friends and neighbors said. It was a decision that would cost both their lives.

The Syrian family died in an airstrike on the three-story building they lived in that also took out high-ranking Iranian military leaders responsible for conducting proxy operations in Syria and Lebanon. Israel neither confirmed nor denied the strike, but the attack was cited by Tehran as the reason for last weekends missile-and-drone barrage, Irans first direct assault on the Jewish state.

With US officials saying that Israel carried out retaliatory strikes on Iran early Friday, the world is waiting to see whether more is to come or if the spiral of direct reciprocal actions stops here. What is clear is that a central component of Tehrans arsenal yet to be fully deployed is its proxy forces in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, ready to take on a more prominent role if called upon.

What Tehran calls its axis of resistance has been a central focus of Israels military, which has made great efforts to hunt them down - as seen in Damascus and elsewhere. Yet analysts agree their capabilities persist and Irans proxy forces could still extract a high cost, ratcheting up the conflict at an increasingly parlous time for the broader Middle East.

The greater the threat the more the axis is likely to respond forcefully and aggressively and in a coordinated manner, said Dina Esfandiary, senior advisor on Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group in London.

After Fridays strike, Tehran will have to rely on its proxies as much as possible in order to keep the situation manageable, she said. But miscalculation is possible and unpredictable in that scenario.

Regardless of how any further direct confrontation between Iran and Israel plays out, Tehran is likely to lean more on its proxies to try to the keep the conflict away from its territory, while Israel will surely continue to go after the threats at its borders. Above all that means Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia and political movement that is Tehrans most important regional proxy force.

Early on Friday, Syrias Defense Ministry said that Israeli missiles struck its aerial defenses in the south, causing only material damage. There was no comment from Israel, but it is no secret that operatives from Iran and Hezbollah are embedded in Syrian army units there, making them frequent targets for Israel.

The April 1 strike on the Damascus building was certainly a blow to both Iran and Hezbollah and a trigger for what many still fear: all-out war between Iran and Israel.

Al-Yaseeni, the widow of a former Syrian diplomat in her 70s, was with her son Naji on the first floor of the building just off Mazzeh Highway, one of the Syrian capitals main thoroughfares. In the apartment directly above, Iranian military leaders responsible for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps elite Quds Force in Syria and neighboring Lebanon were holding an urgent meeting, according to people briefed about events on the ground.

The Iranian embassy had been set to move to a new apartment compound further down the same road where two siblings of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad own properties, the people said.

In the meantime, the embassy had been renting apartments on the second and third floors as residences for the ambassador and the consul. General Mohammad-Reza Zahedi, his deputy General Mohammad-Hadi Haji Rahimi and the five other Iranian officers killed felt it was the safest place in Damascus since a previous Israeli strike took out a senior Iranian officer in Syria in December, according to the people.

Drones, missiles

It was Irans greatest loss since the US assassinated Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq four years ago, and a huge setback for Hezbollah. In an April 8 televised eulogy that lasted nearly an hour, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah hailed Zahedi, and said he was working night and day to serve this resistance and advance its capabilities.

After publicly warning that a response was coming, Iran retaliated for Zahedis death by firing nearly 300 drones and missiles at Israel, almost all of which were intercepted.

The question now is how far Tehran will go in the confrontation and what role its proxy forces can play. Starting with Hezbollah in the 1980s, Iran has built up its network of forces and alliances in the Middle East for an all-out battle scenario with Israel. Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel and Israels subsequent invasion of Gaza is providing the pretext for both sides to look over the precipice.

The proxies have a coordinated command mechanism with Iran and could be activated on a much larger scale if theres stronger political willingness on the Iranian side to militarily engage with Israel, said Abdolrasool Divsallar, senior scholar at the Washington-based Middle East Institute.

While missile and drone launches by Iran-backed Houthi militants against ships in the Red Sea have grabbed headlines and remain a serious threat, most of Israels attention is on Hezbollah - designated a terrorist group by the US and others - which is believed to possess the most formidable arsenal of missiles among all groups and is present at Israels borders in both Lebanon and Syria.

Zahedis death and Israels killing of some 300 Hezbollah members and the almost nonstop targeting of its infrastructure and supply lines in both Lebanon and Syria since Oct. 7 have shown the groups vulnerabilities, said Lina Khatib, associate fellow at Chatham House, a London-based think tank.

Thousand cuts

Israel does not need a full-on attack to achieve its goal of crippling Hezbollah; Israel is pursuing this goal through a strategy of a thousand cuts, she said. Even so, for now Hezbollah remains far from being significantly weakened, she added.

Its an assessment shared by a Western diplomat who said that Hezbollah is still relatively active and seems untouched. Reported withdrawals of Iranian personnel in Syria could also be a sign of the Islamic Republic wanting to engage more covertly in the area to protect its supply lines to Lebanon and Hezbollah, the diplomat said, asking not to be named because of the matters sensitivity.

Four days before the strike that killed Zahedi, Israel carried out what was probably its most significant - and lethal - attack in Syria since it began targeting Iran and Hezbollahs presence in the country in 2012. It destroyed a plant near the northern city of Aleppo where warheads for missiles destined mainly for Hezbollah were being assembled, plus a depot at the citys airport used to store weapons flown in from Iran, according to people briefed on the attack. It also killed six Hezbollah operatives in their homes in Aleppo; at least 34 others were killed.

A lot of facilities have been hit but Hezbollah is still extremely capable, said Matthew Levitt, a leading expert on the group who previously directed the counterterrorism program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Following Oct. 7, Iran has demonstrated for the first time how its proxies can operate in a synchronized and calibrated manner, according to congressional testimony last month by US Central Command chief General Michael E. Kurilla. Iran has worked for decades to strategically encircle US allies in the region and is exploiting what it sees as a once in a generation opportunity to reshape the Middle East to its advantage, he said.

Dangerous game

In Iraq, one of Irans main proxy groups, Kataib Hezbollah, which had several of its members killed by the US in February in retaliation for a lethal attack on American troops in Jordan, has been threatening to engage in a more regional role in support of Iran and its allies. Earlier this month, one of its commanders vowed to flood neighboring Jordan with weapons for a march on Israel.

In Yemen, the Houthis role in the event of a sustained confrontation between Iran and Israel that could potentially draw in the US and its allies may actually exceed that of all of Irans other arms in the region, estimates Adnan Al-Gabarni, a Yemen-based researcher on the group.

The Houthis could completely shut down the Arabian and Red seas to all navigation, attack US military bases and assets in the region and launch drones and missiles at Israel along with other proxies in order to overwhelm missile defense systems there, he said.

For all Israels attacks and assassinations in Lebanon and Syria, US-UK strikes on the Houthis, and Washingtons targeting of Irans main proxies in Iraq, Irans axis of resistance retains its actual capabilities, according to the Middle East Institutes Divsallar.

How those proxies are mobilized if the need arises will be carefully calibrated by Tehran according to what Israel might hit inside Iran and the damage caused, Hezbollah expert Levitt said before Fridays reported strikes. Anything is possible, including attacks on Israeli and Western targets outside the Middle East.

Its a dangerous game, said Levitt. There are lots of different ways this can go sideways.

With assistance from Mohammed Hatem.
RMIT University researchers shared insights about how important branding through value-adding is for Vietnamese businesses' international success, as part of Vietnam National Branding Week 2024.

value by associating themselves with positive core values that resonate with their target audience.

This can be achieved through various means, such as product or service quality, corporate social responsibility, and customer experience.

RMIT Senior Lecturer in International Business Dr. Abel D. Alonso, a keynote speaker at the Vietnam National Branding Forum held on April 16, highlighted that while larger Vietnamese companies are becoming more strategic in integrating and elevating their core values in branding activities, there is room for improvement among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

According to an OECD report from 2021, SMEs represent 96% of the total stock of companies, employ 47% of the labor force, and account for 36% of national value added in Vietnam.

"The importance of SMEs in the Vietnamese economy cannot be undermined. There is huge potential to be unlocked when it comes to building strong national brands from this group of businesses," Alonso said.

(From L) RMIT lecturers Dr. Abel D. Alonso, Dr. Dang Thao Quyen, and Dr. Vu Thi Kim Oanh. Photo courtesy of RMIT

Vietnam is filled with independent producers of food, fashion, handicrafts, and niche products. Its rich natural and cultural heritage also gives rise to many SMEs in tourism and hospitality.

According to Alonso, these are just some of the industries that could benefit from value-adding branding efforts.

By providing specific case study examples, he said that branding can be done through continuous storytelling and social media exposure, emphasizing the usefulness of the products and their sentimental value.

Maintaining a strong brand presence at events and through networking activities is also an effective approach.

"Branding by 'elevating' the product to a higher level is another way. For example, a coffee producer might enhance their brand through sustainable coffee growing, farm-stay services, coffee-related tourism activities, or sharing stories about the growers," the researcher said. "If there is a rule of thumb here, it is that its important to both convey memorable experiences, images, and storytelling and follow through by offering quality consistency."

Brands can enhance their perceived value by associating themselves with positive core values that resonate with their target audience. Photo courtesy of Unsplash

RMIT Senior Program Manager for International Business, Dr. Dang Thao Quyen, also stressed the importance of quality to a brands value.

She believes that businesses should have proper investments and long-term commitments for what they want to sell on the market. To do that, they need to really listen to customers, understand the market, and constantly look for ways to innovate.

"I would encourage Vietnamese businesses to find ways to tell their stories with a Vietnamese identity to international friends. They should not just follow trends but try to create trends and lead the market, for instance, through green products, sustainable development, transparent governance, and contributing to solving inequality," Quyen said.

On sustainable development, RMIT Lecturer Dr. Vu Thi Kim Oanh said Vietnamese businesses are now pushed to enhance their brands sustainably, for example, through environmental, social, and governance (ESG) angles.

Preliminary results from a project measuring the ESG maturity level of Vietnamese enterprises conducted by the RMIT International Business research team indicate that many local companies have experienced various benefits of ESG compliance, including profile beautification, attracting investment, or persuading international clients.

Vietnam has a 100-million-strong population, and its share in the global GDP adjusted for purchasing power parity is forecast to reach a new peak of 0.97% by 2028, according to data from the International Monetary Fund.

"Along with customers' green consumption trends, branding by sustainably leveraging core values will help Vietnamese enterprises unleash the potential of not only the domestic but also global markets," Oanh said.
Immigrants from Haiti, who crossed through a gap in the U.S.-Mexico border barrier, wait in line to be processed by the U.S. Border Patrol on May 20, 2022, in Yuma, Ariz. (Mario Tama, Getty Images/TNS)

MIAMI (Tribune News Service)  Dozens of Haitians expelled from the United States were en route to Haiti on Thursday in the Department of Homeland Securitys first deportation flight since an ongoing gang insurgency forced the Biden administration to halt a flight with deportees and order the evacuation of Americans.

Haitis Office of National Migration confirmed theyve been informed by U.S. authorities to expect the arrival of 74 Haitians aboard an Immigration and Customs Enforcement flight in Cap-Haitien on Thursday. The plane, which left Alexandria, La., was scheduled to first stop in Miami before landing in the northern Haiti city.

The resumption of deportation flights to Haiti is beyond belief. At least beliefs that embrace compassion and humanity, said Tom Cartwright, an independent volunteer analyst who tracks ICE deportation flights and was the first to spot the Haiti-bound U.S. government charter.

Randolph McGrorty, executive of Catholic Legal Services in Miami, was surprised as well.

It is simply cruel to deport individuals to Haiti at this time, he said. I am very concerned that we are not following the law and our international obligations by adequately assessing asylum concerns and basic humanitarian principles.

This is the first deportation flight since Homeland Security canceled an ICE Air charter on Feb. 29, the day armed gangs led a coordinated attack on the international and domestic airports in Port-au-Prince before orchestrating the escape of more than 4,000 prisoners during a massive raid on Haitis two largest prisons. Since then the violence has continued, with armed groups burning and vandalizing schools, businesses and hospitals while trying to take over the airport and the National Palace.

Amid the attacks, the United Nations, immigration-rights advocates and others have called for a moratorium on deportations to Haiti, citing the humanitarian crisis the country faces. More than 360,000 people have had to flee their homes because of gang violence, and 5.5 million Haitians are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Just where are these deportees supposed to go? said William ONeill, the U.N.s human-rights expert on Haiti. I would just ask the United States and all countries to halt immediately all deportations to a country that cannot guarantee anyones security, where 1.5 million people are facing famine and where embassies are evacuating most of their personnel.

The U.N. has said that of the Haitians forced out of the homes by the violence over the last three years, nearly 90,000 are in Port-au-Prince, living in squalid encampments. Cholera is on the rise, and access to clean water, medications and medical care is limited. Gangs have destroyed dozens of hospitals and pharmacies and their control of roads have disrupted the flow of aid and food.

The ongoing closure of the countrys main seaport means that hospitals are running out of supplies and store shelves are increasingly bare.

In response to the crisis, the State Department warned Americans to leave and helped hundreds to evacuate via helicopters to the neighboring Dominican Republic and a charter plane from Cap-Haitien. The State Department warned U.S. citizens living outside of the northern port city of the dangers of traveling by road.

The administrations last deportation flight to Haiti was on Jan. 18. The next one, planned for Feb. 29, was canceled. In between, however, the U.S. Coast Guard has returned Haitians picked up by sea.

Jean Negot Bonheur Delva, the head of Haitis migration office, said Haitians returning on deportation flights are from all over the country and returning home means traveling through roads and neighborhoods controlled by armed gangs.

Given the ongoing crisis and the limited capacity to help those returning, he said, he has asked U.S. officials for a humanitarian reprieve on deportations.

2024 Miami Herald.

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Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Former U.S. soldier Sanda Frimpong was sentenced to over three years in federal prison for orchestrating romance scams that totaled more than $350,000. Frimpong operated the scams while stationed at Fort Liberty, N.C., the renamed Fort Bragg. (Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes)

An Army veteran will spend more than three years in prison for conning divorcees, widows and widowers out of money through an elaborate series of romance scams.

Sanda Frimpong, 33, was sentenced earlier this month in federal court in Raleigh, N.C., after pleading guilty in September to three counts of money laundering.

He was also ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution for the con jobs, which ran for more than two years while he was stationed at Fort Liberty, N.C.

Frimong laundered an estimated $357,961 through his romance scams, an amount hes now liable for as a result of his guilty pleas, according to sentencing documents.

Originally from Ghana, Frimpong became a naturalized U.S. citizen in late 2018. He held the rank of specialist and was on active duty until shortly after his arrest in 2023.

His victims included a widower from New York. Frimpong posed online as Catherine White and persuaded the man to wire $7,400 on the pretext of releasing gold from his deceased father being held in Canada, according to his February 2023 indictment.

Frimpong sent the widower photographs of the purported gold bars and a woman in handcuffs, and a counterfeit Canada Border Services Agency document.

He also pursued a divorcee on an online dating site, assuming the name Tom Tanner. He claimed that he was recently divorced and from Illinois but deployed with the Army in Afghanistan.

He asked the woman to marry him and persuaded her to send more than $100,000 to help him transfer gold and diamonds, according to his indictment.

A police photo shows Sanda Frimpong following his arrest in March 2023. (Sampson County, N.C.)

Frimpong wired the stolen money from his Navy Federal Credit Union account to an auto dealership in Ghana and to his sister, who was living in the western African country, his indictment said.

Separately, Frimpong and others conspired to fraudulently collect unemployment benefits from a fund set up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He submitted stolen identities to the federal government and received debit cards in the names of people he didnt know or who had applied for help, including at least one deceased person.

He also applied for unemployment benefits from at least 11 states, from Maine to California.

His illegal schemes began around December 2019 and continued until approximately February 2022, according to the Justice Department.
The Department of Veterans Affairs headquarters in Washington, D.C., is shown in this undated photo. (Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON  A pair of bills that aim to ease the lengthy appeals process for disability claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs would keep the same judge on cases, track delays on pending claims and immediately notify veterans about missing or incomplete forms holding up their review.

The Veterans Appeals Options Expansion Act and the Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act offer technical changes to shorten the appeals process for denied claims and decrease backlogs on benefits decisions that topped 320,000 in March, according to the sponsors of the bills.

Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., who is chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, is leading both bills, which overhaul the appeals claims process for decisions involving disability compensation and benefits.

Describing the appeals process as outdated and decaying, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is a co-sponsor of both bills. She said the intent is to end cumbersome requirements and provide much needed reforms for efficiencies in the process.

Simplifying appeals for veterans is a focus for the lawmakers as the number of claims for benefits processed exceeded a million in March.

But the VA rejects about 40% of claims filed each year, with many veterans moving to appeal.

That was the case for Navy veteran Billy Whyde, 71, who said he was informed an appeal that he filed this year for disability benefits related to central nervous system vasculitis will not be heard for three to seven years.

It is a rare disease that only two people in a million get, said Whyde, who served in Vietnam for nine months until March 1973.

Whyde, a former petty officer third class, filed an original claim in November 2022 for disability compensation related to Agent Orange exposure from his military service. But his claim was kicked back to his regional VA office in Cleveland as incomplete.

Whyde then filed a supplemental claim that was rejected in January. The claim is on appeal.

Other crew members on my ship have been granted disability for Agent Orange exposure. But they got cancer. The Agent Orange affected me differently, he said referring to his diagnosis of vasculitis, which is an autoimmune disease that attacks the blood vessels. Whyde said his disease was diagnosed from a brain biopsy.

Medical claims for disability are getting more complex, which slows down the process and leads to more delays, according to the VA.

There has been a 200% increase in the last 10 years in claims containing eight or more medical conditions for which the filer is seeking a disability rating and benefits.

The VA will alert filers when their claims are incomplete or if wrong information was provided, which can lead to a denial. But the notifications sometimes do not arrive for months after the claim was filed.

The Veterans Appeals Options Expansion Act would provide veterans with more choices to control how and when their appeal claims are processed by the VA Board of Veterans Appeals, Bost said.

Under current rules, veterans must choose whether to have a full hearing before an appeals board judge or request an administrative decision from the VA, which often takes less time.

The bill would give veterans flexibility to change how they want their appeal processed once an initial filing is made.

It also would require the VA to backdate approval for compensation for cases that had required additional information from the veteran for a review and a decision.

The bill also would require the VA to update Congress regularly on the average length of time that a claim is pending after it is sent from the appeals board back to a regional VA office for a second review.

The Veterans Benefits Administration averages 18 months to review appeals and render a decision on some parts or all of a case, according to the VA.

A veteran also may take a case to the appeals board, but the process can take five to seven years because of backlogs, according to the VA.

The Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act would enable the appeals board to aggregate cases that involve similar questions of law or fact.

Contributing to the backlog are a high number of disabilities claimed in individual filings. The number has doubled in the last five years, according to the VA, with post 9/11 veterans from conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan making up nearly half of the inventory, the VA said.

The complexity of the case, availability of medical and service records and the number of pending claims also affect the decision time.

The legislation would authorize the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to certify class actions to include veterans with claims for which no final decision has been issued.

The VA also would be required to give veterans reasons in a timely manner when a claim is deferred or placed on an internal administrative hold because of problems with the filing or incomplete information.

The legislation also would enable a claimant to get a timely explanation for a deferred or suspended claim where action is delayed.

Right now, the VA makes a mistake, and you cant hold them accountable, Whyde said.
Mother of three loses four kilograms in a month via skipping rope

Vu Dieu Thuy engages in rope skipping whenever and wherever possible, combining it with intermittent fasting following a 16:8 schedule, a regimen that led her to lose nearly four kilograms in less than a month.

Thuy, 33, has established a reputation in the realm of personal branding for Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and is celebrated as a "Hanoi hot mom" for her enchanting presence despite being a mother of three.

Noting that her current profession demands her to keep in shape, she has been garnering attention on social media platforms with her striking rope skipping videos.

Vu Dieu Thuy, 33, a mother of three. Photo courtesy of Thuy

Thuy shared that her weight had increased by five to six kilograms rapidly due to a hectic schedule and stress, which also hindered her ability to consistently attend the gym, even though she understood the significance of keeping fit.

"At first, I gave running a try, but I quickly found the sport somewhat tedious and hard to maintain over time," Thuy stated. "Then on a rainy day, I had the idea to buy a skipping rope, realizing that jumping indoors would be more convenient, allowing me to supervise my child and attend to household duties without having to leave."

Upon starting with rope skipping, Thuy committed herself to a 90-day rope skipping challenge, pushing herself to continue until she achieved her target of losing five kilograms. She found further inspiration in videos featuring rhythmic jump rope routines and visually appealing footwork on social media.

"I spent hours watching these videos and realized that this was the sport for me because I love to take on new challenges," she declared. "I also did some research and discovered that rope skipping is one of the most effective exercises for burning calories."

She admitted to not being cautious enough when starting, neglecting proper stretching and trying to jump excessively to lose weight quickly, which led to periods when her legs were so sore she could hardly walk.

The mother of three then began using a massage roller and emphasized warming up and stretching before each session. Eventually, her body adapted to the routine, and she no longer experienced pain.

"Driven by my enthusiasm for taking on new challenges, I aimed to learn a new jump or skill daily to improve more than the day before," she mentioned. "There were days when I tirelessly attempted new techniques without success, but I was determined not to give up."

After a month of rope skipping, Thuy has acquired various rope skipping methods, catered to different training objectives, such as combining jumping footwork with shuffle dance, freestyle jumping with music, or rope tossing.

Thuy has successfully lost weight by skipping rope. Photo courtesy of Thuy

Besides her daily rope skipping practice, Thuy adheres to a 16:8 intermittent fasting plan, eating two main meals and a snack in the afternoon. Her first meal is around 9 a.m., and her last meal is before 5 p.m., allowing sufficient time for her body to use energy and metabolize excess fat.

This approach ensures Thuy does not grow tired of her daily rope skipping routine.

"Whenever I find something interesting, I want to get my family and friends involved," Thuy remarked, commending rope skipping as an easy, affordable, and effective cardio exercise that she has embraced and continues to enjoy.

"I established a group to foster mutual encouragement for rope skipping, and it has surprisingly grown to include over 6,000 members, ranging from those under 40 to younger people."

The mother of three also mentioned that she always carries a rope in her purse. Whether she is teaching students, attending weddings, or going to award ceremonies, she takes every chance to skip rope and promote the activity among her friends.

Moreover, she appreciates that this sport has sparked her children's interest, prompting them to ask to join her, which helps them "disconnect" from electronic devices and strengthens family ties.

Thuy is now organizing an event combining rope skipping and aerobics to the music of "Viet Nam Toi Yeu" (Vietnam I Love) on April 30, celebrated as Reunification Day, to introduce this activity to an even wider audience.
The woman, who is in her early 30s, said his completely irrational behaviour had forced her to deactivate her regular phone number and all social media

A hospital doctor has been accused of harassing a junior colleague he met at Mayo University Hospital by repeatedly making romantic overtures over a number of years.

He even allegedly proposed to marry her in what the woman described as a terrifying and chilling series of calls and texts.

Dr Hassaan Chughtai, a former registrar at MUH in Castlebar, Co Mayo, appeared before a fitness-to-practise inquiry by the Medical Council to face a series of allegations of professional misconduct over inappropriate and unwanted contact with the female doctor over an extended period.

The inquiry heard that Dr Chughtai was suspected of having repeatedly made contact with a young female intern who had worked with him in MUH in 2016, which had continued long after they had left the hospital.

Dr Chughtai, a native of Pakistan who lives in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, has denied five charges of professional misconduct relating to inappropriate contact with the female doctor, who was identified only as Witness A.

He also faces two similar charges of sending inappropriate texts to colleagues of Witness A in an attempt to contact her as well as being accused of failing to comply with the Medical Councils annual professional competence requirements between 2015 and 2020.

Counsel for the Medical Council, Hugh McDowell BL, said Dr Chughtai had allegedly persisted with calling and texting the woman despite being told at various times by other doctors, MUHs human resources manager and gardai as well as Witness A herself not to have further contact with her.

Mr McDowell said the inappropriate and unwanted contact by Dr Chughtai had continued at various periods right up until July 2020 when he declared in a text message that he would die without you.

The woman, who is in her early 30s, said his completely irrational behaviour had forced her to deactivate her regular phone number and all social media because of his persistent in trying to find out her location over five years.

She told the inquiry she found such harassment deeply unsettling and had led to her having fears of being kidnapped and brought to another country against my will.

The inquiry heard that Dr Chughtai had made counterclaims to both gardai and the Medical Council about Witness A after she had filed formal complaints to both authorities about his conduct.

He is also suspected of having posted an advertisement containing Witness As phone number on an adult escort website which resulted in her receiving calls from strange men.

The inquiry heard the first allegation regarding inappropriate and unwanted attempts to approach his colleague occurred at MUH between June and July 2016.

Mr McDowell pointed out that Dr Chughtai had already been advised on April 15, 2016 not to contact or approach Witness A after he had asked the intern to marry him as he was alone in Ireland and depressed.

He was informed by the hospitals medical manpower manager that such contact was inappropriate.

Witness A said gardai in Galway had asked Dr Chughtai to stop contacting her after she had reported him when she received a number of mysterious calls and texts between March 31 and April 1, 2017 after she had left MUH.

She remarked that she felt like Dr Chughtai was keeping tabs on me from afar.

The doctor said she was completely terrified when she got a further series of texts on May 18, 2019.

Witness A said she received emojis with a halo and a smiley face when she had asked the unknown sender: Is that Hassaan?

The doctor said she became particularly concerned when it appeared that Dr Chughtai knew she was living in Galway at the time and asked her to meet him in the Roisin Dubh pub as she was living in an apartment that was just 200 metres away.

She claimed it was extremely chilling when he also asked her the following day if she had a sister.

She said she was absolutely terrified as it was obvious that Dr Chughtai seemed to be close to where she lived, while he had also sent her a text: I  you.

I felt very uneasy knowing he had these feelings, she added.

Witness A said Dr Chughtai had stated he wanted to clear up the misunderstanding from the past and that he had decided to contact her following the break-up of another relationship.

She claimed that every time she blocked a strange phone number which was used to contact her, she would receive calls and texts from a new number.

The inquiry heard that Dr Chughtai admitted to gardai, after he had been reported by Witness A, that he had used a website that sold fake phone numbers to get different numbers to make contact with her.

He was also asked to delete Witness As number from his phone and to have no further contact with her.

Witness A said it was completely untrue for Dr Chughtai to have told gardai that they had been emotionally involved.

I would not even have called him an acquaintance, she remarked.

The inquiry heard that Dr Chughtai made a formal complaint to gardai about Witness A two days later about her poor standard of work at MUH and how she tried to intimidate and harass him with her body language.

He explained that he had contacted her in 2019 because he was drunk and depressed.

Witness A stressed that she had always been respectful to Dr Chughtai at MUH until he asked her to marry him and to meet outside work.

The doctor said she reported the matter because it was a safety issue and she had concerns that he might also be having similar contact with a more vulnerable person.

Witness A said she also suspected that Dr Chughtai had accessed her account on Instagram despite having private settings.

She believed he had discovered she was friends with another doctor with whom she shared accommodation in Cork between 2019 and 2020.

The inquiry heard that Dr Chughtai is suspected of having contacted that other doctor out of the blue in June 2019 and again in January 2020 when he asked if there was a vacant room where he was staying in Cork.

Another doctor gave evidence that she told Dr Chughtai that she did not want to get involved after he contacted her in April 2017 to try and arrange for him to have dinner with Witness A.

At the outset of the second day of the inquiry, the FTP committee was informed that Dr Chughtai would not be in attendance as he was seeking medical treatment for a cardiac problem.

The inquiry has adjourned to a future date still to be determined.
Ex-CEO Christopher Goodey and former Chairman Andrew Jordan were charged with breaches of the Companies Act

TWO former senior officials of the National Association of General Practitioners have been sent for trial on company law charges including fraudulent trading.

Ex-CEO Christopher Goodey and former Chairman Andrew Jordan were charged with breaches of the Companies Act following an investigation into the financial management of the now-defunct association.

Books of evidence were served on them today when they appeared in Dublin District Court.

Judge Treasa Kelly sent them both forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Mr Goodey (57) of Graigue, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick and Mr Jordan (70), from Templeogue Road, Dublin are each charged with three offences.

Both men are accused of knowingly being parties to the carrying on of a business - the NAGP - for a fraudulent purpose. This was allegedly done on dates between January 1, 2016 and June 21, 2019 with the intent to defraud creditors or any other person.

Andrew Jordan

They are also each charged with two counts of failing to keep adequate accounting records. These charges allege the accused failed to take reasonable steps to secure compliance by the NAGP with requirements under the Companies Act.

Mr Jordan is alleged to have committed these two offences being a director of the company, and Mr Goodey while being a shadow director or a de facto director, on dates between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018.

State solicitor Grainne Whelan told Judge Kelly the Director of Public Prosecutions consented to both accused being sent for trial to the present sittings of the circuit court.

The books of evidence were served on each man.

Judge Kelly gave both the formal notice that they have 14 days to provide any alibi details to the prosecution. They both nodded to indicate that they understood the warning but were not otherwise required to address the court.

The judge also ordered the prosecution to furnish copies of the accuseds garda interview videos to their lawyers.

She granted bail in each accuseds own bond of 200, with no cash lodgements required and no garda objections.

The accused will appear in the circuit court on a date next month. They were both charged following an investigation by the Corporate Enforcement Authority and following directions from the DPP.

The NAGP represented some 1,200 doctors before it went into liquidation in 2019.
It is not ideal that people are coming to court when they cant agree on matters like this

A judge has ruled in a Confirmation celebration row between estranged parents that their children have their main course with their mother and then have their dessert with their father in post celebration meals in different rooms at a hotel.

The parents are separated and have shared custody of their children

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford said that he was making the orders concerning the Confirmation celebration as the parents could not agree on dinner arrangements at the hotel with their children and their guests.

Judge Comerford said that making orders in the case is not ideal in any way.

He said: It is not ideal that people are coming to court when they cant agree on matters like this.

Solicitor, Mairead Doyle for the father had proposed that the parents, children and family guests all eat together at the hotel.

Judge Comerford said: I am not going to direct that people stay at the same table if they cant stay at the same table - it is really unfortunate.

Instead, Judge Comerford said that at the hotel, the couples children will have their main course with their mother and her family guests in a room at the hotel.

Judge Comerford has directed that the children then go to another room to have their dessert with their father and his family guests.

On behalf of her client, Ms Doyle asked that the childrens dessert time with their father be one hour and Judge Comerford directed that this be the case.

Judge Comerford said that he could see the sense of the children having their meal with their parents for the Confirmation celebration and it would be a good thing if it happened.

Judge Comerford said that the father will have control of the children for one and a half hours after mass during which time photos would be taken.

Judge Comerford had urged both sides to reach a compromise. He said: Whatever arrangements have to be put in place should be put in place by the parents in the best interests of their children.

Ms Doyle was bringing the matter before court as the two sides in correspondence could not agree on dinner arrangements for the Confirmation Day outside court during March and April. Ms Doyle said that her client has an application for sole custody for the children currently before Limerick Circuit Court.

Ms Doyle said: We are proposing a joint dinner because we are trying to promote a united front with the children.

She said: "Proposing a joint dinner would the best approach to show that the two sides can set aside their differences for the day.

Ms Doyle said that for the Confirmation Day, it is a day the children are going to remember for the rest of their lives.

Ms Doyle told the court that she had sent proposals for the Confirmation Day on April 10th to solicitors for the wife in the case and received a three page reply.

Ms Doyle said that her client contacted the hotel and added six people to the dinner reservation that the wife initially had for the day.

Ms Doyle said that her client went back to the hotel and it transpires that those six people had been taken off that table by some third party.

Ms Doyle said that the childrens mother says she didn't cancel the six people but someone cancelled it.

Solicitor for the mother, Sean OHanrahan said that his client really wants the children to have a great day.

He said that his client was agreeable to the childrens father spending two hours with them for photos after the Confirmation mass.

Mr OHanrahan said that his client has no difficulty with her ex-husband if he wants to invite guests and pay for their meal at the hotel.

He said: But we cannot make the dinner arrangement for him - that is something for the hotel. That is what is being asked of us and asked of you judge to you to fix his dinner arrangements.

Mr OHanrahan said that he took it upon himself to visit the hotel and said that the distance between the two dining areas are less than 70 yards apart.

Mr O'Hanrahan said that his client had made a dinner booking in the room designated for Confirmation family celebrations.

Mr OHanrahan asked for his clients costs in the case and Judge Comerford replied not a chance. Ms Doyle said that she had no application for costs.
Two Liberian men in Hanoi were detained on Thursday for allegedly selling fake gold bullion amid rising gold prices in Vietnam recently.

Swayray Alieu K and Sharba Queshe Baccus were detained by police of Ba Dinh District for obtaining property by fraud. An investigation revealed that the two men had advertised to sell 3 kg of gold on social media for $35,000, but the gold was made out of copper and zinc instead.

They would arrange meetings with victims, where one would deliver the fake gold while the other would wait outside on a motorbike. They demanded victims to give them the money first, and when victims tried to get the gold analyzed for authenticity, they would run away.

Authorities said the duo had swindled $25,000 from victims that way.
He used my addiction to drugs and drink to worm his way back into my life

A man who repeatedly raped and anally raped his ex-partner on a number of occasions when they met to discuss their child's welfare has been jailed for 10 and a half years.

The 45-year-old Dublin man, who can't be named to protect the anonymity of his victim, was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury of six counts of raping and anally raping the woman at her home on dates between January 2019 and September 2020.

He does not accept the verdicts of the jury, and has not expressed any remorse as a result, the court heard.

Sentencing the man today, Ms Justice Caroline Biggs said, it was a breach of trust in that the man raped his former partner who was the mother of his child.

She noted the victim made it expressly clear that she was not consenting by repeatedly saying no and telling the man to stop.

Ms Justice Biggs noted the man used humiliating and degrading words while raping her, and that this occurred repeatedly. She noted the level of violence inflicted went beyond the inherent violence of the act of rape, including pulling the woman's hair, pushing her on to a bathroom floor, and pushing her on to a bed.

She handed down a sentence of 10 and a half years and ordered that the man remain under the supervision of the Probation Service for three years upon his release.

Sergeant Siobhan Tolan told Sean O'Carroll SC, prosecuting, that the man and woman had a relationship in 2016, resulting in the birth of their son. The relationship broke down but the pair kept in contact in relation to the care of their child.

In November 2019, the man and woman met at her apartment to discuss their son's birthday plans. The court heard the man then grabbed the woman and brought her into her bathroom where he raped and anally raped her.

The woman was pleading with him to stop, but he repeatedly told her she was his slut and, to shut up, the court heard.

The man went on to rape and anally rape his former partner in a similar way at her home on subsequent dates in March 2020 and September 2020 when he was again in her home to discuss their child.

The court heard both the man and the woman had issues with drug addiction at the time.

The woman went to gardai after the third incident and the man was arrested the following month. He has been in custody since he was found guilty at his trial in February.

In her victim impact statement, which she read out at the sentence hearing, the woman said the man kept trying to get back into her life after they broke up.

He would use his charm on me, she said. When this did not work, he used my addiction to drugs and drink to worm his way back into my life.

She said the man put her down and took all her confidence. She said he tried to get social services to take her son away from her and alienated all of his family members against her, including his mother who used to help in the care of her child.

I didn't think people would believe me because of the drugs and addiction, she said. I wasn't going to come forward. I did it to protect my kids. I want them to see me strong and show them this should never have happened and they are never let anyone to do this to them or treat them this way.

The woman said she is getting counselling now and trying really hard to mind herself.

Ms Justice Biggs commended the victim for the manner in which she gave her evidence, which she described as compelling and poignant. She said the woman's children should be very proud of their mum.

In his plea of mitigation, Tony McGillicuddy SC, defending, said the man has an older child as well as the son he shares with his victim, the court heard. He said the man's relationship with his younger son will be affected by what has occurred.

The court heard the man worked on building sites up until he suffered an injury. He has remained heroin and crack cocaine-free in recent months. He has four previous convictions, including theft, but none for sexual offending, the court heard.
Mr Justice Paul Burns described the attack as a "cynical, vicious and extremely violent" one on Mr Bob

A murderer who viciously beat a homeless man and left him to die in a Dublin park will remain behind bars after the Court of Appeal found aspects of his complaints lacking in reality.

Father-of-one Ioan Artene Bob (49), a Romanian national, was found lying in undergrowth at Sean Walsh Memorial Park in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on the morning of April 13, 2018.

Mr Bob, who was discovered by a passerby, was taken to Tallaght Hospital by ambulance due to his injuries but died later the same day.

Feri Anghel (44), of no fixed abode, was convicted of Mr Bobs murder by a Central Criminal Court jury in April 2022 after a 31-day trial and received the mandatory life sentence.

Sentencing judge Mr Justice Paul Burns described the attack as a "cynical, vicious and extremely violent" one on Mr Bob, who the judge described as a "decent and hard-working man".

Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster gave evidence at the trial that Mr Bob had sustained extensive bruising across various regions of his body in connection with "blunt force trauma" and that his lungs had suffered "almost total collapse".

She said repeated kicking and stamping "must be" attributable to the widespread fractures Mr Bob sustained.

Anghel had pleaded not guilty to the murder but was unanimously convicted. The jury heard that Mr Bob had worked in construction but by the time of his death was living a "transient" life in Dublin city and had slept in his car for a time.

In the days before he was attacked, Mr Bob had a "stroke of luck" at a Dublin city centre casino, winning around 2,700. The court heard that some members of the Romanian community in Dublin had "picked up on the win" but that Mr Bob had sent a large portion of the money home to his family by the time he was attacked.

The jury was played extensive CCTV footage of Mr Bob and Anghel together on the night of April 12 and of them travelling on a Luas towards the park.

At the Court of Appeal today, presiding judge Mr Justice John Edwards, in dismissing Anghel's appeal against his conviction, said there had been a lack of reality to elements of his submissions.

Mr Justice Edwards said one of the grounds of appeal was a claimed lack of evidence against Anghel and the judges failure to discharge the jury.

Mr Justice Edwards said the appellant also claimed that CCTV evidence should not have been gone before the jury, that the trial judge failed to exclude certain elements of the CCTV footage in which Anghel was unidentifiable and erred in failing to give a direction to the jury on missing evidence

Regarding the submission that the trial judge should have granted an application to have the trial stopped due to a claimed lack of evidence, Mr Justice Edwards said the judge had been impeccable on this issue.

Mr Justice Edwards said there had been an abundance of strong circumstantial evidence in the trial and that all of these matters were for the jury to assess.

Mr Justice Edwards said the trial judge was best-placed to form an opinion on what evidence went before the jury and had seen the evidence first-hand.

We entirely agree with the trial judge. We have no hesitation in rejecting this ground. There is an element that there is a lack of reality in this submission, said Mr Justice Edwards.

Regarding CCTV, Mr Justice Edwards said the defence had argued that the accused had a right to privacy which was breached by the admission of some footage into the case.

There was nothing about the appellants presence in Dublin City Centre, on the Luas or in Tallaght [on the night] to suggest he was engaging with something that was private, said Mr Justice Edwards, who commended gardai for their investigation in retrieving CCTV from public spaces and from privately-owned equipment.

The appellant had no expectation of privacy in the circumstances of this case and once he became a suspect it was appropriate to gather his movements, said Mr Justice Edwards.

Mr Justice Edwards said the three-judge court found no basis for criticism of the manner in which the trial judge dealt with CCTV being allowed into the case.

It was a matter for the jury to assess. Without speculation, they were entitled to infer that the persons in the CCTV were the two persons identifiable as the appellant and the deceased. We are satisfied they [the jury] were charged properly with regard to inferences and speculation.

Regarding the judges handling of DNA evidence taken from a cigarette at the scene suggesting the presence of a person who was not Anghel and someone who could have inflicted the fatal blows, Mr Justice Edwards said the explanation from the trial judge to the jury on how to assess that evidence was also correct.

It was suggested that the jury should have been instructed to ask themselves whether that evidence, evidence of the possible presence of an unknown person at the crime scene in or around the time, called for an explanation, said Mr Justice Edwards.

Mr Justice Edwards said it would be hyperbolic to suggest that the DNA of another man on a cigarette butt was exculpatory for Anghel, as his legal team submitted.

It was nothing of the sort. The high water mark of it is that it establishes that some male person, who is a smoker, had been in Sean Walsh Memorial Park, a public place, in the area in which Mr Bob was found, and that he had discarded the cigarette butt, said Mr Justice Edwards.

Mr Justice Edwards said there was no need to redirect the jury on this issue and that they were initially correctly instructed.

Regarding a submission on any potential missing witnesses in the case, Mr Justice Edwards said there was nothing to suggest that any of the witnesses, about whom it is complained were not interviewed, with the exception of a lady who encountered the appellant on Gardiner Street on the night, would have had any material evidence to give.

Mr Justice Edwards said the woman had left the jurisdiction and not returned by the time gardai identified her.

Mr Justice Edwards said the conversation with the woman was known to the appellant as he was present and therefore, he knows what they would have talked about. The judge said Anghel had not shown what evidence the woman might have that it would be critical to his defence and had not demonstrated a real risk to his trial.

Mr Justice Edwards said the appellant had utterly failed to demonstrate how any missing evidence in the trial showed a risk to a fair trial and that the complaint lacks any reality.

Mr Justice Edwards then dismissed the conviction appeal on all grounds.
District Attorney Melinda Katz said the violent nature of the incident was one which had still to fully sink in for communities on both sides of the Atlantic.

The former boyfriend of murdered Longford woman Sarah McNally cruelly and brazenly took the life of the much loved bartender by stabbing her up to 19 times before injuring himself, prosecutors have alleged.

Marcin Pieciak (36), of 76th Street in Glendale, was arraigned today at a sitting of Queens Supreme Court in New York charged with second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

The accused had formally been indicted by a Grand Jury earlier this month in his absence as a result of self-inflicted stab wounds following the incident at the Ceili House Bar in Maspeth, Queens on March 30.

District Attorney Melinda Katz said the violent nature of the incident was one which had still to fully sink in for communities on both sides of the Atlantic.

The defendant is accused of cruelly and brazenly taking the life of someone he purported to care for and doing so in front of her colleagues and bar patrons.

We are grateful to the grand jury for returning these serious charges and we will work to seek justice for Sarah McNally.

According to the charges, Pieciak entered the bar where Ms McNally had been working at approximately 6:30pm.

Prosecutors say CCTV footage taken from the scene shows Pieciak walk behind the bar and towards Ms McNally before suddenly stabbing the Longford woman 19 times in the neck, back and chest.

The late Sarah McNally.

Moments later, Pieciak allegedly can be seen causing himself injury before a customer bravely attempts to detain the accused from fleeing the scene.

The charges go on to allege that when police detectives arrived soon afterwards, they managed to disarm Pieciak just as the accused emerges from behind the bar brandishing two knives.

Both Pieciak and Ms McNally were rushed to the nearby Elmhurst Hospital where the deeply admired Longford native passed away from her injuries.

News of Pieciaks latest court appearance comes just over a week since countless tributes were paid to the car loving enthusiast at her funeral mass at St Mels Cathedral in Longford town.

She had a heart of gold, said her best friend Aine Wade. She loved everyone and she made a lasting impression on people and one that we will all remember forever.

Her uncle, local publican Eddie Valentine, whom the late Ms McNally fondly referred to as her Uncle Ed insisted the legacy of one of Longfords brightest and most beautiful of daughters would live on.

Sarah, you were a beautiful, unique, very special, kind and very loving girl with the most beautiful smile, he said.

You lit up the room everywhere you went. We all loved you so much and we still will, all of us, and were going to miss you, so, so much.

Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit-Durant, meanwhile, remanded Pieciak into continuing custody, ordering him to return to court on June 18.
Gerard Claxton (48) was served with a book of evidence when he appeared on bail before Blanchardstown District Court.

A man accused of laundering money after gardai allegedly found a brown envelope containing 12,000 in cash in a house in west Dublin has been sent for trial.

Gerard Claxton (48) was served with a book of evidence when he appeared on bail before Blanchardstown District Court.

The accused, with an address at Bramblefield Park in Clonee, Co Meath, is charged with possessing property which was the proceeds of criminal conduct, namely a brown envelope containing 12,000 in cash.

The incident allegedly took place at Huntstown Wood in Blanchardstown on February 24, 2023.

A state solicitor said that the book of evidence was ready and had been served on the accused, who goes forward for trial to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Stephanie Coggans gave Mr Claxton the formal alibi caution.

The judge also assigned defence solicitor Wayne Kenny and one junior counsel on free legal aid.

Mr Claxton was remanded on bail to appear before a court in the Criminal Courts of Justice later this month.

The accused has not yet indicated a plea to the charge.

A female co-accused has also been sent for trial.
A property connected to the teenager, who is based in the south-east of the country, was one of 12 homes searched by gardai on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the international fraud investigation.

A teenager who is one of the main Irish targets of an international investigation into the worlds biggest phishing-as-a-service platform had over 1m in cryptocurrency seized from him as part of a separate garda probe.

A property connected to the teenager, who is based in the south-east of the country, was one of 12 homes searched by gardai on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the international fraud investigation.

The targets are suspected of using the internet platform known as LabHost, which for a monthly subscription provided phishing kits, infrastructure for hosting pages, interactive functionality for directly engaging with victims and campaign overview services.

All of this enabled fraudsters to send bulk phishing or smishing text messages designed to deceive people into providing their personal data and credentials for the purposes of fraud.

In Ireland, typical examples of such scams happen when potential victims are contacted with messages purporting to be from companies such as An Post, AIB, Bank of Ireland, eFlow, Netflix and Amazon.

When the person clicks on a fake link, they are directed to a website that looks legitimate but is controlled by criminals. The victims bank accounts are then taken over and often emptied.

A source said: As you can see with the individual targeted in the south-east this week, the profits for this type of organised crime can be huge.

This person has already had well in excess of 1m in cryptocurrency seized as part of a different international investigation, but is suspected of having continued with his organised criminal enterprises despite being arrested and losing this currency last autumn.

The teenager is suspected of being one of a number of Irish-based criminals with links to the Black Axe gang who have used the LabHost platform in account takeover frauds.

Gardai have described an account takeover as a crime where an individual receives a text [smishing], call [vishing] or email [phishing] from a fraudster that appears to be from a bank, service provider, delivery company or government agency and aims to take over their bank account, devices or debit/credit card details.

According to figures obtained by the Irish Independent, nearly 3m has been stolen so far this year in account takeovers in Ireland compared with around 10m last year, 11m in 2022 and 24m in 2021 when the public were much less aware of the sophistication of these scams.

These figures show that the money to be made in this type of fraud is huge and what garda investigations have established is that these crimes are being carried out by the suspects from the comfort of their own homes, a source said.

It is understood Ireland had the fourth-highest number of victims per capita as they were scammed by criminals who used the phishing-as-a-service platform.

Gardai said 135,000 Irish people had been targeted this way here, while investigations have established that 116 criminals with a connection to Ireland through their IP addresses have been using the platform.

This amounts to 33pc of all suspects who used LabHost, which has now been shut down by authorities.

Ireland is certainly punching above its weight when it comes to this type of organised crime. At least two of the targets whose properties were searched this week have previously come to the attention of Operation Skein, a source said.

Skein is a long-running investigation by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB), and part of its remit has been to target the activities of Black Axe in Ireland.

While some of the suspects targeted this week have links to Black Axe, it is understood the international criminal organisation is not directly involved in this particular organised fraud strand and the individuals had been engaged in criminal freelancing.

Gardai made two arrests during the course of 12 searches over two days in three counties. One person was arrested for obstruction after refusing to provide detectives with passwords for his devices while the other was arrested on an unrelated bench warrant.

A garda spokeswoman said: As part of Operation Stargrew, gardai, in conjunction with Europol and other international law enforcement agencies, conducted 12 searches at locations across counties Dublin, Kildare and Waterford between April 16 and 17.

During these searches, 42,000 in cash, 10,000 in cryptocurrency, 82 smartphones, 25 computers, nine tablet devices and a Rolex watch were seized.

In a statement, Europol revealed how the scam worked as authorities uncovered at least 40,000 phishing domains linked to LabHost, which had around 10,000 users worldwide.

With a monthly fee averaging $249 (233), LabHost would offer a range of illicit services which were customisable and could be deployed with a few clicks, the crime-fighting agency said.
The men are aged in their 20s

Gardai have arrested two men aged in their 20s after they busted a large cannabis growing operation in Galway.

Cops seized approximately 890,000 worth of the suspected cannabis plants and cannabis herb during the search operation in Galway city on Friday.

Gardai attached to the Galway Divisional Drugs Unit conducted a search operation at the property at approximately 11.30am.

The operation forms part of the Galway Division drugs strategy targeting persons involved in the sale and supply of drugs.

Galway cannabis

A garda spokesperson said: During the course of the search a large-scale cannabis cultivation operation was discovered. Cannabis plants and cannabis herb with an estimated street value of 890,000 was seized by investigating Gardai.

All drugs seized are being sent for analysis by Forensic Science Ireland (FSI).

The two men arrested at the scene are currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996, at a Garda station in the North Western Region.

Image released by gardai

Investigations are continuing as part of Operation Tara.

This seizure forms part of Operation Tara; an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy, which was launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on 2nd July 2021, gardai added.

The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute drug trafficking networks, at all levels - international, national, local - involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale and supply of controlled drugs.
Hill, who was then aged 49, has steadfastly maintained his innocence and is hoping to be freed from jail having already served 14 years of his sentence

A jealous husband who claimed he had hired Irish hardmen to attack his wifes lover is hoping to be released from prison in just three years time.

Andrew Hill was ordered to serve a minimum of 17 years behind bars after he was jailed in 2010 having been found guilty of murder after a trial.

Hill, who was then aged 49, has steadfastly maintained his innocence and is hoping to be freed from jail having already served 14 years of his sentence.

Hill was convicted of murder after jurors were told he had bludgeoned Dr Colin Shawcross to death with a pickaxe handle in a jealous rage.

Dr Colin Shawcross

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Dr Shawcross was killed after he embarked upon a relationship with Hills wife, who was a nurse at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital where they both worked.

Dr Shawcross was confronted by Hill at his home in Aston where he was living at the time of his death, and fatally attacked, it was claimed.

Jurors were then told that Hill put the doctors body into the boot of a car and drove to woods in nearby Harthill where he dug a five-foot deep grave.

Shortly after Dr Shawcross was reported missing Hill was arrested and later charged with murder, even though the body was not found for five months.

He denied knowledge of a murder or where the body was concealed and instead claimed to have hired Irish "hardmen" to carry out an attack.

The dad-of-one was quoted by the Star UK as saying: I fully accept being involved to some degree. But I never anticipated the horrendous outcome. The truth is I never gave any thought to what these two men could have done. All I asked of them was to frighten Colin away, he said.

However, when he was jailed, Mr Justice Wilkie told Hill he had acted in a "devious, vengeful, cowardly and unmanly way" over the affair.

When the judge described his story of hired hardmen as "utter fabrication," Hill shouted: "It wasn't sir".

Det Supt Mick Mason, who led the inquiry described it a as a vicious attack and that Hill gave us no help at all at any stage.

Even though it was five months before Dr Colin Shawcross remains were discovered, police had secured a conviction based on advances in science and technology at the time which proved key to cracking the case.

As there was no actual proof that the doctor had died, given there was no body, detectives contacted every hospital and dental surgery in the country to confirm nobody of the doctors name had been treated or registered as a new patient since he disappeared.

They also contacted every supplier of gas, water, electricity and satellite and cable TV in the country to prove the doctor had not registered as a new customer.

Every bank and mobile phone provider also had to be spoken to, while ports and airports were also contacted to ensure he had not tried to leave the country.

It was a task involving hundreds of separate enquiries to prove the doctor could not possibly still be alive.

Forensic experts and a pathologist said it would have been impossible for someone to have lost so much blood discovered in the doctors house to have survived without receiving urgent medical attention.

Six weeks after being jailed over the murder, Hill wrote to The Star from prison.

He said: I have not killed anybody. I will never come to terms with having been found guilty of murder.
One driver was caught travelling at 112km/h in a 50km/h zone on the Main Street, Charleville, Cork

The first ten hours of Gardais National Slow Down Day has seen officers catch 482 motorists speeding, including one driver doing 194km/h in Cork.

The Slow Down Day is a nationwide initiative run alongside the RSA that is aimed at promoting safer driving behaviour.

The Garda 24hr operation, in place until 7am tomorrow morning, centres on high visibility speed enforcement activity across the road network.

Theres nothing pleasant about the scenes we respond to which have been caused by speed or other dangerous driving practices, gardai stated.

Slow Down Day is about reminding motorists to please lower your speed and drive with full attentiveness.

GoSafe cameras checked the speeds of 115,017 vehicles as of Friday evening, at 5pm, and caught 174.

These safety cameras operate in areas where there is a history of speed related collisions, known as speed enforcement zones.

Already 308 vehicles travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit have been nabbed by officers.

This brings the total number of speed detections between 7am and 5pm to 482.

Garda speed camera

Some examples of high speed offences from today include: 194km/h in a 100km/h Zone on the N25 Loughaderry, Castlemartyr, Cork

81km/h in a 60km/h Zone on the N4 Drishoge, Carrick-On-Shannon, Roscommon

108km/h in a 80km/h Zone on the R158 Readstown, Trim, Meath

132km/h in a 100km/h Zone on the N13 Teevickmoy, Stranorlar, Donegal

77km/h in a 60km/h Zone on the Monaghan Road, Castleblayney, Monaghan

64km/h in a 50km/h Zone on the Dublin Road, Kilkenny, Kilkenny

102km/h in a 80km/h Zone on the R772 Moyne Lower, Enniscorthy, Wexford

127km/h in a 100km/h Zone on the N13 Listellian, Letterkenny, Donegal

121km/h in a 100km/h Zone on the N21 Rineroe, Adare, Limerick

Gardai say they would like to thank drivers for their compliance during National Slow Down Day, making Irish roads safer for all road users.

Gardai continue to appeal to drivers to comply with speed limits in order to reduce the number of speed related collisions.
The scheme involves the demolition of Citigroups existing six-storey office building and the development of four buildings in its place ranging in height from nine storeys to 17 storeys.

In February, Mr Ronans Ronan Group Real Estate (RGRE) lodged plans for the redevelopment of global banking giant Citigroups current European headquarters at 1 North Wall Quay in Dublins Docklands.

The scheme involves the demolition of Citigroups existing six-storey office building and the development of four buildings in its place ranging in height from nine storeys to 17 storeys.

RGRE firm NWQ Devco Limited is seeking a 10-year planning permission but the city council has refused planning permission on a number of grounds.

A spokesman for RGRE has confirmed that the group is to appeal against the refusal to An Bord Pleanala.

He said that RGRE is disappointed with the decision of Dublin City Council.

There is a strong view in Irish planning and construction communities, and among the wider public, that there has been a missed opportunity over the past decade for increased heights and densities along Dublins north and south Docklands, where the River Liffey is at its widest point and good transport infrastructure is in place, he said.

With the pipeline of brownfield sites in the Docklands now almost exhausted, few opportunities remain for the construction of taller, more sustainable buildings in a location that is clearly appropriate.

The council ruled that the proposed development, due to its height and excessive bulk and scale, would constitute an insensitive form of development adjacent to existing residential development.

The planning authority stated that the proposal would result in a significant and unacceptable loss of daylight/sunlight and resultant overshadowing to these properties and amenity areas, adversely impacting their residential amenity.

The council said the proposed development would therefore set an undesirable precedent and would devalue properties in the vicinity.

The planning authority also ruled that the proposed development would constitute an overly dominant form causing serious injury to the visual amenities of the Liffey Quays  a conservation area.

The council also concluded that the proposed development contravened various policies of the Dublin City Development Plan, adversely impacting key views and vistas along the river corridor and the amenities of properties in the vicinity.

In another reason for refusal, the council said that in the absence of a comprehensive justification for demolition of the existing building where not all options were investigated, the proposed wholescale demolition would be considered premature.

The council said the planned demolition would be contrary to the development plan, which seeks to promote and support the retrofitting and reuse of existing buildings.

At the end of a 38-page planners report, the council said the proposed development would set an undesirable precedent for wholescale demolition on similar sites across the city.
Brian McCourt (47) was shot in the abdomen in an attack in the Co Down town on April 12.

13/04/24 Presseye Drones Hill Road where a car was burnt out after shooting incident Mandatory Credit Presseye/Stephen Hamilton

A 39-year-old man arrested by detectives investigating a shooting incident in Banbridge on Friday, has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Brian McCourt (47) was shot in the abdomen in an attack in the Co Down town on April 12.

He was targeted shortly after 8pm in a car park on Rathfriland Road. He is believed to been lured there for a meeting.

He was sitting in a taxi when a masked gunman approached the vehicle and opened fire.

The driver of a silver Citroen vehicle then made off from the scene southbound on the A1 dual carriageway.

A link is being explored between a vehicle reported on fire some 20 minutes later in the Drone Hill Road area of Corbet.

A 46-year-old man arrested in connection with the shooting has also been released on bail, pending further inquiries.

Because of his condition, McCourt is not believed to have cooperated with the police so far.

He was recently released from prison after serving a sentence for threatening to kill a man and cut his face in a row over an ex-partner.

McCourt was under the protection of The Firm in prison.

He is a close associate of one of the leading members of the cross-community crime gang, a man on bail and awaiting trial for serious criminality.
Vietnam won the Dien Bien Phu battle 70 years ago, forcing the French government to sign the Geneva Agreement in July 1954 and marking the end of the French military presence in the Indochina.

The historic victory echoes vividly these days as the nation is celebrating 70 years of the heroic fighting which was chalked up by patriotism, thirst for independence, great leadership, and international support.

Unforgettable memories

On March 13, 1954, the tranquility of the remote northwestern valley was broken by the Viet Minh (the League for the Independence of Vietnam)'s artillery fired on Him Lam, the outermost post, marking the beginning of the Dien Bien Phu campaign.

After 56 days and nights of fierce fighting, the Vietnamese army crumbled the Dien Bien Phu stronghold, killing and capturing 16,200 enemy soldiers, shooting down 62 aircraft, and seizing all military supplies of the French enemy.

At 5:30 p.m. on May 7, 1954, the Vietnamese army's red and yeallow flag rose atop the bunker of French commander, General De Castries. By the midnight on the same day, all the French-led troops were taken prisoners.

To win the victory and bring an end to the war, the Viet Minh soldiers had to fight with their blood mixed with mud days and nights.

The battle left Vietnam with 4,020 dead soldiers, 10,130 injured and 792 missing, with up to 3,976 fallen soldiers now resting at three cemeteries near Doc Lap (Independence), Him Lam and A1 hills where they once fought, but only four of them have been identified so far.

Ferocious battle

Today, Dien Bien Phu remains a glorious memory for many war veterans who wear the victory as a badge of honor but cannot forget the tragic death toll. In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Dien Bien Phu veteran Luong Van Huong, 98, from Le Loi Commune, Gia Loc District, Hai Duong Province, recalled how he had to witness his comrades' deaths all around him, their bodies completely shattered by bombings. There were some platoons and squads wiped out entirely in a single day.

For 88-year-old war veteran Nguyen Duc Noi, also from Hai Duong, pains from old bloody battles have never faded away.

"Seeing dead soldiers lying all over the battlefield, I kept crying at night as I was just a 16-year-old boy at that time. I knew I had to confront two things, one was the enemy, the other, death," he said.

National solidarity

Throughout the campaign, President Ho Chi Minh called for national solidarity and fighting efforts of soldiers, all for victory, freedom and independence of Vietnam.

In his letter sent to soldiers on March 11, 1954, he said the Dien Bien Phu battle was very difficult but also very glorious, expressed his belief that the soldiers would bring into play all their accumulated strength to win the fighting.

Right in the first lunge of the campaign on March 13, Vietnamese troops wiped out the Him Lam perimeter defense fortification, the strongest, and later other two resistance centers, Doc Lap on March 15, and Ban Keo, two days later, thus paralyzing the northern gateway of the Dien Bien Phu base.

The presidents appeal had a powerful impact, giving timely encouragement to soldiers to overcome all quandaries and hardships, advancing to completely annihilate Dien Bien Phu - the supposedly impregnable French stronghold.

During the Dien Bien Phu campaign, tens of thousands of people engaged in transporting supplies to the frontline for soldiers, including ammunition and heavy duty artillery.

Localities nationwide had sent thousands of people to the frontline to help with logistics work and contributed more than 25,000 tonnes of rice, together with thousands tonnes of other food to serve the campaign.

Carl Thayer, Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales (Canberra), told the Vietnam News Agency that the Dien Bien Phu campaign proved "the efficacy of the peoples war through mobilization of the whole population to oppose foreign aggression."

General Vo Nguyen Giap also said: "The strength of our military lies in the fighting spirit and boundless support of our people, supplemented by military artistry."

But his own role in crafting the historic victory and driving the French invaders out of Vietnam is no less vital, no less decisive.

At the beginning of the Dien Bien Phu campaign, General Giap initially planned to open a lightning-speed offensive with an aim to win the battle quickly and his order was already passed out to the entire army accordingly. However, after analyzing the power balance of both sides, General Giap switched the campaigns tactics to "prudent fight, firm advance". In his memoir titled "Dien Bien Phu Rendezvous with History," the general recalled "it was the most difficult decision I had to make in my entire life!"

Asked about General Giap and Dien Bien Phu, Pierre Asselin, professor of history at Hawaii Pacific University, said: "The best quality that General Giap had at Dien Bien Phu was flexibility. He was very flexible."

Restoring peace in Indochina

The Dien Bien Phu victory marked an important turning point for Vietnams revolution, directly leading to the signing of the Geneva Accords on ending the war and restoring peace in Indochina.

General De Castries, the commander of the French troops at Dien Bien Phu, admitted after the defeat: "One can defeat an army, but not a nation."

Dien Bien Phu Victory has inspired people of many African countries rising up to overthrow colonialism and gain independence for themselves a few years afterwards.

"Seven decades have passed but the stature, meaning and lessons learnt from the great victory of Dien Bien Phu remains a source of great inspiration for the entire nation in the national construction and development," Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam Peoples Army and Deputy Minister of National Defense Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong said in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu victory.
Pharmacist Gerard Cullinan (48), of Hillside Crescent in Belfast, appeared in the city's Crown Court on Thursday for an arraignment hearing.

The director of a Belfast pharmacy has pleaded guilty to supplying prescription drugs in breach of medicine regulations.

Pharmacist Gerard Cullinan (48), of Hillside Crescent in Belfast, appeared in the city's Crown Court on Thursday for an arraignment hearing.

Standing in the dock accompanied by his solicitor, Mr Cullinan entered guilty pleas on behalf of his company Castlereagh Pharmacy Ltd to selling or supplying prescription drugs, namely the painkiller drug Co-codamol and the opioid drug Fentanyl, without a prescription on dates between January 2017 and June 2020.

He further pleaded guilty on behalf of the Castlereagh Road-based pharmacy in east Belfast to five counts of failing to keep a register of drugs at the premises, namely Morphine, Morphine Sulphate, Methylphenidate, Tapentadol, Fentanyl and Oxycodone.

As the director of the pharmacy, Mr Cullinan separately pleaded guilty to selling or supplying drugs, namely Co-codamol and Fentanyl without a prescription.

He also entered guilty pleas that as a director of Castlereagh Pharmacy Ltd he failed to keep a register of drugs at the premises.

Judge Gordon Kerr KC ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared on the defendant ahead of a plea hearing, due to take place on June 4.

He also requested that in advance of the hearing the defence should provide the court with "the last three years trading accounts'' of Castlereagh Pharmacy Ltd "as a monetary penalty'' was the only disposal open to the court.
Iran's Fars news agency reported three explosions were heard near an army base in the central city of Isfahan

Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter said, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.

One source told Reuters the U.S. was not involved but was notified by Israel before the attack.

Iran's Fars news agency reported three explosions were heard near an army base in the central city of Isfahan. An Iranian official told Reuters there was no missile attack and the explosions were the result of the activation of Iran's air defence systems.

Iranian state TV said that shortly after midnight "three drones were observed in the sky over Isfahan. The air defence system became active and destroyed these drones in the sky."

The broadcaster later said the situation in Isfahan was normal and no ground explosions had occurred.

The Israeli military had no comment on the reports.

Israel had said it would retaliate against Iran's weekend attack, which involved hundreds of drones and missiles, in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. Most of the Iranian drones and missiles were downed before reaching Israeli territory.

Analysts and observers have raised concerns about the risks of the Israel-Gaza war spreading into the rest of the region.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had warned Israel before Friday's strike that Tehran would deliver a "severe response" to any attack on its territory.

Iran told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that Israel "must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests" as the U.N. secretary-general warned that the Middle East was in a "moment of maximum peril."

Asian shares and bond yields sank on Friday while safe-haven currencies, gold and crude oil jumped.

Iran's state television said nuclear facilities where Iran has been conducting work - which Tehran says is peaceful but which the West believes is aimed at building a weapon - were unharmed.

The Natanz nuclear site, the centrepiece of Irans uranium enrichment program, is in Isfahan province.

"it's time to step back from the brink", says UN security general

Airports in Tehran, Shiraz and Isfahan were closed until 07.00 GMT, subject to extension, and flights have been cleared from the western half of Iran, slight tracking website FlightRadar24 reported.

Some flights destined for Tehran from Turkish Airlines and Emirates were returning to their origin, FlightRadar24 said on X. An Iran Air flight from Rome to Tehran was diverting to Ankara, Turkey, it showed.

FlightRadar24 showed Emirates, flydubai, Turkish Air, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and Belavia were among the carriers continuing to use the part of Iran's airspace that remained open on Friday morning.

Israel's assault on Gaza began after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military offensive has killed over 33,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the local health ministry.

Iran-backed groups have declared support for Palestinians, launching attacks from Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq.
Tertiary students Olivia Tilby-Adams and Tay Ririnui are set to engineer a sustainable future for the Tauranga region with support of the Tauranga Moana Futures scholarship.

The first-year Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) students were selected for the scholarship based on their desire to make a difference in Tauranga Moana for present and future generations.

Established in 2022, the first Tauranga Moana Futures scholarships were donated by Tauranga City Council to support talented University of Waikato undergraduate students whose field of study will contribute to the development of Tauranga City and the wider region.

As a part of the scholarship, Olivia and Tay will receive work experience and project-based learning opportunities at Tauranga City Council.

Olivia, a Papamoa College alumnus, says shes grateful for the unique opportunity.

With all the growth our city is experiencing, it's inspiring to be able to be involved, especially having witnessed Papamoas development and transformation.

Its a great chance to experience working with council and see all the pathways on offer, as well as to connect with others who are passionate about our beautiful local area."

With a passion for the environment, sustainability and design, civil engineering was the choice of study for Olivia.

Growing up in Papamoa, I've seen first-hand how these are connected. I would really like to have a job working in sustainable infrastructure or planning, such as helping to protect and enhance our green spaces and waterways.

Tay, a Mount Maunganui College alumnus of Ngati He and Ngai Te Rangi descent, says the scholarship not only eases the financial pressure of his degree but fuels his determination to succeed even further.

To be recognised as an individual capable of helping address our city's present and future needs is an honour. It gives me further motivation to work hard and succeed in my study.

The scholarship reduces the financial burden of my degree and means I can put greater focus into studying without having to worry about juggling part-time work on the side during the academic year.

The environmental engineering major says he aspires to develop the skills and knowledge needed to lead positive action for the natural environment, with kaitiakitanga (guardianship and protection) as his guiding principle.

I hope to do this by developing innovative, nature-based solutions to environmental problems, especially those that face Tauranga now and in the future.

Engineering New Zealand is the professional body for engineers, with 865 members in its Bay of Plenty branch. As an industry facing a skills shortage in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty branch Chair Kristi Whyte says aspiring engineers like Olivia and Tay are key to our regions future.

Its fantastic that Tauranga City Council have enabled these scholarships and I congratulate Olivia and Tay.

Aotearoa is currently facing a skills shortage of engineers and at the same time as cities like Tauranga are expected to grow by 80,000 people in 50 years. To have Olivia and Tay contribute their talents to our regions future is both exciting and absolutely necessary.

The scholarship is part of the broader Tauranga Moana Futures programme. The programme provides local tertiary students practical experiences in the form of project and team-based work to apply their academic study, growing their local government experience and supporting our local talent pipeline.

To learn more about Tauranga Moana Futures, visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/taurangamoanafutures.
Boaties are being warned to be aware of how dangerous sand bars are, and their responsibilities when traversing them.

Bars are located at the mouths of rivers and harbor entrances, and boaties often need to cross them when heading out to sea.

They are like underwater hills, and are a combination of sand, silt and mud. This means swells coming in from the sea hit the mounds, increase in height and can turn into breaking waves, also unpredictable currents can be created.

In recent years there have been several incidents around the country where boats have capsized, injuring and sadly in some instances killing those on-board.

Maritime NZs Principal Advisor Recreational Craft, Matt Wood says there are several steps skippers need to take to keep themselves and those on-board their vessels safe when crossing bars.

"Every sand bar is different."

Skippers planning on crossing a bar are legally responsible for managing the risks.

The most important job skippers have is to make decisions that prioritise safety for those on-board, says Matt.

"Skippers are best placed to make the decision on whether to cross a bar based on their own experience, the capability of the vessel and the actual bar conditions at the time.

"It doesnt matter how experienced you are on the water, crossing a bar can be extremely dangerous.

"If you dont have the knowledge, understanding or ability, it isnt worth risking your life or those on-board to cross the bar.

"Around the country harbourmasters and Coastguard supply locally focused resources; such as bar cameras as well as education and communications to ensure those planning to cross bars in their areas understand the risks, and have the necessary knowledge."

Bar Safety Programme Lead at Coastguard, Simon Marshall says every bar is different, and constantly changes.

"Boaties interested in learning more about risks with bars consider attending local bar awareness seminars, or check out the videos available on how to manage risks when crossing bars.

"Anyone planning on crossing a bar needs to check the weather forecast, tide and bar camera (if available); tie down loose objects on the vessel, ensure everyone is wearing a properly fitted lifejacket, check out any material about the specific information relating to the bar they are planning on crossing, such as the weather patterns and tidal considerations; as well as log your crossing with Coastguard on VHF radio or cellphone before departing," he says.

In the Bay of Plenty for example, there are live bar cameras for the Bowentown Bar, Whakatane River and at the Kaituna River.

"These are crucial tools to understand the conditions, and make a considered decision as to whether or not it is safe for you to cross the bar," Matt Wood says.

With autumn now here, and winter on the way, a capsizing while crossing a bar can dump those on-board into cold and potentially rough waters.

"While rescuers are ready to respond, cold and rough conditions can be difficult to survive in, and every year Coastguard volunteers respond to emergencies on bars.

"Too often Coastguard volunteers see the tragic effects drownings have on whanau and the community," Simon Marshall says

The message from Maritime NZ, harbourmasters and Coastguard is clear- if in doubt, dont go out.

Resources to assist in bar crossing knowledge

https://www.boprc.govt.nz/living-in-the-bay/boating-in-the-bay/being-safe/bar-crossing/

https://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/recreational/safety/crossing-the-bar/#before

https://www.boatiesbestmate.nz/
Two-time Olympic gold medallist and five-time world rowing champion Mahe Drysdale is considering joining the race for Tauranga City Council.

The legendary sportsman told the Bay of Plenty Times he was weighing up standing in Taurangas council election in July, as the term of Government-installed commissioners ends.

On Thursday he attended an event celebrating the 10th birthday of the Sir Bob Owens Retirement Village in Bethlehem.

The village is named after Mahes grandfather, a former city mayor and business magnate credited with helping develop the Port of Tauranga.

Mahe Drysdale told the Bay of Plenty Times he was considering running in the Tauranga City Council election. Photo / Alex Cairns.

Mahe, 45, says he expected to firm up his decision within the next few days and could provide more details then.

Nominations for the election open on April 26.

The Cambridge-based former Tauranga Boys College student, who was joined at the event by wife Juliette and their three young children, is a two-time Olympian champion and five-time world champion in the single sculls.

Mahe has also been the New Zealand national champion seven times and has been awarded New Zealand Sportsman of the Year five times.

Among his sporting accolades, Mahe also won an Olympic bronze, three world silvers and was crowned New Zealands favourite athlete following the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He retired from competitive rowing in 2021 the following year was awarded the Thomas Keller Medal, considered the highest honour in rowing.

After retiring, he became a financial advisor and has recently chaired a union of elite athletes involved in a landmark Employment Relations Authority case with government agency High Performance Sport NZ.

He told the Bay of Plenty Times that running for council was something he was passionate about, particularly regarding the potential for what Tauranga can be.

When you grow up in a family like I have, theres a lot of giving back from both my grandfather and my grandma. The Bob and Joy [Owens] Scholarship that goes to nine schools around the Bay is a great initiative and [example] of that. Thats why I would consider running, Mahe says.

Theres opportunity there.

Mahes uncle and Sir Bobs son, Doug Owens, has already announced his intention to stand for the Tauranga mayoralty.

Mahe says he had spoken with his uncle, a former regional councillor who has previously stood for the Tauranga mayoralty, about his potentially joining the race.

Its obviously hard if you are going to run against your family member but you have to say if you can offer a different perspective. If I were to run, it would be [with a] a completely different sort of perspective, Mahe says.

Doug Owens is running for mayor of Tauranga.

Asked about potentially running against his nephew, Doug Owens told the Bay of Plenty Times it did not bother him.

It is a democracy and people make their choices  were all coming from different perspectives.

Its all democracy at work here and weve got to get it back into place in this city.

Lessons from his youth

In a speech to village residents gathered for the birthday celebrations, Mahe spoke about the values his grandfather instilled in him from a young age.

Mahe, who lived with Sir Bob and Joy in Auckland when he was 16, says he remembered how hard-working his grandfather was, particularly reading through board papers.

What I got out of that was the determination he had to succeed, no matter what, Mahe says.

Thats certainly been a great lesson to me and my career and what Ive done.

After speaking at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Bob Owens Retirement Village, Mahe Drysdale told the Bay of Plenty Times he was considering running in the local election. Photo / Alex Cairns.

Mahe became emotional during his speech, referring to when he first started rowing when there was no money and his grandmother giving him $200 a week to live on.

Without Joy, I wouldnt have been as successful as I was.

When Mahe won his first Olympic gold for single sculls in 2012, he dedicated the medal to her.

Mahe was acutely aware of his grandparents efforts to succeed in life and what they had achieved.

Granddad didnt come from money and was living in a state house in Merivale, struggling to pay the bills every week for his growing family.

Mahe talked about Sir Bobs career starting with working at mills on Matakana Island before venturing into an empire of businesses, many of which serviced the Port of Tauranga, which he is credited with helping to become New Zealands largest port.

Sir Bob was also a councillor and mayor of Mount Maunganui when it had its own borough council then later Tauranga city.

In Granddads last speech, he mentioned what New Zealand was and Im sure most of you will remember; if the community and school need a pool, the dads of all the kids would get out their spades and start digging a hole, Mahe says.

We tended to make things happen, contributing time without cost, the pooling together as a community was the foundation blocks of our country ... it was what he believed in. Im not sure what he would think of today with all the red tape and road cones.

We need to do what we can for each other ... anything is achievable.

Kiri Gillespie is an assistant news director and a senior journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, specialising in local politics and city issues. She was a finalist for the Voyager Media Awards Regional Journalist of the Year in 2021.

Kiri Gillespie, Bay of Plenty Times
Mercury Bay Boating Club in Whitianga is reaching out for support as it seeks to relocate its clubrooms.

Its old facility was left teetering on the waters edge as large swells and surging tides caused by ex-cyclone Hale eroded metres of foreshore and was then moved 25 metres inland.

Club commodore Simon Rawlinson says the club has identified an alternative site in Dundas St and is scheduled to meet with affected parties next week as it went through the public consultation process.

He says Dundas St has been identified as the only suitable alternative in the area for a number of reasons, including proximity to the water, location close to the towns marina and district plan zoning.

Simon says the process is pushing ahead at a great rate of knots.

At Wednesdays Mercury Bay Community Board meeting, attended by Thames-Coromandel Mayor Len Salt, Rawlinson told the board the public had now been notified of the clubs intention to relocate the clubhouse.

It's seeking support from the board for the relocation of the clubrooms.

Simon says it's an unfortunate circumstance the club was not able to approach the community board earlier in the process, as they were taken by surprise by the swiftness in which the Department of Conservation (DoC) acted.

The clubs first application to relocate the clubrooms was lodged with DoC in December 2023, and it was then told in January that it could be between six and nine months before they would hear back.

Then, at the end of March, the club received a letter from DoC, saying the application would be put out to public notification in early April.

Regarding the public notification, we see the club as a valuable community asset, it is not just used by the boat club and for boat club activities.

He says the club has since undertaken a thorough investigation of potential sites.

Damage caused by storm surges at Mercury Bay Boating Club in Whitianga. Photo / Lynley Ward.

Ideally, they wanted to stay at the current site, but it has since become a heritage-listed site, and there are ongoing threats of erosion, which would make the facility uninsurable.

We looked at many reserves and we settled on our latest proposal of the Dundas site, due mainly to the fact its zoned for marine services.

We are a perfect fit for the zoning of the area.

The community board agreed to receive the clubs submission, and deferred a decision on whether to support it, to allow time for the board to seek informal community views before public submissions close.

In its application to DoC, the club said the Dundas St site was reclaimed land, which did not exist at the time the clubhouse building was constructed in the late 1990s.

Had it been available at that time, the club would've sought permission to establish the clubhouse building in that location.

The clubhouse was officially opened in 1997.

The club proposed a lease of an area of 2374m, bounded by the Whitianga Harbour on one side and Crown Land leased by the Whitianga Marina Society on the other.

The proposal is not likely to result in any significant environmental impacts, the club says in its application.

The proposal would not unduly restrict public access to the reserve or boat ramp.

The Mercury Bay Boating Club has a long-standing connection with the Mercury Bay community, enjoys excellent community and volunteer support and has one of the most successful junior sailing programmes in the country.

The current predicament faced by the club as a result of the cyclone events of 2023 has been challenging, yet club membership remains strong and the club is looking to further expand and grow its summer sailing programme this year, albeit from a temporary base out of a shipping container.

This demonstrates the high level of commitment and determination by the club and its members to overcome the hurdles currently faced and reflects the importance of the club as an asset to the wider community.

Submissions on Mercury Bay Boating Clubs application for a lease in Whitianga can be made until May 9.

Submission forms can be downloaded online.

-Waikato Herald.
SUR Malaga Friday, 19 April 2024, 17:26 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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It's hard to believe, but Yorkshire Linen Beds and More is celebrating 16 years of bringing beautiful home furnishings to the Costa del Sol and beyond.

The journey

The journey has been one of diversity and growth with the first store, which is still trading in the same location near to Parque Miramar, Mijas Costa, opening its doors in April 2008 trading as a franchise of the Towel Rail Company which was based in Harrogate, Yorkshire and selling purely soft furnishings and JML products.

The parent company in the UK went into administration in 2018, but the Mijas Costa shop continued to operate as an independent entity and thrived, starting to work with new products and suppliers that had previously not been permitted under the franchise agreement.

Beds, furniture, decoration and rugs all became a big part of the new independent store, as well as made-to-measure curtains and blinds.

Skip on 16 years and the "shop" is now "shops", having expanded six years ago into the Marbella marketplace with a beautiful boutique-style Yorkshire Linen Prestige store situated on the Golden Mile.

Zoom

High-end products

Specialising in all aspects of home furnishings and catering for all types of clients from the budget AirBnB customers, right through to the higher end of the market supplying luxurious Hypnos-branded beds from the UK and Egyptian-cotton bedding and towels for home and high-end holiday rental properties.

The growth on-line over the past 16 years has been incredible and the success of the online shop www.yorkshirelinen.es has seen thousands of orders sent all over Spain and the Balearic Islands making the website now a major supplier of bed linen and curtains to the whole peninsula and further afield.

We asked the owners at Yorkshire Linen Beds and More what has been the key to keeping the doors open and making the business a success, having weathered recessions, Brexit and of course Covid. The answer was simple; sticking to the mantra that customer service is a priority.

Customers come first

The customer comes first and everyone who works in the stores is trained and on-hand to offer advice and help to anyone walking through the doors or contacting them through the website.

A good range of products in prices and qualities to suit all and a bit of cheeky banter with the wonderful clients who have supported this business over the years and who continue to do so on a regular basis.

Can't wait to see what happens in the next 16 years!
Fermin Apezteguia Madrid Friday, 19 April 2024, 17:28 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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The appearance 17 years ago of the first, and so far the only, cancer vaccine - cervical cancer - closed the door on any future research and development to create new immunisation treatments for other tumour-based diseases.

Scientists pointed out the fact that cervical cancer was an exception to the norm for most cancers in that this particular disease is caused by a virus, human papillomavirus (HPV). All other cancers, of which there are over 200, each one different, are linked to different biological processes related, fundamentally, to ageing.

Taking a vaccine-based approach to the rest seemed to be the wrong toolset - that is, until Covid reared its head and the unforeseen development of a vaccine changed everything, re-opening this line of enquiry.

Messenger RNA technology (a single-stranded molecule that tells your DNA to make proteins to build immunity) is being researched to provide immunity against melanoma.

Results are promising and it is expected that these will favour further development of vaccines to treat the stubborn, deadly cancers in such as the lungs, breast and liver. The prototype vaccine being tested has changed everything.

"It has breathed new life into the field of cancer vaccines," says oncologist Eva Munoz Couselo, member of the board of directors of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM).

"They have truly opened the door to personalised medicine in cancer, to being able to treat each patient based on their tumour and their immune system," she adds.

Across Spain hospitals treat around 7,500 cases of melanoma every year, and it is a disease on the increase. Its appearance is mostly driven by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun, but sufferers can also have a genetic predisposition to the condition and people are more susceptible if they have a history of severe and repeated bouts of sunburn.

Surprisingly, 80% of melanomas occur on apparently healthy skin and only 20%  one in five cases, a substantial figure nonetheless  is due to a previous skin lesion, such as a mole, which mutates and turns malignant.

The objective of this vaccine, according to Munoz Couselo, is to ensure that the immune system generates an effective response to the tumour's antigens. Right there the scientists found the answer to the question that was baffling them: why do all these promising prototypes, without exception, fail?

Breaking the barrier

The answer lay in the fact that the substances used to generate an immune system response were simply not strong enough. Cancer, as researchers have discovered throughout history, always ended up defeating the antigens introduced by varying treatments. But that barrier has finally been overcome. This has been made possible by advances in the development of vaccines through genetic sequencing, a technology that allows us to fully understand and decipher the genetic code of living beings.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) provides the possibility of identifying tumour-specific antigens (the scientific term is neoantigens). These are, as Munoz Couselo explains, a new protein that forms on cancer cells when certain mutations (autoantigens) occur in the tumour's DNA.

They help the body to make an immune response against those specific cancer cells. They constitute the "ideal target for the development of therapeutic vaccines against cancer", such as the one that has been developed against melanoma.

Therapeutic means that it is not designed to prevent the disease (like classic vaccines such as for influenza), but to treat it once there is an outbreak.

Prototype

The prototype vaccine, jointly designed by the pharmaceutical companies Merck and Moderna (ring any bells?), has genetically sequenced up to 34 tumour neoantigens specific to each patient.

Studies carried out with 157 patients have shown that, combined with a known chemotherapy agent (pembrolizumab - a PD-1 protein-blocking immunotherapy treatment), it reduced the risk of the disease reappearing after 18 months by 44%.

After three years of follow-up, the possibility of recurrence or death has risen to 49% and the risk of metastasis has dropped to 62%. Its side effects are also "mild": fatigue, pain localised to the injection site and random body chills.

Nine injections

The vaccine is injected directly into the muscle mass. That said, a single shot is not enough - nine injections are required, administered every three weeks. Aside from the time taken for the injections, another six to eight weeks are needed to manufacture the specific vaccine for each patient.

Oncologists believe that the vaccine will be used initially to prevent any reoccurrence of melanoma and then, over time, it could be expanded to treat cases of metastasis.

A new era

Results obtained to date are so encouraging that experts are confident that this approach will also help treat the following diseases: all non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC), which account for between 80% and 90% of lung cancer cases; hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) liver cancer - the most common primary cancer linked to cases of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis; and the very malignant, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which represents 15% of all breast cancer cases.

All good news then, as summed up by the oncologist: "A new era has begun against cancer."
Together with the office of MEP Marton Gyongyosi we co-organized a panel discussion at Thon Hotel in Brussels regarding the breaches of the rule of law in Hungary and the various ways the EU institutions have responded. We have focused on ECPM's values of relational economics and on our propositions for EU reform in the Hungarian context.

Since Hungary is holding the Presidency of the EU Council at the moment and since there have been rule of law breaches in other Member States as well (Spain, most recently), we believe the discussion was of a far-reaching relevance.

Prof. Rona stated the importance of Christianity and its concept on human dignity in the European culture and politics. He also commented on some EU politicians intentions to lead a more Moscow-friendly foreign policy, underlining that he does not see the necessity of building bridges with countries he regards as dictatorships. Rona also talked about the demographic challenges of Hungary - the massive demographic downturn and the migration of Hungarian citizens to Western Member States. He advocated for more power being returned to the citizen level and to villages and towns' councils who should have a higher autonomy in how to spend their resources strengthening their communities.

Mr. Gyongyosi echoed the gravity of the demographic situation and decried the fragile economic state of affairs as the reason most Hungarians move to Western Europe. A secondary reason is the gradual deterioration of democracy in Hungary. He gave as examples the shutting down of several media outlets that were critical of the Orban regime, as well as educational institutions that had to relocate in the last several years because of state pressure and interference.

MEP Gyongyosi stressed that Russia and its propaganda poses a great threat to the European democracies. He explained how that has already permeated Hungarian society and how Orban's recent diplomatic games regarding Sweden's accession to NATO and the veto for Ukraine aid are telling signs of Putin's influence on a EU Member State. Mr Gyongyosi also warned about the real danger of Hungary being taken out of the EU.

The conclusion of the event was that Europe has to strengthen itself in the face of authoritarian challenges fuelled by Moscow and that the EU should hold fast to and enforce strictly the Rule of Law, respect for the freedom of the individual based on the Christian ethics and of the freedom of information and free speech.

On behalf of the European Christian Political Movement, the General Director Maarten van de Fliert spoke about the importance of the European elections, about ECPM's focus described in our slogan: Elevate.Empower.Engage and about the 7 spearheads which bind our members from all over Europe together.

The panel discussion was moderated by journalist Balazs Gulyas.
Eugenio Cabezas Friday, 19 April 2024, 13:44 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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At around 11am on Thursday 18 April two Spanish F-18 fighter planes flew very low and fast over the coast of the Axarquia on the eastern stretch of the Costa del Sol, creating a loud boom. Their presence roused speculation that they were headed for the Middle East and to the conflict in Gaza.

The unexpected appearance of the jets generated rumours on social networks, with Axarquia residents posting photos and videos that quickly went viral.

However, as happened in the early hours of Sunday morning in Malaga city, the manoeuvres had "nothing to do with" international conflicts according to the Ministry of Defence in Malaga. Instead they have said that the aircraft came the Zaragoza air base and were part of routine training for pilots and military personnel.

SUR has been able to confirm that the pilots flying the two aircraft were Jorge Rico, 28, from Torrox, who has 10 years' experience in the Air Force, and Vicente Martin, 23, from Madrid, who has spent six years in the Air Force, where both men are currently lieutenants.

Zoom Image of the military vehicle spotted on Thursday in Torrox. SUR

In addition to the fighter jets, a large military vehicle was spotted on Thursday 18 April in a parking area near the Torrox motorway exit. The vehicle was only there for a few minutes and once again the Ministry of Defence said it was part of "routine movements" of military vehicles.
Eugenio Cabezas Axarquia Friday, 19 April 2024, 13:07 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Lovers of goats' cheese and honey should head to Colmenar in the Axarquia on the eastern side of Malaga province this weekend. The village is celebrating the two local products ('colmenar' means beehive in Spanish) from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 April. Along with tapas and other tastings, there will also be a spring market, workshops and other activities.

The event forms part of a series of Sabor a Malaga (Taste of Malaga) foodie fairs taking place around the province in spring. Torremolinos, Benalmadena and Velez-Malaga have already had theirs and forthcoming ones are planned for Nerja, Mijas, Antequera, Ronda and Rincon de la Victoria.

During the fair in Colmenar bars and restaurants in the village will offer tapas based on honey and goat's cheese made in the local Agammasur cooperative under the brands Quesos Montes de Malaga and Quesos El Pinsapo. The price of the tapa plus drink (water, soft drink or beer) will be 2.50 euros. Among the tapas on offer there will be wild boar with cheese and honey, avocado with honey and goat's cheese and cheese and honey croquettes.

Zoom Presentation of the fair. SUR

A leaflet will be published so that the public can vote for their favourite tapa and those who get stamps from five of the participating restaurants will be eligible for a special dinner for two and cheese tasting at the restaurant rated best by the public or a hamper with Agammasur and Miel de Malaga products.

There will be a stall selling the cooperative's cheeses to the public on the villages Plaza de Espana along with marquees for various activities such as artisan cheese and beeswax candle making and pottery workshops. In addition, on the 20th and 21st there will be open days at the villages Honey Museum, where there will be guided tastings of the eight local honeys and local cheeses.
Lorena Cadiz Friday, 19 April 2024, 13:26 Opciones para compartir Copiar enlace

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Josefa Alarcon celebrated her 100th birthday on 2 March with a surprise party organised by her family, many of whom travelled from abroad to be with her on the special occasion.

One of the gifts she received was a tablet, which Josefa, the oldest resident in Mijas Pueblo, has not been able to put it down, as she loves to play Candy Crush and Solitaire.

This is not Josefas only hobby, as she also likes to paint and draw, along with making plasticine models for her eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

As a young woman, she worked hard, as a maid in people's houses, and on the land, picking olives, harvesting wheat and doing whatever I was told to do, although, as she points out, it wasnt all hard work, as she liked dancing very much.

She married a beautiful person from Granada and swapped her life in the country and her dancing to raise four children. The family moved to Barcelona, but returned after a few years to Mijas, the village where she was born, and where her four children also live. Now she spends time in all of their homes, but lives mainly with her eldest son, Antonio.

Zoom Josefa, seated, with her great-grandson and accompanied by her family and the mayor of Mijas. L. Cadiz

Josefa, whos favourite colour is purple, still enjoys dancing, and although she has impaired hearing, she does not need glasses to paint, as she says she can see perfectly.

The truth is that I am coping quite well at 100, she declared.

Zoom

Josefa received a surprise visit from the towns mayor, Ana Mata, this week, who congratulated her on her centenary. Mata asked Josefa what her secret was at reaching 100 in such good condition, to which she replied, by gaining the respect of others, and by respecting myself also.

I have no complaints about any of my children, my daughters-in-law or anyone else, they all treat me very well, and with respect. I respect them too, of course, she told the mayor.
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The United States reiterates its strong support for the continued implementation of the 2016 Peace Accord, between the Colombian government and two armed rebel groups, the FARC and the ELN.
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Utica, N.Y.  A former Utica schools superintendent Friday was ordered to pay $161,549 and sentenced to five years of probation for using taxpayer money to support school board election campaigns.

Oneida County Court Judge Michael Dwyer ordered Bruce Karam, 62, to pay $11,549 in restitution and $150,000 to the Utica City School District by May 17, state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a news release.

The $150,000 represents his pension earnings from the date he misused taxpayer money until he was fired. He was also ordered to complete 250 hours of community service.

Karam served as the districts superintendent from 2011 until he was placed on leave in October 2022. He was charged in November.

The city school district in a statement said the money Karam was ordered to pay will be directed back towards educating our students  those from whom these resources were unjustly diverted. The Utica City School District will utilize these funds to directly support and enhance learning opportunities for our students in need.

Throughout these proceedings, our district has faced significant financial burdens. The recovery of these funds is a crucial step towards alleviating some of the financial pressures and reinvesting in our educational mission.

Karam pleaded guilty in March to public corruption. He admitted to using school-owned supplies and postage during work hours to send election mailers that supported certain school board candidates.

He also used school resources to send invitations for a non-school fundraiser for a charity run by former Mayor Louis LaPolla, who was the school board president from 2018 to 2022, prosecutors said.

Fundraiser flyers for the charity were inserted by school district employees during working hours in envelopes the district paid for and were mailed using the districts stamps. LaPolla was aware that school resources were being used on his behalf, according to authorities.

Almost $15,000 worth of public supplies and work time was stolen, according to DiNapoli.

LaPolla pleaded guilty to petit larceny. He was sentenced to 60 days of house arrest and three years of probation, DiNapoli said.

LaPolla was also indicted in federal court in September after he was charged with spending thousands of dollars on himself that came from a scholarship fund started in his wifes memory. That case is ongoing.

Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him at falba@syracuse.com.
Syracuse, N.Y.  There was a buzz of energy in All Saints Church on Saturday, April 13.

Rather than customary Catholic hymns, the choir kicked off the Convocation of Catholics of African Descent service with the spirited African song, Akwaaba, meaning Welcome in the Twi dialect spoken in Ghana.
The tragic killing of two local police officers, Lt. Michael Hoosock and Officer Michael Jensen, in a quiet neighborhood in Salina in the late evening of April 14 landed Syracuse in the national headlines for yet another senseless act of violence.

The murder of these officers in the line of duty offers a sobering reminder of the inherent danger that law enforcement, first responders and their families face on a regular basis.

Yet, recognizing that risk, the public outcry and the deluge of sympathies that accompanied this dreadful news is a testament to the truly remarkable infrequency with which this type of crime occurs in a community like this one.

Onondaga County celebrates its 230th birthday this year. Over the course of those nearly two-and-a-half centuries, 17 law enforcement officers have lost their lives in the line of duty.

That number increased to 19 in the wake of Sundays tragedy; and while the circumstances of each officers death differ as widely as the times in which they served, the shock and the sadness engendered by these tragedies is incredibly consistent.

Detective James Harvey.Courtesy of the Onondaga Historical Association

Onondaga County was only a year away from its centennial celebration the very first time its citizens were shaken to learn of the death of one of their own lawmen.

Much like the deaths of Officers Hoosock and Jensen, the story made headlines across the nation.

On Monday, July 31, 1893, a special fourth edition of The Syracuse Evening Herald hit the citys newsstands with the staggering headline in bold type, DETECTIVE HARVEY KILLED.

In what might rightly be called a uniquely American coincidence, the front page that evening offered an orgy of violence and murder.

Detective Harveys murder was flanked by more horrific news out of Columbia, South Carolina. It was reported that three Black men had been lynched by a mob of thousands after being accused of assaulting a white woman.

This was just one example of the rash of lynchings that swept over the United States in the 1890s, as racial and nativist violence proliferated.

Juxtaposed to these colored fiends, as they were described by the Evening Herald, was a drawing of Richard Malone, identified as the colored man who chased the assassin of Detective Harvey

Malone heroically pursued the shooters, who according to reporting under the heading Lynch him! Lynch him!, were themselves nearly dispatched by the maddened throng.

Yet, these initial reports only hinted at the twists and turns of a story fit for stage and screen and the local and national press could not spill enough ink.

Detective James Harvey served in the Syracuse Police Department for nearly a quarter of a century, even acting as Chief for a time, before he was gunned down on East Water Street, shot in the head.

As reported by the Evening Herald, the foul crime was committed in broad daylight, in or, at least, very near one of the busiest parts of the city and within a good deal less than a stones throw of police headquarters, then located in the rear of City Hall, which was barely a year old.

Harvey had gone to police headquarters to pick up his check, when fate intervened.

He happened to be in the captains office when a call came infrom Fred Palmer, the owner of The Turf, a cafe on South Warren Street.

According to the reporting in several of the Syracuse dailies, there had been a string of safe burglaries across the city and the police informed many of the taverns and restaurants in downtown to keepan eye out for suspicious patrons paying with nickels and dimes, the unfortunate haul from their latest score.

Doing his civic duty, Palmer phoned the police to tell them that two such men had just left his establishment.

Harveys colleagues, Detectives Sheppard and OBrien, were the leads on the case, but they were not in.

So, Detective Harvey, unarmed, took the short walk to 221 South Warren Street to arrest the two men.

When he arrived at the scene, however, Harvey did not rush in, having been asked by Palmer not to.

Instead, he chose to wait next-door, outside of Perrys Feed Store, and observe the men as they left.

He followed them as they travelled north on Warren Street. As they neared the newly completed Bastable Block, Harvey walked between the two men and told them they were wanted by the police for questioning.

Initially, it seemed as if the men were going to cooperate. According to an eyewitness, as Harvey led the men towards City Hall, one of them hit Harvey with his revolver and the other man shot him in the head.

The two assailants took off running.

Enter Richard Malone, the hero of the day, who chased one of the men for several blocks until he was apprehended by policehiding under a porch on Lock Street (now State Street).

He told the police that his name was George M. Barnes.

The otherman, later identified as Charles Wilson, evaded capture until he was finally arrested in Buffalo a month later after an extensive manhunt led by the Pinkerton Detective Agency.

By the time the trial started on Oct. 31, 1893, the real identity of the man calling himself George Barnes was revealed.

The alleged murderer was actually, Lucius Dink Wilson, a man with an extensive criminal record. He and his brother, Charles, who were tried separately, were identified via photograph by police in St. Louis, Missouri as known train robbers.

It was agreed by the authorities in the case that Dink Wilson should stay and face trial for First Degree Murder. The trial did not last long.

Wilson was convicted by the jury on November 4. A week later, the judge sentenced Wilson to die by electrocution at Auburn State Penitentiary, which was the pilot site of this new humane method of execution since 1890.

He went to the chair on May 14, 1894.

In a macabre scene illustrating the scientific curiosities of the day, Wilsons brain was donated to Cornell University, where it was put on display with the brain of Charles Guiteau, President Garfields assassin.

Detective Harvey left behind his wife, Mary Mullin Harvey, and their three daughters, Mary Irene, Katheryn, and Nell. Detective Harvey is buried next to his wife, Mary, in St. Agnes Cemetery. All the monuments in their plot were removed long ago.

(Harvey was previously married to a woman named Margaret, and two sons, Frank and James.)

His funeral at St. John The Baptist Church was attended by thousands of Syracusans who came to pay their respects to the fallen officer and his family.

Thirty-six years passed before the next Syracuse police officer, James Hannon, was shot and killed in the line of duty.

Robert Searings weekly articles are supported by the William G. Pomeroy Public History Media Series. To learn more about the William G. Pomeroy Foundations work to promote public history, visit wgpfoundation.org.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered flags across the state to half-staff for two days to remember the slain Central New York officers.

Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriffs Office Lt. Michael Hoosock were shot and killed Sunday night in Salina. The shooter, Christopher R. Murphy, was also shot and killed.

Flags will be lowered from sunrise Saturday to sunset Monday, April 22, according to a statement from Hochuls office.

Lieutenant Hoosock and Officer Jensen were two of our best and my thoughts are with their loved ones as we grieve with them, Hochul said in an email.

They will be lowered during both officers funerals.

Jensens funeral is Saturday in Rome. Hoosocks is Monday at the New York State Fairgrounds near Syracuse. Thousands of law enforcement officers are expected to attend services.

Calling hours will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home at 7751 Merrick Road, Rome. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. John the Baptist Church at 210 E. Dominick Street in Rome. He will be buried in St. Johns Cemetery.

A funeral for Hoosock will be held at the State Fair Expo Center at 11 a.m. Monday. Its being held at the expo center due to the number of people expected. The center normally holds 4,000 people but 2,000 extra chairs have been added, according to the funeral director. Hoosocks calling hours will be private.

In the city of Syracuse and Onondaga County, flags have been lowered since Wednesday.

Flags at Le Moyne College have been lowered since Tuesday. Both officers attended the college.

22 1 / 22 Two police officers killed in shooting in Salina

Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com.
New York State Police plan to fill in for Syracuse police officers and Onondaga County sheriffs deputies as they attend funerals and mourn the loss of two officers killed in a shootout.

State troopers will respond to calls, help with traffic management and provide logistical support from 3 p.m. today through Monday, according to state and local authorities.

Troopers also agreed to provide extra coverage beyond Monday if additional support is needed, a spokesman for Gov. Kathy Hochul said today.

About 15,000 people are expected to attend two separate funerals for the slain officers on Saturday and Monday.

The funeral for Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen will be Saturday at small church in Rome. Services for Onondaga County Sheriff Lt. Michael Hoosock will be Monday at the New York State Fairgrounds.

Syracuse police today encouraged residents to report non-emergency matters through alternative methods. Voicemail messages can be left at the departments tele-serve line (315) 442-5207.

Reports can also be submitted online at the police department.

Police said Onondaga County residents should continue to call 911 to report emergencies.

Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751
The state fairgrounds will open Chevy Court and the Coliseum for overflow crowds Monday to watch a livestream of funeral services for Onondaga County Sheriff Lt. Michael Hoosock.

Organizers are planning for as many as 15,000 people to attend two separate funeral services Saturday and Monday for the two officers who were killed Sunday in a shootout with an armed gunman.

On Saturday, a small church in Rome is preparing to host thousands of mourners of Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen.

Services for Hoosock will begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the New York State Fair Expo Center.

The addition of the Coliseum brings indoor seating to 10,000. Chevy Court can seat up to 30,000 people outside, according to the state fairs website.

A North Carolina man has offered to donate a tractor-trailer with a mobile screen for Chevy Court viewers, said Tom Pirro, funeral director. He is Mike Estojak, who owns the company Mobile Technology Graphics.

Services can also be viewed on local media.

Contact Michelle Breidenbach | mbreidenbach@syracuse.com | 315-470-3186.
Organizers are planning for as many as 15,000 people to attend two separate funeral services Saturday and Monday for the two officers who were killed Sunday in a shootout with an armed gunman.

A small church in Rome is preparing to host thousands of mourners of Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen. The church is so small, the massive police escort from the funeral home will be by motorcycle. Uniformed officers from as far away as Quebec are expected to attend, officials said.

Services for Onondaga County Sheriff Lt. Michael Hoosock will be held Monday at a bigger venue, the New York State Fairgrounds.

Both families are still finalizing the programs for funeral services.

Here are the details so far:

Jensen services

The funeral for Jensen begins at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church at 210 E. Dominick Street in Rome.

Mass will be led by the Rev. Paul Angelicchio.

In addition to family, speakers will include Syracuse Police Captain Dave Metz and Officers Grant Prudhomme and Forrest Gilbert, who are close friends.

The countys Air 1 helicopter is expected to fly over the church.

A motorcade of motorcycles will escort Jensens body from the funeral home to the church.

Organizers are expected to release the route this afternoon for people who want to pay respects along city streets.

Parking and seating is limited inside the church. Organizers are strongly encouraging members of the public to watch the services on the churchs You Tube account or Facebook page. Viewers on Facebook will have to ask the church for permission to join the private group.

There will not be a screen set up outside the church.

After the service, a processional will follow Jensens body to the cemetery.

The burial is private.

People are expected to line the streets to pay respects.

That route is also expected to be shared with the public later today.

Rome Police plan to close roads from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. today and from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Hoosock services

The funeral for Hoosock is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Monday at the State Fair Expo Center, according to Thomas J. Pirro, Jr, the funeral director.

Organizers are working to make the cavernous building feel as much as possible like a traditional church setting, Pirro said.

The funeral is open to the public. It will also be broadcast by media.

The buildings bleacher seats can hold about 4,000 people. They will add about 2,000 seats in the center, facing the altar. There will be limited standing room available inside th room. There is no formal reservation system, but police and fire officials from as far away as Oregon have called for information.

Overflow crowds will be able to watch a live stream indoors at the state fairs Coliseum building and outdoors at Chevy Court.

There is plenty of parking at the fairgrounds. The public should enter at Gate 6. A bus will also be available to take people from the upper parking lots, he said.

The Mass will be led by the Rev. Christopher Celentano, of St. Rose of Lima in North Syracuse. Several hundred mourners gathered there Wednesday for a vigil.

The countys Air 1 helicopter is expected to fly over, he said.

The burial is private.

Anyone who wants to view the escort to the cemetery can line up along the following tentative route: From the state fairgrounds to Interstate 690 to Bear Street, to Court Street. They plan to exit the fairgrounds at Gate 12.

A rotating group of sheriffs deputies have been posted outside the Clay funeral home since Hoosock arrived there Monday.

Hootch wont be alone, Tom Newton, a sheriffs office spokesperson said. He will have a black and gold deputy with him until he is buried.

Check Syracuse.com later today for updated information.

Fernando Alba contributed to this report.

Contact Michelle Breidenbach | mbreidenbach@syracuse.com | 315-470-3186.
Editors note: The following is adapted from a 2017 article in Sheriff & Deputy Magazine by Jonathan Anderson, a retired lieutenant for the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office. Anderson lives in Liverpool.

The practices and traditions associated with first responder ceremonies personify the ideals of honor, dignity, service and a proud fraternal order. The rites attached to in the line-of-duty death ceremonies are set apart from other ceremonial practices by their solemn nature, involvement with other agencies, and that they are practiced in public. Recognizing the traditions embodied in ceremonies fosters an appreciation for the meaning and purpose of the professional public service.

Color Guard and Honor Guard

The Color Guard and Honor Guard presence were forged in military history. They evolved from special guard units that carried and protected national, state and unit flags in battle. These guard units signaled rally points and battle maneuvers. On the professional service front, these units represent country, state, municipality and agency. They are symbolic of the principles embodied in the professional oath. Processional flag etiquette is standard practice. Escort honor guard serves as a visible vigil to fallen service members. Guard units are an honored component of ceremony.

Martial Music

Martial instruments echo military history. These instruments sound cadence, signal maneuvers, are reminiscent of specific tune histories, and inspire courage and respect. Their emotional effects are unmistakable. The tune Taps evolved from the practice of tattoo that was originally tapped out on the drum the signify the end of day. The bugle tune echoes through American history; in 1862, Union Gen. Daniel Butterfield of the Army of the Potomac composed the musical version. The tune remains the professional service call to signify the end of watch.

Salutes

The hand salute is believed to have originated in medieval times when armored knights would lift helmet visors to identify themselves. The hand salute has manifested as an act of recognition and respect.

The firearms salute traces its history to naval heritage when cannon-armed ships fired their ordnance to demonstrate that their weapons were empty, and the ships company were on peaceful terms. The order Present arms and the dropping the point of a sword are symbolic of this intention.

The firearm triple-volley salute originated as a battlefield signal to halt hostilities, permitting the dead and wounded to be removed from the field. The number three held a mystical significance that was believed to ward off evil spirits. Christian influence suggest that the triple-volley represents the Trinity.

Aerial flyover

This practice signifies the departed who have slipped the surly bonds of earth.

Mourning bands

The donning of mourning bands is a recognized practice upon the death of a service member. Mourning bands are typically worn over the badges of service members. Black stripes down the outside of uniform pant legs serve as a mourning band representation. The bereavement period varies among agencies and is sometimes dependent upon members who are most affected by the loss, such as a service-family member, fellow unit or specific agency members.

These ceremonial rites honor the fallen, console the survivors; bond past, present and future generations of service members; and dignify a service steeped in heritage, and worthy of sacrifice.

Deepest condolences to the Syracuse Police Department and the Onondaga County Sheriffs Office in the loss of Officer Michael Jensen and Lt. Michael Hoosock.
By Thomas Tracy | New York Daily News

A man set himself on fire in a park across from Manhattan Criminal Court Friday where former President Trumps hush money trial continues, according to a report.

Firefighters and emergency medical technicians were called to the scene about 1:15 p.m. after the man burst into flames inside a barricaded area at the park.

[It was a] very scary, active scene, Politico reporter Emily Ngo posted on X. Did not hear him say anything before he dosed himself with a fluid.

The man had some large oak tag cards in front of him when he decided to self-immolate, Ngo said.

After the fire was extinguished, EMS rushed him to an area hospital for treatment.

He was responsive when he was removed but he is very, very badly burned. Body charred, Ngo said.

The incident occurred as prosecutors and attorneys for former President Trump wound down their first week in the historic hush money trial involving porn actress Stormy Daniels.

2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com.
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Re: USA: Ohio state senator wants a 'permanent ban' against all Chinese EVs



Quote: Fuldagap Originally Posted by While i was paying on the counter, my colleague took the belt from me to point out that there was another label stuck on it in Chinese. I asked him what was written. He smiled and told me the price. ~40 INR. Beat that.



We reached to a shop and the colleague talked to the shop guy and he pointed out to the jumbo bag filled with USBs and showed me, as I wanted one, I picked one, at that point the shop guy handed me a small shovel to pick USBs from the bag, during that time, I said, I only need one, while in the shovel there were 100s of them, then the colleague told me they sell the USBs in Kgs Yes you read that right !



At that moment, I asked him what if some of them are found to be damaged and not working, so the shop guy said take half a shovel more of USB. End result all my friends had a Chinese USB as a souvenir and it costed me few dollars.



Realised no one can beat them on pricing strategy !! Game hasnt changed since then, only the product has changed from USB to EVs. As everyone has said, its almost impossible to match their pricing policy when most of their products are backed by huge push from their government.Long long time back 2008/09 while in China, it was the time when USB was in vogue and I wanted to buy one, I dont know how many GBs. So I asked my Chinese colleague to accompany me to the shop (language problem) for buying a USB.We reached to a shop and the colleague talked to the shop guy and he pointed out to the jumbo bag filled with USBs and showed me, as I wanted one, I picked one, at that point the shop guy handed me a small shovel to pick USBs from the bag, during that time, I said, I only need one, while in the shovel there were 100s of them, then the colleague told me they sell the USBs in KgsYes you read that right !At that moment, I asked him what if some of them are found to be damaged and not working, so the shop guy said take half a shovel more of USB. End result all my friends had a Chinese USB as a souvenir and it costed me few dollars.Realised no one can beat them on pricing strategy !! Game hasnt changed since then, only the product has changed from USB to EVs. Last edited by NomadSK : 19th April 2024 at 00:20 .
A hot potato: Amazon's position at the top of the e-commerce market is one it wants to keep, even if  according to a new report  that means engaging in some sneaky tactics. The tech giant is said to have started a company so it could sell items on competitors' marketplaces to better understand how they ran their businesses - or to spy on them, to put it another way. Amazon, of course, disputes parts of the report.

Amazon set up a company called Big River Services in 2015 that sold items such as t-shirts, shoes, and beach chairs, writes The Wall Street Journal, part of Project Curiosity, a program designed to compare rival businesses against Amazon's own.

Big River's items were bought and sold on Best Buy, Overstock, and Walmart. It also joined FedEx, UPS, and other logistics services.

Amazon employees at Big River were told to take screenshots or photos of competitors' pricing, cataloging, and advertising systems, they were even sent to rivals' conferences to learn "exclusive information," the WSJ writes.

The Big River staff were told to hide their association with Amazon, minimizing the number electronic records. The Journal writes that Amazon executives had to view printed versions of reports and weren't allowed to keep them. The employees also used non-Amazon email addresses when communicating with other companies.

Amazon reportedly wanted to ensure the company and employees said the right thing should Project Curiosity ever be uncovered. An Amazon internal crisis management paper told workers to repeat the line, "We make a variety of products available to customers through a number of subsidiaries and online channels," if they were confronted.

There were a few signs that Big River and Amazon were connected. Employees of the former listed Amazon as their employer on their LinkedIn pages. There was also Big River's Japanese streetwear brand, called "Not So Ape," listing a Seattle address on its webpage. Furthermore, Big River's registration documents to the Washington Office of the Secretary of State included the address for Amazon's headquarters. The name Big River is a pretty big hint, too; it may as well have been called Strong Female Warrior.

Not So Ape clothing

Amazon has responded to the Wall Street Journal story by telling Quartz that Project Curiosity, which had a name change to Small Business Insights, is used to better understand how third parties experience its own platform more so than its rivals'. Amazon says this is evidenced by the fact that 70% of Big River's revenue comes from Amazon Stores rather than competitors. The company also told Business Insider that benchmarking, a term used for comparing a company to its competitors, is a common industry practice.

The reason Big River was a secret was to ensure that its team had real-world experience as a small business would through its interactions, Amazon said. It added that it had not identified any instances of an Amazon employee having FedEx pricing information prior to the launch of FedEx Fulfillment or using the information to adjust its pricing or pricing discussions with any sellers.
The big picture: Microsoft announced the co-branded "Xbox Mastercard" credit card last year with the promise of cashback in the form of reward points that can be used to buy Xbox games and more. It was piloted with members of the Xbox Insider program last September with plans to launch it for all US residents in 2024. The day has now arrived when everybody across the country can apply for it.

The Xbox Mastercard is now available in all 50 states to eligible residents aged 18 and above. Issued by Barclays, the card requires no annual fee and allows members to earn points on purchases across a slew of goods and services, including eligible products in the Microsoft Store, food delivery services like Grubhub and DoorDash, streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney, and various other everyday purchases.

Newly-announced benefits of the Xbox Mastercard include two Game Pass Ultimate codes that could be gifted to friends to let them try out the service for three months. Other perks include an upgrade to Level 2 of Microsoft Rewards for faster rewards, three free months of Spotify Premium Individual, and more options to redeem card points, including on Xbox consoles, accessories, Xbox Gift Cards, and more.

When every day adds up to more play AA



Earn bonus card points and 3 months of @XboxGamePass Ultimate for new members with the Xbox Mastercard: https://t.co/pmT3EMZJ4l  Xbox (@Xbox) April 18, 2024

Microsoft had earlier announced a number of other benefits, such as a one-time bonus of 5,000 points worth $50 after the first purchase. Members will also be able to customize the card by choosing one of five available designs, as well as personalize it with their gamertag. The card also supports contactless payments and digital wallets, offering users multiple ways of making payments.

In addition to those benefits, Mastercard is offering $0 Fraud Liability protection, so members are not charged for any payments they did not authorize. Card members are covered by other perks of the Mastercard network, including ID Theft Protection and Global Services for emergency assistance. Finally, card members will also get free online access to their FICO Credit Score.

Barclays is not charging an annual fee for the new card, and is instead using an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 20.99 percent to 29.99 percent based on the user's credit score. Members will be liable to pay various transaction fees, including a 5 percent balance transfer fee, a 5 percent cash advance fee, and a 3 percent foreign transaction fee in US dollars. Additionally, there will be a late payment fee of up to $41 if you miss a payment.
Space surveillance: SpaceX has never had a particularly friendly relationship with traditional defense contractors and manufacturers. However, the company is allegedly ready to send a fleet of secret US spy satellites into low-earth orbit.

Unnamed sources told Reuters that SpaceX is working with aerospace and defense contractor Northrop Grumman to develop a highly advanced network of spy satellites. The devices are almost ready to launch aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The US government will likely use them to acquire high-resolution imagery of Earth's surface.

The constellation of "hundreds" of spy satellites is part of a $1.8 billion contract between SpaceX and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the US defense agency that operates US reconnaissance satellites. Northrop Grumman, one of the world's largest weapons manufacturers and military tech providers, is contributing specific surveillance solutions like a series of sensors for a subset of the spy satellites.

One of the sources said that it's in the "government's interest" to avoid investing too much in a single company "run by one person," an explanation providing an almost perfect definition of how SpaceX operates. Northrop Grumman will install its tech in at least 50 of the satellites. Other contractors are working on additional components, with SpaceX coordinating the efforts.

SpaceX is not unfamiliar with satellite swarms. It put thousands of satellites up for the Starlink internet service. The NRO is interested in exploiting the company's tried ability to launch "megaconstellations" through their existing manufacturing facilities and the reusable Falcon 9 carrier. The new satellites are a "proliferated" network of swarms of individual surveillance devices less vulnerable to a large-scale (albeit still theoretical) attack by enemy entities.

The new satellites have exceptionally high-quality image sensors, with a resolution that exceeds the capabilities of some of the best spy satellites currently employed by the US. The military could theoretically use them as an alternative to drones and reconnaissance aircraft for surveillance tasks without the risk of violating foreign airspace.

The insiders said the first elements of the new spy network will launch next month from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The NRO's principal deputy director, Troy Meink, confirmed the launch, stating it will be just the first of six identical operations slated for 2024 alone.
What just happened? Apple has once again kowtowed to the Chinese government by removing Meta's WhatsApp and Threads apps from the mainland China App Store. Apple said it was ordered to do so at the request of the Cyberspace Administration of China, which claimed the demand was related to national security concerns. Telegram and Signal were also deleted from the store.

The four apps are some of the many Western services and products already blocked by China's Great Firewall, but users can bypass these restrictions using VPNs. Reuters writes that other Meta apps, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, were still available on the App Store in China, as were other Western apps such as YouTube and X.

Apple said in a statement, "We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree."

China's Communist Party has long kept a tight rein on what the population sees and does on the internet. The government monitors communications and censors sensitive topics such as the Tiananmen Square protests on social media.

Although iPhone sales fell in China by around a quarter during the first six weeks of 2024, the country remains a large and important market for the Cupertino firm. CEO Tim Cook praised China in March 2023, calling its relationship with Apple "symbiotic." As tensions between Beijing and the US kept on rising, Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang told Cook in October that the country remained committed to its relationship with Apple.

Washington hasn't eased the pressure on China this year, adding more export restrictions on certain US-made chips  the use of Intel's Meteor Lake CPUs in Huawei's recent MateBook X Pro drew plenty of criticism from Republican lawmakers. There's also the potential of a TikTok ban that appears more likely every day. But despite the animosity between the two nations, Cook emphasized Apple's commitment to China in March and his own personal feelings toward the country.

"I love China, I love being here, I love the people and the culture. Every time I come here, I am reminded that anything is possible here," Cook said.

A report from 2021 claimed that Cook signed a secret five-year deal in 2016 worth $275 billion with Chinese officials that would see Apple invest in the country's economic and technological development. In exchange, Apple's operations and services wouldn't face the same extensive regulatory scrutiny Chinese agencies often heap on foreign companies.
Planet hunting: Astronomers have discovered even more evidence suggesting the existence of a mysterious planet at the edge of our solar system. Konstantin Bogytin and his team of astronomers based their latest research on a set of trans-Neptunian objects, which are objects found at the edge of the solar system beyond Neptune and orbit the Sun at a distance of more than 250 times that of Earth.

Astronomers typically do not look at these bodies when hunting for Planet Nine because they interact with Neptune's orbit.

Bogytin, however, decided to focus specifically on these objects to better understand their movements. They ran a series of simulations to see how other objects in the solar system including nearby giant planets and the Milky Way's Galactic tide affected their orbits.

The model that included Planet Nine, a long-suspected but as-yet-proven planet in the outskirts of our solar system, proved to be the best explanation for the observed behavior. It is not the only possible explanation, Bogytin said, just the best one and represents the strongest statistical evidence yet that it is really out there.

Pluto was long considered to be the ninth planet in our solar system, but was reclassified as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union in 2006.

Astronomers could get even more answers in the near future. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, currently under construction in Chile, will use a powerful 3.2 gigapixel camera with a 5.1-foot-wide optical lens called the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) to scan the sky in hopes of unlocking even more mysteries of the universe. It should also provide astronomers with a better understanding of the most distant objects in our solar system, and help pin down whether Planet Nine is fact or fiction.

The new observatory is expected to go online in January 2025.

Bogytin and his team have published their findings in a paper titled, "Generation of Low-Inclination, Neptune-Crossing TNOs by Planet Nine", that is available now over on the open source repository arXiv.

Image credit: ZCH, Raymond McClintonel
The Apple Watch has saved Eric Zollinger's life after a terrible bike accident left him injured.

Midtown West real estate broker Zollinger described the terrifying experience last month when he was riding a Citi Bike home from work during a severe downpour, according to the New York Post. His bike became trapped in a water-filled pothole, sending him falling onto the pavement. With facial and knee injuries, Zollinger walked his bike home to inspect the damage.

Life-Saving Technology

However, his nose started excessively bleeding while he was showering, causing disorientation, fainting, and hitting the tub. To his amazement, Zollinger awakened to a 911 operator speaking to him through his Apple Watch, which had automatically contacted 911 and informed his emergency contacts of his position.

The Apple Watch's fall detection feature called for help when Zollinger fell in the shower. Despite hospitalization, scans revealed no fractured bones, leading to his discharge.

Zollinger thanks his Apple Watch fall detection feature for averting more damage despite bruising and swelling. "I don't know how things would have gone for me if the watch hadn't alerted me," he expressed thankfully. His experience shows how wearable technology may save lives, especially in certain situations.

The CDC reports that falls are the primary cause of injury-related deaths among individuals 65 and older. Fall detection systems, such as the Apple Watch's function, are popular because of this danger. These gadgets can help older people get emergency medical attention but can't prevent or detect all falls.

Read Also : Refurbished Apple Watch Ultra 2 Units at 15% Discount in China

How Does Apple Watch Fall Detection Work?

Janice Johnston, M.D., chief medical officer and co-founder of Redirect Health, says fall detection devices notify elders who fall and may not be able to access a phone for medical help."These wearable devices can detect a fall either automatically or at the push of a button and promptly notify medical personnel to respond," she explains, per Forbes.

Dr. Johnston notes that Apple Watch fall detection requires iPhone synchronization and the iPhone Watch SE, Series 4, or later versions. The Apple Watch software on the associated iPhone may enable or disable this function, which comes with an Apple Watch.

Falling triggers tactile sensations, aural alarms, and on-screen notifications from the Apple Watch. Users can call 911 or dismiss the alarm using the watch's user interface. If it detects no reaction and immobility persists, the Apple Watch immediately contacts emergency personnel with GPS information.

Apple Watch users must establish their medical ID with emergency contact information to maximize fall detection. In addition, the health app logs fall unless expressly disregarded.

Fall Detection on the Apple Watch could help save your life. pic.twitter.com/ibKLu8ZLae  CNET (@CNET) April 17, 2023

Meanwhile, the Apple Watch also made headlines recently when a new video of Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow being played on an Apple Watch Ultra went viral, raising questions about Apple Watch emulators.

As per a previous TechTimes report, the video showcased a $35 Apple Watch being used in playing a video game, sparking discussions about its gaming possibilities, particularly as a Game Boy emulator. Some argue that the Apple Watch's lightweight form and lack of extra controllers or clip-on phone holders make it a potential Game Boy emulator.
The famed ride on Disneyland's Anaheim, California location, 'Autopia,' became the talk of the town earlier this month for its plans to electrify the experience. Still, several activist and advocate groups are pressuring for change now.

The park management planned that this electrification procedure for the internal combustion engine-powered (ICE) ride would take place in years, not immediately.

In this ramped-up pressure against Disney, the activists want the media conglomerate to commit to a fully electric experience on Autopia's rides.

Disneyland: Autopia Ride Electrification Faces Pressure Now

Disney is now under pressure from activists and advocates regarding their plans to transform its Autopia ride into a clean-energy one, according to Electrek. This was because Disney's statement was not concrete, regarded as a 'noncommittal' from the company, and may be wide on its claims last early April regarding the changes for the favorite attraction.

According to Disney, "electrification" is being considered for the Autopia ride, and electrification may mean many things in today's age.

It could be a fully-electric change or turning cars into hybrid vehicles that still feature a gas-powered engine, only seeing a minimal upgrade.

Tomorrowland's Autopia: Will it Go for Full-Electric or Hybrid?

That being said, the activists are now putting pressure on Disney to commit to a fully electric change for Tomorrowland's Autopia, mainly as it is touted as a futuristic experience, with the world currently on the verge of its electric transition.

Disney would have to reveal its plans for the Autopia ride, known for currently sporting four-stroke gas-powered engines from Honda for its operations.

US EV Transition: Electric and Electrified

The US EV transition is broad, and this means that automakers use specific terms regarding the many changes affecting their models and lineup to adhere to the country's clean energy plans. There is the term "electrified," and this is a term used by automakers who are turning ICEs into hybrid cars, one that is not fully committed to relying solely on its batteries.

On the other hand, there the fully-electric cars, otherwise known as EVs, focus more on battery-powered vehicles for all of their mobility and functional needs. Companies like Tesla, Ford, General Motors, Volkswagen, Hyundai, and more already offer these kinds of electric vehicles, relying solely on batteries, fully committed to the clean energy ideology.

The April announcement of Disneyland's monumental change for the Autopia ride is only a statement, and it is still not a sure thing what kind of electrification the company is planning for in the future of its cars.

With that, activists and advocates took it upon themselves to pressure Disney, one that would ensure the Autopia would soon be a fully-electric ride as part of the world's electrification change.
Android will soon upgrade its services with satellite connectivity features, but another app within the platform may also enjoy this technology, and that is Google Maps.

Through this newfound connection, Google Maps may now be used as a security-tracking platform that would give a user's family members or emergency contacts a chance to know where they were last pinged via satellites.

The highly-awaited satellite connectivity for Android was first focused on text messages, one that would allow users to contact friends, families, or emergency services during times of need.

Google Maps: Satellite Connectivity Feature On the Works

The latest discovery by Piunika Web details the arrival of satellite connectivity features to Google Maps, as found specifically in version 11.125, with multiple code snippets detailing this upgrade.

It was said that Google Maps will have a new UI that will update one's location via satellite when cellular data is unavailable, with a button dedicated explicitly to connecting to the satellite.

Google Maps' recent beta revealed that the 'Connect to satellite' button would record their location every 15 minutes, accurately identifying their location and position as tagged by the company's satellite.

It would store up to five satellite location tags per day after activating the feature, and this may be used to give emergency responders, law enforcement officials, or loved ones for users who find themselves in danger.

Google Maps' Satellite Connection Part of Android

This new upgrade on Google Maps is part of Android's addition of satellite connectivity features that were made available for text messaging and emergencies.

However, it is expected that not all devices will feature this as it would still rely on hardware for satellite connections, with the latest devices like Samsung's Galaxy S24 and the upcoming Pixel 9 expected to support it.

Android's Satellite Connectivity

Last year, we saw a wave of reports regarding Android's satellite connectivity features that are coming soon for the future version of the operating system, one that focuses on the same emergency communication feature on iPhones. It was said to offer a way for users to contact family members, friends, or emergency personnel when cellular signal is low or nonexistent.

It was initially touted to be part of the Android 14 operating system version, claimed to be a two-way experience from Google and Garmin, and said to be made available in as many as 150 countries. The good thing is that there is more to see in the future release of Android 15 regarding satellite messaging, one that would expand to more smartphone users and brands.

Google's move towards integrating satellite messaging on Android came after Apple did so, but in its take, it is expanding more of the service apart from emergency communications and with another app. Google Maps is known for featuring GPS locations for users, but a recent report claims that a satellite feature is on its way, one that would update daily for up to five times a day, especially useful in case of delicate situations.
The Senate's advancement of the vote on extending the surveillance program without warrants marks a significant step in the legislative process.

This action underscores the ongoing debate surrounding the balance between national security concerns and individual privacy rights.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 01: The U.S. Capitol Building on June 01, 2023 in Washington, DC. The Senate reached an agreement to vote on 11 amendments to The Fiscal Responsibility Act before voting on passage of the legislation. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Senate's Debate on Reauthorizing Section 702 of FISA

The Senate is set to discuss the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The Verge reported that this allows surveillance of foreign targets without warrants.

Before voting on the reauthorization bill, senators needed to vote on a cloture motion to proceed with voting. The cloture motion passed with a vote of 67-32, just one day before the program's expiration deadline.

As the expiration of Section 702 looms closer, certain senators stress the urgency of the situation, urging their peers to support the reauthorization effort. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) underscored the gravity of the matter, emphasizing the need to prevent it from lapsing.

Despite acknowledging potential amendments to the House bill, as reported by The New York Times, Warner highlighted the pivotal choice facing lawmakers: either pass the bill or allow Section 702 to expire.

Warner was alluding to the House bill, which successfully passed on April 12th following several unsuccessful attempts. Notably, the bill does not include an amendment proposed by a bipartisan group of House members.

This amendment aimed to mandate federal intelligence agencies to secure a warrant prior to accessing data belonging to Americans. Despite garnering support from both sides of the aisle, the amendment narrowly failed to pass, with a tie vote of 212-212.

Examining Amendment, Potential Impacts

In March, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) put forth a complementary warrant stipulation in the Senate. This Durbin amendment presents a nuanced approach compared to the unsuccessful House amendment.

It mandates that intelligence agencies acquire FISA Title I orders or warrants prior to accessing Americans' communications under Section 702, excluding querying for those communications.

There are reports that the Biden administration is circulating a letter among senators asserting that the Durbin amendment poses a "national security threat."

Despite Warner's urgency for swift Senate action without the warrant requirement amendment, the reality is that even if reauthorization fails, Section 702 will remain operational for another year. This extension was granted by the FISA court on April 5th, allowing the program to continue until April 2025.

Also read : US Lawmakers Introduce DEFIANCE Act in Response to Taylor Swift AI Porn Controversy

A different amendment proposed by Reps. Mike Turner (R-OH) and Jim Himes (D-CT) found its way into the bill, broadening the definition of "electronic communications service (ECS) provider." The updated definition now includes "any service provider" that has access to equipment used for transmitting or storing wire or electronic communications.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan urged the Senate to dismiss any misinterpretations of the amendment, which critics argue effectively turns ordinary Americans into government informants. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon voiced apprehension about the amendment, pointing out its potential ramifications.

He noted that the amendment could empower the government to enlist any American who handles communication devices to gather information without judicial oversight. Senator Warner also commented on the amendment's drafting during a Senate session, referencing a letter from Attorney General Merrick Garland.
The Multistate 911 outage now has experts reportedly calling to revamp the emergency hotline's systems after it went out due to an unrelated light pole installation. For almost 2 hours, millions in many states were unable to contact authorities in case of an emergency.

Lumen Technologies, a Louisiana-based telecommunications business, stated on Thursday that certain customers in South Dakota, Nevada, and Nebraska experienced an outage as a result of a third-party company building a light pole unrelated to its services.

Harold Feld, senior vice president of Public Knowledge, a nonprofit group centered on championing internet legislation, affordable communication tools, and others, believes a single pole should not be allowed to disable 911 in numerous states. He contends that a life-sustaining system cannot be reduced to a single fiber strand.

(Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images) A Tesla vehicle was seen damaged by a collision on February 01, 2023, in Austin, Texas. A winter storm is sweeping across portions of Texas, causing massive power outages and disruptions of highways and roads.

Power was reported out across Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota, and Texas and looked to be restored in the late evening; however, it was unclear whether all of the outages were related to Lumen.

Brian Fontes, CEO of NENA The 9-1-1 Association, a nonprofit organization that focuses on 911 operations and policy concerns, also commented, claiming that the interruption emphasizes the reality that the country's 9-1-1 systems are important telecommunications services that require urgent updates.

Fontes, echoing Feld's concerns, points out that 911 should not be inaccessible over large areas due to a problem on one light post.

According to Simpson, 911 service providers such as Lumen Technologies must examine their 911 circuits on an annual basis and formally attest to the FCC that all 911 answering points have circuit diversity, remote monitoring, and power backup for any unstaffed circuit machinery.

Read Also: AI-Assisted 911 Responses, Developed by High School Junior for Accurate Help

Multiple Reasons Behind the 911 Outage

Reports indicate that Lumen Technologies is still unclear whether it is the sole reason for the Multistate 911 outage, with causes varying across affected areas.

In Texas, the City of Del Rio Police Department attributed the problem to a severe cellular carrier outage, notably T-Mobile. Juan Hernandez, the department's communications supervisor, stressed that the issue was with T-Mobile's coverage rather than an internal 911 system malfunction.

Similarly, Nebraska's Chase County Sheriff's Office reported that 911 services were unavailable nationwide except for T-Mobile subscribers, with landlines still operational. Lumen, a worldwide communications services company, confirmed that the outage in Douglas County, Nebraska, was caused by a fiber break.

AT&T Affects 911

While affirming regular network functioning, AT&T noted a problem with another carrier's network that might impair 911 calls. The business emphasized that the outage was unconnected to FirstNet, the countrywide broadband network for public safety supervised by the First Responder Network Authority.

The authorities are still investigating the latest breakdown to prevent future interruptions and safeguard the dependability of emergency communication services. Residents are asked to be cautious and familiar with alternative emergency contacts during such incidents.

Related Article: White House Swatting Incident Spotlights Alarming Trend, Triggering Emergency Response to Alleged Fire
Illustration photo

This year, the Airports Corporation of Viet Nam has two winners namely Da Nang International Airport (at 94th place) and Noi Bai International Airport (at 96th position).

This is the first time Da Nang city-based airport has been present in the list. Meanwhile, Noi Bai International Airport was named for the sixth time on the ranking.

The annual ranking was released by Skytrax, a UK-based consultancy that runs a yearly airline and airport review based on votes by international air travelers.

Noi Bai International Airport secured sixth position in the global rankings for airports with the best Wi-Fi connectivity in 2024, according to the renowned Skytrax Airline which annually publishes a list of the top 20 global airports with the best Wi-Fi connectivity./.
The US Court of Appeals ruled against defendant Jeremy Travis Payne for his legal team's appeal to suppress evidence after it was found that police officers forced him to unlock his phone using his thumbprints.

Through this forced unlocking, the police officers were able to make a case and charge the California parolee who was caught in a traffic stop back in 2021.

US Court Rules Forced Thumbprint Phone Unlock Admissible for Cops

A ruling from the US Court of Appeals in United States v. Jeremy Travis Payne saw a massive turn of events. The court favored the prosecution and police in how they gathered evidence and made a case.

This was because Payne, who was arrested after a traffic stop by the California Highway Patrol, was forced by police officers to unlock his device using his thumbprint against his will.

Additionally, this falls under the US Constitution's Fifth Amendment, which discusses the right against self-incrimination.

However, the evidence is now allowed to be used in court following this ruling, with Payne still facing charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, fluoro fentanyl, and cocaine.

It was regarded "that the compelled use of Payne's thumb to unlock his phone (which he had already identified for the officers) required no cognitive exertion, placing it firmly in the same category as a blood draw or fingerprint taken at booking."

A Gray Area of the US Constitution's Fifth Amendment

Nothing in the US Constitution's Fifth Amendment prohibits this forced use of a person's thumbprint to unlock their devices, which is now a gray area of the law.

The three-panel judge regarded the act as only confirming that the device was his property and that the contents were authenticated.

"However, Payne was never compelled to acknowledge the existence of any incriminating information. He merely had to provide access to a source of potential information," the court added.

Smartphone Biometrics and the Law

The first form of biometrics security among smartphones was fingerprints, with most users using their thumbs for the security and protection of their devices as it is more convenient when holding them.

Thanks to its wide use and availability, massive innovations were made to support it, including its use in authenticating identity, payments, and other forms of confirmation.

Apple's technology is known as the Face ID, while for Android, it is simply the Facial ID or Face Scan, meant to hold a copy of user faces for security purposes, with Chrome's Android adding other layers on top of it.

The US Constitution's Fifth Amendment states the right against self-incrimination, and despite this, it said that Payne's appeal to make the evidence inadmissible was overruled.

While it remains a gray area in the US Constitution, other cases may step forward and have the same issue with how police got the evidence.

It is unknown if the court would again side with the prosecution to make the evidence admissible despite how it was collected.
The United States Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) has officially released footage of the first-ever demonstration of an unmanned, artificial intelligence-controlled F-16 aircraft rehearsing several aerial combat scenarios against a human pilot.

In September last year, the US Air Force announced that two F-16 jets engaged in dogfighting at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

The two planes exercised protective and aggressive maneuvers and engaged in within-visual-range combat or dogfighting while soaring at speeds of up to 1,200 miles per hour. At one point, they were just around 2,000 feet (610 meters) apart.

(Photo: Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images) MABALACAT, PHILIPPINESMAY 09: U.S. Air Force F16 fighter jets fly in formation during joint U.S.-Philippines air force exercises dubbed Cope Thunder at Clark Air Base on May 09, 2023, in Mabalacat, Pampanga province, Philippines.

DARPA released a film of the nose-to-nose air combat, which showed the two jets swirling inside and outside each other, as they cruised across the sky.

The autonomous aircraft, the X-62A Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft, or VISTA, is a modified F-16 with an AI program.

Human pilots were on board the X-62A with controls to deactivate the AI system, but DARPA claims the pilots never needed to utilize the safety switch. DARPA does not, however, specify which aircraft won the duel.

Since its inception in December 2022, the jet has completed at least 21 test flights, totaling more than 17 hours of flying time. This is the first time machine learning has been utilized to operate a fighter jet.

Read Also: US Air Force Secretary Set to Fly in AI-Controlled Jet

AI Fighter Jet Pilots

During flight, the jet's AI computer analyzes data and makes real-time judgments, a machine-learning process similar to how combat pilots refine their instincts through years of practice.

DARPA believes that engaging in a battle between an AI-powered plane and a human is a "transformational" point in the history of aerospace.

While the winner in the actual dogfight done in the recently released footage remains to be stated by DARPA, AI has defeated humans in virtual dogfight settings.

AI in Virtual Dogfights

The last phase of DARPA's AlphaDogfight experiment in 2020 demonstrated that AI could outperform a human mind, particularly in air combat. Heron System's artificial intelligence outperformed a human F-16 pilot in the shootout. The AI pilot also overcame another AI built by Lockheed.

The virtual air battle prohibited using the fighter planes' additional weaponry, allowing players only to utilize the aircraft's nose cannon. Following the AI against AI bouts, the human F-16 pilot entered the conflict wearing a Virtual Reality (VR) helmet.

Although the anonymous pilot survived substantially longer in the last round by shifting tactics and techniques, Heron System's AI pilot won 5-0 against the human operator.

In 2016, it was announced that an AI bot known as "Alpha" could defeat an experienced human combat flying instructor.

The most recent tournament was probably more significant since it had a range of AI agents fighting against one another, followed by a human in a highly organized framework.

Ben Bell, a senior machine learning engineer at Heron Systems, stated that the combat was somewhat unfair because the AIs were not permitted to learn from their prior encounters. However, it did not hinder AIs' ability to overcome human operators.

Related Article: AI-Powered Drones Looks to be the Air Forces' Future With $6 Billion Pentagon Program

(Photo: Tech Times)
Following protests over its tech supply to the Israeli government amid the Gaza war, Google fired some of its employees. The dissent concerns "Project Nimbus," a $1.2 billion contract for cloud computing and AI services.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - SEPTEMBER 02: The new Google logo will be displayed at the Google headquarters on September 2, 2015, in Mountain View, California. Google has made the most dramatic change to its logo since 1999 and has replaced its signature serif font with a new typeface called Product Sans. (Photo: by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Firing Employees Amid Protests

Google terminated 28 employees following protests concerning the company's involvement in providing technology to the Israeli government during the Gaza conflict.

The dismissals occurred after nine employees were arrested during sit-in protests at Google offices in New York and Sunnyvale, California.

Associated Press reported that the protests revolve around "Project Nimbus," a $1.2 billion contract signed in 2021, requiring Google and Amazon to offer cloud computing and artificial intelligence services to Israel.

The protests, organized primarily by No Tech For Apartheid, dispute Google's participation in Nimbus, although Google asserts that the project does not involve weaponry or intelligence activities.

In response, No Tech For Apartheid accused Google of distorting the events, claiming the sit-in was peaceful and widely supported by non-participating workers. The group criticized Google for prioritizing its $1.2 billion contract with the Israeli government over its employees' rights.

From time to time, Google employees have expressed their dissatisfaction through protests concerning various company projects and ethical considerations surrounding its artificial intelligence development.

A notable instance occurred in 2018 when employee discontent led Google to terminate its contract with the U.S. defense department known as "Project Maven." This initiative involved assisting the military in analyzing military video footage.

Despite internal concerns about its business practices, Google has sustained its success. Most of its revenue is generated from digital advertising, facilitated by its prominent search engine.

Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, reported a profit of $74 billion in the previous year. The company's workforce has also expanded, with approximately 182,000 employees worldwide, marking an increase of around 83,000 individuals since 2018, when it terminated Project Maven.

Defending These Actions

Google stated that the termination of 28 employees was due to their "completely unacceptable behavior," which disrupted work and created a threatening environment for others. The company mentioned ongoing investigations into the protest events, hinting at possible further terminations.

CEO Sundar Pichai addressed the situation in a blog post, indicating stricter guidelines for employees as the company focuses on advancing its AI technology during a crucial period for the industry and potentially for humanity.

Pichai emphasized the importance of maintaining a professional environment, highlighting the need to avoid disruptions and conflicts over contentious issues within the company.

He stressed the significance of focusing on the company's objectives without getting sidetracked by personal or political debates.
Google proves to reportedly be going all in for faster artificial intelligence integration into its features by fusing its Android software divisions into the pixel hardware divisions.

Following the decision, Rick Osterloh, a Google executive who formerly managed the company's hardware business, will oversee both the software division responsible for Android mobile software and the Chrome browser and the hardware division renowned for Pixel smartphones and Fitbit wearables, now reportedly known as the "Platforms and Devices" division.

(Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images) In this photo illustration, The Google logo is projected onto a man on August 09, 2017, in London, England.

Meanwhile, according to Pichai's letter, Hiroshi Lockheimer, the head of Google's software business, is without a title and will begin some other unspecified tasks.

Google recently separated Android development from hardware, claiming it did so to prevent providing its phone designers an unfair edge over other big smartphone makers using Android, including Samsung and Motorola, and Chinese competitors such as Oppo and Xiaomi.

Read Also: Microsoft to Split Up Teams from Office Worldwide to Dodge EU Antitrust Scrutiny

Google Backtracks

Then, a few years ago, ABC notes Google began positioning the Pixel as a flagship for displaying what AI could do, focusing significantly on building features that would illustrate its promise. This required further AI hardware and software integration to enable such functions on mobile devices.

Osterloh stated that AI is the primary motivation for combining Google's consumer hardware and software developers.

He said that phone technology is already becoming increasingly reliant on AI, noting the Pixel camera, which, among other things, utilizes the technology to improve nighttime photographs or automatically select the best of numerous tightly timed shots.

Osterloh noted that combining the teams will allow Google to move even quicker in incorporating AI into its features. He stated in the interview that designing the Pixel camera some years ago necessitated a thorough understanding of the complicated hardware and software systems involved and the then-new AI models used for image processing.

Google AI Leadership

Google's leadership, on the other hand, has also drawn criticism when, last month, Google paused its Gemini image generator, which was producing historically incorrect images.

The error was so severe that it reportedly caused the company's stock to plummet, prompting Google CEO Sundar Pichai to address the troops, calling the incident "completely unacceptable."

The disaster has fueled the perception that Google is suddenly falling behind in the AI race and a rising chorus of voices clamoring for Pichai to be replaced.

At the time, Ben Thompson, an analyst and author of the "Stratechery" weekly, stated that Google needed to change, including eliminating those who allowed the former to run rampant, including CEO Sundar Pichai. Google employees and others in Silicon Valley extensively read Thompson's newsletters.

In a published research note, Bernstein analyst Mark Shmulik speculated whether it was time for a shakeup at the top of the internet behemoth.

Related Article: Google I/O 2024 is Coming this May 14- What to Expect?

(Photo: Tech Times)
Artificial intelligence regulation proposals in various American states are facing a multitude of struggles. Various groups and the concerned industry at large are all reportedly contending for the primary components of the legislation.

Lawmakers from Colorado, Connecticut, and Texas gathered Thursday to argue for their policies. Labor unions and consumer advocacy organizations are urging firms to be more transparent and to provide individuals with broader legal grounds to sue for AI discrimination.

The sector is expressing cautious support but is standing firm on accountability measures. In the face of congressional delay, a bipartisan coalition of politicians from Alaska, Georgia, and Virginia has been working on AI legislation together.

(Photo: OLIVIER MORIN/AFP via Getty Images) This illustration shows the AI (artificial intelligence) smartphone app ChatGPT surrounded by other AI apps in Vaasa on June 6, 2023.

On Thursday, they highlighted their efforts across states and stakeholders, highlighting the relevance of AI legislation and the necessity for collaboration and compromise to minimize regulatory discrepancies among states. They also claimed that the legislation represents a starting point that may be expanded upon in the future.

The most significant laws proposed by this team of senators provide a comprehensive framework for supervision, notably around one of technology's most perplexing quandaries: AI discrimination.

Examples include one AI that failed to appropriately evaluate Black medical patients and another that devalued women's credentials when filtering employment applications.

Nonetheless, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission believes that up to 83% of firms utilize algorithms to assist with recruiting.

If nothing is done, these AI systems will nearly always be biased, according to Suresh Venkatasubramanian, a Brown University computer and data science professor who teaches a class on bias mitigation in algorithm design.

Read Also: UK Considering AI Regulation with Updates from AI Safety Institute Amid Legislation Drafting

AI Legislation Across States

AI legislation only continues to increase, as claimed by a recent study. According to research by the Voting Rights Lab, a nonpartisan voting rights monitor, AI's fast growth has prompted various governments to implement safeguards against it, all in preparation for future AI-riddled elections.

The Voting Rights Lab reported that it was tracking over 100 pieces of legislation in 39 state legislatures that included provisions targeted at limiting the ability of AI to produce election disinformation.

The bill comes in the wake of many high-profile cases involving "deep-fake" video technology, computer-generated avatars, and voices used in political campaigns and ads.

AI Safety Regulation

Safety testing of artificial intelligence models is also expected to take a united and shared approach from the United States and the United Kingdom after the two governments' recent announcement of a collaboration to ensure safe AI research.

The two national AI safety testing committees will develop a common approach for AI safety testing that requires the usage of the same methodologies and supporting infrastructure.

According to a news release, the institutes want to perform a joint testing exercise on an AI model that is available to the public. The organizations would attempt to exchange employees and share information following national laws, regulations, and contracts.

Related Article: Congressman Pursues Master's Degree in Machine Learning for AI Regulation Understanding

(Photo: Tech Times)
AI models will compete in their own pageant, 'Miss AI.' WAICA's pageant marks a significant milestone in the world of artificial intelligence, aiming to celebrate the accomplishments of AI creators globally.

Exploring the Groundbreaking 'Miss AI' Beauty Pageant

In a groundbreaking first, AI models will compete in the world's inaugural artificial intelligence (AI) beauty pageant, dubbed 'Miss AI.'

The pageant, organized by the World AI Creator Awards (WAICA) in collaboration with Fanvue, aims to celebrate the accomplishments of AI creators globally.

Contestants will vie for prizes exceeding $20,000, marking a significant milestone in the intersection of AI technology and the modeling industry. Fanvue, a subscription platform facilitating AI content, joins forces with WAICA to bring this innovative competition to life.

The competition welcomes creators who have developed AI-generated models and maintain a social media presence. Participants must be at least 18 years old to qualify for entry into the pageant.

They will undergo assessment based on criteria outlined by WAICA, including engagement with fans and audience growth across platforms like Instagram.

In addition to traditional considerations like beauty and technological prowess, contestants' utilization of AI techniques in creating digital artwork will be a focal point.

Moreover, judges will evaluate contestants' creativity, attention to detail, composure, and ability to respond uniquely.

The competition also emphasizes technical aspects, rewarding participants for integrating AI tools into their work. Focusing on celebrating AI pioneers, the contest aims to showcase creators pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation.

Also read : Google Combines Android and Pixel Divisions for the Sake of AI

During entry, participants must provide information about monetizing their model's content, including their total monthly revenue across different platforms.

They are also asked to explain their AI model's purpose and creation process and describe its potential impact on making the world a better place. Additionally, entrants must outline the technology utilized in developing their AI model.

Prizes, Judging Panel of the 'Miss AI' Pageant

The 'Miss AI' pageant winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize and increased visibility on the Fanvue platform.

Additionally, as stated by WAICA, they will have access to a mentorship program valued at $3,000 and PR support worth over $5,000.

The runner-up will be awarded a $5,000 cash prize, complimentary enrollment in a course from Imagine Education valued at $500, and PR support valued at over $2,500.

Similarly, the third-place winner will receive $2,000, a consultation call with Imagine Education valued at $500, and a promotional package from Fanvue worth $500.

The judging panel includes two virtual influencers, Aitana Lopez and Emily Pellegrini, as well as two human judges, Andrew Bloch, an entrepreneur and PR adviser, and Sally-Ann Fawcett, a beauty pageant expert and author. This diverse panel promises an interesting evaluation process.

Entries are currently open, and the winners will be announced on May 10.

The competition aims to celebrate the technical expertise and effort behind digital influencer personas worldwide, and to encourage participation, WAICA has waived the entry fee.

This event also provides insights into the potential impact of AI on industries like fashion and modeling.
Frontier Communications, one of America's leading telecommunications providers, has disclosed it suffered a cyberattack by a cybercrime group.

The telecom company believes the group gained access to sensitive information during the breach.

The Dallas-based fiber provider stated in a regulatory filing that it discovered the cyber intrusion on Sunday and suspected the unauthorized third party was a criminal gang.

According to the company, the perpetrator accessed personally identifiable information through specific systems.

Frontier is a prominent communications provider in the United States, offering gigabit Internet speeds via a fiber-optic network to millions of customers and companies in 25 states.

(Photo: RoonZ nl from Unsplash) Russian Government-Backed Hackers Steal Emails from US Federal Agencies Through Microsoft Accounts

After detecting the issue, the business was forced to temporarily shut down various services to avoid hackers from moving laterally via the network, which caused some operational disruptions.

Despite this, Frontier believes the attackers obtained access to specific PII data, but does not clarify whether it belongs to customers, employees, or both.

Frontier indicated that it believes it has managed the problem and restored its critical IT infrastructure. The firm is currently resuming normal operations.

Sources indicate that no hacker organization claimed responsibility for the attack as of Thursday afternoon. Dozens of telecoms businesses have been attacked in recent months, as hackers and nation-states ramp up their attacks on consumer data-rich corporations.

Read Also: Government Consulting Firm Discloses Massive Data Breach, Exposing 340,000 Social Security Numbers

Telecom Cyberbreaches

Most notably, in March, the personal data of millions of current and former AT&T customers, including sensitive information such as social security numbers, addresses, and passcodes, was hacked.

The telecoms behemoth has confirmed the intrusion and taken steps to resolve the problem.

The hacked data affects around 73 million people, including a total of 7.6 million current AT&T subscribers and 65.4 million past accountholders.

The breach, which appears to have happened in 2019 or earlier, also contains personal information such as complete names, email addresses, and birth dates.

AT&T has taken swift action, resetting current users' passcodes and alerting impacted consumers. However, the business has not discovered any evidence suggesting how the data was obtained.

While the hacked data did not include banking details or call history, the disclosure of personal information raises worries about possible abuse and identity theft.

AT&T advises concerned consumers to be watchful by monitoring the transactions on their accounts and credit reports.

Cyberbreach Laws in the US

In December, the Federal Communications Commission amended its data breach guidelines for the first time in 16 years, strengthening requirements for telecommunications businesses to report cybersecurity breaches.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel claimed that the agency's regulations, established more than 15 years ago, are no longer consistent with a modern world in which telecommunications providers have access to a wealth of information about who people are, where people have been, and who people have spoken with.

Despite this, a recent study by experts from the University of Minnesota and George Mason University reportedly found that US cybersecurity breach reporting rules had little to no effect on reducing data breaches in the country.

Related Article: Conservative Think Tank The Heritage Foundation Hit by Cyberattack: Investigation Ongoing

(Photo: Tech Times)
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope embarks on a cosmic treasure hunt, scanning the vast expanse to capture the trails of small asteroids that dart through space.

Unlike planets, these celestial wanderers evade easy detection, demanding a keen eye and advanced technology to reveal their presence.

Hubble Looks for Small Belt Asteroids

Astronomers recently went on a mission to uncover a hidden population of diminutive asteroids using an extensive archive of images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope.



Their quest involved sifting through a staggering 37,000 images spanning nearly two decades, meticulously analyzing each frame for the faint traces of asteroids.



Their efforts yielded a remarkable discovery: 1,701 asteroid trails, over a thousand of which previously eluded detection. Among these newfound asteroids, approximately 400 are diminutive, measuring less than one kilometer in diameter.



Assisting in this astronomical endeavor were volunteers from across the globe, known as "citizen scientists," who dedicated their time and expertise to the identification process.

Their contributions and sophisticated machine-learning algorithms proved instrumental in identifying these elusive celestial travelers.

"We are getting deeper into seeing the smaller population of main belt asteroids. We were surprised with seeing such a large number of candidate objects," said lead author Pablo Garcia Martin of the Autonomous University of Madrid, Spain.

"There was some hint of this population existing, but now we are confirming it with a random asteroid population sample obtained using the whole Hubble archive. This is important for providing insights into the evolutionary models of our solar system."

Like Shattered Pottery in Space

NASA says the abundance of small asteroids unearthed by this survey provides crucial clues to their origins and evolution.

One prevailing theory suggests that these small cosmic fragments are remnants of larger asteroids that have undergone cataclysmic collisions akin to shattered pottery.



According to NASA, an alternative perspective posits that these tiny fragments originated billions of years ago, defying conventional wisdom by resisting aggregation into larger bodies.



Yet, the absence of a viable mechanism to prevent their growth challenges this notion, prompting astronomers to scrutinize existing models and refine their understanding of asteroid formation and dynamics.



Scientists spotted asteroids using Hubble's position as it circles Earth. Moving across its view, these asteroids leave streaks, like signatures in the sky, that help understand where they're going and what they're like.



Most of the asteroids caught hang out in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter. Hubble's cameras measure their brightness, and by comparing this to their distance, scientists estimate their size. NASA adds that the dimmest asteroids seen are about one forty-millionth as bright as the faintest star visible to the naked eye.



"Asteroid positions change with time, and therefore you cannot find them just by entering coordinates, because at different times, they might not be there," said co-author Bruno Merin of the European Space Astronomy Centre in Madrid, Spain.



"As astronomers we don't have time to go looking through all the asteroid images. So we got the idea to collaborate with over 10,000 citizen-science volunteers to peruse the huge Hubble archives."

The findings of the team were published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.
The US House of Representatives is scheduled to vote once more on Saturday regarding a bill aimed at compelling TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or else face a nationwide prohibition, according to a report by AFP.

The US Congress Will Vote Again on TikTok's Fate in the US

This bill, integrated into a substantial $61 billion assistance package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, may encounter smoother approval in both houses of the US Congress.



According to the legislation, ByteDance would be mandated to sell TikTok within a specified period, failing which the app would be removed from Apple and Google's app stores in the United States.



Additionally, the bill grants the US president the authority to classify other applications as national security threats if they are controlled by a nation considered adversarial.



TikTok has criticized the bill, arguing that it would negatively impact the US economy and undermine freedom of expression.



A company spokesperson stated that it was regrettable that the House of Representatives used crucial foreign and humanitarian assistance as a pretext to push through a prohibition bill again, as per AFP's report.



The spokesperson further emphasized that a ban would infringe upon the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, detrimentally affect 7 million businesses, and result in the closure of a platform that contributes $24 billion annually to the US economy.

Read Also : TikTok Implements Major Policy Changes to Combat Misinformation, Harmful Content

EU Demands Risk Assessment from the TikTok Lite App

In other developments, the European Union has adopted a firm stance on child safety apprehensions associated with ByteDance's TikTok Lite app, prompting a request for a thorough risk assessment.



TikTok Lite was recently launched in France and Spain. It introduces a "Task and Reward Lite" program that enables users over 18 to earn points through various app engagements, such as video watching and content liking.



Under the Digital Services Act (DSA) enacted earlier this year, the European Commission has intensified its scrutiny of online platforms to ensure compliance with stringent regulations to safeguard users, especially minors, from harmful content and addictive behaviors.



EU industry chief Thierry Breton has issued a directive necessitating ByteDance to create a comprehensive risk assessment within 24 hours.



This assessment should delve into the potential risks posed by the "Task and Reward Lite" program, particularly concerning addictive behavior and the protection of minors.



Additionally, the Commission has sought further details from ByteDance regarding the measures adopted to mitigate systemic risks associated with TikTok Lite.
We all do phone typing every day, but making the keyboard predict what we want to say isn't easy. Now, researchers at Aalto University have devised a new way to do it, which is more like how humans type, as reported in TechXplore.

Virtual "Eyes and Fingers"

A new predictive typing model has emerged from Aalto University, offering a fresh approach to smartphone typing that closely mimics human behavior.

Led by Professor Antti Oulasvirta, the research team at Aalto University has developed a system capable of simulating various user behaviors, such as typing with one or two hands, and differences between younger and older users.



The researchers showcased their findings at the CHI Conference in May, presenting the model's potential to revolutionize typing on mobile devices.

Developed in collaboration with Google, this system incorporates virtual "eyes and fingers" and working memory, allowing it to type sentences like humans, complete with errors and corrections.



"We created a simulated user with a human-like visual and motor system. Then we trained it millions of times in a keyboard simulator. Eventually, it learned typing skills that can also be used to type in various situations outside the simulator," said Oulasvirta.

The researchers note that evaluating new keyboard layouts traditionally requires extensive testing with real users, which is time-consuming and costly. However, this new model promises a more efficient alternative, enabling rapid evaluation and optimization of keyboard designs.

Introducing the CRTypist

CRTypist generates human-like typing behavior, accounting for factors such as finger coordination, visual attention, and error correction. Unlike previous models, It does not rely on hand-crafted features but instead works directly from pixel data, making it more adaptable to diverse keyboard designs and user behaviors.

"We can train computer models so that we don't need observation of lots of people to make predictions. User interfaces are everywhere today-fundamentally, this work aims to create a more functional society and smoother everyday life," Oulasvirta said in a statement.

"This flexible model works directly from pixels, without requiring hand-crafted feature engineering for keyboards. It aligns with human data in terms of movements and performance, covers individual differences, and can generalize to diverse keyboard designs. Though limited to skilled typists, the model generates useful estimates of the typing performance achievable under various conditions," the study's abstract reads.

Related Article : This Smartphone App Can Help Detect Early Signs of Frontotemporal Dementia




An overview of a sport centre in Thu Duc city. (Photo: VNA)

Among them, three projects have been approved for investment by the HCM City People's Council, involving the construction of international standard schools in the new Thu Thiem urban area, with a combined capital of about 418 billion VND, said Director of Thu Duc citys Investment and Trade Promotion Centre Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nga.

The remaining works, which fall under the fields of education, culture and sports, represent a total capital of over 1.6 trillion VND. They have been submitted to the HCM City People's Committee for consideration.

Vice Chairman of the Thu Duc Peoples Committee Mai Huu Quyet committed full support to firms throughout the implementation process, assuring that the city will actively address any challenges that may arise, ensuring the timely completion of these projects.

The conference was also meant to actualise the National Assemblys Resolution on piloting distinct mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City, including Thu Duc.

Vietnamese film wins highest award at Asian Film Festival in Italy

Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung (first, left) represents the film crew of Ben trong vo ken vang to receive the best feature film award at the 21st Asian Film Festival on April 17. (Photo: VNA)

Ben trong vo ken vang (Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell) by Vietnamese director Pham Thien An has won the best feature film award at the 21st Asian Film Festival held in Rome, Italy, reported Vietnam News Agency.

This is the first time a Vietnamese film has obtained the highest award at an Asian Film Festival in Italy, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung said while representing the film crew to receive the prize at the closing ceremony held at the Farnese Arthouse cinema on late April 17.

He described this award as a great honour for the director, actors, actresses, and the entire crew and thanked them for helping affirm the development of Vietnams cinematography in the international arena and enhance the cultural exchange, understanding, and friendship between Vietnamese and Italian people.

The film is about a journey of a young man tasked with delivering his sister-in-law's body to their countryside hometown after a tragic motorcycle accident. Amidst the mystical landscapes of rural Vietnam, he begins a search for his older brother, who vanished years ago.

Ben trong vo ken vang is definitely one of the most important works of the film season starting in May 2023, when it won the Camera d'Or (Golden Camera) at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, Director of the Asian Film Festival in Italy Antonio Terminini told the Vietnam News Agency.

He held that Vietnams cinematography has made great progress as seen in not only young directors like Pham Thien An of this film but also the big potential for production cooperation with European and Asian countries.

The Asian Film Festival in Italy, organised by teh Robert Bresson film foundation, features new and the best works from East Asia. It is also an occasion for guests, including directors, actors/actresses, and producers, from different countries to meet Italian producers and distributors to seek cooperation chances.

Standard Chartered, US promote clean energy investments in Vietnam

Standard Chartered and USAID signed a memorandum of understanding. (Photo courtesy of the bank)

Standard Chartered and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on green financing in Vietnam and to promote the deployment of advanced clean energy in Vietnam, reported Vietnam News Agency.

The MoU will establish a five-year partnership to advance the country's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

USAID Mission Director for Vietnam Aler Grubbs, said: Through this new MoU, USAID will collaborate with Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam) Limited to support the private sector to develop Vietnam's advanced clean energy.

"This partnership is a model to expand collaboration with financial institutions and help accelerate the countrys goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Nguyen Thuy Hanh, deputy general director, head of Corporate and Investment Banking, Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam, added: We believe that finance can enable and accelerate the just transition to net zero, towards a nature-positive economy. Our MoU with USAID is part of our commitment to supporting our clients and helping them access to sustainable financing and achieve net-zero goals.

"We will continue to work closely with our clients and our partners to provide access to finance to where it matters most and to contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam.

USAID will collaborate with Standard Chartered to mobilise private sector investment in advanced energy systems such as rooftop solar, utility modernisation, and power trading. USAID support will be in the form of training, capacity development, transactional support, and matchmaking activities.

Standard Chartered will introduce to USAID projects and clients that may be suitable for the latter's programmes of providing technical and/or other support. The bank seeks out opportunities to provide sustainability-focused products and services in support of Vietnams clean energy transition including but not limited to financing arrangements, financial advisory services, bilateral loans, syndicated loans, and bond issuances for qualified projects.

Standard Chartered is a fervent supporter and aligned with the Vietnamese Governments ambitions to be Net Zero by 2050.

With 120-year history in Vietnam, Standard Chartereds core competence is to leverage and utilise its significant network to deliver FDI to Vietnam and to facilitate Vietnamese clients who want to expand into global markets to pursue growth ambition.

Under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the US is a committed partner to Vietnam in advancing the countrys transition to a clean, secure, and market-based energy sector.

Australia, Vietnam cooperate to develop competitive electricity markets

On 17 April, the Australian Embassy in Vietnam and the Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on collaboration to facilitate the development of competitive electricity market.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister for Climate Change & Energy, and MOITs Vice Minister Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan.

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister at a meeting with Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan

The MOU is further evidence of the deepening partnership between Australia and Vietnam in the climate and energy sector.

Australia and Vietnam in March elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with a pillar on climate, energy and environment  the first of its kind for an Australian CSP.

This MoU commits the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and ERAV  the energy regulator under the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam (MOIT), to share experiences and develop cooperation activities to facilitate the development of competitive electricity markets in the context of high renewable integration  a shared opportunity for the two countries.

The MOU builds on existing activities developed under the Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) and other bilateral and regional programs, to support: the development of the competitive electricity retail market, review and provide practical suggestions on the regulatory framework and mechanisms for regulating transmission and distribution network segment under a competitive retail market; the integration of greater Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) sources into the power system and market; and implementation of Demand Response Programs, capacity building, training and other activities.

Australian Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski and Mr .Tran Viet Hoa, Director of Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV) sign the MoU on collaboration to facilitate the development of competitive electricity market.

Australia has the same challenges and aspirations to ensure sustainable, secure and fair electricity services and the foundation for prosperity and economic growth, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski said, This partnership provides an important opportunity to share knowledge and explore solutions for the Vietnamese power sector.

Australia values our relationship with Vietnam. By strengthening climate, environment and energy cooperation we can realise the opportunities of a clean energy future.

I am pleased to see the growing relationship between Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV) and the Australian Embassy that will strengthen bilateral engagement on climate and energy, Assistant Minister McAllister said.

Vice Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan emphasised the importance of developing competitive electricity markets to support Vietnams ambitious decarbonisation agenda through PDP8.

Creating competitive electricity markets alongside the appropriate regulatory frameworks can attract the private investment needed to achieve Vietnams renewable energy targets, he said./.
According to an AFP report, Kyrgyzstan has prohibited access to TikTok in a move believed to be aimed at safeguarding children, following directives from the country's security services.



Users attempting to access TikTok in Kyrgyzstan received an error message indicating the app's unavailability.

TikTok Banned in Kyrgyztan

Kyrgyzstan's digital ministry, citing instructions from the security services, communicated the decision to restrict TikTok to telecommunication operators.



The State Committee for National Security, led by Kamchybek Tashiev, issued the directive based on concerns that ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, had not adhered to legal requirements aimed at safeguarding children's well-being.



However, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) expressed apprehension over the ban, urging the government to revoke the restriction and establish transparent regulations for online platforms.



"RSF is concerned about the blocking of #TikTok in #Kyrgyzstan. Under the pretext of protecting minors, this decision restricts the right to information online. RSF calls on the government to lift this arbitrary blocking and define a clear legal framework to regulate platforms," RSF wrote in a post on X.

Kyrgyzstan's actions come amid a broader trend of tightening control over media and civil society, including enacting laws targeting dissent and curtailing independent media outlets.



The country's proximity to China and its economic partnership have raised concerns about the erosion of freedom of information in what was once considered a relatively open environment in Central Asia.



TikTok's data practices have also been scrutinized globally, particularly in the United States and the European Union, amid apprehensions regarding potential ties to the Chinese government.

TikTok Faces Potential Ban in the US

In related news, the US House of Representatives is scheduled to vote again on Saturday regarding a bill to compel TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, or face a nationwide prohibition.



This bill, integrated into a substantial $61 billion assistance package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, may encounter smoother approval in both houses of the US Congress.



According to the legislation, ByteDance would be mandated to sell TikTok within a specified period, failing which the app would be removed from Apple and Google's app stores in the United States.



Additionally, the bill grants the US president the authority to classify other applications as national security threats if they are controlled by a nation considered adversarial.



TikTok has criticized the bill, arguing that it would negatively impact the US economy and undermine freedom of expression.
Amid escalating extreme weather events fueled by climate change, NASA is intensifying its efforts to understand and address the planet's warming. Beyond conducting its studies, NASA empowers external researchers with artificial intelligence (AI).

NASA Partners with IBM Research

In a collaborative effort in 2023, NASA partnered with IBM Research to develop an AI geospatial foundation model.



This model, trained on extensive datasets such as NASA's Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 (HLS) data, is a fundamental resource for many AI-driven research endeavors to tackle environmental adversities. NASA has also ensured the model's accessibility to all interested parties, fostering collaborative exploration and discovery.



Foundation models act as a cornerstone upon which scientists can construct a diverse spectrum of applications, thereby enabling robust and efficient solutions.



Manil Maskey, the data science lead at NASA's Office of the Chief Science Data Officer (OCSDO), likens these models to Swiss Army Knives, versatile tools adaptable to various purposes.



Through fine-tuning, the geospatial foundation model has demonstrated proficiency in detecting burn scars, delineating floodwater, and classifying crop and land use categories, according to NASA.



While NASA contributed extensive data and scientific expertise, IBM provided computational resources and AI algorithm optimization proficiency.

Weather and Climate Model

NASA and IBM Research are also teaming up to develop a weather and climate model following the success of the geospatial foundation model.



They are collaborating with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), NVIDIA, and several universities to utilize the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) dataset.



Like the geospatial model, this weather and climate model will be accessible to the public, encouraging collaborative innovation and exploration.



Multiple foundation models trained on different datasets would be necessary to cover all aspects of Earth science.



However, Maskey believes these future models could eventually merge into one comprehensive model, leading to a "digital twin" of the Earth that would provide unparalleled analysis and predictions for several climate and environmental events.

"To build a foundation model at scale, we realized early on that it's not feasible for one institution to build it," Maskey said.
Fungi play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of the human microbiome, contributing to overall health. However, disruptions in this balance, especially during infections, can lead to severe health consequences.

When faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, experts like immunologist Iliyan Iliev from Weill Cornell Medical School were particularly concerned about the potential impact of fungal infections on patients.

Bridging the Gap Between Fungal Imbalance and Prolonged Immune Response

In a research published in Nature Immunology, Iliyan D. Iliev and his team uncovered a usual link between severe COVID-19 cases and an imbalance in gut fungi.

When they analyzed the blood samples from COVID-19 patients, they discovered heightened levels of antibodies against specific gut fungi, indicating fungal overgrowth. This imbalance triggered a prolonged immune response, contributing to respiratory symptoms and prolonged inflammation in severe cases.

The Microbiome as a Rainforest

A new study conducted by a team of British and Brazilian scientists sheds light on the alarming consequence of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

Immunologist Ken Cadwell likens the microbiome to a rainforest ecosystem. Disruptions, akin to cutting down trees or introducing invasive species, can throw the system out of balance. Similarly, an imbalance in gut fungi during COVID-19 can lead to dysregulation of the immune response, exacerbating the severity of the infection.

Unveiling the Mechanism: Neutrophils and Immune Activation

Further investigations revealed an increase in specific immune cells, neutrophils, in severe Covid patients. These neutrophils, primed by fungal overgrowth, contributed to prolonged inflammation characteristic of the disease. Treatment with antifungal drugs reduced neutrophil levels, highlighting the role of fungal imbalance in immune activation.

Long-Term Implications: Immune Reprogramming and Future Risks

Remarkably, even after the resolution of COVID-19, patients exhibited long-lasting immune changes. As per WIRED, stem cells became adapted to target fungi, potentially priming the body for exaggerated responses to future fungal threats. This immune reprogramming poses questions about the long-term health implications for Covid survivors.

Insights and Future Directions: Personalized Medicine and Beyond

The intricate interplay between the gut microbiome and the immune system opens avenues for personalized medicine. Monitoring fungal antibodies in Covid patients may identify individuals who could benefit from antifungal treatments. However, indiscriminate use of antibiotics or antifungals may disrupt microbiome balance, underscoring the need for targeted therapies.

The research by Iliev and his team gives us an idea about the complex relationship between the gut microbiome, fungal imbalance, and immune activation during severe COVID-19. Personalized approaches to immune modulation may pave the way for improved outcomes in COVID-19 management and beyond.

In other news, researchers discovered that a certain bacteria can feed in the serum of human blood, When this happens, this can lead to an infection-a life-threatening condition known as sepsis.
Fu Cong (C, front), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at the UN Security Council's high-level open debate on the Palestinian-Israeli issue at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 18, 2024. Fu Cong said on Thursday that the international community must no longer overlook the long-standing aspiration of the Palestinian people for independence and statehood, nor should it perpetuate the historical injustices they have suffered. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said on Thursday that the international community must no longer overlook the long-standing aspiration of the Palestinian people for independence and statehood, nor should it perpetuate the historical injustices they have suffered.

During the UN Security Council's high-level open debate on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, Fu highlighted the critical need for a resolute commitment to revitalizing the two-state solution.

"The two-state solution must be revitalized with strong determination. The fundamental way out for the Middle East question lies in the implementation of the two-state solution, so that both Palestinians and Israelis can realize common security and both the Arab and Jewish peoples can achieve common development," said Fu.

"The current round of conflict is an extremely tragic warning to the international community that it can no longer evade the aspiration of the Palestinian people for independence and statehood or perpetuate the historical injustice inflicted upon the Palestinian people," he added.

"In this connection, we call for an international peace conference that is more broad-based and effective to develop a timeline and roadmap for the realization of the two-state solution," he added.

The Security Council is set to vote later Thursday on the Palestinian bid for full UN membership. Fu underscored the importance of immediate international support for Palestine's renewed application for full membership in the United Nations, urging all members of the council to vote in favor.

Editor: WXL
Giving a second life to fashion's deadstocks



Paris, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



At the Nona Source showroom in northern Paris, designers pick through luxurious textiles with ornate names: curly alpaca, geometrical macrame guipure, silk diamond cloque Jacquard.

What makes them really exotic, however, is that they all come from "deadstocks" -- the leftovers designers discard when they have finished with a roll of fabric.

Until recently, it was common for deadstocks -- like unsold clothes -- to be burned or buried. At best, they gathered dust in storerooms.

Ever conscious of its image, luxury giant LVMH set up Nona Source three years ago, selling deadstocks at a sizeable discount to up-and-coming designers.

"I realised there were what we call 'sleeping beauties' in the depots, magnificent fabrics that were lying there for years after collections were made," said co-founder Romain Brabo.

Last year, it sold some 280 kilometres (170 miles) of fabric, enough for roughly 140,000 items of clothing.

Among the regular customers is Arturo Obegero, a 30-year-old Spanish designer who uses only upcycled and recycled materials.

Despite working out of a small space in his house, he has scored some big-name orders including a sheer corset dress for Beyonce on her Renaissance tour -- a sign of his skill and the increasing attraction of climate-conscious design.

"I come from a family of surfers, of fishermen. When you come from a small town, you're connected to nature, you learn to respect it," said Obegero.

He says Nona Source has allowed him to work in the big leagues.

"People are more conscious about which products they purchase... but it can be complicated to offer something really sustainable at an affordable price."



- Evolving beauty -



As pressure mounts on the fashion industry to manage its mountains of waste and massive ecological impact, initiatives like Nona Source are multiplying.

Luxury behemoths like LVMH can afford to make an effort -- and also understand the marketing value.

It has ambitious aims such as shifting transport from planes to boats, training suppliers in better water-management, and investing in tech-driven new textiles like vegan leather (it says it tested 300 such innovations last year).

But Helene Valade, LVMH's head of sustainability, says the company's main role is to "evolve" people's understanding of beauty.

"That's really our power. Ten years ago when we wore something recycled, people found it ugly. That's no longer the case," she told AFP.

"Beauty is no longer something that is completely smooth, perfect, straight... It's also what designers can do with recycled fabrics."

Some are sceptical.

"Until they get PVC plastic out of their supply chain, especially at Louis Vuitton, LVMH will never be a green company," said Dana Thomas, author of "Fashionopolis" about the industry's climate impact.

Louis Vuitton, the world's biggest-selling luxury brand, makes most of its money from its monogrammed bags, which are made from PVC-coated canvas.



- 'Major change' -



Thomas welcomes ideas like Nona Source, but finds it frustrating.

"It's a sensible idea. So why weren't they already doing this 20 years ago?" she said.

"Fashion is so behind compared to, say, the automobile industry. You can now buy an electric truck, but bags are still made from plastic?!"

She says a new generation of fashion executives are finally paying attention, and Nona Source is seeing the impact as an increasing amount of the deadstock it receives is already made from recycled textiles.

"We are seeing a real major change," said Brabo.

As he spoke to AFP, in walked Charles de Vilmorin, the 27-year-old prodigy who was creative director for Rochas and runs his own Paris label.

"I come here for inspiration. I like to be surprised," said De Vilmorin.

"I find it wonderful that they give new life to these materials, that they are not thrown away or destroyed... It's very important."

er/nmc/gv
'Ancient Roman' solar roof tiles power Pompeii villa



Pompeii, Italy, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



Pompeii is shining a light on mysterious rites of ancient Rome thanks to terracotta-style solar roof tiles installed on one of its most famous villas.

The traditional-looking tiles have solar photovoltaic cells inside, allowing the UNESCO World Heritage Site to preserve its aesthetics while generating clean energy to illuminate its frescoes.

And though the project is in its early stages, experts say the tiles could one day help historic city centres across Italy turn green.

The tiles look "exactly the same as the ancient (Roman) ones", found in archaeological sites and cities across the Mediterranean, Pompeii director Gabriel Zuchtriegel told AFP.

But while "Pompeii is a unique site due to its vast size and complexity ... I hope this will not be a unique project," said Zuchtriegel, who wants the site near Naples to be a "real-life lab for sustainability".

The scheme weds emerging technologies with an extraordinary mural unearthed in 1909 under deep layers of volcanic ash at the Villa of the Mysteries, which was buried along with the rest of the city when Vesuvius erupted nearly 2,000 years ago.

The mural depicts female devotees of Dionysus -- the god of wine and revelry -- engaged in mysterious rites.

They have intrigued scholars for decades, with some historians suggesting they are evidence that the lady of the villa was a priestess whose slaves took part in cult rituals.



- Terracotta varnishes -



The fresco, which covers three walls and is one of the best preserved in Pompeii, is illuminated by special LED lights designed to bring the deep red, purple and gold images to life, while not damaging the painted surfaces.

The lights are powered by electricity generated by the solar panels, which were installed in October.

Ahlux, the Italian company behind the lights, patented the system in 2022 and produces both curved and flat panels varnished in terracotta tones.

The solar panels on the villa's roof are flat and lie between traditional ceramic curved tiles.

They cover 70 square metres (750 square feet) of roof, produce a maximum of 13 kilowatt-hours and are linked to an ecologically-friendly sodium battery, according to project manager Alberto Bruni.

Pompeii, which gets over 15 hours sunlight a day in peak summer, intends to extend their use to other villas in the archaeological site, he said.

Augusto Grillo, the founder of Ahlux, said the tiles are about five percent less efficient than a traditional solar panel.

"This nominal loss is compensated however by the fact that our panels heat up less in summer," while traditional ones are covered by glass, and can lose efficiency on very hot days, he said.

"The performance ends up being very similar," he said.



- Red-tiled cities -



Various institutions have expressed interest in the tiles, from Rome's MAXXI modern art museum to the 17th century Pinoteca Ambrosiana museum in Milan, Grillo said.

"The problem is finding the funds," he said, adding that many of Italy's famous historic buildings are public or owned by Catholic institutions.

The cost is a bit more than the price of a new roof and traditional panels put together -- though the solar tiles, which last between 20 to 25 years, serve double duty, because they function as a roof too, Grillo said.

Project manager Bruni said the cost of the panels "is coming down", meaning they may be able to play a part in the wider ecological transition.

Italy is under pressure to make red-roofed cities such as Florence or Bologna greener as part of efforts to combat climate change.

The European Union aims to reduce carbon emissions by 55 percent compared with 1990 levels by 2030, and will have to upgrade existing buildings to do so.

That is a mammoth challenge for Italy, where some 60 percent of buildings are in the worst two energy categories, compared to 17 percent in France and six percent in Germany, according to Italian Constructors' Association ANCE.

"There needs to be some national and perhaps European co-investment to make sure that the very, very ambitious timelines have a chance of being respected," Angelica Donati, president of the youth constructors' association ANCE Giovani, told AFP.

"We have the most beautiful cities in the world, which means we need much more thoughtful interventions, and quickly. There's a lot to be done".
Hundreds rally in Stockholm for climate action



Stockholm, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on Friday led some 500 people in a march in Stockholm to demand politicians do more to address the issue of climate change.

Demonstrators of all ages braved chilly spring temperatures of 3C (37F), wearing parkas and woolly bonnets and chanting "International solidarity! We only have one planet!" and "(Climate Minister Romina) Pourmokhtari's empty words won't save our planet", according to an AFP journalist at the scene.

The march was organised by the Fridays For Future (FFF) movement.

"We're gathered here to fight, once again, for climate justice," Thunberg told AFP.

"It's now been more than five and a half years that we've been doing the same thing, organising big global strikes for the climate and gathering people, youths from the entire world."

The first global youth climate strike, started by Thunberg and the Fridays for Future movement, attracted thousands of people on March 15, 2019.

Six months later, in September 2019, the movement had mushroomed, with millions of people marching around the planet for the climate.

The Swedish activist became an international name in August 2018 when she began her "School Strike for the Climate" at the age of 15, sitting outside Sweden's parliament every Friday morning.

She still takes part regularly in marches and other events where she criticises the lack of political action to halt global warming.

"We are many people and youths who want to express our frustration over what decision-makers are doing right now: they don't care about our future and aren't doing anything to stop the climate crisis," Karla Alfaro Gripe, an 18-year-old FFF activist, told AFP.

The Swedish Climate Policy Council, tasked with evaluating the government's policy, said last month that Sweden will not be able to meet its 2030 emissions reduction target after adopting measures in 2023 that will lead to short-term emissions increases.

Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari said at the time she was "not particularly worried about some of the assessments" in the council's report, noting that several of the issues raised had already been addressed with "measures" added afterwards.
Photography is 'mirror on society': Sebastiao Salgado



London, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



He might be 80 but Sebastiao Salgado, the Brazilian photojournalist who has spent five decades chronicling the world around us, is not ready to hang up his camera yet.

Salgado, known in particular for his work in the Amazon, insists there is still a need to "raise awareness" about the deforestation of the planet.

"Photography is the mirror on society," he said in an interview with AFP to mark the start of a London retrospective of his 50-year-career.

Despite his advancing years, Salgado is still working and insists on what he sees as a need to "make people aware that together we can do things differently".

That way, he says, "we will be able to save this great forest on which we depend for biodiversity and also this great cultural reserve that are the indigenous tribes living in the Amazon".

In 1998, with his wife Lelia, he created the Instituto Terra for the reforestation of the Brazilian Amazon and the planet in general.

The self-taught photographer has won numerous international awards for his portrayal of society across the world, most recently turning his focus on the peoples of the Amazon rainforest basin.

"We have lost 18.2 percent of the Amazon. But it is not just the Brazilians or other countries in the region who destroyed it, it is our consumer society, because of a terrible need for consumption, for profit", he said.



- 'Second tragedy' -



Deforestation of the planet, however, is far from being his only concern.

Water shortage, he says, is a "second tragedy, just as important as global warming".

The exhibition, which runs until May 6 at the city's Somerset House, features 50 of his photographs.

"It's a selection. One can't present 50 years of career in 50 photos. (But) each one represents a moment in my life which was very important," he said.

The show comes a month after Salgado was announced as the Outstanding Contribution to Photography recipient in the prestigious Sony World Photography Awards 2024.

"It's the reward for a lifetime's work," he said, with obvious gratitude. "A photographer has the privilege of being where things happen".

"People tell me I'm an artist but I tell them no, I'm a photographer and it's a great privilege to be one. I've been an emissary of the society of which I am part."

As he starts his ninth decade, Salgado has no plans to retire and says he doesn't waste time thinking about his legacy.

"I have 50 years of career behind me and I am 80 years old. I am closer to death than to anything else. (...) But I continue to photograph, I continue to work.

"I have no concerns or pretensions about how I will be remembered. Photos are my life, nothing else."
Thousands affected by floods in eastern DRC



Bukavu, DR Congo, April 19 (AFP) Apr 19, 2024



Thousands of households and dozens of schools have been affected by flooding in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, with local authorities on Friday calling for help from the central government.

"At least 4,500 houses have collapsed, more than 2,000 plots of land have disappeared, and more than 7,000 households have been affected by overflowing rivers and the rising waters of Lake Tanganyika," Dominique Kalonzo, head of communications at Uvira town hall, told AFP.

Kalonzo added that 53 schools had been flooded in the eastern city of Uvira, according to a town hall report drawn up earlier this week.

"Those affected have been taken in by families, while others are spending the night under the stars," added Kalonzo.

"The Uvira town council has launched an urgent appeal to the Congolese government and humanitarian organisations, because Uvira is at risk of being hit by epidemics."

For weeks, torrential rains have been hitting the north shore of Lake Tanganyika in the South Kivu region, which borders Burundi's flood-hit economic capital, Bujumbura. Lake Tanganyika is Africa's second largest lake.

"It is a really worrying situation, even national road five on the Uvira-Fizi section is flooded," Santos Kitandala, a civil society activist from Fizi, told AFP.

"A large market, the Mwemezi market, has been swallowed up, as have several administrative offices."

The floods are also affecting the town of Kalemie, further south.

Beyond the DRC, East Africa is experiencing torrential rains that killed at least 58 people in Tanzania during the first fortnight of April and 13 others in Kenya.

Rains have been virtually uninterrupted in Burundi, one of the 20 countries most vulnerable to climate change according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Its usual two rainy seasons run from September to January, and March to May.
By Yan Congxiao, Guangming Daily

On April 18th, Sino-American non-governmental culture exchange activities commemorating the 82nd Anniversary of the Great Rescue of Doolittle Raid with the theme "Let the friendship forged by blood and flame be passed down from generation to generation" took place in the Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid in Quzhou City, Zhejiang Province. Since the 1990s, the pilots that are still alive of the "Doolittle Raiders Association" as well as the pilot descendants from the Association "Children of the Doolittle Raiders" have returned to China many times to search for the rescuers. Since then, a deep friendship has been established and passed on from generation to generation.

After the ceremony, the pilot descendants visited the memorial hall and expressed what they learned about the history.

(Photo by Guangming Daily)

Editor: WXL
Chances are you've heard this one before. A Curious Louisiana reader is wondering whether Baton Rouge's often stunning sunsets have a less than beautiful source: Namely, chemicals released into the air from local petrochemical plants.

Questions about human pollutants affecting sunsets are neither new nor limited to Louisiana. They often rate a mention when it comes to big cities, most notably that king of urban smog, Los Angeles.

One thing's for sure: Pollutants can, in fact, alter the color of the sky.

A bit of science: The sky's colors come from what's known as Rayleigh scattering, which entails sunlight interacting with molecules in the air and scattering them around. Colors with shorter wavelengths, especially and obviously blue, are scattered the most. On the other end of the spectrum are colors like reds and oranges.
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 Nobody likes uncomfortable truths, so heres just one. First Nations people account for 33 per cent of prison inmates in this country. It suggests an uncomfortable question. How does said country sleep? Make no mistake, we sleep. Like several other shocking indicators of national indifference, that number is rising. Ziggy Ramos uncomfortable answer is also the premise of his book, Human? We dont act because we dont think Original Peoples, to use the term he prefers, are people at all. Its a belief conditioned over half a millennium, since Pope Alexander VI decreed on behalf of budding explorers in 1493 that non-Christians held no rights in the eyes of the Lord. Alexanders Doctrine of Discovery is the legal framework to not only dispossess Original Peoples, but to justify murder and enslavement, the rapper, actor, musician and author writes. If we are not seen as human then Thou shall not steal and Thou shall not murder would simply not apply to us. Ziggy Ramo performing at the Sydney Opera House in 2021. Credit: Getty Images Talking by Zoom from his Perth home, Ramo is far more genial and less confronting than he can be on the page. But his argument, gleaned from many generations of family history, independent research and lived experience spanning black, white, rich, poor, island, outback and urban Australia, is firm and clear. The position we find ourselves in is not an accident, he says. This was a design. When you start colonisation and you create missions, you create segregation. When you create segregation, you stop communication. And when you stop communication, you stop seeing each other as humans. That figure of 33 per cent [for example] doesnt impact us in a way that creates immediate action because for the last 235 years, we have been taught to compartmentalise and disconnect from our human emotion as to what that represents.

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Loading The point of this book, and why I go to those hard, confronting places, is that we have to start listening to each others stories. Its not about this single book, or a single song. Its about creating momentum and space for many voices to tell their stories, so that 33 per cent starts to have faces attached to it. It starts to have a heartbeat. Ziggy Ramo Burrmuruk Fatnowas own story forms a natural heartbeat to the book he launches at next months Melbourne Writers Festival. His great-great grandmother was stolen from her family in Wik country in Aurukun. She met his great-great grandfather when he was blackbirded  kidnapped and enslaved  from the Solomon Islands to work the Far North Queensland sugarcane fields. Three generations later, a woman of Scottish extraction married his father, to their parents mutual disapproval. Young Ziggy grew up in multiple worlds. His family was welcomed into a Yolngu commmunity in Arnhem Land. Later he won a scholarship to Sydneys uber-privileged Scots College. What I would ask the reader to understand is, if its difficult to read, how [infinitely] more difficult it is to live. Its a really difficult thing to make sense of, as youre growing up, that your mum and your dad are literally treated differently when they walk outside in this country, he reflects. For me, there was such a curiosity, just trying to understand why, because I saw that my parents just loved each other for who they were. Confusion turned to trauma. Human? is not light reading. But the artistic outlet Ramo found at 15, when freestyle rapping began to pour out of him in an almost miraculous deluge, brings a kind of respite at the end of each of the nine chapters. QR codes link to nine songs. Nine paintings by his sister, Brydi Fatnowa, complete what he calls a three-dimensional multimedia project.

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There was a natural pull towards music when I was younger but I came to understand that in Australia, the art form of hip-hop isnt as well respected and well understood as a book, he says. There was always something inside of me that knew that it was just about communicating the story. Ramos raw hip-hop debut, Black Thoughts, was so blunt in style and content that he opted to shelve it for five years until the Black Lives Matter protests of June 2020 presented a context for it to be heard and understood. Next, he adapted the feelgood campfire amble of Paul Kelly and Kev Carmodys From Little Things Big Things Grow to smuggle a different story of cause and effect into the mainstream. His little thing was Alexanders Doctrine of Discovery. Big things include stolen children, mass incarceration and a still-rising toll of deaths in custody. April 25th asks such an uncomfortable question that Ramo devotes a chapter in his book to the many ways the song has literally been censored from the public conversation. Recast in more welcoming folkie form, he gives it another go in the Human? project. This isnt about hurting or blaming people. Its that I respect you enough to give you the truth, and the truth of my lived experience, he says. I guess what I would ask the reader to understand is, if its difficult to read, how [infinitely] more difficult it is to live. As uncomfortable as you may feel, thats the line I tried to walk in this book. Recent lived experience has prepared him for mixed reactions to the work, he says. I will see this book as a success within the conversations it sparks. I want to build a space for dialogue and discourse to happen, regardless of who you vote for, regardless of what you believe in. I would like to get to the root of my understanding of what my lived experience has taught me, because I think that is ultimately the path forward.

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Eating outRestaurant news The most anticipated restaurant opening of 2024 is also Justin Hemmes most intriguing Live seafood tanks, a four-metre grill and a Japanese-leaning menu a touch of Tottis. Get ready for Merivales Good Luck Restaurant Lounge, opening next week in Bridge Street. Scott Bolles April 19, 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

Good Luck Restaurant Lounge will open on Wednesday, April 24, and is not only one of Sydneys most anticipated hospitality openings of the year, its also one of its most intriguing. The neon lights of Good Luck Restaurant Lounge. Steven Woodburn Shrouded in more pre-launch mystery than usual (even for a Merivale project), executive chef Mike Eggert says the menu will feature 80 dishes channelling both Tokyo and influences from Merivales Italian-leaning Tottis. The opening will come less than a week after Justin Hemmes, the owner of Merivale, opens JAM Record Bar this evening in the IVY precinct, which Good Food revealed this week. Photo: Steven Woodburn

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Good Lucks Bridge Street entrance is crowned by a small sign that reads: Feeling lucky, guests will then descend the stairs into the basement of the historic Burns Philp & Co building, a site Hemmes snapped up during the pandemic. Good Luck sprawls over two levels with live seafood tanks, a four-metre charcoal grill, splashes of green stone, utilitarian chairs, custom vintage glass light fittings and a seating capacity of more than 200. Eggert, who put Tottis on the culinary map, says he has always held on to the Asian influence he flexed working at Billy Kwong and his 2017 Good Luck Pinbone pop-up in Kensington. People probably arent aware theres soy in the bolognese at Tottis, Eggert divulges. Photo: Steven Woodburn The first thing guests will see as they enter Good Luck is a massive wood fire hearth alongside three supercharged woks. Smokey, wood fired flavours with lots of fresh herbs, citrus and chilli, Eggert says. He points to Japans Wafu Italian restaurants  where chefs reimagine Italian dishes through a Japanese lens  as part inspiration for Good Luck.

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Brown butter snow crab will be on the menu at Good Luck. Eggert and Sri Lankan-born head chef Prince Jeganathans opening menu is adventurous. Paccheri pasta is teamed with spicy scallop and sake in one dish, another matches brown butter and snow crab. Eggert is excited about using Japanese ingredients: subtle Japanese peppers pop up where you might expect Sichuan, smoked soy-poached chicken is doused in a shiso dressing, an egg noodle dish will combine Japanese whitebait and shishito peppers. Photo: Steven Woodburn The tiles on the columns [at Good Luck] are from Japan, designer Kelvin Ho says of his nod to Eggerts culinary mission statement. But in the same way the chef doesnt want to box himself in, Ho quips hes taken an all you can eat approach to the design. From the street a sign asks if youre feeling lucky? Steven Woodburn

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Theres a bit of Hong Kong family restaurants, Ho says of the inspiration for the interior, which includes a vintage Asian travel poster and banquette upholstery that varies from pink to floral. I like that collision of home spun next to opulence, the designer says of a space where chandeliers, seafood tanks and a luxe private dining room mingle with ubiquitous restaurant chairs. Ho credits Merivale Styling Director Bettina Hemmes for hand-picking some of the accoutrements and lamps that make Good Luck styling sizzle. Subtle Japanese flavours will infuse the food at Good Luck, here in a spicy paccheri pasta with scallop and sake. Part of the intrigue surrounding the project were early rumours about its culinary direction. At one stage the site was tipped to be a Middle Eastern-inspired restaurant, then Greek. Various chefs inside the Merivale empire were linked at different times with the project, with speculation chefs pitched their boss concepts. Its not really like that. I usually have in my mind whos going to fit [a project], Hemmes explains. The most important thing is to tap into a chefs passion, what they want to cook, and we mould around that.

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Long before Sydneys silvertails slip into their couture gowns, glittering jewels and designer tuxedos to rubberneck one another at this years Gold Dinner fundraiser on May 1, a high-stakes hunt worthy of Captain Ahab has been quietly under way for months. The prize? A different kind of whale: Australias ever-growing pool of cashed-up billionaires.

Last years big catch was Australias richest human, Gina Rinehart, estimated to be worth $37.6 billion in the AFR 2024 Rich List. At the eleventh hour Rinehart was unable to attend the gala herself, sending along her daughter Ginia. Amid much fanfare she dropped a $5 million donation  the single largest in the events 26-year history  for the deserving coffers of the Sydney Childrens Hospitals Foundation.

Joshua and Linda Penn at their family home in Point Piper. Credit: Louise Kennerley

While rapturous applause filled Sydney Town Hall when the donation was revealed, it was far from a spur-of-the-moment exercise in charitable largesse.

Such arrangements can take many months of delicate negotiations, admits Gold Dinner Committee co-chair and Lowes menswear heir and CEO Linda Penn, who, after three years helming the committee with fellow co-chair and son Joshua, chooses her words carefully about donors lest she scare any of them off.
The April 20 Edition

I first heard about a new artificial heart just over a year ago, when I was hosting a panel discussion on developments in cardiac disease treatment for the St Vincents Curran Foundation, which raises funds for St Vincents Hospital Sydney. Professor Chris Hayward was on the panel, and he talked about the new device and its potential to transform how cardiologists like him respond when this most fundamental of organs fails. He spoke, too, about how it had been designed by an Australian. The next morning I rushed into the office and told senior writer Amanda Hooton about it. What a great story, we both thought. Then we hit a roadblock: nobody would want to talk publicly about the new heart until it was ready to be implanted into a human. And nobody could say when that would be. What they could say was that it would happen first in the US. And that when it happened, it would be huge international news. The solution was for Amanda to start the story anyway, dropping in and out of it over many months as she found more and more people willing to talk about it. Today, finally, her piece appears. Has Timms device gone into a human yet? Not when this magazine went to print. But by the time you are reading this? Who knows. Editor, Katrina Strickland
Ridesharing businesses are experiencing some significant cost increases, partly due to industrial relations rulings and other factors, and the more players there are, the harder it is for them to raise prices, Fels said. [With less competition], the possibility of reduced earnings rates for drivers also cant be ruled out. Uber is retaining its dominance in Australia. Credit: AP Jordan said there was no doubt Uber dominated the sector in a way that made it difficult for new players to establish themselves, but Didi had done so through slow and sustainable growth. He said Didis market share was 24 per cent in Melbourne, where it launched six years ago, and 21 per cent in Sydney, where it was rolled out in 2020.

We dont have big high-profile ambassadors like Uber. We do it by running an efficient operation with affordable rides, he said. Ultimately were fighting with Uber for attention. Federal parliament this year passed laws that will empower the Fair Work Commission to set new minimum standards for the conditions and pay of workers in the so-called gig economy. They earn income through apps that provide services such as ridesharing and food delivery, which Uber also offers. Transport Workers Union acting national assistant secretary Emily McMillan said Olas collapse showed that the rideshare industry was highly insecure and in need of basic standards. We have a market thats cannibalising itself when new entrants cant survive, McMillan said Either they lower standards, which is exploitative and driving a race to bottom, or theyre coming in with higher standards and they just cant compete.

Jordan said he was concerned the upcoming Fair Work changes could hurt competition in Australia. Loading Its essential the changes bring meaningful benefits for rideshare drivers but also ensure all platforms can retain a sustainable business model and not give a competitive advantage to the bigger player in the market, he said. If smaller players are disadvantaged then competition will reduce and rideshare will suffer.  Uber has been embroiled in many high-profile legal stoushes globally, which have exposed how the San Francisco-based company reached market dominance by taking advantage of vulnerable workers, regulatory loopholes and aggressive undercutting funded by venture capital.

In Australia, Uber last month agreed to pay a historic $272 million class action settlement. More than 8000 taxi and hire-car drivers joined the lawsuit, filed in 2019, claiming they lost income when Uber entered the Australian market in 2012. Loading A second civil proceeding is under way in the Supreme Court of Victoria with Taxi Apps  creator of the GoCatch app  suing Uber, alleging the company intentionally destroyed the rival through conspiracy, unlawful conduct and covert surveillance. Uber argues that GoCatch declined due to its own internal challenges and denies using spyware in the way alleged. Didi, too, has had its own troubles. In 2022, Chinas cybersecurity regulator fined Didi Global the equivalent of more than $1.8 billion for violations related to cybersecurity, data security and the protection of personal information. Despite years of controversy, frustration and even boycotts, drivers and riders return to Uber.

Dr Marian Makkar, a senior business lecturer at RMIT, said this was a common phenomenon known as the attitude-behaviour gap. People may intend on stopping their use of Uber as it does not align with their values, but ultimately their actions are driven by other factors: convenience, finances, safety. To help encourage competition, she recommended that consumers split their business as much as possible between rideshare apps, taxis and public transport. An Uber spokesman said Australias broader point-to-point transport sector  which includes taxis, public transport and car-sharing platforms  remained competitive. Our focus remains on helping Uber riders get from A to B in a safe, affordable and reliable manner, while providing flexible earnings opportunities to thousands of Australian drivers, he said.

Uber has long advocated for better protections for all Aussie platform workers, and we support recent legislation passed by the federal government that paves the way for industry-wide standards for gig workers. Sydney-based Rosalina Pirozzi quit driving for rideshare apps four years ago after she had to almost triple the hours she worked just to make ends meet. At its worst, she said she was driving 60 hours a week just to earn the same money shed been making years earlier. Rosalina Pirozzi decided to start her own business because rideshare driving was no longer financially sustainable. Credit: Dean Sewell When I first started, we earned decent money: I could pay the kids school fees and have a comfortable living but over time expenses kicked in such as insurances and vehicle registration increasing, fuel costs going up. Everything was going up except our rates. Pirozzi, who campaigns for better conditions and wages for rideshare drivers, now runs her own private driving business where her fees are double that of Uber.

Still, its likely that Ubers influence will continue to grow. It has been positioning itself as the future Amazon of transport, rather than merely a rideshare app. University of Queensland honorary professor of planning Neil Sipe said its why taxis could now be booked from the app and in some countries Uber partnered with public transport agencies, deepening its grip on consumers. Rod Barton, a former taxi driver and MP of the Transport Matters Party. Credit: Jason South Rod Barton, a former Victorian MP and taxi driver who was involved in the class action lawsuit against Uber, said he was concerned the tech giant was on track to take control of the taxi industry. What punters dont understand is that booking a taxi through the app, they can charge anything they like, Barton said. We have a foreign company doing our essential services.
His cards have been marked without a trial. Loading The snowball effect of an allegation was tragically shown when Channel Seven named the wrong man as the offender who killed six people in a Bondi shopping centre, while thousands of people piled on to condemn someone who was innocent. In Wales 23 years ago, Dr Yvette Cloete, a paediatric specialist, was forced to leave her house after vigilantes without the brains to use spell check mistook the doctors qualification for the word paedophile. The idiots then took it upon themselves to graffiti her house with the word paedo. Despite Bruce Lehrmanns sexual assault trial being abandoned without verdict, after the self-inflicted defamation judgement against him  albeit to the lower civil standard of balance of probabilities  he will be branded through history as a rapist.

On the other side, there have been people with power who have been able to live a lie for decades because their predatory behaviour has been hidden from public view. Film producer Harvey Weinstein is a serial rapist whose offences were covered up by a pattern of secret payments to victims until he was finally convicted over one attack. For years, Weinstein was untouchable because his movies made money. When he had passed his use-by date, he was sentenced to 16 years in jail. Harvey Weinstein in court in Manhattan in 2020. Credit: AP British entertainer Jimmy Savile raised a fortune for charities, so much so that he was knighted. After his death, a police investigation found he was a prodigious sex offender who had left behind hundreds of victims. It was no surprise as there had been multiple allegations against him when he was alive, but the powerless victims were disbelieved or their complaints ignored.

Then there is our own eccentric, daggy and  for a time  much-loved entertainer Rolf Harris. Harris was so far inside the inner circle, he was invited to paint a portrait of the late Queen. He made a career out of being an Aussie icon even though he spent many years living in the UK. Rolf Harris outside court in the UK in 2017. Credit: AP In England in 2014, he was convicted of the sexual assault of four underage girls. He was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison. For decades in showbiz circles, Harris was known as a handsy perv who, given any opportunity, would grope or proposition young women.

After one gushing interview on Melbourne radio, when Harris departed, the interviewer turned to a staff member to say, There goes the biggest sleazebag in the business. Exposure as a sex criminal, particularly against children, brings with it a form of humiliation so great that police have strategies to deal with suspects who may consider suicide after their arrest. So one can only imagine how George Weaver felt as he stood in the dock of the County Court while a judge rightly eviscerated him for his behaviour. In this case, you, George Weaver, engaged in conduct which is disgusting, reprehensible, and frankly, deeply disturbing. On 15 separate occasions between November 30, 2020 and July 29, 2021 you engaged in such conversations over a carriage service with another person. The purpose of these conversations was so that those participating in them could gain sexual stimulation.

During those conversations, you said many things about the sort of sexual activities you would like to engage in with children. Loading Having at first denied he had made the calls, faced with overwhelming evidence, he eventually agreed to plead guilty to one charge. There is one other thing you need to know about George Weaver: he doesnt exist. Weaver is a pseudonym given to him by the court, because, unlike the cases we have discussed above, the legal system has decided to protect his real identity.

Any details that could identify him  including the suburb where he was raised, his number of siblings, and the suburb of the Community Corrections Centre he would have to attend as part of his sentence  have been removed from the judgment. Even the length of time he has had a relationship with his spouse has been blocked. In a judgment of about 10 pages, there are 12 facts redacted. Weaver was given a 15-month suspended sentence. At an earlier hearing, prosecutor Natalie Simpson said, A period of imprisonment is required. This was not an isolated incident. He has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register, and he cannot leave the state without permission from his probation officer and must continue psychological treatment.

The suppression order was granted to protect his safety, relating to fears that Weaver may have self-harmed if named. During one hearing when his lawyer was arguing for the suppression order, Weaver burst into tears. When it was granted, he stopped crying  no doubt due to his immense relief. If the Snowy Hydro System controlled the waterworks as efficiently, wed never run out of electricity. In a judgment of about 10 pages there are 12 facts redacted. Weaver had the advantage of knowing how the system works, and it may be a case of the better your lawyers, the better your chances.

He is a person of some profile, quoted in newspapers as an expert, a public speaker of some note, well-known enough to be a special guest at certain social events, and has links to powerful Victorians. Loading While he is no doubt embarrassed, those who employ him as an expert will not be aware of his conduct that a judge described as disgusting, reprehensible, and frankly, deeply disturbing. To be clear, Weaver did not access child pornography, did not deal with a real child, and was feeding someone elses vile fetishes. He certainly knew the benefit of sound legal advice, turning up at court with heavyweight lawyers, including a most impressive senior counsel who argued his case passionately and persuasively.

In one of the magistrates hearings, The Ages court reporter Erin Pearson took to her feet to argue against the suppression order, taking on the Kings Counsel representing Weaver. She lost. When the case went to the County Court, the suppression order not only remained but was strengthened. Open courts are the sunlight of the criminal justice system. There is a place for secrecy, but the onus must be on those who want to suppress to argue why. The verdict was to be delivered at 10.30am on April 11, but a last-minute change to the court schedule meant it began at 10am. A byproduct of the change meant the media was not present in the court. In March, Pearson revealed Victoria was issuing suppression orders at a greater rate than other states.

In 2023, 521 suppression orders were issued in Victoria, compared to 308 in South Australia and 133 in NSW. Already in 2024, the press has been notified of 105 suppression orders  including broad, proceeding and interim orders  across Victoria, prompting an Age analysis into how and why information from the public record is withheld from the community. Loading Of the 105 suppression orders issued in Victoria since the start of the year  at Supreme, County and Magistrates courts  most banned reporting of certain features in a case, including the name of an accused person or witness. Social media information that floats in the cloud can be accessed by potential jurors. But if we trust the system, then we have to trust our jurors to do their job fairly. It is entirely sensible to suppress pre-trial arguments that would put into the public domain information that may well be knocked out before the trial proper.

Once someone is charged, the media should stop speculating and simply report fairly on the activities in the court hearings. Open courts are the sunlight of the criminal justice system. There is a place for secrecy, but the onus must be on those who want to suppress to argue why. Recently, a woman we have known for 20 years was visited by the police. She is a law-abiding, solid citizen who was married to a man who, for a period of time, was a protected witness. He is now dead. She planned to write her life story. The police arrived to tell her if she published her manuscript she would be charged and would face possible jail time. How is that just?
More than 80 public schools across Western Australia have confirmed they will close, or partially close, on Tuesday as teachers strike over what the union labelled an insulting pay offer.

WAs Department of Education confirmed so far, 22 schools would fully close and 61 would only be partially open  meaning they would provide student instruction for selected year levels or cohorts of students for the whole day.

Schools closed during stop-work action Albany Community Kindergarten

Avonvale Education Support Centre

Baynton West Primary School

Bunbury Senior High School

Castlereagh School

Champion Bay Senior High School

Collie Senior High School

Coolbellup Learning Centre

Geraldton Senior High School

Kensington Secondary School

Leda Education Support Centre

Lockyer Community Kindergarten

Malibu School

Orelia Primary School

Port Hedland Primary School

River Valley Primary School

Rockingham Beach Education Support Centre

Rockingham Senior High School Education Support Centre

Spencer Park Education Support Centre

Warnbro Community High School Education Support Centre

Wickham Primary School

Wongan Hills District High School

Education Director-General Lisa Rodgers was confident the majority of schools would remain open.

She said the department valued teachers and was making every effort to have this reflected in their pay and conditions.
Warning: this report contains the name and image of a deceased Indigenous man, with his familys permission.

A man has died at Hakea Prison in Perths south-east, becoming the third inmate to die while in the maximum security facilitys care in less than three months.

The 28-year-old was found unconscious in his cell at the Canning Vale prison on Thursday afternoon.

The man died in custody at Hakea Prison on Thursday. Credit: Fairfax

A Department of Justice spokesperson said staff had provided first aid until paramedics arrived, but could not revive the man.
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 On Monday night, NSW Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper was at home with his wife Magda preparing a meal for their friend, Premier Chris Minns, whod been through a torrid 48 hours after the horrific stabbings at Westfield Bondi Junction last Saturday afternoon. Minns had flown to Tokyo to begin a family holiday but he never got to leave the airport before rushing home in the wake of the attack. Kampers plan was to offer his friend some brief respite, with a well-prepared steak and salad. But the plan was upended about 7.45pm, when they received shocking video of a second knife attack, this time on a bishop of an Assyrian Christian church in western Sydney, from the state MP for Fairfield, David Saliba. It was fortuitous, Kamper said later, that he and Minns were together. Swiftly, with the help of Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta, the pair set up a late-night Teams meeting with 11 faith leaders across western Sydney. A joint statement was agreed that went out shortly after midnight. Sixteen Islamic organisations followed suit, condemning what they called the heinous attack on the stricken cleric, Mar Mari Emmanuel, a deeply conservative and outspoken preacher who has a massive online following and an outsized profile among Sydneys Assyrian Christian community. We had the concerns, with many others, that this could have escalated dramatically if we didnt have the right voices and the responsible people within the faith communities making those statements, Kamper says. A teenager was arrested after Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and Father Isaac Royel were stabbed at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley on Monday night. Credit: X/@AustralianJA

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I dont think I truly appreciated how valuable our interfaith work has been until [Monday] night, when I saw them all get together and stand behind each other, making clear, precise statements and sending important messages to their followers. Even as the groups statement was being drafted, police were struggling to contain a riot that had erupted outside the bishops church, the Christ the Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley, in Sydneys south-west (ironically on Welcome Street). Emmanuel had been in the middle of a live-streamed sermon when a 16-year-old boy walked casually towards him before pulling out a knife and raining blows on the clerics head. Loading An outraged mob swiftly gathered outside the church, arming themselves with makeshift projectiles and chanting bring him out as terrified paramedics sheltered inside. The ensuing battle left 50 officers injured and scores of police vehicles damaged. A week that began with a mass slaying segued two days later into a live-streamed alleged terror attack and then exploded into a terrifying riot on the streets of a normally quiet suburban enclave, leaving the city plunged into deep shock. As Minns acknowledged on Thursday morning, after a subdued visit to the Bondi Junction shopping centre where six people had been murdered and a dozen more injured on Saturday, there will be no instant snap-back to normal. From its affluent east to its multicultural west, the city has been dealt a psychological blow, and it will take weeks, if not months, for it to recover.

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Yet, the repeated calls for calm and co-operation issued through the week by political and religious leaders seem to have settled some of the apprehension and anguish, at least for now. The reprisals that were feared against mosques and Islamic prayer halls after Monday nights knife attack have not eventuated. The streets of Bondi Junction in lockdown following the attack. Credit: Oscar Colman Everyone has so far breathed a sigh of relief, considering what could have been, says Australian Federation of Islamic Councils CEO Kamalle Dabboussy. There were concerns this may have tested our resilience and [led to] further marginalisation of the Muslim community. I believe that the concerns have eased. Nevertheless, police have deployed extra resources to guard mosques and places of worship over the weekend, attempting to counter continuing rumours of payback that have been travelling like poison through channels such as Whatsapp. NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, who has put in a sterling performance over recent days, was at pains on Friday morning to assure Sydneys faith communities they were safe, urging them not to be swayed by false alarms on social media. If we have current credible information, we will share it with you, she said. Police will be the source of truth. Lebanese Muslim Association secretary Gamel Kheir, told the Herald his association had advised female staff to work from home on Friday, traditionally a day for prayer among Muslims. There were rumours circulating that women wearing hijabs [Islamic head coverings] could be singled out for attack, he says. Women are an easy target because of their head coverings. We are advising them to walk in groups.

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A floral tribute at Bondi. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos That a measure of calm has descended is due, in no small part, to the rapid mobilisation of a broad coalition of religious and community leaders in the wake of Mondays attack. There have been several more interfaith meetings through the week, (including one on Thursday that managed the rare feat of bringing together the countrys two Grand Muftis, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed from the Australian National Imams Council and AFICs Sheikh Riad El-Rifai.) By Thursday morning, the injured bishop had recovered enough to directly address his followers from his hospital bed, imploring them to pray, to co-operate with the citys beloved police, and to resist any urge for revenge. The Lord Jesus never taught us to fight. He never said to us an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, Emmanuel told his followers. There remains disquiet among Islamic community leaders about the speed with which police declared the assault on Emmanuel a terrorist incident, given the young age of the attacker. They say he is a minor, a school dropout whose escalating behavioural and anger management problems have necessitated a referral to psychologists, according to his family. Everyone has so far breathed a sigh of relief, considering what could have been. Australian Federation of Islamic Councils CEO Kamalle Dabboussy Imams council spokesman Bilal Rauf told the Herald there was disappointment that there was a rush to designate it a religious terrorist event before the youth had been spoken to by police noting what he called the disparity with Bondi.

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Kheir says: Weve got to put it into perspective. The act was heinous but having said that, its a 16-year-old boy; when you see those photos [of the aftermath] he is smiling; thats not a natural reaction. Community leaders are worried the rushed declaration feeds into negative perceptions of Islam. Loading But Minns and Webb say the swift declarations of Mondays crime as terrorism, and an equally swift declaration that Saturdays was not, were tied to the necessity of unlocking extra investigative powers. It was not signalling how the two attacks ranked in a hierarchy of horror. Bondi Junction attacker Joel Cauchi was a 40-year-old drifter from Queensland, a tormented soul whod struggled with mental health issues since being diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager, according to his father Andrew. Unsuccessful in forming relationships, he was seemingly in the grip of psychosis when he slaughtered six people He appeared to target women, who made up five of the six dead. However, police say there was no evidence he was acting from any ideological, religious or political motive, though they say they may never discover what triggered the attack.

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Dozens of promised school upgrades face major delays as education and government sources warn the states financial squeeze will lead to a funding bloodbath for the projects in the May budget.

Victorian Labor had committed $850 million to upgrade at least 89 primary and secondary schools on the state election campaign trail in 2022, but more than half failed to secure funding to put shovels in the ground in last years budget.

Then-premier Daniel Andrews announces the schools package on the campaign trail during the 2022 election campaign, with Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny (left). Credit: Penny Stephens

The Age has confirmed that education officials have in recent weeks contacted some schools and told them not to proceed with any more work until after the May budget, due in just over a fortnight, while others were told work would need to be re-scoped because plans had come in over budget.

Cabinet ministers, MPs and education sources, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential matters, warned dozens of projects were at risk of being delayed or re-scoped as the Allan government looks to slash spending. Its a bit of a bloodbath, said one source with knowledge of school funding.
After days of anticipation and warnings, Israel has reportedly launched an airstrike on regional rival Iran, further escalating tensions in a region already on alert. Israel has been at war with militants in the Palestinian territory of Gaza since October, when Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked. Direct conflict between Iran and Israel threatens to elevate the conflict to a broader level.

A video still from near the reported site of airstrikes in Isfahan. Credit: Twitter

What happened in Iran?

There have been reports of explosions in Irans third-largest city on Friday (AEST), with Israeli officials telling The New York Times, that a strike was launched. A US official also said Israel launched a strike against Iran.

The explosions hit near Isfahan city in the countrys centre where there is a key military base.
Washington: A man set himself on fire outside the court where Donald Trumps hush money trial was taking place in New York, prompting onlookers to scream and run.

In a horrific scene  just 15 floors below where the former president has been sitting all week  the man doused himself with liquid moments after throwing anti-government pamphlets in the air, in full view of TV cameras covering Trumps court appearance.

New York Police officers inspect a backpack left at the scene where a man lit himself on fire in a park outside Manhattan criminal court. Credit: AP

The incident took place shortly after 1.30pm in a Manhattan Park opposite the court that had been cordoned off for demonstrators who wanted to express their support or opposition to Trump. Police are now investigating whether the act had anything to do with him or his trial.

Dozens of police officers and onlookers immediately rushed to the scene and tried to smother the flames. The man was then loaded onto a stretcher and taken to hospital. He died a few hours later, The New York Post reported.
In recent years, matcha has taken the world by storm, becoming a staple ingredient in specialized tea shops and mainstream cafes alike. As one of the most iconic coffee chains globally, Starbucks has embraced this trend with open arms, incorporating matcha into various signature beverages. Customers cant help but wonder: what kind of matcha does Starbucks use? In this article, we delve into the world of matcha that lies behind Starbucks green addition to their menu.

Discovering Matcha Powders Secrets

Matcha is a vibrant green tea powder made from ground-up whole tea leaves. The traditional form of matcha originates from Japan and is renowned for its numerous health benefits. It stands out due to its rich flavor, unique texture, and vibrant hue. To understand the type of matcha used by Starbucks, lets explore the different varieties and qualities of matcha powder available on the market.

Grades of Matcha

There are two primary grades of matcha commonly found  ceremonial grade and culinary grade. Ceremonial grade matcha is considered the highest quality of matcha tea, traditionally utilized in Japanese tea ceremonies. This high-quality tea provides a taste profile that showcases a naturally sweet, delicate, and subtle umami flavor. This type of matcha is usually not mixed with other ingredients, such as sugar or milk. Culinary grade matcha, on the other hand, is primarily used in cooking and baking applications as well as creating lattes and smoothies. The culinary grade matcha comes in different sub-grades ranging from premium to classic, including kitchen-grade, cafe, and ingredient. These sub-grades vary in color, texture, and bitterness. However, they generally offer a stronger, more robust flavor and can be combined with other ingredients without losing their distinctive taste.

Matcha Origins

Although Japan is most known for its matcha production, today, the powder is also produced in countries such as China, Taiwan, and South Korea. The origin of the tea leaves used in creating matcha has a significant influence on its quality, taste, and color. Japanese matcha is usually considered superior due to stringent cultivation methods, ideal climate conditions, and time-honored harvesting and processing techniques. With these factors in mind, lets consider what makes Starbucks development unique.

Starbucks Signature Matcha Blend

Incorporating matcha into their menu since the early 2000s, Starbucks uses a proprietary blend called Starbucks Matcha Blend. This blend consists of pure matcha green tea powder sourced from both Japan and China mixed with sugar. Through providing added sweetness, this fusion allows Starbucks to create consistent beverages that cater not only to traditional matcha enthusiasts but also to those who prefer a bit of extra sweetness in their drinks. While details surrounding Starbucks exclusive formulation are limited, it is evident that they use a culinary grade matcha powder rather than ceremonial grade. This choice aligns with their requirement for a stronger, bolder taste that can harmonize well with milks, syrups, and additional flavors. Additionally, using culinary grade matcha ensures affordability and practicality for the mass-production of various matcha-infused concoctions.

The Role of Sugar in Starbucks Matcha Selection

Integrating sugar directly into their matcha blend is a distinguishing factor for Starbucks, contributing to its recognizable taste profile. For many consumers, this sugary addition enables them to appreciate the earthy and slightly bitter notes of matcha without feeling overwhelmed. However, some die-hard matcha connoisseurs argue that this sugar-enhanced mixture detracts from the true essence of traditional, high-quality matcha. Nevertheless, Starbucks clientele enjoys their matcha drinks, and the following popular offerings cater to an array of preferences:

Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte

Matcha Green Tea Frappuccino

Hot Matcha Green Tea Latte

Green Tea Creme Frappuccino

Starbucks has succeeded in making this distinct green tea flavor accessible and enjoyable for the masses  showcasing their adaptability within the ever-evolving market trends.

A Comparing Niche Cafe Matcha to Starbucks Blend

In exploring what kind of matcha does Starbucks use, it is crucial to compare their offerings to those found at niche cafes specializing in Japanese teas. Focused establishments often serve beverages made with ceremonial grade matcha, catering to a more discerning palate. This premium quality matcha experience aligns more closely with traditional recipes and flavors, often devoid of additives such as sugar or artificial sweeteners. Another crucial factor to consider is the craftsmanship involved in preparing these beveragesartisanal baristas carefully blend and whisk the matcha to achieve a perfectly frothy and creamy masterpiece. Contrastingly, Starbucks automated and simplified process allows for efficient mass production serving a wider audience at a lower cost. Even though they use culinary grade matcha mixed with sugar, many customers appreciate Starbucks approach that enables them to experience unique drinks while savoring a hint of authentic matcha flavor.

Beyond Starbucks: Choosing the Right Matcha for You

Regardless of personal preferences, the world of matcha offers something for everyone. While Starbucks provides a convenient and widely accessible option for those interested in enjoying matcha-based beverages, there is no shortage of other options available on the market. For the matcha purist, selecting ceremonial grade Japanese matcha produced with traditional techniques will likely align more closely with their preferences. Additionally, if you prefer to avoid added sugar, purchasing unsweetened culinary or ceremonial-grade matcha powder allows customizing your drinks with desired sweeteners and ingredients at home. As consumers continue to explore and embrace the world of matcha, its versatility and allure remain undeniable across the spectrum.
All set.. Voting for Nagpur, Ramtek Lok Sabha seats today





Staff Reporter

Nagpur and Ramtek will go to polls on Friday. The district administration is all geared up for the vital event. District Collector and Returning officer Dr Vipin Itankar, and Additional Collector Tushar Thombare, had been taking frequent reviews of preparations for the election work. The next few hours are pivotal for realising the outcomes of the extensive preparations undertaken over months for the polling day in Nagpur and Ramtek, said Dr Vipin Itankar. There are total 4,510 polling stations in the district, of which 2,405 are in Ramtek and 2,105 are in Nagpur. There will be 12 booths in total for both districts, handled entirely by women Presiding Officers (PO), as well as polling stations tailored for persons with disabilities (PwD), also staffed with PwD polling officers. Police will also be deploying women police personnels at those booths. Apart from this, some booths will be handled by youngsters.

There are no vulnerable polling stations in the district. However, to enhance security measures, certain polling stations have been identified critical, where Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be implemented. There are a total of 124 critical polling stations, 61 in Nagpur, and 63 in Ramtek. The non-CAPF measures will include the presence of micro observers and compulsory webcasting. Each polling booth will be staffed with a constable. There are no sensitive polling stations in the district. We called it critical, because we noted in the past that some incidents took place at those centres, Dr Itankar made it clear.
BJP expecting its 'best show in South' on back of PM Modi's popularity, says HM Amit Shah





New Delhi, April 19 (IANS)

As the first phase of General Elections began for 102 Lok Sabha constituencies across 21 states and Union territories, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was expecting its best-ever performance in South India in the polls.

The Union Home Minister, speaking exclusively to NDTV, said that he feels that the party was headed for its "best show in Southern states".

"We will have a strong result in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Karnataka. On the back of PM Modi's increasing popularity, we will get more votes and seats in South India, for the first time."

He also cited the increase in BJP's vote share between 2014 and 2019 and said that party's outreach in South will help open accounts in some and better vote percentage in others.

His statement echoes popular political perception that the BJP is slated for strong inroads in Southern states including Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The minister also filed his nomination papers from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency on Friday and appealed to the voters to elect the Modi government for a third term.

Speaking to NDTV after filing nominations, the Union Home Minister rejected Congress's charges of receiving "forced" political donations via electoral bonds and said that the grand old party was the biggest beneficiary.

"Concerning Congress and BJP MPs ratio to the Electoral bonds, the former got the highest donations. Congress got about Rs 9,000 crore donations while BJP received just Rs 6,600 crore," he said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ten years of governance remain unblemished and there has not been a single case of corruption. A concerted campaign is being run against him to spread canard and fan false propaganda, he added.

He also reiterated the government's zero tolerance policy on Maoism.

He slammed Congress for calling the recent Bastar encounter "fake", in which 29 ultras were neutralised by the forces and said, "When Congress government was in power, no action happened on Maoists but our government has cracked down on them.

In the third term of Modi dispensation, naxalism will be completely rooted out within one or two years of government formation," he added.
Bastar to vote today





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

All preparations have been completed ahead of the Bastar Lok Sabha elections wherein 14,72,207 voters including 7,00,476 male, 7,71,679 female voters and 52 third gender voters will exercise their franchise at 1961 polling stations on Friday. Talking to mediapersons here on Thursday, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Chhattisgarh Reena Babasaheb Kangale said that voting will be held from 7 am to 3 pm at Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Jagdalpur (total 72 polling stations), Chitrakote, Dantewada, Bijapur and Konta assembly constituencies. Voting will be held at Bastar and Jagdalpur (remaining 175 polling stations) assembly constituencies from 7 am to 5 pm. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, there were a total 13,77,935 voters and now there are a total 14,72,207 voters. 47,010 young voters, whose ages are between 18 and 19, cast their votes for the first time in the Bastar Lok Sabha elections. There are 12,703 divyang voters, 3,487 voters (above 85 years), 119 voters (above 100 years) and 1603 service voters in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency. The gender ratio is 1000:1102 in Bastar Lok Sabha constituency. Average voter per polling station is 870. In the last Lok Sabha elections-2019, 66.04 per cent voters cast their votes.

In the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, there are 191 Sangwari polling stations, which will be managed by female polling staff and security personnel. 36 polling stations will be managed by youth. Eight polling stations will be managed by divyang polling parties and 42 Adarsh polling stations have been established. A dry day has been announced 48 hours prior to polling in the Bastar Lok Sabha constituencies and adjacent districts, starting from 3 pm on April 17 until the completion of the polling process. Eleven candidates are in the fray for the Bastar Lok Sabha seat, in which there are three candidates from recognised political parties, six candidates from registered political parties (un-recognised) and two independent candidates. Kawasi Lakhma from the Indian National Congress, Maheshram Kashyap from the BJP, Narendra Burka from the Hamar Raj Party, Kawalsingh Baghel from the Rashtriya Jansabha Party, Aayaturam Mandavi from the Bahujan Samaj Party, Phulsingh Kachlam from the CPI, Shivram Nag from the Sarv Aadi Dal, Sundar Baghel as an independent candidate, Teekam Nagvanshi from the Gondwana Gantantra Party, Jagdish Prasad Nag from the Azad Janata Party, and Prakash Kumar Gota from the Swatantra Dal are in the fray from Bastar Lok Sabha seat.

On Thursday, both major political parties, the BJP and the Congress, engaged in door-to-door campaigning to attract voters. The primary contest for the Bastar Lok Sabha seat is between Kawasi Lakhma representing the Indian National Congress and Maheshram Kashyap from the BJP. Apart from the voter photo identity card, voters will be able to cast their vote by showing 12 other alternative photo documents  Aadhaar Card, MNREGA Job Card, Driving License, PAN Card, Indian Passport, Pension Document with Photo, service identity cards with photo issued by Central / State Government / PSU / Public Limited Companies to their employees, passbooks with photo issued by banks / post offices, smart cards issued by RGI under NPR, Health insurance smart card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour, Government Identity Card issued to Members of Parliament/MLAs/Legislative Council and Unique Disability ID (UDID) card issued to Persons with Disabilities by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. On the polling day April 19, 2024, a public and general holiday was declared in all the assembly constituencies of Bastar Lok Sabha. Similarly, the Labour Department has also declared April 19, 2024 as paid holiday for workers. As of April 17, 2024, a combined total of 219 voters, including 135 individuals aged above 85 and 84 individuals with disabilities, have participated in the electoral process via door-to-door postal voting in the assembly constituencies of the first phase.

Additionally, 2188 postal ballots have been received at the assistance centers managed by election duty officers/employees. Out of 1603 service voters, 140 postal ballots have been received as of April 17. In Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, 7844 polling personnel have been deployed across 1961 polling stations, with an additional 2020 personnel held in reserve. The Indian Air Force and BSF choppers have dispatched 156 polling parties comprising 919 personnel to the designated polling stations. In Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, 61 polling stations are categorized as vulnerable and 196 as critical, where CAPF personnel are stationed, along with arrangements for webcasting, videography, and micro-observation. Furthermore, 307 sector officers have been deployed to provide updates on the polling percentage to the Returning Officer every two hours. BLOs will be present at the Voters Assistance Booth in every polling station with the alphabetical voter list and will help the voters to find their name and serial number. 2556 CU, 2729 VVPAT and 2600 BU have been provided. Web casting facility has been provided at 811 polling centres out of 1961 polling stations where the Election Commission of India will keep a close watch.
BJPs Alok Sharma files nomination; CM Yadav accompanies him





Staff Reporter

Bhopal Lok Sabha seat has always created new records of history and this time also the party will register a historic feat in the elections. He has always abided by the decisions of the party and always presented himself as a responsible and passionate cadre. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said while addressing the public meeting in the favour of Alok Sharma. While addressing the public meeting, CM Yadav emphasized that Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) is a cadre based party. Every worker is the spine of the party and due to this philosophy the strength of the party in increasing with each passing day. Various leaders of the Congress are now joining hands with the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). It is the BJP where a normal cadre can dream of becoming the chief minister and prime minister of the country. After 2014, major changes have occurred in the country as a result of which the party registered a victory on 28 parliamentary seats of the state and this time the party will also win over Chhindwara.

He mentioned that the Congress party has always opposed Lord Ram and Krishna and thats why never supported the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya and also questioned the decision made by the supreme court. Under the leadership of PM Modi, our Lord Ram is sitting and smiling in his holy sanctum. Former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in his address mentioned that Congress was the only political group which was sad on the occasion of Ram Navami.

After waiting for 500 years, the ceremony of the consecration of the Ram Temple was organized under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister but the Congress also rejected the invitation for the ceremony. The Congress has always taken wrong and chaotic decisions as a result of which several of its leaders are joining hands with the BJP. He further said that the party a made Alok Sharma, a passionate cadre of the party, the candidate from the Bhopal parliamentary constituency. I urge the people here to vote for Sharma in huge numbers making him victorious in the elections. The workers have to also interacted with the beneficiaries of various schemes.
Envoy says US is determined to monitor North Korean nukes, through UN or otherwise





Seoul, Apr 19 (AP)

The United States and its allies are discussing options both inside and outside the UN system to create a new mechanism for monitoring North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme, the American ambassador to the United Nations said on Wednesday.

Russia last month vetoed a UN resolution in a move that effectively abolished monitoring by UN experts of Security Council sanctions against North Korea, which prompted Western accusations that Moscow was acting to shield its arms purchases from North Korea to fuel its war in Ukraine.

I look forward to engaging with both the Republic of Korea and Japan, but like-minded (countries) as well, on trying to develop options both inside the UN as well as outside the UN. The point here is that we cannot allow the work that the panel of experts were doing to lapse, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told a news conference in Seoul, using the formal name for South Korea.

Thomas-Greenfield didn't provide specific details about US discussions with allies and other partners, including whether an alternative monitoring regime would more likely be established through the UN General Assembly or with an independent entity outside of the UN.

Thomas-Greenfield met with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul on Monday and they discussed unspecified next steps to ensure a continuation of independent and accurate reporting of North Korea's illicit weapons development activities, according to her office.

Thomas-Greenfield said it was clear that Russia and China, which abstained from voting on the UN resolution vetoed by Moscow, will continue to try to block international efforts to maintain monitoring of UN sanctions against North Korea.

She criticised Russia for violating those sanctions with its alleged arms purchases from North Korea, and China for protecting the North from being held accountable.

Moscow and Beijing have thwarted US-led efforts to tighten UN sanctions on North Korea over its ramped-up ballistic missile testing since 2022, underscoring a divide between permanent Security Council members that deepened over Russia's war on Ukraine.

I don't expect that they will cooperate or agree with any efforts that we make to find another path, but that is not going to stop us from finding that path moving forward, Thomas-Greenfield said.

Thomas-Greenfield also briefly addressed questions about tensions in the Middle East. When asked about the Palestinian Authority's request to have full UN membership, she said a UN resolution in support of that request would not contribute to finding a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

President Biden has said categorically that we support a two-state solution for addressing the situation in the Middle East, where Palestinians will have a state of their own and Israel is secure in their state, and we are working on the ground to get to that place as quickly as possible, she said.

We do not see that doing a resolution in the Security Council will necessarily get us to a place where we can find a ... Two-state solution moving forward," she added.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are at their highest point in years, as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accelerated his weapons demonstrations and issued provocative threats of nuclear conflict against rivals.

The United States, South Korea and Japan have responded by expanding their combined military exercises and sharpening their nuclear deterrence strategies built around strategic US assets.

In a telephone conversation on Wednesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to further strengthen three-way cooperation with Washington to counter North Korean threats and other regional challenges amid deepening uncertainties in the international situation, Yoon's office said.

The Security Council imposed sanctions after North Korea's first nuclear test explosion in 2006 and tightened them over the years in a total of 10 resolutions seeking  so far unsuccessfully  to cut funds and curb its nuclear and missile programmes. The last sanctions resolution was adopted by the council in December 2017.

The Security Council established a committee to monitor sanctions, and the mandate for its panel of experts to investigate violations had been renewed for 14 years until last month.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council before last month's vote that Western nations are trying to strangle North Korea and that sanctions are losing their relevance in preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the North.

In its most recent report circulated last month, the panel of experts said it is investigating 58 suspected North Korean cyberattacks between 2017 and 2023 valued at approximately USD 3 billion, with the money reportedly being used to help fund its weapons development.
Modi to campaign in Vidarbha today





Staff Reporter

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving in city on Friday, April 19, from New Delhi as part of campaign for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates in the general elections in Vidarbha. As per the tour programme received by district administration, the Prime Minister will reach Dr Babasheb Ambedkar International Airport by a special plane from New Delhi at 4 pm. After a brief halt, the Prime Minister is scheduled to leave for Talegaon (Dashasar), Amravati District, for a joint campaign meeting of party candidates in Amravati and Wardha parliamentary constituencies, where BJPs Navneet Rana and Ramdas Tadas are locked in tough battle for re-election. The party think tank has chosen Talegaon as it lies on the border of both the districts, and hence the Prime Ministers public meet will have an impact on voters in either district. After completion of the poll meeting, the Prime Minister will come back to Nagpur around 7 pm and have a night camp at Raj Bhawan. On April 20, the Prime Minister will travel to Marathwada for poll campaign at 9.30 am.
GLOBALink | S. African enterprises seeking business opportunities at consumer products expo Pub Date:24-04-19 09:36 Source:Xinhua South African enterprises attend the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo in China's Hainan for the first time, and are eagerly seeking business opportunities as Hainan ramps up efforts to develop itself into a free trade port. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor:Zheng Chen

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LS polls first phase: 44.43 per cent voter turnout till 1 PM across six seats in MP

Bhopal, Apr 19 (PTI)

A voter turnout of 44.43 per cent was recorded till 1 pm in six Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh where elections were underway in the first phase on Friday, an official said.

The constituency-wise polling per cent is Balaghat 52.83 per cent, Chhindwara 49.68, Jabalpur 39.63, Mandla 49.68, Shahdol 40.82 and Sidhi 34.65, the official said.

The Naxal-hit Balaghat constituency recorded the highest vote cast percentage of 52.83 per cent till 1 pm.

The state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anupam Rajan told PTI that polling was going on peacefully in all six constituencies.

Voting in Baihar and Paraswada assembly constituencies will take place from 7 am to 4 pm due to security reasons due to Naxal influence, he said, adding that a centre in the Dublai area in the Baihar constituency saw 100 per cent voting as all 80 voters there cast their votes.

The early voters included former chief minister Kamal Nath, his son Nakul Nath, who is contesting from the Chhindwara LS seat, and their spouses.

Besides Chhindwara, the other key seat in the first phase is Mandla (ST), from where the sitting MP and Union minister Faggan Singh Kulaste is contesting again.

Of the 29 parliamentary constituencies in the BJP-ruled state, polling is underway in Shahdol, Mandla (both reserved for Scheduled Tribes), Jabalpur, Balaghat, Chhindwara and Sidhi in the first phase.

These six constituencies cover 13 districts and 47 assembly segments.

Polling began at 7 am and will end at 6 pm in most places, the official said.

Due to security reasons, polling will be held from 7 am to 4 pm in Baihar, Lanji and Paraswada assembly segments of the Naxal-affected Balaghat constituency, he added.

As many as 88 candidates, including 81 men and seven women, are in the fray across the six constituencies.

Jabalpur has the highest 19 candidates while Shahdol has the lowest 10 candidates in the fray.

Of the 13,588 booths, where the polling is being held, women officials are in charge of 1,118 booths.

The total number of registered voters in the six constituencies is 1,13,09, 636 (57,20,780 male, 55,88,669 female and 187 transgender).

Arrangements for shelter, water and ORS (oral rehydration solution) have been made at polling booths considering the hot weather.

A helicopter and an air ambulance were stationed in the Naxal-hit Balaghat district and Jabalpur to meet any eventuality, the official said.

There was 77.82 per cent voting recorded in the November 2023 assembly elections in the state.

The state recorded 61.57 per cent voting in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The percentage rose to 71.16 in the 2019 general elections.

Polling for three more phases of the Lok Sabha elections in the state will take place on April 26, May 7 and May 13 for the remaining 23 seats.

In 2019, the ruling BJP won 28 out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats and is eyeing the Chhindwara seat, bagged by the Congress.
PM to land at Dumna, leave for Damoh by chopper





Staff Reporter

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be arriving in Damoh while travelling from Delhi to Jabalpur on Friday evening. Prime Minister Modi will land at Dumna airport and then proceed to Damoh by a helicopter. Meanwhile, security arrangements have been intensified in Jabalpur for the Prime Ministers transit visit. The Dumna airport has been declared a no-fly zone and a red zone from April 18 to April 20, considering security of the area. Relevant agencies have made robust security arrangements in view of PM Narendra Modis transit visit. It is reported that Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Damoh on Friday evening.

His arrival at Dumna Airport in Jabalpur is proposed. In order to ensure the security of VVIP movement, a perimeter of 15 kilometers around Dumna airport has been declared a no-fly zone from security perspective. Therefore, all types of drones, paragliding, hot air balloons and other flying objects will be prohibited. Any violation of this order will be subjected to legal action under the Aircraft Act of 1934 and relevant provisions and laws. This order will be effective from 3 pm on April 18 till 6 am on April 20.
Retired: The fear of oblivion





BY DR RITA DHODAPKAR

OH SO you are retiring? What are your plans? Queries which started an array of thoughts. For one who was gifted with the opportunities and loved ones, here was a million-dollar question. Sixty is an age I would look at with respect in the senior citizen category. Surely, I was not there mentally. Seriously with the mortality rate rising an extension of retirement age should be considered. It is of another matter that such thoughts creep in only when you reach this milestone. For the past ten days post-retirement I started mapping my day with counting steps a day, morning exercise, housework and calculated food intake. Somehow this filled only a few hours of the 24 hours. OTT came to the rescue and then this too became a mundane timepass. I could see myself asking what date and day is it. As a driving force to my students and giving gyan on how to live life and face tough situations, here I was in that phase of life. My Mumbaikar son who has attained an advisory role, incessantly inquired what I have been doing all day. Red faced, I had little to offer. Gone are the days when in your twenties you have this eagerness to prove to be a good cook or house manager.

My house is spick and span with well trained staff and no one around to make a mess. Anyways priorities change with time. Well, Mom, he says, You are equipped with this vast experience of nearly 37 years and knowledge, I want to continue seeing your regular updates on social media, your achievements and you cannot get lost in oblivion. Oblivion, the very word was scary for my mental well-being. What if no one remembered I existed and my unknown number of remaining years of life would remain in a self-imposed house arrest? What is this second innings people are referring to, when did I complete my first? Still facing these rhetorical questions, my wealth manager arrived to manage a Government employees countable accrued earnings and had his own opinion. Madam, he says, I have seen people who stopped working, ageing in no time. That is certainly not happening to me I decided. What about the compliments Mam you do not look sixty.

Well for the sake of preserving that look and my school girlish complexion, I am again in this busy world and loving it. I started working on my own terms and time. This is the sole advantage of retiring from regular service. Well, not an Einstein to be quoted for eternity, but definitely, I seek a few co-workers who can seek my proficiency and refer to my work. Someone said you dont need a job and I replied I need to be productive and diligent. One thing is definite, my time is valuable and time is money. Free service would be for attaining social equity. As American comedy writer Gene Perret said  Its nice to get out of the rat race, but you have to learn to get along with less cheese. Equipped with this renewed youthful energy and enthusiasm a rat race will definitely not be chased and cheese is an added bonus.
Shrinate hits out at BJP





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Congress National Spokesperson and Chairperson of Social Media & Digital Platforms Supriya Shrinate, has accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), denouncing it as a party steeped in deception, dishonesty and a proliferation of fake news. Addressing the media at the state Congress party office, Rajiv Bhawan, in the State Capital, Shrinate responded to questions regarding her statement on the naxalites martyred in the Kanker encounter, alleging that her words were distorted by the BJP. She underscored the tragic loss of Congress leaders in the Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh back in 2013, asserting that the BJP had manipulated her video.

The Congress National Spokesperson challenged the BJP, urging them to confront issues directly instead of resorting to distortion and character defamation for political gain. Shrinate further highlighted the widening wealth gap, escalating unemployment and soaring inflation over the past decade. Asserting the Congress partys commitment to addressing the significant challenges that have emerged in the country over the last ten years, Shrinate emphasised the partys electoral pledges. The press conference was attended by State Congress Media Chief Sushil Anand Shukla and other prominent Congress leaders.
Stage set First phase of LS polls today 102 seats





NEW DELHI :

THE 2024 Lok Sabha polls will kick off Friday with polling for the first phase scheduled in 102 seats spread across 21 States and Union territories and among those in the fray are Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Sarbanada Sonowal and Bhupendra Yadav, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress, DMKs Kanimozhi and K Annamalai of BJP. Simultaneously, Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats) will also be held. Voting will begin at 7 am and end at 6 pm. The Election Commission has deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations where over 16.63 crore voters will exercise their franchise. Voters include 8.4 crore men, 8.23 crore women and 11,371 from third gender. There are as many as 35.67 lakh first time voters, besides 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years. There are a total of 1,625 candidates (Males - 1491; and Females-134) in the fray. While the BJP-led NDA under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a stronger majority, the constituents of the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections.

Polling will be held in all seats of Tamil Nadu (39), Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1) and Lakshadweep (1). Besides, there will be voting in 12 seats in Rajasthan, 8 in Uttar Pradesh, 6 in Madhya Pradesh, 5 seats each in Assam and Maharashtra, 4 in Bihar, 3 in West Bengal, 2 seats in Manipur, and one seat each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh. Campaigning for the first phase ended Wednesday evening. Besides Gadkari, Sonowal and Yadav, six other Union ministers - Kiren Rijiju, Sanjeev Baliyan, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal, L Murugan and Nisith Pramanik are among the contestants besides two former Chief Ministers - Biplab Kumar Deb (Tripura) and Nabam Tuki (Arunachal Pradesh), and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan. In 2019, the UPA had won 45 of these 102 seats and the NDA 41. Six of these seats have been redrawn as part of the delimitation exercise. The poll body informed that there are 41 helicopters, 84 Special trains and nearly 1 lakh vehicles have been deployed to ferry polling and security personnel. Webcasting will be done in more than 50 % of the polling stations along with the deployment of micro observers in all polling stations. 361 Observers (127 General Observers, 67 Police Observers, 167 Expenditure Observers) have already reached their Constituencies days before the polls. They serve as the eyes and ears of the Commission to exercise utmost vigilance.

Additionally, Special Observers have been deployed in certain states. A total of 4627 Flying Squads, 5208 Statistics Surveillance Teams, 2028 Video Surveillance Teams and 1255 Video Viewing Teams are keeping surveillance round the clock to strictly and swiftly deal with any form of inducement of voters. A total of 1374 inter-State and 162 international Border check posts are keeping a strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies. Strict surveillance has been kept at sea and air routes. Cross-verification of EVMs-VVPAT: SC reserves its verdict: THE Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its verdict on a batch of pleas seeking complete cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta reserved its verdict after hearing the response of Election Commission on the pleas. The petitioners have also sought reversal of the poll panels 2017 decision to replace the transparent glass on VVPAT machines with an opaque glass through which a voter can see the slip only when the light is on for seven seconds. Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for the Election Commission, explained the process of how an EVM functions.
Strong rooms opened, poll material distributed amidst tight security





Staff Reporter

In presence of Collector and District Election Officer Deepak Saxena, Superintendent of Police, Aditya Pratap Singh and representatives of political parties, strong rooms were opened to distribute election materials including EVMs and VVPAT machines, among polling teams at premises of Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University (JNAU) on Thursday. The Assistant Returning Officers were present when the constituency-wise strong rooms were opened at 4.30 am. To conduct Lok Sabha Elections in Jabalpur Parliamentary Constituency on April 19, 2024, distribution of election materials among polling teams was conducted smoothly amid tight security. The arrangements were so impressive that after smooth distribution of election materials, the polling teams started departing for their respective polling centres as per fixed schedule i.e. sharp at 10.00 am.

The employees who were deployed to implement distribution activities, reached JNAU premise before 4.30 am. As per directives issued by Collector, Saxena, two venues were fixed at JNAU premise for distribution work. The polling teams concerned with Patan, Bargi, Jabalpur East, Jabalpur North and Sihora constituencies, received election materials from the backyard of Indian Coffee House while those belonged to Jabalpur Cantt, Jabalpur West and Panagar constituencies received their materials from the ground located behind College of Agriculture Engineering, JNAU. Collector, Saxena along with SP, Singh and Additional Collector, Misha Singh inspected distribution arrangements. They interacted with the polling team members to boost up their morale and extended best wishes. Even the polling teams applauded the arrangements and assured the officers to fulfill their duties with all sincerity and determination.
Woman from vessel seized by Iranian military returns safely





NEW DELHI :

ANN Tessa Joseph, a woman cadet who was among the 17 Indians onboard container vessel MSC Aries that was seized by Iranian military over the weekend, returned to Cochin on Thursday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said the Indian mission in Tehran is in touch with the remaining 16 Indian crew members of the container vessel. With the concerted efforts of the Indian mission in Tehran and the Iranian Government, Indian deck cadet Ms Ann Tessa Joseph from Thrissur, Kerala, who was among the Indian crew members of container vessel MSC Aries, has landed safely at the Cochin International Airport today afternoon, it said. At the airport, Joseph was received by the regional passport officer. The Indian mission in Tehran remains seized of the matter and is in touch with the remaining 16 Indian crew members of the container vessel, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. It said the crew members are in good health and in contact with their family members in India.

Indian Mission is also in touch with the Iranian authorities in ensuring the well being of the remaining crew members of MSC Aries, it said. Remaining 16 Indian crew members free to return home, says Iranian Envoy to Delhi: The 16 remaining Indian crew members on board a cargo ship seized by Iran have not been detained and are allowed to leave the country easily, Iran's Ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, said on Thursday.

The 16 Indian crew members on board the cargo ship have not been detained and are free to leave the country easily, Elahi told NDTV over the phone on Thursday. The Iranian Ambassadors comment came a few hours after deck cadet Ann Tessa Joseph, one of the 17 Indian crew members on board vessel MSC Aries, landed safely at the Cochin International Airport. Commenting on the development, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who had spoken to his Iranian counterpart Amir Abdollahian on the matter earlier this week, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guarantee works not just within the country, but outside as well. @Great work, @India_in_Iran. Glad that Ms. Ann Tessa Joseph has reached home. #ModiKiGuarantee always delivers, at home or abroad, Jaishankar posted on X after Joseph's return.
Turkiye is poised to embark on a significant offshore oil exploration venture in Somalia, planning to commence deep-sea drilling in 2025, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced on Friday. This initiative follows a strategic bilateral agreement to bolster their partnership through energy development.

Building on last month's offshore oil and natural gas agreement, Turkiye and Somalia are now poised to develop Somalia's abundant oil reserves. The deal includes the exploration, exploitation, development and production of oil on "Somalia's onshore and offshore blocks." Minister Bayraktar outlined a clear timeline, stating, "We will commence seismic work next year, and our aim is to conduct deep-sea drilling by 2025."

The relationship between the two nations has strengthened significantly, highlighted by a defence pact and increased trade, with bilateral trade volume reaching $250.85 million in 2019. Turkish firms also manage significant infrastructure in Somalia, such as Mogadishu International Airport and Mogadishu Sea Port, showcasing their deepening ties.

The energy and security agreements were signed against the backdrop of Somalia's dispute with Somaliland and Ethiopia, and they are intended to deter Ethiopia's efforts to secure access to the sea via the breakaway Somaliland.

In addition to its plans in Somalia, Turkiye continues to expand its domestic energy capabilities. "This year, we plan to drill 140 wells in areas including Hakkari and Van," Bayraktar revealed. The minister hoped these efforts would yield new reserves, bolstering Turkiye's energy independence.

Turkey has been a significant partner of Somalia since 2011, when then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited during a deadly famine. Since then, Turkey has provided Somalia with humanitarian aid and budgetary assistance.

In September 2017, Turkey established a large military facility to train Somali security forces.

Ali Hassan Abdulle writes from Rodenberg, Germany
Somaliland, a self-declared autonomous region, is advancing the construction of a new port in Lughaya, a historic city in the Awdal region, amid ongoing discussions about its strategic agreements with Ethiopia. The government has allocated $1 million to this project, a sum given to former President Dahir Riyale Kaahin, with additional funding expected from local business leaders and elders.

The project's commencement date remains unannounced, though preliminary financial planning has been disclosed. The total projected cost for the construction has yet to be determined.

The port's development was a key campaign promise of President Muse Bihi in 2017 and is gaining traction as elections approach. According to Abdi Nasir Buuni, Somaliland's Minister of Council Relations and Constitutional Affairs, the necessary preparations are complete, and construction is expected to begin shortly. "The economy is our foremost concern, and President Bihi's administration has supplied the necessary technical resources," Buuni said. The port is expected to boost trade and create job opportunities, contributing to the region's economic growth. An official announcement regarding the start of construction is anticipated soon, marking an end to the period of anticipation.

This development follows early-year reports of a leasing agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland that included provisions for a landing port and a military base on the Red Sea. However, specifics of the deal, including the port's exact location, were not publicly confirmed until Ridwan Hussein, a former national security advisor to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, identified Lughaya as the location in a January interview.

Despite Somaliland's lack of international recognition, it has engaged in multiple international agreements concerning port development, as defended by Hussein. Buuni also emphasized that the Lughaya project is purely for development and has no plans related to acquiring equipment for the port. "There's no connection; it's solely a development project now. Once the port is operational, it will fulfill its intended functions," Buuni explained to the BBC.

Lughaya is located 50 km south of Djibouti and 200 km north of Berbera. It is an important regional center in the northwest of the Awdal region, governed by Somaliland. The population is primarily composed of herders and fishermen. The area spans 10,421 square kilometres and supports a total population of 182,706.

Ali Hassan Abdulle writes from Rodenberg,Germany
State specific crop/animal species for higher productivity in NE

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Angad Prasad, Indira Sarangthem and Daya Ram

Contd from previous issue

Therefore, it is essential to process a part of the produce into low volume high value products to make the crop remunerative. As it is abundantly available in the region, different products like ginger oil, ginger oleoresin, ginger candy, ginger powder etc. can be prepared for export, which are in high demand in developed countries. Dried ginger (called Saunth) can also be prepared and it may be either sold as such or in the form of off-white to very light brown powder.

Ginger is a tropical crop and requires warm and humid climate for its cultivation. Altitude: Ginger is cultivated from sea level to altitudes of about 1500 m ASL. However, the optimum elevation for its successful cultivation is in the range of 300-900 m ASL. In north eastern region, ginger is generally grown in Jhum (shifting cultivation) land, situated in moderate to high altitudes. Temperature: Ginger performs well in a temperature range of 190C- 280C and a humidity of 70-90%. It does not grow well in those areas where the temperature exceeds 320C with low relative humidity. Cool and dry climate is best for rhizome development and thus, the State of Meghalaya has a favourable condition for ginger cultivation. The yield of green ginger is about 100-150 q/ha (Green rhizomes) and 200-250 1/ha of mature rhizomes. Ginger Powder, Candies and preserves, salted ginger, ginger paste, ginger oil and oleoresin etc are important products made from ginger.

3. MIZORAM

Mizoram is a state in north-eastern part of India with Aizawl as its capital city. The name is derived from Mizo the name of the native inhabitants, and Ram which means land and thus, Mizoram means Land of the Mizos. Within the northeast region, it is the southernmost landlocked state, sharing borders with three of the Seven Sister States, namely Tripura, Assam and Manipur. The state also shares a 722-kilometre border with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Myanmar. The climate in Mizoram is ideal for growing flowers.

3.1 Anthurium:

Anthurium is very important flower being grown in the State of Mizoram. It is a tropical perennial herb of the areceae (arum) family and can grow up to a height of 20 inches. It is also known by a variety of other names such as tail flower, flamingo, cresto de gallo, cockscomb and anturio. Anthuriums were first introduced to Mizoram in the year 2002. Now a-days, more than 300 families are actively engaged in Anthurium cultivation and several Growers Societies fulfil the needs and aspirations of the growers. The Anthurium is a very interesting flower. It is actually an ensemble, much like a couturiers designed dress. The colourful part that we see is a leaf, brilliantly coloured to attract insects for pollination. The actual flowers are very tiny and can be seen on a fleshy stem standing upright in the centre of this leaf. This stem, bearing the flowers, is called spadix. The spadix always rises straight up, holding the flowers high and open to the atmosphere for facilitating pollination. The waxy specialized leaf also provided protection to the delicate flowers. This entire ensemble is startlingly attractive and the cut flowers last anything from 8-21 days making them a favourite for flower arrangement. The Ministry of Horticulture in Mizoram is actively engaged in promoting floriculture in the State. The seed material is procured from Holland. The latest Dutch varieties are gown under shade houses. Once the stems grow to sizes ready for cutting, the cut flowers are brought to the plant for precision cutting and placed in cold storage till they are packaged for marketing. The stems have to reach the buyer within 24 hours to be of value. They are exported to Dubai and other countries too. For the internal market, the flowers are first shipped to Kolkata and then to Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore.

With the aim to boost the horticulture economy in the region, Mizoram Government has chalked out a blue-print to export huge quantity of high quality Anthurium flowers across the globe. The State Horticulture Department exports anthurium flowers to Dubai, UAE and other gulf countries. There are more than 350 anthurium growers in the State, who have been trained by the Horticulture Department along with all the raw materials to produce international quality of anthurium flowers. The rate of the flowersw differs according to the size and the market.

(To be contd)


Candidate delivers a point Ugly turns on voting day

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It should be obvious to all. April 19, 2024 definitely belonged to Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of the Congress and this is regardless of the outcome of the polls. Even as the day belonged to the Congress candidate, it also stands that quite a number of false Gods were stripped of their halo, a halo previously given by the people. As far as memory can take one back, this is perhaps the first time that a Parliamentary election here has taken such an ugly turn. This can be related to the immense interests that the Parliamentary election evoked amongst the people which again can be connected to the ongoing ethnic clash that has killed over 200 people, displaced thousands and razed and levelled hundreds of houses to the ground. Manipur will have to wait for more than a month before the result is declared and regardless of the outcome of the vote count, it should be clear that the Congress or rather its candidate was able to steal the thunder from the party heading the Government not only at Imphal but also at New Delhi. One may also connect the dots and understand the ugly turn of events as well as reports of muscle flexing exercises as an outcome of the serious challenge posed by the candidate fielded by the Congress of INDIA Bloc. This should more than underscore the point that the oldest political party in the country has already won half the battle and this could be the perfect launch pad for their future political endeavours. The sponta-neous reactions from the people cutting across party affiliations should more than say something significant about how people are so fed up of the arm twisting methods adopted by some elements, a point so aptly demonstrated by the protests launched by the common people, especially the womenfolk. A demonstration that decency and the belief in a fair fight are principles which are closely associated with the character of the Meitei people. The stake was high, no doubt about that, but the muscle flexing exercise and throwing ones weight around certainly did not go down well with the people, and while the outcome of the election may go any way, it can only work to the advantage of the party which was seen to be at the receiving end. Remember the fate and importance of a political party cannot and does not rest alone on the outcome of an election, a point which the foot soldiers of the BJP would not have forgotten.

The vote has been cast and the answer on whether people have learnt anything from the last 11 months is something that will be known only when the result is declared, but it is already clear that the people will object and even revolt when their free will to exercise their right is threatened to be trampled upon. It is this spirit which must be noted and acknowledged. At the same time it is also right that questions should be raised on why some elements have come under the impression that they can throw their weight around and add to their nuisance value. As noted earlier here, this is the first time that Manipur has seen the Lok Sabha election eliciting so much interest as well as drama and one need to understand why the stake is so seemingly high for the Big 2-the BJP and the Congress. The high stake for either side could be due to different reasons, but it should not be forgotten that it can only make the stakes that much more complicated if the voice and the rights of the people are sought to be muffled and trampled upon. It was not the security personnel or polling personnel on duty which cracked down on those seeking to disrupt the election but the very set of people whose rights to choose the representative of their choice was seen to be threatened. If at all a lesson is to be drawn from the April 19, 2024 Parliamentary election, people will not just stand by whenever the understanding of elect is sought to be replaced by select. The past 11 months and the ugly incidents of April 19, 2024 should jolt awake the people to the ugly reality.
60 pc turnout logged till 7 pm

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NEW DELHI, Apr 19 : India saw its first phase of voting for the mammoth Lok Sabha Elections 2024 on Friday, April 19. While few areas in West Bengal and Manipur saw violence and firing incident, the first phase of polling was "largely peaceful across 21 States/UTs", the Elections Commission of India said. The voting concluded by 6 pm in 102 Lok Sabha constituencies.

In Phase 1 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024, polling has been completed for 10 States/UTs, along with polling for State Assemblies of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. These 10 States/UTs are Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

1. Which State saw how much voter turnout?

The voter turnout of around 60 percent was recorded across the 102 Lok Sabha seats till 7 pm. The Election Commission said the polling for the first phase of the General Elections 2024 recorded high voter turnout despite the heat wave. Tripura recorded the highest turnout at around 80 percent, followed by West Bengal at 77 percent. In Tamil Nadu, all Lok Sabha Constituencies went to the polls in a single phase on April 19. The southern State recorded voter turnout of 72 percent till 7 pm.

Voter turnout till 7 pm (in %)

1 Andaman and Nicobar (1 seat) 56.87

2 Arunachal Pradesh (2 seats) 65.46

3 Assam (5 seats) 71.38

4 Bihar (4 seats) 47.49

5 Chhattisgarh (1 seat, Bastar) 63.41

6 Jammu and Kashmir (1 seat, Udhampur) 65.08

7 Lakshadweep (1 seat) 59.02

8 Madhya Pradesh (6 seats) 63.33

9 Maharashtra (5 seats) 55.29

10 Meghalaya (2 seats) 70.26

11 Mizoram (1 seat) 54.18

12 Nagaland (1 seat) 56.77

13 Puducherry (1 seat) 73.25

14 Rajasthan (12 seats) 50.95

15 Sikkim (1 seat) 68.06

16 Tamil Nadu (All 39 seats) 62.19

17 Tripura (1 seat) 79.9

18 Uttar Pradesh (8 seats) 57.61

19 Uttarakhand (5 seats) 53.64

20 West Bengal (3 seats) 77.57

(Data source: Election Commission of India)

2. Violence in Manipur

The two Lok Sabha Constituencies  Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur  went to the polls in Manipur on Friday. The North Eastern State, which has been marred by violence since May last year, witnessed firing incidents in Imphal East area while the voting was underway on Friday.

According to news agency PTI, an altercation broke out between locals and unidentified miscreants at Thongju Assembly Constituency under the Inner Manipur Lok Sabha seat. Manipur Chief Electoral Officer Pradeep Kumar Jha said that the district administrations have been asked for reports. He further said that the action would be taken against those involved in the altercation.

A firing incident and clashes were also reported at a polling booth in Moirangkampu Sajeb Awang Leikai of Imphal during. "One civilian was injured in the incident," news agency ANI reported. Suddenly two men here came and asked for polling agents of Congress and BJP. They took the Congress agent outside by holding his hand. Then the two men fired shots from inside the car. One person got injured," an officer said.

Jha informed that the authorities have received a "few reports of some damage to the EVMs, some criminal intimidation or somebody trying to influence the voters".

3. Violence in West Bengal

Sporadic incidents of violence also marred the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Bengal's three parliamentary constituencies. Several injuries were reported as Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers clashed mostly in the violence-prone Cooch Behar seat.

The TMC and BJP lodged around 100 and 50 complaints respectively, which are related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents in the initial hours of polling, sources were quoted by PTI as saying. Most complaints originated from Cooch Behar.

The TMC alleged that BJP workers assaulted polling agents in Sitalkuchi and prevented voters from accessing some booths in Cooch Behar. However, the BJP denied these allegations and accused the TMC of voter intimidation.

Besides, clashes were also reported Mathabhanga area. Both TMC and BJP workers sustained injured, according to PTI. Both parties confronted each other over allegations of voter intimidation.

"We have received a few complaints and we are looking into them. However, we have no reports of any major incidents of violence so far. The polling has been peaceful," a senior officer from the CEO's office said. According to officials, Cooch Behar recorded a 77.38 per cent turnout till 5pm, while Alipurduars and Jalpaiguri recorded 75.54 and 79.33 per cent, respectively.

4. CRPF jawan killed, IED blast in Chhattisgarh

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawan deployed on security duty died after a shell of an under-barrel grenade launcher (UBGL) accidentally exploded in Galgam village under Usoor police station limits in Bijapur district, a police official said.

Voters queue up to cast their ballot outside a polling station during the first phase of voting for the India's general election, in Dugeli village of Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh state on April 19, 2024.View Full Image

Voters queue up to cast their ballot outside a polling station during the first phase of voting for the India's general election, in Dugeli village of Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh state on April 19, 2024. (AFP)

"Constable Devendra Kumar, belonging to CRPF's 196th battalion, suffered serious injuries in the blast and was airlifted to Jagdalpur but he died during during treatment," the official said.

In another incident, an assistant commandant of the CRPF was injured when a pressure improvised explosive device (IED) planted by Naxalites exploded in Bhairamgarh police station area of Bijapur district, police told PTI. The incident occurred near Chihka polling booth under Bhairamgarh police station limits when a team of security personnel was out on an area domination operation in the area in view of polling.

5. 2,500 voters cross India-Bangladesh border

Around 2,500 voters crossed fencing on the India-Bangladesh border to cast their votes in Tripura on April 19. A substantial number of voters in Tripura, for historical reasons, had to stay beyond the barbed wire fencing. Those who have attained the legal age for voting are now enrolled in the electoral rolls of Tripura. Since morning, the border gates have been opened to facilitate the voting.

Speaking to ANI, an Indian citizen Hafizur Rahmanz who lives in the Bangladesh side of the barbed wire fencing said all the 50 voters who live in his village are eager to cast their votes in these elections.

"My name is Hafizur Rahman. I live on the other side of the fence. The situation is quite good. The voting is also proceeding smoothly. There are 19 families consisting of 50 voters. Most of them have cast their votes in the morning and the remaining voters will soon come to cast their votes," said Rahman. Mint
Return of cultural relics signals enhanced exchanges

08:20, April 19, 2024 By Wang Kaihao ( China Daily

Staff members examine returned Chinese cultural relics on Wednesday during a handover ceremony at the Chinese consulate general in New York, the United States. [Photo by Li Rui / Xinhua]

The United States has returned 38 lost cultural relic items to China, marking yet another instance of successful bilateral cooperation in fighting antiquities trafficking.

A delegation from China's National Cultural Heritage Administration, led by its director Li Qun, received the artifacts returned by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office at a handover ceremony held on Wednesday at the Chinese consulate general in New York.

"The renewed cooperation between China and the US in the return of cultural relics signifies mutual trust and progress in artifact repatriation efforts," said Li, who is also deputy minister of culture and tourism.

The recent concerted action against antiquities trafficking is the newest outcome of an intergovernmental agreement reached by the two countries.

A statement released by the administration on Thursday said that most of the 38 cultural relic items are Tibetan Buddhist artifacts from the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, while several are believed to be from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), according to appraisal experts.

Among the returned relics are Buddha statues, ritual tools and religious ornaments. They are made of various materials such as bronze, clay, ivory and wood, and are crafted using techniques such as carving, sculpting and painting.

They demonstrate diverse subjects, varied craftsmanship, rich content and exquisite production techniques, and are thus of significant historical, cultural and scientific value, the statement said.

Some of the artifacts are particularly unique, for example fragments of painted tiles featuring Buddhist deities that have rarely been seen before. It is speculated that they were painted during the 16th century in present-day Ngari prefecture, Xizang autonomous region, and later stolen.

On March 1, the administration was informed that the Manhattan District Attorney's Office had seized 38 cultural relic items while solving a smuggling case, and these relics were believed to have come from China.

A repatriation procedure was immediately launched through the Chinese consulate general in New York. A flight home, carrying the returned cultural relics, will be arranged "at a suitable time", the administration said.

Huang Ping, Chinese consul general in New York, said the latest cooperation is a positive implementation of the San Francisco vision reached by the two heads of state in November, and will greatly enhance cultural exchanges and friendship between the two nations.

Matthew Bogdanos, chief of the Antiquities Trafficking Unit at the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, said at Wednesday's handover ceremony that returning lost relics to where they belong was a just act. He also expressed the wish to further join hands with China in protecting the shared heritage of humanity.

In 2009, China and the US signed a memorandum of understanding that aims to prevent illegal imports into the US of "archaeological materials ... representing China's cultural heritage from the Paleolithic period (c.75,000 BC) through the end of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and monumental sculpture and wall art at least 250 years old".

Under the framework of this agreement, the US has returned 504 sets or pieces of Chinese cultural relics on 15 occasions. The memorandum of understanding was renewed in 2014 and 2019 and in January this year.

Li, the director of the heritage administration, said that China will continue to actively implement the agreement, and will establish with the US a sound mechanism for the notification of stolen cultural relics.

"We can thus combine the wisdom and strength of both countries in safeguarding the security of cultural relics and in promoting exchanges and mutual learning," he added.

In 2021, 12 lost Buddhist cultural relic items, seized by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, were returned to China. They are now housed in the Tibet Museum in Lhasa, the capital of Xizang.

Separately, two exquisite panels of Chinese stone funeral beds with decorative Zoroastrian patterns, believed to date from between the fourth and seventh centuries, made their journey home from New York in May, thanks to the cooperation between the district attorney's office and the heritage administration.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)
Bookings to overseas destinations in Asia and Europe have also increased "I was holding my breath and clicking the screen very quickly. I grabbed the ticket in just a couple of seconds, then all the tickets sold out," said Li Yufang, 29, who bought a high-speed train ticket from Beijing to Huangshan, Anhui province, on Wednesday for the May Day holiday. "It was like the Spring Festival holiday, like all the Chinese people holding their phones grabbing tickets, which was crazy. And I can't relax now because I have to grab myself a return ticket." On Wednesday morning, train tickets to some hot domestic destinations sold out in a few minutes. People are allowed to book train tickets 15 days before departure and Wednesday was the first day for booking train tickets for the five-day May Day holiday, which will begin on May 1. The busy train booking system shows people are enthusiastic about holiday travel, and travel agencies and tourism industry insiders expect a travel boom over the holiday. Travel portal Trip.com Group said that, as of Tuesday, searches for domestic hotels and flight tickets on the platform had seen steady growth, and searches for flight tickets heading to overseas destinations had surged 56 percent year-on-year. Prices of flight tickets have risen because of that demand. Online travel agency Qunar said the cost of flights to domestic destinations on its platform averaged around 990 yuan ($137), up 60 percent from last month. "We see strong travel demand this May Day holiday and some flights may be in short supply as the holiday approaches," said Xiao Peng, an analyst from Qunar. "Customers with clear travel plans can purchase the tickets as soon as possible, while those who choose to visit a random place for the holiday can wait and see for possible discounts." Travel agencies said long-distance trips are in favor for the holiday, and they expect some overseas destinations to do well. Domestically, the most popular cities remain traditional top destinations including Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing. Other less-known places, such as Tianshui in Gansu province, which is famous for its hotpot soup with scarlet chili oil, have also become popular destinations for the holiday since their cultures and cuisines went viral online, Trip.com Group said. Domestic destinations will also see more international travelers during the holiday. Trip.com Group said inbound trip bookings on the platform have risen by 130 percent, with most from people from Japan, the United States, South Korea, Canada and Malaysia. It said Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, are top choices for international visitors. Travel bookings to overseas destinations have also increased. Trip.com Group said that in addition to Asian countries including Japan, Thailand and South Korea, some destinations involved in the Belt and Road Initiative such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar have also seen growing bookings on the platform. International travel cruises departing from Shanghai and Xiamen, in Fujian province, for the May Day holiday have already sold out on the platform, it said. Tuniu, another online travel agency, said, "Southeast Asian countries remain popular, and we've also received many bookings and inquiries for trips to New Zealand, Turkiye, and to European countries like Germany, France, Spain and Portugal."
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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Azerbaijani Parliament is hosting a conference devoted to the theme "New Caledonia: history, modern challenges, and the expected future", Trend reports.

A delegation headed by the chairwoman of the Committee on Infrastructure, Territorial Planning, Sustainable Development, Energy, Transportation, and Communication of the Congress of New Caledonia, Naisseline Omayra, as well as deputies of the Azerbaijani Parliament, are taking part in the meeting.

The moderator of the event, Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament's Human Rights Committee Zahid Oruj, spoke about the importance of the upcoming discussions at the conference. Emphasizing that our country has been at the head of the modern anti-colonial movement in recent years, the Committee Chairman noted that after Azerbaijan's brilliant victory in the II Karabakh War, France took a manifestly unfair stance towards our country, which exposes its nefarious imperialist policy covered by various diplomatic and political moves. The attempts of official Paris, which has been waging a campaign against our country, to settle in the South Caucasus and use Armenia as a tool, stem from the essence of its policy. However, the head of the Azerbaijani state resolutely opposed the neo-imperialist policy. The Baku Initiative Group, established for this purpose, is a demonstration of the political will of our state.

The Chairperson of the New Caledonia Congress Committee on Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Sustainable Development, Energy, Transport, and Communications, Chairperson of the Agriculture Agency, Naisseline Omayra, spoke about the imperialist policy of France, which currently rules the island of New Caledonia as its colony, about the violation of the rights of the indigenous Kanak people, their struggle for freedom, and described the difficulties they face. She noted that France does not fulfill its commitments and tries to limit the rights of the indigenous population by interfering in the Constitution and electoral legislation. Naisseline Omayra expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for supporting the liberation struggle in New Caledonia. She said the memorandum of cooperation signed between our parliaments will open new doors for New Caledonia in many fields.

Chairman of the Azerbaijani Parliament's Committee on International Relations and Inter-Parliamentary Ties Samad Seyidov emphasized that France's unjust stance towards Azerbaijan, colonial policy towards states such as New Caledonia, and imperialist policy contradict the principles of democracy and the rule of human rights.

The Executive Director of Baku Initiative Group, Abbas Abbasov, talked about Azerbaijan's promotion of the decolonization process in the international arena, support for the just struggle of people suffering from colonialism, informed about the activities of the group, and measures taken to combat colonialism.

Other speeches expressed their opinion on France's new colonial policy, its enslavement of peoples, plundering of their natural resources, and other issues.

Members of the New Caledonia parliamentary delegation expressed gratitude for Azerbaijan's consistent support of their just struggle for justice and freedom, as well as for organizing the conference in our country.

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At a time when pockets in the extended southern tips of the city are struggling to get adequate water supply for their daily chores, controlling wastage by sections of citizens has become a challenging task for Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

The civic body provides a total of 515 million gallon of water every day from various stations. During summer, the daily consumption by the citizens triples. According to sources in the civic body, despite higher requirements, the KMC is able to provide the increased water supply during summer. The pockets in the added areas are also to have adequate water supply soon as the KMC is working on setting up of two crucial stations, one at Dhapa and the other at Garia.

Presently, water wastage has become a headache for the civic body. According to the mayor of KMC, Firhad Hakim, it has been observed after installation of water meters that households are consuming water in much more volume than they are supposed to. Each person is supposed to get 150 litres of water for his or her daily needs. However, it was found that a family of five members are consuming around 1,500 litres daily, rued the mayor.

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Interestingly, the civic body, along with the KEIIP has undertaken a project of installing water meters. According to official sources in the KMC, the municipal corporation has installed water meters in about 11 wards, including five in Cossipore and 6 in Patuli areas. The installation of water meters has shown new rays of hope to the KMC in terms of curbing wastage of water. As per the information available from official sources, the KMC is hoping to save around 15 per cent of the wasted water through the mechanism of water meters.

The initiative however, is shadowed by instances of theft. According to an official source, the KMC is faced with a peculiar problem of water meters getting stolen or even damaged in some cases. While the theft of the water meters is fewer in Cossipore, it is more rampant in Patuli. So far, more than 700 water meters have been stolen from the six wards of Patuli. We have also taken the help of police and every theft is reported to the cops, informed an official. This is said to have helped the municipal corporation to some extent as the number of thefts reported have been reduced but it has not been stopped.

While continuing to instal the meters, the civic body is now asserting on creating awareness among people about the consequences of wastage of water. In most of the cases, the response from people when informed about how they are consuming excess water which is adversely affecting the others has been good, claimed an official. The KMC is therefore, emphasizing on making the citizens aware of the issue through various mediums to address the problem.
Violence erupted again at Rejinagar in Murshidabad district on Wednesday evening, injuring around 20 people.

It was a pre-planned move of the BJP to foment unrest, said chief minister Mamara Banerjee at a rally in Islampur of North Dinajpur district on Thursday.

At least 20 people were injured and one woman sustained serious injuries allegedly from stone-pelting during the Ram Navami procession at Shaktipur in the Rejinagar area on Wednesday evening.

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There were reports of a crude bomb going off as the procession was about to conclude.

At least 20 people have been injured in the incident. A woman, who received serious injuries, was admitted to Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital, according to police sources.

Sources said miscreants threw stones at the procession from the roof of a house, leading to violence.

Huge forces have been deployed in the area.

BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari hit out at the chief minister, accusing her of provocation and alleged that police fired teargas shells to disperse the procession.

Meanwhile, TMCs Kunal Ghosh tore into Suvendu Adhikari on the explosion at an abandoned house in West Burdwan. He wrote on X: Last year, during Ram Navami, it was BJP that imported its brand of violence in Bengal, with its worker Sumit Shaw brandishing a pistol during a procession in Howrah. This year, on Ram Navami, bombs exploded in the BJP workers house  in Jitendra Tiwaris district  while they were illegally manufacturing explosives. This is the same Jitendra Tiwari who had a backroom meeting with NIA SP a while ago. @SuvenduWB should drop all pretence. People of Bengal know that Bangla-Birodhi @BJP4Indias poll strategy here is to implement their Dangabaji Formula. This ideology of hate will see a Bishorjon in the next few weeks.
Have the voices of the same persons the ED arrested matched with the samples, or is there any difference, asked Abhishek Banerjee, the Trinamul Congress national general secretary after the partys organisational meeting in Kalna this afternoon.

Banerjee reacted to EDs claim that the voice samples have matched with Sujoy Krishna Bhadra, the person detained in a job scam case. He said, Has the ED arrested the person whom Bhadra was talking with, let ED make it clear in the court. The ED only knows to whom Bhadra was talking to. Its equally true that the ED never could dare to arrest a person whos seen receiving cash in video clips. The ED had to apologize in court after theyd detained me in the airport.

Abhishek also ridiculed the ED for the arrest of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, especially in the wake of EDs claim that Kejriwal intentionally increased his blood sugar level by consuming mango, sweets to get bail. He said, ED should arrest the national president of the BJP immediately, because out of Rs 100cr of the alleged liquor scam, Rs 55cr has gone to BJPs account through electoral bonds. If Kejriwal could be arrested for liquor scam, how the BJP president could enjoy mango at home and not pushed to jail?

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On electoral bonds, Banerjee said, The Prime Minister claims its introduced to identify the donor and the recipient, but it could simply be done if the transactions are made through cheque payments or RTGS or NEFT. Whats so special with this bond then?

The national general secretary held a detailed pre-poll meeting with his party leaders in Kalna, who are engaged in campaign activities in Bardhaman Purba seat, today.
Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthys five-month-old grandson Ekagrah Rohan Murthy stands to earn Rs 4.2 crore as the IT giant announced a final dividend and a special dividend.

With the announcement of Q4 results on Thursday, Infosys has declared a final dividend of Rs 20 and a special dividend of Rs 8, i.e. a total dividend of Rs 28 to its shareholders.

Infosys founder Murthys infant grandson Ekagrah stands to earn Rs 4.2 crore with this move.

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Ekagrah became one of Indias youngest millionaires after his grandfather gifted him 15 lakh Infosys shares.

The record date for the payment of the final dividend and special dividend is May 31, 2024. The dividend will be paid on July 1, 2024, said Infosys in a stock exchange filing.

Son of Narayana Murthys son Rohan Murthy and daughter-in-law Aparna Krishnan, Ekagrah Rohan Murthy, owns 0.04 per cent of Infosys and his stake in the IT company is worth at least Rs 210 crore, at the current share price range of Rs 1,400.

Post this acquisition, Murthys share in Infosys reduced to 0.36 per cent from 0.40 per cent, or over 1.51 crore shares.

The mode of the transaction was off-market. However, Ekagrahs overall value of Infosys shares declined by Rs 30 crore as they fell roughly Rs 200 apiece since he was gifted with them.

In the Q4 (January to March), Infosys net profit surpassed market expectations to record a 30 per cent YoY jump from Rs 6,134 crore to Rs 7,975 crore. The revenue from operations of the company witnessed a moderate jump of 1.3 per cent during the quarter at Rs 37,923 crore.

Further, the company also experienced a notable reduction in headcount, marking the first decline since 2001. In FY24, the overall number of employees stood at 317,240, reflecting a decrease of 25,994 individuals, which indicates a 7.5 per cent reduction from the year-ago period.
The Ministry of Law and Justice is organising a conference in the national capital on Saturday to generate awareness about three criminal laws  the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, particularly amongst the stakeholders and legal fraternity.

To repeal archaic colonial laws and to usher in citizen-centric legislations to cater to the requirements of a vibrant democracy, the three laws have been enacted to overhaul the criminal justice system in the country.

The legislations i.e. the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, replace the earlier criminal laws, namely the Indian Penal Code 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. As notified, these laws are to take effect from 1st July 2024.

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To generate awareness about these legislative enactments, particularly amongst the stakeholders and legal fraternity, the Ministry of Law and Justice is organising a Conference titled Indias Progressive Path in the Administration of Criminal Justice System, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi tomorrow i.e. 20th of April, 2024, the Ministry of Law and Justice said on Friday.

Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud will grace the occasion as chief guest. The other dignitaries to attend the conference include Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Law and Justice, R. Venkataramani, Ld. Attorney General for India, Tushar Mehta, Ld. Solicitor General of India, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Home Secretary, government of India.

The Conference aims at bringing out the highlights of the three criminal laws and organise meaningful interactions through technical and Q & A sessions. Besides, judges of various courts, advocates, academicians, representatives of law enforcement agencies, police officials, public prosecutors, district administration officials and law students shall be participating in the Conference.

The day-long conference will start with an inaugural session and will conclude with a valedictory session. In between, three technical sessions are being organised, one on each law. The inaugural session will shed light on the overarching objectives of the new criminal law triad.
In the latest twist in the recent shooting outside actor Salman Khans Mumbai home, the citys Crime Branch has taken Sonu Gupta, the brother of prime suspect Vicky Gupta, into custody for questioning. Mumbai police sources suspect his involvement in the plot and are currently probing the matter.

According to police disclosures, the main accused, Sagar Pal, was drawn to the allure of a gangsters lifestyle and became associated with a criminal network to pursue his ambitions. Allegedly, he was offered a lucrative sum to carry out the shooting outside Salman Khans residence.

The incident unfolded on a Sunday morning in Mumbai when two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle pulled up outside the residence of Salman, and opened fire. Concealed behind helmets, they executed the attack with precision, suggesting careful planning.

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Following the shooting, the case was handed over to the Mumbai Crime Branch, which has mobilized over 10 teams to conduct a thorough investigation. Initial findings suggest a premeditated assault, with four rounds fired and a live cartridge recovered from the scene.

City authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to unraveling the truth behind the incident, vowing to leave no stone unturned in identifying the perpetrators and uncovering their motives. Senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, swiftly arrived at the scene to oversee the ongoing investigation.

As the inquiry progresses, the public eagerly awaits further developments in this unfolding saga.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Azerbaijan's chairmanship will make a significant contribution to the main objectives of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), Kairat Sarybay, the Secretary General of the CICA, told Trend in an exclusive interview.

"The main expectation from the Azerbaijani chairmanship of CICA is to contribute to the causes of collaboration, communication, and peace. This is our international organization's primary objective and direction. Thus, I believe these fundamental foundations of the human community will benefit greatly from Azerbaijan's chairmanship, he said.

According to him, Azerbaijan has a great deal of experience chairing regional and international organizations, from the UN to the Non-Aligned Movement, which has recently had a remarkable chairmanship given its substantial institutional contribution.

"I think that interesting days await us during the years of Azerbaijans chairmanship. We anticipate holding a meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (Ministerial Council) in 2024. Furthermore, since we have a preliminary concept and agreement, the Azerbaijani government also hopes to forge connections between the major event of this year within the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (CICA) and the global COP, when the entire world gathers in Baku to discuss the global community's environmental agenda. I believe this approach is very harmonious, and it reflects the essence of CICA," he said.

Kairat Sarybay pointed out that CICA is not exclusive to Asia.

"CICA is a worldwide development process. Furthermore, Asia is becoming more and more significant in both global politics and global economics. This is the first event as a result. And scheduled for 2026, the Summit is an even more significant occasion. We've decided in advance to concentrate on the fall of 2026, when Baku is expected to have lovely, sunny weather. The globe over, Baku is renowned for its warmth and bright weather. Thus, I believe that going into the summit, we'll have fresh, intriguing decisions to make as well as newly established, significant organizations under the Azerbaijani chairmanship," he said.

The Secretary General pointed out that the priorities of the Azerbaijani chairmanship will be presented at the CICA Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Baku in the fall.

"However, I can already assume that some topics, like the one about sustainable interconnectedness, are relevant for the entire CICA space and are important not only for Kazakhstan, the current chairman, but also for Azerbaijan, as the coordinator of the corresponding direction of the Catalogue of Confidence Building Measures "on the development of safe transport corridors." Because of the difficulties posed by today's interconnection, we must create as many alternate routes of contact as we can and make as much use of roadways, trains, airplanes, and other forms of communication, including digital ones," he noted.

As Kairat Sarybay pointed out, Azerbaijan has created a plan to improve communication between CICA countries in the process of creating safe corridors.

"In general, Azerbaijan takes an extremely active part in all CICA forums, including the business council and the youth council. Thus, a lot of work is being done to improve connectivity, but as I mentioned, it is insufficient. The pandemic has made it clear that we must fully and truly embrace our interconnectedness. Transport corridors are just one aspect of this; other aspects include harmonizing customs laws, epidemiology services' work, and the transportation industry's provision of "green" lanes for essential goods like food, medication, and other priority items," Sarybay said.

At the same time, the Secretary General pointed out that CICA takes a broader stance and hasn't started working on any projects to build particular transit routes yet.

"At the same time, for CICA member states, certain priorities are obvious. I know about the close cooperation of the countries of Central Asia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, where Armenia also wants to be involved. And I think that this will probably be correct; it will serve the cause of regional peace and the cause of developing the connection of Central Asia through the South Caucasus to Turkiye and Europe," Kairat Sarybay said.

According to him, within the CICA, individual countries will advance the interconnection theme to establish favorable framework circumstances for the growth of designated corridors.

"Since Asia is the largest, most populous, and home to many of the world's technical innovators, its interconnection will inevitably lead to greater global interconnectedness. And I believe that if, within the CICA, we can create harmonious framework conditions for the development of interconnectedness as a concept, then each individual corridor will bring specific benefits to each specific CICA participating state," the Secretary General said.
Out of 2.54 crore electors, about 10.6 per cent cast their votes in first phase polls in Rajasthans 12 Lok Sabha constituencies till 9 am where 114 contestants including two Union Ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Bhupendra Yadav are in the poll fray.

The polling began in 24,370 polling stations at 7 am and will last till 6 pm.

First phase LS constituencies are: Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur-rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa and Nagaur.

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BJP is contesting on all 12 seats while the Congress has made alliance with CPI-M on Sikar seat, and BSP on all 12 seats. Besides, 24 other political parties candidates are among the contestants.

Altogether 102 male and 12 females are also trying their poll fortune in the first phase.

Altogether 24,370 polling booths have been set up and 76,962 police personnel Including home guards, RAC jawans have been deployed besides 175 companies of Central Police Force have taken positions for free and fair polls, and to maintain law and order in the state.
More than 60 per cent of votes were polled for the five parliamentary seats of Assam in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections till 3 pm on Friday.

Among the five constituencies, Kaziranga, Sonitpur, Jorhat, Dibrugarh and Lakhimpur, went to polls today, Jorhat recorded the maximum percentage of votes till 3 pm at 64.84 per cent. From this constituency, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi is locked in a straight fight with sitting BJP MP Topon Gogoi.

The Dibrugarh constituency, from where Union Minister Sarbanada Sonowl is contesting, recorded a voter turnout of 60 per cent, according to the Election Commission India (ECI) data.

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Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday asserted that the fight to protect the Constitution and democracy has started, as voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections gets underway.

He also urged the people to come out and exercise their franchise in large numbers.

The fight to protect our Constitution and democracy begins today. My dear citizens, from 21 States and UTs (Union Territories ) who are voting in the First Phase of the Lok Sabha elections, I request you to carefully cast your vote, the Congress chief wrote in a post on X.

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Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, further said,

When you push that button on the EVM, pause and reflect for a second  Do you want our Institutions to be subverted through dictatorship, or do you want to protect democracy? You are now the decider of Indias destiny.

Extending his warm welcome to all the first-time voters, the Congress president said, Please come out and vote in large numbers.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a post on X said, Today is the first phase of voting. Remember each of your votes is going to decide the future of Indian democracy and the coming generations.

Calling upon the voters to exercise their franchise, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, Your future for the next five years lies in this vote. Be aware. Choose a government that works only for you.

The voting for the first Phase of LS elections in 102 parliamentary constituencies spread across 21 States/Union Territories began at 7 am across 1.87 lakh polling stations, amid tight security to avert any untoward incident. The voting will culminate at 6 pm.

More than 16.63 crore voters will decide the fate of 1,625 candidates, including 134 women candidates.

Assembly elections are being held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim today.
Braving heavy rain and icy winds, over 69 per cent of the electorate turned out to cast their votes in the high profile Udhampur constituency that went to polls on Friday in the first phase of the election in Jammu and Kashmir.

The final polling percentage was yet to come as the constituency has many polling booths in far-flung areas. The constituency witnessed 70.2 per cent polling in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

The Udhampur constituency sprawls from the plains of Kathua touching Punjab to the mountainous regions of Kishtwar and Doda.

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Polling percentage at 9 am was 8.44 per cent but it picked up as the day advanced and 57.09 per cent votes were cast till 3 pm and 65.08 per cent voting was recorded till 5 pm, an hour before closing of the polling.

Among the 12 candidates in the fray, the fate of the BJP candidate and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, has been sealed in the voting machines. Choudhary Lal Singh of the Congress and GM Saroori of DPAP are the main rivals of Dr Jitendra Singh.

Paddar Nagseni in the Kishtwar district recorded the highest at more than 81 per cent followed by Kathua with more than 70.8 per cent voting. Udhampur East recorded over 69.96 per cent voting.

The BJPs election campaign was high-pitched with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were among those who addressed public meetings in Udhampur constituency.

Home Minister Amit Shah campaigned in the Jammu constituency but in his rally also sought votes for Dr. Jitendra Singh. This is the first parliamentary election in J&K after abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

Elaborate security arrangements were made with deployment of paramilitary forces at the polling stations. There are 16.23 lakh voters in the 18 Assembly segments of the constituency, which has five districts, including Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Udhampur, and Kathua.

Encompassing an expansive area of 16,707 square kilometers, the constituency boasts a diverse electorate comprising 16,23,195 eligible voters. Among them are 8,45,283 male voters, 7,77,899 female voters, and 13 third-gender voters, reflecting the inclusivity of the democratic process.

The Election Commission of India had deployed 3,658 ballot units, 3,570 control units, and 3,636 VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail) to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the electoral process.

As many as 19 polling booths manned by women (also called as pink polling stations), 14 polling booths manned by specially abled persons and 17 were looked after by youths. Also in order to spread messages about environmental concern, there were 20 green polling stations.
The first phase of voting for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 is underway in 102 constituencies spread across 21 states and Union Territories. By 1 PM, average voter turnout of around 40 per cent was recorded across the states.

The polling began at 7 am and will conclude at 6 PM.

The first phase of polling is taking place in all the 39 seats of Tamil Nadu, 12 seats of Rajasthan, eight seats of Uttar Pradesh and six seats of Madhya Pradesh.

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The polling is also being held on five seats in Uttarakhand, two seats each in Arunachal Pradesh and Meghalaya, one each in Andaman Nicobar, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim and Lakshadweep.

Besides, voters from five seats each in Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh are also exercising their franchise today.

Earlier, West Bengal saw 33.56 per cent voter turnout till 11 am, while Uttar Pradesh registered 25.20 per cent voter turnout.

The turnout in Uttarakhand was 24.80 per cent, 23.72 per cent in Tamil Nadu, and 33.28 per cent in Tripura.

The elections are being held in seven phases, starting today. The last phase voting will be held on June 1, while the counting of votes and the announcement of results will take place on June 4.
Prominent leaders of North East who are in the electoral fray in the first phase of polls  from Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi  exercised their franchise early in the morning on Friday.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, representing the BJP, cast his ballot in Nafra village, Arunachal Pradesh. He is contesting against former Congress chief minister Nabam Tuki in Arunachal West Lok Sabha seat.

Meanwhile, Congress MP and contender Gaurav Gogoi voted in Jorhat, Assam, amidst a fiercely contested battle for the Parliamentary seat.

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Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, seeking reelection as a BJP candidate, cast his vote in Dibrugarh, Assam, where he faces a tough challenge from Lurinjyoti Gogoi.

The electoral battle in Dibrugarh underscored the BJPs strategic maneuvers, including Sonowals nomination, demonstrating their determination to retain the constituency.

Vincent H Pala, contesting for Congress from the Shillong constituency, participated in the electoral process by voting in his village. He was accompanied by his mother.

Additionally, sitting Tura MP and National Peoples Party (NPP) candidate Agatha K Sangma voted in Tura and urged citizens to exercise their voting rights.

As the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections unfolds, the active involvement of key candidates sets the stage for an intense electoral contest, influencing the political dynamics in their respective constituencies and beyond.

The voting for the 60 seats in Arunachal and 32 seats in Sikkim assemblies are being held simultaneously with the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections. While Arunachal will be polling for two Lok Sabha seats, Sikkim will vote for its lone parliamentary seat.

In Arunachal Pradesh, where infrastructure and border area development are seen as major poll issues, 8,92,694 voters will decide the fates of 133 candidates contesting in the 50 assembly seats and 14 in the two Lok Sabha seats.
Rajasthan on Friday recorded an average voter turnout of approximately 51.25 per cent in the first phase polls across 12 Lok Sabha constituencies. The polling concluded peacefully across 24,370 polling centres, with no report of any untoward incident.

The political fate of 114 contestants, including two Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghawal and Bhupendra Yadav, is now locked in the EVMs. The voter turnout was registered at a record low in these constituencies in the current election, compared to the 2019 LS polls when the turnout ranged between 55 and 74.77 per cent.

It was an incident-free and fair poll across 12 districts in Rajasthan, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Vishal Bansal told The Statesman.

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Isolated incidents of quarrels and clashes were reported between supporters of political parties at some places away from the polling booths. The police promptly intervened and took stern action to control the situation effectively, the ADGP said.

Sriganganagar recorded the highest turnout of 60.27%, followed by Bikaner 49.43%, Churu 57.44%, Jhunjhunu 44.97%, Sikar 48.85%, Jaipur-rural 48.67%, Jaipur 57.38%, Alwar 53.31%, Bharatpur 46.23%, Karauli-Dholpur 43.22%, Dausa 45.63%, and Nagaur 55.63%.

The exact voter turnout figures are being tabulated and will be declared later tonight, a spokesman for the Chief Electoral Office told reporters here.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and his family members exercised their franchise at a polling booth in Sidharth Nagar in Jaipur. Among others, who went for early voting, included Union ministers Arjun Ram Meghwal and Bhupendra Yadav (who are also in the fray), Congress leader Sachin Pilot, PCC president Govind Singh Dotasra, RLP president and LS candidate from Nagaur Hanuman Beniwal.

The BJP contested all 12 seats while the Congress formed an alliance with CPI-M for the Sikar seat, and BSP on all 12 seats. Besides, candidates from 24 other political parties participated in the elections. Altogether, 102 male and 12 female candidates tried their poll fortunes in the first phase of polls.
The Supreme Court on Friday reserved its order on a plea by NGO  Just Rights for Children Alliance  against January 11, 2024, Madras High Court order holding that merely downloading or watching child pornography on ones electronic device did not constitute an offence under the POCSO and the Information Technology Act.

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala reserved the order on the petitioner Just Rights for Children Alliance  NGO working for the welfare of children, seeking setting aside of the High Court order and issuance of appropriate directions against the accused Harish.

The NGO  Just Rights for Children Alliance  challenged the High Court decision quashing the criminal case against accused Harish under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and the Information Technology Act, 2000.

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The petitioner NGO had told the top court that the tip came from the Home Ministry to the district police, and it was scanned by a foreign organisation who tracks such internet downloads of child porn. For two years, the person had been watching child pornography.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), had filed an intervention application. The court asked the NCPCR to file its written submissions by Monday  April 22, 2024.

The High Court had said that to make out an offence under POCSO Act, a child or children should have been used for pornography purposes. It added that to constitute an offence under IT Act the accused must have published, transmitted and created the material.

The High Court had quashed the FIR and criminal proceedings against a 28-year-old man who had been charged with downloading child pornographic content to his mobile phone.

It had held that downloading and possessing child pornography does not amount to any offence under Section 67B of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000.

The Chennai Police had registered a case against the accused under Sections 67 B of the IT Act and 14(1) of the POCSO Act after they seized the phone of the accused and discovered that he had downloaded and possessed child pornography.

e had downloaded and possessed child pornography.
A day after BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao claimed that 20 Congress MLAs were ready to quit the party and join him, his party MLA Prakash Goud from Rajendranagar met Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. He is expected to join the Congress soon with his supporters.

Another former MP D Ravindra Naik who had been the BJP candidate from Yellandu constituency in Assembly elections but lost, also joined the Congress in the presence of the chief minister.

Prakash Goud will be the third BRS MLA to join the Congress after Danam Nagender and Kadiyam Srihari. While Nagender was given the Congress ticket to fight the elections from Secunderabad Parliamentary constituency against BJPs G Kishan Reddy, Kadiyam Sriharis daughter Kavya got the Congress ticket from Warangal Lok Sabha seat.

The BRS is fighting to keep itself relevant in the Lok Sabha polls with both the Congress and the BJP poaching its leaders with impunity. However, Rao who is popularly known as KCR claimed that the Congress government in Telangana will be short lived and leaders were in touch with him, ready to jump ship. He also wondered if the BJP would allow a government with just 64 MLAs to survive when it had tried to dislodge his government with 104 MLAs.

Meanwhile, BRS working president KT Rama Rao lashed out at the Congress government urging the youth to teach them a lesson. Congress had promised to issue a job calendar from 1 February which they have failed, alleged KT Rama Rao while claiming that the 30,000 jobs which Congress claimed to have given, were actually filled during BRS reign.

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He said though Priyanka Gandhi had promised that an allowance of Rs 4000 will be given to the unemployed youths, deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka later denied it. The government also raised the exam fee for teachers selection examination, TET (Teachers Eligibility Test) from Rs 400 to Rs 2000, Rao added.
Over 60 per cent of voters cast their votes in eight Lok Sabha seats in the first phase polls in Uttar Pradesh on Friday.

The polling remained peaceful with no reports of violence except some teething problems in EVMs at some polling booths.

The voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections was held in eight seats from 7 am to 6 pm. Over two lakh security personnel had been deployed to ensure peaceful polling.

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The seats where polls were held in the first phase are Saharanpur, Bijnore, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur and Pilibhit.

Union Minister of State Sanjeev Balyan, PWD Minister in Yogi Government Jitin Prasad, BJP MP from Kairana Pradeep Choudhary, RLD MLA Chandan Chauhan of Meerapur, who has fielded as NDA (RLD) candidate from Bijnore and MLA Nataur Om Kumar as BJP candidate from Nagina are among 80 candidates, who are in the fray.

There were a total of 1.43 crore voters in the first phase of seats, of which 76.23 lakh were men, 67.14 lakh women and 824 were of third gender.

There were a total of 7693 polling stations and 14,842 polling booths in the first phase.

Amid allegations made by the opposition parties of misuse of official machinery, there was not a single case of law and order problem so far, said an EC official.

According to reports, the Samajwadi Party posted on social media alleging that names of about 1500 voters are missing from the voter list at Booth Number 172 of village Masavi under Bhawan Thana in Kairana Lok Sabha.

They alleged voting is going on at a slow pace at Booth Number 270 in Saharanpur city of Saharanpur Lok Sabha.

Due to the booth being dominated by Muslims, the administration is affecting the pace of voting, they said.

The SP alleged that in Saharanpur Lok Sabha the administration is not allowing voters to cast their votes even after checking the slips at booth numbers 58, 62 and 73 of Inter College. Also, no one is being allowed inside with a handicapped/disabled person.

The party said that Booth Number 52 in Bilaspur of Rampur Lok Sabha is being captured by the BJP supporters and the SP voters are being driven away. The SP has demanded the Election Commission to take cognizance and conduct fair voting.

In Rampurs Raza Degree College, SP candidate Maulana Mohibbullah Nadvi got angry while raising questions on the role of police.

He said that more than a dozen police complaints have been made but no action taken so far. Not allowing voting would be murder of democracy and the people will lose confidence in the Election Commission, Nadvi said.

In Pilibhit, villagers demonstrated against the police administration outside the polling station in protest against beating of SP agent and his father and brother with sticks at the polling station of Vedkheda village of Bisalpur.

Due to the protest by the villagers, voting work was disrupted at the polling station for about half an hour. The police have taken the agent and his father into custody.

Meanwhile, the ECI polling percentage at 1700 hrs was pegged at 57.56 per cent.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Following the training plan approved by Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan Colonel General Zakir Hasanov for the current year, the Navy and the Air Force held tactical exercises on the organization of air defense Caspian Sky-2024, Trend reports, referring to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

The tactical exercise involved up to 300 personnel, combat, dispatch, and patrol ships, boats, attack helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

"In accordance with the plan, the ships, which left the base point on the alarm signal, together with the aviation means of the Navy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the sector of the Caspian Sea, performed practical actions on the organization of air defense of the marine energy infrastructure, the destruction of targets of the conditional enemy, as well as the performance of other combat tasks.

Furthermore, during the exercises, actions were successfully carried out to anchor and unanchor ship tactical groups in an area where anti-aircraft and anti-submarine sabotage defenses were organized.

During the tactical exercises, conducted in two stages, the personnel of the Navy and Air Force demonstrated high professionalism in the performance of all assigned tasks," the statement of the Ministry says.

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Emily Dickinson, the American lyrical poetess, passed away in 1886, about one and a half centuries ago. Her poems, however, continue to linger on, casting a profound influence on readers. Bold original verses, short, satirical expressions, a total disregard for the conventional poetic definitions of the 19th century, a deep reflection of her personal convictions and enigmatic brilliance continue to mesmerize her readers even today.

Dickinson perceived her poetry in dualism, liberating, and at the same time leaving the reader ungrounded, wanting to delve more into the enigmatic compression. The first thought that comes to mind when thinking of Dickinson is her originality. The poetess chose to experiment with expressions to free them from the conventional restraints, crafting a unique persona in her protagonists who would imagine their escapes from societal limitations, living in an open house full of possibilities aspiring to realize the abstract someday.

I dwell in Possibility _ A fairer house than Prose, More numerous of Window _ Superior __ for Doors _ ***** Of visitors _ the fairest _ For Occupation _ this _ The spreading wide of narrow hands To gather Paradise__

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Dickinson connotes an open and positive visual in possibilities, proud of a house of Justice with more windows that provides the perspective of more light rather than entrance through doors, hinting at her reclusive nature. Her emphasis is on poetry as opposed to prose, freeing it from the limitations of language, the dashes, the ambiguity and the capitalization. The poetess is selective in her invite, and only those using their imagination in dwelling on the possibilities are allowed admission, a proto-modern aesthetic distinct from the aesthetics of Walt Whitman.

The poetess appears to have communicated between herself and her poems that she preserved in her drawer, only to be made public in 1890, some years after her demise; spreading open her hands to gather paradise, invoking holiness and divinity in her abode. A recluse, mostly confined to her home in Amherst, Dickinson wrote in 1875, Escape is such a thankful Word. Later, she had penned

There is another Loneliness. There is another Loneliness That many die without__ Not want of friend occasions, it Or circumstances of Lot. But nature, sometimes, sometimes thought And whoso it befall Is richer than could be revealed By mortal Numeral

Challenging the then prevalent Victorian norms that glorified external fulfillment through societal connects, Dickinson reflects that it is solitude, in connecting with nature and thoughtful introspection that enriches and transforms the individual spirit. In the absence of punctuation, or appears to be conjunctive, only to disturb the meter with the addition of s in circumstances, a rebellion against the accustomed grammar of the 19th century.

She also introduces a capitalization of Lot, perhaps a reference to the Biblical story of Genesis that ends in isolation. And, very much akin to her poem I dwell on Possibility, Dickinson invokes divinity in nature, to be occasioned sometimes in the absence of societal and external stimuli. The poetess hints that beauty of nature is so sublime that the insights are too profound to divulge / By mortal numeral connecting her readers to experiences of similar depth, with the thought that poetry too speaks to the self as a companion of the soul. Such loneliness, possessed by few, is indeed a privilege in which the self reaches fulfillment and contentment through nature, divinity, introspection and poetry. In another startling composition,

My Life has stood a Loaded gun, the poetess writes My Life has stood __a Loaded Gun__ In Corners __ till a Day The Owner passed __ identified__ And carried me away And now we roam in Sovereign Woods __ And now we hunt the Doe __ And everytime I speak for Him The Mountains straight reply__ ***** Though I than He__may longer live He longer must__than I __ For I have but the power to kill, Without__ the power to die___

In this poem, the life of the poetess is the loaded gun, with the power in the relationship between Dickinson and her master. With the civil war as the backdrop, the poetess interprets that the potential of the loaded gun is stronger than one that has been shot. Intentionally ambiguous, the poetess appears to have the ability to change the world and kill with her poem without the need of any other to help her fire the gun.

Dickinson is the key to the potential of annihilation. Language poets of later era felt as though Dickinson spoke to them, exploring the implications of breaking the law, just short of breaking off her communication with the readers. She sweeps through the customary, chronological linearity of poetry, with syntax unusual in her era, inserting dashes and strange line breaks and capitalization. Ray Amantrout, one of the founding members of the West coast group of language poets, calls Dickinsons style as a witchy word choice. At the same time, it is possible that Dickinson could have opened up the rigidity of conventional language hoping to communicate better with the reader.

American poet and scholar and an innovative poetess Susan Howe suggests that Dickinson could have been focused on a life of consciousness and recreating consciousness in her House of Possibilities, wanting to open up the space for language poets to inhabit, lifting the load of European literary custom. In this, both Emily Dickinson and Gertrude Stein had initiated a counter movement which would bring to light the infinite limits of written communication. In their unconventional language syntax, both pushed against the patriarchal literary canons policing conventional connotations.

Dickinson was fortunate. During her lifetime, she had no public audience and hence she could do what she did, scattering the laws of conventional grammar to the winds and breaking the laws of narrative and set it in the form of rearrangement of the sentences. The poetess is indeed radical, particularly when, while describing life, she takes a grammatically complete sentence, sets it next to another sentence and defies the format of conventional syllogistic propriety. Chafing against the norms of higher education being imparted to women of her times, Dickinson allied her challenges to unconventional external reading, getting into Geometry, Geology, Philosophy, Politics and even Alchemy, boldly creating a new grammar in, in contrast to, as Al Filreis of the University of Pennsylvania puts it, humility and hesitation.

Susan Howe, however, interprets Dickinsons self-confessed stammering hesitation as a political act, a rejection of the culture of aggression. This is so very Dickinson as it becomes a powerful form of social and political resistance, surprising us with her conceits in penning a restless language that fails to adhere to the limits of grammatical prudery. An intensely private person, Dickinson was immensely creative, penning about 1800 poems in her lifetime. An instinctive experimenter, she played with slant rhyme, short lines, unconventional capitalization and punctuation. She also refused to give titles to her poems. Feeling entrapped by society, Dickinson sought to transcend societal mandates through her poetry, her love of nature and divinity; poetry was Dickinsons gateway to freedom. Dickinson passed away in 1886, with her wealth of poems remaining unknown till they were first made public in 1890.

After her death, her family members found her hand sewn books or fascicles. Perhaps the assemblage was intended to remain private, or, as Dickinson speaks through a poem of 1863, This is my letter to the world hoping for a posthumous publication. Todd and Higginson had first published her works in 1890, and in 1955, a complete volume was brought out, edited by Thomas H Johnson. These, however, were in an edited and conventional form and only in 1998, with the publication of R W Franklin that the original order, punctuation and spelling preferences of the poetess were restored.

Emily Dickinson had left behind a great legacy of a poetess well ahead of her times, who could challenge societal norms and literary mandates from her home in Amherst in the 19th century. Todays language poets owe much to her as she had freed their space, guiding them towards experimental creativity. Her pioneering contributions do deserve recognition of the creative spirit that Dickinson personifies.

(The writer is International Advisor to the UN Secretary General and former Secretary to the Government of India)
The aesthetically designed studio-theatre of Chidakash Kalalaya, an Ashram-like institution founded by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient scholar-guru Piyal Bhattacharya, is a haven of research, restoration, and practical application of music, dance, and drama as scripted in Bharatmunis Natyashastra and its precious commentaries by scholars of yore. Maintaining its tradition of offering music, dance, or drama to Goddess Saraswati on Vasant Panchami, Bhattacharya invited Sarod sisters Troilee Dutta and Moisilee Dutta this year. They chose to play Saraswati, an enchanting evening raga named after the goddess of learning. Adhering to the dhrupad ang gayaki, the melodious alap displayed sthayi and antara-based elaboration of the raga briefly. The sanchari and abhog segments of an alap were highlighted by the medium and fast speed of the jod segment, which exhibited their playing skills. Ably accompanied by Mithun Chakrabortys pakhawaj and the tabla of Soumen Hazra, the sisters teental gatkari, replete with a variety of rhythmic patterns, was highly commendable.

So was the alap-jod-jhala in Raga Malkauns on the Rudra-Veena, played by Sayak Mitra, the multitalented disciple of Bhattacharya. He sings, dances, acts, composes, and assists his guru in teaching with equal competence. His clear concept of different jaatis of laya lent a sparkling effect to his brief recital. This was followed by two dance items offered by Somen Palit (Saraswati Varnam in Bharatanatyam) and Amrita Adhikari (Draupadi-katha in Odissi). Finally, the reconstructed Mattakokila Veena of the primaeval era, played by Subhendu Ghosh, sang out the Murchana of Shadja Grama of the Bharata. This talented disciple of Bhattacharya mastered its playing technique under the guidance of U Win Maung of Myanmar because it is extinct in our country but still exists there as its national instrument!

Musical Streams

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An intimate evening of Carnatic and Hindustani streams of Indian classical music was organised by Bharatiya Vidta Bhavan and the Infosys Foundation on 16 February at the Birla Academy of Art and Culture. The evening commenced with a percussion ensemble, conceived and presented by Mridangam Vidwan Shankar Narayanaswamy. It featured Ghatam maestro Somnath Roy and upcoming tabla exponent Sohon Ghosh.

After this heady and vociferous item, it is challenging to attract listeners attention with an instrument like Shatatantri Veena (very similar to Santoor) with its soft, delicate sound, but young maestro Dishari Chakraborty, belonging to Maihar Gharana, achieved this within seconds due to his pristine presentation of Hem Bihag, a raga invented by Baba Alauddin Khan. The alap adhered to the dhrupad anga instrumentalism of his gharana, having four segments. The slow elaboration focused on the ascending and descending order of the raga, respectively. The jod segment, starting with medium-paced rhythmic phrases, blended the gait of both sthayi and antara, while the fast jod displayed the ecstatic mood of the raga. In the jhala, Disharis playing technique was at its best and closed with lad-guthao. Pakhawaj virtuoso Mithun Chakraboty provided lively support.

For gatkari, he selected a traditional slow Masitkhani composition in raga Khamaj and adorned it with melodious elaboration of the raga, cascading taan-todas, and tisra-jati rhythmic patterns. It was a pleasant surprise to experience a drut gat replete with manjha and antara, because many star musicians prefer to play just the sthayi of a bandish these days and go ahead with the whole gamut of instrumental music recital. After short, crisp taans, bol-based taans, and thonk jhala, his wish for sawal-jawab was granted by the superbly crafted replies on the tabla of maestro Ujjwal Bharati, who provided excellent support till the climax created by high-speed jhala that came to a close with a dynamic and dramatic tihai.

Festival of Percussions

Internationally acclaimed tabla maestro Abhijit Banerjee organises Saaz aur Aawaz, an annual event under the aegis of Dhwani Academy. Banerjee founded this institution in memory of his legendary Guru, Jnan Prakash Ghosh, and nurtures young talents, with a focus on visually challenged children, to master the magic of percussion instruments of different genres. The Academy takes pride in its initiative to print the first Braille book, Innersight in English, Hindi, and Bengali, for tabla students who get it for free all over the world. Scholarships for these children and the stage for their tabla ensemble recitals are also organised to encourage them.

This year, the Academy organised a two-day festival at the Vivekananda Hall, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark, on 23 and 24 February, with only one exceptional item in the first half of the second day. It showcased Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Odissi dance expert and Guru Ratikant Mohapatra with his troupe consisting of a few of his highly competent male disciples and musicians for live accompaniment. This art is dwindling because of a lack of funds for several rehearsals and travel costs.

Mohapatras disciples, Rajib Bhattacharya, Subikash Mukerjee, and Shivnarayan Banerjee, exhibited his pure dance compositions and choreography with amazing precision, supported by their gurus mardala and bol-padhant. But, as a performer par excellence, Mohapatra chose to present the abhinaya items himself. Ramastuti, set to raga Kedar, stood out for his facial and physical expressions. Supported by melodic grandeur soaked in devotion, several other incidents from the Ramayana were also portrayed, including his masterpiece Shabari. Vocalist Rupak Parida, superbly supported by mardala (Eklabya Muduli), violin (Agnimitro Behera), along with harmonium and cymbals, created the ambience with his soulful singing.

This was followed by a pleasant surprise. Pandit Arvind Kumar Azad, a worthy disciple of tabla-legend Kishan Maharaj, is well known to the Kolkata audience as a wonderful accompanist of every genre in classical dance, vocal, and instrumental music. But as a soloist, he debuted on this revered stage with a classy khuli chaant, steeped in melody and power. This first sur-filled dha was so awe-inspiring that it attracted every listeners attention instantly. Supported by Hiranmay Mitras seasoned harmonium, he played teental, vividly displaying the aesthetic appeal of Benares Gharana and his mastery over its pakhawaj-influenced, commanding yet raseela style.

Finally, in sheer contrast to Benares, the delicately crafted, beautiful, but complex bols of Ajrara Gharana, represented by popular accompanist/soloist Ustad Akram Khan, kept his audience glued to their seats under his charm of elegant tabla playing. In the penultimate slot, Abhijit Banerjee, flanked by Ghatam Vidwan Suresh Vaidyanathan, Snehasish Majumdar (mandolin), Somnath Roy (percussion) and Grammy Awardee Lars Meller, a guest, presented a fusion of both the streams of classical Indian percussion.

However, the first evening began with a bunch of brief tabla recitals played by several budding talents. Among them, Aniruddha Sharma, disciple of pakhawaj maestro Sukhad Munde, and Abhijit Banerjee stood out as the only pakhawaj-solo, guided by Banerjee. All of these youngsters performed with commendable maturity and vouched for their good talim, hard work, and bright future.

Banerjee staged a solo recital by celebrated tabla maestro Arup Chattopadhyay, a disciple of his senior gurubhai, Pandit Shankar Ghosh. Chattopadhyay scaled the peak of sensitive rhythm-play that does not rely on dry mathematical permutation only. Seadily supported by Gourab Chatterjees luring naghma on the harmonium, he officially opened the festival with teental. A brilliant Peshkar, followed by kayda, tukra, rela, etc. with Farukhabad elements, his presentation mostly relied on the compositions of his Guruji. The variety of bols used and the clarity of their nikas resulted in such an aural beauty that was no less than a melody. He closed with a Bedam chakradar.

Distinguished for his intellectual appeal in tabla-solo and accompaniment, Pandit Yogesh Samsi attracts the younger musicians of this generation. He enjoyed the Kirwani-based auchar played by harmonium-wizard Hiranmay Mitra before the peshkar that started with a slow, alap-like progression of the phrases applied in it and entered the complex arena of jaatis (tisra, khanda, mishra) and chhandas. He also exhibited the beauty of several ustads compositions that highlight different bol-combinations of tabla-parlance with amazing dexterity. He accepted encores for laggi patterns very graciously.

The writer is a senior music critic
As Congress remained undecided about the candidature of two seats, Kangra and Hamirpur, for the Lok Sabha elections slated for June 1, cabinet rank MLA from Nagrota Bagwan, R S Bali, has expressed his reluctance to contest from Kangra.

Putting an end to the speculations of him being fielded for the LS polls, Bali expressed keenness to work in his Assembly constituency, which had also been the constituency of his late father G S Bali, a four-time MLA and a former minister.

While talking to the media here on Friday on the speculations of Congresses choice to contest the Kangra parliamentary seat, the debutant MLA, Bali said it has been only 15 months since he became a legislator and he intends to work for the people of his assembly constituency.

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There are many senior leaders in the Kangra parliamentary constituency and they could be the party pick to contest the elections, said, adding he has also put forward his views before Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

Furthermore, in a written communique to the All India Congress Committee (AICC), President Mallikarjun Kharge, Bali who is AICC Secretary stated that he had learned from media reports that his name has surfaced in the survey of the party and was also discussed in the meeting of the Central Election Committee.

He said no one had spoken to him about his contesting the LS polls and added that since he has only completed 15 months as a legislator his priority is to serve the people of his Assembly constituency who had instilled faith in him and made him victorious with the highest vote margin in the 2022 elections in the state.

He said is a soldier of the Congress party and had contested the elections on the principle of I do what I say hence keeping in mind his resolution his priority is development and providing employment which he relates it to his credibility along with the party.

He urged the high command to discuss it with him before any decision so that he could take it up with the people of his constituency, who were like his family and had supported him after the loss of his parents.
The UK has announced sanctions on a further seven individuals and six entities who it said enabled Iran to conduct destabilizing regional activity, including its direct attack on Israel.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday that the UK has sanctioned the ringleaders of the Iranian military and forces responsible for the April 14 attack, Xinhua news agency reported.

Iran has said the attack was in retaliation for Israels strike on Irans consulate building in Damascus, Syria, on April 1.

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The sanctioned individuals and entities are subjected to asset freeze, with a concurrent imposition of a travel ban targeting the individuals under sanction.

This adds to the 400-plus sanctions already imposed on Iran, the UK government said in a statement. Previous sanctions include the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in its entirety and many of those allegedly responsible for the attack on Israel.
US officials have met Israeli leaders to discuss the situation in the embattled city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has confirmed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to launch an Israeli ground assault against Rafah, which is now packed with hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees who fled Israeli attacks elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.

The US, Germany and other Israeli allies have been urging restraint instead and warning against the fallout from a direct attack on the city, which is located on the border with Egypt.

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Kirby, speaking to reporters in Washington on Thursday, declined to comment on the precise content of the talks or identify the participants, saying he would provide details once the meetings are over.

The main purpose is really to talk about Rafah  and also share our continued concerns over a major ground offensive there, he said.

A meeting with an Israeli delegation had been planned this week to discuss the concerns of the US side.

Prior to the major Iranian air attack on Israel over the weekend, Netanyahu had announced last week that the assault on Rafah had already been scheduled.

However, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant contradicted Netanyahus remarks shortly afterwards.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. The regular meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CMFA) of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) will be held this year in Baku, the Secretary General of the CICA Kairat Sarybay told Trend in an exclusive interview.

"I think that interesting days await us during the years of Azerbaijans chairmanship. We anticipate holding a meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs in 2024. Furthermore, since we have a preliminary concept and agreement, the Azerbaijani government also hopes to forge connections between the major event of this year within the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs (CICA) and the global COP, when the entire world gathers in Baku to discuss the global community's environmental agenda. I believe this approach is very harmonious, and it reflects the essence of CICA," he said.

Speaking about the priorities of the Azerbaijani chairmanship, Kairat Sarybay stressed that the priorities will be presented at the CICA Ministerial Council in the fall in Baku.

"However, I can already assume that some topics, like the one about sustainable interconnectedness, are relevant for the entire CICA space and are important not only for Kazakhstan, the current chairman, but also for Azerbaijan, as the coordinator of the corresponding direction of the Catalogue of Confidence Building Measures "on the development of safe transport corridors." Because of the difficulties posed by today's interconnection, we must create as many alternate routes of contact as we can and make as much use of roadways, trains, airplanes, and other forms of communication, including digital ones," he added.

To note, according to the recommendation given at the meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials of the Council for Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) on March 14, the Republic of Azerbaijan was elected as the Chairman of CICA for 20242026 by the decision of the CICA Council of Foreign Ministers on March 19, 2024.

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Finding the right healthcare insurance plan can feel overwhelming. Thus, choosing a provider that offers good coverage, excellent services, and value for money is crucial. This decision should protect your health and fit your financial goals. That is where Niva Bupa Health Insurance comes in.

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In today's professional world, having a strong network is important, which is why more people are using social media marketing services to buy LinkedIn followers.

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1. UseViral

2. SidesMedia

3. Growthoid

1. UseViral

Score: 9.5/10

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Key Points:

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Selecting a reliable provider for purchasing LinkedIn followers is an important decision in your professional networking endeavors. Factors to consider include the follower services' quality, delivery speed, pricing, security measures, and customer satisfaction with service, which can help you make an educated choice that supports your networking objectives and guarantees a satisfactory outcome for potential clients.

FAQs

This chapter will provide answers to commonly asked questions about purchasing LinkedIn followers, offering valuable insights and clarity on how the strategy works for boosting professional networks.

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When purchasing LinkedIn followers, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with using an unreliable provider.

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Identifying a dependable provider is important for the success of your LinkedIn follower acquisition strategy. Here are some steps to help you find one.

Reading reviews is important for assessing a provider's reputation based on feedback from previous customers.

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The decision to purchase LinkedIn followers should be based on individual goals and needs. Buying followers can potentially enhance credibility and visibility, but it should be considered within the context of a comprehensive LinkedIn strategy that includes content creation, networking, and fostering authentic and meaningful connections.

Conclusion

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When considering purchasing followers on LinkedIn, it is crucial to keep in mind that this is just one aspect of a successful strategy. It is recommended to complement follower growth with creating engaging content, networking with professionals, and actively interacting with your target audience to maximize the platform's potential.

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Emphasizing Authenticity: Authenticity is paramount in successful self-promotion. Be genuine and transparent in your interactions, and refrain from embellishing your achievements. Audiences appreciate authenticity and are more likely to trust and connect with individuals who are sincere.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday submitted his nomination papers for the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat from where he is the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and said the general election is all about giving a third term to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.



Shah was accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel when he submitted the nomination papers to Gandhinagar collector and district election officer M.K. Dave in the state capital at exactly 12.39pm, considered as 'Vijay Muhurat'.

Talking to reporters, Shah said this general election is all about giving a third term to PM Modi so that he can make India a developed country by 2047.

The Union minister said Modi's third term will be crucial because his first two terms went into correcting the mistakes made by the previous Congress-led UPA government. "This election is all about making Narendra Modi our PM for the third time. Modiji has resolved to turn India into a developed country by 2047 and number one in all sectors. The next five years are crucial if we want to achieve that because the last 10 years went into filling pits (gadde) made by the previous UPA government," Shah said. The next five years would be used to create a strong foundation for 'Viksit Bharat', he said.

Thanking the BJP for renominating him from the seat once represented by stalwarts Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L.K. Advani, Shah said the seat holds significance also because PM Modi is a registered voter from here.

"I have been associated with this seat for the last 30 years. Before becoming an MP, I was an MLA from assembly segments that fall under this seat. Thanks to your love, I rose from a humble booth worker to becoming a member of parliament now. People of Gandhinagar gave me their blessings whenever I sought their votes," he said.

Developmental works of more than Rs 22,000 crore were undertaken in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in the last five years, he said.

Shah, a former BJP president, won from the Gandhinagar constituency by a margin of more than 5 lakh votes in the 2019 general elections. The opposition Congress has fielded party secretary Sonal Patel from Gandhinagar. Voting for all 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat will be held in the third phase, on May 7.
Manipur votes for unity today. Thousands of internally displaced persons, the worst affected population that has borne the brunt of the ethic strife, are lining up at special polling stations to cast their vote in the hope there will be peace and unity in Manipur once again.

Majority of the displaced persons living in nearly 300 relief camps across the state have homes in fringe districts that act as a melting pot for Meitis, Kuki zo and many other communities who have lived together and forged friendships over years . These friendships are broken today, their calls go answered , but the hope is alive of coming together again .

Konsam Surjit Singh, staying at a relief camp at an Anganwadi centre in Imphal with his wife, has volunteered to help other displaced persons exercise their voting rights. The Election Commission has given voter information slips to those displaced persons whose voter ID cards were burnt or lost during the violence. They are showing these slips to cast their votes in the 94 special polling stations set up across the state .

The last few days have been hectic for Surjit who helped the displaced persons in his camp understand the importance, painful as it may be, of exercising their voting rights.

If we dont vote, we might be in a worse situation than today. We want to go back to our homes, we dont want any separation from other communities because we have been living with them all along, says Surjit.

Born and brought up in Motbung village in Senapati district, Surjit had friends from different communities including Kuki zo, Nagas and others. My friends are not picking up my calls now. Some of them blocked my number. But I know we will talk again. We want Manipur to be united.

The sentiment in the displaced camps is unanimous . Our vote is for unity of Manipur.

The temporary divide between the Hills and Valley may be sharp at the moment, but there is hope especially among the internally displaced people that it can be overcome as quickly as it got created if there is political will of an empathetic leadership.

Khongkham Taru Singh, 69, is one of the first internally displaced persons to cast his vote at the Trade and Expo Centre Complex in Imphal. Hailing from Serou village in Kakching district, Taru suffered huge financial loss as his properties got burnt. It has been one year and we have not got any compensation. Except for two meals a day, we have not got any help. We need compensation to rebuild our lives. We want to return home.

Ibemcha is another camp volunteer who is assisting women in one of the relief camps in Imphal to reach the special polling station. With a broad smile, she explains that their lives may be difficult today but they cannot afford to lose hope.

We face problems even under shelter of our own homes. When you lose even that, what is left to loose? she said. We have to fight for our rights. We have to assert ourselves through our vote.

Ibemcha says no one came to ask them for their votes and she isnt aware of the campaign agendas or the leaders of the political parties. I feel politicians did not approach us thinking we will start making demands. We dont live on borrowed money or comforts. We only want our rights back .

Manitombi, 63, is also left holding a voter slip today having lost her voter ID card to the fire that engulfed her house a year ago. But it is the spirit of the internally displaced people of Manipur that is holding the torch for unity and peace as the country goes to polls.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. The draft law "On creation of artificial land plots in the part of the Caspian Sea (lake) belonging to the Republic of Azerbaijan" was tabled for debate at today's meeting of Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis (Parliament), Trend reports.

The draft law specifies how artificial land parcels can be created in Azerbaijan's share of the Caspian Sea.



As the draft reads, an artificial land plot may be developed in the Azerbaijani portion of the Caspian Sea on a plot allotted from the water fund's holdings, either separately or adjacent to the coastal strip, island, or other artificial land plot.



According to the proposed law, an artificial land plot is one that is formed in the Azerbaijani portion of the Caspian Sea by delivering and filling in earth or dirt, among other techniques.



Following discussion, the text was put to a vote and approved in its first reading.

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A voter turnout of nearly 63 per cent was recorded in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections covering 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories amid sporadic incidents of violence at some places and an accidental explosion of a grenade launcher shell in Chhattisgarh that left a CRPF jawan dead.

The Election Commission said polling for the first and biggest phase of the seven-phase elections remained largely peaceful.

Voters braved the heat in most parts while at some places, they waited patiently in pouring rain as the world's largest poll exercise got underway at 7 am.

The National Democratic alliance (NDA) under Prime Minister Modi is seeking a stronger majority for a third consecutive term, while the constituents of the opposition INDIA bloc are hoping for a rebound after facing reverses in the 2014 and 2019 elections.

Tripura recorded the highest turnout of 80.17 per cent, followed by West Bengal at 77.57, Meghalaya 74.21 per cent, Puducherry 73.50 per cent, and Assam 72.10. Voters in six districts of eastern Nagaland stayed indoors following an indefinite shutdown call by an apex body of tribal organisations to press for its demand for a separate state.

Tamil Nadu, where the BJP is trying to make inroads, was among the seven states and three Union territories where polling was held for all the seats.

Assembly elections were also held simultaneously in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.

The tentative figure at 9 pm of voter turnout of 62.37 per cent is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained, the EC said, adding voters reaching polling stations till the end of polling hour are allowed to cast their vote.

Among the voters were first-timers, many newly-wed couples who came in their traditional attires, physically-challenged people and some elderly persons carried on stretchers and wheelchairs.

Minor EVM glitches were reported at some booths in Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Assam.

In West Bengal, polling was marred by violence in the Cooch Behar seat. TMC and BJP workers clashed with each other and lodged 80 and 39 complaints respectively related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assault on poll agents, sources from both parties said.

In strife-torn Manipur, an impressive turnout of 69.13 per cent was recorded. Wangkhem in Thoubal district had the highest turnout among the 32 assembly constituencies under Inner Manipur at 82.41 per cent. In Outer Manipur, Chandel, which has both Naga and Kuki voters, recorded the highest turnout at 85.54 per cent.

Incidents of shooting and intimidation were reported from several places in Inner Manipur seat, officials said.

Armed men fired several rounds in the air near a polling booth in Thamnapokpi under Moirang assembly constituency in Bishnupur district, prompting voters to flee, police said, adding additional security personnel were rushed to the spot to control the situation.

In Chhattisgarh, 63.41 per cent voters cast their votes in the Naxal-hit Bastar Lok Sabha constituency where the CRPF jawan after the grenade accidentally went off while an officer was injured in an IED blast in another incident.

For the first time in a Lok Sabha election, voters in 56 villages in Bastar cast their vote in a polling booth set up in their own village.

In Tamil Nadu, where polling is spread over 39 constituencies, a voting percentage of over 65.19 was recorded.

Voting was delayed by an hour in some polling booths in the state such as the one near Tambaram due to technical glitches in the electronic voting machines.

Arunachal Pradesh saw 67.15 per cent of the total 8,92,694 voters exercising their franchise.Though the turnout was moderate in the morning hours due to inclement weather, it gathered momentum with weather conditions improving.

In a few polling stations in the state, polling was delayed as the electronic voting machines (EVMs) developed technical snags which were later replaced, Chief Electoral Officer Pawan Kumar Sain said.

Supporters of two candidates clashed near a polling station in the Bameng constituency in East Kameng district, Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Chukhu Apa said, adding the situation was brought under control and polling is continuing.

Incidents of EVM damage were also reported from three polling stations in East Kameng, Kurung Kumey and Upper Subansiri districts, the police officer said.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands saw a voting percentage of 56.87 per cent.There were some minor EVM glitches but it was addressed immediately, officials said.

For the first time in the Union territory, seven members of the Shompen tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group of Great Nicobar Islands voted for the lone Lok Sabha seat.

Assam also reported EVM malfunctioning at three polling booths of Bihpuria in Lakhimpur, one each in Hojai, Kaliabor and Bokakhat, and one in Naharkatia of Dibrugarh, an official said.

"Most of the glitches were noticed during the mock poll, which started 90 minutes before the commencement of actual voting. Those glitches were rectified immediately. Voting started sometime late in those booths and now it is going smoothly," an official said.

A vehicle carrying an EVM partially sank into a river after water level rose suddenly, washing away a mechanised boat that was ferrying the SUV in Lakhimpur constituency. The driver and the polling officer of the vehicle managed to get out before water gushed into the vehicle.

Around 48.50 per cent of the 75 lakh voters in four Lok Sabha constituencies of Bihar exercised their franchise.

Braving incessant rains, 65.08 per cent of voters exercised their choice in the first six hours of polling in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur parliamentary constituency.

In Rajasthan, 56.58 per cent voting took place while Uttarakhand saw 54.06 per cent polling.

In Maharashtra, a voter turnout of 55.35 per cent was recorded while the six Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 64.77 per cent.

Uttar Pradesh witnessed 58.49 per cent voting, Mizoram 54.23, Nagaland 56.91 and Sikkim 69.47.

Over 16.63 crore people are eligible to vote in this phase. In the first phase, there are 35.67 lakh first time voters, besides 3.51 crore young voters in the age group of 20-29 years.

Counting of votes in the elections that will conclude on June one will be taken up on June 4.

Among the prominent candidates in the fray in the first phase are Union ministers Nitin Gadkari and Sarbananda Sonowal, Gaurav Gogoi of Congress and DMK's Kanimozhi.

Besides Tamil Nadu, polling is being held for all seats of Uttarakhand (5), Arunachal Pradesh (2), Meghalaya (2), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1), Mizoram (1), Nagaland (1), Puducherry (1), Sikkim (1) and Lakshadweep (1).

Voting was also held in 12 seats of Rajasthan, eight in Uttar Pradesh, six in Madhya Pradesh, five seats each in Assam and Maharashtra, four in Bihar, three in West Bengal, two in Manipur, and one seat each in Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh.

Simultaneously, assembly elections were held in Arunachal Pradesh (60 seats) and Sikkim (32 seats).

The Election Commission has deployed over 18 lakh polling personnel across 1.87 lakh polling stations.
Sporadic violence, threats, and intimidation marred the phase 1 Lok Sabha polls in Manipur on Friday. At least four Electronic Voting Machines were damaged at different polling booths in the conflict-hit state.

However, the state recorded over 65 per cent voter turnout during the phase 1 Lok Sabha polls. Since May last year, the state has been witnessing ethnic clashes resulting in the death of over 200 people.

There have been two incidents of gunfire close to polling stations in the Manipur valley. A bullet injury was reported after an armed person opened fire at a polling station in Khurai in Imphal East at noon.

According to officials, the polling station was vandalised and documents were set ablaze. Gunfires were also reported at Thamanpokpi in Bishnupur district.

"EVMs have been damaged at four places in Imphal East and West. At one of the polling booths, an EVM was set ablaze by unidentified miscreants," a source was quoted by PTI.

Manipur chief electoral officer (CEO) Pradeep Kumar Jha confirmed that an EVM was damaged in Thongju in Imphal East. There has also been vandalism in at least one more polling station, in Uripok in Imphal West as well.

The CEO also stated that they have received complaints from some polling stations in Imphal West of people intimidating voters and agents and attempting to capture booths.

The Kuki-Zomi organisations in Kangpokpi district, under the Outer Manipur constituency, urged voters to abstain from voting. The constituency recorded a low voter turnout.

More than 24,000 displaced people living in the relief camps were identified by the Election Commission as eligible to vote and 94 special polling stations were set up for them.

During phase 1, voting was held for two constituenciesInner and Outer Manipur. Polling is scheduled in some areas of the Outer Manipur constituency in phase 2 on April 26.
Although the first phase of polling for the Lok Sabha election has been majorly incident-free till noon, workers of the Trinamool Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party clashed in West Bengal, and a CRPF officer suffered injury in an IED blast in Bastar, Chattisgarh.



A Central Reserve Police Force officer suffered injuries in an IED blast by Naxalites in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district during polling in Bastar constituency, PTI reported. Also, a CRPF jawan deployed on poll duty in a polling booth near Galgam village in Bastar constituency suffered injuries when a shell of Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) accidentally exploded.

Sporadic incidents of violence marred the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in the three parliamentary constituencies in Bengal- Cooch Behar, Alipurduars and Jalpaiguri.

TMC and the BJP workers clashed with each other in various parts of violence-prone Cooch Behar seat. Both the TMC and the BJP have lodged 80 and 39 complaints respectively, related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents in the first few hours of polling, sources from both parties said. Most of the complaints were from Cooch Behar and Alipurduars constituencies.

"We have received a few complaints, but we have no reports of violence so far," a senior officer at the CEO's office said. All three seats are reserved, with Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri for SCs and Alipurduars for STs. A total of 37 candidates, including Union Minister and BJP leader Nisith Pramanik (Cooch Behar), are in the fray in the three constituencies.

The TMC alleged that BJP workers had thrashed polling agents in Sitalkuchi area of the Cooch Behar constituency and voters were stopped from entering a few booths. The saffron camp denied the allegations and accused the TMC of intimidating voters.

Sitalkuchi, one of the most violence-prone areas of the state, witnessed widespread violence during the last assembly polls, leading to the death of four people in firing by central forces. Television footage showed that in Mathabhanga area of the district, TMC and BJP workers clashed, resulting in injuries on both sides. Workers from both parties confronted each other following allegations of voter intimidation.

In another area of Mathabhanga, TMC workers staged a protest following allegations that central forces were assisting BJP workers in rigging votes at some booths in the area. The TMC block president from Bethguri, Anant Barman, was hospitalised after allegedly being beaten up by BJP members. "The BJP, along with central forces, has unleashed a reign of terror to rig the elections. Our workers are being harassed and beaten," North Bengal Development Minister Udayan Guha said.

The BJP said that in the Cooch Behar South area, party members were kidnapped by TMC members, and polling agents were prevented from entering booths. In Mathabhanga area, five BJP workers were injured and hospitalised after being attacked by TMC members, a district BJP leader said.

In the Alipurduras constituency, the TMC alleged that CRPF personnel and BJP leaders were threatening and harassing voters, forcing them to vote for the saffron camp. The BJP denied the allegations.

Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, an elderly voter who was waiting in queue at a polling booth to cast his vote died. The deceased was identified as N.Palaniswami (65), a resident of Suramangalam, Salem. He was waiting for his turn at a polling booth in Sooramangalam, under Salem constituency when he collapsed, police said. Though he was rushed to a medical facility nearby, doctors pronounced his death, police said.

-with inputs from agencies.
As the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections kicked off in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out against INDIA bloc allies Congress and CPI (M), saying they are "BJP agents" in the country. Elections were held in three constituencies--Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri on Friday.

"Some say, we are INDIA, vote for us. India is not here, it belongs to Delhi. Congress and CPI (M) are not INDIA here. They are BJP. One vote for them means two votes for BJP. Dont even cast a vote [for them], Banerjee was quoted by The Indian Express.

"We will lead the Opposition alliance INDIA in the coming days. But in Bengal, CPI(M) and Congress are agents of the BJP. So I will not support them here, she said while speaking at a rally in Murshidabad.

The TMC is also part of the INDIA bloc, however, Mamata chose to fight the elections alone in West Bengal without any alliance.

Congress state president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and CPI(M) state secretary Md Salim are contesting from Berhampore and Murshidabad Lok Sabha constituencies respectively.

Also, Banerjee urged migrant workers present in their home state of West Bengal for Eid celebrations to vote in the ongoing elections before returning to work.

She said that the BJP-led government would take away their Aadhar card and citizenship if they returned to power at the Centre, reported ANI.

I would like to request all the migrant workers who have come here to celebrate Eid please don't go back without voting because if you don't vote in the coming days, they will take away your Aadhar card and your citizenship, ANI quoted Banerjee as saying.

While speaking at the rally, she opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and expressed concerns over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

Meanwhile, the voter turnout in West Bengal was 66.34 per cent till 3 pm. The polling was marred by sporadic violence on the Cooch Behar seat. TMC and BJP workers clashed with each other and lodged 80 and 39 complaints respectively related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assault on poll agents.

Around 50 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 3 pm in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections covering 102 seats across 21 states and Union territories.

The Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal will be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1.
The murder of a 23-year-old student in Hubballi's BVB College on Thursday rocked Karnataka. The victim was identified as Neha, the daughter of a Congress Corporator, who was stabbed inside her college campus by a former classmate.



The accused had fled the scene after stabbing Neha multiple times before being caught by the police. Here are five things to know about the unfortunate incident that shocked Karnataka:

1. The accused was identified as Fayaz, a resident of Belagavi district. According to news reports, the 23-year-old was stalking Neha for several days after she rejected his proposal. The two were classmates before Neha joined the Masters of Computer Applications (MCA) course at BVB College.

2. The brutal crime was caught on a college CCTV camera. It showed a scared Neha being brought to the ground by the accused as she tried to flee. She was stabbed multiple times by the man before running away. A few people watched the assault from a distance in shock, the video showed.

3. The attack happened around 4:45 PM on Thursday. She was stabbed six or seven times by Fayaz. Neha was rushed to a hospital by college authorities and other students. Unfortunately, the first-year PG student was declared dead on arrival by the doctors, reports said.

4. Vidyanagar police played a crucial role in nabbing Fayaz. Neha's father Niranjan Hiremath, a Congress Corporator, told media that the accused and his daughter were classmates. The family was aware of Fayaz wanting a romantic relationship with Neha. According to Niranjan, Neha was not interested in an inter-religious relationship and rejected the proposal. As Fayaz was known to the family, they also tried to convince him to leave Neha alone, he told media.

5. Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara reportedly said that Neha and Fayaz were in a relationship. Cracks developed in the relationship recently which led to the murder. The minister said the reasons that led to Neha stepping away from the relationship remain unknown at the moment.
French Police on Friday arrested a man who had threatened to blow himself up at Iran's consulate in Paris. Reportedly, the suspect was carrying a grenade and explosives vest. Police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris amid tensions.

Police officials are trying to verify the identity of the arrested man. As of now, the motive behind the act is unclear.

According to police officials, a man was seen at about 11 am entering the consulate. Police had launched a special operation as soon as they received the alert.

The officials are yet to confirm if the man had entered the consulate with explosives.

The US embassy in Paris advised its citizens to avoid the consulate area and follow the instructions from local authorities.

Paris transport company RATP said on X that the traffic had been suspended on two metro lines that transit through stops close to the consulate.

The incident comes in the wake of heightened tensions in the Middle East.

According to police officials, the same arrested man is suspected of being behind the attempted arson near the Iranian consulate in an incident in September last year.

Witnesses said that the man dragged flags on the floor of the consulate and said he wanted to avenge the death of his brother, reported Le Parisien newspaper.

Earlier in the day, explosions echoed over the Iranian city of Isfahan suspected to be Israeli counter-strike against Tehran's attack. However, Iran downplayed the incident and said it had no plans of retaliation.
With an apparent Israeli drone attack on a major air base near the city of Isfahan in Iran, regional tensions further escalated in the Middle East. However, Iranian officials downplayed the incident and have not confirmed the Israeli 'counter strike'.

Since the Saturday retaliatory air strike on Israel by Tehran after alleged Israeli missiles hit its consulate in Syria, killing several people including the top general, tensions have been high.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said "We were not involved in any offensive operations." Earlier, some US officials have confirmed the counter-strike attack.

While Iranian army commander Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi said the explosion this morning in the sky of Isfahan was related to the shooting of air defence systems at a suspicious object that did not cause any damage.

Iran has already said that they are not planning to retaliate.

Meanwhile, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia "made it very clear" to Israel that Iran "does not want escalation" as part of these discussions.

Jordan, which shares a border with Israel has also warned against the "danger of regional escalation" and called for an end to Israeli-Iranian retaliations.

"We condemn all actions that threaten dragging the region into war," Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi says in a statement.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged both sides to cease retaliating after Israel carried out a military strike on Iran, a spokesperson said in a statement on Friday.

"The Secretary-General reiterates that it is high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East," the statement read.

"The Secretary-General condemns any act of retaliation and appeals to the international community to work together to prevent any further development that could lead to devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond," it added.

Blinken said the G7 countries including the US were "committed to de-escalating" tensions between Israel and Iran.

"Were committed to Israels security. Were also committed to de-escalating -- to trying to bring this tension to a close," Blinken said during a news conference after the group's meeting in Capri, Italy, after the news of Israel launching a military strike on Iran.

He also said the countries shared "a commitment to hold Iran to account."
Hours after unconfirmed reports claimed that Israeli military launched missiles against Iran, Tehran has responded, saying no missile attack was carried out against the country. An Iranian official told Reuters on Friday that the explosions heard in Isfahan were a result of the activation of Iran's air defence systems.

Nuclear sites in Isfahan remain unharmed, Iran's state TV said.

Following the missile attack rumours, warning sirens were sounded in northern Israel on Friday. However, the Israeli military later clarified that the sirens were a false alarm.

ABC News, citing US officials, earlier calimed that Israeli military launched airstrikes against Iran on Friday

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that commercial flights were diverted early Friday morning over western Iran without explanation amid reports of explosions heard over the city of Qahjavaristan, near Isfahan airport. Isfahan is home to Iran's 8th Shekhari Base of the Army Air Force and sites associated with its nuclear programme.

The semi-official Fars news agency, citing sources, said the air defence systems in Isfahan were activated against "an object suspected to be a drone" and acknowledged three loud explosions near Isfahan airport.

UAE carriers Emirates and FlyDubai diverted around western Iran about 4.30 am local time without explanation. Local warnings to aviators indicated that the airspace may have been closed. Later, Iran announced that it has grounded commercial flights in Tehran and the country's western and central regions.

-- with agency inputs
It took just a few minutes to tell the world about everything that was wrong with war journalism while underlining the weary cliche of truth being the first casualty in wars. It also brought in the hard realisation of the fact that rumours could spark off a nuclear war.

In what would have been a serious escalation of the ongoing Israel-Iran clash, a news story from a US news outlet quoting official sources went around the world in mere minutes on Friday morning. The news was that Israeli missiles and drones had hit the Iranian heartland in the city of Isfahan on Thursday night. Three explosions were also heard at the Shekari military base near Isfahan.

The breakneck speed at which the global media picked it up amid visuals being splashed across social media platforms was astounding, and it was a while before a Iranian government message came in that there was no Israeli attack and that the reported explosions were caused by activation of air defence units.

Besides being a military stronghold, Isfahan is a known centre where uranium is converted for nuclear purposes.

Expectedly, even the Iranian local media, quoting sources reported that the nuclear facilities in Isfahan were completely secure even as they claimed to have shot down several drones.

As recently as February 14, Isfahan was being readied by Tehran to produce uranium.

During its last round of inspection, intergovernmental nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had verified that no nuclear material had been introduced into the production area of the UCF (Uranium Conversion Facility) at Isfahan.

Citing concerns that Israel may target Irans nuke facilities, the IAEA had already evacuated its inspectors from the nuclear facilities on April 16.

Friday mornings rumours follow a chain of events that began on April 1 when an airstrike by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) on an Iranian consular building in Damascus killed senior leaders of Irans powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC), including top official Major General Mohammad Reza Zahedi.

Iran hit back at Israel on April 13 with a barrage of 120 ballistic missiles, 30 cruise missiles, and about 170 drones but most of which were intercepted.

What added grist to the rumour mills on Friday morning was recent brinkmanship rhetoric used by the warring sides.



On Thursday morning, Brigadier General Ahmad Haghtalab, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Nuclear Security and Protection Corps, had threatened to change his countrys nuclear doctrine and policies if Israel attacked Iran and its nuclear facilities. What is more, General Haghtalabs statement was widely endorsed by leading members of the Iranian establishment.

On Monday, Abolfazl Amoui, spokesperson, Irans National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, had said: We will confront any Israeli aggression and respond to it. We are ready to use weapons that we have not used before.

Israels war cabinet has met several times amid vehement vows of a response to Irans April 13 attack.

As if on cue, on Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had prophetic words: The Middle East is on a precipice...Recent days have seen a perilous escalation  in words and deeds...One miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake, could lead to the unthinkable  a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved  and for the rest of the world.
Sonipat, 19 April, 2024: The Protection of fundamental rights and the spirit of liberty are central to our democracy. In this context the play of the counter majoritarian doctrine inherent in judicial review and at times the abandonment thereof, is what makes the study of the constitutional implications of The Emergency in India, an issue which continues to be relevant today, said Mr. Parag Tripathi, Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India at the Dr. Granville Austin Memorial Lecture on the theme Revisiting the experiences of emergency: The counter majoritarian conundrum, and the spirit of liberty. The understanding of the scope and ambit of fundamental rights, should begin by an examination of what are the fundamental wrongs which are sought to be so addressed. In the play of this doctrine of counter majoritarianism, the Justices are not unmindful of the median of the politically relevant public opinion. This is accentuated in a scenario of a strong one-party government led by a powerful national leader. The working out of this aspect of judicial review by our constitutional courts needs to be understood in its interplay with the spirit of liberty and the rights of minority groups, said Mr. Parag Tripathi, a noted Jurist and Senior Advocate Supreme Court of India.



Mr. Tripathi mentioned the Civil Rights cases of Black Americans in the aftermath of the American Civil War where the rights granted by the American Constitution needed to be further protected by Federal Legislation due to the contrarian approach of many southern states in America. This federal law  The Civil Rights Act, 1875, was struck down by the US Supreme Court-thereby working out the counter majoritarian function in a somewhat retrograde manner.



In any democracy including India when a law is enacted, it is generally understood as stating the will of the majority. When a law on being challenged before a constitutional court is struck down, it is an exercise of judicial review against perceived will of the Majority and so counter Majoritarian in substance. It is important to note that mere laws will not ensure the spirit of liberty. As our nation experienced during the Emergency, and thereafter, when the people of India threw out the government which they thought was guilty of a constitutional overreach during The Emergency. In fact, there was a swell of support when the Emergency was first imposed! But the manner in which it went on, it elicited this reaction from the people, based on the spirit of liberty which lay in the hearts and souls of Indians. This spirit of liberty is the spirit which is not too sure that it is right, and seeks to understand the minds of other men and women. It is accommodating in nature.



Prof. (Dr.) C. Rajkumar, the Founding Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University noted in his welcome address that Dr. Granville Austin was an American historian of the Indian Constitution. Austin received most of his early education at Norwich, Vermont, USA. He graduated from Dartmouth College with a BA in American Literature. He then earned a doctorate in Modern Indian History from Oxford University. He has held fellowships or grants from St. Antony's College, Oxford, the Ford Foundation, the Fulbright Program, the American Institute of Indian Studies, the Rockefeller Foundation, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, and the Institute of Current World Affairs.



Professor R. Sudarshan Dean, Jindal School of Government and Public Policy gave his reflections on the contributions of Dr. Granville Austin and said, Dr. Austin had the enterprising idea to write to the Prime Minister of India to ask for access to the papers of the Constituent Assembly. Granville was given access to the paper which now constitute the National Archives, and he was able to write a thesis in 1966 in a very elegant and accessible manner. His account of the framing of Indias constitution, as it was simply written, began to get quoted in key references. Later, he wrote a book on the Workings of the Indian Constitution. Dr Sudarshans reflections were further peppered with his recollections and association with Dr. Granville Austin at the Ford Foundation and how he went to great lengths to study the subject by meeting every person associated with the project, in this case the Indian Constitution.



Later Mr. Tripathi said that the later scholarly works have now demonstrated that judges seldom deviate from the median of public opinion particularly from politically relevant public opinion. The impact of the counter majoritarian doctrine may therefore be a little overstated. Mr. Tripathi then gave example of how this doctrine played itself out in the United State of America in the abortion cases. Likewise in India, he gave the example of reading down of the provision of the Indian Penal Code that criminalized homosexuality. Mr. Tripathi ended by quoting a couplet of Mirza Ghalib to buttress his view that Justices of the Constitutional Courts while playing out the counter majoritarian principle, appeal to the brooding spirit of liberty and the intelligence of a future day.



In 2011, in recognition for his writing on the framing and working of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Granville Austin was awarded a Padma Shri award, the fourth highest civilian honour of the Republic of India. National Translation Mission of the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the Government of India has selected The Indian Constitution: Cornerstone of a Nation for translation into Indian languages. The book has already been published in Telugu, Marathi, Punjabi, Odia, Hindi and Malayalam languages.



The concluding remarks were made by Prof. Dabiru Sridhar Patnaik, Registrar, O.P. Jindal Global University who thanked the eminent advocate Dr Parag Tripathi for his incisive lecture.



(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

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held a phone talk with the Prime Minister of Palestine and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of Palestine Mohammed Mustafa on April 19, 2024, the Azerbaijani ministry told Trend.

During the phone talk, the sides discussed bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Palestine, as well as the situation in Gaza.

"Jeyhun Bayramov congratulated Muhammed Mustafa on his appointment to the post of prime minister. Muhammed Mustafa, in turn, warmly congratulated Azerbaijan on chairing the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Satisfaction was expressed regarding the presence of a bilateral and multilateral cooperation agenda between the two countries encompassing political, economic, cultural, humanitarian, and other areas, along with mutual support within regional and international organizations.



It was underlined that Azerbaijan consistently backs the "two-state solution" for the Palestinian issue in line with international law norms, including pertinent UN Security Council resolutions, and has taken concrete steps in this direction at the national level, including during its chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, aimed at addressing the conflict's aftermath.



The support rendered by Azerbaijan, including a $2 million donation, to Palestine through the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), as well as the provision of training programs for Palestinian students and diplomats, was acknowledged with satisfaction.



The phone conversation also involved discussions on other bilateral and regional matters of mutual interest between the parties," the ministry said.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Mumbai, Apr 19 (PTI) The 17th edition of advertising industry's annual 'Goafest' will be held in the financial capital because of Lok Sabha elections, the organisers said on Friday.

The annual gathering of the advertising industry executives and other stakeholders will return to its home in Goa from next year, a statement said.

It has been a "conscious and collective decision" of the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC) to host Goafest 2024 in Mumbai from May 29-31, keeping in mind the Lok Sabha elections.

AAAI president and Groupm's chief executive for South Asia Prasanth Kumar said logistical challenges led to the decision.

The ABBY awards which recognise the best work by the industry will also be held alongside the event, the statement said.

The organisers also assured that their intent is to "replicate" the Goafest experience in Mumbai.

Voting for the two seats in Goa will take place on May 7, while the financial capital will vote on May 20.
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 19: PlumbexIndia 2024, the largest exhibition of water, sanitation, and plumbing products and services in the country, organized by Indian Plumbing Association, is scheduled to take place at the prestigious Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. The three-day event promises to be a game-changer for professionals in the plumbing and water industry, offering a comprehensive platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and business opportunities.



PlumbexIndia 2024 exhibition will be inaugurated by Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Chairman of NAREDCO. Noteworthy attendees include G. Hari Babu, President of NAREDCO, Sarosh Wadia, National President of IIID, and Ar. Vilas Avachat, President of IIA.



With over 30 years of relentless dedication to redefining plumbing standards, IPA has emerged as a leading force in the building industry. With more than 7,000 members spread across 28 chapters nationwide, IPA represents various segments of the industry, including consultancy, manufacturing, contracting, trading, academia, and architecture. The association's headquarters in New Delhi and its numerous chapters across India serve as hubs for driving innovation, promoting best practices, and fostering collaboration among industry stakeholders.



IPA's commitment to excellence is reflected in its strategic collaborations with government departments, industry associations, and global organizations. Notable partnerships include agreements with the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for initiatives such as water conservation and infrastructure development. Moreover, IPA's affiliations with leading industry bodies like NAREDCO, IIID, IIA, and ISHRAE further strengthen its position as a key influencer in the building and plumbing sector.



PlumbexIndia, organized by IPA, is a flagship event that brings together stakeholders from across the plumbing and water industry. The exhibition serves as a showcase for the latest innovations, technologies, and products in water management, sanitation, and plumbing solutions. With the support of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and AICTE, PlumbexIndia 2024 aims to facilitate meaningful interactions and collaborations among industry players, policymakers, and academia.



This year's event will feature over 200 exhibitors showcasing a wide range of products, including pipes and fittings, drainage solutions, pumps, metering devices, building automation systems, and more. With an expected attendance of over 15,000 trade visitors, PlumbexIndia 2024 offers unparalleled opportunities for networking, business development, and knowledge exchange. A major highlight of the exhibition is foreign buyers from Africa in collaboration with the Indo-African Chamber of Commerce and industry.



In addition to the exhibition, PlumbexIndia 2024 will feature two symposiums focusing on critical issues in water security and engineering education. The first symposium, titled "Building Resilience: Enhancing Water Security through Comprehensive Water Audits," will address the importance of comprehensive water audits in fortifying water security and promoting sustainability in infrastructure.



The second symposium, "Making Engineering Education Holistic: Integrating Plumbing Curriculum to Foster Sustainable Infrastructure," will highlight the significance of integrating plumbing curriculum into engineering education to promote sustainable infrastructure development.



IPA will be releasing two major breakthrough publications during PlumbexIndia, Water Audit Council (WAC) Manual, which will be a guide for all built environments to conduct water audits and Release of reference Course Material for universities and technical institutions based on IPAs Plumbing Curriculum notified by AICTE for Civil Engineering and open elective course categories.



Beyond its role as a platform for industry advancement, IPA remains committed to promoting environmental sustainability and public health. Through its various initiatives, the association advocates for better plumbing practices that contribute to healthier living environments and the conservation of natural resources.



As PlumbexIndia 2024 prepares to kick off at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, it promises to be a landmark event that not only showcases the latest innovations in water and plumbing technology but also fosters meaningful dialogue and collaboration towards a sustainable future.



For more information about PlumbexIndia 2024 and to register for the event, visit https://indianplumbing.org/



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

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Bengaluru, Apr 19 (PTI) IT service company Wipro on Friday reported a 7.8 per cent year-on-year decline in its consolidated net profit for the March quarter to about Rs 2834.6 crore, and cautioned that the macroeconomic environment remains "uncertain".

The Bengaluru-headquartered company, which recently saw a change of guard with Srinivas Pallia taking over at the helm as the new Chief Executive Officer, has given IT Services revenue growth guidance in the (-)1.5 per cent to +0.5 per cent band for June quarter on a constant currency basis.

While the numbers were in line with the analysts' estimates, the guidance of the company was below industry expectations.

Wipro also recorded one of the highest declines of 24,516 in the headcount on a year-on-year basis to 2,34,054 during the just-ended fiscal year which it attributed to weak demand environment and push for operational efficiency in the company.

Pallia asserted that the immediate priority for the company is to "accelerate growth" as he spelt out clear focus areas for the IT services firm, which has been lagging peers on performance and operational metrics quarter-after-quarter.

For the Q4FY24, Wipro's revenue from operations slipped 4.2 per cent year-on-year to Rs 22,208.3 crore.

"We expect revenue from our IT Services business segment to be in the range of USD 2,617 million to USD 2,670 million. This translates to sequential guidance of (-)1.5 per cent to +0.5 per cent in constant currency terms," the company said in its forecast for Q1FY25.

For the full year FY24, the revenue from operations came in at Rs 89,760.3 crore, almost 0.8 per cent lower than the previous fiscal. The net profit fell to Rs 11045.2 crore, down 2.6 per cent over the previous fiscal.

The Board approved the re-appointment of Rishad A. Premji as Executive Chairman for a period of five years with effect from July 31, 2024 to July 30, 2029.

It also green signalled re-appointment of Azim H. Premji as Non-Executive, Non Independent Director for a period of 5 years with effect from July 31, 2024 to July 30, 2029, according to a statutory filing.

In the earnings briefing, Pallia acknowledged that FY24 proved to be a challenging year for the industry and added "the macroeconomic environment remains uncertain".

The newly-appointed CEO cautioned that "there may be more challenges in the short term".

"Last year posed big challenges for the whole industry, it has affected Wipro's performance too. The economic environment is still uncertain, and there might be more challenges in the short term. However, he said, the opportunities are limitless," he said during his first earnings conference at the helm of Wipro, after he took over the baton from Delaporte at the USD 11 billion IT services firm.

Pallia said he is optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead.

"We are on the brink of a major technological shift. Artificial intelligence is transforming our clients' needs as they seek to harness its power for competitive advantage and enhanced business value. Every solution that we are going to take to the market, every customer conversation will be AI infused. These solutions will be a lot more industry specific. 2024 was a tough environment for everyone and uncertainty still remains as we speak," he said.

The company saw about a 4 per cent decline in revenue in America 2 business comprising Banking, Financial Services and Insurance, Manufacturing, Hi-tech, Energy and Utilities industry sectors in the US. Wipro's revenue in Europe fell by 9.2 per cent.

"In Europe we are seeing some order bookings that are happening. We are seeing some green shoots. pipelines and deals are also there in Europe and converting those we should get the growth back," Pallia said.

Wipro's total order bookings was at USD 3.6 billion during the reported quarter. The large deal bookings increased by 9.5 per cent YoY to USD 1.2 billion. For the year ended March 31, 2024, the total bookings declined by 5.5 per cent on YoY basis to USD 14.9 billion.

Aparna Iyer, Chief Financial Officer, said "Despite a challenging macro-environment our IT services margin expanded by 50 basis points for the full year FY24. We generated highest operating cash flow in recent years which is at 183 per cent of our net- income in Q4 and 159 per cent on a full year basis.

Wipro's headcount fell to 2,34,054 as on March 2024, 9.1 per cent lower than the year-ago period.

"Immediate headcount reduction that has happened is primary driven by market and demand environment as well as operational efficiency which we have driven which is reflective in our margin," Saurabh Govil, Chief Human resources officer at Wipro said.

He said that the company will hire freshers this year but will first honour the offer that it made during campus hiring at the time of the pandemic.

Pallia outlined focus areas for the company that include accelerating large deal momentum, and strengthening relationships with large clients and partners, amongst others.

On Thursday Infosys - India's second-largest IT services company disappointed with its forecast of a 1-3 per cent annual revenue growth for FY25, raising concerns that the global macroeconomic uncertainty continues to weigh on client decisions and discretionary spends.

Infosys' weak, somewhat realistic, guidance dragged down its US-listed shares, as analysts wondered if the global cues could push recovery to the second half of the fiscal, for the USD 254 billion Indian IT industry.

Sanjeev Hota, Head of Research, Sharekhan by BNP Paribas said while the revenue was in line with its estimates, the revenue growth guidance of -1.5-0.5 per cent for Q1FY25 was lower than expectations and "reflects continuing pressure in the near term".

"Headcount continued to decline for the sixth consecutive quarter...The quarterly numbers are a mixed bag, however, weaker-than-expected guidance continues to disappoint. Further the recent sudden change of CEO brings about an additional element of uncertainty in the near term before potential turnaround in the medium to longer term," Hota said.
Washington, Apr 19 (PTI) The US has urged Pakistan to prioritise and expand economic reforms so it can address the economic challenges confronting the cash-strapped country during meetings with Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, a senior state department official has said.

US State Departments Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said this was communicated to Aurangzeb during his meeting with Assistant Secretary Donald Lu and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst.

During the meetings from our end, we encouraged Pakistan to prioritise and expand economic reforms, to address its own economic challenges, said Patel in a press briefing on Thursday.

Aurangzeb is currently in the American capital to hold negotiations with the IMF for a new bailout package and attend World Bank meetings.

US diplomat Lu has been at the centre of the cipher controversy in which former prime minister Imran Khan was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment along with ex-foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Just two weeks before the ouster of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in April 2022 through a vote of no-confidence, Khan had brandished a piece of paperallegedly a copy of a diplomatic cipherat a public rally in Islamabad, claiming it as proof of a conspiracy against his government by a foreign power.

Patel said Pakistans minister of finance is in the US for a series of meetings not only within the US government interagency but is also engaging with non-governmental organisations.

The State Department official also said that Pakistan continues to be an important partner for the US.

Particularly, its a country we have an immense security cooperation with, and we of course are looking to continue to collaborate and work with the Government of Pakistan, he added.

In his meeting with Lu and Horst, Aurangzeb explored broadening the tax base, energy sector streamlining, and privatisation during a huddle at the World Bank headquarters, Geo News reported.

The two sides focused on upgrading economic partnerships, with emphasis on alternate energy, agriculture, climate resilience and tech industry.

The minister identified American investment opportunities in information technology, renewables, agriculture and minerals extraction, the report said.
Peshawar, Apr 19 (PTI) With the death of two more persons, the toll in Thursdays ambush on a government vehicle in Pakistans restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province rose to seven, police said on Friday.

The deceased include five officials and two passer-byes, including a four-year-old girl and a man.

The officials from Customs Intelligence were on routine duty on Quetta Road in Dera Ismail Khan district in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province when unknown gunmen opened fire at their vehicle, police said.

On Thursday, police said five people, including a girl child, were killed in the attack.

The killers fled from the scene before police from Draban Police Station rushed to the area.

Chief Minister of the province Ali Amin Gandapur strongly condemned the attack and directed the police to arrest the attackers.

On Wednesday, Pakistani security forces killed seven terrorists trying to infiltrate the country's border with Afghanistan in the same province.

There has been an uptick in terror incidents across Pakistan, especially in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over the last two years since the Taliban-led dispensation took over the control of Afghanistan.

Pakistan has consistently asked the Taliban-led interim Afghan government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for perpetrating acts of terrorism against Pakistan.
Dubai, Apr 19 (AP) Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones early Friday morning, raising fears of a possible Israeli strike in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.

It remained unclear if the country came under attack, as no Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility and Israel's military did not respond to a request for comment. However, tensions have been high since the Saturday assault on Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and its own strikes targeting Iran in Syria.

US officials declined to comment as of early Friday, but American broadcast networks quoting unnamed US officials said Israel carried out the attack. The New York Times quoted anonymous Israeli officials claiming the assault.

Air defence batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported.

In particular, IRNA said air defences fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Tasnim later published a video from one of its reporters, who said he was in the southeastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its nuclear energy mountain. The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Iran's Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

At 4:45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on, he said. It was the air defence, these guys that you're watching, and over there too.

The facility at Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Iran's civilian nuclear program.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

State television described all atomic sites in the area as fully safe." Gen. Siavosh Mihandoost, a local army commander, also told state TV the incident caused no damage around Isfahan.

Iran's nuclear program has rapidly advanced to producing enriched uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels since the collapse of its atomic deal with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018.

While Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, Western nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency say Tehran operated a secret military weapons program until 2003. The IAEA has warned that Iran now holds enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear weapons if it chose to do so  though the US intelligence community maintains Tehran is not actively seeking the bomb.

Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

Iran then grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Loudspeakers informed customers of the incident at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, online videos purported to show. Iran later restored normal flight service, authorities said.

Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Iran's civilian space program, said on the X social media platform that several small quadcopter drones had been shot down. A state television reporter in Isfahan said the same in a live report, saying several small drones were flying in the sky over Isfahan, which were fired at.

Meanwhile in Iraq, where a number of Iranian-backed militias are based, residents of Baghdad reported hearing sounds of explosions, but the source of the noise was not immediately clear.

The incident Friday in Iran also sparked concerns about the conflict again escalating across the seas of the Middle East, which have been seeing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen on shipping over the war in Gaza.

The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre warned ships in the region that they could see increased drone activity in the skies.

There are currently no indications commercial vessels are the intended target, it wrote.

The Houthis have launched at least 53 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the US Maritime Administration.

Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a US-led airstrike campaign in Yemen and as shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined over the threat. (AP) GSP
Karachi, Apr 19 (PTI) Five Japanese nationals had a lucky escape when their vehicle was targeted by militants in a suicide attack here in Pakistan's Sindh province on Friday, police said, in the latest attack on foreign nationals in the country.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East Azfar Mahesar said the terrorists on a motorbike attempted to hit the van of the Japanese nationals, reportedly working with Pakistan Suzuki Motors, near Murtaza Chorangi in Landhi.

All five Japanese remained safe. However, the private security guard with them was injured, he said.

The Japanese nationals were on the way to the Export Processing Zone from their residence in Zamzama, Clifton, he said.

Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) DIG Asif Aijaz Shaikh said the Japanese nationals were travelling in a van along with two security guards when the terrorists tried to hit the van.

The security guards killed one terrorist while another blew himself up in an attempt to get close to the van, the official said.

All five Japanese nationals are safe, DIG Shaikh said.

No one has claimed responsibility so far, the DIG said, adding that the vehicle carrying the Japanese nationals was bullet-proof.

Jinnah Hospital officials said three injured, two security guards and a passerby, were brought to the medical facility out of which two were in critical condition.

The hospital confirmed no foreigner was brought for treatment.

The Japanese nationals worked at Pakistan Suzuki Motors, the official said.

Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and the capital of southern Sindh province.

Sindh Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon strongly condemned the attack.

The timely action of the police has foiled the ambitions of the terrorists, Memon said.

The nefarious actions of the terrorists will not be allowed to succeed, he added.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori condemned the suicide attack and demanded a report on the incident.

"Terrorism will not be tolerated in the city under any circumstances," the governor said.

He asked the law enforcement officials to trace the motives behind the incident and apprehend the masterminds.

Small separatist groups and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan have in recent years stepped up attacks on Chinese nationals working on projects related to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which includes a multitude of megaprojects such as road construction, power plants and agriculture.

Last month, five Chinese and their Pakistani driver were killed when a suicide bomber in northwest Pakistan rammed his explosive-laden car into a vehicle when they were heading to the Dasu Dam, the biggest hydropower project in Pakistan, where they worked.

However, the Japanese working in Pakistan have not been the target of any such attacks.

Between March 16 and March 26, insurgents in the restive Balochistan province claimed to have carried out three terror attacks, mostly targeting Chinese nationals and interests.

The Baloch Liberation Army, an outlawed outfit in Balochistan, claimed the attack on Gwadar port, an integral part of the CPEC project, built with Chinese help.
London, Apr 19 (PTI) Two students from India who were studying at a university in the UK have been killed in a tragic drowning incident at a scenic waterfall in Scotland.

Police Scotland are yet to name the men from Andhra Pradesh in their 20s and a post-mortem is due to take place on Friday.

The incident took place at the Linn of Tummel near Blair of Atholl in Perthshire on Wednesday night when two men from a group of friends on an outing fell into the water and got into difficulty.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sent boat teams and vessels to assist with the rescue efforts after their friends raised the alarm with the emergency services.

Around 7 pm on Wednesday, April 17, we received a report of two men, aged 22 and 26 years, in the water at the Linn of Tummel waterfall near Blair Atholl, said a Police Scotland spokesperson.

Emergency services attended and following searches in the area, the bodies of two men were recovered from the water. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances however there would not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding these deaths, the spokesperson said.

The police said a report of the incident will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal, Scotland's prosecution service and death investigation body.

The Indian High Commission in London said the two students from Andhra Pradesh had "drowned in an unfortunate incident" and their bodies were found a little downstream.

The Consulate General of India in Edinburgh has been in contact with their families and a consular official has also met a UK-based relative of one of the students.

The University of Dundee has assured of all help. The post-mortem is expected to take place on April 19 and thereafter the procedures for repatriating bodies to India will be done, said a High Commission statement.

A University of Dundee spokesperson said: This has been a tragic accident which has shocked us all, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the students. We have been providing support to those families and friends at this extremely difficult time.
Dubai, Apr 19 (AP) Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, which were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.

No Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility that Israel attacked, and the Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment. However, tensions have been high since the Saturday assault on Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and its own strikes targeting Iran in Syria.

US officials declined to comment as of early Friday, but American broadcast networks quoting unnamed US officials said Israel carried out the attack. The New York Times quoted anonymous Israeli officials claiming the assault, which came on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 85th birthday. Israeli politicians also made comments hinting that the country had launched an attack.

Air defence batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported. Iranian army commander Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi said crews targeted several flying objects.

The explosion this morning in the sky of Isfahan was related to the shooting of air defence systems at a suspicious object that did not cause any damage, Mousavi said. Others suggested the drones may be so-called quadcopters  four rotor, small drones that are commercially available.

Authorities said air defences fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Tasnim also published a video from one of its reporters, who said he was in the southeastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its nuclear energy mountain. The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Iran's Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

At 4:45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on, he said. It was the air defence, these guys that you're watching, and over there too.

The facility at Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Iran's civilian nuclear program.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

State television described all atomic sites in the area as fully safe." The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, also said there is no damage to Iran's nuclear sites after the incident.

The IAEA continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts, the agency said.

Iran's nuclear program has rapidly advanced to producing enriched uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels since the collapse of its atomic deal with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018.

While Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, Western nations and the IAEA say Tehran operated a secret military weapons program until 2003. The IAEA has warned that Iran now holds enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear weapons if it chose to do so  though the U.S. intelligence community maintains Tehran is not actively seeking the bomb.

Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

Iran then grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Iran later restored normal flight service, authorities said.

Around the time of the incident in Iran, Syria's state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement saying Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defense unit in its south and causing material damage. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the strike hit a military radar for government forces. It was not clear if there were casualties, the Observatory said.

That area of Syria is directly west of Isfahan, some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away, and east of Israel.

Meanwhile in Iraq, where a number of Iranian-backed militias are based, residents of Baghdad reported hearing sounds of explosions, but the source of the noise was not immediately clear.

The incident Friday in Iran also sparked concerns about the conflict again escalating across the seas of the Middle East, which have been seeing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen on shipping over the war in Gaza.

The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre warned ships in the region that they could see increased drone activity in the skies.

There are currently no indications commercial vessels are the intended target, it wrote.

The Houthis have launched at least 53 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen and as shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined over the threat.

However, Iranian state-run media sought to downplay the incident after the fact, airing footage of an otherwise-peaceful Isfahan morning. That could be intentional, particularly after Iranian officials for days have been threatening to retaliate for any Israeli retaliatory attack on the nation.

As long as Iran continues to deny the attack and deflect attention from it and no further hits are seen, there is space for both sides to climb down the escalation ladder for now, said Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House. (AP) GSP
Capri (Italy), Apr 19 (AP) Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who chaired the meeting of ministers of industrialised countries, said the agenda of the three-day meeting was changed on Friday to address the latest developments.

Early Friday, Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones. They were suspected to be part of an Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country last weekend.

Tajani didn't immediately address the incident, but said that G7 ministers condemned Iran's weekend attack on Israel and urged both sides to exercise restraint.

The political objective is de-escalation, Tajani said in a closing press conference. (AP)



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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) countries have issued a statement regarding the normalization of Azerbaijan-Armenia relations, Trend reports.

The statement called on Armenia and Azerbaijan to remain committed to the peace process.

"We call on Armenia and Azerbaijan to maintain full commitment to the peace process to achieve a dignified and lasting peace based on the principles of non-use of force, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders," the statement said.

Additionally, reference was made to the joint statement by Azerbaijan and Armenia dated December 7, 2023, and G7 countries urged the parties to maintain this spirit of cooperation.

The G7 countries' readiness to encourage more positive interactions between Armenia and Azerbaijan at all levels, including through specific negotiation channels, was also underlined in the statement.

"We reaffirm once again the importance of the commitment to the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991, in which Armenia and Azerbaijan recognize each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. We call for the expansion of regional cooperation and the opening of all borders, including Armenian-Turkish one," added the statement.

Meanwhile, the organization's focus on this issue is praiseworthy in terms of promoting peace in the area, but the question remains: why did the G7 countries forget or ignore the principles of respect for sovereignty, inviolability of borders, and territorial integrity for thirty years, while Armenia kept Azerbaijani territories under occupation?

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
Capri, Apr 19 (AP) The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received last minute information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, Italy's foreign minister said.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the United States provided the information at a Friday morning session that was changed at the last minute to address the suspected attack. Tajani said the US informed the G7 ministers that it had been informed at the last minute by Israel about the drones. But there was no sharing of the attack by the US. It was a mere information.

He said Italians living in Iran were all accounted for and without problems. (AP) GSP
Capri, Apr 19 (AP) The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received last minute information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, Italy's foreign minister said.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who chaired the meeting of ministers of industrialised countries, said the United States provided the information at a Friday morning session that was changed at the last minute to address the suspected attack.

Tajani said the US informed the G7 ministers that it had been informed at the last minute by Israel about the drones. But there was no sharing of the attack by the US. It was a mere information.

Early Friday, Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central city of Isfahan after spotting drones, part of an apparent Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country last weekend.

In a communique following the three-day meeting, the ministers urged the parties to prevent further escalation.

The statement pledged support for Israel's security and condemned in the strongest terms what the foreign ministers described as Iran's unprecedented attack against Israel of April 13-14, which Israel defeated with the help of its partners, as well as the seizure of the Portuguese-flagged vessel MSC Aries in the Strait of Hormuz.

We stand ready to adopt further sanctions or take other measures, now and in response to further destabilising initiatives, the document read.

The group also warned Iran against transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia.

On the war in Gaza, the group called on Hamas to release hostages and reminded Israel to respect international and humanitarian law.

It added that G7 countries remained opposed to a full scale military operation in Rafah that would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population," and called for increasing the flow of aid into Gaza.

"The G7 worked and will work for a de-escalation, Tajani said in a closing press conference. He said that would include a de-escalation of tensions, followed by a cease-fire, liberation of hostages and aid to the Palestinian people. (AP)



GSP
(Eds: Updated with Italian foreign minister saying all G7 allies shared information about what happened in Iran, and that he had ascertained all Italians safe in Isfaha)

Capri, Apr 19 (AP) The United States told the Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday that it received last minute information from Israel about a drone action in Iran, but didn't participate in the apparent attack, officials said.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who chaired the meeting of ministers of industrialised countries, said the United States provided the information at a Friday morning session that was changed at the last minute to address the suspected attack.

Early on Friday, Iran fired air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site near the central Iranian city of Isfahan after spotting drones. It was part of an apparent Israeli attack in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country last weekend.

Tajani said the US informed the G7 ministers that it had been informed at the last minute by Israel about the drones. But there was no sharing of the attack by the US. It was a mere information.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined to comment on the assertion, but emphasised that the US was not involved in any attack and was committed to working for a de-escalation in the region.

I'm not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations, Blinken said.

Asked to describe the current US-Israeli relationship, Blinken noted that Israel makes its own decisions and the United States is committed to its security.

We are committed to helping Israel defend itself and as necessary participating in its defense, as you saw just a few days ago, Blinken said, referring to the US and allied action to help Israel repel the weekend Iranian drone and missile attack.

"Again, Israel makes its decisions, but we have a commitment to defending it," Blinken said.

Tajani said the G7 partners had all exchanged information Friday about what they knew about what had transpired in Iran. He said he shared that he had spoken on the phone with Italian embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran and ascertained that the Italians living in Isfahan were all safe.

There were no deaths or injuries, Tajani said. There is a group of Italians who live in the city where the drones arrived and they are all without problems. They say life has resumed regularly, and the Iranian airspace has reopened.

It seems the climate is better today than overnight, he added.

In a communique following the three-day meeting, the ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States urged the parties to prevent further escalation.

The statement pledged support for Israel's security and condemned in the strongest terms what the foreign ministers described as Iran's unprecedented attack against Israel of April 13-14, which Israel defeated with the help of its partners, as well as the seizure of the Portuguese-flagged vessel MSC Aries in the Strait of Hormuz.

We stand ready to adopt further sanctions or take other measures, now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives, the document read.

The group also warned Iran against transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia.

On the war in Gaza, the group called on Hamas to release hostages and reminded Israel to respect international and humanitarian law.

It added that G7 countries remained opposed to a full scale military operation in Rafah that would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population," and called for increasing the flow of aid into Gaza.

"The G7 worked and will work for a de-escalation, Tajani said in a closing press conference. He said that would include a de-escalation of tensions, followed by a cease-fire, liberation of hostages and aid to the Palestinian people. (AP) GRS

GRS
Washington, Apr 19 (AP) With rare bipartisan momentum, the House sidelined hard-right conservatives and prepared Friday to push a USD 95 billion national security aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies over a key procedural hurdle, closer to passage.

House Speaker Mike Johnson had spent the past 24 hours making the rounds on conservative media working to salvage the wartime funding, particularly for Ukraine as it faces a critical moment battling Russia, but also for his own job as the restless right flank threatens to oust him over the effort.

There's a lot of misinformation about what we're doing here and why, Johnson told the conservative host of The Mark Levin Show.

Ukrainians desperately need lethal aid right now. ... We cannot allow Vladimir Putin to roll through another country and take it," he said about the Russian president's invasion of Ukraine. These are very serious matters with global implications.

After months of delay, the House worked slowly but deliberately once Johnson made up his mind this week to plough ahead. President Joe Biden sent a swift endorsement of the speaker's plan and, in a rare moment, Donald Trump, the Republican presumed presidential nominee who opposes most overseas aid for Ukraine, has not derailed the speaker's work.

The world is watching what the Congress does," the White House said in a statement. "Passing this legislation would send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment.

In an extremely rare step, the members of the House Rules Committee joined forces late Thursday in a near midnight vote, the four Democrats giving their support on a procedural step, to push past the Republican majority's three hardline holdouts to send the package to the House floor for debate on a 9-3 vote.

It was a moment unseen in recent House memory.

Johnson will need to rely on Democrats again Friday to clear the next procedural vote and turn back amendments Republicans have offered that could kill the package. One from hardline Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene would reduce spending for Ukraine to zero.

Greene has filed the motion to vacate the speaker from office, and has drawn at least one other Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky as a co-sponsor. It could launch a bid to evict Johnson from the speaker's office, should she call it up for a vote, much the way Republicans booted Kevin McCarthy from the position last fall.

With one of the most narrow House majorities in modern times, Johnson can only afford to lose a single vote or two from his Republican ranks to pass any bill. That dynamic has thrust him into the arms of Democrats as he searches for votes to pass the package.

Without his Republican majority fully behind him, Johnson cannot shape the package as the ultra-conservatives demand lest he lose Democratic backing. It has forced him to leave behind tough security measures to clamp down on migrants at the US-Mexico border and other priorities.

At best, Johnson has been able to carve up a Senate-passed version of the bill into separate parts, as is the preference among House Republicans, and the final votes will be on distinct measures  for Ukraine, Israel and Indo-Pacific allies.

The package would also include a fourth provision that includes many Republican priorities that Democrats endorse, or at least are willing to accept. Those include proposals that allow the US to seize frozen Russian central bank assets to rebuild Ukraine; impose sanctions on Iran, Russia, China and criminal organizations that traffic fentanyl, and potentially ban the video app TikTok if its China-based owner doesn't sell its stake within a year.

Passing each bill, in votes expected Saturday, will require Johnson to form complicated bipartisan coalitions on each, with Democrats for example ensuring Ukraine aid is approved, but some left-leaning progressives refusing to back military aid for Israel over the destruction of Gaza.

The components would then be automatically stitched back together into a single package sent to the Senate where hardliners there are also planning procedural moves to stall final approval. (AP) NPK

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Paris, Apr 19 (AP) Police found no weapons on a man detained Friday at the Iranian Consulate in Paris after responding to a report of a suspicious man seen carrying a grenade and explosives vest, an official said.

Elite police forces and soldiers surrounded the building and barred traffic in the area during an hours-long security intervention. The incident came at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, and as Paris is gearing up to host the summer Olympics.

The Iranian Embassy did not comment publicly on the incident.

The suspect had been previously convicted for setting fire at the embassy gates last year, the Paris prosecutor's office said.

He was spotted around 11 am outside the consulate and a witness told police he had a grenade and an explosives vest, according to a police official.

Police then launched a special intervention.

No weapons were found on him or in his vehicle, the Paris police official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to be publicly named under police policy.

Some of the police, special agents and firefighters who responded to the incident at the consulate were later seen leaving the scene after the arrest. A police cordon remained in place, but traffic was resuming in the area.

The Paris public prosecutor was informed of the arrest of a man leaving the Iranian Consulate in the French capital's 16th arrondissement at 2:50 pm, the prosecutor's office said in an emailed statement to the AP.

Inside the consulate, the man allegedly made threats of violent acts, but then left the building alone, the statement said, adding that no explosive material was found on him or on site around him by police officers who took him into custody.

Authorities did not name the suspect nor give any information on possible motive for his actions but said he was born in Iran, in 1963.

The prosecutor's office also confirmed the suspect has been known to authorities and received an eight-month suspended sentence by the Paris Criminal Court in October for setting car tires on fire at the gate of the Iranian Embassy in Paris in September 2023. He said it was a protest act against the Iranian government, the statement said.

As part of that sentence, the prosecutor's statement said, the man was also banned from carrying a weapon and had a two-year ban on appearing in the 16th arrondissement. The sentence was pending because of the defendant's appeal, it added. (AP) NPK

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Dubai, Apr 19 (AP) An apparent Israeli drone attack on a major air base near the central city of Isfahan activated Iranian air defenses early Friday. The strike came just days after Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on Israel.

No Iranian official directly acknowledged the possibility that Israel had attacked, and the Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment.

However, regional tensions have been high since the Saturday assault on Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and its own strikes targeting Iran in Syria.

Speaking at the G7 meeting in Capri, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the US received last-minute information from Israel about the attack on Isfahan. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not dispute that, but said: "We were not involved in any offensive operations.

The apparent attack came on Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's 85th birthday. Israeli politicians also made comments hinting that the country had launched an attack.

Air defense batteries fired in several provinces over reports of drones being in the air, state television reported. Iranian army commander Gen Abdolrahim Mousavi said crews targeted several flying objects.

The explosion this morning in the sky of Isfahan was related to the shooting of air defense systems at a suspicious object that did not cause any damage, Mousavi said. Others suggested the drones may be so-called quadcopters  four-rotor, small drones that are commercially available.

Authorities said air defenses fired at a major air base in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The Tasnim news agency published a video from one of its reporters, who said he was in the southeastern Zerdenjan area of Isfahan, near its nuclear energy mountain.

The footage showed two different anti-aircraft gun positions, and details of the video corresponded with known features of the site of Iran's Uranium Conversion Facility at Isfahan.

At 4:45, we heard gunshots. There was nothing going on, he said. It was the air defense, these guys that you're watching, and over there too.

The facility at Isfahan operates three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Iran's civilian nuclear program.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli sabotage attacks.

State television described all atomic sites in the area as fully safe." The United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, also said there is no damage to Iran's nuclear sites after the incident.

The IAEA continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts, the agency said.

Iran's nuclear program has rapidly advanced to producing enriched uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels since the collapse of its atomic deal with world powers after then-President Donald Trump withdrew America from the accord in 2018.

While Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes, Western nations and the IAEA say Tehran operated a secret military weapons program until 2003. The IAEA has warned that Iran now holds enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear weapons if it chose to do so  though the US intelligence community maintains Tehran is not actively seeking the bomb.

Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 am local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

Iran then grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Iran later restored normal flight service, authorities said.

Around the time of the incident in Iran, Syria's state-run SANA news agency quoted a military statement saying Israel carried out a missile strike targeting an air defense unit in its south and causing material damage. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said the strike hit a military radar for government forces. It was not clear if there were casualties, the Observatory said.

That area of Syria is directly west of Isfahan, some 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) away, and east of Israel.

Meanwhile in Iraq, where a number of Iranian-backed militias are based, residents of Baghdad reported hearing sounds of explosions, but the source of the noise was not immediately clear.

The incident Friday in Iran also sparked concerns about the conflict again escalating across the seas of the Middle East, which have been seeing attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels of Yemen on shipping over the war in Gaza.

The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center warned ships in the region that they could see increased drone activity in the skies.

There are currently no indications commercial vessels are the intended target, it wrote.

The Houthis have launched at least 53 attacks on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the US Maritime Administration.

Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a US-led airstrike campaign in Yemen and as shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined over the threat.

The apparent attack also briefly spooked energy markets, sending benchmark Brent crude above USD 90 before it fell again in trading Friday.

However, Iranian state-run media sought to downplay the incident after the fact, airing footage of an otherwise-peaceful Isfahan morning. That could be intentional, particularly after Iranian officials for days have been threatening to retaliate for any Israeli retaliatory attack on the nation.

As long as Iran continues to deny the attack and deflect attention from it and no further hits are seen, there is space for both sides to climb down the escalation ladder for now, said Sanam Vakil, the director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House. (AP) NPK

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Mumbai, Apr 19 (PTI) The police have registered a case against the owner of an event management company here after one of its employees accused her of caste discrimination at workplace, an official said on Friday.



The 23-year-old complainant told the police that the owner of the company, located in Goregaon area, passed a snide remark showing caste bias on April 14, the birth anniversary of Dalit icon Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.

The man received a WhatsApp message from his employer that day asking him whether he belonged to the SC (Scheduled Castes) community, the official said citing the complaint.

When the man replied in the affirmative, the company owner said she didnt employ people from the backward community, he said.

In the WhatsApp exchange, the employer said main Jai Bhim wale ko job pe nahi rakhti (I dont employ Dalits), the complainant alleged.

The man, who had joined the company as a marketing executive, informed his parents about the experience and then approached the Goregaon police station with a complaint, the official said.

Acting on the complaint, a case was registered against the company owner under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, the official said.

As the man lives in the Vokola area, the case was transferred to the Vakola police station for further investigation, the official said.

Meanwhile, a purported screenshot of the WhatsApp exchange between the man and his employer went viral on social media.
Jaipur, Apr 19 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working for the country without any vacation for the last 23 years, whereas Congress leader Rahul Gandhi goes on vacation abroad every three months.

He also appealed to people to vote cautiously in the Lok Sabha elections.

He said the country is witnessing a high voter turn out in the first phase of the polling and he claimed people are seen shouting slogans in support of PM Modi after casting their votes.
Una(HP), April 19 (PTI) Fifteen devotees were injured when a pickup van returning from Baba Balak Nath temple in Deotsidh overturned near a village here on Friday morning, officials said.

The accident took place near Samurkalan village. The van was en route for Punjab's Amritsar, they said.

All the injured were given first aid treatment at the Bangana hospital and three of them who were critical were being shifted to PGI Chandigarh for treatment, Chief Medical Officer at the hospital Dr Vikas said.

The police have registered a case and further investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident is on.

One of the injured persons said the brakes of the vehicle had failed, due to which the van overturned on the main road, leading to the fatal accident.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree amending the Charter of the Agency for Quality Assurance in Education, approved by Decree No. 907 of December 29, 2019, Trend reports.

According to the decree, guided by paragraph 32 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, it is decided that in paragraph 1.1 of the Statute of the Agency for Quality Assurance in Education approved by Decree No. 907 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated December 29, 2019 (Collection of Legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2019, No. 12, Article 1950 (Volume I), the words state document on education shall be replaced by the word document.

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Srinagar, Apr 19 (PTI) People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidates, if elected, will raise the issues of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and become their voice in the Parliament, party chief Mehbooba Mufti said here on Friday.

Mufti made the remarks at a press conference at the party headquarters while releasing the manifesto for the Parliamentary polls.

"Since August 2019, J&K has been converted into an open-air prison after the illegal abrogation of Article 370. There has been an unending onslaught on our collective identity, land, jobs, resources and infringement upon the very freedom to speak. A series of decisions taken on a daily basis thousands of kilometres away in Delhi serve only to disempower and dispossess us," Mufti alleged.

She said there is a need to raise our voice against this "onslaught" on the floor of the Parliament.

"Right from the drastic changes to the state subject and land laws to the outsourcing of our resources by gifting contracts to outsiders. Even development projects are being handed over to non-locals.

"Hundreds of government employees have been fired on flimsy grounds. Thousands of youngsters continue languishing in jails in and outside J&K as undertrials," she alleged.

She said if the party's candidates are elected to the Parliament, they will raise their voice on these issues on behalf of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The former J-K chief minister also said the party's elected representatives would focus on the youth of J-K and accordingly their MPLAD funds will be focussed on youth-centric programmes.

She also said her priority will be to have tunnels constructed on the Mughal Road, Razdan Pass and Sadhna Pass, which remain cut-off for many months due to heavy snowfall.

The party's manifesto said while the "illegal" abrogation of Article 370 has only "complicated the issue", the PDP remains committed to facilitating the resolution of the Kashmir issue through reconciliation and dialogue with its key stakeholders.

"A state which has suffered tremendously needs a healing touch to restore peace with dignity," the manifesto added.
Jind, Apr 19 (PTI) A woman prisoner here has alleged that she was raped by two other Jind jail inmates in a prison van when they had gone to a hospital in Rohtak for treatment, police said on Friday.

According to sources, the incident took place in February.

The police said a case has been registered against two male prisoners based on the complainants statement.

The woman inmate, in her complaint to Jind Civil Line police station, has alleged that the incident happened when she and the other two male prisoners were being taken in a prison van to Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS) in Rohtak from Jind.

She has alleged that the male prisoners, who hail from a village in Jind district, offered her a cold drink laced with sedatives and later raped her in the van when the police officials were busy with some paperwork.

The police said they are investigating the allegation.

A Zero FIR has been lodged and the matter has been sent to the Rohtak police under whose jurisdiction the alleged incident took place, Jind Civil Line Station House Officer Sukhbir Singh said.

Zero-FIR means an FIR can be filed in any police station, irrespective of the place of the incident, and the same can be later transferred to the appropriate police station.

The Zero FIR has been received and the matter is being investigated, Ashok Kumar, Station House Officer of the PGIMS police station in Rohtak, said on Friday.
New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) The Municipal Corporation of Delhi Friday sought the Election Commission's permission to conduct mayoral polls on April 26, and also urged Lt Governor V K Saxena to appoint a presiding officer, a civic body official said.

The municipal body is required to obtain permission from the Election Commission of India to hold mayoral polls as the Model Code of Conduct is in force for the general elections.

Official sources indicated the process to appoint a presiding officer may be affected or delayed since Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is currently in the Tihar Jail.

According to the DMC Act, a presiding officer has to be appointed in the first house meeting of the municipal corporation every year to conduct elections for the post of mayor and deputy mayor.

"We have sought the ECI's nod to conduct the mayoral polls as the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections is in place. The civic body has also written to the LG to appoint presiding officer for the April 26 polls," said the official, who didn't wish to be named.

Last year, the AAP government and the LG office were at the loggerheads over the naming of a presiding officer as party leaders accused Saxena of not appointing the officer in accordance with the rules.

On Thursday, the Aam Aadmi Party declared its candidates for the polls, fielding Mahesh Khichi for the post of mayor and Ravinder Bhardwaj for deputy mayor.

Khichi, 45, who represents Dev Nagar ward number 84 in the MCD House, has been associated with the AAP since its inception in 2012. He was also a part of the 2011 India Against Corruption (IAC) movement that led to the birth of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party.

Opposition BJP in the MCD House has fielded Kishan Lal for the post of mayor and Neeta Bisht for the deputy mayor post.
New Delhi, Apr 19 (PTI) Delhi Police has arrested a 27-year-old cyber criminal for duping a man of Rs 5.5 lakh by posing as a customer care executive of an airline, officials said on Friday.

The accused, identified as Gourab Dey, was apprehended from Kolkata, they added.

A case was registered at the Cyber cell of Dwarka police station on the complaint of Durga Nath Raina, who claimed to have been duped by the accused, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Ankit Singh said.

Raina, a Delhi resident, told the police that he wanted to book a flight and hit a query on a search engine for the customer care number of a particular airline, she said.

Later he received a call wherein the caller identified himself as the customer representative of an airline and asked him to download some application and share an OTP received on his number, Singh said.

On following the accused, Raina suffered an online fraud of Rs 5.50 lakh, the officer said.

The police said an FIR was lodged based on the victim's complaint and a probe was launched.

During investigation, the bank account details of the accused were traced to Kolkata and a raid was conducted following which Dey was apprehended, the DCP said.

On interrogation, Dey disclosed that he hatched a plan with his friends Abhishek Yadav, Rahul Ram and Sahabaj Koyal to mint easy money, the officer said.

They used to trick victims by posing as customer representatives of different airlines and share their bank account details with a fourth accomplice Badshah who used to withdraw the cash from ATM and share it among all, she added.

Further probe in the case is underway and efforts are on to nab the remaining, the officer said.
Damoh (MP), Apr 19 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the ongoing Lok Sabha election is about making India a big global power in the next five years and asserted a strong and stable government was needed in view of prevailing situation in the world.



Addressing an election rally at Damoh in Madhya Pradesh, he accused the Congress of weakening the defence sector for decades when in power and alleged the opposition party did not want French made Rafale fighter jets to come to India.



On the other hand, his government is strengthening the defence sector, said Modi.



"The BJP government is making our defence forces self-reliant; India is exporting weapons to many countries. India is exporting BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines," he said.



In an apparent reference to Pakistan, Modi said a neighbouring country which is supplying 'aatank' (terror) is now struggling for 'aata' (flour).



The PM asserted his government was committed to the welfare of the poor and pointed out that the Centre has extended the free ration scheme for five more years for nearly 80 crore beneficiaries.



Modi praised Iqbal Ansari, a former litigant in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, for accepting the invitation to attend the January 22 consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, and slammed the opposition for boycotting the event.
Aizawl, Apr 19 (PTI) More than 49 per cent of total 8.56 lakh voters in Mizoram have exercised their franchise for the lone Lok Sabha seat till 3 pm on Friday, election officials said.

Polling for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state is underway amid tight security arrangements, they said.

The state recorded 49.77 per cent voting till 3 pm, according to an election official.

Officials said that polling will conclude at 5 pm. However, voters who entered the polling area before 5 pm will be allowed to cast their votes after the deadline, they said.

Meanwhile, Mizoram Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Madhup Vyas appealed to the people, particularly government servants and their families, to turn up in large numbers to cast their votes.

The government has declared holiday for government servants and paid holiday for private sector employees to ensure that they exercise their voting rights in the elections, he said.

Mizoram had recorded 63.13 per cent voter turnout in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

Mizoram has 8.56 lakh voters, including 4.4 lakh female voters, are eligible to exercise their franchise this time to decide the fate of six candidates.
Chennai, Apr 17 (PTI) The Lok Sabha election in Tamil Nadu on Friday was boycotted by villagers opposed to the Parandur airport project near here and by people at Vegaivayal in Pudukkottai district to mark their protest over non-arrest of perpetrators in the human faeces incident of 2022 that shocked the state.

Villagers belonging to Ekanapuram and other nearby areas including Nagapattu under the Parandur panchayat, close to Sriperumbudur, who are opposed to the the greenfield airport project abstained from voting.

When a government revenue department official visited Ekanapuram village to "convince some government servants" to vote, it led to a fracas as villagers surrounded the official and opposed his visit.

Local people alleged "some government employees" were pressured by authorities to vote and condemned the action.



People belonging to Vengaivayal and Eraiyur villages in Pudukkottai district, both Dalits and caste Hindus, boycotted the LS polls. Villagers staged protests by pinning black pieces of clothes on their clothes, some covered their mouth using black cloth and others held black flag poles demanding justice.

In 2022, human faeces was found mixed in the overhead tank in the village and the matter is under investigation by police.

For reasons involving local issues, people belonging to some other places too avoided casting their votes. It includes Seeragampatti under Natham in Dindigul district and an area in Thoothukudi district, where miscreants pelted stones on a police vehicle.

There were also complaints of names of voters missing from electoral rolls including at Mahathanapuram booth in Mayiladuthurai.


Imphal, Apr 19 (PTI) Both the BJP and the Congress on Friday accused each other of unleashing violence and breaching the election Model Code of Conduct in Manipur during the polls.

BJP's state unit general secretary K Sarat Kumar told reporters that Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, the Congress candidate of Manipur Inner LS seat, accompanied by large number of his supporters, visited several polling stations and provoked officials and voters leading to multiple commotions.

"Akoijam, accompanied by his supporters, visited several polling booths and disturbed the election atmosphere. We have filed a complaint with the Chief Electoral Officer and Returning Officer," he said.

On the other hand, the Congress has blamed the BJP for violence during voting in Inner Manipur.

Kh Devbrata, working president of the state unit of the Congress told reporters, "We strongly condemn the acts of armed unidentified men entering polling stations and intimidating voters and indulging in proxy voting."

"We haven't seen the government try to conduct the polling peacefully in a free and fair manner," Singh said.

Girish Chodankar, the election in-charge of Manipur and Nagaland for AICC, wrote on X that violence and booth capturing by armed miscreants have been witnessed in several places despite a written submission to Chief Electoral Officer of "possible tension."

"They allowed frustrated BJP supporters to forcibly capture booths and prevent common people from exercising their voting rights, making a mockery of the elections. We have demanded repolling in such booths," he added.

Earlier during the day, incidents of intimidation and firing were reported from at least two places in Inner Manipur constituency where voting for the Lok Sabha polls was underway, officials said.

At Thamnapokpi under Moirang constituency in Bishnupur district, armed men fired several rounds in the air near a polling booth prompting voters to flee, police said, adding additional security personnel were rushed to the spot to contain the situation.

Unidentified armed men also intimidated election agents of a particular political party at different places and asked them to leave the polling stations, they said.

At Uripok and Iroishemba in Imphal West district, armed men asked agents of a party to leave the premises of polling stations, an official said.

At Kiyamgei in Imphal East district's Keirao constituency, armed men fired blank shots and intimidated Congress polling agents.
Thiruvananthapuram/Kozhikode, Apr 19 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, on Friday, recalled "an old name of Rahul Gandhi" to attack the Congress leader, who a day earlier had wondered why the Marxist veteran was not jailed by the BJP government at the state, unlike two other Chief Ministers opposition-ruled states.



Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala fumed at the Chief Minister's targeted attack against Gandhi at the election rally in Kozhikode. He came down strongly on Vijayan and accused him of "stooping too low to please" Prime Minister Narendra Modi.



The Congress leader's statement came hours after Vijayan apparently said that the Congress leader's remarks against him suggested that Gandhi had not improved his public image over time.





"Rahul Gandhi...you have an old name. There should not be a situation wherein you have still not moved from that situation," Vijayan said. He was apparently referring to Marxist veteran and former Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan's remarks a decade ago against Gandhi calling him an "Amul Baby."



CPI(M) sources said that Vijayan intended to reference Achuthanandan's "Amul baby" remarks against Gandhi through his "old name" jibe on Friday. During an Assembly election rally in Palakkad, Achuthanandan had attacked the Congress leader, stating, "Rahul Gandhi is an Amul baby. He has come to Kerala to campaign for Amul babies."





Gandhi, while addressing multiple election campaigns in the state, had on Thursday lashed out at Vijayan and wondered why the Left leader was targeting him while he was fighting against the BJP.





The Congress leader had said he was interrogated by the ED for 55 hours, his Lok Sabha membership and his official residence were taken away and currently, two chief ministers are in jail, but none of these were happening to the Kerala Chief Minister.





"Why is he (Vijayan) not being interrogated by the ED, CBI and all? Two CMs are in jail, but why is none of this happening to the Kerala CM? I have been attacking the BJP 24x7 but the chief minister is attacking me. This is a bit puzzling," Gandhi had said.





Reacting to Gandhi's remarks, the Marxist leader addressed a massive election rally in Kozhikode, stating that Rahul's grandmother, Indira Gandhi, had imprisoned most of the Left leaders, including himself, during the Emergency.





"Your grandmother had jailed most of us for more than one-and-a-half years. We have experienced and seen enough interrogation and imprisonment. We are not afraid of jails. So, don't try to threaten us with investigations and jails; we are not worried," Vijayan said.



Condemning Vijayan's remarks against Gandhi, Chennithala said, "Vijayan should not have stooped so low to please Modi."



The Congress Working Committee Committee (CWC) member also urged Vijayan to retract his "bad remarks" against Rahul and apologise to him.



Criticising the Chief Minister for his continuous attacks against Gandhi in his poll rallies, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V D Satheesan, said, "Vijayan works as BJP's mouthpiece in Kerala."





"The same thing that has been written and prepared for the last 35 days is said in the press conferences and delivered in the meetings. The Chief Minister criticises Congress and Rahul Gandhi the most," Satheesan alleged at a press conference in Alappuzha.





"Rahul Gandhi is leading the anti-fascist struggle and heading the INDIA alliance. Chief Minister Vijayan also opposes Rahul Gandhi, whom the Modi administration targets with unending vengeance. Vijayan is governed by fear. People will react strongly in the elections against the illicit relationship between the CPM and BJP," Satheesan said.
Jaipur, Apr 19 (PTI) Senior BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said "bumper voting" has taken place in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections and claimed that people were heard chanting "Modi, Modi" after casting their votes.

Twelve parliamentary seats in Rajasthan were among the 102 that went to polls in the first phase of the seven-phase elections.

Addressing an election rally when voting was underway in the seats, Shah said, "In the first phase, bumper voting is taking place across the country. Whoever goes in, comes out shouting 'Modi, Modi."

The rally took place in Bhopalgarh in the Pali parliamentary constituency, which will go to polls in the second phase on April 26.

Targeting the Congress, Shah said members of the party did not attend the Ayodhya Ram temple consecration ceremony as they were "afraid of the minority vote-bank".

Referring to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit, he said the case was kept in limbo for many years but when Narendra Modi was elected prime minister for the second time, the case was decided and the Ram temple constructed.

The BJP leader said after "500 years", Ram Lalla celebrated his birthday (Ram Navami) at the new temple.

"When the Congress got the invitation for the Pran Pratishtha Mahotsav (consecration ceremony), they (the party's leaders) did not go. They were afraid of their vote-bank, they are afraid of the minority vote-bank. We are not afraid," he said.

Hitting out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the OBC (other backward classes) issue, Shah said it was the Congress that opposed the Mandal commission report. Prime Minister Modi has worked to honour members of the backward classes and has given constitutional status to the backward classes commission, he said.

The BJP leader said that "37 per cent of MPs are OBC, 27 (Union) ministers are OBC and the prime minister himself is an OBC".

Referring to Modi's terms as the chief minister of Gujarat and then prime minister, Shah said Modi has been working for the country without taking any holiday for the last 23 years, whereas Gandhi goes on vacation abroad every three months.

"There are two people, one is Modi who has been serving 'Bharat Mata' for 23 years without taking any holiday, and the other is Rahul Baba who goes on vacation to Thailand...abroad every three months," he said.

"On one side, there is the Nehru-Gandhi family that ruled for 55 years and four generations, and on the other, Narendra Modi has brought crores of poor people out of poverty in 10 years. While the Congress has been involved in scams and corruption worth Rs 12 lakh crore, there is no allegation of corruption against Narendra Modi," Shah said.

He also said that Prime Minister Modi was the biggest supporter of reservations for scheduled castes (SC) scheduled tribes (ST) and OBC.

"I am asked why do we (BJP-led NDA) have to get more than 400 seats. I tell you, be it OBC, SC or ST, Narendra Modi is the biggest supporter of reservations. Congress asks why the number of seats should cross 400, we crossed 300 and have abolished Article 370, made India's economy the fifth largest, did the work of 'one pension, one rank', abolished triple talaq, worked to give 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and states assemblies, passed CAA and brought UCC," Shah said.

He said that Modi has worked to protect the country and make it prosperous.

Shah appealed to voters to support BJP's Pali candidate PP Chaudhary.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Azerbaijan and Armenia will deploy their border services simultaneously and in parallel on the agreed sections of the borderline, Trend reports.

The relevant agreement was reached during the eighth meeting of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The meeting was held on April 19, 2024, at the border between the countries, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

According to the information, it was agreed that the sides would apply to their governments to take measures for the simultaneous and parallel deployment of their border services on the agreed sections of the borderline.

"The parties also agreed to complete the coordination of the draft Regulation on joint activities of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan by July 1, 2024. They will commence the process of domestic coordination and approval of the Regulation following the respective states' legislation requirements," the report says.

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Federal law enforcement is on high alert for potential threats to the US Jewish community as Pesach approaches, FBI Director Christopher Wray said on Wednesday.

Speaking at an event hosted by the Secure Community Network, a Jewish community nonprofit safety and training organization, Wray expressed concern about lone actors targeting Jews over the Yom Tov.

We at the bureau remain particularly concerned that lone actors could target large gatherings, high-profile events, or symbolic or religious locations for violence  particularly a concern, of course, as we look to the start of Passover on Monday evening, Wray said.

Wray noted that threats to the US Jewish community had already been elevated before Hamas October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, but the number of FBI hate crime cases tripled in the wake of the incident.

Between October 7 and January 30 of this year, we opened over three times more anti-Jewish hate crime investigations than in the four months before October 7, he said.

The FBI is also observing a range of threats from abroad, including calls by global terrorist groups to target Jewish communities in the United States and Europe.

Weve seen  since October 7  a rogues gallery of foreign terrorist organizations call for attacks against the United States and our allies, Wray said.

Wray also warned of state-sponsored threats, particularly from Iran. After the last few days, in particular, the threat posed by Iran itself is very real, he said, urging all partners to stay vigilant against potential threats that may emerge from Iran or its proxies.

The warnings come as the Anti-Defamation League released an audit showing a dramatic upward trend of incidents after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, with 5,204 incidents reported between October 7 and December 31. The ADL tracked 8,873 antisemitic incidents in the United States in 2023  the highest number of incidents reported since the organization began tracking data in 1979.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Two men have been detained in Poland on suspicion that they attacked Russian activist Leonid Volkov  an ally of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny  on the orders of foreign intelligence services, officials said Friday.

Volkov was attacked on March 12 outside his home in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, where he lives in exile. The attacker smashed one of his cars windows, sprayed tear gas into his eyes and hit him with a hammer, police said at the time.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda announced the arrests to reporters in Vilnius and thanked Poland for its work.

Two people have been detained in Poland on suspicion of beating Russian opposition leader Leonid Volkov. I thank the Republic of Poland for the excellent work it has done. I have discussed this with the Polish president and thanked them for their excellent cooperation, Nauseda said.

Both suspects are Polish citizens previously known to police in their homeland. They traveled to Vilnius before the attack on Volkov and returned to Warsaw afterward, according to Lithuanias deputy police chief, Saulius Briginas.

He said they were detained on April 3 in an operation in which Lithuanian police participated.

Lithuania expects them to be handed over in May, chief prosecutor Justas Laucius told reporters. If convicted on charges of causing bodily harm, they face up to three years in prison.

In Poland, Joanna Adamowicz, the spokesperson for a Warsaw court, said that the two men were put under arrest until May 13, on suspicion that they had organized on the territory of the Lithuanian Republic an assault and caused damage to the health of Russian citizen L. W., while being active in an organized group and carrying out the orders of the special services of an alien country.

Volkovs last name is spelled with a w in Polish.

The court in Warsaws Praga district has decided to hand them over to Lithuania for the purpose of a criminal investigation, on the condition that they would serve any potential punishment in Poland, Adamowicz said in an email to The Associated Press.

Their lawyers have lodged complaints and the files have been sent to the Appeals Court in Warsaw, she said. It was not immediately clear how long the appeals could take.

Polands Central Investigation Bureau of Police confirmed that its officers worked with Lithuanian police to arrest two people suspected of an attack on a Russian opposition activist in Lithuania in March.

The developments came a day after Poland announced the arrest of a Polish man suspected of being ready to spy on behalf of Russias military intelligence in an alleged plot to assassinate Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Volkov said on X, formerly Twitter, that he didnt know the details of the arrest, but saw how energetically and persistently the Lithuanian police have worked over the past month on this case and was very glad that this work has paid off.

As for the details, we will find them out soon. Cant wait to find out! Volkov wrote.

Volkov suffered a broken arm in the brutal attack and was hospitalized. He accused Russian President Vladimir Putins henchmen at the time of responsibility in the attack and vowed to keep up his opposition work.

The attack took place nearly a month after Navalnys unexplained death in a remote Arctic penal colony. He was Russias best-known opposition figure and Putins fiercest critic. Navalny had been imprisoned since January 2021 and was serving a 19-year sentence on charges of extremism widely seen as politically motivated.

Opposition figures and Western leaders laid the blame on the Kremlin for his death  something officials in Moscow vehemently rejected.

Navalnys funeral in the Russian capital on March 1 drew thousands of supporters, a rare show of defiance in Putins Russia amid an unabating and ruthless crackdown on dissent. Navalnys widow, Yulia, vowed to continue his work.

Volkov used to be in charge of Navalnys regional offices and election campaigns. He ran for mayor of Moscow in 2013 and sought to challenge Putin in the 2018 presidential election. Volkov left Russia several years ago under pressure from the authorities.

(AP)
A recent survey conducted by Maccabi Healthcare Services, Israels second-largest health maintenance organization, reveals that a majority of Israelis believe their physical and mental health has worsened since the onset of the war.

The survey, conducted at the end of March among over 1,000 Israelis aged 20-75 from across the country and representing all four of Israels HMOs, assessed self-reported health status six months into the conflict that began with Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7. The findings were compared to data collected in 2023.

Before the war, 61% of respondents rated their overall health as very good or excellent. However, the latest survey indicates a decline to 46%.

Furthermore, the percentage of respondents rating their overall health as moderate or very bad increased from 8% before the war to 17% currently.

Among those with chronic illnesses, 35% reported a worsening of their condition, with individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds experiencing a greater decline than those with above-average incomes.

The survey also highlighted a decline in mental health, with only 37% of respondents rating their emotional state as very good or excellent, compared to 61% before October 7. Additionally, a quarter of Israelis sought help from a mental health professional since the conflict began.

Sleep quality has also been affected, with half of the population reporting poorer sleep, and there has been a 20% decrease in Israelis prioritizing a healthy lifestyle.

Furthermore, 34% of respondents admitted to delaying or canceling pre-scheduled doctors appointments during the war, while 20% postponed important medical screening appointments such as mammograms or colonoscopies.

The data breakdown reveals that more women than men perceive a decline in their physical and mental health, and individuals aged 20-49 are experiencing greater challenges compared to those aged 50 and older.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The United States vetoed a widely backed U.N. resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 12 in favor, the United States opposed and two abstentions, from the United Kingdom and Switzerland. U.S. allies France, Japan and South Korea supported the resolution.

The resolution would have recommended that the 193-member U.N. General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, approve Palestine becoming the 194th member of the United Nations. Some 140 countries have already recognized Palestine, so its admission would have been approved, likely by a much higher number of countries.

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood told the Security Council that the veto does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood but instead is an acknowledgment that it will only come from direct negotiations between the parties.

The United States has been very clear consistently that premature actions in New York  even with the best intentions  will not achieve statehood for the Palestinian people, deputy State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said.

His voice breaking at times, Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour told the council after the vote: The fact that this resolution did not pass will not break our will and it will not defeat our determination.

We will not stop in our effort, he said. The state of Palestine is inevitable. It is real. Perhaps they see it as far away, but we see it as near.

This is the second Palestinian attempt for full membership and comes as the war in Gaza has put the more than 75-year-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict at center stage.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas first delivered the Palestinian Authoritys application for U.N. membership in 2011. It failed because the Palestinians didnt get the required minimum support of nine of the Security Councils 15 members.

They went to the General Assembly and succeeded by more than a two-thirds majority in having their status raised from a U.N. observer to a non-member observer state in 2012. That opened the door for the Palestinian territories to join U.N. and other international organizations, including the International Criminal Court.

Algerian U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative on the council who introduced the resolution, called Palestines admission a critical step toward rectifying a longstanding injustice and said that peace will come from Palestines inclusion, not from its exclusion.

In explaining the U.S. veto, Wood said there are unresolved questions on whether Palestine meets the criteria to be considered a state. He pointed to Hamas still exerting power and influence in the Gaza Strip, which is a key part of the state envisioned by the Palestinians.

Wood stressed that the U.S. commitment to a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine live side-by-side in peace, is the only path for security for both sides and for Israel to establish relations with all its Arab neighbors, including Saudi Arabia.

The United States is committed to intensifying its engagement with the Palestinians and the rest of the region, not only to address the current crisis in Gaza, but to advance a political settlement that will create a path to Palestinian statehood and membership in the United Nations, he said.

Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, reiterated the commitment to a two-state solution but asserted that Israel believes Palestine is a permanent strategic threat.

Israel will do its best to block the sovereignty of a Palestinian state and to make sure that the Palestinian people are exiled away from their homeland or remain under its occupation forever, he said.

He demanded of the council and diplomats crowded in the chamber: What will the international community do? What will you do?

Israeli-Palestinian negotiations have been stalled for years, and Israels government is dominated by figures who oppose Palestinian statehood.

Israeli U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan called the resolution disconnected to the reality on the ground and warned that it will cause only destruction for years to come and harm any chance for future dialogue.

Six months after the Oct. 7 attack by the Hamas terrorist group, which controlled Gaza, and the killing of 1,200 people in the most brutal massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, he accused the Security Council of seeking to reward the perpetrators of these atrocities with statehood.

After the vote, Erdan thanked the United States and particularly President Joe Biden for standing up for truth and morality in the face of hypocrisy and politics.

He called the Palestinian Authority  which controls the West Bank and the U.S. wants to see take over Gaza where Hamas still has sway  a terror supporting entity.

The Israeli U.N. ambassador referred to the requirements for U.N. membership  accepting the obligations in the U.N. Charter and being a peace-loving state.

How can you say seriously that the Palestinians are peace loving? How? Erdan asked. The Palestinians are paying terrorists, paying them to slaughter us. None of their leaders condemns terrorism, nor the Oct. 7 massacre. They call Hamas their brothers.

Despite the Palestinian failure to meet the criteria for U.N. membership, Erdan said most council members supported it.

Its very sad because your vote will only embolden Palestinian rejectionism every more and make peace almost impossible, he said.

(AP)
Israel on Thursday night carried out a strike in the city of Isfahan in Iran, where three explosions were heard near a military base and airport, according to Iranian state media. Irans air defense systems were activated in several locations, and flights were diverted or canceled at nearby airports.

The strike comes after Irans recent attack on Israel, in which Tehran fired some 350 suicide drones and missiles at the Jewish State, claiming the attack as retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on Irans consulate in Syria on April 1 that killed top Iranian general Mohammed Reza Zahedi. Israel had vowed to strike back, and US intelligence had suggested a limited and narrow response was likely.

Irans President Ebrahim Raisi had warned earlier that the tiniest invasion by Israel would bring a massive and harsh response.

Iranian officials told the New York Times that Israel had targeted the 8th Tactical Airbase of the Iranian Air Force, which is near the airport in Isfahan, and which contains multiple squadrons of American-made F-14 Tomcat fighter aircraft. The fighter jets were purchased by Iran before the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The strike also came  whether intentionally or not  on the 85th birthday of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Having ruled Iran since 1989, Khameini is the longest-serving ruler in the Middle East.

Iran appears to now be attempting to play down the Israeli strike, insisting that it only involved drones, and that no missiles were fired.

They said that we fired 500 suicide drones and missiles now they respond with three of these quadcopter, all of which were shut down, Irans space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian wrote on X.

Another official said, Theres been no airstrike in Isfahan or other parts of the country. They only made a failed and humiliating attempt to fly quadcopters, and they are all shot down, and that the drone attack was launched by Israeli groups in the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq.

When asked about the strikes, the office of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu declined to claim responsibility, and the IDF said that we dont have a comment at this time.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Presumably red-faced Iranian officials early Friday morning vehemently denied that the IDF had successfully attacked the country with missiles  despite having confirmed as such literally minutes earlier to US news outlets.

Siavosh Mihandoust, a senior commander in the Iranian army, claimed that no damage was caused by the attack and that the noises heard in Isfahan overnight were nothing more than air defense systems targeting a suspicious object.

Iranian state TV reported that three drones were observed in the sky over Isfahan. The air defense system became active and destroyed these drones in the sky.

Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Irans space agency, wrote on X: They said that we fired 500 suicide drones and missiles now they respond with three of these quadcopter, all of which were shut down.

And another officials said: Theres been no airstrike in Isfahan or other parts of the country. They only made a failed and humiliating attempt to fly quadcopters, and they are all shot down.

The problem with their claims is that U.S. officials confirmed that missiles had struck inside Iran. Moreover, three Iranian officials told the New York Times that a missile had struck Isfahan. And if all that isnt enough, simply watch the video below, taken by a resident of Isfahan.

Or, you can follow Irans implied directive to not believe your lying eyes.

Analysts believe that Iran is downplaying the attack in order to save face. If it acknowledges the IDF strike as a major one, it would be compelled to respond  as it has threatened to do if Israel retaliated. However, responding with major force could spark a regional or even world war  a possibility that the Iranian regime does not appear to believe it would survive.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A London-based Iranian news channel has released footage claiming to show an Israeli drone strike on a military base near Isfahan, Iran. The unverified video, posted on X (formerly Twitter), captures air raid sirens and explosions, sparking concerns of escalating tensions in the region.

The authenticity of the footage has not been confirmed, but it appears to show a military base in the vicinity of Isfahan, which is confirmed to have been struck by an IDF retaliatory strike on Thursday night.

Iranian officials have been adamant that only drones were used in the attack, despite ample evidence that missiles struck an air base near their Isfahan nuclear site.

Photos emerged on social media shortly after the attack that allegedly show shrapnel from Israeli armaments near the Iraqi city of Baghdad.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Military analysts believe that Israel used its Rampage or Blue Sparrow missiles in its attack on Iran.

Analyst Tal Hagin wrote: My speculation based on the allegation that this missile belongs to Israel: The fins in the front near the cone, the latches for it to be attached to an aircraft, and the large cylinder shape strongly resemble the Rampage  supersonic missile developed by Rafael.

According to the manufacturer: The Rampage long-range supersonic air-to-ground precision strike missile features high survivability, operational flexibility and enables salvo strikes against high-value targets.

Based on advanced technologies and designed for fast response and precision strikes, the innovative air-to-ground missile features

a pre-programmable or in-flight mission profile, Navigation Satellite System/INS with anti-jam capabilities, a general purpose warhead and fire-and-forget capabilities. The standoff weapon enables salvo strikes against high-value targets such as air force bases and control towers, air defense sites, munitions storage, bunkers, logistics centers, communication infrastructures and other infrastructure facilities.

Rampage is compatible with a variety of aircraft and features various methods of aircraft-to-weapon interface: standalone, via avionic system or wireless with mobile device inside the cockpit.

Weapons expert John Ridge, however, suggested that the missiles used in the attack were Blue Sparrows. Ridge wrote: So my initial gut feeling was correct, it was not UAVs. The IAF carried out a standoff attack from Syrian airspace with Sparrow, likely Blue Sparrow, air-launched ballistic missiles released from F-15Is. Booster wreckage was recovered in Iraq.
Itamar Ben Gvir, never content with anything less than overwhelming brute force, whined about Israels retaliatory strike in Isfahan, Iran, complaining on X: Weak!

Israel has made it clear they will not comment publicly on the strike, with the aim being to avoid escalating the situation further, which could spark a major war. But Ben Gvir took things into his own hands with his complaint.

Tasnim, Irans state-run media agency, pounced on the opportunity, responding to Ben Gvirs tweet.

The Minister of Internal Security of the Zionist regime wrote to the reports about the Isfahan incident: Weak! The Israeli authorities are mocking themselves! Tasnim tweeted.

As always, when Israel is trying to accomplish something, Ben Gvir is there to muddy the waters.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
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Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on amendments to the "Regulations on the rules of competition and interviewing candidates for admission to the service of migration bodies" approved by Decree No. 305 of July 15, 2010, Trend reports.

According to the decree, guided by paragraph 32 of Article 109 of the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan, it is decided:

1. To make the following changes to the "Regulations on the rules of competition and interviewing of candidates for admission to service in migration bodies" approved by the decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan No. 305 dated July 15, 2010 (Collection of Legislation of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2010, No. 7, Article 624 (Volume I)):

1.1. After the word "persons," to add the words "taking into account Part 8 of this Regulation" to Part 6;

1.2. To add paragraph 8.4-1 as follows:

"8.4-1. persons applying for recruitment to the position of a doctor (if they have the right to engage in medical activities and at least three years of work experience in the declared position)".

2. The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan to resolve issues arising from this decree.

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first pub. 17:20

BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Azerbaijan and Armenia will deploy their border services simultaneously and in parallel on the agreed sections of the borderline, Trend reports.

The relevant agreement was reached during the eighth meeting of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The meeting was held on April 19, 2024, at the border between the countries, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

According to the information, it was agreed that the sides would apply to their Governments to take measures for the simultaneous and parallel deployment of their border services on the agreed sections of the borderline.

"The parties also agreed to complete the coordination of the draft Regulation on joint activities of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan by July 1, 2024. They will commence the process of domestic coordination and approval of the Regulation following the respective states' legislation requirements," the report says.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Azerbaijan and Armenia have agreed to continue the delimitation process on the issues of enclaves and exclaves, Trend reports.

The relevant agreement was reached during the eighth meeting of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The meeting was held on April 19, 2024, at the border between the countries, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

"The sides agreed on the priority of the process of delimitation of all other sections of the border, including enclaves and exclaves," the statement reads.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy Claudio Taffuri on the occasion of the completion of his diplomatic activity in the country, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The meeting discussed issues arising from the existing multidimensional relations of strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy, as well as the current regional situation,

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov expressed gratitude to ambassador Claudio Taffuri for his efforts in enhancing Azerbaijan-Italy relations during his tenure and wished him success in his future endeavors. It was acknowledged that the multi-dimensional strategic partnership between the two countries across various sectors, including politics, economics, trade, energy, transportation, culture, and humanitarian affairs, is a source of satisfaction. The existing mechanism of strategic dialogue was recognized for its significant contribution to these relations. Furthermore, the importance of ongoing mutual visits, contacts, and the continuation of political consultations was underscored.

The minister informed about the preparations for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), which will be held in the country this year. It was noted that COP29 will further contribute to cooperation with a number of partners in the field of climate change, including Italy.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov thanked Italy for its fair attitude on the current situation and reality in the region following the fighting, including reconstruction and construction work in liberated lands and the Azerbaijani-Armenian normalization process. He underscored the significance of Italy's position, urging other actors to follow suit and avoid unilateral and discriminatory policies that threaten regional peace and security.

Ambassador Claudio Taffuri expressed appreciation for the cooperation and support received during his diplomatic tenure in Azerbaijan. He conveyed confidence in further strengthening the partnership between Azerbaijan and Italy.

During the meeting, both sides also discussed other issues of mutual interest.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Azerbaijan and Armenia will refer to the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991 during the border delimitation process, Trend reports.

The relevant agreement was reached during the eighth meeting of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The meeting was held on April 19, 2024, at the border between the countries, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

The parties also agreed to incorporate a fundamental principle into the draft Regulations: if the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia dictates otherwise in the future, the relevant section of the Regulations will be aligned with the principles outlined in that Agreement.

It was agreed that after the approval of the Regulation by the Parties, the Parties will agree on the priority of the process of delimitation of all other sections of the border, including enclaves and exclaves.

A protocol was signed based on the results of the meeting. It was decided to agree on the date and venue of the next meeting in working order.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. The 8th meeting of the commissions on delimitation between Azerbaijan and Armenia has been held, Trend reports.

On April 19, 2024, the eighth meeting of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan. The meeting was held on April 19, 2024, at the border between the countries, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Shahin Mustafayev and Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Mher Grigoryan.

During the meeting the Commissions agreed on the following:

- At the initial stage of the delimitation process, the parties previously agreed on the passage of separate segments of the border line directly between the settlements of Baganis (Armenia)  Baganis Ayrim (Azerbaijan), Voskepar (Armenia)  Ashagi Askipara (Azerbaijan), Kirants (Armenia)  Kheyrimli (Azerbaijan) and Berkaber (Armenia)  Gizilghajili (Azerbaijan) in order to bring them into line with the legally justified inter-republican border that existed within the Soviet Union at the time of its collapse,

- Agreed that the description of these segments of the borderline will be drawn up taking into account the clarification of coordinates based on geodetic measurements on the ground, which will be formalized by an appropriate Protocol description, which must be agreed and signed by the parties by May 15, 2024.

- The Parties agreed that they would apply to their governments to take measures for the simultaneous and parallel deployment of their border services on the agreed sections of the borderline. They also agreed that until the delimitation process is fully completed, the segments of the boundary line indicated in the Protocol-Description will be considered delimited.

- At the same time, they agreed to complete the coordination of the draft Regulation on joint activities of the State Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia and the Commission on the Delimitation of the State Border and Border Security between the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan by July 1, 2024. They will commence the process of domestic coordination and approval of the Regulation following the respective states' legislation requirements.

- The Parties agreed that in the process of delimitation, they will rely on the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991. The Parties also agreed to incorporate a fundamental principle into the draft Regulations: if the Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and Inter-State Relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia dictates otherwise in the future, the relevant section of the Regulations will be aligned with the principles outlined in that Agreement..

- It was agreed that, after the approval of the Regulation by the Parties, the Parties will agree on the priority of the process of delimitation of all other sections of the border, including enclaves and exclaves.

A protocol was signed based on the results of the meeting. It was decided to agree on the date and venue of the next meeting in working order.

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Threats against elected representatives will undermine essential qualities of Irish democracy, Integration Minister Roderic OGorman said, after a protest outside his home.

Gardai were called on Thursday after reports that up to 12 masked men were staging a protest, some with anti-migration placards and banners, outside the property.

On Friday Mr OGorman said: I want to thank local gardai in Blanchardstown for their assistance yesterday.

Ireland has a strong democratic tradition, where public representatives are accessible and accountable to the public.

We debate and sometimes disagree, but do so in a way that is fundamentally respectful.

I know that is valued by people across this country, and it is valued by politicians too.

Threats and intimidation towards publicly elected representatives and those seeking election will undermine those essential qualities of Irish democracy.

If we were to lose those, we would lose something very dear, and not easily recovered.

Taoiseach Simon Harris said he was horrified by what he described as a chilling protest.

He also said he was deeply uncomfortable that the situation was allowed to develop.

Mr Harris said he spoke to Mr OGorman, of the Green Party in the coalition government, about the situation on Friday.

I was utterly horrified to see the situation, he told reporters in Co Carlow.

We all recognise the right to protest in a democracy but to see masked people gathering outside somebodys family home, I think that is extraordinarily chilling and quite frankly disgusting.

I know that the gardai have to assess each of these situations, and as Taoiseach I dont wish to interfere in that, however, I feel deeply uncomfortable that the situation was allowed to develop outside the home of any person quite frankly, public figure or otherwise, government or opposition, and I hope in due course to have an opportunity to discuss this with gardai.

Asked whether he was worried about the trajectory of this, given former taoiseach Leo Varadkar had protests outside his home last year, Mr Harris said he was worried to see an increase in the presence of people gathering outside peoples family homes.

I think that is chilling in a democracy. I think it is worrying, I think it is disturbing, he said.

Of course we see political discourse but there is an appropriate way to debate and raise issues, in the Dail, in council chambers, plenty of places to protest around Dail Eireann, constituency offices and the likes.

But I also dont want to suggest that these people, small in number, speak for Ireland.

My experience as a public representative, at a whole variety of levels in this country, has been that the overwhelming majority of people in this country, agree or disagree with your politics, are decent people.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has received Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Algeria Abdelouahab Osmane on the occasion of the end of his diplomatic mission in the country, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry told Trend.

Bayramov expressed gratitude to Ambassador Abdelouahab Osmane for the efforts made during his diplomatic mission in our country towards the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Algeria and wished him success in his future activities.

The parties highlighted the growing partnership between Azerbaijan and Algeria, underscoring the satisfaction derived from their friendly relations and high-level engagements. They emphasized the importance of bilateral interaction across political, economic, humanitarian, energy, and inter-parliamentary domains. Both nations reaffirmed their successful collaboration within international platforms such as the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement, and others.

The Azerbaijani side expressed deep appreciation for Algeria's consistent support of Azerbaijan's position, rooted in international law, regarding the former Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. The Minister briefed the Ambassador on the current regional situation and the ongoing process of normalizing relations with Armenia.

During the meeting, the sides also discussed various other matters of mutual interest.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. The European Union fully supports the process of negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus Toivo Klaar wrote on his page on X, Trend reports.

"Encouraging news today regarding the work of the Armenia and Azerbaijan border commissions and the start of a delimitation process based on legal documents and the 1991 Almaty Agreement. EU fully supports the process of negotiations and the aim of a comprehensive and lasting settlement, he wrote.
Better title because www.TonysKansasCity.com is the only outlet reporting on the fun part of this contest . . .

SHOW-ME CROWDED PRIMARY SLAP FIGHT COMING SOON TO FOR KANSAS CITY PROGRESSIVES!!!

This makes are three official announcements so far . . . Including a sneaky bid from Pat Contreras and then Dan Tarwater jumping in the contest.

Insiders tell us to take this effort a bit more seriously . . . Check-it:



Patty Lewis Announces 2024 State Senate Campaign



Democrat Patty Lewis Campaign for Missouri Senate District 7



Kansas City, MO - Democratic State Representative Patty Lewis announces her intent to run for Missouri Senate District 7,when current State Senator Greg Razors nomination to the State Tax Commission is confirmed and he withdraws his name to run for re-election.



For the past four years, I have had the honor of serving the constituents of the 25th House District. When I decided to run for office in 2018, I made a commitment to my community that I would always serve with integrity and with the best interests of the district in mind. As State Representative, I have stood up to the far-right supermajority time and time again. Ive championed womens reproductive rights, common sense gun reform, access to quality, affordable health care, workers rights, and equal opportunities for LGBTQ+ Missourians, and other marginalized individuals.



Our community deserves a State Senator who has experience making public policy, who has built the relationships here at home and in the Capitol to deliver for our district, and who has already been doing the hard work on behalf of the people of Kansas City  I am that candidate. Too much is at stake in the fight for our rights, fair wages, health care, and the safety of our children. We must elect a senator who can hit the ground running on day one.



Patty is currently the only registered nurse serving in the Missouri General Assembly. She and her husband Aaron, live in Kansas City. Patty is a graduate of Rockhurst University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.



She is the daughter of Rowena White and the late Jim White, former Democratic candidate for the 4th Congressional District.

# # #

Developing . . .
Full disclosure . . .

Our www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community has never been fond of Council Dude Eric Bunch for a lot of reasons but mostly because he consistently hides from his constituents and is notorious for having the worst community contact skills on the Council.

In fairness . . . During his recent successful reelection bid, he acknowledged this major fault in his tenure and promised to reach out to voters more effectively.

And so . . .

CHECK KANSAS CITY COUNCIL DUDE BUNCH SUPPORTING MAYOR Q ON THE NEED FOR MORE LOCAL WORKERS AMID THIS WEEK'S MIGRANT INVITATION!!!



Here's his cagey yet obvious X/Twitter quote . . .



"Not to throw fuel on this fire but we need workers in every job sector in Kansas City. We have to fill more of those openings to keep the regional economy strong. Surely the Lt Governor knows how vital the KC economy is for the state of Missouri."

You decide . . .
White collar medical crime still looms large in the mind of locals as this old school case hit headlines this week . . . Here are the #TBT basics that are still worth remembering . . .



"Robert Courtney, now 71, is due to be sent to a halfway house, after a 2002 conviction of selling diluted cancer medicines.



"The Federal Bureau of Prisons website shows his original sentence would have kept him locked up until May 2026. However, hes scheduled to be sent to a Springfield, Missouri halfway house on June 20."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Hundreds frustrated over potential release of disgraced KC pharmacist Robert Courtney Hundreds of Missouri families are furious over news regarding a disgraced Kansas City pharmacist, and his potential release from prison.

Ex-pharmacist Robert Courtney to move to home confinement Robert Courtney will be transferred to home confinement on July 31, 2024, according to an email sent by the Department of Justice.

Developing . . .
Yelling at youngsters is a proud tradition for every middle-class white woman in the United States.

It's a sign that a lady has given up on fun and moved past her wild youth whilst bravely entering into the golden years of womanhood which offer greater respect and far less interest from dudes who earn full-time incomes.

This happens for most ladies at around 27 years of age.

Accordingly . . .

A recent interaction is racially-charged, dumb and involves scooter etiquette . . . Which is something that doesn't exist in real life.

Of course . . . The newspaper scribe blames the adult . . . Which isn't altogether unreasonable.

Here's the crux of the report . . .



"If what the woman said about being a parent was true, that only makes her outburst look worse. How would she like it if an adult approached her children ranting and raving and cursing at them?"

Our takeaway . . .

Why is this story in a newspaper???

It looks like a perfectly normal interaction. Annoying of course . . . But nothing worth sweating. Not every encounter can be nice and, to his credit, the scribe doesn't give much credence to the charges of racism from youngsters.

What's worse is that with so much happening in this town and throughout the world . . . Metro columnists are writing about suburban angst and not-so-quiet lives of desperation shared with bored online gawkers.



Take a peek at the embarrassing non-drama via www.TonysKansasCity.com embed to Insta . . .
We'd like to see more explanation about how this data was collected and the methodology of the survey . . .

But a quick peek at so many nasty online comments confirms that there's no shortage of hateration throughout the metro.

Here's more reporting on the tragic topic . . .



"Anti-Semitism, when we start to see it really rise, indicates something about the health of the society," a spokesperson said. "This is happening right in our backyard, right in our community, too, not just on the national level."



The American Jewish Committee hosted a regional summit on Tuesday, titled "Driving Out Darkness in the Heartland."



The summit was aimed at addressing and strategizing against the rising tide of anti-Semitism.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
We've talked about this topic extensively but SPECIAL THANKS TO TKC READERS who sent this note our way offering more insight into how top ranking Missouri law enforcement officials feel about this move.



Here's the word and a link to the letter . . .



Attorney General Bailey Puts KC Mayor on Notice About State Law Criminalizing Knowing Transportation of Illegal Aliens



JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Today, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey directed a letter to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas putting him on notice that it is a Class D felony to knowingly transport an illegal alien in the State of Missouri. The letter comes after comments Mayor Lucas made welcoming illegal immigrants to Kansas City amidst the largest open border crisis in the nation's history.



In the letter, Attorney General Bailey wrote, We are a nation governed by the rule of law. Yet, under the current Administration in Washington, D.C., laws that dont align with a radically progressive agenda are simply ignored. Chief among these are the laws that prohibit illegal immigration into our country and into the State of Missouri.



Tragically, these open border policies have real-world consequences. An illegal alien from Venezuela, who had repeatedly flouted U.S. immigration laws, was actually granted a work permit under a misguided and illegal policy enacted by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. In February, he brutally murdered a young college student named Laken Hope Riley.



Yet, against the backdrop of literally millions of illegal aliens flooding our borders, overwhelming the social safety net of large American cities, and in some cases even committing violent crimes against our citizens, you are actively encouraging them to come to the Show Me State. All are welcome in Kansas City. Proud to work with my fellow mayors [from Denver and NYC] as we work to ensure decompression of new arriving communities you proclaimed on social media this week. 



He continued, You later amended your statement to claim that your offer extends to persons who are lawfully present, with lawful work permits but this afterthought ignores the underlying issue. Secretary Mayorkas open border programs are themselves illegal. Your statements are wildly irresponsible. Not only do you ignore the fact that Laken Rileys killer had a so-called work permit, but you are actively encouraging Missouri businesses to become entangled in a fundamentally unlawful program, and exposing them to legal liability in the process. See  285.525 - .555 RSMo. (prohibiting Missouri businesses from hiring or employing illegal aliens), and  577.675 RSMo. (making it a class D felony to knowingly transport illegal aliens in the state of Missouri). Make no mistake, my office will do everything in its power to take legal action against any person or entity found to be in violation of these statutes.



I took an oath to enforce the laws as written. That is why I joined with 19 other state attorneys general in suing Secretary Mayorkas over his disastrous and illegal parole program that unlawfully creates a de facto pathway to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants. This program would allow for up to 360,000 aliens from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (the home of Laken Rileys killer), to be paroled into the United States every year. Parole allows noncitizens to physically enter and remain in the United States even though they do not have a legal basis for being here. Your tacit support of this unlawful program is repugnant to the rule of law.



He concluded, Your open invitation to illegal aliens to come to Missouri is not only dangerous but comes at great expense to Missouri taxpayers, residents, and business owners. Rather than undermining the rule of law, I invite you to join me as I actively seek to defend it and to protect Missourians.

The full letter to Mayor Lucas can be read here.

#######################

Developing . . .


Quick peek from the wrong side of I-70 . . . It looks like the worst place in Missouri is about to get a rerun in local tax frustration.

However . . .

There's a downside and a conspiracy worth exploring given the sketchy urban connections betwixt local city hall politicos and St. Louis . . .

IF STL PASSES THIS MONSTROSITY . . . THERE GOES ALL THE CASH FOR KANSAS CITY!!!

Good luck to everybody in this nightmare . . .

"The Cardinals owners hope to make significant renovations to Busch Stadium in the next five years  and will likely seek public funding for the project, which they say is necessary to keep the stadium viable. The team president compares the potential scale of the project to two other franchises that each obtained more than $500 million in public funding for stadium upgrades."



After one newscycle of public push back . . .



"St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III said in an interview with the Business Journal that Busch Stadium will likely need a big infusion of capital in the years ahead to extend its lifespan, but that its too soon to know if the Cardinals plan to utilize public funding to assist with that future investment."





Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

As Cardinals Plan to Seek More Public Money for Busch Stadium, Experts Balk Team leaders claimed the 2006 stadium expenditure would revitalize downtown - yet the neighborhood has struggled

'Premature' to say St. Louis Cardinals want public money for Busch renovations, DeWitt says St. Louis Cardinals President Bill DeWitt III said it's "premature" to say the team will seek public money for renovations to Busch Stadium.

Cardinals attendance drops to historic low during first homestand Sonny Gray's St. Louis debut drew the smallest attendance for a Cardinals night game in the history of Busch Stadium III, according to several reports.

Developing . . .
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Construction work on the artificial land plot in the Azerbaijani portion of the Caspian Sea will be carried out in accordance with the Republic of Azerbaijan's Urban Planning and Construction Code, Trend reports.

This was reflected in the draft law on the building of artificial land plots in the Republic of Azerbaijan's part of the Caspian Sea (lake), which was considered today at the Azerbaijani Parliament session.



The draft specifies that the building permit issued in connection with the creation of an artificial land plot must also allow for the construction and establishment of construction objects on this land plot.



The Town Planning and Construction Code of the Azerbaijan Republic requires that the construction project comply with the master plan of the artificial land plot defined by this law.

After deliberations in the Milli Majlis (Parliament), the draft was put to a vote and adopted in the first reading.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Heather Foster, a single mother working her way through school at Sheridan College, was already dreaming of what the money from her Tim Hortons Roll Up To Win boat prize could do when she saw the correction: She had not won a boat.

The email had been a technical error.

Foster, from Halton Hills, was one of many Tim Hortons customers who were erroneously told Wednesday they had won a boat that retails for more than $55,000  only to be informed hours later they had not. The customers, over 1,000 of whom have since formed a Facebook group, are now entertaining the possibility of a class-action lawsuit against Tim Hortons.

But Suzanne Chiodo, an assistant professor at York Universitys Osgoode Hall Law School who specializes in class action, speculates it may be difficult to prove damages or a breach of contract.

It might be a storm in a Tim Hortons cup, Chiodo told the Star. I just dont know if it rises to the level of getting damages awarded by a court.

In a statement, Tim Hortons said the email was meant to give customers a fun overview of their 2024 play history. Unfortunately, there was a human error that resulted in some guests receiving some incorrect information.

An erroneous Tim Hortons email leads to heartbreak

Customers first received the notification they had won a boat  a 2024 Tracker Targa 18 WT, along with a trailer  on Wednesday morning, tucked in at the bottom of an email recapping their Roll Up To Win prizes. While everything else in the email  doughnuts, coffees and the like  was accurate, the boat was new.

Connor Dodsworth, who lives in St. Catharines, was immediately skeptical.

As much as I spent the day fantasizing about the possibilities and the fishing trips  it was something I definitely kept fairly guarded, Dodsworth said. But of course, living in the state that we are in Ontario, any glimpse of a financial bump definitely gets you excited.

Dodsworth told one of his best friends, who began planning a summer at the trailer with the boat.

Foster, who received the same email, checked with others to make sure the email wasnt a mistake, then went to a local franchise to confirm it.

There, employees told her she had indeed won and needed to fill out paperwork. She left her name and number, later calling Tim Hortons head office because the prize was over $100. Her phone call never went through.

Then, around 4:30 p.m., the correction came, telling customers to disregard the content of that email. Foster says she was heartbroken.

The money wouldve helped tremendously with me being a single mother, she said, although she hadnt decided if she would keep or sell the boat. Im in college so its kind of hard to be able to pay for everything for my kids as well as going to college.

Can customers sue Tim Hortons?

A successful class-action lawsuit may be difficult, though. Proving damages requires showing mental distress that rises above the annoyances and anxieties of everyday life, Chiodo said, and the disappointment from the erroneous email may not meet that threshold.

One question the court may ask is whether customers relied on Tim Hortons' misrepresentation to make decisions that hurt them, according to Andrew Eckart, staff lawyer at the University of Windsor's Class Action Clinic.

"I won a boat, now I'm going to buy a truck," Eckart gave as an example. But since that would be unique to individual customers, it may not make it conducive for a class-action lawsuit.

The lawsuit could also allege a breach of contract, but that depends on Tim Hortons terms and conditions. Chiodo speculates the company may already be covered.

Its a major multinational corporation, so probably, she said. But I havent read the terms and conditions.

Another factor is simply whether it would be financially worth the legwork for a law firm.

"Questions those lawyers are always going to have is, 'Am I going to make any money?'" Eckart said. "That depends on what damages are available."

A history of Roll Up To Win flubs

This isnt the first time Tim Hortons has flubbed its iconic marketing campaign.

Last year, a small subset of customers, the company said, were falsely told they had won $10,000. One customer from St. Catharines was told he had won just hours before his wedding. Instead, Timmies offered a $50 gift card as compensation.

The company has given no indication it will provide compensation for those who were told they had won a boat. A Tim Hortons spokesperson did not answer a question from the Star asking what the company would do to rectify the mistake.

The company moved the campaign  previously known as Roll Up The Rim To Win  fully digital in 2021, eliminating the messages printed on the rim of coffee cups and instead hosting it on its app.

I dont mind the digital platform. Its just the lack of physical pact, Dodsworth said. We have nothing. Its a digital paper trail that they can very easily disregard.
Russia is tightening its travel rules for government workers. Officials in various departments are now required to get special permission before traveling overseas. This decision comes from Russia's main security agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB), which is trying to protect state secrets.

Russia Imposes Travel Restrictions on Officials

The FSB is concerned that foreign countries might try to get secret information from Russian officials during their travels. These rules have been applied more strictly since the relationship between Russia and Western countries worsened after the Ukraine conflict.

Before this, there were already restrictions for officials with access to sensitive information, but now, the rules are even more strict.

Officials can't travel to any foreign country, including those that are friendly to Russia and haven't put sanctions on it, like Uzbekistan or Belarus.

According to Reuters, these restrictions have caused confusion as they are not the same across all government bodies. Each department, from parliament houses to the presidential administration, has different rules about who can travel and where.

The travel ban also affects countries that have strong economic ties with Russia, such as China, because of fears of extradition. Even trips for personal reasons like illness or attending a funeral require a compelling reason for officials to leave the country.

This situation highlights Russia's ongoing concerns about the safety of its state secrets. The FSB hasn't commented on these rules yet.

Meanwhile, employees of the interior ministry, the national guard, and certain other departments have very limited options for overseas travel, considering both sanctions and extradition treaties.

This step by Russia reflects its efforts to tighten security around its officials in an increasingly tense global environment.

Issues Travel Warning to Middle East Amid Regional Tensions

Russia has warned its citizens to avoid traveling to the Middle East due to increasing conflicts in the area. The Russian Foreign Ministry specifically advised against visits to Israel, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories unless absolutely necessary. This caution follows ongoing unrest and a recent escalation in violence, including a conflict involving Iran and its allies.

The travel advisory was reiterated after a violent incident in October when Hamas, supported by Iran, launched attacks in Israel. This resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 250 people to Gaza, as revealed by Iran International.

Tensions have remained high in the region, especially around the 'Blue Line' between Lebanon and Israel and the areas involved in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

The situation worsened after an Israeli missile strike in Damascus on April 1, which killed two high-ranking Iranian generals. Iran has vowed retaliation, and recent statements from Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei suggest that action against Israel could be forthcoming.

The escalation has also affected air travel, with German airline Lufthansa halting flights to Tehran for a day due to safety concerns. With threats of further military actions by Iran's proxies, which are active in several Middle Eastern countries, the region remains a hotspot for potential conflict.

Russia's travel warning aims to protect its citizens from the unpredictable violence that could erupt.
If you're a fan of mango sticky rice, pack your bags and head straight to Thailand, where this sweet and savory treat takes center stage. Known locally as khao nieow mamuang, it's a standout dish that has fans lining up from Bangkok to Chiang Mai.

Here, it's not just about slapping some ripe mango next to a heap of sticky rice. The real magic happens when it's paired with creamy, coconut sauce and a sprinkle of crispy mung beans, creating a delightful balance of flavors and textures that you just can't find anywhere else.

In Thailand, the art of perfecting mango sticky rice is taken very seriously. You'll discover that the best time to enjoy this dish is during the mango season from March to May.

This is when mangoes like the silky nam dok mai are at their peak-naturally sweet and perfectly smooth. These seasonal delights make all the difference in crafting a dish that's truly worth the hype.

So why is mango sticky very popular, which you can only buy in Thailand? Let's find out!

The Secret's in the Mangoes

In Thailand, the secret to their world-famous mango sticky rice starts with the star of the show: the mangoes. Thailand grows over 200 varieties of mangoes, but for a truly decadent khao nieow mamuang, the creamy and smooth 'Nam Dok Mai' is a top pick.

During the mango high season, from March to May, these mangoes hit their peak, boasting a natural sweetness that perfectly complements the dish's creamy and savory flavors. It's not just the type but also the ripeness of the mango that elevates this simple dish into a culinary masterpiece.

The best sticky rice desserts use mangoes that are at just the right stage of ripeness-sweet and soft but not mushy. If you find yourself in Thailand during this season, you're in for a real treat.

A Dish of High Standards

Thailand's mango sticky rice isn't about throwing together ingredients and hoping for the best. There's an art to choosing the perfect glutinous rice, which is ideally sourced from the northern provinces like Chiang Rai. The rice is steamed to chewy perfection, often with a hint of jasmine scent that fills the air as it cooks.

It's then mixed with a coconut milk concoction that's been sweetened with sugar and a pinch of salt, adding layers of flavor that soak into the warm rice. On top of this, a sprinkle of crunchy yellow mung beans adds a textural contrast that fans of the dish swear by. Each component is selected with care, ensuring every bite is as satisfying as the last.

Cultural Resonance and Modern Twists

While mango sticky rice has deep roots in Thai culture, contemporary chefs in Thailand have embraced the dish, introducing new twists that have kept it in the spotlight. You might find versions incorporating chocolate sauce or sprinklings of sesame seeds, while others might serve it alongside scoops of mango or coconut ice cream.

These modern interpretations can be found in chic urban cafes and high-end restaurants where chefs are keen to show off their culinary creativity. Despite these innovations, the heart of the dish remains the same, proof of Thailand's ability to blend tradition with contemporary tastes.

More Than Just Food

For Thais, mango sticky rice is more than just a meal-it's a part of celebrations, a treat to look forward to, and a way of showing hospitality. It's common for Thais to share this dish with friends and family, particularly during festive occasions or when welcoming guests.

This act of sharing spreads joy and pride in a national dish that has gained international fame. If you're visiting Thailand, don't be surprised if you're offered mango sticky rice as a sign of welcome and friendship-a culinary experience transcending mere eating.
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Heydar Aliyev International Airport joined the ranks of the Airports Council International Europe (ACI), the European region of the only global organization of airport operators. In addition, another air harbor of Azerbaijan, Ganja International Airport, was elected as a member of the council.

A significant event for Azerbaijan Civil Aviation was held within the framework of Passenger Terminal Expo 2024, a world-class airport conference and exhibition, with the participation of Samir Rzayev, President of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC, and Luis Felipe de Oliveira, CEO of ACI World. At the meeting, the certificate of membership to ACI Europe was officially presented. The importance of cooperation to improve the quality of airport services and improve the passenger experience was emphasized.

Joining ACI Europe is a significant event that opens new horizons for us, as well as an important step in the direction of development and improvement. This will give us the opportunity to further improve the quality of service, apply best practices and strengthen our position in the global aviation arena, said Samir Rzayev, president of Azerbaijan Airlines CJSC.

I would like to extend a very warm welcome on behalf of the pan-European airport community represented by ACI EUROPE to Heydar Aliyev International Airport, the key gateway serving Azerbaijans capital city, Baku. I look forward to working closely with the airport on critical issues for the industry, encompassing sustainability and decarbonization, financial and operational resilience, as well as the development of competitive connectivity for the communities that we serve,- said Olivier Jankovec, ACI EUROPE Director General.

It should be noted that ACI Europe plays an important role in sharing best practices, organizing conferences and exhibitions, promoting sustainability and technological innovation at airports. The accession of Azerbaijani airports to the Airports Council opens unique opportunities for active cooperation with world airports, including facilitating the development of global aviation policy and legislation. Baku and Ganja airports will have the right to participate in accreditation programs to improve airports, increase capacity, enhance environmental management, as well as obtaining professional accreditation of managers and customer service.

Representing the collective position of 1,925 airports around the world, the global ACI confederation also collaborates with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (CANSO), the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) and other key players in aviation industry.
The father of the man killed by police on Friday says his son needed help for a mental illne
The anti-aircraft missile units of the Ukrainian Air Force and the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate have destroyed a Russian Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber, a carrier of Kh-22 cruise missiles.

Ukrainian Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk announced this on Telegram.

According to him, overnight into Friday, April 19, Russian invaders launched a combined attack on Ukraine using missiles of different types and attack UAVs.

In total, the enemy used 22 missiles and 14 strike drones, including:

2 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles launched from Tu-95 MS strategic bombers (Ryazan area, Russia),

14 Shahed-131/136 drones (Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Kursk region),

12 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided aerial missiles (Kursk region, Sea of Azov area),

2 Iskander-K cruise missiles (Crimea), and

6 Kh-22 cruise missiles fired from Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bombers (the Black and Azov Seas).

Anti-aircraft missile units of the Ukrainian Air Force, mobile fire groups and electronic warfare units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces were involved in repelling the aerial attack.

Ukrainian defenders intercepted 29 targets, including:

2 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles,

14 Shahed-131/136 attack drones,

11 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided aerial missiles, and

2 Kh-22 cruise missiles.

According to Oleshchuk, the anti-aircraft missile units of the Ukrainian Air Force, in cooperation with the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, destroyed for the first time a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber, a carrier of Kh-22 cruise missiles, which the Russians use to attack Ukrainian cities. During today's attack, two Kh-22 missiles were destroyed for the first time.

"Ukraine needs more means and more missiles to better protect the frontline areas from Russian terrorism," the commander said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said earlier that air defense systems should not be stored in warehouses, but deployed in cities that are hit by Russian terrorists.

Photo: Vladimir Vladimirov / Telegram
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has refused to approve Daniel Mitov as acting foreign minister.

Mitov is known for his pro-Western and pro-Ukrainian position, while Radev opposes providing assistance to Ukraine. This was reported by Radio Liberty, Ukrinform reports.

Mitov, from the center-right Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (CEDB) party, was supposed to replace acting Foreign Minister Stefan Dimitrov at the request of the Prime Minister of the interim government, Dimitar Hlavchev.

However, Radev, who is responsible for finalizing personnel changes in the interim government, did not approve his candidacy.

Former Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov had previously expressed concerns that Dimitrov could promote pro-Russian interests in the government, adding that such a policy on the part of Bulgaria could bring Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban out of isolation regarding the country's position on Ukraine.

Mitov himself said that he also refused to take the offered position because he did not want to be drawn into a political power struggle, and expressed disappointment with the political maneuvering around the appointment process, Novinite reported.

As reported by Ukrinform, the interim government took office on April 9 after the dissolution of the previous cabinet of Nikolay Denkov. He resigned on March 5.

On March 28, the "There is such a people" party refused to form a government and returned the mandate to President Rumen Radev.

Radev later announced early general elections for June 9.

Photo from novinite.com
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Published April 19, 2024

CAPTION:Pictured L-R: Beau Benoit, Caitlyn Cullen, Isabella Coates, Taylor Brinson, Dr. Joshua Stockley

MONROE, LA  The University of Louisiana Monroe Honors Program joined the annual meeting of the Southern Regional Honors Council on April 3-6, in Jacksonville, Fla.

Dr. Joshua Stockley, Director of the ULM Honors Program, was accompanied by four students  Beau Benoit, a senior toxicology major; Caitlyn Cullen, a senior political science major; Taylor Brinson, a senior psychology major; and Isabella Coates, a junior psychology major.

Brinson presented Risk Propensity and Sensation-Seeking Behavior Differences Between Genders. Her presentation was based upon her honors thesis, which statistically analyzed survey data from ULM students in an effort to determine whether there were differences between genders in sensation-seeking behaviors such as thrill seeking, experience seeking, disinhibition, and boredom susceptibility.

The Southern Regional Honors Conference in Jacksonville, Fla. was a great professional exercise to present my research in the field of psychology, said Brinson. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have gone with other members of the ULM Honors Program. My favorite experience besides the interesting lectures and events at the conference was exploring and learning the history of downtown Jacksonville via scooters, she added.

Cullen presented The Susceptibility of Different Groups of Individuals to Join Christian Nationalist Ideology. Her presentation was also based upon her honors thesis, which statistically analyzed longitudinal survey data to determine which individuals were more or less likely to support Christian nationalism.

Having the opportunity to present my research at SRHC was incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, said Cullen. There are few experiences that compare to being able to share your hard work with peers who are able to understand, ask questions, and offer new insights. I loved being able to engage in new research, learn from other academic fields, and meet other Honors students from across the South, continued Cullen.

SRHC enabled me to connect with my colleagues in honors, said Benoit. While we attended presentations and other educational sessions, we also bonded while exploring the city and learning the history of Jacksonville. The conference facilitated networking, which is something I love doing. I made connections with students from across the south, and I heard research ideas that piqued my interest. I enjoyed hearing how different honors programs function, while at the same time highlighting our use of Suitable and the FLIGHT Program, he added. As far as the destination, Jacksonville served as an enriching and relaxing place for a conference.

Coates, SRHC was a great conference! There was something for everyone to enjoy. I had the best time attending different sessions.

Caitlyn and Taylor did a phenomenal job presenting their research and handled questions from professors and students in the audience with ease. The research being conducted by ULM honors students is truly exceptional, said Stockley. Additionally, SRHC was an excellent opportunity for our students to share their experiences with and learn from the rest of the honors community. I am excited to see that our students have a passion for always looking for ways to improve the honors experience here at ULM and their ability to forge connections and to create friendships with their colleagues from across the region, he added.

Attending the conference were honors students and administrators from colleges and universities across the southern region of the United States.

The Southern Regional Honors Council is an educational organization that promotes and advances Honors Programs and Honors Colleges in the southern United States. SRHC currently comprises over 100 member institutions, hosts an annual conference, publishes a literary arts journal, Sanctuary, and provides a variety of grants to support student efforts to engage in NCHC-sponsored experiential learning as well as leadership in honors organizations.

About the ULM Honors Program

The ULM Honors Program is a unique program within ULM that seeks intellectually curious students who desire to challenge themselves with new ideas and to work with similarly motivated students. The program is open to all majors and works within all degree programs. Honors students are exposed to more in-depth topics and work closely with faculty in smaller courses.

For more information about the Honors Program, contact Dr. Joshua Stockley at stockley@ulm.edu or 318-342-3216 or visit www.ulm.edu/honors.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Bakcell CEO has met with journalists in Khankendi, Trend reports.

During the event, Dr. Klaus Mueller noted that in a short period, the company managed to establish network infrastructure in the liberated areas, introduce VoLTE service, the advanced voice technology, and opened the first telco store in Khankendi.

Responding to high public interest in Bakcell's upcoming innovations, the CEO stated that the company is on the verge of major changes, with detailed information to be announced on April 25.

In addition, Dr. Klaus Mueller noted that in 2024, Bakcell intends to further expand its mobile communication and service network throughout the country.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. An agreement on cooperation in the field of green fertilizers was signed between the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and ACWA Power Company of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on April 16, 2024, Trend reports.

SOCAR Vice President Anar Mammadov and ACWA Power Vice President Driss Berraho signed the document.

The event noted with satisfaction the signing of an agreement between the companies on February 2, 2023, on cooperation in the field of renewable energy sources such as wind, solar on sea and land, and green hydrogen, as well as other related potential projects in Azerbaijan.

Particularly, it was noted that the recently signed document envisages cooperation on the potential production of green fertilizers (mainly urea) and subsequent implementation under the "Low Carbon/Green Fertilizer Project". The agreement emphasizes that ACWA Power will play a leading role in the renewable energy and green hydrogen production portion of the project.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
In a recent development at Columbia University, New York City police dispersed a pro-Palestinian encampment set up by protesters on the university's South Lawn. The event, which unfolded amid escalating tensions, resulted in the arrest of dozens of students and sparked debates over campus safety, free expression, and institutional policies.

Encampment and Police Intervention

The confrontation began early Wednesday morning when approximately 100 protesters erected 50 tents on Columbia University's South Lawn. The demonstrators, aligned with the Columbia University Apartheid Divest coalition, aimed to pressure the university into divesting from companies allegedly profiting from "Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine." Despite warnings of potential consequences, the protesters remained steadfast in their demand for action.

Videos circulating on social media captured the dramatic scene as New York City police officers entered the encampment on Thursday afternoon, playing audio recordings urging attendees to disperse or face arrest. According to reports from The New York Times, enough protesters were detained to fill at least three buses, and the encampment's tents were dismantled. While the exact number of arrests remains undisclosed, the police action marked a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute.

READ MORE : Columbia University Temporarily Suspends Student Groups Amid Israel-Hamas War Protests

Introduction of New Protest Rules and Student Suspensions

In response to the encampment and subsequent police intervention, Columbia University introduced new protest regulations, imposing restrictions on protest hours and requiring students to register demonstrations two days in advance. Furthermore, students participating in the unauthorized encampment faced immediate suspension, as announced by a university spokesperson. The disciplinary measures extended beyond Columbia's campus, affecting three Barnard College students, including Isra Hirsi, daughter of Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.

Barnard College, affiliated with Columbia University, issued statements emphasizing its commitment to maintaining an inclusive and harassment-free environment for its students. The college revealed that students involved in the encampment received written warnings before facing suspension. The swift disciplinary actions underscored the administration's stance on upholding institutional policies and ensuring the safety of the campus community.

Campus Response and Congressional Testimony

The timing of the protest coincided with Columbia University President Minouche Shafik's appearance before Congress to address issues of antisemitism and free expression on campus. While Shafik primarily focused on faculty investigations related to antisemitic remarks, committee member Ilhan Omar raised concerns about student punishments for alleged associations with terrorism. Shafik defended the university's response, citing the seriousness of the incidents and students' non-compliance with investigations, which led to their suspensions.

The incident prompted Columbia University and Barnard College to implement temporary access restrictions on campus, limiting entry to individuals with university IDs. These measures aimed to address evolving circumstances and ensure the safety and well-being of the campus community amidst heightened tensions.

The clash between pro-Palestinian protesters and Columbia University administration underscores the complex intersection of activism, institutional policies, and campus safety. As universities navigate contentious issues, such as divestment and free expression, they face the challenge of balancing academic freedom with upholding disciplinary standards. The events at Columbia University serve as a poignant reminder of the ongoing dialogue surrounding Palestinian rights and the role of educational institutions in addressing global conflicts.
In a significant move, the University of North Carolina's Board of Governors has passed a measure aimed at repealing the system's diversity and inclusion policy.

This decision, made during a public meeting, underscores a broader trend across various states in reevaluating their approach towards diversity initiatives within educational institutions. Let's delve into the implications of this decision and its potential impact on the university system.

From Diversity and Inclusion to "Equality within the University"

The motion put forth by the university governance committee signals a fundamental shift in the guiding principles of UNC's policies. By replacing the existing diversity and inclusion framework with a new focus on "equality within the university," the institution is redefining its approach towards addressing issues of representation and inclusivity. While the specifics of this new policy are still being finalized, its potential ramifications are already raising concerns among stakeholders.

Potential Ramifications: Defunding DEI Initiatives and Office Eliminations

One of the most immediate concerns arising from this decision is the potential defunding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across UNC's 16-campus system. The likely elimination of DEI offices raises questions about the fate of staff dedicated to promoting diversity and fostering inclusive environments. Would layoffs be inevitable, or could there be possibilities for staff reassignment within the institution?

Drawing parallels with similar actions taken in Texas and Florida, where DEI programs were eliminated by congressional mandate, sheds light on the possible trajectory for UNC. The closure of DEI offices in Texas universities resulted in significant staff layoffs, signaling a precedent that UNC might follow. However, the nuanced approach taken by UNC's board suggests a willingness to navigate this transition with careful consideration for both institutional and stakeholder interests.

Navigating Legislative Pressures and Institutional Priorities

The decision-making process surrounding UNC's diversity and inclusion policy reflects a delicate balance between responding to legislative pressures and upholding institutional values. While Republican state lawmakers in North Carolina have contemplated proposing legislation akin to those in Texas and Florida, the board's proactive approach indicates a desire to retain autonomy over the university's policies.

The involvement of key stakeholders, including faculty representatives like Wade Maki, underscores a commitment to ensuring that the transition does not compromise the university's commitment to diversity and student success. Maki's assertion that laying off personnel is not conducive to anyone's interests highlights the importance of finding solutions that address concerns from all sides. By engaging in constructive dialogue and proactively addressing legislative concerns, UNC aims to chart a course that preserves its core values while adapting to evolving external pressures.

UNC's Board of Governors' decision to repeal the diversity and inclusion policy in favor of a new "equality within the university" policy marks a significant shift in the institution's approach towards addressing issues of diversity and inclusivity. While the specifics of this transition are still unfolding, the potential ramifications raise important questions about the future of DEI initiatives and office structures within the university system.

By navigating this transition with careful consideration for both institutional priorities and legislative pressures, UNC seeks to uphold its commitment to diversity while ensuring its autonomy in shaping its policies and practices. As the full board prepares to vote on this measure in May, the outcome will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the university community and beyond.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Kazakhstan's liquid production is projected to grow slightly by about 18,000 b/d to an average of 1.9 mb/d, Trend reports.

Thus, OPEC has revised its forecast for the country's output by 9,000 b/d compared to the previous assessment, thanks to the higher-than-expected output in February.

Meanwhile, in February, Kazakhstan's liquid production experienced a decline of 13,000 b/d compared to the previous month, averaging 2 mb/d.

Oil production in the Kashagan field and gas condensate output in the Karachaganak field are expected to see marginal increases, the bloc noted in its outlook.

Moreover, Kazakhstan's liquid supply is forecasted to rise by 100,000 b/d in 2025, reaching an average of 2.1 mb/d.

Previously, Kazakhstan's Minister of Energy Almassadam Satkaliev indicated that the country's oil production in 2023 amounted to approximately 90 million tons, falling short of earlier projections of 92-93 million tons. Of the total oil produced in 2023, about 18 million tons were allocated for the domestic market, while approximately 56 million tons were exported through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.

Furthermore, Kazakhstan aims to boost its oil production to 90.3 million tons in 2024.

Additionally, in 2023, gas production in Kazakhstan reached 59.1 billion cubic meters, with liquefied petroleum gas production totaling 2.95 million tons and consumption standing at 1.8 million tons. Looking ahead to 2024, the country anticipates gas production to reach 60.5 billion cubic meters, with forecasts for liquefied petroleum gas production at 2.95 million tons and consumption at 2.1 million tons.
In a brewing confrontation between the Department of Education and Grand Canyon University (GCU), the nation's largest Christian university finds itself embroiled in allegations of biased targeting.

Secretary Miguel Cardona's pledge to shut down GCU has ignited a fierce debate over the fairness of federal oversight in higher education.

A Clash of Perspectives: Predatory Practices or Persecution?

The crux of the conflict centers on accusations of predatory practices leveled against GCU by federal authorities. Cardona, in response to Rep. Rosa DeLauro's inquiry during a House Appropriations Committee hearing, labeled GCU as a "predatory for-profit college." He cited instances of alleged misconduct, including misleading students about program costs and enrollment tactics aimed at driving up revenues. However, GCU officials vehemently deny these claims, asserting that they are unjustly targeted and that the Department's actions stem from deeply entrenched bias.

The disparity in fines imposed on GCU compared to other institutions raises eyebrows and fuels suspicions of selective enforcement. While GCU faces a staggering $37.7 million fine, other universities with histories of serious misconduct received substantially lower penalties. This glaring incongruity underscores concerns about fairness and impartiality within the Department's regulatory framework.

READ MORE : Goldwater Institute Sues Education Department Seeking Release Of Grand Canyon University Fine-Related Documents

Erosion of Trust: Faith-Based Institutions in the Crosshairs

The targeting of GCU, as the largest Christian university in the U.S., reverberates beyond mere regulatory disputes, tapping into broader anxieties about the treatment of faith-based institutions. Conservative groups, including the American Principles Project (APP), have rallied to GCU's defense, framing the Department's actions as part of a broader assault on traditional values. APP's petition to "protect Christian colleges" reflects growing concerns that federal education policies are driven by ideological agendas rather than student welfare.

Moreover, the lack of transparency and accountability in the Department's actions compounds suspicions of bias. GCU officials and advocacy groups point to the Department's refusal to release public records related to the fine, alleging a deliberate attempt to conceal the motivations behind its punitive measures. This opacity undermines trust in the regulatory process and fuels perceptions of persecution among faith-based institutions.

A Call for Transparency: Navigating the Path Forward

As the GCU controversy unfolds, it serves as a litmus test for the integrity of federal oversight in higher education. Calls for transparency, accountability, and fairness resonate loudly in the face of allegations of bias and selective enforcement. The Department of Education must address these concerns head-on, demonstrating a commitment to impartiality and due process.

Moreover, the broader implications of the GCU saga extend beyond individual institutions, touching on fundamental questions of academic freedom, diversity of thought, and the role of faith in higher education. As stakeholders on all sides of the debate continue to spar, the need for constructive dialogue and principled action becomes increasingly urgent.

The clash between Grand Canyon University and the Department of Education underscores the delicate balance between regulatory oversight and institutional autonomy. While allegations of misconduct must be thoroughly investigated, the specter of bias and persecution looms large, casting a shadow over the integrity of the regulatory process. As stakeholders navigate this contentious terrain, the pursuit of transparency, fairness, and respect for diverse perspectives must remain paramount.
Howard Swerdloff, a seasoned lecturer with 14 years of experience in Rutgers University's Writing Program, was gearing up to commemorate the anniversary of a historic faculty strike when he received devastating news: he would not have a job in the fall. This abrupt revelation came as a shock to Swerdloff and many of his colleagues, who, unlike tenure-track faculty, operate on annual contracts that are subject to renewal.

According to an email from Lynda Dexheimer, the executive director of the writing program, at least 29 out of 31 writing lecturers will not be returning in the fall semester. This decision, which affects a significant portion of the program's faculty, has sent ripples of uncertainty and distress through the academic community.

Impact on Education Quality

The Rutgers Writing Program, renowned for its size and influence, plays a crucial role in shaping the academic experience of undergraduate students. With one-third of the campus's 40,000 undergraduates enrolled in its courses, the program holds substantial sway over the development of writing skills among students. However, the decision to increase class sizes beyond recommended limits raises concerns about the quality of education that students will receive.

Union leaders argue that the current class size cap of 22 already exceeds the maximum recommended by national academic organizations. By further increasing class sizes, the university risks overburdening lecturers and disadvantaging students who rely on smaller class settings for effective learning.

READ MORE : Rutgers University Law Student Alleges Discrimination And Retaliation Over Antisemitism Concerns

Uncertain Future for Educators

For many lecturers, the news of their impending job loss came as a devastating blow. Some, like Swerdloff, have dedicated decades of their lives to teaching at Rutgers, only to find themselves facing an uncertain future. The lack of job security for adjunct faculty means that their livelihoods are directly tied to the availability of courses, leaving them vulnerable to sudden changes in enrollment and programmatic decisions.

Additionally, the university's decision to eliminate many advanced writing courses further compounds the challenges facing both educators and students. While the rationale behind these changes is linked to fluctuations in student demand and curriculum adjustments, the consequences for faculty members are profound and far-reaching.

From Celebration to Protest

What was meant to be a celebratory occasion marking the gains achieved through last year's faculty strike quickly turned into a protest against the university's decision to cut the writing program. Faculty union members, along with students, gathered to voice their opposition to the layoffs and the detrimental impact on academic quality.

Last year's strike resulted in significant victories for adjunct faculty, including raises and improved job security. However, the recent cuts to the writing program threaten to undermine these hard-fought gains, leaving many educators feeling disillusioned and betrayed.

As the academic community grapples with the fallout from these decisions, the future of higher education at Rutgers and beyond hangs in the balance. The plight of adjunct faculty highlights broader issues of job insecurity and the precarious nature of academic employment, underscoring the need for greater support and recognition for all members of the academic community.
Tokyo, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) Tokyo's key Nikkei index plunged more than three percent in morning trade on Friday, following falls in tech shares on Wall Street and as middle East tensions rattle markets.

The benchmark Nikkei 225 index was down 3.08 percent, or 1,170.97 points, to 36,908.73 at around 0145 GMT.

The broader Topix index fell 2.53 percent, or 67.65 points, to 2,609.80.

"Chip-linked shares are facing heavy selling" in Tokyo as "expectations fade for US rate cuts, and after Taiwan's TSMC revised down its market outlook", Hideyuki Suzuki of SBI Securities said.

Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC fell 4.9 percent on Wall Street on Thursday after it pointed to "weakening macroeconomic conditions" and softening demand.

Earlier Thursday, TSMC -- which dominates the world's chip-making industry -- announced a nearly nine percent increase in net profit in the first quarter.

Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said investors across Asian markets were hoping "to salvage a challenging week".

"Prevailing global unease and a cautious attitude towards risk-taking ahead of the weekend (yes, the Middle East is still on the radar), compounded by relentless waves of hawkish Fed speak, could limit any appetite for upside moves," he said in a note.

Among major shares in Tokyo, electronics maker TDK dropped 4.64 percent to 6,985 Yen and IT investment company SoftBank Group sank 3.86 percent to 7,572 yen.

Chip and electronics parts maker Rohm was down 3.93 percent at 2,114 yen.

Sony Group was down 2.55 percent at 12,435 yen after reports said the company was in talks with Apollo Global Management about a potential joint bid for film and tv giant Paramount Global.

Toyota was off 2.67 percent at 3,506 yen.
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Chairman, Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday demanded the government to initiate tripartite dialogue with the neighbouring countries to curb the menace of re-surging terrorism

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) Chairman, Pakistan People's Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday demanded the government to initiate tripartite dialogue with the neighbouring countries to curb the menace of re-surging terrorism.

While talking to media outside the Parliament House, the Chairman Bilawal appreciated Sindh police for thwarting a terror attack in Landhi, Karachi yesterday morning.

Bilawal said, "This is also a reminder that the menace of terrorism is once again rising in Pakistan. The federal and provincial governments will have to take action against the terrorists and ensure to engage the neighboring country to take action against them."

The Chairman PPP said that as a foreign minister he had held a tripartite dialogue at the foreign ministry among the foreign ministers of China, Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding, "We should have similar efforts to eliminate terrorists."

The Chairman PPP said Imran Khans government policy regarding the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, terrorism and about the neighboring country, the way that government let free the terrorists from prisons and invited the terrorists who were in Afghan prisons before the fall of Kabul to enter Pakistan were all wrong.

The parliament was not taken on board and the President of the time was giving the terrorists clemency, he added. "That was the policy of Imran Khans government. We had criticized that policy then and now we should have a clear stance to see the issue as political but as an issue of national security.

You cannot have the policy of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds. This dual policy will not work and the Army, police, common people rendered great sacrifices to eliminate these terrorists in the past," he said.

Speaking about the destruction by the floods in the modern country like United Arab Emirates, Chairman Bilawal said that the climate change is increasing in its intensity with time. Pakistan is an under-developed nation and we are trying to give relief to the people with our limited resources. "The floods in 2022 caused huge destruction. We are constructing two million houses for the flood-hit people. We have to change our development strategy for the federal and provincial governments and make the infrastructure climate resilient and climate friendly so that we can protect the coming generations and President Zardari has also given a message in this regard in his address yesterday."

Regarding recent visit of the Saudi foreign minister, Chairman Bilawal said that he thinks that it was the most successful visit. "Saudi Arabia will play a major role in the investment opportunities in Pakistan. This will provide employment opportunities to people all over the country. It is the responsibility of the government and its allies and the opposition to welcome the foreign delegation," he added.
The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Pakistan Office will be co-hosting a one-day International Conference, titled "Pakistan in the Emerging Geopolitical Landscape, at ISSI on 24 April 2024

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Pakistan Office will be co-hosting a one-day International Conference, titled "Pakistan in the Emerging Geopolitical Landscape, at ISSI on 24 April 2024.

Building on the success of last years International Conference - Pakistans Strategic Frontiers, this years event will delve into the relationship between Pakistan's strategic position and the rapidly shifting dynamics of West and Central Asia.

The Conference agenda focuses on three key themes. The first working session, titled Unraveling Afghanistan's Shifting Landscape, will examine the evolving situation in Afghanistan, particularly its impact on Pakistan's security and foreign policy considerations.

The second session, titled From Dependency to Diversity: The Evolution of the middle East, will analyze the changing environment within the Middle East and its influence on Pakistan's regional partnerships and economic interests.

The third and final session, titled Rising Non-Conventional Security Threats in Afghanistan, Central Asia, and the Middle East, will seek to address the growing challenges posed by non-traditional threats like cyberwarfare, pandemics, and climate change, emphasizing the necessity of regional collaboration to mitigate these threats.

Through in-depth discussions and expert insights, the Conference aims to achieve a broad set of objectives. It will analyze the impact of the evolving regional landscape on Pakistan's foreign policy, security concerns, and economic opportunities.

The Conference will also explore the changing nature of security threats and their implications for regional stability. Furthermore, the discussions will emphasize the importance of fostering regional connectivity and economic cooperation for sustainable development. Ultimately, the Conference seeks to generate valuable knowledge on how Pakistan can effectively navigate its changing regional environment, enhance its diplomatic space, and promote economic development.

By bringing together renowned international and Pakistani scholars, academics, practitioners, policymakers, and diplomats, the Conference seeks to create a platform for constructive dialogue and contribute to deeper understanding of Pakistan's role in the emerging geopolitical landscape.

The Conference aims to foster a comprehensive and more nuanced appreciation of the complex challenges and opportunities Pakistan faces in the evolving global environment.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed deep grief and sorrow over loss of previous lives and property due to heavy rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed deep grief and sorrow over loss of previous lives and property due to heavy rains in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

He in a message, prayed for the elevation of ranks of the departed souls in paradise and offered condolences to the bereaved families.

The prime minister also prayed for early recovery of the injured as a result of various incidents occurred due to torrential rains.

He directed the National Disaster Management Authority and other concerned departments to speed up the relief activities in the affected areas.

The Federal government stood with the provincial governments of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and would provide all possible assistance in relief operations, the prime minister said.

He directed not to spare any effort in providing relief to the victims.

Besides he also asked to expedite the work for opening roads that had been closed due to rains and landsliding.
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President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday called for enhancing road and railway connectivity between Pakistan and Turkiye to further promote people-to-people contacts between the two brotherly countries

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday called for enhancing road and railway connectivity between Pakistan and Turkiye to further promote people-to-people contacts between the two brotherly countries.

He said that overland transport was cost-effective, which would not only lead to increased interactions between the two nations but would also enhance bilateral economic ties.

The president expressed these views while talking to the Turkish Chief of General Staff, General Metin Gurak, who along with his delegation, called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, and Ambassador of Turkiye to Pakistan, Dr Mehmet Pacaci, also attended the meeting.

Welcoming the delegation, the president said that Pakistan was committed to further deepening mutually beneficial cooperation with Turkiye in all areas of common interest.

He urged the need to increase bilateral cultural exchanges, particularly in the areas of literature and poetry, to bring the people of two brotherly countries further closer.

The president highlighted that Turkiye was a sincere friend of Pakistan and both countries had enjoyed deep fraternal ties, which needed to be further strengthened for the mutual benefit of the two sides.

He expressed satisfaction over the existing level of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, adding that Pak-Turkiye relations were on an upward trajectory marked by increased high-level exchanges.

Earlier, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Nishan-i-Imtiaz (Military) on the Turkish Chief of General Staff, General Metin Gurak, in recognition of his outstanding services in strengthening and promoting defence ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, at a special investiture ceremony, held, at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.
Capri, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) The United States urged European powers to increase pressure on China at a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy on Thursday, as Washington accuses Beijing of helping Russia's military expansion.

The Americans hope in particular that European nations will pressure China to reduce military support for Russia, at a time when, according to Washington, Russian forces are gaining ground in Ukraine following the February 2022 invasion.

In addition to the United States, the G7 countries include Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Japan and Italy, which holds the presidency this year.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who arrived on the Italian resort island of Capri on Wednesday, raised his concerns during a working session devoted to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to a US diplomatic source.

China is "contributing to Russia's ability to prosecute" the war in ways that threaten all of Europe, a senior US official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

"In creating this industrial base they are expanding Russia's ability to produce equipment, produce munitions, and it ought to give one pause about what that capacity is going to be" later, he said.

There is a "growing awareness" of the challenges linked to China's support and the warning is due to appear in the final communique on Friday, the official added.

On Thursday, after meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Blinken stressed the "urgent" need to step up support for Ukraine, after another Russian strike on Wednesday left 18 people dead.

The US House of Representatives is expected to vote Saturday on new military aid including some $61 billion in long-delayed support for Ukraine.

"This is a matter of death and life," Kuleba said, adding that he would be working at the G7 meeting to secure more air defence support, which he said was of "fundamental importance".

- Blinken and China -

Washington has set a red line for Beijing -- not to supply weapons to Russia for its war in Ukraine. And so far it has not presented proof that this has been crossed.

But the United States is increasingly denouncing what it says is China's backdoor support for Moscow.

The US pressure comes as Blinken prepares to visit China, a trip Washington says will come in the "coming weeks".

In Beijing on Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to pressure Moscow to stop its "senseless" war in Ukraine.

The question of military support for Russia was also discussed in a recent conversation between President Joe Biden and Xi.

A senior US official said last week that China was helping Russia undertake "its most ambitious defence expansion since the Soviet era and on a faster timeline than we believed possible" early in the Ukraine conflict.

Unveiling US findings, officials said China was helping Russia on a range of areas including the joint production of drones, space-based capabilities and exports vital for producing ballistic missiles.

China has been the key factor in revitalising Russia's defence industrial base "which had otherwise suffered significant setbacks" since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a senior US official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Washington said that China provided more than 70 percent of the $900 million in machine tools -- likely used to build ballistic missiles -- imported in the last quarter of 2023 by Russia.

US officials also said that 90 percent of Russia's microelectronics imports last year -- used to produce missiles, tanks and aircraft -- came from China.

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The judge in Donald Trump's criminal trial hoped to wrap up jury selection Friday before opening arguments start next week in the historic case against the former president and 2024 Republican White House contender

New York, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) The judge in Donald Trump's criminal trial hoped to wrap up jury selection Friday before opening arguments start next week in the historic case against the former president and 2024 Republican White House contender.

The main 12 jurors were sworn in Thursday, but a pool of six alternates still needs to be completed -- ready to step in if any of the original jury become unavailable during the case in which Trump is accused of covering up hush money paid to a porn star.

Trump arrived in court and delivered an angry statement about what he called the "very unfair" partial gag order imposed by the judge to prevent him from using his powerful media presence to attack witnesses, prosecutors and relatives of court staff.

"The judge has to take off this gag order," said Trump, who has a long history, including while president, of making threatening or insulting statements against private and public opponents.

The trial at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York is expected to last six to eight weeks, creating an unprecedented legal and political drama just months before election day in November.

The court proceedings have disrupted Trump's campaigning plans, but he has tried to use the heavy media presence to relay his claim to be the victim of a "hoax." On Saturday, he will hold a rally in North Carolina.

The Republican tycoon faces three other criminal cases, including on far more serious charges of attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden, but these have been repeatedly delayed.
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Quito, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) Parts of Ecuador were facing power cuts of up to 13 hours on Thursday amid an electricity crisis sparked by a drought that has left key hydroelectric reservoirs nearly depleted.

A government decree ordering workers to stay home went largely ignored, with buses running as usual in the capital Quito, where traffic lights were out in some areas due to blackouts.

The electricity crisis comes days before a key referendum on Sunday, in which Ecuadorans will decide whether to greenlight tougher measures against organized crime in a country gripped by bloody gang wars.

Electricity provider Emelnorte detailed power cuts in northern Ecuador of up to 13 hours.

"Yesterday, they cut me off from eight to eleven (in the morning) and that is time that is needed to work. Today with eight hours (of blackouts) it is going to be worse," said Segundo Gaucho, 45, who owns a computer rental business in Quito.

According to Ecuador's Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI), aside from some areas in the north, much of the country has received below-average rain for this time of year.

Ecuador found itself in a similar drought-induced power crisis last year in October, when former president Guillermo Lasso struck a deal with Colombia to import electricity.

Faced with its own severe dry spell, Colombia this week halted the export of electricity to Ecuador.

- 'Saboteurs' -

Power cuts began on Sunday without warning and have progressively worsened.

Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa declared an emergency in the electricity sector on Tuesday, and replaced Energy Minister Andrea Arrobo, who the government said had been involved in a sabotage plot to hide the severity of the crisis.

Noboa has accused political rivals of targeting the electrical sector in a bid to impede the upcoming referendum on organized crime.

His government has filed a complaint with the prosecutor's office against 22 "saboteurs who sought to harm all Ecuadorians."

Quito ordered all workers to stay home on Thursday and Friday.

"A large part of the sacrifice that we Ecuadorians are making today and tomorrow and on Saturday is to ... guarantee that the elections take place because what is at stake in the consultation is national security" Roberto Izurieta, secretary of communication in the presidency, told the Teleamazonas channel.

Among the questions posed in Sunday's referendum will be whether to allow the military to be deployed to combat organized crime, and for increased penalties for those found guilty of drug crimes.

Izurieta said that alerts about the energy crisis "were not given in time" and the government considered this an "attack" by its political enemies ahead of the referendum.

Izurieta added that Ecuador has had "an energy policy for the last 20 years that has not adapted to the climate crises."

A government statement said the reservoir serving the country's Mazar hydroelectric dam stood completely empty, while the nearby Paute dam had storage levels of four percent.

Water at Ecuador's largest hydroelectric plant, Coca Codo Sinclair, is 40 percent lower than its historic average.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Azerbaijan and Turkiye have signed a declaration of intent on cooperation in the field of agricultural research and development, Trend reports.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan, the declaration was signed within the framework of the 11th meeting of the Turkish-Azerbaijani Agricultural Executive Committee.

The declaration was signed by the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkiye.

Additionally, the sides discussed the current state and expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture at the meeting.

Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan Majnun Mammadov noted that the Republic of Turkiye is a reliable partner of Azerbaijan both in the field of agriculture and in all spheres.

He also emphasized that fruitful cooperation between the two countries continues in agrarian research, education, cotton growing, seed production, veterinary science, agrarian insurance, and other spheres.

Generally, it was mentioned at the meeting that there is a great potential for expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture and the need to increase trade turnover of agricultural and food products. In particular, the expansion of the export of products produced by Azerbaijan to the markets of Turkiye and Europe was mentioned.

Besides, in addition to the declaration of intent on cooperation, the meeting minutes were also signed.

The documents define prospective areas for cooperation between the two countries in the agrarian sphere. The parties agreed to expand cooperation between the two countries in the fields of agrarian education, training of specialists, agrarian research and development, land consolidation, veterinary medicine, supply of means of vaccination against animal diseases, and other areas.

Commenting on the signing of the documents, Majnun Mammadov expressed confidence that the signed documents will serve as a source of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkiye in the field of agriculture, including the exchange of information in the field of scientific research, joint research works, the application of modern research methods, and the and the development of the agrarian sphere in general.

Turkiye's Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Ibrahim Yumakli, in turn, underlined the importance of implementing all points of the Action Plan established between the two ministries.

"The dialogue with Azerbaijan is actively continuing. We attach great importance to cooperation, which serves to expand ties in the field of agriculture," the Turkish minister added.

To note, within the framework of the visit, the Azerbaijani delegation will familiarize themselves with the activities of the Eastern Aghdeniz Agricultural Research Institute and modern irrigation systems controlled by artificial intelligence in the Adana region.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) Russian strikes against Ukraine on Friday killed at least eight people, including two children, as Kyiv said it shot down a Russian strategic bomber for the first time.

Moscow said a military plane had crashed in Russian territory while returning to base from a combat mission after suffering a technical malfunction.

The downing of a Russian bomber used to fire cruise missiles would be a highly symbolic win for Ukraine, which has been pounded by hundreds of Russian aerial strikes since Moscow invaded more than two years ago.

The latest overnight Russian strikes on the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region killed left more death and destruction, officials said.

"A horrific Russian air strike on the Dnipropetrovsk region this morning. Two children are among those killed.

A 14-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The head of the region Sergiy Lysak said medics had been able to save a six-year-old boy previously reported killed, revising down an earlier toll of nine dead. Twelve people were reported injured.

The strikes -- which hit the region's Synelnykivsky area and the regional capital of Dnipro -- triggered fresh outrage in Kyiv. "Children must not be killed in air strikes in modern Europe. We must protect them with a reliable air shield," Kuleba said.

Ukraine's railway operator said train facilities were hit in the attack and that seven employees were among those wounded. A female member of staff was killed, they added.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, in response to the strike, repeated calls for Ukraine's Western allies to more supply air defence systems.

"Every country that provides air defence systems to Ukraine, every leader who helps persuade our partners that air defence systems should not be stored in warehouses but deployed in real cities and communities facing terror,

and everyone who supports our defence is a life saver," Zelensky said.

Zelensky visited troops and inspected fortifications in the eastern Donetsk region, he announced.

Russian forces have taken advantage of Ukraine's manpower and ammunition shortages and steadily gained ground in the region. In Washington, the US House of Representatives is gearing up for a crucial weekend vote on a long-stalled $61 billion package of military aid that could deliver much-needed weapons to Ukrainian soldiers struggling on the front lines.

Ukraine said it had downed a Russian long-range strategic bomber during a combat mission for the first time.

The Tu-22M3 was returning to its base in Russia after firing missiles at Ukraine earlier in the night, the main intelligence directorate of Ukraine's defence ministry said.

Russian officials said the plane crashed over the southern Stavropol region. They said the pilots ejected but that at least one member of the crew had died.

"According to preliminary data, the cause of the accident was a technical malfunction," state news agencies quoted the defence ministry as saying.

Stavropol governor Vladimir Vladimirov said two crew members had been taken to a local medical centre.

"The search for the fourth pilot is continuing," he added, posting photos of the burnt-out and mangled plane fuselage in a field. The plane crashed in the region's Krasnogvardeysky district, the governor said -- around 400 kilometres (250 miles) from the eastern edge of the annexed Crimean peninsula.

The Ukraine intelligence directorate said the plane "was shot down at a distance of about 300 kilometres from Ukraine. As a result of the hit, the bomber was able to fly to the Stavropol area, where it crashed."

Ukraine's air force said Russia had launched 22 missiles and 14 Iranian-designed attack drones overnight -- including from the downed strategic bomber. It said all the unmanned aerial vehicles were downed as well as 15 missiles.

Russian strikes have pummelled towns and cities across Ukraine since Moscow's invasion more than two years ago. A missile attack on the northern city of Chernigiv left 18 dead earlier this week.

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(@FahadShabbir)

Tehran, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) Iran's state media reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan on Friday, as US media quoted officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes against its arch-rival.

Air defence systems over several Iranian cities were activated, state media reported, after the country's official broadcaster said explosions were heard near Isfahan city.

There had been no reaction from Israeli or Iranian officials, and the extent of the damage remained unclear.

Iran's Tasnim news agency, citing "informed sources," denied that Iran had been attacked from outside.

"Contrary to the rumours and claims" made in foreign media, "there are no reports of an attack from abroad on Iran's central city of Isfahan or any other part of the country," Tasnim said.

Three Iranian officials told The New York Times that small drones carried out the attack, possibly launched from inside Iran, and that its radar systems had not detected unidentified aircraft entering Iranian airspace.

Fars news agency reported "three explosions" close to Qahjavarestan, near Isfahan airport and the 8th Shekari army airbase, while Iran's space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian said "several" drones had been "successfully shot down".

Dalirian said on social media platform X there were "no reports of a missile attack".

"Reports indicate there was no major damage or large explosions caused by the impact of any air threat," the official IRNA news agency said.

- Nuclear sites undamaged -

The senior military officer in Isfahan, Brigadier General Siavash Mihandoost, told state tv that people had heard defence systems shooting at a target in the air, not an explosion on the ground.

Nuclear facilities in Isfahan were reported to be "completely secure", Tasnim said, and the UN's atomic watchdog confirmed "no damage" to Iran's nuclear sites.

There was no immediate comment from the White House, Pentagon or Israel's military.
Capri, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) G7 foreign ministers Friday pledged to "bolster Ukraine's air defence capabilities" following a meeting on the Italian island of Capri.

In a final statement, they said that they were looking at "all possible avenues and feasible options" to use frozen Russian assets to help Kyiv, ahead of a G7 leaders' summit in June.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba joined counterparts from Italy, Britain, the United States, Japan, Canada, France and Germany in Capri for talks on the war.

He called for other countries to follow Germany, which at the weekend said it was sending an additional Patriot air defence system to Kyiv.

"We express our resolve in particular to bolster Ukraine's air defence capabilities to save lives and protect critical infrastructure," the G7 ministers said in a statement dedicated to Ukraine.

"We will also work with partners towards this end."

Ukraine has said it is running out of weaponry to shoot down Russian missiles and drones as Moscow has ramped up its attacks on infrastructure across the country.
Tehran, (Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) World leaders appealed for calm Friday after reported Israeli retaliation against Iran added to months of tense spillover from the war in Gaza, with Iranian state media reporting explosions in a central province

Tehran, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) World leaders appealed for calm Friday after reported Israeli retaliation against Iran added to months of tense spillover from the war in Gaza, with Iranian state media reporting explosions in a central province.

There was no immediate reaction from Israeli or Iranian officials.

Israel had warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at it almost a week ago, in retaliation for a deadly strike -- which Tehran blamed on its regional foe -- that levelled Iran's consular annex at its embassy in Syria.

Air defence systems over several cities were activated, state media reported Friday, after Iran's official broadcaster said explosions were heard near Isfahan city, in the province of the same name.

An anonymous Israeli official told The Washington Post the "strike" was retaliation for Iran's drone and missile barrage and intended to signal that Israel had the ability to hit inside Iran.

Iran's Tasnim news agency, citing "informed sources", denied that Iran had been attacked from outside.

"Contrary to the rumours and claims" made in foreign media, "there are no reports of an attack from abroad", Tasnim said.

Three Iranian officials told The New York Times that small drones carried out the "attack", possibly launched from inside Iran, and that its radar systems had not detected unidentified aircraft entering Iranian airspace.

Fars news agency reported "three explosions" close to Qahjavarestan, near Isfahan airport and the 8th Shekari army airbase.

Iran's space agency spokesman Hossein Dalirian, referring to a type of drone, said there was "a failed and humiliating attempt to fly quad-copters, which were shot down".

There were "no reports of a missile attack", Dalirian said on social media platform X.

"Reports indicate there was no major damage or large explosions caused by the impact of any air threat," the official IRNA news agency said.

- Nuclear sites undamaged -

Iran's army commander-in-chief Abdolrahim Mousavi attributed Friday's explosions to "the firing of anti-aircraft defence systems on a suspicious object".

He said there was "no damage" and the scale of the incident was being assessed, according to Tasnim.

Nuclear facilities in Isfahan were reported to be "completely secure", Tasnim said, and the UN's atomic watchdog confirmed "no damage" to Iran's nuclear sites.

Washington received advance notice of Israel's reported strike, but did not endorse it or play any part in its execution, US media quoted officials as saying.

President Joe Biden had promised "ironclad" support for Israel, but also urged it to "think carefully and strategically" before launching a response against Iran that could trigger a wider war.

- 'The unthinkable' -

Overnight last Saturday-Sunday Iran launched its first-ever attack directly targeting Israel.

Along with the United States and other allies, Israel intercepted most of the more than 300 missiles and drones, which, Israel said, Iran had launched. Minor damage and no deaths resulted.

Iran attacked in retaliation for the April 1 strike on its Damascus consulate which killed seven of its Revolutionary Guards, including two generals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been under international pressure over the civilian toll in Gaza's war, and an analyst said the consular strike allowed Israel to take the focus off Gaza.

However, foreign ministers of the G7 group of developed economies, meeting in Italy on Friday, kept up that pressure.

The group said they opposed a "full-scale military operation in Rafah", where most of Gaza's population is sheltering, because it would have "catastrophic consequences" for civilians.

Israel has for two months threatened to send troops in against Hamas in Rafah.

Domestically, protesters late Thursday again called for Netanyahu's government to make a deal to bring home hostages held by Hamas.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for an end to "the dangerous cycle of retaliation", his spokesman said.

On Thursday Guterres told the Security Council that spiralling tensions could devolve into a "full-scale regional conflict".

Analysts said Friday the situation remains dangerously explosive, but the limited nature of Israel's reported strike and the restrained immediate Iranian reaction shows both sides, in particular Tehran, are looking to pull back for now.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in a speech on Friday, hailed the missile and drone strike on Israel but made no mention of the blasts in Iran earlier.

- Syria, Lebanon -

On Tehran's streets, some called for peace.

"We are against war," said Behrouz, 71, a retired firefighter who did not give his surname. "We are not happy with the killing of people, whether they are Iranians, Israelis, or Gazans."

Washington, Israel's main ally and military supplier, unveiled sanctions over Iran's drone programme, as did the European Union.

China, Iran's largest trade partner, said Friday it would "continue to play a constructive role to de-escalate" middle East tensions.

Russia said it made clear to Israel that Iran, Moscow's ally, "does not want escalation".

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the G7 was committed to lowering tensions in the Middle East.

Until its drone and missile attack, Iran and Israel had for years engaged in a shadow war, with Tehran accusing its adversary of sabotage and assassinations targeting its nuclear programme, carried out alongside the United States.

Syria and Lebanon also felt fallout from the Gaza war on Friday.

Israeli strikes hit southern Syria, Syria's government and a monitor said. The defence ministry said air defence sites were targeted, and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the target was an army radar position.

On the Israel-Lebanon border, where Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters have exchanged regular fire during the Gaza war, Israel's military said an air strike on Ayta ash Shab in southern Lebanon hit "a Hezbollah military structure" and fighters there.
Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) As Russian forces push back outgunned Ukrainian troops and conflict rocks the middle East, calls are growing from panicked EU leaders for Europe to finally get serious about funding its own defence.

"It is time for the European awakening on defence and security," EU chief Ursula von der Leyen told an industry summit in Brussels this week.

"There is so much at stake here -- our freedom and our prosperity depend on our security, and we have to bring our actions in line with this changing security environment."

More than two years after full-scale war returned to the continent, such soaring rhetoric is not new.

Days after Moscow's invasion German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a historic "turning point", and several months later French President Emmanuel Macron called for a "war economy".

Some key steps have been taken to plug the gaps after decades of underinvestment following the end of the Cold War.

More of NATO's European members -- including heavyweights France and Germany -- have increased their defence spending to meet the alliance's two percent target of GDP.

The European Union has launched a raft of initiatives aimed at ramping up its defence industries -- bolstering their capacity to make the artillery shells desperately needed by Ukraine.

But while Moscow has put its economy on a war-footing, the EU is still struggling to meet Ukraine's needs and build up its own forces.

"I think that there has been a change in mindsets," Michael Johansson, CEO of Swedish defence firm Saab, told the Brussels conference.

"But there's much more to do."

Last month Brussels put forward a 1.5 billion euro ($1.6 billion) strategy to step up defence production, but officials say this is nowhere near sufficient.

Some EU countries have pitched the need for joint borrowing similar to Covid recovery funds to finance a much larger programme, with figures floating around putting the need at over 100 billion Euros.

So far that push has got short shrift from so-called frugal nations led by Germany.

Brussels is set to come up with more proposals for financing the defence push by a summit of EU leaders in June.

Those spearheading the calls for Europe to step up insist there is no time to squander -- as fears swirl that a wider war could engulf the continent if the Kremlin triumphs in Ukraine.

"There are various estimates of how soon Russia will reconstitute and be in a position to attack again," Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas warned.

"The number, three five or 10 years, does not really matter -- everyone agrees that they will be ready and willing for the next war."
Sitting around a fire in the hills of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Ibrahim Abu Alyah and some friends stood watch over his herd in the aftermath of a settler raid on their village

Al Mughayyir, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Apr, 2024) Sitting around a fire in the hills of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Ibrahim Abu Alyah and some friends stood watch over his herd in the aftermath of a settler raid on their village.

"We are here so that we can put away the sheep and tell people to protect their homes in case settlers come," Abu Alyah told AFP.

After 14-year-old Israeli herder Benjamin Achimeir went missing on April 12 in the nearby illegal settler outpost of Malachi Hashalom, dozens of Jewish settlers stormed his village of Al-Mughayyir, north of Ramallah.

Armed with rifles and Molotov cocktails, they set houses ablaze, killed sheep, wounded 23 people and displaced 86, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, OCHA.

One Palestinian was also killed in the violence.

Abu Alyah, a shepherd, lost "20 or 30 sheep" and the cash he made from selling milk products when his house was set alight.

Al-Mughayyir mayor Amin Abu Alyah said the settlers, who were part of the search party for Achimeir, burnt "everything they found in front of them" including houses, a bulldozer and vehicles.

Several people tried to organise protection committees to defend themselves from raids, but were prevented from doing so, he said.

"We currently have more than 70 prisoners inside Israeli prisons on charges of joining protection committees or trying to form an organised body," he said.

In the nearby village of Duma, north of Al-Mughayyir, old fears came true when hundreds of settlers came down through the surrounding fields on Saturday.

That day, Achimeir's body was found bearing marks of a stabbing attack. People watched powerless as settlers rampaged through the village.

"Hundreds of settlers entered the village followed by more than 300 Israeli soldiers who stormed the village and declared it a closed military zone," Suleiman Dawabsha, head of Duma's village council, told AFP.

The Israeli army has not specified details of the events concerning the killing of Achimeir.

It also has not commented on Dawabsha's accusation of soldiers storming the village along with the settlers.

Mahmud Salawdeh, a 30-year-old iron worker whose house was torched, felt vulnerable when he realised the soldiers were not stopping the attack.

"We feel helpless because we are unable to protect ourselves, and the settlers are protected by the army," he said.

"I lost all my money and my future," he added from the ground floor of his charred house on the outskirts of Duma, near the fields the attackers came through.

At his feet, burnt furniture and shattered glass covered the floor, while walls black with soot served as a reminder of the firebombs thrown at the building.

His workshop in the adjacent room was torched and charred remnants of old tools lay around, while a large wooden box where he had been raising 70 chicks was now empty.

The incident opened old wounds for Duma residents, who still remember the tragedy that struck another Dawabsha household.

In 2015, their family home was set ablaze by a settler extremist, killing the parents and their toddler, and leaving only one surviving member, four-year-old Ahmed.

Duma residents, like many West Bank villagers, say they are protected neither by Palestinian security, which is only allowed to operate in 40 percent of the territory, nor by Israel, which controls the rest.

Israeli soldiers do not always restrain settlers from attacking Palestinians, OCHA said.

In January, "in nearly half of all recorded incidents (of settler violence) after 7 October, Israeli forces were either accompanying or reported to be supporting the attackers," it said.

OCHA recorded 774 instances of Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians since war broke out in Gaza on October 7, and said 37 communities had been affected by violence between April 9 and 15, "triple the number" of the preceding week.

Nine Israelis, including five in the Israeli forces, were killed in the West Bank over the same timeframe, OCHA said.

At least 469 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the West Bank since the start of the war in Gaza, according to Palestinian official figures.

The West Bank, occupied by Israel since 1967, has seen a surge in violence since early last year, which has intensified since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza erupted.

Despite the hardships, "we will never leave", herder Abu Alyah told AFP.

But the 29-year-old already had to move from his former herding grounds on the other side of Al-Mughayyir, closer to the settlement outpost, in September.

The weekend's attacks marked a peak in violence due to the sheer number of people who took part in them, but also reflects a wider trend in the West Bank, NGOs said.

"It is clear that the escalation of violence in the West Bank has occurred in tandem with the crisis in Gaza," charity ActionAid said.

On Wednesday evening, settlers were planting Israeli flags along the road that runs between Al-Mughayyir and Malachi Hashalom.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) and Visa have discussed the expansion of cooperation to promote innovations in the payment sector, the chairman of CBA, Taleh Kazimov wrote on X, Trend reports.

"As part of our participation in the WB and IMF Spring Meetings 2024, we met with Andrew Torre, Visa's regional president for the Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) region. During the meeting, we discussed the current cooperation and prospects for collaboration between the Central Bank and Visa. We also exchanged views on expanding cooperation with Visa to promote innovations in the payment sector," the publication says.

To note, Visa (NYSE: V) is a global leader in the digital payments industry. Visa processes payment transactions between consumers, businesses, and financial and government institutions in more than 200 countries and territories. Visa's mission is to unite the world through an innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payment network to promote consumer well-being and business and economic prosperity.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Israel carried out a predawn aerial strike inside Iran on Friday.

The New York Times and The Washington Post cited Israeli officials as saying Israel had carried out an airstrike in Iran. U.S. officials were cited by multiple news outlets as calling it a missile strike.

The location or target of the apparent Israeli strike was not immediately identified.

About an hour after the reports emerged, an Israeli military spokesperson contacted by VOA said he had no comment "at the moment.

Italian Foreign Minister Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the host of the Group of 7 ministerial meeting in Capri, Italy, said Friday Israel had informed the U.S. at the last minute, of the attack.

Speaking to reporters at a briefing Friday following G7 meetings in Capri, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked repeatedly to comment about the reports, but he refused to do so.

The United States has not been involved in any offensive operations, Blinken said in response. What we're focused on, what the G7 is focused on, and again it's reflected in our statement and in our conversation, is our work to de-escalate.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterress spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said the U.N chief reiterates its high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East.

The secretary-general condemns any act of retaliation and appeals to the international community to work together to prevent any further development that could lead to devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond, the statement said.

Iranian state news agencies IRNA and Fars said the Islamic republics air defenses had been activated near the central city of Isfahan in response to a projectile. They also reported that explosions were heard in the eastern outskirts of the city but did not specify whether the blasts were from interceptions or impacts on the ground.

The director of the Iranian space agency said air defense forces shot down several drones.

Iranian state media quickly attempted to play down the incident, saying Isfahans nuclear facilities were secure. They also said operations at Tehrans Imam Khomeini international airport and Mehrabad domestic airport had returned to normal on Friday, several hours after flights were suspended in an apparent response to the purported Israeli airstrike.

It would mark the latest salvo in a yearslong Israel-Iran shadow war that has escalated significantly this month. Israel had warned Iran that it would retaliate for an unprecedented Iranian aerial assault on Israeli territory last Sunday involving hundreds of drones and missiles. Israel said it intercepted almost all of the projectiles with help from a coalition of Western allies and Arab partners.

Iran had warned, in turn, that any Israeli retaliatory strike would be met with a swift and tougher response.

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Middle East security analyst at the Atlantic Council, told VOA Irans muted response could be an effort to avert an escalated confrontation, as long as Tehrans nuclear program is not directly targeted.

There are estimates and calculations which believe that Iran may be willing to absorb and swallow a limited retaliatory strike by Israel. However, strikes against Tehran's nuclear program will dramatically escalate the direct confrontation between Iran and Israel, he said.

The U.S. and other Western powers had urged the Israeli government to avoid escalating the conflict in calculating its next move. U.S. officials had said they did not intend for U.S. forces to join in any Israeli retaliatory action.

Alkhatib told VOA the Biden administration understood Israels need to carry out a "face saving" retaliation for Sundays Iranian attack.

Any Israeli strike will necessitate U.S. involvement, cooperation, support, and ultimate endorsement - defensively and offensively, casting doubt on the accuracy of claims by the Biden administration that it would not be involved in an Israeli retaliation, Alkhatib said.

VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara, VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer and VOAs Kurdish and Persian services contributed to this report.

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
More than 100 Columbia University students were arrested Thursday, culminating months of on-and-off student protests on campus since October 7 when the war between Israel and Hamas began.

Columbia has seen numerous protests with students voicing their support for Palestinians and against Israel's bombing of Gaza that has resulted in the deaths of about 33,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry.

The arrests were authorized by university President Minouche Shafik a day after she testified at the U.S. House of Representatives hearing, "Columbia in Crisis: Columbia University's Response to Antisemitism."

"I took this extraordinary step because these are extraordinary circumstances," Shafik said in an email to Columbia students, faculty and staff as the arrests began.

The students, calling themselves Columbia University Apartheid Divest, erected dozens of tents at 4 a.m. Wednesday on the east lawn at the center of the university campus. They also put up a banner asserting the space as the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment."

The students posted demands to the group's Instagram account, including calls for Columbia to divest from "companies and institutions that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide and occupation in Palestine." They added they intended to remain in the encampment until their demands were met.

According to Shafik, the protesters had been told several times that they were violating university polices and must disperse. She also said that "all university students participating in the encampment have been informed they are suspended. At this time, the participants in the encampment are not authorized to be on university property and are trespassing."

The New York Police Department Strategic Response Group arrived about 1 p.m. Thursday and used zip-ties to handcuff protesters and remove them from campus. They were loaded onto correctional facilities buses to 1 Police Plaza. The 108 students were charged with trespassing, and two were additionally charged with obstruction of governmental administration, Captain Jaclyn Keane confirmed at a news conference and reported by the Columbia Daily Spectator, the student newspaper.

It was the first mass student arrest on Columbia's campus in 50 years.

Supporters of the encampment surrounded the fenced-in east lawn following the arrests, shouting "Shame on you" and other chants at NYPD officers who remained on the scene. The supporters eventually moved to the campus' west lawn in an impromptu occupation.

The second occupation drew the support of several prominent activists, including Palestinian writer and poet Mohammed el-Kurd and Cornell West, a U.S. independent presidential candidate and Columbia faculty member, who spoke to the crowd.

"They can read Sophocles, they can read Karl Marx, they can read Martin Luther King, but when it's time to take a stand against genocide, they won't do it," West said of the Columbia administration while standing in the center of sitting protesters.

Around 6 p.m. Thursday, a student protester urged the crowd to stay.

"We are asking that in solidary with the people in Gaza you continue to remain on this lawn. ... Remember that solidarity is an action it is not just a feeling, and we want you to remain here as long as possible," she said.

As of Thursday evening, protesters occupied the campus' west lawn in larger numbers than the night before, bringing in a few tents and supplies and preparing to spend the night.

Outside of the campus, supporters marched and chanted around the campus in solidarity with those inside.

These recent actions are a continuation of tensions on Columbia's campus since October 7. Actions on the campus have thrust Columbia into the spotlight as student activism at elite universities entered nationwide discourse about the Israel-Gaza war. Harvard President Claudine Gay and University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill resigned following backlash to their statements in front of the House Education subcommittee at the beginning of the year.

Representative Virginia Foxx, chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, issued a statement Thursday in support of the arrests, writing "Columbia must take the bold and difficult actions necessary to address the pervasive antisemitism, support for terrorism, and contempt for the university's rules that have been allowed to flourish on its campus. This includes real discipline that matches the severity of offenses by the students, faculty, and staff responsible, including suspension, expulsion, and termination."
The two front-runners for U.S. president in November were on the campaign trail this week. President Joe Biden visited a northeastern city dealing with high crime rates, and former President Donald Trump visited Harlem. VOAs senior Washington correspondent Carolyn Presutti looks at the candidates differing views on gun control. Videographer: Mike Burke
Beijing officials are decrying the deployment of U.S. medium-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time since the Cold War.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, at a regular press briefing Thursday, said China "expresses grave concern and "strongly opposes the U.S. ... strengthening forward deployment at China's doorstep to seek unilateral military advantage."

The U.S. military on Monday confirmed it had on April 11 placed a mid-range capability missile system on northern Luzon in the Philippines as part of joint military exercises called Salaknib 24. Its the first time since the Cold War that the U.S. deployed such a system in Asia.

The half military-funded Stars and Stripes identified the system as the Armys newest Typhon launcher, a land-based system that can fire various missiles, including the SM-6 supersonic missile, with a range of about 450 kilometers, and the Tomahawk cruise missile, with a maximum range of 2,500 kilometers.

That means the system is capable of covering not only the entire Taiwan Strait and the Philippines Luzon Strait but also the most important cities on China's eastern coast and Chinese military bases in and around the South China Sea.

Stars and Stripes described the system as temporarily deployed for the exercises. Janes, an open-source defense and intelligence company, quoted a Philippine Army spokesman saying the missile system will be used by the army only during exercises Salaknib 24, which ends April 19, and the upcoming Balikatan 24, which starts April 22 and finishes May 10.

Nonetheless, analysts say the missile placement is noteworthy.

"The deployment of these ground-based missiles into the Pacific is a significant development," says Eric Heginbotham, a principal research scientist at MIT's Center for International Studies. "For example, in an invasion of Taiwan, a Chinese amphibious fleet would effectively have to anchor off a landing area in Taiwan. Its location would be known. And these maritime strike Tomahawks could go to work, target the fleet, and sink part of it," he tells VOA.

Beijing considers self-ruled and democratic Taiwan a renegade province that must one day reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary.

Wilson Beaver, a policy adviser for defense budgeting at The Heritage Foundation, tells VOA that for now, the U.S. is only deploying one battery, which likely wont change Chinese military planning unless it becomes more permanent.

"... Long-term, this new system could seriously complicate Chinese military planning were it to be deployed to the theater in greater numbers by forcing Chinese planners to account for air, sea, and ground-based American missiles capable of destroying ships attempting an invasion of Taiwan. Ideally, this would be sufficient to deter China from the attempt," he notes.

The U.S. military last year announced plans to deploy the missile defense system in the Pacific this year, but their destination was the subject of speculation.

Commander of the U.S. Army Pacific Command Charles Flynn earlier this month told Korean media, including Yonhap News Agency, that the missiles would soon be deployed, though he did not disclose the specific times and places.

China has been warning against the plan.

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian last week called it "a dangerous move that will seriously threaten the security of regional countries and undermine regional peace and stability."

The Chinese navy has rapidly grown in the past decade to become the world's largest navy.

The U.S. Defense Department, "Military and Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China," in October estimated China has more than 370 ships and submarines  more than the U.S.s less than 300. The U.S. plans to increase its fleet to 435 by 2030.

Chinas large number of vessels and modernizing navy has raised concerns that it could have an advantage in the event of conflict with Taiwan or over territorial disputes in the South China. Beijing claims most of the Sea, putting it in conflict with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. As China's navy grows, the U.S. fleet is on a downward trajectory, maritime experts say.

Analysts say the U.S. deployment of medium-range missiles to the Philippines will make it harder for China to claim regional advantage.

Heginbotham says missiles would counterbalance China's advantage in having more warships, "and that's why the U.S. has gone on a huge missile buying spree recently."

"If you have enough of these missiles coming in to attack, it almost doesn't matter how big your fleet is," he says.

Analysts say China not only has the world's largest navy fleet but also the world's most diverse land-based missile force, giving it powerful anti-access and area denial capabilities.

Raymond Kuo, the inaugural director of the RAND Corporation's Taiwan Policy Initiative and a senior political scientist at RAND, tells VOA, "China was never part of the intermediate-range nuclear forces agreement. So, it has a whole bunch of missiles that can reach different ranges. The U.S. and Russia were part of that agreement, so they haven't developed these missiles quite as much. Deploying them around the Indo-Pacific region, I think, helps to balance out the missiles in the region. And so, it can be useful as a deterrent," he says.

Under the restrictions of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the U.S. agreed not to develop and deploy land-based ballistic missiles and cruise missiles with a range between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. The Typhon is considered to be the latest result of withdrawing from the treaty and can make up for the firepower gap of the U.S. military within this range.

Although the U.S. Navy and Air Force also can launch sea-based Tomahawks, and the Air Force can launch air-based cruise missiles, Kuo says the deployment "gives the army a bit more of a mission in the region and can help to actually offset some of the challenges faced in the Air Force and the Navy, for example."
China on Friday imposed a levy on imports of an acid from the United States widely used in food, feed, pesticides and medical fields, amid heightened tensions with Washington over bilateral trade.

From Saturday, imports of propionic acid from the United States will be subject to a levy of 43.5%, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement, after a July investigation found the Chinese domestic propionic acid industry was "materially damaged."

A trade dispute between the world's two biggest economies has been intensifying despite recent diplomatic visits.

In a recent salvo, the U.S. threatened to hike its tariffs on Chinese steel imports, and it is pressuring Mexico to prohibit China from selling its metal products to the U.S. indirectly from there.

China's commerce ministry said Thursday said it firmly objects to the U.S. raising tariffs and will take all necessary measures to protect its rights and interests.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan discussed initiatives involving their joint investment fund, Trend reports.

According to Azerbaijan Investment Holding (AIH), AIH CEO Ruslan Alikhanov met with the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan, Alim Bayel.

The meeting also explored prospects for expanding investment cooperation between the two countries, including the implementation of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between Samruk-Kazyna and AIH.

The AIH emphasized that the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan fund will broaden opportunities for carrying out key investment projects in various sectors of the economy, both within and beyond the borders of both countries.

In this context, both sides highly appreciated the ongoing joint projects, which have significant geo-economic importance for both countries and the entire region.

Special attention was paid to the joint development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), the transit of Kazakh energy resources through Azerbaijan's territory, the laying of fiber-optic communication lines (FOCL) along the bottom of the Caspian Sea, and agreements reached regarding the laying of a submarine power cable along the Caspian Sea bed.

Earlier, an article was published on the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan investment fund.

Meanwhile, the AIH was established by Azerbaijan's Presidential Decree dated August 7, 2020, for the purpose of managing state-owned companies and enterprises, as well as business entities with a state share, on the basis of common principles. The holding is financed by the state budget.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Two Chinese-linked online marketplaces are shaking up the e-commerce market with extremely low prices, even as the firms face concerns from consumers about labor practices.

The rapid rise in popularity of Temu and SHEIN has been so sudden that Amazon now sees the two firms as its biggest rivals, according to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal.

China-operated Temu launched in September 2022 and now has 51 million U.S. users, while Chinese-founded fashion and lifestyle retailer SHEIN has almost 14 million U.S. downloads.

Christopher Tang, a professor at the University of California Los Angeles Anderson School of Management, said an American tax loophole known as the de minimis rule makes both companies' low prices possible.

Born from U.S. concerns that labor costs to collect import duties would be more than the taxes collected, the de minimis rule allows companies to ship products worth less than $800 into the U.S. without paying import duties.

"They don't really need to pay the tax," Tang told VOA. "That's why they can pass all the savings to the consumers."

Tang said SHEIN's particularly effective internet-based business model allows them to reduce expenses.

"Besides selling online, they also do not really advertise that much. They use influencers. They use what we call social commerce, so they use Instagram, TikTok, Facebook to promote the products."

"SHEIN's model really uses a lot of data analytics to predict which model is going to sell well," Tang added.

Temu, on the other hand, has a unique model of engaging customers through gaming, coupons and text message alerts, Tang said.

"By promoting all these products on the platform and also the app, they push the products every day on your cell phones," Tang said. "This is a very exciting business model that I think that U.S. companies found difficult to beat."

But some consumers have complained about Temu and Shein to the Better Business Bureau, or BBB, a nonprofit which rates companies' customer service. Complaints include product quality, shipping delays and customer service.

"Temu is engaged with BBB and is working to respond to and address the concerns raised by the consumers," BBB spokesperson, Melanie McGovern told VOA.

McGovern said customers should ensure they are aware of the risks of shopping at any company before making purchases.

"BBB always encourages consumers to look at the company's BBB business profile for the latest information," McGovern said. "It's on the consumer to do that homework, to do that due diligence, to look at the profile, read through everything and then make their decision from there whether or not they're going to shop at that retailer."

For some customers, issues with SHEIN and Temu go beyond customer service. A congressional committee report last year found that Temu and SHEIN's supply chains may use forced labor.

"American consumers should know that there is an extremely high risk that Temu's supply chains are contaminated with forced labor," said the report from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.

In December 2021, the United States passed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in response to allegations of human rights abuses in China's western region of Xinjiang. China denies the allegations.

"It's really convenient, but obviously it's coming from not a lot of great labor practices," said Vee Witzel, a 20-year-old student at the George Washington University in Washington and occasional Temu shopper. "I know it's not good for the people working for the company, so it's a little moral dilemma for me."

Zahaan Riyaz, 20, also a student at GWU, said he has avoided buying from e-commerce sites.

"I understand it to an extent, just because they're cheap options, and people these days are looking for cheap options, especially in colleges," Riyaz told VOA. "Fast fashion causes a lot of problems in regards to workers' rights, especially in foreign countries, and also it creates a lot of waste."

Tang said it is tough for lawmakers or consumers to prove allegations of dubious labor practices because identifying "who produced the garments and where is not easy to track and trace, because the supply chain is not that transparent for many companies."

A SHEIN spokesperson said the company aims to satisfy its customers and takes steps to satisfy U.S. labor law.

"SHEIN's loyal customer base is the foundation of our business. We are committed to delivering a great shopping experience for our customers," the spokesperson wrote to VOA.

"SHEIN has a zero-tolerance policy for forced labor. We take visibility across our entire supply chain seriously, and we are committed to respecting human rights. To comply with U.S. law, we require our contract manufacturers to only source cotton from approved regions."

A Temu spokesperson did not respond to a VOA request for comment.

Tang said he believes American shoppers will buy from Temu or SHEIN, no matter what, because of their low prices.

"American consumers like good deals, so these kinds of good deals are difficult to beat," Tang said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi criticized the United States on Thursday for its votes on previous United Nations resolutions for a Gaza cease-fire, following talks in Jakarta with his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi.

During the talks, Wang highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East, and he called on all parties to exercise restraint in the conflict.

The conflict in Gaza has lasted for half a year and caused a rare humanitarian tragedy in the 21st century. The United Nations Security Council responded to the call of the international community and continued to review the resolution draft on the cease-fire in Gaza, but it was repeatedly vetoed by the United States, Wang said at a news briefing at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry.

Wang acknowledged the passage of a Security Council cease-fire resolution in March, saying, "This time, the U.S. did not dare to stand in opposition to international morality and chose to abstain."

He added that the U.S. claimed the resolution was not binding and said, "In the eyes of the United States, international law seems to be a tool that can be used whenever it finds useful and discarded if it does not want to use it."

The United States has said it vetoed previous resolutions for not being linked to the release of Hamas hostages.

Both ministers expressed frustration over the humanitarian disaster caused by the Palestinian-Israel conflict. We agree that the U.N. Security Council resolution on a cease-fire must be fully implemented and without any condition," said Wang.

China and Indonesia both support full Palestinian membership in the United Nations. Currently, the Palestinian Authority is a nonmember observer state, but it has sought full membership since 2011.

Indonesia does not recognize Israel and has strongly supported the Palestinian cause.

Meeting with Widodo

At a meeting with President Joko Widodo, Wang expressed Chinas interest in deepening cooperation and investment in energy transition, infrastructure, and the production and marketing of refined petroleum products.

Widodo highlighted bilateral trade between Indonesia and China and expressed hopes that China will further open its market for Indonesian goods, including by resolving disputes over Indonesian agricultural and fishery products.

Widodo also urged the construction of a strategic petrochemical project in Northern Kalimantan and further collaboration on food security, including replicating Chinese-style cultivation methods in growing rice, horticultural crops and durian fruit.

China is Indonesias biggest trade partner, with a yearly trade volume reaching more than $127 billion. China is also one of Indonesias biggest foreign investors, with an investment value of more than $7.4 billion in 2023.

Indonesia and China will discuss the details of increasing cooperation on Friday in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara province.

Apart from economic cooperation, Marsudi said that efforts to tackle cross-border crimes, including online fraud, will be discussed at the event.

Wang will also visit Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.

Later Thursday, Wang met with Widodo and his soon-to-be successor, President-elect Prabowo Subianto, the current defense minister of Indonesia.

Prabowo won the presidential election in February, and like his predecessor, he supports close ties with Beijing while seeking to balance diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China.

The Indonesian Defense Ministry said Thursday that Wang and Prabowo discussed plans for joint military exercises.

Some information for this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.
The director of the CIA warned Thursday there is a "real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024," in its war against Russia.

William Burns, speaking in Dallas at the George W. Bush Presidential Center, said, Ukraine is "running out of ammunition and we're running out of time to help them," a swipe at U.S. lawmakers who are holding up additional aid to Ukraine.

"With supplemental assistance from the U.S. Congress, I think the Ukrainians can hold their own on the battlefield in 2024 and continue to do damage" in Crimea and against the Black Sea Fleet, the CIA director said.

Without the aid, Burns said, "the picture is a lot more dire."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his evening address on Thursday the military is on track to produce 10 Bohdana howitzers this month. "This is a good result," the president said, for the countrys production of defense materials.

The president said the talks with the military also included discussions about Ukraines border communities including the information field, topics that included access to Ukrainian television signals and the blocking of Russian propaganda.

Zelenskyy said Russian propaganda "is invariably followed by, at the very least, destabilization and, at worst, an attempted occupation." He said Ukraine and its partners would "work together" to counteract any Russian influence and deal with any technological challenges.

Ukraines military said Thursday it shot down all 13 aerial drones launched by Russia in overnight attacks, while Russias military reported destroying 20 Ukrainian drones.

The Ukrainian air force said its air defenses intercepted drones over the Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, Ternopil and Vinnytsia regions.

Serhiy Lysak, the regional governor in Dnipropetrovsk, reported on Telegram damage to two homes, but no injuries.

Ivano-Frankivsks governor, Svitlana Onyshchuk, said on Telegram that falling debris from the downed drones started multiple fires.

The bulk of Ukraines aerial attack focused on the Belgorod region along the border between the two countries.

The Russian defense ministry said it destroyed sixteen drones and two missiles over Belgorod, where the regional governor, Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported damage to a home and one person injured.

Russian air defenses also shot down three drones over the Rostov region and one more over Voronezh, the countrys defense ministry said.

Vasily Golubev, the governor of Rostov, said falling debris damaged an industrial building and injured one person.

G7 meetings

Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven leading industrial nations were scheduled to discuss Russias war on Ukraine during a meeting Thursday in Italy, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba taking part in the talks.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg was set to join one of the sessions focused on support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly urged allies to provide more military support, particularly air defenses, to protect against Russias drone and missile attacks.

The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken would also raise U.S. concerns about Chinas support for Russias defense industry.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Tuesday that over the past months, the United States has observed materials being transferred from China to Russia, which is using the materials to rebuild its defense industrial base and produce arms that are showing up on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
European nations are struggling to agree on providing urgently needed weapons to Ukraine as Kyivs forces struggle to hold ground against invading Russian forces.

Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure faced waves of drone and missile attacks from Russia again on Friday, with at least eight people killed, including two children, in an attack in the central Dnipropetrovsk region. An attack on the city of Chernihiv on Wednesday killed at least 13 people.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for NATO allies to provide more U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine following this weeks two-day European Union Special Council meeting in Brussels.

NATO has made it very clear that of the systems that are available in the NATO states, several could make a decision like ours  to hand over another system so that better protection is possible against the many attacks currently happening against Ukraine, Scholz told reporters Thursday. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize this appeal once again. We have heard that there should be seven more, one of which is ours. And we hope that six more will be found in the NATO context.

On the eastern frontlines, Ukraines forces say they are outgunned by Moscows troops and are slowly losing ground in several areas. Kyiv has made repeated urgent appeals to the West for more military aid, but the Western hesitancy has only encouraged Moscow, said security analyst Amanda Paul of the Brussels-based European Policy Center.

The Russians have taken advantage of the failure of the West to give Ukraine sufficient military assistance, including air defense systems, to strike their infrastructure, she said.

Individual European states have sent significant volumes of military aid to Ukraine. In March, the European Union boosted its bloc-wide fund to provide weapons for Kyiv by $5 billion.

A Czech-led initiative aims to supply Kyiv with up to 1.5 million artillery shells over the coming year and is set to deliver the first batch of 180,000 in the coming months.

However, Russian military production appears to be outpacing both Western military aid and Ukraines own ability to manufacture weapons.

Meanwhile, several EU states have stopped short of providing the longer-range weapons that Ukraine says it needs to target Russian supply lines. Germany has ruled out supplying its Taurus long-range missiles.

Analyst Paul said that while were now seeing some stronger statements from the German Chancellor or from French President Emmanuel Macron, there are still alot of words and not much action, which adds to the problem.

It's only when the situation on the battlefield has become quite hot that Europeans have changed their narrative or began to supply Ukraine with more weapons, or at least make commitments, Paul said. Some countries have been concerned about the ramifications from Russia. We saw that for a very long period of time: We don't want to escalate with the Kremlin. These sorts of narratives seem to disappear, at least vocally.

Despite the battlefield struggles, Ukraines military continues to strike back at Russia. Its forces claimed to have downed a TU-22 strategic bomber over Russian airspace Friday, some 300 kilometers from its border. Kyiv said the plane had earlier taken part in the bomb attack on Dnipropetrovsk.

In a potentially major boost to Ukraines capabilities, its air force is set to receive the first of dozens of F-16 fighter jets from Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States in the coming months. A further three Dutch F-16s arrived at a Ukrainian training facility in Romania Wednesday. Several other NATO states, including Norway, Greece, and Belgium, have committed to supplying Ukraine with F-16s over the coming year.

Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on March 27 that the jets should appear over Ukraine in mid-summer.

So far, everything is going according to plan, Kuleba told reports in an online briefing.
On April 18, the United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have been a major step toward full Palestinian membership in the United Nations. Twelve of 15 council members voted in favor, Britain and Switzerland abstained, and the U.S. voted against.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood reaffirmed the United States support for Palestinian statehood conditioned on eliminating the militant group Hamas control over the Gaza Strip.

We have long called on the Palestinian Authority to undertake necessary reforms to help establish the attributes of readiness for statehood and note that Hamas  a terrorist organization  is currently exerting power and influence in Gaza, an integral part of the state envisioned in this resolution, Wood said.

In Russia, the state-owned news outlets and agencies emphasized Moscows support for the Palestinian membership and the U.S. and Israels complete isolation at the United Nations.

Featuring a fragment of the video recording from the UNSC meeting, the Russian media reported that Israels representative Gilad Erdan had to address a half-empty hall because half of those present walked out before he took the stage.

While the Russian media reported that many representatives of the Arab nations walked out from the UNSC boycotting Erdans address, they omitted the actions of the Russian diplomats.

On social media platform X, however, users shared video footage from the UNSC, saying that the Russian delegation also walked out after the microphone was passed on to Israels representative.

Post by Jackson Hinkle, U.S. political commentator and avid supporter of Russias President Vladimir Putin, received more than 2 million interactions.

Hinkle sourced his post on the information shared by Lord Bebo, a pro-Russian X influencer who stated that the Russian delegation refused to listen to Israels representative:

Russian delegation in the U.N. Security Council left the meeting before Israel's speech. Looks like the Israeli-Russian relations have broken down, and Russia is now a big fighter for the Palestinian state.

This is true.

The Associated Press footage of the U.S. Security Council meeting, reviewed by Polygraph.info, shows top Russian UN diplomats, the head of the mission Valery Nebenzya, and his deputy Dmitry Polyansky, standing up and walking out together with the representatives of the Arab nations before Israels Erdan starts his address.

Russia and Iran have been deepening their ties since Moscows full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022. Iran supplies Russia with military equipment, including Shahed drones, which Russia uses for devastating attacks on Ukraine, including against civilians.

Russia also expressed support for Hamas, whose leaders have been frequent visitors to Moscow.
The escalation between Israel and Iran saw an exchange of missile attacks, including the April 14 Iranian attack on Israel, followed by the Israeli strike inside Iran on April 18.

Both countries downplayed the scope and impact of the other sides attacks.

Israel said its air defenses intercepted almost all of Iranian missiles and drones with the help of the U.S. and allies.

Iran claimed its attack on Israel was devastating and sidestepped blaming Israel for the Friday strike.

Throughout its decades-long proxy war with Israel, Iran has been providing financial and military aid to Hamas, whose fighters killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages, including American citizens, in Israel last October, sparking the ongoing war.

The United States redesignated Hamas as a foreign terrorist organization after that attack. Hamas released some 100 hostages in November but refuses to free the rest, whose fate and well-being remain unknown to their families.

The Israel-Hamas war has been unfolding on the background of massive social media disinformation and misinformation.

On April 17, users on social media X, formally Twitter, widely circulated a video clip of people congregating on a beach in central Gaza.

Pro-Israel, pro-Iran and pro-Hamas X users shared the footage adding misleading and false descriptions that distorted the perceptions about the conflict.

Sprinter Factory, an X content creator with more than half a million followers, used the Gaza beach video to back Tehrans dubious claim about the success of its strike on Israel.

The post had received more than half a million reactions at the time of this writing. More than 10 accounts also posted variations and exact copies of Sprinters post on X, only some of which attributed the original post to Sprinter.

"After Iran attacked Israel, the focus shifted away from Gaza and Gaza children were able to play on the beaches" Sprinters post said.

That claim is false.

There is no correlation between the Iranian assault on Israel and the ability of people in Gaza to congregate on that beach, where hundreds of Palestinians had been gathering months before Irans strike.

In February, crowds gathered along the same beach to receive food aid that was airdropped by France and Jordan.

The Times of Israel reported that the video was filmed at a beach near Deir al-Balah in central Gaza on April 17.

The beach is close to an east-west corridor that is occupied by Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

YNET, an Israeli news website, notes that while Israeli forces have launched airstrikes throughout the Deir Al-Balah governorate (governorates are administrative divisions in the Palestinian territories), IDF ground forces have yet to enter the city of Deir al-Balah.

Days before the Iranian attack, IDF sources told the Israeli news outlet Walla! that manpower shortages and legal obstacles were hampering Israels efforts to secure that corridor, which is intended to serve as a buffer zone between north and south Gaza, the Israeli broadcaster i24NEWS reported.

The Times of Israel noted that no Israeli troops are visible in the beach footage, adding "the free movement of Gazans shows the extent to which troops have pulled back."

But that troop pullback is not linked to what has thus far been a one-off attack from Iranian soil against Israel.

Roughly 70% of Gazas population is currently displaced. While a large number have relocated to the southern city of Rafah, some refugees from northern Gaza fled to Deir al-Balah after Israel launched its ground invasion of the territory in October 2023.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports that many of the individuals in the beach footage are living in makeshift shelters nearby. One internally displaced person from Gazas north told AFP that people had gone to the seashore to escape the sweltering conditions inside their tents.

Pro-Israel X users conversely used the same Gaza beach video to cast doubt on suffering that Palestinian civilians have endured during the war, including the dangers of a man-made famine.

Several X users sarcastically compared the beach scene to South Beach in Miami, Florida, or claimed the people in the footage "were on vacation" and not actually facing a humanitarian crisis.

While the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry remains the sole source of war toll statistics, the United Nations observers and reliable news outlets report the devastating effects of war on the civilian population.

Unverified data by the Gaza health ministry puts the death toll at nearly 34,000 Palestinians killed since October. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says approximately two-thirds of the dead are women and children. Nearly 77,000 people have been injured.

Figures published by The Associated Press earlier this month indicate 55.9% of buildings have likely been damaged or destroyed in Gaza, along with 60% of homes. Approximately 90% of school buildings have been damaged and only 10 of 36 hospitals are functioning. Approximately 1.1 million people are facing "catastrophic" food insecurity, and 31% of children under the age of 2 are acutely malnourished

Israels reported April 18 attack over the Iranian city of Isfahan came in response to Irans drone and missile attacks on Israel on April 14. The April 14 attack from Iranian soil, in turn, followed the April 1 Israeli strike that targeted the military annex of Irans embassy in Damascus, Syria, and killed senior Iranian commanders.

Analysts say Israels limited April 18 strikes were calibrated to halt further escalation.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States was not involved in Israels strike on Iran.

After the April 14 attack, Iranian state-run news outlets portrayed the strikes as more devastating than they were.

Israel says that with the help of the United States and other allies they intercepted 99% of the 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles launched by Iran.
Efforts by China-linked hackers to infiltrate computer systems and networks that run key sectors of the U.S. economy  only to lie in wait for an opportunity to strike  appear to predate Chinese cyber operations that sparked warnings by U.S. officials earlier this year.

FBI Director Christopher Wray on Thursday said Chinese government efforts to penetrate critical U.S. infrastructure for the purpose of setting up a possible cyberattack go back more than a decade.

"China-sponsored hackers pre-positioned for potential cyberattacks against U.S. oil and natural gas companies way back in 2011," Wray told the audience at a Vanderbilt University security conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

"It took the hackers all of 15 minutes to steal data related to the control and monitoring systems while ignoring financial and business-related information, which suggests their goals were even more sinister than stealing a leg up economically," he said.

Multiple U.S. agencies, led by the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, warned in February that hackers associated with a Chinese-linked group known as Volt Typhoon had been hiding in key computer systems and networks for at least five years.

At the time, CISA's director said China's penetration of key systems linked to U.S. communications, energy, water and wastewater, and transportation sectors was "likely the tip of the iceberg."

But Wray on Thursday made clear China's attempts to hack into systems and hide while waiting to attack  a technique known as "living off the land"  is part of Beijing's long-running strategy.

"The PRC [Peoples Republic of China] has made it clear that it considers every sector that makes our society run as fair game in its bid to dominate on the world stage," he said. "Its plan is to land low blows against civilian infrastructure to try to induce panic and break America's will to resist."

Chinese government officials did not respond directly to the latest allegations, pointing instead to comments earlier this week by a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson.

The spokesperson denied any connection between Beijing and Volt Typhoon, saying the cyber threat group "is not sponsored by any state or region."

The spokesperson also accused U.S. intelligence and cybersecurity agencies of passing false information about China's activities in cyberspace "in order to receive more congressional budgets and government contracts."

Wray's comments, however, came just one day after another top U.S. cyber official called out Chinese behavior in cyberspace while speaking at the same conference.

"The PRC is engaged in a deliberate campaign to challenge the United States and our allies technologically while putting our critical systems and national infrastructure at risk," said General Timothy Haugh, who heads both the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command.

Haugh was especially critical of the actions taken by Volt Typhoon, calling it "an example of how China has approached establishing access to put things under threat."

"There is not a valid intelligence reason to be looking at a water treatment plant from a cyber perspective," he said. China is "sending a pretty loud signal of how they intend to use cyberspace in a crisis. We should listen to that."

A threat assessment published last week by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency also concluded China uses its cyberspace capabilities "to lay the groundwork for malicious cyber activities and cyberattacks."

The DIA report also noted that China's military "has called for using space, cyber operations and electronic warfare as weapons to paralyze adversary information systems during a conflict."
Afghanistans Taliban government confirmed Friday that one of its leading religious scholars was assassinated by unknown assailants in neighboring Pakistan.

The deceased, identified as Mohammad Omar Jan Akhundzada, was leading evening prayers at a mosque in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on Thursday when gunmen stormed the building and fatally shot him before fleeing, according to local police.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the deadly shooting.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Friday on social media platform X that Akhundzada was part of a government oversight committee of top Islamic scholars and taught at the central jihadi madrasa, or Isla mic seminary, in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar. Mujahid also tweeted a picture of the deceased man.

We are saddened to learn that the country's leading religious scholar  has been martyred, Mujahid wrote. We condemn the killings of religious scholars as a heinous crime by enemies of Islam, he said without providing further details.

Multiple Afghan sources reported that the slain scholar was a senior adviser to the reclusive Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, who is based in Kandahar and governs Afghanistan from there through religious decrees stemming from his strict interpretation of Islam.

A senior Taliban official explained that the oversight committee comprises leading religious scholars and is responsible for reviewing all regulations before they are implemented to ensure that they conform to Islamic principles.

Quetta is the capital of Pakistans border province of Baluchistan. The city and surrounding areas host hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees and have previously also witnessed deadly attacks on Taliban-affiliated personalities in the community.

Taliban chief Akhundzada himself was based in the Pakistani province and directed insurgent attacks from there against the United States-led foreign forces in Afghanistan until their withdrawal in August 2021, which paved the way for his fundamentalist group to reclaim control of the country.

Since then, several central Taliban religious figures and associates also have been assassinated inside Afghanistan, including the capital, Kabul.

Islamic State-Khorasan, a regional Islamic State affiliate and bitter rival of the Taliban, has claimed responsibility for many of the attacks.
The U.S. immigrant population from South and Central Asia has swelled to new heights over the past decade and continues to grow rapidly.

Between 2010 and 2022, the number of immigrants from these regions residing in the United States soared to nearly 4.6 million from 2.9 million  a jump of almost 60%, according to recently released data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The surge dwarfs the 15.6% rise in the overall foreign-born population of the U.S. during the same period, the data show.

Jeanne Batalova, a demographer at the Migration Policy Institute, said the rise was incredible.

Were talking about a rate of growth of four times higher, Batalova said in an interview with VOA.

The Census Bureau defines foreign-born as anyone who was not a U.S. citizen at birth, including naturalized citizens and lawful permanent residents.

The total foreign-born population of the U.S. was 46.2 million, or nearly 14% of the total population, in 2022, compared with 40 million, or almost 13% of the total population, in 2010, the Census Bureau reported April 9.

The Census Bureau data underscore just how much immigration patterns have changed in recent years. While Latin America was once the main source of migration to the U.S. and still accounts for half of the foreign-born population, more immigrants now come from Asia, Africa and other parts of the world.

Between 2010 and 2022, the foreign-born population from Latin America rose by 9%, while the flow from Asia swelled at three times that rate, with South and Central Asia accounting for the bulk of the surge.

We are reaching out to a broader spectrum of countries than we were before, said William Frey, a demographer at the Brookings Institution. The old image of immigration to the U.S. as being lots of Latin Americans and Mexicans coming to the U.S. only is wrong.

To understand immigration trends from South and Central Asia, VOA dove into the census data and spoke with demographers. Here is a look at what we found.

How many immigrants from South and Central Asia live in the U.S.?

The Census Bureau puts 10 countries in its South and Central Asia bucket: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan.

The agencys foreign-born population estimates are based in part on an annual survey known as the American Community Survey. Each estimate comes with a margin of error.

In 2022, the foreign-born population from South and Central Asia was estimated at 4,572,569, up from 3,872,963 in 2010. The margin of error was plus or minus about 55,000.

Numbering more than 2.8 million, Indians made up by far the largest foreign-born group from the region. That was up from nearly 1.8 million in 2010.

The second largest group came from Pakistan  nearly 400,000, up from nearly 300,000 12 years prior  followed by Iran with 407,000, up by more than 50,000.

But in percentage terms, several other communities from the region posted considerably larger increases.

The number of foreign-born Afghans jumped to 194,742 in 2022 from 54,458 in 2010, an increase of 257%. Batalova said much of that was due to the flood of refugees triggered by the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

In terms of speed of change, [Afghanistan] outpaces all other countries in South and Central Asia, she said.

Foreign-born Nepalese posted the second highest percentage increase, rising from 69,458 to 191,213  a 175% jump.

There were increases of 91% and 60% respectively among immigrants from Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.

When and how did immigrants from South and Central Asia arrive in the country?

While Indians have been immigrating to the U.S. for decades, a significant proportion of immigrants from South and Central Asia are recent arrivals.

More than 42% of them entered the U.S. in 2010 or later, outpacing the nearly 27% of the total foreign-born population that settled during the same period, according to Census Bureau estimates.

Batalova noted that immigrants from South and Central Asia follow distinct paths to the United States. Indians, for instance, largely rely on student and work visas and family reunification.

Many Central Asians gain entry through the diversity visa program, with about 36% of Uzbek green card holders benefiting from the scheme. Bangladeshis, too, took advantage of the so-called Green Card Lottery before Bangladesh became ineligible for the program in 2012 after 50,000 Bangladeshis immigrated to the U.S. over a five-year period.

As for the recent influx of Afghan immigrants, most were admitted into the country under special immigrant visa and humanitarian parole programs following the Taliban takeover of the country.

How do educational levels and other characteristics of South and Central Asians compare with the overall foreign-born population?

Immigrants from South and Central Asia tend to have higher levels of education than the general population and are more likely to work in sought-after professional jobs.

More than 70% had a bachelors or higher degree, compared with nearly 34% for the overall foreign-born population, according to Census Bureau estimates for the 2018-2022 period.

Nearly 68% worked in management, business, science and the arts, compared with 36% for all immigrants.

Immigrants from India, especially, tend to enjoy high levels of education and professional jobs. Nearly 48% of Indians had graduate or professional degrees, while more than 77% worked in management, business, science, and the arts.

Where do most immigrants from South and Central Asia live?

More than half of immigrants in the United States live in just four states: California, Texas, Florida and New York.

For immigrants from South and Central Asia, however, the top four states of residence are New Jersey, California, New York and Virginia.

In New Jersey, located south of New York state, foreign-born South and Central Asians made up 3.6% of the states population of 9 million. In California, they account for 2.31% of the states population of 39 million.

How large are the diaspora communities?

The foreign-born population from South and Central Asia should not be confused with the number of U.S. residents claiming ancestry from the region.

Including second- and third-generation immigrants, the diaspora community represents a larger number.

Demographers from the Migration Policy Institute estimate that about 5.2 million people in the U.S. identify as South Asian Indians. About 250,000 claim Afghan ancestry.

The 2020 U.S. census found that 687,942 people identified as Pakistani alone or in a combination with other groups, far surpassing the estimated 400,000 foreign-born Pakistanis in the U.S.

As for the other diaspora communities from the region, they would not be much [larger] than the total immigrant populations just because theyre more recent immigrant groups, Batalova said.
The threat of a wider war between Israel and Iran may give U.S. President Joe Biden more breathing room to provide military assistance to Israel without restrictions sought by progressive lawmakers of his own party.

Iran's massive April 13 aerial assault on Israel and Israel's more limited counterstrike early Friday have left the region on edge, fearing an escalation of the 6-month-old Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

An aid package is set to be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives as soon as Saturday. The bill provides $26.4 billion for Israel's security, part of a package of bills that would help Israel and Ukraine while seeking to deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific. A total of $95 billion in foreign aid funding is proposed.

On Wednesday, Biden urged passage of the bills and vowed to immediately sign them into law.

For months, top Democrats have called on Biden to condition at least some types of military aid to Israel to avoid American weapons from being used to facilitate human rights violations, which is illegal under the U.S. "Leahy Law."

But analysts say the flare-up between Israel and Iran may have eased some of that pressure, at least for now.

"He has more maneuvering room with his left flank now," said Richard Goldberg, senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

"He has a moment where he can remind the country, he can remind Democrats that they need to zoom out and understand who's really behind all of the different fires that have been set throughout the Middle East," he said.

Biden: 'Unthinkable' to stand by

In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal earlier this week, Biden warned of the U.S. being drawn into war.

"Israel is our strongest partner in the Middle East; it's unthinkable that we would stand by if its defenses were weakened and Iran was able to carry out the destruction it intended this weekend," he said, referring to the April 13 drone and missile attacks on Israeli soil.

Such an outcome is less likely if the U.S. provides military aid now, he argued, so that Israel's defenses "can remain fully stocked and ready."

Proposed aid for Israel

The proposed Israeli aid includes $4 billion to replenish Iron Dome and David's Sling missile defense systems, and $1.2 billion for the Iron Beam defense system to counter short-range rockets and mortars.

Those are weapons systems that thwarted most of the hundreds of drones and missiles launched on April 13 by Tehran and its proxies, including Hezbollah, which frequently lobs missiles from Lebanon on Israel's northern border.

Most Democrats support aid for systems that protect Israeli skies, but some are concerned about funding for the types of arms that have killed civilians in Gaza.

The aid bill includes $1 billion to enhance the production and development of artillery and other munitions, and $4.4 billion to replenish defense articles and defense services provided to Israel, which could cover various types of munitions.

There's also $3.5 billion set aside for the procurement of weapons and defense services through the Foreign Military Financing, or FMF program. FMF is financing from the U.S. government for allies to procure defense articles or services through either Foreign Military Sales, FMS, or Direct Commercial Sales, also called DCS.

That $3.5 billion allocation can essentially be used to purchase any type of weaponry, said Josh Paul, a former director of congressional and public affairs at the State Department bureau that handles arms transfers.

The bill "also expands the scope through which weapons can be transferred, and frankly the speed through which they can be transferred," he told VOA.

Procurement under FMF could include arms used in Gaza and the West Bank, said Ari Tolany, director of security assistance, arms trade and technology at the Center for International Policy.

It is "non-specific and could capture most munition types, as well as things like targeting support and surveillance technology," she said.

A summary of the bill notes it provides "additional flexibility for transfers of defense articles to Israel from U.S. stockpiles held abroad," and prohibits funds to UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

UNRWA provides support for Palestinian refugees and has come under intense criticism since Israel alleged some of its staff were involved in Hamas' October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 people in Israel and took more than 200 hostages.

Israel's response has killed nearly 34,000 people in Gaza, according to the health ministry there. International aid organizations have warned of famine in the Palestinian enclave.

Earlier this week, the ProPublica investigative news organization reported that a special U.S. State Department panel recommended months ago that Secretary of State Antony Blinken stop aid to some Israeli military and police units over allegations of human rights violations in the West Bank, mostly before October 7.

On Friday, Blinken said his department had concluded investigations to determine whether the "very important" Leahy Law was violated and will announce the results in coming days.

Waiver on congressional oversight

The House Israel bill includes a provision that congressional notification of an FMF obligation may be waived if the secretary of state determines that a national security emergency exists requiring the immediate transfer of arms. The provision is similar to a waiver that currently applies to FMS, Tolany said.

"Normally, that obligation of FMF still needs to be notified to Congress, but if this bill passes, that will not be the case," she said. That means up to $3.5 billion of weapons can potentially be provided to Israel without notification from the administration.

"The public and Congress would have virtually no insight into what kind of munitions are transferred," she said.

VOA asked White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during Fridays news briefing if American taxpayers have the right to know what kinds of weapons the administration sends to Israel.

This is about our national security, she said. We have to continue our strong commitment to Israel's security. That continues to be ironclad.

The FMS emergency authority waiver is rarely used, but Blinken invoked it twice in December to transfer more than $250 million in weapons to Israel.

That move galvanized some Democratic lawmakers to strengthen congressional oversight. Senator Tim Kaine of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees introduced an amendment to strike down the FMF congressional notification waiver in the Senate's supplemental funding bill.

Despite support from prominent Democrats for Kaine's amendment, the Senate's supplemental package passed in February without a vote on it, leaving the notification waiver for the FMF in place.

Congressman Joaquin Castro introduced a similar amendment to the House appropriations bill, but it's also unlikely to be brought to a vote.

The Israeli House supplemental package includes $2.4 billion for "current U.S. military operations in the region in response to recent attacks."

That would include Iran's April 13 airstrikes, which Tehran says were conducted in retaliation for Israel's April 1 bombing of Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus, Syria. The U.S. said it was not "involved in any offensive operations" in Israel's subsequent Friday counterstrike on Iran.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has inked a 215 million euro loan pact with the Spanish Andalusia to jointly fund social, green, and digital ventures, Trend reports.

According to the bank, this financial injection will fuel projects that drive both environmental sustainability and digital advancement while fostering social unity in the region.

Part of the EU's operational program for cohesion policy funding 2021-2027, particularly drawing from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), and the Just Transition Fund, the EIB loan will support various initiatives.

These include education, research, innovation, digitalization, public health, sustainable transport, energy efficiency, environmental conservation, and assistance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and mid-caps in Andalusia.

Meanwhile, this marks the second loan deal between the EIB and the Andalusian government under the ERDF's 2021-2027 plan, following a 195 million euro loan signed in December 2022. The EIB loan aligns with the EU's five cohesion priorities, aimed at forging a greener, more digital, advanced, connected, and socially inclusive Europe, ultimately enhancing the lives of Europeans.
China is challenging Japans latest analysis of the threat posed to the Indo-Pacific region by Beijing as a hyped-up threat and false accusation.

In the Japanese Foreign Ministrys annual Diplomatic Bluebook that was published Tuesday, China's military moves are described as posing "the greatest strategic challenge," according to Japanese media. An official English version has not been published.

The Bluebook reportedly condemns China's actions in the South China Sea and its attempts to change the status quo in the East and South China Sea.

At the same time, according to Japanese media, it says for the first time since 2019 that Japan seeks to build "a mutually beneficial relationship" with China "based on common strategic interests."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian rejected Japan's criticisms at a news briefing on Tuesday. "Japan has resorted to the same old false accusations against China and hype of 'China threat' in its 2024 Diplomatic Bluebook," he said.

He continued: "We urge Japan to change its wrong course of actions, stop stoking bloc confrontation, truly commit itself to advancing a strategic relationship of mutual benefit with China and work to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era."

Yuki Tatsumi, director of the Japan Program at the Washington-based Stimson Center, said, "Japan's concerns about Chinese behavior, both military and paramilitary, have been intensified for the last few years due to the acceleration of Beijing's aggressive behavior in East and South China Sea."

She continued, "In addition, Tokyo has been put on alert about Beijing's increasingly hostile and aggressive rhetoric and behavior toward Taiwan."

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin could meet in early May in Hawaii, according to a Thursday report by The Japan Times citing unnamed Japanese officials.

Kihara and Austin would discuss setting up a proposed allied command and control structure and a body to identify kinds of weapons the two countries will develop and produce together, said the report. These plans were announced April 10 at a bilateral summit in Washington.

The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) announced on Tuesday that it will conduct a naval deployment including six surface ships, submarines, and two air units starting May 3 to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The deployment includes visits to more than a dozen countries including the U.S., the Philippines, India, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Marshall Islands, Fiji and Palau. It is meant "to strengthen cooperation with the allied partner navies through conducting exercises," said JMSDF.

Daniel Sneider, lecturer in international policy and East Asia Studies at Stanford University, said even as Tokyo is building its defenses and is concerned about Beijing's assertiveness and especially its relations with Moscow, its mention in the Diplomatic Bluebook of wanting to build relations with Beijing reflects Tokyo's balanced approach toward China.

"The Bluebook reflects a balance between, on one hand, some degree of warning the Chinese off doing things that disrupt the order" in the region "and, on the other hand, making it clear that Japan really is not interested in some type of full-scale confrontation with China," including economic warfare, said Sneider.

As to China, it tends to see "any attempts on the part of the Koreans and the Japanese to engage and improve relations as a sign of weakness," continued Sneider.

China, Japan and South Korea plan to hold trilateral talks in May for the first time since 2019. They will meet in Seoul ahead of a Washington-Seoul-Tokyo trilateral summit expected in July.
Police in Pakistan's port city of Karachi said Friday two suicide bombers attacked a van carrying five Japanese autoworkers, but they all escaped unhurt.

A senior police officer told reporters that the autoworkers were being driven to an industrial zone in Pakistan's commercial capital early in the morning when their bulletproof vehicle was targeted.

"One terrorist came close to the van and blew himself while another fired at it," said Azfar Mahesar, an area deputy inspector general of Karachi police, citing initial investigations into the early morning violence. He added that two security guards escorting the Japanese workers returned fire and killed the bomber's accomplice.

Mahesar said that police had also recovered the suicide bomber's remains from the scene of the attack, and an investigation was underway to establish the identities of both assailants.

A subsequent police statement said, "All foreign guests are safe. Thank God." The attack injured one of the guards and several bystanders. Doctors at Karachi's Jinnah Hospital later confirmed that one of the injured individuals died because of his injuries while receiving treatment.

A Japanese government spokesman confirmed to reporters in Tokyo that the attempted suicide attack resulted in injuries to one Japanese national on board the van.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the attack and prayed for the speedy recovery of those wounded in it, his office said in a statement in Islamabad.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in Karachi, the country's largest city and the capital of southern Sindh province.

The violence came a day after militants ambushed and killed six customs officers in the turbulent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Officials said Thursday that a team from the Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation Customs was conducting an "intelligence-based" operation in the militancy-hit Dera Ismail Khan district when their vehicle came under attack.

The shooting resulted in the deaths of customs officers who were working to counter militant networks smuggling weapons into the district and surrounding areas of the province, which borders Afghanistan.

Last month, a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-packed car into a convoy of Chinese engineers and workers in the province's Kohistan district. The attack killed five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver.

The foreigners were working on the Chinese-funded multibillion-dollar Dasu Dam on the Indus River, Pakistan's biggest hydropower project.

Islamabad says that fugitive leaders and fighters of anti-Pakistan militant groups have found refuge in Afghanistan and intensified cross-border attacks since the Islamist Taliban regained control of the neighboring country.

The Taliban deny the allegations, claiming they are not allowing anyone to use Afghan soil to threaten neighboring countries, including Pakistan.
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.

The man burned for several minutes in full view of television cameras that were set up outside the courthouse, where the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president is being held.

"I see a totally charred human being," a CNN reporter said on the air.

Officials said the man survived and was in critical condition at a local hospital.

Witnesses said the man pulled pamphlets out of a backpack and threw them in the air before he doused himself with a liquid and set himself on fire. One of those pamphlets included references to "evil billionaires" but portions that were visible to a Reuters witness did not mention Trump.

The New York Police Department said the man, who they identified as Max Azzarello of St. Augustine, Florida, did not appear to be targeting Trump or others involved in the trial.

"Right now, we are labeling him as sort of a conspiracy theorist, and we are going from there," Tarik Sheppard, a deputy commissioner with the police department, said at a news conference.

In an online manifesto, a man using that name said he set himself on fire and apologized to friends, witnesses and first responders. The post warns of "an apocalyptic fascist coup" and criticizes cryptocurrency and U.S. politicians, but it does not single out Trump in particular.

Witnesses said they were disturbed by his actions.

"He was on fire for quite a while," one witness, who declined to give his name, told reporters. "It was pretty horrifying."

The smell of smoke lingered in the plaza shortly after the incident, according to a Reuters witness, and a police officer sprayed a fire extinguisher on the ground. A smoldering backpack and a gas can were visible.

The downtown Manhattan courthouse, heavily guarded by police, drew a throng of protesters and onlookers on Monday, the trial's first day, though crowds have dwindled since then.

The shocking development came shortly after jury selection for the trial was completed, clearing the way for prosecutors and defense attorneys to make opening statements next week in a case stemming from hush money paid to a porn star.
Nigeria and Cameroon on Friday signed a historic partnership designed to protect wildlife, preserve critical habitats and tackle illegal wildlife trade across their borders.

Nigeria's environment minister, his Cameroonian counterpart and other dignitaries were present at a signing ceremony for the pact, which provides legal support for the joint protection of endangered species, including gorillas and chimpanzees, and shared natural habitats.

Authorities said the countries would share intelligence, conduct research and strengthen law enforcement against offenders.

Jules Doret Ndongo, Cameroon's minister of forestry and wildlife, said, "The exploitation of forestry resources and poaching, especially cross-border poaching, are serious threats to the sustainable management of our natural resources."

The partnership will also address illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking.

Nigeria shares a nearly 2,000-kilometer border to the south with Cameroon. The region is home to some of Africas most endangered species of apes, chimpanzees, leopards and elephants, all of them threatened by poaching, growing population, mining activities and illegal felling of trees.

Balarbe Abbas Lawal, Nigeria's environment minister. said that "apart from the global phenomenon of climate change and environmental challenges, social factors include overpopulation, poverty, food insecurity have continued to amass these resources on the brink of extinction. While this is going on, cross-boundary illegality has further aggravated the trend. And we're coming up with so many other steps to address this, including trying to enforce our legal system to see environmental crime as serious as other crimes. So we need the cooperation of the two countries to achieve this.

Nigeria is the epicenter of wildlife smuggling in Africa. Pangolin scales and elephant ivory are the most trafficked items.

In February, Nigerian authorities intercepted 200 kilograms of elephant tusks in a southern border town near Cameroon.

Lack of awareness and prosecution of offenders are the reasons the trend has continued.

Apart from the joint partnership, Nigerian lawmakers are also considering a new bill that would protect endangered species and punish wildlife poachers and traffickers. A public hearing for the bill is expected in May.
Both Tel Aviv and Tehran downplayed Israels predawn aerial strike inside Iran on Friday, suggesting neither side wants to see the situation escalate into a full-scale regional conflict.

Israel offered no official comment on the incident.

Irans Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA, reported only that, citing an Iranian official, an air defense system had been activated early Friday after the sound of an explosion was heard near a major air base in the central Isfahan province.

The report cited U.S. media sources who attributed the attack to Israel. It went on to say there was no damage reported and the city and province of Isfahan were in normal condition.

Earlier, Iranian state media had also downplayed the incident, saying Isfahans nuclear facilities were secure. They said operations at Tehrans Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad domestic airport had returned to normal Friday, several hours after flights were suspended in an apparent response to the purported Israeli airstrike.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, in comments Friday to Muslim diplomats at the U.N. in New York, minimized the significance of the attack. He said Israel tried to make victory out of their defeat, while the downed mini-drones have not caused any damage or casualties.

Reuters quoted a senior Iranian official as saying there were no plans to respond against Israel for the incident.

The New York Times and The Washington Post cited Israeli officials as saying Israel had carried out an airstrike in Iran. U.S. officials were cited by multiple news outlets as calling it a missile strike.

The muted response by both Israel and Iran came after world leaders almost unanimously called for calm and a de-escalation of tensions.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the host of the Group of Seven ministerial meeting in Capri, Italy, said Friday Israel had informed the U.S. at the last minute of the attack.

Speaking to reporters at a briefing Friday following the G7 meetings in Italy, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was asked repeatedly to comment about the reports, but he refused to do so.

The United States has not been involved in any offensive operations, Blinken said in response. What we're focused on, what the G7 is focused on, and again it's reflected in our statement and in our conversation, is our work to de-escalate.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said the U.N. chief reiterates its high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East.

The secretary-general condemns any act of retaliation and appeals to the international community to work together to prevent any further development that could lead to devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond, the statement said.

The airstrikes mark the latest salvo in a yearslong Israel-Iran shadow war that has escalated significantly this month. Israel had warned Iran that it would retaliate for an unprecedented Iranian aerial assault on Israeli territory last Sunday involving hundreds of drones and missiles. Israel said it intercepted almost all of the projectiles with help from a coalition of Western allies and Arab partners.

Iran had warned, in turn, that any Israeli retaliatory strike would be met with a swift and tougher response.

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Middle East security analyst at the Atlantic Council, told VOA Irans muted response could be an effort to avert an escalated confrontation, if Tehrans nuclear program is not directly targeted.

There are estimates and calculations which believe that Iran may be willing to absorb and swallow a limited retaliatory strike by Israel. However, strikes against Tehran's nuclear program will dramatically escalate the direct confrontation between Iran and Israel, he said.

The U.S. and other Western powers had urged the Israeli government to avoid escalating the conflict in calculating its next move. U.S. officials had said they did not intend for U.S. forces to join in any Israeli retaliatory action.

Alkhatib told VOA the Biden administration understood Israels need to carry out a "face saving" retaliation for Sundays Iranian attack.

Any Israeli strike will necessitate U.S. involvement, cooperation, support and ultimate endorsement  defensively and offensively  casting doubt on the accuracy of claims by the Biden administration that it would not be involved in an Israeli retaliation, Alkhatib said.

Michael Lipin, Patsy Widakuswara, Margaret Besheer and VOAs Kurdish and Persian services contributed to this report.



Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to NATO members Friday to step up arms deliveries to Ukraine, which is struggling with diminished munitions while Russia has an air advantage and more ground forces.

NATO must decide if it is Kyiv's ally, Zelenskyy told a gathering of NATO defense ministers in Brussels via video link. "Our sky must become safe again," he added.

His appeal to Western partners to provide at least seven more air defense systems came hours after Russia barraged the country with deadly drones and missiles.

At least eight people, including two children, were killed in a Russian barrage on Ukraine's eastern Dnipropetrovsk region. But Ukraine said it had downed one of the long-range Russian bombers that launched the missiles for the first time.

Zelenskyy compared Western efforts to defend Israel to those toward Ukraine's defense against Russia and said more could be done to help Kyiv repel Russian airstrikes.

Ukraine could not defend itself without Western support, he told NATO ministers.

"It is obvious that now, while Russia has air advantage and can rely on its drone and rocket terror, our capabilities on the ground, unfortunately, are limited," he said.

Earlier Friday, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said the bloc had agreed to give Ukraine more weapons, including air defenses.

"I expect new announcements on air defense capabilities for Ukraine soon," he added.

Ukraine has faced a surge in devastating Russian attacks on its cities. Earlier this week, a strike on the city of Chernihiv killed 18 people.

Zelenskyy called an upcoming vote Saturday in the U.S. House of Representatives on a long-delayed $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine "vitally important" and added that the country could no longer wait for decisions to be made.

Earlier Friday, Zelenskyy said he had visited Ukrainian front-line troops and inspected new defensive lines in the war-battered Donetsk region.

He also said Russia on Friday had struck two food export terminals at the Black Sea port of Pivdennyi.

"Agricultural products destined for Asian and African countries were destroyed in them," he said.

This was part of a deliberate Russian strategy to cause maximum damage to Ukraine and the countries that rely on Ukrainian agricultural goods, he said.

Blinken: China helping Russia

China is the primary contributor to Russia's military industry complex, as Moscow grinds ahead with its invasion of Ukraine, providing Russia with inputs and components for weaponry, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday following a meeting of G7 ministers in Capri, Italy.

When it comes to Russias defense, the primary contributor at this moment to that, is China. We see China sharing machine tools, semi-conductors, other dual use items that have helped Russia rebuild its defense industrial base that sanctions and export controls had done so much to degrade, he said.

Blinken said China cannot have it both ways  helping Russia and keeping good relations with Europe.

"If China purports on the one hand to want good relations with Europe and other countries, it can't on the other hand be fueling what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War," Blinken told reporters after a meeting of G7 foreign ministers, where he urged his European counterparts to increase pressure on Beijing.

Blinken said if aid to Ukraine is further delayed, there is a real risk it will arrive too late. He underscored it is imperative for Ukraine to get more resources immediately.

G7 warns Iran

The Group of Seven foreign ministers Friday warned Iran against substantive material escalation in its support for Russias war in Ukraine, in a joint statement released after their meeting in Italy.

We are extremely concerned by reports that Iran is considering transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia, said the G7 foreign ministers. Should Iran proceed, they added, we are prepared to respond in a swift and coordinated manner, including with new and significant measures against Iran.

Top diplomats from the worlds largest developed economies said they would continue to provide Ukraine military, financial, political, humanitarian, economic and development support after this weeks G7 talks, pledging to bolster Ukraines air defense capabilities and protect critical infrastructure.

We condemn Russias recent missile and drone strikes against Ukraines energy infrastructure and cities across Ukraine, said the G7 ministers in the joint statement, following recent attacks on Ukraines Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant that have raised concerns about the potential for a major nuclear accident.

VOA State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Decades-old tensions over the 1995 massacre of 8,000 Muslims during the Bosnian war have been inflamed by a proposed U.N. resolution that would recognize the event as an act of genocide.

Thousands of Serbs marched in protest against the resolution Thursday in Banja Luka, capital of Republika Srpska, the ethnic Serbian entity within Bosnia-Herzegovina, shortly after lawmakers in the entity's legislature adopted a report denying that the killing amounted to genocide.

The proposed resolution advocates for July 11 to be recognized globally as the official International Day of Remembrance for the victims of what it terms the Srebrenica genocide. It is expected to come before the U.N. General Assembly for a vote in early May.

The resolution is spearheaded by Germany and Rwanda and backed by the United States, Bosnia-Herzegovina and other nations. It also urges the rejection of any attempts to deny the occurrence of the genocide.

The victims, most of them unarmed, were executed while trying to escape the eastern enclave after it fell into hands of the Bosnian Serb forces on July 11, 1995, according to Reuters, which said that they were killed en masse and that their remains were dug up years later from primary and secondary mass graves.

The Serb forces were commanded by General Ratko Mladic, who was jailed for life in 2017 after being convicted by an international court in The Hague of genocide and crimes against humanity for orchestrating massacres and ethnic cleansing during Bosnia's war.

Bosnian Serb separatist leader Milorad Dodik, addressing the rally in Banja Luka on Thursday, acknowledged that what happened at Srebrenica was a "mistake" and a "huge crime" but insisted "it wasn't genocide.

Dodik called for Muslim Bosniaks to drop their support for the resolution, saying at the rally that if they did not, Serbs would not live with them in the same state.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in a statement last week that Serbia would fight against the U.N. resolution.

International courts in The Hague concluded in 2007 that the event was a genocide, the first in Europe since World War II. They also stated that Serbia failed to prevent it from happening.

A 2021 report, commissioned by the Serb Republic government, said that the crimes committed at Srebrenica were not genocide, cited a lower death toll and claimed that the majority of the dead men were killed in combat.

Some information for this report came from Reuters and The Associated Press.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday the United States was not involved in Israels predawn aerial strike inside Iran and declined to confirm reports that Washington was notified of Israeli plans shortly before the attack.

The reports that you've seen, I'm not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations, he said during a press conference following a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers in Capri, Italy.

The G7 is focused on avoiding a wider war in the region, he said.

You saw Israel on the receiving end of an unprecedented attack, but our focus has been on, of course, making sure that Israel can effectively defend itself, but also de-escalating tensions, avoiding conflict, Blinken said.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who chaired the G7 meeting, said the U.S. had told its G7 partners it received last minute information from Israel about its actions.

In the G7 communique, Blinken and other foreign ministers announced plans for new sanctions against Iran for its strikes against Israel and urged de-escalation. Tehran appears to be heeding the advice for now.

Israels strikes appear to be in retaliation for the hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles launched at Israel on April 13. Most were intercepted with the help of the United States and regional allies, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia, causing no loss of life and only little damage. That suggests Iran may have calibrated the strikes to limit casualties or telegraphed advanced notice, which the White House denies.

The early Friday attacks on Iran appear to be limited, with no casualties reported immediately.

U.S. President Joe Biden has been urging Israel to exercise restraint and avoid escalation following Irans attacks. His administration has been coordinating with allies and partners, including the G7 on a comprehensive response.

These could include new sanctions on Tehran and bolstered air and missile defense and early warning systems across the Middle East, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement earlier this week.

Iranian state media reported in the early hours of Friday local time that three explosions were heard in the Iranian city of Isfahan. Explosions were reported around the same time in Iraq and Syria.

Tehran said its April 13 attacks were in response to an Israeli airstrike on Irans consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1. The bombing killed Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and other Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders. Israel neither confirms nor denies responsibility for the attack.

Analysts say Israels limited counterattack and Irans muted response show that both sides are willing to avoid further escalation, at least for now. Still, the risks of escalation are higher than ever before, said Brian Katulis, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.

The Middle East is in unchartered territory, he told VOA.

WATCH: US not involved in Israeli strikes on Iran, Blinken says

The best-case scenario would be a return to the Iran-Israel shadow war of assassinations and terror attacks by proxy groups, he said. The worst outcome is an open conflagration that draws in Irans proxy in Lebanon that has mostly stayed on the sidelines since the Gaza war.

If Hezbollah jumps in here, I think then this becomes a vortex that sucks a lot more actors into a regional conflict, including the United States, Katulis added.

In what may be an effort to facilitate de-escalation, the White House declined to discuss Israels counterstrike. Pressed by reporters during her Friday briefing, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre repeatedly said, We do not have any comment on the reports at this time.

Israeli strikes expected

Despite U.S. pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, some type of retaliatory strike by Israel was expected, said Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Middle East analyst from Gaza and non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

The Biden administration understands that Israel needs to do its own version of face saving retaliation after Iran's unprecedented and dramatic attacks last Saturday, he told VOA.

The party that could benefit most from any potential escalation is Hamas, said Alkhatib.

The group has felt emboldened by Iran's direct strikes on Israel, hardening its negotiating position in the latest cease-fire and hostage exchange talks facilitated by Qatar, he said.

Biden so far has been unsuccessful in pushing for a cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas. Over the weekend the U.S.-designated terror group raised new demands that have thrown talks into disarray.

Its unclear how the Israeli counterstrike on Iran could impact negotiation dynamics with Hamas.

This is a moment of instability but also of opportunity, said Laura Blumenfeld, a senior fellow at the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies.

World leaders agree that the key to de-escalation is to free the hostages, she told VOA. The message to Hamas hostage negotiators, she added, is quit while you're behind.
The Palestinians failed to pass a major hurdle in their renewed effort to seek full United Nations membership on Thursday when the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution recommending their admission.

It remains the U.S. view that the most expeditious path toward statehood for the Palestinian people is through direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority with the support of the United States and other partners, said U.S. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Robert Wood.

He also expressed concern about unresolved questions as to whether the Palestinians meet the criteria to be considered a state.

We have long called on the Palestinian Authority to undertake necessary reforms to help establish the attributes of readiness for statehood and note that Hamas  a terrorist organization  is currently exerting power and influence in Gaza, an integral part of the state envisioned in this resolution, he said.

Twelve of the 15 council members voted in favor, while Britain and Switzerland abstained.

Britains ambassador affirmed support for a two-state solution for the Israelis and Palestinians, saying the Palestinians need a credible and irreversible route to a state.

We believe that such recognition of Palestinian statehood should not come at the start of a new process, but it doesnt have to be at the very end of the process, Barbara Woodward said. We must start with fixing the immediate crisis in Gaza.

Switzerlands envoy, Pascale Baeriswyl, said Palestinian membership should be considered at a future stage once there is peace.

U.N. membership begins in the Security Council and if the council recommends admission, it then goes to the full 193-member General Assembly for a vote. A new state needs a two-thirds majority of votes to win admission.

We dont want to replace anyone; we want to enter your club as equals, Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour told the council. He said they would not give up because the resolution was vetoed.

The State of Palestine is inevitable, he said. It is real.

Israels envoy was adamant that the council should not support Palestinian full membership, saying it would reward Hamas terrorists who had carried out the October 7 attack inside Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.

Most of you, sadly, decided to reward Palestinian terror with a Palestinian state, Ambassador Gilad Erdan said. Its very sad, because your vote will only embolden Palestinian rejectionism even more and make peace almost impossible.

He thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for standing up for truth and morality in the face of hypocrisy and politics.

Despite the U.S. veto, the Palestinians had the support of the majority of council members.

"For Guyana, at its core, the Palestinian question is a question of justice, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said. Thus far, justice has been delayed and, therefore, justice has been denied to the people of Palestine for more than seven decades.

Algeria, as the representative of the Arab bloc of nations on the council, put forward the failed two-paragraph draft resolution recommending to the General Assembly that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership in the United Nations.

This is an historic right that has not been implemented, Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf said. And the lack of implementation of this right is the cause of the prolongation of this Arab-Israeli conflict. This is the cause of the lack of security and safety in our region  a region that has not known peace for over 70 years.

Russias ambassador said based on all moral imperatives the Palestinians aspirations for membership should be met.

Palestine has walked a lengthy and agonizing path towards this point, Vassily Nebenzia said. Since 2012, it has enjoyed a singular status at the U.N.  a nonmember observer state. It is one step away from permanent membership.

After an initial bid in 2011 for full membership that stalled in the Security Council without ever coming to a vote, the Palestinians sought and received an upgrade in status at the General Assembly the following year to a nonmember state.

They still cannot vote, but the upgrade allowed them to become a party to treaties that are deposited with the U.N. secretary-general and to join U.N. bodies like the World Health Organization and the International Criminal Court.
The U.S. Agency for Global Media on Friday named Michael Abramowitz as the new permanent director of Voice of America.

In an email to staff Friday, USAGM chief executive Amanda Bennett said that Abramowitz, a former journalist and current president of the think tank Freedom House, will take up the position in coming months.

I am sure he is familiar to many, if not most of you, for the remarkable work Freedom House has led advocating for democracy and human rights  and especially in defending and advocating for speech and press freedom around the world, Bennett said in her email.

Abramowitz has been the president of Freedom House since 2017. A graduate of Harvard College, he began his career at the Washington Post, where he worked for 24 years. He also worked on genocide prevention and Holocaust education for eight years at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Because of this expertise and experience, he has a deep understanding of the same work we have all devoted our lives and careers to, Bennett said in her email.

Abramowitz is expected to begin his role at VOA in the early summer. In a video message to staff, he said he was honored to be appointed.

This is a storied institution which has an incredible history and most of all an incredible mission, he said.

The mission is deeply inspiring to me: the idea that every day we are providing authoritative, fair, comprehensive news and information to large parts of the world with a huge audience. And for many people VOA is the only source of that kind of information they have, Abramowitz said.

Bennett herself served as VOA director from 2016 until 2020, when she resigned following the congressional confirmation of conservative filmmaker Michael Pack to lead USAGM.

Appointed by then-President Donald Trump, Packs time as head of USAGM was marked with lawsuits and whistleblower complaints. He resigned when Joe Biden became president and an independent investigation later determined that Pack repeatedly abused power and engaged in severe mismanagement, including attempts to interfere editorially.

Following his departure, Congress added checks and balances to the USAGM chief executive role, including over hiring and firing of network heads.

Abramowitz will be VOAs first official director since the brief tenure of Packs appointee Robert Reilly, who was in the role from December 2020 to January 2021.

After Reillys dismissal, VOA was headed by acting directors Yolanda Lopez from 2021 until her September 2023 resignation, and current incumbent John Lippman.

In a statement, Abramowitz said he was looking forward to working at VOA given the concerning rate of disinformation coming from authoritarian governments around the world.

VOA is a bulwark for truth and press freedom, and I am excited to take the helm of this organization and work alongside its talented journalists and staff. Together, we will win the information war, he said.

Freedom House on Friday released a statement that thanked Abramowitz for his leadership.

For the better part of a decade, Mike has been the driving force behind Freedom Houses growing success, setting a vision for the organization that amplified its effectiveness in the fight for freedom around the world, said Jane Harman, a co-chair of the Freedom House board of trustees.

As VOA director, Abramowitz will oversee 48 language services that reach around 354 million people weekly with independent TV, radio and digital media.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 19. The total volume of investments under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, launched by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in Turkmenistan's energy projects in the period from 2001 through 2023 amounted to $1.37 billion, Trend reports.

CAREC data show that Turkmenistan ranks third in terms of investments in energy projects, which accounted for 10.8 percent during this period.

Uzbekistan ranks first in terms of energy investments with a share of 40.4 percent, followed by Afghanistan with 11.5 percent.

The volume of investments in Turkmenistan under the program from 2001 through 2023 reached $13.04 billion.

Since 2001, CAREC investments have amassed nearly $51.02 billion, spanning 276 regional projects. ADB's contribution exceeds $17.60 billion, while other partners have provided $23.37 billion, and CAREC governments themselves have invested $10.05 billion.

The distribution of investments reveals that transport projects claimed the largest share, amounting to 67.5 percent, followed by energy at 24.9 percent, and trade facilitation and policy at 2.7 percent.

Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) developed the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program in 1997 to promote economic cooperation between Central Asian countries and neighboring Transcaucasia and South Asia regions.

Currently, the CAREC Program, involving 11 countries and development partners, aims to foster economic growth and reduce poverty through cooperation.
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"War up Close" is a 360-degree virtual reality exhibition in Los Angeles that takes visitors through the streets of Ukraine and lets them see the devastation inflicted by the war. Angelina Bagdasaryan has the story, narrated by Anna Rice.
Ukraine has appealed for its European allies to urgently step up weapons supplies as it struggles to hold ground against invading Russian forces. As Henry Ridgwell reports, Germany has called for allies to provide more air defense systems, as Russian drones and missiles rain down on Ukrainian cities.
The White House's strategy for curbing migration to the United States from Central America zeroes in on job creation, economic investment and support for human rights. Biden administration officials say is showing results, but analysts caution against unrealistic expectations.

A sharp increase of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border presented a political crisis for President Joe Biden at the beginning of his administration. He asked Vice President Kamala Harris to spearhead a "root causes" strategy, banking heavily on using American investments to improve living conditions in three Central American nations known as the Northern Triangle: Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

Specialists in migration say reducing irregular migration through investments will take decades.

And I think this administration knows [that], said Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, a senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute.

The problem is in the public sphere, he said, explaining that the public expects to see real-time results in one or two years, and that just simply is not the case economically, even if we had the investment capacity to do so.

Ruiz Soto says the success of this strategy depends on more than what the White House is doing. It needs governments in the region that are committed to significant improvements.

For example, if Microsoft wanted to set up a hub in Guatemala, they would need not only to include money to build the building, to hire workers, provide training, but also a counterpart allocation from the Guatemalan government to build the roads, to have the infrastructure for the electricity, to have broadband internet, he said.

That it is not something that can be accomplished in just a few years, Ruiz Soto said.

Not new

The strategy is not new. Under former presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, there was a U.S. strategy for engagement in Central America that focused on pillars similar to the five in the Biden administration strategy.

The difference is that they are prioritizing different things, but investing in Central America with the efforts to reduce irregular migration is not new, Ruiz Soto said.

In March, the White House published an updated fact sheet showing $5.2 billion in financial commitments from private organizations. The investment, the White House said, is expected to create economic opportunities in Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras.

And I think that perhaps the best achievement of the Biden administration has been the investment in Central America has become more localized. It is more targeted, and it has become more realistic. But it has not become less political, because everybody wants results right away, and that's not going to happen, Ruiz Soto said.

Symptom of larger issues

Administration officials argue the border situation is a symptom of larger issues. Many migrants are driven to come to the U.S. seeking better economic prospects or to escape violence.

Biden officials say fewer individuals would risk the dangerous journey northward if the economic, security and political challenges in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala are addressed.

Migration needs to be understood in context  with the number of migrants increasing globally, including from countries that have only recently become so-called migrant source countries, a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson told VOA by email. They spoke on background, a method often used by U.S. authorities to share information with reporters without being identified.

The NSC spokesperson wrote that through the administrations root-causes program, more than 250,000 jobs have been created in the region, and 3 million young people are being supported through education and job training.

As a result of these investments in the region, we have seen double-digit [percentage] decrease in people from Central America who intend to migrate, the NSC spokesperson said.



Border numbers fluctuate

According to an April analysis by the human rights organization Washington Office on Latin America, or WOLA, December saw the highest monthly of apprehensions at the border since 2000, but those numbers dropped by half over the next three months.

Some Republicans have criticized Harris Central America plan, arguing that it is ineffective or that it focuses too much on foreign aid rather than border security. They say Harris has focused too much on long-term solutions rather than the immediate border migrant flows.

Working together

In an email to VOA, the NSC spokesperson drew attention to the Los Angeles Declaration for Migration and Protection that brought together more than 20 countries across the Western Hemisphere to cooperate on deterring irregular migration through border enforcement in the region, expanded lawful pathways, and expand new measures to address the root causes.

We have begun building the foundation for a more competitive regional economy that will galvanize investment and create better job opportunities throughout the Americas, the spokesperson said.

Ruiz Soto said continuity is key.

The problem is, or at least the way that's been implemented, is that there are differences in how the U.S. is engaging in the region across presidents, he said.

He added that even with U.S. funding, it is not enough to try to improve the situation in these countries by itself.

As the United States seeks strategies for responding to the growing number of migrants fleeing poverty, violence and other challenges in the Central American region, Ruiz Soto said governments from the Northern Triangle countries must commit to governance based on accountability, transparency and development.

It is fundamentally required that Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador put in more than what the U.S. does to try to increase the conditions that they have. One, in funding, but also in political assistance and political will to change the institutions, he said.
In the wake of a recent outbreak of avian influenza detected in dairy cows and goats in the United States, the World Health Organization is calling on governments to increase their surveillance and to remain vigilant regarding the possible spread of this deadly disease to their countries.

Dr. Wenqing Zhang, head of the WHOs global influenza program, said Friday that investigations are underway to determine the extent and severity of the H5N1 bird flu found in 29 herds in eight U.S. states since March.

While WHO and its partners are closely monitoring, reviewing, assessing and updating the risk associated with H5N1 and other avian influenza viruses, we call on countries to remain vigilant, rapidly report human infections if any, rapidly share sequences and other data, and reinforce biosecurity measures on animal farms, said Zhang.

Zhang also told journalists in Geneva that on April 1 a laboratory-confirmed case of avian influenza was found in a man who was working at a dairy cattle farm in Texas.

The case in Texas is the first case of a human infected by avian influenza by a cow, she said, noting that he most likely got infected through the direct contact with cows.

Now we see multiple herds of cows affected in an increasing number of U.S. states, which shows a further step of the virus spillover to mammals, she added, warning that farm workers and others in close contact with cows should take precautions in case the animals are infected.

Zhang also noted that so far there has been no detected transmission of the virus from cattle to other mammals, though bird-to-cow, cow-to-cow and cow-to-bird transmission have occurred during the current outbreaks.

Although a lot is still under investigation, this suggests that the virus may have found ... routes of transmission other than what we previously understood, she said. While this sounds concerning, it is also a testament to strong disease surveillance which allows us to detect the virus.

Avian influenza A(H5N1) first emerged in 1996. In 2020, the virus spread into Africa, Asia, and Europe and then in 2022, it crossed into North and South America.

In recent years, we see the virus spillover to mammals, Zhang said, noting that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has detected infections in around 200 mammals.

Human infections of avian flu are rare and tied to exposure to infected animals and environments. The WHO reports nearly 900 cases have been detected since 2003. About half of those infected with the disease reportedly have died.

In the early years, most cases were found in Asia and Southeast Asia. WHO reports the relatively few U.S. and European cases reported to the agency over the past two years have been mild.

Zhang said the virus in dairy cows currently circulating in the United States also has been detected in milk from infected animals.

We also received reports that there is very high virus concentration in raw milks. But exactly how long the virus will be able to survive in the milks remains under investigation.

So, we recommend that people really should consume pasteurized milk and milk products, she said, adding that this recommendation applies to people in the whole world.

Nearly 20 vaccines are currently licensed for pandemic use for influenza. Zhang said two candidate vaccine viruses are available that can respond to bird flu outbreaks in dairy cows and other animals in the United States.

Having candidate vaccine viruses really allows us to be prepared to quickly produce vaccines for humans, if this becomes necessary, she said, adding that at least four antiviral medications, including oseltamivir, widely marketed as Tamiflu, are available to treat people who may become sick with bird flu.
Photo: Jimmy Kimmel Live via YouTube

Before we get into this weeks ranking, a peek behind the late-night curtain: On Tuesday night, Nick Offerman guested on Jimmy Kimmel Live! At the Conan OBrien Must Go premiere, Offerman explained that hed originally been the first guest, then got bumped to second billing when Vice-President Kamala Harris was going to guest. But then political stuff happened (???) and Offerman was back on top. In the words Murray Hill, Showbiz! Would the No. 3 bit in this list have happened if Harris hadnt been called away on Grown-up Business? Maybe not. It definitely wouldnt have happened without the hard work of costume and postproduction people on Jimmy Kimmel Live! So hats off to the crew for working shit out on the fly, every goddamn week. Heres what they made happen this week.

5. A Well-Executed Triple on The Late Show

This sketch about the Spring Olympics has some nice little moments. Making the logo legally distinct from the real lympos rings is great, as is bringing attention to that effort in the voiceover. And yeah, you never know how many layers youre gonna need. But the Spring Break Triathlon is a satisfyingly constructed sketch within a sketch. Color commentary introduces the party athlete of Becky, who drinks jungle juice straight from the cooler. Look at Becky go! someone that sounds awfully like Brian Stack says. The three events are Drinking, Dancing, and Looking for Becky. We all know a Becky, dont we, folks? The one whose beers start to taste like running through the parking lot? Shes a hero, but more importantly, shes a good callback.

4. After Midnights Texting Etiquette

This is an excellent game for After Midnight. It wouldnt have worked in the shows previous iteration  partially because texting has gotten more complex in the intervening years, and partially because the nuance between haha and hahaha needs a woman host to fully embody. But beyond that, these three guests kind of bully Taylor Tomlinson for the fake texts on her fake phone, and thats fun to see. Morgan Murphy, Marcella Arguello, and Felipe Esparza are like three rowdy kids with a babysitter barely older than them. Chaos. Entertaining chaos.

3. Nick Offermans Old-Timey Thesaurus

Saying old-timey nonsense is guaranteed comedy. The Simpsons knew it, Our Dumb Century knew it, and this sketch with Nick Offerman as deceased Arizona judge William T. Howell knows it too. Lets just do some transcription: Pistoned with a fully engorged giggle stick, Scrub their floral regions with barrel grease, You bacon-faced, pipkin-headed, brisket-beating, rump-fed, hen-sucked caper merchant! Offerman brings a great counterpoint to these highfalutin words with his innate buff-dude physicality.

2. Snoop Dogg Covered in Urine on WWHL

The way Pam Grier talks about Snoop Dogg fainting in her presence should be a movie. First of all, can you blame him? Waweewawa, and furthermore, hummuma-hummuna! But listen to her tell it: I knew when it was happening. He was turning pale, and he got up and he wobbled to the mens room, and I said, Is he okay? And he went in and he fell down on the pissy floor. Then she says shes a fan, but is that really a story you tell about someone you admire? Do you talk about how much piss they have on them? Incredible work from Ms. Grier.

1. Jimmy Kimmel, Chris Stapleton, and John Stamos

Pranks are a curse on our nation, because so many of them are thinly veiled cruelty. But if pranks were more like this (consensual, mostly pleasant, nice melody, good rhyme scheme), the world would be a better place. r/AITA would be less interesting, but the world would be better. This improv/prank hybrid made me literally laugh out loud, because everyone was having a nice time. Chris Stapleton and Jimmys band got to show off musical-improv chops, and someone had a really pleasant afternoon making up those lyrics.

Youll note no commentary from the Trump trial is on this list. Because that shits tired and to the average politics noticer, not a huge change from the past six years or so. Not everything has to be, in the words of Mr. Show, a nice show for the nice people, but some things should be!
Shoguns penultimate episode is a rebuttal to the simple fantasy of two people running away together. Photo: Katie Yu/FX/Copyright 2024, FX. All Rights Reserved.

Major spoilers follow for Shoguns ninth episode, Crimson Sky.

Alas, it was never going to work out between John Blackthorne and Lady Mariko. How could it? She is bound to honor codes dating back to long before she ever existed. He longs to return to his boat so he can get back to slapping around Catholics. Both are pieces on a chessboard theyre not allowed to see. From a pure logistical standpoint, there was no clear pathway to a happy ending. Where would they run off to, anyway? Macau?

In any case, Shogun is not that kind of show. The FX series is a dark, violent epic about grand political warfare and the weight of history where individual people routinely give up their lives for the bigger picture. That the penultimate episode, Crimson Sky, culminates with Marikos own sacrifice is the natural outcome of her arc within the stoic framework of the show. Where Blackthornes story will end remains to be seen, but you can bet its probably going to be bittersweet at best.

Still, it hurts to say good-bye to the sweet romantic fantasy of the Blackthorne-Mariko relationship. (Blariko? Mackthorne?) As impossible as it may have been, the pairing brought a hopeful flair that helped balance the series innate heaviness. This is especially impressive when considering the many ways their relationship couldve crumbled into a mess of painful cliches: A strapping white man swoops into feudal Japan, encounters a native woman suffering from the burdens placed upon her by her society, and offers himself up as her means of liberation. But again, Shogun isnt that kind of show. Their romance works because it flows organically from Shoguns specific tone, which excels in finding improbable pockets of delight within its grim universe.

Consider the shows unexpected expressions of humor, mainly of the gallows variety. Yabushige, the Sengoku-era rock-star warlord? Funny. Lord Toranagas fail-son dying after slipping on a rock? Pretty funny. Blackthorne, in general? Very funny. Theres a reason Shogun generated so much memetic energy across its run, and it has a lot to do with how comfortable the series has been finding muted laughs in the middle of the abyss.

Blackthorne: Everything that happened on the Island, really happened. They were NOT dead all along. The flash-sideways world in season 6 does exist in a kind of purgatory but everything else happened as Christian Shepherd clearly explains -



Mariko: the Anjin is upset about LOST pic.twitter.com/HhzMN4vY4T  Anna H. (@annaliezard) April 19, 2024

Blackthorne and Marikos relationship is a concentrated dose of this tonal mix. In the hands of Anna Sawai and Cosmo Jarvis, who are both excellent, its hard not to find these obviously doomed lovers charming and worth rooting for, which is partly a by-product of old-school television magic. After all, their chemistry is essentially that of a will-they-wont-they workplace romance: They connect, they bicker (Whats going on with you and the Anjin? asks an annoyed Toranaga, after one such argument in his presence), theyre kept apart by all sorts of obstacles (including a back-from-the-dead Buntaro and, eventually, death itself). The hot-spring sequence in The Eightfold Fence, where Blackthorne describes a hypothetical date hed take Mariko on if they ever end up in London together, is utter catnip for saps like myself.

The pairing also makes emotional sense; we can easily see what draws them to each other. They share the bond of the outsider, him the Western barbarian, her the ostracized remnant of a disgraced samurai family. They arent alone in being outcasts; Fuji, for example, was slotted into Blackthornes orbit earlier in the series after losing her family as a result of her husband breaking decorum. But Marikos connection with Blackthorne is further deepened by the two sharing a language  Portuguese, though represented to us as English  that they can mostly keep for themselves. In Mariko, Blackthorne finds safe harbor in a world he barely understands. Gradually, she also becomes his means to accept the possibility of the Japans being where he could spend the rest of his life. In Blackthorne, Mariko finds someone whos able to see her for who she is, even as hes unable to fully understand her. After all, this is a dude who enters the picture with little context for her familial sins and what they mean within the society around them. That allows her to become very vulnerable with him, Sawai recently explained to Vulture. The fact shes being accepted for who she is, thats very refreshing.

It also allows them to have substantive debates that contribute to Shoguns thematic heft. Take their differing outlooks on the idea of freedom, for example. Back in The Eightfold Fence, Blackthorne shares his calling for life on the high seas, a life where hes free from the restrictive bonds of any society. (Hes a man-child, in other words.) Her response to this notion, at first, seems to contain a twinge of envy, but in the next episode, Broken to the Fist, when Blackthorne expresses haughty puzzlement over her willingness to give up her life as the political heat amps up, she challenges him: If freedom is all you ever live for, youll never be free of yourself. Neither offers a clear vision of freedom, itself a proxy for the deeper question of why we live, thats acceptable to the other. But within the argument, the two hover at the edges of finding their own answers. Being each others dialectic  now thats sexy.

Also sexy: the sex! The doomed lovebirds get three major instances of carnal fireworks over the course of Shogun, and not only are they superhot, they are each emotionally intense and complicated in different ways. The two first pillow in the fourth episode when Mariko believes her husband, Buntaro, is dead, but her lack of acknowledgment to Blackthorne the morning after, and the way the scene was shot, leaves us with a little uncertainty as to whether it was actually Mariko who visited with Blackthorne that night. Later, in Ladies of the Willow World, they engage in what can be clinically described as intimacy-by-proxy, where Kiku, the courtesan, functions as an emotional and physical conduit between the two budding lovers, who are held back from consummating by their circumstances. Finally, in Crimson Sky, Blackthorne and Mariko have their most direct union in a love scene that in any other context would feel like a giddy payoff for a seasons worth of slow-build sexual tension.

But as we all know, Shogun isnt that type of show, so any excitement we may feel at their union is tempered by the fact that it comes sandwiched between Marikos near-seppuku and, ultimately, her death. This is, after all, a hyperintelligent series thats eminently conscious of the world it depicts, never wavering from the all-consuming nature of its political drama. In Crimson Sky, Blackthornes appeal to Mariko to live for him is a swooning gesture, but the proposition was never going to be an adequate answer for her existential struggle. That she eventually decides to sacrifice herself  that is, to accept her place in the grand plan  feels like a fascinating rebuttal to the simple fantasy of two people running away together. Blackthorne and Marikos romance was a big part of what made Shogun really fun television, but the shows commitment to its doom is yet another reflection of what makes it great.
You know how sometimes, when youre watching the beginning of a thriller or a horror movie before people start dropping like flies, you cant relax because you are afraid something terrible is going to happen to the characters you like the most? That is exactly how I feel watching West and Ciara, a.k.a. Wiara. I love them so much; I ship them so hard that the idea of them not making it melts me like a Cookie Puss left out on the counter overnight. Now, as theyre getting further into their prolonged flirtation, Im biting the nails on every single finger back and forth, back and forth, like Im an anxious cat in a Looney Tunes cartoon. These kids really need to make it.

The episode begins with West driving Ciara and Paige out to the house and asking Paige when Ciara started missing him the previous weekend when he was at a wedding. Paige tells him that it started on Friday, as soon as he wasnt there. Aw, these two. Theyre so adorable. What about when theyre lying in bed trying to say the same word at the same time like on TikTok? Or what about when theyre at the alien party, and West is like, Where have you been my literal entire life? Or what about the deal they made to sleep in Wests bed for a change? I mean, its all so wonderful and adorable, and I cant stop thinking about it. If these two dont work and have the worlds most attractive babies, I will no longer believe love is possible. No pressure.

But, guys, Im worried. I think there are two big problems. One is that, because of this set up, everyone is all up in their business. Lindsay is at the club asking West if he thinks it will go past the summer. Ciaras manager Derek is like What are your intentions with my girl? Paige and Amanda are talking about West to Ciara as hes trying to sneak into their room as an alien and scare them. (OMG, have the Bed Sore Sisters ever been happier than when they camouflaged themselves as the duvet?) I just think all of this scrutiny is giving this chill, slow-moving thing a lot of unnecessary importance and freaking them both out.

The convo between Paige, Amanda, and Ciara was about Wests other big concern: that they havent boned yet, and theyre six weeks into this non-fling. Okay, this is a hard one for me because I see both sides of this equation. As a loud and proud slut, I was not hanging around with anyone after a few dates if they werent putting out. However, my husband made me wait until date four, and thats how he trapped me, so maybe Ciara is on to something. However, Ciara is not just any girl. Look at her. Shes gorgeous, shes fun, and she slays with a theme party costume like her alien head on top of a leotard at the alien-themed night party the cast throws. This is a woman worth waiting for, and if she tells you shes not ready, you say, Sorry, your highness. Take your time.

Ciara tells the girls that she needs to know how West feels about her before she has sex with him. But I wonder how far West is getting. Are they doing hand stuff? Mouth stuff? Is she conceding a little bit to keep him around? I mean, I dont really need to know that, but I am nosy, and I want to hear about Wests sex life. I am not an introvert or an extrovert; I am a pervert.

Even as a slut, I agree with what Ciara says in her confessional that people are often willing to hop into the sack but arent willing to talk about their emotions. I think she needs to tell West this because I think his emotions are in the right place. He seems very clearly into her, but is worried that with her modeling contract, shes going to be leaving a lot, so he doesnt want to tie her down. If she were to ask, I think he would tell her what she wants to hear, but, of course, any straight dude is going to tell Ciara what she wants to hear to try to get her in bed. I mean, I would even do that, and Im gayer than Liza Minnellis makeup drawer.

Yes, I love sluts, and if I were born a straight woman, I would be giving it away to every man who asks. Danielle isnt that slutty, but I love that she is in a promiscuous phase, not taking any flack from anyone about it and doing herself (and others!) loud and proud. Not only did she hook up the night before going to the Hamptons, she met some hot-ass dudes at the club and invited them to the party the next day. And then Joe the Balloon Guy comes along. Oh, Jeezy, my neezy. If Bravo is going to keep putting these hot-ass randos on our screen, theyre going to need to start dropping some Insta tags because I need all the shirtless balloon pictures I can find.

I actually peeped him at the last party when he was setting up balloons. Lindsay did, too, and befriended him enough that they invited him to do more balloons for the alien party and wanted to introduce him to Danielle and Gabby. He comes over to set up the party and Lindsay introduces him to Danielle, who says Hi in her scroungy outfit wearing a tin-foil hat looking like a fool who just work up in someone elses tent at a music festival. Lindsay calls over Gabby, but she doesnt come because shes not looking hot enough. If were going to tell people years from now our first meeting, its not going to be that I met him sweaty, exhausted, and setting up for a party, she says in confessional.

This perfectly illustrates the different ways Danielle and Gabby roll. Danielle is just herself; she shows that she can hang out and likes a good time. As soon as Joe shows up at the party, she is on him like mayo on a lobster roll. Shes going for it hard and letting her presence be known. Gabby is the kind of girl who would have watched Sex and the City and ordered that book The Rules. She needs to be perfect for the man. She needs them to chase her. She needs to see their credit score before she goes out on a third date.

Im not saying one of these is right, or one of these is wrong, but if someone lands a hot tradesman at a party for a one-night stand, it will be Danielle. But I dont think Gabby wants that. Gabby says, Whats not going to happen is me versus Danielle for a dude who blows up balloons as a hobby. Well, he does it for a living, but still. Point taken. This is not a guy that Gabby would ever take seriously for marriage, and it seems like that is what she is out for. Gabby wants to land a dude. She does not want to play around. She does not want a bit of rough in an inflatable UFO in the backyard. Danielle, on the other hand, would like nothing more. Neither one is right nor wrong, but I dont think Gabby can get upset that Danielle swooped in when she has a much different approach. Gabby is gorgeous, funny, and cant flip over a couch without crashing to the floor. Some guy is going to pursue her just the way she wants, but its going to take more time.

Danielle is having more trouble in her relationship with Paige. When theyre out at the bar, Paige, Danielle, and Kyle break away for a little chat about Craig, the pillow entrepreneur that Paige is trying to introduce into polite society. When Kyle asks about the status of their relationship, Paige says she knows shes going to marry the guy, but shes going to do it on her own timeline. I respect that, but I also agree with Danielle; shes not giving Craig anything. Based on what we see on the shows, it seems like shes not really willing to compromise to make their relationship work. But, like Ciara, Paige is the kind of girl that you work for and you wait for and Craig seems to be totally into that.

The pattern I didnt recognize until Paige pointed it out is that Danielle always has opinions on how everyone else is living but doesnt want people to comment on her life. Actually, and I dont mean this to be shady, most people on the show dont seem to care that much about what Danielle has going on, possibly because shes always talking about other people. When theyre at the alien party, Paige tells Amanda, On paper, [Danielle has] no job, no boyfriend. I have a job and a boyfriend, so I dont know what youre telling me I should change in my life. Okay, the job part is debatable, but yeah, I totally get that. It seems like this is going to come to a head next week, so I cant wait to see that blow up.

There wasnt much Kyle and Amanda drama this week, for a change, but I loved seeing Amanda let out her fun side and stay out with Kyle until 3 a.m. He says that she did it for him, and this is the kind of compromise I want from these two. Amanda did it for Kyle, she didnt complain about it, Kyle was grateful, and now she can check off going out from her list of summer duties. Now, can we get Kyle to stay in and binge Married at First Sight Australia next weekend with Amanda? I doubt it, but lets see.

The episode ends with another couple: Carl and Lindsay. Oh, Larl. We already know how this ends, but its still not easy to watch. (What is easy to watch is Carl with his hair painted grey in an astronaut suit, like some kind of Race Bannon in space situation.) He approaches her about joining Loverboy as a spokesman for their alcohol-free line. Shes not as mad about it as he thought she would be, but she tells him that what really gets her going is a man out there crushing life. Carl asks if he is crushing life. Lindsay says no. Man, it was hard to hear, but this is just more evidence that they are a mismatch. Just like West and Ciara and Danielle and Gabby, these two are both looking for very different things. Neither is right and neither is wrong but, man, they dont need to be together.

So as the spotlight comes down on the party and everyone pretends like theyre being abducted by aliens, Carl imagines it too. Hes getting sucked up; hes weightless in the air, and hes ascending to a higher purpose. Thats all hes wanted the past few years: something to live for and something to set him apart. He cant find what it is but he now knows he wont grasp it by running after it on a Barrys Bootcamp treadmill. This is it! he thinks excitedly, hoping the aliens have solved all of their problems. But then the light switches off, and hes back on Earth, facing his girlfriend in a terribly Party City wig, wishing that one of the stars about him would share its centuries-old secret.
Photo: HBO

When The Jinx aired its first six episodes on HBO in 2015, it did something that very few true-crime shows had done up to that point or since: It captured a murderer, Robert Durst, seemingly confessing to his crimes on a hot mic. If you forgot what he said in the much-discussed finale  What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course was the gist  the first episode of The Jinx: Part Two, which airs Sunday night on HBO, will remind you. The follow-up picks up exactly where the first Jinx left off, with the arrest of Durst that was prompted by filmmaker Andrew Jareckis investigative series, and focuses on the court case that unfolded when Durst was finally charged with killing his friend Susan Berman in 2000.

Since the outcome of that murder case  and Dursts own life  is established history at this point, Part Two is a bit of an exercise in mental time travel; its far more engaging if youre able to forget about its foregone conclusion and transport yourself back to when Dursts fate was a (slightly) more open question. With its focus on Dursts trial in the Berman case, Part Two puts us back in that place, revisiting many of the details covered by the first Jinx. But because almost a decade has passed since then, viewers recall of some of those details may be a bit hazy, so lets get ourselves back in a 2015 mind-set and review the evidence that was laid out in Part One.

1. Kathie Durst, the first wife of Robert Durst, mysteriously disappeared in 1982 and was never seen again.

Durst, the son of prominent New York real-estate tycoon Seymour Durst, was a suspect in three high-profile murder cases, the first being the disappearance of his wife Kathie in 1982. Durst has always said that he drove Kathie to a train station near their Westchester County home on the night of January 31, 1982, so she could head to their New York City apartment and attend class at medical school the following day. Kathie reportedly called in sick to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine on that Monday, although in both parts one and two of The Jinx, its suggested that Dursts friend Susan Berman made the call, posing as Kathie.

Kathie Durst was never seen nor heard from again and her body was never found. Her friends and family members have long believed that Robert Durst killed her, disposed of the body in an unknown location, and covered up the murder. While Part Two centers mostly on Bermans murder, Kathies case is central to that, since Durst allegedly was concerned that Berman might implicate him in Kathies death.

2. Susan Berman was murdered and Durst swears he didnt do it.

Berman was a close friend of Dursts from college who was shot in the head and killed in her Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, home on December 23, 2000. This was weeks after law enforcement authorities in New York indicated plans to reopen the Kathie Durst investigation; close friends of Kathies specifically told Jeanine Pirro  then the district attorney in Westchester County before her days as a Fox News host and public defender of Donald Trump  that she should talk to Susan Berman.

Durst was arrested in connection with Bermans death in March 2015, the day before The Jinx finale aired.

3. Robert Durst killed and dismembered a man and got away with it.

Durst decided to change his identity and move to Galveston, Texas, in 2001, where he rented a modest apartment and posed as a mute woman named Dorothy Ciner  actually the name of one of Dursts high-school classmates  so he would not be recognized. He became acquaintances with a neighbor, Morris Black, whom he eventually shot and killed. Durst also dismembered Blacks body, put the various parts in trash bags, and tossed them in Galveston Bay. He was arrested and charged with Blacks murder, only after he attempted to flee Galveston and wound up being apprehended at a Wegmans in Pennsylvania where he attempted to steal a $6 chicken-salad sandwich. (Criminal mastermind Robert Durst, folks!)

During the ensuing trial, which was covered in The Jinx, Durst admitted to dismembering Blacks body but said he killed him in an act of self-defense. A jury acquitted him  even though, again, they knew all about the dismemberment  in 2003. This is less of a focus in Part Two, but the case certainly is mentioned.

4. The cadaver letter remains extremely important.

The day that Susan Bermans body was discovered in December of 2000, the Beverly Hills Police Department received a letter that stated Bermans address alongside the word cadaver. In the first Jinx, Bermans stepson finds an old letter that Durst had written to Berman with almost identical handwriting and a similar misspelling of the word Beverly in Beverly Hills  Beverley. Dursts hot-mic confession in the finale came right after Jarecki presented him with the two letters and noted their similarities. It also became a key piece of evidence when Durst was on trial for Bermans murder, a major focus of The Jinx: Part Two.

5. So does Dursts 2000 trip to California.

In The Jinx, police noted that they could not definitively place Durst in Los Angeles on the night of Bermans murder, even though he was in California at the time. He flew to San Francisco four days before she was killed, then flew back to New York out of San Francisco on a late-night flight the same day she was murdered. Dursts whereabouts during that period become a significant issue in The Jinx: Part Two.

6. Remember the name Chris Lovell.

Lovell was one of the jurors in the Galveston trial who was extremely confident that Durst did not kill Morris Black intentionally. I know that he is innocent of the charges in Galveston, Lovell told Jarecki in the first Jinx. You will see him again in episode one of The Jinx: Part Two.

7. Its also worth remembering what Durst took with him when he fled Galveston.

One of the most remarkable things about Dursts story is that he got away with murder for so long while frequently doing incredibly stupid things. The guy made mistakes, and sometimes he tried to make the same mistakes again. When Durst was apprehended at the Wegmans after jumping bail in the Morris Black case, police searched his rental car and found a pair of loaded guns, some marijuana, $38,000 in cash, and Morris Blacks ID. (One cop wonders why someone would try to shoplift a sandwich from a Wegmans when they have $38,000 in their trunk, which is an excellent question!) When you watch The Jinx: Part 2 and see the details involved in his plan to evade arrest in the Susan Berman case, well, lets just say youll experience a bit of deja vu.

8. Durst had a seemingly unconventional relationship with his second wife, Debrah Lee Charatan.

Charatan, whom Durst wed in the year 2000, weeks before Bermans murder, appeared in the first Jinx via footage from interviews with police and recorded phone conversations between her and Durst while he was in prison during the Galveston trial. She plays a slightly larger role in The Jinx: Part Two, as we witness conversations between her and Durst in prison during his trial for Bermans murder and also hear some strange things about the way she conducts business. Because she has spousal privilege, she is not legally required to disclose anything Durst may have confided in her. But as was the case in the first part of this docuseries, it definitely seems like she knows some potentially revelatory things about her husband that shes keeping to herself.

The filmmakers and others imply that this may have been more of a marriage of convenience than a true marriage, as the two spent significant amounts of time living apart. When Durst died in 2022, he left all his money and possessions to Charatan.

9. Yeah, of course Dursts confession will come up.

For understandable reasons, the part of Dursts hot-mic confession that people tend to remember best is: What the hell did I do? Killed them all, of course. But prior to that, he rambled further while talking to/incriminating himself, saying: There it is. Youre caught. Youre right, of course. But you cant imagine. Arrest him. I dont know whats in the house. Oh, I want this. What a disaster. He was right. I was wrong. And the burping. Im having difficulty with the question. Because Durst voluntarily agreed to the interview and to being micd, it can be used as evidence, along with other things found during the course of making The Jinx. During the proceedings in the Berman case, Jarecki and his fellow filmmakers acknowledged that the audio of the confession was edited; in the four of the six Jinx: Part 2 episodes HBO made available in advance, this editing does not come up. Given how much emphasis is placed on the pivotal role the docuseries played in getting Durst in police custody, it will be interesting to see if its mentioned in the last two episodes.

One of the many notable things about Dursts confession is that in a previous episode of The Jinx, he is caught talking to himself on a hot mic. His lawyer notices and warns him not to do that. Again: another dumb mistake he made more than once.

10. Keep in mind this quote from Charles Bagli.

Bagli is a long-time writer for the New York Times who has covered Durst for many years and appears in both parts of The Jinx. In the first part, he says something that functions as a running theme in both sections of the series: This is a guy, Bagli says of Durst, who thinks he can walk through life and do whatever he wants. And most of the time he could.

Even though Durst is finally forced to face some consequences in The Jinx: Part Two, its still astonishing how many friends and associates are willing to do anything to help this man, even after everything hes done. Money buys a lot of things, and one of them is people who are willing to aid and abet someone who is obviously a criminal. Baglis comment also explains why Dursts story, in both parts of The Jinx, is so compelling to so many. Because most of us cant walk through life and do whatever we want, and were both fascinated and disgusted by those (usually rich and white men) who can.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Representatives of the COP29 Chairmanship discussed the process of preparation for the conference with the delegation of the Permanent Mission of Finland to the OSCE, Trend reports.

"We had a very informative discussion on the process of preparation for COP29 with the delegation of the Permanent Mission of Finland to the OSCE headed by Ambassador Vesa Hakkinen," said a representative of the National Hydrometeorological Service under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Fuad Humbatov.

Furthermore, he mentioned that Finland will chair the OSCE in 2025, and Azerbaijan cooperates with this international organization on various programs.

This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COPthe Conference of the Partiesis the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.
From Suffs, at the Music Box Theatre. Photo: Joan Marcus

Lets go ahead and address the Lin-Manuelephant in the room. Its all but impossible to talk about Suffs  Shaina Taubs musical about Alice Paul, her fellow suffragists, and the passage of the 19th Amendment  without mentioning a show you might have heard of. Not simply because, like the writer of the Public Theaters last Broadway-bound foray into American political history, Taub is a multi-hyphenate powerhouse who wrote her shows book, music, and lyrics and also plays its protagonist; and not even because her music and lyrics have both a self-assurance and a referential playfulness about them, a feeling  notably lacking in many of this seasons musicals  of finding inspiration and joy in the deep catalogue of their musical-theater ancestors  but because, taken together, Hamilton and Suffs provide a split portrait of two moments in time. In one half of the frame: a bunch of guys dressed as presidents, looking fly and having a great time. In the other: a bunch of women, trying like hell to be hopeful against truly spirit-crushing forces of darkness while simultaneously holding themselves accountable to a different decades set of standards.

Alice Paul  the pioneering suffragist played by Taub who fought for years to win the right to vote, then immediately turned her attention to writing the Equal Rights Amendment, unpassed to this day  was also, of course, imperfect. In 1913, when the suffragists organized a massive march on Washington, Paul wavered under pressure from wealthy Southern women to segregate the procession. This painful fact takes central importance in Suffs, where, playing the great activists Ida B. Wells and Mary Church Terrell, Nikki M. James and Anastacia McCleskey, respectively, create a deeply felt counterpoint to Paul, who must shoulder a certain amount of shame for the rest of the show. Consider, by way of contrast, the heroes of Hamilton: These guys owned people but ultimately got to appear in a fun, sympathetic, even inspirational light. My point is not that one of these projects is morally superior to the other; simply that theres a sigh in my chest for the cosmic timing that allowed for a bunch of flawed men to be rock stars and now dictates that flawed women soberly submit themselves for our ethical approval.

But, as Ida and Alice and the rest would probably advise, onward. At least the story, artistically speaking, has a good ending. Because not only is Suffs navigating demanding terrain: Its marching through it with head up, heart open, and sense of humor intact. The show is smart, witty, tuneful, and teeming with mighty performances. It cant help having a certain amount of shadow to it: Its gutting to hear the truths of our past while facing the present, in which the humanity and autonomy of women, nonbinary, and trans folks remain so viciously under attack. The refrain that Taubs characters hurl at each other in moments of strife  Why are you fighting me? I am not the enemy!  feels so sharply familiar it makes you wince. But for all its seriousness, Suffs is full of nerve and spark. Under the steady direction of Leigh Silverman, the shows large ensemble glows with the gutsiness and visible affection that come from a good-faith process. When actors really believe in what theyre doing, it tends to show.

Belief in a vital cause is, after all, the blood pumping through the plays heart. Every woman in Suffs wants the movement to succeed, but Taub smartly builds conflict and poignancy out of clashes not over the ends but the means. These divergent agendas and simmering internal tensions, which sometimes boil over into all-out war, slam the play right up against the now. If theres one thing the left excels at, its infighting  struggling to separate integrity from sanctimony, to weigh moral perfectionism against action. Meanwhile, the hard-right bulldozer rolls on, happy to welcome aboard a multiplicity of fears and hatreds. As Suffs begins, were introduced to the respectable women of NAWSA (the National American Woman Suffrage Association) at their  and this can take the breath out of you from the start  65th annual luncheon in 1913. Welcome, gentlemen, their president, Carrie Chapman Catt (the superb Jenn Colella), beams at us before launching into an ingratiatingly catchy old-timey set piece, Let Mother Vote (a very real NAWSA campaign). Its practically vaudevillian, and its an ingenious way to kick things off. Carrie will be with us for the whole ride and will quickly prove no mere Establishment shill. Shes been working her well-dressed ass  shed disapprove of that; posterior  off for decades, doing this same charming little dance for the men in charge, chipping away at them according to NAWSAs motto: State by state, slow and steady, not until the countrys ready. As she tells an impassioned, frustrated young woman who grabs her during a refreshment break, Men are only willing to consider our cause if we present it in a ladylike fashion  Our sweetness is strategic.

That frustrated kid is Taubs Alice Paul, and she has no time for sweetness. I dont want to follow in old footsteps, she sings, fervent and furrow-browed. I want to march in the street / I want to hold up a sign / With millions of women with passion like mine. Suffs runs on the heat generated by Alices adamant progressivism chafing against Carries calculated conservatism, and the pair have a crucial reflection in Ida and Mary. When Alice starts organizing a national suffrage march, but then considers putting the Black womens delegation at the back of the line, Ida B. Wells blows in like a righteous storm. Nikki M. James is staggering as Ida  small-framed but statuesque and charged from toes to crown with crackling intensity  who throws Alices own values back in her face: Wait my turn? / Well I sure dont see you waiting yours  / Since when does a radical roll over for bigots in the first place? / Thats not leadership, Alice / Its cowardice. But Ida has her own foil in her friend Mary Church Terrell. Where Ida is hard and dogged, Mary is gracious; where Ida pushes, Mary coaxes. Theyre equally brilliant  Mary teaches at the nations first Black high school  and they love each other, but theyre often at odds. Dont you resent that youre a prop they trot out at events? Ida sings as Mary prepares to speak at a NAWSA convention. Anastacia McCleskey is all dignity as Mary holds her ground: If I didnt speak, they wouldnt even mention race / I tolerate their system / Cause thats the only way theyll ever listen to our case.

These recurring echoes hit where it hurts  especially as time spins relentlessly forward and the young start to understand and then become the old, even as the old fill up with doubts, remembering themselves in the young. That Suffs allows us to hold both  young and old, Ida and Mary, Carrie and Alice  and to see them all in their humanity and bravery is a real achievement. Taub has made room for nuance, and for the corresponding ache it almost always brings. But shes also made room for humor. As Alices steadfast best friend, Lucy Burns, Ally Bonino is a delight: After the suffrage march, Alices crew  including glamorous law student Inez Milholland (Hannah Cruz), fiery Polish socialist Ruza Wenclawska (Kim Blanck), and precocious Nebraskan college kid Doris Stevens (Nadia Dandashi)  celebrate with Champagne and a rousing song reclaiming the word that men along the march route have been spitting at them. Im a Great American Bitch! each of them sings in turn  until it gets to Lucy, who admits, halfway through belting the line, Im sorry, I honestly just dont love that word. Later on, when tensions mount to the point where Carrie kicks Alice out of NAWSA and Alice launches the National Womens Party in response, Emily Skinner absolutely kills her scenes as Alva Belmont, the filthy-rich, eccentric divorcee who parachutes in to fund the rebel suffragists schemes. Tsilala Brock is also a joy as Dudley Malone, one of the shows few male roles (the cast of all women and nonbinary actors play anyone and everyone). Malone was a lawyer who really did publicly resign from a post in Woodrow Wilsons government in order to help the suffrage movement, and Brocks heartfelt musical rendering of Dudleys letter of resignation, his personal awakening, and his sweetly budding relationship with Dandashis clever Doris Stevens are truly affecting.

Its true that Taubs music-hall streak can sometimes stretch a degree or two too far into shtick. Grace McLean is a great performer  and a fascinating composer in her own right  but her Woodrow Wilson, the smug, smiling baddie of Suffs, isnt given the shows sharpest or most original material with Ladies, the presidents oily ode to the delicacies of womanhood. And as Ruza, the lefty firebrand of Alices gang, Blanck has to deliver one too many har-har Polish jokes. Taubs writing is funnier and fuller when shes pushing for comedy less hard, and her own performance is most moving when she dares to crack open. A terrible (and true) tragedy strikes Alices troupe at the shows midway point, as theyre all campaigning their hearts out to try to prevent Wilsons reelection, and Taub  a creator-performer who usually gives herself sprightly, jester-ish roles  lets us see the characters exhaustion, panic, and despair. One can sense a bittersweet overlap between artist and role as Alices first impulse in the face of terrible loss is just to work harder: She explodes in a flurry of energy, organizing, making lists, making sure things are right, until she suddenly collapses into Lucys arms.

The strains of something less than triumphant were always lurking in Hamilton, which begins with a fist-pump to the sky but ends with the plaintive question, Who lives, who dies, who tells your story? But just as young Alice had no time for sweetness, Suffs has no time for wistfulness as it nears its ending. Thats because its not an ending, and there isnt one in sight. As one of her epigraphs, Taub quotes the Talmud: You are not obliged to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it. Suffs may send us back out into the world a little bruised, a little somber, but in no way defeated or alone.

In that, it shares much in spirit with a show of an entirely different shape across the East River. Grenfell is visiting St. Anns Warehouse from the National Theatre in London. Its a brave programming choice: The play is a three-hour-long docudrama about the Grenfell Tower fire of June 2017 that killed 72 people in London. As I looked around at the unusually small audience seated in the round at St. Anns, I wondered how many Americans know anything about Grenfell, and how many might be tempted to come find out.

I hope many do. Grenfell is meticulously constructed, searingly informative, and both patient and confident in its theatrical simplicity. It doesnt overstay its three hours: We arent really watching a show per se; were part of something  seen and welcomed and encouraged to greet the person sitting beside us; this is also a story about knowing your neighbors, says the actor Dominique Tipper. As co-directors, Phyllida Lloyd and Anthony Simpson-Pike give clear, fluent shape to Gillian Slovos painstakingly compiled text. Grenfells subtitle is In the Words of Survivors, and all the productions language  if its not direct address to us by the actors  is taken from interviews with residents of the tower or from the public inquiry after the fire. Every aspect of the show has been crafted to honor the human beings who lived and those who died, but theres never a hint of soppiness. This is England, after all, and the British are formidably fluent in bureaucracy  the evils and evasions of which were responsible for the deaths at Grenfell  and even more so in calmly and precisely skewering it.

Its harrowing to hear the facts pile up: The way this peaceful public-housing block, largely inhabited by immigrants, was despised and discriminated against (especially after the movie Notting Hill depicted its neighborhood as poshcuteJulia Roberts London, and real-estate prices skyrocketed); the way the towers refurbishment cut so many corners, thanks to David Camerons deregulatory agenda, that Grenfell ended up wrapped in building materials that looked prettier but might as well have been gasoline-soaked paper; the way the U.K.s Stay Put fire safety policy led to whole families waiting in their homes while an inferno raged around them and, on their cell phones with loved ones below, they lost the window to escape. The list goes on  and, crucially, the guilt and the underlying greed is global. It was an American company, Arconic, that sold the materials for the towers skin (its cladding) to the contractors, in full awareness that theyd go up like a prairie in August. Quoting an internal memo from Arconic used in the inquiry, Tipper reads aloud the words of one of the companys higher-ups: Oops  The classification of REYNOBOND PE cassette cladding following the test this morning is  F!!!  For the moment, the email continues coolly, we can still work in countries with national regulations which are not as restrictive.

Grenfell is a performance, but its also an action. It ends less like a play than a peaceful protest, and its part of an ongoing campaign. Just as the ERA, drafted by Alice Paul in 1920, remains unpassed, no one has been held accountable seven years after the Grenfell Tower fire. This Much Evidence, Still No Charges reads a sign carried by a marcher in a video of the towers real residents and neighbors, still holding silent processions to demand justice and change. I could hear Taubs Alice in my head: The gains will feel small and the losses too large  Youll rarely agree with whoevers in charge  Come on, keep marching.

Suffs is at the Music Box Theatre.

Grenfell is at St. Anns Warehouse through May 12.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. The American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AmCham) has held its second event in Baku as part of the Stakeholder Dialogue on Climate Change initiated this year, a source in AmCham told Trend.

"A joint meeting of the Sustainable Development and Corporate Impact Committee and the Procurement Committee took place as part of the series of events under the Stakeholder Dialogue on Climate Change. We discussed existing global practices for sustainable supply chains (goods, services) to further business growth," said the source.

The source reminded that the first event of the dialogue in Baku took place in January and was dedicated to the theme of Year of Solidarity for a Green World and the upcoming COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Until November 2024, AmCham will hold four more meetings as part of the Stakeholder Dialogue on Climate Change.

This AmCham initiative aims to promote awareness and collaboration among enterprises in Azerbaijan in preparation for the upcoming COP29 conference, which will take place in Baku from November 11 to 24, 2024.

"The next four meetings of the AmCham dialogue will discuss the role of corporate governance in environmentally friendly business operations, global practices of non-financial reporting from the perspective of Azerbaijan's legislative framework, legal norms related to the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) program in Azerbaijan, as well as available tax incentives," added the source.

This November, Azerbaijan will host COP29. This decision was made at the COP28 plenary meeting held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Baku will become the center of the world and will receive about 7080,000 foreign guests.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system. COP - the Conference of the Parties- is the highest legislative body overseeing the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. There are 198 countries that are parties to the Convention. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the COP is held annually. The first COP event took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Impressionists  The dawn of modernity until 28 July.

The Museo Storico della Fanteria in Rome celebrates Impressionism as part of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the revolutionary art movement in Paris.

The exhibition, which documents the origins and history of Impressionism, features around 200 works from private collections, most of which will be unfamiliar to the public.

On display are works by Impressionist masters including Monet, Degas, Manet, Renoir, Cezanne, Gauguin and Pissarro, as well as other lesser known artists.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 19. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will sign an agreement on expanding allied relations, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said during a one-on-one meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Sadyr Zhaparov, Trend reports.

"Today we are signing a historic document - a treaty to deepen and expand our alliance, which will give a new impetus to the development of Kazakh-Kyrgyz relations," he emphasized.

Tokayev also expressed gratitude to Zhaparov and the people of Kyrgyzstan for the humanitarian assistance provided in connection with the massive floods in several regions of Kazakhstan.

In addition, the president of Kazakhstan pointed out the dynamic development of bilateral contacts, noting that active political dialogue and close intergovernmental and interparliamentary relations give them a special impetus.

"Our bilateral trade and economic cooperation strengthen with each passing year. Last year, mutual trade turnover reached $1.5 billion and grew by 26 percent. We aim to increase this figure to $2 billion. Several promising projects are also being implemented in this direction. Overall, agreements in the trade and economic spheres are being fulfilled," he added.

To note, the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zhaparov is on a visit to Kazakhstan.

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Ethnically diverse Australians are used by Labor powerbrokers to stack branches but are not supported for parliamentary spots, an aspiring politician claimed.

As Labors dominant Left faction examines quotas to boost its paltry number of multicultural MPs, sections of the faction are in revolt over a backroom deal to anoint a union leader to fill a prized Senate position.

Labor nomination candidate Wesa Chau. Credit: Joe Armao

The usually disciplined Socialist Left was expected to rubber stamp a nomination for the Victorian Senate spot without the need for a vote by ensuring only one candidate formally sought the position.

But four female aspirants, including Chinese Australian Wesa Chau, have thrown their hat in the ring to force a party ballot amid frustration over ethnic diversity and union influence.
London: The husband of Scotlands former first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has been charged by police after he was arrested amid an investigation into the Scottish National Partys funding and finances.

Police said Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, was charged on Thursday in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the party.

Then-Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon poses for the media with husband Peter Murrell, outside polling station in Glasgow, Scotland in 2019. Credit: AP

He was taken into custody at 9.13am and was charged more than nine hours later, at 6.35pm, after questioning by Police Scotland detectives investigating the long-running saga.

Sturgeon, who dramatically quit public life in March last year after eight years as party leader and first minister of Scotlands semi-autonomous government, was herself detained in June but later released as part of Operation Branchform, an investigation into the SNPs finances.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 19. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to enhance and broaden their allied relations, Trend reports via Kazakh president's press service.

The signing took place following bilateral talks between the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov, as well as the sixth meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

In addition, the countries also signed:

 Resolution from the sixth session of the Supreme Interstate Council of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan;

 Bilateral agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan concerning the encouragement and mutual safeguarding of investments;

 Protocol outlining modifications to the agreement between the Government of Kazakhstan and the Government of Kyrgyzstan on border checkpoints dated December 25, 2003;

 Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan and the State Agency for Personal Data Protection under the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan;

 Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan and the State Agency for Architecture, Construction, and Housing and Communal Services under the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan;

 Action Plan (Roadmap) for the enhancement of border checkpoints along the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border for the period 2024-2027.

To note, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov is on an official visit to Kazakhstan.

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Tensions in the Middle East have risen after an apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran set the world on edge and sparked fears of an escalating tit-for-tat conflict between two of the Middle Easts biggest military powers.

Explosions were heard near a major air base and nuclear research site in central Iran on Friday, prompting the Albanese government to urge both Iran and Israel to show restraint to avoid an all-out regional war with potentially devastating consequences.

Video from near the reported site of airstrikes in Iran early on Friday. Credit: X

As international airlines scrambled to reroute passenger flights following the reported explosions, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade responded by warning Australians against travelling to Israel and the Palestinian territories because of the risk of further attacks.

World leaders are now anxiously waiting to see whether Iran will launch its own retaliatory strikes, or seek to dial back hostilities to avoid the risk of a broader conflagration.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 19. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are interested in a significant increase in trade turnover, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said, Trend reports.

He made the remark during a joint briefing with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov for the media.

"We agreed that there should be no unsolved disputes between our countries. A special emphasis was placed on strengthening commercial and economic connections. Kazakhstan is an important trading and business partner for Kyrgyzstan. Last year, bilateral trade turnover totaled 1.5 billion dollars. During the negotiations, we confirmed our desire to increase this indication to $2 billion. In general, there is every chance of dramatically increasing bilateral trade turnover in a short period," Tokayev said.

According to him, Kazakhstan is ready to export industrial and other goods.

"Kazakhstan may currently expand exports to Kyrgyzstan on 195 commodity products totaling $260 million. Kyrgyzstan exports various items to Kazakhstan," the head of state noted.

Tokayev stated that the parties decided to take full advantage of the available opportunities, activate the work of the Intergovernmental Council and the Interregional Forum, and swiftly establish the border commerce and logistics industrial complex.

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At the invitation of Michael Outram, Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner and Comptroller-General of Customs and Vice-Chair of the WCO Asia/Pacific (A/P) region, WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders participated in the 25th WCO A/P Heads of Customs Administrations Conference, held in Sydney, Australia from 14 to 18 April 2024.

The A/P Vice-Chair warmly welcomed the participants to the Conference and welcomed Palau as the regions newest WCO Member. While highlighting the key priorities for Customs within the A/P region, Mr. Outram noted the relevance of this years theme Customs Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose, and underlined the importance of international supply chain resilience this context.

In his opening remarks and report, Secretary General Saunders outlined some of the WCOs recent key activities, including updates on the progress made in the implementation of the Organizations Strategic Plan 2022/2025. He went on to present advancements in the development of the WCO's modernization plan, and carefully listened to Members views in this regard. During his visit, the Secretary General took part in a number of bilateral meetings with Members from the region.

The Heads of Customs Administrations took also note of the implementation status of the Regional Strategic Plan, as well as of the activity reports of the Vice-Chair and of the A/P regional entities such as the WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB), the WCO Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (RILO) and the Regional Private Sector Consultative Group, and endorsed the new regional strategic plan for 2024-2026. Gratifying to note was the degree to which the Asia-Pacific region seeks to align its undertakings with the WCO Strategic Plan.

The Conference supported the draft WCO Resolution on Strengthening Customs-Industry Resilience and endorsed the WCO A/P Communique for Gender Equality and Diversity. Additionally, the Conference approved the establishment of a WCO Regional Training Centre in Cambodia and the attachment of a third Customs Training Centre to the already existing Regional Training Centre in India.

The Conference concluded successfully, advancing many regional initiatives and providing a valuable opportunity for interaction between Members and the Secretary General in advance of this years Council meeting.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 19. Kazakhstan's KazMunayGas (KMG, the national oil and gas company) and China's CITIC Resources Holdings Limited (CITIC Group) have discussed the implementation of joint initiatives in the field of oil production and refining, Trend reports.

Discussions took place during a meeting between the Chairman of the Board of KMG, Magzum Mirzagaliev, and the Vice President of the Chinese company, Wang Xinli.

In particular, the parties reviewed the current status of the project to expand the capacity of the Aktau bitumen plant (CASPI BITUM LLP) from 500,000 to 750,000 tons per year.

At the same time, aspects of the activities of Karazhanbasmunai (KBM) were discussed (participation shares: KMG - 50 percent, CITIC - 50 percent).

In addition, the subject of the conversation was the prospects for the construction of a gas piston, wind, and solar power plant to ensure energy stability at KBM.

Notably, a cooperation agreement on the CASPI BITUM expansion project between KMG and CITIC Group was signed in October last year during the official visit of President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to China. In January of this year, following negotiations between the management of the two companies in Beijing, a project implementation plan was agreed upon. Currently, the parties are completing preparatory corporate procedures for signing the contract, the final cost of which will be determined based on the results of the state examination.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 19. Kazakhstan has implemented a ban on vape sales and distribution, Trend reports via Akorda, the official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the law "On introducing amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on health issues".

"This law (which goes into effect 60 days after the official publication) prohibits the sale and distribution of nonsmoking tobacco products, vapes, flavors, and liquids, as well as their advertising," Akorda states.

As part of health-related legislation earlier this year, Kazakhstan's Parliament passed regulations limiting the usage of tobacco products. Thus, the restrictions restricted the import, production, sale, and distribution of vaping devices.

Criminal liability was imposed for their circulation: selling them could result in up to 50 days in jail; importing and distributing could result in up to two years in prison; and similar offenses committed by a criminal group on a large scale, or repeatedly could result in up to five years in prison.

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If you are a regular reader of my missives, you might recall some weeks ago my fond musings on the noble robin, gracing my patio, feasting on proffered morsels of bread as I sipped my morning brew. Nature and its undergrowth will stir to no man's bidding, and my targeted offerings drew more than mere avian attention.

At first, I thought it was a mysterious bird, the outlines blurred through my reading glasses. But I soon discerned the grey, sleek outline of a familiar rodent. A rat had joined our breakfast ensemble and was not shy in claiming his portions. More than entitled, over 10 minutes, he claimed the greater spoils, scurrying back and forth and gorging out of sight.

Not one for misplaced sentimentality, I issued a death warrant and that day plied traps, lures, and toxic baits. I awaited the rodent's absence as proof of his demise. I was surprised to see him return, unharmed and unabashed, again stealing the crusts after the robins retired into the hedgerows.

And so it continues for many weeks. I have rebaited, bought new traps, and contrived more tasty offerings, to no avail. The rat is either immune, very smart, or both. My contempt has morphed into a sneaking admiration as the rodent outwits my every poisoned artifice.

This morning again, there he sits, whiskers twitching, beady eyes glinting with cunning intelligence. The grey harbinger of pestilence mocks me once again, gobbling up with repulsive gusto the breadcrumbs intended for winged warblers. This rat, that embodiment of mankind's oldest revulsions, like death itself, cannot be vanquished.

Perhaps I should not be so obdurately offended by this trash-dwelling opportunist who haunts the peripheries. The rat has stalked the fringes of human society since the dawn of civilisation, shaping our stories, lingering in the shadows of our art and mythology as an inescapable reminder of the sordid realities that lurk beneath even our loftiest aspirations.

Consider the ancient Sumerians, the first great urbanists, who inscribed expressions of dismay among their earliest known writings at the revolting abundance of "tooth-bearing kibbu" infesting their granaries and rubbish heaps. These burning scribes originated the fable in which a ragged street urchin rat deviously tricks a pompous housecat into ingesting a toxin. Such was the humble rat's debut on the grand stage of literature, and its role as a sly trickster has echoed throughout the ages.

In Hindu lore, the rodent was reimagined as a stout vahana, or spiritual vehicle, for Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of beginnings and remover of obstacles. How the repulsive urban ratter, that embodiment of filth and precursor of the dreaded Black Death, came to be borne upon the whiskered muzzle of a divinity remains a theological mystery. But there it squats, globular and thick-tailed, perched next to its patron's tusk to remind the universe that the divine itself is not immaculate, that consecration and contamination are inextricably intertwined.

During Europe's morbidly pious Middle Ages, the ubiquitous vermin came to symbolise not godliness but man's perpetual brushes with sin, poverty, and eternal damnation. The Pied Piper of Hamelin is our most familiar fable depicting a rat's malign influence, with the piper's accursed melodies luring the town's pestiferous horde of rodents to doom. Less known are the grotesque 13th-century carvings in the Ely Cathedral, where rodents grinning with sharp fangs sit among the leering gargoyles and feral demons.

The Renaissance at last granted some measure of patina to the long-persecuted rat. Reawakened humanists, in rejecting monastic asceticism, boldly depicted Rattus Norvegicus (that's the Brown Rat to you and me), with an unwonted liveliness and corporeality. The Italian Old Master Caravaggio daringly portrayed the Baroque Christ Child grasping a plump rat, its hairless tail coiling from the divine infant's tender hand. And at the height of Dutch Golden Age realism, the masters festooned their canvases with lush tableaux of fruit, game, and, inevitably, the unblinking visage of some plump rodent visitor to the opulent feast - my rat's antecedent.

But just as rat populations exploded in the wake of industrialism's concrete expansion of sewers and slums, so did the vermin's role in fiction return to its previous malignancy. In literature, rats became emblems of the faceless human masses, the teeming poor, and the revolting subterranean corseting every city. Vladimir Nabokov reviled the "greyish concupiscent mus" whose squeaking violated his childhood nights in St Petersburg. H.P. Lovecraft lurked forever in the shadow of "daemon-clouds of drug-lured rats". Even the jolly Beatrix Potter stained her pages with tales of reckless and depraved rodents, while Graham Greene's gang of criminal vermin still "moved towards ill with shambling memories of poverty and cadaverous life".

No examination of the rat's role in culture would be complete without addressing the horrific symbolism employed by the Nazi regime. In their virulently anti-semitic propaganda, Hitler's ministers rendered Jewish citizens as rat-like vermin - filthy, disease-spreading parasites overrunning German society. Grotesque caricatures in Der Sturmer depicted hooked-nosed Jewish figures with rodent characteristics. At the same time, official publications like Der Ewige Jude described Jews as "parasites" to be exterminated before they could defile the Aryan racial community. Such deliberately dehumanising rhetoric facilitated the Nazis' genocide by stripping Jewish people of dignity and humanity, recasting them as expendable subhuman pests in the minds of the German public. The Holocaust's reliance on such vile propaganda reveals just how powerfully the rat's reviled image was weaponised - a chilling reminder that mankind's capacity for civilisation and barbarism remain forever intertwined.

It's no wonder Hollywood turned to the boundless fecundity of rat protagonists, granting them supernatural abilities to mirror man's darkest impulses. In Willard, the eponymous antihero wields an army of rats to murder those who have wronged him. The horror master James Herbert spun his most famous novel, The Rats, around the tale of subterraneous rodents mutating into carnivorous, quasi-intelligent beasts.

Closer to home, Damien Hurst's installations have twice rendered actual taxidermy rats, pinning them obscenely with household implements; his 2021 work The Household Rat compels its viewer to gaze unflinchingly upon the gnashing fangs and urine-stained hide of a pest that civilisation futilely strives to swat away like a recalcitrant fly on the wall. In the rat, humans find an immortal totem of pestilence, defiantly squalid and unkillable, an inexhaustible reminder that refinement, affluence, and grandeur are fleeting bubbles destined to pop.

So I sit before my unwanted vermin guest, shockingly at ease with his now familiar audacity. Just as no torrent is too formidable for rats to flourish, humanity achieves its urban sophistication only in tandem with its basest cohabitors. Just as weeds and nettles mass around the edges of our secure dwellings, we require the rat's presence to keep us perpetually humbled, forewarned that our elevation is but a brief reprieve from whatever horrors await us when the walls crumble to ruin and decay.

So I call a truce and award him a grudging reprieve, this bold specimen of Rattus Norvegicus. Staring balefully into his beady eyes, I finally glimpse not Hell's glare but my own, his twitching whiskers confirming an ancient kinship I dare not disavow but must recognise with a rueful, resigned acceptance. I will renew the battle, haunted by his pestilential pedigree. So, in the interim, he has earned his licence to torment me, the pinnacle of evolutionary defiance, surrendering pilfered breadcrumbs to history's persistent repeating.
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.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 19. The EU has allocated 200,000 euros to aid victims of floods in Kazakhstan, Trend reports, referring to the statement of the EU Delegation in Kazakhstan.

"Following extensive flooding in multiple regions of Kazakhstan, impacting over 117,000 individuals, the European Union provides 200,000 euros in humanitarian aid to assist the most affected families," the message says.

It is noted that this EU funding is aimed at supporting the Kazakh Red Crescent in providing necessary emergency aid, including household items such as mattresses and bedding, multipurpose cash, and hygiene materials.

"The humanitarian aid, to be distributed over the next three months, will directly benefit 5,000 individuals severely impacted by the floods. Priority will be given to female-headed households, families with members with disabilities or elderly individuals, and families with three or more children. This funding is part of the EU's broader support for the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies," the statement said.

Floods in Kazakhstan began in March. A state of emergency was declared in eight regions of the country at the local level. Tens of thousands of people were involved in rescue work. Since the beginning of floods in Kazakhstan, more than 117,000 people have been evacuated.

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Top scholars honoured at Wits

Vice-Chancellor shines a spotlight on first-year scholarship recipients, celebrating academic excellence and the transformative impact of education.

Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University, played host to the recipients of the 2024 Vice-Chancellors Scholarship Award.

This annual event, held at the Wits Club on April 7, 2024, aims to celebrate and present certificates of merit to the new recipients, in the presence of their families, school principals, and donors.

The scholarship is a prestigious recognition granted to the top 20 deserving students who excelled in the national senior certificate exams and are currently enrolled in their first year at Wits University. This award is automatically extended to the highest achievers upon registration and covers their tuition for their entire degree. This comprehensive scholarship celebrates academic achievement, offering significant financial support to alleviate the costs of pursuing a University education for students and their families.

Vilakazi extended a welcome to all attendees, acknowledging the pivotal role played by educators and school principals in nurturing the talents of the scholarship recipients.

"The groundwork you have laid is solid and critical to the mission at hand," he said.

He thanked the donors who support the scholarship programme, before turning his attention to the parents of the scholarship recipients, recognising their support and sacrifices, which have culminated in the success of their children, "The sacrifices you have made, and support you have given, is now coming to fruition," he said.

However, the spotlight of the Vice-Chancellors address truly shone upon the scholarship recipients themselves, whom he hailed as the "young men and women of the moment. He commended their academic achievements and celebrated their boundless potential, "I stand before you today with a heart full of pride and admiration for each and every one of you.

Quoting the renowned Ghanaian philosopher Kwame Nkrumah, Vilakazi emphasised the transformative power of education in unlocking the doors to freedom and opportunity.

"Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom," he said.

Vilakazi invoked the legacy of Wits University as a beacon of innovation, knowledge, and intellectual curiosity. He challenged the scholarship recipients to embrace their role as torchbearers of academic excellence and agents of change in an ever-evolving world.

He highlighted the value of critical thinking and intellectual curiosity in driving scientific discovery and innovation, by quoting Albert Einstein. "The important thing is not to stop questioning".

Wits University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to matriculants including the University Entrance Scholarship, the Vice-Chancellors Equality Scholarships, and the Vice-Chancellors Scholarship Awards were created to motivate and reward top matriculants. Find out more about the Wits scholarships.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 19. 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, Trend reports.

According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the total value of imports amounted to $10.280 million, which is a 58.5 percent increase compared to January 2023 ($6.487 million).

The majority of oil products were exported to Turkiye, amounting to 10,058 tons, valued at $6.148 million. Uzbekistan followed with 1,204 tons valued at $376,200, while China was third with 968 tons worth $979,100, and the UAE followed closely, importing 861 tons valued at $962,500.

Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover totaled $1.168 billion in January 2024, increasing by 36.8 percent compared to January 2023. Exports totaled $181.3 million, showing a 46.6 percent increase year over year. Imports increased by 35.1 percent from January 2023 to $987.5 million.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 19. Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan engaged in discussions aimed at stabilizing the situation along their shared border territories, Trend reports.

According to the Border Guard Service of Kyrgyzstan, these discussions occurred during a meeting of working groups from both countries assigned to implement Protocol No. 42. This protocol, aimed at stabilizing the situation in border areas, was signed by the heads of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on September 25, 2022.

During the meeting, the parties also addressed the coordination of joint activities in safeguarding the Kyrgyz-Tajik state border. They exchanged views on the implementation of protocols from previous meetings of border agency leaders, reaffirming their commitment to making progress in fulfilling agreed-upon terms.

Emphasis was placed on the importance of further expanding and deepening Kyrgyz-Tajik relations, ensuring the timely and complete implementation of agreed-upon measures, and enhancing cooperation in the realm of border security. Following the meeting, the parties signed a corresponding protocol.

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan share a 970-kilometer border; however, some regions still need to be defined and designated. Meetings between delegations take place alternately on the territories of each country.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 19. Kazakhstan is one of Kyrgyzstan's key trading partners, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov said following narrow-format negotiations with President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Trend reports.

"Kazakhstan is a priority in our foreign policy. There are no political or regional disagreements between our countries. From the very beginning of my presidency, you have consistently supported me in international forums and matters concerning the expansion of Kyrgyz-Kazakh relations," Zhaparov said, according to Akorda.

He emphasized that Kyrgyzstan is ready to provide assistance to the fraternal Kazakh people in addressing the consequences of floods.

"I am confident that our mutual cooperation and strategic partnership will continue to strengthen," Zhaparov said.

Meanwhile, Tokayev noted that bilateral trade and economic cooperation strengthen with each passing year. Last year, the mutual trade turnover reached $1.5 billion, which is a 26 percent increase compared to 2022.

"We aim to elevate this figure to $2 billion. In pursuit of this goal, several promising projects are also underway. Overall, agreements in the trade and economic spheres are being fulfilled," he said.

Additionally, during the negotiations, the parties discussed enhancing cooperation in the political, transportation, transit, and energy sectors. They also addressed regional and international agendas. It was noted that Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will sign an agreement to expand their allied relations.

To note, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov is on a visit to Kazakhstan..
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 19. An agreement has been signed between the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan and the Government of Kazakhstan concerning the encouragement and mutual safeguarding of investments, Trend reports.

According to the press-service of the Kyrgyz president, the signing took place following bilateral talks between President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov.

During the meeting, President Tokayev emphasized that Kyrgyzstan is not just a neighboring country for Kazakhstan, but a fraternal nation and an important strategic partner. With a shared history and spiritual values, the peoples of the two countries have deep connections that serve as the basis for further cooperation between them.

Tokayev further noted that during the closed-door negotiations, both sides confirmed their common goal of strengthening and developing relations between the two countries.

In turn, Zhaparov expressed gratitude to the Kazakh side for the humanitarian assistance provided in connection with the accident at the Bishkek power plant and expressed readiness to support Kazakhstan in light of the ongoing extensive flooding in several regions of the country.

President Sadyr Zhaparov is currently on an official visit to Kazakhstan.


Kashgar, in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is in the westernmost part of China near the border with Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. During ancient times, Kashgar was an important trading center on the Silk Road. It has been revitalized since the BRI was proposed in 2013. It is now a bustling business hub.

Dilshat Tursun and his wife, Hadiya Msham Abdulla, from Tanzania, run Dili and Diya Cafe, in Kashgar. The cafe is renowned not only for its treats and tasty African coffee, but also for the owners' love story. While brewing a good cup of coffee, the couple loves to tell customers about how they met and fell in love  despite being tens of thousands of kilometers apart.

As cooperation and exchanges deepened between China and African countries, Abdulla arrived in China, in 2012, to study medicine at Fujian Medical University, in Fuzhou, capital of Southeast China's Fujian Province.



The next year, Dilshat Tursun left Yecheng, his hometown and a county in Kashgar, to study administrative management at Fuzhou University, also in Fuzhou. At that time, he had no clue he would meet the love of his life within three years.

Dilshat Tursun laid eyes on Abdulla during an interschool activity. They met on several occasions after that. They had many common interests, and they developed a friendship. They often got together to study, and sometimes to have dinner.

"Tanzania is an African country, along the Belt and Road. Kashgar is an important region along the Belt and Road too. At that time, we often said it was the BRI that linked us together," Dilshat Tursun recalls.

In 2018, Abdulla returned to her hometown, to complete a one-year internship, and she became a licensed doctor, while Dilshat Tursun worked in Fuzhou. Being apart made them realize how much they wanted to be together. After she completed her internship, Abdulla told her family she wanted to return to China, to marry Dilshat Tursun. Her family finally agreed, not only because of the couple's profound love, but also because her hometown had benefited from Chinese medical teams and infrastructure projects built by Chinese. Such things caused her family to have sincere feelings toward Chinese.



After years of being in love, they got married on May 20, 2020, a date that sounds similar to "I love you" when spoken in Chinese. In 2022, when she was pregnant, Dilshat Tursun took Abdulla to his hometown, to take care of her.

"Kashgar is a place of passion and fantasy. I like it very much. People here are very nice, and they help us with any problems we have. Despite living in a foreign land, I sense the feeling of home from the hospitable people. Kashgar is my husband and son's hometown, and it is my hometown," Abdulla says.

Bullish on China's soaring coffee consumption potential, and also on the economic prospects in Kashgar, the couple started their coffee-related business. "Since the BRI was proposed, the ancient city of Kashgar has once again been propelled into the limelight as a gateway for opening up. Kashgar has witnessed rapid development in past years. It has huge potential for starting businesses," says Dilshat Tursun.

In March 2023, the couple opened Dili and Diya Cafe, at the ancient city of Kashgar scenic area. They have poured their hearts and souls into the business, and especially into creating tasty African coffee. Kashgar has a long history of tea culture. Dilshat Tursun has been good at brewing tea since he was young. The cafe also serves local, scented and fruit tea.



"Our latte is made with local milk and African coffee beans, just like Kashgar, a place that embraces cultures from East and West. What's more, our cafe offers both African-flavored coffee and Chinese-flavored tea, just like the cultural interconnection between China and Tanzania," says Dilshat Tursun.

Thanks to the BRI, African coffee beans have secured a much wider market share in China in recent years. The Tanzanian coffee beans, imported to Kashgar by the couple, have received positive feedback, far exceeding their expectations. They are planning to import more high-quality beans from Tanzania, and from other African countries, to Kashgar and other areas in China. "It takes too long to ship coffee beans from Africa to China, and the cost of air freight is too high. With the help of the BRI, we will make the logistics smoother, at a good price," says Abdulla.

Dili and Diya Cafe has become a popular place in Kashgar. The cafe and the couple's love story have attracted countless travelers, from all over the country. The couple also shares their stories and products globally, through livestreaming on social media.

"I hope we can open a chain of stores in every city in Xinjiang, so our fans can enjoy our African coffee wherever they are. We also hope to promote Kashgar's specialties to more people in Africa," says Abdulla.

Photos from Interviewees

Source: Marriage and Family

(Women of China English Monthly February 2024)
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 19. Tajikistan has sent humanitarian assistance to Kazakhstan, Trend reports.

According to Tajikistan's Committee of Emergency Situations, 3,500 tons of cargo were sent to Kazakhstan in response to the widespread floods in the country. The cargo will be delivered by 61 railway wagons and 13 freight trucks.

The flooding in Kazakhstan began in March, leading to the declaration of a state of emergency in eight regions at the local level. Tens of thousands of individuals have been involved in rescue operations, and over 115,000 people have been evacuated since the onset of the floods.

Previously, Tajikistan's President, Emomali Rahmon, instructed the government to organize the urgent provision of humanitarian aid to Kazakhstan.
Multi-million pound investment to transform Old Library into creative industries powerhouse

This article is old - Published: Friday, Apr 19th, 2024

A Grade II listed building in the heart of the city centre will become the engine room of Wrexhams creative industries thanks to a 2.9 million investment under the Welsh Government Transforming Towns regeneration programme.

The Old Library, on Queens Square, has been closed to the public for some years having previously been used by Wrexham Councils ICT department.

Last year the local authority undertook a tendering exercise for a future occupier of the underused Grade II listed building.

Now it has been confirmed that the building, which was originally built in 1907 with money donated by the Scottish businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, will enjoy a new lease of life after Wrexham Council was awarded funding to transform it into a multi-purpose creative hub.

The project is expected to cost just over 4 million, with funding provided via Welsh Governments Transforming Towns Fund and other sources of grant funding including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The hub will support entrepreneurship across the creative industries, and will be a focal point for local groups, individuals and businesses.

Once complete Wrexham Council say that the building will feature three floors of creativity, including:

Flexible working and co-working space for entrepreneurs

Office space

Recording studios

TV production facilities

Workshops  including hi-tech labs kitted out with laser cutters and 3D printers

Exhibition space

Councillor Nigel Williams, Wrexham Councils Lead Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: This is fantastic news and will transform a wonderful Grade II listed landmark city centre building into an exciting hub, future proofing and re inventing itself to become the engine room for local, creative industries.

We all know that city centres need to evolve to stay relevant in a world where shopping, leisure and daily habits have changed, and finding new purposes for buildings like the old library is crucial.

I would like to thank Welsh government for supporting this project as yet again Wrexham council have been successful in being awarded grant funding for another exciting project.

Theres certainly a real buzz around Wrexham at the moment and this is a great time to invest and make the most of Wrexhams growing global profile.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing, Local Government and Planning, Julie James, said: Bringing empty properties back into beneficial use is a central pillar of our 125m Transforming Towns regeneration programme.

I am pleased to see a 2.9m capital grant awarded to Wrexham County Borough Council supporting the transformation of an empty prominent building in the heart of the city centre into a creative industries hub.

I look forward to seeing how a successful creative hub in North East Wales will support future growth and nurture talent in this sector and help secure the resilience of Wrexham city centre.

Work is expected to begin later this year autumn , with the building scheduled to open in late summer / early autumn 2025.

The project is expected to cost just over 4 million, with funding provided via Welsh Governments Transforming Towns Fund and other sources of grant funding including the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The Old Library is the latest Wrexham building to benefit from Transforming Towns funding, with Welsh Government already allocating millions of pounds towards other projects  including the General and Butchers Markets refurbishment, and Wrexham Museum.
New gym plans for Wrexham Industrial Estate could create 70 jobs

This article is old - Published: Friday, Apr 19th, 2024

Plans to create a new gym on Wrexham Industrial Estate could help to create up to 70 jobs, its been claimed.

An application has been submitted to Wrexham Council to convert two industrial units on Abenbury Way into a gym.

Body Tech Fitness, which is behind the proposals, already has branches in Winsford and Ellesmere Port in Cheshire.

The company is now looking to expand by catering to workers on the citys industrial estate.

According to documents filed with the local authority, the gym would be open 24 hours a day with up to 50 customers expected to use the facilities at peak times.

In a planning statement, a representative for the gym firm said: The selection of Wrexham Industrial Estate as the site for Body Tech Fitness is strategic, considering it stands as one of the largest industrial zones in Europe.

We intend to capitalise on the substantial foot traffic characteristic of such a location.

Our overarching aim is to enhance the well-being, both physical and mental, of the local workforce, thereby contributing value to the existing 300 businesses within Wrexham Industrial Estate.

We are committed to offering preferential rates to employees of the estate, aligning with our ethos encapsulated in our motto, The Peoples Gym.

The proposals state that the units were chosen due to their proximity to the A483, A55 and M56.

The company said the links to the road network would make it convenient for people from Chester and the wider North Wales area to access the gym.

Representatives added that the opening hours would also make it easy for people to use the facilities whenever they want.

In regards to employment numbers, they said: Our core objective is to not only benefit our members but also make a meaningful contribution to the broader community.

Body Tech Fitness Wrexham is projected to require approximately ten permanent staff members, complemented by an estimated 50-60 self-employed professionals, owing to our innovative personal training framework.

Distinguishing ourselves from larger gym chains, we do not impose rental charges on our personal trainers, thereby eliminating a significant barrier to entry for newcomers to the industry or those experiencing difficulties.

Additionally, we anticipate roles for cafe staff, cleaning personnel, maintenance teams, and various other employment opportunities, providing avenues for local employment in Wrexham.

A decision will be made on the plans by the council at a later date.

By Liam Randall  BBC Local Democracy Reporter
New solar farm project planned in Wrexham could power over 22,000 homes

This article is old - Published: Friday, Apr 19th, 2024

Plans to create a new solar farm capable of providing electricity for over 22,000 homes could be submitted as soon as this summer.

Lightsource bp has been consulting residents in the Coedpoeth, Rhostyllen and New Broughton over proposals for the Plas Power Solar and Energy Storage Project.

The 136-hectare site, which is located immediately east of Coedpoeth and 2.5km west of Wrexham, is described as being predominantly grassland used for grazing. It was formerly an open cast coal mine.

The development will provide a source of renewable energy, helping to reduce carbon emissions and contribute to Wales net-zero goals, and contribute to the UKs ambition of a fivefold increase in solar energy generation, up to 70GW by 2035 as set out in the UKs Net Zero and Energy Security Strategy.

According to Lightsource bp the project could export and store up to 57MWac of electricity, which is equivalent to providing enough power to meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 22,700 homes, saving 15,800 tonnes of carbon.

During a statutory consultation between February and April 2024, over 130 people attended the three public events which were held locally in Coedpoeth and Rhostyllen.

Those attending had an opportunity to understand how the plans have changed since the earlier engagement, view the updated proposals, and talk to the project team.

Following this round of public consultation, all feedback received by the project team will be carefully considered and responded to in the consultation report which will form part of the planning application.

Lightsource bp currently expect to submit a planning application to PEDW in summer 2024.

Katy McGuinness, Head of Environmental Planning, Northern Europe of Lightsource bp, said: Wed like to thank everyone who took part in our engagement and consultation events on our plans for the Plas Power Solar and Energy Storage Project, and shared their thoughts on the proposals with members of the project team.

We place huge value on the feedback from communities during the consultation process.

We are grateful for the engagement and feedback we have had on our proposals over the last three years. The communities surrounding the site have played an important role in shaping our project.

We will continue to engage with the community regarding our community benefit fund should consent be granted and once the solar and energy storage project is operational.

We believe our proposed solar and energy storage project will make an important contribution to Wrexham County Borough Councils renewable energy targets and to those of Wales as a whole.

The proposed Plas Power Solar and Energy Storage Project is classed as a Development of National Significance.

This means that Lightsource bp will make an application to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW), which will make a recommendation to Welsh Ministers on whether or not to grant planning permission.
Senedd rejects legal requirement for residential outdoor education in schools

This article is old - Published: Friday, Apr 19th, 2024

MSs rejected calls to establish a legal requirement for residential outdoor education opportunities for children and young people in Wales schools.

The Senedd narrowly voted against the general principles of the residential outdoor education bill, which was introduced by the Conservatives Sam Rowlands.

Mr Rowlands said his bill would remove a postcode lottery in terms of access to residential outdoor education, so no child misses out due to their personal circumstances.

He explained that the bill would create an entitlement for all pupils in maintained schools to experience at least four nights of residential outdoor education free of charge.

The North Wales MS argued the bill would have a long-term net positive economic impact.

Financial barriers

He warned: Outdoor education residentials are valued by children, parents and teachers alike, yet, for those without the means to access them, they are, in fact, unattainable.

I believe this is fundamentally wrong and this bill sets out to remove those financial barriers to participating in what can be life-changing experiences.

Mr Rowlands, a former Conwy council leader, said the bill would support the long-term physical and mental health of young people.

Labours Buffy Williams outlined the education committees stage-one report on the bill, which raised concerns about some children and young people being excluded.

The newly elected committee chair pointed to the example of education other than at school, such as pupil referral units or those who are homeschooled.

Budgetary pressures

Peredur Owen Griffiths, who chairs the finance committee, said the bill would require significant funding against a backdrop of Welsh Government budgetary pressures.

An impact assessment found the bill would cost between 74m and 96m over five years.

Sarah Murphy, the Labour MS for Bridgend, raised the legislation committees concerns about the lack of a definition of residential outdoor education in the bill.

Ms Murphy, who was elected chair in a knife-edge 28-29 vote on Tuesday, warned that the bill does not provide an appropriate mechanism for pupils to opt out.

Sad indictment

Peter Fox said Monmouthshire council prioritised access to outdoor education while neighbouring councils withdrew support to make efficiency savings.

The former council leader said: We rationalised our provision and maintained the offer, as we had seen the benefits of children for decades.

Mr Fox told the chamber it is a sad indictment that the Senedd does not enable backbench legislation to progress, with no opposition bills agreed since 2016.

The Monmouth MS said: Why dont we allow these things to progress and see where they go? And if you cant find a way through that, then things can be stopped in the future.

Why always stop legislation before it has an opportunity to progress, to breathe and to really show what it has the potential to do?

Equal opportunity

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymrus shadow education secretary, backed the bills core aim of ensuring equal opportunity for every child.

However, she highlighted the huge pressures already on school staff who often volunteer to help with residential outdoor education.

They dont receive any additional payment for this work, she said. They do it because they see the benefit for the children and young people in their care when they are in our schools.

Carolyn Thomas, the Labour MS for North Wales, raised existing school budget pressures, with the bill estimated to cost about 20m a year to cover teachers, lodging and transport.

She said: At a time when schools are having to face extremely difficult decisions, including redundancies, placing additional pressure on the education budget would be unthinkable.

Already stretched

Lynne Neagle raised concerns about the capacity of the outdoor education sector to meet the bills requirements on the Welsh language and additional learning needs provision.

Wales new education secretary warned the bill would require additional changes to terms and conditions of school staff, which could hamper recruitment and retention.

Ms Neagle said education unions and councils have significant concerns about the potential impact on an already stretched financial situation facing schools.

She told the chamber the bill would bind the Welsh Government to expressly fund residential outdoor education over and above any other aspect of Wales new curriculum.

The Senedd voted 25-26 against the bill following the debate on April 17, with opposition members outnumbered by the Welsh Government and Labour backbenchers.

By Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd reporter
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 19. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan explore the opening of new air routes between the countries, Trend reports.

According to the Tajik president's office, the statement was made after negotiations between the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, and the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

During the meeting, it was noted that the governments have been tasked with exploring the opening of new air routes between the cities of both countries and increasing the frequency of flights between the capitals.

It was also emphasized that currently, due to joint efforts, the two countries have established free transport and transit of goods and products, as well as the movement of citizens, without any restrictions.

Transportation link expansion, freight transportation, the establishment of new routes between the regions of both countries, and efforts to construct railways were also discussed during the meeting between the presidents.

To note, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the invitation of the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, is on a state visit to the country on April 1819. Mirziyoyev's visit to Tajikistan resulted in the signing of a total of 28 documents, including a union treaty.
The principal Indian Stalinist partiesthe Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM and the Communist Party of India (CPI)have joined forces with the big business Congress Party and the DMK, a Tamil ethno-chauvinist party, to contest Indias general election in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Voters in all 39 Lok Sabha constituencies in Tamil Nadu will go to the polls this Friday in what is the first round of a seven-phase national election ending June 1.

With a population of some 77 million, Tamil Nadu is Indias seventh-largest state. It is also the most industrialized. Chennai, its capital and metropolis, and the adjacent industrial belt are known as the Detroit of India, because of their large concentration of globally-integrated auto production facilities.

CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury addressing a conference in Tamil Nadu [Photo by NewsClick]

In the name of defending democracy and defeating Indias far-right, Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, the CPM and CPI have helped patch together a ramshackle all-India electoral coalition of more than three-dozen opposition parties. Dubbed the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), this election coalition is led by the Congress Party, till recently the Indian bourgeoisies traditional party of government.

INDIAs aim is to provide the Indian ruling class with a right-wing alternative government to the Hindu supremacist BJP. One no less committed than Modis to pro-investor reformthat is, the intensification of the exploitation of the working classand to the Indo-US Global Strategic Partnership, under which India has been transformed into a frontline state in Washingtons military-strategic offensive against China.

In Tamil Nadu, the INDIA electoral bloc is led by the DMK, which has formed the states government since 2019, and is contesting the elections under the banner of the Secular Progressive Alliance (SPA).

Among Indias major regional parties, the DMK is arguably the Congress Partys closest ally. In addition to the Congress and the two Stalinist parliamentary parties, the SPA includes more than a half-dozen right-wing religio-communal, caste-ist and Tamil chauvinist parties.

The DMK is itself contesting 21 of the 39 Tamil Nadu Lok Sabha seats. Of the remaining 18, it has allotted nine to the Congress Party, two each to the CPM and CPI, two to the VCK (which postures as a defender of the oppressed Dalit minority), and one each to the Indian Union Muslim League, the KMDK and the MDMK.

With the polls fast approaching, the Stalinists, including CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, have been active on the hustings promoting the DMK and the Tamil Nadu government under DMK supremo M.K. Stalin as bulwarks of democracy and secularism.

This is a monstrous political fraud. The DMK is a loyal defender of the Indian ruling class and its state. Within that framework, it champions the interests of the Tamil regional capitalist elite, including in conflicts with the central government over revenue and with neighbouring states over water resources.

As a member almost continuously between 1998 and 2014 of Union governments, under the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and then the Congress Partys United Progressive Alliance, the DMK played a major role in the Indian ruling class post-1991 drive to implement pro-investor, pro-market reform and to forge its anti-China strategic partnership with US imperialism.

If Tamil Nadu has become Indias most industrialized state, it is because the DMK and its arch-rival, the AIADMK, have rolled out the red carpet for domestic and global capital. This includes establishing 54 special economic zones (SEZs), giving the state the highest concentration of SEZs in all India.

Last year, the DMK government rammed through a vicious anti-worker law, the Factories (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 2023, that would have allowed an extension of the workday from eight to 12 hours per day and without overtime pay. Later, in the face of worker calls for strike action against the new law and fearing the legislations potential impact on the 2024 elections, the DMK government heeded the counsel of its Stalinist allies and rescinded it.

The DMK government has welcomed the emergence of Chennais shipyards as repair facilities for US warships in the Indo-Pacific as part of Indias ever deeper integration into Washingtons plans for war against China. When Modi recently appealed to Tamil chauvinism by denouncing a Congress Party government for ceding a tiny Palk Strait islet to Sri Lanka in 1974, Chief Minister Stalin responded by attacking the BJP prime minister and would-be Hindu strongman for being soft on China. This under conditions, where the US has egged New Delhi on in its border conflict with China and both countries have forward-deployed tens of thousands of troops, tanks and warplanes.

The DMK promotes Dravidian, that is Tamil, ethno-nationalism, with the aim of dividing the working class and mobilizing popular support of the agenda of the Tamil bourgeoisie. In doing so, it exploits popular fears and resentments against the BJPs fascistic Hindu nationalist agenda, which includes giving Hindi a privileged status within the Indian Union.

With the Stalinists support, the DMK claims to be fighting for social justice. In fact its social justice agenda is the opposite of a struggle for social equality, that is for radical anti-capitalist measures that encroach upon the fortunes, power and private property of the ruling class. Under conditions where there is burning popular anger over the lack of jobs and endemic poverty, the DMK advocates that the social misery produced by Indian capitalism be distributed more equitably through a further expansion of Indias reservation (affirmative action) policy. As decades of experience have demonstrated, the guaranteeing of a portion of university places and public sector jobs to various historically oppressed lower-caste groups serves only to promote caste and communal struggle, at the expense of the class struggle and the unity of all the oppressed workers and toilers against capitalism. It has also served the ruling class by cultivating a privileged petty bourgeois elite among the lower castes that tenaciously propagates caste-ism and is otherwise hostile to working peoples democratic and social aspirations.

The Stalinist-DMK alliance

Unlike in the neighbouring state of Kerala or in West Bengal where the CPM led the state government for 34 consecutive years ending in 2011, the Stalinists have never been a major force in the electoral politics of Tamil Nadu.

However, they have wielded considerable political influence, especially through their respective trade union federations, the CPM-affiliated Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and the CPI-aligned All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).

The DMK recognizes the important role the Stalinists have played in suppressing the class struggle. The state has seen numerous militant worker struggles in recent years including by Ford autoworkers in Chennai opposing the shuttering of their plant, Motherson and other auto parts workers, public school teachers, sanitation workers, electricity workers and Neyveli Lignite workers. Invariably, the Stalinist-led CITU and AITUC have isolated these struggles and directed workers toward pressuring the state government and its district collector or labour office to intervene on their behalf.

The DMK and Congress also value the Stalinists support as their endorsement lends credibilityalthough with increasingly less effect given the CPM and CPIs own record of enforcing the dictates of big businessto their phony claims of sympathy for the plight of working people.

The Stalinists for their part have become increasingly dependent on the right-wing DMK to maintain a role in the parliamentary politics of the Indian ruling class.

In the 1990s and the first decade of this century, as the Indian bourgeoisie was carrying out a major strategic reorientation, abandoning its failed state-led development strategy in favour of full integration into the US-led imperialist order, the Stalinists played a crucial role in propping up a series of right-wing governments, most of them Congress-led.

In 2004, at the high-water mark of their parliamentary influence, the CPM held 54 Lok Sabha seats and the CPI 10, and their Left Front constituted the third-largest bloc in parliament. Since then, as a consequence of their support for the big business Congress-led UPA government and imposition of what they themselves called pro-investor reforms in West Bengal and the other states where they led the government, the Stalinists have gone from electoral debacle to electoral debacle.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the CPM and CPI won just five seats combined, with four of them coming from Tamil Nadu, where they wereas todayjunior partners in an electoral alliance led by the DMK and the Congress Party.

So eager was the DMK to prop up the Stalinist CPM and so weak was the CPM politically and organizationally, the DMK had to fund from its own pocket the CPMs entire election campaign nationwide.

It is thus not surprising that when the DMK announced last month that it wanted the CPM MP elected in 2019 from the industrial city of Coimbatore to step aside so it could run one of its own in a high-profile contest against the BJPs Tamil Nadu leader, the CPM quickly obliged.
A Coast Guard cutter passes a cargo ship that is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after the ship hit the bridge Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. [AP Photo/Steve Helber]

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has opened a criminal investigation into the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, which fell after a container vessel, the MV Dali, struck one of its support pillars in the early morning hours of March 26. The investigation comes as new details emerged about the state of the massive cargo ship before it began its voyage out of the Port of Baltimore, which ended about 45 minutes later when the ship collided with the bridge.

On Monday morning at 6:30 a.m., FBI agents boarded the 985-foot (300-meter) ship with search warrants, arriving in four boats. After news agencies began asking about the ship boarding, the agency said there was no other public information available and we will have no further comment.

While the FBI is not saying so publicly, the Washington Post, which broke the news of the investigation, cited anonymous FBI officials familiar with the probe who said authorities are examining the timeline of events before the crash and whether any of the crew knew the vessel had critical problems with its electrical systems before it left port bound for Sri Lanka with about 4,700 containers.

Agents removed physical evidence as well as data from inside the Dali, the sources said. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and US Coast Guard, which are conducting their own, separate probes into the incident, had previously removed the black box recorder from the vessel. The agencies plan to release their preliminary report on the investigation in May.

The FBIs involvement is unusual for a ship crash, and the fact it is conducting a criminal investigation into actions by the crew implies they are searching for potential evidence to scapegoat one or more of the crew members.

If, as seems likely, there were critical problems in the ships system, this is above all due to the negligence of the ships owners and operators. The ship has a history of problems. In June 2023, inspectors in Santiago, Chile, found deficiencies with the propulsion and auxiliary machinery. And in 2016 the Dali was involved in a collision in Antwerp, Belgium.

It is not clear what possible criminal charges the agency could bring against the ship workers, but given the incident resulted not only in the collapse of a major piece of infrastructure, but the deaths of six people, the FBI can pursue a variety of avenues in its investigation.

One anonymous government official told USA Today the FBIs involvement was likely because the agency leads terrorism investigations. While there is no evidence the bridge collapse was connected in any way to terrorism, this unnamed official said the FBI would examine any possibility closely.

Another angle the FBI may take in its probe could lead to charges of criminal negligence resulting in death. Officials in Baltimore and Maryland, such as Governor Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott, have said they will seek to hold accountable anyone found to be partly responsible for the incident.

There were 21 crew members aboard the Dali, plus two local pilots to guide the vessel out of the port into the federal shipping channel that joins the Patapsco River to the Chesapeake Bay, and from there on to ports all over the world.

In addition to the revelation of the FBI probe, on Monday it also emerged that the Dali had experienced electrical problems while docked at port. According to the Associated Press, alarms on refrigerated cargo containers went off, meaning there was not a steady power supply. The NTSB has also noted electrical issues as a potential focus of its investigation.

Given the timeline for reopening the shipping channel into the Port of Baltimore has the channel and the Dali cleared away by the end of May, the FBI probe may also be in part a way to ensure the crew cannot leave the country after the vessel is refloated and moved elsewhere for repairs and salvage, or sold for scrap. The crew, mostly composed of workers from India, has been stuck on the Dali for the last three weeks.

Video from the bridge strike shows it lost power in the minutes before it struck the bridge. The emergency generator did not restore propulsion power in time for the ship to correct its collision course.

Loss of power and propulsion on cargo vessels is, in fact, far from uncommon. The MV APL Qingdao lost propulsion near the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York City just 10 days after the incident in Baltimore.

One analysis by USA Today found more than 6,000 incidents in the last 22 years on cargo ships, oil tankers, container barges and cruise ships in the US aloneabout five per weekwhere crews reported either a loss of power, loss of propulsion, or a loss of steering.

Another analysis by the Washington Post found that, in the last three years, some 424 cargo ships exceeding 600 feet in length reported loss of propulsion in US waters, with approximately 25 percent of those incidents occurring near ports, bridges or other major infrastructure.

Ships lose power due to a variety of reasons, some as simple as fish getting clogged in water intakes. Lightning strikes and fires can also cause ships to lose power. In other instances, maintenance is the key factor, as sludge accumulates in the massive engines over time, or leaks can allow water into the fuel supply, degrading it.

The fact that loss of power and propulsion, such as what occurred on the Dali, is such a common event in the maritime industry is significant given the sheer volumes transported by large container ships moving in and out of ports around the world. Although collisions with major infrastructure are rare considering the number of cargo ships in operation, the conditions for such incidents are far more present than many people outside the shipping industry realize.

Even as the FBI contemplates charging individual workers with crimes for being unfortunate enough to find themselves on a ship with such issues, the main parties responsible for the disaster, the profit-driven companies that own and operate vessels such as the Dali, are already working to wash their hands of the incident, aided by the regulators meant to hold them accountable.

Six days after the incident in Baltimore, the owner of the Dali, Grace Ocean Private Limited, and its manager, Synergy Marine Private Limited, filed a preemptive petition in Maryland court seeking exoneration from damages related to the accident that exceed $43.6 million. Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine arrived at this figure by taking their estimated value of the Dali ($90 million), adding the estimated value of the freight ($1.1 million), and then subtracting the expenses of repairing the ship ($28 million) and salvaging it ($19.5 million).

The companies pointed to the Limitation of Liabilities Act of 1851, which lets vessel owners limit their liability claims. The owners of the Titanic used the same law to limit payouts to victims of that disaster.

The companies are working to shield themselves from liability in cases that will include claims from the families of the eight workers who were on the bridge when it fell.

On Monday, the body of the fourth worker to be recovered from the Patapsco river was found. Dive teams located Carlos Daniel Hernandez inside of one of the construction vehicles that some of the workers were in at the time of the crash.

The bodies of Maynor Suazo Sandoval, Dorlian Castillo Cabrera and Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes have also been recovered. The bodies of two of the workers who perished are still missing. Two other construction workers who were on the bridge at the time of its collapse survived.
St. John physicians on strike outside of Detroit, April 18, 2024.

Emergency Room clinicians at St. John Ascension hospital just outside of Detroit began their strike Thursday afternoon, walking out of the ER to protest worsening staffing levels, long patient wait times, unsafe conditions and the subordination of the healthcare industry to corporate profit.

Dr. Romajit Yatoome told the WSWS, The big reason we are on strike is because we are feeling the pinch of the staffing shortages. Its not just the physicians but the nurses, the techs, social workers as well. We are all so overworked and patients are waiting 10 to 15 hours just to see a physician.

She added, Theres always been cracks in the system but definitely the pandemic has unveiled how bad those cracks are, how deep in the foundation of the system they are. Many people actually left the field because of the pandemic, so now its even harder to get staff.

The St. John Emergency Room clinicians are taking a courageous stand against TeamHealth, a private equity staffing firm, which they state is not concerned with the safety of patients or physician wellness, but with the companys financial bottom line. The clinicians told World Socialist Web Site reporters that there is a direct conflict between their desire to treat patients and the corporations desire to maximize profits. St. John clinicians report unsafe staffing levels, lack of sick and vacation days and surprise billing for patients under their names.

St. John Emergency Room clinicians formed the 43-person Greater Detroit Association of Emergency Physicians union last July and have been in negotiations for their first contract since then. The clinicians are in a struggle against TeamHealth, the private equity staffing firm that manages the St. John Emergency Room.

When asked about the impact of private equity staffing firms on healthcare, Dr. Yatoome continued, The unfortunate thing is that physicians arent a for-profit occupation and profit is the main goal of private equity. So its not cohesive.  The people of Detroit and anywhere would want their medical care geared by their true medical need and not by profits.

Another physician told WSWS reporters that they are receiving enormous support from the other ER workers and described how conditions have worsened over time. Ive seen a lot of changes over the years. Before COVID we had 200 to 250 patients a day. Now we have half that number, but were overburdened because the staff is so short. Before we had 25 nurses. Now we are down to 10.

He continued, We now have 200 beds [in the entire hospital] and we are bursting at the seams. We cannot handle it because of the nursing shortage. Its not uncommon for patients to wait over 10 hours [in the ER]. We had one person in the waiting room an unbelievable 21 hours before they were seen by a doctor. I cant imagine my own loved one going to the hospital under those conditions. In many ways, its kind of killing us.

The demands and concerns of St. John clinicians express the frustration of clinicians across the country with the state of the US healthcare system and the increasing use of medical outsourcing staffing firms, also called contract management groups (CMGs).

Dr. Michelle Weiner told WSWS reporters, These issues are all across the country. Its everywhere. I think when people see [this strike] they arent surprised because they cant get in to see their doctor, they cant get in to see a specialist. A lot of people in the community cant afford to go to urgent care so it drives everyone to seek care in the emergency department.

TeamHealth was purchased by BlackStone financial group in 2017 for $6 billion and took over the management of Ascension St. John ER in 2015. TeamHealth is the largest physician staffing firm in the country, employing 15,000 physicians and managing hospital departments across over 2,900 facilities in the US.

Healthcare facilities have long outsourced services to specialized companies for nonclinical tasks like laundry, cybersecurity and food services. Yet, since the early 2000s, hospitals have rapidly embraced outsourcing clinical services especially in emergency departments, radiology, anesthesia and lab services as a way for the hospital to boost efficiency and profitability. In 2017 alone, the use of outsourcing in the healthcare sector grew by 36 percent. Over two-thirds of emergency departments across the US use some amount of outsourcing.

A majority of CMGs are owned by private equity firms. The model for private equity CMGs is to buy medical practices, consolidate them, increase their value at all costs and then sell for a sizable profit. This severely undermines patient safety, clinician pay, and employee satisfaction and morale.

To increase profits, the firms seek to run facilities at a bare minimum, increase physician productivity metrics, take a larger share of physicians fees, encourage unnecessary and expensive diagnostic tests and procedures and decrease less expensive care, including patient follow-up visits. It is also not uncommon for CMGs to utilize cheaper labor in emergency departments, firing well-established physicians and replacing them with inexperienced residents or even non-board-certified providers.

Physicians who work for contract management groups have reported being pushed to make medical decisions based on the profit motives of the CMG. This includes taking on unrealistic and dangerous patient loads, and being offered financial rewards for ordering often unnecessary high-cost tests and procedures. In one study, physicians report being pressured by the CMG to admit patients who they believe could be treated outpatient, or conversely, to discharge or transfer patients who they believe should be hospitalized. The same study noted that physicians have also reported concerns over losing their jobs when raising safety concerns or questions about over-testing and patient treatment.

Physician outsourcing has led to patients receiving unexpected and outrageously high hospital bills, as many outsourced physicians will be out-of-network despite working in a hospital that is in-network for the patient. A study looking at patient billing data from 2001-2016 found that patients receiving out-of-network bills for emergency care were charged an average of 10 times more than other emergency patients.

Outsourced clinicians, such as those at St. John, have no ability to see, dispute or change any of the bills. TeamHealths rates specifically were found to be 68 percent higher for patients even when in-network.

Jerry White, the Socialist Equality Partys candidate for US vice president, joined striking clinicians and issued the following statement:

As the Socialist Equality Partys candidate for US vice president, I fully support the fight of Ascension St. John emergency room physicians in defense of their jobs and patient safety. Their stand against outsourcing and the private equity-funded staffing company TeamHealth should be supported by all health care workers and the entire working class.



Todays strike by members of the Greater Detroit Association of Emergency Physicians at St. John has universal significance. It highlights the clash between health care professionals who are sworn to provide the best possible care and a medical system completely subordinated to corporate profit.



This was summed up by the striking clinicians themselves who stated: We believe there is a sacred relationship between physicians and patients that is in direct conflict with the goals of a corporate organization  whose primary obligation is to its shareholders, which in this case is Blackstone financial.



The business model of Corporate Management Groups (CMGs) like TeamHealth is to buy up medical practices, consolidate them, increase their revenue and sell in five-ish years with a significant profit. This means that the facilities they staff are run in the leanest way possible and physicians are pressured to take more and more patients and to run unnecessary tests to boost profits. These physicians are often out-of-network, so patients end up with astronomical bills. The physicians have no control over this billing.



Ascension has already privatized lab work. If the merger with Henry Ford goes through, hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs will be at risk and patient care for working class communities in the Metro Detroit area will be further undermined.



Both Biden and Trump defend the for-profit healthcare system. Obamacare was not a progressive social reform but a blueprint for cost cutting against healthcare workers. Both parties have systematically dismantled the public health system and allowed 1.4 million to die from COVID and millions more to be debilitated by long COVID. At the same time, the corporate-controlled parties find trillions for corporate bailouts and funding war, including the genocide in Gaza.



The Socialist Equality Party insists that healthcare is a basic social right not a privilege. Profit must be taken out of medicine through the establishment of a socialist system of healthcare to provide free high quality healthcare to all, not profits for the giant hospital, pharmaceutical, medical equipment and insurance monopolies. This will never be achieved through backroom deals between the unions and the employers. What is needed is a powerful industrial and political counteroffensive by the working class in the US and internationally to replace capitalism with socialism.
Protests continue to be held every week in most of Australias capital cities, opposing Israels ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Gaza.

Last weekend, several thousand turned out, including at demonstrations in Sydney and Melbourne. The continuing falls in attendance do not express disinterest or disengagement, but the bankruptcy of the perspective advanced by rally organisers.

Their calls for endless protests appealing to the governments responsible for the genocide have been proven a dead end. The Labor government in Australia, along with all of the imperialist powers, has not deviated from its support for the Zionist onslaught.

Strikingly, the threat of a wider Middle Eastern war has not featured prominently at the protests, with speakers scarcely mentioning the danger. That reflects the attempt of the Greens, the fake-left and other middle-class tendencies to falsely present the genocide as a single issue, unconnected to the broader eruption of militarism and war.

Israeli strikes on Iran that threaten a region-wide conflagration have underscored the perspective advanced by Socialist Equality Party campaigners at the protests. They have raised the need for a turn to the working class, aimed at building an international anti-war movement based on a socialist program directed against the source of conflict, capitalism. That perspective will be elaborated in a lecture in Sydney and online on Sunday, April 28.

It is also at the centre of the SEPs fight for formal registration, which will enable it to stand in the next election under its own party name. Find out more and sign-up here.

WSWS reporters spoke to several rally participants last weekend.

Tara, a medical student, told the WSWS: I think what is happening in Gaza at the moment is absolutely awful and its unforgivable. It went beyond self-defence, at the very start of it. Over 30,000 dead, women, childrenevery time you look at the news its just a new atrocity, and hospitals, universities, its all gone.

Tara

On US backing for Israel, she said: The Biden administration, I wouldnt even say its just complicit, its directly responsible. The US obviously has an interest, with Israel as its watchdog in the Middle East. So anything that Israel does, theyre just going to go along with. They vetoed the ceasefire in the UN security council, I think it was twice, and now finally they are abstaining; thats the best we can hope for from the US government, it will never be on the side of justice.

Even if Joe Biden on the surface might seem to be wary about what Netanyahus doing, the administration has never stopped the military aid contracts, the weapons that are being funnelled to Israel. Israel would not have been able to wage this genocide without all the US weapons and funds they are getting. If the US were to stop that, the war could not continue, so the US is directly responsible for the continuation of the genocide.

Speaking about the Australian governments role, Tara added: I think the Albanese Labor government is the same, they are going along with what the US is doing. As an imperialist government, they also have an interest in allowing this war to continue, they also have an interest in Israels continued presence in the Middle East.

The cowardice in the government has just been incredible. Its just shocking, and it really shatters this idea that theres some sort of historical progress being made. When we look at, for example, the Holocaust, we always thought that, no we would not allow something like this to happen again. But it is happening and you see what the government is doing, and theres no progress, its all just going to keep going.

Tara discussed the question of a new perspective required to develop the antiwar movement, one based not on futile appeals or attempts to pressure the Labor government. She explained that she is currently reading Marxs Communist Manifesto and is seeking to develop her understanding of socialist politics.

Ive always thought that an organised political movement is very important, she said. We need a party that sticks to a revolutionary line and doesnt just advocate for reform, because whenever you talk about reform, it essentially means you end up capitulating to those in power. I think its important what youre doing, that theres an uncompromising fight for justice.

Deepak told WSWS reporters: I am here to express my solidarity for the people of Gaza, Palestine. I have been following the conflict for many years and what has been happening since October 7 is appalling. Its horrific, and what is even more appalling is how the western governments have responded, how Australia seems to wag its tail and follow the US.

Deepak

There are so many forces at play. It is a vast military-industrial complex that keeps US politics and the economy going, and that in turn has governments in Australia, the UK and even Canada just tagging along with the US in whatever they want to do. Israel as a state is based on some imaginary nation that was created in some imaginary land of no people, and a people with no land. It was all based on fiction and in a way, Australia is very similar, its again a colonised place.

He added: The media plays its own role. Weve been lied to about whats happened in Israel, about Gaza. I am very politically conscious but its only now that I am understanding deeply whats been happening and how this hegemony needs to be broken up, dismantled. We need to keep informing the world, we need to keep telling the storiesthe western media is not going to do it for us. Thankfully, the barriers no longer exist, with social media, and more and more people have the power to understand the truth and have the truth out there. I think each one of us has a responsibility to educate the world about oppression in any form, anywhere in the world and there are such strong parallels when it comes to Australias own indigenous people.

Deepak concluded: The power of the people is very strong, weve got to keep tryingchange happens, things happen. I grew up in the apartheid era of South Africa, when the whole world was with South Africa, and my own country of origin in India was one of the few countries in the world which stood steadfast against apartheid and South Africa. But when this system ended, it happened very quickly, so change can happen.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 19. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan outlined the priorities of cooperation with the UN, Trend reports.

According to the official source, these priorities were outlined during a meeting via videoconference between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, and the heads of UN agencies and regional structures.

The talks discussed Turkmenistan's national priorities for the new cycle of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 20262030 and global prospects for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During the conference, the parties focused on a wide range of issues of Turkmenistan's active cooperation with the UN, where, in particular, Meredov stressed that cooperation with the organization is a priority vector of the country's foreign policy.

Key areas of partnership were identified, including strengthening peace and security, implementing the SDGs, developing sustainable transport, and combating climate change.

Furthermore, the meeting participants discussed prospects for cooperation with UN structures in the fields of sustainable development, transport, climate change, environmental protection, respect for human rights, preservation of cultural heritage, education, and health.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan's cooperation with the United Nations continues to develop in many areas, reflecting the country's desire to actively participate in the international community and maintain world peace and security.

This is expressed through regular consultations, participation in international conferences and projects, and technical cooperation to solve global problems. Turkmenistan also actively supports UN peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, which underlines its commitment to international stability and development.

Stay up to date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
In a brutal state crackdown on pro-Palestinian protests on campuses, a horde of New York Police Department (NYPD) officers descended onto Columbia Universitys campus in New York City on Thursday afternoon to arrest over 100 peaceful student protesters. It was the first time in over half a century that Columbia University allowed the NYPD onto the campus to arrest students.

Police in Riot gear stand guard as demonstrators chant slogans outside the Columbia University campus, Thursday, April 18, 2024, in New York City [AP Photo/Mary Altaffer]

The police-state action, directed by Columbia President Dr. Minouche (Nemat) Shafik, came the day after she testified before a McCarthyite congressional hearing. It marks a new and dangerous stage in the attacks on democratic rights across the US and internationally, centered on the drive to suppress widespread opposition to the US-backed genocide in Gaza.

According to a press release from Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) Thursday evening, over 120 students were arrested. The statement said that the lawn where the encampment took place was designated a free speech zone under Columbias latest policy on protests.

The SJP statement explained:

The Gaza Solidarity Encampment was established to pressure Columbia to divest all funds, including the endowment, from corporations that profit from Israeli apartheid, genocide and military occupation in Palestine. We demand they ensure further accountability with complete transparency for all Columbias financial investments.

Columbia students erected the Gaza Solidarity Encampment on the South Lawn with 50 tents, beginning at 4 a.m. Wednesday morning, ahead of the House Committees hearing, which focused on Columbia University.

The encampment was organized by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP)both of which were banned by the university last Novemberand Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD). Hundreds of students and supporters had gathered on campus by the evening, amid growing threats by the administration of mass expulsions and arrests following President Shafiks kowtowing appearance before far-right congressional representatives.

As the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) analyzed yesterday:

The hearing made clear that the goal of the US ruling class is nothing less than a purge of the faculty and student body at universities in order to completely subordinate higher education to the war machine. Everyone who dares voice opposition to US foreign policy is to be thrown out, blacklisted and made the public target of attacks by Zionists and far-right elements.

Students manned the encampment through the night from Wednesday to Thursday, and protests continued to grow on Thursday.

Early Thursday afternoon, Shafik made good on her promises. The university president sent a campus-wide email stating that she had ordered the NYPD to begin clearing the encampment.

In a separate letter by Shafik to the NYPD, the president stated:

All University students participating in the encampment have been informed they are suspended. At this time, the participants in the encampment are not authorized to be on University property and are trespassing.

NYPD vans for Columbia students that are about to be arrested, parked outside the campus on April 18, 2024

Student leaders of the campus occupation reported receiving emails Thursday morning stating they were suspended, including Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omars daughter, Isra Hirsi. This follows a wave of student evictions and suspensions at New York City universities, including Columbia and New York University.

Widely shared social media posts calling for mass student support in response to these attacks brought together over 1,000 chanting students to surround the encampment.

Dozens of NYPD buses and hundreds of police in riot gear blocked off access to the campus-adjacent streets, after which, at 1 p.m., the police stormed the encampment, zip-tying and arresting a mass of students.

A recorded message blaring from an NYPD loudspeaker said, You are currently participating in an unauthorized encampment. You will be arrested and charged with trespassing.

Video footage shows NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban, Chief of Patrol John Chell and Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtrythe head of the NYPDs drone programleading the charge. According to the SJP, NYPD Technical Assistance Response Unit, Strategic Response Group, and Anti-Terrorism Unit were confirmed on campus.

The mass arrests included Jewish students and legal advisers. After the encampment was torn down, hundreds of student protesters moved the location of their action and began occupying a campus lawn, while shouting pro-Palestinian and anti-NYPD chants. Hundreds of students and supporters also continued to demonstrate outside of Columbias main campus.

Socialist Equality Party 2024 Presidential candidate Joseph Kishore issued a statement on X/Twitter Thursday afternoon:

The arrest of students at Columbia University is part of an expanding police-state assault on opponents of the Gaza genocide, supported by the Biden administration and both the Democrats and Republicans. The arrests follow the testimony from Columbia University President Nemat Shafik before Congress, held on the false pretense that universities have been overcome by antisemitism, an outrageous slander directed at opponents of the genocide in Gaza. Shafik issued a statement saying she invited the NYPD gestapo police onto campus because the opponents of the genocide were creating a harassing and intimidating environment for many of our students. Lies! All students protesting the genocide must be freed! Those who should be behind bars are those who are carrying out the genocide and arming and financing it, that is, the Netanyahu government and its accomplices in the Biden administration.

Students, as well as faculty at Columbia and local residents, have expressed shock, anger and defiance in the face of the violent state assault on peaceful protesters. One student organizer tweeted:

Just got out of jail after Columbia called NYPD to mass arrest 100+ students. I have been suspended and evicted from housing by Barnard. This has only strengthened my commitment to the movement for Palestinian liberation and I promise to continue fighting for divestment.

A Columbia alum spoke to the World Socialist Web Site Thursday night at a protest next to the campus and denounced the hearing and the crackdown on protesters as a new McCarthyism, saying, I think it is despicable, really against the tenets of the university, both against free speech and expression and diversity of thought.

There is no question that the Columbia University administration staged the police raid in close coordination with the Democratic administration of New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the White House. Adams held a brief press conference Thursday evening, flanked by top NYPD officials, defending the crackdown.

The message is clear: Anyone who dares to publicly protest against a genocide that is being carried out with drones, tanks and planes manufactured and paid for by the United States can be subjected to arrest and expulsion from their school or workplace, as well as being targeted for public harassment and attack.

One day before the police raid at Columbia, nine Google workers protesting their companys involvement with Israels genocide were arrested and a total of 28 were terminated. The Columbia raid also comes less than a week after the raid and shut-down of the anti-war Palestine Congress in Berlin by 900 German police, which included the arrest of Jewish activists and the issuing of bans on prominent politicians and academics entering Germany and addressing German audiences online.

The IYSSE demands an immediate end to the crackdown on free speech on campuses and workplaces. All arrested, suspended and expelled students, faculty and organizations must be immediately released and reinstated. The attack on the democratic rights of students is an attack on the entire working class.

Workers throughout New York, the US and internationally must take up the defense of these students against the state assault.

We also support calls for walk-outs by students and faculty to protest this egregious attack on democratic rights, and demand an end to the genocide in Gaza and the universities complicity in it.

However, in developing and broadening the protests, students and youth need a clear understanding of what lies behind the attacks on them, and who their enemies and allies are.

Students at Columbia University are confronted with the full force of the state because they are opposing what is now declared a state policy of genocide in Gaza. But this genocide cannot be understood outside of the emergence of a new imperialist redivision of the world, targeting not only Russia and Iran, but also China. The pursuit of this war is incompatible with the maintenance of bourgeois democratic forms of rule.

Columbia Universitys administration is tied by a thousand threads to Wall Street and the Democratic Party. This is why it is so ruthlessly cracking down on its own students.

Two fundamental political conclusions follow from this: First, appeals to the Democratic Party are a dead end, and can only lead to the demoralization and isolation of the protests. Second, the fight in defense of democratic rights, and against imperialist war and genocide, cannot be limited to the campuses. It must be rooted in the working class, waged through the means of class struggle and based on a revolutionary socialist program.
The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Tuesday in State Department v. Munoz, one of the most important immigration cases in the recent period. At stake is whether or not the Constitution and due process apply in the consular process for citizen spouses. The consular process is the procedure by which immigrants apply for permanent residency at a US consulate abroad.

The Supreme Court building in Washington, Sunday, May 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

As part of its aggressive anti-immigrant policy, the Biden administration is seeking to lay the foundation for the sweeping denial of visas for migrants without recourse, oversight or appeal.

At the center of the case is the relationship of Sandra Munoz, a Los Angeles workers rights attorney, and Luis Asencio-Cordero, her El Salvadoran husband. The couple met at the wedding of a mutual friend in 2008, eventually married in 2010 and lived together in the Los Angeles area.

In 2013, they initiated the consular process for Asencio-Cordero, who had immigrated to the US without papers in 2005. In what was supposed to be the final step in obtaining Asencio-Corderos visa, the couple went to the US Embassy in El Salvador in 2015 for an interview. Instead, the consular official arbitrarily denied Asencio-Cordero his visa and refused him leave to re-enter the United States.

The denial was given without explanation and the couple was perplexed and heartbroken. Eventually Munoz would have to return to the United States without her husband. They have been separated for almost nine years.

Munoz and Asencio-Cordero have been fighting the denial since 2017 when their case began in a federal district court in Los Angeles. It was only at that point when the federal government claimed that Asencio-Corderos denial was due to his alleged history as a member of a criminal gang and a threat to national security.

The Department of Homeland Security claimed his four tattoosa portrait of psychologist Sigmund Freud, a depiction of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a theatrical mask, and a tribal-style pattern, somehow connected him to a gang. The claim has since been destroyed by gang tattoo experts and Asencio-Cordero has no criminal record in either country.

The couple are represented by Eric Lee and Alan Diamante of Diamante Law Group, Colleen Cowgill of the National Immigrant Justice Center, Erwin Chemerinsky of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, as well as attorneys Charles Roth, Keren Zwick, Mary Georgevich and Richard Caldarone.

The brief submitted to the Supreme Court in March by Munoz and Asencio-Corderos attorneys noted that in October 2022 the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district courts ruling that Munozs due process rights were implicated, reasoning that U.S. citizens have both a fundamental liberty interest in their marriage and a liberty interest in residing in their country of citizenship and that the denial violated Munozs due process rights because the cumulative effect of the denial was a direct restraint on [her] liberty interests.

Despite the Ninth Circuits ruling that the arbitrary denial of Asencio-Corderos visa violated the constitution and Munozs fundamental right to marriage and due process, the Biden administration has aggressively pursued its appeal in the hope that the right-wing Supreme Court will hear the case and overturn the decision. The only purpose is to be able to limit immigration by denying visas without legal recourse and with those affected stripped of the right to ask questions.

Last Friday the Biden administration submitted a brief to the Supreme Court which claimed that if consular officers had to explain themselves and provide factual accounts for the denial of green cards, it would be profoundly disruptive to the nations security interests. The blanket claim that specifying why a visa was rejected would somehow amount to a national security threat is outrageous and would be comical if the stakes were not so high.

The brief claimed that if such sensitive information were provided, it could tip off transnational criminal and terrorist organizations about law-enforcement and intelligence techniques and sources, enable circumvention of measures designed to detect immigration fraud and criminality, and have a chilling effect on domestic and foreign agencies sharing of information with the Department of Stateall to the detriment of national security

The Biden administration also claimed that consular immigration officers could face threats to their own physical safety if they had to explain that a visa denial was due to a supposed national security-related issue in countries with extensive gang activity.

The reality is that the lions share of the hundreds of thousands who undergo this process annually have no criminal history, are seeking a better life, and in most cases are looking to unite with spouses and other relatives. The Biden administration is attempting to use a bogeyman scenario where providing an explanation for the denial of a visa to a criminal or supposed terrorist is so risky that it puts consular officials in danger. This is supposedly such a threat to officers and so risks revealing too much about how the US gathers information that no oneeven someone wrongly accused such as Ascension-Corderohas a right to know why they have been rejected.

Another central component of the case revolves around the fact that Munoz, as the citizen-spouse, has a right to due process, is part of the consular process, has a right to marriage, and suffers extreme hardship by the separation.

Munoz and Asencio-Corderos attorneys argue in their filing that Munozs liberties are at stake in her husbands consular process, and that:

The denial of Asencio-Corderos visa directly implicates Munozs right to marriage, which entails the right to live with and enjoy the society of ones spouse. For over a century, federal immigration policy has favored spousal unity over all other forms of immigration, rooting the right to cohabitation in natural rights.

The Biden administration claims that Munoz, despite being a US citizen, is not entitled to a judicial review of Ascensio-Corderos application. The government also claims that Munoz can easily cohabitate in her marriage by moving to El Salvador where she would be unable to practice her profession as a lawyer and make a living. Not to mention the extreme financial and political crisis facing the country, in which most regions are dominated by criminal gangs. While feigning concern for the entry of MS13 members into the United States, the government takes no issue with Munoz, a US citizen, having to face them.

The federal government, represented by Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar of the US Department of Justice, told the Supreme Court in last Fridays brief that Munoz does not have a legitimate claim of entitlement to an immigrant visa for her husband in El Salvador And contrary to respondents suggestion, visa issuance is not mandatory. The [Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)] provides that a consular officer may issue a visa to an immigrant who has made proper application therefor.

Numerous amicus briefs have been filed in support of Munoz and Asencio-Cordero, including filings from members of the US Congress, immigration rights organizations and the American Bar Association.

Glaringly absent from the amicus brief submitted by legislators in support of the couple is the signature of Representative Alexadria Ocasio-Cortez. A member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Ocasio-Cortez has falsely claimed in her continued defense of Genocide Joe that supporting Biden and the Democratic Party is necessary in order to protect immigrants.

However, it cannot be stressed enough that it is the Biden administration which has brought this case to the Supreme Court, a court dominated by Trump and Republican-appointed justices.

The Biden administration has ramped up its anti-immigrant chauvinism in an attempt to appeal to right-wing elements for votes in Novembers presidential election. In this, Biden seeks to be perceived as more anti-immigrant than Trump, which is itself not an easy task, and is an effort which will end up only pushing the entire political atmosphere further to the right.

Trump has already vowed that if he wins in November, among the measures he will institute on his first day in office is what he referred to as the largest domestic deportation program in American history.

The anti-immigrant fervor being whipped up goes far beyond the candidates, with the Republican National Committee using the URL bidenbloodbath.com to push the claim in its headline that BIDEN IS AIDING AND ABETTING AN INVASION. INSTEAD OF PROTECTING AMERICANS, HE IS PRIORITIZING ILLEGAL ALIENS OVER U.S. CITIZENS.

It was announced in February that Biden is considering an executive order which would prevent most immigrants from claiming asylum, the basis of which is Section 212 (f) of the INA, which provides the president sweeping authority to block immigration for anyone deemed detrimental to the interest of the United States. Trump cited the same legal code with his anti-Muslim travel ban a week after his 2017 inauguration.

The fact the Biden administration is so aggressively pursuing the overturning of the Ninth Circuit Court decision epitomizes the Democratic Partys embrace of the Republican campaign against immigrants.

The attacks on immigrants and asylum, if unchallenged, will lay the groundwork for a further attack on the democratic rights of the working class. Under conditions of expanding global war, the ruling capitalist parties in every country have declared war on immigrants as a scapegoat for the crisis of the capitalist system.

The international working class must respond with an alternative and take up the fight for a revolutionary socialist internationalist solution. Bound up with this is the defense of workers right to live and work in any country in the world without fear of deportation or repression.
On Monday, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (Social Democrats, SPD) visited the city of Plovdiv in southern Bulgaria. There she inspected the barbed wire fence on the border with Turkey, which serves as a model to seal off the European Union to refugees.

The border, which is almost 260 kilometres long and secured by a double fence, is notorious for brutal pushbacks, i.e., illegal deportations by the Bulgarian border police. Yet it is precisely there, at a border crossing called Kapitan Andreevo, that a pilot project of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) is to be set up. This clearly shows the extreme right-wing attitudes that now prevail in the European Union.

Protest against the CEAS on 10 April in Brussels [Photo by Laura Vaca / pressenza]

With the final adoption of the CEAS on April 10, the European Parliament has effectively suspended the right to asylum and turned the immigration policies of the extreme right into law. The measures adopted provide for Europes external borders to be hermetically sealed off. This means that refugees will have to undergo their asylum procedure outside the EU in closed, militarily guarded detention centres.

Completely sealed off, people traumatised by war, forced migration and fleeing danger, including children, will have no access to legal, medical or psychological support in such camps. Instead, they are detained, screened, registered, and selected with the primary aim of deporting as many as possible as quickly as possibleoften to the same countries from which they fled, or even to so-called safe third countries. Their number has been increased as part of the reform, which means that even more deportations are possible.

As the WSWS has already shown, CEAS means the abolition of the right to asylum, the extension of Fortress Europe, mass deportations and the detention even of women and children in deportation facilities similar to concentration camps.

During the vote on April 10, refugee supporters demonstrated in front of the EU Parliament in Brussels. Some shouted from the visitors gallery in the plenary chamber to the MEPs: Be human, vote NO! Others threw paper aeroplanes into the chamber with the coordinates of shipwrecked people and information about refugees who had died while fleeing.

Marine accidents with fatalities occur almost every day in the Mediterranean. On the same day that MEPs approved the CEAS, a life-threatening incident occurred off the North African coast, as reported by the rescue organisation Seebrucke.

The Mare Jonio had rushed to the aid of shipwrecked people and tried to rescue them from a sinking boat whose engine had failed. The EU-funded Libyan coastguard then turned up and ordered the rescue ship to move away immediately, which it did not do. The coastguard militias carried out dangerous manoeuvres around the boat and fired into the air. ... Panic broke out and people jumped into the water. In the end, the Mare Jonio was able to bring a total of 56 people to Pozzallo, Italy.

Every year, thousands of refugees freeze to death, starve or drown at Europes borders. According to Statista, almost 30,000 people have drowned while fleeing across the Mediterranean in the last 10 years. This year alone, at least 459 people had already died at sea in the Mediterranean by the end of March.

Migrants and refugees wait for assistance on an overcrowded wooden boat, as aid workers of the Spanish NGO Open Arms approach them in the Mediterranean Sea, international waters, at 122 miles off the Libyan coast [AP Photo/Bruno Thevenin]

Thousands of others die in the dangerous attempt to cross a border like the one in southern Bulgaria. Or they are crammed into overcrowded camps such as Moria (Greece) for an indefinite period. Or they are picked up on the high seas by the Libyan coastguard and forced back into the hell of a detention centre in Libya.

Nancy Faeser favours and promotes the murderous European asylum system in the name of the coalition government of the SPD, the Greens and Liberal Democrats (FDP). For the past six months, she has also been in favour of the massive expansion of surveillance at the EUs external borders by Frontex, a project being pursued by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Christian Democrat, CDU) together with Giorgia Meloni, Italys fascist prime minister.

In Germany itself, the SPD-led government is also increasingly openly realising the policies of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). On January 18, the Bundestag (parliament) passed the shameful Repatriation Improvement Act with the votes of the coalition parties.

At the beginning of April, it was agreed to introduce a payment card for asylum seekers, which refugee support organisation ProAsyl rightly calls a discrimination concept and which serves exclusively as a deterrent and for anti-refugee propaganda. Refugees lives are made more difficult by the fact that they no longer have access to cash and can no longer send money to their families abroad. Refugees and immigrants are being increasingly stigmatised.

The militarisation of society as a whole is accompanied by intolerable nationalist agitation and propaganda. In order to divide and weaken the working class, the federal coalition relies on racism and the spectre of foreign criminality. In the media, immigrants and asylum seekers are only mentioned in connection with robbery, rape, drugs and terrorism.

Shortly before the CEAS was passed in the EU Parliament, Faeser presented the police crime statistics at the Federal Press Conference on April 9. Together with the president of the Federal Criminal Investigation Agency (BKA), she called for tough action, swift action by the authorities and a policy of zero tolerance. Faeser claimed, The connection is correct that increasing immigration has led to more criminal offences.

That is pure demagoguery. The crime statistics record all cases investigated by the police, even if no final court judgement has yet been made. It is well known that immigrants are prosecuted much more severely. The vast majority of cases are also petty offences, such as shoplifting or fare evasion, which are mainly committed by poorer people. The statistics also include physical confrontations in reception camps, where traumatised refugees fleeing war and hardship are crammed into very confined spaces and condemned to inactivity and a lack of prospects.

By contrast, the statistics exclude financial and tax offences committed by the rich as well as the political crimes of the ruling class. Instead, the figures paint a picture of a class society in which non-Germans at the bottom are not only perpetrators, but very often also victims.

This demagogic agitation was immediately taken up by Sahra Wagenknecht, who heads the BSW split-off from the Left Party. In response to the crime statistics, she called for a summit of state interior ministers in the chancellery to tackle the problem of uncontrolled immigration, as she told the dpa press agency in Berlin.

Wagenknecht attacked Faeser from the right and railed, If the crime statistics show that crimes are disproportionately committed by people from certain immigration milieus, an interior minister must not make this problem a taboo and play it down. As if that were not enough, she called for the police to be better equipped and that they deserved significantly more respect and social recognition.

The vile demonising of refugees is directed against the entire working class. While the poorest of the poor, refugees and immigrants, are under direct attack, the unemployed, low-income earners and workers are also increasingly being deprived of their social and democratic rights. The growing opposition to militarism, war and the genocide in Gaza is being suppressed by the ruling class using increasingly brutal methods.

The resolutions of the European Parliament and Germanys coalition government also provide clarity in this context. As the WSWS has written:

The fact that all sections of the ruling class support a policy of terror against refugees shows that workers and young people are confronted not simply with one or another government, but with the entire ruling class and its social system. European capitalism cannot be reformed. It must be abolished by a revolutionary movement of the European working class and replaced by the United Socialist States of Europe.

Only the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) stands for this goal in the European elections. It fights for the unity of all workers, regardless of their passport, skin colour or ethnic origin, and also stands today by the appeal made by Karl Marx to the working class: Proletarians of all countries, unite!
The beginning of the main session of the 2022 Labor Notes conference [Photo: @labornotes]

Labor Notes is holding its conference this weekend in Chicago under conditions in which it has helped to carry out massive betrayals of the working class.

The organizations last conference, two years ago, was addressed by new Teamsters General President Sean OBrien, democratic socialist Senator Bernie Sanders and others. They hailed Labor Notes-sponsored union factions Teamsters for a Democratic Union and Unite All Workers for Democracy, which had entered and were about to enter into the leadership of the Teamsters and United Auto Workers, as the leading edge of a reform movement in the American trade unions.

What have been the results? Only months after the last conference, the Teamsters and other unions worked with the Biden administration to prevent and ultimately ban a national strike by railroad workers.

Since the ratification of supposed historic contracts at UPS and in the auto industry last year, thousands of workers have lost their jobs. UPS says it will close 200 facilities and automate everything, made possible by the new contract. Thousands of jobs have already been cut in the auto industry this year, with countless more on the chopping block as the industry shifts towards electric vehicles.

Everything that Labor Notes, TDU and UAWD claimed about the new administrations that they are part of and the new contracts that they helped to pass has been exposed as lies. Instead, they are helping to enforce what will prove to be the deepest attacks on jobs in decades. In coauthoring these sellouts, Labor Notes is also playing a political function for the ruling class. It is helping impose discipline on the working class, through the medium of the trade union bureaucracy, as US imperialism prepares to expand its wars across the world.

In return, members of TDU, Labor Notes and UAWD have now been elevated into positions of power within the union apparatus. The two factions have members on the executive boards of both unions making over $200,000 a year. Former Labor Notes editor Jonah Furman is now the communications director of the UAW, where his main job is to prevent workers from being informed about the mass layoffs.

At this years conference, the real experience of the past two years will be systematically covered up.

The organizers, attempting to divert the critical thinking of attendees through endless singing and chanting, will present the labor movement as going from one success to the next.

The layoffs will be minimized or not mentioned at all. Typical titles for conference events include The UAWs New Organizing Drive, Rebuilding a Fighting UAW and How Were Turning Our Unions Around. Incredibly, one event on the railroads is titled Using the Railway Labor Act to Our Advantage, a reference to the anti-worker law used for 100 years to ban strikes in the rail and airline industries.

The conference will also have the character of an official spectacle. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, will be present, little more than a week after the brutal police murder of Dexter Reed by the citys police force.

So will Shawn Fain, who only a week ago dined on prime rib in the White House at a state reception for the Japanese prime minister. Named one of Time magazines 100 most influential people and CNN Business labor leader of the year, Fains elevation to national prominence has been assisted by support from Labor Notes and UAWD.

Since its founding nearly fifty years ago, Labor Notes has insisted on a policy of no politics, which they claim only divides workers. All that is needed, they assert, is militant struggles carried out within the framework of the trade unions.

At the last conference, the speakers explicitly opposed a break with the Democrats. Flight attendants union President Sara Nelson claimed, If we start seeing ourselves as a working class, then the two capitalist parties will come to us.

The capitalist parties have given answer to this claim in the form of mass repression, especially against anti-war protesters. On the eve of this years conference, New York police arrested Columbia University students protesting the Gaza genocide and herded them en masse into police vans.

In fact, no politics has always meant no socialist politics, and supporting the domination of capitalist politics over the working class. Indeed, Labor Notes itself is playing an important political role in the broader attempts by the ruling class to head off a political movement in the working class. And the labor bureaucracy, in which it is now playing a leading part, functions as little more than an extension of the capitalist state.

The ruling class, and especially the Democratic Party, see the union bureaucracy as critical in preparing American society for war against Russia, China and Iran. The corrupt union officials are drawing together with US corporations and the Biden White House into a corporatist alliance.

At every one of Fains five joint appearances since November with Biden, war has been a central theme. In policy speeches, Biden has repeatedly invoked the Arsenal of Democracythe American war economy during World War II, as the example to be followed today. A critical element in that was a no-strike pledge by union officials.

When Biden accepted the UAWs nomination for his re-election, he declared that workers had to build aircraft carriers and tanks. Meanwhile, the UAW bureaucracy threw out genocide protesters from the meeting hall. Fain returned the favor in a visit by Biden to Detroit where, protected from protesters by a line of riot cops, Fain pledged to send UAW members to war for the president.

Under conditions in which the ruling class is catapulting towards war and dictatorship, the right-wing essence of this program is becoming clearer. In a recent article in Jacobin, longtime former TDU organizer Ken Paff suggested that TDU is even prepared to support Trump and other fascists within the Republican Party.

The Teamster leaderships meeting with Donald Trump as part of the unions endorsement process sparked controversy and discussion both in and outside the union, he blandly declared. TDU members and other Teamsters have a range of takes on this strategy. In fact, the Teamsters bureaucracy is openly supporting the extreme right, and it is entirely possible it will endorse Trump. They have also donated $45,000 to the Republican National Committee and $5,000 to Senator Josh Hawley, a key player in the January 6 coup attempt.

According to Paff, reasonable minds can disagree on whether to support a fascist for president. But what they absolutely cannot tolerate is any opposition to the genocide. Many TDU members are politically active around issues like organizing for a cease-fire in Gaza, he wrote. But we do not try to convert TDU into a political vehicle. From early on in TDU, we have tacked hard against this impulse. They tacked hard against this by bureaucratically suppressing and shouting down discussion of a ceasefire resolution at its last convention.

TDUs goal is not a narrow, perfect program. It is to have a wide, deep impact in the Teamsters and in the labor movement, he concluded. In reality, the goal of TDU and Labor Notes is to prevent the emergence of a mass anti-war and anti-capitalist movement in the working class, the only social force which can put a stop to war.

Many of the events this weekend at Labor Notes are aimed at passing ceasefire resolutions in the unions. But this is only in service of the same aim. Rather than organize the working class in a fight against war, Labor Notes propose toothless resolutions passed by pro-war bureaucrats. Fain and the UAW passed a ceasefire resolution last December, only a few weeks before endorsing Genocide Joes re-election.

Under conditions in which Labor Notes has been relentlessly promoted, many of the 4,500 in attendance this weekend will no doubt consist of politically-inexperienced workers and youth who hope it will help them to make contact with a working class movement. Still others, angry at their being used as in the strike ready campaign at UPS in order to promote the Teamsters sellout, may attend to try and pressure the organization to the left.

But if they want to build a movement in the working class against exploitation, they will have to draw the necessary conclusions. The pro-corporate bureaucracy cannot be reformed. It must be destroyed. This means the formation of new organs of power, rank-and-file committees, genuinely controlled by workers and prepared to fight a two front war against both management and the union apparatus. Such committees are being built in the auto industry, in UPS and in countless other workplaces all over the world, as part of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees.

This must be connected with the fight for socialism. Workers cannot carry out purely economic struggles while ignoring the drive to World War III, the collapse of American democracy or the union bureaucracys role in both. They have to build a movement to counterpose to the capitalist program of militarism and inequality the socialist program of ending private ownership and the nation-state system.

But this is precisely what Labor Notes directs its efforts to preventing. It and other pseudo-left groupings serve an objective social function for the ruling class. They disrupt and confuse growing opposition from below, turning it back behind the bureaucracy and the capitalist parties where it can be smothered.
Are you an autoworker at the VW plant in Chattanooga or another Southern auto plant? Fill out the form at the bottom of this article to get more information about joining the growing network of rank-and-file committees in the auto industry.

Workers at the Volkswagen assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, began voting Wednesday morning on whether to join the United Auto Workers union. Voting is continuing until Friday, with ballot counting starting at 8:00 p.m. and results expected later in the evening.

Around 4,300 full-time and part-time manufacturing workers are eligible to vote at VWs only plant in the United States. The company also uses large numbers of lower paid workers who are employed by temporary agencies, but they are not allowed to vote.

Chattanooga VW workers [Photo: Volkswagen US Media]

The UAW lost two previous unionization votes at the plant, by 712 to 626 in 2014 and 833 to 776 in 2019. In March, the UAW filed for another National Labor Relations Board election after at least 50 percent of the workers signed cards saying they wanted union representation. Union officials have not made public how many workers signed.

The UAW announced Thursday that 5,000 Mercedes workers in Vance, Alabama, will participate in an NLRB-supervised union election on May 13  17.

On the eve of the vote, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and five other Southern Republican governors issued a threatening letter to workers, warning them that a vote for the union would imperil their jobs. We are seeing in the fallout of the Detroit Three strike with those automakers rethinking investments and cutting jobs, the governors said in a statement. Putting businesses in our states in that position is the last thing we want to do.

The Republican governors oppose any efforts of workers to organize, even under the banner of the corporatist, pro-company UAW. They fear the union bureaucracy may not be able to contain a potential revolt by autoworkers across the South, where some 150,000 workers are employed at Asian- and European-owned transplants.

However, the Biden administration and the Democratic Party have spent decades utilizing the UAW bureaucracy to suppress the class struggle, and they see its installation into auto plants in the South as a preemptive action to forestall a revolt. Biden has openly endorsed the UAW unionization effort, and the corporate media, no friend of workers, has generally adopted a favorable tone in its coverage.

Biden, who has praised UAW President Shawn Fain as a great friend and labor leader, has sought to utilize the union bureaucracy to suppress social opposition and line workers up behind US imperialisms war for global conquest, directed in the first place against Russia and China.

Just consider Fains claim to represent workers and the fact that on April 10 he was Bidens guest at a state dinner for Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, part of a series of events aimed at ratcheting up the US conflict with China. Fain shamelessly dined on aged ribeye steak, alongside such corporate malefactors as JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon and billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The exploitation of autoworkers in the Southern auto plants is intense, and there is increasing militancy among the racially diverse and powerful working class in the region.

In his X/Twitter post on the unionization vote, Socialist Equality Party candidate for US vice president Jerry White declared:

Workers want to organize and fight. They understand that collective action is needed to defend themselves. But to fight for their class interests they must organize independently of the pro-company UAW apparatus. Fain & Co. worked with the Biden administration to impose a job-cutting contract on Big 3 autoworkers and then endorsed the reelection of the war-mongering president. Regardless of which way the vote goes this week, VW workers must build and organize rank-and-file committees to fight job cuts, oversee line speeds and health and safety, and counter-pose the will of shop floor workers to the dictates of management, both corporate-controlled parties and the UAW bureaucracy.

While the UAW apparatus and its supporters tout the support that the unionization drive has received from the German IG Metall trade union and VW Works Council, these forces are not the voice of German workers but the voice of highly paid professional sellouts. The IG Metall bureaucracy is currently overseeing sweeping job cuts at VWs operations in Germany, as well as the closure of the Ford Saarlouis plant and job cuts at Bosch, Continental, ZF and others.

President Joe Biden, center, is greeted by UAW President Shawn Fain, left, and Darren Riley, a local entrepreneur, as he arrives at Selfridge Air National Guard Base to attend a campaign event. [AP Photo/Evan Vucci]

In exchange for these services the Works Councils have been a stepping stone for union officials into positions in management. This includes former VW Works Council President and leading IG Metall official Bernd Osterloh, who is now personnel director at the VW truck subsidiary Traton, with an annual salary of 2 million (US$2.1 million).

Apologists for the UAW bureaucracy have gone into overdrive promoting the VW union vote. Harley Shaiken, a labor studies professor at the University of California, Berkeley who is regularly cited in the corporate media, told Wards Automotive that a UAW win at VW would have an impact similar to the historic 1937 GM plant occupations in Flint, Michigan. Its like the forty-fourth day of the Sit-Down strike, he said.

Hardly. In 1936-1937 workers waged and won a life-and-death battle confronting all the forces that management and the state could hurl against them, including the police, the National Guard and hired thugs from the fascistic Black Legion. Far from waging a fight against VW, the UAW has gone out of its way to assure management that a UAW victory will not impinge on the global automakers profits or competitiveness. In a recent Facebook post, UAW Volkswagen Local 42 wrote, We are one of two VW plants outside of Germany without a union. Volkswagen has a very productive relationship with unionized auto workers that enables the company to remain very competitive.

No doubt backroom talks are already underway on the outlines of a pro-management contract deal. In 2014, as part of a UAW-VW neutrality agreement, the UAW promised that it would engage in maintaining and where possible enhancing the cost advantages and other competitive advantages that [Volkswagen] enjoys relative to competitors in the United States and North America. The leaking of the secret agreement was instrumental in the UAWs defeat.

Far from waging an all-out battle against the UAW, management has cooperated in allowing an early union vote. VW spokesman Michael Lowder emailed the following statement to the Detroit Free Press: We respect our workers right to a democratic process and to determine who should represent their interests. We fully support an NLRB vote so every team member has a chance to vote in privacy on this important decision. Volkswagen is proud of our working environment in Chattanooga that provides some of the best paying jobs in the area.

VW workers should look beyond the press hype and study the actual record of Fain and the UAW leadership in the Big Three contract last fall. The UAW quickly abandoned all the popular demands it had raised, such as full cost-of-living protection, the ending of wage and benefit tiers and the restoration of pensions. Fain called a supposedly innovative Stand Up strike, in reality a phony strike, in which all the most profitable auto plants were allowed to run full production, filling managements coffers and undermining worker solidarity.

In the end, the UAW accepted a contract that met none of workers initial demands. It then rushed through a vote without giving workers enough time to adequately study the contract. Despite this, GM workers almost defeated the contract.

To obtain ratification, the UAW told temporary workers that the contract guaranteed that those with nine months would be promoted to regular, full-time positions. Temp workers soon found out how much they could trust Fain. Within weeks after ratification of the contract, Stellantis began announcing layoffs, including the summary firing of at least 2,000 dues-paying temp workers before their rollover to full-time. Another 200 temp workers were fired last week, and the jobs bloodbath is accelerating.

At the same time, the union bureaucracy sold out the strike by Mack Trucks workers and was instrumental in preventing walkouts at General Dynamics, Allison Transmission and other plants, which would have disrupted production for both the US and Israeli militaries.

If the UAW prevails in the vote this week, workers will find soon find themselves pitted not just against management but against the UAW apparatus as well. Rank-and-file workers cannot sit back and wait for the UAW to negotiate and ram through a pro-company contract. Instead, they must be on guard against backroom deals with management, demand that the entire contents of the contract be released and adequate time be set aside to study and discuss them before any votes, and rank-and-file control over the entire voting process. Autoworkers in Detroit and other auto centers have had a long and bitter experience with the imposition of pro-company contracts through deception and intimidation.

There is broad support for a common struggle by workers in the South with workers throughout the auto and auto parts industry in the US and internationally. In 2022, Mack Trucks worker Will Lehman won nearly 5,000 votes in the UAW presidential election, despite the efforts by the bureaucracy to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of UAW members. Lehman called for the international unity of autoworkers to fight the global auto companies, the transfer of decision-making and power from the UAW apparatus to workers on the shop floor, and a socialist program to defend workers against the job massacre coming with the transition to electric vehicles.

Regardless of the outcome of the vote, the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) will assist workers at VW, Mercedes and other Southern plants to unite with autoworkers across the US, Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia. This will be a critical component in developing an industrial and political counter-offensive against both parties of capitalist exploitation, war and dictatorship.

Workers interested in finding out more about rank-and-file committees should fill out the form below.
Israel carried out an airstrike on Iran Friday morning, a US official told major US news outlets. Iranian state TV reported that three drones were shot down over the Isfahan air base.

The move came just hours after the United States and its European allies on Thursday announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran, deepening their participation in a spiraling war in the Middle East.

In a statement announcing the sanctions, US President Joe Biden declared, Ive directed my team, including the Department of the Treasury, to continue to impose sanctions that further degrade Irans military industries. He continued, Let it be clear to all those who enable or support Irans attacks: The United States is committed to Israels security.

The same day, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran. Biden and Sunak were joined by the European Council, which declared that sanctions would be imposed in order to isolate Iran.

The sanctions come after days of declarations by Israeli officials that they intend to carry out an attack on Iran following Tehrans retaliatory strikes on Israel over the weekend. On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself and that we will make our own decisions with regard to attacking Iran.

This statement came one day after UK Foreign Minister David Cameron, following a meeting with Iranian officials, said, Its clear the Israelis are making a decision to act.

Meanwhile, Iranian officials vowed that any strike by Israel would be met with overwhelming force, with Iranian Maj. Gen. Ahmad Haghtalab warning that the hands are on the trigger to retaliate against Israels nuclear sites.

In an interview with CNN, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian declared, In case the Israeli regime embarks on adventurism again and takes action against the interests of Iran, the next response from us will be immediate and at a maximum level.

The Middle East is poised on the knife-edge of full-scale war. In an address to the UN Security Council, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned, One miscalculation, one miscommunication, one mistake could lead to the unthinkable: a full-scale regional conflict that would be devastating for all involved and the rest of the world.

In a further endorsement of Israels genocide in Gaza and its military escalation against Iran, the United States vetoed a resolution in the UN Security Council to make Palestine a full member-state of the United Nations.

Absurdly, the US carried out this action while proclaiming its support for a so-called two-state solution. In a statement, US Ambassador to the UN Robert Wood said, The United States will continue to oppose unilateral measures that undermine the prospect of a two-state solution. This includes any actions that violate the principles that Secretary Blinken has emphasized for months, that Gaza cannot be a platform for terrorism.

In a statement in response, the Palestinian presidency rebuked the US action, which it described as unfair, immoral and unjustified. The statement read, This aggressive American veto reveals the contradictions of American policy, which claims, on the one hand, to support the two-state solution, while it prevents the international institution from implementing this solution through its repeated use of the veto in the Security Council against Palestine and its legitimate rights.

Ziad Abu Amr, special envoy of the Palestinian presidency, asked, How could this damage the prospects of peace between Palestinians and Israelis? How could this recognition and this membership harm international peace and security?

The Biden administration is increasingly framing its escalating conflict with Iran as part of a globe-spanning war targeting Russia and China. In an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, Biden drew an equivalence between the US conflicts with Russia and China, claiming, Both Ukraine and Israel defended themselves against these attacks, holding the line and protecting their citizens. And both did it with critical help from the U.S.

He continued, But while both countries can capably defend their own sovereignty, they depend on American assistance, including weaponry, to do it. And this is a pivotal moment.

He declared, Vladimir Putin is ramping up his onslaught with help from his friends. China is providing Russia with microelectronics and other equipment that is critical for defense production. Iran is sending hundreds of drones; North Korea is providing artillery and ballistic missiles.

He concluded with a threat:  An attack on one is an attack on all means that if Mr. Putin invades a NATO ally, we will come to its aidas our NATO allies did for us after the Sept. 11 attacks.

This conception forms the rationale for the US support for the Gaza genocide, which it sees as a critical element of its effort to dominate the Middle East. Amid mass starvation and continuous bombing, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains disastrous.

In a statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, In Gaza, six and a half months of Israeli military operations have created a humanitarian hellscape. Tens of thousands of people have been killed. Two million Palestinians have endured death, destruction, and the denial of lifesaving humanitarian aid; they are now staring down on starvation. An Israeli operation in Rafah would compound this humanitarian catastrophe.

He continued, The casualty figures are overwhelming and unprecedented in speed and scale during my time as Secretary-General. According to UNICEF, more than 13,900 Palestinian children have reportedly been killed in intense, often indiscriminate attacks.

Under these conditions, there are indications that the United States is moving toward an open endorsement of Israels planned assault on Rafah.

On Thursday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli officials to discuss the Rafah attack. The official readout of the meeting noted: The two sides agreed on the shared objective to see Hamas defeated in Rafah. U.S. participants expressed concerns with various courses of action in Rafah, and Israeli participants agreed to take these concerns into account.

In a press briefing Thursday, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder declared, We understand the need for Israel to go after Hamas and to eliminate or defeat Hamas as a threat.

Meanwhile, the death toll of the Gaza genocide has reached 33,970, with 76,770 more wounded, according to the latest figures from Gazas Health Ministry.
On April 9, the Sri Lankan Cabinet approved a proposal to massively increase the deposit requirements of candidates contesting all future elections, including the presidential election scheduled to be held between September 17 and October 18 and next years national elections.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe [AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena]

The planned legislation is a calculated attempt by President Ranil Wickremesinghes government and the ruling elite to block political opponents, particularly the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and independents, from contesting elections, and thus limiting voters to the political parties and candidates of the rich.

The measure is part of an escalating assault on democratic rights by the ruling classes in every country amid a deepening global crisis of capitalism intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and Israels imperialist-backed genocidal war in Gaza.

Under the proposed changes, a presidential candidate from an officially-recognised political party must lodge a deposit of 2.6 million rupees ($US8,667), a 52-fold increase in the current amount of 50,000 rupees. Independent candidates are required to pay a larger deposit of 3.1 million rupees, up from the current 75,000-rupee amount.

Deposits have also been increased for parliamentary, provincial council and local government elections. Candidates for a registered political party will have to pay 11,000 rupees each and 16,000 rupees is required for independent candidates. As with all other Sri Lankan elections held under a proportional electoral system, a list of candidates must be presented to the Electoral Commission by the party or independent group for every district and hundreds of thousands of rupees paid as security.

The unprecedented increases in candidates deposits, which were proposed by Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe with the blessing of President Wickremesinghe, must be approved by the parliament. However, not a single opposition partythe Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), the National Peoples Power (NPP) led by Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) or the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Kachchihas opposed these anti-democratic moves.

The aim of these measures, which will impose a huge financial burden on political parties, particularly those reliant on financial contributions from the working class and the poor, is clear.

The government and indeed the entire political establishment are determined to exclude all opposition to their big-business policies, and particularly genuine socialists, from participating in elections. Voters will be restricted to the candidates of the wealthy ruling elites or those picked and financed by them.

There have been several previous attempts by Sri Lankan governments and the Election Commission to massively increase deposits for election candidates, but these moves were widely criticised and abandoned.

The government is now rushing ahead with huge increases in candidates deposits in response to the rising popular opposition to its International Monetary Fund (IMF) austerity attacks.

Two years ago, in AprilJuly 2022, millions of Sri Lankan workers and the urban and rural masses rose up against the brutal social attacks of President Gotabhaya Rajapakse and his government, forcing him to flee the country and resign from the presidency.

This mass movement was diverted by the opposition SJB, the JVP and the trade unions with the support of fake-left Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) into calls for the formation of an interim government, opening the way for the discredited parliament to install Wickremesinghe as president. The ruling class remains haunted by the spectre of another mass uprising.

The temporary political stability the capitalist class gained through these political manoeuvres is fast coming to an end. While some trade unions have been compelled to call limited industrial action and protests, they are doing their utmost to dissipate workers determination to fight the governments IMF-dictated austerity agenda. Anger is also rising amongst the rural poor and students over their deteriorating social conditions and government cuts to public education.

The political and media establishment claim that the island is the longest-running democracy in Asia, citing the adoption of universal suffrage in 1931. This is a total fraud.

The cowardly and weak Sri Lanka bourgeoisie has no democratic traditions and always operated as anti-working-class servants for their colonial and imperialist masters. While parliamentary rule existed, the masses had no real democratic rights. From the outset, Tamil and Muslim minorities were treated as second class citizens.

Soon after formal independence was granted in 1948, the United National Party (UNP) government abolished the citizenship of Indian-origin plantation workers in one stroke and the following year scrapped their right to franchise. This reactionary assault was to weaken the working class by dividing it along ethnic lines. Over the next decades, the Sri Lankan ruling elite made Sinhala, the countrys official language, enshrined Buddhism as the priority religion, and deliberately instigated ethnic antagonisms.

In 1983, the UNP government provoked the 26-year communal war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, and the bloody conflict was continued by all successive governments until May 2009. The war, which resulted in the killing of over 100,000 Tamil civilians and vicious social devastation, was also used to break workers resistance to government attacks on jobs, wages and social conditions.

In 1978, the UNP government established executive presidential rule and other authoritarian methods to impose open market economic policies. The Prevention of Terrorism Act was also enacted to suppress Tamils and then used against workers and the rural poor. Recently, the Wickremesinghe government introduced its anti-democratic Online Safety Act to put bans on social media and is moving to introduce a new Anti-Terrorism Bill on top of already existing repressive laws.

The latest suppression of democratic rights by Sri Lankas political elite is occurring amidst widening social inequality and mass poverty. A recent World Bank report on Sri Lanka revealed that poverty has increased over the past four yearsfrom 11 percent in 2019 to almost 26 percent in 2024. In other words, more than a quarter of the population is living in poverty. About 60 percent of Sri Lankan households have decreased incomes and face increased food insecurity, malnutrition and stunted growth.

Amid this social devastation, the capitalist class cannot allow any criticism of its regressive measures, let alone discussion of the socialist alternative proposed by the SEP. The Wickremesinghe government knows that the IMFs pro-market agenda cannot be implemented peacefully.

The Wickremesinghe governments assault on democratic rights is part of an international process. As the New Year statement of the WSWS International Editorial Board in January stated: The essential class contradictions undermining democratic forms of rule are manifest above all in the extreme growth of social inequality. Capitalist society has taken on the form of an oligarchy, in which all economic, social and political life is controlled by a tiny elite. To use another analogy, the extreme concentrations of wealth are metastasizing like an uncontrolled tumor, infecting every institution of the state, the courts and the media.

While these tendencies are operating in every country, they are sharply expressed in the US, the centre of world capitalism. In the lead up to Novembers presidential elections, President Joe Bidens Democratic Party and Donald Trumps Republican Party are determined to maintain the dominant two-party system.

The Democratic Party is particularly concerned about third party candidates and, according to the media, are in an all-out war to exclude such candidates contesting the forthcoming election. It wants to prevent the SEP in the US, our sister partys presidential candidate Joseph Kishore and vice-presidential candidate Jerry White, from contesting the elections.



In 2021 in Australia, the then Liberal-National Coalition government, backed by the Labour Party opposition, passed legislation tripling the number of members required to register a political party from 500 to 1,500 and have their party name on the ballot papers. It was a clear move to block ordinary people from voting above all for socialist candidates.

Our sister party in Australia continues to oppose this reactionary legislation, while campaigning to recruit the required number of electoral members to officially register the party.

The SEP in Sri Lanka is the only party advancing socialist policies to fight social devastation, inequality and war, and to defend democratic rights. There is no solution for workers and the poor within the framework of the profit system and the IMFs austerity dictates to which the government, the parliamentary opposition and the trade unions are all committed.

The SEPs program includes the repudiation of all foreign debt and the nationalisation of the banks, big corporations and plantations, placing them under the democratic control of the working class. These policies can only be implemented through the fight for a workers and peasants government, as part of the struggle for international socialism.

Our party, along with our sister parties of the International Committee of the Fourth International, is urging workers and the rural masses to form action committees to fight for their social and democratic rights, independent of all capitalist parties and the trade unions.

We are campaigning to build a Democratic and Socialist Congress of Workers and Rural Masses, based on delegates from these action committees, to develop a unified struggle for a workers and peasants government to implement socialist policies.

We urge workers, young people, students and socialist-minded intellectuals to oppose the latest attack on democratic rights, support our partys campaign against it and join the SEP to intensify the fight for socialism in Sri Lanka and internationally.
The launching of drone strikes on the cities of Isfahan and Tabriz and targets in southern Syria confirm that Israels shadow conflict with Iran is on the brink of open war.

The strikes follow Irans first ever direct attack on Israel last Saturday, when more than 300 drones and missiles were fired in direct repose to Tel Avivs April 1 attack on the Damascus consulate that killed seven top-level Iranian military officers, including two generals.

Iranian worshippers chant slogans during an anti-Israeli gathering after Friday prayers in Tehran, Iran, Friday, April 19, 2024 [AP Photo/Vahid Salemi]

Iranian officials had earlier vowed that any strike by Israel would be met with overwhelming force, with Iranian Maj. Gen. Ahmad Haghtalab warning that the hands are on the trigger to retaliate against Israels nuclear sites.

Isfahan province is the location of Iranian military infrastructure including an airbase and nuclear facilities. Iran said Israel had only made a failed and humiliating attempt to fly quadcopters [drones] and the quadcopters have also been shot down. Tehran has intimated that it had no plans for retaliation.

Israels fascistic National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had demanded a crushing response to Irans missile and drone attack and castigated the limited strikes insisted on by Israels paymaster in Washington as weak.

But tensions are clearly continuing to escalate. And the Arab regimes are watching these developments with acute concern. They have played a crucial role in supporting Israels genocidal war against the Palestinians in Gaza, with Saudi Arabia making sure an oil embargo was off the table and keeping the door open to normalisation with Israel. Jordan even played a direct role in defending Israel by scrambling fighter jets to shoot down many Iranian drones Saturday.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabias Foreign Ministry asked everyone involved to exercise maximum restraint and to protect the region and its people from the dangers of war. Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Jordan and Turkey issued similar statements. Only northern Yemen, whose de facto Houthi government is close to Iran, and Lebanon, home to Hezbollah, the armed group backed by Iran, remained silent.

They are all aware that despite their determination to forge a security alliance with Tel Avivand thereby with Washingtonagainst Iran to maintain their grip on power, the regions workers, youth and rural poor bitterly resent their rulers support for Israels genocidal war and their own impoverished conditions amid the rampant corruption of the ruling kleptocracies. It was for this reason that Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt refused to take part in the US naval coalition against Houthi attacks in support of the Palestinians on Red Sea maritime traffic, which have led to the diversion of shipping along the longer route around Africa.

Aprils attack on Irans embassy was the culmination of a series of Israeli assaults and strikes on Iranian facilities and personnel in Syria designed to provoke a response that could be used as a casus belli for a full-scale war against Tehran. It came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus fascist government had become a pariah in the eyes of the masses around the world and while it was facing increasing domestic opposition for his refusal to agree a ceasefire to secure the release of the hostages in Gaza. He calculated that a strike on Iran would deflect these pressures and possibly draw the US directly into the conflict.

Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu on Face the Nation, February 25, 2024. [Photo: CBS News/Face the Nation]

The imperialist powers effectively endorsed Israels action, with US ambassador to the UN Robert Wood declaring that terrorist leaders and elements were allegedly present at this facility. The US, France and the UK also vetoed a resolution drafted by Russia in the UN Security Council condemning Israels attack and told Iran not to strike Israel.

Irans action had been a carefully calculated response designed to show its ability to hit Israel without causing civilian casualties. It launched 170 cheap drones, compared to 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles, after giving 72 hours warning of its attack, providing the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the US, UK and France as well as Israels neighbours ample opportunity to shoot down the ordnanceaimed at Israels base at Nevatim, from which the country launched the Damascus attack, and its intelligence centre in Mount Hermon.

As a result, just a few landed, causing damage to a C-130 transport aircraft and empty storage facilities and critically injuring a seven-year-old Bedouin girl, a resident of one of several unrecognised Bedouin villages in Israels Negev desert.

But Tehrans message was nevertheless clear: It has the capacity to launch a major attack on Israel that the IDF was only able to deflect at a cost of more than $1 billion to Israel alone, and with the additional and extremely expensive support of its allies.

Major-General Mohammad Bagheri, Irans military chief, told state TV that a much larger response awaits Israel if it retaliates against Iran. He had earlier warned Washington that any backing of Israeli retaliation would be met with an attack on US bases in the Gulf and Iraq. Irans Defence Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani also warned its Arab neighbours, Whichever country opens its soil and airspace to Israel for a potential attack on Iran, it will receive our decisive response.

Major General Mohammad Bagheri at a Correspondent's Day ceremony in the presence of media members [Photo by Fars Media Corporation / CC BY 4.0

Tehrans threat places both Jordan and Saudi Arabia, whose territories lie under the flight path from Israel to Iran, in the line of fire. Israeli officials boasted that Jordan was the first Arab state that had actively interceded to support Israel. Jordan also allowed the US and other countries warplanes to use its airspace to intercept the Iranian missiles.

On Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Saudi, US, and Egyptian officials, that in fact several Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), had passed on intelligence about Irans plans to attack Israel, opened their airspace to Israels allies and provided radar tracking.

This had been organised by Washington, which has been trying for years to organise a military alliance in the region against Iran, culminating in the 2020 Abraham Accords and the incorporation of Israel into US Central Command in 2021, making it easier to share intelligence and provide early warning across countries, with the US operations centre in Qatar coordinating the response.

The Journal also implied that other countries, as well as Jordan, had supplied their own forces to help. However, the full role played by Saudi Arabia and other key Arab governments is being kept quiet due to concerns that support for Israel could bring them into direct and at this point premature conflict with Iran, inflame public opinion at home and possibly provoke an open rupture of Washingtons anti-Iran coalition. The oil-exporting Arab regimes also fear their oil installations could become targets in a wider war that could cripple their economies. The Gulf states have therefore all been at pains to state publicly that they will not allow US air and naval bases on their territory, home to nearly 40,000 US troops, to be used to launch attacks on Iran.

The US must tread carefully to avoid undermining its long-term goal of creating a NATO-like alliance in the Middle East against Iran. And while the Gulf states are wary of Iran, they are also distrustful of the US and aware of its waning influence in the region.

Jordan, where more than half of the population is of Palestinian origin, has witnessed weeks of protests outside the Israeli Embassy in Amman, with the Jordanian authorities clamping down on solidarity with Gaza and even banning symbols like the Palestinian flag and keffiyehs at demonstrations. It has sought to justify its interception of Iranian missiles in the name of protecting Jordanian airspace.

Also exacerbating tensions within Jordan are reports earlier this month that Iraqi resistance faction Kataib Hezbollah, allied with Iran, had expressed its readiness to arm 12,000 fighters in Jordan, to form a unified force to defend our Palestinian brothers.

Saudi Arabia, whose resumption of diplomatic relations with Iran in March 2023brokered by Chinaended attacks by the Houthis with whom it is negotiating an end of the war in Yemen, urged caution to prevent a regional war.

As the Gulf states mistrust of Washington has grown, they have increasingly turned to China to provide an alternative and counterweight to US demands, particularly after the 2011 Arab Spring when US President Barack Obama failed to prevent the overthrow of longstanding Egyptian dictator President Hosni Mubarak.

China was then launching its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative leveraging its economic heft throughout Asia and Africa. Its rapid economic growth has also increased its own reliance on the Middle East for energy, while exports of consumer goods to the region have surged. Total trade between China and the whole of the Middle East and North Africa reached $505 billion in 2022, nearly doubling in 10 years, while trade between China and the Gulf states alone increased three-fold. Following President Xi Jinpings visit to Saudi Arabia in December 2022, the kingdom signed 35 memorandums of understanding with Chinese firms, including with tech giant Huawei for cloud computing and building high-tech complexes.

China has also been able to exploit the growing opposition to Israel and its US-backed aggression in the Middle East to bolster its political influence in the region. It too is seeking to prevent the escalating Israel-Iran conflict erupting into open war, appealing for calm and pressing for the Gulf states to do likewise. Beijing knows that it is the ultimate target in any war against Iran, with whom it signed a 25-year $400 billion investment and cooperation treaty in 2021.

Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, right, shakes hands with China's most senior diplomat Wang Yi, as Saudi Arabia's National Security Adviser Musaad bin Mohammed al-Aiban looks on during an agreement signing ceremony between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Beijing. [AP Photo/Nournews]

The Biden administration sees Tel Avivs multi-front war across seven theatres: Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria [the occupied West Bank], Iraq, Yemen and Iran, as described by Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, as the means to consolidate its grip of the resource-rich Middle East by eliminating China and its ally Russias influence in the region.

These contending economic interests are at the heart of the escalating threat of war in the region. They confirm that a regional conflict cannot be prevented by appeals to China by the advocates of a multi-polar world to provide a counterweight to the US, or even to become a replacement hegemon in the Middle East and internationally.

The pleas from the semi-feudal Arab regimes for caution and restraint testify above all to their fears of an explosion from below. They point to the fundamental polarity between all factions of the bourgeoisie and the working class on which the struggle against war must be based.

Ending mass murder in Gaza and preventing an open war between Israel and Iran that would draw in the entire region, as a second arena of the US/NATO-led war against Russia in Ukraine ultimately targeting China, demands a global movement of the working class and youth against capitalism and for socialism.

The millions of people demonstrating week after week in mass protests in support of the Palestinians and against war must make a conscious political turn to the factories and workplaces to urge strikes and boycotts of arms companies, docks and airports, to stop the transport of any items to Israel with a military use.

They must raise the demand for a political general strike linking the struggle against war to the defence of jobs, essential services and democratic rights being destroyed by governments internationally. This is the perspective fought for by the World Socialist Web Site and the International Committee of the Fourth International.
The World Socialist Web Site calls for the immediate reinstatement of 28 Google workers fired Wednesday for their involvement in sit-in protests in New York and California demanding the tech giant end its complicity in Israels genocide in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territory. The charges against nine workers who were arrested Tuesday night after they peacefully occupied Google offices must also be dropped.

The firings were followed up by further repression of pro-Palestinian and anti-genocide protests in New York City. Columbia University called in the police to arrest more than 100 students who had set up an encampment at the university to oppose the mass slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza.

Google's offices in New York City [AP Photo/Mark Lennihan]

Joseph Kishore, presidential candidate of the Socialist Equality Party, issued a statement Thursday supporting the reinstatement of the Google workers, as well as their demand for Google to end its collaboration with the war machine of Israel.

Noting that Google has close ties to the US state apparatus and military-industrial complex, he said:

The company has played a central role in the state-backed campaign to censor the Internet, focused on left-wing opposition to war and inequality. Googles connection to the Israeli state underscores the fact that the genocide could not be carried out without the backing of the American ruling class and its two parties, the Democrats and the Republicans.

The Google employees were demanding that the company drop its work on Project Nimbus, a $1 billion contract which provides the Israeli government, including the Israeli Ministry of Defense, with cloud computing services, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. A leaked contract shows that Google billed the Israeli Ministry of Defense $1 million for consulting services.

The employees who protested held up signs that demanded, No more genocide for profit, and No cloud for apartheid. Their brave stand was rapidly met with repression. The company called the police to remove nine protesting employees from the offices, claiming they were trespassing, and fired them as well as 19 other protesting workers.

Chris Rackow, Googles head of global security, sent a memo to all employees threatening anyone else considering protesting against Googles involvement in the genocide. Following investigation, today we terminated the employment of twenty-eight employees found to be involved. We will continue to investigate and take action as needed, Rackow declared.

He added the following thuggish threat: If youre one of the few who are tempted to think were going to overlook conduct that violates our policies, think again.

A statement from Google workers with the No Tech for Apartheid campaign in response to the summary firings noted that those who took action were well within their rights.Google workers have the right to peacefully protest about terms and conditions of our labor, they wrote, adding, These firings were clearly retaliatory.

The statement denounced parent company Alphabets CEO Sundar Pichai and Google Cloud head Thomas Kurian as genocide profiteers.

Under its parent company Alphabet, Google is among the largest information technology companies in the world. Googles more than 130,000 workers oversee operations from offices in some 50 countries, encompassing an array of sectors that are critical for the operation of the global economy, including Googles ubiquitous search engine, cloud computing and consumer electronics. The company is also on the cutting edge of developments that promise to be critical in the future, including artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

As it has grown into a global trillion-dollar behemoth over the last quarter-century, Google has developed into a key prop for the operation of American imperialism and its allies, providing critical technology services to the US military-industrial complex and other militaries around the world. At the end of 2022, Google was awarded a $9 billion cloud computing contract by the Pentagon in conjunction with Amazon, Oracle and Microsoft.

It has been shown that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been using other AI tools for its genocidal ethnic cleansing operations in Gaza, in particular, a program known as Lavender that was developed by the IDFs spy outfit Unit 8200. In six months, the IDF has damaged or destroyed more than half of all homes in the narrow territory and killed at least 40,000 Palestinians, half of them children. At least 99 veterans of Unit 8200 were working for Google as of 2022.

Meanwhile, active opposition from within the company to its involvement in the operations of American imperialism has been growing:

More than 3,000 Google employees signed a letter to company executives in 2018 demanding an end to their involvement in the US militarys illegal drone killing operations through Project Maven, which used AI to determine targets for drone strikes.

In 2019, nearly 1,600 Google employees signed a petition to corporate leadership demanding that it commit to not supporting the operations of US Customs and Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which are responsible for the crackdown on migrants, until they stop engaging in human rights abuses. In response, Google fired four of the workers who helped organize the protest.

In March of this year, Google fired software engineer Eddie Hatfield for protesting against Project Nimbus during Mind the Tech, an annual Israeli conference in New York. A letter signed by more than 600 employees denounced the companys sponsorship of the conference, under the headline, Stop profiting off of Israeli apartheid and violence against Palestinians.

Workers across the United States and internationally must mobilize to defend the 28 fired Google workers. Since Israel launched its onslaught in October, with the full backing of the Biden administration and the other imperialist governments, millions have protested around the world demanding a ceasefire. Appeals to the powers-that-be have been met with police repression and the grotesque slander that those who oppose the genocidal operations of the IDF are antisemitic. The attack on the Google workers involved in No Tech for Apartheid is part of this broader effort to suppress and silence opposition to the genocide.

The fight against Googles complicity in the Gaza genocide and for an end to the IDFs bloody operations, which, with the full support of President Joe Biden, are threatening to expand into a wider regional war with Iran, requires a turn by tech workers to their brothers and sisters in the broader working class to mobilize workers in a powerful international movement against imperialist war and its root, the global capitalist system.
Post-Gazette strikers at the 2023 Labor Day parade in Pittsburgh, PA [Photo: Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh via Facebook]

Last week, Teamsters Local 211/205 announced that it was ending its strike after over 18 months, dissolving the local union and accepting a small severance payment for the striking members who are now completely without jobs.

The announcement by the Teamsters set off a wave of criticism and accusations from the other unions still on strike against the paper. In a statement, the Newspaper Guild, which represents the majority of the remaining strikers, blasted the Teamsters decision.

After 18 months on strike, standing on the picket lines all day and late into the nights with Teamster drivers represented by Local 211/205, its extremely disappointing to see this unit fall for the companys divide-and-conquer strategy, said Zack Tanner, Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh president, in a press release.

Teamsters trustee and business agent for Local 211/205 Joseph Barbano placed the blame for the defeat of the strike on the Newspapers Guild, telling a local radio station that it was the Newspaper Guild which had undermined the strike.

To be honest with you, the Guild, [around] 50 percent of their membership crossed the picket line, Barbano told WESA. And they wrote for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and they were able to get a paper out because of that.

Mike Davis, CWA District 2-13 vice president, complained that the Teamsters had worked this deal out in secret.

By selling out in secret, the Teamsters have not only damaged their own credibility but have also jeopardized the possibility of a fair settlement for all the unions involved, Davis told WESA.

The Teamsters first went on strike against the Post-Gazette on October 6, 2022, citing unfair labor practices by the paper, along with distribution, production and advertising workers, who had not had a pay raise in 16 years.

About two weeks later, the Newspaper Guild, which is part of the Communication Workers of America, voted to join the strike. Guild members, in addition to supporting the other unions, had seen their own pay unilaterally cut as well as vacation time. In addition, the paper cut their health benefits.

Since voting to strike, about 30 guild members crossed the picket line and went back to work.

While local officials are blaming each other for the failure of the strike, the fact is that both the Communication Workers of America and the Teamsters, which represent 700,000 and 1.3 million members respectively, both left the Post-Gazette workers isolated.

Both unions have tens of millions in their strike fund and control assets approaching billions, yet none of these resources was mobilized to support the strikers to win the strike. Instead they have collaborated with the companies to cut costs at the workers expense.

The Post-Gazette is driven to break the strike by the newspapers need to cut costs but also by its push for stricter editorial control.

Like print newspapers throughout the country, the Post-Gazettes paid circulation and advertising have been declining for years. It cut publication to five days a week in 2018 and three days in 2019 and is considering cutting down to just one day of print publication.

In breaking the strike, the paper is also seeking to complete the papers editorial transformation. Once considered a liberal paper, the Post-Gazette has increasingly become a mouthpiece for the right wing, supporting Trump and giving voice to many of his right-wing positions if not his out-and-out fascist views.

In 2020, two journalists were barred from coverage of the ongoing protests over the police murder of 46-year-old George Floyd. Journalist Alexis Johnson and photojournalist Michael Santiago were barred because management accused them of biased reporting.

Santiago was part of the team that won the Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the 2018 fascist massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

In June 2018, the paper fired longstanding editorial cartoonist Rob Rogers, who was a critic of conservatives in general and Trump in particular. Rogers had worked at the Post-Gazette for 25 years and was a runner-up for a Pulitzer Prize.

In March of 2018, Block Communications, Inc., the family-owned company that runs the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and its sister paper, the Toledo Blade, merged the two papers editorial boards.

The last major strike at the Post-Gazette lasted more than nine months in 1992-1993. The company hired scabs workers to keep the newspaper publishing. The strike ended on June 27, 1993, with a settlement that included wage cuts and layoffs, but the union was able to preserve some of its benefits and working conditions.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 19. Uzbekistan plans to invest $28 million on project implementation in the Jizzax Organic livestock cluster in Zaamin district, Trend reports.

According to the Uzbek president's office, this was announced during President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs visit to the Jizzakh region, where he was presented with new projects and plans for the cluster.

According to the project, the country will process 2,000 tons of milk and 5,000 tons of meat annually.

At the same time, Uzbekistan plans to produce fodder using sprinkler irrigation on another 2,000 hectares of the cluster.

Meanwhile, foreign investors and local entrepreneurs plan to realize 50 projects worth $6.1 billion in Uzbekistan's Jizzakh region.

The projects are planned to cover mining, machine building, electrical engineering, chemistry, the textile and food industries, agriculture, medicine, and pharmaceuticals.

A total of over $4 billion worth of investments have been attracted to Uzbekistan's Jizzakh region over the past five years.
Royal Mail has announced plans to end six-day-a-week mail deliveries. This is part of a worldwide offensive by post and logistic companies to slash thousands of jobs, spearheading a cost-cutting and profit-driven restructuring.

The stampede by Royal Mail to ditch the Universal Service Obligationa legal requirement meant to safeguard mail deliveries to 32 million UK householdsis to realise a long-held agenda since privatisation being aggressively pursued by parent company International Distribution Services (IDS).

Dressed up as modernisation and the inevitable outcome of declining letter volumes, Royal Mail is creating a parcel-led business based on gig-economy pay and conditions to compete with Amazon, UPS and other corporate players.

As one of the most globalised sections of the working class, postal and logistics workers have tremendous power. But this can only be realised by breaking the grip of the pro-company trade unions whose well-paid officials work hand-in-glove with management and the government to enforce the dictates of the market.

Across Europe, North America and Australia the same slash and burn agenda is being implemented with the collusion of the unions: the use of automation to axe jobs and hike up workloads, the slashing of pay rates and gutting of terms and conditions overseen by a brutal regime of performance management.

But postal workers are fighting back. Over the past year, rank-and-file committees have been built in Britain, Canada, the US and Australia, affiliated to the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC).

The World Socialist Web Site has provided coverage of these crucial battles:

US Postal Service

The Biden administration is overseeing a restructure of the US Postal Service (USPS) through a 10-year plan Delivering for America to eliminate 50,000 jobs and pave the way for privatisation. It will mean the closure of 1,000 local post offices and the merger of sorting, processing and delivery centres into massive hubs modelled on UPS and Amazon.

USPS workers have written to WSWS in their hundreds. One worker explained: Every single day is depressing, as management treats us like cattle. This is not a place to make a career like it used to be. And let me not forget: the union does not take care of us! Complaints are ignored and union reps nearly always side with management! Everything the union does is kept in secrecy. (See more comments from USPS workers here)

Like Royal Mail, the US Postal Service goes back centuries. The founding statement of the USPS Rank-and-File Committee explained how the USPS was founded before the American Revolution, under first Postmaster General Benjamin Franklin. Postal workers used to be proud to serve their customers and communities, delivering mail and packages where no private logistics company would go.

The first U.S. postage stamp, issued in 1847 in honor of Franklin

Today, the company is being torn apart by corporate interests. The 10-year plan against the workforce is a joint enterprise by Democrats and Republicans and this means that postal workers face a political fight over the allocation of societys resources.

Canada Post

At Canada Post the Liberal government led by Justin Trudeau is demanding the overturn of work practices and job security via Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the introduction of dynamic routing. It aims to eliminate route ownership for postal workers, setting routes on a daily basis, which Swiss Post has boasted led to cost reductions of 18 percent during weekend deliveries.

Wage cuts, increased workloads and multi-tier wage scales are being enforced through management bullying. A Canada Post worker explained to WSWS: Every single motion that we do is timed. The smallest thing, like a walk, is timed. From tying your shoes to washing your hands, were timed for all this stuff. The corporation has now put forward that they want to get rid of wash up time its 5 minutes a day but it would work out to about 500 routes across the country that would be gone. I know the [union] national is going to give that up. (Read more Canada Post comments here)

A Canada Post worker walks to his truck in Richmond, British Columbia [AP Photo/Ted S. Warren]

Around 50,000 postal workers are currently working without a contract. The Canada Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) is offering no opposition to the companys plans. A motion adopted by the recently formed Postal Workers Rank and File Committee in Canada explained: By building the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee, we can wrest control of our contract struggle from the CUPW and articulate demands to unite and defend the jobs and conditions of all workers at Canada Post. (Read resolution and summary of meeting here)

UPS: North America

The use of automation to slash jobs is being spearheaded in North America by UPS. Its Network for the Future plan will lead to the shutdown of at least 200 facilities, threatening tens of thousands of jobs. Company executives will net an estimated $3 billion in savings by the end of 2028 through consolidating facilities and automating the remaining hubs. The UPS Workers Rank-and-File Committee, formed last year against a sell-out contract imposed by the Teamsters union, is winning a hearing across North America.

The committees recent online meeting was attended by 100 workers from the US and Canada. Replying to a Teamsters official who claimed that UPS has the right to make job losses, the committee stated: Against the bogus right of UPS to do whatever they want, which the Teamsters overseers uphold as holy writ, we must impose our will to protect jobs and our livelihoods.

Australia Post

The Australian Labor government has repealed legislation requiring daily letter delivery by national carrier Australia Post (AP). The new delivery model forms part of a Post26 plan to cut labour costs by 17 percent between 2023 and 2026, with letter frequency to be cut by half, and rounds increased by up to 50 percent, eliminating most walking beats.

Australia Post worker delivers mail in Sydney

Australias Communication Workers Union (CWU) has accepted this austerity framework in negotiations over a new workplace enterprise agreement. In opposition, the Postal Workers Rank and File Committee explains: The corporatisation of vital amenities, at the expense of workers jobs, wages and conditions as well as the needs of the broader population, serves no purpose other than to slash government expenditure and pave the way for privatisation.

Royal Mails European case studies

Royal Mail-IDS is developing its plans to destroy the USO on the basis of globally coordinated warfare against workers. The companys RMTV channel has published a series of articles, Universal Service from around the world. Its case studies include the planned reduction of mail delivery standards to within three days of posting in Germany and the Netherlands, with the latter scrapping a six-day service back in 2014.

It writes of Denmark, which has largely phased out mail: Since 2012, all citizens and businesses in Denmark have been obliged to receive and read communications from public bodies using a digital post system.. The universal postal service was ended in January this year, with the exception of mail for the blind, small islands and international mail and with several operators competing in a market for a set price for letters and parcels nationwide.

Members of the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee in Britain are working alongside their brothers and sisters at the US Postal Service, UPS and Australia Post. The IWA-RFC is fighting to unite workers against economic nationalism and the endless race-to-the-bottom. This strategy is essential in the mobilisation of the rank-and-file against the CWU bureaucracy led by Dave Ward, which engineered the monumental sellout of the year long fight at Royal Mail last July. The surrender document to slash jobs, gut terms and conditions and implement a two-tier workforce was cited in the CWU submission to the regulator to show its commitment to cost cutting, shelving the USO and dedication to a 24/7 parcel network.

We urge postal and logistics workers to attend the next online meeting of the PWRFC on April 28 at 7pm Oppose Royal Mails Assault on the USO! Defeat CWUs Collusion. Register here:
The Israeli-provoked military conflict with Iran is dragging Latin America further into the spiral of an emerging world war.

On Saturday, Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles against Israel in response to the bombing of its embassy in Damascus that killed seven top Iranian military officers. US, British, French, Lebanese and Saudi forces repelled most of the Iranian attack, but Israeli officials have decided on further escalating the conflict. Israel, on Friday, attacked Iran itself, striking a military base with drones.

Argentine President Javier Milei leads the Crisis Committee with participation of Israeli ambassador, Eyal Sela, Casa Rosada, Buenos Aires, April 14 [Photo: Oficina del Presidente]

The most striking response in Latin America came from fascistic President Javier Milei of Argentina, who created a Crisis Committee composed of cabinet members and the Israeli ambassador in Buenos Aires, Eyal Sela.

Milei cut short a trip to Denmark, where his government bought F-16 fighter jets, and returned to Buenos Aires, to take charge of the situation and coordinate actions with the presidents of the Western world, according to his spokesperson.

The Milei administration recently committed to a strategic alliance with the Pentagon and formally requested Thursday to become a NATO global partner, a status held only by Colombia in the region. After Milei visited Israel to back its genocide in Gaza, CIA director William Burns and then US Southern Command chief Laura Richardson made visits to Argentina.

Now, Milei is using the Israeli aggression against Iran to cement his regimes role as cockpit for US imperialist conspiracies in the region, clearly aspiring to the role played by Israel in the Middle East.

Giving an indication of what was being concocted by the Crisis Committee, Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich went on national television to claim, without a shred of evidence, that there are 700 members of Irans Quds Force in Bolivia, suggesting they are being given Bolivian passports.

Argentina and Ecuador were the only two Latin American countries to sign a US-led statement issued on Wednesday denouncing unequivocally Irans attack on Israel. Such condemnations are a sign of total subservience to US imperialism and its hypocrisy, with Washington having long asserted its right to slaughter whomever it considers an obstacle to its interests.

Ecuadors President Daniel Noboa separately declared, Ecuadors full support to the people of Israel in these difficult times. His vice president, Veronica Abad, is currently in Israel as part of a so-called Peace Mission.

Chiles pseudo-left President Gabriel Boric, who also supports the US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, issued a separate but equally subservient statement condemning Irans missile and drone attacks on Israel.

In Venezuela, several right-wing media outlets have made unfounded claims that the Nicolas Maduro administration was directly complicit in the Iranian attack. Meanwhile, the US-backed opposition has used the Iranian attack to promote regime change.

Fascistic opposition leader Maria Corina Machado declared: This unprecedented and unacceptable action once again raises our denunciation of the risk represented by Irans alliance with the Venezuelan regime... Venezuelas return to democracy and its reinsertion into the free world will contribute to mitigating this risk.

Maduro blamed the Iran-Israel conflict on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US support, and warned: An escalation of the conflict, a product of Netanyahus Nazi madness, could lead us to a third world war, and Venezuela advocates peace, rationality, diplomacy and truth.

This followed the decision by White House officials to reimpose full sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports, after failing to strong arm the Maduro regime into allowing Washingtons preferred candidate, Corina Machado, to run in the presidential elections planned for July. At the same time, the US has continued to give separate licenses to US-based oil companies on a case-by-case basis, establishing an effective stranglehold on Venezuelas most important source of income.

But having denounced Washington for supporting fascism and provoking a Third World War, Maduro also said on Monday that he will never close the door on dialogue.

I told negotiators to give President Biden the following message If you want, I want. If you dont want, I dont want, he said in broken English.

In a press briefing, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Irans attack was a response to Israels bombing of the Iranian embassy and asked Israel not to retaliate. Its going to be escalating the conflict to a very risky situation, he said.

His administration has refused to condemn any sideincluding Israel for the Gaza genocide and its provocative aggression against Iran and proposed more UN activity for peace and universal fraternity.

In Brazil, President Lula da Silva, who was declared a persona non grata by Israel after he likened the slaughter in Gaza to the Holocaust, merely called for all sides to avoid escalation. According to O Globo, his government is using diplomatic channels to advocate against an Israeli reprisal.

Lula has also called for a ceasefire in Gaza but, like Lopez Obrador, has upheld Israels supposed right of self-defense and promoted the moribund two-state solution, which has historically served as a fraudulent cover for the continued expansion of Israeli settlements and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.

The Bolivian government of President Luis Arce, who had broken diplomatic relations with Israel over its genocide in Gaza, responded to the Iranian attack by calling on the UN to intervene, and warning that escalating global violence puts humanity at risk of extinction.

Colombias pseudo-left President Gustavo Petro similarly warned: It was foreseeable; we are now on the verge of World War III... The US support, in practice, for genocide has set the world ablaze. Petro has, notwithstanding, vowed to consolidate his governments status as a NATO global partner and had no better proposal than to ask the UN to to bet immediately on Peace.

The Middle East crisis has once again exposed the United Nations as a thieves kitchen at the service of imperialism and a lie from beginning to end, as Lenin described its predecessor, the League of Nations. It has not only failed to stop any of the US-led wars of aggression globally since its creation but has actively provided a pseudo-legal cover for many of them.

While Latin Americas far-right regimes act as provocateurs in direct coordination with the CIA, the supposed anti-imperialist and pacifist policies of the pink tide governments are entirely bankrupt, reduced to a futile bid to pressure the imperialist powers to be less predatory.

Lula, AMLO, Maduro and company represent the interests of sections of the bourgeoisie which are trying to leverage trade and diplomatic ties with China, Russia, and, to a lesser extent, Iran. Their alarm over a potential nuclear world war is all the more significant given their unconditional defense of capitalism and ultimate subordination to imperialism.

Economic globalization and the weakened hegemony of US imperialism have made Latin America a key battleground in the new redivision of the planet. For Washington, the regions strategic natural resources and supply chains for key US industries, including arms manufacturers, must be secured from Chinese and even European rivals. Moreover, it finds it necessary to draw the larger militaries (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Chile), whose forces and influence it has long cultivated, actively into its warring camp.

Recently announcing the deployment of the US 4th Fleet with the aircraft carrier USS George Washington in joint exercises and operations across South America, the Pentagon boasted that its sailors are ready to control the sea, conduct strikes, and maneuver across the electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace.
Former National Guard soldiers testifying before the House Administration Committee on April 17, 2024. [Photo: C-SPAN.org]

On April 17, four former senior soldiers in the D.C. National Guard testified before the House Administration subcommittee in Washington regarding the deliberate delay in deploying the Guard to the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

All of the witnesses at Wednesdays hearing were senior officers and enlisted members of the D.C. National Guard during the failed coup. They all testified that they observed then-D.C. Guard Commander William Walker seek Pentagon approval to secure Congress after Capitol Police were overrun. And they all confirmed that these requests were blocked by senior military and civilian officials in the Pentagon, even as security forces were deployed to protect the homes of senior military officials.



The witnesses included:

Colonel Earl Matthews, chief legal adviser to Walker during January 6, and a former political appointee in the Trump administration.

Command Sergeant Major Michael Brooks (ret.), senior enlisted officer in the DC Army National Guard during January 6.

Captain Timothy Nick, aide-de-camp, to Walker; January 6 was his second day on the job as Walkers personal assistant.

Brigadier General Aaron Dean, adjutant general of the D.C. Army National Guard. Dean was second-in-command under Walker.

Neither Dean, Nick, Brooks or Matthews was asked to testify under oath to the January 6 Select Committee, although all four were in the company of Walker, the commander of the DC Guard, from 1:49 p.m. through 5:55 p.m. on January 6, 2021.

It is highly significant that more than three years after the attack on Congress, and more than 15 months after the January 6 House Select Report issued its Final Report, these four individuals are only now publicly testifying on the purposeful delay of military assets to the Capitol.

Continuing the cover-up, most Democrats on the committee did not attend the hearing and none of those present asked questions to bring out more information on the role of the military in the coup attempt.

Wednesdays hearing, which was attended by mostly Republicans, was chaired by Georgia Rep. Barry Loudermilk, one of 147 members of the GOP who voted to overturn the 2020 election following the attack on the Capitol. In addition to voting to overturn the election, video footage released by the now-defunct January 6 House Select Committee showed Loudermilk leading a group of Trump supporters on a reconnaissance tour of the Capitol Complex on January 5.

Georgia Rep. Barry Loudermilk pointing something out to an individual wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat while on a "tour" of the Capitol Complex on January 5, 2021 [Photo: US Capitol Police Department (Screegrab)]

By holding the hearing, Republicans are seeking to exploit deliberate deficiencies and lies promulgated in the Final Report issued by the Select Committee at the end of 2022. At the time the report was issued, the WSWS characterized it is a whitewash, that was written in service of preserving the legitimacy of government institutions and pillars of bourgeoisie class rule.



Far from exposing the full extent of support Trumps coup had within the state, the report, overseen by former Representative Liz Cheney, a right-wing Republican militarist, downplayed and concealed the support Trumps coup had, and still retains, within the Republican Party, the US Supreme Court, police, military and intelligence agencies.



Regarding the delay of the National Guard troops, the Select Committee, which did not dedicate a single public hearing to the topic, wrote in Appendix 2 that the delay was the byproduct of military processes, institutional caution, and revised deployment approval process.



Exonerating pro-Trump elements in the Pentagon, the committee concluded, We have no evidence that the delay was intentional.

Despite being the nominal targets of the attack on January 6, Joe Biden and the Democrats have all but dropped any serious investigation into the attack. This, coupled with attempts to paint the coup as the sole responsibility of Trump, while ignoring the role of the Pentagon in blocking the deployment of troops, has provided an opening for pro-Trump Republicans to posture as seekers of the truth and advance the Fedsurrection narrative, which posits that elements of the deep state entrapped Trump supporters by urging their participation on January 6.



In the hearing, Loudermilk, fellow Republicans on the committee, and some of the witnesses, sought to pin the 199-minute delay to deploy the Guard, not on Trump, or leading figures in the Pentagon, such as acting Secretary of Defense Christoper Miller, his chief of staff Kash Patel, or generals who were sympathetic to Trump, but on the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley.



The top uniformed military officer, Milley earned the ire of Trump for warning his aides in the weeks leading up to January 6 that the ex-president was planning a right-wing provocation in order to seize power, telling them, This is a Reichstag moment, the gospel of the Fuhrer.



In his testimony, which pleased Loudermilk, Matthews pinned the delay on Milley stating it was the result of an overcautious, reluctant, hesitant, facilitating leadership, and I think they were concerned about the political optics of a military presence here. And I dont think they trusted the commander-in-chief, and I think that was because of our senior ranking military officer who was making disparaging remarks about the president to them.



Loudermilk responded, So you are indicating that there was delay but that it was not for a nefarious purpose, just so we dont walk out of here with conspiracy theories that the DoD wanted the Capitol to fail. I just want to make sure, thats not, thats not where you are going with that? Matthews agreed.

Harvard trained lawyer and Army Colonel Earl Matthews, testified before the House Administration Committee on April 17, 2024. On January 6, 2021, Matthews was the executive officer for then-D.C. National Guard Commander Maj. Gen. William Walker. [Photo: C-SPAN.org]

But Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy and acting Secretary of Defense Chris Miller did not block dispatch of the Guard because they were worried it would side with the mob, but for directly opposite reasons. They sympathized with mobs actions, which were approved in real time by Trump in the White House.



The deliberate delay gave Trumps mob ample opportunity to take members of Congress hostage in order to delay certification. The strength of Trumps coup was not in any great support in the population, but in key institutions of the capitalist state.



Despite advancing this right-wing conspiracy theory, Matthews, and other witnesses on the panel, provided startling testimony that has been completely ignored in the mainstream capitalist press.



In his opening statement, Matthews, as he has publicly before, denounced two senior general officers in the United States Army, General Charles A. Flynn, (brother to former Trump adviser, retired Gen. Michael Flynn) and Lt. Gen. Walter E. Piatt. He accused them of lying to Congress, federal investigators and the public about why it took so long for the District of Columbia National Guard to deploy to the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.

When I say these general officers lied I do not do so lightly or cavalierly. I speak from personal knowledge having interacted with them on January 6 in my official military capacity. Unfortunately some senior officials within the Department of the Army and Department of Defense have sought to protect, or promote, Generals Flynn and Piatt. These senior civilian officials have excused, condoned, or overlooked the misconduct of these officers.



The generals distortions Matthews testified, contributed to a deeply, and fundamentally flawed [Department of Defense] Inspector General investigation and deficiencies in other official inquiries.



Later on Matthews said,

I submitted a document saying that these men were liars and I stand by that, 100 percent and its a stain on my Army that they got away with ... that nobody said anything about it.



And they even sent Piatt to the President of the United States to have him promoted! He is a liar! And all of us can attest to that.

In his testimony, Command Sergeant Major Brooks seconded Matthews testimony on the delay. We waited for hours, we did not receive the order to respond, he said. We were there and we were ready, but we were not authorized to respond.



Captain Timothy Nick testified the delayed response was caused by critical presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed, Pentagon senior officials.



I can say unequivocally that the Inspector Generals review is riddled with inaccuracies, misstatements, false flags, and narratives, regarding how critical Pentagon senior officials responded when our Republic was under great stress, he continued.



Among the inaccuracies, Nick observed that the Army falsely denied that General Flynn was ever on a critical 2:30 p.m. phone call in which Walker, and others, have testified that Flynn and Piatt denied his, and former US Capitol Police Chief Steven Sunds request for troops because they did not like the optics of National Guard soldiers outside the Capitol.

This map shows downtown Washington D.C. with the US Capitol (left) and the D.C. National Guard armory (right) circled in red. The distance between the armory and the Capitol is approximately 1.2 miles. [Photo: www.openstreetmap.org]

Nick testified, Flynn was on the call and even participated in discussions. He added that the IG review was papering over the fact Lt. Gen. Flynn and Piatt told then-Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy that it was their best military advice to recommend McCarthy deny Walkers request to deploy soldiers to the Capitol.



While every witness testified that Walker was not given authority to deploy his soldiers until after 5 p.m., Brigadier General Aaron Dean confirmed that Walker tried multiple times throughout the siege to contact Secretary McCarthy but was unsuccessful.



Refuting statements from McCarthy and others that the D.C. Guard was not capable of responding to a riot, Dean said, We had the capability, we had the planning, we had the know-how. So, the question I have is, out of all the events, all the inaugurations that the D.C. National Guard supported, out of all the NATO summits, out of all the IMF protests that weve had, the summer of 2020, COVID ... we were not able to respond to this? We are incapable? Thats categorically false.



We were prepared in many ways.
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Australia is sponsoring a major lecture titled The fight of Trotskyism against the pseudo-left. Nick Beams, a leading member of the Socialist Equality Party for more than five decades and senior writer for the World Socialist Web Site, will deliver the lecture.

It will be presented in person on Sunday, April 28, in Sydney and live-streamed to an online audience. Details below:

WHEN: 2 p.m. (AEST) Sunday, April 28

WHERE: Belmore Senior Citizens Centre, 38 Redman Parade, Belmore, NSW Register here

Cant attend in person? Register for the Zoom livestream at this link.

The lecture is the culmination of a series of meetings held by IYSSE clubs at universities in Australia and internationally. They have addressed the crisis of political perspective that confronts the mass opposition to the Israeli genocide in Gaza.

Despite six months of mass demonstrations, the slaughter proceeds, with the full support of the imperialist powers, including the Australian Labor government. The perspective advanced at the rallies and, more broadly, however, is for a continuation of endless protests aimed at appealing to and pressuring governments to end their support for the genocide.

This is a dead end and serves to line students, young people and workers up with the very political forces responsible for the historic war crimes. The bankrupt protest politics cover over the fact that the genocide is one front in a developing world war, including US-backed Israeli attacks against Iran, a proxy war by Washington and its allies against Russia in Ukraine and advanced preparations for a catastrophic conflict with China.

This context underscores the fact that what is required is a mass political movement of the working class, directed against all of the imperialist governments and the capitalist system that is responsible for war. This perspective, the only means of averting the drive to a nuclear war, is advanced by the SEP and the IYSSE alone.

To build a genuine socialist anti-war movement, it is necessary to expose all the political forces peddling protest politics. That includes the pseudo-left organisations, such as Socialist Alternative, Socialist Alliance and Solidarity in Australia. While seeking to neuter the opposition to Israels genocide, these groups openly support other fronts of the imperialist push, especially the war against Russia in Ukraine.

Beams will explain that to understand the role of these tendencies and defeat their pernicious influence requires an examination of their historical evolution and the class interests they represent. Having emerged through right-wing splits from the Trotskyist movement, which rejected the revolutionary role of the working class and the fight to build a socialist leadership within it, the pseudo-left has developed into a new constituency for imperialism. It represents the interests of a privileged layer of the upper middle-class, tied to Labor, the unions and the existing political setup.

The lecture will provide the political weapons required by young people and workers who want to take up the fight for a genuine socialist and revolutionary perspective against the genocide and the broader eruption of militarism and war. We urge you to attend and to tell your friends and family about the meeting.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 19. Approximately 200,000 meters of drilling are planned over a period of 3 years in Uzbekistan by Nurlikum Mining joint venture, a source at Orano Group told Trend.

"Nurlikum Mining's efforts in 2020-2023 were focused on geological exploration (drilling, laboratory analysis, and modeling) to confirm existing uranium resources (12,500 tons) and uncover new ones in compliance with the international JORC code. Approximately 200,000 meters of drilling are planned over a three-year period," the source said.

According to the source, the venture also concentrated on pilot experiments to confirm the technical, economic, and environmental viability of extracting uranium resources via the ISR (In Situ Recovery) method.



Uzbekistan and Orano formed a Nurlikum Mining joint venture in December 2019. Nurlikum Mining's objective is to handle uranium exploration and valorisation activities, primarily in the Djengeldi region, in the heart of Uzbekistan's uranium province, and to develop projects.



Today, the Nurlikum Mining joint venture, 51 percent owned by Orano and 49 percent by Uzbekistan's NavoyUran uranium mining firm, is establishing an industrial pilot (starting in November 2022) and conducting feasibility studies in its licensing area.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 19. The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chairman of Tajik Supreme Assembly's Lower House Mahmadtohir Zokirzoda hailed the highest level of multifaceted Uzbek-Tajik relations of strategic partnership and alliance, according to the Uzbek president's administration, Trend reports.

The issue was discussed during meeting of Mirziyoyev with Zokirzoda during the president's visit to Tajikistan.

Moreover, the meeting parties discussed issues of further intensifying inter-parliamentary exchange, effective contacts at the level of relevant committees and regional councils to support and promote cooperation projects and cultural and humanitarian programs.

The parties also emphasized the important role of the MPs of the two countries in conducting an inventory of adopted documents and exercising parliamentary control over the timely implementation of agreements at the highest level.

To note, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, at the invitation of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, is on a state visit to the country on April 18-19.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The post Creed Play First Concert in 12 Years: Photos, Video + Setlist appeared first on Consequence.

Creeds Summer of 99 cruise boarded in Miami on Thursday (April 18th), and the reunited band didnt waste any time delivering their first concert in 12 years. Scott Stapp and company rocked a 16-song set for the thrilled passengers.

The band  featuring original members Stapp, Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips, Brian Marshall, along with touring guitarist Eric Friedman  opened the set appropriately with the song Are You Ready? They proceeded to play favorites such as Torn, My Own Prison, Weathered, and Faceless Man.

Get Creed Tickets Here

The main set ended with the one-two punch of the sing-along anthems With Arms Wide Open and Higher, after which Stapp led the crowd in a rendition of Happy Birthday for Tremonti, who turned 50 years old today. The band then returned for an encore of One Last Breath and My Sacrifice.

When it was all said and done, the show proved to be a cathartic experience for both the fans and Creed themselves, especially Stapp. The crowd waited 12 years for this moment, and all of that energy was unleashed in every word that was sung back to the band.

The performance marked Creeds first concert since December 2012, when they wrapped up a tour in support of their 2009 album Full Circle, which came after their first reunion following their breakup in 2004.

After setting sail from Miami, the Summer of 99 cruise will visit Nassau, Bahamas, before returning to Miami on April 22nd. Among the other bands on the cruise are 3 Doors Down, Buckcherry, Tonic, Vertical Horizon, Fuel, and more.

Five days later (April 27th), Creed will embark on the Summer of 99 and Beyond cruise from Orlando. That lineup will feature Daughtry along with several of the bands from the first cruise.

Fans who arent hitting the high seas with Creed can catch the band on their multi-leg North American reunion tour. A summer outing with support from 3 Doors Down and Finger Eleven will be followed by a fall jaunt featuring 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH. Tickets for both legs are available via Ticketmaster or StubHub.

Heavy Consequence photojournalist Liz Ramanand is on the Summer of 99 cruise, and captured photos and video of Creeds first concert in 12 years. See the pics and clips below, followed by the setlist.

Photo Gallery: Creed play first concert in 12 years on Summer of 99 Cruise (click to expand and scroll through):

.@Creed play first show in 12 years on Summer of '99 cruise. pic.twitter.com/c5CPuTiXbR  Heavy Consequence (@heavyconsequenc) April 19, 2024

More @Creed rocking their first show in 12 years on the Summer of '99 cruise: pic.twitter.com/NHMLc9QlmY  Heavy Consequence (@heavyconsequenc) April 19, 2024

Crowd serenades @MarkTTremonti on his 50th birthday during @Creed's first show in 12 years, on board the Summer of '99 cruise: pic.twitter.com/4SLsLyG9Ue  Heavy Consequence (@heavyconsequenc) April 19, 2024

Setlist:

Are You Ready?

Bullets

Torn

My Own Prison

What If

Never Die

Say I

Weathered (First time since 2002)

Overcome

Faceless Man

One

Whats This Life For

With Arms Wide Open

Higher (w/ Happy Birthday to Mark Tremonti afterward)

Encore:

One Last Breath

My Sacrifice

Creed Play First Concert in 12 Years: Photos, Video + Setlist

Spencer Kaufman and Liz Ramanand

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It's a fairly well-established principle that the state can intervene when an individual harms another person: Your right to swing your fist ends when it hits my face. But what about when someone's actions harm only themselves?

For some, that's another opportunity for the government to get involved. They're the "fun police," constantly using public policy to nudge, cajole, or outright force you to accept their idea of a healthy, moral lifestyle. In a new limited-run podcast series produced by the Consumer Choice Center, a group that opposes paternalism in various forms, co-hosts Bill Wirtz and Yael Ossowski turn a skeptical eye toward the do-gooders and nanny-staters who campaign against drinking, smoking, gambling, and more.

Wirtz, Ossowski, and their guests trace the roots of modern neo-prohibitionist movements to the Anti-Saloon League, which laid out the blueprint followed by public scolds today. Bankrolled by the Carnegie, Rockefeller, and Ford families, the League helped turn the "once-fringe moral movement" of alcohol prohibition into a "social force that dominated political life" and culminated in the 18th Amendment (and disaster). The same model is still deployed today, with wealthy funders such as former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg backing efforts to ban products from vape pens to Big Gulps.

Fun Police veers between practical examples of nanny statism and deeper discussions about the role of the state. It makes a compelling case for letting people live freely, even if that comes with a little risk.

The post Review: <i>Fun Police</i> Podcast Exposes the Nanny State appeared first on Reason.com.
Is Taylor Swift More Prolific Than Tyler Perry? Was Survivor Tribal One for the Books? John Wick Cameo on FBI? Did SVU Trial Satisfy? More TV Qs!

Weve got questions, and youve (maybe) got answers! With another week of TV gone by, were lobbing queries left and right about lotsa shows including Law & Order: SVU, FBI, Survivor and Alice & Jack!

1 | Should Saturday Night Live have cut one of its post-Weekend Update sketches  or perhaps Michael Longfellows Update piece  to get Papyrus 2 on air?

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2 | So did Alice & Jack just not have the budget to go to/even fake Cuba? Why tease that trip just to have them instead spend a staycation walking around their own city, having sad thoughts? And for a show that has spanned the better part of 15 years, does anyone but Celia look at all different?

3 | Knowing that the Masters tournament could easily run late, why didnt CBS slot in a Tracker rerun that it could join in progress, and thus avoid having to cut the Billy Joel concert short (and the public shaming that came with it)?

4 | Did CBS casting department look specifically to The Conners this week for guest stars  what with Darien Sills-Evans (who recurred in Seasons 3 and 4 as Beckys friend-with-benefits Mikey) showing up on Tracker as a police officer Sunday, and Maya Lynne Robinson (who co-starred as D.J.s wife Geena) showing up on The Neighborhood as a birthing class instructor, just 24 hours later?

5 | On The Neighborhood, did Daves mispronunciation of ukulele (UH-koo-lay-lay) give anyone else Schmidt from New Girl vibes?

6 | On Bob Hearts Abishola, are we to believe Goodwin has saved enough money to buy MaxDot? Even for half the price the Japanese were willing to offer Bob, and paid out over seven years?

7 | Whose butt can Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant kick for leaving off the C in her job title during her NCIS cameo? (Speaking of Jane, did anyone else yelp aloud at home when on NCIS: Hawaii she got walloped by that Ewok-like, tree trunk booby trap? Shes been through it!)

NCIS

8 | Should TVLines Year in Review add a Best Grunting category, if only to give Shoguns Yabushige an easy win? Also, was Fujis iconic tea-sipping meme her parting shot, or might we see her in the finale?

9 | During FBIs armored car heist, did you recognize the John Wick hotel location? Also, couldnt Scola have wound up dead for not scouting out where the water glasses were kept in his fake townhome?

10 | Even with her mind clouded by grief, surely The Cleaning Ladys Nadia would never really be so foolish as to burn a piece of evidence right there in her office, when any one of her adversaries could burst in at any moment, right?

11 | Is FBI: Internationals Tate (played by Christina Wolfe) giving Kaley Cuoco meets Elizabeth Gillies? And how great was it to see Raines go all John McClane, so soon after his injury?

FBI International

12 | After inviting the entire cast of Young Sheldon to appear as guests, did the producers of The Jennifer Hudson Show seriously not prepare a single question for Lance Barber (aka George Sr.)?

13 | First Monarch: Legacy of Monsters gets multiple spinoffs, now For All Mankind gets one which Apple TV+ series is up next for an offshoot?

14 | On Survivor, the second Tiffany started talking smack about Venus, did you think she would be the one going home? And where does Wednesdays Tribal fall in the pantheon of absolutely batst Tribal Councils?

15 | Of all the continuity errors on The Conners, is Dans birthday  which in Roseanne Season 1 took place in January then in The Conners Season 2 took place in December then this week took place in April  the most obvious?

16 | On Star Trek: Discovery, how poetic was it that Burnham stopped her past self using the Vulcan pinch?

17 | If the Young Sheldon spinoff does, in fact, center on Georgie and Mandy living with Jim and Audrey, do you think theyll use the same McAllister house set as seen in Thursdays quasi-backdoor pilot? Or do you expect that theyll rebuild the set for multi-cam, as they did the Cooper household for Young Sheldon (after a different house was shown in episodes of Big Bang Theory)?

18 | Ghosts fans, where do you think Carol has been hanging out during these past couple of episodes?

19 | Were you as gobsmacked as Farmer Wants a Wifes Brandon that Joy turned down a hometown date and peaced out?

20 | SVU viewers: Were you satisfied with how Maddies trial  a major thread for the first part of this season  played out?

21 | On Law & Order: Organized Crime, as much as we appreciated Jets insistence that she go with Bell to deliver the bad news to Sams wife, shouldnt she have done something other than stare while the pregnant woman wept and Ayanna comforted her?

22 | Did Elsbeth overdo it with its Gen Z ball girl cooking with alllllll the slang in every single sentence, bruh? And wouldnt Blair Underwoods character have conveyed more shock, at least privately, having not set out to KILL his sons rival?

23 | Who has greater output: Tyler Perry (who saw eight of his ongoing series renewed this week at BET with another one on the way, on the heels of producing 700 episodes of TV over the past five years) or Taylor Swift (who on Friday surprised folks with a double album of 31 songs, with The Tortured Poets Department marking her ninth release  including Taylors Version re-recordings  since 2019)?

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Hit the comments with your answers and any TV Qs of your own!

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How the UN Plastics Treaty aims to tackle the pollution crisis

How the UN Plastics Treaty aims to tackle the pollution crisis

ABC News is taking a look at solutions for issues related to climate change and the environment with the series, "The Power of Us: People, The Climate, and Our Future."

As Earth Day 2024 puts a spotlight on the world's climate crisis, negotiators from 175 countries are gathering for the fourth round of the United Nations Plastics Treaty negotiations next week in Canada.

Held in Ottowa, Canada, from April 23-29, the last major round of negotiations will bring together the treaty's Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to draft a global, legally binding agreement by the end of 2024, according to the U.N.

The negotiations begin immediately following Earth Day on Monday, April 22.

PHOTO: Plastic bottles and other trash are piled up along the bank of the San Gabriel River just a few hundred yards from the Pacific Ocean in Seal Beach, CA, Dec. 13, 2022. (Mark Rightmire/MediaNews Group via Getty Images)

"Global plastic production and consumption has grown exponentially since the 1950s and is set to increase by 70% by 2040 if business continues as usual," the INC reported in a press release ahead of the negotiations.

"This requires a new, shared global vision where plastic pollution is not an option, coupled with the set of targets, policy instruments and mechanisms that will lead and enable the shift towards this vision," the committee reported.

MORE: Debate about safety of synthetic turf and 'forever chemicals' raises concerns for some

The agreement is titled "End Plastic Pollution: Towards an internationally legally binding instrument" and is expected to be finalized in late 2024 in Busan, Korea.

The INC previously met for negotiations in December 2022 in Uruguay, May 2023 in France and November 2023 in Kenya.

What is the UN Plastics Treaty?

The U.N. Plastics Treaty will be a legally binding global agreement between 175 countries that will dictate the action and timeline needed to mitigate the production and consumption of high-risk plastic, according to the intergovernmental organization.

Addressing the "full lifecycle of plastic from source to sea" the U.N. will bring together heads of state, ministers of environment and other representatives from U.N. Member States to agree upon the treaty.

PHOTO: Delegates celebrate for the adoption of a resolution to end plastic pollution at the closing meeting of the resumed fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly UNEA-5 in Nairobi, Kenya, March 2, 2022. (Dong Jianghui/Xinhua via Getty Images)

According to the U.N.'s resolution, published after the negotiations in Kenya, some key points the treaty may include are:

Determining where the life cycle of plastic production begins, and potentially capping primary plastic polymer production.

The "Zero Draft" of the plastics treaty aims to promote better the sustainable production of plastics for packaging through product design and environmentally sound waste management

Addressing the world's oceans, the treaty may aim to advance national and international cooperative plastic reduction measures aimed at pollution in marine environments.

Specifying national reporting to the INC, when appropriate, and assessing the progress and effectiveness of the agreement.

Initiating a multi-stakeholder action agenda, including the private sector, to promote cooperation at the local, national, regional and global levels.

The treaty may aim to specify arrangements for capacity-building and technical assistance, mutually agreed technology transfer terms and financial assistance.

These are key points that may not be in the finalized treaty, however, are areas of interest in the negotiation process.

Why plastics are a problem

The rate of plastic production has grown faster than any other man-made material since the 1970s, according to the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP).

Approximately 36% of all plastics produced are used in packaging, which includes single-use plastic for food and beverage containers, the U.N. reports, noting, approximately 85% of those single-use products end up in landfills or as unregulated waste.

If there is no action to mitigate the production of single-use plastics, global production is forecast to reach 1,100 million tonnes by 2050, the U.N. reports.

PHOTO: Scavengers collect plastic waste to sell to a recycling centre at a landfill in Medan, North Sumatra, March 27, 2024. (Kartik Byma/AFP via Getty Images)

Approximately 98% of single-use plastic products are produced from fossil fuels, according to the U.N., and by 2040, fossil fuel-based plastics are forecast to grow to 19% of the global carbon budget by 2040.

"Plastic has been found everywhere, not only in ecosystems in the atmosphere, but also in the food we eat, the water we drink, and even inside of our bodies," Renee Sharp, director of Plastics and Petrochemical Advocacy for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) said during a webinar on April 17.

Serious human health problems associated with plastics include cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, respiratory issues, reproductive and hormone problems, asthma and more, according to Sharp.

MORE: Plastic recycling directory ends, citing lack of 'real commitment from industry'

Plastics may contain any mix of more than 16,000 different chemicals, and at least 4,200 of those chemicals are "highly hazardous to human and environmental health," according to a PlastChem Project study, released in March.

"The science around plastic and the health of chemicals in plastic points to the need for a collective global response," Sharp said. "This is not an issue that we can solve country by country, state by state -- we really have to be thinking about this internationally."

What experts are saying about the treaty

Inger Andersen, executive director of the UNEP, said the agreement is the most important international multilateral environmental deal since the Paris climate accord.

"It is an insurance policy for this generation and future ones, so they may live with plastic and not be doomed by it," Andersen said in a press release following the treaty negotiations in Kenya.

PHOTO: Surface of Drina River covered with garbage and plastic waste in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Samir Jordamovic/Anadolu via Getty Images)

A Greenpeace International survey published in April found 82% of respondents from 19 different countries support cutting the production of plastic to stop plastic pollution and 90% of respondents endorse transitioning away from single-use plastic packaging.

Graham Forbes, Greenpeace's head of delegation to the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations believes, "The vast majority of people want a Global Plastics Treaty that cuts plastic production and ends single-use plastic. It is time for world leaders to listen and rise to the occasion, he said in an April 4 press release.

MORE: Massive amounts of tiny plastics found in bottled drinking water, study finds

Benny Mermans, chair of the World Plastics Council, said an "effective global agreement" is needed to "incentivize the billions of dollars of additional investment required to tackle plastic pollution," he said in an April 15 press release.

"Our members are investing billions of dollars in infrastructure to scale-up the supply of circular plastics, so that used plastics are prevented from entering the environment as waste, landfill or via incineration, and instead become new plastics," Mermans said.

How the UN Plastics Treaty aims to tackle the pollution crisis originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
A walking taco and a Frito pie are terms used to describe a bag of Fritos corn chips ripped open and covered in taco toppings like ground beef, Texas chili, New Mexico red chile (yes, there is a difference), onions, tomatoes, and cheese. The walking taco is almost always served in a bag of Fritos corn chips with these toppings. The Frito pie is sometimes served this same way, but is often served as a Fritos-based, casserole-style dish.

The walking taco is a popular Midwestern snack seen at taco joints and southwest-style eateries. But unlike the walking taco, the Frito pie isn't just a popular snack  it is a vital, nostalgia-inducing aspect of Southwestern cuisine. Both New Mexico and Texas claim the Frito pie as their own, but the origins of the walking taco and/or Frito pie have never definitively been nailed down.

A New Mexico Frito pie consists of Fritos covered in ground beef mixed with red chile sauce (made of crushed red chile flakes, garlic, cumin, and chile powder), topped with beans and taco fixings. The Texas version is commonly served with Texas red chili (ground beef mixed with spicy chili paste) but without beans. Other Frito pies feature pork, brisket, or no meat altogether. Authentic? Maybe not. Tasty? That's up to your taste buds. So here are the 10 best U.S. cities for walking tacos and/or Frito pies, according to reviews from TripAdvisor, Yelp, OpenTable, GrubHub, food blogs, and news sites.

Read more: The Most Unique Chip Flavors Ever To Grace Store Shelves

Chicago

Fritos bag big star paper - bigstarchicago/Instagram

Chicago may be known for its deep-dish pizza, but it offers an array of edible delights, including the walking taco. Big Star, with locations in Wicker Park and Wrigleyville, is a honky-tonk spot slinging margaritas and Mexican street foods, including a vegetarian walking taco. Big Star's entry consists of a bag of Fritos doused in spicy pinto bean dip, crema, cholula salsa, queso chihuahua, onions, and cilantro. One excited TripAdvisor user urged visitors to "do yourself a favor and get the walking taco ... it was so delicious!" Another reviewer agreed, but cautioned not to order one on a date, as "it's kinda messy."

If you're a meat-atarian (as opposed to a vegetarian), head to Green Street Meats, in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, for a carnivorous take on this salty treat. Green Street's Frito pie consists of Fritos topped with freshly made brisket chili, pickled jalapenos, and cheese sauce, served in a ripped-open Fritos bag. One TripAdvisor user called Green Street's Frito pies "the next best thing to chili," while another reviewer noted their table's Frito pies "were devoured in seconds."

The New York Times even gave a shout-out to Green Street's Frito pie in a review. This West Loop spot is a central Texas-style barbecue joint offering backyard barbecue staples like brisket, short ribs, chicken legs -- and Frito pies, of course.

Austin

jalapenos grated cheese chili Fritos - la_barbecue/Instagram

It's no surprise the barbecue-mad Texas capital shows up on this list. Micklethwait Craft Meats is the Frito pie headliner  this vintage Comet Trailer-housed, full-service food truck whips up a Brisket Frito pie featuring Fritos corn chips topped with tender sliced brisket and a hefty dollop of brisket chili. One lucky Reddit user "just discovered they have a BADASS Frito pie there," while a Yelp user was wowed by the Fritos' complement to the meat -- with added crunch.

Lambert's Downtown BBQ is a 2nd Street District spot offering a fancier Frito pie, a corn chip dish with chopped brisket, pico de gallo, Lambert's queso, and goat cheese, with a pickled jalapeno on the side. One TripAdvisor user said Lambert's Frito Pies led them to cancel their dinner reservations, after leaving "feeling completely satisfied." In A Continuous Lean, a reviewer said the flavors and Frito crunch mix so perfectly the dish "will really make you want to shake the chef's hand."

A final Austin Frito pie entry is La Barbecue, which offers a decidedly unique take on the Frito pie, served on a bun minus the chili (which had one Yelp reviewer up in arms, even if they gave it a 4.5/5 rating). The Frito Loco features corn chips layered with succulent pulled pork, tender chopped beef, black beans, shredded cheese, jalapenos, and zesty sauerkraut on a potato bun. One food blogger said it is "basically a heart attack waiting to happen, but worth every clogged artery!"

Santa Fe

frito pie bowl plaza cafe - plazacafesantafe/Instagram

In 1998, the Five & Dime General Store opened in Sante Fe, New Mexico in a space that was once a Woolworth's. It has been slapping together Frito pies ever since -- selling 25,000 per year. Here Fritos are covered in spicy New Mexico chiles, cheese, and onions. Late TV host Anthony Bourdain caused a local furor in 2013, after saying the Frito pie felt like holding "warm crap in a bag." Bourdain later said he got it wrong, calling the Frito pie "shockingly tasty." A TripAdvisor reviewer said: "You can't beat it ... the best Frito pie anywhere."

The Plaza Cafe has been open since 1905, and is Santa Fe's oldest restaurant. Despite its historic roots, it features a modern twist on the Frito pie. It is served in a bowl, not a bag, and can feature ground beef, chicken, pork, or Impossible meat, sprinkled with black beans, chili, cheese, onions, tomatoes, and lettuce. While more than just a snack, one TripAdvisor user enthusiastically said, "This was a hearty and delicious version that made a full meal." A Yelp user was equally impressed, calling both the beef and veggie versions "Muy sabrosa! (Very tasty!)."

North of Santa Fe in Espanola is El Parasol, a food stand founded in 1958 (and still run by the same family) that features a classic Frito pie. Salty corn chips slathered in red New Mexico chile, cheese, onions, and lettuce, which the Food Network called a "so-wrong-it's-right kind of creation."

Portland

podnah's pit frito pie - podnahsbbq/Instagram

Portland, Oregon may not be known as a barbecue hotspot, but that could be changing. Podnah's Pit is one of the foremost barbecue spots bringing Texas heat to the Pacific Northwest. Opened in 2006 by a transplanted Texan, Podnah's Pit makes has been recognized by the Food Network as the Best Barbecue in Oregon, and as a Willamette Week Restaurant of the Year pick. Podnah's makes everything  from its meats to Frito pies  from scratch on a daily basis. The Frito pie here is served as it traditionally is in the Lone Star State, a bag of Fritos ripped open and covered in red Texas chili (no beans, remember), cheese, and onion slices.

One food blogger advised Podnah's Pit visitors to start their meal off the right way with the Frito pie. A TripAdvisor reviewer wrote that the Frito pie is an essential part of any Podnah's or North Central Texas, by extension  adventure, saying "The only requirement of your visit is that you have the Frito Pie. If you don't, I would argue that you didn't really experience the place." How can you argue with that?

Los Angeles

frito bag frito pie beer - homestate/Instagram

Two backyard-inspired spots bring the best Frito pies  as well as some of the best barbecue  to Los Angeles. Homestate is a California joint that's been serving Texas-inspired fare since 2013. Inspired by owner Briana Valdez's pining for home, her backyard barbecues inspired her to bring Texas flavors to the West Coast, and Homestate is her attempt to use food to bridge that gap. Homestate's Frito pie comes in a Fritos bag bursting with chili con carne, cheddar, sour cream, lettuce, and pickled jalapenos. LA Weekly raved about it, heralding Homestate's Frito pie entry as a snack "that takes you by the pleasure receptors and hangs on for dear life until the bag's empty."

Slab, located just west of the 3rd Street Farmers Market, is another Texas-bred, backyard-inspired Los Angeles barbecue spot serving a renowned Frito pie. Pitmaster Burt Bekman slow-cooks ribs, chicken, and brisket to smoky Texas perfection. Even amid all that meat, Slab's queso and Texas chili-topped Frito pie (the Los Angeles Times praised Bekman's "nostalgic riff" on the dish shouldn't be skipped), Yelp reviewers say this side dish is "always on point," "a must-try," "crazy good," and simply "hypnotizing."

Dallas

slowbone frito pie casserole - theslowbone/Instagram

Dallas is another Texas hot spot for Frito pie, with Slow Bone BBQ topping the list as the spot to get this corn chip snack in big D. This barbecue joint has been open since 2013, with chef Jeffrey Hobbs using his smoker  affectionately named Miss Jessie  to churn out mouthwatering prime brisket, lean or fatty (depending on how you like it), fried chicken, juicy ribs, etc. Don't skip the Frito pie, though. The Dallas Observer raved about this salty side dish, calling it "the best one around." Slow Bone's Frito pie consists of corn chips topped with brisket chili, itself topped with cheddar cheese and onions. "For Frito pie fanatics," the Observer said, "it's heaven in every bite."

Another Dallas Frito pie must-try is Harvey B's, a retro, counter-serve burger joint in Old East Dallas. Along with its staple burgers and dogs, this nostalgic spot serves a mean Frito Pie, which features Texas chili-covered Fritos, onions, and cheddar cheese. One Yelp user suggests asking for bacon and roasted jalapenos on your Frito pie: "Get it and you'll be a very happy person if you're into Frito pies!"

Houston

frito pie brisket pit room - thepitroom/Instagram

Not to be outdone, Houston features its own standout Frito pie at The Pit Room BBQ in Montrose. One of the city's newer entrants on the craft barbecue scene, The Pit Room serves two versions of this classic snack. The regular Frito Pie features corn chips covered in Texas red chili, cheese, and onions. But the Pit Room's signature Frito pie dish is what gets tongues wagging  the Loaded Frito Pie features Fritos topped with chili, cheese, and onions, along with sour cream, fresh jalapenos, and your choice of either chopped brisket or pulled pork.

According to the Houston Chronicle, the Loaded Frito Pie weighs more than a pound, so it's more of a meal than a snack. The Chronicle credits the house-made chili, along with using leaner shoulder clod (as opposed to fattier beef chuck) for its optimal taste and texture. The barbecue critic called The Pit Room's Loaded Frito pie the best one he'd tried: "If you're looking for the ultimate hangover food, this is it."

Albuquerque

frito pie bowl duran albuquerque - durancentralpharmacy/Instagram

One of Albuquerque's most famous and unique Frito pie spots hides in plain sight  you'll find it at the diner tucked inside Duran Central Pharmacy, itself located in historic Old Town. The pharmacy has been open since 1942, and the original soda fountain was replaced with a diner in the 1960s, where it has been serving Frito pies ever since. Duran's Frito pie comes with corn chips mixed with rich New Mexico red or green chile, layered with your choice of beef or chicken, and topped with beans, cheese, and garnish.

New Mexico Magazine rates Duran's Frito pie as the city's best, with many happy customers echoing this sentiment. Among the high praise on Yelp, Duran's Frito pie was described in life and death terms  visitors called it both "killer," and "to die for." Another Yelp reviewer had the Frito pie with green chile and marveled at the lack of guilt that usually accompanies such a hearty dish. "Such a great comfort dish that you don't have to feel too bad about," Cici S. raved, "because it comes with a bit of salad!" See you there?

New York City

Fritos cheese sour cream onions - cowgirl/Facebook

Who says Frito pie is limited to the southwest (or the walking taco to the Midwest)? Whatever you prefer to call it, the Frito pie definitely has a presence in the Big Apple, most notably at Cowgirl, a garish yet cozy spot in the West Village. Amid the fashionistas, hipsters, families, and pinball machine enthusiasts who crowd this joint, the Frito pie hews remarkably close to its traditional roots  a bag of Fritos ripped open, topped with your choice of veggie chili or beef brisket, followed by heaps of grated cheese, sour cream, onions, and pickled jalapenos.

Cowgirl's Frito pie has satisfied both local palates and those from this dish's more traditional territory. One satisfied GrubHub commenter didn't hide her satisfaction, saying, "I'm from Texas and I loved the Frito pie." One Yelp user called Cowgirl's Frito pie "a must-order," while another noted the ubiquity of the dish in New York: "Frito pie! Don't see it that much around NYC, it's a treat." A TripAdvisor reviewer put it even more simply, saying "Everything was delicious ... especially the Frito pie."

San Antonio

fritos chili cheese bbq sauce - smokeshack/Instagram

Perhaps it's fitting that another Texas joint  Smoke Shack in San Antonio  has the last word on where to get one of the country's best Frito pies. Unlike most of the other Texas entries, Smoke Shack's Frito pie throws a bit of a curveball in its delivery of this famous salty snack. This Frito pie consists of the obligatory corn chips, which are topped with tender brisket and cheddar cheese. But Shake Shack's zigs where the rest of Texas zags, adding black beans (a topping usually only found in New Mexico Frito pies) and a thick layering of barbecue sauce.

The San Antonio Current recently named Smoke Shack as San Antonio's best barbecue spot, and recommended getting the Frito pie. It may be an appetizer, but its sheer size demands you take some of it to go, lest you miss out on Smoke Shack's menu full of smoked delights. Of course, if you can't help yourself? Well, you wouldn't be the first. One Yelp reviewer couldn't contain her excitement upon seeing Frito pie on the menu, saying "when I saw there was a Frito pie on the snack menu, I knew I had to have it!" Another satisfied Yelp reviewer said their Frito pie got them close to a kind of culinary nirvana, saying "I had Frito Pie  a ton of brisket and beans on top of Fritos  basically all I need to be happy!" Need we say more?

Read the original article on Mashed
My Doctor Gave Me A Strange Exam. I Researched It Later  And What I Learned Left Me Disgusted.

Izusek via Getty Images

I looked away from the nurse as she wrapped the tourniquet around my arm and prepared the needle. Then I realized that I was the only patient getting blood drawn. Everyone else was receiving intravenous chemotherapy.

My neurologist referred me to this hematology-oncology practice on the off chance that my cryptogenic stroke was caused by a disease of the blood like lymphoma, leukemia, thalassemia or another clotting disorder.

Just relax, the nurse said as she punctured my arm.

I looked a little too closely at the chemo patients.

Dont stare, I told myself.

As someone healing from illness, I knew that the only person I would want watching me receive treatment would be someone who loved me. So, I closed my eyes as the nurse changed the first of nine vials.

An hour before, I had been looking at a hematologists back as he feverishly typed my answers to his long list of questions into a computer.

Referring doctor?

My neurologist.

Date of last physical exam?

Before the hospital stay? I asked.

Yes.

I saw my gynecologist two months ago.

Surgeries?

My cardiologist put a loop recorder under my breast to check for arrhythmia.

Whys that? he asked.

Because I had a stroke two weeks ago and nobody knows why, I replied. Do you want to take a minute to look at my test results?

No. Are you sexually active?

I paused.

You dont have to answer, he said. Brief history of chief complaint?

You want me to describe the stroke? I asked.

Yes.

When I talk about the most terrifying moment of my life, theres a suspicion  felt as a roving tension between the heart and stomach  that makes me believe words conjure action, like a spell. So, I wanted to ask him how the narrative of my musculoskeletal failing, which is how I first experienced my stroke, would give him medical insight into the makeup of my blood, which was his area of expertise. But he was poised, hands on the keyboard, waiting. And, he was the expert. As far as I understood, I needed him. So, I took a deep breath and began.

At 5:45 p.m. I got up from the couch to get dressed to meet a friend for dinner. As I was pulling my jeans over my knees, my body buckled underneath me and I tumbled to the floor. I tried to reach for the edge of the bed, but I felt like I was underneath a 400-pound bag of sand. Then  

He stopped typing, spun his chair around, and looked me straight in the eye for the first time.

So you were lying on the floor with no shirt on and your pants pulled down? he asked.

Yeah.

Thats pretty funny. Can I tell you a funny story about being caught with your pants down?

I stared at him, dumbfounded.

Its really funny, he insisted.

I wanted to say: What is wrong with you? Do I need to remind you that you are not at an f-in keg party? But it didnt seem like that would inspire him to help me, so I said, OK.

My father is a bigwig lawyer, and he and my mother get invited to a lot of galas.

As he spoke, I tried to mask my shock at the realization that the first time this doctor faced me was after he imagined me with no shirt on and my pants down.

My mother got into the limo wearing nothing but her fur coat because she didnt want to wrinkle her gown. As she was slipping into it, the valet opened the door and saw her half-naked! We all say he must have thought my father was trying to cop a feel. Isnt that hilarious?

Comedy gold, I replied.

He laughed as he swung his chair around, apparently proud of his delivery. I was relieved to be staring at his back again.

Then what happened? he asked.

My husband came home and took me to the hospital, I answered, intentionally cutting the story short to avoid any more dirty detours.

He finished typing and led me to the door where a young nurse greeted me. Get her ready for a physical exam, he said. Then he whispered something in her ear.

As I sat on the edge of the examination table, the nurse took my temperature and blood pressure. The doctor has asked that you take off your shirt, she told me. She held out a paper gown and said, Open to the front.

I didnt take it.

Why does he need to examine me with no shirt on? Hes a hematologist, I said.

She looked at me blankly.

Does he do this with everyone? I asked.

She shrugged, handed me the gown, and left the room.

He let me know that the most compelling part of my medical trauma, for him, is the fact that I was half-naked when it happened, I thought.

I took off my shirt and pulled the paper gown around my shoulders, open to the front.

He entered the room. The nurse stood at a distance from the examination table, leaning against a countertop, like she didnt want to be associated with him.

He walked over to me and began gently touching my neck. I looked at my feet dangling below me like a child sitting at the dinner table in an adult chair.

Then he announced: Im going to do a breast exam. Lie down, please. I looked at the nurse, imploring her with my eyes to answer the questions I had asked earlier. She looked away.

Two weeks prior I had a stroke and no one could tell me why. My neurologist insisted that I make an appointment with a hematologist. She recommended this doctor specifically, so I lay back on the table.

I averted my eyes from his face and tried to ignore his cold, clammy hands on my breasts. I looked at the popcorn ceiling tiles. What were they made of? Styrofoam? Asbestos? Polystyrene?

OK. You can dress and meet the nurse to get your blood drawn, he told me. Then he and the nurse both left.

I lay on the examination table. I put my warm hands on my breasts to remind myself that they belonged to me. There is a history of men treating womens bodies like they are objects that they possess, and his hands had made an imprint of that history on my body.

I got up and ran warm water over a paper towel. I wiped my breasts with it to clean them. It just felt like the right thing to do.

When I was in the chemo suite getting my blood drawn, it was easier to stare at the cancer patients than it was to think about why the doctor pictured me naked, talked about his mother naked, and then touched my breasts, even though that exam didnt appear to be medically necessary or appropriate to my condition. It was easier to be distracted with the treatment of others than to think about my own.

But as the nurse drew vial after vial of blood from my arm, I homed in on the fact that I was referred by my neurologist for blood testing, not by my gynecologist for breast cancer treatment. I reflected on the fact that the hematologist asked nothing about the results of my last mammogram. If he was interested in my breasts for some medical reason related to my stroke, wouldnt he have wanted that information?

As the nurse filled the ninth vial of blood, a question looped through my mind: Are hematologist-oncologists even trained to give breast exams?

When I got home, I searched the internet for any evidence that there was a medical reason for a hematologist-oncologist to perform a breast exam. I found this, written by Dr. Maurie Markman, the president of medicine and science at the City of Hope cancer center: Hematologic malignancies differ from other types of cancer because they develop in the bodys blood cells and may not form tumors. While some hematologic oncologists have expertise in treating solid tumors, most do not treat operable cancers such as breast cancer or lung cancer.

I also discovered that the four pillars of medical ethics are beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice. One way that physicians can determine if theyre acting with beneficence is to ask whether an option and its outcomes are in line with a patients expectations of treatment. Since I was referred by a neurologist for blood testing after a stroke, the answer to that question, as it relates to performing a breast exam, would definitely be no.

People who cross boundaries often exploit power and those who need and trust them. Medical professionals are afforded a tremendous amount of power. Though patients need to trust their doctors, their doctors are not always trustworthy.

But what is trust exactly? The four pillars of medical ethics do not include trust. Maybe doctors, from an ethical standpoint, arent required to be trustworthy?

I can only say that I trusted that the hematologist, recommended by my neurologist, would not make light of my stroke, share sexual stories about his parents, or perform a breast exam without medical cause. For this reason, I never wanted to see him again.

Unfortunately, my insurance would not pay for another set of tests with a more trustworthy hematologist. The only way to get the results of the thousands of dollars worth of tests that he ran on nine vials of my blood was to schedule a follow-up with him.

So, I asked my mother to come with me to the follow-up visit. When she was a recent divorcee, she had famously told her new male boss that she did not need any man to hold a door for her. I hoped that her presence would keep the handsy hematologist in line. We planned that she would sit across from him, holding eye contact and asking questions, and I would sit next to her taking notes.

I found nothing. Your daughter is incredibly healthy, he told her.

Wonderful, said my mother.

But, he said, we can do a follow-up in six months to see if anything changes.

Why would we do that? she asked.

Im committed to helping you on this healing journey, he replied. Shes too young and healthy to have one stroke, and we dont want her to have another.

Thank you, doctor, she said, but we wont be needing your help on our healing journey. We havent found your presence to be particularly healing.

Then we both stood up, turned our backs to him, and left.

The author is pictured with her mother, Cheryl. Courtesy of K.Page Suart Valdes

Later that day I researched New York states bill of rights for hospital patients. Item No. 9 states that patients should receive all the information that you need to give informed consent for any proposed procedure or treatment. I would have loved to hear the doctors explanation as to why he felt it medically necessary to examine my breasts.

Item No. 11 states that patients may refuse treatment and be told what effect this may have on your health. I wish I had said: No, I will not consent to you examining my breasts. You are a hematologist, and Im here because I had a stroke. My breasts were not involved. I wonder what his explanation would be for how this procedural refusal would affect my health.

In the future, Ill try to speak up when I dont have all of the information I need to give informed consent for a procedure or treatment, and Ill try to remember that I can refuse any procedure or treatment that I am not comfortable with. Ill even try to remind the doctor of the four pillars of medical ethics and the patients bill of rights.

However, the process of healing weakens not only the body, but the mind and spirit. Being both a vulnerable patient and ones own health advocate is a split in consciousness thats hard to manage. After having a mysterious stroke, I was exhausted and terrified  not exactly in warrior mode.

Maybe thats why I didnt report him directly after my experience. A friend who works in the medical field told me that if I did, the doctor would likely lie and say that it was medically necessary to physically examine the lymph nodes around my breasts. I imagined being pulled into a medical malpractice suit while trying to heal, and decided against it at the time.

No one should have to prepare for a doctors appointment as if they were going into battle. But the medical system is full of people who have tremendous power and very little oversight, with many visits involving only the patient and the doctor in an exam room. In the future Ill try to invite someone who truly loves me to join me at every important doctors appointment. I shouldnt have to go to these lengths to feel safe with a doctor, but being both a vulnerable patient and a health care warrior is the position that too many of us are put in.

I cant help but wonder, if I had brought my mother to the first visit, would I have needed her at the second one? Ill never know, but Im proud to say that she recently sat with me while I filed a complaint against that hematologist.

Note: Some details have been changed to protect the identity of individuals mentioned in this essay.

K.Page Stuart Valdes is an award-winning filmmaker, writer and educator. She is currently working on a feature film and a collection of essays titled Cryptogenic: How I Survived a Stroke No One Understood During a Pandemic No One Understood.

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.

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A picturesque staircase leading to a Hawaiian beauty spot is being torn down as tourists continued to access the off-limits site.

The Haiku Stairs, an Oahu landmark often called the Stairway to Heaven, will be removed from the end of April, according to a press release from the Honolulu city government.

I can promise you that this was not a capricious decision, Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a statement.

Issues with the stairs  which were built during World War II by the US Navy and have been officially closed to the public since 1987  have multiplied in the age of social media.

The Haiku Stairs are comprised of 3,922 steps twisting through a 2,800 foot mountain trail in Kaneohe in eastern Oahu.

Despite the dangerous terrain, YouTubers, TikTokers, thrill-seekers and other tourists continued to access the stairs.

Due to rampant illegal trespassing, Haiku Stairs is a significant liability and expense for the city, and impacts the quality of life for nearby residents, Honolulu City Council member Esther Kiaaina told CNN affiliate Hawaii News Now.

The council voted unanimously to remove the stairs in 2021. Work will take at least six months and cost $2.5 million, according to the mayors office.

This decision that was made was predicated upon our respect for the people who live in and around the entrance to the stairs, our respect for our aina [land and sea], and our respect for both the future and the past history of the culture of the Haiku community, added Mayor Blangiardi.

According to a release, a range of factors influenced the decision. The stair removal prioritizes public safety, seeks to stop illegal trespassing on the stairs and nearby neighbors who have dealt with decades of disruptions and disturbances, addresses significant liability for the city, preserves the natural beauty and condition of the area and improves the quality of life for neighborhood residents in the area.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
This Saturday is April 20, and while most people associate the 4/20 date with marijuana, the date also celebrates another popular item: coffee, specifically of the cold brew variety.

Saturday is National Cold Brew Day and coffee shops and producers across the country, such as Dunkin', Pilot and Scooter's Coffee, are offering customers discounts and freebies on their products.

Whether you need some cold brew before partaking in your 4/20 activities or after, customers will have some options to choose from this Saturday. Here's a roundup of all the deals and discounts you can get in honor of National Cold Brew Day.

Dunkin' offers free cold brew with purchase on National Cold Brew Day

Dunkin' is celebrating National Cold Brew Day by offering Dunkin' Rewards members a free cold brew, including cold foam, flavor shots and swirl customizations, with any purchase through the Dunkin' app on Saturday.

Dunkin' Rewards members can get a free cold brew, including cold foam, flavor shots and swirl customizations, with any purchase through the Dunkin' app on Saturday, April 20.

Get free cold brew at Pilot on Saturday

Pilot is offering free cold brew at more than 500 participating locations on April 20, the company told USA TODAY.

Customers can redeem the offer for one free cup of cold brew through the myRewards Plus app and the offer includes Pilot's newest flavor, Toffee Cold Brew.

Pilot customers can get one free cup of cold brew through the myRewards Plus app on Saturday, April 20, and the offer includes Pilot's newest flavor, Toffee Cold Brew.

Scooter's Coffee offers $1 cold brews on National Cold Brew Day

Customers can get $1 medium cold brews at all Scooter's Coffee locations on Saturday, the company said in a news release. The deal is only available April 20 and must be redeemed through the Scooter's mobile app.

Customers can scan their mobile app at the store or place a mobile order to redeem the offer. Additions and substitutions are extra, the company said.

In addition to their traditional cold brew, the company is also including its Cinnamon Creme Cold Brew as part of the deal.

La Colombe offers deal for National Cold Brew Day

Customers can celebrate National Cold Brew Day with a free 11-oz can of La Colombe's new "World's Frothiest Draft Latte" made with cold brew, the company said.

Customers can get their free can anywhere you can find La Colombe, including at your local La Colombe cafe. For more information, visit LaColombe.com.

Paris Baguette offers $3 cold brews on Saturday

On April 20, rewards members at participating U.S. and Canada Paris Baguette locations can get a $3 medium cold brew, the company told USA TODAY.

Dutch Bros offers free special edition sticker on Saturday

Customers at all Dutch Bros locations can get a free special edition sticker with any purchase of a cold brew on April 20, the company said.

Story continues

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: National Cold Brew Day Deals: Get free coffee, discounts Saturday
Get ready to put your hummingbird feeders out. See where they are with interactive map

Hummingbirds are synonymous with spring, and for many Vermont gardeners and bird watchers used to temperamental New England weather, looking out the window to see these hard-working pollinators hovering over the flowerbed is as sure a sign as any that the seasons have finally turned.

Bird enthusiasts will recognize the ruby-throated hummingbird at their feeders and gardens, the primary species that nests in the Eastern United States, including in Vermont.

"In the summer, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird lives in suburban parks and gardens, as well as in woodlands. It will nest in gardens, orchards, roadside thickets, and woodland clearings, and often chooses habitat near or even over running water in open woodlands," the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department wrote.

Every year, these tiny birds migrate more than the length of the continental United States to Vermont from their winter retreats in Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama.

When will hummingbirds return to Vermont?

A reader-submitted hummingbird photo from Sue Feldberg.

Thanks to HummingbirdCentral.com, an interactive map allows bird watchers to report sightings that will then be fed into the constantly updated map, hummingbirds are easy to track. As of Wednesday, April 17, the birds have not yet been reported in Vermont, with early arrival having been seen in Ford, New Jersey this past weekend.

Last year, the first hummingbird sighting were reported in southern Vermont on April 26. The didn't reach Burlington until mid-May.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Hummingbird rest stop

If you want to set up a feeder for the hummingbirds after their continent spanning journey, Charles Clarkson, director of Audubon Avian Research, in an email, recommended the following:

A mixture that is one part sugar to four parts water. A tip: Bleached white sugar works just fine, and many individual birds seem to prefer it, he wrote.

Change the feeder every week.

When you change the food, clean the feeder with a solution that is 10% bleach and 90% water. Rinse well.

Hang the feeder in an open area. Hummingbirds dart around and maneuver constantly and need the space to accommodate these movements, he wrote.

Bird watchers should be careful where and when to set up their feeders however - the food inside can attract much larger wildlife such as bears. Residents in areas with heavy bear activity are advised to use their discretion.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Hummingbirds Interactive Map: See how close hummingbirds are to VT
A group of fourth graders look for wildlife and plants in the water during a Wings and Water field trip at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve in Layton on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve and USU Botanical Center offer the Wings and Water program for fourth graders to connect them with the lake and get a taste of the beauty, birds and other wildlife the 4,500 acres have to offer.

Great Salt Lake Collaborative

Editors note: This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative, a solutions journalism initiative that partners news, education and media organizations to help inform people about the plight of the Great Salt Lake  and what can be done to make a difference before it is too late. Read all of our stories at greatsaltlakenews.org.

Leave it to a couple of 10-year-olds to find some strands from a three-square bulrush commonly found in salt marshes and wetlands to engage in a pretend sword fight.

The yellow strands that get their name from its unique three sides that look square are plentiful enough to fortify an army of children engaged in pretend combat. Or not.

We dont fight with them. These are plants of peace, Andrea Nelson told them gently.

Saramad Ghaderi, also 10, found his calling at a mossy pond where years ago, a young student thought the green covering over the pond was a carpet of sorts, walking right in to get soaked and covered with mud.

Ghaderi wanted to duplicate her experience and with the chants of his fellow students, Get in! bellowing behind him, he looked to eagerly take the dive.

Again, Nelson reminded the group there would not be any pond diving  at least not today.

Later, a group of the excited students fell into silence as they listened to the extremely loud chorus of singing frogs. Eagerly, they strained to see them, but alas, the performers are quite tiny and hard to spot.

This is the fun that is offered at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve on the eastern shore of the Great Salt Lake, spanning 4,500 sprawling acres of bogs and birds and frogs and a mostly untouched piece of nature that is an increasingly rare occurrence along the rapidly growing Wasatch Front. The Wasatch Front is the most densely populated area in Utah, home to more than 80% of the states residents, with an estimated two million people packed into a narrow strip of land between the lake and the mountains.

The preserve is operated under the stewardship of The Nature Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that seeks to set aside land for people to enjoy now and for their descendants to enjoy later. It has forged a partnership with the Utah State University Botanical Center to promote and operate the preserve in a thriving relationship that makes it stronger.

Nelson is a co-coordinator of the popular Wings and Waters Program that connects about 2,000 fourth graders each year to the preserve as part of their science curriculum. The conservancy, along with USU, recruits volunteers and support through naturalist guides and stewards of the land.

On Thursday, a group of 65 students from Sprucewood Elementary School in Sandy took a guided tour along the boardwalk made from old railroad trestles from the Union Pacific causeway. They stopped and pondered the educational signs along the way with pictures and brief descriptions about the birds that use the preserve as a vital place for nesting, feeding, breeding and of course, flying.

As an example, the Wilsons phalarope is a frequent flier to the Great Salt Lake each year  home to 90% of the birds entire global population. During its time in the marshes, it doubles its body weight before making a 4,500 mile nonstop journey for its winter home in Argentina.

The school kids tried to imagine that, as well as the fact that the Great Salt Lake area is home to the largest nesting population of the white-faced ibis. The lake and shoreland is along the Pacific Flyway, hosting hundreds of species of birds and millions of them each year.

Since its inception, the Wings and Water Program in 2006 has introduced more than 25,000 schoolchildren to the wonders of the preserve.

It serves multiple purposes. Its educational, its recreational  children get to scamper about in the outdoor theater of nature  and appreciate something that may not be right on their doorstep, such as those children on Thursday from Sandy.

Theres this big, diverse, unique lake and an ecosystem that may be not right next door, but they begin to think about it and you know, visit and learn and steward it  that sort of thing, Nelson said. For a lot of students and their families, it may be their first introduction. We see it as a way for them to create a lasting relationship with it.

Amid the schoolchildren, adults and their own children were independently taking in the wonders. They paused to take photos, read the informational signs and took advantage of the rustic, beautifully designed pavilion and were able to enjoy some quality time outdoors.

As part of the agreement that was part of the construction of the new West Davis Corridor, there is a 10-mile trail for walking, biking, jogging and wetlands gazing adjacent to the wetlands

There is a quiet sort of peace out here, despite excited, talkative children pointing here and there and teasing each other.

Its a zen moment for many people, she said. A place to connect.

This is one of those places that makes you realize how big nature is and how small we are.

The birds adapt, the frogs, bats and squirrels and all sorts of wildlife find refuge and are likely relishing in the last two years that have delivered water to the wetlands to help them get a bit of TLC, which is vital for this ecosystem.

Volunteer Brad Timothy led a group of students and had them enthralled with a color-coded piece of the boardwalk marked with round tiles. He had each of his group stand on the white tiles for the month they were born. The tiles expanded according to the time of the year. The fewer the tiles, the less sunlight.

He asked one boy what was so special about April, since two of the other color-coded tiles expanded greatly. One denoted Wilsons phalarope and its presence there and the other, the red ones, represented the American avocet, a long-billed, long-legged colorful bird.

The boy knew the answer immediately.

Its the month I was born!

A group of fourth graders walk along the boardwalk during a Wings and Water field trip at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve in Layton on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve and USU Botanical Center offer the Wings and Water program for fourth graders to connect them with the lake and get a taste of the beauty, birds and other wildlife the 4,500 acres have to offer.

Timothy is an old pro when it comes to wetlands. Hes volunteered for years and is at ease with the children.

He gestures to a pair of marsh wrens and the children immediately fell silent to get a good look.

Earlier, he told the Deseret News he comes out to the preserve each day. On Tuesday, when he showed up, he said his vehicle had the only Utah license plate in the parking lot.

People are coming from all over to see this, from all over the world, all over the country, he said. The kids for the most part are very interested in this. They connect with nature and theyre not on their phones.

He urged the children to tell their classmates, their friends and their family about what this place has to offer.

It is something worth being protected. If you help, you can take care of it.

A trio of girls, early into the field trip, were mesmerized by the cattails.

Its cool with all the plants and animals, said Lola Henlin.

Mazie Morgan and Caliyah Whitmore said it was a fun trip, with the sun and the birds and the mysterious marshes.

One girl excitedly proclaimed the fluff from the cattails must contain 500 million seeds and she wanted to have the fluff planted all over her tiny frame.

Her grin said it all.

Tina LePendu, a naturalist guide with the Nature Conservancy, speaks to a group of fourth graders during a Wings and Water field trip at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve in Layton on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve and USU Botanical Center offer the Wings and Water program for fourth graders to connect them with the lake and get a taste of the beauty, birds and other wildlife the 4,500 acres have to offer.

A group of fourth graders walks past a bird during a Wings and Water field trip at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve in Layton on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve and USU Botanical Center offer the Wings and Water program for fourth graders to connect them with the lake and get a taste of the beauty, birds and other wildlife the 4,500 acres have to offer.

A fourth grade student points at a bird in the distance during a Wings and Water field trip at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve in Layton on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve and USU Botanical Center offer the Wings and Water program for fourth graders to connect them with the lake and get a taste of the beauty, birds and other wildlife the 4,500 acres have to offer.

A bird flies in the sky during a Wings and Water field trip at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve in Layton on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve and USU Botanical Center offer the Wings and Water program for fourth graders to connect them with the lake and get a taste of the beauty, birds and other wildlife the 4,500 acres have to offer.

A group of fourth graders walk along the boardwalk during a Wings and Water field trip at the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve in Layton on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve and USU Botanical Center offer the Wings and Water program for fourth graders to connect them with the lake and get a taste of the beauty, birds and other wildlife the 4,500 acres have to offer.
This Tiny Island Nation's Beaches Were Just Named the Best in the World for 2024

Let's go have a beach day in Fiji ASAP.

Martina Katz/Getty Images

Any day on the beach is a great day. But there is one way to make it better  spending the day at the best beach in the entire world.

US News and World Report released its list of the Best Beaches in the World for 2024. To come to its conclusion of which sandy patch of earth is the best, the experts at US News and World Report ranked the beaches on a variety of factors, including its User Score, which accounts for 50% of the ranking and is based on votes by the public, and the Editors Score, which accounts for the other 50%. For the Editors Score, the team behind the list ranks spots based on the local sights, culture, people, food, nightlife, adventure, accessibility, and more, then averages those categories to give it a score.

After plugging in all the data, US News and World Report named Fiji as the place with the best beaches on Earth.

With its turquoise waters, glittering sands, and luxe resorts, Fiji is similar to many other tropical getaways. Likewise, the set of 333 islands caters to lovebirds of all kinds. Plus, adventure-seekers, like surfers and divers, appreciate the archipelago's quality waves and coral reefs, the rankings page reads. But Fiji differs from other island destinations in its otherworldliness. Since it's more than 1,300 miles from New Zealand's North Island in the South Pacific Ocean, Fiji affords you the delectable feeling of seclusion. You'll be as far from reality as possible when you're sipping Fiji Bitter beer and watching the sun dip below the horizon.

The best news is there are also plenty of fantastic hotels in Fiji that come with their own private stretches of beach, making it possible to feel somehow even more secluded than you already do.

Joining Fiji in the top 10 spots is another island spot, the Turks & Caicos in the No. 2 spot, followed by the Bahamas in third, Bora Bora, and the Maldives in fourth and fifth. And if you cant tell, this list really loves crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. That trend continues with Mauritius in the sixth spot followed by the Whitsunday Islands, Maui, Tahiti, and Phuket rounding out the top 10.

See the entire list of the Worlds Best Beaches at travel.usnews.com.

Related: This New All-inclusive Resort Is One of the Most Luxurious in Fiji

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
1 arrested after crash involving police car at I-10 at Airway

1 arrested after crash involving police car at I-10 at Airway

UPDATE: All lanes on Airway opened up after 10 a.m. on Friday morning, April 19, according to TxDOT.

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A person was arrested Friday morning, April 19 after a crash involving a police car closed all lanes on I-10 East at Airway, according to El Paso Police.

Police said its Special Traffic Investigations unit responded just before 4:30 a.m. to investigate a crash involving a vehicle and a police car on I-10 East just past the Airway on-ramp.

Police say they arrested an individual and no injuries were reported.

Police say they were investigating a separate crash when the police car was hit.

No further information has been released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
April 20, 2024, marks 25 years since two seniors at Columbine High School in Colorado committed one of the most infamous school shootings in U.S. history, killing 12 students and a teacher, and injuring nearly two dozen others. Since the Columbine attack, 415 people have been killed in school shootings, and 907 have been wounded, according to an ABC News review of the Gun Violence Archive.

Here, survivors of school shootings, including Columbine, share their stories.

On Dec. 14, Jackie Hegarty of Newtown, Connecticut, knows her phone will be "flooded" with messages, as it is each year on that day, the anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting.

Hegarty, a Sandy Hook survivor, lost 20 young classmates and six educators in that shooting, which marks its somber 10th remembrance this year.

This year, Hegarty said many of the messages she receives will be from people who weren't there that day with her, but who know exactly how it feels to survive a school shooting.

The messages of support will come from the dozens of fellow school shooting survivors across the country with whom Hegarty has connected over the past decade.

"We have that unfortunate shared experience and there's some sort of wisdom that comes through that that you can't get from the average person who hasn't experienced something as traumatic," Hegarty, now 17, told "Good Morning America." "We are such a connected community."

After the Dec. 14, 2012, shooting at their elementary school, Hegarty said she and her classmates were inundated with gifts of support from across the country, including teddy bears and Christmas ornaments.

What she said she remembers receiving fewer of were letters from other school shooting survivors, in large part because, at the time, the Sandy Hook shooting was largely considered an anomaly.

PHOTO: Jackie Hegarty, a survivor of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, visits the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial in Newtown, Connecticut. (Adam Wolffbrandt/ABC News)

In the decade that followed, the Sandy Hook shooting became just one in a long list of over 900 other school shootings. Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California. Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis, Missouri, to name just a few.

As that list grew, so too did the number of student survivors of school gun violence, a community that is estimated to now total thousands of people.

A survivors' club that no one wants to join

The survivors of school shootings describe themselves as being in a club that no one wants to join and one that should not exist.

More than two decades ago, in 1997, when a shooter opened fire at Heath High School in Paducah, Kentucky, Missy Jenkins Smith unknowingly became one of the first members of the club.

She was left paralyzed by the shooting, which killed three of her classmates and injured four others, including her twin sister Mandy.

Jenkins Smith, then a high school freshman, said it was the thousands of letters she received from strangers around the world that motivated her to keep going.

"Because of their encouragement and support, I didn't feel alone in it," she said, noting that she still reads the letters to this day. "That encouragement helped me to sit up and then to continue pushing myself to do more things."

In the years since, Jenkins Smith said she has sent her own letters of encouragement to survivors of school shootings. Though she didn't know it at the time, her efforts were the beginnings of a crucial support network.

PHOTO: Missy Jenkins Smith is a survivor of 1997 shooting at Heath High School in Paducah, Kentucky. (Adam Wolffbrandt/ABC News)

Two years after the shooting at Heath High School, two students opened fire at Columbine High School, gunning down 12 of their fellow students and a teacher before killing themselves.

The April 20, 1999, shooting was, at the time, the worst school shooting in U.S. history. In addition to the large number of victims, the Columbine shooting resulted in hundreds of students unwittingly joining the survivors club.

One of those survivors, Heather Martin, said she too remembers boxes and boxes of letters of support from around the world that descended on Columbine survivors after the shooting.

She said she and her classmates turned to each other for support, as only they knew what they had been through.

"The Columbine community has always stayed close because obviously we had a very unique experience," said Martin, a senior two days shy of her 18th birthday at the time of the shooting. "We all stay in contact."

PHOTO: Heather Martin is a survivor of the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. (Adam Wolffbrandt/ABC News )

Just over a decade later, as mass shootings and school shootings became more common, Martin and Zach Cartaya, a fellow Columbine survivor, co-founded The Rebels Project, a support network for survivors of mass trauma.

"We wanted to supply people with a support we didn't have access to in 1999," said Martin. "It started with probably 150 Columbine members and now it is up to approximately 1,800 members and they represent upwards of 145 different survivor communities."

Martin said she herself is in frequent touch with more than two dozen other school shooting survivors.

MORE: Grief counselors from Columbine, Parkland, Sandy Hook describe what happens after a school shooting

As a Columbine survivor, she said she and her classmates are paving the way in many respects, showing other survivors what life is like five, 10, 15, and 20 years after a school shooting.

"I was speaking to someone from Sandy Hook and asked what they wanted to get out of the conversation, and they said, 'I just want to know it gets better,' " Martin recalled. "What I would like the people who maybe have not experienced an event like this to know is that it does get better, but it never goes away."

'To talk it out with other survivors is just so important'

As school shootings have continued on across generations, the survivors have adapted to connect to each other in new ways.

Where it was once letters, survivors now reach out through text messages, phone calls, emails and social media to offer support.

Five years after the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, that took the lives of 17 students and staff members, Sari Kaufman said she is part of an ever-growing number of group chats with school shooting survivors from across the country.

Kaufman, now 20, was a sophomore at the time of the 2018 shooting.

PHOTO: FILE - Parkland shooting survivor Sari Kaufman in the South Florida Sun Sentinel studio to talk about gun legislation, returning to Stoneman Douglas, and spring break boycott, Feb. 28, 2018. (Sun Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images, FILE)

Today, when she sees a school shooting in the news, she reaches out to survivors on social media.

"The reason why I want to reach out is because I understand how difficult it is to navigate, especially at a young age," said Kaufman, a volunteer with Students Demand Action and founder and president of MyVote Project, a voter education initiative. "Reaching out to other students and giving them my advice has also helped me heal, because when I tell other people, 'This is what you should be doing,' it reminds me what I haven't been doing, like taking care of yourself and letting yourself process it."

Kaufman and other survivors said it's different talking about the grief and fear of a school shooting with parents or counselors than it is with students who, like you, have to return to the school that was the scene of a shooting, or who now jump at the sound of a fire alarm, or who are paralyzed by fears of starting at a new school.

"It's a very weird experience knowing that you are so similar and so different in so many different ways, like maybe you live across the country from me, and something happened to us that was the same but so different," said Mia Tretta, who was a 15-year-old freshman when she was shot by a gunman at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California, in 2019. "If you are a survivor, you then really understand that connection is so important and that no one else is going to relate on the same level."

Tretta, whose best friend was killed in the shooting, said her phone's contact list is filled with the cell phone numbers of fellow school shooting survivors, many of whom she met through her work with Everytown for Gun Safety, a gun control nonprofit.

PHOTO: Mia Tretta, one of the students wounded in the 2019 shooting at Saugus High School, speaks during a news conference on gun legislation, July 22, 2022 at Santa Monica College. (MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images, FILE)

"When anniversaries come up, we always text each other, or when it's the beginning of the school year, which can be kind of hard, or if it's someone's birthday," Tretta said. "We're normal friends on top of that."

For some people, it can be hard to even identify as a survivor until they meet or talk with someone from another school whose story is so strikingly similar to theirs.

MORE: School shooting survivors speak out on how their 'Teenage Dream' disappeared in new PSA

Salli Garrigan, now a 40-year-old mom of two, was a 16-year-old junior when 13 people were killed at her high school, Columbine.

She said for years she hid her emotions and didn't identify as a survivor because she had not personally witnessed the carnage that occurred. It wasn't until survivors of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High shooting spoke out about their experiences that Garrigan said she saw herself as a school shooting survivor too.

"They were identifying right away as survivors and their stories were so eerily similar to my own experience, just 20 years later," said Garrigan. "That fear is something you only feel as a survivor."

Garrigan said she connected with fellow school shooting survivors through her activism, specifically the Everytown Survivor Network, which describes itself as a "community of survivors working together to end gun violence."

"I knew I had to speak out," said Garrigan, now a Moms Demand Action volunteer and a Senior Fellow with the Everytown Survivor Network. "To talk it out with other survivors is just so important because you just can't repress it, but also just to tell survivors that they matter and their story matters and what they went through and what they're feeling now also matters."

The next generation of survivors

The network of school shooting survivors is now so large that when 19 children and two teachers were killed in May, in the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, survivors from across the country activated to support the young survivors.

PHOTO: People visit a memorial at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on June 2, 2022, to pay their respects to the victims killed in a school shooting. (Jae C. Hong/AP, FILE)

Some of the survivors who reached out to help were still grieving a shooting at their own school.

Just six months earlier, on Nov. 30, 2021, four students were killed and several others were injured in a shooting at Oxford High School.

"I heard from a lot of survivors and it was really helpful, and that's why I wanted to reach out to the kids at Uvalde," said Oxford alumna Zoe Touray, 18, who connected with Uvalde survivors and their parents through text messages, FaceTime and social media.

"Survivors kind of knew exactly what to ask me and how to make me feel better," she said. "So it was very comforting."

Touray's friend and Oxford classmate Ella Klimowicz, now a college freshman, said the support she and her classmates received motivated her to reach out to survivors in Uvalde as well.

Before the start of the new school year in September, Klimowicz traveled to Uvalde and delivered a handwritten note, among other items, to over 1,000 Uvalde-area elementary school students.

"I got texts and phone calls from kids saying, 'I got the note and thank you so much,' " said Klimowicz. "That really made the whole project worth it."

For others like Hegarty, who are now years removed from their school shootings, the passage of time has given them a new perspective to pass down to what they say feels like the inevitable next group of survivors.

"Now, 10 years [after Sandy Hook], I'm talking to this girl from Uvalde and she's only a few years older than I was," Hegarty said of her communications with a Robb Elementary School survivor. "Now I'm not the one reaching out for help, I'm the one trying to give help. It's been 10 years, and it's still happening."

PHOTO: Jackie Hegarty, a survivor of the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, visits the Sandy Hook Permanent Memorial in Newtown, Connecticut. (Adam Wolffbrandt/ABC News)

The experience of talking to the young survivor, she said, is like talking to her 7-year-old self.

"I know exactly what she's going through," Hegarty said. "We're connected. We're part of this community now where every day, there's another part of the country that's being affected by it."

'Dear Future Survivor': School shooting survivors pen letters to future survivors

PROJECT CREDITS:

Video:

Senior Producer & Director: Faith Bernstein

Producer: Katie Kindelan

Director of Photography: Adam Wolffbrandt

Additional Cameras: Faith Bernstein & Chris Cirillo

Editors: Faith Bernstein & Chris Cirillo

Bookers: Mark Guarino, Ismael Estrada, Vera Drymon, Tommy Foster, Faith Bernstein & Katie Kindelan

Executive Producers : Asher May-Corsini & Lauren Sher

Text:

Senior Reporter: Katie Kindelan

Editor: Melanie Schmitz

Photo/Visuals:

Photographers: Adam Wolffbrandt, Meredith Longo, Jeff Swartz & Brandon Thibodeaux

Photo Editors: Phaedra Singelis & Gary Hershorn

Graphics: Alex Gilbeaux & Don Pearsall

Visual Content Director, Digital Content: Andrew VanWickler

Product Manager: Matthew Roth

Project Management:

Managing Editor: Lauren Sher

Deputy Managing Editor - Video: Asher May-Corsini

Vice President Digital: Lulu Chiang

School shooting survivors share their stories, from Columbine to Oxford High originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The fallout from the Portland teachers strike continues with the teachers unions now facing a $100 million lawsuit by several parents, who allege the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) and the Oregon Education Association held an illegal strike.

Even though labor unions have the legal right to strike in Oregon, the lawsuit states the plaintiffs are suing over some of the issues brought up by the teachers unions at bargaining sessions, which, the lawsuit claims, are issues that are not allowed to be discussed during bargaining.

Clackamas County forces event center in Boring to shut down after alleged code violations

The union knew the law and decided to break it anyway to exert political power at the expense of students and their families, said Pat Hughes, one of the attorneys representing the parents. These families deserve to be made whole for the damage caused, and we are honored to represent the parents in this case to ensure this never happens again.

The four families are not named by the firm suing on their behalf, Hughes and Suhr, because they claim the families fear retribution for their children.

All of this comes after the first-ever Portland teachers strike shut down schools for most of November 2023. The $100 million being asked for is for all of the Portland Public Schools families who had to pay for extra childcare, missed work and other costs from kids missing school for 11 days.

Oregon minimum wage will go up 50 cents in July 2024

Study after study demonstrates the harmful and long-lasting negative effects teacher strikes have on students, said attorney Daniel Suhr. The PATs illegal strike especially hurt already vulnerable families from low-income households and children with learning disabilities. These families have a right to an uninterrupted education focused on student achievement and development, not union politics.

The lawsuit is filed with the state employment relations board.

KOIN 6 News will have more information later.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  Police arrested more than 100 protesters Thursday afternoon while clearing out a pro-Palestinian encampment set up at Columbia University, Mayor Eric Adams said.

At least 108 people were issued summonses for trespass, according to NYPD officials. Police used zip ties to arrest protesters and escort them to waiting buses before removing the tents.

The students who were arrested were peaceful, offered no resistance whatsoever and were saying what they wanted to say in a peaceful manner, NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said.

Chell added that some of the roughly 500 other students who left their classrooms and surrounded the quad were verbally harassing the NYPD officers. Citizen App video showed a large crowd gathered around the area where the protest took place.

Columbia suspends Ilhan Omars daughter after pro-Palestinian protest

Protesters occupied the South Lawn of Columbias Morningside Heights campus for more than 30 hours, according to Adams.

Protests began Wednesday morning, with hundreds of students pitching tents on campus, when Columbia University leadership faced Congress during a hearing about antisemitism, according to the Columbia Daily Spectator.

The students are demanding the school divest from companies they claim profit from Israeli apartheid and the Israeli military action in Gaza.

Columbia University President Nemat Shafik said Thursday that she authorized the NYPD to clear the encampment of protesters from the South Lawn.

I took this extraordinary step because these are extraordinary circumstances. The individuals who established the encampment violated a long list of rules and policies, Shafik said in a statement.

Shafik said Columbia warned the protesters on Wednesday that they would be suspended if they didnt remove the encampment. She also said the university tried through several channels to engage with their concerns and offered to continue discussions if they agreed to disperse.

Protest organizers decried the universitys actions.

We demand full amnesty for all students disciplined for their involvement in the encampment or the movement for Palestinian liberation, Rosy Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for the Institute for Middle East Understanding, said in a statement.

Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A woman has been charged with 10 counts of animal torture after officials rescued more than 100 cats and kittens from her home in Crystal, Minnesota. After weeks of searching, authorities seized a total of 124 cats living in deplorable conditions. Unfortunately, several felines had to be euthanized due to various health concerns, including severe respiratory infections.

Woman faces charges after authorities rescue more than 100 cats from home

Per CBS, officers first visited Shawna Duffys home in January when her boyfriend discarded several bags of feces on a roadway. He admitted to illegally dumping them in Plymouth. Upon visiting the house, the police heard the sounds of several animals and encountered an extremely strong odor of cat feces and urine. This was followed by a visit from animal control, which reported a similar experience.

Animal Humane Society, animal control, and police joined hands to execute a search warrant on Feb. 27. They rescued up to 93 cats and three kittens after the initial search. Sadly, they also recovered a cat skull. City inspectors deemed the house uninhabitable, boarding it up for all.

The search continued into March, with authorities finding 19 more cats through the first week of the month. Officers found some cats living in spaces unfit for a feline, crawling into inaccessible spaces. All of them had developed respiratory infections. With animal hoarding being on the rise, officers stated that promptly reporting them is the best one could do.

Although they had to euthanize several of them, many seized cats also found their forever homes. Dozens of them were adopted by loving families that will give the felines a second chance at life.

The suspect, Shawna Duffy, isnt in custody but is facing 10 counts of animal torture. She will be appearing in court on April 30, as per Fox9.

The post 124 Cats Seized From Minnesota Home, Woman Faces Charges appeared first on CatTime.
More than a dozen people have been displaced Thursday in Virginia Beach after a fire damaged eight apartment units on Pheasant Run.

According to Barbara Morrison with the Virginia Beach Fire Department, firefighters were dispatched at about 4 p.m. to the 600 block of Pheasant Run. The first unit arrived about five minutes later, and by 5 p.m., the department considered the fire under control.

When units arrived at the scene off South Lynnhaven Road, heavy smoke and flames were seen from the second floor of the (apartment) unit. Fire spread quickly to other apartments, and Morrison said eight units were damaged. In addition to the 13 residents displaced, the department said six dogs and two cats are displaced. The Red Cross is assisting with housing, and no injuries were reported.

Morrison said the cause of the fire was accidental. Investigators at the scene found the fire started in a trashcan in the stairwell on the second floor, which likely ignited after smoking material was thrown away.

Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com
14-year-old convicted for joyride that led to deadly Woodland crash; but not on murder charges

A Yolo Superior Court judge on Thursday convicted a 14-year-old boy for a fiery Woodland wreck last year that killed a woman and her granddaughter and critically injured two of their relatives.

Prosecutors have alleged the teen defendant, who was 13 at the time, stole his familys sport utility vehicle for a joyride and led police officers in a chase before the SUV crashed into the car carrying Tina Vital, 43, and Adalina Lilah Perez, 4. The SUV also crashed into a second vehicle.

Judge Paul Richardson  after hearing evidence in the teens trial  sustained all but the two murder charges against the defendant, according to the Yolo County District Attorneys Office. California juvenile trials do not go before a jury; a judge determines whether young defendants did what theyre accused of.

Authorities have not released the boys name because he is a minor. Chief Deputy District Attorney Melinda Aiello said the teen faces a maximum sentence of being a ward of the court until he is 21 years old. The teen will return to court for a disposition hearing on May 23 and 24 to determine his punishment; the judge will decide if he will be held in a detention facility.

Aiello said the boy was convicted of two counts of vehicular manslaughter, two counts of evading a police officer causing death, three counts of evading an officer and causing injury, evading a peace officer while driving recklessly, evading a peace officer while driving in the opposite direction, child endangerment, vehicle theft and driving without a license.

His charges included numerous enhancements for causing great bodily injury in the crash, Aiello said.

The crash occurred in the afternoon of April 8, 2023, at the intersection of Court and College streets, according to the Woodland Police Department.

A total of 11 people were injured in the three-vehicle crash, including the underage driver, authorities said. Four people rode in one of the vehicles. Six others were in the second car. The force of the collision left the cars stacked atop one another.

Perez, the 4-year-old girl, died at a hospital four days after the crash; her grandmother was pronounced dead at the scene.

As of right now, I dont feel that (we got justice), until we know what his punishment will be, Victor Ramirez, Vitals brother, told the Davis Enterprise, which first reported the trials verdict.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  A 17-year-old was arrested on Wednesday, April 17, in connection to a shooting in March that injured an adult, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: East Colorado Springs shooter knew victim

CSPD said officers originally responded to a reported shooting in the 5500 block of Constitution Avenue, near Powers Boulevard, around 2 p.m. on March 18. When they arrived, officers found an adult victim suffering from a serious but non life-threatening gunshot wound. The victim was taken to the hospital.

Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief Photojournalist, Mike Duran

Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief photojournalist Mike Duran

Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief photojournalist Mike Duran

Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief photojournalist Mike Duran

Courtesy: FOX21 News Chief photojournalist Mike Duran

The CSPD Assault unit responded and assumed responsibility for the investigation, identifying a 17-year-old from Colorado Springs as the suspect. On Wednesday, April 17, officers arrested the teen in the 200 block of Rim View Drive, near South Rockrimmon Drive.

The teen is currently being held for First Degree Assault and Possession of a Handgun by a Juvenile.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
SPRING VALLEY, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  An 18-year-old man suspected of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl in a restroom at Mount Miguel High School last week in Spring Valley was arrested, authorities said.

Reyvon English, a Mount Miguel High School student, turned himself in on Thursday at the Rancho San Diego Sheriffs Station, Lt. Lon Nguyen with the San Diego County Sheriffs Department said in a news release Thursday. He was booked into San Diego Central Jail on rape, kidnapping and other charges related to sexual assault, law enforcement confirmed.

SuperLotto Plus winning ticket sold in East County

On April 11 around 4 p.m., the 15-year-old victim was on campus for an after school program when she was assaulted in a restroom, according to authorities. She reported the alleged act to school staff who then contacted the sheriffs department.

The safety of our students is a priority for the Sheriffs Department. We want to remind students they can always approach our school resource deputies with any concern. They can also call the anonymous Students Speaking Out Hotline at (888) 580-8477, Nguyen said.

The sheriffs department will not release identifying information on minor victims and victims of sex crimes, per the agencys policy.

Deputies conducted extra patrols after the incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Two people are dead after a Condition 2 house fire Thursday, April 18 at the 7650 block of Barton St. in El Pasos Lower Valley, the El Paso Fire Department (EPFD) announced via its X account formerly known as Twitter.

EPFD says the fire is knocked down.

KTSM is working to gather more information and update this developing story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
2 'Squatters' Charged with Murder of N.Y.C. Woman Found in Duffel Bag at Apartment

Nadia Vitels was found dead in a duffel bag in her apartment on March 14, resulting in the arrests of Kensly Alston and Halley Tejada after a week-long search

Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto via AP Investigators at the crime scene on March 15, 2024

Two people have been charged with the murder of a 52-year-old woman in Manhattan.

Nadia Vitels was found dead in a duffel bag in her apartment on March 14, resulting in the arrests of Kensly Alston, 18, and Halley Tejada, 19, after a week-long search the New York City Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE.

On April 18, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg announced that the pair had been charged with murdering Vitels in her apartment in Kips Bay.

Alston and Tejada were charged with two counts of second-degree murder in addition to one count of first-degree burglary, one count of first-degree robbery, six counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, seven counts of fourth-degree grand larceny and three counts of concealment of a human corpse.

Related: 2 'Squatters' in Custody After Police Found N.Y.C. Woman's Body in Duffel Bag at Apartment

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Nadia Vitels/Facebook Nadia Vitels

Kensly Alston and Halley Tejada allegedly murdered Nadia Vitels in her own apartment while she was moving in to start a new chapter of her life. I send my deepest condolences to her friends and family as they continue to mourn her loss, Bragg said in the statement. My office will secure justice for Nadia Vitels.

Per the press release, court documents revealed that Vitels began moving her belongings from her car to her new apartment at around 10:33 a.m. local time on March 10. A few minutes later, she left in her car.

Alston and Tejada then entered Vitels apartment with a pink suitcase the same day and briefly left the building twice.

Vitels returned to the apartment with her dog on March 12, and Alston and Tejada were allegedly still inside the building at the time.

Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto via AP Investigators at the scene of Nadia Vitels' murder on March 15, 2024

According to the police timeline, the pair left the apartment at around 2:24 p.m. to purchase a vape at a smoke shop and a suitcase at Target using Ms. Vitels credit card. They later returned and used a key to enter the apartment.

That same evening, Alston and Tejada left the building with several items, including toilet paper, a Target bag, the suitcase they bought at Target and the pink suitcase they had arrived with. The teens then drove Vitels car towards Pennsylvania.

On March 14, Vitels family grew concerned because she hadnt responded to their attempts to contact her.

After the superintendent of the building granted them access to her apartment, Vitels family found her dog was alone and there was a crack in a bedroom wall.

When they checked the coat closet by the front door, coats were piled on a bag on the floor, the press release added. A family member moved the coats aside and noticed that the bag contained Ms. Vitels body.

Vitels cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma.

During their nine days in Pennsylvania, Alston and Tejada made multiple purchases with Ms. Vitels credit cards, including a PS5, AirPods, clothing, food and a diamond ring, the press release continued.

The two were apprehended on March 22 in York, Pa., by the United States Marshals.



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3 arrested for Ga. murder, including one in Fulton County, sheriff says

Three men are facing murder charges after being arrested on Thursday in connection to a Georgia mans January death.

Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman says William Brown was murdered more than three months ago.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Two of the suspects were arrested in Columbus and the third was arrested in South Fulton.

He says Terrell Thomas was found at a home in South Fulton. He is currently being held in the Fulton County Jail awaiting extradition to Columbus.

TRENDING STORIES:

The other suspects, Cameron Davis and Jquan Williams, are being held in the Muscogee County Jail.

All three are charged with murder and armed robbery. Thomas also faces a battery charge.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
More than a dozen Nevada Republicans are hoping to convince voters that they are congressional material. (Photo: Jeniffer Shutt/States Newsroom)

Policy, politics and progressive commentary

As Congressional Democrats look to flip the House this election, which Republicans currently control with a razor-thin margin, Nevadas three Democratic congressional incumbents are running to retain their current seats.

A slew of Republican candidates are hoping to take on the three Democrats in the general election. The overwhelming majority of them have previously lost other state and federal offices on numerous occasions, and several of them are running predominantly self-funded campaigns.

Several of the Republican contenders have announced support for, and mimicked the positions of, former President Donald Trump. He has yet to endorse any of the Nevada Republican primary candidates for Congress.

Many of the candidates have attacked Democratic opponents for positions on immigration and called for Congress to secure the border. Trump earlier this year tanked a bipartisan-supported bill, opposed by immigrant and civil rights groups, that included tougher immigration enforcement while expanding presidential powers to expel migrants.

Absent from Republican candidates campaign websites is any stance on abortion access.

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, which Trump has taken credit for, the support for abortion access has been a pivotal question among voters as more states have adopted harsher laws restricting abortion and punishing people for seeking them.

Congressional District 4

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford has raised nearly $3 million in the first quarter of this year, according to the most recently available report from the Federal Election Commission.

He has $1.7 million cash on hand.

Horsford first won the district in 2012 but was unseated in the red wave of 2014. He regained the seat in 2018 and has held the seat since.

State lawmakers shifted more Democratic voters into the district during 2021s redistricting process. The upcoming race is deemed likely Democrat according to The Cook Political Report.

Horsford will face off against one of three Republicans, a group including former North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee.

Lee is the only current candidate running in all congressional districts who has received an endorsement from Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo.

During his time in the state assembly and senate, Lee was a Democrat. He was then ousted in a primary by Democratic state Sen. Pat Spearman in 2012. He was elected mayor for North Las Vegas in 2013.

Lee switched his party affiliation to Republican in 2021, preparatory to a race for governor in the 2022 Republican primary, finishing fourth.

During that race Lee wrote an op-ed for the Reno Gazette Journal citing his opposition to abortion rights as a key reason he left the Democratic Party.

This year, our nation has a historic opportunity to end the atrocity of abortion, Lee wrote. On Dec. 1, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health case, a case I pray will overturn Roe v. Wade and deliver a historic victory for our nation, the unborn and the global pro-life movement.

He also falsely claimed Democrats, and some moderate Republicans, supported abortions up to the moment of birth.

Transgender Day of Visibility, which has taken place on March 31 every year since 2009 to recognize trans people, this year fell on the same day as Easter, which occurs the first Sunday after the full moon of the spring Equinox.

Trumps campaign criticized Biden for acknowledging the annual event on Easter Sunday. Lee joined in on attacks against Biden and Horsford asking on social media is this how you are showing respect to the many denominations observing this holy Easter weekend?

Both Biden and Horsford sent out tweets celebrating Easter.

Despite the name recognition and endorsements, Lee, who has raised $737,000 with $640,000 cash on hand according to recent FEC filings, doesnt have the biggest campaign warchest among contenders in the CD4 Republican primary. Most of Lees contributions, $500,000, are in the form of a personal loan from the candidate.

David Flippo, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, has raised $871,000 according to the FECs current filings. However he has less cash on hand than Lee with $292,000. Flippos has contributed $667,000 to his own campaign, according to the FEC

Flippo ran for a Nevada Assembly seat in 2022 but came in third in the Republican primary.

Another Republican candidate, Bruce Frazy, a former attorney and accountant, hasnt raised any money.

Horsford also faces opposition in the Democratic primary from first-time candidate Levy Shultz.

Independent American Party candidate Russell Best and Libertarian Party Tim Ferreira have also filed as candidates in CD4.

Congressional District 3

Despite Trump winning the 3rd Congressional District in 2016, the Congressional seat has been held by Democrats for four consecutive terms.

Democratic U.S. Rep Susie Lee was first elected to the district in 2018.

Potentially the most competitive race in Nevada, the seat is currently ranked lean Democrat by the Cook Political Report. She won her 2022 race by nearly three points.

One of the half-dozen Republicans who have filed to unseat Lee is former Nevada Treasurer Dan Schwartz, who is making his second bid to win a Republican CD3 primary.

He lost the 2020 Republican primary to Dan Rodimer, a former pro-wrestler who was recently charged with murder.

Schwartz has run, and lost, in various other Republican primaries, including a 2022 bid for lieutenant governor, where he came in fourth, and the 2018 primary for governor, where he finished a distant second to Adam Laxalt.

The first time he ran for Congress was a bid in CD4 in 2012. He came in fourth.

The CD3 race this year also includes Drew Johnson, a former think tank founder and policy analyst who narrowly lost his bid against Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones in 2022, music composer and first-time candidate Marty ODonnell and former Nevada state Sen. Elizabeth Helgelien, who served in the Nevada state Senate in 2010 but resigned in 2012.

Helgelien ran for Senate District 8 in 2018 but lost in the Republican primary.

Lombardo initially endorsed Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama, who dropped out of the race in January. He hasnt offered another endorsement.

Helgelien is endorsed by former Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and current U.S. Senate candidate Jim Marchant, a former state assemblyman and election denier who lost in the 2022 race for Nevada Secretary of State.

All the candidates have called for securing our borders.

On his website, Schwartz wrote we must close the southern border until Congress does its job and fixes Americas broken immigration system.

Johnson has also called on Congress to secure the border. In February, he said he wouldnt have supported the proposed Congressional border bill saying in a statement that it wont come close to ending the border catastrophe.

I could not support a bill that doesnt secure the border, provides taxpayer-funded lawyers to illegal immigrants, and continues to fund endless war overseas without any checks and balances, he said in a statement.

Its not just the Republican candidates who have criticized Biden on immigration.

Lee was recently slammed by immigration advocates after she joined Republicans to vote for a resolution which denounces the Biden administration for creating the illegal alien crisis at the southwest border by halting border wall construction and mass releasing millions of illegal aliens into the country.

So far, Lee has more money on hand than all her opponents, by a large margin. Current FEC filings show she raised $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2024 and has nearly $2.2 million cash on hand

Schwartz reports raising $818,000  $800,000 of it consisting of a loan he made to his own campaign  with $723,000 cash on hand. ODonnell has raised $523,000 with $477,000 cash on hand. Johnson reports $411,000 in receipts, including $300,000 he has loaned to his campaign, and has a little more than half of it in cash on hand. Helgelien has raised $243,000 and has $42,000 on hand.

Other Republican candidates are in the race but filings indicate they havent raised any money yet.

Brian Nadell previously came in fifth in the Republican primary for the 2nd Congressional District in 2022 and fourth in the Republican primary for CD 3 in 2020.

Steven Schiffman previously ran as a Democrat in two election cycles. He came in sixth in both the 2020 CD 2 Democratic primary and 2018 CD 3 Democratic primary.

Independent American Party Jon Kamerath is also in the race.

Lee will first face off against first-time candidate RockAthena Brittain in the Democratic primary.

Congressional District 1

According to FEC filings, the top fundraiser in the race for the 1st Congressional District is Flemming Larsen, who has $1.8 million, the vast majority of it in the form of personal loan from the candidate. He currently has $1.5 million on hand

Democratic U.S. Rep Dina Titus, who isnt facing a primary challenger this cycle, raised about $1 million and has $982,000 cash on hand.

The district has long been seen as politically safe for Titus, who was first elected to the seat in 2013, winning by double digits.

State lawmakers siphoned off Democratic voters from that district during redistricting and put them into CD 3 and CD4. Despite that, Titus still won her 2022 election by nearly 6 points.

During her last race Titus faced Mark Robertson, a retired army colonel and certified financial planner. He is running again in the Republican primary this year.

Larsen, who narrowly lost to Democratic Assemblyman Max Carter in 2022, is endorsed by Republican Lieutenant Gov. Stavros Anthony.

Also running in the primary is Michael Boris, who has raised $30,761 and has $108 on hand.

The remaining candidates are Jim Blockey and Evan Stone. They dont have finance reports listed.

Independent American Party candidate William Hoge and Libertarian Party David Havlicek are also running in CD1.

And Victor Willert, Ron Quince, Gabriel Cornejo and David Gooseen are running as independents with no party affiliation.

Congressional District 2

Republican U.S. Rep Mark Amodei is running against one other Republican Fred Simon.

Simon, a medical doctor, came in sixth during the Republican primary for governor in 2022.

There is no Democrat running in the election.

The race also features Independent American Party candidate Lynn Chapman, Libertarian Party Javi Tachiquin. Independent Greg Kidd filed for the seat as an independent with no party affiliation.

The post 3 competitive NV congressional districts attract a crowd of Republican primary hopefuls appeared first on Nevada Current.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Iran has suspended flights over some cities, the country's state media says, Trend reports.

"Flights over the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz and Tehran have been suspended," the report says.
Thirty-four people have been indicted in an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation focused on Eastern Washington.

They are accused of criminal conspiracy involving illegal drugs, firearms, money laundering, cockfighting and attempts to kill witnesses who helped law enforcement in the investigation, according to the Eastern Washington District U.S. Attorneys Office.

The investigation that began in about 2018 focused on Yakima County, Walla Walla County, the Yakama reservation and Spokane County. Operations also extended into Louisiana, Colorado and Arkansas.

The indictments were announced Thursday in Yakima after 20 search warrants were executed that morning in the Yakima area and across the United States, said Eastern Washington U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref.

Law enforcement seized hundreds of roosters from locations in Zillah and Outlook in Yakima County that allegedly were used in cockfights. Most of the roosters are being sent for care to Heartwood Haven Animal Rescue in Roy, Wash.

Law enforcement also seized 37 guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, more than 8,000 fentanyl-laced pills, and pound quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine, according to the Eastern Washington District U.S. Attorneys Office.

The investigation into La Nuestra Familia, a violent prison gang responsible for trafficking drugs, was led by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Some of the gangs leaders are serving life sentences in the federal prison in Florence, Colo., which is one of the Bureau of Prisons most secure prisons, exceeding that of a regular maximum-security prison, according to the Eastern Washington District U.S. Attorneys Office.

Indictments for drugs, cockfighting, more

Those indicted include:

Fabian Arredondo aka DV, 34, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances and Conspiracy to Launder Money.

Joanna Arredondo , 34, charged with Conspiracy to Launder Money

Jose Alfredo Chavez Arredondo aka Cuyi, 43, charged with Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, Distribution of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Launder Money, Unlawful Animal Fighting

Jose Alfredo Ricardo Arredondo aka Papaz, 25, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine, Distribution of Cocaine, Unlawful Possession of a Machine gun

Alexa Joann Carras-Blackburn , 35, charged with Conspiracy to Launder Money

Pablo Angel Castellon aka Sapo, 40, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Launder Money

Mayda Ivette Castellon , 36, charged with Conspiracy to Launder Money

Jacenir Amezcua Dasilva aka Serio, 30, charged with Conspiracy to Launder Money, Attempt to Retaliate Against a Federal Witness, Conspiracy to Retaliate Against a Federal Witness

Marco Anthony Gomez, Jr . aka Silky, 45, charged with Conspiracy to Launder Money

Rigoberto Escobedo Gonzalez aka Crazy Thugg, 35, charged with Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Distribution of Cocaine, Conspiracy to Launder Money

Robert Patrick Hanrahan aka Bubba, 52, charged with Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Conspiracy to Launder Money

Jazmine Renea Hart , 32, charged with Conspiracy to Launder Money

Maria Esperanza Hermoso, 28, Conspiracy to Launder Money

Adrean Kendall Lafollette aka Hunger, 33, charged with Conspiracy to Launder Money

Travis Michael Mcguire aka Slim, 49, charged with Continuing Criminal Enterprise, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Conspiracy to Unlawfully Use a Communication Facility, Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl, Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine, Conspiracy to Launder Money

Jesus Antonio Mirelez a/k/a Dizzy, 34, Conspiracy to Launder Money, Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Felipe Feliciano Ramirez a/k/a Casper, 44, charged with Conspiracy to Unlawfully Use a Communications Facility, Conspiracy to Launder Money

Logan Paul Scheck a/k/a Sin, 31, Conspiracy to Launder Money

Brian Lee Sellers , 62, charged with Conspiracy to Unlawfully Use a Communications Facility, Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Conspiracy to Launder Money

Misael Vazquez-Moreno , 26, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl

Fernando Villegas , 25, charged with Unlawful Animal Fighting

Thomas Lee Weatherwax aka Wax, 25, charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Launder Money

Yesika Escobedo Zaragoza , 40, charged with Conspiracy to Money Launder

Arthur Frank Cardenas aka Porkchop, 45, charged with Attempt to Retaliate Against a Federal Witness, Conspiracy to Retaliate Against a Federal Witness

Joshua Isaac Stine aka Heat, 39, charged with Attempt to Retaliate Against a Federal Witness, Conspiracy to Retaliate Against a Federal Witness

Hugo Enrique Davadi aka Flako, 36, charged with Distribution of 40 Grams or More of Fentanyl

Additional arrests are expected following the Thursday searches. More indictments are expected to be unsealed after those arrests are made. Twenty-eight people were in state or federal custody Thursday.

AFT was assisted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, Federal Bureau of Prisons, ICE Enforcement Removal Operations, Washington State Patrol, Washington State Department of Corrections, Washington State Gambling Commission, Yakima and Spokane counties sheriffs offices, Walla Walla Regional Drug Task Force, and the police departments of Yakima, Grandview, Selah and Spokane.
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY)  A lawsuit connected to the 2022 Chesapeake Walmart mass shooting has been dismissed, according to attorneys.

Briana Tyler was suing Walmart for $50 million, stating the company was negligent while hiring Andre Bing, the employee that took the lives of six of Tylers coworkers.

Third Chesapeake Walmart employee files 50M lawsuit, says bullets missed her by inches

The lawsuit claimed Tyler was directly targeted in the shooting and that Bing pointed a gun directly at her head and fired, just missing Tyler by inches.

In November of 2023, Tylers lawsuit hit a snag when Walmart claimed the shooting was a matter for workers compensation. A judge later ruled that the lawsuit could proceed.

Judge paves way for $50M Walmart lawsuit to go forward

A statement from Tylers attorney states the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, as Tyler has, resolved to her satisfaction all claims in the case.

Check with WAVY.com for more updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  A multinational fraud conspiracy robbed a Carlsbad woman of her life savings and a suspect is now facing charges.

U.S. attorney Tara McGraths office said Xilin Sun, a 35-year-old Ontario man, made his first appearance in federal court Thursday. Hes accused of tricking a 70-year-old woman into handing over $1.33 million over a period of months.

The San Diego Elder Justice Task Force learned of the fraud scheme after the victim reported to Carlsbad police that she was duped by fraudsters posing as government, bank and tech-support employees, the complaint noted.

Sheriffs deputies to conduct DUI checkpoint in North County

It reportedly all started when the woman was using her computer and a pop-up window appeared. The page advised her to call for help because her computer had allegedly been hacked, the attorneys office explained.

When she made the call, the woman was transferred through a series of co-conspirators pretending to work in tech support who told her to download software on her computer.

From there, the attorneys office said she was also told her personal identifying and bank account information were compromised. She was referred, once again, to co-conspirators posing as employees from her financial institutions.

It didnt stop there.

The victim was then told she needed to secure her assets and someone posing as a bank employee directed her to deposit around $55,700 into Bitcoin ATMs located in North County, the complaint noted.

The scammers discovered the woman had substantial savings and then convinced her she could safeguard her funds by obtaining gold bars and sending them to the U.S. treasury.

According to the attorneys office, the victim then sent around $1,335,000 via three separate wire transfers to a precious metal business located in San Marcos.

Once each of the wire transfers were completed, she was instructed to pick up the purchased precious metals, mostly gold, and to package them. She was then directed to hand the packages over to an individual under the false pretense that it was being secured for safekeeping.

In reality, the Carlsbad woman was scammed out of her life savings.

In another attempt to trick the woman, the attorneys office said the scammers, once again, contacted her in February 2024. She was instructed to purchase $100,000 worth of additional gold.

This time, however, the victim contacted the FBI, which set up a controlled delivery of a package made to look like it contained $100,000 in gold, the attorneys office explained. The victim met with one of the conspirators outside a bank in Carlsbad, handing over the package.

Task force agents followed the first conspirator, who traveled about two miles before handing the package to a second conspirator, later identified as the defendant  Xilin Sun. He was then stopped by California Highway Patrol.

According to the complaint, authorities found the fake gold package and the victims receipt in the suspects vehicle. CHP agents also located additional evidence linking Sun to the victim, including photos of the fake gold the victim had sent to the conspirators over the phone, a

copy of an invoice and the receipt for the gold.

Sun is facing up to 30 years behind bars if convicted.

Thousands of people fall victim to elder fraud every year. Many do not report the fraud because they are embarrassed or afraid; however, the best course of action is to report scams as early as possible, said Acting Special Agent in Charge John Kim. The San Diego Elder Justice Task Force is dedicated to relentlessly pursuing criminals who prey on innocent individuals for personal gain.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311. You can also report fraud

to any local law enforcement agency or on the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A court in the Maldives has overturned former president Abdulla Yameen's conviction and cancelled his 11-year prison sentence, just two days before the parliamentary elections.

Mr Yameen, 64, was convicted in December 2022 on corruption and money laundering charges related to receiving kickbacks from a private company. He is also on trial for separate bribery charges at the court.

He was sentenced to jail and fined $5m in 2019 for embezzling $1m in state funds, which the prosecution said was acquired through the lease of resort development rights.

A three-judge bench of the high court on Thursday overturned the prison sentence citing procedural irregularities and ordered the lower court to restart the trial.

"The lower court ruling was not fair, judge Hassan Shafeeu said while reading out the decision, which was broadcast live on the court's YouTube channel.

The bench ruled that due to actions of the lower criminal court, Mr Yameen was unable to exercise his rights. Last year, the former president lost the opportunity to stand in the September presidential elections because of his conviction.

Thursday's ruling is seen as a potential boost to president Mohamed Muizzu's party, which is seeking to secure a majority in the 87-member parliament.

Both politicians have been long political allies, which resulted in Mr Yameen being transferred from prison to house arrest following Mr Muizzu's win in the presidential polls.

Mr Yameen's People's National Front party had supported Mr Muizzu's "India Out" campaign during the elections.

The Muizzu administration has asked dozens of locally based Indian military personnel to leave in a move critics warn could see the archipelagic nation shift closer to China.

Mr Yameen has fielded candidates for Sunday's elections from the political party he formed while serving his sentence.

His co-accused Yusuf Naeem, a businessman who was said to have paid an alleged bribe of $1m, was also freed on Thursday.
The Biden administration issued final guidance this week for enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Employers must grant staff certain accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions. (Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

Rules on how employers can comply with a federal law that provides protections for pregnant workers are set to take effect in roughly two months.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provided clarity to employers and employees about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act on Monday. Under the statute, employers with 15 or more workers must grant pregnant workers requests for accommodations, as long as the changes dont pose undue hardship on the employer.

Congress passed the PWFA in December 2022, and the law took effect in June 2023. But the EEOC allowed considerable time for public comment on proposed rules.

Roughly 100,000 comments were submitted to the commission, including about 54,000 urging the agency to exclude abortion from the definition of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, and some 40,000 supporting the inclusion of abortion.

Ultimately, the commission decided to include abortion as a condition for which workers can seek accommodations, such as time off. The decision was based on the plain text of the measure, according to a 400-page document explaining PWFA guidance. The rules were published in the Federal Register on Friday, but they dont take effect until 60 days later.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a win for workers, families, and our economy. It gives pregnant workers clear access to reasonable accommodations that will allow them to keep doing their jobs safely and effectively, free from discrimination and retaliation, said Charlotte Burrows, the EEOC chair, in a statement.

Under the law, pregnant workers and prospective employees should be allowed: water breaks, food breaks, restroom breaks, a stool to sit on while working, time off for doctors appointments, temporary reassignments and remote work, for example. Americans with jobs can also ask for accommodations when theyre recovering from abortion, lactation, infertility treatments, miscarriages and stillbirths.

Organizations that support gender equality in the workplace celebrated the rules finalization.

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is a life-changing protection for pregnant and postpartum workers nationwide, ensuring they arent forced off the job or denied the accommodations they need for their health, said Dina Bakst, co-president of A Better Balance, in a statement. Baksts group has pushed for the legislations passage for more than a decade.

States Newsroom economy reporter Casey Quinlan previously reported that the law was crafted to address gaps in the civil rights measures, such as the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which prohibits discrimination against pregnant employees but requires someone to find a colleague who was given similar accommodations for comparison. A 2022 poll found that 1 in 5 mothers have experienced pregnancy discrimination at work.

This is an important moment for pregnant workers, those with pregnancy difficulties or complications, and those who are considering having a baby, said Jocelyn Frye, president of the National Partnership for Women and Families.

Frye said the rules will strengthen protections for millions of workers, in spite of recent extreme partisan attempts to overturn this bipartisan law. Abortion rights opponents criticized the determination that abortion counts as a pregnancy-related condition.

Adding this controversial provision into the PWFA is wrong. Period, said U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, a North Carolina Republican, in a statement this week. Abortion is not a medical condition related to pregnancy; it is the opposite. Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative law firm, said in August that the inclusion of abortion as a reasonable accommodation was federal overreach.

The law has also been subject to litigation. A federal judge recently blocked the enforcement of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in Texas after Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton sued President Joe Bidens administration over its passage and other provisions in a 2022 $1.7 trillion spending package. Paxton argued that the act was unconstitutional because it was passed by proxy votes, Texas Tribune reported.

Adam Cyr, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice, declined to comment Wednesday on whether the agency will appeal the decision to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Texas: Wont let you have an abortion but also wont do anything to help you have a safe and healthy pregnancy, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Pennsylvania Democrat, said in a statement to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star in February after the ruling. Casey co-sponsored the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and first introduced the bill in 2012.

The post Abortion included in pregnant workers protections law appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
Research indicates that Black women will suffer the worst effects if North Carolina enacts legislation to dramatically limit access to abortion care. (Photo: Getty Images)

Black women working to improve Black maternal health assessed recent successes and new roadblocks to lowering the rate of pregnancy related death at an event in Durham this week.

The discussion took place at a roundtable organized by the Biden-Harris campaign to mark Black Maternal Health Week. The event put a focus on the systemic forces that result in Black women dying of pregnancy-related causes at three times the rate of white women, and on policies that would help keep more Black women alive.

A maternal mortality review report on North Carolina deaths in 2018 and 2019 found that more than 85% of the deaths were preventable, and discrimination was the leading probable contributing factor in nearly 70% of the deaths. Bias and discrimination were defined broadly to encompass not only race or ethnicity, but weight, geography, substance use, history of incarceration, and other factors. The report was published in February.

One development highlighted as a success at the roundtable was the extension of postpartum medical care from two months to a year for people who qualify for Medicaid because they are pregnant. The state extended postpartum care to 12 months in 2022. States were authorized to extend postpartum coverage under Bidens American Rescue Plan.

Two months of insurance coverage was considered too little to have health care providers address patients postpartum depression or heart problems. Disorders in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood are the leading cause of death from six weeks to a year after giving birth, accounting for 1 in 4 maternal deaths. Black and Native American women are at higher risk.

Women didnt have ongoing care for high blood pressure, diabetes, or other health problems that developed or were discovered after a first postpartum checkup, said Maya Jackson, founder and executive director of MAAME, a community health organization in Durham that helps birthing people of color.

A lot of times, people didnt have insurance to figure out whats going on, Jackson said.

Roundtable participants criticized North Carolina abortion restrictions enacted last year. The new law is reducing patients access to care and harming health, participants said. The Republican-led legislature enacted the law last year over Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers veto. The law bans abortions after 12 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest, the health of the mother, and life-limiting fetal anomalies.

A national survey of OBGYNs conducted by KFF last year found that 64% believed that the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade worsened pregnancy-related deaths, 70% believed it made racial and ethnic inequalities worse, and 55% believed it made it harder to attract new OBGYNs to the field.

The Associated Press reported Friday that staff at Person Memorial Hospital in Roxboro refused to give a pregnant woman complaining of stomach pain an ultrasound. The woman gave birth in a car on her way to another hospital. The baby died. Emergency rooms in states with abortion bans or gestational limits are turning away pregnant women, AP reported.

OBGYNs are leaving the state, widening maternal health deserts, Jackson said. People drive hours to urban areas to give birth or for abortion access.

Threats on the horizon include challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in medical schools.

U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy

U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy  Photo: house.gov

U.S. Rep. Greg Murphy, a urologist from Greenville, introduced a bill last month that would cut off federal funding to medical schools that force students or faculty to adopt specific beliefs, discriminate based on race or ethnicity, or have diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or any functional equivalent, he said at a news conference. Instruction about health issues tied to race would still be allowed, he said.

Guys, this is medical school. This is not art school, its not English school, its medical school, Murphy said at the news conference.

I was taught to take care of any patient regardless of the race, ability to pay, their religion or their creed. I was taught to do the same with my colleagues, to treat them with respect  collegiality.

Murphy gained widespread notoriety in 2020 for a tweet saying then-Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who is Black and southeast Asian, was chosen for her color and her race. He deleted the post after North Carolina Democrats called it out. He told a television station the tweet was supposed to say color and gender.

Medical schools have introduced cultural competency education to prepare students to treat patients of different races, religions, and ethnicities.

A 2016 survey of medical students and residents found that half held false beliefs about biological differences between Black people and white people. Those who endorsed those false beliefs thought Black people feel less pain than white people. It led them to make inaccurate treatment recommendations.

Women at the roundtable this week traded stories about inaccurate medical diagnoses.

Nimasheena Burns

Durham County Commissioner Nimasheena Burns  Photo: https://www.dconc.gov/

Nimasheena Burns, vice chair of the Durham County Board of Commissioners, said she saw a doctor for lightheadedness. She looked at her online medical chart and saw her blood was low in iron and that the concentration of iron in her blood had been dropping for years.

No one ever took a look at it, she said. After an unsatisfactory appointment with her primary care doctor, she found another doctor who told her she needed an immediate blood transfusion.

Joy Spencer, executive director of Equity Before Birth, said attacks on DEI are traumatic and ignorant.

A 2020 study found that mortality rates for Black newborns dropped precipitously when they had Black doctors. Black babies in the United States are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthdays as white infants.

Literally, having cultural competence saves our lives, Spencer said. When we help people who are the most vulnerable and have the least access to resources, this is going to improve outcomes for everyone.

The post Abortion restrictions, attacks on DEI threaten Black maternal health, roundtable participants say appeared first on NC Newsline.
Advocates plan boots on the ground efforts to reach Nebraskans affected by new felon voting law

The Voting Rights Restoration Coalition celebrates Friday, April 19, 2024, after working eight years to get a law passed. LB 20 immediately restores voting rights to Nebraskans convicted of felonies upon completion of their sentence. (Courtesy of Chad Greene)

LINCOLN  Roughly 7,000 Nebraskans today can directly benefit from a newly passed state law that eliminates a two-year waiting period and immediately restores voting rights to felons upon completion of their sentence, advocates of the law said Friday.

Members of a coalition that has fought years for the legal change now are preparing to launch radio ads, a door-knocking campaign and other efforts to make sure those eligible voters know their rights.

Jasmine Harris of Rise speaks at a celebration event/news conference in Lincoln Friday, April 19, 2024, of the Voting Rights Restoration Coalition. (Courtesy of Chad Greene)

This is major, said Jasmine Harris of RISE, noting the groups eight-year battle to get to this point. Especially in an election year, were just really excited people can have their voices heard at the polls.

Radio, door-to-door

The Voting Rights Restoration Coalition, a group of about 30 statewide groups, held a news conference Friday to talk about upcoming efforts.

Harris, director of public policy and advocacy for Rise, said the coalition is forming partnerships with existing get-out-the vote efforts. Members will be canvassing door-to-door, spreading the word at community events. Public service announcements will be heard on radio stations.

Its really a lot of boots on the ground  making sure the information gets in everybodys hands, Harris told the Nebraska Examiner.

Legislative Bill 20  introduced by Omaha State Sen. Justin Wayne and prioritized by Lincoln Sen. Jane Raybould  is set to take effect in mid-July, in time for the November election.

Gov. Jim Pillen declined to sign the legislation but allowed it to become law.

In a letter to the Legislature, however, Pillen said that both Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers and Secretary of State Bob Evnen have identified significant potential constitutional infirmities regarding the bill and its compliance with the Nebraska Constitution.

Pillen in the letter said he encouraged both the offices to promptly take such measures as are appropriate.

On Friday, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of States Office said that Evnen is working with Hilgers on the matter but that Evnen had no update on next steps.

A Hilgers spokeswoman said he also had no new response.

Advocates said they were not concerned.

Were confident of the constitutionality, said Jane Seu of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska. She said the coalition does not want any narrative of a threatened challenge to distract from the fact that LB 20 is a law.

Now our election officials have the responsibility to follow that law, to re-enfranchise impacted Nebraskans, she said.

Change Has Happened

The coalition has created a getmyvoteback.org website that offers information and proclaims: Change Has Happened.

voting rights

At an event last year, Demetrius Gatson said that despite completing her felony sentence, getting a job and buying a home, she had to wait two years before getting to vote again, which she called taxation without representation. Now the law has changed. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)

The site explains that Nebraskans can register to vote immediately after they are off paper  meaning you have completed your term of incarceration, probation, supervised release, or parole and have satisfied any other requirements from the court and remained conviction-free.

Harris said that based on information from the Secretary of States Office, an estimated 7,000 Nebraskans are currently affected by the law change.

She said impacted Nebraskans are grateful. Harris noted that some with felony convictions have had to wait out parole periods of perhaps five or 10 years and then wait another two years before their voting privileges were restored.

By removing an antiquated barrier for these individuals, we build a sense of belonging and civic engagement essential for a truly participatory democracy, said a news release from the coalition.

Said Adam Morfeld, executive director of Civic Nebraska: The bipartisan support of this bill is a testament to our unicameral Legislatures capacity to evolve on issues and its commitment to making elections fair and accessible.

Comparing other states

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, as of earlier this month, Nebraska had been one of 11 states where felons lost their voting rights indefinitely for some crimes, or required a governors pardon for voting rights to be restored, faced an additional waiting period after completion of sentence (including parole and probation) or required additional action before voting rights can be restored.

The NCSL said that in Maine, Vermont and the District of Columbia, felons never lose their right to vote, even while they are incarcerated.

In 23 states, it said, felons lose their voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration upon release.

In 14 other states, felons lose their voting rights during incarceration, and for a period of time after, typically while on parole and probation. Voting rights are automatically restored after that time period. Former felons in those states might also have to pay outstanding fees, fines or restitution before their rights are restored.

The coalition discusses a path forward to help ensure voting participation of Nebraskans eligible to vote under newly passed LB 20. (Courtesy of Chad Greene)

The post Advocates plan boots on the ground efforts to reach Nebraskans affected by new felon voting law appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
An agent network that sought to pass to Russia top-secret documents from a nearby strategic plant and the most recent technological advancements made by Ukraine in the fuel and energy sector was exposed in Kharkiv Oblast.

Source: press service of the Prosecutor Generals Office; Security Service of Ukraine (SSU)

Quote from the Security Service of Ukraine: "On the instructions of the occupiers, their accomplices had to steal the necessary documents, digitise them and electronically transfer them to the Russian Federation."

Quote from the General Prosecutors Office: "These data are required for the aggressor state to construct and operate hydroelectric power stations, nuclear power plants, and thermal power plants, all of which generate electricity. It is required for the Russian Federation's military-industrial complex to function smoothly."

Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor Office

Details: The inquiry revealed that the suspects gathered schematics, blueprints, and manufacturing instructions for steam turbines, along with their component parts. These turbines aren't produced in the Russian Federation, and the Kharkiv firm was the source of their constant purchases before the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

The head of an industrial enterprise's design bureau and the deputy head of the workshop are among the individuals under custody. The inquiry revealed that the chief of the cell of Russian intelligence agents lived in Kharkiv and was a former business associate of a nearby plant.

After obtaining the documents required by the Russians, they had to digitise them and send them electronically to their handlers in Russia.

Furthermore, almost US$125,683 was discovered in the possession of the cells organiser, which he was reportedly rewarded with for his cooperation with the Russians.

Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor Office

The SSU reports that at the time, the defendants had been served a notice of suspicion of high treason committed under martial law by a group of persons by prior conspiracy. Detainees are not allowed to be released on bail. They might be imprisoned for life.

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Aggressive cougar found and killed in Oregon backyard, 250 feet from school, cops say

An aggressive cougar was tracked down to a backyard, where it was killed about 250 feet from an Oregon elementary school, police said.

Police responded to reports of the animal at about 1:15 p.m. April 18 in a neighborhood in Ashland, the city police department said in a Facebook post.

The wild animal had attacked a persons cat, and other evidence showed it had attacked wild animals and eaten them, police said.

Because the cougar was coming into the neighborhood during the day, attacking pets and acting unafraid of humans, wildlife agencies were called to the area, police said.

All agencies agreed that the cougar was well beyond the statutory threshold calling for lethal removal of the animal, police said.

The cougar was found over an hour later in a nearby backyard, about 250 feet from an elementary school, where it was killed by officers, police said.

Its body will now be examined by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Ashland is in southwestern Oregon, near the Oregon-California border.

What to know about cougars

Cougars, also known as mountain lions, pumas and panthers, are solitary, elusive animals, according to the National Park Service. The chances of seeing a cougar are slim, but people can encounter them.

Typically, mountain lion sightings occur from a distance and usually around dawn or dusk, park rangers said. However, lions are unpredictable and can be dangerous.

If you see a cougar, experts advise you:

Dont approach it: Cougars usually want to avoid confrontation.

Dont run: It could stimulate their chase instincts.

Stand tall: Face the cougar and make eye contact.

Keep children close: If a cougar is approaching, pick up small children so they dont panic or run.

Dont crouch or bend over: A cougar could perceive you as prey.

Fight back: If a cougar attacks, use rocks, sticks, jackets or anything you can get your hands on to fight back.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Iran is being accused of carrying out a nuclear weapons attack, which it does not possess, said Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an interview with Russian media, Trend reports.

"Iran is being accused of carrying out a nuclear weapons attack, which it does not possess. This is confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Iran is the most inspected country among the participants of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The country even has a law prohibiting statements about nuclear weapons," he said.

Lavrov pointed out that, after Iran retaliated against the unacceptable attack on the consulate in Damascus, there were phone calls between Russia and Iran.

"We've made it clear that Iran doesn't want things to escalate. However, it can't just ignore such a blatant violation of international law," he added.

On April 1, an Israeli airstrike in the Mezze district of Damascus killed 13 people, including the commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Syria and Lebanon, General Mohammad Reza Zahedi and his deputy, Mohammad Haji Rahimi. Since then, tensions between Iran and Israel have increased.

On April 14, Iran confirmed that it had launched an operation against Israel and fired dozens of drones and missiles at Israel. On April 19, Israel has launched 'limited' strike on Iran in response to Iran's attack.


Ukrainian air defenses downed 15 missiles and 14 Shahed-type drones during a Russian attack overnight on April 19, reported Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleschuk.

Russia launched a total of 36 missiles and drones overnight, targeting Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa oblasts.

Russian missiles targeted residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in the cities of Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, and Synelnykove in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in the morning, killing at least eight civilians, including two children, and injuring over 30 other people.

According to the Air Force's report, 11 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided cruise missiles, and two Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles were downed by Ukrainian forces.

Ukraine was also able to destroy two Kh-22 anti-ship missiles and a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber during a combat mission for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion, Oleschchuk said.

Russian troops used in total 14 Shahed-type drones, 12 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided cruise missiles, six Kh-22 cruise missiles, two Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles and two Iskander-K cruise missiles

The drones were reportedly launched from the direction of Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia's Krasnodar Krai and Kursk Oblast, while the missiles were carried out from Ryazan, Kursk Oblast, the Azov and Black seas, and occupied Crimea.

Stocks of air defense in Ukraine are low across the country as U.S. military aid funding for Ukraine continues to be held up in Congress. In the meantime, Russia has stepped up targeted attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, overwhelming local air defenses and destroying some of Ukraine's largest coal-fired power stations.

Read also: Opinion: A look at the drone arsenal Russia uses against Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian anti-aircraft units shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber for the first time, Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on April 19.

The Tu-22M3 bomber crashed in Russia's Stavropol Krai on the morning of April 19, just after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

According to Stavropol Krai Governor Vladimir Vladimirov, the Russian plane crashed in the region's Krasnogvardeysky District. Vladimirov claimed two pilots ejected from the aircraft. One pilot was allegedly killed and another crew member is missing.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed the aircraft crashed due to a "technical malfunction" while returning to its base airfield after completing a combat mission, according to Russian state-controlled media.

The Ukrainian Air Force claimed to have shot down the aircraft:

"For the first time, the anti-aircraft missile units of the (Ukrainian) Air Force, in cooperation with Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence, destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber  the carrier of Kh-22 cruise missiles, which the Russian terrorists use to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities," Oleshchuk said.

According to Ukraine's military intelligence, the Russian aircraft was shot down around 300 kilometers from Ukraine with the "same means that were previously used to shoot the Russian A-50 long-range radar detection and control aircraft."

A source from the military intelligence told the Kyiv Independent that the plane had been shot down by a Soviet-era S-200 anti-air system. The system dates back to the 1960s and has been previously described as a largely obsolete weapon.

Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the second Russian aircraft was forced to turn around after the first one was attacked.

"It means that another series of missiles was not launched at Ukraine," Yusov said.

The Ukrainian Air Force also reported downing two Kh-22 cruise missiles.

Russian forces regularly use Tu-22M3 long-range strategic and maritime strike bombers, commonly armed with AS-4 heavy anti-ship or Kh-22 cruise missiles, in airstrikes against Ukraine. Some of these planes carried out the heavy bombardment of Mariupol in 2022 using unguided bombs.

In August 2023, Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said Russia fielded 27 operable Tu-22M3 strategic bombers.

"Ukraine needs more means, more missiles, in order to better protect its front-line territories from Russian terrorism," Oleshchuk said.

Read also: Opinion: How many planes does Russia have?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Air-raid warning issued in number of oblasts: explosions in Odesa

Ukrainian authorities have issued an air-raid warning in the eastern, southern and central oblasts. Media reported explosions in Odesa.

Source: alerts.in.ua; Ukraines Air Force; Suspilne on Telegram

Quote from the Air Force: "Attention!The threat of ballistic missile use from Crimea! Do not ignore an air-raid warning!"

Details: Suspilne reports that explosions have been heard in Odesa.

Background:

On the night of 18-19 April, Russia fired missiles on Ukraine. An air-raid warning was issued throughout the country. The air raid lasted until 06:15.

In addition, the Russians launched Shahed UAVs.

A residential building was hit by a Russian missile attack in the city of Dnipro on the night of 18-19 April. The five-storey building was partially destroyed, and a fire broke out there.

As a result of the Russian attack, two people were killed in the city of Dnipro; six people, including two children, were killed in Synelnykove; and 29 other residents of the oblast were injured.

On the afternoon of 19 April, the Ukrainian authorities issued an air-raid warning in eight oblasts due to the threat of ballistic missile attacks.

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Air Traffic Controllers Stop 2 Jets Colliding After They're Cleared to Takeoff from Same Runway

The incident happened on Thursday, April 18, at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia

DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Air traffic controllers in Virginia stopped two jets colliding after they were cleared to takeoff from the same runway.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it's now looking into the incident, which took place at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.



"An air traffic controller instructed Southwest Airlines Flight 2937 to cross Runway 4 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport while JetBlue Flight 1554 was starting its takeoff roll on the same runway," the FAA said in a statement seen by PEOPLE.

"The event happened on Thursday, April 18, around 7:41 a.m. local time. The FAA will investigate."

Getty A plane taking off from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Related: Southwest Airlines New Seat Design for 2025 Sparks Outrage: We Are Getting Lawn Chairs

According to CNN, air traffic controllers had to radio each plane to stop. Audio recordings detail controllers asking the Boston-bound JetBlue flight to stop its takeoff as the Southwest Airlines plane  bound for Orlando  began taxiing across the runway in front of it.

JetBlue 1554 stop! 1554 stop! the tower controller said, according to the outlet, while the ground controller ordered the Southwest Airlines flight to halt its taxi.

The Southwest pilot replied, We stopped. We were cleared to cross Runway 4," per CNN.

JetBlue A JetBlue plane taking off

Related: One Airline Has a Solution for the Viral Debate on Whether Solo Flyers Should Give Up Their Seat for Families

The two planes stopped about 300 feet apart, reported CBS News, which cited flight data as showing the Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-Max 8 was stopped before it reached the runway, while the JetBlue Embraer 190 reached a speed of 35 mph.

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.

JetBlue confirmed to CNN that the plane was inspected after the incident and later departed the airport safely after it had initially "aborted take-off due to another aircraft attempting to cross the runway.

PEOPLE has reached out to JetBlue and Southwest Airlines for comment.



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Read the original article on People.
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville (left) and House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, listen to Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed, R-Jasper speak at an event at the Alabama State Capitol on March 21, 2024 in Montgomery, Alabama. Legislators announced a "Working for Alabama" legislative package, aimed at improving the state's low workforce participation rate. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday passed a set of bills aimed at improving the states low workforce participation rate.

The Working for Alabama package, which has the support of Gov. Kay Ivey and legislative leaders from both parties, aims to increase access to work through a combination of education programs and tax credits encouraging the expansion of housing and child care, the lack of which may hold participation down.

I know that weve had groups, both in the House and the Senate, working to identify reasons that we have people in our state who are able to work and are not working  there is, of course, lots of reasons for that sometimes, said Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, who introduced the package.

Alabamas workforce participation rate in January was 57.1%, according to the St. Louis Federal Reserve, compared to a national rate of 62.5%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The states participation rates have trailed the nations for at least 48 years. Experts say a lack of access to child care, transportation and training may play a role.

The House passed:

HB 346, sponsored by Almond, which would establish the Alabama Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act and provide tax credits to developers for housing projects. The bill passed 103-0 and goes to the Senate.

HB 358, sponsored by House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, would establish an employer tax credit, child care facility tax credit and nonprofit child care provider grant program aimed at incentivizing employers to fund childcare for their employees. The bill passed 103-0 and heads to the Senate.

SB 247, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, would rename the Secretary of Labor and Department of Labor the Secretary of Workforce and Department of Workforce and expand duties to include oversight of all current workforce development programs. The bill passed 102-0 and goes to Gov. Kay Ivey.

SB 252, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Reed, R-Jasper, would establish the Alabama Growth Alliance, a public corporation to provide economic development recommendations, such as increasing private investment and promoting opportunities for minority-owned businesses. The bill passed 97-0 after it was amended, and it goes back to the Senate for consideration.

SB 253, sponsored by Sen. Donnie Chasteen, R-Geneva, would create an alternative diploma pathway for students focused on career education, which faced some criticism for decreasing math requirements. The bill passed 102-0.

Child care credits

A woman presenting a folder to a man

Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, speaks with Rep. Sam Jones, D-Mobile, during a debate on a comprehensive gambling bill in the Alabama House of Representatives on Feb. 15, 2024. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, presented Daniels legislation to provide child care tax credits to incentivize employers to fund child care.

Not only will it incentivize industries, but it will give a number of women who need to get into the workforce and those that are in the workforce  it will help them greatly, Drummond said.

The bill would provide employers up to $600,000 per year for eligible child care expenses, such as construction of a child care center or payments to a center on behalf of an employee, to be applied against applicable taxes.

It would also give child care facilities a $25,000 tax credit per year, which can significantly reduce their tax bill. The bill also creates a grant for nonprofit facilities to help with operations, construction or repairs.

The bill would cap tax credits at $15 million for all employers in 2025. The cap increases to $17.5 million in 2026 and $20 million in 2027. The tax credits would sunset on Dec. 31, 2027 unless extended by the state.

Representatives all spoke in support of the program.

Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, the chair of the House Ways and Means Education Committee, said that the sunset provision in the child care tax credits bill would allow them to evaluate the bills impact.

Every workforce committee thats looked at labor participation has identified this  child care  is a major impediment, and so were believing this is a good tool to help address that issue and to get people back into the workforce, Garrett said.

House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said to reporters after the bills passage that he thinks the legislation is huge.

If you have a single mom, and shes having to pay $12,000 a year for two children, just to have child care, thats not counting groceries, utilities or car or any of those expenses. Its tough, he said.

Child care costs estimates in Alabama range from $5,276 in Barbour County to $10,900 in Walker County a year for an infant, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Womens Bureau. In Greene County, families spend an average of 18% of their income on child care, the highest in the state. Families in Coffee County spend the least on average as a percentage of their income, at about 7%.

Housing credit

A woman sits behind a microphone.

Rep. Cynthia Almond, R-Tuscaloosa, listens to a budget presentation from the Alabama Community College System on March 7, 2023. T (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Most Thursdays discussion in the House centered around the housing tax credit.

Almond said the bill would provide housing developers a supplementary tax credit, which can also be used to offset financial institution excise tax, to the existing federal low-income housing tax credits already in place.

The federal tax credits are not enough to bring developers to the state because housing tends to be lower in Alabama, Almond said, leading to developers not building homes in the state because they would lose money.

Our rent is too low to make the math work for the developer to build this type of housing without the housing tax credit. So the credit incentivizes the developer to do something that he or she otherwise would not do, Almond said.

Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, expressed concern that the Housing Choice Voucher, formerly known as Section 8, exists to address housing issues, but landlords may not accept the vouchers.

There are people that are working, who has this, but their homes have been taken or where they were living has been taken from them. So you have this place here, where these people are falling into, and they cannot get what I have been told by the individuals that have reached out to me, those individuals are finding themselves homeless, Hall said.

Almond said the bill could be part of the solution and that is exactly the type of housing were talking about here, and thats what we need.

Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Linden, said that access to affordable housing is impeding people from achieving the American dream.

Our American dream is now becoming a nightmare to a whole lot of people, McCampbell said.

Its a privilege to be able to work and provide for a family, he said, but that privilege is not equal, and it doesnt make sense for some people to work if they cant provide for their families.

Some of the jobs that we have are not paying a living income that will allow people to be able to have fair housing, McCampbell said.

Rep. Curtis Travis, D- Tuscaloosa, said that the only concern he had with the bill is that it didnt provide enough funding for the incentives and that it sunsets too quickly.

My only concern is that because $5 million goes rather quickly. In these areas, were talking about Huntsville, from what I know, is a very hot market, Travis said.

Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Indian Springs, said its important to get people back into the workforce but he would hope the state considers developing a process to give people entering the workforce some sort of ownership, to allow them to build equity in the process in a manner other than being sort of a paycheck-to-paycheck type of thing.

Growth Alliance

A man in a pink and white tie and a gray suit.

Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, stands on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives during a session on Feb. 6, 2024 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

There was debate over legislation to create the Alabama Growth Alliance, a public corporation to provide input and support on economic development. Democrats expressed concerns that the state would be creating an entity that is exempt from ethics laws.

Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, said they are creating shade in gray area by involving the private sector and individuals to advise the state on economic development.

Who brought up this fiscal responsibility phrase? he said to Republicans. I think it was your group. Your party. So, were going to be fiscally responsible in our due diligence, Jackson said. Now why do you want to take that away?

Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview, who presented the bill in the House, maintained the body would be an advisory board made up of people with first-hand experience in economic development.

Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham, said the general public needs to know more about those on the board, even if they are volunteers. She said this House is doing something shady, and this is wrong.

We should not be creating bodies of individuals that we give authority to act on any matter of fiscal responsibility for the state of Alabama, and they are not held to a standard, she said.

Shedd maintained they wont have the authority to spend money and said, were asking the private sector to give us their greatest ideas.

Givan said they are giving a group of powerful individuals, or because they have some sort of status, the power to steal from the state.

No, maam. Girl, bye, she said. They are more prone to steal. They are more prone to commit some type of act. They are more prone to misrepresent.

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The post Alabama House passes Working for Alabama package appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, hands a resolution to legislative staff in the Alabama Senate on April 18, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

The Alabama Senate approved a bill Thursday that would require state agencies to acknowledge and respond to public records requests within a certain time frame.

SB 270, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would set a 10-day deadline for agencies to acknowledge standard requests. The office would have a 15-day deadline to approve or deny the standard request.

Right now, the current law is the Wild West, Orr said during debate on Thursday. We dont have timelines for governments or universities to respond in due time.

Alabamas current public records law does not include timelines for responses, meaning that agencies can legally ignore requests for public records. It takes an average of 188 days for state agencies to respond to open records requests, according to MuckRock, a nonprofit organization that focuses on open government. The organization says there is only a 16.29% success rate for obtaining public records.

Gov. Kay Ivey last year issued an executive order requiring state agencies to respond to requests within a certain period of time. But Ivey or a future governor could revoke that at any time.

Under Orrs legislation, an agency could extend response times by 15 days provided it gives proper notice. Agencies also have adjusted the timelines for time-intensive requests.

The bill passed 29-0 after a substitute was adopted.

The substitute says that there is a rebuttable presumption that a proper standard request has been denied if a substantive response is not provided for a regular request within 30 business days or 60 calendar days; or if the public records are not produced 30 business days or 60 calendar days. Orr said in a phone call Thursday afternoon that lawsuits could be filed after this timeline.

Some senators asked about exceptions to the bill.

Sen. Will Barfoot, R-Pike Road, asked about limitations in the legislation. The senator said a a volunteer fire department faced harassing requests during litigation from a nearby landowner.

Im just looking for some assurances that what youve got there will help protect those folks from harassing requests, he said.

Orr said there were limitations around frivolous requests, which he defined as overly broad or overly time consuming.

The bill does not allow the public to see every public record.

Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, told Orr he had concern that footage from body cameras worn by law enforcement officers would be included in the bill.

I had a call just a few minutes ago from a police chief that was very concerned about the body cam footage being viewed as public record, he said.

Orr said that body camera footage was not included in the bill.

The City of Huntsville received the Golden Padlock Award in 2022 for failing to release body camera footage after police shot and killed a man who was suffering suicidal ideation. The award recognizes secretive governments and is from Investigative Reporters and Editors.

The bill moves to the House of Representatives.

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The post Alabama Senate approves bill setting timelines for responses to public records requests appeared first on Alabama Reflector.
Caribou cross through Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in their 2012 spring migration. The Western Arctic Caribou Herd, long one of the largest in North America, has declined precipitiously. The herd's range includes Gates of the Arctic. (Photo by Photo by Zak Richter/National Park Service)

Caribou cross through Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in their 2012 spring migration. A 211-mile industrial road that the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority wants to build would pass through Gates of the Arctic and other areas used by the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, one of the largest in North America. Supporters, including many Alaska political leaders, say the road would provide important economic benefits. Opponents say it would have unacceptable effects on the caribou. (Photo by Zak Richter/National Park Service)

Alaskas U.S. senators and representatives of resource-extraction industries accused the Biden administration on Thursday of breaking federal laws by rejecting a controversial plan to build a road through the Brooks Range foothills and making final rules that strengthen environmental protections on federal land on the western side of the North Slope.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, held press events on the eve of what is expected to be a set of land policy announcements from the U.S. Department of the Interior on the proposed Ambler Access Project and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.

They are clearly illegal, Sullivan, in his news conference with several Republican senators, said of the two pending announcements.

As for the Ambler Access Project, a federal right-of-way is mandated by the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980, he said. The National Petroleum Reserve, he noted, was established in the 1920s as the Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4. The reserve is meant for oil and gas development, he said.

Murkowski, in a press call that followed Sullivans event, also invoked ANILCA, as did Deantha Skibinski, executive director of the Alaska Miners Association.

Skibinksi said the pending decision opposing the Ambler road surprised her because such a road is expressly provided for in ANILCA.

I am surprised that a federal agency decided they didnt have to follow the law, she said at Murkowskis press call.

The ANILCA argument might be subject to debate.

While one section of the law states that Congress has found that a road linking the Ambler Mining District with the Dalton Highway is needed and that the secretary of the Interior shall permit such access, another provision says no withdrawal, reservation, lease, permit, or other use, occupancy or disposition of such lands which would significantly restrict subsistence uses unless certain conditions are met, including a determination that curtailment of subsistence resources is justified.

A 211-mile road that the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority wants to build would connect Ambler Metals LLC.'s proposed copper mines to the Dalton Highway. (Alaska Division of Mining, Land and Water map)

A 211-mile road that the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority wants to build would connect Ambler Metals LLCs proposed copper mines to the Dalton Highway. (Alaska Division of Mining, Land and Water map)

The proposed 211-mile road, which is deemed necessary to enable commercial development of mining sites in the Ambler region of Arctic Northwest Alaska, is highly controversial in Alaska.

The project sponsor is the Alaska Industrial and Export Development Authority, a state-owned development agency that is seeking to issue bonds to pay for construction. Under AIDEAs plan, the road would be for industrial use only, with mining companies paying fees as they use it. Ambler Metals LLC, a joint venture of the Canadian company Trilogy Metals Inc. and the Austrian company South32, would be the prime beneficiary, and copper would be the main product. While the road is intended to open access to the Ambler area, where mine sites have been explored since the 1950s, it would also enable commercial mining all along its route, where other mining claims have been staked.

While Alaskas congressional delegation and other political leaders support the project, there is opposition in several communities and among some tribal governments along the would-be road corridor.

The proposed road is considered a threat to the Western Arctic Caribou Herd, one of the largest herds in North America. Industrial development in the herds habitat would exacerbate recent declines, road opponents argue.

Among the consistent opponents has been the Western Arctic Caribou Herd Working Group, an advisory group representing villages, reindeer herders, guides and others who depend on that herd.

In a 2019 letter to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, for example, the working group urged that a no action alternative be chosen to preclude road construction. This decision will offer the best chance of protecting the WACH, its users, and its habitat, the letter said.

Jim Dau, a longtime Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist who worked for decades with the Western Arctic herd, has also argued against the road. It would likely significantly impact caribou migrations, he said in an opinion column published last week in the Anchorage Daily News.

Also opposing the road is the Tanana Chiefs Conference, a consortium of tribal governments in Interior Alaska.

There are Native organizations that support the road, however. Murkowski, in her news conference, noted that some tribes have dropped their earlier opposition.

Natinoal Petroleum Reserve rule builds on existing integrated activity plan

Oil development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska rule would continue to be allowed under the new rule expected to be finalized on Friday.

When the BLM released its proposed rule last fall, the agency pointed out ways that it largely aligns with an integrated activity plan that has been in place since 2013.

Lakes and connecting streams in the northeastern part of hte National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska are seen from the air on June 26, 2014. (Photo by Bob Wick/U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

Lakes and connecting streams in the northeastern part of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska are seen from the air on June 26, 2014. (Photo by Bob Wick/U.S. Bureau of Land Management)

The current plan allows oil leasing on about half of the reserve territory but preserves five designated special areas as ecologically important sites that are closed to oil development. Protections put in place in 2013 would be codified rather than exist as guidelines and thus be more durable, under the new rule. For example, though it allows removal of protections from special areas, the rule expected to be made final on Friday sets up a formal, multistep process that must be followed to do so. And it provides options for adding new special areas to be protected for their habitat and cultural values.

Kara Moriarty, executive director of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, said the new rule, even though it allows oil development, will violate federal law and cause hardships for energy companies operating in the area.

No matter what integrated activity plan is in force, Moriarty said, the 1976 act that governs the National Petroleum Reserve stipulates that oil development should occur in the land unit. But the new rule says development should not occur unless you can prove no or minimal impact. Thats a complete switch in fundamentals, she said during Murkowskis press call.

This rule is completely ignoring the National Petroleum Reserve Act. The act says that this area is designated for petroleum development. And the rule is not legally durable, because they are trying to change the entire premise of the NPR-A act through regulation, she said.

For oil companies with existing leases in the reserve, the practical effect will be much more difficulties in winning permits to explore and develop those leases, she said.

Both Murkowski and Sullivan characterized two pending Alaska policies as being motivated by politics. They are efforts to shore up support for President Joe Bidens reelection, they said.

Murkowski said Biden continues to suffer politically from the administrations decision last year approving ConocoPhillips Willow development. Biden is still being criticized by young voters for that decision, she said.

So, theyre trying to find a way to prove their environmental cred to younger voters who are not seemingly impressed, she said. In the meantime, its doing extraordinary damage to Alaska, to our economy, but more importantly  even more important than Alaskas economy  is the energy, the nations security, because thats what were talking about.

A March 21 message from the Alaska Wilderness League, which was first posted on social media prior to Fridays announcement, calls for stricter development rules in the National Petroleum Reserve. We need stronger protections NOW and we need protections for more of the Western Arctic to ensure that there are NO more Willows, the post says.

Murkowski said some young opponents of Willow development are being very aggressive in expressing themselves. She cited an event Wednesday night in Washington, D.C., where she was being honored for her work on behalf of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It was disrupted by activists who stormed the state to protest the Willow decision. The encounter was posted on social media by the group, called Climate Defiance.

Sullivan said that by enacting their Ambler and National Petroleum Reserve policies, Biden and officials in his administration sell out almost every interest of the United States  environmental national security, jobs, our allies  for the far-left radicals simply because he wants to get reelected.

Sullivan, at his news conference, made his own election pitch.

When the average American sees these policies, understands these policies, the most important thing we can do is retake the Senate, retake the White House. Thats going to be the ultimate revenge here, he said.

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The post Alaskas U.S. senators say pending decisions on Ambler road and NPR-A are illegal appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
WARSAW, Poland  Albanian Defense Minister Niko Peleshi has announced that the countrys government aims to relaunch its three dormant weapon and ammunition production facilities amid military conflicts in Europe and the Middle East. The ministry intends to attract foreign investors to allow the companies to roll out new products.

Revitalization will be a process aimed at promoting innovation. We no longer pretend that the industry will be developed by the state, but by attracting investors from NATO, the official said on April 17 at the Albanian parliament.

With this development, the Albanian government is joining a growing number of European countries who have intensified efforts to ramp up ammunition production in the aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Albania opens remodeled Soviet-era air base as hub for NATO jets

Peleshi said that the Defense Ministry has already kicked off work on the project to revive the three factories, collaborating with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. Tirana aims to determine the necessary investment values and the demand for their potential products, according to the official.

Albania halted manufacturing of arms and ammunition at the plants following the collapse of its communist regime and the countrys transformation into a market economy. The production facilities were built in the 1960s, and are located in Polican, Elbasan and Gramsh. The latter two factories have been transformed into weapon demilitarization facilities, while the plant in Polican was completely shut down.

Albania joined NATO together with Croatia in April 2009.
An Allegheny County Sheriffs deputy was assaulted in Pittsburgh Thursday.

Deputy Kyle Klein was assaulted along Grant Street after walking out of the front of the courthouse during the lunch hour. The suspect, Tyrone Kelly, attempted to punch Klein several times before he was taken to the ground and subdued, according to a news release.

Klein did not suffer any significant injuries.

Kelly is charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. The EU mission in Armenia is turning into a NATO mission, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during an interview with Russian media, Trend reports.

"At the 2022 Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) conference in Armenia, all parties, including the Armenian minister, signed a document outlining increased weapons transfers to Armenia, exercises, and mission deployment. Despite Prime Minister Pashinyan's claim of a lack of consensus, Armenian society demonstrated unanimity for the EU mission, initially pledged for two months but now extended indefinitely, with Canadian and other NATO countries' participation, transforming it from an EU mission to a NATO one," he said.

To note, the EU monitoring mission in Armenia was initiated on January 23, 2023. Initially, there were 100 employees. However, on December 11, the same year, it was decided to expand the number to 209 people.

In April, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stressed the importance of the EU surveillance mission, claiming it provides "objective" information regarding the border situation with Azerbaijan. Pashinyan also recommended extending the mission's mandate.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Andrew Warren, suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis, holds a news conference in Tallahassee on Aug. 17, 2022. Flanking him is his attorney, J Cabou. Credit: Michael Moline

Quality Journalism for Critical Times

Speaking a day after he announced that he will run for reelection to the state attorneys position in Hillsborough County that Gov. Ron DeSantis forcibly removed him from two years ago, Andrew Warren has blasted Suzy Lopez, the former prosecutor and trial judge with whom DeSantis replaced him.

Voters elected me because of my vision and my values and my record of success in making Hillsborough the safest large county in Florida, Warren told the Phoenix in a phone interview on Wednesday.

The governor illegally installed her because of her politics, so that is a clear choice. Well have plenty of time to talk through the specifics, but I said that she is an illegal political appointee who is unqualified, who is unelected, and who is unethical. And just to give you an example of that, every day since the court ruling came out saying that the suspension is illegal, that she walks into the office pretending to be there legitimately, is a slap in the face of the voters and an attack on the rule of law.

Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez (Credit: Office of the State Attorney 13th Judicial Circuit)

Since DeSantis suspended Warren in August 2022 for alleged neglect of duty and incompetence after the prosecutor signed pledges not to prosecute alleged crimes resulting from abortion or transgender care, Warren has spent considerable time in front of the public, attempting to get his job back through the federal courts. In court, he argued that he never translated those pledges into office policy but DeSantis argued Warren had undermined the rule of law.

But as the calendar turned to 2024, Warren announced in early January that, while he would continue his journey to get reinstated through the courts, he would not seek reelection in the fall, citing the likelihood that DeSantis would suspend him again if he won.

That changed two days after he made that announcement, when a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit criticized DeSantis action and ordered U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle in Tallahassee to reconsider the case. Hinkle had originally concluded that, although the governor had punished Warren to boost his own campaign for president, he lacked authority to reinstate Warren to his office.

They affirmed that the suspension was illegal, and they explained that I could be reinstated, which makes clear that the governor cant just overturn an election for whatever bogus reason he wants, and makes clear that the governor is not above the law and the voters decide who serves in office, Warren said.

Fired up

Sean Shaw, a former state legislator and the Democratic Partys nominee for attorney general in 2018, said he and other Democrats he knows are fired up over Warrens decision to reenter the race.

You get removed from office by losing elections. You dont get removed from office because the governor disagrees with your positions, he said.

Former Hillsborough County State Democratic Rep. Sean Shaw. Campaign photo

Shaw added that Warrens reentry in the race puts the decision of who Hillsborough County wants to lead their state attorneys office to the voters.

If [Lopez] wins, she wins. Shes the elected state attorney Shaw said. But until then, I cant wait for the community to get to decide. We elected Andrew for the exact same reasons that the governor doesnt like him, and thats what pissed so many of us off when we he was removed.

Warren predicts the campaign will be different than his two previously successful campaigns for state attorney.

What makes it a different type of race is because the two races I ran previously were about who is the best state attorney to move our criminal justice system forward and keep our neighborhood safe, he said.

And I was elected and reelected because the voters believe I was the best person to do it, and I proved that I was after my first term. Whats changed for this election is now this is not just about those issues about criminal justice, but its also about our values and our democracy. And Im the one who has stood up against the abuse of power by the governor. Im the one who stood up for a womans right to choose. Im the one who stood up for free speech and the rule of law, and the governor and all the other people of the equation are the ones who were playing political games for our public safety.

Political shift

The political terrain that Warren goes into this election cycle in Hillsborough County is different than when he was reelected by more than six percentage points in 2020. Thats because there were 75,000 more registered Democrats in the county then, as opposed to the current situation, where the Democratic voter-registration lead over the GOP is now less than 10,000, said Tampa Bay-area based political analyst Barry Edwards.

Hes also starting with zero dollars in the bank, Edwards said. Through her political committee and her campaign accounts, [Lopez] has probably close to half-a-million dollars. So, hes starting behind the eight-ball with fundraising, and hes got to gear up for a race in six-and-a-half months away.

Between her two campaign accounts, Lopez had raised more than $470,000 so far.

Weve seen the performance of the county in 2022  all the countywide and statewide Democrat candidates got wiped out, Edwards added. They lost two county commissioners. So, the county has registration has changed, hes behind in fundraising, and the performance of the county has changed to a red-performing county.

Warren insists he remains hes unfazed by the countys political demographics.

Residents of Hillsborough County  Republican, Democratic, independents  want a safer community and want an improved criminal justice system, and thats what I promised as a candidate. And I kept those promises once I was in office. Thats why I was elected by a large margin in 2020 and thats why Ill be re-elected in 2024, he said.

Another difference is that the most prominent Republican in the state  Gov. DeSantis  has already made it clear that he doesnt want Warren to be reelected (although the governor has yet to publicly comment on Warrens decision to run again).

Im in a different position than I was before because the other side has cheated, Warren said. They broke the law to unlawfully remove me from office and put someone in that position illegally and illegitimately.

Failed far-left politician

The Lopez campaign responded to Warrens comments.

Andrew Warren is a failed far-left politician who lost his job because he wasnt doing his job, said Ryan Smith, a senior strategist with the Lopez campaign.

The only person Andrew Warren has to blame for that is himself. State Attorney Suzy Lopez is a career prosecutor endorsed by law enforcement who puts criminals behind bars and secures justice for crime victims. Hillsborough County is safer with Suzy Lopez. Thats why Suzy Lopez is state attorney today and will remain state attorney in November, Smith said.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Martinez Strauss, the Tampa attorney who filed as a Democrat to run in the state attorneys race in February after Warren said that he would not run for reelection, said she doesnt intend to drop out.

Im going to take the position that Andrew Warren is entitled to run but Im not going to back out until we get some sort of guidance, she said, noting that although the Eleventh Circuit ordered the federal trial judge to reconsider his decision that he could not reinstate Warren, that judge has not ruled yet.

Something would have to be done before the 26th that would leave me to believe it was moving in his favor because otherwise it would just be too risky, and for the same reasons he said he wasnt going to run are the same reasons Im going to stay in the race and campaign against him if I have to, she said, referring to April 26, the last day that candidates can qualify to run in local elections this year.

Theres no harm in having options and thats why democracy is a good thing, she adds.

The post Andrew Warren says Hillsborough State Atty. Suzy Lopez is pretending to be there legitimately appeared first on Florida Phoenix.
BALTIMORE, Md. (DC News Now)  There was an emotional reunion outside of Johns Hopkins Hospital Thursday. The family of two people who were pulled from a burning vehicle last week met the man who helped save them.

Thank you so much. Thank you for everything you have done to assist my family so they can live. Thank you so much, said Brenda Roberts Nesbitt, whose daughter and grandson were in the vehicle.

According to Roberts Nesbitt, her daughter Scheracon Roberts Brown was driving a dump truck for work with her 5-year-old son Aarihimis Brown in tow when the crash happened.

Maryland State Police said last week a tire on the dump truck blew, which caused the vehicle to cross lanes, crash and burst into flames. It happened on the morning of April 8 on I-495 in Prince Georges County.

Video from the scene captured Bishop John Adonteng Boateng, who serves at Divine Word International Ministries in Woodbridge, carrying the boy away from the flames.

I just wanted to do what I loved: Woodbridge bishop saves boy from burning vehicle in Beltway crash

I didnt think about my life, I just wanted to do what I loved to do, the bishop told DC News Now the day of the crash. When I approached the fire, it was burning, it was flaming so high. I saw a child that was crawling, trying to come out of the vehicle. So, I stretched my arms into the fire and picked up the child.

Thursday, the bishop brought a blue teddy bear, cards and gifts for the boy. Together, the group hugged, shook hands and prayed.

This is godly, and I thank God the child and the mom have a second chance to live their lives, said Bishop John.

According to the family, both mother and son are communicating with them, not verbally, but by opening their eyes and nodding their heads. Both are expected to have months of recovery ahead of them, as both suffer from burns and other serious injuries.

Theyre as good as possibly can be expected. They are still here with us, said Elania Nesbitt, Scheracons sister and Aarihimiss aunt. They have been through a few surgeries just to get that dead skin off from the burns but its still a long road ahead of us. Were not out the woods, but were making progress day by day.

Nesbitt said her sister is being treated at a hospital in Washington, while her nephew is being treated in Baltimore.

She said she was still in some disbelief that this happened.

You dont expect something like this to happen. We ride past accidents every day. All day, people speeding and stuff like that, its crazy. You dont never know if its going to be your family, your sister, your aunt, your uncle, she said.

The family is asking for continued prayers and support for the mother and son.

They said even sending cards to decorate their hospital rooms helps.

I appreciate all of the people who want to know if theyre okay, how theyre progressing. Theyre progressing well day by day, said Nesbitt.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Emergency workers at the site of the Russian strike on the city of Dnipro. Photo: Ukraines State Emergency Service

Emergency workers have retrieved the body of a dead woman from the rubble of an apartment block in the city of Dnipro that was bombed by the Russians on the morning of Friday, 19 April.

Source: Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES) on social media

Details: Early reports from SES indicate that seven people, including two children, were killed in the Russian strike on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

A total of 34 people have been injured, including one child.

The search and rescue operations continue.

Background:

On the morning of 19 April, Russian forces attacked the city of Dnipro and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Besides the apartment block, two infrastructure facilities in Dnipro were damaged. Four houses were partially destroyed in the town of Synelnykove, and eight more were damaged. A facility in the town of Pavlohrad was also hit.

Eight people are reported to have been killed in this attack.

The Russians also struck the Nikopol district, shelling Nikopol itself with artillery in the evening and Marhanets hromada at night, damaging two houses. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories.

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April 12-18, 2024

Performers take part in the official flame lighting ceremony in Athens in preparation for the Paris Olympics. A local resident swims in floodwater in Orenburg, Russia, after a dam on the Ural River burst. The northern lights shine over an erupting volcano near the town of Grindavik, Iceland, and Real Madrid players celebrate winning the quarterfinal Champions League quarterfinal in Manchester, England. Residents take refuge at a school after flooding in Kisumu, Kenya.

This gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published in the past week by The Associated Press from Europe and Africa. The selection was curated by AP's chief photographer for Russia, Alexander Zemlianichenko.

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Apple users in China won't be able to find and download WhatsApp and Threads from the App Store anymore, according to The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. The company said it pulled the apps from the store to comply with orders it received from Cyberspace Administration, China's internet regulator, "based on [its] national security concerns." It explained to the publications that it's "obligated to follow the laws in the countries where [it operates], even when [it disagrees]."

The Great Firewall of China blocks a lot of non-domestic apps and technologies in the country, prompting locals to use VPN if they want to access any of them. Meta's Facebook and Instagram are two of those applications, but WhatsApp and Threads have been available for download until now. The Chinese regulator's order comes shortly before the Senate is set to vote on a bill that could lead to a TikTok ban in the US. Cyberspace Administration's reasoning  that the apps are a national security concern  even echoes American lawmakers' argument for blocking TikTok in the country.

In the current version of the bill, ByteDance will have a year to divest TikTok, or else the short form video-sharing platform will be banned from app stores. The House is expected to pass the bill, which is part of a package that also includes aid to Ukraine and Israel. President Joe Biden previously said that he supports the package and will immediately sign the bills into law.

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A 27-year-old woman was arrested for assaulting a 64-year-old bus driver a week after the attack

Mesa Police Department Hermenegilda Marquez

A 27-year-old woman was arrested on Wednesday, April 17, after allegedly attacking a school bus driver, per a Mesa Police Department news release obtained by PEOPLE.

Hermenegilda Marquez allegedly attacked the 64-year-old bus driver, who was dropping children off in the area of McKellips Road and Country Club Drive in Mesa, Ariz., around 2:15 p.m. last Thursday, April 11.

Marquez was arrested six days later on April 17. She was taken into custody and charged with one count of aggravated assault on a school employee. Marquez invoked her right to legal counsel and declined to be interviewed by investigators, per the MPD news release.

Getty Stock image of a yellow school bus parked in front of school playground

Related: Police Say Nonbinary Okla. Student 'Did Not Die as a Result of Trauma,' Family Says Teen Was Attacked by Group

Authorities responded to reports that there was a possible assault on a Mesa Public Schools bus driver, per the MPD news release. Upon arrival, the police discovered the unnamed driver, who had sustained minor injuries.

Although the attack occurred after the victim dropped off students at the bus stop, 11 children witnessed the assault.

Marquez allegedly boarded the bus and proceeded to threaten the driver, claiming she was "talking s--- to [her] daughter." Marquez then walked off the bus for a short period of time and then reboarded, where she pushed, slapped, and punched the victim, per footage obtained by PEOPLE.

The victim claimed she did not know either the mother or the child. She then claimed "that she was struck in the head and her hair was pulled" and "after the assault, her pacemaker began to shock her."

getty Stock image of school bus

Related: Pa. Teacher Allegedly Attacked by Brick-Wielding Parent After Confiscating Student's Phone

Marquezs boyfriend then went on the bus and attempted to remove his girlfriend. But as Marquez was taken off the vehicle, she reached and pulled the victims hair, almost pulling the victim out of the drivers seat.

The driver then called for help via the bus radio. Police arrived after Marquez fled the scene in a vehicle.

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The Mesa Police Department is still investigating the incident.



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Rep. Matt Duffield, R-Russellville, left, and Sen. Mark Johnson, R-Ferndale, at a news conference April 18, 2024, about the death of Bryan Malinowski after federal agents raided his home in March. About 24 other lawmakers stood behind them. (Photo by Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate)

A group of Arkansas lawmakers on Thursday called on the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to release body-camera footage of a pre-dawn raid that ended in the fatal shooting of Little Rocks airport director.

Were they wearing required body cameras? If not, why not? And where the hell is the footage? Rep. Matt Duffield, R-Russellville, asked during an afternoon news conference in the Capitol.

Bryan Malinowski

Bryan Malinowski, 53, was shot in the head March 19 in an exchange of gunfire with federal agents attempting to serve a search warrant at his West Little Rock home. He died the next day. An ATF agent was wounded in the shootout.

Malinowski had been executive director of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport since 2019.

Duffield and Sen. Mark Johnson, R-Ferndale, said Malinowskis family and the public deserve answers from law enforcement. About two dozen legislators stood behind them in the Capitol rotunda.

Its been a month. We have seen nothing. We have heard nothing. His wife has received nothing, Duffield said. We have questions. Why the pre-dawn raid? ATF knew where he lived. They knew where he worked. They knew his and his wifes routines.

Duffield asked whether ATF agents knocked and clearly identified themselves before breaking down Malinowskis door. He also criticized agents for keeping the airport directors wife, dressed in her pajamas, in the backseat of one of their cars for more than 45 minutes.

Duffield also asked why no further information has been forthcoming.

Why is no one talking? Do they not understand that the longer they wait to explain, the more suspicious and cynical the public becomes about the ATF and its actions?

In this case, he said, the ATF has run roughshod over the civil rights of Arkansas citizens, and some contend gotten away with cold-blooded murder.

Bryan did what I would have if roused from sleep by unknown persons invading his home, Duffield said. He did what most Arkansans would have. And he paid for it with his life. And for all we know, it was the price he paid for simply being a gun collector.

Duffield and Johnson said they didnt personally know Malinowski.

The ATF affidavit

Malinowski drew the attention of the ATF, according to the search warrant affidavit, when a pistol he bought surfaced in a crime committed in Canada. Ultimately, the agency connected six guns he sold to weapons seized in mostly nonviolent crimes in other states.

Agents also observed him selling guns at area gun shows and to private buyers elsewhere without asking buyers for identification. An undercover officer also bought guns from Malinowski, the affidavit said.

Buying and selling guns isnt illegal, but Malinowski signed forms when he purchased the guns declaring he was buying them for himself and not for resale, court documents show.

The affidavit noted Malinowski bought at least 150 firearms between 2019 and December 2023. Agents took 45 weapons, mostly pistols, from his home after executing the search warrant, court documents show.

Widespread concern

Bud Cummins, a former U.S. attorney who has been acting as a spokesman for Malinowskis family, said Thursday that the family is pleased to know people care about what happened on March 19.

Ive never been involved in my public life in something where so many people have sought me out to express their feelings and concerns, Cummins said in an interview after the news conference.

The widespread concern has included people who dont think Malinowski did anything wrong and others who believe something warranted the governments attention but question the severity of the response, he said.

Cummins noted that a federal policy adopted after the shooting of Breonna Taylor in an early-morning raid in 2020 requires agents to wear and use body cameras when serving search warrants.

There has been no official response to his and the familys requests to see the body-cam footage of the March 19 raid, Cummins said.

Arkansas State Police said it is investigating the shooting at the ATFs request, but has not released any additional information.

At Thursdays news conference, a reporter asked Johnson to comment on rumors that ATF agents were not wearing body cameras that morning.

Its a true or false statement, the senator said. Either they were or they werent. If they were, we want it released. If they werent we want to hear the logic of why.

We want the truth to come out, he said.

Arkansas lawmakers at an April 18, 2024, news conference seek answers to the fatal shooting of Little Rocks airport director during a raid by ATF agents in March. (Photo by Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate)

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The post Arkansas lawmakers: Did ATF agents use body cameras in fatal raid? appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arkansas Supreme Court (Courtesy Photo)

The Arkansas Supreme Courts decision on Thursday to reverse a circuit courts ruling could lead to additional DNA testing in the 31-year-old West Memphis Three murder case.

Damien Echols appeal to the states high court stems from his pursuit of exoneration. When three eight-year old boys were killed in 1993 in West Memphis, Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, all teens at the time, were convicted of their murders.

Echols was sentenced to death, but DNA testing later established that neither Echols, Baldwin nor Misskelley was the source of any of the biological material tested.

All three men were released from prison in 2011 after entering Alford pleas, receiving a time-served sentence plus 10 years suspended sentences. Echols has continued to maintain his innocence and sought exoneration.

In January 2022, Echols filed a petition to conduct additional DNA testing under Act 1780 of 2001, which permits those convicted of a crime to access new testing developed through technological advances to demonstrate their innocence.

The Crittenden County Circuit Court in June 2022 denied Echols petition, saying it could not grant habeas corpus relief because he was not in custody at the time of his petition. Habeas corpus requires a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or court.

Echols appealed to the Arkansas Supreme Court, arguing that the plain language of the law provides that a person convicted of a crime may make a motion for additional testing.

Writing for the majority, Associate Justice Karen Baker agreed, saying that it is clear that any personwho has alleged actual innocence of the offense or offenses for which the person was convicted is entitled to petition for a writ of habeas corpus.

Therefore, we conclude that the circuit court misinterpreted the plain language of Act 1780 and, as a result, clearly erred when it dismissed Echolss Act 1780 petition on the grounds that he was not in State custody at the time it was filed, Baker wrote. Accordingly, we reverse and remand.

Special Justice Mary Carole Young joined the majority opinion, while Chief Justice Dan Kemp and Associate Justice Cody Hiland did not participate.

Associate Justices Shawn Womack and Barbara Webb, and Special Justice Marcia Hearnsberger dissented.

Let us know what you think...

In her dissenting opinion, Webb said the majoritys decision obliterates any sense of finality in our criminal justice system because their interpretation of Act 1780 means anyone convicted of crime, regardless of whether theyre in state custody, could seek DNA or other scientific testing even if it would not prove their innocence.

Webb argued Echols was not entitled to habeas relief because hes not in state custody and DNA testing would not prove his innocence because his first conviction didnt rely on DNA evidence. Webb wrote that the jury was presented with evidence that Echols knew facts that werent public knowledge and multiple witnesses testified that Echols confessed to the murders.

In reaching its decision, the majority ignores common sense and basic legal principles to embark on a fruitless endeavor to exonerate a depraved murderer, Webb said. Their decision only serves to reopen old wounds for the victims families and the West Memphis community.

Additionally, Webb argued, Echols is not entitled to habeas relief because his guilty plea constituted his trial, and his conviction is not subject to collateral attack.

Regarding the 2011 Alford plea, Baker noted in the majority opinion that unlike a traditional guilty plea, an admission of guilt is not inherent in an Alford plea.

As such, we disagree with the State that Echolss Alford plea precluded him from later challenging his conviction on the grounds of actual innocence pursuant to Act 1780, she wrote.

Echols said in a social media post Thursday that he hopes the courts decision will help the case come to a resolution.

Hopefully this will allow us to solve this case once and for all, he said. Thank you to everyone who has supported us for the past 31 years. Ill keep you posted as things move forward.

The post Arkansas Supreme Court reverses West Memphis Three ruling, allows for DNA testing appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Arm and Torso Found on Lake Michigan Shore Thought to Belong to Milwaukee Teen Killed on First Date

Police said Thursday, April 18 that they believe the body parts belong to 19-year-old Sade Carleena Robinson

Milwaukee Police Department Sade Robinson

The arm and torso of a Milwaukee teen who was dismembered and killed earlier this month are thought to have been found on the shore of Lake Michigan.

A citizen walking a remote tree-lined beach near 3305 Marina Road discovered the remains at 7:37 a.m. local time on Thursday, April 18, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office.

Police say the body parts are believed to be those of Sade Carleena Robinson, a 19-year-old woman who was last seen in Milwaukee on Monday, April 1. Her body parts have since been found scattered around Milwaukee and another nearby municipality, authorities said in an April 12 statement.

Maxwell S. Anderson, 33, was arrested shortly after the discovery of the body parts and has been charged with first-degree homicide, mutilation of a corpse and arson.



On April 18, the sheriff's office noted that the torso and arm believed to belong to the victim were found "nearly a quarter mile from an apartment complex," and added that it had already scheduled a "sonar detection boat" to search the lake for additional remains or evidence.

"The investigation into Robinson's death is ongoing," MCSO wrote in the release.

Related: Body Parts of Teenager Were Found Strewn Across Wisc. Cities After She Went on 1st Date; Suspect Charged

Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP/Getty A shoreline on Lake Michigan, photographed in Evanston, Illinois in 2021

Authorities first notified the public about Robinson's disappearance on April 4 when they issued a critical missing warning. Police were then notified about a car fire near her home the following day and found it belonged to the missing woman, per a criminal complaint obtained by Wisconsin Public Radio.

On April 5, a human leg was discovered in Cudahy, a municipality less than 10 miles from Milwaukee and Anderson was taken into custody the same day.

Investigators also found another body part near the scene of the car fire, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and additional remains the following weekend.

The MCSO alleges that Anderson killed Robinson then mutilated her remains, and set fire to her car in an attempt to obscure potential evidence of the killing." The two went on their first date on April 1, per a criminal complaint obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and FOX 6 Now.

FOX 6 Now reports that they had a casual conversation, before leaving together," a bartender told the outlet. They reportedly went to a bar before heading to Anderson's home.

Police allegedly discovered blood throughout different areas of Anderson's home during a search, per the complaint cited by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Jovanny Hernandez/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/USA TODAY NETWORK Maxwell Anderson appears in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on April 9, 2024

Anderson's preliminary court hearing is scheduled for April 22, per court docs shared on the Milwaukee County sheriff's website.

A GoFundMe for Robinson's family, and for funeral services, has since raised over $53,000 of an initial $30,000 goal.

"The pain of losing Sade has left a void in the hearts of her family, especially her grieving mother and little sister, along with other relatives, friends, and the entire community who loved and supported her," the fundraiser reads.

"As we come together to honor Sade's memory, we aim to provide her with the dignified farewell she deserves."



If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. NATO is concerned about the draft law "On transparency of foreign influence" adopted in the first reading in the Georgian Parliament, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Security Policy and Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia Javier Colomina said on X, Trend reports.

"It is key for Georgia, as a NATO aspirant, to have the right framework to ensure media freedom and civil society participation," the publication reads.

The NATO representative added that the draft is a step backward and does not further Euro-Atlantic integration.

On April 17, the Georgian Parliament adopted the draft law "On transparency of foreign influence" in the first reading.

According to information, a total of 83 MPs voted 'in favor'. Deputies from opposition factions left the meeting room.

The draft law stipulates that NGOs and media funded from abroad should be registered in a special register and fill out a declaration annually.

The draft law "On transparency of foreign influence" needs to be passed in three readings to enter into force.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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The U.S. Army, the countrys largest military branch, will no longer allow military commanders to decide on their own whether soldiers accused of certain serious crimes can leave the service rather than go on trial.

The decision comes one year after ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and Military Times published an investigation exposing how hundreds of soldiers charged with violent crimes were administratively discharged instead of facing a court martial.

Under the new rule, which goes into effect Saturday, military commanders will no longer have the sole authority to grant a soldiers request for what is known as a discharge in lieu of court martial, or Chapter 10, in certain cases. Instead, the newly created Office of Special Trial Counsel, a group of military attorneys who specialize in handling cases involving violent crimes, must also approve the decision. Without the attorneys approval, charges against a soldier cant be dismissed.

The Office of Special Trial Counsel will have the final say, the Army told the news organizations.

The new rule will apply only to cases that fall under the purview of the Office of Special Trial Counsel, including sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, kidnapping and murder. In 2021, Congress authorized creation of the new legal office  one for each military branch except the U.S. Coast Guard  in response to yearslong pressure to change how the military responds to violent crimes, specifically sexual assault, and reduce commanders control over that process. As of December, attorneys with this special office, and not commanders, now decide whether to prosecute cases related to those serious offenses.

Army officials told the news organizations that the change in discharge authority was made in response to the creation of the Office of Special Trial Counsel.

As far back as 1978, a federal watchdog agency called for the U.S. Department of Defense to end its policy of allowing service members accused of crimes to leave the military to avoid going to court. Armed forces leaders continued the practice anyway.

Last year, ProPublica, the Tribune and Military Times found that more than half of the 900 soldiers who were allowed to leave the Army in the previous decade rather than go to trial had been accused of violent crimes, including sexual assault and domestic violence, according to an analysis of roughly 8,000 Army courts-martial cases that reached arraignment. These soldiers had to acknowledge that they committed an offense that could be punishable under military law but did not have to admit guilt to a specific crime or face any other consequences that can come with a conviction, like registering as a sex offender.

The Army did not dispute the news organizations findings that the discharges in lieu of trial, also known as separations, were increasingly being used for violent crimes. An Army official said separations are a good alternative if commanders believe wrongdoing occurred but dont have the evidence for a conviction, or if a victim prefers not to pursue a case.

Military law experts contacted by the news organizations called the Armys change a step in the right direction.

Its good to see the Army has closed the loophole, said former Air Force chief prosecutor Col. Don Christensen, who is now in private practice.

However, the Office of Special Trial Counsels decisions are not absolute. If the attorneys want to drop a charge, the commander still has the option to impose a range of other administrative punishments, Army officials said.

Christensen said he believes commanders should be removed from the judicial process entirely, a shift he said that the military has continued to fight. Commanders often have little to no legal experience. The military has long maintained that commanders are an important part of its justice system.

They just cant break away from commanders making these decisions, said Christensen, whos been a vocal critic of commanders outsize role in the military justice system. Theyre too wedded to that process.

The Army told the newsrooms that additional changes to DOD and Army policy would be required to remove commanders entirely and instead give the Office of Special Trial Counsel full authority over separations in lieu of trial.

The news organizations reached out to several military branches to determine how the creation of the Office of Special Trial Counsel will affect their discharge processes. The U.S. Navy has taken steps similar to the Armys. In the U.S. Air Force, the Office of Special Trial Counsel now makes recommendations in cases involving officers, and the branch is in the process of changing the rules for enlisted members. The U.S. Marines confirmed to the news organizations that it has not yet changed its discharge system.
Arrest made in deadly shooting at house party near University of Cincinnati

A man has been arrested in connection to a deadly shooting near the University of Cincinnati last month.

On March 28, shots were fired at a large house party in the 200 block of Fosdick Street around 11 p.m.

Dujawn Samuel McDaniel Foster III, 21, was shot inside the house and died.

A 16-year-old was shot in the arm and took himself to Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 1 dead, 16-year-old injured in shooting at house party near UCs campus

Everyone involved ran away from the scene, police told our news partners at WCPO.

Jontatum Ferguson, 20, was arrested Thursday by Cincinnati officers.

Deangela Weakley, Fosters older sister, told WCPO she believes he was targeted for armed robbery.

I dont have any more tears to cry. Im at a point right now where I want justice for my brother, Weakley said. I want justice for my brother. All my energy is going to get justice for my brother.

Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to call Cincinnati Police Departments Homicide Unit at 513-352-3542.
The plot centred around an airport in Poland through which Volodymyr Zelensky travels regularly - ALINA SMUTKO/REUTERS

Polish police have arrested a man suspected of aiding a Russian plot to assassinate Volodymyr Zelensky, targeting an airport the Ukrainian leader uses for overseas travel.

Prosecutors said the Polish citizen, identified only as Pawel K under local privacy laws, had been instructed by Russian handlers to observe security measures at Polands Rzeszow-Jasionka airport.

It is unclear whether the suspect passed on any sensitive information about the facility, which Mr Zelensky has repeatedly used to travel to meet foreign leaders since Ukrainian airports closed after the Russian invasion in 2022.

Prosecutors added that the arrest was made based on intelligence provided by Ukraine.

Russia is suspected of directing a number of failed assassination plots against Mr Zelensky in the hope that his death would strike a major blow to Kyivs morale.

Donald Tusk, the Polish president, said on Friday: The would-be assassin of president Zelensky, a Pole acting in cooperation with the Russian intelligence agencies, was arrested two days ago.

There will be no leniency for those who collaborate with the Russian intelligence services. We will eliminate any attempt to betray or destabilise, he added. He had previously referred to the suspect as a madman in a statement on Thursday night.

Front line of Russian spying

The full-scale invasion of Ukraine has transformed Rzeszows airport from a sleepy airline backwater to a vital logistics hub for Western military support for Kyiv.

Now guarded by Patriot missiles, it lies just 70 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, meaning that equipment can be unloaded and in Ukraine within a matter of hours upon arrival.

Since war broke out in Ukraine, neighbouring Poland has found itself on the front line of Russian spying. Home to an expanding Nato force and the logistics hub for military support for Ukraine, the country is now locked in an escalating espionage war with the Russian intelligence services.

In March, the ABW, Polands internal security agency, conducted raids on a number of properties as part of an investigation into an alleged Russian spy ring.

Last year it rounded up some 16 suspected Russian spies who have been accused of planning sabotage attacks on key pieces of infrastructure, such as rail lines, critical for supporting Ukraine.

Polish authorities also arrested a number of foreign citizens last year for attempting to spy for Russia on the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport.

The latest incident comes after Germany arrested two suspects earlier this week in a separate case involving an alleged Russian plot to sabotage US military bases in the southern state of Bavaria.

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An attorney who witnessed a horrifying murder-suicide inside a Las Vegas law firm is speaking out  telling her story to Fox News Digital.

Lisa Rasmussen was inside the conference room at Prince Law Group on the morning of Monday, April 8 when fellow attorney Joe Houston pulled out a gun without warning and opened fire.

The terminally ill Houston gunned down prominent Las Vegas attorney Dennis Prince and his wife, Ashley, before turning the gun on himself. The bizarre shooting was the culmination of an "incredibly tense" custody battle with "a lot of venom going back and forth," Rasmussen said.

"All of a sudden there's this horrible noise and I couldn't even identify it. It was like a bomb," Rasmussen said, recalling the moment the shooter, who was seated right next to her, began his violent rampage.

FAMILY OF SLAIN MOTHER IN LAS VEGAS LAW FIRM SHOOTING SHARES EX'S VIOLENT PAST: 'LIVED IN CONSTANT FEAR'

Las Vegas attorney Lisa Rassmusen (left) recalled the moment Joe Houston (second from left) gunned down Dennis Prince (third from left) and his wife, Ashley Prince (right), at Prince's Summerlin law firm.

"It was sort of echoing in my head I had no idea what it was. I turned to my right to kind of look at Joe, maybe, and say, What what the hell was that? And I just see, right next to me, a barrel and a sleeve," Rasmussen said. "I don't even remember seeing the hand. It's so weird. I just saw the barrel of a gun."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Rasmussen said it took her brain a minute to comprehend what was happening.

"I recall Joe standing up and pointing across the table with the barrel  the gun. And by that time, and at that moment, I was really clear on what was happening. I'm like, okay, that was a gunshot. That's a gun. He's pointing it," Rasmussen said. "I wasn't going to stand around. I peeled back to my left  jumped up."

Rasmussen fled the conference room for her life along with her client, an 8-months-pregnant associate and a court reporter. She searched desperately for safety as shots continued to ring out in the conference room.

When the violence stopped, the gravity of the tragedy became apparent. Joe Houston, 77, had murdered Dennis Prince, 57, and his wife Ashley Prince, 30, Rasmussen said. The Princes were locked in a contentious custody battle with Dylan Houston, Ashleys ex-husband and Joe Houstons son.

Rasmussen was representing Joe Houstons wife, Kelly, at the time. The group had gathered at Prince Law Group that fateful morning so Kelly could be deposed in the case.

PROMINENT LAS VEGAS ATTORNEY, HIS WIFE GUNNED DOWN BY FELLOW ATTORNEY WHO HAD TERMINAL CANCER: SOURCE

While Rasmussen does not know why Joe Houston killed his ex-daughter-in-law and her husband, she does know the custody case had boiled over for years.

"People ask me if I think Joe came with a plan to do this, and I say no," Rasmussen said. "I just really think it just unfolded in a moment of rage, whatever. And we're never going to know, right? Because Joe took his own life. We're never going to know what happened."

Rasmussen said Joe Houston displayed no warning signs that morning. She described him as "jovial."

"I was aware that he had a cancer diagnosis, but he did not seem just so, you know, terminally ill," she said. "He was able-bodied, and he had a full head of hair, and he was jovial. He didn't seem sick or even like he didn't feel well. He didn't look pale. He didn't. So he may have had a diagnosis that was problematic. I, of course, have no idea what was going through his mind."

She walked with Joe Houston and his wife up to the conference room where they met several other associates to begin the deposition.

Dennis Prince entered the conference room with his wife, not knowing it would be the last few moments of their lives. Rasmussen said Dennis skipped the usual pleasantries.

PROMINENT LAS VEGAS ATTORNEY, WIFE KILLED BY ANOTHER ATTORNEY IN LAW FIRM SHOOTING: REPORT

Ashley Prince, 30, was shot and killed on April 8 and her husband, Dennis Prince, 57, who was representing her at a child custody deposition at his Las Vegas law office was also killed.

"It was immediately odd because there was no prelude. There was no good morning. Does anyone want water? The bathrooms are in the hall,'" she said. "He just looked at the court reporter and said, please swear in the witness, which isn't, you know, the best way to put the witness at ease."

Before the questioning began, Rasmussen said, Joe asked Dennis if there was any way they were ever going to be able to resolve any of the issues for the sake of children.

"And Dennis didn't respond. There was no response to that. He just turned to Kelly and started asking her the deposition questions. And not even, like, normally in a depo, there's some prelude, you know, please wait until I finish my question until you start your answer. There was none of that," Rasmussen said. "He just started asking her the substantive questions, which was, you know, probably not the way most people would do it."

Rasmussen said they only got through three questions before Joe Houston pulled out the gun.

Joe Houston inexplicably opened fire during a child custody deposition at Prince Law Group in Las Vegas. He shot and killed Dennis Prince and Prince's wife, Ashley, before turning the gun on himself.

"I didn't see anyone get shot," she said. "It's weird because in the process of, like, looking to my left, watching her answer the question, hearing the noise, kind of going to my right, seeing the barrel, seeing him stand up, going back to my left. My whole memory of across the table is nothing. And I don't know if my mind's blocking it out or if they ducked. I just remember seeing nothing across the table."

Rasmussen told Fox News Digital she is in therapy and thankful for all of the support she has received following the tragedy. She has already returned to work.

"Whether I'm ready to do another deposition is another question, but so far, I'm doing fine," she said. "And I have really been blessed with the support I've received from my community, from other lawyers, from judges. Everyone has been very kind."

Looking ahead, Rasmussen hopes some good can come from the unthinkable tragedy. She hopes to one day share her story with other lawyers to help bring more "respect and civility" back to the profession.

"I hope one day, when I feel a little bit healed from this, to be able to perhaps talk to other lawyers  to participate in some continuing legal education  to reiterate the importance of civility," Rasmussen explained. "I hope to be a part of the conversation going forward in the future about how much civility matters. It just matters lawyering should not be a gladiator sport."

Dennis Prince leaves behind four children. He shared an infant daughter with Ashley Prince, his fourth wife.





Original article source: Attorney who witnessed double-murder suicide at Las Vegas law firm recounts 'incomprehensible tragedy'
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Rowing docks on Lady Bird Lake in Austin are partnering up for the third year in a row to host a community-wide lake cleanup effort to kick off Earth Day weekend.

The Rowing Dock is partnering with Epic SUP to host the volunteer-driven cleanup day. Volunteers will head to the Rowing Dock on the west side of the lake, Epic SUP on the east end, or the trail at Festival Beach to participate in cleanup efforts.

Previous coverage: Over 2,000 volunteers clean up Lady Bird Lake for Earth Day 2023

Registration to volunteer closed Thursday evening. The volunteer times are 9 a.m. and noon.

The Rowing Dock is providing water, food, clean up supplies, and participation goody bags to volunteers.

Last year, 2,300 volunteers showed up to the two rowing docks and Sand Beach Park. The event is also a fundraiser for The Trail Conservancy.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
By Nailia Bagirova

BAKU (Reuters) -Armenia has agreed to return several villages to Azerbaijan in what both sides said on Friday was an important milestone as they edge towards a peace deal after fighting two wars since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada posted on X that Armenia would return four villages near the countries' shared border that had been "under occupation" since the early 1990s, and called it a "long-awaited historic event".

In Armenia, the state news agency quoted the prime minister's office as saying: "In this process, the Republic of Armenia receives a reduction in risks associated with border delimitation and security."

It said the handover in practice involved only "two and a half villages" because Azerbaijan already partly controlled the settlements involved, but added that the demarcation of the border was a "significant event".

The settlements are deserted but are strategically important as they are close to Armenia's main highway north towards the border with Georgia, through which much of its trade is done, and to the pipeline through which it receives gas from Russia.

The agreement was reached at a meeting on the two countries' border, chaired by their deputy prime ministers.

Azerbaijan has been demanding the villages' return as a precondition for a peace deal after more than three decades of conflict, mostly centred on the region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Momentum shifted dramatically in favour of Azerbaijan last September when its forces staged a lightning offensive to regain control of Karabakh, where ethnic Armenians had enjoyed de facto independence since the mid-1990s. Virtually the entire population of 100,000 people fled to Armenia within days.

Russia posted peacekeeping troops in Nagorno-Karabakh after the last major war between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020, but said this week it had begun withdrawing them. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is due to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

Russia, distracted by its war in Ukraine, risks losing influence in the Caucasus region which it sees as its historic sphere of influence. The United States and the European Union have also been pressing the two sides to reach a peace deal.

(Writing by Mark Trevelyan, editing by Felix Light ad Timothy Heritage)
The procedure takes less than five minutes.

Since she was young, Courtney Cochrane said she had been concerned about the appearance of dynamic lines on her forehead when she raised her eyebrows. Now, the 28-year-old marketing director at Finn Plastic Surgery in Chapel Hill, is in her seventh year of receiving Botox injections.

Every time I stop, I think, Oh, maybe I could stop for a little bit, said Cochrane, who receives injections in her forehead every four to six months.

Then I see the forehead lines, and I just want to get ahead of that. Skincare can only do so much in that regard.

Neuromodulator injections  which include the botulinum toxin commonly known as Botox  rose by 71% among ages 20 through 29 and by 75% among ages 19 and younger from 2019 to 2022, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Like Cochrane, many within this age range are seeking whats known as preventative Botox to address the contraction of the muscles leading to wrinkles and creases.

Compared to traditional neuromodulator injections, preventative Botox uses a lower dosage to decrease significant animation over time or soften any dynamic lines, depending on the individuals aesthetic goals.

Dr. Lynn Damitz, chief of the division of plastic surgery at UNC Hospitals, said this recent trend can be attributed to the prevalence of minimally invasive cosmetic procedures on social media and a phenomenon many plastic surgeons refer to as the Zoom boom.

A 2022 report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, which highlighted changes reported by plastic surgeons in the 18-month period immediately following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, found that 76 percent reported seeing increased demand for cosmetic procedures compared to levels before the pandemic.

Most of us dont have the ability to look at our own faces all the time, Damitz said. But because people saw themselves every day, they started to really investigate and pursue facial aesthetic interventions.

Stigma diminished

Damitz said shes seen younger people in her practice than she has traditionally seen over the last three to five years.

She also said one of the possible influences behind this is the normalization of aesthetic procedures on social media, as well as other avenues to address visible aging in the face, including nutraceuticals and medical-grade skincare.

I think certainly people are thinking about those sorts of anti-aging maneuvers, whether its everything from skincare to botulinum toxin to other treatments, younger and younger, she said.

Dr. Tyler Elkins-Williams, a plastic surgeon at Finn Plastic who specializes in injectable treatments, said the increase in younger clientele seeking neuromodulator injections can also be explained by the shift in the cultural stigma around cosmetic procedures.

Back in the old days, it was like a big secret, Elkins-Williams said. Nobody ever talked about it. Now, youre seeing people talk about it with their friends and even promote it on their social media accounts. People video themselves getting treatments. Definitely, its become less of a stigma for this country, thats for sure.

Cochrane said that while her mother had received treatments, the subject of Botox was never discussed in her family. When Cochrane started interning in a plastic surgery office at 21, the accessibility of neuromodulator injections and seeing others undergo treatment influenced her decision to start.

I think with social media and with everyone posting all the time everything that theyre doing, people are a lot more aware of what they look like on camera, so theyre able to pick out their insecurities or see themselves, she said. Its just more front of mind. With being on camera and all of that, women are just being more cognizant of those things.

Kara Alaimo, a communications professor at Fairleigh-Dickinson University, explores the consumption of social media by young girls and women. She said as adolescents undergo puberty and the developmental stage, there is an increase in preoccupation with personal appearance. With the normalization of influencer culture on social media, younger women can become more pressured to undergo treatments such as preventative Botox.

According to the Aesthetic Society, neuromodulator injections increased 40 percent from 2020 to 2021. However, from 2000 to 2020, there has been a 459 percent increase in neuromodulator injections.

That really tells me that the effects of being constantly confronted with images of yourself on social networks are significant, Alaimo said.

Sephora kids

These effects can also be observed in the new phenomenon of Sephora kids, or children under 13 who are becoming increasingly interested in skincare that contains retinol, peptides and exfoliating acids, ingredients in many anti-aging products that can irritate young skin.

Younger and younger girls who have adapted to modern-day consumer culture because of their access to social media and influencers are targeted by advertisements for cosmetic and aesthetic procedures and treatments that might not align with their age group.

I think you are seeing younger and younger women and patients focusing on their skincare even earlier in their early teen years, Elkins-Williams said. Obviously, people need to be of age and make their own decisions before they start getting actual invasive medical procedures.

Although the Food and Drug Administration approves Botox injections for those ages 18 and up, Damitz said the general recommendation by many plastic surgeons and aesthetic positions is to receive them 21 and up. Although neuromodulator injections are generally safe drugs, there can be potential risks for consistent atrophying of the muscle at a young age.

I think when it comes to people doing it for preventative purposes, there is a concern that by atrophying the muscle or injecting the muscle to such a degree at such a young age, that then is that going to lead to other potential issues over time, whether aesthetic or functional, Damitz said. If youve limited that muscles ability to ever contract, is it going to atrophy? Get smaller? Not be as functional?

Regardless of societal influences behind this trend, both Elkins-Williams and Damitz encourage those interested in receiving neuromodulator injections  no matter the age  to conduct research beforehand and go to a reputable injector.

What we try to do when we see a patient is really focus on how we can best help them be their best selves and treat areas that are bothering them, Elkins-Williams said. Make them just look the way they want to and really feel that these treatments are like a form of self-care for people and not try to focus on someone elses standard.

UNC Media Hub is a collection of students from the various concentrations in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media working together to create integrated multimedia packages covering stories from around North Carolina and beyond.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is receiving support from his Baltic counterparts for moving toward a vote to provide more U.S. assistance to Ukraine, following months of intense diplomacy by European officials pleading for continued American leadership on the world stage.

In a letter sent Thursday, the three heads of the Baltic parliaments thanked Johnson for setting up a vote for new U.S. assistance for Ukraine. They also urged quick passage on the House floor; a vote is expected to take place Saturday.

We are counting on Congress to make the right decision and approve the assistance package to Ukraine that it so urgently needs, the parliament leaders wrote.

The letter was signed by Lauri Hussar, president of Estonias parliament, the Riigikogu; Daiga Mierina, Speaker of Latvias parliament, the Saeima; and Viktorija Cmilyte-Nielsen, Speaker of Lithuanias parliament, the Seimas.

The letter reflects the acute anxiety in Europe over whether Congress will continue to provide aid to Ukraine, which was invaded by Russia in February 2022.

House Republicans  many of them influenced by former President Trump  opposed to providing aid to Ukraine have for months delayed additional U.S. aid to the country. They have criticized Europe as failing to ease what they view as a burden on the U.S. in funding European security.

The Baltics, which are NATO allies, believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is intent on invading their countries if he is successful in Ukraine.

Europe is taking historic steps to strengthen its defense capabilities, but this inevitably takes time  time that Ukraine does not have. That is why U.S. aid is indispensable at this crucial juncture before Europes ability to defend itself has come into its own and we do even more to help Ukraine, the Baltic Speakers wrote.

The Russia threat continues to be imminent, which is why we welcome the USAs convincing leadership and dedication to freedom and security in Europe in this joint effort.

Johnson met with the three parliamentarian leaders at the end of January, when they came to Washington advocating for the U.S. to follow through on commitments to Ukraine.

At that time, the Speaker told them he was likely to split up President Bidens national security supplemental request under pressure from Republican critics opposed to more aid for Ukraine.

Johnson unveiled four separate bills Wednesday, a move intended to allow critics of aid to Ukraine to vote against it but to allow the legislation to pass. The bills also include aid to Israel and the Indo-Pacific and other national security priorities, including language that would effectively ban the social media app TikTok unless it separates itself from its Chinese parent company.

History judges us for what we do, Johnson said. This is a critical time right now, critical time on the world stage. I could make a selfish decision and do something thats different. Im doing here what I believe to be the right thing. I think providing lethal aid to Ukraine is critically important.

Johnsons remarks were picked up by Lithuania President Gitanas Nauseda and Estonia Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who put their support behind the House Speaker.

Agree with SpeakerJohnson: history judges us for what we do. Hope Congress will do the right thing. Ukraine needs our help now, Kallas, posted on the social platform X.

Johnsons remarks underscore the heavy pressure he has faced since he was elevated to Speaker in October, when a handful of conservative Republicans succeeded in ousting then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) over a host of grievances that included opposition to more aid for Ukraine.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has floated a motion to vacate that would oust Johnson, but has yet to trigger it. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) this week said he would back the motion if it is offered.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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In this episode of Battle Lines, we speak to the Telegraphs Middle East Correspondent Nataliya Vasilyeva about how Israel will retaliate for Irans recent missile strike. Then we speak to Holly Dagres, senior fellow with the Atlantic Councils Middle East Program and writer of the substack The Iranist, about how Iran and Israels relationship has developed from a shadow war to the brink of a full-scale conflict.

Across the world, from Europe to Asia, from the Americas to the Middle East, tensions are rising between nation states as the traditional alliances and alignments evolve in the 21st century.

2024 sees war in Europe and Israel, and elections in major economies, from the US and the UK to Taiwan. Insurgencies flare in Yemen and Burma, tensions escalate in East Africa, and all around the world the international security architecture buckles under increasing pressure.

Battle Lines, a new podcast from The Telegraph, combines on-the-ground reporting with analytical expertise to help the listener to better understand the course of world politics, wars and tensions, as fault lines grind and slip in an increasingly dangerous and confusing multipolar world.

Listen to Battle Lines using the audio player in this article or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or your favourite podcast app.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The White Houses freeze on new liquid natural gas exports took the hot seat in a House committee Thursday.

Republicans accused President Joe Biden of putting climate change over common sense.

This is an election year, said U.S. Rep. Mike Waltz, (R-Fla.), during the hearing. This is a political play to the Democratic base.

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, (R-La.) told Brad Crabtree with the U.S. Energy Department that the pause is hurting the gas business in his home state.

You realize youre being set up as a sacrifice on the Green New Deal altar? asked Higgins.

I disagree, sir, responded Crabtree.

LNG exports had been skyrocketing as the U.S. urged European allies of Ukraine to stop buying Russian natural gas and buy American.

Theyre trying to get on to North American gas and off of Russian gas, and this pause has sent all the wrong signals, Waltz said.

Republicans want to reverse the freeze. House Speaker Mike Johnson, (R-La.), tried but failed to include it in the new funding bill for Ukraine.

You dont want to fuel Vladimir Putins war machine, do you? Johnson said, recalling the question he said he recently asked President Biden during an Oval Office meeting.

However, Crabtree told lawmakers the pause was necessary to determine the impacts of exporting so much U.S. natural gas.

We are very concerned that any future decisions we make do not lead to higher domestic prices, he said.

Crabtree said the U.S. remains the worlds top gas exporter, already on track to double its LNG exports by 2030 because of projects in the pipeline.

Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, (D-Calif.) defended the pause, saying without it, Americans would be paying higher electricity bills.

This president has one concern: lowering prices for the American people, Khanna said.

The House passed a stand-alone bill earlier this year to undo the pause with several Democrats breaking with their party to support it. The Senate has not brought it up for consideration.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Foreign Minister of Turkiye Hakan Fidan has held a phone talk with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Trend reports via the diplomatic source in the Turkish Ministry.

It is reported that the sides briefly cast light on bilateral ties and viewed possible prospects.

In essence, however, the talks, initiated by the Iranian side, focused on the recent events in the region.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  A Raleigh County woman was sentenced to prison for a federal drug crime.

26-year-old Mariah Diane Keffer, of Beckley, was sentenced to a year in prison followed by three years of parole for the distribution of methamphetamine.

Mercer County man pleads guilty to drug crimes in Fayette County

According to court documents, Keffer sold around 60 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant at her house on Robert C. Byrd Drive in Beckley. Keffer acknowledged her involvement in the sale, and also revealed that she sold around 75 grams of methamphetamine for $900 to a confidential informant in different sales on December 22, 2022, and January 9, 2023.

Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on Keffers house on January 10, 2023 where they seized 20.5 grams of fentanyl, 71.5 grams of methamphetamine, various amounts of marijuana, oxycodone pills, aprazolam pills, suboxone, diazepam pills, and psilocybin mushrooms. During the search, two handguns and $2,011 were also seized by law enforcement officers.

Keffler revealed that she planned to distribute the drugs throughout southern West Virginia.

Wyoming County man pleads guilty to receiving or transferring stolen goods and conspiracy

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Will Thompson, who praised the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for their work on the investigation.

Members of the Beckley Police Department, the Raleigh County Sheriffs Office, and the West Virginia State Police make up the Beckley/Raleigh County Drug and Violent Crime Unit.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
They belong on the poles: Inside the artistry of gig posters and NC creators behind them

Tucked into his cozy in-home studio, artist Ron Liberti slowly pours thick, black ink lengthwise across the top of a mesh screen.

With two swipes of a squeegee, the ink pushes through miniscule holes in the screen and wets the surface of a 11-by-17-inch piece of paper below. Liberti lifts up the screen to reveal the result  a gig poster advertising an upcoming show in Greensboro.

TOTALLY SLOW // LP RELEASE PARTY // THE FLAT IRON - MAY 04 2024

The letters shoot out of an exploding television superimposed onto a pink background image of smiling concert-goers. Carefully holding it by the corners, Liberti gives the poster a nod of approval and places it on a drying rack behind him.

Then, he repeats the process. Again and again and again until dozens of posters sit on the drying rack.

I almost get into this zen mode, he says with a smile while zipping the squeegee across the screen once more.

Once dry, each of the posters will be marked in pencil with Libertis initials and a number, 1-50, signifying the limited print release. Then theyll be ready to be tacked up at kiosks, telephone polls and coffee shop windows ahead of the concert.

Freshly printed posters for an upcoming concert sit on a drying rack inside Ron Libertis studio in Wilson. Liberti has been creating posters for North Carolina music venues for more than three decades. His specialty is screenprinting. Lucas Thomae/UNC Media Hub

Liberti, 56, has been creating posters for North Carolina music venues for more than three decades. His specialty is screenprinting, a centuries-old technique that he first learned while studying across the pond at Brighton Polytechnic in the late 1980s. After moving to North Carolina in 1991, Liberti became entrenched in the growing Chapel Hill music scene and began making posters for iconic venues like The Cats Cradle.

Its a freelance gig hes held since, and he doesnt plan on stopping anytime soon.

I cant imagine retiring, Liberti said. As long as theres shows and as long as people need posters, thats how long Im gonna do it.

Ron Liberti poses for a portrait in his in-home studio in Wilson. Liberti has been creating posters for North Carolina music venues for more than three decades. His specialty is screenprinting. Sarah Choi/UNC Media Hub

Key part of indie music scene

The New Jersey native belongs to a relatively small fraternity of poster artists whose work can sometimes be overlooked, despite their importance to the indie music scene. Even in an age of digital advertising and social media, Liberti said a great poster can give a band credibility and bring attention to small music venues.

Gig posters have been around for as long as rock concerts have existed, although they didnt begin to take shape as their own unique art form until the psychedelic rock movement of the 1960s.

Screenprinted posters gained popularity in the 1980s, and young artists  many of whom were in bands of their own  made posters and flyers that reflected the DIY ethic of the independent alt-rock bands of the era.

Screenprinting was an accessible medium because it required few supplies. With a screen, a photosensitive emulsion, ink and a squeegee, artists could print original designs onto posters or T-shirts.

One such artist was Rick Miller, who plays guitar and sings for the rockabilly outfit Southern Culture on the Skids (SCOTS). Miller formed SCOTS in Chapel Hill in 1983, but before that, he was a fine arts major at San Diego State University, where he studied postermaking.

In the early days of the band, Miller printed most of their posters and merchandise.

I think its important that [the posters] were original, Miller said. Like the music, I think, coming up with your own ideas and your own artwork was important.

As SCOTS found greater commercial success in the 1990s and focused more on touring, the work of creating their posters was outsourced to artists like Liberti, who has created several designs for the band. But Miller said that visual artwork is still an important aspect of his bands image.

I think the aesthetic is just part of the mindset, part of the identity of the music, he said.

A screenprint by Ron Liberti for a Southern Culture on the Skids concert at The Cats Cradle. Liberti has done several poster designs for the Chapel Hill-based band over the years. Courtesy of Liberti

Finding inspiration

Libertis poster art journey started by making posters for his still-active band, Pipe, which he formed shortly after moving to North Carolina. At the time he was supporting himself by bartending at the Hardback Cafe and Bookstore, a local haunt that a 2001 INDY Week article described as ground zero for Chapel Hills slacker-indie rock scene.

Pipe wasnt booking gigs consistently, but Liberti still found inspiration for posters through the many emerging bands that came through Chapel Hill.

I had more ideas than we had shows, he admitted.

So he approached Cats Cradle owner Frank Heath and offered to create posters for upcoming shows. He started with photocopied posters but eventually began screenprinting out of his tiny but cheap apartment above Cliffs Meat Market in Carrboro. The space was just as much a studio as it was a living space. Not only was it covered in Libertis screenprinting supplies, but the shower also doubled as a tool for washing out used screens.

It was so gross, Liberti said with a laugh. But it was fun.

Influenced by the Dadaist artists of the early 20th century, Many of Libertis posters reflect a collage style that he achieves by cutting and pasting nearly every aspect of the design, from photographic elements to the lettering.

Libertis goal is to create a poster that reflects the bands unique identity.

I try to make the poster look like the band sounds or makes me feel in certain ways, he said. So I find inspiration from the music.

A lengthy process

From conceptualization to design to printing, Liberti said the process can take days. Eventually there were more bands rolling through the Cradle than posters Liberti could make, and some of the work was handed off to another young person making a name for themselves in the local poster art scene: Casey Burns.

Burns, a 1998 UNC graduate and Morehead Scholar, became the first in-house art director for the Cats Cradle, a position he held until 2006. He was younger than Liberti by about eight years, and had a different style, one more reminiscent of his favorite comic book artists like George Pratt and Will Eisner.

At the time, Liberti had a column in a publication called Trash Magazine reviewing local gig posters. The two met when Liberti gave Burns a positive review  4.5 out of 5 staple guns on a flyer he tacked up in the Hardback Cafe. Burns said Libertis endorsement gave him the confidence to pursue postermaking full time.

Ron being like, This is cool made me feel like it was something worth paying more attention to in my own work, Burns said.

A screenprint by Casey Burns for a 2004 Sonic Youth concert at The Cats Cradle. Courtesy of Casey Burns

Neither Liberti or Burns still reside in Chapel Hill, but their influence persists.

Burns moved to Portland in 2006 and is currently based in New York City where he works as an independent art director for clients ranging from Nike to The New York Times. Liberti relocated to Wilson, about an hour-and-20-minute drive east of Chapel Hill, where he still screenprints posters for the same clientele of music venues across the state.

The world around Liberti has changed. Social media and digital mediums have drastically changed how many posters are made and distributed. But his approach to the work has not. He still puts a premium on the physical medium and his printing set-up is nearly identical to how it was 30 years ago.

If anything, the industrys shift toward digital work and larger batches of prints has made his posters more of a unique commodity.

Maybe Im not part of the bigger poster world, he said. Im in this little world and people seem like they like it and they come to me.

Both Liberti and Burns work has been preserved by UNCs Southern Folklife Collection located in Wilson Library. Curator Steven Weiss said acquiring the collections was part of a greater effort by the library to focus on Chapel Hills rock music scene.

The purpose of these materials are to promote the upcoming shows, and theyre up briefly and then they largely disappear. So this is a way of extending that life and sharing it with a different public in a way, Weiss said.

Liberti continues to add to the collection, and during the pandemic he worked to better organize the vast archive of old posters stowed away at his house in Wilson. By his estimation hes created more than 1,000 designs over the years.

As honored as Liberti is that UNC has deemed his art worthy of being archived, he maintains that his posters are more at home on kiosks and telephone poles than in libraries or art galleries. Thats something he hopes remains true for a long time.

As much as I am proud that theyre up there, they belong on the streets, really, he said. They belong on the poles.

UNC Media Hub is a collection of students from the various concentrations in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media working together to create integrated multimedia packages covering stories from around North Carolina and beyond.
Israels retaliatory attack against Iran early Friday came despite President Joe Bidens stringent warnings against doing just that to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the leaders appearing to become increasingly at odds about how Israel should respond against its enemies.

The U.S. was only tipped off about the attack at the last minute, according to the Italian foreign minister who spoke to American officials at a meeting of the G7 on Friday morning.

Iran has so far played down the significance of the attack, with state media portraying the incident as involving a few drones that were taken down without causing damage. American sources, however, have suggested the strike involved missilesthough the severity of the damage caused by the attack is not yet clear.

Explosion Reported in Major Iranian City as Israel Launches Retaliatory Strike

What is clear is that the U.S. fears the retaliatory strike could cause Americans to be put in harms way. The U.S. Embassy in Israel on Friday issued a security alert restricting the personal travel of American government employees and their families outside of specific areas. The advisory specifically cited reports that Israel conducted a retaliatory strike inside Iran as the motive for the restrictions.

The embassy had taken a similar step last week over fears that Iran was planning to attack Israel in retaliation for airstrike attacks on an Iranian consulate in Syria. When the unprecedented Iranian attack did arrive on April 13, the U.S. played an integral role in the defense of Israel, shooting down scores of drones and several ballistic missiles in flight.

Despite the huge show of military support, Biden warned Netanyahu that the U.S. would have no part in any retaliatory strike against Tehran. He also cautioned against seeking vengeance at all, instead reportedly encouraging Bibi to take the win of preventing Irans strike causing widespread death and destruction.

Cornelius Adebahr, an associate fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank, says Netanyahus disregard for Bidens admonitions is yet another illustration of the limits of U.S. leverage on Israel.

This is something weve seen over the past six months play out in Gaza, where the U.S. president has also been very vocal on what to do and what not to do, Adebahr told The Daily Beast. The jury is still out on what happens next with Rafah, for example. So to an extent, [Israels strike] is a confirmation of an existing pattern that no, the U.S. president cannot dictate to the Israeli prime minister what to do.

It wasnt just Biden. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said over the weekend that the entire Middle East is on the brink and said region is facing the real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate, he said. European officials similarly warned against further escalation.

But the U.S., whose troops in the Middle East have faced hundreds of attacks from Iranian proxies in recent months following Hamas Oct. 7 rampage, has more to worry about than the risk of an all-out war between Iran and Israel. New assaults targeting American forces, Adebahr says, are a real concern.

The concerns are very concrete when it comes to U.S. troops in the region, he said. They are much broader when it comes to, you know, where does this conflict end and will there be a major war? So the United States has to worry at different levels.

We are in uncharted territory, I have to say, Adebahr added. This is the third unprecedented strike of the past two or three weeks. The real question now is: Is this something that Iran feels it can or should play down?

Edward Luce, author of The Retreat of Western Liberalism, pointed out that this could be an inflection point, and one where the White House has limited power to control events. The degree of Netanyahus contempt for Biden is hard to overstate, he wrote on X.

Nomi Bar Yaacov, an associate fellow with the London think tank Chatham House, said the limited scale of Israels attack showed that there was some evidence of successful pressure from Netanyahus allies.

Israels dawn counter-attack in Isfahan, Iran was aimed at sending Iran a message that Israel has the capability to strike with precision deep inside Iran without the need to resort to fighter jets, Yaacov said in a statement to The Daily Beast. It was carried out in a manner that will allow Iran to deny the attack and draw a line under it.

Yaacov added that the strike itself was measured following pressure from the U.S., U.K. and other allies not to escalate tensions in the Middle East, ensuring only the site from which Iranian drones were launched on Saturday night was hit, avoiding casualties.

Disagreements over Iran aside, the White House on Thursday said it had once again expressed concerns with various courses of action in Rafah, the city in southern Gaza where over a million Palestinians are seeking shelter. Biden has repeatedly warned Netanyahu against a ground invasion of the city, fearing there is no way of conducting such an operation while adequately protecting civilians.

Netanyahu, on the other hand, has repeatedly vowed that an offensive in Rafah is on the way. Earlier this month he said a date has been chosen for the attack to begin, though he did not publicly reveal when that will be. Netanyahu has also consistently promised to deliver a total victory over Hamas, insisting that Rafah remains the final Hamas stronghold in Gaza.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The Biden administration Friday finalized new Title IX rules, strengthening protections against sex and gender discrimination. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the stronger rules make it "crystal clear" that everyone can access safe schools that respect their rights. File photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI

April 19 (UPI) -- The Biden administration on Friday finalized sweeping changes to Title IX, strengthening protections against sex and gender discrimination in schools.

The rules, which take effect on Aug. 1, require schools to respond quickly to sex and gender discrimination, expand LGBTQ rights and give victims more power in sexual abuse cases.

"Under today's regulations, schools will have to do enough to end sex discrimination, giving complete effect to the Title IX guarantee that no person shall experience sex discrimination at school," Catherine Lhamon, assistant secretary for civil rights in the Education Department, said during a call with reporters.

According to the Education Department Title IX now "clarifies that sex discrimination includes discrimination based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity."

The rules also clarify that, "sex-based harassment includes harassment on these bases and further clarifies when sex-based harassment creates a hostile environment."

The Education Department said that the final regulations "define hostile environment harassment as unwelcome sex-based conduct that, based on the totality of the circumstances, is subjectively and objectively offensive and is so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person's ability to participate in or benefit from the recipient's education program or activity."

"These regulations make it crystal clear that everyone can access schools that are safe, welcoming and that respect their rights," Education Secretary Miguel A. Cardona said during a Thursday call with reporters.

House Education Committee Chair Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., opposes the expansion of LGBTQ rights in Title IX, calling the changes an escalation of the Democratic Party's "contemptuous culture war that aims to radically redefine sex and gender."

Rights groups like the Human Rights Campaign have maintained that laws targeting LGBTQ people to curtail their rights are hostile attacks on human rights.

An HRC 2023 report found 525 bills introduced in 41 states, including more than 220 targeting transgender people.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights supported the Biden administration's proposed strengthening of Title IX protections against sex and gender discrimination in a 2022 letter to the Education Department.

Representing more than 230 national rights organizations, the group urged "the department to ensure an educational environment free from discrimination on the basis of sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status, sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, or pregnancy and related conditions)."
The Biden administration is restricting drilling on millions of acres of government-owned lands in Alaska  and taking the penultimate step toward blocking a mining access road in the same state.

The administration announced Friday it would block off oil and gas drilling on 13 million acres in the Western Arctic that are part of an area known as the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.

The 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve, found in Alaskas North Slope, was set aside in 1923 by President Harding as an emergency supply of oil for the Navy.

The area is also home to caribou herds, threatened and sensitive bird species, and other animals, including polar bears.

The administration also issued a document indicating that it would not approve a proposed industrial road through northwestern Alaskan wilderness toward deposits of copper and zinc  disrupting Ambler Metalss effort to mine there.

The administration cited its finding that the road would significantly restrict activities for more than 30 Alaska Native communities. The Hill previously reported that the Biden administration had reached this decision Tuesday.

Todays historic actions to protect lands and waters in the western Arctic will ensure continued subsistence use by Alaska Native communities while conserving these special places for future generations, White House adviser John Podesta said in a statement.

With these new announcements, the Biden-Harris administration has now protected more than 41 million acres of lands and waters across the country, leaving a huge mark on the history of American conservation, he added.

Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) blasted the decision in a press conference Friday morning, accusing the Biden administration of empowering states such as Iran and China with the decision.

The message this administration is sending to the dictators in Iran, China and Russia is this: We wont use our resources to strengthen our country, Sullivan said. But you can use your resources to strengthen your country. Joe Biden is fine with our adversaries producing energy and dominating the worlds critical minerals while shutting down our own in America.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, took similar aim at the decision at the press conference and called the Ambler decision a gift to the Chinese rare-earth minerals industry.

[Bidens] going to mandate electric vehicles, but hes saying, Youre not going to get the key minerals you need in the United States to build those vehicles,' Barrasso said. So where are you going to go? Who has control right now? China.

Kaleb Froehlich, managing director of Ambler Metals, said the company is deeply disappointed by the Bureau of Land Managements politically-motivated decision to block construction of the Ambler Access Project.

In doing so, the Department of the Interior is depriving Alaska Native communities of thousands of good-paying jobs and millions of dollars of badly needed tax revenues and economic investment, as well as preventing the United States from developing a domestic supply of minerals that are critical for clean energy technology and national security, Froehlich added.

The Biden administration has a mixed record on energy and conservation issues in Alaska, most notably approving the Willow project last year  which will allow ConocoPhillips to drill in the state for about 30 years.

That move was particularly controversial among progressives, who said the administration should not allow significant new oil infrastructure amid the transition away from fossil fuels. One day prior to that decision, the administration announced its proposed expansion of protections in the petroleum reserve that was finalized Friday.

It reverses a Trump-era effort to open up significantly more of the area for drilling.

The Biden administrations move to bar the Ambler roads construction technically is not final, as the government is required to wait at least 30 days before issuing a formal Record of Decision.

The actions taken by the Biden administration have been opposed by Alaskas bipartisan congressional delegation, with lawmakers arguing that the move will have negative impacts on the areas economy, including for Alaska Native Corporations.

The moves were met with praise from many environmental and tribal advocates.

The Biden Administrations choice to reject the Ambler Road Project is a monumental step forward in the fight for Indigenous rights and environmental justice, Chief Chair Brian Ridley of the Tanana Chiefs Conference said in a statement.

Updated at 10:04 a.m. EDT

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Biden administration tightlipped on Israel strike as US looks to maintain distance from decision

The Biden administration on Friday adopted a tightlipped approach that reflected US officials desire to keep a level of distance from Israels decision to strike back against Iran in what appeared to be a limited retaliation for last weekends attack.

Israel has not commented on the strike, which was reported after three explosions were heard close to a major military airbase near Isfahan, state media reported early Friday morning. Iranian officials have said air defenses intercepted three drones and there were no reports of a missile attack.

American officials, who said they received warning from Israel of their plans, neither endorsed nor condemned the counterstrike. Israel had told the US on Thursday that it would be retaliating against Iran in the coming days, a senior US official said, adding that the US didnt endorse the response.

Instead, the US sought to make clear the choice was Israels alone.

We were not involved, one official said.

Israel informed the US through a variety of different channels ahead of its counterstrike against Iran, a person familiar with the matter said, adding that the warning did not come far in advance but did not catch the US off-guard. Speaking at the G7 foreign ministers summit in Capri, the Italian foreign minister said the US received word from Israel at the last minute of its plans to retaliate. The person familiar said the heads-up came on Thursday.

In his first public remarks since the counterstrike, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined nearly all comment on the matter while speaking at a G7 meeting in Capri, Italy. But, he said, G7 countries were committed to Israels security while seeking to avoid the conflict from further spiraling.

Were also committed to de-escalating  to trying to bring this tension to a close, Blinken said during a news conference.

He also said the countries shared a commitment to hold Iran to account.

US anticipated limited Israeli response

Even though President Joe Biden counseled restraint last weekend in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  suggesting to his counterpart that because of the successful interception of nearly all of Irans missiles and drones, a counterattack might not be necessary  there were few inside the White House who believed Israel would do nothing.

Instead, officials believed what Israel was planning would be limited in scope and designed to send Iran a message. Officials had asked Israel for advance warning of the plans.

Senior US officials spent a good part of Thursday in virtual conversations with top Israeli officials to discuss, among other topics, the attack last weekend by Iran and efforts to boost Israeli security.

The talks, led by US national security adviser Jake Sullivan, included Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, a top confidante of Netanyahu, and Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi.

Before expanding to a larger group of senior officials, the US and Israeli sides discussed in a smaller format last weekends attack, as well as Bidens decision to apply new sanctions on Iran.

The sanctions, applied in conjunction with other Western nations, appeared designed to send a message that retaliating against Iran didnt necessarily require a military component.

Its not clear how much the Israeli side briefed the American officials on the plans to respond to the Iran attack.

The larger meeting focused on another topic of disagreement between the Biden administration and the Israeli government: plans for a ground invasion of Rafah to go after Hamas. The White House said afterward that American officials expressed concerns with various courses of action in Rafah, and Israeli participants agreed to take these concerns into account.

The disagreement was an indication even amid the back-and-forth with Iran that the war against Hamas in Gaza continues apace  with negotiations for a ceasefire stalled and with a humanitarian crisis worsening.

The latest counterstrike adds to increasing tensions in the Middle East following Irans unprecedented strike against Israel last weekend, in which it lobbed more than 300 drones and cruise missiles toward Israel, nearly all of which were intercepted. That attack was retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on Irans embassy compound in Syria earlier this month.

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President Joe Bidens baffling suggestion that his uncle might have been eaten by cannibals after a plane crash off Papua New Guinea during World War II has, unsurprisingly, not gone over great with the people who actually live there or have carefully studied the regions history.

The Democrat made the comments Wednesday while discussing the fate of Ambrose Finnegan, whom he affectionately referred to as Uncle Bosie. He got shot down in New Guinea, and they never found the body because there used to bethere were a lot of cannibals, for real, in that part of New Guinea, Biden said.

Bidens Uncle Probably Wasnt Eaten by Cannibals, Actually

The comments immediately drew scrutiny as, for one thing, they seemed to be a major departure from the Pentagons Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agencys version of what happened to Finnegan. The war records say his plane went down for unknown reasons on May 14, 1944, during a courier flight heading to New Guinea.

But others have bluntly questioned why Biden would make the remarks at all.

I thought: Oh my God, whats he doing? Its crazy, Jonathan Ritchie, a historian at Australias Deakin University, told The Daily Beast. Deakin, who was born and raised in Papua New Guinea and whose research has focused on the country, said his initial reaction was that Biden was repeating the same old trope about PNG.

You hear it in a number of different ways, Ritchie said. You could go out to a pub in Melbourne and talk about Papua New Guinean people, and people would go: Oh, theyre all cannibals up there. Thats bad enough. But when the American president suggests something like that, its really upsetting.

Ritchie, who worked with others on a large oral history project recording Papua New Guineans experiences of World War II between 2013 and 2018, added that Bidens comments were something of an own goal at a time when the U.S. is hoping to work with Papua New Guinea amid tensions in the Pacific with China.

Anyone who knows anything about PNG knows the U.S. is a really powerful ally, a great friend of Papua New Guinea, Ritchie said. And not just for contemporary political reasonsthere is a long memory about the great support that Papua New Guineans gave to the American military during World War II.

He added that you could imagine Bidens advisersespecially those perhaps in the State Department who know something about PNGcringing, thinking: Oh shit, why did he say that?

Michael Kabuni, a lecturer in political science at the University of Papua New Guinea, separately told The Guardian that while cannibalism has been practiced by some communities in specific contextslike eating a dead relative out of respect to prevent bodily decompositionreferring to cannibalism out of context was not acceptable. They wouldnt just eat any white men that fell from the sky, Kabuni told the newspaper.

Allan Bird, the governor of Papua New Guineas East Sepik province, told The Guardian he was lost for words when he heard Bidens comments. He added that he wasnt offended but instead found the remarks hilarious, speculating that the American president had simply heard stories of cannibalism from his own parents and they had stayed with him for the rest of his life.

In a statement Wednesday, White House spokesman Andrew Bates said Biden was proud of his uncles service in uniform, adding that Finnegan lost his life when the military aircraft he was on crashed in the Pacific after taking off near New Guinea.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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The Interior Department made a series of moves on Friday putting millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness outside the reach of oil drilling and critical mineral mining, drawing praise from environmental and conservation groups and native tribes while angering Republican lawmakers.

The moves show the Biden administration continuing its efforts to win favor with the environmental voters put off by his administration's approval of the massive Willow oil project in Alaska and its defense of an oil pipeline running through the Strait of Mackinac in Michigan.

But it comes at the expense of angering Alaska's Republican senators, including moderate Sen. Lisa Murkowski who has supported some of the administration's policies and refused to back Biden's opponent in November's presidential race, former President Donald Trump.

Biden said in a statement he was "proud that my Administration is taking action to conserve more than 13 million acres in the Western Arctic and to honor the culture, history, and enduring wisdom of Alaska Natives who have lived on and stewarded these lands since time immemorial."

But Murkowski and other GOP senators held a press conference Thursday to bash the moves.

Its more than a one-two punch to Alaska, Murkowski said. When you take off access to our resources ... when you say you cannot drill, you cannot produce, you cannot explore, you cannot move it, this is the energy insecurity were talking about. Were still going to need the germanium, the gallium, the copper. Were still going to need the oil. Were just not going to get it from Alaska."

Interiors Bureau of Land Management officially recommended against building the Ambler Road, a proposed 211-mile long roadway championed by Murkowski that would have led to mining in an undeveloped part of the state. The decision, as first reported by POLITICO, all but kills a project initially proposed by the Ambler Metals company and approved under the Trump administration.

The agency found that building the road would significantly and irrevocably impact resources, including those supporting important subsistence uses, in ways that cannot be adequately mitigated.

Not building it, however, strands copper and zinc deposits in the area that mining companies had hoped to develop.

Ambler Metals management was deeply disappointed in what it called Interiors politically motivated decision, Kaleb Froehlich, the company's managing director, said in a statement.

We remain committed to this important project and will continue to push forward using all possible avenues, Froehlich said.

Local tribes said the Trump administration did not consult with them before approving the road and praised the Biden administrations decision to kill the project.

This is a historic win for the Alaska Native community, Tanana Chiefs Conference Chief Chair Brian Ridley said in a statement. It reaffirms that our voices matter, that our knowledge is invaluable, and that our lands and animals deserve protection."

Interior also issued a final rule Friday that will remove the entire U.S. Arctic Ocean and 11 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and nearly 3 million acres of federal waters off the Alaska coast from consideration for new oil and gas leasing. The move puts nearly half of the NPR-A's 23 million acres off limits to oil drilling.

Interior's BLM, which oversees the area, said it received more than 100,000 comments on the proposal it first made last year.

"The majority of the area closed to oil and gas leasing was determined to be medium or low potential for discovery or development of oil and gas resources," Interior said in its final rule.

The department said it will call for public comment on the possibility that it could add more land to the conservation area.

The Alaska announcements represented the latest wins for green and conservation groups, following BLM finalizing a sweeping new rule on Thursday placing conservation and restoration of public lands on equal footing with energy development and mining.

Environmental groups and some native tribes had pressured the Biden administration to do more to restrict oil companies access to land in Alaska. The administration in March 2023 approved ConocoPhillips massive Willow oil project in the NPR-A. But the company said in comments that the new rule would significantly and adversely affect future proposals for new activities and developments for the project and conflict with the companys existing oil leases.

Dustin Meyer, senior vice president for policy at the American Petroleum Institute, a trade association representing large oil companies, called the rule "yet another step in the wrong direction.

This misguided rule from the Biden Administration sharply limits future oil and natural gas development in Alaskas National Petroleum Reserve, a region explicitly intended by Congress to bolster Americas energy security while generating important economic growth and revenue for local Alaskan communities," Meyer said in a statement.

Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan joined a group of fellow GOP lawmakers Thursday to blast the moves. Despite the Biden administration's approval of Willow, the White House has in other ways made it difficult for energy development to happen in the state, Sullivan said.

The message this administration is sending to the dictators in Iran, China and Russia is this: We won't use our resources to strengthen our country  but you can use your resources to strengthen your country, Sullivan said at a press conference Thursday. Joe Biden is fine with our adversaries producing energy and dominating the world's critical minerals while shutting down our own in America, as long as the far-left radicals he feels are key to his reelection are satisfied. What a dangerous world this president has created.

Alaska had been a major source of U.S. oil and gas in the past decades. But the advent of hydraulic fracturing in the mid-2000s made oil production in the lower 48 states much faster and cheaper than in previous years. As the oil industry focused its operations in Texas, New Mexico and North Dakota, Alaska went from rivaling Texas as the countrys top oil producer in the 1990s to fifth place behind Colorado now.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at Martin Luther King Recreation Center on April 18, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. U.S. President Joe Biden is on a multi-city tour of the battleground state of Pennsylvania where he renewed calls to increase taxes on wealthy Americans and large corporations. | Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA  Standing alongside several members of the Kennedy family, President Joe Biden celebrated their support for his campaign on Thursday, a rebuke of their relative, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who continues his campaign as an independent candidate for president.

What an incredible honor, Biden said at the beginning of a 10-minute speech at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. I dont want to become emotional, but what an incredible honor to have the support of the Kennedy family.

Biden is the second Irish Catholic to serve as president and has often cited President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy as the inspiration for his career in public service.

Biden said on Thursday when he sits behind the resolute desk, where Kennedy once sat, he looks at the busts of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., another hero of his, and thinks what they would do in difficult situations.

Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, lauded Biden as a champion for all the rights and freedoms that my father and uncle stood for, on Thursday.

Thats why nearly every single grandchild of Joe and Rose Kennedy supports Joe Biden, Kennedy said.

She said that Biden has spent his career running into the flames for Americans, adding that the rights of Americans were on the line in the election.

I can only imagine how Donald Trumps outrageous lies and behavior would have horrified my father, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who proudly served as the Attorney General of the United States and honored his pledge to uphold the law and protect the country, Kennedy said in Philadelphia. Daddy stood for equal justice for human rights and freedom from want and fear, just as President Biden does today.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. responded to the news of the Kennedy familys Biden endorsement in a social media post Thursday, saying he was pleased they are politically active  its a family tradition. We are divided in our opinions but united in our love for each other.

I hear some of my family will be endorsing President Biden today. I am pleased they are politically active  its a family tradition. We are divided in our opinions but united in our love for each other. I hold this as a possibility for America too. Can we disagree without  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) April 18, 2024

In October, Kennedy launched his independent campaign for president in Philadelphia.

The Biden press event came on the same day that Kennedy announced he will be on the ballot in Michigan and other states as the nominee for the Natural Law Party.

Kerry Kennedy took a not-so-subtle jab at the chances of her brothers presidential campaign on Thursday.

In 2024, there are only two candidates with any chance of winning the presidency, Kerry Kennedy said, referring to Biden and former President Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee.

Biden spoke about the role that the assassinations of his political heroes, Kennedy and King, had on him and the country. The country now faces another inflection point, he added.

The 2024 election is about two fundamentally different visions for America, Biden said. Donald Trumps vision is one of anger, hate, revenge, and retribution.

I have a very different view of America, Biden added. One of hope and optimism like I hope all of you do.

Before Bidens arrival, protesters were one street away from the venue in North Philadelphia chanting blood on your hands. One person was escorted from inside the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center an hour before Bidens speech, claiming he had a right to be there.

Following his brief remarks, Biden and former U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) met with campaign volunteers and later made a stop at a nearby Wawa with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, before heading back to the airport.

The Philadelphia stop wraps up Bidens week in the Keystone State. He kicked off the three-day visit Tuesday with a speech in his childhood hometown of Scranton, and made his first appearance of the year in western Pennsylvania on Wednesday, rallying with United Steelworkers and making a pit stop at Sheetz.

The four previous visits from Biden in Pennsylvania in 2024 were in the southeast. Its a densely populated region of the commonwealth where Democrats hold a significant voter registration advantage over Republicans and where Biden outpaced Trump in 2020.

State Rep. Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia) told the Capital-Star in an interview on Thursday that the decision between Biden and Trump is one of freedom vs tyranny, and said abortion access is a topic he hears often amongst constituents for the upcoming election.

Our last president had appointed three Supreme Court justices that have worked to take away the right for a woman to make her own abortion decisions, Khan said.

The issues of democracy, abortion, and the economy are themes that Biden has driven home in multiple appearances in the Keystone State. On Jan. 5, Biden delivered a passionate address in the Philadelphia suburbs arguing that democracy is what the 2024 election is all about.

On March 8, one day after his State of the Union address, he returned to the Philadelphia suburbs and continued to emphasize his administrations commitment to protecting abortion access. During Tuesdays visit in Scranton, he touted his administrations economic record and blasted tax reform legislation passed during Trumps administration.

As Biden finished his pre-primary election campaign swing in Pennsylvania, Trump was in New York, as his hush money trial continues. Trump made his fourth visit of the year to Pennsylvania on April 13, when he attended a fundraiser in Bucks County and a rally in the Lehigh Valley.

Widespread polling shows Biden and Trump in a close race for Pennsylvanias 19 electoral votes, with Kennedy a possible spoiler for either candidate. A Franklin & Marshall College poll conducted March 20-31 shows Biden leading Trump by 10 points, although that margin drops down to 2 points when third-party candidates, including Kennedy, are an option.

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia) said on Thursday he is confident that Biden will carry the state again, but isnt focusing on the polls, even if Biden is leading.

You get up every single day in a campaign, you build a coalition, Kenyatta said. Today, you saw most of the Kennedy family, with a notable exception, endorsing the president, laying out the record of success that he has, and thats what you have to do.

Multiple national ratings outlets, including the Cook Political Report, describe the presidential race in Pennsylvania as a toss-up.

The Pennsylvania primary election is Tuesday.

Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kim Lyons for questions: info@penncapital-star.com. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and Twitter.

The post Biden receives Kennedy family endorsement in Philadelphia appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Recorded earlier

President Biden is addressing members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) at a conference in Washington, D.C., Friday.

Biden has made highly visible support for unions central to his economic policies and his reelection campaign.

The president will meet with the IBEW, one of the largest constituents of the AFL-CIO, just one day after he promised members of the United Steelworkers union that Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel would remain American owned.

Biden is scheduled to begin at noon EDT.

Watch the live video above.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 19. Paris police has detained a man wearing a suicide vest who threatened to blow up the Iranian consulate, Trend reports via European media.

16:38

An unidentified man wearing a suicide belt has entered the building of the Iranian consulate in Paris and is threatening to blow it up, Trend reports.

"The suspect is currently hiding in the Iranian consulate building in Paris's 16th district. He wears an explosive belt and threatens to trigger it," the information reads.

To note, as a security measure, police have cordoned off the area.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
President Joe Bidens administration on Friday safeguarded millions of acres in Alaska from fossil fuel drilling and mining  the latest in a frenzy of environmental actions in recent weeks that have drawn praise from green groups and condemnation from industry and Republican lawmakers.

The Interior Department finalized a rule that bars oil and gas development across more than 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve on Alaskas North Slope. Established in 1923, the 23 million-acre reserve is the largest tract of federal land in the country and home to vast oil and gas deposits.

Interior also moved to block construction of the Ambler Road, a proposed 211-mile mining road that would have cut through a portion of Alaskas pristine Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve to access billions of dollars worth of copper deposits.

Both actions ultimately reverse decisions from Donald Trumps presidency.

Todays announcements underscore our commitment to ensure that places too special to develop remain intact for the communities and species that rely on them, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement. There is no question, using the best available science and incorporating Indigenous knowledge practiced over millennia, that these decisions will help biological, cultural, historic and subsistence resources, safeguarding the way of life for the Indigenous people who have called this special place home since time immemorial.

A river snakes near Alaska's Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post via Getty Images

At a press conference Thursday, Republican lawmakers, including Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, condemned the upcoming actions and what they described as Bidens energy insecurity agenda.

He is destabilizing our security as a nation in a way that most didnt think possible in such a short time period, Murkowski said.

Its more than a one-two punch to Alaska, she added. When you take off access to our resources, when you say you cannot drill, you cannot produce, you cannot explore, you cannot move it, this is the energy insecurity that were talking about. Because were still going to need the germanium, the gallium, the copper. Were still going to need the oil. But were just not going to get it from Alaska. Were just not going to get it from the United States.

Biden said that Alaskan landscapes demand our protection.

I am proud that my Administration is taking action to conserve more than 13 million acres in the Western Arctic and to honor the culture, history, and enduring wisdom of Alaska Natives who have lived on and stewarded these lands since time immemorial, he said in a statement. From safeguarding sacred lands near the Grand Canyon to protecting Alaskan treasures, my Administration has conserved more than 41 million acres of lands and waters.

Conservation and climate advocacy groups hailed the decisions.

When taken together, these regulations constitute a comprehensive shift toward a more holistic conservation, climate and community-centric approach to managing public lands, Meda DeWitt, the interim Alaska state director of The Wilderness Society, said in a statement.

Related...
Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, spoke on a bill lifting the statute of limitations specifically for child sexual assault victims involved in a Boy Scouts of America settlement. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a measure Friday that lifts the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse specifically for victims involved in the Boy Scouts settlement  narrowly meeting the deadline necessary for Iowans involved to receive the same compensation as people in other states.

The signing came hours after Senate File 2431 was approved by both chambers, moving through the House committee process Friday morning. The bill creates a narrow exemption to the statute of limitations on civil legal actions regarding child sexual abuse. Iowa law currently requires that child sexual assault victims file civil lawsuits by age 19, or within four years of coming to the understanding that abuse has resulted in the suffering and injuries for which theyre seeking compensation.

In the legislation, the time restrictions are lifted in cases involving claims made against the bankruptcy state of a congressionally chartered organization. The language was crafted to apply specifically to the Boy Scouts of America and the 2020 bankruptcy settlement reached between the group and more than 82,000 men who said that as children they were sexually abused by Boy Scout troop leaders.

The governor released a statement saying she was proud to sign the bill, and hope it brings brings some sense of justice and closure to the Iowa victims involved.

Those who were sexually abused while in Boy Scouts should have the ability to receive the greatest amount of compensation available, Reynolds said in a statement. Even after an initial disclosure, it may take many more years before a victim is willing to file a legal action in a public court proceeding. We should not stand in the way of these survivors receiving their justified compensation.

Through the $2.46 billion Scouting Settlement Trust, individuals involved in the settlement have the ability to recover funds for damages caused by abuse related to their time in Boy Scouts. But without the new law in place, Iowans were set to receive less compensation than victims in other states, as each states statute of limitations on child sexual abuse claims are into consideration, alongside other factors, when determining settlement payouts.

Senators rushed to pass the bill earlier in April, as lawyers involved in the settlement said the state had until April 19  Friday  to make changes to the statute of limitations so that Iowans could receive compensation similar to victims in other states.

The bills future in the House was unclear as lawmakers neared the end of session since the bill was not assigned to a committee for more than a week after it was sent there from the Senate. It was finally assigned to the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, and lawmakers approved the bill in a subcommittee of the whole and in the committee Friday morning.

The bills floor manager in the House, Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, said that without the bills passage there would be a reduction of up to 70% in settlement payouts for an estimated 300 to 700 Iowans. She urged her colleagues to support the measure, saying it was the right thing to do.

We cant reverse time we cant take away the damage, but we can help with the compensation, Meyer said.

Rep. Steve Holt, R-Denison, said in the committee meeting that he was concerned about the legislation because of its broader implications for the states statute of limitations.

Im concerned about what we say to the next group coming down the pike and equal application of the law, Holt said. What happens to the next aggrieved group in terms of the exception were making today, and the law applying equally to all people?

Rep. Charley Thomson, D-Charles City, introduced an amendment during House floor debate in an attempt to address some of the questions on how the law could impact the statute of limitations for child sexual assault claims in the future. The adopted amendment includes language stating that after-the-fact legislative changes to statutes of limitations are, in general, poor public policy, but that the bill deals with unusual and exceptionally rare circumstances.

The amendment also will make it clear that this is a very unusual set of circumstances, and that while it is normally not the policy of the state of Iowa or the General Assembly to waive or make exceptions to statutes of limitation, we are doing so in this very rare, unusual set of circumstances, Thomson said.

The amendment also states that the measure should not be interpreted as setting a precedent for approving exceptions to statutes of limitations in the future. Thomson said this language will both enhance the statutes enforceability, as well as make the measure more likely to survive constitutional scrutiny.

After passing the House, the bill returned to the Iowa Senate for consideration of the amendment. It passed with unanimous support, going to the governors desk for final approval. Gov. Kim Reynolds is expected to sign the legislation Friday to meet the April 19 deadline.

Sen. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, thanked the Iowans advocating for the bill as well as Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, for taking a lead on getting the bill through the legislative process. She also released a statement following the bill signing thanking Reynolds and lawmakers for their work on the measure.

Todays victory is a great example of how the legislature can help people when we work together for justice and when the media shines a light on an important issue, Petersen said. Hundreds of Iowans will have a chance at receiving their full settlement thanks to a group of survivors who came forward, shared their painful stories and asked for our help.

The post Governor signs bill to change statute of limitations for Boy Scouts sexual abuse settlement appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Getty Images.

A Republican bill recently introduced in the Ohio Legislature seeks a prohibition of state funding for abortion-related services, for which similar statutes and regulations already exist.

State Rep. Josh Williams, R-Sylvania, brought forth House Bill 475 last week. The bill would prohibit state funds from being given to any entity that supports, promotes, or provides abortions.

In addition, the bill would require counties and municipal corporations to report abortion-related spending, and to withhold and reallocate to pregnancy resource centers state local government funds from a county or municipal corporation that engages in such spending, according the language in the bill.

The bill would take away local government funds if counties or municipalities are found to be providing abortion service reimbursements or for any related activity, including travel and donations to entities that support, promote or provide abortion.

The bill does not specify a definition of pregnancy resource centers, but it could refer to crisis pregnancy centers, which have been supported by religious organizations and Republicans.

That term is often used for heavily-criticized facilities which dont provide information about abortion services, and some which dont include medical services as part of their package other than ultrasounds. Crisis pregnancy centers in Ohio have also been found to use debunked medical information, for example, an increased likelihood of breast cancer in pregnant individuals who have had abortion procedures.

Under the bill, an abortion adjustment fund would be created, which would hold deposits from the local government fund withheld if funds were used for abortion service reimbursement, or if a county fails to file reports with the auditor of state and the tax commissioner on their spending related to abortion services.

Local government funds have long been suffering under the weight of using less funds to support bigger and bigger budgets. The last 10 years have seen more than $1 billion in funding gaps needed by localities to fund police and EMT services, among other entities upon which their residents depend.

In the 2022-23 budget, the Ohio General Assembly set the local government fund at 1.66% of the state general revenue fund, down from 1.68% in 2020-2021. Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich blamed economic slowdowns on the decision to bring the local government fund from 3.68% to 1.66% during his tenure.

The local government fund represented 1.7% of the states GRF in the fiscal year 2024-2025 operating budget.

When revenue distributed through the LGF declines, it puts communities and their taxpayers in a bind  causing local leaders to consider either raising local taxes, cutting services or both, The Ohio Municipal League wrote in a white paper on the LGF in August 2023, just after the newest budget was passed.

The bill would be an add-on to previous statutes that already regulate state funding related to abortion services. Already on the books in the state are statutes that prevent Ohio Department of Health funding used for the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act program, grant funding distributed as part of the minority HIV/AIDS initiative, its personal responsibility education program and funding for its infant mortality reduction or infant vitality initiatives to be used to promote or perform nontherapeutic abortions.

There is also a statute within the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services general provisions that explicitly states state or local public funds shall not be used to subsidize an abortion, except in the case of rape, incest, or a medical danger to the life of the pregnant individual.

But Case Western Reserve University law professor Jessie Hill, who is also a lead attorney in lawsuits against state abortion-related statutes, says the law changes contained in this new bill would be even more sweeping because it says that no state funds could go to any entity that performs or promotes or supports abortion, even if they are not using state funds to do so, and the abortions are not limited under the bill to nontherapeutic abortions.

So, under this proposed law, presumably a public hospital could lose all of its state funds simply for performing an emergency abortion to save a womans life, Hill told the OCJ.

The bill still needs to be assigned to a committee, where it will be subject to public hearings.

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The post New bill furthers Ohio laws that ban abortion funding, could take local government funds appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
House Bill 1015 would formally implement the five essential components of reading into curricula across the state. (Dan Forer | Getty Images)

New Hampshire public school teachers and officials would be required to update how they teach reading under a bill heading to Gov. Chris Sununus desk.

House Bill 1015, which passed the Senate by voice vote Thursday, would formally implement the five essential components of reading into curricula across the state. That teaching process, developed in 1997 by the National Reading Panel, focuses on teaching phonetics rather than older instructional models that allow students to guess words based on visual patterns.

The approach has been lauded by experts and educators for decades as a more thorough way to teach reading, but not all New Hampshire school districts have implemented it on their own, proponents of the bill say.

This bill can ensure all New Hampshire children are afforded reading development and instruction thats delivered in a manner that meets their individual abilities and their individual needs, said Rep. Corrine Cascadden, a Berlin Democrat, in testimony to the Senate.

Under current law, elementary schools are required to teach literacy up to third grade, instruction that includes reading, writing, speaking, listening, reasoning, and mathematics.

The bill requires instruction up to fifth grade and adds specific requirements for that instruction. According to the bill, the teaching must be measurable and evidence-based, and must include instruction in the five components: phonemic awareness, phonics (both decoding and encoding of sounds and words), fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

The instruction would need to be aimed at allowing each student to achieve grade level literacy, the bill states.

The bill also expands on the current requirement that schools teach mathematics by requiring mathematics reasoning and mathematics calculation in state statute.

If signed into law, the bill will not take effect until July 2027, which sponsors say is intended to give schools more time to implement it.

Cascadden, a former elementary school principal in Berlin, said she had implemented the five components in 2005, when they were recommended by the states Department of Education at the time. We saw success in the percentage of kids that improved in literacy, she said.

But she said there has been less emphasis on the practice, and that some schools had since fallen by the wayside.

The bill passed the House nearly unanimously in March, 365-9.

The post Bill requiring schools adopt modern reading instruction heads to governor appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
Sexual assault examination kit. (photo from Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance)

This story mentions rape and sexual assault. If you or someone you know needs help, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673.

Survivors of sexual assault perpetrated by their spouses had a simple request for the Ohio Legislature with regard to a loophole in state law that keeps their spouses from being held accountable.

Please help us, Sarah Tucker said.

Tucker said she not only endured rape from her former husband, but also a lack of action by law enforcement because of an exception for married couples within Ohio sex offense laws.

While she was finally able to separate herself from her spouse, Tucker still has not received the justice she demands for herself and for her kids. Her journey out of the situation included mental health treatment and other assistance to deal with the lasting effects of this trauma.

Going through something like this changes a person, changes them to lose faith in the justice system, changes how they see themselves, changes how they face new relationships, Tucker told the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee.

The committee heard proponent testimony recently on House Bill 161, which would eliminate spousal exceptions to rape, sexual battery, unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, gross sexual imposition and sexual imposition, according to the language of the bill.

The spousal exception for rape is distinct from the others because it currently applies only if the spouse lives with the offender, according to an analysis of the bill by the Legislative Service Commission. Under the bill, a person could be convicted of rape involving the spouse, regardless of whether the spouse lives with or apart from the offender.

HB 161 would also allow an individual to testify against their spouse in the prosecution of one of the crimes listed in the bill, and allows testimony concerning a communication made by one to the other in a case involving any of those offenses, as well as public indecency, the LSC analysis stated.

Ohio currently stands as one of only 11 states who still holds an exception for marriage in rape and sexual assault cases, according to the bills sponsors.

Those who advocate for rape and sexual assault survivors see the bill as necessary closure of loose ends that can leave law enforcement without options, and survivors with even less.

There can be many obstacles in the path of justice for survivors of sexual violence, but to not even have the option of justice is negligent and re-traumatizing for Ohio survivors, said Rebecca Peckinpaugh, a licensed social worker and director for Allen County and Putnam Countys Crime Victim Services, and regional director of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

Maria York, policy director for the Ohio Domestic Violence Network said in her 10 years as a victim advocate prior to working for ODVN, intimate partner sexual assault and spousal sex offenses were seen repeatedly.

The law enforcement, the prosecutors office, did a fantastic job trying to get justice for victims, but unfortunately the law isnt there, York told the Senate committee.

She cited data from the National Institute of Justice, which found 40% to 45% of women in abusive relationships experience sexual assault from a partner.

The need for a resolution is increasing in the state as well, according to Davina Cooper, director of rural services for Women Helping Women, a rape crisis center serving Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont and Hamilton counties.

Intimate partner violence is a public health epidemic that impacts the lives of survivors, their children, family members and the community, Cooper said.

The center saw a 25% increase in hospital response for sexual assault by a spouse in 2023, according to Cooper. That number was the highest in WHWs history, and necessitated an increase in staff for rural programming, she said.

HB 161, which has bipartisan sponsors, has already passed the Ohio House, and approval from the state Senate would take the bill to the governors desk for signature.

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The post Bill to rid Ohio of spousal rape exception receives support in state Senate appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A state biologist is giving an update more than two years in to the ongoing struggle to remove invasive fish that are strangling the Kansas River.

27 News spoke with Liam Odell, a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) invasive carp biologist, to learn the latest in the departments efforts to remove invasive silver and bighead carp. Since 2022, the KDWP has steadily increased its efforts to remove the nuisance fish and is finding success in the undertaking.

Odell says biologists with the KDWP have managed to remove about 25,000 pounds of carp in 2022 and 2023. All in all, the department has removed around 61,000 pounds from their project area between the Bowersock Dam in Lawrence and the WaterOne Dam in the Kansas City area.

Were still after it, Odell said. As of right now, were still hitting the same location really hard.

Kansas engineers fight to save Tuttle Creek reservoir from rising mud levels

27 News accompanied KDWP biologists in 2023 on a trip on the Kansas River to get an up close look at how invasive carp are removed from the water.

The KDWPs methods in catching the fish have changed little from the gillnets and electrofishing practices, though biologists are experimenting with different net sizes to improve their techniques. The fish remain confined to the Kansas River but there is still worry the carp may at some point jump over the Bowersock Dam during a rare flood, spreading further upriver.

They havent moved into any new bodies of water yet, Odell said. Were in the process of working on it, but there will be a barrier on Bowersock dam to create an additional buffer zone.

This physical barrier will run along the top of the dam, preventing the carp from jumping over. Silver carp especially are known for their jumping abilities and could get over the dam if the water is high enough. Another solution deemed impractical by the KDWP wouldve involved the installation of an underwater acoustic system which is being experimented with by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Is it safe to drink water directly from the Kansas River?

Odell says the removal of the carp is a constant battle with KDWP teams hitting the water two of three times a week. It can be difficult to tell if any positive change is happening though.

It seems like we are, cant really say for sure, Odell said. It seems like were making a difference but, scientifically, I cant guarantee that.

At the end of the day, he hopes people will take time to learn how dangerous the fish are for Kansas native aquatic wildlife. Both bighead and silver carp take away a large amount of natural resources from other fish in the river.

They pose a huge risk to our native populations of fish, Odell said. Dont move them and be vigilant.

United through food: Kansas wild cook-off returns for summer 2024

27 News spoke with several KDWP biologists in 2023 about the actions being taken to remove the invasive carp from the river. You can find that story by clicking here.

KDWP Commissioners are expected to hear updates on invasive carp from Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Chris Steffen during an upcoming meeting. This will be at noon on Thursday, April 25 at K-States Salina campus at 2310 Centennial Road in the College Center Conference Room. You can watch the meeting live by clicking here or join via Zoom using this link.

For more Kansas Outdoors, 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.
Blinken backs Israel's security but says tensions must be defused

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, speaks during a press conference at the G7 foreign ministers' meeting. Britta Pedersen/dpa

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has again called on all sides to de-escalate following the unprecedented Iranian attack on Israel last week.

"We're committed to Israel's security," Blinken said on Friday at the end of a meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized democracies on the Italian island of Capri.

"We're also committed to de-escalating to try to bring this tension to a close," Blinken added at the event, which produced a condemnation of the Iranian attack.

Regarding Israel, the US diplomat said the G7 was calling for more humanitarian aid to be made available to people in the Gaza Strip and for better distribution to everyone in need.

Important steps had been taken to help the population in recent weeks, said Blinken, emphasizing that distribution must take place throughout Gaza.

He did not confirm an alleged attack by Israel on Iran overnight and said only that the US was not involved in any offensive operations.

The focus of the United States is on ensuring that Israel can defend itself effectively and also on reducing regional tensions and avoiding conflicts, Blinken stressed.

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, speaks during a press conference at the G7 foreign ministers' meeting. Britta Pedersen/dpa

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, speaks during a press conference at the G7 foreign ministers' meeting. Britta Pedersen/dpa
China is the "primary contributor" to Russia's military-industrial complex, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a press conference following a meeting of Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers on April 19.

China officially declares itself a neutral party to Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, but Washington has continued to sound the alarm on Beijing's support of Moscow's defense-industrial expansion efforts.

Reuters reported earlier in April, citing unnamed U.S. defense officials, that China is aiding Russia's war machine in Ukraine by providing machine tools, weapons technology, and satellite imagery.

Blinken added that China is also supplying Russia with semiconductors and other dual-use technologies that can be used for military purposes.

Blinken and other U.S. officials have previously warned China against providing Russia with lethal military aid and urged Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to help end the war.

"China can't have it both ways. It can't afford that. You want to have positive, friendly relations with countries in Europe, and at the same time, you are fueling the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War," Blinken said at the press conference on April 19.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also commented on China's military ties with Russia.

"If China openly pursues an ever closer partnership with Russia, which is waging an illegal war against Ukraine...we cannot accept this," Baerbock said at the press conference.

China has insisted that its alliance with Russia is normal and that it has not supported either Ukraine or Russia with weapons throughout the full-scale war.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to Western criticism in a press conference earlier in April, claiming that the partnership between Beijing and Moscow constituted "normal cooperation."

"China will not accept the accusations and pressuring," Mao said.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson at the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., also told Reuters in April that China was not providing weapons to Russia or Ukraine and remained a neutral party.

Read also: Scholz says he asked Xi to put pressure on Russia to end invasion

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Blinken says U.S. not involved in "any offensive operations" when asked about Iran

CAPRI (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken repeatedly declined to confirm a reported Israeli attack on Iran on Friday, saying Washington has not been involved in any offensive operations and it was committed to de-escalating tensions in the region.

"I'm not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations," Blinken said at a news conference capping a gathering of G7 foreign ministers on the southern Italian island of Capri.

"What we're focused on, what the G7 is focused on, and again, it's reflected in our statement, and in our conversation, is our work to de-escalate tensions, to de-escalate from any potential conflicts," Blinken said.

The top U.S. diplomat kept repeating the same response, almost verbatim, when he was asked about the issue several times at the news conference.

At a separate news conference moments before Blinken, Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the United States was "informed at the last minute" but did not elaborate.

Explosions echoed over the Iranian city of Isfahan in the early hours of Friday in what sources described as an Israeli attack, but Tehran played down the incident and indicated it had no plans for retaliation - a response that appeared gauged towards averting region-wide war.

Israel said nothing about the incident. It had said for days it was planning to retaliate against Iran for Saturday's strikes, the first direct attack on Israel by Iran in decades of shadow war waged by proxies which has escalated throughout the Middle East during six months of battle in Gaza.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer and Humeyra Pamuk; additional reporting by Susan Heavey; Writing by Humeyra Pamuk, Editing by Ros Russell)
The 37-year-old Hollywood actress Megan Fox showed herself without a drop of makeup. However, not all fans were delighted with the star's beauty  some were shocked by the celebrity's appearance, claiming that she did not look like herself at all.

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The selfie that Fox posted on her Instagram page sparked heated discussions about the actress's appearance and plastic surgery. Users also accused Megan of excessive use of Photoshop.

"Who is this?", "She doesn't look like Fox at all", "I didn't realize who I was looking at until I read the caption", "I thought it was Kim Kardashian", "It's bad to edit your photos like that", "Is that a filter or AI?", the comments read.

The actress is often the target of criticism. When she started her career in the early 2000s, tabloids created an image of a sex symbol for her, which made the star avoid publicity. However, Fox reasserted herself through her relationship with rapper Machine Gun Kelly.

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Because of the new photo, the actress was actively searched on Google, where the main search terms were "Megan Fox before nose job," "Megan Fox before and after," and "Megan Fox before plastic surgery." In fact, people don't need to be so desperate to uncover what they think is a dirty little secret because Megan is open about her work on herself.

In a recent episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, Meghan told host Alexandra Cooper that she has had nose surgery, several breast surgeries, and Botox and fillers. "Can we talk about plastic surgery?" Meghan began, "Here are the things I haven't done that I'm accused of... I've never had a face lift, or a brow lift, even though I would like to.

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The celebrity added that she has never had fat removed or liposuction because she is genetically slim. "I had my breasts done when I was 21 or 22," the star clarified. "I had them redone after I stopped breastfeeding my children.

Megan had rhinoplasty at the age of 20. She confirmed that she had Botox and fillers and that she has one more surgery that she thinks should be kept secret.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
White House remains silent after Blinken says US not involved in Israeli strike on Iran

The White House is staying silent on Israels recent retaliatory attack on Iran despite statements from Americas top diplomat denying any US involvement.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Friday opened her daily press briefing with a preemptive refusal to comment on the incident, which Iranian officials have largely appeared to have shrugged off.

I know theres a lot a lot of interest in reports from the Middle East overnight, and we understand that. Im going to say it now, though: I know you all will certainly ask me about it, that we do not have any comment on the reports at this time, she said.

Ms Jean-Pierre would not even offer an answer as to why she was left unable to comment.

The White Houses relative silence stood in stark contrast from the relative openness it exhibited earlier in the week when a trio of top defence officials were made available to brief reporters about American involvement in the successful defence Israel had launched against the more than 300 separate munitions launched its way by Iran.

In the wake of that defensive success, which reportedly saw 99 per cent of the Iranian rockets and drones shot down, President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take the win and asked him not to escalate further.

Ms Jean-Pierres reluctance to address the subject of the Israeli strike came just hours after Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US played no role in an Israeli drone strike on Iran that was retaliation for last weeks Iranian strike on Israel.

Speaking at a news conference in Capri during a Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meeting, Mr Blinken repeatedly declined to answer questions about the Israeli strike.

Instead, he repeated a statement indicating that the US was not involved.

Im not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations, he said.

What were focused on, what the G7 is focused on, and again, its reflected in our statement, and in our conversation, is our work to de-escalate tensions, to de-escalate from any potential conflicts, he added.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said the US played no role in an Israeli drone strike on Iran on Friday (REUTERS)

The Israeli government has not, to date, made any public statement about what appeared to be a retaliatory strike on the Iranian city of Isfahan early Friday morning. The city hosts one of Irans major nuclear sites, but the International Atomic Energy Agency has said there was no damage to any part of any nuclear facility.

In Tehran, Iranian state media appeared to downplay the significance of the incident while indicating that the Iranian government wont respond in kind.

Speaking at the same press conference alongside Mr Blinken, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said the United States provided the information at a Friday morning session that was changed at the last minute to address the suspected attack.

Mr Tajani, who chaired the G7 ministerial meeting which took place ahead of this summers Group of Seven leaders summit, said Mr Blinken had told his colleagues that the US had been informed at the last minute by Israel about the drones.

But there was no sharing of the attack by the US. It was a mere information, he added.

With additional reporting by agencies
Public lands in the Montana Mountains provide access to the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Nevada. (Bureau of Land Management photo)

The Bureau of Land Management will publish a final rule soon allowing the nations public lands to be leased for environmental protection, a Thursday news release from the Interior Department said.

The rule, which both proponents and detractors say marks a shift in the agencys focus toward conservation, directs land managers at the agency to identify landscapes in need of restoration and to create plans to fill those needs.

It also creates two new types of leases focused on protecting natural areas. The BLM already leases parcels of land for extractive industries including energy development, mining and livestock grazing.

The rule is likely to set off a conflict in Congress, where Republicans immediately on Thursday renewed their criticism of President Joe Bidens conservation policies.

In a deviation from the March 2023 draft rule that proposed a new category of conservation leases, the final rule will allow two new types of leases: restoration and mitigation.

Restoration leases will be a tool for investment in the health of our public lands an agency fact sheet reads. Lessees would be empowered to work to restore lands, including those impacted by other uses.

Similarly, mitigation leases would be a tool to offset the impacts of other BLM land uses. The agency said an example could be a solar power company that has a facility on BLM land may receive a mitigation lease to restore nearby habitat to mitigate the impact of its development.

The rule is in line with BLMs multiple-use mandate that requires balancing energy development, mining, recreation and other uses on the nations public lands, the agency said.

As stewards of Americas public lands, the Interior Department takes seriously our role in helping bolster landscape resilience in the face of worsening climate impacts, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement.

Todays final rule helps restore balance to our public lands as we continue using the best-available science to restore habitats, guide strategic and responsible development, and sustain our public lands for generations to come.

BLM released a 178-page preliminary version of the rule Thursday, saying a substantially similar version would be published as a final rule in the coming days.

Congressional fight ahead

The rule has met with polarized reaction since the draft proposal was released in March 2023.

Reaction to the final rule from across the political spectrum began arriving within minutes of the announcement Thursday.

Conservation groups and environmental advocates cheered the rule for prioritizing conservation, while Republicans worried it would restrict other types of uses on public lands.

The Mountain Pact, a coalition of local leaders from Western states, released a statement praising the rule.

The BLMs Public Lands Rule highlights the need for the agency to work with local communities to focus on the conservation of land, water, and wildlife to ensure communities can protect future access to federal public lands while combating the growing impacts of climate change, Patrice Horstman, the chair of the Coconino County, Arizona, Board of Supervisors, said in the statement.

David Willms, associate vice president for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation, said in a written statement the rule gives BLM new tools to restore and conserve degraded lands, while supporting robust local economies. The rule will help the agency identify intact landscapes that wildlife depend on for survival, which will ensure that they thrive for decades to come.

Democrats in Congress also applauded the measure.

Colorados Diana DeGette, the ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Climate, called the move a significant accomplishment for land conservation and wildlife protection.

I am proud that BLM and the Biden Administration are continuing to lead in defending our natural world, she said in a statement.

Pledge to repeal

But Republicans pledged to undo it.

Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, promised he and North Dakotas senior Republican senator would challenge the rule with a resolution under the Congressional Review Act. The law allows lawmakers to try to repeal executive branch rulemaking.

The people of Wyoming depend on access to public lands for their livelihoods  including energy and mineral production, grazing, and recreation, Barrasso said in a statement With this rule, President Biden is allowing federal bureaucrats to destroy our way of life. Senator John Hoeven and I will introduce a Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal this outrageous rule.

The closely divided U.S. Senate has approved Congressional Review Act resolutions on environmental and agricultural issues in which rural-state Democrats or those in tough reelection races, such as centrist West Virginian Joe Manchin III, Ohios Sherrod Brown or Jon Tester of Montana, align with Republicans.

Republicans on the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee approved a bill, sponsored by Utah Republican John Curtis, last year to block the rule from taking effect. The legislation has not received a vote from the full House.

This rule from the Biden Administration undermines the very people who rely on our federal lands for ranching, grazing, recreation, and beyond, Curtis said in a Thursday release.

House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman of Arkansas said Thursday he would do everything in (his) power to get Curtis bill through the House.

The post BLM to finalize rule allowing federal leases targeted at protection of natural areas appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The Sixth Division of the Louisville Metro Police outside the Louisville Zoo amid the site being swept after the bomb threat (WAVE)

Dozens of people were evacuated from Louisville Zoo in Kentucky after a bomb threat was made to the park, but has since been given the all-clear.

The staff of the Kentucky-based zoo received a threat of a bomb at around 8.47am on Friday before it was open to the public, the zoo said in a statement.

The zoo staff were going about their usual daily morning routine getting ready for the day, setting up the park and tending to the animals awaiting the guests and the school groups to arrive, when they were alerted of the threat.

We had to stop all that and get people to safe spots, Dan Maloney, the zoos director told WLKY in an interview after the incident.

He explained that people working on the zoos switchboard received the call, and alerted all the staff around the park.

Police outside the zoo amid the site being swept after the bomb threat (WAVE)

Mr Maloney praised all the employees at the zoo for remaining calm during the incident.

Everybody responded extremely well, everybody stayed calm, and our person at the front desk took it in stride and made sure that we moved quickly, he told the outlet.

Employees, contractors and members of a walking club were all evacuated from the site and waited at the nearby Joe Creason Park while the Louisville Metro Police Department investigated, the zoo said.

The authorities were able to give the all-clear to zoo staff at around 10.45am after they conducted a sweep alongside zoo officials and nothing was located, the police department told WDRB.

This morning, the Louisville Zoo received a bomb threat. All persons were evacuated from the grounds. At 10:45 a.m., an all-clear was issued from LMPD and the Zoo re-opened at noon. Details at https://t.co/DuoHzokXlh. pic.twitter.com/tyyFFxZG48  Louisville Zoo (@LouisvilleZoo) April 19, 2024

The zoo said they reopened the park at noon, returning to their normal day.

The zoo director told WLKY that they really, really appreciate all the help of the authorities who responded to their threat, who were able to clear the area in a matter of hours, despite the zoo spanning 130 acres and housing more than 1,100 animals.

I didnt have any sense of what time it would take, Mr Maloney said. This is my first experience with a bomb threat; I hope its the last; its just one of those unfortunate artefacts of times that were in.

He added that his employees drill for all types of scenarios and emergencies.

Louisville Zoo, Kentucky. The zoo is now back to normal operations after police gave the all-clear (Google Maps)

The threat came in before the zoo was open to the public, so there was only a limited amount of people at the site at the time to be evacuated.

School field trips to the zoo were contacted and have been rescheduled for another day, the zoos statement read.

It has already been a turbulent few weeks for the zoo, after they lost their beloved 36-year-old orangutan, Teak, following years of battling heart disease, WSFA reports.

Teak was loved by staff and visitors to the zoo, but his condition started to deteriorate and progressed into cardiac failure, prompting the very tough decision to euthanise him.

Opening in 1969, the zoo has served as one of the most popular family attractions in the region, according to its website, and is known for working with endangered species and keeping botanical gardens.

The Louisville Metro Police Department said their investigation into the threat is ongoing.
Rep. Scott Perry talking to reporters at the Capitol Sept. 19, 2023 (Jennifer Shutt/ States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The border security bill U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson offered to conservatives to win support for a major foreign aid package had not broken a blockade of the package by hard-right members late Thursday.

The border security bill is nearly identical to a border security bill, H.R. 2, the House passed last year on a party-line vote that would reinstate Trump-era immigration policies. Including a border security bill was Johnsons attempt to appease hard-right Republicans and win support for the foreign aid package many on his right flank oppose.

But as the U.S. House Rules Committee gathered for hours over two separate meetings Wednesday evening and Thursday to discuss the border security bill and the three separate bills totaling about $95 billion to aid Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, the panel had not adopted a rule that would allow the bills to receive floor consideration.

The new border security bill includes most provisions from H.R. 2 and would add more than $9 billion in grant programs for border states. It does not include a mandate for employers to verify a workers immigration status and employment eligibility.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, planned for votes Saturday on the foreign aid bills.

He also detailed a plan to move the border security bill under a separate rule.

That approach would allow the Senate to clear the bipartisan foreign aid bills without acting on the more controversial border bill. House Republicans first border security bill was not successful in the Senate  and the new version likely would not pass the Democrat-controlled chamber either.

Pointless

The Rules Committee called an emergency hearing on the border security bill late Wednesday, but did not have the Republican votes to adopt a rule to advance the measure to the floor.

Democrats on the committee declined to ask the witnesses, Reps. Tom McClintock of California and Jerry Nadler of New York, any questions. The top Rules Committee Democrat, James McGovern, called the meeting pointless.

We are here to rehash an old bill, McGovern said, referring to H.R. 2. Were here because youre trying to figure whether you get some votes on the Ukraine package.

The chair of the Rules Committee, Michael Burgess of Texas, said the bill was needed because it reiterates our commitment to implementing strong border security measures.

McGovern argued that several Republicans already publicly said they would not support advancing the bill to the House floor, meaning it would die in the committee.

Those Republicans, who are all members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, are Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Chip Roy of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina.

Massie is also backing an effort by Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust Johnson from his role as speaker.

I think if the three of you vote no on this rule, were done, McGovern said to them. This is a waste of time.

Roy also said Wednesday nights hearing was a sideshow that wasnt going to result in anything.

Burgess said that he planned to vote for the rule and encouraged Republicans to support it. He then quickly adjourned the meeting and the members didnt return Wednesday for a vote on the rule for the bill.

The Rules Committee remained deadlocked at another hearing Thursday.

Norman said at Thursdays hearing he would vote against the foreign aid package because it isnt tied to border security.

Our only ask was to include a border bill in this rule, Norman said. Not a standalone, which the Senate will sit on, as they have (with) H.R. 2.

Roy also expressed his frustration Thursday that Congress has not passed any laws relating to immigration reform.

It remains true today that we have not passed and got the president to sign into law anything that would meaningfully change or alter what is happening at the border, he said.

Pennsylvania U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-10th District) called the bill a sham, that Johnson had moved at the last minute.

Using the border as a talking point is extremely disrespectful to the American people, especially to the parents of Laken Riley and everyone who has lost a child because of Bidens open border regime, Perry said in a social media post Thursday evening.

House Republicans earlier this year tanked a bipartisan border deal in the Senate at the behest of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald J. Trump.

The Rules Committee recessed Thursday without adopting a rule again.

The post Border security bill fails to lift U.S. House conservatives block of foreign aid package appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, left, listens as Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy discusses a border security bill at a U.S. House Rules hearing April 18, 2024 (screenshot from committee livestream).

WASHINGTON  The border security bill U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson offered to conservatives to win support for a major foreign aid package had not broken a blockade of the package by hard-right members late Thursday.

The border security bill is nearly identical to a border security bill, H.R. 2, the House passed last year on a party-line vote that would reinstate Trump-era immigration policies. Including a border security bill was Johnsons attempt to appease hard-right Republicans and win support for the foreign aid package many on his right flank oppose.

But as the U.S. House Rules Committee gathered for hours over two separate meetings Wednesday evening and Thursday to discuss the border security bill and the three separate bills totaling about $95 billion to aid Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, the panel had not adopted a rule that would allow the bills to receive floor consideration.

The new border security bill includes most provisions from H.R. 2 and would add more than $9 billion in grant programs for border states. It does not include a mandate for employers to verify a workers immigration status and employment eligibility.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, planned for votes Saturday on the foreign aid bills.

He also detailed a plan to move the border security bill under a separate rule.

That approach would allow the Senate to clear the bipartisan foreign aid bills without acting on the more controversial border bill. House Republicans first border security bill was not successful in the Senate  and the new version likely would not pass the Democrat-controlled chamber either.

Pointless

The Rules Committee called an emergency hearing on the border security bill late Wednesday, but did not have the Republican votes to adopt a rule to advance the measure to the floor.

Democrats on the committee declined to ask the witnesses, Reps. Tom McClintock of California and Jerry Nadler of New York, any questions. The top Rules Committee Democrat, James McGovern, called the meeting pointless.

We are here to rehash an old bill, McGovern said, referring to H.R. 2. Were here because youre trying to figure whether you get some votes on the Ukraine package.

The chair of the Rules Committee, Michael Burgess of Texas, said the bill was needed because it reiterates our commitment to implementing strong border security measures.

McGovern argued that several Republicans already publicly said they would not support advancing the bill to the House floor, meaning it would die in the committee.

Those Republicans, who are all members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, are Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Chip Roy of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina.

Massie is also backing an effort by Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust Johnson from his role as speaker.

I think if the three of you vote no on this rule, were done, McGovern said to them. This is a waste of time.

Roy also said Wednesday nights hearing was a sideshow that wasnt going to result in anything.

Burgess said that he planned to vote for the rule and encouraged Republicans to support it. He then quickly adjourned the meeting and the members didnt return Wednesday for a vote on the rule for the bill.

The Rules Committee remained deadlocked at another hearing Thursday.

Norman said at Thursdays hearing he would vote against the foreign aid package because it isnt tied to border security.

Our only ask was to include a border bill in this rule, Norman said. Not a standalone, which the Senate will sit on, as they have (with) H.R. 2.

Roy also expressed his frustration Thursday that Congress has not passed any laws relating to immigration reform.

It remains true today that we have not passed and got the president to sign into law anything that would meaningfully change or alter what is happening at the border, he said.

House Republicans earlier this year tanked a bipartisan border deal in the Senate at the behest of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald J. Trump.

The Rules Committee recessed Thursday without adopting a rule again.

The post Border security bill fails to lift U.S. House conservatives block of foreign aid package appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, left, listens as Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy discusses a border security bill at a U.S. House Rules hearing April 18, 2024. (Screenshot from committee livestream).

WASHINGTON  The border security bill U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson offered to conservatives to win support for a major foreign aid package had not broken a blockade of the package by hard-right members late Thursday.

The border security bill is nearly identical to a border security bill, H.R. 2, the House passed last year on a party-line vote that would reinstate Trump-era immigration policies. Including a border security bill was Johnsons attempt to appease hard-right Republicans and win support for the foreign aid package many on his right flank oppose.

But as the U.S. House Rules Committee gathered for hours over two separate meetings Wednesday evening and Thursday to discuss the border security bill and the three separate bills totaling about $95 billion to aid Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, the panel had not adopted a rule that would allow the bills to receive floor consideration.

The new border security bill includes most provisions from H.R. 2 and would add more than $9 billion in grant programs for border states. It does not include a mandate for employers to verify a workers immigration status and employment eligibility.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, planned for votes Saturday on the foreign aid bills.

He also detailed a plan to move the border security bill under a separate rule.

That approach would allow the Senate to clear the bipartisan foreign aid bills without acting on the more controversial border bill. House Republicans first border security bill was not successful in the Senate  and the new version likely would not pass the Democrat-controlled chamber either.

Pointless

The Rules Committee called an emergency hearing on the border security bill late Wednesday, but did not have the Republican votes to adopt a rule to advance the measure to the floor.

Democrats on the committee declined to ask the witnesses, Reps. Tom McClintock of California and Jerry Nadler of New York, any questions. The top Rules Committee Democrat, James McGovern, called the meeting pointless.

We are here to rehash an old bill, McGovern said, referring to H.R. 2. Were here because youre trying to figure whether you get some votes on the Ukraine package.

The chair of the Rules Committee, Michael Burgess of Texas, said the bill was needed because it reiterates our commitment to implementing strong border security measures.

McGovern argued that several Republicans already publicly said they would not support advancing the bill to the House floor, meaning it would die in the committee.

Those Republicans, who are all members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, are Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Chip Roy of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina.

Massie is also backing an effort by Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust Johnson from his role as speaker.

I think if the three of you vote no on this rule, were done, McGovern said to them. This is a waste of time.

Roy also said Wednesday nights hearing was a sideshow that wasnt going to result in anything.

Burgess said that he planned to vote for the rule and encouraged Republicans to support it. He then quickly adjourned the meeting and the members didnt return Wednesday for a vote on the rule for the bill.

The Rules Committee remained deadlocked at another hearing Thursday.

Norman said at Thursdays hearing he would vote against the foreign aid package because it isnt tied to border security.

Our only ask was to include a border bill in this rule, Norman said. Not a standalone, which the Senate will sit on, as they have (with) H.R. 2.

Roy also expressed his frustration Thursday that Congress has not passed any laws relating to immigration reform.

It remains true today that we have not passed and got the president to sign into law anything that would meaningfully change or alter what is happening at the border, he said.

House Republicans earlier this year tanked a bipartisan border deal in the Senate at the behest of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald J. Trump.

The Rules Committee recessed Thursday without adopting a rule again.

The post Border security bill fails to lift U.S. House conservatives block of foreign aid package appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, left, listens as Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy discusses a border security bill at a U.S. House Rules hearing April 18, 2024 (Screenshot from committee livestream).

WASHINGTON  The border security bill U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson offered to conservatives to win support for a major foreign aid package had not broken a blockade of the package by hard-right members late Thursday.

The border security bill is nearly identical to a border security bill, H.R. 2, the House passed last year on a party-line vote that would reinstate Trump-era immigration policies. Including a border security bill was Johnsons attempt to appease hard-right Republicans and win support for the foreign aid package many on his right flank oppose.

But as the U.S. House Rules Committee gathered for hours over two separate meetings Wednesday evening and Thursday to discuss the border security bill and the three separate bills totaling about $95 billion to aid Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, the panel had not adopted a rule that would allow the bills to receive floor consideration.

The new border security bill includes most provisions from H.R. 2 and would add more than $9 billion in grant programs for border states. It does not include a mandate for employers to verify a workers immigration status and employment eligibility.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, planned for votes Saturday on the foreign aid bills.

He also detailed a plan to move the border security bill under a separate rule.

That approach would allow the Senate to clear the bipartisan foreign aid bills without acting on the more controversial border bill. House Republicans first border security bill was not successful in the Senate  and the new version likely would not pass the Democrat-controlled chamber either.

Pointless

The Rules Committee called an emergency hearing on the border security bill late Wednesday, but did not have the Republican votes to adopt a rule to advance the measure to the floor.

Democrats on the committee declined to ask the witnesses, Reps. Tom McClintock of California and Jerry Nadler of New York, any questions. The top Rules Committee Democrat, James McGovern, called the meeting pointless.

We are here to rehash an old bill, McGovern said, referring to H.R. 2. Were here because youre trying to figure whether you get some votes on the Ukraine package.

The chair of the Rules Committee, Michael Burgess of Texas, said the bill was needed because it reiterates our commitment to implementing strong border security measures.

McGovern argued that several Republicans already publicly said they would not support advancing the bill to the House floor, meaning it would die in the committee.

Those Republicans, who are all members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, are Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Chip Roy of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina.

Massie is also backing an effort by Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust Johnson from his role as speaker.

I think if the three of you vote no on this rule, were done, McGovern said to them. This is a waste of time.

Roy also said Wednesday nights hearing was a sideshow that wasnt going to result in anything.

Burgess said that he planned to vote for the rule and encouraged Republicans to support it. He then quickly adjourned the meeting and the members didnt return Wednesday for a vote on the rule for the bill.

The Rules Committee remained deadlocked at another hearing Thursday.

Norman said at Thursdays hearing he would vote against the foreign aid package because it isnt tied to border security.

Our only ask was to include a border bill in this rule, Norman said. Not a standalone, which the Senate will sit on, as they have (with) H.R. 2.

Roy also expressed his frustration Thursday that Congress has not passed any laws relating to immigration reform.

It remains true today that we have not passed and got the president to sign into law anything that would meaningfully change or alter what is happening at the border, he said.

House Republicans earlier this year tanked a bipartisan border deal in the Senate at the behest of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald J. Trump.

The Rules Committee recessed Thursday without adopting a rule again.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Border security bill fails to lift U.S. House conservatives block of foreign aid package appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, left, listens as Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy discusses a border security bill at a U.S. House Rules hearing April 18, 2024. (U.S. House Rules Committee livestream)

WASHINGTON  The border security bill U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson offered to conservatives to win support for a major foreign aid package had not broken a blockade of the package by hard-right members late Thursday.

The border security bill is nearly identical to a border security bill, H.R. 2, the House passed last year on a party-line vote that would reinstate Trump-era immigration policies. Including a border security bill was Johnsons attempt to appease hard-right Republicans and win support for the foreign aid package many on his right flank oppose.

But as the U.S. House Rules Committee gathered for hours over two separate meetings Wednesday evening and Thursday to discuss the border security bill and the three separate bills totaling about $95 billion to aid Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, the panel had not adopted a rule that would allow the bills to receive floor consideration.

The new border security bill includes most provisions from H.R. 2 and would add more than $9 billion in grant programs for border states. It does not include a mandate for employers to verify a workers immigration status and employment eligibility.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, planned for votes Saturday on the foreign aid bills.

He also detailed a plan to move the border security bill under a separate rule.

That approach would allow the Senate to clear the bipartisan foreign aid bills without acting on the more controversial border bill. House Republicans first border security bill was not successful in the Senate  and the new version likely would not pass the Democrat-controlled chamber either.

Pointless

The Rules Committee called an emergency hearing on the border security bill late Wednesday, but did not have the Republican votes to adopt a rule to advance the measure to the floor.

Democrats on the committee declined to ask the witnesses, Reps. Tom McClintock of California and Jerry Nadler of New York, any questions. The top Rules Committee Democrat, James McGovern, called the meeting pointless.

We are here to rehash an old bill, McGovern said, referring to H.R. 2. Were here because youre trying to figure whether you get some votes on the Ukraine package.

The chair of the Rules Committee, Michael Burgess of Texas, said the bill was needed because it reiterates our commitment to implementing strong border security measures.

McGovern argued that several Republicans already publicly said they would not support advancing the bill to the House floor, meaning it would die in the committee.

Those Republicans, who are all members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, are Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Chip Roy of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina.

Massie is also backing an effort by Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust Johnson from his role as speaker.

I think if the three of you vote no on this rule, were done, McGovern said to them. This is a waste of time.

Roy also said Wednesday nights hearing was a sideshow that wasnt going to result in anything.

Burgess said that he planned to vote for the rule and encouraged Republicans to support it. He then quickly adjourned the meeting and the members didnt return Wednesday for a vote on the rule for the bill.

The Rules Committee remained deadlocked at another hearing Thursday.

Norman said at Thursdays hearing he would vote against the foreign aid package because it isnt tied to border security.

Our only ask was to include a border bill in this rule, Norman said. Not a standalone, which the Senate will sit on, as they have (with) H.R. 2.

Roy also expressed his frustration Thursday that Congress has not passed any laws relating to immigration reform.

It remains true today that we have not passed and got the president to sign into law anything that would meaningfully change or alter what is happening at the border, he said.

House Republicans earlier this year tanked a bipartisan border deal in the Senate at the behest of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

The Rules Committee recessed Thursday without adopting a rule again.

SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE

The post Border security bill fails to lift U.S. House conservatives block of foreign aid package appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, left, listens as Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy discusses a border security bill at a U.S. House Rules hearing April 18, 2024 (screenshot from committee livestream)

WASHINGTON  The border security bill U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson offered to conservatives to win support for a major foreign aid package had not broken a blockade of the package by hard-right members late Thursday.

The border security bill is nearly identical to a border security bill, H.R. 2, the House passed last year on a party-line vote that would reinstate Trump-era immigration policies. Including a border security bill was Johnsons attempt to appease hard-right Republicans and win support for the foreign aid package many on his right flank oppose.

But as the U.S. House Rules Committee gathered for hours over two separate meetings Wednesday evening and Thursday to discuss the border security bill and the three separate bills totaling about $95 billion to aid Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, the panel had not adopted a rule that would allow the bills to receive floor consideration.

The new border security bill includes most provisions from H.R. 2 and would add more than $9 billion in grant programs for border states. It does not include a mandate for employers to verify a workers immigration status and employment eligibility.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, planned for votes Saturday on the foreign aid bills.

He also detailed a plan to move the border security bill under a separate rule.

That approach would allow the Senate to clear the bipartisan foreign aid bills without acting on the more controversial border bill. House Republicans first border security bill was not successful in the Senate  and the new version likely would not pass the Democrat-controlled chamber either.

Pointless

The Rules Committee called an emergency hearing on the border security bill late Wednesday, but did not have the Republican votes to adopt a rule to advance the measure to the floor.

Democrats on the committee declined to ask the witnesses, Reps. Tom McClintock of California and Jerry Nadler of New York, any questions. The top Rules Committee Democrat, James McGovern, called the meeting pointless.

We are here to rehash an old bill, McGovern said, referring to H.R. 2. Were here because youre trying to figure whether you get some votes on the Ukraine package.

The chair of the Rules Committee, Michael Burgess of Texas, said the bill was needed because it reiterates our commitment to implementing strong border security measures.

McGovern argued that several Republicans already publicly said they would not support advancing the bill to the House floor, meaning it would die in the committee.

Those Republicans, who are all members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, are Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Chip Roy of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina.

Massie is also backing an effort by Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust Johnson from his role as speaker.

I think if the three of you vote no on this rule, were done, McGovern said to them. This is a waste of time.

Roy also said Wednesday nights hearing was a sideshow that wasnt going to result in anything.

Burgess said that he planned to vote for the rule and encouraged Republicans to support it. He then quickly adjourned the meeting and the members didnt return Wednesday for a vote on the rule for the bill.

The Rules Committee remained deadlocked at another hearing Thursday.

Norman said at Thursdays hearing he would vote against the foreign aid package because it isnt tied to border security.

Our only ask was to include a border bill in this rule, Norman said. Not a standalone, which the Senate will sit on, as they have (with) H.R. 2.

Roy also expressed his frustration Thursday that Congress has not passed any laws relating to immigration reform.

It remains true today that we have not passed and got the president to sign into law anything that would meaningfully change or alter what is happening at the border, he said.

House Republicans earlier this year tanked a bipartisan border deal in the Senate at the behest of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald J. Trump.

The Rules Committee recessed Thursday without adopting a rule again.

The post Border security bill fails to lift U.S. House conservatives block of foreign aid package appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The director of the documentary "20 Days in Mariupol", Mstyslav Chernov, brought the Oscar to Ukraine. In early March 2024, a team of Ukrainian journalists, with the support of their foreign colleagues, were honored with a prestigious award.

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On April 19, a photo of Chernov at the Kyiv Central Railway Station was posted on the Art House Traffic Twitter account. The director is posing against the backdrop of tracks and blue Ukrzaliznytsia cars, holding a golden statuette.

In addition, a press conference with the film's creators was held at the station, which was the first meeting with the team in Ukraine. "When people need hope, moments like the Oscars give strength. They give strength to us, the military and doctors, not to give up," emphasized Chernov.

ADVERTISIMENT

The journalists remembered the defenders who helped to create the film: the soldiers of the 73rd Special Operation Forces Center helped them get out of the Mariupol hospital surrounded by Russians. Photojournalist Yevhen Malolietka also shared a story about how the footage allowed many Mariupol residents outside the city to find their relatives: "People asked me to film us. They didn't expect anything to change, that NATO troops would come and break the blockade. People need to know that they are heard."

The filmmakers noted that although they had shown the world the tragedy, their mission was not complete: they should not stop talking about Mariupol. Ukrainians said that many foreigners were shocked by the events after watching the film, because they had never even known about it before, or they thought the news was fake.

ADVERTISIMENT
South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman, left, listens as Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy discusses a border security bill at a U.S. House Rules hearing April 18, 2024 (screenshot from committee livestream).

WASHINGTON  The border security bill U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson offered to conservatives to win support for a major foreign aid package had not broken a blockade of the package by hard-right members late Thursday.

The border security bill is nearly identical to a border security bill, H.R. 2, the House passed last year on a party-line vote that would reinstate Trump-era immigration policies. Including a border security bill was Johnsons attempt to appease hard-right Republicans and win support for the foreign aid package many on his right flank oppose.

But as the U.S. House Rules Committee gathered for hours over two separate meetings Wednesday evening and Thursday to discuss the border security bill and the three separate bills totaling about $95 billion to aid Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific region, the panel had not adopted a rule that would allow the bills to receive floor consideration.

The new border security bill includes most provisions from H.R. 2 and would add more than $9 billion in grant programs for border states. It does not include a mandate for employers to verify a workers immigration status and employment eligibility.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, planned for votes Saturday on the foreign aid bills.

He also detailed a plan to move the border security bill under a separate rule.

That approach would allow the Senate to clear the bipartisan foreign aid bills without acting on the more controversial border bill. House Republicans first border security bill was not successful in the Senate  and the new version likely would not pass the Democrat-controlled chamber either.

Pointless

The Rules Committee called an emergency hearing on the border security bill late Wednesday, but did not have the Republican votes to adopt a rule to advance the measure to the floor.

Democrats on the committee declined to ask the witnesses, Reps. Tom McClintock of California and Jerry Nadler of New York, any questions. The top Rules Committee Democrat, James McGovern, called the meeting pointless.

We are here to rehash an old bill, McGovern said, referring to H.R. 2. Were here because youre trying to figure whether you get some votes on the Ukraine package.

The chair of the Rules Committee, Michael Burgess of Texas, said the bill was needed because it reiterates our commitment to implementing strong border security measures.

McGovern argued that several Republicans already publicly said they would not support advancing the bill to the House floor, meaning it would die in the committee.

Those Republicans, who are all members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, are Reps. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Chip Roy of Texas and Ralph Norman of South Carolina.

Massie is also backing an effort by Georgias Marjorie Taylor Greene to oust Johnson from his role as speaker.

I think if the three of you vote no on this rule, were done, McGovern said to them. This is a waste of time.

Roy also said Wednesday nights hearing was a sideshow that wasnt going to result in anything.

Burgess said that he planned to vote for the rule and encouraged Republicans to support it. He then quickly adjourned the meeting and the members didnt return Wednesday for a vote on the rule for the bill.

The Rules Committee remained deadlocked at another hearing Thursday.

Norman said at Thursdays hearing he would vote against the foreign aid package because it isnt tied to border security.

Our only ask was to include a border bill in this rule, Norman said. Not a standalone, which the Senate will sit on, as they have (with) H.R. 2.

Roy also expressed his frustration Thursday that Congress has not passed any laws relating to immigration reform.

It remains true today that we have not passed and got the president to sign into law anything that would meaningfully change or alter what is happening at the border, he said.

House Republicans earlier this year tanked a bipartisan border deal in the Senate at the behest of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald J. Trump.

The Rules Committee recessed Thursday without adopting a rule again.

The post Border security bill fails to lift U.S. House conservatives block of foreign aid package appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
NEW YORK  Democrats rushed to condemn Columbia University for cracking down on free speech following the arrests of over 100 pro-Palestinian protesters  with Squad member Jamaal Bowman jumping into the cauldron on Friday.

Im very concerned with some of Columbias actions, Bowman said, joining six Columbia professors similarly appalled by the arrests during a virtual press conference Friday. They seem to be folding to pressure from a right wing Congress weaponizing of the unfolding events in the Middle East as a means to suppress fundamental freedoms of expression.

The former school principal also slammed the House Education and Workforce Committee on which he sits for using this moment to attack a liberal education and to attack higher education.



Bowman represents one of the largest Jewish districts in the nation and is locked in a tight Democratic primary with Westchester County Executive George Latimer, a staunch Israel supporter funded by AIPAC. Bowman has caught flack from moderates for his ongoing criticism of Israeli military policies and controversial statements following Hamas Oct. 7 attack.

On Friday, he made clear he is comfortable going on the offensive on the fallout from the international conflict, as he did by embracing Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers recent rebuke of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Latimer did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Bowmans remarks on Friday.

Bowmans entrance into the Columbia strife  which spilled into public view Thursday with the mass arrests  underscored the political significance of this moment in higher education. Colleges and universities have seen increasingly harsh crackdowns on student speech since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war. The tension playing out on campuses across the country has also provided an opportunity for Democrats to finally leverage a free speech debate Republicans have dominated for years  with implications for House races.

During his remarks Friday, Bowman called a House committee hearing Wednesday with Columbia President Minouche Shafik and others nothing more than an act of political theater, once again, designed only to further long-standing Republican attacks on education justice in this country.

On Thursday, Shafik authorized dozens of New York Police Department officers to stream onto campus and forcibly remove protesters from an encampment they refused to leave  a move the school president made just one day after she testified before the same Congressional panel that led to the ouster of the presidents of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania last year.

A Columbia spokesperson said in a statement to POLITICO that the school has "rules regarding the time, place and manner that apply to protest activity, and we will continue to enforce those," adding that it is "committed to ensuring the core functions of the University continue."

Asked about Bowmans criticisms, committee spokesperson Nick Barley emphasized that Democrats also raised concerns about the rise in antisemitism at Columbia. He doesnt want to acknowledge the inconvenient truth that there is bipartisan support to address rising antisemitism in Americas schools, Barley said in a statement.

Fellow Squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who called Israels bombardment of Gaza a genocide last month, took to X on Thursday to bash Columbia and its affiliate school Barnard College for suspending Isra Hisri, the daughter of Squad member Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), whom the NYPD confirmed was later arrested with the other Columbia protesters.



What merits asymmetric crackdowns on Palestinian human rights protests? Ocasio-Cortez asked.

Hisri was suspended and arrested just one day after Omar grilled Shafik at the hearing, asking if she has seen a protest on campus specifically against Jewish people and blasting the school for suspending and evicting students involved in an unauthorized pro-Palestinian panel earlier this month.

There has been a recent attack on the democratic rights of students across the country, Omar said during the hearing.

And Democratic New York City Comptroller Brad Lander criticized Columbia for calling the cops on its own students for engaging in nonviolent protest.

The university has a long history of respecting free speech on campus, and I support the faculty who are pleading with their administration to continue that tradition, he wrote on X. We must not allow MAGA Republicans to weaponize antisemitism against freedom of expression.

Its a shake up of a free speech debate Democrats had largely ceded to Republicans, who have pounced on elite, left-leaning college campuses they see as propagating progressive ideology and suppressing conservative voices. In 2020, then-President Donald Trump called Columbia a liberal, disgraceful institution after its scientists published a study finding that lockdown delays led to tens of thousands of additional COVID-related deaths.

But conservatives warmed to Columbia this week, applauding Shafiks move to have the students arrested.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, a North Carolina Republican who chairs the education committee, said in a statement she was glad President Shafik has taken the long overdue step of inviting the New York Police Department to clear this radical, unauthorized encampment.

The right-leaning New York Post printed on its cover Friday a photo of a protester wearing a keffiyeh being carried by their arms and legs off campus by police. The headline: EVICT-ORY!
Brazil's Lula recognizes two more Indigenous lands, but postpones four others

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva officially recognized two more Indigenous territories on Thursday, but said he decided not to sign off on four others because they still need to be cleared by people currently occupying them.

The recognition grants the territories legal protection as reservations to be defended against invasions by illegal loggers, gold miners and cattle ranchers.

Lula, who pledged to legalize as many reservations as possible, signed in Brasilia the recognition of the Aldeia Velha and Cacique Fontoura lands, which are located in the states of Bahia and Mato Grosso, respectively.

The leftist leader has so far recognized 10 Indigenous territories since he took office in January 2023 for his third non-consecutive term.

Lula said at an event that he had received from his Justice Minister last week a list of six Indigenous territories ready to be recognized, but opted to postpone the legalization of the other four.

"We decided to sign off on only two," Lula said, adding that the other four other territories are currently occupied by farmers or socially vulnerable people, and the government wants them to leave peacefully.

He said some state governors had asked him for more time to resolve the issue, and acknowledged his decision might have frustrated some Indigenous people.

"But I need to be careful, and offer those people other alternatives," he said.

(Reporting by Maria Carolina Marcello; writing by Andre Romani; editing by Gabriel Araujo and Leslie Adler)
(FOX40.COM)  A burglary case involving two Bay Area residents led to their arrests after San Joaquin County police said they purposely rammed their vehicle into a police car and were found with numerous stolen items including mail, mailbox keys, and identity theft-related material.

According to the Tracy Police Department, a 34-year-old man and 32-year-old woman from Fremont were booked into a San Joaquin County jail for various felony possession, identity theft, and conspiracy charges related to the incident.

On Monday, around 4 p.m., the Tracy police officers said they received calls about an auto burglary involving suspects reportedly driving a newer green Dodge Charger. A few moments later, police said an officer saw a vehicle matching the description in the parking lot of a Motel 6 on the 3800 block of North Tracy Boulevard.

AT&T internet lines to Sacramento airport found to be deliberately cut

Police said that the officer who initially noticed the vehicle began watching while awaiting backup when they saw two people enter the green Dodge Charger and attempt to leave the parking lot.

According to police, when an officer tried to detain the two people inside the car, the 34-year-old man quickly reversed and purposely rammed a Tracy police car.

Thankfully, no officers with the Tracy Police Department were injured during the incident, the agency said in a news release.

The suspects car was eventually disabled and both suspects were detained, police said. Following the detainment, police officers searched the involved vehicle, which led to the discovery of a loaded ghost gun, various pieces of stolen mail and packages, stolen mailbox keys for community mailboxes, electronic vehicle theft devices, and more.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
S.C. Man Charged with Sextortion, Which F.B.I. Says Led to Man's Death by Suicide

Glenn Daeward Boyd, 35, allegedly posed as a woman, sent a naked photo to a man and then claimed to be only 15 and threatened to expose the man as a pedophile

getty

Glenn Daeward Boyd allegedly targeted the Michigan man on a dating website August 2, 2023

Over a three-day period, Boyd allegedly pretended to be an adult woman, a teenage girl, and, finally that teenagers angry grandparents, authorities allege

The alleged victim died by suicide August 4 after authorities say Boyd falsely outed him on Facebook as a pedophile

The first time the 35-year-old man allegedly reached out on a dating website to another man in Michigan over the summer, he introduced himself as Jad, an 18-year-old woman.

Glenn Daeward Boyd allegedly then texted the man in Michigan from a generated phone number, saying he wanted to be Fwb, (friends with benefits), and sent a nude photograph of the so-called Jad engaged in a sexual act, per the indictment obtained by PEOPLE.

Then Jad allegedly told the man: I am only 15 but I will be 16 soon."

Thats when Jads fictional grandparents got involved, telling the man from Kent County, Mich., identified in court documents only by his initials B.G. that he needed to pay them off to keep them from reporting him as a pedophile: What can you send me on cashapp right now[?]

In the seven-count indictment filed in the Western District of Michigan Southern Division, Boyd is charged with one count of attempted extortion, one count of stalking and five counts of wire fraud.



The federal case centers on a three-day period starting Aug. 2, 2023, when authorities say the two men first connected online, and Boyd allegedly concocted, per prosecutors: a scheme and artifice to defraud and to obtain money by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises.

By Aug. 4, Boyd, allegedly still trying to get money from B.G., posted to the mans Facebook account: He is a pedophile I have all the evidence if anyone wants to see it[.]

And, prosecutors say, later that day B.G. died by suicide as a result of the pressure exerted by Boyd, according to prosecutors.

Don Campbell/The Herald-Palladium via AP Mark Totten, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan

Nationally and here in Michigan we have seen a startling increase in the number of sextortion crimes  like we have alleged here  that result in the victims death, Mark Totten, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, said in a statement. We are fully committed to holding perpetrators of these crimes accountable.

Totten cautions that criminals constantly troll the internet and social media, and the public should not assume people are who they say they are. But, he adds: If you make a mistake, law enforcement is eager and ready to help.

Little is known about Boyd, of Lancaster, S.C., per the arrest warrant obtained by PEOPLE, which lists his known alleged aliases  among them Jad and Kim Smith  and social security number, but leaves blank his place of birth, as well as his previous address and last known employment.

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.

On Wednesday, April 17, Boyd made an initial appearance in a S.C. federal court and waived the reading of his indictment as well as his right to additional hearings there, requesting that future hearings be held in the Western District of Michigan, where B.G. had lived and which also had jurisdiction, per an entry of the court proceeding reviewed by PEOPLE.

Boyd requested court-appointed counsel in Michigan that same day, per court documentation transferring the case across state lines and filed there Friday, April 19.

Boyds federal public defender in S.C., Suha Najjar, did not provide a comment on the proceedings in time for publication. His online court docket does not yet list a defense lawyer in Michigan.

Sextortionists use any means necessary to exploit and deceive their targets, counting on the victim's feelings of shame and fear to achieve their goals, Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan, said in a statement.

Here are a few tips from the F.B.I. to protect you from sextortionists:

Dont overshare on social media, particularly if your accounts are public.

Block or ignore messages from people you do not know because people can pretend to be anyone online.

Remember, videos and photographs of someone are not proof that that person exists or are who they say they are. Images can be altered or stolen from other targeted accounts.

If you do connect with someone you do not know online, then be wary if they suddenly ask you to switch to another platform to continue chatting.

These days, nothing is really deleted. Once you create something online, you dont know where it will end up or how it will be used.

If youre in trouble, then take the following steps: block the sender, report the behavior to the site administrator, and ask for outside help  from law enforcement or another trusted adult.

If you have information about or believe you are a victim of sextortion, you may contact your local FBI field office at 1-800-CALL-FBI, or online at http://tips.fbi.gov. More information is available here.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.





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Read the original article on People.
An iconic Southern California desert dweller is now formally recognized by the State of California as endangered.

On Thursday, the California Fish and Game Commission unanimously approved designating the Mojave desert tortoise as endangered, elevating its risk for extinction from its previous designation as threatened.

The Mojave desert tortoise has been recognized as a threatened species under the California Endangered Species Act for 35 years, and recognized at the federal level for 34.

But despite more than three decades of state and federal protection, tortoise populations have not shown consistent signs of recovery and advocates warn that the species is closer to extinction than ever before.

Designated conservation areas have been set up to monitor the numbers of wild tortoises and all of those designated areas saw drastic declines, with the worst loss in the Western Mojave, which experienced 54% decline over 19 years.

Wildlife researchers say the minimum density for desert tortoises to remain viable is 3.9 adults per square kilometer. In the ten designated tortoise conservation areas, only two meet that threshold today.

Advocates and wildlife experts say desert tortoise are at a disadvantage for recovery for multiple reasons, including their low reproductive rates, slow growth rate and long lifespans.

We have to recognize that desert tortoises are not an annual species that can rapidly recover from population declines, said Michael Tuma, an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California and a member of the Desert Tortoise Council board, one of three organizations that petitioned the change in designation.

Legislators looking to expand Joshua Tree National Park

The Mojave desert tortoise faces multiple threats to its survival, including habitat loss driven by development, military training and base expansion, off-highway vehicle use and livestock grazing. Other challenges include disease, invasive species, and wildfires and extended droughts associated with climate change.

Tortoise populations will need decades to recover from population declines, and thats only if we can provide an environment with sustained relief from threats. Listing the species as endangered under CESA will give them the best chance at successful recovery, Tuma said.

The effort to uplist desert tortoises has been in the works for more than four years and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has spent the last 12 months evaluating the request.

Dangerous bacterial disease reported in multiple dogs in Southern California

Jeff Aardahl of the Defenders of Wildlife, another of the groups involved in the efforts to uplist the tortoises, called Thursdays actions by the Fish and Game Commission warranted.

[It] reflects the dire status of our state reptile and its urgent need for additional protections, Ardahl said. The Mojave desert tortoise serves as an indicator of the health of our desert ecosystem, and both the species and its habitats are facing a myriad of serious threats.

In this Sept. 3, 2008, file photo, an endangered desert tortoise sits in the middle of a road at the proposed location of three BrightSource Energy solar-energy generation complexes in the eastern Mojave Desert near Ivanpah, Calif. (Reed Saxon/Associated Press)

The Mojave population of desert tortoise includes all tortoises north and west of the Colorado River in Arizona, Utah, Nevada and California, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

They famously roam Joshua Tree National Park in the Inland Empire and are among the most-researched animals in the park, according to the National Park Service.

They eat primarily herbs, wildflowers and cacti and they hibernate for up to nine months each year. They can get to be as old as 80, but it can take as long as 20 years for them to reach sexual maturity and their eggs and hatchlings are often prey for other animals.

Roger Dale, president of the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, says it is the hope of tortoise researchers and advocates that protecting additional land from development and other use will reduce threats and help the reptile bounce back.

We are hopeful that the uplisting will attract additional resources for proven conservation measures such as land acquisition, fencing, habitat restoration and permanent stewardship of preserve areas, Dale said.

For more information about the Mojave desert tortoise, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
California official ousted for Covid remarks now accused of putting employee's desk on roof and workplace bullying

A Northern California school administrator who lost a city post four years ago over controversial Covid remarks was accused of workplace bullying for putting a subordinate's desk on a roof, officials said Thursday.

The allegations against Kenneth Turnage II, director of maintenance, operations and facilities at the Antioch Unified School District, could end up costing his boss, Superintendent Stephanie Anello, her job.

Jim Kessers desk to a roof in AUSDs maintenance yard where Kesser works. (via NBC Bay Area)

The incident happened last year when Turnage allegedly had subordinate Jim Kessers desk moved on top of a maintenance yard structure, NBC Bay Area reported.

Kesser told the station the incident was meant to humiliate him because he questioned his own qualifications to perform a task that Turnage had assigned.

Several other district employees told NBC Bay Area that Turnage is a well-known bully who benefits from being close friends with Anello, the superintendent, and her husband, the citys former police chief.

School board President Antonio Hernandez said he's seeking to call a special trustees meeting, in hopes of starting the process that'd end in Anellos removal.

I do not support the superintendent, Hernandez told NBC News on Thursday. I think this incident and the stories of these brave maintenance workers, who stood up in public to share their stories and trauma, shows the poor judgment of our superintendent to keep this person in place.

Another school board member, Jag Lathan, declined to reveal Thursday whether she wants Anello out. But she made it clear that Turnages alleged action was beyond the pale.

When I found out, I was horrified. That was unacceptable, Lathan said. What I can tell you is that school district culture and climate matter. If our staff feels unsafe, thats unacceptable.

Image: Ken Turnage (NBC Bay Area)

Turnage, Anello and Anello's husband  former Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando  did not immediately reply to messages seeking comment Thursday.

When an NBC Bay Area reporter questioned Anello during the public comments part of a board meeting this month, she remained awkwardly silent for a minute and did not answer any queries about Turnage.

Four years ago, when he was chairman of Antioch's planning commission, Turnage made national headlines with Facebook comments about Covid-19 at the peak of the pandemic.

He said permitting illness to spread "allows the sick, the old, the injured to meet its natural course in nature.

And if the virus had an impact on homeless people, at least that would "fix what is a significant burden on our society and resources that can be used, he said.

Turnage deleted the Facebook post after public outcry but refused to resign. The Antioch City Council voted unanimously to remove his as planning commission chairman over the remarks.

Turnage made $78,741 in base pay in his current job with the school district in 2022, the latest data reported by Transparent California, a database of public employees compensation. Anello made $307,094.82 in base pay in 2022, according to the database.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
In the Spotlight is a Sacramento Bee series that digs into the high-profile local issues that readers care most about. Story idea? Email metro@sacbee.com.

Reparations bills to fund reparations policy and tackle past racially motivated eminent domain that took property from and displaced Black Californians sailed through their first hearings this week at the state Capitol.

The bills are part of the historic 2024 Reparations Priority Bill Package introduced in February by the California Legislative Black Caucus.

This is a debt that is owed to the people who helped build this country. Reparations is a debt owed to the descendants of slavery, said the bills author, state Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Gardena, vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus.

Bradford also sat on the first-in-the-nation California Reparations Task Force to advance the case for reparations to California descendants of enslaved Black people.

This is not a handout or a charity of any sort, Bradford said Tuesday. Its what is owed, what is promised, what is 160 years overdue.

Reparations Task Force member state Sen. Steven Bradford, D-Gardena, listens during a task force meeting in 2023.

The historic toll of eminent domain  governments taking of private property for public use  on Californias Black communities and Black Californians generational wealth is behind Bradfords Senate Bill 1050, which passed with a 6-1 vote in the state Senate Judiciary Committee.

The bill creates a pathway to return land or provide restitution to Californians who have had their land or property taken by the state or local government for racially motivated reasons, Bradford said. It will also create a way for the state to review claims of abuse and determine whether compensation is warranted.

The power of eminent domain has been repeatedly used to move Black and brown people off their land, to destroy homes and to devastate the opportunity for families to build generational wealth, Bradford said.

Between 1949-1973, as Americas white middle class had taken flight, 992 cities displaced 1 million people through eminent domain, according to Eminent Domain and African Americans, a 2007 report for the Institute for Justice. Two-thirds were Black.

How do we heal harm like that? We provide compensation and we give land back, testified Kavon Ward, founder of Los Angeles-based Where Is My Land?, an organization that supports Black people in their quest to reclaim land taken through eminent domain and other racially motivated policy.

Examples abound across Californias historically Black neighborhoods in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Franciscos Fillmore District, to once-thriving Black and Latino communities like the East Bays Russell City. The city of Hayward annexed the community in the 1960s, seizing the land to make way for an industrial park, evicting its residents and demolishing their homes and businesses.

The city of Hayward formally apologized in 2021 and created a reparative justice project to work with former Russell City residents and their descendants to determine appropriate restitution for forcibly relocating Russell residents.

Jessie Johnson was a Russell City resident in 1963. We were forced out of our land, she testified Tuesday. You cant see pain, but you can feel it. It hurt and it hurt very badly.

Johnsons mother-in-law and grandparents also lived in Russell City. Johnson recalled her husband, a Navy sailor, returning home from sea duty to find his community gone.

Our houses had been burned down. Our homes were devastated, Johnson said. Please, give us our land back. We want to be paid and compensated for the hurt and the loss.

Roger Niello, R-Sacramento, cast the lone no votes on both reparations bills Tuesday; as well as Bradfords bill last week to create the agency that would oversee reparations for Black Californians.

Senate Bill 1403 would create the California American Freedmen Affairs Agency, the body responsible for overseeing and monitoring the state agencies and departments that would implement reparations.

The agency is inspired by the 1865 federal act that created a Freedmens Bureau to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical services and land to African Americans newly freed from enslavement.

SB 1403, also carried by Bradford, passed out of the judiciary committee and is now on to the Senates government organization committee.

This agency will be the necessary foundation for the implementation and success of reparations, Bradford said at last weeks committee hearing. The most important responsibility of this agency will be determining which individuals are eligible for reparations programs and services  the descendants of chattel slavery.

On Tuesday, Niello, who also sits as vice chair of the state Senates Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, said the eminent domain bill would force California taxpayers to bear the costs of local jurisdictions injustice instead of holding local governments to account.

My initial reaction was that this is a piece of legislation that I can support. But you made it the responsibility of all of the taxpayers of California for the injustices of local jurisdictions. That seems to me to be a bit of an injustice also, Niello said from the dais. Its an entirely supportable concept that I cant support.

Bradford said local jurisdictions will be held responsible if they played a direct role in taking land for racially motivated reasons.

The damage is real and not only should local agencies be responsible but the state as a whole and nation as a whole because we wouldnt be here today if it werent for the racist policies that still exist in America and here in California, Bradford said.

A fund for reparations

Senate Bill 1331 passed out of the senate committee 5-1, with Niello opposing, and would create the Fund for Reparations and Restorative Justice.

The fund would draw 6% of state budget reserves to pay for policies to compensate descendants of enslaved Black people or descendants of a free Black person living in the country before the end of the 19th century. The number reflects the percentage of Californias Black population.

The bill also allows the fund to receive money from federal, state or local grants; or from private donations or grants.

Senate Bill 1331 was written to recognize the financial challenges and budget deficit that the state currently faces, Bradford said, acknowledging Californias multi-billion-dollar deficit. It does not take funding away from any program.

If the (state) budget is a reflection of our values, our priorities, reparations has to be funded, Bradford said. The cost of reparations will be high, but so was the harm done to African Americans. That harm and those disparities continues to this day.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on Polish farmers to stop blocking the border with Ukraine. He noted that regardless of the justification for the protests, the Polish authorities cannot allow the blocking of crossings and thus harm Ukraine as the fate of the war is being decided.

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This was reported by Polish Radio. Tusk also reminded that according to the latest government decision, border crossings have the status of critical infrastructure.

"I want to appeal to everyone in Poland, without exception, not to do anything that could harm Ukraine. We will have to make decisions that will protect the Polish border and border crossings. We cannot in any way harm Ukraine in a situation where the fate of the war is being decided. I am counting on the rejection of this form of protest," the Polish Prime Minister said.

At the same time, he emphasized that Polish public services would work to clear the checkpoints. However, Tusk does not believe that this "requires direct coercive measures."

Poles have tightened the blockade of the border with Ukraine

Earlier, Polish farmers tightened the blockade of the Ukrainian border. On April 18, they resumed blocking the Korczowa-Krakowiec and Medyka-Shehyni checkpoints. It is expected that they will restrict the passage of freight transport only. No complications are expected for the movement of cars and buses.

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According to the State Border Guard Service, the protesters planned to block traffic in Krakowiec until 9:00 a.m. on April 20. And until 9:00 on April 19 in Shehyni.

It was emphasized that as of the morning of April 18, about 1,500 trucks were waiting in queues in Poland in these directions to enter Ukraine.

As reported, in late March, Ukraine and Poland held talks at the level of prime ministers. The topics included the blocking of the border by Polish farmers and trade in the agricultural sector. As a result, the parties agreed that Poland would issue licenses to Ukraine to import four types of crops into its territory.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Canary Islands tourism minister has urged British holidaymakers to not cancel their holidays, as locals prepare to hold anti-tourism protests on Saturday across the entire archipelago.

Tensions have been soaring in recent weeks over water usage, a lack of housing and pollution that locals say is linked to overtourism. Graffiti has appeared in popular areas telling visitors to go home.

Jessica de Leon, who became regional tourism chief last July, told The Telegraph that the archipelago was still very much open for business.

It is still safe to visit the Canary Islands, and we are delighted to welcome you, said Ms de Leon.

She said she understood protesters frustrations, particularly concerning the issue of housing, but that it was unfair to blame tourism.

Fernando Clavijo, the Canary Islands president, has also weighed in, saying that some of the opinions being expressed by activists smack of tourist-phobia.

People who come here to visit and spend their money must not be criticised or insulted. We are playing with our main source of income, Mr Clavijo said.

Graffiti sprayed on a car in Tenerife tells tourists to go home - Yendy Hernandez/Tenerife Weekly

Helen, a Scottish regular visitor to Tenerife, said she had always felt welcome on the island, but could understand how frustration was building among locals who typically work in the tourism sector for 1,200 euros a month.

I think the government should address these concerns and not dismiss them as just a few cranks. Otherwise, the situation probably will escalate, she told The Telegraph.

Tourism is living off us

The Spanish archipelago off the coast of north-west Africa has been drawing British and European tourists in droves for decades, and the sector accounts for 40 per cent of the local economy.

While there have long been grumblings over the high number of visitors, this Saturday is the first time there will be a cross-island coordinated protest movement to call for fewer arrivals.

We have the feeling that we are not living off tourism; it is tourism that is living off us, said Gabriel Gonzalez, a councillor for the hard-Left Podemos party in Tenerifes southern resort town of Adeje.

In the past week there have been protests in La Laguna, Tenerife, and six members of the Canarias se agota group (The Canaries are wearing out) have gone on hunger strike.

Testy exchanges have also been reported by foreigners and hospitality staff as a result of the tensions.

We pay your wages, one foreign tourist reportedly wrote on a restaurant bill after receiving curt service.

Residents complain about the pressure tourists put on housing and public services - SOLARPIX.COM

Tourism industry leaders have expressed concern.

Tourists are worried and they tell us so, said Carlos Magdalena, a Tenerife restaurant owner. We are being fools right now - theyll be rejoicing elsewhere.

But Mr Gonzalez said savage development had led to the environmental issues and depleted funds for public services and social housing.

The Canaries are wearing out group is demanding a complete moratorium on hotel building, the introduction of an ecotax on each overnight stay, restrictions on purchases of homes by foreigners, and a freeze on the number of tourism arrivals.

In 2023, the islands two million residents hosted 16.2 million tourists, including 14.3 million foreigners  with Britons the largest group, numbering 5.6 million.

The number of tourists should be reduced. We should aim for higher-quality visitors, not people in all-included resorts who dont leave the hotel or interact with locals and our culture in any way, said Nestor Marrero, secretary of a Tenerife ecology group called ATAN.

Mr Marrero said tourists were using too much water, which is overwhelming local infrastructure and leading to a million litres of untreated sewage ending up in the sea around the Canaries every day.

Anti-tourist groups claim that too many visitors are causing environmental issues - solarpix.com

ATAN also says that foreigners are often to blame for tens of thousands of offences in the islands nature reserves that go unpunished because of lax enforcement.

Tourists are allowed to behave in ways here that they would not be allowed to at home. Do they fall drunk off balconies in London or Wales, or drive their cars where it is prohibited in a nature reserve?

Mr Marrero said that to do nothing about the situation would be the best way to create tourist-phobia with locals reduced to sleeping in their cars as they cannot afford rents.

Ms de Leon admitted that housing was an issue: The problem is that the last five years have seen an average of 3,000 homes built on the islands, when demand is for 20,000. Last year just 200 public housing units were built.

She said Mr Clavijos government had passed a housing emergency law to free up land for housing while toughening rules on short holiday lets so more accommodation remained on the rental market.

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HAVANA  The Catholic Church in communist-run Cuba, which has been instrumental to resolving political tensions in the past, is proposing a national dialogue to help resolve the economic crisis that has gripped the island.

In an interview with NBC News, Father Ariel Suarez, assistant secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba, said that if the different political actors agree, they can offer a space for dialogue, a meeting place, so that all the different positions ... can help find concrete solutions that the people need.

He said different positions should be included. I think we need to finally say with more clarity that Cubans can love Cuba with different visions, with different perspectives, said Suarez. And its important to put above all those differences, the love for Cuba and the desire to improve the life of its people now and in the future.

Suarezs interview echoes a statement released by the diocese of Cubas third largest city, Holguin, represented by the president of the Conference of Bishops Emilio Aranguren.

As a church, it corresponds to us to support the creation of spaces for dialogue where different sectors of society can participate to find paths that will help us forge ahead with a calm and hopeful disposition, read the statement.

The statement was released days after rare protests erupted in March in several Cuban cities, over the dire economic situation on the island, including shortages in food, medicine, power and gasoline. Some called for political change.

Lillian Guerra, a professor of Cuban history at the University of Florida, who interviewed Aranguren for her book Patriots and Traitors in Revolutionary Cuba, said he is uniquely positioned to speak on behalf of local people.

Guerra, who has spent time with Aranguren, described him as very modest. For close to a decade, his office sponsored a soup kitchen that fed hundreds of impoverished people in Holguin. She said he is very unusual and unique because of his trajectory starting as a parish priest in the city of Santa Clara during the 1970s. He is that kind of local witness to the evolution in Cuban society from the deep Soviet period of the 1970s through the present.

In 1961 Cuba became an atheist state, seizing church assets, including schools and expelled around 900 priests, according to Guerra. She said they were able to do that because most priests were not Cuban but were born in Spain. For the following three decades, the Cuban state endorsed discrimination against Catholics. Cuba remained an atheist state until 1992, when the government amended the constitution and it became secular.

Pope John Paul II made history in 1998 as the first pope to ever visit the island. His famous declaration, May Cuba, with all its magnificent potential, open itself up to the world, and may the world open itself up to Cuba, gave hope to many Cubans. They saw his visit and statement as a sign of new opportunities in the horizon.

In 2010, the Catholic Church brokered a deal for Cubas government to release jailed dissidents, something that helped thaw relations with the U.S. during the presidency of Barack Obama. The Catholic Church also played an instrumental role in the historic rapprochement between the two countries.

Guerra said that since the revolution, the church in Cuba has offered alternative values that include a belief in freedom of choice, thought and speech.

Those were completely the opposite of what the schools, newspapers, government and laws said, and say, the professor noted.

Guerra said the church has planted seeds in nonreligious programs, like Cuba Emprende, that support entrepreneurship and run soup kitchens.

So we may not be noticing it, but the church is alive and present. And so the fact that you have the church in so many different locations doing things, that are not simply giving Mass, means that the church has already established itself as an alternative space for Cubans to develop and leverage against the government, Guerra said.

Ahead of Sundays Mass, and for the rest of the Easter season that ends May 28, the Conference of Bishops is asking worshipers to pray for the economic crisis and ask for "real and true solutions."

Suarez said the bishops have made invitations for prayer in order to find solutions so that we can get out of this distressing situation, so that the countrys officials can have wisdom and audacity when making decisions that favor the lives of the people.

NBC News has reached out to Cubas international press center as well as its embassy in Washington for comments on the church's proposals.

Carmen Sesin reported from Miami and Orlando Matos from Havana.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
SUNLAND PARK, N.M.  Multiple groups of illegal immigrants, including one group who sliced open border fencing to enter deeper into the U.S., were stopped by Border Patrol agents last week, as officials are drawing on more resources and tools to prevent them from fleeing into the U.S.

Fox News Digital was on the ground in the El Paso Sector, as Border Patrol agents on an early morning patrol caught multiple groups of illegal immigrants moving into the U.S.

One group, consisting mostly of Ecuadorians, was caught down a main road from the bollard border wall separating the U.S. and Mexico. The group were checked, given water, made to take off shoelaces and hand over their belongings, before being put into a transport van to the local Border Patrol station.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THE BORDER SECURITY CRISIS

There, they will be subject to Title 8 removal proceedings, which could include a quick return to their country of origin via expedited removal, or it could mean entry into the United States as they await their immigration removal proceedings and a court hearing.

In another section near the port of entry, agents nabbed a group of migrants from Ecuador, Bolivia and Guatemala who had cut a hole in the border fence, but had been stopped by agents just feet from the hole. The fencing is, in some areas, reinforced by bollards, which in turn are sometimes filled with concrete in an effort to make cutting them harder. The group included two small children.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Agents have also found makeshift ladders and rope discarded near parts of the wall that are harder to cut through.

SPIKE IN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM THIS US ADVERSARY BLOWS LID OFF PREVIOUS YEAR'S RECORD

Its an area where smugglers have operated for years and they are notoriously vicious. They will leave migrants behind if they get injured, or send them across, knowing that they are in danger to the elements. This was the area where, in 2021, smugglers heartlessly abandoned a five-year-old and three-year-old girl, dropping them over the fence before they were rescued by agents.

Border Patrol Agent Claudio Herrera told Fox News Digital that there were nearly 600 rescues of distressed migrants in FY 23, and so far in FY 24 there have been more than 320.

Migrants are apprehended near the border wall in New Mexico in this April 12, 2024, photo.

"Unfortunately, we have seen in the past how these transnational criminal organizations stash these migrants south of the border. And they don't give them food or enough water. By the time they're already arrived at our borders, they're already dehydrated," he said.

During some migrant surges, majorities of illegal immigrants have been turning themselves in the hope of being released. Here, that isnt the case. One agent told Fox that the vast majority of encounters (as high as 95%) are migrants who are trying to evade Border Patrol rather than giving themselves up, suggesting that theyve been briefed by smugglers that their chances of being returned are high.

Apprehensions in the sector are down sharply from last year. There were 427,471 in FY 23 by Border Patrol. So far in FY 24, which began in October, there have been just over 150,000. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) puts that decrease in part due to a multi-layered enforcement strategy that combines existing barriers, technology including autonomous surveillance towers, K-9 units and recent cooperation with state police to stop illegal entrants.

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: CROWDS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CUT RAZOR WIRE, RUSH ACROSS BORDER INTO TEXAS

"We are doing a fantastic job interdicting these individuals from smuggling schemes, in vehicles or also in the stash houses. We also have our checkpoints. We also have canines. We also have horse patrol, ATVs, you name it. We have all these different assets that help us do our job better," Herrera said.

Elsewhere in the sector, Texas has also fortified existing barriers with extra layers of razor wire, a move that has led to a legal battle with the federal government.

But looming over the Sunland Park area is Mount Cristo Rey, where there can be no border barriers, due to the jagged terrain, and small white obelisks mark where the U.S. ends and Mexico begins. Its a perilous area for migrants and agents alike.

Migrant scout oversees the border area near Mexico in this April 12, 2024, photo.

Agents with whom Fox was embedded spotted a helicopter from CBPs Air and Marine Operations (AMO) flying low over the mountain's border with Mexico, and followed up the ominous mountain, where cartel scouts were situated just on the Mexican side. A group of adult male migrants whom they were overseeing, but who had not yet reached the U.S., quickly turned back upon seeing the agents.

But the scouts remained just feet from the border, gesturing vulgarly at the agents and filming them and Foxs reporter. The Border Patrol vehicle headed up the mountain and later returned, at which point the scouts had inched across into the U.S. side, but fled back over to the Mexican side when they saw the vehicle.

For the agents though, they dont need to spend much time up in the mountains. With the extra levels of surveillance, including the autonomous surveillance towers that use AI to track and identify migrants, agents can track any migrants clambering across the mountain and wait for them at the bottom when they come down and have tired themselves out.

Get the latest updates on the ongoing border crisis from the Fox News Digital immigration hub.





Original article source: CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Fence-cutting migrants busted by feds
Census change will lead to more data on health of Middle Eastern, North African people in US

A patient and volunteer clinician are pictured at a COVID-19 vaccine event in April 2021 at the Dearborn, Mich., clinic run by the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, a wellness, community service and education nonprofit. Experts and advocates have long advocated for a different category in official data for people from the Middle East and North Africa. Jacob Ermete/Courtesy of ACCESS

Before the successful, healthy birth of her son, recalls Germine Awad  an Egyptian American who is a psychologist at the University of Michigan  clinicians told her that her hormone levels were too high and that her pregnancy was in danger. They dont know us, her mother reassured her.

Iyman Hamad, a Palestinian American public health graduate student at Wayne State University in Detroit, had to search online to figure out which race or ethnicity box she should check at the doctors office and on school forms.

And Itedal Shalabi, who runs an Arab American family services center in the Chicago area and is also Palestinian, said misinformation and hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccines were rampant in her community. Because Arab Americans were considered to be white in the absence of a category for them, county funding for outreach in minority communities was delayed, probably causing avoidable deaths, she said.

In that time, we had so many Arab Americans die, especially elderly, she said. By the time we got the funding, we had so much work to do to catch up, while other [minority] communities were taking advantage of the shot.

For decades, U.S. residents with heritage from the Middle East and North Africa, known internationally as the MENA region, have been classified by the government as white. The grouping masked differences in income, health, housing and other important markers. And when public health officials lack data on COVID-19 deaths or vaccine uptake in the MENA community, for example, its difficult to distribute dollars and other public resources effectively.

The lack of a dedicated identifier makes it hard to isolate data, said epidemiologist Nadia Abuelezam, an associate professor at the Boston College Connell School of Nursing and the daughter of Palestinian refugees. Systemically, structurally, we were ignored, or our needs were ignored.

Last month, the federal Office of Management and Budget approved revisions to race and ethnicity data collection across federal agencies, including the addition of a new MENA category to the census. They are the first race and ethnic category changes since 1997. Along with a combined race/ethnicity category, the changes include a combined Hispanic or Latino checkbox and removal of phrases that can be considered pejorative, including Negro and Far East. Federal officials have said these revisions will yield more accurate counts and use language respectful of how people refer to themselves.

The new federal classification of MENA people is geographical and includes people from Arabic-speaking groups, such as Lebanese, Algerians, Egyptians, Palestinians and Syrians, as well as people from non-Arabic-speaking groups, such as Iranians and Israelis. It also includes ethnic groups who live in multiple countries, such as Assyrian, Kurdish and Chaldean people.

The updates will appear on the next census in 2030, but by next year, federal agencies must submit detailed plans on how they will incorporate the new requirements.

Systemically, structurally, we were ignored, or our needs were ignored.

 Nadia Abuelezam, an epidemiologist and Boston College Connell School of Nursing associate professor

Apart from independent studies by academic and nonprofit researchers, little is known about the health of Middle Eastern and North African people in the U.S. Experts and advocates hope the census change will spur local and state health agencies to update their own data collection methods to shed light on health inequities and needs.

Theres so many of us here, yet we know so little, said Hamad, who interns at the Oakland County, Michigan, health departments data division. There needs to be change.

Filling in gaps

Abuelezam, who studies maternal and infant health outcomes among MENA people in Massachusetts, is among a handful of researchers in the U.S. who are trying to fill in gaps in MENA health data.

Her research on Massachusetts mothers has found, for example, that Black Arab mothers had higher odds of preterm birth and low birthweight than Arab mothers classified as white, while Arab mothers were more likely to suffer gestational diabetes than white mothers.

One study found that from the beginning of the pandemic through July 2021, about 17% of Arab Americans in Michigan tested positive for COVID-19 compared with 11% of Hispanic people, 9.8% of Black people and 7.5% of white people.

Similarly, researchers who study aging and Alzheimers and related dementias found that confusion and memory issues, which can be early symptoms of the diseases, were found among 17% of MENA immigrants, compared with 9.6% of U.S.-born white people.

The change in categories only applies to federal agencies, not state governments, said Rima Meroudeh, director of the National Network for Arab American Communities. However, the official forms used by states, health agencies and school systems typically mirror the categories used by the census, and the change provides something much more concrete as we advocate at the state level because they want interoperability between state and federal data, she said.

Awad, the University of Michigan psychologist, studies mental health and the influence of discrimination in the MENA community. She said the change will help her illuminate social determinants of health, such as housing and environment, income, access to resources, health care and transportation, as well as trauma experiences. Awad and other researchers also are interested in exploring the prevalence of health conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular disease in MENA communities.

A group of us have been working for years advocating for this box, Awad said. Its been long overdue, and finally, we are going to be able to collect data to truly delve into some unanswered questions. We know there are disparities, but we dont actually truly understand the extent because there hasnt been systematic data collection.

The health data that schools collect also is skewed, said Matt Jaber Stiffler, who co-founded the Center for Arab Narratives, part of the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, or ACCESS. For example, Stiffler said, Arab children are the majority of K-12 students in Dearborn, Michigan, but state data identifies them as white.

Inclusion would give a better picture of who these communities are and what their needs might be, Stiffler said.

Population counts

So far, federal population counts of MENA communities have been estimates. For the first time, the 2020 census offered a write-in option so respondents could mark their race and ethnicity as white but write in their ancestry. About 3.5 million people wrote in MENA countries of origin, with Lebanese, Iranians and Egyptians making up nearly half of them.

California, Michigan and New York had the largest MENA populations, with more than 300,000 residents combined. Those states were trailed by Texas, Florida, Illinois and New Jersey. Prior to the 2020 write-ins, the American Community Survey, an ongoing survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, provided limited estimates.

A volunteer runs a science activity booth at an August 2022 back-to-school fair held by the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services in Dearborn, Mich. Jacob Ermete/Courtesy of ACCESS

According to the Migration Policy Institute, a think tank that analyzes immigration policy, the 1920 census reported around 50,000 people from the MENA region. In the years since, a steady flow of Palestinians, Egyptians, Iraqis, Syrians and others have immigrated to the U.S., some after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, and many more after the U.S. loosened its restrictive immigration policies in 1965. By 1980, the MENA population in the U.S. had risen to about 224,000.

Last August, Illinois became the first state to enact a law mandating all state agencies that collect race and ethnicity data include a MENA category. Lawmakers in California and Michigan are considering similar bills.

We should incorporate this at all levels, whether in our health system data or educational systems, like on university levels, said Sarah Abboud, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois Chicago who studies health outcomes among Arab immigrants.

Some critics argue that the census should move away from categorizing people by race, instead of adding new racial categories. They point to the Human Genome Project, which found that humans share 99.9% of their DNA. Race, some argue, is a social construct, a relic of the 18th century.

But public health experts have demonstrated that racism affects peoples health, and Abboud said that Arab Americans experience worse health outcomes because of it. Additionally, immigrants displaced by war, such as Palestinian and Syrian refugees and their children, may have unique stressors around trauma.

Shalabi, of Arab American Family Services in Chicago, said inclusion of MENA in data is long overdue.

Were so excited because its about time that our community was identified, was visible, and in a way that really works toward their betterment of health and  being part of the American fabric, 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 Census change will lead to more data on health of Middle Eastern, North African people in US appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
CesiumAstro alleges in a newly filed lawsuit that a former executive disclosed trade secrets and confidential information about sensitive tech, investors and customers to a competing startup.

Austin-based Cesium develops active-phased array and software-defined radio systems for spacecraft, missiles and drones. While phased-array antenna systems have been used on satellites for decades, Cesium has considerably advanced and productized the tech over its seven years in operation. The startup has landed more than $100 million in venture and government funding, which it has used to develop a suite of products for commercial and defense customers.

The technology is niche: Only a handful of companies work at the cutting edge of space-based radio technology, and Cesium no doubt pays close attention to any new entrant in this field. AnySignal, a startup that came out of stealth last October but was formally incorporated in 2022, certainly caught the companys eye, not least because it allegedly edged out Cesium in a sales bid to a major customer and by attempting to solicit the interest of one of Cesiums early investors  both examples stated in the lawsuit.

According to the suit, filed on March 25, these examples are directly related to former VP of Product Erik Luther's misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information on investors and customers, which Cesium alleges he subsequently disclosed to AnySignal. Notably, Luther did not leave Cesium to work for AnySignal, instead taking a role as head of marketing at a company that operates in a different sector entirely. But the suit says that Luther maintained personal connections with AnySignals co-founders, having worked with AnySignal CEO John Malsbury previously at a different company.

This resulted in AnySignal recruiting and inducing Luther  to improperly disclose the confidential and trade secret information, the suit says. CesiumAstro did not respond to TechCrunch's request for comment; a lawyer representing Luther referred TechCrunch to the March 29 legal filings cited below.

Malsbury said in a statement provided to TechCrunch, "We at AnySignal were disappointed to learn of this filing. As indicated in Eriks response, he is not, and has never been employed by AnySignal. We believe Cesium made these allegations in error. AnySignal is working with Cesium to resolve the dispute, and, if necessary, we will confidently defend our case in court. In the meantime, AnySignal will continue to prioritize mission success for our customers."

Cesium is clear on its position in the lawsuit: It does not believe that AnySignal could have developed its complex radio technology on its timeline and with its existing resources  absent CesiumAstros technical diagrams and specifications (to which Luther had access).

With only a few employees and $5 million in investor funding, [AnySignal] would not even be in the same orbit as CesiumAstro, which has spent tens of millions of dollars working with (now) 170 employees for seven years to develop its technologies, the suit says. "But with Luthers help, AnySignal has launched to directly compete with CesiumAstro in the specialized space for software-defined radios.

Luther strongly denied all the allegations in two separate documents filed with the court on March 29; regarding the claim that he worked in concert with AnySignal, he says the allegation is not only falsebut invented out of whole cloth. (The response also denies Cesiums claim that it is an industry leader.)

Cesium "does not cite any facts or evidence whatsoever linking Luther and any of AnySignals business efforts and the alleged evidence that [Cesium] does cite do not support [its] contentions," Luther's lawyer claims in the filing. He goes on to say that Cesium takes a "Grand Canyon-sized leap from the paltry, easily explainable evidence it cites to the remarkable allegation that Luther has been secretly assisting AnySignal and feeding them [Cesium's] trade secrets without citing any evidence whatsoever."

El Segundo-based AnySignal was founded in May 2022 by Malsbury and COO Jeffrey Osborne, and emerged from stealth touting $5 million in seed funding last year. The company is developing a software-defined radio platform; Cesiums lawsuit names it as a direct competitor. In February, a month before the suit was filed, AnySignal announced it had landed a partnership with private space station developer Vast for an advanced communication system for Vast's flagship station, Haven-1.

The suit was filed in Western District of Texas under no. 1:24-cv-314.

The story has been updated to include Malsburys statement.




(Bloomberg) -- Chad called on the US to withdraw its troops from an army base in the central African country thats one of the Wests few remaining outposts to fight a roiling jihadist insurgency in the region.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The move comes a month after Niger  another key Western ally in the region  suspended its security agreement with the US, amid a series of coups that have seen military-ruled governments in the Sahel forge closer ties with Russia while cutting those with the West.

Chad has alerted the US to stop their activity at the base, according to a letter to the US defense attache seen by Bloomberg. The letter, signed by the air force chief of staff Idriss Amine Ahmed, was verified by a foreign ministry spokesman, who declined to comment further.

US broadcaster CNN on Thursday reported that Chad had asked US troops to leave the country, citing a separate letter sent to the US defense attache.

Chad hasnt asked US forces to leave, a US state department spokesman said. The US and Chad have agreed that the period following the upcoming Chadian presidential election is an appropriate time to review our security cooperation.

Chads Interim President Mahamat Deby, who seized power three years ago following the death of his father, is widely expected to extend his familys three-decade long rule in the May 6 polls.

In January, Deby became the latest military ruler in the Sahel to hold a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and stress the need for sovereignty.

Chads a free and independent country, Deby told French broadcaster France24 this week. Were not a slave looking to change his master. We intend to work with all nations that respect us.

The military rulers of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, who all seized power over the past three years, have also cut security ties with former allies in the West amid an upsurge in anti-Western sentiment in the region  particularly against ex-colonial power France  that Russia has exploited.

(Adds response from US state department spokesman in fifth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Passengers are safe and back on the way to Tallahassee after their bus caught fire on I-10 in Baker County.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

According to Baker County Sheriffs Office, 52 passengers were evacuated from the charter bus after it caught fire on the highway. Baker County School District sent buses to get the passengers off the highway and to safety.

Baker County Sheriff Scotty Rhoden confirmed that the passengers were a group from St. Johns County that were headed to the Florida Capitol to advocate bringing Floridas new Black History Museum to St. Augustine.

Read: BREAKING: JFRD says man dead in fire at Southside apartment complex

Florida Highway Patrol said that St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick had his deputies escort a second charter bus to the stranded passengers, and they are back on their way to Tallahassee.

FHP received the initial call at 6:13 a.m. All travel lanes on I-10 remain open as the clean-up continues.

Action News Jax will continue to follow the story and will update you as events unfold.

Read: Near record highs, some weekend showers across Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia

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LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  State lawmakers are calling for big changes after Lee Chatfield, the former speaker of the house, was charged with embezzlement.

Michigans Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are urging for more security around campaign finance laws.

This follows 13 charges that were announced against Chatfield on Tuesday for allegedly using nonprofit funds for personal use for things like paying off credit cards and going on vacation.

(WLNS)

And as I read through the charges and and outrageous revelations surrounding this case, what was clear to me, is that this culture of corruption has to end. Our citizens want it to end and they deserve for all of us to ensure that it does come to an end, Benson said.

Nessel and Benson said theyre looking to close gaps and prevent things like this from happening again with two specific bills included in the Bringing Reforms in Integrity, Transparency, and Ethics (BRITE) Act.

The two bills, House Bill 5583 and House Bill 5586 heard testimony in the House Ethics and Oversight Committee meeting on Thursday.

Supporters said the bills look to allow the secretary of state to seek a court order to stop illegal activities and establish a one-year cooling period for elected officials before they can serve as lobbyists.

The package of legislation is a significant step in the right direction to improve transparency and accountability in our state. The bills will curtail the influence of lobbying and special financial interests and enable better enforcement of disclosure and ethics requirements, Benson added.

Meanwhile, the attorney general continued and said its crucial to win back the trust of the community.

What these bills provide is a start. A solid, earnest, serious effort towards the goal of ending corrosive forces of Michigan government and allowing a path forward to earn back the trust of the public, Nessel said.

The two said that theyre hoping this legislation takes Michigan from worst to first when it comes to campaign finance laws.

At a news conference on Wednesday, state Republicans criticized the BRITE Act. House Minority Leader Matt Hall said that he doesnt think the laws will do anything.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY)  A local law enforcement officer was honored by the Chesapeake Sheriffs Office for his work in chasing down an armed homicide suspect on Big Bethel Road in Hampton in January 2022.

Previously: Chesapeake deputy injured in deadly Hampton shooting awarded Deputy of the Quarter, other awards during ceremony

Sheriff Jim OSullivan recognized Investigator Scott Chambers as the sheriffs offices deputy of the year. The Virginia and national sheriffs associations recently named him as their deputy of the year, as well.

Chambers was shot twice during a U.S. Marshal Task Force mission in Hampton, as they were chasing the armed suspect, and he would spend more than a week in the hospital. He continues to serve.

The shooting I got into from January 2022 was a team effort, Chambers said. I was able to save some lives that day and help our team out in a productive way.

Chambers credits his law enforcement partners with saving his life that day.

Thursdays ceremony honoring him as law enforcement officer of the year for the Chesapeake Sheriffs Office wasnt his first honor.

Previously: Chesapeake deputy hurt in shooting receives Purple Heart

A few weeks ago during a Washington, D.C. ceremony in which Chambers received a Purple Heart, he saved a man suffering from an apparent stroke or epileptic event. Chambers received a lifesaving award for that, as well.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
The Nigerian army says it has rescued one of the missing Chibok schoolgirls abducted by militant Islamic group Boko Haram a decade ago.

Lydia Simon was rescued along with her three children by troops conducting an operation in the northern Borno State, the military said Thursday, adding that she was five months pregnant at the time of her rescue.

The army didnt specify how or when the rescue happened, only saying it was recent. CNN has contacted the military for comment.

Of the 276 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in 2014, more than 100 have eventually regained their freedom. The fate of more than 80 girls remains unknown, according to figures from Amnesty International.

The mass 2014 abduction sparked a global social media campaign #BringBackOurGirls, which called for their release as well as more government action to protect girls education.

Boko Haram, whose purpose is to institute Sharia, or Islamic law, has waged a 15-year insurgency battle in northern Nigeria and kidnapped thousands of people.

But the abduction of the Chibok girls remains the highest-profile example of the groups targeting of schools.

The latest rescue of a Chibok student was announced a day after the Nigerian army said it had successfully overrun a Boko Haram/Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) stronghold in Borno State following air raids and ground combat in the vast Sambisa forest that has served as an enclave for extremist groups for years.

A decade later: Chibok kidnapping survivors tell their stories

Survivors of the Chibok kidnapping recently shared their harrowing experiences in captivity with CNN on the 10th anniversary of their abduction.

One of them Amina Ali, 27, was forced to marry a Boko Haram fighter, spending two years in captivity, before escaping. She is studying and working toward a bright future for herself and her 8-year-old daughter, whom she told CNN has been stigmatized and labeled a child of Boko Haram.

Another survivor, Hannatu Stephen, 26, who was freed in 2017, lost a leg during an air raid by the Nigerian military on a Boko Haram hideout. Six of her friends were killed in the bombing, she said.

Twenty-seven-year-old Hauwa Ishaya, who was 16 when she was abducted, said she was beaten by her captors and pressured to take a Boko Haram husband, which, she said, she managed to evade. Ishaya was also reunited with her family in 2017 after spending three years as a slave, treating injured Boko Haram fighters.

Persistent kidnappings

Kidnappings and raids on schools have persisted across northern Nigeria since 2014, with more than 1,600 students kidnapped and nearly 200 others killed, according to a report by Save the Children.

Criminal gangs are also exploiting the vulnerabilities exposed by extremist groups, leading to a rise in the kidnapping-for-ransom industry, the report found.

On March 7, more than 100 students, mostly girls, were reportedly taken by criminal gangs from a school in Kuriga, in northwest Nigeria. Two days later, 15 more children were abducted from a boarding school in Sokoto state, also in the northwest, according to Human Rights Watch.

Stephanie Busari reported from Lagos, Michael Rios wrote from Atlanta. CNNs Nimi Princewill contributed to this report.

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The image of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska during her working visit to Denmark, where she met with Queen Consort Mary, was filled with symbolism. From the color scheme to the jewelry, the Ukrainian woman's outfit embodied determination, trust, and good intentions.

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The wife of the current king of Denmark "repaid" the guest in the same way, says Kristina Alekseichuk, a style expert and lecturer at the Andre Tan Academy of Style and Design. In a comment to OBOZ.UA, the fashion expert explained what white color symbolizes and why the First Lady wore palace pants.

It is noteworthy that both Olena Zelenska and the Queen Consort chose stylish trousers, which says a lot about the relevance of this wardrobe element.

"The pants of this model have a loose fit, which does not hinder movement and is comfortable for long negotiations. They are successfully combined with a blouse or shirt, as in the case of Olena, creating a stylish and businesslike look. It also looks good in a suit ensemble with a jacket, as in the image of Mary," emphasized Kristina Alekseichuk.

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The fashion expert's attention was also drawn to the choice of colors in the women's images. The Ukrainian woman paired a white blouse with black pants, while the Danish ruler wore a light suit. This indicates her friendly attitude.

"Representatives of states often choose light colors for important negotiations. They are associated with such positive qualities as softness, calmness, openness, and trust. White and any pastel colors create a trusting atmosphere and help to strengthen mutual understanding during a meeting, making it warmer. In Olena's case, the combination of light and dark in the image further emphasizes the woman's determination and strength," said the lecturer of the Style Academy.

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Olena Zelenska and Queen Mary, in her opinion, radiated confidence and professionalism, and the choice of palace pants gave the images a stylish and elegant look.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
While legislators in Springfield consider a bill that would prevent Chicago Public Schools from closing schools or making changes to its admissions policies through 2027, district officials have begun finalizing a budget they claim will benefit all of the districts schools  neighborhood and selective enrollment  in the upcoming school year.

The districts proposed budget for the 2024-25 school year will use a new method for distributing funds so that all of the citys more than 600 public schools will be guaranteed a minimum number of teachers in core subjects such as reading and math, as well as in arts and physical education, according to budget documents provided by CPS.

The new approach will protect the robustness of the citys strongest schools, while ensuring those in high-poverty areas arent starved of resources that helped produce recent academic gains, district CEO Pedro Martinez told the Tribune last week. But, with a $391 million deficit projected, something will have to give. And, central office expenses, such as vendor payments which surpassed $2.8 billion this school year as of March 15, according to CPS procurement data, are currently under review, Martinez said.

Its not easy to do, Martinez said, regarding cuts to district-level operating costs. But we made the decision to protect the schools, because this funding model we feel is much more equitable, much more transparent.

The new rubric also guarantees a minimum number of administrators and support staff, such as counselors, per school and establishes baseline ratios of various staff positions to students.

At schools where larger portions of the student population need access to additional resources, such as counseling or special education, CPS revamped funding model provides more discretionary funding per student and smaller ratios of educators to students in the building.

All high schools, for example, are assured a baseline ratio of, at most, 1 teacher for every 21 students in the building and $1,095 per student in discretionary funds. High schools demonstrating the greatest need are assured a ratio as low as 18 to 1.

The district will provide elementary schools a baseline of $365 per student in discretionary funds and a maximum ratio of 1 teacher for every 26 students. That decreases to as low as 1 teacher for every 22 students at elementary schools with the most need.

A schools degree of need is determined by what is called an Opportunity Index score. The score is based on a formula that includes a schools percentage of vulnerable students and community characteristics, including poverty and historical funding. Out of 60 possible points, larger scores demonstrate greater need. Scores across the district currently range from 14 to 52.

For every Opportunity Index point above 14, the district will increase a schools funding by $12 per student at elementary schools and $18 per student at high schools.

Of the districts more than 600 schools, 430 are also eligible for federal Title I funds, dedicated to schools with a high percentage of low-income students. Eligible schools will receive an additional $6 per student per point above a certain benchmark in the federal governments separate poverty index rubric.

Unapologetically, if a school is in a higher poverty community, theyre going to have smaller class sizes, theyre going to have some additional resources. It doesnt mean that its being taken away from another school, Martinez said, alluding to a flurry of misinformation that sparked fears a Dec. Board of Education resolution to shift focus to neighborhood schools would prompt selective enrollment school closures. That will not occur, officials have repeatedly said.

It does mean though, that at the central level, we have to really find these efficiencies. And it also means that we have to be committed to work together with our unions and our city to make sure we maximize our revenues, said Martinez, a CPS alumni who studied business and began his education career in school finance before becoming a superintendent in Nevada during the Great Recession in 2009. He was appointed CPS chief in 2021.

Over the past year, with federal pandemic emergency relief funds set to expire in Sept., CPS has been lobbying state legislators and the Governors office for more of the money that a 2017 state funding reform determined CPS and other high-need districts are owed.

Lobbying efforts have yet to decrease the deficit. But, Martinez said he remains optimistic, after CPS recently ranked first among 40 large urban districts in research conducted by Harvard and Stanford universities that measured 3-8 grade students reading scores on standardized tests, to gauge districts progress in recouping pandemic-era learning loss. In math, the Education Recovery Scorecard study ranked CPS 13th among 43 large urban districts.

Were showing people the evidence that its working, Martinez said of now-dwindling federal relief funds which he said allowed the district to adopt a new curriculum and smaller class sizes; hire approximately 2,000 teachers and thousands of paraprofessionals who work with students with disabilities; and fund preschool and afterschool programs.

Our district is showing significant academic growth at all levels, whether its elementary or high school, and were exposing our children to more enrichment than ever before, he said, adding that the districts alignment with the administration of former teacher Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Teachers Union, which funded his campaign, provides more opportunity than ever before to protect the recent investments and secure additional funding.

Theres more of a collaborative approach, Martinez said, adding that this year, the city provided CPS the largest amount of TIF surplus funds it has received in recent memory. Were having those conversations about, How do we continue that? What other opportunities exist, he said.

CPS could also see the size of the projected deficit grow, however. The projected deficit of $391 million doesnt account for the cost of collective bargaining agreements, which CPS is negotiating with the Chicago Teachers Union and Service Employees International Union Local 73, which represents crossing and security guards, special education classroom assistants and cafeteria workers.

As it stands, CPS proposed budget aims to provide a minimum of 10 core classroom teachers and three holistic teachers, providing art and physical education classes, at every school. Funding for a principal, assistant principal, clerk, counselor and part-time assistant is also assured at every school.

CPS will also fund increased positions based on the size and needs of the school.

For every five core classroom teachers, CPS will fund an additional holistic teacher. For every 600 students at elementary schools and every 500 students at high schools, CPS will fund an additional counselor. And at 430 district-run schools eligible for federal Title I funds, which are allocated to schools with a high percentage of low-income students, CPS will fund an interventionist teacher to work one-on-one and in small groups with students at risk of falling behind.

Families are seeing these investments in action. Theyre seeing the afterschool programs, theyre seeing the summer programming, theyre seeing teachers that are freed up to help children when they need help, Martinez said. Protecting those investments and, of course, the staff that are behind it, has really been our top priority.
Liam Perry, along with his siblings Aden and Bella, are leaning against a wall inside the new Perrys Bait & Tackle that will soon open on the Surfside Beach Pier.

Its Sunday, April 14, 2024, and people take advantage of the sunny day by being on the beach while others walk along the newly opened pier. A few people peek inside the window of the new shop.

The shop is an expansion of Perrys Bait & Tackle in Murrells Inlet, which has been a longtime staple in the inlet community.

Perrys Bait and Tackle, a staple of the Murrells Inlet community since 1954, is planning to second location on the Surfside Beach Pier. April 15, 2024. JASON LEE/JASON LEE

Both stores are owned by the Perry siblings, who are 17, 14 and 13, respectively. It was left to them by their mother, Jessica Hill Perry, who was tragically killed by her ex-husband and the childrens father in 2017.

The business is a legacy that the children want to carry on, not only for their mother, but to keep it in the Perry family, who first opened the bait and tackle shop in 1954.

New shop an addition to family-owned bait shop

The teens talk about the new Surfside Beach location, pointing out the T-shirts that will be for sale there and are currently on sale at the Murrells Inlet location.

Perrys Bait and Tackle, a staple of the Murrells Inlet community since 1954, is planning to second location on the Surfside Beach Pier. April 15, 2024. JASON LEE/JASON LEE

The family had hoped to have the bait shop opened by now, but setbacks that delayed the piers opening for 18 months also caused delays for the business.

The plan now is to have it open in the next few weeks. While there is paint on the walls, the ceiling needs to be finished and product moved into place. A small sign hangs on the outside of the shops window, letting people know that they are opening.

Terri Richardson/trichardson@thesunnews.com

Their daughter had talked from time to time about wanting to expand the bait shop, her father said. The family was able to fulfill one of her wishes, which was to turn an old house behind the Murrells Inlet bait shop into a vacation rental. The waterfront cottage is called the Murrells Inlet Fishing Lodge.

The Surfside Beach Pier location is just another extension for Perrys Bait & Tackle which marks 70 years this year.

Eventually it will all belong to the Perry siblings, who the family believes may be the only children who own a bait shop in South Carolina.

After Jessicas death, the bait shop was put into a conservatorship for the children.

Having something thats been in the family that long, its kind of almost surprising nowadays, Craig Doehner said.

Jessicas death devastated Murrells Inlet fishing community

Jessica Hill Perry was the face of Perrys Bait and Tackle for more than a decade, greeting customers and visitors with a beautiful smile and offering fishing advice to both new and longtime fishermen.

Jessica Hill - www.camo365.com

She bought the shop, painted a bright coastal blue and located on the waterfront on the MarshWalk, in 2006.

Surprisingly, Jessica didnt have great fishing knowledge when she decided to buy the business. Instead, her background was in chemistry and biology, having gone to school to be a pharmacist.

When she called her parents, Sharon and Craig Doehner, to tell them she wanted to buy a bait shop, We thought she said bake, Sharon Doehner said laughing. She had a good scientific mind on how to keep critters alive.

Craig Doehner said it was amazing how much she learned about fishing, especially since she hadnt fished much.

People would, some older people, would shy away from her at first, saying this young girl over here is not going to know anything about fishing, Craig Doehner said. But after a few minutes of talking to Jessica, even those who had fished all their lives would learn something, he said.

Jessica also learned how to tie rigs. She would sit with old timers to learn the art, said Corbett Doehner, Jessicas brother, who helps manage the bait shop.

People still come into the shop and help tie rigs.

Jessica was instrumental in having an artificial reef established in memory of her father-in-law. In 2010, the Winston Perry Memorial Reef was placed on the ocean floor at the Paradise Reef site located three miles east of the Murrells Inlet jetties. In 2019, her family dedicated the Jessica Perry Memorial Reef that was placed as part of the Pawleys Island Reef, located 5.5 nautical miles of the south jetty at Murrells Inlet.

Before she bought the bait shop, Jessica had worked there with her husband, Eric Perry, who she met when she moved to Murrells Inlet to wait tables so she could earn extra money. Perrys father Winston Perry founded Perrys Bait & Tackle.

Eventually the two divorced. Sharon Doehner has previously talked about how domestic violence played a role in the relationship, but it is unclear what may have caused Eric Perry to kill the 36-year-old on Sept. 29, 2017.

What is known is that after killing his ex-wife, Eric Perry set fire to the shop and was found operating a boat in the Murrells Inlet area with her body on board, according to investigators. Jessica Perry died from strangulation and head trauma.

Eric Perry was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder and arson in 2019.

Jessicas death left both her family and children, as well as the small fishing village, devastated and in mourning.

Perrys Bait and Tackle, a staple of the Murrells Inlet community since 1954, is planning to second location on the Surfside Beach Pier. April 15, 2024. JASON LEE/JASON LEE

Theyve been a blessing

Jessicas children basically grew up around the shop.

Her mother said that Jessica had a playpen and would often take the children to the shop. She always had a baby on her hip, her brother said.

Jessicas love for the water and fishing has transferred to her children. All of them fish, and Liam and Aden work part-time at the shop when they arent playing sports. Bella also wants to work there but is currently too young.

The children are looking forward to taking over the business, which will be handed over to them when they are old enough.

When asked if they have anything that reminds them of their mother, Liam is quick to answer, The shop.

But despite their plans to one day operate the business, the children also have their own career dreams. Liam, a senior at Waccamaw High School, has been accepted into the University of South Carolina where he will study math. Aden talks about being an engineer and Bella a teacher.

In the meantime, Craig and Sharon Doehner care for it, as well as the children.

The Doehners, who are 71 and 66, respectively, have had to shift their thoughts of retirement after raising three children to now managing three teenagers.

Its certainly not what we thought wed be doing in our retirement, Sharon Doehner said. But we have learned that God presents things to families and families stick together and we would not have it any other way.

We feel that weve made the right choice. Theyve never been a burden. Theyve been a blessing.

Perrys Bait and Tackle, a staple of the Murrells Inlet community since 1954, is planning to second location on the Surfside Beach Pier. April 15, 2024. JASON LEE/JASON LEE
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has criticised China for supporting Russia's defence industry, saying Beijing is currently the leading supplier of critical components for the war of aggression that Russia is waging against Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda; Antony Blinken at a press conference after a meeting of G7 Foreign Ministers; Reuters

Details: Blinken says these Chinese efforts are fuelling the greatest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War.

"When it comes to Russia's defence industrial base, the primary contributor in this moment to that is China. We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors, other dual use items that have helped Russia rebuild the defence industrial base," Blinken said.

He noted that Washington has made it very clear to Beijing and others that they must not help Russia in its military operations in Ukraine.

"China can't have it both ways. You want to have positive, friendly relations with countries in Europe, and at the same time, you are fuelling the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War," Blinken said.

The G7 foreign ministers and the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy noted in a communique that they intend to impose further sanctions against the Russian Federation and individuals and companies from third countries that are assisting Russia.

Earlier, Janet Yellen, Secretary of the US Treasury, said the United States has warned China of the consequences of its banks and companies assisting Russia in the war against Ukraine, and is also ready to respond with measures to a surge in cheap exports from China.

Blinken is reported to have told his EU and NATO counterparts that China is assisting Russia "at a concerning scale", providing tools and technology.

At the same time, the US sees no evidence that China is providing Russia with direct military support.

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Hackers linked to the Chinese government are waiting for the right moment to deal a devastating blow to U.S. critical infrastructure, FBI Director Christopher Wray said Thursday.

The Chinese hacking group known as Volt Typhoon has gained access to many American companies in critical sectors, including energy, water and more, Wray said during a speech at Vanderbilt University.

China has the ability to physically wreak havoc on our critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing, Wray said, first reported by Reuters.

The hackers have a plan to land low blows against civilian infrastructure to try to induce panic, he said.

Its difficult to know the intent of the preparation, but it was aligned with Chinas broader goal to stop the United States from defending Taiwan, Wray said.

A spokesperson from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said earlier this week that Volt Typhoon was not part of Chinas government but part of a criminal ransomware group. Security researchers with Microsoft and Google previously connected Volt Typhoon to China, Reuters noted.

Wray said the hackers have compromised personal computers and servers around the world to conceal their activities.

Nearly a year ago, Microsoft released a report that showed Volt Typhoon had been accessing credentials and network systems of critical infrastructure organizations in the U.S. Volt Typhoon has been active since mid-2021 and has targeted communications, manufacturing, utility, transportation, construction, maritime, government, information technology and education sectors.

Microsoft said the groups goal is to spy on organizations and gain access to their networks without being detected for as long as possible.

National Security Agency Director Gen. Timothy D. Haugh said at the event that China was securing access to the United Statess critical networks before a direct confrontation between the two countries would occur, The New York Times reported.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Renderings of twin homes from the proposed development at Mills Church in Minnetonka.

Ever since David Landt took over as lead pastor of Mills Church in Minnetonka nearly 20 years ago, congregation and community members have reached out to him as a last resort when they couldnt pay their rent or mortgage. Hes also seen the next generation of his congregation be priced out of the community they grew up in.

They cant afford anything here, he said.

Landt took in these pleas from his congregation, and considered that his church owned a big dinosaur of a building, a giant parking lot that never filled up, and a total five and a half acres of mostly unused land that could be used to house community members in need.

The church, with the help of Habitat for Humanity, hopes to build up to 10 homes  five sets of twin homes, similar to town homes  to sell to low-income families through Habitat for Humanitys home financing and subsidy programs.

But Landt and and other advocates for affordable housing in Minnetonka have repeatedly faced pushback from city staff, elected officials and neighbors who oppose the construction of multifamily housing at the church site.

The proposal does not conform to the citys comprehensive plan because its too dense. In order to move forward, the City Council must change the comprehensive plan to allow more density  and the Council takes cues from the city planners working on the project.

A recent no recommendation from city staff blindsided Landt and Chris Coleman, the former mayor of St. Paul who is now the president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Twin Cities, the developer of the project. They say meetings with city staff, in which the developers reduced the number of units and adjusted the aesthetics of the project, left the impression that city staff would support the revised plans.

City staff have consistently told Landt and Habitat for Humanity that the project does not conform to the comprehensive plan, said Julie Wischnack, community development director for the city of Minnetonka.

We went into this thinking that we had the support, we had the direction of the comp plan were asking for pretty moderate development, Coleman said. This is not a 3000-unit subdivision.

On Thursday night, the Minnetonka Planning Commission voted to uphold the staff recommendation. The City Council will ultimately decide on May 6 whether to change the comprehensive plan and zoning guidelines to allow the proposal to proceed, or whether to send it back to the drawing board.

Coleman and Landt say the fight to build less than a dozen homes is an example of how local governments use comprehensive plans and zoning rules to thwart new developments in Minnesota as the state faces a massive shortage of housing of all types.

The local conflict has reached the halls of the Capitol, where Landt, Coleman and Minnetonka City Council member Kimberly Wilburn have lobbied in favor of legislation that would restrict cities ability to block new housing developments.

That bill, which would have limited municipalities options for controlling new housing developments size and aesthetics, was sidelined earlier this year as it failed to get enough support.

In an editorial published in the Star Tribune, Minnetonka Mayor Brad Wiersum joined other suburban mayors in advocating against the zoning bills.

As we contemplate solutions to Minnesotas housing challenges, we must prioritize strategies that balance promoting development and preserving the unique character of our communities, the mayors wrote. This requires a nuanced approach that empowers local governments to make informed decisions tailored to their specific circumstances rather than imposing one-size-fits-all mandates from the state level.

Mills Church is located half a mile east of Highway 494, bordering four-lane Minnetonka Blvd. to the north and surrounded by single-family homes on the other three sides of the plot.

The area is currently zoned to allow up to 4 housing units per acre. The current proposal of 10 twin homes  whittled down from the initial plans for 12 townhomes  would put the development at 4.6 units per acre.

The developers could solve the density issue by reducing the number of units or by incorporating more available land into the project, Wischnack said.

Mills Church is offering* 2.2 acres of its land at a deep discount to Habitat for Humanity for the project, and isnt interested in adding more land to the deal simply because the city wont adjust the zoning from low to medium density, Landt said.

Every time, its like, do less, give more, do less, give more, do less, give more, and we just think thats ridiculous, Landt said. Youve got a good project, and adding more land doesnt change the project at all. Its still five twin homes.

*This article has been updated to reflect that the church land has not yet been sold.

The post Church, Habitat for Humanity fighting city of Minnetonka for new development appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
Bear Waite blows up an inflatable joint with his wife Michelle for the annual 4/20 celebration of cannabis on Hippie Hill at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, Calif. on Friday, April 20, 2018. Credit - Paul ChinnThe San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

For those who believe getting high on 4/20 is a spiritual experience, theres a church for you.

This year, a San Francisco Bay Area church is teaming up with a local merchants association and non-profit organizations to offer a safety net of services to cannabis users celebrating 4/20 after San Francisco canceled its official event.

The citys annual 4/20 event celebrating cannabis was nixed by the organizers and city officials due to reported economic constraints. In that absence, the groups will be providing water, medical aid, portable toilets, trash pickup and more on Hippie Hill in Golden Gate Park on Saturday, where thousands are expected to still gather.

The churchs pastor Dave Hodges, said in a statement that for cannabis devotees, the annual event is the equivalent of a religious pilgrimage.

We see this as a religious event, he said. Anybody who is going out to Hippie Hill on 4/20 to smoke a joint, theyre doing that religiously, whether or not they realize it.

The Church of Ambrosia describes itself on its website as a nondenominational, interfaith religious organization that supports the use and safe access of all Entheogenic Plants, with a focus on Cannabis and Magic Mushrooms.

The church in its statement said its efforts are aimed at ensuring the annual event will be safe.

The church said it, along with the Bay Area Psychedelic Network, will set up a booth to dispense thousands of bottles of water, and any donations received will go to that non-profit organization.

The Haight Ashbury Merchants Association, which represents businesses in the neighborhood, will provide 30-plus portable toilets using church donations, supplementing 10 provided by the city. The church also said it donated funds for a medic tent and is paying four medics who will have the medication Narcan available that can reverse opioid overdoses. Another group will provide drug testing strips.

Church officials and support staff will also wear T-shirts that say Stoner Safety, according to the church.

The Church of Ambrosia opened its first location in Oakland, across the Bay from San Francisco, in 2019, when the city decriminalized natural psychedelics, and gave out cannabis and psychedelics as sacrament.

The church sued the city of Oakland in 2022 over a police raid that seized money and drugs, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Hodges voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit in 2023, according to local news outlet Oaklandside.

The church opened its second location in San Francisco in 2023.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Irans missile and drone barrage against Israel last weekend turned out to be a spectacular failure, with nearly all of the projectiles failing to hit Israel, CIA Director William Burns said Thursday.

Speaking at an event at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Burns said that the thwarting of the missile and drone assault showed the strength of Israels military and that it had friends in the world, including the U.S. and other countries that helped, as well.

The Iranians fired off something like 330 drones and missiles combined, Burns said. Of those 330 missiles, only four or five actually impacted in Israel, and none of them did any significant damage.

Its a reminder of the quality of the Israeli military, he added. Its a reminder of the fact that the Israelis have friends starting with the United States, but others, as well.

Follow live updates on Israels reported strike on Iran

President Joe Biden and other senior U.S. officials hope tensions may ease slightly in the region but said Israel was still weighing how it would respond to Tehran.

The Israeli government, as we sit here this afternoon, is considering a response to what happened last Saturday night, Burns said.

I think the broad hope of the president and policymakers in the administration is that well find a way to de-escalate the situation, he said.

Ammunition shortages in Ukraine

Burns, a former career diplomat who was ambassador to Russia, said he had visited Ukraine about a month ago and heard firsthand from Ukrainian military officers about their critical ammunition shortages.

Burns said he was in Ukraine just days after Russian forces captured the town of Adiivka in eastern Ukraine.

I talked to one of the senior officers who was there, and he described it in pretty simple terms, Burns said. He said, We fought as long and as hard as we could, but the Russians just kept coming, and we ran out of ammunition.

He said a 2,000-strong Ukrainian brigade in the Adiivka battle tried to fend off Russians with a grand total of 15 artillery rounds a day and 42 mortar rounds.

They were overwhelmed, but it wasnt for lack of bravery or determination on their part, Burns said.

He said he feared there would be more battlefield losses in Ukraine unless Congress approved a long-delayed military aid package.

Sleepless night

Asked what kept him up at night, Burns mentioned the threat of terrorist attacks, the war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza and the risks posed to CIA employees around the world.

But he also recounted an experience that literally kept him up all night when he agreed to attend a training session for new CIA clandestine officers at the agencys training ground, known as The Farm, near Williamsburg, Virginia.

The overnight instructional course, which included members of the Armys elite Delta Force, featured a training exercise in which CIA colleagues had been taken hostage.

But no one told the trainees or the Delta Force commandos that the role player posing as a hostage for the exercise was Burns himself, who had been tied to a chair for the simulation, he said.

Its, like, 4:30 in the morning, and this exercise culminates with a hostage rescue mission by Delta group, Burns said. The Delta Force major who was commanding it had only been told that theres this simulated situation where there are some CIA officers with someone impersonating a senior CIA officer. Theyve been captured and theyre held hostage, Burns said.

So its worth the price of admission to see the look on the face of that young major as he came up the stairs in this hostage rescue effort and saw a real live CIA director tied to a chair, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
CIA Director: Ukraine could lose by the end of 2024 without aid

CIA Director William Burns delivered a warning message to lawmakers in DC, emphasizing the urgency of approving aid to Ukraine to prevent potential loss in the war against Russia.

This is really a question of whether or not our adversaries understand our reliability and determination, and whether our allies and partners understand that as well, he said.

Burns stressed that with military assistance, Ukraine could hold its ground through 2024, challenging Russias recent advances and potential upcoming summer offensive.

However, without this aid, he said there is a significant risk of Ukrainian defeat and the picture is a lot more dire.

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on April 13 that the front-line situation had "significantly deteriorated in recent days," as Russian troops gradually advance towards Chasiv Yar.

According to Burns, if Congress does not approve funding, it could put Putin in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement.

Burns comments come as the U.S. House is set to vote on a series of foreign aid bills on April 20. The legislation, if passed, will allocate $61 billion to Ukraine - mostly in the form of defense support. Also, the bill includes a provision about the Biden administration transferring long-range ATACMS missiles to Ukraine as soon as practicable.

Read also: Speaker Johnson: US House to vote on $61 billion Ukraine aid bill on April 20

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The intention to gain control over Ferrexpos assets in Ukraine can motivate the security forces actions against the international company.

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Economist Borys Kushniruk writes about this in his blog on Censor.net.

"What's happening with Ferrexpo - numerous criminal cases, absurd claims, wild amounts of bail - is not a unique case for Ukraine. Despite all the scandals and promises of the current government, the pressure of the security forces on the remaining businesses in the warring country continues to increase. It was as if there had been no assurances from the top officials of the state, who pretended to understand that Ukraine must rely on its own strength. In particular, in ensuring the stable operation of domestic enterprises that finance the budget and, ultimately, the Armed Forces with taxes," the economic expert says.

In his opinion, the example of Ferrexpo is interesting because the security forces are destroying one of the largest Ukrainian corporations, whose shares are traded on the London Stock Exchange, in order to either establish control over it or force its owners to "share" their profits.

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At the same time, Borys Kushniruk notes that Ferrexpo continues to operate in Ukraine, develop its facilities and pay taxes.

"Recently, the company announced the launch of new production facilities worth $80 million and announced its intention to electrify its open pit fleet. Such actions during the war and government pressure indicate that the owners may have more faith in Ukraine than its leaders," the economist says.

Nevertheless, according to the expert, the company's shares have been declining lately, as the stock market reacts to the state's actions against the company.

"The fact that Ferrexpo's share price drop is due to the actions of the security forces, not to the company's internal problems, is Polischinel's secret for Western investors. However, Western governments, unlike the Ukrainian one, take business into account. And when our security forces, in the interests of the government, are "degreasing" not only Zhevaho, but, for example, one of the world's largest investment corporations, BlackRock, and others, it is no wonder why Ukraine has problems getting aid from the United States," the economic expert believes.

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He reminds that by persecuting Ferrexpo, the authorities are destroying a business that has invested $3.5 billion in Ukraine, an amount equal to three tranches of the International Monetary Fund. According to Kushniruk, this money would be a significant support for the budget of the country at war.

However, according to him, it is more important for the authorities to gain control over the company's assets than to allow it to operate and replenish the budget.

"They had enough economic liberalism for the first few months of the war, when it was really scary. As soon as the Russians were driven away from Kyiv, nature took its course. The actions against Ferrexpo are virtually identical to all the other similar cases mentioned above. And the goal is the same: either to pay or to hand over the assets. Moreover, Zhevaho himself confirmed that he had been extorted for dropping the criminal prosecution. I wonder if they thought to write a letter with demands BlackRock as well," the expert writes.

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According to Borys Kushniruk, the current government is acting in the worst traditions of its predecessors, putting pressure on "decent businesses that attract investments and pay taxes in good faith."
Resources are available to aid with cleanup following the EF1 tornado that tore through Bucyrus Wednesday.

Resources include:

The City of Bucyrus Compost Site, 1500 W. Southern Ave., will be open to city residents only throughout the weekend, operating 24/7.

Cleanup crews will begin picking up fallen trees and limbs starting Monday. Residents are encouraged to place trees and limbs in tree lawns.

Bottled water will be distributed to residents affected by the tornado. Call 419-562-6767, Ext. 221, with name and address, and a member of the team will deliver a case of water. The water was donated by UTLX (Union Tank Car) out of Marion.

The City of Bucyrus is offering resources in the cleanup effort following Wednesday's tornado damage.

Mayor Bruce Truka expressed gratitude to city employees, including those in the police and fire departments, service, water distribution and wastewater treatment plant, for their swift response and dedication to cleaning up after the storm. He commended the citizens for their willingness to join in the cleanup efforts.

The mayor extended gratitude to AEP for its efforts to swiftly and safely restore power to residents Wednesday evening.

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Storm damage cleanup efforts continue in Bucyrus following tornado
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A bill that would add civil penalties to violations of the states child pornography laws is headed for a conference committee after both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly could not agree on language for the measure.

Brought in the House by Rep. Jody Barrett (R-Dickson), the bill would add a right of action in civil court to the already codified criminal consequences of producing, selling, sending or distributing obscene materialsspecifically child pornographyin violation of state law.

Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

According to Barrett, the intent of the bill is to add another tool into the toolbox for the discouragement of the creation or spread of child pornography.

My bill allows parents and any individual to sue someone who publishes material on a website to make them remove it, he said during a February committee meeting. Most of it is already illegal, but prosecutors cant go after every offender.

By having this law on the books, Barrett said everyday citizens can help law enforcement and parents get that material removed from the internet.

But the Senate added an amendment in the Judiciary Committee, changing the bill to only apply to those convicted of violating the obscenity law.

Nashville man arrested for having child porn on cellphone

That difference remains between the House and Senate versions.

Both chambers have stuck to their guns, with both chambers refusing to adopt the others version. The Senate refused to recede from its amended version Thursday, April 18. The House also refused to recede from its non-concurrence, sending the bill to a conference committee.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) appointed Reps. Barrett, Chris Todd (R-Madison County), Kip Capley (R-Summertown), Clay Doggett (R-Pulaski) and Bob Freeman (D-Nashville) as the committee members from that chamber.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally had not announced his picks for committee as of 4 p.m. Thursday.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The measure is one of three that have been sent to conference committee this legislative session. Lawmakers also sent a bill on prohibiting coercion for child vaccinations and the states large franchise and excise tax cut bill to conference committee after the chambers could not agree on which version to adopt.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
About That Claim US Supreme Court 'Effectively Abolished' the Right To Protest in 3 States

A police officer was severely injured when a protester threw a projectile during a 2016 Black Lives Matter protest in Baton Rouge. The officer sued the protest's organizer, DeRay McKesson, for damages.

Mckesson argued that the officer's lawsuit violated his First Amendment rights, since he didn't explicitly encourage violence. However, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, with jurisdiction over Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, let the lawsuit proceed.

Mckesson appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to accept the case because its own ruling in 2023 already reaffirmed that under the First Amendment, a lawsuit must show active intent, not just negligent behavior. In refusing to hear the case, the Supreme Court also allowed the lawsuit to proceed.

Headlines and online chatter about the Supreme Court's decision claimed the idea that organizers in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi can be sued for the actions of protesters "effectively abolishes" protests in those states. This is misleading.

The First Amendment still protects the right to assembly, and any lawsuit brought against a protest organizer would have to clear the hurdle of decisively proving direct intent to cause harm.

On April 15, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would not hear the case Mckesson v. Doe, which centered around First Amendment protections for political-protest organizers. The left-leaning media outlet Vox quickly published a story with the headline, "The Supreme Court effectively abolishes the right to mass protest in three US states." By the end of the day, posts spread across social media echoing the claim that residents of Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi could no longer engage in mass protest due to the court's decision.

(@themeteor / X)

But this is incredibly misleading. By Snopes' reading of the legal documents involved in the case, supported by a news release from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Supreme Court decided not to hear the case because there is already substantial precedent upholding the First Amendment rights of protesters, and it would be unnecessary to reiterate them.

What Is Mckesson v. Doe?

The case in question started in 2016 after two police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, shot and killed a Black man, Alton Sterling. Protests soon followed. Civil rights activist DeRay Mckesson organized one of those. At that protest, someone threw a rock or a piece of concrete at a police officer and seriously injured him. Everyone involved in the case agreed that Mckesson did not throw the rock, but nobody could identify who did.

So the police officer, under the pseudonym "John Doe," sued Mckesson and the Black Lives Matter movement for damages, claiming that Mckesson had "negligently staged the protest in a manner that caused the assault."

A federal district court judge dismissed the suit based on the First Amendment, which protects the right to peaceful protest and assembly. But the plaintiff appealed. Eventually, the case arrived at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over the law in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. That court is widely considered to be one of the most conservative in the nation.

That court decided that Mckesson was not protected by the First Amendment and the lawsuit against him could continue. Mckesson, backed by the ACLU, appealed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court on First Amendment grounds. Much of his argument was based on a 1980s Supreme Court decision, NAACP v. Claiborne.

What Is NAACP v. Claiborne?

In that case, members of NAACP in Claiborne County, Mississippi, decided at a 1966 meeting to begin a boycott of white-owned businesses. While the extended protest proved mostly peaceful, occasional threats and acts of violence occurred. So, in 1969, business owners sued the NAACP for damages caused during the boycott, including the loss of business. The case proceeded up to the Supreme Court. Here's the key question the Court had to answer, as summarized by Oyez, the most comprehensive resource for Supreme Court cases online:

Are the nonviolent elements of the petitioners' activities entitled to the protection of the First Amendment? (1) If so, is a protest liable in damages caused by the nonviolent, protected activity?

The Supreme Court decided unanimously that yes, the nonviolent elements were protected by the First Amendment, and that no, the protest was not liable in damages caused by the nonviolent, protected activity.

Essentially, what this decision said is that organizers of protests cannot reasonably control every individual action taken over the course of protests. As such, unless there is specific proof that the organizers of the protest directly advocated for violent activity (the exact wording used was "authorized, directed, or ratified" the activity), the suit has no legal merit.

Mckesson claimed that under the precedent set by NAACP v. Claiborne, the suit against him was also invalid, because he did not authorize or direct the unidentified protester who threw the rock at John Doe to do so. What was the 5th Circuit Court's reason for deciding otherwise?

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals

First, it is important to note that this was a split decision. Only two of the three judges who heard the case sided with Doe. Those two judges held that Doe could sue Mckesson for damages because it was, in fact, reasonable to assume that the protest would turn violent. Why? According to the decision itself:

We held that Doe had plausibly alleged that Mckesson organized and led the protest in an unreasonably dangerous manner, in breach of his duty to avoid creating circumstances in which it is foreseeable that another will be injured. In other words, arranging the protest as he did, it is plausible that Mckesson knew or should have known that the police would be forced to respond to the demonstration, that the protest would turn violent, and that someone might be injured as a result.

Okay, but what specifically did Mckesson do in leading the protest that created the dangerous situation?

Mckesson directed the protest at all times, and when demonstrators looted a grocery store for water bottles to throw at the assembled police officers, he did nothing to try to discourage this, even though he remained in charge. After that, Mckesson personally attempted to lead protesters onto a local interstate to obstruct traffic, a crime under Louisiana law.

The dissenting judge, Don J. Willett, disagreed that McKesson could be held liable:

Under Claiborne, Mckesson cannot be liable for violence unless he encouraged violence. It is not enough that he encouraged or committed unlawful-but-nonviolent actions that preceded violence.

Willett also noted that he had further concerns about how loosely his fellow circuit court judges were playing with First Amendment rights:

To spell it out, I am concerned that those who oppose a social or political movement might view instigating violence (or feigning injury) during that movement's protests as a path toward suppressing the protest leader's speechand thus the movement itself. And even putting that risk aside, large protestsjust like large concerts and large sporting eventstend to attract people looking for trouble. You might even say that violence is nearly always foreseeable when an organizer takes specific action by putting together a large-enough event. But if you do, it is hard to accept the majority's theory.

This is likely where the original framing of Vox's article came from: the idea that under the court's decision, it would become legally dangerous for a person or group in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi to organize a protest, since a person injured at a protest had now been given a green light to sue a protest organizer for damages. Following that logic, the Supreme Court's decision to not consider this case, which could have set a precedent nationwide had the court decided to hear it, effectively "banned" organizing mass protests in the three states covered by the decision.

But even the judges on the 5th Circuit Court who allowed the suit to happen added a major caveat: The decision allowed John Doe to go ahead with suing Mckesson, but it did not predetermine that John Doe would be successful in suing Mckesson. That process would occur back down in a lower court. And in the lower court, the Supreme Court's statement on why it declined to hear the case, written by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, should come into play.

Sotomayor's Statement

First, Sotomayor's statement does not say one way or another whether the court agrees with the findings of the 5th Circuit, nor about Mckesson's First Amendment argument:

Because this Court may deny certiorari for many reasons, including that the law is not in need of further clarification, its denial today expresses no view about the merits of Mckesson's claim.

Or, in plain English, "the law here is so clear that we do not need to consider it, and our time is better spent elsewhere."

Sotomayor cites Counterman v. Colorado, decided in 2023, as sufficient precedent for explaining why. Although the exact details of that First Amendment case are interesting, for the sake of brevity, we can simply review Sotomayor's concise description of its finding:

In Counterman, the Court made clear that the First Amendment bars the use of "an objective standard" like negligence for punishing speech, and it read Claiborne and other incitement cases as "demand[ing] a showing of intent."

Based on Sotomayor's wording, Doe's lawsuit must successfully prove more than just passive negligence on behalf of Mckesson  Doe will have to prove that Mckesson had a direct intent. And the pure facts of the events in Baton Rouge do nothing to help Doe's case.

Although they were disappointed by the high court's decision to not review the case, the ACLU and DeRay Mckesson agreed that the Supreme Court had not thereby effectively banned the right to assembly. A quote from the ACLU's news release neatly sums the situation up.

"After today's news, people should not be afraid that they'll face a ruinous lawsuit if they exercise their rights to protest. The Court just last year affirmed that negligence can never be the governing standard when it comes to speech, and Justice Sotomayor suggests it simply didn't need to say so again here," said Vera Eidelman, staff attorney with the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology Project.

Sources:

"ACLU Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Decline to Hear Case on Protestors' Rights." American Civil Liberties Union, https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-statement-on-supreme-court-decision-to-decline-to-hear-case-on-protestors-rights. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

"Counterman v. Colorado." Oyez, www.oyez.org/cases/2022/22-138. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

"Court Declines to Intervene in Lawsuit against Black Lives Matter Organizer." SCOTUSblog, 15 Apr. 2024, https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/04/court-declines-to-intervene-in-lawsuit-against-black-lives-matter-organizer/.

Elrod, Jennifer, and Don Willett. Doe v. Mckesson, Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/17/17-30864-CV4.pdf.

Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/themeteor/p/C51BOgTsuOJ/?img_index=1. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

"Mckesson v. Doe." SCOTUSblog, https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/mckesson-v-doe-3/. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

McNeill, Zane. "SCOTUS Declines to Review First Amendment Mass Protest Rights Case." Truthout, 16 Apr. 2024, https://truthout.org/articles/scotus-declines-to-review-first-amendment-mass-protest-rights-case/.

Millhiser, Ian. "A New Supreme Court Case Threatens to Take Away Your Right to Protest." Vox, 24 Jan. 2024, https://www.vox.com/scotus/2024/1/24/24042823/supreme-court-protest-mckesson-doe-fifth-circuit-first-amendment.

---. "The Supreme Court Effectively Abolishes the Right to Mass Protest in Three US States." Vox, 15 Apr. 2024, https://www.vox.com/scotus/24080080/supreme-court-mckesson-doe-first-amendment-protest-black-lives-matter.

"National Association for the Advancement of Colored People v. Claiborne Hardware Company." Oyez, www.oyez.org/cases/1981/81-202. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

Sotomayor, Sonia. ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT No. 23373. Supreme Court of the United States, https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-373_8njq.pdf.

Tensley, Brandon. "Supreme Court's Blow to Right to Protest Is Another Attack on Black Political Power." Capital B News, 15 Apr. 2024, http://capitalbnews.org/mississippi-black-voters-scotus-mass-protest/.

TikTok - Make Your Day. https://www.tiktok.com/@julesbonss/video/7358164409480498478. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.

Wolmendorf, Rebecca. Counterman v. Colorado. Supreme Court Decision, No. 22138., Supreme Court of the United States, https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/600us1r51_g3bi.pdf.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Happy Friday, Utah! As we round out the workweek, a weak system will brush the Beehive State.

The bottom line? Today will bring quiet skies throughout most of the state with slightly warmer temperatures statewide.

For most, this will just mean a few more clouds than today, however, in central and southern Utah, mainly near I-70, a few pop-up showers look to be possible during the afternoon. Temperatures will begin a warming trend as most will see a high about five degrees warmer than this afternoon.

That will be good enough to see the Wasatch Front reach the low and mid-60s while Park City will get into the mid-50s. In southern Utah, well see a few spots reach the 70s while some in southernmost Utah like St. George reaches the 80s yet again.

High pressure will build in as we go through the weekend resulting in calm skies sticking around while temperatures continue to warm. By Sunday we could be looking at highs in the mid-70s along the Wasatch Front, near 60 in Park City, and we could get close to 90 in St. George!

The above-average warmth and mostly quiet pattern looks to persist through the first half of next week with some subtle changes before bigger changes could arrive by the end of next week.

The beautiful spring weather comes with a cost for allergy sufferers. Pollen counts are in the extreme category this week with the main culprit being tree pollen, and any tiny bit of wind easily spreads those pollens. We dont have a chance of wet weather, which would suppress pollen impacts, until late next week.

Stay up-to-date on our 4Warn Weather forecast both on-air and online, we are Good4Utah!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Numerous agencies worked a statewide illegal fish arcade crackdown operation this week that totaled 800 charges, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police confirmed Friday.

The raids took place in Charlotte, Raleigh, Gastonia, and Matthews.

On Wednesday, April 17, CMPD detectives executed search warrants at two locations related to illegal gambling in Charlotte: the 4800 block of Albemarle Road and the 5000 block of Providence Road. Detectives seized 117 gambling stations, approximately $18,000 in cash and two firearms. Two arrests were made that included Khalil Okasha, 50, on gambling warrants related to the investigation, and Antwan Webb, 38, for providing unlicensed armed security.

CMPD assisted officers and agents from North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Matthews Police Department, Gastonia Police Department, Gaston County Police Department, and the Ranlo Police Department.

Gastonia woman charged for operating illegal gambling operations

The agency said 888 Arcade Gastonia on 1375 Bessemer City Road, City Arcade at 9201 E. Independence in Matthews, and 2501 Wilmont Drive in Gastonia were among the raided locations. An arcade in Raleigh was also involved.

Law enforcement identified members of one Gastonia family in the warrants. Additional warrants have been issued for the following individuals however, they have not yet been served.

Nina Nashar of Gastonia, 29

Nicole Nashar of Gastonia, 27

Hani Nashar of Charlotte

Haissam Nashar of Gastonia, 57

Valarie Nashar of Gastonia, 54

Lillian Nashar of Gastonia, 22

Adam Nashar of Gastonia, 18

All face charges for illegal gambling, conducting and promoting a sweepstakes business, continuing criminal enterprise, and possession, storage, and operation of video gambling machines.

Two other men face charges from the investigation arrests. Bessemer City resident Ethan Phonphet, 21, faces charges of unauthorized possession of spiritous liquor, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, and possession of Marijuana. Sanford resident Michael Johnson, 45, was arrested and charged with unauthorized possession of spiritous liquor.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

The investigation produced a total of 496 charges in Mecklenburg County and 304 charges in Gastonia.

These fish arcades and other illegal gambling locations are havens for criminal activity, CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings said. Often the most vulnerable members of our communities are targeted to gamble at these locations. We are very thankful for our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to help us send a message that we will not tolerate these establishments preying on our citizens.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
CMPD: Dog shot, killed by officer after being aggressive during robbery investigation

A dog was shot and killed, during a robbery investigation on Thursday, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

MORE: Officer shoots, kills suspects dog while serving warrants, CMPD says

Just before 6 a.m., officers were called to a business that had been broken into on West Boulevard.

During their investigation of the break-in, multiple dogs that were not tied up were in the street outside of the building.

Police say one dog was being aggressive and charged at an officer, who fired their gun, shooting and killing the dog.

The suspect locked himself in a back room of the building, CMPD says.

Police were able to get into the building and arrest 32-year-old Terrance Davis, charging him with felony breaking and entering and resisting arrest.

Officials say the departments internal affairs bureau is investigating the shot fired by the officer.

Details are limited at this time.

This is a developing story; check back at wsoctv.com for updates.

(WATCH BELOW: VIDEO: Several arrested, cars seized after street takeovers in Hickory)












Watch Ed Lendermans report on the ballot measure for KUSI in the video player above.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A coalition backed by retailers like Walmart and Target announced Thursday it has collected enough signatures to put a ballot measure before California voters this November to enhance criminal penalties for shoplifting and drug dealing.

Californians for Safer Communities, a bipartisan group made up of law enforcement, elected officials and businesses, said it has collected more than 900,000 signatures in support of the measure to roll back parts of Proposition 47. The progressive ballot measure approved by 60% of state voters in 2014 reduced certain theft and drug possession offenses from felonies to misdemeanors to help address overcrowding in jails.

In recent years, Proposition 47 has become the focus of critics who say California is too lax on crime. Videos of large-scale thefts, in which groups of individuals brazenly rush into stores and take goods in plain sight, have often gone viral. The California Retailers Association said its challenging to quantify the issue in California because many stores dont share their data.

Crime data shows the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles saw a steady increase in shoplifting between 2021 and 2022, according to a study by the non-partisan Public Policy Institute of California. Across the state, shoplifting rates rose during the same time period but were still lower than the pre-pandemic levels in 2019, while commercial burglaries and robberies have become more prevalent in urban counties, the study says.

The ballot measure would create harsher penalties for repeat shoplifters and fentanyl dealers. Shoplifters would be charged with a felony, regardless of the amount stolen, if they have at least two prior theft convictions. It also would create a new drug court treatment program for those with multiple drug possession convictions, among other things. More than 800 people died from fentanyl overdoses in San Francisco last year, a record for the city.

Californias approach to crime is poised to be a major political issue in Novembers election. Beyond the ballot measure, Democratic San Francisco Mayor London Breed faces a tough reelection bid against competitors who say shes allowed the city to spiral out of control. Meanwhile, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price faces a recall election, and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon faces a challenger who has criticized his progressive approach to crime and punishment.

Top Democratic state leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, have repeatedly shut down calls to repeal Proposition 47. Newsom argued California already has tools to sufficiently go after criminals and urged lawmakers to bolster existing laws and go after motor vehicle thefts and resellers of stolen merchandise. Lawmakers have introduced a slew of bills aiming to tackle retail theft and online resellers.

The ballot measure campaign, which has raised at least $5.4 million as of early April, is mostly funded by large retailers. It has received $2.5 million from Walmart, $1 million from Home Depot and $500,000 from Target. The measure also has support from district attorneys and more than 30 local elected officials  including Breed and San Joses Democratic mayor.

Lana Negrete, vice mayor of Santa Monica and a business owner, said shes considering closing down her familys two music stores in the area after nine smash-and-grabs in the last four years. Negrete, a Democrat, said she voted for Proposition 47 and supported its progressive approach, but the measure has allowed for some criminals to skirt punishments while businesses are hurting.

Nobodys being held accountable, Negrete said. Weve been robbed by the same person more than once, and that person, under the current structure and criminal justice system now, is walking the streets free.

Her 52-year-old family business has lost more than $300,000 in merchandise loss and building repairs in the last few years, Negrete said. Some have advised Negrete start hiring armed security.

We teach music lessons to children, I dont need to have a guard in front of my store, she said. Thats not how it was when we started this business, and its sad to see it go that way.

County and state officials must now verify the signatures before the measure is officially placed on the ballot. The ballot measure campaign needs at least 546,651 signatures to qualify for the November ballot.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A Colerain High School has been accused of assaulting and hospitalizing a 60-year-old teacher. Prosecutors are seeking to try him as an adult.

The Colerain High School student accused of assaulting his teacher is scheduled to appear in court Friday on a path to be potentially tried as an adult.

The 15-year-old was charged with both felony- and misdemeanor-level assault after the Jan. 4 incident.

Police said the 60-year-old teacher suffered a severe brain injury requiring extensive medical treatment during the attack. Investigators said another student was injured as well.

The teen's lawyer, Clyde Bennett, said his client had unknowingly consumed drugs just before the attack and that the drugs prompted a change in his behavior. Someone had given the boy a vape, Bennett said.

The teen has no prior criminal record, and Bennett said he has shown significant remorse for the "isolated incident." The lawyer said he thinks the aggressive prosecution of the teen is happening for political reasons.

Friday's hearing before Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge Stacey DeGraffenreid is scheduled for 10 a.m. The hearing is being held to determine if there is probable cause to continue proceedings. The facts of the case will be discussed and argued.

If DeGraffenreid determines probable cause has been met, another hearing will be scheduled to determine whether the case should be transferred to adult court.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Colerain student accused of assaulting 60-year-old teacher scheduled for court Friday
ATHENS, WV (WVNS)  Substance use disorder is a reality for many across the nation.

To fight the stigma and help those with a substance use disorder start recovery, the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network hosted a special event at Concord University.

On April 18th, vendors were lined up around the ballroom in the student center providing resources and support to Concord University students.

From door prizes to games, this event provided students a space to relax and learn more about substance use disorder.

The sad reality is that many struggle with this disorder, but Collegiate Recovery Day is a time to support and help those in need.

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Rachel Jenelle, Peer Recovery Support Specialist for the West Virginia Collegiate Recovery Network, says she wants people to leave this event knowing help is there.

We want people to leave here feeling empowered and knowing that they are a part of an inclusive and caring environment and community. We want people to know that recovery is possible and we can help you through it, said Jenelle.

Behind the scenes of this event, many students were volunteering their time to make it possible.

Amber Edwards, Volunteer at Collegiate Recovery Day, says volunteering shows others the meaning behind the event.

I love volunteering. I feel like volunteering helps the community to see like oh, these people are really concerned about the issue. Especially during Collegiate Recovery Day. We have so much stuff here and so much information available for everyone. [I]f they do show up, they gain something from it, said Edwards to 59News.

Many students stopped by this event. When recovery seems unlikely, its important to know that you are not alone.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
DENVER (KDVR)  Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is rallying his administration for an all-government response to save the lives of babies threatened by syphilis and congenital syphilis cases.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a public health order Thursday declaring the epidemic and expanding testing opportunities for pregnant individuals. The health order says that the infection is preventable through timely testing and treatment during pregnancy and now requires healthcare providers to offer syphilis testing:

During the first and third trimester of pregnancy

At delivery

When there is a fetal death after 20 weeks of gestation

At correctional facilities

When a patient who is pregnant presents to urgent care during the before-mentioned intervals.

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Syphilis was once a rare disease, Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the state health department, said in a release. We are very concerned about this growing epidemic, both in the state and nationally. It is devastating for babies, but there is an effective treatment if caught in utero. The public health order that I am issuing will help us catch more of these cases prior to birth.

Rates of congenital syphilis and syphilis on the rise

Congenital syphilis is caused by the transmission of a syphilis infection from a mother to her fetus. It can cause the babys death, in addition to a wide array of severe health conditions like bone deformities, severe anemia or brain and nerve problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC reports that 40% of babies with untreated congenital syphilis may be stillborn or die from the infection.

Colorado reported that from 2018 to 2023, congenital syphilis cases increased more than seven times in the state, from seven cases in 2018 to 50 cases in 2023.

So far this year, the state has received 25 reports of congenital syphilis cases, including five stillbirths and two neonatal deaths.

All expecting parents hope for the same thing  a healthy and happy baby. This statewide, coordinated response will help provide more consistent testing and care for those who are pregnant to help save lives and protect public health, Polis said in his announcement.

Common symptoms include fever, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, patchy hair loss, headaches, weight loss, muscle aches and fatigue, according to the CDC.

Suncor sues Colorado water quality control, alleges inconsistent, arbitrary permit terms

Polis called on CDPHE to facilitate coordination between the Behavioral Health Administration, Department of Local Affairs, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, Department of Human Services, Department of Corrections, Department of Public Safety and Department of Regulatory Agencies to collaborate even more in the face of an epidemic.

This increase in testing will be covered for Coloradans with Medicaid through Health First Colorado, according to Polis, which the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing administers.

An aggressive and coordinated all-state response is appropriate at this stage of the epidemic, said Scott Bookman, senior director for Public Health Readiness and Response at CDPHE. Testing and immediate treatment are available at little or no cost. Our goal now is to get those services to Coloradans who need them as quickly as possible.

Colorado state agencies taking action

CDPHE was directed to assist health care and correctional facilities and laboratories through technical support and staffing for an after-hours line for urgent needs.

The agency was also directed to continue to meet with providers, public health partners and other community groups to talk with them about syphilis and congenital syphilis, strategies to reduce cases and available resources.

The Department of Corrections was instructed to ensure testing upon entry into the DOC for those who are pregnant in their care, as well as in the inmates third trimester and postpartum, through the Denver Reception and Diagnostic Center.

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The Department of Public Safety will be the communication link between CDPHE and sheriffs and local governments who operate jails and is also working with sheriffs to support their testing programs.

The Division of Insurance was instructed to ensure that, per the Affordable Care Act, testing for syphilis is covered without co-pays for most Coloradans with commercial insurance.

The Department of Human Services plans to work with health care providers to ensure understanding of the public health order, in addition to ensuring recommended testing is offered and Coloradans are educated about the importance of testing and treatment for syphilis.

National syphilis rates also skyrocket

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued new guidance on Thursday saying the screening should be done at the first prenatal visit, during the third trimester and at birth. Though the screening isnt required, health professionals generally follow the groups recommendations.

The cases of congenital syphilis are definitely climbing, and theyve been climbing over the last 10 years. And its completely preventable  Its unacceptable, said Dr. Laura Riley, who chairs the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine and helped with the guidance. We need to be able to do better diagnostics and treatment.

Infections during pregnancy are generally treated with at least two doses of penicillin.

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Earlier this year, the CDC said more than 3,700 babies were born with congenital syphilis in 2022, the most in more than 30 years. U.S. health officials called for stepping up prevention, including screening with a blood test.

In its advisory, the obstetrics and gynecology group said CDC statistics show nearly 9 in 10 congenital syphilis cases that year could have been prevented with timely screening and treatment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
On the morning of April 19, a Tu-22M3 strategic bomber-carrier crashed in Russia's Stavropol region. The crash occurred in the wake of a Russian missile attack on Ukraine, and it is believed that the plane was hit by the Defense Forces.

ADVERTISIMENT

The crash was reported by local public media, publishing photos. The Russian authorities claim that the pilots survived, and there are no injuries or casualties.

"Two pilots from the plane that crashed in Stavropol have been found, they are alive," Governor Vladimir Vladimirov said.

According to monitoring channels, it was a Tu-22M3 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces that launched X-22 cruise missiles at the southern regions of Ukraine at night. It is possible that it was hit by the Ukrainian military.

"This is the first strategic aviation aircraft to be hit by Ukraine in the air during the full-scale invasion," the Telegram channel Monitor wrote.

ADVERTISIMENT

Later, a video showing the moment the plane crashed over the Stavropol Territory was posted online.
More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters at Columbia University were arrested Thursday afternoon and an on-campus tent encampment was removed after the school's president gave the New York Police Department the green light to clear the protesters, officials said.

The demonstrators had occupied Columbia's south lawn for over 30 hours "in violation of the university's rules" and did not leave despite "numerous warnings," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.

Columbia President Nemat "Minouche" Shafik announced in a letter to the Columbia community Thursday that she has authorized the New York Police Department to clear demonstrators from campus, writing, "This morning, I had to make a decision that I hoped would never be necessary."

"I regret that all of these attempts to resolve the situation were rejected by the students involved. As a result, NYPD officers are now on campus and the process of clearing the encampment is underway," Shafik said.

She added, "I have always said that the safety of our community was my top priority and that we needed to preserve an environment where everyone could learn in a supportive context."

Columbia also released a letter to the NYPD authorizing the action.

Around 1:30 p.m. ET, police moved in and arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters, placing their hands in zip ties and escorting them to buses. Other protesters chanted "Shame!" and "Let them go."

Some 108 people were arrested for trespass without incident, officials said. Among those, two were also arrested for obstruction of governmental administration, officials said.

"Students have the right to free speech but do not have the right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus," Adams told reporters during a press briefing Thursday evening.

Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar, was among those arrested for trespass and will be getting a summons, officials said.

Earlier Thursday, Hirsi said she was among several students suspended from Columbia University for participating in pro-Palestinian protests -- a development that emerged a day after her mother and other members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce grilled the school's president about growing antisemitism on the campus.

Hirsi, the daughter of the Minnesota representative, one of three Muslims in Congress, said on the social media platform X that she was one of three students suspended by the Ivy League college due to her involvement in the protests.

Hirsi, who described herself as an organizer for the Columbia University Apartheid Divest, a coalition of campus student organizations, said in a post on X that in her three years at Barnard College, one of four Columbia undergraduate colleges, "I have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings."

PHOTO: Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters demonstrate at Columbia University on April 18, 2024. (WABC)

"I just received notice that i am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide," Hirsi wrote in a series of posts on X.

i'm an organizer with CU Apartheid Divest @ColumbiaSJP, in my 3 years at @BarnardCollege i have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings i just received notice that i am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide.  isra hirsi (@israhirsi) April 18, 2024

In another post, she wrote, "those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated. we will stand resolute until our demands are met."

The Apartheid Divest coalition, according to its website, is demanding the university "divest its stocks, funds, and endowment from companies that profit from the State of Israel's violations of international law and Palestinian human rights through its ongoing system of settler colonialism, military occupation, and apartheid."

Columbia University did not immediately respond to ABC News' requests for comment.

MORE: US, Israeli officials to hold high-level meeting on Rafah plans

Protesters opposed to Israel's war in Gaza continued demonstrating on campus Thursday, including some who have set up a tent encampment on the South Lawn of the upper Manhattan campus.

PHOTO: Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters demonstrate at Columbia University on April 18, 2024. (WABC)

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The demonstrations at Columbia also included pro-Israel supporters, who waved Israeli flags and held signs reading, "#End Jew Hatred."

PHOTO: Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters demonstrate at Columbia University on April 18, 2024. (WABC)

As demonstrators on both sides chanted and clanged pots, a U-Haul truck passed by with a sign demanding that Shafik, who was appointed president of the school in July 2023, resign from her position.

University officials sent out a warning Wednesday to student demonstrators camping on campus to clear out by 9 p.m. Wednesday or else the school would "take the interim measure of suspending you."

"This notice is a final request from the University that you immediately cease your participation in this encampment and leave the campus," the school's letter to the protesters said.

At least five people were arrested Wednesday night at the college for disorderly conduct, according to the NYPD.

On Wednesday, Shafik was questioned for hours by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce about antisemitism on the Columbia campus.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., chair of the committee, opened the hearing by calling some elite U.S. colleges "hotbeds of antisemitism and hate."

"Columbia University is one of the worst of those hotbeds and we've seen too little, far too late done to counter that and protect students and staff," Foxx said. "Columbia stands guilty of gross negligence at best and, at worst, has become a platform for those supporting terrorism and violence against the Jewish people."

In her opening statement, Shafik told the committee that Columbia "strives to be a community free of discrimination and hate in all forms and we condemn the antisemitism that is so pervasive today."

She said a "major challenge" has been reconciling free speech with the rights of Jewish students to go to school in an environment free of discrimination and harassment.

"Regrettably, the events of Oct. 7 brought to the fore an undercurrent of antisemitism that is a major challenge and like many other universities Columbia has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents," Shafik said.

During the hearing, Rep. Omar asked Shafik if she had specifically seen anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim demonstrations at Columbia.

In one of several moments in which Shafik appeared to struggle to answer members' questions, Shafik said she had not seen those types of demonstrations.

Omar asked, "I wanted to get a clarification, earlier one of my colleagues asked you, have you seen anti-Muslim protests on campus?

Shafik responded, "I have seen -- we have had pro-Israeli demonstrations on campus."

Omar asked again if Shafik had seen protests against Muslims, Arabs or Palestinians.

Shafik answered, "No, I have not."

Omar continued, "Have you seen one against Jewish people? Have you seen a protest saying we are against Jewish people?"

Shafik replied, "No."

Columbia University protest: Over 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including Rep. Omar's daughter, arrested originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The day after Columbia University President Nemat Minouche Shafik testified about antisemitism on campus before a House congressional committee, New York City Police Department officers descended on university grounds and arrested more than 108 peaceful pro-Palestinian protesters.

It was a huge escalation in the university's ongoing crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters. Students had formed a "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" on the university's South Lawn on Wednesday, as they reiterated calls for the school to divest from companies with ties to Israel and for a cease-fire in Gaza, where more than 34,000 people have been killed in the six months since Israel began its siege and military campaign in response to Hamas attack on Oct. 7, which killed 1,200.

On Thursday afternoon, NYPD officers arrested more than 108 protesters and gave them summonses for trespassing. NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell characterized the protesters as peaceful, telling The Columbia Spectator that the students did not resist arrest and they were saying what they wanted to say in a peaceful manner.

Those who participated in the encampment have been suspended, Shafik said in a letter to the NYPD. Three students from nearby Barnard College who joined the protest  including Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who had grilled Shafik on Columbia's treatment of pro-Palestinian protesters the day before  were also suspended.

All those arrested were released from police custody as of Thursday night.

On Wednesday, Shafik told the House Committee on Education and the Workforce that the administration was walking a tightrope between respecting students' free speech rights while protecting Jewish students from discrimination. Columbia's pro-Palestinian student groups, which count many Jewish students as members, have rejected the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism.

Shafik said in a statement that she called the NYPD on protesters [o]ut of an abundance of concern for the safety of Columbias campus.

This is a challenging moment and these are steps that I deeply regret having to take, she said.

But the irony of her sending in armed police officers to remove peaceful protesters while emphasizing campus safety was apparently lost on Shafik. The mass arrests also mirror the university's brutal response to antiwar student protests in 1968, when the administration authorized police to arrest hundreds of demonstrators who were occupying its buildings.

The editorial board of The Spectator, its student newspaper, said in a scathing editorial that Shafik has proven to her students yet again the administrations commitment to silencing and marginalizing its own student body.

The administration's efforts to stamp out the encampment did not deter protesters. On Friday morning, dozens woke up on the campus's West Lawn, where they had set up camp the night before to continue their protest.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Neighbors near the northwest side of I-270 are outraged after hearing the loud traffic noise of speeding vehicles emanating from the highway.

Community members took to social media to express their concerns about illegal street racing late Saturday that they say has been happening for years. In response to a post made on the Nextdoor app titled HI NEIGHBORS!!! DRAG RACING::: nearly 100 comments have been made. Many people discussed safety concerns.

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We watched them enter at the Tuttle Crossing exit going west after 10 pm last night, said one poster. The danger of them wrecking and hurting themselves and others worries me more than the noise but its a constant all spring/summer long.

Oh its 270. We live about 40 feet away, confirmed another neighbor about where the activity was happening. Even with sound machines our granddaughters can still hear them when trying to sleep. When we are out on the patio they duck and run because it is so loud and scares them. If everyone could call, it would be much appreciated. Someone innocent is going to be killed.

Most individuals vented about not knowing what authorities were responsible for patrolling the area, or who they should call to report the activity.

A freeway in summer, Columbus, Ohio (Adobe Stock)

The initial poster offered advice to call Columbus police since they discovered the area is out of the jurisdiction of Dublin police. They also noted the number to call and report 614-645-4545 extension 9, and relayed the tip, The phone worker said you can only call WHEN its happening and theyll send a car down.

Ohio to purchase mobile homes for training public school staff in firearms

In an email to NBC4, Sgt. Joe Albert of Columbus police confirmed that calling the police phone number is the proper course to take if the racing is actively taking place. He also suggested calling 311 to make a complaint with as much information as possible (hours it is occurring, days of the week, etc.), which would alert the officers who work in the area to look out for it.

Beyond getting police involved, one resident proposed taking the issue up with Hilliard City Council to see if Hilliard police could use Hi def cameras /Drones with decibel readers  whatever it takes to stop the problem. Others agreed that this issue needs to be addressed as a community and can hopefully be solved with a coordinated effort.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A federal grand jury has indicted a Columbus police officer who is accused of crimes related to turning off his body camera during encounters with women while on duty.

According to a release by the office of U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker, Nicholas Duty, 35, of Commercial Point was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of destroying or altering records related to a criminal investigation.

The indictment states that on two occasions Duty destroyed, altered or falsified records by purposefully deactivating or removing his police body-worn camera, with the alleged intention to impede, obstruct or influence a federal investigation.

Man fatally shot by Whitehall police after he reached for something

Duty reportedly deactivated or removed his body-worn camera on Oct. 31 and March 22 during interactions with two women, including once during a sexual encounter. During these alleged incidents, Duty, while on duty, was wearing a police uniform and in a marked police vehicle with an assigned body-worn camera, which is required to comply with Columbus police policies for wearing division-issued cameras.

The U.S. Attorneys office said that knowingly altering records to obstruct a federal investigation is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. Duty was hired by the Columbus Division of Police on Jan. 4, 2019, and his employee status remains active, according to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy portal.

According to personnel records, Duty was placed on leave March 24 based on the ongoing criminal investigation. He pleaded not guilty in federal court Friday and will next appear before a judge at a future date.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Combined Russian attack on Ukraine: Ukraine's air defence forces shoot down 14 Shahed UAVs and 22 missiles, including two Kh-22s

Ukrainian air defence forces have shot down 22 missiles of various types, including two Kh-22 cruise missiles and 14 attack drones, while repelling a combined Russian attack on the night of 18-19 April.

Source: Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Telegram

Details: Oleshchuk reported that the Russians used a total of 36 pieces of weaponry, namely 22 missiles of various types and 14 attack drones:

two Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles from Tu-95MS strategic bomber aircraft (launched from Ryazan, Russia);

14 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs (from the areas of Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Kursk Oblast, Russia);

12 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided missiles (from Kursk Oblast and the Sea of Azov);

two Iskander-K cruise missiles (from Crimea);

six Kh-22 cruise missiles from Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bombers (from the Black and Azov Seas).

Anti-aircraft missile troops of the Air Force, mobile fire groups and electronic warfare units of the Ukrainian Defence Forces were involved in repelling the air attack.

As a result of the air combat efforts, 29 air targets were downed:

Two Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles;

14 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs;

11 Kh-59/Kh-69 guided missiles;

Two Kh-22 cruise missiles.

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A Compton community leader wants accountability from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department after deputies broke into his home and wrongfully detained him.

On April 18, 2023, deputies burst into the home of Derrick Cooper, 55, at around 4 a.m. with their weapons drawn. They handcuffed him and hauled him outside while he was still naked from the waist down.

Cooper was sleeping and said he was shocked waking up to guns and flashlights in my face as deputies ordered him to get out of bed.

They looked at me, saw a black man laying in the bed, buck naked and said, We got a criminal here, Cooper said. Thank God they didnt shoot me because thats exactly what I was thinking the whole time.

Cooper, who was only wearing a shirt at the time, said he asked if he could put on some pants or clothing to cover himself but was denied by authorities.

He was walked over to a police car parked on Compton Boulevard where he was placed inside and detained.

L.A. County Sheriffs deputies seen on home surveillance video wrongfully detaining Derrick Cooper at gunpoint on April 18, 2023. (Derrick Cooper)

Derrick Cooper has lived and worked in Compton for decades and is the founder of the L.A. City Wildcats Youth Academy. He wants accountability for a mistaken detainment by L.A. County sheriffs deputies. (KTLA)

Los Angeles County sheriff deputies burst into the Compton home of Derrick Cooper on April 18, 2023. (Derrick Cooper)

Derrick Cooper being forced to walk outside without pants during a mistaken detainment by LASD in Compton on April 18, 2023. (Derrick Cooper)

A man who has lived and worked in Compton for decades found himself unexpectedly detained Tuesday by deputies with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. (Derrick Cooper)

LASD deputies arriving outside Derrick Coopers business, L.A. City Wildcats Youth Academy. Coopers Compton home is located behind the business. (Derrick Cooper)

Compton community members rally to demand justice for Derrick Coopers, a community leader who was wrongfully detained by LASD. (KTLA)

L.A. County Sheriffs deputies seen wronfgully detaining Derrick Cooper at gunpoint on April 18, 2023. (Derrick Cooper)

Derrick Cooper being forced to walk outside without pants during a mistaken detainment by LASD in Compton on April 18, 2023. (KTLA)

Derrick Cooper has lived and worked in Compton for decades and is the founder of the L.A. City Wildcats Youth Academy. (KTLA)

L.A. County Sheriffs deputies seen mistakenly detaining Derrick Cooper at gunpoint on April 18, 2023. (KTLA)

When I was in the police car, Im sitting there and I hear the dispatch on the radio say, Youre at the wrong building. Thats not the person that were looking for. Let him go.

Deputies later confirmed they had been searching for a burglary suspect at the wrong address.

At the time of his arrest, Cooper was the founder and operator of L.A. City Wildcats Youth Academy, a program that provides mentorship and activities to inner-city children.

A year later, Cooper said he is still waiting for answers as to why the incident, which he described as humiliating and a violation of his rights, happened the way it did.

2 arrested after 13-year-old boy found shot to death in Anaheim

Its been one year and nothing has changed, Cooper said. Nothing has changed. I want accountability.

LASD said they received a call about a burglary near Coopers home, but Cooper said no calls were ever made by him to authorities. There were also no legal warrants or complaints against him at the time, according to his attorneys.

Obviously, these deputies werent trained properly, Cooper said. You dont put your hand through the mailbox and unlock the front door and say, Its okay to go in. Lets search it now. If theres not a broken door, a broken window, no forced entry then keep your butt out! You have no right to go in and just take over.

He recalls feeling frightened about making the wrong move and potentially being killed.

The first thing that went through my mind was Breonna Taylor, all of these people that have died in their apartments because the police came into their dwellings, Cooper said.

The incident has left him shaken and he has filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department claiming, among other things, illegal home entry by deputies and a violation of his civil rights.

Cooper said no one from the sheriffs department has offered an apology for the intrusion.

Im going to raise hell until somebody listens and someone says, Thats not policing, thats not law enforcement, he said.

Crash that killed L.A. firefighter recruit was not a hit-and-run, CHP says

Back in 2023, Cooper spoke on the shock and indignation he felt saying, I just cant believe this happened to me. My dignity, you know? You parade me out here on Compton Boulevard with no underwear. Dont you have any compassion? Im a Black man trying to do something positive, trying to be a part of something thats going to leave a legacy for my family, in my community and it was almost taken away from me just like that, and all I get is, Im sorry, weve got the wrong building. Its unacceptable, man. I am a human being.

In May 2023, loved ones and community members peacefully marched along Compton Boulevard to raise awareness and demand justice for Cooper. Marchers also hoped the movement would bring attention to the issue and prevent a similar incident from happening to others.

LASD officials previously said the incident remained under investigation. However, Cooper said no one from the department has ever contacted him since or provided a thorough explanation of what truly happened that night.

KTLA reached out to LASD for comment but has yet to receive a response.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
CONCORD, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Inside Concord Fire Station 8, a fire and water restoration crew worked to wipe soot off surfaces.

Shortly after 4 a.m. Thursday, the guys who normally come to other peoples rescue found themselves putting out flames.

You dont typically see fires or think about fires in your current facility, said Concord Fire Chief Jake Williams.

Popular Concord restaurant shuts down after nearby construction hits water line

Williams says he was awake this morning when the alert came through on his phone. The five firefighters who were inside the station serving the south side of town all made it out thanks to a robust sprinkler and alert system.

When youre in this line of business, theres always the unexpected, so they train for unexpected things to happen, so the crew here performed extremely well, Williams said.

Firefighters say the garage was filled with smoke after their reserve ladder truck caught fire. Still, later that day, the smell of smoke and burned material lingered throughout the building and into the dormitory. Charred pieces littered the ashy floor.

The fire truck damaged in Thursday mornings fire. (Credit: City of Concord)

Crews were able to get their main fleet, swift-water rescue truck and safety officer truck out of the garage before turning their efforts to smothering the flames. With the exception of a deep clean and garage door replacement, damage to the fire station will be manageable. The truck, however, is toast; an estimated $1.2 million loss.

Anytime that you lose one of your companys [equipment], definitely impacts your operational standpoint for having a reserve, but we do have different venders that we reached out to, Williams said. Weve had another fire truck recently that got totaled on the interstate. We had a vendor supply us with a rental fire truck, so there are rental fire trucks.

Charlotte house fire where 3 firefighters were injured was intentionally set

They determined the fire was electrical, and Williams says theyre working with their insurance company on next steps. In the meantime, he says the community can rest assured their response times wont be impacted, and Station 8 remains open.

Only time this company was out of service, they were on the call for the fire inside their building, Williams said.

There were no injuries. Williams says this fire is a good reminder to the public of the importance of having smoke detectors.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Confused about weed laws ahead of 4/20? Heres where the law stands in each state

Saturday marks a high holiday for cannabis users  but not all American adults can legally celebrate.

The unofficial 4/20 holiday, celebrated April 20, marks an occasion for smokers and producers to celebrate marijuana. The numbers 420 most likely originated in Marin County, California, in the 1970s, according to Time Magazine, but the origin is a little murky.

Since the holidays creation, weed laws in the U.S. have changed.

Cannabis users have been able to purchase and use the drug recreationally in some parts of the country since 2012  but the substance still remains federally illegal. Across the board, marijuana is only legal for recreational use by those over the age of 21.

Twenty-two states and Washington, D.C., have followed suit since Colorado and Washington first legalized recreational marijuana, but efforts to legalize across states and on a federal level continue.

In the past year, three states have legalized cannabis for recreational use.

Delaware legalized recreational use and sales for adults 21 and over in April 2023. Recreational use in Minnesota was adopted in August 2023, while sales will be legal in 2025.

Most recently, Ohioans voted to legalize recreational use of marijuana during a November election.

Kentucky legalized weed for medicinal use in March 2023, but the law does not go into effect until 2025.

Wisconsin, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania have taken recent steps to legalize recreational use in the last year. Though New Hampshires bill recently passed in the states House of Representatives, the governor refused to sign the bill into law, according to Forbes.

Here is where marijuana laws stand in each state. Hover over the state to learn more.

Whats up with federal marijuana laws?

Though the drug remains federally illegal, President Joe Biden pardoned thousands with federal marijuana possession charges in 2022. The pardon, however, does not apply to those convicted under state law.

Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit, Biden said in an October 2022 news release.

Biden subsequently announced a plan to deschedule marijuana as a Schedule I drug.

This is the same schedule as for heroin and LSD, and even higher than the classification of fentanyl and methamphetamine  the drugs that are driving our overdose epidemic, Biden said in the release.

Marijuana continues to be classified as a Schedule I drug today, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

More in US are trying weed, polls show

Since marijuana was legalized in some states, more Americans have experimented with it, according to a 2023 Gallup report. As of August, at least 50% of adults in the U.S. said they have tried marijuana, up from 38% in 2013, according to the poll.

Multiple studies cite negative cognitive effects of cannabis on adolescent users, according to the American Psychological Associations June 2023 report. However, the substance has been proven to be a safe alternative to other drugs for adults with preexisting mental health conditions.

Science is having a hard time keeping up with the enormous increase in products available, Columbia Universitys Margaret Haney told the American Psychological Association. Especially because researchers have been hamstrung by regulatory hurdles.

Shop owner adds THC to Oreo ice cream, feds say. It was sold to unsuspecting customers

9 middle schoolers eat marijuana edibles given to them by classmate, Michigan cops say

Is cannabis use feeding anxiety disorders? Young men especially at risk, study says
Want to die young? Immerse yourself in conservative media, and vote Republican. Seriously. We should have known, but, still, the science is shocking: When conservatives run governments, suicides and homicides go up; when liberals run governments, suicides and homicides go down.



We got the first clue back in 2002, when, in a 100-year longitudinal study published that year in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, Australian researchers found that the suicide rate in that country and the U.K. increased throughout the twentieth century whenever a Conservative government was in power and declined measurably when the Labour Party was in charge.

The BBC picked it up, under a headline that was unambiguous: More Suicides Under Conservative Rule. The piece read: When the Conservatives ruled both state and federal governments, men were 17 percent more likely to commit suicide than when Labour was in power. Women were 40 percent more likely to kill themselves.

Referencing the researchers work, the BBC concluded: Overall, they say, the figures suggest that 35,000 people would not have died had the Conservatives not been in power, equivalent to one suicide for every day of the 20th century or two for every day that the Conservatives ruled.

More recently, here in the United States, a 2014 study by Bandy X. Lee, Bruce E. Wexler, and James Gilligan published in the journal Aggression and Violent Behavior found pretty much the same outcomes for periods of Republican versus Democratic rule in our country.

Arguing that violence is not random but a problem in public health and preventive medicine, the researchers were blunt: Suicide, homicide, and combined suicide/homicide rates from 1900 to 2010 were found to be associated with an increase under Republican presidents and a decrease under Democratic ones with statistical significance.

On Thursday, I interviewed Lee. She was emphatic about their findings:

My colleagues and I did a study about 10 years ago looking at the two different parties in the United Statesnot in terms of ideology or policies but purely in terms of violent death ratesand, astonishingly, we found that over a 110-year period, almost without exception, whenever there was a Republican president who was elected, the murder and suicide rates would double, and whenever there was a Democratic president elected, the murder and suicide rates would halve.

She added that people dont generally notice this because theres a roughly two-year time lag between elections and the time the increases or decreases in suicide and homicide measurably set in.

And, she said, it wasnt just the economic policies of the parties that was driving the violence; it was primarily how they talked about America and thus caused us to think about ourselves and each other: Whenever Democrats are elected, we tend to do well, to prosper not only in terms of unemployment but also in terms of rising GDP, but [we] also see a change in violent death rates, so that showed that there was not just an ideological difference or a policy driven difference, but a difference based on whatever the party brings, whether its rhetoric or public perception. The party alone made the difference in violence rates.

Were apparently seeing that dynamic right now. Murder, suicide, and violent crime rates increased during the Trump presidency and began a rapid downward slide by the second year of President Joe Bidens tenure.

As the Brennan Center for Justice noted seven weeks ago:

In 2020, President Trumps last year in office, murder rates climbed by nearly 30 percent and assault rates by more than 10 percent.

But since 2021, violent crime has started to fall. According to the FBI, as of 2022 violent crime rates had fallen by 4 percent and murder rates by roughly 7 percent since 2020. Preliminary data suggests those declines accelerated in 2023.

If, as Dr. Lee suggests, a major factor is the kind of rhetoric that Democrats use (we, us) versus Republicans (they, them) then Trumps constant rants about Americans from shithole countries and murderers and rapists from south of the border apparently drove some Americans into a homicidal or suicidal frenzy.

Republicans, after all, lean heavily on hate and fear as primary motivators to get people to the polls: Gays are coming for your kids, immigrants want to rape or kill your wife, Black people are stealing your job, and Democrats love to kill babies the minute theyre born.

When people are marinated in such rhetoric, its almost impossible not to end up drenched in fear, anger, and hatethe necessary precursors to violence and self-harm.

This isnt new. Back in 1996, Virginia Techs Dr. L. David Roper did a single-year analysis of suicide rates in states that voted for Democratic President Bill Clinton versus states that went for Republican Senator Bob Dole. He found: Democratic votes for the states had a 57% negative correlation with increasing [suicide rates] and the Republican votes had a 45% positive correlation. States with high suicide death rate vote much more Republican than Democratic and vice versa.

Another study, published by the peer-reviewed, open-access journal Plos One in 2022, looked at the relationship between political policy and mortality rates between 1999 and 2019. They found strikingly similar statistics:

We modeled the associations between working-age mortality rates and state policies during 1999 to 2019. We used annual data from the 19992019 National Vital Statistics System to calculate state-level age-adjusted mortality rates for deaths from all causes and from [cardiovascular disease], alcohol-induced causes, suicide, and drug poisoning among adults ages 2564 years. Especially strong associations were observed between certain domains and specific causes of death: between the gun safety domain and suicide mortality among men, between the labor domain and alcohol-induced mortality, and between both the economic tax and tobacco tax domains and CVD mortality. Simulations indicate that changing all policy domains in all states to a fully liberal orientation might have saved 171,030 lives in 2019, while changing them to a fully conservative orientation might have cost 217,635 lives.

NBC News, reporting on the study, quoted Syracuse University sociology professor Dr. Jennifer Karas Montez, one of the studys authors, who summarized the consequences of states putting Republicans or Democrats in charge of policy:

This analysis points to another major player, and thats state policymakers. Policymakers may not feel that theyre responsible for our health or think that theyre responsible for our health, but the reality is every decision that they make affects our health and our risk of dying prematurely.

Ya think?
Cook County Public Health warns of possible measles exposure at Sams Club in Evergreen Park

EVERGREEN PARK, Ill.  Cook Countys Department of Public Health is warning locals about possible measles exposure at an Evergreen Park-area Sams Club.

CCDPH says visitors to the south suburban Sams Club located at 9400 S. Western Avenue on Tuesday, April 9, between 10 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. may have been exposed to a person contagious with measles.

The infected Chicago resident was a known case to health officials.

The news release stated, The individual is a Chicago resident, and CCDPH is coordinating with the Chicago Department of Public Health on this investigation. There is no known link between the Chicago resident and the recent measles cases associated with a city shelter for new arrivals.

SEE ALSO: Chicago Health warns of possible measles exposure on CTA buses, city schools

Health officials suggest that anyone who may have been exposed review their immunization records and/or ensure they are up-to-date on the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

People potentially exposed to measles should monitor symptoms, including rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes.

Symptoms can take 7 to 21 days to appear.

As of Monday, April 15, health officials have confirmed 64 cases of measles in Illinois, 58 of which are from Chicago. The remaining cases are in Will, Lake, DuPage and suburban Cook counties.

Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGNs Dina Bair and the Med Watch team, including, the latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments, as well as personal features related to people in the medical field. Sign up here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
On April 19, Ukraine's Air Defense Forces repelled a massive Russian attack, destroying 14 kamikaze drones and 15 missiles. The enemy has been attacking from night to morning, using 36 air attack weapons. Unfortunately, there were hits and casualties.

ADVERTISIMENT

Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, spoke about the repulsion of the attack. He also confirmed the destruction of a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber that crashed in the Stavropol region of the Russian Federation on Friday morning.

It is noted that the enemy carried out the attack using 14 attack drones (from the Primorsk-Akhtarsk and Kursk regions of the Russian Federation), as well as 22 missiles of various types, including:

- 12 X-59/X-69 guided missiles (from the Kursk region of the Russian Federation and from the Sea of Azov)

- six X-22 cruise missilesfromTu-22M3 long-range strategic bombers (from the Black and Azov Seas)

- two X-101/X-555 cruise missiles from Tu-95 MS strategic aviation aircraft (Ryazan, Russia)

- two Iskander-K cruise missiles (from the temporarily occupied Crimea).

ADVERTISIMENT

Anti-aircraft missile troops of the Air Force, mobile fire groups and electronic warfare units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces were involved in repelling the air attack.

As a result of the anti-aircraft battle, 29 targets were destroyed, including 11 X-59/X-69, two X-22, and two X-101/X-555 missiles, as well as all 14 Shahed drones.

In addition, anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force in cooperation with the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber, X-22 cruise missile carrier used by Russian terrorists to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities, for the first time. This Friday's attack also marked the first time the Ukrainian defense destroyed two such missiles.

"Ukraine needs more means, more missiles to better protect the frontline territories from Russian terrorism. I am grateful to all those who made this result possible today. Evil will be punished! Together to victory!" Oleshchuk said.

ADVERTISIMENT

It was reported that Russia's missiles hit Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih and Synelnykove in Dnipropetrovsk region: eight people were killed and 29 injured. In the regional center, a five-story building and two infrastructure facilities were hit, and an enterprise and houses were damaged in the region.

As reported, on the night of April 18, air defense forces destroyed all 13 Russian Shahed drones in the Ukrainian sky. The falling wreckage of the UAVs caused fires in the Carpathian region and damaged houses and cars in the Nikopol district of Dnipropetrovsk region. No injuries were reported.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

ADVERTISIMENT
Cop on duty turns off body camera during sexual encounter with woman in Ohio, feds say

An Ohio cop is accused of turning off his body camera during two on-duty encounters with women, federal officials announced April 19.

Nicholas Duty, a Columbus police officer, was arrested and charged with destroying or altering records related to a criminal investigation, according to court documents.

Officials said he turned off or removed his body camera during encounters on Oct. 31 and March 22, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Ohio. One of these instances included a sexual encounter, according to court records

It is alleged Dutys actions were intended to impede, obstruct or influence a federal investigation, according to the release.

Prosecutors did not provide more details about the federal investigation but said it involves the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.

Dutys attorneys did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment on April 19.

The Columbus Division of Police acknowledges the gravity of the situation and recognizes the importance of accountability in fostering positive police-community relations, Sgt. Joe Albert said in a statement to McClatchy News. While incidents such as these are regrettable, they serve as reminders of our ongoing commitment to uphold the principles of justice and fairness. As the case progresses, the Division will remain fully cooperative with all investigating authorities.

Duty has been a Columbus police officer since January 2019, according to Ohio attorney general records. They show he is still employed as of April 19.

Sworn police officers are required to wear a body-worn camera and have it on while on duty, according to court documents.

He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, officials said.

Duty is scheduled to appear in court at 12:45 p.m. on April 19.

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FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Fresno City Council unanimously voted to approve the proposed Costco store in Fresno, to be built on Herndon Avenue and Riverside Drive.

The 7-0 vote came on Thursday. The new store would be more than 200,000 square feet and include a car wash and 32-pump gas station.

Fresno City Council expresses concerns over new Costco

The new Costco will replace the current store on 4500 West Shaw Avenue. Last month, Fresno City Council held off on approving the plans over concerns the store would have on traffic and noise in the area.

In the meeting on Thursday, Costco addressed concerns and provided possible solutions, such as not allowing its trucks to travel down Riverside Drive. The company also said it would repave Riverside Drive with a special rubber concrete mix that would limit the sounds of cars passing by.

We come a long way from our last meeting, said Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi. We had the opportunity, in an exhaustive way, to make an interesting decision in an informative way in the best interest of families at the same time preserving the neighborhood.

The approval did come with several conditions, such as Costco having to help pay for the building of a four-way stop at west Spruce Avenue and north Hayes Avenue. The company will also have to pay for several high-visibility crosswalks in the surrounding areas and pedestrian islands.

Construction is expected to begin in the fall and is set to be completed by the end of 2025.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
An appellate court sided with Fresno-area first responders involved in a 2017 incident in which officers, deputies and paramedics sat on a restrained man, killing him by asphyxiation.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit cited qualified immunity in its findings in favor of first responders though Judge Danielle J. Forrest wrote in her opinion a reasonable jury could have found officers violated Joseph Perezs Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

Perez stopped moving in less than a minute after an officer sat on him and the Fresno County Coroners Office ruled he died by homicide by asphyxiation. The coroner noted a high amount of methamphetamine in his system.

Perez could be heard in a police video saying he cant breathe before an officer sat on him.

Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz said the Fresno Police Departments response was within the law and officer training.

Had they not acted and instead stood by ignoring the instructions of emergency personnel, we would likely be seeing greater outcry and scrutiny from all parties involved, he said. Although any loss of life is heartbreaking and frustrating, we are appreciative of the Ninth Circuits finding that officers acted reasonably under these circumstances.

Perez was face down on the ground on May 10, 2017, when Fresno police and area paramedics placed a backboard on him before at least one officer and others sat on it. A paramedic instructed officers to use the board so that Perez could be transported during a mental health crisis, the court noted.

Perez was unarmed when police happened upon him acting erratically near Palm and Dakota avenues, according to police.

The Fresno County Sheriffs Office said in a statement it was pleased with the court ruling, according to spokesperson Tony Botti.

Our office is committed to extensive training for its deputies to assure encounters with all individuals are conducted in a manner that ensures safety of the public and our deputies, the statement said.

The courts ruling argued the presence of a paramedic was unusual, making for an unprecedented situation.

At the time of Perezs death, the law did not clearly establish, nor was it otherwise obvious, that the officers actions, directed by medical personnel, would violate Perezs constitutional rights, the judge wrote in the opinion.

One of the judges on the panel of three, Judge Sidney R. Thomas, wrote a dissenting argument from his colleagues, noting some of the questions in the case would best be decided by a jury. He wrote the officers acted improperly.

Extensive federal case law, departmental guidance, and common sense gave officers fair warning that applying continuous force to the back of a prone person who claims he cannot breathe is constitutionally excessive, he wrote.

The Perez family, after filing the lawsuit in 2018, said through their attorney they would petition the court for an en banc hearing, which would require the permission of the same appellate court but, if granted, would leave the case to be reviewed by a panel of 11 judges.

The case boiled down to qualified immunity, according to Perez family attorney Neil Gehlawat, a Los Angeles-based attorney.

Qualified immunity is when government officials  often police officers  are protected from liability for civil damages if their conduct does not violate clearly established statutory or constitutional rights. It has become more of a sticking point in recent years as communities call for officers to face more accountability.

Were obviously disappointed in this ruling. I think it says a lot about qualified immunity, Gehlawat said. Its a get-out-of-jail-free card for officers, deputies and, in this case, paramedics.

The majority opinion notes that Fresno police officers and Fresno County deputies are trained to not leave a person being arrested on their stomach once handcuffs are applied, but said law enforcement officers are typically taught to defer to emergency responders when dealing with a medical incident.

Gehlawat said officers deferring to a paramedic should not be an excuse for what happened. He also noted the Fresno County coroner ruled Perezs death a homicide by asphyxiation caused by the first responders, which was captured on video.

When Fresno Countys own coroner is calling it a homicide, that should say enough about how egregious this was, he said. He says, I cannot breathe, before the officer sits on the board, and you essentially watch Joseph die.

The Perez family and their attorneys argued the city and county failed to train responders of the danger of potentially suffocating a person while being restrained.

Two Fresno officers testified they were not trained on restraint asphyxia, but the opinion said the Perez family attorneys did not prove the city or county showed deliberate indifference to a lack of training.

Gehlawat said the Perez family was heartbroken by the decision, adding they had a hard time understanding the courts findings. The family believed the officers should face criminal charges, he said.

Its just hard for them to digest that theres been no accountability, he said. Any average person who sees that (video) cant come to (the courts) decision. It just defies common sense.
Heaven help us from people who say they want to help us. Using the advancement of the southeastern Washington Latino community as an excuse, Seattle activists and Democratic Party operatives have convinced a federal judge to redraw a full quarter of Washingtons legislative-district boundaries, from the southeastern corner of the state to Vancouver and Pierce County.

This map, in effect for this years election, makes sweeping and needless changes that help Democrats and hurt Republicans. It violates longstanding principles of redistricting and voting-rights laws as well as basic concepts of neutrality and fair play. The federal district court decision even contains a whiff of racist condescension in its assumption that the best interests of Hispanics are served by the election of Democrats, as if that is something a judge can and should decide.

But there is one good thing about the way this case has played out: The facts are so outrageous they could convince the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the appeal. A challenge has reached the 9th Circuit level, and while the Supreme Court has denied a stay to prevent the new boundaries from taking effect, the suit continues. Some elements of this case are so wild the court could find it irresistible. For instance:

The inconvenient election of Nikki Torres

In their lawsuit, activists claimed Hispanics cannot elect the candidate of their choice in south-central Washingtons 15th Legislative District. Then Torres came along and proved them wrong. In 2022 she became the first Latina senator to be elected from the 15th  which is centered on the Yakima Valley and the Tri-Cities, where the states Hispanic population is strongest.

In the last redistricting, the boundaries of the 15th were crafted to give the Hispanic population a slight majority, 52.6% of the voting-age population. Yet Torres won by a landslide, 68% he vote, demonstrating her appeal to a broad audience transcending race. So how was Federal District Court Judge Robert Lasnik able to perceive a violation of the Voting Rights Act? Lasnik didnt see it as significant that a Hispanic was elected in a district that supposedly cannot elect Hispanics. Republicans dont count.

Lasnik was so dismissive of Torres that he places her district as far away from her residence as possible, and he moves her into a district that is centered on Walla Walla. Torres is allowed to serve the two years that remain of her term. In all, five Republican lawmakers find themselves living outside their districts, and must either move or step down. No Democrats are affected.

Stacking the deck for the Democrats

In his ruling last summer, Lasnik said the boundaries of the 15th District violate the Voting Rights Act because they dilute the voting strength of the Hispanic population. This is an odd thing to say about a district with a Hispanic majority. Lasniks remedy was even stranger.

His map reduces the Hispanic voting-age population in the 15th to 50.2%. Many are moved to the 14th Legislative District. When their votes are added to those of liberal Democrats in the district, the 14th becomes a district where Democrats have a 14-point advantage. So thats Lasniks solution, to turn a swing district into a safe district for the Democrats.

But wait a second, wasnt the goal to make the Hispanic voice stronger?

Thats the really offensive thing about Lasniks map. Hes saying its fine to split up the Hispanic vote, as long as it helps elect Democrats. Lasnik says he believes Democrats do a better job of representing Hispanic voters. The Democratic platform is apparently better aligned with the economic and social preferences of Latinos in the Yakima Valley region than is the Republican platform, he stated in last years ruling.

This is what makes me boil

I am a Latina, and I am an elected official, but Im not a Democrat and I dont think I should have to be one. I dont think our courts should be in the business of telling Hispanics who best represents us in Olympia and what our issues ought to be. We are as diverse as the population as a whole, no political party owns us, and none should take us for granted. How is this sort of stereotyping even acceptable?

Lasniks ruling, together with his map, abandons any pretense that this is about helping Hispanics, and exposes federal Voting Rights Act litigation as a naked grab for Democratic power. I hope the Supreme Court is paying attention.

Deanna Martinez, deputy mayor of the city of Moses Lake, is chair of Mainstream Republicans of Washington.
CHICAGO  The Chicago Police Department was asking for the publics help in the search for a 13-year-old girl who went missing from the citys North Center neighborhood Tuesday, but according to an update from the department Friday, she has been found.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Crime Stoppers of Oregon is offering a reward for information about the whereabouts of a missing Vancouver woman.

For weeks, KOIN 6 News has been tracking the investigation surrounding Cristina Ases disappearance.

According to police, phone records show the 61-year-old left her Vancouver apartment for work just after 6:30 a.m. on March 26. However, instead of heading to her job in West Linn, her phone pinged in Southeast Portland.

Portland Fire tackles large sawdust, pallet fire at wood recycling plant

Investigators with the Vancouver Police Department and Crime Stoppers of Oregon are teaming up to offer cash rewards of up to $2,500 for any tips on Ases whereabouts. Tips can be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers website or their mobile app called P3 tips.

Investigators have called Ases disappearance suspicious.

Ases 2013 dark gray RAV4 was mysteriously found outside her home a day after her disappearance. Investigators said they found a roll of duct tape and several hairs inside, according to a search warrant document released on April 9. Officials also said the rearview mirror was askew and that several surfaces of the cars interior had a white powdery residue resembling a cleaning agent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) ripped Democrats in the upper chamber for dismissing two articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas this week, claiming they tossed more than two centuries of precedent in the Senate.

Yesterday, Chuck Schumer threw over two centuries of precedent in the United States Senate out of the window, Cruz wrote in a post Thursday on the social platform X. He stripped the Senate of the right to hold an impeachment trial. Democrats do not care about the Constitution or the rule of law.

The Democratic-majority Senate killed two articles of impeachment against Mayorkas on Wednesday, voting along mostly party lines 51-49 to do so just a few hours into proceedings. The vote marked the first time in 225 years the Senate voted to immediately dismiss the impeachment charges approved by the House instead of holding a floor trial or referring the matter to a special committee for review.

Cruz, speaking on Newsmax, pointed out that in the 22 times the House has brought impeachment articles against an individual, the Senate conducted a trial in each instance except for the cases where the individual died or left office.

That had been the continuous precedent for 200 years until yesterday, when every Democrat decided they were not going to do their constitutional duty; they would not allow a trial to happen. They would not hear any evidence and, instead, they simply ruled at the outset that were not going to consider the matter, he said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) argued a trial was not needed because the House sent over the least legitimate, least substantive and most politicized impeachment trial ever in the history of the United States.

Cruz attempted to block Schumers move to dismiss the charges by offering a motion to send the Senate into a private session to debate the constitutionality of the impeachment, but Democrats voted it down.

Republicans had long sought an impeachment to shed light on the Biden administrations record on immigration and border security. The House articles accused Mayorkas of violating immigration laws as well as breach of public trust, arguing he violated his oath of office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  Fire trucks and crews will be visible throughout the month of April in the Skyway neighborhood. However, sirens will not be activated as this is not for an emergency, but rather a drill to prepare for one.

April 18 marked the first day of the spring wildland drill training, during which the Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) will put its skills to the test and identify improvements in fighting wildfires.

Were doing our annual refresher training, CSFD Deputy Chief of Operations, Steve Wilch, said. We follow federal standards for a wildfire training and annually, all firefighters need to have certain topics and so many hours of training.

Colorado Springs fire crews worked with each other to help navigate the drill and recognize any problems at hand.

Training in this open space, helps crews work on the southern Colorado vegetation, along with also navigating the terrain close to a neighborhood, which is known as a WUI (Wildland Urban Interface).

Thats when our homes have been built into a natural environment, that is the wildfire environment, Wilch explained. So, we have scrub oak trees, light flashy fuels which are the grass, its in that natural environment we enjoy here in the springs, but it is a wildfire risk.

There were two areas of focus in this training, specifically on crews initial attack and structure triage.

Initial attack is putting our firefighters in harms way, [a] direct attack on the fire to stop its progression, that is so that we can save lives and structures, Wilch said. The second part of it is structure triage. What structure triage is, is we will evaluate the ability to defend those structures thats where shared responsibility comes in.

CSFD notified neighbors living in the area of this drill to prevent any alarm and to continue the conversation regarding wildfire risk.

We have to make sure that as homeowners that we prepare our property to in a fire event, that it can at least withstand the initial brunt of the fire, Wilch said. The firefighters are going to get in there engage, but we cant engage the fire. If the house was not prepped well enough and it becomes a risk to our people, we have to triage which structures that we can save and those that there was no preparation.

A town hall meeting is scheduled for April 23, during which CSFD will inform community members about preparing their homes and ways to be ready if a wildfire event were to occur.

Rose Bills, who moved into the Skyway neighborhood in 2013, expressed her appreciation for crews conducting training in the open space. Years ago, she recalled waking to the sound of sirens when a fire started in that area.

Im very happy that they chose this place, Bill said. I know they looked at other areas when I talked to them. It was actually the guy who was on the [wildland] fire crew, he remembers that fire because he said he was out here fighting it that night. So, I said, this is a great place because of all the houses above and all the dry vegetation that we do get.

During the wildland drill training, CSFD crews focused on structure triage and initial attack.

During the drill, evaluators are alongside crews, observing and noting areas of improvement to ensure crews are well-prepared for any challenges they may face in fighting future fires.

Then after the exercises [are] over, we will go over what things we needed to improve upon, what things went well, that goes from just the skills to the technique, said Wilch.

Despite the cold and wet conditions in this mornings training, it still is beneficial as crews never know what conditions theyll face ahead.

Here in Colorado, we will fight fire even with snow on the ground, Wilch said. Because our fuel, the grasses, will dry out very quickly when those red flag windy days come and we will have fires that will run to the ground, even with snow patches in the shadows.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado.
An Connecticut man was arrested this week on a child endangerment charge for allegedly asking a 13-year-old boy to send him shirtless photos and film a video for him that was sexual in nature, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Michael Bernaud, 27, of Ansonia, turned himself in at the state police Troop L barracks in Litchfield after learning that there was a warrant for his arrest, according to Connecticut State Police. He faces one felony count of risk of injury to a minor.

Bernaud was released on $50,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned on May 1 in Waterbury Superior Court.

According to the arrest warrant affidavit, state police in March began investigating Bernaud after learning of sporadic conversations he allegedly had with a 13-year-old between December and March. The victim told authorities he first saw Bernaud in April 2022 when his parents took him to the grand re-opening of a business in Orange, the affidavit said.

The teen would later join an Instagram group in December 2023 that was mostly made up of other teenagers who were fans of a certain restaurant and arcade, the affidavit said. The boy told police he began communicating with Bernaud in a direct message chat that was tied to the group and would later have one-on-one conversations through text messages or direct messages on social media.

State police reviewed screenshots of the correspondences as part of the investigation and found one instance where the teen sent a photo of himself with no shirt on to Bernaud, according to the warrant affidavit.

During one of these conversations, Bernaud allegedly told the boy Youre actually pretty cute with no shirt on, the warrant affidavit says. In the same conversation, Bernaud allegedly asked the boy to perform a sex act on camera and send it to him, state police wrote.

When the teen declined and told him he would not make porn for him, Bernaud allegedly insisted that it would not be considered pornography if he kept his clothes on, the warrant affidavit says.

During another conversation, the teen sent a photo of his dog and Bernaud responded by saying At least hes shirtless, according to the warrant affidavit. He would later tell the boy Bro, just send me something sexy, the warrant affidavit says.

When the teen sent a photo of a picture hanging on a wall, Bernaud allegedly told him, Either send me something sexy or stop sending me pictures, according to the warrant affidavit.

The warrant affidavit includes further alleged correspondences, including in which the teen expressed concern about safety.

State police said the teens parents discovered the inappropriate correspondences when the teen asked them if Bernaud could give him a ride to Rhode Island, the warrant affidavit says. The boy wanted to attend a fan meet-up that would take place but told Bernaud it was two hours away and that he would not be able to go.

Bernaud offered to drive the teen, who said he would first need to check with his parents, the warrant affidavit says. It was then that the parents discovered there was an issue at hand, state police wrote.
Customer pulls gun on Burger King worker who refused drugs as payment, CO officials say

A jury has convicted a man accused of threatening a Burger King worker who refused drugs as payment, Colorado prosecutors say.

Eugene Robertson, 40, was found guilty on multiple counts, including eight counts of attempted murder and two counts of reckless endangerment, in relation to a 2022 crime spree, the 18th Judicial District Attorneys Office said in an April 18 news release.

I cant imagine how traumatized these victims were not knowing whether the defendant would pull the trigger while pointing a gun at them, District Attorney John Kellner said in the release.

Robertson ordered food at an Aurora Burger King at about 11 p.m. Oct. 17, 2022, but when he pulled up to the drive-thru window he tried to pay for his meal with drugs, prosecutors said.

The worker declined the payment, and Robertson pulled out a gun and pointed it at the employee before driving away, prosecutors said.

Afterward, prosecutors said a worker at a 7-Eleven across the street called 911 after a man, later identified as Robertson, pointed a gun at his head.

When Robertson noticed a TV screen displaying surveillance video, prosecutors said he shot the screen before leaving the store.

In the 7-Eleven parking lot, prosecutors said witnesses reported seeing a man, also identified as Robertson, shooting toward a man and his girlfriend, who were not injured.

Another 911 call came into Aurora Police shortly after midnight, prosecutors said.

The woman told a dispatcher that a friend she knew as Eugene was knocking on her door and when she refused to open the door, he fired shots, prosecutors said.

The woman and others inside the apartment were not hurt, according to prosecutors.

As officers searched the apartment complex following the shooting, prosecutors said they saw Robertson, who ran and hid behind some bushes before he was taken into custody.

This defendant endangered countless lives that night by recklessly firing a gun, Senior Deputy District Attorney Taylor McCreary said in the release. Its a miracle no one was seriously hurt or killed.

Robertson, who is expected to appear in court on Aug. 9 for sentencing, could potentially face more than 400 years in prison, prosecutors said.

Upset customer shoots Jack in the Box worker after argument over sauce, Texas cops say

Woman attacks Sonic carhop and customer over long wait for food, Oklahoma cops say

Twin shot restaurant worker in face because food took too long, Wisconsin police say
Quantum-Systems GmbH has opened a drone manufacturing plant and development center in Ukraine. The new facility is expected to increase production capacity to 1000 drones per year.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported by the company's press service. It is noted that this new plant became the second Quantum-Systems enterprise in Ukraine.

It is planned to employ about 100 people by the end of this year. It is also expected that this new enterprise will be able to increase production capacity to 1000 drones annually, including the production of spare parts.

Quantum Systems plans to invest up to six million euros over the next two years. The opening of the plant took place on April 18 with the participation of German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck and Minister of Strategic Development of Ukraine Oleksandr Kamyshyn.

Quantum Systems Vector reconnaissance drones have been used in Ukraine since May 2022. To date, 212 systems have been provided under the German Enablement Initiative. By the end of the year, 500 Quantum Systems reconnaissance drones are planned to be delivered to Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

As a reminder, German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy Robert Habeck arrived in Ukraine early on Thursday morning, April 18. His visit is expected to last for several days and be productive, especially as the situation at the frontline has become tense.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moores office says they strongly disagree with the court after a former Baton Rouge police officer was cleared of a charge he was found guilty of in March.

On Thursday, April 18, Judge Eboni Johnson Rose changed the verdict for the malfeasance in office charge Donald Steele Jr., 37, was facing. She said in court that she made a mistake in her verdict last month.

Judge Roses unprecedented action is procedurally improper, as a judge cannot modify a verdict in a bench trial. For this reason, the state will seek review of this procedurally improper ruling with the First Circuit Court of Appeal, Moore said.

Steele was found guilty of misdemeanor malfeasance in office but not guilty of a kidnapping charge, according to court records. He was accused of making sexual advances toward a 19-year-old woman during a traffic stop in 2021.

After Thursdays verdict change, the defense team released a statement saying, The judges decision confirms that we always knew and fought for. Donald Steele is innocent. Reports to the contrary were premature and did not take into account the Courts determination that no sexual battery occurred. The State does not have the right to appeal an acquittal. In the event they attempt to, we look forward to maintaining the Courts declaration of Mr. Steeles innocence in any and all forums.

Louisiana rapper NBA YoungBoy ordered to be taken into federal custody after Utah arrest

Moore said the only verdict for malfeasance in office in the state of Louisiana is a felony, adding that there is no misdemeanor grade verdict allowed. He said the court filed into the record its written verdict of not guilty of second-degree kidnapping and guilty of malfeasance in office (La.R.S. 14:134).

We believed in the strength of the states case and, most importantly, the credibility of our victim, who did everything one would ask an individual in this difficult position to do, Moore said. That is, she immediately came forward, cooperated with authorities, and testified at trial about everything she endured that night. Her testimony was entirely supported by all the evidence uncovered in the investigation. The corroboration of her testimony is outlined in the pleadings we filed in the record.

Latest News

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  Prosecutors secured a guilty verdict against a 27-year-old for murder after getting into a confrontation in a Visalia gas station in 2022, the Tulare County District Attorneys Office announced Thursday.

According to the DA, on Aug. 7, 2022, at about 1:30 a.m., 27-year-old Francisco Rodriguez and others got into a confrontation with another group inside a gas station on Lovers Lane in Visalia. A fight ensued, which eventually spilled out into the parking lot.

Officials say as one group ran to their car, Rodriguez, in possession of a handgun, fired six rounds at the group, killing a man attempting to leave in the car. The entirety of the incident was caught on surveillance video.

Soon after, the DA says Rodriguez fled to Mexico but was apprehended at the border in June 2023.

At trial, officials say Rodriguez was convicted of second-degree murder with the special allegation of personal and intentional discharge of a firearm causing death.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 13 in Superior Court where Rodriguez faces life in prison, according to the DA.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
The Berkshire County District Attorneys Office in Massachusetts confirmed Thursday that it is investigating a former students allegations of child sex abuse at the hands of a teacher at the private Miss Halls School.

The development came after Matthew Rutledge, 62, resigned amid allegations that he groomed at least three students for sex during the 30-plus years he taught at the venerable boarding and day school for girls in Pittsfield.

There is an investigation underway into one allegation, a spokesperson for the DAs office said. But I cant say anything beyond that because this is an active investigation.

The spokesperson confirmed that the investigation is into allegations brought by former student Melissa Fares, who reported Rutledge to the school administration for allegedly sexually abusing and exploiting her when she was a student and after she graduated in 2010.

The states department of childrens services confirmed Thursday that it was also investigating the allegations.

The Department of Children and Families received a report and is investigating in collaboration with law enforcement, spokesperson Andrea Grossman said.

Fares and the two other former students whove come forward with allegations against Rutledge are very happy that this is being investigated," said Eric MacLeish, a lawyer who is representing the three women.

MacLeish declined to go into specifics about the cases and said Fares is not ready to talk publicly about Rutledge.

Rutledge, who mainly taught history at the school, was placed on administrative leave on March 27 after Fares came forward, and he resigned days later, according to a letter the school sent to alumni on April 3.

Since then, MacLeish said Fares and the two other women have signed representation agreements with him and another lawyer working on these cases, Kristin Knuuttila. But they have not yet filed any lawsuits.

MacLeish said he has not yet been in contact with the Berkshire County DAs office, but said its often an uphill battle to get teachers accused of preying on students convicted in Massachusetts.

In many states, any sex between teachers and students is a crime, MacLeish said. We wish that was the case in Massachusetts.

Julie Heaton, the head of school, said Thursday that Miss Halls School has been in active communication with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families and the Berkshire District Attorneys Office, and we will cooperate fully with any investigations."

On Tuesday, Heaton announced the school was initiating a neutral, external investigation into the allegations.

Former student Alison Cowie said rumors about Rutledge having inappropriate relationships with students were rife when she attended the school from 1997 to 2000. She said she was glad that law enforcement was investigating, but was dismayed that it took so long for the school to take notice.

Its unfortunate that it took the alums getting together and yelling about this to get the right people to notice, Cowie said.

Fares, a freelance journalist, disclosed that she had reported Rutledge to the school in a post on April 8 to a private Facebook group of Miss Halls School alumni.

I made the decision to report to the School administration that Mr. Rutledge sexually abused and exploited me while I was his student, Fares wrote. He used his power and control as a teacher (and as my advisor) to groom me for his own gratification.

Rutledge has made no public statements since he was banned from the campus and NBC News has not been able to reach him.

I hope he is held to account for the other girls he hurt, said another former Miss Halls School student, who asked to remain anonymous because she has family ties to the school.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Daiso to open at Park West Place; Bath & Body Works opens second Stockton location

(Apr. 17, 2024) A new Daiso store is coming to the Park West Places Shopping Center in north Stockton in the summer of 2024.

Park West Place in Trinity Parkway is welcoming new retailers to the Stockton shopping center.

It was recently announced that Daiso will be opening a second store at Park West Place. A sign on the business' windows reads opening "Summer 2024."

The family-owned Japanese retailer Daiso is a "one-stop-shop." It sells anything and everything from colorful stationery, Hello Kitty items, home, and beauty products.

In late December, Daiso celebrated its grand opening at Sherwood Place. This was Daiso's first store in the Central Valley and a first for Stockton.

Bath & Body Works opens a second location too

(Apr. 17, 2024) A new Bath and Body Works has open at the Park West Places Shopping Center in north Stockton.

Bath & Body Works is the newest tenant at Park West Place.

Three wick candles, fine fragrance mists, and hand sanitizers can now be purchased at the recently opened store at 10734 Trinity Pkwy Space G-A in Stockton.

This is the second Bath & Body Works location in Stockton. However, this is the first store in the area not inside an indoor mall.

Whether you are a "Champagne Toast" or "Mahogany Teakwood," Bath & Body Works probably has a scent or two to your liking.

Park West Place could not be reached for comment. The Bath & Body Works and Daiso's media teams did not immediately respond to a request for comment before publication.

Record reporter Angelaydet Rocha covers community news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at arocha@recordnet.com or on Twitter @AngelaydetRocha. To support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Bath & Body Works opens second location in Stockton
Collinsville Community Unit School District 10s Board of Education has announced the dates it will hold public hearings on a proposal to close Jefferson Elementary and relocate students to Summit and Twin Echo elementary schools.

All three hearings will take place at the districts administrative annex at 123 W. Clay on the following days and times:

Monday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Monday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 21 at 6 p.m.

Each hearing will include an overview of the proposal and opportunity for public input, followed by any comments from the board.

The district announced Tuesday that its considering closing Jefferson Elementary, one of its two smallest elementary schools tucked away on Boskydells Drive, following a board meeting Monday night where enrollment challenges were discussed.

Following that discussion, the board directed the district to schedule three public hearings to get community input on the closure proposal, Superintendent Mark B. Skertich said in a letter to Jefferson families.

The main reason for the proposal is low enrollment at both Jefferson and Summit elementary schools. This school year, there are 72 students at Summit and 82 at Jefferson. Projections for next year show that enrollment at each would be less than 80.

Having two buildings with less than 100 students is not sustainable, Skertich wrote in the letter.

Other factors in the consideration have been the age, accessibility and needed improvements at both schools, including the lack of ADA accessibility at Jefferson and inability to offer services to special education students and English language learners at Jefferson due to the buildings configuration.

The proposal would use St. Louis Road as the boundary for reassigning current Jefferson students to Summit and Twin Echo elementary schools. All staff would maintain their employment and continue in similar roles, the letter said.

Few tasks undertaken by a school district are more difficult than considering a school closure. Throughout the process, it has been noted the positive impact Jefferson Elementary has had on generations of Kahoks. Its students, staff, families and alumni are an integral part of the community and we will navigate this challenge together, Skertich concluded the letter.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The District welcomed the first of five free, portable public restrooms that are part of a new contract.

The D.C. Department of Public Works signed a contract with the company Throne Labs to bring the bathrooms to the District.

The first bathroom popped up in Oxon Run. D.C. Councilmember Brianne Nadeau said that the location would serve the park and the W2 bus stop.

Five portable, free public bathrooms coming to DC

Throne Labs, which is based out of Brentwood, Md., provides standalone bathroom units that can be moved. These units do not need any water, sewer or electric hookups.

Throne bathrooms can be accessed by scanning a QR code, texting a number or using the Throne app. The company also works with other partners to give tap cards to unhoused people and other marginalized groups.

Throne Labs COO and Co-Founder Jessica Heinzelman told DC News Now that this access method helps promote accountability. She said that the phone connection also helps ask for a cleanliness rating, which then helps with cleaning scheduling at the bathrooms.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Use of deadly force deemed justified in March officer-involved shooting in Hot Springs

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.  Officials with the Hot Springs Police Department are providing an update on Thursday following a deadly officer-involved shooting in March.

In a Thursday release, authorities said the use of deadly force by two officers during a shootout with 45-year-old Jody Lyn Lewis has been deemed justified after a review by the Garland County Prosecuting Attorney

Arkansas State Police investigating after suspect killed in officer involved shooting in Hot Springs

Police said the shootout happened around 9:35 p.m. on March 11 after officers stopped the vehicle Lewis was in at the Albert Pike Car Wash located at 2000 Albert Pike Road.

Officers said they saw that Lewis had a gun when he got out of the car and that he started firing at the officers, injuring one of them. Department officials said police then shot back at Lewis, hitting him multiple times.

Lewis was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Arkansas State Police then began investigating the incident and the two officers were placed on administrative leave.

Arkansas State Police identify suspect killed in shootout with police in Hot Springs

HSPD officials said the two officers have been released from administrative leave and will return to active duty. They also noted that the injured officer is expected to make a full recovery.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Eight people were killed after Ukraine's industrial region of Dnipropetrovsk was bombarded from the air by Russia early on Friday, Ukrainian authorities said, but there was some success for Kiev with a Russian supersonic bomber allegedly shot down.

Ukraine, which has called for extra weapons from Western allies to repel Kremlin forces, is being targeted almost every night by Russian missiles as Moscow tries to up the ante after months of front-line stalemate in the two-year conflict.

At least two people were killed and 15 injured in the regional capital of Dnipro, Governor Serhiy Lysak announced on Telegram.

A five-storey residential building was hit and the state-owned railway said rail facilities had been targeted. The main railway station in Dnipro was closed and long-distance trains were diverted.

According to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, six people were also killed in the town of Synelnykove - including two children - after several family homes were hit.

A factory was also damaged in Pavlohrad and an infrastructure building in Kryvyi Rih, officials added.

According to Lysak, the air defence system over Dnipropetrovsk was able to shoot down nine Russian missiles, but others got through.

Since Soviet times, Dnipro and other cities in the region have been home to Ukraine's defence industries.

To the south, the Dnipro River forms the southern front line of the war and Russian troops shelled the Nikopol district across the river with artillery, Lysak added.

The port city of Odessa was also attacked with missiles from the Black Sea, the Ukrainian Air Force said.

The Russian Air Force meanwhile acknowledged it had lost one of its Tupolev Tu-22M supersonic heavy bombers on Friday, but said the crash was due to technical reasons. Ukraine announced that it had instead shot the plane down.

The Ministry of Defence in Moscow said the aircraft crashed in the Stavropol region of southern Russia while returning from a combat mission. The four crew members had ejected and three were initially rescued. The aircraft had no ammunition on board, the ministry added.

Russian and Ukrainian military bloggers shared spectacular but unverified videos on social media which allegedly showed the long-range bomber spinning in the air with its engine on fire.

The commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, Mykola Oleshchuk, announced that this was the first time such an aircraft had been successfully brought down with a missile.

Ukraine's HUR military intelligence service said the Tupolev was shot at around 300 kilometres inside Russia. The damaged aircraft then flew on and crashed near its base by Stavropol.

The claims of both sides could not be independently verified.

In a dig at the West, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram that the skies over Ukraine could be defended just as well as the skies over Israel if foreign partners supplied more weapons.

Zelensky was visiting a command point near the embattled city of Chasiv Yar during a trip to the eastern front in the Donetsk region.

He was briefed on the situation and then awarded medals to soldiers.

The small town of Chasiv Yar, not far from Bakhmut which was captured by the Russians almost a year ago after heavy fighting, is considered to be the Kremlin army's next target following a drawn-out invasion that began in February 2022.

Zelensky's fears that the West has become occupied with other flashpoints after two years of supporting Kiev financially and militarily was echoed by the presidents of the parliaments in the three Baltic States.

They have sent a letter to the United States Congress urging lawmakers to approve a stalled aid package for Ukraine as US help is "indispensable at this crucial juncture."

NATO and EU members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all border fellow former Soviet state Russia and fear Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has them next in his sights.

A general view of the destruction following a Russian missile attack. -/ukrin/dpa
Agents of the Atesh military movement of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars reconnoitered the Black Sea Fleet naval base in Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Territory, Russia. The guerrillas recorded the deployment of patrol ships and oil tankers.

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This was reported on April 19 on the Telegram channel of the Atesh movement. A photo of the reconnaissance results was also published.

In particular, the agents spotted the 134th group of supply vessels of the Novorossiysk naval base.

The guerrillas also discovered a fleet maintenance base and a large oil transportation company, "Chornomortransnafta".

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The deployment of the 22160 project patrol ships and oil tankers of the aggressor country was also recorded.

"Russia has moved most of its warships to Novorossiysk from Crimea. Very soon, they will be destroyed here as well," the guerrillas promised and called on people to join Atesh.

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As OBOZ.UA reported, on April 18, the UK intelligence service said that Russia had withdrawn most of the Black Sea Fleet ships and submarines from occupied Sevastopol to Novorossiysk, where it had improved the infrastructure for basing ships for an indefinite period.

The Ukrainian Navy reported that the occupiers' warships were not entering the Black and Azov Seas due to the threat of attacks by the Ukrainian Defense Forces. At the same time, the enemy has stepped up air patrols of the area.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
A California-based group linked to Democrats is getting involved in a Pennsylvania congressional primary by boosting a Republican against a Republican incumbent in the latest example of liberal funds being directed toward a GOP primary.

True Patriots PA, a liberal group linked to California Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell, sent out mailers to Pennsylvania voters to slam GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and say he is not conservative enough, in essence boosting his primary opponent, Mark Houck, Politico first reported this week.

Fox News Digital obtained some of those mailers that framed Fitzpatrick as a "RINO" ("Republican in name only") and implied he wasnt conservative enough for the base that supports former President Trump.

"MAGA is ready to bag the biggest RINO in Congress," reads one of the mailers along with a photo of Fitzpatrick photoshopped onto a rhinoceros body. "We sent Brian Fitzpatrick to D.C. to represent our values, instead, he became best friends with Kamala Harris and the Democrats," another mailer said.

STRATEGISTS WARN ELECTION MEDDLING, PROMOTION OF CERTAIN GOP CANDIDATES COULD 'BACKFIRE' ON DEMOCRATS

Eric Swalwell, left, and Brian Fitzpatrick (File)

FEC records show True Patriots PA spent roughly $26,000 on the mailer.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Meagan Olson is listed as treasurer for both True Patriots PA and the Swalwell campaign.

"I consider Brian a friend and someone who has bravely defied his party to help secure Ukraine aid," Rep. Swalwell told Fox News Digital in a statement. "I have never heard of his primary opponent and am not involved or support any effort to defeat Brian in the primary. My office uses a professional compliance firm that serves as treasurer for dozens of campaigns."

When reached for comment, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) directed Fox News Digital to a Washington Post article in January 2024 in which DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene said her group no longer supports the strategy of propping up "far-right" candidates in swing districts.

"It should come as no surprise that a group connected to Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat who is so dumb that he was tricked into sleeping with a Chinese spy, would be propping up self-described chronic masturbator Mark Houck in the Republican Primary against Brian Fitzpatrick," Defending America PACs Chris Pack told Fox News Digital.

"Even Democrats as intellectually challenged as Eric Swalwell know that their best chance at flipping the one seat needed to take back Democrat control of the House of Representatives is if Mark Houck beats Brian Fitzpatrick in the primary next Tuesday."

Houck, a pro-life activist, has made previous acknowledgments that he "had a pornography problem" as a young man and spoke openly at a church conference about talking to his son about masturbation and erections.

DEMOCRATS RIPPED FOR ADMITTING 'QUIET PART OUT LOUD' AFTER PANIC ABOUT KEY STRATEGY HELPING TRUMP

True Patriots PA sent out mailers to Pennsylvania voters slamming GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.

"I struggled with pornography, and of course that leads to sexual sin, masturbation and stuff. That was a chronic habit," Houck said in a 2010 interview, which Defending America PAC included in an ad titled "Beat it."

In a recent statement , Houck said he "fell victim to the dehumanizing effects of the pornography industry" over "two decades ago." He also defended the conversation about his son, saying the clips circulating online "seizes on de-contextualized comments I made with my son present in public pursuit of this transformative ministry" meant to steer people away from pornography.

The Democrat group boosting Houck is the latest example of a recent trend in which liberal funds have been used to back Republican challengers in an effort to sink candidates who support or are supported by former President Trump.

PACs linked to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have spent millions meddling in GOP primaries this cycle, including in swing state Senate races in Ohio and Montana.

True Patriots PA sent out mailers to Pennsylvania voters slamming GOP Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.

Duty and Country PAC, affiliated with Schumer, ran ads during the Ohio GOP Senate primary that accused Trump-backed businessman Bernie Moreno of being "too conservative for Ohio." That effort proved unsuccessful in the primary as Moreno won every county in the Buckeye State, beating his nearest challenger by almost 20 points.

In 2022, Democrats spent more than $40 million to boost six pro-Trump candidates in Republican primaries, and all six of those Republicans lost their general election races to Democrats.

Fitzpatrick, who has so far declined to say if he will endorse Trump, voted against impeaching Trump twice and won re-election in 2022 by almost 10 points, despite Biden carrying the 1st Congressional district.

"After years of brutal losses, the far-left has finally figured out they have no chance of beating Congressman Fitzpatrick, so theyve now tagged California left-wing extremists to meddle in his primary using the same violent political rhetoric they claim to stand against," Fitzpatrick campaign spokesperson Ben Trundy told Fox News Digital in statement.

"This lame attempt to prop up Mark Houck, an admitted porn addict and serial grifter who believes in complete abortion bans with no exceptions, shows just how desperate they are to force their extreme policies on Bucks and Montgomery County voters."





Original article source: Dem-linked political group blasted for meddling in key GOP primary to boost challenger: 'Lame attempt'
Some lawmakers in Washington, D.C., who pushed for the impeachment of former President Donald Trump sang a different tune as they threw out articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday.

Both articles of impeachment against President Biden's Homeland Security secretary were deemed unconstitutional by the Senate on Wednesday in two party-line votes.

The first article alleged Mayorkas engaged in the "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law" regarding the southern border in his capacity as DHS secretary, while the second claimed Mayorkas breached public trust.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., proposed a point of order declaring the first article unconstitutional, to which the majority of senators agreed following several failed motions by Republicans. It was then deemed unconstitutional with a vote of 51-48, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, voting present.

INSIDE GOP PLAN TO FORCE AS MANY VOTES ON MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL AS POSSIBLE

The second article was deemed unconstitutional as well, with a party line vote of 51-49. This time Murkowski rejoined the process.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"The decision by the Senate to reject House Republicans baseless attacks on Secretary Mayorkas proves definitively that there was no evidence or Constitutional grounds to justify impeachment," DHS spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg told Fox News Digital on Thursday.

"As he has done throughout more than 20 years of dedicated public service, Secretary Mayorkas will continue working every day to enforce our laws and protect our country. Its time for Congressional Republicans to support the Departments vital mission instead of wasting time playing political games and standing in the way of commonsense, bipartisan border reforms," Ehrenberg added.

After the vote, Schumer turned to X to say, "Impeachment should NEVER be used to settle policy disagreements."

"If the GOP spent a fraction of the effort they spent on this meritless impeachment towards working with Democrats on border reform, we might have passed the bipartisan border bill," he said. "But Trump told his GOP allies in Congress to kill it. Trump even said: Please, blame it on me."

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY OF SENATE DEMS QUASHING MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL QUESTIONED BY EXPERTS

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks from a podium on Capitol Hill

Senate Republicans blocked the Biden-backed border bill earlier this year because they said it didn't address what's fueling the crisis.

"They put forward this legislation, ask for more authority, more funds, and frankly, more flexibility  and they say if we don't go for it, Republicans are now responsible for the crisis at the southern border. It's preposterous," Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said back in February.

Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt fired back in a statement to Fox News Digital, saying, "Crooked Joe Biden and Secretary Mayorkas reversed President Trump's effective border policies have allowed a border invasion of more than 14 million illegal criminals, murderers, rapists, and even known terrorists into our country. They must be held accountable. In November, President Trump will fire Crooked Joe Biden and Mayorkas and secure the southern border on day one."

When it came to Trumps impeachment in 2021, Schumer sang a different tune.

The House impeached Trump for a second time in January 2021 after 10 Republicans abandoned the former president and joined Democrats.

RASKIN SAYS TRUMP'S REFUSAL TO TESTIFY AT IMPEACHMENT SUPPORTS HIS GUILT

Schumer said at the time, "I regret to say for 45 Republican senators to vote for a spurious constitutional objection to the coming impeachment trial was deeply, deeply irresponsible."

During the Trump impeachment trial, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., broke from Schumer and said he believed the Senate had a responsibility to hold an impeachment trial but that it was an open question of whether the trial was constitutional.

But on the matter of Mayorkas, Murphy called the impeachment "bs."

"Republicans only see the border as a campaign issue," Murphy posted on X. "They don't want to solve the problem. They could have worked with us to pass the bipartisan border security bill. Instead, they wasted time on this bs impeachment, which doesn't solve the problem - just keeps it in the news."

Murphy and Schumer did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the impeachment.

40 HOUSE DEMOCRATS JOIN LEGISLATION TO BAR TRUMP FROM PUBLIC OFFICE

SENATE PREPARES FOR MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES WHILE GOP BRACES FOR POSSIBLE DISMISSAL MOTION

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., told Fox News at the time of the Trump impeachment that the process was "plainly unconstitutional."

Cotton joined several other Senate Republicans in signing a letter last week, lobbying for Schumer to hold a full impeachment trial for Mayorkas.

The Republican lawmakers said in the letter, "The American people deserve to hear the evidence through a Senate trial in the Court of Impeachment."

Cotton could not be reached for comment on Wednesday regarding the latest ruling in the Senate for Mayorkas and how it differs from Trumps impeachment process.

Fox News Digital's Julia Johnson and Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.





Original article source: Democrat lawmakers who pushed Trump impeachment sing different tune on Biden border chief
Indianapolis City-County Councilor La Keisha Jackson won a caucus vote to fill the remainder of the late Sen. Jean Breaux's term. (Photo from the Indianapolis City-County Councilor profiles)

Indianapolis City-County Councilor La Keisha Jackson won a caucus Thursday night to fill the remaining term of the late state Sen. Jean Breaux, according to a release from the Indiana Democratic Party.

Breaux, an Indianapolis Democrat, died last month following a prolonged illness that took her away from the entire 2024 legislative session.

Jackson and Chunia Graves, the vice president of the Marion County Young Democrats, both filed to fill the seat and addressed the precinct for several minutes before a vote  which Jackson won with 30 of 45 votes.

What I want to say tonight is that Senator Jean Breauxs legacy will live on, said Jackson in her acceptance speech. I cannot walk in her shoes because those are big shoes to follow. But what I do promise you is I will advocate, work hard, listen, and fight the good fight!

Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl praised the decision.

Throughout her time as a City-County Councilor, La Keisha Jackson has been a champion for her constituents on the Far Eastside, he said. She helped lead projects to tackle gun violence, and address affordable housing for her community. We have no doubt that she will continue these efforts in her new position representing Senate District 34 at the Statehouse.

Because the seat was up for re-election, and Breaux was the only one appearing on the primary ballot, a second caucus will occur after May 7 and before July 3 to fill the November ballot vacancy for the four-year term. Jacksons swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled at a later date.

The post Democratic caucus selects Indianapolis City-County Councilor Jackson for Senate vacancy appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Deputies in Town of Ahoskie warn community of property scam

TOWN OF AHOSKIE, N.C. (WAVY)  The Town of Ahoskie is advising the community to be aware of a possible scam, deputies said.

Theyve received reports of two males driving a a burgundy van, and impersonating Town of Ahoskie employees. The individuals are trying to convince property owners to sell their property to the Town or tear it down, and presenting paperwork, deputies said.

Deputies advised the community not to sign any paperwork and contact law enforcement.

Check with WAVY.com for more updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
This article was originally published in Florida Phoenix.

The state wont allow satanists to take advantage of a new law allowing religious chaplains to serve as counselors in public schools for students whose parents approve, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday while signing the legislation.

The governor also predicted the state would prevail if the new law draws a legal challenge over separation of church and state concerns.

Its our view that if school districts want to bring in chaplains to offer voluntary services, theyre within their right to do so. But theres been a lot of confusion about that, about whats permitted and whats not. This legislation clarifies that, yes, school districts and charter schools have the authority to allow volunteer chaplains to be on campus and provide additional counseling and support to students, DeSantis said during a bill-signing ceremony at Tohopekaliga High School in Kissimmee.

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Students with problems may benefit from some soul craft, he added.

Its totally voluntary for a parent or a student to participate. No one s being forced to do anything. But to exclude religious groups from campus, that is discrimination. Youre basically saying that God has no place. Thats wrong. Thats not what our Founding Fathers intended, DeSantis said.

Some have said that if you do a school chaplain program that, somehow, youre going to have satanists running around in all our schools. Were not playing those games in Florida. That is not a religion. That is not qualified to be able to participate in this. So, were going to be using common sense when it comes to this. You dont have to worry about it.

Representatives of the Satanic Temple have told the Florida Gannett newspapers that they intend to take advantage of the law. The group claims IRS recognition as a church.

Counseling

The measure, HB 931, allows schools to authorize religious figures to offer counseling on campus. They would publish lists of these chaplains to provide support, services, and programs to students as assigned by the district school board or charter school governing board, the legislation says.

Parents must be permitted to select a volunteer school chaplain from the list provided by the school district, which must include the chaplains religious affiliation, if any, the law adds.

The legislation doesnt outline qualifications for the volunteer chaplains other than passing a background check.

The governor also signed HB 1317, which allows patriotic organizations to address and recruit students with their parents consent. The state law refers to a list of groups designated by Congress, including the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the United States of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the Civil Air Patrol.

DeSantis reflected on the chaplains he encountered while in the U.S. Navy, some of them on the front lines.

I think that model of just having this available as part of the services that youre providing like we do in the military, we should be doing the same for our students here in school.

Veto Urged

Regarding chaplains, groups including the ACLU, Interfaith Alliance, and National Education Association warned that the measure faces litigation on ground that the program would allow religious indoctrination. The ACLU of Florida urged DeSantis to veto the bill.

DeSantis seemed primed for a fight.

What the ACLU is basically saying is that its OK to discriminate against religious organizations. They think the church should be a second-class citizen. They think you should not have the same access to come to campus that any other student organization or other types of groups would have, that its an inferior status, he said Thursday.

The First Amendment was enacted to prevent that. The First Amendment was enacted to ensure that people werent discriminated against on the basis of religion or the basis of their faith. So, I think its a bogus challenge. I do not think its gonna go anywhere, he continued.

The Legislature crafted the bill, DeSantis said, so that if this is something that you dont want, it doesnt affect you at all and you dont even have to worry about it.

The Phoenix reached out to the ACLU for comment but hasnt heard back yet.

Christian Nationalism

The governor appeared to endorse arguments proffered by Christian nationalist writer David Barton, who said that the writers of the Constitution favored an active role for religion in government. Other scholars have refuted such claims, and Bartons publisher withdrew his 2012 book, The Jefferson Lies, on the ground that basic truths just were not there.

When education in the United States started, every school was a religious school. I mean, that was just part of it. Public schools were religious schools, DeSantis insisted. You know, there has been things that have been done over the years that veered away from it, that original intent. But the reality is, I think what were doing is really restoring the sense of purpose that our Founding Fathers wanted to see in education.

The ACLU of Florida issued a written statement.

Public schools are not Sunday schools and chaplains are not school counselors. Allowing chaplains to assume official positions  whether paid or voluntary  in public schools as counselors or other support staff will undermine this right by creating an environment ripe for evangelizing and religious coercion of students in violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the organization said.

Across the country, families and students practice a wide variety of faiths, and many are nonreligious. All should feel welcome in public schools. Even well-intentioned chaplain policies will undermine this fundamental premise of our public-education system and violate our longstanding First Amendment principles.

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Diane Rado for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and Twitter.
On a hot day in September 1963, Henrie Monteith Treadwell, Robert Anderson and James Solomon Jr. descended the steps of the USCs Osborne Administration Building and walked toward Hamilton College, where they would first register for classes.

After nearly a century of barring students of color, the University of South Carolina was finally desegregated.

People must understand that my walking across that threshold was not the end of the story, Treadwell said in September at the groundbreaking for a monument to honor the three students. My walking across that threshold was the beginning of a story.

A 12-foot bronze sculpture commemorating the iconic photo of that very moment now stands proudly on USCs historic Horseshoe near the McKissick Museum, a permanent celebration of a turning point in the universitys history. The statue was set to be unveiled during a ceremony on Friday morning.

Its a special moment for us, said USC Board Chairman Thad Westbrook.

The monument is at the heart of campus, said Dorn Smith, USC board member and former board chair. The board hand-picked its location so that every man, woman and child who comes to visit will walk past it and enjoy it.

Treadwell, a Columbia native, graduated at the top of her high school class. And though it was nearly a decade after the the U.S. Supreme Courts historic Brown v. Board of Education ruling, which desegregated public schools, Treadwells application to USC was rejected in 1962.

With the help of civil rights attorney Matthew Perry, she and her family sued. And won. When the case made its way to the courtroom, university registrar Rollin Godfrey admitted on the stand: Treadwell had been rejected on the basis of race. The ruling opened the doors to Solomon and Anderson too.

Treadwells uncles home was bombed. The three students experienced harassment  from threatening calls to racial slurs. But unlike the violence and unrest that desegregation brought many southern universities, USCs integration was a relatively peaceful transition and the three went on to earn degrees from the university. In 1965, Treadwell became the universitys first Black graduate since Reconstruction, and the first Black woman graduate ever.

USC board member and former NBA star Alex English grew up in Columbia and lived off of Barnwell and Gervais streets. He remembers, at that time, not being able to walk across USCs campus to get to his elementary school.

These three brave students stepping forward and putting their lives on the line ... so that all African Americans and people of color would get the opportunity to be educated at this great university, said English.

The university Board of Trustees approved the creation of the monument in 2022 with unanimous support, on the eve of USCs 60th anniversary of desegregation. The board later selected world-class Jamaican sculptor Basil Watson to design and craft it.

Artist Basil Watson works on a model of the sculpture that will honor three Black students who desegregated the University of South Carolina. The University of South Carolina

We observe this anniversary not only to remember, but to look forward, university President Michael Amiridis said in September. Sixty years later, the momentous events of September 11, 1963, still inspire our USC community to uphold our commitment to higher education access and opportunity for all.

Several years ago, a push was made to change the names of USC buildings that referenced segregationists and slave owners. The effort was effectively shut down by the states Heritage Act, which requires legislative approval to change state-owned buildings named for historic figures.

But the desegregation monument, along with the naming of Celia Dial Saxon Hall after the prominent Black educator and Civil Rights advocate, are part of a forward-looking approach to putting the universitys history into context, Westbrook said.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and Habitat for Humanity supporters raise scarves displaying the message "home is the key" at a rally at the Minnesota Capitol on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Photo by Madison McVan/Minnesota Reformer.

In front of a crowd of Habitat for Humanity staff and supporters gathered in the Capitol rotunda Thursday, Rep. Michael Howard, DFL-Richfield, urged the audience members to speak with as many lawmakers as possible.

Tell them: dont leave this building until you make more homes available for more Minnesotans, said Howard, who chairs the House Housing Finance and Policy committee.

His plea to the crowd was genuine: Howard and other members of a coalition advocating for sweeping policy changes to encourage more housing development are watching their priorities fall off the DFL agenda.

The centerpiece of that coalition, and the priority for Howard, was a piece of legislation dubbed the missing middle bill, which would have taken many zoning controls out of local governments hands, legalizing the construction of more multifamily buildings in all parts of the state. It also would have limited parking requirements, which developers say drive up the cost of housing; legalized duplexes on all single-family lots in the state; and included bonuses for developments that were all-electric or met certain affordability guidelines.

That package of policy proposals  which had supporters on both sides of the aisle plus a coalition of developers, social justice and labor organizations  fell apart a couple weeks ago after opposition from local governments and DFL leadership.

The (bill) to change zoning from being a locally determined issue to a state level policy decision is a very significant policy change, House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said on April 4, adding that she and other members wanted to see how similar policies play out in other states before adopting the changes in Minnesota.

Bill to allow more apartment construction in commercial areas will not pass

Hortman in early April left the door open to one zoning policy change: a bill that would make it much easier for developers to build apartments in areas currently zoned for commercial use statewide.

That proposal faced pushback from local government leaders in the Senate State and Local Government and Veterans committee Tuesday, who criticized the proposal for preempting local control and safety concerns. The bill was ultimately tabled in the committee; it will not pass this session, Howard told the Reformer Thursday.

Are you concerned at all if you did this, if this passed into law, that youd have little kids getting run over with a forklift or a cement truck? asked Sen. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, in Tuesdays hearing.

Bill author, Sen. Lindsey Port, DFL-Burnsville, said she was not.

Sen. Heather Gustafson, DFL-Vadnais Heights, expressed concern with another part of the bill that would require cities to issue a decision on whether to approve or deny a residential development within 60 days.

Its just kind of a logistical nightmare, Gustafson said, citing short-staffing in many cities.

And lobbyists representing cities say the problem isnt local zoning rules.

Were not seeing the zoning stop (housing development), said Elizabeth Wefel, a lobbyist with the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities in the hearing. Inadequate finance is usually the challenge.

Developers who support the legislation say it would reduce the costs associated with the long, often arduous process of seeking a variance or other zoning change from a city.

The status quo isnt working, Port said in the committee hearing Tuesday. I wish it was. We invested a billion dollars last year. A billion dollars, which is more than what weve invested for the last 10 years combined into housing. And Im worried that that money is going to sit there. Im worried its going to take too long to get out to communities, because theyre going to keep running into exactly these problems.

Constitutional amendment for housing dies; renters protections moving forward

Another bill carried by Port and Howard and supported by some affordable housing groups would have allowed Minnesotans to vote on whether to enact a three-eighths of one percent statewide sales tax  around 38 cents per $100  to fund housing and homelessness response initiatives.

That bill did not receive a hearing in either housing committee and is dead for the session, but Howard reiterated support for the proposal in his message to Habitat for Humanity supporters Thursday. He described the proposal in an interview as a multi-year project that will require more coalition-building before it has a chance to pass.

Some housing bills  particularly those protecting tenants  are still alive.

A measure that would ban landlords from discriminating against potential tenants who receive government assistance like Section 8 vouchers is making its way through both chambers. That policy is a priority for Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

Lawmakers currently have around $9 million budgeted to boost emergency rental assistance programs in hopes of avoiding more evictions.

And several other tenant protections, including a right to organize, have already passed the Senate.

The post Despite broad coalition of support, housing bills falling off legislative agenda appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
New details in case of man who lost identity to fraudster working for UI hospitals

William Woods spent time in jail while a man using his identity built a thriving career at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.

A decades-long saga that ended with a former University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics employee facing a lengthy prison term for identity theft began more than 35 years ago with a missing wallet at a New Mexico hot dog stand.

The Cedar Rapids Gazette first reported the conviction of Matthew Keirans on April 3, citing a news release from the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Iowa.

Now, a Los Angeles Times story provides an account of how William Woods, the California man Keirans posed as, fought for years to convince authorities he was the real victim in the case  and even served a jail term for supposedly scamming the William Woods who worked in Iowa City.

Woods' troubles began when he met Keirans while they worked together at the stand in Albuquerque in 1988.

One day, Woods told the Times, his wallet went missing. He suspected Keirans, and said that after he questioned him and put his fist in his face  though he didn't hit him  Keirans handed the wallet back.

Woods' Social Security card and birth certificate were both still inside.

I didnt think anything of it, he told the Times. I didnt think he was actually going to do anything.

As real Woods struggles, impostor thrives

The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.

But over the next two years, Keirans, who left New Mexico a short time later, fully assimilated Woods' identity, calling himself William  sometimes Bill  Woods.

In 1990, court records show, he obtained a Colorado identity card in Woods' name and opened a bank account. He bought a car with bad checks in 1991, then headed north to Idaho. When the checks bounced, an arrest warrant was issued for Woods.

More: Iowa Republican lawmakers reach deal to speed up flat tax, lower rate to 3.8%

By 1994, Keirans had met his wife, Nancy. They settled in Oregon for a time and had a son who bears the stolen Woods name.

The real Woods told the Times that, meanwhile, he bounced around the Southwest, working as a day laborer in El Paso, Texas, then at a laundromat in Las Vegas.

Woods was not particularly successful in any of the spots where he landed, and by 2009, he was in San Diego, where he worked in an entry-level tech job.

Two lives continue trending in opposite directions

Keirans continued exploiting his false identity. In 2012, he acquired a copy of Kentucky native Woods' birth certificate using Ancestry.com data, according to court records.

A year later, Keirans, who was now living in suburban Milwaukee, was hired by the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics' information technology department.

Until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted him to full-time remote work, he commuted to Iowa City each week from his family home in Wisconsin, according to a letter his wife, Nancy Zimmer, filed with the court. He was paid more than $700,000 in his decade of employment.

More: Iowa City's 150-year-old Pagliai's Pizza building a step closer to historic landmark status

Accounts provided by family and friends in court documents paint Keirans as a completely normal father and husband, with no hint that he was living under an assumed name and using it to take advantage of the real Woods' credit.

He spent some of his money on college tuition and a car for his son, who in a letter to the court attributed his interest in tech, science fiction and more to his father. A high school dropout, Keirans slowly moved up the ladder at his job, eventually becoming a "Linux architect," according to his wife's letter.

She said Keirans had helped foster the loving home that he himself never had as a child.

In other letters asking the judge to consider pretrial release for Keirans, his sister-in-law described him as a "family first" man in every way over the 30 years she had known him. His neighbor called him "consistent" and "dependable" and said he and his family are "an asset to any community they live in."

Woods, meanwhile, had moved to Santa Monica, California, where he was selling "gem stones, gold scraps and other items he found on the streets" in Los Angeles jewelry district to earn money, the Times reported. Prosecutors would later describe him as homeless.

In August 2019, Woods discovered that someone had piled up debt in his name. He visited a local bank, seeking to close the accounts. But Woods failed to correctly answer security questions posed to him by a bank teller because they were meant to be answered by Keirans, court documents show.

After calling the number associated with the account and reaching Keirans, who correctly answered the security questions, the bank employee called police. They arrested Woods, accusing him of identity theft, the Times reported.

Two years in jail, accused of pretending to be ... himself

For two years, Woods, facing felony counts that erroneously accused him of stealing his own identity, spent time in both the Los Angeles County Jail and a psychiatric hospital. He attempted to prove his innocence, but Woods had little evidence to back his claim, and was ordered held without bail.

Investigators had at least one clue something was amiss. A document Keirans faxed to prove his identity had Woods' real middle name, Donald, instead of Keirans' assumed middle name, David. In a follow-up phone call, Keirans told investigators he sometimes went by the middle name David, but that his name was William Donald Woods.

Woods finally decided to plead no contest to the two felony charges he faced and was sentenced to time served. He was released after 428 days in jail and an additional 147 in the psychiatric hospital for stealing his own identity.

As a condition of his release, Woods was ordered by the court to "only use (his) true name, Matthew Keirans."

Finally, a University of Iowa police detective listens

Despite that admonition, Woods told the Times that following his release, he continued to fight to reclaim his identity. He learned where Keirans worked and contacted the hospital's security department. Officials referred the allegations to University of Iowa police Detective Ian Mallory.

Unlike the Los Angeles police, Mallory took Woods' story seriously.

He interviewed Keirans, who again insisted that someone in California  implicating the real Woods  had been attempting to steal his identity for four years.

But Mallory went beyond just talking to Keirans. He tracked down Woods' father in Kentucky and ordered a DNA test that showed Woods was indeed his son.

Mallory turned down the Press-Citizen's request for an interview, saying court rules forbid discussion of a case prior to sentencing.

After the DNA test, Mallory again interviewed Keirans. As they spoke, according to court records, Keirans made a fateful stumble, mixing up the names of his adoptive father and Woods' father. When Mallory then confronted him with the DNA evidence, Keirans said, "My life is over," and, "Everything is gone."

He then confessed to the entire scheme.

Woods must start over as long prison term looms over identity thief

In federal court in early April, Keirans pleaded guilty to identity theft and lying to a credit union. He is facing a years- or even decades-long prison stay.

While he awaited trial, Keirans read 16 books in an attempt to become "a better person," a statement that his wife wrote in her letter is "not 'mere puffery,'" but the truth. He has also requested books to help him cope with life in prison, she said.

She said Keirans calls her daily, constantly asking about her well-being and that of his son. He signs letters that he mails every week "I love and miss you" and asks her to tell their son he loves him, too.

The Times in its article described the real Woods as rambling. It said he theorized about corrupt politicians and police officers and even posited that police had known he was not an identity thief and conspired with the bank teller to put me in jail on purpose.

In response to inquiries by the paper about Woods claims, police said no additional information was currently available, citing the ongoing investigation.

The Times also talked to Eric Kilmer, a former co-worker of Woods at the Albuquerque hot dog stand. Kilmer described Woods to the paper as the most innocent type fellow youll ever want to meet, and said others saw Woods as an easy target.

I think that since people were taking advantage of him over time, all these names stick in his head, Kilmer told the Times. Hes just trying to tie it all together in his own mind, I think.

Woods was back in Albuquerque in 2023. Now, he's staying in a friend's van in El Paso, Texas, uncertain about his future.

Whats next for me? he told the paper. I guess I have to regain all my stuff back and just rebuild what I was.

Des Moines Register courts reporter William Morris contributed to this article.

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: New details emerge in identity theft case of ex-UI hospitals employee
Dickey Betts Only Needed 5 Minutes to Write Ramblin Man, One of the Biggest Rock Songs Ever



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The Allman Brothers Band frontman Dickey Betts claimed he penned the groups single Ramblin Man in roughly the same amount of time it takes to actually listen to the song.

In doing so, he created one of the most recognizable rock tracks ever.

A standout vocalist and guitarist, Betts died Thursday at age 80, at his home in Osprey, Florida, of complications from cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Dickey was larger-than-life, and his loss will be felt worldwide, his family said in a statement.

Betts was a member of The Allman Brothers Band for more than 30 years and is best known for writing and singing Ramblin Man. The 1973 smash became the groups only top-10 hit, rising all the way to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and helped cement their legacy as future Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

But compared to how impactful it became, Betts had a surprisingly easy time creating the tune.

Listen to Ramblin Man on Apple Music and Spotify.

Betts led The Allman Brothers Band after two deaths

Betts created The Allman Brothers Bands defining hit after a pair of tragedies thrusted him into the spotlight.

Born on December 12, 1943 in West Palm Beach, Florida, Betts showed musical skill from an early age, learning to play the ukelele around age 5 and the banjo and mandolin soon after. According to Rolling Stone, he formed his own band as a teenager as a side project to his jobs as a house painter and mail carrier.

After touring with a Midwestern band called the Jokers in the mid-1960s, Betts formed another group of his own, the Second Coming, with bassist Berry Oakley. In a lucky break, the two met up for a jam session with Duane Allman, who recruited them to join him and his brother, Gregg Allman, in The Allman Brothers Band in 1969. Betts quickly made his mark with the group, penning the hit "Revival on their album Idlewild South the following year and becoming known for his on-stage guitar duels with Duane.

However, that chemistry was lost when Duane Allman and Oakley died in separate motorcycle accidents in 1971 and 1972, respectively. Duane was bursting with energy; he was a force to be reckoned with. His drive and focus, as well as his intense belief in himself and our band, was incredible, Betts told Guitar World in 2007. He helped us all believe in ourselves, too, and that was an essential key to the success of The Allman Brothers Band.

Whether he liked it or not, Betts became the new force of the group as its de-facto frontman and lead guitarist.

A conversation with a friend inspired Ramblin Man

The group would experience their first widespread success with the 1973 album Brothers and Sisters, which contained the songs Jessicanamed after Betts daughterand, of course, Ramblin Man.

Betts told AXS TV the inspiration for the song stemmed from a conversation he had while living with a friend named Kenny Harwick, who built barbed wire fences for ranchers. It was around this time he said he started to truly make it playing music.

I would come back to see him every night. Hed say, How you been doing? Playing your music and doing the best you can, I reckon, Betts said. And that line just stuck with me. I said, That's rhythm, [a] rhythmic line.

Betts kept the idea for a song in his mind for over a year before finally putting lyrics to paper in 1972. The title was inspired by country legend Hank Williams 1951 song of the same name.

I changed it around, and instead of playin my music, [I wrote] 'Im tryin to make a livin, you know? Trying to relate to people that dont play music, Betts explained. I sit down to write it, and I wrote it in five minutes. Its like you [were] writing a letter to your girl.

The song wasn't going to be on the album

Betts initially wasnt going to include the song on the groups breakout album. He felt it had a country flavor and would need to first be Allmanized into a rock-blues track.

Betts told the Wall Street Journal he found inspiration from Eric Claptons hit "Layla, which featured a long jam at the end of the song. He also knew the song needed a catchy introduction, so he created the fiddle-like opener on a pentatonic scale.

During the recording session, pianist Chuck Leavell exchanged lines with Betts and worked on the songs harmonies. Then Betts had another clever idea: dubbing a guitar solo over four other guitars playing a mix of high and low notes to create the songs now-iconic sound. All of it together had a big, symphonic sound. It was like Benny Goodmans stuff in the 30s. His band was arranged so it would have this big, broad sound, with Bennys high clarinet weaving in and out. The contrast was exciting, Betts said.

It was also the last song Oakley worked on before his death a month later.

Bob Dylan loved "Ramblin' Man"

Jeff Kravitz - Getty Images

The song was an immediate hit and was played on the radio so much that you couldnt escape it, according to the bands photographer Kirk West.

If Betts and the band needed any more proof they had created an enduring classic, folk icon Bob Dylan admittedly loved Ramblin Man. Dylan even invited Betts onstage at a 1995 concert in Tampa and requested that they perform the song together. Betts offered to quickly write down the lyrics for his unexpected duet, but Dylan responded, I know the words. I should have wrote that song.

He knew the song word for word. Man, it was such an honor," Betts told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune in 2018. He sang it and I told him later that those words have never had so much feeling.

The Allman Brothers Band never had another song reach the heights of Ramblin Man, and they split up and reunited twice by 1989. Betts eventually left the group for good in 2000.

The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and Ramblin Man remains their most famous tune. It was a big surprise to me that people liked it as much [as they did], Betts said.

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Dnipro declares day of mourning for those killed in Russian missile strike

Dnipro mayor Borys Filatov has declared mourning on 20 April for those killed in the Russian missile strike on the city on the night of 18-19 April.

Source: Borus Filatovs order

Quote: "In order to honour the memory of those who were killed in the tragedy that occurred on 19 April 2024, as a result of the Russian missile attack on the city of Dnipro and oblast, to declare a day of mourning in the city of Dnipro on 20 April 2024."

Details: On the day of mourning, flags on public institutions will be at half-mast. Businesses are also advised to display flags with black ribbons.

Background:

As a result of the Russian attack, two people were killed in the city of Dnipro; six people, including two children, were killed in Synelnykove; and 29 other residents of the oblast were injured.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the world to defeat Russian terror after another bloody attack by the Russians.

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On the morning of April 19, Russian occupation forces launched missiles at the Dnipro region, killing eight people and injuring 29. In addition to the damage in Dnipro, there was damage in Kryvyi Rih, Pavlohrad, and Synelnykove.

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Residential, industrial and railroad infrastructurewere hit. This was reported by the head of the Regional Military Administration Serhii Lysak.

According to him, during this Russian terror, some of the enemy targets (about 11 missiles) were shot down by air defense forces, but unfortunately, there were also hits. In particular, one of the enterprises in Pavlohrad was damaged.

In the town of Sinelnykove, four private residential buildings were partially destroyed and 10 more damaged. Six people died in the town, including two children. Another six people (including a child) were injured, two people were rescued.

Three residents of Kryvyi Rih were also injured in the attack.

ADVERTISIMENT

It is confirmed that Russian terrorists have carried out a targeted massive shelling of civilian facilities of Ukrainian Railways in Dnipropetrovsk region. There are wounded among the railway workers. As a result of the attack, the Dnipro railway station suspended operations, and long-distance and suburban trains were temporarily suspended.

According to the Dnipropetrovsk State Emergency Service, a total of eight people were killed in Dnipro and the region, 29 were injured, and 14 were rescued. Emergency rescue operations are ongoing. SES psychologists are working on the ground.

As reported, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his condolences to the families of the residents of Dnipro region who fell victim to Russian missile strikes on April 19. He said that the aggressor country must be held accountable for its terror against Ukrainians, and called on partners to strengthen Ukraine's air defense.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The Russians carried out a targeted large-scale attack on civilian infrastructure facilities belonging to Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) in the city of Dnipro and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Search and rescue crews are working at the scene, and information about casualties is being ascertained.

Source: Ukrzaliznytsia

Details: "Operations at Dnipro railway station have been suspended. Long-distance and suburban trains are currently not running to Dnipro station: the temporary terminal stops are Nyzhnodniprovsk and Horiainove," the statement said.

The arrivals of the following trains in Dnipro are delayed, and passengers will disembark at Horiainove station:

No. 38 Kyiv  Zaporizhzhia;

No. 80 Lviv  Dnipro;

No. 120 Kyiv  Zaporizhzhia.

After passengers disembark at Horiainove station, trains running to Zaporizhzhia will detour around Dnipro.

Ukrzaliznytsia also said that some of their railway workers had been injured.

Background:

The Russians hit a residential building in Dnipro. The five-storey building was partially destroyed and a fire broke out.

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Doctor executed outside his private hospital in Tijuana

SAN DIEGO (Border Report)  The medical director at Hospital Arcangeles, a private hospital in Tijuana, was executed Thursday morning while sitting in the parking lot of the facility, police said.

Investigators say the victim is Dr. Joaquin Merlos Barajas, who was 65 years old.

A security guard was also shot, but his wounds are not considered life-threatening.

Zombie drug worries Tijuanas abuse prevention community

In February of last year, Merlos Barajas, who was a plastic surgeon, was suspended by Baja Californias Protocols and Sanitary Risks Commission after a woman died while under his care at the hospital.

The doctor was also under investigation in the United States after being accused of insurance fraud.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

Abraham Sanchez Frehem, director of the Medical Health Cluster, an influential medical association in Tijuana, said the medical community is saddened by the tragic event and hopes the authorities catch those responsible and brings them to justice.

Investigators say right now they do not have a motive for the attack on Merlos Barajas.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A Jacksonville man pleaded guilty on Thur., April 18, in federal court for illegally selling firearms and machinegun conversion devices (MCDs).

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Scott Randall Chance Jr., 22, was identified by federal and local law enforcement agencies in October 2022 for being a source of illegal firearms and MCDs in Duval and St. Johns counties.

According to his plea deal released by the Department of Justice, on four separate occasions, between February and July 2023, Chance illegally sold firearms and MCDs to an undercover law enforcement officer. Chance sold a total of six guns and three of the devices to that officer.

READ: Justice Department ramps up efforts to reduce violent crime with gun intel center, carjacking forces

The defendant now faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office, and the St. Johns County Sheriffs Office.

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Donald Trump Jr. weighs in on the Diddy scandal. Heres his connection to the rapper

Donald Trump Jr. has entered the chat.

The former first son, 46, put aside politics for a minute to talk the Sean Diddy Combs scandal, on DJ Akademiks podcast from Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach Wednesday.

Donald Trumps oldest child actually has a connection to the embattled rapper, whose Miami and L.A. homes were raided by the feds last month as part of a sex-trafficking investigation.

READ MORE: See Diddys Miami Beach mansion after raid

Trump empathized with the music mogul,  who has been accused in several lawsuits of sexual assault  in one regard. He likened the raids to what happened to his father, former president Donald Trump, at Mar-a-Lago back in August 2022.

Ridiculous ... holding kids at gunpoint, Jr. said. Its a show of force. Totally unnecessary.

Combs and Jr. have another connection: Trump Jr.s ex wife, Vanessa Haydon, was friends with Diddys longtime partner Kim Porter, and mother of three of his seven kids. Porter and Haydon were models who ran in the same circles in NYC in the 90s, he told the DJ at around the four-minute mark.

Trump recalled that his ex phoned him after Porters shocking death of pneumonia at the age of 47 back in 2018.

READ MORE: Diddy spotted in Miami after raids

She was like ... she did not believe that was just natural, he said, adding that Porter had confided to Haydon that she was afraid of Combs.

Im not trying to fuel rumors, the former Apprentice star added.

Theres a s--t ton of rumors, Akademiks said.

But, according to the Los Angeles Coroners Office, Porter, who had been ill for days, died in her sleep of lobar pneumonia, which affects the entire lobe of the lung, and the death was ruled natural.
For someone who frequently proclaims his innocence, Donald Trump sure loves to act like a two-bit gangster. The perpetual defendant should be focused on staying out of prison and running for president as the first of his four criminal trials kicks off. Instead, he is still focused on his lifelong obsession with making money while avoiding honest work. And the latest marks for this elderly grifter are other Republican candidates running in state or local races.

"[T]he Trump campaign is asking for down-ballot candidates who use his name, image and likeness in fundraising appeals to give at least 5 percent," Politico reported late Wednesday. The campaign's, uh, "outreach" took a nice shop you got there, shame if something would happen to it tone. "Any split that is higher than 5% will be seen favorably by the RNC and President Trumps campaign and is routinely reported to the highest levels of leadership within both organizations," read the letter sent to Republican fundraisers this week.

One would think the "or else" was already implied by this language, but Trump's campaign committee clearly worries Republican politicians struggle to understand subtlety. So the threat was made explicit: "Any vendor whose clients ignore the guidelines mentioned above will be held responsible for their clients actions," including having the Trump campaign cut them off.

It's been long established that Trump sees his supporters, first and foremost, as open wallets to pick. But his interest in separating fools from their money has escalated in recent months, as his legal fees and court judgments are mounting. Despite routinely declaring himself to be a "billionaire," Trump has done everything in his power to avoid paying what he owes. Instead, he's resorting to tricks of all sorts, including his longstanding favorite: Swindle some schmuck into paying it for him.

Despite getting his nearly half-billion bond reduced to $175 million after losing his fraud case in New York, the money Trump allegedly secured is starting to smell quite fishy. Simply put, Attorney General Letitia James seems concerned that the guy offering to secure the bond does not actually have the money to pay it.

"Billionaire" Trump also seems to be digging through the metaphorical couch cushions to pay his lawyers. One reason President Joe Biden's war chest is much bigger than Trump's is because Trump donors are being directed to a PAC that pays his legal bills, not traditional campaign activities like ads and organizing. The Trump takeover of the Republican National Committee appears to be financially motivated, at least in part. As soon as Trump installed loyalist leaders, including his daughter-in-law, the RNC restructured its cash flow system so that Trump's legal bills get priority over traditional campaign expenses.

Now, they're shaking down people running for state legislatures and comptroller offices, with the implication that saying no means Trump will publicly put that candidate on blast, derailing their career. Not that anyone should feel pity for these Republicans. They're copycats using Trump's most basic grift: Slapping his name all over your fundraising appeals, with the implicit promise to MAGA followers that sending them money will make liberals cry. Still, it is especially churlish of Trump to begrudge the little guys a piece of his hustle. Republicans had to give away whatever dignity they had left by praising Trump publicly, so of course they want a little payola in return.

No doubt Trump thinks he's a super-genius for being able to con so many people, but really, it's the same thing over and over, from hawking Trump sneakers to tricking MAGA granny into becoming a recurring donor. It's a legal or semi-legal form of what the Security and Exchange Commission calls "affinity fraud": Where fraudsters target "members of identifiable groups" by being a member of that group or enlisting "respected community or religious leaders from within the group" to convince members "that a fraudulent investment is legitimate and worthwhile."

Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.

A classic example would be people in a pyramid scheme targeting fellow members of their church. Multilevel marketing scams that spread through Facebook groups are another example. It is why so many hucksters sell survivalist kits, supplements and overpriced gold through right-wing media networks. It's how people end up spending $60 for a suspiciously lightweight Trump-branded "Bible," even though a real Bible with all the words in it is available for cheap or even free.

Over the weekend, the Washington Post offered up a delicious slice of schadenfreude to liberal readers, in the form of interviews with Trump voters who bought stocks in Truth Social. Because of the affinity for Trump with some folks, the price of the stock, which was traded under his initials DJT, soared to many times what financial experts estimated it was worth. Then, as predicted, the price started to crater. The folks interviewed bought the stock at prices ranging from $65-$90 a share. Then it fell to the mid-twenties and now Biden's out there cracking jokes about it: "if Trumps stock in the Truth Social, his company, drops any lower, he might do better under my tax plan than his."

Usually, when people make bad investments, they can chalk it up to poor information or a temporary lapse in judgment. But to admit this was foolish, for these folks, would cast doubts about what they've been doing with the past few years of their lives be remaining devoted to Trump worship. They've just put in too many pennies not to waste all their pounds. So instead they spin a face-saving story about how they're sure he's got an ace up his sleeve and the stock will bounce back.

The down-ballot Republican candidates suddenly facing a Trump-imposed fee are in a similar situation. Having built their political identities around being Trump sycophants, they can't just back out now. That is why Trump feels free to shake them down. Turns out that betting your political career on someone who models himself after a mafioso is not a great long-term plan for security. I'm genuinely surprised the protection fees were set at a modest 5% minimum. It's likely just an opening gambit. If they pay that  and I'm sure many will be fearful enough to do so  watch for the fee to keep Trump from badmouthing them in public to rise.
Donald Trumps latest courthouse antic drew ire on social media.

The former president on Thursday left the Manhattan criminal court hosting his hush money trial with a stack of papers in his hands.

The presumptive GOP nominee claimed they were stories from legal experts saying how this is not a case.

The case is ridiculous, added Trump, who has repeatedly claimed without evidence that the allegations against him are politically motivated and a witch hunt orchestrated by President Joe Biden.

Donald Trump: Im supposed to be in New Hampshire. Im supposed to be in Georgia. Im supposed to be in North Carolina, South Carolina. Im supposed to be in a lot of different places campaigning, but Ive been here all day on a trial that really is a very unfair trial. pic.twitter.com/Q0PWXVfaPG  Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) April 18, 2024

Video of Trumps stunt went viral on X, formerly Twitter, and commenters had thoughts about the often-truth-averse defendant:

What a waste of color ink... pic.twitter.com/SQ4N4UR6wI  Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) April 18, 2024

Trump to his lawyer: Give me some papers to make it seem like I know whats going on.



Lawyer: Sir, these are just blank pages.



Trumps I know but I want them to think how smart I am.  TheSocialTruth (@desocialtruth) April 19, 2024

Oh no, another prop just like the binder of the healthcare plan that was coming in 2 weeks. I wonder whose desk he took those papers from.  Bo (@Barbo131) April 19, 2024

For a hot minute I thought that stack of papers Trump walked out of court with was his health care plan thats been coming for two weeks, hes only like 8 years(and counting) late with it.  pic.twitter.com/OHxf04iWKo  MAGA Meltdown (@ULTRAMAGA_HATER) April 18, 2024

Outside the courthouse today, the depraved psychopath pulled the same 'stack of papers scam' he once did on 60 Minutes when he had Kayleigh McEnany hand Lesley Stahl a binder full of irrelevant bullshit that McEnany falsely claimed was Trump's comprehensive healthcare plan.  Bill Madden (@maddenifico) April 18, 2024

Trump & his famous  let me show you All These Papers while not showing a single one. Just another con of a lot of misc paper he says proves his point. Problem is hes tried this routine too many times & we know its a con! https://t.co/lUluytjr11  Sarah B (@BettersMrs) April 19, 2024

Trump is innocent clearly, I mean the man has STAPLED STACKS OF PAPERS.  Julie Wright (@reddogcw) April 18, 2024

#Trump is known for using the "Stack of Papers Ruse."



He tried it with Leslie Stahl, and said a stack of papers was his healthcare plan.



After he got up and left, she looked at it, and it was BLANK pages.



It's ALL a stunt. He's not real.#Republicans#JudgeMerchanhttps://t.co/lUcw8YR377  Four R Republic (@FourRRepublic) April 18, 2024

That stack of papers is the indictments against trump.  Jane Eeee (@emmons_jane) April 18, 2024

Trump complains about being in court all day. All his crimes have brought him to this space. Today he showed a stack of papers claiming theyre from legal scholars saying the trial is illegal. LAUGHABLE. They were just from conservative media figures. Hardly scholars! #Rikers  America7 (@GaryAmerica7) April 19, 2024

The stack of papers that Donald Trump was holding up today were all his lies  Lee (@LeeHough17) April 19, 2024

That stack of papers Trump was holding outside the courtroom, people realize none of that was evidence that would prove his innocence, right?



Those were just opinions and editorials from Conservatives and "friends" saying this case is a waste of time.   - Nani  (a heart is greater then check mark) (@NaniWaialeale) April 19, 2024

Why did his attorneys let him stand in front of the cameras, with a stack of papers? Trump looks like a little kid bragging about how many friends gave him B-day cards. "See look at this!" He has no respect for the American people.  https://t.co/jxZGjRZuF5  bloretta56 (@bloretta561) April 19, 2024

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After shutting down for more than a week after a mass shooting that killed two people, Martini Bar Doral reopened Thursday. The nightspot welcomed newcomers and regulars as it marked the life and death of security guard George Castellanos.

Aside from a fundraiser and the nightclubs reopening, it seemed like any other night at the bar, with music playing and drinks flowing.

Ricardo Luzuriga, 38, sipped drinks, accompanied by his seven-month-pregnant wife, Mayra Luzuriga, at the outdoor bar, and they chatted with fellow patrons. The pair were eager to return to what they call their special spot.

It is a comfortable and fun place to go out to, Ricardo Luzuriga said, noting his wife was pregnant with their first child when they discovered the bar two years ago. I never heard of any past history at this place.

He said they drive to the Doral spot from Fort Lauderdale for the vibe.

Its different; it has that level of fancy and class, he said.

As part of the reopening, all profits through Monday will go to Castellanos 1-year-old daughter, Everlyn, and family. An online donation site was also set up.

Martini Bar co-owner Louis J. Terminello said he has focued on creating an environment of safety that his customers and workers could return to.

The focus tonight is honoring George, coming together as a community and doing everything we can to help the family, said Terminello, who is also chair of the Hospitality, Alcohol & Leisure Industry Group at GreenspoonMarder LLC.

READ MORE: Security guard killed in Doral bar shooting was an FIU student and future police officer

The bar increased security on Thursday with metal-detecting wands, pat-down procedures and an increase in personnel. And more police and security roamed CityPlace Doral, 8300 NW 36th St.

Its been a tremendously difficult time for all of us. Its still hard to believe its even real, Terminello said. We are so grateful for everyone that has come out tonight. It means the world to us.

As midnight approached into Friday morning, the crowd reached a little over two dozen people. For a Thursday night, it was business as usual for a spot busier on the weekend.

We do our most business during Friday and Saturday into the early morning hours, as most clubs do, he said.

Garreth Stokes has been to the bar several times and was happy to return.

Its a beautiful city; its an upcoming city, he said. There is a sense of family among the staff who have worked for sometimes decades together  security, bartenders and all the staff.

Shooting leaves two dead

Everlyn Marie Castellanos with father George Castellanos, who was killed at the age of 23 during a mass shooting at Martini Bar in Doral on April 6.

During the early hours of April 6, James Wayne Wood, 37, shot to death security guard George Alejandro Castellanos, 23, after he tried to intervene in an argument between Wood and another patron at Martini Bar.

Two off-duty Doral police officers were just outside the bar and rushed to confront Wood. They shot at him, and he returned fire  dying in the gunfight.

The investigation is ongoing so I cant speak to any details. But its important to note this is the first incident like this at a Martini Bar location in 30 years, Terminello said. This is a horrific tragedy but not any kind of systemic issue.

Released 911 calls detailed the fear and panic after bullets went flying. One woman begged an operator for help as someone she was with was shot.

Theyre dying, she said.

Another caller reported that people were down, an officer was down and a mass shooting was taking place.

READ MORE: Mass shooting. People down: 911 calls reveal frantic scene during Doral bar shooting

Six bar patrons were injured, and a Doral officer also was hurt. Carlos Milan, his fiance Yaniris Jerez and her brother Miguel Jerez were among those caught in the shooting.

Yaniris, 30, was shot in the leg and Miguel, 34, and Milan, 38, were taken to the ICU for their injuries at Jackson Memorial Hospital and HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, respectively. Miguel was shot in the stomach and Milan was hit four times.

The Jerez siblings filed a civil lawsuit against Martini Bar Thursday, alleging the business was negligent.

This tragic event underscores a profound failure in certain security measures implemented by CityPlace Doral and Martini Bar Doral, The Ferraro Group, the Miami law firm representing the duo, said in a statement.

READ MORE: Doral mass shooting victims lawsuit says Martini Bar and CityPlace Doral were negligent

Terminello said, I cant speak to any legal matters right now.

City may force bars to close earlier

Martini Bar Doral reopens more than a week after a mass shooting that left two dead. Patrons return to have fun and honor slain security guard.

Martini Bar, along with other Doral bars and nightclubs, could see restrictions in the aftermath of the shooting.

During a city council workshop earlier this month, Doral Mayor Christi Fraga said she would propose a review of decade-old policies concerning alcohol sales and the closing times of bars and nightclubs.

Specifically, the proposal would have those establishments close at 2 a.m. instead of 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., the current closing times for some, and have the last call for alcohol sales be 1:30 a.m.

Seven Doral businesses are at the center of the proposal, including Martini Bar and Trump National Doral Miami.

READ MORE: Doral mayor proposes tougher restrictions on nightlife venues following mass shooting

Terminello said, This is deeply personal to me, our staff and our community. But its important for all of us to not have a knee-jerk reaction and overcorrect, which could be detrimental to local businesses and the people of Doral who support their families by working at this establishment.

Fraga will make the proposal during the May 8 council meeting. Some on the City Council have already expressed hesitancy about the plan, and the majority of the council did not attend the April 10 workshop where she presented her idea.

For Martini Bar, closing even a few hours earlier could be harmful to the business.

It actually has a huge financial impact on our staff and local businesses. But it wouldnt actually enhance security, Terminello said. This has been a deeply personal tragedy for us, and we have already put measures in place to enhance our already rigorous security on various fronts. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our staff and patrons.
BRECKENRIDGE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  If you drive through downtown Breckenridge, you may notice some of the businesses have a refreshed look. For the past three years, the Breckenridge Downtown Development Council and Economic Development Council have been pushing to revive the downtown area and keep the town alive.

J.B. Sparks, one of the BDDC chairmen, told KTAB/KRBC that his motivation for a fresh new look comes from a trend in surrounding areas.

I came here over 11 years ago, and I was appalled at the downtown area, was not appealing. It wasnt attractive There are neighboring rural communities real close to us that are dying, we dont want to see that happen in our community, Sparks said.

PHOTOS: City of Breckenridge unveils new playground & park renovation plans

So far, many local businesses have been fixing the facades of their buildings with the help of a city grant matching 50% of the cost, and businesses have seen positive results. Helen Ezell is one of those business owners, and she said the progress has been steadily coming.

Four or five years ago, improvement started happening gradually, Ezell said. It has been a big asset to the community. We get a lot of feedback from the customers and the local people who are passing through, how much improvement there is, and how nice that looks.

Breckenridge boomtown days chronicled by famous photographer

The project commenced with the renovation of the streets and sidewalks along Walker Street to attract tourists. Currently, a new mural is being prepared for a buildings facade.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
Drivers billed thousands of dollars for tows under a mile, cops say. Tow operator charged

The owner of a Pittsburgh-area towing company is facing more than 100 charges after he was accused of inflating costs, charging customers thousands for short-trip tows and fraudulent fees, officials said.

Vincent G. Fannick, 56, was charged on April 18 with 27 counts each of insurance fraud, theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, and securing execution of documents by deception, according to a joint news release from Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry and the Allegheny County Police Department.

McClatchy News reached out to Fannicks attorney for comment on April 18 but did not receive an immediate response.

According to officials, Fannick, owner of Vinces Towing, was charging consumers insurance companies exorbitant tow costs by not including prices on invoices and then tacking on large accident services fees.

Fraudulent accident fees cost the 27 customers more than $100,000, officials said.

These actions targeted unsuspecting members of our community during their most vulnerable moments, Superintendent Christopher Kearns of the Allegheny County Police Department said.

Authorities first learned of Fannicks scheme in 2023 when a consumer reported Vinces Towing charged their insurance company $11,390 for a short-trip tow the vehicle owner did not request, including a $4,250 accident services fee, according to the attorney general.

Between February 2023 and February 2024, 26 other customers were subjected to the same scam, officials said.

Insurance companies were charged between $9,460 and $13,105 for single, short-trip tows, the attorney general said. In one case, Fannick charged $9,805 for towing a vehicle one-third of a mile.

Fannick reportedly told another customer he would keep her car unless she paid her $11,780 bill, which included a $4,380 towing fee for seven-tenths of a mile, $4,250 recovery fee, $1,200 gate fee, $1,200 administrative fee and $195 a day in storage fees, according to KDKA.

Fannick is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on May 3, officials said.

Pennsylvania officials warn drivers to beware of wreck chasers and rogue towers who employ predatory and deceptive tactics to scam customers.

Urgent care worker posing as nurse assaults over a dozen women, Pennsylvania cops say

Fake priest preyed on churches across US in string of robberies, California cops say

Man swindled $30K from 83-year-old friend then killed him, Pennsylvania officials say
On the morning of April 19, the Ukrainian Air Force shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic fighter-bomber that was firing missiles at Ukraine. The enemy aircraft was hit by an S-200 anti-aircraft missile system.

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This was reported to OBOZ.UA by sources in the Ukrainian military intelligence. As you know, the downed plane crashed in the Stavropol region of the Russian Federation and burned in a field.
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW)  Five people were displaced after their home near Conway was damaged by fire early Friday morning.

Horry County Fire Rescue was dispatched at 4:16 a.m. to the home on Quiet Avenue. The fire was mostly contained to the porch area with some damage to the main residence.

No injuries were reported. The Red Cross of South Carolina is assisting the displaced residents.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The Eaton County Board of Commissioners took the first step in suing insulin manufacturers over allegations of price fixing.

Commissioner Jacob Toomey tells 6 News a resolution passed Wednesday authorizes the County Administrator to explore the potential for a lawsuit, as well as identify attorneys to represent the county in a lawsuit.

Should this come to fruition, any outside counsel that may represent Eaton County would not be compensated at all unless Eaton County receives a financial benefit as a result of the claims in litigation, Toomey says.

actual insulin resolution Eaton CountyDownload

The resolution approved Wednesday following a closed session meeting was opposed by Commissioner Blake Mulder. The remaining 14 Commissioners voted in favor.

If the county sues, it will be the fifth county to sue insulin manufacturers over alleged price manipulations. In February, Michigan Public reported Wayne, Washtenaw, Macomb and Monroe counties filed suits in New Jersey against manufacturers. The City of Detroit was debating suing as well.

A lawsuit brought by the state of Minnesota against Eli Lilly over insulin pricing resulted in a settlement in February, Reuters reported. Under that deal, patients who require insulin will see their out-of-pocket costs capped at $35 a month. Eli Lilly will also donate insulin to 15 health clinics across Minnesota.

Self-funded healthcare providers, such as Eaton County and other municipalities are estimated to have been overcharged for insulin by 75%, Toomey says. An exact dollar amount is impossible to estimate because were not sure how far back any possible market manipulation might have gone.

Toomey says his reason for supporting the move was plain.

I want Eaton County to have every tool at its disposal to protect the taxpayer and itself from any alleged or possible marketplace manipulation from any company or industry, he says. Its just plain wrong to take advantage of people in any context.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
Ecuador set to vote to approve raft of security measures in Sunday referendum

By Alexandra Valencia

QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuador's President Daniel Noboa looks set to win a referendum on Sunday that asks voters to support new security measures to fight rising violence, although recent power cuts could pose a threat to the 'yes' vote.

Cocaine-smuggling gangs have expanded into every corner of Latin America over the last decade, turning once-tranquil nations like Ecuador into cartel badlands, security officials and diplomats say.

In January, the violence made global headlines when gunmen stormed a live television broadcast and scores of prison staff were taken hostage.

The mostly security-related questions in Sunday's referendum include asking voters to approve allowing the military to patrol with police, extraditing accused criminals, and increasing prison sentences for crimes such as terrorism and murder, among other measures.

Five of the measures would modify the constitution if approved.

Recent polls from companies like Cedatos and Comunicaliza suggest voters are more likely than not to support Noboa, 36, in this weekend's vote.

However, daily eight-hour power cuts - ordered by Noboa on Wednesday amid energy shortages nationwide - are harming the president's image, according to polling company Click Research, and could affect how people vote.

"The popular consultation is once again going to be a referendum of approval of the president," said Click Research director Francis Romero.

The government declared an energy emergency due to historically low levels of reservoirs amid an aggressive El Nino climate phenomenon. Most of Ecuador's energy is from hydro-power.

Not all the referendum measures - which can be approved or rejected separately - relate to security. Some of them are economic changes Noboa wants to make, such as allowing workers to be contracted by the hour, which opponents say will benefit the rich and international companies.

Investors have embraced Noboa's security stance after violence-related market volatility.

"Noboa is making investors rethink security risk, and they are seeing him as potentially able to continue through the next election," said Zulfi Ali, portfolio manager for PGIM Fixed Income's Emerging Markets Debt team.

Noboa, who took office in November, is expected to seek re-election in 2025.

Ecuadorean bonds have returned near 50% to investors so far this year at the index level, among the highest returns in emerging markets year to date.

(Reporting by Alexandra Valencia and Tito Correa in Quito and Rodrigo Campos in New York; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
In 2022, at the University of Southern California commencement, valedictorian Adam Karelin delivered a stirring poem against Russias invasion of Ukraine. In 2021, valedictorian Tianna Shaw Wakeman spoke of living in a world rife with racial injustice.

In 2020, valedictorian Isabella Hauptman spoke about COVID, which we seem to remember was a bit political. In 2019, valedictorian Ivana Giang spoke about diversity, equity and inclusion.

No one knows what 2024 valedictorian Asna Tabassums speech would say. Tabassum says she hadnt written it yet. But that didnt stop USC from canceling the address by the pro-Palestinian, Muslim senior who was chosen by a faculty committee from among 200 candidates with very high grade point averages, in a process thats supposed to honor a student who has made major contributions to the university community, who has submitted a high-quality essay and who can deliver a short, high-quality speech.

USCs provost, Andrew Guzman, insists that Tabassum is being denied the podium not because of what she might have said, but only because discussion surrounding her selection has taken on an alarming tenor. He says it has nothing to do with freedom of speech and everything to do with security.

By that standard, if enough people get angry enough about anyone set to speak anywhere on campus, the hecklers veto will carry the day, and USC, a supposed haven of free inquiry, will be reduced to only inviting those who deliver anodyne remarks about topics that upset no one. (Do such topics still exist?)

No, Tabassum doesnt like Israel. A group called Trojans for Israel says her social media bio links to a curated media page that calls Zionism a racist settler-colonial ideology and advocates for the complete abolishment of Israel. Tabassum advocates for a one-state solution to include Arab Palestinians and Israeli Jews and put an end to the worlds sole Jewish state.

Her position is not anything close to ours, but its one she has a right to voice.

For many years now, the right-wing media has insisted that its woke, snowflake left-wingers who engage in cancel culture because they cant stomach hearing challenging ideas, or letting others hear them. Liberals are illiberal, goes the broken-record charge; theyre against freedom.

The College Fix built a database to track what it considered an assault against freedom of speech and association as well as faith, academic discourse, open inquiry, the arts, unpopular or controversial ideas, and much more. The nonprofit The FIRE has recorded 1,461 deplatforming attempts.

Theres no doubt that many if not most conservatives  Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis among them  are more than happy to engage in equally illiberal tactics when it suits their political objectives.

In 2016, then-President Barack Obama delivered the commencement address at Howard University and said this: Theres been a trend around the country of trying to get colleges to disinvite speakers with a different point of view or disrupt a politicians rally. Dont do that  no matter how ridiculous or offensive you might find the things that come out of their mouths. Because as my grandmother used to tell me, every time a fool speaks, they are just advertising their own ignorance. Let them talk. Let them talk. If you dont, you just make them a victim.

Let Asna Tabassum talk.

___
The 49 Senate Republicans spent Wednesday afternoon furiously sputtering that they werent allowed to debate if Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of homeland security, duly and formally impeached by the House, should be tried in the upper chamber.

Its their own fault, having blocked a chance to engage in several hours of debate, so they have nothing to complain about.

Under the normal workings of the Constitutions impeachment provisions, the House, by a majority vote, impeaches (which means charging or indictment) the incumbent or former official in question and the Senate holds a trial, which requires a two-thirds majority for conviction.

But that is if the impeachment itself is valid and in the case of the Mayorkas, it is not. The Republicans and their puppet master, Donald Trump, are ginning up the machine against immigration and making Mayorkas their whipping boy for chaos at the border.

Forget that it was Trump who spoiled a bipartisan immigration bill that would have tightened up the border, the Republicans want their political disagreements with President Biden and Mayorkas to go the impeachment route (which also gets back at the Dems, who quite correctly impeached Trump twice).

But Trump and all other people previously impeached satisfied the Constitutions rules, laid out in the last section of Article II: The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Repeating: Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

There is no evidence against Mayorkas on any of these grounds. There are policy differences absolutely, but no crimes. The reasonable solution would be for the Senate to just dismiss the phony impeachment and dispense with any trial.

Republicans sought either a trial before all 100 senators, as pushed by Sen. Mike Lee or, as Sen. Ted Cruz wanted, a special committee to conduct the trial, as has been done with some trials of impeached federal judges. So Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer offered the GOP a deal.

He agreed to an hour debate on the two GOP options. If they both failed, as was expected with the 51-49 Democratic control, Schumer then would make a motion to dismiss the first of the two articles of impeachment as not being constitutional. There would then be a one-hour debate on that. And then Schumer would move to dismiss the second article of impeachment, again with an hour for real debate.

Finally, Schumer would move to end the court of impeachment. Overall, it was three solid hours of debate about the Mayorkas case. But the Republicans said no, so Schumer went ahead to dismiss and all the Republicans could do was make a bunch of useless, nondebatable efforts to switch to executive session or table the measure or adjourn to April 30 or to May 1 or Nov. 6 (the day after Election Day). Each required a roll call vote.

And when their stalling ended, the two articles of impeachment were dismissed and then the court of impeachment was concluded. The nine GOP roll calls ate up about 90 minutes, which somehow the GOP thought was a better use of time than three hours of actual debate.

___
A drone is launched in an undisclosed area in Iran as Iran launches dozens of drones toward Israel. Tasnim News Agancy/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Egypt has urged Iran and Israel to exercise restraint and avoid plunging the region into conflict, a foreign ministry statement said.

Egypt expressed deep concern over the continued mutual escalation between Israel and Iran and warned of the consequences of expanding the conflict in the region and its dangerous impact on the safety and security of its people.

Oman, meanwhile, has condemned an suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian province of Isfahan as well the repeated Israeli attacks in the region, a foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.

The Gulf state urged the international community to address the roots of tension and conflict through dialogue, diplomacy and political solutions. It also called for focusing on ceasefire efforts in Gaza and reaching "a just and permanent solution for the Palestinian cause in order to restore security, stability and comprehensive peace in the whole region."
WASHINGTON (AP)  One woman miscarried in the lobby restroom of a Texas emergency room as front desk staff refused to check her in. Another woman learned that her fetus had no heartbeat at a Florida hospital, the day after a security guard turned her away from the facility. And in North Carolina, a woman gave birth in a car after an emergency room couldn't offer an ultrasound. The baby later died.

Complaints that pregnant women were turned away from U.S. emergency rooms spiked in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, federal documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal.

The cases raise alarms about the state of emergency pregnancy care in the U.S., especially in states that enacted strict abortion laws and sparked confusion around the treatment doctors can provide.

It is shocking, its absolutely shocking, said Amelia Huntsberger, an OB/GYN in Oregon. It is appalling that someone would show up to an emergency room and not receive care  this is inconceivable.

It's happened despite federal mandates that the women be treated.

Federal law requires emergency rooms to treat or stabilize patients who are in active labor and provide a medical transfer to another hospital if they dont have the staff or resources to treat them. Medical facilities must comply with the law if they accept Medicare funding.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments Wednesday that could weaken those protections. The Biden administration has sued Idaho over its abortion ban, even in medical emergencies, arguing it conflicts with the federal law.

No woman should be denied the care she needs, Jennifer Klein, director of the White House Gender Policy Council, said in a statement. All patients, including women who are experiencing pregnancy-related emergencies, should have access to emergency medical care required under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

PREGNANCY CARE AFTER ROE

Pregnant patients have become radioactive to emergency departments in states with extreme abortion restrictions, said Sara Rosenbaum, a George Washington University health law and policy professor.

They are so scared of a pregnant patient, that the emergency medicine staff wont even look. They just want these people gone," Rosenbaum said.

Consider what happened to a woman who was nine months pregnant and having contractions when she arrived at the Falls Community Hospital in Marlin, Texas, in July 2022, a week after the Supreme Courts ruling on abortion. The doctor on duty refused to see her.

The physician came to the triage desk and told the patient that we did not have obstetric services or capabilities, hospital staff told federal investigators during interviews, according to documents. The nursing staff informed the physician that we could test her for the presence of amniotic fluid. However, the physician adamantly recommended the patient drive to a Waco hospital.

Investigators with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services concluded Falls Community Hospital broke the law.

Reached by phone, an administrator at the hospital declined to comment on the incident.

The investigation was one of dozens the AP obtained from a Freedom of Information Act request filed in February 2023 that sought all pregnancy-related EMTALA complaints the previous year. One year after submitting the request, the federal government agreed to release only some complaints and investigative documents filed across just 19 states. The names of patients, doctors and medical staff were redacted from the documents.

Federal investigators looked into just over a dozen pregnancy-related complaints in those states during the months leading up to the U.S. Supreme Court's pivotal ruling on abortion in 2022. But more than two dozen complaints about emergency pregnancy care were lodged in the months after the decision was unveiled. It is not known how many complaints were filed last year as the records request only asked for 2022 complaints and the information is not publicly available otherwise.

The documents did not detail what happened to the patient turned away from the Falls Community Hospital.

'SHE IS BLEEDING A LOT'

Other pregnancies ended in catastrophe, the documents show.

At Sacred Heart Emergency Center in Houston, front desk staff refused to check in one woman after her husband asked for help delivering her baby that September. She miscarried in a restroom toilet in the emergency room lobby while her husband called 911 for help.

She is bleeding a lot and had a miscarriage, the husband told first responders in his call, which was transcribed from Spanish in federal documents. Im here at the hospital but they told us they cant help us because we are not their client.

Emergency crews, who arrived 20 minutes later and transferred the woman to a hospital, appeared confused over the staff's refusal to help the woman, according to 911 call transcripts.

One first responder told federal investigators that when a Sacred Heart Emergency Center staffer was asked about the gestational age of the fetus, the staffer replied: No, we cant tell you, she is not our patient. Thats why you are here.

A manager for Sacred Heart Emergency Center declined to comment. The facility is licensed in Texas as a freestanding emergency room, which means it is not physically connected to a hospital. State law requires those facilities to treat or stabilize patients, a spokeswoman for the Texas Health and Human Services agency said in an email to AP.

Sacred Heart Emergencys website says that it no longer accepts Medicare, a change that was made sometime after the woman miscarried, according to publicly available archives of the center's website.

Meanwhile, the staff at Person Memorial Hospital in Roxboro, North Carolina, told a pregnant woman, who was complaining of stomach pain, that they would not be able to provide her with an ultrasound. The staff failed to tell her how risky it could be for her to depart without being stabilized, according to federal investigators. While en route to another hospital 45 minutes away, the woman gave birth in a car to a baby who did not survive.

Person Memorial Hospital self-reported the incident. A spokeswoman said the hospital continues to provide ongoing education for our staff and providers to ensure compliance.

In Melbourne, Florida, a security guard at Holmes Regional Medical Center refused to let a pregnant woman into the triage area because she had brought a child with her. When the patient came back the next day, medical staff were unable to locate a fetal heartbeat. The center declined to comment on the case.

WHAT'S THE PENALTY?

Emergency rooms are subject to hefty fines when they turn away patients, fail to stabilize them or transfer them to another hospital for treatment. Violations can also put hospitals' Medicare funding at risk.

But its unclear what fines might be imposed on more than a dozen hospitals that the Biden administration says failed to properly treat pregnant patients in 2022.

It can take years for fines to be levied in these cases. The Health and Human Services agency, which enforces the law, declined to share if the hospitals have been referred to the agency's Office of Inspector General for penalties.

For Huntsberger, the OB-GYN, EMTALA was one of the few ways she felt protected to treat pregnant patients in Idaho, despite the state's abortion ban. She left Idaho last year to practice in Oregon because of the ban.

The threat of fines or loss of Medicare funding for violating EMTALA is a big deterrent that keeps hospitals from dumping patients, she said. Many couldn't keep their doors open if they lost Medicare funding.

She has been waiting to see how HHS penalizes two hospitals in Missouri and Kansas that HHS announced last year it was investigating after a pregnant woman, who was in preterm labor at 17 weeks, was denied an abortion.

A lot of these situations are not reported, but even the ones that are  like the cases out of the Midwest  they're investigated but nothing really comes of it, Huntsberger said. People are just going to keep providing substandard care or not providing care. The only way that changes is things like this.

NEXT UP FOR EMTALA

President Joe Biden and top U.S. health official Xavier Becerra have both publicly vowed vigilance in enforcing the law.

Even as states have enacted strict abortion laws, the White House has argued that if hospitals receive Medicare funds they must provide stabilizing care, including abortions.

In a statement to the AP, Becerra called it the nation's bedrock law protecting Americans' right to life- and health-saving emergency medical care.

And doctors, not politicians, should determine what constitutes emergency care," he added.

Idahos law allows abortion only if the life, not the health, of the mother is at risk. But the state's attorney general has argued that its abortion ban is consistent with federal law, which calls for emergency rooms to protect an unborn child in medical emergencies.

"The Biden administration has no business rewriting federal law to override Idahos law and force doctors to perform abortions, Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador said in a statement earlier this year.

Now, the Supreme Court will weigh in. The case could have implications in other states like Arizona, which is reinstating an 1864 law that bans all abortions, with an exception only if the mother's life is at risk.

EMTALA was initially introduced decades ago because private hospitals would dump patients on county or state hospitals, often because they didnt have insurance, said Alexa Kolbi-Molinas of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Some hospitals also refused to see pregnant women when they did not have an established relationship with physicians on staff. If the court nullifies or weakens those protections, it could result in more hospitals turning away patients without fear of penalty from the federal government, she said.

The government knows theres a problem and is investigating and is doing something about that, Kolbi-Molinas said. Without EMTALA, they wouldnt be able to do that.
On Friday afternoon, April 19, at least three explosions occurred in Odesa. Smoke is rising over the city.

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The air alert in Odesa region was announced at 13:46. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine informed about the threat of ballistic missile attacks from the territory of occupied Crimea.

As of 13:49, an explosion was reported in the regional center, followed by a second one a minute later. According to eyewitnesses, fires broke out and a column of smoke rose over the city.

Odesa Mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov urged people to stay in shelters. At 14:09, another explosion was reported, and monitoring channels reported air defense operations and the downing of a reconnaissance drone.

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Supplemented by...
Four dead in UAE, Dubai airport still disrupted after storm

FILE PHOTO: People queue at a flight connection desk after a rainstorm hit Dubai, causing delays at the Dubai International Airport

FILE PHOTO: People queue at a flight connection desk after a rainstorm hit Dubai, causing delays at the Dubai International Airport

DUBAI (Reuters) -Deaths from heavy rains earlier this week in the United Arab Emirates rose to four, authorities said on Friday, as well as flooding roads and jamming Dubai's international airport.

The storm first hit Oman at the weekend, killing at least 20 people, before pounding the UAE on Tuesday with its heaviest rains in 75 years of records.

Two Philippine women and one man died in their vehicles during flooding, the government in Manila said. An Emirati man in his 70s had also died when his vehicle was swept away by floods in the northern Ras Al Khaimah emirate.

Scientists blame increasingly common extreme weather events, such as the rains in UAE and Oman, on human-led global warming.

Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest and a hub for travel around the Middle East, was still struggling to clear a backlog of flights three days after the storm.

It was limiting arrivals for two days until Sunday.

Flagship carrier Emirates, one of the world's biggest international airlines, said check-in was suspended for people planning to transit via Dubai though those with the city as a final destination could travel as usual.

As of Friday morning, 1,478 flights to and from Dubai had been cancelled since Tuesday, approximately 30% of all flights, according to aircraft flight tracking website FlightRadar24.

In the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, state carrier Etihad said flight operations were back to normal.

The main road connecting Dubai, the most populous emirate, with Abu Dhabi remained partially closed on Friday, while an alternative route saw vehicles driving through low water on the hard shoulder past abandoned cars and buses.

In the UAE's north, including in the emirate of Sharjah, local media reported people were reportedly still trapped in homes. Residents said there was extensive damage to businesses.

Rains are uncommon in the UAE, which is known for its hot desert climate and temperatures that can soar above 50 degrees Celsius in the summer.

The UAE's National Center of Meteorology said rain may return by late Monday, though predicted it would be light with a chance of heavy rain again on Tuesday in some areas.

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell, Clauda Tanios and Federico Maccioni in Dubai; Additional reporting by Neil Jerome Morales in Manila; Writing by Yousef Saba; Editing by Kirsten Donovan, Sharon Singleton and Andrew Cawthorne)
Emirates told cabin crew to report for duty during historic Dubai flood despite government's stay-at-home warning, report says

Emirates told cabin crew to report for duty during historic Dubai flood despite government's stay-at-home warning, report says

A historic flood brought the most rain in 75 years to the United Arab Emirates.

Over 800 flights have been canceled at Dubai International Airport since Tuesday.

Despite a stay-at-home warning, Emirates has reportedly encouraged cabin crew to report for duty.

Emirates flight attendants in Dubai were told to still report for duty while a flood left much of the city's airport underwater.

A memo sent to the airline's cabin crew was obtained by the "A Fly Guy's Cabin Crew Lounge," a Facebook page where aviation industry staff share gossip and stories.

It encouraged staff to make their way to the airport despite the government telling people to stay at home.

"We are operating our flights safely, and it's important our operations carry on for the sake of our customers," the email reportedly read.

It added: "If you are rostered for duty, please continue to make your way safely to work."

Aviation news site Paddle Your Own Kanoo first reported the memo as posted on Facebook.

Emirates did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Videos and pictures shared by the Facebook page, which has over one million followers, appear to show Emirates cabin crew struggling through the flood waters.

Other clips showed cabin crew covering themselves with plastic bags to protect their uniforms from the rain.

A group of Emirates cabin crew saving themselves and their uniform during historic Dubai rain/flood.



Credit : LIONE$$ @The_Lioness13



#Dubai #Dubaifloods pic.twitter.com/eK7WjDURg9  FL360aero (@fl360aero) April 18, 2024

The media office for the Emirati government said the country witnessed the largest amount of rainfall in 75 years.

Schools in the United Arab Emirates were closed until the end of the week, while federal government employees were told to work remotely.

At Dubai International Airport, some planes tried to battle through the flood. Its terminals began to reopen early Thursday morning local time, although the airport said on X: "Flights continue to be delayed and disrupted."

54% of flights leaving Dubai International on Tuesday were canceled, according to data from FlightAware. More than 800 flights have been canceled over the past three days.

Do you work for an airline? Reach out to this reporter at psyme@businessinsider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Intelligence Centre of the Estonian Defence Forces says the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine remains challenging. Russian occupying forces are making some progress, although they are suffering significant losses, while Ukrainian soldiers are short of ammunition.

Source: European Pravda, citing Estonian public broadcaster ERR

Details: Estonian intelligence indicates that the Russians have made a tactical breakthrough northwest of the war-torn town of Avdiivka and pushed forward 5 km. The Russians are also maintaining pressure on the village of Chasiv Yar, where they have advanced on the southern flank.

Ukrainian troops are in need of support from their Western partners, and the lack of ammunition is a priority. However, no unplanned Ukrainian retreat or breakthrough of the front line has been observed.

Ukraine is being forced to gradually cede control of territories that lack prepared defensive positions or opportunities for defensive action, Estonian intelligence added.

The Russian forces are continuing to reorganise their units on the Luhansk front, pulling formations fighting on the battlefield back to the rear to recover and replenish supplies and replacing them with fresh ones.

The Donetsk front remains the main focus of Russian offensive operations, with a significant number of Russian troops deployed in the area. Estonian intelligence expects no quick capture of Chasiv Yar, as the town has strong defensive fortifications, so the Russians are suffering heavy losses in the fighting.

Intense fighting is underway in the area of Avdiivka-Marinka. The Russians have advanced towards the settlement of Pervomaiske.

Low-intensity fighting has been observed in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts. Clashes involving direct and long-range weapons take place daily. Ukrainian forces are continuing to retain their foothold on the left bank of the Dnipro River, regardless of Russian attacks.

Background:

CIA Director William Burns warned members of the US Congress on Thursday that unless they approve aid to Ukraine now, Kyiv may lose the war by the end of the year.

Earlier, General Charles Brown, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, told lawmakers that "Ukraine's hard-won gains could be lost without our support". US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also cautioned that if the bill on supplemental aid is delayed, US allies and partners will "question whether we are a reliable partner".

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Israeli settlers try to block the road at the site of a shooting attack in Huwara area. The European Union is imposing sanctions on radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank for the first time over acts of violence against Palestinians, diplomats confirm to dpa. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

The European Union has imposed sanctions on radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank for the first time, targeting four individuals for acts of violence against Palestinians.

The agreement was finalized on Friday by a written procedure that allows member states to make decisions on urgent matters without sending ministers to Brussels. The law giving effect to the sanctions and detailing those targeted was published in the EU's statute book a few hours later.

The sanctions target four individuals and two organizations. Those subject to sanctions will no longer be allowed to enter the EU or do business with EU citizens, and any assets or accounts they have in the EU will be frozen.

The measures were imposed under an EU sanctions regime designed to punish human rights abuses.

The first new name on the EU sanctions list is Neria Ben Pazi, who "established four of the most violent outposts in the West Bank," the legal text says.

The term "outposts" refers to settlements not authorized by the Israeli government. Ben Pazi is accused by the EU of repeatedly attacking Palestinians in Wadi Seeq and Deir Jarir.

The second name is Yinon Levi. The sanctions notice says he "has taken part in multiple violent acts against neighbouring villages from his residence in the Mitarim farm illegal outpost."

Also now under sanctions is Meir Ettinger. According to the EU, he is "a leading figure of the Hilltop Youth, a radical

youth group consisting of members known for violent acts against

Palestinians and their villages in the West Bank."

The fourth is Elisha Yered, who's also associated with the Hilltop Youth, the sanctions note says.

The two organizations now subject to EU sanctions are the aforementioned Hilltop Youth and Lehava, which "is a radical right-wing Jewish supremacist group," the EU says.

The EU decision follows similar moves by the United States and Britain. In March, the US sanctioned three individuals - including Ben Pazi - and two outposts, including Levi's Mitarim farm.

In February, the British government imposed sanctions on four individuals, including Levi and the leader of the other outpost sanctioned by the US.

Diplomats told dpa the sanctions would ideally lead to the Israeli authorities taking a harder line against settler violence against Palestinian villages and olive groves.

The sanctions have been on the table for a long time, but they needed the consent of all 27 EU member states, and the Hungarian government blocked the move until last month. Part of the agreement meant imposing new sanctions against Islamist groups.

While the EU has long condemned the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal, this is the first time it has taken punitive measures against settlers.
Israeli settlers try to block the road at the site of a shooting attack in Huwara area. The European Union is imposing sanctions on radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank for the first time over acts of violence against Palestinians, diplomats confirm to dpa. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

The European Union is imposing sanctions on radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank for the first time for acts of violence against Palestinians, diplomats have confirmed to dpa.

The agreement was finalized on Friday by a written procedure that allows member states to make decisions on urgent matters without sending ministers to Brussels.

The sanctions target individuals and organizations responsible for violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, diplomats say. Those subject to sanctions will no longer be allowed to enter the EU or do business with EU citizens, and any assets or accounts they have in the EU will be frozen.

The measures were imposed under an EU sanctions regime designed to punish human rights abuses.
Israeli settlers try to block the road at the site of a shooting attack in Huwara area. The European Union is imposing sanctions on radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank for the first time over acts of violence against Palestinians, diplomats confirm to dpa. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa

The European Union is imposing sanctions on radical Israeli settlers in the West Bank for the first time for acts of violence against Palestinians, diplomats have confirmed to dpa.

The agreement was finalized on Friday by a written procedure that allows member states to make decisions on urgent matters without sending ministers to Brussels.

The sanctions target four individuals and two organizations, diplomats say. Those subject to sanctions will no longer be allowed to enter the EU or do business with EU citizens, and any assets or accounts they have in the EU will be frozen.

The measures were imposed under an EU sanctions regime designed to punish human rights abuses.

The EU decision follows similar moves by the United States and Britain. In March, the US sanctioned three individuals and two "outposts," which refers to settlements not authorized by the Israeli government.

In February, the British government imposed sanctions on four individuals, including the leaders of the two outposts.

Diplomats told dpa the sanctions would ideally lead to the Israeli authorities taking a harder line against settler violence against Palestinian villages and olive groves.

The sanctions have been on the table for a long time, but they needed the consent of all 27 EU member states, and the Hungarian government blocked the move until last month. Part of the agreement meant imposing new sanctions against Islamist groups.

While the EU has long condemned the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank as illegal, this is the first time it has taken punitive measures against settlers.
The European Union is planning a 14th round of sanctions on Moscow for the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, a senior EU official said on Friday.

The new sanctions package includes punitive measures on individuals and organizations that assist efforts to circumvent existing EU sanctions on Russia, the senior EU official said.

An EU diplomat said the punitive measures should consider oil tankers or the "dark fleet" that transport Russian oil despite existing sanctions in place to hinder this.

New persons and organizations are to be hit with a freeze on their assets in the bloc, according to diplomats. The European Commission is to present proposals for the sanctions in the coming week.

The 13th package of sanctions on Russia was adopted in February on the second anniversary of the war against Ukraine and targeted 106 individuals and 88 organizations.

This included individuals involved in North Korea's supply of arms to Russia and the North Korean defence minister.

Multiple rounds of EU sanctions have been imposed on Russia targeting different sections of the economy that contribute to the Kremlin war on Ukraine.

This extended to import bans on crude oil, coal, steel, gold, and luxury goods as well as well as punitive measures against banks and other financial institutions.

In addition, trade restrictions were imposed on so-called "dual-use goods" that could contribute to the technological development of the Russian defence and security sector.

Work continues on a plan to use a large part of the profits from the safekeeping of frozen Russian central bank funds in the EU to purchase military equipment for Ukraine.

A general view of the destruction following a Russian missile attack. -/ukrin/dpa
Ex-Trump aide is top campaign fundraiser in race for Georgias 3rd Congressional District

A former political aide to Donald Trump carrying the former presidents endorsement is the leading fundraiser in the campaign for the only open seat in Georgias congressional delegation.

But a former state senator from Newnan is touting his lead in donations from grassroots contributors.

Brian Jack of Fayette County, who served the Trump administration as political director, raised $623,134 during the first quarter of this year, according to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

Jack and five others will vie for the Republican nomination in Georgias 3rd Congressional District in the May 21 GOP primary. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-West Point, announced in December he wouldnt seek a fifth term.

Trump encouraged Jack to run for the vacant seat in the heavily Republican district in a posting on Trumps social media site in March.

Brian Jack is a great conservative America First candidate, David Bossie, who served as deputy campaign manager for Trump in 2016, told NBC News. Brian will fight the failed status quo in D.C. and be a leader for Georgia and America when President Trump is back in the White House.

But the 3rd District contest, as is typical for any race for an open congressional seat, has drawn a lot of interest. Republican Mike Crane, who served in the Georgia Senate from 2011 through 2016, raised $504,650 in January, February, and March.

Of that amount, $458,650 came from individual donors, topping the $311,096 Jacks campaign brought in from individual contributors.

Im honored to have earned the trust and financial backing of so many Georgians, Crane said. One dollar from Georgia speaks louder to me than $100 from DC insiders.

Another former state senator, Republican Mike Dugan of Carrollton, raised $267,573 during the first quarter, all but about $10,000 from individual donors. Dugan, a former Senate majority leader, left the General Assembly earlier this year to launch his campaign for Congress.

Just as he did in the legislature, Mike will deliver conservative victories, safeguard West Georgia values and be a leader of whom we are proud, said Ben Jarrard, Dugans campaign manager. Our fundraising numbers demonstrate the confidence in and local community support of Mike Dugan for Congress.

Of the other three Republican candidates in the 3rd District, only former state Rep. Phillip Singleton of Fayetteville raised six-digit contribution numbers. His campaign brought in $143,362 in January, February and March.

Jim Bennett of Carroll County raised $35,373, and Ray Blair of Columbus brought in $32,501, according to their FEC reports.

Two heavily underdog Democratic candidates raised less than any of the Republican hopefuls. Maura Keller of Fayetteville brought in $25,520 during the first quarter, while Val Almonord of Columbus raised $19,926.
While he has never been seen as a towering intellect, many have nonetheless viewed former President Donald Trump as a shrewd, cynical operator. Behind all the rants and outbursts is a certain logic and, for a time, you couldnt argue with the results: a stint in the White House and the evasion of all consequences for acts that might have landed someone else behind bars.

Trumps Manhattan criminal trial is testing that thesis. So far, the 77-year-olds antics  attacking potential witnesses and intimidating jurors, in the courtroom and on Truth Social  are looking less like a master at work than the actions of a man who simply cant control himself. Its even looking like it might cost him.

A hearing is scheduled for next week on whether Trumps actions to date violate the gag order imposed on him, with prosecutors seeking to fine him the maximum penalty of $1,000 for each alleged offense. But on Thursday, the third day of jury selection, Judge Juan Merchan said hed already seen enough.

The first tangible consequence came after Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass told the court that, going forward, he would not be providing the defense any heads up as to which witnesses they planned to call the next day at trial. Trump faces 34 counts related to his alleged falsification of business records to cover up a hush payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, which prosecutors say was intended to unlawfully influence the 2016 election.

Were not telling them who the witnesses are, Steinglass announced, with Merchan responding that he cant blame them given Trumps previous attacks on Daniels and his former fixer, Michael Cohen.

That would place Trumps defense team at a disadvantage, a fact his lawyer, Todd Blanche, immediately recognized. Blanche promised Merchan he could change Trump, claiming that he could commit to the Court and the People that [former] President Trump will not Truth about any witness, The Washington Post reported.

Merchan was unimpressed. I dont think you can make that representation, he responded, also rejecting Blanches proposal that he be given the witness names with the promise that he not share them with his own client.

It was an extraordinary commentary on Trumps self-defeating irresponsibility; the sort of behavior that got him a lecture on Tuesday objectively hampered his defense by Thursday.

Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, appearing on MSNBC, said the episode shows the court doesnt trust Trump but also doesnt trust his lawyers either. When you have everyone operating in good faith and people comply with the rules, it is standard procedure for prosecutors to share the next days witness list, he said.

Obviously the judge has lost confidence in Todd Blanche, Weissmann said. Normally, the judge would say, I will give it to you, but you have to promise me, he noted, and that usually would work.

Criminal defense attorney Ken White said that is an extremely bad development for Trumps legal team. It would be very difficult to exaggerate how bad it is not to know what witnesses are coming next, White wrote on Bluesky. The more witnesses and the more complicated the case, the worse it is, he said, noting that the sharing of witness lists is [n]ot required by law, but custom.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

If one violates the norms, in other words, one shouldnt act surprised when the norms are gone. For the former and aspiring president, however, its an unusual feeling, not being the one in the room who calls the shots and always gets their way.

It feels like Trump is trying to show the judge whos boss and, at the end, it's the judge, the person in the black robe in front of the courtroom, former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance told MSNBC. Its a novel and unique position for the former president to be in.

Trump may have believed his actions would only cost him a contempt charge and that fines  or even a day in jail  could bolster his claims of persecution without really harming him, in turn bolstering his perceived invincibility.

Renato Mariotti, another former prosecutor, said the courts decision Thursday will actually sting. Trumps attacks on witnesses finally have real consequences, he wrote on social media. Judge Merchan exercising discretion to penalize behavior that endangers witnesses will be far more effective tool than a $1,000 fine.
Based on the evidence provided by the Security Service, the Eighth Administrative Court of Appeal in Lviv has decided to ban the activities of another pro-Russian party. It is the Social Patriotic Assembly of Slavs (SPAS), which is engaged in information and subversive activities in favor of the occupiers.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported by the SBU press service. After the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, representatives of this banned political force "dispersed" almost throughout the temporarily occupied territory of our country.

Currently, the leader of this political force, Eduard Kovalenko, is hiding from the court in the temporarily occupied territory of Kherson region, where he continues to keep in touch with the FSB. Under the guidance of Russian special services, he and his political colleagues publicly support the aggressive war against Ukraine. They actively agitate local residents to support the aggressor and join its occupation forces.

Representatives of this political force also speak to the Russian media on behalf of "ordinary citizens" of Ukraine and justify the war crimes of the Russian Federation.

ADVERTISIMENT

In September 2022, the Security Service investigators notified Kovalenko of suspicion under Article 28 and Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law by prior agreement of a group of persons).

The indictment was submitted to the court. Comprehensive measures are being taken to bring Kovalenko and his accomplices to justice for crimes against Ukraine.

Earlier, the Eighth Administrative Court of Appeal granted the Ministry of Justice's request to ban the activities of the Party of Regions, a political force of former President Viktor Yanukovych. All the property of the pro-Russian organization will be transferred to the state treasury. The decision was made on the basis of the materials of the Security Service of Ukraine and the State Bureau of Investigation.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Residents who live in South Carolina, as well as tourists who plan on visiting the state, should be aware of 2024's 'explosive' Atlantic hurricane season.

AccuWeather experts predict the Carolinas will be at a "higher-than-average risk" for direct impact, along with the Florida Panhandle, South Florida, and the Texas coast. Residents from other coastal areas should also be on the lookout for severe weather.

"All residents and interests along the U.S. coast, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, should have a hurricane plan in place and always be fully prepared for a direct impact," said AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Forecaster Alex DaSilva.

Turbulent weather this year in the tropics could even exhaust the entire list of names for hurricanes and tropical storms.

"The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to feature well above the historical average number of tropical storms, hurricanes, major hurricanes and direct U.S. impacts," DaSilva said.

When does hurricane season begin?

The Atlantic hurricane season begins June 1, running through the end of November. Long-range forecasters at AccuWeather advise residents begin preparing for the storms now. There is also a chance for the first storm system to spin off before June.

Scott Belliveau who is currently living in South Carolina had his friends Bob Warren, seen here removing the headsail, and Fran Grenon prepare his sailboat moored in Mattapoisett, MA harbor for the possible hurricane Lee making landfall at the end of the week.

How many hurricanes will there be?

In early February, AccuWeather issued a warning about a highly active hurricane season. The current hurricane forecast is lining up with the prediction.

Across the Atlantic basin, 20-25 named storms are forecast, including 8-12 hurricanes, four to seven major hurricanes and four to six direct U.S. impacts. This is well above the 30-year historical average of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, three major hurricanes, and four direct U.S impacts.

But wait  there's more: There is a potential for over 25 named storms this year.

"There is a 10-15% chance of 30 or more named storms this year," DaSilva said.

What was hurricane season like last year?

This year's hurricane season has the potential to rank as one of the most active seasons in history, making it worse than last year's. In the 2023 hurricane season, there was a total of 19 named storms and only four U.S. impacts. Category 3 Hurricane Idalia was the most powerful storm last year, making waves in Florida during late August. Tropical storm Ophelia made landfall in North Carolina while Tropical Storm Harold cast heavy rains over southern Texas. There was also tropical Storm Lee, which traveled to the New England coast before landing in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Riverside resident Saraya Harris, 12 prepares for the wave with other family members as water breaks over the seawall and balustrades of Riverside's Memorial Park as residents of NE Florida were feeling the effects of Hurricane Idalia Wednesday, August 30, 2023. By noon about a quarter to a third of the balustrades had been destroyed by the storm driven waves.

What happens when hurricane names run out?

Did you know that in the past, the Greek alphabet was used to name storms, beginning with Alpha and excluding the letters Q, U, X, Y, and Z? This leaves only 21 letters to use instead of 26. With 20-25 storms predicted to be on the way, names for tropical storms and hurricanes could run out.

Thanks to the World Meteorologist Organization (WMO), the Greek alphabet rule was changed in 2021.

"The use of the Greek alphabet was not expected to be frequent enough to warrant any change in the existing naming procedure," the WMO said on its website. "However, after the record-breaking 2020 season, the WMO Regional Association IV Hurricane Committee annual session in 2021 decided to end the use of the Greek alphabet and instead established two lists of supplemental tropical cyclone names, one for the Atlantic, one for the Pacific."

The list of supplemental names is arranged in alphabetical order. If there are at least 22 named storms in the Atlantic this season, this year will be the first time the supplemental list is utilized, the first name being Adria.

Nina Tran covers trending topics. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Hurricane season 2024: SC at high risk, AccuWeather predicts
Fact Check: Here's What We Know About Proposed 'Halal Mortgages' for Muslims as Part of Canada's 2024 Budget

Claim:

Justin Trudeau's government in Canada is introducing "halal mortgages" in 2024 to benefit only Muslims.

Rating:

Rating: Mixture

What's True:

Halal mortgages offered by alternative financial institutions have existed in Canada since 2021. Trudeau and his minister of finance announced in 2024 they would explore them as part of the federal budget.

What's False:

There is no language in Canada's 2024 federal budget stating that such a financial option would be available only to Muslim Canadians. Rather, the language referred to enabling "Muslim Canadians, and other diverse communities, to further participate in the housing market."

In April 2024, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland announced that they would explore "halal mortgages" as part of Canada's federal budget. Many commenters on social media platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Reddit quickly criticized the proposal, insisting it would benefit only Muslim Canadians.

In response to an Instagram post claiming, "Justin Trudeau to introduce 'Halal Mortgage' for Muslims in Canada," one person asked, "So would the same arrangements be available to non muslim Canadians?" On X, a user pointed out that under Shariah, interest payments are forbidden:

(X user @AreOhEssEyeEe)

"I intend to apply for one and sue the government for religious discrimination in the event I'm denied," responded one person, while another chimed in, "I'm going to identify as whatever will get me the most benefits, money, deals, tax write offs  Muslim, non binary, pansexual, transgender female definitely NOT white."

While the Canadian government is indeed looking into new forms of alternative financing at the federal level as a way to increase home ownership for citizens, policies regarding halal mortgages had not been finalized in April 2024, and there was no language in the budget indicating that such a financial product would exclusively serve Muslim Canadians. As such, we rate this claim a "Mixture" of truth and falsehood.

According to the Government of Canada's 2024 Budget, under the section titled Halal Mortgages:

Canada is home to a vibrant and growing market of alternative financing products, including halal mortgages, that enable Muslim Canadians, and other diverse communities, to further participate in the housing market.

In other words, Canada's proposed new measure regarding halal mortgages does not equal firm legislative changes. Rather, Trudeau's government is considering new ways to help "Muslim Canadians, and other diverse communities" to own homes, and halal mortgages are one example of such alternative means of financing a purchase.

According to the budget, "In March 2024, the government began consulting financial services providers and diverse communities to understand how federal policies can better support the needs of all Canadians seeking to become homeowners." The government expected to give an update in the fall.

Under the Canadian Human Rights Act, Canadians are protected from discrimination when they receive services from the federal government, from First Nations governments and from private companies that are regulated by the federal government, including banks, trucking companies, broadcasters and telecommunications companies.

Under Shariah, or Islamic law, charging interest, or "riba," is prohibited and considered usury, as it fosters an inequitable relationship that disproportionately benefits the lender. Therefore, loans from Islamic financial institutions are structured without interest.

While some private financial institutions in Ontario and Alberta were providing mortgages that align with Shariah as early as 2021, as of 2024, Canada's major banks did not offer such services. A potential halal mortgage offered by Canada's big banks may include additional fees and payment structures to replace interest charges.

Speaking to the CBC in 2022, Walid Hejazi, associate professor of economic analysis and policy at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, said, "When people in Canada, in the United States heard that Islamic finance forbids interest, we in the West automatically assumed that money was for free," adding that people who procure such mortgages "still pay a comparable amount that you would pay if you got a conventional mortgage. It's just that the structure of these mortgages are different."

In the realm of Islamic finance, institutions offer mortgage and lending products that eschew interest payments commonly seen in conventional banking. Instead, they use three primary modes of payment:

Ijara: This is like when you lease a house with the option to buy it later. The bank buys the house and lets you live there while you pay rent. Over time, you may be able to buy the house from the bank. Mudarabah: This is when you and the bank share ownership of the house. You might put some money in, and the bank puts in the rest. As you both profit, you gradually buy more of the bank's share until you own it outright while living in and maintaining the property. Any profits from the eventual sale would be shared between the homeowner and the lender. Murabahah: This is like a lump-sum purchase, when the bank buys something and sells it to you at an agreed higher price, allowing you to pay in installments over time.

Islam is not the only religion that views charging interest negatively. The Torah says Jews are prohibited from charging interest to other Jews, while many Christian denominations also have condemned charging excessive interest.

Sources:

Canada Considers Halal Mortgages for Muslims in 2024 Budget. https://www.mpamag.com/ca/specialty/specialized-lending/canada-considers-halal-mortgages-for-muslims-in-2024-budget/485722. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

"Canadian Halal Financial Corporation | Affordable, Reliable and Shariah Law Compliant Home Financing In Edmonton, Alberta." Canadian Halal Financial Corporation, 14 Apr. 2023, https://www.halalfinancialcorp.com.

Freeman, Tzvi, and Yehuda Shurpin. "Moneylending and Jewish Law." Chabad Org, Chabad, Aug. 2018, https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4108763/jewish/Moneylending-and-Jewish-Law.htm.

"Halal Mortgage Idea Puts Trudeau Govt in a Bind, Facing Questions of Appeasement." Hindustan Times, 18 Apr. 2024, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/halal-mortgage-idea-puts-trudeau-govt-in-a-bind-facing-questions-of-appeasement-101713414618673.html.

Heydari, Anis. "Interest-Free, but Not without Charges: Islamic Mortgages Hit the Canadian Housing Market." CBC News, 21 Dec. 2022. CBC.ca, https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/halal-mortgages-canada-1.6690798.

"Https://Twitter.Com/Trudeaus_Ego/Status/1780656149785718882." X (Formerly Twitter), https://twitter.com/Trudeaus_Ego/status/1780656149785718882. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/canadian.muslims/p/C54Y4SxLr7E/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

"Islamic Finance." Corporate Finance Institute, https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/career-map/sell-side/capital-markets/islamic-finance/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

"Justin Trudeau to Introduce 'halal Mortgage' for Muslims in Canada." Firstpost, 17 Apr. 2024, https://www.firstpost.com/world/justin-trudeau-to-introduce-halal-mortgage-for-muslims-in-canada-13760618.html.

Schneider, Dana. THE BIBLE, CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE, AND LENDING MONEY: AN ARGUMENT FOR RENEWED CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVES. Final Paper, Harvard Law, 10 Dec. 2020, https://pblcls.law.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Schneider-Dana_The-Program-on-Biblical-Law_The-Bible-Christian-Doctrine-and-Lending.pdf.

Smith, Madeline. "Al Rashid Mosque Cuts Ties with Edmonton-Based Halal Mortgage Company." CBC News, 10 Jan. 2024. CBC.ca, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/al-rashid-mosque-cuts-ties-with-edmonton-based-halal-mortgage-company-1.7079554.

"Trudeau Government Announces 'halal Mortgages.' Here's What They Are." Nationalpost, https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/trudeau-halal-mortgages. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

"Trudeau to Introduce 'Halal Mortgage' for Muslims in Canada, Bans Foreigners from Buying Home for 2 Years." Hindustan Times, 17 Apr. 2024, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/trudeau-to-introduce-halal-mortgage-for-muslims-in-canada-bans-foreigners-from-buying-home-for-2-years-101713326127838.html.

"---." Hindustan Times, 17 Apr. 2024, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/trudeau-to-introduce-halal-mortgage-for-muslims-in-canada-bans-foreigners-from-buying-home-for-2-years-101713326127838.html.

"What Is Riba in Islam, and Why Is It Forbidden?" Investopedia, https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/riba.asp. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

"Working With Islamic Finance." Investopedia, https://www.investopedia.com/articles/07/islamic_investing.asp. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

"---." Investopedia, https://www.investopedia.com/articles/07/islamic_investing.asp. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Fact Check: Italian Mafia Boss Captured After 20 Years Thanks to Google Street View. Here Are the Facts

Claim:

Italian mafia boss Gioacchino Gammino was captured after 20 years thanks to Google Street View.

Rating:

Rating: Mostly True

Context:

Although investigators confirmed that Google Street View helped them locate Gammino, they emphasized that they were already on a strong investigative path, with Google Maps serving to verify their findings.

In early April 2024, a post went viral on Reddit, claiming that Italian mafia boss Gioacchino Gammino, after hiding for 20 years in Spain, was found by police thanks to Google Street View.

The post read:

Italian mafia boss Gioacchino Gammino escaped prison in 2002, fled to Spain, changed his name to Manuel and opened a restaurant and a grocery shop. After 20 years in hiding, he was found thanks to Google Street View

Similar claims were shared on other social media platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). "Bizarrely enough, Police discovered Gammino's location was through a Google Street View image," one X post claimed. "Police must have known roughly where he was to search Google. It was not a random thing," one comment under the post observed.

Multiple reliable news outlets, such as The Guardian and the BBC, covered the arrest of Gioacchino Gammino. And in short, although investigators confirmed they used Google Street View to locate Gammino, they emphasized they were already on a strong investigative path, with Google Maps serving to verify their findings. Because of that, we have rated this claim as "Mostly True."

On Jan. 5, 2022, The Guardian published an article with the title "Italian mafia fugitive arrested in Spain after Google Street View sighting" that included an interview with the Palermo prosecutor Francesco Lo Voi, who led the investigation. "It's not as if we spend our days wading through Google Maps to find fugitives," he told the Guardian, "There were many previous and long investigations, which led us to Spain. We were on a good path, with Google Maps helping to confirm our investigations":

The shop and the restaurant are now closed, but the police found a photo of Gammino, dressed in his chef's garb, on a still-existing Facebook page for La Cocina de Manu. He was recognisable by the scar on the left side of his chin. The restaurant's menu included a dish called Cena Siciliana or Sicilian dinner.

On Jan. 5, 2022, the BBC also published an article entitled "Italian mafia boss caught after Google Maps sighting in Spain," underscoring that investigators claimed "a Google Street View shot showing a man resembling Gammino standing in front of a grocery shop was key to tracking the fugitive."

On Jan. 7, 2022, New York Times published an article with the title "Fugitive Italian Killer Finally Meets His Match: Google Maps," that informed:

The man in the image had the same size and build as Mr. Gammino, General Altiero said, and investigators noticed that the store shared the same telephone number as a nearby restaurant  "La Cocina de Manu"  that had closed some years ago. But its social media pages remained online, including one with a photograph of the restaurant's chef standing next to a wood-burning pizza oven. Investigators applied age-progression technology to an old photo of Mr. Gammino to get a sense of what the fugitive would have looked like after 20 years, and identified the chef as the wanted man, General Altiero said.

Moreover, in the interview for The New York Times General Nicola Altiero, deputy director of Italy's Antimafia Investigation Department, underscored that while there had been other breaks in the investigation, Google Maps was a key tool that helped Gammino's rapid arrest:

Italian investigators contacted the Spanish police unit that hunts fugitives, and on Dec. 17, Mr. Gammino was arrested while he was walking on the street. General Altiero said there had been other breaks in the two-decade investigation, but that the discovery using the Google tools had been key to the rapid arrest of Mr. Gammino. "Seeing the image on Google Maps was a bit of luck, but in any case we had other evidence that would have eventually led us to him," General Altiero said. "Google Maps got us there faster."

You can see the exact Google Maps' location used to track Gammino below:

This embedded content is not available in your region.

We have fact-checked other Google Maps-related stories in the past. For instance, in April 2013 we debunked a false Google Maps image captured a furtive corpse disposal. In August 2023 we investigated whether a cat in Szczecin, Poland, was among the city's top-rated tourist attractions on Google Maps. What's more, in June 2023, we fact-checked a rumor claiming that Google Maps was adding a feature that would allow drivers to challenge each other to a race.

Sources:

Giuffrida, Angela. "Italian Mafia Fugitive Arrested in Spain after Google Street View Sighting." The Guardian, 5 Jan. 2022. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/05/italian-mafia-fugitive-arrested-in-spain-after-google-maps-sighting.

Italian Mafia Boss Caught after Google Maps Sighting in Spain. 5 Jan. 2022. www.bbc.com, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59884803.

Kasprak, Alex. "Is Google Maps Adding Feature That Lets Drivers Challenge Each Other To a Race?" Snopes, 21 June 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/google-maps-request-to-race-drivers/.

Mikkelson, David. "Is a Dead Body Visible at Google Maps 52.376552,5.198303?" Snopes, 17 Apr. 2013, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/google-maps-body-disposal/.

Povoledo, Elisabetta. "Fugitive Italian Killer Finally Meets His Match: Google Maps." The New York Times, 7 Jan. 2022. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/07/world/europe/italian-mafia-fugitive-google-maps.html.

Wrona, Aleksandra. "This Tuxedo Cat Is Polish City's Top-Rated Tourist Attraction on Google Maps?" Snopes, 30 Aug. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/polish-cat-top-attraction/.
Family members of Dau Mabil, speaking at a Thursday afternoon press conference called by Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, are questioning the investigation into the Belhaven-man's disappearance, saying they suspect foul play and comparing his death to the 1955 murder of Emmett Till.

On Thursday, Lawrence County Sheriff Ryan Everett confirmed the body of Mabil was found Saturday in the Pearl River near Brookhaven  nearly three weeks after and 60-miles away from where Mabil was reported missing in late March. Everett said an autopsy conducted, "did not reveal any type of foul play."

Flyers of Dau Mabil were put up on posts and cars all over Jackson to ask for the public's help in finding Mabil. On Thursday, Lawrence County Sheriff Ryan Everett confirmed the body of Mabil was found Saturday in the Pearl River in Brookhaven  nearly three weeks after and 60-miles away from where he was reported missing.

But Mabil's brother, Bul Mabil, along with attorney Lisa Ross and Mabil's foster mom, Valeena Greer, are questioning the Lawrence County Sheriff's findings. They criticized the investigation conducted by Capitol Police as "insufficient" and have requested the Jackson Police Department to assist.

"At this time I feel it is very insufficient of the investigation they have conducted," Bul Mabil said at the press conference. "How in the world did someone walk a trail in Jackson, Mississippi, end up 60 miles away from where they were walking in broad daylight? Is there a cover-up? Is there a cover-up from the Capitol Police Department?"

Capitol Police and JPD have concurrent jurisdiction in Jackson. But since Mabil lived within the Capital Complex Improvement District, that gives Capitol Police lead jurisdiction on the case. Capitol Police were notified of the mayor's press conference, but could not make it, Lumumba said.

"The preliminary autopsy revealed that the body found in Lawrence County was believed to be that of Mr. Dau Mabil," said Bailey Martin, Mississippi Department of Public Safety's public information officer, in a written statement issued in response to the questions raised at the press conference about the Capitol Police investigation. "Official DNA confirmation is expected to be received by next week. Due to this being an open and active investigation, no further details or information will be released at this time."

Everett, Lawrence County's sheriff, said he stands by the findings of the State Medical Examiner's office in a phone call Thursday evening.

Previously, Bul Mabil led a petition against Daus wife, Karissa Bowley, Capitol Police and other defendants, according to court documents, to prevent the release of the remains "so that crucial evidence will not be exterminated. Bowley was not in attendance with Mabil's other family members at the mayor's press conference.

Bul Mabil, seen here in this April 1, 2024 file photo, is questioning the Capitol Police's investigation into his brother, Dau Mabil's, disappearance. He said he suspects foul play.

Judge Dewayne Thomas granted a temporary restraining order and an injunction to block the release of the human remains "currently presumed" to be Dau.

While they did not provide any information regarding why they believe there was foul play, the family has called for an independent medical examination once they are in possession of Mabil's body.

Earlier on Thursday, Bul Mabil and Ross held a separate press conference at the Museum Trail entrance in Belhaven Heights where Mabil was last seen. According to Mississippi Today, Ross said there is video surveillance from the area that shows what is believed to be several people moving a body into a truck.

"Dau's brother and his foster mother mentioned the name of Emmett Till, and they did not mention that name lightly. We know what happened to Emmett Till," Ross said. "There are similarities to the story. Dau goes missing in Jackson  some three weeks later his body is found floating in the Pearl River. We must ask questions. We must have an independent autopsy so we can be certain as to what really happened to Dau."

Jackson's Chief of Police Joseph Wade said he has not yet examined the evidence in the case, but JPD will continue to work alongside the Capitol Police.

"I can say this with certainty, there are a lot of questions that need to be answered," Wade said, adding that he has reached out to U.S. Attorney Todd Gee, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who all have committed to helping with the investigation.

"It's important to know that nobody that has appeared before you says that (there was foul play) lightly," Lumumba added after Wade. "Obviously there are things we can't share  But based on what we do know, we do know that there needs to be a continued investigation."

Lumumba said he has been in contact with U.S. Congressman Bennie Thompson who has asked the U.S. Department of Justice for assistance into the investigation.

Dau Mabil left his home in Belhaven Heights on Monday, March 25, 2024. Bowley said Mabil sent her a text message at 11:58 a.m. saying he was going on a walk and left his phone at home to charge. She said that was not unusual.

Bowley said she expected to hear from him by mid-afternoon March 25, but she didn't. Mabil was last seen on video footage at 12:20 p.m. March 25 in the southbound direction on Jefferson Street, just north of High Street.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Family of missing Belhaven man, found dead, question investigation
Family searching for Southern California teen who vanished from home

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for the publics help in locating a 16-year-old girl who disappeared from her Rancho Cucamonga home earlier this month.

Ebonie Bella Maxwell was last seen on April 11, according to a NCMEC missing child bulletin.

Felicia Maxwell, Bellas mother, said that she and her daughter had spent the morning making smoothies and that the teen left for a walk at around 10:30 a.m.

She was last seen at a nearby park soon after leaving, but the teen never returned home, the bulletin stated.

Family members said that Bellas disappearance is extremely out of character for her, raising serious concerns about her safety and well-being.

Ebonie Maxwell, 16, seen here in this undated family photo. (NCMEC)

Ebonie Maxwell, 16, seen here in this undated family photo. (NCMEC)

Ebonie Maxwell, 16, seen here with her mother Felicia Maxwell. (NCMEC)

The 16-year-old is described as 5 foot 3 inches tall, weighing around 100 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

My sweet baby girl Bella, you are loved, cared for, needed and wanted by all of your family and friends, her mother said in a message released by NCMEC. We are missing you and praying for your safety and just desperately want you to return to us.

Authorities believe that Bella may not have left the local area and could be in either Los Angeles or Riverside counties.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts or disappearance is urged to contact NCMEC at 800-843-5678 or the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department at 909-387-8313.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
The family of one of the University of Idaho students brutally stabbed in an off-campus rental house in 2022 slammed a new alibi statement from the accused killer in a scathing statement provided to HuffPost Thursday.

Bryan Kohberger, 29, claimed in a new court filing that he was on one of his customary nighttime drives to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars  miles away from the off-campus rental house where Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were staying when they were killed on Nov. 13, 2022.

Kohbergers attorney said a cellphone data expert will testify that her clients mobile device did not travel where the four students were staying, and therefore it could not have been in the car captured on security video that authorities believe was driven by the killer.

Bryan Kohberger, who is charged with killing four University of Idaho students, listens to arguments during a hearing, Oct. 26, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. conducted properly and will stand. Kai Eiselein/New York Post via AP, Pool, File

Theres a major flaw in this argument, Goncalves family said: According to police records, Kohbergers phone was turned off in the crucial hours before and after the killings.

The alibi is in direct conflict with the arrest affidavit, the family said, which states that Kohbergers phone was turned off between 2:47 a.m. and 4:48 a.m. Investigators believe the killings took place between about 4:15 and 4:30 that morning.

So if the Defendant was driving around and there is cell phone information that he was in a different place it would be either before or after the times of the murders. Hence not really an alibi, the family wrote in the statement.

At the time of the killings, Kohberger was a Ph.D. student in criminology at Washington State Universitys Pullman campus near the Idaho border, and lived just 10 miles from the victims house.

In a previous alibi statement  a document required by state statute in Idaho if the defense plans to present alibi evidence at trial  Kohbergers attorney said that he had gone for a long drive the night of the killings. The court found the account too vague, however, and ordered Kohberger to provide a more detailed account of his whereabouts. Wednesday was Kohbergers deadline to submit the supplemental documents.

We believe that If this alibi had any weight it would have been submitted months ago, the Goncalves family said.

The family also expressed frustration with the cases slow pace.

We have been waiting on this information for months and it has finally arrived. It is so hard not knowing anything about the case and you find you have to cling to dates, motions and hearings in order to figure out anything. A big part of this has been waiting on the Alibi information.

But Kohbergers revised alibi makes the Goncalveses feel even more confident in the prosecution, they said.

The Defenses claim is that the Defendant was driving late at night hiking/running and stargazing. We are not sure why it has taken over a year for this to come out as those dont seem to be complicated activities.

No trial date has been set in the case. A judge previously said it was unlikely to take place before the summer of 2025. Kohberger could face the death penalty if he is convicted.

Related...
On April 19 in the morning, the terrorist state of Russia fired missiles at Dnipro and the region during a combined attack on Ukraine. A five-story building in the regional center was hit: the building was partially destroyed, and people are being searched for under the rubble.

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Nine residents were preliminarily injured, while damage and casualties were reported in several districts of the region. The head of the Regional Military Administration, Serhii Lysak, reported on the consequences.

"Dnipro is under fire. Our sky defenders are working. Stay in safe places until the end of the air raid alert," the official said after 05:20.

Local Telegram channels noted that several explosions were heard in the city, after which smoke rose into the sky. As a result of the shelling, a blast wave damaged windows and broke glass in buildings.

Later, the head of the RMA confirmed that a five-story residential building in Dnipro was on fire: it was partially destroyed, and there may be people under the rubble.

ADVERTISIMENT

Mayor Borys Filatov said that the enemy hit the city center. As of 07:00, nine civilians were reported injured.

In addition, an infrastructure facility was damaged in the Kryvyi Rih district of Dnipropetrovsk region. There is also destruction in the Sinelnykivski district. A woman died there.

"We will have more information later. In the meantime, take care of your safety. The air raid alert continues," Lysak said.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
An ultraconservative congressman has endorsed a Freedom Caucus member running for Congress in South Carolina.

Congressman Matt Gaetz, R-Florida, has thrown his support behind South Carolina state Rep. Adam Morgans, R-Greenville, bid for Congress. Morgan is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. William Timmons, R-SC, for a seat in South Carolinas 4th Congressional District.

Congress needs more America First warriors willing to fight the establishment, the uniparty and the special interests, said Gaetz in a news release. Adam Morgan is that warrior who will join me to fight the DC swamp to take back our country and restore our conservative values. I enthusiastically endorse his candidacy for South Carolinas Fourth Congressional District and am excited to have him fighting with me soon for the country we love.

Gaetz will deliver the keynote address in Greenville on April 23 at a Morgan campaign rally at the Greenville Marriott.

Im looking forward to welcoming Congressman Gaetz to South Carolina, said Morgan. Matt is a strong leader in Congress and Im thankful to have his support, as well as several other conservative members of Congress, who are committed to consistently fighting for conservative ideals and winning.

Morgan, who is one of the most vocal members of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus in the state House, has gained recognition for his efforts to promote economic growth, protect Second Amendment rights and limit government.

He also went viral after a House debate last year, featuring Morgan saying hes committed to representing his constituents and not lobbyists or special interest groups, began circulating on the social media platform YouTube.

Still, Morgan faces an uphill battle in challenging Timmons, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump earlier this year.

Congressman William Timmons is a terrific advocate for the people of South Carolinas 4th Congressional District, Trump said in a news release. A captain in the Air National Guard, he fights hard to secure our border, strengthen our military, support our veterans, grow the economy, defend our Second Amendment, and hold Joe Biden and the Radical Left Accountable. An original member of my South Carolina Leadership Team, Congressman William Timmons has my complete and total endorsement.

In February, and again earlier this month, Timmons took shots at Morgan on the social media platform X, saying Morgan pretends to be a fighter. But he has been MIA at the State House. The post included a motion graphic indicating the number of votes Morgan missed on the House floor  388  since being elected in 2018.

Morgan said Timmons claims were untrue and nothing more than political spin.

I actually have one of the best attendance records in the SC House. My opponent is the one with the poor attendance recordin the bottom 50% of Congress, Morgan said on X. Its all public record. This is just political spin.

The Republican primary is set for Tuesday, June 11, with early voting beginning on May 28. Whoever wins the primary will challenge Democrat Kathryn Harvey in November.
Farewell ceremony for soldier and activist Pavlo Petrychenko held in Kyiv  photo

The farewell ceremony for Pavlo Petrychenko, a public activist and sergeant of the 59th Brigade, who was killed in action on 15 April, is taking place in St Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda correspondent

Photo: Bohdan Kutiepov, Ukrainska Pravda

Details: His family, fellow soldiers, activists, public figures and the military came to pay their last respects to Pavlo Petrychenko. In total, over a thousand people came to the monastery.

Petrychenko will be buried in Askolds Grave historical park on 19 April.

       

:  ,  pic.twitter.com/nFFxUVJfbs     (@ukrpravda_news) April 19, 2024

For reference: Pavlo Petrychenko was a project manager and participant in public initiatives before the war. He was involved in the development of Serhii Prytula's volunteer centre in March 2022, and in April he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

On 29 March, Petrychenko's petition to restrict the operation of online casinos on the website of the Office of the President of Ukraine received more than 26,000 signatures out of the 25,000 required for consideration.

Background:

On 15 April, Petrychenko was killed in Donetsk Oblast while performing a combat mission.

Petrychenkos sister Maryna indicated that he would be buried on 19 April in Askold's Grave historical park in Kyiv.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  From the blue boxes outside the post office to your mailbox at home, police are battling mail thieves who see the crime as low risk and high reward.

The dead of night when most people are sleeping typically sets the crime scene that few discover until the next day: important items missing from their mailbox including bank statements, mailed credit cards and drivers licenses, and more. 8 News Now has shared doorbell security footage of some instances where a getaway car rolls up, takes whatevers inside, and speeds off.

Multiple counterfeit arrow keys and tampered mailbox locks seized by Metro police. (LVMPD photo)

Las Vegas Metro police say the problem is getting worse, especially in affluent communities like Summerlin. It takes less than a minute for thieves  becoming craftier and more violent to get what they want  to empty multiple boxes commonly seen in Nevada neighborhoods.

Thats according to LVMPD Financial Crimes Section Detective Marc Evans, who says the problem spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic when consumers were more frequently using personal information to shop online. That helped thieves blend in. But first they had to steal an identity.

Detective Marc Evans talks about the growing mail theft problem with 8 News Nows Ryan Matthey. (KLAS)

Criminals believe that if you go to more affluent areas, theres going to be better credit cards, better bank documents, Evans said inside LVMPD Headquarters Thursday morning. If you get a universal key, youll pretty much get access to an entire side of town.

Those universal keys are called arrow keys. Mail carriers use them to open several mailboxes in an area.

Mail carriers are now increasingly targets of assaults for those keys, which Evans says are then duplicated, sold online  up to $7,000 in some cases  and used to access mail of value to run the gamut of fraud: taking out loans, creating mortgages and maxing out credit cards. He says its not uncommon to find seven to eight people working together in this scheme.

An arrow key that USPS mail carriers use to open several mailboxes in an area. (LVMPD photo)

Thieves that obtain a key no longer work only at night. Evans says some are disguising themselves as carriers during the day.

That way they can do this crime in the middle of the day, and a typical person is not going to think that theyre a criminal because theyre wearing the uniform of what appears to be the uniform of a postal carrier, Evans said. (Victims) cant go apply for a loan for a house. They cant go apply for a loan for a car. They cant get a job because now someones used their identity and have gotten arrested using their identity.

LVMPD recorded around 600 mail theft and carrier assault incidents last year. Of those thieves caught, 16 had counterfeit or stolen arrow keys. The National Association of Letter Carriers reported 30 carriers that were attacked or robbed within the past three years in the Las Vegas Valley.

Thieves convicted on federal charges can face up to five years in prison. Thanks to a 2023 Nevada law, convicted thieves could then face up to an additional four years in prison. But, thats not always the punishment received.

Theyll say, Okay, Ill go to prison for  or Ill go to jail for a few months, but Ill make $50,000. So, to them, its worth it, Evans said. Theyve been arrested multiple times, sometimes 20 plus times for fraud-related crimes, and not just in our state. Theyve been arrested across the country.

Despite the growing number of incidents, Evans said its getting easier to crack down on these thieves thanks to felony punishments in the 2023 Nevada Law at the state and local level that allows them to charge those they find with stolen mail or arrow keys. But, he acknowledges Vegas unique nature as a transient city  where casinos act as a 24/7 bank to cash fraudulent checks and take out money  sends their operation nationwide to track down criminals.

Evans recommends Vegas Valley residents should:

Sign up for informed delivery through USPS, which sends digital confirmations of mail expected to be delivered

Check the mailbox daily and remove letters prior to nighttime

Do not send checks in the mail

Avoid placing outgoing mail in the blue steel mailboxes outside post offices where thieves can easily use fishing tools to obtain mail on the inside

With the criminals, they want fast money, Evans said. The last thing we want is, you know, our public servants to feel like they cant do their job.

Multiple stolen or counterfeit passports and credit cards related to mail theft incidents in Clark County. (LVMPD photo)

Those who believe theyve become a victim of mail theft can report an incident on the United States Postal Inspection Services website. Those who believe theyve fallen victim to other fraud because of mail theft can contact LVMPD or local police stations to file a report.

Mail carriers are also pushing for the passage of the federal Protect Our Letter Carriers Act that would improve security of mailboxes, replace arrow keys with digital keys and encourage harsher prosecution of crimes against letter carriers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
FHP to stop raises for troopers, this on the heels of hiring freeze

Last week, 9 Investigates told you that the Florida Highway Patrol was not going to hire more troopers until June 2025 despite currently having 102 vacancies.

The agency told WFTV that number is low compared to other years and that is why the agency told WFTV last week that they decided not to hire more troopers until June of 2025.

 WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

However, after Channel 9s story about that hiring freeze, troopers told 9 Investigates that there was more to the story.

9 investigates has now learned that there is not only a hiring freeze but raises that were recently received will not continue.

The head of the states Police Benevolent Association, that represents the troopers, told WFTV that the Florida Highway Patrol is underfunded and operating in the red.

Read: Why is there a hold on hiring at the Florida Highway Patrol?

Something happened inside the agency in the last year that contributed to the decision not to continue the merit raises, but what that something is, the FHP wont say.

In fact, WFTV tried to ask Lt. Colonel Mark Brown during an interview for another story this week, but the public information officer shut our questions down and told us to email them in.

9 Investigates has emailed several times and has been asking the FHP spokesperson for more than a week to be transparent about the financials at FHP, but all our questions for this story have gone unanswered.

Read: Commission vote could allow notorious strip club site to reopen

Troopers and the PBA president Bill Smith, confirmed to WFTV that a rate allocation was made at the agency to the tune of about $13 million without the legislatures approval and that was not only questionable, but also not sustainable.

The money must come from somewhere - so less than a year after those raises, the merit/step plan has been discontinued.

Smith told Channel 9, So this current fiscal year, it wasnt funded, because of what was done, how it was done, and the new fiscal year starting July 1, it wasnt funded either. Actually, the agency itself is underfunded moving forward. We needed about $27 million.

Read: Seminole County judge grants bond for Orange County deputy

But all might not be, the legislature could call a special session this summer to try and give more money to the Florida Highway Patrol to try to bring it out of that deficit.

The PBA hopes the financial situation gets worked out before they lose troopers, putting them back in the position they were in a few years ago with hundreds and hundreds of openings.

Im still a trooper, I understand their frustration and theyre frustrated and theyre mad, Smith added.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
CRED has received the in-principle approval for a payment aggregator license in a boost to the Indian fintech startup that could help it better serve its customers and launch new products and experiment with ideas faster.

The Bengaluru-headquartered startup, valued at $6.4 billion, received the in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for the payment aggregator license this week, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

CRED didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

The RBI has granted in-principle approval for payment aggregator licenses to several companies, including Reliance Payment and Pine Labs, over the past year. Typically, the central bank takes nine months to a year to issue full approval following the in-principle approval.

Payment aggregators are essential in facilitating online transactions by acting as intermediaries between merchants and customers. The RBI's approval enables fintech firms to expand their offerings and compete more effectively in the market.

Without a license, fintech startups must rely on third-party payment processors to handle transactions, and these players may not prioritize such mandates. Obtaining a license allows fintech companies to process payments directly, reduce costs, gain greater control over payment flow and onboard merchants directly. Additionally, payment aggregators with licenses can settle funds directly with merchants.

A license can also allow CRED to make itself available to more merchants and "generally be everywhere their customers shop," an industry executive said.

The in-principle license approval to CRED follows the Indian central bank cracking down on many fintech business practices in recent quarters and generally growing cautious of granting licenses of any kind to businesses. In a stunning move, the Reserve Bank of India ordered Paytm Payments Bank earlier this year to halt most of its businesses.

CRED -- which counts Tiger Global, Coatue, Peak XV, Sofina, Ribbit Capital and Dragoneer among its backers -- serves a large chunk of India's affluent customers. It originally launched six years ago with the feature to help members pay their credit card bills on time, but has since expanded its offerings with loans and several other products. In February, it announced it had reached an agreement to buy mutual fund and stock investment platform Kuvera.
Fire breaks out at historic Oregon hotel used in The Shining

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A fire broke out Thursday night at an Oregon hotel that film fans may recognize from Stanley Kubricks The Shining.

Fire officials in Clackamas County said the fire broke out sometime before 9:30 p.m. in an attic of the Timberline Lodge, a historic Mount Hood hotel that served as the exterior for the Overlook Hotel in Kubricks 1980 thriller.

Man charged with setting fire at Sen. Bernie Sanders office: prosecutors

Fire crews from Clackamas, as well as Hoodland Fire, Gresham Fire and Estacada Fire, were all on the scene fighting the blaze, according to a press release from Clackamas Fire.

Just after 11 p.m., a Clackamas Fire spokesperson confirmed to Nexstars KOIN that no one was injured, and that the fire had been contained to the attic and the roof. Around that time, the department also confirmed on Twitter that the blaze was declared to be under control.

A photo shared by Clackamas Fire shows a blaze in the attic of the Timberline Lodge. (Clackamas Fire)

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire that broke out at Mount Hoods Timberline Lodge on Thursday night. (Clackamas Fire)

Fire officials survey the damage to Timberline Lodge after a fire broke out Thursday. (Clackamas Fire)

The fire was out shortly before 11:30 p.m., a spokesperson for the Timberline Lodge told KOIN. At the time, firefighters were continuing to extinguish any hotspots.

Timberline Lodges spokesperson also said all guests and employees were safe, having been evacuated from the hotel. Oregon State Police had also closed all roads near the lodge to allow for emergency vehicles.

The hotel is closed until further notice, Timberline Lodge wrote on social media. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the blaze, but hotel officials say it is suspected fireplace embers ignited the roof.

Why are movie theater snacks so expensive?

The Timberline Lodge, which opened in 1938, has been used as a filming location for several film productions, including 1960s All the Young Men, 1973s Lost Horizon, and 1993s Hear No Evil, according to IMDb. The 2019 film Doctor Sleep, which is based on Stephen Kings sequel to The Shining, also used the hotel for exterior shots.

As noted on the Timberline Lodges website, 1980s The Shining used aerial and exterior footage of the hotel for establishing shots, though other exterior shots such as those of the hedge maze and loading dock were filmed at a studio in England.

An unusual spring blizzard envelopes Mt. Hoods Timberline Lodge in April 2019. The exterior of the historic Timberline Lodge became the fictional Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubricks The Shining. (George Rose/Getty Images)

During production, the hotels management also requested that Kubrick not mention Room 217 in the film (Stephen Kings book discussed Room 217 being haunted), so Kubrick instead used a different room number that doesnt exist at Timberline  Room 237  as a stand-in for the movie.

However, Room 217 is requested more often than any other room at Timberline,: the lodge writes on its website. Rest assured, Timberline is not haunted!

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
First few minutes after Russian attack on Dnipro are caught on police body cameras  video

Patrol officers have shown footage of the first few minutes after the Russian missile attack on the city of Dnipro on 19 April.

Source: Oleksii Biloshytskyi, First Deputy Head of the Department of Patrol Police, on Facebook

Details: Footage from the patrol officers body cameras shows the source of a fire and an injured man who was promptly given first aid by the patrol officers.

The man was then handed over to the medics.

Background:

On the night of 18-19 April, the Russians struck the infrastructure of the city of Dnipro and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Borys Filatov, mayor of Dnipro, reported that the city was struck with a Kh-22 missile designed to destroy aircraft carriers.

As a result of the Russian attack, two people were killed in the city of Dnipro; six people, including two children, were killed in Synelnykove; and 29 other residents of the oblast were injured.

Local authorities report that in total, 35 people were injured in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and 24 in the city of Dnipro.



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First lady Jill Biden, in Minnesota on Friday, will launch Educators for Biden-Harris -- a national organizing program intended to engage and mobilize teachers, school staff and parents to vote for President Joe Biden, the Biden-Harris campaign shared exclusively with ABC News.

Kicking off the coalition in an evening speech to educators at the Education Minnesota Convention in Bloomington, the first lady, a classroom teacher for over 30 years, will brand her husband as "the education president."

"You deserve a president who recognizes your service," the first lady will say, according to excerpts from the Biden-Harris campaign. "Who understands that the work doesn't end when the afternoon bell rings each day, who sees the early morning bus routes and piles of papers to grade, the care you give to every sick student and the extra granola bars you keep handy, because someone might come to school hungry A president who matches your devotion with his own."

"That person is my husband, Joe Biden. He knows what educators go through every day. He respects us. He empowers us. And he's never going to stop fighting for us," read excerpts from the first lady's speech. "You saw that four years ago when you placed your faith in him, and he's never taken it for granted."

PHOTO: Dr. Jill Biden speaks onstage during the 2024 Human Rights Campaign dinner, Mar. 23, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The first lady is expected to say the president delivered on his campaign promises from 2020, including "safely" reopening schools after COVID's peak, expanding mental health access for students and passing the first major gun safety legislation in 30 years.

The campaign said to expect several Educators for Biden-Harris events over the next few days, beginning with events in Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada,; Concord, New Hampshire,; and Lansing, Michigan. They add that plan to hit every battleground state over the next few weeks.

MORE: Jill Biden to make history as 1st first lady to hold paid job outside the White House

Jill Biden, who the campaign is dubbing "America's First Teacher," is the country's first first lady to hold a paid job outside the White House, working as an English professor at Virginia Community College since 2009. She also worked full-time during her eight years as second lady in the Obama-Biden administration.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden listens as First Lady Dr. Jill Biden speaks at a campaign event at Pullman Yards, March 9, 2024, in Atlanta. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)

The campaign sees their Educators for Biden-Harris project as yet another opportunity for them to draw a contrast between Biden and former President Donald Trump, who has called for abolishing the Department of Education.

Teachers unions backing Biden amplify message

Presidents of the National Education Association (NEA) and American Federation of Teachers (NFT) will join the first lady on Friday in Bloomington for her remarks at the Education Minnesota Convention. The two national teachers' unions endorsed Biden last year.

Together, the groups have nearly five million combined members with local affiliates in all 50 states, the Biden-Harris campaign said, adding, "96% of NEA members and over 90% of AFT members voted in 2020."

MORE: Biden speaks on education, calls for giving teachers a raise

The campaign said it will build on its launch of Educators for Biden-Harris with digital and on-the-ground organizing efforts to directly engage educators and parents. And, working alongside AFT and NEA, the campaign will organize door-to-door canvassing, phone and text banks and back-to-school events, some of which have already begun.

For their part, NEA has created a candidate comparison tool in both English and Spanish which highlights policy differences between the presumptive party nominees, including how Trump proposed cutting federal funding for public education when in office and has proposed eliminating funding for loan forgiveness programs if re-elected.

The union has already launched a 10-question "Biden-Harris Public Education Quiz" which tests users on the Biden administration's record "for supporting public education and unions," touting achievements from expanding free school meals to 30 million students to approving more than $137 billion in student debt relief.

First lady Jill Biden to kick off Educators for Biden to mobilize teachers originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
In Greece, Communist Party MP Yannis Giokas delivered pro-Kremlin narratives about the war in Ukraine during a meeting of a special committee. In the spirit of Russian propaganda, he accused Kyiv of the "2014 coup" and the activities of "Nazis," but the pro-Russian MP was quickly put in his place and forced to leave the meeting room.

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The incident was reported by the Greek media. As noted, instead of discussing the situation of Ukrainians of Greek descent in eastern Ukraine, which has been subjected to Russian aggression, Giokas accused Ukraine of the alleged "coup of 2014" and the activities of "Nazi gangs" and criticized President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Honorary Consul of Greece in Kherson, Pantelis Boumbouras, who was present at the meeting, interrupted the pro-Russian MP, pointing out the outright lies and asking "Who pays him to spread such narratives?"

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In response, Giokas started shouting and demanding support from the committee chairman. However, the latter supported Boumbouras and urged Giokas not to conflict with the guests of the parliament.

Eventually, unable to continue defending Moscow's propaganda, Giockas left the meeting room.

As OBOZ.UA reported earlier, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that Athens had supported and continued to support Ukraine, and despite strong cultural and religious ties with Russia, "strongly oppose the Kremlin regime."

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!

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The State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday voted unanimously to put the Tulare Lake subbasin on probation during a precedent-setting meeting in Sacramento that stretched over nine hours.

This is a turning point. We are coming to terms with the reality of what this means especially in these areas that are so severely overdrafted, said Laurel Firestone, one of five board members. Were doing this because we all recognize that we dont have a choice.

The Water Board is the enforcement arm of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, which mandates overpumped groundwater basins bring aquifers into balance by 2040.

Under probation, the Water Board will require flow meters to be installed for pumpers who use more than 500 acre feet of groundwater per year. Fees will also be implemented to recoup state costs. Those include $20 per acre foot of extracted water and $300 annual registration fees per well.

If deficiencies in the subbasins plan arent fixed after a year, the Water Board could implement an interim plan, take over management of the subbasin and impose pumping limits.

The Tulare Lake subbasin covers all of Kings County.

Four groundwater sustainability agency (GSA) managers in the Tulare Lake subbasin presented updates from a new groundwater plan that is nearly complete, which they claim addresses the deficiencies. Board members said they were encouraged and optimistic by the updates and acknowledged the work GSA staff have done up to this point.

However, the revised plan was not completed in time for the hearing.

Dorene DAdamo, vice chair of the Water Board, said she was hopeful that a complete revision of the plan would have been in hand by Tuesdays meeting. Because it wasnt, DAdamo said she was not comfortable delaying the decision and instead opted for probation.

Advocates, water managers from other subbasins, farmers and public officials commented at the hearing. Many advocates supported the probationary status for Tulare Lake, including nonprofits Community Water Center, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, Clean Water Action and Union of Concerned Scientists.

Antonio Solorio, speaking on behalf of Westlands Water District, also called for probation saying that Westlands and its neighbors need to work to protect groundwater levels.

Multiple farmers spoke out against probation, claiming the move could devastate small family farms, agricultural communities and local economies.

Brian Medeiros, a first generation farmer, gave an impassioned plea to the board to consider how probation could impact the lives of all residents, including his own family which includes a four-year old son.

When I ask my son what he wants to be when he grows up, he says he wants to be a farmer just like me, Medeiros said. Please consider that we need to protect the entirety of our community. I dont want this agency or any other agency to take that dream away from him.

There are three aquifers in the Tulare Lake Subbasin. The top layer, called the A-zone, is a shallow perched section about 100 feet below ground level. The B Zone contains the majority of domestic and agricultural wells, whereas the C-zone sits below a thick layer of Corcoran clay more than 700 feet below the surface. The C-zone is considered the main culprit behind the regions extensive subsidence.

In the Mid-Kings River GSA, which includes the City of Hanford, pumping caps were established in March, said Dennis Mills, manager of the GSA, at the hearing. Currently, 2 acre feet per acre is allowed to be pumped from the C-zone.

We are encouraged by the paradigm shift of reduction in pumping from the C-zone, said Caroline Hackett, water resources engineer at the Water Board.

The Tulare Lake subbasins plan to achieve sustainability was rejected twice by the state. Regulators didnt believe it would solve one of the areas biggest problems caused by over pumping  subsidence, or land sinking, which has impacted a huge swath of land.

State regulators were also concerned the Tulare Lake subbasin plan hadnt done enough to protect drinking water wells from going dry or being contaminated and that the five groundwater agencies had not properly coordinated amongst themselves.

Several Tulare Lake agencies  and most other subbasins  held out hope the Water Board would employ the good guy clause. That clause allows the board to put individual groundwater agencies on probation, while sparing the larger subbasin. But the board decided against allowing any exceptions to probation because the negative impacts in the plan were not adequately described to begin with.

Subsidence is also a major issue in the next region that will come before the board. The Tule subbasin is next door to the Tulare Lake subbasin, covering the southern half of the valley portion of Tulare County.

Farmers have pumped out groundwater so furiously there that a 33-mile section of the vital Friant-Kern Canal has sunk, crimping its carrying capacity by 60 percent. The sinking continues even after a $300 million repair project, prompting lawsuits and urgent pleas for help from the Water Board.

The Tule subbasin goes before the board Sept. 17.

Four other valley groundwater subbasins will come before the board as well. The Kaweah subbasin in Tulare County, will be called up in November, then the Kern subbasin will go before the board in January 2025. The Chowchilla and Delta-Mendota subbasins will have their cases heard later in 2025.

SJV Water is an independent, nonprofit news site dedicated to covering water in the San Joaquin Valley. Get inside access to SJV Water by becoming a member.

Kings County facing $1 billion in flood damages. Officials are hopeful for federal funding
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine gives his 2024 State of the State address in the Ohio House chambers at the Ohio Statehouse. (Pool photo by Barbara J. Perenic, Columbus Dispatch.)

Versions of this story are being published by the USA Today Network, Floodlight, Energy News Network, and the Ohio Capital Journal.

In 2018, Akron-based FirstEnergy donated $2.5 million to a Republican Governors Association-affiliated dark money group backing GOP nominee Mike DeWine in a competitive race for governor.

The previously undisclosed money reveals how invested FirstEnergy was in the outcome of the Ohio governors race between DeWine and Democratic challenger Rich Cordray. At the time, FirstEnergy wanted to bail out two nuclear plants then owned by a subsidiary but faced opposition from Ohio leaders like then-Gov. John Kasich.

Both DeWine and Cordray had promised to save two northern Ohio nuclear plants if they became governor, and the company chipped in publicly disclosed money to both the Republican Governors Association and Democratic Governors Association.

But newly released records show FirstEnergy donated $2.5 million in three installments to State Solutions, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit affiliated with the Republican Governors Association that is not required to disclose its donors. One installment of $500,000 is labeled DeWine; the other two are listed as RGA, according to records released by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, Floodlight, Ohio Capital Journal and the Energy News Network.

DeWine met with FirstEnergy executives at an RGA fundraiser in downtown Columbus on Oct. 10, 2018, the Dayton Daily News first reported. Shortly after, FirstEnergy Solutions donated $500,000 to RGA, according to tax records.

FirstEnergy also donated $200,000 to the Citizens Policy Institute, which blasted Cordray for being Republican Lite, according to released records. Cleveland restaurateur Tony George, a close FirstEnergy ally, was behind the group, BuzzFeed News reported at the time.

In November 2018, DeWine defeated Cordray, 50.4% to 46.7%, as Democrats swept elections across the country. In 2019, FirstEnergy helped Republican lawmakers craft House Bill 6, an energy overhaul measure that included $1 billion for the two nuclear plants. DeWine signed House Bill 6 within hours of it hitting his desk.

When asked if the donations influenced DeWines support of nuclear energy, DeWine spokesman Dan Tierney said: Gov. DeWines support for nuclear energy is documented well prior to 2018, including during his tenure as United States senator.

FirstEnergy spokeswoman Jennifer Young said the company was unable to comment on pending litigation. Shareholders sued FirstEnergy after federal investigators revealed an extensive pay-to-play scandal bankrolled by the Ohio utility.

That federal investigation led to a 20-year prison sentence for former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, a five-year sentence for ex-Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges and the firing of several FirstEnergy executives. Attorneys in the shareholder lawsuit have sought to subpoena records from DeWine and depose Husted, but neither faces any criminal accusations.

FirstEnergy donated $1 million through a dark money group to back Husteds bid for governor in 2017, according to previously released records. Husted and DeWine were competitors until they merged campaigns in November 2017.

Concerns raised

In 2018, the nuclear plants owner FirstEnergy Solutions was in bankruptcy. So creditors raised concerns about a $1 million payment earmarked to help DeWines campaign, according to emails exchanged on Aug. 11, 2018. They cited it is very large compared to DeWines current fundraising.

Senior Vice President of External Affairs Michael Dowling tried to allay concerns by explaining that donors can back DeWines bid in several ways, including giving to DeWines campaign fund, the Republican Governors Association, State Solutions and the Ohio Republican Partys state candidate fund.

Theoretically, DeWine/Husted could have a balance of $10M in their campaign account and the RGA could spend $40M in support of DeWine in Ohio, Dowling explained in an email. My point is that comparing the size of a contribution to the RGA to what the DeWine campaign has raised or what the DeWine Campaigns current balance is can be done, but Im not sure is logical.

Republican fundraiser Brooke Bodney, who worked with the RGA, confirmed: All factually accurate.

Meanwhile, FirstEnergy Solutions David Griffing reassured Akin Gumps Rick Burdick that there was no connection between State Solutions and DeWines campaign. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld is a powerful law firm that represented FirstEnergy Solutions during its bankruptcy and lobbied for House Bill 6.

The issue was important because exchanging a political favor for a campaign donation would be illegal, a quid pro quo.

Thanks, Burdick wrote. Just to confirm there is also no understanding with the DeWine campaign re his position on regulatory relief for nuclear plants related to this contribution.

Correct, Griffing replied.

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.

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The post FirstEnergy gave $2.5M to GOP governors dark money group backing DeWines 2018 bid appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Five of the biggest book publishers in US join lawsuit challenging Iowa book ban

Several big publishing houses have joined Penguin Random House along with renowned authors in a federal lawsuit suing Iowa over a state law that bans certain books in schools and restricts teachings on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan have joined Penguin Random House, who initially filed a lawsuit in November against Iowa, completing the line-up of the Big Five US publishers on the complaint.

The publisher Sourcebooks has also joined the suit with the other four, with the Iowa State Education Association, four authors, three educators, and one high school student also stated as plaintiffs.

The houses are challenging the state over the book-banning provisions of Senate File 496 in order to protect the right to publish and read books, the publishers said in a joint statement on Monday obtained by CNN.

The publishing houses are joined by authors John Green (The Fault in Our Stars), Laurie Halse Anderson (Speak and Shout), Malinda Lo (Last Night at the Telegraph Club) and Jodi Picoult (Nineteen Minutes).

The five publishers who joined the suit issued a joint statement that declared that we as publishers are uniting in our unwavering commitment to stand with educators, librarians, students, authors, and readers against the unconstitutional censorship measures being imposed by the state of Iowa.

The alarming rise of book bans across the country demands our collective action, their statement continued. Now, more than ever, we must stand firmly with our authors and readers to defend the fundamental right to read and the freedom of expression.

Senate File 496 was signed in May last year by Iowa governor Kim Reynolds, creating a law that allows K-12 school libraries only to carry books deemed age-appropriate, with the exclusion of any reading material with descriptions or visual depictions of a sex act.

However, the law has also prohibited any instruction relating to gender identity or sexual orientation within schools for students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

The publishers claimed in their statement that this law has limited access to books, fiction and non-fiction alike, relating to gender identity or sexual orientation.

They claim that books like George Orwells Nineteen Eighty-Four, Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale and Ulysses by James Joyce, among many others, have all been removed from libraries.

The lawsuit, according to CNN, argues that the law denies students of reading books that portrays and describes critical aspects of the human experience and it discriminates against LGBTQ+ viewpoints and authors.

A federal judge temporarily blocked certain parts of the law from being enforced after he said that the ban on books was incredibly broad, and was leading to the removal of history volumes, classics and award-winning novels, even literature that were designed to help students avoid being victimised by sexual assault.

Governor Reynolds criticised the ruling, calling it extremely disappointing, and promised to continue to do my part to protect [the] innocence of young children.

Instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation has no place in kindergarten through sixth-grade classrooms, she wrote in a release after the law was blocked in December.

There should be no question that books containing sexually explicit content  as clearly defined in Iowa law  do not belong in a school library for children. The fact that were even arguing these issues is ridiculous. The real debate should be about why society is so intent on over-sexualising our young children.

The Independent has left a message at the office of the governor Kim Reynolds for comment.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis walks through the garage area before the 66th Annual Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway. The governor on Thursday signed a bill authorizing school districts to establish a school chaplain program by which religious organizations can interact with students. File photo by Mike Gentry/UPI

April 18 (UPI) -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill allowing religious leaders and "patriotic organizations" to interact with students in school, a move that the Satanic Temple plans to contest.

DeSantis on Thursday held a conference signing two new bills, HB 1317 and HB 931, which he said would be beneficial to the mental health of Florida students.

HB 931 establishes a statewide school chaplain program, which means schools can invite religious affiliates to provide counseling and other services to students who want it and have written permission from their parents.

"There are some students where they need some soul craft," DeSantis said. "That can make all the difference in the world."

HB 1317 authorizes school districts to bring in "patriotic organizations," such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, The Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and more.

"Not everyone knows what's all out there in the community," DeSantis said. "I think students are better off being involved in any of these activities than just going home and being on electronics for the rest of the day."

Members of the Satanic Temple already are planning to test the limits of the school chaplain bill by bringing their own representatives into public schools.

"Despite DeSantis' contempt for religious liberty, the Constitution guarantees our equal treatment under the law, and DeSantis is not at liberty to amend the Constitution by fiat, at whim," said Lucien Greaves, co-founder of the The Satanic Temple. "He just invited Satanic chaplains into public schools, whether he likes it or not."

DeSantis, who has sparred with the Satanic Temple before, said that's not doing to happen.

"Some have said that if you do a school chaplain program, that somehow you're going to have Satanists running around in all our schools," he said at the press conference Thursday. "We're not playing those games in Florida. That is not a religion. That is not qualifying to be able to participate in this."

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce, however, has taken the opposite stance.

"I think that as soon as we get in the middle of defining what is religion and what is not, and whether or not someone can be available and be on a list, we start to run [into] constitutional problems," she said before the bill passed.

Either way, the power is in the hands of school districts as to whether or not they even want to implement a chaplain program. Schools with a chaplain program would have to provide a list of all volunteers and their religious affiliations, DeSantis said.

Any prospective volunteer chaplain also will have to undergo a background check, DeSantis said.

State Democrats who opposed the bill raised concerns about far-right Christian nationalist groups participating in the program.

Other critics raised questions about the credentials of people who would interact with minors.

The law goes into effect July 1.
The following story may feature explicit information.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A 53-year-old Florida teacher was arrested after police said several women saw him exposing himself through a window at a Walt Disney World hotel.

Chris Allen-Black, a math teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, was arrested on Feb. 24, after he was allegedly seen naked, touching himself in front of a window at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel.

An arrest report obtained by First Coast News, stated a witness was returning to her chairs on the pool deck when she looked up at the windows and saw an unknown male, later identified as Allen-Black stroking his penis while overlooking the hotel pool.

Drunk Florida man beaten up, arrested after making fun of Disney guest with Down syndrome: affidavit

Another witness also told police she saw the 53-year-old standing in front of the window fully nude, touching himself.

According to First Coast News, Allen-Black was arrested for exposing his sexual organs by masturbating in front of a window in public view of theirs including women, and children and families by the pool, which was considered vulgar, and indecent by the victims.

On Wednesday, the schools principal said Allen-Black was reassigned to duties without student contact while the districts Office of Professional Standards investigates.

Principal Tina Wilson sent the following message to parents Wednesday, First Coast News reported:

Dear Douglas Anderson families,

Unfortunately, I am writing to share with you very disappointing news regarding one of your childrens teachers.

Our school district received notification that Mr. Allen-Black, who taught your childs algebra class, was arrested by the Orange County Sheriffs Office on a misdemeanor charge of exposure of sexual organs. While the presumption of innocence applies, we have reassigned this teacher to duties without student contact while the districts office of professional standards conducts an investigation into the matter.

Please know that your childs academic well-being is our top priority, and we have put an instructional transition plan in place to ensure there is no disruption to student learning.

 Our other certified math teachers will take over Mr. Allen-Blacks Algebra I classes to ensure continued instruction prior to the FSA.

 Algebra II classes will be taught with a substitute under close observation by school administrators and other math faculty.

 Students can attend any math teacher Lunch and Learn for remediation and support.

 Additional support may include, but is not limited to, Mu Alpha Theta tutors and ESE support teachers.

 After all math state and district assessments are complete, the math department will assign material relevant for next years math curriculum.

Again, this is very disappointing news. I always want to keep you informed, and most important, we want to ensure the proper educational support is in place for students.

Thank you for your support as we work to provide a safe and positive learning environment for your child.

According to First Coast News, this isnt the first time a Douglas Anderson School of the Arts teacher has been arrested.

On March 22, 2023, Vocal Department Chair Jeffrey Clayton, 65, was arrested for lewd and lascivious conduct involving a student and unlawful use of a two-way communication device. Four staff members were also removed from the classroom last year as the school faced alleged misconduct.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
New footage shows woman who used dead uncle to sign bank loan arriving by taxi  with driver helping move the body

A surveillance video from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, showed the moment Erika de Souza Vieira Nunes brought her dead uncle, Paulo Roberto Braga, 68, by a rideshare cab (left) to a bank to sign loan documents (right).

It should have been a dead giveaway.

The Brazilian woman who took her dead uncle into a bank to sign a loan in her name arrived there by taxi  with video even showing the driver helping her move the corpse from his car.

Erika de Souza Vieira Nunes was arrested Tuesday after taking the body of her 68-year-old uncle, Paulo Roberto Braga, into a bank and then moving his hand to sign a key document to get her a $3,400 loan.

Newly emerged video now shows Nunes  who reportedly told cops that she didnt know her uncle was dead  arriving at the bank by taxi, with her motionless uncle in the front passenger seat next to the rideshare driver.

Surveillance video shows Erika de Souza Vieira Nunes in a parking lot of a Rio de Janeiro bank after bringing her dead uncle by rideshare cab to sign financial documents. Jam Press Vid

Paulo Roberto Braga, 68, appears to be deceased after being removed from the passenger seat and placed in his wheelchair. Jam Press Vid

The footage, which has no sound, shows Nunes placing a wheelchair outside the car door and reaching inside to grab her late uncle.

The driver then helps her pull him out and into the wheelchair, where the uncle slumps with his head tilted to the right.

At one point, a man walks by and does a double-take. He turns around and appears to speak with Nunes while motioning to Braga, but then continues on his way.

A passerby stopped to talk to Nunes after apparently noticing that Braga did not look right. Jam Press Vid

Nunes then wheels Braga into an elevator, before another CCTV camera captures her making her away along a hallway.

Another video, taken the day before, showed Nunes bringing the visibly alive Braga to an emergency room.

Nunes insisted she did know her relative was dead when she took him to the bank to sign documents that would have allowed her to take out a $3,400 loan.

Bragas autopsy found that he died between 11:30 am and 2:30 pm local time Tuesday, with his cause of death being determined as respiratory aspiration of stomach contents and heart failure.

Police Chief Fabio Luis said the way the mans blood had pooled within his vessels suggests that Braga did not die seated but rather lying down.

Nunes was caught on video trying to get her dead uncle to sign a $3,400 loan at a bank.

Nunes later claimed she didnt know Braga was dead while they were at the bank.

An autopsy found Braga had died from a heart failure and aspiration of his stomach contents.

Bragas toxicology tests are still pending.

Nunes is now facing charges of theft by way of fraud and desecration of a corpse.

Her attorney claimed that Nunes suffers from mental health issues and might have experienced a mental breakdown.

Erika undergoes psychological treatment and takes prescribed medications, lawyer Ana Carla de Souza Correa said.

I believe she was having a breakdown at that moment because of the medications. She appeared visibly disturbed.

Nunes has been arrested on charges of theft by way of fraud and desecration of a corpse. Jam Press

In a viral video recorded by a bank employee Tuesday and first aired by TV Globo, Brazils largest broadcaster, Nunes was seen talking to the dead man and lifting his drooping head.

Uncle, are you listening? You need to sign [the loan contract]. If you dont sign, theres no way, because I cant sign for you, Nunes says in the clip, while thrusting a pen between his limp fingers.

Sign so you dont give me any more headaches, I cant take it anymore, she adds.

When a bank staffer notes that Bragas color looks off and he appears unwell, Nunes replies.

He is like that. He doesnt say anything.
Israel launched missiles at Iran in the early morning hours of Friday, April 19, local time. Flights to Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz were suspended after reports of an explosion in the city of Qahjavaristan.

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This was reported by ABC News and Bloomberg. The city of Qahjavaristan is located near the Isfahan airport and the 8th Shekhari Air Force Base in northwestern Isfahan.

It is a response to Iran's attack last Saturday when the country fired more than 300 unmanned drones and missiles at targets across the country. According to officials, all but a few were intercepted by Israel and its allies, including the United States.

Only one Israeli is known to have been injured in the attack: a seven-year-old girl who was seriously wounded.

Meanwhile, it became known that flights over Tehran and other cities were suspended. In particular, Imam Khomeini International Airport in the Iranian capital was closed until the morning. At the moment, restrictions at Iranian airports have been lifted.

In this regard, eight airplanes that were in Iranian airspace deviated from their course. According to the Flightradar24 service, these included Emirates and Flydubai airliners.

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Iranian authorities said that air defense systems were activated in several areas, "shooting down several drones," and denied information about a missile attack on the country.

The IRIB TV company, citing "reliable sources," reported that "loud noises heard in several regions of the country were the result of the activation of the air defense system to combat several unknown mini drones."

It is emphasized that no incidents were recorded at the nuclear infrastructure facilities located in Isfahan.

As reported, almost immediately after the strike began, the Israeli Cabinet allegedly "approved a powerful response to Iran for the attack on its territory." But after consultations with the United States, the Israeli rhetoric somewhat changed.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said that his ministry had already responded to Iran. In particular, he personally "led a diplomatic attack" by writing to 32 countries asking them to impose sanctions on Iran's missile program and officially consider the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group, as the United States has done.

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On April 12 and 13, Iran attacked Israel from its territory, launching hundreds of missiles and attack drones. Both countries and their immediate neighbors closed their airspace.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country has been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran in recent years and especially in recent weeks. All systems are deployed, and Israel is ready for any scenario: both defense and offense.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  After investigators revealed Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney may have been killed by friendly fire, there are many questions as to how such a tragedy could have happened.

MPD officer may have been killed by friendly fire, D.A.s office says

Bennie Cobb spent 40 years in law enforcement and now teaches gun safety to the public from his Bartlett business. Cobb says theres no routine call for officers, and the tragedy Friday in southwest Memphis that claimed the life of Officer Joseph McKinney proves it.

You have a police officer thats been killed, possibility it was friendly fire, now you have whoever the person who accidentally fired the shots gonna have to live with that for the rest of their lives, Cobb said.

Cobb says the training manual on how officers should respond in such a volatile situation sounds pretty basic.

Dont get involved in a cross-fire in which you are directly across from your partner or somebody thats friendly, Cobb said. Cover is your best friend. We always emphasize in training to utilize cover.

My son knows not to shoot at police. Mother of teen killed in shootout believes son didnt kill MPD officer

But Cobb says with more than a dozen officers responding, pandemonium sets in.

You cannot be trained to deal with a barrage of bullets coming at you. Youre human, Cobb said. Number one, you dont want to get hurt. You dont want to get killed.

Cobb says TBI forensics will be able to trace where the bullets came from that killed McKinney because he says each bullet has its own identity, a type of fingerprint unique to the gun that fired it.

He says unfortunately getting that answer wont bring McKinney back.

Its a tragedy multiplied by ten times. Of course, my sympathy and my condolences go out to Officer Mckinneys family, Cobb said.

WREG has learned that multiple Memphis Police officers were placed on leave immediately following last Fridays shooting. MPD says its a routine procedure when officers are involved in incidents like this.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
More than a decade after successfully suing the city of New Smyrna Beach for sexual discrimination, a female fire department lieutenant has filed a new lawsuit alleging continued discrimination and wrongful termination from her job.

Former New Smyrna Beach Fire Lt. Melissa Smith successfully sued the city for discrimination and got her job back at the fire department in 2013, but says she faced continued discrimination and retaliation after rejoining the department that led to her termination.

"This is a 'wont-they-ever-learn action' for sex discrimination and retaliation brought by an unjustly terminated female fire lieutenant that is mirror-image-similar to the federal sex-discrimination and retaliation suit" (from 2013), the lawsuit reads.

The first lawsuit

In February 2013, a federal jury awarded Smith $444,000 in back wages and damages for emotional distress after finding that department leaders sexually harassed her, retaliated against her and fired her when she spoke out. The court also awarded her about $350,000 for attorneys fees, court costs and litigation expenses.

Former New Smyrna Beach Fire Department Lt. Melissa Smith in her home office, Wednesday April 17, 2024 surrounded by stacks of paperwork from her discrimination lawsuit.

A federal judge ordered the fire department to rehire her as a firefighter-paramedic. Smith rejoined the department in 2013 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2015. But she was terminated again in 2023.

Smith, 45, said in an interview with the News-Journal that what she faced in New Smyrna Beach has caused her financial setbacks, left her unable to reach her career goals and negatively impacted her physically and mentally.

"I can't move on with my life," she said.

Department, city decline comment

New Smyrna Beach Fire Chief Shawn VanDemark declined to comment on the allegations.

"I'm actually not authorized to make any comment at all because it's an open case right now," he said.

VanDemark said the department has 56 employees, including several in administration, and seven female firefighters. One of those women is a division chief.

City Manager Khalid Resheidat declined to comment because it's a personnel matter and the subject of a lawsuit.

But the city provided VanDemark's notice of termination to Smith in response to a records request.

The notice, dated Jan. 11, 2023, says that she violated policies by taking an unapproved absence from work and making false statements during an investigation. The letter also says she violated a policy related to "making or authorizing false claims or misrepresentations in an attempt to obtain any benefit from the city."

Smith did not comment on the termination letter at the advice of her attorney William Amlong.

Wants job back

Smith filed the new lawsuit on Feb. 14 of this year in the U.S. District Court in Orlando through attorneys with The Amlong Firm of Fort Lauderdale.

She is again seeking to have her job reinstated with back pay and benefits, damages for lost pay and emotional distress, litigation expenses and attorney's fees. She also wants anti-discrimination and harassment laws  "seriously this time"  to be enforced at the department.

Smith and Amlong spoke to the News-Journal in a phone interview.

"If I were going to write a movie about sexual harassment, I would not have this stuff in there because it's just so unbelievable," Amlong said.

Lt. Melissa Smith

The lawsuit outlines allegations against leaders and rank-and-file officials. They include male employees refusing to take orders from her or hindering her work and officials "denying or otherwise restricting Lt. Smiths access to or payment for medical treatment or reimbursement."

The lawsuit includes information about conversations Smith said she had with VanDemark. The conversations focused on her leadership roles. The lawsuit alleges that VanDemark told her that "male firefighters saw her as a wife, sister, mom or girlfriend."

VanDemark also told her that "The male firefighters come to work to get away from women, but are then being told what to do by a woman," the lawsuit says. She also alleges that he told her that she "needed to be sweeter and allow the male firefighters to feel some sort of control  regardless of rank."

Atmosphere of intolerance?

The lawsuit says employees weren't disciplined for their actions against her and that "open exhibition of intolerance to this female firefighter flowered as if it were mold infesting a damp, untended kitchen."

In January 2016, VanDemark and another official removed her name from an active shooter training announcement in 2016 "to prevent the city fire department's male firefighters from boycotting the training because Lt. Smith was giving it, and preventing her from leading the training course  even though she was Volusia County's lead trainer for seven other cities."

The issues Smith faced at the department included a search of her personal belongings and equipment going missing, according to the lawsuit.

In 2019 a fire department official overheard two employees talking about how "a large, critical piece of firefighting equipment had been taken off her truck." But they didn't tell Smith about it, according to the lawsuit.

The equipment brings water into the truck, and she verified it was on her firetruck that morning. But sometime during the day it went missing.

"We have two minutes of water. After two minutes, we're out of water, and we would have had no way to get any more water into that truck," she said. "And so someone or something would have been destroyed and lost. And all they thought was 'how funny' and wanted me to appear that I, in fact, couldn't be an officer or look at what a bad officer I was."

Windshield smashed

On the same day, the windshield of her non-work vehicle was smashed, she said.

In another incident, Smith's tags were taken from her helmet and locker. The tags are used to track firefighters during fires and other incidents.

She also alleged that one employee  who according to VanDemark is no longer with the department  searched her purse and other belongings and threatened to "make things even tougher" if she didn't erase what she wrote about him in a notebook that he found.

Smith said the department did minimal anti-discrimination training in response to a court order as part of her first lawsuit.

The lawsuit says she has suffered hypertension, chest pains, post-traumatic stress disorder and other impacts from her experiences.

Smith said she was concerned with the first lawsuit about going public, and she still has concerns about coming forward. She said she loves the job and doesn't want firefighters in general to get a bad reputation.

"Even though I was right, it still looks bad because I'm the girl that  there's shame always placed on women, and it's awful. But you know something has to change," she said.

Former New Smyrna Beach Fire Department Lt. Melissa Smith holds her Life Saving Award of Excellence from the department, Wednesday April 17, 2024 next to two large stacks of paperwork from her discrimination lawsuit.

The lawsuit quotes a charge of discrimination that Smith filed with federal authorities:

"Ever since I returned to work after successfully suing the City for sex discrimination . . . I have been subject to harassment by both superiors and subordinates, undermining of my authority since I was promoted to lieutenant, interference with my performance as a fire rescue lieutenant by officials outside the fire-rescue department, unfounded criticism of my job performance, including demonstrably false allegations, and, finally, termination.

"The motivation for this behavior is my being a woman in a traditionally male profession and lingering anger over my having previously cost the City $750,000 for allowing its personnel to discriminate against me."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Ex-fire lieutenant files lawsuit against New Smyrna Beach
FORT MILL, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Some Fort Mill neighbors hoped their battle against Silfab Solar Company would be over by now. But they still feel like county and state officials are not hearing their concerns about possible environmental impacts from the manufacturing facility.

Neighbors now say they may have to take their fight to court.

Were fighting a big organization that shouldnt be here to pollute our air or water and anything else that comes along, said resident Lynn Abromatis.

A small group of neighbors is still pushing to move the solar panel company away from residential areas and two new schools being built in Fort Mill. Silfab is slated to move into the existing industrial complex on Logistics Lane off U.S. 21, which the company says would bring 800 new jobs.

But neighbors have made their voice heard on the plan since last August. Their main concern is possible health issues from being so close to the facility from hazardous chemicals like silane, hydrofluoric acid, and toluene.

I believe that theres a big mistake being made in terms of bringing this company back into the community, especially so close to all of the schools, Joe Casper told Queen City News. There are so many deadly chemicals that are going to be used to allow this company to function, as a solar panel manufacturer. They just need to be somewhere else; they dont need to be among children.

On March 1, officials with the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control approved a Synthetic Minor Construction Permit. Authorities determined that Silfab Solar can comply with all applicable state and federal air quality standards.

They say These standards and regulations exist for the purpose of protecting air quality, which in turn protects peoples health and the environment. We continue to oversee this facility to ensure it operates in compliance with the conditions of its air permit, as we do for all DHEC-permitted businesses in the state.

Residents also fear their drinking water will eventually be affected, saying The City of Rock Hill water treatment plant stated they cannot process ALL of the toxins in the water. Some of the toxic waste will have to be processed and kept on site until it can be hauled away to a toxic dump site.

Fort Mill residents at the Carolina Orchard retirement facility Thursday, April 18.

Public Information Officer Katie Quinn responded to Queen City News inquiry about this statement:

There are certain materials were unable to take at the Citys wastewater treatment plant. In some cases, companies are required to do some pre-treatment on site and/or contract with a hazardous waste disposal company for removal. There would be a public comment period for the City issuing an industrial-user permit that regulates the wastewater discharge from companies coming to our plant. DHEC regulates hazardous waste disposal and sites where its taken, so I cant speak to where those sites are located.

Regardless, neighbors dont want to deal with the possible hassle in the coming years. An elementary and middle school are planned for Gold Hill Road just south of the facility.

My real emergency to get into this is those kids, said Alison Dillworth, one of the main organizers. Thats the future of our country, and we want to see them happy and healthy. And then the senior living center just opened there, these are people that are having problems breathing and they need fresh air. And thats what we all need, is fresh air. And with this company coming in, were not guaranteed that by DHEC or any other company,

They clearly shouldnt be in this residential area, Abromatis said. Were not zoned for industrial, only light industrial. Thats where the argument comes in.

Their plan is to convince the county zoning board to move the Silfab site since it doesnt fit the zoning code.

Thats the risk were taking. But we all get to stand up against a rezoning, and the council has to vote on the rezoning, neighborhood activist Andy Lytle told the group.

He emphasized that the group is not against green energy, they just want it in a safer location.

Hopefully the county can find a better place for Silfab and still keep them in the county because were not against them, you know, we would like , Lytle said, noting that if York County cant find another location, then the plan then would go to civil court.

That civil suit would be against County. The county has not yet discussed anything about the company during board meetings this year.

I hope they find it in themselves to prohibit this company from coming into this area. Thats something I think they should consider strongly, Casper said.

More about DHECs decision

DHEC issued Silfab Solar its requested Synthetic Minor Construction Permit after the agency determined that the company could comply with all applicable state and federal air quality standards.

DHEC performed a detailed review of the air permit application submitted by Silfab for operations related to a solar panel manufacturing plant in Fort Mill, and agency staff also reviewed and considered all of the public comments the agency received about this air permit during the public comment period.

Department officials sent Queen City News additional comments:

DHEC received more than 400 individual comments related to Silfabs draft air permit for the project  which we welcome and encourage as part of our standard permitting process  including several comments regarding the location of the project and the countys zoning code. While DHEC reviews and considers all public comments received, its important to understand that DHECs air permitting program doesnt have the authority to dictate where this proposed project may or may not be located, and county zoning ordinances are outside of DHECs purview. DHEC held a public meeting and hearing for the community on Oct. 30, 2023.

Some of the air permit conditions were changed to be more stringent as a result of the public comments we received.

On March 1, when we issued the permit, a copy of the permit, a response to public comments, and a letter to citizens were emailed to everyone who signed up to receive updates about this permit application.

DHECs air permit application review process is detailed and comprehensive and includes performing a technical review of the facilitys ability to meet all applicable state and federal air quality standards and regulations. These standards and regulations exist for the purpose of protecting air quality, which in turn protects peoples health and the environment. DHEC holds all permitted facilities in the state accountable for meeting the details of their issued permits.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Fort Worth ISD could close these seven middle schools. Heres why and what to know.

Although finalized plans are still months away, some residents in the Fort Worth Independent School District are getting a first glimpse of what school consolidation could look like in their neighborhoods.

The district held a series of community listening sessions over the past two weeks to talk about the possibility of consolidating seven middle schools. The meetings are a part of a larger facilities study that is expected to result in school closures.

Some of the listening sessions have grown contentious, with some attendees saying Fort Worth ISD leaders havent done enough to keep the broader community informed about the decision-making process. District leaders emphasized that no decisions have been made, and encouraged parents and other community members to voice their concerns through the districts website.

Fort Worth ISD eyes middle school consolidation

The designs presented during the community listening sessions arent firm building plans. The district contracted with architects to do feasibility studies  preliminary work looking at whether theres enough physical space to build combined campuses at the sites the district is eyeing.

In the Paschal High School area, district officials are considering consolidating McLean 6th Grade, McLean Middle School and Daggett Middle School into a single campus. In the North Side High School area, the district is looking at combining J.P. Elder and Kirkpatrick middle schools into a single campus. And in the Polytechnic High School area, the district is considering combining William James and Morningside middle schools. Any campuses the district decides to consolidate wont see the change until the 2027-28 school year.

All seven campuses on the list of possible consolidations were slated for upgrades as a part of the $1.2 billion bond issue voters narrowly passed in November 2021. Under the consolidation proposal, the money that was designated to pay for those upgrades would instead go toward the construction of new consolidated schools. The proposal is expected to go before the districts school board on May 28. If the board rejects the proposal, those campuses would instead get the upgrades and renovations originally planned in the bond proposal.

Examples of possible renovations coming to Fort Worth ISD campuses on display during a FWISD community listening session at Daggett Middle School in Fort Worth on Thursday.

The proposal comes as Fort Worth ISD leaders are in the middle of a $2 million study of the districts capacity. Officials expect to present a report to the school board later this year, including rightsizing recommendations that are expected to include school closures. The districts enrollment has declined 17% since 2016, driven by a combination of increased competition from charter schools, declining birth rates and housing patterns.

Campus closures may go beyond middle schools

Kellie Spencer, the districts deputy superintendent for operations, told the Star-Telegram that district leaders decided to hold listening sessions about potential consolidation of middle school campuses because middle schools were the primary focus of the 2021 construction bond issue. At the time, Fort Worth ISD officials planned to use that money on upgrades at middle school campuses across the district, as well as the construction of Rolling Hills Elementary School, a new campus in southwest Fort Worth. Rolling Hills opened its doors last December.

Although the plans presented at the community listening sessions focus only on middle schools, Spencer said the districts facilities study is broader in scope. The proposal that district leaders eventually present to the board could also include closures and consolidations of elementary schools and high schools, she said.

Kellie Spencer, the deputy superintendent for operations in the Fort Worth Independent School District, speaks to the crowd gathered for a FWISD community listening session at Daggett Middle School in Fort Worth on Thursday.

Spencer said the districts lawyers told them the bond proposal language that voters approved in 2021 was broad enough to allow the district to change course on the plans school leaders promised. The districts board would need to vote on a resolution outlining the change and the reasons for making it, she said.

The conversation about possible consolidation comes out of a need to make sure district leaders are investing taxpayer dollars well, Spencer said. Fort Worth ISDs enrollment has been declining for years, and she said those enrollment trends may force the district to close some middle schools eventually. It makes more sense to explore that option now, instead of spending millions on expansions and renovations at a campus that will end up being shut down soon afterward, she said.

Still, Spencer acknowledged that the change could anger district residents who voted to approve the bond issue based on one set of expectations, only to see the district change directions without taking another vote. District leaders are trying to be as transparent as possible about their plans, she said. She emphasized that district leaders havent made any final decisions, and said the district may need to hold more community meetings beyond the ones that have already been scheduled to make sure residents voices are heard.

Residents call for more transparency in school closure process

During a listening session April 11 at Morningside Middle School, the Rev. Kyev Tatum, pastor at New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church and a frequent critic of the district, said he was adamantly and vehemently opposed to closing the middle school. Under the proposal, the districts board could vote to place the consolidated campus either at the site where Morningside currently sits, or a little over two miles northeast, at the current site of William James.

Tatum said the proposal harkens back to the days when districts bused students to schools in other parts of the city as a part of its court-ordered desegregation plan. Busing was a traumatizing experience for students who were dropped into other schools where, in many cases, they were met with hostility  kids get up in the morning, having to travel across town into a foreign land to get an education when you have schools in your community, Tatum said.

Tatum said theres a perception among Morningside residents that the board has already made its decision. He called on the district to assemble a neighborhood oversight committee so that residents will have a greater voice in the decision-making process.

Another attendee said she had four children in two elementary schools in the area. Her kids will be in some of the first cohorts to attend either the new consolidated school or the newly-renovated Morningside Middle School. No one at either elementary school told parents the community listening sessions were happening, she said. The woman called on district leaders to do a better job of keeping parents informed about the process.

Fort Worth ISD officials said notification about the meetings went out to parents through various channels of communication, including social media and Superintendent Angelica Ramseys Friday message.

Fort Worth resident Katie May asks about how Fort Worth ISD is helping economically disadvantaged campuses during a FWISD community listening session at Daggett Middle School in Fort Worth on Thursday.

During a listening session Thursday at Daggett Middle School, Katie May, a resident of the Fairmount-Southside Historic District, asked if all the campuses included in the proposals are economically disadvantaged. Deputy Superintendent Karen Molinar replied that they were, but noted that more than 80% of the students in the district are economically disadvantaged. Nearly every campus in the district receives federal funding designated for low-income campuses, she said, and the ones that dont are located in high-growth neighborhoods where the district needs more capacity, not less.

The final meeting of the series of listening sessions is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday at J.P. Elder Middle School, 709 NW 21st St.

Parents, school officials and neighborhood residents gather at Daggett Middle School on Thursday for a Fort Worth ISD community listening session regarding proposed school closures and consolidations in Fort Worth.
Left to right top: Republican Will Lathrop and Democrat Dan Rayfield, and left to right bottom: Democrat Shaina Maxey Pomerantz and Republican Michael Cross are running for Oregon attorney general in the primary election May 24, 2024. (Candidate photos)

Left to right top: Republican Will Lathrop and Democrat Dan Rayfield, and left to right bottom: Democrat Shaina Maxey Pomerantz and Republican Michael Cross are running for Oregon attorney general in the primary election May 24, 2024. (Candidate photos)

Four candidates are running for Oregon attorney general and hope to get their partys nod in the primary to compete in November to succeed Ellen Rosenblum.

Rosenblum, Oregons Democratic attorney general, will retire after finishing her current and third four-year term. She was first elected in 2012, becoming the states first woman in the role. This the first open race for attorney general in Oregon for more than a decade.

The two Republicans and two Democrats competing in the primary, which is only open to registered party members, bring a mix of experiences, from civil rights advocacy to law and politics. The two winners will square off in November.

The attorney general leads the Oregon Department of Justice, which has nearly 1,500 workers statewide and an annual budget of about $406 million. The attorney generals work includes defending state agencies when they are sued, as well as consumer advocacy on behalf of residents. This can include taking legal action against unscrupulous businesses, helping collect child support and raising public awareness about scams.

The cases vary  and arent limited to criminal law enforcement. Rosenblum has sued Fox Corporation over false election claims, and she has sued DuPont, 3M and other companies over firefighting foam that contains PFAS, or forever chemicals, which are tied to a range of health problems. Shes also joined joint lawsuits with other attorneys general and filed joint briefs, including in a case over an abortion pill that was recently heard before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Department of Justice also advocates for vulnerable Oregonians, work that includes running the states child support program, crime victim compensation and the bias response hotline.

Heres a look at what they each would bring to the office.

Will Lathrop, Republican

Will Lathrop is an attorney whose career has taken him from Oregon to Africa  and back.

Name: Will Lathrop

Party: Republican

Age: 46

Residence: Newberg

Education: Juris doctor degree from Willamette University College of Law, 2004; bachelors degree, University of Puget Sound, 2001.

Occupation: Attorney

Prior elected experience: None

Family status: Married, one child.

Fundraising: $233,000 as of April 17

Cash on hand: $339,000 as of April 17, including money raised from last year.

He worked as a deputy district attorney in Marion and Yamhill counties for nearly a decade until 2014.

More recently, he worked for eight years for International Justice Mission, a nonprofit human rights agency. He traveled to Uganda and Ghana where he worked on projects addressing human trafficking and other problems, like land rights for widows and orphans. In Uganda, for example, civil war had pushed widows off their land. Lathrops organization led international efforts to restore their land to them and prosecute land raiders.

Lathrop said his background, which involves prosecutor work as well as working across different agencies and jurisdictions, makes him uniquely suited to be an attorney general. He said he would prioritize the offices role in law enforcement work.

All across Oregon, people are really concerned about public safety, Lathrop said in an interview. Ive spent my whole adult career working to protect people, vulnerable groups, particularly children, from violence and exploitation.

For law enforcement, that would mean working statewide to help local and regional law enforcement agencies strategize and coordinate. Lathrop said the state needs a unified response to the drug cartels that profit off fentanyl thats made and processed in China and Mexico and enters Oregon.

Somebody has to sit in the middle of that and develop a collective strategy to share resources and share information to become organized and make sure that were meeting the cartels where theyre at, Lathrop said. And were not doing that.

Michael Cross, Republican

Michael Cross, a self-employed software developer, has flirted with politics in the past. In 2019, he ran a campaign to try to recall then-Gov. Kate Brown, which failed to get enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Name: Michael Cross

Party: Republican

Age: 57

Residence: Salem

Education: U.S. Air Force technical training, Realty training.

Occupation: Software designer, businessman.

Prior elected experience: None.

Fundraising: As of April 17, no money reported.

Cash on hand: As of April 17, no cash on hand.

Cross, in a wide-ranging interview, told the Capital Chronicle hes a non-conventional candidate. Hes never held elected office and hes not an attorney.

Theres a reason our founding fathers didnt require that you be a lawyer for this position, Cross said.

He said he offers unconventional solutions to Oregons biggest problems like homelessness and drug addiction. For example, he said the state could help those without shelter and suffering from addiction by creating a small town in eastern Oregon for people without shelter where they could work for private companies.

He said the idea is partially inspired by the Civilian Conservation Corps program that the U.S. government ran in the 1930s during the Great Depression. That program put people to work, often on infrastructure projects, throughout the nation.

In my estimation, we need to do a 180-degree turn, he said. We need to turn things around.

Big businesses would get tax credits to set up manufacturing hubs to train people and offer them jobs while homeless people would develop skills and get a chance to learn a trade.

He said the state would need to allow for flexibility like allowing people to live in tents. Long-time tent dwellers may not want to live indoors, he said.

He also said he supports efficient government and would look at how many private law firms work for the Department of Justice and cut back on those contracts to save taxpayer money.

Dan Rayfield, Democrat

Dan Rayfield, an attorney and state representative, served for two years as the House speaker before stepping down in March when the legislative session ended to run for attorney general.

Name: Dan Rayfield

Party: Democratic

Age: 45

Residence: Corvallis

Education: Juris doctor degree from Willamette University College of Law, 2006; bachelors degree from Western Oregon University, 2003.

Occupation: Attorney

Prior elected experience: State House member, first elected in 2014

Family status: Married, one child.

Fundraising: As of April 17, $253,000 in 2024.

Cash on hand: As of April 17, $717,000, including money raised from prior election cycles.

Rayfield was first elected to his House seat representing his Corvallis-area district in 2014, and he is serving out the rest of his term which ends in early January.

In an interview, Rayfield said his experience in elected office and as a private attorney for nearly 18 years makes him the best qualified candidate. His litigation experience as a trial attorney in civil litigation cases, he said, is an appropriate background to oversee work like the departments civil enforcement division, which takes action against medical insurers that wrongly deny claims and others.

Rayfield said he would look for ways for the attorney general and Department of Justice to address the states housing, homelessness and the drug addiction crises.

The reason I really wanted to run is because I believe with the right leadership, we can actually begin to make significant progress and be an indispensable partner to help fix those issues, he said.

Rayfield said his tenure in the Legislature is an asset, saying he tried to bring a spirit of collaboration to that work.

In his last session as speaker, the lower chamber passed legislation this year intended to combat the states fentanyl addiction and overdose crisis. The legislation, House Bill 4002, will allow counties to set up programs to offer people treatment and help them avoid jail.

The bulk of that work will be at the local level, as prosecutors, treatment providers and others work together to build local programs and tailor them to their needs. Rayfield said the attorney generals perch is at the nexus of different public safety agencies and well-positioned to lead conversations and work centered on improving the system and advocate for funding.

Rayfield said the attorney general  and Department of Justice  can help alleviate the states crises by working behind the scenes. For example, he said, there are concerns that the state is not getting money out the door quickly to pay for projects to address crises like housing or behavioral health. Its a complex process to fund projects and it requires the Department of Justice to review contracts.

Rayfield said he would find out why its taking so long.

I cant sit here right now and tell you what the problem is, he said. What I do want to do is get in there, put people together and reassess why is this taking as long as it is.

Shaina Maxey Pomerantz, Democrat

Shaina Maxey Pomerantz has a background in civil rights advocacy and has served in appointed and staff government positions.

Name: Shaina Maxey Pomerantz

Party: Democratic

Age: 48

Residence: Portland

Education: Juris doctor degree, 2016, Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; European Law Certificate, University College of London, 2014; masters in organizational leadership, Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, New York, 2011; bachelors degree in organizational behavior, University of San Francisco, 2001.

Occupation: Executive director, Race Talks in Portland; former civil rights investigator; high school teacher.

Prior elected experience: None; appointed to Portland committees, including Independent Police Review Citizen Review Committee; and Portland Police Bureaus Equity Advisory Committee.

Fundraising: $7,830 as of April 17.

Cash on hand: $6,961 as of April 17.

She is currently the executive director of Race Talks, a Portland-based nonprofit that her mother Donna Maxey founded. The groups goal is to connect people across different cultures. Pomerantzs interest in race stems, in part, from her grandparents who fled the racist Jim Crow laws in east Texas to move to Oregon in the 1940s at a time when Black people were being recruited to work in the Portland shipyards.

Prior to her present job, Pomerantz worked for the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries as a civil rights investigator. She was hired by Carol Johnson, an agency employee and civil rights administrator.

Pomerantz left the agency after eight months in 2020 and filed a lawsuit alleging she faced racial hostility. The state agency settled that lawsuit in 2023, paying her a $425,000 settlement and issuing an apology letter.

Johnson filed a separate lawsuit and received a $1.7 million award. A Multnomah County circuit court judge also ordered the state to pay Johnson $1.1 million in attorney fees and court costs.

Pomerantz said the experience taught her the value of mediation avoid legal battles that cost taxpayer money. As attorney general, she said she would look for ways to head off disputes before they rise to the level of litigation.

I cant help but wonder: Could there have been an opportunity to sit down and mediate this conflict before $3 million in taxpayer money walked out the door? she said.

She said she would want the Department of Justice to be an arbitrator.

Unfortunately, my experience of engaging with the DOJ was completely adversarial, she said. They were defending the state. And so I look at this and say, Well, wheres the opportunity where the agencys office can act more as an arbitrator? How can we step in and assist these agencies, like (the Bureau of Labor and Industries) and say, Hey, you have a problem here before it rises to the level of litigation, a costly lawsuit and a costly settlement?

Pomerantz said shes a strong advocate of collaboration among different groups, from community organizations to law enforcement to reach solutions.

She also says her diverse living experiences would be an asset in the job: She has taught high school in the Bronx, lived in rural Alabama and worked with farmers to help them set up wills and trusts. She also has worked as a legislative staffer in Texas and Oregon.

CORRECTION at 4:19 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024: A previous version of this story misstated Carol Johnsons status in the Bureau of Labor and Industries. Johnnie Bell was its first female Black civil rights administrator, serving in the early 2000s under then-Labor Commissioner Jack Roberts.

The post Four candidates running in attorney general primaries to replace Rosenblum appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
At the Press Awards on Thursday night, where we were both losers, my cartoonist colleague Matt (Pritchett) provided a perfect summary of the current consensus among Conservative voters. Telegraph readers, he observed, seemed to agree on two things: That the Tories deserve to be booted out, and that Labour will be even worse.

Faced with the choice of half-baked Conservatism or air-fried socialism (perhaps served with a side order of haggis), it is little wonder that Right-leaning people are dry-retching just at the thought of the next general election  let alone which box to cross.

On Wednesday, a survey of more than 5,400 voters conducted by former Tory treasurer Lord Ashcroft found that, although Conservative support is at rock-bottom, 45 per cent of voters still dont want a Labour government. A substantial number of people agree that Labour will be worse for Britain than the Tories, but voters are still set to reject the Conservatives by a massive margin. Why?

There are a number of explanations, including a general desire for change and the misapprehension that there is no risk attached to putting a net zero nut who cannot decide whether or not a woman has a penis into No 10. But arguably the most compelling reason is a sense of betrayal  the feeling behind the #zeroseats anti-Tory slogan that is gaining momentum on social media.

Those who normally vote Conservative understandably feel let down that the party has said one thing and done another, and left Britain a much less conservative place than it was 14 years ago.

Take the sick note culture that Rishi Sunak addressed at the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think tank today. While it is encouraging that the Prime Minister is looking for ways to tackle worklessness, how did it come to pass that a Tory administration has presided over such a major shift away from personal responsibility in recent years, and a destruction in the old culture of work? The UK is now the only G7 nation where the share of working-age people outside the workforce is higher than pre-Covid.

Such is the level of naivety inside Downing Street that the Prime Minister still expects to be thanked for furlough. No one wanted anyone to lose their jobs and businesses in lockdown, thats true. But Sunak must take responsibility for the fact that his 70 billion scheme has not only left us with an economic hangover of epic proportions but also fostered a culture in which some people still expect to receive something for nothing.

Lockdown, and the free taxpayers money that came with it  billions of which were abused by fraudsters  have resulted in more and more people thinking that the state will subsidise them. The welfare system, meanwhile, is failing to encourage people into work, even when it might be good for them.

The number who are now economically inactive due to long-term sickness has increased by 717,000 since the pandemic. Each year millions of fit notes are issued, over 90 per cent of which find someone not fit for work. As a consequence, the cost of disability benefits is set to surge over the next five years.

This is completely unaffordable  not just economically but socially. Andy Cook, CEO of the CSJ, has rightly pointed out that the focus must shift on what people can do, rather than what they cant.

Of course there are some desperately unfortunate people who are so incapacitated that they cannot work at all. But others will be able to work but lack the support to do so. Some also face difficulties in getting back into gainful employment by never-ending NHS delays for treatment.

It is strange that the Government has allowed this situation not just to fester, but to prosper, since the last lockdown was lifted  especially given that Sunak has never been backwards in coming forwards when it comes to telling people how to live other aspects of their lives.

Instead of fighting creeping state control, the Conservatives are actually making it worse, through measures like the new smoking ban. Still drunk on the draconian, anti-libertarian fumes of lockdown, the Tories, of all people, are now intent on telling people what to do with their lives  and their children, with a Scottish-style smacking ban and even a smartphone ban for under 16s also said to be in the offing.

Meanwhile, little or no authority appears to be exerted over those who actively seek to undermine British values. People can see the country visibly changing around them, with next to nothing done to require new migrants to integrate into our culture.

Protesters are allowed to call for intifada on the streets of London  and the nanny state is nowhere to be seen. Where were the Tories when a Batley school teacher was forced into hiding over a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammed? They were equally conspicuous by their absence when the Tavistock clinic was handing out puberty blockers like smarties to children. While the Conservatives have been asleep at the wheel on these issues, it has been left to others to fight the battles in our schools, in the NHS, and on social media.

This week, Katharine Birbalsingh, Britains strictest headmistress and bete noir of the Left, won a significant victory in facing down a legal challenge to a prayer ban she has enforced at the secular Michaela Community School in Wembley, London.

But why was she left to fight this court case alone? It was only after the judgment had been delivered that Education Secretary Gillian Keegan really roused herself, remarking: I hope this judgment gives all school leaders the confidence to make the right decisions for their pupils. It shouldnt be the business of a court to rule on whether headteachers are the decision-makers in their schools  rather than pupils (or their parents). Why wasnt the Government bolder in riding to Birbalsinghs defence?

Similarly, why was it left to Father Ted creator Graham Linehan, JK Rowling and a bunch of feminists  along with a smattering of academics, journalists and other whistleblowers  to fight for women and childrens rights in the face of trans extremism? How did we ever get to the point, under a Conservative Government, of teachers gender-affirming confused pupils behind their parents backs? We could expect this sort of virtue-signalling nonsense from Labour (and can look forward to more of it if the polls are correct), but this is a nightmare of the Tories own making.

The benefits crackdown is a good start, but for Sunak to have a hope in hell of winning back voters, hes got to stop babying the electorate with endless five-point plans and come up with a much more grown-up vision for this country. Voters deserve so much more than having to choose between bad or worse.

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Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.

IN TODAYS NEWSLETTER:

- NYPD arrests 108 people at Columbia University after anti-Israel protesters set up encampment on campus

- Antisemitism watchdog hits Washington Post for defending Hamas supporters

- Highway Patrol sends stark warning to anti-Israel agitators who shut down traffic for hours

TOP STORY: Police removed anti-Israel protesters from Columbia University's campus after the demonstrating students had set up an encampment on a campus lawn, and announced the suspension of those students involved. In total, 108 people were arrested and given a summons for trespassing  including the daughter of squad member Rep. IIhan Omar.

VIDEO: A Columbia University student joined "Fox & Friends" to discuss surging antisemitism on campus and why she is 'scared' for the future of America.

ZERO TOLERANCE: The California Highway Patrol is warning that tactics used by "unlawful" anti-Israel protesters that temporarily blocked roads and created a traffic nightmare yesterday on the Golden Gate Bridge and along Interstate-880 in Oakland "will not be tolerated."

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'SMEAR' PIECE: A nonprofit dedicated to combating antisemitism rebuked a Washington Post story that claimed the group had "upended" the lives of anti-Israel figures. Calling the story both "disturbing and ironic," StopAntisemitism's executive director suggested that The Washington Post has now become sympathetic to Hamas apologists and those who push Jewish conspiracy theories.

FED UP: Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn. slammed his Democratic colleagues for their refusal to condemn Iran for its attack on Israel. "I sincerely thought Id never witness members of my party refuse to condemn Iran  one of the worlds leading terrorism sponsors  after launching hundreds of drones against our special ally, Israel," Fetterman wrote on X.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "The moral corruption surrounding our elite academic institutions should be alarming to not only Jewsthisshould be a wake-up call, and academic institutions must stop being ambivalent about antisemitism," University of Pennsylvania undergraduate student Eyal Yakoby told Fox News Digital.

UP NEXT:

- Looking for more on this topic? Find more antisemitism coverage from Fox News here .

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- Want live updates? Get the Fox News app here.





Original article source: Fox News Antisemitism Exposed Newsletter: Chaos at Columbia and Ivy Leagues' moral corruption
Kaja Kallas is one of the clearest voices in saying that Ukraine must win the war against Russia and Vladimir Putin must lose it. The Estonian prime minister, a liberal politician who has raised taxes in her country to devote more funds to security because of the Russian threat, has spearheaded decisive EU initiatives to support Kyiv and urges EU and NATO countries to invest more in defense; the Kremlin has put her on its wanted list. Putin has not abandoned his imperialist aims, Kallas says, and he will not stop at Ukraine if he succeeds in conquering it. And that will not only affect Russias neighbors but everyone.

Its a question of when they will start the next war. The question for us is, what do we do with this time? Are we preparing to help to deter Russia, so that it doesnt happen because we are strong enough, so they dont think about [taking] another step, or are we trying to close our eyes and pretend that this is not happening? Kallas, 46, warns in an interview with EL PAIS. We speak to her in Brussels before the summit of heads of state and the EU government, where voices like hers are increasingly warning that it is possible for the war to reach EU territory, which is seeking funds and mechanisms to rearm. The solution is to be strong enough and stand up to a bully, so that this [war] will not spread, says Kallas. She is calling for creative solutions to seek such funding.

Question. The EU has said that it will support Ukraine for as long as necessary, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to make historic decisions based on such support. Effective and decisive military assistance is being reduced and delayed.

Answer. This is true. If we dont set victory as a goal, then we dont act in accordance with it. And, thats why we have to, really set Ukraines victory as a goal. Now. We havent been fast enough. The sad truth of wars is that the one who has more ammunition will win, and Ukraine hasnt really received the ammunition that it needs every day, to take those rockets down. Russia is shelling them civilian infrastructures, civilians every day and night. And this is so devastating to see Is there anything else we can do? Thats why Ive also been [calling] for those countries who have air defense to give it to Ukraine so that they can protect themselves.

Q. You dont think that the EUs goal is Ukraines victory?

A. If you listen carefully, some say Ukrainian victory, others say, Ukraine must not lose, which is a different thing. Or [they say that] Russia must not win, which is also a different thing. Therefore, Ive been advocating to really [set] victory as a goal. As the historian Timothy Snyder said, you dont always win wars, but you never win them if you dont [set] victory as a goal.

Q. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for more anti-aircraft defense and a system similar to the one in Israel that shot down Iranian drones and missiles on Saturday, as well as for Ukraines allies to give him that support. Is that feasible?

A. Ukraine hasnt asked anybody to come and shoot down these missiles or rockets. They only ask for the equipment so that they can do it themselves. So, it is cheaper, when Ukrainians are doing this themselves. And its also cheaper to avoid a war.

Q. You have led several initiatives to support Ukraine, such as sending a million artillery rounds. You also broached the idea of issuing Eurobonds to finance defense. What else do you propose?

A. We are thinking [of ideas] all the time to find ways We are also participating in different initiatives. What we are working on now is this idea of Eurobonds. What is the problem that we are trying to solve? The problem is that there is a lack of funding for increasing investment in defense. The industry says that we dont have orders. The government says that we dont have funds to procure any additional defense equipment. And private capital funds and the European Investment Bank have a restriction on investing in the defense industry. I think we have to work on different tracks. One is the Eurobonds. When we dont have enough funding, then we have to raise capital outside.

Q. Is there a consensus on Eurobonds?

A. Im glad to see that countries, [even] the frugal ones, are warming up to the idea. I said that Im not sticking to it if you have some other idea. When we had the MFF review, I also proposed to use those funds that were left over from Covid for investments in defense. Well, that didnt go through, but lets now think, for the future, if we can open those funds, then we can also advocate [for] private funds to take down the restrictions and to invest in defense because they can see that its an investment that is necessary.

Q. Is the war spreading and reaching an EU country a real possibility?

A. Russia hasnt changed its goals. If they succeed in Ukraine, then they have a military that has a million armed men and they have the military industry working in three shifts [to supply them]. So, then its a question of when they will start the next war. Now, the question for us is, what do we do with this time? Are we preparing to help to deter Russia, so that it doesnt happen because we are strong enough, so they dont think about [taking] another step, or are we trying to close our eyes and pretend that this is not happening? What was done before 2022 [when Russia launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine] was [the latter]. I think we should get past that problem and really, really move to prepare ourselves.

Q. Has Estonia, which is on the eastern flank of the EU and NATO, experienced an increase in hybrid attacks from Russia?

A. Yes. [There are] hybrid attacks and I dont think its only [against] Estonia. Cyber-attacks that are bigger than they were in 2007 [the massive Russian cyber-attack against Estonia, which had to close its digital borders] are happening every day. We definitely see more of these hybrid attacks, whether its information war[fare], cyber-attacks, using migration as a weapon or other means. And we always see this in relation to the big decisions that Europe is [making] We also hear from different countries like Belgium, like Czech Republic that are now discovering or finding out the networks that the Russians have within their societies.

Kaja Kallas. Delmi Alvarez

Q. Hybrid warfare...

A. We are very focused on the conventional war that is going on. There are also these hybrid attacks, you know, migration pressure on the Finnish and Polish and Lithuanian border, but also from the south. This is what they are doing in Syria, what they are doing in Sahel. They know that migration is the vulnerability of Europe. So, theyre also trying to create migration pressure by attacking civilian infrastructure [so that] these people will flee from Ukraine. And where did they go? They come to Europe... The Russians are really good at finding conflicts that are already within our societies and pouring fuel on the fires to create instability. We especially have to keep that in mind [since] we have the European Parliament elections coming up.

Q. Some people believe that EU rhetoric has become overly belligerent in discussing, for example, a war economy. The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, spoke about this at the last European summit. What do you think?

A. I dont know one single person in Ukraine who is for war. I mean, they are suffering under war. Every single day. I dont know one single person in Estonia, Poland or other countries bordering Ukraine or Russia who is for war. We are all for peace. But we know that the actions of Russia are the opposite of peace. So, the solution is not giving in [to] what Russia wants because their appetite will only grow. The solution is to be strong enough and stand up to a bully, so that this will not spread.

Q. There are those who believe that the rearmament that the EU is undertaking may lead to war.

A. I think the opposite, because we see the Russians are really rearming themselves. So, if we look and say, okay, we are not doing anything, then Russia gets the signal that, okay, theyre weak. I can take up this war because they will not defend themselves. Because they have nothing to defend [themselves] with. If we have prepared, then they will also make calculations that we will not be successful. And that is only dependent on our own investments in defense so that its a credible deterrence We have to do more in order to prevent this war.

Q. Not all EU member states have the same perception of the risk of war coming to the EU. It is not the same for those farthest away from Russia.

A. The question is how we respond to this risk. Until it happened, we never thought that Russia was really attacking Ukraine. And everybody said that its impossible. War is expensive. He cant conquer [Ukraine]. He will not take this up. But a dictator does not think like a democratic country does. And their calculations are totally, totally different. And thats why the only thing that deters Russia or aggressors is strength; weakness only provokes them. And thats why, of course, I understand we are in different positions because different countries are further away from this war. But the lesson from the 1930s is that when something spreads in Europe, its going to go very fast and its going to affect everybody. And thats why we are in this together. At that time the German occupation of the Rhineland, the Spanish civil war, the Italian invasion of Ethiopia were treated as separate crises.... But we have to see the whole picture. We cannot make the same mistake.

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House Bill 1633 is now in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee. (Carol Yepes | Getty Images)

New Hampshires cannabis legalization effort has reached a tricky crossroads.

A year after Gov. Chris Sununu announced he would support a legalization approach that meets a number of strict conditions, the New Hampshire House has passed a bill. That bill, which cleared the House 239-136 last week, is now in the hands of the Senate.

But the governor has already raised issues with the bill, arguing that it does not follow his vision of establishing retail cannabis outlets that are tightly controlled by the state.

Now, House Bill 1633 is in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and senators, House members, cannabis advocates, and representatives of the governors office are working to find a compromise that might please all sides  and not fall afoul of federal laws.

Heres the latest on the state of cannabis legalization.

What is Sununus position on cannabis?

After years of wavering between skepticism and outright opposition to cannabis legalization in New Hampshire, Sununu surprised many in May 2023 when he released a statement saying he would sign a legalization bill if it met certain criteria.

In order to win Sununus support, the bill would need to include a retail model that allowed legal sales only at specific outlets overseen by the state, the governor stated. That approach would include measures to keep cannabis outlets away from schools; prohibit marijuana miles, or areas where cannabis stores are concentrated; allow towns to decide whether to permit a cannabis outlet; and provide state control over marketing, messaging, distribution, and access.

Some legalization advocates have opposed that approach, seeing it as unnecessary interference with the free market that would keep costs high.

What has the House done?

The House has passed a number of versions of the cannabis legalization bill this term, as lawmakers quarrel over how closely to adhere to Sununus vision.

The legislation that left the House last week, HB 1633, would allow the state to license up to 15 retail establishments. The 43-page bill would legalize the use and purchase of cannabis for anyone 21 or older, and create a commission to license and regulate retail outlets.

Sununus issue arises from how those outlets would be managed by the state. The House has adopted a licensing model. The governor prefers a franchise model, which would allow the state to dictate the marketing, layout, and appearance of the cannabis outlets, similar to how fast-food companies allow people to open franchises but require that stores follow brand guidelines.

The state would essentially be an operational partner, like McDonalds to a McDonalds franchise, said Karen OKeefe, director of state policies for the Marijuana Policy Project, an advocacy organization.

To Sununu, the retail license model does not give the state sufficient control over sales.

Governor Sununu has been crystal clear about the framework needed for a legalization bill to earn his support, focusing on harm reduction and keeping it out of kids hands, the governors office said in a statement last week. The legislation passed today doesnt get us there but the Governor looks forward to working with the Senate to see if we can get it done.

Why did the House deviate from Sununus position?

To some House lawmakers and cannabis legalization advocates, the question of whether to adopt a franchise or license model is not academic: It could have real legal implications for the state.

Here we are in the world of cannabis, where everything is changing federally under our feet as we try to legalize it here in New Hampshire, said Tim Egan, an advocate representing the New Hampshire Cannabis Association.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has regulatory power over franchised businesses, and requires a certain level of disclosure by companies that are selling franchise rights to others in order to prevent unfair practices.

While 24 states have legalized cannabis, New Hampshires state-run retail system would be a first in the U.S. That lack of precedent has made some legalization supporters concerned that a franchise model could allow the FTC to step in and shut down the state-run stores, given that cannabis is still illegal under federal law. Concerns over state liability have pushed some to argue that the licensee model is better.

Early on, people that knew something about franchise law said, Just dont do this; you cant do this, said John Reagan, a former Republican state senator from Deerfield who now lobbies in favor of legalization. Youll be in a paralyzed situation, and wont be able to get anything done.

Others have raised concerns about how close the franchise model could put the state to the cannabis sales themselves. That could raise the possibility for lawsuits, OKeefe said. The state could potentially face a lawsuit under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), under the premise that it is engaged in sales of an illegal drug. Or it could face litigation over the impossibility pre-emption, the doctrine that prevents an employee from needing to follow both a state law and a federal law if the two conflict.

Meanwhile, many states that have legalized have already faced difficulty navigating how to collect revenue from retail sales without falling afoul of banking regulations. New Hampshires franchise model could invite similar headaches, Egan said.

Whats next for the bill?

HB 1633 has arrived at the Senate Judiciary Committee, which is holding a hearing on April 25. But even before the committee takes it up publicly, stakeholders and senators are already meeting to attempt to finesse the bill to Sununus liking.

To be successful, senators will need to thread a needle: Tweak the House bill just enough to win the governor over, but not so much that it transforms the state model and loses support in the House. If the Senate passes a bill that the House does not immediately accept, it could go to a committee of conference, which advocates worry could doom its chances.

Amid those stakes, a potential compromise to the bill has emerged, Egan and OKeefe say. The proposal would create the franchise model the governor asked for, but include a trigger clause that would implement the licensee approach should the franchise approach be struck down in court. That could allow the state to carry on retail sales even if the federal government intervened.

I think that would be a great way to bridge the gap, OKeefe said. If (the governor) thinks the franchise model is going to work, then if it works, it works. But if it doesnt work, then you can address the Houses concerns there.

For now, discussions are ongoing with Sens. Daryl Abbas, Becky Whitley, Cindy Rosenwald, Tim Lang, and Rep. Erica Layon, according to Egan.

Legalization supporters have attempted a variety of legislative models over the past decade, only to see them struck down by the Senate. But for advocates, with Sununu declining to run for reelection, legalization could be now or never.

If the goal is to get it done, this is the window, said OKeefe. There is no guarantee that next year there will be a governor that will sign any bill.

The post The fraught path forward for cannabis legalization, explained appeared first on New Hampshire Bulletin.
Missouri state Sens. Denny Hoskins, left, and Rick Brattin, center, confer with Freedom Caucus Director Tim Jones, right. Hoskins and Brattin are Republicans and members of the State Freedom Caucus Network, which aims to push the party further to the right. | Elaine S. Povich/Stateline

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  When a Republican colleague threatened to read aloud from a 2-foot stack of books  including a biblical guide to leadership and a tome by anti-tax activist Grover Norquist  to protest inaction on his bills last week, Missouri state Sen. Rick Brattin quickly took up the cause.

Seizing on a chance to hijack the planned schedule, Brattin spoke for about 45 minutes, accusing the leaders of his own Republican Party of ignoring some bills and making things really frustrating for ultra-conservative members. He often waved his arms for emphasis, as other senators sat flipping through papers, waiting for the session to begin.

It leads to things coming to a halt in this chamber, he said. I wish we would do things people actually want.

Brattin is chair of Missouris Freedom Caucus, a group of Republican legislators who aim to push their party further to the right on issues such as immigration, voting access and transgender restrictions.

But some other Republicans say members of the Freedom Caucus gum up the legislative works and are more interested in publicity and grandstanding than conservative policymaking. Frustrated by such tactics, Missouri Senate leaders stripped four Freedom Caucus senators, including Brattin, of their chairmanships and parking places earlier this year.

Its hard to do stuff even when everybodys acting in good faith, said Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, a Republican. Rowden derided the Freedom Caucus members as swamp creatures who all too often remind me more of my children than my colleagues. He added that last weeks delay was a mix-up and that the bills at issue would come to the floor.

They did that repeatedly, day after day for two weeks, basically, Rowden said in an interview last week at his spacious desk in his high-ceilinged office across the hall from the Senate. It became necessary for us to do something that would indicate that were not going to let four guys run the place; its just not how this works.

The Missouri Freedom Caucus claims at least six senators and is approaching a dozen House members. There are similar chapters in 10 other states so far that are officially part of the State Freedom Caucus Network, an outgrowth of the congressional group that has held up deals and helped oust speakers in the U.S. House of Representatives.

While Michigan has its own Freedom Caucus, it is not a formal member of the State Freedom Caucus Network. Michigan Freedom Caucus Chair Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers) told the Michigan Advance the reason for that is they wanted autonomy with the decisions they make in the state.

We have had conversations with people at the national network and we appreciate the work that theyre doing, Carra said on Wednesday.

Former State Sen. Pat Colbeck (R-Canton) and members of the Michigan Freedom Caucus hold a press conference on April 17, 2024. | Kyle Davidson

In one of its first actions, members of the Michigan Freedom Caucus broke with tradition and voted against state Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit) as House speaker in January 2023. Tate is the first African American to hold the post. Carra joined seven other caucus members in the vote: James DeSana (R-Carleton), Joseph Fox (R-Tecumseh), Neil Friske (R-Petoskey), Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres), Matt Maddock (R-Milford), Angela Rigas (R-Hastings) and Josh Schriver (R-Oxford).

Members of the Michigan group this year traveled to the southern border to advocate for immigration restrictions and Schriver received widespread criticism for social media posts promoting the Great Replacement Theory. He was later stripped of his staff and committee assignment.

The state chapters are proposing conservative legislation and slowing measures they dont like, even bills that were once considered routine and noncontroversial. And its members in many states, including Missouri, are running for higher office. But regardless of whether they succeed on legislation, they excel at getting publicity and drawing attention to themselves.

That is by design, Andrew Roth, president of the Washington, D.C.-based network, told Stateline.

What we try to do is push conservative policy, he said. If we win, we win. If we lose, were exposing the fake Republicans for who they are. They will then have to answer to their constituents. We feel like we win either way.

The national organization provides the state caucuses with support and funding. That includes the salary of each state director, none of whom is a legislator, according to Roth.

The state directors pay attention to whats going on in state government even when the legislatures are not in session and the mostly part-time lawmakers are home tending to other business. They can alert the more than 160 members to issues and either get them to call a news conference or draft legislation to be considered in the next session to highlight their priorities.

Tim Jones, a former Missouri House speaker who is now director of the states Freedom Caucus, said in an interview that since the parking spaces kerfuffle, the caucus has picked up five new members in the House. Its not meant to be a publicity stunt for anybody, he insisted. Its supposed to be the conservative North Star of the General Assembly.

Sen. Bill Eigel, a Missouri caucus member who is running for governor, said taking his parking spot is kind of the height of pettiness, but that he wont be deterred.

They are trying to silence us, just like they are trying to silence Donald Trump, Eigel said in an interview. Unfortunately for them, its not going to work. Were going to continue to be bold.

Eigel said he parks down by the river now, a few blocks away from the underground Capitol garage. His wife is happy that the extra walk means hes getting in a few more steps each day, he quipped.

Pushing to the right

Like most other Republicans, Freedom Caucus members across states have championed school vouchers, pushed to send state troops to the U.S.-Mexico border to pursue migrants crossing into the country illegally, and opposed large state budgets and transgender medical care for minors.

But the Freedom Caucuses formed because some Republicans saw the rest of their party as not conservative enough. That has led to intraparty conflict in many GOP-dominated state capitols.

In Missouri, for example, the Senate passed a bill that would make it harder to amend the state constitution, if voters approve the measure, after leaders it stripped a provision backed by the Freedom Caucus to ban non-citizens from voting. The Missouri Constitution already restricts voting only to citizens, but Freedom Caucus members argued the ban could be made even more explicit. Democrats disagreed and staged a filibuster that tied up the Senate; Republican leaders eventually agreed to take the provisions out, drawing the Freedom Caucus's ire.

Eigel would like the House to put the tougher provisions back in. Still, he claims credit for the Senate victory. If the Freedom Caucus doesnt stand up and cause a ruckus, the [ballot] initiative petition doesnt move, he said.

In Idaho, Republican leaders removed some Freedom Caucus members from committee leadership late last year. And in South Carolina, some Freedom Caucusers who refused to sign a loyalty oath pledging not to campaign against other Republican members, which is against party rules, were dumped from the House Republican caucus.

Matthew Green, a politics professor at the Catholic University of America who has studied the state Freedom Caucuses extensively, said in an interview that the state caucuses are arguably more important than the U.S. House Freedom Caucus for policymaking.

In a forthcoming paper, Green found that state legislative conservative caucuses  precursors of the current Freedom Caucuses  began to form as early as 2017, driven by lawmakers who found the GOP in their states insufficiently conservative.

But since 2021, the caucuses have formed at the behest of the national State Freedom Caucus Network, illustrating how national interest groups and elected officials can contribute to state-level polarization, he said. His study also found that lawmakers who lack power and influence are more likely to join the caucuses.

These caucuses, Green said, have been able to move [the] partys agenda further rightward, especially if the caucus constitutes a sizable proportion of the party.

Delaying tactics can force Republican leaders to act on some issues, he said. Seems like if the Freedom Caucus is disruptive and confrontational, they can win battles.

Peverill Squire, a political science professor at the University of Missouri, said the Freedom Caucus members in Missouri take advantage of unlimited debate to slow the legislature down to a snails pace. Given the rules  it is relatively easy for them to gum up the process when they are unhappy with the way things are going, he wrote in an email. That means even bills with broad GOP support have not made it all the way through the process, he wrote.

The animosity is not restricted to Missouri. In South Carolina, Green said, theres basically a civil war going on in the supermajority Republican Party.

Members of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus refused to pledge not to fund challengers to GOP incumbents; that flouted a 2006 law that prohibited special interest caucuses from raising money and becoming otherwise involved in political campaigns. Only major caucuses organized by political party, race, ethnicity or gender  the Democratic, Republican, Black and Womens caucuses  were allowed political operations. The ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus argued that was unfair in a suit against the legislatures Ethics Committee. Last year, a federal judge agreed.

Rep. RJ May, one of the leaders of the South Carolina Freedom Caucus, said that the law was a way to sign away our First Amendment rights. The establishment attempted to weaponize the rules, he told Stateline.

May said that one of the reasons the Freedom Caucus formed in South Carolina is that the majority Republicans dont follow the party platform and are too willing to compromise. The push gained steam, he said, when GOP legislative leaders began to only allow floor amendments from leadership, not rank-and-file lawmakers.

People in South Carolina are sick and tired of leaders saying one thing at home and doing something different in Columbia. They say they are for reducing the size of government, but they vote for budget after budget that increases the number of agencies.

May said his caucus has had some victories, such as championing a bill that passed the House to ban gender-affirming care for minors. (The bill is awaiting action in the Senate.) Caucus members also claim credit for reducing the states spending bill, though many of its members amendments were rejected, such as a move to give grants to churches and nonprofits to bolster the foster care system.

May echoed leaders in Missouri and elsewhere by saying that passing a bill is not necessarily the goal. We have the effect of moving the body to the right, he said.

House Speaker Murrell Smiths staff did not respond to requests for comment. Nor did he comment for local media stories about the caucus.

The farm team

Most of the Freedom Caucuses formed in states with Republican supermajorities. An exception is Pennsylvania, where the governor is a Democrat and Democrats control the House, while Republicans control the Senate.

The Freedom Caucus there has filed a lawsuit accusing Democrats, including President Joe Biden and Gov. Josh Shapiro, of unconstitutionally wresting power from the legislature over expanding access to elections in the state. Just last week, a federal judge dismissed the suit.

What we try to do is push conservative policy. If we win, we win. If we lose, were exposing the fake Republicans for who they are.  We feel like we win either way.

 Andrew Roth, president of the State Freedom Caucus Network

Pennsylvania Rep. Dawn Keefer, the Republican Freedom Caucus chair, who is running for the state Senate, had no immediate comment on the ruling to local media. Nor would she comment for this story.

In Arizona, Freedom Caucus members, led by chair Sen. Jake Hoffman, spearheaded a drive that resulted in the state Board of Education delaying until next year a proposed new handbook governing how parents use state-funded educational savings accounts to send their kids to private schools. The new handbook was designed to tighten the rules for using the accounts.

Hoffman said parents had not been given sufficient input. The new rules would have restricted the use of the funds for summer programs and required more updates for use of the money for students with disabilities. He called for a robust stakeholder working group to give input into the rule changes. The Board of Education maintained it had consulted parents and other interested parties. Nonetheless, it caved after concerns from families and Freedom Caucus members.

Holding news conferences, filing lawsuits  its all part of the State Freedom Caucus Network playbook, according to its director, Roth.

Our members consider themselves the farm team of the House Freedom Caucus, he said. We also provide them communications support, legal support and get them connected with legal groups to help them file lawsuits.

Back in Missouri, roiling the entrenched GOP leadership is exactly what Freedom Caucus members are doing, Eigel said.

Were shaking the status quo just by going through a lot of bills that are brought to the floor and asking a lot of questions that can frustrate folks that are expecting a much easier route to get their special interest priorities to the legislative chamber, he said just before last weeks Senate session that featured Brittons delay tactics. I suspect that if you are watching today, youre going to see a lot of questions.

And there were.

Advance reporter Kyle Davidson contributed to this story.

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.

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The post Freedom Caucuses push for conservative state laws, but getting attention is their big success appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Fresno has different population totals on city limits signs. Will the real number be posted?

Reality Check is a Fresno Bee series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a tip? Email tips@fresnobee.com.

The fifth-largest city in California might have a population of more than half a million people, but the exact number depends on who you ask.

If you ask the U.S. Census Bureau, Fresno has a population estimate of 545,567 people (about half the population of Maine) as of July 1, 2022.

If you ask the state Department of Finances demographic research unit population estimates for state cities, Fresno takes the fifth spot with 543,428 population as of Jan. 1, 2023.

And yes, Fresno is larger than Sacramento, the state capital, which came in sixth place in the 10 largest cities in the state with a population of 518,161. Bakersfield came in ninth place with 408,373 people.

But if you look at Fresnos population on the city limit signs on highways, there is a discrepancy.

If you drive to Fresno northbound or southbound on Highway 41, southwest on Highway 168 or east on Highway 180, the population numbers on the city limit signs dont match.

A Fresno city limit/population sign on northbound Highway 41 south of the Jensen Avenue exit tallies the citys population at 500,121. Other highway signs have differing population numbers for Fresno.

On Highways 41 and 168, the signs report 500,121 (about half the population of Montana) people. While on Highway 180 the population number is 525,832.

We are responsible for updating the population on those signs, said Alex Aguilera, public information officer for Caltrans in Fresno and Kings counties.

According to Aguilera, Caltrans updates freeway population signs whenever they see a 5% population increase based on data from the state Department of Finance.

We fabricate, maintain and install the signs, Aguilera said.

When asked why the discrepancy on freeway city limits population signs in the area, Aguilera said Caltrans updates the numbers if there is a project nearby or if they see that 5% increase.

I reached out to traffic operations and made them aware of the issue and they said if the sign continues to be in good condition, then they can create a plate with the most up-to-date numbers. That way theyre both correlating and showing the same number, Aguilera said.

A Fresno city limit/population sign on westbound Highway 180 east of the Marks Avenue exit, tallies the citys population at 525,832. Other highway signs have differing population numbers for Fresno.

He said that now Caltrans traffic operations personnel are aware that city limits signs for Fresno are showing different population numbers, they are going to get the issue addressed.

That way when the public is driving through, there isnt a confusion on the size of the population of the city, that way theyre matching, Aguilera said.

Aguilera didnt provide a cost or a timeline of when the signs would be replaced but said traffic operations will have to run the numbers from the Department of Finance again to get the most up-to-date numbers, put a request with the signs crew to get the signs made and they will get those signs updated.

According to Aguilera, population signs are usually placed on state freeways whenever people are entering the city.

Looking just at Google Maps here you have the 41 that runs through Fresno from the north and the South. So that would be two. You have the 99 that comes from the Southeast and the Northwest, so that would be another two, which makes it 4. And then we have the 180 the. So that would be another two so. That makes it 6. And then you have the 168. But that doesnt run across Fresno that connects with the 180, so that would be 7 signs, Aguilera said.

Aguilera said usually when they put a request to do signs, it makes it easier for their sign crews to get multiple signs done at once.

Of the 10 largest cities in California, only three gained population in the state department of finance 2023 report: Sacramento had the largest percentage gain in population (0.2 percent, or 1,203) followed by Bakersfield (0.2 percent, or 882) and Fresno (0.1 percent, or 599).

A Fresno city limit/population sign on southbound Highway 41 north of the Friant Road exit, tallies the citys population at 500,121. Other highway signs have differing population numbers for Fresno.
Fresno, Los Banos to get over $10M each from state to help homeless

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The state is giving both Fresno and Los Banos over $10 million each as part of Californias effort to move homeless people out of encampments and into housing.

The State of California is putting $200M into the initiative to support 20 projects in 17 communities aimed at helping people experiencing homelessness transition from encampments into housing.

Why Los Banos trailer park residents fear for their safety

The announcement on Thursday also included increased oversight of state homelessness funding; it follows the release of a state audit earlier this month suggesting state officials did not consistently track whether the huge outlay of public money improved the situation.

This new funding will get people out of tents and into housing across California, said Governor Gavin Newsom. As the state provides unprecedented resources like this, we also expect accountability.

Fresno is set to receive $10.9 million, and city officials say it will allow the city to expand its service area. City officials say the money will be used to add emergency shelter beds, street mental health services, and housing stability case managers to the City of Fresnos outreach efforts.

Mayor Jerry Dyer says the money will help the city to continue and expand the vital, life-changing services being provided to our unhoused population.

Los Banos is also set to receive $11.8 million. Details about how the city would use the funding were not immediately released.

Several other cities and counties across the state will also be receiving funds to help their homeless populations. Marin County will receive $18.2 million and Los Angeles County will receive $51.5 million.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.
Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024, in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

The New York state court trying former President Donald Trump on criminal charges empaneled a full 12-person jury on the third day of the trial Thursday, according to reports.

The trial approached the end of its first phase Thursday afternoon as one of six alternate jurors was also selected. Selection of more alternates will continue Friday.

Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the case, said Tuesday that oral arguments could begin as early as the start of next week, and the selection of jurors appeared to make that possibility more likely. The court did not meet Wednesday.

Seven jurors had been chosen before Thursday, but two were excused before the court broke for lunch. Seven more jurors were chosen in the afternoon.

The trial, which could go weeks, is keeping Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, away from the campaign trail. He complained to reporters as he exited the courtroom that the trial was interfering with his campaign, CNN reported.

During a break Thursday, the former president posted a message on his social media platform blasting the U.S. House bipartisan foreign aid package, which Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has endorsed.

A New York grand jury last year charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, saying he lied about payments his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election to cover up an affair. Trump has denied the affair.

Cohen is expected to take the stand during the trial, and Trumps defense team will likely make his credibility a major issue. Cohen first denied any role in the payments, but later admitted to paying Daniels $130,000.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including perjury, for lying to a congressional committee about a separate incident and served a prison sentence.Some polling suggests a guilty verdict in the trial could hurt Trumps standing with voters, though observers differ on whether even a felony conviction would seriously erode his base of support.

The post Full jury selected in Trumps criminal trial on hush-money charges appeared first on Arkansas Advocate.
Former President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024, in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. (Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

The New York state court trying former President Donald Trump on criminal charges empaneled a full 12-person jury on the third day of the trial Thursday, according to reports.

The trial approached the end of its first phase Thursday afternoon as one of six alternate jurors was also selected. Selection of more alternates will continue Friday.

Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the case, said Tuesday that oral arguments could begin as early as the start of next week, and the selection of jurors appeared to make that possibility more likely. The court did not meet Wednesday.

Seven jurors had been chosen before Thursday, but two were excused before the court broke for lunch. Seven more jurors were chosen in the afternoon.

The trial, which could go weeks, is keeping Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, away from the campaign trail. He complained to reporters as he exited the courtroom that the trial was interfering with his campaign, CNN reported.

During a break Thursday, the former president posted a message on his social media platform blasting the U.S. House bipartisan foreign aid package, which Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has endorsed.

A New York grand jury last year charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, saying he lied about payments his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election to cover up an affair. Trump has denied the affair.

Cohen is expected to take the stand during the trial, and Trumps defense team will likely make his credibility a major issue. Cohen first denied any role in the payments, but he later admitted to paying Daniels $130,000.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including perjury, for lying to a congressional committee about a separate incident and served a prison sentence.Some polling suggests a guilty verdict in the trial could hurt Trumps standing with voters, though observers differ on whether even a felony conviction would seriously erode his base of support.

The post Full jury selected in Trumps criminal trial on hush-money charges appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. | Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images

The New York state court trying former President Donald Trump on criminal charges empaneled a full 12-person jury on the third day of the trial Thursday, according to reports.

The trial approached the end of its first phase Thursday afternoon as one of six alternate jurors was also selected. Selection of more alternates will continue Friday.

Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the case, said Tuesday that oral arguments could begin as early as the start of next week, and the selection of jurors appeared to make that possibility more likely. The court did not meet Wednesday.

Seven jurors had been chosen before Thursday, but two were excused before the court broke for lunch. Seven more jurors were chosen in the afternoon.

The trial, which could go weeks, is keeping Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, away from the campaign trail. He complained to reporters as he exited the courtroom that the trial was interfering with his campaign, CNN reported.

During a break Thursday, the former president posted a message on his social media platform blasting the U.S. House bipartisan foreign aid package, which Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has endorsed.

A New York grand jury last year charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, saying he lied about payments his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election to cover up an affair. Trump has denied the affair.

Cohen is expected to take the stand during the trial, and Trumps defense team will likely make his credibility a major issue. Cohen first denied any role in the payments, but later admitted to paying Daniels $130,000.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including perjury, for lying to a congressional committee about a separate incident and served a prison sentence.Some polling suggests a guilty verdict in the trial could hurt Trumps standing with voters, though observers differ on whether even a felony conviction would seriously erode his base of support.

The post Full jury selected in Trumps criminal trial on hush-money charges appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images) (This image cannot be republished unless you have a Getty subscription.)

The New York state court trying former President Donald Trump on criminal charges empaneled a full 12-person jury on the third day of the trial Thursday, according to reports.

The trial approached the end of its first phase Thursday afternoon as one of six alternate jurors was also selected. Selection of more alternates will continue Friday.

Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the case, said Tuesday that oral arguments could begin as early as the start of next week, and the selection of jurors appeared to make that possibility more likely. The court did not meet Wednesday.

Seven jurors had been chosen before Thursday, but two were excused before the court broke for lunch. Seven more jurors were chosen in the afternoon.

The trial, which could go weeks, is keeping Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, away from the campaign trail. He complained to reporters as he exited the courtroom that the trial was interfering with his campaign, CNN reported.

During a break Thursday, the former president posted a message on his social media platform blasting the U.S. House bipartisan foreign aid package, which Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has endorsed.

A New York grand jury last year charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, saying he lied about payments his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election to cover up an affair. Trump has denied the affair.

Cohen is expected to take the stand during the trial, and Trumps defense team will likely make his credibility a major issue. Cohen first denied any role in the payments, but later admitted to paying Daniels $130,000.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including perjury, for lying to a congressional committee about a separate incident and served a prison sentence.Some polling suggests a guilty verdict in the trial could hurt Trumps standing with voters, though observers differ on whether even a felony conviction would seriously erode his base of support.

The post Full jury selected in Trumps criminal trial on hush-money charges appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

The New York state court trying former President Donald Trump on criminal charges empaneled a full 12-person jury on the third day of the trial Thursday, according to reports.

The trial approached the end of its first phase Thursday afternoon as one of six alternate jurors was also selected. Selection of more alternates will continue Friday.

Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the case, said Tuesday that oral arguments could begin as early as the start of next week, and the selection of jurors appeared to make that possibility more likely. The court did not meet Wednesday.

Seven jurors had been chosen before Thursday, but two were excused before the court broke for lunch. Seven more jurors were chosen in the afternoon.

The trial, which could go weeks, is keeping Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, away from the campaign trail. He complained to reporters as he exited the courtroom that the trial was interfering with his campaign, CNN reported.

During a break Thursday, the former president posted a message on his social media platform blasting the U.S. House bipartisan foreign aid package, which Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has endorsed.

A New York grand jury last year charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, saying he lied about payments his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election to cover up an affair. Trump has denied the affair.

Cohen is expected to take the stand during the trial, and Trumps defense team will likely make his credibility a major issue. Cohen first denied any role in the payments, but later admitted to paying Daniels $130,000.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including perjury, for lying to a congressional committee about a separate incident and served a prison sentence.Some polling suggests a guilty verdict in the trial could hurt Trumps standing with voters, though observers differ on whether even a felony conviction would seriously erode his base of support.

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The post Full jury selected in Trumps criminal trial on hush-money charges appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
People walk on the streets of Tehran as they continue their daily lives after the explosions heard in Isfahan and Tabriz cities of Iran, in Tehran, Iran on April 19, 2024.

Israel attacked targets in Iran early on Friday, five days after Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles against Israeli territory in an offensive that caused no deaths and hardly any material damage. Information about the scope and nature of the attack is unclear at the moment, although it appears to be limited. Tehran claims to have destroyed three drones in Isfahan province, the heart of Irans nuclear program, after activating its defense systems. The U.N.s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that no Iranian nuclear facilities were damaged.

A senior Iranian official quoted by Reuters said that Tehran  which had warned that it would respond to the slightest attack on its territory  does not plan to retaliate immediately because it is not clear who is behind the attack. Israel, as usual, has remained silent. Initial reports point to a moderate retaliation, following international calls for restraint.

The United States did not participate in the operation. According to Reuters, Israel had warned Washington earlier on Thursday that a strike was imminent. Sources quoted by U.S. and local media report the use of missiles in the offensive, which Tehran denies.

The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed, the Iranian official told Reuters. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration [operation from within] than attack. The official Iranian media are playing down the importance of the Israeli attack, a response to the also calculated offensive launched by Tehran last Saturday night.

There are no reports of casualties or material damage, and no major explosions were felt, according to Iranian media. The spokesperson for Irans National Cyberspace Center, Hossein Dalirian, stated in a message on X (formerly Twitter) that his country had shot down quadcopters, small unmanned devices with four propellers to which an explosive charge can be added. Israel has used this device in the past to attack Iran, as was the case in 2021 and last year. Isfahan was also targeted. The official Iranian television reported that several drones had been shot down.

Israels silence

Israel rarely acknowledges its operations abroad, at least not immediately. It remains to be seen whether any leaders will hint that Israel was behind the attack, without expressly taking responsibility. Only the Minister of National Security, the ultra-right-wing Itamar Ben Gvir, has spoken out. In a message on X (formerly Twitter) he expressed his disappointment that the attack was not more powerful. His ministry controls the police, but Ben Gvir is not part of the war cabinet, which makes military decisions.

The Iranian new agency Fars had previously reported that Israeli devices had hit near Isfahan airport and that anti-aircraft systems had been activated. Irans national airspace was temporarily closed and has now been restored, according to the Airports and Air Navigation Company of Iran, quoted by the state news agency.

This area, in the center of the country and about 250 miles south of the capital, is home to military installations, defense system factories and, above all, nuclear system facilities such as Natanz, from where Tehran announced in 2007 that it had joined to the club of countries capable of producing nuclear fuel on an industrial scale. The Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center (INTC) is the largest nuclear research complex in Iran and employs approximately 3,000 scientists. The United States and Israel suspect that its facilities host a secret research program to produce atomic weapons, an accusation that Tehran denies. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is exclusively for civilian purposes. This site has previously been the target of attacks from Israel.

The offensive was not limited to Iran. The official Syrian news agency Sana reported, citing military sources, an early morning attack on the countrys air defense systems that caused only material damage. Tehran supports the regime of Bashar al-Assad in the civil war in Syria, and its allied militias have become strong.

Military response

Throughout the week, Israel had announced in different forums that the Iranian regimes unprecedented offensive against its territory required a military response. Irans decision to launch hundreds of drones and missiles over different Israeli regions escalated the risk of a regional war breaking out. Tehrans offensive was a response to the bombing carried out by Israel on the Iranian consulate in Damascus (Syria) on April 1, in which 16 people were killed, including seven members of the Revolutionary Guards. One of the victims was General Mohamed Reza Zahedi, the head of the Al Quds force in Lebanon, the regional branch of the Iranian force.

File photo of the Isfahan uranium enrichment complex in Iran. EFE

Israel has been calibrating the form and scale of its response for several days. Amid the threats and the war rhetoric of both countries, there has been growing international pressure for the conflict to be contained. The IAEA already expressed its fear that a possible Israeli attack would reach Irans nuclear facilities, according to the director general of the institution, Rafael Grossi. The United States on Thursday announced new sanctions against Iran and its drone industry and missile program, in a coordinated move with the United Kingdom, which has taken similar measures. The European Union also announced that it will consider imposing similar measures on Tehran.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, where almost 34,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on October 7, Israeli attacks continue, according to the Palestinian agency Wafa. The war began in response to the Hamas massacre on that day, in which 1,200 people were killed in Israeli territory.

Israel announced that it would carry out a ground offensive in Rafah, but while Israeli troops have been moving around the south of the Gaza Strip, the plan remains in the air. The southern city of Rafah, on the border of Egypt, where nearly 1.5 million Gazans hit by the humanitarian crisis are living in overcrowded conditions, is the only one that Israeli troops have not yet invaded. Netanyahu insists that this operation is needed to fulfill the two essential objectives of the war: ending Hamas politically and militarily and bringing back the 133 Israeli hostages (many of whom have died) who still remain captive.

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Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

The New York state court trying former President Donald Trump on criminal charges empaneled a full 12-person jury on the third day of the trial Thursday, according to reports.

The trial approached the end of its first phase Thursday afternoon as one of six alternate jurors was also selected. Selection of more alternates will continue Friday.

Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the case, said Tuesday that oral arguments could begin as early as the start of next week, and the selection of jurors appeared to make that possibility more likely. The court did not meet Wednesday.

Seven jurors had been chosen before Thursday, but two were excused before the court broke for lunch. Seven more jurors were chosen in the afternoon.

The trial, which could go weeks, is keeping Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, away from the campaign trail. He complained to reporters as he exited the courtroom that the trial was interfering with his campaign, CNN reported.

During a break Thursday, the former president posted a message on his social media platform blasting the U.S. House bipartisan foreign aid package, which Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has endorsed.

A New York grand jury last year charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, saying he lied about payments his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election to cover up an affair. Trump has denied the affair.

Cohen is expected to take the stand during the trial, and Trumps defense team will likely make his credibility a major issue. Cohen first denied any role in the payments, but later admitted to paying Daniels $130,000.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including perjury, for lying to a congressional committee about a separate incident and served a prison sentence.Some polling suggests a guilty verdict in the trial could hurt Trumps standing with voters, though observers differ on whether even a felony conviction would seriously erode his base of support.

The post Full jury selected in Trumps criminal trial on hush-money charges appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

The New York state court trying former President Donald Trump on criminal charges empaneled a full 12-person jury on the third day of the trial Thursday, according to reports.

The trial approached the end of its first phase Thursday afternoon as one of six alternate jurors was also selected. Selection of more alternates will continue Friday.

Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the case, said Tuesday that oral arguments could begin as early as the start of next week, and the selection of jurors appeared to make that possibility more likely. The court did not meet Wednesday.

Seven jurors had been chosen before Thursday, but two were excused before the court broke for lunch. Seven more jurors were chosen in the afternoon.

The trial, which could go weeks, is keeping Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, away from the campaign trail. He complained to reporters as he exited the courtroom that the trial was interfering with his campaign, CNN reported.

During a break Thursday, the former president posted a message on his social media platform blasting the U.S. House bipartisan foreign aid package, which Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has endorsed.

A New York grand jury last year charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, saying he lied about payments his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election to cover up an affair. Trump has denied the affair.

Cohen is expected to take the stand during the trial, and Trumps defense team will likely make his credibility a major issue. Cohen first denied any role in the payments, but later admitted to paying Daniels $130,000.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including perjury, for lying to a congressional committee about a separate incident and served a prison sentence. Some polling suggests a guilty verdict in the trial could hurt Trumps standing with voters, though observers differ on whether even a felony conviction would seriously erode his base of support.

The post Full jury selected in Trumps criminal trial on hush-money charges appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City.

Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024, in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. (Brendan McDermid/Getty Images-Pool)

The New York state court trying former President Donald Trump on criminal charges empaneled a full 12-person jury on the third day of the trial Thursday, according to reports.

The trial approached the end of its first phase Thursday afternoon as one of six alternate jurors was also selected. Selection of more alternates will continue Friday.

Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the case, said Tuesday that oral arguments could begin as early as the start of next week, and the selection of jurors appeared to make that possibility more likely. The court did not meet Wednesday.

Seven jurors had been chosen before Thursday, but two were excused before the court broke for lunch. Seven more jurors were chosen in the afternoon.

The trial, which could go weeks, is keeping Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, away from the campaign trail. He complained to reporters as he exited the courtroom that the trial was interfering with his campaign, CNN reported.

During a break Thursday, the former president posted a message on his social media platform blasting the U.S. House bipartisan foreign aid package, which Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has endorsed.

A New York grand jury last year charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, saying he lied about payments his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election to cover up an affair. Trump has denied the affair.

Cohen is expected to take the stand during the trial, and Trumps defense team will likely make his credibility a major issue. Cohen first denied any role in the payments, but later admitted to paying Daniels $130,000.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including perjury, for lying to a congressional committee about a separate incident and served a prison sentence.Some polling suggests a guilty verdict in the trial could hurt Trumps standing with voters, though observers differ on whether even a felony conviction would seriously erode his base of support.

The post Full jury selected in Trumps criminal trial on hush-money charges appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 18: Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

The New York state court trying former President Donald Trump on criminal charges empaneled a full 12-person jury on the third day of the trial Thursday, according to reports.

The trial approached the end of its first phase Thursday afternoon as one of six alternate jurors was also selected. Selection of more alternates will continue Friday.

Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the case, said Tuesday that oral arguments could begin as early as the start of next week, and the selection of jurors appeared to make that possibility more likely. The court did not meet Wednesday.

Seven jurors had been chosen before Thursday, but two were excused before the court broke for lunch. Seven more jurors were chosen in the afternoon.

The trial, which could go weeks, is keeping Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, away from the campaign trail. He complained to reporters as he exited the courtroom that the trial was interfering with his campaign, CNN reported.

During a break Thursday, the former president posted a message on his social media platform blasting the U.S. House bipartisan foreign aid package, which Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has endorsed.

A New York grand jury last year charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, saying he lied about payments his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election to cover up an affair. Trump has denied the affair.

Cohen is expected to take the stand during the trial, and Trumps defense team will likely make his credibility a major issue. Cohen first denied any role in the payments, but later admitted to paying Daniels $130,000.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including perjury, for lying to a congressional committee about a separate incident and served a prison sentence.Some polling suggests a guilty verdict in the trial could hurt Trumps standing with voters, though observers differ on whether even a felony conviction would seriously erode his base of support.

The post Full jury selected in Trumps criminal trial on hush-money charges appeared first on New Jersey Monitor.
Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records last year. (Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he leaves court for the day at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records last year. (Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

The New York state court trying former President Donald Trump on criminal charges empaneled a full 12-person jury on the third day of the trial Thursday, according to reports.

The trial approached the end of its first phase Thursday afternoon as one of six alternate jurors was also selected. Selection of more alternates will continue Friday.

Juan Merchan, the judge overseeing the case, said Tuesday that oral arguments could begin as early as the start of next week, and the selection of jurors appeared to make that possibility more likely. The court did not meet Wednesday.

Seven jurors had been chosen before Thursday, but two were excused before the court broke for lunch. Seven more jurors were chosen in the afternoon.

The trial, which could go weeks, is keeping Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, away from the campaign trail. He complained to reporters as he exited the courtroom that the trial was interfering with his campaign, CNN reported.

During a break Thursday, the former president posted a message on his social media platform blasting the U.S. House bipartisan foreign aid package, which Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana has endorsed.

A New York grand jury last year charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, saying he lied about payments his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election to cover up an affair. Trump has denied the affair.

Cohen is expected to take the stand during the trial, and Trumps defense team will likely make his credibility a major issue. Cohen first denied any role in the payments, but later admitted to paying Daniels $130,000.

In 2018, he pleaded guilty to federal charges, including perjury, for lying to a congressional committee about a separate incident and served a prison sentence.Some polling suggests a guilty verdict in the trial could hurt Trumps standing with voters, though observers differ on whether even a felony conviction would seriously erode his base of support.

The post Full jury selected in Trumps criminal trial on hush-money charges appeared first on Oregon Capital Chronicle.
House conservatives are furious with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for championing another massive round of Ukraine aid.

But for all the grousing, threats and public protests, none of the critics are ready to use the one tool that lends them leverage in the fight: a motion to vacate. Without it, theyre left with no viable way to stop Johnson.

Conservatives raced around Capitol Hill on Thursday in various demonstrations of outrage over Johnsons leadership style, in general, and his handling of the Ukraine debate, in particular  a fury fueled by news reports suggesting Johnson was ready to weaken a rule empowering a single lawmaker to force a vote of no confidence against the Speaker.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.)  a frequent critic of the Speaker who has already introduced a motion to vacate against him  went so far as to carry her resolution onto the House floor during Thursdays lone vote.

But for all the dramatic flourishes, the day ended much as it began: with Johnson moving forward on a package of foreign aid bills that are expected to pass through the lower chamber, with overwhelming Democratic support, in a series of votes on Saturday.

The days developments are the latest reflection of the enduring dilemma facing Johnson as he seeks to steer contentious legislation through a divided House in the face of persistent opposition from a rambunctious right flank, which has lost faith in his willingness to fight for conservative policy priorities.

Time after time, Johnson has chosen to cut deals with President Biden for the sake of enacting prominent bills, infuriating conservatives whove pressed him to use the GOPs House majority to secure greater Republican victories.

Those dynamics were front and center in the recent debates over federal spending and government surveillance  two issues on which Johnson joined forces with Democrats to ensure the bills became law. And theyre shaping the debate again this week as he takes the plunge to advance another massive round of foreign aid, which includes more than $60 billion in new Ukraine funding, over the noisy objections of his most animated hard-line critics.

Those critics arent taking defeat silently.

Almost a dozen members of the far-right House Freedom Caucus surrounded Johnson in the back of the House chamber after Thursdays lone vote, hounding him to resist any modification to the motion to vacate  the mechanism used to remove former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in October.

The full-court press proved to be a success: Johnson announced Thursday afternoon that he would not increase the threshold to trigger a vote on ousting the Speaker, siding with the conservative rabble-rousers over moderate lawmakers looking to avoid chaos in the chamber.

Recently, many members have encouraged me to endorse a new rule to raise this threshold. While I understand the importance of that idea, any rule change requires a majority of the full House, which we do not have, Johnson wrote on the social platform X. We will continue to govern under the existing rules.

But the mere consideration of the change landed the Speaker in further hot water with conservatives  and more of them now appear open to booting Johnson than when Thursday began.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) warned that she would support his ouster if he went ahead and changed the threshold. And Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.)  who previously said he was against a motion to vacate, because it might lead to a Democratic Speaker  railed against Johnsons recent legislative moves and suggested he would do the same.

I think a motion to vacate is something that could put the conference in peril, and Ms. Boebert and I were working to avoid that, Gaetz said. Our goal is to avoid a motion to vacate. But we are not going to surrender that accountability tool, particularly in a time when we are seeing Americas interests subjugated to foreign interests abroad.

Even Greene  who marched Thursday from the chamber to the Capitol steps, her motion to vacate in hand, to denounce Johnson to reporters  has so far declined to force a vote on her resolution.

Greene has hammered Johnson for sealing spending deals with Biden, for opposing a new warrant requirement surrounding the governments surveillance powers, and for championing the $60 billion in new Ukraine aid, without ensuring it will be accompanied by tougher security measures at the U.S.-Mexico border  an early demand of the Speaker that he abandoned this week in announcing his four-vote strategy for securing foreign aid.

Republican voters want actions. They want to be protected from the destructive Democrat agenda, Greene told reporters Thursday. And Republican leaders arent doing it.

Yet even the prospect of Johnson changing the motion to vacate threshold did not compel Greene to commit to forcing a vote on her ouster resolution. Asked about her reluctance to pull the trigger, Greene suggested she was waiting for more of her GOP colleagues to endorse her measure.

Im not acting out of emotions, or rash feelings, or anger. Im doing this the right way, she said. And Im allowing my conference to see exactly what I saw months ago.

The conservative outcry, followed by inaction on ousting Johnson, has gotten under the skin of the Speakers allies, some of whom are challenging hard-line critics to put up or shut up, in the words of Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.).

We got to call their bluff, Van Orden said Thursday afternoon by phone. And if they are not bluffing, and they want to vacate the Speakership, the American people are gonna see that these folks are not here to govern.

Theyre not serious legislators. Theyre here showboating, he added. We dont have room for that.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(L-R)US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Bundnis 90/Die Grunen), British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, and Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, pose for family photos at the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers. Britta Pedersen/dpa

The Group of Seven (G7) condemned Iran for its attacks on Israel and general behaviour on Friday but also called on both parties to de-escalate amid reports of Israeli retaliation.

A meeting of foreign ministers from the group of industrialized democracies had been under way on the Italian island of Capri since Wednesday.

A communique to mark the end of the meeting said: "In light of reports of strikes on April 19, we urge all parties to work

to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work to this end.

"We call on all parties, both in the region and beyond, to offer their positive contribution to this collective effort."

Italy currently chairs the G7 group. Other members are the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Japan and Germany.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken personally called for "de-escalation" in comments to reporters but did not confirm US media reports that at least one Israeli missile had hit Iran early Friday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had threatened retaliation after Iran fired around 300 drones and missiles at the Jewish state at the weekend, although most were shot down by Israel and allies.

That attack was Iran's response to Israel allegedly killing two Tehran generals in the Iranian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus on April 1.

The G7 statement focused mostly on Iran being a belligerent and it did not name Israel when appealing for calm.

"We...condemn in the strongest terms Irans direct and unprecedented attack against Israel of April 13-14, which Israel defeated with the help of its partners. This was a dangerous escalation," it said.

Prior to Iran's attack, Israel had been coming under pressure from G7 powers for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has been waging war to try to root out Hamas militants it blames for a terrorist attack inside Israel in October.

Over 1,200 people were killed in the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas and other Islamist groups. The Hamas-controlled health authority in Gaza says over 33,000 civilians have been killed in the Israeli bombardment.

Even when discussing Gaza, the G7 communique framed the conflict and other proxy conflicts in the Middle East through the prism of Iran.

"We call on Iran to refrain from providing support to Hamas and taking further actions that destabilize the Middle East, including support for Lebanese Hezbollah," it said.

"Irans continued provision of arms and related material to the (Yemeni) Houthis...are dangerously increasing tensions."

The G7 foreign ministers also reiterated their determination that Iran must never develop or acquire nuclear weapons.

As for another major war, the G7 invoked Iran again as it maintained steadfast support for Ukraine over two years after Russia's invasion.

"We are extremely concerned by reports that Iran is considering transferring ballistic missiles and related technology to Russia. We call on Iran not to do so, as it would represent a substantive material escalation in its support for Russia's war," it said.

"Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related

technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond in a swift and coordinated manner, including with new and significant measures against Iran."

A separate statement on Ukraine reaffirmed the G7's "unwavering determination" to support Ukraine in its fight with Russia "within its internationally recognized borders," implying the West is in no mood to countenance Moscow keeping any seized Ukraine land.

The G7 foreign ministers also agreed to continue to deepen partnerships with African countries and help end prolonged conflicts there while working to assist with the problem of enforced migration.

In a broadside at China, the G7 also reiterated "commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific" but said it recognized "the importance of constructive and stable relations" with Beijing, while condemning North Korea aggression.
The G7 has announced their intention to strengthen the air defence of Ukraine, against which the Russian Federation is waging the war of aggression.

Source: European Pravda; a communique of the G7 foreign ministers and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Quote: "We express our resolve in particular to bolster Ukraines air defense capabilities to save lives and protect critical infrastructure. We will also work with partners towards this end," the statement reads.

Details: In their communique, the G7 foreign ministers and the head of EU diplomacy condemned Russias aggressive war against Ukraine. They also reaffirmed their "unwavering determination" to support democratic Ukraine that defends its freedom, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

"We demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraws all of its military forces and equipment from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine. Russia can end this war today," the diplomats said.

They called on all countries not to support or condone Russia's attempts to acquire territory by force. They also stated that they would never recognise the legitimacy of the so-called "referenda" or "elections", past or future, held by the Russian Federation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as their results.

"We will continue to support Ukraines right of self-defense and reiterate our commitment to Ukraines long-term security ... We are stepping up our defense and security assistance to Ukraine and are increasing our production and delivery capabilities to assist the country," the communique reads.

The diplomats also said that they support efforts to help Ukraine develop future armed forces capable of self-defene and deterring any aggression.

They also pledged to continue providing military, financial, political, humanitarian, and economic support to Ukraine and its people and to help Ukraine repair and rebuild its critical energy and environmental infrastructure.

Background:

Earlier, Dmytro Kuleba, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, stated that his counterparts from the G7 have identified "specific steps" necessary to help Ukraine in the war with the Russian Federation.

It was reported that Kuleba, at a meeting with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in Italy, discussed strengthening the air defence of Ukraine, the Peace Summit, and the recovery of Ukraine.

Before that, Kuleba called on the G7 countries to follow the example of Germany and decide on the supply of additional air defence systems as soon as possible.

On 13 April, Germany announced the urgent transfer of one Patriot anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine.

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The Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers promised on April 19 to strengthen Ukraine's air defense capabilities to protect civilians and critical infrastructure from Russian attacks.

As Moscow intensified its attacks on Ukraine during the spring, the shortage of air defense systems in Ukrainian cities and villages is being felt more acutely.

The statement during the G7 meeting on the island of Capri in Italy followed Russian morning attacks on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, which reportedly killed at least eight civilians, including two children, and injuring over 30 other people.

"We express our resolve in particular to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities to save lives and protect critical infrastructure. We will also work with partners towards this end," the ministers of the U.S., the U.K., Italy, France, Canada, Germany and the High Representative of the European Union said.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the Washington Post in an interview published on April 10 that Ukraine aims to obtain an additional seven Patriot air defense systems, and has offered that Kyiv can loan the systems from other countries.

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Recent attacks against Ukraine's energy infrastructure destroyed several thermal power plants across the country, including the key power Trypillia plant, the main electricity supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts.

The ministers condemned these strikes and welcomed the launch of the Register of Damage caused by Russia's war against Ukraine.

"Russia must pay for the damage and devastation it is causing," the statement read.

The G7 foreign ministers also said they would consider using frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine.

According to the latest estimation by the World Bank, the cost of Ukraine's post-war recovery and reconstruction has risen to $486 billion.

Around $300 billion of the Russian Central Bank's assets are frozen in the West. The Group of Seven (G7) nations pledged in October 2023 that Russian assets frozen in their jurisdictions would remain frozen until Moscow pays war reparations to Ukraine.

Read also: Scholz hopes NATO countries can deliver 6 more Patriots to Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(L-R)US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Bundnis 90/Die Grunen), British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, and Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, pose for family photos at the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers. Britta Pedersen/dpa

The spring meeting of the foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) economically strong democracies is set to end on Friday with discussions on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and global issues such as food, energy and cybersecurity.

In view of China's increasingly aggressive behaviour in the Indian Ocean and Pacific region, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had already stated at the start of the meeting that the effects are not only being felt by the G7's Pacific countries - the United States, Canada and Japan - but also in Europe.

The G7 meeting is being held on the Italian Mediterranean island of Capri.

Italy currently chairs the G7 group. Other members are the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Japan and Germany.

The discussions at the meeting on Capri, which has been running since Wednesday evening, were dominated by concerns about the threat of a conflagration in the Middle East following the Iranian attack on Israel last weekend.

It is eagerly awaited how far the G7 ministers will go in their final declarations on the isolation of Tehran, as demanded by Baerbock and others.

The second major G7 topic was the intensified Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and the efforts to strengthen the air defence of the embattled country.

The host of the meeting, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, plans to comment publicly on the results after the end of the consultations.
Liat Atzili Beinin (r), a 49-year-old resident of Nir Oz who was held hostage for 54 days in Gaza, where her husband's murdered body still remains, hugged by a member of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, on April 11.

Four and a half months have passed since Hamas announced that Israeli hostages Shiri Bibas, 32, her daughter, Ariel, four, and her son Kfir, who turned one in captivity, had been killed in Gaza in an Israeli bombing. Israeli authorities have not officially confirmed the deaths, nor have the bodies of the mother and her two children been returned. On October 7, Hamas also kidnapped the father of the family, Yarden, 34, in a separate attack. We have no sign of life from them, except what Hamas said on the last day of the [November ceasefire] agreement, that they had been killed. We still dont know if its true, says Ofri Bibas, 37, Yardens sister.

On Thursday, footage surfaced of how Yarden Bibas was violently abducted and abused by dozens of Palestinians, some armed, others recording the scene. In the video, Yarden is taken on a motorcycle to Gaza. This distressing video serves as a wake-up call on the need to take immediate measures to put an end to this humanitarian crisis and bring back our loved ones safe and sound, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. We must do everything in our power to ensure the immediate release of all hostages, both living and deceased, the text adds.

Like the rest of the testimonies from the families of the hostages, the words of Yardens sister move between pain, uncertainty and hope. Ofri is one of the individuals who took part in a mock seder organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum in the Kibbutz Nir Oz, less than two miles from Gaza. This was one of the farming communities hardest hit by Hamas. Almost a quarter of its 400 residents were killed (51) or kidnapped (36).

The group symbolically celebrated Jewish Passover, which begins on April 22 and commemorates the return of the Jewish people from the Egyptian desert. They are celebrating in the dining room of the kibbutz, where there are long tables, but missing diners. The damage from the Hamas attack has not yet been repaired and the smell of rot from the kitchen, which was partly burned, reaches the large room. The event also serves to call for the return of the hostages, depicted in photos on separate chairs in front of the plates.

The hostages must be released not because they are suffering in captivity, but because it is a moral obligation of the state, says Liat Atzili Beinin, a 49-year-old local, who was kidnapped and released during the week of November ceasefire. A citizen of dual Israeli and American nationality, she was imprisoned for 54 days in an apartment in the town of Khan Yunis. During the event at the kibbutz, a video is shown with images of past Passovers, with the residents of Nir Oz celebrating the holiday in that same room.

Tables prepared with photos of the hostages in the symbolic celebration of Jewish Passover that took place in the Kibbutz Nir Oz, where almost a quarter of its 400 residents were murdered or kidnapped. Luis de Vega

They are aware that some of the people who appear in the video will never return. Thats the case for Liats husband, Aviv, 49. His body is one of many that still remains in Gaza. The remains of Maya Goren, a 56-year-old employee of the kibbutz daycare center, who was seriously injured when she was taken away by the assailants on a motorcycle, have also not been returned. A large number of the 133 Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza will not return home alive. But Liat is appealing for help to bring them back unconditionally, if there is a shred of human decency left.

A fading agreement

Negotiations are still underway for a cessation of hostilities that would open the door to an exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, although, according to the messages and signals coming from the opposing parties and the mediating countries, it does not seem that an agreement will be reached soon. The main focus of the international community is in trying to stop the escalation between Iran and Israel, whose troops continue their attacks in Gaza, causing dozens of deaths every day.

The four members of the Bibas family were kidnapped in Nir Oz during the October 7 attack, when Hamas killed 1,200 people in Israeli territory and captured around 250, of whom little Kfir was the youngest. With its ensuing war on Gaza, Israel has killed nearly 34,000 Palestinians. After announcing the death of his wife and children, Hamas forced Yarden to record a video, which the Palestinian group made public. In the recording, the father blames Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for murdering Shiri, Ariel and Kfir.

Ofri Bibas, 37, is waiting for news of the brother, sister-in-law and two nephews, aged four and one, the only minors still in captivity in Gaza. Luis de Vega

In footage obtained by Israel from a surveillance camera on a street in Khan Yunis and shown on February 19, authorities claim to have identified the three. But that only confirms that they were not killed in the Oct. 7 attack and that they arrived alive in Gaza. Hamas announced their deaths at the end of the one-week truce in the last week of November, in which 105 of the hostages were released. Since then, no other minors have been held hostage in the Palestinian enclave.

Ofri, the childrens aunt, who is eight months pregnant, says she is living on an emotional roller coaster. So when it comes to the negotiations for a new ceasefire deal and agreement to free the hostages, she tries not to be too optimistic. We have already been through many ups and downs and the negotiations failed, she says.

There is no price for the life of my family, there is no price for the life of the hostages, says Ofri. This is not an agreement to buy and sell a car, although we know what Israel has to do, she adds, without forgetting that it was Hamas that captured her relatives and must also be pressured. It is a question, says Ofri, of having a broader perspective, of the war in Gaza, not just a military view although, she understands, it is complicated to find a balance between the military and the diplomatic.

80th birthday, in Gaza

My father can die from war, from starvation, from low oxygen, or he can die from anything else, warns Noam Peri, 41, referring to Chaim Peri, an artist and advocate for peaceful coexistence with Palestinians from Nir Oz who turned 80 in captivity on Saturday. They have not heard from him since he appeared in a video released by Hamas on Dec. 18, the daughter adds. I know many who are not coming back, Noam laments, acknowledging that the information coming from captives in the Gaza Strip does not inspire optimism. She does not want to get her hopes up and be disappointed.

Marks left by the October 7 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz. Luis de Vega

I wouldnt celebrate Passover under any circumstance, says Ofri Bibas, but he understands that he has to do it for his daughter, who is the same age as his cousin Ariel. The girl, who has another younger brother, is excited with her new outfit, says her mother, who calls for justice and humanity to end the nightmare they are experiencing.

As on normal days, these days we are supposed to celebrate together the festival of freedom, agriculture and independence, but these are not normal days, says Ornat Peri, Chaims wife, remembering past Passovers. The art gallery in the fields of Nir Oz where Chaim Peri made his metal sculptures remains closed. The book of childrens stories that he was going to publish for his 80th birthday awaits him. Its ready, and were waiting for him to come back, says his daughter Noam.

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By Crispian Balmer and Angelo Amante

CAPRI, Italy (Reuters) -Group of Seven (G7) major powers pledged on Friday to bolster Ukraine's air defences to counter increasingly deadly Russian attacks and told China to stop supporting Moscow's military industry if it wanted good relations with the West.

Foreign ministers from the G7, comprising the United States, Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Britain, wrapped up three days of talks on the island of Capri that were dominated by wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

They acknowledged they had to do more to help Ukraine, which is struggling to hold off stronger Russian forces, and urged de-escalation in the Middle East, where the deep enmity between Israel and Iran risks triggering a wider regional conflict.

But the ministers also said the multitude of global crises was pulling leading democracies closer together.

"We emerge from this meeting of the foreign ministers more united than ever," said U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Alarmed by growing Russian momentum on the battlefield, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba came to Capri in person to tell G7 allies that they needed to send more aid, saying wars in his home country and the Middle East were linked.

Iran supplies Russia with the same type of armed drones that were used last week as part of its large-scale attack on Israel.

"The narrative that the West has to choose between supporting Israel or Ukraine is wrong because these are two theatres of the same war," Kuleba told reporters.

The G7 said in a statement it would increase security assistance for Kyiv, specifically bolstering "Ukraine's air defence capabilities to save lives and protect critical infrastructure".

Two years after launching its invasion, Russia has been targeting key Ukrainian energy infrastructure, killing hundreds of civilians in its strikes. Russia says the energy system is a legitimate target and denies targeting civilians.

CHINA

Blinken said that, while North Korea and Iran were the main suppliers of weapons to Russia, China was the "primary contributor" to Moscow's defence industry.

"If China purports on the one hand to want good relations with Europe and other countries, it can't, on the other hand, be fueling what is the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War," he said.

Echoing that sentiment, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock told reporters that Berlin could not tolerate seeing China forging closer ties with Russia.

"If China openly pursues an ever closer partnership with Russia, which is waging an illegal war against Ukraine, ... we cannot accept this," she said at the end of the Capri meeting.

Military aid to Kyiv has slowed in recent months, with European partners apparently running low on ammunition and vital U.S. funding blocked by Republicans in Congress.

The U.S. House of Representatives might, however, finally get to vote on a $61 billion package for Kyiv this weekend.

Another key funding issue under review is how to use profits from some $300 billion of sovereign Russian assets held in the West to help Ukraine, as EU member states hesitate over concerns about the legality of such a move.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said there was a legal basis for using the interest from the funds, but experts were now looking to see if the capital itself could be used.

A decision is expected to be taken at a summit of G7 leaders in the Italian region of Puglia in June.

DE-ESCALATION

The foreign ministers' summit ended shortly after what sources described as an Israeli attack on Iran in retaliation for a recent Iranian drone and missile assault on Israel.

The G7 ministers said they would work to prevent conflict between Israel and Iran spiralling out of control, while simultaneously seeking to end the war in Gaza.

"The political objective of the G7 is de-escalation. We have worked and continue to work to be active players in securing de-escalation throughout the Middle East," Tajani said.

Italy has seen a number of pro-Palestinian protests in recent months, some of which have turned violent.

By holding the foreign minister's meeting on a tiny Mediterranean island, Italian authorities were able to prevent any protesters from disturbing the discussions.

However, skirmishes broke out on Friday between police and demonstrators in the southern city of Naples, which lies across the bay from Capri, with crowds chanting "Free Gaza" and holding up a banner that read: "Stop the Genocide".

(Additional reporting by Roberto Mignucci and Gabriele Pileri in Capri, Humeyra Pamuk in Washington, Rachel More in Berlin, writing by Crispian Balmer and Toby Chopra, editing by Alexander Smith)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, German Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock, at the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers. This year, Italy is chairing the Group of Seven of important Western industrialized nations. The wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip are among the most important topics. Britta Pedersen/dpa

The Group of Seven (G7) has strongly condemned Iran for its attacks on Israel but also called on both parties to de-escalate amid reports of Israeli retaliation.

A meeting of foreign ministers from the group of industrialized democracies has been under way on the Italian island of Capri since Wednesday.

A communique to mark the end of the meeting said: "In light of reports of strikes on April 19, we urge all parties to work

to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work to this end.

"We call on all parties, both in the region and beyond, to offer their positive contribution to this collective effort."

The G7 also maintained steadfast support for Ukraine over two years after Russia's invasion.

A separate statement said: "We reaffirm our unwavering determination to support democratic Ukraine as it defends its freedom, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, within its internationally recognized borders.

"We pay tribute to the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people, fighting for their freedom and democratic future."

(L-R)US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Bundnis 90/Die Grunen), British Foreign Secretary David Cameron, and Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, pose for family photos at the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers. Britta Pedersen/dpa

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, speaks during a press conference at the G7 foreign ministers' meeting. Britta Pedersen/dpa
MATTHEWS, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Warrants show that a Gastonia woman is facing charges for an alleged involvement in an illegal gambling operation in Matthews.

The operation, which was one of several raided Wednesday across Mecklenburg and Gaston counties, involves dozens of charges.

The warrants, issued in Mecklenburg County but served in Gaston, said that Nina Nashar was involved in the operation at City Arcade off Independence Boulevard, where she unlawfully, willfully and feloniously did operate 30 cabinet-style (video game machines), six 10-terminal fish tables, and 30 CPI sweepstakes (video game machines).

Mecklenburg County magistrate suspended after allegations of misuse of bond money

Nashar faces a total of around 80 charges, which include a felony charge of Continuing a Criminal Enterprise, along with operating and possessing slot machines.

Queen City News has learned that local law enforcement agencies were involved in the operation in Matthews, as well as in east Charlotte and Gastonia, with North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) agents.

ALE agents also handle enforcement of the states lottery laws.

Nina Nashar. (Mecklenburg County Courthouse)

Nashars address, listed in Gastonia, was reportedly raided Wednesday afternoon, according to authorities.

Two other women who also live at that address were also arrested and are facing a similar list of charges, however warrants for them were not immediately available as of Thursday afternoon. Another person, with a similar last name, was also arrested on similar charges and warrants for them were also not available.

Queen City News has reached out to ALE for comment, along with other law enforcement agencies involved in the operation. No comment had been made by those agencies as of our deadline.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is renewing his call for accountability from cities and counties that receive homelessness funding after an audit showed the state is not adequately tracking the effectiveness of programs meant to help the unhoused.

Newsom on Thursday said the Department of Housing and Community Development will begin overseeing state homelessness grants, namely the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention program, also known as HHAP. The program awards grants to local governments, agencies and organizations to spend somewhat flexibly on homelessness services.

Jurisdictions that fail to comply with state guidelines could ultimately face a lawsuit from the states Department of Justice -- mirroring actions that agency has taken to enforce affordable housing laws.

Newsom touted Attorney General Rob Bontas success at taking legal action against cities like Elk Grove and Huntington Beach over their resistance to approving new housing developments, saying he wanted to see similar action on the homelessness front.

Whats happening on the streets has to be a top priority, Newsom said. People have to see and feel the progress and the change and if theyre not  I am not interested in continuing the status quo.

As the states homelessness crisis has grown, the governor has increasingly called for accountability from those receiving money to combat homelessness. More than 181,000 Californians experienced homelessness on a given night in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Newsom in late 2022 said he was withholding $1 billion in HHAP funding for cities and counties because their plans for how they would use the money were not aggressive enough. The governor later released the funds, but has not dropped his desire to see better outcomes from the states investment.

A reimagined accountability unit will monitor the HHAP plans cities and counties submit and ensure there is regional cooperation between various groups.

When asked whether jurisdictions could lose state money if their homeless populations dont decrease, Newsoms response was vague.

Im not interested in funding failure any longer, Newsom said. So Im going to speak for myself, just one guy thats got three more appropriation cycles in front of him. I want to see results. Everybody wants to see results.

Newsom said he could undertake some of the reorganization through executive actions.

Response to state audit

Newsoms announcement came on the heels of a state audit that found California must do more to assess the cost-effectiveness of its homelessness programs.

He also laid out his new plans more than a month after the narrow passage of Proposition 1, which was championed by the governor and will inject $6.4 billion to mental health and addiction treatment facilities, particularly for those who are in crisis or experiencing chronic homelessness and for veteran housing.

The governor said he was not surprised by the findings of the audit, released April 9. Extending the housing accountability unit to homelessness is responsive to the audits findings, Newsom said.

The audit found California lacks current information on the ongoing costs of its homelessness programs because the state has not consistently tracked and evaluated the states efforts to combat homelessness.

The council has also not aligned its action plan to end homelessness with its statutory goals to collect financial information and ensure accountability and results, State Auditor Grant Parks wrote. Thus, it lacks assurance that the actions it takes will effectively enable it to achieve those goals. Another significant gap in the states ability to assess programs effectiveness is that it does not have a consistent method for gathering information on the costs and outcomes for individual programs.

Nine state agencies have collectively spent billions of dollars in the past five years on at least 30 programs focused on preventing and ending homelessness, with the California Interagency Council on Homelessness responsible for coordinating, developing, and evaluating these efforts, the audit reports.

Full court homelessness press

Newsoms remarks capped a full-court press from the executive branch on homelessness and housing issues Thursday.

In a news conference earlier Thursday, in front of a new affordable housing development in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, Bonta stressed the need to build more low-income housing and hold cities accountable for addressing the states dire affordable housing shortage.

You dont need me to tell me the crisis were in when it comes to homelessness, when it comes to housing and unaffordability in the state of California, Bonta said. Were in a full state of crisis, full state of emergency and when youre in a crisis, when youre in an emergency, its all hands on deck and all tools in the toolbox. Its folks working together. Its everyone doing their part, rowing in the same direction.
As the Israel-Hamas war continues, experts and aid organizations have said a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza following Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 and Israel's military response.

At the beginning of the war, Israel implemented a blockade, severely limiting the amount of food and other supplies into Gaza, resulting in extreme shortages, according to aid officials. Between depleted natural resources, the struggle to import food and an inadequate water supply, international organizations have warned the strip is experiencing "catastrophic" levels of hunger.

A top U.S. humanitarian official, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power, testified before Congress last week that it was "credible" to assess parts of Gaza are experiencing a famine.

IDF's conduct, ethics under scrutiny following soldiers' social media posts

Some aid organizations have accused Israel of not providing enough authorization to deliver sufficient aid and, even when it does give authorization, heavy fighting makes it difficult to deliver that aid. Israel denies the accusations and said the U.N., its partners and other aid agencies have created logistical challenges, resulting in a bottleneck. Additionally, the Israeli government said Hamas often steals aid meant for civilians. The U.N. and Hamas dispute the respective claims.

Since Oct. 7, more than 33,800 people have been killed in Gaza and more than 76,500 have been wounded, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.

ABC News takes a look at key dates and developments in the aid and hunger crisis.

PHOTO: Palestinians line up for a meal in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Dec. 21, 2023. (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Oct. 7, 2023

Around 6:30 a.m. local time, air raid sirens sound in Jerusalem, warning citizens of an attack and to take cover. About 3,000 rockets are fired towards southern and central Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Meanwhile, armed Hamas terrorists launch a surprise attack in southern Israel kibbutzes, killing 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals, including about 800 civilians and more than 300 security personnel. More than 240 hostages are kidnapped and taken into the Gaza Strip.

Mohammed Deif, commander in chief of Hamas' military arm, Al Qassam Brigades, releases a video statement claiming responsibility for the attack.

PHOTO: Surveillance video taken at the Bar Be'eri Kibbuz on Oct. 7, 2023, captured Hamas terrorists taking over the guard house. (Israel Defense Forces)

Oct. 8, 2023

The day after the surprise terrorist attack, Israel's Security Cabinet formally votes to confirm a state of war effective 6:00 a.m. local time on Oct. 7.

"[T]he war that was forced on the State of Israel in a murderous terrorist assault from the Gaza Strip," according to the Israeli government's statement.

The declaration follows comments made the previous day by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he vowed "mighty vengeance" and said the country was preparing for "a long and difficult war."

Oct. 9, 2023

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant orders a "complete siege" of Gaza, cutting electricity to the region and blocking fuel and food from entering the territory from Israel.

Meanwhile, the IDF announces it has mobilized 300,000 reserves, which it says is the largest and quickest call-up in Israel's history.

Oct. 21, 2023

After nearly two weeks of not letting any supplies enter Gaza, the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip briefly opens, allowing the first trucks of humanitarian aid to enter.

The border quickly closes again after 20 trucks carrying supplies, including food, medicine and water, cross into Gaza from the Egyptian side, according to an aid worker on site and Egyptian state media.

PHOTO: The entry of humanitarian aid arrives through the Rafah land crossing into the Gaza Strip, Oct. 21, 2023, in Rafah, Gaza. (Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images)

Oct. 26, 2023

White House national security spokesman John Kirby says 74 trucks of aid have entered Gaza via the Rafah border crossing since Oct. 21 but that it's "not enough."

He adds the U.S. wants "localized, temporary, specific pauses on the battlefield so that humanitarian assistance can get in to people that need it or the people can get out of that area in relative safety."

Oct. 31, 2023

A total of 66 aid trucks carrying food, medicine and water cross into Gaza, which is the "highest single-day delivery" at this point in the war, according to Kirby.

Previously, about 10 to 20 trucks were crossing into Gaza per day.

However, Kirby says the arriving aid is "a trickle compared to what needs to get in and we're gonna keep working that, very, very hard."

Nov. 14, 2023

A fuel shortage stalls aid deliveries from Egypt into the Gaza Strip, a Rafah border crossing official tells ABC News.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which at this point is responsible for receiving and distributing humanitarian aid coming from Egypt, says its trucks ran out of fuel, making it unable to receive aid coming through Rafah.

It marks the first day since Oct. 21 that no aid trucks have crossed into Gaza through Egypt.

Nov. 16, 2023

In southern Gaza, where most of the population has fled to, 70% of people have no access to clean water, Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of UNRWA, tells Al Jazeera.

Lazzarini says raw sewage is "starting to flow in the streets" and warns that if fuel isn't brought into Gaza soon, "We run the risk to have to suspend the entire humanitarian operation."

Nov. 24, 2023

Israel and Hamas agree to a temporary four-day truce that begins at 7:00 a.m. local time. It is extended twice before ending on Dec. 1.

On the first day of the pause, the U.N. says it dispatched 200 trucks from Nitzana, in Israel, to the Rafah crossing. Additionally, 137 trucks of goods are offloaded by the UNRWA reception point in Gaza, making it the biggest humanitarian convoy received since Oct. 7. Hundreds of aid trucks will enter Gaza during the ceasefire.

Over the course of the week, 105 hostages are released by Hamas and 240 Palestinian prisoners and detainees are released by Israel.

Dec. 12, 2023

Israel opens a second border crossing at Kerem Shalom in southern Gaza to allow more aid to enter the strip.

The crossing facilities will be used to screen convoys in parallel to the screening at Rafah to hopefully double the amount of aid that enters Gaza, officials say.

PHOTO: Map of Gaza and Israel (ABC News)

For the past few years, the crossing had been a "commercial" crossing. It was used to get humanitarian aid into Gaza, before it was put under blockade in 2007.

Dec. 21, 2023

The Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Phase Classification (IPC) initiative releases a report saying 100% of the population in Gaza is experiencing a hunger crisis and that "virtually all households are skipping meals every day."

Jan. 23, 2024

UNRWA says 570,000 Gazans are classified as having food insecurity equivalent to famine levels of starvation, as defined by the IPC.

"Intense fighting, access denials & restrictions [plus] communications blackouts are hampering @UNRWA's ability to safely & effectively deliver aid," the organization writes on the social platform X. "As risk of famine grows, @UN calls for a critical increase in humanitarian access."

"Im trying to find something for my kids to eat. The situation is below zero," Maryam Al-Dahdouh, a mother in southern Gaza, says a few days earlier.

Feb. 20, 2024

The World Food Programme (WFP), a U.N. food agency, announces it is temporarily suspending food deliveries to northern Gaza until conditions improve for safer distribution.

The WFP says its aid convoys experienced "complete chaos and violence due to the collapse of civil order," including hungry people trying to climb aboard the trucks, gunfire and violent looting.

Feb. 27, 2024

Ramesh Rajasingham, director of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, says during a briefing that more than 570,000 people are "one step away from famine" and that one in six children under age 2 in northern Gaza is suffering from acute malnutrition.

He says that amid the war, Gaza's agricultural production and fishing industry have collapsed, and livestock have been depleted, leaving the entire population to depend on "woefully inadequate humanitarian food assistance to survive."

At the same briefing, officials from the WFP say there are security risks for humanitarian workers, including shelling and "incidents involving desperate civilians, protests and a breakdown in law and order."

Feb. 29, 2024

More than 100 people in northern Gaza are killed and more than 700 are injured by Israeli troops while waiting for food, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.

However, Israeli officials contend residents surrounded the food trucks and many were trampled during the stampede.

Additionally, the IDF claims self-defense, saying it was there to support the convoy and when people got too close to the tanks securing the route, troops opened fire.

March 2, 2024

The U.S. conducts its own delivery of aid to Gaza, airdropping pallets with more than 38,000 ready-to-eat meals.

As airdrops continue, reports will later emerge that some Gazans drown while trying to obtain airdropped packages that fall into the sea.

Meanwhile, Israel says it is working to increase the amount of aid into Gaza, warning that supplies must not end up in the hands of Hamas.

PHOTO: A U.S. Air Force loadmaster releases humanitarian aid pallets of food over Gaza, Mar. 2, 2024. (Staff Sgt. Jasmonet Holmes/USAF)

March 7, 2024

Enough food to feed "the entire population of Gaza" is waiting outside the Gaza Strip, according to Samer AbdelJaber, WFP director of emergency.

"We need land crossings, we need access to get it into Gaza, whether in the southern parts of Gaza or the northern part of Gaza, because the situation is catastrophic. So having access is really our number one priority," AbdelJaber says.

At this point, at least 20 people have died from malnutrition and dehydration amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.

March 8, 2023

The European Union announces the launch of the Cyprus Maritime Corridor, a naval route facilitated by Europe's most southeastern island, Cyprus, to deliver aid to people in Gaza.

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, says the corridor is a direct response to the dire conditions of civilians in Gaza, where several organizations declared a severe humanitarian emergency that is worsening daily.

March 15, 2023

In a since-deleted post on X, the Israeli Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) claims an average of 126 trucks are entering Gaza daily compared to 70 that were entering daily before Oct. 7, 2023.

COGAT officials also claim there is no limit on the amount of aid that can enter Gaza.

PHOTO: Average Food Trucks Entering Gaza (COGAT)

March 18, 2024

Famine is "imminent" in northern Gaza, as the entire population of the strip experiences high levels of food insecurity, according to an IPC report.

The report says famine in the north of the strip may occur between mid-March and the end of May unless an immediate cease-fire occurs so that essential food and supplies can be delivered consistently to Gazans.

March 24, 2024

Israel tells the U.N. it will no longer approve UNRWA food convoys into northern Gaza.

"By preventing UNRWA to fulfill its mandate in Gaza, the clock will tick faster towards famine & many more will die of hunger, dehydration + lack of shelter," Lazzarini writes in a post on X.

'The worst situation I've ever seen': Aid workers reveal conditions of those living in Gaza

It comes amid disputed allegations that some UNRWA members participated in the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel. UNRWA said it terminated the accused employees after the allegations were made public. An independent investigation by the U.N.'s Office of Internal Oversight is ongoing.

April 1, 2024

Seven aid workers with World Central Kitchen are killed during an IDF attack in Gaza, the organization says, adding that it plans to pause its operations in the region.

The next day, Israel's military chief Herzi Halevi says the airstrike was a "grave mistake" and occurred following a misidentification.

Following news of the WCK worker deaths, several charities announce they are pulling out of Gaza.

PHOTO: World Central Kitchen humanitarian workers killed in Gaza. (World Central Kitchen)

April 5, 2024

Israel agrees to allow more aid into Gaza amid new pressure from the U.S.

President Joe Biden tells Netanyahu that Israel must take concrete steps to address the humanitarian suffering in Gaza or risk losing U.S. support.

PHOTO: Palestinians surround an aid convoy in Gaza. (Israel Defense Forces)

April 9, 2024

A total of 468 humanitarian aid trucks enter Gaza, marking the highest number to enter Gaza in one day since the war began, according to COGAT.

This beats the record set one day earlier, when 419 trucks entered Gaza.

More than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza over the last three days, according to the IDF and COGAT.

Additionally, it is learned that Biden's plan to build a humanitarian pier floating off the coast of Gaza to deliver aid is expected to cost at least $180 million and could top $200 million.

April 10, 2024

USAID Administrator Samantha Power testifies on Capitol Hill, saying it is "credible" to believe famine is currently underway in parts of Gaza based on the IPC initiative analysis.

ABC News' Ayat Al-Tawy, Camila Alcini, Tom Soufi Burridge, Ben Gittleson, Will Gretsky, Justin Ryan Gomez, Bill Hutchinson, Ellie Kaufman and Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.

Gaza aid timeline: How the hunger crisis unfolded amid the Israel-Hamas war originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
German confectionery manufacturer Viba Sweets is taking over the specialist food retail chains Hussel, Arko and Eilles, the company announced on Friday.

Viba Sweets plans to maintain around 160 of the 200 shops currently operated by the three brands, including franchisees.

North German coffee retailer Arko, confectionery specialist Hussel and tea seller Eilles all belong to the Deutsche Confiserie Holding company, which declared bankruptcy in early February.

According to a report in Wirtschaftswoche magazine, around 1,200 employees worked for the three retail chains at the time.

On Friday, Viba Sweets announced plans to absorb about 600 employees in the deal.

The Arko, Hussel and Eilles chains had previously filed for bankruptcy on their own in 2021, citing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but were ultimately able to continue operating.

"If we succeed in turning shopping in our stores into an experience for customers, we are confident that our specialist stores will hold their own on the market and remain a valuable component of attractive city centres," the controlling shareholders of Viba Sweets, Karl Heinz Einhauser and Holger Storch, said in a statement.

The takeover is to take place on May 1 of this year.

According to the company, Viba Sweets will grow from around 450 total employees at present to more than 1,000. The expansion is taking place in economically turbulent times, the company said, particularly in view of cost increases for important raw materials such as cocoa.

"We are aware that the joint path will be challenging," Viba Sweets said.

Viba Sweets is best-known in Germany for its Viba and Heilemann brand nougat products.
Germany's Foreign Office is disputing as "misleading" an Israeli media report about a heated argument between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock over the situation in the Gaza Strip.

"Key points in this account of the hour long meeting between Foreign Minister Baerbock and Prime Minister Netanyahu are wrong and misleading," the Foreign Office wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.

The German ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, made the same statement without offering specifics.

A journalist from the Israeli TV station Channel 13 had previously reported that Baerbock reacted negatively when shown footage from the Gaza Strip depicting markets filled with food during a meeting in Israel on Wednesday.

Baerbock reportedly responded by pointing out widespread hunger in Gaza and offered to show Netanyahu pictures of starving children on her cell phone.

Netanyahu is said to have replied that she should look at photos of the markets and also of people on the beach, as there were no cases of hunger there.

According to the Channel 13 report, Baerbock advised him not to show the pictures as they did not correspond to the reality in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu, in turn, is said to have loudly replied that the photos were real and that Israel was not showing an invented reality like the Nazis. In 1942, for example, the Nazis had a film crew shoot a propaganda film with scenes of everyday life in the Warsaw ghetto, where Jews were forced to live in abysmal conditions.

Baerbock reportedly asked Netanyahu whether he was accusing doctors working in Gaza, as well as the international media, of lying about the situation.

The images of the market stalls filled with fruit and vegetables were published this week by COGAT, an Israeli agency within the Defence Ministry responsible for contacts with the Palestinian Territories and humanitarian aid.

The images show markets in the north of the coastal area, which is particularly affected by food shortages. According to COGAT and aid organizations, some food recently arrived in the area, although aid workers and residents say it remains far from enough.
Germany's Foreign Office is disputing as "misleading" an Israeli media report about a heated argument between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock over the situation in the Gaza Strip.

"Key points in this account of the hour long meeting between Foreign Minister Baerbock and Prime Minister Netanyahu are wrong and misleading," the Foreign Office wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Friday.

The German ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, made the same statement without offering specifics.

A journalist from the Israeli TV station Channel 13 had previously reported that Baerbock reacted negatively when shown footage from the Gaza Strip depicting markets filled with food during a meeting in Israel on Wednesday.

Baerbock reportedly responded by pointing out widespread hunger in Gaza and offered to show Netanyahu pictures of starving children on her cell phone.

Netanyahu is said to have replied that she should look at photos of the markets and also of people on the beach, as there were no cases of hunger there.

According to the Channel 13 report, Baerbock advised him not to show the pictures as they did not correspond to the reality in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu, in turn, is said to have loudly replied that the photos were real and that Israel was not showing an invented reality like the Nazis. In 1942, for example, the Nazis had a film crew shoot a propaganda film with scenes of everyday life in the Warsaw ghetto, where Jews were forced to live in abysmal conditions.

Baerbock reportedly asked Netanyahu whether he was accusing doctors working in Gaza, as well as the international media, of lying about the situation.

The images of the market stalls filled with fruit and vegetables were published this week by COGAT, an Israeli agency within the Defence Ministry responsible for contacts with the Palestinian Territories and humanitarian aid.

The images show markets in the north of the coastal area, which is particularly affected by food shortages. According to COGAT and aid organizations, some food recently arrived in the area, although aid workers and residents say it remains far from enough.

The images of several Palestinians bathing on the beach at Deir al-Balah in the centre of the Gaza Strip, which Netanyahu also mentioned at his meeting with Baerbock, recently went viral on the internet and in the Israeli media.

Gazans told dpa that the people were cooling off in the sea in view of the current high temperatures and also showering there due to the lack of water in Gaza.

"I have no fans, air conditioning or electricity with which we could cope with this situation," said Areej Nassar, who is staying in a tent in Deir al-Balah.

During the day, the temperatures in the tent are unbearable, which is why she and her young children bathe in the sea. She also washes the family's clothes there, she said.

Al-Balah said she fears disease due to the lack of clean water.

"The people outside think that we are enjoying the sea water," 55-year-old Samir al-Ayoubi told dpa. "We have to shower every day and we can only find water in the sea."

The father of five has pitched his tent on the shore of the beach after fleeing the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip to escape a planned Israeli military assault.

According to the World Food Programme (WFP), the rate of food trucks entering the Gaza Strip in March and April was only half as high as in January.

"At the moment, too few trucks are still coming in, there are still long waiting times at the checkpoints and the ongoing fighting does not allow for the safe distribution of aid throughout the country," said Martin Frick, head of the Berlin office of the UN World Food Programme.

Baerbock said during her visit to Israel on Wednesday that there was still not enough aid reaching the area, especially via important land crossings from Israel. She once again called for an increase in aid deliveries and the safe distribution of goods on the ground.

The United States, Israel's most important ally, also recently demanded that Israel rapidly expand the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza. In response, the Israeli war Cabinet decided at the beginning of April to open the Erez border crossing in the north of the coastal region and temporarily open the port of Ashdod for aid deliveries.

Israel argues that there is enough aid coming into the Gaza Strip and that supply problems are due to issues with the distribution of food on the ground.
Women who have been forcibly displaced from West Darfur wait to receive food packages, in a refugee camp in Adre, in Chad, on the border with Sudan, on April 12, 2024.

The progress made in womens sexual and reproductive rights has especially benefited women who are high-income, those who belong to ethnic groups that already had better access to healthcare and those who have received more education. This is the conclusion reached by the latest report published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which was made public this past Wednesday. It confirms that millions of women and girls havent been able to enjoy these advances because of who they are or where they were born.

In a period of a single generation, weve reduced unwanted pregnancies by a fifth, weve lowered the maternal mortality rate by a third and weve approved laws against sexist violence in more than 160 countries, said Natalia Kanem  executive director of the UNFPA  during a meeting with journalists on Monday, April 15. However, she noted, despite this progress, inequities in our societies and in our health systems have widened.

This is because racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination continue to block the achievement of sexual and reproductive rights for millions of women in the world. Kanem warned that womens rights havent been prioritized and, instead, their bodies have been politicized as a weapon to divide society.

The UNFPA document  Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights  is published in the year that marks the 30th anniversary of the Cairo Conference on Population and Development. This was a historic moment in which 179 governments committed  for the first time  to placing womens rights at the center of sustainable development. Since then, the figures support many of the milestones achieved: maternal mortality has fallen by 34% since 2000, while the number of girls and young women who become mothers between the ages of 15 and 19-years-old has declined by a third during the same period. And, between 1990 and 2021, the number of women using modern contraceptive methods has doubled. The number of new HIV infections was also one-third lower in 2021 than in 2010.

However, the UNFPA cautions that women and girls who are poor, who belong to racial, ethnic, or Indigenous minorities, who live in countries in conflict, who have a disability, or who dont identify with heteronormative paradigms are hardly part of the population that has benefited.

The data supports this conclusion. For instance, an African woman with complications during pregnancy or childbirth is 130 times more likely to die than a woman in Europe or North America. But, even if she lives in the United States, if shes Black, the statistics dont work in her favor, either. In fact, the possibility of her losing her life is three times higher than the national average.

About 800 women die every day in childbirth around the world. 500 of these tragedies take place in countries that are embroiled in armed conflicts. Most of these deaths could be avoided with access to adequate healthcare. Meanwhile, a woman with a disability is 10 times more likely to suffer sexist violence than a woman without one, while attacks against LGBTQ+ women are also much more frequent.

Climate crisis and conflicts

Maternal mortality is, according to the UNFPA, a reflection of the disparity that exists between and within territories. In recent decades, in global terms, far fewer women die during pregnancy or childbirth, although the figure has stagnated since 2016 and is worsening in an alarming number of countries.

Mothers die because we havent prioritized their reproductive rights, even though at the Cairo conference 30 years ago, it was [understood] that they didnt have to die in childbirth, Kanen added during her press conference. For example, according to the UNFPA, an African-American woman is more likely to suffer obstetric abuse than a white woman. And, in Madagascar, the richest women are five times more likely to be assisted during childbirth than poor women. Among the rights to be achieved, Kanen recalled that one in four women in the world still cannot say no to having sex with her partner and one in 10 cannot choose the contraceptive methods she wishes to use.

The situation is even more dire in conflicts and in contexts of climate catastrophes, which are becoming more frequent because of global warming. These are situations that leave women without healthcare, Kenan lamented. Whenever there are hurricanes or floods, for example, women and children are  without exception  the most disadvantaged. The executive director of UNFPA emphasized that its the responsibility of the international community to ensure that, in a crisis, women can give birth safely and be protected from sexual violence. The vulnerability of women in conflict is enormous: attacks against them are increasing. And, at the same time, she denounced that health workers and healthcare centers have become targets of war.

Women are being attacked in much of the world, agreed Tlaleng Mofokeng  one of the authors of the report  during the meeting with journalists. There are systems that seek to take away their rights or limit their participation in activism, the researcher added. She advocates for making the invisible visible to continue putting the defense of women at the center of development.

According to the UNFPA, greater investment is the solution to bolstering womens rights. These investments would also generate significant economic benefits, Kanen explained. For example, spending $79 billion on family planning and maternal health at the global level would save one million women from dying in childbirth by 2050. This, in turn, would mean economic benefits worth about $660 billion.

Ending sexist violence  which the U.N. estimates costs the world economy 5% of overall GDP  would result in immediate and long-term benefits for individual productivity and earning potential with impacts cascading across generations, the report adds. Furthermore, Kanen pointed out, promoting gender equality in the public, private and social sectors would add about $12 trillion to global GDP.

Translated by Avik Jain Chatlani.

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Two police officers stand in front of a police vehicle. Police in south-western Germany seized a large arsenal of weapons, including an assault rifle and a machine pistol, during a raid on a suspected drug dealer's home, authorities announced on Friday. Marijan Murat/dpa

Police in south-western Germany seized a large arsenal of weapons, including an assault rifle and a machine pistol, during a raid on a suspected drug dealer's home, authorities announced on Friday.

Police also seized a number of other weapons along with 10,000 rounds of ammunition and narcotics during the search in the town of Schontal, which took place on April 11 but was only publicly disclosed on Friday.

The 46-year-old allegedly bought drugs from six other suspected drug dealers who were arrested at the end of March.

The man is now in custody, according to a police statement. The public prosecutor's office is investigating violations of the Weapons of War Act and the Narcotics Act.
German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck stands with an employee, security officers and delegation members during an air raid alarm in a shelter, the hotel's underground car park. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

Germany's Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck began Friday in a bomb shelter in Kiev because of the threat of incoming Russian missiles and drones.

An air raid alarm was triggered at 4:40 am (0140 GMT) in Kiev, forcing Habeck and his entourage to spend about an hour and a half seeking shelter in the underground parking garage of their hotel before the all-clear signal was given.

Habeck arrvied in Ukraine on Thursday. He is expected to hold further meetings on Friday before travelling on to Moldova, where he will meet Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, several missiles were the cause of the air raid alarm, which initially headed for northern Ukrainian areas and then veered off course.

Russian strikes were reported overnight in the Dnipropetrovsk and Odessa regions.

According to the Ukrainian air defence authorities, 15 of 22 missiles and all 14 drones were intercepted during the night.

Russian authorities also complained about air raids. There was a missile alert overnight in the Belgorod region, which is located on the border with Ukraine.

German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck stands with an employee, security officers and delegation members during an air raid alarm in a shelter, the hotel's underground car park. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck stands with an employee, security officers and delegation members during an air raid alarm in a shelter, the hotel's underground car park. Kay Nietfeld/dpa
German Minister for Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock speaks to journalists after the meeting of the G7 foreign ministers. Britta Pedersen/dpa

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has expressed her anger at reports from Israeli news outlets that there was a massive row between her and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The German ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, was in contact with the prime minister's staff and made it clear what we think of such distorted reports," Baerbock said on Friday at the end of the meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) major industrialized democracies on the Italian Mediterranean island of Capri.

"We are not commenting about confidential talks," Baerbock emphasized.

"My office and the German ambassador in Israel have already addressed this," She added. "We have been told that (they) regret the publication, the source of which is unclear, and we have nothing further to add."

The German Foreign Office in Berlin had previously described a report about a heated argument between Baerbock and Netanyahu on Wednesday as misleading and claimed that "key points" in the reports about the lengthy meeting are incorrect.

The German Foreign Office did not specify what aspects of the reports were allegedly incorrect.

A journalist from the Israeli TV station Channel 13 had reported that a heated argument erupted after Baerbock objected to being shown Israeli government photos that positively depicted conditions in the Gaza Strip, and reiterated her concerns about dire humanitarian conditions there.
Volodymyr Zelensky (L), President of Ukraine, receives Robert Habeck German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, at the presidential palace. Kay Nietfeld/dpa

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck said on Friday that allied support for Ukraine needs to increase as the country faces growing pressure from attacking Russian forces.

Habeck said Ukraine has a right to expect promises from Western supporter will be kept, and that Germany and other partners need to increase their support.

Habeck said that the Ukrainian government's specific requests from Germany related to the military and energy sectors: "Russia has once again used great force to attack the country's energy infrastructure and, because the violence was so brutal, has also achieved a few hits."

Germany is supplying generators and is also looking into the possibility of supplying gas turbines and parts of power plants, Habeck said.

Discussions also addressed whether renewable energy like solar power systems could address Ukrainian needs.

"A large power plant is a target, but 1,000 solar roofs are difficult to hit and 30 wind turbines are also difficult to hit," said Habeck, who also serves as Germany's economy minister.

Ukraine is also concerned with reconstruction and economic prospects as well as the path towards the European Union's single market, Habeck said.

On Thursday, Habeck met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the military situation, as well as German economic development and business investment in the country.

German leaders have been publicly campaigning for NATO allies to supply Ukraine with additional Patriot air defence systems, and last week pledged to send an additional Patriot system from German military stocks.

Ukraine is suffering badly from Russian air attacks with drones, missiles and glide bombs.

In response to a question about the lack of military aid for Ukraine from the United States, Habeck said that Germany, as the strongest economic power in Europe, had "a new task."

He called for an increase in arms production, noting that weapons are in demand both for Ukraine and for the German military.

Habeck began Friday in a bomb shelter in Kiev because of the threat of incoming Russian missiles and drones, with an air raid alarm was triggered at 4:40 am (0140 GMT).

Habeck and his entourage spent about an hour and a half seeking shelter in the underground parking garage of their hotel before the all-clear signal was given.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, several missiles were the cause of the air raid alarm, which initially headed for northern Ukrainian areas and then veered off course.

Ukrainian air defence authorities said that 15 of 22 missiles and all 14 drones were intercepted during the night.

Habeck arrived in Ukraine on Thursday. Later on Friday he travels on to Moldova, where he will meet Moldovan Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
Following a suspected Israeli retaliatory attack on Iran, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has warned against further escalation in the Middle East.

"Everyone must ensure now and in the near future that there is no further escalation of the war," Scholz said on Friday.

He stressed that the position urging restraint is shared by Germany and its allies, but declined to comment further on reports of Israeli strikes on targets in Iran.

Scholz acknowledged on Friday only that there had been "renewed military activity" overnight. Israel has not commented publicly on the reported attack.

Scholz's comments came while attending a conference of his centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) on the German North Sea island of Norderney.

According to US media reports, one or more Israeli missiles were used to attack a target in Iran. There were initially no reports of damage.

Last weekend, Iran attacked Israel with hundreds of drones and missiles, almost all of which were intercepted by Israeli and allied air defences, in retaliation for a suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the spring meeting of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) regional groups. Sina Schuldt/dpa

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the spring meeting of Germany's Social Democratic Party (SPD) regional groups. Sina Schuldt/dpa
Gianforte and Knudsen: Whose side are you on, the people or the polluters?

Koocanusa Reservoir north of the Libby Dam. (Image courtesy U.S. Forest Service)

Its well known that Republicans are friendly to corporations. But, as Montanas top elected officials, Gov. Greg Gianforte and Attorney General Austin Knudsen, increasingly side with the polluters, Montanas citizens are angered and more than justified to ask: Whose side are you on, the polluters or the people?

The latest example of our Republican officials siding with the polluters  and ignoring Montanas Constitution  comes as the Montana Environmental Information Center sues Knudsens Department of Justice for communications it has had with Teck Coal, the Canadian company responsible for the selenium that is polluting Lake Kookanusa.

At first, Knudsen stonewalled the request  an ever more common tactic in the Republican dont ask, because we wont tell approach to governance. Then, the agency told the environmentalists theyd have to pay thousands of dollars to access the public records.

But the mandate of the Montana Constitutions Right to Know provision couldnt be more clear  and you dont have to be an attorney to understand it. Right to know. No person shall be deprived of the right to examine documents or to observe the deliberations of all public bodies or agencies of state government and its subdivisions, except in cases in which the demand of individual privacy clearly exceeds the merits of public disclosure.

There can be nothing in communications between Montanas Attorney General and a foreign mining company that could possibly be considered individual privacy. The merits of public disclosure however, are evident. With the very future of our public waters and fisheries at stake, you bet Montanans want know what our attorney general is discussing with a corporate polluter.

Instead of following the clear Constitutional mandate and honoring Montanans rights, Knudsen claims there is a common interest privilege between his office and the Canadian corporation and wont release the documents. To put it bluntly, Knudsen has one common interest  and thats to lawfully serve the people of Montana to protect our Constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. Period.

Yet, as Knudsen stonewalls public disclosure, Gianfortes administration goes even further by endorsing already failing waste in place remediation at Montanas many toxic waste sites. And citizens are revolting.

The citizens of Columbia Falls are not willing to accept the Department of Environmental Quality signing off on leaving the toxic waste from the defunct aluminum smelter in their community. As the Coalition for a Clean CFAC wrote: Highly toxic waste buried at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Company (CFAC) Superfund site threatens our water, our health, our community, and our economy, if it is not removed. Yet the proposed cleanup plan, written by the companys consultants, would leave the toxic waste-in-place and restrict future economic redevelopment and human use. Forever. Thats not a plan that is good for anyone except CFAC.

Likewise, the citizens of Deer Lodge want the toxic tailings gone from Arrow Stone, their city park on the banks of the Clark Fork River. The thin waste in place soil cover from 1999 has already deteriorated, once again exposing the community to the arsenic slickens now emerging. As Powell Countys planning director said: The community does not want a wastes-in-place remedy. Its not sufficient for the long-term.

If youre noticing a pattern here, thats because the record is clear: Both Gianforte and Knudsen are increasingly siding with corporate polluters over the people of Montana, the very people they were elected to serve. Which is why its no surprise that more and more Montanans arent willing to take fake cleanups and are asking: Whose side are you on  the polluters or the people?

The post Gianforte and Knudsen: Whose side are you on, the people or the polluters? appeared first on Daily Montanan.
Giant Publix shopping cart spotted driving on Brevard's streets. See it here

Did you see that?

A giant  were talking massive  Publix shopping cart was seen driving through the streets of Viera on Wednesday and Thursday.

The oversized buggy was cruising the town to promote the grocery chains latest store opening in Brevard County. Publix at Addison Center, 7655 Stadium Parkway, opened its doors Thursday.

Onlookers gawked and flooded social media with images and videos of this unusual sight driving on the street and even through some neighborhoods. It sent residents doing a double take, questioning what they were seeing and wondering just how many Pub subs they could fit in that ginormous cart.

Who made the giant Publix shopping cart seen driving around Viera?

This giant Publix shopping cart was seen cruising the streets of Viera on April 18 in honor of the opening of the area's newest grocery store.

Total Precision Fabworx, a relatively new Clearwater-based company made the oversized cart. Mike Dunlap, owner of the company, built the mammoth cart with his business partner, Tate Freeman.

It took about three months for two guys to build it in a two-car garage, stretched every square inch out of the space we had to offer for this one, Dunlap said.

What is the size of the giant Publix shopping cart?

The cart stands 119 tall.

Dunlap estimated the cart was about 14 long and a little more than 7.5 at its widest point. He said the cart hasn't officially been weighed, but he believes it to be about 2,000 pounds.

How was the giant Publix shopping cart made?

It started out as a Volkswagon Sand Rail, which is a vehicle stripped down to the barest essentials. It consists of a tube frame, an engine and transmission, front and rear suspension, wheels and tires, brakes, seats and steering.

A good amount of welding took place to construct the actual cart. It looks just like the ones available to shoppers at the front of Publix stores.

The giant cart is made up of a black frame, a seat upfront for a super, super large child to sit, a green bar to push the cart and even ads on the front and sides of the buggy.

Its designed to go no more than 45 mph, which means you wont see the giant Publix cart cruising down Interstate 95.

When was the giant Publix shopping cart first used?

The cart made its debut in November at the Publix corporate offices in Lakeland. According to social media, it started attending grand openings in January.

A spokeswoman for Publix said its used at some grand openings to spread awareness to the community about new stores.

Guess that means a new Publix opened in Brevard County

Good guess.

The 48,387-square-foot store, which opened Thursday, has all the departments Publix customers know and love including a full-service bakery, deli, produce and pharmacy.

Its a two-story design where the second floor has an eating area that overlooks the first floor. Theres also an outdoor are with tables.

This same design is already in place at the Lake Washington Publix, located at 3200 Lake Washington Road, Melbourne.

The giant Publix cart was only here to help celebrate the grand opening.

Its since left town, but no word if it bumped into any cars in the parking lot.

This giant Publix shopping cart was in Brevard this week to promote the opening of the new Viera store.

Spitzer is a Trending Reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@floridatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Giant Publix shopping cart shocks onlookers with drive through Brevard
DANVILLE, Va. (WFXR)Gods Pit Crew volunteers were recently redeployed to Rolling Fork, Mississippi to build and finish a home for a family after a tornado ripped through their town in March 2023.

Following the tornado, Pastor Britt Williamson was busy helping others reconstruct their lives in the Rolling Fork community. He and other community members founded Rolling Fork Rising, a non-profit organization that builds affordable homes for former renters to purchase since many were stranded after the storm. However, he and his family were facing the same situation due to extreme amounts of mold.

The parsonage was condemned and everything we owned we had to leave behind, told Williamson. Gods Pit Crew contacted us last year and told us they wanted to build us a new home, and we just couldnt believe it.

Gods Pit Crew sending relief supplies to Texas Pandhandle

Gods Pit Crew staff and volunteers left Danville on April 2 and traveled to Mississippi with materials needed to rebuild and fully furnished home for the Williamson family. On April 15, the ministry welcomed Pastor Williamson and his family into their brand-new home.

This was the third rebuild project to take place in Rolling Fork and is the first home rebuild of the year by Gods Pit Crew.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Tifany Adams, 54, was one of four people arrested in connection with the killings of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley, who disappeared on March 30, police say

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Tifany Adams (left), Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley

A grandmother who police say is part of a fringe anti-government group allegedly indicated to authorities that she had a role in the slaying of two Kansas woman, one of whom was in a custody battle with her, according to investigators.

Tifany Adams, 54, was arrested alongside three others in connection with the killings of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley, who disappeared on March 30 from a rural Oklahoma road when they were on their way to pick up Butlers children from Adams, Oklahoma officials said at the time.

On April 13, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation announced the arrests of Adams, her boyfriend Tad Bert Cullum, 43, Cole Earl Twombly, 50, and Cora Twombly, 44. All four are allegedly members of a fringe anti-government religious group "God's Misfits," according to a previous affidavit cited by the Des Moines Register and FOX 25.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Cora Twombly (left), Tad Bert Cullum

Related: Slayings of 2 Kan. Women Involved Anti-Government Fringe Group Members and Custody Battle, Police Believe

In a new affidavit by OSBI, authorities claimed that following the arrests, Adams shared information with investigators suggesting she had a role in the killings, The Oklahoman reported.

"After her arrest on April 13, 2024, during a custodial interview, Adams made statements to law enforcement indicating she was responsible for the deaths of Butler and Kelley," Lt. Amie Gates stated in the affidavit, per the outlet.

The new affidavit also confirmed that Butler and Kelley's bodies were found on a property leased by Callum, per the outlet. Authorities claim they also found a stun gun at the site and that Callum had bought five stun guns a few days before the women went missing.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Cole Earl Twombly (left), Tifany Machel Adams

Related: Preacher's Wife and Her Friend Go Missing in 'Suspicious Disappearance,' Okla. Police Say

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Adams was allegedly embroiled in a bitter custody dispute with Butler, the mother of her grandchildren, the Des Moines Register, FOX 25 and WRHN previously reported, citing authorities.

Adams son had custody of the children and has allegedly claimed that Adams often kept the children away from him, authorities said, per the Des Moines Register.

Online records did not indicate plea information for any of the suspects as of Friday. PEOPLE has reached out to Adams' attorney for comment.



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Read the original article on People.
We need good medical care: New Yorkers want to save SUNY Downstate Medical Center

EAST FLATBUSH, Brooklyn (PIX11)  Calls to save SUNY Downstate Medical Center were renewed Thursday. The hospital is facing a looming threat of closure, citing financial struggles and a building in disrepair.

The community rallied to keep the hospital open amidst state budget delays.

How much should you be making as a salaried worker in NYC?

We need good medical care, but we also need good doctors and enough hospital beds, said East Flatbush resident Neville Anglin. Spaces to serve the community at large.

Anglin joined dozens of demonstrators at a rally amidst plans to close the hospital that has served central Brooklyn for more than a century. A wave of determination swept through the streets of Brooklyn as demonstrators marched from The Lenox Road Baptist Church where a prayer service set the tone for their unified stand. With signs held high, the group made their way to the hospitals doorstep while blocking traffic along the way.

Sources at SUNY Downstate have said previously that while they dont plan to close the hospital fully, they are looking to transfer in-patient services to surrounding facilities, including right across the street at New York Health and Hospitals/Kings County. Redetha Abrahams-Nichols is a SUNY Downstate employee who worries that nearby hospitals will be overwhelmed with an influx of patients.

Without this hospital, people have 12 hours waiting times at Kings County Hospital, and I know that for sure because I had two friends that were seen there last night, Abrahams-Nichols said. The hospitals very necessary in this community. It provides a lot of care, transplant, women and childrens care.

The potential closure comes amid what sources say is a financial strain on the hospital and a crumbling building. Governor Kathy Hochul has promised to allocate $400 million in the state budget which was supposed to be passed nearly three weeks ago. Assemblyman Brian Cunningham said that while budget negotiations continue, hes working to ensure SUNY Downstate gets the funding it needs to survive with a new bill hes pushing to get passed.

Make sure that we have $100 million in expenses for SUNY Downstates operating cost for the next year, said Cunningham. As well as $300 million in a lockbox tied to a commission that would study the future of SUNY Downstate.

The assemblyman said he and other lawmakers would continue budget negotiations through Friday when he expects the state budget to be finalized.

A spokesperson for Governor Kathy Hochul says shes currently working on a plan to stabilize SUNY Downstate.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
All of the major Chinese cities are experiencing subsidence (sinking over time) to some extent. This process has been ongoing for years, with recent satellite data revealing an accelerated sinking rate of several millimeters to one centimeter per year. This sinking is attributed to both natural geological factors and human activities, particularly the excessive depletion of aquifers. The rapid urbanization in China in recent decades seems closely linked to the accelerated pace of subsidence in the region. Approximately 300 million urban Chinese are witnessing the ground sinking beneath their feet.

A few years back, a team of scientists highlighted numerous land subsidence events worldwide. Many were pinpointed in Chinas densely populated regions. Recently, Chinese researchers used an advanced tool similar to LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to monitor terrain-elevation changes in 82 cities with over two million residents. The InSAR (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar) system on the European Space Agencys Sentinel-1 satellite can detect minuscule altitude variations for each terrain pixel, equivalent to 40 x 40-meter surface grids. Since 2015, theyve tracked changes using satellite data and recently published the studys findings in Science.

The study found that 44.7% of large Chinese cities are sinking at a rate of at least three millimeters per year, affecting about 270 million urban residents. Additionally, 15.8% of the area is sinking even faster, with nearly 70 million people impacted by rates exceeding 10 mm/year. Some urban areas sink as much as 2.2 centimeters annually. Tianjin, with over 15 million residents, leads the list of the most heavily affected cities. The sinking cities are mainly in the eastern and southern parts of China, areas that have driven the countrys modernization in recent decades.

The accelerated sinking is caused by human activities, primarily the depletion of aquifers. When water is extracted faster than it can be replenished, empty spaces form underground, leading to land subsidence. The study linked the depletion rates of 1,619 Chinese aquifers to the extent of land subsidence in nearby cities. Another significant factor is the vertical expansion of new cities  tall, heavy buildings also contribute to subsidence. The study found that newer and taller buildings experience more sinking. Highways and heavy traffic also exert pressure on the ground, causing subsidence. In Beijing, areas near roads are sinking up to 45 millimeters annually. Practices like hydraulic fracking for hydrocarbon extraction and mining also impact land subsidence. In Pingdingshan, a coal-rich industrial city, the land is sinking by over 10 centimeters per year.

When an area sinks uniformly under infrastructure, there is no angular distortion. The problem is when subsidence is not uniform. Roberto Tomas, Alicante University (Spain)

Venice is sinking at a rate of 1.6 millimeters a year, said Roberto Tomas, a professor at Alicante University (Spain) and an expert in subsidence and civil engineering. For comparison, Lorca and the Guadalentin valley were sinking 100 millimeters annually (now down to 80) due to groundwater extraction. Aquifer exploitation in this part of Murcia, Spain, has led to the most severe case of subsidence in Europe. Tomas says a three-millimeter annual rate isnt concerning, but 10 millimeters certainly is. Thats a rate of one centimeter per year, 10 centimeters in a decade. Tomas helped develop a global subsidence map showing its worldwide scope, and says it aligns with factors causing subsidence in Chinese cities: Soft sediments, the sprawl of urban development, cities popping up out of nowhere with all the infrastructure, all the people and their water demands.

Tomas, who is part of a UNESCO team on subsidence, highlights the significance of differential settlement  when one part of a structures foundation settles faster or more than another. He says we should pay closer attention to uneven soil sinking rather than just the total amount. When an area sinks uniformly under infrastructure, there is no angular distortion. The problem is when subsidence is not uniform. He offers two examples in Spain that he has studied extensively: Lorca and Murcia. Lorca sinks more than any other urban area in Europe, but there is no damage to buildings because its a uniform subsidence. The opposite happens in the city of Murcia. In the 1990s, he helped prepare a report identifying 150 buildings in Murcia with significant damage from uneven sinking that would cost 150 million ($163 million) to remedy.

Favorable geological environments like deltas and floodplains are abundant in China, and even more so in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia. Robert J. Nicholls, Tyndall Center for Climate Change Research

Robert J. Nicholls is the director of the Tyndall Center for Climate Change Research, a partnership between the universities of East Anglia, Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle and Fudan University in Shanghai. He argues that subsidence isnt a worldwide issue in the strictest sense. Subsidence only occurs where geological conditions allow. Favorable geological environments [for subsidence] like deltas and floodplains are abundant in China, and even more so in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia. In these areas, urban pressure and groundwater extraction contribute to subsidence, among other causes, he says.

The Science study predicts that Chinas coastal cities will sink below sea level in the next 100 years. Over half of the 82 cities studied are located by the sea or just a few kilometers away. This presents a dual challenge: land subsidence and rising sea levels due to climate change. The outcomes hinge on actions taken to address both issues. To combat land subsidence, a highly effective method used in Murcias valleys since the 1970s was adopted by Osaka and Tokyo, cities that halted their sinking by replenishing more water than they extracted. Under worst-case climate scenarios and without mitigation efforts, a quarter of Chinas coastal urban areas could resemble Venice and New Orleans by 2120.

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The six candidates running for the GOP governor nomination weigh in on the death penalty. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Indianas death penalty law exists in name only. What would Indianas GOP candidates for governor do differently?

In recent years some public defenders have suggested its time to repeal the law, which hasnt been used to execute someone since 2009. Thats because Indiana  along with other states  has struggled to obtain the drugs necessary to carry out a lethal injection.

Alabama recently carried out the nations first execution by nitrogen hypoxia. An AP reporter who viewed the execution described Kenneth Smith thrashing and gasping as prison officials administered the gas. Ohio is considering adding the new method to its law.

None of the six candidates immediately backed changing methods. They spoke mostly in generalities.

I dont think its time to get rid of the death penalty. I believe in it. I support it in the sense that there are certain levels of crime in our code that they require, they call for the death penalty. I think its necessary in that sense, said Curtis Hill, a former state attorney general.

But he said it has become somewhat irrelevant because procedural issues cause cases to linger too long.

Thats a pretty good incentive, if you will, for staying away from major crimes of that nature. If you have a crime today and it takes 20 years to carry out the sentence  it definitely doesnt become as important in our current justice system as it would have been had the sentence been carried out more quickly, Hill said.

Indiana has eight men on Death Row and at least four of them have exhausted all their appeals. One man has been waiting 31 years. But the Indiana Department of Correction (DOC) doesnt have the three drugs it would use for the lethal injection cocktail: methohexital, pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride.

There also are fewer death penalty cases making it through the system, partly due to cost. Four death penalty cases statewide are pending trial, according to the Indiana Public Defender Council. No one new has been added to Death Row since 2014.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch said she would direct the DOC to redouble its efforts to find the required drugs or other appropriate drugs to carry out these sentences.

And she said any change in execution method should be done in consultation with medical and public safety experts and the General Assembly.

If they recommend a change in the execution method to me as governor, I would consider their proposal, Crouch said.

U.S. Sen. Mike Braun said he would consider input from federal authorities and other states in addition to health experts but that When used, the death penalty should be swift and painless.

All life is precious, and the death sentence is a very serious penalty reserved for those guilty of the most heinous of crimes. I trust Hoosier jurors and judges to understand the gravity of the sentence and hand it down when appropriate, he said.

Pro-life?

Both Crouch and Hill are staunch anti-abortion advocates but distinguished their beliefs on life.

A human being growing and living in a mothers womb is innocent life; a person convicted of a capital offense does not represent innocent life. I will always stand for the protection of innocent life, Crouch said.

Hill said the death penalty involves a person who has forfeited their right to life based on an egregious act determined in a court of law.

Theres no comparison between a convicted murderer who was found to have committed aggravated circumstances and an unborn child who requires some protection, Hill said.

Eric Doden, a Fort Wayne businessman also seeking the governorship, said he would continue to work with other states and stakeholders to enforce Indianas laws through whatever legal means or methods available.

And he differentiated his pro-life views by saying America is built on a bedrock commitment to law and order. Upholding that commitment and protecting our most vulnerable citizens means accountability through our justice system, including capital punishment in the most heinous cases.

Candidate Brad Chambers was sent three questions on the death penalty but only responded with, Itll be my obligation as governor to enforce state law as written. If the state can carry out executions as the law provides, well do so.

The devout Jamie Reitenour shared the story of Jesus on the cross when asked about the death penalty, saying that when the two thieves next to him talked about getting down, he offered eternal hope after death to those willing, rather than releasing them.

 a baby hasnt done anything wrong, so I kind of put those two in separate categories, she responded when asked about how her anti-abortion beliefs squared with her position on the death penalty.

 I would just say that the death penalty is super, super rare  it should be. But in the cases where it needs to apply, the judges have weighed in on that and I would not be a person that would interfere with that, she concluded.

The post GOP gubernatorial hopefuls talk Indianas dormant death penalty appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
Republican impeachment efforts against President Biden and his Cabinet appear to have hit a brick wall after the Senate swiftly dismissed articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

Senators dismissed a pair of impeachment articles Wednesday after less than three hours of procedural bickering, closing out the House GOPs yearlong effort to oust Mayorkas with a whimper.

And despite some Republican interest in plowing ahead with a push to impeach Biden, the road to do so appears increasingly closed off and many congressional Republicans say theyre ready to move on from all things impeachment.

I dont think we can do anything, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the effort to impeach Mayorkas, said in response to a question from The Hill shortly after Wednesdays votes.

I mean, if we had courage in the House, we might refuse to fund a salary  theres things like that in the next budget process  If Republicans remember that controlling the House means you have the power of the purse, we can do all kinds of things. We really can. We can do everything, but it requires leadership that has the courage to push it through. And we dont have that right now.

Conservatives came into the current Congress vowing to hold Biden administration officials  and the president himself  accountable.

While voting down the Mayorkas impeachment ended the legislative effort to make him the face of the border crisis, House conservatives have no shortage of names of Biden officials theyve floated for a possible impeachment.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and even FBI Director Christopher Wray have all had resolutions filed to boot them from their posts, but none have gone anywhere.

At the top of the list, however, is the president himself, with a trio of House committees investigating Biden and his family.

For House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), Wednesdays events in the Senate cemented the belief that the best way to end his probe into the president was with criminal referrals to the Justice Department, not an impeachment vote.

Its an idea he floated ahead of the Senate proceedings on Mayorkas, and one skeptics say is a pathway for avoiding a tough vote in the House  though Comer said such a vote is still on the table.

Thats why Ive always said that I think a better route for accountability is the criminal referrals, he said Wednesday. But at the end of the day, you know, we got a problem here where we believe there have been impeachable offenses committed. So what do you do? I mean, you have a constitutional responsibility. Its unfortunate the Senate didnt take it any more seriously.

Still, several members of the House insisted the Senates swift dismissal has not diminished their appetite for impeachment.

Look, we should always just do what we think is appropriate. If the Senates not going to take up a properly formed past impeachment, thats on them. I mean, theres nothing that we can do constitutionally to do something about that. All of this is just political consequences, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said.

Mayorkas deserved to be impeached, he was impeached, thatll forever be a part of history as it should be.  And I think if we have someone else that needs to be impeached, we should pursue it for the appropriate reasons. Thats our job. If the Senate is not going to convict, thats on the Senate.

Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) likewise called for careful consideration of responsibly utilized impeachments.

I think its a complete dereliction of duty not to run that full trial process, he said, borrowing a term that the House once mulled as a charge for Mayorkas.

But he said that doesnt dampen enthusiasm in the House.

Were gonna do our job. And were going to do it [with] integrity for the process. Were going to do it with carefulness and thoughtfulness, as it should be. But were not going to short shrift it over here just because [Senate Majority Leader] Chuck Schumers not willing to do his job in the Senate.

House Rules Committee ranking member Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) said he had no doubt his colleagues on the other side of the aisle would forge ahead.

The crazies will continue to be crazy here, he said.

They will continue to do stuff that makes no sense and, you know, theyre starved for attention. Maybe they didnt get enough love in their childhood. I dont know what it is. But they will continue to do this. I dont expect theyre expecting insanity to end. I wish it would. But they just seem to continue to do the same old, stupid stuff time and time again.

Across the Capitol, senators widely expect that Wednesdays brief proceedings ended their work on impeachment for the year.

Although most Republicans remain upset with how the Mayorkas impeachment trial process went down, they dont have a desire to have a third presidential impeachment trial come down the rails in a matter of just six years. They are also content to let things play out at the ballot box in a little more than six months.

It didnt take much chamber time, but it distracted us from a number of other things that we needed to deal with, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said. Hopefully were going to learn from this and this just [does] not become a standard part of the process when you have different parties in the White House and the House in charge.

Part of the timing Tillis pointed to is Wednesdays trial taking up a full work day when the chamber could have instead been dealing with the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Senators are attempting to strike an agreement to vote ahead of the deadline of midnight Friday to avoid a lapse of the program.

Some conservative senators see impeachment being closed off as an option for the rest of the year for a different reason. They argue that Schumers call to dismiss the articles before a trial could even take place will likely scare off any other attempts this year.

Id say impeachment could be done for a good while when you set the precedent of not having a trial for the first time ever. Its been devalued by what Schumer did, and I think you can expect that kind of thing to happen if theyd ever initiate it on the other end, Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) said.

I think that was a terrible precedent to set, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
GOP lawmaker slams Republican colleagues over Ukraine support: They would like to see the Russians win

GOP lawmaker slams Republican colleagues over Ukraine support: They would like to see the Russians win

Republican Rep. Don Bacon (Neb.) ripped into his colleagues who oppose further funding for Ukraine, arguing they would like to see Russia win the more than two-year war against Kyiv.

Now for Ukraine, they have no more artillery. If we do not do this, the Russians will be in Kyiv. Unfortunately, a few of my colleagues would like to see the Russians win. I dont know why that is the case. I think its a terrible thing, Bacon said in an interview with C-SPAN.

His remarks come as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) attempts to move forward a series of foreign aid bills that would include funding for Ukraine, Israel, allies in the Indo-Pacific and other national security priorities. Votes on separate portions of the package are expected by this weekend.

The move to bring Ukraine aid to the floor was quickly criticized by some members of the Houses right flank, who argue funding should be geared toward domestic issues, including the security of the U.S. southern border.

Ukraine wants to be free. They want to have a free market economy. They want to be part of the West, and it can be a game changer for Europe, for Ukraine to do that, Bacon said. We should help them on that path.

Johnson is facing mounting scrutiny from House conservatives who are pressing him to use the GOPs House majority to clinch greater Republican victories.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) introduced a motion to vacate Johnson from the Speakership last month over his handling of government spending and move to bring Ukraine aid to the floor.

Bacon acknowledged the possibility of Johnson being booted from the top spot but expressed confidence that the Speakers support would save him from any motion to vacate.

I believe it may happen, but I think theres enough support that Speaker Johnson is going to remain, and he should, Bacon said. Hes been a good man. Hes a man of character. Hes trying to do the right thing, whether you always agree with him or not.

He means well; hes trying his best. He has a good compass, moral compass and he seeks the need to get this done, he continued.

Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas.) expressed a similar sentiment to CNN earlier in the day, arguing those behind the motion to vacate are siding with Russia.

I guess their reasoning is that they want Russia to win so badly that they want to oust the Speaker over it, Crenshaw said Thursday. I mean, its a strange position to take.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Gov. Kemp orders state Capitol, Muscogee County flags to fly at half-staff Saturday in honor of Col. Ralph Puckett

ATLANTA (WRBL)  Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has ordered the American and Georgia flags atop the state Capitol in Atlanta and flags in Muscogee County be flown at half-staff on Saturday in honor of Medal of Honor recipient Col. Ralph Puckett.

Col. Ralph Puckett, Jr. was a true American hero and the last living person to receive the Medal of Honor for actions in the Korean War. In honor of his distinguished life and service, I have ordered flags at the State Capitol and in Muscogee County to half-staff on Saturday, the governor posted via X, formerly known as Twitter, late Thursday.

Col. Puckett died April 8 at his north Columbus home. He was 97.

His family thanks you for this honor, Jeannie Puckett said. We live in gratitude for his life.

Saturday, a celebration of his life will be held at the National Infantry Museum parade field beginning at 11 a.m.

On April 29, Col. Pucketts ashes will be lying in honor at the U.S. Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C.

Previous Reports:

Korean Conflict Medal of Honor recipient Col. Ralph Puckett passes away in his sleep; He was 97

Medal of Honor recipient Col. Ralph Pucketts remains will lie in honor later this month at the U.S. Capitol

Watch: Celebrating the life of Col. Ralph Puckett at the National Infantry Museum

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
Grand jury indicts man accused of killing his mother, a teacher in Frostproof

Grand jury indicts man accused of killing his mother, a teacher in Frostproof

BARTOW, Fla. (WFLA)  A grand jury has returned an indictment against the former high school valedictorian turned accused killer.

In the indictment handed up Wednesday, a jury of Emmanuel Espinozas peers found evidence he committed first-degree murder and tampered with evidence in connection to the death of his mother, Elvia Espinoza.

Emmanuel Espinoza faces a judge Thursday on grand jury indictment

The indictment finds he did unlawfully from a premeditated designkill Elvia Espinozaby cutting and/or stabbing Elvia Espinoza with a knife and/or sharp object.

According to count two of the indictment, the grand jury found Espinoza tampered with evidence by cleaning a knife.

Youre going be held no bond at this time on both counts, a judge told Espinoza Thursday during his first appearance.

Judd releases 911 call of man admitting to stabbing mother to death

Espinoza has been held on no bond since criminal charges were filed after the murder.

An indictment adds weight to the existing capital felony case against Espinoza.

According to the Polk County Sheriffs Office, Espinoza, 21, a pre-med student who was the valedictorian of his 2020 high school class in Frostproof, traveled from college to his mothers home on April 6.

The second she opened the door, he charged in and started stabbing her. He made the statement that he knew where to stab her for maximum effect because of his biology classes, said Sheriff Grady Judd during a news conference last week.

Elvia Espinoza

Source: Polk County Sheriffs Office

Espinoza told detectives his mother got on his nerves, according to the sheriff.

A representative from the state attorneys office said a decision on whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty will be made in the coming weeks.

Elvia Espinoza, 46, was a grandmother and beloved second grade teacher at Ben Hill Griffin Elementary School in Frostproof.

Totally shocked: Longtime friends say slain Frostproof teacher was born to educate

It doesnt make any sense. Its bizarre. Only, I guess only God would know why something like that would happen. Our town is hurting, said Chuck Thornton, a neighbor and longtime friend of Elvia Espinoza.

Thornton said Espinoza would often cook Mexican food for her neighbors.

I could describe Elvia as being just full of grace. She was the sweetest friend, the best mom. We all wish we had moms like Elvia, said Thornton.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The contents of the now-closed Grand Rapids Brewing Company were auctioned off Thursday.

Everything from posters and TVs to kegs and tables were auctioned off online. Interested buyers were invited to stop by from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to inspect the items. The auction ran from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

By Thursday afternoon, the price for the brewerys sign had reached past $2,000, with more than 100 bids. It ended up going for $2,105, biddergy.com shows.

The Grand Rapids Brewing Co. sign at the brewerys former site downtown. (April 18, 2024)

The name on the sign dates back to pre-prohibition. Six breweries joined together to form the Grand Rapids Brewing Company in January of 1893, according to the brewerys website. It came to a crashing halt during the prohibition in 1920, later merging with other breweries and then leaving Grand Rapids.

The Grand Rapids Brewing Co.s former site downtown. (April 18, 2024)

Grand Rapids Brewing Company was brought back to life in 2012 when the modern-day business opened at the corner of Fulton Street and Ionia Avenue, showcasing some of the same beer recipes from the 1800s.

On Feb. 23 of this year, the brewery caught fire. The flames started in a fryer in the basement before traveling to the roof through the exterior HVAC system.

A burning building along Fulton Street in downtown Grand Rapids. (Feb. 23, 2024)

There were no injuries and the damage was relatively minimal, the Grand Rapids Fire Department chief told News 8 at the time. Still, a month later it announced it would not be reopening its doors.

Downtown Grand Rapids has been our cherished home, where each pint represented craftsmanship, community and resilience, Ned Lidvall, CEO of Project BarFly, parent company of Grand Rapids Brewing Company, said in a news release. Lets raise a final toast to the memories and friendships made. To our team and the city of Grand Rapids, thank you for being part of our journey.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Winners of items in the auction can pick up their items on Monday or Tuesday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Grandmother in town for graduation was sexually assaulted on TriMet platform, court docs say

Editors Note: This story includes details of sexual violence that may be disturbing for some readers.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A Hillsboro man faces several sex abuse charges after he allegedly assaulted an unconscious woman on a TriMet platform in 2023, according to court records.

Eduardo Guillermo Madrid-Roque, 29, is accused of six counts of sexual abuse, three counts of unlawful sexual penetration and two counts of public indecency in Washington County.

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The woman, a 63-year-old grandmother visiting the area to attend a grandsons graduation, had flown into town and taken the MAX line to the Hillsboro transit center on June 14, 2023. She got off at the stop around 8 p.m.

A poor interaction with her medication left her entirely incoherent and led her to sit down on the sidewalk to take off her pants and eventually lay down, officials said.

While on the flight, [the woman] had a glass of wine, but due to a recent change in her prescription medication, she had a bad reaction causing her intoxication level to be higher than expected, according to court documents.

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Surveillance footage showed Madrid-Roque getting off a bus at the station, where he immediately noticed [the woman] on the ground and waiting for the bus to leave before approaching her.

For the next 30 minutes, the defendant sexually abused [the woman] at varying intervals in the middle of the transit station, prosecutors said. The defendant paused his abuseon three separate occasions when other individuals neared the vicinity.

Video taken at the transit center then shows Madrid-Roque pick up his belongings and walk away before getting on a bus to leave the station, court documents show.

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Transit police eventually found the woman still laying on the sidewalk of the station, unaware of her surroundings and disoriented around 10:40 p.m. She was immediately taken to the hospital, and had no recollection of the sexual assault the next morning.

Police found DNA evidence from the scene that confirmed Madrid-Roques identity. He is currently in custody at the Washington County Jail.

TriMet sent the following statement to KOIN 6 News:

As you know, we do not comment on specific details about open investigations or litigation. We absolutely support their efforts to bring people to justice for the crimes they have committed, and we look forward to working with them to determine what happened and whether it happed on TriMet property. We identified and helped arrest the individual and our security video team was instrumental in making that happen. Our thoughts are with the person after what sounds like a horrific incident.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
FRIDAY, 04/26/2024, 6:20 p.m.

(WFRV)  A 37-year-old Green Bay man charged with arson and five counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety following a fire at a motel in Ashwaubenon was back in court on Thursday for a status conference.

Court records show that John Bartelt, 37, was back in the Brown County Courthouse, where he and an attorney waived the time limits for a preliminary hearing.

Bartelt will be back in court on June 21 for another status conference.

Green Bay man charged with arson following fire at Ashwaubenon motel, cash bond set at $500k

THURSDAY, 04/18/2024, 4:18 p.m.

(WFRV)  A man from Green Bay was officially charged with arson and five counts of 1st-degree recklessly endangering safety following a fire at a motel in Ashwaubenon.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by Local 5, 37-year-old John Bartelt is facing multiple charges after allegedly starting a fire in a motel in Ashwaubenon. On April 5 around 9:50 p.m., authorities were sent to a motel for a report of a man that cut his hand and was bleeding.

When officers got to the scene, they reportedly went to a room where the caller said he was bleeding. The man was later identified as Bartelt.

Wisconsin deputies investigating complaints of man allegedly watching kids, asking if they need a ride

Police reportedly asked him to open the door, but Bartelt did not want the door to be opened. The complaint says that he told authorities there was glass, and he wanted band-aids slipped under the door.

Eventually, police started to walk back to their cars when a person was waving their arms out of a window. The officers reportedly saw a flame that was about four feet high coming from a room.

Authorities were unable to get into the room where Bartlet was, and a police battering ram was later requested. The complaint says that officers were able to make entry around 10:20 p.m.

The fire was later knocked down as crews started to spray water in the room. Dispatch reportedly told those on the scene that the suspect, Bartlet, had been incarcerated for the last 21 years and hoped to get into a shootout with officers. This information reportedly was noted from a recent call.

Later, officers saw a man in the window where fire crews were working, and he had his hands in the air. Bartlet was taken into custody. He reportedly claimed that he kicked a candle over and started the fire.

The complaint says that a member of the Brown County Arson Task Force investigated the scene, and said there was overwhelming evidence that this was not a fire by accident.

There were reportedly over 50 guests at the motel, and Bartlet was the only one inside that room. The room was reportedly registered to him.

Wisconsin man arrested after trying to enter vehicles outside Manitowoc County business

The fire reportedly caused a considerable amount of damage in the room. The entire second floor of the motel reportedly remained closed for several days.

Bartelt is charged with:

Arson of Building, Repeater Felony Up to 40 years in prison (Can be increased by six years due to repeater)

First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Repeater Felony Up to 12 and a half years in prison (Can be increased by six years due to repeater)

First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Repeater Felony Up to 12 and a half years in prison (Can be increased by six years due to repeater)

First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Repeater Felony Up to 12 and a half years in prison (Can be increased by six years due to repeater)

First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Repeater Felony Up to 12 and a half years in prison (Can be increased by six years due to repeater)

First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety, Repeater Felony Up to 12 and a half years in prison (Can be increased by six years due to repeater)



Court records show that Bartelt was in court on April 17 for his initial appearance. He had a cash bond set at $500,000. He is due back in court on April 25 for a preliminary hearing.

Fully loaded semi-tractor trailer rolls over on I-41, Wisconsin man arrested for OWI after .297 breath test

No additional information was provided.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
An abortion rights rally at the Idaho Capitol in May 2022. A group of residents have formed a 501(c)(4) political action organization called Idahoans United for Women and Families to explore a 2026 ballot initiative that would restore access to reproductive care statewide, including abortion. (Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun)

Following a legislative session with no action taken to clarify or amend Idahos near-total abortion ban, some residents have formed a political group called Idahoans United for Women and Families to explore options for a possible 2026 ballot initiative that would restore and protect access to reproductive care statewide, including abortion.

Idaho has a near-total ban on abortion with narrow exceptions for rape and incest during the first trimester of pregnancy and to save the pregnant patients life. Those prosecuted for performing an abortion are subject to two to five years in prison and the revocation of their medical license, along with potential civil lawsuits by family members of the person who terminated a pregnancy.

Now that the session is over, and in the absence of a remedy, we are moving full steam ahead, said Melanie Folwell, the groups spokesperson.

Idaho has a citizen ballot initiative process, but only the Legislature can propose constitutional amendments. So unlike several other states that are attempting to use ballot initiatives to amend the state constitution to include abortion rights, the initiative language for this effort must come in the form of proposed legislation for voters to approve. What that language would say is to be determined, Folwell said, particularly because the state has passed many laws related to abortion over the years that may be difficult to untangle with one piece of legislation.

The ballot initiative process requires involvement from the attorney generals office, which is responsible for certifying the petition in conjunction with the secretary of states office. After the petition is approved, organizers can gather signatures for 18 months before April 30 of the election year, and must meet a signature threshold equal to at least 6% of registered voters from the prior election in 18 of the states 35 legislative districts. Based on the 18-month window given by Idaho law, signature gathering could begin as early as this fall.

Folwell said the purpose of launching this early is to start an awareness campaign and to raise funds that would be used to consult legal experts in forming the ballot language, as well as legal fees for anticipated battles with the Attorney General Raul Labradors office.

Dan Estes, spokesperson for Labradors office, said without details of what the proposed language would be, he did not have a comment.

Individuals involved with the group have already raised funds once for a poll commissioned in 2022, and Folwell said people were eager to help fund that effort. She said she anticipates being able to raise the necessary funds from within the state, and that may be the only option. Idahoans United for Women and Families is a 501(c)(4) group that can take unlimited donations that are not tax deductible.

We will be pursuing the support of national organizations as we move forward, and we look forward to them coming to the table to support this work, but if we do need to go it alone, we are willing and able to do that, she said.

Eastern Idaho board member: Abortion decisions shouldnt involve government

Idahos ban went into effect in August 2022, and in that time, 22% of practicing OB-GYNs have left the state, along with half of the states maternal-fetal medicine specialists. Three clinics across the state closed their maternal services, forcing some to drive more than an hour each way for routine maternity care. Hospitals and clinics have also reported difficulty recruiting new OB-GYNs and specialists to fill those empty spaces, citing a significant drop in out-of-state applications for positions. Dr. Sara Thomson, an OB-GYN in Boise and a representative of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said at an April event that 58 of 268 OB-GYNs had left the state or retired between August 2022 and November 2023, and over the same time period, just two OBs moved to the state to practice.

Maternal care doctors have routinely told lawmakers that the way the law is written makes it difficult to feel confident that if they needed to terminate a pregnancy for a patient experiencing significant complications that could affect their health, not just threaten their life, they would not be prosecuted or lose their license. Rather than potentially violate their oath to do no harm to a patient through delays in care or refusal to treat someone, many doctors have elected to practice in states that do not have criminal abortion laws.

Summer Jackman, board member for Idahoans United for Women and Families

Summer Jackman, a lifelong Idahoan who owns a small business and is a mother of three in Pocatello, is a board member for Idahoans United for Women and Families. (Courtesy of Summer Jackman)

Summer Jackman, a lifelong Idahoan, small business owner and mother of three in Pocatello, is one of the board members for Idahoans United for Women and Families. She said she does not believe in unrestricted access to abortion, but she does believe in common sense laws that allow women to make decisions between themselves and their doctors. She is an unaffiliated voter who said she believes in limited government.

I dont like the idea that a woman has to literally be nearly dead before a physician feels comfortable moving ahead with a procedure, Jackman said.

Jackman added that her oldest daughter is starting nursing school in Utah, and is hesitant to return to Idaho after shes done with school because of the law.

One of the reasons she decided to speak out, she said, is because she thinks many people agree on the topic of abortion but there is an unwillingness to talk about it openly because it has been painted as a divisive topic.

The environment of it being very black and white; youre either pro-life or pro-choice. I just think thats a false narrative that weve been presented with for so long, she said. I hate that we cant talk about it with more compassion, empathy, science and common sense without the fear of having it be one way or the other.

Poll results in Idaho consistent with nationwide opinions

In August 2022, a poll conducted by FM3 Research surveyed 603 likely voters in Idaho through a combination of calls, emails and texts soliciting their opinions on abortion and abortion policy. The poll has a margin of error of 4%.

The results showed 59% of those surveyed believe abortion should be legal in almost all cases or in some cases with restrictions, while 28% said it should be legal in just a few cases. And when presented with a question about the decision of having an abortion, 63% said it should be a decision made between a woman, her family and her doctor rather than a matter to be legislated and enforced by law.

Nationwide, recent polling from KFF Health shows 66% of registered voters believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases, and 17% thought it should be illegal in all cases.

Another 63% of Idahoans surveyed said they strongly or somewhat oppose making it a felony for a health care provider to perform or attempt to perform an abortion, while 31% said they somewhat or strongly support it.

Mike Conner, a pastor at First United Methodist Church in Pocatello, Idaho

Mike Conner, a pastor at First United Methodist Church in Pocatello, Idaho, and board member of Idahoans United for Women and Families. (Courtesy of Mike Conner)

Mike Conner, a pastor at First United Methodist Church in Pocatello, moved to Idaho in 2021 and his second child, a girl, was born in October 2022, not long after the ban went into effect. He said the experience is part of what made him decide to get involved with the reproductive rights group as a board member, because his wifes second pregnancy was in its final weeks when the law changed.

We couldnt really get clear answers from the professionals we were working with about how decisions would be made and what would happen, and who would have authority to make decisions if something went really wrong during delivery, Conner said. And that made us really afraid.

He said one of the statistics that stuck out to him from the polling was the 78% of those surveyed who said they would support someone they knew who had an abortion even if they didnt agree with the decision.

Once it enters your own sphere of relationships and intimacy, your goodwill toward your neighbor sort of overrides the disembodied ideas you have, he said. I think if we love one another enough to support each other as we make hard decisions, then we should have policies that reflect and give space to that reality.

Recent comments from lawmakers fueled decision to launch now

Despite early optimism from some Republicans, including Rep. Brent Crane, R-Nampa, that the Legislature would consider legislation adding exceptions to the ban to preserve a pregnant patients health rather than just prevent their death, the legislation did not materialize. Crane told the Idaho Capital Sun in March that the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to consider the states case against the U.S. Department of Justice about whether the abortion ban can overrule federal law when it comes to emergency abortion care is the reason no legislation came forward.

But even if Republicans bring legislation in 2025, Crane said, it will likely be in the form of a government-produced educational video about the laws for physicians to follow, similar to the legislation passed in South Dakota earlier this year. He told the Sun based on conversations hes had with providers, hospital legal counsel is being disingenuous about the laws vagueness interfering with standard medical care and health exception legislation isnt necessary.

You have to understand that Idaho is a pro-life state. Elective abortions are no longer going to be legal in the state of Idaho. That ship has sailed, and you have to understand that, Crane said he has told doctors. Instead of continuing to try to use different issues to try to undo Idahos abortion statute, youre going to have to learn how to work inside of Idahos framework.

In a post-legislative session press conference, Republican Speaker of the House Mike Moyle, R-Star, also cast doubt on the idea that doctors were leaving the state because of the law, saying it might be a convenient excuse.

Folwell said the comments underscored the need for the groups action.

What were hearing from patients and doctors is not, Gosh, I really wish I could figure out how to care for my patients with the help of a government-produced video, Folwell said. We have heard from a lot of people on this issue, and convenience has never been mentioned once.  Were talking about doctors having to uproot their entire professional and personal life to safely practice. None of this is about convenience.

Bans Off Our Bodies march in Boise

A Bans Off Our Bodies rally attendee sits on the steps the Idaho Statehouse on May 14, 2022. The rally, put on by Planned Parenthood and other Idaho groups, was one of many organized across the country in response to a leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court that threatens the constitutionality of the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling. (Christina Lords/Idaho Capital Sun)

The post Group launches effort to explore ballot initiative restoring abortion access in Idaho appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
William J. Burns, veteran American diplomat and director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

CIA Director William J. Burns has invoked the National Security Act of 1947 and the Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 to refuse to provide any information to a New York court judge investigating how a Spanish company spied on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his stay at the Ecuadorian embassy in London.

In an eight-page letter sent to Judge John G. Koeltl, Burns claims that the information could cause serious damage to the national security of the United States. He further cites the CIAs statutory privileges to protect intelligence sources, methods and activities at issue in the case. The New York judge ruled last December that the Spanish company UC Global S. L and the CIA violated the rights and privacy of the U.S. citizens who visited Assange during his stay at the Ecuadorian embassy  rights protected by the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Four U.S. citizens, two lawyers and two journalists, sued Mike Pompeo, the former director of the CIA, the intelligence agency, and David Morales, the owner of UC Global, which was tasked with security in the London embassy during the Ecuadorian administration of Rafael Correa.

Confidential report for the judge

The statement from Burns, to which this newspaper has had access, is dated March 27, and is intended to anticipate the next stage of the case in which the plaintiffs will request the declassification of the CIA operation in discovery. According to legal sources, Judge Koeltl could authorize this request. The details of this secret operation (audios, videos, emails and documents) were revealed by an EL PAIS investigation in 2019. Evidence from this report was presented in the lawsuit filed by the spying victims in the New York justice system.

Burns, a renowned former diplomat and the architect of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, argues that either admitting or denying that CIA has information implicated by the remaining allegations in the Amended Complaint reasonably could be expected to cause serious  and in some cases, exceptionally grave  damage to the national security of the United States. The head of the most powerful intelligence service in the United States reiterates that his legal privileges include refusing to disclose the CIAs activity in this case and all information related to classified sources, methods and interests.

In addition to this statement, the head of the CIA has delivered to the judge an ex parte report, solely accessible to the magistrate, where he explains in detail that only the judge can know why declassifying this espionage operation would cause serious damage to the national security of the United States. Burns has no qualms about taking part in CIA activities on the ground: in August 2021, he met with the leader of the Taliban in Kabul during the U.S. armys withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Judge John G. Koeltl recognized that the plaintiffs rights were violated when UC Global S.L. workers seized their cell phones and photographed their passwords and content  practices that he considered illegal. But he ruled that it was not illegal for microphone recordings to be made of their conversations with Assange at the embassy or for photographs of their passports to be taken. For the Koeltl, these last actions of the workers of UC Global S.L. did not constitute a crime as the visitors had no reasonable expectation of privacy when they entered the embassy, as it is a public space.

For the judge, the plaintiffs have presented sufficient evidence that Morales, the Spanish ex-military officer who owns UC Global, acted as an agent or collaborator and following instructions from the CIA and its then-director Pompeo, who was later appointed Secretary of State during the Donald Trump administration (2017-2021).

The lawsuit over the spying of Assanges visitors was filed in August 2021 by lawyers Margaret Ratner Kunstler and Deborah Hrbek, and journalists John Goetz and Charles Glass, both national security specialists. The four visited the Australian activist, as did hundreds of people who were also spied on. According to the lawsuit, a hundred American citizens, including Assanges lawyers and doctors, suffered the same fate.

In his ruling, the New York judge noted that Pompeo said Assange was a target of the CIA and that he would start a long-term campaign against WikiLeaks. The investigation of this newspaper revealed in 2019 that the company UC Global S.L. spied on the Australians conversations with his lawyers and collaborators for the U.S., when the WikiLeaks founder was preparing his defense strategy against the U.S. extradition request for revealing secret information about the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Weeks later, the police arrested David Morales. The ex-military officer has been on bail since then and Spains high court, the Audiencia Nacional, is investigating him for the alleged crimes of violating client-attorney confidentiality, misappropriation of funds, bribery and money laundering.

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'Get Some Gumption': Mike Pence Called Out For Answer On Whom He's Voting For

Mike Pence said he wont endorse former President Donald Trump but suggested he could still vote for him.

The former vice president was asked by CNNs Jake Tapper on Thursday why he hasnt ruled out voting for Trump in the 2024 election. Pence said last month he could not in good conscience endorse Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, but declined to say he would not vote for him.

Ill just keep my vote to myself, you know. Id never vote for Joe Biden, Pence told Tapper.

He cited differences he has with Trump on my constitutional duties on Jan. 6, Trumps foreign policy posture, and the former presidents claim that he would not sign a national abortion ban if elected. He said Trump is shying away from our commitment as leader of the free world.

Ive just made it clear that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump in this campaign. But Ill keep my vote on my own and Ill vote according to my conscience in private just like every American will, he added.

The sidestepping response drew a sharp rebuke from former Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.), a Trump critic.

There is just no defense for this, he posted on X, formerly Twitter. Pence, who said he wont ENDORSE Trump, refuses to say whether or not hell VOTE for Trump. Huh? Huh? Huh? My God man, get some gumption and take a stand. Take a stand man.

There is just no defense for this. Pence, who said he wont ENDORSE Trump, refuses to say whether or not hell VOTE for Trump. Huh? Huh? Huh? My God man, get some gumption and take a stand. Take a stand man. https://t.co/EG1NeDWe2E  Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) April 18, 2024

Pence threw his hat in the ring last year for the Republican nomination, but he did not prove to be popular.

His relationship with Trump soured after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, when he declined to help Trump attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Trumps supporters chanted outside the Capitol for Pence to be hung on the day of the riot.

Pence is one of numerous former officials who worked in Trumps White House and have refused to endorse him for a second presidency, though his criticism has been more reserved than that from some others.

Since its become apparent that Trump will be the GOP nominee, several Republicans who had denounced Trump after his presidency have flip-flopped and said they will support him.

Trump has been charged with 91 felonies across four criminal indictments since leaving office. The first of those to go to trial, the hush money case, began jury selection this week.

Related...
Robbery suspect shot and killed by officers after chase in Gwinnett County, police say

Gwinnett police say a man is dead after a shooting involving their officers on Thursday evening.

Just 6:30 p.m. an officer was following up on a robbery case when he tried to initiate a traffic stop on a red SUV in a Waffle House parking lot located on Jimmy Carter Blvd. near the intersection with Peachtree Industrial Blvd. in unincorporated Norcross.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Gwinnett police said the driver of the red SUV had four outstanding warrants in Hall County and they believe he is a suspect in a robbery in unincorporated Gwinnett County.

Initially, the driver pulled over, but instead of following the officers verbal commands to get out of the vehicle, he drove forward while shooting at the officer.

A detective in a nearby unmarked police car activated his blue lights as the suspect began approaching.

The suspect fired at least one round at the unmarked police car, which entered the trunk, passed through the back seat, and ultimately lodged in the drivers seat where the officer was seated.

After that, a police chase began down Jimmy Carter Blvd.

As the suspect was driving on Jimmy Carter Blvd., he lost control of his car. Police did a PIT maneuver to stop him from driving away.

When they did, they say a shootout occurred with police.

Channel 2s Michael Doudna was live from the scene on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m. where he spoke with a witness.

The guy reached out the window and shot the gun boom boom boom. And then he pulled off like all you heard was tires, said Nelson. Then they jumped out of the car and had a little back-and-forth shootout.

The suspect was shot and died on the scene.

Police said Jimmy Carter Boulevard and the neighboring Waffle House on Jimmy Carter Blvd. parking lot are closed for the duration of the investigation.

TRENDING STORIES:

NewsChopper 2 flew over the scene and saw dozens of police units in the area near a busy shopping plaza. Dozens of bystanders are also in the area as police investigate.

The GBI has been requested to investigate this incident.

No officers, motorists, or passersby were injured during this incident.

Police have not released the identity of the suspect.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Hamas is holding up talks on ceasefire and hostages, CIA chief says

CIA director William Burns blamed Hamas on Thursday for allegedly holding up negotiations to end the war in Gaza and return Israeli hostages, pointing to their decision last week to reject an Israeli ceasefire proposal.

It was a deep disappointment to get a negative reaction from Hamas, the intelligence official, who traveled to Cairo for negotiations earlier this month, said on Thursday while speaking at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas. Right now, its that negative reaction that really is standing in the way of innocent civilians in Gaza getting humanitarian relief that they so desperately need.

And it breaks your heart because you can see in very human terms whats at stake here as well, he added.

The comments echo the view of Mossad, Israels foreign intelligence agency, which recently accused the leaders of Hamas of not being interested in a deal. Hamas seized more than 200 hostages in its terror attack on Israel on 7 October, when it killed more than 1,200 people.

Last week, Hamas announced its rejection of the latest confidential Israeli proposal, arguing it hadnt met key demands.

"We ... reaffirm our adherence to our demands and the national demands of our people; with a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation army from the entire Gaza Strip, the return of the displaced to their areas and places of residence, intensification of the entry of relief and aid, and the start of reconstruction," the group said of its decision.

William Burns held negotiations in Cairo earlier this month (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Israel, meanwhile, has insisted on the return of the 130 individuals believed to still be in captivity, a quarter of whom may have already perished. It has also insisted it wont stop fighting until Hamas is destroyed as a military force.

Last week, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a date has been set for the IDF invasion of Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than a million civilians have taken refuge after being told by the Israelis to flee south.

Behind the scenes, issues over the hostage-exchange portion of any ceasefire agreement are reportedly a key sticking point.

A Hamas official told The New York Times it does not have enough living civilian hostages to comply with a proposal to release 40 people over the next six weeks.

An Israeli official, meanwhile, told the paper Hamas has proposed releasing half that number, under a narrower set of criteria only including women and the elderly, rather than a broader criteria Israeli had requested of hostages who are wounded or ill.
HANSON  A Hanson woman who went missing in March was found dead on a New York hiking trail near the Massachusetts border, according to the Williamstown Police Department.

The body of Fae Barbone, 40, who was last seen in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in March, was found just off the Taconic Crest Trail, which is not far from the Massachusetts border, in Berlin, New York, the Williamstown Police Department announced on Facebook on April 16.

Kelley Ferro, a longtime friend of Barbone, described her as the "kindest soul."

"She was the type of person who really listened to you and would remember the smallest detail, which always made you feel heard and cared about," she said. "And when she smiled, it was with her whole face, she would just beam at you. She was beautiful, kind, thoughtful, and talented. The world has lost an amazing human."

According to Ferro, Barbone had one daughter, who is currently 16 years old.

Fae Barbone was described as 'beautiful, kind, thoughtful, and talented' by her longtime friend who shared this photo.

Barbone had been missing since March 7, when she was last seen in the area of Williamstown, according to her missing persons poster. Her black Ford Fiesta was reported to be parked on a street in Augusta, Maine, that same day.

Williamstown police also reported that Barbone had a confirmed interaction with law enforcement in Maine, but it is unclear what the nature of the interaction was.

On March 19 at 9 a.m., a suspicious vehicle, later identified as Barbone's Ford, was reported at the end of Berlin Road, an isolated hiking area near the New York State border, the Williamstown Police Department wrote on Facebook.

After the vehicle was identified as Barbone's, Williamstown police utilized its drone and K-9 Unit to immediately begin a search for Barbone, but she was not located, they wrote. New York State Police, Massachusetts State Police Massachusetts, Massachusetts Environmental Police and New York Environmental Conservation Police assisted in the search.

The Taconic Crest Trail, where Barbone's body was found, runs 35 miles along the New York, Vermont and Massachusetts border, with a maximum elevation of almost 3,000 feet, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Barbone's cause of death has not yet been announced.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Fae Barbone missing: Hanson woman found dead near Taconic Crest Trail
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  Check out community events around New Mexico from April 19-25.

Albuquerque

New Mexico

Albuquerque Notices

 City of Albuquerque launching Native American housing survey The survey is the first of its kind that focuses on Native American housing needs and experiences. The citys Office of Equity and Inclusion tribal liaison Kena Chavez says this information can be used to give the City of Albuquerque housing suggestions.

 Registration open for Albuquerque Little Theatre summer camps  Albuquerque Little Theatre Education and Youth Program offers classes, workshops, and summer camps that cater to students of all ages. Kids can register for Disneys Descendants musical camp, the play actors mini camp, the Play Builders summer camp, and more.

 Albuquerque looking for medical sobering contractor for Gateway Center  Following a multi-million dollar grant, the city is now looking for someone to run medical sobering operations. To find a medical sobering contractor, the city is accepting proposals from non-profit or government providers until April 19.

 NMDOT hosting public meeting on S-curve portion of Albuquerque I-25  On April 24, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) will host a meeting at the Central New Mexico Community College Smith Brasher Hall (717 University Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106). The meeting will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 Water Authority receives award for Los Padillas water project  The award is being given for the project to bring clean drinking water to the Los Padillas neighborhood in Albuquerques South Valley. Completed in 2020, the project made clean municipal drinking water accessible to about 200 homes in the area.

 New Mexico State Fair holding auditions to sing the National Anthem  The live auditions will be at the Boxcar Stage from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the EXPO New Mexico on August 6. To audition live, you must sign up by August 5.

 Sandia Labs hosting Small Business Opportunities fair  Sandia Labs is seeking small businesses to subcontract to do work for the labs. Sandia is open to working with a variety of different businesses for many different services. The event is May 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Marriot Albuquerque on Louisiana Boulevard.

 Forest service asking for input on proposed burn near Albuquerque  The plan is to address nearly 3,000 acres of land in the Sandia Ranger District, and in Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties. The Forest Service says the project would reduce wildfire risk to nearby communities and restore forest structure. The deadline to submit comments is May 3, 2024.

 Registration open for Bernalillo County summer camps  The summer camps run from June 10 to July 26, and registration is now open at this link. The seven-week program costs $290. The summer programs run from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 ABQ BioPark hosting its Great Ape-ril events  All through the month, the primate care staff at gives guests special opportunities to learn more about great apes. On Saturdays, April 6, 13, and 20, staff will set up special discovery stations near primate habitats.

New Mexico Notices

 Celebrate the Gila Wilderness 100th anniversary at the historic Mogollon Cemetery  The event is limited to 70 participants so anyone planning to attend is encouraged to RSVP soon by reaching out to Cordelia Rose by phone or text at 575-313-1002.

 Rio Grande Theatre offering 2024 Summer Camp  Registration is now open for the inaugural year of the Rio Grande Theatre Camp. Theater and tech classes will be offered. The last day to register is May 24 at 4:00 p.m.

 Applications open for PNM Resources Grants  Grants are offered to qualified 501c3 nonprofits. Examples of qualifying programs include programs for the developmentally disabled, veterans, seniors, formerly incarcerated, unhoused, or youth interested in STEAM or Agricultural education.

 Rust armorer sentenced to 18 months in prison for fatal movie set shooting  In the sentence reading, the judge read the definition of remorse to Gutierrez, and said that she showed none. Gutierrez is required to serve at least 85% percent of her sentence.

 Cochiti Lake camping fees increasing for some sites starting April 15  At Cochiti, campsites with running water will increase from $12 to $15 per site. Fees for other sites at Cochiti Lake will not increase, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says. At the Riana Campground at Abiquiu Lake, tent sites will increase from $8 to $10, trailer sites will increase from $12 to $15, and sites with electrical and water hookups will increase from $16 to $20 per site.

 Report: New Mexico needs 40,000 workers to reach national average workforce participation  The report comes from the Legislative Finance Committee which makes recommendations to lawmakers and has been tracking the states labor industry for years.

 New Mexico laws going into effect in spring  Lawmakers recently approved a wide range of bills, from gun-related regulations to adjusted requirements students must meet to graduate high school. Many of those new laws go into effect on May 15.

 Alamogordo Animal Control adoption event  Pet adoption fees will be $40 for the entire month of April. Contact the office at 575-439-4330 for more information.

 New Mexico History Museum to host free community event at the Palace of the Governors  The event is to celebrate the completion of five years of rehabilitation work at the Palace. History Homecoming: Past, Present, Palace will take place on Sunday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Palace of the Governors.

 New Mexico offering debt relief for healthcare workers  Workers must meet certain qualifications, such as working in an eligible occupation or under an eligible healthcare license. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
HARRIS COUNTY, Ga. (WRBL) For some, hope may mean a feeling of trust. For the Harris County School District (HCSD), it means Helping Our People Excel, and its housed in a building on Mountain Creek Drive.

The HCSD is proud to be recognized by the Georgia School Board Association as one of the first schools in the state, and the first in the Chattahoochee region, to offer multi-disciplinary assistance and services to students and families. It all happens at the H.O.P.E Center that grew five years ago out of the Harris County High Schools Hope Closet.

[The H.O.P.E Center] opened in February 2019 as a support for our students and our families in the community to help with items like clothing, food, toiletry items, and connecting them to valuable resources in the community for support that we were not able to give in the school district, HCSD Assistant Superintendent of Support Services said.

The center hosts counseling support, parent university sessions to teach guardians how to help their students be successful, workshops, professional development for faculty and staff, as well as community outreach. Plus, it acts as the home for the districts Department of Social Services. Their goal: eliminating the barriers that could hinder a students success in the classroom.

This is discretionary. So, when families come here, it is totally on discretionary measure where there is no judgment by any means. We do our best to hear what their concerns are, to address their concerns as best as we can, and provide them with the resources that we either have on site or the connections that we have with our valuable partners throughout our region, Baker shared.

The center is located at 106 Mountain Creek Drive in Hamilton, Ga. and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Anyone seeking assistance can also call the center at 706-628-4206 extension 2301.

Folks can also find out more by heading out to The H.O.P.E. Center Saturday, April 20 for their 5-year anniversary celebration. Its happening from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event is free to the public and will feature a number of fun activities, interactive games, and an opportunity for parents and students to tour the facility.

Plus, several of the school districts partners will be present like Mercer Med, New Horizons, Family Connections, The Lighthouse and more. The director of HCSDs Telehealth program will also be on-site to assist parents and guardians in enrolling their student if interested.

More information has been attached below.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
A Metro bus in Encino in May 2023. Last year, 168 bus and train operators were assaulted  slightly more than the previous year, (KTLA)

A video circulating on social media captured the moments a bus driver was stabbed Saturday night by a passenger in Willowbrook as other passengers watched.

The driver survived and is recovering at home, but the incident heightens concern about the safety of Metro's bus drivers and passengers. The attack came less 24 hours after an argument among passengers resulted in the stabbing of a 70-year-old man on a bus in Silver Lake and less than a month after another man hijacked and crashed a bus in downtown Los Angeles.

Metro's head of security, who was recently fired after filing a complaint to the agency's inspector general, says that law enforcement isn't doing enough to prosecute those responsible for such crimes, and the local union representing drivers said they are worried about their members' safety.

"It has got to stop, it has got to stop," said John Ellis, who represents six union locals that account for 5,000 bus and rail operators working at Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. "There are people that are afraid to go to work."

Ellis has been working with Metro to produce a fully encased protective barrier that could prevent attacks such as this one, but he says the process has taken too long.

"There's a lot of red tape and some of that can be eliminated," he said.

As Metro ridership has gone up, so too has the number of assaults on its bus and train operators  168 in 2023, a slight increase from the previous year. The assaults included being spat on and being stabbed.

The figures underscore a stark national trend. Assaults on transit workers have tripled over the last 15 years, according to research from the Urban Institute, making it more difficult for public agencies to recruit and retain their workers.

"It's devastating," said Lindiwe Rennert, a senior researcher associate at the think tank. "To go into a work environment where you are fearful for your well-being. No one should have to deal with that, especially someone who is a public servant."

Rennert reviewed federal data between 2008 and 2022 and found the number of assaults resulting in deaths or medical transport rose to 492 from 168 nationwide.

Among transit agencies Metro had the sixth highest number of assaults, she said. The nation's busiest transit agency, in New York, topped the list. What Rennert found when she compared economic and social variables, was that there was a statistically significant relationship between assaults on transit workers and both income inequality and civil unrest.

Eliminating fares could help ease the stresses, she said. But Rennert warns against flooding areas with law enforcement, a move that often temporarily reduces crime but doesn't provide a long-term solution.

"You will see see drops in assault counts in spaces where cops and law enforcement are momentarily, and then when they are gone, the counts spike right back up," she said.

What the limited federal data didn't capture was the extent of violence or battery exacted on transit workers. New standards that will require agencies to report a wider range of assaults should illuminate that in the coming year.

In Los Angeles, a log of assaults on bus and rail operators, regularly presented to the Metro board, details some of the abuse bus drivers endure.

In January alone, a man attempted to rape a bus driver in Culver City; a passenger bit a bus driver because they didn't stop and then pepper- sprayed security in El Monte ; and on 7th and Alvarado streets a bus driver got into an altercation with a passenger after asking the person to stop cursing near a woman and her small children. The man swung at the driver several times, before the driver got him in a headlock and punched him. The suspect bit the driver on the chest and fled.

"These are hyperviolent examples but unfortunately it is par for the course," Rennert said. "Sexual assaults and stabbings are the types of assaults we hear about nationwide."

Metro's recently fired chief of safety and security officer, Gina Osborn, a former FBI agent, has been critical of law enforcement agencies contracted with Metro. According to her calculations, the Los Angeles Police Department and the county Sheriff's Department have presented fewer than 30% of the assault cases to the district attorney or city attorney, despite having cameras on buses.

"That to me is the most egregious," Osborn said. "There's no coordination, there's no collaboration, there's no searching to make sure that this person isn't coming back tomorrow."

She pointed to the hijacking in downtown L.A. last month, where a man armed with an airsoft gun forced the driver to steer the bus to several locations before crashing into the Ritz-Carlton hotel. When she asked law enforcement officers whether the suspect was the same person as one in a similar incident the week before, she said, they didn't know.

LAPD Deputy Chief Donald Graham, who oversees the Transit Services Bureau, said Osborn fails to understand the intricacies of local policing agencies, including which cases are prosecuted and on what charges. He said he expects his team to present a case to prosecutors every time there is an arrest.

He points out that as of Sunday, Part 1 crimes  including homicides, violent assaults and robberies  on buses, trains and stations are down 41% so far this year in areas patrolled by LAPD compared with the same period in the previous year.

He said the agency is increasingly working with other law enforcement agencies, Metro security and ambassadors to identify suspects. Weapons- and narcotics-related arrests have surged, and since Jan. 1 in the transit system, the LAPD has arrested 904 people for trespassing  often for not carrying a TAP card needed to board trains or buses.

Capt. Shawn R. Kehoe of the Sheriff's Transit Services Bureau, said the Sheriff's Department solved and filed with the district attorney's office 15 of the 54 bus driver assaults reported in its jurisdiction last year.

"Our current clearance rate is 27%," he said. "We take every crime seriously. Our Transit Services Bureau detectives are assigned solely to investigate public transit crimes and investigate each crime to the fullest extent possible using all available resources."

Metro's executive board has been grappling with issues of policing on thousands of Metro buses, trains and stations for years. Whereas social justice activists are calling for the board to decrease the number of armed officers, employees are worried about safety. The cost of contracting with law enforcement has been ballooning, and Metro has been weighing whether to create its own police force.

Osborn, who backs the idea of a Metro-run police agency, acknowledges that prosecutions might have done little to deter the latest attack. But she said there's a general malaise when it comes to policing transit.

Since last year, Metro has increased the number of security officers to patrol the buses on lines where there has been an assault. Law enforcement agencies also have dedicated units assigned to patrol buses.

The driver stabbed Saturday night has been with the agency since 2022.

Deputies who reviewed video from the bus identified Darnell M. Bray as a possible supsect. The 30-year-old was released from prison last year after serving 16 years for carjacking, robbery and kidnapping and had been in violation of his parole.

"We don't want anything else to happen to any other bus driver," said Sheriff's Det. Mathew Fraijo, who is investigating the case and has asked for the public's help in locating Bray.

A video from a passenger at the back of the bus on Line 53 was posted on Instagram and Facebook this week.

For most of the recording, the camera is pointed to the floor but the confrontation can be heard.

"Get off the bus," the suspect demands before taunting the driver. "Are you scared, bro?"

There's a commotion. Then the bus driver begs for mercy.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry. Sorry. Sorry," he says. Then he bursts out in a cry. He was punched in the face with brass knuckles and then stabbed in the chest, according to Fraijo. "Help me, help me, help me, help me!" he wails.

The short video clip suddenly ends, as the passenger taking the video escapes out a back door. Fraijo said the attacker fled down the street and the driver got out of the bus and went looking for help in the other direction.

A good Samaritan picked him up and took him to Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital. The driver, who has not been identified, is now recovering at home.

"Metro is saddened to hear about this senseless act of violence against our bus operator, which was apparently fueled by drug abuse and untreated mental illness  crises that are plaguing our nation," said Metro spokesman Jose Ubaldo.

Fraijo said the suspect is being sought for attempted murder and a potential hate crime.

When the attacker, who is Black, first boarded the the bus a block or two earlier, Fraijo said, he had been ranting about how people like the bus driver, who is Latino, were taking away "their jobs."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Former Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson paid for the vehicle and guardrail he destroyed while driving drunk with money he got from a workers' compensation settlement with the county.

The Hennepin County Board approved the $240,000 settlement with Hutchinson after discussing it during an Oct. 10 legal briefing that was closed to the public. Hennepin County released the settlement agreement and the payment amount this week in response to questions and a records request from the Star Tribune.

Hutchinson's tumultuous term as sheriff received renewed scrutiny last week when seven of his former employees filed a lawsuit against Hennepin County. They alleged county leaders didn't do enough to address a workplace filled with "bigotry and fear" under the former sheriff.

Hutchinson's settlement

The October settlement with Hutchinson included the county deducting $40,961 for the totaled vehicle and $6,351 for a guardrail Hutchinson destroyed in a December 2021 drunken-driving crash.

According to the settlement, the payment resolved Hutchinson's claims for workers' compensation and disability health care. County leaders declined to comment, and attempts to reach Hutchinson and his former attorneys were unsuccessful.

Hutchinson said he was injured in the line of duty while serving as sheriff and in March 2023 was awarded disability retirement benefits from the Public Employees Retirement Association, the settlement said. The nature of his injuries was not disclosed.

County officials disputed liability for the on-the-job injuries Hutchinson said he suffered. The county also refused to continue his health insurance coverage.

County officials, Hutchinson, and his lawyer held a mediation session Oct. 3 where they agreed to the settlement and the repayment for the vehicle and guardrail. A week later, the County Board approved the deal after the closed legal briefing.

State law allows government leaders to discuss some personal and legal matters in closed session.

In exchange for the payment, Hutchinson also agreed to drop all possible future claims against the county and to not apply for future employment with the county.

Hutchinson was driving faster than 126 mph and had a blood alcohol level of 0.13% when he crashed the county's 2021 Ford Explorer in the early hours of Dec. 8, 2021. The wreck occurred outside Alexandria, Minn., as Hutchinson was returning home to Bloomington from a conference.

Hutchinson suffered multiple injuries in the crash, including broken ribs and vertebrae and a concussion. In May 2022, he went on paid leave for undisclosed health reasons, just weeks after county officials opened a probe into allegations Hutchinson created a hostile workplace.

After pleading guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving, Hutchinson agreed to pay the county $48,000 for the wrecked vehicle. His wages were garnished while he remained in office, and after his term ended in January 2023 he was on a payment plan.

In September 2023, the Minnesota Department of Transportation filed a small-claims court case to recoup the cost of the guardrail from Hutchinson and the county.
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: Megan Varner (Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump has attempted to ratchet up his public appeal to Black voters in recent months as Black support for President Joe Biden continues to soften. In his most recent attempt to bond with Black voters, Trump visited an Atlanta Chick-fil-A on his way to a fundraiser event on April 10.

And it turns out a Black woman orchestrated the whole thing.

I dont care what the media tells you, Mr. Trump, we support you! pic.twitter.com/q49RpivIbD  Margo Martin (@margommartin) April 10, 2024

Michaelah Montgomery, a Black conservative activist, told the Associated Press that she coordinated a group of Black students to meet Trump at the Chik-fil-A for the photo opp.

Everybody got together at around 9:30 in the morning and walked on over to the Chick-fil-A and then we sat there and waited until the president showed up, Montgomery told the AP. Its really disheartening to see that the media makes it seem like we just stumbled into a Chick-fil-A and he bought us milkshakes.

Montgomery is the one hugging Trump in the viral social media videos, in which she gushes over the accomplishment of meeting the former president in person.

People find it so hard to believe that there are young Black people who would have loved the opportunity to meet Trump, Montgomery told the AP.

While Black support for Biden has softened, calling Trump popular among Black Americans would be a major leap. Only 25 percent of Black voters had a favorable opinion of Trump in the March Economist/ YouGov poll. And only 12 percent said they would vote for him if the election were held today.



The Republican Presidential nominee claimed that Black Americans like him because he has criminal charges. He even released a gold sneaker line that conservative pundits argued connected him with Black America.

As you see Black support eroding from Joe Biden, said Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo about the shoes. This is connecting with Black America. Because theyre into sneakers, they love sneakers. This is a big deal. Certainly, in the inner city.

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Gov. Hochul and Mayor Adams celebrated Friday after securing tools in the state budget to crack down on unlicensed cannabis shops, and offered a blunt message to the illicit sellers: city and state authorities are coming after them.

This is your warning, declared Adams, carrying a padlock at a joint news conference with Hochul in Midtown Manhattan. You will be locked out if you attempt to continue to sell illegal items.

Hochul vowed the citys sprawling gray market of cannabis shops would face a reckoning, saying that illegal shops had correctly assessed they would not face consequences for flouting the states cannabis retailing laws.

The insanity stops right now, said Hochul, a Democrat. Im using the power of the state budget to give us the tools we need at the state and local level to shutter these illegal shops once and for all.

Hochul and state lawmakers negotiated a package in the state budget that would deliver an arsenal of weapons to curb the spread of the illicit marijuana market.

It would allow the city to use its Police Department to close illicit shops; empower the state to revoke tobacco, liquor and lottery licenses from unlicensed cannabis sellers; and establish new fines for retailers that violate padlock orders.

Adams had pushed hard for the state to offer an explicit expansion of city authority to crack down on the shops. But he crowed that the legislative text allowing the revocation of various licenses  a plan targeted at bodegas violating the rulings  went further than he could have ever imagined.

This is a part of the bill that we could only have hoped for, Adams said.

To this point, the city and state have struggled mightily to fight off the illegal shops, which popped up across the city after the state legalized recreational cannabis in 2021. The state has licensed legal sellers at a glacial pace, allowing the illicit market to flourish.

City Hall has estimated that at least 2,800 illegal cannabis shops are operating citywide. As of earlier this month, there were 40 legal dispensaries in the city, according to the state Cannabis Management Office.

Many of the unlicensed shops target children and attract crime, according to officials.

Adams and Hochul both acknowledged that New Yorkers are frustrated. But they promised change.

The governor underlined that the state intends to accelerate the licensing process. Last month, she commissioned a comprehensive review of the states licensing system that is now wrapping up.

Well weed out the illegitimate shops, and clear the way for the licensed owners so they can grow their budding businesses and realize their dreams, Hochul promised. Here in New York City, I have no doubt that enforcement will start immediately. 
KYODO NEWS - Apr 19, 2024 - 22:40 | All, World

The Group of Seven foreign ministers on Friday urged "all parties to work to prevent further escalation" amid mounting fears that following Israel's reported attack on Iran, the two countries could fall into a cycle of retaliation and counterretaliation.

In a communique issued after three days of talks in Italy, the G7 ministers also said they are "ready to adopt" additional sanctions against Iran following its missile and drone attack on Israel last weekend, both "now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives."

The G7 concluded its foreign ministerial gathering on the island of Capri by releasing three communiques, hours after U.S. media reported Israel's retaliatory strikes, citing U.S. officials.

"In light of reports of strikes on April 19th, we urge all parties to work to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work to this end," said a communique on the Middle East situation.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said at a press conference after chairing the meeting, "First of all, we needed to address the Israel-Iran issue," adding that the G7 will continue to work to "achieve de-escalation throughout the Middle East."

At a separate news conference, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined to confirm the reported Israeli attack on Iran, saying, "I'm not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations."

During Thursday's session on the Middle East, the G7 ministers agreed to continue working together closely to deal with the heightened tensions. They also urged restraint from Iran and Israel, according to diplomatic sources.

Tehran has claimed that last weekend's attack on Israel was in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Iranian embassy's consular section in Damascus on April 1, which killed seven Iranian military officers including a top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander.

Iran also reportedly seized an Israeli-linked, Portuguese-flagged cargo ship as it was sailing in international waters in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday.

The United States and Britain announced additional sanctions on Iran in the wake of its attack on Israel, targeting entities and individuals involved in the country's drone and missile industries.

Separately, European Union leaders agreed to take similar actions against Iran at their summit in Brussels on Wednesday.

U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement on Thursday, "Our allies and partners have or will issue additional sanctions and measures to restrict Iran's destabilizing military programs."

Meanwhile, Japan, which over the years has built friendly relations with Iran, has not joined in implementing punitive measures against it following the attack on Israel.

The G7's communique on the Middle East condemned "in the strongest terms Iran's direct and unprecedented attack against Israel," showing their "full solidarity and support" for Israel and its people.

The same wording was employed in the G7 leaders' statement released after their virtual summit on Sunday.

Regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, the communique demanded a "sustainable cease-fire that allows for a surge of the urgently needed humanitarian assistance to be delivered safely" throughout the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, a Palestinian enclave governed by Hamas.

The G7 foreign ministers also condemned "in the strongest terms the brutal terrorist attacks" by Hamas forces against Israel on Oct. 7.

In the other two communiques, the G7 condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the expansion of military ties between Russia and North Korea, which has developed nuclear weapons and advanced missiles, amid the Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

With the war now in its third year, the G7 members expressed their "resolve in particular to bolster Ukraine's air defense capabilities," while demonstrating support for Kyiv's "efforts to promote a comprehensive, just and lasting peace."

As China's military assertiveness grows, the G7 members said they are "seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas," reiterating their "strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion."

The foreign ministerial talks of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union, were held to pave the way for their summit scheduled for June 13-15 in Apulia, southern Italy.

Related coverage:

G7 countries stepping up cooperation over Mideast tensions

G7 finance chiefs say excessive forex moves bad for global economy
Gov. Eric Holcomb addresses the General Assembly in January during his 2024 State of the State Address. (Monroe Bush for the Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Gov. Eric Holcomb is in the final months of his eight years leading the state, and his legacy is coming into focus. So is his popularity.

In the last few years  since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020  a loud group of ultra-conservative Republicans have demeaned Holcombs leadership and record. But a new poll from State Affairs/Howey Politics shows the governor remains popular within his party.

His approval rating among Republicans and GOP-leaning independents is 69%. Thats 10 percentage points higher than U.S. Sen. Mike Brauns approval in the same poll, but not nearly as high as former President Donald Trump at 83%.

The real question is whether Holcombs popularity translates into lasting accomplishments. Over the years, Holcomb has established several key goals, and its time to see if they will come to fruition.

Grading the goals

One of Holcombs top priorities has been that 95% of students in third grade can read proficiently by 2027. Obviously, the progress cant be measured yet, but a bill this year to increase literacy support and hold back third graders who fail the states reading assessment three times will likely have an impact. This will be a heavy lift since the most recent numbers showed one in five students arent reading proficiently.

The Times of Northwest Indiana recently reported that Holcomb almost certainly wont achieve his goal of reducing Indianas infant mortality rate to the lowest in the Midwest. Indiana has lagged most states in the region for at least a decade, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

A recent report from the Indiana Department of Health found that infant mortality in the Hoosier State rose to 7.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022, up from 6.7 in 2021 and 6.6 in 2020. The state health agency said preliminary data suggests Indianas infant mortality rate is due to fall to 6.5 deaths per 1,000 live births for 2023. But that early result remains subject to revision and is unlikely to be official for months to come.

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Holcomb has a good shot at at another of his objectives: raising average Indiana teacher pay to $60,000. He even went ahead and called it a win in his 2024 State of the State Address.

Thanks to the historic investments this body has made, average teacher pay across the state will reach our salary goal of $60,000 a year, the governor said in January.

The average teacher salary in Indiana was $58,531 during the 2022-23 school year  up from about $57,000 the year prior  according to the most recent state teacher compensation report by the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board (IEERB). Another report will come at the end of the year and include any new negotiated salary increases.

Holcombs last major goal focuses on college attainment and looks to be well out of reach. He hoped to have 60% of Hoosiers equipped with a quality degree or credential beyond high school by 2025.

A 2022 report found that Indianas college-going rate not only lags behind the nation but is also declining. Currently, the rate is just over 48%. But many Hoosiers are obtaining credentials so thats a positive.

More than numbers

Holcomb is far more popular than he gets credit for, largely due to a few key decisions he made during the pandemic. And while he wont reach all his goals, he also has other accomplishments to be proud of.

One is the ongoing economic development investment keeping Indiana in the running for a top spot to locate and grow jobs. Another is $1 billion funneled to regions around the state to improve quality of place.

Holcomb also gets credit for a much-needed infusion of cash into Indianas public health system. This one has the most chance of a long-term gain in reducing Hoosiers poor health rankings. And dont forget lower individual income taxes, less state debt and the 70,000 households and businesses now connected to broadband.

Frankly, the next Indiana governor has big cowboy boots to fill.

The post Holcombs legacy and popularity: stronger than some like to admit appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
A homeless man with a lengthy rap sheet pummeled two boys selling candy inside a Manhattan train station Wednesday night in a botched robbery, officials and police sources said.

The two kids  an 11-year-old and a 16-year-old  were hawking the sweets inside the Broadway-Lafayette B/D/F/M station at around 6:30 p.m. when Alvin Doris followed them and attempted to steal $40 from the younger boy before snatching a cell phone from the teenager, police said.

Doris has nine prior arrests going back to 1994. Obtained by The New York Post

When the 16-year-old tried to get back his phone, Doris reportedly went ballistic  punching the teen multiple times in the face, according to cops.

Doris, 62, then threw the teens cell phone to the ground and walloped the 11-year-old in the face, fracturing his nose, officials said.

Police charged Doris with robbery, acting in a manner injurious to a child, assault and criminal mischief.

Many New York City migrants and their children have been seen selling candy and goods inside subway stations. Stephen Yang

His last known address was at the Bowery Mission, a Lower Manhattan homeless shelter.

Police sources said he has nine prior arrests going back to 1994  with many of them concentrated around Lower Manhattan.

Doris has been collared for assault on four separate occasions and was slapped with an arson charge for intentionally damaging a Lower Manhattan building by starting a fire, sources told The Post.

His last arrest for assault was in 2012, when he punched a 26-year-old woman in the face on the corner of Bowery and Prince Street.

Doris was awaiting arraignment at Manhattan Criminal Court Thursday night.
The Tribune is partnering with the League of Women Voters of the South Bend Area and the American Democracy Project of Indiana University South Bend to publish candidates' answers to questions on the issues. The League, with local help from the ADP, operates Vote411.org, a website with information about the candidates and their positions on key issues.

The Tribune has agreed to run candidate answers unedited, meaning any spelling, typographical or grammatical errors are the candidates' own. If there is no photo of a candidate, it's because the candidate did not provide one. The Tribune is publishing only some of the questions from contested races. Additional questions and answers, including from candidates who have no opponent in the primary, are available at Vote411.org.

Six Republican candidates seek the Republican nomination for Indiana governor. Whichever one wins will face lone Democratic candidate Jennifer McCormick, the former state superintendent of education, in the fall. As McCormick is unopposed in the primary, her answers will appear in The Tribune this fall. They already appear at Vote411.org.

U.S. Senator Mike Braun, former Indiana Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers and Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch are all Republican candidates who have not responded to the Vote411 questionnaire by The Tribune's publication deadline.

Eric Doden is a Republican candidate for Indiana governor.

Eric DodenCampaign phone: 260-245-1733Campaign email: contact@dodenforindiana.comWebsite: dodenforindiana.comFacebook: facebook.com/DodenForIndianaX (Twitter): @DodenForIndianaEducation: BA Hillsdale College, JD Valparaiso University School of Law

Curtis Hill is a Republican candidate for Indiana governor.

Curtis HillWebsite: Curtishill.com

Jamie Reitenour is a Republican candidate for Indiana governor.

Jamie ReitenourCampaign email: admin@jamie4ingov.comWebsite: jamie4ingov.comFacebook: facebook.com/jamie4ingovX (Twitter): @jamie4ingovEducation: Southwest Missouri State University

What is your top priority as governor, and what steps would you take to achieve it?

Eric Doden: As governor, my highest priority is to fight for the rural Hoosier communities politicians have ignored. We cant be a state where only three or four counties are thriving, we must be a state where all 92 counties are thriving. My Indiana Main Street Initiative gives Indiana an economic development plan and playbook for the 2.7 million Hoosiers who live in small towns. We will reclaim our historic downtowns, restore community pride, enhance small business formation, and stimulate economic and population growth for small-town Indiana. I am dedicated to governing by the small town values that career politicians have failed to remember, and I pledge to be a conservative champion for small towns across the state.

Curtis Hill: My number one priority is ending the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I will use an executive order on day one to end this and restore fairness to all institutions. We must reward excellence and pick the best person for every role. I will not play into identity politics.

Jamie Reitenhour: Overhaul public education by getting back to academic basics, removing DEI and SEL, removing technology from K-5, introducing technology in 6th grade with input from private sector, a renewed focus on trades classes for 7th-8th graders, providing vision for high school, where their path prepares them toward their college, career, or calling, and apprenticeships for all seniors. Elevating teachers' experience and feedback through school and district climate audits. Improving student outcomes with assessments, monitoring, and early interventions. Grouping students by ability to ensure they achieve their best. Rewarding teachers for meeting improvement plan goals. An education plan and system headed by a career successful teacher.

What changes do you have for changes in Indiana tax law?

Eric Doden: Indiana tax law provides a great opportunity to work with the legislative body and create change Hoosiers can feel in their pocketbooks. The American Dream seems out of reach for many Hoosiers as they struggle to pay for everyday expenses and high property taxes. I plan to work closely with the legislature to build a statewide plan that brings down these high tax rates and caps property taxes for seniors. I support a tiered approach to property taxes that allows Hoosiers who are over 65 to receive relief and stay in their homes by capping the amount their property taxes can increase each year. As governor, I will not leave Hoosiers with promises that cant be kept, but commit instead to working with the General Assembly to lower taxes.

Curtis Hill: We must return the gas tax to pre 2018 levels. Big government Republicans pushed this through and it hurts the average Hoosier. Reducing this tax would also help farmers who have to operate heavy machinery on a regular basis. This is a sensible and achievable goal, not a gimmick.

Jamie Reitenhour: I support reduction of wasteful and excessive spending to reduce taxes. 1) Eliminate property tax for Indiana homesteads, to be worked toward in phases: First, eliminating property tax for senior citizens homesteads; their fixed incomes cant keep up with assessment increases. Second, homestead assessed values that are fixed upon purchase. Ill coordinate with all 92 counties (and their taxing units) about their base taxes, referendum taxes, budget efficiency, and how their spending has changed with rapid increases over recent years. 2) In the meantime, I will consider specified holidays on consumption taxes, like gas tax and sales tax, to offer immediate price relief to Hoosier families. 3) Income tax reduction, as goals are met.

How will you improve the management of Medicaid and Medicare funding to ensure adequate health care coverage for these recipients?

Eric Doden: First, we need to avoid errors like the billion-dollar budget projection deficit revealed last legislative session. That starts with leadership in the governors office and in our state agencies. Im the only candidate in this race on the record saying each agency head will be required to reapply for their job. For Indianas Medicaid and Medicare programs specifically, management of these programs is a vital part of the states overall budget along with education, transportation, infrastructure, and public safety. That means working with the General Assembly to live within our means and bring these programs out of their projected deficits, making sure able-bodied people are working, and preserving access for the most vulnerable Hoosiers.

Curtis Hill: I will always protect seniors and low-income Hoosiers. Funding healthcare is important, including attracting qualified medical professionals to Indiana to provide world class care. My economic plan addresses this through targeted tax breaks.

Jamie Reitenhour: Indiana needs able bodies to work and the private sector and churches to step in to meet more of the needs that the government is meeting poorly. We need mentoring programs in the private sector and job fairs across the State to encourage the already-established Hoosier way, we work hard for what we have in the meantime, each program will have to be evaluated on the basis of its Constitutionality, the need of Hoosiers, and the Hoosier majority view of smaller government and less taxes.

Do you support or oppose current Indiana laws on abortion?

Eric Doden: As a husband, father, and faithful Christian, I am 100% pro-life. For me, being pro-life is a human rights issue: it means being pro-mother, pro-child, and pro-family. In the office of governor, I will be a champion for life by supporting legislation and policies that protect unborn children and mothers. Our Zero-Cost Adoption Plan will lead the way in ensuring mothers who choose life and families who choose adoptions receive the support they need to provide safe and loving homes for Hoosier children. Together, we can build a culture of life in Indiana by protecting the vulnerable and making Indiana one of the first states in the nation to provide zero-cost adoption.

Curtis Hill: I support the current law but believe it needs to be properly enforced. We must demand Terminated Pregnancy Reports (TPRs) from the Indiana Department of Health so that only those with truly extraordinary circumstances are using these exceptions. I believe in a culture of life and will fight for it.

Jamie Reitenhour: Abortion laws are laws that have been written based on the outcry of the public in the State of Indiana. I do not believe the laws as they are written were 1) written well, and 2) reflected the Hoosier pro-life voice that has taken to the polls for over a decade and continues to show a consistent majority in the voter base. I will support laws that uphold a culture of life at all stages.

Do you support or oppose the sending of Indiana National Guard troops to the Texas/Mexico border?

Eric Doden: We must hold the line at home against Washingtons immigration crisis. I boldly support the sending of Indiana National Guard troops to the border, along with an increase in border protections and the heavy persecution of drug dealers. Unlike some D.C. politicians, I refuse to cave under liberal pressure and will lead where D.C. has failed to keep drugs and violence out of Indiana. I pledge to give border states the tools they need to keep illegal immigrants out of the United States and stop the flow of drugs and illegal immigrants over our border. Your safety will always come first, and my bold vision for Indiana will protect our borders and restore our communities.

Curtis Hill: I support sending National Guard troops to the border. I publicly called on Governor Holcomb to do just that and days later he did. I will stand up against the crime and drugs coming over our border. I will always put Hoosiers first.

Jamie Reitenhour: I believe that the recent federal policy and the border crisis that it has created are dangerous and offensive to citizens and legal migrants. The Indiana National Guard is an integral part of not just keeping our state ready, but assisting in a ready state within our nation and around the world. I cannot make any specific comment as to what I would do with the National Guard until I hear the debrief on Indianas threat level, but in general, I support the lawful security of our state and nation.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Crowded field in Republican primary election for next Indiana governor
House Republicans excoriated progressive "Squad" Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., for suggesting during the House Education and the Workforce Committees hearing tackling antisemitism at Columbia University that none of the demonstrations deriding Jews on campus have been "anti-Jewish."



Fox News Digital caught up with two Republicans on the committee at the Capitol after the hearing, asking their thoughts about Columbia University President Dr. Nemat "Minouche" Shafik initially testifying that she had not seen any campus protests that were explicitly "anti-Jewish."

Omar argued that campus demonstrations were merely "pro-war" or "anti-war," but House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., further pressed Shafik on whether she considered anti-Israel agitators chants of "F-- the Jews" and "Death to the Jews" in fact anti-Jewish. Shafik conceded that those slogans heard on campus were "completely anti-Jewish," amending her earlier testimony.

"I thought her answer to that was wrong to begin with, and she had a chance to correct it. I was flabbergasted, actually, when she said no," committee Chair Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital at the Capitol after the hearing. "She said there had been no anti-Jewish, incidents. Well, what is this whole hearing about? The whole hearing is about that."

STEFANIK SLAMS COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY 'ARROGANCE,' 'INCONSISTENT TESTIMONY': 'RECKONING OF ACCOUNTABILITY'

Rep. Ilhan Omar questions Columbia University president Wednesday.

"What I found interesting is the leadership's response to that. And you saw Representative Stefanik really follow up with that," Rep. Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., told Fox News Digital of the exchange. "They are in deep denial that they cover with these clever phrases  just because everything inside the protest was antisemitic, well, it wasn't an antisemitic protest because it wasn't labeled as such. Now that's absurd. You know, I think a third grader would be able to discern, you know, the deception. But, but evidently that's hard for, you know, the professors and the leadership at Columbia."

As the hearing was underway, protesters could be heard yelling outside demanding entry to the Capitol proceeding. Back at Columbia Universitys campus in New York City, hundreds of anti-Israel agitators staged an "occupation" protest calling for the Ivy League school to "divest" from Israel. Video captured demonstrators lighting flares after nightfall, and the New York City Police Department arrested at least four people Thursday morning when crowds defied the schools order to cease the "encampment," which included tents set up on a campus lawn.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"I think it's very important that the Jewish students know that this committee has their back, that we will continue to fight with them against antisemitism," Foxx told Fox News Digital. "And that's my commitment to them. I think they understand that commitment. They've seen the other hearings that we've had. They've heard the things that we've said. And I think it's important that they know they're not alone on that campus, that we are going to be with them, whether we're there physically with them, we're there, mentally, psychologically and morally with them."

HOUSE REPUBLICANS GRILL COLUMBIA PRESIDENT OVER EMPLOYMENT OF PROF WHO CALLED OCT 7 HAMAS ATTACK AWESOME

Foxx and Stefanik hosted a group of Jewish students at the Capitol, offering them the opportunity to speak at a press conference before hearing kicked off Wednesday morning.

One of those students, Eden Yadegar, the daughter of Iranian immigrants, described recent instances of antisemitism on campus, including how a tenured Columbia professor allegedly told students that Jews who regularly attend temple are "indoctrinated," a Jewish student having a Star of David necklace ripped from her neck, and on several occasions Jewish students being accosted by other students at the law school or in the kosher section of the dining hall yelling, "F--- the Jews."

Columbia University student Eden Yadegar describes antisemitism on campus during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol hosted by the House Education and the Workforce Committee leadership. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., listens on.

She said Jewish students have grown fearful of reporting instances of discrimination and harassment because "of how little faith they have that the university will take the necessary steps to protect them," arguing the "universitys action has left Jewish students abandoned" after months of silence from the school leadership.

Another student who spoke at the press conference, Yola Ashkenazi, described how Columbia has recognized clubs that say things like, "Zionists not invited," and, "the Holocaust wasnt that special." She cited how swastikas have been drawn in campus buildings and said, "Columbia permits hate rallies on our campus that call for violence and eradication of the Jewish state" and call for "intifada revolution."

Ashkenazi described how on Feb. 2, when one of her friends was physically held outside the wall of the campus fitness center by demonstrators, Columbia public safety officers told him afterward to "not wear anything identifying him as Jewish when tensions are high."

Speaking with Fox News Digital ahead of the hearing, Yadegar said she was not surprised by the anti-Israel demonstrations happening again back on campus.

"I think that weve gotten to a point where these student demonstrators feel that anything is fair game because they have not been disciplined adequately, and so Im hoping that this hearing will shift us away from that direction," Yadegar said outside the committee room.

"Weve been isolated on campus in certain organizations, in the classroom. Its been incredibly difficult, but the Jewish people are incredibly resilient, and as Americans, as Jews, its our duty to continue to participate in these spaces that weve worked so hard to get to," she said. "I do have a little bit of faith left in their leadership, and I do hope that they will follow through. They claim that antisemitism is abhorrent and that it has no space in our university, and our campus. The action over the past five months doesnt coincide with that rhetoric, however the actions taken over the past couple of weeks are edging in that direction."





Original article source: House Republicans excoriate Ilhan Omar suggesting Columbia University protests not 'anti-Jewish'
These House Republicans want to boot Mike Johnson from the speakership

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a "motion to vacate" against Speaker Mike Johnson in March.

She argues that Johnson has betrayed the GOP, in part by allowing more Ukraine aid to pass.

Since then, more Republicans have signed onto her effort, but Democrats could protect Johnson.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene doesn't think Mike Johnson deserves his job anymore. She's no longer alone.

The Georgia congresswoman is getting back-up on the so-called "motion to vacate" she filed against the GOP speaker of the House in March: two more Republicans signed on this week.

These GOP lawmakers argue Johnson is betraying his party, first by passing compromise government funding bills that were not sufficiently hard-right and now by working with Democrats to pass more aid to Ukraine.

But the circumstances are far different from October, when then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted via a motion to vacate for the first time in American history.

That effort, led by Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida and supported by 7 of his colleagues, was only successful because every single House Democrat voted for it. Democrats loathed McCarthy, and the ex-speaker did little to incentivize them to protect him from Gaetz's effort.

This time, several Democrats have indicated they're willing to protect Johnson  likely by voting to table Greene's motion  if he passes Ukraine aid, as he plans to do on Saturday.

Greene has not yet forced a vote on her resolution, and it's unclear when she will. If Democrats were to vote for her resolution, she now has enough votes to oust Johnson.

It's unclear who would succeed the Louisiana Republican, and the House could be thrown back into weeks of chaos if Greene is successful.

Mike Johnson. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Here are the Republicans who want to fire Johnson

Marjorie Taylor Greene: The Georgia congresswoman filed her motion at the end of March, the day that the House approved a government funding bill that she hated. She has since taken to blasting Johnson on a nearly daily basis on social media.

Thomas Massie: The Kentucky congressman announced in a conference meeting this week that he would be cosponsoring Greene's motion. An idiosyncratic libertarian who's used to taking lonely positions, Massie is upset with Johnson for numerous reasons, including approving foreign aid and pushing through a bill that re-authorizes government spy powers.

Paul Gosar: The Arizona congressman signed onto Greene's motion Friday to protest Johnson's move to approve more Ukraine aid, saying in a statement: "We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military-industrial complex."

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Photo illustration via Canva with Capitol photo by Perry Beeman/Iowa Capital Dispatch and background via Getty Images)

As lawmakers aim to end the 2024 legislative session, one major policy priority named by both Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican legislative leaders had yet to reach floor debate: income tax cuts.

While members of the Republican trifecta all said they were committed to speeding up the 2022 individual income tax reductions, Reynolds and GOP lawmakers had advanced differing proposals on how to approach earlier in the session. But on Thursday, Republican legislators said they have reached a compromise  Senate File 2442 and its House companion, House File 2705.

These bills, passed through their respective chambers Ways and Means subcommittee and committee meetings Thursday, would lower Iowas individual income tax to a 3.8% flat tax rate beginning in 2025  lower than the 3.9% flat income tax by 2026 that was approved in the 2022 legislation.

The House Ways and Means Committee advanced its version of the tax omnibus bill in meeting April 18. 2024. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Speaking with reporters Thursday morning, Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, said the legislation puts Iowa in the drivers seat for being one of the most conservative states in the country, yet again, when it comes to taxation.

The bill is less extensive than the income tax cut proposals discussed earlier this session. Reynolds income tax proposal would have lowered Iowas individual income tax rate to 3.65% retroactively in 2024, with another decrease to 3.5% in 2025. Kaufmann and Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, introduced a separate proposal in February that would have lowered the income tax rate to 3.775% in 3.65% in 2027, with additional changes creating a process for gradually allocating money from the Taxpayer Relief Fund to put toward eliminating the individual income tax entirely.

While Kaufmann said he believed the new tax bill offers a good path forward for the state, he said he supports further cuts to the individual income tax rate in the future.

I would like to continue to go down as low as we can, he said. But we, as House and Senate Republicans, are continually making sure that our tax relief plans are paid for and responsible.

Republicans said these tax cuts will be financed using excess tax revenue from this years budget plan, in addition to a withdrawal from the Taxpayer Relief Fund. The bill includes language stipulating that if state revenues fall below state appropriations for a fiscal year, the funding needed to make up the difference would come, at least in part, from the relief fund. This language would be repealed July 1, 2029.

But Democrats and some advocates said this mechanism to fund tax cuts and move to a flat rate system is not sustainable, as the Taxpayer Relief Fund contains one-time money. In a Senate subcommittee meeting on the proposal, Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum questioned what would happen if the state were to face a recession, or if the costs of programs like the Education Savings Accounts, government funding for private school tuition, push state spending above its revenues.

Im just looking at long term on the fiscal health of the state and making sure we can maintain our education system because to me, public safety and educating our children are probably the two of the most important things we can do in state government, Jochum said. And I want to make sure were taking care of those issues.

Mike Owen, executive director of Common Good Iowa, said Republican lawmakers are making cuts we cannot afford for a state  and that those cuts unfairly benefit wealthier Iowans while putting a higher burden on lower- and middle-income families. Owen and advocates speaking against flat-rate taxes have argued for keeping a graduated tax rate, applying a higher percentage of income tax to those with higher incomes.

I would add that this is one more case of taxes directing budget choices rather than the other way around  where we can determine our needs, transparently set priorities, find the best way to fund them, Owen said.

Dawson said while lawmakers want to ensure state services are funded, the Legislature also has a duty to respect the taxpayer. In the case of a major economic downturn, Dawson said it would be incumbent on lawmakers to find a way to make state government more efficient, and to find areas where spending could be decreased.

He also said the state is in a sound financial position, and Senate Republican projections show the state will be able to afford these cuts.

We have $2 billion structural surplus, and $3 billion in the Taxpayer Relief Fund, Dawson said. Thats a lot of money. Even with this plan right here to some of the calculations that we run, we might have to use, maybe on a normal three-and-a-half percent growth rate  about $700, $800 million  theres gonna be a lot of money here left over when its all said and done.

Reynolds praised lawmakers for advancing the legislation and moving toward decreasing the income tax rate.

Cutting taxes has been a priority of mine since taking office, and Im pleased that the Senate has introduced an income tax cut that further reduces and accelerates the implementation of a flat tax rate that will benefit every Iowan who pays income tax, Reynolds said in the statement. This was a key piece of the tax reform bill I proposed this year, and this common-sense compromise will allow hard-working Iowans to keep more of what they earn in every paycheck.

Property taxes revisited

The bill also includes several other components, including several changes that follow up on last years property tax cuts. That law implemented a requirement that if a city or countys total assessed property value increases by more than 3%, some excess revenue must go toward reducing its general fund levy, including different tiers of required reductions for values between 3% and 6% and those that grow more than 6%. The bill proposes changing the thresholds, moving the system to tiers of 2.75% or below, between 2.75% and 4%, between 4% and 6% and growth rates above 6% for determining if, and how much, a locality must decrease its general fund levy.

Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, said during the House Ways and Means Committee meeting that the system punishes Iowa cities and counties for growing and for becoming more desirable places to live  changes that are needed to bring more people to the state, he said.

Why are we penalizing a local entity that performs well, treats the consumer, the constituents, Iowans well, with the healthy growth? Jacoby said. But were still knocking them down for doing what we always asked them to do.

Another portion of the bill allows counties to eliminate county compensation boards, the bodies that review and make recommendations on salaries for elected county officials. Kaufmann called compensation boards Ponzi schemes, saying that they are effectively a group of friends getting together and recommending raises for each other.

In my opinion, county compensation boards are one of the largest contributors to an explosion of growth of property taxes, he said.

After clearing the committee process, both bills are available for debate in their respective chambers.

The post House, Senate committees advance proposal lowering income tax appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The House of Representatives is voting on whether to proceed with Speaker Mike Johnsons $95 billion foreign aid proposal on Friday after it cleared its first key procedural hurdle with Democratic help.

The Friday morning vote is a test vote of sorts for the four foreign aid bills, known as a "rule vote." If successful it will allow lawmakers to debate each of the individual four bills and vote on their final passage on Saturday.

Three of the four bills fund Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific. A fourth bill includes national security priorities like the Houses recently passed crackdown on TikToks ownership as well as the REPO Act, which would liquidate seized Russian assets and give that funding to Ukraine.

Democrats had to help bail the GOP-led proposals on Thursday night in the face of conservative opposition. The Rules Committee, the final barrier before legislation traditionally gets a House-wide vote, spent all day considering the bills before advancing their "rules" package in a 9-3 vote.

GOP REBELS DERAIL SPEAKER JOHNSONS BORDER BILL AMID FURY OVER FOREIGN AID

Speaker Mike Johnson is holding a test vote on his foreign aid proposal Friday.

Its highly unusual for Democrats, or any opposition party, to cross the aisle on a Rules Committee vote as well as a House-wide rule vote. But it underscores the urgency that lawmakers on both sides feel about sending aid to foreign allies.

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The three conservatives on the panel  Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ralph Norman, R-S.C.  all voted against the measure; an equally unusual move thats become common in the 118th Congress, where members of the House Freedom Caucus and their allies have wielded outsized influence in Republicans thin majority by blocking procedural hurdles such as this. Democrats support will be critical for the rule vote and potentially even final passage of the bills.

Johnson has faced furious pushback from the right flank of his conference over most of his plan, particularly sending $60 billion to Ukraine, which has become a politically fraught topic for much of the GOP.

Those same foreign aid hawks have objected to some of the Israel funding being aimed at humanitarian aid in Gaza, though its inclusion was critical to winning Democratic support. In a victory for Republicans, however, it prevents any of the Israel-Gaza funding from going toward the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a Palestinian refugee agency alleged to have ties to Hamas.

SENATE VOTE ON MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT REACHES 'UNPRECEDENTED TERRITORY': CHAD PERGRAM

Rep. Chip Roy is among the Republicans who voted against the proposals in committee.

Conservative rebels also decried House GOP leaders decision to combine the four bills into one before sending it to the Senate, arguing it amounted to the same $95 billion foreign aid package the Democrat-majority chamber passed earlier this year and which House Republicans oppose. Johnson has argued that packaging them together for the Senate would prevent them from neglecting the Israel bill at a time when the issue has divided the Democratic Party.

Earlier this week, Massie threatened hed move to oust Johnson from the speakership if he did not step aside after having the House vote on his foreign aid plans. One GOP lawmaker who was present at the closed-door meeting where it happened told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that Johnson challenged him to do so.

Massie is now signed onto Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes motion to vacate resolution, which, if deemed "privileged" by Greene, would force the House to begin voting on Johnsons potential ouster within two legislative days.

'DEFINITION OF INSANITY': FRUSTRATED HOUSE REPUBLICANS BLAST GOP REBELS' THREAT TO OUST JOHNSON

Meanwhile, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie are threatening to oust Johnson over the plan.

Some discussion over whether to raise the threshold needed to call a motion to vacate  currently just one member can call for it  ended with Johnson backing off of the controversial move after it enraged GOP rebels and spurred new ouster threats.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., suggested to reporters earlier that a wide swath of rank-and-file Republicans supported the idea; but Johnson denied having such conversations earlier on Thursday when asked by Fox News Digital.

"Recently, many members have encouraged me to endorse a new rule to raise this threshold. While I understand the importance of that idea, any rule change requires a majority of the full House, which we do not have. We will continue to govern under the existing rules," Johnson said on Thursday evening.





Original article source: House takes key test vote for Johnsons $95B foreign aid plan after Dems help it advance
TechCrunch

Starship is ready to fly again  and for the first time, SpaceX is going to try to bring the booster back to the launch site to catch it with a pair of oversized "chopsticks." SpaceX will launch the mammoth Starship on Sunday in a launch window that opens at 5 AM PST (7 AM local time) from the companys Starbase site in southeast Texas. This flight, which will be the fifth in the Starship development program, is coming a little sooner than expected: the Federal Aviation Administration had previously said that it did not anticipate issuing a modified launch license for this test before late November.
The House on Friday cleared a key procedural hurdle in passing foreign aid to Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, despite dozens of Republican defections, with Democrats helping Speaker Mike Johnson avoid a stinging defeat.

Soon after, a third Republican said he would join a threatened move to oust him.

The chamber voted 316-94 to advance the bills, setting up Saturday votes on final passage of $95 billion in foreign assistance that has been held up in a political fight in Washington for several months.

Procedural votes such as Friday's are typically passed by the House majority alone, but Democrats stepped in to help push the legislation forward after Republican hard-liners collectively opposed the measure. More Democrats voted to advance the bills than Republicans.

"Democrats, once again, will be the adults in the room," said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., during debate ahead of the vote.

Leaving the House floor after the vote, Johnson said the four foreign aid bills are the best possible product under the circumstances. "We look forward to final passage on the bill tomorrow."

The individual bills provide roughly $26 billion for Israel, $61 billion for Ukraine and $8 billion for the Indo-Pacific. The measures are similar to legislation passed by a bipartisan group in the Senate back in February, which tied all aid together into one measure.

MORE: A TikTok ban is wrapped in Speaker Johnson's foreign aid package: What happens next?

A fourth bill packaged into the foreign aid contains conservative priorities such as a TikTok ban bill, sanctions on Iran and legislation to seize Russian assets to help provide funding to Ukraine.

Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are on the frontlines of the struggle to preserve democracy around the world, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., during debate. In the case of Ukraine and Israel, these two nations are quite literally in harms way.

Pressure increased on lawmakers to pass aid after Iran's unprecedented attacks on Israel over the weekend.

Johnson has forged ahead with the foreign aid measures, calling them pivotal, despite pushback from the right-flank of his party and looming threats to his job.

A third House Republican, Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona, announced after Friday's vote his support for the motion to vacate the speaker's chair first introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene last month. In a statement, Gosar expressed frustration with moving ahead on aid to Ukraine rather than providing resources to the souther border.

"We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away, Gosar said.

Three Republicans supporting a motion to vacate would be enough to remove Johnson, unless Democrats decide to help defend the Republican speaker.

On his way to the House floor for the vote, ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Selina Wang asked Johnson if he was worried about possibly being ousted.

I dont worry," Johnson responded. "I just do my job."

PHOTO: U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol April 16, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Win Mcnamee/Getty Images)

But GOP hard-liners aired their frustrations with Johnson and his approach to this issue during debate.

Im concerned that the speakers cut a deal with the Democrats to fund foreign wars rather than to secure a border, Rep. Thomas Massie.

Massie, R-Ky., earlier this week called on Johnson to resign and joined Greene's motion to vacate.

Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, also took issue with "another $100 million to fund war, unpaid for, with zero border security -- under a rule which Republicans should oppose because it is a process predesigned to achieve a desired predetermined outcome, with no border security."

"This was all precooked," Roy said. "It's why President Biden and Chuck Schumer are praising it."

MORE: Johnson says he won't change rules for ousting speakers after warnings from GOP hard-liners

Democrats, meanwhile, criticized Republicans for bringing dysfunction to the chamber.

"I would just say to my colleagues, 'Look at what MAGA extremism has gotten you: nothing. Nothing, not a damn thing,'" Rep. McGovern said, who also told his colleagues,You dont get an award when youre doing your damn job.

"We are in a divided government. Nobody is going to get everything they want," he added. "I hope today's vote loosens the grip that MAGA extremism has on this body, and especially when it comes to supporting our allies."

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, also a Democratic member of the House Rules Committee, also condemned the delay in getting aid passed: Congress is finally going to vote ... Why did it take us this long?"

The White House ahead of the vote released a statement of administration policy backing the bills, calling them "long overdue" and actions that would "send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment."

House Democrats help Johnson avoid defeat on foreign aid bills, despite GOP defections originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By Masakatsu Ota, KYODO NEWS - Apr 19, 2024 - 11:40 | All, World

As the already two-year-old Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Estonia's commander-in-chief has advocated a new strategy for the Eastern European country he says would bring victory.

"The initiative I would highlight is what the Estonian government proposed a few months ago. We call it the Victory Strategy," Gen. Martin Herem said during a recent interview with Kyodo News.

"The main idea is that if each Ramstein coalition country supports Ukraine with 0.25 percent of its GDP, then we would exceed the resources that Russia is using for the war. And that should give Ukraine enough power to liberate the country and to restore its territory," said Herem, who visited Tokyo for military consultations recently.

The alliance of more than 50 nations including all NATO members created "the Ukraine Defense Contact Group," also known as the Ramstein group, after the 2022 Russian invasion. Japan, South Korea and Australia are members of the ad-hoc coalition.

The proposed 0.25 percent of GDP contribution by the Ramstein group would provide $120 billion, according to the Estonian estimate.

"The current situation is not good at all for Ukrainians. And the situation is coming mainly because Russia has spent three times more money on this war than Ukraine and the Ramstein coalition. Russia has spent 15 billion dollars for the Ukraine war. And the Ramstein coalition supported Ukraine with 5 billion," he said.

Estonia, one of the Baltic nations neighboring Russia, made a variety of military contributions even before the war started.

"At the end of 2021, even before the war escalated, we saw the situation getting worse, and it's probable that Russia will escalate the situation. So we sent Javelin missiles, anti-tank missiles, artillery and air defense ammunition. So that was the first package, which also woke up many Western countries," Herem said.

Estonia, which hosts the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Centre of Excellence, or CCDCOE, has helped with cyber security for Ukraine and the NATO alliance since the war started. CCDCOE is a multinational and interdisciplinary cyber defense hub for Western nations.

Herem also emphasized the military importance of a sustainable supply of ammunition. "So far the Western countries said that there is no ammunition available, which is not true. If you want to buy it from outside the European Union, there are many countries who are ready to sell," he said.

"European countries want to keep the money in the European Union. And that's actually the main problem. So now they have changed their principles."

Herem advocates beefing up Ukraine's air defense, which he says could change the future course of the war.

"I'm actually quite sure that if Ukraine keeps the current defense line until summer, they may get new supplies, mainly like long-range artillery and air defense. And these are the two things that they need most."

"That's why the F-16s are very important. Because F-16s are not just to attack the Russian units but also to keep the sky free of Russian aircraft, Russian air strikes," Herem said. NATO member countries have trained Ukraine pilots in use of the fighters.

Herem also stressed the high stakes of the ongoing war in the context of peace and stability not only in Europe but also in Asia. "If Russia wins in Ukraine, it will not just cause mistrust towards democratic governments among our countries. It will actually encourage China."

Related coverage:

Exiled Iranian royal sees regime change as country's only way forward

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Russian military revival could "test" NATO: Estonia minister
Nataliia Humeniuk has been dismissed from her position as the head of the military's Southern Operational Command press department, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces announced on April 19.

Humeniuk drew criticism from the Ukrainian media association Mediarukh for allegedly preventing journalists from properly covering Russian crimes in Kherson Oblast.

The General Staff's announcement did not mention the reason for Humeniuk's dismissal, but said that the search for her replacement is underway.

Mediarukh sent a letter on April 16 calling for Humeniuk's replacement. The letter was addressed to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, and Chief of the General Staff Anatolii Barhylevych and carries 100 signatures of journalists and media workers.

The letter accused Humeniuk of denying journalists access to regions where she oversees the military's work with the media. It claimed that while Ukrainians and the world can witness Russia's efforts to destroy Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast or Ukrainian troops holding the line in Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, reporters cannot document the war in Kherson Oblast because of Humeniuk's obstruction.

In a comment for the Kyiv Independent, Humeniuk said that there had been no violations of rules on her part and that the "work has always been organized in accordance with operational safety."

Read also: Recent campaigns against journalists raise concerns about press freedom in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
NEW YORK  Reporters covering former President Trumps New York criminal trial were admonished Thursday by the judge overseeing it following the dismissal of a seated juror who expressed frustration about the cases extensive media coverage.

The snag led Justice Juan Merchan to direct the press to stop reporting prospective jurors employers and physical characteristics after several outlets published stories describing those selected, with those details having been relayed in open court.

Another selected juror was dismissed soon after for apparently unrelated reasons, but they, too, expressed frustrations to the judge about the public attention.

We just lost, probably, what probably would have been a very good juror for this case, and the first thing that she said was she was afraid and intimidated by the press, all the press, and everything that had happened, Merchan said to reporters.

So really this is just a matter of common sense, and I ask you to please follow that, the judge continued.

The loss of the jurors marked a temporary setback, but the process recovered hours later when the full jury of 12 New Yorkers  and the first alternate  were seated at the very end of the trials third day.

Merchan indicated he expects the process to finish Friday after the remaining five alternates are selected.

The admonishment underscored the difficulty of selecting a jury in the high-profile case, where information the public receives is largely limited to what reporters publish. No cameras are allowed inside the courtroom, except for a few minutes at the start of each day to capture the scene.

Trumps New York trial marks his first criminal case and the first time a former U.S. president has stood trial on criminal charges. Trump is accused of falsifying business records in connection to a hush money deal made with an adult film actress ahead of the 2016 election. He pleaded not guilty and has insisted the records were truthful.

The judge previously ordered for an anonymous jury in the historic trial to protect the New Yorkers safety, like Trumps two civil jury trials that took place the past year.

But unlike those trials, Merchans questionnaire for prospective jurors included prompts asking them about their current and past employers. The questions, among others, prompted the New Yorkers in open court to provide rather specific details about their lives.

The former president has historically lodged attacks against people involved in his case, sometimes resulting in threats to their safety.

The first juror dismissed Thursday expressed concern about her ability to be impartial after she said she received questions from friends, family and colleagues about whether she was selected for Trumps jury based on media reports.

I dont believe at this point that I can be fair and unbiased and let the outside influences not affect my decisionmaking in the courtroom, the woman said.

The judge responded, Thank you. I am sorry that you went through that.

The second juror dismissed, also selected a day prior, had a more complicated story. Prosecutors flagged to the judge that they found an article describing a person of the same name being arrested in the 1990s and evidence that the jurors wife was previously involved in a corruption inquiry.

All jurors were asked as part of a 42-question survey whether they or someone close to them had ever been accused or convicted of a crime. The district attorneys office suggested the juror may have lied on that question.

The juror was interviewed a second time at the judges bench, out of earshot from reporters inside the courtroom. However, those journalists noted that most questions appeared to come from the prosecution side, and a few answers drew laughter from Trump attorney Todd Blanche.

Once the sidebar ended, Merchan appeared to sternly address the juror and shortly after, dismissed him. The judge did not address the reason but indicated that the juror expressed annoyance about the extent of information published about him.

News organizations this week have published varying degrees of detail about who is serving on the panel. The Hill published some details Merchan took issue with but had opted to hold back certain information to keep jurors identities anonymous.

The judge did not take aim at any specific outlet on Thursday, but he said the press generally had gone too far, calling it a problem and effectively imposing a gag order on journalists covering the trial.

There is a reason why this is an anonymous jury and why we have taken the measures that we have taken, and it kind of defeats the purpose of that when so much information is put out there that it is very, very easy for anyone to identify who the jurors are, Merchan said.

New York state law around media coverage of the courts is among the strictest in the country. Its one of two states that still bars the use of cameras in the courtroom.

Because of that, any information that emerges within the courtroom where Trumps historic trial is being held must be relayed secondhand, through reporters, to the public.

Merchan said that the press can write about anything thats said on the record, but advised reporters to apply common sense.

If you cant do that, if we cant stick to that, we will have to see what else we need to do to ensure that the jurors remain safe, Merchan added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Hyundai Pauses Ads On X After One Appears On Timeline With Antisemitic Posts

Hyundai suspended advertisements on the social media giant X this week after one of the companys sponsored posts appeared next to antisemitic messages.

Nancy Levine Stearns, a freelance journalist, posted a screenshot of the Hyundai ad earlier this week, which appeared on in the feed of an X account that regularly shares Holocaust denials and antisemitic remarks alongside other conspiracy theories. NBC News first reported that Hyundai had suspended its ad campaign while it coordinated with X (formerly Twitter) to implement safety controls.

NEW: Hyundai Motor America spokesperson emailed me today about its ad on X appearing on a verified Premium account that posts pro-Hitler, antisemitic content:



We are immediately removing from the site. We are updating our parameters to avoid other instances similar to this. pic.twitter.com/Y2oK8AVjCl  Nancy Levine Stearns  (@nancylevine) April 17, 2024

We have paused our ads on X and are speaking to X directly about brand safety to ensure this issue is addressed, Hyundai said in a statement.

X confirmed to NBC that the account which shared the antisemitic remarks has since been suspended for violating the social media companys policies.

The Hyundai campaign was done self-serve, without the support of Xs direct sales team  and unfortunately, its agency Brunswick did not activate Brand Safety settings controls available to them, Joe Benarroch, the head of Xs business operations division, said in a statement to The Hill. Hyundai is considering its next steps as it refreshes the 6-week-old campaign.

X has seen a proliferation of problematic content following Elon Musks 2022 acquisition of Twitter. The Anti-Defamation League said in November that hate speech had surged on X and increased on Facebook following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

The rise in such speech prompted many companies to flee or suspend their ad buys late last year.

Musk has defended the site, saying there is less antisemitism on X than on its competitors.

The outside audits that we have had done ... show that there is the least amount of antisemitism on X if you look at all the other social apps, the billionaire said in an interview in January with far-right commentator Ben Shapiro.

Related...
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

Tanquerays  the basement bar in the Metcalf Building on Orange Avenue  is for sale for $1.3 million, listed with Prakas & Co., a Boca Raton-based brokerage firm with an outpost in Orlando led by James Layson. The space is a bit less than 3,000 square feet and yes, its underground.

Visitors and locals alike are big fans of Tanquerays. For example, insurance broker Donovan Pyle was visiting from New York the first time he went to Tanquerays, where he heard guitarist Bobby Koelble play, Pyle told Orlando Business Journal. Bobby Koelble was blowing the doors off of the place on a Tuesday night. I thought to myself, Why am I killing myself in Manhattan? This place is great.

Tanquerays also attracts regulars like comedian Blake Butler, whos usually there on Monday nights to see OGilvie Trio. Every time I go there, Ill see not only regulars who are interesting, cool people, but also people Ive never seen before, Butler said. I just also happen to love live music and the fact that they have it every night and its different every night is a big plus.

Read: American Idol alum and Grammy award winner Mandisa dies at 47, reports say

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




Vote

The other day, I happened to notice a yard sign. It read simply, May Matters. I thought it was a real estate sign. Then I started seeing several signs for candidates in the upcoming primary. Then the words finally hit home  May Matters!

Of course May matters. It is our only real chance to pick who is going to represent us.

Ive been shouting for years that elections are won or lost in the primaries. Only 15 to 20% of the registered voters even turn out in the primaries. That tiny percentage of voters has determined the outcome in every election in Idaho for well over a decade. Only those voters that are truly motivated show up at the polls.

Become a participant in our society and vote! Become one of the people that enables all women control of their bodies. Be a voter that says no to the extremists and yes to education and access to health care. So yes, May matters. Get out and vote.

Gil Beyer, Sandpoint

Winder

It is a pleasure to write this endorsement of Sen. Chuck Winder to continue as the senator from District 20. I would have to think long and hard to find another legislator who has impacted Idaho like Chuck Winder. Chuck is one of the very few individuals who maintains his right to an opinion once elected. He speaks his mind on important issues without holding a finger to the winds to see if his opinion will cost him a vote. Thank God for that! He maintains decorum in a Senate chamber with several members who feel being a senator is their right to criticize others without consequence. Chuck considers the needs of his constituents before his own, something very rare in Republican party politics these days. One of my fondest political memories is that of knocking on doors with Chuck in minus-20-degree weather to remove school board members that we felt were bad for the community. He listens actively to everyone who will reach out to him. He realizes that his constituents number more than just the folks that voted for him. His opponent doesnt. Please remember that when you cast your votes.

Kent Goldthorpe, Meridian

Bishop

We need better representation. Legislative District 10, is not being represented by our current senator, Tammy Nichols. Tammy Nichols representation in District 10 does not reflect our community. Her voting record is anti-education, against proper funding for roads, and shockingly votes against the Idaho State Police. Please, look into her record. Nichols has consistently voted against the police, prisons, schools, veteran benefits and agriculture. I have met with a strong and honest, locally funded conservative candidate, Lori Bishop. Lori recognizes the need to better represent District 10 in the Idaho Legislature. Nichols operates on out-of- state money that accommodates non-Idaho values. Look up her voting record and compare that with the needs and values in District 10. I choose to support a senator who represents District 10 and whats best for Idaho. If you support the Idaho Freedom Foundation, crazy far right conspiracy theories, weaker police, prisons, schools, and are anti-veteran support, then I suggest you are out of touch with the Idaho citizens and the so-called Idaho way. Im not some left-leaning liberal, Im a native Idahoan, and Im a registered Republican. Lori Bishop deserves all our District 10 votes!

Tom C. Farley, Star

Extremist

Well folks here we go again, a local state representative from district 12B is targeting our hard-working folks again. First, he was targeting our local librarians with heavy fines and possible prison time. Now he is targeting the folks who put food on your table. Im talking about folks who work for our local Ag farmers, local dairy farmers, and local meat processing folks. They already have dangerous working conditions, and severe long hours in the worst part of our hot summer to bring food to our kitchen tables. Do you really want to continue down this path of this extremist targeting hard working folks who only want to help our families grow in both reading a good book and having good meals? If youre like me, I think its time for a change, come this November you will have another choice for your local state representative.

Don Benson, Nampa

Durst

I am writing from the West Bonner school district as a parent that went through a horrible experience, and that experience was Branden Durst. He is the worst leader for anything he runs for. He gouged our district when he negotiated his salary and his contract. He did not consider the taxpayers or parents when he accepted compensation that was fully funded from our tax dollars. He asked for free lunches from our schools when most of our children cant even get free lunches. He also asked for a vehicle and paid gas, among other outlandish things. He tells you what you think you want to hear. Do not vote for Durst.

Tiff Simpkins, Priest River

Bishop

As someone deeply invested in our community, I am proud to offer my wholehearted endorsement for Lori Bishop in the upcoming election.

Lori understands that investing in our schools means investing in our future. She has proven herself to be a true champion for our students and teachers alike. Her track record of community engagement and collaborative leadership speaks volumes about her ability to effect positive change. She doesnt just talk the talk; she rolls up her sleeves and works tirelessly to make our community a better place for all its residents.

Beyond her passion for education, Lori possesses the rare quality of level-headedness that is lacking in todays political arena. She approaches issues with thoughtfulness, pragmatism, and a willingness to listen to all perspectives

Lori embodies the values of integrity, compassion, and progress. I am confident that with her in office, our community will flourish, our schools will thrive, and our future will be brighter than ever before.

I urge my fellow citizens to join me in voting for Lori Bishop on May 21.

Bryan Swygart, Middleton
An agent explains the new fees homebuyers would pay after the real estate settlement  and why he's not worried about losing his guaranteed commission

Mukul Lalchandani, a real estate agent, discusses the impact of new commission rules.

The new rules mean that sellers no longer have to pay the buyer's agent commission.

These changes may most affect low-income buyers, but Lalchandani says his clients won't be affected.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mukul Lalchandani, a 44-year-old real-estate agent from New York. It's been edited for length and clarity.

My parents wanted to buy a house in the US before immigrating here from Hong Kong, but they didn't know how real estate worked in this country.

They were working with the seller's broker and didn't realize they could work with a buyer's broker who would help them find the best deal. The seller's broker deceived them. They ended up spending a lot of money and had no house to move into when they arrived in the US. I decided to become a real-estate agent so I could prevent other immigrant families from going through the same situation.

I've lived in New York for 23 years and have been a real-estate agent for over 15 years. I established my own agency, Undivided, in 2023.

Most realtors in NY are not under the National Association of Realtors like the rest of the country. We have our own association called REBNY. The NAR and real-estate agents all around the country are preparing for new rules to pass.

One of the rules is that the seller no longer has to pay a commission to the buyer's agent. REBNY already implemented these rules starting January 1; the new rules were a shock for all of us. While the rest of the country is preparing for the rule changes, we're already seeing the results.

My agency has had to implement new policies to address the changes brought on by these rules.

Here's what the new commission rules mean

There is a lot of confusion around the commission rule and what it means, especially for buyers. The rules were made as part of a settlement for a nationwide lawsuit. When someone sells a property, they must pay their broker and the buyer's broker a commission. It's not fair to the seller.

The new rules will mean that the buyer will have to either pay for their own broker or not use a broker at all.

I've implemented two major policies in my agency to help with the confusion

First, I make sure to sit down with each buyer and explain to them how the new rules affect them. At first, my clients are confused. Then, when it clicks, they're shocked. They realize they have to pay for the broker themselves. They have an extra cost for buying the property which they didn't consider before.

My agency has also begun requiring all new buyers to sign an "exclusive buyers agreement." In this agreement, we outline everything we will do to help the buyer through the buying process in their best interest. It also states how much they'll pay us for our services. This contract helps clarify the terms and payment and prevents any confusion related to the new rules.

We have to implement this contract and charge our clients a fee because we no longer get a commission from the seller.

All buyers are shocked, but this will affect low-income buyers the most

My agency is a boutique agency in NY, and my clients tend to be high-networth individuals. The buyers who come to me are shocked when they learn about the new fees but can afford them.

Real-estate investors want a broker to find the best property for them, so they'll also be willing to pay the commission fees. Buying in NY is especially complicated, so buyers really need a broker. The new commission rule will not hurt people looking to buy expensive homes or investment properties. It will hurt the lower-income buyers the most.

Buying a property without a broker is possible, but the buyer is taking a risk. Higher-income buyers such as foreigners and out-of-towners who buy real estate in NY will avoid the risk and pay the broker fees to make sure they get a good deal. However, lower-income buyers around the country may not be able to afford a broker anymore. That means they'll be more vulnerable to getting into a bad real-estate deal.

For example, if someone is buying a million-dollar home, they would need about $15,000 to pay the broker now. That can't come out of pocket for most buyers.

Many brokers will leave the industry, and some jobs will disappear

This also means that many brokers who sell only a couple of properties a year will leave the industry. Only brokers who work in real estate as their main source of income will be able to survive the new rules. Buyers will only pay for the brokers who have the most experience and get the best deals. In the future, we could also see bonuses for the buyer's brokers in a slow market that may not be offered in a hot market.

We might even see the job of a buyer's broker disappear in a few years. There used to be tenant agents who helped people find places to rent. That job disappeared when people looking to rent began talking directly with companies that own the properties. This could happen to the buyer's agent too.

If you're confused about the new rules, it's because they're confusing. Sellers were not happy with the previous rules where they had to represent the buyer's best interest by paying a commission to the buyer's broker. They'll no longer have to do that.

The new rules will have big ramifications as buyers start experiencing the changing real estate market.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An endangered sperm whale that was recently stranded on a Florida beach died after officials were unable to rescue it.

What happened?

In March, a sperm whale became stranded on a shallow sandbar off Florida's Gulf Coast in the city of Venice. High winds and surf prevented rescuers from helping the animal make its way back into the ocean, and it started experiencing labored breathing and signs of suffering, according to the Guardian. Officials ultimately decided to euthanize the animal.

At 50,000 to 70,000 pounds, the whale was considered to be severely underweight and struggling to survive, the Guardian also reported.

Laura Engleby, branch chief with the marine mammal division at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told local news outlet WTVT that it's rare for a sperm whale to get stranded in this area.

"It's really unusual," Engleby said. "The last one I remember being at was in 2008. We get about two sperm whales stranded a year in the southeastern US along the Gulf Coast  [which is] not as frequently."

Why is this stranding concerning?

Sperm whales are listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, meaning the species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.

These mammals face a barrage of threats, including collisions with water vessels, entanglement with fishing gear, ocean noise, marine debris, oil spills and contaminants, and a warming world. According to NOAA, our planet's changing climate can affect whale migration, feeding, and breeding.

Whales play an important role in the ecosystem, enabling tourism opportunities and supporting a web of life. They can even help us fight a warming world, as they play an important role in carbon sequestration.

Though rare in this area, around 2,000 strandings like this happen each year. For instance, in July 2023, dozens of pilot whales were beached in Western Australia. That same month, 55 whales were stranded on a beach in Scotland  only one survived.

Beachings are rare enough that they do not pose a significant threat to any species, according to the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. However, experts have also said that an overheating planet could increase the number of whale beachings.

What's being done to conserve whales?

A number of organizations are dedicated to the conservation of whales and other marine wildlife, including Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Ocean Alliance, World Wildlife Fund, and others.

The Caribbean island of Dominica also recently created the world's first protected area for sperm whales. The sanctuary spans nearly 300 square miles, and scientists say the reserve will serve a hidden benefit of helping to fight our climate crisis, the Guardian reported.

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CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand  Indian state-owned aerospace company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received a request for proposal from the Ministry of Defence for 97 light fighters, setting up the largest-ever order for the aircraft.

The companys Tejas fighters  also known as Light Combat Aircraft, or LCA  are critical to the Indian Air Force, as the service currently has only 31 fighter squadrons compared to a mandated level of 42.

A HAL spokesperson confirmed that the company had received the solicitation but couldnt say when a response with a concrete pricing proposal would be delivered. The Indian Air Force did not respond to a question about the expected price tag for the contract, but published estimates peg the cost at somewhere north of INR650 billion, or roughly $7.8 billion.

This 97-fighter tender request follows the Defence Acquisition Councils formal acceptance of the military requirement for the aircraft on Nov. 30, 2023.

HAL already has two Tejas production lines in Bangalore, each of which can produce eight aircraft annually. A third production line at Nashik, Maharashtra, is due to open in October, adding another eight planes to the annual output.

That means the company could be in a position to manufacture 24 LCAs annually by 2025 or 2026.

The new tender sets up HALs second contract for the aircraft, after a $6.5 billion deal in January 2021 for 73 single-seat and 10 twin-seat trainer aircraft. The first production LCA Mk1A, the latest configuration, completed its maiden flight on March 28. HAL was supposed to deliver the first copy in February, a deadline that the company missed.

The new order will give the Air Force 180 Mk1A fighters across nine squadrons, in addition to 40 older LCA Mk1 aircraft.

HAL noted four main advances in the newer Tejas version: an advanced electronic warfare suite with self-protection jammer, active electronically scanned array radar, improvements to ease maintenance, and the ability to fire beyond-visual-range missiles.

Once concluded, the deal will greatly boost HALs order books, which as of March 31 exceeded $11.2 billion. Earlier this month, the company announced record revenues of more than $3.6 billion for the financial year that just ended, an increase of 11% over the previous year.
KYODO NEWS - Apr 19, 2024 - 21:38 | All, Japan, World

Former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso is making arrangements to meet Donald Trump during his visit to New York next week, a source said Friday, a move that comes in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election in November which may lead to the Republican's comeback.

The trip by Aso, vice president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, is apparently part of efforts on the Japanese side to brace for the possibility of Trump's second term after he pushed his "America First" policy in his time as president, widely seen as undermining long-standing alliances and multilateralism.

Aso, a House of Representatives member, plans to visit New York from Monday to Thursday, a trip that was approved at a board meeting of the lower house's steering committee.

Aso was a longtime ally of late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who built a personal rapport with Trump.

The veteran Japanese politician, who doubled as deputy prime minister and finance minister under Abe's government, was present when the former Japanese premier met with Trump for summit talks in 2018 in New York.

Aso had sought a meeting with Trump when he visited the United States in January this year and met Sen. William Hagerty, who served as U.S. ambassador to Japan under the Trump administration.

Trump, who was president for four years through January 2021, clinched the Republican presidential nomination in March, setting up a rematch between President Joe Biden, a Democrat, for the White House.

The possible Aso-Trump meeting comes on the heels of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to the United States, during which he met Biden and showcased the robustness of the bilateral alliance.

Related coverage:

Trump to champion U.S.-Japan alliance if he returns to power: ex-aide
India's mammoth elections kick off as Modi seeks third term in power

Voters wait in a queue to cast their votes outside a polling station during the first phase of lower house, of the Indian parliamentary elections. Faisal Bashir/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Voters in India began heading to the polls on Friday in the first phase of a massive election lasting six weeks, with seats in India's lower house of parliament and another term for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at stake.

The latest opinion polls put Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) far in the lead. The 73-year-old Modi is campaigning for a third five-year term as the country's leader.

Voting began in 102 of a total of 543 constituencies, according to the Election Commission. There are 36 states and federally administered areas in the world's largest democracy.

Ballots will continue to be cast in the seven-phase election until June 1, with results expected on June 4.

Around 970 million people are eligible to take part at more than 1 million polling stations across the country. India is home to about 1.4 billion people.

The logistics required to manage an election on India's scale are immense, made more complicated by India's diverse geography.

Millions of election workers and security forces using lorries, helicopters, boats and even elephants will transport ballot boxes to all corners of the country - the Himalayas, deserts, sprawling metropolises and remote island villages.

India's lower house of parliament, the Lok Sabha or House of the People, has nearly 550 seats. The BJP currently holds a majority.

Modi remains popular in India, and the campaign by the BJP - which translates as Indian People's Party - has focused heavily on his personality and charisma.

The political opposition is relatively weak and fractured. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's Congress Party, which once dominated Indian politics after independence from the United Kingdom in 1947, now holds power in only three of India's 28 states.

Critics have accused Modi and the BJP of suppressing opposition ahead of the election.

The chief minister of Delhi, Arvind Kejriwal, has been remanded in custody on corruption charges. Bank accounts of the opposition Congress Party have been frozen due to alleged tax debts.

"There is no more democracy in India," Gandhi said recently.

Under Modi, India has risen to become the world's fifth-largest economic power and is also playing an increasingly important political role as a counterweight to China.

Modi has invested heavily in modern infrastructure projects such as roads, high-speed trains and airports. But economic growth has not been evenly distributed.

Unemployment remains high and poverty widespread, with many struggling to afford the basic necessities. According to the World Bank, the gross domestic product per capita is around $2,000 per year.

Hinduism, the religion of about 80% of Indian's population, has moved to the centre of national identity. Opponents warn that religious minorities, such as the country's 200 million Muslims, are becoming second-class citizens and subject to growing discrimination.

Modi's election campaign has further inflamed religious tensions. At the start of his campaign, Modi consecrated a Hindu temple on the site of a centuries-old mosque that was destroyed in 1992 by Hindu fanatics.

"With the hardliners in power, Hindu mobs have been given a virtual license to kill Muslims and ideological opponents," wrote Ashoka Mody, a professor at Princeton University in the US.

Modi has also concentrated political power in his office, while observers in India and abroad say he has undermined the independence of public institutions such as the judiciary as well as the media.

Social programmes, such as efforts to provide free toilets to millions of people, have however won Modi popularity among voters, according to Ian Hall from Griffith University in Australia.

The prime minister's frequent references to his own humble background as the son of a tea seller also may bolster his appeal.

"He just understands us," Sonu Kumar, a 25-year-old food vendor in the capital Delhi, told dpa, echoing what many Indian voters think.

A man checks his name on a voting list inside a polling station during the first phase of the lower house, of the Indian parliamentary elections. Faisal Bashir/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
NEW YORK (PIX11)  In a wide-ranging interview on PIX on Politics, Chief Advisor to the Mayor Ingrid Lewis-Martin discussed several topics regarding the much-anticipated state budget that is expected to be finalized sometime on Friday, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul.

A big topic: mayoral control of the New York City school system. Late Thursday, Sen. John Liu confirmed to PIX11s Dan Mannarino that the mayor will be granted two more years of mayoral control, less than the four that he wanted, with an emphasis on keeping a close eye on reducing class size. Lewis-Martin pointed to some recent wins of the Adams administration.

Under our administration, within the last two and a half years, weve made great strides in education, Lewis-Martin said. Our math scores have gone up, our reading scores have gone up, the divide between our minority students and their counterparts have shrunk.

Jury selection could be nearing a close in Donald Trumps hush money trial in New York

Over the past few weeks, there have been a series of personnel changes in the Adams administration, which Lewis-Martin attributes to how government works, saying that turnover in a first term is not uncommon. One example is what is playing out in the corporation counsel  where Sylvia Hinds-Radix plans to step down in the near future, according to Lewis-Martin.

It was a mutual decision, Im sure. We talk all the time, Lewis-Martin said. Shes running the office; shes not leaving tomorrow or anytime soon.

Lewis-Martin confirmed to PIX11 that Rando Mastro, a one-time deputy mayor under Rudy Guiliani, is in talks to become the citys next top lawyer. It is important to point out that Mastro would need to be approved by a city council vote, where some members are already raising questions about his name being floated around.

Lewis-Martin says she is not concerned he would pass a full vote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Prison authorities say they are searching for an inmate who removed his GPS monitor and walked away from a reentry program in Bakersfield.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Jerry A. Bishop, 31, removed his GPS monitoring device and fled from the Male Community Reentry Program. Prison officials said authorities learned Bishop was missing at around 1 p.m.

Body found with hands bound in Oildale apartment

Jerry A. Bishop, 31 / Photo: CDCR

Bishop is described as being 6 feet, 2 inches tall, and weighing 186 pounds. He has blue eyes and brown hair and was wearing a gray sweater and blue jeans.

Bishop is serving a three-year sentence for assault.

Anyone who sees Bishop should call 911.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
The homes of New York City's young men are being captured on camera  and it isn't pretty.

Comedian Rachel Coster is revealing the dirty sheets and trash-covered floors in "Boy Room."

Each episode reveals "scary" and "stressful" apartments and advice for how they could improve.

New York City-based comedian Rachel Coster, 28, sits on an unmade bed in a cramped West Village apartment and tries to make sense of what she's seeing.

"His shoe rack is a crumpled box and his bedside table is an abandoned suitcase," Coster exclaimed.



This is the apartment of a 25-year-old man.

Welcome to "Boy Room," the new series in which Coster and a cameraperson venture into the unruly habitats of New York City's men and try to offer advice. The show, produced by Gymnasium, airs on social media where it has already become a sweeping success, racking up 76,000 followers on TikTok and 26,000 followers on Instagram in just a few weeks.

A kernel of the show's inspiration came from a road trip Coster once took with a male friend. He confessed his bedroom was so off-putting to girls that he'd reached a breaking point. Coster offered to help when they returned to New York, but when the time came, he was too embarrassed to let her through the door.

"If any boys would let me in, I think I could really help them out," she recalled thinking to herself. Now, she got her wish.

Comedian Rachel Coster is bravely revealing the bedrooms of New York City's young men. Courtesy of Gymnasium

"Boy Room" aims to uncover the logic beneath each room's chaos and envisions an upgraded space

Launched in late March, the series has already visited six subjects, offering spaces that Coster has described as "scary" and "stressful." The sights are also humorous. Navy sheets on an unmade bed, a stray deodorant tucked under a pillow. A floor cloaked in dirty laundry and plastic take-out bags. Wall decorations including a car steering wheel or a Darth Vader mask.

The show uncovers all the strange idiosyncrasies of the ways some men inhabit their spaces, which Coster believes might be the fault of traditional social conditioning. "Girls are raised to take care of the house, generally. It's demanded of us or there's a shame around it," she said. "I don't feel like my guy friends were experiencing the same thing."

One subject, Chris, a 27-year-old living in Brooklyn's Boerum Hill neighborhood, existed in a sea of clutter with random paraphernalia like corks tied together with a string and a pile of wigs sitting under a dresser.

"I get nervous throwing stuff away," Chris explained during the episode.

"Well, let me tell you, it's awesome to do," Coster deadpanned to the camera.

Coster said she has sympathy for many of the men she features and at the end of each episode, offers her advice to improve their space. She recognizes that many, like her, are young and hustling in ambitious careers, and probably have very little time to focus on interior design and cleanliness.

Fashion brand owner Jerome Peel was a recent guest on "Boy Room." Courtesy of Gymnasium

That's an argument that rings true for another subject, Jerome Peel, whose sparsely-decorated bedroom in Manhattan's Chinatown neighborhood attracted a number of detractors on TikTok. He even drew heat from the official Wendy's account. "It just gets worse," the fast-food chain wrote.

"I'm in my apartment 10 hours a day," Peel, 32, told BI. He runs his own fashion brand, Peels, and the popular Instagram account Citibikeboyz, which features Peel and his friends executing daredevil tricks on New York City's bike-share network.

Peel stands by the way he has set up his room, including three nail clippers that sit on a windowsill. "It's so I can clip them out the window," he told BI.

Peel shares his thoughts on interior design. Courtesy of Gymnasium

"Boy Room" wants to find the messes that can't be faked

Some subjects volunteer to be on the show, while others are recommended by friends. But Coster said they've denied applicants they believed were exaggerating or faking their mess. Even though subjects have some advance notice of when they will be filmed, Coster said a vetting process lets the team find authentic examples.

Take, for example, recent subject Dan, the 25-year-old West Village resident, whose dresser had a layer of dust so thick it turned the pine-colored wood as white as snow.

"The messes we've been leaning into are the ones clearly made over the course of a really long time," she said. "Like the dust on Dan's dresser couldn't possibly have been just put there."

Coster hopes to take the show outside of New York one day, and explore the messes of men in Boston, Philadelphia, or Los Angeles.

"Although," she said, "I kind of suspect everyone in LA is living kind of nice."

Read the original article on Business Insider
When explosions were heard in the Iranian province of Isfahan early Friday morning the thoughts of many Middle East watchers turned to a very particular target.

The Natanz complex, Irans primary uranium enrichment facility, has been the subject of deepening Western interest as Iran seeks to expand its nuclear abilities.

The Nuclear Threat Initiative, a non-profit security organisation, estimates that the Natanz complex itself consists of three underground buildings, two of which are designed to hold 50,000 centrifuges. Six buildings are above ground, two of which are 2,500-metre halls used for gas centrifuge assemblies.

As of October 2022, Iran had installed 4,000 advanced centrifuges at its various enrichment facilities, a 44 per cent increase in a matter of months, according to a report by the Institute for Science and International Security.

Then, last year, satellite imagery suggested that Iran was digging tunnels in the mountains near its primary Natanz nuclear site, building a new complex so deep underground that experts have worried it would be difficult to target and destroy in air strikes.

The Iranian regime swiftly denied that Fridays Israeli attacks had hit the site.

The Natanz facility, located in Irans central plateau and flanked by the Zagros mountains to the west, is protected by anti-aircraft batteries, perimeter fencing, and Irans feared Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Natanz itself has long been of concern on the global stage over the advancement of Irans nuclear program.

It is believed to operate three small Chinese-supplied research reactors, as well as handling fuel production and other activities for Irans civilian nuclear program. But some experts believe that Iran is hiding efforts to build a nuclear bomb.

Images taken in April 2023 by Planet Labs PBC showed Iran burrowing into the Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, or Pickaxe Mountain, just beyond the south fence that surrounds the original Natanz site.

The images show Iran burrowing into the Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, or "Pickaxe Mountain" - Planet Labs PBC

Military personnel stand guard at a nuclear facility in the Zardanjan area of Isfahan, Iran - REUTERS

Four entrances were dug into the mountainside, according to a different set of images analysed by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies and provided to the Associated Press in 2023.

It is unclear how far along that project is, given the secrecy surrounding Irans nuclear activities, especially as the regime restricts the access of international inspectors to its facilities.

But the size of the construction project could allow Iran to use the facility to enrich uranium, as well as to build centrifuges. Additional centrifuges would allow Iran the ability to more quickly enrich uranium deep inside the mountain, away from prying eyes and satellites.

The expansion at Natanz could have been dug even deeper underground than that of Irans other major nuclear enrichment site, Fordow.

In 2020, Behrouz Kamalvandi, a spokesperson for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran said that a new and more advanced structure would be built at Natanz to replace one damaged in a fire, according to Iranian state media.

At the time, Tehran blamed Israel for the incident, which Kamalvandi said caused significant damage, but didnt result in any casualties. Iran didnt divulge further details because of security reasons.

The following year, Natanz suffered a blackout, an attack also believed to have been perpetrated by Israel.

Israel has long been suspected of running sabotage operations against Irans nuclear program, including via cyberattacks, physical strikes, and even assassinations of top Iranian nuclear scientists.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former Iranian president, visiting the site in April 2008 - AP

Irans other major nuclear site, Fordow, is located more than 100 miles north of Natanz, and is buried in a mountain near the city of Qom. In March 2023, the IAEA reported that it had discovered uranium enriched to 83.7 per cent purity, which is a very close to the 90 per cent weapons-grade.

Efforts to restrain Iran from expanding its nuclear stockpile halted after former US president Donald Trump pulled out of an accord in 2018.

Iran is believed to have enough highly enriched nuclear fuel that could be potentially used to make three atomic weapons, though making a bomb that it could deliver is a more complicated endeavour.

Some experts think that could take a year or more, though as Iran restricts what is known of its nuclear activities it is hard to accurately gauge capabilities.

As of February 10, Irans total enriched uranium stockpile was at 5,525.5 kilograms, an increase of 1,038.7 kilograms from the previous quarter, the International Atomic Energy Agency estimated in its most recent quarterly report.

According to that assessment, Iran has an estimated 121.5 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent purity, which could be enriched further to weapons-grade uranium at 90 per cent.

Several Iranian nuclear sites are located in Isfahan province. The province is also home to a major missile production complex.

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Inside Look is a Bellingham Herald series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.

Bellinghams SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention has launched a campaign to raise $2 million for a new, interactive gallery called the Wonderlab.

Wonderlab will be a place that inspires creativity, activates imaginations, and fosters learning through exploration and community, the museums website states.

A concept drawing for the Wonderlab gallery at SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention at 1312 Bay St., Bellingham, Wash. SPARK Museum/Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald

The museum plans to renovate 3,000 square feet of the current space by adding interactive exhibits and an elevator. They also plan to replace the roof of the historic building.

Once the Wonderlab is complete it will be the largest interactive science center between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., according to a news release from the museum.

Full of interactive exhibits, Wonderlab will give children and families a place free from the constraints of a typical museum collection, provide them with the opportunity to let their imaginations and creativity flourish, and directly respond to community needs, the museums website states.

A concept drawing for the Wonderlab gallery at SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention at 1312 Bay St., Bellingham, Wash. SPARK Museum/Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald

With this campaign we directly invite our whole community to get involved in the future of the SPARK Museum. This space is being designed for this community, with significant opportunities for community contributions, Abby Whatley, SPARKs director of programs wrote in the news release.

Donations can be given online on SPARKs website, where visitors can see how much the museum has raised so far. The museum is also hosting a fundraising gala, Ignite the Night, on Saturday, May 18. Tickets are available online and cost $100 per person.

More information will be shared by the museum as funds are raised and construction begins.

The SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at 1312 Bay St. in Bellingham. General admission tickets cost $10 for adults 13 and up, $6 for children 12 and under, and are free for ages 2 and under.
TEL AVIV, IsraelThe Iranian attack intended to punish Israel for its killing of a senior Quds Force commander in Damascus, Syria, instead became the proof of concept for a budding strategic alliance. Israels air defenses and warplanestogether with varying degrees of support from the U.S., U.K., France, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and othersthwarted 99 percent of the 350 missiles and explosive drones destined for the country.

Saturdays repelled attack provided the first real-world test of a yearslong effort by the U.S. to organize its allies in the Middle East against the growing Iranian aerial threat. Israeli and American officials hope to build on the momentum of the successful defensive operation by strengthening and formalizing the coalition that made it possible. And given reports early Friday morning that Israel had retaliated against Iran with limited strikes near the city of Isfahan, that coalition could be put to the test sooner rather than later.

Going forward, we will be working to further isolate Iran internationally and increase economic and other forms of pressure, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Monday. So, thats the upshot here: a stronger Israel, a weaker Iran, a more unified alliance of partners. That was not Irans intent when it launched this attack on Saturday nightnot even close. And again, they failed. They failed utterly.

But Irans failure was not for lack of trying, Israeli officials insist. The hundreds of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles fired at Israel carried more than 60 tons of explosivesa vast expenditure of ordnance resulting in what Israel Defense Forces officials said amounted to little to no tactical damage. In addition to its own cutting-edge air defense systems, Israel may have its friends to thank for detecting the attack before it even began.

Intelligence from Gulf states provided the first line of defense, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. Iranian officials reportedly gave Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), advance notice about the impending operation, which the countries then passed on to the United States. The early warning allowed the Pentagon to position its air defense resources across the Middle East accordingly and begin coordinating with its allies in the region, including Jordan, which agreed to open its airspace to American and Israeli fighter jets.

Once the attack began late Saturday night, radars in Persian Gulf countries signaled to the coalition that Iran had launched its first wave of attack drones. The U.S. Air Force ultimately shot down at least 70 drones, while American warships in the eastern Mediterranean intercepted between four and six ballistic missiles. Israels layered air defense system, meanwhile, neutralized the majority of the missiles that crossed into Israeli airspace, with the exception of a small number that struck and caused minor damage to a southern airbase.

It was not a hermetic seal, but it was close to it, Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told The Dispatch. That was noticed by the Iranians, but also by some of the other regional actors who I think had to have been impressed with what they saw.

Though the U.S.-led initiative to integrate the regions air defenses predated the 2020 Abraham Accords, the landmark normalization agreement between Israel and UAEand later Bahrainushered in a new period of deepened military cooperation.

Israeli officials hope Saturdays successful test of these budding strategic partnerships might help the country reverse the diplomatic progress lost after the outbreak of war on October 7. Prior to the Hamas attack, a U.S.-brokered normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia had been just around the corner. Hamas is an opponent of normalization. Hezbollah is an opponent of normalization. Iran is an opponent of normalization, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at the time. And they seek to prevent normalization exactly through these terrorist attacks.

The war that followed has created new political obstacles in Israels diplomatic overtures to the Arab states, who fear being seen by their own people as traitors to the Palestinian cause. But the prospect of a deal was never fully abandoned. Throughout the conflict, Saudi Arabia has dangled the prospect of formal diplomatic relations in order to press Israel and the U.S. for a pathway to a Palestinian state and, likely more valuable to the kingdom, a defensive alliance with Washington.

In light of Irans attack on Israel, the latter demand is perhaps more important to Riyadh than ever. Israels Kan News reported Thursday that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are seeking an American commitment to their protection in exchange for strengthening the regional defensive alliance against Iran that coalesced over the weekend. The countries are reportedly concerned about joining an anti-Iran axis without some sort of defense assurances from the United States, but a formal military pactwhich would require Senate approvalcould be difficult to deliver on.

Iran, for its part, reportedly warned Arab states against cooperating in the defense of Israel, saying they could become Irans next target. Its not an abstract threat. In Jordan, Iranian-aligned groups have led efforts to sow instability and undermine the Hashemite Kingdoms rule. In UAE and Saudi Arabia, the Houthisa Tehran-backed terror group from Yemenfor years targeted critical infrastructure using Iranian missiles and drones.

The kingdom has, for over five years now, warned of the threat of Iranian drones, Faisal Abbas, editor-in-chief of the Riyadh-based Arab News, told The Dispatch. Unfortunately, our closest allies chose to ignore the seriousness of our warning when our cities, civilians, and oil facilities were being attacked, he added, arguing the threat was only acknowledged when the Iranian-made weapons made their way to the battlefield in Ukraine and Israel.

With Israels overnight retaliatory strikes in Iran, the coalition could soon face another test against Iranian weapons. In the early hours of Friday morning, the Israeli military reportedly used drones to target a military air base near Isfahan, a city in central Iran that also hosts nuclear facilities. Irans nuclear assets dont appear to have been hit, but the limited Israeli counterattack near the sensitive site sends a clear message to Tehran: A direct strike will result in a direct response. If Iran moves up the escalation ladder, Israel is capable of striking wherever it so chooses.

Where Iran will go from here is unclear. Initial reports in regime-affiliated outlets downplayed the severity of the drone attack, claiming that the sounds of explosions were from Irans air defenses neutralizing a suspicious object. But Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Wednesday threatened Israel with a fierce and severe response if it carried out even the tiniest attack on Iranian soil.

Ahead of Israels retaliatory strike, President Joe Biden reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. wouldnt support an Israeli counterattack for fear it could bring about a regional war. You got a win, Biden said of the defensive operation. Take the win.

But if the White House wants to shore up the regional coalition that came to Israels aid over the weekend, strong American leadership will be required. Taking on such a role may require the Biden administration to rethink its longtime policy of pursuing reconciliation with Iran, analysts argue.

Starting in 2009 with the advent of the Obama administration, the Democratic Party and the White House embarked on a policy of seeking reconciliation with Iran, not confrontation, Michael Oren, the former Israeli ambassador to the United States, told The Dispatch. If the United States were to pull a 180-degree turn and turn away from reconciliation to confrontation, I think theyd find an entire region ready to join them.

Read more at The Dispatch

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(Bloomberg) -- Earlier this month, Kamleh Al-Yaseeni was supposed to accompany a friend to a hospice for the elderly in Damascus where they both volunteered, but she changed her mind to stay home with her disabled son, friends and neighbors said. It was a decision that would cost both their lives.

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The Syrian family died in an airstrike on the three-story building they lived in that also took out high-ranking Iranian military leaders responsible for conducting proxy operations in Syria and Lebanon. Israel neither confirmed nor denied the strike, but the attack was cited by Tehran as the reason for last weekends missile-and-drone barrage, Irans first direct assault on the Jewish state.

With US officials saying that Israel carried out retaliatory strikes on Iran early Friday, the world is waiting to see whether more is to come or if the spiral of direct reciprocal actions stops here. What is clear is that a central component of Tehrans arsenal yet to be fully deployed is its proxy forces in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, ready to take on a more prominent role if called upon.

What Tehran calls its axis of resistance has been a central focus of Israels military, which has made great efforts to hunt them down  as seen in Damascus and elsewhere. Yet analysts agree their capabilities persist and Irans proxy forces could still extract a high cost, ratcheting up the conflict at an increasingly parlous time for the broader Middle East.

How Iran Extends Its Power Via Allied Militant Groups: QuickTake

The greater the threat the more the axis is likely to respond forcefully and aggressively and in a coordinated manner, said Dina Esfandiary, senior adviser on Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group in London.

After Fridays strike, Tehran will have to rely on its proxies as much as possible in order to keep the situation manageable, she said. But miscalculation is possible and unpredictable in that scenario.

Regardless of how any further direct confrontation between Iran and Israel plays out, Tehran is likely to lean more on its proxies to try to keep the conflict away from its territory, while Israel will surely continue to go after the threats at its borders. Above all that means Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia and political movement that is Tehrans most important regional proxy force.

Early on Friday, Syrias Defense Ministry said that Israeli missiles struck its aerial defenses in the south, causing only material damage. There was no comment from Israel, but it is no secret that operatives from Iran and Hezbollah are embedded in Syrian army units there, making them frequent targets for Israel.

The April 1 strike on the Damascus building was certainly a blow to both Iran and Hezbollah and a trigger for what many still fear: all-out war between Iran and Israel.

Al-Yaseeni, the widow of a former Syrian diplomat in her 70s, was with her son Naji on the first floor of the building just off Mazzeh Highway, one of the Syrian capitals main thoroughfares. In the apartment directly above, Iranian military leaders responsible for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps elite Quds Force in Syria and neighboring Lebanon were holding an urgent meeting, according to people briefed about events on the ground.

The Iranian embassy had been set to move to a new apartment compound further down the same road where two siblings of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad own properties, the people said.

In the meantime, the embassy had been renting apartments on the second and third floors as residences for the ambassador and the consul. General Mohammad-Reza Zahedi, his deputy General Mohammad-Hadi Haji Rahimi and the five other Iranian officers killed felt it was the safest place in Damascus since a previous Israeli strike took out a senior Iranian officer in Syria in December, according to the people.

Drones, Missiles

It was Irans greatest loss since the US assassinated Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani in Iraq four years ago, and a huge setback for Hezbollah. In an April 8 televised eulogy that lasted nearly an hour, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah hailed Zahedi, and said he was working night and day to serve this resistance and advance its capabilities.

After publicly warning that a response was coming, Iran retaliated for Zahedis death by firing nearly 300 drones and missiles at Israel, almost all of which were intercepted.

The question now is how far Tehran will go in the confrontation and what role its proxy forces can play. Starting with Hezbollah in the 1980s, Iran has built up its network of forces and alliances in the Middle East for an all-out battle scenario with Israel. Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel and Israels subsequent invasion of Gaza are providing the pretext for both sides to look over the precipice.

The proxies have a coordinated command mechanism with Iran and could be activated on a much larger scale if theres stronger political willingness on the Iranian side to militarily engage with Israel, said Abdolrasool Divsallar, senior scholar at the Washington-based Middle East Institute.

While missile and drone launches by Iran-backed Houthi militants against ships in the Red Sea have grabbed headlines and remain a serious threat, most of Israels attention is on Hezbollah  designated a terrorist group by the US and others  which is believed to possess the most formidable arsenal of missiles among all groups and is present at Israels borders in both Lebanon and Syria.

Zahedis death and Israels killing of some 300 Hezbollah members and the almost nonstop targeting of its infrastructure and supply lines in both Lebanon and Syria since Oct. 7 have shown the groups vulnerabilities, said Lina Khatib, associate fellow at Chatham House, a London-based think tank.

Thousand Cuts

Israel does not need a full-on attack to achieve its goal of crippling Hezbollah; Israel is pursuing this goal through a strategy of a thousand cuts, she said. Even so, for now Hezbollah remains far from being significantly weakened, she added.

Its an assessment shared by a Western diplomat who said that Hezbollah is still relatively active and seems untouched. Reported withdrawals of Iranian personnel in Syria could also be a sign of the Islamic Republic wanting to engage more covertly in the area to protect its supply lines to Lebanon and Hezbollah, the diplomat said, asking not to be named because of the matters sensitivity.

Four days before the strike that killed Zahedi, Israel carried out what was probably its most significant  and lethal  attack in Syria since it began targeting Iran and Hezbollahs presence in the country in 2012. It destroyed a plant near the northern city of Aleppo where warheads for missiles destined mainly for Hezbollah were being assembled, plus a depot at the citys airport used to store weapons flown in from Iran, according to people briefed on the attack. It also killed six Hezbollah operatives in their homes in Aleppo; at least 34 others were killed.

A lot of facilities have been hit but Hezbollah is still extremely capable, said Matthew Levitt, a leading expert on the group who previously directed the counterterrorism program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Following Oct. 7, Iran has demonstrated for the first time how its proxies can operate in a synchronized and calibrated manner, according to congressional testimony last month by US Central Command chief General Michael E. Kurilla. Iran has worked for decades to strategically encircle US allies in the region and is exploiting what it sees as a once in a generation opportunity to reshape the Middle East to its advantage, he said.

Dangerous Game

In Iraq, one of Irans main proxy groups, Kataib Hezbollah, which had several of its members killed by the US in February in retaliation for a lethal attack on American troops in Jordan, has been threatening to engage in a more regional role in support of Iran and its allies. Earlier this month, one of its commanders vowed to flood neighboring Jordan with weapons for a march on Israel.

In Yemen, the Houthis role in the event of a sustained confrontation between Iran and Israel that could potentially draw in the US and its allies may actually exceed that of all of Irans other arms in the region, estimates Adnan Al-Gabarni, a Yemen-based researcher on the group.

The Houthis could completely shut down the Arabian and Red seas to all navigation, attack US military bases and assets in the region and launch drones and missiles at Israel along with other proxies in order to overwhelm missile defense systems there, he said.

For all Israels attacks and assassinations in Lebanon and Syria, US-UK strikes on the Houthis, and Washingtons targeting of Irans main proxies in Iraq, Irans axis of resistance retains its actual capabilities, according to the Middle East Institutes Divsallar.

How those proxies are mobilized if the need arises will be carefully calibrated by Tehran according to what Israel might hit inside Iran and the damage caused, Hezbollah expert Levitt said before Fridays reported strikes. Anything is possible, including attacks on Israeli and Western targets outside the Middle East.

Its a dangerous game, said Levitt. There are lots of different ways this can go sideways.

--With assistance from Mohammed Hatem.

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KYODO NEWS - Apr 19, 2024 - 21:57 | All, World, Japan

A van carrying five Japanese nationals was attacked by a suicide bomber and a gunman in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Friday morning, killing a local security guard and injuring another guard and a bystander as well as one Japanese, according to Pakistani media, police and the Japanese government.

Dawn News TV reported that the security guard died in hospital after he was injured in the attack.

The wounded Japanese national only sustained a minor injury by broken glass, the Japanese consulate in the city said.

The five Japanese, employees of a Japanese company, were traveling from their residences in Zamzama, Clifton, an upscale community in Karachi, to their workplace in the city's export processing zone when the attack occurred, Azfar Mahesar, the police's deputy inspector general told reporters.

He said that the bomber detonated an explosive near the vehicle while his accomplice opened fire. The bomber died in the explosion and the gunman was shot dead by police.

In Tokyo, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said several Japanese were involved in the incident and that one of them was injured. The Pakistani side did not confirm that information.

The incident follows a suicide bomb attack last month in northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that killed five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver.
Iran fired at drones suspected to be part of an Israeli attack near a major air base and nuclear site near the city of Isfahan early Friday.

Air defense batteries were activated after reports of explosions near the air base, The Associated Press reported.

The New York Times reported that television networks and officials in both countries downplayed the significance of the strike. Israeli officials said it was a limited response aimed to avoid escalating tensions with Iran, especially because it did not cause significant damage to military sites in Iran.

Iranian officials told the Times that the strike had hit a military air base near Isfahan, but Brig. General Siavash Mihandoust, the senior military official in the city, told local television that any explosions heard Friday were from Iran shooting down flying objects.

An Iranian official told Reuters there were no plans to respond against Israel.

During a press conference in Capri, Italy, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. has not been involved in any offensive operations when asked about the suspected Israeli strikes, calling them reported events.

Italys foreign minister also said the U.S. told Group of Seven ministers that it had been informed at the last minute by Israel about the drones.

But there was no sharing of the attack by the U.S. It was  mere information, Antonio Tajani added.

The air base in Isfahan has been home to Irans fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats, purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The facility in Iran operates three Chinese-supplied research reactors and handles fuel production for the countrys civilian nuclear program, the AP noted.

The United Nationss nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said there was no damage to Irans nuclear sites after the retaliatory drones from Israel.

The agency called for extreme restraint from everybody and noted nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. The agency said it is monitoring the situation very closely.

The agency has warned that Iran now holds enough enriched uranium to build several nuclear weapons, but U.S. authorities say it is not actively seeking to create a bomb, the AP noted.

Several flights were diverted around western Iran around 4:30 a.m. local time Friday, offering no explanation, but aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed. Iran grounded commercial flights in Tehran and the countrys western and central regions, but it later restored normal flight service.

Tensions remain high in the region after Iran attacked Israel last weekend with some 300 ballistic and cruise missiles along with explosive drones. That attack was largely defeated by Israel and allied defense systems but has caused concern that the conflict will grow.

It followed an Israeli airstrike April 1 that destroyed a building in Irans consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing several top Iranian officers.

Updated at 8:09 a.m. ET

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The scope of Israels military response to Irans first-ever direct attack on the country remains murky. Israeli officials have yet to publicly acknowledge responsibility for reported overnight explosions in parts of Iran on Friday. Tehran has dismissed these as attacks by tiny drones that were shot down by its air defense systems.

Iran may be downplaying what was likely to have been a significant but limited Israeli attack, but that seems to be secondary to the larger forces at play. What is plain to see is that both Iran and Israel are keen to wrap up the most dangerous escalation between the two regional powerhouses to date.

This months dramatic escalation, which kicked off with an apparent Israeli airstrike on Irans consulate in Damascus, followed by a largely foiled Iranian attack of over 300 airborne weapons on Israel, seems to have given way to a rapid climbdown. Shortly after the Friday morning attack in Iran, a regional intelligence source told CNNs Nic Robertson that Iran was not expected to respond further, and that the direct state-to-state strikes between the two enemy states were over.

The latest flare-up brought the stakes into sharp focus, but it also exposed the limits of a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel.

By attacking Irans consulate in Syria on April 1 and killing a senior Iranian commander that serves as a key intermediary between Tehran and Lebanons Hezbollah, Israel risked provoking a response from the powerful Shia militant group on its northern border. As part of Irans retaliatory attack on Israel, its weapons navigated over at least two neighboring countries that house US bases.

What happens between Iran and Israel rarely stays between Iran and Israel. The region is deeply intertwined. That heightens the risks of military action, but it also acts as guardrails against a potential conflagration.

People walk on the streets and as they continue their daily lives after the news of the attacks in Isfahan, Iran on Friday. - Anadolu/Getty Images

So when US officials said last weekend that Washington would not participate in an Israeli response to Irans attack on Israel, that seemed to immediately take the wind out of the sails of a potential escalation.

US forces had shot down more than 70 of Irans weapons as they headed to Israel. By buttressing Israels defenses, the US had ostensibly done its part in protecting its stalwart ally. But participating in Fridays attack would have been a step too far for the US, thrusting a region dotted with US-allied states into the unknown.

Tehrans regional considerations may also be cause for restraint. Its fledgling friendships with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates  both major US allies  are a centerpiece of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisis foreign policy. Diplomatic relations between Tehran and Riyadh  former archnemeses  were restored during talks brokered last year by China, which threw its weight into maintaining those normalization agreements. Region-wide turmoil would risk compromising those key relationships.

Those dangers may be lost in Iran and Israels more hawkish quarters, where the more extremist elements may be itching for a final showdown. Israels far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir blasted Fridays attack as weak. Over the past week, Israeli media reported that he had urged Israels war cabinet to go crazy apparently bristling at indications of a tempered military response from Israel.

In Iran, analysts speculated that the shooting down of Iranian weapons in and around Israels airspace was likely to have underscored an imbalance of power in favor of its enemy, ultimately empowering the hardliners in Tehran to flout international pressure and advance the countrys long-feared nuclear program.

This months flare-up will undoubtedly stir up domestic tensions as the two sworn enemies return to their long-running shadow war. Irans non-state allies will continue to fight Israel and the US in various parts of the Middle East  they have vowed to keep up the fight as long as Israels devastating war in Gaza continues. Those battles, which span Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, grow in complexity the longer they go on.

Meanwhile, parties to these conflicts will continue to test the limits of the unwritten rules of engagement, hoping to assert their power and brandish their arsenal while preventing a complete downward spiral into war.

There is much to read between the lines of the latest flare-up. But it is clear that both sides of the regional battle have decided that they have too much to lose in all-out war.

CNNs Mostafa Salem contributed to this article.

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Iran says it will respond at 'maximum level' if Israel acts against its interests

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said on Friday that Iran will respond at an immediate and "maximum level" if Israel acts against its interests.

"If Israel wants to do another adventurism and acts against the interests of Iran, our next response will be immediate and will be at the maximum level," Amirabdollahian said, speaking through a translator, in an interview with NBC News.

His comments follow reports of an Israeli strike on Iran early Friday.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward)
Irans tightly controlled state media made fun of Israels reprisal attack on Friday, claiming that a few drones had been intercepted and no serious damage was donewith a top Israeli minister appearing to agree.

World capitals have been on edge since Iran launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel last week, with President Joe Biden among those pleading with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to respond with a direct attack on Iran.

Late on Thursday, U.S. rolling news channels switched into breathless global conflict mode as reports emerged that Israel had dismissed the urgent advice of the White House and launched a strike on Israeli soil.

The New York Times reported that Israeli and Iranian officials had confirmed Israels military response, writing that sources in Iran claimed a military air base near Isfahan, in central Iran, had been struck. CNN and others quoted American officials saying Israel had carried out a military strike inside Iran.

This was the nightmare scenario that global leaders feared could spark an all-out regional war.

Just hours earlier, a top Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander claimed that Iran would even reconsider its peaceful nuclear doctrine in the face of threats from Israel.

Iran Issues Unprecedented Nuclear Threat in Duel With Israel

And Irans foreign minister appeared on CNN himself to issue a blood-curdling threat over a potential Israeli retaliation. In case the Israeli regime embarks on adventurism again and takes action against the interests of Iran, the next response from us will be immediate and at a maximum level, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said.

What happened next was very different.

As reports of the Israeli attacks grabbed world headlines, an extraordinary segment unfolded on Irans pro-regime Press TV, where correspondent Gisoo Misha Ahmadi totally dismissed Israels retaliation.

I would suggest our viewersif they want to have a good laughthey can check social media reports from citizens who are there, who are actually making fun of all the commotion that was made by Israeli media about a possible attack, she said.

Ahmadi conceded that Iran is on a high state of alert and took down a series of drones that were approaching Iranian airspace but she claimed that was the extent of the threat.

Everything is completely normal, she said. And people are enjoying the weekend.

Press TV also posted a clip on X purporting to show a traffic circle in Isfahan where life continued as normal: The city is calm and peaceful. The video shows a tranquil atmosphere in the Iranian city of Isfahan, with residents going about their usual routines, despite the recent explosions heard near the city.

Some of Irans media, including the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), did report on explosions being heard near Isfahan, which is close to the home of Irans nuclear program, but an Iranian official told Reuters that was the sound of three drones being shot down over Isfahan by air defense systems.

The semi-official Tasnim News Agency originally reported that the Israeli attack was simply rumors.

There are no reports of an attack from abroad against #Isfahan or any other part of #Iran, informed sources told Tasnim on Friday, the agency posted on X. Later, they updated their story to agree with the line that any explosions heard were the result of anti-aircraft weapons taking down suspicious objects.

Threat of Mutually Assured Destruction Right on Israels Doorstep

It is as yet unclear whether Israels attack penetrated the air defenses, but the response from Irans regime-friendly media suggests that Tehran is keen to downplay the attack. Reuters quoted a senior Iranian official saying there was no immediate plan for retaliation against Israel. The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack, the official said.

Israels far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, seemed to agree that this was not a major attack, writing Dardaleh! on X, which is slang for weak or feeble.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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FIRST ON FOX - A decades-old interview is adding to a widening scandal involving a former high-ranking Iranian official and controversial Princeton professor. Seyed Hossein Mousavian is accused of endorsing Hezbollah and Hamas in a 1997 German newspaper interview.

The new revelations about Mousavians pro-Hamas and pro-Hezbollah interview in a German paper, coupled with what some claim was an endorsement of an Iranian regime fatwa (religious order) ordering the assassination of British-American author Salman Rushdie, comes at a time when the Ivy League professor is the subject of a congressional probe. Mousavian is currently facing a U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce investigation for allegedly advancing the interests of Iran.

WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES NEW SANCTIONS ON IRAN FOLLOWING ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL: 'THE PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE'

The head of the Iranian delegation, Seyed Hossein Mousavian, speaks to journalists at the International Atomic Energy Agency on Nov. 29, 2004 in Vienna.

In November, Fox News Digital exclusively reported on the investigation into Mousavians ties to the worlds worst state-sponsor of terrorism, the Islamic Republic of Iran. The investigation is ongoing, and the congressional committee has not issued any findings.

In an interview back in 1997 with the left-wing German daily paper Taz, Mousavian, who was Irans Ambassador to Germany at the time, was asked if Iran supports groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Mousavian seemed to put his support behind Hamas. "If by that you mean that we supply Hamas with weapons: No, we do not. But if you mean that we support the Palestinians in their struggle, yes, we do."

When asked by the paper if Iran provides Hezbollah support materially or financially, Mousavian said "We support Hezbollah morally and not by supplying weapons."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

'NOTHING WOULD REMAIN': IRAN'S PRESIDENT VOWS TO COMPLETELY DESTROY ISRAEL IF IT LAUNCHES TINIEST INVASION

The U.S. Middle East Media Research Institute first translated Mousavians German language interview earlier this month on its website and provided background material on his alleged role in stoking terrorism in Europe, including the assassination of Kurdish dissidents in a Berlin restaurant named Mykonos in 1992.

Mousavian, a Middle East security and nuclear policy specialist at Princeton University, was hosted by the Obama administration, according to the Washington Free Beacon, at least three times at the White House, and invited to speak at an important U.S. STRATCOM military event in August 2023 during the Biden administration

According to the congressional letter, first obtained by Fox News Digital, Mousavians appearance at the STRATCOM symposium "concerned members of the Armed Services Committees of both the House and the Senate. Additionally, aspects of this issue trouble us as members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce."

Mousavian told Fox News Digital in November that, "My talk at the U.S. Strategic Command was all about peace in the Middle East and why the U.S. should avoid wars and focus on peace and cooperation."

DOZENS DEAD, OVER 1,200 ARRESTED IN IRAN AS REGIME WARNS OF 'DECISIVE' CRACKDOWN

When asked by Fox News Digital if he considers Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist organizations, Mousavian refused to answer numerous Fox News Digital press queries via email, telephone and WhatsApp. Fox News Digital approached Princeton University via telephone and email for comment. The Ivy League institution did not respond to Fox News Digital's questions.

Mousavian also seemed to defend the Iranian-led campaign to assassinate U.S. and British writer Salman Rushdie because the famous novelist depicted the Muslim prophet Muhammad irreverently.

In 2022, a 24-year-old man named Hadi Matar, who is fan of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, allegedly stabbed Rushdie in the neck and liver during the authors speech in Chautauqua, New York. After the attack, Rushdie lost sight in one eye and the use of one hand.

A Nov. 5, 1992 Reuters report, titled "German Opposition Wants Iranian Envoy Expelled," said that, " ...Hossein Mousavian was summoned to the German Foreign Ministry after remarking in a radio interview that Bonn would not act against its trade interests with Iran to back Rushdie's request for the death decree to be lifted."

The Reuters report continued "Social Democrat Freimut Duve told parliament in a special debate on what has become known as the Rushdie Affair that Mousavian should leave Germany as he did not respect its laws."

In the radio interview after Rushdie's appearance, Mousavian defended the historic Islamic practice of imposing the death sentence for blasphemy.

IRAN'S ATTACK ON ISRAEL SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON TEHRAN'S ADVANCING NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAM

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini died in 1989, but his fatwa against Salman Rushdie did not.

Mousavian declined to answer numerous Fox News Digital press queries about whether he continues to endorse the Iranian religious decree to murder Rushdie.

Mousavian denied his countrys role in the Iranian state-sponsored murders of the four Kurdish dissidents in the Mykonos restaurant. He termed the Berlin court verdict, which convicted Iranian and Hezbollah operatives of the assassinations, as "nonsense" in the German Taz interview. Mousavian refused to answer Fox News Digital press queries about his rejection of the Berlin court Mykonos verdict.

According to a 1997 article from the Berlin newspaper Der Tagesspiegel, Abolghasem Mesbahi, a former senior-level Iranian intelligence official, told a Berlin court during the Mykonos trial, "Mousavian participated in most of the [Iranian regime's] crimes that took place in Europe."

During Mousavians tenure as Irans ambassador to Germany, he was in charge of the embassy that the Berlin court found "served as the headquarters" for the planning of the 1992 assassination of four Iranian dissidents at the Greek restaurant Mykonos in Berlin."

Israeli and Palestinian supporters rally around 42nd St. for and against the terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas. Anti-Israel supporters march after the rally in that neighborhood, stopping in front of the permanent missions of Egypt, Kuwait and the United States, chanting to end support for Israel.

"This accusation is a big lie," Mousavian told Fox News Digital in November. "The 398-page verdict is published, and everyone can have access to it. The Berlin court verdict does not contain any direct or indirect allegations against me. German authorities never forced me to leave the country.  I have been a frequent visitor to Germany," added Mousavian.

The calls for Mousavian to be fired coincide with the scandal-plagued pro-Iran regime academic, Mohammad Jafar Mahallati, who taught at Oberlin College in Ohio.

Mahallati was Irans ambassador to the U.N. from 1987-1989. Oberlin College ousted Mahallati in November 2023 after a mushrooming series of scandals, including Mahallatis pro-Hamas teachings and calls for the destruction of the Jewish state. According to Amnesty International, Mahallati covered up the Iranian regimes mass murder of 5,000 Iranian dissidents in 1988.

The California-based Alliance Against the Islamic Regime of Iran Apologists (AAIRIA) spearheaded the high-intensity campaign to fire Mahallati.

WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCES NEW SANCTIONS ON IRAN FOLLOWING ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL: 'THE PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE'

Iranian American human rights activist Lawdan Bazargan, the lead organizer on the AAIRIA campaign, told Fox News Digital about Mousavian "It is profoundly disheartening that Princeton University would appoint such an individual, allowing him to masquerade as a proponent of peace. To think that an agent of an oppressive Islamic regime, known for its flagrant disregard for religious freedom and its menacing slogans of death to America and death to Israel, could have the audacity to proclaim involvement in peace initiatives is nothing short of a cynical farce."

She added, "Princeton's endorsement of Mousavian tarnishes its reputation and undermines the principles of peace, tolerance, and academic integrity it purports to uphold."

AAIRIA urged Princeton to summarily fire Mousavian, who is not a tenured academic, and the NGO announced a protest at Princeton University next week against the controversial academic. Just last month, the National Association of Scholars issued a call to terminate Mousavians employment.

BIDEN SAYS ISRAEL NOT TO BLAME FOR ROCKET ATTACK ON GAZA HOSPITAL THAT LEFT 500 DEAD: 'DONE BY THE OTHER TEAM'

A leading antisemitism expert has claimed that Mousavians account contains antisemitic posts against Israel. Mousavian falsely claimed in an October X post that Israel bombed a hospital in Gaza and termed it "a crime similar to the Holocaust of Nazi Germany."

Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the associate dean of the Los Angeles-based Simon Wiesenthal Center, told Fox News Digital that "Cleary, this is a person who feels no matter what he does that his status will be protected at Princeton."

Princeton University campus, Oct. 20., 2022.

Regarding Mousavian comparing Israel with the crimes of Nazi Germany, Cooper said "that anyone who uses that language is proving his antisemitic credentials. He feels confident and is immune from any action against him."

A Fox News Digital examination of Mousavains X Posts since Oct. 7 shows the overwhelming number of posts are attacks on the Jewish state and support of many Hamas talking points, including that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

Cooper said "I think Princeton has a lot to answer for," and Mousavian should be disqualified as an academic in American higher education.

"To say this is a scandal would not give justice to the issues exposed. It might be time to call Princeton University forward at a congressional hearing because it covers issues of sensitive national security, "said Cooper, who has testified in Congress about antisemitism.





Original article source: Iranian academic at Princeton University accused of publicly supporting terror groups
Iranian senior official says country has no plan to respond to Israeli strike immediately: report

Iranian senior official says country has no plan to respond to Israeli strike immediately: report

An Iranian senior official has revealed that Tehran has no plan to hit back immediately against Israel after the Jewish state carried out limited strikes inside the country early Friday, a report says.

The strikes in Irans Isfahan province  which is where Natanz, one of Iran's nuclear facilities, is located  come in retaliation for Iran firing a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel last Saturday.

The senior official told Reuters that Iran has no immediate plans to fire back at Israel and that "the foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed."

"We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack," he also claimed.

ISRAEL STRIKES SITE IN IRAN IN RETALIATION FOR WEEKEND ASSAULT: SOURCE

Iranian soldiers take part in a military parade during a ceremony marking the country's annual army day on April 17, 2024, in Tehran, Iran.

Iran went after Israel last weekend in response to a suspected Israeli airstrike on April 1 targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, that left a dozen dead, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

A well-placed military source told Fox News that Fridays strike by Israel was "limited." Sources familiar said the U.S. was not involved and there was pre-notification to the U.S. from the Israelis.

ISRAEL HITS IRAN WITH LIMITED STRIKES DESPITE WHITE HOUSES REPORTED OPPOSITION

An Iranian woman watches an Iranian news TV channel in Tehran following reported strikes Friday in central Isfahan province.

Iranian state media reported that three drones had been shot down over Isfahan by air defense systems, according to Reuters.

Iranian state television later described all sites in the Natanz area as "fully safe" and the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed on X Friday morning that there is no damage to the nuclear facilities.

"Director General Rafael Grossi continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts," the IAEA added. "IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely."

Details surrounding the intended target of the strike were not immediately available, but Fox News was able to confirm the target was "not nuclear or civilian."

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on April 14.

As of early Friday morning, Pentagon officials have not confirmed the strike and the White House and the National Security Council have declined to comment on the unfolding situation.

Fox News Bradford Betz, Jennifer Griffin and Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.





Original article source: Iranian senior official says country has no plan to respond to Israeli strike immediately: report
Israel has carried out a strike inside Iran, US official tells CNN, as region braces for further escalation

Israel has carried out a military strike inside Iran, a US official told CNN Friday, a potentially dangerous escalation in a fast widening Middle East conflict that Iranian government officials have so far sought to play down.

Irans air defense systems were activated in the cities of Isfahan and Tabriz after three explosions were heard close to a major military airbase near Isfahan, state media reported early Friday morning.

Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, the commander-in-chief of Irans army, said the explosions in the sky above Isfahan were related to anti-aircraft systems shooting at what he called a suspicious object, which did not cause any damage, Iranian state news IRNA reported. Other Iranian officials said air defenses intercepted three drones and there were no reports of a missile attack.

Iran has not identified the source of the strike.

The United States was given advance notification Thursday of an intended Israeli strike in the coming days, but did not endorse the response, a second senior US official said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken later confirmed the US has not been involved in any offensive operations, but was focusing on Israels defense and de-escalation.

The US was informed at the last minute about the attack on Iran, Italys foreign minister Antonio Tajani said at a news conference to conclude a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) nations in Capri, Italy, which Blinken also attended.

Multiple state-aligned news agencies reported that sites associated with Irans nuclear program were secure and the attack appeared to be limited in scope.

Iranian media appeared to further minimize the scale of the attack on Friday, broadcasting calm scenes from Isfahan showing residents walking through parks and visiting landmarks. Traffic was reported as normal and the airport was also reported to have reopened after flights were briefly canceled or suspended early Friday.

Reports of Fridays strike came hours after Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN that if Israel takes any further military action against Iran, its response would be immediate and at a maximum level.

If the Israeli regime commits the grave error once again our response will be decisive, definitive and regretful for them, he added, noting that this warning had been communicated to the White House via the Swiss Embassy in Tehran.

Tensions across the Middle East remain on a knife edge, following Irans unprecedented direct strike against Israel late Saturday. The attack, during which Iran launched more than 300 drones and cruise missiles toward Israel, came in response to a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on 1 April, which killed a top commander, and several others.

Separately, material losses were reported in southern Syria after an Israeli strike, targeted our air defense sites in the southern region, Syrian state media SANA reported Friday citing a military source. The Israeli military said that it does not comment on reports in foreign media.

The Israeli military said it was unable to provide a comment on Friday, when asked by CNN about reports of explosions in Iran.

At the end of its three-day meeting in Capri, the G7 urged all parties in the region to prevent further escalation. Jordans Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also warned the strikes risk dragging the region into further conflict, adding that the Israeli-Iranian retaliations must end.

Iran warned of maximum response hours earlier

Israels action in Iran is the latest escalatory move in a region that has been rocked by Israels devastating war in Gaza following Hamas brutal October 7 attack. That attack killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw more than 200 others taken hostage.

Israels bombardment and siege of Gaza has killed more than 33,000 Palestinians, according to Palestinian officials, caused widespread destruction of the enclave and sparked a humanitarian crisis where more than 1 million people face catastrophic levels of hunger.

Prior to Fridays Israeli strike, the US expectation was the country would not target Irans civilian or nuclear facilities, the senior US official told CNN.

CNN has previously reported that Israel told the US its response to the weekend attacks would be limited in scope. US intelligence had suggested Israel was weighing a narrow and limited strike inside Iran because they feel like they have to respond with a kinetic action of some kind given the unprecedented scale of the Iranian attack

The range of targets was never specified in precise terms but nuclear and civilian locations were clearly not in that category, the senior official added.

Calls for restraint

Israels Western allies have both rallied to its defense in the wake of Irans attack Saturday, while also urging restraint.

US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he should consider Irans strikes a win, since they had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israels ability to defend itself.

Biden had already made clear to Netanyahu that the US would not participate in any offensive operations against Iran in response, a senior administration previously told CNN.

Benny Gantz, a key member of Israels war cabinet, had pushed for a swift response to the attack, two Israeli officials told CNN, arguing that the longer Israeli delayed its response, the harder it would be to garner international support for it.

Some hardline officials have gone further. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said Israel should go crazy in response. Ben Gvir appeared to criticize Israels reported strike, publishing a one-word response on X early Friday morning  a slang word meaning lame or weak.

Israels opposition leader Yair Lapid called Ben Gvirs comment unforgivable.

Never before has a minister in the security cabinet done such heavy damage to the countrys security, its image and its international status, Lapid said.

Jasmine El-Gamal, a former Middle East adviser to the US Defense Department, told CNN that Israel and Irans tit-for-tat strikes were about posturing and messaging.

Neither side, obviously, is willing or ready to escalate into an all-out war. The Israelis in particular cannot get into an all-out war without the full support, both military and political, of the Americans, which President Biden made it clear he was not willing to give, she said.

El-Gamal said Israels reported strike was meant to tell Iran, We can get to your nuclear sites if we want to. We know where they are, and even though we didnt hit them this time  we can do it.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

CNNs Benjamin Brown, Irene Nasser, Christian Edwards, Nadeen Ebrahim, Jeremy Diamond and David Shortell contributed reporting.

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Israel carries out limited strikes on Iran, with the extent of damage unclear

Israeli forces appear to have carried out a counterstrike on Iran five days after Tehran targeted Israel with a barrage of drones and missiles in an unprecedented attack in retaliation for Israel's bombing of an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria.

The extent of the damage from the strike, which neither the Israeli nor Iranian governments commented on but was confirmed by two people familiar with the situation, remained unclear.

While largely appearing to downplay the strikes, reports from Iranian state media said that air defense systems had been engaged in several provinces early Friday morning and that there were limited explosions outside Isfahan, a historic city in central Iran that is home to a nuclear installation.

Later, Iranian state media reported that the sound of several explosions in Isfahan had been caused by the destruction of three small drones.

An Iranian anchor described Isfahan as being in complete peace  people are living their normal lives.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no damage to Irans nuclear facilities.

Earlier in the week, Iranian officials said that after their strikes on Israel they did not want to continue hostilities but would counterstrike "immediately" should Israel attack in response. So far, that has not happened.

Israeli officials notified U.S. counterparts on Thursday that a military response was coming, according to a source.

On Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he would not speak to these reported events but added that U.S. forces had not been involved in any offensive operations when asked about the strike.

The U.S. was "intensely focused" on de-escalating the violence, Blinken added during a news conference in Capri, Italy, during a G7 meeting.

'Target-rich environment'

Whether this turns into a dangerous escalatory spiral will depend on how much damage was done inside of Iran, former CIA Director John Brennan told MSNBC.

Intelligence agencies will be trying to determine the scope of the Israeli strikes damage, and whether there are casualties, or how many, could increase pressure on Iran to respond, he added. As of Friday afternoon, there did not appear to be major damage or any reported casualties.

Isfahan is a target-rich environment, with an air base, a missile production facility and other areas that could be of interest, Brennan said.

Israel is neither confirming nor denying it was responsible for Friday mornings attack. When approached by NBC News, both the Israeli prime ministers office and the Israel Defense Forces responded with no comment, and there were no scheduled plans for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak publicly.

The official silence from the Israeli government could indicate a strategy to not further provoke Iran, which could increase public pressure there to retaliate. By remaining silent, Israel is giving Iran space to minimize the incident and plausibly claim theres no need for escalation.

The Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the CIA also declined to comment.

People demonstrate demanding a regional peace agreement outside of the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv. (Leo Correa / AP)

The attack by Iran last weekend was the first time it had launched a direct military assault on Israel. It came less than two weeks after Israel bombed an Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus, killing 12 people, including seven Iranian military commanders.

Israel, the U.S. and their allies fended off the Iranian drone and missile attacks, which caused relatively little damage.

Israels counterstrike is the latest escalation in a shadow war between the two countries that has raged since Irans Islamic Revolution in 1979. Until now, the two countries battled through proxy forces, top-secret assassinations, audacious cyberattacks and nuclear sabotage  but never head-to-head military engagement.

The counterstrike is likely to deepen anxieties in capitals worldwide about the prospect of an all-out war in the Middle East. The region has been on edge since Hamas stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,200 people. Israels devastating military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has killed nearly 34,000, according to local health officials.

Iran has vowed to wipe Israel off the map. Israel perceives Iran as an existential threat, and it has accused the country of funding terrorist organizations and armed proxies throughout the Middle East, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

In the lead-up to Israels counteroffensive, world leaders had urged Netanyahu to exercise restraint.

Israeli military vehicles manoeuvre, near the Israel-Gaza border (Amir Cohen / Reuters)

President Joe Biden told the Israeli leaders that while the U.S. commitment to defend Israel is ironclad, the U.S. would not participate in offensive operations against Iran, a senior administration official told NBC News. U.S. officials told NBC News that Washington was concerned about Israel responding quickly without thinking through the potential fallout.

European leaders had also implored Israel to weigh its options carefully. French President Emmanuel Macron, for example, described the situation as unstable and emphasized that steps should be taken to keep it from escalating.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Israel hits back at Iran, launches retaliatory attack and more top headlines

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Original article source: Israel hits back at Iran, launches retaliatory attack and more top headlines
KYODO NEWS - Apr 19, 2024 - 08:17 | All, World, Japan, G7

The Group of Seven foreign ministers agreed Thursday that they will continue working closely in dealing with the situation in the Middle East, as tensions mount in the region in the wake of Iran's recent unprecedented attack on Israel.

As the top diplomats gathered on the Italian resort island of Capri for their three-day meeting, the United States and Britain announced additional sanctions on Iran, targeting entities and individuals involved in its drone and missile industries.

"As I discussed with my fellow G7 leaders the morning after the attack, we are committed to acting collectively to increase economic pressure on Iran," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement. "Our allies and partners have or will issue additional sanctions and measures to restrict Iran's destabilizing military programs."

While calling for deescalation, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the G7 meeting's chair, said sanctioning Iran is on the agenda and offered support to Israel.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told her counterparts that she is "deeply concerned" that the Iranian attack has further deteriorated the situation in the region, and strongly condemns such escalation, according to the Japanese government.

The gathering comes after Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones on Israel last weekend in what it says was retaliation for a strike carried out by Israel on the Iranian embassy's consular section in Damascus on April 1.

Seven Iranian military officers, including a top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander, were killed.

The Iranian forces also reportedly seized an Israeli-linked, Portuguese-flagged cargo ship as it was sailing in international waters in the Gulf of Oman on Saturday.

The foreign ministers are set to release a communique on Friday as their gathering concludes. They will condemn "in the strongest terms" the Iranian attack on Israel and show their "full solidarity and support" for the country in the statement, diplomatic sources said earlier.

The statement will also stress the importance of an immediate cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas and condemn the Palestinian militant group's surprise attack on Oct. 7 while refraining from directly criticizing Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip, according to the sources.

During talks on Thursday, Kamikawa called for an immediate cease-fire to establish an environment in which humanitarian assistance activities can be carried out in Gaza and the release of hostages can be achieved, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a press release.

The G7 diplomats also discussed Russia's war in Ukraine with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

During the opening day's working dinner, the G7 ministers agreed to step up collaboration with "international partners" in addressing global challenges, according to the Japanese ministry, apparently with "Global South" developing and emerging countries in mind.

Kamikawa stressed the importance of the rule of law and human dignity and explained her nation's efforts to strengthen relations with Indo-Pacific countries, the ministry said, amid China's expanding clout in the region.

The G7 comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Related coverage:

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Despite the White House voicing it would not take part in any retaliatory attack against Iran by Israel, the Jewish state issued "limited" strikes early Friday.

Fox News has confirmed there have been explosions in Isfahan province where Natanz is located, though it is not clear whether it has been hit.

A well-placed military source has told Fox that the strike was "limited."

The news came after President Joe Biden warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. would not take part in a counter-offensive against Iran.

ISRAEL STRIKES SITE IN IRAN IN RETALIATION FOR WEEKEND ASSAULT: SOURCE

Democrats have expressed concern that President Biden has ruined his standing among progressives with his support for Israel. The president criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel's conduct during its war with Hamas.

Biden reportedly told Netanyahu the U.S. wouldn't support any retaliatory attack, according to Axios.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.

John Kirby, the White House's top national security spokesperson, told ABC's "This Week" program on Sunday, April 14 that the United States will continue to help Israel defend itself, but does not want war with Iran.

Kirby said "our commitment is ironclad" to defending Israel and to "helping Israel defend itself," after being asked if the U.S. would support retaliation.

John Kirby, White House national security communications advisor, during a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Monday, April 15, 2024.

Kirby doubled-down on the fact that Biden does not "seek" war with Iran.

"And as the president has said many times, we don't seek a wider war in the region. We don't seek a war with Iran. And I think I will leave it at that," Kirby added.

ISRAEL'S ADVANCED MILITARY TECHNOLOGY ON FULL DISPLAY DURING IRAN'S ATTACK

"We don't seek escalated tensions in the region. We don't seek a wider conflict," Kirby said.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder holds a press conference at the Pentagon on October 19, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia.

Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder echoed Kirby's sentiments, sharing in a press briefing that the U.S. does "not want to see a wider regional war."

"As I've highlighted, we do not seek escalation in the region, but we will not hesitate to defend Israel and protect our personnel," he said during the question and answer segment of the briefing.

"Again, we do not want to see a wider regional war," he added. "We don't seek conflict with Iran, but we won't hesitate to take [the] necessary actions to protect our forces."

Iran's medium-range ballistic missile called Hayber (Hurremshahr-4) is seen after the launch during the promotional program organized with the participation of high-ranking military officials in Tehran, Iran on May 07, 2023.

Reports of Israel's "limited strike" against Iran came following a retaliatory strike over the weekend.

Iran attacked Israel over the weekend in retaliation for a deadly strike on Iran's consulate in Syria earlier this month that killed a dozen people, including a top general. Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for the attack.

The weekend attack by Iran marked a major escalation of violence. Despite decades of hostilities between the two nations, Iran has never directly attacked Israel, instead relying on proxy forces in Iraq, Lebanon and elsewhere.

Fox News' Bradford Betz and Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.





Original article source: Israel hits Iran with 'limited' strikes despite White House's reported opposition
Israel launched a strike on Iran early Friday in what appeared to be a limited response to Tehrans drone and missile assault last weekend, according to a U.S. official and a person familiar with the discussions.

The retaliatory strike was designed to be limited in scope in order to avoid a wider regional war, said the person familiar. The people were granted anonymity to discuss sensitive internal deliberations.

Both Iran and Israel seemed to want to prevent escalation in the hours after the strike. Israel has not claimed responsibility or commented, while Iranian officials have played down the attack. Iranian media reported that sites associated with Irans nuclear program had not been damaged.

The National Security Council declined to comment.



Iranian officials said the countrys air defense systems in the cities of Isfahan and Tabriz shot down a suspicious object that did not cause any damage, state media reported overnight. The comments came after explosions were heard close to a military airbase near Isfahan, home to Irans fleet of F-14 Tomcat fighter jets. The city is also home to facilities associated with Irans nuclear program.

Iran did not identify the source of the strike.

The Biden administration has also been mum about the attack. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, when asked about the strike, said the U.S. was not involved in any offensive operations.

Italys foreign minister Antonio Tajani said the U.S. was informed at the last minute about the attack. Tajani and Blinken made their remarks while attending a G7 meeting in Capri, Italy.



But the situation is still precarious. The strike came hours after Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Irans response would be immediate if Israel takes any military action against Iran.

You see everyone contorting themselves on both sides to do something thats palatable politically, but still meets the overarching aim of not starting a regional war, the person familiar said.

Experts said the public messaging  and lack thereof  allows both sides to keep the crisis from spinning out of control.

This strike is clearly intended to not escalate the situation further, wrote Dana Stroul, who until December served as the Pentagons chief of Middle East policy, on social media. If everyone decides that further rounds of state on state attacks are not in their interest, this chapter can [close]for now.
Explosions were heard in Iran after Israel launched missile strikes in retaliation for a barrage of more than 300 drones and missiles fired by Tehran over the weekend, three U.S. news organizations reported.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said on Friday local time that explosions were heard near the airport at the central city of Isfahan. ABC, CBS, and NPR, each citing at least one unnamed American official, reported that Israel was responsible.

Citing three Iranian officials, the New York Times reported that a military airport near Isfahan had been targeted.

"The cause of these sounds is still unknown, and investigations continue until the exact details of the incident are determined," Fars reported. An unidentified Iranian official later told Reuters that the explosions came from local air defense systems, adding that no missile attack had been carried out. The brief report made no mention of Israeli drones.

Will it spark a wider war? Israel's long-simmering conflict with Iran moves out of the shadows.

Civilian airports were closed in Iran and flights from the Persian Gulf were diverted. There was no immediate comment from Israeli and U.S. officials.

Iran's weekend swarm of munitions and Israel's response marked the first direct exchanges of fire between the regional arch-enemies.

Warning sirens wailed inside communities near Israel's northern border in anticipation of rocket attacks from Hezbollah, the powerful Iranian proxy force that controls southern Lebanon  but officials later said it was a false alarm.

The U.S. on Thursday announced a fresh set of sanctions targeting Iran's production of unmanned aerial vehicles, while Tehran warned Israel it would review its official stance on nuclear weapons if its atomic facilities were attacked.

Iranian state TV said the country's nuclear facilities were intact.

Iran told the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that Israel "must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests" as the U.N. secretary-general warned that the Middle East was in a "moment of maximum peril."

Israel, the U.S., and other regional and Western allies joined forces on Saturday to blast hundreds of Iranian drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles out of the sky after they were fired at Israel. That attack was itself an act of retaliation after Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khameni, blamed Israel for an airstrike on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus, Syria, that killed several people including a leading Revolutionary Guards commander.

Officials have been on edge about the possibility of a regional war since the Palestinian militant group Hamas rampaged across southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 and taking more than 200 people hostage. More than 30,000 Palestinians have died in the ensuing six months in Israeli airstrikes and ground fire, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

[10:33 PM] Borresen, JenniferHey Charles, I saw you were in the Iran story. I have a map if you want to embed it. TO VIEWhttps://infogram.com/1pkzdex7nmrvgpc9vq0gg1rrveu3d3ll9ly?live TO EMBED

like 1Israel attack on Iran by USAT - Graphics - InfogramA post from USAT - Graphics on Infogram provided by: https://infogram.com/

Source of concern: Voters, fearful of World War III as Iran strikes Israel, will weigh foreign policy in 2024

"The regional states remain quite concerned that the longer the open-ended conflict in Gaza goes on, the greater the possibility  through a direct decision or miscalculation  of a regional war," analyst Michael Wahid Hanna of the International Crisis Group told USA TODAY on Tuesday.

Following reports of the airstrikes, the U.S. Embassy in Israel issued a security alert saying that U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beer Sheva areas until further notice.

"In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. Embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel (including the Old City of Jerusalem) and the West Bank," the alert added.

Contributing: Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel launches missile airstrikes as explosions heard in central Iran
Israel launched a retaliatory strike against Iran on Friday morning.

Source: ABC News with reference to a senior US official

Details: Local media reported that three explosions occurred near a military base in the northwestern Iranian province of Isfahan.

Several Iranian nuclear facilities are located there.

Iran has suspended flights over several cities after the Israeli attack.

Background:

On Sunday, the Axios media outlet, with reference to an unnamed White House official, reported that Joe Biden, President of the US, stated during the conversation with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu that he did not support the Israeli attack on Iran in response to the latter's large-scale drone and missile attack.

Sources of The New York Times report that during the phone conversation between Netanyahu with Biden, Israel decided not to strike back at Iran.

Iran launched an attack on Israel, using dozens of drones and missiles on the night of 13-14 April. Israel Defense Forces later clarified that there were over 300 aerial targets in total, including approximately 170 attack drones, over 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles, nearly all of which were shot down.

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(Bloomberg) -- Israel launched a retaliatory strike on Iran following last weeks missile and drone barrage from Tehran, according to two US officials, though media from both countries appeared to downplay the severity of the incident.

Most Read from Bloomberg

An explosion was heard early Friday in Isfahan, Irans third-biggest city, Fars news agency reported. Nuclear facilities located there are safe, state television and the United Nations nuclear watchdog said.

Neither the Iranian nor Israeli government has confirmed there was a strike by Israel. The Jewish state rarely comments on specific military actions linked to Iran.

Flights were suspended in Isfahan and the Iranian cities of Tehran and Shiraz as well as airports across the countrys western borders, but those restrictions were soon eased.

The incident follows days of frantic diplomacy from the US and European nations in which they tried to convince Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to respond too aggressively, if at all, to Saturday nights Iranian attack. Their main concern is to avoid a wider war in a region already roiled by the Israel-Hamas conflict and which could send oil prices above $100 a barrel.

Read More: Israel Versus Iran  What All-Out War Could Look Like: QuickTake

Crude and gold initially jumped in early trading on Friday, but later pared their gains as reports suggested the apparent attack was far from extensive. A senior Iranian military official also said Tehran had already responded to Israeli threats, and didnt blame the Jewish state for the latest incident.

Isfahan is home to around 2 million people and several military bases and facilities. Its believed to have been one of several launch sites for Irans attack on Israel on Saturday night.

The New York Times said two Israeli officials confirmed their nation was behind the strike. The newspaper also reported a military air base near Isfahan was struck.

Israel notified the US on Thursday it planned to retaliate in the next 24-48 hours, two American officials said to Bloomberg. They asked not to be identified discussing private conversations. Spokespeople for the National Security Council and the Pentagon declined to comment.

Brent crude oil climbed above $90 a barrel before trading around $87.80 as of 9 a.m. in London, up less than 1% on the day.

Gold also quickly reversed its jump. Yields on 10-year US Treasuries  another haven for global investors in times of geopolitical stress  fell around four basis points to 4.59%.

The shekel weakened this week to its lowest level in 2024, though was steady on Friday at 3.78 per dollar. That was despite S&P Global Ratings downgrading Israel by one level to A+  still easily in investment-grade territory  hours before the reported attack.

Read More: S&P Joins Moodys in Downgrading Israel on Geopolitical Risk

Israel had vowed to retaliate against Iran for its barrage of more than 300 drones and missiles, the vast majority of which were destroyed before hitting their targets. While there was limited damage and no one was killed, Israel said it would send a message of weakness to Iran and its other enemies if it didnt respond.

Iran said it was a justified reaction to a strike on its embassy compound in Syria on April 1, which killed several Iranian officers and was blamed on Israel.

The US, Europe and Arab states urged Netanyahu to act with restraint. The foreign ministers of the UK and Germany both traveled to Israel on Wednesday to see him.

Netanyahu faced a dilemma this week. While many of his far-right coalition members insisted on a firm response, the Israeli public was split on whether the country should react at all. Many, according to a poll, said it wasnt worth provoking Iran and straining Israels ties with the US.

Israel is more than six months into the war in Gaza and still intent on attacking the city of Rafah, where it says several thousand Hamas fighters are lodged. Many in the country want the government to focus on finishing the conflict against the Iran-backed militant group that launched a deadly invasion on Oct. 7.

Ball in Irans Court

If attributed to Israel, the nature and scope of the strike on Friday  including any casualties  could determine whether the tit-for-tat responses between the two sides escalate or start to get scaled back.

The ball is in Irans court now, said Ziad Daoud, chief emerging-market economist for Bloomberg Economics. The most likely scenario is avoiding escalation through another direct attack on Israel.

Many analysts had said targeting Irans nuclear facilities would be the riskiest and most aggressive option open to Israel, with strikes on non-nuclear military facilities and cyberattacks among the less escalatory choices.

Early indications are that this was a symbolic attack that wont force Iran to respond aggressively, retired Israeli General Israel Ziv told the nations Channel 12.

Israels hawkish national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, suggested he wasnt happy with his countrys apparent response.

Weak, he said in a one-word post on X in Hebrew.

Ben Gvir isnt part of Netanyahus Likud party and doesnt sit in the five-man war cabinet that takes final decisions on military actions. But hes key to the survival of Netanyahus coalition and said after Irans attack that Israel had to hit back hard.

Iranian media portrayed a sense of calm in Isfahan and asserted that everything was proceeding as normal. The countrys Supreme National Security Council decided against convening for an emergency meeting, according to state TV.

Iran was bracing for a reprisal by Israel all week.

Tehran has routinely accused Israel of attacks and sabotage activities targeting its nuclear and military sites in the past, including in Isfahan, home to some key nuclear enrichment and missile facilities. Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes but the West accuses it of seeking to develop atomic weapons.

Foiling Irans Missile Attack Probably Cost More Than $1 Billion

On Thursday, Iran said it may reconsider its nuclear policies if Israel attacked its atomic sites.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian also warned Israel against lashing out after the weekend assault.

In case the Israeli regime embarks on adventurism again and takes action against the interests of Iran, the next response from us will be immediate and at a maximum level, he said to CNN.

--With assistance from Henry Meyer, Ethan Bronner and Yasufumi Saito.

(Updates with more details. An earlier version of the story corrected the surge in gold prices.)

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Israel launched a retaliatory strike against a site in Iran early Friday morning local time, U.S. officials confirmed to several media outlets, though an Iranian official has downplayed the attack as a failed and humiliating drone strike. (Syria also reported a simultaneous attack by Israel.)

ABC News, CBS News, NPR, and others have cited unnamed U.S. officials in reporting that one or more missiles were launched by the Israeli military at Iran. Citing two unnamed U.S. officials, Bloomberg News reported that Israeli officials had warned U.S. officials earlier on Thursday that it planned to attack Iran in the next 24-48 hours. An unnamed senior U.S. official also told CNN that the U.S. was warned of Israels planned retaliatory action, a response the official said the U.S. didnt endorse. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Friday that the U.S. told G7 ministers at their summit in Italy it was informed at the last minute by Israel about the drones.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken declined to provide information about whether the U.S. had advance notice of the attack and other related questions from reporters at a press conference following the summit.

Im not going to speak to that except to say that the United States has not been involved in any offensive operations, he said, adding that the G7 is focused on de-escalating tensions.

In his opening remarks, Blinken said the G7 condemned the unprecedented Iranian attack on Israel. Over last Saturday night, Iran launched more than 300 munitions at Israel, 99% of which were intercepted by Israels defense systems, with help from the U.S. and others.

We are committed to Israel's security, Blinken continued. Were also committed to de-escalating, to trying to bring this tension to a close.

Irans foreign minister has urged some of his counterparts to condemn an attack on an Iranian embassy building in Syria on April 1 that killed senior Iranian officials, which Iran blames on Israel and to which it said its missile barrage was responding. Pentagon officials have said Israel did not notify them about its strike on the embassy building and the U.S. had no involvement. Israel has not publicly acknowledged the strike.

An unnamed Israeli official told the Washington Post that the attack was intended to send a message to Iran that Israel had the ability to strike inside the country.

Details of the strike, including its scale and the extent of the damage, remain unclear. FARS, a news agency managed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, reported that explosions occurred near Isfahana city some 340 km. south of Tehran that hosts key military sites, including a major airbase and nuclear facilities. It later clarified that the nuclear facility is completely safe, according to informed sources, and the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed there was no damage to Irans nuclear sites.

Iranian state-affiliated news agency IRNA reported that Irans air defense system had been activated in the skies of several provinces, following explosions heard in and around Isfahan. The source of the explosion was a defense shot, fired after the air defense in Tabriz, a city northwest of Isfahan, saw a suspicious object, IRNA reported, adding that the city was in complete peace.

Hossein Dalirian, an Iranian space agency spokesperson, said on X that reports of a foreign missile attack were not true and that it was three microbirds that were shot down.

So far no large-scale hit and explosion caused by any air threat has been reported, said IRNA, while state broadcasters have shown videos of life appearing normal in Isfahanthough their credibility is questionable after being found to promote misinformation as recently as earlier this week.

The apparent Israeli retaliation comes just days after Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel over the weekend, most of which were intercepted by Israels defense systems as well as those of its allies and neighbors. The weekend attack sparked widespread fears of a sharp escalation of conflict, as regional tensions have heightened amid Israels war in Gaza. As world leaders urged Israel to refrain from a counterattack, Iran said that it considered the matter concluded.

In recent days, foreign governments concerned about rising violence in the Middle East have warned their citizens against traveling to or remaining in the region. On Wednesday, the Dutch government told its citizens to leave Iran if you can do so safely. And Australian authorities on Friday urged Australians to leave Israel and Palestinian territories if its safe to do so. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued a security alert on Friday restricting U.S. government employees in Israel and their families from traveling for personal reasons outside greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beer Sheva, and reminding U.S. citizens in Israel to take caution.

Several U.S. Congress members, including Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), have posted on social media in support of Israel. With overwhelming bipartisan support, the House passed a resolution earlier on Thursday condemning Irans weekend attack and affirming support for Israels right to defend itself.

Reflecting growing divisions within the Democratic Party, however, over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the White Houses ongoing support for Israel, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) retweeted a post by political commentator Peter Beinart, who said after reports of the attack on Iran: Bidens failure to stop this is a disaster for the safety of people all over the Middle East, including Israelis.

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told CNN earlier on Thursday that in case the Israeli regime embarks on adventurism again and takes action against the interests of Iran, the next response from us will be immediate and at a maximum level. But an unnamed senior Iranian official told Reuters on Friday that Iran has no plan to strike back immediately.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Israel launched an attack on Iran early Friday morning local timethe first retaliatory strike following an Iranian missile and drone attack on Israeli soil last weekend, U.S. officials told CBS and ABC News.

Its unclear how manyif anydrones reached targets in Iran and how effective they may have been on impact.

The countrys anti-missile defenses were activated early Friday near the city of Isfahan, according to the Iranian state-run IRNA news agency. Isfahan is the countrys third-most populous city and the site of a nuclear technology center and one of its largest military bases.

CNN reported that two U.S. officials said Israel was not targeting nuclear facilities or civilian targets.

The Israeli Defense Forces did not immediately comment on the attack. An aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to comment to Axios.

Iran announced that all commercial flights in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and much of the west-central region of the country had been grounded, according to the AP. Separate footage appeared to show Tehrans airport announcing over an intercom that all flights were canceled.

Iranian state TV reported there was a loud sound heard in Irans Isfahan province. The Iranian state-affiliated media outlets Tasnim and Fars reported that the nuclear facility in Isfahan was completely secure.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps also released footage that appeared to show the countrys air defenses intercepting drones.

State media in Iran have played down the attack, saying the strikes were limited to drones that failed to penetrate its air defense systems. An Iranian official told Reuters that explosion-like sounds heard in Isfahan were a result of the activation of air defense systems, and that no missiles had struck the city.

What is becoming clear at this point is that the Iranians are downplaying this significantly, Trita Parsi, the co-founder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said in a late-night interview on CNN.

If that is a way for the Iranians to essentially wave this off, as if nothing happened, and stop the escalatory cycle, then I think most of the countries in the regionand the worldwill welcome that.

Ian Bremmer, a political scientist and founder of the political risk research and consulting firm Eurasia Group, went as far as to call the Israeli strike deescalatory in a post on X shortly after news of the action broke.

Israeli strike against Iran is deescalatory, he wrote. Had to take some sort of action. Restrained compared to attacks on Damascus that precipitated the crisis.

israeli strike against iran is deescalatory.



had to take some sort of action.



restrained compared to attacks on damascus that precipitated the crisis.  ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) April 19, 2024

The Israeli military said on Monday that it planned to retaliate against Iran, but provided no details on what that attack would entail. Reports suggested it could attack Iranian facilities or include cyberattacks in order to avoid civilian casualties. Bloomberg News reported that Israeli officials alerted the U.S. on Thursday morning that it planned to strike Iran in the next 24 to 48 hours.

The attack comes two weeks after Tehran vowed to punish Israel for the assassination of a top commander at an Iranian mission on April 1. Iran then launched a barrage of over 300 munitions against Israel on April 13, the majority of which were thwarted by Israeli and American antimissile systems.

The U.S. had urged Israel not to respond to Irans attack. CNN reported Thursday the White House did not green light an Israeli response when approached about it.

Iran Issues Unprecedented Nuclear Threat in Duel With Israel

Earlier Thursday, Iran said it was considering a change to its nuclear doctrine, threatening a potential break from the publicly stated peaceful objectives of its nuclear program.

The threats of the Zionist regime [Israel] against Iran's nuclear facilities make it possible to review our nuclear doctrine and deviate from our previous considerations, said Ahmad Haghtalab, a top Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander, according to Tasnim. If the Zionist regime wants to take action against our nuclear centers and facilities, we will surely and categorically reciprocate with advanced missiles against their own nuclear sites, Haghtalab said, adding the era of hit and run" is over.

The Israeli attack comes as top U.S. officials and other allies have been seeking to temper tensions behind the scenes, urging Israel against escalatory responses.

Iranian officials have previously said that any Israeli retaliation against the state would lead to a severe response from Tehran, but there was no indication of an immediate response by Iran after the latest strike.

If the Zionist regime [Israel] or its supporters demonstrate reckless behaviour, they will receive a decisive and much stronger response, Irans President Ebrahim Raisi said in a previous statement.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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By Samia Nakhoul, Parisa Hafezi and James Mackenzie

DUBAI/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel's apparent strike on Iran after days of vacillation was small and appeared calibrated to dial back risks of a major war, even if the sheer fact it happened at all shattered a taboo of direct attacks that Tehran broke days earlier.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's war cabinet had initially approved plans for a strike on Monday night inside Iranian territory to respond forcefully to last Saturday's missile and drones from Iran, but held back at the last-minute, three sources with knowledge of the situation said.

By then, the sources said, the three voting members of the war cabinet had already ruled out the most drastic response - a strike on strategic sites including Iran's nuclear facilities whose destruction would almost certainly provoke a wider regional conflict.

Facing cabinet divisions and strong warnings from partners including the United States and in the Gulf not to escalate, and aware of the need to keep international opinion on Israel's side, the plans to hit back were then postponed twice, the sources said. Two war cabinet meetings were also delayed twice, government officials said.

Netanyahu's office did not respond to requests for comment for this story. Before the attack, a spokesperson for the government's National Public Diplomacy Directorate cited Netanyahu as saying Israel would defend itself in whatever way it judged appropriate.

Reuters spoke to over a dozen sources in Israel, Iran and in the Gulf region, as well as the United States, who described six frantic days of efforts in the Gulf, the U.S. and among some of Israel's war planners to limit the response to Iran's first ever direct attack on its arch rival after decades of shadow war.

"We warned against the grave danger inherent in further escalation," Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told Reuters, saying a wider regional conflict would have catastrophic consequences and risked diverting global attention from Israel's ongoing war in Gaza.

Safadi said his country, which borders Israel, had "made it clear to all it will not be a battleground for Israel and Iran. This firm position was unequivocally delivered to all."

Most of the sources asked not to be named to speak about sensitive matters.

The eventual strike on Friday appeared to target a Iranian Air Force base near the city of Isfahan, deep inside the country and close enough to nuclear facilities to send a message of Israel's reach but without using airplanes, ballistic missiles, striking any strategic sites or causing major damage.

Iran said its defence systems shot down three drones over a base near Isfahan early on Friday. Israel said nothing about the incident. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States had not been involved in any offensive operations,

An Iranian official told Reuters there were signs the drones were launched from within Iran by "infiltrators," which could obviate the need for retaliation.

A source familiar with Western intelligence assessments of the incident also said initial evidence suggested Israel launched drones from inside Iranian territory. Iran's foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

"Israel tried to calibrate between the need to respond and a desire not to enter into a cycle of action and counter reaction that would just escalate endlessly," said Itamar Rabinovich, a former Israeli ambassador to Washington.

He described the situation as a dance, with both parties signalling to each other their intentions and next steps.

"There is huge relief across the Gulf region. It looks like the attack was limited and proportionate and caused limited damage. I see it as a de-escalation," veteran Saudi analyst Abdelrahman al-Rashed told Reuters.

BIDEN CALL

The decision to hold back from broader and immediate action this week underlined the competing pressures on Netanyahu's government in the aftermath of the more than 300 drones and ballistic and cruise missiles fired by Iran on Saturday night.

As Iran's barrage unfolded, two members of the war cabinet, Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, both former armed forces commanders, wanted to respond straight away before agreeing to hold off following a call with U.S. President Joe Biden and in the face of differing views from other ministers, two Israeli officials with knowledge of the situation said.

A spokesperson for Gantz, a centrist who joined Netanyahu's emergency government following the Hamas-led attack on Israel last October, did not respond to a request for comment.

One of the first signals of the impending Israeli strike was communicated by Netanyahus aides to senior U.S. officials in a virtual meeting on Thursday to discuss Rafah and Irans attack, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The Israelis made clear that retaliatory action was imminent but offered no specific timing or targets, the source said. The U.S. participants stressed the need to proceed cautiously to avoid escalation, the source added.

The White House and U.S. State Department declined comment.

The Israeli embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Reuters questions.

Washington was working to de-escalate tensions, Blinken said on Friday.

Aryeh Deri, the head of one of the ultra Orthodox parties in Netanyahu's coalition, who has observer status in the war cabinet and who has generally been wary of drastic moves, was firmly opposed to an immediate strike against Iran, which he believed could endanger the people of Israel given the risk of escalation, a spokesperson for his party said.

"We should also be listening to our partners, to our friends in the world. I say this clearly: I see no shame or weakness in doing so," Deri told the Haderech newspaper.

Israel's options ranged from strikes on strategic Iranian facilities, including nuclear sites or Revolutionary Guards bases, to covert operations, targeted assassinations and cyber attacks on strategic industrial plants and nuclear facilities, analysts and former officials in Israel have said.

Gulf countries had been increasingly worried the situation would spill into "a grave regional conflagration which might be beyond anyones control or ability to contain," said Abdelaziz al-Sagher, head of the Saudi-based Gulf Research Center.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had publicly called for maximum "self-restraint" to spare the region from a wider war.

Sagher said Gulf countries had warned the United States of the risk of escalation, arguing Israel should conduct only a limited attack without casualties or significant damage that could provoke a major reprisal.

This messaging "was relayed forcefully" in the last few days by the Jordanians, Saudis, and Qataris through direct security and diplomatic channels, one senior regional intelligence source said.

The governments of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

By Thursday, four diplomatic and government sources in the region were expressing confidence that the response would be limited and proportionate.

Ahead of the overnight Israeli strike, one regional source, who had been briefed on Israel's thinking, said the response would aim to minimize or completely avoid casualties and was likely to target a military base.

Flying F-35 fighter jets from Israel to Iran, or launching missiles from Israel would almost certainly violate the airspace of neighbouring countries, angering Arab states who Netanyahu has long sought to cultivate as strategic allies, said a Gulf government source with knowledge of the issues.

He couldn't "just fly F-35 fighter jets across the region and bomb Iran or its nuclear sites," the source said.

Iranian officials had warned a major Israeli attack would trigger immediate retaliation.

Iran's options to respond included shutting down the Strait of Hormuz through which about a fifth of the world's oil passes, urging proxies to hit Israeli or U.S. interests, and deploying previously unused missiles, a senior Iranian official said.

While satisfying Israel's moderates at home, its neighbours and international partners, the measured strike, when it came, was met with dismay from hardliners in Netanyahu's cabinet.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, whose ultranationalist party is a key prop in Netanyahu's coalition, posted a single word on X, Feeble."

(Additional reporting by Reuters reporter, Dan Williams and Andrew MacAskill in Jerusalem, Suleiman Al-Khalidi in Amman, Maha El Dahan in Dubai, Matt Spetalnick, Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis and Steve Holland in Washington; Writing by Samia Nakhoul and Angus McDowall; Editing by Edmund Blair, Frank Jack Daniel and Daniel Wallis)
KYODO NEWS - Apr 19, 2024 - 09:53 | Arts, All, Japan

The Tokyo District Court ruled Thursday that the former operator of a now-defunct website allowing users free access to pirated manga must pay a total of around 1.7 billion yen ($11 million) in damages to three major Japanese publishers.

The compensation over the website Manga-Mura is the largest ever levied in similar lawsuits, according to the plaintiffs -- Shogakukan Inc., Kadokawa Corp. and Shueisha Inc.

The court recognized that the publishing rights and exclusive usage rights of the publishers were infringed.

Site users were able to save the images they viewed on their own devices, and "it was essentially the same as purchasing electronically distributed manga works," Presiding Judge Masaki Sugiura said in handing down the ruling.

The court calculated the amount of damages based on the average number of views per volume of a manga work and the sale price of the work.

Atsushi Ito, a Shueisha executive, told a press conference, "Following the trial of Manga-Mura, (other) pirate manga sites for Japanese people that have operators in Japan have almost disappeared."

Ito indicated the company will consider filing similar lawsuits abroad.

The former Manga-Mura operator, Romi Hoshino, 32, told reporters he is "unconvinced" by the ruling, and that he has "no regrets regarding Manga-Mura."

Hoshino was convicted in 2021 of copyright infringement for running the website and served his prison term. But in September last year, he demanded a retrial.

The website was established in February 2016 at the latest, and before its closure in April 2018 it was accessed some 537 million times, according to the ruling and other sources.

The three publishers had sought damages totaling about 1.9 billion yen, with Shogakukan claiming losses of about 1 billion yen and Kadokawa and Shueisha around 400 million yen, respectively.

Related coverage:

Japan football manga "Captain Tsubasa" ends after 43-year run

New TV anime series of "Dragon Ball" to be aired in fall

FEATURE: Manga bringing realities of fertility treatment to mass audience
Israel attacks Iran: Overnight, Israeli forces attacked near Isfahan, Iran, in retribution for Iran's barrage of drones and missiles that hit Israel roughly a week ago.

This round of fighting was started by an April 1 Israeli strike in Syria that struck an Iranian consulate complex and killed three senior commanders and four officers reportedly responsible for dictating Iran's military strategy. But Iran and Israel have been engaged in a shadow war for a long time; recent strikes just bring tensions out into the open.

Iranian air defense systems reportedly intercepted most of the drones. Some flights over Iran's airspace were diverted, while others were canceled. Damage was minimal.

Isfahan is where several of Iran's nuclear sites are located, as well as its uranium enrichment program that's necessary for developing nuclear capabilities. Some of the strikes seemed designed to hit a major military base in the area; but just as Iran's attack barely harmed Israel, the same seems to be true here.

Within Israel, opinion was split. Some engaged in saber-rattling, while others said the attack looked "weak."

"Iran must understand that when it acts against us, we have the ability to strike at any time, and we can do serious damage," said Eyal Hulata, a former national security adviser, on Galei Tzahal (Army Radio). "We have a highly capable air force, and the United States is on our side."

Iranian officials, too, have signaled mixed views. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi had warned that "the tiniest act of aggression" on his nation's soil would provoke a massive response, and that "nothing would remain from the Zionist regime." But many noted that Iran's attack on Israelas well as the ample warning givenseemed like it wasn't designed to do much damage. In other words: Both nations have escalated, yes, but also shown some restraint and warranted trepidation, despite posturing to the contrary.

Biden's sticky situation: "Democratic donors covered more than $1 million in legal fees racked up by attorneys representing President Joe Biden in a yearlong special counsel probe into his handling of classified documents," reports the Associated Press. "The use of party funds to cover Biden's legal bills is not without precedent and falls within the bounds of campaign finance law, but it could cloud Biden's ability to continue to hammer former President Donald Trump over his far more extensive use of donor funds to cover his legal bills."

Of course, it's unlikely that will actually happen because that would require an adversarial mainstream media that's interested in actually holding Biden accountable for his duplicitousness.

"Every single time you give to the campaign, we're going straight to talk to voterswe are not spending money on legal bills or hawking gold sneakers," said Rufus Gifford, Biden's campaign finance chair, on MSNBC earlier this month, in a soundbite he was surely proud of. It turns out that this is simply untrue!

Scenes from New York: "At New Jersey's Teterboro and Long Island's Islip airports, dozens of private jets destined for Florida take off at times such as 11:42 p.m. or 11:54 p.m. Over at JFK, a regular flight from San Juan, Puerto Rico, arrives at a seemingly purposeful time: about 15 minutes after midnight. Meanwhile, tax attorneys tell stories of clients idling in their luxury SUVs near the New Jersey entrance to the George Washington Bridge shortly before 12 a.m., waiting for the clock to turn before crossing the state line to New York."

Inside the wonderful world of rich people making sure their residence stories line up in case they're audited, courtesy of Bloomberg. Each and every one of these people? Heroes, in my book.

QUICK HITS

The Appeal published a database of prison commissary prices. Some items available for purchase by prisoners are marked up by as much as 600 percent.

Yesterday, 108 Columbia students were arrested after the school called in cops to attempt to empty a 50-tent encampment that had been set up, called the "Gaza Solidarity Encampment." Video footage here.

Non-iPhone users are apparently being excluded from group chats. Don't worry, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (DMass.) is coming to the rescue. Her plan? Break up Apple.

Challenges with collecting data on religious service attendance over time, from Marginal Revolution.

Interesting case study on the use of AI in documentaries:

If true, and looks like it is, this is a major ethical breach. I say this as someone in favor of using effects, including AI, in documentaries. Many documentary elements, like in all film, operate at a subconscious level for the viewer. These elements should generate an https://t.co/DdsNlu6u19  Zach Weissmueller (@TheAbridgedZach) April 19, 2024

The post Israel's Retaliation appeared first on Reason.com.
Italian diplomat says Israel warned US about drone attack on Iran

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Israel warned the U.S. on Friday morning about a drone attack on Iran apparently targeting an air base and a nuclear site.

Iranian air defense batteries were active after explosions were heard near the air base near the central city of Isfahan, The Associated Press reported.

Tajani said the U.S. told the Group of Seven foreign ministers Israels notification came at the last minute in advance of the drone attack.

But there was no sharing of the attack by the U.S. It was  mere information, the foreign minister said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the suspected Israeli strikes reported events during a press conference in Italy on Friday, but stressed the U.S. was not involved in any offensive operations.

Both countries officials and television networks minimized the strikes, The New York Times reported. Israel said the response was limited to prevent escalating the situation. An Iranian state TV anchor said the attack was not a big deal.

The strikes are part of a back-and-forth between Israel and Iran that was sparked early this month, when Israel killed multiple high-ranking Iranian commanders with a strike on a consulate in Syria. Iran responded over the weekend with missiles and drones, an attack that was largely neutralized by Israels and allied defense system shooting down incoming missiles.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Jewish Columbia University student told to 'kill yourself' during anti-Israel protest: report

Jewish Columbia University student told to 'kill yourself' during anti-Israel protest: report

A Jewish Columbia University student was told to "kill yourself" and repeatedly kicked in the stomach during an anti-Israel protest on the New York City campus.

Elisha "Lishi" Baker, 21, told the New York Post that the antisemitic comments came after his shirt was scorched by fire.

He said that he felt that the protesters did not "see my humanity."

"I knew the anti-American sentiment was rampant [among protesters]," Baker told the outlet Wednesday. "I didnt know how deadly rampant it was until my shirt was on fire. Personally, I felt they didnt see my humanity."

NYPD ARRESTS 109 PEOPLE AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AFTER ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS SET UP ENCAMPMENT ON CAMPUS

Baker shared with the New York Post that curiosity brought him and his friend, David Lederer, to the protest at the Ivy League university's campus.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The college student said that nothing prepared him for what he witnessed at the protest.

"Kill yourself, kill yourself," Baker remembered them chanting at him.

Anti-Israel protesters demonstrate outside Columbia Universitys campus in New York City on Thursday.

He said that the situation further-spiraled after he asked a protester his thoughts about the American flag.

The unidentified demonstrator then aggressively kicked Baker, who was standing next to his friend, in the stomach before running away.

ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS OCCUPY COLUMBIA CAMPUS AS UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT FACES GRILLING FROM CONGRESS

Tarek Bazrouk, 19, was arrested on assault charges for "causing redness and pain" to Bakers abdomen, the NYPD said.

Anti-Israel protestors demonstrate along NYPD police lines outside the Columbia University campus in New York City on Thursday. Multiple students were arrested as officers cleared an encampment on the campus quad.

On Monday, Lederer said that he attended an anti-Israel rally in New York City with an American flag alongside four others.

Lederer, alongside his four friends, did not wear anything to indicate they were Jewish  but they held American flags.

"Burn it again, burn it again," Lederer recalled protesters chanting, the New York Post reported.

Demonstrators also called them "genocide supporters" and told them they were "not welcome."

At one point, Lederer's American flag was ripped from his hands and promptly burned by a protester.

Anti-Israel protesters demonstrate outside Columbia University on Thursday.

Lederer and Baker told the outlet that they are documenting the protests in New York City to show "how anti-American these protests are."

COLUMBIA STUDENT SUSPENDED AFTER ALLEGED FART SPRAY ATTACK DURING PRO-PALESTINIAN RALLY SUES SCHOOL

"It shouldnt just be a Jewish issue," Lederer added.

"Its so sad the world has come to this," Baker said.

Anti-Israel students demonstrate outside Columbia University on Thursday.

The Jewish college student's experience came after the NYPD arrested 108 people for trespassing, after the demonstrating students had set up an encampment on a campus lawn.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

NYPD officers noted that while many of the protesters were peaceful and didn't resist arrest.

However, around 500 students left their classrooms and told officers they were the "KKK," "baby killers" and to "go kill ourselves," a police official said.

Fox News Digital's Stephen Sorace and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.





Original article source: Jewish Columbia University student told to 'kill yourself' during anti-Israel protest: report
"New job offer": Russians employ new tactics for cyberattacks

Ukraine's State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection (SSSCIP) has reported that the Russians have begun using new methods in their cyberattacks against the Ukrainian military.

Source: the SSSCIP press service

Details: The perpetrators use the Signal messaging app to send malware under the guise of offering a new job.

"The government's computer emergency response team, CERT-UA, which operates under the State Special Communications Service, has warned of a new cyber threat against the Ukrainian Defence Forces," the SSSCIP said.

"The attackers send malware via the Signal messaging app, disguising it as documents required to secure a position at the UNs Department of Peace Operations."

CERT-UA has been tracking this particular group of Russian hackers under the identifier UAC-0149. The group actively targets individual servicemen and women using deception and offers of various types.

How can you recognise the perpetrators?

you receive a message on Signal or another messaging app that contains an urgent question, demand or offer, such as a request to provide documents to secure a position at the UN;

a file is attached to the message  for example, "Support.rar".

Under no circumstances must this file be opened.

Support UP or become our patron!
DENVER (KDVR)  On Thursday, a jury found David Lechner, 45, guilty in the shooting death of his ex-wife early on March 30, 2023.

Lechner was arrested after he was accused of shooting and killing his ex-wife Tracy Lechner. According to the affidavit released at the time, Lechner told police he was trying to protect his kids.

A woman smiles at a table

Lechner was found guilty of first-degree murder, attempted kidnapping and use of a stun gun.

On the day of the shooting, a spokesperson for the Arapahoe County Sheriffs Office said a man and a woman were involved in an argument outside of the home, where neighbors heard and witnessed the shooting.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Lechner allegedly drove away from the scene and was arrested near East Orchard Road and South Havana Street after a bystander rammed their vehicle into his trying to stop him.

He was found with several stab wounds and was taken to the hospital. After Lechner was released from the hospital he was booked into the Arapahoe County Justice Center. The sheriffs office did not know whether or not the stab wounds were self-inflicted at the time.

The trial began on Monday. Closing arguments were heard Thursday morning before the judge turned the case over to the jury for deliberation.

Sentencing will take place Monday, April 22 at 9 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
NEW YORK (AP)  The final jurors were seated Friday in Donald Trumps hush money trial, and an appellate judge rejected the former presidents latest bid to halt the case as a hectic day in court set the stage for opening statements to begin Monday.

The panel of New Yorkers who will decide the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president took final shape after lawyers spent days quizzing dozens of potential jurors on whether they can impartially judge Trump in the city where he built his real estate empire before being elected in 2016.

The trial thrusts Trump's legal problems into the heart of his hotly contested race against President Joe Biden, with Trump's opponent likely to seize on unflattering and salacious testimony to make the case that the presumptive Republican nominee is unfit to return as commander in chief.

Trump, meanwhile, is using the prosecution as a political rallying cry, casting himself as a victim while juggling his dual role as criminal defendant and presidential candidate.

Judge Juan Merchan said lawyers will present opening statements Monday morning before prosecutors begin laying out their case alleging a scheme to cover up negative stories Trump feared would hurt his 2016 campaign. He has pleaded not guilty and says the stories were false.

Despite the failure of repeated previous attempts to delay the trial, a Trump attorney was in an appeals court hours after the jury was seated, arguing that Merchan rushed through jury selection and that Trump cannot get a fair trial in Manhattan.

To think an impartial jury could be found in that period of time, I would respectfully submit, is untenable, attorney Clifford Robert said.

Justice Marsha Michael denied the request just minutes after a brief hearing.

Back in the trial court, Merchan expressed frustration as Trump's lawyers pressed to revisit a litany of pretrial rulings.

At some point, you need to accept the court's rulings, Merchan said. "Theres nothing else to clarify. Theres nothing else to reargue. Were going to have opening statements on Monday morning. This trial is starting.

Just after the jury was seated, emergency crews responded to a park outside the courthouse, where a man had set himself on fire. The man took out pamphlets espousing conspiracy theories and spread them around the park before dousing himself in a flammable substance and setting himself aflame, officials said. He was in critical condition Friday afternoon.

Trump has spent the week sitting quietly in the courtroom as lawyers pressed potential jurors on their views about him in a search for any bias that would preclude them from hearing the case. During breaks in the proceedings, he has railed against the case on social media or to TV cameras in the hallway, calling it a politically motivated witch hunt.

"This Trial is a Long, Rigged, Endurance Contest, dealing with Nasty, Crooked People, who want to DESTROY OUR COUNTRY, he wrote Friday on social media.

Over five days of jury selection, dozens of people were dismissed from the jury pool after saying they didn't believe they could be fair. Others expressed anxiety about having to decide such a consequential case with outsized media attention, even though the judge has ruled that jurors' names will be known only to prosecutors, Trump and their legal teams.

One woman who had been chosen to serve on the jury was dismissed Thursday after she raised concerns over messages she said she got from friends and family when aspects of her identity became public. On Friday, another woman broke down in tears while being questioned by a prosecutor about her ability to decide the case based only on evidence presented in court.

I feel so nervous and anxious right now, the woman said. Im so sorry. I wouldnt want someone who feels like this to judge my case either. I dont want to waste the courts time.

As more potential jurors were questioned Friday, Trump appeared to lean over at the defense table, scribbling on some papers and exchanging notes with one of his lawyers. He occasionally perked up and gazed at the jury box, including when one would-be juror said he had volunteered in a get out the vote effort for Hillary Clintons campaign. That man was later excused.

Trump spoke to reporters before Friday's proceedings got underway, lambasting a gag order that prosecutors have accused him of violating. Merchan has scheduled arguments for next week on prosecutors' request to hold Trump in contempt of court and fine him for social media posts they say defy limits on what he can say about potential witnesses.

The gag order has to come off. People are allowed to speak about me, and I have a gag order, Trump said.

Merchan also heard arguments Friday on prosecutors' request to bring up Trumps prior legal entanglements if he takes the witness stand in the hush money case. Trump has said he wants to testify, but he is not required to and can always change his mind.

Manhattan prosecutors have said they want to question Trump about, among other cases, his recent civil fraud trial that resulted in a $454 million judgment after a judge found Trump had lied about his wealth for years. He is appealing that verdict. Merchan said he would rule on the matter in the coming days.

The trial centers on a $130,000 payment that Michael Cohen, Trumps former lawyer and personal fixer, made to porn actor Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump from becoming public in the final days of the 2016 race.

Prosecutors say Trump obscured the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 and is expected to be a star witness for the prosecution.

Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels, and his lawyers argue that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He could get up to four years in prison if convicted, though its not clear that the judge would opt to put him behind bars. Trump would almost certainly appeal any conviction.

Trump is involved in four criminal cases, but its not clear that any others will reach trial before the November election. Appeals and legal wrangling have caused delays in the other three cases charging Trump with plotting to overturn the 2020 election results and with illegally hoarding classified documents.

___

Follow the APs coverage of former President Donald Trump at https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  U.S. Senators for Virginia, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, introduced federal gun legislation Tuesday on the 17th anniversary of the Virginia Tech shooting.

The bills provisions are modeled from Virginias statewide gun legislation passed in 2020 that a release from Kaines office called commonsense gun violence prevention measures.

Montgomery County police arrest high school student accused of planning school shooting

The Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act, would mandate reporting of lost and stolen firearms, prevent children from accessing firearms and more.

This legislation would also federalize Lucias Law which holds parents responsible in letting their child access a gun if they pose a known threat to themselves or others. Lucias Law goes into effect in Virginia on July 1.

Kaine, who was the states governor at the time of the Virginia Tech shooting, said in a virtual press conference that the measure is an effort to continue and further the reforms he worked on.

Gov. Youngkin vetoes Democrat-led gun bills

I just feel like I have more to do, and it makes me happy that Virginia has taken steps. I was able to get some reforms done when I was governor, in the aftermath of the shooting at Virginia Tech, but some of the big reforms I wanted to do like background checks, I was not able to get enough done in my own view, Kaine said.

The bill pays tribute to the 32 lives lost in the shooting, who would likely be alive today if effective legislation had been in place, according to Kaine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the site of a helicopter crash in the northwestern part of Kenya, on April 18, 2024. Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed that military chief Francis Ogolla was among 10 senior commanders killed in a helicopter crash in the northwestern part of the country on Thursday.(Xinhua)

NAIROBI, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed that military chief Francis Ogolla was among 10 senior commanders killed in a helicopter crash in the northwestern part of the country on Thursday.

Ruto said Ogolla, chief of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), was aboard the KDF Huey helicopter with 11 other military personnel. The helicopter took off from a local primary school in Elgeyo Marakwet County when it went down and burst into flames at about 2:20 p.m. local time (1120 GMT).

Ruto, speaking at a televised news conference in the national capital of Nairobi, said that 10 military officers, including Ogolla, died in the crash, while two others survived and are now hospitalized. "This is a moment of great sadness," he added.

The president said that Ogolla left Nairobi in the morning to visit troops deployed in the troubled region to fight bandits and inspect ongoing school renovation work.

The Kenya Air Force has formed and dispatched an aviation investigation team to determine the cause of the crash, Ruto said.

He also announced that the nation will observe a three-day period of mourning beginning Friday to honor the life and distinguished military career of the fallen general, who lost his life not only while in office but also while on active military duty.

Witnesses said that the KDF helicopter crashed two kilometers away and burst into flames moments after taking off from an area along the troubled Elgeyo Marakwet-West Pokot border. "We saw the chopper come down, and when we rushed to the scene, we found the chopper in flames," said Evans Kipkosgei, a resident, adding that the site was immediately cordoned off by KDF officers stationed in the Kerio Valley.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan sent a condolence message to Ruto following Ogolla's death. "I am sending my condolences to the Kenyan commander-in-chief of the armed forces, President William Ruto, all Kenyans, and the families, relatives, and friends of all who have lost their lives in the accident," she said on her X platform, formerly Twitter. 

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the site of a helicopter crash in the northwestern part of Kenya, on April 18, 2024. Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed that military chief Francis Ogolla was among 10 senior commanders killed in a helicopter crash in the northwestern part of the country on Thursday.(Xinhua)
DENVER (KDVR)  Migrants in Denver with work authorizations are getting a big welcome from the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri.

That citys mayor, Quinton Lucas, says migrants are needed due to a worker shortage there. Currently, there are thousands of migrants in limbo in Denver trying to figure out whether they will stay or go.

Denver council to consider cutting $41M from budget to support migrant crisis

Some say an invite like the one Kansas City is offering is worth considering. The images of busloads of migrants arriving in Denver made headlines across the country.

They are now welcome in Kansas City.

I think Kansas City will be a leader in making sure that we have that decompression, that housing, those services that are necessary to help people get populated in our country, Lucas said.

Lucas shared an article on social platform X from Bloomberg, saying hes working with the mayors of Denver and New York City and is open to getting migrants to Kansas City to work.

Mayor (Mike) Johnston has been in communication with Mayor Lucas to help newcomers reach cities where they have existing networks or greater opportunities, Johnstons press secretary, Jordan Fuja, said.

The mayors full statement can be seen at the end of this article. One migrant in Denver, Juan Carlos Pioltelli, said he believes the invite could encourage some to move east.

I think who wants work and get the progress in her life or his life, they will go, but who already have here and who already has adapted to this place, they will stay, Pioltelli said.

Douglas, El Paso counties sue over Colorado law that blocks ICE cooperation

Missouri construction unions say labor help is needed now.

We just are not getting the volume of people that we need, Heavy Construction Laborers Local 663 President Jason Mendenhall said.

Migrant advocates say the invite can be a good thing.

We know the number one ask that migrants have had is just the ability to work. Its the kind of response we are hoping to see in more places as well, said Housekeys Action Network Denver organizer V Reeves.

Missouris lieutenant governor called the invitation insane, saying Kansas City would become a sanctuary city.

Here is the full statement from the Denver mayors office:

Mayor Johnston has been in communication with Mayor Lucas and other mayors across the country to help newcomers reach cities where they have existing networks or greater opportunities. Denver is leading the way in helping newcomers gain access to the critical work authorization they need to be successful, including by hosting dozens of work authorization clinics that helped more than 1,600 newcomers apply for federal work authorization. We look forward to continuing to coordinate by sharing our programs and playbooks so other cities can build their own programs and welcome newcomers into their communities. Jordan Fuja, press secretary for Denver Mayor Mike Johnston

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday announced another round of vetoes, condemning several bills on the state's election process and allowing two pieces of legislation to become law. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  In her latest round of vetoes, Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday announced she was rejecting bills that would restrict voting in the state and funnel tax dollars to anti-abortion centers.

But she said she would allow legislation restricting diversity, equity and inclusion practices on campus, as well as a bill blocking state pension fund investments in China and other countries of concern, to become law without her signature.

GOP legislative leaders say they will work to override the governors vetoes when lawmakers return next week.

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, said Kelly was siding with extreme Democrats.

She wants federal money pouring into state elections without any checks or balances and even is opposed to increasing penalties for harming police dogs, who play a critical role in law enforcement, Masterson said. Perhaps the most appalling and extreme is her decision to abandon pregnant moms who are seeking resources to help during pregnancy, and her hostility to making adoption more affordable. We will work to get these measures into law when we return.

A veto override requires the support of two-thirds of the members in both chambers  27 of 40 in the Senate and 84 of 125 in the House.

Kelly upheld the security of Kansas elections in her veto of House Bill 2618, passed 26-13 in the Senate and 83-40 in the House. The bill would prohibit the use of federal dollars to conduct elections and election-related activities. Kelly said the change is unnecessary.

Restrictive voting legislation of any kind is wrong, Kelly said. Instead of making it more challenging for Kansans to participate in our democracy or focusing on problems that do not exist, I would urge the Legislature to focus on real issues impacting Kansans.

Kelly also shot down House Bill 2614, which would require county election officers to record the names of people delivering advance voting ballots on behalf of other voters, among other requirements. Passed 26-13 in the Senate and 75-48 in the House, Kelly called the legislation an attempt to disenfranchise Kansas voters by enacting burdensome and unnecessary requirements.

Kelly vetoed House Bill 2465, a bill that would increase income tax credits for adoption expenses, but also created income, privilege and premium tax credits for contributions to crisis pregnancy centers and residential maternity facilities. The bill also provided a sales tax exemption for purchases made by pregnancy resource centers and residential maternity facilities.

Reproductive rights advocates warned against providing state funding for these centers. In most cases faith-based, these organizations typically discourage abortion and arent subject to state oversight or regulation. Critics of the organizations say they sometimes spread dangerous misinformation about abortion in attempts to sway vulnerable women. The bill passed the Senate 29-10 and the House 83-38.

I do not believe it is appropriate to divert taxpayer dollars to largely unregulated crisis pregnancy centers, Kelly said. These entities are not medical centers and do not promote evidence-based methods to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, condemned what he deemed to be Kellys allegiance to abortion.

The pendulum has swung much too far when even adoption support is off the table, and thats why House Republicans will work to override her veto to ensure these resources are available for Kansas women and families, Hawkins said.

Kelly also rejected House Bill 2532, a horse race wagering tax bill, on the grounds it would have heightened taxes for a Wichita horse racing facility. The bill passed 34-3 in the Senate and 88-32 in the House.

This bill would inadvertently cause a tax increase on the currently approved historical horse racing facility in Wichita, Kelly said. While I support the underlying goal of this legislation, I believe a trailer bill is necessary to ensure that this inadvertent tax increase does not occur.

Kelly asked lawmakers to give more thought to the implications of House Bill 2583, legislation that would increase jail time and fines for people who injure or kill police dogs and horses and attempt to flee police. A Black lawmaker previously warned of racial justice concerns on the bill, referencing the historical use of police dogs to harm people fighting for equality during the civil rights movement. The bill passed 25-15 in the Senate and 115-6 in the House.

The death of any law enforcement animal is a tragedy, Kelly said. There is no question we should hold those responsible accountable for their actions. While the intention of this bill is commendable, this legislation needs further evaluation and study.

The mandatory sentences are out of line with other more severe crimes without justification for why that is required, the governor said.

New laws

Kelly allowed House Bill 2105 to become law. The bill bans state colleges and universities from using the practice of diversity, equity and inclusion when considering student admissions and faculty employment. Linking DEI considerations to faculty hiring or student enrollment will carry a $10,000 fine per violation under the law.

Conservative lawmakers have campaigned against K-12 and higher education DEI policies, but advocates and teachers say the DEI framework is an attempt to make campuses and classrooms more welcoming to historically disenfranchised students and provide voices to historically underrepresented groups.

While I have concerns about this legislation, I dont believe that the conduct targeted in this legislation occurs in our universities, Kelly said. We need to move forward and focus our efforts on making college more affordable and providing students from all backgrounds with the tools they need to succeed. I am focused on advancing policies that drive economic growth and develop tomorrows workforce. For that reason, I will allow the bill to become law without my signature.

House Bill 2711, now law, contains several Kansas Public Employees Retirement System provisions, such as increasing the lump-sum death benefit for a KPERS retiree. But a section of the bill would require the divestment of state-managed funds in countries of concern, such as the Peoples Republic of China and the Republic of Cuba.

While I support efforts to increase focus on national security, I am concerned about the unintended consequences that could be caused by this well-meaning legislation, Kelly said. Therefore, I will allow this bill to become law without my signature.

The post Kansas governor allows anti-DEI bill to become law, vetoes anti-abortion and election bills appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
Lawmakers sent a bill detailing the proposal to the governor. Previous attempts to create an independent child advocate office failed during chamber negotiations. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Following a years-long clash over who should oversee the states child welfare system  a battle that took on new urgency with the death of a Topeka 5-year-old in October  lawmakers sent a bill creating an independent office to the governor.

Senate Bill 115 would establish the Office of the Child Advocate as a independent state agency. Gov. Laura Kelly first created the Division of the Child Advocate under executive order as a stopgap measure for the overburdened foster care system in October 2021, after the House and Senate couldnt agree on a proposed office.

The move led to friction with legislators who voiced concerns over independence and oversight issues related to having the office under the governor. By establishing the office in statute, future governors wouldnt be able to eliminate the office through executive order. Legislative attempts to create the office in 2022 and 2023 failed during chamber negotiations.

This bill has had a long history, said Rep. Susan Concannon, R-Beloit and chairwoman of a legislative child welfare oversight committee, during an April 4 House discussion of the bill. We started conferencing on this last year. Things kind of fell apart. So we resumed this year and had some good negotiations.

Under the bill, which passed 117-3 in the House and 36-3 in the Senate, no governmental agency could exercise control or supervision over the office or the person selected to be the states child advocate. Kelly is likely to approve the measure. The child advocate would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, and would be chosen without regard to political affiliation and on the basis of integrity and capacity for effectively carrying out the duties of the OCA.

The office would receive, investigate and resolve child welfare system complaints and provide oversight of the system, with the overarching goal of improving the safety and well-being of Kansas children in the states flawed foster care system.

In June of 2022, a federal watchdog agency found that Kansas had one of the highest rates of missing foster children from July 1, 2018, to Dec. 31, 2020. A 2022 study from the Center for the Study of Social Policy found that 53 foster children slept in offices 167 times in 2021, and that only 65% of foster children were able to get the mental health services they needed. In 2022, a second report found 85 foster children had spent 257 nights in offices in 2022.

Between 2019 to 2021, 392 out of 1,074 child fatalities reviewed by the board had history with the Kansas Department for Children and Families child protective services, according to the annual death review report, with scenarios where children were held in state custody, had siblings removed from the home, or had open child protective services cases.

The oversight debate took on new life in October when the case of Zoey Felix, the Topeka 5-year-old girl who died of sexual assault, became widely publicized. The states child welfare agency received nine reports asking for someone to look into her case before her death.

At the time, Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, and House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, said Felixs death showed the need for an independent Office of Child Advocate.

This young childs tragic death could have been prevented had the agency and this administration done their jobs, they said in a joint statement.

Since Felix was never in state custody, it is unclear if the state had the authority to become involved in her case in 2023. Provisions in the new bill, such as allowing the office to have access to written reports of child abuse and neglect when complaints over a childs treatment come in, could potentially grant the office more jurisdiction.

Sen. Ethan Corson, D-Prairie Village, said the bill marked progress.

This is an issue that people were talking to me about since well before I got elected, and Ive been here for four years, Corson said. I just wanted to pause and say that I think this is a very significant piece of legislation. I think we should all be proud of it.

The post Kansas might soon create more oversight of foster care and abuse cases with child advocate office appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
(KTLA)  Kanye West and his wife, Bianca Censori, paid a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth on Tuesday.

West sported grey sweats and a hooded windbreaker. Censori wore shorts and a tube top covered from the front with a smock. However, her choice of footwear raised eyebrows.

Videos posted to social media by parkgoers noticed the Australian architect lacked sensible footwear to stroll around the park: It appeared her feet were partially wrapped in bandages.

Its unclear if Censoris attire followed the guidelines in Disneylands dress code, which notes that bare feet are considered inappropriate.

Inappropriate attire may result in refusal of admittance or ejection, the parks website states.

Law & Order: SVU star halts filming to help child who mistook her for a real cop

The couples fashion choices at Disneyland were relatively tame compared to previous outings. Weeks ago, they were spotted at the Cheesecake Factory in Los Angeles, and Censori was wearing a see-through bodysuit, TMZ reported. Earlier this year, the pair also donned all-black attire for the Super Bowl, with West in a full face mask featuring a crucifix.

During their visit to Disneyland on Tuesday, West and Censori were spotted at the famous Disneyland carousel and Ogas Cantina inside Star Wars: Galaxys Edge. Swedish rapper Yung Lean accompanied them on their trip to the Southern California theme park.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Sen. Mike Petersen, a Wichita Republican and chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, welcomed Gov. Laura Kelly's signature on a bill increasing to $15 million annually the state's investment in Kansas airport infrastructure. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Sen. Mike Petersen, a Wichita Republican and chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, welcomed Gov. Laura Kelly's signature on a bill increasing to $15 million annually the state's investment in Kansas airport infrastructure. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Gov. Laura Kelly signed legislation supported by more than 150 legislators that would triple to $15 million annual state investment in modernization and infrastructure repairs of airports in Kansas.

On Thursday, Kelly put her signature to House Bill 2498 to broaden resources dedicated to improvements at 109 airfields. The Kansas Department of Transportation recommended lawmakers adjust the current $5 million state appropriation, which hadnt been increased since 2013.

A recent state assessment of airports in Kansas indicated runway pavement conditions were deteriorating. The budget could be used for that type of safety upgrade, automated weather observation systems, rehabilitation of existing aviation facilities or the planning and building of new infrastructure.

These airports are very important to our economy and to providing air ambulance access to trauma centers for many of our rural citizens, said Sen. Mike Petersen, the Wichita Republican chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.

KDOT secretary Mike Reed said the collection of airports in Kansas generated at least $9 billion in annual economic output and investment of tax dollars into the system translated into jobs and better quality of life for Kansans. The bill passed the Senate 34-5 and the House 117-4.

Power plants, beer

Meanwhile, the Democratic governor signed House Bill 2527 forbidding the Kansas Corporation Commission from approving retirement of fossil fuel or nuclear generating units unless the utility owner demonstrated it wouldnt undercut regional electricity rate competitiveness or harm consumers. The law mandated a utility interested in shutting down a generation station had to show it could meet consumer demand with remaining assets.

The legislation unanimously passed by the House and adopted in the Senate 33-2 would amend the states net metering statute to increase a cap on the amount of power renewable energy systems, including solar, could sell to their utility provider through the states electric grid.

Kelly signed House Bill 2124 to alter state regulation of microbreweries so those companies could distribute beer or hard cider, but would reduce the number of barrels a microbrewery could manufacture and store each year from 60,000 to 30,000.

It also required delivery of a report by Jan. 15, 2025, to the Legislature and governor on compliance of licensed microbreweries with state tax laws, rules and regulations on the sale of beverages.

The microbrew legislation, which exited the Senate 37-2 and the House 118-3, included language enabling a microbrewery owner, stockholder or director to have an ownership interest in a licensed club, drinking establishment or caterer.

The right of way

Kelly signed into law House Bill 2588 to establish boundaries for county governments issuing permits and assessing fees on telecommunications providers applying to make use of the public right of way. The measure would guarantee carriers the right to construct and maintain poles as well as conduit, cable, switches and related equipment within a public right-of-way under jurisdiction of a county government.

The law mandated counties treat similar telecommunications providers in a competitively neutral manner when making decisions on permits and fees. It was adopted by the House 113-7 and in the Senate 26-7.

Under House Bill 2481, passed unanimously by the Legislature and signed into law by Kelly, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe #3415 would be designated the official state steam locomotive and the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad would become the official state heritage railroad.

The law also assigned names to portions of Kansas highways, including portions of K-96 as the PFC Henry Lee Fisher Memorial Highway and the 96th Infantry Division Memorial Highway; a portion of US Highway 69 as the Ken Brock Memorial Highway; a portion of US Highway 81 as the Merle Miller Memorial Highway; and a portion of US Highway 281 as the First Responders Memorial Highway.

The post Kelly signs bill lifting state investment in Kansas network of airports to $15 million annually appeared first on Kansas Reflector.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Theres a Kennedy running for president, but the Kennedy family is going all in for President Joe Biden.

Thats right, Kerry Kennedy said at a Biden campaign event Thursday. The Kennedy family endorses President Biden for president.

Kerry Kennedy is the sister of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the daughter of Bobby Kennedy.

Daddy stood for equal justice, for human rights. Just as President Biden does today, she explained.

What a great honor, Biden said.

At the event in Philadelphia, President Biden and the Kennedy family urged voters to fight against another Trump presidency.

Biden asked the crowd, are you ready to move forward, not back?

Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, spent the day in a New York City courtroom for the third day of his criminal trial.

His campaign says the endorsement is proof President Biden is running scared.

Hes bleeding support from all sides, Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. And RFK Jr. poses a grave threat to Joe Biden on the ballot because he pulls more Democratic voters than he does Republicans.

Political analyst Todd Belt says the Kennedy endorsement should help President Biden.

The Kennedys are as close as we have to as a royal family in the United States, Belt said.

RFK Jr. responded to his familys endorsement in a tweet saying hes pleased they are politically active.

His campaign is celebrating other news. Battleground state Michigan announced it will allow his name to be on the presidential ballot this November.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has named a temporary commonwealth attorney for the 33rd Judicial Circuit in Hazard after the previous prosecutor resigned due to allegations of doing favors for criminal defendants.

Coleman designated Jackie Steele, commonwealths attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit in London, as the temporary prosecutor in Perry County. Two assistant commonwealths attorneys, a victims advocate and an administrative assistant already serving in the office will assist Steele in his additional duties as well as the Attorney Generals Office of Special Prosecutions.

Jackie Steele has an extraordinary reputation in this region and throughout the law enforcement community. Im grateful he has agreed to step into this critical role, Coleman said in a news release. The people of Perry County should rest assured that there will be no disruptions during this transition, and they have a full team of felony prosecutors upholding the rule of law and keeping them safe.

Coleman said Steele has agreed to serve as the temporary prosecutor in Perry County until Gov. Andy Beshear appoints a new prosecutor or a November special election determines a new Commonwealths Attorney.

Steele has served as a commonwealths attorney since 2008, according to Coleman. He was appointed to be a member on the Prosecutors Advisory Council by the Commonwealths Attorneys Association and won the Outstanding Commonwealths Attorney Award in 2011.

Steele will step into the office previously held by Scott Blair, who was arrested April 12. A criminal complaint alleged Blair helped people facing criminal charges in return for sexual favors and methamphetamine.

Blair resigned as the Perry County prosecutor Monday. He said on his LinkedIn page he had held the job since January 2019.

The charge against Blair is honest services wire fraud, meaning he allegedly deprived the citizens of Perry County of his honest services and used an electronic device in the process. The charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison if Blair is convicted.
(Bloomberg) -- The head of Kenya Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla, has died in a helicopter crash in a remote are near the Ugandan border, President William Ruto said.

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Nine other military officials were also killed in the Thursday afternoon incident, the Kenyan leader said in a live television broadcast. Two officials survived the crash that happened shortly after take-off. The officials were visiting troops fighting banditry in Kenyas North Rift region, Ruto said.

It is a tragic moment for the Kenya Defence Forces fraternity and it is a most unfortunate day for the nation, Ruto said in a live broadcast. The Kenya Air Force has dispatched an investigation team to establish the cause of the accident, he said.

Ogolla was appointed Chief of Defence Forces a year ago and has been with the military for 40 years. Last year, Kenya deployed its soldiers to the vast arid region that borders Uganda and South Sudan to quell rampant banditry and cattle rustling.

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The daughter of a New Rochelle cab driver who was killed during a robbery told his murderer Thursday that he will never be forgiven because of the devastation he had wrought on her family.

I know that anger, fury and resentment that you have for life is because you are rejected," Korehisi Valenzuela told Percell Ross Blakely at his sentencing in Westchester County Court. "You have taken it out on innocent people and enjoy hurting innocent people."

State Supreme Court Justice James McCarty sentenced Blakely to 20 years to life for the Oct. 14, 2021. slaying of 62-year-old Andres Valenzuela. That was the minimum for first-degree murder that he was promised when he pleaded guilty two months ago and admitted that he had killed Valenzuela while trying to rob him.

Percell Ross Blakely in Westchester County Court April 18, 2024. Blakely was sentenced to 20 years to life in state prison for first-degree murder in the Oct. 14, 2021, fatal shooting of New Rochelle cab driver Andres Valenzuela during a robbery.

Valenzuela had just ended his shift that morning and was parking his cab near Juliano's catering hall on Main Street when Blakeley confronted him.

Surveillance video and license plate readers helped police identify Blakely and the Dodge Caliber he was driving. It was tracked to a housing project in Brooklyn and police and the FBI had it under surveillance three days later when they saw Ross taking some things from it. As they approached he pulled out a gun and began shooting. Police returned fire and Blakely ran before dropping his gun. Nobody was hit and he was taken into custody.

Several of the New Rochelle detectives were in court for the sentencing.

Blakely was never charged for the Brooklyn shooting but it did result in a federal charge of possession of a firearm by a felon, based on multiple prior felony convictions. Blakely pleaded guilty to that last week in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.

He could get as much as 10 years in federal prison for that but was hoping it would run at the same time as his state sentence. But because he was sentenced in Westchester first, McCarty told him he had no issue if the sentences were concurrent but he could not control what a federal judge might do.

Speaking through a Spanish interpreter, Korehisi Valenzuela said she had waited since the day of the killing to tell Blakely how her family has suffered. The family would never forgive him, she said, because it believes not only in divine justice but also human justice.

"My father is no longer alive but we will always miss him, we will always love him and we will always need him," she said. "Contrary to what happens with you: nobody needs you and nobody misses you."

Valenzuela was a police officer in Mexico before coming to the United States more than 40 years ago. Assistant District Attorney Lana Hochheiser called him a "selfless, generous, kind, humble man", a hard-working taxi driver who provided for his family and was well respected in the community.

Blakely, 54, spoke briefly before being sentenced.

"I'd like to apologize, this shouldn't have happened, he said.

But he bemoaned that not enough attention had been paid to why the killing happened or his mental state at the time  neither of which he elaborated on  and that he thought the punishment did not fit the crime.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Man who murdered New Rochelle NY cab driver sentenced
HONG KONG, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of 150 new firms were registered in Hong Kong in the first quarter (Q1) of this year, granting a promising outlook for the completion of Hong Kong's goal in attracting more companies by 2025, a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government official said on Friday.

The HKSAR government is expected to surpass the original target of securing 1,130 firms to start or expand business in Hong Kong from 2023 to 2025, said Algernon Yau, secretary for commerce and economic development of the HKSAR government.

In 2023, Invest Hong Kong under the HKSAR government helped 382 companies start or expand business in Hong Kong, up 27 percent year on year, said Yau.

Out of the total, 122 are from Britain, the United States, Singapore and Australia, and 136 are from the Chinese mainland. Together they had contributed direct investment worth over 61.6 billion Hong Kong dollars (about 7.86 billion U.S. dollars) and created over 4,100 jobs, according to Yau. 
KYs first medical cannabis businesses will be chosen by lottery. How does that work?

In our In the Spotlight stories, Herald-Leader journalists bring you continuing coverage of news and events important to our Central Kentucky community. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com.

Kentuckys first medical cannabis businesses will be selected via lottery after they get a shot at applying for state licenses beginning in July, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday.

Beshear shared fresh details about how the process will work for medical cannabis cultivators and dispensaries at a press conference, where he also announced hed signed House Bill 829. The legislation makes the accelerated timeline possible so cannabis is available in time for the programs launch.

Medical cannabis will be available to qualifying Kentucky patients starting in January, but in the meantime, the state has to build the infrastructure that will make its cardholder program work.

That whole system has to happen within our borders, Beshear said at his Frankfort news conference Thursday. Under Senate Bill 47, we were going to have a challenge. The ability to purchase medical cannabis was supposed to begin Jan. 1, 2025, and thats the first time we could license a business. So there was no way everything was going to be up and running.

House Bill 829 enables medical cannabis businesses to begin applying for licenses starting in July, and those will be issued by way of a state lottery. So while businesses cannot sell medical cannabis in the state until Jan. 1, 2025, a lucky few will be able to set up their operations ahead of time.

That will give those businesses a leg up on the competition, as they vie to cater to some 70,000 to 90,000 medical cannabis patients. Thats the Beshear administrations best guess as to how many people will take advantage of the program during its first two years.

Heres what we know about how the application and lottery system will work beginning this summer.

How do you get a medical marijuana card in KY? Heres what we know about applying

How many state cannabis business licenses will be available?

For dispensary licenses, the program has created 11 regions across Kentucky where it will grant licenses. This is an effort to ensure medical cannabis patients, such as those with cancer or epilepsy, have the shortest possible travel times to a dispensary, Sam Flynn, the executive director of Kentuckys medical cannabis program said Thursday.

Flynn said each of the 11 regions will be allowed to have no more than four dispensary licenses, with the exception of the regions encompassing Louisville and Lexington, which can have up to six.

No county can have more than one dispensary in the initial license allocation with the exception of our two largest counties, Jefferson County and Fayette County, which will have two each, Flynn said.

In recent months, Lexington has been working to get medical cannabis regulations in place ahead of the launch. The task of determining what types of operations can go where has fallen to the Lexington Urban County Planning Commission.

The city has drafted an initial proposal of zoning rules for such facilities. A public meeting on the draft proposal will be held May 9.

For cultivators, licenses will be made available across several tiers based on their size.

For tier 1 cultivators  or those that have smaller, 2,500-square-foot facilities  there will be a total of 10 licenses granted during the first year of the program. Larger facilities will have a much smaller number of licenses to compete for, either two or four licenses for tier 2 and tier 3 cultivators, respectively.

No licenses will be awarded to tier 4 cultivators initially, Flynn said.

I will note that the program will not be issuing tier 4 (licenses), thats the 50,000-square-foot cultivator licenses in this round, Flynn said.

There will be no limit on licenses granted to safety compliance facilities, meaning the laboratories that test the products.

KY House approves medical marijuana bill. Critics say it creates new hurdles for patients

How will a medical cannabis business apply for a license in Kentucky?

Medical cannabis businesses can begin applying for a license July 1, and the application window will remain open until Aug. 31.

Beshear said applicants will have the opportunity to fix any issues with their application following submission.

The application requests an overview of the business, financial information, the business history, its operation plans, business location, guidance for employees and ownership and attestations, along with contact information and a signature.

With the hope of eliminating any favoritism and resulting litigation, Beshear said the states medical cannabis program is working with the Kentucky Lottery to develop a fair lottery system for awarding licenses to applicants. The one exception is existing Kentucky hemp businesses will be given priority when it comes to licenses.

That is only if the number of applicants exceeds the number of initial licenses available, Flynn said. So, for example, if there is a dispensary region and four people apply, those four businesses get a license and no lottery is required.

The lottery will be held in October.

Do you have questions about medical marijuana in Kentucky? Send us an email at ask@herald-leader.com or reach out to us with the Know Your Kentucky form below.
A story by the Kyiv Independent's reporter Francis Farrell, "One Night in Bakhmut: Civilians Wait for the End as Russia Draws Closer," has been shortlisted for the European Press Prize 2024 in the Distinguished Reporting category.

This piece tells the story of civilians and first responders in Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast indirectly through the personal experience of Farrell, who stayed overnight in the embattled city in January 2023, traveling together with a colleague from Moldova.

The story was published mere months before Russian forces took Bakhmut after a long and gruesome siege.

The European Press Prize, which "celebrates the highest achievements in European journalism," was founded in 2012 and is awarded on a yearly basis. The 2024 edition of the Prize selected four other nominees for the Distinguished Reporting category.

The Kyiv Independent's story "Suicide missions, abuse, physical threats: International Legion fighters speak out against leaderships misconduct," written by Anna Myroniuk and Alexander Khrebet, won the European Press Prize 2023 in the Special Award category.

Farrell also won the Bayeux Calvados-Normandy Award for war correspondents in the Young Reporter (print) category in October 2023.

Read also: One night in Bakhmut: Civilians wait for the end as Russia draws closer

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A 31-year-old officer with the Los Angeles Police Department is facing nearly a decade in prison for allegedly tampering with evidence and stealing property during traffic and pedestrian stops, officials announced Thursday.

The charges against Alan Carrillo stem from a broader investigation into complaints about the conduct of officers assigned to LAPDs Mission Area Gang Enforcement Detail, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office said in a news release.

The investigation, according to LAPD, was initiated after the discovery of a pattern of Mission Area Gang Enforcement officers intentionally failing to properly document traffic stops or activate body-worn cameras.

Authorities accuse Carrillo, who joined the force in 2018, of stealing personal items, including metal brass knuckles and knives, during stops on individuals on April 19 and June 15, 2023. The officer is then believed to have been inconsistent when documenting the property in his reports, leaving the stolen property unaccounted for.

The publics trust and the integrity of law enforcement are undermined when officers tamper with evidence and steal items from the public, District Attorney George Gascon said. Police officers are entrusted with upholding justice and protecting our communities, and any breach of that trust is unacceptable. Our office is committed to holding Mr. Carrillo accountable for his actions so we can restore the publics trust in law enforcement.

The charges against the 31-year-old officer come just a day after charges were levied against 39-year-old Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputy Jessica Lynn, who is accused of pocketing cash from a person during a traffic stop.

Where Carrillo is concerned, LAPD Chief Dominic Choi said, I am extremely concerned that an officer broke public trust and violated the fundamental principles of policing, and I will ensure there is accountability.

The DAs office charged the 31-year-old with two counts of altering, planting or concealing evidence as a peace officer and three counts of petty theft.

Unhoused residents built home on side of Southern California freeway

Carrillo was booked at the departments Valley Jail Section and was relieved of his police powers pending the outcome of LAPDs administrative leave investigation, police said. His arraignment hearing has yet to be scheduled, but the court set the officers bail at $100,000.

If convicted as charged, Carillo faces seven years and six months in prison.

This case is being investigated by the Los Angeles Police Departments Complaint Investigation Division, Internal Affairs Division and Professional Standards Bureau.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Laborers and street vendors in Mali find no respite as deadly heat wave surges through West Africa

Soumaila Traore, a 30-years-old welder, and his workers, work under a blazing sun. in Bamako, Mali, Thursday, April, 18, 2024. On Thursday, temperatures in Bamako reached 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) and weather forecasts say it's not letting up anytime soon. (AP Photo/Baba Ahmed)

BAMAKO, Mali (AP)  Street vendors in Mali's capital of Bamako peddle water sachets, ubiquitous for this part of West Africa during the hottest months. This year, an unprecedented heat wave has led to a surge in deaths, experts say, warning of more scorching weather ahead as effects of climate change roil the continent.

The heat wave began in late March, as many in this Muslim majority country observed the holy Islamic month of Ramadan with dawn-to-dusk fasting.

On Thursday, temperatures in Bamako reached 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) and weather forecasts say it's not letting up anytime soon.

The city's Gabriel-Toure Hospital reported 102 deaths in the first four days of the month, compared to 130 deaths in all of April last year. It's unknown how many of the fatalities were due to the extreme weather as such data cannot be made public under the regulations imposed by the country's military rulers.

Cheikh A Traore, Malis general director for health, said significantly more elderly people have died during this period although there were no statistics available due to the measures.

Mali has experienced two coups since 2020, leading a wave of political instability that has swept across West and Central Africa in recent years. Along with its political troubles, the country is also in the grip of a worsening insurgency by militants linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

The Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre says that a lack of data in Mali and other West Africa countries affected by this month's heat wave makes it impossible to know how many heat-related deaths there were but estimated that the death toll was likely in the hundreds if not thousands.

The heat is also endangering already vulnerable children in Mali  1 million under the age of 5 were at risk of acute malnutrition at the end of 2023 due to protracted violence, internal displacement, and restricted access to humanitarian aid, according to the World Food Program.

Professor Boubacar Togo, head of pediatrics at Gabriel-Toure, told The Associated Press that the hospital has had six cases of meningitis in children in the last week, an unusually high number. He also added that there were many illnesses with diarrhea as a leading symptom. Togo did not elaborate or offer specific data.

To protect children from the worst of the heat, Mali's military rulers have shortened the school day, to end before 1 p.m. instead of at 5.30 p.m. during the heat wave. But on the streets of Bamako, workers say they have no choice but to go out and brave the extreme heat.

Either I work and risk my health or I stop working for the most of the day and I earn nothing, said 25-year-old driver Amadou Coulibaly, who offers rides on his motorbike for a small fee.

With the political instability, many foreign investors are leaving Mali. Rolling power cuts and fuel shortages have forced companies to shut doors, exacerbating an already dire economic situation.

Despite the heat, 30-year-old welder Somaila Traore worked in his shop alongside a dozen employees, urging them to work faster.

Weve got to finish the job before the power cuts, he said.

An analysis published Thursday by the World Weather Attribution  an international team of scientists looking at how human-induced climate change impacts extreme weather  said the latest heat wave in the Sahel, a region in Africa south of the Sahara that suffers from periodic droughts, is more than just a Malian record-breaker.

Our study found that the extreme temperatures across the region simply wouldnt have been possible without human-caused warming, said Clair Barnes, the lead author and a researcher at Imperial College London.

The researchers say climate change has made maximum temperatures in Burkina Faso and Mali hotter by 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit)  something that may not have happened if humans had not warmed the planet by burning fossil fuels.

With sustained warming temperatures, the trend would continue, with similar events likely once every 20 years, the study said.

This result is a warning for both the region and the world," Barnes said. "Extreme heat can be incredibly dangerous and will become more of a threat as the world continues to warm.

___

Mureithi reported from Nairobi.

Read more of APs climate coverage at http://www.apnews.com/climate-and-environment
Angela Rayner is not being well served by her own party.

There is undoubtedly a great deal of sympathy out there in the country for the beleaguered deputy leader of the Labour Party, now being investigated by the police after numerous complaints over the sale of her ex-council house and the question as to her exact address at the time she stood as a Labour parliamentary candidate. And much of the criticism she has received certainly looks  to me at least  as spiteful and vexatious, motivated more by political opportunism than by any genuine concern over alleged law-breaking.

But then an email arrived from the Labour-supporting website, LabourList, with the headline: Not another one! This was in reference to Conservative MP Mark Menzies, who has already lost his partys whip after allegations of some truly bizarre night-time shenanigans involving his 78-year-old constituency aide and a request by the MP to her for a few thousand quid to help him out of some undefined trouble.

LabourList gleefully informs me that Labour Party chair, Anneliese Dodds, has written to Lancashire Police calling for an investigation into Mr Menzies. Again, it seems to me that Ms Doddss concern is not so much that justice must be done, but that the case of Menzies may soon disappear from public sight, and with an election on the way that would not do at all.

Readers will recall the enthusiasm with which Labour MPs pursued Boris Johnson when he was accused of illegal cake-eating in Downing Street  there was certainly no innocent until proven guilty about the rhetoric used then.

Most observers might perceive just a shade of double standards here. I do not believe that the complaints against Rayner are justified, although Im prepared to be proved wrong. I think her forced resignation as deputy  a course of action she has promised to pursue if she is found guilty  would be unfair and deeply regrettable, not just for her but for the country.

Labour didnt help Rayner by destroying documents that could have revealed the truth about her claims as to where she lived ten years ago. Didnt the party ask itself how it would look to the outside world that these documents were no longer available for scrutiny? A Labour spokesman said it was carried out in line with data protection laws.

The tendency to draw the police into political arguments is a tiresome and self-destructive one that both sides indulge in at their peril. One of the many ironies of such a practice is that all parties regularly criticise the lack of officers and resources available to the police to investigate the kind of crimes that voters are most concerned about, including assault, burglaries and vandalism. Yet they think nothing of wanting officers to spend hours, even weeks, combing over MPs private lives in the hope that they will deliver a Gotcha! moment for one side or the other.

If Rayner is forced out of office, she would become a victim of a reprehensible, modern political fashion for upping the ante of criticism to an absurd level. We should be able to expect our politicians to be intelligent enough to tackle political opponents in an astute, intelligent way, ideally without having to call the police in every time someone is accused of wrong-doing.

It would be far healthier, less expensive and more conducive to the public political debate if politicians first instinct when seeing an opponent do something wrong was not to dial 999.

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A Los Angeles police officer was charged Thursday with stealing brass knuckles and other weapons and tampering with evidence during enforcement stops carried out by a scandal-plagued gang unit , prosecutors said.

The officer, Alan Carrillo, has been charged with two counts of altering, planting or concealing evidence as a peace officer and three counts of petty theft, according to a news release from the office of Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon.

Carrillo was previously a member of the Mission Division Gang Enforcement Detail, which came under suspicion last year for a range of misconduct, including unlawful traffic stops in which items were taken from motorists.

Carrillo, 32, is being held on $100,000 bond; an arraignment date has not yet been set. It is unclear whether he had retained an attorney.

Interim LAPD Chief Dominic Choi said he was disappointed by the allegations against Carrillo, who he said has been relieved of duty. If these allegations are supported and are true, its absolutely not tolerated, Choi said in a phone interview. This type of behavior is where the public complains about and we lose public trust.

Read more: 'Never happened before': Key oversight officials leave as LAPD searches for chief

In the meantime, he said, the department would continue cooperating with the D.A.s office.

Carrillo is the first of several Mission gang unit members expected to be charged in connection with the still-unfolding investigation, according to a source who requested anonymity to discuss cases that remain open.

Prosecutors allege the misconduct by Carrillo occurred between April and June of 2023  after the onset of an internal affairs investigation into the gang unit over officers turning off their body-worn cameras. The LAPD has said the FBI is also investigating for potential constitutional violations.

The publics trust and the integrity of law enforcement are undermined when officers tamper with evidence and steal items from the public, Gascon said in the news release. Police officers are entrusted with upholding justice and protecting our communities, and any breach of that trust is unacceptable.

According to prosecutors, Carrillo stole personal items, including brass knuckles and knives, from people he detained in a series of pedestrian and traffic stops on April 19 and June 15, 2023.

Carrillo was allegedly inconsistent while documenting these items in his reports, and the taken items were never accounted for, the news release said.

Law enforcement sources who requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation previously detailed a similar incident to The Times, in which an officer allegedly drew a gun on a person who had been stopped and took the persons property. One source described the item as a knife with brass knuckles on the handle.

Prosecutors have debated, the sources said, about whether to charge the officer with robbery, which is defined as as the taking of property with the use or threat of force, rather than theft.

Authorities have identified as many as 350 criminal cases that are potentially compromised because they relied on the testimony of or evidence gathered by two Mission gang officers  one of whom is now believed to be Carrillo, the sources said.

Its not clear whether the pair are the same two Mission gang officers who have been sent to face a disciplinary panel called a board of rights , indicating the department is seeking to terminate them for misconduct. A department spokeswoman, when previously contacted by The Times, denied that Carrillo was one of the officers.

Read more: LAPD cant get rid of their bad cops. Heres what they want to do about it

The gang units alleged misconduct came to light after a traffic stop in December 2022, when a motorist filed a complaint with a neighboring division, claiming the officers were rudeto her and had illegally searched her vehicle. An internal affairs detective assigned to the case later noticed discrepancies in the involved officers account of the stop.

The departments inquiry widened to include stops carried out by others in the unit, uncovering numerous instances in which officers were late to activate their body cameras or otherwise failed to document the encounter, in violation of department policy, officials have said.

Then-Chief Michel Moore ordered the unit disbanded temporarily in August , with its remaining officers reassigned, some placed on restrictive duties that take them off the streets, according to the department. The unit has since resumed its operations with new officers.

LAPD officials denied that the problem of officers flouting the body-camera policy went beyond the Mission unit, despite an internal report that suggested the practice was far more common. The department has since tightened its policy, increasing random reviews of footage to check for compliance and misconduct.

Carrillo is a six-year veteran of the LAPD. Like several other members of the Mission gang unit, he transferred to Mission from the neighboring Foothill Division.

In December, prosecutors dismissed a gun possession charge against Raphael DeLeon, who was stopped by Carrillo and other Mission gang officers on May 28 in the area of Woodman Avenue and Roscoe Boulevard.

Read more: LAPD officer who shot girl in Burlington Coat Factory changing room wont face charges

DeLeons attorney, Ninaz Saffari, said Carrillo wrote in his report that he and his partners pulled DeLeon over for swerving. The officers discovered that DeLeons license was invalid and that he had a prior misdemeanor conviction for firearm possession, the lawyer said. But without obtaining a warrant, Saffari said, the officers ordered DeLeon and a female passenger out of the car while they performed a protective sweep of the vehicle.

The search uncovered a ghost gun, which was later destroyed, police said.

In an interview Thursday, Saffari told The Times that the officers actions seemed coordinated, as they turned on their body cameras simultaneously, but only after asking for DeLeons license several minutes after the stop began  despite a department policy that says officers should record the entirety of all public encounters. None of those details were mentioned in Carrillos report, she said.

"He lied all over the report, and not in a smart way, either. Basically he contradicted himself in his own report and claimed they had the body-worn video on the entire time," Saffari said.

The Mission scandal has brought renewed attention to the department's oversight of its specialized units, which have been plagued with issues over the years. In 2020, the reputation of the vaunted Metropolitan Division was tarnished after some officers were accused of deliberately misidentifying people as gang members in department records of field interviews. The fallout led to several being criminally charged, although most of those cases were later dismissed.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Las Vegas judges controversial decision at center of womans case

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Will a Las Vegas woman be sent back to prison?

Mia Christman insists she is not the same person she was before she was sent to prison. Christman, now 30, was 18 when she was part of a violent crime spree.

I did make my mistakes, Christman told the 8 News Now Investigators. I was also a victim. I was a kid.

Christman took part in an armed robbery, a home invasion where one victim was a senior citizen, and led police on a car chase which resulted in another driver being severely injured.

Im so sorry, Christman said. I pray for them every day.

Christman was represented by several attorneys, most recently defense attorney Betsy Allen who continued to appeal the case.

She has a very long history with trauma, Allen told the 8 News Now Investigators.

Christman claims her co-defendant, Michael Saunders, was her pimp.

Las Vegas judge responds to state judicial ethics complaint, denies allegations of bias, prejudice against police

She was 18. He was almost 34, Allen said. She was totally under his control.

In 2021, Clark County District Court Judge Erika Ballou vacated Christmans sentence pointing to her previous attorneys lackluster performance.

Ballou also pointed to Christmans parents who are both convicted felons. Her father is currently serving a prison sentence and had previous convictions and arrests for violent crimes.

The judge also referenced the sexual, physical, and emotional abuse Christman suffered as a child and a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Las Vegas judge defends hot tub photo which led to ethics charges

Ballou also heard testimony from former Clark County District Court Judge Stefanie Miley who sentenced Christman. Miley said had she been made aware of Christmans extensive history, it could have changed her decision. However, she was already aware that Christman had been the victim of sex trafficking in a California case in which her accused pimp kept her in a cage. She had given Christman at least two chances before she was sentenced to remain out of custody and Christman failed to show up in court.

Miley felt Christman was gaming the system, according to court transcripts.

Prosecutors do, too.

She convinced the authorities that she was going to cooperate and provide information about her co-conspirators so she was released from custody so she could cooperate. Thats how the system works sometimes, Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said. She failed to cooperate. She absconded and then it was years later that she then raises the subject about being a sex trafficking victim.

Prosecutors have no proof Christmans co-defendant was her pimp, according to Wolfson.

Christman was released from prison as a result of Ballous decision after serving six of the minimum of ten years she was originally sentenced.

Youre mother****** right, Las Vegas judge facing ethics violations over hot tub photo responds with Cardi B lyrics

The Nevada Supreme Court ordered Ballou to send Christman back to prison which she has not done.

I believe that she defied the Supreme Court orders. Twice, Wolfson said.

Wolfson told the 8 News Now Investigators that it is extremely rare for a judge to defy orders from Nevadas high court.

In the meantime, Christman relocated to California and found housing through a program. She said she is part of a barber apprenticeship.

Christman also had a baby.

Well let me clarify. I didnt just go and get knocked up, Christman said. I used protection. My son was made and conceived with protection and birth control. It was Gods will at that point.

Christman went to the Nevada Pardons Board in March.

The victim of the car crash Christman caused wrote a letter stating that she forgives Christman and believes she should be given an opportunity to prove she turned her life around.

The Pardons Board denied Christmans request.

Attorney General Aaron Ford said he believed sex trafficking should be considered, but he was in the minority.

Supreme Court Justice Douglas Herndon pointed to Ballous actions.

This is kind of turning our pardons process on its head, Herndon said. The walls are closing in on the District Court that is shockingly refusing to do its job.

Las Vegas judge posed in hot tub with public defenders, faces ethics charges

Ballou had ordered Christman to surrender on April 23rd but then canceled the surrender date. She set another evidentiary hearing for May.

Christman said she was concerned that if she had to go back to prison, her baby could end up in the same child welfare system she was once in.

Saunders had been sentenced to a minimum of eight years and was released from prison. He is now serving a separate sentence for a voluntary manslaughter charge after prosecutors said he killed a man.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The lawyer representing Duane Keffe D Davis, the man accused of orchestrating the 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur, said the public should not believe his client as he prepares to represent him in what is setting up to be the years biggest trial.

Las Vegas Metro police arrested Davis, 60, on Friday, Sept. 29, near his Henderson home. The day before, a grand jury indicted him on a charge of murder with a deadly weapon with a gang enhancement.

The shooting on Sept. 7, 1996, at the intersection of Flamingo Road and Koval Lane, a block off the Las Vegas Strip, followed a fight earlier in the night. In the hours before the murder, Shakurs group reportedly attacked Orlando Anderson, a member of a rival gang and Davis nephew. Davis, Anderson and two other men were in the shooters car, Davis has publicly claimed, adding he handed Anderson the gun used to shoot Shakur.

Duane Keffe D Davis has said the car he was in pulled up side-by-side to Tupacs BMW at the intersection of Flamingo Road and Koval Lane before someone in the backseat fired a gun. (KLAS)

You do not think he had anything to do with the murder of Tupac Shakur? 8 News Now Investigator David Charns asked Carl Arnold, whom Davis hired in January.

No, Arnold said. I dont believe hes there.

Davis has publicly said he was sitting in the front passenger seat of the car, which pulled up side-by-side to Tupacs before the shooting at the intersection. Marion Suge Knight, the then-head of Death Row Records, was driving the car with Shakur in the passenger seat. Knight was injured in the shooting.

Evidence in the case includes large segments from Davis book, published in 2019, and video clips from TV and online interviews.

Video the 8 News Now Investigators obtained shows Las Vegas Metro police arresting Duane Keffe D Davis in the murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur. (KLAS)

Tupac made an erratic move and began to reach down beneath his seat, Davis writes in the book. It was the first and only time in my life that I could relate to the police command, Keep your hands where I can see them. Instead, Pac pulled out a strap, and thats when the fireworks started. One of my guys from the back seat grabbed the Glock and started bustin back.

I would definitely say hes a liar, Arnold said about his client. He keeps repeating this, that whole thing is unfair. He felt like he had protection from his earlier statements that were made.

As part of the Los Angeles Police Departments investigation into the death of Christopher The Notorious B.I.G. Wallace, officials offered Davis a proffer, which Davis believed gave him immunity in the Las Vegas case. Arnold said the proffer protected Davis from prosecution for previous drug offenses.

He wasnt going to just come in and tell the truth unless we compelled him to do that, former LAPD detective Greg Kading told the 8 News Now Investigators last year. We had to give them a reason to tell the truth. Get some leverage on him so to speak.

That leverage did not include protection from any public statements, Kading said.

He didnt have information but said, Hey, let me try to rehash this Tupac murder, give you some information, Arnold said. He filled in the gaps as they were asking questions.

Those statements later unraveled into paid interviews and the book, Arnold said.

Hes sitting over there saying, How come I didnt make any money off of this, Arnold said. And now someone is presenting him with the opportunity to make some money and now, OK, hes looking at these are his last years of life.

Duane Keith Keffe D Davis appears for his arraignment at the Regional Justice Center, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Pool Photo via AP)

Isnt it kind of stupid to do that and then get hit with a murder charge? Charns asked.

It was really stupid, Arnold said. But then again, heres what hes thinking. He already said all these things way back when.

It will be up to prosecutors to prove Davis own words are true beyond a reasonable doubt, Arnold said. As far as the defense attorney knows, no video exists of the shooting and its aftermath nor is there DNA evidence tying Davis to the crime. The gun in the shooting was never located. Evidence includes hotel receipts from Davis group at the time of the shooting.

There has to be some type of corroboration, Arnold said. Anybody can say, Well I gave this person the gun and he shot Tupac.

If he didnt do it, does he know who did? Charns asked.

No, he does not know who did, Arnold said.

And why should we trust Keffe D now? Charns asked.

You shouldnt trust Keffe D, Arnold said. You absolutely shouldnt  and that should be the thing that causes him to walk.

During the July raid of Davis home, police seized electronics and two giant bins of photographs, a detective said. The 8 News Now Investigators first reported the news of the raid.

I was looking for any documentation, any photographs that might connect him to the murder of Tupac Shakur or any of the YouTube videos, the documentaries, the book and during the search of those bins I located a, like a small photo album that was cloth bound and inside that photo album were numerous clippings of the murder of Tupac Shakur dating back to 1996 and in that time frame, and also his book, recovered a copy of that, a magazine talking about the murder of Tupac Shakur, and I believe I also recovered a copy of Greg Kadings book Murder Rap, the detective said.

Davis jury trial was scheduled to begin in November. Arnold said he planned to subpoena Knight, the only living witness to the shooting, and Sean P. Diddy Combs.

Davis remained in custody Thursday on $750,000 bail. Prosecutors and Arnold will be back in court next week to update Clark County District Court Judge Carli Kierny on their progress in preparing for trial. Should Davis come up with the money, Kierny ordered a source hearing before his release.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Danielle Brubaker shops for homeschool materials at the IDEA Homeschool Curriculum Fair in Anchorage on April 18, 2024. A court ruling struck down the part of Alaska law that allows correspondence school families to receive money for such purchases. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Danielle Brubaker shops for homeschool materials at the IDEA Homeschool Curriculum Fair in Anchorage on April 18, 2024. A court ruling struck down the part of Alaska law that allows correspondence school families to receive money for such purchases. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

Over the last 26 years, Penelope Gold has used the states correspondence school program to homeschool six of her seven children. Most have graduated, but her youngest daughter is in fifth grade. For all that time, Gold said she has gotten cash from the state to round out her kids education with things like sports, language classes and piano lessons.

Theyve done all kinds of things that we wouldnt have been able to afford without the allotment, she said.

Through the districts program in Fairbanks, Gold receives $2,700 per student per year for that kind of discretionary spending. This year, however, after a court ruling struck down key components of the states correspondence schools programs, including allotments and individualized learning plans, she is uncertain if her youngest daughter will be able to continue with the swim team. She said she will stick with homeschool no matter what, but she is relieved she already purchased a used 6th grade curriculum for next year  it cost $1,000. The years to come will be harder.

It will affect every aspect of our homeschooling. From what curriculum we use to how were able to do extracurriculars to whether or not were able to do outings and things like that, just because our budget would be that much tighter, Gold said.

Alaska lawmakers said they are unlikely to immediately act to address an Anchorage Superior Court ruling that struck down key components of the states correspondence schools programs and will first wait for the Alaska Supreme Court to consider the issue.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Gov. Mike Dunleavy said his administration is also waiting for the high court to take up the issue.

The ruling said the states cash payments to the parents of homeschooled students violates constitutional restrictions against spending state money on private education. A law that requires correspondence programs to create individual learning plans for students was also ruled unconstitutional.

Attorneys on both sides of the case have requested that the courts put the ruling on hold. Such holds, called stays, can take weeks to be granted.

Attorney General Treg Taylor told reporters on Wednesday that the state will ask the Alaska Supreme Court for an expedited appeal, a request that could dramatically shorten the timeline for a final decision.

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, R-Soldotna and co-chair of the House Education Committee, said lawmakers need more information before they take action, but that they should be considering solutions in the meantime.

Before you make any decisions about whether or not you move forward legislatively, you really need to know the timeframe that youre having to work in, he said, adding that there is the potential for a long enough stay that lawmakers could revisit the issue during the next legislative session.

House Majority Leader Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, said House lawmakers would wait to act until they know more about how that could affect the states court case.

We dont want to weigh in prematurely with any kind of legislative solution before we understand what may or may not protect the states interest here and the interest of the students and families, he said.

Leaders of the Alaska Senates majority caucus said the states Department of Education and Early Development could issue emergency regulations to give families immediate guidance, since the ruling could upturn their homeschooling process.

DEED Commissioner Deena Bishop said emergency regulations are not coming until after a higher court ruling.

Districts can continue on, she said on Wednesday, adding that the department will address a final decision when it comes.

We will be ready, but the issue is with the state and districts are not mentioned, she said.

Changes to statute are more lasting than regulation changes and take time to develop and enact.

Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, said lawmakers are going to make sure homeschooling is still an option for parents, but they may make some changes to statute or regulation to prevent public money from going to private or religious groups.

For those Alaskans who are homeschooling their kids and using public funds to purchase curriculum and books and maybe computers, I dont think this is going to have a big impact at all when it all shakes out, he said.

Talking to reporters on Wednesday, Dunleavy offered comments on the timeline for any state action.

We are going to wait for the final decision, and then once that happens, we will have discussions and approach this in a manner that we think is conducive, that helps kids, he said.

Though hes not sure what the Supreme Courts final decision will look like, we think its going to look like the one we have now  the decision we have now, he said.

With that in mind, Dunleavy said his administration has already begun considering a range of solutions that can range from everything from a constitutional amendment to a potential educational dividend, to a postsecondary type of scholarship to  and if the Supreme Court rules in a manner so its just a statute change or regulatory change  we can deal with it. But we wont know until that happens, so were prepared to move quickly.

While the Supreme Court usually takes time to resolve cases, it can move quickly when warranted. In 2023, after a lawsuit challenged the eligibility of Rep.-elect Jennie Armstrong, D-Anchorage, the high court ruled on Armstrongs qualifications less than a week after an Anchorage Superior Court judge gave a verdict.

In that case, as in other quick decisions, the high court issued a brief order at first, then a longer technical explanation weeks later.

But in the meantime, Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River and co-chair of the House Education Committee, said lawmakers should consider the families that use the program: There is absolutely no doubt that families are stressed. And so depending on how long the stay is, is where I believe our body as a majority will come forward and see what we can do and when we can do it.

Make or break for some families

As a result of the ruling, Fairbanks correspondence mother Chloe Peterson is so strongly considering putting both her daughters back in public school that she doesnt have plans to buy curriculum for next year.

Ill kind of see what happens because thats the most expensive chunk. It would be a hard thing to swallow if my girls do want to try the public school system, she said.

She said the learning plans and cash allotments make homeschooling possible for families.

I dont think homeschoolers will be as successful without those resources, she said.

Her allotment money usually goes to curriculum and extracurricular resources she said she cant get from her neighborhood school options. She said she is among a number of families that have pulled away from the public education system because of cuts to those options. Elementary schools no longer have music and their art is really limited and their PE is limited.

The ruling came just days before the largest homeschool event of the year, a curriculum fair put on by IDEA Homeschool, the states largest and longest-running homeschool program.

One of the events organizers, IDEA Homeschool administrator Carol Simpson said that left everybody scrambling for a few days.

The timing was poor for us, of course, she said, but added that the event had a record number of participants on its opening day regardless. Everybodys trying to figure out what to do. Were trying to figure out, families are trying to figure out, the companies are trying to figure out.

The companies sell curriculum, books and other learning materials. And the specter of a financial shortfall for families has affected them, too.

Eagle River business owner and artist Georgia McKenzie sells hand-drawn teaching materials for her company, Tiny Nest Studio.

I spent a lot of money on printing, and that news really came out just days before the fair. So now Im waiting until July and not giving out the product, she said. Usually, she sends parents home with their new materials, but she said if state money doesnt come through IDEA Homeschool to pay her, she could be left hanging.

Uncertainty didnt stop Danielle Brubaker from looking at materials for her daughter. Without the allotment, she said they may not be able to pay for weekly horseback-riding lessons.

Shes only in seventh grade, but still it has opened a lot of doors for her. Its really sad that it could potentially take so many opportunities away, she said.

Dave Hoffman sells materials for Brigham Young University, a private religious college at the IDEA Homeschool Curriculum Fair in Anchorage on April 18, 2024. (Photo by Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)

In a booth for Brigham Young University, the largest private religious university in the nation, Dave Hoffman said parents are still buying his materials  even if it means paying out of their own pockets, instead of with state money.

The sense Im getting is theyre not going to put their kids in public school, even if they shut that down, he said, noting that many states have voucher systems or educational savings accounts that allow parents to spend state money on private or religious materials.

For some parents, the allotment isnt the biggest loss. In Anchorage, Jen Griffis is grappling with the potential loss of an individualized learning plan  especially for her son, who is a high school junior that is on track to graduate with a public school diploma through the correspondence system next year.

And now there is a question as to whether his credits from this year will count, she said.

The judge did not suggest in his opinion that current classes would not count.

Now she has to plan for next year without knowing if she will have support for building a high school plan for her other child  and what could be more than $5,000 from the state to cover the cost of curriculum, music lessons and computer upgrades.

She likened the uncertainty correspondence families now face to the funding uncertainty that brick-and mortar-schools have described.

We want brick-and-mortar students and teachers to have stability, and an understanding of what they can anticipate in the coming school year, she said. That same stability and understanding and commitment is needed for those families that are in the public correspondence school program.

Lizzy Donnelly, a Fairbanks mother, said she has used her cash allotment to offset the cost of a Montessori private school in the past, but even with a boost from the state she said the monthly tuition was too much. Now she has one daughter in a public correspondence program and another at a local charter school.

She planned to homeschool them both next year  until the court ruling canceled allotments.

That makes me kind of second guess bringing my second daughter home, she said. I dont know that I can afford to do it the way that I want to do it.

She said her family can figure the finances out, or she can keep one of her daughters in her public charter school. But she said she worries about families that dont have that flexibility or who live in rural areas with fewer options than Fairanks.

Taking away the allotment is a make or break for some families, she said.

Potential changes

Lawmakers will have a chance to reconsider state law and even changes to the constitution after higher courts reach a final decision. The two components of correspondence learning at stake are the cash allotments to families and individualized learning programs that districts help families develop to make sure their children are reaching educational benchmarks, like high school diplomas.

Ruffridge said the ruling raises a valid constitutional question, but he sees value in those learning programs.

I think you have to have that individualized learning plan to really prioritize the childs education thats being schooled at home. And I would be in support of bringing back almost that entire section in its entirety.

Allard is looking at how to preserve allotments. She said state money should follow the states children  even into faith-based schools. If youre a taxpayer in the state of Alaska, you should be able to put your dollars where you want your child to go, she said, and added that she would consider an amendment to the states constitution to get there.

A constitutional amendment, which could allow public money to go to private and religious schools directly, would require 13 votes in the Senate and 27 in the House, plus a successful statewide vote this fall.

Members of the Senate majority, speaking Tuesday afternoon, said they would not support a change, making that approach unlikely.

Speaking to reporters, Dunleavy said that an expansive interpretation of last weeks verdict could require changes to the states existing performance scholarship program for high school students.

He said a new postsecondary program could be warranted, and that the state might consider an approach for education similar to the one used for the annual Permanent Fund dividend.

A supplemental dividend could address the problem in the coming year, Dunleavy said.

Timing may pose a problem. The Legislatures regular session ends in mid-May, and a decision after the end date could require legislative action.

If the Alaska Supreme Court requires a statutory change, Dunleavy said, wed have to have discussions with the Legislature  probably in a special session  quickly.

The post Lawmakers to wait on Alaska Supreme Court as families reel in wake of correspondence ruling appeared first on Alaska Beacon.
In a cozy hall at a publishing house in Istanbul, Turkiye's cultural hub, poets and writers from both China and Turkiye were gathering for a discussion themed around "Translation in Literature and Mutual Learning."





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




Man dies after setting self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway

By Luc Cohen, Jack Queen and Andy Sullivan

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A man has died after setting himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.

The man burned for several minutes in full view of television cameras that were set up outside the courthouse, where the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president is being held.

An NYPD spokesperson said the man was declared dead overnight at a hospital. Officials had previously said he was in critical condition.

Witnesses said the man, who was in his 30s, pulled pamphlets from a backpack and threw them in the air before he doused himself with a liquid and set himself on fire. One of those pamphlets included references to "evil billionaires" but portions that were visible to a Reuters witness did not mention Trump.

The NYPD said the man, who they identified as Max Azzarello of St. Augustine, Florida, did not appear to be targeting Trump or others involved in the trial.

"Right now we are labeling him as sort of a conspiracy theorist, and we are going from there," Tarik Sheppard, a deputy police commissioner, said at a news conference.

In an online manifesto, a man using that name said he set himself on fire and apologized to friends, witnesses and first responders. The post warns of "an apocalyptic fascist coup" and criticizes cryptocurrency and U.S. politicians, but does not single out Trump in particular.

A smell of smoke lingered in the plaza after the incident, according to a Reuters witness, and a police officer sprayed a fire extinguisher on the ground. A smoldering backpack and a gas can were visible.

The downtown Manhattan courthouse, heavily guarded by police, drew a throng of protesters and onlookers on Monday, the trial's first day, though crowds have since dwindled.

JURY SELECTION COMPLETED

The shocking development came shortly after jury selection for the trial was completed, clearing the way for prosecutors and defense attorneys to make opening statements on Monday in a case stemming from hush money paid to a porn star. The court adjourned later in the afternoon.

The 12 jurors, along with six alternates, will consider evidence in a first-ever trial to determine whether a former U.S. president is guilty of breaking the law. Prosecutors intend to call at least 20 witnesses, according to Trump defense lawyer Susan Necheles. Trump may testify on his own behalf, in a risky move that would open him up to cross-examination.

The jury consists of seven men and five women, mostly employed in white-collar professions: two corporate lawyers, a software engineer, a speech therapist and an English teacher. Most are not native New Yorkers, hailing from across the United States and countries including Ireland and Lebanon. The alternates, who will also hear the case, are held in reserve in case one of the jurors has to leave due to illness or some other cause.

Trump is accused of covering up a $130,000 payment his then-lawyer Michael Cohen made to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to keep quiet about a sexual encounter she says they had a decade earlier.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and denies any such encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

Trump has pleaded not guilty in three other criminal cases as well, but this is the only one certain to go to trial ahead of the Nov. 5 election, when the Republican politician aims to again take on Democratic President Joe Biden.

A conviction would not bar him from office.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen and Jack Queen in New York and Andy Sullivan in Washington; Additional reporting by Cynthia Osterman; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Daniel Wallis, Jonathan Oatis and Toby Chopra)
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) will hold a Town Hall Meeting to discuss plans to reduce property and violent crime in the community.

The meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, at the Council Chambers at Las Cruces City Hall, located at 700 North Main Street.

The meeting will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions and contribute to the plans to promote safety in Las Cruces, according to the news release by LCPD.

Additionally, the meeting will also be televised on Comcast Cable channel 20 and livestreamed at clctv.com and the City of Las Cruces YouTube channel.

Police Chief Jeremy Story will have data of crime statistics for the first quarter of 2024 compared to the first quarter of 2023.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Leona Carlyle-Kakar, a prominent member of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, has passed on to the spirit world. She was instrumental in securing one of the most substantial water settlements for Indian Country and spurring the economic development of her tribe.

Carlyle-Kakar died on Sunday, April 14, 2024. She was 88 years old.

Carlyle-Kakar was born on the Ak-Chin Reservation on March 29, 1936 in Casa Grande, Ariz. After earning her GED in 1965, she served on the Ak-Chin tribal council for 40 years. During that time, she served as council secretary, council member, vice chairman, and the councils first-ever female chairman.

As well, she served as the Ak-Chin Farm Board Chairman from 1965 until she retired in 2016 at age 80.

Carlyle-Kakar and her brothers were instrumental in organizing the Ak-Chin community. While working at a grocery store in the 1950s, the siblings noticed that farmers who were leasing tribal land were earning revenue while the Ak-Chin community remained in poverty.

In 2016, she told the Maricopa Monitor that she and her brothers held a community meeting in the shade of a tree in a large field to pitch their idea of organizing and farming their land.

We got people together and told them they would have jobs and the community would be better off if we did this, she said. We knew we could make money, but the (Bureau of Indian Affairs) said it would never work.

The tribal community was organized in 1961, and farming began soon after without assistance from the BIA. Her efforts helped the Ak-Chin Indian Communitys farming enterprise grow from 4,000 acres to more than 15,000, making it one of the largest farming communities in the U.S.

Carlyle-Kakar was known to many as Miss Water Rights for her work doggedly engineering Indian Countrys first water rights settlement with the federal government.

In the late 1960s, Carlyle-Kakar flew to Washington, D.C., for the first time to advocate for her tribes water rights. Nearly a decade and many trips later, she was successful in securing the Ak-Chin Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1984

I guess farming is my baby, Carlyle-Kakar told Site Selection Magazine in 2012.

Carlyle-Kakar is also credited with taking part in the opening of the tribes Harrahs Ak-Chin Casino in 1994.

In 2018, she was honored with a lifetime achievement award by Pinal 40, a non-profit in Pinal County, Ariz., supporting youth, education, and agriculture.

Ak-Chin Chairman Robert Miguel told the Maricopa Monitor today that Carlyle-Kakar's efforts have made the community what it is today.

As we see the structures that are up in our community, the homes and just the different resources that we live by  thats Leona Kakar, Miguel said. I consider her as the greatest leader the Ak-Chin Communitys ever had in spearheading our cause for water rights and what weve been able to do as a community. Weve become who we are today because of her as far as a prosperous and great farming community and enterprise.

About the Author: "Elyse Wild is senior editor for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. "

Contact: ewild@indiancountrymedia.com
Letters to the Editor: Critics of U.S. aid to Israel want to stop Netanyahu's recklessness

To the editor: It's absurd for columnist Jonah Goldberg to dismiss the U.S. critics of additional military aid to Israel as lacking determination. ("For Israel and Ukraine alike, U.S. support is proving unreliable and inadequate," Opinion, April 16)

Israel in a calculated manner decided to strike an Iranian diplomatic site in Syria. Israel absolutely knew that Iran would be forced to retaliate. Without even providing foreknowledge of the attack to the U.S., which is helping foot the bill for Israeli defense, Israel pressed ahead with a reckless decision.

Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system didn't get there because of a lack of American determination. It was designed for defense, not as a backstop to stave off consequences from rash acts.

The U.S. administration has become a non-entity in Israeli decisions designed primarily to keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in power and at war. We are just the fools who pay the bills and provide an environment where Israeli decisions are not based on bearing the full cost or consequence of its actions.

Bruce McMenemy, Sanford, Fla.

..

To the editor: Goldberg blames President Biden for the U.S. being an unreliable and inadequate ally, while completely ignoring that it was former President Trump who dumped the Kurds, trashed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and said he would throw Europe to the Russian wolves.

Trump also was the one who negotiated an ill-advised deal with the Taliban and then left the withdrawal to Biden.

Meanwhile, extremists from his party are holding up help to Ukraine and mouthing Russian talking points on the floor of the House.

And why is it "unreasonable" to ask Israel to stop killing women and children after more than 30,000 deaths in the Gaza Strip? Oh, I know  because "Israel has a right to defend itself."

Michael Schaller, Temple City

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Lexington-Fayette County Health Department temporarily closed a popular pizza and wings restaurant also known for birthday parties twice.

The health department also received a complaint that 15 people got sick after eating there, resulting in a family member being hospitalized for sepsis.

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This was the only food service provider closed between March 15 and April 15, according to the health department.

In the previous month, the health department temporarily closed two food service providers and would have closed a third, but it had already gone out of business.

A closed sign placed by the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department on a Lexington restaurant after violations were found on the site.

Restaurant closed by Lexington health department

Food service at Chuck E. Cheese at 1555 New Circle Rd. in Woodhill Plaza was suspended on March 29 for lack of required food safety manager, according to a health department notice.

Chuck E Cheese at 1555 New Circle Rd. in Lexington was shut down temporarily twice in the last month by the health department, which also received an illness report.

The restaurant had scored an 80 on an inspection on March 15, when the inspector noted violations including that there was no certified food manager present; that employees did not demonstrate knowledge of food safety and could not produce a health reporting agreement; employee drink and phone were stored on food preparation surface; improper sanitizing; food not date marked; unlabeled chemical bottled found in restroom hanging within reach of children; chemical bottle stored on food prep surface; employee not wearing hair restraint while opening cheese and putting into shredder; the previous inspection scorecard was not properly displayed visibly for customers; scoops of self-service ice cream were not properly stored; pizza boxes were stored on the floor and waste was not disposed of at a frequency appropriate to prevent accumulation, among other things.

This inspection required a followup, which was done on March 29. Although the inspection resulted in a score of 94, the restaurants food service permit was suspended, according to the health department.

The inspector noted the food protection manager had quit; that employee food was stored improperly; cell phone and employee hair restraint stored on food prep surface; hair restraint not worn during food prep, and other violations.

Based on documents from the health department, its unclear when Chuck E. Cheese was allowed to resume food service.

However on April 9, the restaurant was inspected again and ordered shut down despite scoring 93.

The inspector noted no food protection manager present; employee food stored with restaurant food; chemical bottles on food preparation surface and no hair restraint worn during food prep.

The restaurant was ordered to cease operation immediately for lack of food safety management and storage of personal items, according to the health department.

The manager applied for reinstatement of the permit on April 10, and the permit was reinstated on April 12, when the restaurant scored 100 on an inspection, records show.

Report of food-borne illness

The restaurant was allowed to reopen despite a report of potential food-borne illness that resulted in at least one person being hospitalized.

According to a complaint filed April 10 with the health department, a patron called to notify us around fifteen people from a party at Chuck E. Cheese on Saturday April 6 had become ill.

Family had pizza, cheese bread, wings, fries; sent wings back twice because they were ice cold, pizza also sent back for temperature reasons, according to the complaint. Everyone theyve talked to at the party is sick.

According to the health departments investigation, they had eaten pizza, wings, cheese bread and fries at the restaurant and became ill on April 7 with vomiting and diarrhea.

One person was hospitalized with sepsis, according to the report.

The complainant did not immediately respond to a request from the Herald-Leader for comment.

According to the health department, the restaurant said chicken wings and pizza are pre-cooked and prepared from frozen, then cooked to order as opposed to ahead of time and then kept hot.

The restaurant has been allowed to reopen, according to the health department.

How Lexington health department inspections work

The health department inspects every local food service establishment at least every six months; some restaurants are placed on enhanced regulatory enforcement and receive additional inspections. Restaurants also are inspected if the health department receives credible complaints.

When the health department closes a restaurant, a red sign is placed on the door to notify potential customers that food service has been halted. But the health department does not publicize that restaurants have been closed.

In February, the Herald-Leader published an updated list of the 158 restaurants and food service providers that are under enhanced regulatory enforcement, formerly called probation, by the health department.
An abandoned vehicle stands in floodwater caused by heavy rain with the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, seen on the background, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world's busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Three people have died in the United Arab Emirates as a result of heavy flooding caused by record-setting rains this week, officials said Friday.

A statement by the Philippines Department of Migrant Workers said two women suffocated inside their vehicle during the flooding, while a man died when his vehicle fell into a sinkhole.

The exact number of deaths caused by the storm is not yet known as UAE officials have not released any information.

The UAE, a hereditarily ruled, autocratic nation on the Arabian Peninsula, typically sees little rainfall in its arid desert climate. However, a massive storm forecasters had been warning about for days blew through the countrys seven sheikhdoms.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport. Other areas of the country saw even more precipitation.

Dubai International Airport, the worlds busiest for international travel, hoped to be back on a normal schedule within 24 hours, its CEO told The Associated Press late Thursday.

On Friday, long-haul carrier Emirates said on the social platform X that it would again halt local check-in for passengers traveling on its flights until early Saturday to support operations recovery from the recent bad weather at our Dubai hub.

Low-cost carrier FlyDubai also saw some disruptions.

Meanwhile, intense floods also struck neighboring Oman in recent days. On Thursday, authorities raised the death toll from those storms to at least 21 killed.
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Barksdale Air Force Base announced the sudden closure of its Red River Dining Facility when a rodent infestation was discovered. Photos of the infestation at the Louisiana base have since spread on social media.

According to an email from the Barksdale Public Affairs Office to base personnel, the dining facility, or DFAC, began undergoing unanticipated but required maintenance actions that must be addressed immediately on April 9.

Videos of rodents running through the kitchen and photos of mice caught in traps appeared on the Facebook page Air Force amn/nco/snco on April 10. Since then, posts about the infestation have been viewed 250,000 times.

A spokesman for Barksdale AFB confirmed the dining facility closed to address the problem in a statement Wednesday.

The temporary closure of the Red River Dining Facility on April 12, 2024, is part of our ongoing efforts to address a pest control issue, exacerbated by the recent heavy rains forcing pests to seek drier locations. Our leadership team is continuously engaged with frequent Public Health assessments to ensure the safety and sanitation of all food service facilities. Based on the recommendations of Public Health and the need for Civil Engineers to take more invasive measures, and out of an abundance of caution, the decision was made to temporarily close the Barksdale DFAC.

Warning: Graphic images below may be disturbing for some people

Rodents at the Red River Dining Facility on Barksdale Air Force Base

Rodents at the Red River Dining Facility on Barksdale Air Force Base

Rodents at the Red River Dining Facility on Barksdale Air Force Base

Rodents at the Red River Dining Facility on Barksdale Air Force Base

Rodents at the Red River Dining Facility on Barksdale Air Force Base

Rodents at the Red River Dining Facility on Barksdale Air Force Base

Rodents at the Red River Dining Facility on Barksdale Air Force Base

Rodents at the Red River Dining Facility on Barksdale Air Force Base

For single airmen living in the dorms, the dining facility is a popular food option since it provides them with a nearby location to eat that doesnt require transportation. Instead of receiving a benefit allowance and paying to eat elsewhere, they can use a meal card to use the facility.

With the facility closed, all airmen who have meal deductions from their pay will be refunded, assured Chief of Public Affairs Capt. Rininger.

Reactions to the news online ranged from disgust and outrage to humor. Some expressed understanding due to the recent flooding, or relief that civil engineers were setting out traps, while others shared stories of other bases where they experienced similar issues.

Capt. Rininger said that Civil Engineering, Entomology, Public Health, and the Force Support squadron are working together on the ongoing mitigation efforts. She added that the DFAC will not reopen until a joint inspection by their teams deems it safe to do so.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The recent arrest of a Louisiana man in connection with his estranged wife's murder has rocked residents of Tangipahoa Parish.

Authorities on Monday took David Hernandez, 49, into custody on charges of second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, according to a Tuesday press release from the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.

On March 21, while responding to a medical emergency around 9 p.m. at a residence on Meadow Wood Drive in Ponchatoula, officers found David's estranged 45-year-old wife, Lisa Hernandez, "lying between her bed and a dresser, covered in blood."

Lisa's 24-year-old daughter reportedly called authorities after finding her mother unresponsive, FOX 8 reported.

ACCUSED IDAHO KILLER OFFERS UP ALIBI: 'DRIVING TO SEE THE MOON AND STARRS'

A homicide investigation ensued, and investigators learned that after a year of separation, David Hernandez allegedly began stalking his estranged wife and "would randomly show up at her place of work," the sheriff's office stated in the press release.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Recently, David even sent Lisa a bouquet of flowers containing lilies, also known as the death flower'  which she was highly allergic to. Additionally, detectives recovered a tracking device from Lisas vehicle, which has also been linked to David," the sheriff's office said.

CHILD WHO SURVIVED ABDUCTION FROM STATE PARK CREDITED FOR AIRTIGHT CASE AGAINST CAPTOR

Officials believe David "staged a burglary" at Lisa's residence, used items in her home to kill her and then discarded those items "into Lake Pontchartrain."

Detectives were able to locate and recover those items during their investigation.

KAREN READ MASSACHUSETTS TRIAL: 3 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WOMAN CHARGED WITH OFFICER BOYFRIEND'S MURDER

Autopsy results for Lisa Hernandez are pending, though officials told FOX 8 that it appeared Lisa had been beaten with both blunt and sharp objects.

An obituary for Lisa states that she was "a loving and compassionate mother of three girls."

GET REAL TIME UPDATES DIRECTLY ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB

"Lisa was employed by St. Tammany Pediatrics where she loved working with young children," the obituary states. "Besides spending quality time with her girls, Lisa was an avid reader and one of her favorite book series was Harry Potter. She would visit Universal Studios every chance she could, spending hours at the Harry Potter themed areas. She also enjoyed visiting Disney World."

Lisa's murder has left Tangipahoa Parish residents shocked.

"You dont see that so much in a sleepy little town like this," Ponchatoula resident Steve McIain told FOX 8.

Another local told the outlet that "this world has just gone crazy."





Original article source: Louisiana man allegedly stalks estranged wife, sends 'death flower' before killing her: police
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Public Security has initiated a targeted campaign to combat criminal activities associated with the production and sale of counterfeit alcohol masquerading as "specially supplied" goods for the Party, government, or military entities.

This operation aims to curb the unlawful production and sale of these counterfeit products, safeguarding the reputation of the Party, government, and military, while also ensuring the legitimate rights and interests of consumers are protected.

Law enforcement agencies nationwide will concentrate their efforts on every stage of the counterfeit alcohol trade, from production to sale, transportation, and storage, thereby disrupting the criminal network.

Special attention will be given to cracking down on offenses related to the production and sale of counterfeit alcohol packaging materials, and dismantling illegal operations involved in the unauthorized printing of trademarks and logos belonging to the Party, government, and military organizations.

Additionally, the ministry emphasizes the need to bolster patrols in crucial online spaces, such as e-commerce platforms, live-streaming channels, and social media platforms, to gather clues leading to such offenses.

The ministry's food and drug crime investigation bureau has pledged to sustain a rigorous crackdown on related criminal activities and to decisively punish offenders in accordance with the law. 
Loving pregnant dog dumped from U-Haul in New York  then community steps up

Someone found a dog dumped from a U-Haul in a New York park and took her to a nearby animal shelter.

When animal rescuers learned the dog was pregnant, they put out a call for aid on social media, and the community rallied around her.

Take Me Home Pet Rescue said its helping care for Wilma after the person found her abandoned in Newburgh.

We are dumbfounded that someone would dump such a beautiful and loving dog, but even more disgusted that someone would do that to a pregnant mama, the nonprofit pet rescue said in an April 17 Facebook post.

She was taken in by a foster with the understanding she would get spayed then put up for adoption, Lucia DeNatale, president of Take Me Home Pet Rescue, told McClatchy News.

But when Wilma went in for the spay procedure, veterinarians made a discovery right before beginning the operation.

I received a call stating we had 5 minutes to decide if we wanted to keep or abort her puppies since she was pregnant, DeNatale said in an email.

The group quickly made the decision to stop the surgery and care for both Wilma and her eventual puppies.

Now we will give Wilma the care and love she needs during her pregnancy, help her have her babies, and find them all homes once theyre of age, the nonprofit said in a Facebook post. That being said, we need help.

The group asked the community for help providing Wilma pre- and post-natal care, including extra veterinary visits for her and her pups, items for the birth and supplies for the puppies once theyre born.

The community donated money and sent items ranging from blankets to wipes and a crate, even volunteering to adopt Wilma or her puppies once theyre born. The organization also shared a photo of shampoo, dog food and other supplies donated after the call for aid.

DeNatale said the organization has received $1,200 in donations and lots of items from the wishlist since posing about Wilma two days prior.

The original call to action was shared over 120 times online.

We are just so gracious and very surprised how fast our community went into action and how much they have offered since we posted, DeNatale said. We cannot thank everyone enough.

Take Me Home Pet Rescue is throwing a puppy shower for the pregnant dog May 11, and a veterinarian will be collecting more funds to go towards Wilmas medical bills, DeNatale said.

Newburgh is in Orange County, about a 70-mile drive north from New York City.

Ice cream-loving dog is shelters longest resident. She deserves a lifetime of love

Pregnant goats and newborns stolen from California dairy farm. I want to give up

She fell in love with shelter dog  but couldnt adopt. Then came a joyful reunion

Emaciated puppy amazed NY rescuers with her will to survive. See Sprites glow up
Flags with the Lufthansa logo wave in the wind at the airport in the Main metropolis. Andreas Arnold/dpa

German airline Lufthansa and its subsidiaries Swiss and Austrian Airlines announced the temporary suspension of all flights to Israel due to the current conflict in the Middle East.

Four flights scheduled between now and 7 am (0500GMT) on Saturday morning have been cancelled so far, a Lufthansa spokesman told dpa on Friday.

According to US media reports, at least one Israeli missile struck a target in Iran. There were initially no reports of damage.

Iran had attacked Israel last weekend with hundreds of drones and missiles in retaliation for a suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy compound in Damascus.
This week, the Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch launched another of her eviscerating interventions on overzealous diversity and inclusion drives. Criticising proposals by regulators in the financial sector, she said such drives represent a regulatory overreach based on limited evidence. Among the proposals that were challenged was the requirement to compel firms to gather data based on peoples gender identity, which would not be in accordance with the Equality Act that cements sex and gender reassignment as protected characteristics.

Badenoch is not alone in her concerns that a well-meaning push to mandate diversity and inclusion within workplaces could be counterproductive and detrimental to employees, particularly members of minority groups that the initiatives are meant to support. According to a report by the Free Speech Union published in March, 36% of employees witnessed colleagues being penalised for challenging Equality, Diversity and Inclusion training. 31% stated leaving a job because of their employers promotion of ideology.

Sharing the findings, Thomas Harris, Director of Data and Impact stated: There is no evidence the current approach is making Britains offices more welcoming, friendlier places to work, and plenty of evidence that it is turning them into a hostile environment, particularly for minorities and those who do not subscribe to woke ideology.

These pitfalls are not theoretical for me because I have lived through them. I used to be a frontline worker supporting women recovering from crack cocaine and heroin addiction. These are some of the kindest and most courageous women I have ever met. Like so many of us, they struggled to cope when life got tough and took a bad turn. This was a difficult position, but I loved my job because I care deeply about the women.

A few months in, senior management invited me to the organisations EDI group. Being from the Dominican Republic, I was one of the few immigrants and women of colour within the organisation, so perhaps they assumed I would feel flattered. Yet the second I read the email I was filled with a deep sense of dread. I expressed my hesitation that EDI groups tend to exist to ensure ideological compliance and cohesiveness.

I heard many statements I disagreed with, but I rarely objected because I broadly believe that being open-minded about divergent views is the bedrock of democracy. Unfortunately, this tolerance was not a two-way street. Soon enough, the group sought to mandate employees to request pronoun declarations from the service users. Aside from being compelled speech, this was the least of the concerns of the women I supported. They were worried about escaping dangerous drug dealers, homelessness and exploitation. When I questioned this, I was informed that gender critical beliefs (that sex is real and material to everybodys lives) were not welcomed at this womens service. The organisations trans-inclusive position seemed to supersede everything else, including the women it was supposed to be helping.

From that point on, I felt isolated. The organisation could not fire me, because I had not done anything wrong, and I couldnt quit because I depended on that position to pay my rent and groceries. I still cant help but wonder how many people like me  who believe sex is real and relevant  are made to feel unwelcome in large organisations, and suffer in silence.

There is nothing inclusive about making an immigrant feel unwelcome in her job because she understands that sex is real and relevant to the women-only service she was hired to provide. There is nothing diverse about forcing despotic ideologies on vulnerable women. The Stasi-wannabees running EDI meetings demonstrate that acceptance cannot be compelled, least of all by authoritarian bullies at the top.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
By now, the pattern should be familiar to Gov. Ron DeSantis. In recent years, the Florida Republican, eager to advance his far-right vision and impress his partys base, has picked a series of legally dubious culture war fights. They invariably lead to lawsuits, which DeSantis administration tends to lose.

Keep this in mind when reading about the GOP governor signing into law a measure related to school chaplains in the Sunshine State. The Associated Press reported:

Under the new statewide policy, which will take effect on July 1, school chaplains will provide support, services, and programs to students as assigned by the district school board.

Florida is not especially unique on this front: As the APs report added, there are now more than a dozen states that have sought to create school chaplain programs, including Texas, which became the first under a law passed in 2023.

Broadly speaking, the idea is rooted in a relatively straightforward argument: As a growing number of students face mental-health challenges, school districts often struggle to hire counselors, either due to financial constraints or because of a shortage of qualified professionals.

Bringing in volunteer chaplains, the argument goes, would help offer schools another way of providing counseling services to students who need a hand.

Of course, this description makes it sound anodyne and harmless. The truth isnt nearly that simple.

For one thing, one of the most dramatic flaws in Floridas policy is that there are training requirements for school chaplains. Students would go to these volunteer figures from the faith community, who may or may not have the necessary skills, background, and qualifications to counsel minors in need of mental health care.

In theory, the idea of volunteer chaplains might sound nice. In practice, bringing unlicensed and untrained religious leaders into schools, and giving them access to vulnerable children, is highly problematic, even if everyone involved is well-intentioned.

For another, the constitutional principle of church-state separation still exists.

Public schools are supposed to be religiously neutral. Students can pray voluntarily, but the schools themselves are required not to interfere on matters of faith, leaving the issue to students and the families.

Bringing an official chaplain into a religiously neutral public school raises all kinds of new challenges. Whats to stop that chaplain from proselytizing? How would a chaplain from one faith tradition tend to the needs of diverse students from other faith traditions? Are schools prepared to have small armies of chaplains, one for each religious group  in addition to representatives for secular students who arent religious?

What happens when multiple faith leaders from a community volunteer, and officials are expected to pick and choose? Will some religions gets special consideration over others?

Relatedly, are school officials prepared to start discriminating based on whether or not they like a religious groups beliefs? After Florida Satanic Temple members announced plans to take advantage of the states new chaplain program, DeSantis declared yesterday that the group would be ineligible.

But as USA Today noted, the IRS recognizes the Satanic Temple as a tax-exempt church. If Floridas Republican administration deliberately excludes the group from the states new school chaplain program, that would constitute the kind of discrimination that would likely fail in court.

DeSantis is inviting an avalanche of litigation hes likely to lose. Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
It was earlier this month when House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul broke new ground about his partys direction. I think Russian propaganda has made its way into the United States, unfortunately, and its infected a good chunk of my partys base, the Texas Republican complained.

Five days later, the House Intelligence Committees Republican chair, Ohios Mike Turner, was about as candid while echoing the sentiment, conceding that some of his GOP colleagues were peddling rhetoric thats directly coming from Russia. Soon after, former Defense Secretary William Cohen, a longtime GOP lawmaker, said he believes many congressional Republicans are now working as the arm of Vladimir Putin.

The list keeps growing. The Hill reported:

In context, it was clear that the Nebraska Republican was referring to members of his own party.

Bacon: Unfortunately, a few of my colleagues would like to see the Russians win pic.twitter.com/DKfsR2kjXl  Acyn (@Acyn) April 18, 2024

Also yesterday, Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw expressed his own frustration with his GOP colleagues fighting to derail security aid for Ukraine  and the possibility that theyll try to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson for allowing members to vote on the policy.

I guess their reasoning is that they want Russia to win so badly that they want to oust the speaker over it, the Texan told reporters. I mean, thats a strange position to take.

To be sure, this Congress has been defined in large part by divisions within the shrinking House Republican majority conference, but this rhetoric from the last few weeks is qualitatively different from routine intraparty squabbling.

A growing number of GOP lawmakers are complaining  out loud, on the record, and occasionally even on camera  that there are Republican members of Congress siding with a U.S. adversary, taking steps to help Russia win a war against a U.S. ally. Theyre effectively warning Americans that there are some GOP officials on Capitol Hill who arent just echoing the Kremlins position, theyre also actively and deliberately taking steps to help Russia prevail in an ongoing conflict.

This ... isnt normal.

Two years ago, in the immediate aftermath of Russias invasion of Ukraine, the response from U.S. officials was relatively bipartisan. Both parties congressional leaders joined with the Biden White House in not only condemning Vladimir Putins deadly aggression, but also in directing support to the United States allies.

There were, however, a handful of far-right Republicans who went in a different direction. They didnt explicitly endorse the Kremlins position  at least not at the time  but they also denounced efforts to assist Ukraine in the midst of the crisis.

It wasnt long before this GOP contingent picked up some unflattering nicknames. Then-Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, for example, labeled the faction the Republican Partys Putin wing. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee called them the GOPs pro-Putin faction. A Washington Post report added two years ago that these Republicans have formed what some Democrats (and even critics on the right) have labeled Putins Caucus.

Two years later, this dynamic has intensified to a breathtaking degree, to the point that some GOP members are telling reporters that there are Republicans who actually want Russia to prevail as it tries to take part of eastern Europe by force.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Maddow Blog | And then there were three: Gosar joins effort to oust GOP speaker

It was nearly a month ago when Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, reversing her earlier position, launched an effort to oust her partys House speaker. In the days and weeks that followed, a grand total of zero Republicans signed on to the right-wing Georgians effort, leading to speculation that Speaker Mike Johnson might never have to deal with a vote on his fate.

The winds have shifted direction quickly. On Tuesday, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky signed onto Greenes motion-to-vacate measure, and today, the duo became a trio. NBC News reported:

According to some accounts, the number of Republicans prepared to kick Johnson out of the speakers office is likely to inch higher soon.

Following up on our coverage from a few days ago, in a chamber with more than 400 members, the fact that a few want to depose Johnson might seem trivial, but the legislative arithmetic remains highly relevant: With one GOP member scheduled to resign in the coming days, the House Republicans conference will shrink to just 217 members, leaving party leaders with a one-vote margin.

If Greene were to force a vote on the House speakers fate, shed have more than enough votes to oust Johnson  if Democrats were to vote against him the same way they voted against then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October.

If, on the other hand, members of the Democratic minority were to rescue the incumbent GOP leader  a dynamic that keeps coming up  Johnson would almost certainly keep his gavel, though hed be weakened badly, and his dependence on Democratic support would complicate his future.

In case that werent quite enough, theres also the question of what, exactly, Democrats might expect from the House speaker in exchange for rescuing him. Would passage of security aid suffice? Would that only be part of a larger Democratic wish list?

For his part, the incumbent House speaker told reporters this week that he wouldnt resign, adding, I am not concerned about this. Watch this space.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Many of Donald Trumps endorsements are easy to overlook. The former president finds sycophantic allies and publishes cookie-cutter statements of support  occasionally for Republicans who face little opposition.

But a few of his endorsements stand out for reasons that arent immediately obvious. NBC News reported this week, for example:

Revisiting our earlier coverage, when Trump was impeached for his role in the Jan. 6 attack, it resulted in the most bipartisan impeachment vote in American history. Against a backdrop in which Republicans seemed eager to move on from their failed, defeated president, 10 GOP House members voted with the Democratic majority in favor of the impeachment resolution, and they had every reason to believe theyd be vindicated by history.

History, however, doesnt elect members of Congress. Voters do.

As the defeated, scandal-plagued, failed former president reclaimed control over the party, and leaders  Im using the word loosely  such as Kevin McCarthy scurried to Mar-a-Lago to bend the knee, members of the Impeachment 10 came to realize that it didnt matter that they were right. What mattered was that much of their radicalized political party wouldnt tolerate their heresy, which would overshadow other parts of their careers in public service.

Some saw the direction in the prevailing winds and decided to avoid the indignity of defeat. Its why four members of the contingent  Ohios Anthony Gonzalez, New Yorks John Katko, Illinois Adam Kinzinger, and Michigans Fred Upton  announced their retirements before the 2022 primary season even began in earnest.

Four more thought they could maintain the trust of the voters whod elected them in the first place:

In South Carolina, Rep. Tom Rice was crushed in a primary, losing by more than 26 points to a Republican primary rival who insisted that the 2020 election was rigged. (It was not rigged.)

In Michigan, Rep. Peter Meijer suffered a relatively narrow loss in a GOP primary to John Gibbs, perhaps best known for his inflammatory, conspiratorial tweets.

In the state of Washington, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler lost her primary race to Joe Kent, who, according to an Associated Press report, has connections to right-wing extremists, including a campaign consultant who was a member of the Proud Boys.

In Wyoming, Rep. Liz Cheney suffered a lopsided defeat to a Trump-backed lawyer who embraced the Big Lie.

Its worth emphasizing for context that two of these four  Gibbs and Kent  ended up losing in the 2022 general elections, allowing Democrats to flip the seats from red to blue.

As for the other two members of the Impeachment 10, Californias David Valadao narrowly won his re-election bid in 2022, while Washingtons Dan Newhouse cruised to a landslide victory two years ago. Trump has largely left Valadao alone, but the former president apparently believes Washingtons 4th congressional district is conservative enough that he can help oust Newhouse, hand Sessler the nomination, and the GOP can keep the seat.

NBC News report added, According to his campaign website, Sessler has been endorsed by former Trump administration national security adviser Michael Flynn and GOP campaign adviser Roger Stone, as well as former Arizona Secretary of State candidate Mark Finchem, an election denier who repeatedly cast doubt on Joe Bidens presidential victory and falsely claimed that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump.

For his part, Sessler has not only criticized Newhouse for supporting accountability for Trump, hes also described the Jan. 6 attack as a set up. Watch this space.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
As this week has brought into sharp relief, Donald Trumps principal legal problem is that hes facing 88 criminal counts, including an ongoing criminal trial that got underway in New York City on Monday. Its one of four pending cases against the former president across three jurisdictions.

And while these are clearly the most serious of the Republicans legal troubles  their outcomes could, at least in theory, lead to prison sentences  the presumptive GOP nominee is simultaneously dealing with some significant civil litigation, too.

That includes several Jan. 6 cases, which Trump desperately wants to derail, or at least delay. As Politico reported yesterday, those efforts arent going well.

For those who might benefit from a refresher, in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack, among those who filed lawsuits against Trump were police officers injured during the insurrectionist violence. In fact, multiple cases were filed:

In March 2021, two Capitol Police officers, James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby, sued Trump, claiming he was liable for the injuries they suffered during the riot.

In August 2021, seven more police officers who were attacked and beaten during the Capitol riot sued the former president.

In January 2022, three more police officers  including two who aided the evacuation of lawmakers  sued Trump, seeking damages for their physical and emotional injuries.

In January 2023, the longtime partner of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died after the Jan. 6 riot, filed a wrongful death civil suit against Trump.

The former president and his defense team have repeatedly tried to claim that Trump has immunity from such cases  a defense that was rejected by the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in December, and then again last month.

Its against this backdrop the Republican and his lawyers have resorted to a different kind of pitch, asking that the civil cases related to Jan. 6 be delayed until after the criminal charges related to Jan. 6 are resolved. As Team Trump no doubt knows, its an open question as to whether there will be a criminal trial before Election Day 2024  its entirely possible that there will not  so the request is to push off the civil proceedings for quite a while.

So far, this isnt going well, raising the prospect of Jan. 6 accountability on multiple legal fronts.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
ALBANY, New York  New Yorks signature offshore wind projects meant to boost confidence in the industry are being scrapped, a major hit to the industry in the state and the nation.

The decision is another setback to New Yorks aspirations to achieve 70 percent renewable energy by 2030 and be a hub for the nascent industry in the United States. It will also be another challenge for President Joe Bidens already likely out-of-reach 30 gigawatt goal for offshore wind by 2030.

NYSERDA, the state authority in charge of the deals, announced Friday that no final agreements could be reached with the three projects that received provisional awards in October 2023 . Those bids were all linked to major supply chain investments by General Electric and a larger turbine it planned to build that was aimed at boosting the region's renewable energy portfolio.

Subsequent to the provisional award announcement, material modifications to projects bid into New Yorks third offshore wind solicitation caused technical and commercial complexities between provisional awardees and their partners, resulting in the provisionally awarded parties inability to come to terms, NYSERDA wrote in an announcement.

In February, POLITICO's E&E News reported that GE didn't plan to move forward with an 18 megawatt turbine . NYSERDA confirmed that was the main reason no final awards were made. A smaller turbine means a project would need more individual turbine locations to deliver the same power  and the costs would have been higher.

NYSERDA had also tentatively awarded $300 million to GE Vernova and LM Wind Power for investments in nacelle and blade manufacturing at new facilities along the Hudson River near Albany. That money will be made available through a new competitive solicitation, according to the authority.

NYSERDA remains committed to advancing New Yorks offshore wind industry in pursuit of the states Climate Act goals, spokesperson Kate Muller said in a statement. Next steps will be announced in the near future.

The authority was already expected to start another round of offshore wind bids and may accelerate those efforts. NYSERDAs schedule for the offshore wind projects called for contracts to be executed by the end of last month. GE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It's not the total end of offshore wind in New York but does represent a setback. There are still some projects off the coast of Long Island and New Jersey on the drawing board and one is already operational.

The projects that were negotiating contracts are the 1,404 MW Attentive Energy One project being developed by TotalEnergies, Rise Light and Power and Corio Generation; the 1,314 MW Community Offshore Wind project developed by RWE Offshore Renewables and National Grid Ventures; and the 1,314 MW Excelsior Wind developed by Vineyard Offshore with backing from Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners.

But those would now need to rely on smaller 15.5 MW turbines  which means the developers would have needed to buy more and install more massive underwater foundations to put each turbine atop. As a result, it adds time and labor costs to each project.

The unsuccessful solicitation comes after several blows to the industry in the U.S. in the past year, indicating the high costs and regulatory hurdles each project faces  along with the concern over socking utility customers with higher bills to pay for them.

New York awarded the three projects after the state Public Service Commission last fall rejected a request for higher prices from other developers. The PSC drew a line in the sand that likely constrained NYSERDAs negotiations: no price increases for competitively awarded projects.

Other early projects canceled their deals after the decision, and similar moves have upended efforts in other states.

The states utility regulator  publicly backed by Gov. Kathy Hochuls administration  has held firm on its policy of limiting rate increases on consumers, even as a transmission line running into New York City that supports the 2030 target faces financial uncertainty.

Environmental advocates are alarmed by the challenges facing the industry. Offshore wind is key to reaching New Yorks goal of 70 percent renewable energy sources by 2030, along with other longer-term targets. But there is growing evidence that the mandate will be hard to reach.

We are very concerned about not meeting the climate goals, Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said before NYSERDAs announcement. All three of these are in a holding pattern and we need a flight plan."

But some environmental groups were optimistic that NYSERDA would be able to stay on track.

I don't think it's going to create a big setback as far as time goes, said Julie Tighe, the president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. I remain hopeful that well be able to get some more projects online by 2030.

It is possible that some of the project developers might turn their attention to winning awards in New Jersey, where another solicitation is expected later this year.

New York also has pending contracts still in the works for the two early projects that were reawarded at significantly higher costs for ratepayers . The two projects are the 810 MW Empire Wind 1 developed by Equinor that is south of New York City and the 924 MW Sunrise Wind developed by Orsted and Eversource off the northeast tip of Long Island.

NYSERDAs schedule calls for those contracts to be finalized by the end of June. Those are expected to be online by late 2026.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misstated the locations of two projects by Equinor, Orsted and Eversource.
This story was published in partnership with Important Context.

Fidelity Charitable, the largest grant-making organization in the United States, has removed the most impactful relief organization in Gaza from its catalog while still allowing funding for pro-Israel nonprofits and hate-groups, Important Context has confirmed.

Donors using the Fidelity Charitable donor-advised fund are no longer able to give money to the U.S. arm of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), the largest international aid organization in Gaza. UNRWA USA, which provides support for the agencys humanitarian work in Gaza, no longer shows up in a search of eligible nonprofits on the Fidelity Charitable platform.

With about 3,000 staff still on the ground, UNRWA provides essential medical and educational services to Gazans and has the most developed aid distribution infrastructure in the region. The decision by Fidelity Charitable to remove the aid group was made without fanfare or a public announcement.

While Fidelity Charitable only transferred $263,000 to UNRWA in its 2022 fiscal year, which runs from July 2021 to June 2022, its decision to cut off donations to the organization comes at a critical time, amid an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, when its work is needed more than ever. In the wake of Hamas attack on Israel, which killed nearly 1,200, Israel has led a brutal siege on Gaza that has killed more than 30,000, displaced millions, and left much of the population at imminent risk of famine. At least 178 UNRWA employees have been killed during the Israeli war in Gaza.

Despite the overwhelming need, the U.S. and some countries have pulled funding for UNRWA, based on Israeli allegations that 12 of UNRWAs 13,000 employees were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas. This week, UNRWA issued a report alleging that its workers detained by Israel were pressured during interrogations to make forced confessions against the agency to support these claims  and that the abuses included treatment akin to waterboarding.

Donor-advised funds like Fidelity Charitable pool money from numerous funders and allow the donors to choose where to send the money.

There are a number of perks to this arrangement, including anonymity  the public has little way of knowing which donor to the fund is directing money to which recipient. It also provides tax benefits: Once a donors money is sunk into a donor-advised fund, they receive an immediate tax deduction.

Opacity is a main reason why donor-advised funds have become a popular vehicle for funding controversial causes like anti-vaccine groups and hate groups. In 2019, Sludge reported that Fidelity Charitable had been used to transfer funds to more than 30 organizations identified by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as hate groups.

A progressive donor-advised fund, the Amalgamated Foundation, encouraged other organizations organized this way to block donations to hate groups. Over 100 donor-advised funds signed on to this campaign. Fidelity Charitable has not.

The mechanisms used by Fidelity Charitable to both list and delist potential fund recipients remain shrouded in mystery.

Fidelity Charitable has long funded right-wing groups as well as SPLC-designated hate groups. Since 2014, Fidelity Charitable has donated more than $4 million to the David Horowitz Freedom Center, which the Southern Poverty Law Center notes is an anti-Muslim hate group.

Over the years, Fidelity Charitable has also given tens of millions of dollars to organizations that support Israel, including groups now backing the countrys war efforts in Gaza. In its 2022 fiscal year alone, Fidelity Charitable funneled $2.7 million to the American Israel Education Foundation, which is affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the nations most powerful pro-Israel lobby group. AIPAC has been working to oust pro-ceasefire lawmakers and ensure continued U.S. support for Israels far-right government and its war in Gaza.

Fidelity Charitable also gave $2.2 million to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, which boasts on its website that it is the sole organization authorized to collect charitable donations on behalf of the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces across the United States of America. The donor-advised fund also delivered $19.5 million to the Central Fund of Israel, which funds Israeli settlement organizations that work to displace Palestinians.

Fidelity Charitable has long claimed to be cause-neutral, with an organizations eligibility decided by whether or not it is an IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) charity, the donor-advised fund deplatformed UNRWA USA despite its good standing with the IRS. Meanwhile, Fidelity Charitable continues to allow contributions to the pro-Israel groups cited in this article and the David Horowitz Freedom Center. Those organizations are still listed as eligible nonprofits on its platform.

Fidelity Charitable is a cause-neutral independent 501(c)(3) public charity and supports donor-recommended grantmaking to a wide range of charitable organizations as recommended by its donors, says a spokesperson for the organization. These recommended grants do not reflect the views of, or represent an endorsement by, Fidelity Charitable.

The spokesperson adds, Under policies set by its independent board of trustees, Fidelity Charitable conducts a robust review of each grant recommendation to ensure grants are made only to IRS-qualified public charities, that those public charities are not under investigation by governmental authorities regarding potential breaches of applicable law, and that those granted funds are used solely for proper charitable purposes, and without impermissible benefits to donors or any other person. Fidelity Charitable looks at each grant at the time it is recommended to ensure the organization is in good standing.

A petition calling on the Fidelity Charitable to reverse its decision on UNRWA USA funding has been circulating online. It currently has 500 signatures.

The removal of UNRWA from Fidelity Charitables giving platform not only undermines these critical efforts but also sends a message that contradicts the spirit of philanthropy itself, the petition reads. The UNRWA should not be punished for the unsubstantiated allegations that 12 staff (out of 13,000 staffers in Gaza) were allegedly involved in the events of October 7, 2023.

Fidelity Charitables removal of UNRWAs U.S. arm from its platform follows the suspension of approximately $450 million in funding to the relief organization from 16 countries following Israels allegations that a handful of its workers were involved in the events of Oct. 7.

To date, no evidence to support these claims has materialized  and UNRWA alleges that the Israeli military abused its workers to extract false confessions.

Recently, several countries have lifted their moratoriums on funding to the UNRWA and resumed sending aid to Gaza. However, the U.S., which has historically been the organizations largest donor to UNRWA, giving between $300 and 400 million in aid annually, recently passed a ban on federal funding to the organization that will remain effective until March 2025. Congress is instead considering funneling aid to Gaza through the UNs World Food Programme and UNICEF.

In his plans for Gaza, released in February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for dismantling the UNRWA and replacing it with responsible international aid organizations. Israel has sought to destroy UNRWA for years, as former State Department official Dr. Annelle Sheline noted in a recent interview with Important Context.

I think cutting off aid to UNRWA will go down as one of the most diabolical actions in the end that Israel caused much of the rest of the world to take, just in terms of the levels of support that UNRWA provided to the people in Gaza, as well as in the West Bank, Sheline said. UNRWA is something that Israel has tried to get rid of for years, and I think they saw an opportunity here.

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TEHRAN, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Thursday rejected anti-Tehran claims by finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7), according to a statement by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

G7 finance ministers and central bank governors on Wednesday issued a joint statement condemning Iran's retaliatory military operation late last week on Israel, saying they would step up sanctions against Tehran and "ensure close coordination of any future measure to diminish Iran's ability to acquire, produce, or transfer weapons to support destabilizing regional activities."

Kanaani said such positions and claims were based on "double standard and contradictory" criteria, behavior and approaches, adding that Iran rejected and condemned them.

He regretted that some Western countries adopted a passive approach towards Israel's recent deadly attack against Iran's consulate in Syria, which was a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and international conventions.

Kanaani blamed Israel's decades-long "occupation of Palestine and its crimes in the Palestinian territories" as the main roots of the crisis and instability in West Asia, urging the United States, the European Union, and the G7 countries to stand against Israel's "aggressions," instead of hurling accusations against others.

Kanaani said while continuing to be responsible towards regional and international peace and security and abiding by international rules and regulations, Iran would not hesitate to give a "decisive, regret-inducing and deterrent" response to aggressors to defend its security and national interests.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps said in two separate statements early Sunday that it had launched a combined missile and drone attack against Israel and "successfully hit and destroyed" important Israeli military targets.

The attack was in response to an Israeli strike against Iran's consulate in Syria, which killed seven Iranians, including two veteran commanders. 
Man accused in murder of significant other at Tuscumbia plant changes plea

TUSCUMBIA, Ala. (WHNT)  A 59-year-old man accused in the murder of his long-term significant other at a Tuscumbia plant has changed his plea.

Tuscumbia Police Department (TPD) Chief Tony Logan said Victor Manuel Funez Cruz was arrested after authorities investigated an incident that happened on July 11 at McVantage Packaging on Hwy 43.

Rogersville attempted murder suspect enters guilty plea, sentenced

He originally pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, but on April 11, Colbert County Circuit Judge Kyle Brown granted a motion to change his plea to not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

The court also ordered Cruz undergo an out-patient evaluation of his competency to stand trial and mental state at the time of the offense.

A Colbert County Grand Jury indicted Cruz during the September 2023 term. The indictment document states he caused the death of 59-year-old Edith Margarita Martinez by striking her with a hammer.

Chief Logan said at the time of the incident that officers responded to the packaging business just before 1 p.m. for an assault in progress. When police arrived, they found Martinez lying on the ground with severe head injuries.

Police believe the incident was domestic-related, saying the man and woman work at the plant but in different areas. Logan said police thought the two may have had a years-long relationship prior to the incident.

Florence man accused of resisting, striking and biting officer during arrest

Theyd obviously been a long-term relationship, they had different last names, both originally were from Honduras, the chief said. But we were told they had been in a many-year relationship, and they may even possibly have children together.

Court documents say Cruz later confessed to officers that he and Martinez were arguing over jealousy/infidelity and during the argument, he claims Martinez swung a metal pipe at him.

The affidavit says during Cruzs confession he advised them that in anger, hed hit Martinez in the arm with a hammer and caused her to spin. The hammer then allegedly broke and Cruz said he hit her multiple times in the head with a metal pipe while she was on the ground.

Authorities also reported that they found blood splatter in several directions. Several items were found covered in blood, including the hammer and metal pipe which were found in a 50-gallon drum.

Cruzs jury trial is currently set for June 4, 2024, court records show.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Man arrested, accused in Sacramento hit-and-run that left 3 on sidewalk with major injuries

Sacramento police officers arrested a man Thursday suspected of driving an SUV onto a curb and slamming into three people in tents, leaving them with major injuries, police said.

The 43-year-old man is accused of fleeing Sundays hit-and-run in a black Chevrolet Tahoe with custom wheels after the incident on Dos Rio Street, just north of North B Street, in the River District.

The three victims suffered major blunt force trauma injuries, according to Sacramento Valley CrimeStoppers.

On Sunday night, one person was listed in critical condition, and the other two victims were in critical but stable condition, police said.

The suspect was booked and released from jail, according to jail logs. Hes expected to appear in court Monday to face charges.

Police declined to offer more information about the case Thursday, including whether the hit-and-run was suspected to be intentional.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A man was arrested in Salt Lake City after police found him with large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and marijuana, as well as cash, knives, and a gun.

Juan Rocha, 55, was arrested Wednesday evening on two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of being a restricted person by firearm, one count of possession of a controlled substance/marijuana, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia, one count of driving on a denied license, and one count of expired registration, the Salt Lake City Police Department said.

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The investigation started just after 5 p.m. Wednesday, when the SLCPDs Liberty Patrol Division Homeless Resource Center squad stopped a car for an expired temporary registration near 1300 South and 300 West.

Officers spoke with the driver, identified as Rocha, and found him to be driving on a denied license.

Officers impounded the car, and said that during an inventory, they found a handgun, 26 fentanyl pills, 130 grams of powdered methamphetamine, 235 grams (or half a pound) of solid methamphetamine, four grams of marijuana, two knives, drug paraphernalia, and $104 in cash.

A photo of seized illegal drugs, cash and drug paraphernalia from a traffic stop at 1300 South 300 West. Courtesy Salt Lake City Police Department

A photo of seized illegal drugs from a traffic stop on 1300 South 300 West. Courtesy Salt Lake City Police Department

A photo of methamphetamine seized during a traffic stop at 1300 South 300 West. Courtesy Salt Lake City Police Department

Chief Mike Brown said this drug seizure was substantial, and potentially prevented hundreds, if not thousands, of individual doses of methamphetamine from reaching Salt Lake Citys streets.

The success of this traffic stop, investigation, and seizure of drugs, along with the recovery of a gun and knives, will significantly contribute to the overall safety of our community, he said.

Rocha was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Man who avoided prison time in deadly 2019 shooting accused of shooting ex

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man who received a suspended sentence for a deadly shooting five years ago in Orange Mound was arrested Thursday for allegedly shooting his ex-girlfriend multiple times earlier this year.

Willie Wilson, 26, was booked in the Shelby County Jail on charges of attempted first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a handgun.

The victim told police she was driving on Holmes Road near Hornsby Drive in Whitehaven when Wilson pulled up beside her car and opened fire.

One bullet hit her in the chest, three bullets hit her right arm, and two hit her left arm.

Police: Man shot dead in Orange Mound over $50

According to court records, the ex-girlfriend was able to identify Wilson as the person who shot her, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

At the time, Wilson was serving a five-year supervised suspended sentence for the shooting death of Christopher King.

On June 27, 2019, King was shot and killed in the parking lot of the Kimball Cabana apartments on Kimball Avenue.

A witness told investigators King and Wilson were arguing over money seconds before the shooting, and she saw Wilson flee the scene in a white car.

Wilson was charged with first-degree murder but later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter. In 2023 he received a suspended sentence.

Wilson is scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges on Friday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Man charged with murder after Macon authorities found victim shot, killed in an SUV

A suspect faces a murder charge after a man was found dead in a vehicle in Macon last week, according to the Bibb County Sheriffs Office.

On Friday, the Bibb County Sheriffs Office Gang Unit said it arrested Jordan Lavoris Dean, 20. Dean was wanted in connection to the death of Nathaniel Leshawn Fuller on April 10. Fuller was found dead in a vehicle in Macon in the backyard of a residence on Winston Drive, according to the Bibb County Sheriffs office.

The sheriffs office said they found Fuller, 42, with gunshot wounds. Deputy Coroner Richard Robinson pronounced Fuller dead on scene.

Deputies said Dean was served an arrest warrant and taken into custody at a residence on Felton Avenue, a couple miles from Winston Drive.

Dean is charged with murder and evidence tampering and was being held without bond Friday, according to the sheriffs office.

Anyone with information about this incident is being asked to contact the Bibb County Sheriffs Office at 478-751-7500 or the Macon Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-877-68CRIME.

Updated: Man found shot, killed in an SUV in Macon identified, sheriffs office says
WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn (PIX11)  A suspect is accused of punching and killing a man during a fight on a Brooklyn street earlier this year, according to sources and police.

James Chung, 34, allegedly attacked Salvador Galindo-Diaz, 43, during an argument near Metropolitan and Scott avenues in Williamsburg just after midnight on Feb. 19, according to the NYPD. Galindo-Diaz was knocked to the ground and struck his head on the sidewalk, causing severe facial and brain injuries, sources said.

Man set on fire during fight in the Bronx: NYPD

Authorities found the Long Island man unconscious before he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Galindo-Diaz died from his injuries on March 4, police said.

Chung, a Queens resident, was arrested and charged Thursday with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, reckless endangerment, and assault, police said.

Chung pleaded not guilty and was released without bail at his arraignment, according to court records. His attorney could not be reached Friday.

Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the New York City area for more than a decade. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The man who stabbed, beat, and drowned 22-year-old Kayla Gloster in a toilet bowl inside her Homestead apartment in 2013 has been sentenced to life in prison, NBC affiliate WTVJ reported.

Robert Holton, who once dated Gloster, stabbed her multiple times because he was jealous of another man who spent time with her, according to prosecutors.

Violent crime suspect arrested in Hillsborough County: HCSO

Holton was found guilty of first-degree murder and first-degree arson last Monday and eventually recommended life in prison without the possibility of parole or a death sentence following a penalty phase, WTVJ said.

There was much more to Robert Holton and his worthiness to life than his actions on that particular occasion, said Tony Moss, one of the attorneys representing Holton. Obviously the jury agreed with us and we are very happy about that.

This was Holtons third trial after two mistrials, and Glosters family said they felt relief now that it was finally over.

Justice was served, said Tangela Johnson, Glosters mother. Today was a win. I really didnt have a preference of what it was either life or death. Im satisfied the big victory was guilty.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  A man accused of providing a deadly dose of fentanyl to a 43-year-old was indicted in April by a Limestone County Grand Jury.

Talmadge Anthony Townson II, 39, of Falkville, was charged with felony murder and distribution of a controlled substance in connection to the death of 43-year-old Gregory Parks of Montgomery.

Man accused in murder of significant other at Tuscumbia plant changes plea

Townson was indicted on both of those charges on April 10, court documents show, along with manslaughter and first-degree robbery charges.

The Limestone County Sheriffs Office (LCSO) said around midnight on March 7, deputies and officers with Athens Police responded to Athens-Limestone Hospital where an unknown dead man, later identified as Parks, was taken.

The person who transported him to the hospital had none of his identifying info and advised hospital staff that they found him on the side of the road, according to LCSO.

Investigators identified a suspect vehicle and said they later located the vehicle at a known drug house on Huntsville Brownsferry Road.

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At the house, LCSO said they detained ten individuals, and Townson was identified as a person of interest for Parkss death. Investigators discovered Townson had given Parks a deadly dose of fentanyl and had taken action to cover up the crime.

Upon the victim overdosing and becoming comatose, Townson used a knife to cut the pockets of the victim open to take his property. Investigators searched Townsons vehicle and found the victims wallet and other property, LCSO said.

Townson is being held in the Limestone County Jail, with a bond set at $100,000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH)  One man is dead after being shot by a Whitehall police officer early Friday.

According to Whitehall Chief of Police Mike Crispin, two officers were conducting a routine traffic stop about 2 a.m. when they heard gunfire nearby. Whitehalls Shotspotter alerted the officers to the Roses Discount Store in the 4600 block of East Main Street.

When they arrived, police saw two cars, but one, a dark SUV, sped away immediately. Two officers approached the parked vehicle, a silver Honda Pilot, and found two men. Its here that bodycams started recording video that the department released Friday afternoon.

One officer came to the car first on the drivers side, followed by the other on the passengers side. The video showed the drivers side officer asking if the pair spoke English, and they said no. The passengers side officer took a drink can from the man in that seat. The officers then asked in Spanish if the occupants had any handguns or drugs, and they replied no.

The pair of officers briefly pointed their flashlights into the backseats and then back toward the passengers. The video recorded the officer on the drivers side alerting the other one that he spotted a 33, a police code for a person with a gun.

Police are investigating an officer involved shooting in which one man is dead. No officers were injured. (NBC4/Ronald Clark)

The officers told both passengers to put their hands up in both Spanish and in English. After the drivers side officer opened the car door, the driver complied and got out. The officers bodycam recorded him placing the man in handcuffs.

Columbus clinic offering free anti-theft software to Kia owners

When the passengers side officer pulled that door open, the bodycam recorded the passenger turn around toward the backseats. Both officers backed away quickly, drew their handguns and fired multiple shots. The drivers side officer camera caught the cars window glass shattering from the bullets.

Officers told him to lift his hands up several times in both Spanish and English and still did not comply, Crispin said. It appears on the video he quickly spun around and reached for something, spun back toward the officer. The officer then responded to the threat. Shots were fired into the vehicle.

A Whitehall police report said the passenger had reached for a gun and then turned toward the officer, and was struck by the officers gunfire. The man in the passenger seat, identified as 36-year-old Santiago Elias Alfaro Munoz, was taken to Mount Carmel East hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later. Neither officer was injured.

Several handguns were found inside the vehicle and police are still searching for the other SUV that fled the scene. However, police do not believe there is a threat to the public.

Police arrested the driver, 35-year-old William Morales Villatoro, on charges of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle. He was turned over to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office.

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Plenty of officers are out. We dont see any concerns for our citizens at this point, Crispin said. Everyone has been secured other than we dont know anything about the vehicle that took off.

Crispen said there are now two investigations. Whitehall PD will conduct a criminal investigation into that original report of shots fired. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken on the case of the officers shooting and killing the man who did not comply with their comments.

Crsipen said the two officers involved are on administrative leave.

Thats just protocol. Its not because theres a reason and its not because they did anything wrong. Its just because thats what we do to separate them. Its tragic. Its tragic both directions. And so its a very even they and as much as the families have some tragedy, theyve got some tragedy because this is not what they came in to do today, Crispen said.

The officers are not being named. Crispen said they each have one to three years experience with Whitehall police. This is the first officer involved shooting in Whitehall since 2018, according to Crispen.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
RAMALLAH, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Palestine condemned on Thursday "in the strongest terms" the U.S. veto on Palestine's full membership in the United Nations.

The Palestinian Presidency said the American "veto" is unfair, immoral, and unjustified and defies the will of the international community, Palestine's official news agency WAFA reported.

The presidency confirmed that the "aggressive" move reveals duplicitous U.S. foreign policy, which, on the one hand, claims to support the two-state solution and, on the other hand, prevents the UN from implementing the solution through its repeated use of the veto against Palestine and its legitimate rights.

The presidency added that achieving peace, security and stability in the Middle East region and the world depends on the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions, ending the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine, and recognizing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. 
BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN)  A man was sentenced April 9 on two charges in connection with a 2020 Del Valle homicide investigation.

According to Bastrop County court documents, Michael Heath was originally charged with first-degree murder, but the charge was reduced to the lesser offense of manslaughter, a second-degree felony.

PAST COVERAGE: Bastrop County deputies arrest 23-year-old man in friends murder

He pleaded guilty to the manslaughter charge and unlawful possession of a firearm, a third-degree felony.

The charges were in connection with the May 24, 2020, death of Ambrosio Gonzales.

Heath was sentenced to 10 years for the unlawful possession charge and 18 years for the manslaughter charge. The sentences will run concurrently.

Toward his sentence, Heath has a jail credit of 1,348 days.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial after posting conspiracy-laden manifesto dies in hospital

The man who set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trumps trial is underway was a self-described investigative researcher who posted a conspiracy-laden manifesto online moments before the incident.

Maxwell Azzarello, a 37-year-old man from Florida, has been declared dead by hospital staff, police told NBC News early ob Saturday. No time of death has been given by police.

The man shared a string of conspiracy theories on his social media accounts in recent months, in which he railed against the rich and powerful and claimed our only goal is to abolish our criminal government.

On Friday afternoon, mere minutes after the final jurors were selected in the former presidents criminal case, Mr Azzarello self-immolated outside the court at Collect Pond Park.

He was taken to Manhattans Weill Cornell Medicine Burn Center in critical condition, police said.

Three NYPD officers and one court officer sustained minor injuries from the fire but are in stable condition, authorities told reporters.

Maxwell Azzarello pictured protesting outside Donald Trumps trial at Manhattan Criminal Court one day before self-immolating near the same location (Getty Images)

Less than an hour before he set himself on fire he railed against corruption in the US government in a manifesto type document posted on Substack, seen by The Independent.

In it, Mr Azzarello describes himself as an investigative researcher and said that the act of self-immolation was an extreme act of protest over a totalitarian con and warned of an impending apocalyptic fascist world coup.

Max Azzarello, pictured in a video he posted on his Instagram account, self-immolated outside the Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday (Instagram)

To my friends and family, witnesses and first responders, I deeply apologize for inflicting this pain upon you. But I assure you it is a drop in the bucket compared to what our government intends to inflict, he wrote.

Authorities said he threw pamphlets throughout the park before setting himself on fire.

Maxwell Azzarellos manifesto, pictured, was published just before he self-immolated on Friday (Social media)

The pamphlets seem to be propaganda-based almost like a conspiracy theory type of pamphlets, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Some information in regards to Ponzi schemes, and the fact that some of our local educational institutes are front for the mob. So a little bit of a conspiracy theory going on here.

Police spoke to his family, who were unaware he travelled to New York. Authorities believe he arrived sometime between 13 April and 19 April.

He was unknown to authorities before this incident, police said, and he did not breach security protocols as the park was open to the public at the time of the incident.

Azzarello reportedly threw pamphlets promoting conspiracy theories before self-immolating on Friday (ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Public records indicate Mr Azzarello is a registered Democrat. He also attended the University of North Carolina 2005 to 2009, earning a bachelors degree in public policy and anthropology, the school confirmed to The Independent.

One witness, Dave, who declined to give his last name, spoke to The Independent after witnessing the horrific scene.

Papers clattered on the ground and that caught our attention well my attention anyway, and I kinda wondered, Well what are those papers? But then he pulled out a can and poured it over himself, Dave told The Independent.

People were horrified, he continued. There werent many people. People started screaming.

An open container pictured on its side at the scene of a self-immolation near the Manhattan Criminal Court. One witness told The Independent he watched the man pull a can out of his bag and pour it over himself (Reuters)

Dave said the incident happened so quickly that people could not move to stop the individual.

It happened pretty fast, he told The Independent. Its awful to see that.

Some pamphlets on the scene read, The True History of the World. New York police officers scrambled to pick them up as they blew over a nearby fence.

A secret service agent spoke to Mr Trump inside the courthouse at about the same time police received the 911 call, CNN reports.

Law enforcement responded to reports of Azzarello setting himself on fire outside Manhattan Criminal Court just after 1.30 pm local time (ABC News)

Mr Trumps trial began on Monday with jury selection. Now, all twelve jurors and five alternates have been selected. Opening arguments will begin on 22 April in the case against Mr Trump.

The former president faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair.

There will be no delay in the trial proceedings, a Manhattan Criminal Court spokesperson told reporters on the scene.

Two years ago, a climate activist self-immolated outside the US Supreme Court in protest against the climate crisis. Wynn Alan Bruce died on 23 April 2022, one day after setting himself on fire. He is only the second-known person to self-immolate in connection with the climate crisis.
Durham police are investigating a homicide after a man shot at a Miami Boulevard strip mall Friday morning died at the hospital.

Officers responded around 10 a.m. to a reported gunshot wound in the 1000 block of Miami Boulevard in the eastern part of the city, according to a news release.

Emergency Medical Service personnel took the man who had been shot to a hospital, where he died.

Police have not released the mans name or announced any arrests or possible suspect information.

WRAL reported the shooting occurred at the same shopping center where five people were injured in a drive-by shooting on New Years Day 2023.

Fridays fatal shooting also follows a reported shoot-out at the American Tobacco Campus on Thursday. No arrests have been announced in that case.

Durham police investigating reported shootout at American Tobacco Campus

As of April 13, at least 51 people had been shot in Durham this year, seven of them fatally.

That was down from 53 and 73 people reported shot by the same date in 2022 and 2021, with 14 people shot fatally by that date in each of those years, police statistics show.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator C. Bernock at 919-560-4440 ext. 29414 or CrimeStoppers at 919-683-1200, or at durhamcrimestoppers.org. CrimeStoppers pays up to $2,000 for information leading to arrests in felony cases.
Man shot several times after pulling out pipe during fight, Atlanta police say

An Atlanta man is recovering after being shot several times on Thursday afternoon.

Police say they were called to a convenience store on Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW just after 2 p.m. in reference to a man being shot.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

When they got there, they found a man with several gunshot wounds. He was alert, conscious and breathing when he was taken to the hospital.

There is no word on his current condition.

Investigators say he got into an argument with the suspect. They say at some point, the victim may have pulled out a pipe.

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Detectives say thats when he was shot.

A possible suspect was detained in the area, but police have not identified the suspect or confirmed if he was arrested.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Man sneaks on Delta flight and hides in plane bathroom  then he gets caught, feds say

A Delta Air Lines flight crew discovered a man without a ticket was hiding in the bathroom of a plane preparing to leave Utah, according to federal prosecutors.

He had taken photos of several unsuspecting passengers phones and boarding passes, sneaked on the plane  then used his own phone to board, a review of Salt Lake City International Airport surveillance footage from March 17 showed, court documents state.

The 26-year-old resident of Leander, Texas, has been indicted on charges of being a stowaway on an aircraft and access device fraud, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Utah announced April 18.

A federal public defender appointed to represent the man didnt immediately respond to requests for comment from McClatchy News on April 19.

Delta is pleased with the swift action of the U.S. Department of Justice, an airline spokesperson told McClatchy News on April 19.

We have zero tolerance for unlawful conduct on flights and at airports and we will always cooperate fully with law enforcement to that end, the spokesperson said.

What happened after he got on the flight?

Shortly after the man boarded the plane bound for Austin, Texas, prosecutors said a flight attendant noticed him opening the aircrafts emergency equipment storage door.

The flight attendant then guided him to a bathroom at the front of the plane, according to prosecutors.

A federal task force officer with the Salt Lake City Police Department wrote in an affidavit that the man spent a significant amount of time in the lavatory while others were boarding, and he did not lock the door while occupying the lavatory.

After all passengers boarded, the man is accused of heading to the back of the plane and going inside another bathroom.

When the man stepped out of this bathroom, he caught the attention of a flight attendant, who realized all of the planes seats were full, prosecutors said.

The man tried to claim an occupied seat as his own  but the flight attendant confirmed that the seat belonged to the person sitting there, according to prosecutors.

By this point, the plane had left the gate and was headed toward the runway, prosecutors said.

Flight attendants couldnt find the mans name or a valid ticket for him when searching the planes list of travelers  resulting in the plane returning to the gate, according to prosecutors.

In an interview with law enforcement, the man said he needed to get home to see his family, the affidavit says.

He told authorities, according to the affidavit, that a friend had given him a Southwest Airlines non-revenue guest pass so he could fly home on March 16, the day before, but the flight was full.

A Southwest Airlines Guest Pass allows passengers to travel on standby when space is available on a flight.

The man told law enforcement that he was rebooked for a new flight, but that one turned out to be overbooked, the affidavit says.

(He) admitted he had made a mistake and was only trying (to) get home, the affidavit states.

Court records show the man was arrested on March 21.

He is due in court to appear for the indictment, the U.S. attorneys office said. His upcoming court date wasnt specified.

Leander is about a 25-mile drive northwest from Austin.

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Police arrest man who threatened to blow himself up inside Iranian embassy in Paris

Police have arrested a man who falsely claimed that he was wearing an explosives belt while inside the Iranian consulate on Friday morning.

Early reports suggested a man was holed up inside the Iranian consulate in Paris and threatening to blow himself up.

A police source had told Reuters the man was seen at about 11am entering the consulate, which is located in the Iranian embassy building, carrying what appeared to be a grenade and explosive vest.

French police promptly cordoned off the area, which is just across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower.

According to other witnesses, the man put flags on the floor of the consulate and said he wanted to avenge his brothers death.

But at around 2.45 pm, police and members of the national search and intervention brigade arrested the man without incident.

On being searched he was found not to be carrying any explosives, a police source said.

It was unclear whether the incident had any link to current tensions between Iran and Israel.

Service was briefly interrupted on a nearby metro line for security reasons, the RATP metro company said.

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Man tries and fails to rob a 7-Eleven, then chokes jogger unconscious, Florida cops say

A defiant 7-Eleven clerk thwarted a store robbery, but the suspect then turned his attention to a jogger who was choked to unconsciousness, according to Florida investigators.

The victim survived but was robbed of a cellphone, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office said in an April 18 news release.

Investigators say the crime spree began around 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, April 16, at a 7-Eleven in the unincorporated Lithia community. Lithia is about a 25-mile drive southeast of Tampa.

A man ... approached the counter, demanding money from the cash register while claiming to have a gun. Despite the demand, the employee did not comply, and the suspect fled the scene, the sheriffs office reports.

Shortly after, another call reported a suspect had assaulted a jogger, rendering the victim unconscious by strangulation, and then proceeded to steal the victims phone before fleeing the scene.

The identity of the jogger and location of the attack were not released.

A suspect was identified, leading to a search of homes on Juliano Drive in Riverview, officials said. Riverview is about a 5-mile drive west of Lithia.

Deputies eventually found a home with an open window and a screen that appeared askew. They contacted the residents to allow a search of the home.

The suspect was arrested after he was found hiding behind a washer and dryer, deputies said.

The 31-year-old man was arrested on charges of:

Robbery with a firearm (less than $750)





Robbery $750 or More but less than $20,000

Battery by strangulation

Grand theft third degree ($750 - $5,000)

Two counts of violation of parole, probable cause, violation of parole robbery gun or deadly weapon





Two counts of violation of parole, probable cause. violation of parole felon/delinquent with gun/concealed weapon/ammo

Man held at police gunpoint asks to drink beer while its cold, Florida video shows

Brutalized woman kept prisoner 2 months escapes tormentor at Florida store, cops say

Son knocks on moms door, stabs her 70 times, Florida cops say. She got on my nerves
Eight vacant acres just south of downtown Manteca are key to the citys efforts on homelessness.

It has secured about $20 million to provide 283 dorm beds in several modular buildings, along with space for social services.

Manteca also seeks funding for 192 affordable apartments on the city-owned parcels west side, as tall as four stories. Grocery stores and a planned rail depot are a short walk away on South Main Street.

Project partners gathered April 16 to celebrate the first phase: 50 beds in new mens and womens dorms. They are located for now on a separate property along Industrial Park Drive, where homeless people have pitched ragtag tents in recent years. The modular units will be trucked about a quarter-mile west to the permanent site once utility lines are in place.

Susan Martinez, 62, is moving into the womens dorm. She said she lost her job at the nearby Walmart and mostly lived in her car during about a year of homelessness. She was briefly a tent camp occupant.

This is a great steppingstone for the people who want to get out and get a job, and thats my main focus and my goal, Martinez said. ... You dont want to be out there staying in the car. Its really hard.

The temporary site is operated by the nonprofit His Way Refuge Center, founded in 1998 by pastor Al Deardoff. Clients can eat three meals a day, take showers, do laundry and get help with job searches and sobriety.

A mens dorm is part of the first phase of a homeless navigation center that opened in Manteca, California, on April 16, 2024.

Manteca apartments average $2,087 a month

The Modesto Bee ventured north for the event to supplement its coverage of Stanislaus Countys housing shortage. It found an even tougher market.

Mantecas average monthly rent was $2,087 in the last quarter of 2023, compared with $1,659 in Modesto, according to rentcafe.com.

In the same quarter, only 22% of San Joaquin County households could afford to buy the median-priced home, at $546,100, the California Association of Realtors reported. In Stanislaus, the price was $465,000 and only 23% of families could swing it.

The Manteca dorms are funded mainly by $16 million from the California Department of Housing and Community Development. An additional $2 million came from the county government and about $1.5 million from other state and federal sources. The city provided almost $900,000.

Manteca Mayor Gary Singh told the crowd that the project emerged after a federal court in Idaho limited anti-camping laws in cities. That case is now before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Singh said the dorms mesh with the Manteca Police Departments effort to connect homeless people with various services. Officers work with county and nonprofit providers on this, similar to agencies in Stanislaus.

Mayor Gary Singh of Manteca, California, speaks at the April 16, 2024, opening of the first phase of a navigation center for homeless people.

Mayor urges compassion for homeless

Singh said his fellow City Council members understood that we have to take care of our own. We cannot just turn a blind eye, hoping that the homeless or the unsheltered will just go away.

The dorms will be part of a navigation center on the east side of the eight acres, where residents can get help with physical and mental health and other needs.

The council plans to call for bids in June from contractors to install the modular buildings as they are purchased, City Manager Toni Lundgren said. Work would start later this year.

At build-out, the site will have 154 dorm beds for men, 93 for women and 36 for families with children. The center also will feature 16 transitional housing units, a step between dorms and conventional homes.

Residents will enter and exit the navigation center on the east, a mostly industrial zone. A tall masonry wall will screen it from the future apartments on South Main.

Cots are part of the first phase of a homeless navigation center in Manteca, California, that opened on April 16, 2024.

Im on board, one resident says

The two dorms showed off April 16 have 25 cots each, with privacy screens. Residents can stow belongings in plastic crates next to their beds.

The dorms have their own heating and cooling, but restrooms and showers are in other modular buildings. The site also has a large kitchen.

Residents will not pay rent, but they must follow rules against illegal drugs, noise and the like. Their pets can sleep in kennels on the site.

Martinez talked with The Bee about her new home after officials cut a ribbon and toured the two dorms. Im on board, Im happy, and Im very grateful for this opportunity, she said.

The first two dorms are not for children. They can instead stay at the nonprofit Hope Family Shelter on Union Road, which also serves women, Lundgren said.

Few details yet on 192 planned apartments

The city does not yet have a cost estimate or timeline for the 192 apartments along South Main. It also has not determined the rents or how residents would be chosen. Both private and public funding will be sought.

The apartments are designed to encourage walking and transit use, both cheaper than driving. Walmart and Safeway are about two blocks to the south, along with several smaller stores.

The complex would have new businesses on the ground floor and up to three stories of housing above. They plan includes 72 studio apartments, 72 one-bedroom units and 48 with two-bedrooms.

The Manteca Transit Center is about a quarter-mile north of the apartment site. It is the hub for city buses now. As soon as 2026, it will also serve Altamont Corridor Express passenger trains.

ACE now runs on weekdays between Stockton and San Jose, timed for commuters to Bay Area jobs. The expansion will bring several stations between 2026 and 2030 on one branch to Merced and another to Sacramento.
So Many Are Searching for This Missing Black Woman  But Not Chicago Police

Capital B is a nonprofit news organization dedicated to uncovering important stories  like this one  about how Black people experience America today. But we cant publish pieces like this without your help. If you support our mission, please consider becoming a member by making a tax-deductible donation. Donate today.

On the morning of April 2, Morgan Farley was wearing a brown wig, light blue jeans, a brownish jacket, and gym shoes while dicing a potato on the kitchen counter inside her Chicago home. She was preparing breakfast for herself as her father, Sam Farley, headed out the door for work.

They didnt utter a word to each other  not unusual, her father thought.

When Farley returned home that night, the potato had oxidized and browned. It was still sitting there.  I had to throw it away, clean it up, he told Capital B. I havent seen her since.

The following day, Farley went to a nearby Chicago police station to fill out a missing person report  the form is not available online, and he wasnt sure if the myth to wait 24 hours was true. He filled out the generic questionnaire and included that his 25-year-old daughter had recently experienced a mental health crisis and was diagnosed with depression.

Farley was handed a business card with a number to call and sent on his way. That was it.

For days, Farley obsessively educated, and sometimes frightened, himself with each article and video he read or watched about the rising number of missing Black women across the country. Turning to the Chicago police for help didnt ease his discomfort. Over the past two weeks, Farley felt what many other Black families in the Windy City have experienced when reporting their loved one missing  dismissed and mistreated.

Feeling discouraged, Farley quickly realized that he needed more hands on deck to help find his only child. The 58-year-old made difficult phone calls to let the family know his daughter had disappeared. He also contacted his prayer circle to keep him uplifted.

We really want her to come home, Morgans sister, Whitney Wade, told me. They share the same mother.

Morgan Farley was diagnosed with depression about a year ago, after she experienced her first known mental health crisis. (Courtesy of Sam Farley)

Everybodys looking for her

Wade, 37, a program officer for a Chicago-based womens foundation, did not have a clue on where to start looking for her little sister and was frustrated with the lack of communication from the police. While she isnt naive about police officers workload, she also understands someone who looks like her and Morgan may not be considered a top priority.

Shes an adult. She left on her own. Shes not a child. Shes not a senior. Shes not in any imminent danger. Shes a Black woman, which means shes low on the priority list for them, Wade said.

As soon as Wade was able to gather her thoughts, she posted a photograph of Morgan with a caption letting all of her social networks know that her sister with a beautiful smile was missing.

That day, Sylvia Snowden, a local journalist who grew up with Wade, reposted her friends appeal to her thousands of followers. She was immediately moved and thought about what her family felt when no one knew where her college-age brother was for a full day. She wanted to do whatever she could to help Wade, so she hit the share button. Later, Kelsey Riley, a project manager, was casually scrolling through Facebook and landed on Snowdens post. Rileys heart sank into the pit of her stomach.

The women are friends in real life. Their hearts broke for Wade. Hours later, a group chat and an ad hoc search team was created with Wade. The trio became their own detectives.

Every day, the women not only repost different versions of Morgans missing persons flyer  including one created by the Black and Missing Foundation  they comb through apps such as Ring and a premium version of Citizen to post Morgans flyer and follow potential leads.

Riley, 35, hasnt met Morgan yet, but has been heartened by how many people the missing woman is connected to. Morgans former dance classmate and friends from church have sent Riley private and public messages of encouragement and reposted the flyer.

The Black and Missing Foundation created a missing person flyer of Morgan as the search for her widened. The Chicago Police Department eventually posted a flyer on its website on April 16. (Handout courtesy of Sam Farley)

Im just like, wow, like, she is connected to people and I dont know if shes aware of it. You know what I mean? Riley said, referring to the loneliness Morgan may be experiencing because of her mental health.

If anything, it has been Morgans family, friends, and people from her school community who have reached out and are looking for her, Wade said. The women collectively feel like everybodys looking for Morgan except the police.

Ive gotten in my car and drove to areas where people said they saw her, and Ive driven around looking in those areas, Snowden, 39, said. This is somebody who has been missing, unaccounted for.  Anybody who is a decent person, who is a Christian, who is just concerned about other people in general, will think that it is imperative that we do everything we can to help this family.

As of April 15, Farley said he hadnt heard from a case detective, and Morgans missing person flyer was not published on the police departments website or social media accounts.

A spokesperson with the police department confirmed in an email to Capital B on April 16 that Farley did file a missing person report, but detectives need permission from family members to share this information publicly. Farley submitted the report in person; its not clear who else would have given permission to publish Morgans missing person information after the report was submitted by her father.

The police never said to us, Do we have your permission to post this online? I assume all of the missing person flyers will be posted online, Wade said.

That same day, Farley received a call from a detective, and the flyer was published on the police departments website.

Family members say Morgan was making progress in managing her depression, and was in good spirits for the first time in a long time in the days prior to her disappearance. (Courtesy of Sam Farley)

She was smiling

The frustration is we dont know if shes by herself. We dont know if she is safe. We dont know if shes with someone whos putting her in danger. We dont know if she does not want to be found, Wade said. Its just a very frustrating situation where you dont really know what youre looking for or what to expect.

In the days leading up to Morgans disappearance, she was in good spirits for the first time in a long time, Farley recalled. Morgan has struggled throughout her life and never really got over their mothers untimely death in 2007.

Im not sure she fully recovered from losing a parent at that young of an age, Wade said. Morgan was 8 and Wade was 20 when their mother died.

As a single parent, Farleys father-daughter bond has been a work in progress, especially since she moved back home in 2022. At the time, Morgan had been managing trust issues following the end of some unhealthy relationships. That same year, her paternal grandparents died on the same day.

About a year ago, Morgan experienced her first known mental health crisis, for which Farley had her committed to a psychiatric hospital. There, Morgan was diagnosed with depression.

Keeping up with appointments and taking her medications had been a challenge for Morgan, but she had actually been getting better, Farley said. We were communicating better. She was smiling.

For months, it had been difficult for Farley to hold back his tongue from providing any parental advice to his adult daughter, so he followed in his mothers footsteps and started writing Morgan letters.

To keep the peace inside of Farleys childhood home, his mother used to write him letters. It wasnt until after she died that he said he could fully digest his mothers wisdom written on those sheets of paper. For the better half of April, Farley has found himself writing letters to Morgan, that includes prayers for her safe return home.

The post So Many Are Searching for This Missing Black Woman  But Not Chicago Police appeared first on Capital B News.
Marijuana sales are prohibited in Elk Grove. Would the city ever reconsider?

Davon Burdette enjoys a walk through the park on a nice day with his girlfriend and their dog. At some point in their outing, he breaks down some weed with his fingers, rolls it in a cigar leaf, lights up and chills out.

Burdette, a self-proclaimed weed head, will partake in marijuana activities on 420 on Saturday  after he gets off work, of course.

Burdette, 21, lived in Elk Grove but is no longer a resident. Still, he frequents his old stomping grounds, visiting one of the citys many parks and trying different eating options. He likes to pick up his cannabis products from dispensaries before his Elk Grove excursions.

Thats because he has to. Elk Grove does not have a marijuana dispensary.

Elk Grove, a booming economy and suburb of Sacramento, initially disregarded the cannabis industry, outlawing dispensaries in the city limits in 2017 after recreational use was legalized by Californias Prop. 64 in 2016. (It does allow other cannabis products, such as those sold at Elk Grove CBD.)

Elk Grove public affairs manager Kristyn Laurence said in an email that the citys ruling is largely a policy call.

The City of Elk Grove strives to maintain a high quality of life for our residents and businesses, all consistent with state and local law, Laurence wrote. State law allows cities to regulate and/or prohibit commercial marijuana businesses, medical marijuana dispensaries, and outdoor marijuana cultivation. The City has prohibited all of these uses by local ordinance since 2017. There has been no direction from the City Council to consider changes to the ordinance to date.

According to the California State Department of Cannabis Control, only 44% of cities and counties in the state allow at least one type of cannabis business , while 56% do not allow any. The department reported the only cities within Sacramento County to allow storefront or delivery retail marijuana businesses are the City of Sacramento and Isleton.

Elk Grove is among the remaining cities within Sacramento County that hardly wants anything to do with marijuana. Elk Grove bans dispensaries that sell the actual plant. You cant buy marijuana.

However, it does have places that sell cannabidiol, or CBD, the oil that is extracted from cannabis products and does not create the high of weed. They contain only a tiny percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, which is the ingredient that causes the high.

Other cities to outlaw marijuana retail sales and allow CBD are Citrus Heights, Folsom, Galt and Rancho Cordova.

I feel like its just the white areas, Im not trying to be racist or anything, Burdette said. I just feel like they just look at our use of it and think marijuana is a thug drug. I was in Folsom looking for a dispensary. They dont have any dispensaries in Folsom. I dont like going in the hood (for a dispensary).

Burdette shops at many dispensaries around Sacramento but most recently at Sacramento Dispensary, formerly known as Off the Charts.

Burdette said he would probably buy that weed in Elk Grove if he could.

What went into Elk Groves marijuana prohibition?

Elk Grove residents who want to partake must continue to get their herb from outside of the city.

The citys ordinance on cannabis said marijuana dispensaries and delivery of marijuana or cannabis to any location within Elk Grove is prohibited. Despite that, many delivery services outside of Elk Grove do make drop offs in the city, according to WeedMaps, an online directory for marijuana dispensaries and delivery services.

Elk Grove City Councilmember Darren Suen is the only current one who sat on the council in 2017 when the ordinance prohibiting marijuana was passed.

Suen said he voted not to allow marijuana stores in Elk Grove because it was still very new and the market was in its infancy.

It wasnt understood or known how the business would do, how it would affect the community, you know, all those things, Suen said. It was really new at that time. So there was just a lot of uncertainty and we didnt feel a rush to adopt beyond what was allowed by the state at that time.

He said that the city wanted to wait and see how the market fared with other jurisdictions.

Suen said public safety was another concern because the area had vacant homes used as grow houses in 2010.

There was a lot of concern from EGPD, Suen said. I remember that time. I think at that time it was a safety blight, nothing was known for sure. It was just erring on the side of caution.

He said he thinks the cannabis retail industry has matured since then.

Could Elk Grove see dispensaries in the near future?

Laurence said opening Elk Grove to dispensaries is a policy decision that would have to originate from the City Council.

Previous Councils have asked that the Citys Municipal Code be structured in such a way as to prohibit these types of businesses, Laurence said. I am not aware of anyone on the current Council that is asking for this to be reconsidered.

Suen said the city doesnt have anything against the cannabis industry, but residents hes talked to have not demanded it opening the door to marijuana dispensaries.

Our constituents, neighbors, friends, and people who use it for medicinal purposes, for cancer, for anxiety, have all said that were good, we dont need it, or we get our stuff delivered or they dont mind driving to Sacramento, Suen said. The residents that Ive spoken to I have just not heard of them saying we need to have one of these cannabis stores closer.

The common responses he said he hears are that people enjoy the idea that Elk Grove is viewed as a family town.

Suen said the only people hes heard who want cannabis are those who own dispensaries and want to set up shop here.

And he doesnt blame them, he said, because Elk Grove is an untapped market.

Suen said he no longer has the same concerns about the industry as he did seven years ago and didnt rule out the possibility of a dispensary in Elk Grove.

If... there was an overwhelming amount of residents that felt so strongly that they felt the need to have cannabis dispensaries in the city... that they were not satisfied with getting their cannabis in nearby cities or online, then I would be willing to, at least, have a conversation about it, Suen said.

However,he said, if my residents dont see it as a burning desire then Im not inclined to revisit it.

Not a concern or need

For now, dispensaries wont be opening in Elk Grove.

Suen said that it isnt a priority for the city, as cannabis doesnt even make the citys list.

Instead, he said, many residents have voiced concerns over homelessness, crime and traffic, and theyre most interested in more places to eat, shop and things to do.

Cannabis in Elk Grove has never been a priority Suen said, because the city never needed the source of revenue.

Residents voted to pass Measure E, a 1% sales tax increase in Elk Grove, making the citys finances very healthy,  Suen said.

Whether its restaurants coming or our auto mall, even more so when things like Nordstrom Rack open up, Whole Foods is coming, a smaller version of Macys is coming and Yard House. Theres all these things that will be opening up, that sales tax revenue will just increase, Suen said. Costco is already here and has been doing phenomenal. We have our revenue sharing from the Sky River Casino, thats something unique. Sacramento doesnt have that, so (cannabis) just hasnt been a concern or a need.

Whats to lose?

Some say otherwise and believe, the more, the merrier.

Aaron Andrew Grove, entrepreneur and owner of Elk Grove CBD, thinks the city should remove the moratorium that prohibits the retail sale of marijuana.

Its one of those subjects where it seems like on face value whats to lose by implementing it, Grove said. What could they possibly lose by moving forward with it? So if they were to remove the moratorium, what would be the con of that? What would be the negative aspect of that?

Grove believes cannabis would further stimulate the economy, on top of its current state.

Theyre getting extra traffic as we know the transaction of goods, thats going to base the economy, and if we could simply create more supply of that (with dispensaries), Grove said.

He disagreed with the notion that Elk Grove residents wouldnt want a dispensary in town.

The demands there, Grove said. I get calls everyday.

Grove said that he would open a dispensary in Elk Grove, if permitted.

He said he would want to keep his CBD and a marijuana dispensary separated.

If I was to ever do it (open a dispensary), I might consider doing it at a different location and not intermingling the two because this is more of a medical type of thing (Elk Grove CBD) where its like a clinic in that sense, Grove said.

Whats Elk Grove CBD?

Elk Grove CBD, according to Grove, is the first and only dispensary of any kind in Elk Grove. He first opened the store at 6616 Laguna Blvd. in October 2019.

His store offers hemp CBD, which Grove simply describes as the healing without the high.

Most people dont want to get high... Grove said. THC products have to be specially formulated, according to the law, to even be offered in hemp retail format...Thats what Im offering here.

So can you legally get high from products at Elk Grove CBD?

Cannabis is a genus and has different species, Grove explained. You would need to take a lot of CBD, Grove said, for that to happen.

He does have other products that contain THC that can do the trick for customers, such as THC gummies and vapes.

Ray Tamayo is a customer who visits Elk Grove CBD to buy gummies.

I use them to relax and take the edge off after a long day, Tamayo said.

Grove, 40, has been in the cannabis industry for nearly 30 years. He was born in Las Vegas and raised there before living in the Bay Area for 20 plus years.

Ive been in the cannabis game for like 28 years and even before then, my mom was growing (plants)... in our backyard, Grove said.

He lived in San Diego before moving to Elk Grove, where he learned about CBD.

He entered the industry because he wanted to help change peoples lives.

Im an expert, Grove said. I do thorough consultations with people that are dealing with serious issues, like chronic lifelong, life-threatening issues that I help them with. Ive been holistically healing people for over a decade.
The President of Georgia vetoed the laws passed by Parliament that aimed to eliminate gender quotas.President Salome Zourabichvili stated that she will veto any laws that contradict Georgia's European path."As the President of Georgia has repeatedly stated, she will veto all laws that contradict Georgia's European path. The abolition of gender quotas is another step backwards on Georgia's path to European integration because the issue of gender quotas was part of the ninth point of the 12-point plan established by the European Commission, which the Commission considered to be fulfilled," the President's Administration wrote.The Georgian Parliament has started discussions on the President's veto.Parliamentary opposition MPs are demanding accountability for the violence against politicians. According to Salome Samadashvili, in addition to Aleko Elisashvili, the police assaulted Lelo member Irakli Kupradze.Kupradze was arrested at the rally held on April 16 and has not been released yet."The Russian government has already normalised political violence. In Russia, opposition politicians are not only beaten but also killed. If Bidzina Ivanishvili thinks he can follow the same path and intimidate someone, he is gravely mistaken. We all remember the attack on Mr. Tariel Nakaidze, general secretary of Lelo, who was beaten... No one is afraid of any violence, and we demand a response to all cases, including the shameful attack against Aleko Elisashvili," said Samadashvili.
CARACAS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela on Thursday again rejected "the United States government's intention to monitor, protect, control and manipulate the Venezuelan oil industry."

At a press conference, Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil read a statement confirming that "Venezuela will never recognize and accept" the "illegal policy of imposing coercive measures and licenses" against the South American nation by the United States.

The U.S. government released a new "license" on Wednesday, reinstating some of the sanctions against Venezuela that had been eased in October last year.

Venezuela "reminds the entire world that with or without licenses, with or without unilateral coercive measures, it is determined to be a free nation," Gil said. 
MARION, Va. (WJHL)  The Town of Marion wants to secure a historic marker recognizing the towns connection to Mountain Dew, but it needs the publics help.

The town is looking to apply for a Virginia Historic Marker acknowledging Bill Jones who, according to town leaders, acquired the recipe, reformulated it, and sold it to PepsiCo.

81 scouts head to Emory & Henry for training

Now, the town is working with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to get a historic marker, but it needs help.

If you were a taste-tester for Bill Jones back in the early 60s, know details of the transaction between Jones and PepsiCo in his selling his famous recipe as the drink we know today as Mountain Dew, we need your story documented in writing for our application, the town said in a social media post.

The town says this is the final step in its application for a historic marker.

Those with a connection to Jones or Mountain Dew are asked to submit their name, signature, mailing address, phone number, and email to the town. These can be sent to Ken Heath by email to kheath@marionva.org or by mail c/o Marion Town Hall, 138 West Main, Marion, VA 24354.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Editors note: This article incorrectly identified Jared Moskowitz as a Republican. He is, in fact, a Democrat.

A U.S. lawmaker has mocked Marjorie Taylor Greene by adding an amendment to the Ukraine aid bill requiring that she be appointed "Vladimir Putins Special Envoy to the United States Congress."

After months of delays and several versions of the aid bill derailed by political infighting, Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled his plan earlier this week to vote on the package as four separate bills on April 20.

As is customary in U.S. politics, representatives such as Greene can propose amendments to the bill before it is considered by the House of Representatives.

One of Greene's amendments states that any member of the House of Representatives who votes for the Ukraine aid bill should be required to go and fight for Kyiv.

"I mean if you want to fund the war, why don't you go fight in it," she wrote in a post on X.

If you want to fund the endless foreign wars, you should have to go fight them.



Thats why Im introducing an amendment that would require any Member of Congress who votes for the multibillion $ Ukraine supplemental to enlist in Ukraines military.



More: https://t.co/kTtrCUcglS  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) April 18, 2024

Another referenced a long-debunked conspiracy theory about Ukraine and called for Kyiv to "shut down all its biolabs" and provide all data on such "research" to the U.S. government.

Other amendments demanded evidence that Christian churches in Ukraine can operate free of government interference and that no funds from the bill could be spent until "the government of Ukraine holds free and fair elections."

Greene's amendments are unlikely to gain support from her colleagues, and even the Republican-leaning Fox News published an op-ed on April 17 titled "Marjorie Taylor Greene is an idiot. She is trying to wreck the GOP."

In response to the amendments, Democrat Jared Moskowitz added two of his own.

The first calls for Greene to be appointed "Vladimir Putin's Special Envoy to the United States Congress," arguing Greene has "repeatedly attempted to block aid to Ukraine, empowering Vladimir Putin's unlawful violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Moskowitz's amendment added that she "has reposted information from the Strategic Culture Foundation, a Russian based disinformation and propaganda channel that has been sanctioned by (the Office of Foreign Assets Control).

Speaking to CNN on April 18, Moskowitz said the move would "just make it official, quite frankly."

Just submitted an amendment to Bill drafting appointing MTG as Putins Special Envoy to the United States Congress. https://t.co/Gn8Dd3lZwj  Jared Moskowitz (@JaredEMoskowitz) April 18, 2024

The second amendment put forward by Moskowitz calls for the renaming of Greene's office in the Cannon House Office Building as the "Neville Chamberlain Room"  a reference to the British prime minister who became infamous in the 1930s for his policy of appeasement toward Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Greene is one of the leading voices of the Trumpist wing of the Republican Party which has repeatedly criticized support for Ukraine and threatened to try to ouster Johnson if he goes ahead with the bill.

The political wrangling has meant U.S. assistance for Ukraine has been effectively blocked for months, leading to a rapidly deteriorating situation on the battlefield.

According to Bloomberg, House Democrats have said they will support Johnson's series of bills and could also shield Johnson from an attempt by the conservatives to oust him.

Should the bills pass the House, they will be sent for an additional vote to the Senate as early as next week.

President Joe Biden has already said that he will sign the package right after it passes Congress.

Read also: Speaker Johnson: US House to vote on $61 billion Ukraine aid bill on April 20

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Kenyan B2B e-commerce company MarketForce is winding down its B2B e-commerce business that served informal merchants (mom-and-pop stores) after a turbulent two-year period that saw it scale down operations severely.

The shutdown of the B2B e-commerce arm dubbed RejaReja comes months after MarketForce withdrew the service from all its markets, including Nigeria and Kenya, save for Uganda.

RejaReja was intended to enable informal retailers to order fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) from distributors and manufacturers, solving several challenges encountered by informal retailers such as stockout and financing. The marketplace, launched in 2020, hoped to tap the informal retail sector in the continent, which accounts for about 80% of household trade in sub-Saharan Africa.

At its peak, it employed more than 800 people and served 270,000 informal merchants. MarketForce had raised $42.5 million, including $40 million debt-equity in a Series A round in 2022 at over $100 million valuation, to fuel the business.

However, a mix of challenges -- including aggressive expansion, a capital-intensive business model, razor-thin profit margins and a funding crunch after an investor reneged on their promise -- made the business hard to sustain, leading to the closure. Several B2B e-commerce companies in Africa have also scaled back operations as the funding crunch persists.

The B2B distribution business that was RejaReja became unsustainable for a few reasons. Firstly, the retail FMCG market has razor-thin margins, which means that at a unit level, we struggled with profitability. The segment is also highly price elastic, which means the price wars are consistent, said Tesh Mbaabu, who co-founded MarketForce in 2018 with Mesongo Sibuti.

After immense efforts to make our business model sustainable, including downsizing the business to extend the runway for as long as possible, we have concluded that it is no longer feasible to keep RejaReja operational.

Its investors include Y Combinator (YC S20), V8 Capital Partners (which led the Series A round), Ten13 VC, SOSV Select Fund, VU Venture Partners, Vastly Valuable Ventures, Uncovered Fund, Reflect Ventures, Greenhouse Capital, Century Oak Capital and Remapped Ventures.

After the close of RejaReja, MarketForce is launching Chpter, a social commerce spinout that Mbaabu describes as an AI-powered conversational commerce platform that enables merchants to sell on social platforms.
Marshals arrest fugitive featured on Golden Empire Most Wanted in Ridgecrest

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A man featured on Golden Empire Most Wanted last year was arrested by U.S. Marshals on Tuesday.

The U.S. Marshals said Robert Davis, 52, was arrested on April 16 in Ridgecrest. Davis was on parole for assault with a deadly weapon.

Fugitive featured on Golden Empire Most Wanted in 2023 arrested following viewer tip

Davis was previously featured on Golden Empire Most Wanted in February 2023.

Davis criminal history includes convictions for rape, resisting arrest and battery.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
A Maryland high school student was arrested and charged with threat of mass violence Wednesday after police say they discovered evidence revealing the teen had plans to commit a school shooting.

Authorities discovered a 129-page document they say was written by 18-year-old Alex Ye, the Montgomery County Department of Police said in a news release Thursday.

Authorities learned of the writings following an exchange Ye had via Instagram messaging with an unidentified person who felt a school shooting was imminent, according to the teenagers arrest warrant. The unidentified person knew Ye from an inpatient treatment at a local psychiatric facility, the warrant says.

Ye referred to the writings as his memoir, which begins with a disclaimer that it is a work of fiction, the arrest warrant says.

In the document, Ye writes about committing a school shooting, and strategizes how to carry out the act. Ye also contemplates targeting an elementary school and says that he wants to be famous, police said in the news release. A search warrant obtained by investigators led to internet searches, drawings and documents related to threats of mass violence.

The police department said it was notified by the FBI about Yes alleged writings, which prompted a joint investigation by the two agencies.

Ye is being held at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he is being held without bond until his scheduled June 3 trial. Mass violence is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, Montgomery County States Attorney John McCarthy said during a Friday news conference.

CNN has reached out to an attorney for Ye.

The student has not physically attended classes since fall 2022 and has been enrolled in an online program, according to Montgomery County Public Schools.

Ye was hospitalized in December 2022 for threatening to shoot up a school, homicidal, and suicidal ideations, according to the arrest warrant. The student was then hospitalized for five months in 2023 at Johns Hopkins Pediatric Unit for homicidal ideations.

More recently, on March 15, FBI agents interviewed a school counselor who worked with the student from late 2022 to early 2023 and said Ye would express violent thoughts such as shooting up the school, wanting to hurt other people, and would smile while saying it, according to the arrest warrant.

The student did say he wanted to shoot up Wootton HS and his elementary school, but never stated the name of the elementary school. The Counselor knows the school to be Lakewood Elementary, the arrest warrant says.

In response, the school district has increased security as a precaution, specifically at Wootton High School because of a valid concern of a school shooting, the arrest warrant noted, adding that they hope it would serve as a visual deterrent.

There have been 140 threats this school year alone to Montgomery County schools, Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said during Fridays news conference.

The charges are extremely serious, involving alleged threats to harm others, the school system said in a statement. We value and appreciate the close collaboration between MCPS and MCPD in this matter, which is an example of our shared commitment to identify and address potential threats with due process before they materialize.

Support staff and resources are available for both students and school staff who may need to talk through and process this incident, professionals such as psychologists, social workers and counselors are available for support, Brian Hall, chief operating officer for Montgomery County Public Schools, said during Fridays news conference.

Ensuring the safety and security of our students is not just a priority, he said. It is a daily commitment of all MCPS staff and leadership.

CNNs Lauren Koenig contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A huge fire has broken out at the Oregon hotel made famous by the iconic Jack Nicholson movieThe Shining.

While many Stanley Kubrick fans will recognise the remote setting as The Overlook Hotel where spooky twins chillingly told Nicholsons character Jack Torrance to Come play with us, in the real world the Timberline Lodge serves as a family-friendly resort among the snowy landscape of Mount Hood.

On Thursday evening, while guests were staying at the hotel, a commercial fire broke out inside the iconic 55,000-square-foot building.

The Clackamas Fire Department said on social media that multiple crews including from the Hoodland, Gresham, and Estacada fire departments were called to the scene.

No injuries were reported with all guests and staff safely evacuated, KGW reported.

By around 11pm, the fire department reported that firefighters had a good knock-down on the fire and are doing everything they can to preserve the historic assets that exist here, KTVZ reported.

By 11.12pm, the fire  which impacted the roof and part of the attic  was finally declared under control and had not spready any further throughout the building, fire officials said in an update.

Crews also helped to remove furniture and artwork from the hotel after the main lobby was drenched with water.

Muliple fire crews on scene to extinguish a blaze coming from Timberline Lodge, Oregon (Clackamas Fire Department)

Fire crew spent time cleaning up the scene after the blaze was extinguished (Clackamas Fire Department)

Timberlines management told KGW that damage to the interior appears to be minimal, with no internal smoke or fire damage.

John Burton, the lodges marketing director, said that he was grateful for the fire crews, adding that this has been a first for them at the iconic hotel.

I think we just need to look at this as it could have been a lot worse, Mr Burton told the outlet. It was extremely windy, so it didnt help the cause, but [I] cant thank the first responders enough.

Mr Burton added that he suspects it was embers from the main chimney that started the blaze, but authorities are yet to confirm this.

The US Forest Service will further investigate the cause of the fire.

Jack Nicholson sitting in the lobby in a scene from The Shining. Timberline Lodge was made famous from the cult film (Alamy Stock Photo)

Taylor Hatmaker was staying in the Timberline Lodge with her wife when they suddenly started to hear the fire alarm blaring. Once they exited the building, they could see sparks flying off the central chimney spire, she said.

Its emotional seeing something so emblematic of our state with such history on fire. Its such a historic, special building, she told The Oregonian.

Timberline means a lot of things to a lot of people.

Much of The Shining was filmed at Elstree Studios in the UK, but the Timberline Lodge appears in the opening scene of the movie as the fictional The Overlook Hotel and some other shots throughout the film.

Jack Nicholoson in the iconic scene Heres Johnny scene in The Shining (Alamy Stock Photo)

During the filming, Kubrick was asked not to use the room number 217 (the room in the book) in the production, as it could be offputting for future guests of the lodge.

A nonexistent Room 237 was used in its place.

However, the lodge says on its website that Room 217 is requested more often than any other room.

Tthe lodge isnt only famous because of the 1980 cult-classic film.

When it opened in 1937, the Timberline Lodge hit headlines as then-president Franklin D. Roosevelt officially opened it and delivered a speech to crowds.

The lodge was later declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977, and is now one of Oregons most popular tourist attractions, according to the lodges website, drawing nearly two million visitors every year.

The Independent has contacted the US Forest Service for further information.
The installation '"I piedi, insieme al cuore, portano la stanchezza e il peso della vita" ('The feet, together with the heart, carry the tiredness and weight of life') by Italian artist Maurizio Catalan is displayed on the facade of the church next to the women's prison at the Giudecca island during the 60th Biennale of Arts exhibition in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. A pair of nude feet dirty, wounded and vulnerable are painted on the facade of the Venice women's prison chapel, the work of Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and part of the Vatican's pavilion at the Venice Biennale in an innovative collaboration between inmates and artists. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

VENICE, Italy (AP)  A pair of nude feet  dirty, wounded and vulnerable  are painted on the facade of the Venice womens prison chapel. It's the work of Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and part of the Vaticans pavilion at the Venice Biennale contemporary art show in an innovative collaboration between inmates and artists.

That Cattelan is the lead artist is striking, given that his provocative life-size wax statue of Pope John Paul II lying on his side, crushed by a massive meteorite, shocked Catholics when it was displayed at the 2001 Biennale. The new work, titled Father, is considered a thematic counterpoint to a performance piece he produced for the 1999 Biennale titled Mother, during which a religious ascetic was buried under sand, with only his hands clasped in prayer showing.

The Vaticans culture minister, Cardinal Jose Tolentino de Mendonca, praised the work, which he said recalled the naked, dirty feet of Caravaggios saints, while also being highly symbolic of the journey behind the Holy Sees pavilion, showing the desire to dirty ones feet, to show that whoever has feet has a carnality.

Tolentino de Mendonca, prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, said the Vatican did not want to shy away from artists or works that might be considered iconoclastic, or critical of institutions like the Catholic church.

Pope Francis calls us to dialogue. Dialogue is not just with the people who are mirrors of ourselves, he told The Associated Press. We did not seek out easy artists. We sought real artists. Cattelans work is very interesting under a religious point of view, because there is something iconoclastic in his work, but also in the mystic there is something that can be called iconoclastic, in the sense of deconstructing the religious representation.

Pope Francis, who met with over 200 artists in the Sistine Chapel last year, will see for himself when he visits the pavilion April 28, meeting inmates and artists, and according to the prefect not just the ones participating in the pavilion.

Cattelan, who wandered by the work as preview tours continued this week, declined to discuss his contribution but said the feet would be reproduced on a church in Rome in the future.

Cattelans artwork can be viewed by anyone who makes the trek to the Giudecca island prison. Those who want to see the other works will be guided through the prison on four daily tours by inmates, leaving bags and mobile phones in lockup.

Closed Wednesdays, a maximum 600 people will view the pavilion each week during the Biennale's run from April 20-Nov. 26. The 60th International Art Exhibition comprises 88 national pavilion s along with a main show curated this year by Brazilian Adriano Pedrosa.

On a recent tour, three inmates wearing elegant black and white smocks made by prison seamstresses guided journalists through an installation by Simone Fattal who transformed inmates poems into small ceramic plaques hung along a brick alleyway.

The tour continued to a prison coffee bar decorated with posters by onetime Catholic nun Corita Kent and into a gallery where Claire Tabouret has painted images from photographs provided by inmates of themselves and loved ones.

The conceptual artistic duo known as Claire Fontaine provided a neon eye with a slash through it for an outdoor corridor, and another neon sign that reads: Siamo con voi nella notte," (We are with all of you in the night).

That sign, in a courtyard where the inmates can gather during the day, provides a reassuring blue glow into the overlooking cells where they sleep.

When we read this writing, it gives us encouragement, because there is someone with us day and night, said one inmate named Manuela, who like the others declined to give their full names. At night, we see the blue light, so we know it is there.

The tour ended with a 15-minute film by Italian director Marco Perego starring his wife, actor Zoe Saldana, both of whom tagged along. Saldana plays an inmate in her final hours before release, and she took inspiration from the inmates who appeared in the film. To protect their privacy, the film can only be seen within the prison walls.

What we wanted to provide for them was just a little bit of visibility, and to add a little bit of levity through art, which is exactly what we accomplished, Saldana said.

Their desire for visibility was expressed in letters that the women gave the couple each night after filming, and through requests to pose with the couple for photos, which Saldana said they printed as keepsakes for the women.

Chiara Parisi, the director of the Centre Pompidou-Metz and one of the curators, said the project created a unique synergy between artists and inmates that opened lines of empathy. After the pavilion closes at the end of the Biennale, she said a coat of paint would likely cover Cattelans work, while the other pieces will find other venues; she said she hoped its larger legacy would be other similar initiatives.

Through this pavilion, we hope to truly demonstrate the desire for freedom, the work to get out, to be free is something essential," Parisi told AP. Detention is a moment in their lives, and the artists say so, they themselves say so. Just a moment, a photograph, that should not impact what comes after, should not prejudice their future lives.
2024 ClimateCAP Fellows. The 12-month fellowship

Each year, the ClimateCAP Initiative, a program led by Duke Universitys Fuqua School of Business in partnership with 43 other business schools, selects a group of 12 highly gifted and driven MBAs for a 12-month ClimateCAP Fellowship. Now in its second year, the fellowship welcomed a new cohort at the start of 2024, with Fellows from top schools across the country  and, for the first time, two international Fellows from Cambridge Judge Business School.

Life for ClimateCAP Fellows is steeped in opportunities, including workshops and dialogues with industry leaders. A cornerstone of the experience lies in undertaking a hands-on, real-world climate action project of their own design, which for some will serve as a catalyst for a post-grad climate career.

Poets&Quants had the unique privilege to explore the stories behind the Fellowss dedication and passion for climate solutions.

PIVOTAL MOMENTS THAT LED THEM TO STUDY CLIMATE

Some ClimateCAP Fellows interests in the environment are deep-rooted and began when they were young; for others, current events have spurred them to work toward healing the planet. Currently studying at Cambridge Judge, MBA Hugo Mkhize, from South Africa, has dreams to scale solutions that will help mitigate the worst effects of the climate crisis.

ClimateCAP Fellows. Courtesy photo

The announcement at the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow of the monumental $8.5 billion South Africa deal to help the country end its reliance on coal has driven me to dedicate my career to understanding both the challenges and the opportunities that climate change will present, Mkhize says.

Also from Cambridge Judge is MBA student and Fellow Peter Golding. Where he grew up in Australia, climate has had far-reaching impacts on his community. Golding had to creatively cope with heat waves, and his passion lies in finding ways to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels and into renewable energy.

Having grown up in South Australia, a place known as being the driest state on the worlds driest inhabited continent, climate is something that I have always been interested in, Golding says.

A PERSONAL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT CLIMATE CHANGE CAN LOOK LIKE

Like Golding, MIT Sloan School of Management MBA student and Fellow Jennifer Constanza is looking to mitigate the effects of heat. Constanza grew up in Houston, Texas, an area prone to environmental hazards. Shes looking forward to doing a deep dive on how heat officers  a new role that some cities have adopted as temperatures rise  can advance climate policy.

One of my earliest and most vivid memories is evacuating the city and fleeing east to avoid an incoming hurricane, she explains.

Also hailing from Houston and interested in extreme weather is Joe Garan, currently working toward his MBA at Washington Foster School of Business. Growing up, his fascination with storms grew as he experienced his fair share of unexpected extreme weather events.

Living through them, he says, he now has an acute, personal understanding of what climate change can look like. In the past, Garan has worked in the energy industry, analyzing global market strategies. Now, I want to use that experience to help solve climate change issues practically, he says.

Michigan Ross School of Business MBA student and Fellow Andrew Tineo-Paz grew up in Venezuela, a country with many diverse ecosystems, from mountains to coral reefs to the Amazon rainforest. My parents exposed me to the outdoors and many of these communities at an early age and I became very interested in nature and all the important lessons it offers, he says.

Tineo-Paz later moved to Wisconsin, where he saw the effects of climate change increasing poverty, displacement, and health issues. He says he wants to contribute to turning impactful ideas aimed at mitigating climate changes effects or reversing its trajectory.

WHY THE FELLOWSHIP WAS RIGHT FOR THEM

Across the board, the most common reason the MBAs pursued a ClimateCAP Fellowship this year was to bring their projects to life and be a part of a network of like-minded individuals, like Fellow Kyla Harrison.

Harrison, pursuing her MBA at Chicago Booth School of Business, says that currently there is no other fellowship that offers the same level of opportunity to collaborate with climate-focused MBAs. I think the value proposition in that regard is very powerful, she says.

ClimateCAP Fellows. Courtesy photo

Ian Naccarella, an MBA student at Harvard Business School, applied to the fellowship to be a part of a great community and for the structure the fellowship offers.

Im hoping to use the ClimateCAP experience to jumpstart my leap into the world of entrepreneurship in climate and plan on using the learnings from my project (e.g., customer interviews, expert calls, etc.) to form the basis for an initial business plan, he says.

WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST AS FELLOWS

These soon-to-be MBAs are thrilled to be ClimateCAP Fellows for a wide variety of reasons. ClimateCAP Fellow Ruben Antonio Quesada grew up in Costa Rica and gained a deep appreciation for nature by observing his fathers work growing up. He has plans to start his own venture involving reducing the construction industrys carbon footprint.

During his Fellowship, Quesada, studying his MBA at Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business, is most looking forward to working alongside other talented individuals because he finds them very energizing. What excites me most is the chance to collaborate and learn from peers from other top programs around the country.

With a deep-rooted interest in biodiversity and conservation, Duke Fuqua MEM/MBA Bryan Graybill hopes to learn more about how climate change is impacting the natural world, and to learn how to value nature in such a way that incentivizes private investors to channel capital into conservation and restoration projects.

While he was very excited to meet the cohort of Fellows with diverse interests and explore opportunities to collaborate with them, he is also very excited to meet leaders in the private sector who have his same interests  actively investing in natural capital and nature-based solutions. Graybill adds he is hoping to learn what strategies practitioners are finding to be successful and where there are knowledge gaps.

POST-GRAD CLIMATE ACTION ASPIRATIONS

Each of the Fellows has unique and varying goals post-grad. Some have a clear vision and others are keeping their options open  and of course naturally, all Fellows are focused on making a positive impact on the climate.

From Atlanta, Georgia, ClimateCAP Fellow Laura McComb is currently pursuing her MBA at Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business. Through studying finance and accounting and learning more about sustainable accounting during the Fellowship, she says, I aim to improve my role in ESG reporting to provide meaningful data that supports investor decision making around climate.

ClimateCAP Fellows. Courtesy photo

From New York City, MBA/MS Jenna Weinstein is currently at Michigan Ross. Along with gaining a deeper understanding of project management and learning how to strengthen her stakeholder engagement skills, Weinstein is looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of key challenges and opportunities in implementing novel circular economy frameworks within large institutions.

Post-grad, Weinstein hopes to become a strong advocate for circular business models, waste innovation, and sustainable procurement practices post- grad.

ADVOCATES FOR CLIMATE IN THE JOB MARKET

New Jersey native and Fellow Sam Haber is still in the process of determining how to best leverage his MBA experience post-grad.

A former nuclear-trained submarine officer, Haber, currently at Emory Goizueta Business School, reflects, When I realized that I did not wish to pursue a lifetime career in the Navy, it occurred to me that I could continue my service in the private sector by helping businesses navigate the complex intersection of challenges that the energy transition poses.

In terms of his future goals, he adds: I am still exploring my options for how to best pair my experiences with working on energy-related solutions internally at oil and gas/utility firms or externally through consulting.

The post Meet This Years ClimateCAP Fellows: 12 MBA Students In Pursuit Of Climate Solutions appeared first on Poets&Quants.
Dallin Soukup, Skyline, wins the General Sterling Scholar Award at the Sterling Scholar Ceremony at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Dallin Soukups aptitude for math was evident at a young age.

As an 8-year-old, he was mentally calculating squares of three-digit numbers. At age 11, he received his amateur radio license and bounced his call sign off the moon to calculate its distance from Earth.

While in eighth grade, he got a 5 on the Advanced Placement Calculus BC exam, taking the class at a high school from a reluctant teacher who told his parents, I reserve the right to remove him if I dont feel like hes keeping up. He got straight As in the class and a 5 on his BC calculus exam, said his mother, Elise Soukup.

Also while in junior high, Soukups physics, astronomy and math entry in the University of Utah Science & Engineering Fair won first place. He used computer modeling and calculus to explain the phenomenon of double rainbows.

More recently, the Skyline High School senior studied math at the University of Utah, diving into Calculus III, linear algebra and Foundations of Analysis. Hes also doing an internship as a statistical analyst at AuctionIQ and is the founder and president of his high schools astronomy club and the vice president of its math club. He also volunteers as a math tutor.

He achieved perfect scores on his ACT and SAT tests and plans to study astrophysics in college. Earlier this week, he visited Yale and Princeton universities, but he has not yet decided where he will attend college. Some universities in the West are also under consideration.

Soukups latest accomplishment is being selected as the 2024 Deseret News/KSL General Sterling Scholar, topping a field of 168 finalists. The students were nominated by their high schools along the Wasatch Front for their academic achievements, leadership and service to their communities.

The honor was bestowed Thursday evening during awards ceremony at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Conference Center Little Theater in downtown Salt Lake City.

Its just a really great honor. It was kind of unexpected. Theres so many great people here and Im just so glad to have been selected for this, he said.

When Dallin was in the fourth grade, his family moved from New York to Salt Lake City. During the long flight to Utah, he was bored and my husband had downloaded a college level math course by a Harvey Mudd (College) professor to keep him occupied. He was like, Would you like to look at this course? It was the Secrets of Mental Math and he binged the entire thing on the flight. ... We just thought Who is this child? said Elise Soukup.

His parents enrolled him in Cottonwood Elementary School in Holladay, explaining, We got this kid. Hes really good at math, said Elise Soukup.

I just really credit his teacher, Kayla Williams, who still teaches there. She said, You know, I see his talent and I really want to nurture it. And so she let him do independent study and he did that all the way through junior high and then he enrolled in calculus in eighth grade, she said.

I love math and have always been good at it, Soukup wrote in his Sterling Scholar entry.

I think math is most beautiful when its applied, which is why I want to study astrophysics. I love stargazing and am equally fascinated by what lies beyond my telescope, he wrote.

Dallins father, Dean Soukup, said his sons intelligence was all him. We always wanted to support what interested him. We never pushed him. He is just driven to learn the mysteries of science, the universe. We just tried to give him the opportunities he wanted.

The Soukups are obviously proud of their sons considerable intellect but equally so for his humanity. He is the kindest, sweetest, most gentle soul, Elise Soukup said.

Hes a great tutor and a great older brother to five younger siblings, said Dean Soukup.

Soukup was among 14 finalists who were nominated by their Wasatch Front high schools and advanced through progressive rounds of judging. He also won the top prize in the scholarship programs mathematics category.

The General Sterling Scholar is selected among 14 category winners, which include business and marketing; computer technology; dance; English; family and consumer sciences; instrumental music; mathematics; science; skilled and technical sciences education; social science; speech/theater arts/forensics; visual arts; vocal performance and world languages.

Aside from their academic achievements, many Sterling Scholar winners make significant contributions to their schools and communities.

The Sterling Scholar program, launched in 1962, encourages academic excellence by awarding scholarships and publicly recognizing some of Utahs top high school seniors. The winners of each category receives a $2,500 scholarship, while runners-up receive $1,000.

The program is sponsored by the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation.

Soukup won both the mathematics and General Scholarship titles for a total of $5,000 in scholarship awards.

The Sterling Scholar program also features the Gail Miller Community Service Award. This years winner is East High Schools Cedar McDonald. The award comes with a $2,000 scholarship.

An accomplished pianist, she volunteers with the My-Hometown initiative as a piano teacher. She also traveled to Ghana to build a computer lab and serves as co-president of East Highs Youth Court.

Ogden High Schools Isabella Nestel was the winner of the Philo T. Farnsworth Governors Award, which celebrates innovation. The award is named for the inventor of the vacuum tube, who is considered the father of television. Farnsworth was born in a log cabin near Beaver. The award includes a $1,000 scholarship.

Nestel credits her father for fostering her love of learning and engineering. As a child, she often took her toys apart to figure out how they worked.

In the fifth grade, she enrolled in a STEM charter school that had 3D printing labs, a robotics program and new computers, where she further developed her interests, which she carried into high school.

Nestel was also winner of the skilled and technical sciences education category. She has interned at aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman and Studio 333 Architects in Ogden. She is also president of her schools National Honor Society chapter.

She plans to attend the University of Utah to study engineering.

Nestel said the Sterling Scholar experience was its own gift because they (fellow scholars) inspire you to be more.

She said she learned about new opportunities and discovered more about others interests. So by being around inspired students, it is just amazing because you get to learn so many new things even if its not in your field of interest, she said.

Herriman High School senior Kaitlyn Rios, winner of the business and marketing category, also plans to attend the University of Utah to earn a degree in entrepreneurship. I plan on going into fashion design so the U. is going to be where I can start my business and then just keep going, she said.

Kaitlyn Rios, Herrriman, wins the Business and Marketing Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Elisabeth Collings, Timpanogos, wins the World Languages Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Dallin Soukup, Skyline, wins the General Sterling Scholar Award at the Sterling Scholar Ceremony at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Leah Schwemmer, Highland, wins the Speech/Theatre Arts/Forensics Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Dallin Soukup, Skyline, is surprised to win the Mathematics Sterling Scholar award at the Sterling Scholar Ceremony at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Cheryl Qian, Lone Peak, is surprised to win the Instrumental Music Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Attendees cheer at the Sterling Scholar Ceremony at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Alaina Hola, East, wins the Dance Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Isabella Nestel, Ogden, wins the Philo Farnsworth Governors Award at the Sterling Scholar awards at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Deanie Wimmer and Mike Headrick present awards at the Sterling Scholar Ceremony at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Isabella Nestel, Ogden, wins the Skilled and Technical Sciences Education Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Haven Harris, Salem Hills, wins the Family and Consumer Sciences Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Olivia Shelton sings at the Sterling Scholar Ceremony at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Autumn Mead, Herriman, wins the Visual Arts Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Taylor Anderson, East, wins the Social Science Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Elline Harrison, Corner Canyon, wins the Computer Technology Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Audrey Su, Skyline, wins the Science Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Gary B. Porter, senior vice president of Deseret Management Corporation, presents the Philo Farnsworth Governors Award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Cedar McDonald wins the Gail Miller Community Service Award at the Sterling Scholar Ceremony at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Kaitlyn Rios, Herrriman, right, wins the Business and Marketing Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Eva Jones, Skyview, wins the English Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Zane Miller presents the Gail Miller Community Service Award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Cole Madsen Hillcrest wins the Vocal Performance Sterling Scholar award at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Dallin Soukup, Skyline, wins the General Sterling Scholar Award at the Sterling Scholar Ceremony at the Conference Center Little Theater in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Her early forays into business seemingly teed up her aspirations. As a young child, she accompanied her family to yard sales nearly every weekend.

Thats what we did for fun, she said. When she saw something that caught her eye, shed ask her father, Can I get this? Can I get this?

He said, You can get Barbies and stuff like that.

I took it and ran with it. She refurbished the dolls she bought and turned around and sold them, literally flipping hundreds of the dolls after doing their hair and making their clothes.

It was just like learning how to do supply and demand when I was 6. That translated into just a love for business that hasnt left me, she said.

Granite School Districts Skyline High School had two category winners and four runners-up, the most of any of the schools entered. Last years General Sterling Scholar winner Aaron Wang also attended Skyline High School.

Herriman High School in the Jordan School District had two category winners and three runners-up.

American Fork and Syracuse high schools had two runners-up each.

Two East High School students were selected winners of their respective categories while a Highland High School student won their category. Both schools are in the Salt Lake City School District.

Students from two Canyon School District high schools  Corner Canyon and Hillcrest  won their respective categories.

Meanwhile, two Alpine School District high schools  Lone Peak and Timpanogos  produced category winners as well.
ADDIS ABABA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat extended condolences over the death of senior Kenyan army commanders on Thursday night.

Ten senior commanders, including chief of the Kenya Defense Forces Francis Ogolla, were killed in a helicopter crash in northwestern Kenya on Thursday.

"Our thoughts and prayers go to the people and government of Kenya following a tragic helicopter accident that claimed the lives of military personnel, including the Chief of the Kenyan Defense Forces, General Francis Ogolla," the AU Commission chief said on X, formerly Twitter, late Thursday.

Kenyan President William Ruto, addressing a televised news conference in the capital of Nairobi, said that 10 military officers died in the crash, while two others survived and are now hospitalized.

"This is a moment of great sadness," Ruto said, as he announced that the East African nation will observe a three-day period of mourning beginning Friday to honor the life and distinguished military career of the fallen general, who lost his life not only while in office but also while on active military duty.

Witnesses said that the helicopter crashed two kilometers away and burst into flames moments after taking off from an area along the troubled Elgeyo Marakwet-West Pokot border. 
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The Columbus Downtown Development Corporation recently underwent a rebranding that it hopes will better reflect its mission of making Columbus a better place to live, work, and play.

Downtown Columbus Inc. was unveiled in March, along with a new website. The nonprofit organization was created in 2002 to implement the Downtown Strategic Plan and has since focused on city changing collaborations to make the Downtown area better connected and livable.

North Market construction: When market expansion and 32-story tower could open

Madison Cole of Downtown Columbus Inc. explained the reasoning behind the switch. She said the new identity reflects the place it has always sought to promote and elevate.

The old name was a bit of a mouthful and didnt align with the work we were doing, Cole said. When we were rethinking our name, we wanted the place to be front and center.

Along with the name change, Downtown Columbus changed its logo. The new logo is characterized by shades of blue and green meant to symbolize Downtowns green gathering places like Columbus Commons and evoke the areas blue-sky potential.

The groups mission is not changing, Cole said, but moving forward.

I would say its growing and evolving just like our downtown, Cole said.

In February, a study released by the Bank of America Institute showed Columbus is the fastest growing city in the country. Cole said Downtown Columbus is ready to embrace the growth and that the increasing population could help the group in its efforts.

We always say you cant be a strong city or a strong region without a strong Downtown, Cole said. But it also means Columbus growth is essential to fuel the continued rise of Downtown.

National steakhouse to open first central Ohio restaurant in a decade

Cole pointed out multiple projects under way, including the Capital Line, two miles of pedestrian- and bike-friendly paths. Others include a proposed outdoor alcoholic beverage zone, the return of the Scioto Mile Fountain and free events at Columbus Commons.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Eight white tents are set up at the Kent Hall parking lot next to Ojai City Hall in January. Ojai officials will receive approximately $12.7 million in state grants to help people living in the encampment.

Here's a roundup of local government news:

Grant funds will help residents of Ojai City Hall encampment

Ojai officials will receive approximately $12.7 million in state grants to help the people living in a homeless encampment behind City Hall.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday nearly $192 million in grants to help address homeless encampments across California.

The states Encampment Resolution Fund, administered by the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, will fund 20 projects in 17 communities to help people transition from encampments to housing.

Neighboring Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties also received grant funding along with cities and counties around the state.

Were just really excited to work together to put our unhoused population on a path to permanent housing, Mayor Betsy Stix said after the grant was announced during a virtual press conference. Were extremely appreciative of the community for their support and assistance.

The city received the full amount in its grant application to the state, officials said in a news release.

The money will serve 38 people and house 20 with investments in interim housing and permanent supportive housing, the state announcement said.

City officials are looking at options to explore how to use the funding.

 Wes Woods II

Simi Valley gets funds for retail theft task force

The Simi Valley City Council accepted a sub-grant of up to $975,000 Monday night to cover participation in the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force.

Council members voted 4-0 to accept the funds from the California Board of State and Community Corrections through the Ventura County Sheriffs Office. Councilmember Mike Judge wasn't present for the vote.

The Simi Valley Police Department is assigning one of its detectives this month to the countywide task force, Assistant Police Chief Lincoln Purcell told the council. He said the $975,000 will allow the city to hire one full-time police officer to offset the loss of the detective to the task force. He added the money will cover other costs such as overtime funding for uniformed patrols, up to six automated license plate readers and an education program on theft mitigation and reporting.

Ventura County estimates it loses nearly $10 million every year due to organized retail theft, Purcell told the council.

The loss figure for Simi Valley wasn't available, but Purcell said it is substantial.

Besides Simi Valley police and the sheriff's office, police departments in Oxnard, Ventura, Port Hueneme and Santa Paula are participating in the task force. The sheriff's office is contracted to provide police services in Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Camarillo, Ojai and Fillmore.

The task force also includes police departments at the Ventura County Community College District and CSU Channel Islands, Purcell told the council.

 Dave Mason

Ojai commissioners OK small housing project

The Ojai Planning Commission on Wednesday OK'd a 13-unit apartment complex with some affordable units on a site with an existing commercial building.

The panel unanimously approved the mixed-use project on a nearly 1.2-acre parcel at 510 E. Ojai Ave. The commercial building will be expanded and a pair of two-story apartment buildings will be constructed, according to a staff report.

Five of the apartments will be affordable. They will cater to a range of earners from very low-income residents who make 50% of the area median income to moderate-income earners at 120% of the median. In Ventura County, the median income is $123,500 for a family of four.

The remaining eight apartments will be market-rate units.

The commission's decision is final unless it is appealed within 15 days. When the appeal window concludes, the developer, Jeffrey Becker, can apply for a building permit.

The project was part of a settlement agreement the city approved with the developer in December. Becker, of Ojai Bungalows LP/The Becker Group Inc., had sued the city in November for taking too much time to hold hearings on several proposed housing projects.

 Wes Woods II

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Meeting minutes: Ojai gets grant for City Hall encampment, more news
ACLU hosts meeting to discuss reforming the process of bonding out of jail

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  The ACLU of Kansas is hosting a meeting to discuss reforming the process of bonding out of jail Thursday night.

This meeting is bringing together members of the community concerned that people are being held for unfair bonds on smaller crimes.

The ACLU is teaming up with local bondsmen to discuss why they think the bailout process needs some updating.

Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter says many crimes involving things like DUIs fall under OR bonds and do not require a cash value to bond out.

Guess how many people drive over 100 mph in Kansas

One ACLU team member says that bonds do not cover things like parole violations, and a push needs to happen to change that.

Sheriff Easter says if there are changes to be made, they must be thorough.

When were talking about reform, we need to be very cognizant about what that reform means if theres absolute differences on a misdemeanor bond that someone who had money so there bonds set at this which they can make, someone else who doesnt have money a bond was set they couldnt make maybe we need to take a look at that, he said.

Sheriff Easter says he is highly against some of the reforms coming from both coasts that allow violent offenders to get out more easily.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV.
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  Members of an alleged gang called Bleedas were indicted by a grand jury Thursday.

In a release from the East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorneys Office, the Baton Rouge Police Department started an investigation after two ATM repair technicians were robbed on Dec. 23, 2023, and Jan. 14, 2024. BRPD believes the suspects were involved with the robberies and other illegal activity around Baton Rouge.

Suspects were identified as George Applewhite, Brandon Fleming, Nepton Hatfield, Hubert Jackson, Tremaine Lindsey and Quendez Vancourt.

All suspects were indicted on charges of three counts of armed robbery with a firearm, one count of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and obstruction of justice. The district attorneys office said all charges include a criminal street gang enhancement.

Former Baton Rouge officer acquitted of malfeasance in office charge

Hatfield was charged in a separate indictment on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a machine gun, and possession of a firearm while in the possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Toderick Woodbridge was charged in a separate indictment on charges of two counts of possession of a machine gun, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and possession of a firearm while in the possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

The East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office joined BRPD to investigate suspected drug trafficking and violence.

Today, several indictments were made possible by hard work, investigation, and intelligence efforts initiated by the Baton Rouge Police Department. The Special Investigations Division responsible, which I formed more than two months ago, was able to link Armed Robberies of ATM technicians to a local violent group named Bleedas. Our Detectives were able to link several individuals to this group, which is also responsible for other violent crimes and drug trafficking. I would like to thank District Attorney Hillar Moore and his office for the work they put into in helping to get these very important indictments in todays Grand Jury. I have stated that we would use every tool at our disposal, so among other numerous charges, Baton Rouge Police Detectives also charged these Suspects with violating LRS 15:1403 Criminal Street Gangs enhancement, which the Grand Jury also returned indictments on that charge as well. The Baton Rouge Police Department will continue efforts in proactive and intelligence-driven policing, spearheaded by our Uniform Patrol and Special Investigation units. We will continue to do our part to keep Baton Rouge Safe and follow our motto of One City. One Mission. BRPD Chief Thomas Morse, Jr.

I want to thank the dedicated Baton Rouge Police Department and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office special operations teams and investigators who have worked together to apprehend violent actors and take them off our streets and out of our neighborhoods. While I recognize that these defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, Baton Rouge residents deserve strategies that not only break the cycle of violence by treating its root causes, but also hold accountable those who have perpetrated violent crimes. I appreciate our District Attorney and his staff who are pressing hard in bringing these criminal street gang enhancement charges to send a clear message to those who mean harm to our residents: we will not tolerate lawlessness in this city, and we will not rest in the fight to stamp out group violence in our parish until we have won this war. Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome

Latest News

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
Men incarcerated at Leavenworth say lockdown, rats inside make them feel less than human

Prisoners say they have been treated like savages during a lockdown at the federal facility in Leavenworth.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons initially said the corrections institution was placed on modified operations on March 1 after a firearm was thought to have gotten inside. That limited prisoners movement and access to programs and services.

The agency said Thursday that new procedures have been implemented to prevent contraband. Over the past month, there have also been three water main breaks. Work on the lines continues, but the BOP said water has been restored.

Based on our current progress, we anticipate the institution resuming normal operations shortly; the Warden will continue to monitor events carefully and will adjust its operations accordingly as the situation continues, the bureau said in an emailed statement.

The facility houses about 1,800 people. According to the BOP website, visitation remains suspended.

Russ Gildner, union president for the American Federation of Government Employees Local 919, said this week in a phone interview that the prison is understaffed and relying on overtime, which is stretching the budget.

Four people incarcerated at Leavenworth recently wrote to The Star, describing the conditions these past few weeks. They did not want to be named. One man wrote, Retaliation is definitely something to worry about.

He and two others said there were rats in the chow hall.

The conditions of this place are far worse than you could begin to imagine, one of them said. As we walk through the dining hall there is an absurd amount of rat feces all over the floor. The rat infestation is out of control. The rats that scurry across the dining room are the size of small cats.

Two men corroborated other accounts saying they had to defecate in bags when the water main broke.

One of the primary complaints is the food. Prisoners have been served basic meals of bread, sliced meat and peanut butter, though there have been days with hot meals.

One man wrote, Our food portions are small and frequently I have found hair and rocks in the food.

Another said, The food and milk is frequently spoiled and inedible. I assure you, your pets eat better.

Those who wrote to The Star held similar sentiments.

I feel deprived and less than human, one of them said. I treat my dogs at home way better.

We understand were in prison and all we ask for is the basics, he continued.

Another wrote, We are being treated like savages. A lot of us are good people who made mistakes in our life to put us in here, most of it simply addictions.
Mercer County Schools Excess Levy up for vote in May primary election

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS)  Mercer County residents have the chance to vote on something that has been in effect for 60 years.

The Mercer County Schools Excess Levy must be approved by the community before going into effect. The Excess Levy total is over $15 million.

If approved, it will support extracurricular activities, public libraries, health services, and more.

Progress update on Timberwood Elementary School

Edward Toman, Superintendent of Mercer County Schools, said the excess levy supports all students.

Its about our kids, its about progress, its about taking care of Mercer County. I think there are ten counties in West Virginia, maybe up to fourteen that have a very low excess levymaybe five percent. This is a one hundred percent levy, said Toman to 59News.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Theres nothing worse than receiving a parking ticket, until you find out it was fake.

The Metro Nashville Police Department said phony parking tickets have popped up in the Midtown Hills area, adding that two such tickets were discovered on Saturday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 16 on 21st Avenue and Patterson Street, claiming a fine must be paid for parking illegally.

The fake tickets instruct the victims to send money through the Square payment app or a fraudulent website called metronashvilleparking.com, saying the fine is $25 if paid within three days and $50 if paid after three days.

PREVIOUS: MNPD warns of fake parking tickets in Nashville

At this time, authorities dont know if an organized group of people is committing the scam. The MNPD Fraud Unit said it hasnt worked a crime like this before.

Metro Councilmember at Large Quin Evans-Segall posted the warning on her Facebook, encouraging everyone to stay alert and report any suspicious tickets. She said she believes thieves are capitalizing on the fairly new electronic parking system Nashville rolled out.

It is a pretty new system in Nashville that were able to pay electronically, and its frankly pretty new that were doing enforcement on the scale that were doing, Evans-Segall said.

(Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

According to officials, MNPD and Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) parking tickets look the same. Either of those fines will only be paid online via the Davidson County Circuit Court Clerks Traffic Violation Bureau website.

CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee

If you may have been a victim of this parking ticket scam, or if you spot one of the phony tickets, you are asked to call 615-862-8600 and report it to a Fraud Unit detective.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  New Mexicos legislative and educational leaders are gearing up to take a close look at how New Mexicos higher education is funded. The review is called the I&G Study.

I&G stands for instruction and general funding. The plan is to review and propose changes to the states formula for funding colleges and universities. The study will examine base funding and determine potential inequities at individual formula-funded colleges and universities or higher education sectors, including research institutions, comprehensive universities, independent community colleges, and branch campuses, the New Mexico Higher Education Department explained in a recent presentation to lawmakers.

Report: New Mexico needs 40,000 workers to reach national average workforce participation

The study will also take a look at how other colleges and universities around the nation link their funding formulas to student outcomes. The hope is to have a final report by October of 2024.

The Higher Education Department also recently released projections on how tuition and fees at New Mexico schools could increase in the near future. For example, resident tuition at the University of New Mexico could increase by about 50% by fiscal year 2029, the estimates show.

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 Miami University graduate is the new superintendent of the Division of Liquor Control.

Jacqueline DeGenova was appointed to the post Thursday by Ohio Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield.

>> Ohio company that can deliver legal cannabis looks to expand

DeGenova will assume the role on May 6 and replace James V. Canepa, who was appointed superintendent of Commerces recently created Division of Cannabis Control in December 2023.

DeGenova has more than three decades of public service experience and comes to Commerce from the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) where she most recently served as state long-term care ombudsman. Prior to that, she served as chief of the Division for Community Living. She also has served as a member of the Ohio Governors Nursing Home Quality and Accountability Task Force, during which time she helped to identify and implement various solutions to improve the quality of care and quality of life provided at nursing homes throughout the state.

Jackies impressive and exemplary record of success, along with her tireless commitment to both consumers and businesses throughout her notable career, give me great confidence she not only is the right leader for the Division of Liquor Control, but she will continue to pursue and implement innovative strategies that will allow us to better serve our licensees, stakeholders and consumers, Maxfield said.

Prior to her time at ODA, DeGenova worked for nearly 30 years as an attorney, serving in numerous senior leadership positions, often implementing priority initiatives involving the collaboration of businesses and consumers centered on consumer advocacy, according to Commerce.

>> Vultures found to be literally too drunk to fly

I am grateful to Director Maxfield for the opportunity to join the Ohio Department of Commerce and lead the Division of Liquor Control, where I look forward to building from the positive momentum that has been generated to date, DeGenova said in a prepared statement.

The Division of Liquor Control plays a critical role throughout Ohio, not only as it relates to the regulation of alcohol, but particularly its impact on economic growth and investment throughout the state. I am excited at what our division will achieve in the years to come, and the effect our work will have on Ohios businesses and communities.

DeGenova earned a Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio, and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.








Demonstrators march during a rally in Tehran, Iran, April 19, 2024. Iranians on Friday staged nationwide rallies to express support for the country's retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets last week, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Iranians on Friday staged nationwide rallies to express support for the country's retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets last week, the official news agency IRNA reported.

In Tehran, demonstrators marched almost 1 kilometer from the University of Tehran to Enghelab Square. They carried placards featuring slogans against Israel and the United States, expressing support for the strikes launched on the night of April 13.

The procession also demonstrated solidarity with the Palestinians, asserting that Palestine would be "liberated."

Similar rallies were also held in other cities including Tabriz, Mashhad, and Isfahan, where participants called Iran's drone and missile attacks "legitimate defense."

Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones toward Israel on Saturday, in response to the Israeli airstrike on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in the Syrian capital city of Damascus on April 1, which killed seven Iranians, including two veteran commanders. 

Demonstrators attend a rally in Tehran, Iran, April 19, 2024. Iranians on Friday staged nationwide rallies to express support for the country's retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets last week, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Demonstrators march during a rally in Tehran, Iran, April 19, 2024. Iranians on Friday staged nationwide rallies to express support for the country's retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets last week, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Xinhua/Shadati)

Demonstrators attend a rally in Tehran, Iran, April 19, 2024. Iranians on Friday staged nationwide rallies to express support for the country's retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets last week, the official news agency IRNA reported. (Xinhua/Shadati)
Clockwise: U.S. Reps. Lisa McClain, John James, John Moolenaar, Jack Bergman and Tim Walberg | House photos

Members of Michigans Republican congressional delegation sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Monday, calling for an investigation into pro-Palestinian protests after video of a rally in Dearborn made national headlines.

During an April 5 rally organized by the Al-Quds Committee Detroit in support of Palestine, some individuals could be heard chanting Death to America and Death to Israel in Arabic. The chant is used in Iran to express opposition to American foreign policy.

The letter signed by U.S. Reps. John Moolenaar (R-Caledonia), Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet), Tim Walberg (R-Tipton), John James (R-Shelby Twp.) and Lisa McClain (R-Bruce Twp.) called the chants anti-American and antisemitic and challenged protection of the speech under the First Amendment saying they were inciting violence.

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

While Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) was the only Republican representative from the state who did not sign onto the letter, he has shared support for Israel, releasing a statement calling for action on bills to provide Israel with aid and pass new sanctions on Iran after it launched a retaliatory attack on Israel on April 13.

The Al-Quds Committee released a video alongside a statement on Facebook noting that the person who started the chant was not affiliated with the Al-Quds Day event, calling it wrongful.

The statement noted the long history of Al-Quds Day in Dearborn and said such chants are never used. It also expressed continued support for Palestine and shared concerns that this instance is being used to single out and harass Muslims who speak out against Israel.

The chants were condemned by Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud, who called them unacceptable.

We reject all inflammatory and violent statements made at the gathering, Hammoud said in a post to X on April 8. Dearborn is a city of proud Americans; the hateful rhetoric heard on Friday does not reflect the opinion of the members of this community.

In their letter, the Republican lawmakers called for an investigation into Al-Quds Day rallies across the U.S. calling them platforms for inciting terrorism and violence, and encouraged the Department of Justice to take action to investigate violent speech at other events.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), an anti-hate organization which supports Israel, released a report raising concerns about the violent nature of rhetoric used at other Al-Quds day protests, saying protestors called for Israels destruction.

The Republican representatives requested answers to the following questions in their letter to Garland:

What measures is the Department of Justice taking to investigate and prosecute the individuals and organizations involved in organizing and promoting Al-Quds Day rallies, particularly those engaged in incitement to violence against the United States and its allies?

Has the Department identified any links between the organizers and participants of these rallies and known terrorist organizations, such as Hamas?

If so, what actions are being taken to disrupt and dismantle these networks?

Are federal law enforcement agencies coordinating with state and local authorities to monitor and respond to potential threats posed by individuals associated with these events?

Israel declared war on Hamas following an Oct. 7 terrorist attack, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,160 people, who were mostly civilians. Reports from Gazas Hamas-run health ministry say more than 34,000 people have been killed while more than 76,833 have been wounded since the war began.

The post Michigan congressional Republicans call for investigation into Death to America chants appeared first on Michigan Advance.
The Republican Party has been in such a state of pandemonium for so long that it's hard to imagine what new turns it can take and yet from week to week, it always does. The 2020 election tantrum and insurrection was certainly the pinnacle of Trumpish anarchy, still Republicans in the House of Representatives have been working hard to emulate their Dear Leader ever since they won the majority in 2022. It's a bad idea to make sweeping statements about them finally jumping the shark since they always manage to outdo themselves but this week is certainly one for the books  if only because the stakes are so very high and they have sunk so very low.

As I wrote a couple of days ago, House Speaker Mike Johnson was caught in a trap between his fellow right-wing zealots, led by Marjorie Taylor Greene, who have appropriated Donald Trump's hostility to Ukraine, and the rest of his caucus which is more reluctant to see the world blow up. The events in the Middle East last weekend were a sober reminder that the United States' role in global security isn't the best issue to use as leverage for parochial electoral advantage. It can get real very quickly.

Johnson had indicated that he planned to bring four separate votes to the floor: aid packages for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and a bill to require Russian assets to be confiscated for Ukraine along with a ban on TikTok unless it is sold to a different entity, among other things. This caused a huge uproar among the MAGA fanatics who were distraught that they didn't get their way. (They claimed they wanted funding for a massive border crackdown but everyone knows that Trump ordered that nothing should be done so he could use it as an election issue.) It was unclear if Johnson's deals would ever make it to the floor and looming over all of this is the fact that Greene has been holding the threat of deposing Johnson over his head for weeks.

So that's where we stood on Wednesday morning and it didn't look very promising. Then suddenly, out of the blue, Mike Johnson had what he would no doubt call a "come to Jesus" moment and he went before the microphones that afternoon to declare that he didn't care if his fellow Republicans threw him out of the speaker's office, he was going to do the right thing. Johnson gave a stirring speech about how he believes the intelligence he's seen and warned of the danger of allowing Ukraine to fall.

So, I think that Vladimir Putin would continue to march through Europe if he were allowed. I think he might go to the Balkans next. I think he might have a showdown with Poland or one of our NATO allies. To put it bluntly, I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys... this is not a game, this is not a joke.

.@SpeakerJohnson (R-LA): "My philosophy is you do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may. If I operated out of fear of a motion to vacate, I would never be able to do my job." pic.twitter.com/YfJYu0Nyln  CSPAN (@cspan) April 17, 2024

It's hard to say what happened to bring about such a public change of heart. He's been stalling this necessary funding for months and could have suspended the rules and allowed the Senate package to come to the floor and it would have passed easily. Instead, he allowed Trump and Greene to dictate this course and it's been a disaster. Maybe it was that intelligence finally convincing him that this was leading to a very bad outcome or perhaps he finally sees the upside to being a profile in courage instead of a MAGA toadie. Who knows? Maybe he got word from a higher power reminding him that Donald Trump isn't really the Big Guy In Charge.

All day Thursday there were reports of intense infighting in the caucus over rumors that Johnson and members of the leadership were going to back a rules change that would require more than one member (like Greene) to call for a motion to vacate the chair, the deal with the devil that his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, made that ultimately took him down. Some members are clearly getting tired of these antics:

Rs say it's time to marginalize hardliners blocking agenda



GOP Rep. Mike Lawler says three Rs on Rules -- Roy, Norman and Massie -- should be "removed" if they don't advance conference's position.



D'Esposito calls for "repercussions"

Bacon backs changing motion-to-vacate rule pic.twitter.com/KS8cnuIY5I  Manu Raju (@mkraju) April 18, 2024

The extremists went ballistic over this, cornering Johnson on the floor and he eventually shot down the rumor, saying the rule would not be changed.

You get the feeling that Johnson has just put himself in the hands of fate at this point. And fate looks a lot like Marjorie Taylor Greene:

Marge Gone Wild: I dont care if the Speakers office becomes a revolving door  The days are over of the old Republican Party that wants to fund foreign wars and murder people while they stab the American people in their face! pic.twitter.com/yUrQ814Nwp  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 18, 2024

With Democrats staying cool (or as Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries called it, "united and frosty") there is every reason to believe she will be thwarted if she tries it so I remain skeptical that she will. Greene enjoys the attention she gets wielding Johnson's ouster as a threat. But any member could do it and some sound so incensed that one might just decide to go for it.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

On Thursday night Democrats on the rules committee broke with all precedent and stepped in to save the bills, voting to move them to the floor. It's expected that Democrats will likewise vote to proceed and the bills will pass with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. That is unless something happens to derail it  which could easily happen because Republicans are crazy.

What does the leader of their party say about all this? Well, he's on trial in New York and can't watch TV or tweet any instructions. Trump has had some luck with intimidating jurors already (with the help of Fox News) by suggesting that there are liberal plants in the jury pool lying to get chosen so they can stick it to him as usual. One juror has already asked to be excused and others may follow once it becomes clear that Fox is intent on identifying the ones about whom Trump has suspicions.

He's also very upset that he has to sit in the freezing courtroom from morning until night (It's common for the elderly to get cold easily...)

Trump: It is a shame. I am sitting here for days now from morning until night in that freezing room. Freezing! All for this. This is your result. It is very unfair. pic.twitter.com/K0cjplq9nH  Acyn (@Acyn) April 18, 2024

As for what's going on in Washington, much less the rest of the world, Trump is not really engaged. He doesn't know what to say about anything to do with foreign policy anyway except "it wouldn't have happened" if he were president and to complain about how nobody else is paying their fair share. That's pretty much all he had to say about Johnson's plan in one perfunctory Truth Social rant on Thursday. He's focused on the biggest issue: himself.

This may explain why Johnson is finally going to get this done  Trump is out of commission and unable to meddle in things he doesn't understand. His being on trial may end up being the best thing that's happened to our politics in a very long time. As long as he's tied up in court, he's irrelevant when it comes to anything important.
It was a remarkable moment: After introducing a package of bills that includes military aid to Ukraine, Mike Johnson flatly told reporters on Wednesday that enabling Ukraine to defend itself is in the best interests of America and the world. This surprised a lot of people who had wrongly assumed the House speaker was effectively functioning as a stooge for Vladimir Putinand Donald Trumpand would thus slow-walk Ukraine aid to death before ever allowing a vote on it.

Johnsons new stance has attracted a good deal of positive attention. But I want to highlight an aspect of it thats been overlooked because its an important tell about the true state of MAGA ideology and what its demanding of Republicans these days.

I really do believe the intel and the briefings that weve gotten, Johnson said, in a moment that became a mini-speech. I think that Vladimir Putin would continue to march through Europe if he were allowed. I think he might go to the Balkans next. I think he might have a showdown with Poland, or one of our NATO allies. If so, he added, we might find ourselves sending troops to defend allies from Putin later.

Did we really hear the speaker say that he believes what our intelligence services have told him about the long-term consequences of cutting off aid to Ukraine?

This is a direct challenge to the MAGA worldview in multiple ways. Johnson is treating Putin as the aggressor in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and acknowledging his broader imperialist designs, which is heresy to some MAGA Republicans. But hes also flatly declaring that on these matters, the deep state is very much to be believed.

A big MAGA conceit is the idea that a nefarious deep-state network of senior federal bureaucrats, nongovernmental experts, and technocratic and managerial elites lurks behind the push to fund Ukraineand that its making up lies about Russias war to create a pretext to fulfill a broader set of sinister globalist aims. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene recently tweeted this:

The Ukraine scam is up. If our Republican majority in Congress funds Joe Bidens war against Russia on behalf of Ukraine (because hes a puppet on strings) then Republicans are tools of the foreign war loving deep state.

This is probably MAGAs most elaborate exercise in up-is-down totalitarian-style propaganda of all: Biden is being manipulated by a deep-state scami.e., the idea that Ukraine is worth defendingto carry out a war against Russia, which has been magically transformed from aggressor to victim.

The horrible atrocities against Ukraine the world has witnessed, Putins declarations that the sovereign democracy of Ukraine isnt a real country and shouldnt exist, the consequent effort to erase it with murderous conquestall of that disappears in this fog of MAGA propaganda. This sort of thing is why even some senior Republicans suggest that a number of House GOP lawmakers are operating under the influence of Russia.

Johnsons affirmation that he believes our intelligence services on these matters is a direct rebuke to those MAGA tendencies.

The bills that GOP leaders have introducedwhich are scheduled for votes on Saturdayare also surprisingly faithful to the intel agencies apparent understanding of this geopolitical moment. They include $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, $26 billion for Israel, funding for Taiwan, and humanitarian assistance, including for victims in Gaza, which is essential to winning the support of Democrats who will be needed when right-wing Republicans oppose the package.

Greene had threatened to hold a motion-to-vacate vote to oust Johnson if he moved forward with Ukraine aid. If so, there are signs that Democrats will vote to save Johnson if Ukraine aid passes. Either way, Johnson appears prepared to brave MAGAs furyand the word of U.S intelligence services is a key reason for it.

To be clear, theres nothing wrong with healthy skepticism of what our intelligence services are saying. Thats reasonable. After all, they contributed to whipping up the ultimately false assertions about weapons of mass destruction that helped justify the Iraq War.

But reasoned skepticism is not what MAGA Republicans are offering. Instead, theyre pushing carefully choreographed propaganda that seeks to entirely erase Russian agency from the story of the conflict and to transform Ukraines allies into the true warmongers here.

Greenes effort at this is obvious. Then you have Donald Trump Jr., who tweeted that the aid bills will hurt my fathers ability to negotiate an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine if hes reelected president, whereas globalist Republicans who support the package want indefinite war.

But thats absurd. As international relations professor Nicholas Grossman shows, the idea behind rhetoric like thisa ruse that other MAGA Republicans regularly employis to recast our choice as one between peace (which wed attain by refraining from aiding Ukraine) and war (which were facilitating with Ukraine aid). In reality, withholding aid is not antiwar at all; it merely makes Russian conquest more likely to continue and succeed (which is perhaps the whole point of this framing).

Even supposedly shrewder MAGA Republicans play a version of this sleazy game. Ohio Senator J.D. Vance recently wrote a New York Times op-ed arguing that Ukraine is losing and our aid wont give it what it needs in equipment (or soldiers) to prevail. Democrats have effectively rebutted those claims. But Vance also slips into his piece the idea that in providing aid, wemeaning the United Stateswould prolong a long and bloody war, and suggests the primary obstacle to peace is President Bidens unwillingness to negotiate toward it.

But how does Vance himself envision the war ending? Couldnt it mean Russia gobbles up much or even all of Ukraine? Vance doesnt say, beyond insisting we should forget about Ukraine regaining all of its stolen territory. Thus he too frames the choice as one between peace (ending aid) and war (continuing it). Presto: Opposing the package suddenly becomes the antiwar position, and being for the package becomes the pro-war one. Thats slippery, dishonest rhetorical trickery that youd think is below Times standards.

This is the sort of deceitfulness that Johnson has effectively taken on. By affirming what abandoning Ukraine would really mean, and stressing that the deep state is telling lawmakers the truth about it, Johnson has for the time being taken a stance against one of MAGAs most cherishedand most toxicpropaganda tropes. No wonder Greene is beside herself with rage.
As senior pastor at Northeast Wichitas Iasis Christian Center, William Bill Vann says he is first and foremost a pastor, having served in the ministry for 34 years, the last two decades at Iasis.

But he is also a sought-after speaker, teacher and advocate for his entire community, where his role as a businessman extends his ministry beyond the church.

For years, he operated a successful chrome-plating business, River City Plating. He was recognized as the Minority Small Businessman of the Year in 1999. But he sold that business in 2009 and became involved in helping solve a growing community problem  deteriorating housing.

Vann buys rundown houses, predominantly in ZIP code 67214, and rehabs them.

So far he has rehabbed about 40 homes. While most of them he still holds as rental properties, about a handful of them hes sold to some of his solid tenants, whom he believed in. For them, he carries the mortgage.

Its a model that helped him buy a home 36 years ago.

He was about to get married and wanted to buy a home for himself and his new bride, but they had trouble qualifying for a loan.

Omar Finney did the exact same thing to help us get in a house, said Vann. I never kind of strayed away from that formula.

He said he is always willing to work with a tenant who might be interested in buying a home.

Im fine with it if they want to rent a year or two or three and prepare to buy it, he said. Its a big step.

Francisco Garcia, who bought a home from Vann seven years ago, says it is a big step he is glad he took.

I love my home, he said. I thank Pastor Vann for helping us.

Still, the majority of the properties hes bought, he maintains as rentals.

The rental income is what provides the revenue for me to buy more properties to fix up, he says.

Mostly rehabs

Vann sticks mostly to rehabs, but said he does have two duplexes hes scheduled to build on vacant lots near 15th Street and Grove.

It is cheaper to rehab an existing house than to build a new one, he said. More affordable homes means a greater benefit to the community he is called to serve.

As a licensed general contractor, he can do a lot of the work involved himself but does hire trade specialists such as electricians and plumbers mostly from the community.

I try to make sure my dollars are going to circulate in our community before it leaves.

Its another way hes helping build the community.

And that is done on purpose.

He says he tries to buy a vacant property for $15,000 to $20,000 and put an equivalent amount into it. That makes a sale for $40,000 to $60,000 profitable for him. And it also means he can offer a house for rent at a lower price.

Keeping Prices in Reach

Theres a need for those lower-priced homes. There are people who are just never going to be in a position to pay $100,000 to $150,000 for a house. But half that is within reach for a lot more people.

In addition, hes able to keep the rent on his properties well below Wichita market rate and a rate that keeps them at or below the standard ceiling of 30% of a households income.

To keep his rents low, Vann said he tries everything in his power to keep costs down. Many of the homes he works on have the hardwood floors that were popular when they were built in the 1950s, and he restores those when possible.

I dont put in granite countertops and high-end appliances, he said. I save a dime every place I can to keep the price down and still offer a nice home; something you are proud to invite your friends into, but something affordable.

Keeping His Properties Nice

Vann said hes a hands-on landlord. Its how he keeps his property in good condition.

I put eyeballs on all my properties at least once a month just to make sure the tenants are taking care of them, that there is no damage and the yard is mowed and cleaned up.

While his homes arent the Taj Majal, he said, theyre nice.

I want to make sure that my house is in the top three on the block for appearance.

His Concerns About the Community

Vann says hes concerned by the lack of investment in the community by developers.. Hes not necessarily talking about large subdivisions or apartment complexes. Theres not a lot of space for that.

However, he says he continues to see smaller investment  a couple of houses, a few duplexes or townhomes  popping up in other parts of town, but not in Northeast Wichita.

Hes also concerned by the growing investment by out-of-town companies that are virtually trying to steal houses from homeowners in Northeast Wichita.

He says these people, like other bad landlords, dont care about their tenants, and only care about making the most out of their investment.

Hed like to see more houses in the community sold to investors from the community, like him, he says, who care about the people and making the community better.

I think of all of what I do as a ministry to the community, he said. You do what you can to help people. Sometimes, you get taken advantage of. Sometimes, people disappoint you. But at the end of the day, what I am about is trying to help.

This story is shared from The Community Voice through the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, a coalition of 11 newsrooms and community groups, including The Wichita Eagle.
This article is made possible through Spotlight PAs collaboration with Votebeat, a nonpartisan news organization covering local election administration and voting. Sign up for Votebeats free newsletters here.

When Northampton County voters cast their ballots in an election last November, it became clear to them very quickly that something was wrong.

On the printed records that are meant to show them how they voted, the votes they cast in one judges election were appearing under another judges name.

Its a joke, one frustrated voter told Lehigh Valley News on Election Day. We dont even have faith in the electoral system, then this happens?

The mixup  the result of an error in programming voting machines  didnt result in any votes being counted incorrectly, because the machines dont rely on the text of that printed record to tabulate results. Nonetheless, it was the kind of error that should have been caught and demonstrates the importance of putting voting machines through robust pre-election testing. And in Northampton Countys case, it was part of a larger pattern of testing flaws that went beyond an undetected programming error.

A Votebeat and Spotlight PA investigation into the countys preparation for last Novembers election found that its testing documentation was incomplete, inconsistent, and in more than 150 cases missing entirely, making it difficult to prove that it tested its machines correctly.

Obviously, its not the way it is supposed to happen, said Kevin Skoglund, president and chief technologist of the Pennsylvania-based Citizens for Better Elections who has studied the model of machine Northampton County uses. Imagine if you took your car in to get your brakes checked, and then something went wrong and you went back and they couldnt prove what theyd done.

The countys lapses dont point to any malfunction or malfeasance with the voting machines, and the Votebeat and Spotlight PA review didnt find any. But even benign errors threaten to undermine voters confidence in election administration and feed conspiracy theories about fraud, as Northampton experienced last year. Thats partly why the state requires counties to document the testing of every machine they use ahead of each election.

In response to Votebeat and Spotlight PAs findings, Northampton County has made efforts to correct its procedures. But its original lapses do raise questions about how faithfully counties around the state are following requirements for testing their machines and documenting what theyre doing. Some outside observers, including state legislators, are wondering whether a legislative fix is needed.

State Sen. Jarrett Coleman, a Republican from neighboring Lehigh County who has been skeptical of Northamptons testing process, is working on such a bill. Northampton Countys neglect to properly test election equipment and document it is abhorrent, he said after seeing the Votebeat and Spotlight PA findings.

How pre-election machine testing is supposed to work

Before each election, counties are required by law, and directives from the Pennsylvania Department of State, to test the election equipment they will use to ensure it is working properly. This is known as logic and accuracy testing.

The testing looks for problems that could arise during voting or tabulation, such as machines being unable to read ballots, miscalibrated touch screens, and incorrect vote totals.

The testing is intended to ensure that ballots, scanners, ballot-marking devices, and all components of a countys certified voting system are properly configured and in good working order prior to being used in an election, according to a Pennsylvania Department of State directive on machine testing.

Typically, a county or its vendor  representatives of the voting machine manufacturer  will first design and print a test deck: a set of mock ballots that simulate different combinations of votes that could be cast by voters.

For example, in a county commissioners race where voters can select two of three candidates, a test deck would include ballots that would account for the different combinations.

But before any of the test ballots are put through the tabulator, inspectors print out a zero tape from the tabulator machine. The zero tape  a strip of paper thats like a receipt from a cash register  serves as proof that the machine doesnt have any votes already recorded.

After the test ballots are run through the machine, inspectors print out another strip of paper, the results tape, which shows what the vote totals are for each candidate or question on the ballot. They then compare the ballots in the test deck and the results tape to ensure that the vote totals match.

The exact process can vary depending on the types of machines the counties use  some have voters make selections on a touch screen  but no matter what, the testing protocols are intended to ensure that a tabulating machine generates results that accurately reflect voters choices.

The inspector also reviews various functions on the machine and uses a checklist to record each step. This includes things such as whether the machines date and time are correct, if the machine can read the ballot without error, and if vote totals were cleared from the machine after the test deck is run through the tabulator, so that the machine is ready to use for the actual election.

The process is important not only because it helps ensure a smooth election and the state requires it, but also because it generates a paper trail  proof for county officials that they completed the testing and that the system worked.

Hypothetically speaking, if there are people that are saying something is incorrect, we would obviously do a full investigation on the matter, and that starts with this paperwork, said Karen Barsoum, election director for Chester County.

If a machine doesnt go through the testing, she said, its not used at the polls, because theres otherwise no way to show it was functioning properly.

How one voting machine error slipped through

Northamptons voting machine, the ExpressVote XL, is an all-in-one ballot marking device. Voters insert a ballot card into the machine, make their selections on a touch screen, and the machine prints those selections onto the ballot card, in text form, and in a barcode. The machine then reads the barcode to tabulate the results and stores the paper ballot card in an internal hopper, to be retained for post-election audits or recounts.

This means that for pre-election testing, inspectors handle the test deck differently. They replicate the votes shown on the test deck by entering the selections on the machines touch screen. The machine prints those votes onto a ballot card, displays them to the inspector, and then tabulates them internally.

In the November election that went wrong, two state judges were running in retention elections, where voters had to choose, with a yes or no vote, whether to keep them on the bench.

But in the run-up to that election, an employee of the countys election machine vendor, Election Systems & Software, incorrectly programmed the machines in a way that produced an incorrect text record on the printed ballot card.

A voter wouldnt notice the misprint unless they had split their votes, voting yes for one judge and no for the other. If a voter voted this way, they would see that the text on their printed ballot would display their yes or no vote under the opposite judges race than they had intended.

The error didnt affect the way the machines recorded the election results. Thats because the ExpressVote XL uses the barcode on the ballot card  not the printed text  to tabulate voting results, and the barcodes were printed correctly, county and ES&S officials said.

The programming error went undetected during the test run in October, because Northampton did not check this specific scenario with its test deck  a ballot where a voter voted yes on one of the judges and no on the other one.

But the error was enough to create confusion on Election Day.

Additional problems Votebeat and Spotlight PA discovered

The countys issues went further than simply not testing enough permutations. Records show a disorganized, incomplete process, with no evidence of machine inspectors work being double-checked for accuracy.

A Votebeat and Spotlight PA reporter spent nearly 14 hours over six days going through the countys logic and accuracy testing documents from October 2023. Votebeat also inspected a box of documents and spoke to an official from another county to compare the way records were maintained.

The Northampton documents  test decks, zero tapes and results tapes, checklists, and test ballots printed out from the ExpressVote XL  were stored in four file boxes. A reporter was allowed to access and make copies of the documents following a public records request.

What stood out immediately was a lack of organization. Northampton County Election Director Christopher Commini said that after the test was performed in October, bags containing each machines testing documents were dumped into the file boxes. This left them in no discernible order, and testing documents for a single machine were often split across multiple boxes.

Mixed in with these documents were also a zero tape and checklist from the 2023 primary, while many checklists had no date on them at all, raising questions about whether they were from the right election.

By contrast, in Chester County, Barsoum keeps her documentation neatly organized. Each machines test deck, tapes, checklist, and other documents are neatly folded and placed in clear, resealable envelopes and kept in file boxes indicating which election they are for. The sealing end of the envelopes are even staggered in the box, to keep the stacks orderly.

In Northampton, Commini downplayed the misfiled documents, noting that was only two items out of four filing boxes and not indicative of a widespread issue, but he acknowledges the countys organization is lacking.

We recognize that in the past, there was no process to keep these documents in order, he said. We are aware now that we need to create a new filing process for this information, and we are going to take steps to do so.

The checklists in Northamptons boxes werent just misfiled. Large numbers of them were incomplete or inconsistent. More than 200 did not have the back filled out, which includes steps like removing mock ballots from the machine after testing. Some inspectors completed some questions that others skipped. And in some cases, the same inspector would fill out the same checklist differently for two precincts machines. None of the checklists had the line for supervisors initials filled out to indicate the inspectors work had been checked.

The testing was performed by a mix of county employees  some from outside the elections department  and ES&S employees, with ES&S providing the training. Commini said while there are supervisors from the elections office and ES&S overseeing the process, those employees did not examine the inspectors checklists to ensure they were complete.

The checklists also lacked serial numbers that would indicate which machine they were for, so in most cases they couldnt be linked afterward to a particular machine or its zero and results tapes. Not a single checklist had a serial number written on it, according to Votebeat and Spotlight PAs review.

One particular checklist that turned up in the review illustrates why this lapse is problematic. On that document, the inspector had checked no for all the questions related to that machine. That would indicate that the machine had several problems: that its tabulated results did not match the test deck, for instance, and that it did not prevent a voter from selecting more candidates than they were allowed to vote for.

Whether this was an error by the inspector in completing the checklist, or an indication that the machine was actually malfunctioning during testing, is difficult, if not impossible, to determine. Since the inspector did not record the machines serial number, or its assigned precinct, on the checklist, his answers cannot be checked against the corresponding tapes and test deck. This also means the paperwork cant prove that a malfunctioning machine wasnt deployed in the November election.

Commini said this inspectors services were not retained.

Commini said that while the checklists are useful in indicating the functions of the machine were checked, theyre not critical in proving the machines were functioning properly.

He said its safe to assume, based on the election outcome, that a malfunctioning machine wasnt put in service on Election Day.

The public can be assured, because if a machine is not working, it is not deployed, he added. We can prove the machines worked properly by the information counted during the official canvass. This is when we go through the machines tapes and match them to the results we are reporting.

Indeed, a machines proper functioning could be verified after the test with the zero tapes, results tapes, and test decks. But Votebeat and Spotlight PAs review found that many of those documents were missing from the boxes.

In total, Votebeat and Spotlight PA identified over 150 documents or sets of documents  including checklists, zero and results tapes, and test decks  that were missing from the four boxes. Votebeat and Spotlight PA sent a list of these missing documents to county spokesperson Brittney Waylen and Commini, who initially said that there were other boxes in the warehouse that may contain those items.

But Waylen later said that after three trips to the Elections Warehouse, Chris and his team could not find the boxes with the majority of the missing items.

The county was able to find three of the documents that were missing.

Reforms in the works

In response to Votebeat and Spotlight PAs review, the county made several changes to its process, and a reporter watched inspectors following that process during testing on April 8 for the upcoming primary.

Each machine now has its own dedicated checklist with the precinct prewritten at the top.

The field for the machine serial number is on the front of the form, rather than the back, and testers are being specifically instructed to fill it out. The front also now has an arrow at the bottom to indicate that the back contains new sections to be filled out by a supervisor.

One page of Northampton Countys new election testing checklist.

The county says it is also working on a better filing system.

We definitely have to get better on a lot of the things we did, Commini said. These are major changes that need to be done.

Other officials were troubled by Northamptons problems and are interested in refining the logic and accuracy testing.

In a joint letter to the Senate State Government Committee, the Northampton County Democratic and Republican party chairs pointed out that the machines the county uses also had a calibration error in 2019, which was not caught by pre-election testing.

Matthew Munsey, chair of the Northampton County Democratic Party, said the testing that year was awful because the county used a feature built into the ExpressVote XL that automatically generated test ballots and ran them through the machine, rather than having test decks entered manually as the county does now.

Hes happy Commini made that switch, but still, the disorganization makes finding paperwork like looking for a needle in a haystack, and he has noticed over the years that the checklists were not being filed out, because as he was told: Theres no need for them to be.

Sometimes people just put their initials down, he said. But its critical when you have a problem that you want to see what was done.  Failing to fill out the paperwork doesnt show due diligence.

Northamptons lapses have also prompted state legislators to step in, seeking to make sure all counties are using best practices for testing.

Coleman, the Republican state senator representing neighboring Bucks and Lehigh counties and chair of the Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee, said in an interview that he is working on a bill to tighten up the testing procedures.

It shouldnt take a [records request] and 14 hours of research to determine if your county tested equipment properly, he said

He is working with the Department of State on a bill that would codify recent directives from the department on testing procedures. He said Pennsylvanians who buy gasoline can see right on the pump that the equipment was properly inspected, and he thinks voting equipment should be similar.

The fact of the matter is it may have to be a state law for counties to follow the procedures, he said. This is insanity and at some point, the adults have to step in and say, You didnt listen to the Department of State, so the legislature has to step in and standardize the testing.

Its unclear if other counties have the kinds of flaws and disorganization in their testing documentation that Northampton does. The Department of State said all counties provided certification that they had completed testing, although Coleman said he is still waiting to see the details of those certifications to know exactly how thoroughly counties are complying with the testing. But the granular documentation  test decks, results tapes  would only be available at the county level through records requests.

State Sen. Cris Dush, a Republican from Jefferson who chairs the Senate State Government Committee, said he will be co-sponsoring the legislation. Dushs Democratic counterpart on the committee, Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, also said she was working with a Republican colleague to codify the Department of States directive, without mentioning Colemans bill directly.

Codifying the departments recent directive would give the agency monitoring and enforcement authority, which would help prevent errors, Cappelletti said.

These additional checks and balances will bolster Pennsylvanians confidence that our elections are being conducted appropriately, she said.

The Department of State recently updated its directive on pre-election machine testing to clarify what voting patterns must be used when testing to avoid problems like only testing yes yes and no no. The department also offered new training sessions on how to perform the testing.

Jerry Feaser, a former Dauphin County election director with 10 years of experience, said during his tests a separate county election office employee would check that documentation was filled out properly. He thinks much of a countys proficiency in the practice comes down to training.

Northamptons 2023 documentation may have been more complete if a supervisor had signed off on each inspectors work.

This is one of these things where experience matters, Feaser said.

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.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is calling out Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas after he announced that illegal immigrants would be welcome to come to the city and work under Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas illegal immigrant parole program.

Bailey highlighted how the open border policies have real-world consequences in a letter to Mayor Lucas that was shared exclusively with Fox News Digital.

"An illegal alien from Venezula, who had repeatedly flouted U.S. immigration laws, was actually granted a work permit under a misguided and illegal policy enacted by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas," Bailey stated. "In February, he brutally murdered a young college student named Laken Hope Riley."

Bailey shared that Lucas failed to acknowledge this and openly welcomed all seeking refuge in Kansas City.

LAWMAKERS BERATE MAYORKAS ON LAKEN RILEY MURDER: YOUR POLICIES IN ACTION

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is calling out Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas for welcoming illegal immigrants to the city through Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas' illegal immigrant parole program.

"Yet, against the backdrop of literally millions of illegal aliens flooding our borders, overwhelming the social safety net of large American cities, and in some cases even committing violent crimes against our citizens, you are actively encouraging them to come to the Show Me State," Bailey said.

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Bailey referenced the post Lucas wrote on social media proclaiming:

"All are welcome in Kansas City. Proud to work with my fellow mayors from Denver and NYC as we work to ensure decompression of new arriving communities."

Bailey added that Lucas did later amend his statement and only extended the offer to "persons who are lawfully present, with lawful work permits," but said that Lucas ignored the underlying issue.

"Secretary Mayorkas' open border programs are themselves illegal. Your statements are wildly irresponsible," Bailey said. "Not only do you ignore the fact that Laken Riley's killer has a so-called "work permit," but you are actively encouraging Missouri businesses to become entangled in a fundamentally unlawful program, and exposing them to legal liability in the process."

DEM SENATOR'S CLAIM DOWNPLAYING BORDER CRISIS RESURFACES AFTER STAFFER KILLED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT

Missori AG Andrew Bailey is joining 19 other state attorney generals who are suing Secretary Mayorkas over disastrous and illegal parole program.

Bailey said that allowing and welcoming illegal immigrants violates a Missouri law that prohibits state businesses from hiring or employing illegal immigrants. It also makes it a felony to knowingly transport illegal immigrants in the state of Missouri.

"Make no mistake, my office will do everything in its power to take legal action against any person or entity found to be in violation of these statutes," Bailey proclaimed.

Bailey continued stating that Missouri will now join 19 other state attorney generals who are suing Secretary Mayorkas over his "disastrous" and illegal parole program that unlawfully creates a pathway to citizenship for hundreds or thousands of illegal immigrants.

In his letter, Bailey stated that Mayorkas' illegal immigrant parole program would allow up to 360,000 illegal immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to be "paroled" into the United States every year.

"Your open invitation for illegal aliens to come to Missouri is not only dangerous but comes at great expense to Missouri taxpayers, residents, and business owners," Bailey said.

DENVER MAYOR BOASTS 'SHARED SACRIFICE' IS REQUIRED TO MAKE CITY 'WELCOMING' FOR MIGRANTS

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., grills DHS Secretary Mayorkas on the release of Laken Rileys alleged killer into the US.

Bailey's letter to Lucas comes a day after Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., gave fiery testimony to the Senate for striking down Mayorkas' impeachment trial.

Sen. Hawley joined other Republican lawmakers who tore into Secretary Mayorkas on Thursday over the release of the Venezuelan illegal immigrant now charged with the murder of Georgia nursing student Laken Riley  accusing the agency of having released him into the U.S. unlawfully.

Lawmakers grilled the embattled secretary on Jose Ibarra, an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, who is accused of killing Riley on Feb. 22, while she was jogging at the University of Georgia in Athens.

In his testimony, Sen. Hawley revealed that Ibarra had been given a work permit, despite having been accused of a crime against a child in New York and having the charges later expunged by local authorities.

"Nothing is done to this guy. He had a criminal record to start with, he's in the country on illegal grounds. You have falsely and illegally allowed him in. He committed a crime against a child. He's not prosecuted, it's expunged. In November, get this, in November, Ibarra files an application for employment authorization. And unbelievably, on December 9, 2023, it's approved," Hawley said.

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The Biden administration initially announced the parole program for Venezuelans in October, which allowed a limited number to fly directly into the U.S. as long as they had not entered illegally and already had a sponsor in the United States.

However, in January, President Biden announced that the program would be expanded to include Haitians, Nicaraguans and Cubans and that the program would allow up to 30,000 a month into the U.S. The program also allows for migrants to receive work permits and a two-year authorization to live in the U.S.

Fox News Digital reached out to Mayor Quinton Lucas for comment.

Fox News' and Caroline Elliott contributed to this report.





Original article source: Missouri AG slams Kansas City mayor for welcoming Mayorkas' illegal immigrant parole program
Attorney General Andrew Bailey speaks at a press conference in the Missouri House Lounge, flanked by House Speaker Dean Plocher, left, and state Rep. Justin Sparks (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey launched an investigation into four companies Wednesday as part of an effort to crack down on intoxicating hemp products.

The problem, according to Bailey, is the products in question  such Delta-8 edibles and vape pens  are not clearly labeled to indicate that theyll get you high.

When purchasing products, Missourians have a right to know if they will be subject to serious and potentially dangerous side effects, Bailey stated in his press release, like psychotic episodes, severe confusion, hallucinations and other life-threatening problems.

Intoxicating hemp products are completely unregulated but can still be sold in places like bars and gas stations  because hemp is federally legal.

However, everyone from the companies making these products to stores selling them to elected officials want to see age restrictions put in place by the state, along with label and testing requirements.

Two Republican lawmakers have proposed legislation to do that, but the bills would also likely ban a majority of the intoxicating hemp products currently on the market  putting hundreds of companies out of business.

The large divide in how regulations should happen has essentially tanked the bills chances of making it to the governors desk.

Bailey seems to be joining the push to regulate the products. However, its unclear exactly who hes targeting.

Bailey issued a civil investigative demand, which are essentially subpoenas, to CBD Kratom Connect LLC of St. Louis, a company that several leaders in the hemp industry say theyve never heard of and which has virtually no online presence indicating it is operating in Missouri.

Some wonder if Bailey meant to target CBD Kratom, which is one of the largest intoxicating hemp companies in the state and country.

When asked for clarification, Madeline Sieren, spokeswoman for the Attorney Generals office, said: Unfortunately because the investigations are ongoing, I cannot comment beyond what is written in the CIDs.

Also based in St. Louis, CBD Kratom has over 60 retail locations throughout Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis. And it has no connection to CBD Kratom Connect, the companys owner David Palatnik told The Independent Thursday.

During hearings regarding the proposed legislation, Palatnik testified in support of banning products that look like candy and are attractive to children  the exact issue Bailey is hoping to address by the investigations.

Its an issue in the industry that some people sell child-looking packaging that is also fraudulent and is also a violation of federal laws, Palatnik said. So wed agree with the attorney general on that front.

His company ensures all its products have transparent labeling, he said. Palatnik says he opposed the legislation proposed in the Missouri General Assembly because of the harmful impact it would have on hemp businesses.

On Wednesday, Bailey also ordered an investigation into American Shaman, one of the largest intoxicating hemp companies in the state and country.

Vince Sanders, owner of American Shaman, told The Independent Thursday that his company makes gummies and chocolates made with hemp-derived THC, but theyre sold in child-proof containers, similar to what is required by state law for marijuana products.

They all say 21-plus, Sanders said. If youre in one of our stores, you actually have to sign a document that says you understand that these are psychoactive.

Sanders has also been a vocal and influential opponent to the proposed legislation.

Two individuals also received investigation notices from Bailey: Cara Buchanan with Smoke Smart LLC in St. Louis and Tariq Zeiadeh with Vape Society Supplies in Columbia.

An employee at the Smoke Smart location in St. Peters said Buchanan no longer owns the business or lives in Missouri, and the current owners do not operate as Smoke Smart LLC. Zeidadeh has not responded to a request for comment.

In his press release, Bailey states that hes received reports that businesses were potentially violating the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act, which grants Missourians the right to a marketplace free from fraudulent or deceptive business practices.

Bailey also pointed to the six elementary-age children in St. Louis County who became sick and intoxicated at school after reportedly ingesting Delta-8 products that were packaged as Nerds Rope Bites and Mad Monkey Sour Strawberry Premium Gummies.

The attorney generals office didnt respond to The Independents question on whether any of the four companies under investigation made the products in the St. Louis County incident.

The great divide

John Pennington, CEO of Proper Brands; Jamey Murphy, Sen. Nick Schroers chief of staff; Mitch Meyers, partner at BeLeaf Medical; Amy Moore, Director, Division of Cannabis Regulation; and John Payne, managing partner at Amendment 2 Consultants, discuss legislation on intoxicating hemp products at an industry summit in downtown St. Louis on March 28 (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent).

Among the biggest supporters of the proposed legislation are leaders of the marijuana industry. The intoxicating hemp industry poses a major threat to marijuana businesses.

Hemp is often known for being the part of the cannabis plant that doesnt get people high. Its full of CBD, a nonpyschoactive cannabinoid that helps people relax and often found in massage oils and sleep aids.

However, hemp was taken off the controlled substance list in 2018 by the last U.S. Agriculture Improvement Act, more commonly known as the farm bill. Since then, people have found numerous ways to make intoxicating products from hemp  largely through a chemical process of converting CBD to THC. The market for things like Delta-8 drinks and edibles is one of the fastest growing markets in the country.

Because of the farm bill, theres no state or federal law saying teenagers or children cant buy them or stores cant sell them to minors  though some stores and vendors, including American Shaman and CBD Kratom, have taken it upon themselves to impose age restrictions of 21 and up.

Mitch Meyers, partner at BeLeaf Medical, said at a recent industry summit that the intent of the bill was to put the hemp-derived products under the strict packaging and other requirements that marijuana companies must go through.

So thats why were just in complete amazement that this stuff just can be out there without any of these checks and balances, Meyers said.

The Missouri Hemp Trade Association has continuously advocated for measures such as prohibiting sales to minors and mandating clear user instructions and rigorous product testing.

The big problem the hemp industry has with the legislation is that it would place these products under the same constitutional framework and rules that the marijuana industry must abide by  including the mandate that products are only sold at licensed marijuana dispensaries regulated by the cannabis division within the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

There are no new marijuana facility licenses available currently, so there would be no way for the current hemp storefronts to sell these products.

Last week, Republican state Rep. Barry Hovis of Whitewater offered a different draft of the House legislation  backed by the hemp industry  that would allow the Division of Cannabis Regulation to issue licenses to companies that sell intoxicating hemp products, as well as oversee age restrictions and labeling requirements.

Under Hovis proposal, the licensees would not come under other marijuana rules, which includes a ban on the chemical conversion process used to create the majority of hemp-derived THC products. The state rules also require that THC may only come from cannabis cultivated by a Missouri-licensed cultivation facility. Most hemp-derived THC is currently brought in from other states.

Few products currently on the market would meet these requirements.

Hovis proposal failed, largely because the division said the licensing fee he proposed wouldnt produce enough revenue to cover the divisions costs.

Theres something we need to do because of the unregulated market that we have right now, Hovis said. I do feel that for the safety of children this would be a good move.

State Sen. Karla May, a Democrat from St. Louis, said she plans on offering an amendment to Republican Sen. Nick Schroers bill to regulate these products, which will likely be similar to Hovis proposal. May said the license fees in her proposal will be higher.

Schroers bill could be brought up on the Senate floor for debate any time, May said, and thats when shed offer her proposal.

My only concern is that we get an independent structure for these businesses, May said, and that they dont have to come up under marijuana. Because the only license they will be given is a microbusiness license and that is not fair to them.

The post Missouri attorney general launches investigation of intoxicating hemp products appeared first on Missouri Independent.
Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman enters the Missouri Senate on the first day of the 2023 legislative session (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

A bill winding its way through the legislature seeks to ease backlogs in child abuse and neglect investigations by allowing Missouris social services agency to outsource some work involving child abuse and neglect investigations to private contractors.

Sponsored by Republican state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman of Arnold, the bill was voted out of committee unanimously in January and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate.

Elements of Missouris child welfare system are already handled by private companies  including some foster care case management and in-home services  but not abuse and neglect investigations. Those are handled by state employees, sometimes with assistance from local law enforcement. After the state receives a hotline call, Childrens Division workers are responsible for assessing a childs safety.

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In recent years, staffing shortages have led Missouris child welfare investigators to face mounting caseloads, contributing to rapid employee turnover and delayed investigations.

There has been improvement over the last year, DSS spokesperson Chelsea Blair told The Independent. The department is now on the upswing with staffing, Blair said.

Childrens Division has also adopted strategies to address overdue cases, Blair said, and this plan is currently in action and working, though the agency is still working through nearly 6,000 overdue reports.

Coleman said in an interview last week that the state continues to face a backlog of abuse investigations.

Missouri is not responding quickly to our hotlines, and I think thats really inappropriate, she said. We want to make sure that kids are safe and get to them quickly.

Under the bill, the state would be allowed to use contractors to assist with investigations, meaning workers from private companies would help assess a childs safety after a hotline call.

In practice, Coleman said, the contractors under the bill would do a lot of administrative functions to sort through lower-risk hotline reports and help connect families with resources, freeing up state staff to focus on the higher-risk cases.

State workers, she said, would still have the final say in whether a child is removed from the home.

Its helping with some of the administrative functions, helping on the front end, to make sure that were able to get to credible abuse allegations and to help keep kids safer, faster, because we are not currently, Coleman said.

Coleman said the bill doesnt allow us to offload that as a state. Its just allowing contractors to be able to assist in the process.

Clark Peters, an associate professor of social work at the University of Missouri-Columbia whose research specializes in foster care, said he was concerned to learn about the proposal.

Given the stakes involved for children and families. I would tread very carefully in pursuing privatizing this important activity, Peters said.

Investigations serve as the entry point into the foster care system for children, Peters added.

Whats concerning to me is this is a tremendously fraught point in the child welfare system: Youre making a decision whether to investigate and ultimately whether to remove a child, he said. Its the initial few steps that are so criticalSo handing this off to private agencies seems really disturbing to me.

Timely investigations

Coleman started working on this legislation around three years ago, she said, and filed it as a standalone bill for the first time last year.

David Willis, a lobbyist for KVC Missouri, a nonprofit child welfare organization that provides the state with contracted foster care services, has testified in support of Colemans efforts. He said during a hearing last year that KVC Missouri had been working with the Department of Social Services and this specific piece of legislation was kind of the result of those discussions.

In an email to The Independent, KVC Missouri President Lindsey Stephenson said what prompted the discussion was the state approaching us about some of the challenges Missouri has experienced in processing all cases of suspected child abuse or neglect in a timely manner.

KVC, which is a national health system with a network of nonprofits in various states, works in Kentucky to help with investigations as well, Stephenson said, and that didnt require a change in state law. State investigators in Kentucky make final recommendations based on comprehensive assessments.

Blair said the agency cannot comment on pending legislation. But DSS has been working to address the overdue cases and making progress, she said. There has been an 11% increase in hiring among Childrens Division frontline workers since this time last year and an 8% reduction in turnover.

There are currently 5,942 child abuse and neglect assessments and investigations that have been open 46 days or longer, according to records obtained Wednesday by The Independent through Missouris Sunshine Law. The Kansas City region has the most (3,036) followed by St. Louis (2,074). In St. Louis, thats an improvement from over 7,000 in January, according to reporting from St. Louis Public Radio earlier this year.

DSS understands the importance of addressing every case of child abuse and neglect promptly and effectively, Blair said. By working diligently to close cases where possible, we are not only providing resolution for the children and families affected but also preventing further harm and promoting a safer environment for all.

There are 36 vacancies as of late last month among the frontline Childrens Division workers, Blair said, which includes investigators, foster care case managers and family centered service workers, who do prevention.

Accountability

Richard Wexler, who runs the nonprofit National Coalition for Child Protection Reform, a Virginia-based advocacy group, said by email that sometimes privatization can mean state agencies shift blame to contractors  and vice versa.

There is no reason to think private contractors would be any better, or any worse, than Childrens Division employees per se, Wexler said.  I do worry, however, that it may add even greater potential for buck passing.

He added that that is the situation in Floridas highly-privatized system  where everything except the investigations are privatized and where the state and contractors have pointed fingers at each other. State investigators and sheriffs have also pointed fingers at one another, Wexler said: In Florida, some investigations were, until a legislative change enacted last year, overseen by sheriffs offices.

The other question is whether this further reduces accountability, Wexler said. Will investigators for a private contractor have even more ability to hide what they do when things go wrong?

Coleman said in the bureaucracy, often we have a lack of accountability anyways, because you have very little oversight, she said, adding that she was speaking in general, rather than specifically about Childrens Division.

The state has an ability to be more responsive if a contractor is not meeting their needs, than, you know, trying to have bureaucracies go in and get entrenched people who have been doing these jobs for a long time and are underperforming, Coleman said.

The bill stipulates that the contractor who handles the investigation cant be the same one that then takes on managing the foster care case, which Coleman said is designed to avoid misaligned incentives that could cause more kids to be taken into state care.

There are other bills related to children attached to Colemans bill now, including a provision to allow the state to grant temporary child care licenses. In the two times it has come up on the Senate floor, debate has largely surrounded amendments, not the substance of the privatized investigations provisions. Coleman referred to the bill as bipartisan non-controversial provisions during Senate debate last month.

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The Missouri House chamber during debate on March 12, 2023 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).

The Missouri House gave initial approval this week to a bill that could protect pesticide manufacturers from some cancer lawsuits.

The debate on the House floor wasnt split along party lines however, as several Republicans cautioned against the risk of cancers caused by pesticides.

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Dane Diehl, a Republican from Butler, would protect pesticide manufacturers from claims that they failed to warn consumers of possible cancer risks in their products as long as the federal Environmental Protection Agency has approved those products.

Much of the debate focused on a specific pesticide manufacturer: Bayer, the company with U.S. headquarters in St. Louis that purchased Monsanto, the original manufacturer of RoundUp pesticide.

Bayer has pursued similar legislation in other agricultural states like Iowa and Idaho. According to The Associated Press, the company is seeking to stem a tide of lawsuits claiming that Bayers products cause cancer.

To date, the company has been embroiled in over 167,000 suits claiming that RoundUp is responsible for causing non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Some cases have been dismissed, but Bayer has also been forced to pay billions of dollars in restitution for others, according to the Associated Press.

Diehl, a farmer, said he drafted the legislation out of fear that Bayer would be forced to pull RoundUp off of the market. He pointed out that glyphosate, the active ingredient in RoundUp, has been regulated by the federal government for decades and that the product is critical for one of Missouris largest industries.

Other Republicans even raised the question of whether farmers would have to turn to other pesticide producers, possibly Chinese producers, if Bayer ceases production of RoundUp.

But Diehl got some pushback from fellow Republican Rep. Tricia Brynes of Wentzville, who criticized her partys trust in the safety guarantees given by the EPA. She cited her experience working with the EPA and what she called its excessive bureaucracy.

What Im trying to say is this body hasnt experienced that the EPA does not always have the ability that we think they have to protect people, Brynes said.

The EPA has ruled in the past that glyphosate is not carcinogenic to humans.

Other Republicans in opposition voiced concerns that the legislation could have broader effects on how Missourians can exercise their 7th Amendment right to a trial by their peers.

Debate on the floor also took a somber tone, as representatives from both parties spoke about the toll of seeing their family members fight cancer or in fighting it themselves.

Rep. Jamie Johnson, a Democrat from Kansas City, pointed out what she termed the hypocrisy of her colleagues for pursuing this legislation after wishing her good health during her own fight with cancer.

As I walked these halls, day by day, Mr. Speaker, fighting the side effects from chemotherapy, Johnson said. Every day not knowing if I was going to make it. With a burn from radiation that smelled and reeked of flesh, with a smile on my face, Mr. Speaker, no one knew what I was going through.

The bill was approved on a voice vote and needs one more vote before it can go to the Senate for consideration.

This story originally appeared in the Columbia Missourian. It can be republished in print or online.

The post Missouri House gives initial OK to bill protecting pesticide-makers appeared first on Missouri Independent.
ANKARA, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye has killed or seized 748 terrorists active in border areas with neighboring countries since January, Turkish semi-official Anadolu Agency reported Thursday.

According to the report, 331 were "neutralized" in northern Iraq and 417 in northern Syria, about 75 of whom were dealt with in the past two weeks.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered, were killed, or captured.

The Turkish forces often carry out cross-border operations in northern Iraq against the PKK militants, especially in the Qandil Mountains, the main base of the group.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the United States and the European Union, has rebelled against the Turkish government for more than three decades.

Since 2016, Turkiye has launched anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents. 
Modesto-based group tries to keep unhoused people healthy. Heres what it does

On a recent Friday morning, an unhoused man decided to get his finger, which was bitten by a rat, checked by a doctor in a van parked in Modestos airport district.

Dr. James Kraus attended to James Blacks hand, providing cleaning and advice in case of future suspicion of rabies.

Anything we can do in the primary care office, we can do here, Kraus told Black.

Valley Streetz Harm Reduction physician Dr. James Kraus helps James Black with an open wound on his hand in Modesto, Calif., Friday, April 12, 2024. The program provides harm reduction services and medical treatment at The Rock Church on Friday mornings.

Valley Streetz Harm Reduction Program is a harm reduction initiative authorized by the California Department of Health and is based in Modesto. Established last year, the group engages in street medicine and distributes harm-reduction supplies, such as sterile water and safer smoking kits.

Harm reduction aims to enhance the health and overall well-being of individuals who use drugs, even while they are actively using. Street medicine involves delivering medical care directly to individuals experiencing homelessness and providing them with on-the-spot care.

Its as simple as wearing your seatbelt, not driving after drinking, applying sunblock on a sunny day, said Dr. Andie Silva about practicing harm reduction.

Research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse shows that certain harm reduction approaches yield substantial benefits for both individuals and public health. These include reducing overdose fatalities and preventing the transmission of infectious diseases.

Additionally, such strategies can decrease visits to emergency departments and lower healthcare costs. In certain instances, they also give people who use drugs the chance to access substance use treatment and other healthcare services in environments with reduced stigma.

Officially associated with the University of Southern California (USC) Street Medicine team, they were selected as one of just four programs authorized to implement comprehensive harm reduction strategies. Over the next year, the USC team will serve as mentors to Valley Streetz as they develop their program.

Valley Streetz Harm Reduction physician Dr. James Kraus, right, helps James Black with an open wound at The Rock Church in Modesto, Calif., Friday, April 12, 2024. The program provides harm reduction services and medical treatment at the church on Friday mornings.

The team mainly consists of Alexa Ortega, Silva and Kraus.

Ortega, who is originally from Ceres, has a background in the county probation office and as a harm reductionist. Silva, a Fresno native, is a family medicine doctor and addiction specialist.

For the past two months, every Friday, they have distributed supplies at the Rock Church Ministry, which provides food and essential items to people five days a week. No identification is required to access these resources.

The Rock Church Ministry serves about 170 people a day. On Fridays, Valley Streetz typically provides services or consultations to around 12 patients.

Valley Streetz Harm Reduction physician Dr. Andie Silva cares for a client with an open wound in Modesto, Calif., Friday, April 12, 2024. The program provides harm reduction services and medical treatment at The Rock Church on Friday mornings.

Valley Streetz has a van stationed at the food distribution site to offer patients free wound care and treatment in a discreet environment. Within the van, they stock muscle rubs, pregnancy tests, melatonin and a portable ultrasound machine for conducting examinations, including kidney checks and abscess assessments.

They also do house calls.

Its sophisticated medicine for people that arent even used to getting care, said Silva.

Onsite, they distribute free harm-reduction supplies, including pipes, safe snorting kits and hygiene products. Thanks to donations from various state programs across California, such as the Narcan Project, their overhead costs remain minimal.

Additionally, the group works closely with MoPride and remains dedicated to serving the LGBTQ community.

Valley Streetz Harm Reduction team at The Rock Church in Modesto, Calif., Friday, April 12, 2024.

Efforts are underway to enhance access to gender-affirming hormone therapy on the streets as syringes are also used for injecting hormones. They often wear rainbow pins to signal to those who may not be out that they are being cared for by a safe and accepting group.

Silva mentioned that during testing, they uncovered a significant syphilis outbreak within the unhoused community in Modesto.

Theres over 2,000 unsheltered people in Stanislaus County while 60% of individuals experiencing homelessness lack health insurance, which keeps them from obtaining preventive and primary care services.

We saw an opportunity that patients were not being served, Silva said.

Valley Streetz Harm Reduction program director Alexa Ortega, right, exchanges syringes with a client in Modesto, Calif., Friday, April 12, 2024. The program provides harm reduction services and medical treatment at The Rock Church on Friday mornings.

Modestos history of harm reduction programs

Before Valley Streetz, Modesto had a needle exchange program on and off from 2008 to 2014.

Brian Robinson, who was a part of the original program, said the work they did was heavily criminalized.

Theres a lot of politics involved in these things. Theres a lot of resistance in our country, Robinson said.

Robinson and another individual in the group were arrested in 2009 for operating an unauthorized needle exchange.

Fortunately, now they are allowed to operate within the framework of established laws and regulations, especially considering Modestos lack of these services over the past decade.

Still, Ortega said the group has met some pushback from local government due to the controversial nature of harm reduction work.

The Valley Streetz Harm Reduction program provides naloxone and other care items for clients in Modesto, Calif., Friday, April 12, 2024.

Rebuilding trust with the medical industry

When they first started in February of 2023, Ortega and Silva would pack up a backpack and head to a park in Modesto to hand out Narcan to the unhoused individuals there.

Before leaving, theyd ask if anyone needed clean needles, pipes or condoms. They started returning to the same park every Friday.

Everything we do is completely trust and rapport-based. We dont show up to a camp or a park and expect people to trust us, Ortega said.

Ortega observes that individuals sometimes accept resources from them to share with others elsewhere, as trust within the wider community may still be developing.

Silva said that their ultrasound device plays a crucial role in fostering trust by providing patients with a firsthand view of their health.

Theres so much distrust in the medical system, and we bridge that by showing someone their kidneys in front of [them] and making decisions based on that, Silva said.

Kraus emphasized the importance of being on the ground with backpacks to establish trust with patients. He noted that many unsheltered individuals feel unwelcome in the medical community due to stigma.

Above all, theyre just trying to lift the standard of care for the unhoused community, he added.

Our goal is to meet people where they are, treat them with love, dignity and respect. If at some point they want access to some treatment for substance use disorder, were able to do that, Silva said.
Project NOW held its 2nd-annual Rooting Out Poverty Conference Thursday at Rhythm City Event Center, Davenport.

Among the six-hour event, that attracted over 300 people, Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati discussed the new Level Up and Thurgood Brooks talked up West End Revitalization, two major efforts to help lift local residents out of poverty.

Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati speaks at the Project NOW poverty conference Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Rhythm City Casino Event Center, Davenport (photo by Jonathan Turner).

Level Up (a pilot program for the 2024 calendar year) was launched to offer critical or emergency assistance to residents in need who are not met by other programs or services. It was initially supposed to be funded by $200,000 in cannabis tax revenue, but there was a delay in filing the paperwork, and the city is not going to get that revenue until beginning July 1.

The staff found us money for us this first round, but the intent is to be funded by cannabis tax revenue, Rayapati said Thursday. Project NOW (which administers the program) is funding $120,000 for the monthly grants, $60,000 for one-time emergency assistance, and $20,000 for program administration.

The Level A funding is $400 a month for a year, helping 25 qualifying families. They must be Moline residents, single or two-parent families where a parent is enrolled in a program at Black Hawk College, WIU-QC, UnityPoint or University of Illinois nursing programs, or in a local apprenticeship in a trade organization or other credentialing programs.

Level B one-time grants (of up to $2,000) are for anyone 18 years old or up who meets the above requirements, and they cant also receive monthly grants.

Level Up has the goal of moving people up in quality of life and economic mobility, Rayapati said. In Moline, 15 percent of residents live in poverty and over 57% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Were looking forward to the data gathering that will happen throughout the year, we know by the next budget cycle, how we can continue to help folks  see what worked and what needs improvements, she said.

Its really up to case management at Project NOW to see what their needs are, Rayapati said of recipients.

No one will be negatively impacted by receiving Level Up, meaning other public assistance wont be reduced, the mayor said.

The program is based on similar programs in cities and counties across the country. Theyre working on ways to actually lift people up and out of poverty, Rayapati said.

Thurgood Brooks of Rock Island, left, and Michael Berger and Ashley Ezzio of Uplift Iowa listen as Mayor Rayapati talks about Level Up (photo by Jonathan Turner).

She wanted to promote the program at Thursdays conference and show Molines success so far (theyre the only QC community to have such a program).

When you look at data around our median income, our education level, how much farther behind some of our residents are than the state average is, its very clear we need to keep working hard to make sure that people arent stuck in the situations they might have been born into, Rayapati said.

Were really proud of this specifically being for parents, or single-parent families, because we know those are some of our most vulnerable children, she said. We can make a generational impact in this way.

Level Up was created because the mayor chose to learn whats going on across the country to address economic mobility. Rayapati attended a U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Reno, Nev., where she heard Michael Tubbs, former mayor of Stockton, Calif.

Hes really a groundbreaking mayor; he created an organization called Mayors for Guaranteed Income, she told the Davenport conference gathering.

I said, I wonder what I need to do in Moline to address economic mobility and access to opportunity, Rayapati said, adding she later met with Project NOW executive director Dwight Ford about starting Level Up.

Guaranteed income has a very long history, under lots of different titles, she said in the panel. The legacy stretches all the way back to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For us to have entered into conversations decades ago, and not done anything, I think is a tragedy. Were trying to do something in a big piece, a large way.

To learn more about Level Up, click HERE.

Uplifting central Iowa

At the afternoon panel the mayor spoke at, coordinators of the year-old Uplift Iowa in the Des Moines area  Ashley Ezzio and Michael Berger  also spoke. Its similar to what Moline is doing.

There are over 130 similar programs across the nation, and Uplift Iowa has worked with the Center for Guaranteed Income Research at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ashley Ezzio

We really kind of modeled that and used their advice on how to do evaluations, best research, Ezzio said before her panel. They started their program in May 2023 and its just for two years, helping 110 people with $500 a month in Polk, Dallas and Warren counties, with the last payments in April 2025.

Their eligibility is for people living with a dependent up to 25 years old, and a household income at or below 60 percent of the area median income, Berger said.

Theyre doing a research study comparing participants with a control group of 140 who meet the income levels but dont receive grants.

The participants have an average age of 37 with an average annual household income of $24,542, 85% are female, with an average of two children per household. The average participants spend 44 percent of their income on housing, more than the 30% thats considered housing burdened, according to Uplift Iowa.

The funding comes from 11 sources, including private and public entities, Ezzio said.

Michael Berger

Berger said poverty is a big problem in central Iowa, from housing instability to food insecurity. Child care is an extremely huge cost for these folks, meaning they have to make very difficult decisions  are they going to work or does it make more sense to have a parent at home? he said.

We really do see the plethora of the symptoms of poverty, Berger said.

Lifting up Rock Islands West End

Thurgood Brooks, a 30-year-old Rock Island native, is coordinator for the West End Revitalization project. Project NOW  a key partner  invited him to speak Thursday. He grew up in the West End.

Weve stayed in dialogue with them through this entire process, the three-year plan, Brooks said. It was a no-brainer to share what were able to do.

Thurgood Brooks of Rock Island is coordinator of the West End revitalization.

This is intentional, deliberate actions and a strategic plan behind stability for the West End, he said. Its not top down. Its from the grassroots level up  were working with residents of the West End, real Rock Islanders behind this plan.

Other major partners include the John Deere Foundation, the Martin Luther King Center and the QC Community Foundation, which awarded the project a $300,000 transformational grant earlier this year (spread over three years).

In early 2022, Rock Island City Council approved and John Deere provided funding for a one-year phase to prioritize West End Community Assessment recommendations.

That summer, a Task Force of community representatives appointed a Steering Committee for the West End Revitalization.

In 2023, it created working groups in five impact areas and one cross-cutting areas: Community Engagement, Personal Assets & Income, Housing & Land, Community Economic Vitality, Infrastructure & Visual Appeal, and Communications.

In March 2024, based on efforts by the Working Groups and guidance by the Steering Committee, a 3-Year Implementation Plan was unveiled.

Our plan is holistic; were looking at five areas, Brooks said Thursday. You cant look at one area; if you do, you wont address anything. Understanding that, we cant do it all alone. We have to collaborate  which means building relationships with folks, whether its a credit union, providing services for people that need financial education, financial mobility, or working with our schools.

John Deere Foundation hasnt committed a specific new grant yet. The city of Rock Island has been a good partner, Brooks said, and theyre also looking to businesses and the community for support.

The Thursday conference keynote speaker was Rock Island native George Guy, who is president of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, based in Washington, D.C. (photo by Jonathan Turner).

Were looking at any funds and resources that are appropriate to tackle what we need to tackle, he said.

The short-term goals over three years are to:

A new West End Community Development Corporation is fully operational with staff, an office, established partnerships, and is implementing actions in the plan.

Franklin Field is acquired with development partners and plan in place.

West End Special Service Area is created.

West End community stakeholders are regularly engaged and play key roles in moving the Action Plan forward.

Partner organizations and institutions are leading and supporting actions in the plan.

Diversified funding has been secured and a West End Revitalization funders roundtable has been established.

West End stakeholders know the purpose, progress, and goals for the West End Revitalization initiative and how to get involved.

Brooks said his main message to Thursdays conference was: To go fast, you go alone. To go far, you go together, and thats what were looking to do.

He networked with other experts on the issues at the Project NOW conference. We can get buy-in into our vision of the West End, and they see their vision within ours. Thats how were gonna go far, together.

To learn more about the project, visit the West End site HERE.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Aisha Fraser's mother Millicent talked to WEWS/OCJ for her first interview since her daughter's death. (Photo by WEWS.)

Lawmakers have once again introduced Aishas Law, legislation to provide more protections for victims and survivors of domestic violence. In her first interview since her daughters death, Aishas mother is urging its passage.

She just had that loving personality and always thought on the positive side, Millicent Fraser said, reminiscing with photos. She was a blessing.

Millicent Frasers life changed on November 17, 2018.

Its never been the same, Fraser said. I just had to pick up the pieces.

Thats the day her daughter and beloved Woodbury Elementary School teacher Aisha Fraser was murdered by her ex-husband.

The judge should have never let him out after seven or eight months, because he never even reformed when he was in jail, Fraser said.

Aishas friend and colleague Chante Thomas told me she knew Aisha was in danger from her ex Lance Mason  a former Cleveland judge who had already served time in prison for domestic violence against Aisha. He brutally beat her in 2014 with their children in the backseat. Their divorce was finalized in 2015.

Oh, my God, the system absolutely failed her, Thomas said, sitting on the park bench dedicated to the former educator. Being there throughout all of that, we all were just devastated to see the contact that she had to have with him because of the girls.

Former Cuyahoga County Judge Lance Mason pleaded guilty to a slew of charges, including murder, relating to the stabbing death of his ex-wife Aisha Fraser, during his pretrial hearing in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas in 2019.

Aishas memory lives on in Shaker Heights, Thomas said, but it needs to go further.

There should be much stricter punishments for abusers, she said, adding that she hopes this interview will show people what needs to change. You shouldnt get a second chance.

Mason got a second chance because he was still applauded in the community  Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson defended the citys decision to hire the convicted abuser in 2017, three years after the attack in the car.

How do you sweep something like that under the carpet? You just dont do that, Fraser said, noting that because it was his first offense he got off easy. First time could be the last time she could have been dead.

Since Aishas death, Ohio lawmakers have continued to propose legislation known as Aishas Law. A bipartisan group of more than 30 of them want her story to lead to a change.

Enough is enough, state Rep. Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) said. How many more people must die as a result of domestic violence before this legislation is law?

She and state Rep. Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton) feel that the lawmakers need to step up and put Ohioans first.

Far too many individuals continue to be abused and live in fear, Carruthers said. That is why it is so critical that we pass House Bill 486 and make Ohio safer  and a safer place to let victims know that we care about them and that there is hope.

Both women say they have a personal experience with violence, with Brent having filed a civil stalking protection order and Carruthers mother having been a victim of domestic abuse.

They are being helped by Cuyahoga County Councilmember and Aishas lifelong friend Meredith Turner.

The bill is asking for law enforcement to be trained, learn how to assess victims of domestic violence, specifically the risk of them losing their lives, Turner said.

H.B. 486 would also create additional penalties for aggravated murder when the victim was a family member and for child endangerment when the violence happens around children. Plus it would mandate courts to have a judge available around the clock to issue protection orders.

A portion of Aishas Law was passed in 2022, creating a standalone offense of strangulation.

Until 2023, Ohio was the only state in the U.S. that failed to recognize the potentially deadly crime as a felony. The new law states that an individual is guilty of strangulation if they cause serious physical harm or cause a substantial risk of serious physical harm to another person by means of strangulation or suffocation. The strangulation offense can be charged as a second-degree, fourth-degree, or fifth-degree felony.

I absolutely believe there is a very strong potential to save lives, Turner.

This bill hits home for her, not just because of the murder of someone as close as a sister, but because she is also a survivor of intimate partner violence, she said.

This is not something that I talk about publicly, but with Aishas loss of her life, it really compelled me, she said. I am telling my story, I am advocating for Aisha to show people that this can happen to anyone.

Aishas loved ones hope that lawmakers can get it done this time  so that other families dont have to suffer the same fate.

They really need to make a stiffer law because there have been other women here in the Greater Cleveland area, Fraser said. It doesnt stop, it just gets worse.

This is the third time the bill has been introduced, each time by Carruthers and a Democratic cosponsor. The House passed it in a bipartisan fashion both times. But it stalls in the Senate.

A lot of people dont think thats a big issue, the Republican said. I personally do.

Domestic violence bills tend to have the least amount of opponents, yet disproportionately dont pass, according to our analysis.

The two lawmakers are hopeful that they have made enough compromises and the Senate will finally pass the bill.

Mason was sentenced to life in prison in 2019 with the possibility of parole after 35 years.

Fraser told me she will continue fighting for the bill to be passed  and for Aishas story to be told.

Domestic Violence Resources

Ohio Domestic Violence Network: 1-800-934-9840 or 614-781-9651

Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center:

24-Hour Domestic Violence Helpline: 216-391-HELP (4357)

24-Hour Family Helpline: 216-391-4357

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 18007997233.

This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook.

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The post Mother of Aisha Fraser calls for domestic violence protections in rare interview appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Mother falls to her death while hiking with husband and toddler in Arizona

Zaynab Joseph, 40, fell to her death off a cliff on Bear Mountain in Sedona, Arizona, while hiking with her husband and toddler (Yavapai County Sheriffs Office/ Joseph family/ Facebook)

A California woman fell to her death from a 140-foot cliff while hiking with her husband and toddler in Arizona, authorities have said.

Mother-of-three Zaynab Joseph, 40, was described by friends as a beacon of positivity for whom her children were her greatest pride and joy, following the incident on Monday.

Josephs body was discovered by a group of hikers in the Bear Mountain area of Sedona, Arizona, who alerted the Yavapai County Sheriffs Office (YCSO) after hearing yelling.

While others called 911, one of the group descended an embankment to where Joseph had fallen and found her seriously injured, but still breathing. She died shortly after.

Members of the Sedona Fire Department were the first emergency responders on the scene and confirmed her death.

Joseph had been hiking Bear Mountain with her husband and one-year-old child, who were later flown off the mountain by a Department of Public Safety helicopter.

Josephs body was later removed from the mountain by DPS and members of the YCSO search and rescue teams.

The sheriffs department said the family, from California, had been staying in an Airbnb in Sedona. Friends and family posted tributes to Joseph following the tragic event.

My beloved sister, Zaynab Joseph, passed away yesterday in a tragic accident. She had a heart of gold and was very dear to all of us. No words can describe the pain our families are going through, especially her husband and three young children, wrote Farwa Zaidi.

Another friend, Zahraa Mahmoud, described Joseph as having infectious laughter and a heart of gold.

Zaynab was a beacon of positivity, her contagious smile lighting up every room she entered, she wrote on Facebook.

Her warmth and genuine compassion touched the lives of all who crossed her path, leaving lasting impressions of love and kindness. She possessed a rare gift of bringing people together, her gentle nature and infectious laughter making her loved by all.

YCSO conducted multiple interviews with hikers coming off the mountain and the investigation into the tragic incident is ongoing.

Bear Mountain Trail is described as a "strenuous hike" and is "mostly unshaded, steep and difficult in places," according to the US Forest Service.

The trail climbs over 1,800 feet in elevation over the 2.3-mile trek to the top of the mountain.
Motorcycle crashes into car during police chase on I-75 in Atlanta, GSP says

A motorcyclist was arrested for reckless driving that caused a crash on Interstate 75 in Atlanta.

On Thursday, just before 4:30 p.m., Georgia State Patrol Troopers saw a motorcyclist splitting lanes while traffic was nearly at a standstill on I-75 Northbound near University Street.

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Despite the heavy traffic conditions, the motorcyclist continued driving recklessly between vehicles in heavy traffic.

In an effort to catch up with the motorcyclist, Troopers did an emergency traffic stop.

But the motorcyclist drove off and started splitting lanes.

As the pursuit continued on I-75 Northbound, Troopers saw the motorcyclist hit another vehicle after following too closely.

The driver of the motorcycle was taken to Grady Trauma Center stable upon arrival.

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GSP said the driver of the motorcycle has been charged with reckless driving, improper lane change, and following too closely.

Additionally, Troopers said theyre obtaining an additional warrant for fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement.

GSP said no contact was made between the patrol vehicle and the motorcycle during the pursuit.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Covington Police Department is investigating two separate crashes that left a motorcyclist dead and a pedestrian injured this month.

Covington Police responded to an accident on Tennessee Avenue near Highway 51 on April 3. According to police, a motorcyclist collided with a white Hyundai that was leaving a gas station on Highway 51.

Police say Tipton County EMS took the motorcyclist to Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis but he later died of his injuries.

Covington Police say officers were able to review surveillance footage from the area. The footage reportedly showed that the driver of the Hyundai pulled out into traffic without noticing oncoming drivers.

Memphis rapper GloRilla arrested for DUI: TMZ

The driver was initially cited for failure to yield at the scene, police say. Covington Police say investigators determined that no drugs or alcohol were involved but are still working to determine if additional charges should be filed.

Covington Police are also investigating a separate hit-and-run crash that happened on the morning of April 15 at the intersection of Highway 51 and Holly Grove Road.

Police say a dark-colored sedan traveling southbound on Highway 51 struck a man who was walking. Covington Police say the victim was taken to Baptist Memorial Tipton with injuries to his head and legs.

The sedan reportedly continued driving southbound and fled the scene. Investigators have not found the vehicle at this time. Police say the suspects vehicle will have damage on its front and hood.

Anyone with information on either incident is asked to call the Covington Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 901-475-1261.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
An impeachment trial is supposed to be a big deal. The trial of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was anything but. It wasnt just that it was perhaps the fifth (sixth?) biggest news story in American politics this week (and a far less sensational trial than that of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump). There was somehow no sense of history or gravitas for what was notionally a momentous occasionthe first impeachment trial of a sitting Cabinet member in American history. Instead, it played out like something else entirely.

The impeachment of Mayorkas originated as a way to appease the unruly House Republicans who approached this Congress with a small majority but a huge appetite for partisan warfare. After going through 15 ballots to first elect Kevin McCarthy in January 2023 and then spending over three weeks in legislative limbo without a speaker after ousting McCarthy in October, an impeachment of the homeland security secretary was an easy way for McCarthys replacement, Rep. Mike Johnson, to appease his right. After all, the impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden had come up with little evidence of malfeasance and was far too politically risky. Instead, with the Biden administration struggling to manage a border crisis, Mayorkas made a sufficient substitute. It took multiple votes to do so but eventually the homeland security secretary was impeached by the House in February.

But then House Republicans delayed in sending the impeachment articles to the Senate for nearly two months. And clearly, some of the air was let out of the tires. In that time, their slender majority shrank even further due to resignations, and Johnson became preoccupied with the threat of ouster from Marjorie Taylor Greene (who was also the author of the articles of impeachment against Mayorkas) and began struggling to balance his gavel against the urgent need to send aid to Israel and Ukraine.That drama was coming to a boil on Tuesday when the articles of impeachment were formally transmitted to the Senate.

Still, once they were submitted, the designated 11 impeachment managers led by Mark Green, the chairman of Homeland Security Committee, took part in a solemn procession across the Capitol to the Senate.

Senators waited, biding their time. (Chuck Schumer alternated between making calls on his flip phone and browsing his iPad.) They all listened as the sergeant-at-arms announced hear ye, hear ye, all persons are commanded to keep silent under pain of imprisonment during the course of the impeachment trial. And they didat least on Tuesdayas Chairman Green tediously spent 30 minutes reading the full articles of impeachment from a binder. His fellow House managers stood off to the side, awkwardly shifting their weight at times.

When asked later about what she was thinking at that moment, Rep. Greene told Slate, I had so many thoughts. One of them is that so many of these senators are so old. Thats shocking to me. Retirement age for most Americans is around 65. Its like a geriatric center over there in the Senate and thats not good. She added that the wallpaper looked old too.

The trial occurred around 1:30 p.m. the next day. Perhaps the most notable nod to formality was the appearance of John Fetterman in a full suit, not his customary hoodie. He entered the chamber awkwardly, clutching a can of grapefruit Polar club soda that seemed almost miniature in his hands. In another nod to formality, Fetterman had the club soda poured into a glass. (Drinking out of a can isnt allowed in the Senate.) Other senators waited for the trial to begin with more productive tasks. Sheldon Whitehouse went through a stack of the same issues of the Economist and attached a sticky note to mark a particular article. (He eventually journeyed over to the Republican side of the chamber to hand out copies of the magazine to his colleagues.) Others came prepared for downtime. Michael Bennet of Colorado had a thick book on U.S. engagement with Asia on his desk while his Colorado colleague John Hickenlooper had what appeared to be a sudoku puzzle clipped out of a newspaper.

The end result was never in doubt. Senate Republicans held a press conference the day before preemptively bashing Chuck Schumer for quashing the trial. They argued it would be a terrible precedent for a Senate majority to simply avoid a trial mandated by the Constitution. But, with Democrats united along party lines, the first impeachment trial in American history of a sitting Cabinet officeholder was summarily dismissed.

Schumer stood to offer a preemptive deal that would allow for some time for debate on the impeachment. This required all 100 senators to agree. All 100 senators did not. Eric Schmitt of Missouri rose to block it. Im not going to participate in lighting the Constitution on fire and 200 years of precedent, he said. Immediately, Schumer followed by raising a point of order that the first of the two articles of impeachment was unconstitutional because it does not allege conduct that rises to the level of a high crime or misdemeanor. This was not followed by a vote, which led to some confusion. (Ed Markey of Massachusetts turned to his colleague from Hawaii, Brian Schatz: Can you explain to me procedurally what is going on?) Others seemed more focused on snacks. Jon Tester procured a bag of M&Ms from the desk of his colleague Cory Booker. Glasses of milk, which are only allowed in the Senate during impeachment trials, appeared on the desk of Roger Marshall of Kansas and John Kennedy of Louisiana. (Joe Manchin would later have a glass himself to accompany what appeared to be a chocolate-covered cookie).

Republicans gathered in clusters on the Senate floor trying to figure out what their next steps would be. Democrats started wandering about the floor as Schumer, seated at his center aisle perch, urged his caucus to stay in your seats to little effect.

Eventually, Republicans settled on a plan. They would make various motions dragging things out. After three procedural votes, Schumers first point of order was finally voted on, and by a nearly party line vote, the first article of impeachment was nullified.

The same process then began on the second of the two articles. Schumer offered a point of order declaring that it was unconstitutional and Republicans dragged out the process. At this point, less than two hours into the trail, members could be spotted at times in hysterics on the floor as they chitchatted with each other. Everyone laughed when Kennedy, attempting to adjourn the trial for two weeks, accidentally suggested May 1, 2004, instead of May 1, 2024. When this was corrected, he said, 2004 would probably be preferable, but Id accept a friendly amendment that we make it 2024. It was offered but went down on party lines. Occasionally as the procedural votes dragged on, a stray senator would vote the wrong way by accident and have to quickly correct it. On one vote, Lindsey Graham, distracted in conversation with Cory Booker, voted aye when he meant to vote nay. He quickly corrected himself but Booker mugged to the chamber in reaction to the South Carolina Republicans accidental vote with Democrats.

Eventually, Republicans ran out of motions and, after three hours, the impeachment trial was over. Senators streamed out of the chamber to celebrate the outcome or rail against the result. In a brief press conference, Schumer discussed how important it was to short-circuit the trial. We felt very strongly that we had to set a precedent that impeachment should never be used to settle policy disagreements. In contrast, Josh Hawley of Missouri mourned afterward that this is akin to blowing up the filibuster in terms of the precedent it sets.

Perhaps the most succinct verdict came from Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut when asked how Mayorkas trial compared to his experience sitting through the two impeachments of Donald Trump in 2020 and 2021. I dont think this one will make my memoirs, he said.
TAYLOR COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  Multiple fire agencies across Taylor County showed up to a fight a Bradshaw familys house fire Thursday afternoon.

The Taylor County Sheriffs Office (TCSO) told KTAB/KRBC the fire in Bradshaw was contained by agencies from Tuscola, Lawn, Moro and more.

The single-story house fire began around 4:00 p.m. Thursday, and firefighters were able to get the flames under control at around 5:00 p.m., though crews worked to continue the embers throughout the evening.

KTAB/KRBC spoke with the property owners family, who shared that no one was living at the home, and no injuries were sustained. The family had been working to restore the house through the past year with the intention of the owner moving in. That family member added that this is not the owners primary residence, and he does have a place to call home.

The family said they had been working on the exterior of the home when the fire broke out. They believe it began in the northeast corner of the building and quickly engulfed the house.

A Taylor County arson investigator said this fire is believed to have been accidental, and the investigation is ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  As Portland battles a drug crisis, local health officials say an animal tranquilizer is now appearing in the drug supply.

The drug known as xylazine has been the subject of growing concern, though the Multnomah County Health Department recently clarified they have no reason to believe it is widespread in the county.

Despite this, the drug has been found in a number of overdose deaths around Multnomah County.

On the East Coast, its become increasingly popular to mix xylazine with fentanyl. Even though the trend isnt as prevalent around Portland compared to other areas of the country, experts are still watching out for tranq as its use continues to be documented locally.

Portland nonprofit paves the way for second chances after prison

Multnomah County said the first overdose death from tranq was in 2022. Last year, five more people died from overdoses. The mixture makes it difficult to wake someone up after they take it.

The life-saving drug Narcan can be used when overdosing on tranq. However, Narcan will only weaken the effects of fentanyl but not the tranquilizer.

Multnomah County Deputy Health Officer Teresa Everson told KOIN 6 News that Narcan is still recommended for any kind of overdose.

Our goal is not to wake somebody up and if somebody has xylazine on board, it would be really hard to wake them up. What were trying to do is make sure that theyre breathing, that theyre not going to die, Everson said.

Half of all Portland pedestrians killed in crashes in 2023 were homeless: Data

A possible side effect of using tranq is skin ulcers, a phenomenon known as necrotizing.

Its possible to develop really specific kinds of wounds that are associated with not getting enough blood supply to an area. And we call that like necrotizing. Skin laundered or death of the skin there. Its not something that happens to everybody whos exposed to xylazine, Everson said.

Haven Wheelock has worked for the health center Outside In, which provides many services to the community. The center has tests to check whats in the drugs so people know what they are using. Wheelock said they see more than a hundred people every day who are using fentanyl and methamphetamines.

Addiction is a very isolating, very like, stigmatized health condition, said Wheelock, who is the program supervisor for Outside Ins Drug Users Health Services. Addiction with drugs like tranq are killing people on Portlands streets.

Wheelock said many people on the streets are struggling and hopeless.

Which is why Im very grateful to have this space and it have a space for people to come and like feel valued and seen and be able to connect them to health resources to the care that they deserve, she said.

So far in 2024, there havent been any overdose deaths from tranq in Multnomah County. However, officials said tests are done on people who may have died from an overdose, with the results taking weeks or even months to process.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
People at a Murrieta Valley school board meeting in August cheer after the board voted 3 to 2 to approve a parent-notification policy on student gender identification. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The Murrieta Valley Board of Education has defied a state order  and countermanded its own staff  by reaffirming a policy that requires parents to be notified when students change their gender identity on campus, putting the district at the center of a raging culture-war battle over how best to protect the interests of both students and parents.

The board voted 3 to 2 on Thursday night to keep its parent-notification policy, which requires administrators, teachers and counselors to notify parents or guardians in writing within three days after any district employee has learned that a student is requesting to be "identified or treated as a gender other than the students biological sex or gender listed on the students birth certificate or any other official records."

An investigation by the California Department of Education concluded that the notification rules were discriminatory and therefore illegal. Its April 10 report ordered the Riverside County school system of 22,000 students to rescind the policy. The school board's defiant reaction signals that conservative local officials are willing to challenge the state's interpretation of the law as well as the state's overall authority to intervene in local matters of this sort.

"We have a right as a board to defy a dictatorial governor and bureaucracy  or whatever  that tries to take away our rights as parents and as citizens  as a duly elected board," said board member Nick Pardue. "We have legal standing and we should absolutely stand up for our rights against dictators."

The Department of Education had no immediate response Friday.

A clear majority of more than 100 parents, community members and activists who packed the board room applauded. They cheered again when board President Paul Diffley, without comment, hesitated, then broke a 2-2 tie.

In a later interview, Diffley said he hesitated only because he was recalling public comments at an earlier meeting from a young adult who'd had gender reassignment surgery and then regretted it.

"A parent has the right till a child is 18 to know everything that is critical," he added.

The vast majority of speakers supported the parent-notification policy, including Wes Schaeffer, a local father of seven who held his first baby grandchild as he challenged the idea that teachers should be tasked with keeping a secret.

"I think maybe the government is overstepping its boundaries," he added.

Speakers against the policy included the board's student member, Isabella Dadalt.

Cheers from the audience over the announcement of Dadalt's acceptance to UCLA became uncomfortable silence and murmurs as Dadalt began a long list of her reasons for opposing the policy.

"I do not believe that their students would ever withhold information from their parents unless they were genuinely forced to," she said. "So if you're a parent, and you feel threatened by the fact that your student is going to a teacher instead of you, I think you need to rethink your parenting."

Parent-notification policies that target gender identity have spread to a relatively small number of the state's 1,000 school systems  most commonly in inland, rural or strongly conservative enclaves.

Supporters believe parents have a fundamental right to be involved in all aspects of their childrens lives, especially on matters as consequential as gender identification. And they assert that state and federal law gives local school boards the latitude they need to approve such policies  and parents the right to demand them.

Opponents say parental-notification policies are being used to violate student privacy and civil rights enshrined in state law and the education code  and that the near-universal outing of transgender students to parents would put some children at serious risk. They say that transgender and other nonconforming students are being singled out as convenient targets for political gain.

This issue is playing out in litigation up and down California.

In this instance, on April 10, the state Department of Education ordered the Murrieta district, within five days, to provide written notice to all employees and students that the notification policy is "inconsistent" with state education code and will "not be implemented."

Two days later, in an effort to follow those instructions, the district administration sent out an unsigned notice, from the "Murrieta Valley USD Administrative Team," that appears to comply with the state directive.

In deference to the state order, district administrators had placed on Thursday's agenda an action to rescind the parent-notification policy entirely, while leaving open the door to revisit the issue later.

By that point, however, the board majority had run out of patience with its own staff as well as the state  especially after listening to a procession of parents expressing outrage that the policy, approved in August, had yet to go into effect. They had learned of the delay only when the district sent out its notice about ending the policy.

Board member Julie Vandegrift proposed an amendment that affirmed the policy and called for it to take effect as soon as possible. And that was the version that passed.

Board members Linda Lunn and Nancy Young voted no.

In a later interview, Lunn said the effort to create and defend a divisive policy  in a district that already carefully protects the interests of parents and students  continues to consume district time and resources.

This is weaponizing Murrieta Valley Unified to play politics with Sacramento, and theyre using taxpayer money to do it, Lunn said.

"I believe in following the law and the Education Code," Young said. "They don't all seem to understand that [the Education] Code is the law."

The state investigation was prompted when two teachers filed a complaint. While the state has kept their identities confidential, both have come forward publicly. One of the instructors, Karen Poznanski, who teaches sixth- and seventh-graders at Dorothy McElhinney Middle School, is also a district parent with a child who is nonbinary.

"This policy, whether enforced or not, hindered our LGBTQ+ students from living authentically," Poznanski said in an email. "Moreover, it not only compromised their privacy and dignity, but also perpetuated harm and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. ... This is discrimination and an abuse of power in its most blatant form."

Board member Pardue, a history teacher in another school system, cited state and constitutional provisions as supporting the board's action.

State Atty. General Rob Bonta strongly disagrees and has sued Chino Valley Unified, one of several districts that approved a version of parent notification that shared a common template. The matter is the subject of several ongoing lawsuits.

Pardue noted a preliminary ruling has allowed the policy to remain in force in nearby Temecula Valley Unified School District.

A different judge reached a different conclusion with Chino Valley Unified, with a preliminary ruling that the parent-notification policy was discriminatory and, therefore, illegal. The analysis by the California Department of Education, or CDE, as laid out in its report to the Murrieta district, aligns closely with that of the judge in the Chino Valley case.

"The CDE finds the Districts policy ... on its face singles out and is directed exclusively toward one group of students based on that groups legally protected characteristics of identifying with or expressing a gender other than that identified at birth," the state letter says. "And the application of that policy adversely impacts those students." Moreover, the Murrieta policy "does not expressly or implicitly provide any educational or school administrative purpose justifying ... discrimination."

The report says that districts that fail to comply can face a court order and could ultimately lose funding.

The Chino Valley school system recently revised its policy in hopes that it will survive legal challenges while still accomplishing the original intent.

Chino Valley school board President Sonja Shaw said parents in Murrieta and Chino Valley have expressed frustration over the state's position and urged her to press on.

"We will continue to stand strong, linked arms all over California, to ensure the government does not infringe on parental rights  period," Shaw said.

For those opposing the policy, the success of the teachers' complaint with state officials could suggest a roadmap for elsewhere, said Amanda Mangaser Savage, who is representing teachers and parents trying to overturn the Temecula policy they define as forced outing.

"What we're likely to see," Mangaser Savage said, "is other educators submitting CDE complaints, which CDE would then handle similarly."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
NEW DELHI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- India's general election, which kicked off on Friday, will see nearly 1 billion voters deciding whether incumbent Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can secure a third term in office.

He is facing a challenge from an alliance of around two dozen opposition parties, namely the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA), led by the main opposition Indian National Congress, which has deep roots in most regions of the South Asian country.

THE ELECTION

The Indian parliament consists of two houses, namely the Lok Sabha, or House of the People, and the Rajya Sabha, or Council of States.

In the coming election, voters cast ballots for 543 of the 545 seats of the Lok Sabha while the remaining two are nominated by the president. Elections for the Lok Sabha take place every five years, under a first-past-the-post system, where voters cast a vote for a single candidate, and the candidate with the most votes wins the election. The party or coalition winning the majority of seats will form a government.

Officials said more than 960 million citizens are eligible to vote at over 1 million polling stations across the world's most populous country. Approximately 15 million polling officials and security staff will be deployed.

The elections will last until June 1, spanning seven phases, with the results announced on June 4.

The expenditure associated with the elections is substantial. According to the Delhi-based Center for Media Studies, the 2019 general election cost 8.6 billion U.S. dollars and this year's cost is estimated to surpass 1.2 trillion rupees (14.4 billion dollars).

MAIN ISSUES

Modi assumed office as prime minister in 2014 and was re-elected in 2019, where the BJP won by a huge margin, securing 282 and 303 seats respectively. The BJP and its allies aim to win over 400 seats in the upcoming election.

Despite India's economic achievements in the past decade, some media outlets and experts believe that the actual economic performance was not as good as the government claimed, and the benefits of development have not truly reached the lower strata of society.

The "Make in India" initiative, proposed by the Modi government in 2014, aims to boost the manufacturing sector's contribution to India's economic growth from 16 percent in 2015 to 25 percent by 2022, which in reality dropped to 13 percent.

This led to persistently high unemployment rates in the country. A pre-poll survey by the Lokniti-Centre for the Study of Developing Societies found that over half of the 10,019 respondents expressed worry about price increases and job scarcity, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

Indian farmers have been protesting in the past months, demanding a law to guarantee a minimum price for crops, farmers' pensions, and debt waiver, among others.

THE OPPOSITION

The main opposition Indian National Congress has held power for an extended period in Indian history yet has suffered a huge defeat against the BJP in the 2014 general election with Rahul Gandhi as its prime ministerial candidate.

In 2023, 26 opposition parties formed the INDIA coalition.

In March, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in INDIA, was arrested by the federal government's financial crimes agency on charges of corruption. He has denied any wrongdoing and said his arrest was politically motivated. The BJP denied the allegation.

Several opposition leaders have been imprisoned, questioned, or had cases filed against them by federal agencies in the past year, which triggered protests from opposition parties and civic groups. In March, the Congress party accused the federal government of using the tax department to cut their funding for elections. 
Muted Iran signals it will not retaliate against Israel

A reported picture of the Israeli strike in Iran posted on Twitter

Iran has signalled it has no plans to retaliate after it was attacked by Israel, as it played down the strikes against it on Friday.

The muted response to the limited Israeli attack is being seen as an effort by Iran to prevent tensions escalating into a full-blown regional conflict.

The Israeli strikes came after Benjamin Netanyahu was urged to show restraint by Western allies, including the US, after Iran launched its first-ever direct attack on Israel on Saturday.

There were fears that Israel would hit nuclear facilities in Iran, which led to threats that Tehran could weaponise its atomic programme and build a nuclear bomb.

After Irans air defences shot down three drones over the city of Isfahan, the regime tellingly blamed the small number of explosions on infiltrators, rather than Israel.

The foreign source of the incident has not been confirmed. We have not received any external attack, and the discussion leans more towards infiltration than attack, a senior Iranian official said.

Other officials said they did not know who had conducted the attack, refraining from blaming Israel immediately.

Another official said the attacks were carried out with off-the-shelf quadcopter drones, further downplaying the chances of major retaliation.

One regional intelligence source said they believed the attacks between Israel and Iran on each others soil were over.

Iran can absorb attack

Ali Vaez, the Iran project director at the International Crisis Group think tank and a senior adviser to Joe Biden, told The Telegraph that Iran could absorb the covert attack without feeling a need to up the ante.

Israel clearly wanted to demonstrate to Iran what it could do without doing it. As such, this chapter is closed, he said.

But that doesnt mean that both sides can manage to avert further escalation down the road, especially if the war in Gaza continues or takes a turn for the worse.

Jonathan Lord, from the Centre for a New American Security think tank, said Irans response seems to indicate that Iran is seeking to step down off the ledge, minimise the impact of the attack, and perhaps walk back down the escalation ladder from here.

Western states have sought to send Iran messages via Turkey in recent days, urging it to de-escalate.

Irans attack was unprecedented but caused no deaths and only minor damage because Israel and its allies shot down hundreds of missiles and drones.

It was a response to an April 1 air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus that killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two generals.

Military analysts suggested the intention behind Israels latest attack was to hit back but to avoid further escalation.

The British and German foreign ministers visited Jerusalem this week, and Western countries tightened sanctions on Iran to mollify Israel.

But Mr Netanyahu was under pressure from hardliners in his Likud party and among his coalition allies to order a massive response to the Iranian attack.

Itamar Ben Gvir, the far-Right national security minister, posted a single word on Twitter after Fridays strikes: Lame.

There was no word from Israel as to whether further action might be planned. Apart from direct strikes, it could launch cyber attacks or hit Iranian proxies elsewhere.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine participates vitually in the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Allied Defence Ministers chaired by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. -/NATO/dpa

NATO allies are to give more air-defence systems to Ukraine, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Friday, after a crisis meeting via videolink with defence ministers and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

NATO has "mapped out existing capabilities" from alliance countries that can be given to Ukraine, Stoltenberg said in a press conference after the meeting.

The alliance secretary general also mentioned that "several allies made concrete commitments" to send further air-defence weapons for Ukraine.

Ukraine is concerned whether it can hold the front line against increased Russian military pressure. In recent weeks, Russia destroyed almost all of Ukraine's thermal power plans with airstrikes, Zelensky said ahead of the meeting.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks in a Press conference following the virtual meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Allied Defence Ministers. -/NATO/dpa

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine participates vitually in the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Allied Defence Ministers with chaired by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. -/NATO/dpa
NATO chief: 'No one stands to benefit' from war in Middle East

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks in a Press conference following the virtual meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Allied Defence Ministers. -/NATO/dpa

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has expressed concern about the situation in the Middle East following the suspected Israeli strike against Iran.

"It is vital that the conflict does not spiral out of control, and therefore we call on all parties to show restraint," Stoltenberg said in Brussels on Friday.

"No one stands to benefit from another war in the Middle East," he said.

According to several media reports, Israel carried out a strike in the Iranian province of Isfahan early on Friday in response to a major Iranian drone and missile attack last weekend.

According to the Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post the attack was aimed at an airbase in Isfahan, not far from Iranian nuclear facilities. However, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the nuclear sites were not hit.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks in a Press conference following the virtual meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Allied Defence Ministers. -/NATO/dpa
The denunciations have died down of former U.S. President Donald Trumps unprecedented recent invitation to Russia to attack NATO members that do not contribute their committed 2% of gross domestic product to defense. With the dust settled, the damage done is not all self-evident. One particular widening fault line involving advanced semiconductors merits close examination because it is of the highest strategic importance.

This foreshock to NATOs foundations not only imperils our European theater security, but in a very surprising and deep way our Asian theater security as well.

If one had to pick the single country and company that could do more damage to U.S. military readiness to successfully combat Chinas aggression anywhere in the world, the Netherlands and ASML should  surprisingly  be the top candidates.

Semiconductors are the fundamental building block of the many emerging technologies that will likely appear in the next developmental phase of military weapons, such as hypersonic missiles, quantum computers, artificial intelligence-controlled drone swarms and autonomous killer robots. Semiconductors are not simply another important technology or even a first-among-equals technology; semiconductors are alone in a class of the first order because they undergird all other advanced technologies.

There is no domestic manufacturer of the most advanced and second most advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology, i.e., respectively, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology and deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography systems. The worlds sole manufacturer of EUV chipmaking equipment and lithography systems is ASML, which is based in the Netherlands, a country that for years has not been meeting its commitment of contributing 2% of its GDP to fund NATO. (The Netherlands clocks in at 1.63% of its 2023 GDP, based on 2015 dollars, right below Germany.)

While ASML has no competitors for its EUV lithography equipment, it has two competitors for its DUV lithography systems: Nikon and Canon. All three companies have a desire to sell their competing lithography systems to China, who is a voracious buyer.

The United States national security risk of not being the home country to all of the manufacturers of EUV and DUV lithography systems means that we must relentlessly work to prevent a divergence in semiconductor export control foreign policy with the Netherlands and Japan that permits these advanced semiconductor chip manufacturing systems from being sold to hostile countries, such as China or Russia.

Our current, ad hoc tactics to address this grave national security risk have had limited success and are decidedly inadequate to meet this first-order challenge.

In 2021, the U.S. stopped ASML from selling EUV manufacturing equipment to China through ad hoc strong-arming of the Netherlands export control regime. Unsurprisingly, given that each unit costs approximately 160 million (U.S. $173 million), ASML did not support the United States position. In 2022, the U.S. stopped ASML from selling to China certain DUV manufacturing equipment, which is a generation behind the more advanced EUV, but still the most common method in making some less advanced chips required by computers, cars, and phones. Again, ASML had resisted such sales restrictions regarding DUV manufacturing equipment. Such resistance is entirely predictable given that China made up 29% of ASMLs sales in 2023, which was more than 6 billion.

While Japan agreed in 2023 to restrict exports of chipmaking equipment in response to U.S. pressure, it is currently rejecting the United States push to expand the scope of those export control restrictions.

Because the U.S. has no effective global semiconductor foreign policy strategy, the U.S. is again resorting to ad hoc strong-arming of the Netherlands export control regime. In the latest current development, the U.S. is insisting ASML stop servicing the advanced chip making equipment it has sold to China.

So now one subterranean consequence of the NATO foreshock is clear: It will now be significantly harder for the U.S. to strong-arm ASML over its lithography systems and maintenance services being exported to China when there is now doubt about whether the Netherlands and U.S. are on the same team.

If the U.S. role in NATO decreases, then probably also the leverage that the U.S. has ... with regard to technology transfers to China will decrease, Frans-Paul van der Putten of the Clingendael Institute, a Dutch think tank, recently said.

This NATO foreshock reemphasizes what we have argued previously: The U.S. needs a global foreign policy to control semiconductor exports instead of its current, ad hoc hectoring tactics. More specifically, we need an international treaty governing the export of advanced semiconductors involving key allies that constitute the backbone of the semiconductor supply chain (think Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, South Korea and Taiwan).

From the military perspective of such a semi-allies group, there is a critical need to prevent such advanced chip technology from being exported to, or independently developed in, countries that are hostile to them, such as China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. We need a stable, enduring semiconductor foreign policy that is not subject to the whims of any current or future administration. A foreshock may presage a possible earthquake; we are gravely unprepared, with no time to waste.

Andre Brunel is an international technology attorney with Reiter, Brunel and Dunn. This commentary was adapted from his article recently published in the Journal of Business & Technology Law. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are his and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the law firm or any clients it represents.
NATO allies have pledged to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems, including Patriots, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO-Ukraine Council on April 19.

President Volodymyr Zelensky requested the gathering earlier this week amid Russia's intensifying aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities that continue to highlight the growing shortage of sufficient air defense systems.

"In addition to Patriots, there are other weapons that allies can provide, including (the French system) SAMP/T, and many others, who do not have available systems, have pledged to provide financial support to purchase them for Ukraine," said Stoltenberg.

In a Telegram post accompanying his televised remarks at the meeting, Zelensky said that Ukraine needs a minimum of seven Patriot systems, which would "save many lives."

Iran's massive drone and missile attack on Israel at the weekend has raised questions in Kyiv about the differences in how NATO countries help defend the skies of Israel and Ukraine.

Zelensky again referenced Iran's attack and the subsequent NATO defense, saying it had demonstrated the effectiveness of NATO's air defense capabilities. He added that NATO's intervention to protect Israeli skies "destroyed" the "dangerous myth" that NATO actions to defend a non-alliance member means that NATO is directly involved in a war.

Russia's recent strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure destroyed several thermal power plants across the country, including the Trypillia plant, the main electricity supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts.

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.

Read also: G7 foreign ministers vow to boost Ukraines air defense capabilities

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it will investigate a near miss on the runway of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport outside Washington, D.C., Thursday morning, in which one plane nearly crossed into a runway as another plane was taking off.

According to an emailed statement from the FAA, an air traffic controller instructed a Southwest flight to cross one of the runways while a JetBlue flight was starting its takeoff roll on the same runway.

The incident happened Thursday around 7:41 a.m. local time. The near-miss happened between Southwest Flight 2937 and JetBlue Flight 1554, the FAA said.

Audio posted on YouTube shows air traffic controllers telling the planes to stop. The video, posted by VASAviation, said the Southwest flight was about 65 feet away from entering the runway and about 300 feet from the JetBlue plane, NBC News first reported.

The near collision comes after many flight-related incidents have occurred in the last several months, prompting the FAA to investigate.

In mid-January, the FAA said it was investigating a ground collision at Chicagos OHare International Airport. Transportation officials and police have launched investigations into the communication between air traffic control and two planes after a fiery collision left five people dead in Japan in early January.

An investigative report by The New York Times published last August found that after reviewing FAA safety reports, there was an alarming pattern of safety lapses and near-misses in the skies and on runways in the United States. While no major crashes have occurred, the Times noted that the potentially dangerous incidents are happening more frequently than previously thought.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Nearly a billion Indians head to the polls as six-week election gets under way

A woman shows her inked finger - proving she has voted - outside a polling station in Parbatsar, Rajasthan state, on Friday - HIMANSHU SHARMA/AFP

Amid the rows of brightly coloured T-shirts, flags and other election-themed knick-knacks on display at New Delhis Sadar Bazaar, Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) merchandise stands out from the rest.

The bustling market is a one-stop shop for political paraphernalia and, with the first round of six weeks of voting opening on Friday, shopkeepers say their best-selling items are anything linked to longtime prime minister and BJP leader Narendra Modi.

The preference for merchandise featuring Modis face is clear - nearly every BJP item is expected to bear his image, said shopkeeper Tausif Khan.

Among the other most-wanted BJP trinkets are T-shirts, masks, and saffron caps bearing the messages Ab Ki Baar 400 Par (This time over 400 seats), a reference to the partys parliamentary target this election, or NaMo Again - Mr Modis nickname.

It is a sign of the BJPs dominance over the political landscape in the worlds most populous country - and the almost cult-of-personality-like reverence afforded to its leader Mr Modi.

Ever since he swept to power in 2014, the former chief minister of Gujarat has deepened his sway over Indian politics and culture, reshaping the constitutionally secular country around a controversial Right-wing nationalist agenda catering to the Hindu majority.

Critics have raised concerns about Mr Modis authoritarian tendencies, with crackdowns on opposition and civil society voices increasingly common.

However, his strategy has paid off: BJP won a resounding majority again in 2019 and now controls more than half of Indias states.

BJP voters show their support for Narendra Modi in Ghaziabad, in the state of Uttar Pradesh - Manish Swarup/AP

WhatsApp campaigning

The party is widely expected to win this years elections, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to secure a third consecutive five-year term.

Behind that success is the formidable electoral machine built by the BJP, which with an estimated 180 million members is thought to be the largest political party in the world.

Structured into a network of state, district and local units, the party mobilises vast armies of volunteers and grassroots activists, some of whom may target as few as 30 voters.

With a BJP representative on practically every street in many regions, it is able to conduct relentless door-to-door canvassing and uses social media such as WhatsApp groups to disseminate messages among specific communities.

To reach nearly a billion voters across three million square metres of land - from the worlds highest polling booth 15,256ft (4,650m) in the Himalayan mountains to a polling station in a remote village along a river on the Bangladeshi border - the BJP knows that every little counts.

A worker shows off some Modi merch in Ahmedabad - Amit Dave/REUTERS

Drugs and freebies

In Uttar Pradesh, Indias most populous state with over 200 million residents and 80 parliamentary seats, BJP activist Ajay Gupta began his day of campaigning at 7am on Thursday.

Wearing bright saffron-coloured attire, including an orange muffler featuring the party logo - a Hindu lotus to symbolise peace and prosperity - he spends the morning going door to door in the Railway Road neighbourhood in the city of Meerut.

Whenever someone answers his knock, he politely asks them to support Mr Modi and gives them a BJP flag.

We enter every home and seek votes for Modi, he said.

Mr Guptas target from his bosses is to visit around 100 households before 10am. We dont want to disturb people after theyve left for work, he added.

After completing his morning campaigning, Mr Gupta meets with his colleagues at a street corner to review the list for the next day.

In the afternoon, he visits the party office to provide an update to his seniors, which is then passed up the chain.

We are straightforward in our assessment. We inform booth officers how many will vote for us and how many may be against us, he said. The feedback is shared in WhatsApp groups connected with top leadership nationwide.

However, that electoral machine is not without its flaws.

A record amount of bribes, ranging from cash and precious metals to alcohol and drugs worth more than 440 million, have been seized in the run-up to the election, it emerged this week.

The Election Commission of India said on Monday that the highest total amounts changed hands in two BJP-ruled states.

Gujarat - Mr Modis home state - was top for seizures of drugs used as election bribes, while Rajasthan was top of the list for freebies promised to voters in exchange for their support.

Modi supporters - with cardboard cutouts of the BJP leader - campaigning in Chennai, southern India - Altaf Qadri/AP

Everyone voting for Modi

The relationship between the BJP and leading business figures such as billionaires like Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani has also faced criticism.

The partys use of opaque campaign finance mechanisms, such as electoral bonds, was also recently deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court for their lack of transparency.

On the streets, however, BJPs activist volunteers are confident none of that will make a difference to the final result.

Its partly because [Mr Modi] has changed millions of lives by his welfare schemes like free toilets and subsidised gas connections, and at the same time he is taking care of the religious aspirations of Hindus, said Mr Gupta.

Our assessment after an extended door-to-door campaign is that everyone is voting for Modi.

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Whats needed to make a diversion center successful?

AUSTIN (KXAN)  Law enforcement, prosecutors and elected officials point to the creation of a diversion center as a solution to address crime related to mental health and homelessness.

Travis County Commissioners unanimously passed a measure in March 2023 to create the facility.

A diversion center is meant to be an alternative to jail. In Travis County, the plan is to serve people accused of minor offenses or who are experiencing drug addiction or mental health issues for about 14 days and help transition these patients to their next point of care.

That last point  transitioning patients to their next point of care  currently concerns Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez. As the city and county continue to mold the details of the diversion center, shes emphasizing the need to also focus on increasing resources for long-term services that patients can receive once they leave the center.

LEARN MORE: Background on the diversion center

They have to have more long-term stabilization for it to be successful, she said. The diversion center is more than a building, and it has to be viewed as more than a building.

Mental health statistics at the Travis County Jail, courtesy of the sheriffs office. Numbers displayed are from the week of April 15, 2024.

Wraparound services in action

Lisa Bell, who once received a seven-year sentence for an Engaging in Organized Crime charge, shares the sheriffs sentiment. Bell now serves on the board of Truth Be Told, a nonprofit that helps mentor women in prison to prepare them for a successful life when they get out.

Once I got out, it was scary. Lisa Bell, nonprofit chair, on what it was like when she got out of prison

Lisa Bell now serves as board chair for the nonprofit that mentored her while she was in prison. (Courtesy: Lisa Bell)

Whats important when theyre being reacclimated is that they have those resources that say hey, I can go here, and this job will hire me being an ex-felon, or I can go here because I know I can receive help with housing,' she said.

Bell credits services like these with who she was able to become once she left. While a release date is something to look forward to, its also daunting for people who have been incarcerated for years.

Once I got out, it was scary, she said. Im like wow, what am I going to do for a job, whos going to accept me for a job?'

Gap in the system: Addressing crime suspects mental health in Travis County

For Bell, Truth Be Told helped her on that front. Shes now in discussions with teams working on the diversion center to emphasize the importance of this kind of help.

Where were at with the diversion center now

The city and county are still negotiating contracts with groups who will actually run the diversion center, and theres no set timeline on the projects completion just yet.

A pilot diversion program will launch soon, though, according to Travis County Judge Andy Brown. It will be able to serve 25 people at a time.

Brown said his office is still trying to find the best provider for the pilot, and he wants to make sure its one that can provide comprehensive data that city and county leaders can use to model the full-scale diversion center after.

The creation of the center has long been a passion for Brown.

The urgency for getting started as soon as possible There are so many people sitting in our jail today that really just need mental health help, he said.

During a commissioners court meeting this month, staff working on finding the right healthcare partners to run the diversion center said providers connection to the broader continuum of care to help patients long term is top of mind. They also discussed the needs Sheriff Hernandez addressed: wraparound services in spaces like mental health, employment and housing.

When KXAN asked Brown about wraparound services, he said were doing great work on increasing the amount of supportive housing, we clearly need to do more. The city, the county, the nonprofits.

The Travis County Jail does currently provide mental health resources for inmates.

Danny Smith, the director of inmate mental health programs, said theres a mental health screening for everyone who comes into the jail. From there, staff will refer people they have competency concerns about to the courts. If a person is deemed incompetent to stand trial, theyll be put on a waitlist to go to the state hospital.

He said the challenges his staff face on this front are due in part to what he called a lack of community resources. He said he also cant force someone to get treatment who the courts havent required to do so.

Unless that person is a danger to self or others though they can decline those services and walk away and thats often the case, he said.

Smith added that it also be difficult to intercept inmates with mental health needs to make that initial contact before the inmates get released, contributing to the revolving door aspect.

How a diversion program works in another city

When putting plans together for Travis Countys project, the city and county looked at a diversion program in Davidson County, Tennessee  the county Nashville is in.

In Davidson County, its called a Behavioral Care Center. According to its website, it is a state licensed adult supportive treatment facility providing gender responsive trauma-informed care to residents in a short-term residential setting as an alternative to jail.

Patients who complete the program wont face criminal charges, and staff will connect them with long-term resources. It can house 30 women and 30 men at a time and serves between 1,500 and 2,000 people per year.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Cops have arrested the 45-year-old Bronx man who knifed a neighbor to death in a fight over parking, leaving his victim to die in his fathers arms, police said Friday.

Vladimir Lopez German was located and taken into custody Thursday evening, less than 24 hours after he allegedly stabbed Dominic Aguilera in the heart outside the apartment building where they both lived on Featherbed Lane near Inwood Ave.

Aguilera and his father Jose Cruz were getting ready to leave for work together when a downstairs neighbor, believed to be German, knocked on their door to demand the 19-year-old Bronxite move his vehicle, which was double parked and blocking his car.

Aguilera went downstairs and moved his silver Mercedes sedan a few feet away, but German, an Uber driver, was still enraged, the father told the Daily News Thursday.

German yelled at Aguilera and stabbed him across the chest  penetrating his heart  said Cruz, 52. The bleeding youth staggered at 8:23 a.m. into a nearby Morris Heights deli, where his father rushed to join him.

I saw my son die. He passed away in my arms, said the dad, who employed Aguilera at his Mount Vernon auto body shop. Our whole family is in shock. We never expected anything like this.

Paramedics rushed Aguilera to Lincoln Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead, according to police.

The victims dad was haunted by Aguileras last words.

Dad, dont let me die, he recalled the youth saying.

German jumped into his sedan and sped off before police arrived. Witnesses quickly identified German as the killer to police, who fanned out looking for the suspect.

Police charged German with murder, manslaughter and weapons possession. His arraignment in Bronx Criminal Court was pending Friday.

Double parking in the area happens all the time, said the manager of the deli where Aguilera died.

People double-park cars and block people who are legally parked, so when you want to get out, you cant get out, Wendy Reinoso said. Thats what happened here.

Reinoso recalled seeing Aguilera staggering into her deli covered in blood.

When the kid came in, he was bleeding and then I called 911, she said. He was bleeding a lot.

Reinoso said the young man died on the floor of her bodega as workers applied pressure to his wound.

He then fell down on the floor, Reinoso told The News as she pointed to the spot where Aguilera collapsed. We hold the blood, but he passed right there.
Netanyahu has done what the world warned him not to

Benjamin Netanyahu appears to have ignored the warnings of President Biden and the West

Israels strike on Iran on Friday morning will not come as a surprise to Western observers  but it will cause great concern in Washington and London as the region tips closer towards an all-out war.

Following Irans attack on Israel on April 13, itself a response to an Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate, Israel was clear a response would be required.

That night, Joe Biden talked down Benjamin Netanyahu from launching an immediate response, warning him that America would not support or join in any offence against Iran.

The president reportedly told the Israeli leader to take the win from his stunningly effective air defences, which restricted the effect of the Iranian strikes to a damaged plane and a battered runway.

However, that advice has not been heeded universally by Mr Netanyahus colleagues.

Israels war cabinet has since been locked in negotiations about the timing, scope and location of a military response.

For some doves in the Israeli government, the risk of all-out war with Iran was simply too great.

Tehran has vowed to respond in kind to any attack on its territory, plunging the two countries into a series of retaliatory strikes that would escalate the situation beyond eithers control.

But for the Israeli hawks, a direct missile and drone attack on home soil after months of Iranian support for Islamist proxy groups was one provocation too great.

Mr Netanyahu has now done what Mr Biden, other G7 leaders and the UN warned him not to do.

He has further provoked a hostile and unpredictable regional power with uncertain nuclear capabilities.

For years, Iran and Israel have existed in a state of cold war, driven by Tehrans support for Israels enemies close to home.

But the events of the early hours of Friday morning make a hot war between the two countries a realistic possibility for the first time.

Unlike other recent conflicts in the Middle East, a war between Iran and Israel would pit two of the regions superpowers in direct conflict.

There is also concern about the ongoing relationship between Israel and the United States, which has been increasingly critical of Mr Netanyahus strategy in Gaza and his willingness to launch a strike on Tehran.

Until now, the importance of Israels relationship with the US has restricted Mr Netanyahu from what may be his instinct to fight as hard as possible against Iran and its proxies.

The risk to peace in the whole of the Middle East is now greater than ever. In Washington, as in Tel Aviv, leaders are now holding their breath to see what Iran does next.

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BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The 135th session of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, saw an increase in overseas purchasers compared with the previous edition, an official said on Friday.

As of Thursday, the number of overseas purchasers participating in the event reached around 120,000, jumping 22.7 percent from the same period during last year's fair, Vice Minister of Commerce Guo Tingting told a press conference in Beijing.

The online version of the Canton Fair continued to operate this year. About 294,000 overseas buyers from 229 countries and regions had participated in the online fair by Thursday, Guo said.

An influx of enthusiastic overseas buyers is not the only highlight of this year's fair; it also features an array of high-tech companies showcasing innovative products. More than 90,000 intelligent products were exhibited during the first phase of the fair this year, with transactions of industrial automation equipment and new energy vehicles increasing significantly over the previous edition.

The first phase of the 135th Canton Fair started on Monday and concludes in Guangzhou on Friday. The second and third phases of the fair will be held in the city from April 23-27 and from May 1-5, respectively, focusing on displaying products such as daily consumer goods, gifts, and home textiles.

Launched in 1957 and held twice yearly, the fair is considered a major gauge of China's foreign trade. 
Over the weekend, Futurism discovered some very strange pictures  with garbled hands and other details that are hallmarks of AI-generated or AI-manipulated images  images in the new Netflix true crime documentary called "What Jennifer Did."

The film tells a story of a woman named Jennifer Pan, who was convicted of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot against her parents in Canada back in 2010. She is now serving life in prison.

The images, which appear around the 28-minute mark of the documentary, include morphed fingers, bizarre and misshapen facial features, and garbled background objects.

Questions abound. Did the film's producers use existing archival images of Pan to generate new ones? Or were AI tools used to edit an existing image? Or do the images look like AI, but actually have another explanation?

Now the executive producer of the documentary, Jeremy Grimaldi, has weighed in in an interview with the Toronto Star  but his remarks are hard to parse, and made no direct mention of AI.

"Any filmmaker will use different tools, like Photoshop, in films," he said.

"The photos of Jennifer are real photos of her," he added. "The foreground is exactly her. The background has been anonymized to protect the source."

Grimaldi's comments are extremely vague on a core point: exactly what "photo editing software" did the team use to "anonymize" the images, and did they involve AI? When he says the foreground is "exactly her," does that include her mangled fingers and teeth?

It's hard to know what to make of Grimaldi's remarks, and the Star doesn't seem to have pushed hard on followups. (One thing the newspaper didn't mention: Grimaldi has written articles for it as recently as 2023.)

Futurism has reached out to both Grimaldi and Netflix, but neither has issued a response.

Regardless of intent, the use of AI-generated images in a true crime documentary has stirred a heated debate, with viewers and fellow documentarians accusing Netflix of distorting the historical record by failing to disclose the use of AI  which they say could set a dangerous precedent.

"I don't want to think how else they could use AI images in true crime documentaries or ANY type of documentary  it's insane," one user on the TrueCrimeDiscussion subreddit wrote. "They should definitely disclose when an image is AI- a watermark, caption etc!"

"They shouldnt use AI at all when it comes to stuff like this," another user remarked.

Others slammed Netflix for airing "cash grab" documentaries.

"Netflix has a long history of airing true crime docs with dubious standards of journalistic ethics," one redditor wrote.

"Exploitative true crime sucks, generative AI sucks, everything about this sucks," another exasperated user added.

We've already seen our fair share of AI-generated content being used in films and TV. A recent episode of HBO's "True Detective," for instance, featured bizarre, AI-generated posters in the background of a shot.

But instead of being set dressing for a fictional setting, the archival images of Pan are being presented as the real thing, given the absence of any kind of disclosure.

That could set a dangerous precedent when it comes to the use of AI in documentaries. As 404 Media reports, filmmakers were gathering right around the time we published our story on Sunday to discuss guidelines for how to safely and responsibly use generative AI.

"One of the things we've realized is once a piece of media exists, even if it is disclosed [that its AI generated], it can then be lifted out of any documentary, make its way onto the internet and into other films, and then it's forever part of the historic record," documentarian and Archival Producers Alliance co-founder Rachel Antell told 404 Media.

"If it's being represented as this is a picture of this person, then that's what's going into the historic record," she added. "And it's very hard to pull that back."

More on the story: Netflix Uses Seemingly AI-Manipulated Images in True Crime Doc
The Nevada Supreme Court unanimously greenlit the language of an abortion rights amendment Thursday, putting it on track to feature on the states November ballot.

A state district judge had blocked the secretary of state from putting the initiative on the ballot, finding that it contained multiple subjects and was misleading, among other things.

The supreme court reversed, finding that the amendment uniformly addressed reproductive freedom. It also shot down a common complaint in such initiative challenges, that the brief amendment text doesnt address every possible ramification it could have.

Although Washington and the district court express concern with the failure to address specific effects of the petition, we reiterate that a description of effect cannot be required to address all possible ramifications of an initiative in the limited 200-word summary, Chief Justice Lidia Stiglich wrote for the court.

The initiative is just one of two that the group Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom is backing to appear on the 2024 ballot. A second one, launched later, more selectively addresses abortion rights versus a gamut of reproductive care, from birth control to miscarriage treatment. The campaign must submit at least 102,362 signatures in late June for each.

If either passes, voters will have to pass it again in 2026 to enshrine it in the state constitution. Meanwhile, the Democratic-controlled legislature passed a resolution in 2023 to solidify a state constitutional abortion right; if the legislature does so again in 2025, as expected, that provision will appear on the ballot before voters in 2026.

Still, Democrats including President Joe Biden and Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), both running for reelection, will welcome either proposals spot on the ballot this year. The state joins neighboring Arizona in featuring an abortion rights amendment, which Democrats are banking on juicing their bases turnout in the hotly contested states.

Read the Nevada courts ruling below:

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For the last few months, the Jordan neighborhood association has hosted a naloxone dispensary outside of its headquarters in north Minneapolis. Wrapped in white and red, the "Save a Life Station" is a recycled Star Tribune newspaper box with the coin mechanism removed. Anyone can reach inside and take a naloxone kit  for reversing opioid overdoses  or fentanyl testing strips for free, no questions asked.

Audua Pugh, executive director of the Jordan Area Community Council, can hear the box's metal door slam when someone uses it. She said it's become a frequent sound  and one she welcomes to help counter the "beast" of fentanyl.

"It's prevention of death," said Pugh, who has been in addiction recovery for 20 years. "Where our offices are located, that's a high-traffic area of people and product, of drug users, and so I saw the need. I know the importance of it."

Jim Barrett, a certified peer recovery specialist, and friend Andrew Kamin-Lyndgaard are the people behind the idea. They convert newspaper boxes into harm reduction dispensaries and try to get local service organizations to host them. Another box is inside East Side Neighborhood Services on NE. 2nd Street in northeast Minneapolis. Barrett and Kamin-Lyndgaard aren't a business or nonprofit, just "two guys who want to change a bad situation."

Barrett said he was moved by a CDC statistic: About 40% of overdose deaths occur with a bystander present, and most deaths happen in private residences.

"We have to try a lot of different things and figure out what does and doesn't work," he said. "But there's a lot of stigma around this. People don't understand the nature of it. They think drug addicts are people who live in encampments and under bridges and stuff, so ... basically what I want to do is normalize distribution of naloxone kits, so it's as common as fire extinguishers and AED machines."

There have been challenges. Some businesses fear having a Save a Life Station will invite addicts to congregate, or that it will be expensive to provide the supplies.

Pugh says the first concern is unfounded  "People get what they need to get and then they go about their business"  but keeping her box stocked has been tough. The Jordan neighborhood headquarters is an official Naloxone Access Point where people can pick up free safe use supplies provided by the Steve Rummler Hope Network. But the opioid awareness advocacy organization won't supply outdoor dispensaries like the Save a Life Stations. Pugh has to tap other community connections to get naloxone.

Alicia House, executive director of the network, said outdoor naloxone boxes may be helpful in places with a 24/7 need for naloxone, and for people who may feel uncomfortable getting it elsewhere.

But they also come with complications. Naloxone is best kept in a temperature-controlled place because it can freeze when it's cold and lose effectiveness in the extreme heat. Like all Little Free Libraries, outdoor Save a Life boxes risk being vandalized or wiped out of supplies. And if a box goes a long period without having its supplies replenished, the community it's meant to serve could come to think of it as an eyesore and a broken promise.

"Is it really getting distributed to make the biggest impact and also getting into the right hands? It's just hard to know," House said.

Nevertheless, the idea of outdoor naloxone boxes is gaining steam.

Last year the Overdose Prevention Project  a partnership between advertising agency SixSpeed and Southside Harm Reduction Services  set up Narcan nasal spray dispensaries outside SixSpeed's offices in St. Louis Park, and at the Episcopal Church in Minnesota in north Minneapolis. A third box was recently installed at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Park, and a fourth is tentatively coming to Southside Harm Reduction in south Minneapolis later this month.

SixSpeed creative director Grant Parsons said operating the boxes for the past year has been a "good idea in theory" that has often been "difficult in practice." They found that supplies would get completely cleaned out each week for at least the first month of the box being set up  a pace at which SixSpeed couldn't afford to keep replenishing. But as time went on, the community learned to trust that that the boxes would be restocked again and people seemed to start taking only what they needed, leaving kits for others.

"The hardest part actually was finding locations that would say yes," said Parsons. "We are in contact with a lot of the public libraries. They're trying to figure out how to do it with the red tape of government regulation."

Mary Anstett, president of East Side Neighborhood Services, said accepting a Save a Life Station was a no-brainer.

"For 109 years we've been a place for community to access different resources, and I just thought, of course, we're going to have that available to anyone that needs it," she said.

The Star Tribune has been decommissioning its coin-operated newspaper boxes as the company transitions from print to digital. Once numbering more than 1,000 on street corners across the metro, there are now about 50 boxes located in certain stores and restaurants.

Community members who sign a contract agreeing to repaint them any color other than green can purchase the decommissioned boxes for $20 each and reuse them as Little Free Libraries, food pantries and more. They're often donated for good causes, said Mick Timmons of the Star Tribune's single copy operations.
Nicola Sturgeon still under police investigation as she talks of incredibly difficult situation

Police Scotland have confirmed Nicola Sturgeon is still under investigation as she said her husband being charged with embezzling funds from the SNP was incredibly difficult.

The former first minister emerged from the home near Glasgow she shares with Peter Murrell, the SNPs former chief executive, on Friday, the day after he was charged by detectives examining the partys finances.

Dressed in black leggings and a pink fleece, Ms Sturgeon initially said there was absolutely nothing I can say given the circumstances and appealed for privacy.

She then said her husband of nearly 14 years being charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party had been personally difficult. It was the second time he had been arrested during the inquiry.

Police confirmed that neither Ms Sturgeon nor Colin Beattie, the SNPs former treasurer, who were both also arrested last year, had been charged, but said they remain under investigation as part of Operation Branchform, the inquiry into SNP finances.

Humza Yousaf, Ms Sturgeons successor as SNP leader and First Minister, also described his shock at the charge and noted it was a really serious matter indeed.

He argued that Scots should continue to trust his party as it was really important to emphasise that the SNP was alleged to have been the victim of embezzlement.

The First Minister said he only found out about Mr Murrell being charged when it was announced by police on Thursday evening, and added the former SNP chief executive had done the right thing by resigning his party membership.

Nicola Sturgeon speaks to reporters outside her home on Friday - Wattie Cheung

However, there was fury among senior SNP politicians about the political damage being caused to the party, especially in a general election year.

Mr Murrell, 59, attended Falkirk police station by appointment on Thursday morning and was taken into custody at 9.13am by detectives as part of Operation Branchform.

After more than nine hours of questioning, he was charged at 6.35pm and released from police custody. He returned home later that evening.

Peter Murrell arrived home on Thursday evening after police announced he had been charged - Wattie Cheung

Police will shortly send a report to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scotlands prosecution service, which will assess it and decide whether there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to court. This process could take several weeks.

Mr Murrell was the partys chief executive between 2001 and March last year, when he resigned after accepting the blame for the public being misled about the number of SNP members. He married Ms Sturgeon in 2010.

Since July 2021, Operation Branchform has been examining the SNPs handling of more than 600,000 in donations raised in 2017 for a second independence referendum.

Supporters made complaints when accounts lodged with Companies House in 2020 appeared to show the SNP only had 97,000 in the bank, despite the referendum never having been held.

On April 5 last year, police raided Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrells home and searched it for two days, erecting a large evidence tent. A luxury motorhome was confiscated from outside the Fife home of Mr Murrells elderly mother.

Mr Murrell was arrested at the time of the raid, which took place the week after Mr Yousaf became First Minister. The following month, Mr Beattie was arrested, followed by Ms Sturgeon in June.

A police van drives past photographers outside the home Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell share on Friday - PA/Andrew Milligan

All three were released without charge pending further investigation and Ms Sturgeon has denied any wrongdoing.

On Friday, Ms Sturgeon told reporters outside her home: There is absolutely nothing I can say given the circumstances so Im now going to go out for a walk if thats all right with you.

She urged the media to give my neighbours some peace, adding: Theres nothing going to be happening here.

Asked how difficult Mr Murrells arrest had been for her, she said: Its incredibly difficult. But you know, thats not the main issue here.

I cant say any more. Im not going to say any more if you dont mind. Id also really appreciate  Im still quite a new driver so please try not to distract me when Im driving away. She then got into her car.

Humza Yousaf also spoke of his shock at Peter Murrell being charged - Getty/Ken Jack

Referring to Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie, a Police Scotland spokesman said: A 72-year-old man arrested on April 18 2023, and a 53-year-old woman arrested on June 11 2023 have not been re-arrested or charged, but remain under investigation as part of enquiries into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.

Speaking from the First Ministers Bute House residence in Edinburgh, Mr Yousaf was asked how he intended to rebuild public trust in the SNP.

He said: The police statement makes it very clear that an individual has been charged with embezzlement, embezzlement of funds from the SNP. I think thats really important to reiterate here.

So this will be a shock to many people, myself included, who have known Peter for a number of years. There is an ongoing investigation, and Ive got to let the police do their job.

In terms of people trusting the SNP, I certainly hope, and Im not ever complacent about this, that they will continue to trust us because of the record of delivery.

Mr Yousaf defended not having suspended Mr Murrells party membership earlier, arguing the police should have been allowed to conclude their inquiries before action was taken.

He also confirmed Mr Beattie and Ms Sturgeon remained SNP members, saying: Their circumstances as far as I can see from the latest developments hasnt changed.

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SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea has released a new song praising leader Kim Jong Un for being a "friendly father" and a "great leader", in a move that appears to be part of a propaganda drive to enhance his standing in the reclusive state.

The music video for the song was aired on the state-controlled Korean Central Television on Wednesday.

It features North Koreans of different backgrounds ranging from children to troops and medical staff exuberantly belting out lines such as: "Let's sing, Kim Jong Un the great leader" and "Let's brag about Kim Jong Un, a friendly father".

A live performance of the song accompanied by an orchestra and watched by Kim was also broadcast on state television as part of a ceremony to mark the completion of building 10,000 new homes.

The Kim family dynasty that has ruled North Korea since its founding after World War Two have sought to strengthen their grip on power by building cults of personality around them.

The release of the upbeat song titled "Friendly Father" comes at time when North Korean state media has recently changed the name it uses for a public holiday, prompting speculation that the move is part of efforts to solidify Kim's position.

Instead of calling the annual public holiday celebrating the birth of the country's founder Kim Il Sung "Day of the Sun", state media has started mostly referring to it as the more neutral "April holiday".

Such changes might be part of an effort by Kim to stand on his own feet without relying on his predecessors, an official at South Korea's Unification Ministry said.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim and Hyun Young Yi; Editing by Ed Davies and Sonali Paul)
CHICAGO  Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates and other educational leaders sat down with a group of Collins Academy High School students Thursday to hear what is needed to improve their educational journey.

One of Johnsons visions is to work toward expanding the sustainable community schools program. Under the program, schools would serve as a center bringing in services that would offer mental health resources, healthcare, tutoring and even food pantries.

According to Johnson, the hope is to transform the Collins Academy High School into one of those centers.

This is about making sure every child every single family has what they deserve, Johnson said.

It could actually serve as an infrastructure as a hub that a neighborhood needs that kids need, said Randi Weingartden, President of the American Federation of Teachers.

More from Andrea: Community members march for peace on Southwest Side after child killed, 10 others injured in Chicago weekend shooting

Students told the academic and political leaders assembled their West Side neighborhood could benefit from the transformation, in light of the battle the North Lawndale community has experienced with decades of disinvestment.

North Lawndale is considered a food desert, Damarion Spann. We have to travel to Oak Park, Cicero to get groceries.

Students didnt hold back when asked what is needed to help them set up for success in the future.

If we have greater connections to other colleges that dont see us as a good high school, said Donovan Roberts, a junior at Collins Academy High School. If we can change their mind about that.

I feel like we should have a law program here because I feel like us Black people, we should know the law, another student said. I feel like we should know the law more, just in case some type of situations happen, we know the law.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
An elementary student at ILTexas Saginaw K-8, which is part of the International Leadership of Texas charter school network, reported an alleged assault by a staff member that happened on Monday and was reported to law enforcement and state officials.

A second-grader at the North Texas school said a staff member grabbed him by the neck and shoved him into a wall, according to the student and his mother who spoke anonymously to CBS News Texas.

School officials confirmed to the Star-Telegram that they are investigating an incident that happened on Monday and notified Child Protective Services and the Saginaw Police Department when it occurred; each entity has done its own reporting, according to school spokesperson Caitlin Madison.

At ILTexas, the safety of our students, staff, and campus is our number one priority. Anytime there is an allegation or suspected incident where safety is in question, we take it seriously, and immediately conduct a thorough investigation to ensure the continued safety of our school community, Madison said in a statement.

The staff member is on leave as the investigation is pending, Madison said.

Today's top stories:

 Dad of toddler who died of fentanyl poisoning waited hours to call 911: warrant

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FILE - Judge Juan M. Merchan poses in his chambers in New York, March 14, 2024. On Friday, April 19, 2024, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly claiming Merchan told former President Donald Trump on the first day of his hush money case that he cant attend his son Barrons May 17 high school graduation because he must be in court that day. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out.

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Trump says New York judge wont let him attend sons graduation, no ruling has been made

CLAIM: New York Judge Juan M. Merchan told former President Donald Trump on the first day of his hush money case that he cant attend his son Barrons May 17 high school graduation because he must be in court that day.

THE FACTS: Merchan said on Monday that he was not prepared to rule on a request that court be adjourned on May 17 so that Trump can attend the ceremony. He said his decision will depend on how the trial proceeds. Despite that, Trump said as he left court following the trials first day, it looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son. Moments later, he expressed displeasure because the trial made it so that I cant go to my sons graduation and a number of other events, including a U.S. Supreme Court hearing and campaign stops.

Trump then furthered his criticism of the judge on his Truth Social platform, writing in one post both that he will likely not be allowed to attend and that the Judge, Juan Merchan, is preventing me from proudly attending my sons Graduation. He wrote in another post less than two hours later that he is being prohibited from attending.

Social media users quickly parroted Trumps claims.

Leftist NYC Judge wont allow President Trump to attend Barrons high school graduation, reads one X post that had received approximately 23,000 likes and 11,200 shares as of Thursday. This is going to backfire huge. The American people are sick of this Marxist tyranny.

Some posts also said that Trump will be arrested if he attends the graduation anyway.

But Merchan has not yet ruled on the matter.

Trumps lawyers requested on Monday that the trial not be held on May 17 so that the former president may be at the ceremony. A Trump lawyer also requested the trial not be held June 3 so that he can attend his own sons graduation.

Merchan said he was not prepared to issue a decision on either request, but noted that if the trial proceeds as planned hes willing to adjourn for one or both days. It really depends on how were doing on time and where we are in the trial, he said.

The judge will require Trump to attend court in New York next Thursday, while the Supreme Court will be hearing arguments about whether, as a former president, he is immune from prosecution in another of his four criminal cases. Trump is not required to be at the Supreme Court for the arguments.

Merchan read Trump his so-called Parker warnings on Monday, informing him that his right to be present at the trial could be revoked if he acted out and that he could be sent to jail for disruptive behavior. Trump said that he understood a warrant for his arrest will be issued if he deliberately fails to appear for the trial, according to a court transcript. This is standard criminal procedure law in New York.

Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme to bury damaging stories that he feared could hurt his 2016 campaign, particularly as Trumps reputation was suffering at the time from comments he had made about women.

Trump is facing charges in three other criminal cases, including two related to the 2020 election. He was ordered on Feb. 16 to pay $335 million in penalties in a civil case for a scheme to dupe banks, insurers and others by inflating his wealth on financial statements, a decision he is appealing.

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No, immigrants did not storm New York City Hall in pursuit of luxury hotel rooms

CLAIM: Immigrants in the U.S. illegally on Tuesday stormed New York City Hall, demanding housing in luxury hotels rather than city shelters.

THE FACTS: Social media posts misrepresented the actions of the participants and the reason they had gathered at City Hall.

Hundreds of Black immigrants assembled peacefully in City Hall Park during a hearing about racial inequities in New Yorks shelter and immigrant support systems. They gathered there after it became clear that only around 100 people would be allowed into the hearing, The Associated Press reported.

The New York Police Department told the AP that no arrests were made in relation to the gathering. Attendees said they came for a variety of reasons, such as to support City Council members at the hearing or to see if they could get information about jobs and housing.

Many shared videos from the gathering that showed large groups of people calmly standing, milling about or waiting in line. Other footage showed people cheering outside City Hall.

Illegals have just swarmed NYC City Hall and have surrounded it, reads one X post that had received approximately 32,000 likes and 20,600 shares as of Thursday. Theyre trying to occupy the building and are demanding luxury hotel rooms provided to illegals instead of the shelters that NYC has provided. This is only going to get worse.

A caption on a TikTok video of people in line reads: TODAY IN BIDENS AMERICA illegals in NYC stormed City Hall because they are being moved into shelters and out of their luxury hotels. It was viewed approximately 67,300 times.

But the gathering of more than 1,500 immigrants, mostly from Guinea, was peaceful and there was no indication they had arrived en masse at City Hall to demand luxury hotel accommodations.

They were at City Hall for a hearing held by the City Council's Committee on Immigration to examine racial inequities in the citys shelter and immigrant support systems. Relatively minor proposals were on the days agenda. For example, a set of bills that would require administrators to collect better data on migrants receiving city services, as well as a resolution for the federal government to eliminate or reimburse immigration application fees. Immigrants also testified about their own experiences.

A press conference was held on the steps of City Hall prior to the hearing. It featured speakers including Council Member Alexa Aviles, chair of the Committee on Immigration, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and representatives of advocacy and support groups.

Emmet Teran, a spokesperson for Aviles, told the AP that groups represented at the conference invited immigrants that they work with to attend, though other early arrivals were also allowed beyond security barriers. He added that another impromptu press conference was held for those who could not get in.

Its disgusting, but not surprising from the people that are saying these things, Teran said of the claims spreading online. I think we were very clear in our messaging about the hearing, about what we wanted to cover, which was the experiences of Black immigrants in New York City.

Teran described the crowds as incredibly calm and said that people were understanding even though some were frustrated about waiting in line or not getting into the hearing. They assembled in City Hall Park after realizing that only about 100 people would be allowed into the hearing, the AP reported. Many attendees said they had learned about the event by word of mouth, often on WhatsApp groups with fellow immigrants.

An AP reporter present at the gathering observed that it was calm and orderly. When asked, immigrants were largely concerned about obtaining authorization to work in the U.S. Some also complained about lack of access to halal food in shelters. Others were worried about being evicted from shelters or had come to support City Council members.

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The WEFs chairman is alive and well, despite claims online

CLAIM: World Economic Forum executive chairman Klaus Schwab was recently admitted to the hospital in serious condition and might have died.

THE FACTS: Posts making these allegations began spreading widely after a website that says it publishes satire, and comedic opinion pieces and editorials posted an article about Schwabs supposed hospitalization. A WEF spokesperson told The Associated Press that the claims are untrue.

BREAKING: Klaus Schwab was apparently admitted to the hospital seriously ill, reads one X post that had received approximately 26,000 likes and 9,000 shares as of Thursday. Anyway, that doesnt BUG me.

The word bug appears to be emphasized in reference to another false claim, that the WEF wants to replace meat with bugs.

Other posts go a step further, stating that Schwab may be dead.

But the WEF founder is not deathly ill or worse, according to Yann Zopf, a spokesperson for the organization.

These claims are entirely baseless and unfounded, he wrote in an email to the AP. Professor Schwabs health is excellent. Like many high-profile individuals and organizations, he and the World Economic Forum have been targeted by conspiracy narratives, as well as misinformation and disinformation campaigns.

The recent allegations began spreading widely after a website called the Weekly Crier on Sunday published an article titled, World Economic Forum Founder Klaus Schwab Hospitalized. Weekly Crier says on its About Us page that in addition to reliable and unbiased news and information, it posts satire, and comedic opinion pieces and editorials.

The article on Schwab does not cite any sources, saying only that he was reportedly admitted to the hospital late last night and that other details have not been officially disclosed. It adds that the WEF community, meanwhile, has been relatively quiet on the matter.

Weekly Crier did not respond to a request for comment.

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Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- China has reiterated the importance of viewing industrial production capacity objectively and dialectically from a market-oriented and global perspective on several occasions. This response comes as a rebuttal to the allegation that the country now faces "overcapacity."

From a market viewpoint, the quantity of production capacity is determined by the relationship between supply and demand, and having production moderately greater than demand is conducive to full market competition and promoting the survival of the fittest in the market, said Chinese Premier Li Qiang during his talks with Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz in Beijing earlier this week.

Li added that from a global perspective, the production capacity of different countries is determined by their comparative advantages. As long as countries strengthen cooperation, they can achieve common development.

China's new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, which has been a focal point of some Western countries' "overcapacity" narrative, has seen rapid development in recent years.

Official data showed that China's NEV output rose 35.8 percent to nearly 9.59 million units and NEV sales gained 37.9 percent to around 9.5 million units last year. NEV exports surged 77.6 percent to over 1.2 million units in the same period. During the first quarter of this year, the output, sales and exports of NEVs continued to log double-digit growth.

The sector's competitive advantage is rooted in China's super-large market, a complete industrial system and abundant human resources. It is inseparable from the huge investment in R&D and innovation, as well as the unremitting spirit of entrepreneurs, Chinese vice minister of finance Liao Min said in a press briefing on U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's recent trip to China.

"Enterprises reduced production costs through technological innovation and improved the affordability of new energy products," he said, adding that this means that China, apart from meeting its own carbon emission goals, has also made positive contributions to the global response to climate change and green development. "And this must be objectively evaluated," he said.

The global demand for NEVs is rising rapidly, and the current production capacity is far from sufficient to meet this demand. The growth potential is clearly evident when comparing the estimated global electric vehicle fleet of nearly 250 million units in 2030, predicted by the International Energy Agency, and an estimate of around 15 million units in global NEV sales in 2023.

China has cautioned against using the "overcapacity" narrative to justify protectionism and has called for "pragmatic" and "rational" policy decisions.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Wednesday at a regular press briefing that those who spread that narrative to justify protectionism have nothing to gain from it, but will only destabilize and disrupt industrial and supply chains, hinder global green transition, and curb the growth of emerging sectors.

"China has been and will always be open to industrial cooperation. We hope relevant countries will keep an open mind, embrace fair competition, contribute to a world-class, market-oriented and law-based environment for trade and economic cooperation, and work with China for mutual benefits and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all," Lin said. 
NPR is reeling from an ugly and contentious internal fight after an editor offered a scathing public criticism of his newsroom, saying left-wing bias threatened to erode trust with its listeners.

The editor, Uri Berliner, resigned just days after many of his furious colleagues expressed outrage that his public attacks on the outlet were not only wrong and self-serving but also deeply unfair.

Longtime critics of NPR in the Republican Party, meanwhile, have piled on, saying the criticism from Berliner and the newsrooms reaction to it confirm their long-held views of the outlet.

Berliners public lambasting of his own outlet, brief suspension and then swift resignation created a spiraling mess for NPRs newly hired leadership.

Those executives now find themselves in the crosshairs of their employees as they try to solidify trust inside the company and fend off a steady stream of attacks coming daily from the political right in the wake of Berliners essay.

Tobe Berkovitz, a Boston University professor who focuses on the media, said it was clear Berliner was going to have to go.

The problem is many at NPR consider him a traitor, while he sees himself, not so much as a whistleblower, but as someone who wants the company to take a look at themselves and assess what they are doing right and wrong, said Berkovitz.

Berliner, a senior editor for NPRs business desk who has worked at the public broadcast service for more than two decades, argued in his controversial op-ed that the outlet has skewed disproportionately to the left and alienated a broader audience in the process.

Its true NPR has always had a liberal bent, but during most of my tenure here, an open-minded, curious culture prevailed. We were nerdy, but not knee-jerk, activist, or scolding, Berliner wrote, adding the outlet was increasingly only providing its audience with the distilled worldview of a very small segment of the U.S. population.

The pieces publication last week sent NPRs newsroom into a frenzy, while conservatives praised Berliners rebuke. Staffers have said the op-ed poses a threat to them and undermines their work.

NO MORE FUNDING FOR NPR, A TOTAL SCAM! EDITOR SAID THEY HAVE NO REPUBLICANS, AND IS ONLY USED TO DAMAGE TRUMP, former President Trump exclaimed in one social media post about the essay.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) renewed a call for Congress to defund NPR.

Former GOP presidential candidate and commentator Vivek Ramaswamy, meanwhile, posted a video online calling Berliner admirable for his decision to defect from the outlet.

NPR for years has been on the receiving end of attacks from right-wing antagonists targeting its funding. Last year, the outlet stopped posting its journalism on the social platform X after owner Elon Musk attached an official state media label to its account.

The majority of NPRs funding comes from private sponsorships and user contributions; it also receives a smaller portion of its financing from the federal government and member stations.

Berliner, in his resignation letter to NPR leadership, said he does not support calls to defund the outlet, but stands by the assertions about its political leanings and newsgathering processes.

I respect the integrity of my colleagues and wish for NPR to thrive and do important journalism, he said. But I cannot work in a newsroom where I am disparaged by a new CEO whose divisive views confirm the very problems at NPR I cite in my Free Press essay.

After Berliners op-ed was published, Katherine Maher, the former head of Wikimedia who took over as the outlets CEO in March, alluded to the piece in a note to staff.

Questioning whether our people are serving our mission with integrity, based on little more than the recognition of their identity, is profoundly disrespectful, hurtful, and demeaning, she said.

Adding fuel to the fire has been a stream of years-old social media posts from Maher resurfaced by conservative activists that show her praising Democrats and promoting progressive ideas before she took over at the company.

NPR media reporter David Folkenflik said this week during an appearance on cable news channel NewsNation that the drama Berliners piece sparked had amounted to a legitimate crisis for the outlet.

He said he was actually at peace. Hes hoping to, he says engender a conversation and a debate and introspection inside NPR. He has, I think, to some extent done that, Folkenflik said about his conversations with Berliner. He has also engendered a lot of dismay and discouragement from colleagues who feel that he has unfairly represented their journalism, unfairly represented their judgment and unfairly represented why they were hired at the network itself.

In a statement to The Hill after Berliner was suspended, NPR said it does not comment on individual personnel matters, including discipline, but noted it expect[s] all of our employees to comply with NPR policies and procedures.

The outlet did not respond to questions about how its leaders planned to deal specifically with the fallout of the Berliner episode internally.

There are signs, however, that the network is using the Berliner episode as an opportunity to review its editorial practices.

Maher told staff in her memo she will be implementing quarterly network-wide editorial planning and review meetings, tapping interim Chief Content Officer Edith Chapin to establish a broad-based, rotating group that will meet monthly to review coverage across all platforms.

Our values are a direct outgrowth of this moment: the independence of a public trust, the responsibility to capture the voice and spirit of a nation, a willingness to push boundaries to tell the stories that matter, Maher wrote.

But many on NPRs staff want to see a more forceful condemnation of Berliners assertions from its leadership.

In a letter to Maher and Chapin this week, which was signed by more than four dozen staffers, NPRs journalists called on the two top leaders to publicly and directly call out [Berliners] factual inaccuracies and elisions.

Clearer communication and response to these concerns would go a long way toward helping restore some sense of collective morale that has eroded within the last week, the staffers wrote, according to The New York Times.

But to some observers, the damage to NPRs brand has already been done, and the Berliner episode further underscores the increasing partisan divide across much of the media.

If this is about NPR being on the left, I dont think thats a big surprise to anyone, Juan Williams, a Fox News contributor who worked for a decade at the public broadcaster, told The Hill. Everyone in this polarized media landscape is trying to figure out the difference between catering to an audience and pandering to an audience.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rob Scott, 44, was charged with faking signatures on an election petition -- forgeries which included three dead people

An suburban New York councilman was charged after he submitted election petitions with fraudulent signatures  including three dead people, according to prosecutors and a report.

Rob Scott, 44, a Democrat serving on Peekskill Common Council, allegedly submitted a 2023 petition to run for a county lawmaker seat that was signed by individuals who died in 2012, 2017, and 2022, the Rockland/Westchester Journal News reported.

Eight other individuals whose names were included in the 37-page petition told prosecutors theyd never signed it.

Those and the dead mens signatures were among the 537 on the petition Scott allegedly certified that he had witnessed himself.

Rob Scott, 44, was charged with faking signatures on an election petition  forgeries which included three dead people. Facebook/City of Peekskill, New York

He was arrested on April 16 and charged with offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, a felony that could land him up to four years in prison.

Free and fair elections are the foundation of our democracy. Undermining the petition process in an attempt to get on the ballot in an election violates the publics trust, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah said in a statement.

Scotts petition  which sought to include him on a ballot to challenge County Legislator Colin Smith  was rejected by the Westchester Board of Elections over insufficient signatures.

Two people whose names were included on the petition notified authorities, which sparked an investigation into other names on the petition, according to the report.

The owner of a local juice bar, Scott denied forging the signatures, and claimed he cross referenced each name with county records.

He will be arraigned on April 30 in White Plains City Court.
NEW YORK  NYPD officers arrested more than 100 Columbia University students Thursday after groups protesting the war in Gaza refused to take down a two-day encampment zone.

Hundreds of cops flooded the campus at the request of the university president, with buses on standby to transport demonstrators downtown for trespassing. Other students, undeterred by the polices show of force with batons and helmets, continued to chant on the lawn and briefly set up new tents some yards away.

I regret that all of these attempts to resolve the situation were rejected by the students involved, university President Minouche Shafik wrote to students, saying shed provided multiple warnings. As a result, NYPD officers are now on campus and the process of clearing the encampment is underway.

Police said at least 108 protesters were taken into custody and processed at NYPD Headquarters, then released with a summons. All were charged with trespassing. Two were also hit with charges for obstructing police from carrying out their jobs.

Students have a right to free speech, Mayor Adams said at a press conference after the crackdown, but do not have a right to violate university policies and disrupt learning on campus.

The action drew swift criticism from some students and civil rights groups.

It is disturbing to see a campus move so quickly to arrest students for peacefully expressing their political views within the free-speech zone, Kristen Shahverdian, program director of campus free speech at PEN America.

The move came the day after Shafik defended the administrations response to campus antisemitism before Congress. Since her testimony, tensions had been climbing at Columbia amid clashes with the police and student suspensions over the campus encampment.

Students had pledged that the demonstration, a series of green tents called the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, would remain until the university meets their demand to divest Columbias finances from companies and institutions that profit from Israel. Signs declared the encampment a liberated zone, and demanded ceasefire now and free Palestine, according to photos shared with the Daily News in the morning.

The demonstration lasted 30 hours, Adams said, until university officials and police intervened.

Shafik in a public letter to the NYPD said more than 100 individuals were occupying the South Lawn when she asked police to move in, and that all participants were unauthorized to be on university property.

Police warned demonstrators through a loudspeaker that those who refused to disperse would be considered trespassing. In zip ties, the students were shuttled away by police wearing helmets to buses stationed around the perimeter of campus.

After the crackdown, protesters gathered nearby to denounce the universitys handling of the situation.

The police presence and the arrests do not deter us in any way. As challenging as the environment has been on campus for Palestinian students, we realize that this is nothing compared to what people in Gaza are going through, said Layla Saliba, a Palestinian-American social work student who suffered a spray attack in January.

A premed student said he witnessed one person on the ground who was picked up and zip-tied at the hands and feet.

The arrests he observed were not superviolent, he said. But it obviously wasnt gentle.

Cops said 500 students left their classrooms throughout the day to come out to the quad. They remained on the lawns throughout the day, chanting: Whose campus? Our campus, Free Palestine, and Disclose, divest. We will not stop, we will not rest.

Prior to the NYPD moving in, at least three pro-Palestinian students at Columbia University were suspended Thursday, while a handful protesters outside the campus gates were taken into custody earlier, university officials and cops said. The number of suspensions, including the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), was expected to grow as more students are linked to the encampment.

Student organizers quickly blasted the suspensions in a press release and on social media, which they said means students have lost access to their food, housing and medical center.

As of a few minutes ago, I received notice from Barnard administration that I had been suspended for my involvement in the illicit solidarity encampment, Maryam Iqbal said in a clip posted to Instagram.

I want to make it very clear to Columbia administration and Barnard administration that I refuse to be silenced in my demand for divestment, and I will remain vocally opposed to genocide in Gaza, said Iqbal, a member of Students for Justice in Palestine, which was kicked off campus in the fall.

Students on Wednesday spent the night in the tents on the lawn, despite the rain. By the morning, Students for Justice in Palestine announced Columbia administrators had agreed to one of their demands to provide financial transparency on investments.

New York Civil Liberties Union, which is in active litigation over the suspension of two Columbia student groups, described the administrations response as a significant departure from past practices.

Columbia has allowed students to engage in a range of protest activities on campus without calling in the NYPD, including occupying school buildings and the lawn for days at a time, Donna Lieberman, executive director of NYCLU, said in a statement. Columbias move to send in police so quickly after these demonstrations began chills student expression.

Lieberman added the NYPD arrested legal observers, whose job it is to monitor police activity and are well known to the department.

Hundreds of protesters after the congressional hearing Wednesday gathered on Broadway, with one pro-Palestinian demonstrator arrested for ignoring repeated requests to lower the 15-foot pole for safety reasons, the individual and cops said. Another protester was arrested for assaulting a police officer.

We are devoid of any fear right now, the group said in a statement on social media. We have the student collective mobilizing behind us. And this has given us immense power. We have the control now.

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(With Barry Williams and Tim Balk.)

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Editors Note: The story has been updated to clarify which university is part of this memorial site.

EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR)  Oklahoma Christian University (OC) breaks ground on the Survivor Tree Memorial Plaza this week.

Construction began this week following the groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday.

The Survivor Tree Memorial Plaza will be a place to remember and honor those who lost their lives in the Murrah Building and World Trade Center tragedies and to unite both OKC and NYC in solidarity.

Renderings for the Memorial Tree Plaza

Renderings for the Memorial Tree Plaza

OC is the only other place in the world outside of New York City to have survivor trees side-by-side in remembrance of the tragic events.

Honored guests in attendance of the ceremony included OC Chancellor John deSteiguer; Susan Walton, survivor of the OKC bombing; and Ron Vega, 9/11 recovery worker and Recovery Project executive for the NYC Dept. of Design and Construction.

Groundbreaking ceremony with OKC bombing and 9/11 Survivors. Image Courtesy Oklahoma Christian

GrouGroundbreaking ceremony with OKC bombing and 9/11 Survivors. Image Courtesy Oklahoma Christian ndbreaking ceremony with OKC bombing and 9/11 Survivors. Image Courtesy Oklahoma Christian

Turning of Dirt Image Courtesy OC

Ron Vega, 9/11 recovery worker speaking at ground breaking ceremony. Image Courtesy OC

Susan Walton, OKC bombing survivor speaking at ground breaking ceremony. Image Courtesy OC

Its good to have somebody that you can lean on, at this time of year, that understands

what youre going through. Many people seem to think that we should move on, but theres

always a trigger or something. You never know when thats going to happen, and its good

to have someone here that understands and to lean on. Susan Walton, a survivor of the Oklahoma City bombing

The groundbreaking ceremony took place near the two survivor trees and included the Ralph Harvey Field of Flags, a yearly tradition that takes place to remember the fallen from both the OKC Murrah Bombing and NYC 9/11 attacks.

OC displays 168 American flags and 168 Oklahoma flags in a silent vigil to honor the 168 individuals who died on that devastating day.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Get off my mom: Stabbing suspect killed in house fire after standoff with Sacramento deputies

A man accused of stabbing the mother of his child was killed Friday after barricading himself inside a south Sacramento home and lighting it on fire, authorities said.

Sacramento County sheriffs deputies were called to the 7300 block of Arleta Court just after midnight for reports of an assault and disturbance.

There were at least five people inside the residence when the suspect allegedly stabbed a woman with a kitchen knife, according to archived radio dispatches reviewed by The Sacramento Bee.

Get off my mom, a child yelled, according to dispatchers. You just stabbed my mom.

The woman suffered minor injuries, according to the Sheriffs Office.

Sheriffs deputies began to slowly evacuate people from the home and negotiated with the suspect for about an hour. He told investigators that he didnt want to leave the home alive or willingly, deputies told dispatchers.

Flames ripped through the west portion of the home before Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District firefighters pulled him out of the structure. They began to render medical aid and he was taken to a hospital.

The Sheriffs Office said the suspect was pronounced dead at the hospital. His identity was expected to be released by the Coroners Office.
Getty Images.

A new statewide report released by the Ohio Senate shows the states housing crisis is continuing to get worse, so lawmakers are proposing nearly two dozen recommendations on how to alleviate stress and combat the shortage of affordable units.

The stress is something Clevelander Alex Irizarry knows well.

As soon as you try to find something that you like or that you enjoy, it immediately gets taken off the market or you get outbid right away, Irizarry told us in a previous interview.

But a bipartisan group of state senators Wednesday announced the results of the Senate Select Committee on Housing, a nearly year-long hearing process in different regions across Ohio to learn about problems communities are dealing with.

We can no longer be casual about this issue, said chairwoman of the committee and state Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester). It is a priority and we need to make it a priority because were facing challenges that are increasingly getting worse.

Based on their findings in the nearly 100-page document, they realized there is no single solution to tackle the states crisis. Instead, they proposed 23 recommendations plus introduced numerous bills to fight the growing challenges.

It includes ideas on increasing opportunities for homeownership, consumer protection for renters and homebuyers, alternative forms of housing, tax policy, increasing density, capacity-building grants for local governments, zoning technical assistance, third-party review of services and modifications to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.

You can read the full report here. The recommendations start on page 87.

These bills reflect our commitment to enact meaningful change from bolstering affordable housing initiatives, immediate financial relief of our most vulnerable to implementing policies that promote equitable access to homeownership, state Sen. Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) said.

One of the most significant problems is the lack of inventory for all home buyers and renters  but especially for affordable housing, Craig added.

We want to incorporate changes to increase the number of projects completed, as well as expand eligible buyers to increase the owner-occupied housing supply for working Ohioans, Reynolds said.

The report also details how Cleveland is struggling with permits. According to the state, the city is backed up with applications and it often takes two months to get evaluated. So, lawmakers are proposing a pre-approval process to expedite the development and get more homes built as soon as possible.

Reynolds also said she wants to respect home rules since she knows cities have different needs. That being said, cities have been consistently begging for years for the state to provide them with more funding to help their residents.

You said you wanted to respect home rule but theres been a depletion of the Local Government Fund over the past decade  How did that impact the housing crisis? she was asked.

Im not necessarily sure how that impacted the housing prices, Reynolds responded. However, with respect to home rule, we want to make sure that we know that were pretty much staying in our lane. This is something that we need to work collaboratively with and we realize that a lot of the housing issue is a local issue.

For every 100 people in the state, there are only 40 affordable units, according to the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohios Executive Director Amy Riegel. That means the state is short about 267,000 affordable homes.

Realtor Michael Jones is supportive of the plan, noting that he struggles to find housing for his clients. He does have concerns about the costs of more requirements for building, though.

It causes the project to cost more, causes the building to be more and, overall, you find that rents are higher, Jones said.

Lawmakers were asked how much these proposals would cost and where that money would come from, but they didnt have a clear answer. Because there were so many different ideas, it is likely the funding portion will be more clear once it gets narrowed down.

Still, people in positions like Irizarry need these proposals implemented now.

It does feel unattainable, she said.

Senate leadership is supportive of moving housing relief proposals in the coming months. President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) doesnt anticipate major policy to be fully passed until 2025; however, some stand-alone bills could be, he said.

Just Tuesday, two lawmakers in the Ohio House introduced legislation to create an annual housing fund of up to $200 million a year dedicated exclusively to providing grants to municipalities that adopt pro-housing policies.

Huffman, who is fighting with House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill), said he was unaware of their legislation until their press conference.

This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on X and Facebook.

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The post Ohio housing report shows crisis, bipartisan group of lawmakers propose solutions appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance says giving Russian assets to Ukraine is a bad idea. Is it?

Republican Ohio U.S. Senate nominee J.D. Vance takes questions from the press, August 2, 2022, at the Ohio State Fair in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes. Republish photo only with original story.)

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has teed up series of high-pressure votes on foreign aid in support of Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine. Within his caucus, aid for Ukraine has prompted so much opposition among far-right members it threatens his speakership. Alongside the aid measures, though, the speaker is advancing a new sanctions proposal that is stirring up controversy of its own.

The 21st Century Peace through Strength Act incorporates another wordy legislative aspiration known as the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act. Thats the REPO Act for short. The basic idea is Ukraine needs money to fund its defense against Russia and eventually rebuild; Russia meanwhile has a mountain of assets frozen in foreign countries because it attacked Ukraine. So why not use the latter to solve the former?

Back in January, U.S. Sens. Jim Risch, R-ID and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI, took a victory lap after the measure passed out of committee.

Russia should pay to rebuild Ukraine, and U.S. leadership is essential to spur action, Risch argued. When we help Ukraine rebuild after it beats back the Russian invasion, Whitehouse added, seizing and repurposing the Putin regimes frozen funds is the right place to start.

European Union leaders last month agreed in principle to a plan redirecting the interest generated by Russias frozen holdings to Ukraine. Once finalized, that could amount to a little more than $3 billion a year.

But Ohio Republican U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance warns that he thinks the proposal is much more fraught and complicated than it seems.

Whats the problem?

Vance contends liquidating Russias assets could boomerang back on the U.S. in a couple of ways. He circulated a memo earlier this week urging lawmakers to pump the brakes.

The U.S. Treasury auctions bonds, colloquially known as treasuries, to fund government functions. Theyre generally seen as one of the safest investments available. But if those holdings could vanish at the snap of a finger, Vance argued, it is likely that there will be a decline in parties willing to both attend Treasurys weekly auctions and purchase treasuries through dealers.

Just as the move undermines U.S. bonds reputation, Vance added, it could make alternative financial systems more attractive. In response to sanctions, Russia and China have begun developing their own international banking and payment programs. Vance claims the popularity of those systems has skyrocketed in the wake of recent sanctions against Russia.

Confiscating Russias assets could drive more countries to those alternatives and as a result make it harder for U.S. law enforcement to track terrorists, drug cartels, and other international criminals.

The REPO Act will make it impossible for Donald Trump to engage in diplomacy in Europe during his second term. We need to kill this bill or at the very least make it sunset before the next Trump administration. pic.twitter.com/TegoP6HJjP  J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) April 16, 2024

Vance added there are a handful of U.S. banks still operating in Russia, and if the U.S. takes Russian assets, one can anticipate that there would be some level of retaliation.

Vance also criticized provisions in the REPO Act meant to deter a future administration from eliminating sanctions or unfreezing assets without working with Congress. Negotiating peace is a delicate matter, Vance insisted. To be successful, the president requires leverage and flexibility. Without being able to offer an end to sanctions or frozen assets as a carrot in negotiations, he contends, it could be hard to reach a peace settlement.

What to make of it

Vance isnt alone in worrying about the potential repercussions of seizing Russian assets. For instance, while the EU appears ready to take the interest from Russias holdings, they have no interest in seizing the underlying capital.

A Brookings Institute roundup noted one Belgian proposal would issue debt to Ukraine with the Russian assets as collateral, setting up a post war decision for Russia to make reparations or give up its holdings.

In an article for Carnegie Politka, Alexander Kolyandr notes that plan has some benefits. The former Credit Suisse Vice President and reporter with the Wall Street Journal and BBC noted simply selling off Russian assets could cause a steep rise in the price of military equipment, as well as reduce demand for European debt. Using Russias money as collateral could avoid those problems while also not technically seizing the assets. The problem Kolyandr said, is finding someone to buy the bonds.

Kolyandr, like Vance, warns seizure by a Western power would almost certainly result in Russian retaliation against the holdings of companies from it terms unfriendly countries.

Foreign Policy columnist and European Council on Foreign Relations fellow, Agathe Demarais argued weaponizing the financial system does lead to fragmentation  that is to say, the alternative international payment systems Vance warned about. However, she contends handwringing over a widespread move to abandon western currencies is overblown.

De-dollarization is a long-term, structural trend that predates sanctions on Russia, she wrote. Data from both the European Central Bank and the U.S. Federal Reserve show that global de-dollarization efforts have not accelerated meaningfully since Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Similarly, Kolyandr argued any flight from Western markets wouldve happened in early 2022 when Russias assets were frozen. Two years later, there is still no sign of panic dumping, he wrote.

As for Vances argument that the proposal would tie the hands of a potential future Trump administration, U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-AR, argued the measure would give him more latitude, not less.

Were not tying the presidents hands, he said, Were giving the president flexibility in using Russian sovereign assets that have already been frozen.

I think its in the interest of American taxpayers, Hill added, and French taxpayers and German taxpayers, to use frozen assets by the perpetrator  the Russians.

Follow OCJ Reporter Nick Evans on Twitter.

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The post Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance says giving Russian assets to Ukraine is a bad idea. Is it? appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
Nearly 30 years ago, Ret. FBI Special Agent Barry Black responded to the worst homegrown terrorist attack in U.S. history with just a year of experience as a bomb technician under his belt.

Black was one of two FBI bomb techs in the entire state of Oklahoma, including Jim Norman, when he arrived at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, which housed offices for approximately 500 government employees, around 9:30 on April 19, 1995. Nearly half an hour earlier, at 9:02, ex-Army soldier Timothy McVeigh ignited a bomb that took a third of the nine-floor building, killing 168 victims.

"It was horrific and chaotic. The scope and magnitude of the destruction was something like I had never seen before," Black told Fox News Digital of his memories of the attack 29 years later. "{I've] sadly seen similar since. But other than the first World Trade Center attack, the U.S. had not seen an attack like this."

Black's responsibility as a bomb tech was to "assess the scene," he said.

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Ret. FBI Special Agent Barry Black remembers what it was like to respond to the Oklahoma City bombing 29 years later.

"We were told maybe it was an airplane crash or a gas main explosion. Clearly it was not. And  the scale was something that few had seen in this country," the former special agent said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The explosion registered a 6.0 on the Richter scale and was felt an estimated 55 miles from the scene, according to the Justice Department. It left cars upturned and damaged more than 320 nearby buildings.

The explosion registered a 6.0 on the Richter scale, according to the Justice Department.

Among the 168 who perished in the attack, 19 were children, as the Murrah building housed a daycare on the second floor. The last of the deceased was a nurse who had been responding to the emergency when a piece of falling debris struck and killed her.

FBI JOINS SEARCH FOR MISSING KANSAS WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA

Black went into the building every week to pick up a paper paycheck. The tellers who handed him that paycheck every week "were all killed," Black recalled.

Among the 168 who perished in the attack, 19 were children.

His wife, a federal probation officer, was also in the building that morning, but she drove out at 9 a.m., two minutes before the explosion.

FBI DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER WRAY CITIES INCREASED FOREIGN THREATS IN FISA REAUTHORIZATION PLEA: ROGUES GALLERY

"I have been to a number of these catastrophic events. What makes this a little different is: this was in my backyard. These were people I knew. My wife was in the building. At 9:00, she drove out  two minutes before the detonation  and it was about an hour and a half before I knew she was OK," Black recalled.

When he arrived, "the devastation was overwhelming," he said.

"But as I did what we call the initial survey  kind of a walkabout to try to assess the damage and get a handle on what may or may not have occurred  I asked some of the security people  if they'd seen my wife, and I recall one specifically said, 'Yep, I've seen her and she's fine.' Well, that sort of freed me up. He later told me that he had not. He just thought I needed to hear that she was OK. So, good, bad or indifferent, that's what he told me. And it took a little of the load off."

FBI DIRECTOR WARNS OF ELEVATED' PUBLIC, NATIONAL SAFETY; PUSHES FOR INCREASED FUNDING

While sorting through rubble for evidence a day after the attack, investigators came across the rear axle of a Ryder rental truck used to detonate the bomb with an identification number on it.

While sorting through rubble for evidence a day after the attack, investigators came across the rear axle of a Ryder rental truck used to detonate the bomb with an identification number on it.

"That morning, a reserve deputy called myself and the other bomb tech, Jim Norman, to that rear  axle, and he wiped away some grease, and we wrote down that CBI and then physically gave it to a runner who  took it to the command post," Black recalled.

From there, investigators were able to track down the fake name McVeigh used to rent the vehicle, and employees at the rental shop were able to help investigators put together a composite sketch of their suspect. Once the sketch was released to the public, a hotel employee in Junction City, Kansas, identified the suspect as 27-year-old McVeigh.

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Authorities were able to identify Timothy McVeigh just 54 hours after the Oklahoma City bombing thanks to a composite sketch.

By April 21, authorities learned McVeigh was already in jail after a state trooper pulled him over about 80 miles north of Oklahoma City, just 90 minutes after the bombing, for a missing license plate, according to the FBI. He had a concealed weapon on him at the time and was detained.

Later on, federal agents found evidence of the chemicals used for the bomb on McVeigh's clothing and a business card on which he had written, "TNT @ $5/stick, need more," according to the FBI. Authorities also arrested Terry Nichols, who helped McVeigh make the deadly bomb.

Federal agents found evidence of the chemicals used for the bomb on McVeigh's clothing and a business card on which he had written, "TNT @ $5/stick, need more," according to the FBI.

Following 28,000 interviews that were conducted across the world, investigators were able to piece together McVeigh's and Nichols' motives for the horrific act: They were angry about the April 19, 1993, Waco siege, as well as the August 1992 siege at Ruby Ridge, according to the FBI and DOJ.

"I'm confident we know his motivation. It was intended to be the first blow in an upheaval and overthrow of the federal government," Black said. "Intent is one of those things that's intangible but required to prove. So there was a great deal of time spent looking into why he would do this. And the same is true whether it's domestic or international terrorism. But his motivation was proven clearly."

Black said lessons from the FBI's investigation into the Oklahoma City bombing are still relevant today, and those lessons are part of what he teaches as a professor at the University of Central Oklahoma Forensic Science Institute.

"There are specific things we would look for on scene, like parts of the bomb, parts of the vehicle that carried the bomb. And that information needs to get relayed quickly to the command post so that the larger, broader external investigation can begin. And that's how we had McVeigh and Nichols in custody in about 54 hours after detonation," Black explained. "It was a massive undertaking with law enforcement work[ing] very, very well together."

McVeigh was executed in 2001 at age 33.





Original article source: Oklahoma City bombing: FBI agent reflects on response to attack 29 years later
Security personnel examine the attack site in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on April 19, 2024. At least two terrorists were killed and three others injured on Friday morning in an attack on a convoy of foreign nationals in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police told Xinhua. (Str/Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, April 19 (Xinhua) -- At least two terrorists were killed and three others injured on Friday morning in an attack on a convoy of foreign nationals in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police told Xinhua.

Senior Superintendent of Police in Karachi's Malir district Tariq Mastoi said that two terrorists attacked a convoy carrying five Japanese in the Mansehra Colony area in the Landhi Town region of Karachi but retaliatory firing from security guards foiled the attempt.

According to the police, a terrorist took out a gun to attack the front vehicle but the police security guards in the following vehicle killed him in retaliatory firing.

Following the firing, one of the terrorists exploded his explosives-laden jacket which damaged the foreigners' vehicle and a motorcycle injuring three people, including two guards, said police.

Police added that all five foreigners, including four in the front vehicle and one in the following police vehicle, remained safe in the attack.

Police, security forces and rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the foreigners to a safe place.

The bomb disposal squad had reached the site and found weapons and hand grenades in the possession of the terrorists.

The bomb disposal squad told local media that there was less damage at the site because the explosive-laden jacket of the suicide bomber could not be detonated fully.

The official said three terrorists came to attack but one of them managed to run away after police firing, adding that a search had been initiated in the area to arrest him.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet. 

Security personnel examine the attack site in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on April 19, 2024. At least two terrorists were killed and three others injured on Friday morning in an attack on a convoy of foreign nationals in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police told Xinhua. (Str/Xinhua)

A security staff member stands guard at the attack site in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on April 19, 2024. At least two terrorists were killed and three others injured on Friday morning in an attack on a convoy of foreign nationals in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police told Xinhua. (Str/Xinhua)

Security personnel examine the attack site in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on April 19, 2024. At least two terrorists were killed and three others injured on Friday morning in an attack on a convoy of foreign nationals in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police told Xinhua. (Str/Xinhua)

Security personnel examine the attack site in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on April 19, 2024. At least two terrorists were killed and three others injured on Friday morning in an attack on a convoy of foreign nationals in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police told Xinhua. (Str/Xinhua)

Security personnel examine the attack site in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on April 19, 2024. At least two terrorists were killed and three others injured on Friday morning in an attack on a convoy of foreign nationals in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police told Xinhua. (Str/Xinhua)
Several inmates in an Oklahoma prison say they were locked in filthy shower stalls, some as small as 2 feet by 2 feet,* for days on end. In a lawsuit filed last week, the inmates claim that this treatment caused "severe physical and emotional suffering," and was an obvious violation of their Eighth Amendment rights.

According to the suit, staff at the Great Plains Correctional Center locked several inmates in small shower stalls for extended periods, without access to basic amenities like adequate food and water. Most were placed in 3-foot by 3-foot shower cells, though at least one was confined in an even smaller space. Confinement periods listed in the suit ranged from 24 hours to four days.

The suit describes harrowing conditions for inmates held in the shower stalls. They allege they were placed in stalls filled with human feces and deprived of bathroom breaks. Additionally, several inmates say the only water they had access to was scalding hot shower water.

One prisoner confined in the shower stalls says he was repeatedly pepper sprayed during his detention in the ad hoc solitary cell. Another inmate claims that he was left without clothing, and had to borrow a shirt from an inmate in an adjoining stalla shirt he later used to attempt suicide. That same inmate claims that he wasn't confined for any formal disciplinary infraction, but instead because guards knew that he was a sex offender.

"This systemic practice, akin to an unofficial custom, involved the use of shower stalls for extended confinement, often without even a bucket for defecating or any drinking water save scalding water from the shower," the suit reads. "The conditions were recognized by some members of the prison staff as violations of civil and human rightssome sympathetic staff members attempted to address these harsh conditions but faced internal conflict."

According to the suit, the state of Oklahoma launched an investigation into prisoner treatment at the facility in August 2023around the same time as many of the alleged confinements. Shockingly, this investigation found that several different Oklahoma facilities regularly locked inmates in shower stalls.

While the state's investigation eventually led to the end of shower cell confinement, the suit argues that inmates are still owed unspecified damages.

"The Plaintiffs were subject to prolonged confinement in feces-laden shower cells, under conditions lacking basic amenities like restroom facilities, proper bedding, a space to sit or lie down, drinking water, as well as basic humane treatment, which amounted to cruel and unusual punishment," the suit reads. "Despite the obvious and egregious nature of these conditions, the Defendants showed deliberate indifference to the Plaintiffs' health, safety, and basic human rights."

*CORRECTION: This piece previously misstated the size of the shower stalls.

The post Oklahoma Prisoners Say They Were Locked In Filthy, Tiny Shower Stalls for Days appeared first on Reason.com.
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE)  During the COVID-19 pandemic, education largely switched to online classes. Since then, New Mexicos higher education institutions have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels of in-person classes.

Online higher education in New Mexico peaked in 2020, according to a new report from the Legislative Finance Committee. The latest available data from the 20222023 school year shows that 45% of college credit hours were taken online, a 34% increase in online learning since the pre-pandemic level.

New Mexico plans study on college, university funding

Despite the reliance on online classes, the Legislative Finance Committee reports that New Mexico colleges and universities are missing the opportunity to use online education to reach a key demographic of students  adult learners.

New Mexico has recently focused on bringing more college opportunities to adult learners. The state put millions of dollars towards the effort via the Opportunity Scholarship, which provides funds for New Mexicans who took a gap after high school to go to college.

Higher education institutions are missing opportunities for increased enrollment and efficiencies through online education, Clayton Lobaugh, an evaluator for the Legislative Finance Committee, told lawmakers in a meeting on Thursday. State colleges are well positioned to reach New Mexicos roughly 120,000 adults who have some college, but no credentials.

The data suggests that many New Mexicans are interested in online classes. Over 11,000 New Mexico residents are enrolled in out-of-state online colleges, suggesting New Mexico colleges are being out-competed in the online education market, Lobaugh said. This results in an estimated loss of $58 million per year in tuition revenue to New Mexico Higher Education Institutions.

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Map from Legislative Finance Report shows where New Mexicans are enrolled in out-of-state online programs.

So why doesnt New Mexico take advantage of the opportunity to expand its online education offerings? Stephanie Rodriguez, the secretary of the Higher Education Department, points to the administrative structure at schools as a potential barrier.

We are all familiar of the fact that theres a structure of governance at all of our higher education institutions in the State of New Mexico [in] which each and every college and university has its own governing boardThese boards, in addition to administrators, have the discretion to set new policies, including policies surrounding instruction type, dropping of course sections, course sharing agreements, and joint price agreements, Rodriguez said.

Albuquerque Public Schools looking to change bell schedule for 24-25 school year

In other words, its difficult for state leaders to simply and quickly mandate more online courses. Lawmakers also noted that out-of-state colleges spend money to advertise and attract New Mexico students and that competing against that could incur costs for New Mexico schools. Additionally, Secretary Rodriguez pointed out that accreditation requirements might differ for those out-of-state programs, meaning some students might be able to complete out-of-state programs faster than they could complete in-state programs.

Another aspect under consideration is the overall financial structure of higher education in New Mexico. Theres absolutely a conversation thats happening right now in [the] capitol. Thats right-sizing, and were doing that at the Higher Education Department, Rodriguez told KRQE. We need institutions and regents, and other governing boards to do their part and make a promise to not increase tuition exponentially that we drain state resources and put that price tag on the backs of students.

The Higher Education Department is currently working on a study about how higher education is financed in New Mexico. The results of that survey could impact overall sustainability and course offerings at local schools.

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 boy looks through the fence at Columbine High School where 13 roses were placed in remembrance of the 13 people killed by two gun wielding students at the school on April 20, 1999. (Eric Gay / Associated Press)

Twenty-five years ago on April 20, 1999, one teacher and 12 students were shot and killed by two seniors at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. Another 21 members of the Columbine school community were injured in this shooting and countless lives devastated. That kind of mass violence  and in a school no less  was unthinkable at the time. Yet the past quarter-century has tragically and frustratingly shown that we have failed to keep schoolchildren safe .

The communities of Newtown, Conn., Parkland, Fla., and Uvalde, Texas, like Littleton, were subsequently forced to contend with the unimaginable. And so too have hundreds of others that have not made the national news despite gun violence in their schools.

Data from the Washington Post allow us to estimate that more than 370,000 K-12 students have been exposed to firearm violence since Columbine. And data my colleagues and I are gathering show that there have been nearly 350 intentional school shootings in K-12 public schools since 2015, meaning these events have taken place during school hours and with a perpetrators intent to harm someone else. Firearms are now the leading cause of death among all children and teens in the U.S. and for nearly 20 years prior were the leading cause of death among Black children, reflecting significant disparities that have recently gotten worse .

Read more: Op-Ed: I lived through Columbine. Here's what I have to say to survivors of mass shootings

Indeed, 25 years after Columbine  alongside the rise of school shootings and the corresponding rise of a multibillion dollar school security industry  it is the anticipation of firearm violence that overwhelmingly shapes many aspects of a school, including its safety policies, disciplinary strategies, physical layout and budget. Research estimates that $14.5 billion per year is now spent on school resource officers and security guards. And various states have pushed for structural changes such as installing physical barriers around school grounds, implementing bulletproof windows and increasing the use of metal detectors as ways to safeguard campuses. But there is no evidence these efforts work. Moreover, they often take resources away from the kinds of investments children and schools would actually benefit from.

Instead of investing in the meaningful prevention of shootings, schools have been organized around the inevitability of this kind of violence. An increasing number of districts are arming their teachers with firearms, despite the lack of evidence guiding the effectiveness of such policies. Lockdown drills are now ubiquitous in schools across the U.S., and 1 in 4 teachers reported that their school experienced a firearm-related lockdown within the past year.

School shootings shouldnt be an inevitability, yet schools are forced to treat them like they are. As research has shown, ready access to firearms increases the likelihood of intentional shootings on school grounds. There is also a rigorous evidence base that provides clear guidance as to which specific policy measures could significantly reduce acts of firearm violence in schools: bans on large-capacity magazines , the implementation of safe storage and child access prevention laws and extreme risk protection orders , among others. But over the past 25 years there have been limited efforts by elected officials to implement the policies that we know would have a meaningful effect.

Read more: Op-Ed: Why our response to school shootings is all wrong

Encouragingly, and following more than two decades of no federal funding for research on gun violence prevention, Congress is now helping finance this rapidly growing field that is actively contributing additional solutions and insights. New research is highlighting the promise of anonymous reporting systems that allow students to privately provide tips about potential gun violence, as well as the effects of gun-free school zones . It is also showing how school and community investments in public libraries, bystander interventions and universal school-based violence prevention programs, among others, together contribute to safer schools. This groundswell of new science is providing guidance for policymakers to help scale solutions that work.

There is undoubtedly much still to be done. And the best research can only accomplish so much without significant gun safety legislation. But 25 years after Columbine, its clear that our nation can do better. Just as the U.S. is making significant strides to  end cancer as we know it  and has set the goal for motor vehicle road deaths at zero , a goal must be established for the country to eradicate school shootings. In another 25 years, and hopefully sooner, schools should be spaces free from firearm violence, where all children can thrive.

Sonali Rajan is a professor at Teachers College, Columbia University and the inaugural president of the Research Society for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Californias math wars are roiling the states educational system, with contentious debates over high school curricula.

At issue is whether a data science course should be available as a substitute for Algebra 2. The University of California and California State University systems previously accepted data science as an advanced math requirement in place of Algebra 2. But UC and CSU both recently reversed that decision.

Read more: Op-Ed: How can we make more students fall in love with math?

Data science proponents cite the high failure rates of Black and Latino students even in Algebra 1. They point to the concrete, real-world applications of data science as an excellent student motivator compared with dull, theoretical algebra topics such as the quadratic formula, arguing that the substitute offers more vital knowledge for our data-oriented society. Two popular data science curricula have emerged: UCLAs Introduction to Data Science and Stanfords youcubed .

But as a longtime data science educator, I am appalled at the implications and consequences of allowing data science to substitute for Algebra 2. Among other concerns, it would hurt Black and Latino students, the very group that data science proponents profess to help , teaching them almost no practical or conceptual skills.

Read more: California approves math overhaul to help struggling students. But will it hurt whiz kids?

Opponents of data science programs like me believe the courses, while effective in engaging students, are so superficial that they amount at best to data science appreciation courses. Any substitute for Algebra 2 should be required to be of comparable mathematical sophistication. Even the author of Introduction to Data Science has conceded his course contains only a dash of math.

Most of the Black faculty in data science at UC oppose dropping the Algebra 2 requirement for UC admission. Data science risks becoming known as the Black and Latino math course among students, parents and teachers. As of March 2023, according to figures I obtained through the states Public Records Act , 936 of Los Angeles Unified School Districts 1,091 data science students were Hispanic. Where is the outrage over some populations being shunted into a weaker course?

Read more: Op-Ed: We learn to love math when we realize it's not meant to be useful

Actual data science, unlike many of the courses, is more than just drawing a couple of graphs and bar charts. It is a deep, sophisticated field in which even we specialists can make subtle but very serious errors. Students whose math skills are weak simply do not have the foundation to understand the nuances of the subjects applications.

In particular, the field requires solid skills in basic math topics such as the slope of a line, functions and so on  in other words, Algebra 2. Some college-level and K-12 educators have suggested a compromise: teaching data science alongside Algebra 2 topics, thus stimulating students while developing their math skills. This could be an excellent solution, but the options available are not well-developed. Educators have proposed , for example, that log and exponential growth rate models be added to existing data science courses as alternatives to linear models. But this would be limited to about three lectures out of the 180-day school year. The courses would contain just a dash of algebra.

Read more: Opinion: Why pushing STEM majors is turning out to be a terrible investment

An integrated course should not just include logarithms and exponentials but should actively relate those ideas to data science applications, where they are used extensively. The method known as logistic regression uses exponentials to help predict whether an event could occur, and it has a log-based interpretation. Did you know the famous bell-shaped curve uses both exponential and quadratic functions? Data science also employs matrix algebra, which can be used to find the probability that a gambler will go broke. All these concepts would dovetail nicely with the R programming language already used in data science courses.

But would it work? Though data science advocates rightly celebrate drawing students into the subject, the high failure rate of Black and Latino students in algebra is far more attributable to the lack of basic arithmetic skills than to a lack of interest. A student who is shaky on manipulating fractions , for example, can hardly be expected to understand probability.

The system is failing these kids well before they reach high school, and allowing a data science course for UC and CSU admissions would only mask the problem. Former state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack OConnell has said of Algebra 1 that he strongly believes every child can and should succeed in algebra in 8th grade with the proper resources. Why not give underserved students such resources rather than simply writing them off as hopeless academically?

UC faculty and administration are continuing to explore this urgent issue . We can and must do better by making high-quality math instruction available to all California students.

Norman Matloff is an emeritus professor at UC Davis and a founder of its statistics and computer science departments.

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.
EarthDay.org started the battle for climate education April 22, 1970  the very first Earth Day  and continues to fight for it 54 years later. Right now, the organization is working in every state in the country to provide free climate literacy resources for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Every child must be educated about the environment and climate change, not only in science classes, but as a subject integrated throughout all classrooms  be it reading a short story on wildfires in an English class, calculating fossil fuel emissions in math or creating stunning posters and imagery about the state of the planets plastic crisis in art. Education inspires curiosity and fires up imaginations.

The power of art was recently brought vividly to life with the Your Art Our Earth Poster Competition, which saw the artwork of two students shine  Luke Pohl Bogdan, from Maryland, who won the 5-to-17 age group with an entry titled Sparring Earth, and Teague Smith, from Idaho, who was the 18+ age group winner with a Plastic Trash Shark.

Luke Pohl Bogdans winning poster in the 5-to-17 age group, Sparring Earth. (EarthDay.org)

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For both students, taking part in the competition was a way of speaking up about an issue they care about while embracing a subject they love  in this case, art.

It made me really proud to win the poster competition, as this is the start of my artistic journey, said Luke. Plastics are destroying Earth and harming animals. We must act before Earth becomes a big waste pile. I like to draw action cartoons, and we need action to save Earth from plastics.

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For Teague it was the seas that he specifically wanted to focus on. I chose to spotlight the oceans in my poster because theyre disproportionately affected by plastic pollution, Teague explained. Plastics present a significant threat to our planets ecosystems, emphasizing the urgent need for action.

The competition exposed the students to three important aspects of climate education that EarthDay.org presented at the National Conference for Science Teachers in Denver on March 20 and will be a key part of a report released April 8.

First, it gave them an outlet for expressing their concerns about the climate, which experts say is an important way for them to deal with their anxiety about the very real and documented climate crisis. Second, it reinforced green muscle memory, which trains them to make the right choices for the planet by using less energy and resources and being much more mindful of pollution and land and water degradation. And third, it highlighted the skills and enthusiasm young people will need to fill critical jobs in a green economy  increasingly referred to as the green-collar workforce.

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Dennis Nolasco, a member of EarthDay.orgs education team, helped ease his students climate anxiety when he was a teacher in California and wildfires devastated the landscape. Realizing that climate change is not something far off in the future, but here and now, he designed a unit for his eighth-grade English class around climate change, and they were fascinated by it.

He asked them to read a series of short stories about other extreme weather events and then challenged them to write their own about what they had just experienced with the wildfires. They then read their stories out in class, and he led a discussion about how these made them feel and what they revealed about the changing climate.

I was slightly amazed to see how much information they soaked up from local news as we began discussing the causes of the fires, Nolasco said. Most importantly, the students asked  will the fires be back? I learned that the truth is powerful. Those students benefited from having the time and space to understand the world around them.

Lessons like these also counter misinformation about climate change. The science is in  it is real. Teaching that is critical. To further help promote the cause of climate education, our organization has just released a State of Climate Interactive Map as a call to action for every state to assess where it is right now and where it needs to get to in terms of climate education. Clicking on each state produces a list of what is taught about the climate and what specific issues that state is facing. It also suggests whom people can write to if they want to press for climate education as a mandated topic at state level.

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This Is the Existential Crisis: A Push for Climate Change Education

One of the things we realized after visiting a lot of schools locally, in Virginia and Maryland, is that parents, teachers and students really wanted to know what their own home state was teaching on climate education and then compare it to what other states were teaching  or even if they were teaching it at all, said Emily Walker, an EarthDay.Org education coordinator.

At the college level, the organization is working with student groups to help them advocate for environmental causes on their own campuses, with plans to roll out teach-ins throughout April.

With Earth Day on April 22, theres never been a better time to advocate for teaching the next generation about the climate crisis and giving them the tools they will need to cope with it. Climate education can play a critically important role in saving the planet.
Public schools shape futures, from hard and soft skills to academic foundations and discovering passions that will set young students on the path to success in college, careers, and life.

Great things are happening in Corpus Christi- and Coastal Bend-area schools, and this sort of progress and innovation deserves support from our state leaders.

The CITGO Innovation Academy for Engineering, Environmental, and Marine Sciences at Moody High School is one example of how our schools, in partnership with local employers, inspire and prepare students for their futures.

Mary Carroll High School has a unique Dental Science Program that blends classroom and hands-on learning. During this time, students can earn industry-recognized certification as dental assistants.

Roy Miller and W.B. Ray High Schools are similarly innovating with Career and Technical Education (CTE) and International Baccalaureate programs that provide choice and opportunity for every student.

From the Port of Corpus Christi to the local energy sector to technology firms like Teslas battery operations in Robstown, major employers across the Coastal Bend and South Texas know this, too. Businesses, industry leaders, and community leaders work closely with our local school districts to ensure today's students are college- and career-ready with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life.

But they cant do it alone. Across the business community, among parents, and with teachers, theres genuine concern that leaders at the Texas Capitol have shown a lack of commitment to our public school students and educators.

As Texas' strong economy continues to propel the state into an economic powerhouse across the country and world, it is imperative we support the next generation of doctors, entrepreneurs, welders, mechanics, and teachers in our public schools.

We need more leaders like retiring Rep. Abel Herrero, who was willing to stand stalwart and defend public school funding.

Looking back on 2023, what did our public schools receive from the Texas Legislature? Sadly, not much, especially in terms of much needed funding.

Texas continues to rank in the bottom 10 nationwide for per-student funding, around $4,000 per student below the national average, a disheartening and unsustainable ranking. Lawmakers should have increased the basic allotment for Texas public schools during last years many regular and special legislative sessions, but they failed to do so.

The $2.4 trillion Texas economy is now the eighth-largest economy among the nations of the world, larger than Canada, Italy, and more. As Texas' strong economy continues to propel the state into an economic powerhouse across the country and world, it is imperative we support the next generation of doctors, entrepreneurs, welders, mechanics, and teachers in our public schools.

Speaking of teachers, state leaders also should have given our teachers a raise. Amid a state and national teacher shortage, the failure to invest in this critical workforce is a great disservice to our students and these professionals.

Texas's economic engine is strong, but if leaders fail to fund what fuels that enginestrong public schoolsour long-term economic success will falter as businesses look elsewhere for their workforce.

Decisions at the Capitol directly impact our local schools. With no increases in funding by legislators in Austin, an increasing number of local school districts across our state, including Corpus Christi ISD, are facing budget deficits.

These deficits will force districts to make painful cuts to student services and classrooms because the state chose not to act and deliver the funding our schools need. This is already happening to neighboring school districts around the state and will continue to be an issue as the State fails to do its part in school funding.

However, there is still so much that can be done together. We cannot give up fighting for our local public schools. Each and every one of us has a duty to advocate for our students.

As a first-generation high school and college graduate, I know the value a strong public education provides. Public education isn't just important to me; it is deeply personal. Education is the great equalizer. Thats why its so important for Texans to get to know the candidates on their ballot this election year. These are the leadersstate representatives and state senatorswho directly impact our local schools through funding and policy decisions at the Capitol.

These state leaders have the final say in spending our tax dollars. Are they doing right by our children and our professional teachers who support them? As we look ahead to the November election, your vote and your voice matter and are needed more than ever.

Together, parents, business owners, local community leaders, teachers, and students must remind Texas lawmakers that money matters in public education and that students and teachers are a worthwhile and critical investment.

Sophie Torres is a Regional Advocacy Director for Raise Your Hand Texas, online at raiseyourhandtexas.org.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Opinion: Texas public school students, teachers deserve lege support
Editors Note: Fareed Zakaria is the host of Fareed Zakaria GPS, airing at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET Sundays on CNN. Follow Fareed on X and read news, analysis, and insights from Fareed and his team in the daily CNN newsletter Fareeds Global Briefing. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. Read more CNN Opinion.

Bill Maher recently said on his show that the 2024 election was going to be fought over two issues: immigration and abortion. The party that best navigates these cultural battlefields is likely to prevail in November.

Each party has an advantage, the Democrats on abortion and the Republicans on immigration. Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, energized generations of conservative voters who felt deeply on the issue but were also outraged that courts had taken the question out of the democratic process.

Now, its abortion rights voters who are energized, fueled by states like Arizona that are putting in place draconian restrictions on abortion. With the margins small in many swing states, abortion could be the issue that brings out suburban women, who could tilt those states blue in November.

On the other hand, the Republican Party is now led by former President Donald Trump, who  on this issue as on many others  is supremely opportunistic. Trump, of course, proudly supported abortion rights for years until he started flirting with a political career within the Republican Party, at which point he reversed course fully.

Now that he sees it is politically problematic, he is shifting his stance once again. He has criticized Arizonas abortion ban and has pledged not to sign a national abortion ban if re-elected.

It might seem hard for him to backtrack; he has loudly taken credit for the repeal of Roe v. Wade and touted his anti-abortion credentials. But Trump seems able to say anything, and even do anything, without losing the cult-like following he has with Republican voters. He can appeal to the middle ground, certain that his base will stay with him.

President Joe Biden, on the other hand, does not have the fanatical following that Trump does. He has constructed a coalition carefully appealing to different groups with specific policies. If he loses one of those groups, his team fears that the math will not add up come Election Day.

But he needs to risk it and get tougher on immigration. It has become a proxy for all kinds of issues where people feel that elites simply dont get the concerns of average people. And the concern is rooted in real facts on the ground.

The US has taken in huge numbers of immigrants over the last five decades. In 1970, foreign-born people made up 5.7% of the country. As of 2020, that number was 15.3%. And its not just America. In Sweden, that number went from 6.6% in 1970 to 19.8% in 2020; in the UK, from 5.3% to 13.8%. As I note in my new book, Age of Revolutions, the Western world has seen a wave of unprecedented migration. Considering the numbers and the cultural diversity of the immigrants, people have been remarkably tolerant.

In both the EU and the United States, gangs and cartels have recognized that they can game the asylum system by bringing in migrants who are moving for economic reasons but who apply for asylum, claiming that they are being persecuted at home  and thus get the right to stay, have legal hearings and eventually work. Last fiscal year, nearly a million people applied for asylum in the US. In the EU last year, that number was more than 1.1 million.

The waves of recent migrants have produced problems as anyone on the ground can confirm, from New York City to El Paso to Stockholm. Sweden today is home to one of the highest gun crime death rates in Europe. And it is not a coincidence that its second largest political party is one that traces its roots to World War II-era fascism.

The Biden administration has made the case that it has put in place a set of well-crafted policies to limit asylum-seekers, that it needs Congressional action to do more and that Republicans want this problem to fester so that they can reap its electoral benefits. (They even tried to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on utterly bogus charges. The Democratic-majority Senate quickly put a stop to that effort.) All true.

But Biden must show he can fight. He should declare a national security emergency, send the National Guard to the border, work with Congress to suspend the asylum process and propose a new one that basically makes it impossible to get asylum if you just show up at the border. Many will scream, and it will all be challenged in court. But it will signal that Biden is taking the problem seriously.

Bill Clinton often says that the American people dont always need you to succeed, but they want to catch you trying. Joe Biden needs to be caught trying to solve the immigration crisis.

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This week, citing objections to foreign aid and government spending, Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky announced he would back a motion to vacate the speakership, becoming the first Republican to join Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgias push to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson.

The outcry comes after Johnson, R-La., released separate aid bills for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies, which are expected to get floor votes Saturday. This aid would provide vital resources and assurances to our allies and help limit escalation in regions of conflict, but some House Republicans continue to insist Johnsons support for these bills is grounds for removal as speaker. As a result, hell most likely be reliant on House Democrats to carry the bills across the finish line.

Massie said of Johnson on X: He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP speaker.

I just told Mike Johnson in conference that Im cosponsoring the Motion to Vacate that was introduced by @RepMTG.



He should pre-announce his resignation (as Boehner did), so we can pick a new Speaker without ever being without a GOP Speaker.  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) April 16, 2024

But Johnson, Massie and virtually every other House Republican have resigned  in a way. Theyve resigned themselves to political theater and petty infighting while failing to deliver on even the most basic aspects of their jobs as legislators.

Its all a far cry from Johnsons promise to the American people just minutes after he got the gavel: Our mission here is to serve you well, to restore the peoples faith in this House, in this great and essential institution.

Serving Americans well requires, at a basic level, funding the government. It wasnt until last month that Congress finally passed legislation keeping the government afloat until September, only after House Republicans refusal to act repeatedly brought the nation to the brink of a government shutdown.

Serving Americans well means preserving our nations credit by using congressional authority to raise the debt ceiling and avoid a catastrophic default. Republicans chose instead to fiddle with the full faith and credit of the United States under the guise of fiscal responsibility.

But one of the most basic examples of congressional service  the first task before a House majority after being sworn in  is electing a House speaker.

And just a reminder: It took an unprecedented 15 votes to elect House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California in January of last year, when Republicans took over as the majority party. It took only one floor vote to boot him from the speakers chair less than a year later  the first time in history the House voted to remove its leader.

It took 22 more days of deliberation, multiple nominees and three floor votes before Johnson was elected speaker. Thats 22 days of an entire chamber of the legislative branch being unable to function because of Republican ineptitude.

Now, theyre ready to do it all again.

If Johnson is forced from his post, you can expect even more congressional chaos. Republicans had a nine-seat advantage over Democrats during the arduous process of replacing McCarthy. But beginning Friday with the resignation of Republican Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, the GOP will be able to spare only one vote to retain a majority and elect a speaker, though Gallagher has assured Johnson he has the flexibility to stay until Saturday if needed to vote on the latest foreign aid bills.

This mayhem and mismanagement are all self-inflicted. It was House Republicans who changed House rules to allow any single member a motion to vacate. It was House Republicans who chose to oust McCarthy. It was House Republicans who refused to act on good-faith budget talks, border negotiations and foreign aid.

Which is likely to be why were seeing such a pivot to political theater, with the House delivering impeachment articles for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the Senate, which were quickly rejected, and continuing to pursue a supersized nothingburger with the impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden.

And the discord isnt limited to the federal level. Republican institutions across the country are in disarray.

In South Carolina, Freedom Caucus legislators brought the state budgeting process to a standstill last year as they attempted to force cultural wars into the fiscal conversation.

In Missouri, state Freedom Caucus legislators were stripped of committee assignments after they used procedural measures to bring legislative business to a grinding halt. One state senator even proposed a measure to revive dueling between members.

And the disorder in Republican state parties is arguably even worse.

This is the inevitable result of the governing style Republicans chose to embrace when they put Donald Trump on a pedestal: chaos and division. Until that is addressed, any promises from Speaker Johnson or his possible successor to restore faith in the peoples House will be as fragile as the rules that keep him in power.

For more thought-provoking insights from Michael Steele, Alicia Menendez and Symone Sanders-Townsend, watch The Weekend every Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. ET on MSNBC.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The tit-for-tat strike that had analysts and world leaders wringing their hands in worry that a World War III would fire up in the Middle East finally happened Thursday, when Israel launched missiles at a military installation in Iran. The bombs landed inside Iran with a thud, away from any civilian areas, proving the point that both Israel and Iran can hit each other where it hurts if and when they want.

This latest round of geopolitical chicken  which began after an Israeli strike April 1 on an Iranian consular building in Syria killed two of Tehrans top generals  now seems to have come to rest, but only because the two countries used some caution when wielding weapons of war, opting to prove a narrative point with their attacks rather than a wholly destructive one.

It can be challenging to see missiles launching from one country to another. But look beyond the weaponry and fireworks, and youll see both Israel and Iran verbalized the need to save face with their respective people  by showing strength in the face of an attack on their homeland  while also looking for an off ramp from landing themselves in an all-out war.

In the last week, Israels war Cabinet discussed options to respond. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he wanted Israel to go berserk in response to Irans retaliatory attack and the usual war hawks seeking regime change came back into public light. But war Cabinet member and opposition leader Benny Gantz said that Israel must strengthen the strategic alliance and the regional cooperation that allowed it to weather the Iranian attack, including the rapid deployment of U.S. and Jordanian air force planes.

On the Iranian side, where just a few days ago President Ebrahim Raisi warned that the tiniest act of aggression would draw a response, the desire to de-escalate now sounds like dismissing Israels capabilities outright. Rather than acknowledge the strike inside its borders, the leader of Irans army, Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, said explosions heard near the city of Isfahan were from our air defense firing at a suspicious object. Isfahan is home to nuclear facilities. There has been no damage from the incident. Former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif dismissed the exchange as fireworks. And Irans official news agency was quick to release photos showing life as normal in the areas closest to the target site. For the people of Iran, who live in a tightly monitored media environment, the message is clear: Israel is not a threat, therefore we can be at ease.

The United States, for its part, officially distanced itself once again from Israels tit-for-tat, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken announcing that Washington has not been involved in any offensive operations, though the rules of diplomacy and the realities of U.S.-Israel military ties demanded Israel give Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin a few hours notice of the strike. This notice was especially necessary after Israeli officials acknowledged they miscalculated when attacking Irans Embassy in Syria in early April, catching the U.S. and everyone else in the region off guard.

In short, the diplomacy and firm boundaries set by allies of both countries poured cold water on what could have been a conflagration. Using some self-serving storytelling, both Israel and Iran managed to shelve their egos and save their enmityand millions of lives  for another day.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
JUBA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Violent clashes that erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan a year ago have forced 629,546 people into South Sudan, the United Nations humanitarian agency said on Friday.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), some 43,933 people arrived in South Sudan in March alone.

The clusters have prioritized their humanitarian response to the bare minimum, reaching only those with the greatest needs, focusing on some 4.5 million people in 32 of South Sudan's 78 counties, the OCHA said in its latest humanitarian update, released in Juba, South Sudan's capital.

The UN agency said the price hikes are putting necessities out of reach for many people.

Data from the World Food Program shows food price increases ranging from 55 percent for maize flour to a staggering 84 percent for beans, highlighting the severe consequences of the worsening economic situation.

The OCHA said the affordability of essential food items is exacerbating food insecurity and raising concerns about malnutrition, particularly among vulnerable populations.

A power struggle between the SAF and the RSF erupted into large-scale conflict in mid-April 2023, and has been driving humanitarian needs in the country ever since. Now, a year after the fighting broke out, the conflict has directly killed more than 10,000 people and injured nearly 30,000 more, according to the UN. 
Organisers of Jewish pilgrimage in Tunisia cancel annual celebrations over Gaza

FILE PHOTO: Jewish worshippers arrive at the Ghriba synagogue, during an annual pilgrimage in Djerba

TUNIS (Reuters) - An annual Jewish pilgrimage to Tunisia's Djerba synagogue and celebration has been cancelled due to the war in Gaza, the head of the organising committee, Perez Trabelsi, told Reuters on Friday.

Trabelsi added that the committee has reduced the annual pilgrimage to limited rituals only inside the temple, and expects a very small number to arrive from France due to the tense situation in the Middle East.

"How do we celebrate when people die every day?," he said.

The southern island of Djerba  a holiday destination  is home to Africas oldest synagogue and the annual pilgrimage, attract thousands of Jews annually who come from Israel and several European countries.

Mainly Muslim Tunisia is home to one of North Africas largest Jewish communities. Although they now number fewer than 1,800 people, Jews have lived in Tunisia since Roman times.

This year's Jewish pilgrimage is scheduled to take place at the end of May

(Reporting by Tarek Amara; Editing by Chris Reese and Bill Berkrot)
(This April 18 story has been refiled to correct the day of arrest to Thursday, not Wednesday, in paragraph 1)

By Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) - More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested on Thursday on the campus of Columbia University after its president authorized New York police to clear an encampment set up by students demonstrating against Israel's actions in Gaza.

Columbia University President Nemat Minouche Shafik, who a day earlier came under fire from Republicans at a House of Representatives committee hearing on antisemitism on campus, said she had authorized police to clear an encampment of dozens of tents set up by protesters on Wednesday morning.

"Out of an abundance of concern for the safety of Columbias campus, I authorized the New York Police Department to begin clearing the encampment ... " Shafik said in a statement.

Shafik said the protesters had violated the school's rules and policies against holding unauthorized demonstrations, and were unwilling to engage with administrators.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said police made over 108 arrests without violence or injuries. Police said the arrests were related to trespassing.

Columbia said it had started to suspend students who had participated in the tent encampment, considered an unauthorized protest.

"We are continuing to identify them and will be sending out formal notifications," a university spokesperson said by email.

At least three students - Isra Hirsi, Maryam Iqbal, and Soph Dinu - have received suspension notices from Barnard College, an affiliate of Columbia, for participating in the encampment, the pro-Palestinian advocacy group Institute for Middle East Understanding said.

Hirsi is the daughter of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, who had expressed support for protesters during the hearing at which Shafik testified on Wednesday.

"Those of us in Gaza solidarity encampment will not be intimidated," Hirsi said on social media after being suspended.

The clash, reminiscent of the demonstrations against the Vietnam War at Columbia more than 50 years ago, is the latest in a series of demonstrations disrupting university campuses, bridges and airports since the latest escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on Oct. 7.

Alongside the proliferations of protests, human rights advocates have also pointed to a rise in bias and hate against Jews, Arabs and Muslims in recent months.

The congressional committee on Wednesday accused Shafik of failing to protect Jewish students on campus, echoing accusations leveled against three other elite university leaders at a hearing last year that sent shockwaves through higher education.

She responded by saying the university was facing a "moral crisis" with antisemitism on campus, and Columbia had taken strong actions against suspected perpetrators.

Protesters at Columbia have demanded a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and an end to U.S. military assistance for Israel, as well as university divestment from companies profiting from Israel's incursion.

The encampment was organized by a student-led coalition of groups, including Columbia University Apartheid Divest, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voice for Peace.

Separately on Thursday, about 500 demonstrators marched at the University of Southern California in support of Asna Tabassum, a Muslim student whose valedictorian speech was canceled by the university, which cited safety concerns.

Tabassum and her supporters say the university sought to silence her because of her opposition to the Israeli assault on Gaza.

Protesters marched with signs of "Let Her Speak" and chants of "Shame!" directed at the USC administration.

"It feels really important especially right now for the Jewish voice at USC, the anti-Zionist Jewish voice at USC, to be very loud and very present," said demonstrator Katya Urban, 23, part of the Jewish Voice for Peace contingent at USC.

Israel's assault on Gaza, which has killed over 33,000 people, according to the Gazan health ministry, was triggered by the Oct. 7 cross-border attack by Hamas militants that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Additional reporting by Jane Ross in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank McGurty and Stephen Coates)
Overnight closure of Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh, Irwin planned for this weekend

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is advising motorists of an upcoming overnight closure of the PA Turnpike (Interstate 76).

From midnight until 6 a.m. on Sunday, April 21, the eastbound side of the Turnpike will be closed between the Pittsburgh interchange (Exit 57) and the Irwin interchange (Exit 67) in Westmoreland County.

>> Overnight closure of Pennsylvania Turnpike between Irwin, Pittsburgh planned

The six-hour closure is needed to allow Turnpike crews to perform maintenance work in the corridor, including drain cleaning, roadway sealing and sweeping.

Traffic will be directed off the Turnpike at Pittsburgh and can use the following suggested detour to get back on the Turnpike.

U.S. Route 22 East 10.5 miles

PA Toll 66 South 7 miles

U.S. Route 30 West 4.6 miles

Re-enter the PA Turnpike at Irwin Interchange #67

Pennsylvania State Police and Turnpike personnel will be positioned at the Pittsburgh Interchange to assist drivers.

Last weekend, the westbound lanes in the same area were closed for similar maintenance.

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Pennsylvanias primary election isnt even in the rear-view mirror yet, but the Pennsylvania GOP is already gassing up the bus for the general.

The Fight for Pennsylvanias Future bus tour featuring U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick, attorney general candidate Dave Sunday, Auditor General Tim DeFoor, and Treasurer Stacy Garrity will take place on April 24 and 25. All of the candidates have been endorsed by the Pennsylvania Republican Party.

The PAGOP emailed in a statement to the Capital-Star that the tour offers voters from all regions of the Commonwealth their first opportunity, of the General Election, to connect face-to-face with our candidates and hear their plans first-hand.

DeFoor, Garrity, and McCormick are unopposed for their respective nominations, while Sunday is facing state Rep. Craig Williams (R-Delaware) for the GOP nomination for attorney general.

The road trip will include six stops in two days with visits to Erie, Washington, and Altoona on Wednesday, and appearances in Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, and Media on Thursday.

Each region represents different factions of the Pennsylvania electorate: Altoona, Washington, and Wilkes-Barre are in more GOP-friendly counties, while Erie and Harrisburg are located in what are generally regarded as more purple counties. Media is in Democratic-leaning Delaware County.

In 2020, DeFoor won five of the counties on the bus tour, only losing Delaware County by just under 18 points. In 2020, Garrity won three and lost three of the counties they will be traveling in.

McCormick, who is the presumptive GOP nominee, announced a 67-county bus tour to meet with voters across the commonwealth in February. Hes trying to unseat U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), who is also launching a weeklong bus tour of his own on April 20.

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party did not respond to a request for comment.

The post PA GOP announces post-primary bus tour with statewide candidates appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
The Pacific Northwest is emerging as a staging ground for Latino political representation, as a trio of federal elected Latina officials from the region face their first reelection campaigns, with others potentially joining them in Congress.

From 2011-23, former Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) was the only federal elected Hispanic official from the Pacific Northwest.

Though Herrera Beutler lost her reelection bid in 2022, Reps. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) won their elections and tripled the regions Hispanic representation overnight.

Latinos have played an essential role in our economy and way of life in Oregon for decades. My district in the Willamette Valley has long been home to a vibrant Latino community, and were now the largest and fastest-growing minority group in the state, Salinas told The Hill via email.

That kind of growth has made it hard for pundits to ignore us. It also increases the need for representation at all levels of government, especially at the federal level, to ensure that our voices are heard.

The regions Hispanic congressional footprint could expand in 2025, with Gresham City Councilor Eddy Morales running in the Democratic primary to replace retiring Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) and Washington state Sen. Emily Randall (D) in the primary to replace retiring Rep. Derek Kilmer (D).

The diversification of elected officials is also being felt at the local level.

Last year, the Washington state Legislature created its first-ever Latino caucus, a reflection of the groups growing numbers.

In Oregon, 2022 saw a reduction in the number of Latinos in the Legislature, in part because Salinas left the state House to run for her federal seat. The Oregon Legislature became more diverse overall that year despite losing some Latino representation, with the election of five Vietnamese Americans and a Native American.

Still, the trend is one of growing Hispanic representation  if Salinas and Chavez-DeRemer are reelected and Morales takes Blumenauers seat, half of Oregons House delegation will be Hispanic.

Though Hispanics are among the fastest growing groups in Oregon and Washington, demographic change doesnt tell the whole story.

According to 2023 population estimates by the U.S. Census, 14 percent of Washingtonians and 14.4 percent of Oregonians identify as Hispanic.

In 2010, 10.5 percent of Washingtonians were Latinos, as were 11.2 percent of Oregonians, yet Herrera Beutler and former Oregon Rep. Sal Esquivel (R) are the only two Hispanic names in the rolls of either legislature for that year.

In both states, social policies from education, to health, to criminal justice have created the space for Hispanics  even undocumented or mixed status families  to engage politically, local advocates say.

We were fighting. We were just reacting against anti-immigrant policies. And at some point, we decided we should actually do proactive policies. And so for years now we have passed policies  again, at different levels, state, county and city levels, in different areas in Washington  that ended up giving this protection that the community needs, said Maru Mora-Villalpando, a progressive community organizer in the Seattle area.

And one of the reasons is not only that people can live peacefully, but that they can actually participate and understand the power, right? We say its important to vote, but voting is not enough.

Progressive organizing has become a feeder league for aspiring politicians in a region where both states look solidly Democratic but have a much more complicated spectrum of ideologies at the local level.

Randall, the state senator hoping to replace Kilmer, said she was inspired to run as a reaction to former President Trumps surprise win in 2016.

I ran in the district where I grew up but where  since Congressman Kilmer had left the state Senate, we had had Republican representation. And a lot of folks told me that, you know, queer Latina who worked at Planned Parenthood couldnt win in that district. And we won by 102 votes on a 70,000 manual recount, Randall said.

Outside of liberal cities including Seattle and Portland, the Pacific Northwest is host to an eclectic tapestry of ideologies that sometimes seems incompatible with national issues.

I describe to people who dont know my district that were definitely more libertarian than Democrat or Republican. You know, people want to live in a rural community because they dont want to live right next to their neighbor, right? They live in a rural community because they dont want the government to, like, get their hands on their guns, their uterus or their marijuana. Thats the vibe, Randall said.

That vibe is reflected in the regions federally elected Latinas.

Gluesenkamp Perez flipped Herrera Beutlers seat after the then-incumbent was eliminated in a jungle primary, leaving Gluesenkamp Perez and MAGA-aligned Republican Joe Kent to compete in the general election.

The Democrat won by less than a percentage point  and is potentially facing a rematch against Kent  and she has held staunchly centrist positions, including voting for a Republican resolution to condemn the Biden administrations immigration policies in March.

First of all, identity doesnt really match progressive ideology, right? We do have a lot of more way more representation that we did 10 years ago in regards to Latinx political officials, especially in the in state Senate and House, Mora-Villalpando said.

The vast majority of them are progressive, but theres ones here and there that are not, regardless of their identity as Latinos or Latinx. And I think it has to do a lot with their constituency and the history of the place.

Hispanic agricultural workers have seasonally worked the region for decades, but like in other parts of the country, many migrant populations decided to stay put following the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which made repeat border crossings more onerous.

The region has also attracted immigrants from other states, including California in the mid-1990s, which have either cracked down on undocumented immigrants or restrict the social services available to foreign nationals.

My mother was able to bring us up there by taking care of farm workers kids, and also making lunches for farm workers. So I think just because of the large agricultural, like, economy here in terms of lumber, the pine  I think we have the largest Christmas tree farms here  and also kind of fruits and vegetables. I think a lot of that work has attracted people here, said Morales, the city council member running to replace Blumenauer.

And then you know, like myself, I became the first in my family to graduate high school, the first to go to college. Our second generation just becomes part of the community here.

Like other Cascadians, Hispanics in the region show different political and cultural tendencies in urbanized coastal areas, and across the mountains in central and eastern Oregon and Washington.

But Hispanic populations are growing on either side of the mountains, with political consequences. In Washingtons central Yakima Valley, for instance, a federal judge ordered the state to adopt an electoral map uniting Hispanic communities to create a Latino-majority district ahead of the 2024 election.

Expanding the Latino footprint in the region has often been an uphill battle.

In 2022, the Congressional Hispanic Caucuss campaign arm, Bold PAC, fought national Democratic leadership in a $15 million primary  with Bold PACs candidate spending about 10 percent of that amount  to get Salinas elected.

Im honored to be one of the first Latinas to represent Oregon in Congress, and the fact that voters elected me in a crowded, 9-person primary speaks volumes about the power of the Latino electorate. But we are not a monolith, Salinas said.

More Latino representation will bring more diverse perspectives to the table, and politicians will need to keep an open line of communication with our community if they want to win the Latino vote. Ive worked hard to create those connections and I will continue meeting with folks on the ground, listening to their concerns, and bringing them back with me to Washington D.C.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Pandas coming to CA zoo for first time in decades  and city calls it a major boost

A zoo in California soon will receive rare animals that should give the city a major boost, officials said.

As part of Chinas Panda Diplomacy Program, the San Francisco Zoo was selected to receive giant pandas, according to an April 19 news release from city Mayor London Breed.

Breed said she was thrilled and that this would mark the first time the city will be a long-term home for giant pandas.

President Xi Jinping of the Peoples Republic of China met with President Joe Biden in November and discussed the exchange between China and the U.S., officials said.

The goal is to build a stronger, lasting relationship between China and San Francisco, the release said.

The last time pandas were at the zoo was for a temporary time in 1984 and 1985, officials said. The two pandas were at the zoo during the 1984 Summer Olympics tour and brought more than 260,000 visitors to the city.

The pandas returned to the zoo in 1985 for a three-month visit, officials said.

Breed said the semi-permanent pandas at the zoo will bring more tourism to the city.

The arrival date hinges on the completion of an enclosure to house the pandas, officials said.

One of worlds rarest tigers dies at age 20, Georgia zoo says. Heartbreaking

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Baby otters born at Washington zoo weigh the same as 5 fun-size Snickers. See them
A parents rights group led by a former Trump administration official is launching a new ad Friday warning of the dangers of TikTok ahead of a potential House vote regarding the app.

The American Parents Coalition is spending $500,000 on a mix of television and digital ads in Washington, D.C., as well as in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Montana, all states where an incumbent Democratic senator is up for reelection. The details of the ad buy were shared first with The Hill.

The 30-second ad, titled TikTok Nightmare, described the apps algorithm as every parents nightmare, citing a study that showed eating disorder content and self-harm content have billions of views.

TikToks algorithm is every parents worst nightmare. The Chinese-owned app pushes content promoting suicide, eating disorders, and other harmful trends, Alleigh Marre, executive director of the American Parents Coalition, said in a statement.

A platform that is controlled by a foreign adversary and targets our kids is not just a threat to the safety of our children, but our nation as a whole, added Marre, who served as a national spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services during the Trump administration.

The ad launch comes as House Republican leaders included legislation that could ban TikTok in the U.S. if its China-based owner ByteDance doesnt divest in a series of bills that would fund Ukraine, Israel and allies in the Indo-Pacific.

The House in March passed a stand-alone bill that could ban TikTok in a 352-65 vote. President Biden has said he would sign the TikTok legislation if it reaches his desk.

Former President Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee for Novembers election, has expressed skepticism about a potential TikTok ban, despite his administration supporting a ban on the app during his first term.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Police set up a security cordon in Paris' wealthy 16th arrondissement Friday amid reports that a man was threatening to detonate an alleged explosive belt at the Iranian consulate, but the suspect was soon detained without further incident.

Police were questioning the man but they found no explosives on him. The area was cordoned off for several hours. The Paris prosecutor's office said later that the man issued threats while inside consulate, but then left of his own accord.

The prosecutor said the suspect was a 60-year-old French-Iranian dual national who had tried to set fire to the same consulate last September. The man, who was not named, said at the time that it was in protest against the Iranian regime. He was convicted and handed a suspended sentence in October 2023, and banned from possessing a gun and from entering the 16th arrondissement, where the Iranian consulate is located.

Le Parisien newspaper quoted police sources as saying an eyewitness had seen a man present himself at the door of the consulate before opening his coat to reveal what looked like a homemade explosive belt.

French police, including special forces, secure the area near an Iranian consulate in Paris, where a man was reportedly threatening to blow himself up, April 19, 2024. / Credit: Benoit Tessier/REUTERS

The newspaper cited several eyewitnesses who saw the man place flags on the floor of the consulate. They recounted that he said he wanted to avenge the death of his brother.

Police, including SWAT teams, were called to the scene to investigate and urged the public to avoid the area, and traffic on Paris' subway system was halted between stations in the area during the operation.

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PARKER, Colo. (KDVR)  A Parker family is mourning the loss of an honor roll student killed in a crash that claimed three lives in Arkansas on Thursday morning.

Laurelye Kaufman, 14, was admired for being a loving and caring person who took pride in being a big sister and loyal friend.

Everybody loved her. Everybody liked her, stepfather Sam Meneley told FOX31.

Meneley said the family remains in shock and dismay after hearing about the crash.

Its real one minute and then its not real the next minute, he said.

Laurelye Kaufman

Family faces challenges after teen killed in Arkansas crash

Laurelye had dreams of one day becoming a professional artist. She was recognized as having extraordinary talent.

Laurelye was not just a good artist but a great artist. I was always caught off guard when she would go to show me what she was working on. Anything in charcoal and paint and pencil, sketch, pen  you know, she just had an understanding of how light and color made pictures, Meneley said.

FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox

Meneley told FOX31 he is devastated and hopes his family can weather the long road ahead.

(Hope) that they come out of this remembering her happily and that theyre able to process and move forward in life, that life will go on for all of us, he said.

Special challenges are involved because of the accident occurring out of state. A GoFundMe is set up to support the family in their time of need as they make arrangements for Laurelyes final goodbye.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
WELLINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand foreign minister, and science, innovation, technology and defense minister will engage in Anzac diplomacy next week in Turkiye and Belgium.

Anzac Day, which falls on April 25, marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) in World War I on Turkey's Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters will represent the New Zealand government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week, and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul, a New Zealand government statement said on Friday.

The day, dubbed as "the national day of unity," is traditionally observed with dawn services, commemorative marches and remembrance services to commemorate everyone who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. 
Pascos aviation story took flight just after the Wright brothers. How it made its mark

Pasco has an enviable aviation history, with connections to some of the most significant moments dating back almost to the moment in 1903 when the Wright brothers completed their famous flight at Kitty Hawk.

Its first aviator arrived in 1911 to build and fly airplanes at the spot now known as Osprey Point.

Later, it was the birth place of U.S. Air Mail (1926) and then home to Naval Air Station Pasco (1942), one of the busiest pilot training facilities of the World War II effort.

Those stories and far more are on display as the Pasco Aviation Museum reopens for the 2024 season this weekend on the east side of the Tri-Cities Airport.

The museum typically closes during the winter when visitors are scarce, using the downtime to expand its footprint and overhaul its exhibits.

The Pasco Aviation Museum shows what a World War II-era bedroom at Naval Air Station Pasco might have looked like.

It reopens from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, April 20. It will remain open each Saturday until winter. Enter via Bergstrom Aircraft Inc., 4102 Stearman Ave., Pasco, on the airports east side.

The museum opened in 2019 and has grown into a home for all things aviation. It is dedicated to telling a story that is sometimes overshadowed by that other Tri-Cities story: The Manhattan Project.

The aviation museum is a years-long labor of love by a team of volunteers and their champion, Malin Bergstrom, owner of Bergstrom Aircraft.

Together, they gathered artifacts and stories and have worked to convert the decommissioned NAS Pasco air control tower into home base for Pascos surprising aviation history.

The tower itself was built in 1942 to support NAS Pasco and is visible in the distance across the runway from the airports passenger terminal.

The Pasco Aviation Museum is a years-long labor of love by a team of volunteers and their leader, Malin Bergstrom, owner of Bergstrom Aircraft.

New in 2024

During the winter break, volunteers completed the transformation of the tower, creating exhibits and visitor amenities on all four levels.

That includes the fourth floor control room where controllers once managed more than 300 training planes assigned to the station.

The work didnt go unnoticed. The Old Tower and its hangar have been added to the Washington State Historic Register, placing them among 1,600 historic and culturally significant properties in the state.

NAS Pasco was a standout moment in local aviation history. But Pasco has a much deeper history with aviation that dates to the heady years following the Wright brothers famous first flight.

The World War II control tower for the Naval Air Station has been turned into the Pasco Aviation Museum.

Charles Zornes brought aviation to Pasco just seven years after the Kitty Hawk flight. He came to Pasco from St. Louis via Walla Walla in 1911 to design, build and fly experimental airplanes.

He leased land at Osprey Pointe on the Columbia River  now the Port of Pasco  and flew his wood-and-cloth biplanes in the area though not for long.

Zornes was fatally injured in a crash and his business closed in 1912.

Air Mail history

The story picked up 20 years later, in the mid-1920s, when the U.S. government began accepting bids from private carriers to carry Air Mail.

Aviation entrepreneur Walter T. Varney secured the first contact and took off from Pasco in April 1926. It was the first time he or any other private contractor carried U.S. Air Mail.

A Varney Air Lines Swallow biplane left the Pasco airfield with 9,285 pieces of mail weighing 207 pounds, according to Herald archives.

The 5+ hour flight ended in Elko, Nev. and was the first commercial U.S. Air Mail flight ever.

Through a series of mergers, Varney would become United Air Lines. In 1976, United celebrated its 50th anniversary in Pasco. The museum has swag from the event to prove it.

Today, United is one of six commercial carriers serving the Tri-Cities Airport.

Before the airport became a commercial hub for air travel, it was a military one.

Malin Bergstrom, president of the Pasco Aviation Museum, displays goggles, a hatchet and other artifacts connected to Days Pay, the B-17 bomber constructed with donations from Tri-City workers during World War II.

NAS Pasco thrives

According to a history compiled by the National Park Service, the U.S. Navy paid $5,000 for about 2,300 acres in Pasco because it wanted to move its Sand Point Naval Air Station inland. It saw Pasco as less susceptible to enemy attack.

About 2,000 Navy pilots earned their wings in Pasco during the war.

Many Hanford workers donated a days pay to buy a bomber in 1944 during World War II.

NAS Pasco was separate from the ultra-secret work associated with the Manhattan Project, centered in north Richland.

One museum exhibit connects the local aviation community to the atomic weapons work through Days Pay, the B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Tri-Citians famously donated a days pay to support the bomber and the war effort.

The Boeing-built bomber was christened in Richland before it was put into operation.

Days Pay artifacts

Its first pilot was Arlys D. Wineinger, a native of Kansas. He became something of a local celebrity with residents regularly send letters and cards to keep tabs on him and the plane they sponsored.

The Pasco Aviation Museum exhibits goggles worn by Arlis Wineinger. The Kansas native was the first navy pilot to fly the B-17 Flying Fortress dubbed Days Pay for the Richland effort that paid for it.

Wineingers family donated his goggles, his headset, an escape ax and an altimeter he saved as a souvenir after he completed his tour to the Hanford History Project, along with some of the correspondence.

The history project, based at Washington State University Tri-Cities, loaned Wineingers Days Pay artifacts to the aviation museum for a B-17 exhibit. Visitors can sit at a mock cockpit with working lights and scrutinize the gear he wore into air combat.

The exhibit doubles as a memorial to four airmen who lost their lives in 1943 when an Army Corps B-17 based at Pendleton crashed on a maintenance flight in the Blue Mountains.

Their bodies were recovered, but the wreckage was left behind in the remote, rugged mountains. Over the years, bits and pieces were taken away by collectors.

Film buffs can watch Top Gun, Devotion and other aviation-related movies at the Pasco Aviation Museums theater in the Old Tower at the Tri-Cities Airport.

Bergstrom said collectors began bringing pieces to the museum when it opened, seeing it as a proper home form one of the regions sadder World War II stories.

The Old NAS Pasco tower is a 1940s building that is not ADA accessible beyond the first floor. Bergstrom hopes to add elevators to the upper floors in the future. In the meantime, the upper floors are accessible by stairs equipped with hand rails.

Go to pascoaviationmuseum.org or call 509-521-7117.

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Pathway in place: CMS officials host events to help graduating seniors plan out next steps

Across the country, many soon-to-be graduates are asking the same question: Whats next?

MORE: CMS graduations continue with safety on minds of many

On Thursday, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools highlighted students who have a plan and guided those who may not through two special events.

Around 800 cadets from the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) at CMS 21 high schools took center stage at Bojangles Coliseum as they were recognized for their hard work and dedication.

We develop these young men and women that really are leaders in their schools, Director of Army Instruction, Lieutenant Colonel Shawn Cowley, said. We really work hard to make sure all our cadets have that placement and that pathway in place before they graduate.

The celebration comes as school board members work to finalize one of their goals, which requests that a percentage of the graduating class be enrolled in college, enlisted in the military, or employed by June 2029.

Currently, district officials are still figuring out the actual targets.

Last year we had 94 percent of our cadets that turned in either a letter of acceptance to a college, a copy of their contract in the military, or a letter from their employer, Cowley said.

Numbers show that more than a third of CMS seniors have earned credits that qualify them as college- or career-ready; district officials say the goal is 75% by the end of this school year.

Aadi Pattanik is a Providence High School cadet who credits JROTC with helping him find what path works best for him.

Ive enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, Pattanik said, where I found my strong suit were classes where I worked with my hands, like automotive, woodwork, and tech theater.

MORE: New recruiting programs put Army, Air Force on track to meet enlistment goals. Navy will fall short

In charge of Thursday nights event was Lt. Col. Bayley Schaefer, a member of Hopewell Highs JROTC program. After graduation, she plans to attend North Carolina State University and pursue a career in military leadership.

I became the battalion commander through a lot of volunteer service and service to the community, Schafer said. I definitely want to be an army officer, and West Point is the best option for having a full career in the military.

With only a few weeks left until graduation, CMS Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill says district leaders arent forgetting about students who have yet to decide their future.

Theyre not quite sure whats going to happen, so they might be feeling a little nervous or anxious about graduating, she said.

In addition to the JROTC event, the district also held an Undecided Day, allowing those students to explore different career and educational paths.

Some of them left with jobs, some students left signing up with the military, and some students got enrolled in Central Piedmont Community College today, Hill said.

(WATCH BELOW: Friends say teen who suddenly died was a proud church member, JROTC cadet)




















Former Vice President Mike Pence called on House lawmakers Thursday to help push forward further funding for Ukraine, predicting Russian President Vladimir Putin will target a NATO nation should Russia win its war with Kyiv.

I have no doubt in my mind having met Vladimir Putin that if Putin were allowed to overrun Ukraine, it would not be long before he crossed the border of a NATO country where our men and women in uniform would be required to fight, Pence said Thursday in an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper.

He said this would force U.S. troops into the conflict under Article 5, a principle that states any attack on a NATO member in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all.

The House is facing mounting pressure to pass further funding for Ukraine as divisions among lawmakers stall aid for the war-torn nation.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is attempting to move forward a series of foreign aid bills that would include funding for Ukraine, Israel, allies in the Indo-Pacific and other national security priorities. Votes on separate portions of the package are expected by this weekend.

Some members of the Houses right flank have already expressed opposition to the bills, arguing funding should be allocated towards U.S.-southern border security provisions.

I would just say to my colleagues on Capitol Hill, my old friends, that nows a moment where the United States of America needs to square our shoulders. We need to recognize we are the leader of the free world, Pence said Thursday.

And we need to step into this moment, send a deafening message, not just to Russia and Vladimir Putin  but also renew our support to our cherished ally Israel, support Tawain and also send a very clear message to the mullahs in Tehran and frankly, to President Xi Jinping in Beijing that America is going to stand firm for freedom, he continued.

Pence applauded Johnsons push for foreign aid even in the wake of an ouster threat from some right-wing members of his conference.

And I think what the American people will witness here is nothing short of moral courage here. Speaker Mike Johnson has decided to do what he believes is right and trust the American people with the outcome in this moment. And I commend him for that, he said.

Pence, who was a Republican presidential candidate at the time, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last June during a surprise trip to the Eastern European country. He has repeatedly vocalized support for Ukraine in contrast to his former boss and 2024 GOP presumptive nominee, former President Trump, who has argued he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if elected president.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(WHTM)  The top Democrat in Harrisburg wants a process to determine whether or not a State Representative is fit to serve. This comes amid an investigation into State Representative Kevin Boyle (D-Philadelphia), who is wanted by Philadelphia Police for allegedly violating a restraining order.

House Majority Leader Matt Bradford says Boyle, who has had mental health challenges for years, is a friend but hes concerned for his wellbeing.

On Thursday, Bradford introduced a resolution to create a committee that would decide whether to expel a member.

Despite the arrest warrant, Boyles votes by proxy were recorded on the House Floor on Wednesday. Boyle, the brother of Congressman Brian Boyle, has already had his security access at the State Capitol revoked and hes facing a primary challenger in Philadelphia.

Boyles term runs through the year.

Video circulating on social media in February appeared to show State Representative Boyleintoxicated at a bar threatening to use his position to close the establishment.

The more than three minute video, which has been viewed tens of thousands of times on X, shows Boyle repeatedly refusing to leave the bar.

I can f end this bar by the way, Boyle said, later adding this bar is done! Do you know who the f I am? This bar is done tomorrow!

Boyle, 44, also repeatedly calls patrons and staff actors and members of the military, threatening to prevent (their) promotion.

State lawmakers have said they hope their House colleague finds the help he needs.

Boyle has served in the State House since 2011 and is currently Chair of the State Insurance Committee. He won re-election for his 172nd House District seat in 2022 with 57% of the vote. Boyle has not yet filed petitions, which are due next week, to run in the 2024 election.

The 172nd District covers part of Philadelphias Fox Chase neighborhood near Cheltenham.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
(WHTM) A Pennsylvania towing company owner is accused of scamming around $300,000 from customers for short-trip tows, the Attorney General announced.

Vincent Fannick, 56, who owns Vinces Towing, a tow truck company in Pittsburgh, would charge customers extremely high tow costs by not revealing prices on invoices and then charge accident service fees, a news release from the AG says.

Those fees added up to more than $100,000 for the 27 victims, the AG says.

This defendant allegedly preyed on consumers already in stressful situations, first by hiding costs when asking for invoice signatures, then by inflating prices for short tow jobs, Attorney General Henry said in a statement. Predatory, deceptive business practices will not be tolerated in the Commonwealth, and business owners who harm consumers to line their pockets will be held accountable.

Troopers looking for suspect in attempted child luring incident in Cumberland County

The investigation began in 2023 when a consumer reported their insurance company was charged over $11,000 for a short-trip tow that wasnt even requested. Out of that amount, $4,250 was designated as an accident services fee, the release states.

Following that, the AG says law enforcement found 26 other consumers who were subjected to the same scam from Feb. 2023 to Feb. 2024. Owners were charged between $9,460 and $13,105 for single, short-trip tows.

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Fannick allegedly charged $9,805 for a tow that was only one-third of a mile for one consumer.

Fannick was charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors including 27 counts of insurance fraud, theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, and securing execution of documents by deception.

Fannick was placed in prison with bail set at $25,000 after he was arraigned. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 3.

In Bucks County, the AG says a tow company was charged with inflating costs in December.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to discuss Iran's actions in the Middle East, other regional threats and aid into Gaza, the Pentagon said in a statement.

Austin discussed "the importance of increasing and sustaining" the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, including via a new route from Ashdod Port in Israel, the Pentagon said.

Israel recently reopened the Erez crossing into northern Gaza and allowed the temporary use of Ashdod port in southern Israel after U.S. President Joe Biden threatened to impose conditions on support for Israel unless it took steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Israel has faced growing international calls to do more to help civilians in Gaza, where nearly all of the 2.3 million population is displaced and enclave also suffers widespread hunger.

The Israeli military said on Wednesday food trucks entered the blockaded Gaza Strip from Ashdod Port for the first time since the government approved the opening of the port to aid shipments.

The Pentagon said Austin and Gallant discussed what it called "destabilizing actions" from Iran in the Middle East. Over the weekend, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria.

Most of the drones and missiles were downed before reaching Israeli territory. Israel has been considering a response.

Israel's assault on Gaza began after Palestinian Islamist group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200, according to Israeli tallies. Israel's military offensive has killed over 33,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the local health ministry.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh; Editing by Sandra Maler)
The Pentagon is preparing to quickly approve a weapons package for Ukraine that includes urgently needed artillery and air defenses as Congress lines up votes to pass additional funding for the country, according to two U.S. officials.

The Biden administration has not made a final decision on how large the tranche would be and what will be in it, said the officials, who were granted anonymity to speak about sensitive internal deliberations. But Defense Department officials are working on putting together a package of U.S. equipment that can move quickly through the bureaucratic process once the legislation passes and is signed by the president, one of the officials said.

They will have that recommendation to the secretary very quickly, and that gets to the president shortly thereafter, the official said.

The tranche  which would be only the second the U.S. has sent since running out of funds in December as Congress stalled on the presidents request for additional aid  will include artillery and air defenses to replenish Ukraines arsenal, the officials said. The White House approved one emergency package of $300 million last month, using cost savings from previous contracts.

Many U.S. weapons are already positioned in stores across Europe that could be pulled immediately for Ukraine, the first official said. Some materiel could reach Ukraine in days; others may take weeks.

Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder declined to get into specifics about what will be in any forthcoming package, but told reporters on Thursday that the U.S. has a very robust logistics network that enables us to move materiel very quickly  possibly within days.

We certainly understand and appreciate the urgency and are poised to move quickly, Ryder said.

The House is nearing a vote Saturday on four bills that would allocate $95 billion in funding to assist Ukraine, Israel and Pacific partners. Once passed, the Senate must still clear the aid package before Biden can sign it.

Of the nearly $61 billion for Ukraine, approximately $48 billion would go to the Pentagon to finance arming Kyiv, replenish weapons and pay for military operations in Europe.

The bill touts $23.2 billion for the military to replenish stocks of weapons and equipment provided to Ukraine. Another $13.8 billion would go toward the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative for the Pentagon to purchase new weapons for Kyiv.

And $11.3 billion would finance intensified troop operations in Europe.

The legislation also reauthorizes the Pentagon to send up to $7.8 billion worth of existing weapons from military inventories to Ukraine, which would then be replaced by the added funding in the package.

The Pentagon's assistant secretary for international security affairs, Celeste Wallander, told lawmakers recently that the Pentagon would begin moving ammunition, artillery shells and air defenses quickly once Congress finally approves the aid.

"We would be able to, with [European Commands] support and [Transportation Commands] support, begin immediately, within a week or two, to provide the ammunition, the artillery ammunition, to provide interceptors to Ukraine," Wallander told the House Armed Services Committee.

Top U.S. officials stressed this week that Ukraine will soon be in dire straits if Congress does not pass additional funding. CIA Director Bill Burns said without new U.S. weapons, Ukraine could lose by the end of the year.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers that Russia is making gains, as Ukraine struggles with ammunition shortages.

Were already seeing things on the battlefield begin to shift a bit in Russias favor. We are seeing them make incremental gains. Were seeing the Ukrainians be challenged in terms of holding the line, he said.
People keep stealing heavy equipment from Home Depot's rental department and selling it on Facebook

Federal prosecutors in Oregon have brought charges against seven defendants conspiracy to defraud Home Depot.

The complaint says the group rented equipment from the retailer using stolen credit card numbers.

Instead of returning the items, prosecutors say the crew sold it on Facebook and other marketplaces.

Home Depot's rental department continues to battle the theft of its heavy equipment in schemes where suspects sell the machinery on sites like Facebook Marketplace, prosecutors allege.

Earlier this month, federal prosecutors in Oregon brought charges against a group of seven defendants, accusing them of conspiring in a scheme in which they stole heavy machinery from Home Depot by renting it and not returning it.

According to the indictment, first reported by Court Watch, members of the group would go to the retailer's rental desk at locations in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado to borrow the equipment using stolen credit and debit card information.

Prosecutors also said the defendants would "often use their real driver's license" for the required identification.

But rather than return the equipment, the defendants instead sold it on Facebook Marketplace and other online platforms, according to the court documents.

In each instance, the equipment was borrowed under a one-day rental, GPS tracking devices were disabled, and items were listed for sale on Facebook and elsewhere, the prosecutors said.

The thefts bear a striking resemblance to several cases in the past year, one in Washington, and two in Florida.

In one, Florida prosecutors sentenced a man to eight years in prison for leading a crime ring that rented more than 60 pieces of heavy equipment, such as trenchers, stump grinders, and excavators, which were never returned, costing Home Depot more than $1 million.

Officials said he too used his actual ID when borrowing equipment, the local Fox affiliate reported.

And just last month, Florida's Attorney General brought charges against another man in a strikingly similar scheme that involved 21 pieces of equipment and cost Home Depot more than $460,000.

Beyond the rental desk, Home Depot and other retailers have been raising the alarm in recent years over theft, which cost the industry an estimated $41 billion in 2022.

In response to shoplifters, the home improvement retailer, in particular, has turned to measures including locked-up displays and power tools that won't work unless they've been activated at purchase.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Prototype of intelligent humanoid TongTong to be unveiled

08:36, April 19, 2024 By Liu Caiyu ( Global Times

The world's first prototype of intelligent humanoid TongTong, also named "Little Girl," engages with her "mother." Photo: Liu Caiyu/GT

A Beijing-based research institute is set to officially unveil the world's first prototype of the intelligent humanoid TongTong, also known as "Little Girl." Once activated, it can be customized to provide warm companionship in households and nursing homes.

Dressed in red shoes, pink trousers, and a white T-shirt with a cute clasp, TongTong is capable of engaging with her "daddy" and "mummy" individually, understanding their intentions and participating in tasks such as helping them mop the floor, washing a dirty rag, and switching on the TV.

Staff at the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence (BIGAI), which developed TongTong, told the Global Times she can acquire human characteristics, interact with humans in a multimodal manner, and autonomously complete tasks.

When she sees a mirror, she chooses to wipe off the red dots on her face, rather than the red dots seen in the mirror, and can snack on a cookie when she is hungry, reflecting her self-awareness. Currently, TongTong can help with a range of tasks. When her mother wants to move a basket, she takes away the chair that blocks it and when her mother spills milk on the floor, she finds a rag and mops it up and then cleans the dirty rag herself.

TongTong is guided by two cognitive systems - the U system (capability) and the V system (value). This allows her to approach tasks in a unique manner, depending on her current state, which is evaluated across five dimensions: hunger, boredom, thirst, fatigue, and sleepiness.

She also has emotions, and when feeling less amicable toward her daddy, she opts to ignore the tipped-over cup on the ground, rather than taking the initiative to help as she did with her mother.

However, there are still gaps before LittleGirl can seamlessly join reality. The Global Times noticed that she is not flexible enough. When interacting with her mother, she is emotionally neutral, lacking any facial expression and appearing somewhat awkward.

"Her mental and value system is comparable to that of a 3- or 4-year-old child. As it continues to be developed and iterated, she will become more vivid, lively, and real, just like us humans. You will see if you come back at the end of this year or next year to experience it again," Zhu Song-Chun, director of the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence, told the Global Times.

Once the basic framework is established, similar to how a child's potential is developed and uncovered, TongTong's learning ability will accelerate, and she will need probably two or three years to progress from age 3 to 18, rather than 15 years, Zhu said.

Through continuous iteration, TongTong will be able to complete tasks like assisting humans with pouring tea and water and offering warm companionship in households, as well as being deployed in multiple tailored scenarios such as nursing homes.

In the future, BIGAI aims to create a family for TongTong, including grandparents, younger siblings, and friends from kindergarten. She will engage in more complex interactions in various scenarios and operate in more complex environments, the Global Times learned.

Asked why training TongTong in the most common abilities in daily life was the priority, Zhu explained that people used to think normal abilities that humans possess and things that they can see at a glance are not considered intelligent because these problems are way too simple. But in fact, human intelligence is about the inner workings of the mind and the moral compass that drives decision-making.

Zhu emphasized that a value-driven approach is important to machine intelligence for future integration in human society, compared to current data-driven approaches.

The concept of "giving machines a heart and endowing them with reason" also aligns with the Chinese national conditions for the development of safe and beneficial artificial intelligence, he said.

TongTong will be officially unveiled to the public on April 27 at the 2024 Zhongguancun Forum in Beijing from April 25 to 29.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Liang Jun)


Representatives from the United Nations Security Council vote on Thursday in New York on a draft resolution that recommended the UN General Assembly admit Palestine as a full UN member. The resolution failed, as it was vetoed by the United States. MINLU ZHANG / China Daily

The vote on April 18 for granting the Palestine state full membership at the United Nations Security Council underlines the quest of the Palestinian people for independ-ence and statehood.

However, by vetoing the application from 13.5 million Palestinians, despite 12 "yes" votes and two abstentions, the US has once again positioned itself against an over-whelming majority of the global community in matters of conscience.

This action has not only thwarted the aspirations of the Palestinian people but also prompted scrutiny over the fairness and immediacy in addressing their rights. Doubts cast on Palestine's ability to govern and its peace commitments are only a means to divert attention from what are their fundamental rights. The insistence on direct nego-tiations overlooks the shifting dynamics in the region, including the decreasing sup-port from Israel for a two-state solution.

It's Israeli settlement expansion on the western bank of the Jordan River that has re-stricted the space for a Palestine state since the time it applied for UN membership in 2011. It's the superpower's unwarranted support of Israel that eroded the basis of a two-state solution, which is the only path toward lasting peace.

At a time when Israeli forces are still in Gaza and an attack on Rafah is still possible, it's more urgent now than at any time in history to accept the Palestine state as a full UN member. It's also time for the US to realign with the course of history that favors justice and peace.


BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The initiation of the west-to-east operation of W122 and W123 routes that connect with M503 route, effective Friday, benefits both sides of the Taiwan Strait, said a Chinese mainland spokesperson.

Zhu Fenglian, a State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, made the remarks while responding to a media inquiry.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) on Friday announced the initiation of the west-to-east routes W122 and W123 to connect with M503 route.

The move aims to alleviate the pressure brought by flight growth in relevant areas, ensure flight safety, reduce flight delays, and safeguard the rights and interests of passengers, Zhu said.

On Jan. 30, the CAAC announced the cancellation of the flight deviation measures for the north-to-south operation of the M503 route, effective from Feb. 1, also stating its intention to initiate the west-to-east routes W122 and W123 to connect with M503 route, with the aim of improving airspace operational efficiency.

Zhu highlighted that the M503 route falls within the Shanghai flight information region, and its establishment and implementation are routine responsibilities of mainland civil aviation airspace management.

She pointed out that since the cancellation of flight deviation measures for the M503 route, overall operations have remained safe and stable. This has led to notable improvements in cross-Strait flight operations and facilitated personnel exchanges between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait. 
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Nevada Supreme Court ruling on Thursday said the original version of a petition to protect reproductive freedoms in the state constitution met requirements.

But groups behind the petition are instead moving forward with a second version after collecting more than 160,000 signatures. Organizers said they plan to submit that version to qualify for the 2024 ballot.

An attorney for one of the groups behind the petition told 8 News Now the new petition simplified the language at issue. It includes legal protections for women and doctors involved in legal abortions, and addresses fetal viability at about six months to match current state law.

Its part of an effort against attacks on reproductive freedoms, writing them into the constitution instead of state statutes that can be overturned as political leanings change in state government. Its a strategy that proponents believed was necessary in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned abortion rights for 50 years under Roe v. Wade.

Todays decision is a resounding victory for our movement that builds on our momentum as we fight to lock the right to reproductive freedom into our state constitution. As anti-abortion extremists continue to attack our fundamental rights  from abortion to birth control to fertility treatments  this decision recognizes that reproductive freedom includes all reproductive health care, according to a statement released by Reproductive Freedom for All Nevada.

The language in the first version of the petition had been struck down by a lower court because it violated the single subject rule:

Every individual has a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, which entails the right to make and effectuate decisions about all matters relating to pregnancy, including, without limitation, prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, vasectomy, tubal ligation, abortion, abortion care, management of a miscarriage and infertility care, the initial petition stated.

When the Nevada Supreme Court overturned that ruling on Thursday, the plan had already shifted to putting the second version on the ballot.

Nevada state law already protects abortion rights. Putting the language into the Nevada Constitution would require approval by voters in two consecutive elections. If the ballot initiative passes, it would go to a vote again in 2026 before passing as a constitutional amendment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Philippines Wants US, Japan to Take Over Rail Deal Eyed by China

(Bloomberg) -- A Philippine freight railway project may be built with the support of the US and Japan, an official in charge of it said, as Manila seeks alternative financing deals after dropping funding talks with China.

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The 50-billion-peso ($868 million) Subic-Clark railway, which will link the former US military bases turned commercial hubs, is being pitched to form part of the Luzon Economic Corridor, a planned showcase of economic cooperation between the US, Japan and the Philippines that was hatched during the first trilateral summit among its leaders last week at the White House.

Hopefully they take it and invest here, Delfin Lorenzana, who chairs the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, said in a interview on Friday, referring to the US and Japan. The agency oversees the development of former military bases.

The Philippines said last year that it would no longer pursue Chinese loans to fund three projects, including the 71-kilometer Subic-Clark railway, amid lack of progress from the Chinese side. Manilas move came amid souring ties between the Philippines and China over competing maritime claims in the South China Sea.

US President Joe Biden, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. launched the Luzon Economic Corridor during their April 11 meeting and a trilateral event to promote investment in the project is being planned at the US-led Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Manila in May.

The Philippines said it hopes to generate around $100 billion in investments in the next five to 10 years following the Washington summit.

The project aims to boost connectivity between Subic Bay and Clark, Manila, and Batangas province in the countrys main Luzon island and accelerate investments in infrastructure projects, including rail, ports, clean energy, semiconductor supply chains and agribusiness.

We have not abandoned the Subic-Clark railway project, Lorenzana said. A former defense secretary, Lorenzana said hes more comfortable if the US and Japan would take over the project.

If not them, maybe South Korea, or other countries that are friendly to us, he said. The government is also considering seeking funding from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, he added.

Lorenzana said BCDA projects that may be included in the Luzon Economic Corridor include the construction of Clark International Airports second runway, seen to cost around $174 million and a 64-hectare Clark National Food Terminal hub, which seeks to make the Southeast Asian nation a leading agricultural resource hub in the region. The food terminal is estimated to cost $152 million.

Subic and Clark are very strategic locations that can host industries from logistics to manufacturing, he said.

Subic is one of the few deep-water ports that can accommodate any size of vessel and its safe from typhoon while Clark has a huge space, Lorenzana said. And we have the ready manpower that can be trained to do the job.

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April 18 (UPI) -- Two transgender women on Thursday sued the state of Montana and several state agencies over a 2022 policy that prohibits people from changing the sex designation on their birth certificates.

The lawsuit challenges SB 280, which only allows for changes in sex designation on birth certificates after the person's sex "has been changed by surgical procedure."

The plaintiffs also challenged the Montana Motor Vehicle Division's policy, which no longer allows applicants to change the sex designation on the driver's license, which transgender people have previously been able to do with a letter from a doctor.

According to the lawsuit, all of these measures are "invalid, illegal and unconstitutional."

"After finally being able to live my life openly as the woman I know myself to be, I am frustrated that my birth state, Montana, is forcing me to carry around a birth certificate that incorrectly lists my sex as male," said Jessica Kalarchik, a transgender veteran and one of the plaintiffs in the case.

"I am being forced to use a birth certificate that is inaccurate and that places me at risk of discrimination and harassment whenever I have to present it."

The plaintiffs, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Montana, and Nixon Peabody LLP, also seek a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of these policies.

"Here in Montana we treasure our right to privacy and to live our lives free from governmental intrusion," said Akilah Deernose, executive director for the ACLU of Montana.

"The State of Montana clearly has not learned any lessons from the past few years, where Courts have repeatedly struck down unconstitutional laws targeting transgender Montanans."

Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services in February said it would only process applications for amending the sex designation on birth certificates in cases where the person's sex was misidentified at birth or if incorrect sex designations were the result of a scrivener's error.

The agency said it would not amend a birth certificate based on "gender transition, gender identity, or change of gender," subject to the provisions of SB 458, which defines sex as being "determined by the biological and genetic indication of male and female."

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, signed SB 458 last May. The governor's office at the time said transgender people can "identify with whatever gender, but not sex, they wish."

SB 280 also faced a legal challenge shortly after its adoption in 2021. During the case, District Court Judge Michael Moses of Billings issued a preliminary injunction and ordered the state not to enforce the law.
Getty Images.

Ive spent the past 20 years of my career as a physician assistant saving lives in the emergency department. On a daily basis, I pledge to do no harm to my patients as I care for them and render lifesaving aid.

As a medical provider, the greatest harm I can imagine is being responsible for ending my patients life. That is why I am deeply troubled by ongoing conversations at the Minnesota Legislature to legalize physician-assisted suicide.

This proposed legislation goes against the fact that a health care providers obligation is to care for their patients  not to assist in killing them  no matter the circumstance.

Minnesota has some of the best health care in the world. We have wonderful hospice and palliative care available in our state to care for patients until their natural death. Dying with dignity in our society is made possible by the delivery of compassionate, supportive and expert care by medical providers  not by turning them into agents of assisted suicide.

It has been shown that in places where assisted suicide is legal, hospice care has fallen below national standards and progress in palliative care has stagnated. We cant afford for this to happen in Minnesota as our population ages. There are currently more Minnesotans over the age of 65 than in our K-12 system. Now is the time to advance access to proper services  not create new standards of medical care that support ending life.

It is also evident that limits on assisted suicide erode over time. These laws often begin with eligibility limited to terminal illness and a six-month life expectancy; however, countries like Belgium, Netherlands and Canada have gradually expanded criteria to offer assisted suicide to people with depression, disability and chronic pain, as well as people with limited income. Patients often seek assisted suicide out of fear of becoming a burden. Legalizing it reinforces harmful misconceptions that people experiencing chronic illness are a burden and encourages people to end their lives prematurely. And euphemisms like medical aid in dying make it more palatable for people to accept this as okay, masking the fact that medical professionals are prescribing medication that results in suicide.

Like many Minnesotans, suicide is also a deeply personal subject for me. My dad ended his own life when I was 12 years old. Most people would say that my dads death at age 35 was a tragedy. Theyd say we should try our best to prevent suicide. I agree.

I also lost my mom to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis when she was only 62. This proposed legislation tells us that it would not have been a tragedy for my mom, with the assistance of her medical provider, to end her own life prematurely. Instead, this legislation says it would have been the caring thing to do. I disagree.

Both situations are absolute tragedies. In both scenarios, a person should have access to supportive, person-centered care  not a legal path to suicide.

Is physician-assisted suicide really how we want to care for patients in Minnesota? As a physician assistant, wife, mother  and as an orphan daughter  my answer is a resounding No.

The post Pledge to do no harm and say no to physician-assisted suicide appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
Polish authorities have detained a Belarusian suspected of organizing, on Moscow's behalf, an attack on Leonid Volkov, a close associate of late Russian oppositionist Alexei Navalny, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on April 19.

"A Belarusian working for Russia who ordered two Poles to assassinate Navalny's associate  detained," Tusk said on X. The two attackers are also in custody, he added.

The prime minister did not name Volkov explicitly, but he was most likely referring to an incident in Lithuania in March when unknown assailants attacked Volkov with hammers.

Volkov, one of the top members of Navalny's presidential campaign in 2018 and a former chair of his Anti-Corruption Foundation, was injured but survived the attack. The oppositionist blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the assault.

Tusk also reminded that the Polish authorities had detained a Polish citizen who allegedly planned to assassinate Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky for Russian intelligence services.

"There will be no leniency for collaborators with Russian intelligence services," Tusk said.

Read also: CNN: Anti-Kremlin hackers stole Russian prisoner database after Navalnys death

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
RIGA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Baiba Braze, a diplomat and former NATO assistant secretary general for Public Diplomacy, was on Friday appointed Latvia's new foreign minister, according to information on the Latvian parliament's website.

Braze was nominated for the post of foreign minister by Prime Minister Evika Silina's New Unity party. Although traditionally, Latvian foreign ministers are members of the ruling party, Braze was a nonpartisan candidate. New Unity has offered her to join the party.

On Friday, the parliament approved Braze's appointment to the post of foreign minister by 66 votes to 11 and nine abstentions.

The post of foreign minister became vacant after Latvia's previous Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins of the New Unity party resigned in the wake of a scandal over his use of private flights for foreign trips. 
There will be extra police officers and medics at a Huber Heights school.

>>City of Troy to reopen part of street today where historical Tavern building located

Huber Heights Police announced on social media that they will be holding a mock crash event today at Wayne High School.

The purpose is to bring attention to the consequences of drinking and driving with a realistic crash scene taking place, the department said in a statement.

People may hear and see police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, hearse, and CareFlight.

Huber Heights Police said they wanted to make sure everyone was aware so there would be no confusion with an actual emergency.
Police looking for Fresno County juvenile who kicked guinea pig to death

The Reedley Police Department is searching for a juvenile who allegedly kicked a guinea pig to death.

Officers responded around 9 p.m. Wednesday to a home on the 1400 block of East Springfield Avenue after a resident reported cruelty towards a guinea pig.

The resident provided officers with video that captured the incident.

Police said the footage depicted a male juvenile entering the yard and subjecting a small animal to repeated acts of violence.

The juvenile fled the scene.

Officers are investigating the incident and trying to find the identify of the juvenile.

Violence towards animals of any form will not be tolerated within our city, Reedley Police Chief Joe Garza said. We are committed to exhaustively pursuing justice for this heinous act.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 559-637-4250 and request to speak with the Watch Commander. Anonymous tips can be submitted in both English and Spanish: (English): 559-356-8690 or (Spanish): 559-246-4183.
Federal prosecutors called Lisa Buza Hill of Belmont, N.C., a serial embezzler in court documents during a sentencing last year, and now she faces new financial crimes.

Hill is in the midst of a 57-month stretch in federal prison in West Virginia after taking $1.3 million that wasnt hers as a top financial officer at businesses in two states. Now, South Carolina police and prosecutors are taking their turn at Hill.

Hill, 44, was served Rock Hill Police Department arrest warrants Tuesday that claim she laundered more than $1 million while overseeing accounts of a development company in Rock Hills Riverwalk district in 2020. Thats a massive residential, business and recreational community along the Catawba River.

Police went to the West Virginia prison and brought her back to be arrested on the state charges, Rock Hill police Lt. Michael Chavis said Thursday. Shes charged with money laundering and breach of trust with fraudulent intent from May through December 2020.

Local and federal embezzlement details

She is accused taking the money from GRH Development company bank accounts and washing it through other banks, according to the warrants. Hills scam was to conceal and disguise the money, warrants state.

The defendant, knowing the funds were obtained unlawfully by herself, then spent the money for her own personal gain for attorneys fees, private trips, a new car, and other personal spending, the warrants state.

Hills federal convictions in previous fraud schemes from her time as financial executive at North Carolina and South Carolina companies dating back to 2012 are separate from the York County case against her, officials said. In the federal cases, Hill pleaded guilty to spending over $1.3 million for a BMW, Disney World tickets and more.

Whats next in Rock Hill case?

Hill remains at the York County jail at the Moss Justice Center without bail on the new felony charges. She could face 10 years or more in South Carolina prison if convicted. Its uncleare that would add to the sentence shes already serving.

Hill was assigned a public defender at an initial court hearing Wednesday. B.J. Barrowclough, York County chief public defender, said Thursday his office has not yet reviewed the case so he could not comment on the state charges.

But, Barrowclough said, his office would fully investigate the new charges.

It remains unclear when Hill will next appear in York County criminal court,York County prosecutors from the 16th Circuit Solicitors Office said Thursday.

Federal court documents show Hill asked for a reduction in her federal sentence. But last week, federal prosecutors said Hill is not entitled to a lower sentence, court records show.
Metropolitan Police officers threatened to arrest an openly Jewish man for walking in central London during a pro-Palestinian protest.

The force suggested Gideon Falters presence was provocative and that he was antagonising protesters.

Mr Falter, the chief executive of the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, had just left a synagogue and was wearing a kippah skullcap.

He was told by a Scotland Yard sergeant in the Aldwych area of central London that his presence could inflame tensions, and was later warned by a different officer that he would be arrested if he did not leave the location.

Responding to the incident on Friday, Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist, one of the Mets most senior officers, said being present when marches were taking place could be provocative, in comments that were described as victim blaming.

The force has since apologised for the remark.

Earlier on Friday, the Government warned police that they must not prevent British Jews from continuing their daily lives.

A source said: These reports are concerning and unacceptable. British Jews should be free to walk about their lives freely without intimidation or restriction, and the police have a vital role in making sure that is a reality.



As we have shown with the largest-ever funding package for security, we wont hesitate to take action to support and protect our Jewish communities.

James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, has written to the Met and Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, about the incident.

The Met has faced repeated criticism over pro-Palestinian marches, which have become regular weekend occurrences in central London and have been criticised for displays of anti-Semitism.

Robin Simcox, the UKs counter-extremism tsar, warned last month that the marches were turning the capital into a no-go zone for Jews every weekend.

On March 1, Rishi Sunak gave a speech outside Downing Street o in which he warned of a rise in extremism since the Hamas attacks on Israel and the war in Gaza.

He issued a plea for pro-Palestinian protesters to reject radicals hijacking the marches and urged police to take a tougher stance.

Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, and Robert Jenrick, the former communities secretary, criticised Scotland Yard on Friday.

Mrs Braverman said that, while public order officers had a difficult job, there was increasing evidence of mistakes and double standards from the Met.

She added: Its not right that one group of people cannot exercise their rights to enjoy London peacefully in order to allow another group to express their hatred and intimidation freely. Thats striking the wrong balance.

Weve seen six months of mistakes, apologies and double standards from the police. Trust is lost as it appears that theyve picked a side. If the police are failing to enforce the law out of fear of the reaction of the mob, they are no longer policing without fear or favour.

Nothing has changed because no one has been held to account. Words are meaningless. Ministers and the Mayor must act. This cannot go on.

Gideon Falter speaks to a Metropolitan Police during a pro-Palestinian march in London last weekend - Campaign Against Anti-Semitism/PA

Mr Jenrick said Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, should be held to account if the law was not applied equally.

He said: If the police believe that the sight of a Jewish man on the streets of central London might provoke a violent response from protestors, then the answer is quite simply to ban the protest. This would, of course, have been the outcome if the far-Right were protesting on the streets of London intimidating any other minority group.

But instead, the Met police continue to fail to enforce the law equally to Islamists and anti-Semites.

The exchange occurred last Saturday as Mr Falter was trying to cross the road in Aldwych while a march was going past.

The officer told him: You are quite openly Jewish. This is a pro-Palestinian march. I am not accusing you of anything, but I am worried about the reaction to your presence.

A short time later, a different officer warned him that he would be arrested if he did not leave the area. The officer said: If you chose to remain here, because you are causing a breach of the peace with all of these other people, you will be arrested... because your presence here is antagonising a large group of people.

Mr Falter, who was with friends after attending synagogue, accused the Met of preventing him from walking around his home city as a Jewish Londoner.

But Assistant Commissioner Twist said on Friday that being present when marches were taking place could be provocative.

While admitting the footage would further dent the confidence of Jewish Londoners and saying the force regretted the use of the term openly Jewish, he said filming such exchanges made the polices job even more difficult.

In a statement, he said: The use of the term openly Jewish by one of our officers is hugely regrettable. Its absolutely not the basis on which we make decisions. It was a poor choice of words and, while not intended, we know it will have caused offence to many. We apologise.

Gideon Falter accused the Met of preventing him from walking around his home city as a Jewish Londoner - Tom Bowles

But he added: In recent weeks weve seen a new trend emerge, with those opposed to the main protests appearing along the route to express their views.

The fact that those who do this often film themselves while doing so suggests they must know that their presence is provocative, that theyre inviting a response and that theyre increasing the likelihood of an altercation.

They are also making it much more likely that officers will intervene. They dont do so to stifle free speech or to limit the right to protest, but to keep opposing groups apart, to prevent disorder and keep the public, including all those... opposing the protest, safe. That is, after all, our primary role.

Responding to the comments, Mr Falter said: This is absolutely appalling victim-blaming by the assistant commissioner. What has dented Jewish Londoners confidence in the Met is not us making this video public, but the actions of the Mets officers telling me that I cannot be in the area whilst openly Jewish.

The assistant commissioner appears to be saying that we should have taken this on the chin and kept the video under wraps. Not only that, but whilst apologising for the behaviour of his officers he then doubles down on their language by saying that the presence of people like me  Jews  is provocative.

It is my right, and the right of every Jew, to walk freely around London. If police threaten us with arrest for doing so or consider our presence to be a provocation, then the Met has decided wholesale to curtail the rights of Jews in order to appease lawless mobs.

In a statement on Friday, the Met Police said: We have reflected on the strength of the response to our previous statement. In an effort to make a point about the policing of protest, we caused further offence. This was never our intention. We have removed that statement and we apologise.

Being Jewish is not a provocation. Jewish Londoners must be able to feel safe in this city. Our commitment to protecting the public extends to all communities across London. Its important that our public statements reflect that more clearly than they did today.

Mr Falter told The Telegraph that despite the Met claiming it was powerless to ban the marches, the law allowed restrictions where they caused significant disruption to the life of the community.

He said: If not being allowed to be Jewish in public is not serious disruption to the life of the community then I do not know what is. This is the inevitable conclusion of Sir Mark Rowleys policy of appeasement  it is no longer safe to be openly Jewish on the streets of London when one of these so-called peace marches is taking place.

A Home Office spokesman said: We welcome the Met Polices apology, and recognise the complexities of policing fast-moving public protests.

Simply being Jewish  or of any other race or religion  should never be seen as provocative.

Anyone of any religion should be free to go about their lives and feel safe doing so.

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.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called on Polish farmers to stop blocking the border with Ukraine.

Source: Polskie Radio, citing Tusk after the summit of the European Council in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Tusk stated that Ukraine is in a tough situation after the recent series of Russian strikes and the near future may be decisive for the fate of this war.

Quote: "I want to appeal to everyone in Poland without exception [and ask] not to do anything that could harm Ukraine... We must make decisions that will protect the Polish border and border crossings."

More details: Tusk emphasised that the Polish government cannot allow the blocking of crossings, regardless of the justification the protests have.

"We cannot harm Ukraine in any way at a time when the fate of the war is being decided," Tusk pointed out.

He mentioned that border crossings, according to the government's latest decision, have critical infrastructure status and that the government is ready to provide further assistance to farmers who have lost some of their income.

"I am counting on them to reflect and abandon this form of protest," Tusk said.

He added that state services will work on clearing the border crossings. However, Tusk does not believe that direct coercive measures are necessary in this case.

Background:

On 18 April, CIA Director William Burns warned lawmakers that if the US Congress does not approve assistance to Ukraine now, Kyiv may lose the war by the end of the year.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Brown have stressed the need for Congress to approve aid to Ukraine as soon as possible, as the delay is already having consequences on the battlefield.

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Polish PM comments on arrest of Pole who assisted Russia in assassination attempt on Zelenskyy

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has commented on the arrest of a Polish citizen suspected of assisting Russia in an assassination attempt on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Source: Polish online news platform Onet, citing Tusk, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Tusk announced that there had been a discussion about "Russian influence through disinformation and cyber aggression during European elections" during the EU leaders' summit in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday.

He said this has become particularly significant in the context of news about the arrest of a Pole who was essentially involved in plotting an attack on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in contact with Russian intelligence. Tusk noted that this arrest was fully justified.

Quote: "Even if we are dealing with just an isolated case of madness, a significant portion of political assassinations are at the initiative of a mad person. We must realise that we need to focus on security issues, especially now," Tusk emphasised.

Background:

Ukrainian law enforcement officers, jointly with their Polish counterparts, detained a Polish citizen on suspicion of being willing to work with Russia's secret services to plan an assassination attempt on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The man was arrested on 17 April in Poland. He was charged with readiness to act in the interests of foreign intelligence, which carries a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.

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Politicians talk of a border invasion is speech that experts say has gotten people killed

Border Patrol officers detain two men in El Paso in late March. (Marty Schladen/ Ohio Capital Journal)

EL PASO, TEXAS  In this border city, the word invasion is particularly fraught.

Former President Donald Trump has long used it to characterize the flow of migrants to the southwestern border, recent surges of which have severely taxed the resources of the United States and Mexico. Recently, Trump also has called undocumented immigrants not human and animals who are poisoning the blood of the United States.

Increasingly, some of Trumps fellow Republicans are mimicking the rhetoric. In Ohios recent GOP Senate primary, all three candidates  state Sen. Matt Dolan, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and eventual nominee Bernie Moreno  peppered their messages with the notion of a border invasion.

And in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott and Republicans in the legislature last year produced a law giving state law enforcement the right to detain people it suspects of being in the U.S. without documents  and to expel them if they are. Power to enforce immigration law rests with the federal government, but Abbott and his allies claim they have a constitutional right to expel migrants because Texas is being invaded.

Such claims might be legally dubious, but they serve a political purpose, some experts said. If the overheated rhetoric results in violence, so much the better as far as some of the people using it are concerned, the thinking goes.

Not only do alarmist claims of an invasion amp up the fear and the ardor of supporters, the threats posed by the most extreme among them drive their targets and non-supporters into the shadows, said Lindsay Schubiner, who studies violent speech and movements at the Western States Center, an anti-extremism group.

Theres a reason why violence is a part of bigoted movements, and part of it is that they create a chilling effect on communities, Schubiner said recently. They create a ton of fear and push people out of the life of their community and they have an effect on the people who are directly targeted and on their families and on entire communities. The impacts are so enormous.

Hitting home

Those impacts have certainly been felt here in El Paso.

In a May 2019 rally, Trump asked a Florida audience what should be done about undocumented migrants crossing the border. When a member of the audience yelled shoot them, Trump laughed and treated it as a joke.

A late-March Saturday in the Walmart where 23 people, most of whom were Hispanic, were killed on Aug. 3, 2019. (Marty Schladen/ Ohio Capital Journal)

Three months later, Patrick Crusius, a 21-year-old white man from a wealthy Dallas suburb, drove 650 miles to a Walmart just north of that border. He cased the cavernous store and reassured himself that there were plenty of Hispanic-looking people among the customers in the store, ABC News reported just after the shooting occurred.

Then Crusius went back to his car, retrieved an AK-47 and opened fire in the parking lot and then inside the store, killing 23 and injuring 22 others.

The Walmart seemed bustling on a recent Saturday, but it wasnt hard to imagine the sudden terror in 2019 as routine shopping flipped into chaotic violence.

One witness, far along in her pregnancy, told the news organization El Paso Matters how she hid in the bank inside the store where she worked, trying to protect her child. She described the lingering gunsmoke after the shooting stopped and how, as police escorted her from the building, they told her to try not to look at the bodies sprawled in bloody pools on the floor.

A memorial to the 23 murdered in a 2019 massacre in the parking lot of an El Paso Walmart where the shooting started. (Marty Schladen/Ohio Capital Journal)

Its hardly surprising that some who were there and victims loved ones have told therapists that nearly five years later theyre still afraid to get out much in the community.

In a manifesto posted just before the massacre, Crusius claimed that hed been deeply alarmed about Hispanic immigration since before Trump came on the scene.

Crusius was only 16 when the former president descended an escalator at Trump Tower and announced his candidacy, saying that Mexico was sending rapists and drug dealers. And before that fatal trip to the border, Crusius had posted a number of tweets praising Trumps border policies. Many contained the hashtag #BuildtheWall.

The rhetoric of invasion featured prominently in Crusius manifesto.

This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas, it said. They are the instigators, not me. I am simply defending my country from cultural and ethnic replacement brought on by an invasion.

Words and consequences

In the wake of the shooting, lawyers for Crusius said it was due to their clients mental illness. But thats too pat  and it lets too many others off the hook, said Beto ORourke, who has represented El Paso in Congress and on city council.

It wasnt just a crazy guy with a gun who murdered a bunch of innocent people, ORourke said in a recent interview. It was someone who was listening to the president (Trump) of the United States who described immigrants as an invasion, as animals, as an infestation, as a threat to the people of this country; who listened to (Texas Gov. Abbott), who said, Texans, you have to defend yourselves, you have to take matters into your own hands.

ORourke invoked the concept of stochastic terrorism. It posits that some public figures demonize a group in a way that doesnt directly command followers to do violence, but motivates them to attack the target of the rhetoric just the same.

The idea is a stochastic terrorist  a Donald Trump, a Greg Abbott  they dont tell someone Go kill these people, ORourke said. But they say these people are animals, they are invading. Its like that scene out of medieval English history  Who will rid me of this troublesome priest? The king didnt order his soldiers to kill the bishop, but essentially he gave them permission to do that.

In January, Abbott suggested hed have undocumented migrants shot if he didnt think the federal government would prosecute him for it. His office didnt respond to questions for this story.

For his part, Trump has denied that his statements have led to violence. But a 2020 ABC News investigation found 54 criminal cases in which his name was invoked in the commission of violent acts.

Similarly, great replacement theory rhetoric promoted by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has been linked to three other mass shootings since 2018  including a racist 2022 massacre at a Buffalo supermarket that killed 10. According to many versions of that conspiracy theory, shadowy Jewish people are behind an effort to replace the dominant white majority with a Black and Brown horde.

Neo Nazi marchers were referring to the conspiracy in 2017 as they marched in Charlottesville, Va., chanting You will not replace us, and Jews will not replace us. A Hitler admirer  James Alex Fields of Northwest Ohio  plowed his car into a group of counterdemonstraters, killing one. Trump responded by saying there were very fine people on both sides of the violent demonstration.

Military emergency?

People who study speech that gets people hurt say the claims it makes are commonly false. Critics say claims of an invasion at the southern border are false as well.

As ORourke was talking in late March, he was sitting on his porch, which overlooks the border from a perennially peaceful neighborhood just across it. El Paso has long been one of the safest large cities in the United States.

A group of migrants east of town had rushed past Texas National Guard troops just east of town a few days earlier. But many appeared to be trying to get around Guard personnel Abbott had sent to the border so they could seek asylum from the Border Patrol.

Many experts say spiking numbers of migrants and related incidents dont meet the constitutional definition of invasion on which Abbott is hanging his hat as he claims the power to interpose state law enforcement and have it decide who is and is not in Texas legally. To do that, Abbott would have to show that Texas is being invaded militarily, Frank O. Bowman wrote in Just Security, an online forum for experts in law, security, and foreign policy.

The Paso del Norte Bridge in El Paso. The inscription on the Mexican mountain in the background urges people to read the Bible. (Marty Schladen/ Ohio Capital Journal)

In temporarily blocking Texas Senate Bill 4  the legislation that became law giving Texas the power to enforce immigration law  U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra agreed.

Contemporary definitions of invasion and actually invaded as well as common usage of the term in the late Eighteenth Century predominantly referred to an invasion as a hostile and organized military force, too powerful to be dealt with by ordinary judicial proceedings, Ezra wrote in his Feb. 29 ruling. This Court could not locate a single contemporaneous use of the term to refer to surges in unauthorized foreign immigration. The text and structure of the State War Clause imply that invasion was to be used sparingly for temporary, exigent, and dangerous circumstances. Put simply, the overwhelming textual and historical evidence does not support Texass understanding of the State War Clause.

State Sen. Cesar Blanco is a Democrat whose district includes El Paso and several rural border counties. He said that while some constituents are having serious problems with the surge in migration, its not an invasion, and talking about it like it is only makes solutions more elusive.

As someone who has served in the military, when you look at what invasion means, its one country invading another with force, Blanco said. These are just people. Weve heard invasion so much from national leaders. Weve seen it on Twitter. We hear it on the news. Its part of many peoples perception of whats happening.

Feeding fear

The Dangerous Speech Project studies what kinds of speech spur violence between groups and it seeks ways to combat them. The group argues that scary speech  such as falsely claiming a border invasion  can be even more dangerous than spewing hatred.

Frightening messages may also spread even more widely and quickly than purely hateful ones, since many people share them without malevolent intentions, or even the desire to incite violence, the group says on its website. They feel genuine fear.

And that, said Schubiner of the Western States Center, serves the ends of the most extreme purveyors of dangerous speech.

Thats why we call it anti-democracy, she said. The goal of the white-nationalist movement is to create an all-white nation in the United States. That requires pushing people out. That requires violence.

Schubiner added that if politicians continue to use fear-inducing speech about migrants and the southern border, it wont be a matter of if another extremist will murder innocents, but when.

We have seen again and again the spread of conspiracy theories like the great replacement theory, anti-immigrant rhetoric, invasion rhetoric and other forms of overt bigotry that dehumanize people, she said. It sometimes explicitly calls for violence, or on the other hand normalizes it. You shouldnt be surprised when that leads to violence. Its happened before and, sadly, its likely to happen again.

This story was originally published by Ohio Capital Journal. Like Maine Morning Star, Ohio Capital Journal is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.

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The post Politicians talk of a border invasion is speech that experts say has gotten people killed appeared first on Maine Morning Star.
Politicians talk of a border invasion is speech that experts say has gotten people killed

Border Patrol officers detain two men in El Paso in late March. (Photo by Marty Schladen/Ohio Capital Journal)

EL PASO, TEXAS  In this border city, the word invasion is particularly fraught.

Former President Donald Trump has long used it to characterize the flow of migrants to the southwestern border, recent surges of which have severely taxed the resources of the United States and Mexico. Recently, Trump also has called undocumented immigrants not human and animals who are poisoning the blood of the United States.

Increasingly, some of Trumps fellow Republicans are mimicking the rhetoric. In Ohios recent GOP Senate primary, all three candidates  state Sen. Matt Dolan, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and eventual nominee Bernie Moreno  peppered their messages with the notion of a border invasion.

And in Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott and Republicans in the legislature last year produced a law giving state law enforcement the right to detain people it suspects of being in the U.S. without documents  and to expel them if they are. Power to enforce immigration law rests with the federal government, but Abbott and his allies claim they have a constitutional right to expel migrants because Texas is being invaded.

Such claims might be legally dubious, but they serve a political purpose, some experts said. If the overheated rhetoric results in violence, so much the better as far as some of the people using it are concerned, the thinking goes.

Not only do alarmist claims of an invasion amp up the fear and the ardor of supporters, the threats posed by the most extreme among them drive their targets and non-supporters into the shadows, said Lindsay Schubiner, who studies violent speech and movements at the Western States Center, an anti-extremism group.

Theres a reason why violence is a part of bigoted movements, and part of it is that they create a chilling effect on communities, Schubiner said recently. They create a ton of fear and push people out of the life of their community and they have an effect on the people who are directly targeted and on their families and on entire communities. The impacts are so enormous.

Hitting home

Those impacts have certainly been felt here in El Paso.

In a May 2019 rally, Trump asked a Florida audience what should be done about undocumented migrants crossing the border. When a member of the audience yelled shoot them, Trump laughed and treated it as a joke.

Three months later, Patrick Crusius, a 21-year-old white man from a wealthy Dallas suburb, drove 650 miles to a Walmart just north of that border. He cased the cavernous store and reassured himself that there were plenty of Hispanic-looking people among the customers in the store, ABC News reported just after the shooting occurred.

Then Crusius went back to his car, retrieved an AK-47 and opened fire in the parking lot and then inside the store, killing 23 and injuring 22 others.

A late-March Saturday in the Walmart where 23 people, most of whom were Hispanic, were killed on Aug. 3, 2019. (Photo by Marty Schladen/Ohio Capital Journal)

The Walmart seemed bustling on a recent Saturday, but it wasnt hard to imagine the sudden terror in 2019 as routine shopping flipped into chaotic violence.

One witness, far along in her pregnancy, told the news organization El Paso Matters how she hid in the bank inside the store where she worked, trying to protect her child. She described the lingering gunsmoke after the shooting stopped and how, as police escorted her from the building, they told her to try not to look at the bodies sprawled in bloody pools on the floor.

Its hardly surprising that some who were there and victims loved ones have told therapists that nearly five years later theyre still afraid to get out much in the community.

In a manifesto posted just before the massacre, Crusius claimed that hed been deeply alarmed about Hispanic immigration since before Trump came on the scene.

Crusius was only 16 when the former president descended an escalator at Trump Tower and announced his candidacy, saying that Mexico was sending rapists and drug dealers. And before that fatal trip to the border, Crusius had posted a number of tweets praising Trumps border policies. Many contained the hashtag #BuildtheWall.

The rhetoric of invasion featured prominently in Crusius manifesto.

This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas, it said. They are the instigators, not me. I am simply defending my country from cultural and ethnic replacement brought on by an invasion.

Words and consequences

A memorial to the 23 murdered in a 2019 massacre in the parking lot of an El Paso Walmart where the shooting started. (Photo by Marty Schladen/Ohio Capital Journal)

In the wake of the shooting, lawyers for Crusius said it was due to their clients mental illness. But thats too pat  and it lets too many others off the hook, said Beto ORourke, who has represented El Paso in Congress and on city council.

It wasnt just a crazy guy with a gun who murdered a bunch of innocent people, ORourke said in a recent interview. It was someone who was listening to the president (Trump) of the United States who described immigrants as an invasion, as animals, as an infestation, as a threat to the people of this country; who listened to (Texas Gov. Abbott), who said, Texans, you have to defend yourselves, you have to take matters into your own hands.

ORourke invoked the concept of stochastic terrorism. It posits that some public figures demonize a group in a way that doesnt directly command followers to do violence, but motivates them to attack the target of the rhetoric just the same.

The idea is a stochastic terrorist  a Donald Trump, a Greg Abbott  they dont tell someone Go kill these people, ORourke said. But they say these people are animals, they are invading. Its like that scene out of medieval English history  Who will rid me of this troublesome priest? The king didnt order his soldiers to kill the bishop, but essentially he gave them permission to do that.

In January, Abbott suggested hed have undocumented migrants shot if he didnt the federal government wouldnt prosecute him for it. His office didnt respond to questions for this story.

For his part, Trump has denied that his statements have led to violence. But a 2020 ABC News investigation found 54 criminal cases in which his name was invoked in the commission of violent acts.

Similarly, great replacement theory rhetoric promoted by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson has been linked to three other mass shootings since 2018  including a racist 2022 massacre at a Buffalo supermarket that killed 10. According to many versions of that conspiracy theory, shadowy Jewish people are behind an effort to replace the dominant white majority with a Black and Brown horde.

Neo Nazi marchers were referring to the conspiracy in 2017 as they marched in Charlottesville, Va., chanting You will not replace us, and Jews will not replace us. A Hitler admirer  James Alex Fields of Northwest Ohio  plowed his car into a group of counterdemonstraters, killing one. Trump responded by saying there were very fine people on both sides of the violent demonstration.

Military emergency?

People who study speech that gets people hurt say the claims it makes are commonly false. Critics say claims of an invasion at the southern border are false as well.

As ORourke was talking in late March, he was sitting on his porch, which overlooks the border from a perennially peaceful neighborhood just across it. El Paso has long been one of the safest large cities in the United States.

A group of migrants east of town had rushed past Texas National Guard troops just east of town a few days earlier. But many appeared to be trying to get around Guard personnel Abbott had sent to the border so they could seek asylum from the Border Patrol.

Many experts say spiking numbers of migrants and related incidents dont meet the constitutional definition of invasion on which Abbott is hanging his hat as he claims the power to interpose state law enforcement and have it decide who is and is not in Texas legally. To do that, Abbott would have to show that Texas is being invaded militarily, Frank O. Bowman wrote in Just Security, an online forum for experts in law, security, and foreign policy.

The Paso del Norte Bridge in El Paso. The inscription on the Mexican mountain in the background urges people to read the Bible. (Photo by Marty Schladen/Ohio Capital Journal)

In temporarily blocking Texas Senate Bill 4  the legislation that became law giving Texas the power to enforce immigration law  U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra agreed.

Contemporary definitions of invasion and actually invaded as well as common usage of the term in the late Eighteenth Century predominantly referred to an invasion as a hostile and organized military force, too powerful to be dealt with by ordinary judicial proceedings, Ezra wrote in his Feb. 29 ruling. This Court could not locate a single contemporaneous use of the term to refer to surges in unauthorized foreign immigration. The text and structure of the State War Clause imply that invasion was to be used sparingly for temporary, exigent, and dangerous circumstances. Put simply, the overwhelming textual and historical evidence does not support Texass understanding of the State War Clause.

State Sen. Cesar Blanco is a Democrat whose district includes El Paso and several rural border counties. He said that while some constituents are having serious problems with the surge in migration, its not an invasion, and talking about it like it is only makes solutions more elusive.

As someone who has served in the military, when you look at what invasion means, its one country invading another with force, Blanco said. These are just people. Weve heard invasion so much from national leaders. Weve seen it on Twitter. We hear it on the news. Its part of many peoples perception of whats happening.

Feeding fear

The Dangerous Speech Project studies what kinds of speech spur violence between groups and it seeks ways to combat them. The group argues that scary speech  such as falsely claiming a border invasion  can be even more dangerous than spewing hatred.

Frightening messages may also spread even more widely and quickly than purely hateful ones, since many people share them without malevolent intentions, or even the desire to incite violence, the group says on its website. They feel genuine fear.

And that, said Schubiner of the Western States Center, serves the ends of the most extreme purveyors of dangerous speech.

Thats why we call it anti-democracy, she said. The goal of the white-nationalist movement is to create an all-white nation in the United States. That requires pushing people out. That requires violence.

Schubiner added that if politicians continue to use fear-inducing speech about migrants and the southern border, it wont be a matter of if another extremist will murder innocents, but when.

We have seen again and again the spread of conspiracy theories like the great replacement theory, anti-immigrant rhetoric, invasion rhetoric and other forms of overt bigotry that dehumanize people, she said. It sometimes explicitly calls for violence, or on the other hand normalizes it. You shouldnt be surprised when that leads to violence. Its happened before and, sadly, its likely to happen again.

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The post Politicians talk of a border invasion is speech that experts say has gotten people killed appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  Five years after opening in Norfolks Neon District, popular French bakery La Brioche is heading across town in the heart of Ghent.

The bakery will take over the former home of Colley Discount Pharmacy, a beloved local business that closed last year after about four decades.

La Brioches owners Jacqueline and Yvan Devulder, who were born and raised in France, are making the leap after building a devoted following with their authentic French baguettes and delicate pastries.

Theyre excited for the move but right now its a lot of work.

Pastries at La Brioches current location in the Neon District of Norfolk (WAVY image)

Theyre having to redo the whole space at the former pharmacy ahead of a move by the end of May. They plan to open sometime in early June.

And then theres the bakerys roughly 2 and 1/2 ton oven, which will take about one week to disassemble, move and reassemble. Moving the fridge and proofer will take about the same amount of time, Jacqueline said.

Of course its adding expenses. That was not the plan because of course we made a big investment at the beginning of March 2019.

Jacqueline said they would have liked to stay at their current location, but several things came together as they neared the end of their lease that spurred them to move.

First, theyre hoping for more foot traffic, which Jacqueline says has dropped off more in particular over the last year.

Many of the bakerys loyal customers live around Ghent and tend to do their other small business shopping locally at places like Le Marche and the Pendulum Fine Meats butcher shop, Jacqueline said.

The former Colley Discount Pharmacy space (WAVY image)

I like the Neon because we know our neighbors, theyre our customers too, its just for the business, its better to move to a pedestrian area closer to EVMS and Sentara.

Jacqueline said they were optimistic traffic would pick up at Neon with the completion of a planned Tidewater Community College visual and culinary arts center for the old Greyhound station nearby, but that project fell through in 2020.

And while shes hopeful the Houndstooth mixed-use residential project now planned for that space will help the Neon District, she says she and her husband didnt have time to wait.

Its a little bit sad because [Mary Miller and Rachel McCall from the Downtown Norfolk Council] put a lot of effort to grow [the Neon District],  but its just a business decision we had to make.  We cannot wait.  They are building [residential] but it takes so much time, adding, everything gets more expensive, takes more time, and we dont have time.

Jacqueline also noted theyve gotten less traffic this past year from cruise ships (cruise traffic was supposed to stop entirely in 2024 for terminal renovations, but it did resume this April due to the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse) and there seems to be fewer people from the Navy coming by as well due to deployments (Norfolk-based ships were extended after Hamas attack on Israel).

Story continues

However, Jacqueline says she believes itll all pay off in the end.

In the new location, they hope to expand their hours until 5 p.m. or potentially later (they currently usually close around 1:30 p.m.) and start offering more to-go options for people looking for something after school or for dinner.

Plus, theyll finally be able to take advantage of their beer and wine license, which didnt catch on much at their current spot due to the hours.

Its only French wine, of course, Jacqueline said, jokingly.

Overall, the Devulders said Colley and the former pharmacy space just made more sense than places like Downtown (where parking was a concern) and elsewhere in Hampton Roads.

We think its gonna be nice  a new opportunity  and the most important thing is that were staying in Norfolk.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
MOSCOW, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A crew member of a Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber died when the aircraft crashed in the Krasnogvardeisky district of the Stavropol Territory, regional governor Vladimir Vladimirov said on social media Friday.

Updated information on the incident shows that one of the four crew members died in the incident, and two were taken to hospital. The search for the fourth crew member continues.

The plane crashed in the Krasnogvardeisky district of the Stavropol Territory while returning to its home airfield after completing a combat mission. Initial findings suggest that the crash was caused by a technical fault.

In a statement, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian strategic bomber Tu-22M3 for the first time since the beginning of the conflict.

The aircraft was brought down about 300 km from the Ukrainian border when it was taking part in a missile attack on Ukraine, it said.

The special operation to destroy the bomber was carried out jointly by Ukraine's Defense Intelligence and the Air Force, it added.

On early Friday, the Russian forces launched 22 missiles, including six Kh-22 cruise missiles from Tu-22M3 bombers, and 14 combat drones against Ukraine, the Ukrainian Air Force said. 
The Port Orange water reclamation facility's filters, which will be replaced as part of a $15 million upgrade project set to begin late 2024.

The city of Port Orange has secured a $15 million state grant to be used for substantial upgrades to the citys water reclamation facility, which will help fortify the building against flooding and storm surges.

Port Oranges water reclamation facility (or WRF) has been in operation for more than 30 years, treating up to 12 million gallons a day of sewage and other wastewater from Port Orange, Ponce Inlet and Daytona Beach Shores that can be reused for irrigation purposes and recharging our wetlands, according to city spokesman Mike Springer.

It is located at the northeast corner of Oak Street and Spruce Creek Road.

We are grateful to the state of Florida for helping support our commitment to maintaining the wastewater treatment infrastructure and ensuring continued high-quality service to our citizens for years to come, Mayor Don Burnette said in a press release.

Port Orange town hall updates residents: Riverwalk, Down Under area, infrastructure

The money comes from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, which provides low-interest loans for planning, designing and constructing water pollution control facilities, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

What upgrades are needed for Port Oranges Water Reclamation Facility?

According to Springer, the planned upgrades will not only ensure it is running as efficiently but will allow for improvements that will make the facility more resilient during severe weather by hardening it against outages and storm surges.

These upgrades include an overhaul of vital electrical components within the plant, along with the installation of two new natural gas-powered generators and various equipment enhancements, according to the city.

The Port Orange water reclamation facility's generator, which will be replaced as part of a $15 million upgrade project set to begin late 2024.

Additionally, there will be improvements to the WRFs filters and transfer pumps to meet the current hurricane standards, elevation of critical electrical control buildings, and the installation of additional flood-proof barriers to mitigate the risk of flooding during a storm surge.

The city is extremely grateful for this significant financial support as it enables us to proactively make these vital upgrades which will ensure our facility can run effectively when our residents need it most, Springer wrote in an email to The News-Journal.

Pavilion news: What's going in where Chuck E. Cheese used to be at The Pavilion at Port Orange?

The city secured the grant last year, when Mead & Hunt, its engineering consultant, assisted the city in applying for the grant to cover these particular upgrades, Springer added.

The city expects the upgrades to begin late 2024.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Port Orange plans $15M upgrade of water reclamation facility
Portland nonprofit paves the way for second chances after prison

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The problems revolving around homelessness and crime in Portland are no secret, but one local organization prides itself on rebuilding lives and has a multitude of examples of people thriving when they are given a second chance.

Treneil Washington was born and raised in Northeast Portland in the 80s, a time he said when the area was drug-riddled and infested with gangs.

Treneil Washington (KOIN)

Being involved in guns and drug trafficking and gang activities had landed me in jail. And yes, it wasnt just one time. It took me several times, he said.

Upon release, Washington struggled to find a job that would pay a good wage, considering his checkered past.

You hear once you got a felony, it pretty much ruins your life, he said. I will say that it is difficult and hard. But when you have programs like Constructing Hope  they understand.

Coming from a troubled background, with few opportunities and even fewer people who believed in him, Washington said Constructing Hope changed his life.

When I came through Constructing Hope, they had some pretty good opportunities for me, Washington said.

The nonprofit focuses on helping people of color, those unemployed or formerly incarcerated, and low-income individuals re-enter the workforce and get middle-class wages.

Patricia Daniels founded the no-cost pre-apprenticeship training program, with wrap-around support to give people a second chance at life. The mission is to rebuild the lives of people in the community by encouraging self-sufficiency through skills training and education in the construction industry.

When we look at our homeless situation today, most of these folks were formerly incarcerated with no way to reenter society, she said.

Constructing Hope provides construction career training to approximately 100 individuals each year. Participants are 100% low-income  70% people of color  63% criminal justice system  and 47% unemployed.

If youve done the time, how long should you pay for that crime? How do we move forward? Daniels said. Think about if these are your kids, do you punish them for anything that they do for the rest of their lives? So as a society, thats one of the things that we have to look at.

Oregon releases around 200,000 job candidates from its prisons and jails each year, according to the Prison Policy Initiative.

However, because of stigmas associated with having a criminal record only about half will get called back from potential employers. More than two-thirds of all inmates released from prison will be rearrested in 3 years, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The team at Constructing Hope wants to help employers change their perception of people with a criminal history.

I think the main thing for us is making sure that the conversation about fighting recidivism and workforce development and rehabilitation become one conversation and not separate conversations, added Constructing Hopes Green Workforce Partnerships Manager Noah Kone.

Kone said not only are there financial and tax incentives for employers who offer jobs to people coming out of the criminal justice system, but it can also boost their bottom line.

Its not a charity situation, he said. These folks are actually going to bolster your workforce, theyre going to contribute and theyre going to come and actually help move your company forward.

Daniels added that it all comes down to seeing peoples potential.

So, given the opportunity, anybody can do anything that they want if they have the proper support and guidance, she said. If you dont make it the first time, you get to come back again. The one person who went through this program three times over a period of years is now a developer.

That one person shes referring to is Washington.

The chances he got at Constructing Hope propelled him from a life of crime to a current contractor, running his own business for nearly a decade.

The people that I employ are previously incarcerated individuals, people that come from crisis, people that have a story similar to mine that know hardship, Washington said.

His company, BrothersIC, focuses on commercial and residential painting, but they also do graffiti removal and traffic control.

Brothers IC LLC focuses on commercial and residential painting, but they also do graffiti removal and traffic control.

Brothers IC LLC focuses on commercial and residential painting, but they also do graffiti removal and traffic control.

Brothers IC LLC focuses on commercial and residential painting, but they also do graffiti removal and traffic control.

Brothers IC LLC focuses on commercial and residential painting, but they also do graffiti removal and traffic control.

Brothers IC LLC focuses on commercial and residential painting, but they also do graffiti removal and traffic control.

Through hard work and mentorship, his life has come full circle. The same neighborhood that led him astray also got him back on the straight and narrow.

I feel like its a purpose and a mission. I feel like everything that I went through, it all makes sense to me now to be able to align with people who also have been through tough times and to be able to share the compassion and the heart to be able to find change throughout our circumstances, Washington said.

While his path wasnt easy, he attributes his success and the success of his employees to Constructing Hope.

They work with people who need a second and third chance and it helps you to build your confidence back inside the community, Washington said. It helps you to be able to understand why its important to live a productive life in your community as well.

He tells anyone who feels lost in life that its not about how you start, its about how you finish.

If you are inspired by the work Constructing Hope is doing, visit their website to learn how you can volunteer as a teacher.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Pranksters Ask Trump Rally-Goers Some Simple Questions, And... Wow. Just Wow.

The prankster duo known as The Good Liars asked some simple questions of Donald Trump supporters at a recent rally.

At least, they should have been simple  but the answers were anything but.

One woman, for example, insisted that Trump is still president while also claiming that President Barack Obama is secretly calling the shots. A man declared that Trump is still commander-in-chief and said he would like to see him send Democrats to the gallows.

Still another vowed to go ape shit if Trump loses in November and predicted a rebellion as Make American Great Again supporters take to the streets.

One Trump fan who struggled to name bad things done by President Joe Biden also complained that gay people were forcing their lifestyle on him.

Whos forcing you to be gay? asked Jason Selvig of The Good Liars in the video posted Thursday.

Joe Biden and his crew, the man said.

Joe Biden is forcing you to be gay? Selvig responded.

In another instance, a woman said she would vote for Russian President Vladimir Putin over President Joe Biden because Putin wants to go back to good morality and doesnt allow all this crap about genders and pronouns and crap.

And yet another man, who claimed he believed in law, also said hes not bothered by the legal proceedings against Trump.

If he had 21 million felonies, Id vote for him, the man said.

See more of The Good Liars interactions with Trump fans at last months rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, below:
Delaney Hall, located in Newark next to Essex County's jail, was used to house immigrant detainees between 2011 and 2017. (Photo by New Jersey Monitor)

A private prison company wants a federal judge to declare again that New Jerseys law barring immigrant detention centers is unconstitutional so it can open a new immigration detention jail in Newark, court records show.

The GEO Group, one of the largest private prison companies in the nation, wants to contract with U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement to house up to 600 immigrant detainees at a detention center it owns in Newark, next to Essex Countys jail.

But the state law  deemed partially unconstitutional by a federal judge in 2023  may prevent ICE from entering into the contract, the companys lawyers say in a new federal lawsuit targeting Gov. Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin.

The law unlawfully discriminates against GEO in its capacity as a contractor for the federal government because it targets privately contracted immigration detention services, an area under federal control, while New Jersey law allows other forms of privately contracted detention services for non-federal purposes, says the complaint, filed April 15.

The Newark detention center, Delaney Hall, was used to house immigrant detainees between 2011 and 2017, the complaint says. Essex County incarcerated some of its jail population until last year.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed the law barring immigrant jails in August 2021, after immigrant advocates spent years protesting contracts that allowed ICE to house immigrant detainees in public jails in Bergen, Essex, and Hudson counties. Essex announced it would no longer house detainees days before Murphy signed the bill into law, with Bergen and Hudson following soon after.

CoreCivic, a private firm that contracts with ICE to house immigrant detainees in its Elizabeth jail, sued New Jersey last year over the law, calling it unconstitutional. In August, a federal judge sided with CoreCivic and said the company could continue housing detainees in its facility (the state has appealed).

Amy Torres, executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, has long advocated for the closure of immigrant detention centers. She noted that GEO Group claims its potential contract with ICE would be worth more than $100 million.

Thats so much larger than weve ever seen in New Jersey, Torres said. Its so worrying to see this private prison corporation say theres demand for a contract of upwards of $100 million. Its absolutely wild.

In 2018, Essex County charged ICE about $35 million to house detainees at its jail, Bergen received nearly $17 million, and Hudson, $27 million.

Geoffrey Brounell and Scott Schipma, attorneys representing GEO Group, did not respond to a request for comment.

The attorneys in their April 15 complaint make the same arguments CoreCivic made in its lawsuit: that the New Jersey law violates the U.S. Constitutions supremacy clause, which says state laws cannot override federal statutes.

It frustrates Congresss delegation of discretion to ICE to discharge its constitutional and statutory responsibilities, and impermissibly regulates the federal governments contracting decisions by effectively displacing the federal governments determination of what immigration detention facilities are appropriate, the complaint states.

The same judge who heard the CoreCivic case  U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch  is set to hear GEO Groups complaint. GEO Group notes that Kirsch, during a hearing in the earlier case, said it would be catastrophic if states began implementing laws that shut down immigration detention centers.

Torres recognizes why North Jersey remains a prime location for ICE to house detainees  it is close to Manhattan immigration courts and Newark airport  so she wasnt surprised to see another legal challenge mount. But she stressed her bitter disappointment.

Its an industry New Jersey lawmakers and New Jerseyans themselves oppose and we dont want any part in. Its shocking to see this happen so quickly after the CoreCivic challenge and at the scale theyre suggesting, she said.

The Attorney Generals Office declined to comment on the lawsuit. A spokeswoman for the Murphy administration did not respond to a request for comment.

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A woman whose assets were frozen following suspicion she was providing support for a terrorist-supporting news agency in Gaza is now being investigated by the Charity Commission.

Aozma Sultana is the sole director of two companies that appealed for humanitarian donations to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people.

The companies, Aakhirah Limited and Al-Qureshi Executives, sought donations for emergency medication, food and shelter for those in the war-torn territory.

However, the charity regulator is now investigating whether the money was instead being used to fund the controversial Gaza Now news agency, which promotes the terrorist groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

The US Department of the Treasury has also alleged that the two companies have given thousands of dollars to Gaza Now.

It said the same companies advertised Gaza Now as a partner during a joint fundraiser, which started shortly after the Oct 7 terrorist attack on Israel.

In a statement, the Charity Commission said: The regulator has serious concerns that the funds raised may not have been used for their intended purposes and may have been misappropriated.

The appeal sought donations from the public for emergency medication, food and shelter to help those in need but is suspected of funding Gaza Now.

Individuals and organisations raising funds for a particular charitable purpose have a legal responsibility for ensuring they are used for the purposes intended by the donors.

Funds frozen

Last month, the UK Government issued sanctions against Ms Sultana over her alleged support for Gaza Now.

As a result of the move, all funds and economic resources in the UK belonging to or controlled by her and Mustafa Ayash, the founder of Gaza Now, have been frozen.

The sanctions also mean Ms Sultana is automatically disqualified from serving as a trustee or holding any senior management positions for any charity.

The statutory inquiry will look at what activities undertaken by Ms Sultana or the companies are relevant to the commission, and how the charitable funds were raised and used.

A report on the inquirys findings will be published in due course.

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Proposed changes to Johnson Citys charter will go before voters in August

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  Four proposed changes to Johnson Citys charter are set to go before voters in the August general election.

The City Commission on Thursday night approved the four proposals on the third reading.

PREVIOUS: Johnson City municipal election date change proposed; would extend some terms

One of the ordinances would move municipal elections from November to August, aligning them with county elections. It would also move the Board of Education primaries from August to March.

If approved, commissioners and school board members who were elected in 2022 would see the end of their terms extended from November 2026 to September 2028. For those elected this November, the end of their terms would be extended from November 2028 to September 2030.

After Novembers municipal election, the next municipal election wouldnt take place until August 2028.

Another proposed change would reduce the number of required readings for ordinances from three to two. In most Tennessee cities, only two readings are required.

PREVIOUS: Local Democrats oppose proposed changes to Johnson City charter

Commissioners also want to reduce the number of times the budget must be advertised in the newspaper from two to one and allow the city manager to make temporary employee appointments for longer than 90 days.

With the commission approving all four proposed changes, they will now go to the election commissioners of Washington, Carter, and Sullivan counties for placement on ballots in the Aug. 1 election.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
Pulitzer Prize and Peabody Award-winning Indigenous podcast Stolen wrapped its third season this week, its final season with producer Spotify.

Titled Trouble in Sweetwater, this season takes listeners to the Navajo Nation to investigate the cases of two missing women: Ella Mae Begay and Kristina Carrillo. The series highlights the disparities and similarities between their cases on the 27,000-square-mile reservation where there are more than tribal police officers.

In October 2022, podcast host Connie Walker, a citizen of the Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan, and her three-person team began investigating the missing person report of Ella Mae Begay, a 62- year-old Navajo woman who was reported missing by her daughter a year and a half earlier. In the early morning of June 15, 2021, Ella Maes daughter called the police to report that a man had broken into her own home and stolen some drinks before wandering off. Before police could show up, she heard her mothers truck start next door and then drive off. Ella Mae was never seen again.

Through the course of their reporting, the team learned about a second missing woman from a different corner of the Navajo Nation, Kristina Carrillo, whose case tribal police failed to investigate.

Walker, who was named among Time Magazines list of the 100 most Influential people of 2024 on April 17, spoke to Native News Online about how season three of Stolen developed and what it can teach us as listeners, reporters, and human beings.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

How do you see each season of Stolen in conversation with one another?



Surviving St. Michael's, which is season two of Stolen, was such a personal story. It was also historical. We were investigating my dad's experience at a residential school in Saskatchewan. So after we finished that season, I was craving to do something completely [im]personal, but also new. Our team was interested in looking at more contemporary stories, to delve into some of the current issues.

We always want to explore new areas and help to show the diversity that exists within Indigenous communities. And not just the diversity of nations but also the diversity of experiences. examining how the current crisis of violence against women was impacting a single community was something interesting to all of us. And thats how we ended up on the Navajo Nation.

How did this season's narrative story arc take shape?

Initially, our first reporting trip in October 2022 was primarily focused on Ella Mae Begay, and then we realized how important understanding the role of the police was in the investigation into her disappearance. Then we spent time with the police and realized that Ella Maes case is actually an outlier in this community. It's gotten so much attention and so many resources in terms of police, including the dispatchers who were on shift when it happened. (They) just stopped when Ella Mae went missing, went out, and searched Sweetwater for her.

That's something that we heard was an anomaly that never happened before for a missing persons case. It made us think about: what are the other cases here? We know there are lots of other missing people here, what are those investigations like? I like showing the possibilities when there is this Herculean effort to find somebody, and then the consequences when families don't get the same kind of investigation.

It was on maybe this second or third recording trip that we learned about the possibility of the connection between the two families, but we weren't sure. Then it just became the next question that we were trying to answer.

Connie Walker and her team accepting the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in audio reporting. Podcasting is a team sport, Walker said. (courtesy photo)

Connie Walker and her team accepting the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in audio reporting. Podcasting is a team sport, Walker said. (courtesy photo)

I am so lucky to work with such an incredibly strong team of reporters and producers. Ellen Frankman and Max Green and Anya Schultz were so thorough in terms of understanding the context and the way the Major Crimes Act, which is a piece of legislation from the 1800s, is still impacting life in this community and how 150 years of colonization in the United States and Canada is continuing to impact Indigenous communities, and people on the Navajo Nation.

It seems like, in addition to the central question of what happened to Ella Mae Begay, another central question of Season 3 of Stolen became: how does policing work on this huge reservation with a tribal police that is understaffed and underfunded?



That's exactly how it went. We were really focused and interested in learning more about Ella Mae Begay and her disappearance. And then once we got there, we talked to people and learned new things andit really became clear that part of understanding the crisis of missing people is understanding the crisis in policing that happens [in Indigenous communities].

It's such an interesting thing to spend time with the Navajo police and with the dispatchers on the Navajo Nation, and to have a sense of both things at the same time: hearing from families about the crisis of missing loved and their criticisms of the police, and then seeing directly from law enforcement on the other side what they were dealing with.

Did anything really shock you on the ground  where you were like, well, that was not what I was expecting.

I'm a Cree woman from Saskatchewan, who still lives in Canada. I'd never been to the Navajo Nation before, so it was all revelatory to me. The challenges that that community is facing in terms of this crisis of missing people, this crisis in policing, and really the crisis in a lot of the systems that impact both of those[for example] housing and healthcareare not new systems.

Maybe initially we were a bit naive about some of the rates of violence and crime. Then, as we did more reporting and more research and got a clearer, sharper sense of [the realities], I think that is something that [surprised us]. Many Americans and Canadians are really not aware that MMIW is such an urgent and critical crisis that is affecting families and communities today, right now in 2024. That needs attention.

I was really struck by how relatives of missing people on the Navajo Nation have advocated for their relativesnot just by lobbying legislators and, in one instance, walking from the Navajo Nation to Washington DC but also by confronting the potential murderers of their family members, as we hear about in episode two.

I know. I think when you first hear that [Ella Mae Begays family confronted her suspected killer on the side of the road] you're like, This is extraordinary. Is it this family? But actually, so many families have done similar things. So many families have felt like they have to take matters into their own hands in order to get some answers, whether that is taking over the search for their loved ones [or confronting their potential killers.] There are so many fierce, strong advocates.

It's so amazing and it's so devastating that families have to do that when they're alongside the grief that comes with the disappearance of somebody they love.

In October 2022, podcast host Connie Walker, a citizen of the Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan, and her three-person team began investigating the missing person report of Ella Mae Begay, a 62- year-old Navajo woman who was reported missing by her daughter a year and a half earlier. In the early morning of June 15, 2021, Ella Maes daughter called police to report that a man had broken into her own home and stolen some drinks before wandering off. Before police could show up, she heard her mothers truck start next door and then drive off. Ella Mae was never seen again.

Through the course of their reporting, the team learned about a second missing woman from a different corner of the Navajo Nation, Kristina Carrillo, whose case tribal police failed to investigate.

Walker, who was named among Time Magazines list of the 100 most Influential people of 2024 on April 17, spoke to Native News Online about how season three of Stolen developed, and what it can teach us as listeners, reporters, and human beings.

How do you take care of yourself throughout your reporting?

Practicing self-care and understanding the impacts of reporting on trauma for the people that you're speaking with is really important. There are really great resources, particularly at The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, that I encourage people to check out. But then understanding the impacts on yourself as a journalist is also really important, especially if you're Indigenous and have your own lived experiences. That can help in terms of enriching your reporting, but it can also make it more difficult to report on these subjects. For me, it feels like [being Indigenous] is helping me to do this work.

I grew up in my community in a really strong family. Our focus in our family has never been I or me, it's always been we and us. And I'm trying to do whatever I can to help my family, my community, and people really get to know and understand Indigenous people through our stories. That is my goal.

About the Author: "Jenna Kunze is a staff reporter covering Indian health, the environment and breaking news for Native News Online. She is also the lead reporter on stories related to Indian boarding schools and repatriation. Her bylines have appeared in The Arctic Sounder, High Country News, Indian Country Today, Tribal Business News, Smithsonian Magazine, Elle and Anchorage Daily News. Kunze is based in New York."

Contact: jkunze@indiancountrymedia.com
Radical LGBT charity encourages teachers not to tell parents their children are trans

The guide also tells teachers not to 'overly question children's understanding of their gender identity' if they say they are trans. - Iurii Krasilnikov

Teachers are being told not to inform parents if their child is transgender in guidance written by a school signed up to a radical LGBT charitys inclusion scheme.

A coming out guide for staff at Knox Academy in East Lothian informs staff that it is good practice not to inform parents about a childs social transition from one gender to another without their permission.

Social transitioning is when someone begins to live as their preferred gender in public, for example, changing pronouns, wearing different clothing and going by a different name.

At another school in the county, North Berwick High, discussions were held over possible problems that changes to official records could cause as parents could discover their child had changed their name when reports were sent home.

In both cases it is understood that the guidance was penned by staff who were informed by a radical charity, LGBT Youth Scotland, which received almost 1 million per year in public money.

The charity also hosts coming out guides on its website, including letter templates telling children how to officially change their name at school, and advising them teachers must not let their parents know about a gender change unless they are at risk of harm.

More than half of Scottish schools signed up to charitys scheme

The SNP Government faced calls to urgently review trans policies regarding children following the publication of the Cass Review, which urged caution over social transitioning and warned that it could lead to children going on to harmful medical pathways.

The Telegraph revealed on Thursday that as part of a controversial charter scheme run by LGBT Youth Scotland, schools including primaries were appointing children LGBT champions and being urged to question pupils about their sexual orientation and gender.

Schools who signed up to the charitys scheme, for a fee normally of at least 850, were ranked on how well they catered for LGBTQ+ pupils and were given guides to follow to best achieve this.

It is backed by the Scottish Government and more than half of the countrys secondary schools, and at least 40 of its primary schools, are signed up.

Part of the documentation sent to the charity by Knox Academy East Lothian, and disclosed under Freedom of Information legislation, includes a staff guide for pupils coming out.

The policy had apparently been drawn up as part of its bid to win charter status from the charity, which tells schools to rewrite policies to ensure they are inclusive.

Under a section entitled good practice, it states: A transgender young person may not have told their family about their gender identity.

A young person may not have told their family about their sexuality. Inadvertent disclosure could cause needless stress for the young person or could put them at risk.

Therefore, it is best to not disclose information to parents or carers without the young persons permission.

The guide also encourages staff to ask for a childs name and pronouns, not to deny their identity or to overly question their understanding of their gender identity if they say they are trans.

Idea they can keep parents out of decision is wrong

Meanwhile, a champions meeting at North Berwick High was held in May 2022, in which staff and pupils discussed the issue of parents being alerted to a name change as a result of alterations to the official records system, known as SEEMiS.

While the school said all name changes to date had been made with parental consent, it was warned that formal changes could cause problems if a child wanted to keep their gender identity and new name from their parents.

R has advised that pupils can request this [a formal name change] but must be made aware that any official documents going home (ie reports) will have the name change on them, the minute says.

Simon Calvert, deputy director of the Christian Institute, said the Cass Review had been clear that social transition had medical implications and should not take place without medical supervision.

The idea that a teacher can just decide on the spot, the first time a kid speaks to them about gender confusion, to socially transition them by using whatever pronouns or name the child wants, is clearly wrong, he said.

The idea that they can try to keep their parents  and therefore their doctors  out of the decision is not just wrong, it is unprofessional. Any school following this approach may be putting itself in a legally vulnerable position.

A spokesman for East Lothian Council, which is responsible for the schools, said the policy was based on Scottish Government guidelines.

He added: This is underpinned by key legislation and established childrens rights respecting approaches including, but not limited to, the Equality Act 2010, Getting it Right for Every Child, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and data protection legislation and principles.

This ensures learning environments which are safe, respectful and inclusive for all.

LGBT Youth Scotland was contacted for comment.

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HEFEI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The discovery of a tomb in Anhui Province, east China, will shed light on an ancient civilization that lived in China over 2,200 years ago, according to archaeologists.

Wuwangdun tomb, built in the Warring States period (475 B.C.-221 B.C.), has been recognized as the largest and highest-grade tomb with the most complex structure from the ancient Chu state, that has been so far excavated, according to the National Cultural Heritage Administration.

After a nearly four-year excavation, more than 1,000 cultural relics, including lacquered artifacts, bronze ritual vessels, musical instruments and daily use items, have been extracted from the tomb. Archaeologists have also found and recorded nearly 1,000 written characters.

Concurrent analyses included carbon-14 dating, wood species identification, infrared analysis of the inscriptions, and material and manufacturing studies of the lacquerware and textiles.

"The findings can provide an overall picture of the political, economic, cultural, technological and social conditions of the Chu state in the Warring States period," said Gong Xicheng, a research fellow with the Anhui provincial cultural relics and archaeology institute and head of the Wuwangdun archaeological team.

According to Gong, the tomb was built in a critical period before the feudal state system disintegrated and a unified nation formed. "The findings can help us learn about the historical evolution as well as the formation of a unified nation and its culture," Gong said.

In the view of Shen Hanqing, former chief of Huainan Museum, the findings from the Wuwangdun tomb showed that during the transitional period from the late Warring States period to Qin (221 B.C.-207 B.C.) and Han Dynasties (202 B.C.- 220 A.D.), people in different parts of China were undertaking exchanges with each other. "The core idea as a unified multi-ethnic country has been developing ever since, and now has become the cultural gene of the Chinese people," Shen said.

In recent years, with more multi-disciplinary measures and advanced technologies applied to archaeological research, it is possible for archaeologists to find more information on the same historical relics.

During the excavation of the Wuwangdun tomb, a low-oxygen archaeological laboratory was set up, allowing researchers to work within a safe temporary space while preserving the unearthed items, said Zhang Zhiguo, a researcher with the National Center for Archaeology.

Besides traditional recording measures, the archaeological team used digital scanning, surveying and mapping to collect real-time information on the excavation site. They also created a highly-precise 3D digital model of all layers of the tomb, and extracted over 1,000 characters written on the coffin lid in Chinese ink by using infrared imaging technology.

Zhang noted that currently only about one third of excavation work of the Wuwangdun tomb has been done, with key information including the identity of the tomb owner still yet to be determined.

"The excavation and protection work at the Wuwangdun tomb will be carried out simultaneously, and various scientific and technological measures will be used so that the archaeological value of the tomb will be clearly and comprehensively presented," he said. 
BECKLEY, WV (WVNS)  The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports 30% of high school seniors in the U.S. admitted to using marijuana in 2023. Medical marijuana is legal in West Virginia but is still illegal recreationally.

Woodrow Wilson High School Principal Ryan Stafford noted on Thursday, April 18, 2024, that the political landscape around marijuana use appears to be changing as a number of states legalize the drug.

Schools reflect the change in society, but the school system is also in a unique position to help prevent future addiction as West Virginia continues recovering from an opioid epidemic.

PRO law enforcement officers are stationed at each high school, and teachers have a number of educational resources available, Stafford stated.

Were in as good of a position as weve ever been in to keep kids healthy, to educate them on the dangers of being under the influence of drugs, alcohol, what have you, and its important for us to continue to have these necessary conversations with our young people, Stafford said on Thursday.

Pink and yellow moths seen in West Virginia. What are they?

Barbara Fulco, the grandmother of an Independence High School student, said she became concerned when her own grandson recently tested positive for marijuana use.

She said her grandson told her marijuana is accessible at school, prompting her to approach school administrators and the Raleigh County Board of Education to ask for a solution.

Nothings getting done, and people [are] not taking it seriously, said Fulco on Thursday. They think, Oh, its just weed, its just marijuana, but its dangerous, and it needs to be out of the school. Something needs to be done, and Im asking for help.

Principal Stafford said schools, parents, and law enforcement play a role in keeping schools safe.

Beckley man pleads guilty to fentanyl crime

I think we all understand that the developing mind, in young people, that its important for us to keep them safe, and its important for us to put them in the best position to grow and be healthy, said Stafford. Ten times out of ten, that involves refraining from being under the influence of any sort of drug or alcohol.

Raleigh County School officials did not immediately respond to a request for information on Thursday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
(Reuters) -Israel carried out an attack on Iranian territory on Friday, sources said, days after Iran struck Israel with a barrage of drones and missiles.

Here are reactions to the Israeli military response, from official statements and postings on social media:

UN SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES:

"It is high time to stop the dangerous cycle of retaliation in the Middle East. The Secretary-General condemns any act of retaliation and appeals to the international community to work together to prevent any further development that could lead to devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond."

EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT URSULA VON DER LEYEN:

"It is absolutely necessary that the region remains stable and that all sides restrain from further action."

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER RISHI SUNAK:

"Significant escalation is not in anyone's interest. What we want to see is calm heads prevail across the region."

JORDAN FOREIGN MINISTER AYMAN SAFADI:

"We warn against the danger of regional escalation. We condemn all actions that threaten dragging the region into war. Israeli-Iranian retaliations must end. The inhumane war on Gaza must end now. The focus of the world must remain on ending the catastrophic aggression on Gaza."

GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ:

"De-escalation remains the order of the day in the near future. And we will also talk about this with all our friends and allies, and work together with them in this direction."

G7 FOREIGN MINISTERS:

"We urge all parties to work to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work to this end."

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES:

"The (foreign) ministry affirmed the importance of reaching substantial solutions to the ongoing disputes and crises in the region aimed at de-escalating tensions, in addition to resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomatic channels, and for adhering to the rule of law and respecting the United Nations Charter."

DEPUTY FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER JEAN-NOEL BARROT:

"All I can say is that France's position is to call on all actors for de-escalation and restraint."

BEN SAUL, U.N. SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS:

"Israel's latest strikes on Iran are another violation of the prohibition on the use of military force under international law & the UN Charter, and threaten the human right to life."

JAPAN'S CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY YOSHIMASA HAYASHI:

"Japan is deeply concerned about the situation in the Middle East and strongly condemn any actions that lead to the escalation of the situation.

"Japan will continue to make all necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent the situation from worsening further."

CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON:

China opposes any action escalating tensions in the Middle East after the Israeli attack on Iran.

SENIOR HAMAS OFFICIAL SAMI ABU ZUHRI:

"We call for the scale of the engagement against the (Israeli) occupation to be expanded in response to the war of genocide in Gaza and the escalation in the region."

(Reporting by Reuters bureaus, Editing by Angus MacSwan; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Myroslava, a 17-year-old girl from Ukraine, returned home after she was illegally deported to Russia a year and a half ago, the Reintegration Ministry reported on April 19.

At least 19,500 children have been confirmed as abducted by Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and less than 400 of them have returned home, according to the Ukrainian governments database.

Myroslava, who became an orphan in 2014, was forced to move to Russia from Ukraine's Russian-occupied territories in 2022 after the start of Russia's full-scale war. She lived in a dorm in Russia, according to the ministry's statement.

Ukraine's Reintegration Ministry said "caring people" informed Ukrainian authorities about Myroslava's location, helping the ministry to bring the girl back in cooperation with the Ukrainian Child Rights Network.

"We were in contact with her all the time," the statement read.

"Four days of hard road, and she is now finally in Ukraine."

The ministry also thanked Daria Herasymchuk, Ukraine's presidential advisor for children's rights, Daria Kasyanova, the head of the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, the Ukrainian Embassy in Belarus, the Ukrainian Consulate General in Lublin, the Kovel District State Administration, and the State Border Service helping bringing Myroslava back.

Ukrainian children who have been forcibly deported to Russia are subject to systemic re-education efforts by Russian authorities, according to a report published in the Guardian on Feb. 4.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Childrens Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for allegedly overseeing the forced deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia.

Read also: Why does everyone have 2 legs but me? Children learn to live with prosthetics after being injured by Russias war

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
NEW YORK  The daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a vocal Democrat sharply critical of Israel, was among at least three students suspended Thursday over a pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University.

Omar, who made history as one of the first two Muslim women elected to Congress and has been a sharp critic of the war in Gaza, grilled Columbia administrators Wednesday on protections for students protesting the war.

Theres been a recent attack on the democratic rights of students across the country, Omar said.

Isra Hirsi, a junior at Barnard College, is an organizer with the student-led coalition Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which pitched dozens of green tents across the main lawn, as university President Minouche Shafik was set to testify on campus antisemitism before Congress.

The standoff prompted Shafik to call in the NYPD to break up the demonstration. Dozens of students had been detained by Thursday afternoon, as protesters began setting up new, yellow tents some yards away from the original encampment.

Hirsi was taken into custody for trespassing and released with a summons, officials said at a Thursday press conference.

In my 3 years at @BarnardCollege, I have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings, Hirsi said on X. I just received notice that I am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide.

We will stand resolute until our demands are met, added Hirsi, who called for Columbia to divest its finances from companies and institutions that profit from Israel.

Wednesday, as Shafik defended the administrations response to campus antisemitism before Congress, Omar asked about previous student suspensions, spray and doxxing. She said she was appalled to learn that Columbia suspended students for a March 24 event with speakers that Shafik said were inciting violence.

Theres been a lot of doxxing and harassment that has taken place. What protections are students being provided?

The number of suspensions on campus appeared likely to grow as Columbia continues its investigation.

Students who are participating in the unauthorized encampment are suspended, a university spokesman said in a statement. We are continuing to identify them and will be sending out formal notifications.

_____

(New York Daily News staff writer Rocco Parascandola contributed to this story.)

_____
NEW YORK  The daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a vocal Democrat sharply critical of Israel, was among at least three students suspended Thursday over a pro-Palestinian, two-day encampment at Columbia University.

Omar grilled Columbia administrators Wednesday on protections for students protesting the war in Gaza.

Isra Hirsi, a junior at Barnard College, is an organizer with the student-led coalition Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which pitched dozens of green tents across the main lawn, as university president Minouche Shafik was set to testify on campus antisemitism before Congress.

The standoff prompted Shafik to call in the NYPD to break up the demonstration. Dozens of students had been detained by Thursday afternoon, as protesters began setting up new, yellow tents some yards away from the original encampment.

It was unclear if Hirsi was among those detained by the NYPD.

In my 3 years at @BarnardCollege, I have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings, Hirsi said on X, formerly known as Twitter. I just received notice that I am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide.

We will stand resolute until our demands are met, added Hirsi, who called for Columbia to divest its finances from companies and institutions that profit from Israel.

The email read, This notice is to inform you that Barnard College is suspending you on an interim basis effective immediately. This decision is based on information received from Columbia University Public Safety that you have been involved in an unauthorized encampment on the Columbia University campus and you have not ceased participation in this unauthorized encampment despite repeated requests from Barnard and Columbia on April 17, 2024 that you do so.

The number of suspensions appeared likely to grow as Columbia continues its investigation.

Students who are participating in the unauthorized encampment are suspended, a university spokesperson said in a statement. We are continuing to identify them and will be sending out formal notifications.

_____
The daughter of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., was arrested Thursday at anti-Israel protests at Columbia University, law enforcement sources told Fox News.

Isra Hirsi was in the custody of the New York Police Department and put into flex cuffs or zip ties and will face trespassing charges, according to sources. She was among more than 100 people issued a summons for trespassing, the NYPD said.

Hirsi was released hours later from NYPD headquarters.

Earlier in the day, Hirsi said she was suspended from Barnard College, located near Columbia, for "standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide."

PENTAGON SPOX ON WHETHER US WILL HELP ISRAELI ATTACK ON IRAN: 'THATS A QUESTION FOR ISRAEL'

Isra Hirsi departs 1 Police Plaza NYPD Headquarters in Lower Manhattan, New York City, following her release on Thursday after she was arrested during an anti-Israel protest at Columbia University earlier in the day. Hirsi is the daughter of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.

"Those of us in Gaza Solidarity Encampment will not be intimidated," she wrote on X. "We will stand resolute until our demands are met. our [sic] demands include divestment from companies complicit in genocide, transparency of @Columbias investments and FULL amnesty for all students facing repression."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Dozens of anti-Israel activists began protesting at Columbia University Wednesday morning, creating an encampment on the main lawn in protest of Israel's war against Hamas. Fiery protests continued into the overnight hours with calls for an intifada and the death of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

'RADICAL' PRO-PALESTINIAN GROUPS INCREASINGLY TARGET HOUSES OF WORSHIP FOR PROTESTS IN ALARMING TREND

Rep. Ilhan Omar's daughter, Isra Hirsi, left, said Thursday she was suspended from Barnard College for her involvement in an anti-Israel protest on Columbia Universitys campus in New York City.

On Wednesday, Omar questioned Columbia administrators during a congressional hearing on Capitol Hill about anti-Israel activism on the Ivy League campus.

During the hearing, Omar sounded the alarm about what she called an "attack" with a "toxic chemical substance" at an anti-Israel protest at Columbia University. However, according to court documents, the substance was a non-toxic flatulence spray called "Liquid A--" and "Wet Farts."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Omar's office.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., suggested Hirsi's suspension was a reprisal for her mother's questions.

COLUMBIA STUDENT SUSPENDED AFTER ALLEGED FART SPRAY ATTACK DURING ANTI-ISRAEL RALLY SUES SCHOOL

Isra Hirsi departs 1 Police Plaza NYPD Headquarters in Lower Manhattan, New York City, following her release on Thursday after she was arrested during an anti-Israel protest at Columbia University earlier in the day. Hirsi is the daughter of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.

"The day after @IlhanMN questioned Columbia leadership's commitment to free academic expression, the school suspended her daughter?" Bowman posted online. "It's clear what is happening here. Our educational institutions should not be in the business of political reprisals."

Fox News Digital's Hannah Grossman contributed to this report.





Original article source: Rep. Ilhan Omar's daughter arrested and released amid NYC anti-Israel protests at Columbia University
A new report alleges the U.N. has been complicit in the violent eviction of Indigenous people from six World Heritage Sites in Africa and Asia.

These sites are very often the stolen ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples, who are being kept out by force, intimidation, and terror, said Caroline Pearce, director of Survival International, the group behind the new report. She said that UNESCO, the scientific and cultural arm of the U.N., must remove World Heritage Status from any such site where abuses are taking place.

In its 2010 decision on the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, UNESCO said that the Maasai population and the number of cattle should remain within the capacity of the property. Indigenous Maasai have since reported arrests, torture, and the theft of their cattle. They also said the government has eliminated health services to motivate them to leave.

UNESCOs support is being used to evict us, one Maasai leader told Survival International. We are very sick and confused.

In 2018, UNESCO urged the Democratic Republic of the Congo to evacuate the illegal occupants of Kahuzi-Beiga National Park. Officials began removing Indigenous Batwa from the park shortly thereafter. A 2022 report from Minority Rights Group alleged that Congolese soldiers raped dozens of women and killed at least 20 Batwa, including some who were burned alive.

When they confront us, they rape us, one Batwa woman, who said she was attacked by soldiers in 2021, told Survival International. Those of us who will die will die, but the forest is where we will stay.

The report also investigated the evictions of Indigenous people from Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of the Congo, Kaziranga National Park in India, Chitwan National Park in Nepal, and the Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex in Thailand.

In a statement to the BBC, UNESCO contested the allegations in the report. It said that respect for the rights of Indigenous people is fundamental to its management of World Heritage Sites.

ALSO ON YALE E360

In New Scramble for Africa, an Arab Sheikh Is Taking the Lead


How can I report graffiti in Modesto? What if its on my property? Bee Curious answers

Graffiti defaces several signs, fences and buildings across Modesto.

When property has been tagged, who can Modesto residents contact to have it removed?

Reader Lynn Telford Sahl asked Bee Curious, a community-driven series where reporters answer reader questions about the Modesto region: Is graffiti removal still a priority for the city and how does one contact them?

City spokeswoman Sonya Severo said graffiti removal is 100% still a priority for the city.

Particularly if something is gang related or vulgar is reported, she wrote in an email to The Modesto Bee. It is made a priority right away.

Heres when and how Modesto residents can report graffiti:

The word smile is seen tagged on a fence on Carpenter Road in west Modesto on Tuesday, April 16.

Who is responsible for graffiti removal in Modesto?

Graffiti on city property, such as bridges, fences and overpasses, is typically handled by city maintenance crews, Severo said.

A dedicated team of two are responsible for removal of tagging from city property, she said.

Private property owners, including homeowners and businesses, are responsible for removing graffiti on their property.

Graffiti has been painted over on this privately owned building on West Roseburg Avenue in northwest Modesto on Tuesday, April 16.

How can I report graffiti?

Modesto residents can report graffiti on city property on the GoModesto! app, online, or by calling a hotline at (209) 342-2259.

Tagging on independently-owned utility company properties around Modesto can also be reported directly to the companies themselves, according to the city website.

To report tagging on utility boxes and canal banks, residents can reach out to the Modesto Irrigation District at (209) 577-1529 or (209) 526-7639.

For tagging on equipment owned by Pacific Gas and Electric, including power lines, residents can file a report by calling 1-800-743-5000.

Graffiti on property owned by AT&T, such as utility boxes, can be reported to the cellular company through email.

Freeway graffiti can be reported online or by email to the California Department of Transportation.

The information is logged and will be entered into the data system so we can appropriately address each incident, the city website said.

Graffiti is seen on a shared fence on West Roseburg Avenue in northwest Modesto on Tuesday, April 16.

Which areas see the most tagging in Modesto?

When it comes to removal, Severo said the city prioritizes high visibility areas, heavily traveled roadways and thoroughfares.

Calls are responded to, in most cases, on the same day it is reported, Severo wrote.

The city receives the most reports for graffiti removal along major roadways, traffic signs, light poles and playground equipment typically in east Modesto, she said.

Areas where the city prioritizes graffiti removal include Briggsmore Avenue, McHenry Avenue and Sisk Road.

The west side sees most tagging, often gang related, but it is rarely reported, she said.

Graffiti is seen on a private-owned business in west Modesto on Tuesday, April 16. Private property owners are responsible for removing graffiti.

Can I help remove graffiti?

The Tagging Abatement Program, formerly known as Partners in Paint, is a collaborative effort between the city and the community to maintain a safe and inviting community.

It aims to educate the public about graffiti prevention and removal, provide resources for response, create community partnerships and raise awareness of the effects of tagging around communities.

As part of the program, the city offers free graffiti removal kits.

For graffiti on property owned by the city, such as light poles, signs and sidewalks, the city provides kits containing solvent, rags, gloves, safety goggles, and a scouring pad for removal.

Removal kits can not be requested for graffiti removal on private property.

To request a kit, residents can call (209) 577-5450.

What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com.
Reports of Israel's retaliatory strikes against Iran prompt reactions from lawmakers: 'Right to defend itself'

Reports of Israel's retaliatory strikes against Iran prompt reactions from lawmakers: 'Right to defend itself'

Lawmakers reacted after Israel reportedly struck a site in Iran early Friday in retaliation for Tehran firing a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel last weekend.

A handful of American politicians defended Israel's "right to defend itself," calling for the U.S. to "stand with Israel."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital that Israel had a "right and obligation to respond" and blamed the recent attacks on President Biden's handling of foreign policy in the region.

"The scope of Israel's action tonight shows just how far Iran's reach has extended across the region. Iran's advances should worry every American, because when Iran's leaders chant 'Death to Israel' they also chant Death to America,'" Cruz said. "Iran launched a massive attack and act of war against Israel. That attack was enabled because Joe Biden and Biden officials dismantled pressure on the Ayatollah."

ISRAEL STRIKES SITE IN IRAN IN RETALIATION FOR WEEKEND ASSAULT: SOURCE

"Thankfully, after decades of cooperation with the United States, and thanks to President Trump's diplomacy in the Middle East, we and our Israeli and Arab allies repelled that attack," he said. "However, it was still an act of war, and Israel had the right and obligation to respond.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Congress should ensure the United States stands unequivocally with our Israeli allies as they do so and reestablish deterrence," Cruz said.

Following Iran's attack on Israel last weekend, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., asked how America would respond if it were attacked.

"If another country targeted America with the single biggest drone attack in history, how would we respond?" he asked.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has been vocal on X about Israel's right to defend itself against attacks.

ISRAEL'S ADVANCED MILITARY TECHNOLOGY ON FULL DISPLAY DURING IRAN'S ATTACK

After reports of the Friday attack surfaced, Rubio posted on X: "Israel has the ability to conduct strikes against targets inside Iran without entering Iranian airspace from aircraft over Syrian and Iraqi airspace."

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz defended Israel's reported attack, saying it has the "right to defend itself against Iran's full network of evil," while placing blame on the Biden administration.

"Iran and its proxies have mounted attacks against Israel for years, and under the Biden administrations foreign policy, things have only escalated. Israel has a right to defend itself against Irans full network of evil," Gaetz wrote on X.

"Wisdom must be displayed," he said. "A broadening regional war is in the best interest of no Middle Eastern country  or the United States."

"The United States stands with Israel," Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla, added on X shortly after reports of Israel's retaliatory attack on Iran.

Fox News Digital confirmed that there have been explosions in the Isfahan province where Natanz  the site of one of Iran's nuclear facilities  is located, though it is not clear whether it has been hit.

Fox News Digital confirmed Thursday (Eastern time) that there have been explosions in the Isfahan province in Iran.

A well-placed military source has told Fox that the strike was "limited."

Fox News' Bradford Betz and Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.





Original article source: Reports of Israel's retaliatory strikes against Iran prompt reactions from lawmakers: 'Right to defend itself'
If you are a MAGA Republican who is hoping to remake the party in Donald Trumps image, you might be tempted to look at Speaker Mike Johnsons recent comments and observe (as Barack Obama infamously did a few years ago) that the 1980s called, and they want their foreign policy back.

In case you missed it, Johnsonwho is taking heat for saying he now supports funding bills for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwanrecently invoked Ronald Reagan to buttress his support for foreign aid. Im a child of the 80s, Johnson told CNNs Jake Tapper. I regard myself as a Reagan Republican. I understand the concept of maintaining peace through strength. Thats one of our guiding principles...its a big part of our party and our worldview.

Not everyone is happy about Johnsons support for Ukraine (to fend off Russias invasion). In fact, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) are threatening to oust him from his speakership over it, and another hardliner was overheard calling Johnson tubby during a heated exchange on Thursday.

Mike Johnson Should Tell Marjorie Taylor Greene to Bring the Smoke

Johnsons Republican adversaries are so distrustful of him that, according to Politicos Olivia Beavers, they have created something called the Floor Action Response Team (FART), which aims to guard against a voice vote or unanimous consent vote where action could be stealthily taken against them and their members.

As Semafors David Weigel quipped, The Floor Action Response Team operates in silencebut its actions can be deadly. Theres no telling if Republicans will be able to clear the air.

Its not just what Johnson said that has riled the MAGA right, but how he said it. The normally mild-mannered Johnson has suddenly become defiant in the face of adversity.

That, coupled with him sounding like a committed internationalist, has sparked attention from his detractors and newfound fans, alike.

As a backbench congressman, Johnson opposed funding Ukrainea position that put him in the same category as that of his current tormentors.

Indeed, Johnsons ascension to speaker was largely premised on the notion that he would be the vessel for Trumpism in the House leadership. Based on his record, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) even dubbed him MAGA Mike Johnson.

So what explains Johnsons change of heart regarding Ukraine? One theory holds that, upon being elevated to power, some people suddenly mature as they recognize the awesome responsibility of leadership, a la Thomas Becket.

Reagans Republican Party Wouldnt Think Twice About Aid to Ukraine

There may be some element of that phenomenon at work here. But I think it is combined with something else: the enduring power of Reaganism.

On one hand, its not surprising. From 1980 until 2016a 36-year spanReagans optimistic conservative philosophy dominated the Republican Party. (Sure, other leaders and voicesNewt Gingrich, the Bushes, Rush Limbaughwere prominent, but they all existed in the context of the Reagan era.)

On the other hand, Trump has dominated the GOP for the last nine years, as Reaganism was in full retreat on the right.

During this time, seeds have been planted that will impact future generations. There are 18-year-olds today who really havent known a pre-Trump Republican Party. These young Republicans have, no doubt, internalized Trumps style and (to the extent he has a coherent philosophy) policies. In this regard, Trumps legacy will surely outlive him.

Likewise, Reaganism abides, even while mostly dormant these last few years. For an earlier generation of Americans (Johnson was born in 1972just eight years before Reagan won the first of his two presidential terms), Reagans worldview was deeply embedded in their psyches at a formative time.

For Johnson to say hes a Reagan Republican isits not redundantbut its prima facie self-evident, Reagan biographer Craig Shirley told me, because the Republican Party still is Reagans party, because [the issues that animate todays GOP] are Reagans issues Its still an internationalist party.

As to the growing chorus of isolationist voices in todays GOP? Theyre prominent, but they are still lonely voices in the wilderness, Shirley noted.

To be sure, a political realignment has begun; however, Reaganism remains an enduring force with deep roots. MAGA loyalists who want to transform the GOP into an isolationist, nationalist party will have to contend with Reagans influence for years to come.

Trumps minions are well aware of this. Initiatives like The Heritage Foundations Project 2025 have been inaugurated to identify and place fellow cult members (and blackball mainstream conservatives).

But this is a project that is best aimed at young people. For Republican politicians of a certain age who try to pose as Trumpy to capture the zeitgeistfrom Mike Johnson to Mike Penceitll be hard for MAGA to ever fully trust them with power.

The Joy of Making Trump Listen to Mean Tweets About Himself

One senses that most rank-in-file Republican members of Congress today, given the choice, would want to fund our allies. They may lack the courage of their convictions, and they may support the MAGA culture wars, but they are not deeply committed isolationists.

This presents a problem for MAGAs attempt to replace old school Republicans and install new leaders. Upon being elevated to a leadership position, there is always the danger that their vestigial Reaganism will awaken, and some percentage of them will revert.

Dont trust anyone over 30 was once a maxim espoused by 1960s radicals and hippies. It might become yet another erstwhile leftist notion that gets co-opted by the Trumpian right.

Killing off Reaganism wont happen overnight. If MAGA ever succeeds, it will have to be the result of a generational project.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Manasseh Sogavare speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands, July 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Yunqi)

HONIARA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has secured his re-election as a member of parliament, national broadcaster SIBC reported on Friday.

The local returning officer has provisionally declared Sogavare as the winner, who garnered a majority of votes against four other candidates contending for the parliamentary seat for East Choiseul constituency.

Sogavare's re-election means he will continue to be the longest-serving member of parliament, having served for 27 years. His political journey commenced in 1997 when he triumphed in the East Choiseul constituency seat during the national general election.

Sogavare, who is also wing leader of the Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party (or Our Party), is seeking to become the first incumbent to be re-elected prime minister after serving a full term in office since 2019. He previously held the office three times -- in 2000-2001, 2006-2007 and 2014-2017.

Following the conclusion of voting on Wednesday, the counting process is still underway for the Solomon Islands' joint election, encompassing both national and provincial elections.

A total of 334 candidates are vying for 50 seats in the parliamentary election. Party-affiliated candidates outnumber independent candidates by 219 to 115.

The national and provincial governments will by law be formed within the next 14 days respectively by members of the national parliament and members of the provincial assemblies. They will serve for a four-year term. 
Republicans in the Senate are accusing the Democratic Party, including President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., of emboldening Iran prior to the country's recent attack on U.S. ally Israel.

"Instead of standing with our ally, Israel, Democrats are focused on appealing to their radical left base, which hates Israel and is actively supporting Hamas and Iran," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told Fox News Digital.

"To appease his base, Joe Biden allowed over $100 billion to flow to Iran. Iran then used that money to make drones and cruise missiles to attack Israel," Cruz said. "In a very real sense, Joe Biden funded Irans attack on Israel. The Democrat position on Israel and Iran is as illogical as it is indefensible."

13 DEMS VOTE AGAINST RESOLUTION CONDEMNING IRAN AFTER ISRAEL STRIKE

Iran attacked Israel directly over the weekend, launching hundreds of drone strikes as well as a barrage of ballistic and cruise missiles. With the help of the U.S. military, Israel managed to intercept almost all the incoming drone and missile attacks.

President Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democratic Party as a whole are being accused of emboldening Iran and wavering in their support for ally Israel.

Iran's previous involvement in attacks against Israel has been through proxies in countries such as Syria and Yemen. Launching an assault from within its own country marks a major escalation from a proxy fight to a direct attack.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Since October 7, Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer have tried to undermine Israel at every turn," Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Whether its on the battlefield, at the UN, or in Congress, they are more interested in pleasing the pro-Hamas wing of their party than they are in helping our greatest ally in the Middle East."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pointed to the Democratic Party's shift on Israel, saying in a statement Saturday, "Tehran and its proxies are emboldened when they see divisions between the US and Israel."

Prior to the attack, Biden hardened his posture toward Israel as it fights Hamas in Gaza. Biden warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a call this month "that U.S. policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israels immediate action on these steps" to address civilian casualties and ensure safety for humanitarian aid workers, according to the White House. The call followed an Israeli strike that led to the deaths of seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen.

Last month, Schumer sparked outrage from Republicans after calling on Israel in a floor speech to hold elections to replace Netanyahu, who he said "has put himself in coalition with far-right extremists" and "has been too willing to tolerate the civilian toll in Gaza."

"If Prime Minister Netanyahus current coalition remains in power after the war begins to wind down and continues to pursue dangerous and inflammatory policies that test existing U.S. standards for assistance, then the United States will have no choice but to play a more active role in shaping Israeli policy by using our leverage to change the present course," Schumer said.

An anti-missile system operates after Iran launched drones and missiles toward Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on April 14, 2024.

Prior to his floor speech, Schumer requested a classified intelligence briefing, which he routinely receives, on the status of hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas. The briefing revealed that there would be no disruptions to ongoing hostage negotiations if Schumer gave his speech, according to a source familiar.

DEARBORN ACTIVISTS' PUSH TO BAIL ON BIDEN SPREADS TO OTHER KEY BATTLEGROUND STATES

However, the source was unable to say whether any implications regarding Iran were relayed during the briefing.

Schumer's office also hit back at the claims, with spokesperson Allison Biasotti saying in a statement, "Leader Schumer has been clear that the United States commitment to Israels security is ironclad, and that the best way to deter enemies of Israel, like Iran, is for the House to promptly pass the bipartisan supplemental bill, with over $17 billion urgently needed for Israels defense and U.S. operations against Iranian-backed aggression in the Red Sea, which Schumer already passed in the Senate."

The majority leader's office said the attack on Israel was a response to the recent Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria, adding that Iran and Israel have been engaged in a lengthy conflict for years.

But according to one Democrat aide, there are senators in the party who are concerned about a growing number of Democrats' posture on Israel potentially giving Iran the sense that American support is wavering for its ally.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., accused Biden of trying to "walk a tightrope of appeasing an increasingly radical base of his party while upholding the mainstream American position of support for Israel."

"The problem is the president isnt walking a tightrope. Hes trying to straddle the Grand Canyon," he said in a statement.

ISRAELS ADVANCED MILITARY TECHNOLOGY ON FULL DISPLAY DURING IRAN'S ATTACK

Biden had warned of an imminent Iranian attack on Israel.

White House spokesperson Andrew Bates pushed back on criticism of Biden's posture toward Israel, and he rejected claims he emboldened Iran to attack, in a statement to Fox News Digital.

"Former Trump Administration officials and Fox News own reporting have debunked those lies," he said.

"President Biden is the only American President to have directly defended Israel, as he ordered the American military to do last weekend," Bates said. "He is also the only American President to have set foot in Israel during wartime, in support of our ironclad commitment to their security. Unlike others, he did not rail against Israel in the days after October 7th, nor has he ever praised Hezbollah."

Meanwhile, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., pointed to a recent effort to force votes on a stand-alone Israel aid bill in the Senate as she criticized her Democrat counterparts.

"This week, Senate Democrats again blocked immediate aid to Israel after Senator [Roger] Marshall and I demanded a vote to support our ally. The Left would rather play politics to appease their socialist base," she told Fox News Digital in a statement.

"Its clear that the Biden administration and Leader Chuck Schumer refuse to back our most important ally in the Middle East," Blackburn continued.

Sens. Roger Marshall and Marsha Blackburn tried to force votes on stand-alone Israeli aid measures.

Two Democrat congressional aides told Fox News Digital that the attack by Iran was expected. They said intelligence suggested it was in response to the consulate strike on April 1 that killed Iranian commanders.

Nevertheless, the scale of the Iranian attack and its direct targeting of Israel shocked many observers.

Democrats in the upper chamber objected to two requests for unanimous consent to vote on different versions of stand-alone Israel aid. However, most Democrats maintained support for a foreign aid package that ties Israel aid to Ukraine aid.

McConnell said last month that Schumer's call for new Israeli elections was both hypocritical and grotesque as well as "unprecedented."

"Make no mistake, the Democratic Party doesnt have an anti-[Netanyahu] problem. It has an anti-Israel problem," the Republican leader said in floor remarks at the time.





Original article source: Republicans accuse Biden, Schumer of emboldening Iran prior to attack on Israel
Getty Images.

In 2008, after more than a decade of debate, Washington state voters enacted by a margin of 16% a law to legalize medical aid in dying. A majority of voters supported the initiative in 30 of 39 counties, demonstrating that it had support from both conservatives and liberals. The law is virtually identical to the law now being considered by the Minnesota Legislature. It is based on the law passed in Oregon in 1994 and implemented since then in 10 states and the District of Columbia.

As a practicing hospice and palliative medicine physician in Washington at the time, I spoke out and voted against the initiative. At the time, I shared the beliefs and concerns expressed today among opponents here in Minnesota. I believed that hospice and other palliative treatments could effectively ease every persons physical, emotional and spiritual pain. I worried that doctors  and perhaps patients  might be subtly nudged to engage in medical aid in dying against their personal beliefs. I worried that dying patients would forego hospice in favor of medical aid in dying.

I was wrong. Over the years, I have closely watched the outcomes of the laws in Washington and Oregon. I helped care for three patients who chose the option. And I have interviewed several families whose loved one chose medical aid in dying. There are indeed individuals near lifes end who experience suffering that is beyond our capacity to alleviate. In some cases, the high doses of narcotics needed to alleviate the suffering are either inadequate or result in sedation to unconsciousness, leaving families in turmoil about how to say, I love you and Goodbye. There has been no evidence of misuse or coercion. Fewer than one in 200 deaths involved medical aid in dying, and virtually all are on hospice.

Under Minnesotas proposed End-of-Life Options Act, which is modeled after the time-tested laws in Washington and Oregon, an adult must be diagnosed with a terminal illness and have a prognosis of six months or less to live. They must make two oral requests, submit a written request, and be fully evaluated by two clinicians who would determine eligibility, including whether the patient is capable of giving informed consent and acting of their own volition. Patients who lack mental capacity, such as those suffering with dementia, would not qualify. Any kind of coercion is strictly prohibited through criminal penalties.

In both Washington and Oregon, medical aid-in-dying has been implemented in this manner for decades: sparingly, and with compassion and thoughtfulness. Individuals who have chosen this option had complete agency in their decision-making, and they imminently faced terminal diseases such as cancer or ALS. Loved ones were involved, and the consensus was clear: This option brought comfort and control, leading to a peaceful dying process.

As a hospice medical director, I bore witness to three patients who opted for this path. Our hospice provided excellent care, yet their suffering was beyond the ability of our hospice teams to relieve. I also spoke with several patients who were considering medical aid in dying, and by being able to discuss it openly and without guilt or fear of legal prohibitions, they decided against the option because they concluded that hospice could manage their suffering.

Now, I am facing my own terminal illness. Fortunately, the suffering around my death is likely to be brief and manageable with hospice care. However, as someone with death on the horizon and having seen the positive impact of this law in 10 other states and Washington, D.C., I believe that Minnesotans should no longer be denied the opportunity to make their own end-of-life choices. Every American values life, especially those facing death. Indeed, that value sits atop our Declaration of Independence, right next to liberty, the right to decide for ourselves without government coercion.

The End-of-Life Options Act is just that  an option. No individual  doctor, nurse, pharmacist or patient  is required to participate. The American Medical Associations Code of Medical Ethics states that physicians can provide medical aid-in-dying according to the dictates of their conscience without violating their professional obligations. The End-of-Life Options Act gives patients the freedom to make health care decisions that reflect their values and priorities.

After a decade of discussion, and now with the evidence from states like Washington, Oregon, and others, it is time for lawmakers to allow Minnesotans to have agency over their lives as we near our deaths. It is time to stop forcing some to endure unnecessary terminal suffering. It is time to listen to Minnesotans who strongly support this legislation.

I urge the Minnesota legislature to take a compassionate stance and pass the End-of-Life Options Act this year. Let us embrace a future where Minnesotans have the autonomy to choose the course of their own end-of-life journey, just as I wish to have for myself. It is time for Minnesota to join the ranks of states that acknowledge the right to all compassionate choices in the final chapters of our lives.

The post A retired palliative medicine physicians plea: Pass end-of-life options legislation appeared first on Minnesota Reformer.
A former St. Louis police officer has been awarded $23 million after he was beaten by other officers while working undercover in 2017.

Luther Hall, the former officer, won Monday after the defendant  one of his former colleagues  failed to respond to a lawsuit over the attack, according to court records.

Hall, who is Black, was attacked by his colleagues at a protest in September 2017. The demonstration had been organized after Jason Stockley, a white police officer, was acquitted of killing Anthony Lamar Smith, a 24-year-old Black man.

Hall said earlier this week that he and his partner were working the protest undercover and were assigned to arrest anyone inciting violence or damaging property.

But during his assignment, a police officer ordered Hall to the ground. Though Hall began to comply, he was forcefully thrown to the ground twice, kicked, and hit by fists and police batons all over his body.

At Mondays hearing, he said the attack left him with several herniated discs and a jaw injury that made him unable to eat. He also developed gallstones with complications, requiring surgeries, he said. Hall also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder and was too disabled to work. He retired early, ending his 22-year career with the St. Louis Police Department.

Mr. Hall had to endure this severe beating, and while that was happening, he knew it was being administered by his colleagues who were sworn to serve and protect, Judge Joseph Whyte of the St. Louis Circuit Court said in his ruling.

After settling a $5 million civil case with the city, Hall sued three of his former colleagues Randy Hays, Dustin Boone and Christopher Myers  for their roles in the attack. All three are white.

The judge in the federal case sentenced Boone to one year in prison, while Myers was given a year of probation.

But Hays never responded to the lawsuit, though he was served while he was in prison on a civil rights violation, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Whyte issued a default judgment against Hays and noted in his decision that a text Hays sent to another officer claimed that had the beating been directed at a protester instead of an officer, it wouldnt be a problem at all.

This text, Whyte said, indicated a complete indifference to an individual he believed to be an unarmed African American doing nothing wrong.

Hays was sentenced to more than four years in prison in 2021 and is in the custody of the St. Louis Residential Reentry Management Office. He has one year to contest the judgment.

Hall is also seeking arbitration from a fifth officer, Steve Korte, who was indicted in the federal case but later acquitted.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When RI's immigrants and refugees don't know where to turn, this nonprofit lifts them up

PROVIDENCE  On a bitterly cold morning in mid-February, dozens of people are lined up at a building off Broad Street, long before the doors open up for a food distribution that will stretch into the afternoon.

Before the day is over, staff and volunteers at Higher Ground International  a nonprofit in the heart of South Providence  will have given out bags of culturally appropriate food to 300 people at their headquarters and delivered to 60 more families in the area.

The recipients are immigrants and refugees, mostly from Liberia and other countries in West Africa, but in recent years they've included Latinos, Haitians and some from Afghanistan.

In the middle of the controlled chaos and a blending of different languages is founder and CEO Henrietta White-Holder, directing traffic and giving encouragement to those in line. No one escapes her orbit without a hug. White-Holder commands the room because shes walked in the shoes of those who are here: She came to Rhode Island as a teenager in 1980 after civil war destroyed the privileged life in Liberia she'd known as a child.

Henrietta White-Holder, founder and CEO of the Providence-based nonprofit Higher Ground International, oversees the agency's monthly food distribution in February.

Like many, she made Rhode Island home. Decades ago, the state had one of the largest Liberian populations in the country, at nearly 20,000. There are now 10,000 to 12,000 who have relocated here.

What services does Higher Ground International provide?

I think God calls each and every one of us in a unique way to be able to go out and serve. And for me, my calling was to be able to go out and help lift people up, said White-Holder, who founded Higher Ground International in 2008 with a $1,000 contribution and a vision to help those in her community.

We often hear this thing about when something bad happens why isnt somebody doing something? White-Holder said. Somebody needs to do something about it. So who is the somebody were waiting for, right? I wasnt waiting for somebody else to be that somebody. I was the somebody. I needed to do something, to help change peoples lives.

Along the way, that vision has included youth initiatives, assistance and programs for the elderly, and, since 2015, food distribution that now tops $25,000 a month, swelling to $60,000 during Thanksgiving week.

For us, our community, coming out to ask for help is stigmatizing, White-Holder said. Its not something that people will easily do, because of what people in the community are going to say about them.

So she has had to build up their trust. Her work has caught the attention of not only the local Liberian community, but government officials and leaders in the Rhode Island nonprofit world as well.

'The Matriarch of Good' in Rhode Island

Shortly after Cortney Nicolato became president and CEO of The United Way of Rhode Island in 2018, she went to see White-Holder with a check for $20,000 because of the work she was doing.

I call Henrietta the Matriarch of Good here in the state of Rhode Island, Nicolato said in an interview last month. The minute I met her, she took me right in and I became one of her kids and I think she does that for everybody. She also influences and inspires so many in the nonprofit sector, and shes taken so many under her wing to say: bad times and good, you can do this.

Rhode Island Spotlight: Kids with a parent in prison often struggle in life. Education nonprofit is changing that

Nicolato said the need for resources is greater now than it was before the pandemic, adding that United Way supports Higher Ground because of the reach and results it has had for so many.

[Henrietta] is as resourceful as you can get, she said. She will find resources and money, she will call folks and say, Do you know of any opportunities? Because she is never going to not support someone. She is always going to make sure there is food on somebodys table as much as she can help it.

Springboard to success for a young Liberian immigrant

Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies was one of the people in Higher Ground's youth program after she arrived in Rhode Island from Liberia as a teenager in 1996.

I gravitated toward that, because it was finding young people who understood my journey, trying to make a life for themselves, she said. [Henrie] became our mom, our aunt, our mentor, helping us to navigate how it is to be in America. But also helping us to own our leadership, even in a new country.

Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies, now executive director of the Economic Progress Institute, joined Higher Ground International's youth program after arriving in Rhode Island from Liberia as a teenager in 1996.

Nelson-Davies went on to earn a law degree from Roger William University and is now the executive director of the Economic Progress Institute. Over the years [Henries] remained unchanged. She sees people, she sees the good in you, she brings out the good in you. And so for us, young people unsure about what life was, unsure about our future, she saw our potential.

White-Holder helped Nelson-Davies mother get acclimated when she joined her daughter from Liberia in 2000, long before the founding of Higher Ground International.

Fostering community through the Sweetie Care enrichment program

After Higher Ground was created, many elders in the Liberian community gravitated to a program called Sweetie Care, including Nelson-Davies mother. Some of the women did not know how to read or write, so White-Holder started literacy classes.

Its hard for older immigrants in general to try and adjust to life. Theyre intimidated by the system. Picking up the phone to call to set an appointment, it makes them scared, Nelson-Davies said.

Rhode Island Spotlight: Big things are planned at Meeting Street, where students of all abilities learn together

What Sweetie Care has done is to help them navigate the system  and get the services they need, she added. But also that sense of community. To sing together, to play together, to learn together. I think it has been the reason my mom has not felt so homesick in her years here because shes had that community.

The early years of Higher Ground were challenging. It launched just before the Great Recession in 2008, and White-Holder was working a full-time job for another nonprofit while trying to get her own organization up and running.

She believed that if she did the right thing, and served the community, the resources would follow.

Gerry Smith loads the Higher Ground International van for a morning delivery.

Financially and strategically, you have to be smart, White-Holder said. Youre starting something, you know you want to be able to help people. You cant do everything else at once.

What these funders and donors and everybody who are giving you money want to make sure, OK, weve given her money, wheres the impact? What has she done with it? What can we see for the money were giving? she said.

Coming soon for Higher Ground: A new headquarters

Higher Ground will take a big step later this year when it moves into a refurbished 10,000-square-foot headquarters in a former warehouse on Ninigret Avenue, a mile from its current location. The building is being remodeled in two phases and will eventually have office space, a conference room, a large assembly space, classrooms, a social service space and a quiet room. And, of course, a space for the monthly food distribution.

Henrietta White-Holder tours the construction site for Higher Ground's new headquarters on Ninigret Avenue in Providence, which is undergoing renovation and will be ready later this year.

White-Holder said she has people on wait lists for food and Sweetie Care that Higher Ground should be able to accommodate when the nonprofit has more room.

Regardless of the location, though, the mission remains the same:

Its hard enough for folks who are coming into this country to change their lives, for the betterment of their families, or whatever decision they made to get here, Nicolato said. And [Henrie] makes it just a bit easier. At the end of the day thats why we do what we do in the nonprofit sector.

The Rhode Island Spotlight is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies, in part, on donations. For more information, go to RhodeIslandSpotlight.org. Reach Jim Hummel at Jim@RhodeIslandSpotlight.org.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: How Higher Ground International lifts up RI's immigrants and refugees
ROBESON COUNTY, N.C. (WBTW)  Robeson Community College held a launch party Thursday after it was awarded a grant that will help adults receive higher education.

Those who make less than $80,000 per year can apply for the $3,000 scholarships to go toward tuition and expenses. The school said it identified more than 700 people currently eligible for the money.

It is our goal to reach back out to these students and ask them the question of come back home, want them to come back home to Robeson Community College and to finish what they started, Dr. Johnny Smith said. In other words, we want to meet them where they are and take them as far as they can go.

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be a North Carolina resident, have graduated high school, take at least six credit hours and maintain grades.

* * *

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.
Rural Kentucky fire chief charged in alleged thefts from the department he headed

A rural Kentucky fire chief stole federal money that had been allocated to help the department he headed, a federal grand jury has charged.

Christopher Chapman, of Pike County, faces one charge of theft from a federal program. A grand jury indicted him Thursday.

The alleged theft took place between May 2022 and May 2023 while Chapman was chief of the Blackberry Volunteer Fire Department in Pike County.

He also had a company registered in West Virginia called Rural Public Safety Equipment, LLC.

The county received a total of $11.2 million from the federal government through the American Rescue Plan Act, according to the indictment. Congress approved that law in 2021 to help local governments maintain services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chapman applied for grants of federal money from the Pike County Fiscal Court for turnout gear for firefighters and for equipment and building maintenance, and the fiscal court approved a total of $50,000, according to the indictment.

The Blackberry department ordered equipment from the company Chapman had set up, but instead of using the payments to fill the orders, Chapman took cash from the accounts numerous times and used it for himself, the indictment charges.

The charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
(Photo illustration via Canva with tractor image by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch and cash photo via Getty Images)

Iowa Writers 'Collaborative. Linking Iowa readers and writers.

A five-year farm bill was supposed to have been approved last year, but was held up in the House over disagreements on food stamps, conservation, crop insurance and funding. House Agriculture Committee Chair Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., announced last week that he will find a way to push a farm bill out before Memorial Day in order to get President Biden to sign a new farm bill by the end of the year.

Dont bet the farm on it.

Sen. Chuck Grassley said he is pessimistic, and so is Sen. Joni Ernst, both Republican Ag Committee members.

Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, is optimistic. So theres going to be a lot of talk, especially when it comes to SNAP and stuff like that. But I fully believe that we will get it out of the House, and then its just a matter of what (Sen. Chuck) Schumer and (Sen. Debbie) Stabenow is going to do in the Senate when it comes their way, Feenstra told Brownfield News.

If a new farm bill cant pass this year, it is expected that another one-year extension will be passed. Grassley said farmers would receive protection but not adequate protection. Getting beyond an extension of the same-old would be up to a new Congress, and as of now it is anybodys guess who will be in charge.

Its not as if the existing hang-ups are going anywhere. Fights over food stamps in the House stalled the last farm bill by two years. House Speaker Mike Johnson walks on egg shells in his caucus room as he is accused of caving in to Democrats on spending. The same sticking points will be as sticky in 2025.

Its a huge piece of legislation with terribly complicated politics. You have regional interests from the South and Midwest battling over commodity payments. You have disagreements between commodity and livestock interests. Then you throw in cultural wedge issues like food stamps (SNAP benefits), and it all becomes a mishmash.

What used to be a fairly bipartisan process in the past decade has devolved into a food fight like everything else in Washington. Because so few know or care about the work of the agriculture committees, their work is controlled by the interest groups that fund our politics.

If food is important, the farm bill should be.

Our food security and agricultural resiliency are imperiled by a warming climate. A farm bill with conservation at its core could serve farmers and the environment better.

The farm bill as it is and has been over the past 40 years has resulted in more consolidation, accelerated rural depopulation, more surface water pollution in Iowa, and fewer farmers.

It also has stunted funding for research into livestock disease as pandemics build and bird flu jumps to humans.

Putting a new label on a defective product does not make it better.

But it might make some politicians look better if they can say they actually got some lipstick applied to the pig.

Crop insurance remains intact, as does a safety net for commodity markets. Food stamps too. As Grassley said, the protections are in place. So instead of jamming through an even worse farm bill than we already have, which is likely in this election year, we may all be better off if we take our time and do it right.

Ernst should be the No. 3 Republican in the Senate following the election, and the top woman in the caucus. She could establish herself as a national leader by stating unequivocally that nutrition programs are the most efficient way to fight poverty, which makes all of America stronger. Democrats and Republicans used to join hands over it  Hubert Humphrey and Bob Dole, Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley.

Someone needs to be a voice of reason. The ethanol industry, for example, is openly acknowledging that the future for corn growers depends on capturing tax credits for carbon dioxide pipeline. Thats not a great position for Iowa farmers to be in. But that is where the current farm bill puts us.

We could write a new piece of legislation that enhances soil and water health while directly paying farmers for stewardship. We can make conservation programs a lot more flexible. We can help farmers diversify their revenue streams while cleaning up the Raccoon River, which did not have a nitrate problem before farm programs encouraged planting fencerow to fencerow. And it could cost less if we cut corporations off the teat, which would have a lot of appeal in Iowa. That is not likely to happen by Memorial Day. More of the same is.

Art Cullen is editor of the Storm Lake Times Pilot, where this column first appeared, as well as Art Cullens Notebook on Substack. It is republished here as part of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.

Editors note: Please consider subscribing to the collaborative and its member writers to support their work.

The post A rushed farm bill is a bad one appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Russian forces attacked five border areas and settlements of Sumy Oblast on April 18, firing 14 times and causing at least 82 explosions, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.

The communities of Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Yunakivka, Svesa, and Novo Sloboda were targeted. One civilian was injured in the Bilopillia community.

The Russian military struck the communities using artillery fire, aerial missile strikes, FPV drones, and mortar shelling, while also dropping mines.

The town of Bilopillia, with a pre-war population of about 16,000 residents, experienced the most attacks, with 61 explosions recorded in the area. The community is located eight kilometers south and 25 kilometers west of the Ukiraine-Russian border.

Residents in Sumy Oblast have been experiencing daily threats of shelling, but attacks have intensified in recent weeks, prompting large-scale evacuations from the region.

Read also: UPDATE: Russian missile attack on Chernihiv kills 18, injures 78, including children

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A Russian drone attacked a fire truck in Nikopol in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on April 19 just as first responders were putting out a fire from an earlier Russian attack, the State Emergency Service said.

"Fortunately, there were no casualties among the personnel," the service reported on social media.

Hundreds of Ukrainian first responders have become victims of Russia's war, namely of the so-called "double-tap" tactic. In this type of attack, an initial strike is followed by a second - with a delay - so that it can potentially wound or kill first responders.

Russia's "double-tap" attacks have killed 91 first responders and injured 348 since the start of the full-scale war, the State Emergency Service said on April 4.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast suffered heavy Russian attacks over the past day, resulting in at least seven people killed, including two children, and 35 injured.

Read also: Double-tap attack. Understanding one of Russias cruelest tactics in Ukraine

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From the top down, the assessment of Ukraines armed forces position in fighting Russia is bleaker than at any point since the early months of the war.

The situation on the eastern front has worsened significantly, the militarys top commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said a few days ago  a message backed up by video evidence, analysts, and interviews conducted by CNN with Ukrainian soldiers.

As the United States Congress prepares for a crucial weekend vote that could unlock $60bn of military aid for Ukraine, frontline troops find themselves withdrawing from key terrain, or getting pounded from the air as they try to hold on to important towns.

A key location is the large village of Ocheretyne, which sits on a ridge line to the northwest of Avdiivka, an industrial town captured by Russia in February. Higher ground is typically prized for being easier to defend.

DeepState, a Ukrainian organization which monitors battlefield developments daily, assesses a series of Russian advances in recent days along the railway line east into the village  about 4.5 kilometers (nearly 3 miles) in total. The group published drone video showing what it said were Russian soldiers in a trench near the railway line  visual confirmation of their advance.

Ahead of the encroaching Russian forces, Ukrainian volunteers have been evacuating civilians from Ocheretyne and other villages, posting videos on social media showing older residents leaving badly destroyed apartment buildings, along with their pets, and with belongings packed into cardboard boxes. As they leave, multiple explosions can be heard in the distance.

Advances into Ocheretyne are also being reported by Russian military bloggers, as well as into nearby Novokalynove - about 8 kilometers (5 miles) to the east - threatening to overwhelm a part of Ukraines defensive lines in the eastern Donetsk region.

The large fortification between Ocheretyno and Novokalynovo may soon be in [Russian] hands. Assault groups have already entered Novokalynovo from the southeast and continue to advance, one Russian military blogger, Boris Rozhin, wrote on Telegram on Thursday afternoon, using the Russian spelling for the two settlements.

A Ukrainian police officer walks past a destroyed residential building, following artillery and air raids in the village of Ocheretyne, near the town of Avdiivka, in the Donetsk region, April 15, 2024. - Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images

Russian gains there in recent days are just the latest successes for Moscows forces, which broke through Ukraines defensive lines further to the south around the villages of Tonenke and Orlivka at the end of March.

An officer with Ukraines Eastern Command told CNN the Russian offensive in the area was clearly aimed at pushing towards the town of Pokrovsk, a key road intersection about 30 kilometers to the west.

The officer, who asked not to be named because he is not authorised to speak on the record, said that if Russian forces succeeded in gaining and holding Ocheretyne, it could bring vital Ukrainian logistics routes, linking three key military hubs  Kostiantynivka, Pokrovsk and Velyka Novosilka - under Russian fire control.

US aid package vote

An acute shortage of artillery munitions among Ukraines armed forces is the primary reason for Kyivs frontline withdrawals, as President Volodymyr Zelensky recently told a US interviewer.

Our artillery ratio is 1 to 10 (in Russias favor), he said, adding that Russian forces are pushing us back every day.

Artillery shells are among a sweep of different weapons and armament types Ukraine could expect to receive from the US if Congress approves new military support. Held up in various guises for about six months, a new aid package is expected to come to the floor of the House for a vote on Saturday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed confidence the bill will pass, telling CNNs Jake Tapper: We know what the timetable is we know the urgency in Ukraine and were going to stand for freedom and make sure that (Russian President) Vladimir Putin doesnt march through Europe.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also appealed to lawmakers to approve the legislation, acknowledging that the battlefield was shifting in Russias favor.

We are seeing (Russian forces) make incremental gains, were seeing the Ukrainians be challenged in terms of holding the line  theyre doing a very good job, a credible job  but in order to continue to do that, theyre going to need the right materials, the right munitions, the weapons to be able to do that, he told the House Defense Appropriations subcommittee. If passed by the House, the bill would still need Senate approval - though that is seen as more likely after the upper chamber gave its support to similar Ukraine aid legislation earlier in the year.

A photograph taken on April 11, 2024, near the town of Chasiv Yar, in Donetsk region, shows smoke rising from fires after bombing. - Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images

About 40 kilometers (25 miles) north of Ocheretyne, on another piece of higher ground, the town of Chasiv Yar is also firmly in Russian sights. Syrskyi, the Ukrainian Armed Forces chief, has said he believes the Kremlin has ordered its capture by May 9, the day Russia celebrates victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

Multiple reports describe heavy fighting taking place in an arc of about 120 degrees to the east of the town, taking in villages from Kalynivka to the northeast to Ivanivske and Klishchiivka to the southeast. Some of the battles are taking place in areas recaptured by Ukraine when it went on the offensive last summer.

The situation around the town of Chasiv Yar is difficult, Nazar Voloshyn, spokesman for the Ukrainian Ground Forces Khortytsia operational-strategic group, told CNN. The enemy is currently using air superiority, missiles, and large-caliber artillery ammunition, trying to reach its goal of reaching the borders of Donetsk region, he said.

The spokesman described some of the Russian ground tactics, saying that assault groups would sweep forward towards Ukrainian positions, probing for possible weak spots, but then retreat without attempting to secure positions.

Yurii Fedorenko, commander of the Achilles drone battalion, part of the 92nd Separate Assault Brigade, agreed that Russian forces had not made significant territorial gains in the last few days but said troops in villages outlying Chasiv Yar were engaged in fierce combat.

The war is for every house, every street, every intersection. Some positions are changing hands, he told CNN in a phone conversation from the region. If Russia succeeded in capturing Chasiv Yar, he said, it would bring cities like Kostiantynivka and Kramatorsk under Russian fire control  and represent a major shift in fortunes in Donetsk.

Ukrainian service members prepare shells next to a self-propelled howitzer at a position near a front line in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on April 3, 2024. - Reuters

Until it moves to take the town, Russias tactics appear clear  to destroy it from the air. Videos posted on pro-Ukrainian Telegram channels show a series of massive explosions in Chasiv Yar, almost certainly caused by FAB guided aerial bombs, which are dropped from Russian aircraft sometimes dozens of kilometers behind front lines.

FAB bombs, which can weigh up to 1.5 tonnes, around half consisting of high explosives, have been used by Russia in ever increasing numbers since they were introduced in the early part of 2023, and have proved devastating in their effectiveness.

It will not be easy for Russia to take the town, but their conditional advantage is that they will not have the job of preserving the settlement. They will simply demolish it with air strikes after which there will be nothing to defend, just like they did with Mariinka and Avdiivka, Voloshyn told CNN.

Ukraines vulnerability in the face of the FAB threat highlights another huge need for Kyiv  more air defenses. Officials point out that an increase in the number of Patriot systems, for instance, would not just help defend cities like Kharkiv from missile attack but would blunt the threat from Russian warplanes dropping huge bombs on front-line targets like Chasiv Yar.

Zelensky is expected to press key allies to donate more such air defense systems to Ukraine when he addresses defense ministers Friday at a virtual meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council.

Victoria Butenko contributed to this report.

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Nyambo Obed shows the cultivated mushrooms at his workshop near Muhanga in Southern Province, Rwanda, April 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

KIGALI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- In the Kabuye district of Kigali, Rwanda's capital, a bustling mushroom workshop operates with precision. Two workers meticulously blended fungus grass powder, cottonseed hulls and water in the mixing machine, while another operated the bagging machine, ensuring that each culture tube was filled with the perfect mixture for mushroom cultivation.

"After sterilizing the tubes at high temperatures, we inoculate them with strains in a sterile environment. It takes about 35 days for the mycelium to grow all over the tubes, and then they are ready for planting," explained Leonidas Mushimiyimana, the workshop's owner.

Mushimiyimana, a 42-year-old father of two, recounted his journey from university graduation to entrepreneurship, driven by the desire for stable employment and the search for the right opportunity.

His breakthrough came in 2013, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Rwandan and Chinese governments. Through this partnership, Mushimiyimana received training in Juncao technology at southeast China's Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University.

Upon returning, Mushimiyimana established DEYI Ltd., launching his venture into mushroom production. Within two years, the enterprise expanded, leading to the establishment of the present workshop, supplying mushrooms to Kigali and exporting to neighboring countries such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Juncao, a hybrid grass cultivated through decades of Chinese scientific research, emerges as a multifunctional agricultural resource.

"Juncao is known as the 'happiness herb' in Rwanda," said Zheng Ruijin, an agricultural expert at the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center.

Beyond mushroom cultivation, its leaves, stems and roots find utility in ecological treatments, combating soil erosion and desertification while serving as fodder for livestock and poultry.

Since its inception in 2011, the center has supported over 50 enterprises and cooperatives involved in mushroom culture tubes in Rwanda. It has conducted 47 training courses, enlightening nearly 1,800 locals on Juncao technology.

Today, the technology benefits over 4,000 Rwandan farmers, catalyzing the creation of more than 30,000 jobs along the agricultural value chain.

Mushimiyimana credited Chinese agricultural experts for their technical support throughout the stages of his business. Now, his workshop employs 10 full-time workers, supplemented by 45 temporary hires during peak seasons.

"I have also hired 10 young people in different localities to collect and sell mushrooms and to further expand the market," Mushimiyimana said.

Mushimiyimana highlighted the affordability of the mushroom business, priced at just 500 Rwandan francs (about 39 U.S. cents) per tube, which yields a significant profit margin. This accessibility allows even housewives to start a business with minimal investment, using their earnings to cover living expenses and their children's education fees.

Nyambo Obed, a 34-year-old entrepreneur from Muhanga district, echoed Mushimiyimana's sentiments. Having delved into mushroom cultivation for more than five years, Obed employs 11 workers across workshops in Southern and Eastern provinces. He emphasized the industry's role in enhancing nutritional diversity and employment opportunities.

In June of the previous year, Obed traveled to China for Juncao technology training. Recollecting the experience with enthusiasm, he said, "In China, I visited some large enterprises in this area, which showed me that my dream is real. That motivated me to put more effort into this endeavor to create a larger company that can employ more people." 

Nyambo Obed views the cultivated mushrooms at his workshop near Muhanga in Southern Province, Rwanda, April 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

A worker waters culture tubes destined for mushroom cultivation at a mushroom workshop in Kabuye district, Kigali, Rwanda, April 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Technicians work at the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center at Rubona in Butare, Southern Province, Rwanda, April 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

A worker puts mixture for mushroom cultivation into the bagging machine at a mushroom workshop in Kabuye district, Kigali, Rwanda, April 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Mushroom workshop's owner Leonidas Mushimiyimana speaks during an interview in the workshop in Kabuye district, Kigali, Rwanda, April 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

Zheng Ruijin, an agricultural expert at the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center, introduces Juncao at Rubona in Butare, Southern Province, Rwanda, April 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

This photo taken on April 6, 2024 shows the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center in Butare, Southern Province, Rwanda. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)

A worker displays culture tubes destined for mushroom cultivation at a mushroom workshop in Kabuye district, Kigali, Rwanda, April 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)
Over the past 24 hours alone, Russia lost 870 soldiers, which brings the total number of Russian casualties in Ukraine to 457,830.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 19 April 2024 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

457,830 (+870) military personnel;

7,205 (+9) tanks;

13,852 (+17) armoured combat vehicles;

11,658 (+21) artillery systems;

1,046 (+0) multiple-launch rocket systems;

762 (+2) air defence systems;

347 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;

325 (+0) helicopters;

9,311 (+27) strategic and tactical UAVs;

2,096 (+3) cruise missiles;

26 (+0) ships and boats;

1 (+0) submarines;

15,671 (+53) vehicles and tankers;

1,915 (+0) special vehicles and other equipment.

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Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russian forces attacked Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with missiles in the morning of April 19, killing at least eight people, including two children, and injuring at least 35 others, local authorities reported.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak said that the strikes caused a fire at a five-story building in Dnipro, partially destroying it.

Dnipro Mayor Boris Filatov reported that the attacks struck "the very center of the city."

Russia also reportedly attacked the infrastructure facilities of Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine's state-owned railway company, killing one and injuring seven railroad workers. The railway station in Dnipro briefly suspended operations.

The number of casualties in Dnipro totaled two killed and 24 wounded, Lysak said at 2:23 p.m. In the evening, the body of the third victim was found on the third floor of a damaged building, Lysak reported later.

According to him, the Russian attack damaged over 10 houses in the Synelnykove district in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, killing five civilians, including an eight-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, and injuring seven other people.

Lysak later said that another child, a six-year-old boy initially pronounced dead, was hospitalized in serious condition and managed to survive.

An infrastructure facility was hit by Russia in the city of Kryvyi Rih, said Oleksandr Vilkul, the head of the city's military administration. Three people, including men, aged 43 and 53, and a 58-year-old woman, were reportedly injured.

Lysak reported that a business in Pavlohrad was also damaged in the strike.

The number of casualties can increase as the search and rescue operation is ongoing.

President Volodymyr Zelensky once again urged partners to provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems.

"We must defeat Russian terror. This is a need not only for our country, not only for Ukrainians, but a global need," Zelensky said.

A series of explosions were reported in Dnipro shortly after 5 a.m. local time, according to the news outlet Suspilne.

A Kyiv Independent correspondent reported that at least two Russian missiles struck the city and that critical infrastructure was damaged.

Russia has targeted Dnipro's critical infrastructure and residential areas in multiple attacks in the past weeks. A missile strike on April 14 injured 12 people, including a teenage boy.

A March 22 attack on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, Ukraine's largest hydroelectric station, caused at least $3.5 million in environmental damage.

Explosions were also reported in Odesa at around 5:18 a.m.

Moscow has recently intensified its missile and drone strikes against Ukraine's critical infrastructure, launching large-scale attacks on energy facilities across the country on March 22 and 29.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russian missile launchers, radar stations destroyed in Crimea, Ukraine ups production of Bohdana howitzers

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian attacks on Ukraine killed 12 people and injured 35 over the past day, regional authorities reported early on April 19.

Russia targeted nine Ukrainian oblasts  Odesa, Mykolaiv, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Kherson, and Donetsk. Casualties were reported in the latter five regions.

Russian forces carried out a missile strike on the regional center of Dnipro in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, killing at least two people and injuring at least 20 others, according to Ukraine's State Emergency Service.

The attack was conducted on the morning of April 19 and hit city center, Dnipro Mayor Boris Filatov reported. A five-story building was partially destroyed, as well as the infrastructure facilities of Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine's state-owned railway company.

Russia also attacked the region's Synelnykove district and the cities of Kryvyi Rih and Pavlohrad.

According to the initial report from authorities, at least five civilians, including two children, were killed, and the other six were injured in the Synelnykove district. In Kryvyi Rih, three people, aged 43, 53, and 58, were reportedly injured.

The number of casualties can increase in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast as the search and rescue operation is ongoing at 1 p.m. local time.

In Donetsk Oblast, four people were killed over the past day, according to local governor Vadym Filashkin. Two people were confirmed dead in the city of Krasnohorivka, one in the city of Selydove, and another one in the village of Ocheretyne. In total, Russian troops had attacked settlements in Donetsk Oblast 18 times overnight.

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Three injured persons were also reported in Kherson Oblast. Over the past day, Russia attacked 16 settlements in the region, including the city of Kherson, according to local military administration. Russian forces struck five multistorey buildings, eight houses, an administrative facility, a health care center, and a heating and gas piping network.

Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported on April 19 that a 52-year-old man was wounded in the city of Vovchansk, while a 45-year-old man was injured in the village of Sorokivka. According to Syniehubov's report, Russia attacked over 20 settlements in Kharkiv Oblast over the past day.

Russian forces also fired 14 times at Sumy Oblast. Local military administration recorded 82 explosions and reported one injured in the Bilopillia community, which was shelled at night. In total, Russian forces struck five communities in this region.

In Odesa Oblast, Russian troops targeted critical infrastructure via drones and missiles, according to local governor Oleh Kiper. Kiper said that no casualties among civilians were recorded. The governor did not specify which settlement was under Russian attack.

Zaporizhzhia Oblast was also under attack on the night of April 19. Local military administration said that Russian forces struck the region 442 times, targeting eight settlements with missiles, air-guided bombs, artillery shells, and drones. No casualties among civilians were recorded.

Read also: Double-tap attack. Understanding one of Russias cruelest tactics in Ukraine

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Four people have been killed in the Pokrovsk district in Donetsk Oblast as a result of Russian attacks over the past day.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Photo: Donetsk Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "The Pokrovsk district. Four people have been killed in the southern part of the district, including two in Krasnohorivka, one in Ocheretyne and one in Selydove."

Details: Filashkin reported that the Kramatorsk and Bakhmut districts were also under Russian fire. In total, Russian forces attacked populated areas in Donetsk Oblast 18 times over the day. Private houses, non-residential buildings and outbuildings were damaged.

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Two people have been killed in a Russian attack on the city of Dnipro on the morning of Friday, 19 April, six more have been killed in the city of Synelnykove, including two young children, and 29 other residents of the oblast have been injured.

Correction: Earlier, the General Prosecutor's Office and the head of the Oblast Military Administration had claimed that another child had died in hospital, bringing the total number of victims among children to three.

After some time, Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, stated that the information regarding the third dead child was erroneous. A 6-year-old boy in a serious condition had been taken to the regional hospital. Doctors were able to save him, and his outlook is positive.

Thus, as of 12:00, the Russians have killed eight people in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast: two adults in Dnipro and four adults and two children (a 14-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy) in Synelnykove.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram and during the 24/7 joint newscast; Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs, on Telegram; President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Telegram; State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Telegram

Quote from Lysak: "As of now, we know that eight people have been killed, including children. Two people - a man and a woman - were killed in Dnipro. The other six fatalities are in Synelnykove."

Updated: The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office reported at 10:18 that the death toll from the Russian attack had risen to 9, as another child had died in hospital.

"A child who was severely injured during a large-scale enemy attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast today has died in hospital. The death toll has now risen to 9, including three children," the Prosecutor General's Office said.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Details: Earlier, Ukraine's Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko noted that two people had been killed and 16 injured in Dnipro as of 08:30. Six people, including children aged 6 and 8, were killed in the Synelnykove district. Two more people were injured.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Lysak said that in addition to a residential building, two infrastructure facilities had been damaged in Dnipro.

Four private houses were partially destroyed in Synelnykove, and 8 more were damaged.

The head of the Oblast Military Administration added that the night and morning had been tough. Business premises in the city of Pavlohrad have been damaged.

Photo: Lysak on Telegram

The Russians also attacked the Nikopol district: in the evening, they shelled the town of Nikopol with artillery, and Marhanets hromada overnight, damaging two private houses [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.]

"The oblast has survived another massive attack. Some of the enemy targets were shot down by the air defence forces. In particular, in the morning alone, nine missiles were shot down. And two more at night. Details on this will follow later. Unfortunately, other strikes occurred, too," Lysak summed up.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

The State Emergency Service (SES) reported that as of 09:00, 29 people had been injured in the missile attack in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, 14 of whom were rescued by the SES.

In particular, 20 people were injured in Dnipro, 12 of whom were rescued. In Synelnykove, six people were injured, including one child. Two people were rescued. In Kryvyi Rih, three people were injured.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

After another monstrous Russian attack, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the world to defeat Russian terror.

"Every state that provides air defence systems to Ukraine, every leader who helps convince partners that air defence systems should not now be in warehouses, but in real cities and districts that are under attack by terrorists, everyone who supports our defence, are life-savers. We must defeat the Russian terror," the President said.

He stressed that this is a necessity not only for Ukraine and Ukrainians but for the entire world.

"Russia must be held accountable for its terror, and every missile, every Shahed attack drone must be shot down. The world can guarantee this, our partners have the necessary capabilities. This has been proven, in particular, in the skies of the Middle East, and it should work in the skies of Europe," Zelenskyy concluded.

Background:

On the night of 18-19 April, Russia fired missiles on Ukraine. An air-raid warning was issued throughout the country. The air raid lasted until 06:15.

In addition, the Russians launched Shahed UAVs.

A residential building was hit by a Russian missile attack in the city of Dnipro on the night of 18-19 April. The five-storey building was partially destroyed, and a fire broke out there. A total of nine people were injured. A woman was also killed in the Synelnykove district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

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Russia launched a missile attack against Odesa Oblast on April 19, injuring a civilian and damaging port infrastructure, Governor Oleh Kiper reported.

President Volodymyr Zelensky added later that two food export terminals were damaged, including one owned by a Singaporean company.

The victim was hospitalized with a shrapnel wound, the governor said.

Zelensky said the strike hit the Pivdennyi Port, destroying agricultural products destined for Asia and Africa.

"Dear partners in the Global South, this is Russia's true attitude towards you, your food security, and well-being. Russia is willing to harm people in your countries in order to achieve its insane goal of destroying our country at any cost," Zelensky wrote on X.

"This is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a deliberate Russian strategy to cause maximum damage to Ukraine and the countries that rely on Ukrainian agricultural goods," he added.

Ukraine's southern regions, namely Odesa Oblast, are frequent targets of Russian attacks. A missile attack on April 10 killed at least six people, regional officials reported at the time.

A Russian missile strike on Odesa on March 29 injured at least five people, including three children, according to local officials.

Read also: UPDATE: Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast kill 8, including children, injure over 30

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WINDHOEK, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Namibian Minister of Health and Social Services Kalumbi Shangula on Friday emphasized the importance of partnerships in the fight against infectious diseases and pandemics, stressing the need for regional and international cooperation.

He highlighted this in his keynote address at a high-level roundtable discussion at an event held under the theme "Collaboration for Health Equity," which brought together various guests at the State House in the national capital of Windhoek.

In his address, Shangula underscored the establishment of the Directorate of Special Program within the health ministry, dedicated to addressing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria, highlighting the need for focused attention on these diseases.

He lauded Namibia's achievements in meeting the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)'s fast-track targets and highlighted successful initiatives in HIV testing, treatment, and prevention, particularly in preventing mother-to-child transmission.

Regarding TB, he acknowledged Namibia's high burden of TB cases per capita and outlined strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and community engagement. He stressed the importance of addressing TB as a leading cause of death among people living with HIV and the need for sustained efforts amid declining external funding.

In terms of malaria, the minister highlighted the ongoing challenge posed by the disease, with a significant number of cases and deaths recorded in Namibia. "Initiatives to combat malaria are being intensified," he said, adding that the ministry offers free diagnosis and treatment in all public health facilities.

Shangula also underscored the disruptive impact of COVID-19 and the role of inequalities in exacerbating the impact of the pandemic. He stressed the importance of addressing inequalities in access to information, health technologies and economic resources in the fight against infectious diseases.

The minister called for continued support from various stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and civil society, to address health challenges effectively. "Diseases do not know borders; therefore, responses should extend beyond borders." 
Russia launched an artillery attack against the Kutsurub community in Mykolaiv Oblast on April 19, killing an elderly woman and injuring her husband, Governor Vitalii Kim reported.

A 14-year-old boy was also injured and hospitalized following the attack.

No further details were provided at the moment.

Kutsurub lies on the Black Sea coast of southern Mykolaiv Oblast, some 45 kilometers (28 miles) southeast of the regional center, Mykolaiv.

Mykolaiv Oblast and other southern regions regularly suffer Russian attacks. Elsewhere on April 19, a Russian missile attack injured one person and damaged port infrastructure in neighboring Odesa Oblast.

Read also: UPDATE: Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast kill 7, including children, injure over 30

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Russian missile attacks on Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih and Synelnykove killed eight people, destroyed several floors of a residential building and damaged a railway station. Photo by Artem Baidala/EPA-EFE

April 19 (UPI) -- Russian attacks in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih and Synelnykove, Ukraine Friday destroyed several floors of a residential building killing eight people and damaging a railway station, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"Rescue operations are underway in Dnipro following a Russian strike. Several floors of a typical residential building were destroyed, and the railway station sustained damage," Zelensky said on X.

Zelensky added that Kryvyi Rih and Synelnykove in the Dnipropetrovsk region were also targeted.

"All injured people are receiving assistance. Unfortunately, some people were also killed. I extend my condolences to their families and friends."

At least 34 other people were wounded.

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Governor Serhii Lysak said the Russian missile attack partially damaged a five-story residential building, setting it on fire.

He said Dnipro casualties included two dead and 24 wounded.

In Synelnykove over 10 houses were damaged, according to Lysak. An 8-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl were among the dead.

Ukraine's Air Force said Russian overnight attacks used 22 missiles of different types and 14 kamikaze drones. The Air Force said 29 of the 36 incoming weapons were shot down.

Ukrainian national railway company Ukrzaliznytsia said in a social media post that railway workers were injured and receiving medical assistance.

"Rescue workers are working at the damaged objects, information about the dead is being clarified.The work of the station of the Dnipro station is suspended," it said.
The Russian oil company Bashneft has installed anti-drone nets to protect key facilities at its refineries from a possible attack by Ukraine.

Source: Radiy Khabirov, the head of the Republic of Bashkortostan (Russia), as reported by Reuters

Details: Russian companies that sell such defence show on their websites large metal nets, almost completely covering the buildings of oil refineries from all angles. They are supported by mooring ropes that connect to metal poles embedded in the ground.

Radiy Khabirov, the head of the Republic of Bashkortostan in the Urals, where Bashneft is situated, stated that talks with the Russian Ministry of Defence are underway to improve oil refinery security.

"The most important thing that was done is that we have secured the main columns (of refineries) with mechanical protection nets, and accordingly, the surveillance system is working," the local state news agency Bashinform quotes Khabirov.

Background:

Analytical company Kpler claims that ten days before 13 April, Russian diesel exports averaged 0.74 million barrels per day, which is 25% less than the average daily level in 2019-2023.

Russia managed to quickly repair some key oil refineries that were attacked by Ukrainian drones. Thus, the capacity of Russian refineries that were idle due to the attack decreased to about 10% from almost 14% at the end of March.

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Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-appointed "head" of occupied Crimea, has announced that for security reasons, the 9 May Victory Day parade and the "Immortal Regiment" propaganda march will not be held on the peninsula [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May  ed.].

Source: Aksyonov on Telegram

Quote: "There are no plans to hold a military parade and the 'Immortal Regiment' march in the Republic of Crimea on 9 May. This is due to security issues."

Details: The Russian proxy vowed that the Russians would hold celebrations and "commemorations" in other ways. "In short, Crimea will celebrate the Victory Day with dignity," Aksyonov said.

Background:

In January, in an interview with The Economist, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Crimea and the related battle in the Black Sea would become the war's centre of gravity in 2024.

Zelenskyy believes that isolating occupied Crimea and weakening Russia's military capabilities there "is extremely important for us, because it's the way for us to reduce the number of attacks from that region." "Russia has to know that for us, this [the Kerch Bridge connecting mainland Russia and Crimea] is a military object," Zelenskyy stressed.

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A residential building was hit by a Russian missile attack on the night of 18-19 April in the city of Dnipro. The five-storey building was partially destroyed and a fire broke out there. A total of nine people were injured. Moreover, a woman was killed in the Synelnykove district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Source: Serhii Lysak, the Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Details: Lysak noted that there might be people under the rubble. At the moment, six people are known to be injured.

In addition, an infrastructure facility was damaged in the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. There is also some damage in Synelnykove district. A woman was killed there.

Update: Borys Filatov, the mayor of Dnipro, wrote on Facebook that the strike occurred in the "very centre of the city."

Quote: "The very centre of the city. Civilians. There are already nine people who were injured. Unfortunately, we are at war with inhuman bastards. Consider this all the time."

Background:

On the night of 18-19 April, Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine. An air-raid warning was issued throughout the country. It lasted until 06:15.

In addition, the Russians launched Shahed attack drones.

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The residents of Dnipropetrovsk region during the Russian strike. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

The Russians hit an infrastructure facility in the city of Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast during an attack on the night of 18-19 April, causing a fire to break out and injuring three people.

Source: Oleksandr Vilkul, Head of Kryvyi Rih City Defence Council, on Telegram

Quote from Vilkul: "It was a very disturbing night... The enemy bombarded Ukraine, including our oblast and the city of Kryvyi Rih, with missiles and attack drones. About 10 missiles were shot down in the sky over the oblast. But there was a strike on an infrastructure facility in the city, and a fire broke out."

Details: Vilkul said that all operational services had arrived at the scene, and the aftermath was being dealt with.

There are three confirmed cases of people being injured: two men aged 43 and 53, and a woman aged 58. Both men are in hospital with injuries of moderate severity.

Background:

On the night of 18-19 April, Russia launched a missile attack on Ukraine. An air-raid warning was issued throughout the country, with the air raid lasting until 06:15.

In addition, the Russians launched Shahed attack drones.

The Russians hit a residential building in Dnipro. The five-storey building was partially destroyed, and a fire broke out.

As a result of the Russian strike, two people were killed in the city of Dnipro, six people were killed in Synelnykove, including two young children, and 29 other residents of the oblast were injured.

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Russians try to break through Ukraine's defences on six fronts: 82 combat clashes over past day

Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Russian occupation forces attempted to storm Ukrainian positions on six fronts over the past day, with most attacks taking place on the Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Novopavlivka fronts. In total, 82 combat clashes occurred over the past 24 hours.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 19 April

Details: On the Volyn and Polissia fronts, the operational situation did not change.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russians maintained their military presence in the border areas, conducted sabotage activities to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian troops to vulnerable areas, and increased the density of minefields along the state border.

On the Kupiansk front, the Russians did not carry out any offensive (assault) operations.

On the Lyman front, the Russians attacked Ukrainian positions four times near Torske and Yampolivka (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 25 attacks near Bilohorivka (Luhansk Oblast) and Verknokamianske, Vyimka, Kalynivka, Chasiv Yar, Novyi, Ivanivske and Klishchiivka (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Avdiivka front, Ukrainian defenders repelled 16 attacks near Novokalynove, Ocheretyne, Berdychi, Pervomaiske and Nevelske (Donetsk Oblast).

On the Novopavlivka front, Ukraines Defence Forces are continuing to hold the Russians back near Heorhiivka, Pobieda, Novomykhailivka and Urozhaine (Donetsk Oblast), where the Russians, backed up by air support, made 20 attempts to break through the Ukrainian defences.

On the Orikhiv front, the Russians attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders four times near Staromaiorske (Donetsk Oblast) and Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia Oblast).

On the Kherson front, Russian forces continued to attempt to drive Ukrainian units from their footholds on the left (east) bank of the Dnipro River. Over the past day, they launched 11 unsuccessful attacks.

At the same time, Ukrainian forces continue to actively inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the Russians, depleting them along the entire line of contact.

Over the past day, Ukraine's Air Force hit nine areas where Russian military personnel were concentrated. In addition, Ukraines air defence assets and personnel destroyed two Kh-59 missiles.

Ukraine's Rocket Forces and Artillery struck a command post, two artillery pieces, an electronic warfare station, a cluster of Russian military personnel and an ammunition storage point.

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Sacramento grocery store closed due to cockroaches. What else did health inspectors find?

Sacramento County health inspectors closed a specialty grocery after finding live cockroaches.

Three local restaurants and a gas station received yellow placards for safety violations ranging from a grimy ice machine and food debris to employees failing to wash their hands.

A yellow placard signals two or more major violations, according to the Sacramento County Food Inspection Guide. These are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection.

A red placard signals imminent danger to public health and safety and suspends the health permit until violations are corrected. This could include, but is not limited to, major vermin contamination.

In contrast, a green placard means a restaurant passed the inspection.

The county conducts roughly 14,000 inspections a year, and 97% of all restaurants pass their inspections, spokesman Ken Casparis previously told The Sacramento Bee. About 1% of inspections result in a closure.

Health inspectors did not shut down any restaurants last week.

Here are the Sacramento County food facility inspections for April 11 through Wednesday, as of noon Thursday:

If an inspection listed below needs clarification, business owners can email Sacramento Bee reporter Jacqueline Pinedo at jpinedo@sacbee.com. The Bee will publish weekly updates on health inspections across Sacramento County.

Sacramento County inspectors close market due to cockroaches

El Quetzal Market, 5300 Fruitridge Road in Sacramento, had two violations on Tuesday.

Inspectors observed a total of three live adult German cockroaches at the grocery store, including one near a back door by a stand-up refrigerator and another on the ceiling near the registers.

They saw a third cockroach behind a storage rack near a register.

Inspectors also found frozen tamales in the freezer, which the market is prohibited from selling unless it upgrades its permit, according to the report.

Sacramento Count health Inspectors were scheduled to reinspect the market on Friday, store owner Irmina Pablo Pablo said Thursday, adding that she hopes the market will reopen then.

Local restaurants, gas station cited for health violations

The following Sacramento County restaurants had violations the week of April 11 through April 17, resulting in a conditional pass.

Only the dates of violations are listed. Most restaurants fully pass reinspection within 72 hours. The reports are linked. For updates on individual restaurants, you can search the EMD website here.

Blue Rice Cafe, 820 Halidon Way in Folsom, had seven violations on Wednesday.

Inspectors observed employees not washing their hands before putting on their gloves, Wednesdays report said.

When washing dishes, employees were skipping the sanitizing step for utensils, according to the report.

The restaurant had not been reinspected as of Thursday afternoon.

Pita R Us, 2690 E Bidwell St. in Folsom, had nine violations on April 10.

Inspectors saw employees preparing food without washing their hands.

No towels were available in the kitchen sink during the time of the inspection, the report said, and there was food debris on a slicer.

In addition, there was water accumulation inside a refrigerator under a grill, according to the report.

The restaurant was reinspected on Monday, but again received a yellow placard.

Shell, 6490 Mack Road in Sacramento, had 13 violations on April 11.

Inspectors observed employees washing a scoop and tong at a front sink, according to the report.

A restroom was out of toilet paper during the inspection.

Hot water was measured at 117 degrees at a gas station sink. Inspectors advised that hot water should reach 120 degrees.

The gas station was reinspected on April 12 and received a green placard.

Noble Vegetarian, 5049 College Oak Drive in Sacramento, had eight violations on April 10.

Fried diced tofu, thawed carrots with peas and bean sprouts were all outside of proper holding temperatures during the inspection.

Inspectors saw a live cockroach on a wall ramp, inside a small metal device behind a dish machine, the report said.

They also observed employee beverages in open cups that were stored on a countertop between plates with vegetables.

An ice machine had black and brown residue buildup, according to the report, and food items were stored in the freezer without lids.

The restaurant was reinspected on Sunday and received a green placard.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@sacbee.com.
Sacramento homicide suspect arrested in shooting that killed husband and wounded his wife

A suspect accused of killing a man and seriously wounding the mans wife in a Sacramento County shooting earlier this month was arrested Tuesday in Santa Cruz County.

John Anthony Gavino, 63, of Sacramento, was booked Tuesday night at the Sacramento County Jail. He was arrested on suspicion of homicide, attempted homicide, being a felon in possession of a gun and using force or threats to prevent or dissuade a witness, jail records show.

The deadly shooting occurred about 11 a.m. April 7 in a tunnel beneath an Interstate 5 overpass, adjacent to Miller Regional Park and near Front Street in Upper Land Park in Sacramento.

Preston Roy, 41, of Sacramento was killed in the shooting. His 50-year-old wife suffered severe, but not life-threatening, injuries, the California Highway Patrol said Thursday afternoon in a Facebook post announcing Gavinos arrest.

Following the fatal shooting, the CHP Valley Divisions Major Crimes Unit took over the homicide investigation and later identified Gavino as a suspect in the tunnel shooting. The CHP has said Gavino lives in the area where the shooting occurred.

On Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office apprehended Gavino in Watsonville and arrested him on a warrant in the Sacramento homicide case.

Gavino was being held Thursday without bail and is scheduled for a hearing in his case April 25 in Sacramento Superior Court.
by Xinhua writer Zhang Xu

JINAN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- I made a trip to Caoxian County in east China's Shandong Province recently to find out why its story became a trending topic.

The county has earned the title "the center of Hanfu" because of its unparalleled Hanfu industry amid a fashion craze for the traditional Chinese attire embellished with intricate embroidery.

Seeing is believing. When I arrived at Daiji, a town in Caoxian, it felt like entering a kingdom of Mamianqun, literally horse-face skirt, a traditional long pleated skirt.

The shops along the town's main road covered all the businesses involved in horse-face skirt production: plate making, fabric weaving, laser cutting, embroidery, ironing, packaging, elastic bands, and hardware accessories.

At the Youaiyuncang Hanfu base in Caoxian, a variety of Hanfu was displayed for sale. At the same time, over 40 internet marketers promoted products on e-commerce and short video platforms through livestreaming.

In less than half an hour, visitors continuously came to select and make purchases. Mamianqun is the most sought-after product.

During this year's Spring Festival holiday, sales of Hanfu in Caoxian County exceeded 300 million yuan (about 42.22 million U.S. dollars), and online sales in the first quarter reached 1.98 billion yuan, up by 90.8 percent year on year.

In Sunzhuang Village of Caoxian, an express delivery center was packed with Hanfu.

"The village has over 2,600 Taobao stores and more than 200 Tmall stores (both Alibaba's online shopping platforms), and over 500 merchants on other online platforms," said Sun Xueping, the village's Party secretary.

In recent years, traditional Chinese culture has regained its popularity and become a fashion trend, especially among younger generations. Caoxian, which dominates almost half of China's Hanfu industry, has become an important promoter of Chinese culture and traditional costumes.

However, years ago, the Hanfu from Caoxian was a low-end product that originated from photo studio clothing, performance costumes, and children's wear. Hanfu shops were mostly small family businesses with no professional teams or marketing, extremely low costs, or original designs.

Despite considerable sales, low prices, knock-offs and poor quality brought the Hanfu industry in Caoxian a bad reputation. But things have changed after years of industrial upgrading.

According to the data from the county's e-commerce center, a complete Hanfu industry chain has been established from designing, tailoring, embroidery, and printing to finished products, even including bases dedicated to Hanfu entrepreneurship and brand incubation. The rate of Hanfu with original designs has exceeded 90 percent in the county.

Apart from selling products on domestic live-streaming platforms, many original brand owners have begun to explore businesses overseas.

"We are now negotiating with cooperation partners in the United States and Britain," said Yao Chixing, the general manager of the original Hanfu brand "Luoruyan" from Caoxian.

In her view, selling Hanfu in China or the overseas market is first and foremost based on an aesthetic appreciation and love for traditional Chinese attire. "The key is cultural exchange."

Besides the Hanfu boom in the county, wood carvings are also a source of pride for locals.

Listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, the Caoxian wood carving is widely used on wine boxes, furniture and art products, among others, forming a complete cross-border e-commerce industry.

Culture-related industries, with the help of e-commerce, have fueled Caoxian's economy. It cost less than 20 years for its GDP to leap from the poorest level to the first in Heze City and above average in the province.

The county's success has marked the broader recognition of and passion for traditional Chinese culture and handicraft. How to turn them into real products and nurture industrial chains to boost economic development is an amazing story told by Caoxian. 
The father of a knife-wielding man who was shot to death by Sacramento police on a Regional Transit light rail train last August is suing, alleging officers should have known he was having a mental crisis and called for intervention.

Dante Dwaine Day, 44, died Aug. 15 after he boarded a light rail train at Sacramento City College with a knife and was confronted by police, who tried to subdue him with beanbag shotgun rounds before he was shot six times, according to the wrongful death suit filed Thursday in Sacramento federal court.

Day was in a state of severe emotional distress, according to the suit filed by Oakland civil rights attorney John Burris against the city, police and two unnamed officers. During this crisis, Mr. Day did not harm or threaten any of the train passengers.

Officer Does 1 and 2 entered the train in response to a 911 call. Day repeatedly expressed that he felt helpless and afraid.

Mr. Days behavior towards the officers signified that he was not of sound mind. Neither Officer Doe 1 nor Officer Doe 2 called for a crisis interventionist.

Officer Doe 1 and Officer Doe 2 made no attempt to de-escalate the situation in a manner that appropriately responded to Days state of distress.

The suit, filed on behalf of Days father, Derick Day, says Dante Day boarded the train with the knife but did not verbally threaten any of the passengers.

Day did not brandish the weapon towards any of the passengers, the suit says. Mr. Day exhibited signs of extreme mental distress. Day sat down.

Officer Doe 1 and Officer Doe 2 entered the train. Mr. Day repeatedly stated that he was scared. Day begged the officers not to kill him. Mr. Day stood up.

Officer Doe 1 shot Day three times with a bean bag shotgun. Mr. Day ran towards Officer Doe 1. Officer Doe 1 fired 10 bean bags at Day. Mr. Day collapsed to the floor.

Day moved behind a train seat. Mr. Day stood still against the wall. Day was not facing the officers. Officer Doe 2 shot Mr. Day six times with his gun.

As a result, Day died from gunshot wounds.

Police declined to comment Friday on pending litigation and a city spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but police released video weeks after the confrontation that showed Day entering the train with the knife and making his way to the front.

Excuse me, he said on video. You all got to excuse me. I dont understand. Excuse me.

Passengers called 911 and began leaving the train. When officers arrived, they found Day seated at one end of the rail car.

Listen, we want everything and everyone to go home safe, one officer told Day, according to the videos. I just need you to do everything that ... we tell you.

No one is going to hurt you, man. Do not grab the knife.

Im scared of you all, bro, Day replied on the videos. Please, please, please, sir. I know you all got to do your job, but Im scared of you all right now.

Officers discussed using non-lethal force against Day as he pulled the knife from his waistband and held it in his lap, the videos show.

Police continued trying to engage with Day, telling him they did not want to hurt him. After Day stood and held the knife at his waist, one officer fired bean bags at him, the videos show, and Day charged toward them still holding the knife.

More shots were fired and Day went down, then got up holding the knife and he was shot and fell. He later was pronounced dead at the scene.
Elk Grove Unified School District high school seniors are guaranteed admission to Sacramento State, the university announced.

University administrators said the institutions pilot program of guaranteed admissions targets students who arent sure if they are eligible to attend college.

Sacramento State President Luke Wood said in a statement that the program is dedicated to serving students.

Sacramento State is creating innovative initiatives to make sure students graduating from high school have a direct pathway to higher education, Wood said. Im excited about this partnership with the Elk Grove school district and look forward to serving all of the students in the Sacramento region.

According to Sac State, 2,200 students in the district, Northern Californias largest, have yet to complete an application to the university and are eligible based on their GPA and completed coursework.

Sac State said those eligible students and their parents were recently sent an email offering conditional admission for the fall semester.

The email encouraged EGUSD students to apply and shared information about the universitys avenues to pay for higher education including offering scholarships and financial aid from the state and federal government.

District superintendent Christopher Hoffman said he was grateful to Sacramento State for its efforts to extend district graduates a clear path to a college degree.

Sac States commitment to accessible education is truly exceptional and will help shape brighter futures for all our students, Hoffman said.

Brian Henley, Sac States admissions director, said that the university plans to offer guaranteed admission to districts in the capital region soon.

Elk Grove is our largest feeder district, so it made sense to start with them, Henley said.

Ten percent of Elk Grove Unifieds nearly 63,000 students are African American, and 58% of all students within the district are considered socioeconomically disadvantaged, according to the district.

Sacramento State is committed to serving the students in this area, Henley said. We know that students from first-generation and traditionally underrepresented backgrounds and their parents may not be aware of all of the higher education opportunities available to them.

The effort comes as Wood and other school officials launch new initiatives for minority students, such as the Black Honors College, one piece of the California State Universitys effort to boost African American student enrollment, graduation and success across its 23 campuses.

More Black and African American students  nearly 2,000  study at California State University, Sacramento, than at any campus in the 23-campus state university system, Wood said in launching the program in February. The college, open to all students, begins its first classes in the fall.

Students can submit an application online, or by clicking on one of the links in their email sent from the university.

The deadline to apply for fall semester is May 1.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  All lanes of northbound State Route 163 from Interstate 5 to Interstate 8 will be closed this weekend, Caltrans announced Thursday.

The closure will be in effect Saturday from 3 a.m. to noon for crews to pick up litter, trim trees, remove overgrown brush and repair damage to the road, Caltrans said.

SR-54 ramps to I-805 closing Friday for construction

Affected areas include the southbound and northbound I-5 ramps to northbound SR-163 as well as the 11th Avenue on-ramp to the highway.

Detours will be put in place to direct drivers on northbound I-5 to the eastbound I-8 ramp where they will continue to the SR-163 connector ramps. Drivers looking to travel southbound on I-5 will be directed to the Imperial Avenue off-ramp and then the northbound I-5 on-ramp where they will need to follow the detour.

Meanwhile, drivers coming from downtown San Diego will be detoured from 11th Avenue to the northbound I-5 on-ramp.

Visit quickmap.dot.ca.gov for real-time traffic information including traffic speed, lane and road closures.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
San Francisco is going to be the next U.S. city to receive a pair of pandas from China as part of the panda diplomacy program between Washington and Beijing.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced Friday that the San Francisco Zoo has been selected to house the giant pandas.

San Francisco is absolutely thrilled that we will be welcoming Giant Pandas to our San Francisco Zoo, Breed said in a statement.

Breed said she has been working closely with the citys Chinese and Asian and Pacific Islander communities for nearly a year leading up to San Franciscos Asia-Pacific Economic cooperation meeting last November, where President Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

She also said having pandas at the citys zoo will strengthen our already deep cultural connection to those communities.

China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) Secretary-General Wu Minglu said the organization will work with city officials to prepare for the pandas arrival in 2025 and the technical standards for their conservation, The Associated Press reported.

The San Francisco mayor noted that the city had pandas on a temporary visit during the 1984 Summer Olympics tour and drew more than 260,000 visitors to the zoo, roughly four times the average attendance during the time.

Having Giant Pandas semi-permanently will be of significant importance to San Franciscos local Chinese and API communities, as well as the Citys economic and tourism efforts as a major boost to San Franciscos attractions and offerings, the city said.

San Diego announced in February that it was receiving two pandas, reestablishing the program between the U.S. and China.

The CWCA said earlier this year that it has also signed a cooperation agreement with a zoo in Madrid and was in discussions with zoos in Washington, D.C., and Vienna regarding pandas.

Three giant pandas at the National Zoo in D.C. were sent back to China last November, with the extension to their more than 20-year U.S. stay expiring.

The expiration of the agreement was seen as a potential point of contention between the two countries.

The U.S. and China have been engaged in panda diplomacy since former President Nixon struck the deal in 1972.

China is home to the only natural habitat for pandas and owns most of the pandas in the world, the AP noted.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A San Francisco restaurant owner is undergoing a 30-day hunger strike to protest a new bike lane he says is destroying businesses.

While the decision may seem extreme, 41-year-old Eiad Eltawil said he felt it was necessary after the city's Municipal Transportation Agency refused to address the Mission District neighborhood's complaints about a 12-month trial bike lane. After 11 days of sleeping outside and not eating, he Eltawil says he's lost about 15 pounds.

"Yesterday was an extremely tough day, my stomach really, just in extreme pain,"Eltawil told USA TODAY on Thursday. "Before that I was doing OK. But I'm willing to do it. I really want people to know all my suffering I'm going through."

Eltawil said he isn't just his fighting for his family, which owns the Yasmin Mediterranean restaurant and the Rossi Mission SF artwork store, but several others he says are being hurt by the bike lane. He also intends to pursue legal action against the city.

Eiad Eltawil says he's on a 30-day hunger strike to protest the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's new bike lane in the Mission District.

Bike lane cuts 70 parking spaces

Since launching in August, the bike lane has created a parking deficit on Valencia Street by removing 70 spaces, according to attorney Jim Quadra, who is representing Eltawil. The implementation has also shortened the amount of time drivers can use the remaining spots, some of which have a five-minute time limit.

At least 10 businesses on the street have closed and Quadra said he expects that number to rise to 15 before the trial period ends. The lane has also eliminated all left turns on Valencia, creating more traffic congestion.

"If you're going to come all the way to a neighborhood like Valencia, if you don't have parking, it's impossible," Eltawil said. "Five minutes is not going to do it. No left turns makes confusion, a lot of accidents. It's just become very undesirable."

The street has also seen an increase in accidents, near misses and some serious collisions, Quadra said. Additionally deliveries to the businesses have become nearly impossible.

"You have these trucks to deliver for restaurants and other shops and if they pull over, they're basically blocking traffic," Quadra said. "It's a complete mess that was created."

'Lack of communication' inspires hunger strike

Even more frustrating and dangerous than the lane itself is the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's lack to communicate, Eltawil said, adding that he's tried talking to people in person at the office and at City Hall.

"They refuse to communicate," he said. "Every time you send an email, they'll send you a generic answer every single time with no forward."

Small business consultant Kevin Ortiz, who represents Eltawil's restaurant, also accused the agency of taking six to seven months to provide businesses with basic permits for things like outdoor seating or clothing racks, which he said is "unacceptable."

Eltawil said other business owners choose not to speak up due to fear of retaliation so decided he's going to raise awareness through his outdoor protest.

"All I want to do is my hunger strike and duty and try to let people know what's going on," he said.

Agency says they are working on solutions

The Municipal Transportation Agency said officials have spoken to stakeholders on Valencia and will use their feedback to inform the design of the bike lane.

"Our outreach and collaboration will continue through the spring, as we work on solutions that best protect both businesses and bicyclists on the corridor," the agency said in a statement to USA TODAY.

MTA did not respond to USA TODAY's questions about Eltawil's and Quadra's claims.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hunger strike: San Francisco business owner protesting new bike lane
The city of San Francisco has sued the city of Oakland, claiming that plans to rename the airport would infringe on its trademark and cause confusion.

San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu filed a federal lawsuit Thursday after the Port of Oakland board of commissioners approved a plan to rename the Oakland International Airport to San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport.

The lawsuit argues the Oakland airport hopes to increase passengers and profit by rushing to unlawfully incorporate San Francisco International Airports SFO trademarked name into its own.

The plan, Chiu argues, ignores SFOs long-standing brand and identity and would violate federal and state intellectual property law.

Oakland Airports hasty and unnecessary efforts and refusal to engage in discussions of alternative names have left the City and County of San Francisco no choice but to bring this complaint against the Defendant City of Oakland, the lawsuit said.

Chiu said in a statement, first reported by ABC News, that San Francisco had hoped Oakland would come to its senses but refused to cooperate on an alternative name.

The San Francisco City Attorneys statement announcing the lawsuit said the name change would very likely lead to widespread confusion among passengers and travel mishaps that could have been avoided.

This new name will cause confusion and chaos for travelers, which will damage the travel industry for the entire region. We are already seeing at least one airline use the new name, indicated that SFO has already suffered economic harm, Chius statement said. We want to see the entire Bay Area thrive as a tourist destination and expand our offerings to visitors, but the renaming is not a legal or practical way to go about it.

San Francisco has owned the U.S. federal trademark for San Francisco International Airport since the 1950s, the statement said.

Chius statement also noted that Oakland only gave San Francisco a 30-minute notice of the renaming plan before the new name was announced to the public March 29. Multiple attempts to reach Oakland officials to meet have gone unanswered.

The Port of Oakland board of commissioners said in a statement to The Hill that the new name does not infringe on SFOs trademark.

We will vigorously defend our right to claim our spot on the San Francisco Bay, the statement said. We are standing up for Oakland and our East Bay community.

Updated April 19 at 8:33 a.m. EDT.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A new animal is coming to the San Francisco Zoo. Mayor London Breed announced Thursday that giant pandas will be added to the zoo as part of Chinas Panda Diplomacy program.

Breed is currently overseas in Beijing, where she and Chinese officials announced the news. The memorandum signed by Breed and the China Wildlife Conservation Association is the first official leased agreement to have pandas live at the zoo, according to Breeds office.

San Francisco is absolutely thrilled that we will be welcoming Giant Pandas to our San Francisco Zoo, Breed said. We have been working closely with our local API community to advocate for pandas nearly a year ago leading up to APEC in November, and its an honor that our City has been chosen for the first time to be a long-term home for Giant Pandas.

How earthquake preparation has changed since 1906

Breed had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping if the zoo could have a panda after the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative summit in San Francisco in November. She followed that up with a letter to Xi with the same request.

The zoo has only had pandas for a few months at a time in 1984 and 1985. In 1984, the pandas helped draw more than 260,000 visitors to the zoo, per Breeds office.

Having Giant Pandas semi-permanently will be of significant importance to San Franciscos local Chinese and API communities, as well as the Citys economic and tourism efforts as a major boost to San Franciscos attractions and offerings, a press release from Breeds office said.

Currently, there are no pandas in California. The last giant pandas were sent back to China by the San Diego Zoo in 2019.

There is currently no timeline for the pandas to arrive at the zoo. Engineers from the Beijing Zoo have visited San Francisco to meet with local zoo engineers on the pandas enclosures.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  After a Texas law that would prohibit sanctuary cities stalled in federal court this year Oklahoma lawmakers say they feel it has now become their responsibility to keep illegal immigrants out of the state.

Texas Senate Bill 4 looks to prohibit sanctuary city policies, which prohibit local law enforcement from inquiring about a persons immigration status and complying with detainer requests. These policies often also prohibit the sharing of information regarding a persons immigration status with the federal government.

However, the bill  signed into law in December 2023  has been stalled in federal court.

Because of the judicial limbo Texas is currently in, Speaker of the House Charles McCall (R-Atoka) and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R-OKC) have jointly filed House Bill 4156.

This bill scares me to death, said Representative Jason Lowe (D-OKC).

The bill wasnt supposed to be heard Thursday morning, but the House suspended rules in order to hear it earlier than the afternoon.

Both Democrats and Republicans admitted there is a border crisis, but Democrats are calling this proposal politically-driven and not solution-based.

Two Democratic-led amendments to the bill were proposed, but both were shot down.

the Legislature declares that it is a compelling public interest of this state to protect its citizens, authorized residents, and lawfully present visitors and its borders and to prohibit persons from entering or residing within this state without proper authorization. House Bill 4156

The proposal states if a person commits an impermissible occupation and that individual is undocumented immigrant who enters willfully and without permission and remains in the State of Oklahoma without having first obtained legal authorization to enter the United States will face legal repercussions.

If caught, that individual will face a misdemeanor charge resulting in up to one year in county jail and a $500 fine.

Oklahoma bill could make cursive lessons required in schools

For a second conviction, the person will be charged with a felony and face up to two years in county jail plus a $1,000 fine.

Both require the undocumented immigrant to leave Oklahoma within 72 hours of their release from custody.

Were going to seek to further criminalize those people instead of looking at them as the victims that they are needing protection and resources, said Representative Amanda Swope (D-Tulsa).

Representative Scott Fetgatter (R-Okmulgee) said there is a legal process for people wishing to come to the United States.

However, the current average processing time across all offices is 15.5 months. The whole naturalization process (including application processing, the citizenship interview and exam, and oath of allegiance ceremony) takes 18-24 months on average.

Its going to be something that could affect everyone. Its not just immigrants. Im a U.S. citizen. I have children. My boys could get affected. My grandchildren. I have nephews and nieces. They could also be targeted. Its not a fair thing because how can you distinguish one from the other?, asked Oklahoma City resident, Irma Palacios.

Representative Jon Echols (R-OKC), who discussed and debated on behalf of Speaker McCall Thursday morning, said the intent behind this legislation isnt to racially profile anyone and that he trusts law enforcement officials to not do so.

Theyre being threatened already and this will be a bigger threat. We need to work on fixing this broken immigration system, stated Palacios. The immigrants that are here, a lot of them are here because theyve had a long time theyve had to wait. Theyve waited years and years. Theyve wasted a lot of money.

Palacios said shes unsure of the right solution, but encourages both state and federal lawmakers to look at refining the immigration process first.

Remember all the people, the families this could tear apart. This is our community. This is the community that you serve. Think about them. This is going to cause a lot of conflict, a lot of grief. And its not fair, she added. We have bad apples in all races. Dont target everyone just because of one person or a group.

Dont D.C. my Oklahoma: OK House rejects attempt to dissolve Judicial Nominating Commission

Rep. Fetgatter said the proposal doesnt aim to target the Hispanic population specifically, but anyone who is in Oklahoma illegally.

You will see its not a lot of Hispanics crossing the border. Its people from China that would wish to do harm to American citizens. Its people from the Middle East who would wish to blow up our buildings and fly planes into our buildings, said. Fetgatter.

Rep. Echols said the proposal would not require residents to carry citizenship documents with them at all times. He added an immigration status would only be checked if law enforcement has probable cause that a crime has been committed.

Law enforcement has the right to keep you as long as it takes to identify you, said Rep. Echols. There are other states you can go to. 49 other states.

Currently, there is no fiscal impact attached to HB4156  something several Democrats asked for more information on.

With it now having passed the House, the proposal now moves to the Senate for a final vote before heading to the Governors desk for a signature.

If Governor Kevin Stitt signs it as is, there is an emergency clause attached that would allow it to go into effect in July of this year.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has taken a strong stand today in favor of public safety. President Bidens blatant refusal to follow federal law and his complete failure to secure the border are forcing states to take action. I am grateful to Speaker McCall and President Pro Tempore Treat for authoring HB 4156, and I look forward to the measure becoming law. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond

This bill is one that AG Drummond requested of the legislature.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that talks with Chinese officials about the war in Ukraine during his recent trip provided a "very important boost" for diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.

Scholz emphasized that he was in agreement with the Chinese leadership on the need for peace conferences in Switzerland to discuss the war.

Diplomatic efforts are "something that is indispensable in this laborious process, and I am grateful that Germany, and I personally, were also able to make a contribution," Scholz said on Friday.

Scholz said that the diplomatic efforts were "still a plant that needs a lot of watering ... but it is something that exists and that we are nurturing."

Switzerland is planning a peace summit for June 15 and 16, to which it intends to invite around 100 countries, including Ukraine.

Russia is not expected to attend, but countries that have friendly ties with Russia, such as China, Brazil and South Africa, could join.

During his visit to Beijing on Tuesday, Scholz agreed with Chinese President Xi Jinping to coordinate "intensively and positively" on the upcoming peace summit and possible further conferences.
UNITED NATIONS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Thursday voted against a Palestinian request for full UN membership at the Security Council.

The 15-member council voted on a draft resolution recommending to the 193-member UN General Assembly that "the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations."

The draft resolution received 12 votes in favor, two abstentions and one vote against.

A council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass. The United States used its veto power after the draft secured 12 votes in favor.

China, Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Russia, South Korea, Mozambique, Malta, Japan, Guyana, France, Ecuador and Algeria voted in favor, passing the threshold of nine required. Britain and Switzerland abstained on the resolution.

Before the vote, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State Vedant Patel said the United States insists "that premature actions in New York...will not achieve statehood for the Palestinian people."

Palestinian membership "needs to be the outcome of the negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians," said U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Robert Wood.

Ziad Abu Amr, the special representative of the Palestinian president, addressed the Security Council before the vote, saying that adopting the resolution would provide the Palestinian people with hope for "a decent life within an independent state."

Ambassador Amar Bendjama from Algeria, who introduced the draft, said that failure to act is a serious and unforgivable mistake and a license for continuing injustice and impunity.

After the United States vetoed the draft, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said this marked the fifth time the United States has vetoed a council resolution since the start of the current hostilities in Gaza.

The United States "once again demonstrated what they really think of the Palestinians," he said. "For Washington, they do not deserve to have their own State. They are only a barrier on the path towards realizing the interests of Israel."

He said at present, an absolute majority of the global community supports Palestine's application to become a full member of the UN.

"Today's use of the veto by the U.S. delegation is a hopeless attempt to stop the inevitable course of history. The results of the vote, where Washington was practically in complete isolation, speak for themselves," he said.

The Palestinian mission to the UN initially requested full member-state status at the UN in 2011. The first attempt failed because the mission did not receive the necessary minimum support of nine out of the 15 members of the Security Council.

Following their initial setback, the Palestinians approached the UN General Assembly, where, in November 2012, they successfully upgraded their status from "UN observer" to "non-member observer state" by securing more than a two-thirds majority vote. This elevation in status enabled the Palestinian territories to join various UN and international organizations, such as the International Criminal Court.

Earlier this month, the UN Committee on the Admission of New Members evaluated Palestine's renewed request for full member-state status at the UN. The 140 countries that recognize Palestine as an independent state supported this revival of their membership bid in early April.

Recent escalations in the Middle East make it even more critical to support efforts towards lasting peace between Israel and a fully independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian State, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council Thursday morning.

"Failure to make progress towards a two-state solution will only increase volatility and risk for hundreds of millions of people across the region, who will continue to live under the constant threat of violence," the top UN official told the Security Council's quarterly open debate on "the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question."

With the Middle East "on a precipice," he appealed for maximum restraint, warning against the far-reaching consequences.

Israel gained full UN membership in 1949.

Since the early 1990s, when Israel and the Palestinian Authority signed the Oslo Accords, initiating a peace process targeting a two-state solution, little progress has been made toward Palestinian statehood. 
SALISBURY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A school bus driver in Rowan County was assaulted by a student after a fight broke out between students, the Rowan County Sheriffs Office said Friday.

The incident occurred around 2:40 p.m. on Tuesday and involved a bus from Erwin Middle School.

An initial investigation stated that when the bus came to a stop, one student tried to attack another student. During the attack, the bus driver was hit and the head and in the face by two other students, according to the sheriffs office. The driver suffered minor injuries to the nose and did not need medical attention. No students were injured.

One student was charged with assault on the bus driver.

Salisbury Police also responded and the students were released to their parents on scene.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Science Hill Women in STEM Club and the Science Hill Teaching as a Profession Class hosted its first STEM night on Thursday.

Photo: WJHL

At STEM night, 4th and 5th graders from Mountain View, Cherokee and North Side Elementary Schools gathered to learn about science, technology, engineering and math through demonstrations and a series of table setups.

News Channel 11 spoke with Elizabeth Bennett, a Science Hill High School chemistry teacher.

This is our first event. Weve had a huge turnout, much more than anticipated, which is a huge success, Bennett said. We hope to connect with the individual elementary and middle schools and host nights at their individual schools.

Kingsport pre-school surpasses two goals for St. Jude Trike-A-Thon

Bennett said STEM night was started after a field trip to King College.

I took some of my students to King University, where I went to college, on a field trip. They heard about a women in STEM club at King, and they had the idea in the fall to start a women in STEM club. Then, this came about with the STEM night, she said.

Bennett told News Channel 11 she is proud of her students and the successful night would not have been possible without their help and participation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
(Bloomberg) -- The Scottish government scrapped a plan to cut carbon emissions by 75% by 2030, conceding the target is unachievable and that it needs to recalibrate its approach to tackling climate change.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Addressing the Holyrood Parliament in Edinburgh on Thursday, the Scottish National Partys net zero secretary, Mairi McAllan, said the government remains committed to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, but would have to devise a new pathway to get there.

The move comes a month after the UK Climate Change Committee warned Scotland is unlikely to reach its 2030 goal to slash emissions by three quarters from 1990 levels because the required acceleration in cuts isnt credible.

Outlining a swath of measures to tackle emissions from vehicles and agriculture, as well as a new system of carbon budgets, McAllan sought to blame cuts in funding from the central UK government for the retreat.

We are being held back, McAllan said. We are trying to achieve societal and economic transformation with one hand tied behind the back.

The announcement may also damage relations with the Scottish Green Party, which participates in the Scottish government after agreeing a power-sharing arrangement with the SNP in 2021. The agreement they reached includes a pledge to take steps to accelerate our transition to net zero.

McAllan didnt say what target will replace the 2030 goal, instead announcing plans to introduce a system of five-year budgets that  if modeled on the UK national approach  would set out the total amount of carbon Scotland could emit over successive five-year periods through to 2045.

She promised to publish the governments final energy strategy this summer, and also announced plans to:

roll out an additional 24,000 electric vehicle charging points by 2024, quadrupling the total in order to ease range anxiety among drivers

explore setting up a Scotland-wide integrated ticketing system for all public transport

publish a route map to cut car use by 20%

pilot a program to roll out methane-suppressing food products and additives to cut emissions from livestock

consult on a new carbon land tax for large estates

require farms receiving public support to hold carbon audits by 2028

We accept the CCCs recent re-articulation that this Parliaments interim 2030 target is out of reach, McAllan said. We must now act to chart a course to 2045 at a pace and a scale that is feasible, fair and just.

--With assistance from Ellen Milligan.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Seattle man sentenced to prison for delivering thousands of fentanyl pills to Tri-Cities

A 65-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison after he took more than 6,000 fentanyl-laced pills from the Seattle area to the Tri-Cities.

Tommie Slack had often been the courier for one of his sons to deliver 10,000 fentanyl pills to fill an order that was placed every one to two weeks over several months, totaling about 60,000 pills before his arrest in December 2021, according to a court document that quoted an unnamed witness.

However, Slacks attorney disputes whether the witness was credible.

Law enforcement agents had the witness arrange to buy more fentanyl at a cost of $5 per pill.

A Seattle man brought more than 6,000 fentanyl pills to the Tri-Cities for an illegal drug deal, according to a federal court document.

When the witness contacted Tommie Slack, he said that his son, Tramein Slack, was out and that all of this is on me, according to a federal court document.

At the time Tramein Slack was on probation after a four-year prison sentence for a federal drug conviction, according to a court document.

Tommie Slack arranged to meet the witness at the Hampton Inn in Richland.

When Tommie Slack arrived in a Mercedes Benz, the Tri-Cities Regional SWAT Team conducted a high risk arrest, according to court documents.

A loaded .38 semi-automatic pistol was found in the car along with 6,416 fentanyl pills, according to a court document.

Slacks attorney, Richard Smith of Yakima, argued in court documents that Tommie Slack was riding in the back seat of a borrowed car when he was arrested and was not aware there was a gun in the front console.

Tommie Slack has 58 convictions starting at the age of 21. Thirty-four involve driving charges or driving related charges and nine are related to domestic violence, according to court documents.

He also had several drug charges that were vacated after the Washington state Supreme Court ruled the felony drug possession law unconstitutional.

Smith said that his clients criminal history was tied to his cocaine addiction. He left a difficult home at 15 and taught himself how to read in prison at 21, Smith said.

U.S. Judge Mary Dimke, ruling in the Richland U.S. courthouse, ordered Slack to serve five years probation after his release from prison. The case was prosecuted by the Eastern Washington District U.S. Attorneys Office.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)  A new building in Brooklyn features 100% affordable housing, including some units with waterfront views.

Greenpoint Landing, located on Commercial Street, is focused on helping homeless families and low-income families get a new home they can afford. It features 374 units of new affordable housing.

List: 9 NYC affordable housing lotteries expiring in April

Robert Pamphille, a 74-year-old from Trinidad, said its more than just a new home. It has completely transformed his life. Pamphille said he was in a shelter for six years with his wife, who is living with disabilities.

Pamphille said he had to pinch himself when he was selected to move into his new affordable two-bedroom apartment at Greenpoint Landing back in November.

Pamphille was one of the first residents to move into the new building. His building is one of 11 that are part of the development in the heart of Greenpoint.

The development is a collaboration between the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the New York City Housing Development Corporation, Park Tower Group and Breaking Ground.

Its not just affordable housing; its a community that provides social services such as mental health care to benefit assistance for a full year.

There are more than 30 affordable housing lotteries open across New York City. You can apply online on the NYC Housing Connect website.

If you have a story, reach out to Monica Morales at monica@pix11.com

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A photograph posted online by Everybody Eats appears to show two of its activists, including one dressed as Robin Hood

Police are investigating after a group of self-styled Robin Hoods claimed they stole from Marks & Spencer (M&S) to give to food banks, The Telegraph can reveal.

Activists who targeted the shop said they now planned to steal from other supermarkets, which are already reeling from Britains shoplifting epidemic.

Campaigners from Everybody Eats, a group calling for direct action on food poverty  in a similar way to eco-protesters  bragged on social media about stealing from the M&S Foodhall in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, after launching their first raid at the weekend.

The activists said they would keep replicating this all across the country until the Government answered their demands on food security.

Shoplifting reached its highest level in two decades last year, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics released in January, which showed more than 402,000 offences were recorded in the year to September 2023.

According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), theft cost retailers almost 1.8 billion in 2022-23, up from 953 million the previous year.

The campaign by Everybody Eats threatens to put further pressure on retailers already struggling because of shoplifting, amid complaints over the police response to such incidents.

The group claimed that food banks were aware of where the stolen goods came from and suggested its members had been asked to help.

Everybody Eats posted a photograph of activists alongside five bags of food  including Percy Pig sweets  on X, formerly Twitter.

A photograph posted online by Everybody Eats appears to show its activists following the 'raid' on a supermarket

It added in a caption: Today we took food from an M&S in Manchester without paying for it. The food will now be distributed straight to people in the community as well as local food banks.

We cannot sit by as we and our friends, our families, our neighbours starve.

Campaigners also filmed themselves walking gleefully into the M&S before bags with olive oil, bread, cereal, oat milk and other foodstuffs, according to a video posted on Instagram.

The footage also shows them walking out with baskets and then later unloading the goods. No security guards or shop assistants are seen intervening in the clip.

An activist in the video says: What we do is we go into major supermarkets and liberate food essentials to distribute to food banks and those living in the area who are in food poverty.

Supermarkets make huge profits off rising prices of essential items in this cost of living crisis. 

He then added: A lot of their own staff are living in food poverty and use food banks. Weve been asked by food banks for their help. It is the right thing to do, people are hungry in the land of plenty and I think thats obscene.

Some of the activists covered their faces on social media as they posed with Sainsburys bags but others proudly showed off the food while dressed in Robin Hood costumes. No one has been arrested.

Despite one of the group being seen holding up a bag of Percy Pig sweets in social media posts, Charlie Peterson, an activist who advises Everybody Eats, said only essential items were taken, such as simple foods, baby formula and sanitary products, which were handed out on the street and given to local food banks.

The 42-year-old told The Telegraph the food banks were aware that the items donated to them had been stolen.

Its not a case of being above the law. It is illegal. That is superseded by a desire to actually do some good and put some food on their tables, he said.

Mr Peterson compared the work of Everybody Eats to the suffragettes, saying that activists sometimes have to work outside the law to bring about change.

He added: If you spoke to the people that

took part in this action and said to them: Do you think you should be operating outside of the law in order to try and help a hungry family be less hungry, and put food on their table? I think they will probably say yes.

I think youd be foolish not to acknowledge that it is illegal, but the levels of people that were seeing, of people that are going hungry in this country at the moment - 13 years ago, there wasnt a single food bank in this country. Now theres more food banks than theres ever been.

Not a victimless crime

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that a shoplifting incident was reported at 1.40pm on Sunday April 14 at a shop in the area.

The force is still investigating and urged anyone with information to contact officers.

Graham Wynn, assistant director of regulation at the BRC, said: Stealing  however small  is not a victimless crime. The 1.8 billion a year lost to shop theft would be better spent investing in lower prices and better service for customers.

Meanwhile, retailers are forced to spend a further 1.2 billion a year on anti-crime measures such as CCTV, security personnel and anti-theft devices.

M&S did not respond to requests for comment.

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The Senate voted to proceed to debate on a bill to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) on Thursday, clearing an important procedural hurdle before the previous version expires on Friday.

A cloture motion to begin voting on the bill passed by a vote of 67-32, with senators of both parties supporting and opposing it. The chamber was able to avoid a potential filibuster by breaking the necessary 60-vote threshold.

"We obviously dont have a lot of time left before FISA authorities expire. In fact, less than two days," Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the floor ahead of the vote to begin debate.

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY OF SENATE DEMS QUASHING MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT TRIAL QUESTIONED BY EXPERTS

Proponents of the bill, such as Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., left, and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., are pushing to renew it before the Friday deadline.

The renewal has the support of both Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. The Kentucky Republican warned his Senate colleagues against pushing for an amendment to require warrants, as Republicans in the House did unsuccessfully.

"Misguided efforts to require a criminal-law warrant to sort and organize those data on U.S. persons would end the ability of the FBI to keep America and Americans safe," McConnell said earlier this week.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Frankly, they would forget the lessons of 9/11," he claimed. "So Ill oppose any such efforts and urge my colleagues to do the same."

He noted that senators should expect votes on Friday if FISA is not reauthorized on Thursday.

Some of the prominent senators voicing their opposition to the FISA bill are Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rand Paul, R-Ky. Lee has made his objections to the lack of a provision requiring a warrant known. "The documented abuses under FISA should provoke outrage from anyone who values the Fourth Amendment Rights of American citizens," he said in a March statement while introducing a bipartisan bill to amend FISA.

RAND PAUL SAYS EMAIL EXCHANGE BETWEEN TOP FAUCI AIDE AND ECOHEALTH LOOKS LIKE A COVER-UP

Sen. Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah, attends a nomination hearing in Washington, D.C., on May 17, 2023.

Paul has further claimed the bill allows "spying on Americans through FISA, the way they spied on Trump."

On the other side, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., also came out against the renewal. "I do not support reauthorizing FISA Section 702 in its current form and call on the Senate to take action to stop warrantless searches by the government and law enforcement agencies to protect Montanans freedom and privacy," he said in a statement.

REPUBLICANS PREDICT DEMS TO PAY 'HEAVY PRICE' IN ELECTION AFTER MAYORKAS IMPEACHMENT BID FAILS

Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., questions Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 12, 2023.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., claimed the measure would "dramatically" expand the powers given to the government under FISA.

"The government can force you to help it spy," he said in a statement. "That means anyone with access to a server, a wire, a cable box, a Wi-Fi router, a phone, or a computer."

FBI Director Christopher Wray recently pleaded with Congress to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

However, a much larger bipartisan coalition have underscored why they think renewing FISA is so important. "In this dangerous climate, it is clear that shutting down FISA would be the biggest national security mistake in the history of America," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in a statement last week.

FBI Director Christopher Wray also recently pleaded with Congress to reauthorize the security tool, telling a House committee that "failing to reauthorize 702 or gutting it with some kind of warrant requirement would be dangerous and put American lives at risk."

While many push for a quick renewal, several senators have expressed their desire to see changes to the legislation, putting passage before the Friday deadline in doubt.





Original article source: Senate pushes forward FISA surveillance bill as expiration looms
BALTIMORE  After delivering a load of sugar to the Domino refinery in Baltimores Inner Harbor two winters ago, a 567-foot bulk carrier departed for Georgia but didnt get very far before experiencing engine trouble.

Not long after the Nazenin sailed underneath the Francis Scott Key Bridge, a mechanical malfunction cut the flow of cooling water to the ships main engine, disrupting the ships propulsion. Its crew dropped anchor just outside the channel in the Patapsco River to make quick repairs, according to a Coast Guard incident report.

Having replaced a cracked cylinder liner the Coast Guard attributed to poor maintenance, the Nazenin sailed south to the Annapolis Anchorage, just south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge for the repair to be inspected. A day later after it resumed its voyage south in the Bay, the ships oiler on watch, who the report said was inadequately trained, made an error that caused it to lose propulsion again and it had to drop anchor again.

Crisis was averted both days, despite the ship twice being rendered mostly adrift not far from bridges providing passage to tens of thousands of motorists daily. At least 40 other times since 2021, cargo vessels experienced a complete loss, or reduction of, propulsion, power or steering while sailing in Maryland waters, according to a Baltimore Sun analysis of Coast Guard reports.

Those incidents are rare  hundreds of ships call in Baltimore every year  and generally minor. They happen at the dock or tugs assist the ship or it drops anchor harmlessly, but catastrophe came in the early morning of March 26, when a massive cargo ship apparently lost all power while approaching the Key Bridge and crashed into one of its critical support piers. The span collapsed immediately, sending six construction workers filling potholes plummeting to their deaths, indefinitely disrupting Baltimores busy port and permanently altering the skyline.

What went wrong aboard the Dali, the 984-foot ship that weighed 112,000 tons when it struck the bridge, and whether it could or should have been prevented, is the question at the center of parallel probes by the National Transportation Safety Board and the FBI. The former investigates with an eye toward preventing another tragedy, while the latter looks for potential criminal charges.

Experts believe the Dali suffered a blackout, or a complete loss of propulsion and electrical power, as it approached the bridge. Such events are rare, but not unheard of. A ship losing propulsion, or the ability to turn the propellers that drive vessels forward or backward, is more common but still statistically unusual. Both can be terrifying.

It means youre dead in the water, said Thomas Roth-Roffy, a former NTSB marine investigator of almost two decades and a Coast Guard licensed chief engineer. You cant go ahead or astern, youre basically just drifting. And depending on how long the propulsion failure lasts, you can run into big problems: grounding, collision or allisions with bridges.

At the same time, vessels losing propulsion have rarely been publicly noteworthy. Oftentimes, experts say, it happens at sea, where the risk of crash or casualty is low, and well-trained engineering crews usually can make repairs before anything bad happens.

Its all about timing, time and place, said Kevin Calnan, an assistant professor of marine transportation at the California State University Maritime Academy. Normally when this happens youre in the open sea in the middle of the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean, and its not really such a problem. Youre just going to float until you can get things figured out.

In the situation like Baltimore, he continued, it was a perfect storm of everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong at the exact time where it shouldnt have gone wrong.

But the Key Bridge collapse is not the first time a wayward ship resulted in tragedy. In 2015, the U.S.-flagged cargo vessel SS El Faro lost propulsion in the middle of a hurricane and sank near the Bahamas along with its 33-person crew. Six years later, a 623-foot bulk carrier lost steering and crashed into an office barge on the Lower Mississippi River, injuring one person and causing $6 million in damage.

Ships that experience a loss, or disruption of, power or propulsion in American waters are required to report the incident to the Coast Guard, which produces reports explaining the problem and what caused it.

The Sun examined more than 1,300 such incident reports for freight ships from the beginning of 2021 to date. More than half involved a vessels loss or reduction of propulsion, power or steering. Forty-three happened in the Coast Guard sector encompassing Maryland before the Dali, for which the agency hasnt released a report.

Although that figure represents what is likely a small fraction of overall vessel traffic to Baltimore, its still too many, Roth-Roffy said, because every time you lose propulsion, its a nightmare.

Many of the vessels lost propulsion near shipping terminals in port. For some, it happened while sailing in the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay. All of them were on journeys requiring them to pass beneath the Key and Bay bridges at some point  twice, in all but two cases. Those two ships were en route to the Chesapeake-Delaware Canal, which also requires bridge navigation.

The hardest part and most dangerous part of any transit for any of these ships is when they come into port, because God forbid something happens, thats where there can be a devastating impact just like we saw in the Key Bridge crash, said Roland Rexha, secretary/treasurer of The Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, a maritime union with roots in Baltimore and a training school in Easton.

The freighters that lost power or propulsion ranged from 567 to 1,203 feet, more than 200 feet longer than the Dali. Fifteen hailed from countries labeled high or medium risk flag administrations by the Coast Guard in 2023 because their ships failed comparatively high proportions of inspections at American ports over the last several years and were temporarily barred from going to sea.

Nineteen ships that lost propulsion in Maryland waters had experienced similar issues on another occasion in the approximately three-year range of reports The Sun reviewed.

The MSC Tomoko, a 1,089-foot Mediterranean Shipping Co. container ship from Panama that experienced reduced propulsion in the vicinity of the bay bridge in February 2022, had lost propulsion five days earlier in New York, according to the Coast Guard. A 650-foot U.S. government vehicle carrier, the Cape Wrath, lost propulsion in the Chesapeake Bay because of equipment failure  one of five reported problems over about as many years.

Both of those ships made repairs and sailed on.

A repeat of a propulsion failure should kind of raise a flag to the regulator and the classification society to give them a little more attention in terms of inspection and oversight, Roth-Roffy said. And certainly the owner of the ship should be tracking failures because its their ship, or the operator, because any accident they can be liable for.

Five days after Dali struck the Key Bridge, the Singapore-based companies that own and manage the container ship filed in Marylands federal court to absolve themselves from or limit liability stemming from the disaster. U.S., Maryland and Baltimore officials have pledged to hold the companies accountable for the crash, if the investigation supports legal action.

NTSB investigators have homed in on the Dalis engine room, calling in support from Hyundai, the South Korean company that built the ship, to help them retrieve data about its electrical power system and circuit breakers.

Citing an anonymous source with knowledge of the situation, the Associated Press reported that the Dali experienced apparent electrical issues before it left the Port of Baltimore. That person said alarms went off on the ships refrigerated containers while it was still docked, likely indicating an inconsistent power supply.

Crews are supposed to test their ships engine, generators and switchboard before leaving a port, but Rexha worries that mariners on some international ships may not feel empowered to raise potential safety issues.

Its harder when youre making less than minimum wage in a country where you are very lucky to have a job like this to be able to speak out against the company, because they wont hire you again, he said. Weve seen the ships get bigger. Weve seen the crews get smaller, all in an effort to maximize the amount of money they make, and they do it on the workers backs.

Former merchant mariner Sal Mercogliano wants to know more about what happened to the Dali when it was docked.

Sometimes when you plug in refrigerated containers, they can overload the system and you dont lose power to the ship, you lose power to the reefers, he said, referring to the cooled containers. Its like blowing a fuse in your house  you didnt lose power to your house, you just lost a fuse in a room or something.

The question is, he added, is it the full power of the vessel? If the ship goes dark, thats something wrong.

On cargo ships, the engine spins the ships propeller, thrusting it forward or backward, while separate generators produce electricity for the vessel. The engine relies on electricity for pumps that inject fuel and circulate oil and water to keep components lubricated and cool.

Myriad causes could lead a ship to lose power or propulsion, or to experience a complete blackout, typically coming down to failures of either the ships co-dependent electrical and mechanical systems, experts said. The Coast Guard reports reviewed by The Sun cited equipment malfunctions and human mishaps as causes for the ships losing propulsion.

Routine vessel vibrations jarred parts loose. A second engineer on a ship that didnt have an alarm system for the main engines air compressor didnt realize it was on manual, rather than automatic mode, leading to low pressure that caused the engine to shut down. A defective sensor led to a lack of cooling oil for another vessels engine.

When a ships automated engine monitoring system recognizes a problem, it cuts the motor off to avoid costly damage, Mercogliano said.

Theyre designed to protect themselves, he said.

The 691-foot Grande Cameroon, of Italy, was on its way to Baltimore when it experienced a complete blackout in the Chesapeake Bay, just south of Tilghman Island. According to the Coast Guard, the ship lacked proper sensing equipment to recognize temperature changes in a steam line connected to one of its fuel tanks.

A blackout requires more time to reset compared to just a loss of propulsion, said Mark Phillip Laurilla, a chief marine engineer based in the Philippines, in an email. Loss of propulsion doesnt happen all the time but it happens often enough that some companies send their officers to simulator training particularly for this type of scenario.

Students at Cal Maritime run through scenarios in simulator-based classes.

Well run a scenario where well throw all sorts of situations at them, total loss of steering, total loss of propulsion  so our students really get familiar with those emergency procedures, and they become second nature, Calnan said.

In November 2021, a 981-foot, Liberian-flagged container ship lost propulsion in the Patapsco River, after going under the Key Bridge en route to Seagirt Marine Terminal. Tugboats guided it back out and down the bay to the Annapolis Anchorage for repairs. The Coast Guard report said the crew aboard the Agios Dimitrios failed to calibrate a component of the main engine.

Video of the Key Bridge collapse showed the lights aboard the Dali go out and then flicker as it approached the 1.6-mile span. A local pilot, who was on board to guide the ship out of the harbor safely, reported losing all power, including the ability to steer, in a mayday call shortly before striking the bridge.

Experts who watched the footage have postulated multiple possibilities, from electrical failures to contaminated fuel to human error.

What happened to the Dali was not one generator failing, but an entire system, Laurilla said. It is highly unlikely that all of their generators were in poor condition. So something common to all of them caused the problem and forced them to shut down. The only common denominators would be fuel or switchboard problems.

_____

(Baltimore Sun reporter Annie Jennemann and editor Christopher Dinsmore contributed to this article.)

_____
While several of Robert F. Kennedy's children have been signaling their support of Joe Biden for months, yesterday they formally endorsed the president in his campaign for a second term.

At a campaign stop in Philadelphia, Robert F. Kennedy's daughter Kerry Kennedy gave a speech introducing the president.

"Nearly every single grandchild of Joe and Rose Kennedy supports Joe Biden," she said. "Thats right: The Kennedy family endorses Joe Biden for president."

She also clarified: "We want to make crystal clear our feelings that the best way forward for America is to reelect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for four more years."

Per CNN, in addition to Kerry, Rory Kennedy, Joe Kennedy II, Beth Kennedy, Joe Kennedy III, Christopher Kennedy, Maxwell Taylor Kennedy, Vicki Strauss Kennedy, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Kerry Kennedy Meltzer, Max Meltzer, Ted Kennedy Jr., Stephen Kennedy Smith, Peter McKelvy, and Rebeca McKelvy were all in attendance at the event.

Of course, there is at least one grandchild of Joe and Rose Kennedy who does not endorse Biden: Kerry's brother, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is also running for president as an Independent.

"I hear some of my family will be endorsing President Biden today," RFK Jr. wrote on X (formerly Twitter) in a response to the appearance. "I am pleased they are politically active  its a family tradition. We are divided in our opinions but united in our love for each other. I hold this as a possibility for America too. Can we disagree without hating our opponents? Can we restore civility and respect to public discourse? I think we can." He also noted that some family members are working on his campaign.

Additionally, today, the Biden campaign released an ad featuring members of the Kennedy family, again sharing their support for the president in his pursuit of a second term. In the video clip, Chris Kennedy even goes so far as to call Biden "the RFK of his generation."

This is hardly the first time Kennedys have spoken out against their relative's presidential ambitions.

When RFK Jr. announced that he was dropping out of the Democratic primary, confirming his plans to run as an Independent, four of his siblings shared a message denouncing his candidacy.

"The decision of our brother Bobby to run as a third party candidate against Joe Biden is dangerous to our country," reads a post shared by Rory last fall. "Bobby might share the same name as our father, but he does not share the same values, vision or judgment. Todays announcement is deeply saddening for us. We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country." It was only one of a number of statements by members of the Kennedy family denouncing RFK Jr.'s views and his presidential pursuits.

Notably in July 2023, Caroline Kennedy's son Jack Schlossberg also called RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy an "embarrassment."

"I have no idea why anyone thinks he should be president," Schlossberg said in a video shared to social media. He also accused RFK Jr. of "trading in on Camelot, celebrity, conspiracy theories, and conflict for personal gain and fame," and offered an endorsement of President Biden.

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Dengue patients receive treatment inside mosquito nets at a hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sept. 18, 2023. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have developed a more natural strategy to prevent mosquito-borne diseases by changing insects' gut microbes, which might be used as an alternative to controversial experiments that see genetically-modified mosquitoes released in Florida.

Mosquito-borne viruses, such as dengue and Zika, cause several potentially fatal human viral infections. Dengue viruses infect approximately 390 million each year globally.

An epidemic survey over the past decade documented frequent dengue outbreaks in Xishuangbanna and Lincang, both in southwest China's Yunnan Province. But few have been reported in neighboring cities of Wenshan and Pu'er.

The very different prevalence stimulated the curiosity of researchers from Tsinghua University and Yunnan Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Sciences.

GUT MICROBES

The team's field investigation on thousands of blood-sucking female mosquitoes revealed that mosquitoes from two different habitats carry different symbiotic bacteria in their guts, the first tissue organ usually infected by viruses.

Among the 55 strains isolated, a kind of bacterium called Rosenbergiella_YN46 was abundant in mosquito guts in Wenshan and Pu'er, but not in Xishuangbanna and Lincang, according to the study published on Friday in the journal Science.

Then, the researchers colonized the strain in the intestines of two common disease-transmitting mosquitoes -- Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti.

Those mosquitoes did become less likely to be infected with dengue and Zika via blood bites, according to the study.

The further analysis suggested that an enzyme secreted by the bacteria can convert glucose into gluconic acid and rapidly acidify the intestines of blood-sucking mosquitoes. The mosquito-borne viruses will be neutralized in acid environment.

INTERVENTION TACTICS

The team made an experiment in the wild to breed "good mosquitoes" that do not transmit viruses. They added Rosenbergiella_YN46 bacteria to the water where mosquitoes eggs were laid and hatched.

Encouragingly, the intestinal colonization proved a success at a site in Mengla County of Xishuangbanna and the colony persistently resided in the guts of Aedes mosquitoes.

The researchers also proposed another potential intervention strategy -- the use of plants. Mosquito's gut microbes in the wild are either derived from microbes in breeding waters, or in the sap and nectar of plants.

"We are collecting a large number of plant samples in Wenshan, where the bacterium was isolated, in order to find plants that are enriched with this bacterium," said Cheng Gong from Tsinghua, the corresponding author of the paper. "Transplanting and cultivating this plant to the infected area may intervene in the ability of mosquitoes to carry and transmit the virus."

"If those plants are shrub or herbaceous plants, they can be grown in your backyard or residential compound," added Cheng.

"Rosenbergiella_YN46 is derived from the natural environment and its potential environmental risk is relatively low, and will not make mosquitoes resistant to the drug, nor affect their survival in nature," commented Xu Jianguo from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, who did not participate in the study.

Meanwhile, the team is conducting a study in Leizhou Peninsula in south China's Guangdong Province, where the mosquito population is large but there is no dengue, to discover more bacteria that could inhibit the spread of mosquito-borne viruses.

"The spread of Zika and epidemic encephalitis B might be contained if more bacteria can be found," said Cheng.

This study has shown that the use of bacteria-colonized field mosquitoes could offer a feasible biocontrol strategy for reducing virus transmission and prevalence in nature, said the researchers. 
TOPEKA (KSNT)  A local law enforcement agency had phone issues, along with many other Kansans, Wednesday.

The Shawnee County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) told 27 News it had some issues with phones being down, but that it had no impact on the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Centers ability to receive incoming calls.

A spokeswoman with the SCSO said in a statement that a series of an unrelated series of service associated events took place in Kansas in close proximity with each other. This information was given to the SCSO from cellular service representatives and system administrators of its state-wide NG911 system.

Eastbound I-70 will be closed through downtown Topeka

Those events are as follows: 1. A significant fiber cut occurred in Franklin County which in-turn had far reaching effects. This event did impact our commercial VoIP phone lines which are the phones that we use to make and receive standard calls for business and administrative purposes. 2. Shortly thereafter a service provider had a card / circuit board fail at one of their main locations. As I understand it, the failure of this piece of hardware produced wide-spread service degradation on numerous cellular towers in Kansas. Excerpt from SCSO spokeswomans statement

Although the business and administrative calls were temporarily stunted, the SCSO told 27 News its ability to receive incoming 911 calls on the 911 lines stayed available, even if citizens had issues dialing from their cellphones.

St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway raises money for children worldwide

This happened while many AT&T customers experienced the inability to make phone calls Wednesday.

An AT&T spokesman told 27 News service has been restored for its wireless customers in Kansas. This service issue was caused by an equipment failure and a fiber optic line that was severed.

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.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
A sheriff, a felon and a conspiracy theorist walk into a hotel. Theyre there for the same conference.

LAS VEGAS  A conference for a far-right sheriffs group this week drew a parade of felons, disgraced politicians, election deniers, conspiracy theorists and, in the end, a few sheriffs.

The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, or CSPOA, met in Las Vegas Ahern Luxury Boutique Hotel conference center to publicly counter reports of extremism within the group and set a course for the coming election  one that involves sheriffs investigating what they claim, despite a lack of evidence, is rampant voter fraud.

The group sees sheriffs as the highest authority in the U.S., more powerful than the federal government, and it wants these county officers to form posses to patrol polling places, seize voting machines and investigate the Democrats and foreign nations behind what they claim is a criminal effort to rig the vote by flooding the country with immigrants who vote illegally.

Critics of the group  including voting rights advocates and extremism researchers  fear the CSPOAs new focus will amount to interference and legitimize disinformation about U.S. elections.

But the event Wednesday, which starred MAGA celebrities speaking to a half-empty audience made up of few actual sheriffs, pointed to just how fringe the groups ideas are  and how what once seemed like a movement on its way into the mainstream has lost political pull.

Tom Hamner, who served time in prison for interfering with law enforcement on Jan. 6, 2021, prays with his wife. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

Candidates for local office mingled with lawmen and far-right activists. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

The conference opened a little behind schedule; the Pledge of Allegiance was delayed when organizers couldnt find a flag. After he searched the conference centers rooms, Tom Hamner, a Colorado man who served over two years in prison for the felony interfering with law enforcement on Jan. 6, 2021, came forward with the scarf from his wifes neck. It wasnt exactly a flag, but it was emblazoned with stars and stripes.

Thatll work! emcee Alex Newman, an Epoch Times contributor, said before he led the crowd of dozens in the pledge. A smooth jazz rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner followed, sung by a Las Vegas man awaiting trial on multiple felony charges who is accused of fraudulently posing as a certified firearms instructor.

I sat with a small group of reporters at a table marked reserved, a section Newman and other presenters pointed to throughout the day when they invoked, in Donald Trumps style, the fake media.

We, along with candidates and elected officials, were admitted gratis. Others paid $49 for the day, which included breakfast, a box lunch and a pizza party. Sponsors staffed booths advertising unofficial Trump merchandise, supplements, prepper gear and various patriot-themed swag.

Sponsors sold pro-Trump merch between speeches. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

A CSPOA attendee shows off her bling. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

CSPOAs finances arent public. It charges for events like this conference, offers a $99 yearly subscription for access to weekly webinars and solicits donations. It has also provided training sessions in nearly a dozen states, where police and sheriffs earn continuing education credits toward professional requirements. Last year, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement ended the practice in the state.

To the extent that the 13-hour day was structured, it was broken roughly in two: the first half dedicated to the issue of encroaching federal power and the second to election denial and conspiracy theories.

The mornings sessions were the groups bread and butter. Former Arizona sheriff Richard Mack founded the CSPOA in 2011 to advocate for the belief that sheriffs  who generally operate independently with little to no oversight and are accountable only to voters  are the ultimate arbiters and enforcers of the Constitution and must act as a check on tyrannical federal power.

Its early focus was on gun laws and other tea party pet causes, including immigration, the Affordable Care Act and attention-grabbing standoffs between ranchers and the Bureau of Land Management. The greatest threat we face today is not terrorists, Macks website read in 2012. It is our own federal government.

After two terms as sheriff in an Arizona border county, Mack lost re-election. He sought elected office multiple times but failed in bids for sheriff of a different county, governor and seats in the U.S. House and Senate.

There are no public rolls today, but Mack claims 10% of the countrys 3,000 sheriffs are members, along with 10,000 ordinary citizens.

Richard Mack is known among friends and fans as the sheriff who beat President Bill Clintons Brady Act. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

Klickitat County, Washington, Sheriff Bob Songer keeps his posse at the ready, as a potential militia. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

Wednesdays event drew a little over 100 people by midmorning. Attendees took notes, nodded along and offered somber Amens and boisterous Nos! when called for.

Jared Bosley, a farmer in South Dakota, told of his fight with the state over a pipeline company surveying his land without his permission. Two convicted Jan. 6 rioters said they were political prisoners. Former Rep. Steve King of Iowa, his legacy a history of racist remarks, railed against the World Health Organization, the World Economic Forum and ringleader George Soros. Another disgraced former congressman, Steve Stockman of Texas, sobbed as he shared his story of serving time in a federal prison for fraud and sobbed again when he got to the part where Trump commuted his 10-year sentence.

The supportive crowd felt like a warm bath, Stockman said, his arms stretched toward heaven.

Richard Fleming, a cardiologist who in 2009 pleaded guilty to felony charges of health care and mail fraud, gave a lengthy presentation alleging the Covid vaccines were bioweapons. Radio show host Wayne Allyn Root thundered into the microphone promoting the great replacement, a racist conspiracy theory. They want to replace American citizens who love this country, Root bellowed.

Former Rep. Steve King found a friendly audience at the CSPOA Conference. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

King spoke of the

It was nearly lunchtime when the first active sheriff spoke. Bob Songer, a CSPOA board member and the sheriff of Klickitat County, Washington, said he enforces only laws he determines to be constitutional and talked about his posse, a group of 150 armed community volunteers he relies on for tasks like hunting cougars and courtroom security and keeps at the ready, as a potential militia. He offered a copy of his posse plan to sheriffs in the audience.

During the break, as CSPOA volunteer Kenneth Hall sang an original song, I Back the Sheriff, to the music of the Bob Marley tune, I asked Mack why there werent more sheriffs at his conference. Mack said that didnt matter.

Theres several candidates, Mack said, noting the political signs littering the room. He said he hoped to draw a new generation of sheriffs, but, pointing to 78-year-old Songer, he added, theres one, and hes one of the best sheriffs in America!

Songer prays with conference goers. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

Songer only enforces laws he determines to be constitutional. (Mark Abramson for NBC News )

Indeed, there are politicians  or would-bes  who see the constitutional sheriffs group as an important bloc of support. Twenty or so candidates for local office in the crowd from Nevada, Utah, Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Georgia and Idaho spent the morning shaking hands and passing out cards.

Its a model that has proven effective. Trump depended on support from sheriffs in the White House and continues to rely on them at campaign events, as he did in 2016 and 2020. At a presentation in Grand Rapids, Michigan, this month, a half-dozen uniformed sheriffs stood in the background decked out in gold stripes and braided ropes as Trump railed against immigration and stood before a sign that read Stop Bidens Border Bloodbath.

After lunch, former sheriff Glenn Hamilton, who lost his 2022 re-election bid in Sierra County, New Mexico, regaled the audience with the time he deputized an entire church congregation to permit a gathering in violation of the governors Covid rules. Hamilton referred to this old tool thats in our box called Posse Comitatus. Whos ever heard of this? he asked.

Glenn Hamilton once deputized an entire church congregation in order to flout the governors Covid-19 rules. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

Wayne Allyn Root promotes the racist great replacement

The Posse Comitatus movement in the 1970s and 80s held up the county sheriff as the only true law enforcement officer and urged vigilantism through local posse groups. Latin for power of the county, Posse Comitatus was preached and popularized by white supremacist William Potter Gale, but it dissolved in the wake of a spate of violence and highly publicized prosecutions.

The CSPOA has recently sought to distance itself from that history, the kind of messaging that may have resonated with not only tea partiers but also anti-government groups and militias and caused national hate tracking groups and Macks Republican political opponents to label him a far-right extremist.

Mack and CSPOA leaders have consistently decried the label, but their ties with extremist organizations are well-documented. Mack was a keynote speaker at the first national conference for the far-right Oath Keepers in 2009 and sat on the militia groups board until at least 2015. The CSPOAs current CEO since 2022, Sam Bushman, operates Liberty News Radio, which has syndicated programs hosted by white supremacists. Bushman has hosted Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes on his show, Liberty RoundTable, over a dozen times, including after the attack on the Capitol, for which Rhodes is serving an 18-year sentence for seditious conspiracy.

Songer, left, and CSPOA CEO Sam Bushman, center, mingle at the CSPOA conference. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

A drone acts as a prop for a conspiracy-filled presentation on child trafficking. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

A frustrated and defiant Bushman said it was that kind of negative publicity that had most likely caused the conferences biggest speaker, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, to bail. Without notice, Bannon hadnt shown up, he said. Bannon didnt respond to a request for comment.

With Bannon out, the biggest star was Michael Flynn, the former national security adviser and retired three-star general who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI but was pardoned by Trump. After he promoted a new film about himself that would be released the next day, Flynn took photos with attendees near the stage. Seeing an NBC News photographer, Flynn demanded to know whom he worked for, and when he identified himself, Flynn became incensed and yelled, Youre a liar! The organizers then moved Flynn to a room walled off by curtains and two guards.

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn points at members of the media. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

Flynn, among friends, at the CSPOA conference. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

The CSPOA has always been considered a fringe movement, but the pandemic offered a boost. Constitutional sheriffs were suddenly a viable solution to what a growing slice of the GOP saw as tyrannical lockdown orders, mask requirements and vaccination mandates. Similar constitutional sheriffs organizations began to pop up, including Pinal County, Arizona, Sheriff Mark Lambs Protect America Now and a pro-Trump think tank, the Claremont Institutes Sheriffs Fellowship.

The 2020 election offered another opportunity. Pushing unfounded claims of a stolen election, the CSPOA collaborated with True the Vote, the Texas-based election conspiracy theorist group behind 2000 Mules, a widely panned and debunked film that claimed to reveal widespread ballot drop-box fraud.

Mack called the film a smoking gun, and at its 2022 conference, the CSPOA called upon its members to launch investigations. But results have been lackluster.

The most notable investigation came from Barry County, Michigan, Sheriff Dar Leaf, who partnered with a pro-Trump lawyer bent on overturning Michigans election results. Leafs investigation, which has involved seizing election equipment and grilling local clerks, has seemingly only impeded a criminal case against three Trump supporters indicted last year on state charges related to their alleged tampering with voting machines. Leaf hasnt been charged with a crime.

Richard Fleming prepares for his presentation, in which he claims Covid vaccines are

Attendees participate in the invocation. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

Onstage, Leaf, bespectacled and boyish, was giddy. The investigation had faced setbacks, he acknowledged, but he believed there would soon be justice.

Im getting goose-bumpy here, Leaf said. Later, he told me he didnt pay any attention to the criticism from state election and law enforcement officials or from the media: I just keep my head down.

As the day wore on at the conference, the rails began to wear.

Tina Peters, a former Mesa County, Colorado, clerk facing multiple criminal charges related to a suspected security breach of her countys election system in 2021, and fresh off a home confinement for obstructing government administration in a separate case, took the stage wearing a large white lei. She is fighting the latest charges, with a trial scheduled for this summer. She had recently been to Hawaii, she said, and she offered a slideshow of photographic evidence that she suggested proved the recent deadly wildfires were the result of an intentional laser attack.

Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, says sheriffs

Paul Moore, candidate for sheriff in Clackamas County, Oregon, said he was

As Mike Lindell, MyPillows founder and a sponsor of the CSPOA event, spoke  election denial and his prowess with the media and in business were his main topics  a blond woman in a robins egg suit jacket walked up behind me and handed me a note: I would like to give you some first hand info that will be helpful to you reaching a conclusion on election fraud in NV. The note passer, Susan Proffitt, later told me that the room was full of operatives, and they are doing their best to destroy us.

Pizza was put out on long tables under heat lamps. The audience, halved from the morning, milled about. A couple of women took off their high heels. Several small groups were forming around the bar. There was still an awards ceremony, and Mack and Bushman had planned a news conference, though by the time it started the members of the media had gone.

An attendee at the CSPOA conference takes a break. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

As I left, I checked in with a man who had been sitting in the back, watching attentively. Jeffrey Kadlowec, a local architect, hadnt heard of CSPOA before and wasnt sure what to expect. I thought it would be more about law enforcement, he said excitedly. I didnt expect it to be so, so radical.

CSPOA founder Richard Mack kisses his wife. (Mark Abramson for NBC News)

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at the close of a visit to the United States that he received "assurances of support" for the proposed military aid package to Ukraine from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

Shmyhal visited Washington on April 17 to hold talks with U.S. business leaders and government officials regarding ongoing U.S. aid to Ukraine. He also met with congressional leaders on April 18 to discuss the $61 aid bill that awaits an upcoming vote in the House of Representatives.

After months of delays, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on April 17 that he would move forward with votes in Congress on a series of foreign aid bills for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. The vote is scheduled for April 20.

Shmyhal said he held meetings with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Roger Wicker, and the Senate's Ukraine Caucus to discuss the aid package.

According to Shmyhal, the bulk of the aid is allocated for military assistance, with $7.8 billion dedicated to budget support and another $1.5 billion slotted for economic aid.

"We received assurances of support for the bills from both parties," he said.

"We expect that this large package of assistance from the United States will be voted on in the near future."

Shmyhal said he also discussed with congressional leaders a proposed bill to send Ukraine funds from confiscated Russian assets.

Read also: Speaker Johnson advances aid bills, but time running out as Ukraines supplies dry up

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Tonight features a slow increase in cloud cover from west to east, as our next system heads into the region. Well have showers around by dawn, with low temperatures dropping into the mid 50s.

Friday provides another threat for scattered showers and perhaps a rumble or two of thunder, with yet another cold front pushing on through. The front will cross during the late morning hours  thats a good thing, as that really helps to diminish our severe weather threat!

Despite this, the Storm Prediction Center has our southern counties under a level one risk for severe weather, with damaging wind gusts and small hail being possible. Rain will be steadiest in the morning, with a few scattered showers and storms for the afternoon. With the clouds around, temperatures will remain in the 60s, as we see highs in the upper 60s. Overnight lows will dip into the low 40s.

Saturday looks good! Well see partly sunny skies with a few more clouds in our southern counties. High temperatures will dip to around 60 degrees with a northwest breeze kicking in. Overnight lows will drop back into the mid to upper 30s, which will introduce the risk for frost in sheltered spots.

Sunday is another nice day, albeit a bit on the cool side, with partly sunny skies and high temperatures below average, as we only climb into the mid 50s with our northwest breeze persisting. Temperatures overnight into Monday will drop into the mid 30s, so expect a frost to be possible in many areas as we head into Monday.

Monday continues our sunny but cool trend. We should be in the mid 60s for high temperatures this time of year but we will struggle to reach 60 degrees despite plenty of sunshine. Temperatures will once again dip back into the mid to upper 30s overnight into Tuesday, so a few areas of frost are possible again.

What causes the morning frost on your windshield?

Tuesday sees our temperatures warm up as our next system approaches. Well make a run at 70 degrees under plenty of sunshine, with clouds increasing late. We could see a storm or two by dusk as a cold front pushes in.

What should you do if you are bitten by a tick?

Wednesday brings a good risk for showers to the region with a cold front crossing. Showers at this point look most likely during the first half of the day, with high temperatures in the low 60s.

Thursday sees a return of sunshine with high pressure in control. High temperatures will be in the low 60s.

Looking ahead, its a slightly cooler and slightly less active pattern in terms of severe weather ahead. Friday provides rain shower chances with another system approaching. Well see temperatures in the mid 60s for highs. Saturday looks to provide the best chance for rain during this timeframe, with a low pressure system crossing, with highs in the mid 60s. Sunday is drier, but a few showers are still possible, with highs in the 60s.

Help us with our growing community of weather photos with #weathertogether. Head to our website and search for the Weather together tab and upload your photos of weather going on around our region.

We are in spring forest fire season in West Virginia  this means dont burn between 7 AM and 5 PM through May 31st. Low humidity values during the daytime, along with breezier and warmer conditions will at times increase the fire threat, hence the burn ban during most of the daytime. Follow all regulations or be faced with potential consequences, such as fines! In Virginia, the spring fire season continues through April 30th  dont burn before 4 PM.

TONIGHT

Increasing clouds, showers by dawn. Lows in the mid 50s.

FRIDAY

Scattered showers with a rumble or two of thunder. Highs in the upper 60s.

SATURDAY

Partly cloudy. Highs around 60.

SUNDAY

Partly sunny. Cool! Highs in the mid 50s.

MONDAY

Mostly sunny. Highs around 60.

TUESDAY

Increasing clouds, late day showers. Highs in the upper 60s.

WEDNESDAY

Showers likely, especially early. Highs in the low 60s.

THURSDAY

Mostly sunny. Highs in the low 60s.

FRIDAY

Few showers. Highs in the 60s.

SATURDAY

Showers likely. Highs in the 60s.

SUNDAY

Isolated showers. Highs in the 60s.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
Another day, another difficult headline for the Scots Nats. On Thursday, the partys former chief executive, Peter Murrell, was charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the SNP.

The partys dominance of Scottish politics is already under greater threat than at any time since Alex Salmond spectacularly won an overall majority in the 2011 Scottish Parliament election. Over the last two months, polls for this years Westminster election have on average put the party on just 33 per cent, twelve points down on 2019, and only neck and neck with a revived Labour party.

Because Labours support is more geographically concentrated, on these figures the SNPs opponents would likely be well ahead in terms of seats. That would help Sir Keir Starmer secure a Commons majority and, depending on the Liberal Democrats performance, could threaten the SNPs coveted status as the third biggest Commons party.

However, the SNPs electoral difficulties have not simply been occasioned by the long shadow of the police investigation. Indeed, when Peter Murrell was first arrested and released without charge twelve months ago, and blue police tents dramatically appeared outside the home he shares with his wife, the former first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, the SNPs standing in the polls was unchanged.

Only the subsequent arrest  and release without charge  of Ms Sturgeon was followed by a two-point drop in SNP support.

In truth, the SNPs problems are more deep-seated. Mr Yousaf lacks the popularity and perceived competence enjoyed by both his two predecessors, Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond. If anything, his ratings have fallen during his year in office.

Last years leadership contest, won only narrowly by Mr Yousaf, exposed what are continuing divisions within the SNP over how to run Scotlands economy, on culture war issues, and on the partys relationship with its government partners, the Greens. Voters have noticed.

Meanwhile, voters are seemingly taking more notice of the SNPs much criticised record in government, not least on the health service.

Consequently, as many as one in three of those who still back independence are currently saying they will not vote SNP later this year. And around half of them are backing Labour.

The SNP will be hoping the latest news about Mr Murrell has no more impact on the polls than his arrest last year. But even if that proves to be the case, Mr Yousaf will not be out of the woods.

John Curtice is Professor of Politics, Strathclyde University, and Senior Research Fellow, National Centre for Social Research and The UK in a Changing Europe. He is also co-host of the Trendy podcast

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First Minister Humza Yousaf admitted that his government was scrapping Nicola Sturgeon's promise to cut Scotland's carbon emissions by 75 per cent by 2030 - MICHAEL MCGURK

Humza Yousaf and his Green coalition partners have been mocked after insisting they were pursuing an accelerated response to the climate emergency by abandoning a greenhouse gas target.

The First Minister admitted that his government was scrapping Nicola Sturgeons promise to cut Scotlands carbon emissions by 75 per cent by 2030 after experts warned it was unachievable.

He said it would be replaced by an accelerated climate change proposal and plan, including a controversial measure to impose a new carbon tax on large country estates.

Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, said during First Ministers Questions: Only Humza Yousaf could believe that slamming on the brakes  because that is exactly what the SNP is doing this afternoon  is an acceleration.

Mr Yousaf retorted that Labour had dumped its 28 billion green investment plan. Sir Keir Starmer announced in February that it was being cut to 15 billion per year.

But there was widespread hilarity among opposition MSPs when Ariane Burgess, a Green backbencher, asked Mr Yousaf how the Scottish Government plans to accelerate action to ensure that Scotland achieves net zero by 2045.

Presiding officer Alison Johnstone, Holyroods version of the Commons Speaker, was forced to intervene as the chamber erupted with laughter.

Mairi McAllan, the SNPs net zero secretary, later unveiled the updated climate change plan to cut greenhouse gases, including some different targets.

She insisted the final goal of Scotland being net zero by 2045  five years ahead of the rest of the UK  would remain. However, the Scottish Governments annual and interim targets will also be scrapped and replaced with a system measuring emissions every five years.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar during First Minister's Questions - KEN JACK/GETTY IMAGES EUROPE

Jamie Livingstone, the head of Oxfam Scotland, said: The Scottish Governments abandonment of its legal 2030 and annual emissions reduction targets is a reprehensible retreat caused by its recklessly inadequate level of action to date.

He added: The announcement of largely recycled measures represents baby steps forward rather than the giant leaps needed and are a thinly veiled distraction from ministers failure to deliver their existing climate commitments.

Imogen Dow, the head of campaigns for Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: SNP and Green ministers choosing to scrap these climate commitments is the worst environmental decision in the history of the Scottish Parliament.

Ms Sturgeon boasted that her SNP administration was a global leader on climate change when the targets were introduced in 2019, saying they were the most stretching in the world.

But the UKs official climate watchdog said last month that the current rate of progress in cutting greenhouse gases would have to be increased by a factor of nine for the 2030 target to be met.

In a report, the Climate Change Committee said this level of increase was beyond what is credible and was double the most ambitious scenario it had modelled if stringent measures were introduced.

The assessment found Scotlands annual target for cutting emissions was missed again in 2021  for the eighth time in the last 12 years  after greenhouse gas levels rose by 2.4 per cent as the economy rebounded from the pandemic.

Green party leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater look on as Mairi McAllan, the net zero minister, announces the new proposal - ANDREW MILLIGAN/PA

Unveiling a new package of climate action measures, Ms McAllan said a target of installing 24,000 more charge points for electric vehicles by 2030.

She also pledged to publish a route map to deliver a 20 per cent cut in car use and a plan to explore creating a national integrated ticketing system for all public transport.

Ms McAllan said a consultation would also be launched this summer on imposing a carbon land tax on large estates to incentivise peatland restoration, tree planting and renewable energy generation.

She insisted the severe budgetary restrictions imposed by the UK Government and the continuing constraints of devolution meant Scottish ministers were trying to deliver societal and economic transformation with one hand tied behind our back.

Patrick Harvie, one of two Green ministers in Mr Yousafs government, said: The package of new climate measures announced today is absolutely critical, to ensure that Scotland gets back on track and can meet net zero, becoming one of the first countries in the world to end our contribution to climate change in a just and fair way.

However, Stephen Young, the director of policy at Scottish Land & Estates, said: It would appear the Scottish Government is seeking to punish those who are already making the greatest contribution.

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Sol Blume to be postponed, county says. Park officials say venue is not ready for event

Festivalgoers who worried that one of the largest R&B concerts in Northern California was being canceled had some of their fears confirmed.

Sacramento County spokesperson Kim Nava told The Sacramento Bee Thursday that she believes the Sol Blume promoters have decided to postponed the event.

The concert dates and artist lineups were announced in February by the festivals organizers, ENT Legends. They added an extra day for the first time this year, extending it to a three-day concert from May 3 to 5. Expected performers were headliners Snoh Alegrah, Kaytramine (the duo of Kaytranada and Amine), and SZA.

The event was expected to happen at Discovery Park, where the festival has been held since 2022. Sacramento County Regional Parks spokesperson, Ken Casparis advised against it, citing the conditions of the park.

We have been in communication with (ENT) a little earlier this month, basically letting them know, Discovery Park has reopened but its probably not going to be ready for a large scale event like Sol Blume, Casparis told The Bee Thursday. With the stage, the equipment coming in and all the people, it could cause damage to the parks infrastructure just because its been flooded.

The event was postponed three and a half months last year following numerous severe rainstorms that soaked Sacramento, compromising Discovery Park.

Casparis said the county is waiting to hear a response from ENT Legends about how they want to proceed and whether theyre going to reschedule.

According to a Google Form application for Sol Blume food vendors, the festival could be postponed until this fall. The date has not yet been determined.

The organizers are working diligently, around the clock to provide more updates to fans, a spokesperson for ENT Legends said Thursday. Fans can expect an update soon via social media and emails.

Many fans took to the Sol Blume social media pages to voice their concerns, as the festival has not added a post on either Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) since Feb. 29.

One Instagram user, whos name displays as _mina.irl, commented under Sol Blumes last post seven weeks ago criticizing the silence.

Did you guys not learn your lesson from last year??? If plans are changing  keep us updated. Dont leave us in the dark until the last minute. Im a Sac local, but there are people who are flying out and need to book their accommodations. If you want Sol Blume to continue, dont treat your patrons like afterthoughts.

The event started in 2018, when it was first held at Cesar Chavez Plaza downtown. The festival wasnt held in 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but returned the following years as it grew in popularity.
Eugene DePasquale (l) and Jared Solomon (Capital-Star composite)

Throughout the campaign for the Democratic Party nomination for Pennsylvania attorney general, the five candidates have often avoided taking direct shots at each other. With the April 23 primary election just a few days away, State Rep. Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) has released a 15 second ad sharply criticizing former Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale over previous votes he made on guns and elections. The ad casts Solomon and DePasquale as the frontrunners in the race.

Democrats, for AG, its down to two, a voiceover says at the beginning of the ad, while the words Poll: DePasquale, Solomon lead in AG Race are displayed at the top of the screen.

The Solomon campaign told the Capital-Star that the poll referenced in the ad was an internal poll by Data for Progress conducted from April 9-11, surveying 474 likely Democratic primary voters. That internal poll showed DePasquale in first place in the crowded primary and Solomon in 2nd place, according to the Solomon campaign.

The Capital-Star asked to review the poll independently, but the campaign declined to make the results available, instead sharing an image of what they said was the polls first page.

There has not been widespread public polling in the race.

The ad cites two votes by DePasquale claiming he voted with Republicans on guns and elections. The two votes referenced in the ad are from 2011, when DePasquale was a state Representative in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

The first vote was House Bill 40, sponsored by then-state GOP Rep. Scott Perry, passed the House by a 164-37 vote on April 12 and was signed into law by Gov. Tom Corbett later that year. The Associated Press reported that the bill broadened the right to use deadly force in self-defense.

Republicans were united in supporting this legislation, while Democrats were divided, although a majority of Democrats also voted in favor of the bill. Then-state Reps. Brendan Boyle, Matt Bradford, and Josh Shapiro also voted for this legislation, while Dwight Evans, Dan Frankel, and Cherelle Parker voted against the bill.

The ad also claims Solomon has a lifetime F from the NRA and refers to him as a champion for voting rights.

DePasquales campaign responded by pointing out that DePasquale had an F rating from the NRA during both of his previous bids for statewide office in 2016 and 2020. In this race, according to the DePasquale campaign, he has a ? rating because he refused to fill out the questionnaire.

Our opponents ad is intentionally misleading and misrepresenting Eugenes position on firearms, DePasquales campaign said to the Capital-Star. We believe our opponents see us at the front runner and are trying to make a wedge issue where there is not one. Eugene has always been a supporter of stronger gun safety laws and regulations, his voting record shows this.

The DePasquale campaign added that he supports a ban on civilian access to military-style weapons, universal background checks and red flag laws, cracking down on gun violence and ghost guns, and emphasizing mental health as a priority in addressing gun deaths by suicide.

The second bill referenced in the ad was a vote to pass the GOP-drawn map of Pennsylvanias congressional districts in 2011. A significant majority of Republicans voted in favor of this legislation that passed the state House by a 136-61 vote, while a majority of Democrats voted against it.

The DePasquale campaign did not directly respond to this vote in a request for comment, but he told NBC10 in 2014 that he voted for it because it made the congressional district in south-central Pennsylvania more competitive for Democrats.

Former Philadelphia Chief Public Defender Keir Bradford-Grey, former Bucks County Solicitor Joe Khan, and Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer are also vying for the Democratic Party nomination for attorney general.

The post Solomon ad jabs at DePasquale in final days of Pa. attorney general campaign appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
(Bloomberg) -- For the past three decades, South African politics has been defined by the African National Congress. After taking power under Nelson Mandela in the first multiracial elections in 1994, the movement shaped the nations new identity, dismantling discriminatory laws, extending basic services across color lines and opening up the mainstream economy to the Black majority.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Today, South Africans faced with rampant poverty, mass unemployment, power cuts and endemic crime and corruption have run out of patience with the ANC. The party hemorrhaged support in May 29 elections, and partial tallies show it will lose its parliamentary majority for the first time by a substantial margin.

To retain power, the party will need to forge a coalition with one or more rivals, forcing it to embrace an unfamiliar world of messy trade-offs and difficult compromises over policies and appointments, with repercussions for citizens, businesses and investors alike.

Heres what you need to know about the political shakeup:

Post-Election Coalition Scenarios

The ANC is set to win slightly more than 40% of the vote, partial results show. While it could theoretically form a minority government, it would struggle to adopt policies and legislation. If it does opt for a coalition, it would need backing from at least one of its three main rivals to get a parliamentary majority.

One potential partner is the business-friendly Democratic Alliance, which is on track to remain the main opposition with about a fifth of the vote. The DA banded together with 10 smaller rivals to form a bloc known as the Multi Party Charter that sought to unseat the ANC. But its leader, John Steenhuisen, has said he is open to a deal that avoids the doomsday scenario of a populist party joining the government.

The ANC and the DA have long had an adversarial relationship, clashing over everything from health and education policy to the management of the national budget. However, a survey by the Social Research Foundation conducted prior to the election indicates that an ANC-DA alliance would be the one favored by most South Africans.

The Economic Freedom Fighters party looks set to win about 10% support, making it another potential kingmaker. Formed in 2013 by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema, it wants to give the government a bigger role in the economy, placing all land under the custodianship of the state and nationalizing mines. Its populist rhetoric and confrontational style  its lawmakers have disrupted proceedings in parliament and brawled with security officers  have found resonance among many poor, Black township residents, whose living standards have improved little since apartheid ended. Malema said it shouldnt be difficult for the EFF and ANC to find common ground on policy.

Another option is the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, or MKP, which was formed late last year and should win about 11% of the vote. It is led by former President Jacob Zuma, who fell out with the ANC. It draws much of its support from KwaZulu-Natal  the countrys second-most populous region. The new party wants to increase the power of unelected traditional leaders and nationalize mines and banks.

The ANCs Legacy

The ANC is Africas oldest political movement, with roots dating back to 1912. During its first 15 years in office, the party oversaw the longest period of economic growth on record and increased access to free housing, clean water and electricity. The biggest blot on its record in that period was foot dragging in providing AIDS drugs during President Thabo Mbekis tenure. A study by the Harvard School of Public Health concluded that the delay probably caused the premature deaths of more than 330,000 people between 2000 and 2005.

The country went downhill during Zumas almost nine-year tenure as president. He presided over an era of endemic corruption known as state capture, during which more than 500 billion rand ($27 billion) of taxpayer funds was looted, according to government estimates. The ANC forced Zuma from office in 2018. His successor Cyril Ramaphosa replaced a number of key officials and sought to rebuild key state institutions, but has still struggled to turn the country around.

The economy has expanded by just 0.3% a year on average over the past decade  well below what was needed to maintain living standards for the growing population. The unemployment rate stood at 33% in March, and the income gap between rich and poor is wider than anywhere else in the world, according to available data compiled by the Thomas Piketty-backed World Inequality Lab.

Years of rolling blackouts have frustrated citizens and disrupted the economy, while dysfunction in the countrys rail freight system and ports has hobbled exports. Ramaphosa has tried to tackle these problems by increasing purchases of power from private producers, making it easier for companies to generate their own electricity and enabling private train operators to use the state logistics companys tracks.

Hes also increased the size of the police force to try to bring crime under control. There were just under 27,500 murders in South Africa last year, up about one-third from 2019, with the per-capita homicide rate more than five times the international average.

Key Policy Issues

Welfare grants: Almost half of the population of 62 million receive welfare grants. A 350-rand monthly stipend was introduced during the coronavirus pandemic for the unemployed. The ANC has repeatedly extended the payment and has said it may introduce a permanent income grant if the country can afford it. The DA says that while the most vulnerable need support, the focus should be on creating the conditions for private enterprise to flourish and create jobs. The EFF wants all grants to be doubled, but hasnt specified where the money should come from.

Land reform: The ANC has long promised to address racially skewed land ownership patterns, but progress has been limited. It tried to amend the constitution to make it easier for the state to take land without paying for it, but failed to secure the necessary support in parliament. The DA says property rights should be respected, while the EFF and MKP want land reform to be accelerated.

National health insurance: Last year, parliament approved enabling legislation for the phased rollout of universal national health insurance, a plan thats aimed at providing quality treatment for the 85% of the population who have no medical cover and rely on a decrepit public system with too few doctors. Ramaphosa signed the measure into law earlier in May. The DA has said the plan is unaffordable, and a healthcare model is needed that improves the existing services and facilities, and guarantees everyone a basic level of care. The EFF says the primary healthcare system needs to be strengthened and more hospitals and clinics must be built.

The Market View

Despite the ANCs poor record, the prospect of it being forced to share power in an unstable coalition that includes left-leaning parties has raised angst among investors and business leaders. Foreign investors have dumped more than 57 billion rand of South African stocks so far this year.

The rand and the nations bonds gained in the lead-up to the election, with investors expecting the ANC would secure enough votes to continue governing with one or two small rivals who wouldnt insist on major changes to economic policy. As the extent of the ANCs losses became apparent, they slumped anew.

The best-case scenario for investors now appears to be for the ANC to tie up with the DA because it would boost the chances of a more business-friendly administration.

The biggest anxiety is that the EFF or the MKP becomes part of the government and forces through policy changes, including the expropriation of land without compensation and increased spending on welfare. Theres also a risk that Ramaphosa  who remains popular among investors  will have to take the fall for his partys poor showing, and either quit or be replaced by the ANC.

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A 27-year-old man from the San Gabriel Valley has been arrested after allegedly defrauding elderly victims of more than $500,000, authorities announced Thursday.

The investigation into Alhambra resident Huiming Yu began in late January when detectives with the Ontario Police Departments Regional Interdiction of Narcotics Task Force intercepted fraud-related packages sent from across the country to several Southern California drug stores, according to a department news release.

Investigators learned that the receivers names on the packages were false and that the elaborate scheme targeting elderly victims involved telling them their computer had been hacked and that they needed protection from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, for a fee, to resolve these matters.

The victims would then ship money to Yu based on the false promises he made.

Yu was arrested and booked at the West Valley Detention Center on charges of theft by false pretense.

Authorities believe there were more than 30 victims of the scam and have, so far, been able to return some $500,000 in stolen funds to those who were defrauded.

L.A. police officer charged with evidence tampering, theft while on duty

We want to remind our communities to stay vigilant, the release stated. Protect yourself from fraud by verifying identities, doing research, avoiding unsolicited offers and seeking advice if unsure. Report all suspicious activity to the police immediately.

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Ontario Police Department at 909-986-6711 or Officer Jose Valencia at 909-408-1606.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the WeTip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME or leave tips online at WeTip.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
From April 20 to 28, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the CPC Chen Wenqing will travel to Russia to attend the 12th International Meeting of High Representatives for Security Issues and visit Russia at the hosts invitation.

CRI: Foreign Minister Wang Yi is on an official visit to Indonesia upon invitation from April 18 to 19. Can you brief us on the visit?

Lin Jian: Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi is on a visit to Indonesia from April 18 to 19. He met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and President-elect Prabowo Subianto respectively. Foreign Minister Wang co-chaired the Fourth Meeting of the China-Indonesia High-Level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism with Indonesias Coordinator for Cooperation with China Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. Foreign Minister Wang held talks with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and they met the press together.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Joko Widodo, the two countries have opened a new chapter of building a community with a shared future. The impressive achievement that China and Indonesia made in growing our relations is a result of a shared commitment to strategic independence, mutual trust, mutual assistance, win-win cooperation and fairness and justice. The two sides need to continue deepening strategic mutual trust, synergize development strategies, upgrade practical cooperation through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and work to build a China-Indonesia community with a shared future with regional and global impact.

The Indonesian side said its government attaches high importance to growing its ties with China and underscored Indonesias commitment to the one-China policy. In recent years, the two countries comprehensive strategic partnership has maintained a sound momentum of growth. Indonesia looks forward to working with China to carry forward and further advance bilateral strategic cooperation on a higher level, uphold mutual respect, increase mutual benefits and jointly contribute more stability and positive energy for regional and global development and prosperity.

The two sides agreed that our two countries need to carry forward our fine tradition in cooperation and help each other in making steady progress in our respective paths toward modernization with distinctive characteristics. Our two countries need to put development first, stand for universally-beneficial and inclusive economic globalization and oppose unilateralism and protectionism. Our two countries need to enhance multilateral collaboration, move toward an equal and orderly multipolar world, oppose stoking division and bloc confrontation in the region and uphold the common interests of the vast developing countries.

The two sides had in-depth communication on the Middle East situation and other international and regional issues of mutual interest and stressed readiness to work with the international community to play a constructive role in easing regional tensions.

AFP: Irans state media reported that there were explosions in the central province of Isfahan today. US officials later told media that Israel launched the attack. What is Chinas response to these reports?

Lin Jian: China noted the reports. We oppose any action that could further escalate the situation.

Anadolu Agency: The US vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution demanding Palestines full membership at the UN. Twelve member states including China voted in favor but the resolution couldnt be passed because of US veto. Whats Chinas comment about the US veto and the outcome of the vote?

Lin Jian: Chinas Permanent Representative to the United Nations has fully stated our position in his explanation of vote. An independent State of Palestine has been a long-cherished dream for generations of Palestinians. Full UN membership for Palestine is a crucial step in this historic process. Palestine first submitted a membership application as early as 2011. It was US opposition then that the Councils action was put on hold. Thirteen years later, it was again US veto that denied Palestine full UN membership and shattered the decades-long dream of the Palestinian people. History and people of the world will not forget this unconscionable act.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is still persisting. A severe humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in Gaza. The US denied Palestines full UN membership, but it cant deny the regions call for immediate ceasefire, the Gazans need for humanitarian aid, and the global desire for a just and lasting solution to the question of Palestine. The international community needs to fully implement relevant UNSC and UNGA resolutions, fully respect the will of the Palestinian people, return to the two-State solution and establish an independent State of Palestine at an early date. Only by doing so can there be peace between Palestine and Israel, harmony between Arab and Jewish peoples, and lasting peace in the Middle East.

On the question of Palestine, China always stands on the side of peace, justice and human conscience. China firmly supports full UN membership for Palestine, and will continue to work relentlessly and constructively with relevant parties to bring an early end to the fighting in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, and implement the two-State solution.

China Daily: We noted that recently the US has kept hyping up the issue of Chinas overcapacity. Do you have any further comment on the issue of overcapacity?

Lin Jian: Blaming China for overcapacity is not new. Years ago, the US accused China of overcapacity for exporting many high-quality, low-cost products. Now it is sticking the label of overcapacity to Chinas export of new energy products. The US exports 80 percent of its chips, especially advanced chips and is a large exporter of pork and agricultural products. Is that overcapacity according to US logic? In fact, the ratio of export to production for Chinese new energy vehicle is far lower than that of Germany, Japan and the ROK. This is certainly not dumping extra products into the global market. Overcapacity may look like an economic issue, but truth is, the US is using it to hit Chinese industries and give the US itself an unfair advantage in market competition. Its another example of US economic coercion and bullying.

In todays world, supply and demand are both global, and the capacity of each country is determined by comparative advantage. This must be seen from an objective, dialectical and rational perspective based on the laws of economics. Chinas leading edge in new energy is gained through strong performance, tech innovation and full-on market competition. A sick person doesnt get well by forcing others to take the medicine. Those who use overcapacity to justify protectionism have nothing to gain and will only destabilize global industrial and supply chains, harm emerging sectors and hinder the worlds climate response and green transition. We urge the US to abandon the hegemonic mindset, keep an open mind, play fair, observe market economy principles and international trade rules, provide a truly world-class, market-oriented and law-based environment for trade and economic cooperation, and work with the rest of the world to advance universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

Xinhua News Agency: Amid the tense international landscape and frequent regional conflicts and turbulence, traditional and nontraditional security challenges keep emerging. Over the past two years since the Global Security Initiative was put forward by China, we have contributed to resolving global security difficulties and promoting common security of humanity. Can you share more details with us?

Lin Jian: In April 2022, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Security Initiative (GSI) which is an important concept and action plan. Over the past two years, China has implemented the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and worked with the international community to fully implement the GSI and make important progress.

The GSI has built up international consensus on seeking common security through solidarity and cooperation. The initiative advocates a new path to security featuring dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance and win-win over zero-sum. Two years on, the GSI has gained the support and recognition of over 100 countries and international and regional organizations. It has been written into a host of bilateral and multilateral documents of exchange and cooperation signed between China and other countries or international organizations. The cooperation under the GSI framework is advancing steadily.

The GSI has provided viable solutions to solving disputes and differences, and managing risks and crisis. In particular, China released position papers on the Ukraine crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Afghan issue to strive for peace talks and play a constructive role for the political resolution of regional hotspots. China facilitated the reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and set off a wave of reconciliation across the Middle East. We have set a good example for relevant countries in the region to resolve disputes, and uphold good-neighborliness and friendship.

The GSI has provided strong impetus to uphold global peace and tranquility. China released the Global Security Initiative Concept Paper, and has deepened international cooperation on peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, climate change, disaster relief and the fight against transnational organized crime. Facing security difficulties in emerging areas, such as cybersecurity and AI governance, China released the Global Initiative on Data Security and the Global AI Governance Initiative to set the pace for international security governance in emerging areas.

The GSI has improved international security dialogue and platform and guided regional security cooperation to move forward. China has advanced security exchange and cooperation under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, and East Asia cooperation. We have established a host of international platforms on security exchange and dialogue, such as Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum (Lianyungang), the China-Africa Peace and Security Initiative and the China-Latin America High-level Defense Forum. We have pooled the consensus and efforts of the international community to address security challenges.

As an important public good offered by China to address international security challenges, the GSI is increasingly relevant to the times and much more valuable. All peace-loving and development-minded countries and organizations are welcome to join in GSI cooperation with China to jointly build a better world with lasting peace and common security.

Reuters: This is regarding Israels attack of Irans Isfahan city. Iran this week told Minister Wang Yi that it has no intention to further escalate tensions in the Middle East after its attack over the weekend. Given this latest attack by Israel, would China engage in further discussions with parties in the Middle East? In particular, will China talk to Israel?

Lin Jian: China opposes any action that further escalates tension in the Middle East and will continue to play a constructive role in easing the situation.

CCTV: US President Biden said in his speech in Pittsburgh that for too long, the Chinese government has poured state money into Chinese steel companies, pushing them to make so much steel and it ends up dumping the extra steel into the global markets at unfairly low prices, which caused damage in America. He said the US Trade Representative is investigating Chinas steel and aluminum sectors and threatened to triple the tariff rates for both steel imports and aluminum imports from China. He said that the administration is also taking a real hard look at the Chinese governments industrial practices when it comes to global shipbuilding, and that if the Chinese government is doing that and the unfair tactics to undermine free and fair trade competition in the shipping industry, the US will take action. Do you have more comments on that?

Lin Jian: Those comments are far-fetched. They hurt China-US trade ties and deviate from the common understandings between the two presidents in San Francisco. China expresses grave concern and dissatisfaction over those comments.

First, Chinas steel sector is mainly aimed at meeting domestic demand and receives no export-oriented subsidies. Only 5 percent of our steel is exported, far lower than Japan, the ROK and other steelmakers, which means the influence of our steel exports on the international market is very limited. The US, on the other hand, spends hundreds of billions of dollars on discriminatory domestic subsidies and abuses export controls citing national security, which hinders normal international trade in chips and other products. What a double standard for the US to accuse China of non-market practices.

Second, various US studies show that the US shipbuilding industry lost its competitive advantage many years ago due to over-protection. The growth of relevant industries in China is a result of companies tech innovation and participation in market competition. It also benefits from Chinas fully-fledged industrial manufacturing system and vast domestic market. Blaming USs own industrial woes on China lacks factual basis and economic common sense.

Third, according to WTO ruling, the former US administration was wrong to impose additional steel and aluminum tariffs on certain WTO members and launch Section 301 investigation and raise tariffs on China. Instead of correcting its mistake, the US chose to double down on it by threatening with new tariff hikes and announcing a new Section 301 investigation.

China will closely follow how the investigation proceeds. We urge the US to be prudent in its words and deeds, stop manipulating issues on China in the election year, stop turning economic and trade issues into security ones, lift additional tariffs on China and stop imposing new ones. China will take all steps necessary to firmly defend our own rights and interests.

Global Times: Its reported that the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs issued the Statement in Response to Chinese Statement on the PH-JP-US Trilateral Summit. It said that the trilateral cooperation is a partnership and a cooperative framework for the promotion of peace, stability and economic prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. It should not be considered a threat by any peace-loving country. Chinas unwarranted references to the Cold War misrepresent the peaceful purpose of the trilateral cooperation. China should reflect upon its actions in the South China Sea, observe international law and promote regional peace and stability. Whats Chinas comments?

Lin Jian: China has made its position clear on the trilateral summit between the US, Japan and the Philippines. Whats the true purpose of the summit? Are they seeking regional peace and cooperation or engaging in group politics and forming exclusive groupings? The people are not blind. The Philippine statement in response to Chinas stance on the PH-JP-US summit has little truth in it. It says nothing about what truly caused the problem, but tries to make the Philippines look like the victim and blame China. Its the Philippines who should reflect on its own actions.

Chinas position on the South China Sea is consistent and clear. Over the past few months, maritime disputes between China and the Philippines have heated up. The root cause is the Philippines breach of its commitments, frequent provocations and infringement on Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. The Philippines has even attempted to get forces outside the region on board to embolden itself and put pressure on China. No provocation or coercion will deter China from safeguarding its sovereignty and rights and interests.

The Philippines needs to know that it will not get its way by leaning on the US. The only path to a peaceful and stable region lies in commitment to good-neighborliness, returning to dialogue and consultation and maintaining strategic independence.

China News Service: The China Wildlife Conservation Association and the San Francisco Zoo of the US signed the Letter of Intent on International Cooperation of Giant Panda Conservation this morning. Can you share more about this?

Lin Jian: We noted that China Wildlife Conservation Association released relevant information. We are glad to see the two sides reach a letter of intent on the cooperation on giant panda conservation. It is learned that the two sides will make various preparations and try to send a pair of giant pandas to San Francisco Zoo in 2025.

Giant pandas are not only a national treasure of China but also welcomed and loved by people across the world. They are emissaries and bridges for friendship. The US is one of the first countries to carry out cooperation with China on giant panda conservation. Since the 1990s, the Chinese and US researchers have worked together to successfully breed 17 giant panda cubs, contributing to the conservation and breeding of giant pandas. Meanwhile, the two sides have conducted joint study on the conservation of giant pandas in the wild, their feeding and breeding, and disease prevention, control and treatment. Together, the two sides cracked a number of difficult technical issues, enhanced sci-tech exchanges and capacity building in the conservation of giant pandas and other endangered wildlife, and played a positive role in improving the overall conservation of giant pandas, building closer bond between the two peoples and deepening people-to-people friendship.

As we understand, this round of cooperation will continue to fully tap the collective wisdom, resources and knowledge of the two sides, improve the capability and level of the conservation of endangered species and biological diversity, and contribute to the friendship between the two peoples.

Reuters: Yesterday, the European Union said it sees signs that China is supplying components to Russia that could be used to make weapons. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen as well as UK Finance Minister Jeremy Hunt also had a discussion on Chinas role in supplying Russias military. How does China view these discussions happening among the Western powers?

Lin Jian: China is not a party to or involved in the Ukraine crisis. Chinas position is fair and objective. We actively promote peace talks and never fuel the flame or seek selfish gains. China and Russia have every right to normal economic and trade cooperation, which should not be interfered with or restricted. The US and some European countries, among others, also trade with Russia. Whats important is to reflect on the root cause of the crisis and do something that will actually bring back peace.

CCTV: The US Department of State released its Report on Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments days ago, accusing China of failing to adhere to its nuclear testing moratoria and conducting sensitive biological activities for military purposes. Whats Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: Year after year, the US releases the so-called report on Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments. The report ignores facts and is full of preconceptions. On one hand, the report says nothing about the USs poor record on arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation. On the other hand, the report smears other countries with baseless accusations on their compliance. China firmly opposes it.

On international arms control and nonproliferation, China is committed to true multilateralism and upholds the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law. China has faithfully fulfilled its international obligations and commitments and contributed to upholding the international arms control and nonproliferation system with concrete actions.

In contrast, the US continues to follow a Cold War mentality and keeps stoking major-country confrontation. The US has little restraint in its military build-up and relentlessly seeks absolute advantage in the field of security. This has seriously jeopardized global and regional strategic stability. To sling mud at other countries in order to deflect attention and shirk responsibilities has become the USs go-to tactic. The international community is clear-eyed about this. We urge the US to stop pointing fingers at other countries, take a hard look at its track record in arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation, and earnestly respond to the legitimate concerns of the international community on the USs compliance.

Dragon TV: Its reported that Tokyo Electric Power Company started to dump the fifth batch of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean on April 19. The discharge is expected to last until May 7 and reach nearly 7,800 tonnes. Whats Chinas comment?

Lin Jian: Since the unilateral launch of the discharge, despite international and domestic opposition, Japan has yet to resolve stakeholders concerns on the safety of nuclear-contaminated water discharge, the long-term reliability of the purification system and the effectiveness of monitoring arrangement. Even so, Japan went ahead with the fifth round of discharge, essentially spreading the risk of contamination worldwide. This is rather irresponsible. China firmly opposes it.

The ocean discharge of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water bears on the health of all humanity, the global marine environment and the global common good. Japan needs to take seriously domestic and international concerns and handle the discharge properly with a responsible and constructive attitude. China urges Japan to cooperate fully in creating an independent, effective and long-term international monitoring scheme with substantive participation of Japans neighbors and other stakeholders, so as to avoid irrevocable consequences stemming from the ocean discharge.
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met with the Mayor of San Francisco, London Breed, on Friday in Beijing.

The two sides exchanged views on implementing the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthening people-to-people exchanges, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation and promoting the sound and steady development of China-U.S. relations. 
I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.

I booked a stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, one of the biggest cruise ships.

For $2,000 a week, the 179-square-foot cabin had a private bathroom, a king-size bed, and a view.

I thought I'd feel cramped in the room, but it had everything I needed and left no space unused.

In April 2022, I cruised on board Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. At the time, it was the largest cruise ship in the world, but the title has since been replaced by Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas.

During my voyage, the ship sailed to Roatan, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

For $2,000, I spent seven nights in an ocean-view stateroom on deck eight. The cruise was on sale, as it was originally priced at $3,000. Take a look inside the 179-square-foot space.

My room was a mid-tier cabin at the front of deck eight.

Wonder of the Seas in Costa Maya, Mexico. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked a mid-tier room  a step above interior staterooms, which have no window. It's a category below staterooms with a balcony, and two steps below a suite.

My cabin was on the same deck as Central Park, an outdoor space with 20,000 plants.

The author in Central Park on board Wonder of the Seas. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought it was the most relaxing area on the ship, so I enjoyed being close by.

When I stepped inside my stateroom, I was surprised at how big it felt.

Inside the author's stateroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Right away, I thought the cabin made great use of a small space.

To operate most of the electricity in the room, I had to insert my room key into a slot on the wall.

Electricity in use inside the author's stateroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I appreciated the energy-saving system.

On one side of the room, I had a mirror and a desk with several outlets to charge electronics with USB, American, and European ports.

The desk inside the author's stateroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I thought the desk was useful for eating, as well as storing daily flyers about the day's events.

Next to the desk, a set of drawers included a cabinet with a minifridge inside.

Drawers and a minifridge inside the author's stateroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The desk drawers were mostly empty aside from a hair dryer, which I didn't end up using.

Across from the desk, I had a couch positioned in between two closets.

The couch inside the author's stateroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Inside each closet, I found a rack of hangers, shelving, and a small safe. I thought it was plenty of space for a weeklong journey

Next to the couch and desk area, a small bathroom used clever storage hacks, like placing the trash can and toilet paper under the counter.

The bathroom inside the author's stateroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In the bathroom, there were two glasses, a bar of soap, and a two-in-one hair and body wash.

At the top of the shower, a pullout clothing line was useful for drying my bathing suits.

Each night, my stateroom attendant replenished towels and brought flyers and schedules for the next day.

A towel folded like a monkey inside the author's stateroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Sometimes, the towels were folded creatively to look like animals.

I noticed that my king-size bed at the back of the room was actually two twin beds pushed together.

A wide view of the room. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

All Royal Caribbean cabins come with this configuration, according to its website, so they may be separated for additional guests. I often woke up in the crevice.

A large flat-screen TV was mounted across from the bed with storage hooks below.

A TV inside the author's stateroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Skinny nightstands on either side of the bed held lamps, charging ports, and a room phone on one side.

Because I booked an ocean-view room, I was able to look out over the front of the ship from a window above my bed.

A view of the bed inside the author's stateroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The window was equipped with an electronic shade that could be opened during the day for grand views and closed when I was ready to sleep.

While I thought the room might have been a tight space for a couple with a lot of luggage or a family, it was just right for me.

The author on the bed in her stateroom. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

And watching the sun rise over the Caribbean Sea from the comfort of my room was the best part.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Nataliia Humeniuk has been dismissed from her post as the head of the Joint Press Centre for Operational Command Pivden (South).

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Quote from the General Staff: "The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has carried out rotational measures regarding the head of the Joint Press Centre for Operational Command Pivden (South).

A decision has specifically been made that Colonel Nataliia Humeniuks secondment will be aborted and she will be dismissed from the assets and personnel of the relevant group of troops as of 19 April 2024."

Details: The General Staff added that the selection of a suitable specialist who "will become the 'voice' of the Defence Forces of Ukraines South" is underway.

"The Joint Press Centre for Operational Command Pivden will operate as usual, organising cooperation with media representatives who have the appropriate accreditation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the General Staff assured.

Background:

A number of journalists appealed to Ukraine's military leadership to dismiss Humeniuk because she "has banned coverage of Russian war crimes and is not allowing the defenders of Kherson Oblast to be filmed".

Humeniuk herself has denied the allegations made in the journalists' statement.

On 18 April, more than 150 media professionals from Ukraine and abroad appealed to the Ukrainian Parliamentary Committee on Freedom of Speech, demanding that Humeniuk be dismissed.

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The young squatter couple accused of beating a Manhattan woman to death and stuffing her body in a duffel bag went on a wild shopping spree, got engaged while on the lam and even bought a diamond ring with the victims credit card to seal the deal, authorities said Thursday.

After fleeing to Pennsylvania and crashing the victims Lexus they stole from outside the murder scene, Halley Tejada,19, of Manhattan, and Kensly Alston, 18, of the Bronx, used the victims credit cards to go on a spending spree that included Apple AirPods, clothing, food, a PlayStation 5 and the ring, according to prosecutors.

Alston, despite the trouble she was in, fancied herself in love, authorities said. The couple had just celebrated her 18th birthday and wound up engaged by the time they were apprehended.

Tejada and Alston were charged Thursday in the death of Nadia Vitels inside the victims late mothers apartment on E. 31st St. near Third Ave. in Kips Bay.

Tejada was escorted out of the 17th Precinct stationhouse dressed in a black shirt, gray sweatpants and flip-flop sandals.

Im innocent, Im innocent, he told reporters.

Never, he said before he was driven away.

Cops believe that the squatters were in Vitels mothers apartment, which had been vacant for a few months, when the 52-year-old woman showed up on March 10 to prepare the pad for a family friend to live in. The victims arrival apparently caught the squatters by surprise and they attacked her.

Vitels son found his mothers body, her foot sticking out of the duffel bag in a closet, as they frantically searched the apartment four days later.

Police believe the squatters had been there for a few days before Vitels came to the apartment after arriving from Spain.

Kensly Alston and Halley Tejada allegedly murdered Nadia Vitels in her own apartment while she was moving in to start a new chapter of her life, said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. I send my deepest condolences to her friends and family as they continue to mourn her loss. My office will secure justice for Nadia Vitels.

After allegedly beating the woman to death, the couple stole her Lexus and drove to Pennsylvania, where they crashed the vehicle in Lower Paxton Township, Penn., about 30 miles from where they were apprehended, police said.

They spent the next week wandering around the area, going to multiple car dealerships trying to purchase a car for $1,000 which they [were] unable to do, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

Elizabeth Clerkin, an assistant district attorney, said Tejada yelled at Vitels that he would kill her after Vitels told the couple to leave the apartment.

The couple ended up chasing her into the bedroom.

Tejada stomped on the head while [Alston] kicked the body, Clerkin said. She was still breathing.

According to the prosecutor, Tejada stomped on Vitels head with his bare foot while Alston watched.

You should put your shoes on before you hurt yourself, Alston told him, according to Clerkin.

Alston confessed that after dragging Vitels body to the kitchen, she held open the bag while defendant Tejada put Ms. Vitels body in the bag and that she was still breathing, said the ADA.

An autopsy revealed Vitels died from blunt force trauma to the head, the city Medical Examiner said March 15, ruling her death a homicide.

Officials said Vitels wrists were bound with tape, her neck and ribs had cords wrapped around them and the Medical Examiner would ultimately find signs of blunt force trauma, rib fractures, bruising and a hinge fracture to the skull, Clerkin said.

Inside the apartment, officers found signs of a struggle, including a dented and broken sheetrock wall the victims head may have struck, police sources said.

After the Pennsylvania crash, authorities let them go because they did not know about the body in the apartment yet.

The couple took advantage of the break and celebrated their nine-day Pennsylvania jaunt with a spending spree, courtesy of their victim, Clerkin said.

Ms. Alston explained how good their life had been in Pennsylvania, she said.

Clerkin said security footage captured Alston and her accomplice as they walked around the secure lobby to gain access to the building, pausing before entering the apartment as if waiting to see if anyone was inside.

The last time Vitels was seen on surveillance footage was March 12 at 11:30 a.m. She was walking with her dog.

The victim was never seen alive again, Clerkin said.

Alston and Tejada were each charged with second-degree murder, burglary, robbery, criminal possession of stolen property, grand larceny and concealment of a human corpse.
Susan Martin, the principal of St. John LaLande Catholic School in Blue Springs, was back on the job as of Wednesday. She had been suspended during a three-week state investigation into allegations that serious physical bullying at the school was going unaddressed. The state did not substantiate the allegations.

In a letter to the St. John community, Father Sean McCaffery wrote, I am pleased to share that the Missouri Department of Social Services has completed their investigation, which found insufficient evidence to support the allegation of neglect by Mrs. Martin.

A parent who made one of three such reports to the state said, I am disgusted at this result as many parents who were interviewed told about their children being bullied physically and verbally over the years Father and Susan have been in charge. My heart is broken for a school that was once a village of safety and high education. She recently pulled her child out of the school as a result.

She also said she was disappointed not to have heard anything about the investigations findings directly from the state, and she shared an email exchange she had with a state investigator.

I just received an email from Father McCaffery stating nothing was found on this matter, the mother told the state investigator. Im shocked, she wrote, given all the families who have had kids bullied and nothing was done to help them.

The investigator responded, You should receive a letter soon.  A report being unsubstantiated doesnt necessarily mean nothing has happened but that the allegations may not rise to the level of neglect.

I emailed the diocese to ask if anything would be done differently now, to make sure no other parent feels his or her child is at unnecessary risk from bullying.

Here is the response I received: None.

Which, of course, is an answer.
People walk outside the Westfield shopping mall at Bondi Junction in Sydney, Friday, April 19, 2024. The Sydney shopping mall reopened for business on Friday for the first time since it became the scene of a mass stabbing in which six people died on Saturday, April 13. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

SYDNEY (AP)  Shoppers and workers returned to a really quiet Sydney mall Friday, where six days earlier an assailant stabbed six people to death and wounded more than a dozen others in an attack that police believe targeted women.

Westfield Bondi Junction mall near world-famous Bondi Beach had opened Thursday, although shops inside were closed, for a community reflection day. New South Wales state Premier Chris Minns described it as the first step in healing in what has been a traumatic week for Australias largest city.

There was a large police and security presence, with guards wearing black stab-proof vests posted on each level of the mall. Visitors numbered in the hundreds, but were fewer than the usual expected on a Friday during school holidays.

One visitor, Anthony Simpson, shopping with his two children, described the atmosphere at the usually busy shopping center as somber."

Its got an eerie feeling, I guess you could say, Simpson said.

Another shopper, local Bondi resident Stephen Roy, simply said the mall was really quiet."

Authorities said counseling services were available on site for retail workers and visitors.

Echoing similar calls made by the NSW government, the union that represents retail workers asked shoppers to be mindful and sensitive of how they interact with the shopping center's staff.

Its going to be a pretty confronting day for many people, SDA NSW union secretary Bernie Smith said to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Friday. If you are in those shops, sure, you should acknowledge whats happened, but dont retraumatize workers by asking them what happened on that day.

A large floral tribute outside the mall that began on Sunday has continued to grow since the attack, as Sydney residents try and come to terms with the shocking attack.

A condolence book and a floral tribute had also been set up inside the shopping mall for visitors to pay their respects.

A candlelight vigil at nearby Bondi Beach is planned on Sunday evening to honor the victims.

The assailant, Joel Cauchi, was shot and killed by a police officer during his knife attack in the mall. The reopening of shops Friday coincided with a teenager being charged by police with terrorism offenses for the attack Monday at a Sydney church that wounded two Christian clerics.

The teen spoke in Arabic about the Prophet Muhammad being insulted after he stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and the Rev. Isaac Royel during the Assyrian Orthodox service. He was later overpowered by parishioners, sustaining severe hand injuries.

Some have said the mall attack should be designated an act of terrorism if investigators found Cauchi's motivation was to target women. Five of the six people he killed were women, while the man who died was a mall security guard. The majority of those wounded were also women.

Police have ruled out terrorism, and Cauchi's family said he had a long history of schizophrenia.

Australia's Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus would not be drawn into the suggestion but said more needed to be done to prevent violence against women.

I think we can talk about violence against women without blurring lines into something else, he told ABC Radio on Friday.



Smith reported from Newcastle, Australia.
Stanislaus Surgical Hospital is facing a federal agency decision to remove the Modesto facility from the Medicare program, effective April 30, after the hospital failed to comply with health and safety standards.

The action by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will cut off payments to the 23-bed short-stay hospital on Oakdale Road for services rendered to Medicare patients. Those payments are often essential for healthcare facilities.

Some facilities booted from the Medicare program are able to make improvements to satisfy regulators and return to the program, a process taking six months or more. Stanislaus Surgical said Thursday it may legally contest the CMS order. But it hasnt said how the CMS action will affect hospital operations after April 30.

Stanislaus Surgical plans to make every effort possible to continue providing high quality and important medical services to our community, a hospital statement said Thursday.

California Department of Public Health surveys in August and February found the hospital was not in compliance with nine conditions of participation in the Medicare program. The state surveys focused on the hospitals handling of patient emergencies after surgeries and issues with infection prevention and control, sterilization processes, governance and use of certified nurse anesthetists, in place of anesthesiologists, to put patients to sleep for surgery.

Healthcare facilities that receive payments from Medicare, the national program for seniors and certain disabled people, are expected to meet certain health and safety standards. Medicare and Californias Medi-Cal program will no longer make payments for patient care at Stanislaus Surgical on or after April 30, a CMS legal notice said.

The CMS action does not apply to services provided for patients with private health insurance.

Safe, comprehensive health care is a top priority for CMS, a spokesman for the federal agency said Wednesday. The CMS statement said inspectors investigating complaints in August found that Stanislaus Surgical was not meeting the standards and revisits in January and February determined the hospital remained out of compliance.

The findings were detailed in two survey reports totaling 562 pages. A hospital statement said Thursday that Stanislaus Surgical is addressing the issues raised by CMS but also is exploring legal action in response to the action.

Stanislaus Surgical Hospital (SSH) is committed to the delivery of high quality care to its patients, the hospital said. Given the level of engagement that SSH has had with CMS, and the efforts that we have made to drive operational excellence, the hospital is dismayed by the recent CMS decision to withdraw essential reimbursements for patient care. (Stanislaus Surgical) is exploring legal recourse to this action.

According to the statement, Stanislaus Surgical for 40 years has provided critically needed care in Stanislaus County, including diagnostic imaging services, physical therapy, pain management and complex surgical procedures. The hospital treats about 1,500 patients a month. The hospital said the federal action will have a serious negative impact on its 200 employees, their families and on patients.

Stanislaus Surgical is one of four acute care hospitals in Modesto, but has no emergency room and primarily focuses on surgeries including joint replacements, general surgeries, fracture repair, plastic surgery and other procedures. From 400 to 450 procedures are performed every month at the for-profit hospital.

State officials issued an immediate jeopardy citation Aug. 18 at Stanislaus Surgical because of noncompliance with standards for endoscope storage, workflow patterns, prevention of cross-contamination and biohazardous waste management. Immediate jeopardy means the conditions were likely to cause serious injury to a patient or death and can lead to financial penalties against the hospital.

The orders are lifted when the state accepts the facilitys plan for prompt corrections.

The August survey also alleged the hospital failed to maintain infection prevention and control measures adhering to recognized standards and failed to have an effective governing body to resolve patient complaints, maintain quality assurance and ensure medical staff credentialing and a well-organized staff.

Another immediate jeopardy citation Jan. 17 charged that nurse anesthetists, or CRNAs were providing anesthetic drugs outside their scope of practice. The state Department of Public Health rejected several hospital plans for dealing with the issue and the order was not removed until Feb. 5.

The scope of practice of nurse anesthetists in California has been debated in legal settings. According to the survey report, top medical staff at Stanislaus Surgical told inspectors the duties of CRNAs are the same as anesthesiologists and they dont require supervision.

The survey pointed out, however, that the hospitals policy states that board-certified anesthesiologists, and doctors with training and experience, administer anesthesia at the facility.

The regulatory survey was sharply critical of CRNAs performance at Stanislaus Surgical. In November, a CRNA decided to give a patient with kidney failure Celebrex and another drug prior to surgery, prompting the nurse to question the order due to the patients abnormal lab readings.

Celebrex and Gabapentin (an anti-seizure drug) should be used with caution and in consultation with a medical provider for patients with abnormal lab tests, the survey report said.

The report described CRNAs working alongside students studying to be nurse anesthetists, in one case changing a doctors order for general anesthesia for surgery to a higher-risk spinal anesthesia and sedation. There was no documentation the patient gave consent.

When the patient was moved to an inpatient room after surgery, records show he became lethargic, fell back on the bed and was unresponsive. His blood pressure plummeted and a doctor gave the order to call 911 and transfer him by ambulance to another hospital.

Patient safety issues at the hospital

The survey raised questions about patient safety in general at the surgical hospital, citing other instances of patients becoming unstable after surgery and requiring transfer by ambulance to a regular hospital. In talking with staff, the regulators found that a surgeon wasnt familiar with treating anesthesia complications and other medical staff members had no advanced life-support training.

The state survey found Stanislaus Surgical was not meeting a standard for providing written policies and procedures for medical staff to handle emergencies. The report alleged the hospital failed to offer treatment for nine patients who suffered medical emergencies when anesthesiologists and surgeons were not on call.

Physician assistants were often on-call 24/7 in case of emergencies. It placed the patients at risk of harm and possible death, the survey alleged.

The report includes accounts of Stanislaus Surgical patients who became unstable after surgery, with dangerously low blood pressure or oxygen levels in their blood. Some patients were unable to breathe or were unresponsive. The inspectors usually found no record the patients received urgent treatment from hospital staff.

The practice for assisting patients in a medical emergency was to call for an ambulance and transport them to another hospital for a higher level of care, the survey alleged.

Although the hospital has a code blue policy, there was no code blue or rapid response team in the hospital. Training in advanced life-support techniques was not required of the physicians, the report said.

The CMS action against Stanislaus Surgical Hospital could disrupt the scheduling of surgeries in the coming weeks. The CMS legal notice said that for patients admitted before April 30, the hospital may seek reimbursement payments for up to 30 days after the effective date of termination from the program.
The District Attorneys Office has charged the owner of a Ceres business that built food trucks of defrauding 28 customers out of nearly $1 million, alleging he took their money and failed to build their trucks.

Fernando Ochoa Jauregui, 28, was arraigned in Stanislaus County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon. Ochoas public defender, Donnell Snipes, pleaded not guilty on his behalf. A Spanish language interpreter helped Ochoa understand the proceedings.

Ochoa was arrested this week in Modesto and is being held at the Public Safety Center. His bail is set at $500,000.

Snipes also pleaded not guilty on behalf of Ochoa in three other cases: allegedly writing $21,374 in bad checks in July 2023, misdemeanor reckless driving and misdemeanor driving without a valid license in May 2023, and felony vandalism for allegedly destroying someones phone and misdemeanor battery in December. The bail in these cases is $40,845, according to authorities.

Were really heartbroken

Modesto resident Cinthia Martinez Moreno said in an interview she and her husband hired Ochoa three years ago to repair and remodel a 1976 Chevrolet food truck they had bought. Moreno said she and her husband paid Ochoa about $20,000.

Moreno said she and her husband commute to San Mateo for work and their dream is to have their own local business.

These were our hopes and dreams  becoming business owners and having a better future for ourselves and our kids, Moreno said. Were really heartbroken. Its taken three years and all of our savings. We live check by check.

She said they found someone else to compete the work on their food truck but at a cost of nearly $14,000. Moreno said she and her husband are in the process of getting their food truck permitted by the city of Modesto. She said she and her husband expect to launch their food truck next month.

Moreno said they found Ochoa on Facebook and Instagram. She said he is personable and persuasive and kept coming up with reasons for why he was not finishing the work. He had so many excuses, she said. But it got to the point where we got fed up.

Moreno is listed as one of the victims in the criminal complaint against Ochoa but did not attend his Thursday court hearing before Superior Court Judge Marie Sovey Silveira.

Other than a reporter, the only spectators in court were Modesto husband and wife Salvador and Jessie Mendoza. They said Salvador Mendozas son is married to Ochoas sister. They said in an interview the allegations against Ochoa are completely at odds with what they know about him.

They said he lived with them for about a year when he came from Mexico when he was 19. Hes a good kid, Jessie Mendoza said. Hes hardworking, intelligent. She said he is the father of two young daughters and believes he is divorced from their mother.

Jaureguis Ceres business is called 8A Food Trucks. A call to the phone number listed online for the business results in this message: Your call cannot be completed as dialed. Please check the number and dial again. The Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office said there is no evidence Ochoas employees were involved in the alleged defrauding of his customers.

How not to get ripped off

Ochoa is charged with 28 felony counts of obtaining money under false pretenses along with the allegation that the manner in which the crime was carried out indicated planning, sophistication, or professionalism. The criminal complaint alleges the amount stolen totaled $992,895.

So many people put their lifes savings in these food trucks, and now they are trying to put their lives back together, Ceres police Sgt. Dirk Nieuwenhuis said.

Nieuwenhuis said people can protect themselves from being ripped off by asking for current references, checking court records or even looking at Yelp reviews. He said it makes sense to pay an attorney to review the contract, especially if you are spending several thousand or more dollars.

The Stanislaus County District Attorneys Office encourages anyone who believes he or she may have been defrauded by Ochoa to contact its Bureau of Investigation at 209-525-5550.

The District Attorneys Office serves all victims of crime regardless of their immigration status, it said in a statement. We encourage undocumented individuals who are crime victims to report the incident to law enforcement.
Representative Beryl Amedee speaks at an event for the relocation of members of the Isle de Jean Charles Choctaw tribe to a new residential development in Gray, Louisiana

Rep. Beryl Amedee speaks at an Aug. 24, 2022, event for the relocation of members of the Isle de Jean Charles Choctaw tribe to a new residential development in Gray. (Greg LaRose/Louisiana Illuminator)

State Rep. Beryl Amedee proudly acknowledges she home-schooled her three sons, spending 21 years total as their teacher before going on to advocate for other like-minded parents who eschew traditional educational settings.

The Republican from Terrebonne Parish wants to make access to home-schooling easier for other families, but some lawmakers fear her approach will remove all accountability for parents who teach their kids at home.

Currently, parents who want to home-school their children must notify BESE when their child enrolls in a home study program. They can use a home study program the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has approved or opt for a curriculum of their own choice. Either way, home-school students graduate with a diploma thats equivalent to the private school version, and not the state-recognized diploma awarded at public high schools.

Amedees House Bill 650 would end BESEs approval of home-school curricula, leaving only nonapproved, nonpublic programs.

When parents interested in home schooling contact her, Amedee said she spends 45 minutes explaining the options and provides an eight-page document to detail. Her bill would simplify and streamline the process, she said.

Jessie Leger, legislative affairs director for Homeschool Louisiana, appeared Wednesday before the House Committee on Education in support of Amedees bill. Her Christian-based organization promotes home schooling and provides support to families who teach their children at home.

Ten other states use the one-time notification process that Amedees bill would put in place, Leger said. Just 11 states require approval of home-school curricula, she said.

Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge, cited her 10 years working for BESE when detailing her issues with Amedees proposal. She recalled reviewing substandard applications from parents who wanted to teach their children at home.

I know there were homeschool programs  where the person who wrote the notification couldnt even write a sentence, Freiberg said. I just have a lot of concern about not having a standard for homeschools that are approved.

Students who complete nonapproved home-school programs could still qualify for TOPS assistance under Amedees bill, even if they dont meet the required ACT score. The language in House Bill 650 mirrors another proposal Amedee has authored that would allow home-schooed students to receive TOPS if their grade-point average in TOPS core curriculum classes meets scholarship standards.

Rep. Ken Brass, D-Vacherie, asked Amedee about the lack of accountability in a nonapproved home-school program, to which she responded that state public schools currently arent accountable to parents.

Amedee also touted that her bill would also officially shed the dropout label from students who move from public schools to home schooling, a designation she said hurts traditional schools during performance evaluations.

There was some confusion among lawmakers as to whether home-schooled students were eligible for proposed education savings accounts (ESAs), which would give state money to families who opt against putting their children in public schools.

The current versions of the House and Senate ESA bills do not give students in home study programs, both approved and nonapproved, access to the funds, though Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, has proposed amendments to his Senate Bill 313 that would allow ESAs to used for home schooling.

The House ESA proposal heads next to the Senate Committee on Education, and the Senate bill still needs review from its finance committee.

The House Education Committee narrowly approved Amedees bill, 7-6, with chair Rep. Laurie Schlegel, R-Metairie, breaking a tie vote. Republicans cast all seven votes in favor. The no votes included GOP representatives Freiberg and Michael Melerine, R-Shreveport, who formerly held a BESE seat that his wife now holds.

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Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle is facing calls by a statewide organization of criminal defense attorneys for an independent ethics review of her office amid new claims of misconduct by her prosecutors.

Just weeks ago, Rundle rebuffed a call from a Miami group of criminal defense attorneys for an outside look at prosecutors handling of cases, after two prosecutors were thrown off a high-profile murder case by the judge.

In a three-page statement sent Friday morning to its 1,400 members, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers alleged Rundle allows unethical behavior to go unchecked. The office has a win at all costs mentality, abuses its authority, and has fostered conditions permissive to a toxic culture, reads the statement, signed by association President Luke Newman, a criminal appeals attorney based in Tallahassee.

The Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is appalled by recent and ongoing unethical conduct by the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office, along with retaliatory targeting of criminal defense lawyers, the statement says.

The organization is alleging misconduct in the high-profile murder case of OnlyFans model and accused killer Courtney Clenney. The lawyers group called for the removal of prosecutor Khalil Quinan from the case, an apology to defense lawyers, and a full, independent ethics review within the Miami Dade State Attorneys Office.

READ THE STATEMENT

The case is the second in two months in which Rundles prosecutors are accused of misconduct. In the murder resentencing case of gangster Corey Smith, Judge Andrea Ricker Wolfson was so incensed by the tactics of prosecutors Michael Von Zamft and Stephen Mitchell that she took the rare  and, for Rundle, embarrassing  step in early March of removing them from the case.

Wolfsons order cast a shadow on Rundles office just as she approaches another election to continue running the largest state attorneys office in Florida. Qualifying for candidates begins Monday and concludes Friday. Rundle, a 74-year-old Democrat, paid her candidate qualifying fee Wednesday to run for another four-year term. A Cuban-American, she was first appointed to the job in 1993, then won elections for three decades. The job pays $212,562.

An arrest and a search warrant

Jude Faccidomo, a past president of the statewide lawyers organization and an attorney representing Clenneys parents, Kim and Deborah Clenney, seized on the Wolfson order earlier this month, using it as a foundation for making larger accusations that Rundles office has a permissive culture. In a motion filed April 8 to Judge Laura Cruz, he alleged vindictive prosecution of the parents and asked that charges against them be dismissed.

Rundles office didnt respond immediately to a request for comment late Thursday, but pointed to a court document in the Clenney case in which the allegations of bias and misconduct are vigorously disputed.

Much of what the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers said this week echoes what Faccidomo filed in his motion.

Clenney, a social media phenom, is charged with second-degree murder in the 2022 stabbing death of her boyfriend Christian Obumseli at their Miami apartment. She is arguing self-defense.

Her parents are charged in a separate but related case, accused of unauthorized access to a computer from the Miami crime scene.

Though the case is unrelated to the Smith case and involves different prosecutors, Faccidomo ties them together in his motion.

The Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office has recently come under scrutiny for its toxic culture and the ethically questionable actions of certain senior prosecutors in discharging their duty to the citizens of Miami-Dade County, the motion reads.   The above-listed Defendants are similarly subject to the States win at all costs the rules do not apply to us mentality resulting in a vindictive prosecution in violation of their due process rights.

Friction between defense attorneys and prosecutors first ignited, Faccidomo said, when text messages emerged showing prosecutor Quinan communicating about the case with then-Miami Herald reporter David Ovalle. In the exchange, Quinan disparaged the defense team and revealed how much they were paid for taking the case, Faccidomo complained in his motion.

Defense attorneys on that case notified Quinans supervisor, Kathleen Hoague, in April of 2023, but Faccidomos motion says that ultimately, nothing was done.

Prosecutor Khalil H. Quinan (left) and Defense attorney Frank Prieto, talked during the arraignment for Courtney Clenney, the OnlyFans model accused of murdering her boyfriend Christian Obumseli in Miami.

In a reply to the motion, Hoague said the text message conversation with the reporter broke no rules, but she spoke with Quinan regarding his private communications and [told him] to refrain from discussing an open case with a personal friend.

Faccidomo says in his motion that Quinan retaliated afterwards in his handling of the Clenney case.

He charged Clenney and her parents with the little-used statute regarding accessing a computer. The computer had been shared by Clenney and Obumseli and was left at the scene by crime scene processors.

Faccidomo said Kim Clenney, the defendants father, took it when he was tasked with clearing out the entire apartment. It was then accessed using one of Obumselis passwords. Nothing of value to the case was found, Faccidomo said, or it would have been turned over.

Particularly offensive to the attorney group was the fact that two of Clenneys defense attorneys were listed as principals in the alleged laptop crime. Hoague said in her court filing that they were included as witnesses, not uncharged parties to a crime.

Quinan also had the parents  both of whom are witnesses for the defense  arrested at their Texas home because of the laptop, and had a search warrant executed at the home of the defenses laptop expert. Faccidomo cited the search warrant in his motion as another example of retaliation by Quinan, because the experts wife was the incoming president of the defense attorneys Miami chapter and had overseen a query to all the chapters members asking if lawyers had experienced unethical conduct by Quinan.

To be clear, Faccidomo wrote, Quinan sought a search warrant at the home of the defense attorney that he believed to be responsible for the investigation into his unethical behavior.

Hoague said Quinan didnt make decisions alone; the prosecutors made decisions as a team. They didnt know the experts wife was incoming chapter president, her motion says.

Quinan also read communications between the defense attorneys and their clients when he accessed their iCloud accounts  a violation of attorney-client privilege, Faccidomo and the statewide lawyers group alleged.

Hoagues motion says the prosecutors didnt know they were reading communications with her attorneys.

The statewide lawyers organization said in its statement that Quinans actions in the Clenney case are so far outside the norms of the criminal legal system that it is apparent he is using his State Attorney badge as a sword and not a shield. Worse yet, this conduct has been brought to the attention of his supervisors, and no discipline of any kind has been enforced. The Miami Dade State Attorneys Office has surpassed mere acquiescence of unethical behavior and is now encouraging it.

In the 118-page response to the motion, Rundles office said Faccidomo is trying to capitalize on what happened in the unrelated Smith case.

The motion takes great pains to weave a web of entirely unrelated incidents and cases to cast aspersions onto a legal prosecution, the State Attorneys Office, and to otherwise defame an individual prosecutor.

Make the witness unavailable

The defense attorneys said Rundle tacitly endorses misbehavior by offering no consequences for it.

The group said it had learned that after being removed from the Smith case by Judge Wolfson, prosecutor Von Zamft was allowed to resign with no further consequences, and co-prosecutor Mitchell, also implicated by Wolfsons order, faced no discipline whatsoever.

Rundles office didnt immediately respond to questions about whether either faced consequences.

In the Smith case, Von Zamft was accused of coordinating witness testimony and talking to a convicted killer about making a witness unavailable.

Judge Wolfson also called out co-prosecutor Mitchell for following Von Zamfts lead without concern for the consequences.

Peter Heller, left, defense attorney for Clifford Friend, the Lighthouse Point man charged in the 18-year disappearance of his wife, and Michael Von Zamft, prosecutor, right, during a hearing in Judge Beth Blooms courtroom, Friday, April 13, 2012. Von Zamft won a conviction in the case.

Though the revelations could have implications for other cases prosecuted by Von Zamft, Rundle has resisted the notion of conducting a proactive review of past cases.

In March, the Miami chapter of the criminal defense lawyers association called for exactly that. Rundle said her own office will conduct a review, and only of that one case.

In an email to the Miami Herald two weeks ago, spokesman Ed Griffith said it always goes without say[ing], whether a case was handled by Mr. Von Zamft or anyone else in my office, if there was any allegation of impropriety in any case, or any allegation of actual innocence, we would of course entertain it on a case specific basis.

Faccidomo told the Herald that Judge Wolfsons order  shined a light on whats really been a poorly kept secret, that there are some prosecutors who are not being held accountable when these issues arise and are not being addressed by the state attorney.

He said most of the prosecutors in the office fulfill their duties properly.

Not to be cliche but its one of those a few bad apples situations, Faccidomo told the Herald. When youre dealing with something as important and significant as a persons liberty, you cant have a few bad apples.

Miami Herald staff writer Charles Rabin contributed to this report.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen speaks at a "school choice" rally in the Rotunda at the Nebraska Capitol on Jan. 24, 2023. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Nebraska lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to an updated bill that will devote $10 million a year in state funds for scholarships to attend K-12 private or parochial schools.

The 32-15 approval of Legislative Bill 1402 on the final day of the 2024 legislative session would end Nebraskas distinction as one of only two states that dont allow some form of school choice.

Gov. Jim Pillen has pledged to sign the bill into law, but the measure faces an almost certain challenge, either in the courts or at the ballot box.

An end run around referendum

LB 1402 has been described as an end run around a planned referendum on the November ballot over a school choice law passed last year, LB 753. That law allows taxpayers to devote up to half of their state income tax liability to scholarship granting organizations that hand out scholarships to private and parochial schools. LB 753 allowed up to $25 million a year for that purpose.

Jenni Benson, the president of the Nebraska State Education Association, called the passage of LB 1402 a slap in the face to voters, who signed petitions to place the issue of school choice, as designed under LB 753, on the November ballot.

Jenni Benson, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, celebrated in October after gathering more than 117,000 signatures to qualify a referendum on the 2024 ballot to repeal the Opportunity Scholarships Act  a referendum that now may be nullified. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

Its likely that with the passage of LB 1402, the referendum on last years bill will be disqualified from the ballot, though Secretary of State Bob Evnen has not announced his intention.

The NSEA, in a press release after Thursdays vote, pledged to either challenge the new law in court or mount another petition drive to force a referendum on it.

We will continue the fight to ensure voters wishes on this issue are heard and respected, Benson said.

Lauren Gage, a spokeswoman for Opportunity Scholarships of Nebraska, a scholarship granting organization, said supporters of LB 1402 are expecting it to be challenged.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn. April 18, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

This has been an uphill battle to help kiddos, and I dont expect that battle to end, Gage said.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, who has fought throughout her eight-year career for school choice, argued during the final-round debate Thursday that it wasnt right that kids from low-income families dont have the same choice to attend a private school, because of the cost, as children from more wealthy families.

How can that be fair? Linehan asked. Im fighting for school choice because I fight for kids.

Linehans daughter, Katie, is employed by the American Federation for Children, a leading national advocate for school choice.

State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne argued that LB 1402 was a different issue than last years Opportunity Scholarships Act because it was a direct appropriation rather than a tax credit.

Linehan, he said, listened to criticism that last years bill was a tax credit for the rich, so she brought a different proposal in 2024. LB 1402 was also amended, to attract more support, to a $10 million a year measure rather than $25 million.

Wayne, a former member of the Omaha School Board, said students in low-performing schools in his northeast Omaha district deserve options.

Bellevue Sen. Carol Blood asked, if school choice was so popular, why are you so scared to take this to a vote?

Its wrong to create barriers to voting, she said.

Others, including Norfolk Sen. Rob Dover, said providing low-income kids the opportunity to attend a different school could steer some away from gangs, saving lives and keeping kids out of prison.

Legal challenge possible

LB 1402 could present some strange legal twists, according to Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad, a lawyer and opponent of the bill, because part of the measure repeals last years Opportunity Scholarship Act.

If LB 1402 is challenged in court and ruled unconstitutional because it allocates public funds to non-public education, it would render the entire bill void, she said, and thus leave LB 753 in place.

Theres more, Conrad said.

If the secretary of state decides to take the current referendum about LB 753 off the ballot  and thats very possible because advisory votes are not allowed on the ballot  and if LB 1402 is struck down, the senator said it would leave last years law in place, without the planned referendum.

A former state lawmaker and lawyer, Paul Schumacher of Columbus, provided a similar legal analysis to the Examiner earlier Thursday.

Its a neat chess game, but all the pieces fall together, said Schumacher, who was term-limited and left the Legislature in 2019.

Gage, of the scholarship granting organization, said she could not speak to those legal opinions. Im sure a lot of lawyers will be looking into this, she said.

So far, she said, 1,143 students have applied for Opportunity Scholarships under last years law, and 2,500 applicants are expected by the end of the month, which is the deadline to apply.

Meanwhile, the NSEA has scheduled a rally against LB 1402 for 9 a.m. Saturday at the State Capitol.

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This photo shows a signing ceremony for a letter of intent between New Zealand's dairy giant Fonterra and China International Exhibition Center (CIEC) during the Fifth New Zealand-China Business Assembly Forum and the New Zealand Roadshow for the China International Supply Chain Expo in Auckland, New Zealand, April 19, 2024. (Photo by Zhao Gang/Xinhua)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Fifth New Zealand-China Business Assembly Forum and the New Zealand Roadshow for the China International Supply Chain Expo was held in New Zealand's largest city Auckland on Friday, focusing on agricultural dairy industry and renewable energy.

Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade who led a Chinese entrepreneur delegation to the event, said in his keynote speech that China's sustained and steady economic growth and high-level opening-up will bring new opportunities for New Zealand businesses.

"We would like to join hands with partners in New Zealand to fully support the pragmatic cooperation of our enterprises under the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) framework and work for steady and sustained growth of China-New Zealand economic and trade relations," Ren said.

John Cochrane, chairman of the New Zealand China Trade Association, emphasised the important role that China has played in New Zealand's trade, tourism, and education sectors, particularly in recent years.

He highlighted the promising prospects for further collaboration between the two countries, specifically in the field of new energy vehicles.

Warren Wilmot, BYD New Zealand manager, introduced the development and plan of the car company in New Zealand.

He was confident that with the input of future infrastructure and new models from new super-hybrid technology, it would be an exciting time for the New Zealand car market to battle petrol or Internal Combustion Engine vehicles.

The Expo aims to leverage its platform advantage, facilitating better collaboration between Chinese downstream and midstream enterprises and their New Zealand upstream counterparts to foster more valuable and mutually beneficial partnerships, said Lin Shunjie, chairman of China International Exhibition Center Group Limited. 
North Carolina has received more than $220 million to fight the opioid crisis this week.

MORE: Mecklenburg County using millions in settlement money to fight opioid crisis

Attorney General Josh Stein said the funding came from settlements his office won against corporations that helped create or fuel the crisis. In addition to past years, the state and local governments have earned about $335 million.

Stein says every bit of the funding will be invested in the people.

Every cent of this money will go to helping local governments and the state combat the opioid crisis, he said. Im pleased that we were able to secure these funds to help people across North Carolina get treatment and get healthy. I am excited to see how municipalities invest locally to get their people healthy.

The state will be given $43,457,579, and local governments will get $176,787,053 from this fiscal years payments to fund opioid-related programs.

(WATCH BELOW: Gaston County to host forum to discuss fentanyl, opioid use)








NATO members are discussing sending some of their air defense systems to Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a press conference after the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers meeting in Capri on April 18.

The event was held amid the upcoming NATO-Ukraine Council meeting on April 19. President Volodymyr Zelensky requested the gathering as Russia intensified its aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities, and the air defense shortage became tangible.

Stoltenberg said that NATO is currently working on providing air defense systems, including Patriot, SAMP/T, NASAMS, AMRAAM, RST systems.

"The Patriot batteries are critical because they are the most advanced," Stoltenberg stressed, adding that NATO is currently discussing with "some specific countries" the potential supply of this equipment.

He added that allies that do not provide Ukraine with air defense systems will be asked to provide financial support.

"Ninety-nine percent of the NATO support has come from NATO allies, but there is a need to do more," Stoltenberg said.

NATO also needs a "more institutionalized and stable" framework for assistance to Ukraine to make it more organized and coordinated, he said.

"In the long run, of course, we cannot continue to be in a situation where Russia is outgunning Ukraine in the way they do now. The Russians are shooting and shooting, and Ukrainians have limited resources to shoot back," Stoltenberg said.

"So, Ukrainians need more."

According to Zelensky, Ukraine needs 25 Patriots to protect the entire country from Russian attacks.

As Kyiv ramped up the calls on allies to receive more air defense systems, Germany announced on April 13 that it would provide Ukraine with an additional Patriot system.

Russia's recent strikes against Ukraine's energy infrastructure destroyed several thermal power plants across the country, including the Trypillia plant, the main electricity supplier to Kyiv, Zhytomyr, and Cherkasy oblasts.

Read also: Scholz hopes NATO countries can deliver 6 more Patriots to Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11)  New York City street vendors are calling for reform after a week of intensified enforcement actions, according to the Street Vendor Project.

They held a press conference and marched from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection on Thursday morning, demanding easier access to permits and licenses.

NYC cracking down on Fordham Road street vendors without permits

Vendors like Mr. Jiang, from Flushing, Queens, say theyve been unfairly targeted. They come to Flushing and tell us to get a permit and a license, Jiang said, but when we go to the department, there are no permits available!

Miguel Varela, a Bronx vendor with ten years of experience, echoed Jiangs frustrations. Valera claims the Department of Sanitation has increased enforcement against him, resulting in a wave of tickets and ultimately, the loss of his home.

The crux of the issue seems to be a longstanding cap on the number of available vending licenses. This makes obtaining a permit extremely difficult, and vendors are urging the passage of the Street Vendor Reform Legislative Package, which would create a clearer path to licensure.

We think this march today will highlight the fact that vendors cannot get their permits, said Mohamed Addia, Director of the Street Vendor Project. We need to dispel any myths that some people are putting out there.

11 New York City food festivals you dont want to miss out on

Councilmember Amanda Farias joined the vendors in their call for reform. We need to continue to fight for them, Farias said. Folks have been waiting way too long. This is impacting their daily lives. We can encourage entrepreneurship and revenue for the city while still enforcing regulations.

The Street Vendor Project remains optimistic that the legislative package will be passed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
A middle school student sustained serious injuries in an assault with a metal Stanley mug, Pennsylvania officials told media outlets.

On Wednesday, April 17, a seventh grade student at Pennbrook Middle School was involved in a physical altercation with another student in the cafeteria, principal Nick Taylor said in a letter to families.

Upper Gwynedd police said surveillance footage shows one student beat the other in the head with a metal Stanley mug, WTXF and WPVI reported.

The mug was a 40-ounce Stanley tumbler, WCAU reports. The cups have become a viral sensation over the past year.

Police described the altercation as an unprovoked, sudden, violent attack, according to WPVI.

All of sudden you just hear these terrible loud bangs of the Stanley bouncing off her head, one Pennbrook student told the station. We had to sit in there and watch them clean up the blood off those tables and ground.

As a result of the attack, students were placed on an 8-minute hold, during which they were not permitted to move from their spots, the middle school principal said.

The student was taken to a local hospital but has since been released and is recovering at home, according to school officials and media reports.

This should not have happened, period, Superintendent Todd Bauer said at the beginning of an April 18 North Penn School Board meeting.

Every parent has the right to send their child to school and their child to feel safe, he said. As a result of yesterdays incident, I do recognize and understand why some of you did not feel that way this morning.

North Wales, where the middle school is located, is about a 25-mile drive northwest from Philadelphia.

Drivers billed thousands of dollars for tows under a mile, cops say. Tow operator charged

Urgent care worker posing as nurse assaults over a dozen women, Pennsylvania cops say

Parents find camera disguised as phone charger in girls room, cops say. Man charged
A Supreme Court case could upend the prosecutions of Jan. 6 riot defendants. Meanwhile, Jewish Americans across the country are facing unprecedented levels of antisemitism, and USA TODAY tells their stories. And its been 25 years since the shooting at Columbine High School, but the attack continues to resonate online, where users now glorify the shooters in a dark fandom.

Its the week in extremism.

Jacob Chansley, also known as Jake Angeli, was sentenced to 41 months in prison for the Jan. 6, 2021 riot. He was released in 2023. Certain charges in other cases may be in doubt, depending on the outcome of a Supreme Court case.

SCOTUS case could become a victory for Jan. 6 defendants

A law that has been used to prosecute hundreds of people for their roles in the Jan. 6 insurrection is now in question in the Supreme Court. If justices rule that the law has been interpreted too broadly, they could overturn the most serious charges for more than a quarter of the rioters convicted so far.

The justices heard arguments this week in the case against Joseph Fischer, a former police officer from Pennsylvania who was indicted by a grand jury in 2021 for entering the Capitol and charging at police officers.

Fischers attorney argued that a 2002 statute used to charge his client with obstructing or interfering with official government proceedings has been interpreted too broadly by prosecutors, who have used the law to charge more than 350 insurrectionists, though most people have faced additional charges under other laws as well.

The law was passed after the scandal surrounding the collapse of the energy company Enron, during which executives were found to have shredded documents.

While the law refers to destroying documents, it also says that anyone who otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so, can be charged with up to 20 years in prison. It is this part of the statute that prosecutors have relied on, including in their prosecution of former President Donald Trump .

An attorney representing the government argued that, while the statute allows for people to be sentenced to up to 20 years for obstruction, prosecutors have only sought sentences of one or two years in the Jan. 6 cases.

The court is expected to release its ruling on the case in July.

Protests upend Columbia University's campus on April 18, 2024, a day after the school's president testified before Congress about antisemitism on campus.

Antisemitism across the country: Beyond the numbers

USA Today spoke with Jewish people in all 50 states for a story this week that seeks to understand how the nations Jewish community has been impacted by antisemitism in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the Israel-Hamas war.

Jews across the country have hidden signs of their faith, USA TODAY found. Synagogues and Jewish neighborhoods from Alabama to Washington have been threatened or defaced and are ramping up security.

But there has also been an outpouring of support. By and large, the overwhelming communal sentiment is one of support to the Jewish people, Rabbi Avremi Zippel, of Salt Lake City, told USA TODAY.

The actress Mayim Bialik told USA TODAY: I was raised and educated and even studied the Jewish experience in America, and I knew that there was a tremendous amount of antisemitism both covert and overt, but I did not understand the scale.

An impromptu memorial after the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999.

25 years after Columbine, shooting is glorified in dark fandom

Another USA TODAY special report this week looks at the lasting legacy of the Columbine High School shooting a quarter-century after the attack. Legions of people still share Columbine-related posts and videos on social media and elsewhere online, even though many of the people posting werent even born in 1999.

The Columbine shooting remains a magnet for dark fandom online, experts tell USA TODAY. Tens or hundreds of thousands of people share videos, memes and images connected to the attack.

For a study earlier this year, researchers at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue surfaced 127 videos glorifying a range of mass shooters on TikTok and X, formerly Twitter. TikTok told USA TODAY it is working hard at, and spending money on, removing this content, but just this week the researchers easily and quickly found several more such videos.

Anne Marie Hochhalter, who was shot and paralyzed during the Columbine attack, said she blames tech companies for failing to moderate hate speech on their platforms: "These people who are at the helm of the social media companies  those are the true extremists, Hochhalter said. "Because they're allowing all of it to happen.

Michael Flynn, a retired Army lieutenant general and former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency, served as Trump's national security adviser for less than a month in 2017. He pleaded guilty later that year to lying to the FBI about his interactions with Russia's ambassador to the United States in the weeks before Trump took office, then tried to withdraw that plea. Trump pardoned him in 2020.

Trump lieutenants meet with far-right Constitutional Sheriffs

Top Trump allies, including Michael Flynn and entrepreneur Mike Lindell, met this week with the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, a far-right group known for boosting conspiracy theories and anti-federal government rhetoric.

Lindell, who has spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, spoke to the gathering in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

The meeting was billed as a training session on election fraud, The Guardian reported. Former Arizona sheriff Richard Mack, who founded the group, told The Guardian the border would be a focus of the meeting and that it would be attended by dozens of officials including sheriffs from states like Arizona and Nevada (which doesnt share a border with Mexico): Election fraud and the border go hand in hand, said Mack.

Statistic of the week: 140 percent

Thats how much antisemitic incidents increased from 2022 to 2023, breaking all previous records, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

The increase was driven in part by reactions to the Israel-Hamas war, the ADL noted in its annual audit, which includes both criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate propaganda, threats and slurs, as well as vandalism and assault.

ADL researchers counted a total of 8,873 incidents across the country. Of those, 1,350 incidents were included due to a methodology update enacted by the ADL after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Excluding those incidents, the increase from 2022 to 2023 was still 103%.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court case on Jan. 6 insurrection could overturn some convictions
Suspect flees into Belfair after trying to run Tacoma officer off the road

Multiple police agencies are looking for a man police believe tried to run a Tacoma officer off the road Thursday evening.

It happened as the officer was entering State Route 16 from Northbound Interstate 5.

After the encounter, the officer pursued the suspect to the Tacoma Narrows Bridge where the pursuit was terminated.

Gig Harbor police then began pursuing the suspect on the north side of the bridge. Near Port Orchard Washington State Patrol joined the chase.

The suspect led police onto State Route 3 into Belfair where an officer performed a PIT maneuver, disabled the vehicle near Peninsula Place. That is about 33 miles from where the chase started.

With the vehicle disabled the suspect ran, leaving his pregnant girlfriend behind.

A Mason County Sheriff K-9 unit was brought but they were unable to track the man.

While he has not been caught, police believe they know who the suspect is and believe they have probable cause to arrest him on first degree assault charges.
UNITED NATIONS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday strongly criticized countries that question Palestine's eligibility for UN membership under the UN Charter, emphasizing that statehood is an "inalienable national right" of the Palestinian people.

During his statement following a vote in which the United States vetoed a draft resolution for Palestine's full membership to the UN, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, expressed profound disappointment.

"Today is a sad day," because the U.S. veto has ruthlessly dashed "the decades-long dream of the Palestinian people," he said.

Fu highlighted the contradiction in the arguments presented by some nations regarding Palestine's governance capabilities.

"The claim that the State of Palestine does not have the capacity to govern does not align with the reality on the ground," he said, noting significant changes over the past 13 years, including the expansion of settlements in the West Bank.

"Palestine's survival space as a state has been constantly squeezed, and the foundation of the two-state solution has been continuously eroded," he added, condemning what he described as "gangster logic that confuses right and wrong."

Additionally, Fu condemned the implications made by some countries that questioned whether Palestine is a peace-loving state, a criterion for UN membership. "Such an allegation is outrageous and a step too far," Fu said.

He further criticized the political calculations behind opposing Palestine's full membership, suggesting, "If it is out of political calculation to oppose Palestine's full membership of the UN, it would be better to simply say so, instead of making excuses to re-victimize the Palestinian people."

On the broader implications of denying Palestine full membership, Fu argued that this action puts the cart before the horse, especially as "the Israeli side is rejecting the two-state solution more and more clearly."

He advocated for Palestine's full membership as a means to grant it equal status with Israel, which could help create conditions for the resumption of negotiations.

"The wheel of history is rolling forward, and the trend of the times is irresistible," Fu said, expressing confidence that "the day will come when the State of Palestine will enjoy the same rights as other member states at the UN, and the two states of Palestine and Israel will be able to live side by side in peace."

Fu reaffirmed China's commitment to continuing its efforts and playing a constructive role in realizing this vision, hoping for a future where "the Palestinian and Israeli peoples can live in tranquility and happiness." 
(FOX40.COM)  A man was arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in a tunnel under Interstate 5 in Sacramento, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) said.

On April 7 at approximately 11 a.m., CHP responded to a report of a shooting near the south end of Front Street.

Stockton gas station robbery turns deadly, employee fatally shot

Officers found a 41-year-old Sacramento man with a fatal gunshot wound and a 50-year-old Sacramento woman with severe but non-life-threatening injuries.

According to CHP, the suspect was arrested Tuesday in Watsonville.

The man was booked into the Sacramento County Jail and is facing charges of murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
Suspects rob Ulta twice in one week

MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Memphis Police Department is searching for the suspects responsible for robbing a Cordova Ulta Beauty store twice in the same week.

At 6:20 p.m., on April 11, five men entered the Ulta Beauty at 2273 North Germantown Parkway. The men broke display cases and took a variety of fragrances from the business.

Police say they fled the scene in a white Nissan sedan and a grey Nissan Sedan.

$70K in jewelry, 540lbs of drugs seized after search warrant issued

Just four days later, on April 15, four men entered the same Ulta Beauty just before noon. Three of the men broke display cases and once again, took a variety of fragrances.

The suspects fled the scene in a white Nissan sedan.

Memphis Police released video surveillance footage of one of the incidents. No arrests have been made at this time, but police say the investigation is ongoing.

If you have any information regarding this incident, call Memphis CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Marianne Sinisi, of Altoona, Pennsylvania, lost her 26-year-old son, Shawn, to an opioid overdose in 2018. (NANCY ANDREWS)

State and local governments are receiving billions of dollars in opioid settlements to address the drug crisis that has ravaged America for decades. But instead of spending the money on new addiction treatment and prevention services they couldnt afford before, some jurisdictions are using it to replace existing funding and stretch tight budgets.

Scott County, Indiana, for example, has spent more than $250,000 of opioid settlement dollars on salaries for its health director and emergency medical services staff. The money usually budgeted for those salaries was freed to buy an ambulance and create a financial cushion for the health department.

In Blair County, Pennsylvania, about $320,000 went to a drug court the county has been operating with other sources of money for more than two decades.

And in New York, some lawmakers and treatment advocates say the governors proposed budget substitutes millions of opioid settlement dollars for a portion of the state addiction agencys normal funding.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

Subscribe to KFF Health News free Morning Briefing.

The national opioid settlements dont prohibit the use of money for initiatives already supported by other means. But families affected by addiction, recovery advocates, and legal and public health experts say doing so squanders a rare opportunity to direct additional resources toward saving lives.

To think that replacing what youre already spending with settlement funds is going to make things better  its not, said Robert Kent, former general counsel for the Office of National Drug Control Policy. Certainly, the spirit of the settlements wasnt to keep doing what youre doing. It was to do more.

Settlement money is a new funding stream, separate from tax dollars. It comes from more than a dozen companies that were accused of aggressively marketing and distributing prescription painkillers. States are required to spend at least 85% of the funds on addressing the opioid crisis. Now, with illicit fentanyl flooding the drug market and killing tens of thousands of Americans annually, the need for treatment and social services is more urgent.

Thirteen states and Washington, D.C., have restricted the practice of substituting opioid settlement funds for existing dollars, according to state guides created by OpioidSettlementTracker.com and the public health organization Vital Strategies. A national set of principles created by Johns Hopkins University also advises against the practice, known as supplantation.

Paying staff salaries

Scott County, Indiana  a small, rural place known nationally as the site of an HIV outbreak in 2015 sparked by intravenous drug use  received more than $570,000 in opioid settlement funds in 2022.

From August 2022 to July 2023, the county reported using roughly $191,000 for the salaries of its EMS director, deputy director, and training officer/clinical coordinator, as well as about $60,000 for its health administrator. The county also awarded about $151,000 total to three community organizations that address addiction and related issues.

In a public meeting discussing the settlement dollars, county attorney Zachary Stewart voiced concerns. I dont know whether or not were supposed to be using that money to add, rather than supplement, already existing resources, he said.

But a couple of months later, the county council approved the allocations.

Council President Lyndi Hughbanks did not respond to repeated requests to explain this decision. But council members and county commissioners said in public meetings that they hoped to compensate county departments for resources expended during the HIV outbreak.

Phil Stucky is executive director of a nonprofit called Thrive, which began in Scott County, Indiana, in the wake of a large HIV outbreak in 2015. Thrive employs people in recovery to provide peer support to others with mental health and substance use disorders.(JAKE ZAEPFEL)

Their conversations echoed the struggles of many rural counties nationwide, which have tight budgets, in part because they poured money into addressing the opioid crisis for years. Now as they receive settlement funds, they want to recoup some of those expenses.

The Scott County Health Department did not respond to questions about how the funds typically allocated for salary were used instead. But at the public meeting, it was suggested they could be used at the departments discretion.

EMS Chief Nick Oleck told KFF Health News the money saved on salaries was put toward loan payments for a new ambulance, purchased in spring 2023.

Unlike other departments, which are funded from local tax dollars and start each year with a full budget, the county EMS is mostly funded through insurance reimbursements for transporting patients, Oleck said. The opioid settlement funds provided enough cash flow to make payments on the new ambulance while his department waited for reimbursements.

Oleck said this use of settlement dollars will save lives. His staff needs vehicles to respond to overdose calls, and his department regularly trains area emergency responders on overdose response.

It can be played that it was just money used to buy an ambulance, but theres a lot more behind the scenes, Oleck said.

Still, Jonathan White  the only council member to vote against using settlement funds for EMS salaries  said he felt the expense did not fit the moneys intended purpose.

The settlement was written to pay for certain things: helping people get off drugs, White told KFF Health News. We got drug rehab facilities and stuff like that that I believe could have used that money more.

Phil Stucky, executive director of a local nonprofit called Thrive, said his organization could have used the money too. Founded in the wake of the HIV outbreak, Thrive employs people in recovery to provide support to peers with mental health and substance use disorders.

Stucky, who is in recovery himself, asked Scott County for $300,000 in opioid settlement funds to hire three peer specialists and purchase a vehicle to transport people to treatment. He ultimately received one-sixth of that amount  enough to hire one person.

In Blair County, Pennsylvania, Marianne Sinisi was frustrated to learn her county used about $322,000 of opioid settlement funds to pay for a drug court that has existed for decades.

This is an opioid epidemic, which is not being treated enough as it is now, said Sinisi, who lost her 26-year-old son to an overdose in 2018. The county received extra money to help people, but instead it pulled back its own money, she said. How do you expect that to change? Isnt that the definition of insanity?

Blair County Commissioner Laura Burke told KFF Health News that salaries for drug court probation officers and aides were previously covered by a state grant and parole fees. But in recent years that funding has been inadequate, and the county general fund has picked up the slack. Using opioid settlement funds provides a small reprieve since the general fund is overburdened, she said. The countys most recent budget faces a $2 million deficit.

Forfeited Federal Dollars

Supplantation can take many forms, said Shelly Weizman, project director of the addiction and public policy initiative at Georgetown Universitys ONeill Institute. Replacing general funds with opioid settlement dollars is an obvious one, but there are subtler approaches.

The federal government pours billions of dollars into addiction-related initiatives annually. But some states forfeit federal grants or decline to expand Medicaid, which is the largest payer of mental health and addiction treatment.

If those jurisdictions then use opioid settlement funds for activities that could have been covered with federal money, Weizman considers it supplantation.

Its really letting down the citizens of their state, she said.

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Officials in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, forfeited more than $1 million in federal funds from September 2022 to September 2023, the bulk of which was meant to support the construction of a behavioral health crisis stabilization center.

We were probably overly optimistic about spending the money by the grant deadline, said Diane Rosati, executive director of the Bucks County Drug and Alcohol Commission.

Now the county plans to use $3.9 million in local and state opioid settlement funds to support the center.

Susan Ousterman finds these developments difficult to stomach. Her 24-year-old son died of an overdose in 2020, and she later joined the Bucks County Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, which developed a plan to spend the funds.

In a September 2022 email to other committee members, she expressed disappointment in the suggested uses: Please keep in mind, the settlement funds are not meant to fund existing programs or programs that can be funded by other sources, such as federal grants.

But Rosati said the county is maximizing its resources. Settlement funds will create a host of services, including grief groups for families and transportation to treatment facilities.

Were determined to utilize every bit of funding thats available to Bucks County, using every funding source, every stream, and frankly every grant opportunity that comes our way, Rosati said.

The countys guiding principles for settlement funds demand as much. They say, Whenever possible, use existing resources in order that Opioid Settlement funds can be directed to addressing gaps in services.

Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA contributed to this report.

The post Swap funds or add services? Use of opioid settlement cash sparks strong disagreements appeared first on Indiana Capital Chronicle.
It Takes A Village Where No One Is Above The Law To Bring Down A Tyrant

A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

Let Me Get Earnest For A Moment

In all the ink that Morning Memo has spilled on Trumps threat to the rule of law, there is an implied exhortation to prosecutors, judges, lawyers, and others to do their damn jobs without fear or favor and not shrink from the current moment.

But if theres anything weve learned its that the legal system alone isnt enough if there doesnt remain enough civic spirit to sustain it.

A professionalized legal system, a long legal tradition, and all of the procedural formalities and structures to support, enforce and consistently apply the rule of law isnt by itself sufficient if the body politic has abandoned the principles that undergird the entire endeavor.

So it has warmed my heart this week to hear multiple prospective jurors in the Trump hush-money case assert that no one is above the law. As a statement of fact, that is unassailable. But its more important as a civic virtue. It states an expectation and an aspiration for who we are and what we want to be.

Nothing is quite as succinct a distillation of the American revolutionary experience: No one is above the law. (Where we have been at our worst is putting people  enslaved peoples, minorities, women, immigrants  outside of the law.) We are seeing random citizens who are imbued with an innate understanding of what the rule of law means. That civic-minded understanding of the rule of law is the bedrock foundation for the legal structures we erect upon it. Without it, we have nothing. Its a small sign of hope in a troubled time.

What Happened In Court Thursday

The main news of the day was that a jury of 12 was selected, but it was a little bumpy getting there. The day started with 7 jurors already selected, but by midday that number had shrunk to 5. But by days end, the initial 12 were picked and the selection of alternate jurors had begun.

The original Juror #2 withdrew partly over concerns that she had already been identified publicly or nearly so. Geez, I wonder how:

Fox News host Jesse Watters on Tuesday broadcast extensive biographical details about Juror No. 2  her neighborhood, occupation, education, marital and family status, and what industry her fiance works in.



He concluded by saying, "I'm not so sure about Juror No. 2."



He pic.twitter.com/PCMMOvnoGw  Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) April 18, 2024

Another juror showed up late and was removed for unknown reasons, but prosecutors suggested the juror had not answered truthfully when asked about past arrests.

Selection of the six alternates continues today, and we look on track to begin the trial proper early next week.

For more on yesterdays developments:

TPMs Josh Kovensky: Trump Takes Aim At Concept Of Impartiality In Jury Selection

NYT: After Reports About Trump Jurors, Judge Demands Restraint From the Press

Politico: Trump spent the day listening to strangers insult him. And he couldnt say a single thing back.

Trump Unbound

Prosecutors identified what they claim are seven new violations by Trump of the gag order against him in the hush-money case. The judge will take up the alleged gag order violations Wednesday in a separate hearing while the trial is in recess.

What Will History Say?

I vacillate between two poles on this question. Will future generations ask What did you do to fight the fascism, grandma? or will they be more likely to be incredulous: What the hell was wrong with yall  THIS guy was a threat?

Trump: It is a shame. I am sitting here for days now from morning until night in that freezing room. Freezing! All for this. This is your result. It is very unfair. pic.twitter.com/K0cjplq9nH  Acyn (@Acyn) April 18, 2024

Aileen Cannon Makes A Decision!

With many unresolved motions backed up in her queue, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon managed to dispense with a couple of fairly minor motions to dismiss in the Mar-a-Lago case. But dont worry. She still hasnt ruled on several of the major pending motions or set a trial date. So were still in a legal Neverland in this case.

Perfect!

WaPo: A top leader of the national conservative group Turning Point Action, which has amplified false claims of election fraud by former president Donald Trump and others, resigned Thursday after being accused of forging voter signatures on official paperwork so that he could run for reelection in the Arizona House.

I See 

ABC News: Matt Gaetz attended 2017 party where minor and drugs were present, womans sworn statement obtained by Congress claims

MTG Makes Me Nostalgic For Michele Bachmann

Philip Bump: Marjorie Taylor Greene would like to remind us that she is not serious

RED ALERT

TPMs Khaya Himmelman: Constitutional Sheriffs Group Plans To Insert Itself Into More Aspects Of The Voting Process In 2024

Politico: Trump campaign says it will deploy thousands of election workers to monitor poll sites

Abortion Will Be On The Ballot In Nevada, Too

The Nevada Supreme Court cleared the way for an abortion rights amendment to the state Constitution to be on the November ballot as part of a complicated two-step process to win approval: Putting the language into the Nevada Constitution requires voter approval in two consecutive elections. If the ballot initiative passes a first time, it would go to a vote again in 2026. If approved again, it would become law.

Ukraine Aid Moves Forward In House

With unusual help from Democrats, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) moved a foreign aid package that includes relief for embattled Ukraine one step closer to a final vote late last night  and put himself potentially closer to losing his speakership.

Johnson got the package through the House Rules Committee only because of Democratic votes. A final floor vote could some as early as Saturday. At this point, with all the usual caveats, the package does look likely to pass.

For more on Johnsons about-face on Ukraine:

Greg Sargent: Mike Johnsons Shockingly Pro-Ukraine Speech Really Sticks It to MAGA

WSJ: Mike Johnson Opposed Ukraine Aid. Then He Risked His Job for It.

Quote Of The Day

There is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024, or at least put Putin in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement. CIA Director William Burns

Exclusive

WaPo: Secret Russian foreign policy document urges action to weaken the U.S.

Israel Strikes Inside Iran Overnight

Based on early reports, Israels retaliation inside Iran for the drone and missile attack last weekend on Israel seems relatively limited. A rundown of the major headlines:

WSJ: Israel Strikes Iran in Narrow Attack Amid Escalation Fears

NYT: Muted Initial Response to Strike Suggests Iran and Israel Want to Avoid Escalation

Bloomberg: Israel Debates If Reported Strike on Iran Was Big Enough

Have A Good Weekend!

Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know!
TAMPA  Tammy Long left rehab looking for a way to stay off the powerful painkiller hydrocodone.

A 26-year Navy veteran, Long had snorted the opioid and the stimulant Ritalin, both prescribed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, trying to ease a range of ailments after she retired from the military, she said.

She suffered a traumatic brain injury in Iraq when she fell off a troop truck and hit her head in 2003. Shes also grappled with chronic pain, migraines and post-traumatic stress.

My body was just so broken, said Long, 58, who retired in 2010 as a senior chief Navy counselor and later hurt her back while working as a property manager.

So she tried something new. Long began using medical marijuana and hemp extracts containing CBD and delta-8 THC, a chemical compound from the cannabis plant that affects how the brain functions.

And it worked. Long credits this mixture for quelling her pain and keeping her off the opioids and stimulants.

But Long and other veterans who rely on hemp extract may find themselves scrambling for alternatives. Access could soon be curtailed if Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a bill limiting the types of products that shops can sell.

Even though the products are not federally approved to treat health conditions, Long and others consider them over-the-counter medicine, using powder, gummies and even honey infused with cannabis ingredients to soothe problems like tremors or insomnia. They also say hemp extract is easier to purchase than medical marijuana, which requires a doctors approval.

Some of us dont want to get high  we want to get better. And we dont want to go back on pills, said Long, who four years ago opened a hemp shop in Tampa called BattleBuds. It averages up to 40 customers a month who are veterans.

She said dozens of veterans have urged DeSantis to veto the legislation.

Its very unfair, said Pablo Bicca, a Marine Corps veteran in Wesley Chapel who hosts events at BattleBuds. Theyre making it so difficult for these farmers and businesses  to provide plants and medicine for patients.

Its unclear how many veterans across Florida use hemp products to address health issues. The Tampa Bay Times was unable to find data tracking the issue, but Bicca said he anecdotally knows of scores of former military members who do so.

The bill awaiting the governors signature would ban stores from selling delta-8 THC and would further restrict how much delta-9 THC, marijuanas best-known and primary mind-altering ingredient, is allowed in hemp extract. The ban would extend to hundreds of shops like Longs. Business owners worry that Floridas booming multibillion-dollar hemp industry could collapse if the bill takes effect Oct. 1, forcing companies to leave the state or shut down. Products would be taken off shelves, but some retailers say Floridians would still be able to order them online from elsewhere in the country.

The state has separate regulations for medical marijuana and hemp extract. Medical marijuana users need a physicians approval to buy products from a dispensary. Hemp users dont need a referral to visit smoke shops, gas stations and other retailers.

The hemp industry could take a financial hit in November, too. Thats if Florida voters approve a proposed constitutional amendment legalizing recreational marijuana use for those 21 and older. The ballot measure would, at least initially, give the states 25 licensed medical marijuana companies the exclusive rights to sell recreational cannabis. Florida has more than 878,000 medical marijuana patients.

A DeSantis spokesperson in an email said the governor will review the hemp bill once its delivered to his office.

Concerns about people self-medicating

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in a statement to the Times said cannabis products sold at smoke shops, convenience stores, gas stations and online have not been proven safe or effective. The agency has previously received 104 reports of delta-8 THC being linked to vomiting, anxiety, dizziness, confusion and loss of consciousness, among other symptoms. Delta-8 THC is similar to delta-9 THC, with the ability to affect someones mood and behavior, but is considered less potent.

While delta-8 THC products became widely available after Congress passed the 2018 Farm Bill defining and legalizing hemp at the national level, they are banned in 17 states, according to CBD Oracle, a consumer research company focused on cannabis.

As hemp products grow more popular in Florida, their risks are becoming better known. Calls about exposures to hemp extract have surged in recent years, rising from eight cases in 2016 to more than 1,600 last year, according to data from Floridas poison control centers. Almost half of the cases were children in 2023. But no deaths were recorded, Justin Arnold, medical director of the Tampa center, said in an email.

The Times asked the House and Senate bill sponsors about veterans frustrations with the legislation. But Rep. Tommy Gregory, R-Lakewood Ranch, and Sen. Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, couldnt be reached by phone call, text or email.

During a February committee meeting, Gregory expressed concern about products having packaging attractive to kids and Floridians self-medicating with them.

When you go to those stores, whos giving you the advice on what milligrams you should take? Gregory said. And what qualifications do they have to be making that determination?

I was a zombie

Local veterans interviewed by the Times say hemp extract, which can only be legally sold to those 21 and up, is a gentler alternative to prescription drugs  and can supplement their medical marijuana allotments.

John Drew Reinhart, a Navy veteran who was a cook on an aircraft carrier during the Iraq War, left the military in 2007 suffering from insomnia, chronic pain and migraines caused by tinnitus, a ringing noise in the head, he said.

The Department of Veterans Affairs treated Reinhart, 40, by prescribing an array of drugs, including the painkillers morphine and tramadol, he said.

I was a zombie, said Reinhart, who grew up in Tampa. The side effects were screwing me up.  I wasnt a healthy person.

Reinhart, whose first job was helping a local beekeeper, said he thought a business selling cannabis-infused honey would be profitable. After learning of the states budding hemp industry in 2020, he launched a company called Dz Bz Inc.

If you want to get high, go get some flower, pack a bowl, he said. My products are meant to help with pain.

He said he made CBD honey to get himself off his medications, then began to sell jars of it for $50. He hopes veterans hospitals will eventually use it.

A Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson in an email said patients shouldnt stop taking their prescriptions without talking to their health care provider.

Reinhart also began selling jars of honey with 360 milligrams of delta-9 THC, which he said he sometimes uses to fall asleep. These types of products would be barred under the legislation.

If the bill is signed, Reinhart said hes considering moving his business to South Carolina.

Bicca, the Marine Corps veteran, experienced suicidal thoughts and post-traumatic stress after serving as an infantry rifleman during the Iraq War. He fought in the Battle of An-Nasiriyah, during which dozens of U.S. soldiers were killed.

While living in New York in 2012, Bicca said he began smoking marijuana to substitute Department of Veterans Affairs antidepressants that led to weight gain. He got a medical marijuana card after moving to Florida but found himself quickly reaching his allotment.

Bicca, 43, turned to the hemp industry for extra relief, and now spends up to $400 each month on its offerings. He eats delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC gummies from hhemp.co, an Oregon company that sells products across the country. He said he takes them around noon to alleviate ankle and knee pain.

Theyd be prohibited if DeSantis signs the bill, Bicca said. The company didnt respond to phone messages.

Leaving for Tennessee

Long, a Tampa native, returned here in 2018 after spending time in a California outpatient clinic. She opened the BattleBuds shop with her cousin in 2020.

Now, she plans to move to Tennessee in the coming months  a state where she said she can keep using a powdered blend of CBD and delta-8 THC that she mixes into her morning coffee.

She wants to open another BattleBuds there and take online orders for hemp extract from Floridians. Her Tampa store, which generated about $32,000 last year, would lose 75% of its inventory if the bill takes effect, she said.

Were not drug dealers, Bicca said. Were not criminals. Were just people looking for relief and looking for (an) alternative to pharmaceuticals.
NEW YORK  Swifties got a double dose of sweet torture at 2 a.m. when Taylor Swift dropped another 15 tracks and announced that The Tortured Poets Department is a double album.

She announced the second half on social media with new album art and a message about her folie a deux:

Its a 2am surprise: The Tortured Poets Department is a secret DOUBLE album. Id written so much tortured poetry in the past 2 years and wanted to share it all with you, so heres the second installment of TTPD: The Anthology. 15 extra songs. And now the story isnt mine anymore its all yours.

It wasnt exactly a surprise to shrewd fans who picked up on all the times Swift hinted at the number two  starting with her announcement at the Grammys, where she pointedly held up two fingers.

Some of the titles and lyrics alluded to in the run-up to the albums release didnt turn up until the second batch of songs hit streamers. Here are the tracks:

"The Black Dog"

"imgonnagetyouback"

"The Albatross"

"Chloe or Sam or Sophia or Marcus"

"How Did It End?"

"So High School"

"I Hate It Here"

"thanK you aIMee"

"I Look in Peoples Windows"

"The Prophecy"

"Cassandra"

"Peter"

"The Bolter"

"Robin"

"The Manuscript"

Four songs  The Albatross, The Bolter, The Black Dog and The Manuscript  were announced as bonus tracks on the various editions of the LP. Its unclear yet whether a full vinyl with all 31 songs will be available.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Tennessee Department of Transportation held an open house meeting Thursday for residents as the state is proposing a replacement bridge for I-55.

Kevin Phipps works with the Shelby County government, but right now he says he is a concerned former French Fort resident.

I just wanted to see how this was going to affect the neighborhood, because we currently have the Crump project going on where they are routing the traffic, and at that time we had issues with the trucks coming through, Phipps said.

TDOT to hold meeting to discuss replacing I-55 bridge

Phipps joins crowds of people looking to catch a peak on the Tennessee Department of Transportations I-55 replacement bridge project, Americas River Crossing.

Its an undertaking that is set to retire the 75-year-old I-55 bridge and replace it with a stronger one connecting Shelby and Crittenden County.

A proposed new bridge would have two 12-foot travel lanes. What youre traveling now are two 10-foot travel lanes with very narrow shoulders, said Nichole Lawrence, TDOTs regional communications officer.

TDOT is partnering with Arkansass Department of Transportation. Both are still waiting for grant approval.

Tennessee has already put up its part of $250 million towards the project as it waits for approval. The goal right now is to educate.

While people were learning about the new I-55 Bridge proposal, the topic of safety kept coming up, which is why officials kept pointing to their required safety measures for earthquake resistance.

Were really close to that New Madrid fault line, so if there was some sort of significant earthquake event that bridge would like come tumbling down, Lawrence said.

Memphis mayor says he will seek tax increase

Images of the Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore are still fresh in some minds, so hearing about these increased safety measures was received well.

Itll make us feel safer when we cross the bridge, said French Fort resident Rosie Eppenger. It will take some of our traffic off of the 40 interstate.

WREG asked what will come of the old 55 bridge once the replacement has been built.

So what happens to the older bridge is still up in the air, but yes it will eventually close once that proposed bridge is built and open, Lawrence said.

WREG has learned that the timeline for approval for the federal grant is pending, but they may have a decision by this summer.

The next information session is set to be held next Thursday at the Eugene Woods Civic Center.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
The Texas Education Agency appointed two conservators on Thursday to manage the Socorro Independent School District after a state investigation exposed widespread failings for improperly graduating students, failing to disclose a trustees potential conflict of interest with a vendor, and paying $283,000 in unauthorized stipends.

The conservators include the former superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District, Michael Hinojosa, and Andrew Kim, the director of research programs and outreach at the University of Texas at Austin, according to a letter sent Thursday to SISD from Commissioner of Education Mike Morath.

Andrew Kim, left, and Michael Hinojosa were named Thursday as state-appointed conservators for Socorro Independent School District.

Hinojosa has past experience in El Paso, previously serving as superintendent of the Fabens Independent School District and as the executive director of the states Region 19 Education Service Center for the El Paso region.

His wife was a teacher in Socorro ISD and his children went to elementary school in the district.

The Socorro ISD family is strong, but it needs some guidance. Andrew and Is role will be to help get things right for SISDs students, teachers, and staff so that the district can have the positive reputation that it deserves and that the community can believe in, Hinojosa said in a statement.

Kim was the superintendent of the Comal Independent School District in Central Texas from 2012 to 2022.

As a conservator in Socorro ISD, I look forward to collaborating with district leadership to refine its processes and systems to ensure that the focus is on supporting students and equipping them with the resources necessary for academic success, he said in a statement.

Hinojosa will serve as lead conservator, and Kim will specifically focus on system improvements to Socorro ISD, Morath said in his letter.

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Socorro ISD board President Michael Najera said each of the conservators will specialize in their work with the district.

Its my understanding that Dr. Hinojosa will be focused on governance and Dr. Kim will be focused on the operations side, he said in an interview with El Paso Matters.

The conservators will work with the district of 47,000 students to ensure it complies with statutes and regulations under a settlement approved by the school board in early March.

They will be taking on the job as the district deals with a $33 million deficit and a change in leadership. Deputy Superintendent James Vasquez was appointed as the districts acting leader after Superintendent Nate Carman was placed on administrative leave following an internal audit that found he had awarded contracts to a company he had previously done business with before joining SISD.

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Carman was already preparing to leave SISD in June for a new job as superintendent of an Arizona school district.

Najera said the board and acting superintendent remain in charge of the district, though their decisions could be overruled by the conservators.

The conservatorship does not replace the board. The conservatorship does not replace the superintendent. Of course, if we are doing things incorrectly, inappropriately, things that would hurt the district instead of help, yes, TEA can step in, he said.

The Texas Education Agency began investigating Socorro after the districts internal auditor found that at least 276 seniors graduated in 2019 without the proper credits. The TEA also received several complaints about allegations of conflict of interest, unauthorized use of district funds and other governance concerns, according to the letter.

TEA investigators found that SISD violated the Texas Education Code by graduating students who did not meet requirements in 2019, failing to disclose Trustee Paul Guerras connections to a vendor used by the district, and paying staff $283,000 in unauthorized stipends.

The district will need to pay the conservators $125 per hour for their work, plus necessary travel expenses.

According to Moraths letter, the conservators will be charged with:

Overseeing and directing any action of the district and/or governance team;

Conducting onsite inspections of the district during the period of the placement;

Facilitating a needs assessment of the district and governance systems;

Supporting the creation of a corrective action plan to address concerns outlined in the needs assessment; and

Reporting to the agency on the progress of the corrective action plan and governance activities of the district.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas Education Agency appoints two conservators for Socorro ISD
CANBERRA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Australia is in the midst of a crisis of male violence, the nation's Attorney-General has said.

In a speech to a family violence event on Friday, Mark Dreyfus called on men in Australia to step up and prevent violence against women.

"We have a crisis of male violence in Australia. It is a scourge in our society, and it must end," he said.

"To create lasting change, women cannot be expected to solve violence against women alone. It's time for men to step up. It's our responsibility to educate ourselves, our sons, our colleagues and our friends. We must focus on prevention, working together and finding new ways of doing things."

His speech comes in the wake of a stabbing spree at a shopping center in Sydney on Saturday where Joel Cauchi killed six people, including five women.

Prime Minister (PM) Anthony Albanese on Monday described the gender breakdown of Cauchi's victims as concerning, and New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb said it was obvious he had targeted women.

The attack in Sydney occurred one day after residents of the Victorian town of Ballarat - 100 km west of Melbourne - marched through the streets calling for action on violence against women after three local women were allegedly killed by men in two months.

According to NGO Counting Dead Women, 24 Australian women have died violently so far in 2024.

Dreyfus said on Friday that there needed to be a fundamental shift to acknowledge that violence against women in Australia is overwhelmingly perpetrated by men.

To change the situation, he said governments, organizations, frontline services, law enforcement, academic institutions, the judiciary, families and the community would need to work together. 
Teen accused of drive-by shooting near a Kennewick high school. Why his mom is charged

The mother of an accused teenage drive-by shooter is now facing charges after her son was tied to five drive-by shootings in the span of two months.

Juanita Espinoza, 43, was cited with failing to supervise her son, Eduardo Lopez. The misdemeanor could carry up to three months in jail.

Kennewick police said they were charging Espinoza, as they announced the arrests of her 17-year-old son and Cesar I. Villagrana, 20, of Pasco, in connection with a drive-by shooting on Oct. 12 at apartments on 720 N. Arthur St.

The apartments are just across the street from the driveways and pickup areas of the school.

Kennewick police Commander Isaac Merkl explained Espinoza had been warned about the possibility of facing charges if she didnt step in to stop her son.

Were not going out every day looking for parents, he said. Were using this tool for parents who are continuously failing to supervise their children. This being one of those examples.

Along with having a pistol that was tied to a series of five drive-by shootings in 2023, Lopez has previous convictions for misdemeanor assault, illegally possessing a gun and vandalism.

The Kennewick code used to charge his mother has been on the books for more than 40 years and has been updated a number of times, most recently in 2008.

Merkl said using the law is not always the best option, and officers try to find the program that works the best for the situation.

Bail is set at $125,000 for Villagrana, who was allegedly behind the wheel of his Volkswagen during the drive-by. He is in the Benton County jail on suspicion of drive-by shooting.

Kamiakin High drive-by

Villagrana and Lopez, both gang members, allegedly arrived at the Arthur Street apartment buildings about 4:45 p.m., according to court documents.

Lopez got out of the rear passenger side of the car and allegedly fired a 9mm handgun at rival gang members, court documents said.

While he missed his intended targets, he allegedly hit two occupied apartment buildings. No one was hit, but the bullets passed through a room children were in.

While school was out for the day, students and staff were still on campus for after-school activities. The high school went into lockdown briefly while police investigated.

Police identified Villagranas car and tracked it down to an Owen Avenue home in Pasco later the same day. Officers impounded and searched the car, but werent able to find any evidence.

Lopez was arrested during a weapons complaint on Oct. 22. Police found a 9mm handgun in his bedroom, which had been tied to five local shootings between August and October 2023.

Police found social media messages from the teen showing he bragged about shooting at rival gang members at the Arthur Street apartments.

Initially, the intended victims didnt want to speak to police about the shooting. Earlier in the month, one of the people identified Villagrana as the driver of the car, according to court documents.
FILE PHOTO: Scenes outside Christ The Good Shepherd Church after a knife attack took place during a service on Monday night in Sydney

By Renju Jose and Lewis Jackson

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Thousands of Muslims gathered in mosques across Sydney for regular prayers on Friday despite concerns about retaliatory attacks after police charged a 16-year-old boy with a terrorism offence over the stabbing of a Sydney bishop earlier this week.

Police charged a 16-year-old boy with a terrorism offence on Thursday for the alleged stabbing of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel at a church on Monday. Footage from the scene showed the boy restrained by the congregation and shouting at Emmanuel for insulting Islam.

Police said they will allege he stabbed the bishop, who is in stable condition in hospital, as many as six times. The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The boy was refused bail.

A mob of thousands descended on the church after the attack, where they clashed with police and demanded the boy be brought out to face justice.

Hours afterwards the Lakemba mosque, one of Australia's largest, received fire bomb threats.

Standing outside the mosque on Friday as worshippers streamed past, community leader Gamel Kheir said Muslim women were worried they would be singled out and those who worked for the mosque overseer had been asked to work from home for now.

"Our real fear is one of targeting women who are identifiable through their head scarves walking through the streets or shopping centres. At the moment they're scared to do that," said Kheir, secretary of the Lebanese Muslim Association, which oversees three mosques including Lakemba.

Coming only days after a mass stabbing in Bondi, the attack on Emmanuel and the possibility of reprisals have put the normally peaceful Sydney on edge. Gun and knife crime is rare in the city, one of the world's safest.

On his way to pray at the mosque on Friday, Abdul Masri, 32, told Reuters he was concerned about the possibility of further incidents.

"I don't fear, but I still worry, you know," he said.

Bishop Emmanuel on Thursday pleaded for peace and said he had forgiven his attacker in an audio message recorded in hospital.

Kheir thanked the priest for his message of forgiveness and calm.

"At the end of the day we all share the same message, we share the same land, we all share the same community."

(Reporting by Renju Jose and Lewis Jackson in Sydney; Editing by Jamie Freed and Sonali Paul)
A Brentwood woman this week filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Gino Bulso alleging the lawmaker and practicing attorney violated conflict of interest rules after he filed legislation that could affect the outcome of a legal case he's currently involved in.

Erica Bowton filed the complaint with the House Ethics Committee on April 15, arguing Bulso ran afoul of House ethics rules by sponsoring House Bill 1632, which Bowton said would give Bulso a "clear legal advantage in a lawsuit in which he serves as attorney for the plaintiffs."

Bulso, R-Brentwood, called the complaint "meritless" on Thursday.

Rep. Gino Bulso R- Brentwood, argues in favor of his bill during a House session at the state Capitol in Nashville , Tenn., Monday, Feb. 26, 2024.

Bulso represents a group of parents and the conservative activist group Citizens for Renewing America in a lawsuit against the Williamson County Board of Education. The group sued the county school board over Tennessee's library book law, arguing they should be allowed to challenge books on the shelves even if their children don't attend Williamson County schools.

Meanwhile, Bulso's HB 1632 would allow any parent whose children are eligible to attend a local school to challenge library books. Though the bill passed in the Senate, it stalled in the House and won't be passed this session. Bulso previously told The Tennessean there wasn't a conflict between his involvement in the legal case and sponsoring a bill to change state law, even though the two would effectively accomplish the same outcomes.

Bulso earlier this year said that because legal arguments in the lawsuit had already been made, his legislation couldn't have an effect on it.

"It is not accurate for Rep. Bulso to contend that the proposed law would not affect Rep. Bulsos lawsuit simply because the case has already been filed and the issue briefed," Bowton said in the ethics complaint. "As an attorney, Rep. Bulso certainly knows that supplemental briefs can be filed at any time prior to the courts ruling on a legal issue, and he would be remiss if he failed to bring to the courts attention that there had been a legislative amendment to the text of the Age-Appropriate Materials Act that directly addressed the standing issue."

Bowton previously accused Bulso of violating House ethics rules during a heated January committee meeting, where she testified against two of Bulso's bills and accused Bulso of standing to "profit financially from this arrangement."

At the time, Bulso stringently denied allegations of a conflict of interest, but Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville, eventually asked for legal clarification regarding the issue. After a lengthy discussion with the House Clerks office, the committee chair announced that there is no statement of interest violation, no code of ethics violation, or House Rules violation.

House Ethics Rules prohibit members from taking actions from which the representative has reason to believe or expect that the representative will derive a direct monetary gain or any other advantage or suffer a direct monetary loss by reason of the representatives official activity, without proper disclosure.

This complaint is meritless and politically motivated," Bulso said in a statement. "I have complete faith in the House Ethics Committee and I trust the facts will lead them to the correct course of action.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Rep. Gino Bulso faces ethics complaint over school book bill
Volkswagen automobile plant employee Vicky Holloway celebrates as she watches the results of a UAW union vote, late Friday, April 19, 2024, in Chattanooga, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP)  Employees at a Volkswagen factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, overwhelmingly voted to join the United Auto Workers union Friday in a historic first test of the UAWs renewed effort to organize nonunion factories.

The union wound up getting 2,628 votes, or 73% of the ballots cast, compared with only 985 who voted no in an election run by the National Labor Relations Board.

Both sides have five business days to file objections to the election, the NLRB said. If there are none, the election will be certified and VW and the union must begin bargaining in good faith.

President Joe Biden, who backed the UAW and won its endorsement, said the union's win follows major union gains across the country including actors, port workers, Teamsters members, writers and health care workers.

Together, these union wins have helped raise wages and demonstrate once again that the middle-class built America and that unions are still building and expanding the middle class for all workers, he said in a statement late Friday.

Twice in recent years, workers at the Chattanooga plant have rejected union membership in plantwide votes. Most recently, they handed the UAW a narrow defeat in 2019 as federal prosecutors were breaking up a bribery-and-embezzlement scandal at the union.

But this time, they voted convincingly for the UAW, which is operating under new leadership directly elected by members for the first time and basking in a successful confrontation with Detroits major automakers.

The unions pugnacious new president, Shawn Fain, was elected on a platform of cleaning up after the scandal and turning more confrontational with automakers. An emboldened Fain, backed by Biden, led the union in a series of strikes last fall against Detroits automakers that resulted in lucrative new contracts.

The new contracts raised union wages by a substantial one-third, arming Fain and his organizers with enticing new offers to present to workers at Volkswagen and other companies.

Next up for a union vote are workers at Mercedes factories near Tuscaloosa, Alabama, who will vote on UAW representation in May.

Fain said he was not surprised by the size of the union's win Friday after the two previous losses.

I think it's the reality of where we are and the times that we're in, he said Friday night. Workers are fed up in being left behind.

The win, he said, will help the growing unionization effort in the rest of the country.

This gives workers everywhere else the indication that it's OK, Fain said. All we've heard for years is we can't win here, you can't do this in the South, and you can.

Worker Vicky Holloway of Chattanooga was among dozens of cheering workers celebrating at an electrical workers union hall near the VW plant. She said the overwhelming vote for the union came this time because her colleagues realized they could have better benefits and a voice in the workplace.

Right now we have no say, said Holloway, who has worked at the plant for 13 years and was there for the union's previous losses. Its like our opinions dont matter.

In a statement, Volkswagen thanked workers for voting and said 83.5% of the 4,300 production workers cast ballots in the election.

Six Southern governors, including Tennessees Bill Lee, warned the workers in a joint statement this week that joining the UAW could cost them their jobs and threaten the regions economic progress.

But the overwhelming win is a warning to nonunion manufacturers, said Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University in Detroit who studies the union.

This is going to send a powerful message to all of those companies that the UAW is knocking at the door, and if they want to remain nonunion, theyve got to step up their game, Masters said.

He expects other nonunion automakers to become more aggressive at the plants, and that anti-union politicians will step up their efforts to fight the union.

Shortly after the Detroit contracts were ratified, Volkswagen and other nonunion companies handed their workers big pay raises.

Last fall, Volkswagen raised production worker pay by 11%, lifting top base wages to $32.40 per hour, or just over $67,000 per year. VW said its pay exceeds the median household income for the Chattanooga area, which was $54,480 last May, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

But under the UAW contracts, top production workers at GM, for instance, now earn $36 an hour, or about $75,000 a year excluding benefits and profit sharing. By the end of the contract in 2028, top-scale GM workers would make over $89,000.

The VW plant will be the first the UAW has represented at a foreign-owned automaking plant in the South. It will not, however, be the first union auto assembly plant in the South. The UAW represents workers at two Ford assembly plants in Kentucky and two GM factories in Tennessee and Texas, as well as some heavy-truck manufacturing plants.

Also, more than three decades ago, the UAW was at a Volkswagen factory in New Stanton, Pennsylvania, east of Pittsburgh. VW closed the plant that made small cars in the late 1980s.

___

Krisher reported from Detroit. Associated Press journalist Chris Megerian contributed from Washington.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Panic ensued for some parents and guardians of children in the Canyons School District after receiving an urgent notification that a school in the district had been placed on secure status pending a police investigation nearby.

The message was sent to several parents throughout the district rather than just the parents of the one affected school  Midvalley Elementary  because of what the district called a technical issue.

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A technical issue with CSDs emergency-notification system is the reason an alert about Midvalley Elementary was mistakenly sent to parents whose children attend school elsewhere, the district said. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused.

One parent who received the notification said he was super scared when the notification first came.

I left work immediately, he said.

The parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, has a daughter who attends Mount Jordan Middle School. But, because the message was sent throughout the district, he said he was terrified.

I dont think any parent wants to get that notification, he said.

Jeffrey Haney, of Canyons School District, said the alert was sent to Midvalley families. However, unfortunately, because of a technical issue, the message went to some parents whose children attend other schools, which caused some confusion.

The parent said he is grateful the districts alert systems are in place, and he understands technical issues happen.

A technical issue is easily forgiven. Definitely a scary moment today but all is well, he said.

When police gave the all-clear to resume normal operations at Midvalley, Haney said parents of students at that school were notified the school was no longer on secure status.

At all times, students and employees remained safe. The police action never encroached the campus, Haney said.

The full message is as follows:

This message is for parents and guardians of Canyons District students. A technical issue with CSDs emergency-notification system is the reason an alert about Midvalley Elementary was mistakenly sent to parents whose children attend school elsewhere. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused. We believe we have identified and fixed the problem with the system. In the meantime, Midvalley Elementary has resumed normal operations after police concluded its investigation in the neighborhood surrounding the school. Students, teachers, and staff remained safe throughout the precautionary incident. Thank you for your patience and understanding. If you have questions or concerns, please send an email message to communications@canyonsdistrict.org.

Jeffrey Haney, Canyons School District

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS)  More than a thousand radon testing kits were distributed by the West Virginia Department of Health (DH).

West Virginia DMV mainframe issues affect services

These were requested by residents of the Mountain State so that they would be able to test their homes and workplaces in honor of National Radon Action Month.

We are thrilled with the overwhelming response from West Virginians to take the first step needed to keep their homes safe. Those who recognize this problem early can take advantage of radon reduction systems that will greatly reduce their risk, said DH Cabinet Secretary Sherri Young.

Radon is a dangerous chemical. It is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes that radon contributes to cancer. They also reported that people who smoke and are exposed to radon have a 10 times higher risk of getting lung cancer than people who do not smoke at all, even at the same levels.

Under Governor Jim Justices leadership, we are pleased to be able to provide this important resource to help keep West Virginians safe. We now have additional supply that will allow us to provide kits for anyone who is interested, said Jason Frame, Director of the Department of Healths Office of Environmental Health Services.

Levels are monitored across the state by the Office of Environmental Health Services (OEHS) and they report the results on the Public Radon Dashboard. Free radon testing kits can be requested by emailing radon@wv.gov or by calling 304-352-5039. You can view more radon educational resources by visiting the OEHS Radon Program (wvdhhr.org).

DoHS and WVDE plan for start of Summer EBT Program for residents of the Mountain State

To learn more about West Virginias Radon Program, click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
JaReen Williams adjusts an iPad for her 16-year-old daughter, Lydia, so she can watch one of her comfort shows "Charlie Brown" in preparation for the treatment she undergoes three times a week by a nurse. Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune

As Komika Sales returns home from work, her sons nurse completes his evening routine  giving him his last medications, connecting him to his ventilation machine. After the nurse leaves, Sales and her son gather on the couch, giggling together as he uses his iPad or plays with blocks.

A stricter rule from Texas human services agency might make their bedtime ritual impossible. Her 16-year-old son could no longer receive nursing  therefore taking away his ability to live at home.

Its awful because the whole goal is to keep him at home, Sales said of her son, Micahi Neal.

A proposed rule change from the states Health and Human Services Commission would not allow an adult to be away from the home for any period of time whenever a nurse is providing services, according to documents obtained by The Texas Tribune.

Medicaid offers Neal more than 150 hours of private duty nursing per week, the type of care that the proposal would affect. Private duty nursing allows for more continuous services for medically complex children, and for Sales, its made it possible for her to work outside the home as an x-ray technician and even work overtime to afford his out-of-pocket medical expenses.

If the rule change became official, Sales would have few options: to pay for an extra caregiver to stay home while she works, which she cant afford, to put her child in an institution like a skilled nursing home, or, to quit her job and stay home with the nurse at all times. Neal, who has a congenital heart defect, is paraplegic and has undergone chemotherapy for cancer needs constant care.

If I don't work, then there's no roof, Sales said of being a single mom. I don't have a backup plan or support system because I am the backup plan and the support system.

Williams has an entire room in her house in Katy dedicated to various treatments for her daughter complete with a hospital bed, linens, gloves, paper towels and other needs. Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune

Williams works from home and has her own disability. But under the rule change, she would have to bring her daughter and her daughters nurse to doctors appointments with her. Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune

Even parents who work from home fear the change could impact their ability to leave the house for any reason, such as buying groceries, going to doctors appointments or running other errands.

Thousands of families could face these crossroads if the rule change became official. More than 7,000 individuals received private duty nursing in 2022, according to the state, though that may include some adults who receive the services through other specialized health care programs.

When asked what spurred HHSC to propose the rule change, spokesperson Jennifer Ruffcorn said in a statement that they were clarifying the existing private duty nursing rules and policy.

According to the agency, this is how they've always interpreted the policy. Because of this, HHSC is not setting new or different expectations about how this policy is monitored or reported, Ruffcorn said. But, advocates say, the formalized proposal could create confusion for nursing provider companies and affect families eligibility for their services.

Nurse monitoring

JaReen Williams 16-year-old daughter cant use the bathroom on her own. She has a neurogenic bladder, colonic dysmotility and fecal impaction, so a nurse spends hours at their house helping with her catheter and bowel program. Sometimes, the entire process can take four or five hours.

Williams works from home and has her own disability. But under the rule change, she would have to bring her daughter and her daughters nurse to doctors appointments with her.

If Mom has to go somewhere, and I'm in the middle of doing all this, I personally wouldn't be able to leave my patient and then follow Mom around, Ify Ozoh, the private duty nurse for Williams daughter, said. I can't do that. My patient comes first.

Some advocates have argued the rule change wouldnt just harm patients and their families  it also denigrates nurses by equating the medical care they provide with child care, or suggesting another adult needs to be with the nurse at all times.

I really don't want anyone hovering over me trying to watch what I'm doing. I know what I'm doing, Ozoh said. I went to school for it. It will make me feel like, OK, don't you trust me?

Ozoh said she doesnt have time during her shift to do anything non-medical for Williams daughter, regardless of whether or not Williams is home.

Jessie Sage Cheng receives a towel from a nurse to help wipe the face of her 11-year-old daughter at their home in Duncanville. Cheng has a nurse to help her care for her daughter as she balances working as a nurse herself, going to grad school, and being a single mother. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune

Jessie Sage Cheng, a registered nurse and consultant, has a daughter with multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy. But she cant care for her own daughter because of her work, and she needs someone else to monitor her daughters medical needs.

One of the pillars of nursing is autonomy, Sage Cheng said. It is being able to make autonomous decisions that are in the best interest of the patient. If you make somebody else responsible for what the nurse is doing, you've just stripped them of their autonomy.

Sage Cheng said it isnt fair to call nursing care child care just because a parent is away.

The need for someone to watch your child who has medical complexities is inextricably linked to the level of care that they need, Sage Cheng said. And so you can't separate it out. You can't say that a child receiving PDN is just being taken care of like a babysitter would  because a babysitter couldn't take care of that child.

It is unequivocally denying the reality of the level of care that that child needs, Sage Cheng said.

An ongoing debate

The rule draft has befuddled advocates, both because its not clear why the change is necessary, and because the concept has been introduced before and received public rancor, they said.

Its not really clear why, said Terry Anstee, an attorney for disability advocacy organization Disability Rights Texas. The rationale from the Health and Human Services Commission keeps changing.

Anstee said HHSC has cited concern from the Texas Legislature, the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the Board of Nursing on different occasions as reasons for making the rule change. He said hes found no evidence to back any of these claims.

Ruffcorn, the HHSC spokesperson, said in a statement that the move was intended to clarify the existing PDN rules and policy that have been in effect for several years.

Since 2015, HHSC has interpreted the current rules to mean that parents cannot regularly or routinely leave a nurse at home alone with a child while at work because that would qualify as respite care, which isnt covered, her statement said.

But neither of the existing policies the commission referred to  both in the Texas Administrative Code and the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual  specifically say an adult must stay home with a nurse at all times. One part of the manual says that responsible adults are essential elements of safe and effective services, but in the context that a child must already reside with an adult who provides them with all other forms of care.

At the same time, the manual says these nursing services may inherently result in the relief of the parent, guardian, or responsible adult, child care, or some non-medical, non-skilled activities in the course of providing nursing care."

Left: Sage Cheng wipes her 11-year-old daughters face at their home. Right: Sage Cheng holds her daughters hand as they lay in bed together. Cheng says her daughters absolute favorite thing to do is snuggle with her mom in their bed. Credit: Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune

According to the documents obtained by The Texas Tribune, HHSC drafted a similar proposal in 2021 after meeting with private duty nursing companies and managed care organizations, the health care companies that provide Medicaid health plans to Texans. Managed care organizations foot the immediate bill for care, but the state funds them  and when they report higher costs of care, the state has to increase how much it pays them.

But this draft was leaked to the public, as a result, HHSC received around 130 emails from stakeholders (including parents and providers), according to the documents.

A main concern from the parents was the inability to work outside of the home and paying for necessary child care, the documents said of these emails.

The commission introduced the current rule change draft this year, but its unclear if and when the rule will become official. In documents, HHSC said the rule could officially be proposed in the Texas Register around summer 2024 following periods of public comment and the Medical Care Advisory Committee discussing it at a meeting.

Trying to work

Some parents have already seen the fallout of not being able to access private duty nursing services. Laure Elmer lives in Pleasanton, Texas outside of San Antonio and her son has multiple disabilities and needs the continuous care private duty nursing would provide.

Hes eligible for services but because she lives in a more rural area, she hasnt been able to actually find a nurse to perform that care  so she had to quit her job as a full-time pediatrician and now provides medical care for him herself.

I was practicing and enjoyed what I was doing, Elmer, 59, said of her 16-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy. We had entertained [putting him in an institution] as a fleeting thought, but I cant do that to our son. It became a choice that I would much rather stay home with my child. But I had the luxury of a husband who was working.

For Sales, she said she has to work no matter what.

I have expenses. I have a mortgage to pay, I have a car note to pay, I have insurance to pay, Sales said. Weve got to eat, so Ive got to work to buy groceries. And on top of it, everything in the grocery store costs higher than what it did five years ago. So if I don't work, how am I supposed to afford anything?

Sales said she hopes HHSC listens to public comment, but feels HHSC is always trying to cut the budget from the ones that need the help the most.

I feel like they're always picking on the medically fragile kids, Sales said. They need to rethink this proposal.

Neelam Bohra is a 2023-24 New York Times disability reporting fellow, based at The Texas Tribune through a partnership with The New York Times and the National Center on Disability and Journalism, which is based at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

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An Austin-Travis County EMS unit parked near a hospital's emergency entrance in Austin on July 7, 2020. (Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune)

Editors note: Texas, Idaho abortion bans test against federal emergency medicine rule was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

For almost 40 years, American hospitals have operated under a federal law that says they must treat and stabilize any patient experiencing a medical emergency.

But now, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act finds itself on a collision course with conservative states that want to ban abortion in nearly all cases.

The Biden administration has sued Idaho, saying that states abortion ban violates EMTALA because its exceptions are too narrow to allow doctors to perform abortions if needed to stabilize a patient. Texas, meanwhile, has sued the Biden administration, saying its using EMTALA as an end-run around state abortion bans to mandate that every hospital and emergency-room physician perform abortions.

The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments about the Idaho case April 24. Its ruling is expected to impact the Texas case, as well as the future of both state-level abortion bans and national standards of emergency medicine.

Nobody was thinking about EMTALA, when Roe v. Wade was overturned, said Sara Rosenbaum, a professor emerita at the Milken School of Public Health at the George Washington University.

Except for the handful of us who are really, really steeped in EMTALA, we knew the day would come when the states standards would come into direct conflict with EMTALA, Rosenbaum said. We knew wed be in exactly the position were in now.

EMTALAs Texas roots

Long before Texas was feuding with the federal government over EMTALA, the Lone Star State was actually laying the groundwork for its creation.

Before EMTALA, private hospitals often turned away patients who couldnt pay. In addition to taking on all low-income and uninsured patients, public hospitals had to deal with the fallout when patients were improperly discharged from private facilities in the midst of medical emergencies.

Dr. Ron Anderson saw all this firsthand as CEO of Parkland Memorial Hospital, the public hospital in Dallas. In a 2014 oral history, Anderson recounted the story of a pregnant woman who told her doctors at a private hospital that her husband had lost his insurance.

They pushed her legs together, started an IV, and sent her to Parkland, he said. She was crowning  the baby was coming any minute. She delivered in the hallway at Parkland.

Anderson also chaired the state health board, and in 1985, he pushed Texas legislators to pass the nations first anti-patient dumping law, requiring private hospitals to treat medical emergencies regardless of a patients ability to pay.

Congress followed in Texas footsteps, and the next year, EMTALA was born.

The fact that Texas had done it helped a lot, Rosenbaum said, who represented community clinics on the border in patient-dumping cases at the time. It was a Republican Senate, a Democratic House, and Ronald Reagan was president  but the consensus was there.

EMTALA enshrines in law the emergency medicine ethos to treat anyone, anything, anytime. Hospitals with emergency rooms are required to screen anyone who shows up and determine whether they have an emergency medical condition. If so, the hospital must stabilize them before they can be transferred or discharged.

EMTALA defines an emergency medical condition as anything severe enough where not providing immediate medical attention could place the health of the patient  or with respect to a pregnant woman, the health of the woman or her unborn child  in serious jeopardy, or cause serious impairment to bodily functions, organs or parts.

A pregnant woman who is having contractions qualifies as having an emergency medical condition if there isnt enough time to safely transfer her or if transferring her would threaten her or the pregnancy.

Hospitals that fail to properly screen or stabilize patients can be investigated and, in worst case scenarios, lose the ability to accept Medicare or Medicaid, effectively a death sentence for a hospital.

Although the stabilizing requirement applies if either a pregnant patient or their fetus is experiencing an emergency medical condition, Rosenbaum said the courts have not interpreted EMTALA to preclude abortion as a potentially stabilizing treatment. In fact, hospitals have been cited for EMTALA violations in the past for failing to perform medically necessary abortions to stabilize patients.

Texas v. EMTALA

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the Biden administration issued guidance to hospitals, reminding them that if a doctor believes an abortion is necessary to stabilize a patients emergency medical condition, the physician must provide that treatment.

When a state law prohibits abortion and does not include an exception for the life of the pregnant person  or draws the exception more narrowly than EMTALAs emergency medical condition definition  that state law is preempted.

Texas sued the Biden administration over this guidance, saying it was an effort to force hospitals and doctors to commit crimes and transform every emergency room in the country into a walk-in abortion clinic.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said this was a patent misreading of the guidance that bears no resemblance to reality.

Texas abortion ban has an exception that allows doctors to perform an abortion to save a patients life. So why is the state going to court over a requirement to perform medically necessary abortions?

The distinction is in the details. EMTALA and Texas abortion exceptions create a Venn diagram of emergency pregnancy care: EMTALA mandates care when there is a risk that a patients health could be in jeopardy. Texas law requires a life-threatening condition that poses a risk of death before a doctor can act.

Texas law lays out the circumstances when a doctor is allowed to perform an abortion without facing potentially years in prison. EMTALA mandates when a hospital must offer stabilizing medical care, which could include abortions.

Under EMTALA, the obligation is on the hospital to ensure its patients receive the stabilizing care they are owed under federal law. If a doctor declines to provide an abortion on conscience grounds, the hospital has to find another doctor who can perform the procedure.

We are all supposed to be protected when we go to a hospital, Rosenbaum said. A, theyve got to screen us, but B, if we become unstable in the hospital, then theyve got to stabilize us before they let us go.

Almost two years under Texas near-total abortion ban has shown the fear and confusion doctors face when deciding whether its legally safe to terminate a pregnancy. Dozens of women have come forward with stories of being denied medical care for their pregnancy complications by doctors too scared to act.

Republican leaders, and the state of Texas in court filings, have blamed doctors for this confusion, saying the laws make it clear they can perform life-saving abortions. This lawsuit reflects Texas stance on how doctors are expected to handle edge cases where patients are facing emergency situations that have not yet reached the states risk of death standard.

In August 2022, U.S. District Judge Wesley Hendrix ruled that while Texas law already overlaps with EMTALA to a significant degree, HHSs guidance goes well beyond EMTALAs text, which protects both mothers and unborn children, is silent on abortion, and preempts state law only when the two directly conflict.

Hendrix, a Trump-appointee who hears nearly all cases filed in Lubbock, also found that the guidance was unauthorized because the agency did not follow proper rulemaking procedure.

HHS appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. At the November hearing, Department of Justice lawyer McKaye Neumeister said while Texas laws may not prohibit performing abortions in certain circumstances, EMTALA was one of the only ways the federal government could ensure that the hospitals are following their obligations in offering the care thats required.

Judge Leslie Southwick at the hearing described HHSs guidance as an effort to expand abortion access beyond life-saving care to broader categories of things, mental health or whatever HHS would say an abortion is required for.

The appeals court upheld Hendrixs ruling. HHS has asked the Supreme Court to take up the case.

EMTALA v. Idaho

The future of the Texas case will likely be decided after the Supreme Court hears arguments in another EMTALA case later this month. That case focuses on Idahos abortion ban, which was temporarily blocked from going into effect after the DOJ sued, saying it conflicted with EMTALA.

U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton, wrote in his ruling that this case was not about the bygone constitutional right to an abortion, but whether Idahos state law conflicts with a small but important corner of federal legislation. It does.

Winmill pointed to the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which says state law must yield to federal law when its impossible to comply with both.

At first, a three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Winmills ruling, but then the full court heard the case and agreed to leave the law on ice due to its conflict with EMTALA.

Idaho appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that the law should go into effect while the case proceeds.

Rosenbaum said a ruling in Idahos favor would amount to restricting what stabilizing treatment a hospital can offer a pregnant patient facing an emergency medical condition, effectively excising certain care for certain people from the protections of EMTALA.

Now youve opened the door to excise any disfavored condition, Rosenbaum said. What if, Were going to prohibit our hospitals from providing emergency care unless someones dying from a drug overdose, because we think that by offering emergency care, were encouraging people. Or hospitals are now barred from treating populations with HIV unless theyre dying. Theres no endpoint to this.

Where things stand now

Until the Supreme Court rules, the Idaho abortion ban remains in effect and, as of the 5th Circuits ruling in the Texas case, the Biden administrations guidance saying EMTALA preempts state abortion bans is suspended.

The EMTALA clash is just one of many unresolved questions surrounding state abortion laws that has left doctors, hospital administrators and the patients they serve in a legal limbo.

While pregnant women go to the emergency room more often than the average person, its rare that the situation devolves to the point that a doctor has to perform an emergency abortion to stabilize the patient. But in high stakes, fast-moving crisis situations, doctors say it needs to be available as an option.

You have doctors stuck trying to navigate all of this, trying to uphold their oath to care for the patient in front of them, while also trying not to break the law and potentially lose their medical license or even face jail, Dr. Michael Belmonte, an OB/GYN and complex family planning specialist, said in a media briefing with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This is not how any of us trained to practice medicine  and this situation is going to lead to terrible outcomes for our patients.

Rosenbaum worries that this uncertainty will make providers wary about treating pregnant women in general, for fear that it may devolve into an emergency situation theyre not allowed to treat.

You make pregnant women toxic, Rosenbaum said. Youre a hospital in one of these states, and you see a pregnant woman being brought in with an emergency and before you even know what youre dealing with, everybody is in a panic. You can imagine what goes through peoples minds in a state like Idaho or Texas.

The post Texas, Idaho abortion bans test against federal emergency medicine rule appeared first on Idaho Capital Sun.
The right thing to do: Puerto Ricans in Central Florida fight for SNAP benefits

Central Floridas Puerto Rican community is at the center of a national fight over a bill that is renewed every 5 years by elected leaders in D.C.

The Farm Bill funds food and agriculture programs across the country including the SNAP program.

SNAP replaced Food Stamps and allows low-income U.S. Citizens to purchase food for their families.

Through SNAP a family of four living in the continental U.S. can collect a maximum of $973 a month for food purchases.

But, Puerto Ricans on the island havent been included in the program since the 1980.

Data from UCFs Puerto Rico hub shows over 400,000 Puerto Ricans live in Central Florida, and many now want their loved ones back on the island to have access to SNAP benefits.

Benefits were taken away from Puerto Ricans in 1981 and since then we have been asking for the program to be reinstalled in the island, said Mayra Ramos Miro, the Regional Director for the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration in Kissimmee.

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Budget cuts in the 80s carved Puerto Rico out of the program, then called the Food Stamps Program.

Instead, Puerto Ricans receive Nutritional Assistance Program benefits known as NAP, a capped block grant with set annual funding.

According to an analysis of NAP administrative data by the Center for Policy and Budget Priorities, the NAP maximum benefit allotment for a family of 4 is about half of SNAP at $410 a month.

The benefits are lower and in times of a crisis it is not adjusted to the condition of the island, said Miro.

Advocates say Hurricane Maria in 2017 highlighted the limits of NAP which has more restrictive eligibility requirements, lower monthly benefits, and cant expand to meet increased disaster need.

U.S. Congressman Darren Soto believes his Kissimmee constituents want to see Puerto Ricans switched over to the SNAP program.

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One of every four of my constituents is of Puerto Rican descent like myself and many of us have family down on the island, said Soto, Theres a lot of constituents who Im hearing from who want to make sure this gets done.

Soto, a Democrat who sits on a House Agriculture Subcommittee, believes the Farm Bill could head to committee sometime in July.

Aside from supporting SNAP for Puerto Ricans he supports agricultural subsidies for the island.

We have to improve the domestic agriculture there, an island with a 24/7 growing season that only produces 25% of its own food is not sustainable, said Soto.

Soto also said he is fighting to help local ranchers, citrus growers, and Central Floridas SNAP program as the Farm Bill gets worked on, but he believes more help for Puerto Rico is possible.

Meanwhile funding is likely an uphill battle, with some pointing to large costs that would be associated with SNAP expanding to Puerto Rico.

Channel 9 has reached out to three Republican Chairs of Agriculture subcommittees for their perspective on a possible expansion but did not hear back before news time Thursday.

Read: Woman reunited with EMS crew who saved her life with blood transfusion

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An Italian volunteer displays Hanfu, the traditional attire of Han Chinese, during the Venice Carnival at the Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy, Feb. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

"China's national pavilion is the highlight of this year's Biennale," Sebastian, an Australian art worker, told Xinhua.

VENICE, Italy, April 18 (Xinhua) -- China's national pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition opened on Thursday in the northern Italian city of Venice.

Themed "Altas: Harmony in Diversity," the pavilion highlights the concepts of "to gather, converge, collect, or assemble," aiming to convey the values of harmony and beauty rooted in Chinese culture.

"China's national pavilion in the 60th Venice Biennale adds importance to the joint commemoration between China and Italy of the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death ... and will further promote mutual understanding and friendly exchanges between the two countries in all aspects," said Zhang Lingxiao, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, in the opening speech.

In her speech, Laura Fincato, Italy's former deputy foreign minister, said that China's national pavilion addresses the significance of cultural communication as a bridge between different countries.

"The theme of this year's China's national pavilion shows that both Chinese and Italian cultures have thousands of years of history and that both sides can respect their different origins and build ever closer relationships in harmony," Fincato told Xinhua at the ceremony.

This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2024 shows a scene of a water light show entitled "Unknown Lands: Marco Polo's Fantastic Journey" in Venice, Italy. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

"It is full of imagination," Vittorio Sgarbi, one of the country's best-known political and social commentators, told Xinhua. "From the exhibition, we can see how Chinese artists are connected with the world and enjoy the freedom of imagination in their art research."

The exhibition at the Chinese pavilion is divided into two parts. The first part consists of images and documents from a comprehensive collection of ancient Chinese paintings, while the second part features works by seven contemporary Chinese artists.

Professor Wang Xiaosong from Zhejiang University, one of the curators, told Xinhua that in a major national cultural project launched in 2005, a total of 12,405 masterpieces have been collected from more than 260 cultural institutions worldwide. In the pavilion this time, 100 selected pieces from the collection are showcased in a data visualization format.

In addition to the ancient paintings, new works of traditional Chinese architecture, calligraphy and flora by contemporary Chinese artists are displayed, integrating the traditional with the contemporary.

"I am deeply impressed by the ancient Chinese paintings, which allow me to appreciate the love and care for nature in traditional Chinese culture," said Daniel Grun, an art teacher from Slovakia.

Sarita Matjievic Zilnik, a Serbian producer, admired the contemporary Chinese art pieces. She told Xinhua that the exhibition is "the best cultural exchange experience" she has had so far at this year's Biennale.

"China's national pavilion is the highlight of this year's Biennale," Sebastian, an Australian art worker, told Xinhua. "I have traveled to China, and I genuinely understand that the exhibition uses Chinese elements very well."

The exhibition, also known as the 60th Venice Biennale, will be held from April 20 to Nov. 24 at the Arsenale and the Giardini venues here under the theme "Foreigners Everywhere."
A third House Republican lawmaker is jumping on board the effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., over his plan for foreign aid.

Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., released a statement shortly after Johnson's plan  four bills that amount to $95 billion in spending  survived a key procedural vote on the House floor with more Democratic support than Republican.

He bashed House GOP leaders for not linking his foreign aid proposal, particularly a bill sending money to Ukraine, to U.S. border security measures  frustration shared by other conservative foreign aid skeptics who voted to block the plan from getting a vote on final passage.

DEMS SAVE JOHNSON'S $95B FOREIGN AID PLAN FROM GOP REBEL BLOCKADE

Rep. Paul Gosar (right) is backing a motion to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (left)

"[R]ather than spending the resources to secure our southern border and combating the invasion of 11 million illegals and despite repeated promises there would be no additional money going to Ukraine without first securing our border, the United States House of Representatives, under the direction of the Speaker, is on the verge of sending another $61 billion to further draw America into an endless and purposeless war in Ukraine," Gosar said in a statement.

"I have added my name in support of the motion to vacate the Speaker. Our border cannot be an afterthought. We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

HOUSE TAKES KEY TEST VOTE FOR JOHNSONS $95B FOREIGN AID PLAN AFTER DEMS HELP IT ADVANCE

He signed onto a resolution filed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., last month in protest of Johnson's handling of foreign aid and government spending, known as a motion to vacate  under current House rules, just one lawmaker is needed to file it to trigger a House-wide vote on booting the speaker.

Greene refused to discuss the motion to vacate with reporters after the foreign aid vote on Friday. She posted on X soon after, however, "And now there are three. Thank you to [Paul Gosar] for cosponsoring my motion to vacate Speaker Johnson!"

Gosar signed onto a motion to vacate resolution filed last month by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

House leaders do not have to put Greene's resolution up for a vote unless she files it at "privileged," at which point it's required that lawmakers act on it within two legislative days.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., signed onto Greene's resolution earlier this week after a closed-door GOP lawmaker meeting where he threatened to call for Johnson's ouster if he did not step aside after the House floor vote on his foreign aid plan, expected on Saturday.

Johnson has faced furious pushback from the right flank of his conference over most of his plan, particularly sending $60 billion to Ukraine, which has become a politically fraught topic for much of the GOP.

TENSIONS ERUPT ON HOUSE FLOOR AS CONSERVATIVES CONFRONT JOHNSON ON $95B FOREIGN AID PLAN

Those same foreign aid hawks have objected to some of the Israel funding being aimed at humanitarian aid in Gaza, though its inclusion was critical to winning Democratic support. In a victory for Republicans, however, it prevents any of the Israel-Gaza funding from going toward the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), a Palestinian refugee agency alleged to have ties to Hamas.

Conservative rebels also decried House GOP leaders decision to combine the four bills into one before sending it to the Senate, arguing it amounted to the same $95 billion foreign aid package the Democrat-majority chamber passed earlier this year and which House Republicans oppose. Johnson has argued that packaging them together for the Senate would prevent them from neglecting the Israel bill at a time when the issue has divided the Democratic Party.

In the end, more Democrats supported advancing the package to a final vote than Republicans  the numbers were 165 and 151, respectively.

"I would say that I definitely understand the sentiment," Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., one of the Republicans who voted to block the rule, told reporters about threats to oust Johnson. "I've told the speaker myself, the American people don't expect us to win all the time, but they expect us to fight. They don't see us doing that. They don't see him doing that."

However, House Freedom Caucus Chairman Bob Good, R-Va., one of eight House Republicans who voted to oust Johnson's predecessor in early October, told reporters it was "not the most prudent" time to boot another leader.

"We're six months before the election, we've got a two or three vote margin. There's a far greater degree of uncertainty in that situation than there was back in September," Good said.





Original article source: Third House Republican calls for Speaker Johnson's ouster over $95B foreign aid plan
South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis has shrouded the state treasury in so much mystery that Benoit Blanc might be the only sleuth who could suss out the truth of it. The famous southern detective from the films Knives Out and Glass Onion  the worlds greatest  is actually less of a character than Loftis, who ended our first interview 30 minutes after meeting me in his office, having blamed everyone but himself for a scandal that has dogged him since last year. He insulted a half dozen state senators who had questioned him in a long, combative hearing this month, arguing they have no obligations to tell the truth, and then insulted me and my profession, saying, Theres no obligation for any journalist to check their facts.

When I respectfully suggested that a) gravitas and b) the good stewardship of public funds would go a long way toward changing everyones perceptions, he said, Im just not going to meet your qualifications. You and I arent going to have a meeting of the minds.

Wed known each other for 20 minutes. Our conversation went downhill from there as I sought to understand his recent actions.

Loftis manages $70 billion in state funds. At one point, he told me, flatly, Youre never gonna understand. I respectfully replied that I would. Ive become quite good at investigating and explaining complex issues over 30 years as a journalist, including in California, where the state treasurer manages $3 trillion in bank transactions in a fiscal year.

It was last year when Loftis began to wear out his welcome and whittle away at his reputation after state politicians learned about $1.8 billion sitting in a state bank account with no idea where the money came from or what to do with it. Its a big question with profound implications.

A Senate panel led by Sen. Larry Grooms, R-Berkeley, is investigating the mess. Tuesday, Grooms dropped a bombshell: Loftis had planned to publish highly sensitive information two weeks ago that included a list of state agency funds and their cash balances, which in turn would have made the state more vulnerable to a cyberattack. Grooms said it calls into question Loftis judgment and temperament. Loftis said the senators criticism is contrived and said he never intended to or would have put the state at risk. But in an unacceptably irresponsible gambit, his threatened release became a high-stakes game of chicken that ended when Gov. Henry McMaster, six hours after having knee surgery, called Loftis and asked him to stand down. Other top officials were poised to intervene.

Grooms thinks Loftis, first elected in 2010, should resign. He has a point. Loftis may not just be a distraction but a danger. But then he emailed me Wednesday night with his phone number, and apologized man to man when I called him Thursday, sounding every bit the Southern gentleman. He said he has high blood pressure and health concerns, which caused him to pass out in his office the week before, led his staff to drive him home Wednesday, and had him working from home the rest of the week while new meds take effect.

I accepted his apology and offered sympathy for his health, and I tried to continue the conversation he cut short the day before. But when I brought up the calls for him to resign and asked him if he would consider that given his health, the harsh spotlight on him and his publicly announced plan not to seek re-election in 2026, he called the question completely unfair.

Its not, but Im willing to give Loftis some time as Gov. Henry McMaster has.

The governor has given him and other state officials until July 1 to get to the bottom of the $1.8 billion. When I asked McMaster this week if having Loftis in those discussions wasnt like having a fox make dinner plans with hens, he said no, because there are other unbiased people looking into the issue.

I can wait a couple months for answers. But if Loftis cant stay composed, let alone healthy, and if he cant set the record straight so that everyone understands it, it will be time to step aside.

Send me 200-word letters to the editor here, 650-word guest essays here and email here. Say hi on X anytime.
(Bloomberg) -- The best rally in emerging markets this year hinges on the popularity of one person: Daniel Noboa, the 36-year-old heir to a banana fortune.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Less than six months into his administration as Ecuadors president, Noboa has cracked down on gang violence, hiked taxes and made progress negotiating a deal with the International Monetary Fund  all of which makes the nations dollar bonds the best performers among developing nations.

The millennial leader faces a key test Sunday when Ecuadorians will vote on security measures he proposed to continue fighting organized crime in a country gripped by spiraling violence.

For investors, the vote results are key to determining Noboas popularity and whether Ecuadors sovereign debt can extend its rally or repeat a crash seen last year after the failure of former President Guillermo Lassos own referendum.

President Noboas success in the upcoming April 21 referendum will be crucial for passing reforms, along with gaining a larger representation in the National Assembly, said Ricardo Penfold, a managing director at Seaport Global in New York.

In addition to stronger use of the military, Noboa is seeking approval for the extradition of Ecuadorian citizens to fight crime and to overturn constitutional bans on temporary work and international arbitration. But the vote is taking place amid an energy crisis, with the president ordering businesses and government offices shut down Thursday and Friday due to a crippling lack of electricity he blamed on drought but also alleged sabotage.

Compared with Lasso, however, who had an approval rating of 13.5% at the time of his referendum, Noboa, polling at 66.8% as of April 12, heads into the vote in a much stronger position, according to Comunicaliza.

What we learned from the Lasso referendum fiasco last year is that Ecuadors voters tend to not really care or read the questions, said Risa Grais-Targow, an analyst at Eurasia Group who sees more upside on the bonds if the results from the referendum are favorable. Its all about how they feel about the president.

Holders of Ecuadors debt have been on a roller-coaster ride over the past two years. Sovereign notes were among the worst performers in 2023 as Ecuador went through an impeachment bid, an assassination of a presidential frontrunner and a sharp escalation of narco-gang violence.

Since then, bonds have risen to the top in emerging markets, as Noboa leveraged a security crisis into an opportunity to push through reforms, gaining favor with global investors and acceptance among Ecuadorians.

The extra yield investors demand to hold Ecuadors dollar bonds has dropped over nine percentage points this year to 1141 basis points, according to JPMorgan Chase data. The risk premium has returned to levels of February 2023, just before Lassos referendum defeat led to a crash in the nations sovereign debt.

Noboas security strategy is providing him with unprecedented governability and political support, Grais-Targow said. She added that the young leader has better prospects for political stability than what Ive seen since the administration of former President Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2017, who leads the Citizen Revolution party and is in self-imposed exile due to a corruption conviction.

Chris Preece, a portfolio manager at Pictet Asset Management, said the market expects the referendum to pass given Noboas successes so far.

Noboa has exceptionally high polling. Hes very popular. He hasnt been able to completely clamp down on the violence, but its drastically improved, said Preece, who holds an overweight position on the bonds.

Ecuador bonds have returned more than 60% to investors this year, compared to an average of 0.1% across emerging market sovereign notes, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

With fiscal measures and IMF negotiations largely priced in, a favorable outcome on Sunday would be a powerful sign of popular support for Noboa ahead of the 2025 elections and thus drive further gains, according to BancTrust & Co. strategists Juan Sola, Agustin Costa and Ramiro Blazquez. They expect the bonds spread to further compress 200 basis points.

Investors like Polina Kurdyavko, head of EM debt at BlueBay Asset Management, are waiting on results to decide whether to bet on Ecuador.

Its very difficult to make projections in Ecuador beyond a 3-, 4-, 5-month horizon, Kurdyavko said. So for now we had decided more to sit on the sidelines and see how the referendum evolves and whether the policy sustainability can be assured.

--With assistance from Stephan Kueffner.

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The retailer said that the recall affects its Infinite Herbs Organic Basil sold between Feb. 1 and April 6 and that people should throw it out if purchased

Jeenah Moon/Bloomberg via Getty Images Trader Joe's grocery cart

Trader Joes is recalling its packaged basil products due to Salmonella concerns.

The company announced its Infinite Herbs Organic Basil, which is sold in 2.5-ounce packages, has been recalled in several New England and eastern states, after the Centers for Disease Control [CDC] received reports of Salmonella infections linked to the product.

The retailer said the basil sold between Feb. 1 and April 6 may have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and advised people who purchased it between that time to throw it out or return to the store with the item for a full refund.

The CDC and Food and Drug Administration [FDA] said in a press release that 12 people across seven states have been infected with an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infection. Seven of the eight people who provided information noted that they had been exposed to the fresh organic basil purchased from the retailer before becoming ill.

Trader Joe's Organic Basil Trader Joe's Infinite Herbs Organic Basil, which has been recalled.

Related: At Least 26 People in 11 U.S. States Sickened by Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Turtles, Says CDC

According to the CDC, at least three to four people reported salmonella illness in Florida and Minnesota. New Jersey, Wisconsin, Missouri and Georgia also had at least one or two cases reported. The latest report of Salmonella infection was received on April 2.

The CDC and FDA noted that in response to the investigation, Trader Joes voluntarily removed the items from its shelves in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington D.C.

Related: 2 Dead, At Least 99 Sick in Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Contaminated Cantaloupes and Cut Fruit

CDC CDC map of reported Salmonella infections

The agency said it traced the origin of the product to the supplier Infinite Herbs, LLC, which is located in Miami.

The CDC said its investigation into the Salmonella outbreak is ongoing as they determine the source of the contamination and whether additional products may be affected.

Salmonella is usually spread through eating contaminated food or water or through touching infected animals, their feces or environment, according to the CDCs website.

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People infected with Salmonella usually begin experiencing symptoms anywhere between six hours and six days and their illness can last anywhere between four and seven days, per the CDC. Common symptoms of Salmonella include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, along with nausea, vomiting or a headache.

The CDC noted that people should call a doctor if they start experiencing symptoms as the infection can be deadlier for people with a weakened immune system, adults over the age of 65 and infants. People should also seek treatments if their symptoms become severe, including if they have a fever higher than 102F or diarrhea for more than three days and prolonged vomiting.



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A multi-state outbreak of salmonella linked to fresh basil sold at Trader Joe's has sickened at least 12 people so far. The recalled product, Infinite Herbs brand organic basil packed in 2.5-ounce plastic containers, has been pulled from shelves in stores.

The grocer announced the recall on April 17 on its website, stating that Infinite Herbs organic basil may have the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause diarrheal illness in humans, often through contaminated food. Salmonella infections can be serious and deadly, especially among high-risk groups.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating the outbreak.

Trader Joe's salmonella risk: Fresh basil recalled

Trader Joe's has recalled Infinite Herbs organic basil sold in 2.5-ounce clamshell-style plastic containers in 29 states due to the risk of salmonella. The supplier of the basil is cooperating with the FDA investigation and has agreed to initiate a voluntary recall, the CDC said.

According to the FDA, Trader Joes has already pulled all Infinite Herbs brand organic basil from their store shelves and the product should no longer be available for sale to customers in any stores.

Trader Joes is advising customers who purchased Infinite Herbs organic basil during the Feb. 1April 6 date range to discard the product or return it to any Trader Joes store for a full refund, the grocer said on its website.

The product is likely past shelf-life by now, the FDA noted, and any frozen fresh basil should also be thrown away.

Any items or surfaces that have touched contaminated basil should be washed with hot, soapy water, the CDC advises.

In a food safety alert issued April 17, the CDC reported that the outbreak had sickened at least 12 people in seven states, including one hospitalization. Zero deaths have been reported so far.

Seven of eight cases with information available reported exposure to fresh organic basil purchased from Trader Joes before becoming ill, the FDA said on its website.

States affected by Trader Joe's salmonella recall

The recalled fresh basil was sold between Feb. 1, 2024, and April 6, 2024, at Trader Joe's stores in the following states:

Alabama

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Nebraska

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

Tennessee

Vermont

Virginia

Washington, D.C.

Wisconsin

Salmonella symptoms

Salmonella is the most common form of bacterial food poisoning in the U.S., per the Cleveland Clinic. People typically become infected by consuming contaminated food or water, or touching infected animals or their feces.

Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, which typically begin six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria, according to the CDC.

While most people will recover from salmonella within four to seven days on their own, some people may develop more severe disease requiring treatment or hospitalization, the CDC says.

Young children under the age of 5, older adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness.

The CDC advises anyone who develops severe salmonella symptoms to contact their healthcare provider. These include:

A fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit

Bloody diarrhea

Diarrhea that persists or doesn't improve after 3 days

Severe vomiting

Dehydration (not peeing, dry mouth, dizziness)

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
A federal appeals court has ordered a new trial for the family of a man who sued Elk Grove police after he died in officers custody in November 2016, citing false or highly misleading testimony from a pathologist who performed an autopsy of the man.

The opinion from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals came over a lawsuit filed by the family of Daniel Landeros, a 41-year-old tile layer and father of five who was the first person to die in Elk Grove police custody since the departments founding in 2006.

Landeros died after fleeing a traffic collision and being subdued by officers who handcuffed him and held him face down.

His family sued and the case went to trial in the summer of 2022, with lawyers Dale Galipo and Stewart Katz arguing for an award of millions of dollars because they said police used unreasonable and excessive force that led to Landeros death.

The attorney for Elk Grove police, Bruce Praet, argued instead that Landeros had a toxic level of methamphetamine in his system, had a history of heart trouble and died of cardiac arrest.

Dr. Jason Tovar, a forensic pathologist who conducted the autopsy for the Sacramento County Coroners Office, testified that he believed cardiac arrest led to Landeros death, court records say.

After a seven-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb, a jury rejected claims that Elk Grove police were responsible for Landeros death.

But the appellate panel ordered the case remanded for a new trial after concluding that Tovar had not been forthcoming about his involvement with the defense prior to trial.

In this case, false testimony prevented plaintiffs from fully and fairly presenting their case, the panel wrote. Dr. Jason Tovar, the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on Daniel Landeros, made several statements at trial about his purported independence from defendants.

These statements were either false or highly misleading. Dr. Tovar testified that he (a)bsolutely was not affiliated with the defense ... in this case and did not have any affiliation with the Elk Grove Police Department.

He told the jury that he considered himself independent and impartial, had met defense counsel for the first time out in the hallway (that) morning, and was testifying by way of subpoena.

Yet nearly two years prior to trial, defense counsel signed an undisclosed fee agreement to pay Dr. Tovar $400 per hour for his time in expert consultation and/or legal proceedings in the case. Defense counsel agreed to pay Dr. Tovar directly rather than reimburse his employer, the county of Sacramento.

Dr. Tovar viewed the arrangement as working privately ... outside of (his) job scope at the ... Coroners Office.

Tovar did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent Friday through the Coroners Office, and Praet did not return a phone call made to his Orange County office.

Katz said he was pleased with the panels opinion and expected the case to move forward to a new trial.

Its great news for the family, Katz said. Frankly, its almost a little reassuring. Ive become pretty cynical, and its really gratifying that a court can do the right thing.

The appellate panel found that Tovar spoke with the Elk Grove police attorney a handful of times and also had some email communications with him.

Defense counsel told Dr. Tovar which materials to review and, because Dr. Tovar was not using any coroner resources, provided him with the autopsy report and just two of the numerous available bodycam and dashcam videos, the panel wrote. After trial, the city of Elk Grove issued a check to Dr. Tovar for $4,000 pursuant to the fee agreement.

The panel wrote that Tovars false and misleading testimony prejudiced plaintiffs case.

The cause of Landeros death was a critical issue in the case, and the evidence regarding causation was subject to interpretation, the panel wrote, noting that the plaintiffs relied on testimony from Dr. Ronald OHalloran, an expert who testified that Landeros died of asphyxia brought on by the defendant officers compressing his chest with their body weight.

Other evidence  such as Landeros telling the officers, I cant breathe, and his turning blue  supported that theory, the panel wrote.

The panel noted that a defense expert, Dr. Theodore Chan, testified that Landeros died of a methamphetamine-induced cardiac arrest, and that although the autopsy report did not mention cardiac arrest, Dr. Tovar testified that he believed it to be the cause of death.

Whether the officers used excessive force thus turned on which experts the jury credited, the panel found. The defense relied heavily on its portrayal of Dr. Tovar as an independent and trustworthy public servant and of Dr. OHalloran as a paid expert who would say anything for his clients.

The panel noted that the attorney for Elk Grove police described Tovar to the jury as the completely independent chief medical examiner, Dr. Tovar.

If the jury had known that Dr. Tovar was being paid as a private expert by defendants, it may have viewed his opinion more critically, the panel concluded.
In the early hours of Friday, the Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes targeting Syrian air defense sites in the southern region, the Syrian Defense Ministry said in a statement.





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Triumph the Insult Comic Dog took to the streets of New York to speak with  and at times bark over  staunch Donald Trump supporters in chaotic scenes outside the former presidents hush money trial this week.

The iconic puppet, created and voiced by Robert Smigel, has led several paws-on efforts to mockTrumpbackers over the years, and his recent video of his wild trip to a park outside a Manhattan courtroom didnt disappoint.

There appear to be a much larger contingent of Trump supporters here today, though its hard to tell if these people are here to support Trump or if theyre living in the streets now that their Truth Social stock has plummeted, Triumph said in a nod to the share price of the platform plunging this week.

The video features several tense scenes from the park including confrontations between Trump supporters and people protesting the former president.

The stakes are so high, people dont realize it. I mean, based on what we know so far, if Trump is found guilty, he could serve up to four years in the White House, Triumph later told a supporter wearing a Gays For Trump shirt.

The puppet went on to ask a Trump backer if he can really respect a president who is 100% faithful to his wife.

But seriously, of all these crimes that Trump is accused of, which one are you going to ignore the most when you go to the polls? he later asked.

The one that he was the grandfather of the vaccine, replied the Trump supporter.

You can check out more of Triumph outside Trumps hush money trial below.

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The true cost of traveling out of state for an abortion is more than financial

In June 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision overturned Roe v. Wade, which provided Americans with a constitutional right to abortion, it changed what options Hanz Dismer had in the state of Missouri.

While abortion access was already severely limited in Missourit, minutes after the Supreme Courts decision was released the state Attorney General Eric Schmitt issued an opinion to kick off the states trigger ban making it one of the first states to nearly outlaw abortion. At the same time, the states last remaining abortion clinic quickly halted its services. All of these events unfolded along the backdrop of Dismers unplanned pregnancy.

I took a pregnancy test after my shift in the clinic and realized that I'm pregnant, and I have more rights now than I will when I go home tonight, Dismer told Salon. That hit hard.

The pregnancy wasnt necessarily unwanted, Dismer told Salon. It just wasnt happening at the right time. Ultimately, terminating the pregnancy was the best choice they could make for themself. But for Dismer, the rapidly changing legal landscape in their home state changed the calculus on how they could access abortion care. Not only in terms of where Dismer could access services, Dismer planned on getting an abortion at the clinic they worked at as a social worker in Illinois, but the support that accompanied Dismer. For example, Dismer didn't have anyone drive with them to the clinic.

Because I didn't want anyone else to face the potential to be aiding and abetting an abortion, right? Dismer said. Not only was I faced with an unplanned pregnancy that I had to figure out if this was a good time in my life to become a parent, and what my partner's needs are, and all of that, but I also had to contend with the legal landscape, which made that decision making process unnecessarily traumatic.

Dismer isnt alone in feeling the emotional toll of having to travel out of state for an abortion. A 2023 study published in the journal Contraception found that the emotional cost of having to travel out of state is a common experience.

It's forcing shame and stigma on you during what is already the worst moment of your life, one study participant testified. Another said, It was very stressful having to plan that trip and get there and be away from everyone and everything I knew.

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Following the Dobbs decision, states have been able to make their own laws severely restricting abortion access across the United States. According to the Guttmacher Institute, there has been a rise in interstate travel for abortion care since Dobbs overturned Roe v. Wade. The institute estimates one in five abortion patients traveled out of state for abortion care in 2023, compared to one in 10 who did so in 2020.

This week, Kari Lake brushed off criticism of abortion bans in her state of Arizona, saying "Even if we have a restrictive law here, you can go three hours that way, three hours that way, and you're going to be able to have an abortion."

But the reality is not so simple.

As Salon previously reported, shock waves and ripple effects are felt across the maternal health landscape when just one or two states implement near-total abortion bans. While many people think its easy to cross state lines to access care, it doesnt come without both an emotional, and financial cost, to the patient.

Megan Jeyifo, executive director of Chicago Abortion Fund, knows firsthand the challenges people face when traveling state lines to access abortion care. Since Dobbs, Illinois has seen an influx in patients from the south. Data from the Society of Family Planning #WeCount found that after Dobbs, Illinois saw the biggest increase in out-of-state abortions.

At the Chicago Abortion Fund, Jeyifo and her colleagues help provide medical referrals and financial support to people who are facing barriers to access abortion services. Jeyifo emphasized it is traumatizing to travel for this care.

People 100 percent internalize the difficulty that they face in accessing care, and can view it as a reflection of the morality of that care, Jeyifo said. I think part of our job as abortion funds is to say It is not your fault this is hard. This is hard by design because politicians want us to not have control over our own bodies, and how we start or grow our families.

Then theres the financial component. Jeyifo told Salon its almost unheard of that insurance will cover the procedure when traveling from a state where theres limited access to abortion care. Medicaid will not cover a patient if they travel out of state for an abortion either. Jeyifo said the average support cost, like for lodging, CAF provides a patient is $380. The average voucher they provide for the procedure itself is $480. And thats just an average.

Between the cost of flights and the cost of Chicago hotels, Jeyifo said its very easy to spend up to $1,500 or $2,000 on one person's travel expenses. Notably, its estimated that only one in three Americans can comfortably cover a $400 emergency expense. Frequently, CAF has to help arrange childcare for a patient, too.

We are literally supporting people that have to bring their children with them on an 11 hour or more one-way car trip, Jeyifo said. And that is a status quo, that is normalized at this moment. Childcare is a really huge barrier for our callers.

Dr. Jennifer Kerns, a professor in the department of obstetrics gynecology and reproductive sciences at UCSF and staff physician at Trust Women, an abortion clinic in Kansas, said she sees firsthand the burden of people having to travel out of state for an abortion  sometimes to even have access to medication abortion.

Some people are traveling by car, up to 12 hours just to drive to the clinic to access medications, Kerns told Salon. We routinely hear about how long it's taken patients to garner all of the resources needed to make arrangements, to make this trip, and we're only seeing the patients who actually ended up getting to us  we're not seeing the patients who made attempts or can't take that much time off of work or can't find anybody to watch their kids.

In the lawsuit of women suing states, like Texas, for being unable to obtain proper healthcare while pregnant due to abortion restrictions, the stories reveal the massive burdens and barriers women face when having to travel out of state, too. At 15 weeks pregnant, one plaintiff suing Texas had to travel to a clinic in Colorado to undergo a selective reduction abortion procedure after learning one of her twins had the highly fatal genetic condition trisomy 18. The procedure and cost of travel totaled thousands of dollars, the lawsuit said.

Kimberly Inez McGuire executive director of URGE (Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity), told Salon this is especially for difficult for young people.

Young people in this country are facing just extreme levels of economic precarity, McGuire said. They're struggling to find jobs that pay well, they're struggling to find jobs that have any paid sick time, and depending on the care that someone needs, it might be required that someone take one to three weeks to travel if theyre seeking abortion care.

Traveling to access abortion care can turn someones life upside down, McGuire said.

People are having to decide if they're trying to pay rent, or buy this very expensive plane ticket,McGuire said. There are support networks out there, but there's never enough, right? Its uprooting peoples lives, and its why we have got to end these abortion bans.
Trumps $175m bond in fraud case should be voided, says New York attorney general

New York Attorney General Letitia James has asked the judge in Donald Trumps civil fraud case to void the $175m bond posted previously by the former president, after questioning whether the insurance company has sufficient funds to back it up.

Mr Trumps bond was posted by California-based Knight Specialty Insurance Company (KSIC), and Ms James raised concerns that the insurer was not authorised to write business in New York.

In a 26-page filing posted on Friday ahead of a pre-scheduled hearing next week, her office also argued that the collateral put up by the former president should be under the full control of the company.

Ms James said that the KSIC "had never before written a surety bond in New York or in the prior two years in any other jurisdiction, and has a total policy holder surplus of just $138 million, according to the documents obtained by NBC.

The filing comes after Ms James filed a separate notice earlier this month seeking more information about the bond. In that filing, she asked that Mr Trumps lawyers or the insurance company file a motion to justify the surety bond or provide additional information about the collateral put up by the former president within 10 days

Former President Donald Trump is facing multiple legal battles, including his criminal hush money trial, for which a full panel of 18 jurors was selected on Friday (AP)

In his civil fraud trial Mr Trump, his two eldest sons and their fellow Trump Organization executives were found liable for illegally inflating the value of company assets to obtain favourable terms from banks and insurers.

The former president was hit with penalties of $354m plus more than $110m in interest.

But after Judge Arthur Engoron handed down the verdict on 16 February, the Republican presidential candidates attorneys complained that they were finding it a practical impossibility to raise the full $464m for the bond needed to appeal the case, after approaching more than 30 surety companies through four separate brokerages.

It left Mr Trump facing the prospect of seeing the centrepieces of his New York real estate empire repossessed by Ms James before the panel of appellate division judges granted him the bond as a lifeline.

Mr Trump posted the $175m bond on 1 April with the help of KSIC  preventing Ms James from seizing his assets and buying him time before the appeals court takes his case in September at the earliest.

Mr Trump posted the $175m bond on Easter Monday, staving off Ms James attempts repossess major parts of his New York property portfolio (Getty Images)

Knight Specialty is owned by California businessman Don Hankey, whom MSNBC legal correspondent Lisa Rubin reports is known as the king of subprime car loans, specialising in lending to automobile buyers with poor credit ratings at high rates of interest.

Hankey repossesses around 250 cars every day and his debt collectors have been known to spoof their caller ID so it appears that they are calling from the local pizzeria, Forbes wrote of him in 2015.

The civil trial is just one of many legal battles facing the former president. Ms Jamess request to void his bond comes as the full panel of 18 jurors were seated to hear the evidence against Mr Trump and ultimately decide his fate in his criminal New York hush money trial.

Mr Trump who has complained the case has become a mess, faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair.
Donald Trump kicked off Day 4 of his criminal hush-money trial in a familiar fashion: with the airing of grievances.

Theyve taken away my constitutional rights to speak and that includes speaking to you, the former president told reporters as he arrived at Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday.

He insisted Judge Juan Merchans gag orderwhich bars him from taking shots at prosecutors, jurors, court staff, and their familieshas to come off.

People are allowed to speak about me and I have a gag order, just to show you how much more unfair it is, he said.

Whats also unfair? The entire criminal prosecution against him, said Trumpagainas he complained about being stuck in a courtroom all day long when he could be on the campaign trail.

This is going on for the week and it will go up for another four or five weeks. Its very unfair, he whined. People know its very unfair.

The 12-person jury that will decide Trumps fate in the historic trial of the century has already been chosen, but five more alternates need to be seated before opening arguments can begin. Friday kicked off with the questioning of potential jurorsand an assurance from Merchan that court staff are trying to turn up the heat in the room, which Trump complained about on Thursday.

I want to apologize that its chilly in here, he told the court. Were trying to do the best we can to control the temperature, but its one extreme or the other.

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The Trump campaign and Republican National Committee (RNC) said Friday it planned to have more than 100,000 attorneys and volunteers in battleground states to monitor vote counting in Novembers election.

The campaign announced it would offer training sessions every month on monitoring voting sites and tabulation centers. Poll watchers would be observing and reporting any irregularities, and lawyers would be prepared to respond to any potential issues.

The announcement, which the campaign and RNC dubbed the most extensive and monumental election integrity program in the nations history, underscores the degree to which former President Trumps fixation on the false claim that the 2020 election was fraudulent has seeped into his 2024 bid for the White House.

Having the right people to count the ballots is just as important as turning out voters on Election Day. Republicans are now working together to protect the vote and ensure a big win on November 5th! Trump said in a statement through his campaign.

The campaign and RNC said they plan to focus on ensuring integrity around early voting, Election Day voting, mail ballot processing, post-election audits and recounts and machine testing. In addition, each battleground state will operate an individual hotline for poll watchers to report potential issues.

President Trump has said that the Republican victory in November needs to be too big to rig, RNC general counsel Charlie Spies said in a statement. The political team will be working to ensure a huge victory for Republicans at all levels, and RNC legal is committed to making sure that victory cant be rigged.

The Trump campaign and RNC has said they will take advantage of efforts around early voting and ballot harvesting, where legal, to keep up with Democrats who use the same programs to bank votes ahead of Election Day.

The Trump campaign announcement comes one day after the Justice Department announced an updated website providing resources for election workers and voters as part of an effort to ensure Americans have the right to cast their ballots free of discrimination, intimidation, or criminal activity in the election process.

The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy, the right from which all others flow, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. The Justice Department is using every available authority to defend that right, both from efforts to undermine voting rights and from efforts to threaten and intimidate those who administer our elections.

The Trump campaign and RNC have invested heavily in election integrity efforts as Trump continues to warn of the threat of Democrats rigging the election against him, despite there being no evidence of widespread fraud in 2020.

Numerous lawsuits the Trump campaign filed regarding the 2020 election were dismissed by judges, including those appointed by Republican presidents. Trump is facing criminal charges in Georgia and in Washington, D.C., over his attempts to subvert the election results.

Still, his rhetoric on the topic has become somewhat mainstream among some of the public. A Washington Post/University of Maryland survey published in January found roughly one-third of adults said they do not think President Biden was legitimately elected, and the number of Republicans who said Biden was legitimately elected had dropped to 31 percent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
It's been a whirlwind few days for Donald Trump, who this week became the first former president of the United States to be tried on criminal charges. Yet the hush money trial is also a lucrative fundraising opportunity for his presidential campaign, which blasted his supporters this week with sensational pleas for money, citing the trial.

And it seems to have worked: NBC News reported on Friday that Trumps campaign raised $1.6 million in small-dollar donations on the first day of his trial alone. The campaign has raised that much online on only three other days so far this year, all near the end of March, according to filings from WinRed, the Trump campaigns online donation platform.

Its no surprise that Trumps team saw a golden opportunity to use the criminal trial as a hook for fundraising. The campaign has reliably seen an uptick in small-dollar donations when new developments arise in his various legal cases. In the week after he was indicted in the hush money case, for example, his campaign raised more than $13 million after sending out dozens of fundraising appeals that referred to the criminal charges, Reuters reported.

And Trump desperately needs the money. The New York Times reported that since leaving the White House, Trump has spent more than $100 million on legal-related bills in the civil and criminal cases against him  most of which came from donations. In recent months, he has also had to post multimillion-dollar bonds while he appeals the massive civil judgments against him.

Meanwhile, the former president has continued to play into the narrative that he is a victim of a weaponized criminal justice system. In posts on Truth Social this week, he misrepresented the jury selection process and falsely claimed that Judge Juan Merchan would not allow him to attend his son Barron Trumps graduation.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Trump demands Europe cough up more cash for Ukraine, says war with Russia wouldnt have happened on his watch

Trump demands Europe cough up more cash for Ukraine, says war with Russia wouldnt have happened on his watch

Former President Trump on Thursday demanded that Europe do more to help Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia, saying the U.S. has played too big a role.

In a post on his Truth Social account, the Republican frontrunner questioned why the U.S.  despite having an ocean between it and Ukraine  was giving more money than Europe.

"Why cant Europe equalize or match the money put in by the United States of America in order to help a country in desperate need?" Trump asked.

He clarified that Ukraines "survival and strength" was important to the U.S. but that it should be of greater concern to Europe.

G7 LEADERS TALK UKRAINE DEFENSE SUPPORT AS RUSSIA TARGETS KEY INFRASTRUCTURE

"GET MOVING EUROPE!" Trump said. "In addition, I am the only one who speaks for ME and, while it is a total mess caused by Crooked Joe Biden and the Incompetent Democrats, if I were President, this War would have never started!"

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Russia invaded Ukraine in late February 2022. In the immediate months following, Ukraine saw widespread support from Western allies. But that support has waned as the war drags on with no clear victory in sight.

Per the Institute for the World Economy, Europe has a slight edge over the United States in terms of financial and humanitarian aid, but the U.S. has provided significantly more military aid.

It found that Europe would have to double its current level and pace of arms assistance to keep pace with the U.S.

House Republicans are divided over a $95 billion foreign aid bill that the Senate passed in February. That legislation provides funding for Ukraine, Israel and other allies, as well as humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and Ukraine. It also provides replenishment cash for the U.S. military to replace weapons sent to Ukraine.

2 ARRESTED IN GERMANY FOR ALLEGED PLOT TO SABOTAGE US MILITARY FACILITIES ON BEHALF OF RUSSIA

President Biden has urged Congress to pass the aid, saying that besides critical support to Israel and Ukraine, it would offer "desperately needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza." He said he would sign the funding package right away, sending a message that "we won't let Iran or Russia succeed."

Nearly 50,000 Russian soldiers have died in the war in Ukraine, according to a new statistical analysis.

Pentagon leaders reiterated that urgency during a hearing with House appropriators on Wednesday, calling the situation in Ukraine dire.

"Whether it's munitions, whether it's vehicles, whether it's platforms, Ukraine is being outmatched by the Russians," Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. "I'll just tell you that Ukraine right now is facing some dire battlefield conditions."

Meanwhile, top NATO and European Union officials on Thursday urged foreign ministers from leading industrialized nations to take quick, concrete steps to provide more air defense systems and artillery to Ukraine, warning that continued delays could tilt the war in Moscows favor.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Trump demands Europe cough up more cash for Ukraine, says war with Russia wouldnt have happened on his watch
Donald Trumps hush-money trial gained momentum on Friday afternoon with the conclusion of jury selection.

Five alternate jurors were chosen on Friday, following Thursdays proceedings when the 12 jurors and one alternate juror were picked.

With the panel selected, Trumps trial can enter its next stage, with opening arguments expected on Monday. The court held a so-called Sandoval hearing  where Trump will be informed of the scope of questions prosecutors can ask him if he takes the stand as a witness  on Friday afternoon.

Just as the full panel was established, a man set himself on fire in the park outside the courthouse, causing a frenzy before court broke for lunch. The man, whose motives are still unclear, was in critical condition.

Related: Trumps hush-money trial: heres whats happened so far

In an afternoon session it was discussed what sort of evidence might be brought into the case if Trump were to testify. Prosecutors previously submitted documents indicating that they wanted the ability to ask Trump about a variety of past legal travails should he testify, to challenge his credibility as a witness.

These include sexual assault accuser E Jean Carrolls successful defamation cases against him. As the hearing progressed, Trump attorney Emil Bove said prosecutors asking Trump about the verdict in Carrolls cases on cross-examination would be unacceptable.

Bove, who reiterated Trumps denial of Carrolls sexual assault claim and said it very much did not happen, said the claimed incident was too far back in time to be used in any potential challenge to Trumps credibility.

More, Bove argued, to bring up Ms Carrolls allegations at this trial sort of pushes the salaciousness on to another level. This is a case about documents. Prosecutors insisted they should be able to ask him about the defamation verdicts against him, as they showed that a jury determined his statements about Carroll were untrue.

Thats critical, critical evidence that the jury ought to be able to consider  if he testifies, the prosecution also said.

Earlier in the morning, questioning of potential alternate jurors got under way after Trump arrived and looked as if recent events had taken a toll on him, with his trademark brassy hair more messy than normal, but outside the courtroom the ex-president did what he typically does when facing scrutiny: he complained. He doubled down on his claims that the trial was rigged and derided the intelligence of Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, saying he was not smart enough to represent himself  like Letitia James, according to a pool report.

Trump insisted he should be on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina rather than inside court, and called for Juan Merchan, the judge, to free him from the gag order which bars him from commenting on witnesses, jurors, court staff and parties family members in this case,

The process of choosing jurors had proved complicated because of the polarizing and high-profile defendant. Prospective jurors had been grilled on their political leanings, their social media posts and many other facets of their lives.

During the questioning of more potential alternates, prosecutor Susan Hoffinger told would-be panelists: This is not about Mr Trump being a former president. Its not about his being a candidate for the presidency. Its not about his popularity. And its not about who you vote for or who you might vote for in the fall.

Several potential alternates were excused after citing their extreme nervousness about serving. One would-be alternate sounded as if she broke into tears when Hoffinger started to question her. I feel so nervous and anxious right now, Im sorry. I thought I could do this, but I wouldnt want someone who feels this way to judge my case, either. This is so much more stressful than I thought it would be. Merchan decided to excuse her.

Trumps criminal hush-money trial: what to know

On Thursday one juror raised concerns that her identity had been discovered, especially after she had been described in the media. She was excused, and Judge Merchan ruled that some identifying characteristics  such as a jurors place of employment  could not be made public.

Trump has been present throughout, sitting largely impassively in court, but his Truth Social media account has been posting up a storm, leading to multiple accusations by prosecutors that the former US president had violated a gag order and should be held in contempt of court. A hearing is set to be held on that issue on 23 April.

The case centers on a $130,000 payment that Trumps former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, made during the 2016 election campaign to Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of an affair with Trump from becoming public.

Prosecutors say Trump obscured the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Cohen, who pleaded guilty in 2018 and is set to be a star witness for the prosecution. Trump has denied an affair with Daniels, and his lawyers argue that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.



Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

Related: The jurors: who is on the Trump trial jury?

The trial is the first criminal trial of a former US president to hit an American courtroom. Three other cases  on Trumps conduct during the January 6 insurrection, his treatment of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home, and his attempt to subvert the 2020 election in Georgia  are also playing out, but Trumps lawyers have so far successfully delayed them.

Despite his legal problems, Trump remains virtually guaranteed to win the Republican nomination for president and face off against Joe Biden in November once again. Trump tends to be narrowly ahead of Biden in head-to-head polling, particularly in the key swing states that will help determine who gains the White House.
Donald Trump is finding campaigning for the 2024 presidential election more difficult than his last time around, and his criminal trial in Manhattan is a big reason why.

Jury selection began this week, which means that Trump is required to be in the courtroom. Hed much rather be out on the campaign trail fundraising, and as The Daily Beast reported Friday, its starting to have financial consequences.

The former president, accused of a hush-money scheme involving porn star Stormy Daniels, has already missed a major House GOP fundraiser in Texas because of the trial schedule, and will likely be forced to cancel on similar events for the same reason. His legal fees have driven him to all kinds of shady grifting, and Joe Biden continues to outraise him.

Trumps campaign has attempted to bridge the donation gap by scheduling fundraisers in nearby states. Trump will use his weekend outside the courtroom to attend a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, and the campaign has scheduled another in New Jersey on May 11.

Media attention hasnt been a problem for Trump, even as he spends most of the day in a courtroom. Hes been posting on Truth Social so frequently that the judge has asked him to put away his phone, and a campaign stunt at a bodega made headlines. But for any candidate, especially one as cash-strapped and with as much prior name recognition as Trump, funding is the lifeblood of a campaign. With the trial now scheduled to run longer than the originally planned two months, his money problems wont be going away anytime soon.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends a pre-trial hearing at Manhattan Criminal Court on Feb. 15, 2024, in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. (Photo by Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images)

The post Trumps legal problems continue to mount appeared first on NC Newsline.
CANBERRA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Australia's states and territories have thrown their support behind a push by the federal government to ban the commercial sale of vapes.

Proposed laws introduced to parliament by Mark Butler, the federal Minister for Health, in March would outlaw the domestic manufacture, advertisement, supply and commercial possession of non-therapeutic and disposable single-use vapes.

In a statement released on Thursday, Butler and the health ministers of all eight of Australia's states and territories urged members of the federal parliament to support the legislation.

"If vapes are therapeutic goods then it is entirely appropriate that Australia should regulate them as therapeutic goods, instead of allowing them to be sold alongside chocolate bars in convenience stores, often down the road from schools," they said.

"Australian health ministers are not going to stand by and let our kids get hooked on nicotine."

According to a study published by the Department of Health in May 2023, 14.5 percent of Australians aged 14-17 and 19.8 percent of those aged 18-24 use vapes.

Under the proposed laws, vapes would still be available through pharmacies with a prescription.

The legislation marks the third stage of the government's vaping reforms after the import of disposable, single-use vapes was banned from Jan. 1 and further import restrictions that were imposed from March 1.

The government in February revealed that since the Jan. 1 import ban came into effect authorities had seized more than 360,000 vapes.

Neither the Opposition Liberal Party nor the Australian Greens or National Party have declared their position on the legislation.

In order to have a majority of votes in the Senate to pass the legislation, the governing Labor Party would require the support of at least one of those parties. 
Former President Trump is holding court with world leaders as foreign governments brace for the possibility of a second Trump administration, which would bring with it a major shift in U.S. foreign policy.

Trump met Wednesday at Trump Tower with Polish President Andrzej Duda, following meetings in recent weeks with Hungarian President Viktor Orban and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron. He also reportedly spoke on the phone recently with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Experts said it is not unusual for foreign emissaries to speak with a presidential candidate ahead of an election, but the discussions underscore how world leaders are trying to get a read on Trump and what he might do should he win in November.

Everyone is searching for clues as to what Trump would do if he got a second term, said Richard Fontaine, a former State Department official and CEO of the Center for a New American Security.

Question number one internationally now is what would Trump do if he comes back, Fontaine said. Part of it is because theyve got some baseline for expectations  but the other thing is, even within those four years, to say he was unpredictable would be putting it mildly.

Trump met in early March with Orban, the Hungarian autocrat who has offered praise for the former president and become a popular international figure among conservatives in the U.S. Following the meeting, Orban said he and Trump were aligned on the war in Ukraine and that Trump would not give a single penny to Kyiv if elected.

The former president met earlier this month with Cameron, the U.K. foreign secretary, where the war in Ukraine was also on the agenda. The Biden administration has worked closely with British officials to coordinate a response to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Trump on Wednesday night spoke with Duda for 2 1/2 hours. The two leaders have a friendly relationship, and Trumps campaign said they discussed the war in Ukraine, the war between Israel and Hamas, and NATO spending commitments.

Poland is a NATO member that shares a border with Ukraine. U.S. officials have warned that if Russia overtakes Ukraine, it could look to move into Poland or another neighboring country, triggering a wider global war.

Duda met with President Biden at the White House in March, and Cameron met with Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to the U.S. this month.

The New York Times reported in early April that Trump also had spoken with the Saudi crown prince, an influential figure in the Middle East and the de facto leader of a key U.S. ally in the region at a time when tensions are high.

Leaders from around the world know that with President Trump we had a safer, more peaceful world, campaign spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement. He is widely recognized as a leader who, with the support of the American people, kept our nation and allies safe, our enemies in check, and American workers protected from unfair globalist trade policies.

Meetings and calls from world leaders reflect the recognition of what we already know here at home, Hughes added. Joe Biden is weak, and when President Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, the world will be more secure and America will be more prosperous.

Fontaine called it entirely usual for foreign heads of state to meet with U.S. presidential candidates, adding that Orbans meeting was perhaps the only anomaly because the Hungarian leader has openly embraced Trump while foreign officials tend to remain neutral in foreign elections.

It is also common for American officials to meet with representatives of different political parties. For example, White House officials have in recent weeks met with Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, political rivals to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The White House has declined to weigh in on Trumps meetings with other foreign leaders.

Polls show a close race for the White House between Trump and Biden, with the former president narrowly leading in most battleground states that are likely to determine the outcome in November, including Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan and Nevada. Biden has fared better in polls out of Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Biden campaigned in 2020 partly on restoring U.S. leadership on the world stage after four years of Trumps America First foreign policy doctrine upended traditional alliances. Trump imposed tariffs on the European Union, chastised NATO allies for not spending enough on defense and spoke warmly of dictators, like North Koreas Kim Jong Un and Russias Vladimir Putin.

A second Trump term could upend U.S. foreign policy at a precarious moment in the world.

While Biden has made U.S. support for Ukraine a central pillar of his foreign policy, boasting about Americas role in uniting the world against Russias invasion, Trump has said aid for Kyiv is not a vital U.S. interest and has questioned why Europe is not spending more to fund the war effort.

Biden has celebrated the NATO alliance and called its mutual defense provisions sacred, blasting Trump when he recounted how he told an ally he would let Russia do whatever it wanted if they did not contribute enough to defense spending.

And Biden has sought to balance U.S. military support for Israel with public and private calls for Israeli leaders to do more to protect civilians in Gaza, while Trump has offered little of substance about how he would handle the conflict in the Middle East besides cracking down on Iran.

Biden this week endorsed a series of House bills that would provide billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine, Israel and allies in the Indo-Pacific like Taiwan. Trump has not formally weighed in on the legislation.

I will sign this into law immediately to send a message to the world: We stand with our friends, and we wont let Iran or Russia succeed, Biden said in a statement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Despite a feeling of one step forward and two steps back Thursday morning, the jury in the Manhattan District Attorneys election interference case against Donald Trump is now complete, with only the selection of five alternates left to be done.

Some legal experts had predicted that jury selection could take weeks but my own view was that the experience of Judge Juan Merchan, as well as the prosecutors in the case, would likely make the process a quick one.

In part, that is due to the fact that state courts in large cities are far more adept at handling jury selection in high-profile cases than the federal courts with their more rarified atmosphere. But Merchans approach did cause some unforced errors which may repeat themselves and grow worse if not corrected.

The two-steps-back snag was caused by the removal of two jurors after they had already been selected, which meant that the judge initially was satisfied that there was no reason to remove them and neither the prosecution nor defense had felt strongly enough about them to exercise any of their precious 10 peremptory strikes against them.

But the first juror reported to the court in the morning that she felt that enough identifiers had been reported that she felt she would be unable to be fair and unbiased.

The second juror had been summoned back to the court because the prosecution had apparently found information contradicting his representations about his past criminal record. This latter issuea prospective jurors dishonestyis not something a court can do much to guard against. Either potential jurors fear making false statements, or they dont. But the issue of the first juror being apparently worried about being identified is something well within the control of the court.

Trumps Trial Now Has 12 Jurorsand One Angry Man

Judge Merchan appeared frustrated by the first jurors dismissal which seemingly arose from reporting by a Fox News host broadcasting extensive details about each jurors biographical data, including professions, areas of the city they live in and their news sources.

The jurors names were not revealed, which was consistent with Judge Merchans previous order to keep their identities non-public. Merchan essentially chastised the press in the room, telling them, Theres a reason why this is an anonymous jury, and weve taken the measures we have taken, adding, It kind of defeats the purpose of that when so much information is put out there.

He then told the press not to report on employment information that jurors had to disclose in answers to the jury questionnaire, including questions of, Who is your current employer? and, Who was your prior employer?

Merchan then proceeded to blunder into a First Amendment issue by telling the press that he was concerned about news outlets publishing physical descriptions of prospective or seated jurors, asking reporters to simply apply common sense. He criticized reporting on the physical descriptions of the jurors, saying that, It serves no purpose. This is obviously wrong given that reporting the diversity of the jury panels diversity in terms of gender, race, age and the like is an important part of the story.

To make Merchans lack of journalistic experience obvious he then directed the press to refrain from writing about anything you observe with your eyes. This last instruction seems a little bizarre; can they report only what they hear? Chalk it up to frustration but Merchan likely just bought himself some legal filings by news outlets who may seek to both clarify and challenge his orders.

Merchan is rightfully seeking to protect the jurors safety as well as the safety of others involved in the trial but the press is not to blame for his system of jury selection. By having the jurors questioned in open courtin full view of other jurors and the pressMerchan created a situation in which information that could have been more confidential was put on public display.

I have been in many trials where more personal inquiries of prospective jurors are made either at the bench, with the husher turned on, in the judges chambers, or even an empty jury room. In Trumps case, where the amount of lawyers and Secret Service agents might have made bench conferences or even a jury room too crowded, Merchan might have used an adjoining courtroom to have more privacy for these inquiries.

But the best thing Merchan could have done and can still do to protect the jurors is to make his gag order on Trump expansive, clear, and strongly enforced. It is Trumps unrestrained attacks on witnesses, the court, prosecutors and now the jury pool that create the danger for all in this case.

Prosecutors have renewed their motion for contempt against Trumps continual reposting of Fox News stories, arguing he is violating the gag order and that the order, as written, includes a loophole for for the former president. Specifically, it states that Trump is banned from making or directing others to make public statements about jurors or prospective jurors.

But this prohibition is ambiguous as to his quoting what others have said, although his posts obviously violate the spirit of what Merchan is trying to do. The courts have been too hesitant about gagging Trump as they seem overly fearful about being seen as infringing his First Amendment rights, but even if a gag order is later found to be overbroad the consequence will have no effect upon the criminal trial or conviction.

A more effective gag order for Judge Merchan to impose would be to give a Will Smith-style directive to Trump to: Keep my jurors (and trial) out of your mouth. Merchan would also need to follow that up with strong and quick enforcement of any violations.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Less than two months after rattling NATO allies by saying that he would encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want with those not meeting their defense spending targets, Donald Trump has Europeans on tenterhooks again. According to Washington Post reporting, Trumps plan to solve the war in 24 hours, as he promised in January 2023, consists of pressuring Ukraine into giving up Crimea and the Donbas in exchange for a peace deal.

The plan, revealed by those who claimed to have discussed it with the former president, amplifies the already existing uncertainty surrounding the immediate future of U.S. assistance to Ukraine. It also seems consistent with earlier revelations by Hungarys Viktor Orban, who said last month that Trump was planning to end the war by threatening to withdraw all U.S. support to Kyiv.

Of course, Trump claimed that he was merely describing his negotiating tactic to get European nations to spend more on their defense. And Trump defenders will note that he also mused about threatening Putin to give [Ukrainians] more than they ever got, if we have to, to force the Kremlin into accepting the settlement.

What matters is not so much Trumps hubris, nor his disregard for the agency of the two belligerents. The key fact is that Europe, outside of Ukraine and Russia, does not enter Trumps calculations in the slightest.

Of course, the odds, and details, of a negotiated settlement can be affected by developments on the battlefield in the coming months which in turn hinges on whether Congress passes the newly proposed aid package for Ukraine. Regardless, both Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have an interest in striking a deal in the next four years. As president, Trump would want to be seen striking deals, no matter how ill-advised. Putin, meanwhile, will see an opportunity to extract favorable terms from someone he thinks he can manipulate. It is hard to see how such an agreement can be anything but a win for Putin, giving him an internationally recognized claim to territories that Russia has seized while potentially buying him time to reconstitute his military.

From Trumps perspective, there is little to be gained from including othersmost notably the Europeansin negotiations. As president he showed little regard for partners and allies interest on matters such as withdrawing from Afghanistan or northeastern Syria. And being on the receiving end of U.S. assistance, Ukraine would have little leverage over Trump. Further, while many Europeans would be horrified, others would applaud the deal, providing Trump and Putin the added benefit of dividing and weakening the European Union.

Trumps plan would have at last two unequivocal supporters: Viktor Orban of Hungary and Robert Fico of Slovakia. Neither is a major player but each is perfectly capable of throwing sand into the gears of unanimity-based NATO and EU decisions. Austria, Malta, and others could accept the settlement with relief, whatever its terms, by virtue of their indifference to the Ukrainian cause, their geographical distance, or both.

For most Europeans, however, the choices would be immensely problematic. This is especially true for the smaller and most exposed nations in Eastern Europe, starting with the Baltic states, who consider the U.S. security guarantee as their life insurance against Russia. They would face a Hobsons choice between condoning an illegal seizure of territory by Russia and antagonizing their defender of last resort (against the same Russia).

Poland and the Nordic countries would be equally troubled by the situation. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has berated Republican legislators over their reluctance regarding aid to Ukraine, and responded forcefully to Trumps comments about NATO. Whether a deal handing over Ukraine would make Warsaw stop looking across the Atlantic, or whether the Poles would square the circle without jeopardizing the U.S. security umbrella is an open question. Either way, the position of Poland, which is the main platform for the military support to Ukraine, and which will chair the EU Council in the first half of 2025, will be pivotal for the whole continent.

But what would other major players do?

France would be a likely candidate to oppose the dealnot so much because of Emmanuel Macrons newly found hawkishness but rather because of Frances structural attachment to Europes and its own strategic autonomy from the United States.

Simply acquiescing to a U.S.-imposed deal detrimental to European security would nail the coffin over French ambitions to rally other Europeans around ideas of strategic autonomy, giving way instead to a destabilized Europe. Macrons repeated calls to change the approach to the war and resort to strategic ambiguity could be seen as testing waters on a French continental leadership without the U.S., with mixed results. Yet, should Paris feel that it is isolated in Europe in its opposition to the agreement, it might prefer trying to shape the terms of the deal rather than attacking it head on.

The United Kingdom would find itself in a position similar to Poland or the Nordics. The attachment to the special relationship is real, especially after Brexit, but so is British support for Ukraine and the role the U.K. has played on NATOs eastern flank under successive Conservative governments. Moreover, if Trump comes back to the White House in January 2025, his counterpart in Downing Street will probably be Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, unlikely toforge a warm relationship with a prospective MAGA-dominated U.S. administration. Parliament would find it hard not to join a common pro-Ukrainian axis with Europes continental powers, even if it meant sacrificing Britains traditional Atlanticist commitments.

Italy is a wild card, torn between Giorgia Melonis dedication to the Ukrainian cause and her Atlanticism, helped by her good relations with the Trump wing of the GOP. Would Italys long-standing attachment to the European project win the day, or would Meloni try to act as a mediator with the White House?

What is most dispiriting is the looming lack of leadership from Europes biggest power: Germany. Berlin has continued its long-standing policy of taking strategic cues from Washington, for better or worse. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been careful to hide behind Washington on questions of Germanys lethal assistance to Ukraine, and in February 2024 he said that there could be no victory in Ukraine without the United States.

But given the state of German politics and the countrys political culture, there is something inherently attractive about the prospect of peace with Russia, even if it comes from the much-reviled Donald Trump. Such attitudes are not shared universally across the ruling traffic light coalition but are certainly prevalent among Scholzs fellow social democrats, especially as they face an onslaught from populist quarters on the far left and the far right.

If most European leaders would be presented with unenviable choices, for Recep Tayyip Erdogan an internationally recognized revision of borders by force would not be too problematic, as it would set the scene for a prospective legitimization of Turkeys claims in Cyprus, as well as for further expansionism of Turkeys close partner, Azerbaijan. At the same time, Erdogan would surely be displeased if he were missing from the deal photo op.

From the wars onset, Turkey has presented itself as a putative honest broker, hosting the initial talks in March 2022, mediating Ukrainian grain exports issues, and doing small favors to both parties of the conflictselling drones to Kyiv, while also facilitating sanctions evasion for Russia and closing the Black Sea Straits to vital military assistance to Ukraine. For Europeans, Erdogans prominent, visible role in the negotiations would only compound the humiliation and drive home the sense of Europes sheer irrelevance.

In short, it is hard to see Europe responding with unity to a Trump-led initiative to end the war with a real estate-like deal. Common ground would become even harder to reach within the EU or NATO in a further polarized European debate.

That said, Europeans can take steps to prevent such a scenario and to hedge against its adverse effects. The most important one is to pre-empt Trumps temptation to end an inconclusive conflict next year. Europeans should try harder to convince Trumps entourage of the self-inflicted dramatic consequences for U.S. interests of a Ukrainian capitulation.

More importantly, Ukrainians must be given a decisive advantage on the battlefield and to reverse the narrative of a likely Russian victory before the U.S. presidential election. A part of the answer is about communication. President Macrons strategic ambiguity is helpful in keeping Russians on their toes about what European nations might do, as opposed to being reassured that there are things that Europeans will not do. The more important element of Western assistance, of course, involves actual aid: provision of munitions, kit, and new weapons systems that Russians are not in a position to counter. Think long-range, high-precision artillery air defenses and air power, among others.

Europeans should challenge Vladimir Putins bet that the as long as it takes coalition will crumble the day Trump is elected. Russias economy is the size of Italys. Over a longer horizon, its productive capacities are no match for those of Europe, should Europeans take the challenge seriously. And that remains true regardless of what happens in the United States in November.

Policy and military planners also must take seriously the need to continue with some version of the U.S.-led efforts to coordinate military support to Ukraine, such as the Ramstein Group, only without the Americans and a subset of Europeans. What capabilities can be backfilled quickly and by whom? Can non-European partners be helpful? The success of the highly imaginative Czech initiative to supply Ukraine with 155mm shells provides an encouraging blueprint for the all-hands-on-deck approach that might be needed if the West indeed fractures in the Trump era.

Foolish and short-lived as a Trump-Putin deal might be, it may well become a reality. European military chiefs and diplomats should be war-gaming scenarios in which Europe is presented with different versions of a fait accompli in Ukraine. Behind the scenes and publicly, like-minded leaders should be talking about future coalitions of the willing. A united front formed by the United Kingdom and Francejoined, of course, by the likes of Polandseems necessary to break through the hesitations that a Trump-Putin deal would engender across the continent.

The reason is simple. The temptation to return to business as usual would be strong should a peace deal, however hare-brained, appear on the horizon. But peace on Russias terms is no peace at all. Even if it somehow became politically feasible for Ukraine to accept it, no one should be under any illusion that a U.S.-approved territorial grab by Russia would be the end of the war. If anything, it would whet Putins appetite for more, giving him a chance to regroup, re-arm, and attack againin Ukraine, in Moldova, or even in the Baltic countries, especially if Trump continues to display his disdain for NATOs Article 5.

Make no mistake, this may be the hardest test Europeans, including the British and the French, would face since the end of World War II. But failing the test risks a similar conflagration, not to mention condemning some hundred million Europeans to life under tyranny. The time for Europe to act is now.

Read more at The Dispatch

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Trump prosecution refuses to reveal witnesses over fear former president will attack them

Donald Trump is on trial accused of covering up a $130,000 'hush money' payment to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star - AFP/Timothy Clary

Prosecutors have refused to reveal the first witnesses being called in Donald Trumps hush money case over fears the former president will attack them on social media.

In an unusual move, Joshua Steinglass, the New York prosecutor, declined a request from Mr Trumps legal team to share the identities of the first three witnesses  and his stance was supported by the judge.

Mr Trump has been tweeting about the witnesses, Mr Steinglass told the court Were not telling him who the witnesses are.

I cant fault them for that, replied Juan Merchan, the judge presiding over proceedings at the Lower Manhattan courthouse.

Jury selection for the trial was completed on Friday, clearing the way for prosecutors and defence attorneys to make opening statements next week in a case stemming from hush money paid to a porn star.

While proceedings were being wound down, a man lit himself on fire outside the New York courthouse.

The former president was seated inside Manhattan Criminal Court as the mans body was reportedly engulfed in flames for at least three minutes. I see a totally charred human being, a CNN anchor said on air.

The man was rushed away from the scene in an ambulance.

Back in the courtroom, Todd Blanche, Mr Trumps lawyer, offered to ask his client to avoid tweeting about witnesses but the judge appeared to cast doubt over whether he could control Mr Trumps social media activity.

I dont think you can make that representation, said Justice Merchan.

Joshua Steinglass, the New York prosecutor, declined a request from Trump's legal team to share the identities of the first three witnesses - REuters/Jane Rosenberg

Mr Blanche pressed further, asking that the witness names be disclosed only to the legal team, but Justice Merchan also rejected this suggestion.

Prosecutors highlighted Mr Trumps attacks on the prosecutions star witness  his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen  since the trial began.

They also accused the ex-president of violating a gag order imposed by the judge seven times this week, pointing out social media posts which branded Mr Cohen a serial perjurer and alleging that undercover liberal activists are attempting to get on the jury.

Prosecutors have already sought a $3,000 fine for three other posts on Mr Trumps Truth Social platform. The judge said he will consider the matter next week.

Mr Trumps legal team also suffered a setback when they were unable to dismiss a juror who labelled the former president selfish and self-serving.

The woman, who is from California but has lived in Upper Manhattan for 15 years, said: I dont like his persona. He just seems very selfish and self-serving so I dont really appreciate that in any public servant.

Mr Trumps defence team argued for her dismissal but Justice Merchan refused and the lawyers could not force the issue as their quota of 10 juror challenges was used up.

A host of potential jurors have already been excused from the case including Herson Cabreras, an IT consultant, who was arrested in 1991 for tearing down political campaign slogans in a New York suburb.

Even though the majority of signs belonged to Republicans, prosecutors complained about his suitability and Justice Merchan agreed.

In an interview with USA Today, Mr Cabreras, who is in his late-70s, attacked the cowardly judge for allowing the prosecutions argument to prevail.

I didnt expect they were going to go into my history of 30 years and pull out something I didnt even remember, he said, expecting the judge to dismiss the incident as insignificant.

I looked at him, like, Arent you going to say something? Im sitting there, Im the target and hes supposed to be judging. And he just let it happen, he didnt say anything.

Mr Cabreras added that he thought it was an excuse for prosecutors to get him off the jury.

While Mr Cabreras was frozen out of the case, Mr Trump was struggling with the cold courtroom temperature after the judge refused to turn up the heating.

Im sitting here for days now, from morning till night in that freezing room, Mr Trump told reporters. Freezing. Everybody was freezing in there.

Defence lawyer Todd Blanche had earlier asked court staff if the thermostat could be turned up just one degree.

Judge Juan Merchan has not only rejected Trump's team's request to know the identities of the witnesses, but also Trump's plea to turn the heating up in the courtroom - AP/Seth Wenig

However, Justice Merchan responded by suggesting a fault meant that a one-degree increase would lead to the rooms temperature rising 30F degrees.

It is cold, theres no question it is cold, but Id rather be a little cold than sweaty, and really those are the choices, said the judge.

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Trump says Biden 'should be in jail' and 'on trial,' while blasting NY case: 'The whole world is watching'

Trump says Biden 'should be in jail' and 'on trial,' while blasting NY case: 'The whole world is watching'

Former President Trump declared it is President Joe Biden who "should be in jail" and "be on trial," while blasting the case against him and saying "the whole world is watching this New York scandal," as he left court after the third day of his historic and unprecedented criminal trial.

The former president, shortly after a full jury was selected to hear arguments from his defense attorneys and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as he seeks to make his case, stood in the hallway of the courthouse and addressed the press.

TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL: MEET THE JURORS WHO WILL HEAR BRAGG'S CASE AGAINST THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, held a thick stack of news articles from a range of different news outlets and media organizations.

Trump said "every one of them" knows the case is "very unfair" and a "very bad thing."

"The whole world is watching this New York scandal," he said, calling it a "spectacle."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"It is political and it is a shameit is a shame," he said. "And I am sitting here for days now from morning until night in that freezing roomeverybody was freezing in thereand all for this."

TRUMP JUROR PREVIOUSLY ARRESTED FOR RIPPING DOWN RIGHT-LEANING POLITICAL ADS DISMISSED FROM TRIAL

The former president blasted Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as "out of control" and said Judge Juan Merchan who is presiding over the case is "highly conflicted."

"The whole thing is a mess," he said.

"Joe Bidenhes the one that should be in jail," Trump said. "Hes a crook. Weve got a crooked president. He should be on trial with all the stuff hes done in his family."

Trump was seemingly referring to the Biden family's business dealings, which have been under investigation by House Republicans. Those lawmakers launched an impeachment inquiry against Biden.

Hunter Biden is currently under investigation by Special Counsel David Weiss who has charged the first son twice, in two separate jurisdictions.

Trump again said Biden "should be on trial," but said: "Hes the one in charge."

TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL: JUROR EXCUSED AFTER SAYING SHE DOES NOT THINK SHE CAN BE FAIR

Trump claimed that Bidens "top people are here working with the DAs office to make sure everything goes right."



"But it shouldnt go right because they have no case," He said. "And that is what this is all about."

Trump said that under Biden, the United States is "devolving into a Third World country, between having no borders, having no justice, and having a press that doesnt want to cover the facts."

TRUMP SAYS CRIMINAL TRIAL IS HAVING 'REVERSE EFFECT' AS HE CAMPAIGNS AT NEW YORK BODEGA, VOWS TO SAVE CITY

President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has been charged by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. The charges are related to alleged hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all counts. He has blasted the trial as pure politics, a "political persecution" and maintains his innocence. The former president is expected to testify during his trial.

"I tell the truth," Trump said last week, when asked about his possible testimony.

Trump is the first president in United States history to stand criminal trial.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.





Original article source: Trump says Biden 'should be in jail' and 'on trial,' while blasting NY case: 'The whole world is watching'
Welcome to Trail Mix, your 2024 election sanity guide. See something interesting on the trail? Email me at jake.lahut@thedailybeast.com. To get Trail Mix in your inbox, subscribe here for free.

This week, we take an early look at just how much Donald Trumps Manhattan trial is derailing his campaign. Plus, an exclusive interview with New Jersey Senate candidate Andy Kim and new polling on a win-win issue for President Biden.

TRIAL AND ERROR

Even before Donald Trumps criminal trial in New York began, it was clear that the lengthy and demanding proceedings would fundamentally change his 2024 campaign.

But it only took a few days to show that Trumps hush money trial will be even more damaging, more constraining, and more significant than anyone expected.

The headlines alone told the story. During the trials opening week, for instance, Trump arguably drew the most attention for appearing to fall asleep in the courtroom.

Trumps Trial Now Has 12 Jurorsand One Angry Man

On Tuesday, The Daily Beast reported he was forced to decline an appearance at a big-money fundraiser in Texas for the House GOP because of the trial schedule, an early glimpse at just how much his party leadership will be limited.

And what did happen in court indicated that the trial could drag on even longer than the initial expectation of a two-month timelinemaking stunts like Trumps visit to a Harlem bodega on Tuesday even more likely as the campaign trail sits largely out of reach.

Taken together, Republicans are left with little more than stopgap solutions and, in some cases, a humbling realization of whats to comegiven that the embarrassing details of his alleged plot to pay off porn star Stormy Daniels are yet to emerge.

I had sort of underestimated just the giant time-suck this is going to be for him as a candidate, Alex Conant, a GOP strategist and a top aide on Marco Rubios 2016 campaign told The Daily Beast.

Crucially, its not just time, but money, being left on the table as the hush money case drags on.

He could be raising six, seven figures pretty regularly at major-dollar events around the country at this point, Conant said. Thats literally what Biden is doing. So Trumps fundraisers are probably frustrated that because hes in New York, they cant schedule that stuff.

Donald Trump speaks with attorney Todd Blanche at the end of the day as jury selection continues at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 18, 2024 in New York City. Jabin Botsford/Getty Images

Republicans around the Trump campaign are resigning themselves to the new reality of a nominee stuck in court while his rival, President Joe Biden, has the trail largely to himself.

President Trumps campaign strategy is obviously going to be a little bit different, a Trumpworld consultant told The Daily Beast, but hes going to put in the energy and time needed to win this election.

In searching for a silver lining, Trump operatives are resorting to leaning heavily on the old adage that all publicity is good publicity.

As another Trump-aligned GOP strategist put it, at least hes getting more earned media than Biden. Its just wall-to-wall coverage of Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump.

Yet the Biden campaign doesnt want to be out front every day competing with Trump for eyeballs over the trial. Instead, the Biden team is looking to silently troll Trump by avoiding direct mentions of the case in favor of blitzing the battleground states to strike a contrast with his record on issues like taxes and abortion.

The Biden Camp Has a Plan for Trumps Trial: Silent Trolling

The split screen highlights what Trumps biggest loss may ultimately be whenever the trial ends.

The most valuable commodity in any campaign is the candidates time, Conant said. Its the only thing you cant get more of. And the fact that hes going to have to spend weeks in the courtroom is time his campaign isnt going to get back.

The Trump campaign did not return a request for comment.

After months of holding a lead against Biden in national and battleground state pollingsomething Trump didnt enjoy during his runs in 2016 or 2020the polls have tightened, and Republicans are still coming to grips with how constrained Trump will be for at least the next six to eight weeks, or longer.

Now that the Manhattan trial is underway, Trumpworld is left looking for makeshift alternatives and desperately waiting for somethingthe prosecution, the optics, anythingto turn public opinion against Democrats. The strategy turns on a cynical assumption: that voters will believe the prosecution from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is designed to harm Trump and has the blessing of Biden and Democratic leaders.

Were only at day three now, and I think this is gonna have a backfiring effect on Democrats, I really do, the Trumpworld consultant insisted. They are interfering with Trumps ability to get on his plane and go to Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia.

Although sources around the Trump campaign said losing ground on fundraising is their biggest concern with the trial, they tried to downplay just how bad the situation could get as the former president continues to get badly outraised by Biden and siphons much of his haul to pay his legal bills.

Theres also a lingering worry that Trumps courthouse steps routine, a core way of communicating during the trial, will become stale. But the Trump-aligned strategist said theyre not worried about that until you guysmeaning the political pressstop covering it so closely.

I dont think people are gonna get bored of it, man, the strategist said. People never know what hes gonna fuckin say.

Aside from relying on media coverage of the trial to boost small-dollar fundraisinga copy-and-paste strategy from Trumps civil cases during the GOP primarythe campaign is also looking at ways to make the most out of the fundraising circuit around New York City during the trial.

Hes gonna be right here in New York, and theres a lot of big money here. Ive also heard rumors of fundraisers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, too, the Trump-aligned strategist said.

The Trump-Biden Race Turns Into a Big-Dollar Cash Scramble

For the Wednesday and weekend portions of the week when Trump wont have to be in court, the radius broadens slightly, and he could easily hit rallies in nearby swing states like Pennsylvania and North Carolina, the strategist said. Trump is using his weekend trial break to travel to Wilmington, North Carolina, for a rally on Saturday night.

Early on Friday morning, the Trump campaign announced a late addition to the schedule: a rally in New Jersey on May 11.

Conant likened Trumps scheduling quandaries to those of a sitting senator running for the presidency. Its a tradeoff other presidential campaigns have had to deal with before, but unlike missing votes in the Senate, Trump cant choose to skip court.

Its still something every senator who runs for president is challenged by, Conant said, and a lot of em end up skipping a lot of the votes because your time on the campaign trail is just so valuable.

Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J. Tom Williams/Getty Images

KIM POSSIBLE

A lot has happened since the last time Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ) spoke with The Daily Beast.

Less than a month ago, the congressman was locked in a brutal Senate primary battle with New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy, fighting it out county by county. Then, Murphy unexpectedly dropped out, clearing Kims path to winning the seat currently held by indicted Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)though Menendez hasnt taken himself out of contention quite yet.

New Jerseys First Lady Tammy Murphy Ends Her Senate Campaign

We spoke with Kim to talk about the rapidly shifting race and what comes next.

This conversation has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Trail Mix: How are you feeling now that there have been so many developments in the race with Tammy Murphy dropping out and Bob Menendez saying he's not going to run as a Democrat?

Rep. Andy Kim: Well, I have to say Im really proud of the grassroots energy and the momentum that we created. The last six months has been the strongest campaign Ive ever run, and honestly, its not just a campaign anymore. Its become really a movement for better democracy in New Jersey.

TM: Have you spoken with either Tammy or [Gov.] Phil Murphy ever since the dropout announcement?

AK: No, I have not. I spoke with her briefly where she gave me a heads-up that she was going to drop out, but Ive not talked with her since.

TM: How about her supporters?

AK: Some conversations, but I mean, Ill be honest with you, Im not asking anybody to endorse me. If they want to engage, we can have those conversations, but I have my operation, what were doing, and we're just pushing it forward. And in particular right now, I think what has made this continuously interesting has been my lawsuit to try to change how we do our elections in New Jersey. And I get it, thats at odds with how a lot of the county leadership across the state want to engage.

TM: For readers who arent familiar, could you describe whats known as the machine and the whole county line system you just referred to there?

AK: Ive had to answer this question a lot over the last couple months. I find that the best way for me to describe it is that New Jersey does our ballots differently than 49 other states. They have a traditional office-block ballot where you have the job that you're seeking with all the candidates grouped together. And its very normal, its very commonsense.

But in New Jersey, we have a unique and unfair system that allows party leaders to be able to give preferential placement on the ballot for their preferred candidates. And not only that, but they can often have the candidates that they don't support off to the side of the ballot in a way that just really disadvantages them and makes it difficult for voters to even understand and see whos running for a particular office.

TM: On Sen. Menendez, do you think hell run as an independent? What would that race look like?

AK: I have no idea what hes going to do. I think that I cant even begin to think through how hes making decisions right now, so Im not really sure, but if he does, Im prepared for it. Thats why I want to make sure I can build up the resources needed to be able to run a statewide race.

TM: With Menendez on the Senate Foreign Relations committee, how has that situation been from your point of view? How big are the risks involved?

AK: Im on a lot of the foreign policy and national security committees. I come from a previous career in national security. Ive had a security clearance for this country for nearly half my life. So I take this very seriously.

It is worrisome to me that we have a situation here where Senator Menendez has been indicted for concerns related to his position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committeein particular, being the chairman of that committeethat concerns me, in terms of his continued access to classified information.

POLLING STATION

As Biden attempts to broaden his 2024 coalition while keeping his progressive base satisfied, new polling points to a potentially fruitful strategy to help him pull off the balance.

New polling from the left-leaning Blueprint initiative found a rare win-win messaging approach that could help Democrats persuade Nikki Haley voters in particulara key demographic that Biden and his team want to win over.

Its not a silver bullet, but Blueprint pollster Evan Roth Smith believes the data show tax policythe very issue Biden was hammering this week during a visit to Pennsylvaniashould be at the top of his campaigns list of talking points.

How the Biden Campaign Plans to Win Over Nikki Haley Voters

Voters generally view Democrats as a party that raises taxes, Roth Smith said. But Biden could overcome that, the pollster argued, by consistently reminding voters about the Trump tax cutshis signature legislative accomplishment which benefited the wealthy most of all.

Blueprint found 58 percent of voters think Trumps tax cuts benefited Americans richer than themselves. That number goes up to 67 percent among college-educated voters and 82 percent of Haley voters.

Reforming the U.S. tax code, Roth Smith explained, is one of the rare ideas with about as much appeal to the center-right portion of the Biden base as the rest of the party. Raising taxes on the ultra-wealthy shores up the president on two key flanks: Haley voters, to his right, and also a broader group of voters who tend not to show up to vote.

Another notable finding from the Blueprint polling was how they tested several of Bidens economic messages with those from Barack Obamas 2012 re-election campaign.

Without either candidate being mentioned in the message testing, Blueprint found painting Trump as only looking after the rich tests at Obama levels, Roth Smith said. And if you ask people in the Democratic Party right now, Do we have economic messaging strategies that feel as good as the ones we had during the Obama re-elect? The answer is no.

The Blueprint projects suggestion is for Biden to embrace his own version of Obamas 47 percent messaging against Mitt Romney from 2012, continuing to paint Trump as an out-of-touch billionaire.

The Biden campaign and Democrats writ large are in a place where it would seem wise to go after the Haley voters, Roth Smith said.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

All in Michigan. The Michigan Democratic Party has reserved $10.5 million worth of TV ads starting Thursday in an effort to hold and expand their majority in the state legislature, according to a breakdown of the spending shared with The Daily Beast.

The Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing media markets will see $2.5 million each from the partys initial buy. Another $2.6 million will be spread to other media markets in the state.

Trump Cant Seem to Make Up His Mind About EVs at Michigan Rally

The investments will be key for Democrats as they seek to defend a two-seat majority in Michigans Senate; they control Michigans House but the chamber is currently equally divided.

In 2022, Democrats flipped both chambers of the Michigan legislature, giving them unified control over state government for the first time in decades.

CAMPAIGN LIT

Spin cycle. Trumps campaign circulated a document to allies stocked with one-liners meant to defend him during the trial, Jake Lahut and Reese Gorman report.

Resting the case. The Biden campaign doesnt want to directly engage every twist and turn of Trumps trial, but they still see a clear way the optics work in their favor, Jake reports.

No acquittal, no problem. Out of 20 members of the Trump-loving House GOP, only one lawmaker expressed any reservations about Trump running for president as a convicted felon, Riley Rogerson reports.

Broke-ish. Disgraced former Rep. George Santos has a creative explanation for why he raised exactly zero dollars for his quixotic comeback House bid, Reese reports.

Red line of credit. David McCormick, the Pennsylvania Senate candidate who is one of the GOPs top recruits this year, may have illegally allocated campaign funds, Roger Sollenberger and Mini Racker report.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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On the Docket: We have our jury (after some setbacks)

Late Thursday afternoon, after hours of contentious jury selection in former president Donald Trumps first criminal case, presiding Judge Juan Merchan had some good news: We have our jury.

Twelve New Yorkers were selected and sworn in as jurors. And while jury selection isnt done quite yet  the process still needs to yield six alternates, and only one was selected  the movement puts the trial itself within reach. Merchan reiterated that he hoped opening statements could take place Monday morning.

That was a major shift after the day began with a series of setbacks that showed just how taxing it could prove to serve on the jury.

A woman who had been selected on Tuesday to serve on the jury was brought in after calling the court to express concerns about whether she could be fair and impartial. She told Merchan that she definitely has concerns about being a juror  because of the amount of identifying information that the media had shared about her. After she had been selected, that woman said she had friends, colleagues and family warn her that shed been publicly identified.

Merchan excused that juror from serving, then lamented that we just lost someone who could have been a good juror. He directed the media not to include physical appearances that could identify jurors, complaining specifically about reports mentioning that one of the jurors had an Irish accent. He then set a new rule: reporters could no longer report prospective jurors current or past workplaces.

That jurors dismissal came after heavy media coverage of who had been picked for the jury  some of it more responsible than others.

Fox News host Jesse Watters, for instance, did an entire segment ticking through the details available on every juror, mentioning the neighborhood that this juror lived in, her profession and her marital status, concluding: Im not so sure about her. (He then mocked the next juror on the list by making a face after saying the juror was wearing a purple jacket, then pointing out he was a corporate lawyer at a firm that touted its diversity, equity inclusion efforts.)

That female juror wasnt the only one excused. Another juror who had been selected was brought back in to answer whether he had been honest in answering earlier questions.

Prosecutors flagged that they had found an article about a person with the same name who had been arrested in the 1990s for tearing down political posters. They also disclosed that the mans wife may have been involved in a corruption inquiry and cooperated with the Manhattan district attorneys office, which is prosecuting Trumps case.

That man came in and had an extended, but friendly seeming, back and forth with Merchan, prosecutors and Trumps attorneys out of earshot of reporters, and was eventually booted from the jury.

While it wasnt the reason he was dismissed, the man made clear that hed also been frustrated by how much personally identifiable information had been shared about him during the jury selection process. I dont want to overstate it or understate it but he expressed annoyance, Merchan said.

Trump has been put under a gag order not to talk or post on social media about the jurors as a way to protect them from intimidation and potential threats. But hes already been testing the limits of that gag order, reposting attacks on multiple other witnesses while relentlessly attacking Merchan himself (who isnt included in the order).

Prosecutors have asked Merchan to sanction Trump for violating that order. Merchan hasnt made a determination on that yet  but as court concluded on Thursday, he made clear he knew it was an issue.

When Trumps lawyers asked for the names of the first three witnesses the prosecution planned to call, prosecutors balked, saying that because Trump had been posting on social media, they didnt want to give up that information.

Trump attorney Todd Blanche offered a deal: he would commit to the court and the people that President Trump will not Truth about any witness.

Merchan scoffed. I dont think you can make that representation, he said.

Read the Guardians full report on day three of the trial

In other news:

 Trumps legal team said in a court filing that it tried to serve a subpoena to adult film actor Stormy Daniels as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but that she had refused to take it and walked away. Daniels alleged affair with Trump is at the heart of the criminal case, which alleges that Trump falsified business records by repaying his former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen legal fees after Cohen paid to have Daniels story kept private before the 2016 election. Trumps lawyers asked Merchan to force Daniels to comply with the subpoena.

 On Wednesday, prosecutors submitted paperwork alerting Trumps lawyers about what exactly theyd want to ask him if he does decide to take the witness stand. That includes allegations of sexual abuse, his earlier civil trial loss on falsification of business records, his civil trial defamation loss to E Jean Carroll and a frivolous, bad-faith lawsuit hed filed against Hillary Clinton that was later dismissed. Merchan will determine what, if anything, from this list prosecutors would be allowed to ask Trump if he did take the stand. Trump has pledged to do so, but it seems unwise and unlikely that his lawyers would want him to.

 Victoria Bekiempis laid out the surreal spectacle of this jury selection: Trump has been forced to sit and listen as ordinary New Yorkers were asked their thoughts on him and America. Its very much worth a read.
This is Yahoo News' succinct update on the criminal and civil cases against former President Donald Trump. Here are the latest developments:

 What happened today

Five more alternate jurors were selected Friday following questioning from prosecution and defense lawyers, rounding out the 12 jurors and six alternates needed for the case against Trump to proceed on Monday. Across the street from the courthouse, in an area where supporters of the former president had gathered, a man doused himself with flammable liquid and set himself on fire as onlookers watched in horror, the New York Times reported.

 Tell me more

Jury set : On Friday, 22 prospective alternate jurors were questioned about their attitudes regarding the case and Trump. Five of them were selected to serve. As happened all week, many prospective alternate jurors were dismissed after they said they could not be impartial when it came to Trump. Anti-Trump social media posts by some potential jurors were flagged by Trumps lawyers, and the judge dismissed some of them. Once the jury was finalized, Merchan said that opening arguments in the case would begin Monday morning.

Will Trump testify? Later, the judge held what is called a Sandoval hearing, which is meant to inform a defendant of what might happen if they take the witness stand in case, on Friday afternoon. If Trump testifies, prosecutors are hoping to be able to ask him about the verdicts in his recent civil trials. Trump's lawyers are seeking to keep them from doing so. Trump has said that he would like to testify in the case, though it is unclear whether his lawyers will agree with that strategy. Leaving court on Friday, a reporter asked him if he planned to take the witness stand. "Yes," he responded. Merchan said he would issue a ruling on Monday on what cases could be addressed.

A harrowing scene: Outside the courtroom, a grisly scene played out when a man standing in an area where supporters of the former president had been gathering poured flammable liquid on his body and set himself on fire. A bystander used a fire extinguisher to try put out the flames, and a paramedic attended to the man. A manifesto written by the man made clear that he was using the trial to publicize his views on a range of unrelated issues. Prior to setting himself ablaze, the man was seen promoting a website on which a post stated, I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial.

 The background

 Trump's trials and legal cases
Trump warns that if he loses presidential immunity, so will 'crooked' Joe Biden

Trump warns that if he loses presidential immunity, so will 'crooked' Joe Biden

Former President Trump warned of the consequences of losing his presidential immunity argument, saying that if he loses that protection, so will "crooked" President Joe Biden.

The former president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee argued that presidential immunity is essential to the proper functioning of the presidency in a Friday post to his Truth Social account.

"Without presidential immunity, it would be impossible for a president to properly function, putting the United States of America in great and everlasting danger!" he posted, in all capital letters. "If they take away my presidential immunity, they take away crooked Joe Bidens presidential immunity."

The Supreme Court of the United States is expected to hear arguments on presidential immunity Thursday, and eventually rule on whether Trump is immune from prosecution on charges stemming from Special Counsel Jack Smiths election interference investigation.

Trump pleaded not guilty to charges brought by Smith, and has claimed presidential immunity.

TRUMP SAYS CRIMINAL TRIAL IS HAVING A 'REVERSE EFFECT,' AS HE CAMPAIGNS AT NEW YORK BODEGA, VOWS TO SAVE CITY

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Trump said that without immunity from prosecution, the presidency "will lose its power and prestige, and under some leaders, have no power at all."

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR ARGUMENTS IN TRUMP PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY CASE ON APRIL 25

"The Presidency will be consumed by the other Branches of Government. That is not what our founders wanted!" he wrote.

In another post, Trump argued that if a president does not have immunity, "the Opposing Party, during his/her term in Office, can extort and blackmail the President by saying that, if you dont give us everything we want, we will Indict you for things you did while in Office, even if everything done was totally Legal and Appropriate."

"That would be the end of the Presidency, and our Country, as we know it, and is just one of the many Traps there would be for a President without Presidential Immunity," Trump posted.

Pointing to his presidential predecessors, and 2020 and 2024 opponent Biden, Trump said: "Obama, Bush, and soon, Crooked Joe Biden, would all be in BIG TROUBLE."

President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign event at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, on Thursday, April 18, 2024.

"If a President doesnt have IMMUNITY, he/she will be nothing more than a Ceremonial President, rarely having the courage to do what has to be done for our Country," Trump continued, calling for the protection of presidential immunity. "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"

TRUMP HUSH MONEY TRIAL: MEET THE JURORS WHO WILL HEAR BRAGG'S CASE AGAINST THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE

Trump added that if immunity is not granted to a president, "every president that leaves office will be immediately indicted by the opposing party."

"Without complete immunity, a president of the United States would not be able to properly function," he said again.

Trump posted about the issue on his Truth Social platform while he sat in a New York City courtroom for day four of his criminal trial stemming from charges brought against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Bragg charged Trump last year with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. The charges are related to alleged hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Trump and his attorneys sought to delay the trial, which began Monday, until after the Supreme Court ruled on the issue of presidential immunity on April 25. That request was denied.

Trump is required to be in court every day for the criminal trial, which is expected to last through early June. Court for the criminal trial is expected for every day except Wednesdays, and Monday, April 29.

Trump and his attorneys argued that the former president should be able to attend the Supreme Court arguments on immunity next Thursday, but Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the trial, denied that request as well.

"Arguing before the Supreme Court is a big deal, and I can certainly appreciate why your client would want to be there, but a trial in New York Supreme Court  is also a big deal," Merchan said this week, rebuffing Trump lawyer Todd Blanches request.

Merchan added, "I will see him here next week."

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has said it would fast-track the appeal, and a ruling on the issue of presidential immunity is expected by mid-June.

Trumps criminal trial on charges brought against him by Smith has been put on hold pending resolution on the matter.

Smith charged the former president with conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights. Those charges stemmed from Smiths investigation into whether Trump was involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and any alleged interference in the 2020 election result.

Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges in August.

This will be the second time this term the Supreme Court will hear a case involving the presumed Republican presidential nominee.

Last month, the Supreme Court sided unanimously with the 2024 presumptive Republica n nominee in his challenge to Colorados attempt to kick him off the 2024 primary ballot.

The high court ruled in favor of Trump's arguments in the case, which will impact the status of efforts in several other states to remove the likely GOP nominee from their respective ballots.

The court considered for the first time the meaning and reach of Article 3 of the 14th Amendment, which bars former officeholders who "engaged in insurrection" from holding public office again. Challenges have been filed to remove Trump from the 2024 ballot in over 30 states.

Original article source: Trump warns that if he loses presidential immunity, so will 'crooked' Joe Biden
Trump's curiosity with jurors ebbs and flows during final stage of selection process. Here's what you missed on trial Day 3.

Jury selection in Donald Trumps hush money trial Thursday revealed there are certain topics that are likely to capture the former president's attention: Miami, real estate and media.

When one New Yorker talked about his decades in law enforcement, Trump raised his eyebrows. The juror, who said he holds Yankees season tickets, added that he reads the New York Post and Daily News. It was as if Trump, who moments earlier let out a yawn, was seized by an electrical current.

Later, Trump straightened his back and cocked his chin as a young lawyer, born and raised in Miami, began running through her answers to the jury questionnaire. Asked whether she had been the victim of a crime, the woman said her phone was stolen from her in Paris, and she noted that her familys car was incidentally burned in an arson in Italy.

Any reprieve Trump may have hoped for from the woman soon fell away as she talked about reading The Washington Post, a newspaper he has railed against. She said that while she harbors opinions about Trump, she is very comfortable that I can put those aside. The woman described watching Fox News occasionally just to try to see whats going on all sides.

Trump crossed his arms and glared at the space in front of him.

Both jurors were later dismissed.

At times, Trump craned his neck, particularly when potential jurors who said they didnt think they could be fair or impartial were exiting the courtroom.

That ended up being the fate of a former university administrator who recalled seeing Trump during a time when he was a developer and tabloid fixture, before he was elected president. The juror described once having seen Trump and his former wife Marla Maples shopping for baby things at ABC Home. She said she had heard positive things about Trump but added, How I feel about him as a president is different.

The exchange illustrated the complexities of sitting a jury in Democratic-leaning Manhattan, where Trump faces a public largely averse to his behavior and politics.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges related to falsifying business records to allegedly cover up hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the tail end of the 2016 presidential campaign.

Mostly, though, Trump appeared ambivalent, staring ahead during voir dire on Thursday. He didnt follow his legal team in turning around to face the potential jurors seated in the courtroom as they were introduced to the defense.

He yawned as the presiding judge, Juan Merchan, reached the end of reading jury instructions.

The lengthy process included two jurors being dismissed after having been seated.

The first, an oncology nurse, said shed had second thoughts about her ability to be fair or impartial. The other, an IT consultant, returned for questioning and expressed annoyance at how much information about him was already public.

A social media influencer wrote on Instagram that she was [p]roud to be amongst those who asked to be dismissed because of their strong views about Trump.

Those who werent immediately struck ticked through jury questionnaires with answers befitting a densely populated metropolis with some of the highest per capita income levels in the country.

An attorney who said she had discussed the case and its legal merits with many co-workers was asked whether that would affect her ability to serve as fair and impartial. She responded with a sigh, saying that while she would put her legal training aside, it is hard to unring a bell. She wasnt seated on the jury.

Standing feet from Trump, others called him selfish and self-serving and described themselves as allergic to politics that gets personal and petty.

A man who said he was born and raised in Italy compared Trump to Silvio Berlusconi, the late prime minister of Italy and infamous womanizer who was convicted of tax fraud in 2013.

It would be a little hard for me to retain my impartiality and fairness, the man said before he was dismissed.

Later, a self-described Bernie gal apologized after she was asked to read aloud some of her social media posts attacking Trump during the 2016 campaign, a time when, she said, she was in a disturbed frame of mind.

I do not hold those positions today, she said.

Electoral politics can be pretty spicy, and Mr. Trump can be pretty spicy. And I feel that I owe him an apology for some of my language, she said, before she also was dismissed.

Robert Hirschhorn, a jury consultant at Cathy E. Bennett & Associates, said the process wasnt unusual, with high-profile cases often drawing heavy scrutiny  including of the jurors themselves.

It is seven steps forward, two steps back, Hirschhorn said, citing Murphys Law.

If it can go wrong, it will go wrong, he said.

Still, he said he expected a fair and impartial jury to be impaneled by the end of jury selection.

Merchan swore in the 12-person jury, plus an alternate, on Thursday. He is aiming to sit the five other alternates before the end of Friday.

The trial is expected to take as long as eight weeks, with Trump required to attend every day or face penalties.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- "There was no damage to Iran's nuclear sites" in an attack in northeast of Iran's central Isfahan province, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Friday.

Three explosions have been heard northeast of Iran's central Isfahan province, the semi-official Fars news agency reported earlier in the day. 
Former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party announced a new program to supposedly "safeguard the integrity of the electoral process" by recruiting 100,000 people to serve as election workers and therefore "ensure a big win" in November.

In a Friday news release, the Republican National Committee and Trump's campaign said they will deploy volunteers and attorneys to battleground states to observe and report irregularities during voting and the ballot-counting process. The RNC will also launch litigation efforts "every time election officials are breaking the law," it said.

Having the right people to count the ballots is just as important as turning out voters on Election Day, Trump said in the statement. "Republicans are now working together to protect the vote and ensure a big win on November 5th!"

Poll watchers are typically appointed by political parties to ensure that the process is carried out fairly. They can report concerns to authorities and party officials, but they are not allowed to interfere in the electoral process, according to the National Conference of State Legislators.

But one has to wonder what Trump, whose efforts to subvert the 2020 election results landed him and his allies in a mountain of legal trouble, means by having the "right people" to count ballots. After all, his lies about ballot tampering in 2020 led to election workers being doxxed and intimidated, and election workers have reported a barrage of violent threats against them in the years since.

Meanwhile, the former president has continued to fearmonger about the security of the November election, even using apocalyptic language to warn of another potential loss.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Former U.S. President Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records continues in New York

Former U.S. President Trump's criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records continues in New York

By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK (Reuters) - At Donald Trump's criminal trial, there is no dispute about a central underlying fact: the month before the 2016 presidential election, his personal lawyer and fixer paid a porn star for her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.

Legal experts say the outcome of the first-ever trial of a former U.S. president hinges on Trump's intent.

Can prosecutors prove that he knew that fixer Michael Cohen's $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels was meant to sway the election and that Trump fudged records to cover it up?

Or can the defense persuade jurors the payment was a personal expense meant to spare Trump and his family embarrassment?

Trump, the Republican candidate in the Nov. 5 presidential election, denies any such encounter with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. He has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

The 12-member jury was selected on Thursday. Opening statements could take place on Monday if prosecutors and defense lawyers finish choosing six alternate jurors on Friday.

Prosecutors in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office say Trump falsely recorded his 2017 reimbursement of Cohen as legal expenses in his New York-based real estate company's books to cover up the hush money payment, which they call an illegal campaign contribution.

Falsifying a business record is a misdemeanor in New York. To get a jury to convict him on felony charges, prosecutors must prove that Trump knew Cohen's payment just before the 2016 election was illegal and that the former president was trying to conceal it.

"The timing of it makes the inference pretty clear, but they have to prove this beyond a reasonable doubt," said Rebecca Roiphe, a New York Law School professor and former Manhattan assistant district attorney.

Trump's lawyers and a spokesperson for Bragg did not respond to requests for comment on their trial strategies.

Trump's lawyers have said in court papers that his 2017 payments to Cohen were, in fact, monthly legal retainers. They also said accounts of extramarital affairs could have harmed the reputations of Trump and his family regardless of his candidacy, meaning the Daniels payment was not a campaign contribution.

"I was paying a lawyer and marked it down as a legal expense," Trump told reporters on Tuesday outside the courtroom. "That's exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that?"

He has said the case, like the three other indictments he faces, amounts to interference in the 2024 election and was brought to thwart his campaign for president.

'CATCH AND KILL'

Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to violating campaign finance laws by paying Daniels, which he testified Trump directed him to do.

Trump has branded Cohen a serial liar, and his lawyers have argued Cohen is falsely implicating his former boss to promote his podcasts and books.

Cohen has admitted lying to Congress in 2017 about a Moscow real estate project, though he says he did so to protect Trump when he was still working for him.

While testifying at a recent civil trial against Trump, Cohen said he lied in 2018 by pleading guilty to tax fraud - a crime he now says he did not commit.

"Michael Cohen's credibility has been shot quite a bit, and the defense will have a good opportunity to attack his testimony," said Tanisha Palvia, a former prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and a lawyer at Moore & Van Allen.

To counteract the defense narrative that the Daniels payoff was purely personal, prosecutors are expected to portray it as part of a broader "catch and kill" scheme to bury negative stories about Trump before the election.

Prosecutors say that included a $150,000 hush money payment Cohen arranged from tabloid publisher American Media Inc to another woman who said she had an affair with Trump, Playboy model Karen McDougal, which Trump also denies. They could seek to corroborate Cohen's testimony with other witnesses, such as former AMI chief executive David Pecker.

"You try to deprive the defense of any other alternate, innocent explanation," said James Roberts, counsel at Schlam, Stone & Dolan and a former prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

Trump has suggested he may testify in the case.

Taking the stand in his own defense is risky as it opens him up to cross-examination by prosecutors. But Adam Kaufmann, a former Manhattan assistant district attorney, said it may be Trump's best bet at convincing jurors the payment was personal.

"To really give it legs, Trump would need to put it in front of the jury and testify," said Kaufmann, a partner at Lewis Baach Kaufmann Middlemiss.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder, Howard Goller and Daniel Wallis)
TSMC's stalled Arizona chip factory is 'well on track' to start production next year  and it'll be charging more for US-made chips

TSMC's stalled Arizona chip factory is 'well on track' to start production next year  and it'll be charging more for US-made chips

TSMC's Arizona chip factories have faced construction delays.

But the company said it's "well on track" to start producing chips at its first factory in 2025.

TSMC plans to charge more for chips made outside Taiwan to combat higher manufacturing costs.

Things may be starting to look up for the world's leading chipmaker.

Last year, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company reported its first profit decline in four years. But on April 18, the company reported its strongest sales growth since 2022, and rising quarterly profits that beat expectations. The Taiwan-based TSMC also forecast that second-quarter sales could rise as much as 30% on the backs of "insatiable" demand for chips used to power AI technologies like ChatGPT.

But for the US, in particular, the most important detail from the call may have been the update on the construction timeline of TSMC's Arizona chips factories. TSMC said it had made "significant progress" on the construction of its first Arizona factory  located in the Phoenix area  and that it was "well on track" to begin producing chips in the first half of 2025. The company said engineering wafer production began at the factory in April, an important step toward the eventual chip production.

The chipmaker's commitment to building three factories on its Phoenix campus is a key pillar of the Biden administration's efforts to boost the US's manufacturing of chips that power everything from cars to iPhones. Bolstering domestic manufacturing could also make the US less reliant on Taiwan  which faces the potential risk of a Chinese invasion.

TSMC's progress is also important for President Joe Biden because Arizona is a key swing state in the upcoming presidential election. The company's investment is expected to create roughly 6,000 "high wage" jobs across the factories, in addition to over 20,000 construction jobs, and tens of thousands of indirect supplier jobs.

However, construction has faced a series of challenges. Last July, TSMC announced that chip production for the first factory would be postponed from 2024 to 2025. A lack of skilled construction workers in the US was cited as a reason for the first factory's delay. Additionally, in January, the opening of its second factory was delayed from 2026 to 2027 or 2028.

Barring further setbacks, TSMC's update could mean the first factory will begin production of chips in 2025. In recent weeks, however, a report from the Chinese news outlet money.udn has fed speculation among some experts that production could begin by the end of 2024  TSMC has stuck to the 2025 timeline in public comments.

The sooner chip production begins, the sooner Americans will have access to the "long term," non-construction jobs TSMC has promised, Dylan Patel, a chief analyst at the semiconductor research and consulting firm SemiAnalysis, told Business Insider.

During the earnings call, TSMC said 2028 was the scheduled opening of the second factory. The third factory is expected to begin production by 2030.

TSMC is planning to charge more for chips made outside Taiwan

Earlier this month, TSMC got more good news: The Biden administration announced it was providing the company with up to $6.6 billion in direct funding and an additional $5 billion in proposed loans to support its investment in Arizona.

Chipmakers have been vying for funding from the CHIPS and Science Act, legislation passed in 2022 that's expected to fund over $200 billion in US chip production.

This funding could be particularly important for TSMC, given the cost of factory construction and chip manufacturing can differ between the US and Taiwan.

In 2022, TSMC's founder Morris Chang said that US efforts to boost chip production would be "a wasteful, expensive exercise in futility," adding that "manufacturing chips in the US is 50% more expensive than in Taiwan."

In its first-quarter earnings call, TSMC said that cost pressures would cause it to charge more for chips made outside Taiwan, the Financial Times reported. The company also has plans to build two factories in Japan and one in Germany.

"If a customer requests to be in a certain geographical area, the customer needs to share the incremental cost," TSMC CEO C.C. Wei said during the earnings call.

While boosting the US manufacturing of chips and other products could create jobs and help secure supply chains, it could also lead to higher prices for American consumers.

If Apple, for instance, follows through on its commitment to source chips from TSMC's Arizona factories, it could make the latest iPhone more expensive.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An Arizona state legislator, 2020 election denier, and prominent leader with Turning Point Action resigned from the organization and withdrew his campaign after allegations surfaced that he forged signatures in his re-election efforts.

Austin Smith has represented Arizona House District 29 since 2023 and is a member of the Arizona House Freedom Caucus, an ultra-right group within the state legislature. He was also a Senior Enterprise Director for Turning Point Action, the campaign arm of conservative youth activist group Turning Point USA.

A lawsuit filed Monday and shared by The Arizona Republic accused Smith of using fraudulent signatures on the petition required to qualify for the Republican primary ballot.

Several of Smiths petition sheets bear purported voter signatures that appear to have been written by the same person, the complaint alleged. Many of those signatures bear a striking resemblance to Smiths.

Smith announced his departure Thursday in a lengthy statement posted to X/Twitter, accusing the person who filed the lawsuit as a Democrat activist who was out to get him.

With no limit to the length of time that such an investigation might take, and no limit to the number of billable hours I would end up paying to defend myself, those who wanted to do me real harm might well succeed, Smith said.

Smith did not mention Turning Point Action in his statement, but the Washington Post reported he resigned from his position there the same day he withdrew his campaign. Turning Point Action did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday night.

Fellow Arizona-elected official Clint Hickman, a Maricopa County Supervisor and resident of Smiths district, said in a statement that he believed Smith should resign in the wake of the allegations.

This is a man who has lied to the people of Legislative District 29 and the entire state about our election operations for at least three years, Hickman said. And now he is accused of lying about the signatures he personally collected to get on the ballot again.

This is far from the first time someone who worked with Turning Point has been accused of unscrupulous behavior: Last years AmericaFest conference was teeming with antisemitism, and a corporate sponsor of its 2023 Pastor Summit was found to be led by a registered sex offender.

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Tusk urges Polish farmers to stop blockade at Ukrainian border as 'fate of war' at stake

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called on Polish farmers to stop blocking the border with Ukraine, Polskie Radio reported on April 18.

The farmers began blocking trucks at several border crossings in February in protest of Ukrainian agricultural imports and the European Union's Green Deal. Despite ongoing negotiations between Kyiv and Warsaw, no satisfactory resolution has been achieved so far.

Polish farmers temporarily renewed the blockade of trucks at the Korczowa-Krakovets and Medyka-Shehyni crossings on April 18. The protesters are expected to block trucks heading to Ukraine via Korczowa-Krakovets until the morning of April 20 and cargo vehicles going through Medyka-Shehyni in both directions until early April 19.

Tusk said that Ukraine is in "an extremely difficult situation" after recent Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure. Polish authorities cannot allow blocking of border checkpoints regardless of the reason for the protests, according to him.

"We cannot in any way harm Ukraine in a situation where the fate of the war is being decided," the prime minister said.

"I am counting on reflection and rejection of this form of protest."

Read also: EU to impose restrictions on export of Ukrainian agriculture products, agrees to free trade extension

The Polish government is ready to provide further forms of assistance to those farmers who have lost part of their income, Tusk said.

Polish state services will reportedly work "to clear the checkpoints," although, the prime minister does not think that there is a need for direct enforcement measures.

The ongoing blockade has led to deteriorating relations between Kyiv and Warsaw. Protestors spilled Ukrainian grain on several occasions, sparking outrage in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal arrived in Poland on March 28 to meet with his Polish counterpart, Donald Tusk, and discuss agricultural trade between the two countries.

The two officials agreed to search for "mutually satisfactory solutions," such as a verification and control system for trade in agricultural goods.

Earlier this month, Poland and Ukraine established a Council for Cooperation to deal with bilateral Polish-Ukrainian relations and aid Ukraine's reconstruction.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Two held in Poland over March attack on Navalny aide Volkov

Interview with Leonid Volkov, the top aide of Alexei Navalny, in Vilnius

Interview with Leonid Volkov, the top aide of Alexei Navalny, in Vilnius

WARSAW (Reuters) -Two people have been detained in Poland on suspicion of attacking Leonid Volkov, an exiled top aide to late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, Polish and Lithuanian police said on Friday.

Volkov suffered injuries from hammer blows in the attack on March 12 outside his home in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital.

Lithuanian counterintelligence said at the time that the attack was the work of Russian special services. The Kremlin declined to comment.

Polish police said on social media platform X they had arrested the two suspects in cooperation with Lithuanian police in response to a European arrest warrant.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on X that Poland had also detained a Belarusian citizen working for Russia who was suspected of ordering the attack, and that the attackers themselves were linked to football hooliganism.

The Belarusian foreign ministry did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment

A spokesperson for the Warsaw court that is dealing with the case said the two suspects suspected of carrying out the attack were accused of "acting in an organised group, executing the orders of the special services of a foreign country" and of damaging the health of a Russian citizen in Lithuania.

They will be held in pre-trial detention for 40 days and their lawyers have lodged an appeal, the spokesperson said.

EXTRADITION

The two suspects were detained on April 3 in Warsaw and are Polish citizens, the deputy head of Lithuania's criminal police, Saulius Briginas, told a press conference in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

Chief Vilnius prosecutor Justas Laucius told the same press conference that the two suspects had been charged in Lithuania with intentionally causing minor bodily harm to Volkov because of his beliefs, which is punishable by a fine or a jail term.

"At this time, the charge is that the crime was committed due to (Volkov's) beliefs and his political activities", Laucius said, adding that the suspects could be extradited to Lithuania by May.

Briginas said the two suspects were previously known to Polish police and had gone to Lithuania to carry out the assault.

Laucius said he did not know whether the detainees were connected to a Polish citizen arrested on Thursday on suspicion of planning to cooperate with Russian foreign intelligence services for a possible assassination attempt on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Volkov, who has blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the March attack on him, thanked Lithuanian police on Friday for working "energetically and persistently" on the case.

Navalny died in February in a Russian Arctic prison. Russian authorities say he died of natural causes. His followers believe he was killed by the authorities, which the Kremlin denies.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas, Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk, Alan Charlish, Karol Badohal; Additional reporting by Marek Strzelecki and Pawel Florkiewicz; Editing by Alex Richardson, Gareth Jones and Timothy Heritage)
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Socorro Independent School District (SISD) was notified Thursday afternoon, April 18 that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will be appointing two conservators to oversee their operations.

Michael Hinojosa, who previously worked as superintendent for the Dallas Independent School District, will oversee SISDs Board of Trustees, and Andrew Kim, who worked as a superintendent in the San Antonio area, will be overseeing SISDs Interim Superintendent James Vasquez and the districts administration.

They will be (here) mostly on a consultation basis. However, they will be here physically at times, attending board meetings and attending staff meetings and so forth, said Vasquez.

President of the SISD Board of Trustees said they were advised that the conservators would be here for the May board meeting.

This comes on the heels of the district operating under a $33 million deficit, and two separate audits revealing an array of issues in how the district has been operating for several years.

The audits resulted in former Superintendent Nate Carman being placed on administrative leave for possibly having conflicts of interest and not reporting it.

The TEAs audit revealed that SISD graduated at least 276 students in 2019 who had not met all graduation requirements.

The audit also made allegations that the district had made payments totaling in $283,000 in unauthorized stipends from 2016 through 2022.

The districts Chief Human Resources Officer Dr. Angela Gonzalez vehemently rejected the allegations at a board meeting held on Wednesday evening, April 17, saying the allegations were unsubstantiated and false, and that they did not have the opportunity to contend them.

A separate forensic audit conducted by the Weaver accounting firm resulted in18 recommendations to the district that were addressed at the same SISD Board Meeting held on Wednesday.

At the meeting, a cabinet of SISD officials presented plans of action to address the issues found by both audits.

New proposed course of actions included standardizing the recording of deposits and reimbursements across campuses to improve visibility.

District officials said other solutions had already been made to address the TEAs findings. These included the district creating a Graduation Task Force in 2020 to ensure students met the proper graduation requirements, and policy changes requiring the board of trustees to approve all disbursement of stipends.

In my opinion, the actions that weve put in place as part of the corrective action plan, thats honestly the easy part. It is just a matter of adjusting policies, adjusting some of our current practices and ensuring that all of our employees follow district policy. I think the hard part is going to be regaining the trust of the community, said Vasquez. Well work hard to do that in the coming weeks and months by being open, honest, and transparent with our day-to-day operations.

Najera said he doesnt believe that the conservators coming in will disrupt any of the action plans they have set in motion, but that they will welcome any recommendations they might have.

It was certainly our responsibility knowing that the conservatorship was coming to still take immediate action to make sure that the areas identified as gaps in both the audit report and the TEA report are addressed immediately in an attempt to improve internal systems, policies, procedures, etc.. said Najera.

He said he anticipates having a collaborative relationship with the TEA conservators, and that they are not here to replace the districts board or administration.

If we are doing things incorrectly, inappropriately, things that would hurt the district instead of help, yes, TSA can step in. However, it is business as usual. So, the board is still overseeing the superintendent. The superintendent is still overseeing the district, said Najera.

SISD will be responsible for paying the conservators for their services, to which Najera responded by saying it is an investment in the future and success of the district.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Two Oklahoma House challengers to remain on the ballot

Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, attends a special session of the state House at the Oklahoma Capitol on Oct. 3, 2023. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Two candidates will remain on the ballot after challenges were filed alleging they didnt meet the qualifications to run.

The Oklahoma State Election Board on Thursday heard the challenges and unanimously ruled in favor of the two men.

Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City, had challenged the candidacy of Carter Davis Rogers, an independent from Fairfax.

Luttrell alleged Rogers was a voter in Colorado and not registered in Oklahoma.

Mr. Rogers has failed to re-register as a voter in Oklahoma since his return to the state, and is therefore ineligible for a candidacy until he does so six months before filing, according to the petition challenging his candidacy.

Rogers had previously registered to vote in Fairfax in 2020, according to the petition.

Rogers said his Oklahoma registration was never canceled. Luttrell was trying to intimidate him, he said.

It was an undemocratic attempt to get an election canceled by the Republican candidate, Rogers said.

Luttrell is seeking his final two-year term representing House District 37.

Lawmakers are limited to 12 years.

Luttrell will face Rogers in the Nov. 5 general election.

Rep. Clay Staires, R-Skiatook, challenged the candidacy of Libertarian Kenneth Blevins of Sand Springs in the race for House District 66.

Staires alleged that the number of signatures of registered voters Blevins submitted to get on the ballot could not be verified, according to the petition.

Blevins needed 483 qualified voters to get on the ballot in lieu of paying a $500 filing fee. Blevins turned in 528 signatures.

Bevin argued that he did meet the threshold.

Now the work actually begins trying to actually win votes, Blevins said.

Both will meet in the Nov. 5 general election.

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The post Two Oklahoma House challengers to remain on the ballot appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
Two planes nearly collide at US airport amid spate of near-misses

The JetBlue flight was preparing to take off down the runway when it almost crossed path with another flight (Getty Images)

Two airplanes experienced a near miss after almost colliding on the runway before tower control intervened and frantically yelled at both planes to stop!

Recordings from air traffic control revealed the moment when the controllers realised that a JetBlue Airways flight and a Southwestern plane were on course to possibly crash into each other at Reagan National Airport in Virginia on Thursday morning.

One controller had cleared JetBlue Flight 1554 to start taking off at around 7.40am but, at the same time, another controller appeared to tell Southwest Flight 2937 to go across the very same runway, according to audio obtained by YouTube channel VASAviation.

The JetBlue flight started to make its way down the runway when the Southwest plane almost crossed its path.

After 30 seconds, the controllers realised that both planes were on course to collide and shouted over the audio feeds for the aircraft to stop.

JetBlue 1554 stop! 1554 stop! the tower controller yelled out, with the ground controller immediately after shouting, Southwest, stop! Southwest 2937, stop!

The Southwest airline pilot replied to the frenzied shouting: We stopped. We were cleared to cross Runway 4.

The JetBlue pilot also reported to the controllers that they were stopping on the runway, terminating their takeoff.

The two planes came within 400 feet of each other, according to FlightRadar data seen by CNN.

After avoiding what could have been a catastrophic incident, the JetBlue flight taxied away from the runway and later took off for Boston Logan.

The airline said that their flight out of Reagan National Airport had an aborted take-off due to another aircraft attempting to cross the runway, adding that their aircraft was inspected and then took off to their destination, according to the outlet.

The Southwest plane was directed to continue taxiing across the runway towards a second runway, where it took out on its way to Orlando.

Southwest said to the outlet that they are aware of the incident and are working with the Federal Aviation Administration to fully understand the incident.

The FAA said that it would investigate the incident.

An air traffic controller instructed Southwest Airlines Flight 2937 to cross Runway 4 at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport while JetBlue Flight 1554 was starting its takeoff roll on the same runway, the FAA told The Independent in a statement.

This incident is one of many close calls that happen every year, with a report by The New York Times published in August 2023, claiming that near misses are more common than people think.

The report claimed that only three of the 313 air traffic facilities nationwide had enough controllers to meet FAA targets as of May 2023, with many of them having to work six-day weeks, causing fatigue that can impede the controllers abilities to do their jobs properly, the outlet said.

The Independent has contacted both airlines for comment.
U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Robert Wood (L, front) votes against a draft resolution that recommends to the 193-member UN General Assembly that "the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations", at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 18, 2024. The United States on Thursday voted against a Palestinian request for full UN membership at the Security Council. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Thursday voted against a Palestinian request for full UN membership at the Security Council.

The 15-member council voted on a draft resolution that recommends to the 193-member UN General Assembly that "the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations."

The draft resolution received 12 votes in favor, two abstentions, and one vote against.

A council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass. The United States was compelled to use its veto power after the draft secured 12 votes in favor.

The Palestinian mission to the United Nations initially requested full UN member state status in 2011. Their first attempt failed because they did not receive the necessary minimum support of nine out of the 15 members of the Security Council.

Following their initial setback, the Palestinians approached the UN General Assembly where, in November 2012, they successfully achieved an upgrade of their status from "UN observer" to "non-member observer state" by securing more than a two-thirds majority vote. This elevation in status enabled the Palestinian territories to join various UN and international organizations, such as the International Criminal Court.

Earlier this month, Palestine's renewed request for full member state status at the United Nations was evaluated by the UN Committee on the Admission of New Members. This revival of their membership bid in early April was supported by the 140 countries that recognize Palestine as an independent state.

On Thursday, Ziad Abu Amr, the special representative of the Palestinian president, addressed the Security Council, stating that adopting the resolution would provide the Palestinian people with hope for "a decent life within an independent state."

He said such "hope has dissipated over the past years because of the intransigence of the Israeli government that has rejected this solution publicly and blatantly, especially following the destructive war against the Gaza Strip." 

Representatives vote on a draft resolution that recommends to the 193-member UN General Assembly that "the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations" during a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 18, 2024. The United States on Thursday voted against a Palestinian request for full UN membership at the Security Council. (Xinhua/Xie E)
The U.S. blocked on Thursday a draft resolution that would have allowed the United Nations General Assembly to vote on allowing a Palestinian state to become a full member state of the U.N. The move has triggered backlash from other states and pro-Palestinian groups, as global divisions continue to sharpen over Israels war on Gaza.

The U.S. was the only nation in the 15-member U.N. Security Council to vote against the resolution. Twelveincluding Russia, China, France, and Japanvoted in favor, while twothe U.K. and Switzerlandabstained.

While not a full member, Palestine has been a Permanent Observer at the U.N. since 2012, a status that allows it to participate in U.N. proceedings but not to vote on draft resolutions and decisions.

In 2011, the Palestinian Authority led by President Mahmoud Abba initiated a bid to consider Palestine as a full U.N. member. However, it was eventually dropped amid pressure from the U.S. (When the Palestinian Authority was accepted as a full member of UNESCO in 2011, the U.S. cut funding to the cultural agency.)

On April 2, the Palestinian Authority again submitted a request to reconsider its 2011 request for full U.N. membership. The U.S. has been urging the Palestinian Authority not to press ahead for a U.N. votepressure that was ignored by Abbas.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said in a statement that the Biden administration should be ashamed and embarrassed of its unjust veto. The Muslim advocacy group also criticized what it says are limits of the U.N. Security Council in addressing conflict.

For decades, the UN Security Council has failed to prevent unjust wars and genocide around the world, the statement said. The world should no longer accept a flawed system in which five nations can exercise veto power over the affairs of more than eight billion people, including nearly two billion Muslims who are not represented among the five permanent members.

The U.N. Security Council was established in 1945 to maintain international peace and security, as well as to recommend new U.N. members to the General Assembly. It consists of 10 rotating members elected on two-year terms and five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the U.K., and the U.S.). A typical resolution in the Security Council requires affirmative votes from nine members to pass, though any of the five permanent members reserve veto power.

Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan expressed disappointment at the number of countries that have supported the Palestinian request. Regardless of the Palestinians failure to meet the necessary criteria for UN membership, most of you sadly decided to reward Palestinian terror with a Palestinian State, he said. Its very sad because your vote will only embolden Palestinian rejectionism even more and make peace almost impossible.

Riyad Mansour, a Palestinian-American diplomat and the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the U.N., thanked those who voted in favor of the request and reiterated his peoples resolve. The fact that this resolution did not pass will not break our will, and it will not defeat our determination, he said. We will not stop in our effort. The State of Palestine is inevitable. It is real. Perhaps they see it as far away, but we see it as near, and we are the faithful.

The U.S. has found itself increasingly isolated by the international community because of its support of Israel. But as the human costs of the conflict in Gaza mount, President Joe Biden has also gradually shifted his tone towards his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, calling Netanyahus approach to the war a mistake. The U.S. vetoed calls at the U.N. for a humanitarian ceasefire for months, but one was eventually passed in March, after the U.S. abstained from voting. Still, the U.S. has maintained its support for Israel, helping it recently shoot down missiles from Iran and vowing ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House on Friday moved one step closer to approving billions in military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with Democrats providing crucial support to Republican leaders after defections by their hard-right members.

Lawmakers in the broadly bipartisan 316-94 vote approved a rule that sets up the procedure for debating a handful of amendments and passage of the three separate bills on Saturday, in a rare weekend session.

Nebraska Republican Reps. Mike Flood, Don Bacon and Adrian Smith all supported the rule.

That rule also sets up debate on a so-called sidecar bill that would implement sanctions against China, Iran and Russia; ban the social media site TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it; approve a bipartisan bill to address fentanyl; and include numerous other measures.

The House is set to take separate votes to approve all four bills, before bundling them together and sending one package to the U.S. Senate. That chamber could vote to approve the measure as soon as next week.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Friday that chamber will move expeditiously to take up the package once it comes over.

President Joe Biden has said hell sign the package, a move that would end months of stalemate over whether the United States would aid Ukraine and Israel among ongoing wars. The assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan totals $95 billion.

Rational and thoughtful debate urged

House debate on the rule was broadly bipartisan, though several Republicans bemoaned Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, for moving forward with aid to Ukraine, while some Democrats argued the process should have wrapped up months ago.

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, said he hoped that on Saturday lawmakers will have rational and thoughtful debate, knowing that we will have disagreements and knowing that some of us will have different ideas on how we should proceed forward.

This is the United States House of Representatives. We are supposed to debate issues, McGovern said. We are supposed to vote on things. And unfortunately, this has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all.

McGovern said he has deep, deep problems about the unconditional aid to Israel, but said that Johnsons decision to break up the bills into separate votes will allow each lawmaker to vote their conscience.

I believe that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu is putting Israel on a path that quite frankly undermines his own countrys security, McGovern said. And Im outraged by his cruelty and his inhumanity toward the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

McGovern added that nobody is questioning that Israel has a right to defend itself, but said he believes Israels conduct against civilians is outrageous and unconscionable.

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said the rule creates a full and fair process for floor consideration of these measures.

It grants ample debate time on these bills and makes in order a series of amendments, ensuring that the entire body has the opportunity to work its will and make our voices heard, Cole said. It ensures that members have a full 72 hours to review these bills before the vote.

The bills the House will vote on Saturday, Cole said, are crucial to democracy.

Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are on the front lines of the struggle to preserve democracy and freedom around the world, he said. In the case of Ukraine and Israel  these two nations are quite literally in harms way.

Border security surfaces again

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy argued against approving the rule, saying that GOP lawmakers must hold out on key issues until they are able to move border security changes into law.

We want to get the border closed and secured first. To that I say amen. And where is that, Speaker Johnson? Roy said.

A trio of senators  Oklahoma Republican James Lankford, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and Arizona independent Kyrsten Sinema  spent months negotiating a bipartisan border security and immigration bill before releasing it in February. Senate Republicans then blocked it from moving forward after demanding it in exchange for foreign aid.

Johnson has been on thin ice with several members of the far-right Freedom Caucus, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kentuckys Thomas Massie, who have both called for him to resign and may press for a motion to vacate Johnson from leadership.

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar became the third co-sponsor of the resolution after the rule vote, writing in a statement that he wants Johnson to do more on border security and immigration policy.

Our border cannot be an afterthought, Gosar wrote. We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.

Other members of that group, including Chairman Bob Good of Virginia, are frustrated with Johnson, though they dont want another prolonged public display of GOP disunity before the November elections.

Foreign aid

House Republicans unveiled the assistance bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Wednesday. The vast majority of that funding would go to the U.S. Departments of Defense, Energy and State, which would in turn use the funding to assist the three entities as well as others.

Those bills are similar to the $95 billion spending package the Senate approved on a broadly bipartisan vote in February.

The rule approved Friday barred amendments from being considered to the Israel aid bill but approved four amendments to the Ukraine bill, one amendment to the bill for the Indo-Pacific and two amendments to the TikTok and sanctions sidecar.

When the House approved the rule, the two amendments to the TikTok bill were deemed approved.

House lawmakers proposed 137 amendments to the Ukraine bill, 84 amendments to the Israel bill, 30 amendments to the Indo-Pacific spending bill and 68 amendments to the sidecar bill.

The White House released a Statement of Administration Policy on Friday urging both chambers of Congress to swiftly approve the foreign aid bills.

The world is watching what the Congress does. Passing this legislation would send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment, it said. The Administration urges both chambers of the Congress to quickly send this supplemental funding package to the Presidents desk.

The post U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan appeared first on Nebraska Examiner.
U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan

The U.S. Capitol pictured on Thursday. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House on Friday moved one step closer to approving billions in military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with Democrats providing crucial support to Republican leaders after defections by their hard-right members.

Lawmakers in the broadly bipartisan 316-94 vote approved a rule that sets up the procedure for debating a handful of amendments and passage of the three separate bills on Saturday, in a rare weekend session.

That rule also sets up debate on a so-called sidecar bill that would implement sanctions against China, Iran and Russia; ban the social media site TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it; approve a bipartisan bill to address fentanyl; and numerous other measures.

The House is set to take separate votes to approve all four bills, before bundling them together and sending one package to the U.S. Senate. That chamber could vote to approve the measure as soon as next week.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Friday that chamber will move expeditiously to take up the package once it comes over.

President Joe Biden has said hell sign the package, a move that would end months of stalemate over whether the United States would aid Ukraine and Israel among ongoing wars. The assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan totals $95 billion.

Rational and thoughtful debate urged

House debate on the rule was broadly bipartisan, though several Republicans bemoaned Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, for moving forward with aid to Ukraine, while some Democrats argued the process should have wrapped up months ago.

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, said he hoped that on Saturday lawmakers will have rational and thoughtful debate, knowing that we will have disagreements and knowing that some of us will have different ideas on how we should proceed forward.

This is the United States House of Representatives. We are supposed to debate issues, McGovern said. We are supposed to vote on things. And unfortunately, this has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all.

McGovern said he has deep, deep problems about the unconditional aid to Israel, but said that Johnsons decision to break up the bills into separate votes will allow each lawmaker to vote their conscience.

I believe that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu is putting Israel on a path that quite frankly undermines his own countrys security, McGovern said. And Im outraged by his cruelty and his inhumanity toward the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

McGovern added that nobody is questioning that Israel has a right to defend itself, but said he believes Israels conduct against civilians is outrageous and unconscionable.

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said the rule creates a full and fair process for floor consideration of these measures.

It grants ample debate time on these bills and makes in order a series of amendments, ensuring that the entire body has the opportunity to work its will and make our voices heard, Cole said. It ensures that members have a full 72 hours to review these bills before the vote.

The bills the House will vote on Saturday, Cole said, are crucial to democracy.

Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are on the front lines of the struggle to preserve democracy and freedom around the world, he said. In the case of Ukraine and Israel  these two nations are quite literally in harms way.

Border security surfaces again

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy argued against approving the rule, saying that GOP lawmakers must hold out on key issues until they are able to move border security changes into law.

We want to get the border closed and secured first. To that I say amen. And where is that, Speaker Johnson? Roy said.

A trio of senators  Oklahoma Republican James Lankford, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and Arizona independent Kyrsten Sinema  spent months negotiating a bipartisan border security and immigration bill before releasing it in February. Senate Republicans then blocked it from moving forward after demanding it in exchange for foreign aid.

Johnson has been on thin ice with several members of the far-right Freedom Caucus, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kentuckys Thomas Massie, who have both called for him to resign and may press for a motion to vacate Johnson from leadership.

Other members of that group, including Chairman Bob Good of Virginia, are frustrated with Johnson, though they dont want another prolonged public display of GOP disunity before the November elections.

Foreign aid

House Republicans unveiled the assistance bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Wednesday. The vast majority of that funding would go to the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy and State, which would in turn use the funding to assist the three entities as well as others.

Those bills are similar to the $95 billion spending package the Senate approved on a broadly bipartisan vote in February.

The rule approved Friday barred amendments from being considered to the Israel aid bill, but approved four amendments to the Ukraine bill, one amendment to the bill for the Indo-Pacific and two amendments to the TikTok and sanctions sidecar.

When the House approved the rule, the two amendments to the TikTok bill were deemed approved.

House lawmakers proposed 137 amendments to the Ukraine bill, 84 amendments to the Israel bill, 30 amendments to the Indo-Pacific spending bill and 68 amendments to the sidecar bill.

The White House released a Statement of Administration Policy on Friday urging both chambers of Congress to swiftly approve the foreign aid bills.

The world is watching what the Congress does. Passing this legislation would send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment, it said. The Administration urges both chambers of the Congress to quickly send this supplemental funding package to the Presidents desk.

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The post U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan appeared first on Oklahoma Voice.
U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House on Friday moved one step closer to approving billions in military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with Democrats providing crucial support to Republican leaders after defections by their hard-right members.

Lawmakers in the broadly bipartisan 316-94 vote approved a rule that sets up the procedure for debating a handful of amendments and passage of the three separate bills on Saturday, in a rare weekend session.

That rule also sets up debate on a so-called sidecar bill that would implement sanctions against China, Iran and Russia; ban the social media site TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it; approve a bipartisan bill to address fentanyl; and numerous other measures.

The House is set to take separate votes to approve all four bills, before bundling them together and sending one package to the U.S. Senate. That chamber could vote to approve the measure as soon as next week.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Friday that chamber will move expeditiously to take up the package once it comes over.

President Joe Biden has said hell sign the package, a move that would end months of stalemate over whether the United States would aid Ukraine and Israel among ongoing wars. The assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan totals $95 billion.

Rational and thoughtful debate urged

House debate on the rule was broadly bipartisan, though several Republicans bemoaned Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, for moving forward with aid to Ukraine, while some Democrats argued the process should have wrapped up months ago.

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, said he hoped that on Saturday lawmakers will have rational and thoughtful debate, knowing that we will have disagreements and knowing that some of us will have different ideas on how we should proceed forward.

This is the United States House of Representatives. We are supposed to debate issues, McGovern said. We are supposed to vote on things. And unfortunately, this has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all.

McGovern said he has deep, deep problems about the unconditional aid to Israel, but said that Johnsons decision to break up the bills into separate votes will allow each lawmaker to vote their conscience.

I believe that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu is putting Israel on a path that quite frankly undermines his own countrys security, McGovern said. And Im outraged by his cruelty and his inhumanity toward the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

McGovern added that nobody is questioning that Israel has a right to defend itself, but said he believes Israels conduct against civilians is outrageous and unconscionable.

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said the rule creates a full and fair process for floor consideration of these measures.

It grants ample debate time on these bills and makes in order a series of amendments, ensuring that the entire body has the opportunity to work its will and make our voices heard, Cole said. It ensures that members have a full 72 hours to review these bills before the vote.

The bills the House will vote on Saturday, Cole said, are crucial to democracy.

Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are on the front lines of the struggle to preserve democracy and freedom around the world, he said. In the case of Ukraine and Israel  these two nations are quite literally in harms way.

Border security surfaces again

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy argued against approving the rule, saying that GOP lawmakers must hold out on key issues until they are able to move border security changes into law.

We want to get the border closed and secured first. To that I say amen. And where is that, Speaker Johnson? Roy said.

A trio of senators  Oklahoma Republican James Lankford, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and Arizona independent Kyrsten Sinema  spent months negotiating a bipartisan border security and immigration bill before releasing it in February. Senate Republicans then blocked it from moving forward after demanding it in exchange for foreign aid.

Johnson has been on thin ice with several members of the far-right Freedom Caucus, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kentuckys Thomas Massie, who have both called for him to resign and may press for a motion to vacate Johnson from leadership.

Other members of that group, including Chairman Bob Good of Virginia, are frustrated with Johnson, though they dont want another prolonged public display of GOP disunity before the November elections.

Foreign aid

House Republicans unveiled the assistance bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Wednesday. The vast majority of that funding would go to the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy and State, which would in turn use the funding to assist the three entities as well as others.

Those bills are similar to the $95 billion spending package the Senate approved on a broadly bipartisan vote in February.

The rule approved Friday barred amendments from being considered to the Israel aid bill, but approved four amendments to the Ukraine bill, one amendment to the bill for the Indo-Pacific and two amendments to the TikTok and sanctions sidecar.

When the House approved the rule, the two amendments to the TikTok bill were deemed approved.

House lawmakers proposed 137 amendments to the Ukraine bill, 84 amendments to the Israel bill, 30 amendments to the Indo-Pacific spending bill and 68 amendments to the sidecar bill.

The White House released a Statement of Administration Policy on Friday urging both chambers of Congress to swiftly approve the foreign aid bills.

The world is watching what the Congress does. Passing this legislation would send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment, it said. The Administration urges both chambers of the Congress to quickly send this supplemental funding package to the Presidents desk.

The post U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan appeared first on NC Newsline.
U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House on Friday moved one step closer to approving billions in military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with Democrats providing crucial support to Republican leaders after defections by their hard-right members.

Lawmakers in the broadly bipartisan 316-94 vote approved a rule that sets up the procedure for debating a handful of amendments and passage of the three separate bills on Saturday, in a rare weekend session. North Dakota Republican Kelly Armstrong was among the yes votes on the rule.

That rule also sets up debate on a so-called sidecar bill that would implement sanctions against China, Iran and Russia; ban the social media site TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it; approve a bipartisan bill to address fentanyl; and numerous other measures.

The House is set to take separate votes to approve all four bills, before bundling them together and sending one package to the U.S. Senate. That chamber could vote to approve the measure as soon as next week.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Friday that chamber will move expeditiously to take up the package once it comes over.

President Joe Biden has said hell sign the package, a move that would end months of stalemate over whether the United States would aid Ukraine and Israel among ongoing wars. The assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan totals $95 billion.

Rational and thoughtful debate urged

House debate on the rule was broadly bipartisan, though several Republicans bemoaned Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, for moving forward with aid to Ukraine, while some Democrats argued the process should have wrapped up months ago.

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, said he hoped that on Saturday lawmakers will have rational and thoughtful debate, knowing that we will have disagreements and knowing that some of us will have different ideas on how we should proceed forward.

This is the United States House of Representatives. We are supposed to debate issues, McGovern said. We are supposed to vote on things. And unfortunately, this has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all.

McGovern said he has deep, deep problems about the unconditional aid to Israel, but said that Johnsons decision to break up the bills into separate votes will allow each lawmaker to vote their conscience.

I believe that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu is putting Israel on a path that quite frankly undermines his own countrys security, McGovern said. And Im outraged by his cruelty and his inhumanity toward the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

McGovern added that nobody is questioning that Israel has a right to defend itself, but said he believes Israels conduct against civilians is outrageous and unconscionable.

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said the rule creates a full and fair process for floor consideration of these measures.

It grants ample debate time on these bills and makes in order a series of amendments, ensuring that the entire body has the opportunity to work its will and make our voices heard, Cole said. It ensures that members have a full 72 hours to review these bills before the vote.

The bills the House will vote on Saturday, Cole said, are crucial to democracy.

Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are on the front lines of the struggle to preserve democracy and freedom around the world, he said. In the case of Ukraine and Israel  these two nations are quite literally in harms way.

Border security surfaces again

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy argued against approving the rule, saying that GOP lawmakers must hold out on key issues until they are able to move border security changes into law.

We want to get the border closed and secured first. To that I say amen. And where is that, Speaker Johnson? Roy said.

A trio of senators  Oklahoma Republican James Lankford, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and Arizona independent Kyrsten Sinema  spent months negotiating a bipartisan border security and immigration bill before releasing it in February. Senate Republicans then blocked it from moving forward after demanding it in exchange for foreign aid.

Johnson has been on thin ice with several members of the far-right Freedom Caucus, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kentuckys Thomas Massie, who have both called for him to resign and may press for a motion to vacate Johnson from leadership.

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar became the third co-sponsor of the resolution after the rule vote, writing in a statement that he wants Johnson to do more on border security and immigration policy.

Our border cannot be an afterthought, Gosar wrote. We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.

Other members of that group, including Chairman Bob Good of Virginia, are frustrated with Johnson, though they dont want another prolonged public display of GOP disunity before the November elections.

Foreign aid

House Republicans unveiled the assistance bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Wednesday. The vast majority of that funding would go to the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy and State, which would in turn use the funding to assist the three entities as well as others.

Those bills are similar to the $95 billion spending package the Senate approved on a broadly bipartisan vote in February.

The rule approved Friday barred amendments from being considered to the Israel aid bill, but approved four amendments to the Ukraine bill, one amendment to the bill for the Indo-Pacific and two amendments to the TikTok and sanctions sidecar.

When the House approved the rule, the two amendments to the TikTok bill were deemed approved.

House lawmakers proposed 137 amendments to the Ukraine bill, 84 amendments to the Israel bill, 30 amendments to the Indo-Pacific spending bill and 68 amendments to the sidecar bill.

The White House released a Statement of Administration Policy on Friday urging both chambers of Congress to swiftly approve the foreign aid bills.

The world is watching what the Congress does. Passing this legislation would send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment, it said. The Administration urges both chambers of the Congress to quickly send this supplemental funding package to the Presidents desk.

The post U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan appeared first on North Dakota Monitor.
U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House on Friday moved one step closer to approving billions in military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with Democrats providing crucial support to Republican leaders after defections by their hard-right members.

Lawmakers in the broadly bipartisan 316-94 vote approved a rule that sets up the procedure for debating a handful of amendments and passage of the three separate bills on Saturday, in a rare weekend session.

That rule also sets up debate on a so-called sidecar bill that would implement sanctions against China, Iran and Russia; ban the social media site TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it; approve a bipartisan bill to address fentanyl; and numerous other measures.

The House is set to take separate votes to approve all four bills, before bundling them together and sending one package to the U.S. Senate. That chamber could vote to approve the measure as soon as next week.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Friday that chamber will move expeditiously to take up the package once it comes over.

President Joe Biden has said hell sign the package, a move that would end months of stalemate over whether the United States would aid Ukraine and Israel among ongoing wars. The assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan totals $95 billion.

Rational and thoughtful debate urged

House debate on the rule was broadly bipartisan, though several Republicans bemoaned Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, for moving forward with aid to Ukraine, while some Democrats argued the process should have wrapped up months ago.

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, said he hoped that on Saturday lawmakers will have rational and thoughtful debate, knowing that we will have disagreements and knowing that some of us will have different ideas on how we should proceed forward.

This is the United States House of Representatives. We are supposed to debate issues, McGovern said. We are supposed to vote on things. And unfortunately, this has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all.

McGovern said he has deep, deep problems about the unconditional aid to Israel, but said that Johnsons decision to break up the bills into separate votes will allow each lawmaker to vote their conscience.

I believe that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu is putting Israel on a path that quite frankly undermines his own countrys security, McGovern said. And Im outraged by his cruelty and his inhumanity toward the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

McGovern added that nobody is questioning that Israel has a right to defend itself, but said he believes Israels conduct against civilians is outrageous and unconscionable.

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said the rule creates a full and fair process for floor consideration of these measures.

It grants ample debate time on these bills and makes in order a series of amendments, ensuring that the entire body has the opportunity to work its will and make our voices heard, Cole said. It ensures that members have a full 72 hours to review these bills before the vote.

The bills the House will vote on Saturday, Cole said, are crucial to democracy.

Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are on the front lines of the struggle to preserve democracy and freedom around the world, he said. In the case of Ukraine and Israel  these two nations are quite literally in harms way.

Border security surfaces again

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy argued against approving the rule, saying that GOP lawmakers must hold out on key issues until they are able to move border security changes into law.

We want to get the border closed and secured first. To that I say amen. And where is that, Speaker Johnson? Roy said.

A trio of senators  Oklahoma Republican James Lankford, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and Arizona independent Kyrsten Sinema  spent months negotiating a bipartisan border security and immigration bill before releasing it in February. Senate Republicans then blocked it from moving forward after demanding it in exchange for foreign aid.

Johnson has been on thin ice with several members of the far-right Freedom Caucus, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kentuckys Thomas Massie, who have both called for him to resign and may press for a motion to vacate Johnson from leadership.

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar became the third co-sponsor of the resolution after the rule vote, writing in a statement that he wants Johnson to do more on border security and immigration policy.

Our border cannot be an afterthought, Gosar wrote. We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.

Other members of that group, including Chairman Bob Good of Virginia, are frustrated with Johnson, though they dont want another prolonged public display of GOP disunity before the November elections.

Foreign aid

House Republicans unveiled the assistance bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Wednesday. The vast majority of that funding would go to the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy and State, which would in turn use the funding to assist the three entities as well as others.

Those bills are similar to the $95 billion spending package the Senate approved on a broadly bipartisan vote in February.

The rule approved Friday barred amendments from being considered to the Israel aid bill, but approved four amendments to the Ukraine bill, one amendment to the bill for the Indo-Pacific and two amendments to the TikTok and sanctions sidecar.

When the House approved the rule, the two amendments to the TikTok bill were deemed approved.

House lawmakers proposed 137 amendments to the Ukraine bill, 84 amendments to the Israel bill, 30 amendments to the Indo-Pacific spending bill and 68 amendments to the sidecar bill.

The White House released a Statement of Administration Policy on Friday urging both chambers of Congress to swiftly approve the foreign aid bills.

The world is watching what the Congress does. Passing this legislation would send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment, it said. The Administration urges both chambers of the Congress to quickly send this supplemental funding package to the Presidents desk.

The post U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House on Friday moved one step closer to approving billions in military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with Democrats providing crucial support to Republican leaders after defections by their hard-right members.

Lawmakers in the broadly bipartisan 316-94 vote approved a rule that sets up the procedure for debating a handful of amendments and passage of the three separate bills on Saturday, in a rare weekend session.

That rule also sets up debate on a so-called sidecar bill that would implement sanctions against China, Iran and Russia; ban the social media site TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it; approve a bipartisan bill to address fentanyl; and numerous other measures.

The House is set to take separate votes to approve all four bills, before bundling them together and sending one package to the U.S. Senate. That chamber could vote to approve the measure as soon as next week.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Friday that chamber will move expeditiously to take up the package once it comes over.

President Joe Biden has said hell sign the package, a move that would end months of stalemate over whether the United States would aid Ukraine and Israel among ongoing wars. The assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan totals $95 billion.

Rational and thoughtful debate urged

House debate on the rule was broadly bipartisan, though several Republicans bemoaned Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, for moving forward with aid to Ukraine, while some Democrats argued the process should have wrapped up months ago.

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, said he hoped that on Saturday lawmakers will have rational and thoughtful debate, knowing that we will have disagreements and knowing that some of us will have different ideas on how we should proceed forward.

This is the United States House of Representatives. We are supposed to debate issues, McGovern said. We are supposed to vote on things. And unfortunately, this has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all.

McGovern said he has deep, deep problems about the unconditional aid to Israel, but said that Johnsons decision to break up the bills into separate votes will allow each lawmaker to vote their conscience.

I believe that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu is putting Israel on a path that quite frankly undermines his own countrys security, McGovern said. And Im outraged by his cruelty and his inhumanity toward the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

McGovern added that nobody is questioning that Israel has a right to defend itself, but said he believes Israels conduct against civilians is outrageous and unconscionable.

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole speaks with reporters following a closed-door meeting of the House Republican Conference inside the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole speaks with reporters following a closed-door meeting of the House Republican Conference inside the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. (Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said the rule creates a full and fair process for floor consideration of these measures.

It grants ample debate time on these bills and makes in order a series of amendments, ensuring that the entire body has the opportunity to work its will and make our voices heard, Cole said. It ensures that members have a full 72 hours to review these bills before the vote.

The bills the House will vote on Saturday, Cole said, are crucial to democracy.

Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are on the front lines of the struggle to preserve democracy and freedom around the world, he said. In the case of Ukraine and Israel  these two nations are quite literally in harms way.

Border security surfaces again

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy argued against approving the rule, saying that GOP lawmakers must hold out on key issues until they are able to move border security changes into law.

We want to get the border closed and secured first. To that I say amen. And where is that, Speaker Johnson? Roy said.

A trio of senators  Oklahoma Republican James Lankford, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and Arizona independent Kyrsten Sinema  spent months negotiating a bipartisan border security and immigration bill before releasing it in February. Senate Republicans then blocked it from moving forward after demanding it in exchange for foreign aid.

Johnson has been on thin ice with several members of the far-right Freedom Caucus, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kentuckys Thomas Massie, who have both called for him to resign and may press for a motion to vacate Johnson from leadership.

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar became the third co-sponsor of the resolution after the rule vote, writing in a statement that he wants Johnson to do more on border security and immigration policy.

Our border cannot be an afterthought, Gosar wrote. We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.

Other members of that group, including Chairman Bob Good of Virginia, are frustrated with Johnson, though they dont want another prolonged public display of GOP disunity before the November elections.

Foreign aid

House Republicans unveiled the assistance bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Wednesday. The vast majority of that funding would go to the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy and State, which would in turn use the funding to assist the three entities as well as others.

Those bills are similar to the $95 billion spending package the Senate approved on a broadly bipartisan vote in February.

The rule approved Friday barred amendments from being considered to the Israel aid bill, but approved four amendments to the Ukraine bill, one amendment to the bill for the Indo-Pacific and two amendments to the TikTok and sanctions sidecar.

When the House approved the rule, the two amendments to the TikTok bill were deemed approved.

House lawmakers proposed 137 amendments to the Ukraine bill, 84 amendments to the Israel bill, 30 amendments to the Indo-Pacific spending bill and 68 amendments to the sidecar bill.

The White House released a Statement of Administration Policy on Friday urging both chambers of Congress to swiftly approve the foreign aid bills.

The world is watching what the Congress does. Passing this legislation would send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment, it said. The Administration urges both chambers of the Congress to quickly send this supplemental funding package to the Presidents desk.

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U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 18, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House on Friday moved one step closer to approving billions in military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with Democrats providing crucial support to Republican leaders after defections by their hard-right members.

Lawmakers in the broadly bipartisan 316-94 vote approved a rule that sets up the procedure for debating a handful of amendments and passage of the three separate bills on Saturday, in a rare weekend session. All four of Iowas Republican representatives voted for the rule.

That rule also sets up debate on a so-called sidecar bill that would implement sanctions against China, Iran and Russia; ban the social media site TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it; approve a bipartisan bill to address fentanyl; and numerous other measures.

The House is set to take separate votes to approve all four bills, before bundling them together and sending one package to the U.S. Senate. That chamber could vote to approve the measure as soon as next week.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Friday that chamber will move expeditiously to take up the package once it comes over.

President Joe Biden has said hell sign the package, a move that would end months of stalemate over whether the United States would aid Ukraine and Israel among ongoing wars. The assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan totals $95 billion.

Rational and thoughtful debate urged

House debate on the rule was broadly bipartisan, though several Republicans bemoaned Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, for moving forward with aid to Ukraine, while some Democrats argued the process should have wrapped up months ago.

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, said he hoped that on Saturday, lawmakers will have rational and thoughtful debate, knowing that we will have disagreements and knowing that some of us will have different ideas on how we should proceed forward.

This is the United States House of Representatives. We are supposed to debate issues, McGovern said. We are supposed to vote on things. And unfortunately, this has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all.

McGovern said he has deep, deep problems about the unconditional aid to Israel, but said Johnsons decision to break up the bills into separate votes will allow each lawmaker to vote their conscience.

I believe that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu is putting Israel on a path that quite frankly undermines his own countrys security, McGovern said. And Im outraged by his cruelty and his inhumanity toward the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

McGovern added that nobody is questioning that Israel has a right to defend itself, but said he believes Israels conduct against civilians is outrageous and unconscionable.

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said the rule creates a full and fair process for floor consideration of these measures.

It grants ample debate time on these bills and makes in order a series of amendments, ensuring that the entire body has the opportunity to work its will and make our voices heard, Cole said. It ensures that members have a full 72 hours to review these bills before the vote.

The bills the House will vote on Saturday, Cole said, are crucial to democracy.

Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are on the front lines of the struggle to preserve democracy and freedom around the world, he said. In the case of Ukraine and Israel  these two nations are quite literally in harms way.

Border security surfaces again

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy argued against approving the rule, saying GOP lawmakers must hold out on key issues until they are able to move border security changes into law.

We want to get the border closed and secured first. To that I say amen. And where is that, Speaker Johnson? Roy said.

A trio of senators  Oklahoma Republican James Lankford, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and Arizona independent Kyrsten Sinema  spent months negotiating a bipartisan border security and immigration bill before releasing it in February. Senate Republicans then blocked it from moving forward after demanding it in exchange for foreign aid.

Johnson has been on thin ice with several members of the far-right Freedom Caucus, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kentuckys Thomas Massie, who have both called for him to resign and may press for a motion to vacate Johnson from leadership.

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar became the third co-sponsor of the resolution after the rule vote, writing in a statement that he wants Johnson to do more on border security and immigration policy.

Our border cannot be an afterthought, Gosar wrote. We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.

Other members of that group, including Chairman Bob Good of Virginia, are frustrated with Johnson, though they dont want another prolonged public display of GOP disunity before the November elections.

Foreign aid

House Republicans unveiled the assistance bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Wednesday. The vast majority of that funding would go to the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy and State, which would in turn use the funding to assist the three entities as well as others.

Those bills are similar to the $95 billion spending package the Senate approved on a broadly bipartisan vote in February.

The rule approved Friday barred amendments from being considered to the Israel aid bill, but approved four amendments to the Ukraine bill, one amendment to the bill for the Indo-Pacific and two amendments to the TikTok and sanctions sidecar.

When the House approved the rule, the two amendments to the TikTok bill were deemed approved.

House lawmakers proposed 137 amendments to the Ukraine bill, 84 amendments to the Israel bill, 30 amendments to the Indo-Pacific spending bill and 68 amendments to the sidecar bill.

The White House released a Statement of Administration Policy on Friday urging both chambers of Congress to swiftly approve the foreign aid bills.

The world is watching what the Congress does. Passing this legislation would send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment, it said. The Administration urges both chambers of the Congress to quickly send this supplemental funding package to the Presidents desk.

The post U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch.
U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan

The U.S. Capitol | Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom

WASHINGTON  The U.S. House on Friday moved one step closer to approving billions in military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, with Democrats providing crucial support to Republican leaders after defections by their hard-right members.

Lawmakers in the broadly bipartisan 316-94 vote approved a rule that sets up the procedure for debating a handful of amendments and passage of the three separate bills on Saturday, in a rare weekend session.

That rule also sets up debate on a so-called sidecar bill that would implement sanctions against China, Iran and Russia; ban the social media site TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells it; approve a bipartisan bill to address fentanyl; and numerous other measures.

The House is set to take separate votes to approve all four bills, before bundling them together and sending one package to the U.S. Senate. That chamber could vote to approve the measure as soon as next week.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said Friday that chamber will move expeditiously to take up the package once it comes over.

President Joe Biden has said hell sign the package, a move that would end months of stalemate over whether the United States would aid Ukraine and Israel among ongoing wars. The assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan totals $95 billion.

Rational and thoughtful debate urged

House debate on the rule was broadly bipartisan, though several Republicans bemoaned Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, for moving forward with aid to Ukraine, while some Democrats argued the process should have wrapped up months ago.

Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern, the top Democrat on the Rules Committee, said he hoped that on Saturday lawmakers will have rational and thoughtful debate, knowing that we will have disagreements and knowing that some of us will have different ideas on how we should proceed forward.

This is the United States House of Representatives. We are supposed to debate issues, McGovern said. We are supposed to vote on things. And unfortunately, this has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all.

McGovern said he has deep, deep problems about the unconditional aid to Israel, but said that Johnsons decision to break up the bills into separate votes will allow each lawmaker to vote their conscience.

I believe that Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu is putting Israel on a path that quite frankly undermines his own countrys security, McGovern said. And Im outraged by his cruelty and his inhumanity toward the people of Gaza and the West Bank.

McGovern added that nobody is questioning that Israel has a right to defend itself, but said he believes Israels conduct against civilians is outrageous and unconscionable.

Oklahoma Republican Rep. Tom Cole, chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said the rule creates a full and fair process for floor consideration of these measures.

It grants ample debate time on these bills and makes in order a series of amendments, ensuring that the entire body has the opportunity to work its will and make our voices heard, Cole said. It ensures that members have a full 72 hours to review these bills before the vote.

The bills the House will vote on Saturday, Cole said, are crucial to democracy.

Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan are on the front lines of the struggle to preserve democracy and freedom around the world, he said. In the case of Ukraine and Israel  these two nations are quite literally in harms way.

Border security surfaces again

Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy argued against approving the rule, saying that GOP lawmakers must hold out on key issues until they are able to move border security changes into law.

We want to get the border closed and secured first. To that I say amen. And where is that, Speaker Johnson? Roy said.

A trio of senators  Oklahoma Republican James Lankford, Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy and Arizona independent Kyrsten Sinema  spent months negotiating a bipartisan border security and immigration bill before releasing it in February. Senate Republicans then blocked it from moving forward after demanding it in exchange for foreign aid.

Johnson has been on thin ice with several members of the far-right Freedom Caucus, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kentuckys Thomas Massie, who have both called for him to resign and may press for a motion to vacate Johnson from leadership.

Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar became the third co-sponsor of the resolution after the rule vote, writing in a statement that he wants Johnson to do more on border security and immigration policy.

Our border cannot be an afterthought, Gosar wrote. We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.

Other members of that group, including Chairman Bob Good of Virginia, are frustrated with Johnson, though they dont want another prolonged public display of GOP disunity before the November elections.

Foreign aid

House Republicans unveiled the assistance bills for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Wednesday. The vast majority of that funding would go to the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy and State, which would in turn use the funding to assist the three entities as well as others.

Those bills are similar to the $95 billion spending package the Senate approved on a broadly bipartisan vote in February.

The rule approved Friday barred amendments from being considered to the Israel aid bill, but approved four amendments to the Ukraine bill, one amendment to the bill for the Indo-Pacific and two amendments to the TikTok and sanctions sidecar.

When the House approved the rule, the two amendments to the TikTok bill were deemed approved.

House lawmakers proposed 137 amendments to the Ukraine bill, 84 amendments to the Israel bill, 30 amendments to the Indo-Pacific spending bill and 68 amendments to the sidecar bill.

The White House released a Statement of Administration Policy on Friday urging both chambers of Congress to swiftly approve the foreign aid bills.

The world is watching what the Congress does. Passing this legislation would send a powerful message about the strength of American leadership at a pivotal moment, it said. The Administration urges both chambers of the Congress to quickly send this supplemental funding package to the Presidents desk.

The post U.S. House heads toward Saturday vote on $95B in aid for Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan appeared first on Michigan Advance.
Georgia Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene speaks with reporters on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House Democrats on Thursday began coalescing behind Republican Speaker Mike Johnsons plan to provide assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan through a series of three bills, though far-right members of his own party grew increasingly frustrated with the Louisianans bipartisan streak.

Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who is leading an effort to remove Johnson as speaker, told reporters that Johnson is maneuvering behind the scenes to possibly change the process that allows one member to call for a vote to remove the speaker. That is unprecedented and completely wrong, she said.

If he wants to change the motion to vacate, he needs to come before the Republican Conference that elected him and tell us of his intentions, Greene said.

And Ill tell you something, Kevin McCarthy, while he was staring down the barrel of a loaded gun, he never made a move like this behind closed doors and made deals with Democrats to change the motion to vacate, Greene said, referring to the former House speaker who was ousted by Republicans last year. And were hearing thats exactly what Mike Johnson is doing.

The motion to vacate currently allows any one member of the House to call for a floor vote to remove the speaker from the leadership post.

Greene said Thursday morning that Johnson is considering altering that motion to vacate process to make it more difficult to accomplish. That could cut off Greene and other far-right members from removing him for advancing foreign aid long sought by Democrats and backed by the U.S. Senate.

Johnson announced late Thursday afternoon that he wouldnt be taking that step right now, though thats unlikely to assuage concerns about his leadership style from far-right members.

Since the beginning of the 118th Congress, the House rule allowing a Motion to Vacate from a single member has harmed this office and our House majority, Johnson wrote in a social media post.

Recently, many members have encouraged me to endorse a new rule to raise this threshold. While I understand the importance of that idea, any rule change requires a majority of the full House, which we do not have, Johnson added. We will continue to govern under the existing rules.

Johnson said during a press conference on Wednesday evening that he wouldnt allow speculation about a motion to vacate to dictate how he runs the House.

My philosophy is you do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may, Johnson said. If I operated out of fear over a motion to vacate, I would never be able to do my job.

Johnson said providing lethal aid to Ukraine is the right thing to do at this point in history and that it could help deter Russia from attacking a NATO country, which could pull U.S. troops into direct conflict with that country.

To put it bluntly, I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys, Johnson said. My son is going to begin at the Naval Academy this fall. This is a live-fire exercise for me, as it is for so many American families. This is not a game. Its not a joke. We cant play politics with this.

McCarthy removal

Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz used the motion to vacate last October to remove McCarthy from the role following a floor vote. That caused weeks of internal turmoil and public embarrassment for House Republicans as they struggled to coalesce around a candidate who could win the support needed on the floor.

Virginia Republican Rep. Bob Good, chairman of the far-right Freedom Caucus, said Thursday that lawmakers frustrated with Johnson should wait until after the November elections before debating leadership changes.

I think the speaker guarantees himself that there will be a contest for the speaker, I hope in November, Good said. I think thats the wise course when youre sitting at a 216-to-213 margin. But, obviously, I cant predict what the other members will or wont do.

Johnson should have used leverage points like the annual defense authorization bill, the annual government funding bills and Ukraine aid to force the Democratic- controlled Senate to take up a stalled House GOP border security bill, he said.

Good also reiterated he is not backing the motion to vacate that Greene filed in March and Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie decided to support this week after calling on Johnson to resign.

The increased attention on the motion to vacate comes as Johnson looks toward a Saturday vote on $95 billion in assistance for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan that would be approved in three separate bills.

The House is expected to vote on a separate bill wrapping together a ban on the social media app TikTok unless its sold by Chinese owner ByteDance and sanctions against Iran, Russia and China.

If all four of those bills pass the House, theyre likely to be wrapped together in one package before being sent to the Senate.

The House might take a separate vote on a border security measure that reinstates Trump-era immigration policies, though that didnt appear to have the votes needed to move to the U.S. Senate.

Democrats warm to GOP leadership

Numerous Democrats indicated in interviews Thursday that theyre willing to help House GOP leaders move past the procedural hurdle of approving a rule in order to move onto final votes on the emergency aid.

Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin said its paramount that Congress pass assistance for Ukraine after months of inaction and dislodge all of the dysfunction over on the GOP side.

We want to be able to get aid to our allies as quickly as possible and we want to try to stabilize a very chaotic and dysfunctional political environment that has been unleashed on us, Raskin said.

Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said shes reached a point where shes fine breaking up aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan into three bills if thats what it takes to get the legislation through the divided Congress.

We have to all have the courage to take risks, to spend political capital and to make sure that we can literally save democracy and thousands of people from walking to their doom, she said.

The U.S. Senate approved one bill that included all the aid in February on a 70-29 vote, but that has been stuck in the House ever since as Johnson sought a path forward that was acceptable for most of his conference.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat and former House majority leader, said he expects his party to back the rule and the bills, providing broadly bipartisan votes.

We want this to pass, Hoyer said. We think it needs to pass and we think it needs to pass now. And I believe you will see the support of efforts that accomplish that.

Democrats would also likely back changing the single-member motion to vacate since its destabilizing demonstrably to the House of Representatives, Hoyer said.

Hoyer said such a change to House rules should be taken up on its own, but he said Democrats might not object to it being approved within a rule, should House GOP leaders take that path.

You know, one of the things about democracy is you elect a leader and that leader has a term, in this case two years, Hoyer said. And to constantly be subjecting a leader to second guessing every day  is bad for the House, bad for the American people.

Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Brendan Boyle said Johnson deserves credit for the comments made during a Wednesday press conference about doing whats best and not thinking about how it might affect his role as speaker.

From 1945 until Donald Trump took over the Republican Party, it has always been the bipartisan consensus foreign policy of the United States that we stand up against Soviet and now Russian aggression, that we lead the Trans-Atlantic alliance, that we are the biggest supporters of NATO and the leaders of NATO, Boyle said.

After Trump won the 2016 presidential election, Boyle said the former president suddenly changed the base of that party almost overnight from that position to one that is much more isolationist.

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NANCHANG, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Li Dong, former deputy general manager of the CHN Energy Investment Group (CHN Energy), stood trial at the Intermediate People's Court of the city of Yichun in east China's Jiangxi Province on Friday.

Li was charged with accepting money and valuables worth over 108 million yuan (15.20 million U.S. dollars), personally and through others, according to prosecutors.

He allegedly took advantage of his various positions in China Shenhua Energy Company Limited and its parent company, CHN Energy, between 1999 and 2023 to benefit organizations and individuals regarding product sales, coal procurement, business operations and adjustments of positions.

The prosecutors, the defendant, and his lawyers cross-examined the evidence and gave their respective accounts. In his final statement, Li pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.

The trial was attended by more than 30 people, including lawmakers, political advisors, and members of the public.

The verdict will be announced in due course. 
U.S. House tries anew to force sale or ban for TikTok, a spy balloon in your phone

In this photo illustration, a mobile phone can be seen displaying the logos for Chinese apps WeChat and TikTok in front of a monitor showing the flags of the United States and China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House leadership has packaged more than a dozen bipartisan bills into a so-called sidecar agreement meant to attract isolationist lawmakers support for long-stalled foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

The wide-ranging catchall, introduced as the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act, would force the split of the hugely popular app TikTok from its Chinese owner, divert frozen Russian assets to Ukraines reconstruction, and sanction international traffickers of deadly fentanyl.

Also among the proposals wrapped into the sweetener bundle are several anti-Iran measures quickly passed by the House Monday and Tuesday in reaction to Iran launching hundreds of missiles and drones toward Israel over the weekend.

A widely backed measure in the package that could potentially ban TikTok is garnering significant attention. Supporters of the measure cite national security concerns that Chinas government could access user data and manipulate algorithms. The app has over 170 million users in the U.S., according to the company.

The proposal to force Chinese-owned ByteDance to sell TikTok received a bipartisan endorsement in March when it passed the House on a 352-65 vote, but has been stalled in the U.S. Senate.

This time around, House lawmakers have extended a provision that would now give TikTok 270 days, up from 180 days, to find a buyer and remain in compliance if the bill is enacted. Also tucked in the new language is the authority for the president to grant an additional one-time extension up to 90 days.

Under the provision, if TikTok does not split from its Chinese parent-company within that time frame, app stores and web hosting platforms would be committing a crime by distributing, maintaining or updating the video sharing site.

Spy balloon in your phone

Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Thursday likened TikTok to having a spy balloon in your phone, referring to the February 2023 incident when a surveillance balloon from China drifted over the U.S. before being shot down off the coast of South Carolina.

If youre worried about privacy, as I know you are extremely worried about that, and if we dont think Congress should be using TikTok, why in the world would we let our children use it or the American people? the Texas Republican said to House Rules Committee member Rep. Thomas Massie during a Thursday hearing.

Congress banned TikTok from government-issued devices last year.

Massie said he opposed the addition of the TikTok bill into the larger national security package.

This was not unanimously supported on the floor of the House. Its been described as a sweetener in the bill. It doesnt sweeten the package for me at all. Its kind of sour if you ask me, the Kentucky Republican said.

Massie cited concerns that the bill would grant too much power to the president and executive branch agencies in determining when an application owned by a foreign adversary has been divested.

Im just afraid that we are creating another authority for the executive branch where we could have withheld some discretion, Massie said. The president, whoever that may be, we dont know whos going to win the next election, whoever that may be, may abuse that authority.

An email sent Thursday to Congress members by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party highlighted talking points to counter criticism. The message underscored that only applications owned by specifically designated foreign adversaries would be subject under the bill, if enacted.

Congress is the only one that can change the (foreign adversary) definition used in this bill, not the Biden administration, read an email from Allison Aprahamian, the committees communications director.

The bills sponsor, Rep. Mike Gallagher, who chairs the committee, is set to leave Congress on Friday. However, an aide said the Wisconsin Republican has the flexibility to stay and support the package through Saturday, when votes are expected.

Senate hesitation

While the bill sailed through the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce with unanimous support in March and landed on the House floor days later, the Senate has not followed with speed.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat who chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, told reporters she doesnt want to rush through the process.

I think its important to get it right, Cantwell told reporters outside a classified briefing on TikTok on March 20.

It remains unclear if the upper chamber would let the House TikTok bill go through as part of the national security supplemental package.

A TikTok spokesperson said Thursday that the company finds it unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy, annually.

Other pieces of the package

Another provision gaining attention is the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, otherwise known as the REPO Act.

The McCaul bill introduced nearly a year ago with Ohio Democrat Marcy Kaptur, among other sponsors, would liquidate confiscated Russian assets into a fund for humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, of Louisiana, vowed during recess that he would attach the REPO Act to the administrations Ukraine aid request as a way to attract skeptical conservatives who largely oppose helping the war-torn European ally.

Other bills in the package include:

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The post U.S. House tries anew to force sale or ban for TikTok, a spy balloon in your phone appeared first on Ohio Capital Journal.
U.S. House tries anew to force sale or ban for TikTok, a spy balloon in your phone

In this photo illustration, a mobile phone can be seen displaying the logos for Chinese apps WeChat and TikTok in front of a monitor showing the flags of the United States and China on an internet page, on Sept. 22, 2020 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House leadership has packaged more than a dozen bipartisan bills into a so-called sidecar agreement meant to attract isolationist lawmakers support for long-stalled foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

The wide-ranging catchall, introduced as the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act, would force the split of the hugely popular app TikTok from its Chinese owner, divert frozen Russian assets to Ukraines reconstruction, and sanction international traffickers of deadly fentanyl.

Also among the proposals wrapped into the sweetener bundle are several anti-Iran measures quickly passed by the House Monday and Tuesday in reaction to Iran launching hundreds of missiles and drones toward Israel over the weekend.

A widely backed measure in the package that could potentially ban TikTok is garnering significant attention. Supporters of the measure cite national security concerns that Chinas government could access user data and manipulate algorithms. The app has over 170 million users in the U.S., according to the company.

The proposal to force Chinese-owned ByteDance to sell TikTok received a bipartisan endorsement in March when it passed the House on a 352-65 vote, but has been stalled in the U.S. Senate.

This time around, House lawmakers have extended a provision that would now give TikTok 270 days, up from 180 days, to find a buyer and remain in compliance if the bill is enacted. Also tucked in the new language is the authority for the president to grant an additional one-time extension up to 90 days.

Under the provision, if TikTok does not split from its Chinese parent-company within that time frame, app stores and web hosting platforms would be committing a crime by distributing, maintaining or updating the video sharing site.

Spy balloon in your phone

Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Thursday likened TikTok to having a spy balloon in your phone, referring to the February 2023 incident when a surveillance balloon from China drifted over the U.S. before being shot down off the coast of South Carolina.

If youre worried about privacy, as I know you are extremely worried about that, and if we dont think Congress should be using TikTok, why in the world would we let our children use it or the American people? the Texas Republican said to House Rules Committee member Rep. Thomas Massie during a Thursday hearing.

Congress banned TikTok from government-issued devices last year.

Massie said he opposed the addition of the TikTok bill into the larger national security package.

This was not unanimously supported on the floor of the House. Its been described as a sweetener in the bill. It doesnt sweeten the package for me at all. Its kind of sour if you ask me, the Kentucky Republican said.

Massie cited concerns that the bill would grant too much power to the president and executive branch agencies in determining when an application owned by a foreign adversary has been divested.

Im just afraid that we are creating another authority for the executive branch where we could have withheld some discretion, Massie said. The president, whoever that may be, we dont know whos going to win the next election, whoever that may be, may abuse that authority.

An email sent Thursday to Congress members by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party highlighted talking points to counter criticism. The message underscored that only applications owned by specifically designated foreign adversaries would be subject under the bill, if enacted.

Congress is the only one that can change the (foreign adversary) definition used in this bill, not the Biden administration, read an email from Allison Aprahamian, the committees communications director.

The bills sponsor, Rep. Mike Gallagher, who chairs the committee, is set to leave Congress on Friday. However, an aide said the Wisconsin Republican has the flexibility to stay and support the package through Saturday, when votes are expected.

Senate hesitation

While the bill sailed through the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce with unanimous support in March and landed on the House floor days later, the Senate has not followed with speed.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat who chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, told reporters she doesnt want to rush through the process.

I think its important to get it right, Cantwell told reporters outside a classified briefing on TikTok on March 20.

It remains unclear if the upper chamber would let the House TikTok bill go through as part of the national security supplemental package.

A TikTok spokesperson said Thursday that the company finds it unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy, annually.

Other pieces of the package

Another provision gaining attention is the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, otherwise known as the REPO Act.

The McCaul bill introduced nearly a year ago with Ohio Democrat Marcy Kaptur, among other sponsors, would liquidate confiscated Russian assets into a fund for humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, of Louisiana, vowed during recess that he would attach the REPO Act to the administrations Ukraine aid request as a way to attract skeptical conservatives who largely oppose helping the war-torn European ally.

Other bills in the package include:

The post U.S. House tries anew to force sale or ban for TikTok, a spy balloon in your phone appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
U.S. House tries anew to force sale or ban for TikTok, a spy balloon in your phone

In this photo illustration, a cellphone can be seen displaying the logos for Chinese apps WeChat and TikTok in front of a monitor showing the flags of the United States and China.

In this photo illustration, a mobile phone can be seen displaying the logos for Chinese apps WeChat and TikTok in front of a monitor showing the flags of the United States and China on an internet page, on Sept. 22, 2020 in Beijing, China. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON  U.S. House leadership has packaged more than a dozen bipartisan bills into a so-called sidecar agreement meant to attract isolationist lawmakers support for long-stalled foreign aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

The wide-ranging catchall, introduced as the 21st Century Peace through Strength Act, would force the split of the hugely popular app TikTok from its Chinese owner, divert frozen Russian assets to Ukraines reconstruction, and sanction international traffickers of deadly fentanyl.

Also among the proposals wrapped into the sweetener bundle are several anti-Iran measures quickly passed by the House Monday and Tuesday in reaction to Iran launching hundreds of missiles and drones toward Israel over the weekend.

A widely backed measure in the package that could potentially ban TikTok is garnering significant attention. Supporters of the measure cite national security concerns that Chinas government could access user data and manipulate algorithms. The app has over 170 million users in the U.S., according to the company.

The proposal to force Chinese-owned ByteDance to sell TikTok received a bipartisan endorsement in March when it passed the House on a 352-65 vote, but has been stalled in the U.S. Senate.

This time around, House lawmakers have extended a provision that would now give TikTok 270 days, up from 180 days, to find a buyer and remain in compliance if the bill is enacted. Also tucked in the new language is the authority for the president to grant an additional one-time extension up to 90 days.

Under the provision, if TikTok does not split from its Chinese parent-company within that time frame, app stores and web hosting platforms would be committing a crime by distributing, maintaining or updating the video sharing site.

Spy balloon in your phone

Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Thursday likened TikTok to having a spy balloon in your phone, referring to the February 2023 incident when a surveillance balloon from China drifted over the U.S. before being shot down off the coast of South Carolina.

U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson of Louisiana listens as Rep. Mike McCaul of Texas speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on April 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Also pictured is House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana

U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson of Louisiana, center, listens as Rep. Mike McCaul of Texas, left, speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on April 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. Also pictured is House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

If youre worried about privacy, as I know you are extremely worried about that, and if we dont think Congress should be using TikTok, why in the world would we let our children use it or the American people? the Texas Republican said to House Rules Committee member Rep. Thomas Massie during a Thursday hearing.

Congress banned TikTok from government-issued devices last year.

Massie said he opposed the addition of the TikTok bill into the larger national security package.

This was not unanimously supported on the floor of the House. Its been described as a sweetener in the bill. It doesnt sweeten the package for me at all. Its kind of sour if you ask me, the Kentucky Republican said.

Massie cited concerns that the bill would grant too much power to the president and executive branch agencies in determining when an application owned by a foreign adversary has been divested.

Im just afraid that we are creating another authority for the executive branch where we could have withheld some discretion, Massie said. The president, whoever that may be, we dont know whos going to win the next election, whoever that may be, may abuse that authority.

An email sent Thursday to Congress members by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party highlighted talking points to counter criticism. The message underscored that only applications owned by specifically designated foreign adversaries would be subject under the bill, if enacted.

Congress is the only one that can change the (foreign adversary) definition used in this bill, not the Biden administration, read an email from Allison Aprahamian, the committees communications director.

The bills sponsor, Rep. Mike Gallagher, who chairs the committee, is set to leave Congress on Friday. However, an aide said the Wisconsin Republican has the flexibility to stay and support the package through Saturday, when votes are expected.

Senate hesitation

While the bill sailed through the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce with unanimous support in March and landed on the House floor days later, the Senate has not followed with speed.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat who chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, told reporters she doesnt want to rush through the process.

I think its important to get it right, Cantwell told reporters outside a classified briefing on TikTok on March 20.

It remains unclear if the upper chamber would let the House TikTok bill go through as part of the national security supplemental package.

A TikTok spokesperson said Thursday that the company finds it unfortunate that the House of Representatives is using the cover of important foreign and humanitarian assistance to once again jam through a ban bill that would trample the free speech rights of 170 million Americans, devastate 7 million businesses, and shutter a platform that contributes $24 billion to the U.S. economy, annually.

Other pieces of the package

Another provision gaining attention is the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, otherwise known as the REPO Act.

The McCaul bill introduced nearly a year ago with Ohio Democrat Marcy Kaptur, among other sponsors, would liquidate confiscated Russian assets into a fund for humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, of Louisiana, vowed during recess that he would attach the REPO Act to the administrations Ukraine aid request as a way to attract skeptical conservatives who largely oppose helping the war-torn European ally.

Other bills in the package include:

The post U.S. House tries anew to force sale or ban for TikTok, a spy balloon in your phone appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
In March 2022, U.N. delegates met in Ottawa and struck a historic agreement to produce, by the end of 2024, a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. Plastic pollution has grown into an epidemic. With todays resolution we are officially on track for a cure, Espen Barth Eide, then Norways minister for climate and the environment, said at the time. Now, more than two years later, the mission looks dangerously close to derailing.



Next week, when delegates reconvene in Ottawa, it will be their penultimate chance to achieve their stated goal (the final meeting is in November). This meeting is, to a degree, make or break, the International Pollutants Elimination Networks Bjorn Beeler told Inside Climate News.

Given the proliferation of plastics alternatives these days, you might think this treaty would be in the shrimp shellderived sustainable bag, so to speak. Nope. A meeting in Nairobi in November 2023 ended with very little progress. Perhaps relatedly, as this newsletter noted at the time, the Center for International and Environmental Law tallied 143 fossil fuel and petrochemical industry lobbyists registered to attend that meeting. Its not known yet how many have registered to attend next weeks.

Since last November, several new reports have shed further light on the deception of the plastics industry. In February, the Center for Climate Integrity released a report on what it called a decades-long campaign of fraud and deception about the recyclability of plastics, as newly uncovered documents from trade group the Vinyl Institute explicitly acknowledged in the 1980s that recycling cannot go on indefinitely, and does not solve the solid waste problem.

Last month, the Environmental Integrity Project announced another finding: that some $9 billion in U.S. taxpayer money has been used, via tax breaks and subsidies, to build plastics manufacturing facilities. Many of those facilities, in turn, have repeatedly exceeded legal limits on the air pollution they release into surrounding communities, disproportionately affecting people of color, DeSmogs Sara Sneath wrote. Volatile organic compounds of the sort released by these plants have been tied to a broad range of potential health impacts, from nosebleeds to cancer.

These two reports arent the first and wont be the last to showcase the plastics industrys bad faith or the catastrophic consequences of public credulity. But taken together, theyre a striking indictment of the position that reportedly tanked the talks in Nairobi in November. The basic problem then was that countries with big petrochemical industries, like the United States, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China, opposed the idea of binding provisions for reducing plastic production, and in some cases explicitly advocated focusing on recycling instead.

In light of these two reports, at least two things may be said about this position. First: Given that the plastics industry has admitted internally for decades that recycling doesnt work, a recycling-first approach to plastic pollution is basically a pro-pollution stance. And second: While countries may value the wealth produced by their large fossil fuel industries, they also have ample evidence that these industries will not hesitate to take taxpayer money and, in return, poison taxpayers.

Meanwhile, the political systems for addressing this problem are deeply dysfunctional. Its not uncommon, in U.N. climate talks, for oil industry execs to actually be part of official governmental delegations for some countries. And in the U.S., even if a useful treaty does get drafted this year, a Trump victory in November would likely impact how such an agreement gets implemented in the U.S. and ratchet up the already long odds that any final accord would be approved by the U.S. Senate, E&E News reports.

Still, kicking straight-up lobbyists out of the talks shouldnt be too much to ask. U.N. member nations are well overdue in acknowledging what many credible news outlets have now reported, and what ought to be common sense: that plastics industry representatives are not disinterested parties here. Any sincere attempt to curb the global disaster of plastic pollution isnt going to come from them.





Good News/Bad News

As experts warn about plummeting biodiversity and California bans salmon fishing for a second year due to dwindling populations, The Guardian reports one small, potentially positive development in Europe: Around 500 barriers (think dams, fords, etc.) were removed from European waterways last year, helping to restore riparian ecosystems and allowing fish to travel upstream to breed.

Researchers are expecting the most spatially extensive global bleaching event on record for the worlds coral, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration coal expert Derek Manzello tells The New York Times.





Stat of the Week

$150,000 per lease

Thats the new price for drilling on federal lands, up from $10,000. The rule was finalized by the Bureau of Land Management on Friday, part of a big push to finalize environmental rules before President Bidens term runs out.





What Im Reading

How Fast Fashion Is Driving Land Grabs and Violence in Brazil

While brands like H&M promote their cotton clothes as particularly sustainable, courtesy of the Better Cotton Initiative, environmental nonprofit Earthsight has cast doubt on that, Sophie Benson reports for Atmos. Earthsight examined two major cotton producers who export to manufacturers that make clothes for H&M and Zara:

SLC and Horita Group stand accused of deforestation on a grand scale. In 2014, Bahias environmental agency Ibama found 25,153 hectares of illegal deforestation on Horita farms at Agronegocio Condominio Cachoeira do Estrondo, a vast agribusiness estate, the report outlines. In 2020, the same agency stated it could find no permits for 11,700 hectares of deforestation carried out by the company between 2010 and 2018. Between 2002 and 2019, Horita Groups owners were fined over 20 times for environmental violations, totalling $4.5 million. Meanwhile, three of SLCs cotton farms lost at least 40,000 hectares of native Cerrado wilderness in the last 12 years, per Earthsights reporting. SLC has also been fined around $250,000 by Ibama since 2008 for environmental infractions in Bahia. Both companies are further alleged to have cleared land which has been legally earmarked for regeneration or preservation.

Read Sophie Bensons full report at Atmos.Earth.

This article first appeared in Life in a Warming World, a weekly TNR newsletter authored by deputy editor Heather Souvaine Horn. Sign up here.
The U.K. has allocated nearly 150 million pounds (over $180 million) to support Ukraine's energy sector after recent Russian attacks, the head of the U.K.'s delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Neil Holland, said on April 18.

Russia has intensified attacks since March, mainly targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Russian forces hit Zaporizhzhia's Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant on March 22in one of the largest attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Russia also destroyed the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant in the city of Ukrainka in Kyiv Oblast on April 11, leading to the loss of 100% of the generation capacity of Ukraine's state energy company Centerenergo.

During the OSCE meeting in Vienna, Holland said that the U.K. will intensify efforts to bolster Ukraine's energy sector, involving its partners from the Group of Seven (G7).

"The U.K. is committed to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to defend itself and to push Russia out of Ukraine's sovereign territory," Holland said, adding that "this is the only path to a just and lasting peace."

President Volodymyr Zelensky previously said that the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant was destroyed because Ukraine had run out of missiles to defend it during an attack.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine needs 25 Patriots to protect the entire country from Russian attacks.

After Kyiv ramped up the calls on allies to receive more air defense systems, Germany launched a new initiative to secure more critically needed air defenses for Ukraine, the Tagesschau outlet reported, citing spokespeople of Germany's defense and foreign ministries.

Read also: EU energy commissioner backs increased electricity imports to Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
MILAN  While Ukraine and Western allies have spent the last year scouring the world for ammunition, the attention has now shifted to the urgent need to find spare Patriot systems to close gaps in Kyivs air defenses.

The quest to find these highly coveted weapons has intensified over the last month, as Russian troops have carried out relentless attacks on Ukraines critical and civilian infrastructure.

The pursuit has engendered something of a guilt-cycle as to which countries have surpluses of Patriots and should take on the task to send them at the risk of going below their strategic minimal levels of military capabilities.

The European Unions foreign policy chief, Joseph Borrell, said last week that it was inconceivable that Western countries were unable able to come up with the seven additional batteries Kyiv has requested, given that allies have approximately 100 batteries in their inventories.

Germany, which recently announced it was sending a third Patriot system to the embattled country, has taken it upon itself to put together a coalition to acquire more of these systems on behalf of Ukraine.

Reports that the Bundeswehr had appealed to non-NATO countries contributions in a written letter, including Arab Gulf states, were confirmed by Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

The Ukrainian official was present this week at the G7 ministerial meeting taking place in Capri, Italy, where he met with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the sole issue on his agenda: air defense.

We focus on them [the U.S.-made Patriots and the Franco-Italian SAMP/T systems] for a simple reason: they are the only systems capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles and this is the real turning point in the war as its impossible to do with any other type of air defense system, Kuleba was quoted as saying by the Italian media network RAI Italia at the meeting.

Different schemes have been proposed to gather more of the equipment. One suggestion came from Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister, aimed at states that might have policies in place that prevent them from directly transferring weapons to Kyiv.

We know that many countries have Patriot systems but maybe do not want to deliver directly. We can buy from them and we can deliver to Ukraine. We have the money available. Its crucial, Rutte said at a summit of EU leaders in Brussels this week.

This workaround was echoed by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the Italian-hosted G7 meeting. The official affirmed that allies possessing Patriot or SAMP/T systems have been asked to supply them to Ukraine, and that those who do not should provide money to buy some.

Kyiv has further taken matters into its own hands, floating the idea that the assets could be loaned temporarily to them.

The country also solicited Poland and Spain for an extra Patriot battery as well as Romania for an additional SAMP/T system, according to the Financial Times.

Polish officials have maintained that they cannot afford to send Patriots to Ukraine, as Warsaw is still expecting the U.S. to deliver part of the $15 billion Patriot order it placed last year.
Ukraine claims to be behind the fiery crash of a long-range Russian bomber on Friday morning, an incident which Moscow has attributed to a technical problem with the aircraft.

For the first time, the anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force, in cooperation with the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, destroyed the Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber, Ukrainian Air Force commander Mykola Oleschuk said in a statement. He said the bomber carries cruise missiles which Russian terrorists use to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities.

Putin-Loving Texas Man Abducted in Eastern UkraineAllegedly by Russian Troops

Russias Ministry of Defense said the Tu-22M3, which reportedly cost around $40 million, crashed in the Stavropol region to the east of the annexed Crimean peninsula on Friday morning as the aircraft was returning from a combat mission. According to preliminary data, the cause of the crash was a technical malfunction, Russias RIA Novosti reported.

Videos circulating on social media appear to show the bomber engulfed in flames spiraling toward the ground. Stavropol Krai Governor Vladimir Vladimirov shared photos of the smoking wreckage on his Telegram account. He said that the crew had ejected before the crash; one of the personnel died, Vladimirov wrote in an update, adding that there is no threat to the lives of the two pilots with whom the regional doctors are working. A search was launched to find a missing fourth crew member.

An intelligence source informed Reuters that Ukraine used a modified Soviet-era surface-to-air missilethe S-200to shoot down the bomber, which had been flying in Russian airspace around 200 miles from the border with Ukraine.

The downed Russian Tu-22M3 this morning was reportedly returning from a strike mission on Ukraine when it crashed outside of Stavropol.



Additional footage of the falling Russian bomber. https://t.co/7t00lEDauG pic.twitter.com/VpRcwJmsKZ  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 19, 2024

The crash came as at least seven peopleincluding two childrenwere killed in Ukraines Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Friday. Local officials blamed Russian strikes for explosions in the city of Dnipro, where the main station and a residential building was hit. To the east, officials said an 8-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl were among five killed in a home in Synelnykove.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed condolences to the families of the dead and said the attacks show why every country supplying air defense systems to Kyiv is a life saver. We must defeat Russian terror, he wrote in a post on X. It is necessary not only for our country and Ukrainians, but for the entire world.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Ukraine disregards US warnings and develops UAVs capable of reaching Siberia  The Economist

Stock photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Ukraine is disregarding US warnings concerning the use of attack drones on Russian energy infrastructure, and it is now manufacturing superdrones that can reach targets in Siberia 3,000 kilometres away from its own borders, writes UK weekly The Economist.

Source: The Economist

Quote: "Since President Volodymyr Zelensky prioritised the technology, Ukraine has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into long-range drones, capable of searching out and striking distant targets. Half a dozen firms now make them.

The best of the new models has a range of 3,000km, able to reach Siberia."

Details: The publication writes that the programme to produce these drones was "born of necessity" because the West is unwilling to arm Ukraine with long-range missiles. It has already destroyed a sizable portion of Russia's air defence and oil infrastructure.

"But the White House is not happy. It is pushing the Ukrainians to stop the strikes. Americas concerns have varied, from a rise in the oil price to the prospect of an uncontrollable tit-for-tat in which Ukraine could end up the loser," writes The Economist.

Fears over the latter increased at the end of March, when Russia caused multimillion-dollar losses to Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

"The attacks revealed gaps in air defences and vulnerabilities to Russias new Kh-69 low-altitude cruise missile. On 11 April, such missiles destroyed Ukraines Trypilska power station, 40 km from Kyiv, though it was in range of the capitals Patriot air-defence systems."

The report claims that Ukraine has so far ignored American instructions to halt the assaults. An intelligence officer with the alias Detective, who is in charge of a certain part of the programme, claims that he has not received instructions to reduce operations, but adds that targets in the Russian Federation change frequently.

"Our targets change day to day. We keep the Russians on their toes," the Economist quotes the intelligence officer as saying.

One drone manufacturer asserts that not all American representatives support public requests to halt assaults on the Russian Federation.

His connections "winked" as they delivered the warning, he claimed.

"Theyre privately telling us to keep going," stated the drone manufacturer.

He believes that the Ukrainian drone programme will grow in the coming months.

"Russia is scorching Ukrainian earth. Its time we did the same to European Russia," the producer concludes.

Background:

On the morning of 2 April, Ukrainian drones attacked facilities in Tatarstan  specifically in Yelabuga and Nizhnekamsk. A Ukrainska Pravda (UP) source in Ukrainian intelligence said this was a special operation by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU). The drones attacked a plant where Iranian Shahed drones are assembled and labelled as Geran-2 (Geranium-2) drones.

The Alabuga Special Economic Zones press office stated that the drones were "equipped with NATO-country hardware."

One of the drones struck a TANECO primary oil refining unit in Nizhnekamsk, resulting in a fire. UP sources reported that the attack on the refinery was a joint special operation by DIU and the Security Service of Ukraine. UP reported that the Ukrainian drone had hit the primary oil refining unit at the plant.

Andrii Yusov, spokesman for DIU, emphasised that no foreign-made weapons were used during the drone strikes on targets in the Russian cities of Yelabuga and Nizhnekamsk.

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Ukraine and Israel aid packages head for House vote in defiance of GOP far right

The House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to advance a large foreign aid package to a final debate and floor vote on Saturday.

A bipartisan majority voted to move ahead with four bills that will send aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, as well as place fresh sanctions on Iran, seize Russian assets, and possibly ban TikTok in the US.

The vote to advance the foreign aid package comes after several days of GOP infighting among the partys far-right and more moderate members who oppose any further aid to Ukraine.

Mr Johnson pushed ahead with the aid package over the objection of his partys rightwing who are threatening to oust him from his position, led by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Reps Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar have also joined her bid.

Getting past the procedural step on Friday was a massive step forward in the Biden administrations effort to fund Ukraines war as it struggles to hold back Russian attacks.

House Speaker Mike Johnson walks towards the House Chamber on Capitol Hill on Friday (Getty Images)

The foreign aid package passed the procedural hurdle by a margin of 316-94 in the House on Friday morning.

A total of 165 Democrats chose to back the rule put forward by Republican Speaker Mike Johnson  151 members of his own party also voted in favour.

Thirty-nine Democrats and 55 Republicans voted against the measure.

On Thursday night, all Democrats on the Rules Committee voted to bring the rule to the floor, stepping in to bail out the speaker. Three rightwing Republicans, Chip Roy, Ralph Norman, and Thomas Massie, voted against.

Hardright Republicans blasted the speaker on Friday.

The question everyone should be asking is what deal did Speaker Johnson make with the Hakeem Jeffries to get the Democrats on the Rules Committee to vote for a Republican rule on the foreign war package which includes $60+ BILLION more to Ukraine? This never happens, Georgia Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote on X before the vote.

We do not have a Republican majority anymore, our Republican Speaker is literally controlled by the Democrats and giving them everything they want, she added.

Marjorie Taylor Greene departs Capitol Hill following a vote on Friday (Getty Images)

Florida Rep Matt Gaetz posted: The last time the Democrats carried a Republican Speaker over the line on a Rule vote was McCarthys bad debt limit deal. Shouldnt have happened then. Shouldnt happen today.

The Ukraine aid efforts have stalled for months. The progress on the package comes as CIA Director Bill Burns issued a strong warning, saying that the future of the war effort looks dire if the package doesnt pass, according to Politico.

Speaking at an event at the George W Bush Presidential Center, he said: There is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024, or at least put Putin in a position where he could essentially dictate the terms of a political settlement.

The House will vote on Saturday but Fridays vote suggested that the $95bn foreign aid package has the support needed to pass.

Votes on rules for considering bills tend to be party-line affairs, but on Friday, more Democrats than Republicans ended up in support.

But it also revealed that a majority of House Republicans are in support of foreign aid amid pushback from conservative hardliners.

Former president Donald Trump, who heavily influences the GOPs right wing, blasted the idea of further US aid to Ukraine on Truth Social on Thursday.
MANILA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday said that New Zealand has committed 25 million U.S. dollars to the ADB Energy Transition Mechanism Partnership Trust Fund (ETMPTF) to support the shift toward clean, sustainable energy in Southeast Asia.

The commitment was made by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon during his two-day official visit to the Philippines.

"We are grateful for this support from the Government of New Zealand for the ETMPTF, which is an important driver of the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) program," said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa. "Support from partners such as New Zealand is critical as we expand ETM across our region."

The ETMPTF pools concessional funds from financing partners to finance critical groundwork, such as feasibility studies for projects that align with the ETM's objectives, including the early retirement or repurposing of coal and other fossil fuel plants and clean energy ventures.

New Zealand's Climate Change Minister Simon Watts said the country's investment will have an initial focus on Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, and will mobilize significant public and private finance needed for clean energy transition. 
Myroslava, a 17-year-old teenage girl whom the Russians took from the temporarily occupied territory (TOT), has been brought back to Ukraine from Russia.

Source: Ukraine's Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories on Facebook

Details: The teenage girl reportedly lost her parents in 2014. A year and a half ago, she was sent from the temporarily occupied territory to study in Russia against her will.

"She lived in student accommodation and was basically left on her own. Meanwhile, she was trying to find at least someone who could support and help her."

It is noted that the information about the teenage girl's whereabouts came to Ukraine from concerned people. In close cooperation with the Ministry of Reintegration, representatives of the Ukrainian Child Rights Network initiated efforts to bring her back within the framework of the Way Home project.

"We were in touch with her all the time, including along the route. Four days of arduous travel, and finally, she is in Ukraine."

Furthermore, the Ministry of Reintegration has expressed gratitude to Daria Herasymchuk, Ukrainian President's Commissioner for Children's Rights, Daria Kasianova, Head of the Board of the Ukrainian Child Rights Network, Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Ukraine in Belarus, the Consulate General of Ukraine in Lublin, the Kovel District State Administration and Ukraines State Border Guard Service for their assistance.

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Ukraine is losing its war against Russia. Here's what its defeat might look like.

A fire at an oil depot following a Russian drone strike on February 10, 2024, in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

Ukraine is on the ropes amid a $60 billion US aid block.

Its leaders are issuing increasingly stark warnings that it faces defeat.

Defeat could take many forms, including the loss of key territories.

With a $60 billion US aid bill blocked, Ukraine's battle against the Russian invasion is becoming increasingly desperate.

Its military is running critically short of artillery and ammunition, and it is being outgunned 10 to one is some places as it struggles to hold off intensifying Russian attacks.

There is a glimmer of hope for Ukraine, with a congressional vote that could release the aid package expected this weekend.

But if it fails, and Ukraine's European allies don't step up, Ukraine's defeat looks increasingly likely and could take a number of forms, say analysts.

Total defeat

Experts at US think tank The Institute for the Study of War, believe that Russia's President Vladimir Putin is pursuing "maximalist" objectives in Ukraine that amount to a "full Ukrainian and Western capitulation."

This might entail eventually seeking to seize control of the whole of the country.

Putin has repeatedly denied Ukraine's existence in speeches. Last year, he cited a 17th-century map of Europe to back his discredited thesis that Ukraine isn't a real country, despite the document clearly marking part of the territory as being "Ukraine."

In a blog post for the Royal United Services Institute, Oleksandr Danylyuk, a former chief advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Defense, noted that total destruction of Ukraine is Russia's main goal.

"Putin does not hide his genocidal intentions to destroy Ukraine as an independent state and Ukrainians as a separate people," he said.

"It is obvious that if Ukraine loses support from the West, Putin may well achieve his goal of destroying Ukrainians as a people and erasing the largest country from the map of Europe," he continued.

"Despite the obvious tragedy of this situation for Ukraine, the consequences of its defeat for the West and especially for the US as the leader of the free world would be no less catastrophic."

The loss of territories

Others believe that Russia's ambitions are more limited, and it has its sights set on launching a massive attack this summer to break through Ukraine's defensive lines and seize a key city or region.

A problem for Ukraine, Bryden Spurling, an analyst at the RAND Corporation, told Business Insider, is that it's unclear where the attack could come from.

"The difficulty with Ukraine being short of supplies and personnel is that it gives Russia more of an opportunity to pick the time and place of its offensive along a long battlefront," he said.

While it was apparent that Ukraine would focus its counteroffensive last year in the south, allowing Russia to build extensive fortifications to defend its positions, Russia's attack could come at any point along the 620-mile-long front line.

Russia could seek to seize control of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second biggest city, which is only around 18 miles from the Russian border, the city of Zaporizhzhia in south Ukraine, or secure control of the Donetsk region in east Ukraine, which has been the site of some of the war's bloodiest battles.

George Beebe, a former director of Russian analysis at the CIA, recently told BI that Russia was seeking to add to and consolidate its territorial gains.

"Russian 'victory' over Ukraine would probably consist of seizing territory east of the Dnieper River that Moscow regards as culturally and historically Russian, creating a strip of 'no man's land' separating Russian-controlled territory from the rest of Ukraine, and building extensively defensive fortifications to ensure that the division of Ukraine will be difficult to reverse through new Ukrainian assaults," he said.

But the question of when and on what terms negotiations to end the war might take place remains unclear.

Spurling, the RAND analyst, said that a Russian victory would most likely take the form of Ukraine ceding large amounts of conquered territory to Russia. But there is no sign that Ukraine would agree to such a deal.

"Despite the challenges they are currently facing, Ukraine shows little appetite for such a settlement  and many of Ukraine's supporters acknowledge that Russia can't be trusted to keep its side of any settlement anyway," he said.

A campaign against NATO

Some analysts, such as those at the ISW, have warned that Russia would likely use a settlement with a weakened and defeated Ukraine to rebuild and launch a renewed attack on Ukraine and then its allies in the West.

Other analysts are skeptical and believe that Russia's military has suffered such damage in the conflict that it would be in no position to launch a massive new campaign after the war against a strengthened NATO alliance.

But for Beebe, even if US aid is released, there won't be enough of it to turn the tide in the war and enable Ukraine to drive Russian forces out.

This implies that Ukraine, in any scenario, will have to cede territory, either formally or informally.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukraine to receive over half a billion euros for energy and housing projects

Ukraine will receive 560 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for energy, transport infrastructure and housing rebuilding projects this year.

Source: Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine

A memorandum of understanding has been signed with EIB chairman Nadia Calvino.

Shmyhal stressed that there are plans to speed up work on current projects and focus on preparing for new EIB investments in critical public and private initiatives.

Background:

The government of Ukraine strongly believes that it will receive the full amount of external financial support required for this year to cover the budget deficit and ensure the functioning of the economy.

Ukraine will need about US$42 billion in financial support this year to close the budget deficit.

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Ukraine says it took out one of Russia's supersonic strategic bombers for the first time

Ukraine claims to have shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber in war first.

The aircraft was hit in Russia's Stavropol region.

The bomber was on its way to attack Ukraine, said the air forces.

Ukraine has shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 supersonic bomber for the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kyiv's military intelligence said.

In a statement released early Friday, the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine (GUR) said it had taken out one of the strategic long-range bombers that had "launched a missile attack against Ukraine on the night of April 19."

The operation was coordinated with Ukraine's Air Force. The aircraft that Ukraine and its Western allies say Russia has frequently used to bomb was hit inside southern Russia around 200 miles from Ukraine.

"For the first time, the anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force, in cooperation with Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence, destroyed a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber  the carrier of Kh-22 cruise missiles, which the Russian terrorists use to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities," Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said in a statement.

The Tu-22M3 is designed to attack ground and sea targets with guided missiles and bombs. The NATO codename for it is Backfire.

In a video circulating across social media, what appears to be a burning Tu-22M3 can be seen falling from the sky before it hits the ground.

Business Insider could not independently verify when or where the footage was filmed.

It would be the first time Ukraine has managed to destroy a Russian strategic bomber since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion.

On the night of April 19, 2024, Russia launched a combined missile and UAV attack against Ukraine.



As a result of a special operation, for the first time, the anti-aircraft missile units in cooperation with the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine destroyed the Tu-22M3 pic.twitter.com/9sVpXDqnqY  WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) April 19, 2024

Before the GUR's statement, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that a Tu-22M3 aircraft had crashed in a "deserted area" due to a "technical malfunction," according to Russian state media.

According to Stavropol Governor Vladimir Vladimirov, the plane came down in the region's Krasnogvardeysky District. Vladimirov claimed two pilots had successfully ejected from the aircraft. A third pilot was killed and a fourth is currently missing.

Tu-22M3 aircraft appears to be on fire after crash-landing in Stavropol Vladimir Vladimirov

Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson Andrii Yusov told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that a second Russian aircraft had been forced to turn back to base after the first one was shot down.

"It means that another series of missiles were not launched at Ukraine," Yusov said.

The Tu-22M3 has been a key target for Ukrainian air defense. Russian forces use Tu-22M3, often armed with AS-4 heavy anti-ship or Kh-22 cruise missiles, in airstrikes against Ukraine. In 2022, Russia used the Tu-22M3 to pummel the besieged city of Mariupol, per The National Interest.

In August last year, Ukraine's chief spy, Kyrylo Budanov, said intelligence estimates put Russia's Tu-22M3 fleet at 27 operable aircraft.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukraine's facing a perfect storm of problems, and a vote in Congress could make or break its war with Russia

The House is expected to soon vote on a long-awaited aid package including support for Ukraine and Israel.

The aid would be life-saving for Ukraine, helping resolve air defense and ammo issues.

Ukraine's current condition is dire, experts say, and this moment is critical for its future.

Ukraine currently faces a grim outlook. Its forces are lacking sufficient numbers, low on just about everything, fatigued from two years of war, and in some places, barely holding on. Russia, on the other hand, has rebuilt its strength and is launching brash and devastating attacks that could give it further momentum.

It's perhaps the most perilous moment for Ukraine since the beginning of the war, and it could either be fixed or worsened by US lawmakers in Washington DC, some of whom have been holding assistance hostage for months now.

"It's a remarkable situation that the US really has tremendous agency in determining the course of this year," Frederick Kagan, a senior fellow and the director of the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute, explained to Business Insider.

"And it comes down to, really, this package being so critical," he added.

Kagan's assessment is in line with other experts and analysts who have been increasingly sounding the alarms on the importance of US aid to Ukraine. In recent weeks, it seems concerns have spiked, as Ukraine feels the effects of diminished US support.

Many observers of the war agree: Ukraine's fate rests on US support, and the future of that critical assistance rests in the hands of Congress, which is about to put it to an important vote.

Ukraine faces serious problems that this aid package could fix

Soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the unit of the mobile air defense group shoot down enemy drones using the ZU-23-2 Soviet 23-mm twin anti-aircraft gun on April 16, 2024, in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Kostiantyn Liberov/Libkos/Getty Images

It's been over six months since a $110 billion foreign aid package, which included roughly $61.4 billion for Ukraine, stalled in Congress. In the following months, Ukraine has urged the US to send more assistance, raising concerns about ammo shortages and Russia going on the advance against an ill-equipped Ukrainian defense.

As debates in Congress on aid continued into this year, Ukraine's situation got progressively worse. Now, potential scenarios that didn't seem likely months ago  such as the collapse of Ukrainian lines  are becoming plausible, Kagan explained.

The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank in DC that is focused intently on the conflict, has been documenting recent Russian advances and consistently assessing that depleted US aid is severely hurting Ukraine's ability to defend itself.

Ukrainian law enforcement officers walk past destroyed cars at the site of a missile attack in Chernigiv on April 17, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. GENYA SAVILOV/AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine is currently facing an increasingly bleak situation on the battlefield. They're low on artillery shells needed to keep Russian ground forces at bay, and they also lack sufficient air defenses, both systems and ammunition.

Additionally, manpower shortages are stretching the lines thin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law Tuesday that is aimed at overhauling mobilization rules, effectively making it possible to bring even older troops into a war already being fought by soldiers with an average age over 40.

And while Ukraine's been facing most of these issues for a months now, it has gotten severely worse  and continues to each day US assistance isn't approved. This aid package, however would provide immediate relief, experts argue.

"It will be life-saving," Mick Ryan, a retired Australian Army major general and strategist, told BI just weeks after visiting Ukraine, calling the planned aid "an enormous shot in the arm," and not just materially, but also for morale.

If the stalled aid package is approved, it remains to seen how the rollout of aid will go. The US will likely pull out all the stops to get the most urgent requirements for the next few months  such as artillery, air defenses, and electronic warfare equipment, for example  to Ukraine as soon as possible. But it has got to get through Congress first.

Soldiers from the Ukrainian 63rd Brigade are shooting artillery rounds on the Russian positions from 2S3 Akatsiya, a Russian-made self-propelled howitzer of 152 caliber as Russia-Ukraine war continues in Lyman, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on April 13, 2024. Wojciech Grzedzinski/Anadolu via Getty Images

While US lawmakers have spent months debating Ukraine aid, Russia has been given a golden opportunity. Not only are its forces on the offensive, but it's been given time to reconstitute for future offensive operations. As the Russian war machine fires up, the army is putting pressure on Ukraine's defenses, seeing where it can potentially break through and seize territory.

"Russia is slowly building up its forces for future offensive operations in Ukraine," according to Franz-Stefan Gady, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. It continues, he explained, "to conduct probing attacks, intertwined with larger-scale assaults," to set itself up with certain tactical advantages for operations later this year.

But there is also a clear immediate effect. "The Russian military has been able to steadily press ahead and capture smaller swaths of territory in recent weeks," Gady said. The primary goal at the moment, though, appears to be to deplete Ukrainian forces.

An element of Russia's recent attacks have been air strikes on Ukraine's critical energy and defense infrastructure.

Along with slowly grinding down Ukrainian defenses, "Russia is also conducting a sustained campaign of air and missile strikes against critical infrastructure and other targets in various parts of Ukraine in an attempt to deplete Ukrainian air defenses," likely an attempt to "give Russian airpower more freedom to maneuver to engage Ukrainian targets at the front line in support of larger-scale ground operations later this year," Gady said.

As Ukraine struggles, Russia has achieved certain manpower, industrial, and materiel advantages. The top American general in Europe said last week that Russia has just about "grown back" its military strength to what it was when it invaded, while experts like Ryan have said it is "more dangerous" now than it was then.

"You can't deny that the effectiveness of the Russians has improved since the beginning of the war," Ryan said. There are still weaknesses and vulnerabilities, but ultimately, "two years of war has actually made the Russian military probably a better organization than what it was when it started."

And the longer that the war against Ukraine goes, the more they're going to learn. Experts like Kagan have warned that the Russians will pose a greater threat to NATO if they win this war.

Ukraine is stuck waiting to see how things turn out as it fights to survive

Ukrainian soldiers fire with the Archer Artillery System on Russian position on January 3, 2024, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Photo by Roman Chop/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

When House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson unveiled the long-awaited foreign aid package earlier this week and announced a vote possibly as soon as this weekend, he was met with expected resistance from some of the usual staunch Republican opposers, who called on Johnson to promote a stronger bill on border security along with the foreign aid assistance.

Such a deal has long been the proposed compromise between Democrats and Republicans. One massive, bipartisan immigration and foreign aid bill notably failed in Senate back in February. A $95 billion bill for security assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, however, passed in the Senate shortly after.

Johnson's planned foreign aid package comes in at a similar cost and includes about $61 billion for Ukraine. More than a third of that would be directed toward replenishing weapons and ammunition for the US military.

A Ukrainian soldier with the nickname Dragon shows the fatigue of months of fighting without a break, as the rest of the tank crew make adjustments to a captured Russian T-72B tank, as they drive it toward the northeastern Kharkiv region frontline on a road to Izyum, Ukraine, on September 28, 2022. Scott Peterson/Getty Images

Aid to Ukraine is complicated, and the assistance packages have typically included military aid, humanitarian assistance, money for Ukraine's government, and funds for US operations related to assisting Ukraine. In the short term after a package is approved, the US transfers both US weapons and some purchased from allies to Ukraine. It also gets the funds to replenish its stockpiles and buy new weapons from defense contractors.

Both the Pentagon and the White House have long explained to Congress that these aid packages create and fuel defense production jobs across the country.

In the long term, the provided US aid allows Ukraine to purchase weapons which may need to be manufactured and, therefore, take a bit more time to secure.

Complications aside, the packages, like the one in the House, have profound effects. If this assistance passes, Kagan said, there's high confidence "that the Ukrainians would be able to slow and ultimately stop this Russian offensive and then very likely would be able to conduct counteroffensive operations to regain territory" likely next year.

Where US support for Ukraine goes from here

Ukrainian soldiers of a tank unit continue their military mobility to prepare for combat as the Russia-Ukraine war continues after the 2nd year anniversary in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on March 01, 2024. Jose Colon/Anadolu via Getty Images

Whether the aid package passes or not, it's quite clear that American lawmakers  and voters  remain divided on the US role in supporting Ukraine.

That conversation "is part of a larger debate about America's place in the world," Ryan said. Those who may not see the need for the US to be involved in the security concerns of other countries, he said, may be short-sighted, overlooking the destructive consequences if Ukraine loses.

And a loss for Ukraine is a very real possibility. CIA Director William Burns said that without aid "there is a very real risk that the Ukrainians could lose on the battlefield by the end of 2024," and even Zelenskyy has acknowledged retreat and a loss could be the outcome without further support. The ramifications of that could be dire.

Experts, officials, and analysts have long warned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin is ultimately successful in achieving victory in Ukraine, it could have serious consequences, not only for the people of Ukraine, but for others globally. A win for Russia could embolden it to take further aggressive action and potentially encourage others, like China and North Korea, to throw their weight around, stirring further tensions and conflict.

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2023/07/01: A protester holding a placard gathered on Union Square in support of Ukraine and to call for more weapons and ammunitions to be sent to Ukraine to help defeat Russia. Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

A victorious Russia could take its war towards NATO, possibly leading to a devastating and large-scale conflict directly involving the US.

"Americans really need to understand that we are standing on a fundamental precipice," Kagan said. Cutting off assistance to Ukraine, which could lead to its loss against Russia, will not only jeopardize American security, he said, but also "actually significantly increase the likelihood that Americans will have to enter wars ourselves."

Earlier this week, he doubled-down on that point, writing that "the US thus has only two real choices today. It can quickly resume providing military aid to let Ukraine stabilize the front lines near the current locations. Or it can let the Russians defeat the Ukrainian military and drive toward the NATO borders from the Black Sea to central Poland. There is no third option."

Johnson himself told reporters something similar on Wednesday, saying that, "to put it bluntly, I would rather send bullets to Ukraine than American boys."

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Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has met with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in Italy to discuss bolstering Ukraine's air defence, the Peace Summit, and the recovery of Ukraine.

Source: Kuleba on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Kuleba thanked Italy for its "excellent leadership" in the Group of Seven, as well as for its active and consistent support for Ukraine.

"We discussed practical steps how Italy can help strengthen Ukraines air defense. We are also grateful for Italys participation in the recovery of Ukraine and look forward to more projects in this regard," Kuleba said.

Pleased to meet with @Antonio_Tajani and thank Italy for its excellent leadership in the Group of Seven, as well as active and consistent support for Ukraine.



We discussed practical steps how Italy can help strengthen Ukraines air defense. We are also grateful for Italys pic.twitter.com/UtaLatzAty  Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 19, 2024

The ministers also talked about the inaugural Global Peace Summit and how to achieve a just peace in Ukraine through the implementation of President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula.

Background:

Kuleba is in Italy for discussions with G7 countries. One of the key issues is the transfer of air defence equipment to Ukraine.

Earlier, Ukraines Foreign Minister called on the G7 countries to follow Germany's example and decide on the supply of additional air defence systems as soon as possible.

On 13 April, Germany announced the urgent supply of one Patriot anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba explained why Ukraine has no plan B.

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Ukraine's Foreign Minister reports G7 identified "specific steps" to help Ukraine in war with Russia

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has reported that his counterparts from the Group of Seven have identified "specific steps" that will assist Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The minister stated that the West has the opportunity "as soon as possible" to equip Ukraine with all of the resources it requires to "save Europe from a larger war."

"We identified specific steps that Western partners will take to assist Ukraine," Kuleba stated, without providing any details.

The Ukrainian foreign minister is in Italy to negotiate with the Group of Seven. One of the key issues is the transfer of air defence equipment to Ukraine.

Previously:

At a meeting with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in Italy, Kuleba discussed the strengthening of Ukraine's air defence, the Peace Summit and the recovery of Ukraine.

Earlier, Ukraines foreign minister called on the G7 countries to follow Germany's example and decide on the supply of additional air defence systems as soon as possible.

On 13 April, Germany announced the urgent supply of one Patriot anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba explained why Ukraine has no plan B.

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Employee prepares to place a mortar into a box at a production facility of the 'Ukrainian Armor' company in Ukraine

Employee prepares to place a mortar into a box at a production facility of the 'Ukrainian Armor' company in Ukraine

By Max Hunder

KYIV (Reuters) -Hundreds of Ukrainian businesses making weapons and military equipment have sprung up since Russia's full-scale invasion, but some are struggling to fund production and all are afraid of being targeted in intensifying Russian missile strikes.

Owners say they have pumped in their own cash to survive and moved locations at their own expense to stay ahead of Russian intelligence. They are now urging the government to cut what they describe as excessive red tape around its arms purchases.

Several also want to be allowed to export, arguing that the government is unable to buy all of their output.

According to Ukraine's strategic industries minister Oleksandr Kamyshin, the potential annual output of the military-industrial complex now stands at $18-20 billion.

Ukraine's cash-strapped government can only fund about a third of that, the minister told Reuters in an interview. That compares with $120 billion of military aid received from allies throughout the war, most of it in equipment rather than cash.

"We have the biggest fight in a generation ... If you look, for example, at NATO-calibre artillery shells, the production capacity of the U.S. and EU put together is lower than our needs," said Kamyshin.

Many of Ukraine's large, state-owned defence enterprises fell on hard times after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Now the war has triggered a resurgence in the private arms sector.

According to his ministry, the number of defence manufacturers has more than doubled since the invasion. Private enterprises now number about 400 to the 100 state-owned ones, although the latter still provide the most production capacity.

To resolve cash shortages, Ukraine is asking foreign partners to fund its defence production. On Tuesday, Denmark made the first such pledge of $28.5 million.

RED TAPE

Some manufacturers say they are struggling to raise funds, a problem compounded by a government procurement process that they complain is slow and cumbersome.

"The first threat that makers come up against when they start working is the bureaucracy of the military sphere and of purchases," said Vladyslav Belbas, CEO of Ukrainska Bronetekhnika (Ukrainian Armor), one of the few Ukrainian manufacturers making armoured vehicles and artillery shells, among other products.

Belbas cited the fact that the defence ministry only places orders for the current year, hampering makers' ability to plan for the long term.

Four manufacturers making various weapons highlighted a range of issues: waiting for months to find out if the state was interested in buying, being bounced between departments in the defence ministry and armed forces, and having no assurances of future sales to help them plan production.

The defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the complaints. It has previously said it is building "a new architecture" for defence procurement, and appointed a new chief for the agency responsible for weapons purchases earlier this year.

Private investment has primarily been driven by domestic entrepreneurs, who often say they are driven by patriotism rather than profit.

A source in Ukraine's government, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive issues, said private investment was not evenly spread.

"Everyone wants to invest in sexy stories like drones, but nobody wants to go into something difficult like (artillery) shells."

One way to raise money is to grant licences for companies to export products that would otherwise go unbought by Ukraine due to the lack of financing.

Three manufacturers told Reuters they would like to see export licences being granted, provided the manufacturer had unused capacity not covered by orders from Ukraine.

Kamyshin said that was not feasible: "It's fair for manufacturers to demand to either contract their capacity to the full or give them the possibility to export ... but this position does not have political support, so we are looking for financing for our enterprises so that all production remains in Ukraine," he said.

DANGEROUS BUSINESS

Aside from financial difficulties, making weapons in Ukraine during a full-scale war is fraught with risk.

When Reuters visited a factory of Ukrainian Armor, the head of the plant, who gave his name as Ruslan, agreed to speak only if his face was not shown to protect him from becoming a target of Russia's intelligence services.

The factory, which employs around 100 people and makes armoured vehicles and mortars, was in the process of being wound down and moved to another location.

Ruslan said this was because a bigger premises was needed to accommodate more staff, as well as to make it harder for the Russians to find the factory. Some arms manufacturers move locations as often as every three months for security.

"From the (manufacturers) I speak to, not one private company received (state) compensation for relocation," said Ukrainian Armor's Belbas.

Another problem faced by manufacturers is the threat of power cuts, as Russia pounds energy infrastructure while Ukraine is running out of air defence munitions to protect its skies.

"In 2022-2023, we did not have electricity for two-thirds of our working hours  of course, under such conditions it is very difficult to manufacture anything," Belbas said.

The government source said that manufacturers currently had no issues with power supply, and that if mass power cuts did have to be implemented then they "will be switched off last".

(Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Philippa Fletcher)
by Dames Alexander Sinaga

JAKARTA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Saskia Warouw and her relatives have been living in a temporary shelter over the past two days following an increasing volcanic activity of Mount Ruang on the northern side of the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

The multiple eruptions of Mount Ruang on a remote island in North Sulawesi province over the past two days have forced the country's disaster mitigation agency BNPB to urge more than 11,000 people to evacuate.

Public facilities, including schools and a provincial airport, were also forced to close in the affected areas.

Located more than 100 kilometers north of the provincial capital Manado, Mount Ruang first erupted at 9:45 p.m. local time on Tuesday, sending billowing clouds of smoke and ash high into the sky.

The dangerous level for the volcano, 725 meters above sea level, has been raised to the country's highest Level IV since Wednesday. The country's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) has advised people to avoid the exclusion zone around the crater from 4 kilometers to 6 kilometers as authorities have issued tsunami alerts in response to eruptions.

Warouw's house is in Laingpatehi, one of the villages affected by the eruptions. She and her relatives are now accommodated in a temporary shelter on neighboring Tagulandang Island, east of the Ruang volcano, which she thinks is "safe enough for evacuation."

She recalled tense moments following their fleeing from the second big eruption that occurred on Wednesday.

"My family were having dinner at the time. Suddenly, we heard the tremendous roar of the volcano. We were scared and panicked. I turned on my motorcycle and then rode to find a place we think is safer," she told Xinhua over phone on Friday.

Warouw saw thumb-sized glowing rocks thrown from the eruption and volcanic ash.

"The rocks were big. There was a lot of ash from the mountain. We were scared. We just wanted to keep going as far as possible for safety," she said.

She also saw thick smoke rising high just above the volcano crater, followed by flashes of lightning for some minutes. Not long after, earthquakes were felt almost every minute, she added.

According to her, at least 500 people in her village are currently taking shelter.

PVMBG has called on residents to wear masks to avoid exposure to volcanic ash, which can trigger asthma attacks and cause respiratory irritation.

Abdul Muhari, head of BNPB's disaster data, communications and information center, told local media on Friday that at least four vessels have been deployed to evacuate people living in affected areas with the agency's chief to come and handle the evacuation.

Heruningtyas Desi Purnamasari, an official at PVMBG, said earlier that explosive eruptions of Mount Ruang have been recorded since 1808 with main dangers including hot clouds and lava flows which could hit the entire island.

The official added that volcanic rocks and hot clouds from the eruptions could reach some parts of the neighboring Tagulandang Island.

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Indonesia is one of the countries with the most volcanoes in the world. 
Republican Congressional Representative Victoria Spartz, the only U.S. lawmaker born in Ukraine, has submitted amendments calling for reductions to the proposed Ukrainian aid package that is set to be voted on this Saturday in the U.S. House of Representatives.

One of Spartz's amendments suggests removing provisions from the proposed law regarding the PDA program, which allows the White House to supply weapons directly from U.S. military stockpiles to Ukraine.

Additionally, Spartz's amendments target economic aid included in Johnson's proposal. She proposes eliminating a clause of over $7.8 billion in loan assistance, as well as preventing the U.S. president from forgiving Ukraine's debt under specific conditions.

The fourth amendment eliminates $481 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated for refugees. Lastly, the fifth proposes barring countries affected by the war in Ukraine from utilizing funds within the FMF program, which allows for the direct purchase of weapons from manufacturers to support a U.S. ally's needs.

Spartz was born in a small city in Chernihiv Oblast, and moved to the U.S. in 2000. She became the first Ukrainian-born member of Congress in 2021 and has been known for her staunch support of former President Donald Trump.

Read also: CIA Director: Ukraine could lose by the end of 2024 without aid

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Ukrainian defenders downs Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bomber for the first time  video

Ukraines Air Force and Defence Intelligence of Ukraine have destroyed a Russian Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber that carries Kh-22 cruise missiles.

Source: Lieutenant General Mykola Oleshchuk, Commander of Ukraine's Air Force, on Telegram

Quote: "For the first time, anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force, in cooperation with Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, have brought down a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bomber  a carrier of Kh-22 cruise missiles, which Russian terrorists use to hit peaceful Ukrainian cities. During today's attack, two such missiles were downed for the first time."

Details: Oleshchuk emphasised that Ukraine needs more assets and more missiles to better protect the frontline territories from Russian terrorism.

Background: On 19 April, a Tu-22M3 long-range strategic missile-carrying bomber crashed in Russia's Stavropol Krai. Russia uses these aircraft to launch strikes on Ukraine.

     .   Telegram- Astra pic.twitter.com/juoZBXR6sS     (@ukrpravda_news) April 19, 2024

Early reports indicated that the pilots had ejected.

Why it is important: Russia launches Kh-22 missiles from Tu-22M3 aircraft. The Mozdok military airfield (North Ossetia, Russia) is located near the border with the Stavropol Krai, where these strategic bombers of Russia's Aerospace Forces are based.

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Oksana Storozhenko, a Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) employee, was killed in a Russian attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, and seven other railway workers were injured.

Source: Ukrainian Railways

Quote: "We are sad to report the death of Oksana Storozhenko, another duty officer at the locomotive crew building. She has two sons, aged 17 and 15 years old. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Oksana's family and pledge to provide financial and social support to her children."

Details: Media reports indicate that another seven Ukrzaliznytsia employees have been injured. The company stated that it would provide help to all injured railway workers and their families.

Background: On the morning of 19 April, the Russians carried out a targeted large-scale attack on civilian infrastructure facilities belonging to Ukrzaliznytsia in the city of Dnipro and Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Two people have been killed in the Russian attack, six more have been killed in the city of Synelnykove, including two young children, and 29 other residents of the oblast have been injured.

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(Bloomberg) -- Ukraines fate and perhaps even the security of Europe hinge on a man who six months ago was best known for his deep social conservatism, his evangelical Christian faith and his fierce defense of Donald Trump after the former president lost the 2020 election.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Billions of dollars of desperately needed Ukraine aid depend on US House Speaker Mike Johnsons resolve this weekend in pushing through a complex foreign assistance plan, which also includes help for Israel and a provision forcing China-based Bytedance Ltd. to divest its popular TikTok social media platform.

That will involve the type of complicated political maneuvers and deal-making with Democrats that roil many rank-and-file Republicans.

Before he was speaker, Johnson had the luxury of taking political positions at odds with party leaders, including a stance against new funding for Kyiv. Now, his gambit threatens to trigger a drive for his ouster.

On Wednesday, the 52-year-old Louisianan shrugged off that risk, saying hed rather send bullets to Ukraine than American troops.

You do the right thing and you let the chips fall where they may, he said, noting that his son would attend the US Naval Academy in the fall.

Ever since Johnson leapfrogged over more senior Republicans to become speaker, he has faced the threat of overthrow. So its no surprise. But what is surprising is that his salvation may come from Democrats.

Representative Adam Smith, the plainspoken top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee whose chief concern is global security, says he wont vote to remove Johnson from the speakership.

Im not going to be coy about it, Smith told Bloomberg Televisions Balance of Power on Wednesday. It does not serve the interest of Congress or the country to remove the speaker at this point.

None of this  up to and including the possible Democratic rescue  would have been expected six months ago when Johnson was simply a House member representing the northwest and western parts of Louisiana, a Republican stronghold save for some Democratic areas of Shreveport and other pockets.

Even as he faced the ouster threat, Johnson spent a recent weekend afternoon at his meticulously kept suburban home doing yard work and skimming debris from his backyard pool.

Tim Turner Jr., assistant chief of Benton Fire District #4, said he knows his next-door neighbor is having a rough time at work. So, he didnt pry when they chatted in their yards that afternoon.

Turner asked if the drifting smoke from a small twig fire was bothering Johnson. The speaker  dealing with bigger fires in Washington  said it was no problem.

I try my best not to talk to him about politics. He gets enough of that at work, Turner said. I know how he is, and what he stands for. I align with what he says.

It was a shock, Turner recalled, to come home for lunch one day last fall to a security detail parked out front. Thats when he learned his neighbor had become second in the line of succession to the president.

Down the road, Shelly Horton, Jr., the Republican mayor of the Town of Benton, surmises that Johnson is in a very tough spot in Washington. It wouldnt be a surprise, he added, if Johnson was ousted.

That will be taken hard around here, he said. The feeling around here is he doesnt back down from his values, even if it cost him his position.

Not everyone is sympathetic to the speakers plight.

Theron Jackson, a former Shreveport city council member and the Black pastor of the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, recalls first encountering Johnson years ago when Johnson pressed him and other local officials to block a new strip club from opening downtown.

Johnson, a lawyer representing a church group, did not prevail because his argument was largely moral  he could never make a real legal claim because nobody had violated the law, Jackson said.

Jackson, who is an independent, said he doesnt particularly see any downside to Johnson losing his speakership for many in Shreveport.

We have not gotten any benefits in terms of policy, he says. He ticks off a series of items that he says Johnson has opposed that people in this district need to survive  from resources for parents, to income and tax credits, and pandemic-related help.

Its hard to be sympathetic about the fleas that the dog gets for laying with other dogs with fleas, Jackson said.

Several miles away, a request to tour the high school Johnson graduated in 1990  Captain Shreve High  is denied. But a video screen flashes the schools battle cry, as fitting in Washington as it is in Louisiana.

It also underscores the challenges their famous alum faces.

Respect The Swamp, the screen reads.

--With assistance from Kailey Leinz and Joe Mathieu.

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2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Republican lawmakers and the families of crime victims join GOP Secretary of State Michael Adams for a ceremonial signing of the omnibus crime bill, House Bill 5. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

If there is a photo that defines Kentuckys 2024 regular session, it is a smiling Secretary of State Michael Adams signing House Bill 5  a sprawling, data-questionable, pro-incarceration bill with an unknown, skys-the-limit budget, overriding the governors veto  in the capitol rotunda, surrounded by more than two dozen applauding supporters and lawmakers. All white.

Adams quipped, I feel safer already!

A few days earlier, I had been speaking at a dinner about frustrations with our GOP supermajority legislature on HB 5 and failed firearm legislation when a Black man in the audience asked about the Crown Act.

Could I explain this to the audience? he wanted to know.

I tried, twice, and realized I could not.

Not logically.

How do you logically explain the outright dismissal of a bill that would allow Black people and marginalized others to wear their natural hair, the hair God gave them, in the workplace?

What stands out to me, now that the 2024 regular session has come to a close, is not the many faceted and cruel HB 5, which stole much of the spotlight. What stands out to me is the consistent, ugly undercurrent of racism.

Some of that racism was big and bold and overt, like Senate Bill 6 and House Bill 9 which aimed to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion  DEI  in our education system, but there were others that poisoned the Frankfort drinking water, too.

House Bill 18, for instance, passed with a veto override, keeping landlords from having to accept Section 8 housing vouchers. Discrimination based on source of income.

I will not soon forget watching the bill sponsor, Rep. Ryan Dotson, on the House floor as he presented his bill, growing frustrated to the point of snarling and raising his voice as Rep. Sarah Stalker dared to ask the most basic questions about his overtly discriminatory bill.

State Rep. Ryan Dotson answering questions about his bill to keep landlords from having to accept Section 8 housing vouchers. (Screen shot courtesy of Kentucky Educational TV)

To say Dotson was snarling is not an exaggeration. I watched it live, and it was so shocking in the moment I took a screenshot and paused as House Speaker David Osborne stopped him, advising caution.

While Rep. Jennifer Deckers anti-DEI House Bill 9 failed to pass, who can forget the story of her telling an NAACP audience that her white father was a slave. So, if youre asking, did we own slaves? My father was a slave, just to a white man and he was white. And then she doubled down on the claim when asked to explain.

Many bills are filed every session, assigned to committees, and never see the light of day. But notably this year, of the hundreds of bills filed, only two did not receive a committee assignment.

One was Sen. David Yatess abortion exceptions bill. No surprise there, with a GOP supermajority who cant decide if its politically expedient to allow exceptions or not.

The other was Sen. Gerald Neals proposed Crown Act, which would have outlawed discrimination on the basis of a hairstyle historically associated with a persons race.

Republican state Sen. Whitney Westerfield, who will leave office at the end of this year, recently told WKYTs Bill Bryant about HB 5, We are doing things that are shortsighted, very expensive, and dont have a return on investment that actually improve public safety.

Westerfield, who is white, has also sponsored a version of the Crown Act, twice, this year and last, telling Bryant, Last year when I filed the bill, I think there were 18 no votes in my caucus and yet even after robust discussion and filing amendments to address concerns, he got no traction, going from 18 no votes to 17 no votes.

He went on to explain the damage, both physical (due to chemicals) and mental. Harm is being done just so that Black men and women, particularly Black women, can look more like the Euro-centric, white woman look, and theyve been punished for that. Black men have been punished for not looking more like this, Westerfield said, pointing to his hair. The hair God gave you ought to be the hair you get to wear  and why theres not more support for that, Ill never understand.

I dont understand either.

But in an attempt to understand, I went back to the 2023 committee discussion of Westerfields Crown Act / Senate Bill 63, relating to discriminatory practices against a person. What follows is Sen. Phillip Wheelers questioning in that committee.

You say this applies to everybody, right? said Wheeler. So if my secretary decided to come in tomorrow with a pink, spiked [hair]do into the office, and wearing a shirt that says F.U., and I know my secretary would never do that, but if she did, could I say this is not the image I want to present for my business? You need to come in with, you know, a more traditional look, and a professional look, similar to the dress code that we adopted on the senate floor?

Westerfield responded that an employer can certainly impose an office dress code, but that this is not germane to the bill, which specifically protects hairstyles historically associated with race.

This prompted Wheeler to say, I guess if she had Irish heritage, and if youve ever watched the movie Druids, theres some pretty wild [hair]dos, so she could come in there and argue something like that and then I guess if you had an African-American working there, that would probably imply that you didnt have a problem with African-Americans working there just by the fact that theyre present, would it not?

Wheelers legislative bio states that he is a Christian, an attorney, and a Fulbright Scholar. And yet his convoluted argument  which I watched four times to ensure accuracy in quoting him  was like watching a mosquito ride a tricycle in a hailstorm.

I watched one more time and gave up.

In an April 15 report upon the close of session, Senate President Robert Stivers was asked about DEI and replied: I know some people (dont) like to report this, but I think this caucus has been very good about being race neutral. What we seek, and what some people dont want to portray us as, is treat everybody fairly. 

So lets talk about popular perceptions and how those perceptions come to be.

There is that photo of power  celebrating HB 5, a pro-incarceration bill resurrected from the ashes of discrimination and bad ideas of the 1990s  on the steps of the Capitol Rotunda, where the statue of Jefferson Davis was only recently removed.

There was Rep. Jason Nemes (who is white) ranting in anger at Rep. Derrick Graham (who is Black) for daring to tell the truth on the House floor: that the Jefferson Davis statue was taken out for a reason, that being that he led the Confederacy and the insurrection taking place when the Civil War started.

There were bills in both chambers  one wasnt enough?  to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.

There was housing discrimination.

There was funding for university building projects, except for Kentucky State University, the states only historically Black public college.

There is a newly-created task force to see if Jefferson County Public Schools should be broken up.

And there were bills that could not get to the floor that would allow  ALLOW  Black people to wear their own hair.

I wonder if anyone has ever told Senate President Stivers he could not wear his own hair to the office.

To the Black man who asked me to explain the failure of the Crown Act two years running, I still have no logical explanation. This is what systemic racism is, and there is no logic to it. There is just willful ignorance and fear and control and, in our GOP supermajority legislature, continued denial.

I cant explain it.

I cant excuse it either.

And no bill, no matter how sprawling or expensive or punitive, is going to make us safer already until we address it.

Its right there in the Frankfort drinking water, poisoning all of us.

The post Undercurrent of racism propelled this legislative session appeared first on Kentucky Lantern.
The U.S. ambassador to Russia recently met with Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal reporter who has been unlawfully detained in the country for more than a year.

The U.S. Embassy in Moscow said Lynne Tracy met with Gershkovich, who was arrested last year by Russias Federal Security Service during a reporting trip in Yekaterinburg and has been charged with suspicion of espionage.

Despite the continued wait for the start of his trial, Evan remains in good spirits, buoyed by the continued messages of support, the embassy said.

The United States government has said the charges against Gershkovich are trumped up, and American officials have advocated for his release.

The Journal reported senior Russian government officials recently acknowledged that its government had employed a confidential channel to discuss prisoner exchanges with the U.S. government, which it noted could include Gershkovich.

The Journals story about Tracys meeting with Gershkovich included a statement from the newspaper saying every day Evan remains in prison increases the urgency for his release. We are appreciative of the Ambassadors continued support to monitor and ensure his well-being.

The Journal recently left the front page of its print edition blank to spotlight the anniversary of Gershkovichs detainment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US Ambassador to Ukraine calls on Congress to vote on aid for Ukraine immediately

US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink has told US congressmen during a visit to Washington that they should vote immediately on a bill to support Ukraine, as it is in the US's strategic interests.

Source: Brink on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Brink stated that she was pleased to return to Washington and advocate for the prompt release of a package of help for Ukraine.

Great to be back in DC to make the case to Congress for the urgent need to pass the Ukraine supplemental and why supporting Ukraine is in our strategic national interests.  Ambassador Bridget A. Brink (@USAmbKyiv) April 19, 2024

She said she had informed the legislators that supporting Ukraine "is in our strategic national interests."

Background:

On Thursday 18 April, US Democrats took an unprecedented step to salvage "Johnsons bills" containing assistance for Ukraine. They voted during consideration in the House Rules Committee, as three right-wing GOP hardliners refused to participate.

The final vote on the bills, which provide for multibillion-dollar assistance to Ukraine, should take place by Saturday evening, 20 April.

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This photo taken on April 19, 2024 shows a screen displaying live footage aired by the Iranian state television from the urban area of Isfahan, Iran. "There was no damage to Iran's nuclear sites" in an attack in northeast of Iran's central Isfahan province, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Friday. (Xinhua/Shadati)

TEHRAN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Three explosions have been heard northeast of Iran's central Isfahan province, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Friday.

The cause of the explosions has not yet been determined, Fars quoted local sources as saying, adding that the army's radar had been among the possible targets and some buildings' windows in the nearby area had been broken.

According to Fars, the explosions were heard in Qahjavarestan city, near Isfahan's International Airport and an Iranian air force base.

The Iranian capital Tehran is now in good order, a Xinhua correspondent observed.

Meanwhile, the official IRNA news agency reported that Iran activated its air defense system over several cities on Friday.

Restrictions imposed on Friday morning on the operation of a number of airports in several Iranian cities including Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz have been lifted, IRNA said.

Three micro aerial vehicles (MAVs) were spotted near Zardanjan village in Isfahan at around 4 a.m. local time (0030 GMT) and were shot down by Iran's air defense, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency.

"There was no damage to Iran's nuclear sites" in an attack in northeast of Iran's central Isfahan province, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Friday. 
FILE PHOTO: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks to the media after the Senate dismissed the House Republican impeachment charges against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in Washington

By David Morgan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson looks set to push forward this weekend on a $95 billion aid bill for Kyiv, Israel and other allies, despite a firestorm of protest from hardline Republicans that could lead to an attempt to oust him.

The aid legislation is the latest in a series of must-pass bipartisan measures that Johnson has helped shepherd through Congress, including two massive spending bills and a controversial reauthorization of federal surveillance programs.

His performance, six months after the 52-year-old Louisiana Republican acquired the speaker's gavel, has won him accolades from centrist Republicans who worry that party infighting could erode U.S. status on the world stage.

Johnson was elected speaker after a small band of hardline Republicans ousted his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, a move that brought the House of Representatives to a halt for weeks.

"He's shown tremendous courage," Republican Representative Brian Fitzpatrick told Reuters. "He's not allowing the noise to get to him."

The House is expected to vote as early as Saturday on the aid legislation that provides $61 billion to address the conflict in Ukraine, including $23 billion to replenish U.S. weapons, stocks and facilities; $26 billion for Israel, including $9.1 billion for humanitarian needs, and $8.12 billion for the Indo-Pacific.

Republicans hold a narrow House 218-213 majority, a margin so scant that Republican Representative Mike Gallagher is postponing his mid-session retirement, originally set for Friday, so he can be present to vote for the bill.

Johnson has routinely relied on Democratic votes to pass legislation since becoming speaker, and he is expected to do so again on Saturday.

Republican Representative Max Miller, an early critic of Johnson's speakership, now credits him for quickly adopting the national perspective necessary for the top Republican in Congress.

"He's now seen the light, when it comes to representing not just your district in Louisiana but the entire country," the Ohio Republican said.

"He got a crash course on what the majority of Americans really feel."

'COURAGEOUS,' SAYS PELOSI

Johnson's performance has even led to positive reviews from some senior Democrats.

Former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- who led her party in the chamber for two decades -- described him as "courageous" for defying hardline opposition to pass legislation that averted two government shutdowns, safeguarded U.S. efforts to combat terrorism, and would now support Ukraine in its struggle against Russian invasion.

The speaker got vital support last week from former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, who said it was "unfortunate" that members would seek Johnson's ouster "because right now we have much bigger problems."

Many House Republicans fear that ouster would mean unnecessary chaos months before the Nov. 5 election that will determine control of the White House, the Senate and the House.

But despite Trump's support, Johnson faces a growing ouster threat from hardline Republicans, including members of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, who oppose aid to Ukraine, favor border restrictions and deep spending cuts and want to curb the federal government's surveillance powers to protect U.S. citizens.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who filed a motion to vacate Johnson's seat as speaker, won a co-sponsor this week in fellow hardliner Representative Thomas Massie. And more hardliners seem poised to join in.

Even if Greene does not attempt to oust Johnson soon, she predicted he would not hold onto his leadership role in the long run.

"The reality for Mike Johnson is that he's not going to be speaker. But it's just a matter of when that's going to happen," Greene said on Wednesday.

Hardline frustrations surged on Thursday after word spread that House Republican leaders were considering a plan to raise the threshold for bringing an ouster motion from a single lawmaker to a majority of the party. Johnson later vowed not to make such a move.

For their part, some Democrats have indicated they could consider providing votes to defend Johnson's leadership if he succeeds in moving Ukraine aid.

"I certainly don't want to do anything personally that would in any way aid and abet Marjorie Taylor Greene's destructive path," said Democratic Representative Brendan Boyle.

Johnson himself has dismissed the ouster threat, saying he would never be able to do his job if he operated out of fear for his own political future.

"History judges us for what we do," Johnson told reporters this week. "I'm doing here what I believe to be the right thing. I think providing lethal aid to Ukraine right now is critically important. I really do."

(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Daniel Wallis)
The US military is keeping it secret who won the real-world dogfight between a human pilot and an AI flying an F-16 fighter jet

The US military won't say who won the dogfight between an AI-controlled F-16 and a human fighter pilot.

It's the first real-world test of its kind, and officials said the program is progressing even faster than they'd hoped.

Back in 2020, AI smoked a seasoned Air Force F-16 pilot 5-0 in simulated dogfights.

The US military won't say who won a landmark real-world dogfight between an artificial intelligence-controlled F-16 and a manned jet, citing national security concerns.

Officials would only say the groundbreaking battle went well. "Things are progressing as well or faster than we had hoped," Lt. Col. Ryan Hefron, ACE program manager for DARPA, told reporters on Friday. "But unfortunately, we can't provide more detail."

The tests occurred last September at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where the two jets flew at speeds of up to 1,200 miles per hour and practiced a range of dogfighting scenarios. Footage released by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency showed the jets maneuvering through the skies around one another in a step up from previous testing.

The AI-controlled fighter jet, called the X-62A Variable Stability In-flight Simulator Test Aircraft, is a modified version of an F-16.

Col. James Valpiani, commandant of the US Air Force Test Pilot School, said the AI agents in the aircraft were able to be upgraded or switched out between missions, potentially complicating air warfare for the enemy.

"We were able to generate changes to software overnight," he explained, adding that "we were able to upload the software changes to the aircraft while it was holding short, ready to take off and even airborne." He said that "we're able to transition between multiple versions of the same AI agent airborne, between combat sets."

The X-62A has taken at least 21 test flights since it was built in December 2022.

Despite the historic nature of this moment, with DARPA calling it a "transformational moment in aerospace history," the US military isn't sharing an answer to the big question: who won? Officials were mum on details but emphasized how important the exercise was for future progress.

F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., fly over southern Florida during a flight from Luke to Key West, Fla., Oct. 16, 2004. Stocktrek Images/Getty Images

Although it remains unclear if the man or machine prevailed in this moment, AI's track record in this area has been stellar. Back in August 2020, AI won a simulated dogfight against a human operator 5-0. It was a sweep, and the human pilot never even scored a hit.

At the time, former US Navy and US Air Force pilots told Business Insider they weren't surprised by the outcome given that the fight may not have necessarily been realistic.

One argued that the AI algorithm appeared to have had access to information that it wouldn't have in the real world and was operating in a combat environment it was trained for. In many ways, it was like a video game, not actual air-to-air combat with real aircraft racing into the merge. They said they AI would've probably "crashed and burned" in a real fight.

That was years ago, though, and AI has evolved tremendously. Hefron told reporters that they trained this AI model for the real-world fight by conducting "over millions and in some cases, billions" of runs, rewarding specific successful outcomes and reinforcing positive behaviors.

Both Hefron and Valpiani also said that trusting the AI was a key priority for the program, emphasizing a "responsible application of autonomy" and situations where the AI must follow explicit instructions and guidelines.

Dogfights, even in a training situation, can be dangerous. Last September's test built on a previous experience in which an AI agent piloting the X-62A battled simulated threats.

#AI successfully pilots fighter jet 

.#ICYMI @deptofdefense artificial intelligence agents successfully pilot a fighter jet making AI history! Using a X-62A VISTA, this was a combined team effort from @afresearchlab, @lockheedmartin, @darpa and @EdwardsAFB.

.

@officialafmc pic.twitter.com/hsfgaw0kVx  Edwards Air Force Base (@EdwardsAFB) February 15, 2023

Hefron said that the simulation and real-world have their unique differences, leading to problems when AI has been trained for specific situations that may not happen.

"That's something we've been able to collect data for, we've been able to kind of dissect and understand, and then come up with many new approaches to tackle that problem," he said.

In 2019, DARPA said that "no AI currently exists" that "can outduel a human strapped into a fighter jet in a high-speed, high-G dogfight," but warfare is evolving, especially when it comes to manned-unmanned teaming and autonomous systems.

That may or may not still be true  the military won't say  but the progress in this space is notable.

DARPA said it "seeks to automate air-to-air combat, enabling reaction times at machine speeds and freeing pilots to concentrate on the larger air battle."

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military's success helping Israel stop a massive wave of Iranian missiles and drones last weekend might suggest Washington is well prepared militarily for whatever comes next as Iran and Israel move from shadow warfare to direct confrontation.

But current and former U.S. officials say U.S. forces are not positioned for a major, sustained Middle East conflict and the Pentagon may have to revisit assumptions about military needs in the region if the crisis deepens.

"I don't think we have all the forces that we would want to support Israel if there was a direct war between them and Iran," said Michael Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East under the Trump administration.

Though Tehran has indicated it had no plans to retaliate for an apparent Israeli strike on Friday, the tit-for-tat attacks have raised fears of an unpredictable regional war that the United States has sought to prevent. In the months since an attack by Hamas militants on Israel triggered a war in Gaza that has ignited unrest throughout the Middle East, the United States has rushed thousands of U.S. service members to a region that had seen a steadily declining U.S. presence over years.

But many of those new U.S. troops are on warships and aircraft that move in and out of the region, and are only temporarily deployed. That U.S. strategy to rely on surge forces could be tested now Iran and Israel have broken the taboo of open military strikes against each other.

"What it means for the U.S. military is that I think we have to revisit this idea of what are the necessary, sustainable (military) capabilities that we have to maintain in the region," said Joseph Votel, a retired four star Army general who led U.S. troops in the Middle East.

SUSTAINED FOCUS

Votel and other former officials said the U.S. military's success in downing Iran's drones and missiles last Saturday was presumably aided by detailed U.S. intelligence that allowed the Pentagon to anticipate the timing and targets of Iran's attack.

"I think the bigger concern is our ability to be responsive over a sustained period of time," Votel said.

U.S. officials say Iran does not appear to want an all-out war with Israel, and Tehran has played down Friday's strike. Still, experts warn the situation is unpredictable, particularly as long as the Israel-Hamas conflict rages. U.S. Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla, the current head of Central Command, told lawmakers last month that he had requested more troops than the Pentagon had sent to his region, which President Joe Biden's administration has said is a lower priority than the challenge from China, for example.

In written testimony to the House Armed Services Committee, Kurilla said a dangerous shortfall in U.S. intelligence assets, targeting expertise and linguists "contributes to gaps and seams in our ability to detect and disrupt plots, increasing freedom of movement" for violent extremist organizations.

Although Kurilla's comments appeared more focused on Afghanistan, some intelligence shortfalls have already affected U.S. strategy since the start of the war in Gaza.

For example, a lack of detail about Houthi weapons stockpiles before the Iran-backed group started attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea has made it hard to determine the effect of months of strikes on the group's arsenal of missiles and drones, said officials.

Still, sending more U.S. troops to the Middle East and bolstering intelligence assets longer-term could prove difficult, officials say.

"Troops are spread around Europe (and) those that aren't are going through overdue maintenance cycles," one U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"And Asia is supposed to be the focus."

Another official said it was still unclear whether the U.S. military was prepared to pull forces from Asia or Europe, despite the increase in tensions.

Prior to October, the last time the United States surged thousands of troops into the Middle East was under former President Donald Trump, during a series of escalatory actions that culminated in the U.S. killing of Iran's top general and a retaliatory missile attack by Tehran on a U.S. base in Iraq.

The first U.S. official noted that the surge of troops in 2019 and 2020 was possible because, unlike today, Washington did not have to dedicate so many personnel and resources to Europe -- a new reality following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Mulroy said the United States should strengthen its position in the Middle East without abandoning its China-first focus.

"We need to deploy forces based on the current threat environment. And the current trend ... is obviously a potential for a broader nation-on-nation conflict in the Middle East," Mulroy said.

(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Don Durfee and Daniel Wallis)
US military 'out of time' in push against adversaries' modernization, Air Force secretary says

US military 'out of time' in push against adversaries' modernization, Air Force secretary says

Senior Air Force officials told U.S. lawmakers that they are "out of time" in modernizing their forces to meet the threats of China and other adversaries.

Department of the Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and top-ranking military leaders from the Air Force and Space Force shared their chilling warning to a House committee on Wednesday.

"Time is my greatest concern  we are in a race for military technological superiority with a capable pacing challenge," Kendall told the House Armed Services Committee.

"Our cushion is gone  we are out of time," he said.

TALK OF LOW HOUTHI WEAPON SUPPLY IS PREMATURE,' EXPERT WARNS

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, left, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, listen to opening remarks during a House Armed Services Committee hearing for the Department of the Air Force fiscal year 2025 budget request, Washington, D.C., Wednesday.

On April 9, Kendall, alongside other top military brass, warned that "time cannot be recovered" after the current years budget was finalized in March 2024, instead of Oct. 1, 2023, when the fiscal year began.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"As you are aware, the six-month delay has had a real impact. That time cannot be recovered, but at least we can now move forward with our urgent modernization priorities," Kendall said.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall testifies before the House Armed Services Committee for the Department of the Air Force on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

Veering from his prepared remarks, Kendall used Iran's recent attack on Israel as a timely example of the U.S. need for preparation against possible future attacks.

"What Iran encountered was a highly contested environment. And what we face with China is a highly contested environment," Kendall told the committee of the April 13 attack, in which nearly every one of the weapons launched against Israel was intercepted by a coalition that included the U.S.

"What Im dedicated to  and what were all dedicated to here  is ensuring that the U.S. never has a result like Iran had in its attempt to attack Israel," Kendall said. "Thats whats driving a lot of what were doing and why its so important to move on from legacy systems that werent designed for that type of environment to ones that are designed for it and are capable of coping with that."

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

Kendall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman collectively shared the need for immediate modernization in the face of China's growing military action.

AMERICA MUST OPTIMIZE FORCES TO AVOID LOSING A WAR WITH CHINA, AIR FORCE SECRETARY SAYS

In describing the plans and needs for space, Saltzman highlighted the importance of a robust Space Force.

"Against a near-peer adversary, space superiority is the linchpin. Without it, we cannot deter conflict. Without it, we cannot provide vital effects. Without it, we cannot protect the joint force. Until we have built the infrastructure to achieve space superiority, the Space Force is a work in progress," he said.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

The Department of the Air Force has requested a $217.5 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, which is set to begin on Oct. 1.

"The simultaneous demands of strategic competition with an aggressive and increasingly capable (China) and persistent, acute threats from around the globe require the Air Force to maximize the readiness of todays forces, while adapting our structures and processes to offer the best opportunity to prevail in an environment of enduring great power competition," Allvin said, adding, "Time is not on our side."





Original article source: US military 'out of time' in push against adversaries' modernization, Air Force secretary says
(Bloomberg) -- Pushing through a United Nations General Assembly vote to continue expert monitoring of North Koreas nuclear arms development would require a tremendous effort and its unclear where funds would be found to have think tanks take up the role, the US Ambassador to the UN said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The US is discussing with other members of the UN Security Council alternative ways to maintain the work done by its Panel of Experts, whose mandate expires this month after Russia vetoed an extension, Linda Thomas-Greenfield told reporters in Tokyo on Friday.

Reports by the panel inform decisions on international sanctions established by the Security Council in a series of resolutions aimed at barring North Korea from developing into a nuclear-armed state. North Korea has repeatedly defied the resolutions and continues to develop nuclear warheads and missiles to carry them.

Having the assembly approve a resolution to maintain the Panel of Experts would be one way forward, while the US is also pressing the secretary general to call for reports on the situation, Thomas-Greenfield said. External researchers are an option, although funding would need to be found, she added.

Read: Russia Blocks UN Expert Panel on North Korea Nuclear Program

Putting something on the agenda of the General Assembly is going to require a tremendous amount of effort, Thomas-Greenfield said, with substantial work also needed to obtain the necessary two-thirds majority for such a resolution.

Thomas-Greenfield added that she was unsure whether the process could be completed before the current panels mandate expires. Options outside the UN, including through the Group of Seven, remain on the table, she added, as does a combination of various methods to obtain information. The US intends to work with countries including South Korea, Japan and the UK on the issue, she said.

Thomas-Greenfield expressed disappointment at Russias veto of the panel, which has been operating for 15 years, as well as Chinas abstention from the vote.

Cold War partners Russia and North Korea have forged a new partnership since the Kremlins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, built upon Pyongyang holding some of the worlds largest stocks of munitions that are interoperable with weapons Moscow has deployed to the battlefield.

Read more: North Korea Appears to Be Accelerating Military Aid to Russia

The US, South Korea, Japan and others have accused North Korea of providing massive amounts of arms that includes ballistic missiles, artillery shells and other military equipment to sustain President Vladimir Putins assault on Ukraine. Moscow and Pyongyang have denied the accusations.

Russia does not want reporting of its activities that have broken sanctions with the DPRK, Thomas-Greenfield said, using an abbreviation of the formal name for North Korea. They have a relationship of mutual support, where they are getting arms from the DPRK, they are providing the DPRK with oil as well as with access to technology that is being used to help them continue to produce weapons of mass destruction.

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FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Biden meets with Australian PM Albanese and British PM Sunak at Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego

By David Brunnstrom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department said on Friday it expects to finalize trade exemptions for the AUKUS defense project with Australia and Britain in the next 120 days, signaling a further delay in but offering the prospect of a positive outcome in the project to counter China.

AUKUS, formed in 2021 to address shared worries about China's growing power, would involve Australia acquiring nuclear-powered attack submarines, among other items of defense cooperation. But the sharing of closely guarded technology is governed by strict U.S. International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requires President Joe Biden to determine within 120 days of his signing it into law on Dec. 22 whether Australia and Britain have export control regimes "comparable to the United States" and thereby qualify for exemptions to the ITAR regulations. The 120 days is reached on Saturday.

"Exemptions in our export control systems, within a framework of shared standards with Australia and the UK, are key to harnessing and maximizing the innovative power residing in our defense industrial bases," the State Department said.

"We fully expect to finalize the new trade exemptions  based on stakeholder input  over the course of the next 120 days," it said.

Although the State Department statement indicated a delay in a positive determination by Biden, the legislation requires him to revisit the issue in another 120 days.

British government said in a statement it "warmly welcomes the significant progress" to advance AUKUS.

"UK and Australia are on track to meet the requirements of the NDAA and benefit from the exemptions," it said. "We are confident that by the next 120-day period we will have completed all the requirements for full implementation of the ITAR exemptions."

Australia's Department of Defence said in a statement it welcomed the "tangible steps" by the U.S. to streamline export control licensing requirements for AUKUS.

"The decision by the United States Department of Commerce to establish a licensefree dualuse export environment amongst and between AUKUS partners is another significant step towards establishing a seamless environment for innovation, cooperation and collaboration," it said.

The Republican chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael McCaul, called the Biden administration's failure to grant Australia and Britain ITAR exemptions by the initial deadline a "negative certification" and "very unfortunate."

"While I was pleased to see the Commerce Department quickly release an interim rule that will scale back export controls, the State Department continues to delay the necessary decision to deter and counter the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party in the Indo-Pacific and beyond," he said in a statement.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment about Biden's decision.

On Thursday, the Commerce Department said it was scaling back its export-control requirements for Australia and Britain to foster cooperation under AUKUS.

However, the department only handles licensing of some defense-related items, not the broader range of items covered by the ITAR regime, which is governed by the State Department's Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.

Jeff Bialos, a former senior Defense Department official now a partner with the Eversheds Sutherland law firm, said the State Department has resisted blanket exemptions for Britain and Australia since they were first proposed by the Pentagon nearly 25 years ago, while he was in office.

However, he called the State Department statement "forward leaning" and said he now expected the three countries to put forward draft exemptions covering each other's export control rules.

"One of the criteria is that the other countries also have a system that will allow exports to the U.S. to be exempt. It's reciprocal," he said.

AUKUS' first pillar deals with the supply of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia, while Pillar II calls for more immediate cooperation in high-tech defense items such as quantum computing, undersea capabilities, hypersonics, artificial intelligence and cyber technology.

In announcing its move, the Commerce Department said both Australia and Britain "have robust export control systems and have taken additional steps in recent months to enhance technology protection."

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Additional reporting by Sam McKeith in Sydney; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Rosalba O'Brien and William Mallard)
Video above from March 20, 2024: DeSantis signs public sleeping bill, talks spring break in South Florida

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Monday in a case that will determine if its constitutional to ban homeless people from sleeping in public  a case that could impact a similar, recently-enacted Florida law.

The question in front of the court is: Does the enforcement of generally applicable laws regulating camping on public property constitute cruel and unusual punishment prohibited by the Eighth Amendment?

While the case in front of the Supreme Court does not stem from the Florida law  it surrounds City of Grants Pass v. Johnson  the eventual ruling could potentially have an impact on the Florida law.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill in March to ban public sleeping in the state, but promises expanded resources.

The state Department of Children and Families would oversee local governments that set up designated areas for the homeless to camp for up to a year under the new law, which takes effect Oct. 1. Anyone using those encampments would be prohibited from using alcohol or illegal drugs, with sanitation and security to be provided.

Critics of the Florida law said it doesnt do anything to address homelessness, but instead just wants to hide them from public view.

This bill does not and it will not address the more pressing and root cause of homelessness, said Democratic state Sen. Shevrin Jones during a debate this year. We are literally reshuffling the visibility of unhoused individuals with no exit strategy for people who are experiencing homelessness.

Grants Pass v. Johnson culminates years of struggle over how far cities can go to discourage homeless people from residing within their borders, and whether or when criminal sanctions for actions such as sleeping in public are permissible.

Officials across the political spectrum  from Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom in California, which has nearly 30% of the nations homeless population, to a group of 22 conservative-led states  have filed briefs in the case, saying lower court rulings have hamstrung their ability to deal with encampments.

Like many Western communities, Grants Pass has struggled for years with a burgeoning homeless population. A decade ago, City Council members discussed how to make it uncomfortable enough  in our city so they will want to move on down the road. From 2013 to 2018, the city said it issued 500 citations for camping or sleeping in public, including in vehicles, with fines that could reach hundreds of dollars.

But a 2018 decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals changed the calculus. The court, whose jurisdiction includes nine Western states, held that while communities are allowed to prohibit tents in public spaces, it violated the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishment to give people criminal citations for sleeping outside when they had no place else to go.

Four years later, in a case challenging restrictions in Grants Pass, the court expanded that ruling, holding that civil citations also can be unconstitutional.

Civil rights groups and attorneys for the homeless residents who challenged the restrictions in 2018 insist people shouldnt be punished for lacking housing. Officials throughout the West have overstated the impact of the court decisions to distract from their own failings, they argued.

Grants Pass Mayor Sara Bristol and advocates have sought to open a shelter with fewer rules, or a designated area for homeless people to camp. But charged debates emerged over where that would be and who would pay for it.

While support for a designated campground appears to be growing, the problem remains: Many homeless people in Grants Pass have nowhere else to live. And some advocates fear a return of strict anti-camping enforcement will push people to the forest outside town, farther from help.

Even if the Supreme Court overturns the 9th Circuits decisions, Bristol said, we still have 200 people who have to go somewhere.

We have to accept that homelessness is a reality in America, she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
USC students protest the 'silencing' of valedictorian with cancellation of speech

USC students and pro-Palestinian activists march silently on campus Thursday to denounce what they say is the 'institutional silencing' of Asna Tabassum. The valedictorian's graduation speech has been canceled. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

USC students, faculty and pro-Palestinian protesters responded to a call to action Thursday to fight back against what they say is the "institutional silencing" of valedictorian Asna Tabassum.

"Let her speak! Let her speak!" the crowd of hundreds chanted, a few holding up signs bearing Tabassum's face.

USC is barring the valedictorian from speaking at its May 10 commencement  a first in the university's 143-year history  over unspecified safety threats, Provost Andrew T. Guzman announced in a campus-wide letter Tuesday.

The move came after pro-Israel groups criticized Tabassum for a link on her Instagram profile directing people to a pro-Palestinian website.

Groups on and off campus say the site is evidence that the graduating senior is antisemitic, which Tabassum denied in an interview with The Times.

Its no longer about free speech. Its no longer about me. It is about when the university silences me, they are silencing all these people, Tabassum said, referring to pro-Palestinian activists.

On Thursday, students and faculty initially walked silently in the heat while media choppers hovered overhead. Many wore head coverings, including beanies, hoodies, hijabs and keffiyehs, and some had tape over their mouths to represent what they call Tabassum's unjust silencing.

Students, faculty and pro-Palestinian activists from off campus joined Thursday's largely silent march at USC. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

This campus has been hostile to Muslim voices, Palestinian voices, people who are calling out the genocide happening, said Maideh Orangi, a USC senior who attended the protest in support of Tabassum. This is just another example of that.

Orangi, co-chair of the school's Middle Eastern North African Student Assembly, said there had been tensions on campus since the Oct. 7 attack in Israel, including when an economics professor was temporarily banned from the university grounds after being seen on video calling for the killing of members of Hamas.

In recent months, its become more tame and mellow on campus, because thats just how things settle after a while, said Orangi, who noted she was speaking only for herself, and not for her student organization. But this has brought it all back to a peak.

Orangi, an Iranian American and hijab-wearing Muslim, said that the attacks and silencing of Tabassum felt bigger than one student.

The protest, planned as a silent march, was calm and orderly. Students and faculty talked softly among themselves as they followed those ahead of them down campus paths.

This is nothing compared to the disruption were going to see at commencement, one student said.

"She worked so hard for the honor of speaking, said another.

USC public safety officers in uniform followed the crowd on bikes but did not intervene. Although some protesters held signs in support of Tabassum, no chants rose from the crowd until near the end of the protest.

Protesters chanted, "Let her speak!" after initially marching silently in support of valedictorian Asna Tabassum, some carrying her image. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

The crowd came to a stop near Allyson Felix Field and broke the silence with calls of, Let her speak!

Prior to the on-campus demonstration, Sabrina Jahan, a pro-Israel Jewish student involved in the Chabad Jewish Center at USC, said she would avoid the area near Thursdays protest.

I dont see me showing up to this silent protest as something that will be productive for either side, Jahan said.

The 22-year-old business administration major from Los Angeles said she saw those demonstrating as fighting for the wrong cause.

Jahan said that her own position on Tabassum has nothing to do with her religious beliefs and nothing to do with her academic achievement  but that she feels the views the valedictorian linked to on social media are clearly antisemitic.

Saying the protest represents a double standard," she asked: "If a valedictorian was selected who was discriminatory and promotes hate speech against any other racial minority, would we have allowed them to be chosen for this position or speak? No."

The university had "made the wrong choice in the valedictorian and in how to handle the controversy," she added.

The protest on USC's campus Thursday had some students avoiding the area altogether. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Jahan described a climate in which some Jewish students, like herself, feel "villainized as a threat." USC's lack of transparency surrounding security threats, she said, had caused others to "think it is Jewish people who are making them."

USC solely cited security  very vaguely  as why she will not speak. By doing so they put both Jewish and Muslim communities in a much worse and dangerous position on campus, Jahan said.

Sarah Schornstein, a Jewish graduate student who was on campus Thursday, said she was also avoiding the protest.

Im a free speech absolutist, said Schornstein, who studies public diplomacy.

I agree that she linked to things that were clearly antisemitic  a page calling for the dissolution of Israel, she said of Tabassum. But ultimately, we dont know what she was going to say at graduation.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Students at the University of Texas at Austin protested Thursday after the school laid off more than 60 staff members to comply with Texass diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) ban that went into effect earlier this year.

About 200 students at the university disrupted a virtual faculty council meeting conducted by the universitys president Monday to oppose the layoffs, NBC News reported.

The Texas State Employees Union posted on the social media platform X that a rally would be happening on UT Austins campus midday Thursday to rally in solidarity with those who were abruptly fired from positions formerly associated with DEI.

The decision, the group said, leaves the staff unemployed as of July and deeply impacts a wide range of programs that serve our campus community.

The university recently laid off 60 employees who worked in DEI-related fields, including 40 who were in the Division of Campus and Community Engagement.

The layoffs come as the school looks to comply with Senate Bill 17, a law that banned DEI initiatives at public universities in the state that went into effect earlier this year.

The schools president, Jay Hartzell, said in an email that the institutions knew the changes were coming before the start of the year.

We knew that more work would be required to utilize our talent and resources most effectively in support of our teaching and research missions, and ultimately, our students, Hartzell wrote.

The students who disrupted the faculty meeting said they wanted to show Hartzell they want transparency and communication.

Other state public institutions have also faced intense scrutiny to prove compliance with the law. State Sen. Brandon Creighton told university leaders that institutions could lose funding if they dont follow the law.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Wang Yongsheng, former vice president of China Development Bank, has been indicted on charges of accepting bribes, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said in a statement on Friday.

Following the completion of the National Commission of Supervision's investigations, the People's Procuratorate of the city of Jilin in northeast China's Jilin Province filed Wang's case to the city's intermediate people's court, according to the SPP statement.

Prosecutors accused Wang of taking advantage of his various posts and abusing his power to help others in obtaining loans, purchasing bonds and seeking promotions, while illegally accepting a huge amount of bribes in return.

Prosecutors had informed the defendant of his legal rights and heard the opinions of the defense counsel, the SPP statement said. 
Roses float on the St. Clair River after being dropped during a ceremonial flower toss for National Crime Victims' Rights Week Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at Kiefer Park in Port Huron.

A victim's rights awareness group will be hosting its annual flower toss this Wednesday in memory of crime victims.

P.S. You're My Hero has hosted the flower toss annually during Victims' Rights Week, which runs from April 21 to April 27.

The event will be held at 4 p.m. in Port Huron's Kiefer Park, across from the St. Clair County Courthouse.

Mara McCalmon, who founded P.S. You're My Hero after she and her late husband, Paul Skinner, were victims of a violent crime in 2010, said both the flower toss and Victims' Rights Week aim to remember victims of crime whom she says are often forgotten during the criminal justice process.

Mara McCalmon, left, and Coutney Carl, right, speaking to a crowd gathered at the St. Clair County Courthouse on April 26, 2023. The people were together to recognize Crime Victim's Rights Week.

"This is a time to honor and remember victims, and to make them a priority in people's lives," McCalmon said.

Anyone wishing to donate to P.S. You're My Hero can do so on their website at https://www.psyouremyhero.org/donate-or-sponsor.

Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Victims' rights group to host flower toss Wednesday
A 26-year-old Bluffton man who broke through police lines and assaulted law officers with a stolen police shield during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot has pleaded guilty to various crimes.

Tyler Bradley Dykes, 26, of Bluffton, pleaded guilty on Friday morning in federal court in Washington to two felony counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and agreed that his use of a police riot shield constituted a dangerous weapon.

U.S. District Court Judge Beryl Howell scheduled a sentencing hearing for July 19, 2024.

Dykes is the 20th of 26 South Carolinians arrested in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach to plead guilty to various crimes in the incident. Another man was found guilty after a trial. The cases against the remaining five people from the Palmetto State arrested in the riot are pending.

Dykes crimes carry a maximum prison sentence of up to eight years on each count, but federal prosecutors are looking at a maximum sentence of around five years, court records said.

Dykes, a supporter of former President Trump, had attended the Stop the Steal rally before the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol and followed on social media the false claims that Democrats had stolen the election from Trump, court records said. He had traveled from Bluffton, a community in Beaufort County, with two friends on the previous day.

According to evidence in his case, Dykes was at the forefront of a mob that attacked the east side of the Capitol. He moved snow fencing and metal bicycle rack barricades with AREA CLOSED signs, allowing other rioters to more easily enter a restricted area, documents in his case said.

On the east side of the Capitol, by approximately 2:05 p.m., the violent mob successfully pushed the outnumbered U.S. Capitol Police officers backwards from their posts near the bicycle rack barricades. Dykes was one of the people near the front of that mob, which forced officers to continue retreating backwards up the East Rotunda steps.

Within minutes, hundreds of rioters had flooded and overtaken the platform area outside the East Rotunda doors, forcing the small number of officers all the way backwards. With their backs against the East Rotunda doors, the officers were attempting to prevent rioters from getting inside the Capitol building through those doors, court records said.

Dykes went on to push his way to the front of the mob in front of the doors, where he forcibly, voluntarily, and intentionally grabbed hold of one U.S. Capitol Police Officers riot shield, court records said. He wrested the shield away, leaving the officer off balance and vulnerable, court records said. The shields are heavy, made of very hard plastic and are approximately five feet tall, according to court records.

Once inside the Capitol, Dykes was at the front of an angry mob who faced off against a line of Metropolitan Police Department officers who were trying to keep the mob from the floor of the U.S. Senate, according to court records.

The mob was loudly and repeatedly chanting Whose house? Our house! and then You serve us! and Dykes, holding his stolen shield, was at the front and forcibly, voluntarily, and intentionally pushed the line of MPD officers backwards, court records said.

Dykes also has potential ties to domestic extremist groups and had pleaded guilty for his illegal involvement in the 2017 white supremacist Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Va., a complaint in his case said. Dykes has a felony conviction in Virginia for burning an object with the intent of intimidating a person or group of people, court records in his guilty plea proceedings said. Details on that charge were not immediately available.

Although Dykes wore a grey gaiter that covered his face during the riot, the FBI was able to identify him from tipsters, video and photographic evidence and his cellphone number, according to court records.

This story will be updated.
JEA interim CEO Vickie Cavey publicly saluted Florida Times-Union columnist Nate Monroe for his coverage of the JEA sales attempt in 2019 during the tenure of Aaron Zahn as CEO. Cavey made her comments during a special meeting Monday of the board. She said she welcomes media coverage that holds JEA accountable.

When the JEA board named Vickie Cavey interim CEO on Monday, she was wearing the same black suit she wore on her first day at JEA in 1984 as a young engineer.

Her mother, who worked as a waitress while raising Cavey and four other children, bought the suit for her after she graduated from the University of Florida.

"My mom was so proud," Cavey said in her first remarks as interim CEO. "The last time I wore it was at her funeral in 1999. I chose to wear it today in her memory and as a reminder of the people we serve and JEA's strong history of overcoming obstacles."

Cavey hadn't expected to return JEA when she retired from it in 2016, much less take over as the head of the 2,200 employee organization. She became interim CEO after Jay Stowe resigned in what board Chairman Joe DiSalvo called a "mutual decision" by Stowe and the board.

Cavey's prior time at JEA found her working behind the scenes carrying out the work of the utility on various projects and assignments. As CEO, she'll be the face of the utility. Here's how she reached that position, what she says motivates her, and why she returned to JEA.

Cavey came out of retirement twice to work for JEA

Cavey worked 32 years at JEA before retiring for the first time in 2016. She returned in 2020 to work for interim CEO Paul McElroy while JEA conducted the national search that hired Stowe. She came back again to JEA last month as an advisor and staff liaison for the board, a role that soon morphed into becoming interim CEO.

"I came back once and now a second time," Cavey said. "I'm pretty sure this will be my last time. Some folks practice intermittent fasting. I think I practice intermittent retirement."

She is in the "JEA is not for sale" camp

A former JEA board and executive team put the city-owned utility up for sale in 2019. Cavey, who wasn't working at JEA during that sales attempt, said the utility is not for sale. She said she believes in the not-for-profit model that JEA has had throughout its history.

"JEA serves this community," she said. "It doesn't sell to it for a profit. That's a different mindset. It may sound odd to say but I love the JEA, its employees and what it stands for  municipally owned public power and water. JEA is in my blood."

Her mother worked to raise family after being widowed

Cavey's father, a Navy veteran and self-employed painter, died when she was a child. Her mother worked to make ends meet.

"I have vivid childhood memories of my widowed mother of five crying in our poorly insulated rental home because of her high electric bills in the '70s," Cavey said of the era when JEA had some of the highest electric rates in the nation because it relied on oil for its generating plants.

"Thanks to strong leadership and fuel diversity, JEA eventually had the lowest rates in the state," Cavey said.

Electric bills: JEA customers will see a bump in the base rate for electricity in April because of Plant Vogtle nuclear costs

Her first job at JEA came after graduating from University of Florida

Cavey credits her "extraordinary math teacher" at Sandalwood High School for inspiring her to become an engineer.

Marita Eng taught her math classes in her sophomore through senior years. Eng was Florida Teacher of the Year in 1973 and received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching in Florida in 1984.

When Cavey was in 10th grade, Eng convinced her to compete in the mathematics division at the school district's science and engineering fair and even bought the supplies from Reddi Arts for her project. After graduation from Sandalwood, Cavey went to the University of Florida and earned a degree in mechanical engineering.

"I was a different kind of student when I showed up at the mechanical engineering college at Florida in 1979," she said in a speech in 2016 when she received a Women of Distinction award from the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council. "I was once actually told I was in the wrong classroom."

She was among JEA's first female engineers when she went to work for JEA in 1984..

Cavey rose to director in JEA ranks

Cavey will take on a far broader range of responsibility as interim CEO than she had while she was an administrator at JEA from 1996 to 2016. Her resume says that much of her career involved working directly with CEOs in roles "that spanned across all organizational lines" and reached beyond the utility to the business community and elected officials.

More: JEA board hires Vickie Cavey as interim CEO to replace outgoing Jay Stowe

Her "favorite role" was when she was director of strategy development and execution and JEA vaulted from the fourth quartile to the top quartile of the J.D. Powers Customer Satisfaction Survey for business and residential customers in less than two years.

Her resume also highlights that during her time as director of strategy development from 2012 to 2016, JEA put in place "extraordinary cost-containment initiatives."

She previously was director of strategic partnerships and acquisition from 2001 to 2012 while JEA was expanding its footprint for water service into surrounding counties, buying other water utilities, and negotiating contracts for the purchase of electricity from small-scale solar farms. She was manager of special projects from 1999 to 2001 and manager of commercial accounts, key accounts and power quality from 1996 to 1999.

Tenure as interim CEO is open-ended

The board did not give any indication for how long Cavey will serve as interim CEO. Independent authorities typically name an interim CEO while conducting a search for the next CEO. The board still must negotiate a contract for Cavey to serve as interim.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Interim JEA CEO Vickie Cavey returns again from retirement
Many people in recovery from drug use often need help finding a place to live.

Housing can be even more of a challenge if they lack familial support or struggle with mental-health issues. If they are recently incarcerated, they are 50 times more likely to overdose and die as a result.

Wake County leaders want to expand ways to help with $7.5 million in opioid settlement money next year.

Over the next 18 years, Wake County will get $65.6 million from the historic national opioid settlement. The money comes from companies that made or distributed prescription painkillers and were sued for their role in the millions of people who overdosed on opioids or became addicted.

North Carolina will be getting $1.5 billion.

Were serious about this; were excited about this, said Wake Commissioner Cheryl Stallings, one of the leaders who spearheaded the effort. We all now recognize how great this need is. Unfortunately, sometimes, it takes a real crisis to get our attention and Im sorry that were in this place, but we have a great opportunity.

Where is the $7.5 million going?

In 2022, 219 people died from drug overdoses in Wake County. Opioids, medicines prescribed for pain like codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and morphine, were responsible in three-quarters of the deaths.

Wake leaders have been working with residents, affected families, and recovery groups to find the best ways to address the epidemic through prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery.

There are six key areas the funding will focus on.

 Expanding treatment access

About $2.45 million will go toward addiction treatment, including for incarcerated people. This includes money for medications, like buprenorphine and methadone that specifically treat opioid use disorder, said Alyssa Kitlas, the countys opioid settlement program manager.

In Wake County, there are some really strong programs, but not everyone has access, particularly (non-) and under-insured individuals, Kitlas said. Overdose deaths are highest when folks are leaving incarceration. They go through withdrawal, their tolerance is lower and also the drug supply is so variable right now.

The countys health department is partnering with the Wake County Sheriffs Office to expand access to medications for opioid-use disorder to people in jail.

 Care navigation

This area includes helping people in recovery navigate housing, employment, treatment and other health care. The goal is to address these needs with $1.9 million for support services, $1 million for recovery housing services, and $1 million for youth and families in early intervention strategies.

Were trying to help support our children and their families, and thats going to involve all of our community partners who work with youth, including the school system, Stallings said.

 Preventing overdose deaths

About $300,000 will go toward expanding access to Naloxone, a drug that can reverse an opioid overdose when given in time. The drug can be found in local pharmacies and clinics and is carried by school resource officers in some Wake schools.

The need has clearly outpaced our current availability, Kitlas said. This will be a mix of us increasing our purchasing for community-based organizations but also supporting organizations to do overdose prevention training and awareness. ... People need to know about it, and they need to know how to use it.

The Wake County Public School System Board of Education is weighing whether to expand access to Naloxone in schools.

Kitlas said a large part of prevention is educating people on what an overdose looks like and identifying the warning signs. Getting Xanax from a friend to help relax can have deadly consequences if the drug is laced with fentanyl, she said.

We really need to get the messaging out more broadly, Kitlas said.

 Historically marginalized groups and community engagement

Strengthening access for historically marginalized people in Wake County is a priority, with $500,000 being used to build partnerships with organizations in ZIP codes with the highest rates of addiction and the least resources, Kitlas said.

Were starting to see a plateau of overdoses in Wake County, which is what the state has seen and whats happening nationally, but thats not true across all communities, she said. We want to center equity in the work we do.

Collaborative strategic planning efforts for community engagement will get $300,000.

The opioid dashboard

The Core NC Dashboard provides yearly funding amounts and scheduled payments for the settlement funding for each North Carolina county.

The county will begin distributing the money by the start of fiscal year 2025, which starts July 1, 2024.
The Washington Post editorial board announced Thursday its endorsing Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) over Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) in the Maryland Senate Democratic primary.

The Post editorial board cited Alsobrookss track record on public safety and her work on state- and local-specific issues, like the FBI headquarters move to Maryland, in issuing its endorsement of her.

The board described her as having a down-to-earth personal perspective and ample seasoning as a public official and noted she would diversify the states congressional delegation and the U.S. Senate given the states current all-male congressional makeup. The state has also never elected a Black woman statewide before.

She has been a fiscally responsible steward through the pandemic and a champion of economic development in areas historically left behind. She helped make the case for moving the FBI headquarters to Greenbelt, the board wrote.

She worked out a deal with Mr. Hogan when he was governor for up to $400 million in state bonds to ensure redevelopment along Prince Georges five-mile Blue Line Corridor even if the Washington Commanders leave their stadium, the board continued. She embraced innovative public-private partnerships to construct 10 new schools.

The board acknowledged Alsobrooks might need a learning curve on foreign policy and federal issues but suggested she would be up for the task.

The editorial board, meanwhile, called Trones record creditable but also noted a recent gaffe the House Democrat had made last month when he used a racial slur during a congressional hearing.

Trone apologized following the incident, saying in a statement, While attempting to use the word bugaboo in a hearing, I misspoke and mistakenly used a phrase that is offensive.

Upon learning the meaning of the word I was deeply disappointed to have accidentally used it, and I apologize.

Trone and Alsobrooks are running against each other to take on former Gov. Larry Hogan (R) in November for outgoing Sen. Ben Cardins (D-Md.) seat.

The Posts backing could sway those Democrats who have yet to make up their minds ahead of the May 14 primary.

Alsobrooks wrote in a statement on social platform X that she was honored to have received the Posts endorsement.

BREAKING: I am so honored to announce that our campaign has received the endorsement from the @washingtonpost, she wrote. This endorsement shows that our grassroots movement has the momentum and energy needed to win this primary and keep Maryland blue!

Polling has so far shown Trone edging out Alsobrooks in the primary while surveys have shown Hogan outperforming Trone in a general election match-up.

Still, Hogan faces an uphill battle given the states Democratic leanings.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  An attorney representing six former Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) employees said he believes the state agency is going too far by vigorously appealing orders to reinstate them.

Matthew Frisby said hes taken on each of the six employees cases in a span of just a little over a year. He said each case has gone before a judge, and a reinstatement order has been granted with backpay, but the former employees involved have not been allowed to return to work.

When they start to appeal, theres no time limit, said Frisby. We could be a year, two years, three years, especially if it goes to district court.

Frisby said that process can often be frustrating for his clients, who are forced to either give up their case or wait out the legal system.

They got a piece of paper that says reinstate them immediately, and yet they cant go back to work, said Frisby.

Frisby said one of those clients includes former corrections officer Ashlee Teafatiller, who was fired in June last year after a February incident between her and an inmate.

Security footage revealed an inmate blocked the cell food port with his arm when Teafatiller entered the quad run to conduct count, according to her termination letter from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC).

The letter went on to cite surveillance video allegedly showing Teafatillers body language reflecting her berate the inmate in an unprofessional manner.

The inmate reportedly threw a liquid substance, possibly urine, at Teafatiller as she walked past his cell.

ODOC claims the inmate relinquished his method of assault when he threw the cup at Teafatiller, but that she chose to deploy pepper spray anyway.

Frisby told News 4 at the time, the letter was factually incorrect. A judge deciding last year to side with Teafatiller, recommending she be reinstated with backpay for the time she was paid.

The same recommendation was made for Frisbys five other clients, who News 4 confirmed with ODOC were former employees: Dr. Whitney Louis, Warden Garner Luke Pettigrew, Kale Howes, Sunnie Sumner and Steven Gardner.

Its mind boggling that Ive got six orders stemming back from 2023 to now, putting employees back to work and they refuse to do it, said Frisby. Theyre violating the spirit of the law.

Frisby said he respects the appeals process, but that its hard to keep his clients in good spirits to continue; especially after receiving orders that have gone their way.

Ashlee is one of them, Frisby said, when asked to describe what hes dealt with. Before we retried her case, she was in tears. She goes, I dont want to go through this againIm never going to get paid.

News 4 requested an interview with ODOC addressing the orders related to the former employees and their appeals. An ODOC spokesperson provided the following statement instead:

These cases each involve circumstances in which employees at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections engaged in conduct that was inappropriate, contrary to policy, and/or unlawful. ODOC stands by our decisions in each of the cases to issue appropriate discipline to those employees. By ordering reinstatement of those employees, the Civil Service Division has acted contrary to state and federal law, and ODOC will continue to appeal any decisions made in that manner. ODOC takes very seriously its responsibilities to the people of Oklahoma, including the inmates under our care. We will continue to act accordingly in managing our workforce. Oklahoma Department of Corrections

News 4 asked Frisby if he believes theres a chance that a judge at any point in any of the appeal processes will side with ODOC.

I dont think so, said Frisby. I really dont. I think that these are going to continue to go in our way.

Frisby said he is though, concerned about what that could mean for Oklahoma taxpayers, given that if the rulings stand, ODOC will owe all six former employees hundreds of thousands of dollars.

DOCs conduct makes me mad because they are wasting money, said Frisby. They could use that money to buy stab vests. They could use that money to buy radios. They could use that money to hire another employeeIts just an absolute waste of money.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
No grief or sorrow from Daybells about death of husband, ex-FBI agent says

There have been 10 witnesses called so far in Chad Daybells murder trial.

The 55-year-old father is accused of first-degree murder and conspiring to commit murder in the deaths of two of his wifes children, 7-year-old JJ Vallow and 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, whose bodies were found buried in Chad Daybells property, and his then-wife, Tammy Daybell.

Hes also charged with two counts of insurance fraud. Daybell pleaded not guilty to the eight felonies against him.

The potential eight-week trial is expected to mirror the trial of his wife, Lori Vallow Daybell. Roughly 60 witnesses were called during her trial, and so far all of the witnesses called in Chad Daybells trial were also called in his wifes trial.







The Daybells former friend Melanie Gibb  who testified Thursday about Chad and Lori Vallow Daybells extreme religious beliefs  was back on the witness stand Friday.

12:30 p.m.: Daybells underwent sealing ceremony at LDS temple

Former FBI Special Agent Doug Hart, the 11th witness called by the prosecution, reviewed two of Vallow Daybells iCloud accounts and testified Friday about the contents of one of the accounts from January to August 2019. Hart said the accounts were extremely voluminous.

Hart outlined text messages between the Daybells showing their months-long affair, including several texts sent just days after Vallow Daybells fourth-husband, Charles Vallow, was killed. Vallow Daybells brother, Alex Cox, shot and killed Charles Vallow on July 11, 2019. The siblings are accused of planning Charles Vallows death, and prosecutors have since charged Vallow Daybell with conspiring to commit murder. Cox died in December 2019 from natural causes.

I love you so immensely that the whole universe knows it, and very soon the people on this little blue globe will know it too, Chad Daybell texted Lori Vallow Daybell on July 14, 2019.

Hart said the Daybells sent sexual text messages to each other.

This was in fact a sexual affair, Hart said. It was not an emotional affair or a spiritual affair, he added.

Text messages showed that Vallow Daybell learned after Charles Vallows death that she was no longer the receiver of his life insurance policy and wondered whether hed changed it so that his sister, Kay Woodcock, would receive the money.

It will be interesting if it got changed after he had two bullets in his chest, Chad Daybell texted Lori Vallow Daybell on July 18, 2019.

In the text messages, Vallow Daybell said the life insurance policy was changed in March 2019, which she said must have meant that Ned changed the policy before she and Chad Daybell got rid of him. Witnesses in testimony said the Daybells believed that someone could be possessed by a dark spirit  which they sometimes referred to as a zombie  whod need to be cast out, or killed, according to witness testimony. Hart said the Daybells referred to the dark spirit that possessed Charles Vallow as Ned.

Other text messages displayed in court Thursday showed Chad Daybell was the one who decided whether someone was light or dark, which Hart said established Chad Daybell as the supposed visionary in their inner circle.

Did you ever see any signs of grief or sorrow from Lori Vallow (Daybell)? Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake asked Hart.

No, Hart responded.

Did you ever see any signs of grief or sorrow from Chad Daybell? Blake asked.

None, Hart replied.

The text messages also detailed excerpts of a story Chad Daybell was writing about two people named James and Elena, which Hart said wasnt a fictional story but instead an autobiographical or factual account of the Daybells relationship.

The text messages, which were sent in July 2019, described how the Daybells knew theyd been married before in a past life and that James, or Chad, had served in an important position in the Lords church. Elena, or Lori, had been his beloved spouse and best friend.

The Daybells were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Daybells held beliefs the world would end in July 2020, and that they would lead a group of 144,000 people who would be saved during the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, according to witness testimony during Vallow Daybells trial.

Chad wrote in the texts that the memories of his past life were restored to him. He added that as James and Elena talked on the phone, their spiritual connection grew, and that despite their physical distance,their spirits were making love.

The text messages also described a visit to a temple, where James and Elena received a sealing, which is something typically done by married couples or families to make sure their relationships will continue in the afterlife, according to the Church of Jesus Christ

As the sealer pronounced those sacred words, James and Elena knew that they were now sealed as husband and wife for eternity, Chad wrote in a text. Hart said they received the sealing in November 2018 at an Arizona temple.

They had a clear plan to be with each other, to be together forever, Hart said Friday.

Right around noon, 7th District Judge Steven Boyce announced that court would be adjourning early. Hart is expected to continue testifying Monday.

10 a.m.: Cross-examination of former friend continues

It took Gibb a few weeks to tell law enforcement the truth about JJs whereabouts, according to her testimony Friday. Vallow Daybell had asked Gibb in late November 2019 to lie to police and tell them that JJ was with her. Gibb initially did that, but later told them JJ had never been with her, Gibb said during her testimony Thursday.

Gibb contacted the Rexburg Police Department on Dec. 6, 2019, and confessed the truth. Just a few days later, Gibb called the Daybells and confronted them about JJs location, recording the 20-minute phone call. Prior asked whether law enforcement asked Gibb to record the phone call, and Gibb said no.

Prior also questioned Gibb about the Daybells extreme religious beliefs and Gibbs participation in those teachings. The Daybells, who were both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believed that people could be light or dark and that theyd need to perform castings to expel evil spirits from peoples bodies, Gibb said in her testimony.

If a casting was successful, someone would die, Gibb said.

You knew that when you were doing (these) castings that apparently you were ending the life of a human body. Isnt that correct? Prior asked. Gibb responded that she had no idea what would really happen.

During cross-examination, Gibb said she never heard Chad Daybell talk about harming Tammy Daybell or the children.

But when asked again by Fremont County Prosecuting Attorney Lindsey Blake, Gibb added that Chad Daybell was the one to label someone as dark. Gibb said Tammy Daybell, Tylee, JJ and Vallow Daybells fourth-husband, Charles Vallow, who was also killed, were all considered dark by the Daybells.

After hours of testimony, Gibb left the witness stand before 10 a.m.

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.
Members of an instrument orchestra of east China's Nanjing University perform during a UN Chinese Language Day event in Nairobi, Kenya, April 19, 2024. The United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya celebrated UN Chinese Language Day on Friday with a vibrant event which included calligraphy, lectures and a musical performance. The ceremony featured traditional music from the instrument orchestra of east China's Nanjing University and was attended by senior UN officials, diplomats, students and faculty members from local universities. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

NAIROBI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya celebrated UN Chinese Language Day on Friday with a vibrant event. The ceremony featured traditional music from the instrument orchestra of east China's Nanjing University and was attended by senior UN officials, diplomats, students and faculty members from local universities.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian and Director-general of UNON Zainab Hawa Bangura attended the event. They emphasized the importance of UN Chinese Language Day, which falls on April 20, in promoting multilateralism and a shared future for humanity.

Bangura, in her opening remarks, said that spoken by one-fifth of the global population, the Chinese language plays a central role in advancing multilingualism and cultural diversity.

"It is an honor to celebrate the rich heritage and significance of the Chinese language, not only to the people of China but also to the global community," Bangura said.

Describing Chinese as an official language of the United Nations, Bangura said that UN Chinese Language Day, first celebrated in 2010, has helped deepen the world's understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture.

The UN Chinese Language Day event at the UN Office in Nairobi included calligraphy, lectures and a musical performance by an orchestra from Nanjing University, one of the top universities in Asia.

The Chinese envoy said that since its inception in 2010, UN Chinese Language Day has provided a platform for the world to learn about contemporary China and its rich culture. He added that language can bridge divisions, promote peaceful co-existence, foster cross-cultural understanding, and create a future of shared destiny. 

Members of an instrument orchestra of east China's Nanjing University perform during a UN Chinese Language Day event in Nairobi, Kenya, April 19, 2024. The United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya celebrated UN Chinese Language Day on Friday with a vibrant event which included calligraphy, lectures and a musical performance. The ceremony featured traditional music from the instrument orchestra of east China's Nanjing University and was attended by senior UN officials, diplomats, students and faculty members from local universities. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Members of an instrument orchestra of east China's Nanjing University perform during a UN Chinese Language Day event in Nairobi, Kenya, April 19, 2024. The United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya celebrated UN Chinese Language Day on Friday with a vibrant event which included calligraphy, lectures and a musical performance. The ceremony featured traditional music from the instrument orchestra of east China's Nanjing University and was attended by senior UN officials, diplomats, students and faculty members from local universities. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)

Members of an instrument orchestra of east China's Nanjing University perform with a local chorus during a UN Chinese Language Day event in Nairobi, Kenya, April 19, 2024. The United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) and the Chinese Embassy in Kenya celebrated UN Chinese Language Day on Friday with a vibrant event which included calligraphy, lectures and a musical performance. The ceremony featured traditional music from the instrument orchestra of east China's Nanjing University and was attended by senior UN officials, diplomats, students and faculty members from local universities. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen)
Ukraine on Friday said its forces had shot down a Russian Tu-22 bomber mid-air for the first time.

Kyivs military intelligence agency said the jet had been struck some 190 miles behind the front line using an undisclosed weapon.

For the first time, anti-aircraft missile units of the air force, in co-operation with the defence intelligence of Ukraine, destroyed a Tu-22 strategic bomber, a carrier of Kh-22 cruise missiles used by Russian terrorists to attack peaceful Ukrainian cities, said Mykola Oleshchuk, the commander of Ukraines air force.

Kyiv said on Friday that the long-range Russian bomber had launched deadly strikes on the cities of Dnipro and Kryvy Rig.

We took our revenge for our cities and civilians, Illya Yevlash, an air force spokesman, told AFP.

Officials said a five-storey apartment building was partially destroyed after it was struck in the Russian attack, which killed eight people.

Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister, said a 14-year-old girl and eight-year-old boy were among the victims.

Footage shared on social media appeared to show the hulking Soviet-era jet on fire and in a tailspin as it hurtled towards the ground.

Further unconfirmed images appeared to show the charred remains of the bomber in a field of yellow and green flowers.

Moscows defence ministry said the plane had crashed in the southern Russian region of Stavropol after a technical malfunction.

Vladimir Vladimirov, the Russian regional governor, said its four crew members ejected, with one dying, two rescued and another rescue operation under way to find the fourth.

Shortly after the Russian denial, Ukraines HUR military intelligence agency shared video of what it claimed was the attack on the Tu-22. As a result of the damage, the bomber was able to fly to the Stavropol region, where it fell and crashed, it wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

Unconfirmed image appears to show the charred remains of the Russian bomber - Governor of Stavropol Krai/AFP via Getty Images

Intelligence sources told The Telegraph that the strike was carried out with a modified, Soviet-era S-200 surface-to-air missile launcher.

While HUR did not publicly confirm what weapon had been used, the spy agency said it had used the same system to shoot down a Russian A-50 radar jet earlier this year.

Ukraines air force also announced it had shot down 15 missiles, including Kh-22 cruise missiles, and 14 drones in an overnight Russian bombardment.

Serhiy Lysak, the regional governor of Dnipropetrovsk, said 11 of the 16 missiles and nine out of 10 drones used to attack his region were downed.

Dnipropetrovsk region survived hell. But who do the Russians want to break with their missiles? No one can unite around a shared tragedy like the Ukrainians do, he said.

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The Senedd building is currently represented by 34 men and 26 women - The Photolibrary Wales/Alamy

In the seemingly ever-desperate competition between public bodies to demonstrate how equality is at the forefront of their priorities, the Welsh Labour administration appears to have got itself into some bother.

What might seem, at first glance, to be a well-meaning attempt by Vaughan Gethings administration to champion diversity in politics and create a fairer society, might actually be a breach of equality laws.

In an extraordinary move, John Kirkpatrick, the interim commissioner of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), has said proposals to create 50 per cent female shortlists for elections in a bid to boost the numbers of women in the Senedd may be illegal under the 2010 Equality Act, as they do not define what a woman is, and use the word gender, not sex.

The Welsh Government appears to be trying to introduce gender self-ID by the back door, said Maya Forstater, the chief executive of Sex Matters, a human rights charity that campaigns for clarity on sex in law, policy and language.

Positive action can be lawful if it is to enable or encourage participation by groups sharing a protected characteristic where it is disproportionately low. But people who identify as women arent such a group: some really are women  female people  whereas others are men.

Maya Forstater, of Sex Matters, said the Welsh Government is trying to introduce gender self-ID 'by the back door' - Iain Masterton / Alamy Live News

The Bill  called the Senedd Cymru (Electoral Candidate Lists)  is part of a package of reforms that are seeking to increase the number of politicians in the chamber and to ensure the Senedd is broadly representative of the gender make-up of the population.

It sets out that  come 2026, when Wales potentially moves to a proportional representation system for Senedd elections  50 per cent of those nominated from each party should be women.

It also stipulates that the first person nominated on each list should be a woman. And the planned proposals will see the Senedd rise from 60 to 96 politicians, also in 2026.



Plaid Cymru and campaign groups such as Womens Equality Network Wales have got fully behind the Bill, the latter describing it as a much-needed policy to ensure politicians are gender-balanced with meaningful representation from marginalised communities.



And a spokesman for the Senedd pointed out that quotas used in other countries in Europe, such as Ireland, have seen the number of women in parliament rapidly increase.

But the Bill does not define what a woman is, and in a previous special purpose committee on Senedd reform, the term gender instead of sex was used.

In his letter to the Welsh Government, however, Mr Kirkpatrick wrote that the protected characteristic of sex refers to a persons legal sex, as stated on their birth certificate or as acquired through obtaining a Gender Recognition Certificate.

And he added that the EHRC was concerned that the Bill appears to base eligibility for inclusion on the quota list on candidates declarations of whether or not they are a woman, and this in conjunction with the term gender may be insufficiently clear.

He added: In short, it may lead to the inclusion of quotas based on a persons self-identified gender as opposed to their legal sex, and may therefore be inconsistent with the [Equality] Act.

There is also the question of whether such a quota system is needed at all.

The Senedd used to have more women than men  without any female shortlists, Darren Millar, the Conservative Senedd Member for Clwyd West, said.

Darren Millar, the Tory, pointed out that the Senedd used to have more women than men without any female shortlists - Matthew Horwood/Getty Images Europe

Indeed, though the representation of women in the Senedd has decreased since 2006, when its 60 members were made up of 31 women and 29 men, there are now still 26 women and 34 men.

And what about other groups who are marginalised due to faith, race or disability?

I want a diverse chamber, but this Bill is not the way to do it, Mr Millar added.

He warned that the legislation means a man identifying as a woman could put themselves on these shortlists, and it would be up to a legal process to remove him.

He said: Labour is deliberately not defining a woman in the legislation and leaving it to the courts to decide following legal challenges.

It is a farce that we are spending lots of time and energy on this when we could be getting to grips with the problems in the Welsh NHS and education system.

Elin Jones, the presiding officer of the Senedd, has previously warned the proposals would not be within the legislative competence of the Senedd, and there has been a heated debate in the chamber as to whether those who self-identify as women will be allowed on the all-female shortlists.

Elin Jones, the presiding officer, has warned that the proposals 'would not be within the legislative competence of the Senedd' - Matthew Horwood/Getty Images Europe

In March, Jane Hutt, the minister in charge of the law and Welsh government chief whip, said the information on gender from a candidate would be taken at face value.

In an exchange with Mr Millar, who asked whether not having a definition of a woman risked undermining the Bill, she said: It will be up to individuals to state their gender. Theyre [electoral officers] not going to investigate the accuracy of any of the information provided by candidates during the process. We wont be asking for [a] birth certificate, for example.

Jane Hutt, the Welsh government chief whip, said the details on gender from a candidate would be taken at 'face value' - Polly Thomas/Getty Images Europe

The Welsh Government has previously supported the idea of people being allowed to self-identify whether they are men or women, although it does not have powers to pass such legislation.

A spokesman for the Welsh Government would not comment on the EHRC or state whether they wished the proposals to include biological women or those who self-identify.

They merely said: Parties and candidates will have an interest in ensuring that accurate statements are made  otherwise they run the risk of challenge.



But Ms Forstater warned that the Senedd would do well to listen to the EHRC when drafting its proposals on gender quotas for electoral candidates. As clearly stated in the Equality Act, gender self-ID is not the law of the land.

And Miriam Cates, the Conservative MP, warned that in their efforts to legislate equality, the very people they are trying to support will end up facing more discrimination.



Im opposed to women shortlists as I feel jobs should be on merit, she said.



But the Labour Party is adding insult to injury by not being clear about what a woman is.



They need to familiarise themselves with the law  that there is no gender self-ID in law.

Miriam Cates, the Tory MP, said Labour is 'adding insult to injury' by not being clear about the definition of a woman - Danny Lawson/PA

She added: It is ridiculous when institutions virtue-signal to try and show how diverse they are and find themselves falling foul of the law.

And in trying to be inclusive they actually discriminate against the one group they want to protect  chiefly biological women.

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Western states sought to send de-escalation messages to Iran via Turkey, Western diplomat says

ANKARA (Reuters) - Western states have sought to send Iran messages via Turkey in recent days to reiterate appeals for de-escalation, a Western diplomat said on Friday.

The messages were conveyed before reported Israeli attacks on Iran early on Friday, after which Tehran indicated it had no plans for further retaliation.

After Iran's retaliatory attack on Israel over the weekend, Turkey's foreign ministry confirmed contacts with Iran and the United States in a statement, saying Ankara had called for restraint and warned of a regional war if tensions escalated further.

"In recent days we have sought to send Iran messages via Turkey - particularly reiterating the message of de-escalation," said a Western diplomat, when asked about messages carried to Tehran by Ankara.

Turkey's foreign ministry was not immediately available for comment on the matter.

John Bass, the acting U.S. Under Secretary of State, travelled to Ankara earlier this week and met Turkey's top diplomat Hakan Fidan.

"They ... discussed the critical importance of preventing further escalation or a wider conflict in the region," a U.S. official said.

(Reporting by Jonathan Spicer, Huseyin Hayatsever and Tuvan Gumrukcu, Editing by Daren Butler and Alex Richardson)
Say, whatever happened to that bill?

Some hotly debated bills in the 2024 session flamed out but can be expected to rise from the ashes to return in some form. (Getty Images)

FRANKFORT  Kentucky lawmakers filed more than 1,200 bills this session  the most in more than 20 years  and passed about 215 of them before adjourning Monday, according to a news release from the Legislative Research Commission.

Thats a lot of legislating to keep up with. So we put together a scorecard of what made it into law and what didnt

A couple of high-profile bills  a rewrite of the open records law and restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion in higher ed  fizzled out in the Senate. But theyll likely be back in some form, said top lawmakers. In the months ahead, during the interim between regular sessions, representatives and senators will be meeting in committees to plan for the 2025 session.

Meanwhile, some hotly debated bills never made it to the finish line, including loosening child labor laws, restrictions on SNAP eligibility, moving fish and wildlife to agriculture and what was described as this years anti-drag bill.

Other legislation never made it out of the starting gate, including anything having to do with abortion.

Come November, Kentucky voters will decide on only two constitutional amendments, although lawmakers could have put four on the ballot. Perhaps mindful of recent amendments defeats, lawmakers demurred from advancing one that would have allowed them to call themselves into special session.

Heres a look at some of what passed and some of what didnt:

Bills that made into law

HB 5 (Rep. Jared Bauman) Tough-on-crime bill including street camping ban. Became law after veto override.

SB 349 (Sen. Robby Mills) Makes it harder to retire coal-fired power plants. Became law after veto override.

SB 2 (Sen. Max Wise) School districts can employ armed guardians for vacant law enforcement positions. Became law without the governors signature.

SB 299 (Sen. Damon Thayer) A new government corporation will oversee horse racing and charitable gaming. Became law without the governors signature.

HB 10 (Rep. Kim Moser) Momnibus (passed within SB 74) directs Kentucky to take steps to improve maternal health. Signed by governor.

HB 11 (Rep. Rebecca Raymer) Limits what kind of vaping products can be sold in Kentucky. Signed by governor.

SB 16 (Sen. John Schickel) Criminalizes filming or photographing food processing or confined animal feeding operations. Became law over governors veto.

HB 18 (Rep. Ryan Dotson) Bans local source-of-income discrimination ordinances. Became law after veto override.

SB 167 (Sen. Lindsey Tichenor) Makes cursive writing a course of study in elementary schools. Signed by governor.

Celebrity rescue dog Ethan made several trips to the Capitol to lobby for his bill. (LRC Public Information)

HB 8 (Rep. Jason Petrie) Eases way for legislature to cut income tax rate in the future, exempts currency and bullion from sales tax.

HB 136 (Rep. Jared Bauman) Limits the power of Louisvilles air pollution control district. Became law after veto override.

SB 151 (Sen. Julie Raque Adams) Helps kinship caregivers qualify for foster care payments.

SB 1 (Sen. Robert Stivers) Creates endowment for collaborative research by public universities.

HB 258 (Rep. Susan Witten) Ethans law makes torture of a dog or cat a felony on first offense.

SB 198 (Sen. Danny Carroll) New research authority dedicated to advancing nuclear energy

Died along the way

HB 509 (Rep. John Hodgson) Limit access to public records created on private electronic devices. Died in Senate.

SB 6 (Sen. Mike Wilson) Limit diversity, equity and inclusion in public higher education. Died in Senate after House amendments.

HB 255 (Rep. Phillip Pratt) Loosen child labor laws for older teens. Died in Senate.

HB 500 (Rep. Phillip Pratt) Employers no longer required to give workers lunch, rest breaks. Died in House.

SB 147 (Sen. Lindsey Tichenor) restricts sexually explicit performances. Died in House.

HB 626 (Sen. John Blanton) Making interrupting legislative proceedings a crime. Died in Senate.

SB 34 (Sen. Whitney Westerfield) $551 million worth of support and assistance for mothers, children. Died in Senate.

SB 142 (Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe) Four weeks paid parental leave for state employees. Died in House.

SB 97 (Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong) Exempt diapers from the sales tax. Died in Senate.

Kentucky food banks opposed HB 367. (Getty Images)

HB 367 (Rep. Wade Williams) Paved way for work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP. Died in Senate.

SB 203 (Sen. Danny Carroll) $300 million for child care and early childhood education. Died in Senate

SB 242 (Sen. Danny Carroll) Establish a mental health facility for juveniles in detention. Died in House.

HB 199 (Rep. Jason Nemes) Pave the way to opening freestanding birth centers by removing the certificate of need requirement. Died in Senate.

SB 8 (Sen. Mike Wilson) Choose Kentucky Board of Education through partisan elections. Died in House.

Dentists, including Dr. Bill Collins of Red Bird Mission, opposed making fluoride optional.

SB 3 (Sen. Jason Howell) Fish and Wildlife Commission would be appointed by state agriculture commissioner. Died in House.

SB 4 (Sen. Jimmy Higdon) Changes how teachers are paid for sick days upon retirement. Died in House.

HB 141 (Rep. Mark Hart) End water fluoridation requirement

HB 85 (Rep. Bill Wesley) Reduce required mine emergency technicians (METs) in underground coal mines. (Died in Senate)

SB 230 (Sen. Whitney Westerfield) Protects workers who have natural hairstyles associated with race. Died in Senate.

HB 467 (Rep. Nancy Tate) Alternatives to abortion perinatal palliative care mandate.

HB 346 (Rep. Nancy Tate) Baby Olivia Act requires schools to show computer-generated video about pregnancy. (Died in House)

HB 228 (Rep. James Tipton) Higher ed faculty must be reviewed every four years for performance and productivity. (Died in House)

Certificate of need: None of the bills reforming certificate of need laws passed the full legislature.

Abortion: None of the bills filed to loosen the states strict abortion ban advanced.

In vitro fertilization: None bills to specifically protect access to IVF passed.

Constitutional amendments

On the ballot in November:

(Getty Images)

SB 143 (Sen. Jason Howell) Prohibit people who are not United States citizens from voting in elections held in Kentucky.

HB 2 (Rep. Suzanne Miles) Gives General Assembly authority to give public dollars to non public schools. On ballot in November.

Didnt make the cut

HB 4 (Rep. David Osborne) Legislature can call itself into special session. Died in House.

SB 10 (Sen. Chris McDaniel) Elect governor and other constitutional officers in presidential election years. Died in House.

SB 126 (Sen. Chris McDaniel) Limit governors pardon power around elections. Died in House.

The Kentucky House of Representatives in session, Feb. 27, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Arden Barnes)

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Who's ahead in the race for NC governor? Here's what the latest polls say.

Were about six months out from the general election and polls in one of the hottest races in the country show a newfound lead for Democratic candidate Josh Stein.

In an early April Quinnipiac University poll, Democrat Josh Stein, current attorney general, gained ground on Republican Mark Robinson, current lieutenant governor, in the North Carolina governors race.

The poll shows Stein leading over Robinson 52 percent to 44 percent as the two frontrunners vie for a spot in the executive mansion.

Additionally, a poll from High Point University released on April 11 showed Stein (37%) leading over Robinson (34%). Notably, a sizeable number, 25%, said they were unsure and another 4% said they preferred another candidate.

Attorney General Josh Stein visited Asheville in his bid for Governor, October 11, 2023.

In previous polls, the race was decided by smaller margins, around 1 to 2 percentage points, and in many cases showed Robinson leading.

Political science professor and Meredith Poll Director David McLennan said now that the race is down to two candidates, voters are paying closer attention, which could be a contributing factor in this shift.

From McLennans perspective, Stein has garnered more positive visibility, which could be a factor in his polling.

Stein is more visible than Mark Robinson is, McLennan said. Mark Robinson tends to be visible for the news stories and things like that that are not very positive.

North Carolinas governors race is historically competitive, but so is the presidential race, which McLennan said could impact the gubernatorial race.

Quinnipiac and some other polls are showing Donald Trump leading Joe Biden, but Josh Stein leading Mark Robinson, which would indicate that North Carolinians may want to split their votes again just like theyve done the last two presidential cycles, McLennan said.

Part of Steins lead comes from support from both Democrats and Independents, according to the Quinnipiac poll.

Undecided and unaffiliated voters could be a determining factor in this close race, McLennan said.

Its the people who are typically considered to be a little bit more moderate, theyre the ones kind of swinging Steins direction, McLennan said.

Dont rule out an upset yet though. Theres still time for either candidate to pull ahead and polling numbers tend to tighten as Election Day draws nearer, according to McLennan.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Josh Stein leading Mark Robinson in race for NC governor, polls show
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The word highway invokes the image of a road with a high-speed limit, connecting two cities with little to no foot traffic, and initially, Boulder Highway was just that, however, after years of development safety activists point out the name might be causing some drivers to go beyond the limit.

Constructed in 1931, Boulder Highway was the link between Las Vegas and Boulder City which later became a primary route for workers building the Hoover Dam.

The town of Midway and the Pittman Ranch area, found along Boulder Highway, would service commuters in what would later become the town of Henderson.

93 years later The City of Henderson is asking residents to reimagine the thoroughfare, following a transportation study, with new proposed separated lanes of transit, crossing designs, cycle tracks, improved lighting, and open space for parks.

The word highway invokes the image of a road with a high-speed limit, connecting two cities with little to no foot traffic and initially Boulder Highway was just that, but after years of development safety activists point out the name might be causing some drivers to go beyond the limit. (KLAS)

The Reimagine Boulder Highway Initiative does not suggest a name change, but Erin Breen, director of the Transportation Center at UNLV, said some people who are part of the initiative have discussed the potential.

When you hear highway it denotes high rates of speed, Breen said. It makes people a lot more comfortable speeding on that road, which was built on the southwest model of wide, flat, and really straight.

Breen said it might sound silly but the name change from accident to collision when referring to crashes helped avoid the suggestion of something un-preventable.

The word accident gives people the connotation that there was nothing that could be done, she said. But you start to realize how much words really matter.

Boulder Boulevard is the name Breen said she and others have suggested which would remind drivers the Highway is no longer just a connector between two cities but a way to access homes and businesses

The word highway invokes the image of a road with a high-speed limit, connecting two cities with little to no foot traffic and initially Boulder Highway was just that, but after years of development safety activists point out the name might be causing some drivers to go beyond the limit. (KLAS)

The wildest thing

In 2014, Breen and 10 volunteers began to ask Las Vegas valley pedestrians and drivers their thoughts on Boulder Highway, taking in suggestions, complaints, and ideas.

With the survey results completed Breen set out to have the first committee meeting for the Boulder Highway Coalition at Boulder Station but there was one issue: not enough space.

The person that we were meeting with said we dont really have convention space here, she said. They took me upstairs and showed me this small room.

Breen assured the staff member that the small room would be fine because although they would send out 100 invites, she only expected 25 people to show up to volunteer to help with Boulder Highway, but she was wrong.

87 people showed up, she said.

The volunteers sat on tables due to lack of space, but it indicated to Breen the high level of interest to make a difference on Boulder Highway.

Boulder Station was trying to keep up with the coffee, she said. It was just the wildest thing.

One of the first changes the group made was to change the Henderson side of Boulder Highway to match the speed limit of the rest of the roadway to 45 mph in early 2015.

Soon after the speed limit change Breen said the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada and the Nevada Department of Transportation got involved in their committee to support additional change.

Breen pointed out that some changes that were initially planted by the Boulder Highway Coalition would later go on to influence the goals of The Reimagine Boulder Highway Initiative.

RTC and NDOT decided we were definitely on to something, she said.

2 killed, 4 injured after crash at east Las Vegas valley bus stop

Bus stop crash

On Wednesday night, police told 8 News Now that a white four-door sedan had been driving in the wrong direction just after 7:30 p.m. in the 3600 block of Boulder Highway. The driver was seen traveling in the southbound lane going north just moments before the bus stop crash.

In court on Thursday, prosecutors alleged that Cynthia Phelps, 64, drove 65 mph and then attempted to drive away from the scene. She now faces DUI charges as well.

Breen said she has lost track of how many times she has been asked to comment on people struck and killed by drivers.

Five people at the bus stop, I was just horrified, she said. Far too often because a driver makes a mistake, like the one last night, which is 100 percent preventable.

Though a name change would not have prevented the driver in Wednesdays crash from allegedly getting behind the wheel drunk, Breen said authorities should question who let her get into a car drunk.

Where was that woman drinking, she said. And why arent we making that establishment a part of the equation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Why did Israel attack Iran and could it spark all-out war?

Iran targeted Israel with hundreds of drones and rockets in an unprecedented strike on April 13 - GETTY IMAGES

Israel struck Iran on Friday morning in an attack that dramatically raises the stakes in a simmering conflict.

Benjamin Netanyahu appears to have defied Western calls for restraint, sparking fears of another major escalation in the Middle East.

As Israel and Iran trade strikes and counter-strikes, concern is mounting that a regional war could erupt.

But how likely is it that a third world war could break out?

What were the explosions in Iran?

Key details have yet to emerge, but US officials said that Israel has launched a retaliatory air strike on Iran after it was bombarded with missiles and drones last week.

Sources told local media that explosions were heard close to an air base which lies north-east of the Iranian city of Isfahan, in what would be a major escalation.

Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed to have shot down several drones around the air base, according to local journalists.

Unconfirmed reports suggested that Natanz, a nuclear facility deep underground, had also been targeted. An Iranian news agency said the claim was incorrect, however.

White House and Pentagon officials are understood to be closely monitoring the situation.

Iranian state television reported that the Israeli drones were shot down - GETTY IMAGES

Why are Iran and Israel enemies?

Israels attack comes after it was targeted by hundreds of Iranian drones and rockets in an unprecedented strike on April 13.

One Israeli official downplayed that barrage, labelling it a strategic failure as roughly 99 per cent of the projectiles were intercepted by Iron Dome defences and allies including the UK and US.

However, it was significant in at least one respect  it was the first time that Israel had been targeted directly from Iranian soil.

If reports are accurate and Israel has targeted the Isfahan air base, it parallels Irans selection of targets on April 13. Nevatim Air Base, in the south of the country, sustained minor damage during the bombardment.

Israeli officials have been clear that an attack on Iran would take place, but have not said when and whether it would be directed at its Middle East proxy groups. Those questions have now been answered.

What happens next?

After its strike on April 13, which Iran undertook after an Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus, its leadership said it considered the matter closed.

However, it added that if Israel retaliated, then it would respond with a much larger attack.

World leaders urged Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid attacking Iran and destabilising the region, highlighting the lack of damage caused by Tehrans strike.

Iran has not yet said how it will respond to Israels attack.

Its bombardment on April 13 was widely telegraphed in advance and officials said it was calibrated to avoid a larger conflict breaking out.

However, Tehran may feel a need to save face, and the exchanges between the countries could tip them over from a cold war into a hot one.

Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative, noted that Isfahan was home to both a nuclear facility and an international airport, and that what happens next would hinge on which had been attacked.

Future escalation depends on targets and its too early to know that, he wrote on social media. Either way, message from Israel: we can hit the nuke facility.

The risks: Does Iran have nuclear weapons?

If the attacks between Israel and Iran continue to gain intensity, then the implications are grave  for the Middle East and the world.

Iran has a number of proxy groups in the region: in the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. They fired on Israel on April 13 and would presumably do so again if a war breaks out.

Israel, meanwhile, has backing among the Western powers, as seen when they united to bring down Tehrans barrage of rockets and drones earlier this month.

Joe Biden, the US president, is said to fear that Israels leadership could drag him further into a conflict in the Middle East. Take the win, he reportedly told Mr Netanyahu.

Iran has backing further afield too, which could lay the groundwork for a wider conflict.

It is supported by Russia  which has used its Shahed drones to great effect to prosecute its war in Ukraine  while maintaining close ties to China.

Is world war three going to start?

Few experts would disagree that the world today looks far more unstable than it did 10 years ago. But there is disagreement about whether a world war could happen.

Hugh Lovatt, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, argued that the conflicts around the world are self-contained rather than connected.

The reassuring news is we are not heading towards the third world war, he told Sky News.



However, others believe that the fault-lines in a potential conflict have already been drawn, with tensions growing between the democratic Western powers and autocratic regimes such as Iran, Russia and China.

Putin meets Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in 2023 - REUTERS

With the Ukraine-Russia war entering its third year, the global order seems to be fraying. Some believe it could snap altogether, and that these conflicts  relatively confined, so far  could tip over into a world war.

Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, has warned that in as little as five years time there could be multiple theatres of conflict spread across the globe: Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.

The world has moved from a post-war to a pre-war era, he added.

Along with the Middle East, many commentators see the fate of Ukraine as key. If it falls to Vladimir Putin, it could embolden Russia to attack a Nato country, or China to invade Taiwan  which the US has pledged to defend.

Denys Shmyhal, the Ukrainian prime minister, has warned there would be a third world war if Kyiv falls.

Figures in Nato and Western governments have predicted a war with Putin could break out in a matter of years.

However, Edward R Arnold, senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, suggested that conflict with Russia was less likely as its armed forces were degraded by the strain of fighting in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin will be looking pretty closely at what happens in the Middle East, he added.

Its all helping Putin at the moment because while focused on the Middle East we are not as focused as we have been on Ukraine.

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Wild turkey numbers are falling in some parts of the US  the main reason may be habitat loss

Birdsong is a welcome sign of spring, but robins and cardinals arent the only birds showing off for breeding season. In many parts of North America, youre likely to encounter male wild turkeys, puffed up like beach balls and with their tails fanned out, aggressively strutting through woods and parks or stopping traffic on your street.

Wild turkeys were abundant across North America when European settlers arrived. But people killed them indiscriminately year-round  sometimes for their meat and feathers, but settlers also took turkey eggs from nests and poisoned adult turkeys to keep them from damaging crops. Thanks to this unregulated killing and habitat loss, by 1900 wild turkeys had disappeared from much of their historical range.

Turkey populations gradually recovered over the 20th century, aided by regulation, conservation funding and state restoration programs. By the early 2000s, they could be found in Mexico, Canada and every U.S. state except Alaska.

Now, however, the trend appears to be reversing in some areas. In a 2021 study, eight out of 30 states surveyed reported that turkey populations declined from 2014 to 2019, with some of the sharpest decreases in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana and Oklahoma.

Turkey numbers increased in 14 states, mainly in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. But even in many of those states, populations were down from historic peaks in the early 2000s. Another study in 2023 reported that turkey populations in the eastern half of the U.S. were declining by about 9% yearly, based on data from the past 50 years.

We are wildlife ecologists working to determine why turkey populations are shrinking in portions of their range. This is a classic challenge in ecology: Many factors could be at play, and it takes careful analysis to untangle them and figure out whether each trend is a cause or symptom  or just irrelevant.

We created the Wild Turkey Science podcast to make peer-reviewed science accessible to the public and provide a platform for turkey researchers and biologists to discuss their work. So far, we have reviewed numerous studies and interviewed scientists from more than a dozen states. Here are some hypotheses that have emerged:

Fewer open spaces

While turkeys may appear at home in urban areas, their habitat is open forest  areas with sparse trees that allow near-full sunlight to reach herbaceous plants at ground level. Most uplands, or elevated areas, in the eastern U.S. historically were this type of dry-adapted woodland, savanna and grassland complex.

In 1792, naturalist William Bartram described the eastern U.S. as Grande Savane, or big savanna, a landscape with abundant wild turkeys. Traveling in Florida, Bartram wrote:

I was awakened, in the morning early, by the cheering converse of the wild turkey cocks saluting each other from the sun-brightened tops of the lofty cypress and magnolia. They begin at early dawn, and continue till sunrise. The high forests ring with the noise of these social sentinels, the watchword being caught and repeated, from one to another, for hundreds of miles around, insomuch that the whole country is, for an hour or more, in an universal shout.

Today, very little woodland or savanna remains in the U.S. Most of it has been cleared for development, farming or livestock grazing. The open spaces that are left often are not suitable for wild turkeys: They need a well-developed layer of vegetation at ground level that includes mainly wild flowers, native grasses and young shrubs and trees to provide cover for nesting and raising their young.

Very few of the remaining lands suitable for wild turkeys are managed using frequent, low-intensity prescribed fire, which creates and maintains a mosaic of open forest and grassland by continually setting back growth of trees, shrubs and vines. Suppressing fire in these forests across the eastern U.S. allows them to change from open forest dominated by fire-adapted grasses and wildflowers to closed forests with dense canopies, creating shady, moist conditions with minimal vegetation near ground level.

Turkeys can persist in these denser, shaded forests, but they dont reproduce as successfully, and fewer of their young survive. The lack of ground vegetation makes it hard for hens to hide their nests, and it limits food supplies for young turkey poults.

This isnt just a problem for wild turkeys. Over the past 50 years, populations of bird species that live in open forests and grasslands have fallen by more than 50%. Grasslands and savannas support hundreds of other wild species as well, many of which are declining.

The roles of food, predators and hunting

Scientists have proposed other explanations for turkey declines, but many of these hypotheses are at least partly habitat issues.

For example, blame is often placed on more abundant predators that eat turkey eggs, such as raccoons and opossums. But these predators probably are more abundant in part due to changes in turkey habitat.

For example, a 2024 study found that a range of mammals that eat turkey eggs were observed 70% of the time when prescribed burning was not used, but were observed less than 10% of the time in open forests where planned burns were conducted biannually. This suggests that prescribed fire across the wild turkeys range creates an environment thats more favorable for turkeys than for their predators.

Some observers have suggested that turkeys may be so abundant that the landscape cant support their current population, so now they are declining to a more sustainable level. If turkey habitat remained stable, we would expect to see their numbers go up and down naturally, but their average abundance over time would remain the same. Instead, turkey numbers appear to be slowly but steadily falling in many areas  perhaps signaling that habitat availability is declining along with turkey populations.

What about food supplies? Young turkeys feed on insects, so insect declines may explain some observed changes in turkey populations. According to one calculation, land-dwelling bird species that depend on insects as food have declined by 2.9 billion individuals over the past 50 years, while those species that dont have gained by 26.2 million individuals.

Insect losses could explain why fewer turkeys are surviving to adulthood, but insects depend on plants, so this shift is likely also linked to habitat changes. And where land is managed to promote native flowers and grasses, there also are abundant pollinators, ants, grasshoppers and spiders that turkeys relish.

Lastly, some observers have proposed that the timing of hunting could be affecting turkey reproduction. However, a recent study in Tennessee found that this was not the case. Another recent study showed that hunters in the Southeast were harvesting about the same share of male turkeys as when turkey populations were growing rapidly. If current turkey harvest rates are unsustainable, the explanation is likely that wild turkey productivity has declined for other reasons, such as habitat.

Creating space for turkeys

Land owners can help by managing for native grasses and wildflowers on their property, which will provide breeding habitat for turkeys. We have produced podcast episodes that discuss which plants are valuable to turkeys and other wildlife, and how to promote and maintain plants that are turkey-friendly.

People who dont own land can support state and local efforts to restore wildlife, contribute to local wildlife conservation groups and buy hunting licenses, which help to fund wildlife management programs. With the right conditions, this iconic North American species could thrive yet again.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Marcus Lashley, University of Florida and William Gulsby, Auburn University.

Read more:



Marcus Lashley receives funding from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the National Wild Turkey Federation, and Turkeys for Tomorrow.

William Gulsby receives funding from the Alabama Wildlife Federation, Turkeys for Tomorrow and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
CANBERRA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Greater cooperation and transparency are needed to eradicate red imported fire ants from Australia, a Senate inquiry has found.

The Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport on Thursday handed down its findings from a six-month inquiry into Australia's response to the spread of invasive fire ants.

It described the red imported fire ant (RIFA) as Australia's greatest current biosecurity challenge, but said there was hope they could be eradicated with greater government transparency and more cooperation with the private sector.

"The consequence of a broader outbreak is severe, affecting agriculture, native species, and human health," Matt Canavan, the chair of the Senate committee, wrote in the report.

Native to South America, the RIFA was first detected in Australia in the north-eastern city of Brisbane in 2001, and has since been found in Western Australia, New South Wales and the island state of Tasmania.

The government's 2023-2027 response plan for the ants estimates they are capable of establishing colonies in 99 percent of mainland Australia where they could cause structural problems for infrastructure assets by nesting underneath them, damage crops and agriculture machinery, and significantly reduce biodiversity.

According to a separate report published by independent think tank The Australia Institute on Wednesday, the pest species will cost the Australian economy 2.5 billion Australian dollars (1.6 billion U.S. dollars) annually by 2035 if not contained.

The Senate inquiry made 10 recommendations, including reviewing the current level of funding for the National Fire Ant Eradication Program, establishing a Cooperative Research Centre to bring together diverse expertise on the species and improving transparency of fire ant response efforts.

"This report finds that there is a severe lack of transparency in the plans to eradicate red imported fire ants, and more cooperation with the non-government sector should be undertaken to ensure that any governmental response is leveraging off the widest amount of knowledge available," Canavan wrote.

Murray Watt, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, in January announced that federal, state and territory governments had agreed to commit a combined 592.8 million AUD (380.6 million dollars) in funding over the next three years to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program. 
A woman called Swastika got an apology from Uber after it banned her because of her name

Swastika Chandra had her Uber account banned because of her name.

Uber eventually apologized to the Australian woman and reinstated her account.

Chandra said she's proud of her Hindu identity and her name and wouldn't change it for anyone.

An Australian woman was banned from using Uber after the company deemed her first name to be offensive.

Swastika Chandra tried to order food from Uber Eats last year, but when she typed in her name, a pop-up told her it violated the company's terms and she'd have change it, she told A Current Affair.

Uber's guidelines restrict names that contain potentially offensive words.

Swastika comes from a Sanskrit word meaning good fortune or well-being. It's a symbol that has been relevant to many religions across Asia, like Jainism and Buddhism, long before it was co-opted by Adolf Hitler and the Nazis and became associated with antisemitism.

"They don't know that the Hindus used it for thousands of years before Hitler used it in the wrong way," Chandra said. Her name was common in Fiji, where she grew up, and which has a large Indian population.

"I'm very proud of my name. I believe in the good that comes with it and I'm not changing it for anyone," she told ACA.

Five months later, Uber reinstated her account and apologized to Chandra. However, it took interventions by the Hindu Council of Australia and the New South Wales attorney-general, according to ACA.

"We have apologised to Ms Chandra for the inconvenience this caused her, and we appreciate her patience as we reviewed the matter, which took longer than we hoped it would," Uber told the program.

Uber is no stranger to these types of moderation issues. In 2021, it deactivated a number of accounts of transgender drivers over what it deemed to be fraudulent profile pictures taken after the drivers had transitioned.

The company also faced backlash last year after the owner of a Palestinian restaurant in Toronto said Uber Eats had suddenly labeled his restaurant as Israeli. Uber Eats previously told Business Insider that the "unintentional" issue had been fixed.

Read the original article on Business Insider
One dead, another injured after crash on Fairystone Park Highway in Henry County

UPDATED: HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  Virginia State Police says a woman from Fieldale has died after a crash on Fairystone Park Highway in Henry County on April 18.

The crash occurred just after 4:30 p.m. near Woody Circle. Investigators say a 2003 Dodge Neon was traveling on Faiystone Park Highway when it ran off the right side of the road and hit a tree.

Two charged in connection to body found in burning car in Bedford County in 2023

According to VSP, the passenger in the Dodge was identified as 41-year-old Kristina Rouse Janey. She died at the scene.

Were told the driver was airlifted to the hospital for treatment. Their condition is currently unknown.

The crash remains under investigation; however, state police confirmed Janey was not wearing her seatbelt.

WFXR News will update this story as more information is released.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Woman missing for weeks may be in Arizona park, family says. We are devastated

A 51-year-old woman who has been missing for weeks may be in an Arizona regional park, her family said.

Amber Bretsch has been missing since April 1, according to a missing person flyer released by the Phoenix Police Department.

She was last seen by her family in the area of North 27th Avenue and West Deer Valley Road, police said.

Her silver 2017 Kia Rio was then found April 4 at the White Tank Mountain Regional Park by a park worker, according to police and her daughter Tara Young.

Young told McClatchy News her mothers keys, phone and debit card were still inside the unlocked car.

Rescuers scoured the park from April 3 to April 8 for Bretsch, using police dogs, ground search teams, a drone and horses but still couldnt find her, Young said.

Police have also gathered surveillance videos from areas Bretsch was last seen in, but are still processing them, Young said in a Facebook post.

Phoenix police did not share future search plans or any other updates in the case with McClatchy News.

However, Young said police were in the area using drones to search for Bretsch on Friday, April 19.

Bretsch is familiar with the park and used to be a park host with her husband who died earlier this year, Young said. Although she stopped being a park host, she still volunteered there and knew the area well.

Young said her mom is considered vulnerable after having a stroke over 10 years ago.

Family isnt giving up on finding Bretsch

Even though multiple searches have been conducted, police told Young that (Bretsch) could still be in that area, but it just takes the right eyes at the right moment to find her, according to a GoFundMe.

Her family isnt giving up, though.

We are devastated in her absence and are desperate to find her, Young wrote on the fundraising page. We need all the help we can get to help find her and find answers.

Young said her mother is a devout Christian who likes going to church, Bible study and volunteering to help people experiencing homelessness.

She is an extremely loving, giving, calm, kind woman, she said.

The White Tank Mountain Regional Park is in Waddell, which is about a 30-mile drive northwest from Phoenix.

It spans 30,000 acres and includes rugged mountains, ridges and canyons, according to Maricopa County Parks and Recreation. The park also has 30 miles of trails for hikers, backpackers, mountain bike riders and horse riders.

Missing woman found dead near New York trail, cops say. She was a human rainbow

Boat captain leading 30-person tour falls overboard while drunk, Florida cops say

Body found in estuary identified as woman killed by son-in-law, California cops say
Three workers at a health care facility for people with disabilities were suspended as authorities launched a sexual abuse investigation at the facility, Chicago-area officials said.

A long-term resident at the Marklund Center in Geneva was sexually assaulted and became pregnant, the facility told WBBM. She was 33 weeks along before staff learned of the pregnancy through a hospital checkup, according to WBBM.

As of April 17, the resident had given birth and is recovering, the facility told WMAQ.

Marklund is a nonprofit that serves people with severe and profound developmental disabilities and special healthcare needs, according to their website. The facility cares for more than 250 residents, clients and students and has over 500 staff members.

Marklund did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment.

The Kane County Sheriffs Office and the Illinois Department of Public Health were immediately notified when staff learned of the pregnancy on April 9, WBBM reported. The departments are investigating allegations of sexual abuse and how the residents pregnancy went unnoticed for so long.

Part of her disability she has an extended-- she has a distended abdomen. Thats something we track on a weekly basis. And in the last week it had gone above baseline, Gil Fonger, president and CEO at Marklund, told WLS.

The victim is nonverbal and cannot walk on her own, the facility told WMAQ.

The Kane County Sheriffs Office declined to comment on the investigation.

Three male staff members were placed on leave and all current and some former staff members had DNA taken as part of the investigation, Fonger told WLS.

In our 70-year history, we have never experienced anything like this. I can guarantee that we will do everything possible to ensure that Marklund will continue to provide a safe home for those we serve and the quality care and support that families have always expected from us, Fonger told Fox32.

The victim has lived at the facility for 20 years and returned after giving birth, according to WMAQ.

Geneva is about a 45-mile drive west of Chicago.

Torso and arm found along lake may belong to woman who vanished on date, WI cops say

Woman lures pregnant 19-year-old to home and cuts baby from womb, Chicago cops say

911 call records man killing his parents, Texas cops say. Youre losing control
Woman tried to board flight at Memphis Airport with 56 pounds of marijuana: Reports

Before a 21-year-old Memphis woman could board an United Airlines flight, Memphis International Airport Police found 56 pounds of marijuana in her luggage, according to multiple reports.

The woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intention to manufacture, deliver or sell, Shelby County jail records show. This charge is a felony offense that "carries harsh penalties," the Law Office of Bernie McEvoy, an attorney in Nashville, Tennessee, said.

The woman is now free after posting a $5,000 bond, according to Shelby County jail records.

A woman tried to board an United Airlines flight at the Memphis International Airport with 56 pounds of marijuana in her luggage, reports state.

TSA best catches: Naruto throwing knives, weed diaper, projectile and more

Woman allowed airport police to check her luggage, had name tag on bags, according to reports

Memphis airport police caught the woman Sunday after finding her luggage "busted open" on a United Airlines bag cart, WMC-TV reported. The woman's name tag was attached to the bags, the Memphis, Tennessee-based TV station said.

After locating the woman's luggage, she gave airport police permission to search her bags, WMC-TV said. Once the drugs were found, she was subsequently arrested.

USA TODAY contacted Memphis International Airport Police on Thursday and was told the department is working to provide a police report.

How much would 56 pounds of marijuana go for on the street?

When a St. Paul, Minnesota man was arrested for possessing 56 pounds of marijuana in May 2013, now-retired Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom estimated the drugs had a street value between $171,000 and $342,000, WCCO, branded CBS Minnesota, reported.

More recently, the Butler County Sheriff's Office seized 56 pounds of marijuana from a property in El Dorado, Kansas in July 2021 and valued the drugs at $180,000, the Wichita Eagle reported.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Memphis woman busted with 56 pounds of marijuana in luggage: Reports
Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department are asking the public for information leading to the identification and location of a woman who is wanted for questioning in connection with the homicide of a 46-year-old man earlier this month, authorities announced Thursday.

According to investigators, Louie Martin Cervantes was involved in a domestic dispute on April 11 in the 16200 block of Valeport Avenue in Lancaster when he was fatally struck by a vehicle.

Woman wanted for questioning in death man, 46, in SoCal

Authorities are searching for a woman named Erica, who is only described as a white adult female in her 30s who frequents the Lake L.A. area of Lancaster.

She is believed to be driving a dark-colored pickup truck shown in the LASD bulletin.

Woman wanted for questioning in death man, 46, in SoCal

L.A. police officer charged with evidence tampering, theft while on duty

Anyone with information about this investigation or the womans whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Departments Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers Hotline 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.
The Beaufort County Democratic Party is fielding a slate of female candidates, many of whom are new to politics, in an effort to loosen the grip of longtime Republican incumbents in the South Carolina House and Senate.

Putting so many woman on the Democratic ticket was not an intentional choice, said Kathleen Hughes, chairwoman of the Beaufort County Democratic Party.

It just happened organically that women are fired up and have chosen to step up and run, she explained. They are invested in making a difference in this election.

More than 55% of registered voters in South Carolina are women, Hughes said, adding that both Republican and Democratic voters are upset with the choices members of the Statehouse have made and are ready to speak up about it.

As they campaign, the Democratic candidates will be making appeals to women across the political aisle.

Reproductive rights is a key issue. Its an issue that affects every woman in the nation, including South Carolinians, but there are other issues coming from the Statehouse that affect our population as well, Hughes said.

She cited the recent passage of a Constitutional Carry bill that Gov. Henry McMaster signed into law March 7. It allows anyone older than 18 to openly carry a gun without a permit in South Carolina.

A lot of South Carolinians feel (the open carry law) is making our state less safe, Hughes said. Its an issue that affects women and families.

A report last year by the nonpartisan She Should Run estimated that just over 22% of adult women in the United States could be interested in seeking elected office to increase womens representation in government. The issues motivating them have to do with the economy, climate change, reproductive health, racism and gun violence.

Women are most likely to take action on issues related to children, health, education and poverty, the report says.

The generally accepted judgment about women today is that they are motivated by gender equality as a standalone issue for seeking change. In reality, women are motivated by the everyday kitchen table issues that show up in their lives, the report says.

Beaufort and Jasper counties

Among the non-incumbent female candidates on South Carolina Democrats legislative ticket:

Julie Hussey is challenging Sen. Chip Campsen in Senate District 43.

Gwyneth Saunders is challenging Sen. Tom Davis in Senate District 46.

Charity Owens is challenging Rep. Bill Herbkersman in House District 118.

Kate Creech is challenging Rep. Weston Newton in House District 120.

Audrey Hopkins-Williams is challenging Rep. Bill Hager in District 122. First, however Hopkins-Williams will face fellow Democrat Johnny Lee Jackson Jr. in the primary June 11.

Lisette Cifaldi is challenging Rep. Jeff Bradley in House District 123.

Melinda Henrickson is challenging Rep. Shannon Erickson in House District 124. This is the only one of the seven races that will see two women vie for the same seat.

Top, from left: Julie Hussey, Gwyneth Saunders, Charity Owens and Kate Creech; bottom, from left: Audrey Hopkins-Williams, Lisette Cifaldi and Melinda Henrickson

Democratic Sen. Margie Bright Matthews of District 45 is running for re-election.

Bright Matthews is one of the five female state senators honored last fall with a Profile in Courage Award by The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation for sticking together in the fight against a near-total abortion ban in South Carolina. Three of the other four known as the Sister Senators are Republicans, and one is independent.

Since then, they have been joined by a sixth female senator. Democrat Tameika Isaac Devine was the winner of a special election in January to fill the seat left open by the death of Sen. John Scott in Ridgeland Countys District 19.

There are 46 senators total in South Carolinas Senate. Of the 124 representatives in South Carolinas House, 21 are are women, including Erickson, a Republican from Beaufort.

The Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University has tracked mostly steady increases in the number and percentage of women elected to legislatures across the nation since 1980, with a particular surge since 2019.

Researchers there said South Carolina ranks fourth from the bottom on a list of the percentage of female state legislators (15.9%). West Virginia had the lowest percentage at 11.9%, and Nevada had the highest at 60.3%.
Worldwide investigation shuts down Russian web service used to steal info from over 1 million people

Pittsburgh, PA (WJET/WFXP) The United States Attorneys Office announced Thursday they have seized the internet domains used to create over 40,000 fake websites and steal information from over 1,000,000 people as part of an investigation involving 19 countries.

U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania Eric G. Olshan said warrants to seize the domains and arrest the dozens of administrators and customers of the service were filed in the Western District of PA with arrests happening all over the world with the help of foreign law enforcement agencies along with the United States Secret Service and FBI.

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Warrants obtained by U.S. law enforcement to seize the domains of a spoofing service operated through the Lab-host.ru domain (LabHost), part of a Russian internet company.

LabHost gave its subscribers the services needed to create over 40,000 fake versions of websites for companies like Amazon, Netflix, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Chase Bank to get unsuspecting victims to disclose personal information like names, credit cards, passwords, emails and more.

Operators would then use that personal info to buy things at the victims expense, stealing the information of over 1,000,000 people and compromising an estimated 500,000 credit cards.

Together with our international partners, the Justice Department has disrupted another cybercrime scheme originating from Russia that enabled criminals to steal from over a million victims in the United States and around the world, said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.

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Authorities were able to seize and shut down the four following domains associated with the application programming interface of LabHosts phishing and information theft operations:

Instapi-1xoa93z90o348fz.co

Api2-4hdfix74ks.co

Api1-9kcpqcf7olw1w300w3m6.cc

Api-d789342789342uy432hjf87df87dfk.cc

U.S. Attorneys Office said the four LabHost API domains were registered to NameSilo, LLC, a third-party web hosting service based in the United States.

Court records said the domains were property used to violate federal laws on access device fraud, computer fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, and money laundering.

Man set on fire during fight in the Bronx: NYPD

The theft of personal informationand the financial ruin that often followsshould never be just another cost of using the internet for ordinary citizens, U.S. Attorney Olshan said.

The U.S. Attorneys Office said dozens of administrators and customers are facing charges in 19 countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

The FBI and United States Secret Service conducted the investigation in the United States, and the international investigation was led by the United Kingdoms London Metropolitan Police, with the support of Europols European Cybercrime Centre and Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce.

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BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have developed a more natural strategy to prevent mosquito-borne diseases by changing insects' gut microbes, which might be used as an alternative to controversial experiments that see genetically-modified mosquitoes released in Florida.

Mosquito-borne viruses, such as dengue and Zika, cause several potentially fatal human viral infections. Dengue viruses infect approximately 390 million each year globally.

An epidemic survey over the past decade documented frequent dengue outbreaks in Xishuangbanna and Lincang, both in southwest China's Yunnan Province. But few have been reported in neighboring cities of Wenshan and Pu'er.

The very different prevalence stimulated the curiosity of researchers from Tsinghua University and Yunnan Academy of Animal Science and Veterinary Sciences.

GUT MICROBES

The team's field investigation on thousands of blood-sucking female mosquitoes revealed that mosquitoes from two different habitats carry different symbiotic bacteria in their guts, the first tissue organ usually infected by viruses.

Among the 55 strains isolated, a kind of bacterium called Rosenbergiella_YN46 was abundant in mosquito guts in Wenshan and Pu'er, but not in Xishuangbanna and Lincang, according to the study published on Friday in the journal Science.

Then, the researchers colonized the strain in the intestines of two common disease-transmitting mosquitoes -- Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti.

Those mosquitoes did become less likely to be infected with dengue and Zika via blood bites, according to the study.

The further analysis suggested that an enzyme secreted by the bacteria can convert glucose into gluconic acid and rapidly acidify the intestines of blood-sucking mosquitoes. The mosquito-borne viruses will be neutralized in acid environment.

INTERVENTION TACTICS

The team made an experiment in the wild to breed "good mosquitoes" that do not transmit viruses. They added Rosenbergiella_YN46 bacteria to the water where mosquitoes eggs were laid and hatched.

Encouragingly, the intestinal colonization proved a success at a site in Mengla County of Xishuangbanna and the colony persistently resided in the guts of Aedes mosquitoes.

The researchers also proposed another potential intervention strategy -- the use of plants. Mosquito's gut microbes in the wild are either derived from microbes in breeding waters, or in the sap and nectar of plants.

"We are collecting a large number of plant samples in Wenshan, where the bacterium was isolated, in order to find plants that are enriched with this bacterium," said Cheng Gong from Tsinghua, the corresponding author of the paper. "Transplanting and cultivating this plant to the infected area may intervene in the ability of mosquitoes to carry and transmit the virus."

"If those plants are shrub or herbaceous plants, they can be grown in your backyard or residential compound," added Cheng.

"Rosenbergiella_YN46 is derived from the natural environment and its potential environmental risk is relatively low, and will not make mosquitoes resistant to the drug, nor affect their survival in nature," commented Xu Jianguo from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, who did not participate in the study.

Meanwhile, the team is conducting a study in Leizhou Peninsula in south China's Guangdong Province, where the mosquito population is large but there is no dengue, to discover more bacteria that could inhibit the spread of mosquito-borne viruses.

"The spread of Zika and epidemic encephalitis B might be contained if more bacteria can be found," said Cheng.

This study has shown that the use of bacteria-colonized field mosquitoes could offer a feasible biocontrol strategy for reducing virus transmission and prevalence in nature, said the researchers. 
Sen. Edmonds sits at a desk with his name on it.

Republican Sen. Rick Edmonds' bill to require schools to purchase gun-detection software has passed through the Senate Education Committee. (Allison Allsop)

Louisiana schools might be required to purchase expensive technology to spot guns on campus if a bill makes its way through the Legislature.

Starting July 4, it will be legal for most people in Louisiana to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Ahead of the effective date, lawmakers want to increase gun safety for schools and students.

Rep. Ed Larvadain, D-Alexandria, specifically called out the concealed carry law from the special crime session as part of the reason for his bill.

Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, explained that since COVID-19 and because of recent legislation, more and more people are buying guns. He called his bill an act of responsibility for the safety of the community.

Gun detection software

Senate Bill 442, one of three gun-related bills heard Wednesday in legislative committees, would require schools to purchase firearm detection software.

Children on our campuses are not our commodities, bill author Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, told the Senate Education Committee. Theyre our babies. Theyre our children, and weve got to do everything in our power to be able to protect them.

The software, used with security cameras schools already have in place, can detect firearms that are not concealed. Edmonds bill requires that camera footage be constantly monitored by highly trained analysts who will spot when the software detects a gun and decide whether police should be contacted.

A fiscal note for the legislation indicated the cost of the technology ranges from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the size of the school campus. It suggests schools with any money remaining from the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022 spend it on the gun-spotting technology.

Last year, the state school board provided 39 of the states 70 public school districts grants totaling $518,355 each for the purpose of hardening school perimeters.

Schools will only be allowed to purchase anti-terrorism software included in the federal Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies (SAFETY) Act. Kieran Carroll, chief strategy officer with ZeroEyes, told the committee roughly 1,100 vendors offer software that meets those requirements.

ZeroEyes, an artificial intelligence technology company, is one of those companies.

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Metal detectors at school entrances

Larvadains House Bill 801 would require schools to purchase metal detectors if they did not already have them. Either handheld or walk-through equipment could be used.

Larvadain said his proposal was in response to specific concerns about younger parents and high school students bringing firearms onto campus.

I want to make sure that when a person goes to these schools, they go with love and concern. I dont want weapons at elementary schools by no means, Larvadain said.

Larvadain ultimately chose to turn his bill into a study resolution. Typically, legislators will choose to turn their bills into studies when they feel it does not have enough support to pass.

After Larvadains presentation and declaration of turning it into a study, he still faced some pushback from the committee.

Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge, said that the metal detectors she has seen in schools are simply ignored by visitors.

Gun safety training

Senate Bill 424, by Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, and Rep. Alonzo Knox, D-New Orleans, would require elementary schools to teach gun safety. It advanced from the Senate Committee on Education without objection.

Such courses are currently allowed at Louisiana schools but not mandated.

A gun safety curriculum would be created at the discretion of a local school system, which can decide what to teach and how long the curriculum lasts. The bill only requires the course be age and grade-appropriate.

The bill encourages local school systems to use free resources for their gun safety programs, explaining that the Legislature doesnt intend to create an unfunded mandate.

Instruction must be based on a program designed to promote firearm accident prevention and safety, such as the Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program the National Rifle Association has developed or the Louisiana Law Enforcement for Gun Safety program, according to the bill.

The post Worries about guns in school mount as permitless concealed carry law looms appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator.
PRINCETON, WV (WNVS)  Bluefield University was one of several schools with nursing programs whose graduates go to work at WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital.

Now that this program is ending, the hospital is left with the question of how they will make up for the loss of potential employees. Chief Executive Officer of PCH Karen Bowling said this will be a challenge she hopes the hospital can overcome.

Im gonna try to be optimistic about it and, you know, hope those students get placed somewhere, but [Im] very disappointed that that program was closed, said Bowling.

Bowling said it is especially hard to lose this program now when West Virginia and the country as a whole is experiencing a severe nursing shortage.

Bluefield University is ending the on-campus nursing program

According to the National Institutes of Health, though life expectancy and survival rates have improved, the United States still experiences more injuries and illnesses than other high-income countries.

Bowling, with her background as a nurse, knows this all too well.

I know as you think about healthcare, our populations aging  we have significant health problems, so theres always going to be a need for nurses, said Bowling.

This means a need for nursing programs, especially on-campus local programs. Bowling said that PCH does not really benefit from online nursing programs because most of the students enrolled in them are not local and are not recruitable. Still, though, she remains optimistic.

We do a lot to support nurses and keep them engaged in the field. We have ways in which we reward nurses for staying at the bedside or getting certifications; very specific things like that. So, we think weve been pretty creative to try to retain nurses and recruit nurses, said Bowling.

Though the Bluefield University on-campus program is ending, PCH still believes that the future of nursing is bright.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
kinjavideo-195960

Thirty-five years ago today, a white woman was brutally raped and assaulted while jogging in Central Park. New York Police officers swiftly rounded up a dozen of teenagers and young men. And in the aftermath of the mass arrest, five Black and Latino teenage boys  Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana Jr., Korey Wise, Yusef Salaam, and Antron McCray, were charged and convicted of the crime.

The Central Park 5, as they came to be known, would eventually be exonerated. But in 1989, they were just a group of scared teenagers, and one of the most powerful men in New York City wanted them dead.

Bring Back The Death Penalty read the advertisement taken out by then-real estate mogul Donald Trump in big, bold, black lettering.

There was nothing abstract about that statement. Trump wanted Salaam and the four other boys accused of the Central Park rape dead. And he was willing to use his considerable wealth to do it.



The Root sat down Salaam for an episode of our digital politics show The 411, to discuss Trump, his election, and the state of criminal justice reform.

Today, Salaam is a New York City Council member representing Harlem. When The Root interviewed Salaam, Trump was in the midst of his New York City fraud trial, which he eventually lost. He was also facing a criminal trial in New York and the three other criminal trials in other parts of the country.

I had the opportunity while campaigning to tweet just one word: Karma, said Salaam referencing the iconic tweet he sent after Trumps first indictment. It got retweeted so many times. It was like wildfire.

The rush to judgment in Salaams case was jarring. He and the four other members of the Exonerated 5, formerly known as The Central Park 5werent even convicted when the calls for their death began.

That ad...was published two weeks after we were accused, he says. It wasnt created two weeks after we were accused. It was in the works massaged and green-lit two weeks after we were accused. Bring back the death penalty was the first words that were read.

Trump was trying to get the same evil forces to do to us what was done to Emmett Till, says Salaam.

The criminal justice system failed in Salaams case. I wanted the system to work for me, he says. I wanted them to say hold on, we dont have any DNA evidence. We dont have any blood. We dont have nothing. We have four false statements that dont match anything. And were going to play one of the statements at Yusefs trial because he didnt say anything that was captured on tape or on paper. And they damned us all for it.

But in Trumps case, he hopes the system manages to hold the right person accountable. Karma is real, says Salaam.

You can watch Part I and Part II of our interview with Yusef Salaam on our website.

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President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade's medical company in Donetsk Oblast on April 19, Ukraine's Presidential Office reported.

The situation on Ukraine's eastern front has "significantly deteriorated in recent days," Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said on April 13, as Russia ramped up its offensive on the town of Chasiv Yar after capturing Avdiivka, which lies about 50 kilometers southward.

Zelensky presented state awards to the servicemen undergoing treatment and company medics, according to the statement.

"Thank you for your work. You are making every effort to save the lives of our soldiers. Thank you for treating our fighters and serving Ukraine. I wish you victory, health and to be very strong," the president said.

Zelensky also reportedly inspected the construction of fortifications in Donetsk Oblast and was briefed by Yurii Sodol, a commander of Ukraines Combined Forces, about the security situation in the region, including the defense of Chasiv Yar.

Syrskyi said that the Russian military leadership set a goal to capture the town by May 9  the day when Russia celebrates Victory Day, a heavily militarized holiday marking the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in the World War II.

Read also: Russia prepares for a major offensive in Ukraine, eyes Chasiv Yar

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting to discuss the security situation in Donetsk Oblast and has inspected the construction of fortifications.

Source: Zelenskyy on Facebook

Quote: "General Sodol, Filashkin, Head of the Oblast Military Administration, and the leaders of the SSU (Security Service of Ukraine) and National Police agencies all provided detailed reports.

I inspected the construction of fortifications - maximum efforts should be concentrated on this front.

I thank everyone who defends our state and people. I am grateful to each and every person who works for Ukraine every day."

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A tall white rocket with a red square near the top and chinese writing on the side, stands outside a hanger building beneath a blue sky.

China is all set to send its next crew to its Tiangong space station .

The Shenzhou 18 spacecraft currently sits atop a Long March 2F rocket, on its pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. The rocket was transferred 0.93 miles (1.5 kilometers) by rail from the vertical integration building to the pad on April 17, according to China's human spaceflight agency (CMSA).

CMSA said Shenzhou 18 will be launched at an appropriate time in the near future. However, airspace closure notices indicate the launch to the Tiangong Space Station is currently set for around 9:00 a.m. EDT on April 25 (1300 GMT, or 9:00 p.m. Beijing time). Livestreams of the launch are expected to be made available closer to liftoff.

The crew have also yet to be announced. The three astronauts will likely be unveiled a day ahead of launch at a press event at Jiuquan spaceport.

Related: Chinese space junk falls to Earth over Southern California, creating spectacular fireball (photos, video)

Meanwhile, teams at the spaceport are currently preparing for the launch and going over contingencies.

"Based on the characteristics of the mission, we have made over a dozen of contingency plans and conducted more than 50 rehearsals and emergency exercises to strengthen coordination among different positions," Yu Yi, staff member of the Dongfeng command and control center of the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, told CCTV.

a large white rocket with four small boosters rolls to a launch pad surrounded by red flags with yellow chinese characters

The Shenzhou 18 mission is expected to last around six months. The crew will likely arrive at Tiangong around seven hours after launch. There they will meet with the three Shenzhou 17 mission astronauts currently occupying Tiangong.

Shenzhou 17 astronauts Tang Hongbo, Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin have been aboard the space station since October 2023. They will participate in a handover ceremony with the incoming crew before returning to Earth in their Shenzhou 17 spacecraft a few days later.

a large white rocket with four small boosters rolls to a launch pad surrounded by red flags with yellow chinese characters

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China began assembling Tiangong in low Earth orbit in April 2021 and finished about 18 months later. The three-module, T-shaped space station is about 20% as massive as the International Space Station .

China plans to keep it constantly occupied and operational for at least a decade and is even planning to expand the orbital outpost with more modules.
Is TikTok getting banned? Biden signed the TikTok bill into law. Here's what happens next.

For years, TikTok leadership tried to convince the United States that the popular social media app used by as many as 170 million Americans was not a threat to national security.

It lost that fight Tuesday night when the Senate passed the sell-or-ban TikTok bill with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Tucked into a $95 billion foreign aid package, the legislation gives Chinese parent company ByteDance up to a year to sell TikToks U.S. operations or face a ban. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law Wednesday.

Time hasn't run out for TikTok just yet. The legislation will likely face legal challenges from TikTok and its supporters and government resistance from Beijing.

"This unconstitutional law is a TikTok ban, and we will challenge it in court," TikTok said in a statement Wednesday. "We believe the facts and the law are clearly on our side, and we will ultimately prevail."

ByteDance would shut down TikTok rather than sell if it exhausts all legal options, four sources told Reuters.

"TikTok has drawn its battle sword, and the upcoming legal battle will be lengthy and intense," said Emarketer principal analyst Jasmine Enberg.

Is TikTok going to be banned?

In March, the House voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill to force ByteDance's hand. The bill then moved to the Senate, where its fate was uncertain.

Last week House Speaker Mike Johnson tied it to a foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel, putting it on a fast track to becoming law and increasing the possibility of a ban in the United States.

The House on Saturday approved the emergency spending package on a bipartisan 360-to-58 vote. The Senate passed the measure 79-18 Tuesday.

TikTok has said it will exhaust every available legal avenue before considering a sale. It has successfully fought back similar measures.

Why does the US want TikTok to sell?

Fans of the app flooded lawmakers with angry calls protesting the TikTok legislation. But lawmakers say control of the app by a foreign adversary poses too great a risk, including the potential for Beijing to use it to collect intelligence on U.S. users and to spread Chinese government propaganda on sensitive topics such as the Israel-Hamas war.

"Many Americans, particularly young Americans, are rightfully skeptical. At the end of the day, they've not seen what Congress has seen. They've not been in the classified briefings that Congress has held, which have delved more deeply into some of the threats posed by foreign control of TikTok," Mark Warner (D-Va.), Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on the Senate floor Tuesday.

TikTok says it has never been asked to provide U.S. user data to the Chinese government and wouldnt if asked.

"The fact is, we have invested billions of dollars to keep U.S. data safe and our platform free from outside influence and manipulation," TikTok said. "This ban would devastate 7 million businesses and silence 170 million Americans. As we continue to challenge this unconstitutional ban, we will continue investing and innovating to ensure TikTok remains a space where Americans of all walks of life can safely come to share their experiences, find joy, and be inspired."

The legislation has heightened tensions with China. Last week Apple removed several apps including Metas WhatsApp and Threads from its app store in China at Beijings request in apparent retaliation for the legislation.

In March, the House voted overwhelmingly to approve a bill that would force Chinese parent company ByteDance to sell TikToks U.S. operations. The bill then moved to the Senate, where its future was uncertain.

TikTok CEO Shou Chew: 'This is a ban'

In a two-minute video posted on the TikTok app, TikTok CEO Shou Chew reassured TikTok users, saying: "Rest assured, we aren't going anywhere."

But TikTok's CEO also argued the new law is a government attempt to ban the popular app.

"Make no mistake: this is a ban  a ban on TikTok and a ban on you and your voice," Chew said. "Politicians may say otherwise, but don't get confused. Many who sponsored the bill admit a TikTok ban is the ultimate goal."

Senators deny TikTok bill is a 'ban bill'

Senators who supported the legislation denied it was a "ban bill." Warner said lawmakers hope Tiktok "will continue under new ownership."

"For several months now, weve heard from constituents how much they value TikTok as a creative platform," he said. "To those Americans I would emphasize, this is not a ban of a service you appreciate."

TikTok has said it considers any law that would force a sale the equivalent of a ban because of the hurdles facing a sale.

Beijing can block a sale or it can refuse to allow a sale that includes the powerful TikTok algorithm that recommends videos to users.

"Replicating TikToks algorithm is a nearly impossible task, as rival Meta would attest to," Enberg said. "TikToks ability to serve up relevant and entertaining content to its users is unparalleled in the social media world and what keeps US users on the app for 54 minutes per day."

When would ByteDance be forced to sell TikTok?

The bill itself gives ByteDance nearly a year to divest TikTok  nine months, with a possible three-month extension  far longer than the six-month deadline the original House measure proposed.

We think a year is an ample time to allow potential investors to come forward for due diligence to be completed and for lawyers to draw up and finalize contracts, Sen. Maria Cantwell, (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said Tuesday on the Senate floor.

Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, departs from the office of Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) at the Russell Senate Office Building on March 14, 2024 in Washington, DC.

Who is interested in buying TikTok?

"While the price tag will be eye-popping, TikTok's strategic value and consumer platform will have a number of financial and tech strategic players interested," Wedbush Securities analyst Daniel Ives said.

Investor groups and major tech giants including Microsoft, Apple and Oracle will consider bids, according to Ives. He also expects joint bids from a handful of Big Tech companies.

Former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and "Shark Tank" star Kevin OLeary have also expressed interest in buying TikTok.

Unlikely to bid are Google and Meta. "While many would want to get their hands on TikToks coveted algorithm, most of those who could afford to buy the app wouldnt be able to clear antitrust hurdles," Enberg said.

An initial public offering or a spin-off are two other potential outcomes, according to Ives.

How would a TikTok ban work?

If the TikTok ban takes effect, the app would disappear from the Apple and Google app stores. It would still be available on the phones of users who downloaded it but TikTok would not be able to update the app or send bug fixes or security patches so over time it would become unusable.

A TikTok ban would also bar web hosting companies from distributing the app.

Banning the app wont necessarily stop TikTok fans from using it. In 2020 when India banned TikTok after an incident at the Chinese border, TikTok users found workarounds to circumvent the ban.

Those strategies include using a VPN (virtual private network) or changing your location on your phone to fool the app stores. Another option is "side-loading"  downloading and installing a bootleg version of the TikTok app from the internet  but doing so carries the risk of downloading malware.

Where do Biden and Trump stand on a TikTok ban?

Biden supports a forced sale of TikTok but has not called for a ban of the app, his top science advisor said at Semafor's World Economy Summit last week.

"The big issue for TikTok from a national security perspective is about the vast amount of information that the platform is able to collect about people and specifically the fact that because of its ownership theres a direct line to the Peoples Republic of China, which in the geopolitics of today is a deeply concerning issue," Arati Prabhakar, the White House Director of Science and Technology Policy, said.

Las Vegas, Nevada | President Joe Biden speaks during a campaign rally at Pearson Community Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Feb. 4, 2024. He touted first-term policy accomplishments, a growing economy and the dangers of a possible second Trump presidency.

Former president Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok in 2020, posted to Truth Social on Monday: "Just so everyone knows, especially the young people, Crooked Joe Biden is responsible for banning TikTok."

Now that Trump has changed his mind about TikTok, ByteDance could wait out the election to see which party has control after November.

Former President Donald Trump displays a stack of papers while departing a New York City criminal court on April 23, 2024.

Who opposes the TikTok bill? Free speech advocates

Free speech advocates have spoken out against the possibility of a TikTok ban. They say banning TikTok is the wrong way to address concerns about the practices of social media companies.

"Longstanding Supreme Court precedent protects Americans' First Amendment right to access information, ideas, and media from abroad. By banning TikTok, the bill would infringe on this right, and with no real pay-off,"Nadine Farid Johnson, policy director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, said in a statement. China and other foreign adversaries could still purchase Americans sensitive data from data brokers on the open market. And they could still engage in disinformation campaigns using American-owned platforms.

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a science and technology policy think tank, also opposes the TikTok bill.

"The TikTok ban is bad policy, plain and simple," the foundation's vice president, Daniel Castro, said in a statement. And, he said, "it will not stop Chinas techno-nationalist agenda."

Who would benefit from a TikTok ban?

YouTube, Facebook and Instagram would benefit most from a TikTok ban.

"We would expect Meta to be the primary recipient of redistributed TikTok revenue should the company exit the U.S., with Google the likely No. 2 beneficiary," said Wedbush Securities analyst Scott Devitt.

Devitt said a recent survey of TikTok users found that 60% would switch to Facebook or Instagram and 19% would primarily replace TikTok with YouTube.

"Ultimately, users will go where their favorite creators are, and advertisers will follow their lead. That makes Meta and Google the biggest beneficiaries of a potential ban or surrounding uncertainty, as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are the most natural TikTok alternatives," Emarketer's Enberg said.

Snapchat and Pinterest could also draw users and advertising dollars from TikTok, analysts say.

YouTube continues to be the No. 1 app with teens. Nine in 10 teens use the app, followed by TikTok (63%), Snapchat (60%) and Instagram (59%), according to Pew Research Center. Teens are less likely to use Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) than they were a decade ago.

X owner Elon Musk conducted a poll on the social media platform, hinting he might bring back mobile video app Vine. Musk said last week that he opposed banning TikTok.

"In my opinion, TikTok should not be banned in the USA, even though such a ban may benefit the X platform," he wrote on X. "Doing so would be contrary to freedom of speech and expression. It is not what America stands for."

In my opinion, TikTok should not be banned in the USA, even though such a ban may benefit the  platform.



Doing so would be contrary to freedom of speech and expression. It is not what America stands for.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 19, 2024

What do Americans think about a TikTok ban?

The American public remains divided.

Nearly half of the respondents in a CNBC All-America Economic Survey poll taken in March say TikTok should be banned or sold to a non-Chinese company.

Forty percent of Democrats and 60% of Republicans support a ban or a sale of the popular app, the survey found.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TikTok 'ban' law signed by Biden. Here's what happens next.
Bad news for Apple: iPhones have yet another new competitor in China.

Huawei just released a new line of smartphones called the Pura 70.

The devices give Chinese consumers another reason to abandon their iPhones.

Tim Cook would like you to think everything is going swimmingly for Apple in China.

A highlight reel of the Apple CEO's recent trip to the country, posted to his Weibo account, showed him being papped by fans at the opening of a new store in Shanghai's Jing'an district, taking selfies on an iPhone with celebrity models, and casually strolling the historic Bund.

"Every time I am in China, I can feel the unique charm here again. Thank you very much for the warm reception!" Cook wrote in the social media post.

Here's the thing. The Apple chief actually had a major dilemma facing him in China at the time he posted the video last month: iPhone sales were down by an alarming 24% in the first six weeks of the year, per data from Counterpoint Research.

And despite the charm offensive from Cook, there's a risk that downward spiral is about to get a whole lot worse.

On Thursday, Huawei released a new series of smartphones called the Pura 70. They come fitted with an advanced new camera system that looks similar to the trio of lenses on the back of the iPhone Pro models, and starts at $760.

Huawei's new Pura70 phone has three cameras, just like the iPhone Pro. CFOTO/Future Publishing/Getty Images

Critically, the new phones give Huawei a fresh opportunity to take a bigger bite out of Apple's share of the China smartphone market. It's already won over some consumers since launching the Mate 60 Pro series last year.

The Mate 60 raised some fears in the US last year after the discovery that they were being powered by advanced chips that Washington had sought to prevent China obtaining by imposing tight export controls.

Those chips, made domestically, helped Huawei make huge gains in China by enabling features that rival those seen in iPhones. They're now believed to be in the new Pura 70 devices too, per Reuters, which spoke to a customer who tested their network speed.

The Huawei Mate 60 rivals the latest iPhone. Wang Gang/Getty Images

Counterpoint estimated a 64% surge in smartphone sales for Huawei in the first six weeks of the year. The Pura 70 could continue that momentum. Ivan Lam, senior analyst at Counterpoint, told Reuters he thinks Huawei could almost double phone shipments this year to 60 million units.

This is not the sort of thing Apple wants to hear, of course.

China has been its most important international market for several years, but that's under threat from the rise of domestic rivals that can entice Chinese consumers with devices that look and feel nearly identical to iPhones.

Apple has already shown weakness in the face of domestic competition in China. Net sales in the Greater China region were $20.8 billion in the final three months of last year, down from $23.9 billion in the same period of 2022.

Wedbush analysts wrote last week that Apple is "navigating one of the more difficult China demand environments we have seen the last five years." They expect another decline in iPhone sales in the region in Apple's quarterly earnings on May 2.

Cook might be putting on a brave face, but iPhone sales in China may keep sliding if Huawei has its way.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Louisiana gets $290 million T-Mobile network upgrade. See where service is expanded

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and T-Mobile announced the completion of a statewide $290 million multi-year 5G network investment.

Over the past three years, T-Mobile improved Ultra Capacity 5G (5G UC) connectivity for over 1.7 million Louisianans, according to a news release. The expansion includes small towns and rural areas and provides access to 5G UC coverage in new areas. It increases speeds and creates new opportunities for businesses, schools, healthcare providers and first responders.

T-Mobiles investment in our states infrastructure will pay dividends for years to come, said Landry. By bringing high-speed 5G connectivity to more areas of Louisiana, we are making it easier for people to stay connected with their loved ones, access educational opportunities and grow their businesses. I applaud T-Mobile for their commitment to our state and for helping us get even closer to closing the digital divide.

T-Mobile said network enhancements include new 5G coverage and capacity enhancements with the addition of over 300 new cell sites and almost 1,870 upgrades to existing ones.

Louisiana now has 5G service along 99% of interstates, highways and state routes, the company said.

Ookla, a company that monitors wireless networks, reports that T-Mobile is the fastest provider in Louisiana. Residents can learn more and check eligibility online.

Parishes receiving immediate benefits from expanded and accelerated 5G service include:

Ascension

Avoyelles

Caddo

Calcasieu

East Baton Rouge

Iberia

Jefferson

Lafayette

Lafourche

Orleans

Ouachita

Rapides

St. Tammany

Tangipahoa

Terrebonne

West Baton Rouge

Latest News

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to BRProud.com.
VIENTIANE, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of 33 people were killed in road accidents across Laos during the celebrations of the Lao New Year from April 11 to 17, said a Lao official.

A total of 316 accidents were recorded across the country during the cited period, Deputy Head of the Traffic Police Department under the Lao Ministry of Public Security Khamsone Sidavong told a press conference here on Friday.

Meanwhile, 594 people were injured and 567 vehicles were damaged in the road accidents. Vientiane province reported the highest number of accidents at 43, causing five deaths.

Khamsone said the main causes of the road accidents were drunk driving, speeding and sudden direction changes.

The Lao New Year is the most important festival in the Lao calendar. This year, the traffic police department has unveiled plans to improve road traffic safety during the holidays. Traffic police have been on duty nationwide to monitor and prevent traffic rule violations. 
A large white rocket with four smaller boosters lifts off above a plume of fire.

The Russian space agency Roscosmos conducted a successful orbital test launch of its new Angara A5 heavy-lift rocket, helping to open a new chapter of spaceflight for the nation.

The Angara A5 lifted off April 11 on its fourth orbital test launch, and its first from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's far east. The 179-foot-tall (54.5 meters) rocket is produced entirely from Russian components and uses a more environmentally friendly fuel than the nation's previous heavy-lift rocket, the Proton-M.

"The rocket worked according to plan," Roscosmos said in a Telegram post after the launch. "This launch kicks off flight design tests of the Amur space rocket with Angara heavy-lift launch vehicles at Vostochny."

Related: Russia launches heavy-lift Angara rocket on 3rd test flight, but misses intended orbit: reports

The launch came after a scrubbed attempt on April 9 and a delayed second attempt on April 10. This marks the fourth time Roscosmos has launched the Angara A5. Its first test flight took place in 2014, and its second in 2020.

In 2021, Russia's space agency launched the rocket on its third test mission, but it missed its intended orbit when its second stage experienced an anomaly.

The April 11 flight was a success, according to Roscosmos, which reported via Telegram that the Angara A5 successfully placed a cubesat developed by Avant Space into low Earth orbit.

a large white rocket with four smaller boosters lifts off above a plume of fire

"The creation of the Angara space rocket complex (KRK) is a task of special national importance," Roscosmos said, according to Reuters. "The commissioning of the Angara spacecraft will allow Russia to launch spacecraft of all types from its territory and provide our country with independent guaranteed access to space."

a large white rocket with four smaller boosters lifts off above a plume of fire

RELATED STORIES:

 Angara: Russian Rocket for LEO payloads

 Big hunk of failed Russian rocket crashes to Earth as space junk

 Russia launches new Angara A5 rocket on second test flight in nighttime liftoff

The experimental cubesat launched into orbit aboard the Angara A5, known as Gagarinets, will be used to verify a laser system that is designed to project images such as QR codes or advertisements in the night sky, according to Avant Space.

The company claims that a constellation of satellites orbiting around 300 to 372 miles (500 to 600 kilometers) high will be able to project images visible even in cities with high light pollution. These artificial sky sights will be visible to millions for up to three to five minutes, according to Avant Space.
SpaceX launched its 40th mission of the year this evening (April 18).

A Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 of the company's Starlink internet satellites lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida today at 6:40 p.m. EDT (2240 GMT).

The Falcon 9's first stage came back to Earth about 8.5 minutes after launch as planned, making a vertical landing on the SpaceX droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Related: Starlink satellite train: How to see and track it in the night sky

a black-and-white spacex falcon 9 rocket launches into a cloudy sky.

It was the seventh launch and landing for this particular booster, according to a SpaceX mission description. Two of the rocket's previous six flights sent astronauts to the International Space Station  the private Ax-2 and Ax-3 missions, which launched in May 2023 and January of this year, respectively.

The Falcon 9's upper stage, meanwhile, will continue hauling the 23 Starlink satellites toward low Earth orbit this evening, ultimately deploying them there about 65 minutes after liftoff.

RELATED STORIES:

 SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ties 19 flight-record with launch from California (video)

 8 ways that SpaceX has transformed spaceflight

 SpaceX launches Crew-8 astronaut mission to International Space Station for NASA (video)

Twenty-seven of the 40 orbital missions that SpaceX has launched so far in 2024 have been devoted to building out the Starlink megaconstellation. That network is already huge: It currently consists of more than 5,760 operational satellites, according to astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell.

The 40-launch tally does not include the March 14 liftoff of SpaceX's Starship megarocket, which the company is developing to take people and cargo to the moon, Mars and beyond. Starship reached orbital velocity during that mission, which was the vehicle's third test flight overall.

Editor's note: This story was updated at 7:26 pm ET on April 18 with news of successful launch and rocket landing.
That text you got about unpaid road tolls could be a scam. What is smishing?

It's not unusual for me to get payment request texts on my phone. Medical visits and prepays, reminders for the power bill, that sort of thing.

But I was immediately wary of a text I received this week about my Sun Pass toll road payments.

"We've noticed an outstanding toll amount of $12.51 in your record," the text said. "To avoid a late fee of $50.00, visit https://sunpasstollsservices.com to settle your balance."

There are two problems with that. One, my Sun Pass account autopays. Second, the SunPass site is sunpass.com.

A new texting scam asks Floridians to pay outstanding (and nonexistent) toll road fees.

This scam is called "smishing," and this version of the SMS scam is a new one that the FBI warned everyone about earlier this month. Tapping on the link in the text will take you to a site similar to your toll service's, including working links and the right logo, but the payment section will be different.

What is smishing?

According to the FBI, "smishing" is a "social engineering attack using fake text messages to trick people into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or sending money to cybercriminals."

"Smishing" is a combination of "SMS" ("short message service," or what everyone just calls texts now) and "phishing." "Phishing" is a more general term for sending fake messages to try and get you to reveal personal information like credit card numbers or passwords.

Florida a ripe target for scammers: Online crime cost Florida residents $844.9 million in 2022, FBI says, 2nd highest in U.S.

What is the smishing scam for toll road fees?

The FBI has received over 2,000 complaints from at least three states reporting smishing texts pretending to be road toll services.

"ICI complaint information indicates the scam may be moving from state to state," the release said. ICI is the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The text is always nearly identical, even to the $12.51 amount, but the website address changes to a local toll service and the phone number has a state-appropriate area code. But tapping the URL could end up with you losing money, personal identification information, or getting malware on your phone (or all three).

What do I do if I get a suspicious text?

If you get a text asking for payment, always go to the service's legitimate website rather than tapping on the text and check your account independently. In this case, go to your toll service's actual website (not the one listed in the text) or call their customer service number and find out for yourself.

The FBI also suggests:

File a complaint with the IC3, www.ic3.gov, and be sure to include: The phone number from where the text originated. The website listed within the text

Delete any smishing texts received.

If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: New Florida text scam demands unpaid road tolls, FBI issues warning
A chatbot turns hostile. A test version of a Roomba vacuum collects images of users in private situations. A Black woman is falsely identified as a suspect on the basis of facial recognition software, which tends to be less accurate at identifying women and people of color.

These incidents are not just glitches, but examples of more fundamental problems. As artificial intelligence and machine learning tools become more integrated into daily life, ethical considerations are growing, from privacy issues and race and gender biases in coding to the spread of misinformation.

The general public depends on software engineers and computer scientists to ensure these technologies are created in a safe and ethical manner. As a sociologist and doctoral candidate interested in science, technology, engineering and math education, we are currently researching how engineers in many different fields learn and understand their responsibilities to the public.

Yet our recent research, as well as that of other scholars, points to a troubling reality: The next generation of engineers often seem unprepared to grapple with the social implications of their work. Whats more, some appear apathetic about the moral dilemmas their careers may bring  just as advances in AI intensify such dilemmas.

Aware, but unprepared

As part of our ongoing research, we interviewed more than 60 electrical engineering and computer science masters students at a top engineering program in the United States. We asked students about their experiences with ethical challenges in engineering, their knowledge of ethical dilemmas in the field and how they would respond to scenarios in the future.

First, the good news: Most students recognized potential dangers of AI and expressed concern about personal privacy and the potential to cause harm  like how race and gender biases can be written into algorithms, intentionally or unintentionally.

One student, for example, expressed dismay at the environmental impact of AI, saying AI companies are using more and more greenhouse power, [for] minimal benefits. Others discussed concerns about where and how AIs are being applied, including for military technology and to generate falsified information and images.

When asked, however, Do you feel equipped to respond in concerning or unethical situations? students often said no.

Flat out no.  It is kind of scary, one student replied. Do YOU know who Im supposed to go to?

Another was troubled by the lack of training: I [would be] dealing with that with no experience.  Who knows how Ill react.

Many students are worried about ethics in their field  but that doesnt mean they feel prepared to deal with the challenges. The Good Brigade/DigitalVision via Getty Images

Other researchers have similarly found that many engineering students do not feel satisfied with the ethics training they do receive. Common training usually emphasizes professional codes of conduct, rather than the complex socio-technical factors underlying ethical decision-making. Research suggests that even when presented with particular scenarios or case studies, engineering students often struggle to recognize ethical dilemmas.

A box to check off

Accredited engineering programs are required to include topics related to professional and ethical responsibilities in some capacity.

Yet ethics training is rarely emphasized in the formal curricula. A study assessing undergraduate STEM curricula in the U.S. found that coverage of ethical issues varied greatly in terms of content, amount and how seriously it is presented. Additionally, an analysis of academic literature about engineering education found that ethics is often considered nonessential training.

Many engineering faculty express dissatisfaction with students understanding, but report feeling pressure from engineering colleagues and students themselves to prioritize technical skills in their limited class time.

Researchers in one 2018 study interviewed over 50 engineering faculty and documented hesitancy  and sometimes even outright resistance  toward incorporating public welfare issues into their engineering classes. More than a quarter of professors they interviewed saw ethics and societal impacts as outside real engineering work.

About a third of students we interviewed in our ongoing research project share this seeming apathy toward ethics training, referring to ethics classes as just a box to check off.

If Im paying money to attend ethics class as an engineer, Im going to be furious, one said.

These attitudes sometimes extend to how students view engineers role in society. One interviewee in our current study, for example, said that an engineers responsibility is just to create that thing, design that thing and  tell people how to use it. [Misusage] issues are not their concern.

One of us, Erin Cech, followed a cohort of 326 engineering students from four U.S. colleges. This research, published in 2014, suggested that engineers actually became less concerned over the course of their degree about their ethical responsibilities and understanding the public consequences of technology. Following them after they left college, we found that their concerns regarding ethics did not rebound once these new graduates entered the workforce.

Joining the work world

When engineers do receive ethics training as part of their degree, it seems to work.

Along with engineering professor Cynthia Finelli, we conducted a survey of over 500 employed engineers. Engineers who received formal ethics and public welfare training in school are more likely to understand their responsibility to the public in their professional roles, and recognize the need for collective problem solving. Compared to engineers who did not receive training, they were 30% more likely to have noticed an ethical issue in their workplace and 52% more likely to have taken action.

The next generation needs to be prepared for ethical questions, not just technical ones. Qi Yang/Moment via Getty Images

Over a quarter of these practicing engineers reported encountering a concerning ethical situation at work. Yet approximately one-third said they have never received training in public welfare  not during their education, and not during their career.

This gap in ethics education raises serious questions about how well-prepared the next generation of engineers will be to navigate the complex ethical landscape of their field, especially when it comes to AI.

To be sure, the burden of watching out for public welfare is not shouldered by engineers, designers and programmers alone. Companies and legislators share the responsibility.

But the people who are designing, testing and fine-tuning this technology are the publics first line of defense. We believe educational programs owe it to them  and the rest of us  to take this training seriously.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Elana Goldenkoff, University of Michigan and Erin A. Cech, University of Michigan.

Read more:



Elana Goldenkoff receives funding from National Science Foundation and Schmidt Futures.

Erin A. Cech receives funding from the National Science Foundation.
Peter MC Verbrugge appears via Zoom in Yakima County Superior Court Wednesday, April 10, 2024. Verbrugge was arrested on suspicion of vehicular assault while intoxicated after a crash that seriously injured a cyclist.
You are the owner of this article.
UNITED NATIONS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Thursday voted against a Palestinian request for full UN membership at the Security Council.

The 15-member council voted on a draft resolution that recommends to the 193-member UN General Assembly that "the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations."

The draft resolution received 12 votes in favor, two abstentions, and one vote against.

A council resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by the United States, Britain, France, Russia or China to pass. 
Mildred Quaempts, left, presents Cissy Strong Reyes with a gift at an event April 11 at the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute. Both spoke on a panel to raise awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous people and the Umatilla Reservation.
URUMQI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Total import and export value of goods in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region grew by 42.7 percent year on year to 93.63 billion yuan (about 13.2 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of 2024, the second highest growth rate among all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China, official data showed on Thursday.

In March 2024 alone, Xinjiang's foreign trade value grew by 27.3 percent, registering growth for 29 consecutive months.

From January to March, the region had conducted trade with 193 countries and regions across the globe. Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan proved its major trading partners during this period. Xinjiang's trade with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative rose by 41.7 percent year on year, accounting for 91.9 percent of Xinjiang's total foreign trade value in Q1.

In terms of export items, mechanical and electrical products saw significant growth, with the growth rate reaching 45.8 percent. Meanwhile, imports of ore, unwrought copper and copper materials, and agricultural products had increased by 9 percent, 169 percent and 36.3 percent, respectively. 
SUVA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Fiji Police Force has expressed deep concern over rising drug cases involving minors.

Acting Police Commissioner Juki Fong Chew said Friday the force recorded a total of 526 arrests related to drug offenses during the first quarter of this year, including 13 individuals under 18 years old.

Chew emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue by implementing proactive measures to raise awareness in schools, media and communities, according to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation.

The Police Force reported a significant increase in drug-related cases compared to the previous year.

In March alone, 160 drug-related cases were recorded, marking a 67 percent surge from the same period in the previous year, Chew said.

Of the total 160 drug cases, 28 were associated with methamphetamine, two cases were related to cocaine, while the remaining 130 cases were related to the unlawful possession or cultivation of marijuana, the commissioner added. 




VILLANOVA, Pa. (April 19, 2024)  Vincent Lloyd, PhD, a professor of Theology and Religious Studies and Director of the Center for Political Theology at Villanova University, has been named a 2024 Guggenheim Fellow. Chosen through a rigorous application and peer review process from a pool of almost 3,000 applicants, Dr. Lloyd is one of 188 fellows selected for this prestigious fellowship based on career achievement and exceptional promise. In all, 52 scholarly disciplines and artistic fields, 84 academic institutions, 38 US states and the District of Columbia, and four Canadian provinces are represented in the 2024 Guggenheim Fellow class.

Since its founding in 1925 by Senator Samuel Guggenheim, the Foundation has awarded over $400 million in fellowships to more than 19,000 fellows. Each fellow receives a monetary stipend to pursue independent work at the highest level under the freest possible conditions. Many Fellows projects directly respond to timely issues such as democracy and politics, identity, disability activism, machine learning, incarceration, climate change and community.

"Congratulations to Dr. Lloyd on this well-deserved recognition," said Adele Lindenmeyr, PhD, William and Julia Moulden Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. "The Guggenheim Fellowship is among the most prestigious awards in academia, recognizing individuals whose work demonstrates exceptional depth, promise and impact. Dr. Lloyds selection reflects his distinguished scholarly reputation and the timeliness of his compelling new project on the controversial Black intellectual and radical, Harold Cruse."

Selected as a Guggenheim Fellow in discipline of Intellectual & Cultural History, Dr. Lloyds research and teaching focuses on issues and trends related to religion in politics and race, and their impact on social change. Most recently, he is the author of Black Dignity: The Struggle Against Domination (Yale University Press), co-author of Break Every Yoke: Religion, Justice, and the Abolition of Prisons (Oxford University Press), and co-editor of the forthcoming Political Theology Reimagined (Duke University Press). Dr. Lloyd has co-edited the journal Political Theology for the past 12 years, and he co-edits the Transforming Political Theologies book series. Dr. Lloyd previously held fellowships from the American Council of Learned Societies, the Louisville Institute, Durham University (UK), Emory University and Notre Dame.

During his Guggenheim Fellowship, Dr. Lloyd will be writing Harold Cruse: Contrarian Radical, a biography of one of the forgotten founders of Black studies, to be published by Yale University Press.

About the Guggenheim Foundation: Created and initially funded in 1925, by US Senator Simon and Olga Guggenheim in memory of their son John Simon, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has sought to further the development of scholars and artists by assisting them to engage in research in any field of knowledge and creation in any of the arts, under the freest possible conditions.

Since its establishment, the Foundation has granted over $400 million in Fellowships to more than 19,000 individuals, among whom are more than 125 Nobel laureates, members of all the national academies, winners of the Pulitzer Prize, Fields Medal, Turing Award, Bancroft Prize, National Book Award, and other internationally recognized honors. The broad range of fields of study is a unique characteristic of the Fellowship program.

The Foundation centers the talents and instincts of the Fellows, whose passions often have broad and immediate social impact. For example, in 1936, Zora Neale Hurston wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God with the support of a Guggenheim Fellowship and dedicated it to the Foundations first president, Henry Allen Moe. Photographer Robert Franks seminal book, The Americans, was the product of a cross-country tour supported by two Guggenheim Fellowships. The accomplishments of other early Fellows like e.e. cummings, Jennifer Doudna, Jacob Lawrence, Rachel Carson, James Baldwin, Martha Graham, and Linus Pauling also demonstrate the strength of the Foundations core values and the power and impact of its approach. More information at gf.org

About Villanova University: Since 1842, Villanova Universitys Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six collegesthe College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nations top universities, Villanova supports its students intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit www.villanova.edu.
Hungary and the Dominican Republic have formed an alliance to protect their citizens against the hazards of illegal migration in the face of hypocritical international pressure, the foreign minister said in Santo Domingo on Thursday.

While the international liberal mainstream says that migration is good and only has beneficial effects  we who directly face the challenges  know that migration poses a danger rather than opportunities, and could seriously impact national security, the foreign ministry quoted Peter Szijjarto as saying.



Migration poses security risks such as an increase in the threat of terrorism, spreading organised crime, a proliferation of drug trafficking or, as seen in Western Europe, the emergence of parallel societies, Szijjarto said, calling for international cooperation on the part of countries that directly face the dramatic effects of illegal migration.



Migration is not a human right  a human right for everybody is that they should be ensured a peaceful and secure life in their own country, he said.



Nobody can strip Hungary or the Dominican Republic of their sovereign right to determine whom they wish to grant permission to cross their borders, he said.



Neither Hungary nor the Dominican Republic supported the global migration pact in the United Nations, Szijjarto noted, adding that the Hungarian government built a fence to protect its southern borders, while the Dominican Republic is building a wall along its border.



Border violations are considered as attacks on our sovereignty, Szijjarto said.



We jointly say that the national interest comes first and everybody must respect our sovereignty; that migration should not be managed but curbed, and anyone trying to force the opposite on us stands against our national interests, the minister said.



Szijjarto noted that he was the first Hungarian foreign minister to visit the Dominican Republic, and called his visit of diplomatic historical importance.



This year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, so the time has come to elevate our relations to a higher level, he said.



During the talks, Szijjarto and his Dominican partners signed six agreements. Trade turnover with the Dominican Republic multiplied by 9.5 in the past ten years, which is an excellent basis to further develop economic cooperation, he said, adding that one of the new agreements is designed to that end.



The other agreements are aimed at introducing Hungarian water management technologies to the Dominican Republic, setting up a political consultation mechanism, lifting the visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and service passports, joint diplomatic training, as well as offering five university scholarships for Dominican students studying in Hungary, Szijjarto said.



Meanwhile, Szijjarto Congratulates Head of Ethnic Hungarian Party in Croatia on Election Result

Hungarians in Croatia have again shown force so Robert Jankovics will be the lawmaker with the third biggest legitimacy in Croatias parliament, Peter Szijjarto, the foreign minister, said on Facebook.



Szijjarto congratulated Jankovics, the head of the Democratic Union of Hungarians of Croatia (HMDK), and wished him success in representing Hungarian interests.



Parliamentary elections were held in Croatia on April 17.



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Hungarys Sovereignty Protection Office is launching an investigation into a suspected attempt at foreign election financing.

The office said it decided to launch its investigation based on information published in Thursdays edition of the daily Magyar Nemzet.



The Sovereignty Protection Office said it had reason to suspect that foreign and Hungarian interests that had attempted to influence the 2022 general elections and played an active role in several European Union campaigns were once again targeting the Hungarian elections.



It said several criminal proceedings were under way against the members of the network of companies suspected of being involved in the case.



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According to nearly two-thirds of Hungarian employees, working from home is a basic expectation in those areas where it is possible according to a survey conducted by Erste.

In a post on the bank's Facebook page presenting the results of the research,



Erste's HR manager Krisztina Mihok said that there was a demand for greater flexibility on the part of the employees even before COVID-19, which had only been strengthened by the pandemic.



The survey also revealed that the majority liked the home office opportunities they experienced during the coronavirus epidemic, which became necessary in many workplaces.



Some 92% of those who completed Erste's questionnaire said that they could work from home at their current workplace, and another 5% answered that they think home office could be solved in their job, but their employer does not allow it.



Another 61% of the respondents who have or feel that they have the possibility to work from home said that allowing it is a basic requirement, while 32% think it is very important.



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ABUJA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 192 suspected terrorists, including three key figures, were killed in anti-terror operations in Nigeria over the past week, the military said Thursday.

Some 341 others were nabbed in raids by troops, with 62 hostages freed from their captors during the period, Edward Buba, a spokesman for the military, told reporters in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.

In the northeastern part of the country, a total of 122 members of the Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP) and their families surrendered to the troops during the operations, Buba said.

The air force of the military conducted air strikes on suspected ISWAP fighters' hideouts and a logistics hub, including their food processing unit, in the village of Kolleram located along the shores of Lake Chad, according to the spokesman. 
In an initiative to promote Electric Vehicles, the Indian government has been taking various initiatives. Recently the government has invited an advisor from Tesla to a meeting on India's new Electric Vehicle (EV) policy. Notably, Elon Musk's Company is taking a keen interest in setting up business in India

Before the visit of American industrialist Elon Musk to India, advisors of his company Tesla attended the meeting of the concerned parties. A senior official said, This was a consultation meeting organized to seek suggestions for the guidelines to be prepared for the new EV manufacturing policy. On behalf of Tesla, its advisor 'The Asia Group' (TAG) participated in it. Vietnam's EV manufacturing company Vinfast was also present at the meeting.

According to the sources, representatives of all the major automobile manufacturers of India including Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata, Mahindra, Kia, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, and Renault were present at the meeting. Apart from this, representatives of luxury car manufacturing companies  Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi were also present.

Industry Ministry officials presented a blueprint for the EV policy in the meeting. He said that most of the participants in the meeting were trying to understand the details of the policy in depth. This meeting was organized specifically for consultation.

It is noteworthy that Tesla CEO Elon Musk is expected to visit India in the third week of April. Musk is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi during this visit.
New Delhi: Union Minister Amit Shah has expressed happiness on being given a ticket from Gujrat's Lok Sabha seat. Shah, who is Union Home Minister, exuded confidence of scoring a victory from Gandhinagar. The minister also thanked PM Narendra Modi and party chief JP Nadda after filing his nomination for the seat today.

Gandhinagar seat falls in Gandhinagar district, that also serves as the capital of Gujarat - the home state of PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

Earlier, the prestigious seat was held by Lal Krishna Advani, BJP veteran and former Deputy Prime Minister of India.

Upon his fielding from the seat, Shah said that he will try to fight elections with great zeal and will serve the people of Gandhinagar with utter determination.

The first phase of Lok Sabha Polls was conducted today in almost 21 states and UTs. This time the election is scheduled to be held in seven phases and the result will be declared on July 7.
Amidst the voting in the 1st phase of Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara, the city mayor's Vikram Ahake, who recently switched to BJP from Congress, urged the people to vote in favour of the Congress. Taking u-turn, Ahake posted a video on social media urging people to vote for the Congress candidate Nakul Nath, son of former Chief Minister Kamal Nath. The BJP has fielded Vivek Bunty Sahu and several top party leaders have visited the constituency to campaign for him. Chhindwara is one of the six Lok Sabha seats where the first phase of the parliamentary elections is currently taking place.

Soon after joining a political party, I was feeling suffocated. I felt that I was not doing the right thing with a person who has developed Chhindwara, Ahake said in the video. Nath always devoted himself to the constituencys betterment, be it the education sector, providing treatment to people or carrying out development works, said Ahake.

In the future, I will get a lot of opportunities to do politics. I don't know what will happen to me, but if I dont stand with my leader Kamal Nath and Nakul Nath today as they have done a lot for me I appeal to the voters to ensure the victory of Nakul Nath (and his father Kamal Nath) with a huge margin, Ahake said in the video message.

Mayor Ahake joined the BJP on April 1 in the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and state party president Vishnu Dutt Sharma in the state capital. Among the 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh, Chhindwara is the only constituency that the BJP lost in 2019. The seat has been claimed nine times by former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath.
New Delhi: A tragic incident unfolded in Karnataka's Hubbali, where the daughter of a Congress corporator died after being stabbed seven times by an attacker. The accused has been arrested and allegedly committed this heinous act because the victim had rejected his advances, police said.

The victim is identified as Neha Hiremath, daughter of a Congress corporator, who was a first-year student of Master in Computer Application at the BV Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology in Hubballi. She died after being stabbed seven times by a knife.

The horrifying incident took place around 5 PM on Thursday when Neha was walking inside the campus. CCTV slips show that a couple of sentences were exchanged between them and then the accused attacked him.

The accused identifies as a Fayaz, who studied in the same college and later dropped out.

Neha's mother informed me that she came to pick her up and spoke to her over the phone, within five minutes of conversation, chaos happened and she was stabbed, NDTV reported.

Hubballi Dharwad Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar said that the accused was run to the hospital but she was declared dead.

She later informed that the police had arrested the accused within 90 minutes. Other students have told them that Neha and the accused stayed together and once they had a heated argument, officials said.
New Delhi: In 2005 a fossil was found in Gujarat which was believed to be that of a giant crocodile, but the recent discovery suggests that it was one of the largest snakes ever found in the world. The researcher suggested that the 'Vasuki Indicus' discovered by the scientists of IIT Roorkee that this fossil can provide a lot of information about the process of evolution.

According to the research, 47 crore years ago a huge snake, one of the longest snakes, which can grow up to 6 meters (20 feet), roamed in India. The scientific name of this huge creature is Vasuki Indicus, which is named after the mythological snake wrapped around the neck of Lord Shiva. This research was published in the journal 'Scientific Reports' on Thursday.

Following the research, the report has been published by the two authors working at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Uttarakhand. They analyzed 27 fossilized skeletal bones, some of which were still fused. In 2005, these bones were found in a coal mine in Gujarat. Initially, the team thought that these bones belonged to a very old crocodile-like creature. But in 2023 research, the scientists removed dirt from these fossils, they came to know that the fossil was a large snake.

Know About 'Vasuki Snake'

Based on the fossils found, scientists reported that this snake would have been 10.9 meters (36 feet) to 15.2 meters (50 feet) long. The body of this snake was wide and cylindrical because it was big which resulted less chances for it to climb trees. The author informed us that the height cannot be suggested yet, since the complete skeleton has not been found.
Israel Attacks Iran: Israel launched a strike on Iranian soil on Friday, news agency Reuters reported. The explosion was heard near the airport in the Iranian city of Isfahan. Iran's Fars news agency reported that the explosions were heard at an airport in the Iranian city of Isfahan. Tehran has denied reports of missile attack by Israel in its soil. "Explosions heard in Isfahan were a result of the activation of Iran's air defence systems," Reuters quoted an Iranian official as saying on Friday.

Meanwhile, flights over the Iranian cities of Isfahan, Shiraz, and Tehran have been halted, as reported by state media. Isfahan province, which houses several Iranian nuclear facilities including Natanz, the focal point of Irans uranium enrichment program, is among the affected areas. According to a notice posted on the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration database, Tehrans Imam Khomeini International Airport was shut down to all flights until 0700 GMT.

On Friday (April 19), some flights from Emirates and Flydubai that were traversing Iranian airspace abruptly altered their course, as evidenced by flight paths displayed on the tracking website Flightradar24. Over the weekend, Iran conducted a retaliatory strike and launched hundreds of drones and missiles in a retaliatory strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. Therefore, most of the drones and missiles were intercepted before reaching Israeli territory.

Iran told the United Nations Security Council on Thursday that Israel must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our interests. The U.N. secretary-general warned that the Middle East was in a "moment of maximum peril."
The Enforcement Directorate has been tightening its noose in the Jharkhand land scam case involving JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha) leaders. In the last week, the ED has not only seized more assets but also made new arrests in the case. Former Jharkhand CM Heman Soren is already behind bars in the case. The probe agency has arrested 22 people in the case including Soren, IAS Chhavi Ranjan and businessman Amit Agarwal.

The probe agency conducted a total of 51 raids and nine surveys in which it recovered Rs 1.25 crore in cash, Rs 3.56 crore in bank accounts and immovable assets worth Rs 266 crore.

On Wednesday, the ED arrested four people including JMM leader Antu Tirkey and real estate businessman Vipin Singh. The ED has filed a chargesheet against Hemant Soren and others on March 30 in the land scam case seeking to confiscate the 8.86-acre land in question which, ED claims, was acquired by forgery.

The probe agency had initiated a money laundering investigation in the land scam case based on multiple FIRs registered by Jharkhand Police against several persons, including government officials. The ED investigation in the case has revealed the involvement of an active land mafia racket in Jharkhand which used to forge land records in Ranchi. It is also revealed that ownership records of lands have also been forged to extend favours to the said land mafia.
TOKYO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Japan on Friday started the fifth round of release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Despite opposition among local fishermen, residents as well as backlash from the international community, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant's operator, started discharging the radioactive wastewater in the morning, the first round in fiscal 2024.

Similar to the previous four rounds, about 7,800 tons of the wastewater will be discharged until May 7. 
Sajad Gani Lone, chairman of the Peoples Conference and party candidate from the Baramulla Parliamentary constituency, today criticized former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over his good and bad political remarks. Lone highlighted the National Conference's shifting alliances and differing perspectives depending on their position of power.

Lone addressed the media, attacking the National Conference for its characterization of 'Good BJP' and 'Bad BJP', drawing attention to the dynamics of the NCs relationship with the BJP. When the NC is in alliance with the BJP and the touristy prince makes a saffron debut by being the first Kashmiri to join the union cabinet led by the BJP, that is what we call the Good BJP. And it is quite commendable to be the poster boy of the Good BJP. When the National Conference is rebuffed and not entertained by the BJP, that is the Bad BJP, said Lone.

Referring to recent statements from the Shiv Sena Unit indicating support for the NC in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, he said "Good Shiv Sena" and "Bad Shiv Sena."

When the National Conference is in alliance with the Shiv Sena in the NDA from 1999-2002 or in the current INDIA alliance, that is the Good Shiv Sena. However, when the NC is not in alliance with the Shiv Sena, it is the Bad Shiv Sena. In that case, it is rabidly communal, adhering to original Hindutva, and, of course, the planner and executor in chief of the bloody Mumbai riots where hundreds of Muslims were killed, he added.

Sajad took a jibe at the National Conference on the Public Safety Act (PSA), further stating, When the National Conference was in power and thousands of people in Kashmir were booked under PSA and packed into jails, it was the Good PSA and a Good Law. It is essential to save Kashmir. The NC is thankful to Sheikh Sahib for having the vision to invent a law as draconian as the PSA. And while in power, there is no question of repealing the PSA.

He added, When the NC is not in power and people are booked under PSA and packed into jails, it is the Bad PSA. And while the National Conference is out of power, the PSA should be repealed.

Sajad was reacting to the recent statement given by Omar Abdullah that Sajad Lone is the B team of the BJP. Abdullah alleged that BJP leader Tarun Chug met Sajad Lone, and the BJP is supporting Sajad in the Baramulla elections.
New Delhi: Prime Minister and BJP senior leader Narendra Modi mocked opposition parties during his Lok Sabha rally at Uttar Pradesh's Amroha on Friday. Modi allegedly said that the INDIA Bloc member is busy abusing the Ram Mandir and Sanatana faith.

PM Modi accused Congress and SP of abusing Ram Mandir and disrespecting Sanatana Dharma. He said that these people have rejected the invitation for the Pran Pratistha of Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

"The Congress candidate from here has difficulty even saying 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. When Ram temple was built in Ayodhya, both SP and Congress parties rejected the invitation for Pran Patishtha. These people are abusing Ram Mandir and Sanatana faith every day" Modi said.

#WATCH | While addressing a public rally in Amroha, UP, PM Modi says "Once again the shooting of a film starring two princes is going on in UP which has already been rejected. Every time these people set out to ask for votes from the people of UP carrying the basket of nepotism, pic.twitter.com/IpI0QCSihu  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Addressing the recent issue PM Modi lambasted the leaders of the Samajwadi party for calling the Ram devotees hypocrites. "On Ram Navami, a grand Surya Tilak of Lord Ramlala has been done. Today, when the whole country is filled with the devotion of Lord Ram, the people of Samajwadi Party publicly call the devotees of Lord Ram as hypocrites," Modi said while addressing the public rally.

Initially, PM Modi took a jibe at the opposition and said at they again the shooting of a film starring two princes was rejected by the people of Uttar Pradesh. "Every time these people set out to ask for votes from the people of UP carrying the basket of nepotism, corruption and appeasement. In their campaign, these people leave no opportunity to attack our faith" Modi added.
Lok Sabha Election Exit Polls 2024: The voting for phase-1 of the Lok Sabha elections has concluded with West Bengal recording over 77 per cent turnout and Bihar recording the lowest at 47.49 per cent among the 21 states/UTs that voted today. On average, over 66 per cent of voting was recorded in these states. On the other hand, the campaigning for the second phase has also intensified. With the voting concluding for the first phase, many people were waiting for the Exit poll predictions for the 102 seats that went to the polls today. However, as per the existing rules, the exit polls were not released today.

The Election Commission of India has barred publishing of exit polls till June 1, the last day of voting in the seven-phase parliamentary polls. "Ban on Exit Poll. Time Period: 7.00 AM - 19 April 2024 To 6.30 PM - 1 June 2024," said the Election Commission of India.

In the second phase on April 26, 89 seats will go to the polls, 94 seats in the third phase on May 7, 96 seats in the fourth phase on May 13, 49 seats in the fifth phase on May 20, 57 seats in sixth phase on May 25 and 57 seats in seventh phase on June 1. One seat of Manipur will go to the polls in two phases.

The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

While the BJP-led NDA is seeking a third term for Narendra Modi, the Congress-led INDIA bloc is seeking to return to power after a dry spell of 10 years.
The commencement of polling for three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal on Friday was tainted by violent incidents, particularly in the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency, within the first two hours. Instances of violence were also reported from the Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha constituency. However, Alipurduar was an outlier, with no reports of election-related violence during the initial hours.

As per the records of the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), the polling percentage stood at 15.09 until 9 a.m. The highest polling percentage was recorded in Alipurduar at 15.91, followed by Cooch Behar at 15.26 per cent and Jalpaiguri at 14.13.

Despite the Election Commission of India deploying as many as 112 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel in Cooch Behar, questions are being raised about the effectiveness of their deployment. Reports of inter-party clashes, destruction and looting of rival party offices, and serious injuries to some party activists have been emerging, all within the first two hours of the first phase of polling.

The majority of the violence reports have come from the Chandamari area in Cooch Behar. Tensions escalated following the assault on BJPs booth president, Lob Sarkar, who was hospitalised with severe head injuries. A Trinamool Congress worker also sustained serious head injuries due to stone-pelting between BJP and Trinamool Congress activists.

Similar tensions were observed in the Rajakhora area and other parts of Cooch Behar. The area witnessed a series of attacks and counter-attacks between the ruling and opposition party activists, resulting in the ransacking of temporary camp offices of both the Trinamool Congress and BJP.

Reports also emerged that a temporary party office of the Trinamool Congress at Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar was allegedly burnt down by local BJP supporters.Likewise, tensions flared in the Dabgram-Phulbari area under the Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha constituency after a BJP booth office was allegedly completely destroyed by ruling Trinamool Congress activists.
In the midst of heavy downpour, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti arrived in Pulwama on Friday. Amid the inclement weather, Mehbooba was there to support the party's candidate for the Srinagar constituency, Waheed-Ur Rahman Para, emphasizing his candidacy as crucial in representing the voice of the people in parliament amidst the ongoing political crises in Jammu and Kashmir.

While addressing the people, Mehbooba stated that the main purpose of the PDP seeking votes is to inform the country through parliament that what the BJP has done to them in 2019 is not acceptable. The unilateral decisions, stifling of just voices, and erosion of constitutional guarantees are unacceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We will convey this to the people of the country in parliament. This is why attempts to divide our votes must be foiled, she said.

The PDP President said the current situation in Jammu and Kashmir is very bad. She alleged that they (BJP) are lamenting the transformation of the erstwhile state into an "open-air prison." She said the plight of the people is a concern, with Kashmiri youths languishing in jails in different states and unemployment rates soaring. Mehbooba launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of seeking to strip away the rights and resources of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, pushing them towards a state of bonded labour.

Recalling her father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, crediting him with reigniting hope and restoring dignity to the people during times of political turmoil, she said, "When POTA was imposed in the state and SOG, besides other gunmen, were unleashing terror, people had lost all hope. It was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed who arrogated the responsibility of according to people a dignified life upon himself. Things changed, and people heaved a sigh of relief when for the first time PDP formed the government in Jammu and Kashmir. The present time is a testing time as well. Not stone or gun vote is our only weapon, and we must use it now to give a befitting reply to the elements who are out there to besiege our conscience and identity," Mehbooba said in her address.

She also urged people to unite against attempts by Delhi to divide their votes, emphasizing Para as the most suitable candidate to represent their interests in parliament. Simultaneously, later in the evening, Mehbooba Mufti, at the party headquarters, released a party manifesto. Mufti said, "We have released our manifesto today. Sadak, Pani, and Bijli will be the aim of all other parties. However, we have made our manifesto based on what has been snatched from us in 2019."

Mehbooba Mufti also said, "To raise our voice is paramount; raising it in parliament is crucial." She said our manifesto revolves around public issues. "Projects in Jammu and Kashmir are being sold at peanut prices to outsiders. Sand contractors and people are being sacked from their jobs. Youngsters are being lodged in jails. Gujjars and Bakarwaal are being thrown out of their lands. Traders and transporters are facing losses. The ED and NIA are pursuing people. The Government of India's agenda is to silence our voices," she said.
In an unfortunate incident, a fire broke out in a building located in Pune's Phoenix Market City in Viman Nagar. In a video that has gone viral on social media, plumes of smoke were seen coming out of the building. As per reports, the fire broke out around 3.15pm.

The cause of the fire is not known yet. A PRO of the Pune Fire Department said that the fire broke out in a shopping mall located on Ahmednagar road in Pune and six fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

Maharashtra | Fire breaks out in a shopping mall located on Ahmednagar road in Pune. 6 fire tenders rushed to the spot, says Pune Fire Department PRO.



(Video source: Pune Fire Department) pic.twitter.com/UqdUfucmgv  ANI (@ANI) April 19, 2024

Phoenix Mall is a key shopping destination and attracts a large number of people every day.

More details are awaited.
New Delhi: At the tender age of 19, amidst the bustling corridors of his college, fate dealt a cruel blow to Animesh Pradhan from Odisha. The loss of his father plunged him into a whirlwind of grief, leaving him grasping for stability. Yet, before he could steady himself, another storm hit - his pillar of strength, his mother, was diagnosed with cancer.

The weight of adversity could have crushed him, but Animesh chose a different path. Driven by love and determination, he resolved to turn his hardships into stepping stones towards a noble goal. With his mother as his guiding light, he embarked on a journey to become an IAS officer, a beacon of hope not just for himself, but for his entire community.

Today, standing tall amidst the accolades, Animesh has etched his name in the annals of Odisha's history. His remarkable achievement, securing AIR-2 in the UPSC CSE 2023, is a testament to his unwavering resolve and indomitable spirit. However, amidst the jubilation, there lingers a bittersweet sorrow - the absence of his beloved mother, who breathed her last just as he was on the cusp of greatness.

Animesh's journey is more than just a tale of personal triumph; it's a saga of resilience and perseverance that resonates with every dreamer. His success not only breaks a two-decade-old drought in Odisha's UPSC ranks but also serves as a beacon of hope for countless aspirants.

Despite the monumental challenges he faced, Animesh never wavered in his pursuit of excellence. Balancing his rigorous preparation with his responsibilities at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), where he worked as a B.Tech (Computer Science) graduate from NIT Rourkela, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to his dream. The long hours spent poring over books, the relentless pursuit of knowledge, and the unwavering faith in his abilities finally bore fruit as he clinched the coveted AIR-2.

The news of his achievement reverberated far and wide, drawing accolades from all corners. The Chairman of IOCL, taking to 'X', expressed his elation at Animesh's triumph, hailing him as an extraordinary IOCian who defied all odds to excel. For Animesh, the journey has only just begun, as he sets his sights on serving the nation and transforming lives, fueled by the legacy of his mother's blessing and the unwavering support of his alma mater, NIT Rourkela.
New Delhi: The Cupertino-based tech giant Apple has removed the Meta-owned WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China. The company has made this move after the request of the Chinese government.

According to The Financial Times reports, the iPhone manufacturer company asserted that the country's internet regulator Cyberspace Administration of China had ordered the applications' removal from the App Store because of 'national security concerns'.

"We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," Apple was quoted as saying. According to the report, Meta's other communications platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger are still available on the App Store in the country. (Also Read: Apple Showcases 5 Indian Filmmakers Chosen For 'MAMI Select-Filmed on iPhone')

According to Rich Bishop, chief executive of the leading international app publisher in China, AppInChina, the apps were delisted after the Chinese government's internet regulator and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced a deadline of April 1 for app developers to register with the government.

In China, Apple saw a double-digit decline in overall smartphone unit sales in the first six weeks of 2024. iPhone sales fell 24 per cent over the period because of stiff competition, according to Counterpoint Research. (Also Read: Apple Watch Series 9 Available For Only Rs 7,080 On Amazon; Here's How To Grab Deal With Bank Discount)

According to Senior Analyst Mengmeng Zhang, "Although the iPhone 15 is a great device, it has no significant upgrades from the previous version, so consumers feel fine holding on to the older-generation iPhones for now".

Apart from this, Apple has recently launched the latest beta version of its iOS operating system, termed as iOS 17.5 Beta 2. The new version packs with the new features and functionalities. It will be available to eligible iPhone models after its public release next month. (With Inputs From IANS)
New Delhi: Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has shared a cryptic post on X (earlier known as Twitter) amid the Iran-Israel and Russia and Ukraine war. Elon Musk has stated that the rockets should be used to reach the stars not to harm fellow humans.

Billionaire Elon Musk mentioned that "We should send rockets not at each other, but rather to the stars", sharing a photo of a rocket. He commented on recent attacks on Israel by Iran, reportedly in retaliation to the attack on their embassy.

We should send rockets not at each other, but rather to the stars pic.twitter.com/h4apedUrsU  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 19, 2024

Last year, after the deadly attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, and the conflict that ensued, Musk made a two-day trip to Israel during which, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took him on a tour of an Israeli kibbutz destroyed during the attack. (Also Read: Elon Musk Acknowledges Error In Tesla Severance Packages, Says...)

After Elon Musk's Israel visit, Hamas had also invited Musk to Gaza to see the extent of destruction caused by Israeli bombardment. Later Musk also commented about the potential for a third World War, as Russia had been at war with Ukraine since February 2022.

In October, Musk made a statement on X that "We need to figure out peace in Ukraine, and I think we need to restore normal relations with Russia". Adding further, Musk said that World War III is a civilisational risk that we may not recover from".

"Could this lead to WW3? We need to prioritise avoiding World War III", he posted on X.
As the voting for the Lok Sabha Election commences, the Election Commission of India has been taking various creative measures to aware the voters. Recently, ECI has collaborated with Instagram to encourage users to vote. Today, on April 19th, Instagram users have been receiving a message from the Election Commission on their feed. Read here to know what this message says.

Election Commission Of India On Instagram

The message on the Instagram feed awares the voters about the Lok Sabha elections. A link has been attached to the message, which will take you straight to the official website of the Election Commission- https://elections24.eci.gov.in/. Here, you can gather all the crucial information about the elections. The message says, "Get official Information about India Lok Sabha Elections 2024 and find out when people in your state can vote." Interestingly, you can create a story on your Instagram and add an election sticker to encourage your friends to vote. There is a 'Try Election Stickers' link attached to the message, clicking on which you will get an interesting election sticker, which you can further use to create a story after voting in your state.

ECI Official Website

On the ECI's official website, you can get the schedule of Lok Sabha Elections 2024. You can also get detailed information about voting and their counting dates in different states and constituencies in India. Through this website, the voters can search their names in the Electoral Roll and can check their polling stations. Voters may check the complete list of candidate nominations who have applied for the election.

The Election Commission is taking a 'Myth vs. Reality' initiative to promote transparency, accuracy and responsible communication during elections.

Notably, voting for the Lok Sabha elections in India has been started today and will continue in seven phases till June 1, 2024. The vote counting will start on June 4.
BEIRUT, April 18 (Xinhua) -- A fighter of the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah was killed and two civilians were wounded on Thursday afternoon in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon's southern village of Blida, according to Lebanese military sources.

The sources, who spoke anonymously, said Israeli warplanes and drones carried out a series of airstrikes on four towns and villages in the border region of southern Lebanon, destroying three houses and damaging 11 others.

The sources added that Israeli drones had been flying in the airspace of the Nabatieh governorate in southern Lebanon for hours since Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it had attacked several Israeli sites, without specifying the casualties.

Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFIL), said on Thursday that peacekeepers, including UNIFIL military personnel and civilian employees, remained in their positions and were fulfilling their duties.

"UNIFIL's work continues, including patrols, supply convoys, and soldier replacements inside and outside Lebanon," he said.

"The safety and security of employees and their families is our priority," Tenenti said.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. 
New Delhi: It's very common for passengers to leave behind their belongings in ride-hailing services often in the rush of getting to their destinations. According to the ridesharing company Uber various items such as coin collection, prasad, a Ukulele instrument, and hair trimmer were left behind by the Indian passengers over the frame of last one year.

Adding more to it, the ride hailing company also mentioned that passengers left behind important documents such as passports, banks and business papers in their cab. The Head of Central Operations, Nitish Bhushan clarified that passengers whose important items have been left behind are given the option to retrieve it through the Uber app. (Also Read: itel Super Guru 4G Keypad Phone Launched In India With UPI Payments And YouTube At Rs 1,799; Check Specs)

"With Uber, you have the option to attempt retrieving the lost item by simply following a few steps in the app," said Nitish Bhushan. He further added "We understand the trust riders put in us each time they take an Uber ride, and we felt the time was opportune to provide a quick refresher course on how to retrieve lost items," (Also Read: Iran-Israel War: Billionaire Elon Musk Calls For Peace In Cryptic Post On X)

Most Forgetful Cities In Country

Delhi has clinched the title of the most forgetful city in India for the second time in a row, with Mumbai holding onto its second position. Bengaluru has regained its third position pushing Hyderabad to fourth due to increased caution among its residents about their belongings. Pune now occupies the fifth spot among the most forgetful cities in the country.

Commonly Forgotten Items

The items which topped the list of most commonly forgotten items were phones, which was followed by laptop bags, clothing, keys, headphones and other different items. Moreover, the company discovered that people were most prone to forgetting their belongings in an Uber on saturdays. Previous festive season during diwali the highest number of items were forgotten. (With IANS Inputs)
TOKYO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Japan on Friday started the fifth round of release of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Despite opposition among local fishermen, residents as well as backlash from the international community, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), the plant's operator, started discharging the radioactive wastewater in the morning, the first round in fiscal 2024.

Similar to the previous four rounds, about 7,800 tons of the wastewater, which still contains tritium, a radioactive substance, will be discharged until May 7.

TEPCO analyzed the water stored in the tank scheduled for release, and found that the concentrations of all radioactive substances other than tritium were below the national release standards, while the concentration of tritium that cannot be removed will be diluted with seawater, Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun reported.

TEPCO will measure the concentration of radioactive substances such as tritium in the surrounding waters every day during the period to investigate the effects of the release, it added.

The fishery industry and local residents have long opposed the discharge plan. About 150 fishermen and residents from Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures filed a lawsuit against the Japanese government and TEPCO at the Fukushima District Court on Sept. 8, 2023, demanding them stop releasing nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.

On March 4, the lawsuit held its first public hearing at the Fukushima District Court, and the number of people signed on as plaintiffs has grown from about 150 to over 360.

Hideki Taki, chairman of the Retired Workers Union of the National Trade Union Council, said in a recent email interview with Xinhua that the Japanese government and TEPCO have written agreements with local fishermen in Fukushima, pledging they would not dispose of the radioactive wastewater without gaining the understanding of relevant stakeholders. However, since last August, they have disregarded the agreements and arbitrarily proceeded with the ocean discharge of nuclear-contaminated water, which is unforgivable.

The so-called "treated water" by the government and TEPCO still contains radioactive materials after being treated by advanced liquid processing system (ALPS), a multi-nuclide removal system, which TEPCO also admits.

After radioactive substances are discharged into the sea, they will inevitably enter human bodies through the food chain, but the government and TEPCO have not provided any evidence-based safety instructions on the food chain, Hideki Taki said.

Meanwhile, the decommissioning of the Fukushima plant has made little progress, and it is completely unpredictable when the nuclear waste and contaminated materials can be removed, Hideki Taki noted, adding that the government and TEPCO should immediately stop the ocean discharge.

The Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water release began in August 2023, and a total of about 31,200 tons of the water was released in four rounds in fiscal 2023, which ended in March.

In fiscal 2024, TEPCO plans to discharge a total of 54,600 tons of contaminated water in seven rounds, which contains approximately 14 trillion becquerels of tritium. 
UNITED NATIONS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Thursday voted against a Palestinian request for full United Nations membership at the Security Council. 
SAO TOME, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The enthusiasm for learning Chinese among young people in Sao Tome and Principe is increasing day by day, said Euridice Aguiar, rector of the University of Sao Tome and Principe (USTP), on Thursday in the country's capital.

Speaking to Xinhua after an event organized by the Confucius Institute at the USTP ahead of the United Nations Chinese Language Day, Aguiar said that with the deepening cooperation between China and Africa, as well as China and Sao Tome and Principe, the interest in learning Chinese has been growing.

Learning Chinese could lead to positive career outcomes for students, Aguiar said. "Many Chinese companies are thriving in Africa, and students in Sao Tome and Principe hope that learning Chinese will facilitate their entry into these companies," she said.

She also mentioned that the USTP is in the process of establishing a department of Chinese language and culture and is currently reviewing the curriculum plans. "The course has not yet been launched, but we are working on everything we agreed upon for the opening of this course."

Students showcased Chinese songs and dance performances during the event at the National Lyceum of Sao Tome and Principe. The ceremony also included the distribution of certificates to successful candidates of the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK). Additionally, four Chinese-learning games were organized, attracting the attention of numerous middle school students.

Ruth Ponte, a student at the Institute of Health Sciences Vitor Sa Machado at the USTP, was awarded for participating in a singing competition in China last year. She told Xinhua that her initial interest in learning Chinese was driven by curiosity, but she never imagined that mastering the language could greatly help her career development.

"Because I understand Chinese, I have worked as a translator for the Chinese medical team in Sao Tome and Principe and have had the opportunity to interact with excellent Chinese doctors. The academic and career development opportunities brought by learning Chinese were beyond my initial imagination," she said.

Su Yimei, director of the Confucius Institute at the USTP, said that Sao Tome and Principe, with a population of just over 200,000, had more than 100 people registering for the HSK exam in the first quarter of this year. The Confucius Institute at USTP was established in 2019 and has set up five teaching points nationwide, including at the USTP and National Lyceum. 
DAMASCUS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- In the early hours of Friday, the Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes targeting Syrian air defense sites in the southern region, the Syrian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The airstrikes started at approximately 2:55 a.m. local time on Friday (2355 GMT Thursday) from northern Israel and aimed at air defense installations in southern Syria, it said.

The strikes caused material losses, but no casualties were reported, it added.

More than six Israeli aircraft were observed flying in southern Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The radar battalion was specifically targeted by the airstrikes. Despite the deployment of Syrian air defenses, no interceptions were made, said the organization.

Iranian-backed militias within Syrian territories reportedly took precautionary measures ahead of the airstrikes. 
BEIRUT, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Two Hezbollah fighters were killed and three civilians wounded on Friday in Israeli airstrikes on several villages in southern Lebanon, said Lebanese military sources.

The military sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the Israeli army destroyed a house in the village of Aita al-Shaab in the border area with two air-to-ground missiles. A Hezbollah fighter was killed in the attack, while two civilians were wounded.

Another Israeli warplane targeted a two-story house in the village of Blida in southeastern Lebanon, killing another Hezbollah member while injuring one more civilian, according to the sources.

Israeli warplanes and drones carried out a series of airstrikes on five towns and villages in the eastern and central parts of the border region, causing damage to 17 houses, the sources added.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah confirmed that it had attacked several Israeli sites.

Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have killed 429 people on the Lebanese side, including 274 Hezbollah members and 76 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources. 
PHNOM PENH, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Sixteen villagers in northeast Cambodia's Kratie province have suffered food poisoning after eating contaminated food, a provincial health official said on Friday.

The incident happened on Thursday in Sambour district's Tonsong Thlak village after they consumed the local rice noodle Num Banhchok, said Ngy Bunlen, director of the Kratie provincial health department.

"They had the same symptoms such as stomachache, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness," he said in a press release.

He added that the ill-fated villagers, including 10 women, had been sent to a district hospital for medical treatment and were recovering from their illnesses.

"It is initially concluded that they became ill after they ate unhygienically made, stored, or packaged Num Banhchok that was sold in the village," Bunlen said. 
Fatime Letifova

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and ACWA Power, from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signed a cooperation agreement focused on Green Fertilisers, Azernews reports.

The agreement was signed by Anar Mammadov, SOCARs Vice President, and Driss Berraho, ACWA Powers Vice President of Business Development - Green Hydrogen.

This partnership builds on the foundations laid by a previous agreement signed on February 2, 2023, which outlined the joint development of renewable energy projects, including wind, solar, and green hydrogen, in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The new agreement specifically targets the potential production and distribution of green fertilisers, predominantly urea, under the Low Carbon / Green Fertilizer project. According to the agreement, ACWA Power will take a leading role in the renewable energy production and green hydrogen aspects of the project, underscoring the collaborative effort towards reducing carbon emissions in fertiliser production.
DAMASCUS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic State (IS) in Syria carried out two attacks in the desert area on Thursday, killing 28 people, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported on Friday.

One attack targeted a military bus in the desert region east of the central province of Homs, killing 22 pro-government fighters from the al-Quds Brigade with medium and heavy machine guns.

In a separate attack, six Syrian soldiers were killed by IS elements on their headquarters in the village of Hasrat in the countryside of al-Bukamal city in eastern Syria.

The observatory said it had documented a total death toll of 329 since the beginning of this year in the Syrian desert. 
TEHRAN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Restrictions imposed on the operation of a number of Iranian airports on Friday morning have been lifted, Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted the spokesman of the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization as saying. 
NAIROBI, April 18 (Xinhua) -- A water project co-sponsored by the Jiangsu People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Amity Foundation, an independent Chinese social organization, was launched on Thursday in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

Ma Xin, a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Jiangsu Provincial Committee and executive vice governor of Jiangsu Province, said that the water program seeks to expand access to clean water for residents in Kenya's informal settlements.

"The program is an important measure for Jiangsu to help the Belt and Road countries improve people's livelihood and welfare through social forces," Ma said at a ceremony attended by Chinese and Kenyan government officials.

Jiangsu Province has embraced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and is carrying out a series of cooperation projects focusing on development and improving people's livelihoods among the Belt and Road countries, he added.

Esther Passaris, a lawmaker in Nairobi, said that the Chinese-backed water project will contribute to improving the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for the Kenyan people.

So far, the Kenya-China partnership has resulted in practical cooperation that has achieved remarkable results, including increasing the availability of clean piped water in informal settlements, she said. "Our two countries are ready to consolidate political mutual trust, deepen comprehensive cooperation, and bring China-Kenya relations to a new level," Passaris said.

David Matinde, a representative of the beneficiary communities, said that the project is expected to have a positive impact on at least 7,000 beneficiaries living in marginalized communities. He added that the water and sanitation project will also ensure that students maintain high levels of cleanliness, thereby avoiding illnesses caused by waterborne diseases. 
People visit China's national pavilion in the 60th Venice Biennale in Venice, Italy, April 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Han Xiao)

VENICE, Italy, April 18 (Xinhua) -- China's national pavilion at the 60th International Art Exhibition opened on Thursday in the northern Italian city of Venice.

Themed "Altas: Harmony in Diversity," the pavilion highlights the concepts of "to gather, converge, collect, or assemble," aiming to convey the values of harmony and beauty rooted in Chinese culture.

"China's national pavilion in the 60th Venice Biennale adds importance to the joint commemoration between China and Italy of the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death ... and will further promote mutual understanding and friendly exchanges between the two countries in all aspects," said Zhang Lingxiao, cultural counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Italy, in the opening speech.

In her speech, Laura Fincato, Italy's former deputy foreign minister, said that China's national pavilion addresses the significance of cultural communication as a bridge between different countries.

"The theme of this year's China's national pavilion shows that both Chinese and Italian cultures have thousands of years of history and that both sides can respect their different origins and build ever closer relationships in harmony," Fincato told Xinhua at the ceremony.

"It is full of imagination," Vittorio Sgarbi, one of the country's best-known political and social commentators, told Xinhua. "From the exhibition, we can see how Chinese artists are connected with the world and enjoy the freedom of imagination in their art research."

The exhibition at the Chinese pavilion is divided into two parts. The first part consists of images and documents from a comprehensive collection of ancient Chinese paintings, while the second part features works by seven contemporary Chinese artists.

Professor Wang Xiaosong from Zhejiang University, one of the curators, told Xinhua that in a major national cultural project launched in 2005, a total of 12,405 masterpieces have been collected from more than 260 cultural institutions worldwide. In the pavilion this time, 100 selected pieces from the collection are showcased in a data visualization format.

In addition to the ancient paintings, new works of traditional Chinese architecture, calligraphy and flora by contemporary Chinese artists are displayed, integrating the traditional with the contemporary.

"I am deeply impressed by the ancient Chinese paintings, which allow me to appreciate the love and care for nature in traditional Chinese culture," said Daniel Grun, an art teacher from Slovakia.

Sarita Matjievic Zilnik, a Serbian producer, admired the contemporary Chinese art pieces. She told Xinhua that the exhibition is "the best cultural exchange experience" she has had so far at this year's Biennale.

"China's national pavilion is the highlight of this year's Biennale," Sebastian, an Australian art worker, told Xinhua. "I have traveled to China, and I genuinely understand that the exhibition uses Chinese elements very well."

The exhibition, also known as the 60th Venice Biennale, will be held from April 20 to Nov. 24 at the Arsenale and the Giardini venues here under the theme "Foreigners Everywhere." 

People visit China's national pavilion in the 60th Venice Biennale in Venice, Italy, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Xu Dayou/Xinhua)

People visit China's national pavilion in the 60th Venice Biennale in Venice, Italy, April 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Xinwen)
This undated file photo shows Yanming, a young Ivorian, practicing martial arts with his fellow Yanchen at the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua)

ABIDJAN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- "When I was young, I told my mother that I would go to China to learn Kung Fu one day. She didn't believe it at the time. When I got there, I immediately called my mother and said to her, 'Mom, guess where I am, I'm at the Shaolin Temple!'" said Yanming, a young Ivorian, sharing with Xinhua his serendipitous affection for Chinese culture.

Yanming, whose actual name is Max Yollando, was given his Chinese name by his Chinese master at the Shaolin Temple, a Buddhist monastery and main attraction for Kung Fu fans.

At the time, he was a student at Felix Houphouet-Boigny University in Abidjan. Motivated by his passion for Chinese culture, he attended the Confucius Institute to study Chinese. In late 2016, an opportunity brought him to the Shaolin Temple in China's Henan Province for a three-month exchange.

This experience has defined his engagement with traditional Chinese culture.

"The spirit of martial arts in my fellow Shaolin disciples has deeply impressed me. I truly fell in love and felt sure that this was the place I had dreamed of since my childhood," he said.

After returning to Cote d'Ivoire, Yanming continued practicing his Chinese and studying traditional Chinese culture. In July 2017, he returned to the Shaolin Temple and stayed there for six years.

Reading, exercising, practicing martial arts, and meditation ... six years in the Shaolin Temple brought great changes to Yanming and also allowed him to better understand and appreciate traditional Chinese culture.

He said the most impressive things he learned from Chinese culture are love of work, respect, and recognition. "Coming to China to study has made me more disciplined and hardworking. Before, I was a little lazy, but the Shaolin Temple taught me to be punctual, respectful and grateful."

At the end of 2022, when Yanming completed his studies at the Shaolin Temple, he ended up in a Shaolin cultural center in Zambia, the first of its kind in Africa. The center accommodates 30 orphans. Chinese language and traditional Chinese culture lessons, including Kung Fu, are taught there.

For Yanming, the purpose of learning Chinese culture is to be able to return to Africa and try to introduce traditional Chinese values to his compatriots.

"This culture fascinated me because in China, people make efforts to work better, and they are very respectful and grateful to their family and country," he said.

"When I make connections between Chinese culture and African culture, it seems to me that these two cultures have a lot in common," he observed. 

This undated file photo shows Yanming, a young Ivorian, practicing martial arts at the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua)

This undated file photo shows Yanming, a young Ivorian, practicing martial arts at the Shaolin Temple in Dengfeng, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua)
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The initiation of the west-to-east operation of W122 and W123 routes that connect with M503 route, effective Friday, benefits both sides of the Taiwan Strait, said a Chinese mainland spokesperson.

Zhu Fenglian, a State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson, made the remarks while responding to a media inquiry.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China on Friday announced the initiation of the west-to-east routes W122 and W123 to connect with M503 route.

The move aims to alleviate the pressure brought by flight growth in relevant areas, ensure flight safety, reduce flight delays, and safeguard the rights and interests of passengers, Zhu said. 
BUENOS AIRES, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Argentina has applied to become a "global partner" of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Defense Minister Luis Petri said Thursday.

Petri said on X that he has met with Deputy Secretary General of NATO Mircea Geoana.

"I presented the letter of intent that expresses Argentina's request to become a global partner of this organization. We will continue working to recover links that allow us to modernize and train our forces to NATO standards," he said.

Petri also held a meeting with NATO's Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Affairs and Security Policy Javier Colomina and presented him "Argentina's proposals to explore issues of mutual interest such as maritime security and reinforce strategic security dialogue."

"We are going to continue working to strengthen our relationship with NATO," he said.

According to Argentine Public TV, the nation has been an "extra-NATO ally" since 1998, when then-U.S. President Bill Clinton gave the "green light" to his Argentine counterpart Carlos Menem, but "global partner" status is a "step up." 
PARIS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The so-called "peril of Chinese steel" has become a campaign posture since 2016 in the United States and the China threat does not exist, according to a column published by French daily Le Monde on Thursday.

In a recent speech delivered at the headquarters of the American steelworkers' union in Pittsburgh, U.S. President Joe Biden announced his intention to triple taxes on the metal and aluminum imported from China.

Biden's attack on Chinese steel, launched at the heart of "rust belt," is just a new charm offensive aimed at a working class, the French newspaper reported.

"Since 2016, the peril of Chinese steel has become a campaign posture," it noted. "The Chinese threat does not exist, if we are to believe the data from the Census Bureau."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, imports from China account for only three percent of the country's total steel purchases, whereas data provided by the American Iron and Steel Institute indicate an even smaller proportion, at 2.1 percent, according to Le Monde.

"But Washington has decided to exert permanent, all-out pressure on China. The 'steel war' is nothing compared to the 'chip war,'" it said, adding that Washington, in the name of national security, is doing everything in its power to deprive Beijing of the latest generation of semiconductors, including by twisting the arms of its own allies. 
People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

People select toys made from Australian alpaca fiber at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

An exhibitor introduces his products to visitors at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

People select accessories at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

An exhibitor introduces her products to a visitor at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

People visit the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital city of south China's Hainan Province, April 18, 2024. The fourth CICPE concluded here in Hainan on Thursday.

Over 370,000 visits were made during the six-day expo, which hosted more than 4,000 brands from 71 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Undeterred by challenges facing global economic development, German businesses remain optimistic about their growth and cooperation prospects in China, which is Germany's leading trading partner.

SINO-GERMAN COLLABORATION

German materials manufacturer Covestro's enduring success in China stands as testament to effective Sino-German collaboration. The company is intensifying its commitment to the circular economy and decarbonization in China, one of its top markets, building on robust partnerships developed with a raft of stakeholders in China over the decades.

"The decision to expand in China post-global financial crisis proved to be a pivotal strategic move, supporting our global business growth, especially capitalizing on the thriving Asia-Pacific market, said Markus Steilemann, chief executive officer of Covestro.

In the 1990s, Covestro's predecessor company Bayer MaterialScience strategically chose Shanghai as the place to build its integrated production site, with construction commencing in 2001. The company experienced rapid growth in the subsequent decades, responding to escalating demand amid robust economic expansion in China and the Asia-Pacific region.

In a bold move to fortify its presence in emerging economies, Covestro announced an investment of 1 billion euros to significantly expand its capacity at the Shanghai site in 2010, marking one of its largest single investments. A year later, the company also relocated the headquarters of its polycarbonates business unit from Leverkusen in Germany to Shanghai.

Covestro has consistently strengthened its presence in China. Another notable milestone was reached in 2020 when the Shanghai headquarters were upgraded with increased functions and business scope including management, innovation, operations, and investment.

Another Covestro plant in Shanghai, the first in the world to achieve large-scale production of mechanically recycled polycarbonates, was put into operation last year with an annual capacity of 25,000 tonnes, said Holly Lei, president of Covestro China, adding that Germany is leading globally in terms of circular economy technology, while China has many application scenarios amid the country's rapid progress toward its carbon emissions targets.

The company's collaboration with China spans diverse business operations, including R&D, manufacturing, and sales. By the end of 2023, its total investment in the Chinese market had exceeded 4 billion euros.

The Chinese market accounted for 20 percent of Covestro's global sales, and such figures tell us that the Chinese market cannot be ignored, Lei said.

As China continues its march towards modernization, it presents long-term opportunities for German enterprises. In the context of strengthened China-German economic and trade cooperation, both nations are actively pursuing partnerships in green development, transition and technologies.

"We are thrilled about the ongoing initiatives with our partners in China across various facets, which provide us with enduring opportunities," Lei added.

HEAVYWEIGHT DELEGATION

Senior German executives from more than 10 leading German companies recently paid a visit to southwest China's Chongqing as part of a heavyweight economic delegation.

The visiting executives held a meeting in Chongqing on April 14 and discussed cooperation in green development and technology.

These executives included Ola Kallenius, chairman of Mercedes-Benz, and Oliver Zipse, chief executive of BMW, "underlining the importance of the Chinese market to Europe's largest economy," according to a Reuters report.

Sino-German economic ties should not only be cultivated but expanded, Kallenius told German broadcaster ARD in Beijing on Tuesday. "Withdrawing from such a large market is not an alternative, but rather strengthening our position," Reuters cited him as saying about the company's strategy in China.

BMW's Zipse expressed a similar view on China, Germany's biggest trading partner. "We actually see more opportunities than risks," he told the ARD news program Tagesschau.

Investing here will expand the market for us and provide us with opportunities to bring more new products to Chinese consumers, said Markus Kamieth, designated chairman of BASF SE.

China is a country full of opportunities, and large Chinese enterprises are spread across the world, said Tobias Meyer, chairman of DHL Group, forecasting more cooperation opportunities in the logistics sector.

My company has been growing in China for more than 90 years, cooperating with local business partners across the country, said Belen Garijo Lopez, chairman of the board of Merck KGaA, adding that more major investments in China are likely.

BIGGER PICTURE

Chinese and German industrial and supply chains are deeply intertwined, and these markets are highly dependent on each other. Economic and trade cooperation has always played a key role in China-Germany relations.

Germany is China's largest trading partner in Europe, and the trade volume between China and Germany accounts for one third of the total trade volume between China and Europe, while Germany's investment in China accounts for one third of the EU's investment in China, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

Meanwhile, the German Economic Institute revealed that direct investment from Germany in China had reached a record high of 11.9 billion euros in 2023, a 4.3 percent increase compared to the previous year. During the same period, German investment in China accounted for 10.3 percent of Germany's total overseas investment -- the highest level since 2014.

More than 5,000 German companies are thriving in China, and some 2,000 Chinese companies are developing in Germany, underlining the robust economic exchanges between the two countries.

Transformation not seen in a century is accelerating across the globe and economic globalization is facing a countercurrent. The so-called "decoupling and delinking" from China will only magnify global economic and trade risks.

The recent collective visit of senior German executives to China sent a clear signal that the more complex the international environment, the more valuable effective cooperation is.

The world is facing many challenges that no country can tackle alone, and German and Chinese companies should strengthen cooperation, said Roland Emil Busch, chairman of Siemens AG.

Mercedes-Benz's Kallenius said China plays a pivotal role in Mercedes-Benz's global strategy, "serving not only as home of our largest market and one of our largest manufacturing sites but also one of our global centers for technological innovation."

Kallenius also said that "in the future, we will continue to invest in China and strengthen cooperation with our Chinese partners," while adding that "we are delighted to open the brand-new building of the R&D Center Shanghai this month, which marks our local R&D's entrance into a new stage of 'Developed in China, Innovating for the World.'" 
Ulviyya Shahin

The representatives of the Praesidium of the COP29 discussed the preparation process for the COP29 with the delegation led by the permanent representative of Finland to the OSCE, Azernews reports, citing Fuad Khumbatov, member of the Praesidium of the COP29 and head of the international cooperation and public relations sector of the National Hydrometeorological Service under the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources.

"With the delegation led by Finland's permanent representative to the OSCE, Vesa Hakkinne, we had a very meaningful discussion on the preparation process for COP29," he said.

Explaining the importance of the meeting, Khumbatov noted that Finland will chair the OSCE in 2025, and Azerbaijan cooperates with these international organisations on various programs.

It should be noted that the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year. The decision in this regard was adopted at the plenary meeting of COP28 held in Dubai on December 11 last year. Within two weeks, Baku will become the centre of the world and will receive about 70-80 thousand foreign guests.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is an agreement signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 to prevent dangerous human interference in the climate system. The COP (Conference of Parties) abbreviation means Conference of Parties.

198 countries are parties to the Convention. Unless otherwise decided by the parties, the COP is held annually. The first event of the COP took place in March 1995 in Berlin, and its secretariat is located in Bonn.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-chairs the Fourth Meeting of the China-Indonesia High-level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism with Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia's coordinator for cooperation with China and coordinating minister of maritime affairs and investment, in Indonesia, April 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Zulkarnain)

LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday co-chaired the Fourth Meeting of the China-Indonesia High-level Dialogue Cooperation Mechanism with Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Indonesia's coordinator for cooperation with China and coordinating minister of maritime affairs and investment, exchanged in-depth views and reached broad consensus on practical cooperation in the next stage.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Indonesia, both representatives of major developing countries and emerging economies, enjoy profound traditional friendship and close and in-depth cooperation. In the past year, leaders of the two countries held two important meetings, which provided strategic guidance for the development of China-Indonesia relations.

Wang said that China has always regarded Indonesia as a partner with a common purpose for development and a good partner for cooperation, and has always viewed and developed friendly relations with Indonesia from a strategic and long-term perspective.

China is ready to work with Indonesia to advance on the path of modernization with each other's respective characteristics, follow the strategic consensus reached by the two heads of state, make full use of the coordinating role of the high-level dialogue and cooperation mechanism, and jointly build a China-Indonesia community with a shared future of higher level and quality, Wang said.

Luhut congratulated China on the successful holding of the annual sessions of its top legislature and top political advisory body, also known as the "two sessions", and expressed confidence that China will achieve high-quality modernization and make greater achievements in development.

He said that Indonesia has successfully held a general election. The new government will continue its friendly policy towards China, firmly adhere to the one-China principle and remain committed to deepening the constructive cooperation between the two countries, adding that Indonesia-China cooperation will bring more benefits to the people of the two countries and the region and play a positive role in achieving peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific.

Wang said that China is willing to deepen the synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Indonesia's development strategy in all aspects, ensure that the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway remains a shining example of Belt and Road cooperation, build two more new flagship projects, namely the Regional Comprehensive Economic Corridor and the "Two Countries, Twin Parks," expand cooperation in the three key areas of digital economy, green development and improving people's livelihood, to inject new momentum into high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

China and Indonesia should jointly oppose unilateralism and protectionism, jointly defend the legitimate development rights of both countries and safeguard the normal international economic and trade order, Wang said.

During the meeting, the two sides fully reviewed the progress and confirmed the direction in their cooperation in various fields, agreed to strengthen the connection between corresponding departments, ensure effective implementation of projects, pushing for greater results in their comprehensive strategic cooperation.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi also attended the meeting. 
UNITED NATIONS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on Friday turned over the first of their military bases to government forces, a UN spokesman announced.

The handover of the Bunyakiri base in the South Kivu province to the Congolese Armed Forces is part of the mission's plan for disengagement from the eastern DRC province, said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"Our peacekeeping colleagues describe this as a pivotal step of disengagement efforts that also reflects the Congolese army's commitment to strengthen its presence as the mission withdraws from South Kivu province," Dujarric said.

The base, located about 80km outside the city of Bukavu, was first established in 2004 as a mobile operating base and became a full-fledged permanent operating base in 2016, he said.

In November 2023, UN representatives and the Kinshasa government signed a note on the accelerated, gradual and orderly withdrawal of peacekeepers from the mission, known as MONUSCO, from the DRC. The note contained a plan for the complete disengagement in the country.

A release from MONUSCO on Friday said the withdrawal did not mean the United Nations was leaving the DRC.

"Rather, it is a reconfiguration of the UN's presence in support of the people and government of the DRC," it said. "After MONUSCO's departure, the UN agencies, funds, and programs will continue to provide support in accordance with their respective mandates. Responsibility for the protection of civilians and security will lie exclusively with the Congolese government."

Dujarric said Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, concluded his visit to MONUSCO on Thursday evening.

Turk told a Kinshasa press conference that all Congolese people have a right to peace, adding that it is imperative that the government is able to fully play its role in the country's east, enforce security, and provide essential services such as education and health.

Turk also called on countries that support or have influence over armed groups in the country's east to assume their responsibility to ensure fighting stops, the spokesman said. 
by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A rising GOP star is calling for the ouster of the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, the latest sign of continued Republican infighting.

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green from Georgia has called for fellow Republican and House Speaker Mike Johnson's removal, mostly over U.S. aid for Ukraine.

ANOTHER OUSTER ATTEMPT

The move came just a little over six months after Johnson's predecessor Kevin McCarthy was ousted in an unprecedented move, which was initiated by hardline Republican Representative Matt Gaetz.

Johnson "is publicly saying funding Ukraine is now his top priority when less than 7 months ago he was against it," Green wrote in a recent letter to lawmakers.

"The American people disagree -- they believe our border is the only border worth fighting a war over, and I agree with them," Green said.

Indeed, Republican voters are split over providing more funding for Ukraine.

According to a Pew Research Center survey released in December, 48 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say the United States is giving too much aid to Ukraine.

This share is up modestly from June, when 44 percent said this, and is substantially higher than it was at earlier stages in the war, the report showed.

"That is why I will not tolerate our elected Republican Speaker Mike Johnson serving the Democrats and the (President Joe) Biden administration," Green wrote.

"He is throwing our own razor-thin majority into chaos by not serving his own GOP conference that elected him," Green wrote.

Adding to Johnson's woes, a second GOP lawmaker has vowed support for Green's initiative.

Rep. Thomas Massie from Kentucky said earlier this week that he informed Johnson in person that he will be co-sponsoring a resolution to oust the speaker.

If the effort is successful, it would mark the second time since October that a speaker was removed from office by his own party.

Critics label the former ouster and Green's current efforts as a sign of disarray within the GOP, while supporters said a party has every right to fire a speaker it doesn't like.

WILL JOHNSON GET THE BOOT?

It remains unknown whether Speaker Johnson will be forced out.

With the resignation of Rep. Ken Buck from Colorado, Republican control in the House will stand at 218 to 213, which means the party can only afford to lose two members and still pass legislation.

Clay Ramsay, a researcher at the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland, told Xinhua that a majority of Republicans might vote to save Johnson.

Christopher Galdieri, a political science professor at Saint Anselm College, told Xinhua: "I can't say what the future holds, but it looks like Johnson would only survive a vote on a motion to vacate if he can win support from Democrats without alienating Republicans wholesale."

"This would be a very tough needle to thread," Galdieri said, explaining that Democrats would want to extract policy concessions in exchange for their support.

But there's only so far Johnson could give before Republicans would balk.

"And this would turn Johnson into a coalition speaker, which would be pretty uncharted territory in the modern House," Galdieri said.

Meanwhile, Democratic representatives have indicated they will vote to save Johnson if Republicans try to oust him.

"That should protect him in the short-term, although he remains vulnerable in the longer-term," Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Darrell West told Xinhua.

COULD THIS HURT THE GOP?

The current conflict comes on the heels of the ouster of former Speaker McCarthy, who was given the boot in October.

Fifty-four percent of Americans who labeled themselves conservative expressed approval for McCarthy's ouster, according to a recent CBS News poll.

It remains unknown how or whether this will impact November's presidential elections.

"I suspect the Biden campaign and Democrats generally will use this as another part of their case against the GOP -- asking voters if they want unproductive, nonstop chaos or competent, boring governing," Galdieri said.

West said Republicans turning on their own party is not good for the GOP. It plays into the Democratic narrative that Republicans cannot be trusted with the future of the country, he said.

Others, however, believe it may not make a difference.

"I think this spectacle has repeated so many times that doing it again hardly even reinforces it. People have already come to judgement about it," Ramsay said. 
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. "overcapacity" narrative aims to hit Chinese industries, which is another example of U.S. economic coercion and bullying, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Li Jian made the remarks when asked to comment on China's "overcapacity" issue hyped up by the United States recently.

Blaming China for "overcapacity" is not new, Lin noted at a regular news briefing, saying that years ago, the United States accused China of "overcapacity" for exporting many high-quality, low-cost products.

Now it is sticking the label of "overcapacity" to China's export of new energy products. "The United States exports 80 percent of its chips, especially advanced chips, and it is a large exporter of pork and agricultural products. Is that 'overcapacity' according to U.S. logic?" Lin added.

In fact, the ratio of export to production for Chinese new energy vehicles is far lower than that of Germany, Japan and Republic of Korea. This is certainly not "dumping extra products into the global market," he said.

Lin said that "overcapacity" may look like an economic issue, but truth is, the United States is using it to hit Chinese industries and give the United States itself an unfair advantage in market competition. It's another example of U.S. economic coercion and bullying.

He noted that in today's world, supply and demand are both global, and the capacity of each country is determined by comparative advantage. This must be seen from an objective, dialectical and rational perspective based on the laws of economics.

China's leading edge in new energy is gained through strong performance, technological innovation and full-on market competition, he added.

"A sick person doesn't get well by forcing others to take the medicine," said Lin, adding that those who use "overcapacity" to justify protectionism have nothing to gain, but will only destabilize global industrial and supply chains, harm emerging sectors and hinder global climate response and green transition.

"We urge the United States to abandon the hegemonic mindset, keep an open mind, play fair, observe market economy principles and international trade rules, provide a truly world-class, market-oriented and law-based environment for trade and economic cooperation, and work with the rest of the world to advance inclusive economic globalization that benefits all," said the spokesperson. 
BAGHDAD, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Two Iraqi military bases near Baghdad were bombed after midnight on Saturday by unknown aircraft, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.

There are no immediate reports about casualties. 
TUNIS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of 23 tourists of several different nationalities were injured after a tourist bus veered off road in the southern suburbs of the Tunisian capital Tunis, the state radio station reported on Friday.

"The accident occurred at about 5:45 a.m. local time (0445 GMT), when a tourist bus, carrying 23 tourists, veered off road in the Borj Cedria district coming from Sousse province in east-central Tunisia," the radio station quoted Moez Triaa, the spokesman for the Civil Protection Department as saying.

The bus was heading to Carthage International Airport in Tunis.

Triaa said the injured have been transferred to hospitals in Tunis, and an investigation has been launched to uncover the circumstances of this incident. 
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A symposium on the compilation of excerpts from discourses on China's financial sector by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, was held in Beijing on Friday.

He Lifeng, director of the office of the Central Financial Commission and secretary of the Central Financial Work Commission, attended the event.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, Xi has initiated a series of significant discourses on major theoretical and practical issues concerning the development of the financial sector, which have provided fundamental guidance for financial work during China's new journey in the new era, according to the symposium.

It stressed the need to study and implement the essence and requirements of Xi's discourses thoroughly, and called on all finance departments to step up their risk prevention and supervision work, promote the sector's development, and complete their financial work tasks for this year.

Representatives of relevant central authorities, government departments, enterprises and the Xi Jinping economic thought research center attended the symposium. 
GAZA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Friday rebuked U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken for accusing the movement of obstructing a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

Earlier in the day, Blinken said during a conference held on the sidelines of the Group of Seven meetings on the Italian island of Capri that "the only thing standing between the people of Gaza and a ceasefire is the Hamas movement, which rejects tempting offers from Israel."

The movement said in a statement that Blinken's words betrayed "the blatant bias of the U.S. administration," and were "distortions of reality."

The United States, Egypt and Qatar are pushing Israel and Hamas to accept a comprehensive plan that would end the war and see the release of hostages held in Gaza. 
CAIRO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Countries in the Middle East have voiced their concern over military escalation in the region after Israel on Friday allegedly struck sites near the city of Isfahan, central Iran, in what appeared to be its military response to Iran's recent attack.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry called on the two sides to exercise the utmost restraint and to fully comply with the rules of international laws and the UN Charter, warning against widening the conflict and instability in the region.

Egypt stressed that it will continue to intensify communications with all concerned and influential parties to contain the ongoing escalation and tension.

In addition, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the ministry "is constantly monitoring the tension in the region," expressing its deep concern about the attack targeting Isfahan this morning.

The ministry said that the escalation must not distract attention from the destruction and loss of innocent lives in the Gaza Strip, renewing its call on the international community to perform its duties and work to stop the suffering of the Palestinian people, according to the statement.

Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister Ayman Safadi on Friday stressed the need to reduce the dangerous escalation in the region and reiterated that "Jordan will not allow it to be turned into an arena of conflict between Iran and Israel, and to endanger its security and the safety of its citizen."

Safadi, who also serves as the Jordanian foreign minister, added on social media platform X that, "the current escalation only serves to divert attention away from the Israeli aggression on Gaza, stopping which must be the priority."

The Israeli attack came after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed Saturday that it had launched missile and drone attacks on Israel in retaliation for earlier airstrikes by Israel on April 1 on the Iranian consulate building in the Syrian capital of Damascus, which killed seven Iranians.

So far, Israel has not officially acknowledged the strikes on Isfahan, while Iran has not publicly accused Israel of carrying out them.

Meanwhile, the Syrian Foreign Ministry on Friday condemned the Israeli strikes on Syrian military sites earlier in the day as a flagrant violation of Syrian sovereignty and a threat to regional stability.

In a statement, the ministry warned that such actions could escalate tensions in the region, potentially leading to a broader conflict, and urged the international community, including the UN Security Council, to condemn the attack and take decisive measures to halt the "crimes" committed by Israel.

In the early hours of Friday, the Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes targeting Syrian air defense sites in the southern region, according to the Syrian Defense Ministry. The strikes caused material losses, while no casualties were reported, it added.

The attack was also confirmed by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, with it reporting that more than six Israeli aircraft were observed flying intensively in southern Syria.

The radar battalion responsible for monitoring the airspace, located in the east of Syria's Daraa province, was targeted, the war monitor added. 
ROME, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries have urged all parties involved in the Middle East conflicts to prevent further escalation.

Addressing a press conference Friday after a ministerial meeting in Capri, Italy, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States was not involved in Israel's strike, adding the G7 remained devoted to defusing the crisis.

"We are committed to Israel's security; we are also committed to de-escalating," Blinked added.

Despite the escalated tensions between Israel and Iran, the G7 "intensely focused" on the conflict in Gaza, he noted.

In their final document, the G7 ministers promised commitment to "a sustainable peace based on a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian State."

"All parties must refrain from unilateral actions that undermine the prospect of a two-state solution," they urged.

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, nearly 34,000 Palestinians were killed and over 76,000 others injured by Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. The death toll includes at least 13,800 Palestinian children, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has said.

The G7 confirmed its opposition to any full-scale military operation by Israel in Rafah, where a majority of 1.7 million Palestinians forcibly displaced by the conflict are taking refuge.

Such an operation, they warned, "would have catastrophic consequences on the civilian population."

In addition, the G7 called for "specific, concrete and measurable steps to significantly increase the flow of aid into Gaza in light of imminent risk of famine for a majority of Gaza's population."

However, the United States on Thursday voted against a Palestinian request for full UN membership at the Security Council. The decision not only drew wide disappointment, but also called into question the U.S. sincerity to realize the inalienable rights of the Palestinians. 
Fatime Letifova

On April 18, an event was held at the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Great Britain on the occasion of the start of the 2023-2024 academic year of the master's degree program in the specialty of renewable energy sources between Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University and Warwick University of England, Azernews reports.

At the event, the rector of the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University Vazeh Askarov, a delegation consisting of employees of the University, as well as relevant employees of the Ministry of Science and Education, a team from Warwick University cooperating with ASOSU on the dual degree program, the British Prime Minister's trade envoy for Azerbaijan, a member of the House of Lords Baroness Nicholson, MPs from both houses of the British Parliament, officials of the British Foreign Office, ambassadors of Turkmenistan, Moldova and Uzbekistan to Britain, as well as members of the diplomatic corps in London, representatives of the British Council, the British Chamber of Commerce, media and diaspora were present. The event was also attended by Azerbaijani students studying at Warwick University, as well as Azerbaijani students who graduated from ASOSU and are currently studying at leading British universities.

Delivering the opening speech, the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Britain, Elin Suleymanov, said that the implementation of the dual degree program between ASOSU and Warwick University based on the relevant state program approved by the Decree of the President of Azerbaijan is an indicator of the importance and personal attention of the head of the country to the development of human capital and education in Azerbaijan. Thanking all parties involved in the development of the project - the Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Emin Amrullayev and the employees of the Ministry, Baroness Nicholson, the British Prime Minister's Trade Envoy for Azerbaijan, the British Embassy in Azerbaijan and the British Council office in Baku, the ambassador is still working on this program dedicated to renewable energy. drawing attention to the fact that preparations were started several years ago, he said that this is an indicator of the importance Azerbaijan attaches to the issue of green development, which is preparing to host COP29 this year.

Later, Baroness Nicholson, the British Prime Minister's Trade Envoy for Azerbaijan, spoke at the event as the main guest from the British government. She said that during her years in this position, she has personally witnessed the ever-increasing bilateral relations and rich cooperation between the two countries, and said that it is gratifying that Azerbaijan sees Britain as the number one educational partner and that the largest number of Azerbaijani students come to Britain on the basis of state programs compared to other places in the world. The trade ambassador pointed out that it is important for Azerbaijan universities to continue this type of cooperation with other British universities in terms of further development of bilateral cooperation in the field of education.

Vazeh Askarov, rector of ASOSU, gave detailed information to the guests about the dual diploma program that his university is implementing in cooperation with Warwick University. He noted that the delegation headed by him visited Warwick for the purpose of holding meetings with partners at Warwick University in the past few days, and said that in those meetings, in addition to the dual diploma program, prospects for future cooperation were also discussed. V. Askarov emphasized that such cooperation has a positive effect on the dynamics of bilateral relations as well as in the field of education. The rector of ASOSU drew attention to the important role of the government of Azerbaijan in the creation of the program, and at the same time expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He also thanked the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Britain for this event organized at the embassy to mark the official launch of the program.

Then Professor Robin Clarke of the University of Warwick, who spoke, first informed the guests about the University of Warwick and the Warwick Manufacturing Group operating under it. He noted that this event held at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Great Britain and the visit of the delegation of ASOSU and representatives of the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Warwick University during the last week can be considered an indicator of the importance Azerbaijan attaches to education and international cooperation. Noting that Azerbaijan and Britain share a number of common features, both countries have historically used traditional energy means, and currently aim to transition to a carbon-free future, he said that human capital with special knowledge and skills is needed for this transition. Robin Clark said that the purpose of the double degree program between ASOSU and Warwick University is to train personnel who will have the necessary skills to implement the transition to alternative energy and provide sustainable environmental solutions. He expressed hope that this cooperation will be the starting point of similar future cooperation. Robin Clarke thanked the ASOCI team and Rector Vazeh Askarov personally, the Minister of Science and Education Advisor Nijat Mammadli, Baroness Nicholson, the British Embassy in Baku, and the British Council team in Azerbaijan for their cooperation.

James Lyall Sharp, who served as the British ambassador to Azerbaijan in 2019-2022, also spoke and said that despite the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Britain in all spheres, cooperation in the field of energy and education has a special intensity, and in this regard, the duality in the field of alternative energy, which brings both fields together, emphasised the symbolic importance of the diploma program project in this regard. He also spoke about the cooperation between Britain and Azerbaijan in the field of energy transition as the hosts of COP26 and COP29, including the alternative energy project implemented by BP in Jabrayl.

The event continued with a banquet.

It should be noted that the dual diploma program between ASOSU and Warwick University is implemented and financed on the basis of the State Program for increasing the international competitiveness of the higher education system in the Republic of Azerbaijan for the years 2019-2023, approved by the relevant decree of the President of Azerbaijan. Within the framework of this program, students will acquire knowledge and skills in the field by participating in classes organised by both foreign and local professors in Azerbaijan, as well as in 4-week classes held by foreign staff in England. The program offers students the opportunity to visit leading renewable energy sites and relevant companies in the UK, along with solar farms and wind turbine sites. Travel expenses, including travel and visas, as well as expenses related to accommodation and meals, will be paid in full according to the rules of the State Program.
BAGHDAD, April 20 (Xinhua) -- Two Iraqi military bases were bombed after midnight on Saturday by unknown aircraft in Babil province, south of Baghdad, an Interior Ministry source told Xinhua.

The airstrikes were carried out by drones and targeted two bases belonging to the Iraqi paramilitary Hashd Shaabi forces in the Mahawil area, in the northern part of Babil province, the source said, without giving further details.

One of the two targeted bases was an ammunition warehouse of the Hashd Shaabi forces and the other was their tanks headquarters, the source said.

The source also said that there were explosions heard in the Madain area, some 30 km southeast of Baghdad, but there was no immediate information about the blasts. 
People communicate at a United Nations Chinese Language Day event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on April 19, 2024. The United Nations Chinese Language Day was celebrated in Addis Ababa on Friday with a call to promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding through learning different languages. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Chinese Language Day was celebrated in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, on Friday with a call to promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding through learning different languages.

The day was marked at the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute (TVTI) under the theme "Chinese language: connecting cultures through the bridge of mutual learning."

The event featured Chinese calligraphy, traditional Chinese music, and acrobatics performed by Ethiopian artists who had been trained in China.

Welcoming the guests at the event, Shen Qinmin, minister counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said the UN Chinese Language Day is part of the Chinese government's commitment to promoting cultural exchanges, equality, mutual learning, and global civilization.

"An event of such kind will not only promote the all-weather strategic partnership between China and Ethiopia but also enhance mutual understanding and appreciation of each other's languages and cultures among the peoples of the two countries," Shen said

Noting that both China and Ethiopia have ancient civilizations, Shen said such kinds of events will further strengthen unity and solidarity between the Chinese and Ethiopian peoples and governments.

Speaking on the occasion, Biruk Kedir, director-general of TVTI, said the event serves as a platform to showcase the beauty of Ethiopian and Chinese cultures, their long-standing relations, and their ancient civilizations.

Highlighting that language plays an indispensable role in the exchanges of cultures and mutual learning in human civilization, Kedir said the development of the Chinese language in Ethiopia has contributed to enhancing the all-weather strategic partnership between Ethiopia and China as well as the economic benefits of the Chinese language learners in Ethiopia.

"Organizing such a celebration event will definitely deepen our understanding of the Chinese language and culture, and simultaneously promote constructive cooperation between the two countries," Kedir said.

The UN decided to designate April 20 as UN Chinese Language Day in 2010. The date was specifically chosen to honor Cangjie, a mythical figure in China credited with the invention of Chinese characters. 

People interact at a United Nations Chinese Language Day event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on April 19, 2024. The United Nations Chinese Language Day was celebrated in Addis Ababa on Friday with a call to promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding through learning different languages. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

Biruk Kedir, director-general of the Ethiopian Technical and Vocational Training Institute, speaks at a United Nations Chinese Language Day event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on April 19, 2024. The United Nations Chinese Language Day was celebrated in Addis Ababa on Friday with a call to promote cultural exchanges and mutual understanding through learning different languages. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
GAZA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Hamas-run government media office warned on Friday that Gaza City is facing an environmental disaster due to the complete shutdown of water wells for two weeks.

Salama Marouf, head of the Gaza-based media office, said in a statement that the disaster, which is threatening the residents, is caused by the depletion of "scarce fuel provided to Gaza Municipality during the past period."

Gaza City "is experiencing a state of severe thirst due to the water cut-off, especially with the continued suspension of water pumping from the water line operated by Israel's national water company Mekorot since the beginning of the war and the destruction of the desalination plant (the only one in the city), more than 40 water wells, and 120 km of water networks in the city," Marouf said.

The official mentioned that the crisis has reached its peak, as the temperatures are on the rise and the demand for water is increasing.

He called on all relevant parties to provide urgently needed fuel and restore water supply to the residents, urging the international community to supply the necessary equipment and machinery for their work, especially in light of "the heavy burden currently placed on them in serving the population."

Gaza has been suffering from a complete power outage since last October, following Israel's halt of electricity and fuel supplies to the enclave, which led to the closure of the only power generation station in Gaza.

This forced the basic service infrastructure to rely on backup generators, which are limited due to the scarcity of fuel in the strip. 
BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. allegations about China's industrial policies in steel and shipbuilding sectors are groundless and against common sense of economics, a Chinese spokesperson said on Friday, urging the United States not to turn economic and trade issues into security ones.

The United States has recently threatened to triple the tariff rates for both steel imports and aluminum imports from China. It also blamed the Chinese government's practices in the shipbuilding industry.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, said those comments are far-fetched, and China expresses grave concern and dissatisfaction over those comments.

China's steel sector is mainly aimed at meeting domestic demand and receives no export-oriented subsidies. Only 5 percent of its steel is exported, far lower than Japan, the Republic of Korea and other steelmakers, which means the influence of Chinese steel exports on the international market is very limited, Lin said.

"The U.S., on the other hand, spends hundreds of billions of dollars on discriminatory domestic subsidies and abuses export controls citing 'national security', which hinders normal international trade in chips and other products," he said. "What a double standard for the U.S. to accuse China for 'non-market practices.'"

Citing various U.S. studies, Lin said that the U.S. shipbuilding industry lost its competitive advantage many years ago due to over-protection.

The growth of relevant industries in China is a result of companies' tech innovation and participation in market competition. It also benefits from China's fully-fledged industrial manufacturing system and vast domestic market, he said.

According to a World Trade Organization ruling, the former U.S. administration was wrong to impose additional steel and aluminum tariffs on certain WTO members and launch Section 301 investigation and raise tariffs on China, Lin said.

"Instead of correcting its mistake, the U.S. chose to double down on it by threatening with new tariff hikes and announcing a new Section 301 investigation," he added.

"We urge the U.S. to be prudent in its words and deeds, stop manipulating issues on China in the election year, stop turning economic and trade issues into security ones, lift additional tariffs on China and stop imposing new ones," Lin said, adding that China will take all steps necessary to firmly defend its own rights and interests. 
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (L) and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo attend a press conference at Lappeenranta airport, southeastern Finland, on April 19, 2024. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Friday urged de-escalation amid Iran-Israel tensions. (Lauri Heikkinen/Prime minister's office/Handout via Xinhua)

HELSINKI, April 19 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo on Friday urged de-escalation amid Iran-Israel tensions.

They made these comments at a press conference held at southeastern Finland's Lappeenranta airport on Friday. The event followed a visit to the Finnish eastern border near the town of Imatra.

"We must do everything possible to ensure that all sides refrain from escalating the situation in the region," said von der Leyen. She emphasized the necessity for stabilizing in the region.

Orpo expressed hope that both sides would avoid retaliatory attacks.

According to local media reports, the purpose of their visit to the eastern border was to inspect a pilot fence, about three kilometers long, built near the Imatra border crossing. 
People are seen in a destroyed building in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on April 19, 2024. The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced Thursday that the death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has exceeded 34,000. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced Thursday that the death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has exceeded 34,000.

The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli army killed 42 Palestinians and wounded 63 others during the past 24 hours, bringing the total death toll to 34,012 and injuries to 76,833 since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

It noted that some victims remain under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of rescue crews.

The Israeli army said that its forces cleared and destroyed more than 100 infrastructures over the past week and eliminated more than 40 "terrorists" in face-to-face battles and through airstrikes.

Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee said on social media platform X that among the infrastructures destroyed were several military targets, including a site used for manufacturing rocket shells belonging to Hamas, and a site used for producing long-range rocket shells linked to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Israel launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. 

A boy walks past a destroyed building in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on April 19, 2024. The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced Thursday that the death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has exceeded 34,000. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A man sits on the rubble of a destroyed building in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on April 19, 2024. The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced Thursday that the death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has exceeded 34,000. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People walk past a destroyed building in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on April 19, 2024. The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced Thursday that the death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has exceeded 34,000. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People walk past a destroyed building in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on April 19, 2024. The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced Thursday that the death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has exceeded 34,000. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People walk past a destroyed building in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on April 19, 2024. The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced Thursday that the death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks has exceeded 34,000. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
ADDIS ABABA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Interest in learning Chinese is growing rapidly across the African continent and beyond amid a growing desire to discover Chinese culture and take advantage of the socio-economic opportunities China offers, a senior official of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has said.

The statement was made by Oliver Chinganya, director of the African Center for Statistics at the UNECA, while addressing an event held to mark the UN Chinese Language Day on Thursday at UNECA Conference Center in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

"China's cultural influence is such that many people are taking an interest in the country's language and culture. There are a number of reasons for this, the most important of which are the desire to discover Chinese culture and the business and economic opportunities that Chinese language skills offer," Chinganya said.

He said the establishment of Confucius Institutes in Africa and throughout the world is a testament to the interest in learning the Chinese language among the public.

"The presence of Confucius Institutes in Africa is evidence of a renewed interest in the language and culture of China and, above all, in the possibility of doing business with the country," he said.

The Chinese language is one of the six working languages of the United Nations. The other five are Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

"Despite its reputation for being difficult, both phonetically and grammatically, Chinese remains a very attractive language, with good prospects for the future," he said.

According to the Chinese Mission to the African Union (AU), in order to meet the growing demand for Chinese language learning around the world, China has supported Chinese language teaching in more than 190 countries through a series of cooperation projects, including the Confucius Institute, the Center for Chinese Language and Professional Skills, the Chinese Learning and Testing Center, and the Online Chinese Classroom, among others. More than 30 million people are learning Chinese outside China.

In Africa, over 70 Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms have been established in 47 countries across the continent, according to the Chinese Mission to the AU.

Back in 2010, the UN decided to designate April 20 as UN Chinese Language Day. The date was specifically chosen to honor Cangjie, a mythical figure in China credited with the invention of Chinese characters. 
LUANDA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 238 million U.S. dollars are needed to make the country completely free of mines and other explosive devices, said Leonardo Sapalo, general director of Angola's National Mine Action Agency (ANAM), on Thursday.

Angola still has 1,039 minefields to clear, with Cuando Cubango, Bie, Moxico, Huila, Cunene, Cuanza-Sul, Lunda Sul and Lunda Norte provinces being the most concerned, Sapalo was quoted by Angola Press Agency as saying.

The end of Portuguese rule in Angola in 1975 was followed by civil war and military intervention by international and regional countries.

In April 2002, Angola concluded a 27-year civil war, marking a transition to comprehensive peace and the beginning of post-war recovery and reconstruction. However, the landmines and explosives planted by warring factions during the conflict continue to pose a severe threat to the safety and well-being of the Angolan people.

At the national level, 5 million explosive devices have already been removed, of which 90,000 have been destroyed in Angola, Sapalo said. By 2025, it is expected to declare mine-free zones in the provinces of Namibe, Zaire, Huambo and Malanje. 
A woman performs traditional Chinese dance during the UN Chinese Language Day celebration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 18, 2024. The United Nations family in Ethiopia marked UN Chinese Language Day on Thursday with the aim of promoting Chinese language and culture, calling for linguistic and cultural diversity.(Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

ADDIS ABABA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations family in Ethiopia marked UN Chinese Language Day on Thursday with the aim of promoting Chinese language and culture, calling for linguistic and cultural diversity.

The annual Chinese language commemoration event, co-hosted by the Chinese Mission to the African Union (AU), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the Liaison Office of UNESCO with AU and UNECA, was held on Thursday inside the UNECA Conference Center in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa.

Oliver Chinganya, director of the African Center for Statistics at the UNECA, said that the annual UN Chinese Language Day celebrates multilingualism and cultural diversity, and promotes linguistic equity within the UN system. "We are gathered here today to celebrate Chinese Language Day, which is intended to bring peoples closer, promote international cooperation, and support multilateralism in international relations," Chinganya said.

The celebration event serves as an important platform to acknowledge the contribution of Chinese to the achievement of the UN's objectives, he said.

The Chinese language is one of the six working languages of the UN, along with English, French, Russian, Arabic and Spanish. This year's celebration event featured various activities and presentations promoting the Chinese language and culture, including traditional Chinese dance, Tai Chi performances and Chinese music performances by a group of UNECA staff. Members of the Chinese medical team in Ethiopia also demonstrated traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and cupping, to the UN family in Ethiopia.

Hu Changchun, head of the Chinese mission to the AU, said that as one of the six working languages of the UN, Chinese is not only one of the oldest languages but also the language spoken by the largest population in the world. The use of the Chinese language has ensured the effective work of the UN and has promoted cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and countries around the world, he added.

Hu said that the Chinese language is attracting an increasing number of global learners, and China has supported Chinese teaching in over 190 countries through various cooperation projects to meet the growing demand for Chinese learning worldwide.

More than 30 million people are learning Chinese outside China, and over 70 Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms have been established across 47 African countries, the envoy said.

The UN family in Ethiopia commemorates this day annually in accordance with the UN's decision to designate April 20 as Chinese Language Day in 2010. The date was specifically chosen to honor Cangjie, a mythical figure in China credited with the invention of Chinese characters.

Rita Bissoonauth, director of the Liaison Office of UNESCO with AU and UNECA, said during the occasion that the Chinese language serves as a bridge connecting generations, cultures and civilizations.

"The day celebrates the richness, beauty, and significance of the Chinese language by reflecting on the profound impact that Chinese has had on the world both historically and in the present day," Bissoonauth said. 

Rita Bissoonauth, director of the Liaison Office of UNESCO with the African Union (AU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), speaks during the UN Chinese Language Day celebration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 18, 2024. The United Nations family in Ethiopia marked UN Chinese Language Day on Thursday with the aim of promoting Chinese language and culture, calling for linguistic and cultural diversity.

(Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

Oliver Chinganya, director of the African Center for Statistics at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), speaks during the UN Chinese Language Day celebration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 18, 2024. The United Nations family in Ethiopia marked UN Chinese Language Day on Thursday with the aim of promoting Chinese language and culture, calling for linguistic and cultural diversity.

(Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)

People dance during the UN Chinese Language Day celebration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 18, 2024. The United Nations family in Ethiopia marked UN Chinese Language Day on Thursday with the aim of promoting Chinese language and culture, calling for linguistic and cultural diversity.

(Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
WINDHOEK, April 19 (Xinhua) -- NamPower, Namibia's power utility, plans to achieve 80 percent energy self-sufficiency by the year 2028 to bolster the country's energy security and reduce dependence on electricity imports.

The power utility is actively pursuing renewable local generation projects with a combined capacity of 274 megawatts (MW), which, once completed, will contribute to the country's energy self-sufficiency goals, Kahenge Haulofu, NamPower's managing director, told Xinhua on Friday.

"NamPower is well on its strategic path to implement local generation projects. In addition, NamPower manages a diverse supply portfolio that includes its power stations, local Independent Power Producers (IPPs), and diversified import contracts," he said.

NamPower will reach this goal through projects such as the 44MW Diaz Wind, 20MW Khan Solar PV, 50MW CERIM Luderitz Wind, 70MW Rosh Pinah PV, 40MW Biomass, and 50MW Anixas Firm power projects.

According to Haulofu, the 54MW ANIXAS II power project is expected to be commissioned in June/July this year.

Currently, Namibia imports up to 70 percent of its electricity from neighboring countries like Zambia and South Africa. But with those countries facing generation problems, imports have reduced.

Since July last year, Namibia's electricity imports from Zambia have dropped from 180MW to 120MW, in response to Zambia's announcement of power cuts and export limits due to drought conditions affecting its hydropower generation. 
On April 19, 2024, Baku hosted an international workshop titled Mastering Communications on Difficult Regulatory Decisions, jointly organised by the Azerbaijan Energy Regulatory Agency (AERA) and the Energy Regulators Regional Association (ERRA), Azernews reports.

Dr. Samir Akhundov, Chairman of the AERA Board, in his opening speech, welcomed the events participants and noted that Azerbaijan hosts numerous high-level international events, pointing out that the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) will be held in Azerbaijan in November this year. Highlighting that Azerbaijan has become a unique platform for high-level meetings and conferences across various sectors, Dr. Samir Akhundov expressed his belief that todays event will be beneficial for participants, fostering mutual discussions and the exchange of experiences.

Communications specialists from national energy regulatory agencies, along with experts from leading companies specialising in strategic communication services and research, representing Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye, Latvia, North Macedonia, Greece, Canada, Nigeria, Albania, Poland, Kazakhstan, Oman, Moldova, and Romania, attended the international seminar.

The interactions during the event were fostered by Question-and-Answer sessions.

The workshop, which brought together nearly 30 communications specialists from 15 countries, discussed the principles and methods of effective communication as a public institution, elaborated best practices in communicating crucial decisions that affect social welfare, and presented country-specific case studies, portraying both successful and ineffective communication campaigns and tools.

Inaugurated in Bucharest on December 11, 2000, the Energy Regulators Regional Association (ERRA) brings together 47 regulatory bodies from 43 countries to provide a knowledge- and best-practice-sharing platform on energy regulation. Since its inception, AERA has enjoyed a longstanding relationship with ERRA and was admitted as an Associate Member of the organisation in April 2018.




Boniface Namangala, acting vice-chancellor of the University of Zambia, practices Chinese calligraphy during an event marking the UN Chinese Language Day in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 19, 2024.

Zambia on Friday celebrated this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day, which falls on April 20, with a display of various Chinese cultural activities.

Held at the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia, the event was attended by officials from the Chinese embassy, officials from the University of Zambia, and Chinese language learners from various schools. (Photo by Martin Mbangweta/Xinhua)

LUSAKA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Zambia on Friday celebrated this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day, which falls on April 20, with a display of various Chinese cultural activities.

Held at the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia, the event was attended by officials from the Chinese embassy, officials from the University of Zambia, and Chinese language learners from various schools.

Organized by the Chinese embassy in collaboration with the Confucius Institute, the event featured activities such as the Mongolian "Flying Grassland" dance, Tai Chi, poetry recitation, music and dance performances, and a display of Chinese kung fu.

This year's event was themed "Chinese Language: Connecting Culture through the Bridge of Mutual Learning."

Meng Hao, minister counselor of the Chinese Embassy, said the Chinese language is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and most people are keen to learn it.

He said in Zambia, Chinese language learning has made remarkable progress through the efforts of the Confucius Institute, and it is becoming an important part of people-to-people exchanges and educational cooperation between China and Zambia.

"Culture and civilization are enriched by exchanges and mutual learning. This is also a major driving force for the progress of human civilization and peaceful development," he said.

He noted that China and Zambia have set a good example of cultural exchanges and mutual learning in the past 60 years of diplomatic relations, adding that the relationship has been characterized by mutual respect, equality, and common development.

Boniface Namangala, acting vice-chancellor of the University of Zambia, said the theme for this year's celebration is suitable as the world becomes one people through the relationship of the global village.

He said language not only carries the culture of the people who speak it but also acts as a resource for social and economic development.

He said the Chinese language learning in Zambia has attained greater heights, adding that the first Chinese language examinations were written last year at one of the secondary schools in the western part of the country.

"This is a very big development, and it makes this year's celebration even bigger in the context of the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia," he said.

He further said the learning of the Chinese language has been incorporated into the country's education system from junior secondary to senior secondary level, while the University of Zambia and Mulungushi University are also offering Chinese language learning at the bachelor's degree level.

"We are moving toward a time when language of communication will no longer be a barrier in China-Zambia friendship and people-to-people friendship," he added.

Kate Phiri, a Zambian student at the University of Zambia majoring in the Chinese language, told Xinhua that she started learning the language in February this year and wanted to become a teacher of the Chinese language.

She said she was inspired to learn the language because when she was young, she would watch Chinese movies where she could not understand what was being said.

Renny Nambela, a student majoring in economics and taking Chinese as a minor, said she decided to enroll in learning the Chinese language because of the vast opportunities to work with Chinese entrepreneurs and nationals.

She said she plans to take Chinese as a full course as she plans to go and continue her studies in China. 

Students dance during an event marking the UN Chinese Language Day in Lusaka, Zambia, on April 19, 2024.

Zambia on Friday celebrated this year's United Nations Chinese Language Day, which falls on April 20, with a display of various Chinese cultural activities.

Held at the Confucius Institute at the University of Zambia, the event was attended by officials from the Chinese embassy, officials from the University of Zambia, and Chinese language learners from various schools. (Photo by Martin Mbangweta/Xinhua)
HONIARA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Solomon Islands' Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has secured his re-election as a member of parliament, national broadcaster SIBC reported on Friday.

The local returning officer has provisionally declared Sogavare as the winner, who garnered a majority of votes against four other candidates contending for the parliamentary seat for East Choiseul constituency.

Sogavare's re-election means he will continue to be the longest-serving member of parliament, having served for 27 years. His political journey commenced in 1997 when he triumphed in the East Choiseul constituency seat during the national general election.

Sogavare, who is also wing leader of the Ownership, Unity and Responsibility Party (or Our Party), is seeking to become the first incumbent to be re-elected prime minister after serving a full term in office since 2019. He previously held the office three times -- in 2000-2001, 2006-2007 and 2014-2017.

Following the conclusion of voting on Wednesday, the counting process is still underway for the Solomon Islands' joint election, encompassing both national and provincial elections.

A total of 334 candidates are vying for 50 seats in the parliamentary election. Party-affiliated candidates outnumber independent candidates by 219 to 115.

The national and provincial governments will by law be formed within the next 14 days respectively by members of the national parliament and members of the provincial assemblies. They will serve for a four-year term. 
YANGON, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Four inmates were killed and eight others injured in a riot at a prison in Kachin state of northern Myanmar on Thursday, the Information Team of Myanmar's State Administration Council said in a statement on Friday.

The riot at Myitkyina prison in Myitkyina township of Kachin state that erupted at around 4:10 p.m. local time (0940 GMT) on Thursday was triggered by protests from some male inmates against the recent prisoner release granted on an amnesty on Myanmar's traditional New Year's Day on April 17, the statement said.

Despite efforts by prison staff to restore order, tensions escalated in the prison. The inmates destroyed bedroom doors and CCTV cameras, it said.

Subsequently, security personnel and police were dispatched to the prison at around 4:30 p.m., and the prison staff workers again tried to calm the rioting prisoners and disperse the crowds. However, the inmates persisted in damaging facilities and attempting to attack the prison employees, it said.

In response, security personnel opened fire in order to bring the situation under control, resulting in four deaths and eight injuries. The situation was under control at around 5 p.m.

The injured inmates have been hospitalized for treatment, the statement said. 
TOKYO, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A group of first- and second-grade Japanese elementary school students on Thursday chanted songs in honor of Confucius in the courtyard of the 316-year-old Taku Seibyo, a Confucian temple in the city of Taku, Saga Prefecture, southwest Japan.

Taku Seibyo is a temple where the soul of Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, is enshrined. Founded by Shigefumi Taku, the city's fourth domain lord, in 1708 to promote education and to nurture the spirit of "respect," the temple is the oldest Confucian temple still standing in Japan.

Sekisai, a traditional ritual event for consoling the souls of Confucius and his disciples, is held twice a year, on April 18 in spring and the fourth Sunday of October in autumn. Boasting over 90 ceremonies, the festival has been a cherished tradition for more than 300 years.

At Thursday's Spring Sekisai Festival, Mayor of Taku City Toshihiko Yokoo acted as "chief offerer," respectfully placing the offerings before images of Confucius and his four disciples.

Yokoo, who has been serving as the city's mayor since 1997, has participated in Sekisai more than 50 times as "chief offerer."

"To govern the state, educate the people first. From Qufu to Japan, people follow the traditional Chinese ritual of making offerings to Confucius, hoping to pass on the concepts of 'benevolence' and 'love' taught by Confucius to future generations," Yokoo told Xinhua.

"'Governing with virtue' is my message every time I place the offerings, and it is also my governing oath," he added.

In 1993, Qufu City in China's Shandong Province, Confucius's birthplace, and Taku City became sister cities. In 1997, Qufu presented a statue of Confucius to Taku Seibyo, and also taught children here Chinese traditional dance and waist drum, which has enriched the Sekisai festival and continued to this day.

Several children who participated in the waist drum performance told Xinhua, "We have been learning the Analects of Confucius since the first grade of elementary school. Today, we are thrilled to have been able to play waist drums in the Confucian temple."

Shunji Ishida, education director in Taku City, told Xinhua that the Analects of Confucius was introduced into school teaching in Taku more than 20 years ago. Famous quotes from it are posted on campus and read over the radio every noon. The school also organizes "The Analects of Confucius" talent competition, card games, etc. to educate and entertain.

"Confucius and his philosophy have long been integrated into our daily lives. Integrating the Analects of Confucius into teaching is based on the belief that the morals and thoughts taught by Confucius can become spiritual support for children on their journey of life, and can benefit children throughout their lives," Ishida said. 
ULAN BATOR, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has welcomed 119,484 foreign tourists in 2024, the country's Ministry of Environment and Tourism said Friday.

Mongolia has been taking measures to promote tourism to diversify its economy, which primarily depends on its export-oriented mining sector.

As part of the efforts to promote the tourism sector, a national conference called "Tourism Week" is being held in Ulan Bator starting Monday, said the ministry.

The Asian country has declared 2023-2025 as "Years to Visit Mongolia," with a target of attracting at least 1 million foreign tourists per year.

Last year, Mongolia attracted over 650,000 foreign tourists and earned 1.2 billion U.S. dollars from the tourism sector, hitting an all-time high. 
ISLAMABAD, April 19 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and three others injured on Friday morning in a terrorist attack on a vehicle in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, police said. 
MANILA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Three Filipinos working in Dubai have died in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) record-breaking rainfall this week, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Thursday night.

In a statement, DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Cacdac said two women died of suffocation after they were trapped inside their car, while a man died after his vehicle hit a sinkhole.

Cacdac said its offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are working closely with the Philippine Embassy and Consulate General to coordinate with Filipino communities and assist overseas Filipino workers.

According to Cacdac, there are 648,929 Filipinos in Dubai. "None have requested to be repatriated," he added.

The UAE observed unprecedented rainfall on Tuesday, marking the highest recorded rainfall in the last 75 years since climate records started in 1949. 
SUVA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Tonga will work with China to make more achievements in bilateral relations, said Tupou VI, the King of Tonga on Friday.

While receiving the Letter of Credence from new Chinese Ambassador to Tonga Liu Weimin at the Royal Palace, King Tupou VI said he cherished the friendship with the Chinese side.

The King also expressed his appreciation for China's valuable assistance to Tonga's social and economic development, saying that Tonga will work with China to make more achievements in their bilateral relations.

Liu said China attaches great importance to its relations with Tonga and appreciates Tonga's firm commitment to the one-China principle.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 26 years ago, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Tonga relations have maintained steadfast momentum with deepening political mutual trust and fruitful outcomes of practical cooperation, which have brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, Liu said.

The Chinese ambassador said he will spare no efforts to work with friends from all walks of life in Tonga to promote mutual understanding, deepen practical cooperation and advance the China-Tonga comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development. 
SEOUL, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted a power test of a super-large warhead designed for the "Hwasal-1 Ra-3" strategic cruise missile and a test launch of the "Pyoljji-1-2" new-type anti-aircraft missile on Friday afternoon, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Saturday.

The tests were conducted in the western waters off the Korean Peninsula, and a certain goal was attained, the report said.

According to the KCNA report, the tests were part of the regular activities for the rapid development of technologies in various aspects such as tactical and technical performance and operation of new-type weapon systems.

The tests had nothing to do with the regional situation, the report added. 
A scientific conference themed "New Caledonia: History, Contemporary Challenges, and the Expected Future" has been held at the Milli Majlis, Azernews reports.

Moderator of the event, Chairman of the Milli Majlis Human Rights Committee Zahid Oruj, highlighted the importance of the discussions to be held at the conference.

Chair of the New Caledonian Congress Committee on Infrastructure, Spatial Planning, Sustainable Development, Energy, Transport, and Communications, Naisseline Omayra, expressed gratitude to Azerbaijan for support in the freedom struggle of New Caledonia. She underscored that the cooperation memorandum inked between the two countries' parliaments would open new opportunities for New Caledonia in many domains.

The speakers also included chairman of the Milli Majlis Committee for International Relations and Interparliamentary Ties Samad Seyidov, as well as Executive Director of Baku Initiative Group Abbas Abbasov, who expressed their views on France's new colonial policy, enslavement of peoples, looting of their natural resources, and other issues.

The New Caledonian Congress delegation expressed their gratitude for the consistent support shown by the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement of Azerbaijan in their rightful struggle for justice and the path to independence.
PARIS, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The man who reportedly entered the Iranian consulate in Paris with explosive, has been taken out of the building and put under control, the Paris prefecture said on Friday.

The police intervened around and in the building which houses the Iranian diplomatic representation in the 16th arrondissement after at least one witness alerted that he had seen a suspicious individual enter the building displaying an explosive, which seemed to be a grenade or an explosive belt, according to French television TF1.

The BRI, an elite police unit specializing in serious criminal cases such as armed robbery and kidnapping, was deployed to carry out checks. No explosive has been found yet, reported BFM TV.

The French government upgraded the country's terror threat level to its maximum in late March following the attack on a Moscow concert hall. Recent escalation of conflicts in the Middle East raised fresh concerns. 
People attend the 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum in Istanbul, Turkiye, on April 18, 2024. The 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum opened here on Thursday with representatives exploring ways to promote bilateral trade ties and expand cooperation in more fields. (Photo by Safar Rajabov/Xinhua)

ISTANBUL, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum opened here on Thursday with representatives exploring ways to promote bilateral trade ties and expand cooperation in more fields.

Chinese Ambassador to Turkiye Liu Shaobin and business representatives from both countries, including Chinese tech firms Huawei and Xiaomi, attended the event hosted by Istanbul-based Okan University.

In his address to the forum, Liu said the two countries have seen growing bilateral economic and trade ties in recent years, showing great potential in the fields of digital economy, green economy, and new energy.

Korhan Kurdoglu, head of the China Working Group at the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), said Turkiye welcomes more investments from China, especially those that can deepen cooperation in tourism, energy, and new technology.

On the sidelines of the one-day event, company representatives from Turkiye and China held bilateral meetings to foster new partnerships.

Turkish Airlines chief executive Bilal Eksi and Cheng Xiaobo, director of Sichuan Airlines in Turkiye, hoped to offer more flights and air routes to help promote bilateral exchanges and tourism.

Turkiye and China saw robust trade and economic cooperation in recent years. In 2022, the bilateral trade volume was at 38.55 billion U.S. dollars. Last year, bilateral trade in goods grew to 43.40 billion dollars, according to official statistics. 

Korhan Kurdoglu, head of the China Working Group at the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD), speaks at the 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum in Istanbul, Turkiye, on April 18, 2024. The 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum opened here on Thursday with representatives exploring ways to promote bilateral trade ties and expand cooperation in more fields. (Photo by Safar Rajabov/Xinhua)

Chinese Ambassador to Turkiye Liu Shaobin speaks at the 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum in Istanbul, Turkiye, on April 18, 2024. The 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum opened here on Thursday with representatives exploring ways to promote bilateral trade ties and expand cooperation in more fields. (Photo by Safar Rajabov/Xinhua)

People attend the 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum in Istanbul, Turkiye, on April 18, 2024. The 6th Turkiye-China Economic Forum opened here on Thursday with representatives exploring ways to promote bilateral trade ties and expand cooperation in more fields. (Photo by Safar Rajabov/Xinhua)
BERLIN, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), a newly founded party in Germany, now polls at 10 percent in the eastern federal state Saxony-Anhalt, according to a survey conducted by the Insa Institute on behalf of the Bild newspaper.

The party was officially founded in Germany at the beginning of this year. Its namesake and co-founder is Bundestag member Sahra Wagenknecht. Like herself, most of the founding members previously belonged to the Left Party.

Reflecting voter dissatisfaction in Europe's largest economy, the three parties that form the current government coalition were all trailing behind the newcomer in the poll, at least in Saxony-Anhalt. According to the survey published on Thursday, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) polled 8 percent, the Greens 5 percent, and the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) 4 percent.

"The Wagenknecht party is changing the political landscape," Insa head Hermann Binkert told Bild. "The Alternative for Germany party (AfD) and the Left in particular are losing votes as a result."

Similar to Germany's right-wing and conservative parties, BSW is calling for close monitoring of Germany's asylum system. The current German system can only succeed if people find employment quickly, contribute towards social security, and do not remain dependent on social benefits, Wagenknecht told the German press agency dpa.

The BSW party intends to run in the European elections in June. In addition, state parliaments will elect new members in three eastern German states in September. 
MOSCOW, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Washington found itself in almost complete isolation following its vote against the UN Security Council's recommendation to grant Palestine membership in the organization, a Russian envoy said Thursday.

Earlier, the United States vetoed a resolution recommending that the General Assembly admit Palestine to the United Nations. Britain and Switzerland abstained while the remaining members of the Security Council voted in favor.

"Today, the absolute majority of the world community supports Palestine's application for admission to full membership of the world organization. The suffering of Palestinian civilians resonates in the hearts and souls of millions of people around the world," said Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya at a Security Council meeting.

"Today's use of the veto by the U.S. delegation is a fruitless attempt to stop the inexorable course of history. The voting results, when Washington found itself almost completely isolated, speak for themselves," he said.

The United States, he said, is ready to turn a blind eye to Israel's crimes against civilians in Gaza until the last moment and not notice the illegal settlement activity in the West Bank.

"The goal is to break the will of the Palestinians, force them to unconditionally submit to the occupying power, turn them into servants and second-class citizens, and perhaps, completely eliminate them from their native territory," Nebenzya said.

"Indulging in the most reckless actions of its ally, unwillingness to find fair solutions based on the existing international legal framework is a direct path to further descent into the abyss of war, which could engulf the entire region. If the United States and Israel benefit from this, it will only be short-term," he noted.

By these actions, Washington would ultimately exclude itself from the circle of peace-loving and respected states, sharing full responsibility with its Israeli allies for the deaths of tens of thousands of peaceful Palestinians, the Russian envoy said.

"This is unworthy of a great power and history will not forgive you for this. We urge the United States to listen to the voice of reason, think about the consequences of its decisions and immediately join the efforts of the other Security Council members to establish an immediate ceasefire in Gaza," he concluded. 
Richard Myers, former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks during a photo exhibition commemorating the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders, Americans who fought Japan in World War II in cooperation with the Chinese people, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, the United States, April 18, 2024. The half-year-long exhibition recounts the stories of the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders with around 100 photos and detailed narrations. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

by Xinhua writers Liu Yanan, Xu Xingtang

DAYTON, Ohio, April 19 (Xinhua) -- A photo exhibition kicked off on Thursday at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force to commemorate the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders, Americans who fought Japan in World War II in cooperation with the Chinese people.

The half-year-long exhibition recounts the stories of the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders with around 100 photos and detailed narrations.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition was held on Thursday morning with the participation of some 150 representatives from various fields in the United States and China.

Over 80 years ago, these young American men went to China, fought a remarkable war against a very professional military and finally prevailed against the Japanese invaders, said Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation and also organizer of the exhibition.

"So, that's why we're here today," said Greene, noting that Thursday also marks the 82nd anniversary of the Doolittle Raid.

Terry Branstad, former U.S. ambassador to China, said one of the highlights of his stay in China was visiting all the museums and monuments to the Flying Tigers.

Branstad recalled his visit to Southwest China's Yunnan Province and a meeting there with a group of Chinese who helped the Flying Tigers and built an airfield for them.

During those difficult times, China and the United States could work together, fighting together shoulder by shoulder for human dignity and human justice, said the Chinese Consul General in New York Huang Ping.

Huang said the Flying Tigers are, of course, heroes and "We are here to remember all those heroes."

"We hope that friends from various sectors of China and the United States will work together to present the Flying Tigers' stories to more people and solidify the foundation of friendship," said Jiang Jiang, vice president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Visitors to the exhibition also shared their views and experiences at a meeting on U.S.-China friendship in World War II on Thursday afternoon.

The Flying Tigers, formally known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, was formed in 1941 by U.S. General Claire Lee Chennault. They came to China to help the Chinese people to fight the invading Japanese troops.

According to statistics, more than 200 downed Flying Tigers airmen were rescued by the Chinese people and thousands of Chinese were killed by Japanese invaders during the rescue missions.

The Doolittle Raid, planned and led by U.S. Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle on April 18, 1942, was an air raid by the United States on seven Japanese cities, including the capital Tokyo, during World War II, as a retaliation for the attack on the U.S. Pearl Harbor.

The 80 U.S. Air Force personnel who took part in the Doolittle Raid were rescued by Chinese civilians and troops off the Chinese coast after running out of fuel on their return. 

The Chinese Consul General in New York Huang Ping speaks during a photo exhibition commemorating the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders, Americans who fought Japan in World War II in cooperation with the Chinese people, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, the United States, April 18, 2024. The half-year-long exhibition recounts the stories of the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders with around 100 photos and detailed narrations. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Jiang Jiang, vice president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, speaks during a photo exhibition commemorating the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders, Americans who fought Japan in World War II in cooperation with the Chinese people, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, the United States, April 18, 2024. The half-year-long exhibition recounts the stories of the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders with around 100 photos and detailed narrations. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, speaks during a photo exhibition commemorating the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders, Americans who fought Japan in World War II in cooperation with the Chinese people, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, the United States, April 18, 2024. The half-year-long exhibition recounts the stories of the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders with around 100 photos and detailed narrations.(Xinhua/Liu Jie)

A photo exhibition commemorating the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders, Americans who fought Japan in World War II in cooperation with the Chinese people, is held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, the United States, April 18, 2024. The half-year-long exhibition recounts the stories of the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders with around 100 photos and detailed narrations. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

A photo exhibition commemorating the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders, Americans who fought Japan in World War II in cooperation with the Chinese people, is held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, the United States, April 18, 2024. The half-year-long exhibition recounts the stories of the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders with around 100 photos and detailed narrations. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

A photo exhibition commemorating the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders, Americans who fought Japan in World War II in cooperation with the Chinese people, is held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, the United States, April 18, 2024. The half-year-long exhibition recounts the stories of the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders with around 100 photos and detailed narrations. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

A photo exhibition commemorating the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders, Americans who fought Japan in World War II in cooperation with the Chinese people, is held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, the United States, April 18, 2024. The half-year-long exhibition recounts the stories of the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders with around 100 photos and detailed narrations. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

A photo exhibition commemorating the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders, Americans who fought Japan in World War II in cooperation with the Chinese people, is held at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, the United States, April 18, 2024. The half-year-long exhibition recounts the stories of the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders with around 100 photos and detailed narrations. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

People visit a photo exhibition commemorating the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders, Americans who fought Japan in World War II in cooperation with the Chinese people, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, the United States, April 18, 2024. The half-year-long exhibition recounts the stories of the Flying Tigers and Doolittle Raiders with around 100 photos and detailed narrations. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, who previously served as the director-general of naval operations and the flag officer commanding-in-chief of the Western Naval Command, has been announced as the next Navy chief, as confirmed by the government on Thursday night. Vice Admiral Tripathi, who currently serves as vice chief, will succeed Admiral R Hari Kumar, who is set to retire on April 30. Commissioned in July 1985, Vice Admiral Tripathi is a specialist in communication and electronic warfare, and has commanded warships such as corvette INS Kirch and frigate INS Trishul. He has held key operational and staff positions throughout his career.

Vice Admiral Tripathi will lead the Navy during a period of significant deployment of Indian warships in the Gulf of Aden and surrounding regions, including the Arabian Sea and off the east coast of Somalia. This deployment is in response to ongoing threats from Houthi rebels and Somali pirates that have disrupted sea trade in the area. . China's expanding presence in the IOR, along with its close ties to Pakistan in the maritime domain, remains a significant concern for India's defense establishment. China, which is rapidly building ships, already possesses the world's largest navy with 355 warships and submarines. It is also seeking additional overseas bases beyond Djibouti on the Horn of Africa, Karachi and Gwadar in Pakistan, and potentially Ream in Cambodia, to address logistical challenges in the IOR and the larger Indo-Pacific.

As the former Eastern Fleet commander, director-general of naval operations, and chief of the Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Tripathi has played a key role in the Navy's high level of maritime operations. Notably, in his previous roles as assistant chief of naval staff (policy and plans) and currently as vice chief since January, he has been involved in the modernization of the naval force.

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military family holding hands (file photo)

Nestled in the heart of America, the Stars and Stripes Museum stands as a testament to military journalists who have chronicled the essence of service and sacrifice. During the Month of the Military Child, the museum takes on a poignant role, not only celebrating the stories of service members but also highlighting the experiences of their families, particularly their children.

Military children, the unsung heroes of our armed forces stories, exhibit resilience and adaptability as they navigate the complexities of service life. The museum, through its exhibits and educational programs, offers a unique perspective into these experiences, shedding light on the impact of service on military families.

By showcasing real stories, personal artifacts, photographs, and narratives, the museum provides a glimpse into the day-to-day lives of military families, underscoring the joys, challenges, and resilience that define their experience. This initiative emphasizes the importance of giving a voice to young people affected by military service, nurturing budding journalists, and empowering military children to share their stories, fostering a sense of belonging.

In recognition of the Month of the Military Child, the Stars and Stripes Museum is set to unveil an exhibit dedicated to honoring, recognizing, and celebrating the vital contributions and lives of military children. This exhibit will feature select articles from the MOMC published in both the Pacific and European theaters, in collaboration with the Stars and Stripes publication underscoring their indispensable role within the military community.

Aiming to honor and uplift military children, the museum commits to acknowledging their unique experiences and offering avenues for them to share their stories. This initiative ensures the continuation of a legacy marked by resilience and strength for future generations.

Its an opportunity to celebrate their contributions, understand their challenges, and appreciate their unique perspective on growing up within the military community.

For those interested in learning more about the museum or supporting its initiatives for military children, please visit our website or follow us on social media.
In this article, we will take a look at the 10 fastest growing cities in Kentucky. If you want to skip our discussion on the state's economy, you can go directly to the 5 Fastest Growing Cities in Kentucky.

Kentucky is bordered by rivers along most of its boundaries, except for its southern border with Tennessee, which stretches nearly 425 miles. The state has a mountainous border with Virginia, with the Tug and Big Sandy Rivers acting as natural dividers from West Virginia. To the north, Kentucky meets Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, while the Mississippi River marks its southwestern boundary with Missouri.

Kentucky's gross domestic product (GDP) has experienced a 137.98% growth over the past two decades, increasing from $109 billion in 1998 to $260 billion by 2022. The agricultural sector makes up approximately 1.8% of the states GDP and has exhibited a gradual decline over recent years. Despite this trend, the influence of agriculture on local and regional economies remains substantial. According to a 2022 study conducted by the UK College of Agriculture, researchers discovered that in 2019, agriculture had a significant economic impact on Kentucky. The total output attributed to agriculture amounted to $49.6 billion, supporting 271,700 jobs and generating $10.3 billion in labor income.

Similarly, in 2021, Kentucky's private sector announced a historic $11.2 billion in total planned investment and commitments. These initiatives are projected to generate over 18,000 full-time jobs in the years ahead. This momentum carried forward into 2022, as evidenced by 248 new-location and expansion announcements. These initiatives represent nearly $10.5 billion in new investment. Alongside job creation, there has also been an increase in wages across the state. In 2022, the average incentivized hourly wage reached $26.78 before benefits. This represents an 11.5% increase compared to the previous year. The expansion in the state's economy is one of the reasons why many people are moving to Kentucky.

A significant portion of Kentucky's budget comes from federal government contributions. According to the Kentucky Annual Economic Report, prior to the pandemic, approximately 27.8% of state and local revenue was contributed from federal sources. This was higher than the US average of about 18.7%. This reliance on federal funding increased during the pandemic, reaching about 32.2% in 2020, higher than the national average of 21.3%.

Kentucky's employment landscape is driven by the service sector, including fields such as healthcare, education, food services, and hospitality. As of November 2023, Kentucky's nonfarm civilian workforce totaled 2,036,638 individuals, with 87,245 people classified as unemployed. The state is home to several prominent businesses, including Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), Churchill Downs, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHDN), and Humana Inc. (NYSE:HUM).

Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM) is an American health insurance company based in Louisville, Kentucky. The company offers a range of services, including medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as life insurance. As one of the nation's largest healthcare providers, Humana Inc (NYSE:HUM) provides affordable options and personalized support to various consumer segments. The company's workforce exceeds 60,000 employees.

Churchill Downs, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHDN) has grown from a single racetrack in Louisville, Kentucky, to a publicly traded corporation operating multiple racetracks, casinos, and an online wagering platform across several American states. The company has a popular horse racing complex located in south Louisville, Kentucky. Established in 1875, the site is known for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby, an iconic event in the world of horse racing. Throughout the year, Churchill Downs, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHDN) conducts horse racing across three race meets in Spring, September, and Fall. Spanning 175 acres, the racetrack features a one-mile dirt, oval racetrack and a seven-furlong turf racecourse. Behind the scenes, the backside barns can accommodate over 1,400 horses annually. Churchill Downs Racetrack has been synonymous with thoroughbred racing, the Kentucky Derby, and the Kentucky Oaks since its inception.

Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), formerly known as Tricon Global Restaurants, became one of the world's largest restaurant companies following its spin-off from PepsiCo in 1997. Operating across more than 155 countries and territories, Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) has a global network of over 55,000 restaurants run by approximately 1,500 franchisees. Key brands under its umbrella include KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, all of which hold leading positions in the fried chicken, pizza, and Mexican food segments, respectively. As of 2022, Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) employed 36,000 individuals worldwide. The management shared an update regarding the company's operations in its Q4 2023 earnings call:

Turning to 2023, it was a remarkable year for Yum! Brands as we crossed the $60 billion system sales threshold and exceeded all aspects of our long-term growth algorithm. Despite facing numerous challenges around the world, our incredible teams delivered another exceptional year of growth across our business. We set an industry development record for the third straight year. We made massive strides in scaling our proprietary digital and AI-driven ecosystem, and we continued to build a talent base that I believe is the best in the industry. We delivered 6% unit growth, 10% system sales growth, and 12% core operating profit growth. We entered 2024 having opened just shy of 10, 000 net new restaurants over the past three years and are well on our way to reaching 60, 000 restaurants this year. This growth would not be possible were not for our world-class franchise partners who continue to deploy their own capital based on their confidence to invest behind the long-term potential of our brand. Along with the record-breaking success weve had on development, our digital strategy has helped propel top-line results and improve bottom line profits. Digital sales approached $30 billion in 2023, up 22% year-over-year, with mix now exceeding 45%. At the same time, we have accelerated the deployment of our proprietary technologies to optimize back-of-house operations and make it easier to run our restaurants."

10 Fastest Growing Cities in Kentucky

Our Methodology

Weve compiled a list of the 15 fastest growing cities in Kentucky using population estimates from the US Census Bureau. These cities have been ranked in ascending order based on the percentage growth in population from 2010 to 2020.

You can also check out the

15 Fastest Growing Metro Areas in the US here.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

10 Fastest Growing Cities in Kentucky

10. Francisville

Change in Population: 28.60%

2010 to 2020 Population Increase: 2,215

Francisville is situated in North Kentucky within Boone County. In 2021, Francisville, KY, recorded a median age of 39.8 years and a median household income of $137,422. Over the span of just one year, from 2020 to 2021, Francisville experienced a 5.97% rise in its population. Furthermore, the median household income rose from $123,338 to $137,422, reflecting an 11.4% increase.

9. Shelbyville

Change in Population: 28.90%

2010 to 2020 Population Increase: 3,879

Located in the Kentucky Derby Region, Shelbyville sits 30 miles from Louisville and 20 miles from the state capital, Frankfort. It is Shelby County's seat. Shelbyville offers a blend of agriculture, business, and industry. The city is also known as the "Saddlebred Capital of the World" and hosts the annual Shelbyville Horse Show, a prestigious event in the realm of horse breeding. Shelbyville is also home to two popular distilleries, Jeptha Creed Distillery and Bulleit. Jeptha Creed started operations in 2017 and makes bourbon, vodka, and moonshine. Meanwhile, Bulleit is a $140 million distillery that was built by international beverage company Diageo in 2018.

8. La Grange

Change in Population: 29.70%

2010 to 2020 Population Increase: 2,306

La Grange is located in Oldham County, Kentucky. Over a period of 10 years, La Grange recorded a population increase of 29.70%, making it one of the fastest growing cities in Kentucky. The city experiences a subtropical climate, marked by hot and humid summers, while winters tend to range from mild to cool. La Grange is also home to four correctional facilities overseen by the Kentucky Department of Corrections.

7. Shepherdsville

Change in Population: 31.30%

2010 to 2020 Population Increase: 3,388

Shepherdsville is situated on the Salt River in Bullitt County. In 2021, Shepherdsville, KY, recorded a median age of 35.5 years and a median household income of $62,055. From 2020 to 2021, the population of Shepherdsville experienced growth, rising from 13,757 to 13,918 residents, marking a 1.17% increase. However, during the same period, there was a decline in the median household income from $64,798 to $62,055, representing a decline of 4.23%. Shepherdsville is among the top 10 fastest growing cities in Kentucky.

6. Georgetown

Change in Population: 36.00%

2010 to 2020 Population Increase: 9,818

Georgetown, situated in Scott County, has a population of 37,086 residents according to the 2020 census. Scott County was the fastest growing county in 2020. As both the County Seat and Kentucky's sixth-largest city by population, Georgetown holds a central position within the state. Georgetown is home to Georgetown College, a prestigious private liberal arts institution. In the early 1900s, the city transitioned from its agricultural roots to a diversified economy comprising manufacturing, small businesses, and farming. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky also started operations in the city in 1988. The plant specializes in the production of several automobile models, including the Camry, Camry Hybrid, Lexus ES, and RAV4 Hybrid.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Fastest Growing Cities in Kentucky. Suggested articles:

Disclosure: None. 10 Fastest Growing Cities in Kentucky is originally published on Insider Monkey.
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As a United States military veteran, youre entitled to certain benefits that acknowledge your service and sacrifice. You deserve access to the best possible support to help you thrive after your service. These benefits vary widely across the country, with some states offering more money management support than others.

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GOBankingRates analyzed data from Military.com to identify the 10 states offering the best benefits for veterans.

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Texas

Texas is one of the most veteran-friendly states in the nation. It goes above and beyond to support those who have served. Texas is also home to several world-class medical facilities that cater specifically to the unique healthcare needs of veterans.

Texas is particularly beneficial for Veterans, especially those with a 100% disability rating, said Jasmine Lee-Hall, senior paralegal at Cameron Firm, PC. The property tax exemption is a huge advantagebecause with the rising mortgage rates, homeownership is difficult.

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One of the greatest benefits for Veterans with a disability rating of at least 10% is access to the Texas Veterans Land Board, which offers lower mortgage rates. While the national average exceeds 7%, through this program, we secured a rate of 5.92% Lee-Hill said.

The state also offers up to 150 hours of tuition-free college at state schools for veterans, spouses and dependent children. Additionally, Texas offers free drivers licenses, veteran plates and a free super combo hunting and fishing license for veterans with a 50% VA rating or higher.

Florida

The Sunshine State is a popular retirement destination for veterans, and for good reason. Florida has zero state income tax and full property tax exemptions for disabled veterans with a 100% disability rating.

The state also offers free drivers licenses, plates and hunting and fishing licenses for qualifying disabled veterans.

Alaska

Through the Veterans Land Discount program, veterans have exclusive opportunities to purchase land in Alaska and receive a 20% discount. The Veterans Mortgage Program also provides low-interest financing and disabled veterans may be exempt from taxes on part of their home value.

The state has property tax exemption for disabled veterans with a 50% or greater disability rating on the first $150,000 of assessed value. Alaska also provides employment preference for veterans applying for state jobs and discounted or free state park passes.

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Nevada

Veterans with wartime service can receive annual tax exemptions in Nevada, which can be applied to vehicle privilege tax or real property tax. Honorably discharged resident veterans with a service-connected disability of 60% or more, and their surviving spouses, are eligible for a property tax exemption.

The state also provides tuition waivers for active Nevada National Guard members and their families, guaranteed interviews for qualified disabled veterans, and additional points for veterans and surviving spouses in state employment exams. There are also disabled vet plates available at a reduced cost, and reduced combination hunting and fishing licenses.

Illinois

Illinois offers various tax exemptions, including active duty pay, retirement pay and property taxes for those with service-connected disabilities or using the Specially Adapted Housing Grant. The state also provides a $100 bonus for service during specific periods, financial aid for children of veterans affected by wartime service, and scholarships for dependents of veterans meeting certain criteria.

Illinois gives job hiring preference for wartime veterans, waives educational requirements for certain public service roles, and offers tuition assistance programs for veterans and their dependents.

Wyoming

With its low unemployment rate and the highest median income for veterans, Wyoming is an excellent choice for veterans.

The state offers its veterans a $3,000 reduction in the assessed value of homes or vehicles for tax purposes. Veterans can receive 5 to 10 extra points for state job tests. National Guard members can get free tuition at state schools. The state also gives free state park access to veterans with at least a 50% disability.

Tennessee

Tennessee gives property tax relief to 100% disabled veterans and their spouses. The state also covers full college costs at state schools for survivors of veterans. Veterans can get a waiver for the skills test for a commercial drivers license. Disabled veterans in Tennessee enjoy benefits like free hunting and fishing licenses, discounted camping rates, and free Veterans Day activities at state parks.

Utah

Utah offers a Veterans Property Tax Abatement program, which provides reduced property taxes for veterans. The state also gives various other benefits made specifically for those who have served.

In Utah, military retirement pay and SBP payments are tax-free. The state provides veterans with extra points for state employment tests, as well as tuition waivers for Purple Heart recipients and dependents of service members killed in action. The states veteran benefits include free access to state parks for disabled veterans, discounted fishing licenses and burial eligibility in the state veterans cemetery.

Virginia

Virginia has a large military presence, so naturally, the state offers tons of veteran support. Benefits include property tax exemptions, in-state tuition rates for veterans and their families, and priority access to specialized healthcare and mental health resources.

Virginia also gives veterans extra points for state employment tests, and the Military Survivors and Dependents Program has education benefits. The state discounts hunting and fishing licenses and free admission to state parks for veterans with certain disability ratings.

Washington

Washington has excellent benefits for vets, including property tax exemption for eligible veterans with a service-connected disability or seniors with limited income. Dependents of deceased or disabled veterans receive up to 200 hours of free tuition at state schools. Washington also gives veterans preference for state jobs, with extra points on exams.

Other benefits include a test waiver for a commercial drivers license, discounted hunting/fishing licenses, and a free lifetime pass for state parks.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: These 10 States Have the Best Veteran Benefits: A Comprehensive Guide
This article looks at the 15 best cruise lines in the US. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis of the cruise lines industry, you may skip ahead to 5 Best Cruise Lines in the US.

Prior to the pandemic, cruise ships were one of the most desirable avenues for entertainment, leisure, and luxury. Each year, cruise lines would dispatch hundreds of ships, each packed with hundreds or thousands of travelers, sailing into the seven seas for weeks at a time. However, come 2020, the allure of clinking glasses and poolside sunbathing dissipated into thin air as these luxury watercrafts became hotspots for COVID-19 infestation.

Cruise lines were some of the first companies to experience a financial fallout in the wake of the pandemic. During the first quarter of 2020, Carnival Corporation & PLCs (NYSE: CCL) stock dropped by a staggering 75%. Furthermore, in addition to Carnival Corporation, major cruise companies such as the Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE: RCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE: NCLH) were left high and dry when the US Governments $2 trillion package failed to provide relief to companies organized outside the US. Consequently, during the first 9 months of the pandemic, Carnival Corporation & PLC (NYSE: CCL), Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE: RCL) and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE: NCLH) suffered losses of 65-75%.

Post Pandemic Triumph

However, the cruise industry displayed tremendous perseverance, enduring the financial challenges of 2020 and 2021, before gradually setting on the path to recovery. In 2023, Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) posted a revenue of $21.6 Billion and is expected to enhance these numbers in 2024 with encouraging booking volumes.

Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation revealed that,

"[The company] ended the year in the best-booked position we have ever seen, both on price and occupancy, setting 2024 off to an amazing start."

Similarly encouraging outlook has been shared by executives of both Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE: NCLH) and the Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) for 2024. The latter launched its latest cruise, Icon of The Seas, this January. The cruise has a capacity of over 7000 passengers, making it the largest cruise ship in existence, and exemplifies how optimistic major cruise liners are regarding the industrys outlook going forward. It is expected that the industry will surpass pre-pandemic occupancy and revenue in 2024.

Cruise Line Industry in the US

According to Reuters, over 35 million tourists around the world are looking to cruise in 2024. The US contributes more tourists to the cruise industry than any other country in the world. Understandably, US-based ports are a key feature in all cruise itineraries. Florida, California, and New York are home to some of the busiest cruise ports in the world.

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Although the most popular cruise destinations for American tourists are in the Caribbean, River and Expedition cruises are also becoming increasingly popular. Expedition cruises provide tourists a chance to sail to remote destinations alongside a team of seasoned guides (and in some cases intellectuals) and take part in adventure activities. Alaska has become a very popular destination for expedition cruises, with companies such as Silversea Cruises and Holland America Cruise Line offering regular trips to America's final frontier.

It certainly begs the question What is the number 1 cruise line in America?. Well, as always, we are here to partake in this debate with our list of best cruise lines in the US.

15 Best Cruise Lines in the US

15 Best Cruise Lines in the US

Methodology

To develop our list of best cruise lines in the US, we began by combing the internet for research in this area. While most of the material online pertained to reviews on specific ships, our interest was intended towards comparing Cruise Lines rather than individual voyagers. Thus, we accumulated more than 10 different sources, including credible new outlets such as The Times, CN Traveller, and CNBC, along with popular websites like Cruise Fever and Readers Digest to come up with a preliminary list of the best cruise lines. Using a consensus approach, we shortlisted the cruise lines which had been recommended most frequently. Further research was narrowed to these cruise lines only.

Once this list was obtained, we used several different metrics to score each cruise line against. The first was the number of times each cruise had been recommended in our previous search. Ratings on platforms such as Cruise Critics and Cruiseline became 2 other metrics for our research. Finally, we incorporated passenger feedback using online forums and user reviews (excluding influencer generated feedback for bias) into our metrics and developed a scorecard, rating each cruise line out of 20 to come up with a list of best cruise lines in the US.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach, we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional one looking for the best stocks to buy, you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

Here are 15 Best Cruise Lines in the US:

15. Silversea Cruises

IM Score: 9

Cruise Critic Rating (1,600 reviews): 3.8

Cruise line Rating: 3.8

Silversea Cruises is renowned for its luxury cruise experiences with all-inclusive packages. It prides on providing an individualistic yet immersive experience to cruisers, which is why its fleet comprises of smaller sized cruises in comparison to others. Its pristine dining facilities allow passengers to feast on delicious cuisines, complementary caviar, and the finest alcoholic beverages. On its most elegant cruises, Silversea offers its S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program, which allows cruisers to dive deep into the flavors of the regions they voyage to. Outside of dining, Silversea offers the chance to journey around the seven seas. It is especially lauded for its land expeditions, including some which explore the farthest regions of Alaska. Passengers are allowed to venture ashore the ice cloaked terrain with trained teams of guides and geologists, interact with the areas wildlife, and drink in the sight of colossal glaciers, icy waterfalls, and radiating hot springs. Silversea has a long list of accolades from various outlets including being the Ultra-luxury Cruise Line of The Year and the Expedition/Adventure Cruise Line of the Year in 2024.

14. Oceania Cruises

IM Score: 9

Cruise Critic Rating (3033 reviews): 3.8

Cruise line Rating: 4

Oceania cruises offer luxury experience at a better value for money than other cruise liners. Its ships conform to the medium size category and travel to destinations all around the world. It is extremely popular among seniors and retirees, partly because it offers extended travel duration which can last up to 195 days! Another standout feature is its culinary excellence. It offers one of the most diverse culinary experiences in the industry, with options ranging from southern Porterhouses, to steamy Callaloo, to delicious Bouillabaisse. Travelers can engage in amenities such as culinary classes, luxury spas, and destination focused cultural activities. It is among the best cruise lines in the US.

13. Seabourn Cruise Line

IM Score: 10

Cruise Critic Rating (774 reviews): 4.1

Cruise line Rating: 4.2

Another cruise line prominent for its luxurious experiences, Seabourn Cruise Line offers a self-proclaimed creme de la creme cruise experience. It has one of the best passenger-to-space ratios in the industry and offers an all-suite accommodation with each room complemented with magnificent ocean views. Seabourn Venture, one of the lines small sized expedition ships, is equipped with 2 submarines that allow passengers to dive into deep sea waters for an unparalleled viewing adventure. In addition, the cruise line is the official cruise partner of UNESCO, which allows it access to 170 different UNESCO sites. Seabourn recently unveiled its itinerary for 2024-25 expeditions, including its maiden expedition to the southern pacific shores of Kimberly, Australia.

12. Azamara

IM Score: 10

Cruise Critic Rating (1792 reviews): 4.2

Cruise line Rating: 4.1

Azamaras cruises are highly cherished by couples, courtesy of its small sized ships that allow for a more intimate and personalized experience. The cruises are known to have a diverse combination of on-ship and off-ship excursions, thus appealing to those who want a well-rounded vacation experience. Wine tasting, dance classes, and musical performances are some of the many activities that help on boarders entertain and unwind. Moreover, it offers unique excursions on the shore, as its smaller ships are able to dock into ports around the world that arent equipped to handle large or medium-sized liners. Each cruise also hosts a signature White Nights party, a memorable gathering atop the pool deck where attendees get to revel under the stars.

11. Cunard

IM Score: 11

Cruise Critic Rating (2563 reviews): 3.8

Cruise line Rating: 4.2

Cunard is one of the oldest and most iconic names in the cruise industry, with a storied past that stretches back to 1839. Its roots are seeped in tradition, heritage, and timeless elegance, all of which come forth during its cruises. From being one of the first shipping lines to make a transatlantic voyage, to rescuing survivors from the Titanic, and then going on to help transport allied troops during the second world war, Cunard has held firm against the test of time and maintained its status as one of the best cruise lines in the US. Travelers on Cunards cruises get to immerse themselves in a traditional mise en scene, with activities such as ballroom dancing, symphonies, and attending lectures with veterans from WWII. Although Cunard is a British cruise line, like most other foreign cruise lines it offers several different tours to accommodate American passengers. Cunard is set to launch its new ship, Queen Anne, this May which will be the first time this century that the company will operate with a fleet of 4 ships.

10. Virgin Voyages

IM Score: 11

Cruise Critic Rating (1754 reviews): 4.1

Cruise line Rating: 4.1

Virgin Voyages is an adult only cruise line, with a minimum traveler age of 18. It offers all-inclusive trips at a price point more economical than most of its competitors. If youre a solo traveler or a libidinous couple interested in a salacious holiday, you might wonder which is the best cruise line to travel with in such circumstances. Being an adult only cruise, it offers a very party-centric experience in the form of raves, musicals, nightclubs, and casinos. Moreover, Virgin cruises has its very own private beach club in the Bahamas where its cruises make port, allowing travelers to spend an entire day at the resort. Other amenities include complementary spas, saunas, gyms, and yoga classes.

9. Holland America Line

IM Score: 12

Cruise Critic Rating (8728 reviews): 3.9

Cruise line Rating: 4.1

Holland America Cruise Line is another historic cruise company that began its operations back in 1873. It makes great efforts to acquaint its passengers with its achievements in shaping the cruise industry over the last 150 years. However, in the modern era, it has gained a lot of praise for its voyages into the waters of Alaska for which it has been honored with several accolades over the years. The cruise line also has a partnership with BBC Earth, under which it hosts seminars and musical performances themed towards exploring nature and wildlife. Moreover, it also hosts other intellectual seminars to familiarize travelers with the culture and festivities of the region it visits.

8. MSC Cruises

IM Score: 12

Cruise Critic Rating (10064 reviews): 3.3

Cruise line Rating: 3.9

MSC Cruises is perhaps the most affordable and family-friendly cruise on our list. It would be ranked even higher, if not for the fact that it is an Italian cruise company which has only a select few voyages from US ports. Despite this, it has amassed a massive customer base in the US, some of whom even travel across the Atlantic to sail aboard its ships. The foremost reason behind such a devoted clientele is that MSC allows children to sail free of cost on most of its voyages, making it very affordable for a family vacation. Further, the cruises arent just designed to welcome children, but also go a long way in ensuring they have the most amazing and memorable vacation of their lives. Several of the cruises have in-built LEGO play areas, small water parks, and virtual reality movie theaters.

7. Disney Cruise Line

IM Score: 13

Cruise Critic Rating (2407 reviews): 4.2

Cruise line Rating: 4.6

If youre looking for a family vacation and willing to spend generously, there is perhaps no better way to entertain your children than aboard one of the Disney cruise ships. These tours are essentially Disneys way of transforming a day in one of their theme parks into a week-long voyage aboard a luxury sea vessel. If your idea of a vacation is one in which you can immerse yourself in a mythical universe, Disney is perhaps the best cruise line in the US. Live productions of Aladdin, Marvel themed dining centers, and Star Wars themed recreations allow your children to be immersed in some of their favorite pop culture fandoms. Most of the cruises interior is themed to Disney movies while mascots in costumes of your childrens favorite characters roam around the decks. However, the cruises also have adult-oriented activities to ensure caretakers can unwind in their exclusive poolside bars and adult only dining facilities.

6. Princess Cruises

IM Score: 14

Cruise Critic Rating (19542 reviews): 3.8

Cruise line Rating: 4.2

Princess Cruises offers voyages to over 330 destinations over the world, more than almost any other cruise line. Its vast fleet of cruise ships is tailored to have destination specific itineraries, enabling cruisers to fully explore some of the most breathtaking sights nature has to offer. While most onboard activities are included in the ticket, offshore excursions often come at a premium. The Discovery Princess, one of its most appealing tours, is relished amongst wildlife enthusiasts. It offers the chance to sail up into the most spectacular sights in Alaska and interact with native huskies, goats, and even bears. The Discovery Princess has advantage over other cruise ships as the vessel is designed to sail deeper into the crevices surrounding Alaska than normal cruise ships.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Cruise Lines in the US.

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Disclosure: none. 15 Best Cruise Lines in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Qabil Ashirov

In order to increase the number and scope of audits conducted by the Accounting Chamber, there is a need to take additional measures and increase resources in a number of directions.

The Chairman of the Economic Policy, Industry, and Entrepreneurship Committee of the Milli Majlis, Tahir Mirkishili, said this during the discussion of the report on the activities of the Accounts Chamber in 2023 at today's session of the parliament.

"Shortening the average duration of control measures, expanding the application of the electronic accounting system in state bodies, creating a single electronic database of state financial information, switching to an electronic budget system, and identifying risks based on artificial intelligence can allow us to achieve this goal. Otherwise, there will be a need for classical measures such as increasing the number of staff units in the Chamber", said T. Mirkishili.

In general, the Accounting Chamber implemented 91.7% of the operational plan for 2023 . This means an increase of 10.4% compared to the previous year.

The Deputy considers it acceptable within the existing possibilities to conduct an audit of 95.4% of state budget revenues and 77.6% of expenses by the Chamber:

"In the reporting year, we consider the expansion of the monitoring activities by the Chamber and the increase in the follow-up of the given suggestions worthy of praise. In general, we think that the repetition of the deficiencies discovered during control measures every year makes it important to follow up on all the suggestions given in order to avoid these situations. For this, certain educational tools are also used; we consider it important to use them," he said.

T. Mirkishili added that the report provided extensive information on the assessment of the government-based Sustainable Development Goals implemented by the Chamber for the first time, the audit of consolidated financial statements, and the evaluation of the efficiency of investment activity.

"We consider the Chamber's activity in these directions acceptable," he added.
In this article, we are going to discuss the 15 countries with the largest proven oil reserves in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global oil and gas market, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the global oil sector, and the steps taken by major oil companies to achieve net zero by 2050, and go directly to the 5 Countries with the Largest Proven Oil Reserves in the World.

In the latter half of the 20th century, the global oil market was dominated by a group of multinational, Anglo-American companies known as the Seven Sisters. And so in hopes of exerting more authority over their own resources, the petroleum-rich nations of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela banded together and created the OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) at the Baghdad Conference in 1960. These countries realized they had a non-renewable resource, and if they competed against each other, the price of oil would drop too far, eventually causing them to run out of their precious but finite commodity even sooner.

Currently, OPEC comprises 12 members, and it is estimated that approximately 80% of the worlds proven crude oil reserves are located in its member countries, giving the organization significant influence over the global energy landscape.

Global Oil and Gas Market:

As we mentioned in our article  Oil and Gas Production by State: Top 15  the global oil and gas market was valued at $6.99 trillion in 2022, and is expected to grow to $8.67 trillion by 2027, with a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period. The largest region in the global oil and gas market share is Asia Pacific, with North America coming in second.

The primary factors driving the growth of the industry include the rising demand for oil and gas, growing competition in the industry, financial capital, and public scrutiny. Furthermore, the rising oil and gas exploration activities and the increase in prices globally are also anticipated to drive the industry's growth.

Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War:

Following President Putins invasion of Ukraine, Western policymakers promised to respond to the Kremlin with sanctions from hell. Yet, the so-called hell is yet to be seen.

In December 2022, the United States, along with the E.U., the G7, and Australia imposed a $60 per barrel limit on what Russia could charge for its oil. The cap was designed to deprive the Putin administration of revenue to fund its aggression in Ukraine, forcing it to either sell its oil at a discount or find a costly alternative shipping network.

Although the initial blow from the sanctions led to a $25 billion deficit in the Russian budget at the beginning of last year, the effects have faded dramatically, as the Kremlin has subsequently learnt to better circumvent those sanctions by pivoting away from western shipping and services. It has done so by using a vast shadow fleet of tankers that have unclear ownership and insurance status, and so the $60 price cap is not always respected. As a result of that, combined with a favorable price dynamic, the Russian states energy revenues more than doubled to $17.63 billion from September to October last year.

One of the biggest players to have made the most of this situation is China. The East Asian behemoth imported record volumes of oil last year despite a weak economy, as it took advantage of cheap Russian crude to build stockpiles and export refined products. In the first half of 2023, China imported 2.13 million barrels per day (b/d) of oil from Russia, ahead of 1.88 million b/d from Saudi Arabia, making Russia the top crude supplier to China during the period. To avoid violating Western sanctions, Chinese refiners use intermediary traders to handle shipping and insurance of Russian crude.

Another country that has taken full advantage of the cheaper Russian black gold is India. In the 2022-23 financial year, the South Asian giants imports of crude oil from Russia increased nearly 13-fold, from less than $2.5 billion in 2021-22 to over $31 billion last year.

This goes to show how the war in Europe has implications that go far beyond the battlefield, thus creating new geopolitical alliances and leading to one of the largest shifts in the global energy market in decades.

Oil Majors Going Green:

As climate catastrophes continue to escalate, the urgency to reach net zero emissions is becoming more critical than ever. As a result, following the roadmap of the International Energy Agency, a growing number of oil and gas companies have committed to achieving net zero by 2050.

Among these key players is also The Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM)  the largest oil producer in the U.S.  which in 2022 announced its goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions at its oil and gas operations to net zero by 2050, as it responds to investor pressure to clean up its business in the face of climate change. The oil giant said that it would eliminate the routine flaring of natural gas and methane leaks from its facilities and use renewables to power operations. Moreover, the Texas-based company is also investing $17 billion over a six-year span through 2027 in lower carbon emissions technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration, and hydrogen.

In fact, The Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) has already taken significant steps to minimize its carbon footprint over the last few years, including evaluating the potential impact of its emissions to the communities where it operates. From 2016 to 2021, the total reportable emissions of volatile organic compounds, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides decreased by approximately 24% at operated assets. The company also recycled nearly 100 million barrels of water in 2021, which enabled it to offset almost half of its water needs for fracking operations.

The Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) is included among the Best Cheap Dividend Stocks to Buy Right Now.

Similarly, in 2021, the Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) also set the ambitious target to cut operational emissions to net zero by 2050, and has already implemented various measures to reduce its carbon emissions, including investing in blue and green hydrogen, carbon capture and sequestration, offsets, geothermal and nuclear energy, and restoring coastal and marine habitats to ensure they continue to draw CO2 from the air. The company has pledged to invest $10 billion by 2028 to reduce its carbon footprint.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) believes that implementing a global carbon pricing system is the key incentive for driving low-carbon investments and scaling up energy transition technologies. The idea of taxing carbon emissions through a cap-and-trade system is widely supported in some major markets like Europe and the U.K., but remains a political controversy in others, notably the United States. Chevrons commitment to utilizing existing and emerging energy solutions and services demonstrates its dedication to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) sits among the Best Energy Stocks to Buy Now.

With that said, here are the Countries with the Largest Oil Reserves in 2024.

15 Countries with the Largest Proven Oil Reserves in the World

An oil rig in a vast desert landscape, a reminder of the company's core business.

Methodology:

To collect data for this article, we have referred to OPEC, looking for Countries with the Largest Crude Oil Reserves. The following countries have been ranked by their proven reserves of crude oil in 2022.

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.

15. Algeria

Total Proven Oil Reserves in 2022: 12.2 billion barrels

Algeria imports very little energy as its domestic consumption is met by its own oil and natural gas production, which is heavily subsidized. Oil production accounts for nearly all of the North African countrys export economy, with 60% of Algerias entire production going towards exports.

Algerias entire oil reserves are found onshore and almost 80% of the countrys hydrocarbon production is done by Sonatrach  the national oil company.

14. Brazil

Total Proven Oil Reserves in 2022: 13.242 billion barrels

Brazil owns the largest recoverable ultra-deep oil reserves in the world, with 97.6% of its oil produced offshore. Although it is the Biggest Oil Producer in Latin America, the country continues to import petroleum products to meet the rising domestic demand and to compensate for its fuel price subsidies.

Brazils state-controlled oil giant Petrobras also has to compete with importers and its next five-year strategic plan will focus on making the country self-sufficient in gasoline and diesel production.

13. Qatar

Total Proven Oil Reserves in 2022: 25.244 billion barrels

Qatar, one of OPECs longest-standing members, left the organization in January 2019 to shift more of its resources and investment from oil production to natural gas and LNG infrastructure projects. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Qatars earnings from its hydrocarbon sector accounted for 81% of the countrys total government revenues in 2021, up from 77% in 2020.

Qatar produced over 1.76 million barrels of oil per day in 2022, putting it among the Biggest Oil Producers in the World.

12. China

Total Proven Oil Reserves in 2022: 27.003 billion barrels

China made headlines last month after the countrys state-owned oil and gas giant, China National Offshore Oil Company, made a massive deep-water oil discovery in the Kaiping South oilfield in the South China Sea, containing over 100 million tons of oil equivalent proved in-place.

Despite its huge oil reserves, China was the Biggest Buyer of Saudi Oil in 2022, purchasing 87.49 million tonnes of crude during the year, equivalent to 1.75 million barrels per day. Due to its high domestic demand, China tops the list of Countries that Import the Most Oil in the World.

11. Kazakhstan

Total Proven Oil Reserves in 2022: 30 billion barrels

Kazakhstan has the largest proven oil reserves in the Caspian Sea region, and the countrys crude and condensate output in 2021 was around 1.8 million barrels per day. While Kazakhstan already has significant reserves, it is estimated that around 60-100 billion barrels still remain undiscovered in the region, mostly in the Kazakh part of the Caspian Sea.

Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) is the largest private oil producer in Kazakhstan, holding important stakes in two of the nation's biggest oil-producing fields  Tengiz and Karachaganak.

10. Nigeria

Total Proven Oil Reserves in 2022: 36.967 billion barrels

To strengthen Nigerias energy security, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company has started exploration in the onshore frontier basins, aiming to boost the countrys proven crude oil reserves to 50 billion barrels from the current approximate 37 billion.

It was announced in January that Africas largest oil refinery has finally started production in Nigeria. In a nation that largely relies on imports for refined petroleum, the $19 billion facility comes as a boon and has the capacity to produce 650,000 barrels per day.

9. Libya

Total Proven Oil Reserves in 2022: 48.363 billion barrels

Libya is the Country with the Largest Oil Reserves in Africa, representing 39% of the continents total reserves. However, the countrys oil output has continuously fluctuated over the last decade due to its armed internal conflicts and political instability.

Libya also ranks among the Countries with the Cheapest Gas Prices in the world. The gas price is determined by the National Oil Corporation and is heavily subsidized by the government. The price of Libyan gasoline is, in fact, even cheaper than water.

8. United States of America

Total Proven Oil Reserves in 2022: 55.251 billion barrels

The U.S. is the Largest Producer of Oil in the World, accounting for 14.7% of the overall world crude production in 2022. Every year, the indigenous production of oil and gas helps save American consumers an estimated $203 billion, or $2,500 for each family of four. Moreover, the oil and gas industry also supports over 12 million American jobs, provides billions of dollars in tax revenue, and ensures energy security. With over 18.6 billion barrels of crude oil reserves, Texas is the State with the Largest Oil Reserves in America.

Thanks to its shale oil boom, the U.S. is counted among the Countries with the Most Untapped Oil Reserves in the World.

7. Russia

Total Proven Oil Reserves in 2022: 80 billion barrels

Although Russia ranks among the Top 10 Countries with the Biggest Oil Reserves, its oil industry has recently been facing a number of problems, including sanctions from the West for its invasion of Ukraine, reduction in output from brownfields in Western Siberia, rising costs, and the high carbon intensity of the countrys oil production.

6. Kuwait

Total Proven Oil Reserves in 2022: 101.5 billion barrels

Kuwait is a major oil producer and a member of the OPEC consortium. The oil industry accounts for nearly half of the countrys GDP and around 95% of its exports revenue. Kuwait wants to increase its oil production capacity to 4 million b/d by 2035, and is thus planning to prepare the infrastructure for the Durra gas field, which it shares with Saudi Arabia and Iran claims a stake in.

Kuwait holds approximately 7% of the global oil reserves, and ranks 6th in our list of Countries with the Largest Oil Deposits in the World.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Countries with the Largest Proven Oil Reserves in the World.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Countries with the Largest Proven Oil Reserves in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.
In this article, we are going to discuss the 15 largest beer companies in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global beer market, the total beer output around the globe, and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the international beer industry, and go directly to the 5 Largest Beer Companies In the World.

According to a theory, beer is historys happiest accident. Though the discovery probably happened much earlier, our earliest evidence for beer dates back roughly 13,000 years ago. Around this time, the people of the Fertile Crescent had begun to gather grains as a food source and learned that if they moistened them, they could release their sweetness to create a gruel much tastier than the grains themselves.

One day, a curious (or perhaps tightfisted) hunter-gatherer hid their gruel away for safekeeping. When they returned, they found the bowl giving off a tangy odor. Not one to waste a meal, they ate it anyway and enjoyed an unexpected, though not unpleasant, sensation of ease. And so, by pure happenstance, this dear ancestor stumbled upon brewing.

Global Beer Market:

If your idea of relaxing at the end of the day involves cracking open a cold one, you're not alone. Beer is the Most Consumed Alcohol in the World. As we mentioned in our article  20 Best Beer Countries Heading Into 2024  the global beer market was valued at $793.74 billion in 2022, and is projected to grow from $821.39 billion in 2023 to $1.07 trillion by 2030, with a CAGR of 3.88% during the forecast period. The overall demand for premium and low-calorie beers, the rising popularity of craft beer, and the expansion of distribution networks in emerging markets are expected to continue driving growth in the global beer market over the next few years.

Global Beer Output:

According to the Barth Haas Report, 2022 was a year characterized by geopolitical influences affecting the global economy and presenting the brewing industry with corresponding challenges. Whereas at the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine it was expected that world beer output might decline, it went against all odds in the 2022 brewing year and the global beer production ended up increasing slightly by 1.3% to 1.89 billion hectoliters. However, the market is yet to return to its pre-pandemic levels, when production peaked at 1.91 billion hectolitres in 2019.

Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War:

After Russia began its aggression in its neighboring country, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged international companies to turn their back on the Russian market. This led to brewing giants like Carlsberg and Heineken N.V. announcing their exodus from Russia in March 2022. The move was especially onerous for Carlsberg, as the Danish company held a 27% share of the Russian market through its ownership of the countrys largest brewer, Baltika.

Carlsberg sought a full disposal of their business in Russia, however, it was reported in July last year that the Russian state had taken control of the companys stake in Baltika, according to a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin. Carlsberg has announced that the prospects for full disposal of its business in Russia are now highly uncertain.

It was also reported in August 2023 that Heineken N.V. has completed its exit from Russia by selling its operations there to the countrys Arnest Group for a symbolic $1. The brewing giant said that the deal had received all the required approvals and was likely to leave it with exceptional losses of $324.8 million. Heineken had seven breweries in Russia and 1,800 employees, who will receive employment guarantees for the next three years.

Similarly, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) also disclosed in April 2022 that it would be selling its share in a Russian joint venture with the Turkish brewery Anadolu Efes, expecting to take a $1.1 billion charge as a result. The venture operates 11 breweries in Russia, selling beer under brands including Klinskoe and Efes Pilsen, and contributed $1 million to the beer behemoths profits in 2021. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) confirmed in December 2023 that its joint venture partner, Anadolu Efes, would buy its non-controlling interest in the AB InBev Efes unit. No cash will change hands as part of the deal, but the Turkish company will make future payments based on the JVs performance

Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD) ranks among Best Brewery and Distillery Stocks to Buy Now.

With that said, here are the Top Beer Companies in 2024.

15 Largest Beer Companies In the World

Ievgenii Meyer/Shutterstock.com

Methodology:

To collect data for this article, we have referred to the BarthHaas Report 2022/2023, looking for the Biggest Beer Companies. The following companies have been ranked by their total beer production volume in 2022, measured in hectoliters (hl).

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.

15. Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A. (NYSE:CCU)

Total Beer Production in 2022: 17.6 million hl

Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A. (NYSE:CCU) is a beverage company that operates principally in Chile, Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and is among the Largest Beer Makers in South America. Headquartered in Chile, the company reported a revenue of over $2.76 billion in 2022, with a net profit of around $120.5 million.

Stocks of Compania Cervecerias Unidas S.A. (NYSE:CCU) were held by 8 hedge funds at the end of Q4 2023 in the Insider Monkey database, with First Eagle Investment Management holding the largest stake of over 15.58 million shares, valued at $195.48 million.

14. Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO)

Total Beer Production in 2022: 23.9 million hl

Famed for its Guinness stout  one of the Most Consumed Beer Brands in the World  Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is a British multinational alcoholic beverage company based in London. However, the alcohol giant is definitely not a one-trick pony, and with over 200 brands sold in more than 180 countries, Diageo is also included among the Biggest Liquor Companies in the World. The companys portfolio has remarkable breadth across spirits and beer, with brands such as Harp, Captain Morgan, Johnnie Walker, and Smirnoff etc.

Diageo is reportedly seeking a buyer for a trio of its brands as it looks to restore its profits and increase its value for shareholders. The owner of Guinness and Baileys has hired financial service group Rothschild to explore the sale, which includes Pimms, fruit liqueur brand Safari, and Pampero rum. Each brand could be offloaded individually or as a three. Fiduciary Management Inc. (FMI), an independent money management firm, featured Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) in the Q4 2023 investor letter, and made the following statement:

Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO) is the #1 player in the large and attractive global spirits industry, with #1 positions in Scotch, Tequila, Gin, Vodka, and Rum. Total Beverage Alcohol (TBA) is a $950+ billion market, with Diageo at 4.7% of TBA, and aspiring to 6% by 2030. Premiumization in spirits is value creating, and Diageo owns 9 of the top 30 global brands, including Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray, Smirnoff, and Guinness. 12 of Diageos top brands are over 140 years old. The company has strong exposure to growth in emerging markets (38% of sales) and has proven to be a superior brand builder. The Diageo portfolio has been optimized, with limited reliance on M&A over the last decade. Capital allocation has been shareholder friendly. Following a period of post-COVID inventory destocking, Diageo trades at its lowest valuation in 10 years.

13. Kirin Holdings Company, Limited

Total Beer Production in 2022: 24.4 million hl

Established in 1885 as the Japan Brewery Company, Kirin Holdings is an integrated beverage company with activities spanning beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages. All these activities are operated by the Kirin Brewery Company, with current key brands including Kirin Lager and Ichiban Shibori.

The Tokyo-based company announced last month that it would invest $25 million in B9 Beverages, the parent company of Bira 91 and Beer Cafe, thus strengthening its foothold in the Indian craft beer industry.

12. Grupo Petropolis

Total Beer Production in 2022: 26 million hl

Founded in the city of Petropolis, in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, Grupo Petropolis is a private company with a vast portfolio of beverages  both alcoholic and non. The company is popular for its beer brands Itaipava, Crystal, Petra, and Black Princess, and controls over 10% of the Brazilian beer market.

11. Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ)

Total Beer Production in 2022: 33.2 million hl

Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) is involved in the production, import, marketing, and sale of beer, wine, and spirits across the United States, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. The company made headlines last summer when its Mexican beer brand, Modelo Especial, became the Top-Selling Beer in America after dethroning Bud Light.

Shares of Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE:STZ) were held by 53 hedge funds at the end of Q4 2023 in the Insider Monkey database, with Marshall Wallace LLP holding the largest stake of over 1.4 million shares, valued at $340.41 million.

Constellation Brands is placed among the Most Valuable Alcohol Companies in the World.

10. Anadolu Efes

Total Beer Production in 2022: 34 million hl

Established in 1969, Anadolu Efes has contributed heavily towards developing a flourishing beer culture in its home country of Turkey. With 21 breweries, 5 malteries, 1 hops processing facility, 1 preform plant, and 30 bottling plants, Anadolu Efes is operating as one of the Top 10 Beer Companies globally and ships its products to more than 70 countries worldwide.

9. Beijing Yanjing Brewery Co.,Ltd.

Total Beer Production in 2022: 37.7 million hl

With more than 30 wholly-owned and controlled beer production bases in China, Beijing Yanjing Brewery is counted among the Largest Beer Companies in Asia. In addition to Yanjing, the company also owns famous domestic beer brands such as Liquan, Huiquan, and Xuelu. Beijing Yanjing Brewery Co.,Ltd. achieved a revenue of over $1.82 billion in 2022, with a net profit of $48.7 million.

8. BGI / Groupe Castel

Total Beer Production in 2022: 43.7 million hl

Established in 1949 by Pierre Castel, the French beverage company has grown into a force to be reckoned with in the beer industry, boasting sales of over $5 billion and a workforce of 40,000 employees in some 20 African countries. The group earns a significant portion of its revenue from the African market, where its breweries have been vital to the local economies.

7. Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd.

Total Beer Production in 2022: 59.3 million hl

Established in 1889, the Japanese Asahi Group owns a globally recognized portfolio of brands that includes premium beers such as Asahi Super Dry, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Kozel, Pilsner Urquell, and Grolsch.

Sales of the companys flagship beer, Asahi Super Dry, shot up by 35% in major Asian markets (outside its home market of Japan), as well as in Europe and Oceania, between 2022 and 2023.

6. Tsingtao Brewery Company Limited

Total Beer Production in 2022: 79.6 million hl

The Tsingtao Brewery was established by British and German merchants in 1903, and has now evolved into one the Biggest Beer Brands in its home country of China. To ensure that it tastes the same all over the world, the beer is still produced exclusively in the port city of Qingdao. On average, nearly 40,000 bottles of Tsingtao beer are consumed around the globe every 60 seconds.

With more than a century of experience under its belt and a huge consumer base, Tsingtao is placed among the Top 10 Beers in the World.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Largest Beer Companies In the World.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Largest Beer Companies In the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.
In this article, we take a look at 35 countries with the lowest poverty rate in the world. If you would like to skip our detailed analysis of poverty reduction, you can directly go to 10 Countries with the Lowest Poverty Rate in the World.

Combatting Poverty - The Case of India

Poverty is one of the most significant issues plaguing countries in the modern era. According to predictions by the United Nations, if current patterns stay consistent, an estimated 7% of the worlds population could still be living in poverty by 2030. This amounts to almost 575 million people. This is why several countries have made it a priority to combat poverty, India being one of them. In 2023, UNDP reported that the country had managed to lift 415 million individuals out of poverty within a span of 15 years from 2005/6 to 2019/21. In other words, the country had halved its multidimensional poverty in less than two decades. Note that data from the year 2020 is missing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Another report by Surjit S. Bhalla and Karan Bhasin, published on March 1, 2024, showcased that India had managed to eliminate poverty below the $1.90-a-day poverty line. This is the old poverty line used by the World Bank before it decided to update the line to $2.15 a day in September 2022.

UNDPs 2023 report on the Multidimensional Poverty Index, released July 11, 2023, noted that India had reduced deprivation across all indicators of multidimensional poverty from 2005/6 to 2019/21. Multidimensional poverty measures poverty across three dimensions: monetary poverty, education, and basic infrastructure. There are a total of 12 indicators across these three dimensions, and if people are deprived of three or more of them, they are considered to be multidimensionally poor. In India, the overall incidence of multidimensional poverty decreased from 55.1% to 16.4%. The percentage of those deprived of adequate nutrition fell from 44.3% to 11.8%.

The percentage of those who were poor and deprived of cooking fuel fell from 52.9% to 13.9%. The number of those deprived of sanitation decreased from 50.4% to 11.3%. Moreover, the number of those who were multidimensionally poor and deprived of adequate drinking water decreased from 16.4% to 2.7%. Lastly, the percentage of individuals deprived of adequate housing lowered from 44.9% to 13.6%. Thus, India showed remarkable progress in decreasing multidimensional poverty throughout all its indicators.

How Did India Achieve its Goals?

A report by Reuters mentioned that the Indian government supplies free food grains to more than 800 million people. This is one of the elements that helped improve nutrition in the country. Furthermore, the government has also spent billions on subsidizing services such as electricity, education, and health, further lessening the region's poverty. The report by Surjit S. Bhalla and Karan Bhasin mentioned that much of the poverty decrease occurred due to the redistribution policies that led to a wide variety of publicly funded programs.

One example is improved access to piped water. In 2019, rural access to piped water was 16.8%. In 2024, at the time of the reports publishing, the access stood at 74.7%. Another example is the Aspirational District Program, launched in 2018, which identified 112 districts that had the lowest development indicators in the country. The program encourages districts to launch their own local projects that drive socio-economic improvements. Some best-case practices include centralized kitchens, child protection units, classrooms for visually impaired children, construction of subsurface dams, and high-density farming initiatives.

The Countrys Economic Outlook

Economic growth and poverty reduction have gone hand in hand for the state of India. In 2022, the World Bank listed India as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. It is also one of the fastest-developing countries in the world in 2024. In fiscal year 2022-2023, Indias real GDP showed an estimated growth rate of 6.9%, while its GDP per capita growth rate amounted to 5.69%. In the same year, the fiscal deficit fell to 9.4%, compared to 13% in 2020-2021, as reported by the World Bank. Despite environmental challenges such as disruption of supply lines, India has proven that it is possible for countries to improve their economy while also working to eliminate poverty. India is also expected to become one of the largest economies in the world by 2100, with an estimated share of 15.61% in the global GDP.

Companies such as Reliance Industries Limited (NSE:RELIANCE) have been a massive contributor to economic growth within India. On April 12, 2024, Reliance Industries Limited (NSE:RELIANCE) had a market cap of 19.873 trillion INR or $237 billion. On January 19, 2024, the company released its earnings for Q4 2023. The companys gross revenue for the quarter amounted to $29.8 billion. The company reported earnings per share of $0.30. As for the entire fiscal year of 2023, Reliance Industries Limited (NSE:RELIANCE) reported gross revenue of $118.6 billion.

Hindustan Unilever Limited (NSE:HINDUNILVR) is another one of the largest companies in India. On April 12, 2024, Hindustan Unilever Limited (NSE:HINDUNILVR) had a market cap of 5.251 trillion INR. Hindustan Unilever Limited (NSE:HINDUNILVR) is also one of the leading FMCG companies in India to integrate electric vehicles in their delivery system to improve sustainability. On April 1, 2024, the company reported that its pilot project of two EVs in Delhi increased delivery by 10-20%. Now, the company has expanded to around 106 EVs that drive sustainability while also requiring less maintenance than diesel-powered vehicles. In the last five years, Hindustan Unilever Limited (NSE:HINDUNILVR) has also managed to reduce its total distance traveled by 10%, leading to a decrease in CO2 emissions. You can also take a look at the Top 20 Most Valuable Indian Companies.

Others in the Same Boat

India is not the only country that has achieved remarkable progress in reducing poverty. The 2023 MPI reported that 25 other countries had halved their multidimensional poverty within 15 years. These include states such as Albania, Peru, Indonesia, Morocco, Nepal, Vietnam, and several others. While many of these countries have a long way to go before they entirely eliminate extreme poverty, some have almost or wholly accomplished this feat. We have compiled a list of 35 countries with the lowest poverty rates in the world, many of whom serve as examples for those currently battling large amounts of poverty.

35 Countries with the Lowest Poverty Rate in the World

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Our Methodology

In order to compile this list of 35 countries with the lowest poverty in the world, we consulted our research for the 50 Richest Countries in the World by GDP Per Capita in 2024. From these 50 countries, we shortlisted 35 for which we had poverty data available from the World Bank. The countries are ranked in descending order from most to least poverty based on the $2.15 poverty line, as per data by the World Bank for the latest available year.

In order to tiebreak, we have utilized GDP per capita growth rates. We have calculated the rates for 2023 based on GDP per capita data from the IMF. We hypothesize that countries with high values of GDP per capita and GDP per capita growth rates, along with lower values of poverty, will have the least amount of poverty and will be the fastest to reduce poverty. Note that these countries may still have a high poverty rate based on their national poverty lines, but they have minimal poverty as per international standards. Based on this methodology, here are the 35 countries with the lowest poverty in the world.

We have also mentioned the world average poverty rate for the respective years to give an accurate analysis, since the countries with the lowest poverty rates will have poverty rates lower than the global average.

35 Countries with the Lowest Poverty Rate in the World

35. Panama

Poverty Rate (2023): 1.3%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2023): 8.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 6.22%

According to World Bank data, social assistance programs have been a critical driving force behind decreasing rural poverty in Panama. These include universal school scholarships, conditional cash transfers, and noncontributory old-age pensions. Panama is one of the countries with the lowest poverty rates in the world, and it is also one of the best countries for migration by investment, ranking sixth in that list.

34. Italy

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.8%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 8.98%

Even though Italy ranks as one of the countries with the lowest poverty in the world by international standards, the national standards paint a different picture. According to the countrys national statistics institute, ISTAT, one in twelve Italians lives in absolute poverty based on national poverty measures. This means that almost 5.67 million individuals had income below a level deemed nationally sufficient to ensure all their basic needs.

33. Japan

Poverty Rate (2013): 0.7%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2013): 11.6%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 0.28%

Japan is one of the countries with the lowest poverty in the world, with an estimated poverty rate of 0.7%. The country is also predicted to become one of the worlds largest economies by 2100, with an estimated share of 1.59% in the global GDP and a GDP PPP of $7.14 trillion.

32. Sweden

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.6%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): -1.73%

Sweden had a poverty rate of 0.6% in 2021, making it one of the countries with the lowest poverty in the world. Increased employment is one of the strategies the Swedish government has employed to combat poverty rates over the past few years.

31. Spain

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.6%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 11.04%

On May 21, 2020, Reuters reported that Spain had announced an income scheme for 2.5 million people in order to fight poverty. Under this scheme, the government planned to spend around 3 billion euros to provide wages to the poorest people in the country.

30. Australia

Poverty Rate (2018): 0.5%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2018): 8.8%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): -2.04%

Changes to the Australian social security system have played a massive role in decreasing the countrys poverty since 1999. An example of this is the weekly increase of $32 granted to the single rate of pensions. Australia is currently one of the countries with the lowest poverty in the world.

29. Austria

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.5%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 11.15%

Austria has lowered poverty by providing social benefits such as increasing compensatory allowances on small pensions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Anti-Poverty Network has reported that social benefits such as these can reduce the risk of poverty from 44% to 15%.

28. Hungary

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.4%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 13.43%

Since 2010, child poverty in Hungary has fallen at the fastest rate among EU countries, as reported by the Hungarian Conservative. The countrys foremost step towards decreasing poverty has been to increase earnings by expanding employment.

27. Estonia

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.3%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 10.17%

With a poverty rate of 0.3%, Estonia is one of the countries with the lowest poverty rates in the world. It also has a GDP per capita growth rate of 10.17%, which is among the highest on this list.

26. Malta

Poverty Rate (2020): 0.3%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2020): 9.7%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 11.18%

Malta lowers the incidence of poverty by providing social transfers to low-income individuals, such as those earning minimum wage. These transfers include free education, free healthcare, free childcare for working parents, and other cash and in-kind benefits.

25. Lithuania

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.3%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 13.97%

Lithuania is one of the countries with the lowest poverty rates in the world. Even when poverty is measured by the countrys own absolute poverty line, less than 4% of the population lives below this line. The absolute poverty line is set at 354 euros a month for a single person and 743 euros a month for a family consisting of two adults and two children.

24. Croatia

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.3%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 14.04%

Croatia has introduced several plans, such as the Croatian National Development Strategy until 2030, as a means of fighting poverty within the country. This is why the country has managed to achieve one of the lowest poverty rates in the world, along with a GDP per capita growth rate of 14%.

23. Norway

Poverty Rate (2019): 0.2%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2019): 8.9%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): -6.19%

Universal welfare schemes and high labor market participation are the two leading causes of poverty reduction in Norway. According to an OECD report, the country has also reduced poverty by allocating financial aid to UN agencies that focus particularly on reducing poverty.

22. Canada

Poverty Rate (2019): 0.2%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2019): 8.9%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): -3.25%

Despite a contraction in GDP per capita growth, Canada continues to be one of the countries with the lowest poverty rates globally. In 2019, only 0.2% of the countrys population lived on less than $2.15 a day, which was significantly lower than the global average of 8.9%.

21. Israel

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.2%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): -2.09%

Israel is one of the countries with the lowest poverty rates in the world. In 2021, the country had a poverty rate of 0.2%, which was significantly lower than the global average of 9.5%.

20. South Korea

Poverty Rate (2016): 0.2%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2016): 10.4%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 2.24%

A 2021 study by Bharali and Gill ascertained that South Korea had managed to reduce poverty by focusing on agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. Other factors that helped the country reduce poverty included export-orientedness and investment in human capital.

19. Denmark

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.2%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 4.54%

Like other Scandinavian countries and welfare states, Denmark has also managed to reduce extreme poverty through the provision of social benefits pertaining to health, education, employment, and all other walks of life. This is why Denmark is one of the countries with the lowest poverty rates globally.

18. United States

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.2%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 5.33%

Policies and programs such as food assistance, family tax credits, and housing assistance contribute to reducing poverty in the United States. The United States Census Bureau reports that in 2021, government assistance lifted 45.4 million individuals out of poverty.

17. United Kingdom

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.2%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 7.59%

In 2021, only 0.2% of the UKs population lived below the $2.15 poverty line, whereas the global average was 9.5%. The UK is also one of the richest countries by GDP per capita. This is why it is on our list of countries with the lowest poverty.

16. Portugal

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.2%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 0.2%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 9.52%

Portugal has a fairly progressive tax system, ameliorated further by recent tax reforms. Transfer payments such as non-pension benefits are vital in reducing both poverty as well as inequality within the country.

15. Luxembourg

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.1%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 7.11%

In October 2023, UNDP reported that Luxembourg had invested $6.36 million in the agency, a significant chunk of which would go towards poverty and inequality. Luxembourgs investment showcases that poverty alleviation is a critical agenda point for the country, which is why it is one of the countries with the lowest poverty in the world.

14. The Netherlands

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.1%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 7.56%

In 2022, the Netherlands modified its development budget to add an extra 300 million a year from 2022 to 2024. One of the countrys main development targets is reducing poverty and inequality, as mentioned by the national government.

13. Ireland

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.1%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 8.65%

Ireland has showcased its anti-poverty commitment by signing on to frameworks such as the European Pillar of Social Rights. The country also has a national strategy known as the Roadmap for Social Inclusion, which aims to reduce consistent poverty to 2% by 2025, as per national standards.

12. France

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.1%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 9.36%

On September 24, 2023, Reuters reported that the government of France had pledged $150 million to IFAD, which is the UNs fund for fighting poverty and hunger in rural areas within developing countries. This donation showcases Frances commitment to poverty alleviation around the globe.

11. Czech Republic

Poverty Rate (2021): 0.1%

Global Average Poverty Rate (2021): 9.5%

GDP per capita Growth Rate (2023): 13.57%

In 2021, only 0.1% of the Czech Republics population lived on less than $2.15 a day, making it one of the countries with the lowest poverty rates globally. This is why it ranks sixth on our list.

Click to continue reading and see the 10 Countries with the Lowest Poverty Rate in the World.

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Disclaimer: None. 35 Countries with the Lowest Poverty in the World is originally published on Insider Monkey.
For most of us, getting started is the toughest part of investing. Once you have a decent foundation saved up, compounding can play an incredibly powerful role in getting you the rest of the way to a comfortable nest egg.

With that in mind, these four ways to grow $100,000 into $1 million for retirement savings are designed to inspire you to get that foundation in place. After all, once that first $100,000 is in place, your work may not be over, but the path to millionaire status can get a lot smoother.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. Let compounding work its magic on its own

Nobody can guarantee what stocks will do, but those of us who invest do so with the expectation that the overall market will likely rise over time. At the market's long-run historical return rate of around 10% per year, $100,000 will turn into $1 million all on its own in around 24.2 years.

In other words, if you can scrounge up that first $100,000 by the time you turn 40, then you've got a decent shot of retiring a millionaire by 65, simply based on what you've already saved.

2. Keep on socking away the money you've been investing

Of course, there are no guarantees that the market will keep going up -- especially at that pace. As a result, it's rather risky to put all your faith in compounding to get you there.

Fortunately, you've likely been saving something to build up that first $100,000. Generally speaking, it's a lot easier to keep on saving money than it is to start saving it in the first place. So why not keep on investing as your nest egg gets larger, to help that compounding work even better?

The table below shows how many years it takes to take a nest egg from $100,000 to $1 million, based on the amount you're able to sock away each month and the rate of return you earn along the way.

Monthly Investment 10% Annual Returns 8% Annual Returns 6% Annual Returns 4% Annual Returns $2,000 13.0 14.8 17.2 20.7 $1,500 14.4 16.6 19.7 24.3 $1,000 16.3 19.1 23.2 29.5 $500 19.0 22.8 28.5 38.2 $300 20.4 24.8 31.6 43.7

Calculations by author. Assumes smooth returns and consistent investments each month.

Every little bit helps. Even $300 a month -- around $10 per day -- is enough to take years off the time it takes to get your money to reach the $1 million threshold. In addition, the more you're able to add to your stockpile each month, the sooner it can reach that goal, even if the market performs well below its historical return rates.

3. Enlist Uncle Sam's help

One way to get more money compounding for you than you could put away on your own is to make your investments inside a traditional 401(k). In a traditional-style 401(k), money you invest comes directly out of your paycheck, before income taxes.

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As a result, if you're in the 24% tax bracket, every $100 you invest inside your traditional 401(k) would really only cost you $76 of otherwise spendable money. If your state also has an income tax, then the out-of-pocket cost to you could be even lower.

4. Ask your boss to kick in a bit, too

In addition to Uncle Sam's help, your boss may also help provide a boost to your retirement savings. Many companies offer a match when employees elect to put money aside for their retirement inside the company's 401(k) plan.

Matches vary by employer, but a common one is $0.50 per every dollar the employee contributes, up to 6% of that employee's salary. In that scenario, for every $100 you're investing up until you exhaust your match, your boss kicks in another $50, making the total $150 working on your behalf.

Put a match together with a tax deduction in a traditional 401(k), and you just might be able to sock away around twice as much as you would be able to on your own in an after-tax account.

Get started now

Whether you've already reached that $100,000 milestone or are just beginning your journey to get there, the reality is that it will take time to build a $1 million nest egg for your retirement. The sooner you get started, the more of that time you have available to you, and thus the better your chances of reaching millionaire status by the time you retire.

So get started now, and give compounding, your continued savings, Uncle Sam, and your boss the longest possible runway to work together to help you achieve that goal.

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4 Ways to Grow $100,000 Into $1 Million for Retirement Savings was originally published by The Motley Fool
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Searching for a new job can be challenging at any stage of life. But it can be especially fraught for people who are age 50 or older. When US News & World Report did a report about job seekers who were at least 50 years old, the publication shared data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reflecting that the average duration of unemployment in July 2023 for people ages 55 to 64 was about two weeks longer than people ages 35 to 44

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But the news isnt all bad. There are some cities across the country where people who are over 50 years old might find an easier time finding work. To help point the way to these places where people over 50 years old are valued for the expertise they bring to the workforce, GOBankingRates created a list of the 50 best cities for job seekers over 50.

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Lincoln, Nebraska

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.7%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 1.3%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.3%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 1.7%

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Lubbock, Texas

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.7%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 1.6%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.1%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 4.8%

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Madison, Wisconsin

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.5%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.0%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 1.8%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 1.8%

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Frisco, Texas

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.6%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.1%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 5.6%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 4.7%

Khairil Azhar Junos / Shutterstock.com

Cape Coral, Florida

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.8%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.1%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 8%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.8%

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Pembroke Pines, Florida

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.4%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.3%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 1.3%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.3%

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McKinney, Texas

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.3%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.3%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.4%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 2.4%

Trong Nguyen / Shutterstock.com

Grand Prairie, Texas

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 1.9%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.3%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.6%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 6.3%

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Scottsdale, Arizona

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.8%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.4%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.2%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.1%

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Lexington, Kentucky

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 4.4%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.4%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.1%

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Garland, Texas

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.6%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.4%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4.2%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.6%

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Virginia Beach, Virginia

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.8%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.5%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.5%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 2.7%

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Tacoma, Washington

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 4.8%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.5%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.2%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.2%

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Salt Lake City

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.1%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.5%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4.2%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 1%

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Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 1.4%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.6%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 0.8%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 1.8%

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Hialeah, Florida

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.1%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.6%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 1.9%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 2%

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Laredo, Texas

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 4.5%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.6%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.7%

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Riverside, California

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.9%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.7%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 5.3%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 6.1%

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Gilbert, Arizona

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 1.5%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.8%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4.4%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 7.1%

JTGrafix / iStock.com

Springfield, Missouri

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 6.6%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.8%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.8%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 2.2%

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Lakewood, Colorado

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.9%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.8%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.8%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3%

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Elk Grove, California

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 5.2%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.8%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.7%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 10.4%

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Overland Park, Kansas

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 1.8%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.9%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.2%

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Peoria, Arizona

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.5%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.9%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.1%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 7.1%

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Des Moines, Iowa

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 5.9%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 2.9%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.9%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 4%

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Amarillo, Texas

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.8%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.1%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 4.3%

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Tempe, Arizona

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 4.5%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.0%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4.4%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.8%

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Jacksonville, Florida

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 4%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.1%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.1%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 2.3%

Zeiss4Me / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Fremont, California

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.5%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.1%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4.9%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 4.5%

Read More: A $150K Income Is Lower Middle Class In These High-Cost Cities

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Glendale, Arizona

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 4.3%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.1%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4.1%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 5.7%

Thomas Kelley / Shutterstock.com

Louisville, Kentucky

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 4.5%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.1%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.9%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 4.1%

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Rancho Cucamonga, California

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.5%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.1%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.9%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 5.2%

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Cary, North Carolina

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.7%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.2%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4.3%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 6.3%

Explore More: How Far a $100,000 Salary Goes in Americas 50 Largest Cities

ChrisBoswell / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.4%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.2%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.6%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 0.9%

dlewis33 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Little Rock, Arkansas

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.8%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.2%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.3%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 1.9%

benedek / Getty Images

Spokane, Washington

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 5.3%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.2%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.3%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 6.6%

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Hollywood, Florida

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 5.1%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.2%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.9%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 5.4%

Discover More: What Income Level Is Considered Middle Class in Your State?

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Akron, Ohio

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 7.3%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.2%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 5.1%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 4.2%

Ocean Image Photography / Shutterstock.com

Huntington Beach, California

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 4.6%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.2%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 5.9%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 5.8%

amedved / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Alexandria, Virginia

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.4%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.3%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4.6%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 4%

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Irvine, California

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.4%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.3%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 5.5%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 6.7%

Find Out: 6 Industries That Wont Exist by 2040

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

St. Petersburg, Florida

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.9%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.4%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.7%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.1%

19739110 / Shutterstock.com

St. Paul, Minnesota

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.9%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.4%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.5%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 6%

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Escondido, California

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.4%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.4%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.3%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 10.1%

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Oklahoma City

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.3%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.5%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.6%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 1%

Check Out: Heres What the US Minimum Wage Was the Year You Were Born

DenisTangneyJr / iStock.com

Huntsville, Alabama

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 2.5%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.5%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.2%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 2.4%

Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com

Greensboro, North Carolina

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 4.4%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.5%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 2.4%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 2.7%

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Vancouver, Washington

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 5%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.5%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4.2%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.2%

MidwestWilderness / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Omaha, Nebraska

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 3.8%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.5%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 4%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 2.8%

Read Next: Net Worth for Baby Boomers: How To Tell Whether Youre Poor, Middle Class, Upper Middle Class or Rich

SeanPavonePhoto / iStock.com

Mobile, Alabama

Unemployment rate ages 45-54: 5.2%

Unemployment rate ages 55-59: 3.5%

Unemployment rate ages 60-64: 3.7%

Unemployment rate ages 65-74: 3.3%

Joel Anderson contributed to the reporting for this article.

Methodology: For this study, GOBankingRates analyzed cities across the country to find the best cities for job seekers over 50 years old. First GOBankingRates gathered 185 cities with a total population above 150,000 residents, removing the cities below that threshold, as sourced from the US Census American Community Survey. GOBankingRates also gathered the unemployment rate by populated age categories in sections of 5 years starting from 45 years old, also sourced from the US Census American Community Survey. The population aged 50 years and over can be used to calculated the percentage of the population that is aged 50 or over. The median household income as sourced from the US Census American Community Survey, livability index as sourced from AreaVibes, overall cost of living index as sourced from Sperlings BestPlaces, and the average expenditure cost as sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022 Consumer Expenditure Survey for all residents. The population percentage aged 50 and over was scored, the employment rate aged 45-54 was scored, the employment rate aged 55-59 was scored, the employment rate aged 60-64 was scored, the employment rate aged 65-74 was scored, the employment rate aged 75+ was scored, the livability index was scored, the overall cost of living index was scored, the annual expenditure avg cost was scored, and the median household income was scored. All the scores were combined and sorted to find the best cities for job seekers over 50 years old. All data was collected on and is up to date as of April 10, 2024.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 50 Best Cities for Job Seekers Over 50
By Tom Hals and Jody Godoy

(Reuters) - Tesla and Elon Musk are seizing upon an obscure provision in corporate law to attempt to restore Musk's $56 billion pay package, in an untested move that could again mire the company in litigation, legal experts said.

The electric vehicle maker on Wednesday proposed putting Musk's 2018 pay deal to a shareholder vote, even though a Delaware judge voided it in January.

Tesla is using a little-known section of Delaware's corporate law that lets companies fix procedural defects that would otherwise nullify their boardroom decisions.

Tesla called the approach "novel" in its securities filing and said the special board committee that approved it could not predict how it would be treated under Delaware law.

Eric Talley, a professor at Columbia Law School, said the provision is meant to be a "Band-Aid" for technical boardroom mistakes, not to undo major court rulings.

Tesla said in the proposal that thousands of shareholders were incensed over the ruling by Delaware Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick, who found that Tesla directors were not independent when they recommended the "unfathomable" package and failed to negotiate with Musk.

McCormick ruled after years of litigation and a week-long trial that those and other key details were withheld from investors before they voted to approved the pay package.

Tesla proposed to fix that in two ways. In an attempt to remove board conflicts, it had an independent director, Kathleen Wilson-Thompson, review the 2018 pay deal to decide if it was in the best interest of shareholders.

In addition, it will give shareholders the chance to vote again after reviewing McCormick's findings. Shareholders will have 120 days to challenge the proposal if it is approved.

Tesla did not attempt to correct the flaws in the negotiations that McCormick identified. The company did not propose a new pay package to Musk or hire new compensation consultants to review the record-smashing pay deal, according to the company's proposal.

If shareholders approve, Talley and others said it could make it easier for Musk to win on appeal in the Delaware Supreme Court, because it could shift the burden to the plaintiffs to prove Musk's pay was unfair. In the trial, Musk had to prove the pay and the process were fair.

But other experts said the proposal was all but guaranteed to invite more shareholder lawsuits.

In part, that is because the pay package took effect in 2018 and rewarded Musk if Tesla hit certain milestones, which it soon did. Musk received options to purchase around 304 million Tesla shares at a deep discount, although he never exercised those options.

Story continues

Ann Lipton, a corporate law professor at Tulane University, said it is unclear Tesla if can now pay Musk not for achieving future milestones, but for past performance. She said it could be considered a waste of corporate assets.

"They are saying we are essentially giving him money because we like him so much and for no other reason. That is not something you can just ratify with a majority shareholder vote," she said.

The proposal announced by the company on Wednesday raises questions of whether boardroom decisions that allegedly breach fiduciary duties to investors can be wiped clean by leaving it to shareholders, rather than a judge, to decide what is acceptable.

Delaware law experts said they were unaware of precedents for overcoming a court ruling by using a shareholder vote in this way.

"That's the $56 billion question," said Larry Hamermesh, a professor with Widener University Delaware Law School. "Their position clearly is that all we need to do is have the stockholders say, 'Oh, no, we, we hear you chancellor, but this is okay with us.'"

(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Amy Stevens and Jamie Freed)
(Bloomberg) -- Apple Inc. removed social media services including Meta Platforms Inc.s WhatsApp and Threads from its Chinese app store, responding to orders from Beijing to close more loopholes in the countrys longstanding internet firewall.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The iPhone maker also removed the messaging services Telegram and Signal, according to consultants tracking the space. Apple, which has consistently complied with one of the worlds most rigid internet censorship regimes, said the Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the apps removed over national security concerns.

The orders come on the heels of a cleanup program Chinese regulators initiated in 2023 that was expected to remove many defunct or unregistered apps from domestic iOS and Android stores, including local ones. In August, China asked all mobile app developers to register with the government by the end of March, or cease operating.

Beijing has barred the use of foreign messaging and social media platforms like WhatsApp for years, using what the industry calls the Great Firewall. Thats helped apps like Tencent Holdings Ltd.s WeChat dominate domestic usage, though Chinese users can still employ virtual private networks to view foreign media.

Less sensitive apps with more substantial Chinese businesses such as Duolingo are expected to comply with the latest regulatory licensing regime to remain operational, said Rich Bishop, co-founder and chief executive officer of AppInChina.

It will mean that Chinese consumers are pretty much limited to just Chinese apps, with a small number of international ones, said Bishop, whose consultancy has received dozens of inquiries from companies about how to stay compliant and publish software in China. Thats quite a big change  so it will further cut off Chinese citizens from the rest of the world in a sense.

The action against the American tech services comes as the US government is taking steps toward a ban on TikTok, the hit video app from Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd. US politicians have also cited national security concerns in their push to force the company to either sell TikTok to a non-Chinese owner or face a ban in the US market.

Read More: TikTok Faces Washington Reckoning as Divest-or-Ban Vote Nears

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We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree. The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns, Apple said in a statement. These apps remain available for download on all other storefronts where they appear.

The app registration process kicked off last year in what Beijing painted as a bid to counter telephone scams and fraud. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said that it would carry out supervision work on those filings from April to June, and to take action against unregistered apps. Developers would also be required to set up and improve mechanisms to handle illegal information.

The MIIT move was regarded as another step by Beijing to tighten controls across its cyberspace, forcing internet companies to scrub information considered politically sensitive. Beyond apps, websites and large language AI models have also been subject to greater content curbs.

Read More: Microsoft Blacklist of Political Subjects on Bing in China Grows

The Wall Street Journal was first to report the app removal. A Meta spokesperson referred Bloomberg News to Apples statement. Representatives for Telegram and Signal didnt respond to requests for comment.

Chinas action comes as TikTok divestiture legislation is expected to be included in a fast-moving aid package for Ukraine and Israel that Congress is expected to vote on this Saturday.

China is a key nation for the iPhone, its largest consumer market outside the US and its primary production base. Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook visited the country earlier this year and emphasized its importance to his business. Apple has long said that it needs to follow local laws as part of operating its app store effectively in different countries.

--With assistance from Kurt Wagner.

(Updates with Telegram and Signal from the second paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
By Josh Ye and Mrinmay Dey

(Reuters) -Apple said on Friday it had removed Meta Platforms' WhatsApp and Threads from its App Store in China after being ordered to do so by the Chinese government, which cited national security concerns.

Telegram and Signal - two other foreign messaging apps - were also removed from the store on Friday, according to app tracking firms Qimai and AppMagic.

The removal of the four apps suggests growing intolerance on the part of China's central government towards at least some foreign online messaging services that fall outside of its control. It also signals less leeway for Apple in China.

That said, other Meta apps including Facebook, Instagram and Messenger remained available to download, according to Reuters checks on Friday. Many other popular apps developed by Western companies including YouTube and X were also available.

It was not immediately clear how WhatsApp or Threads might have caused security concerns for Chinese authorities.

"The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns," Apple said in an emailed statement.

"We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," the statement said.

Meta declined to comment and referred queries to Apple.

Apple did not respond to requests for comment on Signal and Telegram. Representatives for the two companies did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

The Cyberspace Administration of China also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

None of the four apps are widely used in China - where Tencent's WeChat is by far the dominant service.

These apps and many foreign apps are normally blocked on Chinese networks by the "Great Firewall" - the country's extensive cybersystem of censorship - and can only be used with a virtual private network or other proxy tools.

The four apps remain available in Hong Kong and Macau, China's two special administrative regions.

Some experts on China's tech industry said the government order on WhatsApp and Threads could be related to a new rule last August that requires all apps available in China to register with the government or risk being removed.

The deadline for companies to complete registrations was the end of March and the regulations came into effect on April 1.

Apple has removed apps from its China app store before.

In 2017, Apple removed The New York Times news app, saying it violated local regulations - a move that came amid rising news censorship in the world's second-largest economy. It remains unavailable on Apple's China App Store.

Story continues

Last year, Apple pulled a number of ChatGPT-like apps when Beijing was working on local regulations on generative artificial intelligence (AI) services.

The removal of WhatsApp and Threads from the China App Store was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

(Reporting by Josh Ye in Hong Kong, Mrinmay Dey and Nilutpal Timsina in Bengaluru; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
Chinese envoy urges supporting Palestinians' aspirations for statehood, independence

Xinhua) 08:39, April 19, 2024

Fu Cong (C, front), China's permanent representative to the United Nations, speaks at the UN Security Council's high-level open debate on the Palestinian-Israeli issue at the UN headquarters in New York, on April 18, 2024. Fu Cong said on Thursday that the international community must no longer overlook the long-standing aspiration of the Palestinian people for independence and statehood, nor should it perpetuate the historical injustices they have suffered. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UNITED NATIONS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said on Thursday that the international community must no longer overlook the long-standing aspiration of the Palestinian people for independence and statehood, nor should it perpetuate the historical injustices they have suffered.

During the UN Security Council's high-level open debate on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, Fu highlighted the critical need for a resolute commitment to revitalizing the two-state solution.

"The two-state solution must be revitalized with strong determination. The fundamental way out for the Middle East question lies in the implementation of the two-state solution, so that both Palestinians and Israelis can realize common security and both the Arab and Jewish peoples can achieve common development," said Fu.

"The current round of conflict is an extremely tragic warning to the international community that it can no longer evade the aspiration of the Palestinian people for independence and statehood or perpetuate the historical injustice inflicted upon the Palestinian people," he added.

"In this connection, we call for an international peace conference that is more broad-based and effective to develop a timeline and roadmap for the realization of the two-state solution," he added.

The Security Council is set to vote later Thursday on the Palestinian bid for full UN membership. Fu underscored the importance of immediate international support for Palestine's renewed application for full membership in the United Nations, urging all members of the council to vote in favor.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Qabil Ashirov

On April 19, 2024, Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of the State of Palestine, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Palestinians Living Abroad, Mohammad Mustafa, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

The Foreign Ministry noted that, during the telephone conversation, the current issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Azerbaijan and Palestine, as well as the situation in Gaza, were discussed.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov congratulated Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on his appointment to this important position. The Prime Minister, in turn, sincerely congratulated Azerbaijan on the occasion of the chairmanship of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29).

Political, economic, cultural, humanitarian, etc. relations between the two countries, the existence of a bilateral and multilateral cooperation agenda, and mutual support within the framework of regional and international organisations were noted with satisfaction.

It was brought to attention that Azerbaijan has always supported the "two-state solution" of the Palestinian issue according to international legal norms, including the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council, and has taken practical steps in this direction at the national level, including during the period of chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, in the field of eliminating the consequences of the conflict.

The assistance of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Palestine in the amount of 2 million US dollars provided by the United Nations Organisation for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), as well as the availability of training programs for Palestinian students and diplomats, was noted with satisfaction.

During the telephone conversation, other bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest were exchanged.
For many, the main point of investing in the stock market is to achieve spectacular returns. And highest quality companies can see their share prices grow by huge amounts. For example, the ASM International NV (AMS:ASM) share price is up a whopping 796% in the last half decade, a handsome return for long term holders. And this is just one example of the epic gains achieved by some long term investors. But it's down 6.5% in the last week. But note that the broader market is down 3.6% since last week, and this may have impacted ASM International's share price. Anyone who held for that rewarding ride would probably be keen to talk about it.

Since the long term performance has been good but there's been a recent pullback of 6.5%, let's check if the fundamentals match the share price.

View our latest analysis for ASM International

To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

During five years of share price growth, ASM International achieved compound earnings per share (EPS) growth of 39% per year. This EPS growth is slower than the share price growth of 55% per year, over the same period. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did five years ago. That's not necessarily surprising considering the five-year track record of earnings growth.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

We consider it positive that insiders have made significant purchases in the last year. Even so, future earnings will be far more important to whether current shareholders make money. Dive deeper into the earnings by checking this interactive graph of ASM International's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. We note that for ASM International the TSR over the last 5 years was 863%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

Story continues

A Different Perspective

It's nice to see that ASM International shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 59% over the last year. And that does include the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 57%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. Given the share price momentum remains strong, it might be worth taking a closer look at the stock, lest you miss an opportunity. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand ASM International better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with ASM International .

ASM International is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Dutch 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.
The Shard skyscraper near prices on a totem sign at a Shell Plc petrol station in London

Drivers face paying more than 150p per litre for fuel after shocking price rises, amid concerns about profiteering by petrol stations.

Almost a quarter of petrol stations are already charging this amount or more, according to the AA, meaning it costs 82.50 to fill the tank of a typical 55 litre petrol car.

Average pump prices on Tuesday stood at 149.2p for unleaded and 157.7p for diesel, up from 145.6p and 154.8p respectively a month ago, according to the motoring organisations analysis of official data.

It comes just weeks after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it remained concerned about increases in petrol station profit margins, in a sign that retailers may be inflating prices unfairly.

There are fears motorists could face further price hikes in the coming weeks, with wholesale oil prices currently at levels not seen since October. The US is also reimposing sanctions on Venezuela and western countries are readying tougher sanctions on fellow oil producer Iran.

A barrel of Brent crude currently costs around $87 but analysts have warned that geopolitical instability could push it up to $100 (80.33).

Luke Bosdet, the AAs spokesman on pump prices, said: Drivers will have been shocked by rapid increases on the forecourt price boards.

Oil rising above $90 a barrel in April makes them nervous.

The AA analysed CMA pump data for 2,910 forecourts. Of these, 693  or about 24pc  have already priced unleaded petrol at 150p per litre or more.

At the other end of the scale, only 11 supermarket forecourts are currently charging less than 140p per litre.

Petrol today costs more than it did a year ago. The higher prices are eroding the financial gains drivers would otherwise make through better engine efficiency in the warmer seasons, the AA said. At present, what should be cheaper motoring is being reined back by rising pump prices, the organisation added.

Last spring, petrol was on a downward track and significantly less expensive than in the spring of 2022.

That and getting more miles to the gallon provided a double benefit to improve the fortunes of motorists considerably. This spring, it is much less so.

A 3.7p increase in the price of unleaded over the last month has effectively wiped out one third of the fuel efficiency gains, the AA said.

Mr Bosdet added: The 10p-a-litre surge in the price of petrol since the start of the year, with more than a third coming within the last four weeks alone, is not where UK motoring consumers wanted to be.

The CMA continues to monitor fuel prices closely after investigating the market last year and finding evidence of profiteering. It said last month that petrol retailer margins remained too high.

Story continues

Supermarket fuel margins nearly doubled from 4pc to 7.8pc between 2017 and 2023, while margins at other petrol retailers rose from 6.4pc to 9.1pc.

The CMA said: This sustained increase in the level of fuel margins is concerning and suggests that a key finding of the CMAs market study  that overall levels of competitive intensity have weakened in the road fuel retail market  remains valid.

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.
BancFirst (BANF) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.50 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.37 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.72 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.

This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 9.49%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this Oklahoma financial services holding company would post earnings of $1.44 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.46, delivering a surprise of 1.39%.

Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates four times.

BancFirst , which belongs to the Zacks Banks - Southwest industry, posted revenues of $151 million for the quarter ended March 2024, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2.20%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $156.98 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates three times over the last four quarters.

The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.

BancFirst shares have lost about 16.5% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 5.3%.

What's Next for BancFirst?

While BancFirst has underperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?

There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.

Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.

Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for BancFirst: mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is $1.32 on $146.65 million in revenues for the coming quarter and $5.36 on $591.25 million in revenues for the current fiscal year.

Story continues

Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Banks - Southwest is currently in the top 32% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

One other stock from the same industry, ACNB (ACNB), is yet to report results for the quarter ended March 2024.

This bank is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.80 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of -24.5%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

ACNB's revenues are expected to be $26.28 million, down 6.4% from the year-ago quarter.

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As one of the richest people in the world, it can pay to track Bill Gates' portfolio. The biggest position currently in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust is, unsurprisingly, Microsoft, representing a stake worth roughly $14 billion.

His second-largest position, however, worth around $7.1 billion, is a much different kind of business. It's a diversified holding company, one most investors are likely familiar with.

Why Bill Gates loves this stock

The second-largest position in Bill Gates's trust portfolio is none other than Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B), the holding company founded by Warren Buffett. This shouldn't be surprising to anyone who has followed their long-term friendship. The two have been friends for over three decades. Over that time, they've shared a lot of wisdom with each other.

In 2023, for example, Bill Gates was asked by ChatGPT for the best advice he has ever received. Gates immediately invoked Buffett. "Warren Buffett talked about [how], in the end, it's how friends really think of you and how strong those friendships are [that matters]," he said. In another interview a few years prior, Gates described how Buffett would reach out to him regularly to catch up and discuss what he had recently found captivating. "Even though he keeps up a hectic schedule, Warren still finds time to nurture friendships like few other people I know," Gates described. "He picks up the phone and calls to say hello. He regularly sends articles he's read that he thinks ... I will find interesting."

Buffett is often urging investors to invest in things that they know and in people that they trust. It shouldn't be surprising to see one of his closest friends following this advice by investing in Berkshire Hathaway.

There's another thing to know about Gates' position in Berkshire Hathaway: It's not his only overlap with Buffett. In 2010, Berkshire famously purchased railroad company Burlington Northern Santa Fe in a deal worth $26.4 billion. It was a rare instance in which Buffett opted to issue additional Berkshire stock in order to fund an acquisition. In hindsight, the purchase was a terrific investment. Railroads operate pseudo monopolies, providing durable competitive advantages that have lasted for decades and should last far into future decades. It's no wonder, then, that Gates' third-largest position after Microsoft and Berkshire is Canadian National Railway, a stake worth roughly $6.9 billion.

Put together, the Berkshire and Canadian National Railway stakes comprise one-third of Gates's entire trust portfolio. So whether its investing directly into Berkshire stock or by replicating its investing strategy through stocks like Canadian National Railway, Gates is clearly all in on following Buffett's lead.

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Should you buy Berkshire stock right now?

There's a secret that you should know about when it comes to Berkshire stock: It has never been a bad time to buy. Since 1995, shares have risen in value by more than 1,600%. But what if you bought at the peak of the dot-com bubble? Shares are up by nearly 1,000% since 2000. And what if you bought right before the financial crisis? Since 2007, shares have risen by nearly 500%.

Of course, previous results don't guarantee future returns. But with Berkshire shares trading at 1.5 times book value -- right around their long-term average -- the stock doesn't appear overpriced. Buffett is still at the helm, accompanied by a group of trusted investors that share his vision and investing philosophy. The company is also more diversified than ever, with investments in tech, insurance, energy, transportation, and much more.

Berkshire really is a one-stop shop for diversifying your portfolio. With a multidecade track record of beating the market, plus one of his closest friends at the helm, expect Gates to retain his Berkshire holding for years to come. Savvy investors could do far worse than following his lead and making Berkshire one of their top long-term positions.

Should you invest $1,000 in Berkshire Hathaway right now?

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Ryan Vanzo has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway and Microsoft. The Motley Fool recommends Canadian National Railway and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Billionaire Bill Gates Is Betting $7.1 Billion on This 1 Famous Stock was originally published by The Motley Fool
The next threshold for bitcoin is $55,000 if the market turmoil continues, according to an analyst.

Tokenized gold PAXG is up 3%.

Bitcoin {{BTC}} came back over $62,000 as the market recovered after reports of limited damage from an Israeli strike on Iranian military targets.

ABC News first reported that Israel had launched a retaliatory strike against Iran on Friday morning. CNN quoted local media as saying that various military bases and airfields in the country have been hit by missiles. Al Jazeera reported that Iranian authorities are downplaying the nature of the attack, claiming it was a limited drone strike.

Ether {{ETH}} also recovered slightly, according to CoinDesk Indices data, but was still trading below $3000. PAXG, a tokenized version of gold run by Paxos, is up nearly 3%, according to market data.

March Zheng, a managing partner at Bizantine Capital, said that the next threshold for bitcoin is $55,000, should market turmoil continue.

If there is a panic sell for bitcoin due to war-related news, it would still be a good buying opportunity, added Jun-Young Heo, a derivatives trader at Presto, in a Telegram message.

Major stock indices in Asia are also down, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng index down 3.5%, Japan's Nikkei 225 down 6.5%, and Taiwan's TAIEX down 5%. U.S. stock futures similarly fell while crude oil prices rose, MarketWatch reported.

The market now appears to be overlooking the attack and is now focused on the upcoming halving.

BTC saw high volume and retracement going from 64k to 61k a day before the expected halving event with the 'sell the news' most likely being priced in at this point, showcased by a negative BTC funding rate, Semir Gabeljic, director of capital formation at Pythagoras Investments, wrote in an email interview with CoinDesk.

"All of the recent retracements, including this one, are in line with historical halving drawdowns; the only difference and consideration is the uncertainty of the macro landscape ahead, which will create additional volatility to come," he added.

The CoinDesk 20 (CD20), a measure of the performance of the most liquid digital assets, is up 0.47%, trading at 2,137.

UPDATE (April 19, 2024, 05:20 UTC): Updates headline and story with new information, adds additional details.
HELENA, Mont. (AP)  BNSF Railway attorneys told a Montana jury Friday that the railroad should not be held liable for the lung cancer deaths of two former residents of an asbestos-contaminated Montana town, one of the deadliest sites in the federal Superfund pollution program.

Attorneys for the company say the corporate predecessors of the railroad, owned by Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate, didn't know the vermiculite they hauled over decades from a nearby mine was filled with hazardous microscopic asbestos fibers or that asbestos was dangerous.

BNSF attorney Chad Knight said the railroad could only be held liable if it could have foreseen the health hazards of asbestos based on information available decades ago when the alleged exposures happened.

In the 50s, 60s and 70s no one in the public suspected there might be health concerns, Knight said.

The case in federal civil court is the first of numerous lawsuits against the Texas-based railroad corporation to reach trial over its past operations in Libby, Montana. Current and former residents of the small town near the U.S.-Canada border want BNSF held accountable for its alleged role in asbestos exposure that health officials say has killed several hundred people and sickened thousands.

The seven-member jury met briefly Friday and planned to resume deliberations on Monday morning. They were instructed to decide if the railroad was at fault in the deaths and if so, the amount of damages to award to their estates. If the jurors find that the railroad should also face punitive damages, a separate hearing would determine that amount.

Looming over the proceedings is W.R. Grace & Co., a chemical company that operated a mountaintop vermiculite mine 7 miles (11 kilometers) outside of Libby until it was closed 1990. The Maryland-based company played a central role in Libby's tragedy and has paid significant settlements to victims.

U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris has referred to the the chemical company as the elephant in the room in the BNSF trial. He reminded jurors several times that the case was about the railroad's conduct, not W.R. Grace's separate liability.

How much W.R. Grace revealed about the asbestos dangers to Texas-based BNSF and its corporate predecessors has been sharply disputed. The plaintiffs argued that railroad higher-ups were aware, but that workers on the ground in Libby were left out of the loop.

We're here to make a party that accepts zero responsibility accept an appropriate amount of responsibility, plaintiffs' attorney Mark Lanier said. This is the fault of the bigwigs in the corporate office.

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The judge instructed the jury it could only find the railroad negligent based on its actions in the Libby Railyard, not for hauling the vermiculite.

The railroad said it was obliged under law to ship the vermiculite, which was used in insulation and for other commercial purposes. It said W.R. Grace employees had concealed the health hazards from the railroad.

Former railroad workers said during testimony and in depositions that they knew nothing about the risks of asbestos. They said Grace employees were responsible for loading the hopper cars, plugging the holes of any cars leaking vermiculite and occasionally cleaned up material that spilled in the rail yard.

The estates of the two deceased plaintiffs have argued that the W.R. Graces actions dont absolve BNSF of its responsibility for failing to clean up the vermiculite that spilled in the railyard in the heart of the community.

Their attorneys said BNSF should have known about the dangers because Grace put signs on rail cars carrying vermiculite warning of potential health risks. They showed jurors an image of a warning label allegedly attached to rail cars in the late 1970s that advised against inhaling the asbestos dust because it could cause bodily harm.

Family members of Tom Wells and Joyce Walder testified that their lives ended soon after they were diagnosed with mesothelioma. The families said the dust blowing from the rail yard sickened and killed them.

In a March 2020 video of Wells played for jurors and recorded the day before he died, he lay in a home hospital bed, struggling to breathe.

Ive been placed in a horrible spot here, and the best chance I see at release  relief for everybody  is to just get it over with, he said. Its just not something I want to try and play hero through because I dont think that theres a miracle waiting.

The Environmental Protection Agency descended on Libby after the 1999 news reports. In 2009 it declared in Libby the nations first ever public health emergency under the federal Superfund cleanup program.

The pollution in Libby has been cleaned up, largely at public expense. Yet the long timeframe over which asbestos-related diseases develop means people previously exposed are likely to continue getting sick for years to come, health officials say.

___

Brown reported from Billings, Montana.
AT&T's recent mega customer data breach  74 million accounts affected  laid bare how much data carriers have on their users, and also that the data is there for the hacking. On Thursday, a startup called Cape  based out of Washington, D.C., and founded by a former executive from Palantir  is announcing $61 million in funding to build what it claims will be a much more secure approach: It won't be able to leak your name, address, Social Security number or location because it never asks for these in the first place.

"You cant leak or sell what you dont have," according to the company's website. "We ask for the minimal amount of personal information and store sensitive credentials locally on your device, not on our network. Thats privacy by design."

The funding is notable in part because Cape's appeal to users is not yet proven. The company only came out of stealth four months ago, and it has yet to launch a commercial service for consumers. That's due to come in June, CEO and founder John Doyle said in an interview. It has one pilot project in operation, deploying some of its tech with the U.S. government, securing communications on Guam.

The $61 million it announced Thursday is an aggregation across three rounds: a seed and Series A of $21 million (raised when it was still in stealth mode as a company called Private Tech) and a Series B of $40 million. The latest round is being co-led by A-Star and a16z, with XYZ Ventures, ex/ante, Costanoa Ventures, Point72 Ventures, Forward Deployed VC and Karman Ventures also participating. Cape is not disclosing its valuation.

Doyle attracted that investor attention in part because his past roles have included nearly nine years of working for Palantir as the head of its national security business. Prior to that, he was a special forces sergeant in the U.S. Army.

Those jobs exposed him to users (like government departments) who treated the security of personal information and privacy around data usage as essential. But, more entrepreneurially, they also got him thinking about consumers.

With the big focus that data privacy and security have today in the public consciousness  typically because of the many bad-news stories we hear about data breaches, the encroaching activities of social networks and many questions about national security and digital networks  there is a clear opportunity to build tools like these for ordinary people, too, even if it feels like that might be impossible these days.

"It's actually one of the reasons I started the company," he told TechCrunch. "It feels like the problem is too big, right? It feels like our data is already out there and all these different ways and there's really nothing to be done about it. We've all adopted a learned helplessness around the ability to be connected, but have some sort of private, some sort of control over our own data, but that's not necessarily true."

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Cape's first efforts will be focused on providing eSIMs to users, which Doyle said would be sold essentially on a prepaid format to avoid the data that a contract might entail. Cape on Thursday also announced a partnership with UScellular, which itself provides an MNVO covering 12 cellular networks; Doyle said that Cape is talking with other telcos, too. Initially, it's unlikely to bundle that eSIM with any mobile devices, although that also is not off the table for the future, Doyle said. Nor will the company provide encryption services around apps, voice calls and mobile data, at least not initially.

"We're not focused on securing the content of communications. There's a whole host of app-based solutions out there, apps out there like Proton Mail and Signal, and WhatsApp and other encrypted messaging platforms that do a good job, to varying degrees, depending on who you trust for securing the contents of your communications," he said. "We are focused on your location and your identity data, in particular, as it relates to connecting to commercial cellular infrastructure, which is a related but separate set of problems."

Cape's not the only company in the market that is trying (or has tried, past-tense) to address privacy in the mobile sphere, but none of them has really made a mark so far. In Europe, recent efforts include the MVNO Murena, the OS maker Jolla and the hardware company Punkt. Those that have come and gone include the Privacy Phone (FreedomPop) and Blackphone (from GeeksPhone and Silent Circle).

There's already the option to buy a prepaid SIM in the U.S. anonymously, but Cape points out that this has other trade-offs and isn't as secure as what Cape is building. Although payments for this might be anonymous, a user's data is still routed through the network infrastructure of the underlying carrier, making a user's movements and usage observable. You can also still be open to SIM swap attacks and spam.

For a16z, the investment is becoming a part of the firm's "American Dynamism" effort, which this week got a $600 million boost from the latest $7.2 billion in funds that the VC raised.

Capes technology is an answer to long-standing, critical vulnerabilities in todays telecom infrastructure that impacts everything from homeland security to consumer privacy, said Katherine Boyle, general partner at a16z, in a statement. The team is the first to apply this caliber of R&D muscle to rethinking legacy telecom networks, and are well placed to reshape the way mobile carriers think about their subscribers  as customers instead of products.
Cocoa prices have doubled as extreme weather has battered supply Getty Images

Cocoa futures topped a new high on Thursday, hitting over $10,770 a ton.

Supply stress is behind the price gains, with more to come as Nigeria prepares for flooding.

Production is forecast to fall short of demand by 374,000 metric tons this season.

Cocoa prices are soaring to new highs as the raw chocolate ingredient staggers through an immense supply crisis, with more headwinds building.

Futures topped a record $10,770 a ton on Thursday, marking a sharp gain of 153.4% since the start of the year.

Sagging inventory is the main driver behind the huge price appreciation, as poor weather and crop disease batter harvests in big producer states like the Ivory Coast and Ghana. Pay for regional farmers, meanwhile, has fallen behind, straining their ability to make the investments needed to keep up, Bloomberg reported.

And more problems are coming. According to the outlet, projections for Nigeria's cocoa output are being pulled down as the country readies for massive flooding. The at-risk zone accounts for 94% of the nation's cocoa production, and output losses are expected to be colossal, Bloomberg said.

Production is forecast to fall behind demand by 374,000 metric tons this season, according to the International Cocoa Organization.

In fact, some cocoa traders are already facing a complete lack of beans, with both Ghana and the Ivory Coast asking for deliveries to be delayed. For instance, the Ghana Cocoa Board has proposed that bean sales of up to 250,000 tons be rolled over into the next season, sources told the Financial Times.

Prospects haven't been much better for investors. With futures spiking so rapidly, many traders have made a beeline for the exits, and cocoa futures trading has hit historical lows, Bloomberg said.

"It's so illiquid, I'm not touching it," Darrell Martin, co-founder of Apex Trader Funding and a day trader himself, told Business Insider last week.

All this is already hitting consumer pockets, as retail chocolate prices have followed the surge in cocoa. Last year, US stores charged 11.6% more on these products than in 2022.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Uzbek-Tajik Investment Company plans to implement 14 projects with a total value of $135 million, according to the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz news agency.

On April 17, in Dushanbe, ahead of the official visit of President Mirziyoyev, an Uzbek-Tajik investment business forum took place, co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev.

Over recent years, trade turnover has tripled to $750 million, and since the beginning of the year, it has increased by another 40%. In the near future, the parties plan to increase mutual trade to $2 billion.

Since 2017, the number of joint ventures has almost increased 22-foldfrom 17 to 370 companies. Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are implementing joint projects to create a trade zone at the border point "Oybek-Fatehabad", construct the trade and logistics center "Andarkhan", and build two hydroelectric power stations in the Zarafshan market on Tajik territory.

Among the most promising sectors are metallurgy, mining, development and processing of minerals, wind and solar power generation, hydropower, machinery and electrical equipment manufacturing, the agro-industrial complex, and the light industry.

Following the business forum, a package of bilateral documents was signed, on which basis a roadmap will be developed for the implementation of each project.

The Uzbek-Tajik Investment Company was established in September 2021. Initially, the company's authorized capital consisted of $12 million, which was later increased to $50 million. The Reconstruction and Development Fund provided 75% of the authorized capital, while "TajInvest" provided the remaining 25%.

The board of directors of the investment company from Uzbekistan then included the head of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade Sardor Umurzakov, First Deputy Minister Laziz Kudratov, and Director of the Reconstruction and Development Fund Shukhrat Vafoev.




ELV showcases robust revenue growth and shareholder net income increase in Q1 2024.

Strong market presence with over 46 million medical members served.

Strategic positioning with Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Carelon brands.

Investment in technology infrastructure and commitment to improving health outcomes.

On April 18, 2024, Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:ELV) released its 10-Q filing, revealing a comprehensive financial performance for the first quarter of the year. The company, a leading health insurer in the U.S., reported a slight decrease in premiums but an overall increase in total operating revenue from $41,898 million in Q1 2023 to $42,273 million in Q1 2024. Net income also saw a healthy rise from $2,004 million to $2,249 million, indicating a solid financial footing. Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:ELV) continues to expand its reach, serving over 46 million medical members and maintaining a strong presence as a Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee in 14 states. The company's strategic acquisitions and expansions into government-sponsored programs like Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans have further solidified its market position. With a forward-looking approach, Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:ELV) is poised to leverage its strengths and navigate through potential challenges, as detailed in the following SWOT analysis.

Decoding Elevance Health Inc (ELV): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Market Leadership and Brand Equity: Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:ELV) stands out with its commanding market presence as one of the largest health insurers in the United States. The company's brand equity, particularly as the largest single provider of Blue Cross Blue Shield branded coverage, instills trust and reliability among its 48 million medical members. The strategic use of its core go-to-market brands, Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Wellpoint, and Carelon, has enabled ELV to cater to a diverse customer base across various states. This brand power is not just a testament to the company's historical performance but also a driver for future growth, as evidenced by the increase in shareholders' net income from $1,989 million to $2,246 million year-over-year.

Financial Performance and Diversification: Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:ELV)'s financial health is robust, with a strong balance sheet reflecting an increase in net income and a disciplined approach to managing expenses. The company's diversified portfolio, which includes a mix of employer, individual, and government-sponsored coverage plans, provides a hedge against market volatility. The strategic acquisitions, such as Amerigroup and MMM, have not only expanded ELV's footprint but also diversified its revenue streams, contributing to a total operating revenue of $42,273 million in Q1 2024.

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Weaknesses

Revenue Fluctuations: Despite an overall increase in operating revenue, Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:ELV) experienced a slight decline in premiums from $35,868 million to $35,696 million. This fluctuation may indicate competitive pressures or changes in customer preferences. It's essential for ELV to closely monitor these trends and adjust its pricing strategies accordingly to maintain its revenue growth trajectory.

Dependence on Government-Sponsored Programs: ELV's significant involvement in government-sponsored programs like Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans exposes the company to regulatory changes and funding uncertainties. Changes in healthcare laws, policies, or funding can impact ELV's profitability and operational strategies. The company must navigate these complexities carefully to mitigate potential risks associated with policy shifts.

Opportunities

Expansion into Emerging Markets: Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:ELV) has the opportunity to further expand its services into new geographic regions and market segments. With a strong financial base and a reputation for quality coverage, ELV can explore untapped markets, potentially increasing its membership base and revenue. Strategic partnerships or acquisitions could accelerate this expansion, allowing ELV to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the healthcare sector.

Technological Innovation: Investment in technology infrastructure, as indicated by the company's recent agreement for IT services, positions ELV to enhance its operational efficiency and customer experience. By leveraging data analytics, telemedicine, and personalized health solutions, ELV can improve health outcomes and create new revenue streams. The healthcare industry's digital transformation presents numerous opportunities for ELV to lead in innovation.

Threats

Competitive Landscape: The health insurance industry is highly competitive, with new entrants and existing players constantly vying for market share. Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:ELV) must continuously innovate and offer competitive pricing to retain and grow its customer base. The company's ability to adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer demands is crucial for its long-term success.

Regulatory and Political Uncertainty: Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:ELV) operates in a heavily regulated industry, where changes in healthcare laws, regulations, or government funding can significantly impact its business model. The ongoing political discourse around healthcare reform poses a threat to ELV's stability and growth. Proactive engagement with policymakers and a flexible business strategy are vital to weather potential regulatory storms.

In conclusion, Elevance Health Inc (NYSE:ELV) demonstrates a solid financial foundation and market leadership, with opportunities for expansion and technological advancement. However, the company must address the challenges posed by revenue fluctuations, dependence on government programs, a competitive landscape, and regulatory uncertainties. By capitalizing on its strengths and opportunities while strategically managing its weaknesses and threats, ELV is well-positioned to continue its trajectory of growth and success in the dynamic healthcare industry.

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.


Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (NYSE:MMC) showcases robust financial growth with a 9% increase in revenue year-over-year.

MMC's strategic acquisitions bolster its service offerings and market presence.

Global geopolitical tensions and cyber threats pose significant risks to MMC's operations.

MMC's forward-looking strategies focus on leveraging technology and talent to maintain competitive advantage.

Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (NYSE:MMC), a global professional services firm specializing in risk, strategy, and human capital, reported a solid financial performance in its latest 10-Q filing dated April 18, 2024. The company witnessed a 9% increase in revenue year-over-year, climbing from $5.924 billion in 2023 to $6.473 billion in 2024. MMC's net income attributable to the company also saw a significant rise, from $1.235 billion to $1.400 billion, reflecting a robust financial position. With a diverse portfolio of services offered through its two main segmentsrisk and insurance services and consultingMMC continues to demonstrate its ability to navigate the complexities of the global market.

Decoding Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (MMC): A Strategic SWOT Insight

Strengths

Financial Performance and Market Position: MMC's recent financial results underscore its strong market position and financial health. The company's revenue growth of 9% and a 13% increase in net income year-over-year are indicative of its ability to generate and sustain profitability. MMC's operating income also increased by 12%, from $1.726 billion to $1.925 billion, showcasing effective operational management and cost control. These financial metrics not only reflect MMC's resilience in a competitive landscape but also its capacity to invest in strategic initiatives that can further solidify its market position.

Strategic Acquisitions: MMC's strategic acquisitions, such as the purchase of Vanguard's Institutional Advisory Services and Louisiana-based insurance brokers, have expanded its service offerings and client base. These acquisitions are carefully aligned with MMC's core competencies in risk management and consulting, enabling the company to penetrate new markets and enhance its value proposition. The integration of these new entities contributes to MMC's comprehensive suite of services, reinforcing its competitive edge in the professional services sector.

Weaknesses

Operational Costs: Despite MMC's strong financial performance, the company faces challenges in managing operational costs, particularly in the compensation and benefits category. The 10-Q filing reveals an 8% increase in expenses for the Risk and Insurance Services segment, largely driven by higher compensation and benefits. This suggests that as MMC grows and scales its operations, it must also contend with the rising costs of attracting and retaining top talent, which could impact its profit margins if not managed effectively.

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Dependence on Global Markets: MMC's significant revenue generation outside the U.S. exposes it to currency fluctuations and geopolitical risks. The company's operations in various countries require adherence to diverse regulatory environments, which can lead to increased compliance costs and complexity. Moreover, global economic uncertainties, such as the tensions in the Middle East and the South China Sea, can affect client confidence and, consequently, the demand for MMC's services.

Opportunities

Technological Advancements: MMC has the opportunity to leverage technological advancements to enhance its service delivery and operational efficiency. The adoption of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital platforms can streamline processes, improve risk assessment capabilities, and offer more personalized client solutions. By investing in technology, MMC can differentiate itself from competitors and meet the evolving needs of its clients in a digital age.

Emerging Markets: The company's established presence in various industries and geographies positions it well to capitalize on growth opportunities in emerging markets. As economies in these regions develop, the demand for professional services related to risk management and consulting is likely to increase. MMC can leverage its global network and expertise to tap into these new markets, driving further revenue growth and diversification.

Threats

Geopolitical and Economic Risks: MMC operates in a complex global environment where geopolitical and economic risks can have a direct impact on its business. The company acknowledges the effects of wars, regional conflicts, and economic downturns on its operations and client industries. Such external factors can disrupt business continuity, affect client spending, and pose challenges to MMC's growth trajectory.

Cybersecurity Concerns: With the increasing prevalence of cyber threats, MMC must continuously invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect its operations and sensitive client data. The risk of ransomware, supply chain attacks, and other forms of cybercrime is a significant concern that can lead to operational disruptions and reputational damage. MMC's proactive approach to cybersecurity is crucial in mitigating these risks and maintaining client trust.

In conclusion, Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc (NYSE:MMC) exhibits a strong financial foundation and strategic acumen that position it favorably in the professional services industry. The company's ability to execute strategic acquisitions and leverage technology presents significant opportunities for growth and innovation. However, MMC must navigate the challenges of rising operational costs and global market dependencies while remaining vigilant against geopolitical and cybersecurity threats. By continuing to invest in its strengths and addressing its weaknesses, MMC is well-equipped to capitalize on emerging opportunities and mitigate potential threats, ensuring its long-term success and resilience.

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.


(Bloomberg) -- Alphabet Inc. Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai announced changes to Googles workplace teams structure, saying the moves will help the company develop artificial intelligence products and services faster and more efficiently.

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In a note to employees, also published Thursday in a blog post, Pichai said the models, research and responsible AI teams would be consolidated under the companys flagship artificial intelligence division, Google DeepMind.

To accelerate work on Googles AI models  Gemini and Gemma  employees working on the technology across Google Research and Google DeepMind will unite as one team, which will also consolidate the expensive computing power needed to train and build the systems under one arm of the company. Responsible AI teams across the business will also move under Google DeepMind.

A new unified Platform and Devices team, meanwhile, will bring together efforts across hardware, software and AI teams at Google  including those working on products such as Android, Chrome, search and photos, Pichai said. The group will also include employees working on computational photography and on-device AI features like Googles recently launched circle to search AI tool it announced in partnership with Samsung Electronics Co.

The changes, Pichai wrote, will help us work with greater focus and clarity toward our mission.

While Google has intensified its work on generative AI to catch up to the allied effort of Microsoft Corp. and OpenAI, which many perceive as being more advanced, the company also has been shifting priorities and lowering costs. For the past few months, that has resulted in a series of cascading job reductions, creating a grim new reality of insecurity for employees. In January, the company cut hundreds of people working on its digital assistant, hardware and engineering teams.

At the same time, Google framed the reorganization as necessary to more sharply focus on launching AI tools and services. Earlier this year, the company rolled out a new version of its powerful AI model, Gemini 1.5 Pro, which it said could handle a larger amount text, video and even audio outputs compared with the competition. It also rebranded its chatbot as Gemini and released a more open large language model to help the company gain favor with the open-source community.

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But Google has also faced challenges, as when the company was broadly criticized over its AI image generation tool creating ahistorical images of people. Pichai also announced a central company Trust and Safety team on Thursday that would invest more in testing and evaluating of AI systems  a move that appears to be aimed at addressing the risks associated with rolling out consumer-facing AI products by centralizing accountability in one team.

In his note, Pichai also alluded to an employee protest this week against Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion joint contract with Amazon.com Inc. to provide the Israeli government and military with AI and cloud services. Google on Wednesday fired 28 employees involved in the protest.

We have a culture of vibrant, open discussion that enables us to create amazing products and turn great ideas into action, Pichai wrote. But ultimately we are a workplace and our policies and expectations are clear: This is a business, and not a place to act in a way that disrupts coworkers or makes them feel unsafe, to attempt to use the company as a personal platform, or to fight over disruptive issues or debate politics.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Increase In Card Member Spending Boosts Amex Q1 Revenue, Company Eyes Steady Annual Growth

American Express Cos (NYSE:AXP) first-quarter revenue (net of interest expense) grew 11% year-on-year to $15.80 billion, marginally beating the consensus of $15.79 billion.

The increase was primarily due to higher net interest income and increased Card Member spending. EPS of $3.33 beat the consensus of $2.95.

Card Member spending or Billed Business grew 6% Y/Y to $367 million.

Also Read: Mastercard Set to Increase Credit Card Fees, Adding Millions in Costs for Retailers After Visa Settlement

U.S. Consumer Services revenue was $7.5 billion, up 14% year over year. Commercial Services revenue was $3.8 billion, up 8.4% year over year.

International Card Services revenue was $2.7 billion, up 8.1% Y/Y, and Global Merchant and Network Services revenue was $1.9 billion, up 7.4% Y/Y.

Total expenses increased by 3% Y/Y to $11.4 billion, primarily reflecting higher customer engagement costs due to higher Card Member spending, increased usage of travel-related benefits, and higher marketing investments.

Provision for credit losses stood at $1.3 billion, compared with $1.1 billion a year ago, reflecting higher net write-offs.

Chair and CEO Stephen J. Squeri said, Our fee-based products accounted for around 70 percent of the new account acquisitions we saw in the quarter, and we continue to see strong demand from Millennial and Gen Z consumers, who accounted for over 60 percent of new consumer account acquisitions globally. Our credit metrics remain best in class.

FY24 Outlook: The company reiterated revenue growth of 9%  11% or $65.96 billion  $67.17 billion (versus consensus of $62.37 billion) and EPS of $12.65  $13.15 (versus consensus of $12.08) for the fiscal year.

Analysts have shared mixed opinions on American Express Co, citing concerns about credit quality and growth deceleration. Meanwhile, some expressed optimism, highlighting expected revenue growth driven by loans and net card fees and emphasizing American Expresss capacity to maintain higher net interest margins.

American Express stock gained 32% in the last 12 months. Investors can gain exposure to the stock via Amplify ETF Trust Amplify Mobile Payments ETF (NYSE:IPAY) and ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF (NYSE:JRNY).

Price Action: AXP shares are trading lower by 0.80% at $215.75 premarket at the last check Friday.

Also Read: Bank of Americas Q1 Consumer Banking Income Takes A Hit, Adds 1M Credit Card Accounts

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

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This article Increase In Card Member Spending Boosts Amex Q1 Revenue, Company Eyes Steady Annual Growth originally appeared on Benzinga.com

 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Key Insights

Sime Darby Property Berhad's significant sovereign wealth funds ownership suggests that the key decisions are influenced by shareholders from the larger public

56% of the company is held by a single shareholder (Permodalan Nasional Berhad)

Institutional ownership in Sime Darby Property Berhad is 23%

If you want to know who really controls Sime Darby Property Berhad (KLSE:SIMEPROP), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. With 56% stake, sovereign wealth funds possess the maximum shares in the company. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

And institutions on the other hand have a 23% ownership in the company. Institutions often own shares in more established companies, while it's not unusual to see insiders own a fair bit of smaller companies.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Sime Darby Property Berhad, beginning with the chart below.

Check out our latest analysis for Sime Darby Property Berhad

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Sime Darby Property Berhad?

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.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Sime Darby Property Berhad. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Sime Darby Property Berhad's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Sime Darby Property Berhad. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Permodalan Nasional Berhad with 56% of shares outstanding. This implies that they have majority interest control of the future of the company. Kumpulan Wang Persaraan is the second largest shareholder owning 6.6% of common stock, and Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia holds about 4.7% of the company stock.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

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Insider Ownership Of Sime Darby Property Berhad

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. The company management answer to the board and the latter should represent the interests of shareholders. Notably, sometimes top-level managers are on the board themselves.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of Sime Darby Property Berhad. However, it's possible that insiders might have an indirect interest through a more complex structure. Keep in mind that it's a big company, and the insiders own RM34m worth of shares. The absolute value might be more important than the proportional share. Arguably, recent buying and selling is just as important to consider. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 19% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Sime Darby Property Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for Sime Darby Property Berhad you should be aware of.

But ultimately it is the future, not the past, that will determine how well the owners of this business will do. Therefore we think it advisable to take a look at this free report showing whether analysts are predicting a brighter future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
5_BEST_ESG_2024_760x520_Hero

Retail investors feel less polarized about investing along ESG guidelinesa criteria dictating how billions of dollars are allocated in ETFsthan many advisors and those in the financial services industry believe, according to a new behavioral research report from Morningstar.

Even though investing with an environmental, social, and governance lens has garnered harsh political backlash which triggered outflows and exchange-traded fund closures, investors typically have a nuanced perspective on the issue, according to research conducted by Morningstar analyzing 26,784 Reddit posts and comments.

In fact, investors were not using the term ESG, which the researchers said showed it was industry jargon, and talked about specific concerns related to their investments such as climate change, researchers found.

When we looked at how people were talking about ESG, it was a neutral, even-keeled approach, Morningstar behavioral scientist Danielle Labotka, one of the report's author, said in an interview. I thought that was really surprising because when you look at the financial industry and how we talk about ESG in it, you would think its an all-out brawl out there, but to the everyday investor, its actually just a neutral topic.

About 50 ETFs holding $86.7 billion employ ESG guidelines, according to etf.com data. The category includes funds that focus on the climate or energy transition, such as the iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG), but also describes a method of investing that excludes specific sectors, such as the fossil fuel industry. It may also include investments in so-called clean industries: the largest ETF in the category is the $18.2 billion VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) While ESG-focused funds gained traction in 2021, the term has since fallen out of favor for many investors and advisors, according to financial advisor Johnathan Shenkman.

While investors poured money into ESG ETFs, the category had net outflows of $4.3 billion in the U.S. last year, Bloomberg News reported in February. The iShares ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) itself experienced $9 billion in outflows over 2023, the story said.

ESG Implications For Financial Advisors

Analysts and investors have suggested that the term ESG be retired, especially in the U.S., because it's loaded with too many political implications. Investors took note of when BlackRocks chief executive Larry Fink stopped using the term ESG.

Yet the Morningstar study suggests that to many average Americans, the term does not hold as much weight.

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The biggest takeaway is dont be afraid, said Labotka. A lot of financial advisors that Ive talked to tend to think of ESG as a tough topic to discuss, but one of the benefits of ESG investing is you are starting to talk about values, and that discussion can actually be helpful for financial advisors who are looking to get their clients invested and committed to their financial plan.

Contact Lucy Brewster at lucy.brewster@etf.com.





Permalink |  Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved
For many, the main point of investing is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But even the best stock picker will only win with some selections. At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:PANAMY), since the last five years saw the share price fall 50%.

So let's have a look and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

See our latest analysis for Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad

While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just 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.

Looking back five years, both Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad's share price and EPS declined; the latter at a rate of 5.3% per year. Readers should note that the share price has fallen faster than the EPS, at a rate of 13% per year, over the period. This implies that the market was previously too optimistic about the stock.

The company's earnings per share (over time) is depicted in the image below (click to see the exact numbers).

Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. 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. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad, it has a TSR of -35% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

A Different Perspective

While the broader market gained around 14% in the last year, Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad shareholders lost 12% (even including dividends). Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 6% over the last half decade. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. 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 Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Berhad , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

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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 Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
By Alimat Aliyeva

The Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the UK, Ravshan Usmanov, met with the Deputy Secretary of State for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom, as well as the Minister of Exports, Lord Malcolm Offord, Azernews reports.

At the meeting, Lord Offord noted that the United Kingdom considers Uzbekistan as a key partner in Central Asia and is interested in deepening cooperation with Tashkent in various fields.

It is reported that the current and future aspects of trade, economic, investment and educational relations between the two countries were discussed. Lord Offord expressed support for the idea of expanding internship and training programs for Uzbek civil servants in leading British institutions and companies.

The parties reached agreements on conducting specialized trainings for Uzbek export companies on preferences within the framework of the British "Trading System for Developing Countries", as well as on the implementation of major investment projects in Uzbekistan with the participation of the British Export Finance Agency.
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, DXN Holdings Bhd fair value estimate is RM1.09

Current share price of RM0.63 suggests DXN Holdings Bhd is potentially 43% undervalued

Our fair value estimate is 23% higher than DXN Holdings Bhd's analyst price target of RM0.89

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of DXN Holdings Bhd. (KLSE:DXN) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

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. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you.

Check out our latest analysis for DXN Holdings Bhd

Is DXN Holdings Bhd Fairly Valued?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To 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.

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) RM335.3m RM343.4m RM391.9m RM271.0m RM260.0m RM454.0m RM475.0m RM495.4m RM515.6m RM535.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 4.63% Est @ 4.30% Est @ 4.07% Est @ 3.91% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 10% RM304 RM282 RM292 RM183 RM159 RM252 RM239 RM226 RM213 RM201

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM2.4b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.5%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 10%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM536m (1 + 3.5%)  (10% 3.5%) = RM8.2b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM8.2b ( 1 + 10%)10= RM3.1b

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 RM5.4b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM0.6, the company appears quite undervalued at a 43% 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

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at DXN Holdings Bhd 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 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.065. 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 DXN Holdings Bhd

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded its 5-year average.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Personal Products industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Personal Products market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Next Steps:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For DXN Holdings Bhd, we've put together three further elements you should look at:

Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 1 warning sign for DXN Holdings Bhd you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does DXN's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Daisy, a leading maker of sour cream and cottage cheese, is slated to receive state and local incentives to build a $627 million plant in Boone.

Daisy Brand, a national dairy, will get more than $67 million in state and local incentives to build a manufacturing facility in Boone.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority voted Friday to approve an $18.2 million package for the Daisy plant. With $49 million in other aid already approved, the total public investment comes to $67.2 million.

A leading sour cream, cottage cheese and dip maker, Daisy plans to build its 750,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Boones industrial park, bringing 255 new jobs to the city.

IEDA documents show construction is expected to be completed sometime in 2027 and equipment installation in 2029. The company will invest $627 million in the project.

The more than 100-year-old, family-owned company is based in Dallas and has manufacturing facilities in Garland, Texas; Casa Grande, Arizona; and Wooster, Ohio. It holds over 50% of the market share in retail sales of sour cream and is the largest brand of cottage cheese in the country, according to its website.

The IEDA documents note that Daisy products compete with other dairy manufacturers in Iowa, including Des Moines-based Anderson Erickson and a plant in Le Mars owned by Kemps, a St. Paul, Minnesota-based subsidiary of the Dairy Farmers of America.

State and local incentives for Daisy plant to total more than $67 million

The economic development board's package for Daisy consists of a $7 million forgivable loan, a $1 million investment tax credit and $10.2 million sales and use tax refund. In addition, the company will receive a $49 million local property tax exemption through the state's High Quality Jobs Program, bringing the total value of state local benefits to $67.2 million,

In order to qualify for the incentives, the company will have to create at least 55 jobs paying 120% of the local average wage, or $28.85 an hour. IEDA documents also show the company will have to provide employees at least 70% of single coverage medical premiums and at least 60% of family coverage.

"This project will be immensely beneficial to not only the city of Boone, but also Boone County and the entire central Iowa region. I am incredibly excited for the positive economic impact this project will bring and the continued success of Daisy brands and their impeccable line of dairy products," Boone Mayor Elijah Stines told the Des Moines Register after the City Council on April 15 approved its portion of the incentive package.

The planning only dates back to August, when Daisy put out a request for proposals to Iowa and other states, said Dan Culhane, president of the Ames Chamber of Commerce, who also assists Boone with economic development projects.

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"All of this went together fairly quickly. Daisy didn't even make a visit here until the first of December," Culhane said.

He said Boone was "a tremendous partner" and that its speedy responses to any inquiry by Daisy were likely a key factor in the company's decision to locate there.

The project will not only have a significant impact on the Boone area in terms of jobs but also rural Iowa because of the milk needed to supply the plant, said Brenda Dryer, executive director of the Boone County Economic Development Corporation.

"I think years from now we're going to all talk about this project and how it moved some significant things so it is certainly a legacy project," Dreyer said.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in a news release said Daisy and Iowa were made for each other.

With a third of the nations top food manufacturers located in Iowa and 26% of our manufacturing industry attributed to food processing, Iowa and Daisy are a perfect fit," Reynolds said. "From our dairy industry and farmers to our skilled workforce, there is no better place for Daisy to expand, and I am confident the company will continue to flourish in our great state.

In a statement, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the plant also will benefit Iowa's dairy farmers.

Daisy is joining an already impressive and well-established group of dairy processors in our state, and this new state-of-the art sour cream and cottage cheese plant will provide Iowas farmers with yet another good option to market their milk," Naig said, adding, "As Secretary, I want to see our state continue to look for even more opportunities to build markets through additional processing capacity.

The news comes after the Fareway supermarket chain announced in August it will move its headquarters from Boone to Johnston, shifting about 100 jobs.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Planned Boone plant for Daisy to get millions in Iowa incentives
JTC PLC's (LON:JTC) dividend will be increasing from last year's payment of the same period to 0.0767 on 28th of June. Although the dividend is now higher, the yield is only 1.3%, which is below the industry average.

View our latest analysis for JTC

JTC's Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions

While yield is important, another factor to consider about a company's dividend is whether the current payout levels are feasible. Before this announcement, JTC was paying out 79% of earnings, but a comparatively small 24% of free cash flows. This leaves plenty of cash for reinvestment into the business.

Analysts expect a massive rise in earnings per share in the next year. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 33%, which would make us comfortable with the dividend's sustainability, despite the levels currently being elevated.

JTC Is Still Building Its Track Record

Even though the company has been paying a consistent dividend for a while, we would like to see a few more years before we feel comfortable relying on it. Since 2018, the dividend has gone from 0.02 total annually to 0.112. This implies that the company grew its distributions at a yearly rate of about 33% over that duration. We're not overly excited about the relatively short history of dividend payments, however the dividend is growing at a nice rate and we might take a closer look.

JTC's Dividend Might Lack Growth

Some investors will be chomping at the bit to buy some of the company's stock based on its dividend history. We are encouraged to see that JTC has grown earnings per share at 13% per year over the past five years. Past earnings growth has been decent, but unless this is one of those rare businesses that can grow without additional capital investment or marketing spend, we'd generally expect the higher payout ratio to limit its future growth prospects.

We should note that JTC has issued stock equal to 11% of shares outstanding. Trying to grow the dividend when issuing new shares reminds us of the ancient Greek tale of Sisyphus - perpetually pushing a boulder uphill. Companies that consistently issue new shares are often suboptimal from a dividend perspective.

In Summary

In summary, while it's always good to see the dividend being raised, we don't think JTC's payments are rock solid. The company is generating plenty of cash, which could maintain the dividend for a while, but the track record hasn't been great. We don't think JTC is a great stock to add to your portfolio if income is your focus.

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Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. For example, we've picked out 2 warning signs for JTC that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. Is JTC not quite the opportunity you were looking for? Why not check out our selection of top dividend stocks.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE:KMI) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript April 17, 2024

Kinder Morgan, Inc. beats earnings expectations. Reported EPS is $0.34, expectations were $0.33. KMI isn't one of the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds at the end of the third quarter (see the details here).

Operator: Welcome to the Quarterly Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Today's call is being recorded. If you have any objections, please disconnect at this time. Ill now turn the call over to Mr. Rich Kinder, Executive Chairman of Kinder Morgan. Thank you. You may begin.

Rich Kinder: Thank you, Ted. As always, before we begin, I'd like to remind you that KMI's earnings release today and this call include forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and of course, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as well as certain non-GAAP financial measures. Before making any investment decisions, we strongly encourage you to read our full disclosure on forward-looking statements and use of non-GAAP financial measures set forth at the end of our earnings release, as well as review our latest filings with the SEC for important material assumptions, expectations and risk factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated and described in such forward-looking statements.

Before turning the call over to Kim and the team who reported a good quarter at KMI, let me comment on another broader issue. In past quarters, I've talked a lot about the demand for natural gas resulting from this country's LNG export facilities. Today, I want to speak briefly about what I and others in the industry now see as another source of increased demand for our commodity, the tremendous expected growth in the need for electric power. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, most prominently by the increasing demand of new and expanding data centers, especially those required to support AI. One recent survey showed a projected increase in electric demand to power data centers of 13% to 15% compounded annually through 2030.

Put another way, data centers used about 2.5% of U.S. electricity in 2022 and are projected to use about 20% by 2030. AI demand alone is projected at about 15% of demand in 2030. If just 40% of that AI demand is served by natural gas that would result in incremental demand of 7 to 10 Bcf a day. Utilities throughout America are sounding alarm, one Southeast utility announced its expectation that its winter demand would increase by 37% by 2031. PJM Interconnection, which operates the wholesale power market across part of the Midwest and the Northeast, has doubled its 15-year annual forecast for demand growth and estimates that demand in the region by 2029 will increase by about 10 gigawatts. Now to put that in perspective, 10 gigawatts is about twice the power demand in New York City on a typical day.

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The overriding question is how to handle this increased demand? To answer that question, it's important to understand the nature of the increased demand. It's become increasingly obvious that reliability and affordability are the key factors. The power needed for AI and the massive data centers being built today and plan for the near future, require affordable electricity that is available without interruption 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This type of need demonstrates that the emphasis on renewables as the only source of power is fatally flawed in terms of meeting the real demands of the market. This is not a knock on renewables. We all know they will play a significant role in the future of electric generation. But it's a reminder, all of us that natural gas and nuclear still have an extremely important role to play in order to provide the uninterrupted power that AI and the data centers will need.

The primary use of these data centers is big tech and I believe they're beginning to recognize the role that natural gas and nuclear must play. They like the rest of us, realize that the wind doesn't blow all the time, the sun doesn't shine all the time, that the use of batteries to overcome the shortfall is not practically or economically feasible. And finally, that unfortunately, adding significant amounts of new nuclear power to the mix is not going to happen in the foreseeable future. In addition to all these factors, the market is now understanding that building transmission lines to connect distant renewables to the grid, typically takes years to complete and that's a timeframe inconsistent with the need to place these data centers into service as quickly as possible.

All this means that natural gas must play an important role in power generation for years to come. I think acceptance of this hypothesis will become even clearer as power demand increases over the coming months and years and it will be one more significant driver of growth in the demand for natural gas that will benefit all of us in the midstream sector. And with that, I'll turn it over to Kim.

Kim Dang: Okay. Thanks Rich. I'm going to make a few overall points, and then I'll turn it over to Tom and David to give you all the details. We had a great quarter. Adjusted EPS increased by 13%, EBITDA was up 7%, and that was driven by strong performance in natural gas and our refined products businesses. This type of growth is tremendous for a stable fee-based set of midstream assets as large as ours. So, the balance sheet remains strong. We ended the quarter at 4.1 times debt-to-EBITDA and we continue to return significant value to shareholders. Today, our Board approved an increase in the dividend of $0.02 per share. This is the seventh year in a row that we've increased the dividend. Our financial outlook of 14% growth and adjusted EPS for the year as well as the other budget guidance we provided in January is unchanged.

We've seen much lower gas prices than we anticipated this year, but the long-term fundamentals in natural gas remain very strong. Gas demand is expected to grow significantly between now and 2030 with a more than doubling of LNG exports as well as a 50% increase in exports to Mexico. And that doesn't include the anticipated substantial increase in gas demand from power associated with AI and data centers that Rich just mentioned, estimates we've seen range anywhere from 3 Bcf to over 10 Bcf and we've seen some estimates as high as 16 Bcf. With respect to the LNG pause, we do not think it impacts our planned projects or the growth in the LNG market between now and 2030, although it could impact the mix of projects. But we think that is an - we think the LNG pause is an unwise decision and bad policy.

Our petroleum products business continues to produce very stable cash flow. Volumes are steady and much of the business has tariff for contract escalators. It will produce nice cash flow for years to come. It's also a capital-efficient business and have some nice growth opportunities around the edges in product blending, renewable diesel, and other sustainable fuels. Our backlog of projects increased by about $300 million during the quarter due to new natural gas projects added. The backlog and the multiple on the backlog remains less than 5 times. And I also think that we've got significant opportunity to add to the backlog within the next year. In our ETV business, we secured port space in the Houston Ship Channel for CO2 sequestration with capacity to store more than 300 million tons.

Aerial view of an oil and gas pipeline, spanning vast landscapes.

Significant distance between the emitting source and the sequestration site often challenges CCS economics, and we've secured a very strategically located site. So we had a nice quarter in terms of growth. We continue to expect nice growth for the year. We've got a sound balance sheet. We returned significant value to our shareholders and we have nice opportunities to invest in the longer-term. With that, I'll turn it over to Tom to give you details on the business performance for the quarter.

Tom Martin: Thanks, Kim. Starting with the natural gas business unit. Transport volumes increased by 2% for the quarter versus the first quarter of 2023, driven primarily by increased flows eastbound on our Rockies interstate pipelines into the Mid-Continent region. The Permian Highway expansion project being placed into service. An increased flows into our LNG customers in Texas, partially offset by decreased volumes delivered to local distribution companies on the East Coast as we had a warmer winter this quarter compared to the first quarter of 2023. Our natural gas gathering volumes were up 17% for the quarter compared to the first quarter of 2023, driven by the Haynesville and Eagle Ford volumes, which were up 35% and 12%, respectively.

Given the low price environment, we are now expecting gathering of volumes to average 5% below our 2024 plan, but still 7% over 2023 adjusting for asset sales in both cases. With delayed about 10% of our 2024 budgeted G&P CapEx spend until supply growth returns. And we view this slight pullback in gathering volumes as temporary given higher production volumes will be necessary to meet the demand growth from LNG expected in early 2025. A quick update on our newly acquired South Texas Midstream assets in our Texas intrastate market. The integration of the assets and personnel is going well. We are progressing some of the upside opportunities that we assumed in the acquisition sooner than expected. We feel very good about the long-term earnings expectation and valuation multiple for the acquisition.

Our experience and other acquisitions has been that we tend to achieve more value over time than we originally expected from acquiring assets that are highly integrated with our existing network. We are already seeing evidence of that of these assets. In our Products Pipeline segment, refined product and crude and condensate volumes were down 1% for the quarter versus 2023. Gasoline volumes were down 3%, partially offset by an increase in diesel and jet fuel, 2% and 1% increases, respectively. RD volumes flowing through our assets in California continue to grow. We averaged 37,000 barrels a day for the quarter, and we're exploring opportunities to expand our RD capabilities in the Pacific Northwest. Our Terminals segment - our liquids lease capacity remains high at 94%.

Utilization at our key hubs at the Houston Ship Channel in the New York Harbor remained very strong, primarily due to favorable blend margins. Our Jones Act tankers are 100% leased through 2024 and 92% leased through 2025, assuming likely options are exercised. The CO2 business segment experienced a 4% lower oil production volumes, 9% higher NGL volumes, and 7% lower CO2 volumes in the quarter versus the first quarter of 2023. With that, I'll turn it over to David Michels.

David Michels: Okay. Thank you, Tom. So for the first quarter of 2024, we're declaring a dividend of $0.2875 per share, which is $1.15 per share annualized up 2% from 2023. For the quarter, we generated revenues of $3.85 billion, which was down $38 million from Q1 of 2023. Our cost of sales was down $108 million, so our gross margin increased 3%, which explains most of the 2% growth in our operating income. Earnings from equity investments is up $78 million, but $65 million of that was due to a non-cash impairment we took in the first quarter of last year. We saw year-over-year growth from our natural gas, products and terminals businesses. The main drivers of that growth came from project contributions, growth project contributions placed in service across each of those business units as well as from additional contributions from our acquired South Texas Midstream assets.

We also had higher margins on our natural gas storage assets and higher volumes on our natural gas gathering systems. Interest expense was up due to a higher short-term debt balance due in part to the South Texas acquisition, and we generated net income attributable to KMI of $746 million and EPS of $0.33, both up 10% from Q1 of last year. On an adjusted net income basis, which excludes certain items, we generated $758 million, up 12% from Q1 of last year. And we generated adjusted EPS of $0.34, up 13% from last year. So nice growth as Kim mentioned. Our average share count reduced by 27 million shares or 1% due to our share repurchase efforts. And our DCF per share was $0.64, up 5% from last year. Our first quarter DCF was impacted by higher cash taxes and sustaining CapEx, but that is due to timing of our cash tax payments and maintenance projects.

We expect cash taxes to be favorable for the full year and sustaining capital to be in line with our budget for the full year. On our balance sheet, we ended the first quarter with $31.9 billion of net debt, which increased $94 million from the beginning of the year. And here is a high-level reconciliation of that increase. We generated $1.189 billion of cash flow from operations. We paid $630 million in dividends, and we spent about $620 million in total capital, including growth sustaining and contributions to our joint ventures. Finally, as you can see in our press release, we are adjusting our long-term leverage target from around 4.5 times to a range of 3.5 to 4.5 times. We've been operating near the midpoint of that range for several years, and we believe this range is the appropriate long-term guidance for a company like ours that has significant scale in a high-quality business mix, which produces stable cash flows backed by multiyear contracts.

And now with that, back to Kim.

Kim Dang: Thanks. Ted, if you would open it up for Q&A, we'll take the first question.

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To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here.
Sandals Resorts International





A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

ORLANDA, Fla., April 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Caribbean all-inclusive Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts have launched a new package called "Love and Let Fly" that offers an immersive experience for movie buffs and adventurers alike. The growing trend of movie-inspired tourism influences the package and allows travelers to discover the breathtaking landscapes of the Caribbean while reliving some of the most iconic movie scenes filmed in Jamaica .



The package is inspired by the new American Airlines flight AA4007  a private jet-like flight experience aboard an intimate 76-passenger jet that takes off twice a week from Miami International Airport to Ian Fleming International Airport in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. From there, couples and families are transported to luxury all-inclusive resorts, including Sandals Dunns River, Sandals Ochi, or Beaches Ocho Rios, in less than 30 minutes.

Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy complimentary excursions, depending on which resort they choose. Couples at Sandals can explore hidden gems and iconic locations along the stunning North Coast, including a dive at the famous Laughing Waters beach from the James Bond film "Dr. No." Families at Beaches Resorts can embark on a catamaran cruise, complete with snorkeling and a visit to the majestic Dunn's River Falls, another location featured in "Dr. No."

To further enhance the set-jetting experience, guests can also indulge in special cocktail specials inspired by the films, including a Jamaican twist on the Old Fashioned, made with limited-edition Blackwell 007 Rum at Sandals Dunns River. The package is available to book until May 16, 2024, for travel through May 24, 2024, with promo code FLY4007, for guests booked five nights or longer at participating Sandals Resorts and Beaches Ocho Rios. Spring rates start at $402 per person per night at Sandals Dunns River and $341 per person per night at Beaches Ocho Rios.

The "Love and Let Fly" package offers a unique opportunity to discover the beauty of Jamaica while reliving some of the most iconic movie scenes. With its private jet-like flight experience and immersive set-jetting adventure, it's an experience not to be missed. Find your perfect vacation package at Sandals.com and Beaches.com and book today, and follow @SandalsResorts and @BeachesResorts on Instagram for Caribbean wanderlust inspiration.

CONTACT: info@presleymedia.com




Assessing the Upcoming Dividend and Historical Performance

Medical Properties Trust Inc (NYSE:MPW) recently announced a dividend of $0.15 per share, payable on 2024-05-01, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-04-19. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into Medical Properties Trust Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Medical Properties Trust Inc Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 9 Warning Signs with MPW.

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How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

Medical Properties Trust Inc is a healthcare facility REIT. The company operates one segment, which owns and leases healthcare facilities. The vast majority of Medical's revenue is generated in the United States, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom. It provides financing for a variety of facilities that require funds for acquisitions, sale-leasebacks, new developments, and expansion projects.

Medical Properties Trust Inc's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at Medical Properties Trust Inc's Dividend History

Medical Properties Trust Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2005. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Medical Properties Trust Inc's Dividend Analysis

Breaking Down Medical Properties Trust Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Medical Properties Trust Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 17.66% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 14.81%. This suggests an expectation of decreased dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Medical Properties Trust Inc's annual dividend growth rate was -6.60%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to -0.60% per year. And over the past decade, Medical Properties Trust Inc's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 2.60%.

Based on Medical Properties Trust Inc's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Medical Properties Trust Inc stock as of today is approximately 17.14%.

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-12-31, Medical Properties Trust Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.00.

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Medical Properties Trust Inc's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Medical Properties Trust Inc's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-12-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported net profit in 9 years out of the past 10 years.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Medical Properties Trust Inc's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Medical Properties Trust Inc's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Medical Properties Trust Inc's revenue has increased by approximately -14.80% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 92.38% of global competitors.

Concluding Thoughts on Medical Properties Trust Inc's Dividends

In conclusion, while the high dividend yield of Medical Properties Trust Inc may be attractive, the negative dividend growth rate and the underperformance in revenue growth raise questions about the long-term sustainability of such payouts. However, the company's strong profitability rank and the absence of a payout ratio indicate that Medical Properties Trust Inc is currently managing its dividends responsibly. Investors should keep an eye on future earnings reports and management's strategic plans to better gauge the company's ability to maintain its dividend payments. For those seeking to expand their portfolio with high-dividend yield stocks, the High Dividend Yield Screener available to GuruFocus Premium users can be a valuable tool.

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.


Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Bank of America raised its Microsoft earnings estimate by 1% above their $60.5 billion Q3 revenue forecast, expecting a 16.6% stock upside.

The bank expects the tech giant's solid 11% year-over-year growth, fueled by Azure and M365 strength.

However, BofA sees Microsoft's valuation remain steady, driven by the booming AI market projected to reach $944 billion by 2027.

Wall Street is eagerly awaiting Big Tech earnings to show signs the artificial intelligence revolution is well underway, and Microsoft's first-quarter results next week may show that playing out.

According to Bank of America, the tech giant's April 25 earnings release should be upbeat, with the bank upping its earnings estimate by 1%, primarily on the back of strength in the Azure and Microsoft 365 segments. The bank maintained its $480 price target, representing potential upside of nearly 17% from levels on Thursday.

The bank sees 11% year-over-year growth "stemming from sustained Azure and M365 strength," BofA strategists Brad Sills and Adam Bergere said in a note on Thursday.

The bank also predicts Microsoft's next growth surge will likely hinge on major advancements in AI-related products, such as a surge in M365 Copilot users or a boost in Commercial Office ASP.

"[W]e believe the next catalyst for Microsoft shares will be evidence that key AI-related product cycles are gaining traction via incremental growth metrics such as M365 Copilot users or via accelerating Commercial Office ASP (from the current 6% to 7% level)," the analysts wrote.

Breaking it down, BofA sees the segment growing 11.5% year-over-year, with revenue surging to $19.5 billion thanks to better Commercial Office growth.

Despite trading at 37 times projected 2025 free cash flow, the bank foresees Microsoft's valuation holding steady, propelled by the burgeoning AI market, which the analysts expect to grow to $944 billion by 2027.

Shares of Microsoft traded at $407.10 at 1:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, down by about 1% on the day.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Kuwait's Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) has signed two contracts worth KD42.468 million ($140 million) for the construction of social housing units within the new Al Metlaa residential district in the north of the country, reported Kuna.

One of the major housing projects in Kuwait, the Al Metlaa residential district will boast several key facilities and amenities including nurseries, stores as well as two schools in addition to various other retail outlets.

Electricity connections have been given to 109 buildings in the district, said the report citing PAHW officials, indicating at the ongoing work to build all necessary facilities for the new residential district.

Currently, the authority is executing several projects including a medical centre, a supermarket, a police station, a municipal building, a postal office and others, it added.
Chan2545 / iStock.com

Rachel Cruze is an expert on building wealth, sharing her tips through a popular show and a New York Times bestselling book. If anyone can help you figure out why you cant stop spending money, its her.

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Heres what Cruze has to say on the subject.

Sponsored: Credit card debt keeping you up at night? Find out if you can reduce your debt with these 3 steps

Rachel Cruze: Why People Cant Stop Spending Money

Cruzes first lesson is that theres often more than one reason people cant stop overspending. She highlights five factors that could be contributing to your situation.

Not Tracking Spending

If you dont track spending, its hard to feel in control of your money. Cruze recommends listing your monthly expenses and grouping them into categories like groceries and utilities.

Trending Now: 5 Unnecessary Bills You Should Stop Paying in 2024

This shows how much you spend on wants, needs and savings in an average month. You can take that information and use it to make smarter financial decisions.

Comparing Too Much

Cruze also warns against comparing yourself to others  especially on social media. These sites have made it easier to compare yourself to friends and influencers and then try to reach the lifestyle you imagine they have.

Comparison is the thief of joy and leads to bad purchasing decisions. Try avoiding it the next time you go on Instagram or TikTok. If you struggle to do so, taking a break could help.

Shopping To Feel Better

Next, Cruze says many of us overspend because we shop to feel better. Retail therapy wrecks budgets, but catching yourself before is hard.

One solution is swearing off spending on certain things in 2024, as Cruze has. Another option is giving yourself a limited monthly shopping budget. That way, you can enjoy going out and shopping without destroying your finances. You may have to spend more time at thrift stores and consignment shops, but vintage fashion is viable.

Missing Self-Awareness

You may also lack self-awareness around your financial habits. For example, you might not realize how much you spend on monthly impulse purchases.

Cruze says its easy to fall into bad habits when you dont know your financial strengths and weaknesses. Tracking expenses is one of the most effective ways to build financial awareness.

Paying With Plastic

Finally, Cruze says many people still pay with plastic credit cards. She says we feel these purchases less because they dont take money from our account.

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Paying with cash is harder to do because you lose the money instantly. Cruze says ditching credit cards is a great first step toward spending less.

How To Stop Spending Money

Now lets look at some of Cruzes solutions to overspending. Here are her top tips:

Create a Plan

Spending less money starts with a great plan. Cruze recommends creating a monthly budget that you stick to. Your budget should cover basic needs like food, utilities, shelter, and transportation. It should also include the amount you plan on allocating to savings and your wants.

You can still spend money on things you dont need while on a budget. But you should limit those purchases to a pre-determined amount so they dont impact your financial wellness.

Shop With a Goal in Mind

Cruze recommends shopping with a plan in mind. For example, if you go to Target because you need shampoo, limit yourself to just purchasing the shampoo you came for instead of spending an extra $100 on home decor.

This helps you avoid impulse buys, which add up to thousands of wasted dollars. If you want to spend $100 on home decor, you can. Just make sure thats your plan before you enter the store so that it fits into your budget.

Stop Wasting Money on Restaurants

Next, Cruze warns against spending on eating out. She says its fine occasionally but should be done sparingly. Otherwise, you can wreck your budget even if you only spend a little bit every day.

For example, some people buy lunch at work. If you spend $15 on it every day, that could be nearly $4,000 annually. Cutting back could be all it takes to fix your money problems.

Swear Off Debt

Many people feel they dont have enough money to live a comfortable life and try to solve the problem by paying for things with debt. Cruze is vehemently against this, arguing that people should cancel their credit cards and swear off debt entirely. Doing this will make overspending much harder since you wont be able to put purchases on your card without having enough money in your account.

When you have no debt, you also have no monthly payments. This can free up room in your monthly budget to spend more on the things you love.

Delay Gratification

One of Cruzes most important advice is to work on delaying gratification. She says that instead of buying what you want immediately, put it off for 30 days. Doing so will help you assess whether you need the item or if you were shopping emotionally the first time you wanted it.

If 30 days pass and you still feel strongly about making the purchase, youll be able to do so without feeling guilty. Delaying purchases like this gives you the time it sometimes takes to figure out what your family needs.

Final Take

Cruze has a lot of good advice to share about cutting back on spending. From delaying major purchases for 30 days to canceling your credit cards, she shares plenty of actionable takeaways that can improve your financial life.

However, discipline and self-control are still very important. The more you can bring these traits into your financial habits, the easier itll become to stop overspending.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Money Expert Rachel Cruze Reveals How To Stop Spending Money
BOSTON  House leaders plan to maintain regional transit authorities funding into next year  despite cuts suggested in Gov. Maura Healeys proposed budget.

The governors spending proposal for fiscal 2025, which begins July 1, includes a $15 million cut to programs that support non-MBTA state transportation services, including the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority. But the House Committee on Ways and Means' recommendation unveiled last week kept intact the previous total of $184 million set aside for regional transit.

"Ensuring that the Commonwealth is equipped with a safe and reliable public transportation system is critical for the prosperity of our residents and communities, and will be vital in our future efforts to grow the economy," House Speaker Ron Mariano said in a statement.

Jim Nee, administrator of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, said new state funding resulting from the Fair Share Amendment, has made a "dynamic shift" in his agencys finances.

'Shutdowns have been reversed': MWRTA Administrator Jim Nee wants to expand, needs more drivers

Healey's proposal suggested moderate spending across many state programs for fiscal 2025, as this years monthly tax receipts have repeatedly fallen short of forecasts.

Governor's office is wary of a 'tightening fiscal environment'

Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz said a balanced budget plan was necessary in the states tightening fiscal environment.

This budget responsibly controls spending and limits growth without jeopardizing the progress and impact weve been able to make over the past year, Gorzkowicz said in a statement about the Healeys plan, which included a $15 million cut to one of the funds supporting regional transit authorities such as those in MetroWest, the Merrimack Valley and Greater Worcester.

'Uber for public transit': New MWRTA program launches in Hudson, Marlborough

That $90 million fund was a new addition to the fiscal 2024 budget. It was created with revenue from Massachusetts' recently established "Fair Share Amendment"  also referred to as the "millionaires tax"  and included investments in improving regional transit infrastructure, affordability and accessibility.

Jim Nee, administrator of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority, said the new funding made a dynamic shift in his agencys finances this year.

Increased resources from the state helped to stabilize our long-term operating budget and is allowing us to increase services for those who need it most, he said in an interview.

MWRTA seeks to grow its off-hours services, boost shuttle frequency

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority expanded service to evenings and weekends this year. Nee said his next goal is to grow these off-hour services and increase bus and shuttle frequency along weekday routes.

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The Fair Share Amendment fund for regional transit operation and improvements was meant to be spent over two years. But the state estimates that only $3.2 million will be left by the end of fiscal 2024, which is June 30, according to a Massachusetts Department of Transportation statement sent to the Daily News.

The 495/MetroWest Partnership, a group of public and private organizations that advocates for economic growth in the region, has lobbied for increased state funding for regional transit authorities.

Jason Palitsch, executive director of the 495/MetroWest Partnership, said expanding local transportation services can attract employers and employees to the area, much of which isnt reached by MBTA buses or subways.

Executive Director Jason Palitsch said expanding local transportation services can attract employers and employees to the area, much of which isnt reached by MBTA buses or subways.

For employers, the business community, looking to entice potential workers to come to the region, transit opportunities are an attraction, Palitsch said in an interview. For local transit agencies, the ability to know that they can count on a stable, robust level of funding is important to innovating and to maintaining services.

House Ways & Means chair says transportation, education remain priorities

The House Ways & Means and governors budget proposals each outlined a reduced rate of overall state spending growth compared to previous years. But House Ways & Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz said in a statement that investing in transportation and education remain top priorities.

These sectors are two of the main drivers of our economy, and the additional infusion of funds into these areas will help propel the commonwealth forward, Michlewitz said in a letter released alongside his committees budget proposal.

The House Ways & Means budget also includes a sharp increase in spending toward the MBTA. The full House debate is scheduled to begin April 24  before representatives send a new draft to the Senate for approval.

Palitsch said investing in transportations aligns with the states broader goals to address recent financial hardship.

Transportation is essential for a healthy economy, Palitsch said. If you don't have a robust transportation system, your economy is going to struggle to grow.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: MWTRA, regional transit agencies face big budget cut next year
As is often the case in legislative budget hearings, taxes drew attention Thursday as New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development officials testified at a state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee hearing.

Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo answered questions from lawmakers about apprenticeships, unemployment and the services the department provides to New Jersey residents. He also fielded inquiries  including one from state Sen. Michael Testa  about the wage taxes that all 4.4 million working New Jerseyans are required to pay.

Those taxes fund the State Disability Benefits Fund. Gov. Phil Murphys proposed budget indicated that the fund, out of which Temporary Disability Insurance and Family Leave Insurance are paid, would end fiscal year 2025 with a deficit of $442 million, but information provided by Asaro-Angelo to the Office of Legislative Services indicated that the fund would have about $193 million as of June 30, 2025  a difference of more than $600 million.

Robert Asaro-Angelo labor leader and commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development at the daily briefing in Trenton NJ on 5/7/2020

Asaro-Angelo said the increase is a quirk of the way the system is statutorily structured now but said he looks forward to working with the committee to standardize and stabilize the fund.

This year, when were desperately trying to get more and more people back to work, this billion dollars is passed on  to the pockets of employees. This isnt employers, so this is a really serious regressive tax, Testa said.

The committee's chair, state Sen. Paul Sarlo, agreed with Testa that questioning the discrepancy was valid and later clarified that the maximum employee contribution for family leave insurance will jump from $151 to $527 as a result.

Additionally, the temporary disability insurance contribution will jump from nothing to $341. This means the estimated annual cost for wage earners will rise from $74 to $482, a difference of more than $400.

How much does the NJ labor department stand to receive?

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development stands to get about $207.1 million in the governors proposed budget. Thats $3.5 million, or 1.6%, less than the 2024 adjusted appropriation of $210.6 million.

What does the money fund?

The department helps people get jobs by providing opportunities to hone skills and enhance training. It is also responsible for regulating unemployment, workers' compensation and temporary or family leave payments. The staff is responsible for analyzing the labor market, enforcing labor laws and protecting the safety and health of workers.

What was said?

Asaro-Angelo noted that the department is working to modernize the unemployment process.

Weve been working piece-by-piece on a new unemployment application to make the process smoother, he said. Weve been rolling out new products incrementally the last couple of years.

He said the new homepage has more guidance and a friendlier interface to reduce confusion and frustrations.

The commissioner also said the department is working with AI to do everything from stop fraud to draft appeals determinations.

State Sens. Teresa Ruiz and Douglas Steinhardt both asked about the impact of the residency requirement for state employees on the workforce and what that means.

Asaro-Angelo said employers in the state face many challenges and that even his department has seen applicants withdraw their names from the process after the requirement is mentioned.

Well-intended," Ruiz said. "We did it in the Legislature, and of course we always want to do New Jersey first, but when we see that theres an impact thats negatively impacting public service, classrooms, etc., we need to revisit policy issues that are actually working for a global good.

More from Trenton: NJ education officials say more resources could help SDA, learning loss

What comes next?

Asaro-Angelo will testify before the Assembly Budget Committee next week. After that, leaders of the Legislature will negotiate on how much to appropriate to the department. Lawmakers have until the end of June to approve a budget and send it to Gov. Phil Murphy's desk for his signature.

Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ state budget 2025: Labor officials outline funding priorities
By Nicole Jao

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil settled slightly higher on Friday, but posted a weekly decline, after Iran played down a reported Israeli attack on its soil, a sign that an escalation of hostilities in the Middle East might be avoided.

Brent futures settled up 18 cents, or 0.21%, at $87.29 a barrel.

The front month U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude contract for May ended 41 cents higher, or 0.5%, to $83.14 a barrel. The more active June contract closed 12 cents higher at $82.22 a barrel.

Both benchmarks spiked more than $3 a barrel earlier in the session after explosions were heard in the Iranian city of Isfahan in what sources described as an Israeli attack. However, the gains were capped after Tehran played down the incident and said it did not plan to retaliate.

"It was nothing but a big show, and so the markets deflated as quickly as they spiked," said Tim Snyder, economist at Matador Economics.

Investors had been closely monitoring Israel's response to Iranian drone and missile attacks on April 13 that was in turn a response to a presumed Israeli air strike on April 1 that destroyed a building in Iran's embassy compound in Damascus.

Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers have added sanctions on Iran's oil exports to a pending Ukraine aid package after Tehran's strike on Israel last weekend.

Iran is the third largest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), according to Reuters data.

The International Monetary Fund expects OPEC+ to begin increasing oil output from July, media reported on Friday.

OPEC+ members, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, last month agreed to extend voluntary output cuts of 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) until the end of June. That has helped keep oil prices elevated.

As oil's risk premium has gradually unwound, prices have fallen around 3% since Monday. Both benchmarks posted their biggest weekly loss since February.

Investors, however, are not ruling out the possibility that Middle Eastern tensions will disrupt supply.

Analysts from Goldman Sachs and Commerzbank raised their Brent crude forecasts on Friday, taking into account geopolitical tensions as well as the prospect of rising demand and restrained supply by OPEC and allies (OPEC+).

"Oil demand is growing at a healthy pace, and supply should be constrained due to the extensions of the voluntary production cuts of OPEC+," UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said.

U.S. energy firms this week added oil and natural gas rigs for the first time in five weeks, energy services firm Baker Hughes said in its closely followed report on Friday.

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The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose by 2 to 619 in the week to April 19.

Money managers cut their net long U.S. crude futures and options positions in the week to April 16, the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) said on Friday.

(Reporting by Nicole Jao and Laila Kearney in New York, Robert Harvey and Noah Browning in London, Deep Vakil in Bengaluru, Andrew Hayley in Beijing, Florence Tan in Singapore; editing by Barbara Lewis, Jonathan Oatis and Bill Berkrot)
The quarterly results for Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE:OMC) were released last week, making it a good time to revisit its performance. Omnicom Group reported US$3.6b in revenue, roughly in line with analyst forecasts, although statutory earnings per share (EPS) of US$1.59 beat expectations, being 6.1% higher than what the analysts expected. The analysts typically update their forecasts at each earnings report, and we can judge from their estimates whether their view of the company has changed or if there are any new concerns to be aware of. We've gathered the most recent statutory forecasts to see whether the analysts have changed their earnings models, following these results.

View our latest analysis for Omnicom Group

Taking into account the latest results, the current consensus from Omnicom Group's eleven analysts is for revenues of US$15.7b in 2024. This would reflect a reasonable 5.3% increase on its revenue over the past 12 months. Per-share earnings are expected to rise 2.0% to US$7.72. Before this earnings report, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of US$15.6b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$7.57 in 2024. The analysts seems to have become more bullish on the business, judging by their new earnings per share estimates.

The consensus price target was unchanged at US$107, implying that the improved earnings outlook is not expected to have a long term impact on value creation for shareholders. It could also be instructive to look at the range of analyst estimates, to evaluate how different the outlier opinions are from the mean. Currently, the most bullish analyst values Omnicom Group at US$117 per share, while the most bearish prices it at US$88.00. This is a very narrow spread of estimates, implying either that Omnicom Group is an easy company to value, or - more likely - the analysts are relying heavily on some key assumptions.

Looking at the bigger picture now, one of the ways we can make sense of these forecasts is to see how they measure up against both past performance and industry growth estimates. For example, we noticed that Omnicom Group's rate of growth is expected to accelerate meaningfully, with revenues forecast to exhibit 7.1% growth to the end of 2024 on an annualised basis. That is well above its historical decline of 0.2% a year over the past five years. Compare this against analyst estimates for the broader industry, which suggest that (in aggregate) industry revenues are expected to grow 3.1% annually. So it looks like Omnicom Group is expected to grow faster than its competitors, at least for a while.

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The Bottom Line

The most important thing here is that the analysts upgraded their earnings per share estimates, suggesting that there has been a clear increase in optimism towards Omnicom Group following these results. Fortunately, they also reconfirmed their revenue numbers, suggesting that it's tracking in line with expectations. Additionally, our data suggests that revenue is expected to grow faster than the wider industry. There was no real change to the consensus price target, suggesting that the intrinsic value of the business has not undergone any major changes with the latest estimates.

With that in mind, we wouldn't be too quick to come to a conclusion on Omnicom Group. Long-term earnings power is much more important than next year's profits. We have estimates - from multiple Omnicom Group analysts - going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.

And what about risks? Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Omnicom Group you should know about.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The owners of a Central Florida medical transportation company are facing allegations that they fraudulently billed the Medicaid program for more than $275,000.

 WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS

According to court records filed in Seminole County, an investigation by the State Attorney Generals Medicaid Fraud Control Unit identified 50-year-old Debora Behnke and 37-year-old Suman Bhattacharjee as the owners of Pioneer Medical Transportation LLC, which was contracted with Florida Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation providers to take Medicaid recipients to methadone treatment facilities and return them to their homes.

According to an arrest warrant for both, the couple billed the Medicaid Program with false NEMT claims between March 8, 2021, and December 31, 2022, totaling $276,377.

READ: Seminole County judge grants bond for Orange County deputy

The warrant says the Office of the Attorney General first received a complaint regarding Pioneer Medical Transportation on April 27, stating that company employees were paying Medicaid patients to keep them using their services so they can charge Medicaid for the transportation.

The complaint claimed that company employees were pretending to be the patient or the patients family member so they could make appointments to use the companys services.

During an interview, the person who filed the complaint told investigators Behnke owned the company, while Bhattacharjee- who the report states was known to be a part-time paramour of Behnkes- managed it.

The tipster told investigators Bhattacharjee would call the insurance companies, acting as either the Medicaid recipients themselves or on their behalf, to schedule transportation to and from medical appointments, but was not always completing the scheduled trips while still billing Medicaid for profit.

Suman Bhattacharjee, 30, charged with Medicaid provider fraud and scheming to defraud.

READ: Commission vote could allow notorious strip club site to reopen

Investigators say the tipster told them Bhattacharjee would then pay the actual Medicaid recipients whose trips were not completed to ensure their continued use of the companys services. Investigators say the payments were also meant to provide the Medicaid recipients with some income in exchange for using their Medicaid information to bill the program while not actually providing the transportation.

Investigators say the tipster went on to tell them many of the Medicaid recipients Bhattacharjee was taking advantage of were victims of opioid addiction in methadone programs designed to wean them off the substances.

After a lengthy investigation employing Florida Medicaid claims and billing records, Medicaid recipient medical records, substance abuse treatment center attendance records, law enforcement reports, bank records, cell phone data, witness statements, and other evidence, the OAG concluded that Behnke and Bhattacharjee had clearly falsified documents to fraudulently bill the Medicaid Program for services that were not rendered and provided kickbacks to the actual Medicaid recipients in exchange for the fraudulent use of their Medicaid information.

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Records state investigators determined they had cause to issue arrest warrants for both Behnke and Bhattacharjee. They also acquired search warrants for both of their homes in Oviedo.

READ: Titusville man found guilty of murder for 2020 shooting death of man driving to church

Bhattacharjee was booked into the Seminole County jail Wednesday, charged with one count of Medicaid provider fraud and one count of scheming to defraud. He has since been released on a total of $40,000 bond.

Behnke is yet to be arrested.

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LISBON, April 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, 19th April is the anniversary of the start of the massacre which for three days assassinated about three thousand Jews in Lisbon. The bonfires went as high as the houses, in a city filled with quartered bodies where heads were paraded on the points of spears.

Today, 19th April is the anniversary of the start of the massacre which for three days assassinated about three thousand Jews in Lisbon. The Jewish community of Oporto, Portugal, has just released a free documentary film online about these events, in English, Hebrew, French, Spanish and Portuguese. (PRNewsfoto/Jewish Community of Porto - Portugal)

The Jewish community of Oporto, Portugal, has just released a free documentary film online about these events, in English, Hebrew, French, Spanish and Portuguese - https://vimeo.com/lightbox/review/935981372/c0c1c059bf. The film aims to show that the October 2023 massacre did not happen in a vacuum.



According Michael Rothwell, director of the Oporto Holocaust museum, "there has always been a mix of stereotypes, fanatical joy and terrorism of the quartering in the massacres that for two millennia targeted the Jews in such different locations as Alexandria, Granada, Seville, Madrid, Toledo, Barcelona, Basel, Uberlingen, Strasburg, Cologne, Worms, Erfurt, Metz, York, Norwich, Trent, Troyes, Bern, Paris, Odessa, Moscow, Hebron and recently the border areas of southern Israel."



The documentary film was made as short as possible, about 20 minutes long, so that it may be seen by everyone of all ages, even those who prefer not to watch long movies. The format allows the organization viewings and debates in cinemas around the world, with invited speakers and comments from the audience.



On Wednesday 17th, 2024 the Tel Aviv Diaspora Museum presented a preview of the film, followed by a debate moderated by Alex Traiman, Editor in Chief of the Jewish News Syndicate. Speakers included Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israeli Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, Raheli Baratz-Rix, Head of the Department for Combating Antisemitism and Enhancing Resilience of the World Zionist Organization, and Ashley Peretz, President of the "Reconectar" Association that promotes the reconnection between the descendants of the Sephardic Jews and the Jewish world.



The documentary film was produced by the Portuguese director Luis Ismael and involved the participation of hundreds of costumed and armed extras. Research was carried out by the Community's historical research centre and reviewed by the holder of the Alberto Benveniste Chair of Sephardic Studies of the University of Lisbon.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2391636/Jewish_Community_of_Oporto.jpg

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/produced-by-the-jewish-community-of-oporto-the-1506--the-lisbon-genocide-documentary-film-shows-a-massacre-of-jews-that-has-been-forgotten-302121559.html

SOURCE Jewish Community of Porto - Portugal
Understanding PSP Swiss Property AG's Dividend Payout and Growth Prospects

PSP Swiss Property AG(PSPSY) recently announced a dividend of $0.84 per share, payable on 2024-04-24, with the ex-dividend date set for 2024-04-19. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's look into PSP Swiss Property AG's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does PSP Swiss Property AG Do?

Warning! GuruFocus has detected 6 Warning Signs with PSPSY.

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How to calculate the intrinsic value of a stock?

PSP Swiss Property AG is a general real estate company. The company reports three business units: real estate investments, property management, and holding. The vast majority of revenue is generated by rental income. All PSP property is located in Switzerland. The company considers merger and acquisition investment as a potential component of its operational growth strategy. The company's real estate investment segment invests exclusively in commercial properties, with leases primarily in office and retail property.

PSP Swiss Property AG's Dividend Analysis

A Glimpse at PSP Swiss Property AG's Dividend History

PSP Swiss Property AG has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2023. Dividends are currently distributed on a yearly basis. PSP Swiss Property AG has increased its dividend each year since -, which qualifies it as a dividend king, a title reserved for companies that have consistently raised their dividends for at least the past 2024 years. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share to track historical trends.

Breaking Down PSP Swiss Property AG's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, PSP Swiss Property AG currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 3.44% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 3.38%. This suggests an expectation of a slight decrease in dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, PSP Swiss Property AG's annual dividend growth rate was 1.80%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 2.20% per year. And over the past decade, PSP Swiss Property AG's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 1.80%. Based on PSP Swiss Property AG's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of PSP Swiss Property AG stock as of today is approximately 3.84%.

PSP Swiss Property AG's Dividend Analysis

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-12-31, PSP Swiss Property AG's dividend payout ratio is 0.85, which may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable. PSP Swiss Property AG's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks PSP Swiss Property AG's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-12-31, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

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Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. PSP Swiss Property AG's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors. Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and PSP Swiss Property AG's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. PSP Swiss Property AG's revenue has increased by approximately 2.40% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 57.43% of global competitors. The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, PSP Swiss Property AG's earnings increased by approximately -10.70% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 66.64% of global competitors. Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of -6.10%, which underperforms approximately 69.44% of global competitors.

Next Steps

When considering PSP Swiss Property AG's dividend payments, investors should weigh the company's consistent history of dividend payments against the current payout ratio, which may raise concerns about sustainability. The company's profitability and growth metrics present a mixed picture, with strong profitability but underperforming growth rates compared to global competitors. As PSP Swiss Property AG prepares to distribute its latest dividend, investors should consider these factors in their overall assessment of the stock's potential as a long-term income investment. For those seeking to expand their portfolio with high-dividend yield stocks, GuruFocus Premium users can utilize the High Dividend Yield Screener to discover new opportunities.

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.


Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Rank Group fair value estimate is UK1.29

Current share price of UK0.71 suggests Rank Group is potentially 45% undervalued

Our fair value estimate is 20% higher than Rank Group's analyst price target of UK1.08

Does the April share price for The Rank Group Plc (LON:RNK) 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 their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Rank Group

Is Rank Group Fairly Valued?

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 need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK23.9m UK37.3m UK49.6m UK52.2m UK54.4m UK56.3m UK57.9m UK59.4m UK60.7m UK62.0m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 5.30% Est @ 4.20% Est @ 3.43% Est @ 2.90% Est @ 2.52% Est @ 2.26% Est @ 2.07% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 9.8% UK21.8 UK30.9 UK37.5 UK35.9 UK34.1 UK32.1 UK30.1 UK28.1 UK26.2 UK24.3

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK301m

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.8%.

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Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK62m (1 + 1.6%)  (9.8% 1.6%) = UK772m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK772m ( 1 + 9.8%)10= UK303m

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 UK604m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK0.7, the company appears quite undervalued at a 45% 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 Rank 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 9.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.490. 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 Rank Group

Strength

Debt is well covered by cash flow.

Weakness

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the British market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

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 shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching 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 example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Rank Group, we've compiled three additional aspects you should explore:

Risks: For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Rank Group that you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does RNK'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 British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
(Bloomberg) -- Paramount Globals controlling shareholder Shari Redstone has a tough decision looming: whether to let other stockholders have a say if she agrees to sell her familys holdings to producer David Ellison and merge the film and TV giant with his Skydance Media.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Redstones own less than 10% of Paramount but control 77% of the voting stock in the company, the parent of CBS, MTV and other media businesses. Theres no requirement that they get approval for a deal from all of Paramounts investors, but securities law provides a way for a company to avoid costly shareholder litigation by giving everyone a chance to weigh in.

We think it should, said William Riley, an attorney for Paramount investor Russell Weiner, founder of energy-drink maker Rockstar. Riley sent Redstone a letter last week saying it appeared a transaction was being done for her personal gains and that other shareholders were being forced into a speculative business arrangement that was never contemplated at the time of making their investment decisions.

This month in Delaware, where Paramount is incorporated, the state high court ruled in a case involving Match Group Inc. that deals involving a controlling shareholder who reaps a disproportionate benefit should be conditioned on approval by a special committee of independent directors and a vote by noncontrolling shareholders. Absent both of those, company directors have to work harder to prove a transaction was fair to everyone if they get sued.

A vote by minority stockholders may be offered in order to obtain a more deferential standard of judicial review, said Lawrence Hamermesh, the former executive director of the Institute for Law & Economics at the University of Pennsylvania and an expert on Delaware law.

Although the Redstones and Paramounts board havent committed to a deal yet, the terms being discussed include Ellison and his partners buying the familys holdings for about $2 billion and then merging Skydance into Paramount at a valuation of some $5 billion, according to people familiar with the talks.

That proposal doesnt sit well with some Paramount investors, including billionaire money manager Mario Gabelli and Barington Capital Group LP, which said the company should consider options that benefit all shareholders, not just the Redstones. Sony Group Corp and Apollo Global Management Inc. have had discussions about a joint bid for the company.

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Paramounts shares jumped 10% Friday to $12.06 on news of the potential bid by Sony and Apollo.

The Redstones and Paramounts board havent decided whether nonvoting shareholders will get a say, according to people familiar with their thinking. A spokesperson for the family declined to comment. Most of Paramounts stock is held by investors who have no say on matters like board membership, unlike most other publicly traded corporations.

There is precedent for media moguls giving investors with limited voting rights a say in deals.

The bylaws at News Corp. and Fox Corp. require that nonvoting shareholders be asked to approve big mergers. When controlling investor Rupert Murdoch proposed recombining the companies two years ago, he went a step further, saying he wouldnt go forward with a deal unless a majority of non-Murdoch investors approved. Ultimately, the companies dropped plans to recombine before getting that far.

In 2007, independent shareholders of Cablevision Systems rejected a takeover of the company by the controlling Dolan family. Only non-family members were allowed to vote.

The Redstones didnt give nonvoting investors similar consideration when CBS Corp. and Viacom Inc. recombined in 2019. CBS board members unsuccessfully went to court to block that deal. Investors in both companies sued after the fact, and Paramount ended up settling for $290 million.

A Paramount deal, such as the one being considered with Skydance, will likely also end up in court, according to Charles Elson, a retired University of Delaware professor who founded the schools Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance.

Thats the problem with dual-class stock, Elson said. Dual class, it was argued, gave the genius power. But if the genius dies, and the child of the genius comes in, it really leaves the minority shareholders out in the cold.

(Updates with share gain in eighth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Sanad, the global aerospace engineering and leasing solutions leader wholly owned by Abu Dhabis sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), solidified its partnership with Asiana Airlines, the second largest airline in South Korea, through a five-year contract extension.

Valued at $145 million, the agreement emphasises Sanad's global industry leadership and commitment to providing elite maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for V2500 engines.

The agreement with Asiana Airlines was announced at the renowned MRO Americas event in Chicago, which is globally recognized as the leading MRO event in the aerospace industry, attracting over 16,000 industry professionals.

Under this new agreement, Sanad will service Asiana Airlines' V2500 engine fleet, leveraging its state-of-the-art facilities in Abu Dhabi. With a fleet exceeding 80 aircraft, Asiana Airlines operates an extensive array of domestic and international passenger and cargo services, covering a broad network spanning over 80 global destinations.

The partnership, which was initiated in 2018, strengthens Sanad's position as the sole MRO provider for Asiana Airlines in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

This agreement solidifies Sanad's reputation as a global leading independent MRO service provider and extends the existing partnership with Asiana Airlines for another five years.

The V2500 engine, produced by International Aero Engines, has been a cornerstone in the aviation sector since 1989, powering a significant fleet of over 7,600 Airbus A320 and A321ceo aircraft worldwide. These engines are renowned for their reliability, efficiency, and performance, serving around 150 operators in 80 countries.

Sanad Managing Director and Group CEO Mansoor Janahi said: "Our unique standing as the sole V2500 full overhaul MRO centre in the Middle East has been pivotal in supporting V2500 customers worldwide since 2012. With over 250 inductions in the past 5 years, we demonstrate our profound expertise in the aviation MRO sector."

"This collaboration reaffirms our unwavering commitment to excellence within the aerospace industry, positioning Abu Dhabi as an innovative and leading hub for aviation solutions and solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for cutting-edge aviation services to top global airline," he stated.

General Manager (MRO) Baha Salama said the renewal of its partnership with tghe Korean airline reflects its dedication and commitment as well as extending its collaboration for another five years.

"Our relentless drive for excellence is delivering innovative and technical solutions, aligning with Abu Dhabis vision of supporting the global aviation sector with top-tier talent, technology, and expertise, which further solidifies its position as a global aviation hub. We are excited to continue our collaboration with Asiana Airlines and contribute to their sustained operational success," he noted.

Hoon Bae, Principal General Manager Purchasing of Asiana Airlines, said: "We have selected Sanad as our V2500 MRO service provider for another five years because we are convinced it is qualified to satisfy our requirement to support our A320 and A321ceo fleet."

"We are committed to providing the best customer service possible with Sanads strong support," he added.

Sanad's extensive experience spans over 35 years in aviation MRO, during which it has serviced over 600 V2500 engines since 2012. The company's diverse client base encompasses more than 30 airlines and 10 strategic partners from across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Asia.-TradeArabia News Service
It's been a mediocre week for Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS) shareholders, with the stock dropping 11% to US$45.88 in the week since its latest quarterly results. The result was positive overall - although revenues of US$3.0b were in line with what the analysts predicted, Las Vegas Sands surprised by delivering a statutory profit of US$0.66 per share, modestly greater than expected. Earnings are an important time for investors, as they can track a company's performance, look at what the analysts are forecasting for next year, and see if there's been a change in sentiment towards the company. We've gathered the most recent statutory forecasts to see whether the analysts have changed their earnings models, following these results.

Check out our latest analysis for Las Vegas Sands

Taking into account the latest results, the consensus forecast from Las Vegas Sands' 15 analysts is for revenues of US$11.9b in 2024. This reflects a credible 5.9% improvement in revenue compared to the last 12 months. Statutory earnings per share are predicted to bounce 29% to US$2.69. Before this earnings report, the analysts had been forecasting revenues of US$12.2b and earnings per share (EPS) of US$2.69 in 2024. The consensus seems maybe a little more pessimistic, trimming their revenue forecasts after the latest results even though there was no change to its EPS estimates.

The average price target was steady at US$62.45even though revenue estimates declined; likely suggesting the analysts place a higher value on earnings. The consensus price target is just an average of individual analyst targets, so - it could be handy to see how wide the range of underlying estimates is. Currently, the most bullish analyst values Las Vegas Sands at US$76.00 per share, while the most bearish prices it at US$53.00. Analysts definitely have varying views on the business, but the spread of estimates is not wide enough in our view to suggest that extreme outcomes could await Las Vegas Sands shareholders.

Another way we can view these estimates is in the context of the bigger picture, such as how the forecasts stack up against past performance, and whether forecasts are more or less bullish relative to other companies in the industry. For example, we noticed that Las Vegas Sands' rate of growth is expected to accelerate meaningfully, with revenues forecast to exhibit 7.9% growth to the end of 2024 on an annualised basis. That is well above its historical decline of 14% a year over the past five years. By contrast, our data suggests that other companies (with analyst coverage) in a similar industry are forecast to see their revenue grow 9.7% per year. So although Las Vegas Sands' revenue growth is expected to improve, it is still expected to grow slower than the industry.

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The Bottom Line

The most obvious conclusion is that there's been no major change in the business' prospects in recent times, with the analysts holding their earnings forecasts steady, in line with previous estimates. On the negative side, they also downgraded their revenue estimates, and forecasts imply they will perform worse than the wider industry. Still, earnings per share are more important to value creation for shareholders. The consensus price target held steady at US$62.45, with the latest estimates not enough to have an impact on their price targets.

Keeping that in mind, we still think that the longer term trajectory of the business is much more important for investors to consider. We have forecasts for Las Vegas Sands going out to 2026, and you can see them free on our platform here.

However, before you get too enthused, we've discovered 3 warning signs for Las Vegas Sands that you should be aware of.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Did you know there are some financial metrics that can provide clues of a potential multi-bagger? Amongst other things, we'll want to see two things; firstly, a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an expansion in the company's amount of capital employed. If you see this, it typically means it's a company with a great business model and plenty of profitable reinvestment opportunities. With that in mind, we've noticed some promising trends at Genting Berhad (KLSE:GENTING) so let's look a bit deeper.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. To calculate this metric for Genting Berhad, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.089 = RM8.6b  (RM107b - RM10b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).

Thus, Genting Berhad has an ROCE of 8.9%. On its own that's a low return, but compared to the average of 6.0% generated by the Hospitality industry, it's much better.

See our latest analysis for Genting Berhad

roce

In the above chart we have measured Genting Berhad's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free analyst report for Genting Berhad .

What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us

Genting Berhad has not disappointed with their ROCE growth. The figures show that over the last five years, ROCE has grown 29% whilst employing roughly the same amount of capital. So our take on this is that the business has increased efficiencies to generate these higher returns, all the while not needing to make any additional investments. On that front, things are looking good so it's worth exploring what management has said about growth plans going forward.

The Bottom Line On Genting Berhad's ROCE

To sum it up, Genting Berhad is collecting higher returns from the same amount of capital, and that's impressive. And since the stock has fallen 23% over the last five years, there might be an opportunity here. With that in mind, we believe the promising trends warrant this stock for further investigation.

If you'd like to know about the risks facing Genting Berhad, we've discovered 1 warning sign that you should be aware of.

For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
If you're not sure where to start when looking for the next multi-bagger, there are a few key trends you should keep an eye out for. Ideally, a business will show two trends; firstly a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an increasing amount of capital employed. This shows us that it's a compounding machine, able to continually reinvest its earnings back into the business and generate higher returns. However, after investigating Berjaya Food Berhad (KLSE:BJFOOD), we don't think it's current trends fit the mold of a multi-bagger.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. The formula for this calculation on Berjaya Food Berhad is:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.08 = RM76m  (RM1.5b - RM558m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2023).

Thus, Berjaya Food Berhad has an ROCE of 8.0%. In absolute terms, that's a low return, but it's much better than the Hospitality industry average of 6.0%.

View our latest analysis for Berjaya Food Berhad

roce

In the above chart we have measured Berjaya Food Berhad's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering Berjaya Food Berhad for free.

The Trend Of ROCE

On the surface, the trend of ROCE at Berjaya Food Berhad doesn't inspire confidence. Over the last five years, returns on capital have decreased to 8.0% from 11% five years ago. And considering revenue has dropped while employing more capital, we'd be cautious. This could mean that the business is losing its competitive advantage or market share, because while more money is being put into ventures, it's actually producing a lower return - "less bang for their buck" per se.

What We Can Learn From Berjaya Food Berhad's ROCE

We're a bit apprehensive about Berjaya Food Berhad because despite more capital being deployed in the business, returns on that capital and sales have both fallen. Yet despite these poor fundamentals, the stock has gained a huge 122% over the last five years, so investors appear very optimistic. Regardless, we don't feel too comfortable with the fundamentals so we'd be steering clear of this stock for now.

On a final note, we found 3 warning signs for Berjaya Food Berhad (1 makes us a bit uncomfortable) you should be aware of.

Story continues

While Berjaya Food 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.
Revolut

Revolut is the most complained-about bank for fraud disputes, new data has revealed.

Customers lodged 3,048 complaints with the Financial Ombudsman Service (FoS) between April and December 2023 after losing money to third party fraudsters  more than any other lender in this period.

Of these, 1,414 were made by victims of authorised push payment (APP) fraud, where a scammer tricks someone into transferring money out of their bank account. This was also a higher number of complaints than the FOS received about other banks.

Most scam victims who complain about their bank do so because they are unhappy they have not been fully compensated, the FOS said.

The data shows that Revolut had seen a huge leap in customers complaining about fraud since 2022-23, when 1,947 went to the adjudicator with a scam complaint.

In 2022-23, the latest full year for which data is available, Barclays topped the list  with 2,796 scam victims taking their dispute to the FOS because they were unhappy with the banks resolution. It was followed by Santander (2,369), HSBC (2,111), Revolut (1,947) and Lloyds (1,915).

The data obtained by The Telegraph did not specify how often the adjudicator found in the customers favour or the banks.

This comes after The Telegraph revealed that 1,000 fraud victims have been left out of pocket for months because Revolut is pushing back on the FOS recommendations to refund them in some cases.

Challenger bank Monzo was also among the most complained-about banks for April to December 2023. In this period, the FOS received 1,715 complaints from Monzo customers who fell victim to scams  up 500 on the number lodged for the whole of 2022 to 2023.

Revolut and Monzo were among the most complained-about banks for fraud despite being smaller players in the banking sector in terms of their customer base.

While Revolut and Monzo have eight and nine million customers respectively, Santander and HSBC each have 14 million while Barclays has 20 million.

The FOS said it is currently receiving 500 fraud complaints every week across all lenders. The rise in scams is one reason it now anticipates receiving a total 210,000 new cases in 2024-25, up from a previous estimate of 181,000.

Banks have long been criticised for dragging their feet on fully compensating scam victims.

New rules coming into effect in October will make it mandatory for banks to reimburse victims of APP fraud except in certain conditions.

A spokesman for Revolut said: Each potential fraud case concerning a Revolut customer is carefully investigated and assessed independently of other cases. We also revisit liability considerations as a result of complaints wherever any errors are identified during the complaints review.

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Revolut takes fraud and the industry-wide risk of customers being coerced by organised criminals, incredibly seriously. We have robust protections in place for our millions of customers and analyse over half a billion transactions a month. Our security features include AI models, over 4,000 trained anti-financial crime professionals as well as experienced data scientists. In 2023, we prevented over 475m of potential fraud against our customers.

A Barclays spokesman said: The protection of our customers funds and data is of the utmost importance, and we have the third highest reimbursement rate for APP fraud across all banks and payment service providers in the UK.

We do not want customers to have cause to complain and we remain focused on addressing the root cause of complaints, as well as reducing the number of complaints we receive.

A Monzo spokesman said the ombudsman has supported more than three quarters of the decisions Monzo made.

We take all customer feedback and complaints incredibly seriously  including when they are made to the FOS  and in relation to the cases assessed in this time period, the ombudsman has supported more than three quarters of the decisions Monzo made, a statement said.

The increase in these reports reflects an industry-wide growth in fraud and the fact Monzos customer base grew by more than 2m people last year and it now serves more than 9m customers.

A spokesman for HSBC said: We remain dedicated to protecting our customers money from fraud and scams. While we have expert teams working around the clock to identify transactions that may relate to fraud or scams among the many millions that we process each day, consumers also have a role to play in protecting themselves. Where we are notified of a scam each case is looked at independently, and should a customer disagree with an outcome, they have a right to have that independently reviewed by FOS.

Santander said it refunds customers where appropriate. A spokesman said: Santander has sophisticated fraud detection and prevention measures in place to protect customers from falling victim to fraud, including blocking suspicious payments, asking customers for the purpose of the payment to provide specific scam warnings, and confirming transactions are legitimate before authorising payments.

When a customer does fall victim to fraud, Santander supports them in understanding what happened as well as attempting to recover lost funds, including refunding customers where appropriate.

Customers should always think carefully before sending any money and can find more information on how to spot scams on the Santander website.

A Lloyds spokesman said: We understand that fraud has a deep emotional and financial impact on victims and we refund customers in the majority of cases.

In the small proportion of cases where we receive a complaint, we carefully review the individual circumstances to reach a good outcome. We have millions of current account customers, which means only a tiny percentage refer a fraud case to the Ombudsman and well always listen to the concerns raised in these instances.

Recommended

Revolut fraud payout row leaves 1,000 victims in limbo

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The place for all things cold chain.

All thawed out

(Photo: Shutterstock/josefkubes)

There is a new refrigerant on the market, and its checking a fair number of win boxes. Honeywell, yes the same ones that make the fan at nannas house, has developed the Solstice ze refrigerant, which is 46% more energy-efficient than traditional ammonia-powered solutions.

Cold storage needs are rising worldwide. Green initiatives are also accelerating. As a result, shippers are looking to reduce carbon emissions while not sacrificing product or deviating from set temperature requirements. Unique solutions that are more efficient and better for the environment are needed now more than ever.

Because of Honeywell Solstice, our KIBO chiller, powered by Danfoss Turbocors compressor technology, is reaching never before seen energy efficiency levels in the cold storage industry, said Benoit Duparc, CEO of Q-REF in a news release. KIBO is now able to save nearly 20% in maintenance operations, while being 30% smaller and lighter than traditional ammonia chillers we otherwise would have had to use.

Temperature Checks

(Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Arcadia Cold has its eyes set on Chicago  more like double vision in Chicago. The 3PL cold storage provider has announced two Chicago-area facilities. The first is expected to be completed by the end of this year. It is expected to encompass more than 600,000 square feet and have 80,000 pallet spaces.

Before the announcement of the Chicago facilities, Arcadia announced the seventh facility in its national network, to be built in Charleston, South Carolina. Arcadia specializes in 3PL cold storage for the food industry. Since Chicago is a major hub for food transportation, the double warehouses could not be more perfectly timed.

Arcadia Cold CEO and President Chris Hughes said: I have been very pleased with the success of the initial five facilities we opened in 2023. As we continue to grow our company, we are excited to add facilities in the important Chicago market to expand our service area with our customer-centric approach.

Food and Drug

(Photo: Shutterstock/IM Imagery)

The pharmaceutical supply chain is poised to get a sizable overhaul as more therapies come to market that require more precise temperature and condition monitoring. For example, Debio 0228, a drug currently in clinical development, has requirements not only for a specific temperature but also restrictions on light exposure, making solutions like a passive temperature monitor useless.

With more complicated therapies coming to the pharmaceutical market, pharma supply chains will have to be ready with the solutions as soon as these drugs pass clinical trials. That may include introducing some automated technology, additional sensors and enhanced telematics.

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Despite the new therapies and their sharp learning curve, the same challenges of the supply chain will exist: reducing waste, optimizing resources, running efficiently and so on. Insurance rates are likely to go up as carriers haul more specialty items, and time-sensitive and rush shipments are bound to increase as well. Working to stay ahead of the curve will be crucial as the pharma world evolves.

Cold chain lanes

SONAR Tickers: ROTVI.ATL, ROTRI.ATL

This weeks SONAR market is Hotlanta, or in this case Coldlanta. Atlanta has seen some loosening reefer capacity as outbound tender rejections fell 63 basis points week over week from 4.37% rejections to 3.27%. Reefer outbound tender volumes are starting to rise but are still down 3.845 w/w. Overall, Atlanta could do with some increased reefer volumes as right now it has the third-lowest rate for outbound volumes for the entire year. The one bright spot is that as the produce season gets underway in the next month or so, Atlanta should see an uptick in reefer outbound tender volumes.

Is SONAR for you? Check it out with a demo!

Shelf life

Burger Kings frozen cotton candy drink

Fresh and frozen imported strawberries highly contaminated with pesticides, report says

Lineage Logistics rebrands, changing brand name to Lineage

Delivering a sustainable, resilient perishable-goods supply chain

Americold opens automated cold storage facility in Arkansas

Wanna chat in the cooler? Shoot me an email with comments, questions or story ideas at moconnell@freightwaves.com.

See you on the internet.

Mary

If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you must be pretty chill. Join the coolest community in freight and subscribe for more at freightwaves.com/subscribe.

The post Running on Ice: A new refrigerant on the scene appeared first on FreightWaves.
(Bloomberg) -- Schneider Electric SE is in talks about a potential deal with engineering software maker Bentley Systems Inc., potentially paving the way for one of the biggest takeovers of a US company by a French business.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The discussions are part of Schneider Electrics strategy to build up its capabilities in industrial technology, and are at an early stage, it said Friday. Bentley acknowledged Schneiders statement separately without commenting further.

Bentley Systems was little changed at $52.13 per share at 12:06 p.m. in US trading, giving it a market value of $17 billion. The stock had risen 3.9% on Thursday when Reuters first reported that the company is exploring options, including a sale, citing people people familiar with the matter. Schneider Electric fell 3.2% to 208.40 in Paris.

Based in Exton, Pennsylvania, Bentley makes software for engineering and construction projects  from bridges and airports to utilities and mines. Schneider, one of Frances oldest and biggest industrial companies, has evolved from primarily a maker of electrical gear to a provider of software and equipment for buildings, data centers and factories.

Schneiders market value has swelled to a record of more than 120 billion ($128 billion) after its share price tripled in five years  potentially providing it more power for a deal.

Including net debt, Bentley Systems is valued at about $18.5 billion. At that price, an acquisition by Schneider Electric would be one of the biggest US deals ever by a French corporation, surpassing LVMHs $17.4 billion purchase of jeweler Tiffany & Co. in 2021, but trailing Sanofis $19.1 billion deal for drugmaker Genzyme Corp. in 2011.

Schneider Electric previously acquired UK industrial software company Aveva Group Plc in two stages, purchasing almost 60% in 2018 in a deal valued at 1.7 billion and acquiring the rest in 2023 for 3.9 billion.

--With assistance from Phil Serafino.

(Updates share prices in third paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
If you take a walk through the corridors of Capitol Hill, you're likely to bump into a few millionaires along the way. More than half of the members of Congress have net worths over $1 million.

As you might expect, many representatives and senators are active investors. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is one of them. The Kentucky Republican can't stop buying shares of this former darling of Warren Buffett.

A stock Buffett used to like

The stock I'm referring to is Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC). For years, the big bank ranked among Buffett's favorite stocks.

The Oracle of Omaha first bought shares of Wells Fargo for Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio in 1990. The bank stock was a big winner for Buffett and Berkshire throughout the years. Wells Fargo even looked like it might be a "forever stock" for Buffett.

However, when the bank's phony accounts scandal was exposed in 2016, Buffett didn't immediately exit his position in the stock. Over the next few years, though, he drastically reduced Berkshire's stake in Wells Fargo and eventually sold all remaining shares in 2022. Buffett publicly stated that Wells Fargo built "an incentive system that rewarded bad behavior."

Sen. McConnell's regular buying pattern

While Buffett was selling Berkshire's shares in Wells Fargo, Sen. McConnell was buying shares of the bank. The Kentucky senator has purchased shares of Wells Fargo like clockwork every quarter for years -- even when the big bank's scandals were routinely making headlines.

Why has McConnell invested so regularly in Wells Fargo? There's a simple explanation: dividend reinvestment. Every quarter, any dividends paid by the company are used to purchase additional shares.

However, while Sen. McConnell has reported these transactions, he wasn't the one buying Wells Fargo stock. His disclosures revealed the owner of the stock was his wife, Elaine Chao. She served as Secretary of Labor in the administration of former President George W. Bush and Secretary of Transportation during the Trump administration.

Should you buy Wells Fargo stock, too?

Things appear to be looking up for Wells Fargo. Its shares have jumped more than 40% over the last 12 months. The company has implemented new control measures to try to prevent the kind of issues that occurred in the past from happening again. A consent order was lifted in February 2024 -- a major milestone in Wells Fargo's goal to put the scandal behind it.

Is the stock a good pick again as it once was when Buffett was a big fan? I think income investors could find Wells Fargo attractive. The big bank offers a dividend yield of nearly 2.5%. Its dividend payout ratio is a low 28%, indicating plenty of flexibility to increase the payout in the future.

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However, the potential of interest-rate cuts later this year could negatively impact Wells Fargo's interest income. The company's earnings fell year over year in the first quarter of 2024. Growth investors can find better stocks to buy right now.

Should you invest $1,000 in Wells Fargo right now?

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Wells Fargo is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Keith Speights has positions in Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Can't Stop Buying Shares of This Former Darling of Warren Buffett was originally published by The Motley Fool
Shares of Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ:SBUX) have delivered a total return of approximately -18% over the past year. Comparably, the S&P 500 has delivered a total return of roughly 27% over the same period.

Key drivers for the recent drop include disappointing earnings results, concerns regarding a potential slowdown in China and multiple contraction.

While the company faces a number of challenges in its business, I believe the recent sell-off has created an attractive opportunity as the stock is now trading toward the lower end of its historical valuation range and is attractive relative to the broader market.

Company overview

Starbucks is a leading retailer of specialty coffee with operations in 86 countries. The Seattle-based company operates approximately 38,000 stores, with roughly 52% being company owned and the remaining 48% licensed to other operators. Around 82% of the company's net revenue is derived from company-owned stores with key markets being the U.S., China, Japan and Canada.

Is Starbucks Undervalued?

While the company's biggest business is beverages, it also derives a significant portion of revenue from its food and other segments (includes sales of packaged single sale coffees and teas, ready-to-drink beverages and other items). In addition to providing its products in its coffee shops, Starbucks also sells them through grocery stores and other retailers as part of its channel development segment.

Is Starbucks Undervalued?

Competitive advantages

The coffee and quick-service restaurant businesses are highly competitive. Starbucks competes with a number of large players such as Dunkin' Donuts (DNKN)), Tim Hortons, Luckin Coffee (LKNCY) and many others. Additionally, the company faces competition from smaller local coffee chains. Starbucks products sold via the channel development segment also compete with other coffee products sold at grocery stores and other retailers.

Starbucks, however, has built a competitive advantage in the marketplace by focusing on quality and customer experience as opposed to cost. This strategy has been very successful for the company and allowed it to develop a very strong global brand, which has given it solid pricing power despite operating in a highly competitive space.

As shown by the chart below, historically, Starbucks has generated strong returns on invested capital well in excess of its cost of capital.

Is Starbucks Undervalued?

Recent challenges

On Jan. 30, Starbucks reported fiscal first-quarter 2024 results that missed estimates. The company reported annual revenue growth of 8% compared to estimates for 10% growth. Adjusted earnings came in at 90 cents per share, which was below the 93 cents analysts had been expecting. The company also lowered full-year 2024 revenue growth guidance to a range of 7% to 10% from 10% to 12% previously. However, Starbucks reaffirmed its guidance that it expects margin expansion and earnings per share growth of 15% to 20% for the year.

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One challenge for Starbucks has been a slower-than-expected recovery of its China business due to cautious consumer spending. Additionally, the company faced challenges in its Middle East business due to ongoing geopolitical tensions. Of these challenges, I view weakness in China as a more significant headwind given the company's large footprint and continued focus on driving growth in the region. However, despite a challenging business environment, Starbucks still was able to grow its China same-store sales by 10% on a year-over-year basis.

Growth plans

The key driver of growth for Starbucks over the next few years is likely to be new store openings. In particular, the company expects much of its store growth to come in international markets. By 2030, Starbucks plans to have 35,000 stores outside of North America, up from roughly 20,228 stores currently. Over the long term, the company believes it can grow comparable store revenue at a 5%-plus annual rate, overall revenue at a 10%-plus rate and earnings per share at a 15%-plus rate.

Currently, Wall Street appears to believe the company can hit these targets. Fiscal 2024 through 2028 consensus estimates call for mid-teens annual earnigns per share growth, which is in line with the company's long-term guidance.

Attractive valuation

Starbucks currently trades around 21 times 2024 earnings per share. Comparably, the S&P 500 also trades at approximately 21 times earnings. While Starbucks is trading at a market multiple, the company has superior growth prospects driven by its international growth strategy.

Over the medium term, I believe the S&P 500 is likely to grow annual earnings by a high single-digit annual rate, which is roughly in line with historical norms. Comparably, I believe Starbucks can deliver double-digit annual earnings growth over the next several years, driven by increased global penetration. Thus, on a relative basis, I view the stock as attractively valued versus the broader market.

In addition to trading at an attractive valuation relative to the broader market, Starbucks is also trading at an attractive level versus its own history. The current forward price-earnings multiple of 21 represents a significantly more reasonable valuation than the 31 times forward earnings multiple the stock traded at a year ago. Overall, the stock has a GF Value of nearly $116, which suggests shares are significantly undervalued at current levels.

Is Starbucks Undervalued?

Risks to consider

One risk to consider is a potential economic slowdown. Given Starbucks' position as a premium coffee chain, the company is exposed to potential slowdown in global economic conditions which would likely impact consumer spending. While an economic slowdown would likely result in weaker-than-expected near-term earnings, I believe such an impact would be short term in nature.

Another risk to consider is that the company experiences increasing unionization of its workforce. Currently, around 400 stores have unionized workforces, so many more may follow. While this level of unionization is not a significant challenge for the company right now, a larger unionization movement has the potential to be much bigger obstacle. Ultimately, a unionized workforce has the potential to result in increased labor costs for the company and potential margin pressures.

Conclusion

Starbucks shares have performed poorly over the past year as the company has faced a number of headwinds and the stock's valuation multiple has reset lower.

Despite operating in a highly competitive industry, Starbucks has created competitive advantages due to its strong global brand. Historically, the company has generated strong earnings growth and has delivered solid returns on invested capital.

The company has solid growth prospects due primarily to international growth opportunities. Despite having better growth prospects than the broader market, its shares trade at a market multiple. In addition to being attractive versus the broader market, Starbucks' current valuation is also attractive relative to its own historical norms.

For these reasons, I view Starbucks as undervalued at current levels and an attractive investment opportunity.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


John Salangsang/January Images / Shutterstock / John Salangsang/January Images / Shutterstock

Jeff Bezos  the Amazon founder who is worth nearly $200 billion  recently moved from Seattle, Washington to Miami, Florida, and while Bezos said it was not about money, it just so happens that the move could save him $610 million in state taxes over the next few years, as reported by CNBC.

This is because in 2022 Washington State imposed a new 7% tax on the sale of more than $250,000 worth of stocks or bonds. That would cost Bezos millions in new taxes annually due to his longtime practice of selling billions of dollars of Amazon shares annually. But, when the new tax took effect, Bezos stopped selling shares and fled to Florida, which, coincidence or not, has no capital gains tax. And lo and behold, Bezos then filed a pre-scheduled stock-selling plan to sell 50 million shares before 2025, according to CNBC.

Florida is not unique in its catering to the very wealthy with a rich-friendly tax code, however it does have one of the most regressive tax policies in the nation, according to a recent study by Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). A regressive tax is one that is applied uniformly, regardless of income. The result is that the very wealthy will pay less, percentage-wise, than the very poor. According to ITEPs analysis, most states require low- and middle-income families to pay higher effective tax rates than the wealthy.

In fact, their research shows that nationally, the lowest-income 20% of residents pay an 11.4% effective rate, while the wealthiest 1% enjoy an effective rate of just 7.2%. In this way, the report says, 44 of the nations tax systems actually exacerbate income inequality, which has been on the rise in recent years.

Based on this, here are five states where billionaires enjoy a better total tax burden than the poor, according to ITEP. This is based on total taxes paid as a percentage of income, which includes state and local sales and excise taxes, property taxes, personal income taxes, and other taxes.

Sponsored: Credit card debt keeping you up at night? Find out if you can reduce your debt with these 3 steps

Featuring open plains, Mount Rushmore, and no sales, inheritance or corporate taxes, South Dakota is a nice haven for billionaires.

Poorest 20% ($14,600 average annual income): 11.4%

Wealthiest 1% ($1,860,100 average annual income): 2.6%

Jeff Bezoss new home tops the list of states with regressive tax policy. Perhaps thats why billionaires like Donald Trump, Citadel hedge fund founder Kevin Griffin and many other billionaires call the sunshine state home.

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Poorest 20% ($11,400 average annual income): 13.2%

Wealthiest 1% ($3,267,400 average annual income): 2.7%

With no tax on estates or inheritances, no personal income tax, along with other perks for the uber-rich, the countrys gambling capital is a winner for billionaires.

Poorest 20% ($14,700 average annual income): 11.9%

Wealthiest 1% ($2,434,500 average annual income): 2.8%

While Tennessee is better known as the home of Elviss Graceland and country musics capitol Nashville, the states regressive tax system is a serenade to the mega-rich.

Poorest 20% ($12,600 average annual income): 12.8%

Wealthiest 1% ($2,018,200 average annual income): 3.8%

Everythings bigger in Texas, right? Wrong. Billionaires will enjoy much smaller total tax burdens thanks to the nations seventh most regressive tax policy.

Poorest 20% ($12,600 average annual income): 12.8%

Wealthiest 1% ($2,658,800 average annual income): 4.6%

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: States Where Billionaires like Jeff Bezos Pay the Least Taxes
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript April 18, 2024

Operator:

Jeff Su: Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to TSMC's First Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. This is Jeff Su, TSMC's Director of Investor Relations and your host for today. TSMC is hosting our earnings conference call via live audio webcast through the company's website at www.tsmc.com, where you can also download the earnings release materials shortly. [Operator Instructions]. The format for today's event will be as follows: first, TSMC's Senior Vice President and CFO, Mr. Wendell Huang, will summarize our operations in the first quarter 2024, followed by our guidance for the second quarter 2024. Afterwards, Mr. Huang and TSMC's CEO, Dr. C. C. Wei, will jointly provide the company's key messages. Then we will open the lines for the question-and-answer session.

A close-up of a complex network of integrated circuits used in logic semiconductors.

As usual, I would like to remind everybody that today's discussions may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to the safe harbor notice that appears on our press release. And now I would like to turn the call over to TSMC's CFO, Mr. Wendell Huang, for the summary of operations and the current quarter guidance.

Wendell Huang: Thank you, Jeff. Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us today. My presentation will start with the financial highlights for the first quarter 2024. After that, I will provide the guidance for the second quarter 2024. First quarter revenue decreased 5.3% sequentially in NT dollars or 3.8% in U.S. dollars as our business was impacted by smartphone seasonality, partially offset by continued HPC-related demand. Gross margin increased 0.1 percentage point sequentially to 53.1%, mainly reflecting product mix changes due to smartphone seasonality, partially offset by a less favorable foreign exchange rate. Total operating expenses accounted for 11.1% of net revenue, which is lower than the 12% implied in our first quarter guidance, mainly due to tighter expense controls.

Thus, operating margin increased 0.4 percentage points sequentially to 42%. Overall, our first quarter EPS was TWD8.7 and ROE was 25.4%. Now let's move on to revenue by technology. 3-nanometer process technology contributed 9% of wafer revenue in the first quarter, whilst 5-nanometer and 7-nanometer accounted for 37% and 19%, respectively. Advanced technologies, defined as 7-nanometer and below, accounted for 65% of wafer revenue. Moving on to revenue contribution by platform. HPC increased 3% quarter-over-quarter to account for 46% of our first quarter revenue. Smartphone decreased 16% to account for 38%. IoT increased 5% to account for 6%. Automotive remained flat and accounted for 6%, and DCE increased 33% to account for 2%. Moving on to the balance sheet.

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See also

15 Best Low Cost ETFs and

14 Best Large Cap Dividend Growth Stocks To Buy Now.

To continue reading the Q&A session, please click here.
MC2 (known as Second Milling Company), a privately owned innovative Saudi flour and feed milling company, has rebranded to Arabian Mills.

The rebranding to Arabian Mills comes at a pivotal time for the company. It is expanding into new product types to satisfy discerning customer requirements and is further enhancing its operations to meet the growing demand for flour and animal feed across the kingdom underpinned by healthy population growth, tourism boom, and the evolution and development of the kingdoms livestock farming and foodservice sector.

Ajlan Alajlan, Chairman, Arabian Mills, said: For nearly 50 years, under its various names and legal structures, Arabian Mills has played a pivotal role in supporting the kingdom's food security initiatives and fostering the growth of the agricultural and food services industry. Under the Arabian Mills brand, we are reaffirming our deep roots in the kingdom while re-emphasising our enduring dedication to innovation and contribution to the food and livestock farming sectors.

Evolving needs

As we look to the future, we are excited to build upon our rich heritage and leverage our expertise to address the evolving needs of the kingdoms food and livestock farming sectors. Our mission remains steadfast: to contribute to the prosperity and sustainability of the kingdom's food supply chain while upholding the highest standards of quality and safety.

Rohit Chugh, Chief Executive Officer, Arabian Mills, said: As our business continues to scale and evolve, we are excited to unveil our new brand identity and showcase the evolution of Arabian Mills as a true milling industry champion. Our refreshed identity will enable us to unlock greater potential as a premier Saudi producer of high-quality staple wheat products and derivatives while adhering to international standards, maintaining high nutritious value across all our products, and satisfying a variety of taste palates and livestock farming needs. We are also doubling down our efforts to further enhance our operations and customer experience.

We take our role as a key contributor to the kingdoms food security and safety endeavors very seriously and we are reaffirming our unwavering commitment to helping the kingdom achieve its goals while contributing to the health and well-being of its population.

Three milling plants

With its headquarters in Riyadh, Arabian Mills operates three milling plants across the kingdom, including Riyadh, Hail and Jazan, collectively enabling the company to boast the largest wheat milling capacity in the kingdom and serving all key regions. Through its state-of-the-art milling facilities, equipped with advanced technology and machinery, the company produces various types of flour and feed to serve diverse markets and industries while maintaining industry-leading quality. Among its notable products are all-purpose flour, bakeries flour, whole wheat flour, chapati flour, pizza flour, vitamin D all-purpose flour, and vitamin D whole wheat flour. Arabian Mills also caters to the livestock farming industry, with its quality animal feeds including, livestock fattener, lamb feed, foal feed, horse feed, poultry feed including layer, breeder, and broiler feeds, among other products. The Company also produces bran for both nutritional consumption and as animal feed.

In 2023 Arabian Mills revamped its flour brand to Finah and launched Kamil as the new brand name for its animal feed. It is also investing in producing and selling products to fast-growing and highly demanded food categories such as ready flour mixes, pasta, and gluten-free options, with the aspiration of making its Finah brand a staple in every home and restaurant kitchen across the kingdom.--TradeArabia News Service
Texas Capital Bancshares (NASDAQ:TCBI) First Quarter 2024 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$237.3m (down 3.0% from 1Q 2023).

Net income: US$21.8m (down 36% from 1Q 2023).

Profit margin: 9.2% (down from 14% in 1Q 2023). The decrease in margin was primarily driven by lower revenue.

EPS: US$0.46 (down from US$0.71 in 1Q 2023).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Texas Capital Bancshares Revenues Beat Expectations, EPS Falls Short

Revenue exceeded analyst estimates by 1.3%. Earnings per share (EPS) missed analyst estimates by 21%.

Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 7.5% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 5.8% growth forecast for the Banks industry in the US.

Performance of the American Banks industry.

The company's shares are down 1.9% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Texas Capital Bancshares that you should be aware of.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
ETF Investing Tools

First it was clean energy then artificial intelligence. Thematic ETFs offer exposure to structural long-term megatrends.

However, timing the entry point is just as important as selecting the right theme.

BlackRocks clean energy ETF provides a perfect example of this. While the iShares Global Clean Energy UCITS ETF (INRG) returned 17.6% annualized over the five years to the end of June 2023, the annualized return for investorsbased on inflows and outflowswas -5.5%, a 23 percentage point gap, according to Morningstar research.

This is an extreme example given the thematic ETF poster child saw $5.8 billion in inflows between November 2020 and January 2021; however, it highlights the challenge of not only selecting the right ETF but also choosing when to invest.

Investor buying and selling habits connected with thematic funds over the last five years have destroyed considerable value, Kenneth Lamont, senior fund analyst at Morningstar, warned.

Fund investors are collectively poor market-timers and they particularly struggle in more volatile and exotic funds compared with more diversified core building blocks," he said.

This is especially pronounced for thematic ETFs that have more concentrated portfolios. In the search to offer the purest exposure to a particular megatrend, ETF issuers move down the market-cap spectrum, potentially leading to greater volatility.

ETFs concentration results in high levels of volatility, Lamont added. More volatile funds seem to induce more frequent trading and a tendency to buy high and sell low. Most investors would achieve better investment outcomes by adopting a more patient buy-and-hold approach.

As a result, demand for thematic ETFs has waned, with some investors concerned about the volatility and overlap with traditional sectors.

According to data from ETFbook, thematic ETFs have seen $116 million in outflows so far in 2024, as of March 22, adding to the $1.1 billion in net redemptions last year.

This is in stark contrast to the combined $16.3 billion in inflows in 2021 and 2022 as investors embraced the digital shift following the COVID-19 pandemic. Assets in thematic ETFs currently total $44 billion, as at the end of 2023.

How thematic ETFs fit within a multi-asset portfolio is a challenge for fund selectors, with questions around whether they remain a satellite holding or can be incorporated as a core building block.

Thematic ETFs will likely always be used as an extension to allocations in more traditional sectors, and normally only in higher risk portfolios, as opposed to being standalone allocations within our strategic asset allocation, Terry McGivern, senior research analyst at AJ Bell, told ETF Stream.

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This is because there is often a high degree of overlap with traditional sector/ regional exposures and also because many of the newer themes do not have the data available to really work them into a normal capital market assumptions and asset allocation framework.

Final Word

Thematic ETFs can be a fantastic way to add alpha to portfolios, however, in a market where the number of products is booming, selecting the right ETF and adopting a long-term time horizon has never been more vital.

This article first appeared in ETF Insider, a monthly ETF magazine of etf.com's sister publication ETFstream.com. To read the full edition, click here.





Permalink |  Copyright 2024 etf.com. All rights reserved
Stock pickers are generally looking for stocks that will outperform the broader market. And the truth is, you can make significant gains if you buy good quality businesses at the right price. For example, the Thong Guan Industries Berhad (KLSE:TGUAN) share price is up 48% in the last 5 years, clearly besting the market decline of around 1.4% (ignoring dividends).

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

See our latest analysis for Thong Guan Industries Berhad

In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

Over half a decade, Thong Guan Industries Berhad managed to grow its earnings per share at 2.2% a year. This EPS growth is lower than the 8% average annual increase in the share price. So it's fair to assume the market has a higher opinion of the business than it did five years ago. And that's hardly shocking given the track record of growth.

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. This free interactive report on Thong Guan Industries Berhad's 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. 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. In the case of Thong Guan Industries Berhad, it has a TSR of 70% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

While the broader market gained around 14% in the last year, Thong Guan Industries Berhad shareholders lost 13% (even including dividends). Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 11% per year over half a decade. It could be that the recent sell-off is an opportunity, so it may be worth checking the fundamental data for signs of a long term growth trend. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Thong Guan Industries Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Thong Guan Industries Berhad that you should be aware of before investing here.

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We will like Thong Guan Industries Berhad better if we see some big insider buys. While we wait, check out this free list of growing companies with considerable, recent, insider buying.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Parrish Medical Center links with Cleveland Clinic

Cleveland Clinic and Titusville's Parrish Medical Center, jointly announced that Parrish has become a member of Cleveland Clinic Connected.

George Mikitarian

After passing a rigorous review of Parrish Medical Centers operations, quality and service excellence, Cleveland Clinic has accepted Parrish Medical Center as the first domestic member of Cleveland Clinic Connected.

As a Cleveland Clinic Connected member, Parrish Medical Center clinicians will be able to access educational opportunities either at Cleveland Clinic or through distance learning, as well as best practices and protocols that are used at Cleveland Clinic locations worldwide.

Parrish Medical Center physicians also will be able to request educational consultations of complex cases. In addition, Parrishs staff can access Cleveland Clinics continuous quality improvement and advisory services, plus education and training, including clinical observership programs.

On behalf of Parrish Medical Center, Parrish Healthcare and the community we serve, we are honored to be the first U.S. member of the esteemed Cleveland Clinic Connected program, said George Mikitarian, president and CEO of Parrish Healthcare. We look forward to the collaboration and to the benefits our patients, care partners and community will gain from access to Cleveland Clinics global network of health expertise.

We are thrilled to welcome Parrish Medical Center as the first U.S. member of Cleveland Clinic Connected, said Jim Cotelingam, Cleveland Clinic's chief strategy officer. This collaboration with Parrish underscores both organizations dedication to safety, quality and excellence in care for patients. Together, we are focused on enhancing the health care experience for the communities we serve.

Among the Blue Sapphire Awards attendees were Tanya Easterling, market leader for Brevard, Flagler and Volusia counties at Florida Blue; Barbara Fradkin, co-chair of the Brevard Parkinsons Alliance; Eddy Moratin, president of Lift Orlando; Aubree Moore, director of clinical operations at the Brevard Health Alliance; and Tony Jenkins, Central Florida market president of Florida Blue.

Florida Blue Foundation recognizes two Brevard organizations

The Florida Blue Foundation, the philanthropic affiliate of Florida Blue, this month gave Blue Sapphire Awards to Brevard Health Alliance and to Barbara Fradkin of Brevard Parkinsons Alliance.

The Florida Blue Foundation announced nine winners across Florida at its annual Sapphire Awards ceremony in Orlando.

Our foundation recognizes the important role community-based initiatives play in strengthening neighborhoods and improving overall health and well-being, said Susan Towler, executive director of the Florida Blue Foundation. We applaud these nine recipients for their commitment to improving health outcomes and ensuring families have the resources, support and care they need to live their healthiest lives.

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Each program, organization and individual honored with a Sapphire Award was selected following a thorough external review process for leadership, innovative ideas, demonstrated outcomes and excellence. In addition, they all have a track record of improving peoples health and quality of life.

The Endeavour Elementary School program, led by Brevard Health Alliance, provides mental health support, medical care, and dental and vision services to more than 700 at-risk students through an on-site clinic. The school-based site is the first of its kind in Brevard County. This program was honored with a third-place award and $25,000.

Fradkin is a social worker, certified care manager and the co-chair of the Brevard Parkinsons Alliance, a nonprofit organization that supports individuals, caregivers and families who are impacted by Parkinsons disease. Her goal is to reach as many people as possible with Parkinsons and help them throughout their journey.

Since joining the alliance in 2017, resources for funding and support groups have doubled, and awareness of resources has increased. Fradkin was honored with a third-place award and $25,000, which will be directed to the Brevard Parkinsons Alliance.

The Florida Blue Foundation introduced the Sapphire Awards in 2005 to recognize excellence and innovation in community health leadership and programs across Florida.

Since then, the foundation has given out 148 Sapphire Awards, totaling $7.5 million.

More Business Newsmakers: Souza named chief growth officer at Melbourne-based Alluvionic

Forbes names Phelps as Best-in-State Wealth Advisor

Edward Jones financial advisor Gregory Phelps of Rockledge was named among the 2024 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors by Forbes and SHOOK Research.

Gregory Phelps

According to Forbes, the rankings are based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria learned through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews; and quantitative data such as revenue trends and assets under management. The algorithm additionally weighs factors such as service models, compliance records and industry experience, and focuses on those that encompass best practices in their approach to working with clients.

All advisors who are considered have a minimum of seven years of experience. Portfolio performance is not a criterion.

"I became an Edward Jones financial advisor to help the people in my community feel confident in their financial lives and secure about their future," Phelps said. "It's challenging but fulfilling work, and now to receive this kind of statewide recognition is a highlight in my career. I thank my branch team for their unwavering support and our clients for putting their trust in us."Phelps is supported by his client support team, which includes Cindy Stepina and Patti Faulkner, senior branch administrators; and Deborah Carson, business development administrator.Phelps' office is located at 1970 Rockledge Blvd., Rockledge.

State Farm honors Raley as Chairmans Circle Agent

State Farm Insurance recently recognized local State Farm agent Joe Raley as a Chairmans Circle Agent.

Joe Raley

Chairmans Circle is an elite internal award achieved by only a small percentage of the State Farm agents in the United States who align their offices to continuously work toward meeting multiple customer needs, along with enterprise goals.

Raley has been with State Farm Insurance for over 33 years, serving time in claims, human resources and agency management before opening his own agency in December 2005.

He has been a top-producing agent each year, qualifying for Honor Club, Ambassador Club, Chairmans Circle and many other company and industry customer-service awards.

Raley has 12 licensed agents on his team at his Palm Bay office, located at 5030 Minton Road NW.

If you have a Business Newsmakers item you'd like to publish, please email details to Wayne T. Price at wtpkansas@yahoo.com or contact him at 321-223-0230.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Parrish Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic agree on alliance
By Nora Eckert

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (Reuters) -An early tally of ballots on a key unionization vote at Volkswagen's Tennessee plant showed most workers in favor of joining the United Auto Workers union.

A win would make the Chattanooga factory the first auto plant in the South to unionize via election since the 1940s and the first foreign-owned auto plant in the South to do so.

It would also be a huge shot in the arm for UAW President Shawn Fain's campaign to unionize plants owned by more than a dozen automakers across the U.S., including Tesla. Fain and his team have committed to spending $40 million through 2026 on the effort.

Federal officials from the National Labor Relations Board are conducting the official count. The UAW, which has representatives in the room where the count is happening, said ballots counted so far were 1300-399 in favor of the union. There are approximately 4,300 workers eligible to vote at the factory.

Dozens of VW workers wearing red Future UAW Member t-shirts cheered as the vote tally came in at a watch party.

Final results expected around 11 p.m. EDT (0300 GMT on Saturday).

"Everybody else is watching," said Isaac Meadows, a worker at the VW plant, who said he voted in support of the union. "This is going to change the labor landscape across the country."

Although the UAW narrowly lost votes at the same plant in 2014 and 2019, this year's vote has been preceded by surging public support for unions and successful contract negotiations last year with the Big Three automakers.

The UAW has said it sets votes in motion once 70% of eligible workers at a plant have signed cards supporting unionization.

While success for the UAW is widely expected to bolster unionizing momentum at other factories, anti-union sentiment is entrenched in many parts of the U.S. South. Earlier this week, Republican governors in six southern states including Tennessee spoke out in opposition to the union drive.

"We're going through an unusual, even unprecedented period when it comes to unions more generally and VW is at the epicenter of that right now," said Harley Shaiken, labor professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

Over the last several months, a group of volunteer workers at the plant, which produces the electric ID.4 SUV and other vehicles, held organizing meetings to drum up support, with occasional guidance and assistance from Detroit's UAW officials.

Some of the plant's employees have countered that joining the UAW could weaken workers' job security in the future.

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Workers on both sides agree that the plant's campus has been quiet as ballots were cast, in contrast to previous years when scores of union supporters and opponents - both employees and members of the wider community - lined the driveway.

On Friday afternoon, workers at the plant said those supporting the union wore red T-shirts saying "Stand Up, UAW" while those against donned white ones emblazoned "Still no UAW," but both sides removed the shirts before entering the plant due to company rules. The workers said people in the plant are excited and nervous as the voting nears its end.

In a 12-page pamphlet created by the UAW, the union laid out its argument for how the workers would benefit.

"Volkswagen made $75 billion in profit in the past three years," Fain said in the handout. "They can afford to pay you your fair share in wages, benefits and union protections."

"How do I know? Because every single Volkswagen autoworker in the world is a union member ... except here in Chattanooga," he added.

VW has said it has taken a neutral position on the vote at its only non-union factory globally. The UAW has previously represented VW workers at a Pennsylvania plant that built Rabbit cars before it closed in 1988.

For decades, the union has struck out at southern auto plants. In addition to two narrow losses at VW previously, it sustained three more significant misses at southern factories owned by Nissan, the last in 2017 in Mississippi.

The broader labor movement has since gone through somewhat of a renaissance, with a record number of workers across various industries going on strike last year.

Last autumn U.S. President Joe Biden walked picket lines outside Detroit, where the union scored double-digit percentage raises as well as cost-of-living increases from General Motors, Ford Motor and Stellantis. That sparked a wave of wage hikes by nonunion automakers that some analysts said were designed to keep out unions.

A Mercedes plant in Alabama, at which a majority of workers have signed cards indicating they support unionization, will be the next facility to hold a UAW election, the week of May 13.

(Reporting by Nora Eckert in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Editing by Peter Henderson, Edwina Gibbs and Matthew Lewis)
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  A U.S. congressional committee released confidential Brazilian court orders to suspend accounts on the social media platform X, offering a glimpse into decisions that have spurred complaints of alleged censorship from the company and its billionaire owner Elon Musk.

The Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee late Wednesday published a staff report disclosing dozens of decisions by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes ordering X to suspend or remove around 150 user profiles from its platform in recent years.

The 541-page report is the product of committee subpoenas directed at X. In his orders, de Moraes had prohibited X from making them public.

To comply with its obligations under U.S. law, X Corp. has responded to the Committee, the company said in a statement on X on April 15.

The disclosure comes amid a battle Musk has waged against de Moraes.

Musk, a self-proclaimed free-speech absolutist, had vowed to publish de Moraes orders, which he equated to censorship. His crusade has been cheered on by supporters of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro, who allege they are being targeted by political persecution, and have found common cause with their ideological allies in the U.S.

De Moraes has overseen a five-year probe of so-called digital militias, who allegedly spread defamatory fake news and threats to Supreme Court justices. The investigation expanded to include those inciting demonstrations across the country, seeking to overturn Bolsonaros 2022 election loss. Those protests culminated in the Jan. 8 uprising in Brazils capital, with Bolsonaro supporters storming government buildings, including the Supreme Court, in an attempt to oust President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from office.

De Moraes critics claim he has abused his powers and shouldnt be allowed to unilaterally ban social media accounts, including those of democratically elected legislators. But most legal experts see his brash tactics as legally sound and furthermore justified by extraordinary circumstances of democracy imperiled. They note his decisions have been either upheld by his fellow justices or gone unchallenged.

The secret orders disclosed by the congressional committee had been issued both by Brazils Supreme Court and its top electoral court, over which de Moraes currently presides.

The press office of the Supreme Court declined to comment on the potential ramifications of their release when contacted by The Associated Press.

Musk is indeed a very innovative businessman; he innovated with electric cars, he innovated with rockets and now he invented a new form of non-compliance of a court order, through an intermediary, said Carlos Affonso, director of the nonprofit Institute of Technology and Society. He said he would reveal the documents and he found someone to do this for him.

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Affonso, also a professor of civil rights at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, said that the orders are legal but do merit debate, given users were not informed why their accounts were suspended and whether the action was taken by the platform or at the behest of a court. The orders to X included in the report rarely provide justification, either.

The Supreme Court's press office said in a statement Thursday afternoon that the orders do not contain justifications, but said the company and people with suspended accounts can gain access by requesting the decisions from the court.

While Musk has repeatedly decried de Moraes orders as suppressing free speech principles and amounting to aggressive censorship, the company under his ownership has bowed to government requests from around the world.

Last year, for instance, X blocked posts critical of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and, in February, it blocked accounts and posts in India at the behest of the countrys government.

The Indian government has issued executive orders requiring X to act on specific accounts and posts, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment, X's global affairs account posted on Feb. 21. In compliance with the orders, we will withhold these accounts and posts in India alone; however, we disagree with these actions and maintain that freedom of expression should extend to these posts.

Brazil is a key market for X and other social media platforms. About 40 million Brazilians, or about 18% of the population, access X at least once per month, according to market research group eMarketer.

X has followed suspension orders under threat of hefty fines. De Moraes typically required compliance within two hours, and established a daily fine of 100,000-reais ($20,000) for noncompliance.

It isnt clear whether the 150 suspended accounts represent the entirety of those de Moraes ordered suspended. Until the committee report, it wasnt known whether the total was a handful, a few dozen or more. Some of the suspended accounts in the report have since been reactivated.

On April 6, Musk took to X to challenge de Moraes, questioning why he was demanding so much censorship in Brazil. The following day, the tech mogul said he would cease to comply with court orders to block accounts  and that de Moraes should either resign or be impeached. Predicting that X could be shut down in Brazil, he instructed Brazilians to use a VPN to retain their access.

De Moraes swiftly included Musk in the ongoing investigation of digital militias, and launched a separate investigation into whether Musk engaged in obstruction, criminal organization and incitement. On April 13, X's legal representative in Brazil wrote to de Moraes that it will comply with all court orders, according to the letter, seen by the AP.

Affonso said the committees release of de Moraes orders were aimed less at Brazil than at the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden. The report cites Brazil as a stark warning to Americans about the threats posed by government censorship here at home.

Terms like censorship and free speech have turned into political rallying cries for U.S. conservatives since at least the 2016 presidential election, frustrated at seeing right-leaning commentators and high-profile Republican officials booted off Facebook and Twitter in its pre-Musk version for violating rules.

The reason why the far-right needs him (Musk) is because they need a platform, they need a place to promote themselves. And Elon Musk needs far-right politicians because they will keep his platform protected from regulations, said David Nemer, a Brazil native and University of Virginia professor who studies social media.

In the U.S., free speech is a constitutional right thats much more permissive than in other countries, including Brazil. Still, the report's release seemed to invigorate Bolsonaro and his far-right supporters.

Late Wednesday, soon after the court orders were released, Bolsonaro capped off a speech at a public event by calling for a round of applause for Musk.

His audience eagerly complied.

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AP writer Barbara Ortutay contributed from San Francisco

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Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
The President of the Federation Internationale de lAutomobile (FIA) Mohammed Ben Sulayem has received an official letter by 34 heads of FIA Member Clubs and Sport Federations of America, expressing their full support to him. Ben Sulayem has been accused of interfering with the proceedings related to Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year.

After a thorough internal investigation led by external and independent members and a series of interviews with over ten witnesses, the FIA Ethics Committee had published a report absolving Ben Sulayem of any wrongdoings and accusations, stating: Allegations against the FIA President were unsubstantiated and strong evidence beyond any reasonable doubt was presented to support the determination of the FIA Ethics Committee.

Committee members also commended Ben Sulayems transparency and compliance during the investigation, leading to his exoneration after no evidence was found to substantiate the allegations.

Unfounded allegations

In a previous statement to member clubs, FIA President had highlighted that such unfounded allegations were meant as an attack against FIAs leadership, doubting the very foundations of the federation, which cannot be tolerated.

Rallying behind Ben Sulayem, over thirty heads of FIA Member Clubs and Sport Federations of America have shown their unwavering endorsement to President Ben Sulayem, who acted honourably according to their letter, published on the FIA website.

The letters signatories also accused biased media of working according to doubtful agendas on spreading wrongful news to taint Ben Sulayems unblemished reputation, further to his many achievements in his role as FIA President. They also asked relevant authorities to take necessary legal actions against the parties who made the allegations, accusing them of slander.

Voicing out their support, they wrote: We endorse and ratify our vote of confidence in support of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, for his stewardship of the FIA and his progress to fulfilling his commitment to transform the FIA in an ethical and transparent manner in order to better serve its members.--TradeArabia News Service
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration on Friday imposed sanctions on two entities accused of fundraising for extremist Israel settlers already sanctioned, as well as the founder of an organization whose members regularly assault Palestinians.

The Treasury Department announcement comes as the West Bank has seen some of its worst violence perpetrated by extremist settlers against Palestinians since the war in nearby Gaza began.

There is also friction between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose far-right government has reacted angrily to previous sanctions imposed against West Bank settlers.

Included in the Friday sanctions are two entities  Mount Hebron Fund and Shlom Asiraich  accused of raising funds for sanctioned settlers Yinon Levi and David Chai Chasdai.

Both men were previously sanctioned by the Biden administration for violently attacking Palestinians in the West Bank.

The penalties aim to block them from using the U.S. financial system and bar American citizens from dealing with them.

The fundraising campaign established by Mount Hebron Fund for Levi and by Shlom Asiraich for Chasdai generated the equivalent of $140,000 and $31,000, respectively, according to U.S. Treasury.

In Levi's case, the fund now sanctioned by the Biden administration is linked to the regional council in the area, a body that receives state money. The Biden order Friday stopped short of sanctioning the council itself.

Rights groups say that the expansion of illegal settler outposts in the West Bank is enthusiastically supported by the regional councils and nudged along by Israels current national government  the most far-right in the countrys history.

The Biden order also skirted sanctioning crowdfunding websites where funds were raised, GiveChak and New York-based Charidy.

In Chasdai's case, the fundraiser on Charidy was organized by Shlom Asiraich, which raises money for imprisoned Jewish extremists.

Both online fundraisers have now been taken down. But at least one fundraiser linked to a settler previously sanctioned by the Biden administration, Moshe Sharvit, remains online. As of Friday, the page on GiveChak had raised the equivalent of over $879,000.

Additionally, the State Department is designating Ben-Zion Gopstein, the founder and leader of Lehava, an organization whose members have assaulted Palestinian civilians.

Treasury Deputy Secretary Wally Adeyemo said the organizations "undermine the peace, security, and stability of the West Bank. We will continue to use our tools to hold those responsible accountable.

In February, Biden issued an executive order that targets Israeli settlers in the West Bank who have been accused of attacking Palestinians and Israeli peace activists in the occupied territory.
Warren Buffett took control of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) in 1965. He quickly shifted its focus from textiles to insurance, creating consistent cash flow in the form of insurance premiums, and he has invested that capital to great effect over the years. Berkshire stock has returned 19.8% annually under Buffett's leadership, nearly doubling the return of the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC).

Today, Berkshire is worth $850 billion, and a significant portion of that sum is attributable to its $361 billion stock portfolio. Buffett reportedly manages 90% of that total, while fellow investment managers Todd Combs and Ted Weschler oversee the remaining portion. Berkshire does not disclose which managers are responsible for specific investments, but it seems likely that Buffett controls the largest positions.

With that in mind, Berkshire has more than $10 billion invested in the seven stocks listed alphabetically below. Beside each stock is Wall Street's median price target and the implied upside compared to its share price on April 16, 2024.

American Express (NYSE: AXP): $234 per share (7.2% upside).

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL): $200 per share (18.1% upside).

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC): $39 per share (12.5% upside).

Chevron (NYSE: CVX): $180 per share (15.2% upside).

Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO): $66.50 per share (14.5% upside).

Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: KHC): $39.50 per share (7.9% upside).

Occidental Petroleum (NYSE: OXY): $70 per share (4.8% upside).

Wall Street sees upside in all seven stocks listed above, but the median price targets position Apple as the best best right now. That is noteworthy because Apple is by far Berkshire's largest holding. It accounts for 42% of its portfolio, a clear sign that Buffett has great confidence in the consumer electronics company.

Is Apple stock a worthwhile investment right now?

Apple reported mixed results in the December quarter

Apple reported first-quarter financial results that beat Wall Street's expectations on the top and bottom lines, but the performance itself was mixed. Total revenue increased just 2% to $119.5 billion on modest sales growth in the iPhone and services categories, offset by declines in the iPad and wearables categories.

Meanwhile, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) net income jumped 16% to $2.18 per diluted share due to disciplined cost management, stock buybacks, and a revenue mix shift toward high-margin services. The chart below provides more detail on first-quarter revenue growth across each product category.

The chart above shows Apple's revenue across individual product categories in the first quarter of fiscal 2024, which ended Dec. 31, 2023.

Looking ahead, the investment thesis for Apple centers on its ability to not only maintain its strong presence in several consumer electronics verticals, especially smartphones, but also to monetize its installed base with adjacent services. When I say services, I am referring to revenue from iCloud storage, App Store fees, advertising, subscription products like Apple TV+, and financial products like Apple Pay.

Story continues

To elaborate, Apple has an installed base that exceeds 2.2 billion devices, a testament to its brand authority. That should keep the company at the forefront of consumer electronics. However, consumers purchase devices infrequently and hardware earns lower margins than software and services. As such, Apple has a more sustainable and profitable growth opportunity in its services business.

Apple is beset by challenges in China and Europe

Apple is facing tough competition from Chinese smartphone companies like Huawei and Xiaomi. iPhone shipments declined 9.6% in the March quarter, and Apple lost more than three points of market share, according to the International Data Corp (IDC). That is especially concerning because total smartphone shipments increased 7.8% during the quarter, with all market share gains going to Chinese competitors.

Apple is also facing headwinds from the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in Europe, recent legislation forcing the company to allow third-party app stores on its devices. Apple has historically had a strong presence in the mobile application market. Its App Store earned twice as much revenue as the closest competitor last year, and it accounted for 50% of mobile application spending. However, the DMA could weaken its grip on the market by letting developers bypass its transaction fees and distribute mobile applications through alternative platforms.

The DMA also poses another problem. Apple ranked among the fastest-growing advertising companies in the world last year, and search ads (in the App Store) were the largest source of advertising revenue. But the DMA could weaken Apple's grip on that market by making the App Store less consequential. In other words, developers will probably spread their advertising dollars across third-party platforms as they become popular with European consumers.

Apple stock looks expensive compared to Wall Street's earnings forecast

Wall Street analysts expect Apple to grow earnings per share at 10.2% annually over the next five years. That consensus estimate makes its current valuation of 26.3 times earnings look expensive, especially when headwinds across China and Europe could lead to slower-than-expected earnings growth.

As mentioned, Warren Buffett has 42% of Berkshire Hathaway's stock portfolio invested in Apple, which screams high conviction. However, I doubt Apple can outperform the S&P 500 over the next five years based on its current valuation. Personally, I would avoid this stock right now.

Should you invest $1,000 in Apple right now?

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American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Trevor Jennewine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Bank of America, Berkshire Hathaway, and Chevron. The Motley Fool recommends Kraft Heinz and Occidental Petroleum. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Warren Buffett Has Over $10 Billion Invested in 7 Stocks. Here's the Best Stock to Buy Right Now, According to Wall Street. was originally published by The Motley Fool
TSMC sees growth in the microchip industry slowing to 10%, it said in a post-earnings call.

The dimmed outlook comes on slowdown expectations for automotive chips.

But the firm still projects strong AI-led revenue growth in the second-quarter.

Microchips aren't making the inventory comeback industry optimists have hoped for, compelling the world's top chip producer to dim its outlook.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing now expects the market to expand 10%, excluding memory chips. That's down from the "more than 10%" forecast it laid out months prior.

The update was offered during the firm's post-earnings call with analysts, and is premised on TSMC's shifting stance on automotive chips, used in vehicles. Though it previously expected demand in this sector to rise through the year, it now sees a contraction as more likely. Further explanation was not provided.

"Looking at 2024, macro economy and geopolitical uncertainties persist, which could further affect consumer confidence and end-market demand," CEO C.C. Wei said on the analyst call.

That's not to say the firm has turned gloomy about its own prospects, instead forecasting its second-quarter sales to rise by as much as 30%.

"Almost all the AI innovators are working with TSMC to address the insatiable AI-related demand for energy efficient computing power," Wei said, also citing high demand for AI-led data centers.

The bell-weather firm is central to AI's development, as it's the principal manufacturing hub for tech leaders like Nvidia and Apple. In fact, AI-related chips will account for a tenth of revenue this year, before taking up a fifth of this figure in the coming four years.

While TSMC beat both revenue and profit expectations in the first quarter, ADRs on its stock fell as much as 6% on Thursday, amid the dampened industry outlook.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Visitors to Cripple Creek will have a new, high-end dining option with the opening Saturday of 980 Prime Steakhouse at Chamonix Casino Hotel.

Chamonix, whose slogan is European elegance meets Colorado comfort, opened in late December, though with some amenities to come  including 980 Prime. The steakhouse is led by chef Barry Dakake and restauranteur Yassine Lyoubi, who are known for owning and operating Barrys Downtown Prime restaurant in Las Vegas.

The 300-room hotel and casino plans to open its rooftop pool within weeks, according to a release this week, and expects to open its salon and full-service spa early this summer.

Chamonix was designed to be the most beautiful casino in the state of Colorado, and we look forward to the completion of all of its amenities over the next few months, Dan Lee, president and CEO of Full House Resorts, which owns Chamonix, said as part of the companys fourth-quarter earnings report in early March.

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Full House Resorts also owns the adjacent Bronco Billys Casino and Hotel. According to an article last year by Pat Hill in the Pikes Peak Courier, the seeds for 980 Prime were planted when Lee was a customer at Dakakes Las Vegas restaurant and told the chef about the plans for Chamonix.

We are thrilled to introduce 980 Prime Steakhouse as the crown jewel of Chamonix Casino Hotel, Baxter Lee, general manager of Chamonix, said in the release.

With its sophisticated ambiance, world-class cuisine and impeccable service, 980 Prime is poised to become the premier dining destination in Colorado.

Hours at 980 Prime are 5-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, go to chamonixco.com/dining.
Turkish Airlines said it carried 83.4 million passengers, both domestic and international, in 2023, attributing the new milestone to faster capacity increases, strengthened agility, expansion of flight network, and a highly qualified workforce.

The airline increased its domestic passenger capacity by 23.5% compared to 2022, with the number surpassing 30 million.

On international routes, its capacity grew by 16% to carry 53 million passengers  an increase of 14%.

Notably, the number of passengers in the European countries with significant Turkish populations climbed by more than 20% year-over-year.

While global international airline capacity lagged 12% behind the 2019 figures in 2023, as reported by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Turkish Airlines set itself apart from the industry by exceeding its 2019 international capacity by 27%.

Moreover, as a result of its investments in aviation infrastructure, Istanbul Airport emerged as the leading European airport in terms of daily number of flights.

Flying to 133 countries in 364 destinations with 24 freighters and 416 passenger aircraft, Turkish Cargo increased its freight tonne kilometres by 16% compared to 2019.

Tripling its market share in air freight market in the last 10 years, our company bolstered its success by ranking fourth among the worlds top air cargo carriers according to IATAs 2023 data.

Aiming to expand its fleet to 800 aircraft by 2033 as part of its 100th Anniversary Strategy, Turkish Airlines increased its number of aircraft by 12% to 440 in 2023, despite global challenges in aircraft procurement and bottlenecks in the aircraft production.

It is targeting an increase of over $50 billion in revenues, and carry over 170 million passengers in its 100th Anniversary.  TradeArabia News Service
A federal judge on Friday denied access to DNA evidence that defense lawyers say will exonerate a man whose 2003 conviction of a heinous rape at a Lakewood trailer park rape largely relied on the testimony of a former Colorado Bureau of Investigation scientist who was forced to resign last year for manipulating DNA data in other cases.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Domenico dismissed the request for additional DNA testing filed on behalf of James Hunter, now 64, who contends that his 168-year prison sentence is a travesty of justice. Hunter has been incarcerated for more than 21 years.

Hunters conviction is one of thousands now under scrutiny that involved former CBI state crime lab scientist Yvonne Missy Woods. The CBI in March announced the discovery of anomalies in the work of Woods put all her work in question.

Woods, through her lawyer, Ryan Brackley, has denied ever creating or falsely reporting any inculpatory DNA matches or exclusions. She also has denied that she ever testified falsely in any hearing or trial resulting in a false conviction or unjust imprisonment."

Despite defense assertions of flawed work by Woods in Hunters case, Domenico in his ruling stated that he did not have jurisdiction to order the Lakewood Police Department, the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office and the CBI to allow Hunters lawyers to have the rape kit and other evidence tested for DNA.

Hunter and his lawyers claim in court documents that new DNA testing probably would establish the culprit of the 1 a.m. April 23, 2002, attack and rape as Kenneth Dale Smith, another man convicted in 2016 of a similar crime in Missouri. Smith has denied he was involved in the Lakewood rape.

Domenico ruled that Hunters efforts to obtain evidence for additional DNA testing already had been rejected by the Colorado Court of Appeals. Court precedents preclude a losing party in state court who complains of injury caused by a state-court judgment from bringing a case seeking review and rejection of that judgment in federal court, Domenico stated in his ruling.

That doctrine provides that only the Supreme Court has jurisdiction to hear appeals from final state-court judgments, Domenico further ruled.

Challenges that assert a state statute is unconstitutional are permitted in federal court, but Domenico said the claims from Hunter and his lawyer that Colorados DNA statute was unconstitutional were threadbare.

Plaintiffs primary objection to the DNA statute has to do with the way state judicial officials chose to apply the law in this case, not with the constitutionality of the law itself, Domenico wrote.

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While I take no stance here on the merit of plaintiffs claims about the reliability of the evidence that was used to support his underlying conviction, I do note that the entire gist of the complaint is to suggest that the Colorado Court of Appeals made an incorrect determination when it found that a favorable DNA test result would not have been enough to make a showing of actual innocence, Domenico further wrote in the ruling.

Members of Hunters family and his defense team, initially defense lawyer Thomas Henry and now defense lawyer Kenneth Mark Burton, support his claims of innocence. He was convicted in 2003 of breaking into the trailer next to the one he lived in, of raping the woman living there and of molesting her 5-year-old daughter during the more than four-hour attack.

Hunters initial arrest for the rape in Lakewood hinged on Woods sworn statement that her microscopic analysis found two pubic hairs from the rape victim matched pubic hairs Hunter, then 43, had allowed police to collect from him. Her analysis turned out to be flawed, and a judge freed Hunter from jail after a lab in Pennsylvania determined the DNA from the pubic hairs actually matched the DNA of the victim.

Woods and prosecutors two months after Hunters release took the case to a grand jury, citing new evidence. They secured an indictment against Hunter and eventual conviction on burglary and sexual assault charges. The heart of the prosecution case hinged on Woods testimony that additional DNA analysis by her showed a hair collected by police from the victims bed contained a mixture of the victims DNA and Hunters DNA, and a hair police found on the couch in the victims living room matched Hunters DNA.

The defense lawyers in court filings have said there are problems with the chain of custody related to the hair samples. Even Lakewood police were confused as to why two crime-scene hair packets were returned from the CBI crime lab, when there originally was only one crime-scene hair packet, according to an evidence log obtained during discovery.

The defense lawyers also note that fingerprints and a palm print taken at the crime scene do not match Hunter's prints. The defense in court filings said police and prosecutors have never submitted the fingerprints taken from the crime scene to a national database of fingerprints taken from individuals arrested for violent crimes. Hunter's lawyer did not initially comment on the ruling from Domenico.

Hunter initially became a suspect after the victim told police the voice of her masked assailant might have sounded like Hunter, her neighbor. While under hypnosis, she told police something in the voice of her attacker sounded a little like her next-door neighbor, but that there also was something that didnt sound like him.

A 2024 internal investigation, still not released to the public, found that Woods deviated from standard protocols throughout her 29-year career with the CBI, which ended in November when she retired after state officials placed her on administrative leave. The internal affairs investigation found that Woods during her tenure tampered with DNA results and omitted material facts in official criminal justice records.

The South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation is conducting a criminal investigation into Woods on Colorados behalf to avoid a conflict of interest.
A federal judge on Wednesday rejected a challenge by Children's Hospital Colorado to a new U.S. Department of Defense rule that will reduce reimbursements to the hospital system's Colorado Springs and Aurora facilities by up to $17 million.

U.S. District Court Judge Nina Y. Wang determined the department did not exceed its authority under the law, nor did it act arbitrarily in migrating to a new method of paying children's hospitals through TRICARE, the military healthcare program. With a methodology that now focuses on hospitals' actual costs  rather than their historic reimbursements  Wang noted Children's Colorado essentially wanted her to rule the government could never lower its payments to children's facilities.

"Plaintiffs approach would invalidate any regulation that has the ultimate effect of reducing reimbursements to a recipient hospital that has been repurposing the funds toward any end that could tend to increase" care, she wrote in an April 17 order.

Leila Roche, senior communications specialist for Children's Colorado, said the organization was particularly concerned about the ruling's effect in Colorado Springs, where its facility serves a high percentage of military children and is the primary pediatric hospital for the region.

"Since these TRICARE cuts were finalized last spring, we have been doing  and will continue to do  everything in our power to advocate with members of Congress and other elected officials about the dangerous consequences of this change and the implications for maintaining access to pediatric specialty care and preserving military readiness," Roche said.

The disputed Defense Department rule took effect in October and governs reimbursements the government pays children's hospitals through TRICARE. With a half dozen military installations in Colorado, the Colorado Springs and Aurora children's hospitals serve around 16,500 patients annually who are insured through TRICARE.

Children's Colorado, whose total operating revenue is $1.8 billion, estimated its two facilities will lose between $11 million and $17 million in TRICARE reimbursements each year thanks to the new rule, representing around one-third of all savings to the government. As a result, Children's Colorado claimed it will have to turn away emergency room visitors, shutter its cancer and blood center, and reduce pediatric behavioral health programs, among other changes.

Consequently, it asked Wang to vacate the rule. The government, in turn, pointed out other children's hospitals across the country will actually see increases in reimbursements.

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The Defense Department also warned Wang that Children's Colorado was receiving reimbursements at a far higher rate than other large children's hospitals for certain services. It contended that the reimbursements in excess of costs were "used to subsidize" things like research, professional education and "community health improvement."

The dispute was rooted in a 2001 law Congress passed, ordering the Defense Department to issue regulations linking TRICARE payments to Medicare reimbursements "to the extent practicable." The department attempted to do so gradually, without cutting TRICARE reimbursements to children's hospitals. Instead, children's hospitals received "hold-harmless" payments to prevent their reimbursements from declining.

In 2019, the department proposed a new rule that would more directly reimburse children's hospitals for their actual outpatient costs, rather than continue to link current payments to past reimbursements. The rule also authorizes supplemental payments for certain hospitals beyond costs alone.

"Theres nothing in the statute that suggests Congress meant to lock in those reimbursement rates," Alexander W. Resar with the U.S. Department of Justice told Wang at a hearing last month.

The hold-harmless requirement "is permanent," countered Stacy A. Carpenter, the lawyer for Children's Colorado. "It says, 'Children's hospitals, we're not going to allow you to have a change in your payment amount because you are this specially designated caregiver.'"

Wang was ultimately unconvinced that federal law required the Defense Department to "sustain additional services indirectly funded" by its reimbursements to Children's Colorado.

"While the Court recognizes the benefits provided by the additional services allegedly jeopardized by the 2023 Final Rule, it is not the Courts role to determine whether to continue indirectly funding them," she wrote.

Roche, the spokesperson for Children's Colorado, clarified the organization is still evaluating the long-term effects of lower reimbursements, but it will not "turn away" emergency room patients in violation of federal law. Instead, she said the hospitals "may have to arrange transportation for some patients to other venues of care."
Colorado Springs police on Wednesday arrested a 17-year-old in connection with a shooting last month on the city's east side.

Police responded March 18 to a shooting near the 5500 block of Constitution Avenue, where they located an adult with a serious but non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

The person was transported to a local hospital, where they underwent treatment, police said.

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Around 2 p.m. Wednesday, Colorado Springs Police Department assault unit officers, with the help of the tactical enforcement, canine and drone units, arrested the juvenile in the 200 block of Rim View Drive near Rockrimmon Open Space.

Police said the suspect is a Colorado Springs resident.

Law enforcement officials are currently holding the suspect on suspicion of assault in the first degree and possession of a handgun by a juvenile, they said.
Nearly two dozen individuals are facing charges in an alleged marijuana distribution scheme that spanned multiple Colorado counties and had ties to Florida.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation along with the 11th Judicial District announced Thursday that 23 arrest warrants were issued over the alleged plot to manufacture, process and distribute marijuana across El Paso, Pueblo and Fremont counties.

Officials said the investigation began at one of the suspect properties in Fremont County, where a shootout erupted that was allegedly related to the robbery at the manufacturing site between members of the drug trafficking organization. According to the announcement, a 57-year-old woman and her 18-month-old child were struck by stray gunfire during the incident.

The female survived her injuries, and thankfully the toddler was not harmed, the release reads.

Thirty-two-year-old Onel Martinez, his wife, 41-year-old Martha Romero, and 48-year-old Mario Hernandez were the alleged ringleaders of the drug trafficking organization. At the time of the alleged crimes, Martinez and Romero were employees of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, and Hernandez was a federal employee of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The three have been located and are in police custody, CBI states in the news release.

According to the release, the group allegedly recruited members for the organization in Colorado and Florida to operate the illegal marijuana manufacturing, processing and distributing operations throughout the three counties.

A joint investigation by the CBI and law enforcement in Colorado and Florida led to nine arrests after the 23 warrants were served.

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The CBI said authorities seized 1,150 illicit marijuana plants, approximately 869 pounds of marijuana product, some packaged for distribution, 13 firearms  some stolen, approximately 3.23 grams of methamphetamine, the recovery of stolen heavy equipment, and the recovery of stolen vehicles, stolen trailers, and a stolen UTV."

The 23 individuals are believed to have engaged in the marijuana manufacturing operation to then distribute the product out of state, bypassing enacted regulations and tax requirements, according to release.

CBI said the 23 suspects are facing numerous felony charges consisting of a pattern of racketeering, conspiracy, possession of marijuana concentrate, marijuana cultivation, filing false tax returns and tax evasion.

The number of indictments achieved as a result of this investigation demonstrates how expansive this organization was, said David Olesky, acting special agent in charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration Rocky Mountain Field Division.

According to the Thursday release, law enforcement is actively working to find the remaining 14 suspects.

Along with Hernandez, Martinez, and Romero, Fernando Herrera, Ricardo Licourt, Ariel Rizo, Yanaisa Guevara, Yunier Chavez and Juan Reyes have also been found and are in custody.

This is a developing story. This article will be updated once more information is received.
A fire that started Monday in a remote training area on Fort Carson is now 80% contained with no growth over the last day, officials said in a news release late Thursday afternoon.

"Fort Carson firefighters faced winds that challenged a few spots but have been able to hold the fire," officials said in the release.

Fire units from other installations and agencies were released Wednesday night.

The fire has burned 1,450 acres on the Mountain Post.

Crews from the Air Force Academy, Schriever Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Complex and the Stratmoor Hills Fire Department assisted Fort Carson firefighters as they established a perimeter and performed mop-up operations into Wednesday, officials said.

Smoke will continue to be seen in the area for the next few days, according to the news release.
A high-traffic bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir has been closed indefinitely after anomalies were found on the structure during an inspection, the Colorado Department of Transportation announced Friday.

The U.S. 50 bridge over the reservoir was closed Thursday evening after cracks were found during an inspection of the bridge, according to CDOT officials.

With the closure, those traveling the major route that cuts across Colorado will be adding hours to their drive.

The bridge on U.S. 50 is west of Gunnison and near the Dillon Pinnacles. It travels over Blue Mesa Reservoir, with the stretch of road serving as a key route between Gunnison and Montrose.

The closure is between mile point 131 and mile point 138, though locals will still be allowed through the closure point to access their residences.

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As a result of the closure, those traveling between Gunnison and Montrose will have to take a significant detour, with CDOT recommending travelers use either Interstate 70 to the north or U.S. 160 to the south. The I-70 route takes six hours, traveling about 354 miles, with the U.S. 160 route taking close to seven hours, traveling 331 miles  much longer than the typical hour and 15 minutes it takes to travel the 65 miles between the two cities.

CDOT is working to determine if local seasonal routes could be cleared in order to provide a shorter route between these two cities.

Find additional information here.
Four more cattle have been killed this week by wolves in Grand County.

With the recent attacks, a total of six animals have been killed in April during what is considered to be the heart of calving season. The other two livestock, both calves, were killed in Grand and Jackson counties.

Grand County Commissioner Merrit Linke, himself a rancher, told Colorado Politics the four livestock, all yearlings, came from the same ranch. Three were killed between Monday night and Tuesday morning, while the fourth was Wednesday night.

A statement issued Thursday afternoon by Colorado Parks and Wildlife confirmed the attacks.

CPW received a report of a possible depredation incident in Grand County Wednesday morning, the statement said. Wildlife officers and a biologist responded and conducted a field investigation.

"The field investigation found injuries consistent with wolf depredation on three deceased yearling (an animal that is a year old) cattle. CPW believes the depredation occurred between Monday night and Tuesday morning, when a storm brought a foot of snow to the area covering up the carcasses and delaying their discovery until Wednesday."

Thursday morning, CPW received a report of a possible fourth depredation incident at the same property and found evidence confirming this to be a wolf-livestock depredation.

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"The field investigation found injuries on one dead yearling cattle consistent with wolf depredation, including hemorrhaging and partially consumed hindquarters," the statement said.

CPW also confirmed wolves from the pack of 10 released in Grand County in December were in the area.

The department is finalizing a range rider plan to assist livestock producers to deter wolf and livestock conflict. "Communication between CPW, CDA and livestock producers is a top priority during calving season."

Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the producer would be eligible for fair market value compensation if a claim is submitted. More specifically, the cattle's owner can be compensated by the state for the animals market value, up to $15,000.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife released 10 wolves into Grand County in December. All the wolves came from Oregon, several from packs with a history of livestock predation, despite a pledge from CPW to avoid picking wolves with that history.

Wolves in Jackson County have killed 16 cattle and calves, working dogs and sheep. Those wolves, however, came into Colorado several years ago from Wyoming. Two wolves from that original group are still believed to be in Colorado.

The dozen wolves in Colorado are all collared, although their offspring, if any, are not.
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.
A federal judge on Tuesday heard arguments over whether to overturn a new U.S. Department of Defense rule that reduces reimbursements to children's hospitals by $36 million, with Children's Hospital Colorado arguing its facilities in Aurora and Colorado Springs will suffer disproportionate and debilitating cuts as a result.
China launches cultural carnival to spotlight IP

Xinhua) 08:43, April 19, 2024

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- A cultural carnival dedicated to intellectual property kicked off on Thursday in Beijing.

The event was held in part to observe World Intellectual Property Day, which is celebrated annually on April 26.

Under the auspices of the Copyright Society of China and the China Law Society, the carnival features promotions of scientific and technological advancements, opportunities for readers to engage with writers, job fairs for intellectual property professionals, and displays of home-grown brands.

At the inauguration ceremony held at Renmin University of China, organizers stressed the importance of innovation as the primary driver of development.

The event aims to raise public awareness of the relevance of intellectual property and help foster a culture that values knowledge, champions innovation, upholds integrity, observes the law, and advocates for fair competition.

China will run a nationwide communication week on intellectual property from April 20 to 26.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Iowa Ethics and Disclosure Board has agreed to investigate a complaint that Democratic Cerro Gordo County Auditor Adam Wedmore used a county postage meter when mailing campaign materials Jan. 27.

Zach Goodrich, executive director and legal counsel for the ethics board, said during a meeting Thursday that in February Wedmore self-reported to the ethics board that he had used a postage meter managed by Cerro Gordo County on 1,000 pieces of campaign mail.

Wedmore later paid the county $650 for using the meter. The cost of the postage was $640, and Wedmore included an additional $10 to cover the cost of electricity and wear and tear. The Iowa Attorney General's Office declined to file criminal charges in the case.

The state auditor also is investigating.

Goodrich said the initial complaint to the ethics board came directly from Wedmore in February. Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors Chair Lori Meacham-Ginapp, also a Democrat, reported the incident Feb. 26 on behalf of the Board of Supervisors.

Meacham-Ginapp also was investigated by the ethics board for a November 2022 complaint involving the misuse of county resources. Meacham-Ginapp was reprimanded and fined $200 for the lapse.
Two aerial firefighting jets, including one based in Missoula, have been grounded because of corrosion apparently caused by a new fire retardant the U.S. Forest Service approved for use beginning last year.

Two large air tankers  mid-size passenger jets converted to carry 3,000 gallons of retardant each  used a magnesium chloride fire retardant product while fighting wildfires last year. Both are grounded pending a joint investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Forest Service.

The magnesium chloride retardant was in limited use last fire season, loaded into the two large air tankers and some smaller, single-engine aircraft also in Montana. After the discovery this winter of corrosion in areas of the large air tankers where the retardant accumulated, the Forest Service decided not to use it this year. Instead, the agency will continue its widespread use of ammonium phosphate fire retardant that has been the go-to retardant nationwide for years. Aerial fire retardant is a mainstay of modern wildland firefighting and is often the most visible sign of crews trying to slow or contain a fire. The usually bright-red chemical slurries function by coating foliage ahead of a fire front and making it less susceptible to ignition.

The magnesium chloride retardant was developed by Fortress North America. Founded in 2016 and partially based in Stevensville, south of Missoula, Fortress touted its formula as more environmentally friendly than ammonium phosphate. The company highlighted that distinction after an environmental group sued the Forest Service in 2022 over drops of ammonium phosphate retardant into waterways, which a judge found had illegally degraded aquatic habitat. (The judge declined to halt the use of that retardant, citing the importance of aerial fire retardant in combating wildfires.)

Perimeter Solutions, the longtime sole provider of the Forest Service's ammonium phosphate retardant, is based in a suburb of St. Louis, and will continue to provide retardant this year. Compass Minerals, a Kansas-based salt and magnesium chloride company, purchased Fortress in May 2023. Compass Minerals previously owned a minority share of Fortress.

When the Forest Service approved Fortress' retardant for its Qualified Product List in December 2022, the company claimed it was the first long-term aerial fire retardant product added to the list in more than 20 years.

A spokesperson for the Forest Service refused to answer questions from the Missoulian about corrosion and the magnesium chloride retardant.

Compass Minerals, which produces its magnesium chloride from an evaporation facility in Utah's Great Salt Lake, announced March 25 that the Forest Service "informed the company that it will not be entering into a contract for the use of magnesium chloride-based aerial fire retardants for the 2024 fire season."

Winter evaluations of aerial firefighting aircraft mandated by the Forest Service found "significant signs of corrosion" where the retardant accumulated in aircraft that used the product, the company stated.

"While we are disappointed with the findings of the initial inspection, we share the USFS' prioritization of safety above all other factors," Edward C. Dowling Jr., president and CEO of Compass Minerals, said in the statement. "As we work collaboratively with the USFS, NTSB and NIST on the more detailed assessment to be conducted, we have to assume based on this new information that Fortress' proprietary, magnesium chloride-based aerial fire-retardant formulation will not be utilized for the foreseeable future in the fight against wildfires."

Nic Lynn, vice president of operations at Missoula-based Neptune Aviation, confirmed that the company's Tanker 02 used the magnesium chloride retardant from Compass Minerals last year. The plane is one of Neptune's nine active BAe-146 quad-jet tankers. It has not flown since it returned to Missoula from San Bernardino, California, on Dec. 19 last year. The company's other aircraft were not affected.

Although Tanker 02 is currently grounded during the investigation, Lynn said it "will be operational for the fire season."

Kevin McLaughlin, director of production and certification at Oregon-based Erickson Aero Tanker, confirmed that the company's Tanker 106 used Compass Minerals' retardant last year and would be grounded for the 2024 fire season. It last flew Dec. 14 last year when it returned to Madras, Oregon, from Porterville, California. The six other aircraft in Erickson's fleet  all MD-87 jets like Tanker 106  were unaffected.

Lynn and McLaughlin each declined to comment on the specifics of the damage to the aircraft, citing the ongoing investigation. Both companies' aircraft operate across the U.S.

The Ronan Single-Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) Base north of Missoula was the lone test site for Fortress' current magnesium chloride formula in 2022, and SEATs there used the product again last year after Compass Minerals fully purchased Fortress. The base, located within the Flathead Reservation, is operated by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Division of Fire and the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Robert McRae, the Ronan SEAT manager, did not respond to a voicemail seeking comment. Todd Coture, the base's operational manager, was unavailable for comment.

The revelation of corrosion serious enough to ground aircraft  and that it was seemingly caused by a Forest Service-approved retardant  led to the United Aerial Firefighters Association to call on the Forest Service to halt the testing and certification of new retardants until the agency develops new testing procedures to prevent a potentially corrosive retardant from getting on the Qualified Products List. The group also asked the agency to wait for the NTSB/NIST investigation report to be released.

"As it must, the USFS prioritized the safety of aircraft, aerial firefighters, and the public," UAFA Executive Director Paul Petersen wrote in a letter to lawmakers and Forest Service officials, "however, this development underscores the urgent need to reassess and update the current process for adding new products to the USFS Qualified Products List."

UAFA is an industry group whose membership includes Neptune Aviation, Erickson Aero Tanker, Fortress North America and Perimeter Solutions. Petersen's letter said that repair of the two affected aircraft could cost millions of dollars.
A Helena judge temporarily blocked the state Office of Public Instruction from requiring a parental petition and approval from a county superintendent and county commission for a newly formed charter school to open.

The office, however, can still require the submission of the average number belonging, or ANB, which is the estimated or actual number of students at the school, provided by the county superintendent.

The order comes out of a lawsuit filed by the Montana Quality Education Coalition earlier this year over requirements OPI was demanding for 19 new charter schools approved by the Board of Public Education under a new law passed in the 2023 legislative session to be able to open.

The coalition said the requirements from Superintendent Elsie Arntzen would make it very difficult to meet a July deadline to get schools open in time for the 2024-25 school year.

"At this juncture, the court accepts that OPI must be provided the ANB before it can legally issue school codes, at a minimum as a matter of practicality and seemingly as a matter of law," wrote Lewis and Clark County District Court Judge Michael McMahon, noting the code is a necessary part of receiving funding.

Citing the muddy legal waters the new law created in pitting the Board of Public Educations supervision of charter schools against the OPIs supervision over school openings, McMahon said Wednesday there was no status quo to follow since the lawsuit is over a brand-new law.

He continued by pointing out that another new law passed last year that changes when preliminary injunctions can be issued.

"Mindful of judicial activism criticism, this court must note that in this dispute, the new preliminary injunction standard quite literally requires this court to make the kinds of policy calls about the public interest which are generally the exclusive province of the Legislature, and which courts avoid strenuously if not strictly required by law."

"It is in the public interest not to allow an interpretation of law which may be incorrect from preventing the opening of schools authorized by the Legislature, established by the Board, and chosen by hundreds if not thousands of students and their families," McMahon said.

Following the order, Arntzen released a statement saying: "Unaccountable associations and woke organizations will continue to attack me for being a conservative and putting students, parents and families first. The district courts recent order clarifies that I am following the laws of our great state and NOT ignoring my constitutional duty to our students and schools. I have been a champion of school choice for children and parents during my time in office. I look forward to continuing to work with our school districts to open the public charter schools in accordance with the law and the courts order."
NORFOLK, Va.  Seaman Erin Purvis, a native of China Grove, North Carolina, serves aboard USS Gerald R. Ford, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.

Purvis graduated from Jesse C. Carson High School in 2020.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in China Grove.

My father always told me that hard work pays off and now that Im on my own, I understand what he meant, said Purvis. Last month, I got my first apartment and I love it.

Purvis joined the Navy 18 months ago. Today, Purvis serves as a quartermaster.

I joined the Navy to get motivated in life, said Purvis. Before, I was really struggling to stay focused in school. I also wanted a challenge and I knew the Navy could provide that. Lastly, I wanted to make my family proud in a different way than just going to college.

The crew recently completed an eight-month deployment, which was the first deployment for the Navys newest aircraft carrier.

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group was extended 76 days following the outbreak of conflict in Israel and operated in the Mediterranean Sea to deter further escalation and support Israel in its right to self-defense.

While in the Mediterranean, the carrier strike group participated in and supported numerous multinational exercises and vigilance activities to increase NATO capability and deter aggression in the region. The carrier visited ports in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Norway and Turkey. Other ships in the strike group visited Belgium, Cyprus, Montenegro, Spain, and Sweden.

The Gerald R. Ford is everything our nation hoped it would be, and more. I am so proud of the crew, who breathed life into the worlds most technologically advanced warship and stood the watch in defense of our national interests, said Capt. Rick Burgess, Gerald R. Fords commanding officer. Though extended, we were the right ship at the right time to answer the call, and our sailors performed admirably. Ford sailors honored our namesakes legacies of hard work, integrity, and courage.

In 239 days underway, the ships crew conducted 43 underway replenishments, logged more than 17,826 flight hours and 10,396 sorties, sailed more than 83,476 nautical miles, and safely transferred 20.7 million gallons of fuel with zero mishaps. The Ford crew conducted 33,444 flight deck moves, 3,124 hangar bay aircraft moves, 2,883 aircraft elevator moves, 16,351 aircraft fueling evolutions, and transferred 8,850 pallets of cargo and mail. The Gerald R. Ford culinary team prepared and served 3.1 million meals, which included approximately 48,000 dozen eggs, 24,000 gallons of milk, 131,000 hamburgers, 367,000 pounds of chicken, and Gerald R. Fords favorite, 79,000 chocolate chip cookies.

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Purvis serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nations prosperity and security.

We will earn and reinforce the trust and confidence of the American people every day, said Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations. Together we will deliver the Navy the nation needs.

Purvis has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

Making it through a challenging deployment in 2023 is something I am very proud of, said Purvis. Family is a big thing to me and Id never been away from them for that long, so sticking with it and succeeding proved something to myself.

Purvis can take pride in serving America through military service.

It means everything to serve in the Navy, said Purvis. Ive been able to do so much for my life that I never thought I would be able to do.

Purvis is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.

I have to thank my father who is the biggest inspiration in my life, added Purvis. There was a time when he was worried that I wouldnt make it in the Navy, but when he saw me graduate boot camp he was filled with pride and I want to continue making him proud.
In the report for virtual private network firm vpnMentor, Fowler - cybersecurity researcher at vpnMentor and co-founder of Security Discovery - says the database contained over 700k documents with over 100 GB; 355,384 unique documents marked as invoices revealing customers' PII, documents such as inspections, compliance reports and more putting the customers at risk of many online threats.

The exposed database contained 762,856 documents and totaled 107 GB. Upon further research, it was indicated that the data belonged to Smoke Alarm Solutions, an Australian company specializing in the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors, notes Fowler.

The publicly exposed files contained customer information, including detailed invoices, records of inspections, estimates, compliance reports, electrical safety inspections, service quotes, and service reports. The publicly accessible documents provided a comprehensive view of the company's transactions and customer interactions.

The database contained 355,384 documents marked as invoices, dated 2021-2024. This number gives a basic idea or estimate of how many individuals could be potentially affected by the exposure. Additionally, there were 24,632 documents marked as on site quotes that contained the names and email addresses of the business, agent, or individual obtaining a quote.

In a limited sample and manual review of the exposed database, I didnt see any duplicate documents or information  the documents appeared to be unique, Fowler says, adding that I immediately sent a responsible disclosure notice to Smoke Alarm Solutions and the database remained open to public access.

I received a reply from a technology consultant representing the company that read; We are aware of this data store. Its state is the unfortunate side effect of some work by a previous system integrator. We are actively migrating to a new customer management platform. We will block all access (or more likely, decommission) this data store as soon as we have migrated the data to our new platform.

Fowler further reports: However, the records were still accessible nearly 2 months after my first responsible disclosure notice. I sent numerous followup emails including official support links to information on how to restrict public access to the database and finally the database was secured. It is unclear how long the documents were exposed or who else may have gained access to them. Only an internal forensic audit conducted by Smoke Alarm Solutions could identify this information.

In Australia, all properties are legally required to have smoke alarms installed on every level of a home. This includes owner-occupied homes, rental properties, relocatable homes, caravans, camper-vans, or any other residential buildings. The market size of the Fire and Security Alarm Installation Services industry in Australia was estimated to be $4.0bn in 2023. Companies like Smoke Alarm Solutions offer subscription services to help private individuals, landlords, and real estate companies stay compliant with the law. A unique dynamic arises anytime customers are using a service or a product that is legally required, as it typically involves a regulated market. As such, its important that these companies provide a high-quality service, which includes safeguarding their consumers data to the best of their ability.

According to their LinkedIn page, Smoke Alarm Solutions is the leading provider of residential smoke alarm compliance and maintenance services to the Australian real estate industry. Australian owned and operated since 2007 with local technicians and electricians located throughout Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.

To read the full vpnMentor report click here.
Google has fired 28 employees who were involved in a protest at two of its offices this week against Project Nimbus, a US$1.2 billion (A$1.87 billion) cloud contract with Israel, which also involves Amazon.

The Verge cited an internal memo which said some of those sacked had occupied the office of its cloud boss Thomas Kurian until they were ejected by law enforcement.

In March, another Google employee was sacked for protesting against the same contract, during a company presentation in Israel.

Protests at the search behemoth against government contracts are not unusual. In May 2018, a dozen employees resigned over Google's involvement in Project Maven, a US Defence Department program designed to use artificial intelligence to interpret video images and assist in targeting enemies in drone strikes.

And in September the same year, at least five employeesover the company's plans to launch a censored search engine app in China, with senior research scientist Jack Poulson the most prominent among them.

The internal Google memo, sent by Google head of global security Chris Rackow on Wednesday, said: "You may have seen reports of protests at some of our offices yesterday. Unfortunately, a number of employees brought the event into our buildings in New York and Sunnyvale.

GOOGLE MOTTOS: A HISTORY



1999: Don't Be Evil

2003: Try Your Hardest To Not Be Evil

2008: Make A Reasonable Effort To Avoid Being Evil

2013: What Is Evil, Really, When You Get Down To It, I Mean Really

2018: *just a series of high-pitched giggles*  MGK Hockey 1234 (@mightygodking) 28 March 2018

"They took over office spaces, defaced our property, and physically impeded the work of other Googlers. Their behaviour was unacceptable, extremely disruptive, and made co-workers feel threatened.

"We placed employees involved under investigation and cut their access to our systems. Those who refused to leave were arrested by law enforcement and removed from our offices.

"Following investigation, today we terminated the employment of twenty-eight employees found to be involved. We will continue to investigate and take action as needed."

A statement from the group, which calls itself No Tech for Apartheid, described the sackings as a "flagrant act of retaliation".

And it added: "This... is a clear indication that Google values its US$1.2 billion contract with the genocidal Israeli government and military more than its own workers.

"In the three years that we have been organising against Project Nimbus, we have yet to hear from a single executive about our concerns. Google workers have the right to peacefully protest about terms and conditions of our labour. These firings were clearly retaliatory."

Israel has been engaged in military action against the Palestinian extremist group Hamas after the latter killed about 120 Israelis in a raid on 7 October. Since then, Israel has killed more than 30,000 Palestinians, including extremists.
Neo4j, the worlds leading graph database and analytics company, is celebrating the publication of ISO and IECs new international standard for graph query language (GQL), which defines the data structures and basic operations for working with property graphs. The new GQL standard follows the collaboration of Neo4j with fellow members of the ISO committee and recognises the demand from customers for a standard graph language. This milestone speaks to the maturation of the graph database market as a whole and is a defining moment in the history of database innovation.

The ISO committee responsible for both GQL and SQL comprises vendors, researchers, and standards professionals from across the world, including Neo4j. The GQL standard is conceived as an ISO sibling to SQL and a close reflection of Cypher, often considered the de facto graph language. The standard consists of over 600 pages of formal definitions, references more than 400 papers, and is comparable in size and scope to the SQL-92 standard. SQL went on to become the dominant language for accessing relational databases, achieving mass worldwide adoption and dramatically accelerating the growth of the relational database market. GQL is now expected to have a similar impact.

Philip Rathle, Chief Technology Officer at Neo4j, said, As our world becomes more and more connected, our data is also more and more connected. The best engine for operating in a connected world is a graph database. Likewise for analysing and understanding business dynamics and the predictive role that connections can play. Graphs are supercharging digital transformation, analytics, and GenAI. With knowledge graphs as one of the high-impact Gen AI trends, ISOs timing for a Graph Query Language standard couldnt be more perfect!

The industry relies on open standards and open source to enable platform and tooling interoperability, developer and organisational choice. The generative AI movement has generally chosen to downplay the value of these building blocks, however, said James Governor, Principal Analyst and Co-Founder, RedMonk. "Given the rise of closed models and platforms, its good to see some layers of the AI and data stack being standardised. ISO standardisation of Graph Query Language (GQL) ensures that property graph handling will remain open as a de jure standard, similarly to SQL.

Tony Holland, Communications Lead, ISO/ IEC Joint Technical Committee 1/AG 1, said, "These are exciting times for query languages, for standards development, for the Joint Technical Committee, and for the experts who have worked to develop this new standard. It marks a new chapter in the history of query languages, revolutionizing the way we interact with and harness the power of interconnected data. GQL represents a significant step forward in data querying and manipulation, offering a unified and expressive language for navigating complex graph structures. With a standardised framework for querying graph databases, GQL breaks down barriers to data interoperability and empowers developers, researchers, and businesses to unlock new insights, discover hidden connections, and create new innovations."

ISO has invested more than 5 years of work into this standard, with Neo4j involved from the start as committee members and technical advisors. To learn more about the GQL ISO standard, please visit:
Macchan (Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi)

If you live in Japan and want to experience Seoul without taking a trip to South Korea, visit Shin-Okubo in Tokyo.

Shin-Okubo is known as a relatively new Koreatown in Japan. When Japan opened its doors to foreign students and laborers in the 1980s, many Korean immigrants flocked to this town because of its cheap rent and the willingness of landlords to accept foreign tenants.

A walk through this busy district will show you crowds of people shopping for Korean products and enjoying Korean snacks and sweets from the many street vendors. While a lot of women have their eyes on Korean-made cosmetics, there are also many Korean food supermarkets, including Seoul Market, where you can buy virtually any ingredient needed to cook Korean dishes at home.

If cooking isnt your strength but you still want to enjoy an exquisite meal, choose one of the hundreds of restaurants in Shin-Okubo serving traditional dishes and modern ones like yangnyeom sweet and spicy fried chicken. Or stop into one of the many trendy cafes that sell picture-perfect coffees and desserts.

For an authentic Korean lunch at a reasonable price, I went to Macchan near the station for quality barbecue samgyeopsal pork belly.

Macchan is down some steep stairs in the basement of a building near Shin-Okubo Station. The tiny interior will transport you to an old, mom-and-pop restaurant in Seouls Namdaemun Market District. The walls are covered with posters of Korean movie stars and colorful menus advertising the specials.

(Macchan) (Macchan) (Macchan) (Macchan)

I ordered the samgyeopsal lunch set for 1,000 yen ($6.50), which includes pork belly and side dishes. I sat at one of the seven tables set up with an iron pan and smoke-suctioning air duct.

Soon after I placed my order, the server returned with the raw meat and started cooking it on the iron pan at my table. The spicy, crisp aroma of the meat and kimchi reminded me of the last time I visited Seoul 15 years ago.

(Macchan) (Macchan) (Macchan) (Macchan)

I sampled small morsels of the pork topped with kimchi and miso and wrapped in a lettuce leaf as the server cooked the rest of the meat. It was really delicious!

I devoured my meal and was surprised that after the meat was gone, the server returned to cook kimchi fried rice in the pan using the leftover pork juices. The flavorful dish was a delectable way to end a satisfyingly inexpensive meal.

(Macchan) (Macchan)

Though the samgyeopsal set is the shops recommendation, they also offer plenty of other lunch options like sundubu Jigae (a spicy tofu, fish, kimchi and vegetable stew) for 880 yen, seolleongtang (a simmered beef and ox bone soup) for 990 yen and samgye-tang (ginseng chicken soup) for 1,280 yen.

Take a break from shopping in Shin-Okubo for a taste of delicious Korean dishes at Macchan.

Macchan

Location: 1-15-19 [B1F] Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Hours: 11 a.m.  midnight (lunch: 11 a.m.  5 p.m.)

URL

Tel: 03-5338-8776

*Macchan has two more restaurants in Shin-Okubo district. Check them out on the website.
(Takahiro Takiguchi)

Sakura-Shinmachi in south-central Tokyo is a quiet residential area bordered by the Tamagawa River on its western edge. The town is known for its connection to cartoonist Machiko Hasegawa and as the setting of her manga Sazae-san.

Sazae-san has never been exported overseas, but in Japan, it has been a beloved comic series since its release in 1946. In 1969, the manga landed on the small screen with an animated series still broadcasting to this day. In 2013, the anime achieved the Guinness World Record for the longest running animated TV series.

My Filipina wife even enjoys the series and credits the 30-minute program with helping her raise her Japanese language proficiency.

Sazae-san is 30-minutes long and consists of three short vignettes with funny but family-oriented, heartwarming stories featuring Sazaes careless, funny yet humane gestures. My wife said the show never fails to cheer her up and she never misses it when it airs on Sundays.

To me, the old-fashioned settings and traditional behaviors always remind me of the good old days of my youth.

To enjoy the unique atmosphere of the town filled with Sazae-sans cheerful spirit, my wife and I recently visited Sakura-Shinmachi, where cartoonist Hasegawa lived and illustrated the townscape and people in her manga series.

A bronze statue of Sazae-san and her family welcomed us at the station. As the name Sakura-Shinmachi (literally, cherry blossoms new town) shows, cherry trees along the streets were blossoming, adding spring colors to the town of Sazae-san. While strolling in the town, we found 12 statues, and the street between the station and Hasegawa Machiko Museum named Sazae-san Street boasts countless colorful illustrations and statues along the walk. For a Sazae-san enthusiast like my wife, anywhere on the street offered a great photo-op.

The Hasegawa Machiko Museum displays about 800 art pieces and craftworks that were collected by the cartoonist, and the annex includespanels of her life and cartoon works. Fans can also shop at the museum store or grab a refreshment at the cafe on-site.

Whether youre familiar with the hit manga or not, Sakura-Shinmachi is a fun area to explore and learn more about Sazae-san.

(Takahiro Takiguchi) (Takahiro Takiguchi) (Takahiro Takiguchi) (Takahiro Takiguchi) (Takahiro Takiguchi) (Takahiro Takiguchi)

Hasegawa Machiko Museum

Location: 1-30-6 Sakura-shinmachi, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Hours: Tue  Sun, 10 a.m.  5:30 p.m.

Admission: Adults 900 yen, college and high schoolers 500 yen, middle and elementary schoolers 400 yen

URL

Tel: 03-3701-8766
CHICAGO  Despite widespread understanding of the health and environmental damages caused by forever chemicals, manufacturers continue to win federal approval to synthesize new versions of the toxic compounds with little, if any, government oversight.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin wants to begin shutting off the tap by outlawing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, unless they are used in medical devices or other essential products.

Legislation introduced Thursday by the Illinois Democrat would give manufacturers a decade to phase out most uses of PFAS and eliminate air and water pollution that for now is largely released from factories without limits.

The bill also would attempt to prevent corporations from seeking protection under bankruptcy laws to avoid lawsuits seeking compensation for health damages.

PFAS surround us, Durbin said. They are in the pots and pans we cook with, in our drinking water supply, in the air we breathe. We must act to ensure that harm brought on by these forever chemicals is mitigated.

This is the latest of several measures introduced in Congress to address PFAS problems across the nation. Most likely will not make it through the Senate and House of Representatives in a period of divided government, but Durbin and other top lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled Senate often manage to include their priorities in broader, must-pass legislation such as the annual budget for national defense.

A companion bill to Durbins introduced in the Republican-controlled House is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a Minnesota Democrat.

Forever chemicals, pioneered after World War II by the global conglomerates 3M and DuPont, have been added for decades to products featuring brand names such as Scotchgard, Stainmaster and Teflon. Industry has promoted PFAS as miracles of science, but since the late 1990s lawsuits have revealed that 3M and DuPont hid from regulators and the public what the companies knew decades ago about the harmful consequences.

PFAS are called forever chemicals because they dont break down in the environment. Some build up in human blood, take years to leave the body and trigger testicular and kidney cancer, birth defects, liver damage, impaired fertility, immune system disorders, high cholesterol and obesity.

In 2022, a Chicago Tribune investigation revealed that more than 8 million people in the state  6 out of every 10 Illinoisans  get their drinking water from a utility where at least one forever chemical has been detected.

President Joe Bidens administration last week announced the nations first limits on six PFAS in drinking water  to date the most significant action taken by the federal government to protect Americans from the compounds, two of which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has concluded are unsafe at any level.

Durbin noted another 12,000 PFAS have been introduced to the marketplace during the past 70 years without thorough assessments of health risks. Scientists estimate about 600 are in production today.

Another measure introduced Thursday, sponsored by two Democrats and a Republican in the House and Democratic U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, would require the EPA to develop water quality standards for all PFAS within three years. The measure also would set deadlines for the agency to limit the chemicals in sewage from several industries.

Chemical manufacturers contend forever chemicals arent harmful. The American Chemistry Council accused the EPA last week of overstating the non-cancer risks of PFAS and of failing to prove the benefits of limiting them in drinking water outweigh the costs.

But 3M  which recently agreed to pay communities with contaminated water at least $10.3 billion and faces scores of other lawsuits  announced last year it will stop making PFAS in 2025.

Until now the federal governments response to PFAS pollution has mostly been limited to studying it. Amid the slow response, several states have taken action to ban the chemicals in certain items, including personal care products, food packaging, firefighting foam and fabric treatments.

Firefighters, farmers and families are demanding solutions and state leaders on both sides of the aisle are stepping up to stop use, clean up, identify safer solutions and hold polluters accountable, said Sarah Doll, national director of the nonprofit Safer States coalition. That said, we need all levels of government to address the crisis.
Assyrian Priest Released From Hospital After Wakeley Terror Attack

Sydney (Reuters) -- An Assyrian church bishop who was stabbed during a service at his church said on Thursday he was recovering quickly, and that he had forgiven his attacker as police ramped up investigation into the riots triggered after the bishop's stabbing.

Two knife attacks within three days - at a busy shopping centre near Bondi beach that killed six people on Saturday and at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Sydney's west on Monday - has shocked residents of Australia's most populous city.

"I am doing fine, recovering very quickly ... there is no need to be worried or concerned," Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel said in an audio message posted on social media, his first public comments since the attack. "I forgive whoever has done this act ... I will always pray for you and whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well."

Bishop Emmanuel, who has a popular youth following on TikTok and had criticised homosexuality, COVID vaccinations and Islam in his sermons, was injured in the attack, which has been deemed a terrorist act motivated by suspected religious extremism.

A male teenager has been arrested in the attack on the bishop and is in the hospital under police guard.

An angry crowd fought emergency crews outside the church, demanding that the suspected attacker be handed over to them.

New South Wales state Police Commissioner Karen Webb said a 19-year-old man, who was not a member of the church, was charged in connection with his role in the riot.

"People just came along to participate in a riot. That is disgraceful and disgusting," Webb said during a news briefing.

More detectives have been assigned to investigate the riot, which injured about 50 officers and damaged 20 police cars.

Bishop Emmanuel, in his message, urged his congregation to remain calm and respect the law.

As police investigate, the Bondi mall reopened on Thursday to allow people inside to pay their respects to the victims, with stores remaining closed and a white floral tribute laid out on the second floor. Businesses are expected to resume trade starting Friday.

"We've gone from shock to disbelief to now grief, and it's gonna take quite a time for people to be able to process," Paula Masselos, mayor of the local council, told ABC television.

A candlelight vigil will be held on Sunday, she said, as flowers and bouquets pile up at a makeshift memorial.
By 1975, Joan Micklin Silver of Omaha had made herself an up-and-coming  and moneymaking  Hollywood director.

It was anything but easy.

When male-dominated Hollywood refused to let her make her debut movie, Hester Street, she went outside the system. When the same system refused to distribute it, she found a way to get her film in front of audiences  and they loved it. In doing so, she allowed generations of other women to follow her.

Yet despite her achievements and enduring acclaim in cinema circles, Silver is hardly a household name, including in her home state.

Now, the writer-director is posthumously entering the spotlight thanks to a new play based on her seminal work. It made its world premiere in late March in Washington, D.C.

The play, whose creators and producers hope for a Broadway production, is reviving interest in Silver just as new prints of Hester Street and her other films are getting new life. People involved with both efforts say the attention is overdue.

It never got easy  she really stressed that when I met her. It was always a battle, said playwright Sharyn Rothstein, who authored the play. In so many ways I am incredibly fortunate to be the beneficiary of the work and struggles of Joan and her generation of artists.

Silver faced steep barriers to entry. While she acknowledged filmmaking is a tough field for everyone  its extraordinarily competitive, it was far tougher for women.

I actually had an executive say to me, Feature films are expensive to make and expensive to market, and women directors are one more problem we dont need. So, yes, it was that blatant, Silver said in 1999.

Hollywood rejected her script about Jewish emigres on New Yorks Lower East Side at the turn of the last century as too ethnic. Her condition of directing Hester Street herself was a deal-breaker.

She was an unapologetically Jewish filmmaker making films informed by her own cultural experiences, said Dan Mirvish, an Omaha native and founder of the SlamDance film festival. The irony is that most people probably thought she was from New York. But sometimes it takes an Omahan to fully appreciate and comment on New York life.

Failing to get Hollywood backing, she and husband Ray Silver financed and produced the film. Studios and distributors wouldnt touch the finished product, so the couple self-distributed.

Their roughly $400,000 investment grossed $5 million-plus and made Silver a darling of American indie film. It also gave her entry to the studios that had snubbed her.

It was inspirational as a landmark independent success but also there was no other story like that  about a woman being able to make the movie she wanted to make, said Ira Deutchman, a New York-based film professor and indie producer.

Hester Street sparked a mini boom of female-directed independent films, Deutchman said.

Theres no doubt the success of that film got others interested in the fact there was this unmined talent out there that could be taken advantage of.

Silver continued making films. But eventually both she and her work faded from public consciousness. She became largely unknown to a new generation of film students and filmmakers, said Deutchman, a close friend of Silver and a co-producer of the Hester Street play.

I was really kind of devastated that that legacy didnt seem to exist.

Deutchman is leading an effort to restore and re-release some of Silvers films. Thus far, Hester Street and Between the Lines have been restored and screened. A Fish in the Bathtub, the last of her Jewish trilogy, is being restored now.

Its all about bringing Joan back to the surface again, Deutchman said.

He believes Silvers stories stand the test of time.

Her love of storytelling was stoked by tales told to her by her Russian Jewish emigre elders and by movies she watched at the Dundee Theater. She wrote sketches for school plays at Omaha Central High School.

With no interest in working in her familys Micklin Lumber Co. store, she graduated in 1952 and left for college in New York, intent on pursuing a creative life.

She met Ray, married, and moved with him to Cleveland, where he worked in real estate. She bore three daughters and in between raising a family haunted cinemas and began writing for local theater.

A series of chance meetings landed her scriptwriting work, and eventually directorial experience, for Childrens Television Workshop. The only directing jobs open to women at the time were in the educational, experimental and underground markets.

Silvers initial Hollywood foray proved frustrating.

I couldnt get a job directing at all. At that time the only job I was suitable for in the industry was writing, she said.

Silver formed a production company  initially named Omaha Films  but continued to struggle.

Then a story of hers based on interviews she did with wives of American POWs and MIAs was serialized by McCalls magazine. Universal Pictures optioned it. Veteran Hollywood director Mark Robson became attached to the project.

Silver prepared a screenplay for what was released as Limbo in 1972. During pre-production Robson had a very different take on the story and replaced Silver. Then he surprised her with a show of grace when, aware of her interest in directing, he invited her on set to learn production and budgeting.

I spent about 10 days there for my first exposure to the Hollywood movie-making apparatus. It was very helpful.

That experience, along with her husbands support, emboldened Silver to realize on her own terms what became her breakthrough project.

For subject matter she drew on the novella Yekl: A Tale of the New York Ghetto and the family stories she grew up listening to. She changed the focus from the husband to the wife. It became Hester Street.

She couldnt help but wonder while filming whether shed ever get to make another movie.

I say that because things were pretty dire for women directors and I really wanted to make one that would count for my family, she said. The immigrant experience was a very big part of my familys experience.

Critics warmly reviewed it. Star Carol Kane earned an unexpected Best Actress Oscar nomination. The storys feminist themes in combination with the films female writer-director made it and Silver favorites of the womens liberation movement.

In 2011 it was selected for inclusion in the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. The honor took Silver by surprise.

I was really pleased, I had no expectation, and I was delighted to be on the same list with a John Ford movie and a Charlie Chaplin movie, she said.

Silver directed seven films for theatrical release  including Chilly Scenes of Winter and Big Girls Dont Cry  and nine movies for TV, according to IMDB. It adds up to a filmography few modern women directors can match.

Nebraskas most well-known director, Alexander Payne, is an admirer of Silvers very human stories.

Where almost all other distinguished movie people from Nebraska migrated to California, Payne said Silver, ever the outlier, went to New York and became a keen observer and chronicler of life there, joining Sidney Lumet, Woody Allen, Paul Mazursky and Martin Scorsese as one of Americas foremost New York-based filmmakers.

Daughter Dina Silver is grateful for the new appreciation accorded her mothers story.

Her moms first feature film put her on the map. Today, she can see the cinematic impact of her mothers contributions.

She would be absolutely thrilled to see the numbers of women putting their individual stamp of heart and intellect on films all over the world, and to have been one of the women who helped nudge the door open.

Silver lived to see the fruits of her labor in what she termed the much richer stew of filmmakers getting opportunities to direct. Its not nearly as bleak a picture as it was, she said in 2011.

Her daughters, who grew up on her sets, all found careers in the industry. Dina is a producer. Claudia, who acted in a few of her mothers films, is a writer. Marissa is a director.

Well, you know, one always feels one could have done more, Silver said of her career. But Ive managed to make films for many years now in a field that was extremely unfriendly to women and to make the films I wanted.

Still, she knew the industry had more work to do to achieve parity.

The Center for the Study of Women in Television & Films at San Diego State University found that in 2022 women accounted for only 22% of television and film directors. The numbers were not much better for writers, producers and executive producers. While 30% of editors are women, only 8% of cinematographers are women.

I hope Im some small part of that change, Rothstein said, and I think it wouldnt have changed if not for artists like Joan.

Rothstein knew she was destined to do something with Silvers iconic Hester Street as soon as she saw it.

It just spoke immediately to my familys story, she said. My whole family on both sides broadly fit the same journey as the characters of Hester Street.

Silvers decision to tell the story from the point of view of the female lead proved groundbreaking, Rothstein said.

The challenge of what Joan did to flip the script spoke to me as a writer. How you take an old story and both respect it and make it new. I really thought maybe thats something I could do with the stage adaptation.

Like Rothstein, co-producer Michael Rabinowitz always loved and related to the movie and always wanted to get it on the stage. Its a story that still resonates today.

It is very specific and yet very universal in its themes inside and outside Jewish culture wherever you are, and that to me makes the best art and best theater.

It took some doing to get Silver to agree to let her baby have a new life on stage. She declined previous requests over the years because she felt like the movie is so good it lives on its own, it doesnt need another version, said Rothstein.

Silver leaned on Deutchman for counsel.

Little by little, she warmed to the idea, said Deutchman.

Silver, who died in 2020, was involved in the plays early development and provided notes to its makers.

She saw a reading of it and was in heaven about that, said Rothstein. Its really meaningful she was there, though heartbreaking she wont see its final fruition.

Dina Silver said her mom would be deeply exhilarated to see the project come to life.

We are excited that moms gorgeous commitment to stories that touch the heart has a new life in the play.

The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.

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Calling My Love Affair With Marriage a coming-of-age story of a girl born in the Soviet Union 50 years ago describes but vastly undersells Signe Baumanes inventive, original, densely packed animated picture.

That inventiveness begins with the animation in which Baumane utilizes hand-drawn characters and 3D handmade sets and papier-mache sculptures to create a distinctive look and feel for the story of Zelma (voiced by Dagmara Dominczyk) from age 7 to 29, moving her across Soviet Russia to Latvia against the backdrop of Soviet society.

Based on Baumanes life, the picture finds the independent tough young Zelma isolated from the other kids at school and pushed into traditional female meekness and subservience to the boys and men shes looking to for love.

Those societal admonitions come from parents, her schools, Communist officials at her wedding, to alcoholic artist Sergei (voice by Cameron Monaghan) and, again inventively, a Greek chorus of three winged women (voiced by Latvian musicians Trio Limonade) who put the woman-stay-in-your-place cultural orders into some of the 30 songs that pervade the picture.

Those, however, arent the only changes that the film inventively reveals. As Zelma falls in love, has other emotional reactions and goes through physical changes, the picture turns to a talking neuron (voiced by Michele Pawk, animated by Yajun Shi) to explain the brain chemistry that triggers the reactions and the physiology of the physical changes.

As Zelmas journey takes her out of the house into her hoped-for career as an artist and across Europe, she violates some of those societal mores  e.g. losing her virginity at 17 to an older artist, who ghosts her; finding herself trapped in relationships that, to understate things, dont create the magic and happiness she imagined; and, at various times, struggling to survive and always to fit in.

Thats a lot to pack into a movie, and with 30 speaking characters and more than 100 others taking the screen, a lot of work. But Baumane and her collaborators handle it well in creating a distinctive visual style for the briskly told, highly imagined story.

My Love Affair With Marriage conveys multiple messages, that come down to two interlocked themes  Zelmas quest to become content with herself, her life and her loves; and an ultimately winning argument that she, and by extension all women, have no reason to be subservient to men and societal convention.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  Iran fired air defense batteries early Friday morning after reports of explosions near a major airbase at the city of Isfahan, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

It was unclear if the country was under attack. However, tensions remain high after Iran's unprecedented missile-and-drone attack on Israel over the weekend in retaliation for a strike in Syria that killed several Iranian officers.

One Iranian government official and later Iran's state-run television broadcaster suggested sites may have been targeted by drones.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

IRNA said the defenses fired across several provinces. It did not elaborate on what caused the batteries to fire, though people across the area reported hearing the sounds.

In particular, IRNA said air defenses fired at a major airbase in Isfahan, which long has been home to Iran's fleet of American-made F-14 Tomcats  purchased before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies also reported the sound of blasts, without giving a cause. State television acknowledged "loud noise" in the area.

Isfahan also is home to sites associated with Iran's nuclear program, including its underground Natanz enrichment site, which has been repeatedly targeted by suspected Israeli attacks. However, state television described all sites in the area as fully safe."

Dubai-based carriers Emirates and FlyDubai began diverting around western Iran about 4:30 a.m. local time. They offered no explanation, though local warnings to aviators suggested the airspace may have been closed.

Iran later announced it grounded commercial flights in Tehran and across areas of its western and central regions. Loudspeakers informed customers of the incident at Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, online videos purported to show.

Iranian state television began a scrolling, on-screen alert acknowledging a "loud noise" near Isfahan, without immediately elaborating.

Hossein Dalirian, a spokesman for Iran's civilian space program, said on the X social media platform that several small "quadcopter" drones were shot down.

It wasn't immediately clear where that happened or if it was part of the ongoing incident in Iran.

Meanwhile in Iraq, where a number of Iranian-backed militias are based, residents of Baghdad reported hearing sounds of explosions, but the source of the noise was not immediately clear.

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U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., called for stronger enforcement of American sanctions against Iran in the wake of its unprecedented air assault on Israel over the weekend.

When (Iranians) chant Death to Israel and Death to America, they mean it, Ricketts said in a conference call with reporters. So we should take them very seriously.

Israel said it was able to intercept 99% of Irans rockets and drones. But Iran still has many more such weapons in its arsenal, Ricketts said.

He said thats why its important for President Joe Biden and his administration to strengthen sanctions as a deterrent against Irans leaders. Republicans have accused Biden of inadequately enforcing oil sale sanctions on Iran.

Ricketts said Israel also needs to be measured in its response to Irans attack to avoid further escalation of tensions in the Middle East, where Israel is already engaged in a months-long war with Hamas in Gaza.

On another security matter, Ricketts continued to defend his opposition to additional U.S. defense aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia, despite recent Ukrainian territorial losses and lack of air defense missiles that led to the destruction of a major power plant serving Kyiv.

Like many Republicans, Ricketts argues that the United States needs to first shore up its own southern border with Mexico to stop illegal crossings before sending more aid to Ukraine.

Top Journal Star photos for April 2024
Church Complex Near Ancient City of Ur Points to Iraq's Christian Roots

A new church complex has been built near the ancient city of Ur, in Iraq, in an effort to draw attention to the long history of the country's beleaguered Christian community.

The building of the church has been spearheaded by a Chaldean Catholic engineer who was inspired by the words of Pope Francis in an address to faith leaders at Ur, the site believed to be the birthplace of Abraham. The Pope made his landmark visit to Iraq in 2021, as the country was emerging from decades of extremist sectarian violence, which caused high levels of emigration among Iraqi Christians and other religious minorities (News, 5 March 2021).

Towards the end of the 2021 meeting, which was attended by Muslim, Jewish, and Christian leaders, the Pope led a prayer that included the words: "Guide our hands in the work of rebuilding this country."

The engineer, Adour Ftouhi Boutros Katelma, presented the idea for the church to the Chaldean Patriarchate, pledging to supply the necessary funding.

According to the website Fides, the Chaldean Catholic Patriarch of Babylon, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, and the then Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, expressed approval of the project. Cardinal Sako also suggested that the church be dedicated to Ibrahim al-Khalil, Abraham, father of all believers, with a hall named after Pope Francis.

"We wanted to remind everyone that Christians are originally from Iraq, so that they can return and discover their land, their past, their roots," Mr Katelma told the Rome-based AsiaNews last week. "At the social level, we must work for mutual understanding, and this is the right time to rebuild." The church's inaugural liturgy will be celebrated by Easter, AsiaNews reported.

"The Pope's visit to Iraq, especially to Dhi Qar governorate and the ancient city of Ur, was of historical importance," the director of antiquities in Dhi Qar province, Shamil al-Rumaid, told Reuters. "This church was built . . . near the archaeological sites of the ancient city of Ur so that large numbers of our Christian brothers from all countries of the world can come visit."

The Christian community in Iraq dates back to the first century, but numbers have fallen from 1.4 million in 1987 to an estimated 154,000, the charity Open Doors reports. Many Iraqi Christians chose to emigrate to escape the economic instability and sectarian violence that followed the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.

Christians are represented politically by a strict quota system, and Cardinal Sako has said that they are treated in Shia-governed Iraq as "second-class citizens". Last July, the Iraqi President, Abdul Latif Rashid, revoked a decree recognising the Cardinal as Chaldean Patriarch "responsible for the assets of the Church". Cardinal Sako relocated from Baghdad to a monastery in Iraqi Kurdistan in protest. President Rashid's office said that the decision corrected a "constitutional" issue.

According to the Associated Press, Cardinal Sako blamed the move on a fellow Chaldean, Rayan al-Kildani, the head of a Shia-linked Christian militia, Babylon Brigades, which was set up after IS forced thousands of Iraqi Christians from their homes.
An arrest warrant has been issued for a 36-year-old Onalaska man who allegedly fled a traffic stop March 21.

Donovan Beckom was charged in La Crosse County Circuit Court with a felony count of fleeing an officer and misdemeanor counts of operating after revocation/alcohol-related, failure to maintain an ignition interlock device and obstructing an officer.

According to the criminal complaint, police responded to a report that an eastbound driver on Interstate 90 was all over the road and nearly struck a guard rail. Police located the vehicle three miles from the Minnesota state line and initiated a traffic stop. The complaint says the vehicle continued to drive on the shoulder for one mile before coming to a halt.

Police recognized Beckom from previous contacts. The complaint says Beckom was smoking a freshly lit cigarette and had bloodshot eyes.

After the officer informed Beckom the reason for the stop, Beckom suddenly put the vehicle in drive and reached a speed of 100 mph. Police didnt pursue the vehicle.

Judge Scott Horne issued a warrant for Beckoms arrest April 9.

Court records show that Beckom was convicted for sixth-offense drunken driving in 2019 and served 1 years in prison.
New Altar is Consecrated At Destroyed Iraq Church

Georgena Habbaba on her wedding day in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chaldean Catholic Church in Mosul, Iraq, on Oct. 14, 1998. Habbaba, who now lives in the United States, said her eyes filled with tears when she recently saw photos of her home parish and school rebuilt and consecrated. ( Georgena Habbaba) When the altar of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chaldean Catholic Church was consecrated earlier this month in Mosul, Iraq, a former parishioner now living in the United States said she was moved to tears.

"My eyes were filled with tears as I watched my church and my school return to the beautiful picture engraved in my memory," said Georgena Habbaba, who used to attend the parish and study at the parish school with her brothers. Her own children studied there, too, before the family had to flee Mosul amid worsening violence in 2007. (Note: Habbaba also writes for ACI Mena, CNA's Arabic-language news partner.)

"I remembered the wonderful days I spent studying at this school and praying in this church. Very close to my family's house," she told CNA.

Habbaba remembers how all the statues, as well as the altar and everything in the church, were destroyed by ISIS. "I especially missed the statue of Our Lady of Perpetual Help above the altar," she said.

On April 5, Chaldean patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako presided at a Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and consecrated the altar, expressing his happiness at its reconstruction. He said it "gives hope for a safe and better future for the people of this city."

"It is a distinguished achievement that may encourage Christians to return to their dear city and contribute to building confidence, promoting harmonious coexistence, and preserving the fabric of Mosul," he added.

In his comments, Sako also recalled when the foundation stone for the church was laid in 1944 and the construction of the school was finished in 1946.

Chaldean Patriarch Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako presides over the dedication ceremony of the altar of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Mosul, Iraq. April 5, 2024. ( Fadi Dinkha/ACI Mena)

"It is a great spiritual and cultural joy that we celebrate today the restoration of the opening of this great religious and educational edifice," he told ACI Mena, CNA's Arabic-language news partner. The school has also been completely reconstructed.

Habbaba recalled that when the school first opened, it was directed by Chaldean nuns. "The school and the church owe a lot to the nuns," she said.

Habbaba also recalled that the school was a mixture of Christians and Muslims without discrimination, "although the numbers of Christians decreased beginning in 2003 until the school in its last days before the occupation of ISIS in 2014 was almost free of Christian students."

Georgena Habbaba pictured circa 1985 in the front kneeling, third from the left, with her school scout team at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chaldean Catholic School in Mosul, Iraq. Habbaba, who now lives in the United States, said her memories of her childhood days at the school and parish are "wonderful." ( Georgena Habbaba)

Before 2003, Christians in Iraq numbered nearly 2 million. Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq, had nearly half a million Christians. Today, Iraqi Christians number fewer than 200,000, though a lack of official statistics makes it difficult to know for sure. Christians are returning to Mosul but so far in small numbers.

The most prominent pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was Father Faraj Rahho, who became the archbishop of Mosul and was kidnapped and martyred by terrorists in 2008. Sako, the current patriarch, also spent 15 years as pastor of the parish.

A photo of a Chaldean Catholic nun with school children circa 1985. ( Georgena Habbaba)

Also present at the special Mass on April 5 was Bishop Najib Mikhail, the pastor of the Chaldean Diocese of Mosul, who thanked the French donors, the SOS organization, and all those responsible for accomplishing the restoration work. The church was rebuilt according to its original architecture and building materials, despite difficult circumstances.

Earlier this year, ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language partner, reported on another Catholic church in Mosul that was recently restored. The Dominican Church of Our Lady of the Hour was completely restored after destruction by Islamic State terrorists 10 years ago.
Alexsandrah is a fashion model in London. She has a twin.

But her twin is not her sister.

The twin is a product of Artificial Intelligence, or AI.

Whenever Alexsandrah is not available to work with a photographer, the virtual twin takes her place.

When a company chooses to use the AI Alexsandrah, the real-life version gets paid. Alexsandrah said her AI twin is exactly like her.

Alexandrahs twin is an example of how computer images are influencing creative industries.

Those in favor of using AI in fashion say the virtual models permit companies to show possible buyers how their clothing looks on people of all shapes and sizes. In the real world, it would be difficult and costly to find a model for every skin color and body shape.

The companies that make clothing say using AI prevents people from buying their products, trying them on at home, and then sending them back if they dislike them. The problem is that AI models can take work away from human models, makeup artists and photographers.

Criticism of the fashion industry

The fashion industry has often been criticized for using models who are only white or tall or who fit one idea of beauty. Activists for including many groups in fashion say some companies could seem like they are employing minorities when they are just using AI models.

Sara Ziff is a former fashion model who started Model Alliance, a nonprofit group for workers rights in the fashion industry. Ziff said the use of AI shows there is a difference between the industrys words and its actions.

Levi Strauss is an American clothing company known for its blue jeans. In March 2023, the company said it would be testing AI-generated models from a company in Amsterdam. The aim was to show how its clothing fit people of all sizes. But after criticism, the company said it would not reduce its use of human models.

Levi Strauss said it would not substitute AI for action toward its diversity, equity and inclusion goals.

The Associated Press (AP) recently asked some clothing businesses to state their position on the use of AI models. AP asked Target, Kohls, Nieman Marcus, Walmart and Macys. It also asked international companies Temu, Shein and H&M. Some chose not to answer. Others said they do not use AI models. Walmart said it does not use AI models but suppliers may have a different approach to photography.

Lalaland.ai creates AI models. Michael Musandu started the company. Musandu grew up in Africa and studied in the Netherlands. He started the company when he saw that not many models looked like him  Black and African.

One model does not represent everyone thats actually shopping and buying a product, he said. As a person of color, I felt this painfully myself.

Musandu said he is seeing a demand for his services, but his product is designed to supplement traditional photography not replace it. The goal is to help a buyer make better decisions and reduce product returns and waste.

In addition, he said, the company creates new jobs for computer programmers, who train the systems that create the models.

If brands are serious about inclusion efforts, they will continue to hire these models of color, Musandu said.

Industry pioneers

Others in the fashion industry are fully using AI. Cameron Wilson is a former fashion photographer who started a company in Britain called The Diigitals. Wilson, who is white, designed a Black, female model named Shudu in 2017. Wilson was criticized for creating a Black model. But Shudu was used in jobs for companies like Louis Vuitton and BMW. It also helped the human model Alexsandrah. She has worked in fashion shows as a real-life version of the AI model.

Alexsandrah said she is proud of her work that has come from The Diigitals. The future generations can look back at and be like, These are the pioneers, she said.

Other models are not feeling so good about AI. Yve Edmond works as a fit model. She tries on clothes for companies who want to see how their designs fit a real person. She worries that the AI modeling companies are using images and videos of real people to train their systems. She calls that a violation because humans are not being paid for their part in the technology.

Edmond said she was called for a photo session, but there were no new clothes. She was asked to move her body in certain ways and walk for a recording. The client said it was research. Edmond said she felt swindled.

Unlike film actors and writers, who went on strike to protest the use of AI without a legal agreement, there are no similar labor groups for models.

Ziff, of Model Alliance, is pushing for labor laws for fashion workers. The state of New York is working on the Fashion Workers Act. The law would include laws related to models who are used in AI. A model would need to give written permission to a company that planned to use AI to create a computer image of the model. The contract would show the pay rate and the length of time that the replica could be used.

For AI and the fashion business, it is still early. Ziff compared it to a time of lawlessness in the early American West. Alexsandrah said she believes AI is helping her careerwith the right rules. But Edmond is not so sure about AI.

She said Earth has a person of every shade, every height, every size. Why not find that person and compensate that person?

Im Dan Friedell. And Im Gena Bennett.

Dan Friedell adapted this story for VOA Learning English from a report by Claire Savage for the Associated Press.

____________________________________________

Words in This Story

fashion adj. related to the industry of making clothes and appealing to people who want to buy clothing

twin n. one of two babies who are born at the same time and often look like on another; an exact copy of something else

virtual adj. related to something stored digitally on a computer

makeup n. beauty products for the face

diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) n. ideas held by many different kinds of people who say they aim to make society equal through political, social and economic actions

supplement n. something that adds to an existing product, industry or other form of activity

pioneer n. a person who goes to a new place or does something in a way that has never been seen before

swindle v. to cheat a person of something valuable

replica n. an exact copy

compensatev. to pay someone using methods that can include but are not limited to money

We want to hear from you. Do you think about whether the models you see online or in catalogs are real people or AI? Does it concern you?
Arab Americans have long been a part of life in the United States. A small museum in Dearborn, Michigan is trying to tell their stories.

Called the Arab American National Museum, it has an exhibit about Joseph Haggar. He was a Lebanese immigrant who founded Haggars clothing company in 1926.

Diana Abouali is the museums director. Abouali said, He settled in Texas, and he started this pant company that was extremely successful in the 20th century. She added, He also revolutionized the way that pants and clothing were mass produced.

Haggar came up with the word slacks to describe pants that people would wear while relaxing. His slacks were worn by many American men including the 36th U.S. president, Lyndon Johnson.

Stories like Haggars are important to the museums mission to show how Arab Americans have been part of American life since the late 19th century.

We communicate the American narrative in the voices of Arab Americans. They express their experiences in their own words, Abouali said. This provides people with a more authentic and real representation of what it means to be Arab American.

The museum attempts to share the Arab American experience, including the path to America, home and work life, and service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The offerings include an exhibit about the hundreds of Syrian and Lebanese immigrants in North Dakota between 1890 and World War I. Thousands of their descendants still live in the north central state today. Another exhibit includes lists of Arab American passengers on the Titanic, which sank in 1912.

The museum also tries to change religious misunderstandings.

Half of the Arab American community is Christian, Abouali said. And in fact, the earlier immigrants, who came in the late 19th century, early 20th century, were predominantly Christian.

A wall of fame shows other well-known Arab Americans. They include reporter Helen Thomas, known as the first woman to end a White House press conference by saying, Thank you, Mr. President. Others are actress Kathy Najimy, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala, and Candace Lightner, who founded Mothers Against Drunk Driving in 1980.

Stories of Arab immigrants are often misunderstood among Americans.

Jasmine Hawamdeh is the director of arts and culture at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. She said people often think of the angry Arab, the terrorist Arab, or are afraid of the Arab that comes from abroad. Another harmful idea, she said, is the oppressed Arab woman.

The museum tries to correct these false narratives about Arab Americans. But Abouali said the museum also tries to present Arab Americans as ourselves.

Although Arab Americans come from 22 countries, from northern Africa to western Asia, she said once they settle in the U.S., they become as American as they are Arab.

Im Anna Matteo.

Dora Mekouar reported this story for VOANews. Hai Do adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

exhibit n. a presentation using models, pictures, screens, and other objects to tell about something

relax v. to be at ease and to not do work

mission n. a task or job that requires effort and skill

narrative n. a story

authentic adj. real, not false

descendant n. someone who is related to by blood to an ancestor

predominantly adv. mainly; for the most part

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We present the short story "The Count and the Wedding Guest," by O. Henry. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State.

Andy Donovan had his dinner each evening in the house on Second Avenue where he lived in a furnished room. One evening at dinner he met a new guest, a young lady, Miss Conway.

Miss Conway was small and quiet. She was wearing a plain brown dress. She seemed interested in very little except her dinner, and her dinner did not interest her very much.

She looked up at Mr. Donovan and spoke his name, and then began to eat again. Mr. Donovan had a smile that everyone liked. He smiled at her and then thought no more about her.

Two weeks later, Andy was sitting outside the house enjoying the cool evening. He heard a movement behind him. He turned his head, and-and could not turn it back again.

Coming out of the door was Miss Conway. She was wearing a night-black dress of soft, thin cloth. Her hat was black. She was putting black gloves on her hand. There was no white and no color anywhere about her. All black. Someone in her family had died. Mr. Donovan was certain about that.

Her rich golden hair lay soft and thick at the back of her neck. Her face was not really pretty, but her large gray eyes made it almost beautiful. She looked up into the sky with an expression of sadness.

All black, readers. Think of her. All black, and that golden hair, and looking sadly far away.

Mr. Donovan suddenly decided to think about Miss Conway. He stood up.

Its a fine, clear evening, Miss Conway, he said.

It is to them with the heart to enjoy it, Mr. Donovan, said Miss Conway. She took a deep slow breath.

I hope no oneno one of your familyhas died?

Death has taken, said Miss Conway, not one of my family, but one whoI must not speak of my troubles to you, Mr. Donovan.

Why not, Miss Conway? Perhaps I could understand.

Miss Conway smiled a little. And oh, her face was sadder than when she was not smiling.

Laugh and the world laughs with you, she said. But the world is not interested in sadness. I have learned that, Mr. Donovan. I have no friends in this city. But you have been kind to me. Thank you for it.

He had done nothing except offer her the salt at dinner.

Its not easy to be alone in New York, said Mr. Donovan. But when New York is friendly, its very friendly. Shall we take a little walk in the park? It might be good for you.

Thanks, Mr. Donovan. I would enjoy it. But I dont want my sadness to make you sad.

They went through the open gates of the park and found a quiet seat.

We were going to be married soon, said Miss Conway. He was a real Count. He had land and a big house in Italy. Count Fernando Mazzini was his name. My father didnt want me to marry him. Once we ran away to get married, and my father followed and took me home. I was afraid they were going to fight.

But then my father agreed. Fernando went to Italy to make everything ready for me. My fathers very proud. Fernando wanted to give me several thousand dollars for new clothes, and my father said no. When Fernando went away, I came to the city. I work in a shop.

Three days ago I had a letter from Italy. It said that Fernando had been killed.

Thats why Im wearing black. My heart has died, Mr. Donovan, with Fernando. I cannot take interest in anyone. I should not keep you from your friends who can smile and enjoy things with you. Shall we walk back to the house?

Now, readers, if a girl tells a man her heart has died, he wants to make it live again.

Im very sorry, said Mr. Donovan. No, we wont walk back to the house yet. And dont say you have no friends in this city, Miss Conway. Im your friend, and I want you to believe that.

I have his picture here, said Miss Conway. I wear it on a chain around my neck. I never showed it to anyone, but I will show it to you, Mr. Donovan. I believe you to be a true friend.

Mr. Donovan looked for a long time and with much interest at the picture. The face of Count Mazzini commanded interest. It was wise, brightthe face of a strong, happy man who could be a leader of other men.

I have a larger picture in my room, said Miss Conway. When we return, I will show you that. I have nothing more to help me remember Fernando. But he will always live in my heart. I am sure of that.

Mr. Donovan decided that he wanted to take the Counts place in Miss Conways heart. He did not seem to think he could fail. He would be friendly. He would keep smiling.

When they returned to the house, she ran to her room and brought down the larger picture of the Count. Mr. Donovan looked at it. No one could have guessed what he was thinking.

He gave me this on the night he left for Italy, said Miss Conway. A fine-looking man, said Mr. Donovan warmly. Miss Conway, will you go to Coney Island with me next Sunday afternoon?

A month later they told the other guests in the house on Second Avenue that they were going to be married. Miss Conway continued to wear black.

A week later the two sat on the same seat in the park. Donovan had had a sad face all day. He was so quiet tonight that Miss Conway had to ask him why.

Whats wrong tonight, Andy? Nothing, Maggie.

You never were like this before. What is it?

Its nothing much, Maggie.

Yes, it is; and I want to know. Is it some other girl? Why dont you go to her, if you want her? Take your arm away.

I will tell you then, said Andy, wisely. But you will not understand. Have you heard about Mike Sullivan? Everyone calls him Big Mike Sullivan.

Ive never heard about him, said Maggie. Who is he?

He is the most important man in New York. He is a mile high and as broad as the East River. If you say anything bad about Big Mike, a million men will be ready to fight you.

Big Mike is a friend of mine. I am only a little man. But Mike is as good a friend to a little man as he is to a big man. I met him today by chance, and what do you think he did? He came up to me to shake my hand. I told him I was going to be married in two weeks. Andy, says he, I will come to the wedding. That is what he said to me, and he always does what he says.

You dont understand it, Maggie, but I want to have Big Mike Sullivan at our wedding. It would make me very proud.

Then why dont you ask him to come? said Maggie.

Theres a reason why I cant, said Andy, sadly. Dont ask me the reason, for I cant tell you.

But cant you smile at me? said Maggie.

Maggie, said Andy, after a few minutes, do you love me as much as you loved Count Mazzini?

He waited a long time, but Maggie did not reply.

And then, suddenly, she put her head against his shoulder and began to cry. She held his arm, and her tears wet the black dress.

Maggie, Maggie, said Andy, forgetting his own trouble. Tell me about it.

Andy, said Maggie. What I told you was not true, and there never was any Count. There never was a man in love with me. All the other girls had men in love with them. And Andy, I look good in blackyou know I do. So I went to a shop where I could buy that picture. And that story about the Countnone of it was true. I said he had died because I wanted to wear black. And no one can love me, because I didnt tell the truth. I never liked anyone but you. And thats all.

But Andy did not move away. Instead, his arm pulled her nearer to him. She looked up and saw that he was smiling.

Do youdo you still love me, Andy?

Sure, said Andy. You have made everything fine, Maggie. I hoped you would do it, before the wedding day. Good girl!

Andy, said Maggie, after a little time, did you believe all that story about the Count?

No, not very much, said Andy. Because that is Big Mike Sullivans picture that you are wearing on the chain around your neck.

____________________________________________

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Words in This Story

avenue  n. a wide street

glove(s)  n. a covering for the hand that has separate parts for each finger

neck  n. the part of the body between the head and the shoulders

park  n. a piece of public land in or near a city that is kept free of houses and other buildings and can be used for pleasure and exercise

count  n. a nobleman in some European countries who has a high rank similar to a British earl

shop  n. a building or room where goods and services are sold

chain  n. a series of usually metal links or rings that are connected to each other in a line and used for supporting heavy things, for holding things together or for decoration

guess(ed)  v. to form an opinion or give an answer about something when you do not know much or anything about it

wedding  n. a ceremony at which two people are married to each other
In April, two star chefs and MGM teams will join forces with the culinary team at the gaming operator.

The line-up includes Dave Pynt, Chef-owner of the grill restaurant Burnt Ends from Singapore, and Wu Rong, the founder of Fujian cuisine restaurant Meet the Bund from Shanghai. Both of them have recently earned recognitions again in Asias 50 Best Restaurants Award 2024.

From April 18 to 20, Dave Pynt, the Chef-owner of Burnt Ends, will make his first guest chef appearance in Macau, with a three-day exclusive grill experience at MGM Cotais Grill 58, showcasing Australian-style barbecue.

From April 26 to 28, Wu Rong, founder of Meet The Bund specializing in Fujian cuisine, will join forces with Chef Homan Tsui, Executive Sous Chef of MGM Macaus Imperial Court. Together, they will present a three-day exclusive gastronomic experience, allowing guests to savor the classic delicacies from two of the Eight Major Regional Cuisines of China: Cantonese and Fujian.
The Chinese and Indonesian foreign ministers called for an immediate and lasting cease-fire in Gaza after a meeting in Jakarta yesterday, condemning the humanitarian costs of Israels ongoing war against Hamas.

Indonesias Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi told reporters that the two countries share the same view about the importance of a cease-fire and of resolving the Palestinian problem through a two-state solution.

I am sure that China would use its influence to prevent escalation, Marsudi said, adding that China and Indonesia would also fully support Palestines membership in the U.N.

The meeting took place on the second day of a six-day tour during which Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also visit Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.

Wang blamed the United States for holding up cease-fire resolutions at the U.N.

The conflict in Gaza has lasted for half a year and caused a rare humanitarian tragedy in the 21st century. The United Nations Security Council responded to the call of the international community and continued to review the resolution draft on the cease-fire in Gaza, but it was repeatedly vetoed by the United States, Wang told reporters.

The U.S. vetoed a number of proposed Security Council resolutions because they didnt tie cease-fire directly to the release of Israel hostages or condemn Hamas attacks that prompted the war, before allowing a resolution to a pass with an abstention in late March.

American officials have argued that the cease-fire and hostage releases are linked, while Russia, China and many other council members favored unconditional calls for a cease-fire.

This time, the U.S. did not dare to stand in opposition to international morality and chose to abstain. However, the US claimed that this resolution was not binding, Wang said. In the eyes of the United States, international law seems to be a tool that can be used whenever it finds useful and discarded if it does not want to use it.

The two ministers also discussed their countries economic relationship and the South China Sea. MDT/AP
The 6th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Forum Macao) will be held in Macao from 21st to 23rd April 2024. Since the establishment of Forum Macao over 20 years ago, China and 9 Portuguese-speaking countries have continued to bring cooperation in various sectors to new levels, with significant advantages in several aspects and multiple important outcomes.

Political mutual trust has been strengthened and deepened. Currently, the overall relationship between China and Portuguese-speaking countries is at its best in history. Since last year, President Xi Jinping has held talks or meetings with visiting leaders of Portuguese-speaking countries, including President Lula of Brazil, President Lourenco of Angola, Prime Minister Xanana of Timor-Leste and Prime Minister Maleiane of Mozambique. Important consensuses on developing bilateral relations and deepening international cooperation have been reached. Although China and the Portuguese-speaking countries have different social systems, histories and cultures, and levels of development, they have always, in a spirit of mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, supported each other on major issues, appropriately handled differences, and been committed to building a long-term healthy and stable partnership. In a new era of intensifying turbulence and transformation across the world, both China and Portuguese-speaking countries firmly support peace and development and uphold international fairness and justice. We have promoted solidarity and cooperation in areas that are of common interest to all humanity, such as climate change, public health, disaster prevention and mitigation, among others. The two sides have worked together to set up a communication center on epidemic prevention in Macao, in order to improve the global health governance system. China has also helped Forum Macao members in need to build maritime meteorological monitoring stations and other facilities to tackle disasters and climate change.

Economic cooperation has produced fruitful results. The Belt and Road Initiative has played an important leading role in economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Guided by the principles of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, the two sides have advanced trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, as well as cooperation on infrastructure connectivity and production capacity. Cooperation in agriculture, environmental protection, transportation, communications, finance and other areas has borne fruit. Measures to promote cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries announced by China at the 5th Ministerial Meeting of Forum Macao have been fully implemented. In 2023, the total value of goods imported and exported between China and Portuguese-speaking countries amounted to 220.9 billion USD, an increase of nearly 90 billion USD compared with 10 years ago. Since its establishment in 2013, the Cooperation and Development Fund for China and Portuguese-speaking Countries has supported the implementation of 10 projects with a total contribution of 470 million USD, driving Chinese enterprises to invest more than 5 billion USD in Portuguese-speaking countries. These projects cover infrastructure, agriculture, finance, production capacity cooperation and other key areas. Projects which have been completed and put into operation, such as the Paranagua Container Terminal (Terminal de Conteineres de Paranagua) in Brazil, the Mozambique Agricultural Park, and the power transmission and distribution and water supply equipment in Angola, have effectively promoted local economic development and improved peoples livelihood.

Mutual learning between civilizations has achieved remarkable outcomes. Although China and Portuguese-speaking countries are distant from each other, they have long been engaged in people-to-people exchanges and civilization communication. In the Ming Dynasty, Navigator Zheng He visited Timor Island and the Port of Beira in Mozambique, leaving behind a historic story of peaceful exchanges and friendly cooperation between Chinese and foreign people. Both China and the Portuguese-speaking countries pursue independence and oppose hegemony, advocate seeking commonality while reserving differences and embracing diversity, and strive to break new ground while following the fine traditions and upholding undamental principles. The number of Chinese tourists visiting Portuguese-speaking countries is growing fast. The two sides have also enhanced educational and cultural contacts. Learning Portuguese in China and Chinese in Portuguese-speaking countries have become increasingly popular. Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries in fields of culture, art and tourism has continued to bring people on both sides closer, enhancing mutual understanding and friendly feelings. Last year, Macao hosted a seminar on cultural homogeneity between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and a forum on mutual learning of civilizations between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. Participating experts and scholars highly recognized the Global Civilization Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping. They believe that deepening exchanges and mutual learning, integration and innovation between civilizations of China and Portuguese-speaking countries is of great inspiration and practical significance for all countries to join hands in building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Macao is the first place where Chinese and Western civilizations interacted and conducted exchanges. It is also a city where tradition and modern civilizations are well blended. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Macaos return to the motherland. Today, Macao is giving full play to the advantages of the one country, two systems, fully implementing the important positioning of the One Center, One Platform and One Base conferred by the Central Government, and actively seizing major opportunities such as the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. I believe that Macao, which serves as an important bridge for cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and the permanent host city of Forum Macao, will make greater contributions to China and Portuguese-speaking countries working together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. Liu Xianfa

* Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China in the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Pedro Reis, Portugals Minister of Economy, has announced his attendance at the upcoming Macau Forum ministerial meeting is a strategic move to enhance the internationalization of the Portuguese economy. He made this statement before his departure for Asia, Lusa reported.

The Macau Forum serves as a platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, including Portugal.

The meeting, taking place next week, is particularly significant as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of Macaus transfer of sovereignty from Portugal to Chinaa milestone that Reis noted has gone exceptionally well.

Reis emphasized the Forums importance in strengthening economic and commercial ties, pointing out that it offers an invaluable opportunity for Portugal to deepen its relationship with China and other Portuguese-speaking nations. The conference marks 20 years of exchange and commemorates a symbolic anniversary in the history of China-Portugal relations.

This years 6th Ministerial Conference of the Macau Forum will be held in the MSAR from Sunday to Tuesday. The event underscores the ongoing collaboration and potential for growth in trade between the two countries.

According to Lusa, economic data from the Portuguese Ministry of Economy highlights Chinas role as a key trading partner. In 2023, China was Portugals fifth largest supplier of goods, accounting for 5% of Portuguese imports. Additionally, in 2022, 1,309 Portuguese companies were actively exporting to China, with 402 of these firms also exporting services to Macau.

Looking forward, Reis sees vast potential for Portuguese companies in various sectors such as agribusiness, infrastructure and transport, tourism and the burgeoning blue economy. These areas, he believes, hold great promise for businesses aiming to internationalize and expand into new markets. Staff reporter
* From Monaco to GBA via Macau

 Monaco eyes strong ties with Macau to be door to Europe for GBA, Ambassador Marie-Pascale Boisson told the Times

* Ministerial meeting | Forum Macau an opportunity to boost Portuguese economy: Minister Reis

* Taste of Edesia

* Provisional figures from immigration police show Macau registered nearly 90 million visitor arrivals in the first quarter of 2024

* Lawmaker Ella Lei insistent govt should put land reserves to good use

* LVS eyes Sheraton, Londoner revamp to beat Venetian revenues, traffic

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Friday, April 19, 2024  edition no. 4466
On the Agenda

The 135th China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, opened this week in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and is showcasing nearly 5,440 local enterprises. These companies represent approximately 19% of total exhibitors and occupy 21.4% of the exhibition space.

This fair serves as a significant platform for these businesses to connect with international markets, particularly highlighting Guangdongs role within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in fostering economic and trade development.

Companies such as Foshan Huibaisheng Laser Technology and Guangdong Zilink Aero Technology are among those capitalizing on the opportunity to expand their international presence. Foshan Huibaisheng has reported an increase in orders from the European and American markets due to its advancements in laser technology. Meanwhile, Guangdong Zilink Aero Technology, initially focused on aviation engines, is now exploring the drone market and sees the Canton Fair as a pivotal event for entering global markets.

According to China Daily, the fair also emphasizes the GBAs push towards innovation with a focus on emerging industries like low-altitude economy, new energy, and humanoid robotics. These sectors are presenting new technologies and products, aiming to attract global investors and partners.

As cited by state media, Governor Wang Weizhong of Guangdong province stated that the fair is integral to achieving the provinces annual economic and social development goals. He emphasized the fairs role in stabilizing foreign trade, attracting investment, and enhancing consumption within the region.

This year, the fair is not only a trading hub but also a demonstration of Guangdongs strategic initiatives to improve trade efficiency and expand into new markets.

The regions focus on developing export-oriented industrial clusters is expected to bolster its economic standings and contribute to Chinas overall growth in foreign trade.

The Premier symposium

On Wednesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a symposium with overseas buyers attending the Canton Fair.

Overseas buyer representatives spoke about their experience in strengthening cooperation with China through the Canton Fair, noting that the fair has long played an important role in promoting trade exchanges and friendly relations between China and other countries.

They also put forward opinions and suggestions on developing the circular and green economies, on optimizing the business environment in China, and on strengthening people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries.

Li said he appreciates their long-term, active participation in the Canton Fair, as well as their vigorous economic and trade cooperation with China. He noted that many overseas enterprises have made connections with China through the Canton Fair, and have grown stronger along with Chinas development.
The United States is crumbling in Alex Garlands sharp new film  Civil War,  a bellowing and haunting big screen experience. The country has been at war with itself for years by the time were invited in, through the gaze of a few journalists documenting the chaos on the front lines and chasing an impossible interview with the president.

Garland, the writer-director of films like Annihilation and Ex Machina, as well as the series Devs, always seems to have an eye on the ugliest sides of humanity and our capacity for self-destruction. His themes are profound and his exploration of them sincere in films that are imbued with strange and haunting images that rattle around in your subconscious for far too long. Whatever you think of  Men, his most divisive film to date, its unlikely anyone will forget Rory Kinnear giving birth to himself.

In Civil War, starring Kirsten Dunst as a veteran war photographer named Lee, Garland is challenging his audience once again by not making the film about what everyone thinks it will, or should, be about. Yes, its a politically divided country. Yes, the President (Nick Offerman) is a blustery, rising despot who has given himself a third term, taken to attacking his citizens and shut himself off from the press. Yes, there is one terrifying character played by Jesse Plemons who has some pretty hard lines about who is and isnt a real American.

But that trailer that had everyone talking is not the story. Garland is not so dull or narratively conservative to make the film about red and blue ideologies. All we really know is that the so-called Western Forces of Texas and California have seceded from the country and are closing in to overthrow the government. We dont know what they want or why, or what the other side wants or why and you start to realize that many of the characters dont seem to really know, or care, either.

This choice might be frustrating to some audiences, but its also the only one that makes sense in a film focused on the kinds of journalists who put themselves in harms way to tell the story of violent conflicts and unrest. As Lee explains to Cailee Spaenys Jessie, a young, aspiring photographer who has elbowed her way onto their dangerous journey to Washington, questions are not for her to ask: She takes truthful, impartial pictures so that everyone else can.

Civil War a film that is more about war reporters than anything else  the trauma of the beat, the vital importance of bearing witness and the moral and ethical dilemmas of impartiality. Dunsts Lee is having a bit of an existential crisis, having shot so many horrors and feeling as though she hasnt made any difference  violence and death are still everywhere. Shes also a pro: Hardened and committed to the story and the image. Her colleague Joel (Wagner Moura) is more of an adrenaline junkie, chasing the gunfire and drinking himself into a stupor every night. Theres Jessie (Spaeny), the wide-eyed but ambitious newbie who is in over her head, and the aging editor Sammy (the great Stephen McKinley Henderson), wise and buttoned up in Brooks Brothers and suspenders, who cant imagine a life outside of news even as his body is failing him. All are self-motivated and none of them have a life outside of the job, which might be a criticism for some movie characters but not here (trigger warning for any journo audiences out there).

The group must drive an indirect route to get from New York to Washington as safely as possible, through Pittsburgh and West Virginia. The roads and towns are set-dressed a little bit, but anyone who knows the area will recognize familiar sights of dead malls, creaky off-brand gas stations on two lane roads, boarded up shops and overgrown parking lots that all work to provide an unsettlingly effective backdrop for the bleak world of Civil War.

Dunst and Spaeny are both exceedingly good in their roles, effectively embodying the veteran and the novice  a well-written, nuanced and evolving dynamic that should inspire post-credits debates and discussion (among other topics).

Dread permeates every frame, whether its a quiet moment of smart conversation, a white-knuckle standoff or a deafening shootout on 17th street. And as with all Garland films it comes with a great, thoughtful soundtrack and a Sonoya Mizuno cameo.

Smart, compelling and challenging blockbusters dont come along that often, though this past year has had a relative embarrassment of riches with the likes of Dune: Part Two and Oppenheimer. Civil War should be part of that conversation too. Its a full body theatrical experience that deserves a chance. LINDSEY BAHR, MDT/AP Film Writer

Civil War, an A24 release in theaters Friday, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for strong, violent content, bloody/disturbing images and language throughout. Running time: 119 minutes. 
With the mainlands extended five-day Labor Day holiday approaching, Macaus tourism industry is gearing up for a surge in visitor numbers, expecting an average of 130,000 passengers during the upcoming Golden Week, higher than the Ching Ming Festival and Easter holidays.

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), expressed optimism about the influx of mainland tourists, citing the longer holiday period as a key factor.

The mainland has a five-day Labor Day holiday this year, which is a longer holiday and can drive more mainland tourists to visit Macau, she said, as cited in media reports.

The industry is also hopeful the implementation of the multiple round-trip policy for mainland tour groups between Hengqin and Macau will further stimulate the recovery of the mainland tour group market. Senna Fernandes noted that many Macau tour guides have obtained qualifications to practice in Hengqin during the pandemic, and the new policy will allow them to expand their practice space across the region.

As for international tourists, Senna Fernandes expressed confidence that Macau will exceed its target of two million international visitors for the year, citing strong performance in the first quarter.

With the extended holiday, Macaus tourism industry is poised to experience a significant boost in visitor numbers during the upcoming Labor Day Golden Week, signaling a promising recovery for the regions economy. Staff Reporter
The Judiciary Police (PJ) has arrested two Hong Kong women suspected of fraudulently collecting money for a criminal syndicate, authorities said yesterday. The arrests come after two elderly people reported losing around MOP150,000 to a recent scam, according to officials.

In the first reported incident Wednesday, a woman received a call from someone claiming to be her son-in-law. He told her he had been arrested for injuring someone and needed MOP100,000 for compensation.

She believed him and handed over the money. The caller continued demanding more funds for alleged medical expenses until the victim contacted her actual son-in-law and learned of the scam, police said.

As the victim prepared a second payment, police intervened and intercepted the two female suspects. They recovered all the stolen funds. One suspect admitted to being hired to collect the money in Macau, after which she would receive MOP18,000, officials said.

Investigators also discovered another elderly person had been defrauded of MOP50,000 in the same scam.

To address the rise in telecommunications fraud cases, the PJ has been cooperating with local educational institutions to organize special lectures for faculty members on fraud prevention.

In recent years, telecommunications fraud has increased significantly in Macau, with many victims being students and some teachers, according to the Judiciary Police. To enhance anti-fraud education, officers gave special lectures to over 1,370 faculty members at 12 higher education institutions and primary/secondary schools from February to April.

The presentations warned of the latest scam tactics like impersonating government officials and discussed investigation techniques.

Divisional police encouraged teachers to share the information to help students avoid falling prey to scams. Officers pledged continued collaboration with communities to optimize anti-fraud messaging and build a society with universal anti-fraud awareness. Staff Reporter
Provisional figures from the Public Security Police Force show Macau registered about 88.84 million visitor arrivals in the first quarter of 2024. Average daily visitor arrivals neared 98,000, up 79.6% from the first quarter of 2023 and 84.8% of levels in the first quarter of 2019.

The surge in visitor numbers was driven by a significant rise in mainland Chinese tourists, who accounted for 6.30 million arrivals, a 94.6% year-on-year increase.

The Individual Visit Scheme (IVS) for residents of Xian and Qingdao, launched March 6, 2024, contributed to this growth, with 47,000 and 24,000 visitors from these cities respectively.

International visitor arrivals also rebounded strongly, exceeding 580,000 in the first quarter, more than a threefold increase from the same period in 2023. The top source markets included Southeast Asian countries, Northeast Asian nations, as well as the United States and Canada.

The recovery in tourism is also reflected in the hotel sector, with the average occupancy rate reaching 85.8% in January and February, surpassing the corresponding figure in the first two months of 2019 by 8.8%.

The Macao Government Tourism Office is actively tapping into the potential of different visitor markets and diversifying tourism products to enhance the destinations appeal.

Macaus tourism industry is showing a positive trend, with increased visitor arrivals, hotel occupancy rates, and the implementation of the Individual Visit Scheme. The figures suggest Macaus tourism industry is on its way to a full recovery, with a growing diversification of visitor markets. Staff Reporter
An employee of a Southwest Side neighborhood center is facing a sexual assault charge following allegations of two years of repeated sexual conduct with a girl.

A criminal complaint filed Thursday in Dane County Circuit Court details 50 to 100 alleged incidents of sexual assault over a two-year period by Richard McAllister, 27, Elver Park Neighborhood Center teen supervisor, involving a girl enrolled at the center. The complaint alleges the incidents began days before her 13th birthday in October 2021.

According to the complaint, the girl recalled meeting McAllister for the first time in 2020 and said the first assault took place in the art closet off the community center gym. The girl recalled feeling nervous and scared. The complaint states McAllister and the girl had been communicating on Snapchat and Discord, staying in touch over frequent video calls and messages.

The girl also told investigators that she and McAllister had exchanged nude photos in the past on Snapchat, but that McAllister was no longer friends with her on the app and she had deleted the photos, the complaint states. A person identified in a search warrant filed Wednesday as the girls mother told investigators that she had seen a Snapchat from McAllister in the victims phone, describing the message as an emoji with smoke blowing out of its mouth.

When she spoke with her daughter, the girl said she had been in a sexual relationship with McAllister and that his message had been in response to a photo she had sent him, according to court documents.

The last incident happened in August 2023 at McAllisters former apartment in the 600 block of Skyview Place in Madison, the complaint states.

McAllister appeared in Dane County Circuit Court on Thursday, where Court Commissioner Mark Fremgen set bail at $5,000. McAllister posted the bail later and was released from jail.

In a statement Friday, Wisconsin Youth Company Executive Director Rebecca Carlin did not name McAllister but said the staff member in question has been placed on immediate unpaid leave, and the organization is doing an internal investigation in addition to cooperating with law enforcement.

"Wisconsin Youth Company staff are shocked and dismayed to hear the details of this investigation as they are released," Carlin said. "Our first priority is always the safety of the children and youth in our care as well as their families."

McAllister denied all claims of sexual contact with the victim, telling Madison police that the victim had been obsessed with him. He characterized the girls contact with him as one-sided, saying he had spoken with the girls mom about her incessant messages. He denied ever receiving or sending nude photos.

Investigators did not find any contacts associated with the girl in McAllisters phone but did find a conversation between the two on Twitch, the complaint said. When McAllister saw the Twitch conversation on paper, he said Oh, this is her? and denied any flirtation between the two, according to the complaint.

McAllisters attorney Jessa Nicholson Goetz said she and her client look forward to a speedy trial and dismissal, citing inconsistencies in the complaint. Nicholson Goetz added that she has already identified two witnesses she believes will contradict the details of the complaint, whom she declined to name because one of them is a minor.

The complaint, on its face, is not credible. There are significant problems with the story, Nicholson Goetz said.
New Zealand committed $25 million to the Asian Development Banks (ADB) Energy Transition Mechanism Partnership Trust Fund (ETMPTF) to support the shift toward clean, sustainable energy in Southeast Asia.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon highlighted the commitment during the meetings at ADBs headquarters in Manila Friday.

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We are grateful for this support from the Government of New Zealand for the ETMPTF, which is an important driver of the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) program, said ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa.

As the climate bank for Asia and the Pacific, we believe ETM has the potential to be one of the largest carbon reduction programs in the world and a vital tool in the battle against climate change. Support from partners such as New Zealand is critical as we expand ETM across our region, he said.

The ETMPTF pools concessional funds from financing partners to finance critical groundwork such as feasibility studies for projects that align with ETMs objectives, including the early retirement or repurposing of coal and other fossil fuel plants and clean energy ventures.

New Zealands grant is the third contribution to the ETMPTF, following support from Japan and Germany.

New Zealands contribution to the ETM supports Southeast Asias ambition for an accelerated transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, while ensuring this transformation is fair and equitable, said Luxon.

ETM is a regional, transformative program that seeks to use concessional and market-based funds to retire or repurpose existing coal and other fossil fuel power plants on an accelerated schedule and replace them with clean power.

ETM is one of several initiatives that aim to help Asia and the Pacific mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, such as extreme sea level rise and destructive weather events.

ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members49 from the region.
Beijing  China said Friday it will continue to play a constructive role to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East after Iranian media reported explosions heard near the city of Isfahan and US media quoted officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes on its arch-rival.

China opposes any actions that further escalate tensions and will continue to play a constructive role to de-escalate the situation, foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.

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Air defence systems over several Iranian cities were activated on Friday, state media reported, after the countrys official broadcaster said explosions were heard near Isfahan.

In Europe, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called Friday for an absolute de-escalation following reports that Israel carried out a strike on Iran, saying G7 counterparts would discuss it at talks in Capri.

We invite everyone to be cautious to avoid an escalation, he told RAI news from the Italian island, where Rome is hosting a meeting between foreign ministers of the Group of Seven nations.

The G7, which includes the UK, US, France, Germany, Japan and Canada, wants an absolute de-escalation in the Middle East, he said.

We are monitoring the situation closely. We will address the situation with the foreign ministers at the G7 session this morning in Italy, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on X.

Irans state media reported explosions in the central province of Isfahan Friday, as US media quoted officials saying Israel had carried out retaliatory strikes on its arch-rival.

Israel had previously warned it would hit back after Iran fired missiles and drones at Israel almost a week ago, in retaliation for a deadly strike on Irans embassy in Syria which Tehran blamed on its foe.

Fears of a major regional spillover from the Gaza war have since soared.

Israel had previously warned it would hit back after Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel almost a week ago, in retaliation for a deadly strike  which Tehran blamed on its foe  that levelled Irans consular annex at its embassy in Syria.

Fears of a major regional spillover from the Gaza war have since soared.

China is a close partner of Iran, its largest trade partner, and a top buyer of its sanctioned oil.

The United States has repeatedly made public appeals for China to use its influence over Tehran to manage tensions in the region, which are currently turbocharged over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Beijings top diplomat Wang Yi held talks with his Iranian counterpart this week, with state media reporting that Tehran had said it was willing to exercise restraint after its first-ever attack on Israels territory.

China, historically sympathetic to the Palestinian cause, has been calling for a ceasefire in Gaza since the war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

G7 ministers including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken have been on Capri since Wednesday and are due to wrap up on Friday lunchtime.

The Middle East crisis was first on the agenda on Thursday morning.

Fridays sessions were focused on rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, but Tajani confirmed the Iran situation would be discussed.

AFP
Paris, FranceInternational reactions Friday after Israels reported attack on the Iranian province of Isfahan:

United States

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Im not going to speak to these reported events All I can say is for our part and for all the members of the G7 our focus is on de-escalation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a press conference at a Group of Seven nations meeting in Italy, underlining the lack of concrete information over what happened in Iran.

Russia

There have been telephone contacts between the leadership of Russia and Iran, our representatives and the Israelis. We made it very clear in these conversations, we told the Israelis that Iran does not want escalation, Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with radio stations.

UN nuclear watchdog

IAEA can confirm that there is no damage to Irans nuclear sites. Director General Rafael Grossi continues to call for extreme restraint from everybody and reiterates that nuclear facilities should never be a target in military conflicts. IAEA is monitoring the situation very closely, the International Atomic Energy Agency said on X, the former Twitter.

Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is following the continuing tension in the region and condemns the Israeli attack this morning on Isfahan, said the foreign ministry of Oman, that has acted as a mediator in past crises between Iran and the West, adding that it condemns and denounces Israels repeated military attacks in the region.

Oman once again appeals to the international community to address the causes and roots of tension and conflict through dialogue, diplomacy and political solutions, and to focus on ceasefire efforts in Gaza and resort to international law and United Nations resolutions to reach a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue.

European Union

We have to do everything possible (so) that all sides restrain from the escalation in that region  It is absolutely necessary that the region stays stable and that all sides refrain from further action, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

China

China opposes any actions that further escalate tensions and will continue to play a constructive role to de-escalate the situation, said foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian.

Turkey

It is becoming more and more clear that the initial tensions provoked by Israels illegal attack against the Iranian embassy in Damascus risks transforming into a permanent conflict, the foreign ministry of Turkey, a critic of Israel, said in a statement. We call on all the parties to abstain from any measure that could lead to a wider conflict.

Britain

We have condemned Irans reckless and dangerous barrage of missiles against Israel on Saturday and Israel absolutely has a right to self-defense. But as I said to Prime Minister Netanyahu when I spoke to him (this week) and more generally, significant escalation is not in anyones interest, what we want to see is calm heads prevail across the region, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.

Sweden

This is something we from the governments side take very seriously and are following very closely, Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said.

There has to be an end to the exchange of blows and escalation.
Kenyas military leader, General Francis Ogolla, was among 10 individuals who lost their lives in a military helicopter accident shortly after departure on Thursday, as announced by President William Ruto. The helicopter, which had been visiting troops deployed in northwest Kenya to address ongoing cattle theft issues, crashed shortly after leaving Cheptulel Boys Secondary School in West Pokot County. President Ruto stated that two soldiers survived the crash and were hospitalized, and an air investigation team had been dispatched to determine the cause.

President Ruto expressed deep sorrow at the loss, describing General Ogolla as one of the nations bravest generals. Ogolla, who previously served as the head of the Kenyan Air Force and later rose to deputy military chief before being promoted to military head by Ruto last year, had a long career in the Kenya Defense Forces, beginning in 1984. He underwent training as a fighter pilot with the United States Air Force and served as an instructor pilot at the Kenya Air Force (KAF).

Despite previous allegations by Ruto accusing Ogolla of involvement in a plot to overturn the outcome of the 2022 presidential election, Ruto asserted that Ogolla was the most qualified individual for the position. The region has experienced significant unrest, with numerous civilian and police casualties reported. This tragic incident echoes a similar helicopter crash near Nairobi in June 2021, which claimed the lives of at least 10 soldiers during the landing.
Niger and Mali have forged a partnership to address Malis persistent power shortages, with Niger committing to supply 150 million liters of diesel to its neighbor following a recent agreement between the two nations. The diesel will be channeled to Energie du Mali (EDM-SA), Malis national energy company, which has been grappling with financial challenges and struggling to maintain consistent electricity provision, particularly in urban areas.

Under the terms of the deal, negotiated by Malis junta leader, Colonel Assimi Goita, and Nigers oil minister, Mahaman Moustapha Barke, Niger will sell the diesel to Mali at a significantly discounted rate, offering relief to a nation plagued by frequent power cuts. This partnership underscores Nigers commitment to supporting regional energy stability and cooperation.

Nigers energy initiatives extend beyond its collaboration with Mali. Last November, Niger inaugurated a pipeline to transport crude oil to Benin, with the oil sourced from the Chinese state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation. Additionally, in February, Niger announced plans to supply diesel to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad, its partners in the Alliance of Sahel States, further solidifying its role as a regional energy provider.

As Niger endeavors to bolster its oil production to 110,000 barrels per day, with the majority destined for exportation, these collaborative efforts not only address immediate energy needs but also contribute to the economic development and stability of the Sahel region.
Burkina Fasos military junta has ordered the expulsion of three French diplomats, alleging their involvement in subversive activities. France countered, asserting there was no valid reason for their expulsion. These expulsions mark a deteriorating relationship between the two nations since Captain Ibrahim Traore seized power in a coup in 2022. Traore has shifted Burkina Fasos allegiance towards Russia, severing its close ties with France, its former colonial ruler. Russia reopened its embassy in Burkina Faso in December, while the French ambassador was expelled by the junta the following month. Furthermore, Russia is aiding Burkina Faso in bolstering its military capabilities to combat jihadists, following the closure of Frances military base by the junta. The junta, in a letter dated 16 April, demanded the diplomats leave within 48 hours, labeling them persona non grata. While specifics of their alleged subversive activities were not disclosed, reports suggest they had meetings with members of civil society.

Frances foreign ministry rejected the accusations, calling them baseless. Christophe Lemoine, a spokesperson, lamented the decision by Burkinabe authorities, citing a lack of legitimate grounds. Rights groups have criticized the junta for its increasing intolerance towards dissent, including punitive actions such as forcing critics to engage in frontline battles against jihadists. In separate incidents, French nationals were detained on allegations of espionage, which French sources denied, asserting they were IT experts or employees of a Burkinabe company.
Italy said it will offer crisis-hit Tunisia 105 million euros in budget assistance and credit lines, as Rome looks to its North African southern neighbors to help curb an increasing number of migrant arrivals.

The news was announced to Reuters by Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, who paid a visit to Tunis during which three other deals were signed.

Rome also offered Tunis 50 million in state cash to help it promote energy efficiency and renewables projects, the agency reported.

Another deal envisages a credit facility of 55 million ($58.6 million) aimed at supporting small and medium-sized Tunisian firms, it added.

We know that Tunisia cannot become the country of arrival for migrants and co-operation on this [matter] must be strengthened, she said during her visit.

Tunisias president has fueled anti-migrant sentiment in the country when he spoke last year about the great replacement of Tunisians by Sub-Saharans.

The north African country has seen a surge in departures by local and sub-Saharan migrants willing to make the hazardous journey to Europe.
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An international collaborative research team, including scientists from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), has discovered a novel mechanism underlying memory involving rapid changes in a specific DNA structure.

The team found that G-quadraplex DNA (G4-DNA) accumulates in neurons and dynamically controls the activation and repression of genes underlying long-term memory formation.

In addition, using advanced CRISPR-based gene editing technology, the team revealed the causal mechanism underlying the regulation of G4-DNA in the brain, which involves site-directed deposition of the DNA helicase, DHX36.

The new study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, provides the first evidence that G4-DNA is present in neurons and functionally involved in the expression of different memory states.

The study, led by Dr. Paul Marshall at the Australian National University and QBI and a team of collaborators from Linkoping University, Weizmann Institute of Science, and the University of California Irvine, highlights the role that dynamic DNA structures play in memory consolidation.

DNA flexibility

For decades, many scientists considered the topic of DNA to be solved. DNA is widely recognized as a right-handed double helix, with changes to this structure only occurring during DNA replication and transcription. This structure contains two strands of nucleic acid featuring four bases: adenine (A) and thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C), which pair together to form rungs of the DNA ladder.

We now know that this is not the complete story. QBI's Professor Tim Bredy explains that DNA can assume a variety of conformational states that are functionally important for cellular processes.

"DNA topology is much more dynamic than the static, right-hand double helix, as presumed by most researchers in the field," said Professor Bredy.

"There are actually more than 20 different DNA structure states identified to date, each potentially serving a different role in the regulation of gene expression."

In the new study, the team has now shown that a significant proportion of these structures are causally involved in the regulation of activity-dependent gene expression and required the formation of memory.

Although epigenetic modifications have a well-established association with neuronal plasticity and memory, to date, little is known about how local changes in DNA structure affect gene expression.

G4-DNA accumulates in cells when guanines fold into a stable four-stranded DNA structure. While there is evidence for the role that this structure plays in regulating transcription, prior to this study, its involvement in experience-dependent gene expression had not been explored.

G4-DNA regulates memory

G4-DNA transiently accumulates in active neurons during learning. The formation of this quadraplex structure takes place over milliseconds or minutes, at the same rate of neuronal transcription in response to an experience.

The G4-DNA structure can therefore be involved in both the enhanced and impairment of transcription in active neurons, based on their activity, to enable different memory states.

This mechanism highlights how DNA dynamically responds to experience and suggest that it has the capacity to store information not just in its code or epigenetically, but structurally too.

Extinguishing fear memories

The extinction of conditioned fear is a behavioral adaptation that is critical for survival. Fear extinction relies on forming new long-term memories with similar environmental elements, to compete with and take over the fear-related memory.

The formation of long-lasting extinction memories depends on coordinated changes in gene expression.

Professor Bredy said it is now evident that activity-induced gene expression underlying extinction is a tightly coordinated process.

"This process is dependent on temporal interactions between the transcriptional machinery and a variety of DNA structures, including G4-DNA, rather than being determined solely by DNA sequence or DNA modification as so often has been presumed.

"This discovery extends our understanding of how DNA functions as a highly dynamic transcriptional control device in learning and memory."

More information: Paul R. Marshall et al, DNA G-Quadruplex Is a Transcriptional Control Device That Regulates Memory, The Journal of Neuroscience (2024). DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0093-23.2024 Journal information: Journal of Neuroscience

Provided by Queensland Brain Institute
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Journal of Molecular Biology

Scientists from St Petersburg University and the University of Montpellier have developed the first software enabling the prediction of pairs of proteins in amyloid fibrils capable of co-aggregation, i.e. a process by which proteins become attached to one another. Their studies have shown an accuracy of more than 94%. The work is published in the Journal of Molecular Biology.

Amyloids are protein aggregates that are associated with a number of severe and incurable diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's to name just a few. Yet, the presence of amyloid is not always pathological; many of them have functional, 'beneficial' roles in cells. What can trigger aggregation into amyloid fibrils is changes in protein structure, scientists say. In the last few years, however, a considerable body of data has been accumulated about co-aggregation of different amyloid-forming proteins.

The team of geneticists and biotechnologists from St Petersburg University and the University of Montpellier (France) was the first in the world to propose a bioinformatics approach AmyloComp to identify pairs of proteins capable of co-aggregation, i.e. binding with each other. The software is written in the Python programming language and is available as an online application.

"Amyloid look like fibrils. They form a kind of 'stack' of many molecules located across the fiber. Traditionally, amyloid fibrils consist of multiple copies of the same protein. In this case, they are homogeneous and have the same structure. Yet, what we are trying to find is co-aggregation of different proteins in a common fibril, i.e. a stacking of different proteins within the same amyloid fibril," said Stanislav Bondarev, co-author of the study, Associate Professor in the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology at St Petersburg University.

According to Stanislav Bondarev, the AmyloComp software developed by the University scientists demonstrates an accuracy of more than 94% on a model data set and also reliably classifies known positive and negative examples of protein co-aggregation. Thus, protein co-aggregation can play various biological roles in the body.

On the one hand, the 'amyloid cascade' hypothesis was proposed quite a long time ago. The hypothesis assumes that pathological amyloid aggregates can trigger the aggregation of other proteins. On the other hand, some important biological processes require co-aggregation of different amyloid-forming proteins. Among known examples of the co-aggregation are human proteins RIPK1 and RIPK3. This co-aggregation is part of the signaling cascade when triggering the antiviral response. The AmyloComp software can identify similar examples on the proteome scale.

The bioinformatic tool is unique. Other bioinformatic approaches do not model co-aggregation of two amyloid proteins. The method developed by the St Petersburg University researchers is based on a comparison of the amino acid sequence of two proteins and takes into account the possibility of stacking of different proteins within the same amyloid fibril. This approach makes it possible to identify different sequences that form a single structure.

More information: Stanislav A. Bondarev et al, AmyloComp: A Bioinformatic Tool for Prediction of Amyloid Co-aggregation, Journal of Molecular Biology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2024.168437 Journal information: Journal of Molecular Biology
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In a discovery that could hasten treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), UC San Francisco scientists have discovered a harbinger in the blood of some people who later went on to develop the disease.

In about 1 in 10 cases of MS, the body begins producing a distinctive set of antibodies against its own proteins years before symptoms emerge. These autoantibodies appear to bind to both human cells and common pathogens, possibly explaining the immune attacks on the brain and spinal cord that are the hallmark of MS.

The findings were published in Nature Medicine on April 19.

MS can lead to a devastating loss of motor control, although new treatments can slow the progress of the disease and, for example, preserve a patient's ability to walk. The scientists hope the autoantibodies they have discovered will one day be detected with a simple blood test, giving patients a head start on receiving treatment.

"Over the last few decades, there's been a move in the field to treat MS earlier and more aggressively with newer, more potent therapies," said UCSF neurologist Michael Wilson, MD, a senior author of the paper. "A diagnostic result like this makes such early intervention more likely, giving patients hope for a better life."

Linking infections with autoimmune disease

Autoimmune diseases like MS are believed to result, in part, from rare immune reactions to common infections.

In 2014, Wilson joined forces with Joe DeRisi, Ph.D., president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub SF and a senior author of the paper, to develop better tools for unmasking the culprits behind autoimmune disease. They took a technique in which viruses are engineered to display bits of proteins like flags on their surface, called phage display immunoprecipitation sequencing (PhIP-Seq), and further optimized it to screen human blood for autoantibodies.

PhIP-Seq detects autoantibodies against more than 10,000 human proteins, enough to investigate nearly any autoimmune disease. In 2019, they successfully used it to discover a rare autoimmune disease that seemed to arise from testicular cancer.

MS affects more than 900,000 people in the US. Its early symptoms, like dizziness, spasms, and fatigue, can resemble other conditions, and diagnosis requires careful analysis of brain MRI scans.

The phage display system, the scientists reasoned, could reveal the autoantibodies behind the immune attacks of MS and create new opportunities to understand and treat the disease.

The project was spearheaded by first co-authors Colin Zamecnik, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in DeRisi's and Wilson's labs; and Gavin Sowa, MD, MS, former UCSF medical student and now internal medicine resident at Northwestern University.

They partnered with Mitch Wallin, MD, MPH, from the University of Maryland and a senior author of the paper, to search for autoantibodies in the blood of people with MS. These samples were obtained from the U.S. Department of Defense Serum Repository, which stores blood taken from armed service members when they apply to join the military.

The group analyzed blood from 250 MS patients collected after their diagnosis, plus samples taken five or more years earlier when they joined the military. The researchers also looked at comparable blood samples from 250 healthy veterans.

Between the large number of subjects and the before-and-after timing of the samples, it was "a phenomenal cohort of individuals to look at to see how this kind of autoimmunity develops over the course of clinical onset of this disease," said Zamecnik.

A consistent signature of MS

Using a mere one-thousandth of a milliliter of blood from each time point, the scientists thought they would see a jump in autoantibodies as the first symptoms of MS appeared.

Instead, they found that 10% of the MS patients had a striking abundance of autoantibodies years before their diagnosis.

The dozen or so autoantibodies all stuck to a chemical pattern that resembled one found in common viruses, including Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which infects more than 85% of all people, yet has been flagged in previous studies as a contributing cause for MS.

Years before diagnosis, this subset of MS patients had other signs of an immune war in the brain. Ahmed Abdelhak, MD, co-author of the paper and a postdoctoral researcher in the UCSF laboratory of Ari Green, MD, found that patients with these autoantibodies had elevated levels of neurofilament light (Nfl), a protein that gets released as neurons break down.

Perhaps, the researchers speculated, the immune system was mistaking friendly human proteins for some viral foe, leading to a lifetime of MS.

"When we analyze healthy people using our technology, everybody looks unique, with their own fingerprint of immunological experience, like a snowflake," DeRisi said. "It's when the immunological signature of a person looks like someone else, and they stop looking like snowflakes that we begin to suspect something is wrong, and that's what we found in these MS patients."

A test to speed patients toward the right therapies

To confirm their findings, the team analyzed blood samples from patients in the UCSF ORIGINS study. These patients all had neurological symptoms and many, but not all, went on to be diagnosed with MS.

Once again, 10% of the patients in the ORIGINS study who were diagnosed with MS had the same autoantibody pattern. The pattern was 100% predictive of an MS diagnosis. Across both the Department of Defense group and the ORIGINS group, every patient with this autoantibody pattern had MS.

"Diagnosis is not always straightforward for MS, because we haven't had disease specific biomarkers," Wilson said. "We're excited to have anything that can give more diagnostic certainty earlier on, to have a concrete discussion about whether to start treatment for each patient."

Many questions remain about MS, ranging from what's instigating the immune response in some MS patients to how the disease develops in the other 90% of patients. But the researchers believe they now have a definitive sign that MS is brewing.

"Imagine if we could diagnose MS before some patients reach the clinic," said Stephen Hauser, MD, director of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences and a senior author of the paper. "It enhances our chances of moving from suppression to cure."

More information: Colin R. Zamecnik et al, An autoantibody signature predictive for multiple sclerosis, Nature Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-024-02938-3 , www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-02938-3 Journal information: Nature Medicine
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A large retrospective cohort pharmacoepidemiologic study found that despite approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for seven new gram-negative antibiotics between 2014 and 2019, clinicians in U.S. hospitals still treated more than 40% of patients battling highly resistant pathogens exclusively with older, generic agents. Furthermore, nearly 80% of the time these older agents are already known to be highly toxic or sub-optimally effective.

According to the authors, this issue not only affects patient outcomes but threatens future development and supply of new antibiotics. The findings were presented at the breaking news scientific plenary session "New in Annals of Internal Medicine: Hear it First from the Authors" held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center during the American College of Physician's (ACP) Internal Medicine Meeting 2024. The paper also is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health retrospectively studied data from a large administrative database to determine inpatient use patterns of recently approved gram-negative antibiotics, including ceftazidimeavibactam, ceftolozanetazobactam, meropenemvaborbactam, plazomicin, eravacycline, imipenemrelebactamcilastatin, and cefiderocol.

The researchers found that ceftolozanetazobactam and ceftazidimeavibactam, the two first "next-generation" b-lactam/b-lactamase inhibitor antibiotics approved by the FDA, had the largest increase in use between 2016 and 2019. However, utilization of other next-generation antibiotics, including meropenemvaborbactam, eravacycline, imipenemcilastatinrelebactam, and cefiderocol was much lower, with no documented use of plazomicin (the manufacturer of which latter filed for bankruptcy).

Researchers also sought to identify factors associated with preferential use of newer antibiotics over traditional generic agents. Clinicians seemed to prefer newer agents to treat patients with difficult-to-treat bloodstream infections and those with a high comorbidity burden. At the hospital level, some important factors associated with new versus traditional agent use were identified. For example, a third of study hospitals never used new antibiotics and those tended to be small hospitals in rural areas or in urban areas with low prevalence of resistance.

New antibiotics were also about six times more expensive than older agents, which could disincentivize prescribing given the way hospitals are reimbursed for care in the U.S.

A lack of hospital access to a new agent did not seem to be a major factor for underutilization but hospitals that reported antibiotic susceptibility testing against new antibiotics tended to prescribe them more. According to the study authors, these findings underscore the need to prioritize unmet patient needs in future economic incentives for the failing antibiotic industry (such as the recent PASTEUR bill).

The authors of an accompanying editorial from Tufts University School of Medicine say that with antimicrobial resistance estimated to cause 1.2 million deaths globally per year, it's important to ensure that new antibiotics are not only being developed but also effectively used. Getting an antibiotic to market takes 10 to 15 years and can cost up to a $1 billion.

The editorialists commend the study authors for investigating what happens after antibiotics are approved. They suggest that continued efforts to raise awareness, innovation in pathogen-specific trials, regularly updated guidance, innovative patient-centered end points, and rapid susceptibility testing will be key to appropriate and optimal use of these new antibiotics.
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Esther JeanBart leaned over her son's wheelchair, caressing his face and trying to make him giggle. Gianni JeanBart was under the weather, but still his eyes rolled toward her and his mouth widened, cracking a smile.

Esther JeanBart said she has missed the sound of Gianni's voice the most. In 2017, the U.S. Marine was in a motorcycle accident on his way to work, about a month shy of his 20th birthday.

Since then, Gianni has undergone more than a dozen surgeries. Now quadriplegic and prone to seizures due to a traumatic brain injury, he requires around-the-clock care from licensed health professionals. For the past seven years, he's lived with Esther in their home in Valrico with his medical care covered by Medicaid.

"He is still here," she said. "He fights every day."

But on April 1, Gianni's Medicaid coverage was abruptly terminated without notice from the Florida Department of Children and Families, the agency that determines eligibility.

Gianni is one of several patientsthe full number is unknownto lose access this month to Medicaid's Home and Community Based Services, which is geared toward patients who are disabled or have extensive long-term-care needs. The program allows beneficiaries to receive services in the home, rather than in an isolated institution or long-term care facility.

Since the beginning of April, Miriam Harmatz, advocacy director and founder of the Florida Health Justice Center, said the organization has received panicked calls from caregivers and patients. Most said they learned their coverage was terminated only after nurses and other providers began canceling services.

In a statement, a spokesperson from the Florida Department of Children and Families said the agency was not aware of any HCBS participant who inappropriately lost Medicaid coverage without receiving proper notification.

"The examples you have provided the Department from so called 'advocates' show that each individual was properly noticed and either did not respond timely or no longer met financial eligibility requirements," said Mallory McManus, the spokesperson. "As we have shared previously, those who were disenrolled because they did not respond to our requests would have been contacted by us up to 13 times via phone, mail, email, and text before processing their disenrollment."

Harmatz said this is not the reality for a number of home care recipients who contacted her organization. She said her organization reviewed several patients' Medicaid access portals, and saw no notifications from the agency warning them of termination.

These patients are the latest Medicaid recipients to find their coverage threatened amid the state's redetermination process, which began in April 2023. Florida's Medicaid rolls swelled by 1.7 million people during the pandemic, when the federal government gave states additional funding to keep people covered even if they were no longer eligible. Once the funding ended, the Department of Children and Families began conducting its first eligibility checks in years.

The state agency is meant to send notice at least 10 days prior to when a patient loses Medicaid coverage. This notice should include the reason for coverage being terminated.

But most long-term home care patients would have no reason to lose eligibility, Harmatz said.

"Think about who they are, what they're dealing with," she said. "They're so disabled that they could go right into a nursing home or institution, and suddenly, their home health aid didn't show up. How do they get out of their wheelchair? How do they clean themselves?  The level of concern with any interruption is heightened."

Harmatz and her organization are pushing for all home care patients who were removed from the rolls to be immediately reinstated while the state assesses what happened. In an email she sent to general counsels at the Department of Children and Families and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, she said it was "the only logical and humane solution."

"We're at the panic point now," Harmatz said. "We should not have to unpack every single reason why a person lost coverage."

JeanBart began worrying about her son's medical coverage in mid-March, when providers already began canceling appointments. They told her their computer systems showed Gianni's coverage ending April 1.

She had been trying to order medical braces to help Gianni stretch the muscles in his arms and hands, but the braces take three to four weeks to create. In emails JeanBart shared with the Tampa Bay Times, employees of the brace company wrote they were concerned Medicaid would not pay. The retrofitted van service that Gianni uses to attend physical therapy and other outings also canceled.

This made little sense to JeanBart, who said her son was previously set for Medicaid renewal in July 2024. She called and emailed his health plan provider, Sunshine Health, as well as state agencies.

JeanBart said representatives at all three groups told her Gianni's coverage was safe. A Sunshine Health case manager told her the April 1 expiration date could be a "ghost term date," and that coverage would automatically renew once it passed.

"If Medicaid is going to give me something in writing, showing me he's qualified, why would I question that?" she said.

But she called Sunshine Health once more on April 1just to be sure. This time, the representative told her Gianni's coverage had been terminated.

JeanBart said she never received written notice or an explanation from the state.

Some of Gianni's regular nurses continued to work without pay, but not always for the 24 hours a day he required. The rest of the time, JeanBart was on her own, caring for him through the night.

As his mother, JeanBart said it's an honor to care for Gianni. But she has no medical training, and with three other children between the ages of 11 and 15, as well as her own home health care business to run, she knew she wasn't equipped.

"He's not able to go out; I don't have a car to accommodate him," she said. "He can't go out and see the sun, get his braces, get therapy to move his muscles.  I can't put him on a chair, so he's stuck on a bed. That's deterioration, that's detrimental to his health and his emotional well-being."

It felt like the health care system was erasing her son, JeanBart said.

"As long as I'm breathing, I'm going to fight," she said. "This is not OK."

After 10 days, she received a voicemail from an Agency for Health Care Administration employee, who told her Gianni's coverage would be reinstated by the following morning. But when she called to confirm around 11 a.m. Thursday, he still wasn't in the system.

Even if the issue gets fixed, she said, "It's not over. Tell me what happened, so I can be sure it won't happen again."

Harmatz said it's difficult to determine how many patients like Gianni have been affected or what caused so many ostensibly eligible recipients to lose their coverage. It's part of a larger pattern, she said, in Florida's bumpy redetermination process.

"To DCF's credit, the plan was to put the most vulnerable people last," she said. "But we don't have a dedicated phone line at the relevant agencies  as far as we know, there is no special team or unit set up (to assist).  Florida didn't do that."

2024 Tampa Bay 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:

An Emory University study of samples of the Fulton County Jails wastewater collected found a correlation between the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests among jail residents and the COVID-19 levels detected in the wastewater. Credit: Rollins School of Public Health

An innovative partnership between infectious disease researchers and the Fulton County Jail has produced insight that could help detect and track future disease outbreaks.

A study of samples of the jail's wastewater collected nearly every week between October 2021 and May 2022led by researchers at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health and recently published in Emerging Infectious Diseasesfound a correlation between the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests among jail residents and the COVID-19 levels detected in the wastewater.

These results from the feasibility study show that wastewater-based surveillance could not only help detect and mitigate future COVID-19 outbreaks, but also serve as an indicator of other viral infection trends in jail settings.

"We knew the technology worked in college dormitories, but jails are settings that needed to be studied," says Anne Spaulding, MD, associate professor of epidemiology at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health. "Because so many people pass through jails, protecting the health of detained individuals impacts the health of entire communities."

Taking weekly wastewater samples from four manhole sites outside of the jail buildings enabled the researchers to circumvent common barriers to infectious disease screenings within jail settings, such as access issues and hesitancy of jail residents.

"Being the largest pre-trial detention center in Georgia, we are hopeful that the data Emory collected during this study will provide valuable findings to benefit other facilities across the country," says Fulton County Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat. "We are committed to community partnerships and maintaining the health of those in our care and custody."

More information: Lindsay B. Saber et al, Correlation of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater and Individual Testing Results in a Jail, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, Emerging Infectious Diseases (2024). DOI: 10.3201/eid3013.230775 Journal information: Emerging Infectious Diseases
This new smartwatch from TechLife is the device of choice for any hobby and lifestyle EVERYONE HAS different hobbies and lifestyles. Whether...
14th Beijing International Film Festival opens to boost cultural exchange

Xinhua) 08:45, April 19, 2024

BEIJING, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The 14th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF) kicked off on Thursday in the Chinese capital, welcoming filmmakers from home and abroad to discuss movie development and promote cultural exchanges in the industry.

Members of 14th Tiantan Award jury of this year's BJIFF, led by Serbian director Emir Kusturica as jury president, appeared at the opening ceremony.

A total of 1,509 films from 118 countries and regions applied to the competition this year, with 15 selected to contend for the Tiantan Award.

Brazil was invited to be this year's guest of honor, as 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil. Four Brazilian movies reflecting cultural and regional diversity have been selected for the festival.

Over the course of the nine-day event, more than 250 domestic and international films will be shown across 27 theaters in Beijing, and in its neighboring Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province.

Launched in 2011, the festival aims to boost exchange among global industry players. It has been attracting increasing international attention thanks to China's booming film market.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The president of the Original Montana Club Cooperative Association said Friday they have signed a contract with farmer, software entrepreneur and Cardwell businessman Ajitpal Pannu to buy the entire Montana Club operations and club-owned floors of the historic building, including the Rathskeller, for nearly $1.3 million.

This is a new lease on life for the Montana Club, a new era, Club President Charles Robison said Friday in a news release. We are excited to work with Ajitpal to ensure a smooth transition and help him give new life to the traditions and special moments only the Montana Club provides.

He said there is a lot of nuance in detail.

The core of it is the Montana Club is going to reopen, Robison said, adding the club has had the phoenix rising from the ashes moments.

This is truly a rebirth moment, he said. Its not just someone unlocking the doors and rehiring bartenders, this is someone investing in this building. I am excited, I think the community will be excited.

The club, at 24 W. Sixth Ave., closed after nearly 140 years March 29, citing financial struggles and filing for voluntary bankruptcy Nov. 1. It closed its dining room in late 2023.

Robison said that the club filed a motion Friday for the Bankruptcy Court to approve the sale to Pannu. Approval is expected, though not guaranteed, by mid-May.

The cooperative  which owns the Rathskeller, the second, third and sixth floors and an office on the first floor of the seven-story building  has been sued by the Montana Club Building Condominium Owners Association, which owns portions of the 31,381-square-foot Montana Club, for nearly $500,000 in unpaid assessments and interest coming out to about $700,000.

Only the cooperative portion of the building is being sold. However, Pannu said Friday he is under contract to buy the fourth floor of the building, which is now owned by condominium owners group.

Robison said Friday the $1.3 million sale price will satisfy all creditors.

Pannu said in a telephone interview he would be investing about $1.4 million to $2 million in renovations in the next couple years.

We are rolling up our sleeves to bring this building back to life and restore the rich traditions, he said in a news release, which stated he was joined by his wife Amber Grewal a managing director & partner with Boston Consulting Group. After almost 120 years, it needs a little TLC, and we are excited to get started.

Pannu said he has been an admirer of the Montana Club for some time and reached out to Robison when he saw news about the March 29 Last Call event to explore buying the Club.

He said he plans three phases of repairs and restoration in the Rathskeller in the basement, to the sixth floor kitchen and dining area and then to the restaurant on the second and third floors. He said in a perfect world, he would have the Rathkseller open by years end.

Pannu said he would like to bring the Montana Club experience back with additions such as a cigar room, tea room, whiskey room and area relaxation. He said it would likely mean closing some portions during renovations.

Pannu said he wants to make the club a destination experience for anyone coming to Montana. He said plans are to offer some of the original drinks the club served and some of its other recipes.

He said he has spent the majority of his career in digital advertising. In 2021 he began focusing on three buckets of investing": agriculture, agriculture technology and construction.

Pannu said he is working with the cooperative to ensure that historic original Montana artwork, Club records and historic memorabilia are donated to the Montana Historical Society and State Achives.

The Montana Club was founded in 1885 in Helena in what was then Montana Territory by 50 male attorneys, bankers, mining, livestock and timber magnates, politicians, transportation titans, wholesalers and self-described capitalists. They were local business people who did not want outsiders to think of Helena as a mining camp. It was the longest-continuously open private club between Minneapolis and Seattle until it reorganized as a co-operative association and opened to the public in June 2018.

A Helena resident with deep ties to the club was ecstatic over the news of the sale.

I am just on cloud nine for so many reasons, for the club, for Helena and for Montana, said Patty Dean, a former Montana Club president and historian. I think Ajitpal Pannu has tremendous vision and incredible business sense. Everything he has laid out is logical to me.

She said she has talked with Pannu and he was cognizant of the clubs deficiencies and what it needed.

I was hoping someone would come along who would appreciate all the qualities of property and the history it has, she said. To me, he is the complete package.

City Commissioner Emily Dean, who had been club president and had worked there as a server when she attended Carroll College, was happy with the news.

I am thrilled, this will be a new lease on life for the club and Mr. Pannu seems to have the vision, she said.

Dean, the niece of Patty Dean, said he will shepherd the club into its next 140 years.

I think he will bring a new energy and vitality not just to the Montana Club, but to the whole downtown, she said.

Bruce Spencer, a former club president who said he has been associated with the Montana Club since he moved to Helena 30 years ago, has many fond memories of the club.

Im thrilled frankly that someone with the assets to do it is willing to take over and invest the needed money for infrastructure improvements, he said. It is a wonderful, wonderful thing that he wants to take over.

He said the club holds a very special place in some peoples hearts.

Its a very special venue that worms its way into your heart, he said.
The Montana Nonprofit Association has announced that Adam Jespersen will be its new executive director starting May 1, taking over the role from Liz Moore, who is retiring after nearly 12 years at the helm of the Helena-based group.

Jespersen, who grew up in Big Sandy, was selected from more than 50 applicants nationwide. Since 2019, he has served first as MNAs director of innovation and then as associate director.

Adams steady leadership, innovative strategic thinking, and systemic approach to organizational development and management are already part of MNAs culture and systems, Alison Paul, MNA board chair, said in a news release. As executive director he will bring these same qualities to his work with Montanas nonprofit sector at large.

During Moores tenure, in addition to growing MNA membership and expanding outreach to rural nonprofits, she helped steward nonprofits through the COVID-19 crisis. Moore said she is proud of the support MNA provided for members during that time.

During COVID, demand for nonprofit services was extraordinarily high, the challenges in providing those services were remarkable, and nonprofit leaders needed steady, reliable resources and support. Our team was able to offer that and we know it made a difference across the state, she said.

There will be a celebration in honor of Moore held at the Holter Museum of Art 4-7 p.m. April 30. Those interested in attending should RSVP to admin@mtnonprofit.org.

In addition, the MNA board asks that members of the community submit photos and messages for Moore ahead of the celebration by emailing admin@mtnonprofit.org. Finally, those wishing to honor Moores legacy can contribute to the Liz Moore Legacy Fund for Nonprofit Advocacy by visiting MNAs website at mtnonprofit.org.

Before joining MNA, Jespersen was with Intermountain, a human services organization based in Helena. In his roles as associate development director and then chief operating officer, Jespersen was a key member of Intermountains executive team.

Jespersen is looking forward as MNA executive director to building on the strong foundation Moore helped build.

Nonprofits are essential to the fabric of every community across Montana  as employers, as service providers, and as holders of hope and beauty. Nonprofits make up more than 10% of Montanas workforce and serve hundreds of thousands of Montanans every day. MNA has and will continue to be a committed source of information, resources, support, community, and voice for those thousands of organizations.

MNA provides leadership for Montanas nonprofit sector and works with charitable nonprofits to promote a sustainable, networked and influential sector. MNA represents more than 700 members statewide, representing all sizes and mission-types.
ASHEVILLE  A Burke County man will spend nearly 20 years in prison after he was convicted in federal court of drug and weapon crimes.

Jessie Alan Clark, 42, of Burke County, was sentenced Thursday to 19 years, seven months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on drug and gun charges, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, which oversees the Charlotte District Office, and Sheriff Banks Hinceman of the Burke County Sheriffs Office joined U.S. Attorney King in making Thursdays announcement.

According to filed court documents and court proceedings, in February 2022, investigators with the Burke County Sheriffs Office and agents with the DEA determined that Clark was engaged in the distribution of methamphetamine in the area.

On Feb. 15, 2022, law enforcement observed a truck attempting to evade detection by law enforcement and began to follow the vehicle. While they followed the vehicle, law enforcement observed a backpack being tossed out of the passenger side of the truck and proceeded to pull over the vehicle. Clark was the driver of the truck, and another individual was a passenger.

Over the course of the traffic stop, law enforcement searched Clark, the passenger, the truck, and the backpack that had been tossed from the vehicle, and seized $10,499 in U.S. currency, two gallon-sized bags containing methamphetamine, and a loaded Taurus .38 caliber revolver with six rounds of ammunition. Clark is a convicted felon, and he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

On Aug. 21, Clark pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Clark will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility, to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. In making Thursdays announcement U.S. Attorney King thanked the DEA and the Burke County Sheriffs Office for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess of the U.S. Attorneys Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.
CONNELLY SPRINGS  A man was charged early Monday morning after a break-in was reported at a fire department.

Joshua James Betke, 31, of 5130 Pea Ridge Road, Morganton, was charged with felony breaking or entering, according to a copy of a warrant filed at the Burke County Courthouse.

The charge came after deputies responded to George Hildebran Fire and Rescue, 7470 George Hildebran School Road, Connelly Springs, around 1:41 a.m. Monday, said Sheriff Banks Hinceman.

George Hildebran Fire Chief Bobby Craig said the fire station was equipped with a silent alarm, so Betke didnt know deputies were on the way. He was taken into custody without incident, according to a copy of his arrest report.

Betke has a slew of previous convictions in North Carolina, including assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, assault on a female, larceny, breaking and entering and two counts each of assault on an officer/state employee and resisting an officer, according to records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.

Betkes criminal history isnt limited to North Carolina.

In Michigan, Betke was convicted of assault with intent to do greater bodily harm less than murder, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections.

A story from the Kalamazoo Gazette said a Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety detective described the incident as a throat slashing that left the victim with a non-life-threatening cut to the neck. The detective also told The Gazette the victim didnt know Betke, and the attack was unprovoked.

Betkes bond for the breaking and entering charge was set at $25,000 secured, the release said. Hes due back in court May 6, according to information from the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
Three people who had been wanted for months were arrested earlier this week in a multi-agency collaboration in Burke County.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, deputies with the Burke County Sheriffs Office criminal investigations/narcotics division along with Longview Police Department, the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, probation and parole officers in Burke County, NCDAC special operations and intelligence unit and the US Marshals Services Carolinas Regional Fugitive Task Force conducted a joint operation to find and arrest felony probation absconders, according to a release from BCSO.

During the operation, law enforcement found James Allen Jones, 38, and Kasey Leigh Hice, 41, at 940 Cape Hickory Road, Hickory, the release said. Both were wanted for felony probation violations. Jones had been wanted since Aug. 11, 2022, and Hice had been wanted since April 18, 2023, the release said.

On Wednesday, law enforcement officers converged on the home at 2608 West View Acres Ave. Extension, Hickory, in an attempt to apprehend Gregory Leigh McConnell, 35, of the address. McConnell had been wanted since Dec. 4 for a charge of failure to appear-probation violation, the release said.

As officers arrived at the home, McConnell fled from the scene into a wooded area, the release said. Officers contained the scene and surveilled the area for several hours. They apprehended McConnell after someone attempted to drive him away from the scene, the release said.

The investigations are ongoing and additional charges for harboring fugitives are expected, the release said.

This operation was a multi-agency collaborative endeavor conducted to apprehend repeat offenders and/or felony probation/parole absconders in the eastern portion of Burke County, the release said. These types of operations could NOT be conducted without our partnerships and collaborations with our Federal, State, and Local agencies working seamlessly together for the mutual good of our communities.

The Burke County Sheriffs Office is thankful for our working relationships with these organizations and appreciates the ongoing partnerships with these and other agencies.

Jones has previous convictions of possession of a schedule II controlled substance, felony breaking and entering, larceny, driving while impaired and several other misdemeanor charges, according to records from NCDAC. He was held without bond, the release said.

Hice has previous convictions of larceny of a motor vehicle, receiving a stolen vehicle and possession of a schedule II controlled substance, NCDAC records showed. Her bond was set at $20,000 secured, the release said.

McConnell has previous convictions of forgery, uttering a forged instrument, possessing stolen goods and felony breaking and entering, NCDAC records showed. He was held without bond, the release said.

All three were scheduled to appear in court Thursday.
In a crowded room at the Burke County Democratic Partys headquarters on South Sterling Street in Morganton, gubernatorial candidate and Attorney General Josh Stein said he would fight for the rights of North Carolinians if elected governor.

Stein, a lifelong North Carolina resident, spoke to supporters at an event Wednesday morning after making several other stops this week in western North Carolina. Hell face Republican candidate and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson in the November election.

Education at the forefront

During the event Wednesday, Stein said educators deserve a real pay raise.

Steins press secretary, Morgan Hopkins, told The News Herald that Stein aims to get teacher pay in North Carolina to at least the national average.

According to a 2023 report from the National Education Association, average teacher pay in the US for the 2021-22 fiscal year was $42,844 for starting teachers and $66,745 for all teachers. In N.C., the average teacher starting salary that fiscal year was $37,676, and the average salary for all teachers was $54,863, the NEA said.

Stein said the state also needs to expand career and technical education and apprenticeship programs for students.

While college is right for a lot of people, it is not the right place for every person, and every person shouldnt have to go to college to provide for his or her family, Stein said.

Burke County already has seen some expansion of the trades when Western Piedmont Community College opened a 17,000-square-foot, $7 million facility dedicated to its trades program. Michael Daniels, dean of applied technologies at WPCC, told The News Herald in March the program is growing, but its not quite enough to fill gaps left by people retiring.

When a News Herald reporter asked Stein how he, as governor, would help draw more people to careers in skilled trades, he said he thought the market would help.

When the word gets out that these are jobs that pay a good salary, that are secure and theyre not going to get shipped off to Mexico or wherever the next job manufacturer gets shipped to, Stein said. Then folks are going to say, you know what? This is something I can learn and this is a future that I can build a family with.

He said its important for middle and high schools to connect with trades programs so that students know what they have available to them.

Broadband access, proposed tax credit highlighted

For small towns in western North Carolina, Stein said he wants to continue the push to improve broadband access in rural areas.

Stein cited a recent settlement with Frontier, a telecommunications company that operates around the Asheville area, after he sued the company when it promised internet speeds for a certain price but did not provide those speeds to customers.

He said that settlement would provide restitution to the customers impacted and requires the company to invest $20 million in infrastructure in western NC, providing better broadband, water, sewer, roads and railroads.

Stein told reporters he wants to fight for North Carolinians.

We have to try to help make sure that their schools are good for their kids, that their neighborhoods are safe so that theyre not worrying about everybody and that the economy is thriving so that they can get a good-paying job and provide for their family, Stein said. We also have to keep costs down, the working family tax cut is one solution. Making sure that were doing everything we can to keep health care and drug prices down, and then I want to protect peoples personal freedoms.

I respect peoples ability to decide for themselves what they should do with their own bodies.

Stein said he is proposing the working families tax cut, which would reinstate the State Earned Income Tax Credit. It was eliminated in 2014, according to information from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. It is different from the federal earned income tax credit, which families still can claim.

Steins office estimates the average working family could receive more than $520 if the proposed plan is put in place, and families with three or more children could see as much as $1,486 back in their pockets from the tax credit.

Its all about putting more money into the pockets of working people, raising children out of poverty and stimulating local economies, Stein said.

When asked how he would help state employees besides teachers, like those who work at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center and Broughton Hospital, Stein said they need to be adequately paid.

Weve talked about teachers not getting appropriately paid, but thats true of a lot of people in state government, Stein said. We need to prioritize our state employees because theyre public servants. Theyre serving people and we need to reward them appropriately.

Medicaid expansion first step toward healing opioid crisis

While it took years to garner bipartisan support, Stein said the states Medicaid expansion on Dec. 1 has since led to 400,000 people signing up.

That, along with the billions Stein said he helped win in opioid lawsuit settlements with big drug companies, will lay the foundation for solving the opioid crisis.

People cant get health care treatment if they dont have a way to pay for that treatment because providers are no different than us, Stein said. We get paid for the work that we do, so the fact that now hundreds of thousands of people have health insurance means that it will incentivize more providers to come and serve the community that needs.

He said other solutions, like making Narcan more readily available or having EMS workers who are able to check up on people a few days after an overdose call, could also help in the crisis.

There are a lot of innovative solutions that are being done around the state, and were excited to see what people come up with, Stein said.

Burke County has received $3 million from the 2021 state budget to renovate the former Burke-Catawba District Confinement Facility into a recovery center for those dealing with substance abuse. In January, The News Herald reported county officials estimate it would take about $15 million to renovate the facility, and already have put in a request with state lawmakers for the additional $12 million needed for the renovations.

While the county is expected to receive more than $24 million over the next 18 years from the opioid lawsuit settlement, that money cannot be used for renovation or construction of buildings, but instead must be used for drug use disorder recovery programs, according to Danny Scalise, director of the Burke County Health Department.

We want local governments to be able to drive what they should be doing with their money, Stein said. If they come up with a plan that has a regional impact that it doesnt make sense for the counties to carry that weight, then thats absolutely something I would consider in my budget.
A missing man was found safe Wednesday evening.

Emergency management personnel searching for Justin Alan Scott, 42, found him and his dog, Freya, safe yesterday, according to information from the Burke County Sheriff's Office.

Scott had been missing since Tuesday when he was seen leaving his home near Gold Mine Road in the Dysartsville area of western Burke County.

BCSO requested assistance from the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections K9 team and Burke County Emergency Management/SAR teams.

The Sheriff's Office announced shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday that Scott and Freya had been found safe. Scott was treated on scene by first responders and Burke County EMS before he returned home, according to the BCSO release.
High rate of speed

Officers were dispatched to the 600 block of West Granite Street at around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday to investigate an accident.

Cody M. Gavin, 33, of Butte was reportedly driving at a high rate of speed when he hit a light pole, which then collapsed, and a parked vehicle.

After being evaluated by medical personnel and deemed uninjured, Gavin was arrested for reckless driving, no liability insurance, and driving with a suspended drivers license. He also had an arrest warrant out of Jefferson County.

Jail booking

Michael R. Zimmerly, 40, of Butte was booked into the jail Tuesday on warrants for partner or family member assault (second offense), revocation of sentence, seatbelt violation, and driving with a suspended drivers license.

Thursday disturbance

Early Thursday, police were called to a residence in the 2800 block of Harvard Avenue where Donald B. Galbraith, 64, of Butte allegedly threw a woman onto a couch and pinned her down. He also reportedly took away her phone.

He was taken into custody for partner or family member assault and tampering with a communication device.

Late-night argument

During an argument with a woman at around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in the 800 block of Caledonia Street, it is alleged that Gage E. Leonard, 20, of Butte shoved a woman a couple of times.

He was taken to jail for partner or family member assault.

Vulgar language

At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, police arrived at the Party Palace, 1 W. Park St., where Michelle L. Blackwolf, 51, of Pocatello, Idaho, was blocking the door and refusing to let anyone in or out of the establishment.

When the police arrived, she reportedly stood her ground and used vulgar language. She was arrested for failure to disperse.

Back at it

Twice on Thursday, Ryan M. Greening, 43, of Butte had been warned to quit pounding on residents doors and yelling obscenities in the 300 block of South Montana Street.

Greening decided not to heed the warning and at 7:45 p.m., he was back at it again. His third effort got him arrested for disorderly conduct.

Probation violation

Adult Probation & Parole had Maddox A. Haskell, 19, of Butte was taken into custody Thursday for a probation violation. His bond was set at $75,000.

Damaged signs

On Tuesday, it was reported that the street signs on Santa Claus Road had been bent to the ground.
Recent research by Chinese archaeologists has found that women in the Qin Dynasty (221 B.C. - 207 B.C.) possessed property inheritance rights and may have shouldered similar social responsibilities as men.

The latest discoveries from the Liye Qin Slips dating back to the Qin Dynasty are expected to shed light on certain aspects of this rarely documented historical period, as exemplified by numerous vivid and detailed accounts.

A slip unearthed from the Liye ancient town site reveals that a father named Guang registered at the local government office to distribute his property to his daughter Hu, who was preparing for marriage.

The property included people, goods and money totaling eleven kinds. This slip was certified by a local government official named Shen at the time.

"The sum of money were equivalent to the income of a full-time working adult male for twenty years at that time," said Zhang Chunlong, a researcher at the Hunan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology and one of the excavators of the Liye Qin Slips.

The slips also record instances of widows managing households independently and women participating in various labor activities alongside men, indicating that men and women enjoyed equal social responsibilities in the Qin Dynasty.

The Liye ancient town is located in Longshan County in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in central China's Hunan Province. In 2002, over 36,000 slips from the Qin Dynasty were unearthed from the No. 1 well of the site, with the total word count exceeding 200,000.

Considered another important finding in Qin Dynasty archaeology following the Terracotta Warriors, these slips mainly consist of government documents from the Qianling County in Dongting Prefecture, spanning from the year before the nation's unification to the year before the fall of the Qin Dynasty.

The contents cover demographics, production, taxation, postal services, judiciary and medicine, among others, providing a complete picture of the governance of Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, and the functioning of grassroots administrative systems.

"Information about the Qin Dynasty has always been limited, and these vast textual materials, once interpreted and organized, can fill in historical gaps," said Long Jingsha, an archaeologist and leader of the excavation at No. 1 well of Liye ancient town.

The Liye Qin Slips indicate the smooth transmission of various official documents in the Qin Dynasty, efficient requisition of materials, and detailed records of personnel management systems, demonstrating the establishment of a top-down supervision and assessment system during the reign of Qin Shi Huang, according to Long.

The Qin Dynasty implemented the administrative system of prefectures and counties, fostering close ties between the central and local governments. The system was not only innovative but also a significant contribution to Chinese history, followed by later dynasties, according to Zhou Dongzheng, curator of the Liye Qin Slips Museum.

The specific number and names of prefectures established during the Qin Dynasty have been subject to various interpretations, but the mention of Dongting Prefecture in the slips, not found in any extant historical documents, provides a new opportunity to reconsider the administrative divisions of the Qin Dynasty.

Historical records show that the Qin Dynasty promoted the standardization of writing, unifying the names of many things according to Qin customs and systems.

In an era when communication and transportation were underdeveloped, central government decrees could directly reach remote border areas like Qianling County, indicating the high degree of centralization of power under the Qin Dynasty, with a well-established postal system, according to the experts.

"The speed of upward and downward transmission of official documents reflects the efficiency of the state machinery," Zhang said. During the Qin Dynasty, government offices generally operated from around six or seven in the morning to four or five in the afternoon, with document transmission occurring throughout the day.

At various levels of government, smooth communication channels were maintained through relay couriers. The sending, receiving and delays of official documents were meticulously recorded on the slips, with timestamps accurate down to two-hour intervals.

The government documents on the Liye Qin Slips also include records assessing the performance of local officials. For example, county governors and prefects during the Qin Dynasty were required to report annually to the imperial court on the governance of their jurisdictions, based on which the court issued rewards and punishments," Zhou said

It can be seen that the Qin Dynasty implemented a strict system of official assessment, linking official performance with salary and promotion, among others, thus encouraging officials to improve their efficiency.

Records on various aspects such as official attendance, designations and transfers can be found. These include "resumes" detailing officials' positions and date of appointments and "attendance records" showing how many days each official attended and how much work they completed.

The Liye Qin Slips also documents numerous individuals prosecuted under the stringent laws of the time. For instance, a set of twelve remarkably well-preserved slips detail twelve men from Yangling County being pursued for debts owed to the government. Due to their inability to repay, they were forced into labor as compensation.

"According to the standard daily wage at that time, each person would have to serve three years and eleven months, indicating the severity of Qin Dynasty law," Zhang said. The slips detail the number of people in forced labor and their situations regarding escape and death.

In the twelfth lunar month of the 34th year of Qin Shi Huang's reign (213 B.C.), Qianling County alone had 4,376 people sentenced to lifelong labor. Within a year, one out of every seven individuals sentenced to forced labor died.

So far, more than half of the Liye Qin Slips data has been made public. "The unification and governance of the Qin Dynasty posed significant challenges, and while each meticulously written slip may have contained mundane administrative content at the time, they are now regarded as marvels," Zhang said.
The Government is investing in the development of Kenyas creative economy to expand opportunities for talented youth, President William Ruto reiterated.

To unleash a creative revolution in the country, President Ruto pledged to promote the expansion of galleries for Kenyan art and craft locally and abroad, establish a Film Fund and create incentives to boost local filmmaking.

He said the government will also enforce intellectual property rights and take advantage of the digital economy to enhance incomes.

Our highly talented youth are capable of creative excellence in such diverse fields as music, theatre and drama, graphic design and digital animation, fashion and craft, as well as new and emerging fields like virtual and augmented reality, he said.

He made the remarks during the National Drama and Film Festival Winners State Concert, Sagana State Lodge, Nyeri County.

President Ruto said the government has signed agreements with Google, META/Facebook and TikTok to commercialise and monetise content produced by talented youth in Kenya.

Our creatives in pageantry and fashion have not been left behind either, with global pageants like the iconic Miss Universe headed to Kenya, he added.

The President said the government rolled out the Talanta Hela Initiative to enhance monetisation of talents in the country.

Through Talanta Hela, we have a framework for identifying, nurturing and monetising talents in a bottom-up manner. Plans are underway to spread this to other creatives, he said.

He said the government has secured partnerships with international institutions to transform the creative space into a mega industry with the capacity to employ millions of young people and support sustainable livelihoods.

By the Presidential Communication Service(PCS)
On Thursday, the nation was shocked by the tragic death of Kenyas Chief of the Defence Forces, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, who died in a plane crash in Elgeyo Marakwet.

After hours of speculation on social media, President Ruto announced the passing of the KDF chief, alongside 10 other military officers, minutes past 8pm.

As the nation continues to mourn the tragic loss, the family of the late General has settled on a burial date.

Gen. Ogollas remains will be interred at his ancestral home in Alego Usonga, Siaya County, this Sunday, April 21, 2024. In accordance with his last wishes, as detailed in his Will, the burial is scheduled to occur within 72 hours of his passing.

Kenyans were perhaps anticipating a lengthier period of mourning and preparations, but the family has chosen to respect his wishes.

President William Ruto on Thursday night declared a three-day period of mourning to honor General Ogolla, and Sunday just happens to be the final day of that. During this period, Kenyas national flag, all military flags and the East African Community flag within Kenyan borders and at Kenyas missions abroad will fly at half mast.

The family of the late General, in coordination with a committee from the Kenya Defence Forces, is organizing a dignified funeral to pay homage to his service.

General Ogolla was slated to visit Siaya County on Saturday, April 20, to celebrate his father, Joel Okechs centennial birthday, with the festivities planned to involve the local community and extend into Sunday.
The High Court in Nairobi has denied murder suspect Kevin Kangethes bail plea, pending an extradition hearing before the same court.

The ruling follows nine days of opposition from the prosecution team, led by Vincent Monda and Magdaline Nduati, who cited several factors making Kangethe a flight risk. These include his immediate departure from the United States after the alleged offence, which prompted an Interpol red alert and a US court-issued arrest warrant.

Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina shared the prosecutions sentiments while issuing the verdict.

The magistrate referenced his escape from the United States after allegedly killing his girlfriend. With Kangethes history of fleeing lawful custody and the seriousness of the charges he is facing, the magistrate deemed it necessary for him to remain in custody pending hearing, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said in a statement.

Magistrate Onyina also dismissed Kangethes request to be remanded at a medium-security facility and instead ordered his remand at a maximum-security facility, citing concerns about his status as a flight risk.

The hearing for the matter has been scheduled for April 29, 2024.
While delivering her verdict, the magistrate emphasised that the compelling evidence presented by the four prosecution witnesses, including the 8-year-old victim and a medical doctor indeed confirmed that the accused committed the offence, said the ODPP.

The court concurred with Prosecution Counsel Bessie Gikonyos submissions on imposing the maximum sentence of life imprisonment on the accused.

Principal Magistrate Virginia Karanja of Iten Law Courts reiterated the prevalence of the offence in the county and urged for the implementation of deterrent measures.

She (Magistrate) also highlighted that the act greatly affected the children and the mother and that they had to undergo a psycho-social support before testifying in court, added the ODPP.

Magistrate Virginia Karanja sentenced the sex pest to 100 years in prison.
On Thursday, two suspects faced charges for breaking into and stealing from a shop owned by the son of former Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti.

The accused, Luis Borura Nyawira Otieno and Stephen Wafula Okoni, allegedly stole property valued at Kes. 1.26 million from the shop situated on Biashara Street in Nairobi CBD.

They purportedly broke into Anthony Mwendwa Kinotis shop on April 1, 2024. The stolen items, as per the charge sheet, included nine PlayStation 5s, two PlayStation 4s, twenty PlayStation pads, and 35 gaming disks.

The prosecution requested more time to compile the list of stolen items. The complainant, represented by lawyer Danstan Omari, opposed the suspects release on bail.

Appearing before Magistrate Robinson Ondieki, the accused pleaded not guilty.

The magistrate is expected to deliver a ruling on the bail application today, Friday, April 19.
It started with an Instagram poll.

What is the biggest issue you are dealing with? asked Yesha Sacatani, a junior at American Canyon High School.

As answers flooded in from her teenage peers, one response rose to the top: self-love.

For Sacatani, 16, self-love was in short supply, and had been since eighth grade, a lingering ripple effect of the pandemic.

When we were on lockdown during COVID, I was spending hours on Instagram and spiraled, she said. The girls online were slim and fit. I started working out everyday, obsessively looking for tutorials on how to look better.

Mientras persisten las consecuencias de la pandemia para la salud mental, una adolescente de Napa se esfuerza por ayudar a sus companeros Yesha Sacatani, an American Canyon High junior, founded Self-Lovin Hearts, a support group on campus to help students help each other realize their strengths and value in the world. And she really tapped into something.

Before 2020, Sacatani said, she was a naturally confident, average teenager, who didn't engage much on social media. Instead, she spent her energy volunteering with Kaiser Permanente and the Red Cross, and enjoying time with her friends and younger sisters. Then came the lockdown.

My insecurities began on Instagram, she said. I was a middle-schooler spending a lot of time inside and on my phone. I became so self-conscious about how I looked, how I walked, how I talked, everything about myself.

Even after the lockdown ended, Sacatani carried her anxieties into high school.

I still went through struggles of accepting myself, both physically and even academically, she said.

Collaborative Journalism Project This story was produced as part of the Napa Community Journalism Lab, supported by Napa Valley Community Foundation. The lab is a collaboration of The Napa Valley Register, Highway 29 Media, and Wine Down Media. Trey Bundy is our lead editor in residence. Dana Cronin is our producer in residence. Our mission is to engage with readers, journalists, residents and decision-makers around impactful reporting that serves all communities of Napa County. We believe Napas Spanish-speaking community deserves quality news in their language and we are committed to providing it.

Sacatani hid those struggles from her parents and two younger sisters for about a year until, one day, while comparing her appearance to another person online, she fell apart and couldnt hide it anymore.

I was crying and my sister asked if I was okay, she said. I told her everything. Then she told me how she felt like she did not fit in her school. I related to her and it was nice because I felt like I wasnt alone.

Thats when she started to get an idea.

I remember that feeling. I wanted other people to feel that way too because I remember being in such a deep state of insecurity, she said.

In August 2023, Sacatani founded Self-Lovin Hearts, a support group on campus to help students help each other realize their strengths and value in the world. And she really tapped into something.

According to more than a dozen educators and students interviewed for this story, the one-two punch of pandemic isolation and social media overload that kids have experienced in recent years has taken an ongoing toll on students self-esteem and mental health.

Thirty-nine percent of students surveyed in the Napa Valley Unified School District reported struggling with chronic feelings of sadness or hopelessness, according to the 2023 California Healthy Kids Survey.

The survey also indicated that by 11th grade, female students in Napa experienced chronic feelings of sadness or hopelessness at almost twice the rate of their male counterparts. BIPOC students in the district, including those of Asian, Black and Latinx descent, reported grappling with mental health challenges more often than their white peers.

Only 46% of students in the survey said they felt safe at school. Twenty-two percent of them reported that they dont usually expect to have a good day, and 20% reported seriously considering attempting suicide during the past 12 months.

The districts response to student mental health challenges in recent years has been big. Starting in 2014, four middle schools and three high schools have opened wellness centers on campus meant to provide students with maximum access to mental health support.

The centers are designed to be one-stop shops for students dealing with a broad range of issues, including: depression, anxiety, academic pressure, bullying, substance abuse, sexual health, pregnancy, suicidal ideation, racism, poverty, homelessness, unsafe home environments, abuse, trauma and anxiety relating to campus safety.

The centers are staffed by social workers, counselors, nurses and outreach coordinators who connect students with therapists, support groups, wellness workshops and local health agencies.

And theyre busy.

Thwani Satten, a social worker at American Canyon High School, says the wellness center there sees about 60 kids each day, either drop-ins or by appointment.

That's about 300 students a week, and we have about 1,700 students at the school, she said.

None of this comes cheap. The district budgeted about $12.2 million for wellness services and programs for the 2023/2024 school year. The funding comes from the districts operating budget and federal, state and local grants.

Although the districts efforts are reaching kids and providing critical services, the work of supporting student mental health is complex and highly individualized, and service gaps remain. Self-Lovin Hearts is one of a growing number of student-led mental health initiatives aimed at filling those gaps and amplifying the voices of students as they advocate for the support they need. For example, a student-led podcast focused on mental health, SHINECAST Napa Valley, debuted in January.

I wanted something specific to self-love because I saw so many trends on TikTok and Instagram about societal beauty standards, Sacatani said.

Sacatani recalls that, during her freshman year, lunchtime conversations were often dominated by talk about self-image.

My friends would bring up social media and dissatisfaction with themselves constantly, Sacatani said. I realized a lot of people were struggling with self-love, so I decided, why dont I start an initiative and have it be a resource for people who are also struggling with this?

Despite the downbeat feelings Self-Lovin Hearts is meant to address, Sacatani designed the program to leverage students optimism through creativity and service. She and her team organize lunchtime gatherings on campus twice a month that typically attract about 30 students. They work on art projects, such as origami, to promote optimistic expression, and write letters of support to other people struggling with isolation and poor self image.

High school can sometimes be a very hard time trying to find yourself, said freshman Mia Bonalba, who learned about Self-Lovin Hearts through social media and acquaintances at school. Now the groups leadership coordinator, she says the program is the first local organization to talk with teens about self-love, self-help and mental health all together. Once I joined this club, I felt much more seen.

Sacatani believes in the project so much that she has filed papers to make Self-Lovin Hearts a nonprofit organization that can be replicated throughout the district and eventually beyond.

I had to ask my parents to be on my nonprofit advisory board since me and the rest of the board members were underage, she said.

Her parents agreed.

Her dad and I are so proud, said her mother, Nessie Sacatani. She is only 16 years old and I think this will help a lot of kids. This is a big initiative on her part and we are here to support her. My worry is if she comes across a student with significant need and requires professional help.

It helps that the group operates on campus, where the district is paying attention and supports what Sacatani is trying to do.

It builds students up because it's themed around community and their own development of self worth, said Jeanne Hillyard, an environmental science teacher at American Canyon High School and advisor for Self-Lovin Hearts.

Satten, the schools social worker, agreed that the model of students supporting students plays an important role in the districts efforts to address teen mental health.

Students know what they want, she said. They create what they are looking for rather than settling for what we think they need.
Chinese designers from children to professionals are making waves in the Italian capital of fashion this week.

With millions of visitors from all over the world, this year's edition of Milan Design Week is for the first time showcasing China's most up-to-date designs.

The first edition of the China and Design exhibition is being held on April 15-21 in the street of Paolo Sarpi, one of Europe's biggest Chinatowns.

Director of the China Design Centre in Milan Michele Brunello said the exhibition has attracted 65 brands and seven Chinese and Italian universities, with nearly 100 design works. The exhibition is taking place in a former tram factory in central Milan.

Yu Ting, a teacher at China Academy of Art's School of Social and Aesthetic Education, has brought two design pieces by children to the exhibition.

"The Color of Life" is an eco-friendly and interactive installation created by more than 400 teachers and students from the mountainous area of southwest China's Yunnan Province and has attracted the attention of many Italian children.

"The China and Design exhibition is a very good platform for us to present children's design works as well as their creative concepts to the world, and to demonstrate the charm of Chinese culture," Yu told Xinhua.

Another work shown at the exhibition, called "Habitat Chain," is a collection of handmade models of endangered animals, made by Chinese children to underline the importance of protecting biodiversity.

Meanwhile, an elderly Italian couple was drawn to a Chinese zodiac dragon version of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games mascot, Bing Dwen Dwen.

Margherita, who only gave her first name, said she came to the exhibition because she is "very interested in Chinese culture," adding that after seeing the beautiful designs, she "couldn't wait" to travel to China.

Her husband Marco also said he was happy to have the chance to see "the new trend of cultural and technological products" coming from China and hoped the country would also participate in next year's Milan Design Week.

Michele Brunello told Xinhua that Chinese design concepts, as well as the quality of works have been improving in recent years, and that innovation will be a new theme for China and Italy in the field of design cooperation.

"The organization of the China and Design exhibition is the result of the relationship between Chinese and Italian companies, designers, and institutions," he said. Design is all about cooperation, he added, and the first China Week will be a new starting point for cultural exchanges between China and Italy.

The Paolo Sarbi neighborhood, where the exhibition area is located, has won the hearts of many Italian residents with its authentic Chinese restaurants, bubble tea shops and superstores selling a variety of Chinese products.

With the support of Milan City Council, the street was decorated for the China Week, with huge arches erected at the entrance, as well as plaques painted with Chinese pandas, dragons and bamboo slips.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, senior Italian politician Marina Berlinghieri said that on the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death, the exhibition is evidence of the two countries' continued mutual respect and cultural exchanges.
Banks, brokerages, fund companies and third-party fund distributors are increasingly investing in improving and increasing the outreach of investor education, a recent report showed.

According to the 2023 China Residents Financial Literacy Report released on Tuesday, more than three-fourths of Chinese respondents preferred online channels for obtaining financial knowledge, with 43.2 percent choosing the official social media accounts of financial institutions and 23.8 percent choosing financial media as the most commonly used channel.

As many as 90.1 percent dedicated less than 60 minutes to such study per sitting and most have clear preferences for the format of financial education, said the report, jointly released by Shanghai Jiaotong University's Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance, and Charles Schwab, a provider of financial services.

Many financial institutions have started to recognize the positive impact of investor education on both investor behavior and business development, it said, suggesting that financial institutions enhance public engagement in financial education by tailoring education content and strategies to these needs.

"Targeted financial education that helps investors to build correct understandings of the financial market and better achieve their financial goals has the effect of improving the quality of financial services from the demand side, which, in turn, has far-reaching impact on the development of financial institutions and the capital market," said Thomas Pixley, general manager of Charles Schwab (Shanghai).

"We look forward to working with all parties to create a financial education model that meets the needs of the Chinese people, thereby elevating their financial literacy and well-being."

The report said respondents this year achieved an overall average financial literacy score of 68.7 out of 100 in the survey, higher than 64.4 last year, with uneven distribution across different demographic regions.

As financial education for the oldest and youngest groups still lags behind compared to the rest, the report suggests efforts must be made in enhancing younger and older people's financial literacy and safety through schools and local communities to strengthen their understanding of the financial market and avoid falling victim to financial fraud.

Financial literacy enhancement can increase people's awareness of, and engagement with, modern wealth management, it said.

For example, respondents with higher financial literacy are more likely to supplement their retirement needs through diverse channels such as business annuities and long-term investments in mutual funds. They also have a more accurate understanding of professional investment advisory and display a higher willingness to pay for such services.

"The ultimate goal of financial literacy education is to help people apply the knowledge learnt to real-life scenarios and improve their wealth management practice," said Wu Fei, a professor and project leader at the institute.

"Educational institutions can fully leverage their strengths and work together with regulators and financial services institutions to comprehensively enhance people's financial literacy through knowledge education and practical skill training."
You are here: China

Fan Yifei, a former vice governor of the People's Bank of China, was tried on Thursday at a court in Huanggang, central China's Hubei Province, on charges of taking bribes worth over 386 million yuan (about 54.35 million U.S. dollars).

According to the prosecutors, Fan took advantage of his various positions, including vice governor of the central bank, vice president of China Investment Corporation, and vice president of China Construction Bank, to benefit organizations and individuals regarding loans, financing, project contracting, and job transfer between 1993 and 2022.

The prosecutors, the defendant, and his lawyers cross-examined the evidence and gave their respective accounts, according to a court statement.

In his final statement, Fan pleaded guilty and expressed remorse.

The trial was attended by more than 40 people, including lawmakers, political advisors, and members of the public.

The verdict will be announced in due course.
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20:46

Accusing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of spreading lies on the issue of reservation, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said even if the opposition party wants to do away with quota given to SC, ST and OBCs, the BJP will not allow it to happen.

Addressing rallies in Rajasthan, Shah also claimed that the Congress wanted to remove the ban on the Islamic extremist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI).

He hit back at the opposition's claim that the BJP's slogan of winning 400 seats was aimed at changing the Constitution.

"When Congress got a majority, they used it to impose Emergency... we got the majority in 2014 and 2019, we did not use it remove reservation but to remove Article 370, to build Ram temple... bring CAA... give reservation to women ... we used our majority to remove poverty, to secure the country," Shah said.

"Rahul baba, you should not lie. Even if the Congress party wants to remove SC, ST and OBC reservation... we will not allow it to remove reservation. This is Modi's guarantee. These (Congress) people are spreading lies," he said.

He claimed the Congress has harmed the interest of Other Backward Classes (OBC) the most.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi belongs to the OBC community, Shah said, adding that it was Modi who implemented schemes for various communities among the backward classes.

Shah said Modi worked to give constitutional recognition to the National Commission for Backward Classes.





"We worked to give 27 per cent reservation to OBCs in all central institutions in the country. Modi, under whom respect for the country increased globally, also comes from the OBC community," he said.

Shah said that before the Modi government, there was no scheme in the country for communities such as blacksmiths, tailors, carpenters and boat-makers, but Prime Minister Modi "spent Rs 13,000 crore and connected them with skill development and self-employment schemes".

"The Congress government did not implement the Mandal Commission report. During a discussion in Parliament on the reservation, Rahul baba's father Rajiv Gandhi spoke against it for two-and-a-half hours," he claimed.

Shah said that if people had voted for Congress in the previous Lok Sabha elections, Kota would have become a stronghold of PFI.

"People voted for Modi, he has finished PFI and put them (PFI people) behind bars. Now these people say they will remove the ban on PFI".





"Do you think PFI should be banned or not?" the home minister said.

Urging people to vote for the BJP candidate, Shah said, "Press the button of the lotus symbol on the EVM so hard that electric shocks are felt in Italy." -- PTI
These videos and audios, created through innovative and ingenious technology, have been circulating on platforms such as Facebook, falsely recommending certain investments and advisory in stocks/shares.

The BSE MD & CEO has clarified that he does not initiate or endorse any such communication via social media platforms, including Facebook.

The exchange has sternly advised investors and the public against trusting these misleading videos and audios, urging them not to follow any fake recommendations or unsolicited communication circulated through deceptive means impersonating Sundararaman Ramamurthy.

BSE has vowed to take all necessary steps to prevent misrepresentation by unknown elements.

Meanwhile, investors and the public are strongly cautioned against joining any groups on social media platforms impersonating BSE or its officials.

Additionally, they are advised not to rely on any stock/share recommendation originating from these dubious sources.

Furthermore, BSE emphasizes exercising caution and refraining from engaging or re-circulating such fraudulent messages.

Investors and the public are urged not to share any personal and/or confidential information, financial or otherwise, in response to these deceptive communications.

It is recommended that individuals verify the source of communication before making any investment decisions.

BSE underscores that its employees are not permitted to recommend dealing in or promote any transactions in stocks/shares.

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PRNewswire Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 19: Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, delivered $18.6 billion in FY24 revenues with a growth of 1.4% in constant currency and operating margin of 20.7%. Free Cash Flow was strong at $2,882 million, an increase of 13.7% over FY 23. Large deal TCV for FY24 was highest ever at $17.7 billion, with 52% being net new. Q4 revenues were at $4,564 million, flat year on year and decrease of 2.2% sequentially in constant currency. Large deal TCV for the quarter was $4.5 billion, with 44% being net new. Operating margin for the quarter was 20.1%, a sequential decrease of 40 bps. Free Cash Flow was robust at $848 million. "We delivered the highest ever large deal value in the financial year 2024. This reflects the strong trust clients have in us. Our capabilities in Generative AI continue to expand. We are working on client programs leveraging large language models with impact across software engineering, process optimization, and customer support, said Salil Parekh, CEO and MD. "I would like to thank our 317,000 employees across the world that are working to create value for our clients." he added. Guidance for FY25: * Revenue growth of 1%-3% in constant currency* Operating margin of 20%-22% 1. Key highlights: "Free cash flow of $848 million in Q4 was highest in the last 11 quarters driven by our relentless focus to improve working capital cycle. Consistent with the objective of giving high and predictable returns to shareholders, the Board has approved the capital allocation policy under which the company expects to return 85% over the next 5 years and progressively increase annual Dividend Per Share", said Jayesh Sanghrajka, CFO. "Operating margin expansion in the medium-term and improving cash generation continue to remain our priorities underpinned by early success in Project Maximus", he added. 2. Capital Allocation * For the Financial Year 2024, the Board recommended a final dividend of `20 per share (0.24 per ADS) and additionally a special dividend of `8 per share (0.10 per ADS*). With this, the total payout over FY20 - FY 24 will be 85% of Free Cash Flow, in line with our capital allocation policy announced earlier. * The Board in its meeting held on April 18, 2024 has reviewed and approved the capital allocation policy for the next 5 years from FY25 - FY29 after taking into consideration the strategic and operational cash requirements as below. "Effective from financial year 2025, the Company expects to continue its policy of returning approximately 85% of the free cash flow cumulatively over a 5-year period through a combination of semi-annual dividends and/or share buyback/ special dividends subject to applicable laws and requisite approvals, if any." Under this policy, the Company expects to progressively increase its annual Dividend Per Share (excluding special dividend if any). Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditure as per the consolidated statement of cash flows prepared under IFRS. Dividend and buyback include applicable taxes. *USD/INR rate of ` 83.41 3. Update on India Income Tax Orders During the quarter ending March 31, 2024, the Company received orders under sections 250 and 254 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, from the Income Tax Authorities in India for the assessment years, 2007-08 to 2015-16, 2017-18 and 2018-19. These orders confirmed the Company's position with respect to tax treatment of certain contentious matters. As a result, interest income (pre-tax) of $232 million was recognized and provision for income tax aggregating $63 million was reversed with a corresponding credit to the Statement of Profit and Loss. Also, upon resolution of the disputes, an amount aggregating to $196 million has been reduced from contingent liabilities. 4. Update on Financial Services Client During Q4, we had rescoping and renegotiation of one of the large contracts in the financial services segment leading to a one-time impact of approximately 100bps in Q4. Nearly 85% of the scope of the contract continues as-is. 5. Client wins & testimonials * Infosys announced a strategic collaboration with Musgrave to help automate their IT operations by leveraging its industry leading AI and Cloud offerings, Infosys Topaz and Infosys Cobalt. Stephen Mckenna, Chief Technology Officer, Musgrave, said, "I am delighted by our recently announced collaboration with Infosys, which will enable us to leverage Infosys' expertise and resources to deliver innovative solutions to all our customers and retail partners. Musgrave has always been committed to providing our customers with the best possible service, and this collaboration is a testament to that commitment. We are confident that this collaboration will result in new and exciting products and services that will benefit all our customers." * Infosys collaborated with PROG Holdings, Inc. to bring AI-powered experiences to their customers and intelligent automation to their operations, as an integral part of PROG Holdings' ongoing cloud and AI-focused technology modernization and innovation efforts. Steve Michaels, President and CEO of PROG Holdings, said, "We look forward to working with Infosys to develop and enhance key systems that positively impact the speed to market, agility, and scalability of key PROG Holdings technologies and platforms. We expect our collaboration with Infosys will reduce friction for both our customers and retail partners, further solidifying PROG Holdings' position atop the virtual lease-to-own industry we helped create twenty-five years ago." * Infosys collaborated with Pacific International Lines (PIL) to accelerate their digital transformation initiative by helping revamp PIL's existing customer portal and deploying a scalable and modern technology platform, aimed at creating a positive impact for PIL's key stakeholders across the shipping and logistics ecosystem. Lionel Patrice Chatelet, Chief Commercial Officer, Pacific International Lines (PIL), said, "We are looking for a partner who can not only bring technology but also play an advisory role in the journey of transformation. Infosys brings together a strong combination of right capabilities as well as highly collaborative ways of working. We are delighted to collaborate with Infosys." * Resolution Life Australasia collaborated with Infosys to virtualize its mainframe systems by enabling a seamless migration to the cloud, enhancing the overall customer experience. Peter Histon, CIO of Resolution Life Australasia, said, "Infosys brought a number of proprietary accelerators to the table as part of the virtualization which helped us to deliver the solution rapidly. But beyond that, Infosys brought in a number of different people capabilities. We took a progressive approach around migration of the underlying applications. There were two very big releases. Infosys worked with us every step of the way." * zooplus and Infosys have entered into a strategic eight- year collaboration to set up an AI-led product and technology hub in Hyderabad, India. Markus Hermanutz, Chief Information Officer, zooplus SE, said, "We are excited to have selected Infosys to set up a new AI-led hub through which we will drive our business growth ambition. With Infosys Topaz, we will achieve productivity and efficiency at scale, and attract the right talent for upcoming transformations across our e-commerce value chain." * Infosys is expanding its successful collaboration with Hasbro, building on their initial achievements in the SAP S4 implementation. Together, they are advancing their relationship and strategy globally through a multi-year strategic engagement. Leveraging Infosys's expertise in AI and a proven experience led cognitive approach, Infosys is poised to support Hasbro's global business. This collaboration aims to drive operational excellence, foster innovation, and deliver superior experiences at scale for both customers and employees worldwide. Steve Zoltick, CIO & Head, Global Business Enablement, Hasbro, said, "Infosys is bringing the right talent to our collaboration allowing us to enhance our capabilities and achieve our Global Business Enablement goals". * Infosys Finacle successfully implemented the Finacle Digital Lending Solution Suite in a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) mode for Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) which included the adoption of the Finacle Online Banking and Finacle Alerts Solution. Chris Rawlins, Executive Director Transformation, Regional Investment Corporation (RIC), said, "At RIC, our mission is to nurture the growth of the Australian farm businesses through affordable loans, while also ensuring their resilience and profitability. With the Infosys Finacle Lending solution, we have a proven technology platform to support the evolving demands of our business and customers, with the agility to roll out new products and regulations as mandated by the Federal Government. The nine-month implementation by the Infosys Finacle team was delivered on schedule and we are impressed by the team's commitment to facilitate RIC in achieving a smooth transition without any disruptions to our customers." * Infosys and Handlesblatt Media Group announced a strategic collaboration to support the Handelsblatt Research Institute (HRI) in making complex reports on global economic and financial topics more accessible and easily consumable for the public, by leveraging Infosys Topaz, an AI-first set of services, solutions and platforms using generative AI technologies. Dr. Jan Kleibrink, Managing Director, Handelsblatt Research Institute, said, "We are excited to collaborate with Infosys to offer cutting-edge, AI-enabled trend reports. One of the core tasks of the Handelsblatt Research Institute is to present complex economic relationships and the results of scientific analysis to a broad readership. We achieve this with texts of the highest journalistic quality and visual storytelling based on high-quality infographics. With Infosys as our AI and digital innovation partner, we now move to the next level of digital storytelling that is powered by AI." 6. Recognitions & Awards AI and Cloud Services * Awarded ISO 42001:2023 certification for implementing an Artificial Intelligence Management System framework* Positioned as a leader in IDC MarketScape Worldwide Higher Education Cloud Professional Services Vendor Assessment* Positioned as a leader in HFS Horizons: Assuring the Generative Enterprise, 2024* Rated as a leader in ISG's Multi Public Cloud Services Provider Lens study* Rated as a leader in ISG's Intelligent Automation - Solutions and Services Provider Lens study in US and Europe Key Digital Services * Rated as a leader in The Forrester Wave: Application Modernization And Migration Services, Q1 2024 * Positioned as a leader in the Unified Communication & Collaboration (UCC) Specialist Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2024 by Everest and ranked #1 in the UCC rating by Everest * Rated as a leader in Pega Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2024 by Everest * Positioned as a leader in Application Transformation Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2024 - North America by Everest * Positioned as a leader in Application Transformation Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2024 - Europe by Everest * Positioned as a leader in Software Product Engineering Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2024 by Everest * Rated as a leader in Talent Readiness for Next-generation IT Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023 by Everest * Positioned as a leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Blockchain Services 2024 Vendor Assessment * Rated as a leader in Cyber Resiliency NEAT 2024 by NelsonHall * Rated as a leader in Salesforce Services 2024 NEAT 2024 by NelsonHall * Rated as a leader in ShortList 2024: Custom Software Development Services by Constellation Research * Rated as a leader in ShortList 2024: Innovation Services and Engineering by Constellation Research * Rated as leader in ShortList 2024: Learning Marketplaces by Constellation Research * Rated as leader in ShortList 2024: Microsoft End-to-End Service Providers by Constellation Research * Rated as leader in ShortList 2024: QA Tools for NextGen Apps by Constellation Research * Recognized as a leader in Avasant's Retail Digital Services 2024 Radarview * Recognized as a leader in Avasant's SAP S/4HANA Services 2023-2024 Radarview * Rated as a leader in ISG's Environmental, Social and Governance Services (ESG) Provider Lens study in US, Europe and Global Industry & Solutions * Positioned as a leader in Retail IT Services PEAK Matrix Assessment 2024 by Everest* Positioned as a leader in HFS Horizons: Manufacturing Intelligent Operations Services, 2024* Positioned as a leader in HFS Horizons: The Best Service Providers for Asset and Wealth Management* Rated as a leader in ESG Services in Banking 2024 by NelsonHall* Rated as a leader in Innovation Radar - Salesforce Related Services in Europe: The Communications & Media View by PAC, The Manufacturing View by PAC, The Energy & Utilities View by PAC, and The Financial Services View by PAC* Infosys Finacle along with its customers, won multiple industry awards at the Retail Banker International Asia Trailblazer Awards 2024. These include Infosys Finacle Mobile Teller awarded for Most Innovative Branch Offering; Infosys Finacle and HDFC awarded forExcellence in Mass Affluent Banking; Infosys Finacle and South Indian Bank awarded for Best CSR Initiative - Environmental Impact; Infosys Finacle and Suryoday Bank awarded for Best Core Banking System Initiative* Infosys BPM and T-Mobile won the SSON North America Impact Award 2024, in the Creative Talent Management category* Infosys BPM recognized at the ISG Digital Case Study Research and Awards 2023 with 3 STANDOUT winners: Banking and Financial Services (India), Communications (Asia Pacific), Retail (UK, Ireland, Scandinavia)* Infosys BPM won the Best Workplace Diversity Award, at HR Tech Summit & Awards 2024 About Infosys Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by the cloud. We enable them with an AI-powered core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace. Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next. Safe Harbor Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, our future financial or operating performance, and the McCamish cybersecurity incident review and notification process are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, our ability to attract and retain personnel, our ability to effectively implement a hybrid working model, macro-economic and geo-political situations, technological innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, onerous terms and conditions in customer contracts, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, the findings of the ongoing review of the extent and nature of accessed or exfiltrated data in relation to the McCamish cybersecurity incident and reaction to such findings, the timing of the review and notification process, and the amount of any additional costs, including indemnities or damages / claims, resulting from the incident. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law. NOTES : 1. The above information is extracted from the audited condensed consolidated Balance sheet and Statement of Comprehensive Income for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2024, which have been taken on record at the Board meeting held on April 18, 2024.2. A Fact Sheet providing the operating metrics of the Company can be downloaded from www.infosys.com .3. Other income is net of Finance Cost .4. Includes interest income (pre-tax) of $232Mn and reversal of net tax provisions amounting to $5Mn on account of orders received under sections 250 & 254 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, from the Income Tax Authorities in India for certain assessment years. This has resulted in a positive impact on the consolidated Basic and Diluted EPS by approximately $0.06 for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2024.5. As the quarter and year ended figures are taken from the source and rounded to the nearest digits, the quarter figures in this statement added up to the figures reported for the previous quarters might not always add up to the year ended figures reported in this statement. IFRS-INR Press Release: https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2023-2024/q4/documents/ifrs-inr-press-release.pdf Fact sheet: https://www.infosys.com/investors/reports-filings/quarterly-results/2023-2024/q4/documents/fact-sheet.pdf Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Fourteen-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift has once again captivated audiences with her latest musical offering, 'The Tortured Poets Department,' which she unveiled on Friday. The album, comprising 16 tracks, offers a profound exploration of the stages of grief and heartbreak, inviting listeners to navigate through a spectrum of emotions. In a notable collaboration, Swift joins forces with acclaimed artists Post Malone and Florence + The Machine on two tracks. Additionally, fans can expect bonus tracks such as 'The Manuscript,' 'The Bolter,' 'The Albatross,' and 'The Black Dog,' featured on various vinyl versions of the album, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Describing the album as "an anthology of new works that reflect events, opinions and sentiments from a fleeting and fatalistic moment in time," Swift shared her reflections on her official Instagram handle. https://www.instagram.com/p/C57c1DWMkf_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== She emphasized the closure of a chapter in her life, asserting, "There is nothing to avenge, no scores to settle once wounds have healed." The anticipation surrounding the album reached unprecedented heights, with Spotify announcing it as the most pre-saved album in the platform's history. Swift's strategic album teasers on social media only added to the fervour, with fans eagerly deciphering clues about its themes and inspirations. Speculation about the album's focus on Swift's personal experiences, particularly her breakup with actor Joe Alwyn, intensified as fans dissected song titles and lyrics. Swift herself confirmed heartbreak as a central theme, unveiling exclusive Apple Music playlists that delve into the five stages of grief. Amidst the excitement, Swift's return to TikTok marked a resolution in the dispute between the platform and Universal Music Group, her music distributor. The album's release follows her previous Grammy-winning success with 'Midnights' in 2022, further solidifying her status as a powerhouse in the music industry. Check out the track list below: 1. Fortnight (Ft. Post Malone) 2. The Tortured Poets Department 3. My Boy Only Breaks His Favourite Toys 4. Down Bad 5. So Long, London 6. But Daddy I Love Him 7. Fresh Out the Slammer 8. Florida!!! (Ft. Florence + the Machine) 9. Guilty as Sin? 10. Who's Afraid of Little Old Me? 11. I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can) 12. loml 13. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart 14. The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived 15. The Alchemy 16. Clara Bow Taylor Swift announced her 11th studio album, 'The Tortured Poets' during the 2024 Grammys. (ANI)
Days after a firing incident outside his residence, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was spotted at the Mumbai airport on Friday morning. Salman was flanked by guards on all sides as he entered the airport. Also present with him was his trusted personal bodyguard Shera. This is the first time Salman is flying out of Mumbai after last week's shooting incident outside his home in Bandra's Galaxy Apartment. Donning a casual look, Salman greeted the paparazzi stationed outside the airport with a nod from afar. Earlier, on Tuesday, Kutch Police arrested the two accused persons and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Later, a city court sent the two accused to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until April 25 in connection with the firing incident.The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) from Bihar, were presented before the court after a medical examination. The two men, who came on a motorbike, fired four rounds outside the Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, around 5 am on Sunday morning and fled. CCTV footage showed that both accused sported caps and carried backpacks. The clip also showed them firing in the direction of the actor's home. After the arrest of the accused, Kutch DSP AR Zankant said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. "Mumbai Police is investigating the case of firing outside the residence of actor Salman Khan. We informed the Kutch Police that the two accused had fled to the Gujarat district. Different teams were formed to catch the accused. They were eventually arrested by the Kutch Police and handed over to the Mumbai Police. During primary interrogation of the accused, we learned that they were in contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang," DSP Zankant said. Notably, since November 2022, Salman's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus after threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. The actor was also authorised to carry a personal firearm and has also acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection. On Monday, Salman's brother Arbaaz Khan issued a statement on the family's behalf, saying they all have been affected due to the 'disturbing' firing incident. "The recent incident of firing by two unidentified person in a motorcycle at Galaxy Apartment, the residence of the Salim Khan family, is very disturbing and unnerving. Our family has been taken aback by this shocking incident that took place. Unfortunately, some people claiming to be close to our family and pretending to be the spokesperson have been making loose statements to the media, saying it's all a publicity stunt and the family remains unaffected, which is not true, and these views should not be taken seriously," the statement read. He also shared that the family was fully cooperating with the Mumbai Police in the ongoing probe into the incident. "No member of the Salim Khan family has made any statement regarding this incident to the media. At this time, the family is helping and cooperating with the police in the investigation of this untoward incident. We have faith in the Mumbai police and we have been assured they will do everything in their capacity to protect and secure our family. Thank you everyone for your love and support," Arbaaz added in his statement. (ANI)
Superstar Aamir Khan's son Junaid is all set to enter Bollywood with quite a number of interesting projects. While his debut project 'Maharaj', created under YRF banner, has already been announced, an official announcement of his second film is still awaited. And now, as per a source, Junaid has already finished shooting for his second film ahead of the premiere of his first project, 'Maharaj'. "Despite the demanding schedule, Junaid continues to showcase his versatility as he wraps up a 58-day shoot for his second exciting project," the source informed. Junaid and Sai Pallavi were recently spotted in Japan shooting for the film. Speaking of 'Maharaj', it also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharvari and Shalini Pandey. The film has been directed by Siddharth P Malhotra, whose last film was Hichki. The film's logline reads, Inspired by true events, 'Maharaj' is an incredible David vs Goliath story. Set in the 1800s, it narrates how a regular man, journalist by profession, takes on a powerful role model of society, hailed by many as a messiah for the masses. The fearless reporter wields his pen to go toe-to-toe with this spotless figure of the community in a bid to uncover a series of incidents that shake the very foundation of society. The period drama is an ode to mankind's spirit to do good, to pursue and discover truth at any cost and to fight for humanity. It shows how one person's will to affect positive social change can triumph over all evil and bring those in power to justice, as per the press release from the film's PR team. 'Maharaj' will be out on OTT. (ANI)
Arunachal Pradesh is set to vote on Friday for the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, with the Election Commission setting up dedicated women-centric polling stations in various constituencies. Voting will notably take place in the north-eastern state to elect two Lok Sabha MPs and 50 MLAs. There are 133 candidates in the fray for the assembly constituencies and 14 for Lok Sabha seats. "To ensure the safety of women, women-centric polling stations have been established. We have set up 100-200 pink polling stations, and good arrangements have been made in those polling stations. My message to all women would be that everyone has the right to vote, so women should be able to vote without any influence," Chemy Doker, Presiding Officer of the Shyaro polling station under the Mukto Assembly constituency, said. "There are 77 polling stations in the district, hence 77 teams. One team going to Luguthang has already been dispatched. By evening, all teams will have reached their booths. Polling will commence at 7 am and continue until 5 pm," she added. Tashi Chhota, another presiding officer of 2/14 Tawang Higher Secondary School, said, "Our polling station is hardly 1km from here, so after we reach, we will inspect all the preparations. Polling will start at 7 am tomorrow. Our team consists of 8 people, including polling staff and security personnel, and we will stay there overnight. We have around 670 voters at our polling station." The Election Commission of India (ECI) has deployed all-women-led teams comprising the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and Assistant Returning Officer (ARO), along with all polling parties, including security personnel, in the Lower Dibang Valley district of the state. Visuals from the Upper Siang Valley district in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday showed security personnel being deployed. Given the mountainous terrain of Arunachal Pradesh, polling teams traverse difficult terrain to reach their respective polling booths. Polling teams could be seen reaching their respective polling booths in the East Kameng district on Thursday. Another depicted polling team was seen navigating the stunning hanging bridge of Lower Heyo. Arunachal Pradesh has two parliamentary constituencies, Arunachal East and Arunachal West. In 2019, the BJP won both Lok Sabha seats. While in the assembly, the BJP emerged victorious with 41 seats. The JD (U) won seven seats, the NPP won five, and Congress won four seats. The PPA won one seat and independent candidates won two seats. (ANI)
The electoral battle in Maharashtra's Baramati Lok Sabha seat is going to be a closely watched contest between NCP candidates Sunetra Pawar and Supriya Sule, who are vying for victory in the Pawar family's stronghold. Despite the competitive spirit, recent disclosures in their nomination forms shed light on an intriguing financial interplay between the two candidates. The affidavits disclose that Sunetra Pawar has loaned Rs 35 lakh to Sule and Rs 50 lakh to Pratibha Pawar, wife of Sharad Pawar. Sule has also borrowed Rs 20 lakh from Parth Pawar, son of Sunetra and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Interestingly, the Sule family does not own any vehicles. Sunetra Pawar's affidavit shows that her family owns property worth around Rs 121.45 crore, with investments in shares and mutual funds as well. She owns jewellery worth Rs 34.39 lakh, while her husband, Ajit Pawar, has assets worth Rs 37.15 crore in various banks. On the other hand, Supriya Sule and her husband own property worth more than Rs 150 crore, with investments only in India. Sule has borrowed Rs 20 lakh from Parth Pawar and Rs 35 lakh from Sunetra Pawar. The couple also possesses jewellery worth around Rs 5.45 crore, including gold, silver, and diamonds. Overall, the affidavits provide insight into the financial status and investments of both candidates, showcasing their wealth and assets. The elections in Baramati are expected to be closely contested, with both candidates showcasing their financial strength and support within the Pawar family. Both candidates filed their nominations on Thursday at the divisional commissioner office, following a show of strength by holding public rallies in the city. Sunetra Pawar's public rally was attended by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and her husband, Ajit Pawar. Meanwhile, Supriya Sule's public rally was attended by Sharad Pawar and senior Congress leaders Prithviraj Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat. Baramati will go to the polls on May 7. Five parliamentary seats in Maharashtra will go to the polls in the first phase of polling on Friday, in which as many as 95.54 lakh registered voters will decide the fate of 97 candidates. Maharashtra, the second-largest state after Uttar Pradesh (80), which contributes 48 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, will witness a fierce contest between the two major state coalitions - the Mahayuti (Bharatiya Janata Party, Shiv Sena, and Nationalist Congress Party) and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (SP)). (ANI)
35 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed at various places for night patrolling as the state votes in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections today, West Tripura Election Officer Vishal Kumar said. While speaking to ANI on Thursday, Kumar said, "Tomorrow (Friday) is the first phase of the election, and all our polling parties have already reached the respective polling stations. We have created webcasting facilities at all the polling stations. You all can see that I, along with West District SP, are patrolling. Along with this, 35 companies of CAPF are in various places for night patrol. And tomorrow also, the strike team will be ready." "Everything in this election will be favourable for voters. Till now, as per reports from polling persons, everything is as per schedule. Along with this, all the political parties are supportive. Whenever and whatever we are suggesting to them, they are accepting it. Tomorrow (Friday) will be good for everyone and I want to appeal to all the voters to come in a celebratory mood and cast their vote," he added. Speaking on the election preparations, he said, "The new EVM machines, i.e., the M3 machines, have fewer chances of defaulting. We are hoping that 3-4 percent of cases may arise of default EVMs, for which we have arranged for a quick response team along with sufficient vehicle and manpower support and a sufficient number of EVMs. We are hoping to solve such defaults within 30 minutes." "We have arranged the facilities of wheelchairs in all the polling stations. All the helpers and officers will be in service round the clock. Wherever there is a requirement for transportation, through our CDPOs, we will support them," the official added. The stage is set for a high-stakes electoral showdown in Tripura as the polling for the West Tripura and Ramnagar by-elections promises a multi-cornered contest, with nine candidates in the fray for West Tripura and two candidates from Ramnagar. According to the Election Commission data, nominations of as many as nine candidates are found to be valid and hence they are set for the multi-cornered contest. If small and marginal players like SUCI, Amra Bangali, and independent candidates are set aside, the constituency is set to witness a high-profile contest between BJP candidate Biplab Kumar Deb, who also happens to be the former Chief Minister of Tripura, and opposition INDIA Bloc candidate Asish Kumar Saha. One of the constituencies that will be closely watched is Tripura West. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has a significant presence in Tripura and emerged victorious in the two Lok Sabha seats in the state during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The party is now aiming to sustain its winning streak in the Tripura West constituency. Saha is the sitting president of the Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee and enjoys the support of the principal opposition party, the CPIM. The campaign for the Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency and the Ramnagar Assembly constituency by-poll also ended at 5 pm on Wednesday. The 2024 general elections will be held in India in seven phases, from April 19 to June 1, to elect the 543 members of the 18th Lok Sabha. The results will be announced on June 4. (ANI)
The booth of German cleaning company Karcher at the fourth China International Consumer Products Expo in Haikou, south China's Hainan province, on April 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

China and Germany are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their all-round strategic partnership this year. The two countries have enjoyed stable relations over time, with trade playing a highly significant role in the evolution of their bilateral relationship.



German statistics depict progress. Specifically, German exports to China rose from 18.3 billion euros ($19.4 billion) in 2003 to 66.9 billion euros in 2013 and 105.6 billion euros in 2023. Meanwhile, German imports from China increased from 25.7 billion euros in 2003 to 74.5 billion euros in 2013 and 156.8 billion euros in 2023.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's contribution to strengthening Sino-German relations was undoubtedly catalytic. Her successor, Olaf Scholz, also values China's role, despite facing unprecedented challenges since his election in 2021, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. In November 2022, Scholz became the first European politician to travel to China after the pandemic. And a few days ago, he concluded another successful visit.

Sino-German consultations are multifaceted, and the dynamism and innovative potential of the Chinese market are reflected in the continuous appetite of German companies to expand their presence. In a remarkable recent case, German chemical giant BASF signed a 25-year agreement with China Energy Engineering Group Guangdong Electric Power Design Institute Co (GEDI) to purchase renewable electricity for its Zhanjiang Verbund site. Upon completion, this site will not only be the third largest for BASF, after Ludwigshafen in Germany and Antwerp in Belgium, but it will also be grounded in joint Sino-German low-carbon initiatives.

China and Germany are closely collaborating in the energy transition. From 2007 to 2023, the bilateral energy partnership institutionalized political, economic, regulatory, and technological exchanges. Further to this, in June 2023, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to launch a climate and transformation dialogue. The document clearly outlined their responsibility to take climate action and achieve the goals set by the Paris Agreement. Examples of synergies can be found in both China and Germany. For instance, Chinese enterprise Sungrow Power Supply has provided inverters for the realization of the Weesow-Willmersdorf solar park on the outskirts of Berlin.

Beyond pure economic interests, cultural exchanges play a significant role in Sino-German relations. During his three-day visit to China, Chancellor Scholz visited the Goethe-Institut in Beijing, the first foreign cultural center established in the country in 1988. Currently, approximately 140,000 people are learning German in China, and the Goethe-Institut aims to enrich its mission and build new partnerships. The German leader also held meetings with representatives of the Chinese cultural sphere to elevate bilateral cooperation in this field.

According to Chancellor Scholz, he "found a pragmatic environment" in China, and the talks between the delegations were generally positive. By maintaining open channels of communication, Berlin and Beijing can better coordinate their policies, even on areas of disagreement. The positive political momentum can facilitate people-to-people exchanges, and tourism flows are expected to fully recover in the short and medium term. German tourists, in particular, can currently benefit from a convenient visa-free scheme that allows them to travel to China and stay for up to two weeks.

The Sino-German paradigm can move Sino-European relations forward. Despite misunderstandings and some divergences, there is a common will to find a joint way forward. Recently, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte paid a visit to China. Additionally, this is a special year for Sino-French relations as the two countries are celebrating the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. The more Sino-European relations are stabilized, the more common prosperity will be cemented.

George N. Tzogopoulos is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/GeorgeNTzogopoulos.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
As voting for the Lok Sabha elections began on Friday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appealed to the people to vote in large numbers and choose a good government. Urging the people to prioritize their right to vote, CM Dhami said, "Pehle Matdaan Phir Jalpaan'. Today is the mega festival of democracy. I appeal to everyone to cast their votes and choose a good government. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has seen new heights in the last 10 years and our country has got global recognition. PM Modi wants to create a strong India and a strong Uttarakhand". Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and BJP candidate from Haridwar seat Trivendra Singh Rawat cast his vote along with his family at DAV School Defence Colony Dehradun polling booth. Polling for Uttarakhand's five Lok Sabha seats is underway, with the BJP hoping to retain all five seats for the third time and the Congress attempting to reclaim lost momentum in the state. Uttarakhand has traditionally witnessed a close contest between the BJP and Congress. Both parties see the state as an essential battleground for displaying and gaining supporters for their national narratives. In Uttarakhand, the BJP had won all the Lok Sabha seats in the elections in both the 2014 and 2019 elections. With 47 out of 70 assembly seats, the BJP dominated in the 2022 assembly polls, while Congress got 19 seats. BSP and Independents hold 2 seats each. This election, to be conducted from April 19 to June 1, is set to be the second longest polling exercise in the country's electoral history after the first general election, which was held over five months between September 1951 and February 1952. The last general elections in 2019 were also held in seven phases. A total of 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories will vote in the first phase today. Vote counting will be done on June 4. Those voting in the first phase include seats in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhatisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. (ANI)
Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Kamal Nath on Friday exercised his franchise in Chhindwara in the in the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 and said that he had full faith in the people of Chhindwara and they would stand by the truth. Chhindwara along with five other parliamentary seats - Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla and Balaghat, went to polling on Friday morning from 7 am. After casting the vote in the first phase of LS polls, Nath also showed his inked finger to reporters ouside the polling booth. While going to the polling station, Nath told ANI, "I have full faith in the people of Chhindwara. They are the witness of history of the last 44 years and I have full hope that they will stand by the truth." Chhindwara is a hot seat in the state and Congress had held the seat for over 70 years barring a short period of time between 1997 and 1998. Besides, Kamal Nath or his family members have been ruling the seat for the last 44 years since 1980. But in 1997, veteran BJP leader and former CM Sunderlal Patwa defeated Nath in by-election though Kamal Nath again won the Chhindwara seat in 1998. Chhindwara is considered a stronghold of Kamal Nath and the former CM's son Nakul Nath is contesting from the seat and it was the only seat that the grand old party managed to win in the previous 2019 general elections in the state. Nakul Nath is contesting again from the Chhindwara seat against BJP candidate Vivek Bunty Sahu, who had lost to Kamal Nath in the last two assembly polls. The BJP already showed in the recently conducted assembly polls that it has an upper advantage in the Hindi heartland states. In the 2019 elections, Congress leader Nakul Nath got a total of 47.1 per cent of vote share whereas the defeated BJP candidate touched 44.1 per cent. Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh will be conducted in four phases. The first phase of polling will be held on April 19, followed by April 26, May 7 and May 13. The votes will be counted on June 4. 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.(ANI)
Congress leader Jitendra Singh said on Friday that the Modi government has failed in all aspects and people are in the mood to change the government this time. "I request all the people to cast their vote. Your vote will decide the direction of the country. The Modi government has failed in all aspects. This government has been exposed. I have gone to several states and people are in the mood to change the government. They have given a ticket to an outsider in Alwar once again. People here are disappointed," he said. The 25 parliamentary constituencies in Rajasthan will vote in two phases. In Phase 1 of polling in the state on April 19, which is also the opening phase of the seven-phased elections, voting is underway for 12 seats. The remaining 13 seats in the state will be contested in the second phase on April 26. Alwar constituency, known for its substantial Yadav population, sees a keen contest among different political parties. It has witnessed victory of the Bharatiya Janata party in the past two general elections, in 2014 and 2019. Notably, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP has fielded Union Minister Bhupender Yadav against Congress MLA Lalit Yadav. Earlier today, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Jaipur during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections on Friday and said that the state is going to repeat the history of 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections by ensuring the win of Bharatiya Janata Party candidates on all its 25 Parliamentary constituencies. State Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore who also cast his franchise said that this was a huge election for the country. The last general elections in 2019 were also held in seven phases. Vote counting will be done on June 4. (ANI)
Amid the voting for all 39 Lok Sabha seats in the state on Friday, Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK General Secretary Durai Murugan expressed confidence in winning the polls. "We will come out with flying colours," Murugan told ANI after casting his vote. DMK MP Tiruchi N Siva also cast his vote at a polling booth in Trichy on Friday and said that the INDIA bloc will win all 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. After casting his vote, Siva said, "Polling is very peaceful and we are very hopeful that the INDIA alliance will win and we will form the government. As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, as we have told you during the campaign itself, all 40 seats will be in our favour. This time 40 out of 40 seats is our hope and it will turn into reality." Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also appealed to the voters to do their democratic duty. Taking to his official X Handle, the Tamil Nadu CM posted his pictures during the voting and said, "I have done my Democratic duty. I request All should do their democratic duty." Stalin also motivated the young voters to cast their votes with enthusiasm. "Everyone votes correctly. Especially young people, who are first-time voters, should vote with enthusiasm! The future of our India is in your hands." Earlier, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Nilgiris, L Murugan cast his vote at a polling station in Koyambedu in Chennai. The minister urged the voters, especially the first-time voters, to come forward and cast their vote for a developed and corruption-free nation, Viksit Bharat. "I urge the voters to come forward and cast their vote for Viksit Bharat, a developed nation and corruption-free nation. So, I appeal to the first-time voters, women, and all voters to come forward to vote 100 per cent." In the 2019 general elections, the DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance, comprising the Congress, VCK, MDMK, CPI, CPI (M), IUML, MMK, KMDK, TVK, and AIFB, registered a landslide victory, winning 38 out of the 39 seats in the state. Voting is underway for all 39 seats in Tamil Nadu in the first phase of the general elections. Voting for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 began on Friday across 102 parliamentary constituencies spread over 21 states and Union Territories as the mega seven-phase electoral exercise commenced at 7:00 am. Voters will exercise the franchise until 6:00 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking his third consecutive term, while the opposition bloc-INDIA- a coalition of opposition parties formed to take on the BJP in the general elections, is eyeing ousting him from power. According to the data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI), a total of 1.87 lakh polling stations have been set up, while 18 lakh personnel have been deployed across the 102 constituencies going to the polls. (ANI)
Congress candidate from Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur seat, Imran Masood, exuded his confidence in winning the Lok Sabha elections on Friday and said that the INDIA bloc will form the government at the Centre. Along with Saharanpur, eight seats in western Uttar Pradesh, including Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, and Rampur, are witnessing voting today in the first phase of the parliamentary elections. "The biggest thing is that there is no bitterness. Everything is being done with love. We will win the elections. Ram is not an election issue. Ram ji will be angry with the people who are using him in the elections. Voting is underway to save the Constitution," Masood said. "This is not the election of Imran but the election of self-respect. How can the BSP support those who are talking about changing the Constitution? INDIA bloc will form the government. It is INDIA vs NDA all over the country," he added. Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Raghav Lakhanpal Sharma and Bahujan Samajwadi Party's candidate (BSP) Majid Ali are in the electoral fray against Congress' Imran Masood. Notably in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BSP won the Saharanpur seat with 41.9 per cent of the vote share. BJP candidate touched the mark of 40.1 per cent and the Congress reached 16.9 per cent of vote share. Imran Masood is the nephew of nine-term MP (five-time Lok Sabha and four-term Rajya Sabha member) Rashid Masood, who received immense support from different castes of Hindus during his long political career. In the 2019 elections, turning the arithmetic of the SP-BSP 'Mahagatbandhan' in Uttar Pradesh upside down, the BJP and its ally Apna Dal (S) won 64 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats. The partners in the alliance, Akhilesh Yadav's SP and Mayawati's BSP, could only muster 15 seats. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned for July the hearing of a plea filed by Yog guru Baba Ramdev to club FIRs lodged against him in different States over his alleged remarks that allopathy cannot cure Covid-19. A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and SVN Bhatti granted two weeks' time to the states of Bihar and Chhattisgarh to inform it about the status regarding the FIRs and the chargesheet filed. It also asked Ramdev's counsel to implement the complainants in the case before the top court and posted the matter in July. Ramdev approached the top court seeking protection in criminal FIRs lodged against him in various states over his alleged remarks on efficacy of allopathy in treatment of Covid-19 pandemic. Ramdev's plea sought clubbing of FIRs and transfer of cases to Delhi lodged against him. The plea of Ramdev also sought a stay on the proceedings in multiple cases lodged against him and had also sought protection from coercive actions in FIRs lodged by Indian Medical Associations (IMA) Patna and Raipur branches and transfer the FIRs to Delhi. Ramdev has been booked under Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and other provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005. In a video, Ramdev in 2021 was allegedly heard saying, "Allopathy is a stupid science and medicines such as Remdesivir, Fabiflu, and other drugs approved by the Drugs Controller General of India have failed to treat Covid-19 patients." His remarks caused massive outrage and the IMA sent over a legal notice to him. Police in Chhattisgarh's Raipur had registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by the Raipur's IMA unit against Ramdev for allegedly spreading "false" information about the medicines being used by the medical fraternity for the treatment of Covid-19. As per the complaint, Ramdev has been allegedly propagating false information and his threatening statements on social media against medicines being used by the medical fraternity, Government of India, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and other frontline organisations in treatment of Covid-19 infection. The complaint had said there are several videos of Ramdev on social media in which he had allegedly made such misleading remarks. (ANI)
To generate awareness about the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, particularly amongst the legal fraternity, the Ministry of Law and Justice is organising a conference titled 'India's Progressive Path in the Administration of the Criminal Justice System', on April 20. The Chief Justice of India, Justice DY Chandrachud, will grace the occasion as the chief guest. In order to repeal archaic colonial laws and usher in legislation that is citizen-centric and caters to the requirements of a vibrant democracy, three laws have been enacted to overhaul the criminal justice system in the country. The three laws, i.e., the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023; and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, replace the earlier criminal laws, namely, the Indian Penal Code 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. As notified, these criminal laws are to take effect from July 1. Other dignitaries to attend the conference include Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State (independent charge) for the Ministry of Law and Justice, R Venkataramani, Attorney General for India, Tushar Mehta, Solicitor General of India, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Home Secretary, Government of India, among others. The conference aims to bring out the highlights of the three criminal laws and organise meaningful interactions through technical and question-and-answer sessions. Besides, judges of various courts, advocates, academicians, representatives of law enforcement agencies, police officials, public prosecutors, district administration officials and law students will be participating in the conference. The day-long conference will start with the inaugural session and conclude with the valedictory session. In between, three technical sessions are being planned, one on each law. The inaugural session will shed light on the overarching objectives of the new criminal law triad. (ANI)
The Congress government in Karnataka is under severe pressure on law and order in the state after the twenty-four-year-old daughter of a Congress Corporator was stabbed to death in the college campus in Hubbali. The victim, Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress Corporator Niranjan Hiremath, succumbed to multiple stab wounds inflicted by Fayaz, a former friend and classmate who has since been arrested. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar informed that an FIR had been registered and the accused had been apprehended within an hour.The accused has been sent to judicial custody, she added. "FIR has been registered in this case and the accused was also secured within an hour. He has been sent to judicial custody. It is a very serious case and we are investigating. In the course of the investigation, everything will come to light," the Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner said. Karnataka state BJP President BY Vijayendra took on the state government accusing them of going slow on the case to appease a certain faction. "In a horrific incident, a 24-year-old girl, daughter of a Congress corporator has been has been hacked to death in broad daylight by Fiyaz, reportedly for refusing his proposal for marriage. Gaurantee of Safety" for Women has been pathetically absent since Congress came into power. Repeated incidents of crimes against women like assaults & murder raises concerns about the seriousness of the Siddaramaiah government in providing a safe environment for our sisters and daughters. Women have been highly vulnerable under this incapable government and have been living under extreme fear as Criminal elements have been on the Rise & are operating without any fear of law and order, " Vijayendra said on Thursday. However, the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Hubballi campus murder occurred due to personal reasons. The CM added that the law and order situation in Karnataka is good and that it is their duty to maintain it. "Whatever murder happened is due to personal reasons. The law and order situation is very good in Karnataka, It is our duty to maintain law and order and we are doing it," the CM said. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said the law will be applied to all. "BJP is trying to threaten by showing that there is no law and order in Karnataka. Karnataka has the best law and order. They are just trying to tell the voters that they are going to put the governor's rule in the state. They cannot do it. The law will take its own course for everyone," Shivakumar said. Karnataka's Home Minister, G Parameshwar, denied the presence of a communal angle in the Hubballi campus murder case and dismissed the allegations of "love jihad." "It appears there was mutual love between the two. However, when the girl started walking away, the boy stabbed her. I fail to see any evidence of "love jihad" here. It seems that he (the accused) believed she was going to marry someone else. I don't know all the details," he said. The state unit of the ABVP and the BJP protested the murder in Hubballi and Bengaluru on Friday and the issue is likely to flare up with the state going to the Lok Sabha Polls on April 26 and May 7. (ANI)
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has condemned the case of the alleged rape of a 23-year-old woman in Madhya Pradesh's Guna and its chairperson Rekha Sharma has written to the Director General of Police (DGP) of the state to take decisive action regarding the matter. "The National Commission for Women vehemently condemns the abhorrent act of violence and brutality inflicted upon the victim in Madhya Pradesh. As reported by one of the leading newspapers. The 23 y old woman was raped repeatedly and her lips were sealed with glue," the commission said. Rekha Sharma has also directed the DGP to produce a detailed Action Taken Report within three days, including the FIR and medical examination report. "Chairperson NCW @sharmrekha has sent a letter to the DGP of the state to ensure swift and decisive action, directing to produce a detailed Action Taken Report within three days, including the FIR and medical examination report," it added. According to the police, a 23-year-old woman has filed a complaint against a person alleging him of raping and torturing her. According to the police, the victim has alleged that the accused Ayan Khan sealed her lips with adhesive to stop her from screaming. According to the police officials, the accused has been sent to jail in connection with illegal alcohol, but the investigation into the alleged rape case is undergoing. "A woman alleged that a person named Ayan Khan beat her up and raped her. We have filed a complaint on the basis of her allegations. We searched the house of the accused and found illegal alcohol at his residence. We arrested him and sent him to jail," Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Guna said. (ANI)
Voters in Tamil Nadu voters braved more than normal temperatures on Friday as they cast their votes in the first phase of the 2024 general election. "Tamil Nadu is having more than normal temperatures, and some isolated places in the state can see heatwave conditions," Naresh Kumar, senior scientist at IMD, Delhi, told ANI. Bihar also experiences above-normal temperatures. "In Bihar also, the temperature is above normal and has reached 40 degrees but there has been no heatwave. In Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the temperature is normal," Kumar said. "Rainfall activities are mainly going on in North-East states and we have given a warning for heavy rainfall in Tripura. In Delhi, the temperature is normal and there is no heatwave due to western disturbances," he added. The average voter turnout in 39 constituencies of Tamil Nadu stood at 39.51 per cent till 1 pm as per the data released by the Election Commission of India. The south Parliament constituency of Chennai recorded a voter turnout of 28.92 per cent till 1 pm whereas the Chennai north constituency witnessed 29.05 and the voter turnout in central Parliament constituency was recorded 28.08 percent. Voting percentages for the other constituencies participating in phase 1 elections are Arakkonam- 40.30 per cent, Arani- 44.16, Chidambaram-37.76 per cent, Coimbatore-35.89 per cent, Cuddalore-37.84 per cent, Dharmapuri-40.70 per cent, Dindigul-42.12 per cent, Eorde- 43.54 per cent, Kallakurichi-46.06 per cent, Kacheepuram-39.92 per cent, Kanniyakumari-37.86 per cent, Karur- 46.23 per cent, Krishnagiri-39.78 per cent, Madurai-35.79 per cent, Mayiladuthurai-40.50 per cent. Nagapattinam-42.05 per cent, Namakkal-46.31 per cent, Nilgris-40.88 per cent, Perambalur-45.86 per cent, Pollachi-40.08 per cent, Ramanathapuram-40.90 per cent, Salem-46.89 per cent, Sivganga-34.10 per cent, Sriperumbudur-30.65 per cent, Tenkasi-39.91 per cent, Thanjavur-41.14 per cent, Theni-41.28 per cent, Thoothukkudi-39.11 per cent, Tiruchirappalli-38.13 per cent, Tirunelveli-38.24 per cent, Tiruppur-44.08 per cent, Tiruvallur-38.55 per cent, Tiruvannamalai- 41.74 per cent, Vallore-39.5 per cent, Viluppuram-43.84 per cent and Virudhunagar-42.19 per cent. Meanwhile, there was a substantial increase in the voter turnout charts across the states in the country, with North-Eastern state of Tripura still leading at 53.04 per cent till 1 pm as per the data released by the ECI. Other Northeast states like Meghalaya (48.91) and Manipur (46.92) are also witnessing high voter turnout percentages. (ANI)
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People gather among the rubble in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, on April 18, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has risen to 33,970, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said in a press statement on Thursday.

During the past 24 hours, the Israeli army killed 71 Palestinians and wounded 106 others in the coastal enclave, bringing the total death toll to 33,970 and injuries to 76,770 since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, according to the statement.

The statement noted that some victims remained under the rubble amid heavy bombardment and a lack of civil defense and ambulance crews.

In a separate statement, ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qedra said that the Israeli army had "destroyed" the health system in the northern Gaza Strip, leaving some 700,000 people without health services.

He called for the provision of field hospitals and international multi-specialized medical teams to meet the needs of the local population.
Twenty-four-year-old daughter of a Congress corporator, who was stabbed to death by an unidentified person on a college campus in Hubbali was killed for turning down the accused's proposal, claimed the father of the deceased on Friday. Speaking to ANI, Congress Corporator and father of the deceased, Niranjan Hiremath said, "After my daughter' was returning from college, an unknown person came and stabbed him 7 times and she died on the spot. The accused has already been arrested. The motive of the murder is that the victim rejected the accused's love proposal." The victim, Neha Hiremath, daughter of Congress Corporator Niranjan Hiremath, succumbed to multiple stab wounds inflicted by Fayaz, a former friend and classmate who has since been arrested. The last rites of the twenty-four-year-old daughter of a Congress corporator, who was killed on a college campus in Hubbali, were performed by her parents on Friday. The Congress government in Karnataka is under severe pressure on law and order in the state after the twenty-four-year-old daughter of a Congress corporator was stabbed to death on the college campus in Hubbali. The state unit of the ABVP and the BJP protested the murder in Hubballi and Bengaluru on Friday and the issue is likely to flare up with the state going to the Lok Sabha Polls on April 26 and May 7. Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner Renuka Sukumar informed that an FIR had been registered and the accused had been apprehended within an hour. The accused has been sent to judicial custody, she added. "FIR has been registered in this case and the accused was also secured within an hour. He has been sent to judicial custody. It is a very serious case and we are investigating. In the course of the investigation, everything will come to light," the Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner said. Leader of the Opposition of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, on Friday, termed the murder of the twenty-four-year-old daughter of a Congress corporator in a college campus in Hubbali as shameful and raised question on the law and order situation in the state. "The incident in Hubli is shameful. The daughter of a Congress corporator has been stabbed to death. Such an incident in the middle of elections raises questions about law and order," he said. Karnataka state BJP President BY Vijayendra took on the state government accusing them of going slow on the case to appease a certain faction. "In a horrific incident, a 24-year-old girl, daughter of a Congress corporator has been has been hacked to death in broad daylight by Fiyaz, reportedly for refusing his marriage proposal. Guarantee of Safety" for Women has been pathetically absent since Congress came into power. Repeated incidents of crimes against women like assaults and murder raises concerns about the seriousness of the Siddaramaiah government in providing a safe environment for our sisters and daughters. Women have been highly vulnerable under this incapable government and have been living under extreme fear as Criminal elements have been on the rise and are operating without any fear of law and order, " Vijayendra said on Thursday. However, the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the Hubballi campus murder occurred due to personal reasons. The CM added that the law and order situation in Karnataka is good and that they must maintain it. "Whatever murder happened is due to personal reasons. The law and order situation is very good in Karnataka, It is our duty to maintain law and order and we are doing it," the CM said. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said the law will be applied to all. "BJP is trying to threaten by showing that there is no law and order in Karnataka. Karnataka has the best law and order. They are just trying to tell the voters that they are going to put the governor's rule in the state. They cannot do it. The law will take its own course for everyone," Shivakumar said. Karnataka's Home Minister, G Parameshwar, denied the presence of a communal angle in the Hubballi campus murder case and dismissed the allegations of "love jihad." "It appears there was mutual love between the two. However, when the girl started walking away, the boy stabbed her. I fail to see any evidence of "love jihad" here. It seems that he (the accused) believed she was going to marry someone else. I don't know all the details," he said. (ANI)
Maharashtra Minister and Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, Chhagan Bhujbal, who was eyeing to contest as Mahayuti candidate in the Lok Sabha polls, has withdrawn from the race on Friday over the delay in the announcement of the candidate for the Nashik seat. "I am withdrawing from this fight. It's taking longer. Only discussion is going on. I am withdrawing from contesting the Lok Sabha elections," Bhujbal said while addressing a press conference on Friday. Bhujbal claimed that he was told by NCP leaders Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel that Union Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah has suggested his name for the Nashik seat. "On the day of Holi festival, Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel called me and said that when Nashik seat was discussed in the meeting, Amit Shah said that Chhagan Bhujbal will contest from Nashik seat, though Sameer Bhujbal's name was also raised," the NCP leader said. He further alleged that the naming the candidate for the Nashik seat was taking longer despite "having the circumstances," while urging the party to announce the candidate for the seat soon. "When I went to Nashik, I received support from everyone, including the OBC, Marathas and ST communities. I called Devendra Fadnavis and asked him to give the candidature to Sameer Bhujbal from Nashik. Devendra Fadnavis also said that you will have to contest the elections. The Centre, which is Amit Shah and the Prime Minister also expressed the same wish. Despite these circumstances, the seat has not been announced yet," he said. "The issue regarding Nashik seat has not been cleared yet. The MVA declared its candidates three weeks ago and started campaigning. The more time we take the more loss we will face. Therefore, this deadlock had to be broken...I decided that I did not want to be part of this fight...I have decided that I will not be the candidate (from Nashik)..." The Maha Vikas Aghadi has fielded Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Rajabhau Waze from Nashik, while a dispute over the seat has been going on among the alliance partners of the ruling coalition, Mahayuti, which includes the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Shiv Sena-Shinde faction and Ajit Pawar's NCP. Reportedly, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the NCP have both staked claims over the seat, which is still undecided. The voting in Nashik will be held on May 20 in the fifth phase. Meanwhile, Maharashtra, which has 48 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, is polling in five seats today. The polling is held in Chandrapur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Ramtek and Nagpur on Friday. 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. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)
A 20-year-old youth has been arrested for booking a cab from Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's residence in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, said police on Friday. According to Mumbai police, the accused has been identified as Rohit Tyagi, a 20-year-old man from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Sharing details, police said that the accused had booked a cab in the name of Lawrence Vishnoi from Galaxy Apartment, the house of actor Salman Khan, to the Bandra Police Station. "When the cab driver reached Galaxy Apartment at Salman Khan's house and asked the watchman there about the booking, the watchman who was stunned at first, immediately informed about the booking to the nearby Bandra Police Station," said police. Acting on the same, Bandra Police of Mumbai interrogated the cab driver and tracked the information about the person who booked the cab online. "The person who booked the cab turned out to be a 20-year-old student from Ghaziabad, identified as Rohit Tyagi," said the police. The police further said that during investigation it was revealed that the accused had booked the cab in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi as a prank. The police registered a case against the accused and arrested him from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. He was thereafter brought Mumbai and presented before the court after which he was sent to the custody of Bandra Police for two days. Further details into the matter are awaited. Earlier, on Tuesday, Kutch Police arrested the two accused persons and handed them to the Mumbai Crime Branch. Later, a city court sent the two accused to the custody of the Mumbai Crime Branch until April 25 in connection with the firing incident. The accused, identified as Vicky Gupta (24) and Sagar Pal (21) from Bihar, were presented before the court after a medical examination. The two men, who came on a motorbike, fired four rounds outside the Galaxy Apartments, where the actor resides, around 5 am on Sunday morning and fled.CCTV footage showed that both accused sported caps and carried backpacks. The clip also showed them firing in the direction of the actor's home. After the arrest of the accused, Kutch DSP AR Zankant said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Notably, since November 2022, Salman's security level has been elevated to Y-Plus after threats from gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar. The actor was also authorised to carry a personal firearm and has also acquired a new armoured vehicle for added protection. On Monday, Salman's brother Arbaaz Khan issued a statement on the family's behalf, saying they all have been affected due to the 'disturbing' firing incident. He also shared that the family was fully cooperating with the Mumbai Police in the ongoing probe into the incident. (ANI)
The trial court in Raipur accepted the closure report filed by Economic Offenses Wing-Anti Corruption Bureau (EOW-ACB) in connection with an alleged disproportionate assets case against Aman Singh, the former Principal Secretary to former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, after no evidence could be found to substantiate the allegations. The court, while accepting the closure report, stated that no case of disproportionate assets could be made against Aman Singh and his wife, Yasmin Singh. The ruling marks the culmination of a prolonged investigative process led by the EOW-ACB, which failed to substantiate the allegations. The FIR in the case was lodged in 2020 on the orders from former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel after RTI activisit Uchit Sharma had accused the couple of amassing unaccounted wealth. However, even after over three years of investigation, the EOW couldn't find any evidence to substantiate the allegations, following which the closure report was filed. Notably, the closure report was filed by the EOW in December last year, before the current Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP government took the oath of office in Chhattisgarh. Legal circles have closely monitored the proceedings, noting the case's implications for bureaucratic integrity and legal accountability. Noted criminal lawyer and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, who represented Aman Singh, has criticized the motives behind the FIR, describing it as a "tool for political retribution" rather than justice. "Bhupesh Baghel's government was one of the most corrupt and vindictive regimes this country has ever seen," said Jethmalani. "They weaponized the FIR to unjustly target Aman Singh, an honest officer, and his wife Yasmin Singh, a renowned artist, forcing them to undergo trials and tribulations for several years. Targeting an officer's wife was a new low, even by Bhupesh Baghel's standards. However, the justice has finally been served with their discharge by the court." Former Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Sunil Kumar, who worked with both Congress and BJP chief ministers, also drew attention to the adverse impacts of "political victimization" on governance and the morale of public servants. "It's tragic that an officer who contributed immensely to Chhattisgarh's transformative development had to face what turned out to be baseless accusations," said Kumar. "Officers of integrity being targeted for political considerations is demoralising because not everyone can withstand the personal costs of incorruptibility in public service as Aman has been able to. I am happy for Aman Singh and his wife that the truth has prevailed." The case has also seen judicial scrutiny at various levels, including a notable moment when the Bilaspur High Court quashed the FIR, citing a lack of substantive evidence. However, the Supreme Court later revived the FIR on an appeal by the Congress government of Bhupesh Baghel, saying that a thorough investigation would better serve to maintain public trust and accountability. "We quite appreciate that there could be cases of innocent public servants being entangled in investigations arising out of motivated complaints and the consequent mental agony, emotional pain, and social stigma that they would have to encounter in the process, but this small price has to be paid if there is to be a society governed by the rule of law," the apex court said. The trial court's closure of the case, after hearing all perspectives, including the complainant's agreement with the closure report, brings to an end a high-profile legal battle. (ANI)
Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the Wayand MP has been given a name earlier (pappu) and reminded how her grand mother (former PM Indira Gandhi), put them in jail. Kerala chief minister's statement came after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Pinarayi Vijayan for lashing out at him. Speaking at a public meeting organised by the United Democratic Front in the Kottayam district of Kerala, Rahul Gandhi said, "Everybody knows I fight the BJP 24x7, I disagree with them ideologically. Hundreds of BJP leaders thinking about how to fight Rahul Gandhi. Anyone who fights the BJP pays the price. They took away my membership, and my house, and investigated me for hours." Speaking in a party programme in Kozhikode CM Vijayan was reacting to the latter's allegation that in Kerala central investigation agencies did not go after the opposition, hinting at a possible background deal between CM Vijayan and PM Modi. CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, "I heard Rahul Gandhi ask yesterday as to why I am not questioned and not taken into custody. Why no cases are put against me? Rahul Gandhi, you had been given a name earlier (Pappu). Don't create a situation that shows you are still the same. Your grandmother (Indira Gandhi), put us all in jail when she was ruling this country for some years. We won't get scared hearing the name of jail like your leader Ashok Chavan, who said that he cannot go there. We are not like that. We are not among them who have never faced questioning." In his campaign speeches, Rahul Gandhi has alleged that while Central investigation agencies go after other governments run by opposition parties, in Kerala they did not do so, hinting at a possible background deal between CM Vijayan and PM Modi. Rahul's allegation is a reiteration of what the Congress leaders of the state have been saying against the Chief Minister. Although the Left parties and the Congress are part of a larger INDIA bloc, they are opposed to each other in Kerala, where the Congress is currently in opposition as part of the UDF alliance. All 20 constituencies in Kerala will go to the polls on April 26 in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, while the Congress party had won 15 seats, its allies, the Indian Union Muslim League, won two seats, the Revolutionary Socialist Party won one, and the Kerala Congress (M) won one seat. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) won one seat in Alappuzha. (ANI)
Former Andhra Pradesh Minister and YSRCP leader Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, popularly known as Avanthi, came out heavily against Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and other Opposition parties in the state, accusing them of 'making fun' of the attack on Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy. Speaking to reporters, Avanthi said, "Opposition parties are not able to digest that Jagan Mohan Reddy is getting huge support from the people. Murder attempt was hatched against the Chief Minister and the Opposition parties are making fun on the incident. We are demanding Election Commission to take appropriate action against the opposition parties." On April 13, CM Reddy was hit with a stone, leaving with a deep gash on the eyebrow, while he was leading a roadshow in Vijaywada. He was treated for his injury and administered first-aid on the bus itself before the roadshow resumed. Earlier, YSRCP MP MVV Satyanarayana alleged that the attack was part of a "larger conspiracy" by the TDP and its allies. Following the attack, YSRCP also filed a complaint with the Election Commission against TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, asking the poll body to initiate action against the two opposition leaders for making provocative statements. Speaking further, Avanthi alleged that TDP is threatening their party leaders, adding that they will complain to the Election Commission. "TDP candidate Ganta Srinuvasarao supporters are calling our YSRCP leaders. They are threatening our party supporters and village Sarpanch to join their party. We will give complain to Election commission" he said. The YSRCP leader accused the Opposition of spreading "false propaganda" about him leaving Anakapalli from Bhimili, adding that around Rs 2500 crores have been spent on welfare and development in Bhimili. He further warned that legal action will be taken if personal insults are made against him, adding that the Opposition should be ready to "face the consequences." The Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh will be simultaneously held on May 13. The counting of votes will happen for June 4. The Andhra Pradesh assembly consists of 175 seats and it sends 25 MPs to the Lok Sabha. In 2019, the YSRCP won a thumping victory in the assembly winning 151 seats, while the TDP was confined to 23 seats. In the Lok Sabha polls also, YSRCP won 22 seats while TDP could only win three seats. (ANI)
Union Minister and the BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Bikaner, Arjun Ram Meghwal, said on Friday that his party was poised to win the constituency by a significant margin. Bikaner was one of 12 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan and 102 across the country that went to polls in the opening phase of the general elections on Friday. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Meghwal said, "The polling today went off peacefully. For this, I wish to thank our workers, officials in the local administration, and the police, among other authorities concerned. The polling numbers are going to be out soon. However, from the trends that I have been able to gather, the BJP is set to win Bikaner by a huge margin." The 12 Rajasthan seats recorded 50.27 per cent polling till 5 pm, according to data shared by the Election Commission (EC) on Friday. Voting for India's parliamentary election, the largest democratic exercise in the world, began at 7 am with the Election Commission urging people to exercise their franchise in maximum numbers. While polling for 12 Lok Sabha seats in Rajasthan in the first phase concluded on Friday, the remaining 13 seats in the state will poll in the second phase on April 26. In 2019, BJP registered a near-sweep in the state, winning 24 of the 25 seats, while the lone other seat was won by Rashtriya Loktrantrik Party candidate Hanuman Beniwal. (ANI)
The US would welcome any country interested in using its voice to further deter the Russian offensive in Ukraine and play a positive role in helping release hostages and defeating Hamas amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a press briefing on Thursday. Asked how the US and the international community can use Prime Minister Narendra Modi's influence to end the ongoing war worldwide, Patel said, "Specifically, first in the context of Russia-Ukraine, if any country is interested in using its voice to further deter Russian aggression on the people of Ukraine, we certainly would welcome that. And in the current ongoing context in Gaza, any country that believes that they can play a positive role in helping us get to a release of hostages, helping us get additional humanitarian assistance into Gaza, and helping to defeat Gaza, they certainly should and are welcome to play that role." India has often articulated and clarified its stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, maintaining that the crisis must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. Amid the military conflict, PM Modi has spoken multiple times to Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In December last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "willing to do his utmost" to address the Russia-Ukraine issue through "peaceful means." Putin said this at a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Russia. Putin emphasised the positive stance of Prime Minister Modi on complex global developments, including the situation in Ukraine. "We know the stance of Prime Minister Modi and we mentioned that repeatedly on many occasions. Well, his attitude towards some complex developments, including the flashpoints like...in Ukraine," he noted. The Russian President mentioned that he has advised Modi on the developments in Ukraine multiple times and indicated that further discussions on the matter would take place. "Many times, I advised him of how things have been going there and I know that he (PM Modi) is willing to do his utmost so that the issue is resolved by peaceful means. So, we probably will delve into that deeper now, and we will give additional information to you on that time," Putin added. PM Modi also met Ukraine President Zelenskyy in Japan during the G7 summit in May 2023. During the meeting, PM Modi assured that he would do whatever was possible to help resolve the conflict. "India and I will do whatever we can to resolve the conflict," PM Modi had said. On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in 2022, PM Modi told Russian President Vladimir Putin that "today's era is not an era of war." "Today's era is not of war and I have spoken to you about it on the call. Today we will get the opportunity to talk about how we can progress on the path of peace. India and Russia have stayed together with each other for several decades," PM Modi told Putin, expressing his concerns about the impact of the war on food and energy security. Earlier in March, American media giant CNN published a report claiming that PM Modi averted a possible nuclear escalation between Russia and Ukraine amid the ongoing military conflict. The report stated that outreach from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other countries as well played an important role in dialling down the crisis. The Biden administration was specifically concerned Russia might use a tactical or battlefield nuclear weapon, the officials said. Amid the fears, the US sought to enlist the help of non-allies, including India, to discourage Russia from such an attack, CNN reported. Regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, said that India is committed to supporting a two-state solution where the Palestinian people are able to live freely in an independent country, with due regard to the security needs of Israel. Delivering an address at the United Nations General Assembly meeting on the Use of Veto in March, Kamboj said that India's position on the conflict has been clear and has been stated on several occasions. "Only a Two-State solution, achieved through direct and meaningful negotiations between both sides on final status issues, will deliver an enduring peace. India is committed to support a Two-State solution where the Palestinian people are able to live freely in an independent country within secure borders, with due regard to the security needs of Israel," Kamboj said. (ANI)
Speaking on the occasion, Rehman announced that JI would launch a movement against the government 'imposed' through Form 47 and the 'fake democratic' process. He further said, "Workers should prepare for the movement."

Pakistan held its 12th national general election on February 8, amid allegations of rigging and the shutdown of cellular and internet services.

In his address, JI chief spoke about his party's resolve to advance its ideals and objectives while sharing his views that his party will guide Pakistan as a whole.

Former JI chief Sirajul Haq, Liaqat Baloch, workers and party officials attended the oath-taking ceremony held at JI headquarters in Mansoora.

Hafiz Naeem became the sixth man to assume the position of JI chief after Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, Mian Tufail Muhammad, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Munawer Hassan, and Sirajul Haq.

Earlier on April 4, Hafiz Naeem was elected as Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, replacing Sirajul Haq for the position, ARY News reported.

According to the election commission formed by the JIP's Majlis-e-Shura, around 45,000 members of the JI in Pakistan cast their votes. The election further stated that around 6,000 women members of JI also participated in the electoral process. (ANI)
The World Bank has asked the Pakistani government to make tax reforms and remove the exemptions on duties and sales tax, Pakistan-based ARY News reported. In its report released on Pakistan, the World Bank advised the Pakistani government of the urgent need for tax system reforms and the removal of sales tax exemptions to promote economic and social improvement, according to ARY News report. According to the report, the World Bank asked the Pakistani government to create a national policy for child development, called for reducing subsidies on energy and other commodities and suggested the Pakistani government reallocate these funds towards public welfare initiatives. The report reads, "Government should implement austerity measures and promote public-private partnership in government-owned companies," according to ARY News report. In its report, the World Bank asked the Pakistani government to restructure the tax system, eliminate the exemptions of duty and sales tax and impose new taxes on real estate and agriculture industry. In addition, it also called for creating a long-term commercial tariff plan and aligning the gas tariff for consumers with the cost of supply. In 2023, the World Bank said that Pakistan is collecting less tax than its actual capacity. In its report, the World Bank said Pakistan is falling short of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 737 billion in tax collection and urged Islamabad to end all tax exemptions to release the burden of debts, ARY News reported. The international lender also asked Pakistan to raise tax incomes from agriculture, properties and retail businesses to generate additional revenue. Two major areas in the provincial jurisdiction--real estate and agriculture--had most of the untaxed wealth and asked the provincial governments to tax these two sectors. (ANI)
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Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met separately with delegations of senior cadres from Nepal and Germany, in Beijing on Thursday.

The Nepali delegation was led by Dev Prasad Gurung, the general secretary of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre). The German delegation, meanwhile, was led by Jens Spahn, the deputy chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag.

The sides exchanged views on strengthening inter-party exchanges and promoting the development of state-to-state relations.
Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, warned Israel against taking any military actions targeting Iranian interests. He stated Iran has concluded its "defense and counteroffensive measures" and urged the international community to stop Israel from carrying out any military operations against Iran. During discussions on the Middle East situation at the UNSC, Amir-Abdollahian said, "Iran's legitimate defense and countermeasures have been concluded. Therefore, the Israeli regime must be compelled to stop any further military adventurism against our centres, assets and interests. Certainly, in case of any illegal use of force by the Israeli regime and violating our sovereignty, the Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate a bit to assert its inherent right to give a decisive and proper response to it to make the regime regret its actions." He accused Israel of carrying out a missile attack on Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus on April 1. He said that Israel's action was a "clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations international law and the Vienna Convention." He said, "The missile attack on the 1st of April on the Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus showed yet again that this regime does not hesitate to violate the fundamental principle of the immunity of such places and people as well as the known and well recognised Vienna Conventions. As the majority of the members of the Security Council declared at the April 2 meeting here, the attack was a clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations international law and the Vienna Convention, and thus is strongly condemned." He criticised the US, UK, and France for not issuing a statement over the attack on the Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus. He even expressed regret that the UNSC did not take action on Iran's repeated requests to prevent further attacks by Israel on Iran's interests. He accused the White House of giving a green signal to Israel's action. He said, "Regrettably, the Security Council, had not taken any action during the past months to our official and repeated requests to prevent further attacks by the Israeli regime on Iran's interests, centres and official military advisors who were there to fight terrorism and due to the unfortunate and completely irresponsible behaviour of the United States, the UK and France, in response to this illegal attack, failed even to issue a mere statement containing a simple condemnation." "No will remain silent in the face of such a brazen and serious military attack on its Embassy, which is considered a symbol of its sovereignty, as well as the killing of its legal, official and diplomatic agents. The Islamic Republic of Iran, which until recently had shown considerable restraint against other terrorist missile attacks bearing in mind the dire situation in the region and willing to give the role of the United Nations a chance to prevent the escalation of the conflict, was faced with the continuation of the White House's green light granted to the Israeli regime as well as the continued inaction of the Security Council in preventing the attacks by the Israeli regime," he added. Justifying Iran's attack on Israel, he said, "Iran's military attack on April 13th, was first and foremost, necessary because Iran had no other option. Secondly, it was carried out in response to a series of attacks and recurring aggressions by the Israeli regime on Iran's interests, especially on our Embassy in Syria." "Thirdly, it took place in the fulfilment of Iran's right to legitimate defence under international law. Fourthly, it was conducted by observing the criterion of non-aggression to civilian people and places. And fifthly, it focused solely on the two military bases of the Israeli regime that had been used in the attack on our Embassy, and therefore it was completely limited and proportionate in terms of scope and military requirements," he added. On Saturday, Iran launched several drones and missiles towards Israel in retaliation for an alleged Israeli air strike on its consulate in Syria, resulting in the killing of three top Iranian generals. On Sunday morning, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that about 99 per cent of the 300 or so projectiles fired by Iran at Israel overnight were intercepted by air defences, as reported by The Times of Israel. "The Iranian threat met the aerial and technological superiority of the IDF, combined with a strong fighting coalition, which together intercepted the vast majority of the threats," Hagari said. On April 17, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed at a cabinet meeting that Israel will make its own decisions and do whatever is necessary to protect itself, even if it contradicts the advice given by its allies, as reported by The Times of Israel. Netanyahu made the statement at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday after meeting with the foreign ministers of the UK and Germany. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Israel on Wednesday. In his remarks at the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said that the two leaders had "all kinds of suggestions and advice." He noted that while it was appreciated, Israel would nevertheless "make our own decisions, and Israel will do everything necessary to defend itself." (ANI)
Chairman of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), Sahibzada Hamid Raza, has asserted that the current prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Nawaz Sharif, utilised the Faizabad sit-in to protest against state institutions, according to ARY News. Speaking on Thursday during the ARY News programme "Eleventh Hour," he said that the PML-N had assisted the sit-in in getting to Islamabad and had encouraged party members to take part in the demonstration. He asserted that he had proof of the PML-N's betrayal during the 2017 sit-in at Faizabad, citing knowledge of the protest's PML-N involvement from both General Faiz Hameed (Retd) and former Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa (Retd), reported ARY News. Hamid Raza claims that while PML-N members in Rawalpindi were instructed to guarantee that people participated in the sit-in, the then-Punjab administration assisted in organising the demonstration. The head of SIC claimed that while the goals of the Faizabad sit-in were correct, the event was deliberately ruined by those who participated by shouting anti-state sentiments. He asserted that while the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) was utilised during the sit-in, workers for the PML-N were also among those who received money. In a submission to the Supreme Court, former PEMRA chairman Absar Alam said that during the Faizabad sit-in, former ISI commander Faiz Hameed put pressure on the media regulatory body, according to ARY News. After the Supreme Court rejected the Fact-Finding Committee report, the federal government appointed retired Inspector General Akhtar Ali Shah to lead an inquiry committee. But in its 149-page report, which was released on Friday, the probe commission cleared the former intelligence head. According to the commission, Faiz Hameed was granted authorization for the deal by the Army Chief and the then-DG ISI. The article further stated that Ahsan Iqbal, the interior minister, and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi were included in the arrangement. (ANI)
As per the MND, out of the six PLA aircraft, four of them crossed the Taiwan Strait median line in the southwest area of the nation's air defence identification zone (ADIZ), while one of them crossed the line in the northeast ADIZ.

Taiwan responded by monitoring the PLA operations with planes, naval ships, and air defence missile systems. Taiwan has detected 110 Chinese naval vessels and 164 Chinese military aircraft so far this month, reported Taiwan News.

China has been using grey zone tactics more frequently since September 2020, gradually expanding the number of military planes and navy vessels in the Taiwan area.

Gray zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force." (ANI)
On Friday, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) released a statement expressing deep concern about reports of the missing Baloch civil society activist Jameel Umar.

According to the HRCP statement posted on X, "Jameel Umar was on his way to Turbat when unknown gunmen opened fire on his car and abducted him. We demand their immediate recovery and the assailants be identified and brought to justice."

https://twitter.com/HRCP87/status/1781213000814186711

On the international level, the Human Rights Council of Balochistan (HRCB), a non-profit organisation operating in Balochistan, Sweden, and France, issued a statement, detailing the abduction of Jameel Umar, the Deputy Convener of the Turbat Civil Society and a well-known social activist.

The incident reportedly occurred when Jameel was travelling from Kolwah near Balur to Turbat. He was accompanied by his friend, Sana Baloch. Sources suggest that armed assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on their vehicle and forcibly abducted them.

Another social rights organisation, the Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement, strongly condemned the abduction of Jameel Umar by armed individuals.

The organisation labelled this brazen attack on social activists as a flagrant violation of human rights and demanded their immediate release. They also called for accountability for those responsible.

Enforced abductions and extrajudicial killings have been regularly occurring in Pakistan, allegedly orchestrated by the security forces. The incidents are frequent in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Previously, a similar incident occurred involving Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Manzoor Pashteen. The incident took place as Pashteen was attempting to travel to Turbat from the border of Chaman in the Balochistan province in December last year. He was also arrested immediately after the open fire incident.

According to a report by The Express Tribune from December last year, the incident occurred as Pashteen was attempting to travel to Turbat from Chaman, where he was scheduled to address participants of a sit-in. (ANI)
A Polish man has been detained for assisting an alleged Russian plot to assassinate Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, reported CNN, citing authorities in Poland and Ukraine. He was charged with "readiness to act for foreign intelligence against the Republic of Poland," an offence that carries up to eight years in prison if he is found guilty, according to prosecutors. The Polish authorities alleged that the suspect, Pawel K, was tasked "to help, among other things, in planning by Russian special services a possible attack on the life of the head of a foreign state--President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky," according to a statement on Thursday. Prosecutors said that the man agreed to provide information to Russian spies about security at Rzeszow-Jasionka airport, in southeastern Poland, about 100 kilometres (62 miles) from the border with Ukraine, reported CNN. Zelensky is known to use the airport when leaving on foreign trips, as it is one of the closest airports to the Ukrainian border. Moreover, the airport often receives military aid and civilian goods from the US and across Europe, as Ukraine's airspace remains closed to non-military flights. Ukrainian authorities highlighted that they uncovered the plot and handed key evidence to Polish officials, who then detained the accused on Polish territory, according to CNN. The Polish prosecutors said the man had contacted Russians "directly involved in the war in Ukraine," though it was not clear from official statements whether he had handed over any information or even collected it. Notably, it is not the first time Ukraine has claimed to have unveiled an attempt to kill President Zelensky, who has been energetic in rallying Western support. Moreover, the Ukrainian President has faced several known attempts on his life since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. In August 2023, the Ukrainian Security Service, the SBU, arrested a woman who had been allegedly "gathering intelligence" about a planned visit by the president to the southern region of Mykolaiv, in order to help plan a Russian airstrike. Reportedly, the Polish man was arrested just hours after German police said that they had arrested two suspected Russian agents in the Bavarian town of Bayreuth. The two individuals, identified as German-Russian nationals, are accused of plotting sabotage attacks and planning an explosive detonation, according to a statement by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office in Karlsruhe, CNN reported. Meanwhile, one of the men had been in contact with a Russian intelligence agent, the statement said, adding that among the potential targets scouted were US army facilities in Germany. "Our security authorities have prevented possible explosive detonations that were intended to affect and undermine our military aid to Ukraine. This is a particularly serious case of suspected agent activity for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's criminal regime," Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser said during a press conference in Berlin. However, the Russian Embassy in Berlin dismissed the accusations as an "outright provocation," TASS reported. (ANI)
The Joe Biden administration is considering supplying arms and ammunition worth over USD 1 billion to Israel amid the heightened scrutiny of the use of American-made weapons in the war against Gaza, Wall Street Journal reported. Notably, the proposed weapons transfer would be among the largest to Israel since it invaded Gaza in response to Hamas terror attack. The Biden administration is weighing on supplying tank shells, mortars and vehicles in one of the largest transfers since the Gaza invasion, according to the Wall Street Journal. The US official said that the administration is considering more than USD 1 billion in new weapons deals for Israel, including tank ammunition, military vehicles and mortar rounds. The transfer would be in addition to those in a military aid deal currently before the Congress, Wall Street Journal reported. Moreover, amid escalating tensions and concerns over potential military actions in southern Gaza, the Biden administration on March 31 sanctioned the transfer of billions of dollars of bombs and fighter jets to Israel, The Washington Post reported. Despite apprehensions about the impact on Palestinian civilians, Washington has proceeded with the arms packages, signalling its unwavering support for Israel's defence strategies, the report added. Following the transfer, US State Department downplayed the authorisation of weapon requests to Israel, saying that many of the requests were made and approved by Congress years ago, The Times of Israel reported. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller faced questions regarding the recent approval of a significant arms transfer to Israel amidst escalating tensions in Gaza and opposition to potential military actions. Miller emphasised that many of these weapons requests have been previously approved by Congress and reaffirmed the long-standing commitment of USD 3 billion annually to Israel's security. He underscored the threats posed by Hezbollah, saying, "We're going to continue to support Israel's ability to defend itself against those sworn enemies." (ANI)
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri held a telephonic conversation with OPEC Secretary General, Haitham Al-Ghais on Friday and discussed the recent trends and volatility in the global oil markets and their implications for international energy stability. As one of the world's fastest-growing economies, India is committed to supporting efforts to achieve balance in global energy markets, said Hardeep Puri during the conversation, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said in a press release. The Union Minister also emphasized the importance of balancing market stability, affordability, with pragmatism. India and OPEC have a longstanding partnership. India is the second largest export destination for OPEC. India imported crude oil, LPG, LNG, and petroleum products from OPEC countries of worth around USD 120 billion in the financial year 2022-23. Last month, Puri said that the prices of cooking gas in India, after the latest round of reduction, are one of the lowest globally, and even lower than in most producing nations. He said that India did not put the burden of rising energy prices on its citizens when global prices of LPG skyrocketed, and instead followed a 'citizens first' approach. During the Covid period from June 2020 to June 2022, the international prices of LPG increased by around 300 per cent, according to the central government. However, to insulate consumers from fluctuations in international LPG prices, the cost increase was not fully passed on to consumers of domestic LPG. Accordingly, domestic LPG prices were raised by only 72 per cent during this period, leading to significant losses for the oil marketing companies. The Union Minister said that the Centre was able to keep oil prices from shooting up despite global turbulence amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict and drone attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea. 85 per cent of India's crude requirements are met by imports, with the price of crude in the international market being the benchmark, he added.(ANI)
Acting Consul General of Iran to Mumbai, Davoud Rezaei Eskandari, said that they do not recognise "an entity like Israel" as a country. Highlighting the ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, Rezaei Eskandari claimed that after Iran's victory in Iraq, they proposed a solution for the Palestinian cause. Further, he said that the Palestinian people, including Muslims, Jews and Christians, should have an election and whatever they decide, it should be it. "We don't recognise an entity like Israel to be a country. After the Islamic Republic of Iran's victory in Iraq, we have proposed a very reasonable solution for the Palestinian cause. It's very democratic and we have proposed a democratic solution that all those belonging to the Palestinian land--Muslims, even Jews and Christians, all those who are there and all those who have been forced to migrate come there, have an election and whatever they decide, that's that," Eskandari told ANI. "We believe that with such a decision, there wouldn't be any Israeli country," he added. The Iran-Iraq War was a war between Iran and Iraq that lasted from September 22, 1980, to August 20, 1988. The war began when Iraq, under dictator Saddam Hussein, invaded Iran under Ayatollah Khomeini to gain control of the Shatt al-Arab river, annexing the oil-rich Iranian province of Khuzestan, and permanently weakening the Iranian military. The war ended in a stalemate and a UN ceasefire with no side gaining any meaningful victory. Meanwhile, Israel launched missile strikes against Tehran during the early hours of Friday morning (local time), ABC News reported, citing a senior US official. However, the official could not confirm whether Syria and Iraq sites were hit as well. The report came shortly after local sources reported blasts in the Isfahan region in central Iran. The missile launches come after Iran launched an offensive on targets around Israel on Saturday last week, according to Israeli military authorities, in which the nation fired a barrage of over 300 unmanned drones and missiles. Noting the US sanctions on Iran following the attack, Eskandari said that these sanctions were started almost after Iran's victory, adding that these sanctions did not have the result and that because of these sanctions, Iran has been able to achieve great progress in different areas. "...This sanction is almost after the victory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, they started this sanction. And after also 45 years of this sanction...they are claiming that this sanction didn't have the result and outcomes that they were thinking about. And so because of this sanction, we have been able to make great progress in different areas...," he said. Highlighting India-Iran friendship, Eskandari said, "We are thankful to our friends for the Indo-Iranian Friendship Forum...there are lots of commonalities between Iran and India..." He further said that India's reputation of supporting the Palestinian people is an asset for New Delhi. "We believe India historically has had a very good reputation of being a neutral country. And when we are coming to the Palestinian... India has a very good reputation for supporting the people of Palestine. I think is an asset for India," he said. (ANI)
A man set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse on Friday, where former US President Donald Trump's first criminal trial is ongoing, The Hill reported, citing police. The incident took place at a park outside the courthouse, where protests of Trump's trial have been taking place this week. Ambulances arrived at the site where the man set himself on fire. Videos of the situation shared on social media platforms purportedly showed a person trying to put down the fire with a suit jacket, followed by another person with a fire extinguisher who put out the blaze, as reported by The Hill. A witness said they were standing next to the man when he poured a flammable liquid on himself, asked her to stand back, and then set himself on fire, as reported by The Hill citing PIX11 News. According to the witness, the man made statements of a political nature before setting himself on fire. It is not clear whether the incident is related to Trump's trial. Meanwhile, a full jury panel was chosen to hear the case. With 12 primary jurors and six alternates seated, the trial can move into opening remarks on Monday. The jury selection process took four days, The Hill reported. Several prospective jurors, who were ultimately excused, were tense about serving on the high-profile panel given the media attention it is expected to receive. Before moving on, Trump's counsels will discuss his possible trial testimony at a hearing in the afternoon, where the judge will make a decision on the topics that the prosecutors can cross-examine the former US President about if he takes the stand. The process is aimed at allowing Trump to make an informed decision about whether to testify, the report said. Trump is accused of falsifying business records related to a hush-money deal with an adult film actress made ahead of the 2016 election. He has pleaded not guilty in the matter. (ANI)
Apple has removed WhatsApp and Threads from its app store in China after the country's internet watchdog issued orders, citing national security concerns, CNN reported. An Apple spokesperson said that the Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from China. "We are obligated to follow the laws in the countries where we operate, even when we disagree," an Apple spokesperson said while speaking to CNN. "The Cyberspace Administration of China ordered the removal of these apps from the China storefront based on their national security concerns. These apps remain available for download on all other storefronts where they appear," the spokesperson added. These two apps, owned by Meta, were already blocked in China and not widely used. People in China could access these apps only by making use of virtual private networks (VPNs) that can encrypt internet traffic and disguise the user's online identity. Duncan Clark, chairman of Beijing-based investment advisory BDA China, said that the removal of the apps by Apple demonstrates a "further distancing between already separated tech universes" in China and beyond, according to the CNN report. He noted that the removal of these apps will cause inconvenience to consumers and businesses in China. "It will cause inconvenience to consumers and businesses (in China) who deal with family, friends, or customers overseas. Even if they use VPNs to access their existing WhatsApp apps, these over time will become obsolete and require updating," he said. Other popular Western social media applications, including Facebook, X, Instagram, and Messenger, were still available on Apple's China app store, CNN reported. Apple's announcement comes at a time when there has been a decline in iPhone sales in China. The sales of Apple phones decreased by 10 percent in the first quarter of this year, according to market research firm IDC, CNN reported. The tech giant has lost momentum in China amid a rough economy, nationalism, and increased competition. Meanwhile, Apple has been diversifying its supply chain and manufacturing base beyond China in recent years. Apple is planning to purchase more components from Vietnam, showcasing a trend among global tech firms to look beyond China for their supply chains, reducing costs, and opening up new markets. Apple CEO Tim Cook announced the decision in a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on April 16, Vietnam's government announced in a statement, CNN reported. Since 2019, Apple (AAPL) has already spent almost USD 16 billion through its supply chain in Vietnam, the Vietnamese government quoted Cook as saying, the report said. Furthermore, the tech giant has created more than 200,000 jobs in Vietnam, the statement added. Cook said Apple "stands ready ... to enhance cooperation and investment activities" in Vietnam, according to the statement. In recent years, fast-growing economies like India and Vietnam have emerged as alternative locations for manufacturers as ties between China and the West have been strained. (ANI)
 Flash

General Rajendra Chhetri, former Chief of Army Staff of Nepal, gives an interview with China.org.cn. on April 18, 2024 in Beijing. [Photo by Wu Xiaoshan/China.org.cn]

"Within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, I think one important project is the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network between China and Nepal," remarked General Rajendra Chhetri, former Chief of Army Staff of Nepal, emphasizing the project's potential to provide the landlocked country with access to the global arena.

In an exclusive interview with China.org.cn on Thursday, General Chhetri stressed the importance of further enhancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation between China and Nepal, particularly through infrastructure development.

In 2017, China and Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding on Belt and Road Initiative cooperation. More recently, a joint statement between the People's Republic of China and Nepal was signed last year, highlighting the commitment of both sides to advancing connectivity in various sectors such as ports, roads, railways, aviation and power grids. This collaborative effort aims to promote the construction of the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, delivering more tangible benefits to both nations.

General Chhetri also noted that establishing more transportation routes between China and Nepal could significantly enhance bilateral trade by reducing the time and processes required for Chinese goods to reach Nepal.

Tatopani-Zhangmu Port, located in China's Xizang autonomous region, is a first-class national land port for trade. After temporarily closing due to the Nepal earthquake in 2015, the port resumed two-way cargo transportation in May 2023.

Statistics indicate that in 2023, the import and export trade volume through Tatopani-Zhangmu Port reached 86,300 tons, valued at 1.767 billion yuan. During the first two months of this year, trade volume increased by 78% year-on-year, with trade value tripling.

China stands as Nepal's second-largest trading partner. Since last year, there has been a shift in the types of goods exported to Nepal, with a rise in high-value-added items being the most notable. For instance, while Rasuwagadhi-Kerung Port used to mainly export general merchandise, agricultural products, engineering materials and construction materials, there has been an increase in exports of new energy vehicles and large-scale machinery.

Improved infrastructure can also facilitate tourism between the two countries, General Chhetri emphasized. He said that enhanced transportation links would enable people from China and Nepal to explore the natural beauty and rich cultural heritages of both nations.
Joe Biden touches his uncle's name on the war memorial in Scranton, Pennsylvania - Alex Brandon/AP

Joe Bidens talent for embellishment is legendary.

The US presidents fondness for tall tales has seen him variously claim, then walk back, anecdotes about his house burning down and even being arrested while trying to visit an imprisoned Nelson Mandela.

But Mr Bidens propensity for exaggeration took on new heights this week when he implied his lieutenant uncle may have been eaten by cannibals in what is now Papua New Guinea during the Second World War.

He flew single-engine planes, reconnaissance flights over New Guinea, Mr Biden said of his maternal uncle, 2nd Lieutenant Ambrose J Finnegan.

He had volunteered because someone couldnt make it. He got shot down in an area where there were a lot of cannibals in New Guinea at the time.

They never recovered his body. But the government went back, when I went down there, and they checked and found some parts of the plane and the like.

In fact, official war records dispute all of Mr Bidens assertions about his uncles fate during the flight on May 14, 1944.

Lt Finnegan was not flying the plane, nor was it shot down.

Moreover, investigators found no evidence he emerged from the wreckage, let alone encountered cannibals or indeed any other inhabitants in the Pacific islands.

For unknown reasons this plane was forced to ditch in the ocean off the north coast of New Guinea, according to records held by the Pentagons Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) Accounting Agency.

A report on the missing A-20 Havoc was filed to the US war department on May 17, 1944, according to the National Archives, which collates historical US government documents.

It registers three crew and one passenger, identified as Lieutenant Finnegan, on board.

The aircraft departed Momote Airfield on Los Negros Island and was en route to Nadzab Airfield, New Guinea, the record states.

Both engines failed at low altitude, and the aircrafts nose hit the water hard.

Far from being on a reconnaissance mission, as Mr Biden suggested, his late uncle Lt Finnegan was on a courier flight.

There were two other fatalities: the pilot, 1st Lieutenant Harold R Prince; and technical Sergeant Ashford H Cardwell, who was the gunner on the flight.

All three men failed to emerge from the sinking wreck and were lost in the crash, the official record states. A fourth, an engineer, survived and was rescued by a passing barge.

An aerial search the next day found no trace of the missing aircraft or the lost crew members, the POW/MIA agency said.

Lt Finnegan, it added, has not been associated with any remains recovered and remains unaccounted for.

Ambrose Finnegan died flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1944

Mr Bidens version of how his late uncle met his end may have been inspired by the infamous tale of a Rockefeller heir who vanished in the same region.

Michael Rockefeller, the 23-year-old Harvard graduate and son of New York governor Nelson Rockefeller, vanished in western New Guinea in 1961 while on a trip to collect wooden carvings of the Asmat people for a museum.

His boat capsized on the way, and he was reported to have swum towards the shore.

His disappearance captivated the worlds media, and later led a researcher to claim in a book that Rockefeller made it to shore and was eaten during a ritual by the Asmat.

Andrew Bates, the White House deputy press secretary, said the president was proud of his uncles service in uniform, but did not address the discrepancy between his and the Pentagons version of events.

Mr Bidens press team are often asked to clarify some of the presidents anecdotes, such as when he claimed while meeting with hurricane victims that his Delaware home burnt down with my wife in it. In fact, contemporary news reports state the fire caused no injuries and was contained to one room.

A US air force A-20 Havoc, the type of aircraft flown by Lt Finnegan

Mr Biden also claimed multiple times during the 2020 campaign that he was arrested in South Africa for trying to see Mandela, who at the time was being held as a political prisoner on Robben Island, off the coast of Cape Town.

Following press scrutiny, Mr Biden amended his story to say he was stopped at the airport while traveling with a Congressional delegation, an account disputed by others on the trip.

Mr Bidens recall of facts was severely criticised by a special counsel investigation into his handling of classified documents in February, which characterised him as an elderly man with a poor memory.

The 81-year-old president was in his birthplace of Scranton as part of a three-day 2024 campaign tour in the critical state of Pennsylvania, and told supporters he had stopped by the citys war memorial during his visit.

I wanted to see where Uncle Bosie, Ambrose J Finnegan, where his name was etched, the president said.

He drew a contrast with Donald Trump, who was reported to have referred to slain US soldiers as suckers and losers during his first term, a claim he denied.

Mr Biden said: As I was doing that today, I was reminded of what my opponent said.

Suckers and losers. That man doesnt deserve to have been the commander-in-chief for my son, my uncle.

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The US risks losing its military presence in another African country as the government of Chad sent a letter threatening to end a critical security agreement, according to four US sources, a move that threatens to cede more US influence in the region to Russia.

In a letter sent to the US defense attache last week, Chadian officials threatened to cancel the Status of Forces Agreement, or SOFA, which determines the rules and conditions under which US military personnel can operate in the country. While the letter did not directly order the US military to leave Chad, the officials told CNN that it said all US forces would have to leave the French base in NDjamena.

The letter specifically mentioned the US Special Operations Task Force (SOTF) at the base, an important hub for US Special Operations Forces in the region, two of the sources said. But the task force is not the only contingent of US military personnel at the base, as all US service members in Chad are located in NDjamena.

Instead, the letter was from the Chief of Air Staff of Chad, Idriss Amine, the intelligence sources said, an unusual way to transfer such a significant message. The letter was typed in French, one of Chads official languages, and written on Amines official letterhead.

The letter was not sent through official diplomatic channels, according to one of the officials, which is the standard way to handle these issues. The two sources cautioned that letter could be a negotiation tactic by the government of Chad to get a new agreement that better favors their interests.

The exact number of US troops in the country is not clear but one US official said there are fewer than 100 troops there.

CNN has asked Chads government for comment.

The move comes just a month after the military government of neighboring Niger ended its agreement with the US military that allowed American personnel to operate in the country.

One of the sources told CNN that the leadership in Chad is following the example set by Niger, attempting to use an opportunity to extract more concessions from the US. But the official said Chads threat to terminate the SOFA agreement blindsided US officials.

The move comes at a critical time for US interests in Africa, as American officials have warned that Russian influence is expanding across the continent.

In Niger, a senior airman filed a formal whistleblower complaint, warning that the US ambassador to Niger and the defense attache had intentionally suppressed intelligence in an attempt to maintain a facade of a great country-to-country relationship.

The complaint alleges that the approximately 1,100 US troops in Niger are being held hostage since no new troops can come in to replace those currently deployed. It is clear that the country of Niger does not want a permanent military presence in their country and they have informed us that we need to leave, the airman wrote.

The Washington Post first reported on the whistleblower complaint.

In a statement to CNN, Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, head of US Africa Command, said some diplomatic clearances for military flights have recently been denied or not responded to, which has forced extended deployments in some cases.

US Africa Command senior leaders continue to work closely with the State Department and others to ensure US forces deployed to Niger have the support and services they need, Langley said. A US military official said AFRICOM remains committed to conducting intelligence activities, and that the Defense Department and AFRICOM are informed daily of the situation on the ground in Niger.

CNN has reached out to the State Department for comment.

The complaint comes as the Nigerien state broadcaster announced one week ago that Russia had delivered military equipment, including the latest generation of air defense systems, to Niger.

Langley, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in March that Russia is trying to take over central Africa as well as the Sahel at an accelerated pace.

(A) number of countries are at the tipping point of actually being captured by the Russian Federation as they are spreading some of their false narratives across Libya and from a strategic answer piece, access and influence across the whole Maghreb, Langley said. That is NATOs southern flank. We need to be able to have  maintain access and influence across the Mahgreb, from Morocco all the way to Libya.

In a separate hearing with the House Armed Services Committee last month, Langley said Central African countries were in a dilemma, needing developmental assistance from countries like Russia and China but balancing those needs against risks to national sovereignty.

In this region, the stakes are high, Langley said.

Langley visited Chad in January this year alongside AFRICOMs senior enlisted advisor, Sgt. Maj. Michael Woods. While in the country, Langley met with Chadian military leaders including Gen. Abakar Abdelkerim Daoud, Chads Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, according to an AFRICOM press release at the time.

Langley said in the release that AFRICOM remains dedicated to building enduring partnerships with Chad and other African nations.

This story has been updated with additional reporting.

CNNs Jake Tapper contributed reporting.

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SACRAMENTO, California  Hundreds of city leaders are visiting California's capital on Friday to bring their common concerns to state lawmakers. But down south, their ranks are splintering.

At least five conservative-leaning city councils in Southern California have voted in recent months to leave the League of California Cities, parting ways with a powerful municipal lobbying arm in Sacramento over policy disputes.

The protest is a small revolt in a 126-year-old organization that boasts more than 470 members, but reflects an increasingly polarized political environment  one where even local governments, which have typically been united over less sensitive issues, are now divided.

Since last month, the Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Orange and Yorba Linda city councils have all voted to leave CalCities, criticizing the group for siding with state Democrats in trying to undercut a tax reform push by business groups and for supporting Gov. Gavin Newsoms mental health and homelessness measure, Prop 1.



Im certainly disappointed, said Carolyn Coleman, executive director and CEO of CalCities. At the end of the day, I believe that we are stronger  and I also believe their cities have the opportunity to be stronger  by us working together.

For decades, the league has served as a way to consolidate the power of cities and fight for their interests in Sacramento. Its a particular benefit to smaller cities, which unlike Los Angeles or San Francisco, dont have the resources to lobby alone in the capital.

"I do think that opting out, in some ways, diminishes your clout," San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said. "You're better off advocating and organizing from within to sort of shape the positions that organization takes, because we have a lot in common as cities."

But a growing number of cities, many in Orange County, are giving up their membership in protest, saying the group no longer represents their interests or advocates for them.

Yorba Linda, along with Orange, had already paid its membership dues for the year, CalCities said, but Mayor Pro Tem Beth Haney, who led the departure, said the council no longer considers itself part of the league.

"It is sending a message  along with the other cities that are disappointed," she said.

Similar complaints came out of Santa Clarita, Redondo Beach and Torrance last year. The cities left the organization after complaining that the group had failed to support local control measures around land use. Redondo Beach and Torrance later rejoined.

Coleman said CalCities has a process to develop policies that is extremely inclusive  starting with committees focused on specific topics that make recommendations to the board.

"Not everyone, all the time, will get every single issue or position that they would want if they were individuals, she said.

Some conservative council members, like Erik Weigand in Newport Beach, voted to stay in the league, arguing some representation is better than none at all. But in an interview, Weigand said he shares his colleagues concerns and hopes the departure is a wakeup call.

"Maybe it will make the league pay attention, and make the league recognize that cities are frustrated that they're not listening to them, he said.

There are other avenues for representation for those looking for alternatives  including the Association of California Cities - Orange County  but they dont have the same reach as CalCities, Weigand noted.

Coleman, the head of the league, said they are still engaging with the recently-departed members and hope to bring them back in the future.

But for those like Haney, they dont see a path to reconciliation at this time.

"Next year, it's highly likely that we will not rejoin," she said.

Julia Marsh contributed to this report.

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NORTON  Its been nearly 10 months since families from Haiti first settled into the Extended Stay America hotel on South Washington Street in Norton, as part of the states Emergency Assistance shelter program.

Since then, some members of those families have become part of a religious congregation a mile away in Taunton  to the extent that two adults were recently baptized, according to Pastor Moise Jecrois.

They get saved, and the next step is they get baptized, is how Jecrois recounted the religious process by which he performed the two baptisms.

Jecrois, 64, says hes been renting sanctuary space for nearly 13 years in the North Taunton Baptist Church on Bay Street, as per his duties as spiritual leader of the Haitian Primitive Church of Taunton.

The Haitian Primitive Church of Taunton rents sanctuary space for its members inside North Taunton Baptist Church. Seen here on Friday, April 12, 2024, from left, are Pastor Moise Jecrois, Baptist Pastor John Coppinger, Etzer Julien, a deacon of the Haitian church, and Haitian church bible study teacher Fritz Augustin.

Why did Taunton sue Clarion hotel? Taunton sues hotel state's using as emergency shelter. Here's why

His church, which is based on an early and what adherents consider to be a purer form of Christianity, holds Sunday religious worship services and a Friday bible study in the Baptist church building.

Jecrois, who emigrated from Haiti 38 years ago and has lived with his family in Taunton for 20 years, has gradually become acquainted with the Haitians residing in the Norton extended stay hotel.

He says as many as eight Haitian nationals from the hotel have recently been regularly attending his Sunday church service.

But hes also become familiar with Haitian nationals living in the Extended Stay America by helping their families with weekly food supplies.

With the assistance of the John Coppinger, pastor of North Taunton Baptist Church, Jecrois says hes been delivering food packages each Friday to Haitian families staying at the hotel.

And while Coppinger says that nearly all the families at the hotel are Haitian immigrants, he says the one or two non-immigrant homeless families staying there are also welcome to partake of the Friday food deliveries.

The Baptist church, which gets its food allotment from the Greater Boston Food Bank, is known as the largest food pantry operating in the city, providing as many as 500 carry-out food bundles each Saturday.

A number of those recipients are Haitian nationals living in the Brockton area, Coppinger said.

4 Taunton employees topped $300K Here are the top 10 highest paid in 2023

Seen here on Friday, April 12, 2024, parked next to the North Taunton Baptist Church is a van belonging to the Haitian Primitive Church of Taunton that's used for food deliveries.

How long has Norton hotel been shelter?

The Norton hotel has recently been providing housing to 22 migrant and homeless families, according to Kevin Connor, press secretary for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

Connor said the families began moving in last July. This came after they qualified for the states Emergency Assistance program and after the owners of the Norton hotel signed a one-year contract with the state to provide emergency assistance housing.

Connor said the contract with the commonwealth provides up to 26 rooms to shelter families through the end of June 2024 and that theres also an option for both parties to renew the emergency housing lease agreement.

He says eligibility for the states Emergency Assistance shelter program requires one of the following conditions: At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen; at least one noncitizen family member must be lawfully admitted for permanent residence; or a family member is "permanently residing under color of law (PRUCOL).

PRUCOL, Connor said, means that the household must be living in the U.S. with the knowledge of the Department of Homeland Security, and whose departure DHS does not contemplate enforcing.

The Extended Stay America hotel in Norton, seen here on Friday, April 12, 2024, has been housing nearly two dozen families in cooperation with the state's Emergency Assistance shelter program.

Impact on schools? Raynham hotel will be shelter for homeless and migrants

2 other local hotels operate as emergency shelters

Nortons Extended Stay America, which sits adjacent to Interstate 495 and the Norton Commerce Center industrial park, has more than 100 rooms and is still accommodating hotel guests traveling through the area.

That, however, is not the case with either Tauntons Clarion Hotel and Conference Center  located within walking distance of the Norton hotel just inside Myles Standish Industrial Park  or Raynhams Home2 Suites by Hilton in Raynham Woods Commerce Center.

Both of those hotels are now reserved solely for families that have been placed there as part of the states Emergency Assistance temporary housing program.

The Clarion, which has a Taunton police detail officer on duty at all times, has become something of a flashpoint when it comes to hotels being used for homeless and migrant families at the expense of paying guests.

The city of Taunton has sued the hotel for nonpayment of daily fines covering a four-month period in 2023 when the Clarion allegedly violated occupancy limits.

Mayor Shaunna OConnell has said that while the hotel agreed to operate as an emergency shelter for as long as nine years, it failed to give the city any prior notice of its plans.

Donated food supplies, including jasmine rice and peanut butter, are seen here on Friday, April 12, 2024, stored inside the North Taunton Baptist Church.

How much is state paying Taunton hotel? Contract reveals exactly how much state's paying Taunton hotel to house migrants, homeless

Hotels as compared to traditional shelters

Connor said each room in the Norton hotel has a kitchenette.

Unlike some other state-funded hotels and motels that have contracted to temporarily house homeless and migrant families, the nearly two dozen families in Nortons Extended Stay America are responsible for purchasing their own food, he said.

But he also notes that many residents in the Emergency Assistance program also qualify for the SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) and the Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children cash benefit programs.

Connor wasnt able to provide exact numbers of Haitian or other foreign-born migrant families versus non-migrant homeless families now residing in the Norton hotel.

But recent figures from the Emergency Assistance program state that more than half of the roughly 7,500 families now enrolled in the EA program across the commonwealth are living in hotels and motels as opposed to traditional shelter facilities.

What's 'humanitarian parole'? Haitian brothers find hope in Brockton thanks to 'humanitarian parole'  What's that?

Should there be time limit on shelter stays?

There currently is no limit on the length of time that migrants, asylum seekers and homeless families can be housed in hotels, motels and traditional shelters.

Both chambers of the Massachusetts legislature want to limit the length of stay to nine months, but they differ when it comes to whether a 90-day extension should be granted more than once.

Massachusetts is the only state with a so-called right to shelter law on the books. It was signed into law in 1983 by Gov. Michael Dukakis.

Turmoil in Haiti fueling more migration

Jecrois said hes not surprised that more Haitians are trying to get to the United States to escape ongoing, criminal gang violence  including murders and rapes  in and around the capital of Port-au-Prince.

The country recently formed a transitional council to choose a new prime minister in order to replace the incumbent Ariel Henry.

I hope the politicians (in Haiti) get a conscience, Jecrois said, adding that the United States has always been a welcoming country.

Fritz Augustin, who was also born in Haiti, is in charge of Fridays bible study as well as a Sunday school class for adults.

Haiti, Augustin said, is turning into a gang territory. Its kind of embarrassing for us.

Taunton home to 2 Haitian churches

In addition to the Haitian Primitive Church of Taunton, the city is also home to the Taunton Haitian Seventh Day Adventist downtown at 24 Main St.

Fewer police calls at Norton hotel since becoming shelter

Norton Police Deputy Chief Todd Jackson said his department responded to 88 calls for service at the Extended Stay America for the 12-month period of April 1, 2023 to April 1, 2024.

He said there were 116 calls for service during the preceding 12-month period.

We used to have more criminal activity at the hotel, Jackson said.

He said as of this past April 1 there was one arrest of a migrant male adult on a domestic abuse complaint.

Other routine calls for service at the hotel, Jackson said, include unwanted guests, suspicious activity, disturbances and assisting medical personnel with difficult patients.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Haitian migrants staying at Norton hotel embraced by Taunton church
Here's why work is being done at this busy Peoria intersection

Cars pass by construction on natural gas lines at a property owned by Ameren Illinois on North University Street Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Ameren will be upgrading their natural gas infrastructure in North Peoria into the summer months.

Ameren Illinois will be upgrading a series of natural gas lines in North Peoria in the lead-up to a major hydrostatic pressure test this summer.

The company said in a statement that it had begun work this week along a seven-mile portion of an existing natural gas pipeline between the intersection of North University Street and West Willow Knolls Drive and East Boy Scout Road in Mossville.

Among the upgrades is the installation of a new gas regulator station at Ameren's operating center along University, in addition to other improvements to the regulators. Fitting replacements will be in the works at University and Pioneer Parkway.

More: Portion of this longtime Peoria shopping center is going up for auction

At Mount Hawley Airport, Ameren also plans to reroute the line along with installing new valves. Replacements for existing valves at the intersection of Illinois 40 and West Ravinwoods Road are also scheduled.

The company hopes to have the upgrades complete by mid-May before inspecting the seven-mile portion of natural gas line. All of this leads up to the hydrostatic pressure test, currently scheduled for August, which will examine how structurally strong the new and upgraded lines are.

Ameren is working with the city of Peoria and the Illinois Department of Transportation to help control traffic in the affected areas. At a site owned by Ameren at the intersection of University and Willow Knolls where work was continuing this week, traffic in the northbound lane along University had been limited to one lane in some areas.

Ameren's director of gas operations, Andrea Parker, said that the project will help to continue the company's commitment to providing safe, reliable natural gas to customers in Peoria.

"These proactive steps will ensure the continued safe, reliable delivery of natural gas today while preparing us to meet the future needs of our natural gas customers," Parker said. "Many customers think of Ameren Illinois as an electric company, but we also provide safe reliable natural gas service to Peoria. We have full-time natural gas professionals who live and work in the Peoria area who maintain the system; respond to gas leaks free of charge, 24/7, install new services, and perform construction projects."

For motorists who will be dealing with the construction over the next month, Karen Boulanger, Ameren's director of safety, said that people should pay attention to signs and slow down to ensure safe passage through the areas.

More: Peoria woman sentenced for 2022 shooting death of 21-year-old woman

"We need everyone's help when it comes to work zone safety in these neighborhoods and on every route where workers are present," Boulanger said. "The signs and cones create their protected work area. Please slow down as you drive on these local streets and pay attention. Our co-workers want to return home safely at the end of the day."

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Work being done at busy intersection in Peoria
PR campaign to RI drivers: Come back over the Washington Bridge, and bring your money with you

PROVIDENCE  Stay tuned for a $400,000 TV, radio, billboard and social media campaign to try to persuade Rhode Islanders to forget what they think they know about "The Bridge" and come back to Providence, East Providence and the East Bay with their money.

The theater! The Philharmonic! The shops! The dentist office! Their own offices for work! Miller's Famous Sandwiches at the intersection of Warren and Pawtucket Avenues in East Providence and every other restaurant reporting losses from the bridge closure and the spillover of backed-up traffic onto city streets.

While Gov. Dan McKee, who lives in Cumberland, still publicly questions the validity of accounts of extra-long commutes, he told reporters earlier this week that crashes are up "three times" over what they were previously on the open span of the Washington Bridge over the Seekonk River.

His administration recently contracted for two new messaging campaigns to try to change public perception and consumer behavior:

One, assigned by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to the Providence-based RDW Group, is aimed at reminding Rhode Islanders who are bridge-shy of what the hardest hit cities and towns have to offer.

The other was awarded by the Department of Transportation to DLL Advertising in East Providence for media buys. The goal of this public-relations campaign: to urge drivers traveling in both directions over the six narrow traffic lanes on the open eastbound side of the bridge to "stay in their lanes."

"Especially in this driver awareness month that we're in right now, we need to make sure that we keep people safe, keep people off their phones and keep people in the lanes," McKee told a media gaggle earlier this week.

Traffic on the eastbound span of the Washington Bridge rolls toward East Providence in late January. At right is the East Bay Bike Path span.

Why it matters

Businesses on both sides of the bridge have told legislators  and media outlets  that their sales took a major hit in the first week of the bridge disaster as traffic jams descended into chaos.

Things have stabilized, but it appears people on either side of the bridge are less willing to travel to the other side, and there is no immediate end in sight with the teardown and rebuild expected to take at least two years.

At Miller's Famous Sandwiches (628 Warren Ave.), business is consistently down 20% to 22%, co-owner Gwen Graham told The Journal in March.

Roger and Gwen Graham are third-generation owners of Miller's Famous Sandwiches. Here they are in the East Providence restaurant, which opened in 1972. The couple opened a second location in Attleboro, Mass., in 2010.

Businesses recently told lawmakers they want grants, not loans to add to their debt. The McKee administration has asked the lawmakers, in turn, to redirect $300,000 in leftover federal relief dollars to direct grants for eligible small businesses.

Do businesses think the PR push will make a difference?

Asher Schofield, the proprietor of the eclectic Frog & Toad in Providence's Hope and West End neighborhoods, told the Journal the "crisis calls for some creative problem-solving."

The immediate need for a lot of the affected businesses "might [be] a little bit more in the way of some grant money to help them get through. And I know that there are plans for that from the administration, which is heartening. But I think that taking a holistic, creative problem-solving approach is important."

Jessica Leach, owner of Opt Eyewear Boutique in Wayland Square, is not convinced an ad campaign will make a difference.

She took part in the recent filming of one of these public-service announcements, along with fellow Wayland Square shop owners, but when asked if she expected it to be helpful, she told The Journal: "No."

"We don't need the help reminding people that we're there," she said. "We need help with things like labor costs or the unpredictability of the traffic patterns of the way that the customers come in."

"There are specific things we need. I don't think spending the money on public-service announcements is necessarily the best way to do things," she said, while lamenting her dashed hopes of bringing an international eyewear conference to Providence.

"I can't bring a two- or three-day international trade show to Providence right now because people that could commute from the Cape and from Southeastern Massachusetts aren't going to come."

McKee acknowledges uptick in crashes on the bridge

"Our accidents are up almost three times," the governor told reporters earlier this week. "We were averaging about an accident a day..." Now? "We're averaging about three accidents a day."

Going deeper on the PR campaign

RDW is a standby for state public-relations contracts, reaping $1.5 million in state contract money so far this year and $3.5 million last year. Commerce spokesman Matthew Touchette says the new $400,000 push will be covered by the firm's contract of up to $4 million.

The goal? "To support those businesses most impacted by the Washington Bridge reconstruction" in Providence, East Providence, "even in the East Bay sections of Bristol and Warren," he said.

"I think the overall marketing campaign is to remind people not to abandon those businesses that rely on Rhode Islanders; those dentist offices that are seeing canceled appointments," Touchette said. "Gyms, restaurants."

He said it appears some people "are under the impression that the traffic is still like it was the day after the westbound lanes closed ... [where] it's going to take you three hours" to get from here to there, when that is no longer the case.

The theme: "I think the bottom line is we're all in this together."

'Stay in your lane'

The DOT, meanwhile, has contracted with DLL Advertising in East Providence for $69,898 worth of media buys for radio, digital and display ads between April 15 and May 31.

The campaign name  "RIDOT_195_3Lane"  reflects the addition of a third lane on each side of the two-way traffic crammed onto the eastbound span of the bridge.

The radio script for the 30-second version that began airing late last week:

"By Monday, April 22, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation will open two additional lanes on the eastbound side of the I-195 over the Washington Bridge. All trucks must use only the right lane.

"Please drive safely, stay in your lane and obey the speed limit."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Media campaign hopes to get RIers driving over the Washington Bridge again
State Sen. John Wiik, R-Big Stone City, listens to testimony during an appropriations committee hearing in Pierre.

South Dakota state Sen. John Wiik likes to think of himself as a lookout of sorts  keeping an eye on new laws, programs and ideas brewing across the states.

I dont bring a ton of legislation, said Wiik, a Republican. The main thing I like to do is try and stay ahead of trends and try and prevent bad things from coming into our state.

This session, that meant sponsoring successful legislation banning cities or counties from creating basic income programs, which provide direct, regular cash payments to low-income residents to help alleviate poverty.

While Wiik isnt aware of any local governments publicly floating the idea in South Dakota, he describes such programs as bureaucrats trying to hand out checks to make sure that your party registration matches whoever signed the checks for the rest of your life.

The economic gut punch of the pandemic and related assistance efforts such as the expanded child tax credit popularized the idea of directly handing cash to people in need. Advocates say the programs can be administered more efficiently than traditional government assistance programs, and research suggests they increase not only financial stability but also mental and physical health.

Still, Wiik and other Republicans argue handing out no-strings-attached cash disincentivizes work  and having fewer workers available is especially worrisome in a state with the nations second-lowest unemployment rate.

South Dakota is among at least six states where GOP officials have looked to ban basic income programs.

The basic income concept has been around for decades, but a 2019 experiment in Stockton, California, set off a major expansion. There, 125 individuals received $500 per month with no strings attached for two years. Independent researchers found the program improved financial stability and health, but concluded that the pandemic dampened those effects.

GOP lawmakers like Wiik fear that even experimental programs could set a dangerous precedent.

What did Ronald Reagan say, The closest thing to eternal life on this planet is a government program? Wiik said. So, if you get people addicted to just getting a check from the government, its going to be really hard to take that away.

The debate over basic income programs is likely to intensify as blue state lawmakers seek to expand pilot programs. Minnesota, for example, could become the nations first to fund a statewide program. But elected officials in red states are working to thwart such efforts  not only by fighting statewide efforts but also by preventing local communities from starting their own basic income programs.

Democratic governors in Arizona and Wisconsin recently vetoed Republican legislation banning basic income programs.

Last week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Harris County to block a pilot program that would provide $500 per month to 1,900 low-income people in the states largest county, home to Houston.

Paxton, a Republican, argued the program is illegal because it violates a state constitutional provision that says local governments cannot grant public money to individuals.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee, a Democrat, called Paxtons move nothing more than an attack on local government and an attempt to make headlines.

Meanwhile, several blue states are pushing to expand these programs.

Washington state lawmakers debated a statewide basic income bill during this years short session. And Minnesota lawmakers are debating whether to spend $100 million to roll out one of the nations first statewide pilot programs.

Were definitely seeing that shift from pilot to policy, said Sukhi Samra, the director of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, which formed after the Stockton experiment.

So far, that organization has helped launch about 60 pilot programs across the country that will provide $250 million in unconditional aid, she said.

Despite pushback in some states, Samra said recent polling commissioned by the group shows broad support of basic income programs. And the programs have shown success in supplementing  not replacing  social safety net programs, she said.

The extra cash gives recipients freedom of choice. People can fix a flat tire, cover school supplies or celebrate a childs birthday for the first time.

Theres no social safety net program that allows you to do that. she said.   This is an effective policy that helps our families, and this can radically change the way that we address poverty in this country.

Basic income experiments

The proliferation of basic income projects has been closely studied by researchers.

Though many feared that free cash would dissuade people from working, that hasnt been the case, said Sara Kimberlin, the executive director and senior research scholar at Stanford Universitys Center on Poverty and Inequality.

Stanfords Basic Income Lab has tracked more than 150 basic income pilots across the country. Generally, those offer $500 or $1,000 per month over a short period.

There isnt anywhere in the United States where you can live off of $500 a month, she said. At the same time, $500 a month really makes a tremendous difference for someone who is living really close to the edge.

Kimberlin said the research on basic income programs has so far been promising, though its unclear how long the benefits may persist once programs conclude. Still, she said, plenty of research shows how critical economic stability in childhood is to stability in adulthood  something both the basic income programs and the pandemic-era child tax credit can address.

Over the past five years, basic income experiments have varied across the country.

Last year, California launched the nations first state-funded pilot programs targeting former foster youth.

In Colorado, the Denver Basic Income Project aimed to help homeless individuals. After early successes, the Denver City Council awarded funding late last year to extend that program, which provides up to $1,000 per month to hundreds of participants.

A 2021 pilot launched in Cambridge, Massachusetts, provided $500 a month over 18 months to 130 single caregivers. Research from the University of Pennsylvania found the Cambridge program increased employment, the ability to cover a $400 emergency expense, and food and housing security among participants.

Children in participating families were more likely to enroll in Advanced Placement courses, earned higher grades and had reduced absenteeism.

It was really reaffirming to hear that when families are not stressed out, they are able to actually do much better, said Geeta Pradhan, president of the Cambridge Community Foundation, which worked on the project.

Pradhan said basic income programs are part of a national trend in trust-based philanthropy, which empowers individuals rather than imposing top-down solutions to fight poverty.

There is something that I think it does to peoples sense of empowerment, a sense of agency, the freedom that you feel, she said. I think that theres some very important aspects of humanity that are built into these programs.

While the pilot concluded, the Cambridge City Council committed $22 million in federal pandemic aid toward a second round of funding. Now, nearly 2,000 families earning at or below 250% of the federal poverty level are receiving $500 monthly payments, said Sumbul Siddiqui, a city council member.

Siddiqui, a Democrat, pushed for the original pilot when she was mayor during the pandemic. While she said the program has proven successful, its unclear whether the city can find a sustainable source of funding to keep it going long term.

States look to expand pilots

Tomas Vargas Jr. was among the 125 people who benefited from the Stockton, California, basic income program that launched in 2019.

At the time, he heard plenty of criticism from people who said beneficiaries would blow their funds on drugs and alcohol or quit their jobs.

Off of $500 a month, which amazed me, said Vargas, who worked part time at UPS.

But he said the cash gave him breathing room. He had felt stuck at his job, but the extra money gave him the freedom to take time off to interview for better jobs.

Unlike other social service programs like food stamps, he didnt have to worry about losing out if his income went up incrementally. The cash allowed him to be a better father, he said, as well as improved his confidence and mental health.

The experience prompted him to get into the nonprofit sector. Financially stable, he now works at Mayors for a Guaranteed Income.

The person I was five years ago is not the person that I am now, he said.

Washington state Sen. Claire Wilson, a Democrat, said basic income is a proactive way to disrupt the status quo maintained by other anti-poverty efforts.

I have a belief that our systems in our country have never been put in place to get people out of them, she said. They kept people right where they are.

Wilson chairs the Human Services Committee, which considered a basic income bill this session that would have created a pilot program to offer 7,500 people a monthly amount equivalent to the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in their area.

The basic income bill didnt progress during Washingtons short legislative session this year, but Wilson said lawmakers would reconsider the idea next year. While she champions the concept, she said theres a lot of work to be done convincing skeptics.

In Minnesota, where lawmakers are considering a $100 million statewide basic income pilot program, some Republicans balked at the concept of free cash and its cost to taxpayers.

Just the cost alone should be a concern, Republican state Rep. Jon Koznick said during a committee meeting this month.

State Rep. Athena Hollins, a Democrat who sponsored the legislation, acknowledged the hefty request, but said backers would support a scaled-down version and thought it was really important to get this conversation started.

Much of the conversation in committee centered on local programs in cities such as Minneapolis and St. Paul. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, a Democrat, told lawmakers the citys 2020 pilot saw groundbreaking results.

After scraping by for years, some families were able to put money into savings for the first time, he said. Families experienced less anxiety and depression. And the pilot disproved the disparaging tropes from critics about people living in poverty, the mayor said.

Carter told lawmakers that the complex issue of economic insecurity demands statewide solutions.

I am well aware that the policy were proposing today is a departure from what were all used to, he said. In fact, thats one of my favorite things about it.

This story was originally published by Stateline. Like South Dakota Searchlight, its 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.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: SD fights growing efforts to give basic income cash to residents
An Iranian ship suspected of providing intelligence to the Houthis is sailing home.

The MV Behshad spent several months near Yemen as the Houthis launched attacks.

Shipping data shows its back near Iran as Tehran braces for a potential Israeli retaliation.

An Iranian cargo ship that is suspected of having provided targeting information and intelligence to the Houthis for their Red Sea attacks appears to have sailed home this week.

The MV Behshad's return to Iran comes as the country braces for possible Israeli retaliation over Tehran's unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel last weekend.

The vessel has been at sea for nearly three years and spent several months earlier this year lingering near Yemen. But on Wednesday, it was seen sailing in the Gulf of Oman off Iran's coast, and it crossed the strategic Straight of Hormuz early on Thursday, according to ship tracking data reviewed by Business Insider.

The Behshad's destination is listed as the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas on MarineTraffic.com, and the latest tracking data from Thursday afternoon local time shows that the vessel is in the general vicinity of the city.

Though it left its position near Yemen earlier this month, the Behshad did not broadcast its location until a few days ago, when it appeared on ship tracking sites off the coast of Iran, according to Bloomberg, which first reported on the vessel's movement.

In this handout photo provided by the Houthi media center, fighters participate in a military exercise on March 17, 2024, in Sana'a, Yemen. Photo by Houthi Movement via Getty Images

While it was lingering around waters near the coast of Yemen, the Behshad is suspected of having provided intelligence to the Houthis that allowed them to locate and target commercial vessels in key international shipping lanes, NBC News reported. The Iranian vessel was also reportedly the target of a US cyberattack in early February.

The Houthis, which are supported and armed by Iran, have been firing missiles and drones at vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden for months. US Navy warships operating in the region have intercepted many of these threats, although some of the munitions have managed to hit commercial vessels in transit.

Iranian officials have denied any involvement in the Houthis' campaign.

The Behshad's relocation to waters closer to home provides a certain degree of safety to the suspected intelligence asset, which might otherwise be a target of Israeli retaliation. An attack on a ship of this kind would not be a first for Israel. Back in 2021, its forces used a mine to strike an Iranian military vessel in the Red Sea.

The redeployment comes just days after Israeli officials vowed to retaliate for Iran's attack last weekend.

This undated photograph released by the US military's Central Command shows what it is described as a vessel that carried Iranian-made missile components bound for the Houthis in the Arabian Sea. US Central Command via AP

Tehran and its proxies launched more than 300 missiles and drones at Israel, nearly all of which were shot down by the country and partner forces in the region, including the US military. The massive barrage came days after an Israeli airstrike in Syria that killed several high-ranking Iranian military officials.

Israel's Western partners have called for the country to show restraint in its response to Iran, warning that any retaliation risks an all-out military confrontation with Tehran and could plunge the Middle East even further into violence.

"We have to ask Israel for a restrained answer to the Iranians' attack. We cannot escalate," the European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said on Thursday. "We cannot go step by step, answering every time higher to a regional war."

"I do not want to exaggerate," he said, "but we are on the edge of a regional war in the Middle East, which will be sending shockwaves to the rest of the world, and in particular to Europe."

Iranian officials have said that Tehran will respond to any retaliation.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Upstate judges were elected by the South Carolina legislature this week; what to know

Some new and familiar faces will take the bench in Upstate courtrooms as the South Carolina General Assembly elected new judges this week.

Two judge positions each in the judicial circuits covering Greenville and Spartanburg counties, as well as one in Anderson, were filled Wednesday, April 17.

South Carolina is one of two states, along with Virginia, that uses its legislature to choose judges. That process is done through the Judicial Merit Selection Commission, which could see changes if a Senate bill pending in the House passes this legislative session. The last day of session is May 9.

Circuit and appellate judges appointed by the commission serve six-year terms, while Supreme Court appointees serve 10-year terms before re-appearing before the commission. After being screened by the commission, currently up to three judicial candidates for one position are sent to be voted on by the House and Senate.

Spartanburg County courthouse

However, the bill aims to slash the length of time members sit on the commission. If passed, it would establish non-successive terms for commission members, many of whom are both legislators and lawyers.

In theory, this would limit judges from repeatedly appearing before the same lawyer-legislators on the commission, the Greenville News previously reported. However, some Upstate attorneys said the bill would be only a minor change to an acceptable system.

Exhaustive lists of judges across the state can be found on the South Carolina Judicial Branchs website.

More: SC Senate passes judicial reform bill, Upstate lawyers say its a 'tweak' to fine system

Upstate Circuit Court judges

The 13th Judicial Circuit added two newcomers as circuit court judges. Jessica Ann Salvini arrives by way of Family Court and Vernon F. Dunbar currently practices at the firm of McAngus Goudelock & Courie, LLC, according to information on the South Carolina Bar website.

The 7th judicial circuit, which covers Spartanburg and Cherokee Counties, filled two seats with one familiar face, and one familiar name. Judge Grace Gilchrist Knie was re-elected to fill the seat previously occupied by Roger Couch, which she has held since 2017. Meanwhile J. Derham Cole, Jr., will fill the seat occupied by his father, longtime 7th circuit judge J. Derham Cole, Sr.

Cole Jr. told the Greenville News Thursday afternoon that the exact date of his fathers retirement is up in the air but will occur before the end of the calendar year.

Derham Cole, Jr. has been named the interim chancellor at USC-Upstate. Cole chats with staff and board members during a reception at the college in Spartanburg, Wednesday morning, Feb. 19, 2020. [TIM KIMZEY/Spartanburg Herald-Journal]

The 10th Judicial Circuit, which covers Anderson and Oconee Counties, re-elected R. Scott Sprouse, who resides in Walhalla and has served since 2014 after succeeding Alexander Mcaulay. William C. McMaster, III, of Greenville, was elected to an at-large seat. McMaster is a deputy solicitor with 13th judicial circuit solicitor Walt Wilkins office.

Court of Appeals

Of the two appellate judges elected this time around, one, Matthew Price Turner, of Laurens, was from the Upstate.

Family Court

Pete G. Diamaduros, of Spartanburg, was elected as a Family Court judge for the 7th judicial circuit. David J. Brousseau, of Anderson, was elected to the same position in the 10th judicial circuit.

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: Here are the Upstate judges elected by the SC legislature this week
TOKYO, Apr 19 (News On Japan) - As the new school year begins in Japan, some parents and children are confused by school rules specifying the color of underwear. Experts point out that checking underwear could potentially constitute a sexual offense.

In this edition of #Everyone's Questions, the topic "Underwear Color... Disturbing 'School Rules'" will be addressed with two main points:

- Why is "underwear color" in school rules?

- How to rectify "black school rules" that still exist?

Takahiro Ono, a commentator from Nippon TV, said, "Many children and grandchildren stepped into school life this April, and it seems there are parents and children who are puzzled by the school rules written in the student handbook, wondering, 'Isn't this what you call a black school rule?' Have you ever questioned the school rules?"

Mirei Kiritani, a caster, mentioned, "There was a rule that if your hair is longer than your shoulders, you must tie it up, which was so troublesome that I ended up cutting it."

Nana Suzue, a news anchor, recalled, "There were regular hair inspections at my school, and I was always nervous about them."

Takahiro Ono, a commentator, mentioned, "A mother has posted on Nippon TV's information site. This spring, her child entered a junior high school in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki. She was surprised when she read the explanatory materials sent before the entrance."

The mother expressed, "'Items worn under shirts or sailor suits should be solid colors: white, black, navy, gray, or beige,' it was written, with a black underline beneath the color. Despite it being stated that 'it should not be visible under the school or sailor suits,' the specification of colors made me think it might be sexual harassment. There was a strong feeling that 'inspection' would be conducted to check these."

Ono further explained, "This mother felt a strong fear. What do you think of the wording of this school rule?"

Kiritani responded, "It's not visible, so why do they need to specify it to this extent?"

The mother added, "Not only is the color of the underwear specified, but I have also heard that a child's underwear was checked at school, which makes me anxious that it might be 'inspected.'"

Ono highlighted, "We asked Professor Yoshitomi Suefumi from the College of Humanities and Sciences at Nihon University about the issues with school rules that dictate the color of underwear."

Professor Suefumi noted, "It feels quite old-fashioned to me. It seems that schools are not aware of the risks."

"According to the guidelines for student guidance from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, it is written to realize the rights and dignity of children themselves. Naturally, school rules that infringe on children's rights should be abolished immediately."

Suzue remarked, "There are students who feel embarrassed and hurt, and it's problematic that their intentions are not respected. What is the purpose of this school rule?"

Ono concluded, "Professor Suefumi clearly states that rules specifying the color of underwear infringe on children's human rights and dignity."

Keisuke Mori, another news anchor, pondered, "These rules are based on old values, and it seems they have existed for a long time. I wonder why teachers haven't thought, 'Maybe we should stop this?' What was the school's awareness?"

The Miyakonojo City Board of Education was interviewed about the school that specifies the color of underwear. "The current color specification comes from a perspective of not wanting flashy items," they explained. "The term 'underwear' here refers to undergarments worn under shirts, not pants or bras. It is strictly about undergarments," they clarified.

Kokoro Kutsukake, another news anchor, expressed, "I can't quite accept it... Whether it's undergarments or underwear, it's strange to have that decided for you."

Ono noted, "Even if it's about undergarments, specifying the color of something not visible remains unchanged. However, after discussions between students and teachers about its necessity for the new school year, the specification of underwear color was abolished this spring."

"It has been confirmed that currently, there are no schools in Miyakonojo City conducting inspections of undergarment colors," they added.

Suzue shared, "I have interviewed schools with similar underwear specifications before. Teachers also expressed confusion about when the rule was established and how to change it, and they have been left unaddressed. It seems difficult to change something that doesn't fit the times."

Ono suggested, "We will think about how to correct these 'black school

rules.' According to a nationwide survey by Studyplus Trend Research Institute, one in four middle school students answered that they have specifications like underwear color, and one in four high school students stated that they are required to submit a 'natural hair certificate.'"

"This certificate is to prove that students with naturally curly hair have not permed it. There are also other questionable rules like requiring permission for parasols, banning sunscreen, prohibiting studying alone with the opposite sex, and banning hearts at cultural festivals."

Mori reflected, "In our generation, impure heterosexual interactions were prohibited under the mysterious phrase 'disturbance of public morals,' and it seems that feeling is still being dragged along."

Ono discussed gender differences in school rules: "There are quite a few rules like 'boys should be like this, girls should be like this.'"

"According to the Studyplus Trend Research Institute, boys are prohibited from tying their hair, while girls must have bangs. Boys are not allowed to wear tights or Heattech, and girls are not allowed to wear neckties. However, there is now some movement to revise these strange school rules."

Professor Suefumi emphasized, "It's important that students and parents work with schools to set school rules themselves. Imposing unreasonable rules is moral harassment. The freedom of human beings should be minimally and rationally restricted."

Suzue mentioned, "I once covered a school where students raised their voices and took the initiative to create school rules. Those students said, 'Because we made the rules ourselves, we feel more inclined to follow them.'"

Ono concluded, "The Children's Basic Law also emphasizes the importance of stakeholders expressing their opinions. It's crucial to revise inappropriate school rules to match the times."

Source: NEWS
Budget bills

Education appropriations

Senate File 2435 makes appropriations for the Iowa Board of Regents and the universities it governs, the Iowa Department of Education and Department for the Blind.

A previous version of the bill would have allocated no additional general funding to state universities for the new fiscal year. As amended, the University of Iowa would receive more than $223 million in general university funding, Iowa State University would receive more than $178 million and the University of Northern Iowa would receive almost $102 million.

In the House debate on the legislation, Rep. Adam Zabner, D-Iowa City, criticized the bills floor manager Rep. Carter Nordman, R-Panora, saying that Republicans were not adequately funding the regents universities  leading to higher costs for Iowans seeking to attend public colleges in the state.

But Nordman argued that House Republicans have prioritized keeping colleges affordable, pointing to measures in the budget like the grants for high-demand jobs and several loan repayment programs.

I believe this budget accomplishes many priorities House Republicans set out to get done this year, and it is consistent with the responsible budgeting practices we have set forth over the past decade-plus, he said.

The amended bill would also prohibit state universities from creating, maintaining or funding diversity, equity and inclusion offices, which are defined in the bill as division, office, center, or other unit of a public institution of higher education that is responsible for creating, developing, designing, implementing, organizing, planning, or promoting policies, programming, training, practices, activities, or procedures related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, unless required by state or federal government or for accreditation.

Private universities would be required to submit annual reports to the General Assembly, Iowa College Aid and Iowa Workforce Development on the number of enrolled students receiving an Iowa Tuition Grant and what they study, as well as an estimate of how many graduates from the previous year who received aid went into a high-demand job and stayed in Iowa. If the school doesnt file a report, students who attend wont be eligible for tuition grants the next year, according to the bill. The bill would raise funding for tuition grants for students in private universities by 2.5% to more than $52 million.

Rep. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, said that while the education appropriations bill primarily deals with higher education, there are still critical needs in Iowas K-12 school system that need to be addressed.

She said one of the biggest shortfalls in the budget was the lack of funding for mental health support programs for K-12 students.

She said funding for mental health support in K-12 schools is even more necessary following the law signed by Reynolds in March, making changes to Iowas Area Education Agencies. AEAs provide special education services, but also have staff workers like school psychologists and social workers that operate in Iowa schools.

With the efforts that have been removed from our AEA, we should have stepped up to the plate with funding for them in this budget, she said. We should prioritize emotional, mental and behavioral support in elementary to high schools. Thats what our kids need and deserve, and this budget doesnt address that.

The House amended the legislation clarifying about the role of the employees working for the Division of Special Education within the Department of Education, who will be hired to take over oversight and supervision duties currently performed internally by AEA employees. The amendment also makes changes to the funding appropriated for Iowa community colleges.

The legislation would also adopt rules for school districts related to chronic absenteeism and truancy, setting up a procedure for schools to work with parents and students through a absenteeism prevention plan, and would require the county attorneys involvement in further involvement and intervention measures. Parents can face criminal charges for their childs truancy.

Sen. Molly Donahue, D-Cedar Rapids, said the approach to chronic absenteeism outlined in the bill would not help Iowa students and schools address or stop the problem.

As an educator, I have seen the unintended consequences of prescriptive chronic absenteeism policies firsthand, Donahue said They dont work. What happens is when parents are threatened with unrealistic consequences from county attorneys, they pull their kids out of the school to home school them, as a way to avoid the consequences, for both the parents and the students. This is  a terrible outcome for students, we want them in school.

Health and Human Services

The House passed funding for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and related services shortly after midnight Friday.

House File 2698 offers a $88.6 million increase in funding compared to FY 2024, Rep. Joel Fry, R-Osceola said. The additional funding includes a $14.6 million increase put toward increasing reimbursement rates for home and community-based service providers, Medicaid programs that work with adults with disabilities and older Iowans. This allocation in part backfills funding previously provided through the federal American Rescue Plan.

The bill also includes $5 million in state funding to increase long-term services and supports for Iowans with intellectual disabilities, creating 70 additional waiver slots for these services. An additional $2.1 million is put toward mental health care Medicaid reimbursement rates and $3 million for adjustments toward home health provider rates working with older Iowans.

This is the largest budget increase since Ive chaired the budget, Fry said.

The legislation also incorporates parts of previous bills, including a measure that would establish joint training sessions with nursing home staff and inspectors about the most common complaints. It also includes language from a bill adding registration requirements for temporary staffing agencies that employ workers at Iowa nursing homes  but does not include the proposed 150% cap on maximum allowable charges for workers based on the statewide average wage to nursing services workers.

Democrats introduced multiple amendments, requesting additional funding for proposals focused on changing Hawki reimbursement rates for dental care to funding pediatric cancer research.

Rep. Chuck Isenhart, D-Dubuque, introduced an amendment to raise the Medicaid personal needs allowance for people living in nursing homes and other care facilities from $50 a month to $75.

Care facility residents have regularly called for lawmakers to increase this amount. Personal needs allowance is what people use to pay for items that facilities often do not provide to residents, including items like snacks and gifts and other costs like cell phone services or haircuts.

Isenhart read a letter from a constituent who was dependent on Medicaid who called for raising the personal needs allowance, writing that $50 is no longer able to adequately meet our needs when you consider that a winter coat or a pair of supportive shoes easily cost $50 or more. He said the Legislature needs to fund support for Iowa seniors.

I can guarantee every legislator in this body has dozens, if not hundreds, of people this impacts in your counties in your districts, he said.

Fry said that while he understood Isenharts perspective, he estimated that the cost of raising the personal needs allowance by $25 would take roughly $1.5 million, asking lawmakers to reject the measure as it is not funded through the agreed-upon budget.

Isenhart disagreed, saying he believes its a dollar amount we can afford given everything else weve spent money on over the last 23 years.

The amendment was voted down 35-56.

The HHS appropriations bill, as amended, was approved 56-35, and heads to the Senate for consideration.

House debate

Behavioral health system

House lawmakers sent Reynolds proposal to change the structure of the states mental health and substance abuse services to the governors desk Thursday.

House File 2673 would establish the Behavioral Health Services System (BHSS) in Iowa. This new system would take on the duties of the existing Mental Health and Disabilities Services (MHDS), as well as incorporating substance abuse and other addiction recovery services. From this, MHDS would move it into an advisory role with disability care going under the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services division of disability and aging services.

The new system would also combine the current 13 mental health and 19 substance abuse regions into seven total districts for all relevant care.

Legislators concurred with a Senate amendment and approved the bill in a 88-8 vote Thursday.

Fry said the merging of these two public health systems will help improve psychiatric and addiction recovery services and availability in Iowa.

I have worked on a variety of different pieces related to mental health and substance abuse  in my last 14 years here, Fry said. And this is a great opportunity for the state of Iowa to see these two worlds merge, and to have a system statewide that I believe will benefit Iowans in some pretty dramatic ways.

In earlier meetings on the governors bill, lawmakers and advocates spoke about the need to make mental health care more accessible in Iowa. According to a Treatment Advocacy Center report published in January, Iowa has a rate of two in-patient psychiatric beds managed by the state available per 100,000 residents. The advocacy group said that 50 beds per 100,000 residents is the base needed to provide minimally adequate treatment for people with severe mental health needs.

Reynolds praised the Legislature for passing the bill.

Iowa has made significant progress in behavioral health care in recent years, from expanding adult services to establishing the first childrens mental health system and increasing funding, the governor said in a statement. But more must be done to align services, making it easier for Iowans to get the help they need and for providers to better coordinate their care. This legislation takes the next step to strengthen the system by aligning services statewide.

Opioid Settlement Fund

Iowas settlement funds gained through lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and pharmacies accused of contributing to the opioid crisis by encouraging doctors to prescribe opioids to patients.

As of this year, the state has $26.8 million in settlement funds, according to the state treasurers office. An additional $144 million is expected to come from settlements in coming years, with half going to the state government and half to local governments.

Senate File 2395, as amended by the House, would create a grant program for use of the settlement funds through Iowa HHS, awarding and distributing one-time funding grants annually to applicants for the use of opioid addiction treatment and prevention services. The bill also establishes an advisory council to review and make recommendations to lawmakers about the funding of grant applications each year.

Rep. Brian Lohse, R-Bondurant, said the bill is a year too late, as funding became available to states in 2023. But he also praised lawmakers for taking the time to get everything right on distributing the money, as well as allowing for future changes with the advisory councils oversight.

We may have to recraft a few things and tinker with a few things to make sure that were really making sure that this money is being used in the way that is really going to help those that need the help, he said.

The bill also directly appropriates money to specific nonprofits through the settlement fund. It allocates $3 million to Youth and Shelter Services and $8 million to Community and Family Resources to build infrastructure needed to provide addiction recovery services, Fry said. The bill also provides roughly $1.54 million in funding to the state Attorney Generals office, dedicated to supporting the offices work with the billion pill pledge program and efforts to help doctors and pharmacists move away from prescribing opioids post-surgery.

The Senate version of the bill would have directed three-fourths of the Opioid Settlement Fund money to Iowa HHS each year, with the remaining 25% going to the attorney generals Office.

As House lawmakers unanimously passed the bill, sending it back to the Senate for consideration, Fry asked for his colleagues to contact senators and urge them to support the bill.

I do want to just echo the fact that the goal here is to help Iowans around opioid addiction, Fry said. I believe this bill will do just that. We are sending money out the door as we pass this bill today, or as the governor hopefully will sign it eventually, and were also making sure that the money for the future Legislatures is there to help future Iowans who may also have this addiction.

Pay increase for lawmakers

After moving the bill through committee Wednesday night, lawmakers in the House approved a measure to raise legislator and state elected officials pay by $10,000 Thursday.

House File 2700, passed in a 58-38 vote, would raise legislators salary to $35,000 annually beginning in the 2025 legislative session. Pay would also increase for those in leadership positions, with the House speaker, Senate president, and majority and minority leaders in both chambers earning $47,500.

Statewide elected officials, including the governor, attorney general, state auditor, secretary of state and treasurer would also get a $10,000 bump. This increase would raise the governors salary to $140,000 and attorney general to $133,669. All other statewide offices would see their salaries rise to $133,212 annually.

The bill also includes annual cost-of-living adjustments to lawmakers pay beginning in 2026 based on average adjustments negotiated by public sector bargaining units.

Fry said in floor debate that perspective is needed to understand the need to raise legislators pay  the current $25,000 rate was set in 2005, going into effect in 2007, and has not increased since despite inflation and rising costs of living.

Its my belief that if we want to continue to maintain this bright future that Iowa has, with the brightest leaders that we can find, this is a key piece of how well retain  we attract and retain  some of those bright leaders in the state of Iowa, Fry said.

Senate debate

School security funding

The two chambers have yet to reach agreement on pay for security at public schools, including arming staff. The Senate passed House File 2652 Thursday on a 33-14 vote and sent it back to the House with significant changes.

While the original version of the legislation would have provided $3 million in state appropriations to finance the additional security and training available to school districts, senators amended the language to take out the $3 million in funding. Instead, their version would allow schools to designate funds dedicated to professional development to finance the firearm trainings needed for staff seeking permits to carry firearms on school grounds.

Sen. Dan Zumbach, R-Ryan, referenced comments made earlier in April by Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, on a related school safety bill. Evans, a former school administrator, said he would want every tool in the toolbox available to him to ensure his students safety.

This is an amazing tool that we can offer our schools, Zumbach said. Its not just a tool, but its a tool with the tools. Its a full toolbox.

This measure builds off House File 2586, the bill outlining a permitting process for school staff to carry firearms, alongside language giving school staff and districts qualified immunity from liability for damages pursuant to the application of reasonable force. The measures seek to address the problems some school districts have faced trying to implement policies allowing staff to carry.

The Senate also removed the funding component from this school safety bill, striking a section that would have created a grant program providing schools with up to $50,000 in matching funds to use for hiring police or security officers for school campuses.

The bill discussed Thursday also included a change to the previous legislation, that was sent to the governor Thursday, on the permitting process. While the original language had the Iowa Department of Public Safety directly providing the training for school staff, the Senate amendment would only require the department approves training courses  meaning school staff could go through training processes through outside providers to gain a permit.

Winckler said Democrats take school safety seriously and support other safety measures like alarm systems and firearm detection technologies mentioned in the bill.

We wish that this bill included more funding for those programs, Winckler said. But we cant support a bill that facilitates putting more guns in schools.

The school security funding bill returns to the House for approval of the changes.

Open meetings, open records

The Iowa Senate unanimously voted in favor of a bill setting steeper penalties for violations of Iowas open records and open meetings laws.

The legislation comes in the wake of multiple alleged violations of these laws in Davenport last year. The Davenport city government has been criticized for a lack of transparency surrounding building inspections records following the collapse of a six-story apartment building in May 2023 that resulted in three deaths.

A January lawsuit alleges the city of Davenport and former city attorney Tom Warner broke open meetings laws in a separate instance, by reaching settlements with three city employees without the city councils approval. The council later ratified that decision following a closed session.

Sen. Scott Webster, R-Bettendorf, said the bill was brought forward in response to the alleged Davenport violations. He also said the bill was important for all Iowans, as it makes sure that when city councils and city governments and county governments are having conversations, that those are done in (the) open, and not done in the privacy or the darkness of the night.

House File 2539 raises penalties for violations of the states open meetings laws from fines between $100 and $500 to fines between $500 and $2,500. Knowing violations of open meetings laws would increase from fines of between $1,000 and $2,500 to $5,000 and $12,500 under the bill.

The Senate removed House language requiring elected officials to go through training on public records and open meetings laws. Senators also adopted an amendment clarifying that the definition of meeting would not encompass events hosted by political candidates, groups or civic organizations that elected officials are all present for.

House lawmakers concurred with the changes. Zabner said while he preferred the bill with the training component included, that he still believed the legislation was important to advance.

I thought the training was a really important piece, but I still think its time that we look at these penalties and make sure that were seeing sunshine when it comes to government, he said.

The House voted to approve the amended bill 87-6, sending it to the governor.

Committees advance final bills

Film production tax credit

The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved House File 2662, a bill to create a film production incentive program and fund for the state.

The incentive program and fund would provide tax rebates for film production facilities in Iowa, launching a pilot program offering 30% tax rebates on qualified expenditures related to the production of a movie. The rebate would exclude some taxes and could be applied to spendings up to $10 million per fiscal year.

The tax incentive program for filming in Iowa comes in the wake of reports that Iowas previous film tax incentive program was severely abused by those claiming rebates. Former Iowa Auditor David Vaudt found nearly $26 million of the $32 million awarded through the film tax credit program that ran from 2007 to 2009 was improperly spent.

House lawmakers said during debate in March that the new program created by the bill could not be misused in the same way, as it more specifically details what counts as qualified facilities and expenditures for rebates, in addition to requiring production companies have a certified public accountant examine their submitted qualified expenditures to ensure they are in accordance with the program.

Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo, said the bill contains plenty of guard rails to prevent future abuse. But he said he was excited to see the state work to bring the film industry back to the state.

Its important that we all know that occasionally you can hit a home run with a film project, like the Field of Dreams, Dotzler said.

Grain Indemnity Fund

Senate File 2401 was adopted by the Senate early this month and received committee approval in the House on Thursday by a 19-6 vote. The bill would roughly double the funds operating balance and will expand its coverage to credit-sale contracts. The fund reimburses farmers for their losses when a state-licensed grain dealer buys their corn or soybeans but goes defunct before paying.

Flat tax amendment

The House Ways and Means committee passed Senate Joint Resolution 2004 16-9, a measure that would enshrine a flat individual income tax rate in the Iowa constitution.

The measure is one part of a larger proposal introduced by Dawson and Kaufmann earlier this year. While the Senate resolution deals with flat income tax rates, House Joint Resolution 2006 would add a two-thirds vote requirement for passing increases to individual income tax in Iowa.

Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville said he felt the same punch in the gut with this legislation as he did when the House voted to advance the amendment setting a higher threshold for tax increases. He cited other issues that he said were important to Iowans and should also be put before voters as constitutional amendments.

If we  want to allow the people to vote on the flat tax, then I think we also need to allow the people in Iowa to vote on IVF, Jacoby said, referring to in vitro fertilization. We need to allow for people in Iowa to vote on minimum wage. We need to allow the people of Iowa to vote on all things as far as womens health care. But today, this is in front of us. And I dont think it warrants a change to the strongest state constitution in the United States.

If passed by the full House, the measure would start the process for amending the state constitution. Proposed amendments must clear the Legislature in two consecutive general assemblies before being put before Iowa voters on the ballot for final approval.
A Kansas man was sentenced on April 11 to more than 21 years in federal prison after a jury trial in Council Bluffs on drug charges.

George Madison Kitchen IV, a 46-year-old resident of Kansas City, Kansas, was found guilty on two counts of an indictment and sentenced to 260 months in prision, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa. Co-defendant, Cardel Jordan Harris, 26, was sentenced on Dec. 12 to 10 years in prison.

Kitchen and Harris were transporting methamphetamine from Kansas City, Missouri, with a destination of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, according to the release, citing public court documents.

In July 2022, law enforcement stopped Kitchen for a traffic violation with Harris as a passenger. Kitchen and Harris were asked to step out of the vehicle due to the odor of marijuana. Instead, they fled the scene.

Kitchen led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit northbound on Interstate 29. They were stopped north of Council Bluffs.

Kitchen and Harris threw bags out the passenger side window while speeding along the interstate, according to the release. Officers found the bags along the interstate which resulted in the discovery of distribution quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine.

After prison, Kitchen must serve a 10-year term of supervised release and Harris must serve a five-year term. There is no parole in the federal system.

The Council Bluffs Police Department, Harrison County Sheriffs Office and the Missouri Valley Police Department were involved in the apprehension. The Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Office and the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Enforcement Task Force were involved in the apprehension and investigation of the case.
Weather Alert

...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 9 AM CDT MONDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures as low as 31 will result in frost formation. * WHERE...Portions of southwest and west central Iowa and east central, northeast, and southeast Nebraska. * WHEN...From 1 AM to 9 AM CDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. &&